Shadow Heart by Pamela Taeuffer

Title: Shadow Heart
Author: Pamela Taeuffer
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: February 26, 2014
Kindle Edition, 277 pages


Synopsis
Nobody wants to talk about them, but there are events that occur in our lives that become deep, dark secrets we hold inside. And they dramatically influence who we are and who we become.

Such is the case for seventeen year-old Nicky Young who was raised by an alcoholic father and disengaged mother. When Nicky tries to make her way into the world she is confronted by the demons of her dysfunctional and sometimes violent upbringing.
Unlike many of her friends, she has shied away from boys, makeup, and clothes, instead focusing on achievement and her goal of getting into Stanford.
But then Nicky meets Ryan Tilton, a sexy, high profile professional baseball player, eight years her senior, and a strong desire is awakened in her.
Nicky questions Ryan's motives for wanting to be with an inexperienced girl and can't decide if he's a scoundrel or genuinely cares about her. She is both excited and frightened, torn between protecting her heart and wanting to trust.
Ryan brings his own demons--losing his father at the age of fourteen, and a sexual partner from his past who will not leave him alone.
Will their young, uncertain love be enough to help them open their hearts and experience the intimacy they both crave so deeply, or are Nicky and Ryan on a collision course?
Loosely based on the author's life growing up in San Francisco, this inspired contemporary romance novel deals with the disturbing secrets siblings share, the dance between love and protecting one's heart, and he innate desire to conned t with another even when it means risking everything.

Review
Shadow Heart is a compelling read. The novel is loosely based off of the author’s life growing up in San Francisco. Our main protagonist, Nicky, deals with a lot of heavy issues and tries to cope with them the best they can all while trying to live her own life. Her father’s alcoholism has harshly impacted her family and continues to slowly tear the family apart.

Nicky is a shy young woman, and besides dealing with family issues, she is in her senior year of high school and prepares get into college. Through working with the local baseball team, she meets the mysterious older baseball player, Ryan. She immediately falls for him, but holds back in fear of being used due to her inexperience with relationships.

Throughout the story Nicky learns to slowly break out of her shell and become a stronger person. She is more outspoken, opens herself to her friends, and even lets people into her heart. The story turns into a love triangle as Nicky has to choose between Ryan, who wants to show her he truly loves her, or longtime childhood friend Jerry, who also deeply cares for her.The ending brings a cliffhanger that will definitely shock readers.

The only complaint I had about the book was that for a 25 yr old man, Ryan, seemed kinda juvenile at times. He was mature for the most part, but sometimes his personality changed and he sounded and acted like a teenager. Other than that Shadow Heart is a pretty satisfying read.

Forget Me Not by Stacey Nash

Title: Forget Me Not
Author: Stacey Nash
Genre: Science Fiction/ Fantasy
Publication Date: August 25, 2014
Kindle Edition, 277 pages


Synopsis
Anamae is drawn into a world which shatters everything she knew to be true.

Since her mother vanished nine years ago, Anamae and her father have shared a quiet life. But when Anamae discovers a brooch identical to her mother's favorite pendant, she unknowingly invites a slew of trouble into their world. They're not just jewellery, they're part of a highly developed technology capable of cloaking the human form. Triggering the jewellery's power attracts the attention of a secret society determined to confiscate the device - and silence everyone who is aware of its existence. Anamae knows too much, and now she's Enemy Number One. 

She's forced to leave her father behind when she's taken in by a group determined to keep her safe. Here Anamae searches for answers about this hidden world. With her father kidnapped and her own life on the line, Anamae must decide if saving her dad is worth risking her new friends' lives. No matter what she does, somebody is going to get hurt.

Review

Nash’s novel is not about paranormal activities or beings. In fact, all of the “magic” in the story is actually rooted in science and is caused by very advanced technology. As a science-minded person, I was drawn in immediately when I discovered this. Being able to explain all of the strange events and abilities that are in her story is an advantage that Nash has above other young adult authors, and one that I believe many will enjoy. Forget Me Not is a sci-fi novel with a dash of modern James Bond that is written to enthrall readers.

I’ll admit that I loved this novel, from its cover to its very last word, but I wasn’t impressed with parts of the main character. While Anamae seemed interesting enough, it seemed that Nash was constantly trying to dumb her down. Although Mae can come up with genius plans and solve problems, she is unable to figure out the reason behind her friend Will’s sudden change in attitude. While she trains hard to become a fighter, she seems to always need saving when things get rough. If you are looking for a book with a strong female role model, this is surely not it.

The one thing I did love is that although the novel is over, readers will agree that the story is far from over. Nash did a great job with leaving us in anticipation of the next chapter of Anamae’s saga by answering some of our questions, introducing new questions, and generally just leaving us wanting more.

I’m giving Forget Me Not fours stars. It had a great plot and was very engaging. It was also very descriptive and helped me visualize exactly the world Nash created. But with such a weak main character, I 'm wary of the next installment. I would recommend this book to any fans of the series I mentioned before, as this will be a breath of fresh air and yet still leave you with a book similar to those you already loved.

Black Lies by Alessandra Torre

Title: Black Lies
Author: Alessandra Torre
Genre: New Adult
Publication Date: August 25, 2014
Kindle: 219 pages

Synopsis
Brant: 
Became a tech billionaire by his twentieth birthday. Has been in a relationship with me for 3 years.
Has proposed 4 times. Been rejected 4 times.

Lee: 
Cuts grass when he’s not banging housewives. Good with his hands, his mouth, and his cock. Has been pursued relentlessly by me for almost 2 years, whether he knows it or not.

Go ahead. Judge me. You have no idea what my love entails.

If you think you’ve heard this story before, trust me – you haven’t.

Review
I would suggest reading this one blind. I read the synopsis and understood from it that appearances were going to be deceiving out the gate. If you like a story with a twist, then Black Lies is simply a must-read not to be missed.

One of my favorite passage:
'True love makes a person reckless, makes them take risks and make sacrifices. True love test the boundaries of our person, make us yearn to be better and fight for the ground we stand on. I will fight for this love. Lie for it. Steal for it. It is worthy of that. On paper, we are a horrible match. I have no light; she brims with it. I am serious; she is fun. But off paper, that is where our magic occurs. I want to be more like her. I want to listen to her laugh and have had something to do with it. I love her completely. She returns the love wildly. This love is worth the unsaid truths. The hidden lies.’ ~ Brant

Personally, I figured out the twist early on which helped me relax and avoid being judgmental. I really enjoyed Layana’s personality and her strength as she goes on this amazing journey with Brant and Lee.

The hype and buzz surrounding this novel's release was totally justified. Read it. You won’t regret it.

Present Perfect by Alison G. Bailey

Title: Present Perfect
Author: Alison G. Bailey
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: August 1, 2013
Kindle: 420 pages

Synopsis
I’ve been unsure about many things in my life except for one thing, that I have always loved him. Every single minute of every single day that I have been on this earth, my heart has belonged to him. It has never been a question, never a doubt. The love had taken on many different forms over the years, but it had always been a constant.

Everyone has their definition of love. There have been countless songs sung about it. A gazillion books, articles, and poems written about it. There are experts on love who will tell you how to get it, keep it, and get over it.

We’re led to believe love is complicated. It’s not the love that’s complicated. It’s all the crap that we attach to it and put in front of it that makes it difficult. If you’re smart, you’ll realize this before it’s too late and simplify.

Amanda Kelly spent her entire life trying to control every aspect of it, while striving for perfection. Her obsession with being perfect, along with her feelings of worthlessness, consumed her. The one thing she thought was perfect in her life was the bond she shared with her best friend, Noah. 

Everything was going according to her life plan until she woke up one day and realized she had fallen in love with him. The one thing she couldn’t control was the affect he had on her. Noah had the power to give her one hundred lifetimes of happiness, which also gave him the power to completely devastate her. He was the one thing in her life that was perfect, but she couldn't allow herself to have him.

Her life begins to unravel. Events take over and force her to let go of her dreams and desires. She needs to realize that a person cannot control the events in their life, only their reaction to them...but will it be too late for her to save her relationship with her best friend? 

Present Perfect is a story of how past events have present consequences and how perfect your present could be if you stopped fighting and just allowed it to happen.

Review:
I have no words. 
Only feelings. 
Emotions. 
Erratic breathing... And the lack of. 

The first half of the book is really cute. It reminded me of my childhood and my best friend, who just so happened to be a boy, so I related. I related so much, it was almost as if my thoughts were written into a book without my consent which is a GREAT thing! I was expecting the typical story about falling in love with your best friend/boy next-door, unrequited feelings, heartbreak yada yada yada. While I was right about the gist of the story, it turned out to be something much much more.

Amanda is living in the shadows of her perfect older sister and feels like she is never good enough at anything or for anyone. I honestly don’t see why her self-esteem is so bad, I think she put a lot more pressure on herself and made a bigger deal out of things then needed. Amanda and Noah grew up together, practically lived next door, had all their “firsts” together and it was a strictly platonic child love for one another until well it wasn't anymore.

One day you wake up and realize that boy next door isn't a little boy anymore. All of a sudden you notice his smell, you notice his mannerisms, his voice give you chill, his touch makes your spine tingle, and his smile give you butterflies, and his laugh ... oh, it’s the best sound you have ever heard in your life. All of a sudden she has boobs, and curves, and way her eyes light when you make her smile, the way her hair falls softly over her shoulders and she smells like a fresh spring morning. You grow up overnight and the feeling is so overwhelming terrifying you’d do almost anything to go back to yesterday, all out of fear. Fear of messing things up, fear of complications, fear of losing your best friend.

They both skid around their new found feelings until eventually Noah comes right out and admits he wants to be more with Amanda, he lays his feelings right out there to Amanda and doesn't hold back. Amanda feels the same way but doesn't admit to him, she thinks she isn't good enough for Noah (stupid unwarranted self-esteem issues) because she isn't perfect and does not want to risk losing their friendship because it is everything to her. As the years pass, Noah dates but never stops telling Amanda how he feels about her. He declares his love for Amanda despite being rejected over and over again. 

The years pass by, one minute they are a freshman in high school and the next they are seniors, graduating and moving on to college. This is when the book really changes and becomes much more adult. Noah is going through something major, life changing event around this time and I really thought this would be the moment Amanda would declare her love for him but it doesn't happen and I was getting so frustrated with her. She let her low self-esteem and other people get in the way, after four years I couldn't justify her not telling Noah how she felt. He never stopped telling her how he felt even while dating other girls. He never stopped believing in her, in them.

Then in comes the second half of the book. Oh boy, I was in tears… like real tears falling down my face and not smalls tears, straight up boohoo ugly snot tears. It was heartbreaking, you really FEEL what it's like to be in her head, you feel angry with her you feel her helplessness, her sense of doom and her acceptance of it. Then Amanda meets a new friend Dalton who is simply a beautiful soul. He makes her realize you only live once. You go from thinking the world is full of an infinite amount of time to realizing nothing in this world is infinite. He gives her the courage to finally accept Noah and his unrelenting love for everything that is her. I felt like standing up fist pumping the air and screaming FINALLY!! God I feel like my eyes are going to fall out from all this crying I did! I found myself falling in love with both men for different reasons…. If it were possible to love two men at the same time, Noah & Dalton were it.

I cannot express how difficult it was for me to write this review, my emotions are still on high. I am so glad that my sister-in-law recommend this book to me, it's to put it simply a piece of art.

Inevitable Detour by S.R. Grey

Title: Inevitable Detour
Author: S.R. Grey
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: September 4,  2014
ebook: 318 pages

Synopsis

The day my life took an inevitable detour things got a little crazy.

My name is Essalin Brant, but everyone calls me Essa. I attend a small college in a tiny town, and in my twenty-two years of life I’ve never even traveled outside the state of Pennsylvania. You could say my life is pretty boring. I live by the rules. I’m a good girl and nothing exciting ever happens. 

But that’s all about to change. 

Enter Farren Shaw. Not only is he older and intimidating, but he’s more sure of himself than any 29-year-old man has a right to be. Did I mention that he’s drop-dead gorgeous? Well, he is. He also happens to be my best friend Haven’s brother. And I would be content with just fantasizing about Farren from afar, but when Haven suddenly goes missing, her gorgeous brother is the only one who believes me when I say she was abducted, even though all signs seem to suggest Haven left town willingly. 

I know better, though. As does Farren. So when he asks me to accompany him to search for his sister, I accept. 

That’s when the real adventure begins. 

Our quest to find Haven takes us across the country. And throughout the time we spend together, I find myself falling for Farren . . . falling hard. He's everything I’ve ever wanted. But is he really someone I should fear? 

Because aside from making me feel things I’ve never felt before, Farren is hiding something. Something big. What could this stunning man be keeping from me? And why? Is Haven’s disappearance somehow connected to his mysterious job? 

All I know is that things are about to get real. 

Welcome to the Inevitable Detour that has become my life.

**mature themes, strong sexual content, and some dark themes and situations**

Review

I've been a fan of S.R. Grey since Harbour falls.  Her ability to mix mystery, suspense, and romance had me on pins and needles and guessing who done it throughout the entire book and subsequent books. So I was very pleasantly surprised when I head she was coming out with Inevitable Detour. Let me just say that she did NOT disappoint. I was hooked from the start and found myself unable to put it down.  She once again had me on pins and needles trying to guess what was going to happen next; needless to say it was anything but predictable. Once I thought I had the plot all figured out BAM it’s something completely different.  I enjoyed the chemistry and sexual tension between Farren and Essa, I liked that there was depth to their respective characters and build up to their relationship. Farren is the perfect bad boy but good man.  I can’t to pick up where she left off, Inevitable Circumstances (book 2) cannot come fast enough!

Taste Test by L.B. Dunbar

Title: Taste Test
Author: L.B. Dunbar
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: September 2,  2014
ebook: 319 pages


Synopsis:

In a modern twist of fairy tales,
what if the beast is a woman instead of a man?

Ethan Scott
I was about to find out when a mysterious job led to the secluded home of a horror novelist. I’d lost everything: my scholarship, my education, and my way. In denial of my family inheritance, I took the unusual employment as a chance out of a hole, but I found myself buried in the unknown trauma of another situation much deeper. 

Ella Vincentia
I had changed my name and my address to keep myself hidden, but my scars were more than physical. Living as a recluse in the woods, I was used to being alone, so I wasn’t happy when a certain someone was always in my space. Our first encounter was less than pleasant and tension continued at every attempt to tame me. 

Secrets
I knew she was keeping secrets and I wanted to help, but she was cutting me down and cutting me off every time she opened her mouth. Our frustration with one another grew until a misunderstanding changed everything. How can I be the next guy after something so tragic? It was a challenge I wasn’t sure I was willing to take

Review:

It It’s not often that I am left speechless after reading a book. I was captivated right from the start. I ADORED the twist to Beauty & the Beast. Ella & Ethan's story is so touching and complicated which makes it so much more real than most stories. It’s not your typically boy meets girl; they fall in love yada yada yada … The love story between Ella and Ethan is about them finding solace in each other after society and family reject them both.  It’s about not only confronting but surpassing your demons. I think the most important lesson to be learned is that like the “Beast” Ella is not angry, she is sad. She is tired and afraid. She had lost everything that is important to her until Ethan comes along and shows her beauty is more than skin deep. They bring out the best in each other, they heal each other and then life goes on. Beautifully written, and masterfully executed.

If I could rate this book more than 5 stars I would.

I also think it’s important to stress that while Taste Test is the second book in the Sensations Collection, you do not have to read Book 1, Sound Advice to follow along (although I would highly recommend that one as well). LB Dunbar you never cease to amaze me, I am eagerly awaiting the next installment Fragrance Free as it is my favorite of our 5 senses and there is no one better then you to do that justice. 

For Fallon (Chicago Syndicate #1) by Soraya Naomi

Title: For Fallon
Author: Soraya Naomi
Genre: Romantic Suspense 
Publication Date:   July 26, 2014
Kindle: 264 pages


Synopsis:
We all have a façade, a concealed mask we wear to portray ourselves to the world. 

Fallon’s mask is real, what you see is what you get. Growing up with two loving parents in Chicago, graduating in Chicago, and now working a job she loves, she enjoys her life. 

Her untarnished world is shaken when Luca crosses her path. 

Luca’s mask is tightly controlled. Distrust, rivalry, and violence rule his life.

When confronted with insecurities, when the one you love wears his mask perfectly, when your life unravels and you don’t know why, do you keep trusting the person you love? 

Everyone has a façade. Everyone has an ulterior motive.

Review: Let’s talk about the Prologue for just a second. I have to admit it was one of the better ones I’ve read lately. It drew me in, and I was excited to actually begin the story. Unfortunately, it didn't really grab my interest until somewhere between the 50% - 60% mark, which in my opinion took too long. It was a lot of “yeah … been there, read that …. yada yada yada. I like that it isn’t one of those insta-love books, there is a lot of character and relationship building and I enjoyed that very much. I also like the fact that their love story is told from alternating POVs it helps to understand the characters better. I felt their passion, the sense of heartbreak, and betrayal. There were twist and turns that pulled me in but untimely the plot was just okay.

Of course I didn’t get my happy ending as expected and I am ok with that, I am looking forward to book 2 that releases in the fall. Luca (just the name makes me hot) is one sexy piece of man candy and I cannot wait to dive in and find out more.

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Sky Watcher by Ella Emerson

Title: Sky Watcher
Author: Ella Emerson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date:   June 30, 2014
Kindle: 100 pages



Synopsis: Meet Allison Singleton, Single, alone. Her husband has left her after years of marriage, and she is destined to be alone for the rest of her life. At 35, she is afraid to hop back into the dating scene, as she knows there aren’t too many options at her age. She has labeled men her age into two categories: Taken and everything left over. The second group includes the men who are so dreadful that no woman has snagged them up yet. This is her dating pool.

That is, until she meets the hot lawyer, Gavin McDermott, on a blind date. He may just be what she is looking for. He offers her a job on his mother’s chicken farm, and, wanting to try new things, she accepts. It is there on the farm where she discovers herself, her dreams, and maybe love?



Review: This book is such a CUTE EFFIN' READ! I love the fact that Allison feels like a REAL person. She is hesitant to jump into anything as opposed to just pretending she is recently divorced. Gavin came across as a narcissistic asshat so i am unbelievably happy. My only gripe is the insta-love she and Luke have. It really urks me. Give me super attraction, give me I care more then I should a this point. Give me butterflies and stars whenever they see each other. Just don't give me love THAT quickly. Regardless, of that little mishap, I enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to the nest book. I want to know what happens when she sees the brothers again, what did their mother leave her??
UGH ... when is the next book coming out? I WANT IT NOW!

Unsettled by S.C. Ellington

Title: Unsettled
Author: S.C. Ellington
Genre: Contemporary Romance 5 users
Publication Date: December 3, 2013
Kindle: 225 pages

Synopsis: 
After a horrific breakup with her longtime boyfriend, Brooklyn Caldwell is completely disenchanted with the notion of mingling with the opposite sex. Damon Williams had been everything she thought she wanted…until he wasn’t. 

In an attempt to escape her heartbreaking past, Brooklyn seeks refuge in bustling Washington, D.C. where she folds into the fast-paced society unnoticed…until she meets a young entrepreneur, Logan Colton. 

Brooklyn is surprised to find that while she has been successful in keeping the opposite sex at bay, somehow she is defenseless against Logan’s confidence and charm—and it doesn’t hurt that he is absurdly beautiful. 

As much as Logan didn’t plan on pursuing her, he is drawn to Brooklyn’s muted beauty and her witty persona. For all his success, Logan is ensnared in the coveted world of unequivocal wealth and power, but behind closed doors is taunted by demons and an undeniable need to atone for a monumental mistake. 

As the two embark on a tumultuous obstacle course saturated with unknown twists and turns, Brooklyn is left to question whether she can endure the journey ahead. 

Review:

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on. - Robert Frost

That quote is one of the first things that drifted through my mind as I was reading.

Meet Brooklyn: She is sassy, and funny but is emotionally scarred from a past relationship. She doesn't let anyone in and isn't interested in dating for fear of getting hurt again. That is until she literally runs into Logan Colton bajillionaire extraordinaire. 

She is hesitant at first, but there is just something about Logan she can't resist. She makes him work for it and he turns out to be something she didn't expect. Those walls she worked years on building are slowly starting to come down, she begins to trust, believe and put her past behind her. 

Her life now full of happiness, she has fallen and fallen hard. Then she attends a gala with Logan and meets his parents, but while using the restroom she overhears a conversation that feeds right into her insecurity. Can it be true, has she been tricked?

dun dun dun .... Hope ya' didn't think you'd get an answer cause you're going to have to wait until the next book. I for one can't wait!!

Little Black Book by Tabatha Vargo and Melissa Andrea

Title: Little Black Book
Author: Tabatha Vargo and Melissa Andrea
Genre: New Adult,  Contemporary Romance
Publication Date:   June 1, 2014
Paperback: 284 pages



Synopsis:  My name’s Sebastian Black, and I want to buy you. I could have any woman I want, but I choose you. NO RELATIONSHIP, JUST SEX. Here’s my offer… I’ll put your name in my LITTLE BLACK BOOK, and when I want you, I’ll call you. When I call, you’re going to come, in more ways than one. It will be mutually pleasurable for both of us. There are only two rules: DON'T EVER DENY ME. DON'T FALL IN LOVE. If you do either, I’ll remove you from my book and payment stops. Do we have an understanding?





Review:

The book did lack originality I mean it had all the same recipes 1. Girl is beautiful, has no clue 2. She is in a desperate situation 3. She is a virgin turned pro 4. He is rich 5. Dark and moody 6. He is afraid to love 7. His past sucks 8. His best friend/closest girl friend is secretly in love with him yada yada yada.... I could keep going but do I really have too?!I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the book because I did. It's just that sometimes I felt like I'd been there and done that even with the twist in the plot line. What I liked most was the dirty talk... Its effin hot when the sex finally happened... It was effin hot It is a easy enjoyable book that bridged the gap from my last good read to my next one.

I Stand Before You by S.R. Grey

Title: I Stand Before You
Author: S.R. Grey
Genre: New Adult,  Contemporary Romance
Publication Date:  September 2013
Paperback: 410 pages

Synopsis:  A story of love, a story of hope. How can you move forward when you're anchored to the past? When it comes to tattooed bad boys, Chase Gartner was the real deal. Partying, engaging in meaningless sex, getting into fights---Chase indulged in it all during his late teen years, thus firmly solidifying his status as a heartbreakingly gorgeous but way-too-dangerous-to-trust guy in his hometown of Harmony Creek, Ohio. Then, following one fateful night of reckless decisions, Chase's actions finally caught up to him and landed him in prison. Now, four years have passed and Chase finds himself a free man. He returns to Harmony Creek, ready to pick up the pieces and start rebuilding his shattered life. Things are off to a promising start when he meets Kay Stanton, a young woman with a tragic past of her own. Despite a powerful attraction, Chase and Kay are naturally hesitant to become involved. That's why friendship feels like the safest option. But when passions ignite and love blossoms, a relationship that is destined and meant to be can only be resisted for so long. When Chase and Kay finally succumb to their feelings they realize being together feels more right and true than anything they have ever experienced. But their love is soon tested. Chase's wild past still haunts and tempts him, and Kay is keeping a secret that could tear them apart. I Stand Before You is a journey of hope and forgiveness, coming to terms with the past and moving forward. But mostly it's a story of two damaged people who take a chance, open their hearts, and find true love.

Review:
 A sweet tale about two broken people who come together and find themselves, they are from two very different worlds, but fate brought them together and it was meant to be.  Meet Chase: A tattoo ridden “bad boy” who is really a kitty cat (unless you f with what’s his) and just wants to move on from his past mistakes and not be judged for them. Meet Kay: A classic “good girl”. Who has also made some mistakes and doesn't know how to forgive herself. As far as story line, it kept me interested BUT a lot of the emotion came through with the characters telling the reader instead of us seeing it for ourselves. Sort of like … let me TELL you what is going on rather than experiencing it WITH said characters,  because of that you don’t really get the chance connect on that level. Also, I have to agree with a lot of other reviewers in regards to their chosen “pet names” i.e. my girl/my boy, sweet baby girl. Yeah, it was endearing at first but I quickly got over it. I mean Chase spent years in jail and is a “bad boy” would he really be referring to his girlfriend as “sweet” anything? Probably not.  I just feel like they are adults and using name like that reminded me of teenagers claiming their significant others. I do LOVE the face that their relationship is slowly built up and not just insta-love or insta-sex., it was VERY refreshing. They were friends first and lovers second *YAY*. To sum it all up,  I liked this story and after reading the little twist at the end I am interested to see what happens next.

Immagica by K.A. Last

Title: Immagica
Author: K.A. Last
Genre: YA 
Publication Date:  January 27, 2013


Synopsis: Immagica
Where anything is possible.
Enter at your own risk.

The night before her fifteenth birthday, Rosaline Clayton uncovers a deep family secret. She receives an amulet from her deranged father, and he tells her she must find the book in order to save him. Rosaline is used to her dad not making any sense, so she dismisses their conversation as another of his crazy rants.

When Rosaline’s brother, Elliot, drags her to their Nana’s attic to explore, they find the old leather-bound book tucked away in a chest. It sucks them into its pages, transporting them to a magical world. Along the way Rosaline and Elliot are separated, and the only thing she wants is to find her brother and go home. 

The creatures of Immagica have other ideas. After years of war their land lies in ruin. Using the amulet’s power, they want Rosaline to defeat the dragon and restore Immagica to its former glory. But Rosaline is bound to Immagica in ways she doesn’t understand, and when she discovers the truth about her family, she must follow her heart to save them all.

Review: Let me just state firstly how much I LOVED this book. I sat with my 7 and 2 year old daughters every night before bedtime for a week reading this with them. I can’t thank K.A. Last for writing this book, and for the countless hours I have spent talking my daughters about the characters in this book. You have all the right elements:

1. Young girl coming of age

2. Magical world and 

3. Magical creatures

4. An EPIC journey to save the world from destruction.

I am not ashamed to admit I enjoyed this book just as much as my kids did!

I sincerely hope that this will be made into a series, because I would love to read more adventures in Immagica. The time spent with my daughters introducing them to an early love of books is priceless.

Sacrifice by K.A. Last

Title: Sacrifice
Author: K.A.Last
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publication Date:  May, 2013
Kindle Edition, 114 pages



Synopsis: Sacrifice is a 23,000 word prequel to Fall For Me. It tells the story of Grace and Seth, and what happened in that castle. It is meant to be read after Fall For Me, although it can be read first...


Seth’s heart is breaking. He knows his decision will hurt the one person he keeps breathing for, but he can’t take it anymore. He can’t be near Grace knowing she will always be just out of reach.

Grace is oblivious to Seth’s turmoil. She loves him unconditionally, but not in the way he wants. They both know that in Heaven physical love is forbidden, and to break the rules is to defy everything they’ve ever been taught.

When Grace and Seth are sent on a mission to save a young mother and her unborn child, Grace must face the fact that Seth won’t be returning home. She doesn’t understand Seth’s decision and hates him for it. But what neither of them realise is how big a part that single decision will play in shaping their entire future.

What would you sacrifice for the one you love?

Review: I do have to admit I enjoyed this one more then Fall for me. It was short and to the point. This book is where the story of Seth and Grace begins. It explains why Seth became a fallen angel and Grace became a protection angel. My favorite parts of this read were all the parts involving Seth, I REALLY liked being in Seth's head, I understand him better now and by the time I finished reading this book I was on #TeamSeth. Seth is not lost any more than Grace when she became a fallen angel. They both fall taking a stand for what they believe is worth fighting for.

Hardline by Meredith Wild

Title: Hardline

Author: Meredith Wild

Genre: New Adult,  Contemporary Romance

Publication Date:  June 2014

Paperback: 262 pages

Synopsis: 

Hacker Series #3

Software mogul Blake Landon has met his match in headstrong Erica Hathaway. While his controlling nature and her independent spirit continue to battle, Blake has no intention of letting her out of his life again.

Erica has given Blake her trust and her love, determined that they will conquer any challenges together. But when he demands more and tests the boundaries of her commitment, she is forced to face the dark desires he’s kept hidden.

As their bonds grow tighter, their enemies close in. With Erica’s start-up in danger, Blake’s frustration grows as he tries to protect her from those who would ruin her only to get to him. Can their relationship survive when Blake’s enemies cross the line and threaten more than her livelihood?

Review:

I have been a fan of the hacker series since Meredith Wild came out with Hardwired. I go back and forth on how I feel about Blake.   One minute I think that he is unreasonably overbearing and controlling, the next I love him and their dynamic.

In this book Blake test Erica on how far she is willing to go with him. His actions toward Erica were so cruel at times that my heart aches for her. The way she gave herself to him even though she knew it wasn't what she wanted killed me. I can't imagine being in that kind of relationship.  Erica has lost the one quality she had that I adored and that's her independence so BOO Blake.

Hopefully, in the next book, this will be resolved and Erica will again become the strong woman she was in the beginning. She sacrificed and worked too hard to be independent and successful, to just give it up, begging Blake to forgive her. Seriously, Meridith WTH are you doing to me?!

However, just when you think Blake and Erica's ride couldn't get any crazier... it does. I couldn't put this book down. With every page turn I was drawn in more and more. I can’t wait until the next installment!