Covet by Melissa Darnell

Covet by Melissa Darnell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary:  Dangerous to be together. Painful to be apart. Savannah Colbert knows she broke up with Tristan Coleman for the right reasons. Most of all, to keep from killing him with her new vampire abilities. But try telling her heart. Now, lost in a sea of hostile Clann faces, Sav tries to come to terms with what she's becoming and what that means for her future. And that someone is doing their best to bully her into making a terrible mistake.

Tristan can't believe Sav won't even talk to him. If being apart is her decision, fine. Just don't expect him to honor it. But even as he prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.

A reckoning is coming…and not everyone will survive.

Covet took off right where Crave ended. That scored high for me, I don't feel like I have lost any part of the story, and it drives me nuts starting all over again, trying to figure out where I am.

Savannah grew up quickly. She took responsibility for her reckless behavior and tried to keep away from Tristan for his own safety. Tristan was obsessed with finding a way they could be together. They both fought through jealousies and anger that they couldn't change who they were and were forced to stay away.

I felt the first part of this book was a little slow, dragging out the whole "I can't have you's" and how it tortured both of them. But by the time the second half rolled in, it really picked up, secrets were revealed with action and fighting. I was lost and couldn't pull myself away and ended up staying up way late saying.. one more chapter.

More characters were introduced, nothing too confusing, and added that much more to the plot. The characters really developed in this book, growing more and more interest.

If you still like a good vampire book, this is for you.

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Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary: Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

And the action-packed-swoon-worthy-frustratingly-sexy-suspense-thrilling-turn-taking fun just keeps on going in the 2nd book!

I don't know how Ms. Armentrout does it, but she did not miss a beat! Usually "middle" or 2nd books seem to drag or just give a "lull" to the rhythm and beat of a storyline. Sooooo not the case! I was sitting on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put this down! This is FAR better than the first book!! Her writing just brings her world to life on page, it drew me in and I fell in love with the characters, both main and secondary.

Getting to know Daemon a little differently this time was fun, but I still liked the full-blown-sexually-tensed arguments he and Katy got into. I enjoyed watching their relationship change, their personalities grow and the secrets unfold. Their crazy relationship got so frustrating at times, but I couldn't help but cheer for it to work out.

A new boy comes in.. Blake. Lets just say I had suspicions about him from day one, but most of all, he was just blah. How could he even compare to Daemon?? No contest! There were many times where I wanted to grab Katy and shake her and love her at the same time. I think Katy may be my new favorite heroine of all time. I love her attitude and strength, her stubbornness causes her grief and problems, but it is what makes her so great!

Now that Katy and Daemon are connected, things change in their relationship. Katy can't forget what a jerk Daemon has been in the past and can't see that their attraction and feelings for each other could be more than their strange alien bond. She fights against those feelings, not wanting what happened to Daemons brother, happen to Daemon. Things heat up, but Daemon decides to show her a new side. YES, I really said Daemon, A sweet and caring side... shocker!! How did he put it? "I'm turning into a pansy"? OH, I beg to differ Mr. Black! I would NEVER call you that!

The DOD comes snooping around, and tension falls on all of Katy, Daemon, Dee, and the rest of them. Knowing who to trust becomes more difficult than ever for Kat. while trying to figure out what happened to her after Daemon healed her, she changes in many ways.

As much as I loved this, I have to warn my readers that this isn't a book I would let anyone under 17 read. There are sexual situations, a little language and violence.

Just had to add one of my favorite parts of the book... a little "teaser".

“You are a terrible liar. You do want this. Just as badly as I do.”
My mouth opened, but no words came out.
“You want this as badly as you want to go to ALA this winter.”
Now my jaw was on the floor. “You don’t even know what ALA is!”
“American Library Association midwinter event,” he said, grinning proudly. “Saw you obsessing over it on your blog before you got sick. I’m pretty sure you said you’d give up your firstborn child to go.”
Yeah, I kind of did say that.
Daemon eyes flashed. “Anyway, back to the whole you wanting me part.”
I shook my head, dumbfounded.
“You do want me.”
Taking a deep breath, I struggled with my temper… and my amusement. “You are way too confident.”
“I’m confident enough to wager a bet.”
“You can’t be serious.”
He grinned. “I bet that by New Year’s Day, you will have admitted that you’re madly, deeply, and irrevocably—”
“Wow. Want to throw another adverb out there?” My cheeks were burning.
“How about irresistibly?”
I rolled my eyes and muttered, “I’m surprised you know what an adverb is.”
“Stop distracting me, Kitten. Back to my bet—by New Year’s Day, you’ll have admitted that you’re madly, deeply, irrevocably, and irresistibly in love with me.”
Stunned, I choked on my laugh.
“And that you dream about me.” He released my arm and folded his, cocking an eyebrow. “I bet you’ll even admit that. Probably even show me your notebook with my name circled in hearts—”
“Oh, for the love of …”
Daemon winked. “It’s on.”

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Review and About the Author - Michelle Warren

Wander Dust by Michelle Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary:  Ever since her sixteenth birthday, strange things keep happening to Seraphina Parrish.

The Lady in Black… burns Sera’s memories.

Unexplainable Premonitions… catapult her to other cities.

The Grungy Gang… wants to kill her.

And a beautiful, mysterious boy… stalks her.

But when Sera moves to Chicago, and her aunt reveals their family connection to a centuries old, secret society, she is immediately thrust into an unbelievable fantasy world, leading her on a quest to unravel the mysteries that plague her. In the end, their meanings crash into an epic struggle of loyalty and betrayal, and she’ll be forced to choose between the boy who has stolen her heart and the thing she desires most.

Wander Dust is the breathtaking fantasy that will catapult you through a story of time, adventure, and love.

I had the honor of "wandering" onto Michelle Warren's website.. can't even remember how... and fell in love with her blog and the cover of this book. She was nice enough to let me read and review her book and I FELL IN LOVE!!!

Warren builds Sera's world from the very first paragraph, bringing in her relationships with her family, strange things happening, the Lady in Black... You are sucked in and taken to this place where you don't want to leave. A world built with words, details so descriptive that you feel like you are right there.

I have found in lot of Paranormal books, there are rules, laws and confusing details that are hard to keep track of. Those take up a lot of the book just "explaining" or giving history of their world, kind of giving a lull in the book. But not here! It was simple to understand but full of action from beginning to end!

The characters took form immediately. Of course there is a HOT GUY, and this one is a protector. I'm sorry but even though I enjoy the strong women characters who can kick butt, there is a huge part of me that swoons over a man who defends his girl, who is there to save her, to be her hero! Bishop is that guy. Even though I felt like there could have been a little more build up to the romance, even more flirting would have been nice but I was not too disappointed! That kissing scene was... superb!!

I added this as one of my all-time favorites and will be looking to the next book!

Here is the book trailer.... LOVE IT! 

About the Author

Michelle Warren

 Michelle Warren is the author of Wander Dust, the first book in The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy. She didn’t travel the road to writer immediately. First, she spent over a decade as professional illustrator and designer. Her artistic creativity combined with her love of science fiction, paranormal, and fantasy led her to write her first YA novel. Michelle loves reading and traveling to places that inspire her to create. She resides in Maryland, in a historic Baltimore row-home, with her wonderful husband. 

Website:  http://wanderdusttrilogy.com/

 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Warren-YA-Author-of-Wander-Dust/124362290972713

 Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11250674-wander-dust 

 Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MMichelleWarren

 

Protecting Truth
Book two in the Seraphina Parrish Trilogy 

To be released in October 2012  

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary:  No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

I was expecting the typical story of bad boy meets good girl and they make their way in the world, but BOY was I wrong! They are far from the typical teens, working out how to live with what life has handed them.

Echo (I never adjusted to her name) was part of the in-crowd until one night, two years ago, things changed but now has no memory of what happened. She is determined to remember and figure out how she can get those memories back and then return to normal. Noah, who was orphaned and wronged by the foster program, has trust-issues. He is determined to get his brothers back no matter what it takes. Being thrown together, both Echo and Noah work together to try and get back "normal".

I really LOVED this book. It was heartbreaking at times, where I actually felt tears, but it always gave hope. I was pulled in by the mystery of what happened to Echo that night, keeping deep rooted into the plot. Characters both first and second, were so realistic and true to life, full of teen characteristics. I am also a huge fan of Point of View changes, so this just made it all the better!!  

The only thing that distracted me from completely falling in love with this story was the constant F-word, and the vulgar language. Sexual situations were to the point where I felt this would be more Adult content than Young Adult.

Quotes I loved!

No way.I stalked over to Echo, feeling like a tiger after its prey. She backed up against the wall, but I kept up my approach. I pressed against her, feeling each sensual curve. I wanted to touch every inch of her body. Her sweet smell intoxicated me. Her eyes kept their laughter, but her smile faded as she bit her lower lip. Damn, did she have any idea what she was doing? For a girl hell-bent on keeping me away, she sure did everything to turn me on.
"You were saying?" I lowered my head and inhaled the warm cinnamon scent at the nape of her neck, allowing my nose to skim along her inviting skin. (Kindle location 1371 of 3958)


I must have killed a lot of cows in a past life for Karma to hate me this much. Maybe I'd died two years ago and unknowingly entered hell. Doomed to spend the rest of eternity living with my father and stepmother and retaking the ACT over and over again. (Kindle location 1087 or 3958)

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review this book.





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Release date coming!

It's almost HERE!!!  

Next week, on September 4th, one of my all time favorite authors, Colleen Houck, releases book #4 in the 

Tiger's Curse Series

Tiger's Destiny 

I have been waiting for this installment for what seems like FOREVER!!  

For those of you who haven't read the series, I Strongly Recommend it.  I haven't read anything like this.  It is full of action, romance, Indian Culture and Mythology. NO, there are no vampires or werewolves, but gorgeous tigers, curses, legends, spells, Ancient Gods, myths, and of course, two handsome young Princes.  How can you go wrong with that? 

In Honor and Celebration

of this exciting release, I decided to do something fun and very different than anything I've ever done.  Next I will show you 

My Dream Cast!! 

For those not familiar with this, it is a way of showing who I would pick, or how I imagined the main characters of the book.  So be prepared, some may be extremely HOT!  

Kelsey Hayes:  Alexandra Daddario

    I can just see her with one or two long braids with ribbons in her hair.  She has a natural beauty but not one like a super-Model, more of a "next door girl" look. 

Ren:  Shahid Kapoor

All he needs are the blue eyes contacts.  I am not computer savvy enough to change them myself.  But I felt he has the White Tiger rugged look, but yet not as dark as the Black Tiger. He is described as looking more like his Mother, who was asian, his father was Indian.  Not sure if I could find an actor meeting that exact description, but felt this was closer.  He also isn't as large as Kishan, but yet well defined and royal. 

Kishan: Upen Patel

     This is almost exactly how I imagined Kishan!!!  Very LARGE, buff, Dark, mysterious, animal-istic, but yet with a kindness about him. My favorite one is this last photo.  Even though he is wearing white, I can picture him wearing something simliar in black.  And the dimple in the chin???  Love this guy! 

So..... What do you think? Does this make you want to read this? If you have, what are your thoughts of my dream cast? Post a comment!!!!!

If you want to check out more about Colleen Houck and her series click Here  

Like I said..... This is one of my FAVORITE series EVER!  

Come on September 4th!! 

Review and GIVEAWAY!!

The Last Seer and the Tomb of Enoch by Ashland Menshouse

Summary:   Do you believe?
Can a ghost haunt more than your home? Can a Sasquatch track more than footprints?
Aubrey Taylor's quaint and cozy life in the subdued, Appalachian town of Lake Julian had never been exceptional. Shouldered by his lifelong friends, Buzz Reiselstein and Rodriqa Auerbach, he quietly endured the puerile punishments of a persistent pack of pesky bullies that included the most-feared kid in school, Magnos Strumgarten, and his own obnoxiously, well-accomplished brother, Gaetan. Comfortable in his humdrum niche of the absolutely average, Aubrey never pushed back.
Until...fate dug a little too deep...and the unseen darkness of unspoken places rattled his mediocrity.
When spurious specters and elusive mountain men battle for a tomb of Watchers, buried in ages past, only those who choose to look beyond the surface feel the grip of the ancients' revenge. Unusual disappearances, a colorful cadre of insightful townsfolk and a whirlwind of blunders and mishaps exposes the struggling forces that transform Aubrey and his friends into more than spectators amidst the oldest war of all.
Prepare yourself to see the unseen as you've never seen it before.

I know this review is way overdue, but I have been so torn on my opinion of it. I really enjoyed the story line and felt that my 13 yr old boy would love it. The writing was so beautiful but so intricate, with words which I hadn't really come across, so much so I got lost at times. I feel this writing doesn't match up to the age-appropriate style of the plot, not that adults wouldn't enjoy it, but those who would really relate and enjoy it would probably lose interest because of the intricacy of it.

I loved the characters. Each one was built up rather well and kept true to their personalities. The age and innocence of each one brought back so many memories of myself back then. Mr. Menshouse seemed to catch the essence of the early teens, a time of awkwardness and change.

The plot kept me on edge, almost scaring me at some points.  I know if I had been their age, I would have been terrified.  I never thought I would like books with a little scare in them, but I really enjoyed this one. 

If you would like to read an excerpt of this book, you may go to http://www.hoaker-croaker.com/excerpt.php  

About the Author:   The Last Seer and the Tomb of Enoch is Ashland Menshouse’s debut novel. Ashland Menshouse received a Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky. He obtained a doctoral degree from the University of Kentucky and completed post-doctoral studies at Emory University. He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, where he spends most of his time working with ill and injured children. Current projects include this novel’s sequel, The Last Guardian and the Keeper of the Magi.

Mr. Menshouse was so kind to send me a hard copy to review! So I would love to use this book in a big 

GIVEAWAY!!!
This giveaway will begin on August 27th and run through September 10!! 
Hurry and enter!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary:
"I'm pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame. 

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite." 


WOW!!!!! An exclamation mark for each star! This book totally took me by surprise! Usually I expect a second book of a series to be mediocre compared the the first (which is the attention-grabber) but Pandemonium just took everything to a different level! I never thought I would say this, but book #2 was better than #1... My expectations for #3 is pretty high now!

Once again, Lauren Oliver outdid herself with her writings. Her words become so heart-felt, poetic, and beautiful. Loss is an occurrence that some people have to endure, I being one of them feel like Ms. Oliver hit my thoughts and feelings so close to my heart. Usually I don't like books that bring those feelings to light, but in her darkest hours, Lena finds hope in a place that should have torn her to shreds. She gathers strength and a renewed determination to fight for herself and those she loves.

In some places I could predict what would happen, but the flow of the plot and the characters kept me guessing, taking turns left and right. My heart was pounding in different places with anticipation, wanting to jump into the action myself.

I was truly surprised by this series. I don't think these 2 books were given enough credit, reviews or advertisement. I don't know what took me so long to dive into them, but I am so glad I did!

This book was pretty clean, a few kissing scenes and sexual tension. There is violence and some disturbing situations.

Definitely one of my favorites this year!

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A thank-you!

Jennifer L. Armentrout, author of the books Obsidian (Lux Series), Half-blood (Covenant Series), wrote a wonderful thank you out to all of the book bloggers out there.  

I know I am not as big as some, but this post has inspired me and given me a little more incentive to post more reviews, and share the excitement I feel toward reading!  

I will quote a few things from her post, but if you want to read it, here is the link. 

"Now I'm going to give you the Jennifer definition of a book blogger from the Armentroutopedia
Book Blogger-- a person who, for the love of reading, reads and review books on a public platform with little to no financial support. It's not a job. There are really no rules. It's a passion that the share with other people who have a love of reading and/or writing. It's even an obsession, just like writing is an obsession to authors. Book Bloggers take their websites seriously, their reviews, and their promotions."

Jennifer is so right about this.  The reason I started this blog is for that reason only.  I LOVE BOOKS!  I love to read and sometimes I get so excited over a book that I want to share it with everyone!!!  I am sure some of you have talked to me in real life and know that I can get a little carried away about certain books I have just read, but it has become a passion for me now.  Obviously, the writing bug has hit me as well or I wouldn't have this blog.

" Let's talk about books:
Sure, bloggers get a lot of books for free. They also buy books that they get ARCs of. They also are on first name basis with their local book store. They also buy multiple copies for contests. They probably spend more money on books then a country does to feed a small army. And keep in mind, they don't get paid to blog or review, so all of this is coming out of their pockets. Why? Because they love books."

Yes, Yes and YES!  Just ask my husband!  I have spent a lot of money on books, audiobooks, ebooks.  I only have had one giveaway so far, but I have one that I am planning on soon!  BUT... I LOVE sharing books!  I love letting friends borrow my books, letting them feel and see what I see when I am in that fantasy world I live in!  

Thanks Jennifer Armentrout for acknowledging and supporting all of us Book Bloggers, whether big or small.  We love your books, and love having that world to escape to!   

Here is the link to one of her books I blogged about :  Obsidian