Flawed by Kate Avelynn (Review)

Title: Flawed
Series: Standalone
Author: Kate Avelynn
Published: Jan 2013, Entangled
Format: Library Loan
Pages: 321/Paperback

Sarah O’Brien is alive because of the pact she and her brother made twelve years ago — James will protect her from their violent father if she promises to never leave him. For years, she’s watched James destroy his life to save hers. If all he asks for in return is her affection, she’ll give it freely.

Until, with a tiny kiss and a broken mind, he asks for more than she can give.

Sam Donavon has been James’ best friend — and the boy Sarah’s had a crush on — for as long as she can remember. As their forbidden relationship deepens, Sarah knows she’s in trouble. Quiet, serious Sam has decided he’s going to save her. Neither of them realizes James is far more unstable than her father ever was, or that he’s not about to let Sarah forget her half of the pact . . . 

Flawed.  OMG.  So where do I start?  This book is crazy good, and you'd be a fool to not pick it up.  A bit taboo, a bit romance, a bit dark... there's a lot in these pages, and I loved it.

Primal Attraction by Sydney Somers (Review)

Title: Primal Attraction
Series: Pendragon Gargoyles #2
Author: Sydney Somers
Published: January 2010, Samhain
Format: Ebook received for review
Pages: 116 Pages/Goodreads

He'll stop at nothing to claim her... If she doesn't kill him first.

A lethal huntress, Sorcha lives to track and eliminate rogue immortals-until her latest assignment turns out to be a sexy, gargoyle shape-shifter. From the start she's shaken by the lust his touch awakens inside her. Not only that, but the cat is convinced she's his mate, and for the first time, she's unable to kill her target. Still mourning the loss of his mate, Cale is stunned to find Sorcha alive. Yet the woman he aches to possess doesn't recognize him and is after the only thing that will save his brother-a mystical weapon that will lead to Excalibur. Determined to protect his family and reclaim his mate, Cale ruthlessly takes advantage of Sorcha's one weakness-her desire for him. Desire that could unlock their past...or cause him to lose her all over again.

Warning: Featuring a sarcastic, ass-kicking heroine going toe-to-toe with the stubborn shifter who's dead set on reclaiming his mate. Also contains graphic violence, death-threat foreplay and scorching sex that will make you roll over and purr.

This past weekend I got back into the world of Avalon and gargoyles, and it was great.  Sydney Somers does a fantastic job working through the siblings, and this book focuses on Cale Callaghan.  Now, if you've read any of the series, you know he is the brother who lost his mate nearly a century ago and just hasn't been the same.

Unexpected Fate by Harper Sloan (Review & Giveaway)

Title: Unexpected Fate
Series: Hope Town #1
Author: Harper Sloan
Published: Feb 17, 2015
Format: Ebook received for review
Pages: 300/Goodreads

Have you ever felt like you were living your life for a future that was predetermined? Like there was some bigger picture you just prayed you would someday see clearly? That picture has been crystal clear to me since I was old enough to recognize it for just what it was.

Or I should say recognize him for who he was.

I’ve loved Cohen Cage since I was a small child. He’s been my everything for the last twenty-two years. I’ve loved him through every girlfriend he’s ever brought home. Through his college years and then mine. I’ve loved him through two deployments. And ever since the day I told him how I felt, he’s acted like I’m a stranger.

My name is Danielle Reid, and it’s time for me to get my man. 

Our future is an unexpected fate, and no matter what our parents, siblings, and friends say…it’s going to be worth every second of the fight to make it happen. 

Whoa.  I loved Unexpected Fate.  Seriously.  It was awesome.  This book had so many awesome facets and I couldn't put it down.  So let's start, shall we?

Interview with Madeline Sheehan and Claire C Riley, authors of Thicker Than Blood

Thicker Than Blood

Claire C Riley

Madeline Sheehan

A true friendship never dies. 

Leisel and Evelyn lost everything. Husbands. Families. Friends. Lives that made sense. All they had left was each other, and a friendship that could withstand anything…

Even an apocalypse.

Until one fateful night, the marginal safety they’d come to rely on comes to a vicious and brutal end. With the help of Alex & Jami, both unlikely allies, Leisel and Evelyn are able to escape their shattered sanctuary only to find themselves face-to-face with a much altered, much crueler life where they have to find the way—and the will—to stay alive in a world they no longer recognize.

Traveling across a broken and infection-ridden country; the road-weary group are pitted against endless violence, improbable circumstances, and the ultimate loss.
Everything comes at a price—especially safety, the cost of which could very well strip them of the one thing they’ve tried so hard to cling to: their humanity.

Yet along with all the trials they’re forced to endure, there’s also hope in the form of love. Having loved Leisel from afar, Alex attempts to put the pieces of her fractured heart back together.

But in such a savage world, is there room for love?

In a place of nightmares-made-reality, where the living should be feared far more than the dead, an unbreakable friendship and a love amongst all odds can mean the difference between life and death.

There are friends…

And then there are Leisel and Evelyn.

A few weeks ago I reviewed zombie apocalypse horror novel, Thicker Than Blood, and it was so much more than just zombies and kicking ass.  It explored the friendship of two women that was, well, Thicker Than Blood.  It was a fantastic book, and I highly suggest you read it.  Today I have a mini interview I did with both authors, so I hope you enjoy that!!

Sloth by Ella James (Excerpt Reveal)

Sloth

Ella James

I whirl around, because I need to go now. Need to run.

He grabs my arms, snatching me around to face him, holding me in front of him. Holding me still as he tries to tell me things I never want to hear.

"Stop it! Shut up! Shut up, Kellan! Fuck you!" He pulls me closer, and I slap his face.

The sound echoes through the foyer. His smooth, tanned check stains brilliant crimson.

He doesn't move a muscle. Doesn't even blink as I look at him for what I know will be the last time.

I'm sorry. His lips move silently. I don't care. I can't. His secrets ruined my life. He ruined my life!

If I live to be hundred, my heart will never be the same.

Hello!  I'm tellin' ya - I can't wait to read this book!!!  I have a few posts coming up for it, including my review - but today I have an excerpt for you to get a sneak peak!!  I hope you like it.  So let me know, is this going on your TBR?

Caught Up In You by Colee Firman (Review & Giveaway)

Title: Caught Up In You
Series: Standalone
Author: Colee Firman
Published: December 2014
Format; Ebook received for review
Pages: 299/Goodreads

Life has a way of shaping you into what it wants you to be, regardless of how much you fight it.

Brantley Prescott is damaged. Scarred by a past she can’t forget. Hiding secrets she’s terrified to share. Searching for a future she doesn’t believe she’ll ever find. 

Myles Franco is alone. Burdened by mistakes he’ll never live down. Fostering a deep resentment for the opposite sex. Unleashing his wrath on any girl who gets too close. 

Brantley has worked behind the bar long enough to recognize Myles for what he is—a douchebag player with nothing on his mind but keeping a steady stream of girls flowing through his bed. With his messy dark hair, sapphire blue eyes, rock-solid body, and endless tattoos he’s impossible to ignore. But that’s exactly what she plans on doing.

After just one run-in with Brantley, Myles is even more determined to stick to the rules he lives by. She’s mouthy, blunt, and doesn’t back down—no matter how hard he pushes her. She could turn out be the one temptation that drags him down the path he’s been trying to avoid. He won’t let that happen.

Both are content living behind the solid walls they’ve built around themselves. Neither is prepared for what happens when their lives collide. 

Caught Up In You was my first book by Colee Firman.  As far as the New Adult genre goes, it was pretty good and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a solid but light read.

Gathering Frost by Kaitlyn Davis (Interview)

Gathering Frost

Kaitlyn Davis

Will his kiss be enough to revive her frozen heart?

Once Upon A Time meets La Femme Nikita in GATHERING FROST, a dystopian romance from bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis that reimagines the classic fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty.

Jade was only a little girl when the earthquake struck. Before her eyes, half of New York City disappeared, replaced by a village that seemed torn out of a storybook. Horses and carriages. Cobblestone streets. A towering castle. And, above all, a queen with the magical ability to strip emotions away.

Ten years later and Jade has forgotten what it is to feel, to care...even to love. Working as a member of the queen's guard, she spends most of her time on the city wall staring at the crumbling skyscrapers of old New York. But everything changes when the queen's runaway son, Prince Asher, returns. Jade is tasked with an unusual mission--to let the Prince capture her, to make him trust her, and then to betray his secrets to the crown. In return, she'll earn her freedom. But life outside the queen's realm is more than Jade bargained for. Under Asher's relentless taunts, her blood begins to boil. Under his piercing gaze, her heart begins to flutter. And the more her icy soul begins to thaw, the more Jade comes to question everything she's ever known--and, more importantly, whose side she's really on.

Good morning everyone!  Hope you are all staying warm today!!  To start the week I have an interview I had with author Kaitlyn Davis for her newest release, Gathering Frost!  I hope you enjoy it!!

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover (Review)

Title: Maybe Someday
Series: Standalone
Author: Colleen Hoover
Published: March 2014
Format: Library Loan
Pages: 385/Goodreads

At twenty-two years old, Sydney has a great life: She's in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter's cheating on her--and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by Ridge, her mysterious neighbor. She can't take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there's something about Sydney that Ridge can't ignore, either. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one...

Original music created for Maybe Someday by musician Griffin Peterson can be accessed through the website listed in the ebook and paperback.

It's been a Colleen Hoover kind of week for me.  A couple days ago I reviewed Ugly Love, and I was blown away.  Immediately after I read Maybe Someday and again, I'm blown away.  I'm officially a Colleen Hoover fan, and I need MORE!!!

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover (Review)

Title: Ugly Love
Series: Standalone
Author: Colleen Hoover
Published: August 2014, Atria Books
Format: Library Loan
Pages: 337/Goodreads

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly. 

Last night I finished ugly Love by Colleen Hoover.  Have you read this book?  I'm pretty sure almost everyone has by this point, and I'm a bit late to the game.  But oh holy hell, I can definitely see what all of the excitement was about!  I loved this book to pieces!

The Pendle Curse by Catherine Cavendish (Review)

Title: The Pendle Curse
Series: Standalone
Author: Catherine Cavendish
Published: February 3, 2015 - Samhain Publishing
Format: Ebook received for review
Pages: 214/Goodreads

Four hundred years ago, ten convicted witches were hanged on Gallows Hill. Now they are back…for vengeance.Laura Phillips’s grief at her husband’s sudden death shows no sign of passing. Even sleep brings her no peace. She experiences vivid, disturbing dreams of a dark, brooding hill,and a man—somehow out of time—who seems to know her. She discovers that the place she has dreamed about exists. Pendle Hill. And she knows she must go there.But as soon as she arrives, the dream becomes a nightmare. She is caught up in a webof witchcraft and evil…and a curse that will not die.

It's been a very long while since I've read a book about witches, especially real witches (apart from the witches who are usually in shifter books... you know what I mean!) The Pendle Curse by Catherine Cavendish turned out to be quite the pageturner!

Throb by Vi Keeland (Review & Giveaway)

Title: Throb
Series: Not named?
Author: Vi Keeland
Published: Jan 25, 2015
Format: ebook received for review
Pages: 269/Goodreads

The rules:

No dating.
No sex outside of the game.
No disclosing the terms of the contract.

Rules were made to be broken, right?

Eight weeks ago I signed a contract. One that seemed like a good idea at the time. A handsome bachelor, luxury accommodations, and a chance to win a prize my family desperately needed. There were some rules though. Lots of them actually. Follow the script, no dating, sex, or disclosing the terms of the deal. After my self-imposed moratorium on men the last year, it wouldn’t be hard to live up to my end of the bargain…so I thought. Until I realized the deal I’d made was with the devil…and I was in love with his dirty-talking brother.

Throb by Vi Keeland is an interesting and modern take on romance.  While it probably isn't one of my favorites, I did enjoy it overall.

The Pendle Curse by Catherine Cavendish - Guest Post on The Belvoir Castle Witches

The Pendle Curse

Catherine Cavendish

Four hundred years ago, ten convicted witches were hanged on Gallows Hill. Now they are back…for vengeance.Laura Phillips’s grief at her husband’s sudden death shows no sign of passing. Even sleep brings her no peace. She experiences vivid, disturbing dreams of a dark, brooding hill,and a man—somehow out of time—who seems to know her. She discovers that the place she has dreamed about exists. Pendle Hill. And she knows she must go there.But as soon as she arrives, the dream becomes a nightmare. She is caught up in a webof witchcraft and evil…and a curse that will not die.

Hey everyone!  Today I have an awesome guest post from author Catherine Cavendish!  If you are into spooky and witches, you will love The Pendle Curse.  I'm in the middle of reading it now, and should have a review for you later this week!

Ember by Rachel Van Dyken (Prologue Reveal)

Ember

Rachel Van Dyken

I am a Killer. A Rapist. A Monster.
I know only pain and survival.
That is until the Cappo's sister walked into my life.
And changed everything.

She's a light who makes my darkness darker, her smile makes my heart turn to ice, and I can't escape the fear her seductive looks instill--knowing it's only a matter of time before I fail--again, and take her for myself.
This is the story of my redemption.
But it's not pretty...I died, and now I'm alive, but not living, breathing but not surviving. I am Phoenix De Lange, son to a murdered mob boss, estranged brother, horrible friend, monster in the making, newest leader to one of the most powerful families in the Cosa Nostra.
And I will have my vengeance.
Or die trying.
I am Phoenix De Lange.
Death is all I know.
Until she offers me a piece of life--I can't resist taking. 

If you've been paying attention to my blog lately, you know I am totally enthralled with the Eagle Elite series by Rachel Van Dyken.  I'm about to start book four, and today I am completely excited to share the prologue for book 5, Ember!!  See what its about, maybe check out my past reviews if you have a moment.  Let me know if you are going to read this series, or even better, have you already??

Guest Post & Excerpt from How (Not) To Fall In Love by Lisa Brown Roberts

How (Not) To Fall In Love

Lisa Brown Roberts

Seventeen-year-old Darcy Covington never had to worry about money or where her next shopping spree was coming from. Even her dog ate gourmet. Then one day, Darcy’s car is repossessed from the parking lot of her elite private school. As her father’s business hit the skids, Dad didn’t just skip town, he bailed on his family.

Fortunately, Darcy’s uncle owns a thrift shop where she can hide out from the world. There’s also Lucas, the wickedly hot fix-it guy she can’t stop crushing on, even if she’s not sure they’ll ever get out of the friend zone. 

But it’s here among the colorful characters of her uncle’s world that Darcy begins to see something more in herself...if she has the courage to follow it.

So the other day I reviewed How (Not) to Fall In Love, and while it's not a usual genre for me, I really enjoyed the book.  Well, as luck would have it - today I have the author, Lisa Brown Roberts, here for a guest post on why she likes the friends to lovers trope!  So check it out, check her out, and check out her book!

Verum by Courtney Cole (Excerpt and Giveaway!)

Verum

Courtney Cole

The truth shall set you free.

My name is Calla Price and I’m drowning.

My new world is a dark, dark ocean and I’m being pulled under by secrets.

Can I trust anyone? I don’t know anymore.

The lies are spirals. They twist and turn, binding me with their thorns and serpentine tongues. And just when I think I have it figured out, everything is pulled out from under me.

I’m entangled in the darkness.

But the truth will set me free.

It’s just ahead of me, so close I can touch it. But even though it shines and glimmers, it has glistening fangs and I know it will shred me.

Are you scared?

I am.

Good morning everyone!  I know a ton of you have read Nocte, so I'm happy to bring a sneak peak to you of Verum!  Check out the excerpt and be sure to enter the giveaway (US/Canada Only)

Rough Justice by Sarah Castille (Review)

Title: Rough Justice
Series: Sinner's Tribe MC #1
Author: Sarah Castille
Published: February 3, 2015 - St Martins
Format: Galley
Pages: 384/Goodreads

IT TAKES A GOOD, STRONG WOMAN

Raised in a motorcycle gang, tough, beautiful Arianne Hunter has always dreamed of a normal life. But no sooner does she escape her father’s domineering grasp than she wakes up to find herself in a rival gang’s clubhouse—at the mercy of the dangerously sexy Jagger Knight.

TO TAME A MAN WHO’S HELL ON WHEELS.

The alpha leader of the notorious Sinner’s Tribe, Jagger Knight is all muscle, all biker, and all man. But somewhere inside this hard tattooed outlaw, Arianne senses a kindred spirit—and she can’t ignore their tempestuous attraction. Can she beat him at his own game in a revved-up blaze of glory? Or will their passion spark a war that’s the end of the road for them both? 

Man, do I love the bikers.  I can't pinpoint what it is, it's everything.  They are rough and sexy, the heart of a lion in the body of a bear.  They have the Alpha mentality, and they are dangerous.  In Rough Justice, Sarah Castille delivered on every point I look for.  I'm very excited to have a new mc club to follow, for sure.