THE DEMON LIBRARIAN

A Hollows announcement!

2013-05-21T18:59:00.000+01:00

Kim Harrison announced the title of the next Hollows book today. It will be called The Undead Pool.

Cool, huh? It's a little early for a blurb or any other details yet, but the title suggests a return to the vamp story arc, no doubt focusing on Ivy's quest to save her soul. (Not my favourite aspect of the series, but if the past few books have been anything to go by, it should be great anyway, and as long is Trent's there, I'll be happy!)

The book is due to be released, as per tradition, in early 2014. Can't wait!

Cover Reveal: The Nature of Cruelty by L.H. Cosway

2013-05-21T10:30:00.000+01:00

COVER REVEAL!

We are excited to share with you the cover of L.H. Cosway's soon-to-be released New Adult Contemporary novel. If you haven't discovered the L.H. awesomeness yet, now is the perfect time! Her 2012 contemporary novel, Painted Faces, absolutely blew me away and earned an instant spot on my favorites list, and I have looking forward to more greatness in The Nature of Cruelty.

And now, without further ado.....

(Drumroll please)

We present:

THE NATURE OF CRUELTY

by L.H. Cosway

Synopsis for THE NATURE OF CRUELTY

Cruelty is a cycle. Once inflicted, it spreads.

Her name is Lana. She wasn’t dealt the easiest cards in life. She wasn’t dealt the hardest. She has an illness, but she doesn’t let it rule her. The first time she laid eyes on her best friend’s twin brother, she fell in love at first sight. It didn’t last very long. He was a hateful boy who made her miserable. The happiest day of her life was when he moved away to London six years ago.

His name is Robert. He breaks the ones who love him. He’s always liked to play games with Lana, see how far he could push her. He once thrived on her pain, but no more. Now she’s coming to London to live with his sister for the summer and this time he plans on being her friend instead of her tormentor. But Lana is scarred by his past bullying. She doesn’t trust him, nor does she have any reason to.

When the two find themselves living under the same roof, they call a truce. This summer will change both of their lives, as they put their history aside and learn one another from scratch.

When fear takes over, we use cruelty as a mask. Robert and Lana’s story will see their masks slip away as the love they felt on the inside shows its true face.

**WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE BOOK'S TRAILER!**

THE NATURE OF CRUELTY RELEASES ON JUNE 28TH, 2013

About L.H. COSWAY

L.H. Cosway is a self-employed writer, editor, and proofreader. She has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

Links
Website - http://www.lhcosway.com/
The Nature of Cruelty on Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17873919-the-nature-of-cruelty
L.H. Cosway on Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5622223.L_H_Cosway
Twitter - https://twitter.com/LHCosway
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/LH-Cosway/171041853046034

Review: Witch Hearts by Liz Long ★★★★

2013-05-18T15:58:00.000+01:00

Witch Hearts by Liz Long
Genre: Paranormal mystery
Series: n/a
Publication Date: April 11th 2013
ISBN: 9781482782325
Page Count: 214
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey

Synopsis: How does a witch stay safe if a killer can get through her protection spells?

Witches like Ruby and Courtney can take care of themselves. So when Courtney is murdered, Ruby’s world crashes to a halt. The only thing keeping her grounded is the return of Courtney’s brother, Cooper. He seeks revenge, but Ruby wants to help other witches stay alive. To do that, she’ll have to reunite with her old coven’s High Priest, who also happens to be her cheating ex-boyfriend.

If that wasn’t awkward enough, when the killer gets too close, Cooper temporarily moves into Ruby’s place while a police officer tails her every move. Cooper’s presence distracts Ruby as they fight their desire against their need to stay safe. Then Courtney begins to haunt Ruby’s dreams and secrets are spilled, things from Cooper’s past that could get them both killed. The killer continues to stalk Ruby and the more she discovers, the more she fears she won’t be able to keep her heart in her chest.

Review:

A pleasant surprise

This was a really fun read, which considering the subject matter—a serial killer going around stealing witch hearts—is a slightly weird statement, but I stand by it. It was a great balance of mystery and romance, with a backdrop of witchcraft which was all brought to life through its engaging and likeable characters. I really liked it. And bonus! I believe its a stand alone, which as you probably know, are rarer than rocking horse poop these days.

The story follows Ruby, a witch, who has just heard the news that her best friend Courtney, also a witch, has been found dead. Murdered. With her heart removed. It instantly raises warning bells for Ruby who knows it might be the work of a dark magick user, and when she finds out Courtney wasn't the first witch to die in this way, and that she might just be next, things get really scary really fast.

Enter Cooper, the older brother of the now dead Courtney. Someone Ruby has known through her BFF for more than 10 years, but only in the capacity of "Courtney's hot older bother who is out of bounds". As often happens, tragedy brings people together and due to Cooper's guilt over his sister's death, he is determined not to let anything happen to the last remaining link to her—Ruby. So he moves in to her apartment for protection and pretty soon, sparks are aflying.

The sexual tension was palpable between these two and I enjoyed reading the great dialogue they had, but my inner smutmonster was slightly aggravated by the fade to black technique. Leaving your readers at the bedroom door like that is just cruel, yo. But I understand that sexy scenes may have taken something away from the grief and companionship Cooper and Ruby shared with each other in the days after Courtney's death, so I guess I can forgive it. Sort of.

On a couple of occasions, Ruby was a little bit impetuous, putting herself in unnecessary danger. I realise sometimes heroines need to do this to move plots forward, but I always wish for a better method that just to have them running headlong into danger, because then they look like a nincompoop. But other than that, I really enjoyed Ruby. She was quietly awesome, if that makes sense. She wasn't an over-the-top smartypants type of heroine, but she was cool anyway. And Cooper sounded delicious!

I've gotta say, the ending surprised me. There was another character—I don't know if he/she was an intentional red herring, or if I was just off my game—but it turned out to be someone else entirely. So kudos for the surprise.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it for anyone looking for a quick and entertaining witchy read with a sweet romance sprinkled on the top

4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Review: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa ★★★★

2013-05-18T12:39:00.000+01:00

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Series: The Bood of Eden #2
Publication Date: April 30th 2013
ISBN: 9780373210695
Page Count: 446
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey

Synopsis: Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

Review:

Great Sequel

I really enjoyed the first instalment of this series, THE IMMORTAL RULES, and found a preference for Kagawa's writing when she's letting her darker, grittier side roam free, rather than her more colourful world of the fey. The dystopian, post viral-apocalyptic elements only add to the stark backwash of this already dangerous vampire-filled world.

Allie spends much of the book trying to further comes to terms with her new undead status. This is only emphasised by the reappearance of Jackal, one of the main antagonists of book one, and her very own blood brother. Jackal is without doubt the black sheep of Allie and her sire, Kanin's, dysfunctional little family, and his disregarding attitude towards humans, or "blood bags" as he likes to call them, is a sharp change from Allie's own softer opinions. Allie hasn't yet let go of her humanness and has to keep reminding herself that she is no longer one of them. She is, quite literally, her own worst enemy now. The thing that as a Fringer, she despised above all others. It's a lot to absorb, to accept, and this book took that concept and ran with it to great effect.

I have to say, I had brief moments with the character of Jackal where I wondered if he was going to end up being not as evil as we once thought. He's snide, condescending, rude, and let's not forget, the guy that staked Allie and chucked her out of a skyscraper window in book one. But he's also realistic, pragmatic, and there were hints that there may be reasons why he's become the vamp he is. Aaaaand then he'd say something repugnant and we'd be back to square one. His character is more than a little confusing, but I'm still hoping there's something in him worth saving. For people who love a good anti-hero, I suspect he may end up being a contender for that role.

The other character of note in this series is, of course, golden-haired good guy Zeke. He was last seen tucked safely away in Eden, the only vampire-free community left in America (I think, don't quote me on that, but certainly the only one Allie and crew are aware of). Knowing he was safe was all that was keeping Allie going as she followed the call back to her sire, in effect, retracing the steps she took in IMMORTAL RULES. But even with that blood call pulling at her, and her sire's torture invading her dreams, Seth is never far from her thoughts. Her time with him, helping his "family" move across treacherous grounds to reach the haven that is Eden, profoundly affected Allie. It reinforced her desire to stay human and to never become anything like vamps such as Jackal. But her time spent with Jackal in this book, has an almost equal impact, and as much as she tries to block him out, he also affects her. She is a monster. She has killed and she will continue to kill, just as he does. So what is the difference, really?

All these things and more are addressed and somewhat resolved in this book. The Red Lung virus and the possibility of a cure is what drives much of the action as well as Allie's desire - compulsion, even - to rescue her sire from the demented Sarren. There was also a huge game-changing event at the end which has me thinking the next book is going to be something else entirely. Can't wait.

4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

THE FICTIONAL GUY: A Book Boyfriend's POV

2013-05-16T10:00:00.000+01:00

Book boyfriends. We all have them. I, myself, have a list at least a few miles long, and I'm sure you do too. But have you ever wondered what it's like to actually be a book boyfriend? To be showered with so much love by so many adoring fans? Well, here's your chance!

Read on for an interview between our good friend, Laura @ Little Read Riding Hood (with a little help from yours truly) and Micah Condie from Helen Boswell's Mythology

The Fictional Guy

There has been blog after blog listing favorite book boyfriends, talking about what people would do if given a day (or night) with their book boyfriend, obsessing over them, etc. But no one has ever thought to ask how they feel being the focus of all our attention. Which got me thinking. Since I talk to him on Twitter all the time, I figured I would ask Micah Condie from Mythology some questions. And since Janice (@rabidreading on Twitter) joins me in ~~harassing~~ talking to him, I included her.

Laura: So I guess my first question for you is how do you feel about me and other women drooling over you, and do you feel like you are cheating on hope when you chat with us?

Micah: I'm okay with that. For the good of the book, ya know? ;) And Hope knows I'd never cheat on her in real life.

L: So are us fan-girls just fictional characters to you then? I mean, we talk on twitter all the time, yet you say you would never cheat on Hope in "real life" ... are you just using us as promotional tools then? *sobs*

M: No, but I have a book life (what I guess I kinda think of as "real life" because I started out there and spend most of my time there) and my other life where I hang out with people like you and get in discussions with my author about stuff, etc. I'd never cheat on Hope in my book life. But I can love other people and it's not cheating on her because it's a different plane of existence. Oh... this is confusing as hell...

Bottom line: No sobbing!

Janice: LOL. Am I the only one who sees all the holes in demon boy's answer? Micah, honey, you may want to clarify....unless you want readers to think you are faithful to Hope in book life but spreading your love around everywhere else ;)

M: Why did I think that talking over email would be any different than what we do on Twitter? Gah. You're both trying to torture me, aren't you?....

J: We only torture you because we love you ;) *hugs*

M: WAIT. Is this part of the blog discussion already? Omg...

Okay, here is what I mean by all that.

My book life is with Hope, and as far as I'm concerned, that's forever (unless she decides otherwise). Yes, I talk to fans (fangirls AND fanboys, btw - lol) on Twitter, and I love them too, but not in a way that would ever jeopardize my relationship with Hope. It is confusing having two planes of existence, but Hope wants me to reach out to people, and she understands if I have fans and she even understands if I take someone for a flight or ride on my bike. I give as much as I can back.

(Off the record: BETTER, JANICE? AND GIVE ME A BREAK, WILL YA?)

L: Play nice! So why do you think some guys *coughyoucough* get elevated to the book boyfriend status and some don't quite make it there?

M: *looks around* Me, elevated? Aw, that's sweet of you. :)

Hmm...I think a guy needs to have at least one of the "obvious" things going for him - confidence (but not arrogance), looks (but not conceit), a little mystery (or a lot), etc. But I think he also has to show that he has a lot more layered underneath all that: vulnerabilities, imperfections, sensitivities. So you don't just admire from afar in the book but feel like you actually want to get to know the guy, ya know?

It's just like what draws me to a girl. Sure, we notice outside appearances first - we're only human after all. ;) But there has to be something more than that to make me want to have her as my girl.

And are you okay, sweetie? That's some cough you have there. *hands you cough medicine*

L: Ha, thanks. *takes cough medicine* *gets a little loopy* Well, we all know you are certainly all of those things. But the one thing that will seal the deal for me, is a tough guy crying. Not that I EVER want to see you hurt, but what are some things that would make you cry?

M: Whoa, take it easy with that cough medicine, k? *takes it away from you before you do yourself harm*

Easy. If the love of my life ever crushed my heart. Other things... if anything bad ever happened to my family, especially my brother and sisters.

J: Awww, isn't he the sweetest? I have a question. A lot of readers have "bad boy" book boyfriends. As one of the good guys, how do you feel about that? Do you ever want to be a bit of a bad boy yourself?

M: Oh, the evil queen has a question about bad boys. Why am I not surprised? *wink*.

I'll fully admit that when my demon comes out, it feels pretty good. (Sorry, Laura.) Yeah, I have those moments when I wonder what it'd be like to give in. I think it comes out at times in my need to blow off steam/escape on my bike, or in my temper when I can't. Do I wish I was more of a bad boy? Sometimes, but I know the price would be too high.

L: Don't apologize to me, it's your nature. Speaking of nature, your whole story is a discussion of nature vs. nurture. Do you credit your parents & siblings for keeping you tied to your humanity? And when the demon tries to make an appearance, how do you reign it in? (So I know this is off topic, but now I am curious LOL)

M: I largely credit my upbringing (by the Condies, NOT my biological dad) to my family, yes. My mom especially is a stabilizing force for everyone in the family. You can imagine what it did to me when I accidentally hurt her, and when my dad kicked me out.

My demon is always there, lurking just below the surface. When I feel it coming out, I have to think about something good, happy. Picture every detail of it. And it's usually Hope. No pun intended. ;)

J: So back to the book boyfriend thing. As you know, readers become very attached to characters and especially to their book boyfriends. We see you guys so clearly in our minds, and we sort of expect you to conform to whatever mental image we have of you. Sometimes we even get mad when characters we love behave in ways we don't like, lol. Is it hard dealing with the weight of so many readers' expectations?

M: Nah, I don't care what people think. Haha - totally just kidding....

Yeah, it can be a little bit hard sometimes. On Twitter, I have had people try to convince me that I don't actually have this dark side to me. That's because of exactly what you said - they have this impression of me and want to view me a certain way. (And then I'm like, "Sorry dude, I'm still a demon.") Bottom line is that I know who I am and I have to act true to myself, whether people prefer me to be a different way or not.

Also, I think it may get a little bit worse after people read book two. While my author has a soft spot for me, she also likes to put me -- all of us -- to the test (gross understatement). Plus, with my POV being highlighted in the book, you'll get to see me like you never have before. That's all I'm allowed to say ;)

L: Along with the whole attached things, some readers get ... shall we say ... possessive of what they come to think of as their characters. Has that become an issue with you yet, and if not, when it does how will you handle it? Some examples - people getting mad at other people that don't like you (you can't please everyone!) or people fighting over you, that kind of thing.

M: Jonathan definitely has more of this problem than I do, maybe because he's *currently* unattached and my readers know how committed I am to Hope. (Or maybe because he's got that whole immortal French guy thing going for him.) People call "dibs" on him, get very possessive of him, get in Twitter fights over whose guy he is. He's always very gracious about it. He's also a pretty private person so he does tend keep a bit of distance from the mortals. I gotta hand it to him for keeping so cool about it. I'd like to think that I'd do the same.

Umm, and I did once piss someone off by saying I'd go to the Mythology movie premiere with someone else, but it was all a big misunderstanding. I said I'd go with BOTH of them. (I *think* I smoothed everything over since then, but it was a touchy situation.) Honestly, I'd probably go with my author anyhow. *hides*

L: If Mythology went to the big screen, do you think you would play yourself? If not, who would you want to play you, Hope, and Jonathan? And how would you deal with all the new rapid fan-people (girls & guys) that a movie deal would bring you?

J: What is the best part of being a book boyfriend? And when your series is over someday, what are your plans, and will you stay in touch with your fans? (You'd better!!!)

L: Seriously ... *glares at Micah* You wouldn't forget US now, would you?

J: How could he? We are amazeballs :). BUT that doesn't mean we won't hurt him if he even *thinks* about bailing on us. You've been warned, demon boy!

M: Okay, so that first question made me feel like I was in that Inception movie. You're asking the dream cast who our dream cast would be... We are it. ;)

: Left to right: Micah, Hope, Jonathan

Although... if it winds up being a few years more before Mythology hits the big screen, you may have to ask me again because then we'd have to find younger versions of ourselves.

I'm not all about popularity and fame -- that's more of Troy's deal. But If I ever reached superstar status (you talking like Ian Somerhalder status here?), I would do my best to reach out to fans. And I would never, ever lose touch with the people who helped us get off the ground, which brings me to the last question...

When the series is over, I'll still be around. I guess I'm like that first favorite child of my author's that'll never go away. And don't worry, Janice and Laura -- I'll always be your demon boy. xo

J: Darn right you will! Well, that about covers it for me. What do you think, Laura, have we grilled him enough? ;)

L: I suppose that's all ... for now ... Thanks for being so open and cooperative!

M: Good times - it was fun. Thanks for having me, and if either of you ever want to visit my world, just say the word! ;) xo

That's all, folks! We hope you enjoyed this inside look inside the mind of a book boyfriend!

To connect with Laura & Micah, go here:

Laura @ Little Read Riding Hood
Blog: http://littlereadridinghood.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/littleread1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleReadRidingHood
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7229032-laura-little-read-riding-hood

Micah Condie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mythologyseries
Twitter: https://twitter.com/micahcondie
Website: http://www.helenboswell.com/
Mythology on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15840611-mythology

Review: Golden by Jessi Kirby ★★★★★

2013-05-15T20:38:00.002+01:00

Golden by Jessi Kirby
Genre: YA Contemporary
Series: n/a
Publication Date: May 14th 2013
ISBN: 9781442452169
Page Count: 288
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Janice

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

Review:

A moving, romantic & beautifully written story

I've read books that have rocked my socks off. Books that pull out all the emotional stops, and books that have me hanging breathless on the edge of my seat, desperate to know what happens next. And then there are those books that strike such a deep and personal chord within me, that when it's all over and I've turned the last page, I don't know whether to applaud because it was so damn good, or cry because I can't process all the feels. And just to be clear, I am not a crier by nature. Sure, my eyes have been known to well up when I'm reading, and I've had to swallow past the lump in my throat quite a few times. I've even felt that painful ache in my chest like someone just used my heart for a punching bag. But actual tears? No, those are a very rare occurrence.

GOLDEN got to me, though. It knocked down all my tough-girl walls and stirred up a whole hornet's nest of memories and feelings inside of me.

Parker Frost is a good girl who has spent her whole life staying on the right side of the line. She studies hard, gets excellent grades, and is in the running for a highly competitive scholarship which, if she wins it, will allow her to attend the college of her dreams. A scholarship, incidentally, that is offered by the families of the town's golden children who attended Parker's school and whom both died in a tragic car accident ten years ago. Everyone knows the story of Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz; their smiling faces are forever immortalized on a billboard in town. But when Parker stumbles across Julianna's journal, she discovers there is more to Julianna and Shane's story than anyone realizes, and it's a mystery she is determined to unravel. This is not a characteristic choice for her. As her (amazing) friend Kat points out, Parker doesn't do crazy or unexpected things.

Until now.

I connected with Parker right away, because I've been her. I was a good girl too, once upon a time, and like her, I spent years playing it safe, following the rules, and carrying the weight of parental expectations on my shoulders. My entire life was mapped out for me by the time I was thirteen, and it never even occurred to me to question it. Sure, I had my doubts, but I was young, not entirely sure of what I wanted, and I didn't have the confidence I do now to speak my mind. Plus, there was that ever-present specter of failure looming over me. It's easy for people to throw around sayings like "Seize the day!" but actually doing it is scary as hell. It has to be done though. We all have to take the leap at some point, and really, I think that's what GOLDEN is all about. It's more than a book about a girl named Parker discovering the truth about another girl's life and death. It's a reminder, to all of us, that we only have one life and by damn, we need to claim it and make it OURS.

There are two stories in GOLDEN - Parker's and Julianna's - and both wove a spell around my heart. The romantic in me sighed many a time, and while the book doesn't contain any hot and heavy scenes, there is a steady-burning fire between the main characters that provides more than enough heat. I particularly loved the dance between Trevor and Parker, and I loved Trevor, period. He more than earned a spot on my book boyfriend list.

Jessi Kirby is a magician with words, and I wish I had her gift so I could convey how truly beautiful her book is. All I can really say is that it inspired and moved me, and I didn't want it to end. Don't take my word for it, though. Get your hands on a copy of GOLDEN and experience it for yourselves.

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Quickie Review: Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield ★★★

2013-05-15T16:59:00.000+01:00

Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Series: Chantress #1
Publication Date: May 7th 2013
ISBN: 9781442457034
Page Count: 139
Rating: ★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey

Synopsis:
Lucy’s Chantress magic will make her the most powerful—and most hunted—girl in England.

“Sing, and the darkness will find you.” This warning has haunted fifteen-year-old Lucy ever since she was eight and shipwrecked on a lonely island. Lucy’s guardian, Norrie, has lots of rules, but the most important is that Lucy must never sing. Not ever. Now it is 1667, Lucy is fifteen, and on All Hallows’ Eve, Lucy hears a tantalizing melody on the wind. She can’t help but sing—and she is swept into darkness.

When she awakes in England, Lucy hears powerful men discussing Chantresses—women who can sing magic into the world. They are hunting her, but she escapes and finds sanctuary with the Invisible College, an organization plotting to overthrow the nefarious Lord Protector. The only person powerful enough to bring about his downfall is a Chantress. And Lucy is the last one in England.

Lucy struggles to master the song-spells and harness her power, but the Lord Protector is moving quickly. And her feelings for Nat, an Invisible College apprentice and scientist who deeply distrusts her magic, only add to her confusion...

Time is running out, and the fate of England hangs in the balance in this entrancing novel that is atmospheric and lyrical, dangerous and romantic.

Review:

Chantress

I have to confess, I was initially drawn to CHANTRESS by its pretty cover, followed swiftly by the blurb which made it sound like a Maria V. Snyder or Juliet Marillier style historical fantasy with a slow-forming romance in. Which as you may or may not know, is my own personal brand of book crack.

To that end, however, it was slightly underwhelming. I found the writing engaging enough and the concept interesting (although I have read of Spell Singers before, it's certainly not something that's overdone at all), and the characters were likeable with good back stories. But the plot itself was a little too slow with too many pages dedicated to Lucy's endless training sessions and only a flurry of excitement towards the end. Also, the romance was a bit too minuscule for my liking. I like them subtle, because I like to concentrate on story and world-building, but this was blink and you'll miss it.

At this point I'd like to say that despite this book being slow and full of set-up, I see quite a lot of potential for future books, but due to the game-changing events at the end, I actually have no clue where the author plans to take the trilogy from here.

I think I'll likely check out some reviews for book two before I make my decision as to whether to carry on with this one or not.

3 Stars ★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Review: Wicked As She Wants by Delilah S. Dawson ★★★★1/2

2013-05-14T02:57:00.002+01:00

Wicked As She Wants by Delilah S. Dawson
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Blud #2
Publication Date: April 30th 2013
ISBN: 9781451657906
Page Count: 384
Rating: ★★★★1/2
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Janice

Synopsis: The second book in the darkly tempting Blud series, featuring a vampire princess who embarks upon a dangerous journey to claim what is rightfully hers.

When Blud princess Ahnastasia wakes up, drained and starving in a suitcase, she’s not sure which calls to her more: the sound of music or the scent of blood. The source of both sensations is a handsome and mysterious man named Casper Sterling. Once the most celebrated musician in London, Sangland, he’s fallen on hard times. Now, much to Ahna’s frustration, the debauched and reckless human is her only ticket back home to the snow-rimmed and magical land of Freesia.

Together with Casper’s prickly charge, a scrappy orphan named Keen, they seek passage to Ahna’s homeland, where a power-hungry sorceress named Ravenna holds the royal family in thrall. Traveling from the back alleys of London to the sparkling minarets of Muscovy, Ahna discovers that Freesia holds new perils and dangerous foes. Back in her country, she is forced to choose between the heart she never knew she had and the land that she was born to rule. But with Casper’s help, Ahna may find a way to have it all….

Review:

Sang For The Win!

My love affair with the Blud series began last year when I read Wicked As They Come and was introduced to the incomparable Criminy Stain and his clockwork caravan. Two novellas and a much-anticipated sequel later, the affair is still going strong. I adore the world of Sang. It's one of my favorite places to visit as a reader, so when I received my ARC for book two, WICKED AS SHE WANTS, I was a very happy bludbunny.

Before I dive into my review, I must first say this: WICKED AS SHE WANTS is not the continuing adventures of Criminy Stain and his lady-love, Tish. Yes I know, we all want more Criminy, and maybe someday Delilah S. Dawson will grant our wish, but for now, we must content ourselves with Criminy/Tish guest appearances. Not to worry, though. You'll still get a kickass story without them.

Okay, now that we've cleared up who the book isn't about....

WICKED AS SHE WANTS is the tale of Blud princess Ahnastasia and washed-up musician-slash-Stranger, Casper Sterling (whom we first met in book one). Their paths cross purely by chance, and after some initial death threats and much arguing back and forth, Ahna convinces Casper to escort her home to Freesia so she can reclaim the throne that is rightfully hers. Casper reluctantly agrees, and with Casper's young friend Keen in tow, they set off on a life-altering journey through Sangland and beyond.

I enjoyed the heck out of Ahna. She starts out as the typical spoiled, arrogant royal, with people skills that leave much to be desired and a view of the world that is limited at best. And so ruthless, too! She's a Bludwoman with a predator's killer instincts, and I got a hugest kick out of all the violent thoughts that swirled through her head. I also loved that she didn't lose that side of herself over the course of the story. She softened up in other areas and yes, her horizons broadened considerably, but that aspect of her personality remained.

As for Casper, what a surprise he turned out to be! He gets kind of a slow start in the beginning of the book (not in every scene) and then WHAM, suddenly there he is, front and center. Is he as awesomesauce as Criminy Stain? Frankly, no, but he's a damn close second. There's a lot more to Casper than we saw in Wicked As They Come, and I loved discovering all the different sides of him. He is, by turns, brooding, gentle, loyal, daring, and totally messed up. And when he gets his sexy alpha male on, whoa mama! SWOON ALERT! Ahna is a very lucky woman :P

Keen is also fantastic (honestly, I don't think Delilah knows how to write bad characters) and I hope she gets her own story someday, because she would totally rock it.

As always, the world-building is excellent. I really like the mix of paranormal and steampunk elements this series provides, and I think in this book, even more than the last one, I felt just how big, exciting and dangerous Sang really is. The descriptive passages were great, too. I could picture every person and place in my mind's eye in vivid, Technicolor detail.

Needless to say, WICKED AS SHE WANTS was a hit for me. If you haven't already discovered this incredible series, now is the time to start - and be sure to read the novellas too! Anything Blud is good :)

4.5 Stars ★★★★1/2
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Review: Down London Road by Samantha Young ★★★★★

2013-05-13T18:55:00.001+01:00

Down London Road by Samantha Young
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: On Dublin Street #2
Publication Date: May 7th 2013
ISBN: 9780451419712
Page Count: 384
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey

Synopsis:

Johanna Walker is used to taking charge. But she’s about to meet someone who will make her lose control....

It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.

But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.

Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.

Review:

Down London Road was right up my street!

Oh, I'm so happy right now. I absolutely adored ON DUBLIN STREET when I read it last year - it was one of my very first CRs, actually. I loved its intensity paired with its relaxed down-to-earthness. I loved the fact that it was set in my own country for a change. I loved the characters, the dialogue, the steamy scenes, how it gave me so many feels. Just everything, really... So I was naturally a bit nervous to start the sequel thinking it couldn't possibly live up to its predecessor. Well, as you can see from my high rating, I needn't have worried! DOWN LONDON ROAD was every bit as good as book one. Young somehow, miraculously managed to create that same magic once again and stirred many of the same feelings within me as ODS, despite the characters and situations being entirely different.

(Well, not all the characters were different - Joss and Braden (the MCs from ODS) were in it a fair bit, and main character Jo was barmaid-Jo-who-likes-rich-older-guys from ODS as well.)

Now, I know what you're thinking... Jo didn't come across that well in ODS. She was just the shameless, shallow pouty chick that was after anyone with a pulse and a fat wallet. Well, yes that is kind of still true. But let me assure you there is so much more to her than that, and we may have been given a rather skewed and unfair impression of her.

Sadly, it's an impression that a lot of people share, including other main character, Cameron. He's really not very nice to Jo at the start of this book. In fact, he's extremely unpleasant, hurtful and judgemental. I found Cameron's misconceptions very confusing, actually, because part of me thought he was being a total asshat, and yet another part of me kinda agreed with him. Jo is a golddigger. She's one of those women who, in the real world, I would probably really dislike and give the stink-eye to when she wasn't looking. Because on the surface, she's got it all - she's tall, attractive and has a multi-millionaire boyfriend. But sadly for Jo, that's really not a true reflection of her life at all. Jo is a survivor, a fighter, and a character I grew to deeply admire. I can't tell you all about why, obviously, but when you read it you will see - as Cameron eventually did- that first impressions can be very misleading.

Now I know some people didn't like the fact that both Cam and Jo had other partners as the story began, but personally I think it was absolutely necessary to have that in there as it's all part of Jo's emotional baggage. The fact that she thinks she needs to choose her lovers based on what they can provide for her and Cole (her teenaged brother whom she parents because their own mother is a non-functioning alcoholic waste of space), instead of basing it just on her own feelings. And as for Cam, well... anyone who looks like Cam would likely have a girlfriend at all times. So I didn't mind that aspect of the story at all and thought it was realistic, if not very romantic.

The plot itself, much like ODS, was a character-driven tale with lots of lovely romantic scenes, some super hot sexy scenes, and some ball-like-a-baby scenes. I just love, love, LOVE all the feels you get from a Samantha Young book. I can't even pinpoint exactly what it is that causes them to be so effective in that way, because the writing style is really very straightforward. I guess some writers just have a better insight into what situations would create the best tension and drama and know how to pull that from their readers. But whatever it is, so far, she has gotten me good twice. In fact, with this one, I was crying by around the 20% mark. Like, serious crying. I may not know how she does it, but I'm sure glad she does!

Looking forward to the next one.

5 Stars ★★★★★

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Cover Reveal: Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout

2013-05-10T14:00:00.000+01:00

HOLY HOTNESS, CHECK OUT THIS COVER!

He’s arrogant, domineering, and… To. Die. For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something…unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life…or is it Hunter?

Obsessed will be available May 31st 2013.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Links to Jennifer’s pages:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlarmentrout
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout
Website: http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/

Review: Click To Subscribe by L.M. Augustine ★★★★★

2013-05-10T01:55:00.002+01:00

Click To Subscribe by L.M. Augustine
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Series: n/a
Publication Date: May 8th 2013
ISBN: n/a
Page Count: n/a
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Janice

Synopsis: 135,789. That’s how many subscribers sixteen-year-old West Ryder has on his web vlog series. But he only has eyes for one of them.

As one of the internet’s most prestigious video bloggers, West talks about high school relationships under the name “Sam Green.” As far as he knows, no one from school, not even his best friend, Cat, has seen his videos. But the highlight of the whole thing is Harper Knight, who comments every day at exactly 2:02 in the afternoon. He doesn’t know anything about her aside from the occasional deep philosophical messaging on why pizza tastes so delicious, but as stupid as it sounds, he might be falling for her. So when they finally agree to meet in real life, West’s hope for romance seems more and more in reach. But that all changes as soon as he arrives at their meeting spot and sees Cat walking toward him, wearing the same “I <3 Sam Green” T-shirt Harper promised she'd have on.

To his alarm, West realizes he is falling in love with the best friend who has always been a sister to him.

Review:

Let me start by saying I don't normally include gif's in my reviews, but author L.M. Augustine bribed me. With ice cream. Yep, he discovered one of my mortal weaknesses and totally used it against me, the scoundrel. Because he's evil like that ;)

But I digress. We're not here to talk about how I sold my soul for a little frozen goodness. We're here to discuss L.M. Augustine's debut YA novel, CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE.

If you read the book's blurb, you may be expecting a cute, lighthearted story about young love. It is certainly that, especially in the beginning, but don't be fooled. There is a lot more to CLICK than the blurb suggests, and I mean a lot. Fluff, it is not. This is a fully-developed, emotionally rich story that will tug on every one of your heart strings.

CLICK's leading man, West Ryder, is an absolute doll. He's witty, laugh-out-loud funny, and so damn adorable you will want to pull him out of the pages, just so you can tackle-hug him properly.

But underneath all that charm and adorableness is a young man who is carrying some serious emotional scars. You see, poor West's life was turned upside down by tragedy, and he's never fully recovered. He's hurting and more than a little lost....or he would be without his best friend Cat.

Cat is 100% pure awesomesauce. She's fun, caring, brave, intuitive, wise, empathetic....the list just goes on and on. I adored her! And I loooooved the dynamic between her and West. Sometimes they are snarky and playful.........

.....other times they just sit and soak up each other's company.....

.....but no matter what mood they are in, where they go or what they say, they are always, always, there for each other.

Cat and West are sheer perfection, and believe me, I don't say that lightly. There is nothing faked or forced about their interactions. Their chemistry and connection is palpable, and it doesn't falter the entire book. They are just so damn perfect together, and yes, I totally fangirled over them. You will too. Trust me on that. (Go on, just try to resist them, I dare ya!)

The relationship between Cat and West undergoes some dramatic shifts in the course of the book, and I must applaud L.M. Augustine for his masterful handling of those changes. Friends-to-more may sound like an easy leap to make in theory, but in real life, it isn't. There are a lot of powerful fears and feelings involved and L.M. conveyed them all beautifully.

From a technical standpoint, CLICK isn't perfect. There are certain repetitive phrases throughout the narrative, and there were a few times West regurgitated the same thoughts he'd already had earlier in the book. I also thought the situation with West's dad was left too open-ended. I understand (I think) why it wasn't tied up with a neat little bow, but I wanted more of a resolution than what I got. However, if you ask me to rate CLICK based on how it made me feel, it's 5 stars across the board. I absolutely LOVED every aspect of West and Cat's story, and because of that, I'm saying to hell with the technicalities, CLICK is going on my 5-star list.

This book is a MUST READ, folks, so get online and grab your copy today! And if you should happen to bump into L.M. Augustine on Twitter (@AuthorAugustine), Facebook, or Goodreads, tell him the evil queen sent you ;)

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
**CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE is currently available on Amazon and Smashwords**

Reviewed by:

Review: Angelfall by Susan Ee ★★★★★

2013-05-09T19:07:00.000+01:00

Angelfall by Susan Ee
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Dystopian
Series: End of Days #1
Publication Date: May 21st 2011
ASIN: B00522V6DQ
Page Count: 283
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Copy: Audiobook
Reviewed by: Lynsey

Synopsis: It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

Review:

More Angel Apocalypse Right Now!

Okay, so I know I'm ridiculously late to the party, but I finally got around to reading (listening, actually) to this book, and now I know what all the fuss is about. I loved it! Of course, I'd heard all the hype, but I was also very aware of the pleas for mercy over how long the wait for the next book was going to be. (Not that it was going to be unusually long or anything, it would just feel like it). So, I bided my time for as long as I could, but when I saw it pop up on Audible and realized I could sneak it into my reading schedule that way without it interfering with my review books, I couldn't resist any longer.

The setting for ANGELFALL is a post angelic apocalypse earth. A world that has been literally torn apart and is now without any kind of rules: Gang warfare is rife on the streets, starvation is a very real problem, and the constant threat of death-by-angel is enough to terrify anyone to the point of madness. However, our heroine, Penryn (love the name), is old friends with crazy. She has a dangerously paranoid schizophrenic mother who may or may not be the reason she also has a wheelchair-bound sister. Penryn is therefore the natural (if reluctant) matriarch of the family with both mother and sister being equally dependent on her for different reasons. Carrying the combined weight of your entire family is a lot to ask of any seventeen year old. But to deal with this new world on top of all that? It's just too much to ask of anyone, but Penryn somehow manages to stay sane and also be quite the little badass in the process. It's one of the main reasons I absolutely loved her as a protagonist. When you talk of a character being strong, this is exactly the type of character that epitomises that description. Strong in all facets. She absolutely rocked.

As for the story, it was everything I've ever wanted from a YA angel book, from a YA dystopian book. Its characters are memorable, the plot twists are shocking and disturbing, everything about this book still stands out in my mind as if I just closed the last page seconds ago, not weeks ago. And the game changer at the end? Yowser. I can't wait to read more.

Have to give props to the narrator, Caitlin Davies, as well. Her voice was perfect for Penryn and I plan to listen to book two on audio as well.

5 Stars ★★★★★

Reviewed by:

Quickie Review: Clockwork Mafia by Seleste deLaney ★★★

2013-05-08T18:57:00.000+01:00

Clockwork Mafia by Seleste deLaney
Genre: Steampunk Romance.
Series: Badlands #2
Publication Date: April 29th 2013
ISBN: 9781426895418
Page Count: 249
Rating: ★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey

Synopsis: Inventor Henrietta Mason is retiring from airships and adventuring to return home to Philadelphia. Determined to erase all trails leading to her late father's duplicity, she dismantles his lab and removes all records of the Badlands gold. While in the city, she can't resist the lure of a charity gala but winds up regretting the whole experience. Well, everything except a heart-racing dance with a certain U.S. Marshal.

His career and vengeance on the line, Carson Alexander must prove a connection between Senator Mason and the mafia. He lucked out happening across Mason's strikingly beautiful daughter, only to have her slip through his fingers. On a desperate hunt to track her down, he never expects his search to take him into the brutal Badlands.

With a mechanically enhanced enforcer after them, only Carson knows the extent of the danger they face. He'll have to win over Henrietta's trust, and her heart, before it's too late...

Review:

Steam but no sizzle.

I find myself slightly frustrated after finishing CLOCKWORK MAFIA. Like I've been short changed somehow. You see, its synopsis reads like that of any other romance novel—albeit a steampunk one—with a bit about the heroine and a bit about the hero. So I was kind of expecting a full on romance. You know, with heated kisses and intimate scenes and stuff like that. But, nope it was sadly lacking in that department. Only a couple of smooches which had little impact. And, you know, I can happily read a book with no sex in it just fine, so it's not like I'm some insatiable smutmonster or anything. But it's all about expectations. I expected more romance, I didn't get it, so I'm disappointed. So on the romance front, it gets a very low score.

However, on the Steampunk side of things, I really enjoyed it. I loved that Henrietta was so skilled with machines and clockworks, even if it did land her in hot water more often than not thanks to her late father's dealings with the mafia. I also loved that the hero, Carson, was still amiable despite being a man hell-bent on vengeance for his murdered fiance these last eight years. And the descriptions of all the various instruments were great, and the plot in general was entertaining, if fairly short. Hey, maybe they could have made it longer with some sex scenes! Just a thought.

So, all in all an entertaining steampunk, but a disappointing romance

3 Stars ★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

EIT Reading Challenge - Tour Stop & Giveaway

2013-05-08T01:36:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone, and welcome to Week 1 of the Experiment In Terror Reading Challenge! Lynsey and I are thrilled to share our love of this fabulous series with you!

Check out our interview below, in which we try really hard NOT to devolve into giddy fangirls gushing about one of our all-time favorite authors and series. Whether or not we succeeded.....well, you be the judge ;)

What's your favorite thing about Perry Palomino?

Lynsey: I think what really appeals to me about Perry as a main character is, ironically, the very thing that I wasn't sure I liked the sound of before I began my EIT journey. And that is that Perry is a little bit overweight (heh, join the club, honey!) and a lot insecure about it. I’m almost ashamed to admit that because it sounds terribly judgmental of me, but I confess to a certain amount of vanity when it comes to wanting to drop myself into the characters I read about. Hey, if I don’t get to look like a super model in real life, I’m allowed to want to pretend to look like one in books, right? Well, that was my opinion back then, anyway. But Miss Palomino (via Miss Karina Halle) taught me a very important lesson in that true strength of character comes from within, and in that respect, Perry is the most badass of them all. I love Perry. I admire Perry. I can relate to Perry even if I don’t always agree with Perry. She’s a truly fantastic, realistically flawed heroine, one I’m incredibly emotionally invested in.

What do you love most about Dex Foray?

Janice: OMG where to start? He's just so Dex, so unique and totally himself that it's hard to come up with the words to do him justice. He can be funny, crude, blunt, evasive, sometimes sweet and sometimes infuriating - but one thing he is not and never will be, is predictable. I never know quite what Dex is going to say or do next, and as a reader, I love his ability to constantly shock and awe me. Never a dull moment when Dex Foray is around, that's for sure! Whether he's driving me crazy or melting my heart into a big ol' pile of goo, I can't get enough of him. He is and always will be the reigning king of all my book boyfriends.

We <3 Karina Halle! Let us count the ways....

Janice: Karina is, quite simply, AMAZEBALLS. It's obvious she loves what she does and is dedicated to telling the best story possible, and as a reader, I can see that love and devotion reflected in her writing. Her books are packed with humor, emotional hits & plot twists, action/suspense, and of course, romance and smexy times. She also excels at writing complex and deliciously flawed characters, many of whom appear on my Favorite Characters of All Time list. But what myself and other fans absolute adore about her is how brilliantly evil she is. She is the kind of author who isn't afraid to shake and rattle her readers, and in some cases, rip the rug right out from under our feet! And we, sick puppies that we are, not only love her for torturing us, but we beg for more! Addicted? Who, us? YOU BETCHA!

What was the first thing you thought when you met Dex in Darkhouse?

Lynsey: Ah, well I had the advantage (or maybe disadvantage, not sure) of having a fair idea that a character named Dex would be popping up at some point in the book, because through talking to Janice about the series and reading some reviews, his name kept coming up. Like, a lot. More so, even, than the main character. So when he eventually showed up I was suddenly on high alert trying to take in every detail...

Subject: Dex Foray
Height: Not particularly tall
Appearance: Pervy weirdo mustache and 1990's fashion sense

...Wait, what? Seriously? This is who everyone is talking about and cooing over? But as we have already established, I know nothing and need to be shown the way by Karina Halle, who has now taught me that short is the new tall, ‘staches are so in, and '90s gear is retro/vintage chic, dahhhling. And now I’m just as hopelessly in love with the man as everyone else... It’s contagious I tell you!

What scene in Darkhouse scared you the most?

Janice: Ooooh, that's a tough one! There were quite a few tense, clutch-my-book-in-a-deathgrip moments when Dex and Perry were investigating the lighthouse, but the Creepy Clown Lady scenes totally freaked me out. Gah, just typing her name gives me the chills! Next question!

As an EIT veteran, you clearly love the series. Tell us why.

Janice: Whenever I pick up an EIT book (no matter how many times I've read it before), I know I am in for the time of my life. Karina has this incredible way of describing things that pulls her readers right into the thick of the story. I feel every thrill and chill, experience every emotion, right along with the characters. It's great! But as cool as the paranormal investigating is, for me it's all about Dex and Perry. They are the #1 reason I rant and rave about this series. I love their chemistry, their banter, their push-pull dynamic. I just love them, period.

What would you say to an EIT newbie? What are they in for?

Lynsey: I would say be patient, actually (which sounds very restrained of me, doesn't it?). This series has garnered a lot of die-hard fans quite quickly and we can all get a bit fangirly and hyperbolic at times because we love it so very much, but don't worry if you don't feel that way about it after only book one. Darkhouse sets the stage, and by the end of it I was really excited at the prospect of what was to come for these two amazing new characters I'd just met. But the series itself is very much a journey and book one is only the first baby step. It takes a while to build up to this level of super-fandom :D. In any case, it's a great read with great characters and (if you're anything like us) the start of your new obsession!

So how'd we do? Are you fired up to read these books? We sure hope so!

Be sure to check out the rest of the EIT Reading Challenge stops! You can find the tour schedule here. And don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway for your chance to win a COMPLETE SET of EIT books!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers ★★★★

2013-05-07T17:35:00.000+01:00

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance/Supernatural
Series: His Fair Assassin #2
Publication Date: 02 April, 2013
ISBN: 9780547628387
Page Count: 385
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey

Synopsis: Sybella's duty as Death's assassin in 15th-century France forces her return home to the personal hell that she had finally escaped. Love and romance, history and magic, vengeance and salvation converge in this thrilling sequel to Grave Mercy.

Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. The convent views Sybella, naturally skilled in the arts of both death and seduction, as one of their most dangerous weapons. But those assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

Review:

Death and duplicity

What do you get if you cross a nun with an assassin? It kind of sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, doesn't it? Well, in my opinion, what you get is absolutely fantastic historical fiction set in an era rife with conflict, treason and foul play, and a country in turmoil. Add to that compelling mysteries, strong heroines, and beautifully underplayed romances and I'm seriously in my happy reading place with the His Fair Assassin series.

I loved book one, GRAVE MERCY, when I read it last year, so I was super excited for this book since I was already was familiar with the heroine, Sybella, and desperate to find out how she was surviving in such close proximity to the disgusting Lord d'Albret.

He really is sickening as villains go. And although his character is described largely through flashbacks and recollections in this book, he still remains a terrifying and threatening presence throughout, especially for those who also read GRAVE MERCY and are familiar with his ruthlessness. He's the type of man whose very name is enough to make a person quail. I thought the connection between Sybella, D'Albret and our hero, Beast, was very intriguing and also rather sad.

Speaking of Beast—or the Beast of Waroch, to give him his full title—he was an unusual hero, to say the least. Not remotely handsome (other than in the eyes of someone who already loves him, perhaps), but very sweet. He's described as large, scarred, but with a heart-melting smile. I liked him a lot. Especially in how he let Sybella do what needed to be done, and was so patient with her as she worked through her many issues. Their romance was very subtle—perhaps a bit too subtle, actually— but the thing to remember about this series is that it's historical fiction with a romance, rather than a Historical Romance. And yes, there is a difference. A huge one. So, if you're looking for a bodice-ripper, this isn't it. In fact, I believe it's even classed as a YA book, although I disagree on that. If, however, you're looking for a really meaty, plot-dense historical novel with a sweet romance woven in—happy days.

The plot centres around the political maneuvers of many of the same players from book one, and indeed, picks up from the point of the end battle where Beast went down. That's not to say it was all politics, however. There was plenty of action and Sybella had many opportunities to shine. I was surprised to discover Sybella had a lot more to her story than you might have thought, actually. Turns out she's been holding out on everybody about who she is...

There were some very slimy secondary characters and some weird incestuous relationships involved which all got a bit hinky, but it was interesting to read nonetheless. I'm also interested in the developments with regards to the convent and can't wait to see how all that turns out. Perhaps in Annith's book, as she is up next in MORTAL HEART which comes out in 2014.

All in all, although I preferred the romance in book one, this book definitely didn't disappoint and had much more action.

An easy 4 Stars ★★★★

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

EIT READING CHALLENGE! May 6th - June 15th 2013

2013-04-29T14:49:00.000+01:00

Hello and Welcome to the

Experiment in Terror Reading Challenge!!

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading this fantastic series, now is the time to hop on the crazy train with the rest of us. Darkhouse (Book 1) is FREE on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. You have no excuse NOT to read it.

For each book/novella, a blog will write a post, so be sure to stop by and comment.

GIVEAWAYS:

There will be a grand prize giveaway that will be up for the duration of the reading challenge. Some blogs will also have their own giveaway, so be sure to enter the giveaways at each stop. The Grand Prize will include signed Experiment in Terror books (books and number of winners to be determined).

To the New Readers:

The next six weeks are going to be the best six weeks of your life! Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration but not by much. You, my friends, are in for a crazy ride. You've heard me drone on and on about how great this series is. Now, you can experience the terror, the drama, and the Dex Foray for yourselves. Consider yourselves lucky because you're going to be reading alongside other people who have gone through what you're about to go through. You'll have therapists to help get you through the tough times (and trust me there are some rough patches).

And for the love of all that is holy, DO NOT SKIP THE NOVELLAS. The EIT veterans will find you.

To the EIT Veterans:

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, will be to, of course, re-read the books along with the newbies, but also engage with the new readers in the discussion groups. Below I have outlined the various places on the interwebs where these dicussions will be taking place.

Blog Tour Schedule:

Week 1 - May 6th - May 12th

Darkhouse (Book 1)
The Demon Librarian
Reality Bites...Let's Get Lost

Week 2 - May 13th - May 19th

Red Fox (Book 2)

My Book Muse

May 17th - 19th

The Benson (Book 2.5)

Book Me

Week 3 - May 20th - 26th
Dead Sky Morning (Book 3)
Reading Books Like a Boss

Week 4 - May 27th - June 2nd

Lying Season (Book 4)
Ginger-Read Reviews

Week 5 - June 3rd- 9th

On Demon Wings (Book 5)
Reading is My Breathing

June 6th - June 9th
Old Blood (Book 5.5)
Reading Books Like a Boss
My Book Muse

June 6th-June 9th
The Dex Files (Book 5.7)
Caitlyn on the Road

Week 6 - June 9th -15th

Into the Hollow (Book 6)
Little Read Riding Hood

June 12th-15th

And With Madness Comes the Light (Book 6.5)
The Book Bella

Come Alive (Book 7) will be released in June 2013!!

Joint Review: Blood Roses by Lindsay J. Pryor ★★★★1/2

2013-04-26T05:29:00.003+01:00

Blood Roses by Lindsay J. Pryor
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Blackthorn #2
Publication Date: April 26th 2013
ISBN: 9781909490031
Page Count: 400
Janice's Rating: ★★★★★
Lynsey's Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey/Janice

Synopsis:“She was supposed to kill vampires, not save them. Those were the rules. That was the lore.”

A rare and powerful witch whose blood is lethal to vampires, Leila has always viewed her serryn abilities as a curse. After seeing her mother slaughtered as a child, Leila longs for a safe, quiet life.

That wish is shattered by Caleb Dehain – a vampire with a dark past and a darker heart. The most feared serryn hunter of his generation, Caleb now needs the help of one of the witches he despises to save his dying brother.

A serryn who has no reason to help him. Except that he has her sister.

Caleb and Leila are each other’s worst nightmare – but the slow-burning spark of attraction between them is undeniable. Will Leila’s blood be his damnation? Or could her kiss be his salvation?

Janice's Review:

Intense!

Blackthorn is not a nice place. Just ask Leila, the leading lady of Blood Roses.

From the moment Leila stepped onto the page, I felt for her. Raised her whole life in the safety and security of Summerton, she has never set foot on the vampire-infested streets of Blackthorn, nor does she want to. But when she receives a frantic call from her younger sister Alisha, begging for help, Leila has no choice but to enter the proverbial lion's den.

Getting in is the easy part. It's getting out that will be tricky, because a certain uber-sexy and dangerous vamp has figured out Leila's most closely guarded secret, and he's not about to let her go.

Caleb has hunted serryns for years. He hates them with the fire of a thousand suns, and having one fall into his lap resurrects all the darkness inside of him. Darkness that is aimed entirely at poor Leila.

Leila is put through the wringer in this book, and yet somehow, she prevails. She stood up to Caleb, poked holes in his armor, and defied all his negative expectations. And she did it in a way that not only won him over (reluctantly), but me as well (wholeheartedly). The strength of character she displayed impressed the hell out of me, and I was cheering her on the whole way.

Caleb, for his part, is one very bad boy. In any other book, he'd be slated as the villain and I'd be booing and hissing him off the page. He's cold, unforgiving, and more than a little cruel. Yet he's also a devoted brother, an astute businessman, and loyal to his people. I would never call him good, but he isn't outright evil either, and honestly, I liked him. A LOT. He's exactly the kind of complex character I love to sink my teeth into.

Supporting characters Alisha and Jake (Caleb's brother) deserve a special mention. Jake in particular really surprised me. He comes off at first as a useless playboy, but he sure proved me wrong! I'm pleased as punch he and Alisha both had scenes written from their POV. The story wouldn't have worked nearly as well without them and I hope we see more of them both in the future.

As in book one, the story unfolds over a short period of time, and once again, I did not feel gypped in any way. BLOOD ROSES is a fully-developed, thoroughly engrossing story filled with heavy emotional hits and swoonworthy moments. In or out of the bedroom, whether they are viciously fighting or tearing each other's clothes off, Caleb and Leila burn up the pages together. Every moment between them seethes with emotion and intensity. It's potent stuff, and the more I read, the more hooked I became. In fact, when the book ended, it took all of, oh, five minutes for the withdrawal to set in. I wanted MORE.

That's right. I am officially addicted to this series. Why, you ask? Because Lindsay Pryor is my kind of fearless author. She isn't afraid to "go there", to create characters and situations that challenge me as a reader. She doesn't wrap anything in a pretty bow for me, and after two books, she has yet to hand me a single quick fix or easy answer. Black and white? Forget about it! You will find nothing that simple in the the world of Blackthorn. Everywhere you look, there are blurred lines and shades of gray. There are no clear-cut Happy Ever Afters, either. I don't think there can be in this world. Not yet. I could be wrong, but my gut tells me there is a lot of story yet to be told, and everything we're reading now is merely the prelude. All these different stories are going to intersect at some point (I hope), and I can't wait to see what happens when they do.

BLOOD ROSES isn't a wild, action-packed ride through the paranormal world. If that's what you are in the mood for, I would recommend you look elsewhere, because you'll only be disappointed. However, if you're hunting for a book that isn't afraid to get its hands dirty and show you a darker side of life - a book with characters who will grab you by the throat and refuse to let go - then you should definitely check out the Blackthorn series.

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed By:

Lynsey's Review:

Back to Blackthorn

After thoroughly enjoying book one of this series, BLOOD SHADOWS, I happily and greedily delved into BLOOD ROSES with much gusto and enthusiasm, ready for more raunchy, heated scenes filled with tension (of all kinds), and ready to meet yet another sinfully wicked hero and a new spunky heroine. And by and large, I was not disappointed in either of those respects.

This time, in Caleb and Leila's story, we dig a little deeper into the dark, seedy heart of the vampire territory that is Blackthorn. It's really not a nice place. It's where the vampires and other third species races are currently forced to reside along with the dregs of human society who act as their food supply. Where the humans in higher power hope that out of sight can mean out of mind, so that they can just carry on pretending they don't exist. It's also the very place a serryn should not be. Like, ever.

Enter Leila - a serryn, who through her errant sister meets serryn-hating vampire club owner Caleb. Caleb with his extreme prejudice and loathing of everything Leila is. This is a couple that have not even the smallest scrap of common ground, and enough mistrust between them to sink a battleship. In Caleb's defense, his hatred of serryns is not without cause. But I really had to keep reminding myself of that - that he had good reason - during some of the horrendous things he did to poor Leila in this book.

Where the last hero in this series, the lovely Kane, was bad but redeemable, Caleb crossed a few too many lines with me, and didn't quite win me over in the same way. He was just a bit too bad. I'm still prepared to give him more of a chance as the series progresses - because I have a feeling we will see both couples again as their stories don't feel complete quite yet - but he's on his final warning. One more nasty trick and he'll feel the wrath of my Death Glare.

Speaking of their stories not feeling complete... There hasn't been any saccharine sweet Happily Ever After-type endings so far in this series, which has me wondering whether these books are supposed to be classed as PNR, or just very steamy/sexy UF...

Anyway, back to the book.

For most of BLOOD ROSES, I felt sorry for Leila. She was treated so horribly, and it was all so undeserved that I was positively brimming with righteous indignation for her and wanted to her to just explode at Caleb - really give him what for. Preferably with a blunt instrument of some sort. But then, in his mind, that would have only proved his point about her; that she's faking her niceness and is secretly an evil bitch like all other serryns he's known. It was a total lose-lose situation for Leila, and I empathised with her almost as much as I wanted to kidney punch Caleb. Almost.

The best part of this book and this series has to be the intensity of the romantic relationships. Love or hate the characters as you will - as I suspect you are intended to - but you can't fail to love all the drama and, again, that total inability to decide who's telling the truth and who's spinning yet another web of deceit. As I've said in past reviews, it is not always a requirement of mine to like all the characters and their actions in order to enjoy a book. And as you've probably picked up, I'm undecided on Caleb because he's a very naughty boy. But the fact remains, I was still made to care about what happens to Caleb and Leila - good or bad - and was fully engaged in the story throughout, and that's all that really matters to me.

So, to sum up, if (like myself) you love emotional torment and passion in your books and can handle a seriously bad boy (maybe not like myself), then I definitely recommend this series. It pulls no punches, its heroes are on the edge, and its sex scenes are off the charts. You have been warned.

4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Quickie Review: Silent Warrior by Lindsey Piper ★★★★★

2013-04-23T01:00:00.000+01:00

Silent Warrior by Lindsey Piper
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Dragon Kings #0.5
Publication Date: April 22nd 2013
ISBN: 9781476713250
Page Count: 80
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Janice

Synopsis: An exciting, emotionally charged prequel to "The Dragon Kings" trilogy, featuring warriors fighting for their lives in violent Cage matches to guarantee their clans' survival.

A silent woman ashamed of her criminal background becomes a Cage warrior to seek redemption. An unrepentant fortune hunter chooses combat over death to appease a mafia family. Although rivals in battle, they find common ground when seeking their clan's stolen idol, but for vastly different reasons. Neither one suspects that love will begin when he becomes the first man in five years to hear her speak.

Quickie Review:

A thrilling intro to a new series!

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to ride a rocket? You know, like you see cartoon characters do? Yeah, me either, but after reading this action-packed novella, I think I have a pretty good idea!

SILENT WARRIOR is a novella that introduces readers to the Dragon Kings. Set in Hong Kong, in an underground world run by human cartels, it starts with a bang and doesn't let up until the very last page is turned.

The main characters are Hark and Silence, two Sath clan warriors who meet in a Cage match in Hong Kong. Hark is a free Dragon. No cartel ties, no dampening collar like others of his kind are forced to wear. He comes and goes as he pleases and answers to no one. Well, except for those he owes money to, and unfortunately for him, they aren't exactly the patient, understanding types. He enters the Cage match to earn quick cash and enjoy some good ol' fashioned violent fun. His opponent is the deadly and aptly named Silence, a fellow Dragon King who hasn't spoken a word in five years. Officially, Silence is in Hong Kong on behalf of her human masters, but Silence has plans of her own. She's looking for something, and she won't quit until she has it. Little does she know that charming chatterbox Hark might be the key to her finding what she seeks.

SILENT WARRIOR is a novella on steroids. There's intense fighting, danger and secrets galore, and a whole series of narrow-misses and quick escapes. And somewhere in the middle of all that craziness, author Lindsey Piper builds one helluva hot romance. I don't have a freaking clue how she did it but I am damned impressed. Hark and Silence are like yin and yang, utterly different and perfectly balanced. I loved them and wanted more, more, more!

When I finished reading this novella, I was exhausted and exhilarated and grinning like a madwoman. It was freaking awesome.

Must-read? Um, YEAH!

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

**Book one in the Dragon Kings series, CAGED WARRIOR, releases in June 2013**

Reviewed by:

Feature and Follow Friday 19th April 2013

2013-04-19T17:25:00.000+01:00

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly event hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read.

This week's featured blog is

Words Fueled by Love

1. When did you start blogging?

After watching my sister-n-law blog for a year I decided to give it a try myself. I started my blog October 1, 2012 and have been going strong ever since!

2. What is your favorite part of book blogging?

To narrow this down to one favorite thing is really hard so I'll keep it to my top 2 favorite things of book blogging. One - the opportunities having a book blog has opened up to me (e.g. book blog tours, cover reveals, giveaway hops, ARC reviews from authors and publishers, etc...). None of that would have been possible had I not had a book blog. Two - all of the fantastic people I have met through book blogging. Book blogging just wouldn't be any fun without the interaction between other book blog friends.

3. What type of books do you mainly blog about?

I mainly review young adult and new adult books in many sub-genres (paranormal, contemporary, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, etc...)

4. What is your favorite book(s)?

Another tough question to narrow down to just a few. Here are some of my current fave series: Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cambion series by Shannon Dermott, Too Far series by Abbi Glines, Slammed series by Colleen Hoover, Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry, Beautiful series by Jamie McGuire. Now for some long time favorites: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan.

5. What has been the best thing that has happened to you because of book blogging?

I guess the best thing for me personally since starting my blog, has been rekindling the avenue to express myself through writing. I don't think I'm an eloquent writer by any means and I don't write lengthy reviews typically or use big words, but I enjoy writing my thoughts down and I really enjoy hearing from other readers and bloggers about the books I review and the various posts I participate in.

This Week's Question is:

Q: If you could hang out with any author (living) who would it be and what would you want to do?

Lynsey: I think I would pick Kim Harrison. Reason being, out of all the authors whose books I am feverishly fanatical about, she's the one I have most questions for! So I'd probably just spend the day grilling her about Trent Kalamack and his motivations for everything he's ever done ever.

Janice: Wow, that's a tough one! I've met so many great authors, it's hard to choose, but I think I'd have to pick Karina Halle, because she's fun, amazingly talented, and she brought my favorite book boyfriend of all time into my life (Dex Foray for the win!). As for what I'd like us to do if I had the chance to hang out with her....does just sitting beside her and basking in the glow of her awesomeness count? No? Okay, well in that case, I'd choose a concert so we can rock out, scream like fangirls, and headbang our little hearts away.

Thanks for visiting us! If you follow us just let us know so we can return the favour! That's what this here get together is all about, after all.

Review: Defect by Ryann Kerekes ★★★

2013-04-19T14:54:00.000+01:00

Defect by Ryann Kerekes
Genre: YA Dystopian
Series: n/a
Publication Date: March 23rd 2013
ISBN: 9781483953175
Page Count: 396
Rating: ★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Janice

Synopsis: Locked in the mental ward on her sixteenth birthday, Eve Sterling doesn’t think things can get any worse.

They can.

After failing the mindscan procedure that predicts future crime, she’s deemed a Defect and subjected to endless psychological and physical testing as the government tries to determine what’s different about her.

The one bright spot is military guard, Will. He’s gentle with her when no one’s watching and suppresses a smile whenever she defies their challenges. Will’s lessons begin to dance dangerously close to knowledge she shouldn’t possess, like what’s beyond the fenced compound. Though it’s forbidden and Will would be killed on the spot if they’re discovered, they steal away moments together. With her very life on the line, Eve has to decide if she can trust the guard she’s falling for.

DEFECT, a young adult romance, takes place in the near-future.

It is a survivalist love story.

Review:

Almost perfect

Defect is a YA dystopian novel set in a not-too-distant future where life is heavily regimented and controlled, and citizens are subjected to invasive mindscan procedures. Fail the scan and you're branded a Defect. Family, school, friends - you lose it all. Suddenly you're government property, and they can do whatever they want to you. Which is exactly what happens to Eve at the start of the book.

Eve's voice reeled me in almost instantly. She doesn't understand why she failed the mindscan, or what makes her different from the countless others who have taken (and passed) the same test. All she knows is life as she knows it is over. Rather than give up, though, or waste time railing against the unfairness of her fate, Eve makes up her mind that she is going to survive at any cost. She's not going to give anyone the satisfaction of beating her, or of turning her into a mindless drone. She's small but tough, this girl, and has plenty of smarts and spirit. It helps that she has a totally swoonworthy guy in her corner who isn't afraid to break and bend the rules for her.

Will....ah, Will. He sorta snuck up on me. He's a little tough to pin down at first, but when he turns it on, it's ON. I am not at all embarrassed to admit he made me sigh like a dreamy-eyed schoolgirl more than a few times. (What? Like you haven't oooh'd and aaah'd over a sexy book hero? Yeah, that's what I thought LOL)

The romance has the right amount of buildup and sizzling moments, and the characters are solid and pretty well defined, so it's easy to stay invested and interested in their story. Unfortunately, as much as I liked what I was reading (and I truly did), the book is not without its issues.

For starters, the world-building is slow to get off the ground, with a lot of necessary explanations about why things are the way they are postponed until further into the novel. Even then, I didn't feel like I got a crystal clear picture of how this dystopian world worked. What details I did get were vague and in short supply. The story also lacks urgency. I was told about various threats and dangers but I wasn't really shown them, and as a result, I didn't take them seriously.

Where Defect really let me down, though, was in its ending. The final 1/3 or so of the book had a bare bones, slightly rushed feel to it that I wasn't happy with. Like I was reading a recap of events, instead of being allowed to actually experience things as they happened. Adding Will's POV might have solved this problem, or better yet, splitting the story into two books instead of making it a standalone. Because honestly, there was a lot more to this story than what I read, and I was disappointed I had to settle for less.

All in all, though, while Defect didn't wow me as much as Ryann Kerekes' debut novel, The Cirque (which I cannot recommend strongly enough), for a sophomore effort it ain't half bad. I like Ryann Kerekes' style and believe she's just beginning to scratch the surface of her writing potential. I look forward to her next project, whatever it is.

This book would be ideal for those who are new to the YA dystopian genre. It's an easy read, not too heavy or angst-ridden, and the two main characters are sure to win you over.

3 Stars ★★★

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Blog Tour - Review stop: Shifting Selves by Mia Marshall ★★★★★

2013-04-18T00:11:00.003+01:00

Shifting Selves by Mia Marshall
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery
Series: Elements #2
Publication Date: 16th April 2013
ISBN: 9780988976146
Page Count: 342
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey

Synopsis:

The Elements urban fantasy series continues in this fast-paced sequel to Broken Elements.

Aidan Brook's world was shattered when the actions of a brutal murderer revealed long-buried secrets about her past. A powerful elemental, Aidan discovered she possesses the wrong kind of magic. It's a secret that could cost her sanity—or even her life.

What she needs is some peace and quiet. What she gets is a phone call from a division of the FBI so secret it doesn’t even have a name, asking for her help with a series of shifter disappearances.

Before Aidan can settle into a new routine of pancakes and evenings by the fire, the case develops claws. She quickly finds herself caught between uptight bears, deadly mountain lions, overprotective parents, and unhappy federal agents. Throw in a stalled romance with an enigmatic shifter and the slow dissolution of her chosen family, and it’s hard to say which will drive her mad first: her magic, or her chaotic life.

About the Author

Mia Marshall has always been obsessed with stories. When younger, her version of cleaning her room involved neatly organizing her books, then ignoring all other messes in favor of re-reading The Wizard of Oz series just one more time. As an adult, she earned an unnecessary number of degrees in literature, education, and film. She planned to spend the rest of her life teaching stories to others until she got distracted and started writing those stories herself.

Mia has lived all over the US west coast and throughout the UK. These days, she lives somewhere in the Sierra Nevada mountains, where she is hard at work on her next book.

Review:

Another fantastic read. I'm really loving this series!

Despite real world time constraints weighing me down at the moment, the second I spotted the familiar cover art design for this series and realised review copies for SHIFTING SELVES were out, I picked up my copy without a single hesitation, in the sure and safe knowledge that I would be in for another great, magic-filled read. And I'm so glad I did, because I was right!

That level of certainty I felt—despite having only read one other book from this author—all comes down to the strength of book one, BROKEN ELEMENTS, and how much I thoroughly enjoyed reading it last year. It was one of the standouts of 2012 for me, and I recommend it highly for all Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Mystery fans.

We learned an awful lot in book one about Aidan and her magic, and also about how Mia Marshall's Urban Fantasy world works. We also met the rather extensive cast of colourful characters who make up what I like to think of as "The Gang". Because although the series is written in first person and clearly follows a lead character, it really feels more like an ensemble cast, and each member is as vital and essential as the next.

Aidan's character is much changed from the person we met at the start of BROKEN ELEMENTS. The development has been immense and is progressed even more in SHIFTING SELVES as we see the overarching plot concerning Aidan's powers further explored. Also, the tentative romance between Aidan and bear shifter Mac that began (albeit very slowly) in book one, is also cranked up a few heat levels. And you will not hear me complaining about that. No, ma'am. Not me.

What I love most about Mia's writing is how everything feels so wonderfully balanced; there's humour and drama, tension and playfulness, romance and friendships. All worked brilliantly around a great mystery centre. And the teensy, tiny little scraps (Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration) of romance we get are just enough to satisfy (for now), but don't overwhelm the story in any way.

That's not to say I would actually mind being overwhelmed by Mac. As you may have gathered, I'd rather like some more Mac and Aidan romance scenes. I realise I asked for more Mac in my last review, and to be fair, Mia definitely delivered lots more Mac in SHIFTING SELVES. So on the one hand I'm happy. But on the other hand, I'm also a disgustingly greedy and unrepentant sort, and so I say to you once again, Ms Marshall: More Mac! There is no such thing as too much, just in case you were wondering *wink*

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Quickie Review: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi ★★★★★

2013-04-12T03:45:00.000+01:00

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Genre: YA Dystopian

Series: Shatter Me #1.5

Publication Date:

ISBN: n/a

Page Count: 103

Rating: ★★★★★

Review Copy: Own Purchase

Reviewed by: Janice

Synopsis: Set after Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me and before Unravel Me, the spellbinding sequel, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

In Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she'll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of . . .

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner's father, the Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son's mistakes, it's clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

Quickie Review:

I can sum up my reaction to Destroy Me in two words: HELL YEAH.

For any fan of the Shatter Me series, this novella is an absolute must-read. Told entirely from Warner's POV and picking up right from the cliff we left him at, Destroy Me is a chance to (finally!) get inside the life and mind of the young man we loved to hate in book 1.

The thing is, though, I didn't hate him. I felt like I should, but even at his worst, something about his character spoke to my twisted little soul, and try as I might, I couldn't write him off as just another bad guy.

Destroy Me doesn't wipe Warner's slate entirely clean, but it explains a lot of his actions and choices, and I challenge any of you to read it and not experience even the smallest change of heart about him. He may not win you over completely but he will win something - sympathy, grudging respect, what-have-you. In my case, he earned my full-fledged support.

Yep, that's right. After reading this novella, I am officially a Team Warner girl. No, I am not in any way spitting on the awesomeness that is Adam. I freely admit that Adam is wonderful and a far more sensible (and obvious) love triangle choice, but Warner does it for me in a way Adam can't and never will. He is my favorite type of character, the one with the greatest potential to evolve and surprise me, and I'll be rooting for him right to the end.

5 Stars ★★★★★

Reviewed by:

Joint Review: Blood Shadows by Lindsay J. Pryor ★★★★1/2

2013-04-12T01:30:00.000+01:00

Blood Shadows by Lindsay J. Pryor
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Blackthorn #1
Publication Date: November 27th 2012
ISBN: 9781909490017
Page Count: 380
Rating: ★★★★1/2
Review Copy: Own Purchase/ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey/Janice

Synopsis: For vengeance - would you trust a vampire?

For justice - could you betray your family?

For love - are you ready to question everything you believe in?

Gifted with the ability to read the shadows of 'third species' beings, Caitlin Parish is the Vampire Control Unit's most powerful agent. Despite that, her mission to hunt down Kane Malloy - a master vampire - comes with a death wish. Many have tried, but few have survived.

For Caitlin, tracking Kane is about more than just professional reputation. With her parents both mysteriously killed 7 years apart to the day, Caitlin knows that without Kane's help she is next.

She has four days to make a deal with the wicked, the irresistible, the treacherous Kane Malloy. The vampire who despises everything she stands for. Or die.

Janice's Review:

A vampire book with bite!

I've become a little wary of vampire books in recent years because I feel like I've been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt at least a dozen times. Fortunately, this was one of those times I needn't have worried. BLOOD SHADOWS reminded me why I fell in love with vampire books in the first place, and why they will always be a staple part of my reading diet. Because when a vampire book is done right, it's right.

At first glance, BLOOD SHADOWS may seem like just another paranormal romance, but trust me, boys and girls, it is so much more! Pryor weaves in some intriguing dystopian-ish elements, creating a society where powerhouse supernatural races (aka "third species") are policed by humans. Hostilities, conflicts and age-old resentments abound. The world of BLOOD SHADOWS is a dark and violent place, and Pryor doesn't pull any punches conveying that to the reader.

The heroine of the story, Caitlin Parish, is a woman on a mission. As an agent of the VCU, it is her job to maintain order and keep the third species in check - and she's extremely good at what she does. Her latest assignment is tracking the elusive vampire Kane, a man who has consistently slipped through VCU fingers and whose list of crimes would make even the most nefarious of villains blush. Caitlin has studied Kane for years, determined to be the one to finally bring him to justice, but her interest in him isn't solely professional. Because, you see, as an old and powerful vampire, Kane may hold the secret to solving a mystery that has haunted Caitlin for years. She wants - no, she needs - information only Kane can give her.

Kane is no fool. He is fully aware of Caitlin's obsession with him. Little does she know, he has been watching her as well, and he has every intention of using her to fulfill his own plans.

Caitlin is a kickass heroine, yet there's a surprising fragility to her as well. I connected to her character easily and was right there with her through every emotional up and down. But Kane...Kane stole this show, folks. He isn't one of those "woe is me" vampires who is forever bemoaning his unfortunate, undead fate. Instead, he fully embraces who and what he is, thumbs his nose at human authority, isn't afraid to play dirty (in fact, he rather enjoys it), and best of all, he doesn't apologize for any of it. I freaking LOVED him.

The push-pull dynamic between Caitlin and Kane is superb and quite possibly the best I've ever read. They are relentless together, constantly pushing buttons, testing boundaries and peeling away layers. At the same time, they are fighting an intense and entirely mutual attraction which neither one of them wants to give in to. While their relationship does unfold over a relatively short period of time, it never once felt rushed or manufactured to me. Pryor makes every moment between these characters count, and the result is a complex, fully developed, and insanely hot romance.

BLOOD SHADOWS is a deliciously twisted and exciting tale. Everyone has an agenda, and motives are murky. Just when you think you've figured out who is doing what and why, Pryor will rip the rug out from under your feet. This isn't a comfortable and cozy read, folks. It will shake and stir you in the best of ways. I couldn't put it down.

Do I recommend this book? Hell yes! Whether you're a diehard vamp fan or just a lover of all things that bite and go bump in the night, BLOOD SHADOWS is a story you won't want to miss.

4.5 Stars ★★★★1/2

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Lynsey's Review:

In a word: Hot!

A dark, gritty and extremely sensual read. I found myself very much enjoying BLOOD SHADOWS, Lindsay J. Pryor's debut novel, and am looking forward to reading future instalments in this uber-sexy paranormal romance series!

Our story is based in the fictional setting of Blackthorn (which reads a bit like a dystopian version of a modern British town/city), and features rival factions of supernatural creatures, and the human VCU (Vampire Control Unit) agents left behind to "police" them. Or that's the theory, anyway. The truth of the situation would differ depending on whom you asked, and what species they were. But I digress...

We follow our heroine Caitlin Parish, a young woman married to her job as an agent, with a borderline unhealthy fixation on one particular local vampire. A vampire whose rap sheet (were he ever actually caught and arrested) would turn the stomach of even the hardiest of professionals. But Caitlin, after her extensive "research" into his profile, wonders if there may be more to his story than the dozens of mutilated bodies left behind would suggest. Doubts or no, when the opportunity to finally take him down presents itself, Caitlin is front and centre in the queue to volunteer her services.

Kane, the vampire in question, was just ridiculously sexy. I mean ridiculously so; no woman even stands a chance. I wouldn't even bother putting up a fight, to be honest. Just accept the sexiness that is Kane, because resistance is futile. But as well as all that yumminess, he was also a very intriguing and complex character; a real anti-hero and an alpha male of the highest order. Caitlin, too, was a dichotomy of bold, tough agent, and meek, vulnerable female. Between the two of them, you're never able to fully settle on an opinion about them because they keep changing on you and moving the goalposts. They're also both adept at lying and evading, so trust is a major issue. But the really clever part was that the deceit goes not only between the two characters, but Pryor was also able to keep much of it from her readers as well. I loved not knowing what either character might do, or whom to trust. It had me fiendishly flipping the pages to find out.

As for the plot itself, it was tight and well-constructed. There were flashes of action and excitement, but also calmer stretches confined to one location. Which may have been boring were it not for the crazy amount of sexual tension in the room. All the way up to eleven, people, I'm telling you...

There were many cool twists to the story, some "No way!" moments and great supernatural elements. If I could wish for one thing, it would be to have learnt even more about the setting of Blackthorn itself. The snippets we got sounded interesting, so I would really like to find out even more details. Hopefully we will in the next instalment.

The next book, BLOOD ROSES, is set to feature yet another hot vamp and his special lady. So it will be a different couple per book, but I have a feeling we may not have heard the last of Kane and Caitlin. I certainly hope not:)

4.5 Stars ★★★★1/2

Review: The Demon's Daughter by Paula Altenburg ★★★★

2013-04-10T17:13:00.000+01:00

The Demon's Daughter by Paula Altenburg
Genre: Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal romance
Series: Demon Outlaws #1
Publication Date: March 26th 2013
ISBN: 9781620610374
Page Count: 400
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey

Synopsis: Hunter is the only man capable of killing the demons that left the
world in ruins. But when he’s hired by a notorious priestess to bring
a thief to justice, the Demon Slayer gets more than he bargains for.

Airie was raised in an abandoned temple as a priestess’s daughter,
having no idea of her true origins. In a time when any half-breed
spawn of a demon is despised by mortal and immortal alike, not knowing
the truth is the only thing keeping her safe.

Forced to flee her home in the wake of disaster and discovery of who
she is, Airie must place her trust in a man who believes she should
never have been born. And when a demon uprising threatens lives he has
sworn to protect, Hunter has to make a choice: abandon Airie to an
uncertain fate, or overcome his own personal demons and love her for
who she truly is.

Review:

A demon-hunting dystopian cowboy romance? Uh, yes , please!

Well, this was a pleasant little surprise and such an unusual setting, making it unlike anything I've read before. I'm really glad I picked it up.

The story follows Hunter, a demon slayer, and Airie, a half demon, in a new world set 350 years past our own, on a planet now scoured by demon winds, our buildings, cities, and, well, everything buried under mountains of sand. The setting and style couldn't have been more interesting if it tried. Add to that the cowboy-like clothing and a population reverted back to a much simpler way of life in the now arid and harsh environment, and I was sold from the get go. I mean, who can resists a sexy demon hunter in a leather duster? Not me, that's for sure.

The writing style and story development was very easy to find a rhythm with, even though the POV shifts between more than just the two love interests, which is something a little different from a lot of PNRs. It gave the story-telling a well-rounded feel, one I enjoyed immensely.

Our heroine, Airie, was another Rapunzel-esque character with an incredibly sheltered upbringing. I seem to be on a bit of a run of those at the moment. It makes her seem naive in some respects, but her strength is undeniable. And watching her growth is, of course, part of the fun.

Hunter was a deliciously layered character, too; the reluctant hero. His life is nomadic, drifting and without a base other than Freetown where his friend—someone he saved from Demons many years ago—runs a saloon. It's also where Mamna, a priestess, manages to track him down to offer him a proposal: Bring her a troublesome thief down off the mountain, and receive a handsome reward. One suspiciously overgenerous for the task.

The best thing about THE DEMON'S DAUGHTER for me was, by far, the wordbuilding. Even overshadowing the romance. Normally, I might say that was a problem in a romance novel—even a genre romance—but in this instance, for a first-in-series, it was absolutely necessary as the setting was so unique.

Because of that concentration on set up, however, the romance lacked a tiny bit of punch. Only a tiny bit, mind. A couple more intimate scenes would have done the trick to solve it. A few more happy fun times. But overall, the romance was enjoyable and sweet, and the addition of Scratch was a real bonus. He was so cute for a character that doesn't speak!.

Would I recommend? Yes, absolutely, and I'll definitely read the next one.

4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

2013-04-03T16:32:00.004+01:00

Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks
Genre: Historial Romance/Scottish Romance
Series: The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2
Publication Date: March 19th 2013
ISBN: 9780345533241
Page Count: 352
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey

Synopsis: In Highlander Most Wanted, a reclusive woman content to live in the shadows shows a Highland warrior the true meaning of love.

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.

Review:

A heartbreaking story

Wow, this book had me crying so early on, it has to be some kind of world record. If you're in the mood for a weepy, this is a great one.

So, you may recall from the first book in this series, NEVER SEDUCE A SCOT, when the Montgomery Laird stormed McHugh keep, it was a mysterious hooded figure that helped him by showing him the way to the dungeons. That hooded figure was Genevieve, the heroine of this story. Her tragic tale and pitiful existence will break your heart. I don't want to spoil it for you, but suffice it to say she has been through more than any one person should be asked to withstand, and is, in fact, still suffering at the McHugh Keep, even after the demise of her main tormentor.

In steps Bowen Montgomery, younger brother to the Laird, to oversee the takeover process at McHugh keep after their own cowardly leader has fled. He finds a shambles of a clan to clean up, a clan that for some reason, displays unbelievable cruelty towards Genevieve. Accusing her of all manner of hateful things. Once Bowen learns the true extent of Genevieve's many trials before his arrival, he is beyond furious. That fury soon turns into a profound admiration of her strength, and of her tremendous beauty, despite the horrific scarring that covers one side of her face.

I also found Genevive's strength admirable, and although it was horrible to read, her story was engrossing and affecting, causing me to blub rather pathetically before I was even a quarter way into the book. That sad side to the story did overshadow the romance aspect, however. Usually, when I finish a romance, I'm feeling uplifted and all "aww, how cute was that?" But with this one, there remains a shadow that hangs over it, tarnishing it, because no matter what good things may have come, Genevieve will always bear her scars, both on the inside as well as the outside. So there's this feeling of wanting to rewrite her a happier story, because she deserves one. I am sure Bowen will be able to heal her wounds eventually, though, even if he can never make her forget them. He was certainly a patient and attentive hero, with a much calmer temperament than many Scottish heroes.

All in all, another great read for Maya Banks fans, with a hero and heroine worth championing.
4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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