My keeper shelf

In my mailbox #44

2012-02-25T22:10:00.000Z

In my mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren

Hello fellow readers!

I was on the countdown to one particular book in my mailbox this week. I've been reading it sloooooowly to savour it.

Here's what I bought this week...

A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison arrggghhhh! I'm only about 48% through and although I'm enjoying it I really want more of Trent especially after the killer ending from Pale Demon!!! Something About Witches by Joey W. Hill was on my wish list last week it sounds fantastic and I really want to get stuck into it. Finally, I bought Play It Safe by Kristen Ashley, I hadn't read any of her books but I've heard great things about them and Gray from Play It Safe has been mentioned as a potential book boyfriend. I literally just finished it and it was cowboytastically good.

From Net galley

I was so disappointed that I didn't get accepted for Sacrificial Magic by Stacia Kane and I mean deeply disappointed so I requested Time Out by Jill Shalvis as a little pick me up as I've heard its tasty hot.

Here's what's been on le blog this week.

Review of The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

Alpha Instinct giveaway - Still open!

Review of The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

Giveaway hop- Win Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

On my wish list this week

Have a great week everybody:)

On my wishlist

2012-02-25T09:00:00.004Z

On my wish list is hosted by Book Chick City

Royal Street
(Sentinels of New Orleans #1)
Suzanne Johnson
Publication date:10th April 2012

As the junior wizard sentinel for New Orleans, Drusilla Jaco's job involves a lot more potion-mixing and pixie-retrieval than sniffing out supernatural bad guys like rogue vampires and lethal were-creatures. DJ's boss and mentor, Gerald St. Simon, is the wizard tasked with protecting the city from anyone or anything that might slip over from the preternatural beyond.

Then Hurricane Katrina hammers New Orleans' fragile levees, unleashing more than just dangerous flood waters.
While winds howled and Lake Pontchartrain surged, the borders between the modern city and the Otherworld crumbled. Now, the undead and the restless are roaming the Big Easy, and a serial killer with ties to voodoo is murdering the soldiers sent to help the city recover.

To make it worse, Gerry has gone missing, the wizards' Elders have assigned a grenade-toting assassin as DJ's new partner, and undead pirate Jean Lafitte wants to make her walk his plank. The search for Gerry and for the serial killer turns personal when DJ learns the hard way that loyalty requires sacrifice, allies come from the unlikeliest places, and duty mixed with love creates one bitter gumbo.

Just one book on my wish list this week, I actually got Royal Street via Net galley but I haven't got round to reading it yet despite seeing some really fantastic reviews and 5 star ratings from other bloggers who have similar taste to mine. I think I need to move this up my TBR pile.

Young Adult Paranormal Activity blog hop

2012-02-24T05:01:00.001Z

I'm participating in the Young Adult Paranormal Activity Giveaway Hop hosted by

I Am A Reader Not A Writer.

I have one copy of Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood up for grabs.

- The giveaway is international (if the Book Depository delivers to you)
- The giveaway ends on 28th February.
- Fill in the rafflecopter thingy below.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

2012-02-23T09:00:00.000Z

The Alchemy of Forever
Incarnation #1
Avery Williams
Simon & Schuster UK
Publication date: 1st March 2012

After spending six hundred years on Earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world's riches but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to take the bodies of other humans from jumping from one vessel to the next, ending the human's life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she's done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.

Then sixteen-year old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body while trying to save her. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she's inhabiting--and falling in love with the boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she's his again, and every moment she stays, she's putting herself and the people she's grown to care about in danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that's eluded her for centuries: true love

I'm a bit undecided about The Alchemy of Forever. The premise was really interesting, the characters likeable but I think it needed a bit more of the chillingly evil bad guy Cyrus the alchemist's son who made Sera immortal. Sera is so desperate to escape his evil clutches that she is willing to end her life for good but in witnessing a car crash she accidental takes over a new body, something that she loathes herself for doing. This time she actually enjoys her new life until her past starts to catch up with her. For me, Cyrus was missing for a large part of the book and I felt the story lacked a certain driving force because of it.

What did grab me about The Alchemy of Forever was the enormous cliff hanger ending, designed obviously to entice the reader into buying the next instalment in the series. I usually despair of cliffhanger endings but this was a really outstanding what the hell????? moment and guarantees I will be checking out the sequel. I'm just hoping that I get to see much more of Cyrus in the next book.

My rating: 3.5 out of 5
Thanks to Simon & Schuster UK for the opportunity to read and review The Alchemy of Forever.

Giveaway: Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus

2012-02-21T08:00:00.001Z

It's giveaway time!

I have one copy of Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus up for grabs. It's perfect if you're looking for a new series to get your teeth into and like a bit of paranormal romance.

- The giveaway is open Internationally
(as long as The Book Depository delivers to you)
- It ends on the 29th of February.
- Fill in the rafflecopter thingy below.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

2012-02-20T21:16:00.000Z

The Future of Us
Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler
Publication date: 21st Nov 2011

It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbours their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.

By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right - and wrong - in the present.

"If you want," I say, mainly to fill the silence, "you can come over and try AOL sometime."
Josh pushes his hair away from his eyes. "Tyson says it's awesome. He says it'll change your life."
"Right, but he also thinks every episode of Friends is life-changing."

The Future of Us is a bit of a blast from the past. I loved all the 1992 references: AOL's "You've got mail," thinking Wayne's World phrases were hilariously funny and the dodgy music. It reminded me of when I got my first computer at University and thought the underwater fish screen saver was amazing.

I loved the idea that by installing AOL Emma and Josh someone how end up seeing their future via their future selves Facebook posts. Their amazement and confusion at Facebook made me laugh.

"I don't know exactly what it is, but it looks like interconnected websites where people post their photos and write about everything going on in their lives, like whether they found a parking spot or what they ate for breakfast."
"But why?" Josh asks

Good question Josh. It does sound completely mental when you think about it, that we all update our Facebook status with every minor detail of our lives, often personal stuff we wouldn't tell our own mums.

Although I loved Josh, he was sweet, sensible and fairly chilled out, Emma drove me mad. I just wanted her to get a grip and work out that the perfect guy was right under her nose if she would just give him a chance. Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler's teenagers were spot on and I chuckled along throughout the whole book.

My rating: A blast from the past- 3.5 out of 5

In my mailbox #43

2012-02-18T20:16:00.000Z

In my mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren

For review

I had an enormous squeeeeee moment when Jennifer Estep sent me a copy of Dark Frost for review. She's on my auto buy list with her Elemental Assassin series and I have loved her YA series Mythos Academy to bits so to get this in my inbox was beyond exciting.

I bought

I enjoyed Devil Without a Cause by Terri Garey so I was waiting with baited breath for A Devil Named Desire, isn't the cover just lovely? I also bought The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen which I want to read as part of my 2012 YA Contemporary challenge.

Here's what was on le blog this week:

Review of Firelight by Kristen Callihan
Firelight giveaway- it's International and still open!
My book boyfriend Archer from Firelight
Review of Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
Review of Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus
On my wish list

Can you tell I loved Firelight???

On my wishlist

2012-02-18T09:00:00.001Z

On my wish list is hosted by Book Chick City

Something About Witches
(Arcane Shot #1)
Joey W. Hill
Publication date: 7th Feb 2012

Ruby Night Divine is a witch who runs a gun shop. Magic can fail – she knows that first hand, having experienced it with full-blown tragic consequences, far beyond what Dr. Phil can fix. Smith & Wesson is a whole hell of a lot more reliable, and nothing’s as cathartic as the ability to put a few holes in the things that piss you off. Like Derek Stormwind.

A powerful sorcerer, Derek is determined to get to the bottom of why she pushed him away and ran three years before. He also wants her help. A coven needs training to face a demon and his army of minions. Oh sure. It’s amazing what sweet things a guy will offer to get back into a woman’s heart, and into her bed.

Only in this case, she knows he never left her heart, and in her bed is exactly where she wants him to be. Unfortunately, her bed’s already made, and she’s close to losing her soul. And not even Smith & Wesson or Derek Stormwind can fix that

Wicked Nights

(Angels of the Dark #1)

Gena Showalter

Publication date: 26th June 2012

From the New York Times bestselling author who brought you the Lords of the Underworld comes a dark, seductive new series featuring angels poised at the brink of destruction…

Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed too dangerous, too ruthless, and if he isn’t careful, he’ll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred . . . until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he’s never before known.

Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her. Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation—or her ultimate damnation?

I want to check out both of these books, both are the start of a new series by well known authors. After reading and loving Angelfall by Susan Ee I've been on the look out for another good angel book and Wicked Nights sounds pretty good. I've never read anything by Joey W. Hill so I figure this is a good place to start and I saw that Mandi from Smexy Books posted on goodreads that it has a good paranormal world and darker erotic edge. So that was me completely sold.

Review: Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus

2012-02-17T08:00:00.000Z

Alpha Instinct
Moon Shifter #1
Katie Reus
Publication date: 7th Feb 2012
My rating: 3.5 out of 5

Fear has a scent. So does desire…

Ana Cordona has been a strong leader for the lupine shifters who survived after all the males and most of the females in her pack were mysteriously poisoned. As tough as she is, with no Alpha male, the pack is vulnerable to the devious shifter Taggart, who wants to claim both their ranch and Ana as his own. When Connor Armstrong comes back into her life, promising protection, it’s almost enough to make Ana forget how he walked out on her before—and reluctantly accept his offer to mate.
The minute Connor sees Ana again, it reawakens a raw hunger. He must have her for his bondmate—his wolf cries out for it. But his human side knows he must proceed with caution because of their complicated past. If he is to truly have her body and soul, he must go beyond his burning desire and win back her heart. Whatever it takes, he is determined not to leave her side again.

But Taggart and his rival pack are not their only enemies. A human element in town is targeting shifters. Their plan not only threatens Ana and Connor’s future, but the lives of the entire pack…

Alpha Instinct definitely felt like the start of a good series even if there was a few things about it that I wasn't overtly keen on.

I think I assumed from the title and cover that the tough but sexy woman with the wolf tattoo and leather would be a bit more alpha like. I found myself comparing Ana to Faythe from the Shifters series by Rachel Vincent and Ana just didn't measure up. Equally, the relationship between Ana and Connor felt a bit off for me. Although the hot bits were definitely hot, Connor's refusal to be upfront with Ana and his "omissions" really put me off him. Despite being annoyed with him at first Ana kind of let him away with it a little bit too easily for my liking. I would have made him grovel! I wanted Ana to kick back and show him who the real boss was.

I did however really enjoy the other characters and could see loads of potential for further books. Liam, Connor's brother and second in command, and his human "mate" and Erin and Noah all piqued my interest. Even more tantalising was the suggestion of the scary enforcer Jayce Kazan and his ex-girlfriend Katarina, I know I'll want to read their story.

Alpha Instinct showed real promise and I'll be looking out for Primal Possession the next instalment in September.

Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale

2012-02-16T09:00:00.001Z

Someone Else's Life
Katie Dale
Publication date: 2nd Feb 2012
My rating: 4 out of 5

When seventeen-year-old Rosie’s mother, Trudie, dies from Huntington’s Disease, her pain is intensified by the knowledge that she has a fifty-per-cent chance of inheriting the crippling disease herself. Only when she tells her mum’s best friend, ‘Aunt Sarah’ that she is going to test for the disease does Sarah, a midwife, reveal that Trudie was not her biological mother after all... Devastated, Rosie decides to trace her real mother, hitching along on her ex-boyfriend’s GAP year to follow her to Los Angeles. But all does not go to plan, and as Rosie discovers yet more of her family's deeply-buried secrets and lies, she is left with an agonising decision of her own - one which will be the most heart-breaking and far-reaching of all...

I know that this is a over used book reviewing cliche but Someone Else's Life really is a roller-coster of a story. It twists and turns throughout, just as I thought the story was heading in one direction yet another surprise was thrown into the mix. My advise is don't over analyse the plot twists in this one, just go with the flow to the end as it's a worthwhile read.

Rosie's story was heartbreakingly good (dying Mum's always tug at my heartstrings) after losing her mum to Huntington's disease Rosie has to make the potentially life changing decision to be tested for Huntington's herself as it's hereditary in 50% of cases. This results in her finding out that the mother she nursed through a terminal illness wasn't actually her real mother. What Rosie doesn't realise is that her very personal quest to unearth the truth about her birth will affect the lives of numerous other people. As the story of her birth unfolds it really highlights that one "little" lie, even if done with the best of intentions can have wide reaching and heart breaking consequences.

Someone Else's Life was thoroughly entertaining in a over the top but still quite sad way. It really made me think if some family secrets are actually best left untouched. Equally, it made me consider if I would really want to know if I had a terminal illness that might not affect me for a number of years, could I stand not knowing or would it make me value life more? I'm not sure what I would do.
Despite all of the melodrama Someone Else's Life kept me hooked from the very first page right to the end.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster UK for the opportunity to read and review Someone Else's Life.

My book boyfriend #36- Lord Archer from Firelight

2012-02-15T08:00:00.001Z

My book boyfriend is hosted by Missie @ The Unread Reader

I fell madly in love with Lord Benjamin Archer the tortured hero in Firelight by Kristen Callihan. Lord Archer is the kind of alpha male that I adore. He's a wealthy aristocrat but wears a mask which covers up half of his face because of his mysterious "curse". He's protective, romantic a little bit scary but completely swoon worthy. The sexual tension between Archer and Miranda is agonizingly good and left me desperate for more.

When reading Firelight I kept thinking of Gerard Butler in Phantom but then I saw a man candy picture of the model Atesh Salih on Nocturnal Book Reviews and I just knew he was my Archer.

Lips. She stared at them in shock. She could see his lips. Behind the carnival mask, he wore a black half-mask of smooth silk. It moulded to his face like a second skin, revealing the lines of a high forehead, astrong nose, and a sharply squared-off jaw. The mask covered almost all of his right side, down along his jaw to wrap fully around his neck. But the left side... The tip of his nose, his left cheek, jaw, chin, and lips were fully exposed.

The shock of seeing all to human skin upon his face rendered her nearly senseless. His complexion was olive toned, showing some Mediterranean origin in his background...

A small cleft divided his square chin. But his lips called her attention once more. They were firmly sculpted; a sturdy bottom lip that almost begged to be bitten. The upper lip was wider than the bottom and flared gently in perpetual humor. Roman lips. She hadn't thought...
"You keep gaping like that, and the flies will come in"... "Are you going to stare all day? Should I have a self-portrait done for your contemplation?"

“Slowly, her slim hand smoothed over the swell of his buttock, lingering there. A shocked laugh choked his throat, the sound muddled by a stifled groan that her intrigued touch elicited. The saucy little sneak thief was copping a feel. He felt inclined to turn around and let her get a handful. Christ this was madness”

"You shouldn't be with me," he corrected softly. "I- annulments are easily enough gained. Considering we have never..." He bit down on his lip hard enough to whiten it. " Well... as is the case, it can be done. Pick a house, wherever you want, in another country if it pleases you, and I shall set it up."

"Why?" she asked. "Why offer for me" Her strength returned on the waves of anger. "Why bring me here, make me care, if you didn't want me"

"Not want you?" He lifted his head off the pillow. "Not want you?" His eyes flared in the firelight. "Christ, Miri, murder and knife-wielding assassins aside, you are the greatest adventure of my life."

Check out my giveaway to win a copy of Firelight.

Giveaway: Firelight by Kristen Callihan

2012-02-14T08:00:00.001Z

Happy Valentine's day, it's giveaway time!

I completely fell in love with Lord Benjamin Archer the swoon worthy hero in the truly amazingly brilliant debut

Firelight by Kristen Callihan.

I have a copy of Firelight up for grabs for one lucky winner

The giveaway is international

(as long as The Book Depository
delivers to you)
The giveaway ends on the 29th of February.

All you need to do is fill in the rafflecopter thingy below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Firelight by Kristen Callihan

2012-02-13T08:00:00.001Z

Firelight
Darkest London #1
Kristen Callihan
Publication date: 31st Jan 2012
My rating: 5 out of 5

London, 1881
Once the flames are ignited . . .
Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . . Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask

Don't tell my other books but Firelight is by far my favourite book of 2012, in fact it's up there with my all time favourites. After reading it via Net Galley I had to buy a copy, it's a real page turner and I couldn't get enough of it.

Firelight has a bit of everything in it. Set in dark Gothic Victorian London, it has a touch of paranormal with the heroine Miranda's fire starting powers, a whodunit murder mystery with connections to a mysterious men's club that kept me guessing throughout and, the agonisingly delicious mystery that is Lord Benjamin Archer the masked tortured hero.

Lord Archer (who is my newest book boyfriend recruit for sure) is a wealthy aristocrat with a lethal reputation in London society which makes societies ladies swoon with fright. He's a loner, tortured by his inner demons and has spent years searching for a cure to his mysterious "curse." The heroine Miranda is both gutsy and loyal. Sent out by her once wealthy father as a pick pocket Miranda is forced to steal to survive and as a result of her father's actions finds herself in an arranged marriage to Lord Archer. I adored the sloooooow burn of their relationship. As the tension and desire starts to escalate between the two characters I had to physically stop myself from jumping ahead and reading the final chapter to see if they got their happy ending.

I loved the scenes with Archer and Miranda, they're both hiding secrets from each other, both frightened of opening up and both fearing rejection. The sexual tension was unbearably good, very Mac and Barrons-esque. This dark Lord is a romantic, protective and completely swoon worthy hero.

Firelight kept me guessing right to the end. Is Archer some kind of supernatural creature? Is he badly disfigured under his mask? What exactly was the weird men's club actually involved in? Who is bumping off the men's club members and why? and when will Archer and Miranda FINALLY kiss and realise they are perfect for each other?? Honestly, it was real edge of the seat stuff I loved it.

Firelight is the best book of 2012 so far. I've already pre-ordered the sequel. Check out my picture below which shows just how much I loved it. The pink post its are all my favourite swoon worthy bits (highlighted of course for ease of reference *giggles*).

Thanks to Net galley and Grand Central Publication for the opportunity to read and review Firelight.

In my mailbox #42

2012-02-11T22:00:00.000Z

In my mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren

Just a couple of books in my mailbox this week:

Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus
Breakaway by Deirdre Martin
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

I read Breakaway at the start of the week and ended up having Rory as my book boyfriend of the week as he was quite adorable. I'm about half way through Alpha Instinct so far so good, it does remind me a bit of the Shifters series by Rachel Vincent. I really want to start Born Wicked next but I have quite a few Net galley books I've promised myself I will read next and quite a few reviews to write.

I read a couple of books this week that I wasn't planning on reviewing. I don't review every book I read mostly because I am completely lazy. I read quite fast and I'm always eager to get on to the next book so I very rarely write a review straight after finishing a book and as a result, the number of reviews I need to write piles up so I just don't bother!

Broken and Dirty by Megan Hart were both really good reads, powerful, sad and very hot, I might do a joint little mini review later if I have the time. But then again I probably won't.

Do you diligently review every book you read?

On my wishlist

2012-02-11T09:00:00.002Z

On my wish list is hosted by Book Chick City

Moonglow
Darkest London #2
Kristen Callihan

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .
Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .
Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul

Once Burned

Night Prince #1

Jeaniene Frost

She’s a mortal with dark powers...

After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person’s darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude... until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world’s most infamous vampire...

He’s the Prince of Night...

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all — but whatever you do, don’t call him Dracula. Vlad’s ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him – a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames

I finished Firelight (Darkest London #1) two weeks ago and immediately added Moonglow to my wishlist, it was that good. I feel like I've had Once Burned on my wishlist forever and that new gorgeous cover cover makes me want it even more.

What's on your wish list this week?

Giveaway winners

2012-02-10T12:38:00.000Z

Congratulations to Becky you've won a copy of Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale.

I've sent you an email Becky.

Congratulations also to Cheyenne Teska you've won a copy of New Girl by Paige Harbison

I've sent you an email too Cheyenne.

My book boyfriend #35 Rory from Breakaway

2012-02-08T06:30:00.001Z

My book boyfriend is hosted by Missie @ The Unread Reader

I wanted a little change from werewolves, vampires and teenage angst so picked up Breakaway by Deirdre Martin the eleventh (yes eleventh!) book in her New York Blades series. If you're looking for a nice straightforward romance with a touch of Irish humour then it's the book for you.

Rory started dating Erin when they were 14, but a year later his family moved to America although he continued to see Erin every summer for six years. Rory became the first Irish born man playing in the NHL for the New York Blades consequently, he didn't return to Ireland for two years. After waiting for him for two summers Erin gave Rory an ultimatum: either marry her as promised or end their relationship. Rory chose to end it leaving Erin utterly devastated. Two years later convinced he made the worst mistake of his life Rory returns to Ballycraig Ireland, and sets out to get Erin back.

"What're you smiling about?"
Erin opened her eyes.
"You were smiling," Rory repeated.
"So?"
"You were thinking about me. Us."
"Oh of course. I was thinking about you. Because that's all that anyone in Ballycraig does: think about Rory Brady."
"You were thinking about me," he said lightly. "But you want to deny it, I understand."
"You know what? The only thing bigger than your bollocks is your ego."
Rory laughed, "I'll take that as a compliment."

"Rory looked genuinely bemused, "What are you so afraid of?"
"Do you really need to ask that?"
"Yeah I'm thick. Tell me."
Erin tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe, just maybe, I'm afraid of getting my teeth kicked in again. Just maybe, mind."
"How long do you want me to keep grovelling? Forever? Because if that's what you want, so help me God, I will."

"She was no sooner free of the vehicle's confines than Rory pulled her into his arms. The hug, so heartfelt and fierce, felt like home. She'd forgotten how safe she could feel here. Rory tilted her chin and their eyes locked.
"I love you, I know I don't deserve it. But a life without you is unimaginable, Erin. Please take me back.

Thanks to Nick Ayler for being my Rory. I did look at various real life hockey players but couldn't find anyone quite as gorgeous as Nick.

Review: Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

2012-02-06T08:00:00.003Z

Love & Leftovers
Sarah Tregay
Published: 27th Dec 2011

Marcie has been dragged away from home for the summer--from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She's left behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.
By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "summer vacation" has become permanent. She has to start at a new school, and there she leaves behind her Leftover status when a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? Can you even know it until you've lost it?

"If there was a restart button that'd reboot my parent's relationship I'd press it"

It was with a fair amount of trepidation that I started reading Love & Leftovers. I liked the cover and the blurb but I didn't realise it was written in poetry form. As a simple kind of gal I was a bit worried that a. I wouldn't get it. and b. It would start to annoy me. In the end neither happened and I ended up being swept away by Marcie's story.

When Marcie's mum finds out that her husband and Marcie's dad is gay she uproots Marcie and moves her to New Hampshire leaving behind her sweet emo-ish boyfriend and a loyal circle of friends known as the "leftover's." Marcie finds herself having to care for her mum falls into a depression. As the parent and child roles are reversed Marcie finds she has no one to turn to so when J.D (who is actually pretty lovely) pays her a little bit of attention Marcie against her own better judgement forgets all about her emo-ish boyfriend and spends all her time with J.D.

Love & Leftovers was quite sweet, with a touch of the bittersweet about it. I had a couple of "OMG I'm going to cry" moments especially when Marcie has to go back with her dad to face the music with the leftovers and emo-ish boyfriend. I read it/devoured it in just a couple of hours and in the end I actually really enjoyed the different way it was written even if the story wasn't the most original it did tug at my heartstrings. Good debut and well worth a read.

My rating 3.5 out of 5.

In my mailbox #41

2012-02-04T18:36:00.000Z

In my mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren

Bought

I got Firelight by Kristen Callihan from Netgalley and absolutely LOVED it so I HAD to get my own copy. It was essential. Honestly. Nine Uses for an Ex-boyfriend by Sarra Manning was pretty cheap on Amazon and I like the odd contemporary romancey style book so I thought I would give it a go. I've been contemplating buying The Greyfriar by Clay Griffith forever but the price has always put me off, so when I saw a copy on Amazon for much cheapness I bought it. Don't know when I'm actually going to get to it though as my TBR pile is like a skyscraper.

From Netgalley

Ember by Kristen Callihan is the prequel to Firelight. I read this before starting Firelight and I honestly just wanted to dive into Firelight. I immediately loved the style of writing and I just knew the story had tonnes of potental.

Kindle freebies

Because I clearly don't have enough books to read.

Something Secret this way comes sounds fantastic. I liked the last Abbi Glines book I read so when I saw The Vincent Boys I snapped it up. 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover just looks like fun. Finally, A Dark Kiss of Rapture looks raunchy and I do enjoy a little bit of smut now and again.

February new releases I want to add to basket

2012-02-02T07:00:00.000Z

February looks like a bumper month for new releases, as the queen of pre-ordering I've already been adding to basket for some of these. This is what I'm most looking forward to this month.

Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison

By a Thread by Jennifer Estep

Angel's Flight by Nalini Singh

Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus

Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

(I read this via Net galley so I can't wait to get my hands finally on a real copy.)

My book boyfriend #34- Johnny from the Persephone Alcmedi series

2012-02-01T06:00:00.001Z

I absolutely love the Persephone Alcmedi series by Linda Robertson, it's a gritty urban fantasy with a fantastic witch/vamp/waere combination. I am firmly and I mean firmly on team warewolf in this one.

Johnny is the lead singer of Lycanthropa (cool band name or what?) he's a 6'2" leather clad tattooed bad boy biker hunk who always goes commando. In the first few books his one liners full of innuendo had me laughing out loud but as the series gets darker and waere Johnny becomes the Domn Lup (head of all waere's) his waere side becomes more dominant which puts a real strain on his relationship with witch Seph.

He wore tight black jeans and an unbuttoned black-on-black shirt, flat black with stripes that were just a bit shinier. Under it, a white tank clung to his lean body, revealing the curve of pectorals, the dip under the sternum, the wave of abs. In the near-dark, it was all just levels of shadow, but those contours made me yearn to touch him, to rip off the shirt and reveal the myriad tattoos underneath so I could trace them with my fingers, with my tongue. The tight jeans with their pocket accent chains and scarlet wolf's-head patches paired with the leather biker boots completed Johnny's bad-boy rocker style. Oh. Yeah.

He was so comfortable in his own skin. I envied that. He dipped his chin down and managed to make it seem as if he was looking up at me. It was very male, very sexual, and I knew another sexual allusion was coming. "Your running impressed me tonight, and I must confess," his voice dropped low again, "knowing you have such strong thighs and a penchant for moving fast makes me very excited."

The right thing to do would be for you to acknowledge that you feel something for me that's remotely close to what I feel for you. I've asked for only a single grain of sand from you, Persephone, while I'm the whole fucking beach at your feet.

The Johnny quotes above are all from the second book in the series Hallowed Circle. I wanted to put some Johnny quotes from Wicked Circle which I just finished reading but the best quotes are a little bit too hot *fans self.* Seriously though, if you like gritty urban fantasy then this series is one of the best out there.

Thanks to the very rough and tattooed model Josh Wald for playing Johnny today. He. Is. Fine.

Giveaway: Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale

2012-01-31T09:00:00.005Z

Would you like to win my extra copy of Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale?

Of course you would! I have an extra copy up for grabs.

Please note this is open to UK residents only.

All you need to do is fill in the rafflecopter thingy below.

The giveaway ends on Wednesday 8th of February.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Wicked Circle by Linda Robertson

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000Z

Wicked Circle
Persephone Alcmedi #5
Linda Robertson
Publication date: 27th Dec 2011
My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Persephone Alcmedi has helped her waerewolf lover Johnny unlock his powers. Now she must come to the aid of Menessos, the vampire overlord she has secretly marked. Beset by a trio of truth-seeking vampire sisters so dangerous their own kind keep them confined in stone, he now needs her more than ever...and she realizes her need for him. Seph has magical promises to fulfill for the waeres, multiple mundane family challenges to meet, vampire politics to confront, both the supernatural males in her life to balance, a dragon to deal with...and then a government investigator shows up to complicate matters.

I read the first 4 books in this series in January of last year one after the other, they were that good. I liked the gritty witch/vamp/waere combination so I've had Wicked Circle on my "I must buy the minute it comes out" list for a whole year.

It took me a while to get back into the storyline again, I got a bit confused about the minor characters however, by about a third of the way through I was back in business again and wrapped up in Seph's world.

What really stood out for me in this instalment was the internal power struggle waere Johnny was going through. With Johnny's power being unlocked and as he stars to take up his rightful position of Domn Lup, or head waere guy, his wolfyness has become much more dominant and he has to battle hard to reign his wolf in. Inevitably his scary mean side frightens the life out of Seph and puts their relationship in real jeopardy. And Menessos? I still don't quite trust him. He always seems a couple of steps ahead and I could see Seph's feeling towards him change and I didn't like it. I'm still firmly on team Johnny.

The ending of Wicked Circle had me immediately wanting more, I love this kind of gritty urban fantasy.

in my mailbox #40

2012-01-29T10:18:00.000Z

In my mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren

My mailbox was pretty quiet all week until yesterday, I almost thought I wouldn't have anything to show you! Here's what I ended up with:

For review
The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams
Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
(I'm going to read these two next as they sound fantastic)

The Last Four Things by Paul Hoffman
The Broken Road by B.R. Collins
The Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists by Gideon Defoe
(I'm not sure these 3 are my kind of thing)

I bought
Someone Else's Life
(I didn't think I was getting a review copy so now I have two
copies which means giveaway time!).
The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

I borrowed
A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton
(from Jodie @ Books for Company)

I also got two audio books this week from Audible.co.uk. I still can't make my mind up about audio books they seem to be a bit slow for me, probably because I do read quite fast so I get frustrated at how long it takes for me to finish one. I decided to get 2 older books that I've been meaning to read for ages.

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

What was in your mailbox this week?

YA giveaway hop

2012-01-27T05:01:00.005Z

I'm participating in the Young Adult Faeries & Fantasy Giveaway Hop hosted by

I Am A Reader Not A Writer.

Up for grabs is a copy New Girl by Paige Harbison which I read and reviewed a few weeks ago. It's creepy good.

This giveaway is International as long as The Book Depository delivers to your country.

All you need to do is fill in the rafflecopter thingy below. There are extra entries but they are of course optional.

a Rafflecopter giveaway