Shut Up & Read

Revamp by Beck Sherman My rating: 4 of 5 stars The dark had brought us visitors. That line right there is pretty creepy, and it sets the story up well. Revamp is the story of Emma and how she deals when the world goes to hell around her…or rather, goes to the vampires. I really liked Emma. She was a tough character. Even though she wanted to sometimes curl up in a ball and cry, she picked herself up and did what she had to in order to survive. Her sarcasm and dry humor kept the book entertaining. The supporting characters were well written, too. They grew on you as you learned more about them. Sherman is an excellent storyteller. In this book, the present was broken up by flashbacks to how it all began in order to help you understand things better. This is a tricky thing for authors to do, because it can so easily backfire, but it worked with this book. I enjoyed the author's writing style, and the plot was fast and engaging. I would most definitely recommend this boo...

Graceling by Kristin Cashore My rating: 4 of 5 stars Let me tell you, if you love a kick-ass heroin, Katsa is your girl. Katsa learned at an early age she was gifted with the Grace of killing. This is how she has seen herself her whole life—as a monster, a killer—and this is how everyone around her sees her. However, as we find out, there is a whole lot more to Katsa than just killing. I really enjoyed the characters in Graceling. Katsa is so much fun. She's pretty much straightforward in her way of thinking. Po was a lot of fun, too. I fell in love with his character immediately. I like how we got to see both grow and mature throughout the story, and though there was a lot of action in this book, it was balanced out with the romance between Katsa and Po, which was sweet and spicy. Bitterblue was a great character, too. I am looking forward to reading more about her. I loved the world Graceling was created into and the descriptiveness of the author as she described t...

Summer Knight by Jim Butcher My rating: 5 of 5 stars Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is my very favorite wizard/private eye ever. In Summer Knight, Harry is mourning Susan and having a rough time of it. He's also got other things to deal with, faeries namely. It seems that Harry just cannot catch a break. He has some people on his side, though, like the werewolves who I have grown to love, and Murphy who I also love, but ultimately it comes down to him. What I really love about this book (and the series in general) is the emotional and personal development we see in Harry. Harry is just a great guy, and Butcher did an excellent job of making his character a real person for us. I also love the worlds Butcher creates. How does he come up with this stuff? Each supernatural creature has its own world and set of rules. It is completely complicated but yet drawn together to make all the pieces fit so wonderfully and completely together. Another thing I love about this s...

Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost My rating: 5 of 5 stars Ok, so I admit it…I have not read the Night Huntress series. I know. I've been meaning to, and I even own the first three, but I have just never gotten around to reading them. But, I have been hearing so much about Cat and Bones and Vlad…how yummy and sexy he is, you know? So, when Once Burned came out, a story about Vlad, of course I had to check it out… Leila has lived her life pretty much a freak of nature. She has basically been forced to live a life of solitude. Vlad is the sexiest vampire in the world (that's my opinion, not necessarily Leila's). He is also one of the oldest and most feared vampires in the world. When Leila and Vlad cross paths, sparks fly…literally. Leila was a strong character. Even though she had been shunned her whole life, she was still proud, stubborn, and stood up for herself rather than just letting the big, strong, sexy vampire come to her rescue. Vlad was…Vlad. Really not mu...

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.    My next eagerly anticipated book is:   Title: Dark Triumph Series:   His Fair Assassin Author:  R.L. LaFevers Publication Date:  April 2, 2013  Genre: YA Historical Fiction   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. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella 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. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. 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...

  Author:  Kristin Cashore Title:   Graceling Genre:  YA Fantasy Published:  October 2008 Available From: Amazon , Barnes & Noble     "How absurd it was that in all seven kingdoms, the weakest and most vulnerable of people - girls, women - went unarmed and were taught nothing of fighting, while the strong were trained to the highest reaches of their skill."     Teaser Tuesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Should Be Reading! where you share two (2) “teaser” sentences from your current read to try to entice others to want to seek it out.   Find out how you can participate Here!

What is Think Out Loud?   Think Out Loud is a weekly meme created by Thinks Books to break out of the blogging bubble. Consider your Think Out Loud posts a time to do WHATEVER YOU WANT! You can find more information and how to participate on your blog HERE! So, here is my Think Out Loud for this week!           This has been one of my favorite songs for a long time, but I just watched the video for the first time recently.  Oh my God, I almost cried.  Watch it if you've never seen it...   Thanks for stopping by!!

The Omega Option: Rise of Draconis by Rick T. Hodges My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Omega Option is action packed from beginning to end. I really enjoyed the world created in this book. The author let his imagination run wild and brought it all together for an amazing effect. The attention to detail and descriptive writing style allows the reader to easily paint a picture in their head as they read. The characters are completely solid and well-developed. I really enjoyed getting to know each of the team members individually before they were brought together for the expedition. I think that added a lot of personality to the story and makes the reader feel more connected to each individual character. I also love the team dynamics and how the individual team members were able to fit together. Sometimes I think it's hard for an author to bring so many characters together closely as a group and still keep their individuality, but it is done quite well in this book. As I said, t...

Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward My rating: 5 of 5 stars While I had been looking forward to this book since last year, once it came out I put off reading it. The last book in the series was a bit of a disappointment to me, so I was, quite honestly, a little scared to read this one. I was afraid it would be a continuation of the last book and I would be let down by my BDB… I had nothing to worry about. This book was great. There was so much going on, and the many side stories were written in rather well. The pace was quick and made it a quick read even though it is quite long at close to 600 pages. Part of the reason I loved this book is that, although Tohr is the main focus, there are other stories intertwined that, woven together, make up the whole book. Now, Tohr has never been my favorite brother. I actually hated him for running off after Wellsie died and leaving John alone when he needed him the most, and I cannot believe I'm the only one who felt that way. I wonder...

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire My rating: 5 of 5 stars First off, although this book has somehow been labeled YA, I would only recommend it for mature YA, 17+, for violence, language, and sexual situations. That being said, I love this book. I love the characters. Abby and Travis are great. Travis is the kind of guy you know you should not like, and yet you cannot help but fall for him. He is possessive, jealous, and impulsive with stalker tendencies, and yet he is so sweet and caring at the same time. In real life, Abby and any other girl should have been running away fast. Abby is strong willed and willing to stand up for herself and what she believes. The supporting characters, America, Shep, and Parker, are great as well. I love the dimension they bring to the story. I love the dynamics of the relationship between Abby and Travis. They really are a disaster, but that's what made them so interesting. The whole time you're reading you're thinking may...

Title:   All That We See Or Seem Series:   The Dreamer Trilogy #1 Author:   Gwynneth White Genre:   YA Paranormal Romance Published:  January 2012 Lily Bryg is a seventeen year old witch. She doesn't always know what that means, or how to control it, but she does know that to most, it paints a pretty little target over her forehead. If that's not bad enough, Ronan an evil king who believes she's his soul mate has been stalking her in her dreams. Should she fight Ronan and risk everything, or give up her freedom to possibly save her friends? And what about Larkin, the attractive shape shifter who sparks a strong sense of deja vu within her? He claims they knew each other in her past life, but how could she trust something she can't remember? Dodging witches, demons, faeries, dragons, and much, much more, the Four are just beginning to realize that having power comes with a lot of responsibility. And sacrifice. But one question stands out among the...

Title:   Freedom of the Monsoon Author:  Malika Gandhi Pages:   356 Genre:   Historical Fiction Published:   January 2012 A storm is coming our way; I feel the change. The heart is hardening. Gandhi has come and has made his decision. I see Rakesh, my dear friend, ready and willing. Dev’s life will never be the same after this; I worry – there is fire in this eyes. Amit and Sunil, it’s not fair they get caught in this fight and I, Pooja, never dreamt what became of my life… Death and sacrifice is knocking on India’s doors. The British Raj needs to go and the Indians must have their country back. Re-live the determination that dwelled in the hearts of the natives as they fought hard and long. Follow the five individuals as they face fear, love, sacrifice and hate.   Purchase Links: Amazon Amazon.UK Feed-A-Read Welcome to the Shut Up & Read blog Malika! When did you first know you wanted to write? When I read my first Roald Dahl ...

Title:   Pledged Author:  Gwynneth White Genre:    YA Fantasy Page Count:   503 Published:   June 2012 Everyone has a soul mate. But what do you do when your soul mate would rather give his soul to the demons than be with you? Seventeen-year-old Erin has a problem. Seth has been hers forever, but now an ancient curse is tearing him away. And the demons who invoked it will stop at nothing – even murder – to claim him as their own. How can she win against a curse so binding that it has damned countless others to this same fate – an eternity alone? The answer lies in the past. To find it, Erin and Seth must risk all, travelling back in time to a dangerous world where love is forbidden, and life – and death – hang on a pledge. Follow Erin and Seth as they travel to ancient Shenaya and confront the curse that has plagued their families for millennia. Caught in a war between the Angelic Guardians and the Gefallen, the disembodied dead, they...

Title:   Dreams of Darkness Author:   Barry James Genre:   Horror/Urban Fantasy Page Count:   430 Published:  February 2012 Jordan Hanson was having a bad day. His girlfriend was acting distant, his cat had run off, his car was leaking oil, there was something screwy with the electrical system in his new house, and to top it all off he got caught in a storm. By the end of the day, though, Jordan would have given anything to get his old life back. Or any life at all, for that matter. Even an undead existence in which he was not about to be used as a tool to end the world would have been better than nothing.... See Dreams of Darkness on Goodreads!

Envy by J.R. Ward My rating: 4 of 5 stars The third book in the Fallen Angel series was just as good as the first two. I love how the author is able to take the characters and make them into people for you. I think she does a good job at making likeable characters. I have absolutely loved Jim Heron from the beginning. He has a very dark past but has a very large heart. In this book I loved Veck and Reilly and their intense but rocky relationship. Veck makes an interesting and lovable character, being haunted by the history of his father, with so much to overcome in order to make himself a separate identity, which is obviously hard for him to do when his father's deeds follow him everywhere. The only thing I did not like about this book was all the slang writing. I know that is the author's style (I am a fan and have read all of her other books as well), but it seemed to be especially thick in this book, like she was just trying way too hard at it. I hope she is able ...

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs My rating: 5 of 5 stars The thing that drew me to this book in the first place was the picture on the cover...and I'm so glad it did! I loved this book! When I first started reading I was expecting a thriller, something scary, but was pleasantly surprised with a fantasy land with a daydreaming quality. It was an easy read with an easy plot to follow, but the pictures added a fabulous effect! They actually gave the book a creepy feeling, making it seem much darker than it actually was without taking it too far into the scary range. View all my reviews

Shadowland by Alyson Noel My rating: 2 of 5 stars I came across the audio for Shadowland, so I thought I would give it another try. However, I didn't find it any better the second time around. I thought the narrator did a good job; I just didn't find the story engaging or entertaining. The narrator was actually a good choice for this book. She had a young-sounding voice, playing up Ever's immaturity. Original review September 8, 2011 - I had read the first two books in this series and thought they were pretty good…this one I could hardly even finish. I had to force myself to get through to the end to make sure I wasn't missing anything, and nope…I wasn't. Shadowland continued the story from the first two books, but the story did not really go anywhere. It was pretty much the same thing all over again.  In a series I look for development of the storyline and the characters, and I was very disappointed with Shadowland since the series had started out so goo...

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs My rating: 5 of 5 stars What can I say? I LOVE Mercy and the world created by Briggs. I've enjoyed watching Mercy and Adam's relationship evolve and grow. I love the werewolves, and I love Stefan (who I really missed in this book). That said, this book brings us more of the Mercy/Adam relationship, which is growing beautifully, and more of Samuel, who I love. His is a heartbreaking story that finds a resolve in this book. If I was disappointed in anything about this book, is that it didn't give us more of him. He tagged along with Mercy throughout the book, but he was just kind of there, not really showing much of himself or his character. Overall, though, I loved the book and can't wait to get started on the next one in the series! View all my reviews

Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs My rating: 5 of 5 stars I love this series! Mercy and Adam's relationship is moving along nicely, and Adam is so sweet and caring. The character development is fabulous. I love where the story is going and cannot wait for the next installment! View all my reviews

My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands by Chelsea Handler My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book was seriously laugh-out-loud funny! As the title portrays, it is a collection of Chelsea Handler's one-night stands, but she is such a fantastic story teller that I could not put it down! I picked it up after I started watching her show on E!. I was just hoping she was as funny in the book as she is on the show. I think the book might have even been better! I cannot wait to read her other books. View all my reviews

Under the Dome by Stephen King My rating: 5 of 5 stars I have been a fan of Stephen King's for years. I have loved almost everything that he has put out, and this was no exception. In fact, I think this may be my favorite yet. I loved the pace of the book, the many different characters, and the way you get to see this disaster played out in each of their lives. This book looks into the life of a small town where you will see some good and some bad and all struggling to survive. I think the thing I really liked about this book is that in the face of a natural disaster separating a small town from its resources (think maybe tornado instead of dome), a lot of this book could really happen. The only think I really did not like (and yet it really is what made the book so very interesting) is the sheer number of names and people you had to remember. I found myself flipping back to the front of the book where there was a list of people and how they relate to the town (thank you f...

The Mating by Nicky Charles My rating: 4 of 5 stars I found this book available in Goodreads free ebooks. I found myself pleasantly surprised by the book. I enjoyed the concept of the arranged mating and reading about the struggles that the couple went through in trying to make the mating work, and the plot itself was good, if not a bit far-fetched. The only thing I really didn't like was Elise, the main character. Her character was so mind-numbingly stupid that I wished, more than once, that I could reach into the book and slap her. Other than that, if you are looking for a quick, interesting read over an afternoon, I would definitely recommend this book, and I am looking forward to reading the next two in the series. View all my reviews

Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs My rating: 5 of 5 stars In the third book of the Mercedes Thompson series, Mercy's friend and apprentice, Zee, is arrested for a series of murders on the Fae reservation, and Mercy gets involved with the Fae in a way that does not make them happy. This book delved deeper into the Fae world and showed us their way of life. I love the different worlds the author has created in this book series. From the Fae to the werewolves to the vampires, each group has its own set of rules/laws to govern them, and they each interact more or less independently from one another, but yet they all make up the world of Mercy Thompson. This book was expertly written and executed and able to keep the reader's attention through all its twists and turns. One thing I really liked about this book was it pretty much put an end to Sam/Mercy/Adam situation. I'm always game for a good love triangle, but sometimes they get drawn out too long and get boring. I like...

Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs My rating: 5 of 5 stars I have to start off by saying I love, love, love Mercy Thompson. I like the fact that she has an everyday life, struggling with her business, friends, and potential boyfriends. It is these things that make her seem real. I also love the character of Stefan, and was glad to get to know him better in this book. The author does a really good job of making appealing characters, and that is one reason I like her books so much. When you like the characters you are reading about, it makes you want to keep reading. In this book Mercy learns a little more about herself and her past that has always been sort of a mystery to her. She finds herself in a struggle with the vampires and the werewolves, but she is always true to herself. This book also finds her in the midst of a "love triangle" between Samuel and Adam. I cannot wait to read more about the three of them! View all my reviews

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs My rating: 5 of 5 stars I absolutely love Mercy Thompson! She is a strong female lead, able to hold her own in the male-dominated werewolf world. In this book we find Mercy caught in the middle of a power struggle created by the werewolves. I really like the pack dynamics in this book and how Mercy is an integral part of the pack, and yet still does not quite fit in. She is her own person and is not afraid to be herself. I think the author created a wonderful fantasy world in these books, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series. View all my reviews

When We Were Friends: A Novel by Elizabeth Joy Arnold My rating: 3 of 5 stars I enjoyed this book for a quick, easy read. The main character, Lainey, was likeable, if not a bit naive-going-on-stupid, and Sydney was the girl you love to hate. Lainey's mother, too, was a likeable character. I really liked how Lainey helped take care of her mother and loved her so much despite her flaws, and I loved the evolving relationship between Lainey and Alex. The book was captivating enough to keep me turning the page to find out what happens next. Although I had pretty much figured everything out three-fourths of the way through, I had to keep reading to make sure I was right. The only thing I really did not like about the book was the completely unbelievable choices Lainey kept making. 1) Completely uprooting your life and going "on the run" with the child of a "friend" you had not seen in years. If it was real life (I know, it would not be fiction if it was real...

The Calling by Jennifer Ashley My rating: 3 of 5 stars Amber is a witch in a world where magic and magical creatures are common knowledge. She is trying to find out who killed her sister when she is attacked by a demon and is saved by Adrain, the sexy immortal warrior, and of course, sparks fly. Adrian is on a search for his brother, missing for 700 years. The two must team up with other magical creatures, including a dragon, a werewolf, and a vampire, to solve the murder of Amber's sister and to find Adrian's brother. I've never really liked books where the magic is "out," much preferring the secretive aspect, but I enjoyed this book a lot. The characters were well created and very likable. The author was able to give each of them their own personalities, which I enjoyed. I really liked the array of magical creatures and the characteristics given to each of them. I've never read a series where the books were written by different people, and I look ...

Crave by J.R. Ward My rating: 4 of 5 stars The second book in the Fallen Angels series continues with Jim Heron, the fallen angel from Covet, as he tries to save his second soul. Isaac Rothe is an XOps soldier trying to get out and start a new life. When he finds himself in jail, he meets Grier Childe, his public defender. Grier goes out of her way to help her new client, and their attraction grows into something hot and heavy. Although I liked this book as much as the first in the series, I did not really buy into Isaac and Grier's relationship. It was very superficial, and very, very quick. It was more physical than anything else, and yet somehow they still managed to fall in love. I did not feel that any of the characters were developed in this book as well as in the first, but we did get to see more of Jim, Adrian, and Eddie, who I adore. I loved that Ward gave us the twist at the end, making the reader and characters in the story realize that everything is not alway...

River Marked by Patricia Briggs My rating: 5 of 5 stars Many times while reading a book series, after the fourth or fifth book I will need to find something fresh to read for a while before going back to finish the series. This is not one of those! I love how the Mercy Thompson series, even after reading the sixth book, still leaves me wanting more. The things I enjoyed most about this book were reading about Mercy and Adam (I love Adam!) and their ever-growing relationship and also finding out more about Mercy's background. And, Stefan was back in this book! The thing I really missed in this book was more of the pack. I love the pack life and dynamics, conflicts, and ties, and even though I know we needed to see Mercy and Adam on their own for a while (their honeymoon, in fact), I still missed it. We got glimpses here and there, but the overall feeling was gone. Briggs has made in Mercy a heroine who so easy to like. She is strong and independent. She can hold her own...

Covet by J.R. Ward My rating: 4 of 5 stars Jim Heron has a top-secret military background, from which he is taking a leave of absence and trying for a normal life, and then he dies. He is given the opportunity of a lifetime: Being sent back. The catch? He is to be in charge of saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. The war now is between good and evil, and failure is not an option. Vin DiPietro is an extremely wealthy businessman who only cares for the most expensive, most beautiful things in life. He is thrown for a loop by Marie-Terese, a working girl who has had to make many hard decisions in her life, but is always trying to do the right thing for her son. I loved the development of the characters in this book. You get inside of their heads and their lives, and you really like them. They each have such a detailed background that you feel like you know them and you find yourself cheering them on throughout the book. For those who are already fans ...

The Pact by Jodi Picoult My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Pact is a story about Chris and Emily, childhood friends whose relationship grows into something more as they get into their teen years. They are best friends, soul mates. The story actually begins on the horrible night that their parents got the call…Emily is dead and Chris is in the hospital. Chris describes a suicide pact gone wrong but is subsequently arrested for Emily’s murder. The story unfolds through both a series of flashbacks and present day events. I really loved the flashbacks to give us a deeper look into the lives of the characters involved. I really liked the different points of view that we got throughout the book. It was really neat to be able to see the story playing out through the eyes of so many people. I thought the author did a great job of doing this without making the story confusing. This is one of the sweetest books I have ever read. I don’t usually get emotional over books, but this book had m...

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins My rating: 5 of 5 stars Katniss lives in a world where teens between the ages of 12-18 are all possible candidates for the Hunger Games, a contest to the death. The stated purpose of this contest is to remind them and their families of the rebellion against the Capital that had been lost many years before. The real purpose of the contest is for the entertainment of the people of the Capital. When her younger sister's name is chosen for the Games, Katniss volunteers to go in her place. With her superior hunting skills and fiery temper, Katniss quickly becomes a favorite of the Games and of the people. As the story unfolds we are able to watch Katniss grow emotionally as she learns of friendship, heartache, loss, and possible love. Katniss is young and confused as to what she wants and needs. She is a very likeable character, and it is hard to watch her struggle to find her way. I loved the humor in the book, and it was well written. I f...

Cell by Stephen King My rating: 4 of 5 stars Do not answer your phone! In Cell, the world gets a phone call, and everyone who answers is turned into a mindless zombie, leaving only aggressive and destructive impulses behind. People who do not have cell phones or who did not answer the call must fight for survival or be killed by the zombies. This book follows Clayton, who happens to not be a zombie, as he watches almost everyone around being turned into a zombie, fights for his life, and searches for his son with the hope that he might still be alive (and not a zombie). I really enjoyed Cell, but then I have enjoyed everything King has ever written. This is the first actual zombie book I have read, and I like how King plays them out in the story. As always, I enjoyed the character development and resolution of the story. View all my reviews

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore My rating: 5 of 5 stars I absolutely loved this book. I have seen some very bad reviews, and I have to wonder if they are actually about the book, or more about the author… I am Number Four is a story about John Smith, a.k.a. Number Four, a 15-year-old boy who is trying to fit into the typical teenage world. He and his father move around a lot, and he constantly has to start new schools, make new friends, etc. The catch? John is an alien who, along with eight others of his kind and their guardians, escaped the destruction of their planet to hide on Earth from the Mogadorian (bad aliens). John and the other eight (three of whom have already been caught and killed) have extraordinary, paranormal skills that, once developed, will help them to fight against the Mogadorian. When the story begins John is just starting to come into his powers, and as the book evolves we watch him mature and his powers mature along with him. Besides the aliens huntin...

Hour of the Beast by C. Michael Forsyth My rating: 3 of 5 stars I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. This book started off good with an action-filled first chapter where we are introduced to Elaine on her wedding day. After that first chapter we do not see much more of Elaine until the very end of the book. The book centers around her two sons, Jason and Joshua, who are a result of her interactions with a werewolf on her wedding night. Jason and Joshua are twins who are as different as night and day. Joshua is muscular, athletic, and has a bad temper. Jason is mild, weak, and always getting Joshua out of trouble. Although I did like the story, I pretty much had everything figured out by about chapter 4. After getting off to a good start, the book slowed down quite a bit until the last few chapters. Overall, it was a good read. View all my reviews

The Keeping by Nicky Charles My rating: 4 of 5 stars I downloaded this book for free at www.smashwords.com . Although I liked the first book in this series, The Mating, I enjoyed the second book even more! After The Mating I was left wondering what would happen to Ryne and the other two males who left with him. A big "thank you" to the author for carrying on the story. I thought the author did a better job at putting this story together. The overall writing was better, and the characters were better developed. Melody was a very likable character, and I enjoyed reading the book from her point of view, and I was very, very pleased in this book to get Ryne's point of view as well. I love being inside both of their heads to know what each is thinking throughout the story. That was one thing I really missed with the first book, not getting to see things from Kane's point of view as well. Only two things I didn't like about this book... 1)I was pretty sure ab...

Wolf Tales by Kate Douglas My rating: 2 of 5 stars I was really looking forward to the Wolf Tales series. The books have had so many good reviews, so I was very disappointed when I read this one. I found the characters to be very superficial and hard to connect with, and even their conversations lacked any real substance. The idea behind the plot is really interesting, but most of said plot was hidden behind all the sex...lots of sex, but just sex alone doesn't make a story. I do love that cover, though! View all my reviews

A Demon Made Me Do It by Penelope King My rating: 5 of 5 stars A demon Made Me Do It was an engaging read that I found hard to put down. The story starts with Liora. During the day Liora is a high school senior, a loner with only one real friend. During the night, while Liora is sleeping, Lucky comes out to play. Lucky is a rough and tumble demon who lives for hunting and killing other demons, especially the ones who killed her best friends. Liora and Lucky share a body but are two completely separate individuals. Then Kieron shows up and falls for Liora…or is it Lucky? The author did a wonderful job with the characters. They are very well written and have such unique personalities, especially Liora and Lucky. Liora is a human, and the author did a great job showing her humanity, innocence, and her desire to be "normal." Lucky is red hot and shows a tough exterior, but inside she is hurting just as much as Liora. Bones, Lucky's best friend, is funny and loyal...

Holiday Matinee by Elizabeth Lister My rating: 4 of 5 stars Holiday Matinee is a short story that continues the relationship of Jack and Michael, who we met in The Crush. Holiday Matinee follows Jack and Michael on a date night. This story is very short, and only took me about 20 minutes to read. It was a quick, fun read. I enjoyed seeing Jack and Michael again as they move forward in their relationship, and I hope there will be more stories about them! Interview with author Elizabeth Lister: http://makingconnectionsgroup.blogspo... View all my reviews

Blood Warrior by H.D. Gordon My rating: 5 of 5 stars Blood Warrior is the story of Alexa, a 17-year-old girl struggling to fit into her life. She has a seemingly crazy mother, a sister she would kill for, and a best friend who she knows will always be there for her. Alexa’s life takes a crazy turn the night her home is attacked and she’s forced to run with her sister and friend Jackson, leaving her mother behind. Along the many twists and turns, Alexa comes to the realization that nothing is as it seems, even herself. Through this book we watch her inner struggle with herself as she comes to term with who she really is, as well as the outer struggles among the people who are supposed to be allies. Blood Warrior is a captivating book. The characters are so well drawn, you cannot help but want to be happy for them, cry for them, and be upset when they are wronged. Alexa is a teenage girl who has always been a loner, never seeming to fit in, and she ends up with more attention t...

Masquerade by Cambria Hebert My rating: 5 of 5 stars Before you read Masquerade, you need to read the short story prequel "Before" to see what Heven's life was like "Before." It is free for download from Smashwords and Amazon. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12... Masquerade is the story of Heven. Heven had the perfect life; she was pretty and popular, and everything was going her way. Then something happens, and her world is shattered. The Heven who once was is gone and what is left is a scared girl who is hiding from the world. She sees herself as a freak and lives an empty life. Then Sam appears. Sam comes into Heven’s life and changes everything for her. He makes her see that everything she thought was important is not. What Heven does not know is that Sam has been there all along, even Before. He has deep, dark secrets, the least of which is that he has been in love with Heven for a very long time. I loved the characters in this story. They...

The Crush by Elizabeth Lister My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Crush is the story of Jack and Michael. Jack is just looking to have some fun, not a serious relationship. Michael is a college professor and Jack's sister's crush. Jack and Michael are introduced by Amy, Jack's sister, and are instantly attracted to one another. But Amy has plans for seducing Michael herself. Ultimately, Jack and Michael decide to conceal their relationship from Amy, but when she finds out that they have been seeing each other behind her back, Jack must find away to repair his relationship with his sister. I really liked the relationship between Jack and Michael. It started as just a fling but evolved into something so much more than they had ever expected. Their relationship was intense both physically and emotionally. I was impressed that the author was able to pull out so many emotions in such a short story. The dynamics in Jack and Michael's relationship and Jack and Amy's ...

Before by Cambria Hebert My rating: 4 of 5 stars Before is a short story, the prequel to Masquerade. In Before we are introduced to Heven and Sam. Heven has the perfect life, looks, friends, guys…everything a girl could want. Sam is in some kind of trouble, but we do not get to know enough about him to understand what kind of trouble it is. What we do know is that he is in love with Heven…but he should have stayed away. This book is the perfect teaser to make you want to read Masquerade to find out what happens: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13... Instead of being a separate book, this would have worked great added on to Masquerade as a prologue. View all my reviews