ARC Review: Evernight (Night Watchmen #2) by Candace Knoebel

Holy hell. This is the best one yet, hands down. It has absolutely EVERYTHING I want, need and expected from Candace – and a bit more. She lived up to my expectations, and then some.

The Watchmen Series starts with Everlasting where we met Faye and her friends. We do see her parents shortly, but only a glimpse before they’re taken away.

ARC Review: Betrayed (Breaking the Darkness #2) by Felicia Starr

Kasha is back straight from where we left her; on her way to escape from Ziona and the compound she controlled. Although… getting out just might be the easy part. Seeing her mother with the Taker changed every plan Graven and Kasha made. Now Kasha’s priority is not only to escape, but to get back and free her mother as well.
But things aren’t as they seem to be; while Graven and Kasha is getting closer and closer to each other, someone close to Graven will change the rules and turn their world upside down.

ARC Review: Destinata ( The Valguard Trilogy #1) by Nicole Daffurn

Charlie has just turned eighteen, she’s officially an adult, and the world is open to her – or so you would think.

The little town Tole where Charlie lives has a secret, one that will turn her live upside down once she finds out. When Zane moves in next door, it only marks the beginning of Charlie’s transition. The more she finds out about herself, the bigger the stakes become. Will Charlie overcome her own fear and insecurities in time?

ARC Review: King Nothing by W.S. Rutherford

What happens when our rockstars fall? When the drinking, the drugs and orgies becomes too much? When you’re done on the scene, younger artists, more hipp ones takes over and you’re pushed out in the cold? What then? 

This is the story of Rikki James, the lead singer of Rikki James’ Rock and Roll Rebellion. In the 1980’s they were IT. They ruled the stage, but something went awry, and they split up. Twenty years later and Rikki is struggling to keep up, driving from town to town for another gig, playing the old songs. One too many ratty bars, one push and shove too much and Rikki is ready to snap. So what DOES happen when a former rock star loses it?

Happy Release Day Kat Bastion! ARC Review

Isobel MacInnes is an archaeology student, who wants to figure out what ancient secrets Scotland is hiding. It’s her passion, her life. Little does she know that she will discover some of these secrets first-hand the day she finds the mystery box. A box hidden in the side of the creek, found by accident involving a rental car, trouble with manual gear shift and a flock of sheep, the box is made of a different kind of metal and a crest that Isobel know she has seen before, but not where.

Without warning (or her permission) Isobel is tossed back into time – to Laird Ian Brodie’s castle. In the thirteenth century. By the box.

Can you imagine Isobel’s confusion? And how exactly is she going to go home again? The box isn’t humming with energy now, but is sitting quietly over in the corner. With no escape home, she is forced to listen to Ian and his tale.

Ian tells her the truth, the box is the way the Laird finds their mates. It’s always been that way, for centuries.  And Ian is not ready to give Isobel up, not just yet. Every trick in the book is being played to make her stay. Slowly Isobel’s walls are crumbling, and just when she is starting to accept the fact that she will never be able to go home to California,that she feels something more for Ian than just friendship, the box plays another (cruel) trick on her; sending Isobel further back into time. All the way back to the Picts. She is forced to realize that things are out of her control, that Fate have something planned for her, but without knowing what, all Isobel can do is try to survive.

And now Isobel finds herself into more trouble than ever. One box, two lifetimes, to men, one heart belonging to a woman, who simply will not give either of them up.

 Oh boy, where to start? Kat Bastion (the author) took me by surprise with this book. I read the blurb, and thought; “Hmmm.. Sounds like a good read.” I was wrong. So very, very wrong.

Forged by Dreams and Magick is a wonderful and amazing tale about a woman’s journey through time. Her finding of not only one, but two, soulmates and her fight to stay with both of them, her growth not only as a woman, but as a warrior as well…. I am telling you, it is amazing.

To see Isobel go back in time to the thirteenth century, to have her feistiness, her modern attitude clash with the everyday in the thirteenth century, to see her run her head against the wall and still come back up fighting for what she wants, what she thinks she needs and then to see her realize the truth. To accept and adapt, but never really give up on herself. Wow. Just.. wow.

It was heart wrecking when the box sent her back to the picts. Isobel finally allowed herself to feel, to accept and be accepted, when this happens. It broke my heart. But then Isobel being Isobel, adapts. Learns and never gives up the hope that she will be able to find her way back to Ian. Only to find herself falling for the second time.

I felt her frustration in having two men she loves, not willing to give up on either, can’t be separated from them, but is. Not by countries, but by time. Millenia. It’s scary.

This book took my breath away, descended me into two different worlds, and did so masterly. I had a short stop about 85% into the book, where I HAD to put it down. I just couldn’t continue reading on. My emotions where a turmoil, my frustration peeking and my heart was breaking all over again – but not the bad way. It wasn’t because the book wasn’t good, quite contrary. I had to put it down, because I couldn’t bear what happened. I was so caught up in the book, it actually gave me an emotional whiplash. And don’t get me started on the ending. Just trust me, you do NOT want to piss Isobel off. She is deadly. And though I understand the ending, and it was perfect for the book, and necessary, it was also tinted with a bit of sadness. You’ll understand when you read it. Hopefully you agree with me.

Here in the end, I want to congratulate Kat Bastion for creating a book that not only was an amazing read, but caught me so unaware, it was a delight. Thank you Kat. Keep writing girl.

 

 About Kat Bastion:

Kat Bastion is an award-winning paranormal romance writer, poetic warrior, and eternal optimist who loves getting lost in the beauty of nature.

 

On a never-ending, wondrous path of self-discovery, Kat throws her characters into incredible situations with the hope that readers join her in learning more about the meaning of life and love.

 

Her first published work, Utterly Loved, was shared with the world to benefit others. All proceeds from Utterly Loved, and a portion of all her other books, supports charities who help those lost in this world.

 

Kat lives with her husband amid the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona. 

 

 

Where to find Kat:

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

Webpage

 

Buy Links:

amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ All Romance ebooks 

 

 

 

 

 

ARC Review: Twilight Hunter by Kait Ballenger AND GIVEAWAY (international)

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Hi Guys!!

Boy, do I have treats for you today!!! First, I'm letting you get a review of Twilight Hunter, Kait Ballenger's new book in her Underground Execution Series. And most importantly; I have a interview with Shane from the Underground Execution coming up in the next post!!! So stay tuned (or just jump to the next post, if you don't want to read about my thoughts on Twilight Hunter) :-D

 

My Review:

The Execution Underground is a group of Hunters. But they don’t hunt just about anything. No. They hunt the supernatural – when they misbehave. Right now one is hunting and killing women – young innocent women. Everything points at werewolf, and the Rochester division of the Execution Undergrounds best Werewolf Hunter is hot on the bastard’s heels. Or is he? Two weeks have gone by, and Jace McCannon seems to be one step behind every time.

Frankie Amato is the Packmaster for Rochester’s werewolves, and she is beyond pissed that someone is hunting in her territory. She will do anything to defend her own people – and to catch the sick bastard who tries to put the blame on them. 

But what happens when a half-breed werewolf Hunter, who despises what he hunts, and the local Packmaster, who wants revenge runs into each other in a murder scene? Add in a mating hour, misunderstandings, personal hunts and smart mouths, and you get loads and loads of trouble.

I fell in love with Kait’s writing when I read Shadow Hunter. It was fresh, new, exciting and with an ending that could tear your hair out and made me cry. It was insanely good. So, I was excited and scared when Kait offered me to get a paperback copy of Twilight Hunter, the book, who was supposed to have come first. Shadow Hunter was a bonus – not only for us readers, but certainly also for Kait.  I enjoyed every second of Shadow Hunter.

Twilight Hunter dances around Jace McCannon and Frankie Amato. From the outside, two very different people, but in reality, they have more in common than believed at first.

Jace is a Hunter, the BEST Hunter, but his team doesn’t know how or why. Except David, who is his friends (and carries his secret close to heart). Jace is a half-breed. His childhood have left him scars he can’t get rid of, has put him on edge towards everyone else – especially towards werewolves. He loathes his other half. To get through the day, he drinks alcohol an masse.  And smokes…. Oh, and swears like a sailor.. No wait – he’s worse!

Frankie is a different girl. She saw her murdered parents, the killer left shortly before she came into their house. That would leave anyone running like hell. Instead Frankie gets back up, stands on her own two feet and takes over after her parents, leading the pack. The only thing that shadows her happiness, is the arranged marriage with the packs alpha male, Alejandro. She loves him, but isn’t IN love with him, so on the eve of their mating night (their wedding), Frankie figures she has a couple of hours left to see if she can find the killer running loose in the city. Let’s just say… she finds more than she bargained for :-P

I love the dynamic between Frankie and Jace. Both proud, both damaged in their own way. All the way through the book, Frankie despises Jace for looking down on his heritage as a werewolf (and thereby her), but when the shoe is one the other foot, is she truly better than Jace?

In Shadow Hunter we didn’t see the rest of the Hunters, the team, other than when Damon was looking through their files to choose them. We got to meet them a little more this time – especially David and Shane, who stands by Jace, even when it looks really bad.

There are so many things in Twilight Hunter, and even though it might feel a bit turbulent at times, EVERYTHING comes together beautifully in the end- but NOT without a wonderful twist of events! That is just ONE of the things I enjoy with Kait. She always have something extra up her sleeve.

Twilight Hunter grabs your attention from the first page and doesn’t let go until you have turned the last page. And even then I will claim that it won’t let go. Even when I closed the book, my mind was whirling with questions. I loved Shadow Hunter, and I’m BEYOND pleased to tell you that Kait Ballenger lives up to her best (and more) in Twilight Hunter as well. If you haven’t put Kait Ballenger and her Execution Underground Series on your To Buy/To Watch List – then make sure you do that now. I’m telling you, you do NOT want to miss one thing from this new, talented and amazing author!


Now, due to the fact that Today it's my birthday, and tomorrow it's Kaits (WOHOOO - congrats girl!!!!) there is one SIGNED copy of Twilight Hunter up for grabs. The contest is open INTERNATIONALLY (thank you sooo much Kait).You don't have to do much; just comment here on this post (or the character interview with Shane), and of course we would be thrilled if you wanted to swing by FB and like Kait and me. :-)
And remember to leave your email!!
 

About Kait:

Kait Ballenger is a full-time paranormal romance author, wife, bellydancer, graduate student, and soon-to-be-professor. She is the multi-published, award-winning author of the Execution Underground paranormal romance series. With a B.A in English from Stetson University, Kait is currently earning an M.F.A in Writing. Kait believes anything is possible with hard work and dedication. One day, she hopes to be a bestseller and to see her novels on the big screen. Look for the next two books in her page-turning Execution Underground series: Twilight Hunter, book one (August 2013) and Immortal Hunter, book two (January 2014), and don’t forget to check out Shadow Hunter, a prequel novella to the series featured in the After Dark anthology along NYT Bestseller Gena Showalter—now available in trade paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. For more information, please visit www.kaitballenger.com or follow her on Twitter @kait_ballenger.

Where to stalk find Kait:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

 

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Book Depository

 

ARC Review: Fairies in My Fireplace by R.L. Naquin

We first met the wonderful, charming and quirky wedding planner Zoey in Monster in My Closet, where she was dealing with a lot in her life. Not only did she and her business partner (and BFF) have to plan The Wedding of the year – Councilwoman Alma Dickson daughter was getting married – but Zoey got a visit from a Monster Closet; Maurice. And to make matters worse… An incubus is in town, hunting. His ultimate target? Zoey. But not until he’s gone after each and every woman close to Zoey.

In Pooka in My Pantry, Zoey got her hands full… again. A Pooka comes waltzing into Zoey’s house, acts like it’s a Hotel – and forgets to wear pants (o.O) A Leprechaun Mafia is in Town targeting everyone with a hint of Hidden Blood in them, creatures starts to come to Zoey for help, secrets is being spilled and Zoey’s worst nightmare comes into reality when she realizes her mother’s disappearance years ago wasn’t what anyone thought it was.

Now in Fairies in My Fireplace, Zoey is back, with all of her friends; Maurice – the Closet Monster who loves to cook and clean (and is really, really good at it – can’t you persuade him to come by my home Rachel? Pretty Please?), Andrew and Milo – Zoey’s good friend, herbalist and his little fox, Sara – Zoey’s BFF and business Partner, Iris – Zoey’s bodyguard and a skunkape, not to forget Riley – a Reaper and Zoey’s boyfriend. And how can I forget all the new ones? A yeti, Djinn, Merman and a Mothman!

Things are looking more dire this time. The Hidden(magical creatures) are being targeted, they are disappearing. Nobody knows why. Not even Bernice who is the head of the Hidden Board (well, the only one LEFT) knows what is happening. All they know is that Hidden from all over the US is disappearing, including the Aegis. (The Aegis is a…   well, kinda of a caretaker for the Hidden. It’s where all the Hidden go when they need help.) Right now, Zoey is the ONLY functioning Aegis in the ENTIRE US. Can you guess what happens? Yup. Every Hidden creature that needs help in one way or another finds their way to Zoey’s soon very crowded home. But where do the Aegis go for help when she is attacked and her friends are kidnapped? Time is running short and Zoey is desperate to find her friends before it’s too late.

 I fell in love with Rachel’s Monster Haven Series from the first book; Monster in My Closet. I fell even harder when I read the sequel; Pooka  in My Pantry. Having just finished the third book in the series; Fairies in My Fireplace… I’m finding myself utterly engulfed by this amazing tale. I’m addicted, and PROUD of it. Opening a book written by Rachel is like stepping into a world you know and love, and yet nothing is the same. Something new is always happening, something different, and Rachel is sooo damn good at delivering everything you wanted and what you didn’t know you were looking for.

I have no words to describe Fairies in My Fireplace. I loved it. It broke my f*cking heart, and I still wouldn’t want it any other way. Each and every time I open a Monster Haven Series Book, I’m getting a new, a wonderful and absolutely amazing adventure. Fairies in My Fireplace is no different than the rest of the series, although this one is more emotional, more heartbreaking than the previous two. I still love it. It made me cry, made me smile, made my heart jump and made me want to reach into the book and hug them all… it was an amazing read. I loved Monster in My Closet, I really did, Pooka in My Pantry made me so furious (on the bad guys), made me laugh out loud several times, and I loved it even more than Monster in My Closet, and now… Fairies in My Fireplace is even better than Monster in MY Closet and Pooka in My Pantry. Believe it or not. I loved every second of this book and couldn’t put it down.

If you haven’t read this series, then you’re seriously missing out on a wonderful, amazing, freaking awesome adventure – and you really should get yourself a copy… like NOW!

 

About the Author:

Rachel is the author of the urban fantasy Monster Haven series from Carina Press. She believes in magic, the power of love, good cheese, lucky socks, and putting things off until stress gets them done faster at the last minute. Her home is Disneyland, despite her current location in Kansas.

 

Where to stalk find Rachel:

GoodReads

Facebook

Website

Twitter