The 12 Days of New Adult Giveaway Hop

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[Review] Death Takes a Holiday by Jennifer Harlow

Death Takes a Holiday

Jennifer Harlow
August 1, 2013
Midnight Ink


Amazon/Book Depository/B&N

 
 

CLASSIFIED: F.R.E.A.K.S. On Vacation

If anyone ever needed a holiday, it’s Beatrice Alexander. Crushing a forty-foot snake with her mind? Easy. Dealing with the drama that’s tearing apart the F.R.E.A.K.S? Not so much. Being used as a tug-of-war rope between a wounded werewolf and vain vampire has stretched Bea to her breaking point. So she travels home to the sunny beaches of California for Christmas. 

Despite the welcome distractions of family, friends, and her seemingly normal ex-boyfriend, her mind and heart remain thousands of miles away with her knights in tarnished armor. But a F.R.E.A.K. can never really go home again. After helping a teenage vampire companion, Bea and her family find themselves in extremely hot water with the vampire Lord of San Diego, who gives her an ultimatum—leave the F.R.E.A.K.S. to become his concubine or die.

I am a big fan of Jennifer Harlow since I picked up Mind Over Freaks a year ago. I love the F.R.E.A.K.S. series. I love sassy heroines that aren't perfect and are full of snark. Beatrice Alexander fits that description to perfection. She is a powerful telekinetic in love with a werewolf and in like with a vampire. If that doesn't get anymore screwed up then I don't know what is.

Hoping to escape the tension from having two alpha males fighting for her. Bea leaves the F.R.E.A.K.S. headquarters to go home for the holidays. Of course, she finds herself entangled up with a lord vampire who wants to make her his mistress. She also finds herself kidnapped and fighting for her life all in the same vacation.

I liked this latest installment in the series. It was nice to see Bea go home and get more interaction with friends and her grandmother. I love that Bea really does find out who she cares for in this book and who the real monsters are in the end. I love that she decides to fight for what she wants in the end. The whole we will never work I am drinking the pain away angst was getting old. I liked that Bea grew some lady balls and is finally going to fight for love.

In the end, Death Takes a Holiday was an enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. This book was fast paced, full of action, hunky men with accents, and of course, snarky attitude. All the while keeping some of that Christmas magic that makes the holidays about love and forgiveness. That is why I really liked this installment, because it is the only way Bea, the feisty telekinetic FBI agent, can do Christmas. If you have not read the series I highly recommend it, and if you have not read this book then do get caught up because there are some nice surprises in store. I give Death Takes a Holiday four laser pistols.

[ARC Short Story Review+Giveaway] Once Upon a Highland Christmas-Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Once Upon a Highland Christmas
Sue-Ellen Welfonder

December 3, 2013

Forever Publishing

ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley

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Warrior Grim Mackintosh understands why his friend Archibald MacNab has decreed there be no trace of Christmas in his castle. After a devastating attack destroyed everything-and everyone-in Archie's life, he prefers to stew in his own misery until the holiday passes. But Duncreag has seen enough tragedy. Grim decides to throw a grand Yuletide feast, one that the bards will sing about for years to come, one that will remind his laird how beloved he is. He can't do it alone, though. Grim needs an accomplice . . .

There's nothing Breena O'Doherty won't do for Archie, so she's thrilled to help Grim with his plan. Yet she has a Christmas wish all her own-to win Grim's heart-and this might be her only chance to make it come true. As Breena and Grim work together to bring the joy of the season to the cold, gloomy castle and to the heart of the cantankerous chieftain, an undeniable passion ignites between them. But when a shocking secret about Breena's past comes to light, threatening everything she holds dear, will it ruin Christmas in Duncreag forevermore?

 I am a sucker for Christmas romance in any form be it movies or books.  I read Christmas romance stories and watch movies like White Christmas and Love Actually every year.  So, when I got the chance to read Once Upon a Highland Christmas I was very excited.  This story had everything I was looking for Christmas romance and sexy Highlanders. 

I felt like this short story in the end was just ok.  It was cute enough, it was sexy enough and it was romantic enough but that just it all the elements were just enough but not OMG this is the best thing since sliced bread.  For me this story ended up being just enough to like but not love.  While I understand it a Christmas short story, which means it is the season of miracles and things move at a fast pace it still felt a little too fast paced and everything just fell into place a little too easily.  This was one of those stories I really had to just go with flow.  Some parts felt a too far-fetched like a scene when Breena discovers her true identity could have been left out because I was like of course the story went there when it would have been just as good without it. 

In the end Once Upon a Highland Christmas is a cute and very sweet story that I like well enough and I didn’t feel like I wasted my time.  I liked that in end they are able to bring healing and yuletide cheer to a grieving old widower.    I liked that it felt like the author had really put some research into what a real medieval Highland Christmas would feel like because it felt authentic.   This story is also worth checking out because it Welfonder’s new Highlander series which I will most definitely have to go check out. 

Also, check out the giveaway from Forever Publisher below for a chance to win Forever tote bags with books.

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[ARC Review] Searching for Someday by Jennifer Probst

Searching for Someday

Jennifer Probst
November 26, 2012
Gallery Books

ARC provided via Netgalley by publisher for an honest review

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In charming Verily, New York, Kate Seymour has a smashing success with Kinnections, the matchmaking service she owns with her two best girlfriends. But Kate’s more than a savvy businesswoman: She’s gifted with a secret power, a jolting touch that signals when love’s magic is at work. It rocked her when she picked up a strange volume of love spells in the town’s used bookstore . . . and it zapped her again when she encountered Slade Montgomery, the hot-tempered— and hot-bodied—divorce lawyer who storms into Kinnections demanding proof that playing Cupid won’t destroy his vulnerable sister, Kate’s newest client. The only way to convince this cynic that she’s no fraud, and that love is no mirage, is for Kate to meet his audacious challenge: find him his dream woman. Can Kate keep their relationship strictly business when her electrifying attraction nearly knocked her off her feet? Or has the matchmaker finally met her match?

I have never read a book by Jennifer Probst before I picked up Searching for Someday. I can honestly say now it won't be the last because I really enjoyed this book and read it all in one day. It was so good I didn't want to put it down. This book had everything I like in a good romance: chemistry, hot sexy fun time, and characters I root for.

The book is about Kate, who runs a matchmaking service, and Slade, a divorce lawyer out to prove she is swindling his sister. Slade signs up for the service in hopes that he can prove to his sister that it is all fake and there is no such thing as a Disney made happily ever after. Kate has a secret. she has the touch and can tell when two people are meant to be just by touching them, even herself. Of course, she feels the sparks when she touches Slade.

I liked the chemistry between Slade and Kate and I liked that the sparks literally flew when they touched. I liked that she never put up with Slade and his cynicism. It was hilarious when they put him through his paces before he can be set up. I liked the magical realism this book had to offer. I like a good contemporary magical realism every now and then. It reminds me of Nora Roberts work, but totally in a good way. I like those books that are about finding love with a little magical help, but also about the healing power of female friendships.

My favorite part was Robert, Kate's dog. He touched my heart and I lived that Slade loved him as well. A man that loves your pets as much as you do is a keeper. That is when I knew for sure Kate was going to fall head over heels. I of course loved all the pop culture references in this book because I am a pop culture junkie. I loved when she compares Slade's scent and her attraction to it like something out of Black Dagger Brotherhood. That made me laugh because I could just imagine it so well being a Black Dagger Brotherhood fan.

So in the end this book was a great way to waste a lazy afternoon. I am glad I got to spend some time in this world of true love, steamy sex, and dogs that touch your heart. I laughed while reading this book and the epilogue even made me tear up. I give Searching for Someday by Jennifer Probst four laser pistols and look forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Review] The Wicked Wallflower by Maya Rodale

The Wicked Wallflower
Book One of Wallflower Trilogy
Maya Rodale
October 29th, 2013
Avon


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Maya Rodale's captivating new series introduces London's Least Likely--three wallflowers who are about to become the toast of the ton . . .


Lady Emma Avery has accidentally announced her engagement--to the most eligible man in England. As soon as it's discovered that Emma has never actually met the infamously attractive Duke of Ashbrooke, she'll no longer be a wallflower; she'll be a laughingstock. And then Ashbrooke does something Emma never expected. He plays along with her charade.


A temporary betrothal to the irreproachable Lady Avery could be just the thing to repair Ashbrooke's tattered reputation. Seducing her is simply a bonus. And then Emma does what he never expected: she refuses his advances. It's unprecedented. Inconceivable. Quite damnably alluring.


London's Least Likely to Misbehave has aroused the curiosity--among other things--of London's most notorious rogue. Now nothing will suffice but to uncover Emma's wanton side and prove there's nothing so satisfying as two perfect strangers . . .being perfectly scandalous together.

 

Charming.  If I had to describe The Wicked Wallflower by Maya Rodale in word it would be charming.  I loved, loved this book about a girl in her fourth season and desperate to the man she has affections for to propose to her.  In a night of drunken stupidity Emma and her friends concoct an engagement announcement for her and the man she dreams of.  Emma only goes along with the plan because they all promise it will never see the light of day. Only her friends think she can do better than the man she has chosen for herself.  Thus begins Emma’s relationship with the notorious but utterly, devastatingly handsome Duke of Ashbrooke because the letter somehow finds its way to the newspaper.  Blake goes along with the scheme because he need the respectable wallflower to better his image and hopefully help him win his eccentric Aunt’s fortune and become the heir to ninety thousand pound in the Fortune Games. 

I loved this book because it had everything I like in a good historical romance novel: witty and amusing dialogue, handsome dukes, and of course, my soft spot, wallflowers.  I love books about wallflowers finding handsome to men to see past the plain shy exterior to the passionate woman beneath.  This book does that quite well.  There were times when I thought I would swoon from the dukes passionate yet tender words myself.  I love that he is able to see past the Emma that she presents to the world to the Emma she wants to be.  I love that she is finally able to past Blake’s libertine ways to the man with his heart on his sleeve who just wants someone to believe in him and his inventions.  I loved the side characters like the aunt and Emma’s fellow wallflower friends.  There parts with the Aunt had me cracking up out loud.  All I will say is read this book for the musicale part if nothing else because it was sweet, hilarious and sexy all rolled into one scene. 

I highly recommend this book, if you are like me and want a good historical romance with sexiness and happy endings.  I love any book that I am racing to the end because I can’t wait to finish it.  I started this book on lunch break at work and had it finished that night when I got home because I could not wait to pick it back up again.  I give The Wicked Wallflower five laser pistols because this book was just that good.  It was a book about the unexpected.  To quote the Rolling Stones this book is about finding out “you can’t always get what you want but if you try sometimes you find that you get what you need.”  I loved this book don’t know how I will make it to March when the next book comes out about Emma’s friend Olivia.

 

[ARC Review] Pushed by Corrine Jackson

Pushed
Sense Thieves (book two)
Corrine Jackson
November 26, 2013
K-Teen

ARC provided via Netgalley by publisher for an honest review

Amazon/Book Depository/B&N



 
 
 

She didn't know how far she'd go - until she was pushed. Remy O'Malley was just learning to harness her uncanny healing power when she discovered the other, darker half of her bloodline. Now she lives trapped between two worlds, uneasy among her fellow Healers - and relentlessly hunted by the Protectors. Forced to conceal her dual identity, and the presence of her Protector boyfriend Asher Blackwell, Remy encounters a shadow community of Healers who will put her loyalties to the test. Pushed to the limit, with the lives of those she loves most on the line, Remy must decide whether to choose sides in a centuries-old war - or make the ultimate sacrifice and go to a place from which she may never return...

*** Review may contain spoilers if you have not read book one, Touched, and some for Pushed as well.

Pushed pretty much picks up right where book one left off with Remy wanting to find a way to contact her grandfather for more answers about being a healer. Asher doesn't think this is a good idea, but Remy is determined to get answers. Remy gets word from her grandfather and goes to visit him in San Francisco and of course Asher follows her there and they decide to meet in secret and tell her grandpa everything, like what Remy can do and their relationship. They are not sure if they can trust him. Then Remy and Asher are kidnapped by other protectors and they believe the other is dead.

I liked this book pretty good and I definitely liked it better than book one, Touched. I am really intrigued by this world of pain, healing, and secrets. I think that is what keeps me coming back to this world. I am not sure about the cheesy plot lines. When Remy thinks Asher is dead she accidentally bonds to his brother Gabe and of course he is in love with her but she can't betray Asher like that, but she does come to care for Gabe. This book, like I have seen and will see in other reviews, is like the Twilight books. Sometimes love triangles are interesting and sometimes, like when they are between two brothers, they are kind of cheesy and just there for drama. I mean, come on, even if Remy does eventually heal from Asher's death it is not like she is going to immediately fall into Gabe's arms. There is one thing I do like about Remy, it's that she's a survivor. I do think her love and loyalty to those she considers family is clouded and as far as that goes she can be naive.

In the end I liked the ending and these books always end on a cliffhanger that makes it so I can't wait to read more. I liked this world as it expands and more secrets are revealed. So, even though I think the romance in this story has gotten cheesy it is full of action and I feel like I am invested in these characters. I have come to care about the outcome and so with that in mind I will be reading the next book in the series. I give Pushed, book two in the Sense Thieves series, three laser pistols because the cliffhanger has me longing for more.