[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

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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. 

[Review] Touched by Corrine Jackson

Touched
Sense Thieves (book one)
Corrine Jackson
November 27, 2012
K-Teen


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Remy O'Malley heals people with touch - but every injury she cures becomes her own. Living in a household with an abusive stepfather, she has healed untold numbers of broken bones, burns, and bruises. And then one night her stepfather goes too far. Being sent to live with her estranged father offers a clean start and she is eager to take it. Enter Asher Blackwell. Once a Protector of Healers, Asher sacrificed his senses to become immortal. Only by killing a Healer can a Protector recover their human senses. Falling in love is against the rules between these two enemies. Because Remy has the power to make Protectors human again, and when they find out, they'll be coming for her - if Asher doesn't kill her first.

I have to be honest, I picked this book up after I realized I got the sequel for review. Not wanting to go into book two with no clue what was happening I bought this, Touched, book one in Sense Thieves series, and hurried up to read it. I have another confession, I looked at some of the other reviews online and at Goodreads as well before I dived in. I agree with most of the reviews out there that Touched does not add anything new to the YA scene and that it is basically Twilight fan fiction. Even the cover gives that impression with the open palm holding an object (flower instead of apple). Knowing there things about the book I went into it with an open mind and ended up finding the story quite enjoyable.

The story starts off with Remy an abused girl, but a survivor, living with mother and step father. One night after her step father sends her to hospital Remy's dad comes and takes her away. Once her dad realizes how bad the abuse is he insists she come live with him and his family. Remy soon finds a home with her sister, dad, and step mom. She has a secret, one that only her mother knew, and that is that she is a healer. Her powers are like no others because she can also hurt people too. Then she meets a boy. Because that is what always happens in these stories. This boy has secrets and powers of his own and together they must work together to save Remy from a threat... dun dun dun.

Again, I did end up liking the book and it was pretty good. Parts of the book I thought were cheesy. The story line itself is cheesy. The love story between Asher and Remy was romantic and I felt the sparks fly off the page. I did think that Asher saying that if anything happened to Remy it would all be over for him was a bit cheesy. I guess if you are an immortal boy who has been alive for hundreds of years. Living an eternity without the love of your life might be rough. I like that Remy was tough. I think that no matter what else life throws at her she would survive because she has already been through so much. I liked the strength and willingness Remy had to do whatever it took to save her loved ones. I liked that by the end Remy  and Asher had become a team, each proving they would do whatever it takes to be together and protect each other from danger. The ending left it open with more questions and secrets revealed that I am more than intrigued to read the next book. I am jsut glad I don't have to wait and I can jump right into book two.

In the end I give Touched, book one in the Sense Thieves series, three laser pistols. It ended up being a very romantic, action packed, full of emotion kind of read. It was actually a pretty good read. I recommend this book if you're looking for a quick entertaining read about love and survival.

[Launch + Giveaway] Entangled's New Adult Line: Entangled Embrace

Entangled Embrace is Entangled's New Adult line, launching today with three fantastic books! If you are looking for something new and mesmerizing, embrace the endless possibilities that this brand new Entangled Publishing new adult line offers!

Trouble Comes Knocking by Mary Duncanson

A girl who can’t forget…

Twenty-two-year-old Lucy Carver is like Sherlock Holmes in ballet flats, but her eidetic memory is more albatross than asset, and something she usually keeps hidden. When she notices that something’s amiss at her dead-end job, she jumps at the chance to finally use her ability for good. That is, until, a man is murdered, and she becomes the target of the killer.

A detective on his first case…

Detective Eli Reyes is overbearing, pompous, way too hot for Lucy’s own good, and seems as determined to ruin her relationship with her boyfriend, John, as finding the murderer. He brings Lucy in on the case, thinking she can help him get to the truth, only to cut her loose when he realizes he’s gotten far more than he ever bargained for.

A past that won’t go away…

When memories from her childhood invade her present, Lucy discovers a mystery bigger than she could have imagined. With the killer still after her, and Eli nowhere to be found, she takes things into her own hands, determined to expose the truth no matter what—before trouble comes knocking…again.

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Hushed by Kelley York

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn't protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he's never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn't matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another. Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who's ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer's committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn't get what she wants...

And what she wants is Evan's death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

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Definitely, Maybe in Love by Ophelia London

Her theory of attraction is about to get a new angle...

Spring Honeycutt wants two things: to ace her sustainable living thesis and to save the environment. Both seem hopelessly unobtainable until her college professor suggests that with a new angle, her paper could be published. Spring swears she’ll do whatever it takes to ensure that happens.

Whatever it takes, however, means forming a partnership with the very hot, very privileged, very conceited Henry Knightly.

Henry is Spring's only hope at publication, but he's also the über-rich son of a land developer and cash-strapped Spring’s polar opposite—though she can't help being attracted to the way he pushes her buttons, both politically and physically. Spring finds there's more to Henry than his old money and argyle sweaters…but can she drop the loud-and-proud act long enough to let him in? Suddenly, choosing between what she wants and what she needs puts Spring at odds with everything she believes in.

Definitely, Maybe in Love is a modern take on Pride and Prejudice that proves true love is worth risking a little pride.

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Giveaway

To celebrate the launch of the new line, Entangled Embrace is giving away a Kindle Fire, an iPod Shuffle, and a $25 B&N Giftcard!

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[ARC Review] The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Naturals
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
November 5, 2013
Miramax

ARC provided via Netgalley by publisher for an honest review

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Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But, it's not a skill that she's ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they've begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn't realize is that there's more at risk than a few unsolved homicides-especially when she's sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own. Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms close. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.

Do you like Criminal Minds the TV show? Do you like shows or books that get inside the head of a killer? If you are like me and answered yes to those questions then The Naturals is a book that will be right up your alley.

The Naturals is about a girl that has a rare, uncanny, almost psychic gift to observe and get into peoples' heads. That is why she is chosen to become part of an FBI program that is training teens to use their gifts as behavior analysis young, before life has gotten in the way and they waste away. Cassie has another reason she wants to join. When she was twelve her mother was supposedly murdered but no one knows for sure because the body was never found and the only thing left as the crime scene was a lot of blood. Cassie goes to live in the house with other teens like her. Together hey start profiling an active case their FBI mentors are working. This case isn't just a normal serial killer case because this killer is targeting Cassie.

I really did like this book, it reminded me of a teen version of Criminal Minds or any crime show on TV. The setup was a little unrealistic, but if I can believe the FBI might have an X-Files then I could believe they might have a program to train teens with natural gifts to hunt criminals so their powers can be used for good and they don't use them for nefarious purposes instead. The beginning of the book is kind of slow, but once Cassie gets to the house things pick up and the book moves at a much faster pace. I really liked the ending and I never saw the real killer coming. I love books like this one that are intriguing, keep you guessing, and throw you for a loop when all is revealed to the heroine. That is what had me towards the end because I was so fascinated by the cat and mouse game between Cassie and the killer. I could not put the book down.

This book also has two cute boys so there is potential for romance in future books. I liked this book was about getting inside a killer's head and catching criminals. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I am one of those weird people that rind real world criminals terrifying and fascinating because people are way more scarier than a made up monster. I recommend The Naturals to anyone looking for a suspenseful read that has a twisted ending. I am giving this book four laser pistols because I ended up really enjoying this book and my grabby hands can't wait to read more.

[Review] Fractured by Sarah Fine

Fractured
Guards of the Shadowlands, Book Two
Sarah Fine
October 29, 2013
Amazon Children's Publishing

Copy provided by Amazon Children's
Publishing for honest review


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Book Two in the Guards of the Shadowlands series In the week since Lela returned to Rhode Island as Captain of the Guard with Malachi as her second in command, local news has been dominated by chilling sightings of human-like creatures running on all fours. Lela knows there’s only one explanation: the Mazikin have arrived in the land of the living. Needing to maintain the appearance of a normal life for her foster mother, her probation officer, and her classmates, Lela returns to Warwick High along with Malachi. At night they secretly hunt for the Mazikin nest. To assist, two new Guards from very different parts of the Shadowlands are assigned to Lela’s unit, including the bad boy Jim, who repeatedly challenges Lela's authority. Lela struggles to keep all her Guards on the right side of the law, but their mistakes come at a terrible cost. As one painful revelation follows another and the Mazikin start targeting those closest to her, Lela finds herself more vulnerable than she’s ever been, wanting a future more than she ever has. With an enemy determined to separate soul from body, one question remains: how much is she willing to sacrifice to protect those she loves?

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Warning this review may contain spoilers

Wow holy moly, I just finished Fractured book two in the Guards of the Shadowland series and all I can say after reading that ending is give me more.  I am chomping at the bit for more because that ending was so emotional gut wrenching and I can’t wait find out how it all turns out.  Fractured picks right up where Sanctum left off with Lena as the captain and Malachi as her second in command.  Now they have added two more soldiers to the fight and we learn something new about the land of dead, that there more realms and version of hellish places depending on the punishment for the souls who have died.  I found this really interesting because Lena’s new guards come from two different hells.  Jim comes from the Bright City a place for the souls of greedy and selfish.  Henry comes from the Wasteland a place for the souls of murders and truly evil.  I hope in future in books if Lena has to go to back to realm of the dead these lands that might be explored.  I was very intrigued by the little descriptions and little hints Jim and Henry gave about where they come from.  In the first book Lena is only in the Dark City and that place was terrifying but I think it would make my skin crawl, in a good way, to see even more frightening places and souls. 

Fractured takes place in the realm of the living and Lena and Malachi have a whole new level of terror to explore and it is called high school and parents.  The challenges faced in this book is how to fight the evil Mazikin without getting into trouble with the law, find a way to love without it becoming a distraction, and still navigate high school and friendships in the process.  I loved the action in this book.  The fight scenes with the Maziken were very intense and bloody.  This book was full of fight scenes to make any Resident Evil fan, like myself, proud they were full of kick butt weapons and kicks that would make Alice proud.  I liked that Malachi and Lena have finally realized they love each and will finally be together but of course drama rears its ugly head and Malachi does something rash to save Lena.  He kills a kid he thought was Mazikin but was just an innocent.   So then he becomes broody and must break up Lena so he can focus on his mission.  I could not help but roll my eyes at this and think God save me from moody boys because then Lena is sad and thinks he is throwing her away.  I did like that they are able to keep it professional and still stay on the mission without any tantrums or too many tears.

In the end, I really liked this book and the cliffhanger ending has me salivating for more.  My only complaint is that I felt like the middle dragged a little and that Malachi was being a bit of moody baby.  I felt like they should have talked things out a lot earlier on.  I get why it happened the way it did because then the ending would not have been as dramatic.  I like this world and the idea of evil beings and creepy hellish dimensions to punish the souls.  I give Fractured book two of the Guards of the Shadowlands four laser pistols.   I look forward to reading along as Lena navigates her way through to save the land of the living and the ones she loves.