Surge by Serena Kearney

Amazon CA     Amazon US

RATING: 4 STARS

I read Pneuma awhile ago for Serena,and I adored it. I was excited when I was asked to read and review Surge, and was not disappointed at all. Serena has carried on the story of Estelle, her leaving Earth, and coming to terms with a whole new life, and working through the possibilities of her camatic; or soul mate all the while on edge, and ready to fight whatever battle pops up during this war she has stepped into. 

I'm not typically a sci-fi reader, but I love Serena's books because she manages to combine sci-fi and a romance story in one with it seeming completely possible, and not at all far-fetched. She makes it easy to connect with the characters, and makes me feel like I'm fighting alongside the soldiers and protecting my princess from page one to 'the end'. 

I would strongly urge you to pick up Pneuma if you haven't read it, especially since it's FREE, and then keep right on reading with this one. 

Keri


(Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

***To read my review of Pneuma click here.

The Immortals Part One: Shadows and Starstone by Cheryl Mackey

Amazon US 

RATING: 4 STARS

One thousand years ago the Gods known as The Four created the Immortals to protect their world- Ein- Aral from the bad guys know as the Dro-Aconi and then they disappeared. We meet Emaranthe, Jadeth, Ivo and Jaeger; four immortals on a mission to protect a desert village and its secret possession of starstone. A power source the Dro-Aconi are searching for in hopes for ruling Ein-Aral. The four struggle with what they remember of their pasts while trying to overcome the evil they face in Alarandia the leader of minions. Will the four succeed in saving Ein-Aral from the evil that awaits?

I really enjoyed this story. It was different than most stories I have read before. Right from the beginning I was sucked in. A fascinating world with a fascinating story. I really wished I had a little more background for the four and the world that they inhabited. When I went onto the goodreads page I realized that the author has another book called The Unknown Sun which actually has more of the background story that I was looking for. This was a great little novella and I can't wait to see where the story goes.

Caitlin

(Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

The Rub Down by Gina Sheldon

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RATING: 4 STARS

Luke is the co-owner of the prestigious spa "The Rub Down" which sounds a little sketchy, and more like a rub-n-tug, but is actually one of the best spas in Boston. Alexa is a marathon runner that's feeling the aches and pains that go along with training.

I truly enjoyed this book. Sometimes a girl just needs the HEA with the good build up and an honest to goodness building of a relationship that starts from friendship. We read along as Luke wades through the mental hardship of deciding how to befriend and date a client, without being accused of providing "happy endings" for all his clients, and Alexa, well... She doesn't make it easy on him!

Pick this book up, and enjoy a great love story.


Keri


(Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

A Chance with Spring by Alora Kate

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RATING: 4 STARS

This is the third book in this series of novellas written by Alora Kate. And I enjoyed it and devoured it as quickly as I did the first two.

In this part of the story, we are following the relationship between Spring and Chance. Spring is the older sister to Summer and Fall, who were prominent characters in the first two instalments and Chance is the man she happened to run into one day, and he thought she was an angel. That is, despite her vulgar disposition and inability to think before she speaks. Which happens to work perfectly with Chance and his bad boy, tattooed big guy image. Spring keeps her heart guarded, and we watch as Chance softens her up and finds his way in, and of course there's a bit of drama along the way!

This portion caught me off guard, in that the story's language and content was more mature than the first two. It was good, but it did take me some time to recognize it was what was needed for these characters, their lives, and the story development. Can't wait to read 3.5 and 4 from Alora!

Keri


(Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

Tracking a Shadow by R Weir

                                                                       Amazon US

                                                                 RATING: 4 STARS


Jarvis Mann is a P.I. on the case. When he gets the call from young and beautiful Emily saying she needs his help he decides to take the case. Emily is afraid and swears she has a stalker so she hires Jarvis to track down this stalker and provide her with a bit of security. Soon though, Jarvis realizes this case is a lot more difficult than a simple stalker case. Can Jarvis solve the case while navigating some new romantic entanglements or will he fail and risk Emily getting hurt?

This book was an easy read with a case of the whodunit. Once I got into this story I was definitely invested in finding out who the baddie really was. Jarvis was a good character, he had a sense of humor and was very 'human" although a little bit of willpower wouldn't have been amiss when it came to feminine wiles. If you love a book that keeps you guessing and following along with the action I recommend this book to you.

Caitlin

(Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.) 

Trancing the Tiger by Rachael Slate

     Amazon US

RATING: 5 STARS

 

After losing her parents to the Red Death, Lucy Yeoh runs to Malaysia looking for answers. Once there she goes to stay with her Uncle who she doesn't really know much about. There she encounters Sheng, the abnormal hottie who lives next door. Then things get weird Sheng swears she has the Chinese Zodiac spirit animal the Rabbit. Lucy think he's crazy. Slowly though Lucy becomes immersed in all the supernatural superstition and discovers she's so much more than she ever thought possible. Lucy and Sheng must team up with the other Spirit animals if they want to defeat the cause of the Red Death; The Plague God. Romance blooms when it shouldn't and things go places they never imagined, they'll teach each other things they never expected all the while fighting to save the world.

 

 

I just loved this story. I have never read a novel like this before. I loved the Chinese Zodiac spirit animals, the culture that was present in this story. I loved Sheng and Lucy and their chemistry was fantastic. The other characters too just captured me from the beginning. I honestly could not put this book down. It kept me enthralled from start to finish and left me wanting more. I will definitely be adding the rest of these stories to my personal TBR and I recommend you do too!

 

Caitlin

(Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

 



A Veil of Glass and Rain: Special Edition by Petra March

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RATING: 3 STARS

This title was the most captivating to me. We learned what was meant by it in the beginning, and it is a theme that reoccurred at the end of the story. It was an interesting connection to the characters, and how they saw each other. But unfortunately it was the only part of the story that I truly connected with. I found there was depth of character missing between the POVs, making it hard to determine who was speaking, without the indication at the beginning of the chapter. The author also jumped around between past and present, and at times those events just didn’t seem to match up for me.

Both the main characters; Brina and Eagan, lead lives that are essentially left to their own devices, as both of their parents travel worldwide for work,  and amazingly enough, don’t turn into the irresponsible adults one would expect, but they do of course have the tendency of not trusting anyone, or themselves, to know what it is they want for a fair portion of their young lives. An unfortunate event leads Eagan to change his path, he was determined to live his live with Brina. Brina however, she just sees herself as weak and damaged, which came across in her character- the delicate, precious flower.

The plot line of this story has so much potential. It’s a rehashing of friends become lovers, with these two meeting for the first time when Brina is 9 and Eagan is 14, and all the events that take place over the next 9 years.  The writing style did not do it much justice, however. The odd choices in vocabulary, and a constant use of those same odd words, as well as the lack of character depth between the POVs made it hard to read and left a lot to be desired for me. 


Keri


(Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

The Edge of Hope by Alina Popescu

Amazon US

RATING: 4 STARS

Alexa has been through a lot, she’s working and writing in hopes of finding her way through life after her ex-boyfriend and now ex best friend turned out to be complete jerks. She runs into Anthony during this time, he wants to interview her because of the novel she’s writing, and the original twist she’s spinning on vampires. As it turns out, she wasn't so off on that spin, and it’s Anthony that enlightens her to this information. Anthony leads us to Louis. Louis is everything that Anthony isn't. He’s cautious, concerned for Alexa, and most of all- he’s kind.

This is a one of a kind vampire story. The origins of vampires is different, and interesting, and the way the information is presented keeps you baited and waiting for more. The only downfall to this story was that I hit about 60% before anything REALLY kept me hooked and on the edge of my seat and it took about as long to really connect with the characters.

Overall, it’s a great story, and I am wanting to read part two!

Keri

(Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

Darkness Follows by Emerald O'Brien

Amazon CA     Amazon US

RATING: 5 STARS

Darkness Follows is one of those mystery “whodunit” tales that will literally keep you holding your breath.

This is a murder mystery surrounding Aurina and Ryanne, two sisters north of the border (and this probably made me the happiest to see. I absolutely LOVE coming across new Canadian authors.). They are placed in Witness Protection after a man Aurina was involved with was arrested for accessory to murder. And I can’t actually say much more because anything else will give away the rest of the story.

It’s a page turner, it will keep you hooked, and you will hopefully be as surprised as I was with the outcome! It was also incredibly refreshing to come across an NA book that was more mystery than sex. And now I need to go dig into book 2!

Keri

(Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

Images Eternal by Toni Decker

                                                                       Amazon US
RATING: 5 STARS


Mandy is a flirt, a flirt who wants no strings attached. She also says no to rock stars after an experience she vows she won't repeat. She is a hotshot music blogger whose positive opinion can help shoot you straight to the top. Lucien is rock star amongst other things. After joining the band Demon Dogs he begins to work hard to ensure their success. The one person who can get them there is Mandy and when the two meet things start to heat up. Secrets surround both of their lives, choices have been made that neither can control. Can they look past the image to see the truth behind all the lies?

WOW! I went into this book blind, I hadn't read anything about it until I read the first word. Let me just tell you this one blew me away. It was rock star with a twist and I loved how it kept me going. The characters were fantastic and swept me off my feet instantly. Both having been through so much I could really feel their emotions throughout the story. I do not have enough good things to say. If you like rock stars with some supernatural twists mixed in, I strongly urge you to pick up a copy of this one today. I will definitely be adding the second book in the series to my personal TBR.

Caitlin

(Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

Dear Miklos by Victoria Bastedo

Amazon US

Rating 4 STARS

Ever since he saved her life when she was 10 and visiting Greece with her mother, Therese and Miklos have written letters to each other. After a bout with an illness Therese's doctor recommends a trip to somewhere dry and warm so her lungs can heal. Where else would she go but back to Greece to see Miklos again, only now as a woman and Miklos as a man. Things don't go that easy though, through stalkers, and absentee fathers reappearing Miklos and Therese have to navigate through some dangerous waters before they have a chance at a happily ever after.

I really enjoyed this story. I would have liked to see a little more build up when it came to the pen pal relationship between Therese and Miklos. I felt like I was missing something in their relationship by not really having a lot of build up when it came to them talking over the years. Other than that though this book caught me. Once the action starts to build up we focus more on what's going on around the two main characters rather than just the love relationship between the characters which I always love. I definitely recommend this one to anyone who likes a fast paced, exciting read.


Caitlin

(Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

Just My City Boy by V.L. Holt

 Amazon US

RATING: 4 STARS

Sweet and southern, and quick witted Lauren is almost held up one night on her way home from work, a night she didn't really want to just head on home anyway. Zack is having issues, trying to find his way and having a really hard time acclimatizing to the run of the mill day. He decides to take the one way ticket to anywhere but here, and tries to rob sweet Lauren to make it happen. Their one of a kind first meeting, leads to their serendipitous second meeting, and of course all the trials and tribulations that come about in any book, with you rooting for their happily ever after from the first page.

I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to fall in love with the characters and their back stories, they were so likeable and endearing. It's a fast paced love story, in that circumstances on both characters sides push them together and fall in love quickly, while working to survive and come out on the other end. Well written, and easy consume, I can't wait to read more from this author!

Keri

(Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)