J - Authors
The threat to Madison Kate has claimed more than one life and now Steele's life is hanging in the balance. However, MK refuses to let her man, any of her men go. It's time to stop hiding and take the offensive. Starting with a wedding.
This book is just more. More danger, more angst, more sexy times, more intimate moments. I adored it. It was great watching MK lower her walls. This girl is so fearless except when it comes to her heart. Getting stabbed, facing down a gunfight, standing up to monsters... no problem. Saying three little words... no way. So seeing her woman up was striking. Watching the guys prove their love to her was swoon-worthy. This is one of those rare books where the lead female and her men are all on equal footing. They are all gorgeous, intelligent, fearless, sexy. I truly don't have a favorite. Each character stood out as their best self in this book. When they went in, they went in fully and you can't help get caught up with them.
The story itself played out beautifully. It was packed with intrigue, danger, action, sex, and violence with a few intimate, soft moments thrown in. It's impossible to put down. As the final book in the series we get the answers we needed, the results we wanted, and the scenes we dreamed of. It's a fantastic conclusion to the series and Tate got to indulge in her sadistic streak with that final scene. Brava!
She should have gone to the party. Instead, she talked her best friend into going into an illegal MMA-style fight. The night ended in chaos-shootings, murder, riots, and Madison Kate finds herself running for her life. She's saved by three insanely hot men but finds herself set up to take the fall for the town. A year later she returns to find the three men have moved into her family home with plans to hijack her life. Madison Kate doesn't plan to make it easy for them though; she's looking for revenge. Archer D'Ath, Kodiak Jones, and Max Steele will pay.
I love Tate James. I love her characters and their stories. And now I have a new obsession. Madison Kate is one fierce female. She's a 'take no prisoners' kind of gal. She can glam it up or shine in sweats. She can be sweet, sexy, and smart or she can cut you off at the knees. Despite wealth, intelligence, and beauty her life hasn't been a dream. She's had trauma and she bears the scars. It gives her depth and makes her unpredictable. The guys are all hot and appear to be one thing but they have secrets. It's hard to say whether they are good guys or dangerous gang members. But the chemistry between Madison Kate and the guys is undeniable whether they are fighting or flirting. I don't trust her best friend and I am not a fan of her father or the pink-loving Cherry. Beyond the characters and the relationships, the storyline is fantastic. So much mystery, so many potential directions the story can go. What is true? Who can be trusted? I am in deep already!
MK doesn't know who to trust. She was brutally attacked. A stalker, a father who doesn't care, and the three beautiful men she lives with all seem to be competing to find ways to control and destroy her. It seems that everyone has secrets. They all know something about her that she doesn't. Everyone is lying to her. They will pay.More, more, more. This story is so much more. Drama, intrigue, passion, suspense, horror, sexiness, anger, fear. More, more, more. MK's relationships with Archer, Kody, and Steele are so intense, complicated, and unique. There were so many quality moments in this book that developed true connections. These boys are definitely flawed but irresistible. We got to see behind their pretty faces, see their vulnerabilities. They are complicated, honest and caring one minute, cruel and secretive or closed off and lying the next. It's emotional whiplash and it's addictive. There's never a moment to catch your breath or gain your footing. Other authors should take note: this is how you write a dark romance. Madison Kate's character is delicious. She is surviving in the center of a storm. Already suffering from PTSD, she has one trauma after another battering her. Yet, she persists. She even pranks. And she indulges. Yes, girl! The stalker is brilliantly twisted. The dolls are genius. The stalker's constant presence is proven by the pictures and that alone is paralyzing but not having a clear idea who she can trust and who is trying to kill her keeps the level of suspense even more escalated. She can't rely on anyone fully. It's emotionally exhausting. As a reader, I couldn't help but get caught up in the web of intrigue with her. I lived this book with her. I desperately wanted to trust the guys but when they keep secrets and don't hesitate to lie to her when it suits them, it would be foolish. And that ending proved me correct. Princess Danvers, indeed. So much more. Now I need more.
She should have gone to the party. Instead, she talked her best friend into going into an illegal MMA-style fight. The night ended in chaos-shootings, murder, riots, and Madison Kate finds herself running for her life. She's saved by three insanely hot men but finds herself set up to take the fall for the town. A year later she returns to find the three men have moved into her family home with plans to hijack her life. Madison Kate doesn't plan to make it easy for them though; she's looking for revenge. Archer D'Ath, Kodiak Jones, and Max Steele will pay.
I love Tate James. I love her characters and their stories. And now I have a new obsession. Madison Kate is one fierce female. She's a 'take no prisoners' kind of gal. She can glam it up or shine in sweats. She can be sweet, sexy, and smart or she can cut you off at the knees. Despite wealth, intelligence, and beauty her life hasn't been a dream. She's had trauma and she bears the scars. It gives her depth and makes her unpredictable. The guys are all hot and appear to be one thing but they have secrets. It's hard to say whether they are good guys or dangerous gang members. But the chemistry between Madison Kate and the guys is undeniable whether they are fighting or flirting. I don't trust her best friend and I am not a fan of her father or the pink-loving Cherry. Beyond the characters and the relationships, the storyline is fantastic. So much mystery, so many potential directions the story can go. What is true? Who can be trusted? I am in deep already!
The magic of the kingdom of Tiech has been dying since the brutal murder of their beloved Queen. But now her daughter, the lost Princess Zarina has a chance to restore the kingdom. Zarina is competing in the Royal Trials as Lady Callaluna, a long way from the street rat Rybet that she was just three weeks ago. Yes, in a few short weeks she has fallen in love with all three princes, survived being killed numerous times, and is building an army of allies to dethrone the false king. She has learned her true parentage, met several gods, and may have a new best friend. It's been quite a month!
It's no secret that I think Tate James is brilliant. Her stories are filled with wonderful characters, exciting escapades, intrigue, sexy times, and romance. I am always swept away by her adventures. This conclusion is no exception. The storyline plays out, all loose ends are addressed. There are unexpected guests and a few of the new faces open up a whole other set of issues/questions/stories. The trials conclude, the false king and his queen are addressed, Sagen comes into her own, Zarina and her princes all have their worth measured, and magic returns. Zarina and her princes are so good together. Each prince brings his own strengths to the relationship and each has a unique connection to their Queen. They don't exactly get a HEA but a happy for now (it has only been 3 weeks). It's clear that they are forever, however. It may seem like the ending is a bit abrupt but keep reading. It's all explained in the author's note. The story isn't quite over.
Rybet Waise? Lady Callaluna? Calla, Lo, Luna. Zan, Lee, and Ty. Princes Alexander, Louis, and Thibault. Seems everyone is keeping secrets. And now Prince Alexander has broken an oath and died, yet somehow he lives. Rybet doesn't understand what has happened and there's no time to stop to figure out what has happened because The Royal Trials continue. The second trial is a quest to find the missing crown of Queen Ophelia. The crown that's been missing since her death seventeen years ago. Once away from the palace, Rybet not only faces the other ladies but magical storms, mutated humans/animals and gods wanting to kill her or toy with her. Then there are the three princes whom all want her heart.
Spectacular! Such a fun adventure. This book has it all; intrigue, danger, love, sexy times, heartbreak. Emotions and answers! It's such a rewarding read. Tate James is an amazing writer. Her characters, her stories are among the best of today's fiction in any genre, definitely at the top of the RH world. Her lead females are beautiful, strong, sassy, sarcastic, smart, sometimes selfish, always relatable. They are surrounded by secrets and are bombarded by the world. They own their choices and learn to rule their world with a little help from the sexy, adoring men by their sides. Rybet has a strong sense of honor and justice yet she's swayed by a pretty dress and hot water. I love this girl. One minute she's plotting against the crown, the next she's jealous as one of the girls admire one of her guys. My kind of girl! And the guys are all yummy. Her stolen moments with each one were perfect. How could she be expected to choose? The conflict over her affections is real.
This storyline advanced more than I could have ever imagined. One expected development but so many surprises. I never expected to learn so much and yet need so much more. Then that cliffhanger. Brilliantly cruel. I can't wait for more!
Rybet Waise is the notorious protege of Master Bloodeye the 'ruler' of the pond, a desolate area of the capital city. Trained from the time she was five, Rybet is a master pickpocket, criminal, and mercenary. When her trainee is taken by guards, Rybet sneaks into the royal palace to rescue him. Caught, a quick deception puts Rybec in competition with other young aristocratic women for the prince's heart. Years ago the kingdom was ruled by Queens wielding magic but when the last Queen was murdered and her daughter disappeared, rulers from a nearby kingdom filled the vacant throne. Now the eldest prince is set to take the throne and the ancient Royal Trials have been revived to find him a wife. Divided into three trials; botany and alchemy, combat, and history and politics, the trials will narrow down the kingdom's most elite ladies until only one is left. Three weeks at the most since Rybet plans to get herself dismissed from the competition quickly. But a binding oath, a deadly truth, and a not so veiled threat from Master Bloodeye, and Rybet finds herself in a dangerous position. Rybet is no more, Lady Callaluna is who she is now. And she must win the trials at all costs. She's surrounded by enemies, a few new allies, and is determined to make the Royals pay.
Imposter is sensational. It's like a great summer blockbuster that you just can't get enough of and you want to see (read) over and over. Tate James has created one of the most enchanting adventures I have encountered in quite a while. Irresistible characters and a fantastic premise full of secrets so cleverly written it is immediately addicting. Intrigue, deceptions, suspense, danger, sexiness. Hidden identities, questionable motives, dangerous games. Three trials, one beautiful, intelligent, snarky, irreverent female, 3 sexy princes each with their own secrets, a lethal court, and a viper. I was enthralled from the beginning to the scream-inducing cliffhanger. I am in love with this new series!
It's all come down to this. The final battle for Earth. Only Kit or Bridget can walk away as the sole Ban Dia. If Bridget wins humans will be enslaved and paranormals will wreak havoc. But first there's a bit of housekeeping to do and dark Kit and hellhound River are on a path of deadly destruction. Revenge has taken over. Kit fell apart after the death of her father and Lucy, and River is lost to his beast. The rest of the team is barely holding it together without Kit and Alpha but are determined to find and save them. As destructive as Kit and River's rampage is, it is also effective in creating her army so they are one step closer. When they discover the knowledge of an artifact that can help to destroy Bridget the team works to recover it. Now all of the pieces are in place. Evenly matched with paranormal armies and surprise allies the ultimate battle for earth begins.
The Alpha’s Pack is the thrilling conclusion to Kit's story. She is one of my all time favorites. I love her sassy, coffee-drinking, foul-mouthed, irreverent self. She's still that damaged little thief we met in book one who loved her sister and was grateful to her guardian but now she's so much more. She's a fierce, ass-kicking, magic-wielding warrior. She's a Ban Dai capable of more magic than any other paranormal in existence. She's a woman in love, trusting and comfortable with her dianoch in every situation. Her dianoch is one of the most perfect groups of men ever assembled. River, Wes, Austin, Caleb, Cole, and Vali are so unbelievably hot and sexy they can only exist on the pages of a book. Their love and loyalty for Kit make them even more irresistible. The level of sexiness in this book is unmatched. There are so many seriously hot scenes in every combination you could want. I found myself jealous of Kit! I actually want to do laundry now!!
The attention to detail was absolute. Every small facet of pre-war preparations, the battle, and its outcome were planned perfectly. There are surprises thrown in from beginning to end to keep the reader completely captivated. Then there's the epilogue. Perfect doesn't even begin to adequately describe how fitting it is. I can't imagine it any other way. Thank you, Tate James, for one of the most enjoyable RH series on the market. I will miss these characters but I know I can revisit them any time I want to and I know you have more wonderful books waiting to be written.
Kit is back! Kit's life has NEVER been easy but these days it seems to have taken an even more deadly turn. Life as a Ban Dia is non-stop. Non-stop intrigue, a search for answers, risk. She's surrounded by her men; their love, protectiveness, and desires but is all of this fair to them? She's been tricked and betrayed and this puts her in danger. The people around her are targets. She seems to put everyone she loves at risk. Each time she tries to do the right thing, it seems to backfire. She's a threat to their physical safety. She destroys all she touches, everyone, who comes near her. Good intentions don't matter. The collateral damage is too high. Maybe now it's time to do what she has always known would be best.
Christina, Kit, Vixen, Kitty-kat, Princess, Regina, Sweetheart, Kitten. So many names. So many roles; Ban Dia, girlfriend to her 6 guardians, daughter to a madwoman, adopted daughter, best friend, savior of the world. For a girl who thought that she was human until recently, a first-class pickpocket and coffee-addict, a survivor this is overwhelming. One day she is stealing precious baubles, now she is trying to stay one step in front of her murderous former bestie, her duplicitous mother, and her possibly betraying father. But she's not alone. She has her guys.
The Crow's Murder picks back up exactly where book 4 left off. Kit and Wesley were about to leave for Ireland when they were kidnapped. I am not going to give ANY details about this book. I will say that this first morning turned out to be one of the better mornings. Be ready for a roller coaster of emotions. Hope, humor, heartbreak, fury, worry, heartbreak, joy, frustration, fear, heartbreak. This book grabs you from the first word and doesn't let you go. It's outstanding. This series started out at near perfection and the excellence continues with each book. Kit, her guys, their familiars, her family, and friends are each such well-developed characters. Each one is formidable. There is no weakness to be found on either side and that's what keeps the level of suspense so high. A war is coming and the outcome can not be determined. There is trauma, betrayal, loss after loss. There is also love, affection, tenderness, passion. The world's survival, human versus supernatural power struggles may be what others are after but each moment between Kit and her guys make it so obvious what their fight is really about. Love. Family. This is why they will fight. This is why mistakes will be made. In the end, hopefully, they will be standing together. Individually they are strong. Together, they are unstoppable. Tate James has created one of my favorite series; so well-written, so entertaining. Moments after I finished, I selfishly, desperately wanted The Alpha's Pack, book 6!
Kit Davenport and her 6 dianoch are on the run. Since finding out that she is a ban dia capable of creating other supernaturals she has been hunted. Betrayed by her "father" she and the team are trying to stay one step ahead of the Omega Group. Kit is suffering from nightmares after her last and final encounter with Mr. Gray. Caleb is still secretly working with Kit's estranged mother, Bridget trying to gain control over his blood magic, and Kit herself must learn control over ink magic after bonding with Austin before she can bond any more of her boyfriends. To sum up: 1. Stay alive. 2. Learn ink magic. 3. Bond her other 5 boyfriends. 4. Save the world. *Important note: Keep an excessive amount of coffee in the house at all times!
I love these books. Honestly, I can't get enough of Kit and her guys. Action and adventure, danger, and suspense, romance and sex, sarcasm and humor! I love Kit. She's everything I could ask for in a lead female. She's gorgeous, intelligent, brave, snarky, funny, completely kick-ass. The guys, River, Wesley, Caleb and Austin, Cole and Vali make up the perfect harem (dianoch, in this case). I love the RH genre. I like the diverse characters that make up the harems. In so many books, the female adapts in small ways when she is with the guys. I believe that this harem better fits their female than any other I've read. Each guy fits one aspect of Kit's personality. They compliment her in the most ideal ways, each giving her something she needs. She never needs to compromise or change. Each guy believes she is perfect for them.
Tate James has created an exceptional series. At any time it can go from deadly chases to sexy adventures in the same breath. The characters are so believable and relatable. One minute they are fighting, the next laughing, and then possibly panting. This book is such a fun read. The danger kept me on edge, I worried about secrets being exposed and the subsequent reactions, I was irritated and suspicious over the adult's actions. It's incredibly sexy but also has parts that I died laughing over. The ending was unexpected and I'm already worked up about the wait for The Crow's Murder! I've already pre-ordered it. I love, love love this book and this series.
Tiger's Ambush marks the return of my favorite Vixen and her team of 'super spies' This book picks up exactly where Dragon's Wing left off. An angry Victor has returned home early to find unwanted guests Kit and the guys in his house. After getting what little information Vic is allowed to share (it's not much, but it's major), the team returns to Omega Headquarters. Kit's father wants to debrief the team and Kit is already late starting school. Unfortunately, the Director is still acting cagey and Kit's distrust continues to grow surrounding her father. This only deepens as suspicious accidents start happening around Kit at school and she heals her classmates. This isn't the only healing Kit does. She heals two more of her Team and soon after that another is held and hurt deliberately for her to heal. Some are changed, but with others, it's not obvious that there's an immediate difference. Something is going on, however, and secrets are being kept. Trust is an issue.
More information is discovered about Kit and an important mission is needed to retrieve a vital personal item. The Fox is back doing what she does better than anyone. Stealing. This time she has backup. But throw in an ex and a childhood nightmare and Kit is in over her head in the most deadly of situations. Her strength is showcased in this book. She is extraordinary!
This story has some of everything! Danger, suspense, mystery, intrigue, action, betrayal, torture, steamy sex, tender moments, and humor. There are a few story twists bringing additions that are very welcome. We learn so much about Kit and about several of the guys as well. Each guy gets plenty of focus and the relationships are all moving forward at their own individual rates. River, Cole, Wesley, Austin, Caleb, and Vali. These guys continue to impress. This book is my favorite kind of RH. There's plenty of sex, but the emotions are all there. I love when the relationships are meaningful. My only complaint is Austin. I am ready for some of the false hate to die down. Time to own up to the truth. Still, there's no denying how hot these two are together.
This book is pure entertainment. It is impossible to put down once you start reading, so be careful or you will be up all night. Although it's more than worth puffy eyes in the morning. It ends with a twist that leaves you wondering and more than a little fearful. So now all you can think about is how much you want The Viper's Nest. Kit is most dangerous that way, she leaves you both 100% satisfied and yet wanting more!
Trigger Warning: The abuse and trauma Kit suffers during one scene of this book are intense. Necessary for the storyline but they are brutal.
I LOVE THIS BOOK, THIS SERIES! Think of any and every superlative you can come quickly come up with; excellent, magnificent, wonderful, marvelous, supreme, outstanding, remarkable, fine, choice, premier, prime, unsurpassed, unequaled, unparalleled, unrivaled and it belongs in my review. I have a short list of favorite Reverse Harems and The Vixen is on that list.
Kit Davenport attracts trouble like no other. Who else could manage to get kidnapped while playing paintball?! And then turned over to sex auction? But in her defense, she does have a lot of enemies, some known, others still unidentified. As Kit finds herself on the auction block an old enemy resurfaces. Luckily a handsome, strangely familiar Romanian Romanul/Vali steps in to make her purchase and she is whisked across the world. Her new owner is ruthless and deadly, but he isn't exactly what he appears to be and before long Kit is on her way home. After having to save her captor's life first. Theirs is a complicated new relationship. Soon enough she's reunited with her guys. Homecomings are fun! However, life around Kit is never dull or safe and she's soon forced to heal herself and save the life of one of her team. This new ability Kit has is coming in handy, but there are strings attached. The team decides that answers must be found, so they decide to take off for Alaska to follow up on leads. There they encounter danger from several fronts, find a few answers, discover new questions, and fit in some sexy times!
This book is the perfect blend of action and romance, conflict, suspense, and resolutions. History plays an important role in this book on several fronts giving the story major depth. The reader is rewarded with plenty of team time with Kit. Super-steamy, but also so sweet. In many RH's the connections are purely sexual. With Kit and her guys, the emotional connections are right there alongside the sexual ones. Each relationship is unique. River and Cole, Wes, Austin, and Caleb each get quality individual and group time. This is an unbelievable group of men; one of my favorite harems ever. I couldn't pick a favorite if I tried! We learn more about each guy and each relationship is furthered in some way. The guys are all moving at their own pace with Kit so it is 100% believable. Kit, herself is sensational. She's intelligent, fearless, loving, snarky; she owns her sexuality and is a complete original. I unexpectedly love the additional character and I love that the villains are worthy opponents. I have NO negatives.
This is a worthy follow-up to Vixen's Lead and I am already counting the months for book 3. I have no idea what to expect next and I love that!
Amazing! Please note that as a rule I do not award 5 stars to the first book in a series. I let the series earn a 5 by the final book. However for The Vixen's Lead I am making an exception. I loved this book from the first to the last word.
Kit had a crappy childhood in foster care, one that she has tried to put behind her once she was adopted. Some nightmares can't be forgotten however and revenge works better for Kit than therapy. Along with her best friend/sister Lucy on tech support, Kit has become an internationally wanted thief, The Fox. They have been successful for years, but are finally caught. Being captured has never been so good! Rescuing Kit from a kidnapping, a team of secret agents takes her into their custody for her own protection. They work with her to find out who wants her, discover secrets from her past, and find out why she has special abilities. Their investigation turns into a suspenseful, dangerous adventure. It also leads to some sexy times as Kit grows closer to several of the team members.
This is a wonderful story. It's well-written, clever, and extremely detailed. It's original and has a few surprises. The cast of characters is top-notch. Kit is an intelligent, resilient, fiesty girl with a passion for designer shoes and a coffee addiction. Her strength is remarkable; her vulnerability is heartbreaking. Not only has she survived a horrible past, but she's still able to enjoy life. Her love for Lucy is exceptional. I loved that these two girls were each other's rock. Lucy is a brilliant little firecracker herself. These two are a dynamic duo. The guys were yummy! Cole and River stole my heart. The early morning/late night scene with these two and Kit was perfection to me. Wesley is adorably awkward, Caleb is a sweetheart, and Austin's unwarranted nastiness gives me something to fixate on for the future. Her time with each guy and with the group is nicely balanced and allows for each relationship to come about in a natural, believable way.
Truly, I can't stress enough how much I enjoyed this book. Fun, fun, fun. I could not put it down; it's definitely a read til the wee hours kind of book. I now have a new appreciation for the fox; beautiful and sharp-witted. There is so much to come with this story, so many unanswered questions still, so much progress to be made with the guys. I can't wait for book 2!
Trigger Warning: The abuse and trauma Kit suffered as a child could prove too much for some readers. It's never sensationalized and is necessary to the story, but the images are brutal.
Worst. Day. Ever. Cleo's been kicked out of her rental, her hair color is a vivid pink, her cat just died, and on the way to rescue some kittens from a vile kill shelter her house-bus has broken down on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere! Rescued by a drool-worthy Aussie Cleo ends up in a bar downing tequila with him and his friends and entering a deal that has consequences she couldn't even begin to imagine. They say no good deed goes unpunished. All Cleo wanted to do was to rescue some kittens; now she finds herself fighting for her life against an ancient goddess. Worst. Day. EVER.
**PLEASE NOTE: A portion of this story was published in the limited run charity anthology "Petting Them" but this is the extended, full version of Forgotten Gods Book 1 - Feral Magic.**
One magical amulet wearing little firecracker, three sexy cat (shh) shifters, one crazy goddess and her evil bastites all come together for the craziest road trip ever. Cleo is all sass and snark. Her running commentary is my favorite part of the book. Hunter, Bo, and Raze bring the hotness. This is some excellent storytelling; full of twists, packed with sexiness, and overflowing with laughs. Plus, it manages to be a completed story and still have a cliffhanger. Nice accomplishment.
Jackson. Everly. Caiden. Love can save. Love can destroy. Sometimes it can do both. No one knows that better than these three. Everly chose Jackson but he failed her. He broke her. Now that Caiden is awake, can he be her hero? They once promised her forever but instead of Being her Prince Charmings, they turned into monsters. Can she get her HEA after all or will the darkness win?
Angst personified. This book is tension from page one and never lets up. This book isn't flowers and candy, romance and sweet sentiments. It about obsession, dangerous infatuation, failed beginnings, and tragic endings. Soulmate or stalker? Lover or tormentor? It's a fine line in Everly's life. She brings out the dangerous passions of men. It was a struggle for me to accept Everly being with Jackson after book one. He broke them. I don't forgive easily and I never forget. Memories haunt the present and can tarnish the future. I don't deny their love; I'm just not certain it was enough. Until Caiden came to play. After the world went dark and the sociopath was loosed among the students, I wanted nothing more than Everly safe in Jackson's field of wildflowers. Intense, tragic, compelling. A twisted bond that will never disappear. An absolute must-read duet.
As a child, they were her saviors, as a young woman they were her destruction. Everly met Caiden and Jackson, twin brothers when she was eleven and they rescued her from schoolyard bullies. They became her best friends and for years they were her world. But in Everly's world, good things aren't meant to last. When Jackson turned his back on her, she chose Caiden and destroyed all three.
Opposites. One who looks like a dark prince but is full of light, the other looks like an angel but is full of darkness. Caiden and Jackson seem to complement and complete each other. As close as twin brothers can be until they fall in love with the same girl. They both loved her from the first moment they saw her as a child but it didn't become a problem until they both wanted a woman's love, not a childhood friend. This is a common enough theme but this story is elevated by the depth of the characters. Something that I have come to expect with this talented author. At a glance, it seems there is light and dark but as you get into the story, you find much of it exists in the shadows. The characters are beautiful and then they are not. They are ugly but then again, they are not. They are human, flawed, and sometimes twisted. They elicit so much emotion. My heart broke for all three; they were always heading for a fall. I didn't expect it to be as tragic as it turned out to be but then I didn't expect the characters to take the directions that they did either. The mystery at the school was intriguing as well. I have my theories as to who is behind the cruel pranks and I am eagerly looking forward to the second book for the answers.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. Ari is back with her guys. They are the biggest band in the world. They have what they dreamed of since they were in their teens. But nothing feels right since Ari survived being shot by Gentry. They are scared. It's slipping away. And when Ari gets a chance at her dreams, it might be their end.
This was my favorite book of the series. Partly because it was Tanner's book but it was so much more. Anyone who knows my reviews knows that I want my HEA. But it has to be real. I don't want a glossed over, superficial ending. I want true connections, deep emotions. This book gave me all I could ask for. Tanner wasn't the only member of this group with demons. Arianna had lost herself years ago. How could she devote herself completely to her men if she didn't even know who she truly was? Her journey was highly personal and I connected to it deeply. Tanner's fight was painful and ugly. It hurt, there's no denying it. He broke my heart more than once. But in the end, it was beautiful. The emotional growth and healing of these characters gave their story such depth, such realism. For an author who has frequently scared me by saying she has never finished a series, CR Jane wrapped this one up superbly. I hate to say goodbye but I do so with a smile on my face.
Remember You This Way
Ariana is back with her boys after five years. Now world-famous rockstars, Jensen, Tanner, and Jesse have never gotten over the girl they left behind and lost. Now that she's back in their lives, they aren't going to let her out of their sight again. Ari joins the guys on their world-tour, even taking a turn on stage herself. But five years is a long time and Ari has secrets and a past that can still hurt her. Gentry isn't the type of man to allow her to just walk away. One way or the other, he will get what he wants. The guys and Ari might not get their second chance after all.
I enjoyed book one. I loved book two. It's not often that I can honestly say that the second book is better in every way, but in this case, it's the truth. The characters are more in-depth, it's more suspenseful, the sexual tension and steamy scenes are even hotter, the danger more deadly, the story is simply more addictive. Although we get time with all of the guys and Ari, this is Jensen's book. His anger, his hurt, his unpredictability. Jensen is intense. This guy has a heart that has been damaged too many times already and he keeps it guarded but when he loves, he does so completely. I loved his character's story. Heartbreaking.
I also love that Ari is starting to question her role. She needs to figure out exactly who she is and what she wants outside of the guys. To be a complete woman, there must be more to her world than her guys. She's smart, talented, and beautiful. Whether she's writing or singing, she needs to step out of their shadow.
My only criticism of this book concerns their lack of communication. The guys forgiving Ari for not showing up all those years ago and never getting an explanation drives me crazy. Her not discussing their behavior during their time apart is unrealistic. Of course, she doesn't need to know about every last hook-up but she should be warned about regulars. When someone is hitting on or harassing or stalking, the others should know. There is not enough sharing and trust yet. This proved to be major.
I cannot wait until the next book. The transition from their past love to a forever love has me captivated. I cannot get enough of Ari and her guys.
Remember Us This Way: The Sounds of Us Book 1 by
She knew them before. Before the stadium tours, the millions of adoring fans, the #1 hits. She was their girl, promises were exchanged. She was the one who broke her word. She was the one who broke all four hearts. She's never forgotten them and even though it's been years, she still loves them. But what about them? How do they feel? Do they even remember her? This is her chance to see. Her last chance to see the only boys she's ever wanted; the last chance to save herself.
I love RH, especially contemporary RH. I love rock star romances. I love CR Jane's writing, her characters, their stories. I loved Remember Us This Way. It's not often a book surprises me but this one did. I wasn't expecting the circumstances. I wasn't expecting all of the pain. This is a book of mistakes and regrets, broken promises and heartache. It's emotional; a brief moment of happiness and elation followed by fear, shame, remorse, anger, hurt. There is a sense of hopelessness hanging over Ari. The tension is palpable. The sense of foreboding from the beginning that grows with every page creating absolute dread from my worries.
We get to know Ari, Tanner, Jensen, and Jesse through flashbacks and current days. We follow their relationship from the first instant they see each other, through their short time together in school, to their separation; from the beginning of their dreams to the guys' current success and Ari's nightmare. These characters are flawed, damaged. Their weaknesses are fully exposed. Their love for one another is not freely shared until it's too late. Communication fails. Their choices, especially Ari's are a series of mistakes. Love is only a small part of their story.
This book was close to a 5-star for me but I needed a little more. I need to understand Ari a little more. On the one hand, she's strong enough to survive her parents and her upbringing but she never let go of her broken beginning. I'm not talking about breaking her promise to the guys, I'm talking about each choice she made after she broke her word. Every aspect of her and Gentry is wrong and doesn't endear her to me. The explanations were not enough. I won't go into details because I don't want spoilers but her actions are contrary to her intelligence, survival skills, her love for the guys. I was bothered by the guys never making any attempt to get her to change her mind, no talking, no visits. I was also bothered by the fact no words of feelings were ever exchanged. At their original age without any declarations of love, there was nothing truly binding them together. Too much was left unsaid. The boy's dreams took precedence. I loved the originality of this RH but without these key insights, the group wasn't solid enough for me to fully embrace. I am desperate for the next book. Maybe more so than for any other one of this author's series. I need my issues resolved and I am interested to know what kept Ari from following through with their plans. I need to know how the guys handle the cliffhanger. The next scene is make or break for me.
Faded Realms: The Fated Wings Series Book 5 by
Eva escaped Aiden's grasp but he hasn't given up. Even in New York, safe in her men's arms, he's invading her dreams, still proving his control over her. He's made it clear that he will get rid of her men and have her once again. She belongs to him. He's not the only part of Eva's life that has her confused and scared. Finding out that she was the fae queen of a lost kingdom should have been enough but she knows there is still much of her history that is unknown to her. Why does she keep seeing past pictures of herself that evoke memories? What other secrets has she hidden from herself? Each one that she discovers rocks her belief in who she truly is. And with each revelation, she worries that she will lose the men that she holds past connections with and that hold her heart today.
Faded Realms continues Eva's story. This is one of the most complex, detailed stories in RH combining multiple past histories for each of the main characters as well as the present day storyline. These relationships are so incredibly complicated; past love, past hurts, love found and lost, present-day jealousies and insecurities. When you stop and think about the amount of consideration given to Eva, each of her men, Aiden, Lexi, and even Eric it's mindboggling. The fact that it is addictively entertaining takes it up another level. This book continues the detailed excellence of the prior books. However, I can't give it my usual 5-star. Yes, it's well thought out, beautifully written but my rating can only be a 4.5 star this time because of Eva. I am not a fan of characters professing their love and then keeping secrets or offering up lies. I don't care about their reason whether they want to show their strength and independence or they want to protect someone, or they are simply scared to tell. Secrecy does not ever equal love. I am consistent with this belief but it is multiplied many times over in RH. RH is already stretching reality. One girl with three perfect men who could all get any girl they wanted, all compromising, sharing, putting the girl first. I LOVE RH so I suspend the arguments against this ever working. However, the girl is already demanding so much from the guys, if she starts withholding parts of herself or information the guys deserve to know, I can't get beyond this. Aiden has already put the guys through so much when he took her, he has threatened their very existence, she has a connection to Aiden that could be key. There is no excuse for Eva's silence. They deserve better from her.
This book focused on the relationships, settling bonds. It served as a set-up for things to come. I hope that when the next major challenge occurs that the men are armed with all of the knowledge that they need to be in a fair fight. I look forward to the past coming to light and Eva and her men moving forward together, solidly in their love.
Afternote: Does anyone else hold a grudge against Beckham over the past? Mason was beyond perfect in this book and Damon was his difficult, volatile, sexy self but Beckham and his widow lost some of my love. Lonely!?! Total fail on his part and I am holding it against him in this life. Yes, I am ridiculous!
Eva has disappeared. Vanished. Damon, Mason, and Beckham are losing their minds. But it seems Lexi has been keeping a secret or two and believes that she knows who has Eva and how to find her but they need Beckham's memory. Surprises keep coming from the little red-headed devil. As soon as their limited memories are shared these three along with Beckham set off to rescue Eva. Eva is with King Aiden. He tells her she's the Queen and that she was stolen centuries ago, and that he's been searching for her desperately ever since. Eva has no memories of this first life and only a few horrid memories of her last life. Still, there's something that seems almost familiar about Aiden and he seems to want to be close to her. He's helping her to discover and unlock her powers but she can't seem to fully bring herself to trust him. At night she is haunted by dreams that seem more like hidden memories and each time she seems to be getting closer to Aiden, she hears familiar voices in her mind. As her men get closer, desperately looking for her time is running out. If she accepts too much of this new life, she will forget her past altogether. Will they be able to reach her in time or will King Aiden have his Golden Queen?
Forbidden Queens is remarkable. The amount of detailing needs to be applauded. World-building, Eva's history, magical manipulation and its history, dreamscapes, and modern-day storylines are all integral to the story. This is such a layered adventure. Honestly, it could easily have been information overload with how much we learn about Eva and her past but the way it's written allows tons of information to be distributed in multiple entertaining ways that keep the story moving along nicely. Again the writing needs to be applauded. Some information gives us those 'aha' moments, some causes worry and tension to build, some is vital, all are fascinating. We also get to see Eva evolve from a lost girl who was thrilled to experience life for what she thought was the first time and start to embrace who she truly is. A Queen. She's powerful beyond imagination and this has helped her gain confidence even during this hardship. I think this is only the beginning for Eva. This isn't just Eva's story, however. Lexy and the guys each play a major role. The complexity of the emotions they all cycle through is like a roller coaster. Each new revelation creates inner turmoil. Even the good information they receive/remember comes with a heavy toll. Plus, with their anxiety over Eva and their shared jealousy, these men are nearing the breaking point. Then there's Aiden. This man is unbelievable. He's mysterious, powerful, charming (when he wants to be), obsessed and quite possibly utterly devoid of any compassion. He's a formidable danger.
Finally, I need to mention the ending. Just when we thought that maybe life was settling down a bit, BOOM, another visit with Lexy. One little statement. One major new question. Why do I think it's going to get even more complicated for Eva and her men? With the incredible imagination of CR Jane, I know it will be another amazing chapter in Eva's life. I do hope there's some time for her to enjoy her men before she's thrown into turmoil again.
The Fallen One: The Fated Wings Series Book 3 by C.R. Jane *****REVIEW
Damon Pierce. Fallen Angel. Football star. Beautiful, arrogant, cynical. Falling from Grace, spending thousands of years with humans has left Damon disillusioned. Nothing has the shine of Paradise. There's only sports, drinking, sex. Amusements, nothing more. Until Eva.
The Fallen One is Damon's story. Explanations, betrayals, motives. This is an information-packed novella that will make you fall even more in love with Eva's Fallen Angel. This in-depth glance into his past makes him more 'human'. His outward perfection, his arrogance, his dismissal of humans is only a fraction of who he truly is. There's depth to him, a deep longing for his one true mate. He has regrets and still misses his earliest best friends. He cares deeply for those he lets into his world. Learning more about him and reading his POV from book one makes it obvious how much Eva means to him and the lengths that he will go to to find her. She's vital for his existence. She brought the color back into his life.
I loved Damon from the beginning. I love him even more now that I understand him. I can't wait to see what happens next! I think he will turn the world upside-down, burn it to the ground to get Eva back. I love a man/Fallen Angel who is willing to move Heaven and Earth, visit Hell to get the woman he wants.
Eva's life has gone from being locked in an attic to attending Hollywood awards shows; from being groped by her foster father to being on the arm of gorgeous, talented men; from being hidden away to being the center of attention. First, she catches the attention of Damon Pierce, star quarterback, then his best friend Mason Shaw, the talented lead singer of a hugely popular band, and finally their third friend Beckham Stone, one of Hollywood's biggest stars. These three men aren't human and they recognize Eva as being more than human as well. They also are willing to throw away their centuries of friendship with one another to have her. She's that special. However, they weren't the first to realize this and her past catches up with her in a most terrifying way. Confusing relationships, unwanted attention, jealousy, and obsession. Complications Eva didn't expect. Add in dreams that feel like memories and the real world is more confusing and more overwhelming than Eva could have ever imagined.
Forgotten Specters is the second book in the Fated Wings series. Book one set the stage, introduced the characters. Book two truly begins Eva's story. And it is good! Eva is a delight. So beautiful, so open, so sweet. There's new information on the mystery surrounding who/what she is. We get glimpses of what appear to be her memories with one of the men from a past life. We start to understand all of the men more, learn their powers, see their struggles with jealousy, their desire for Eva. The individual POV's give true insight into what each main character is thinking and feeling. The paranormal world is much larger, much closer than we knew and Eva appears to have an important role in coming events.
This book takes quite a turn at one point into a traumatic event. Shocking. Enthralling. I could not put this book down! It is seriously entertaining. I can't wait to get the guy's POV's. I believe this event might be what actually makes them realize how important Eva is and that they don't need to make her choose. She feels a bond to each of them, they all feel deeply for her, they will all be important to her story. I can't wait until they realize that. It ends on a cliffhanger that already has me begging for more!
First Impressions: The Fated Wings Series Book 1 by C.R. Jane *****REVIEW
Eva was a child lost to the foster system. For four years she has been locked in an attic, mentally and physically abused in the cruelest manner. Allowed downstairs for dinner one evening, she finds a letter addressed to her in the garbage. It's an acceptance letter to the prestigious Rothmore College with a full scholarship, room, and board. After months of careful planning, Eva escapes and makes her way to New York to her new life. Once at Rothmore Eva quickly embraces her new opportunity. This life is wondrous to Eva. Each experience new and enlightening. Caught up in her new world Eva does not realize her effect on people. She has an incomparable beauty. A beauty that stuns people into silence, causes people to fall all over themselves to grab her attention, to please her. She quickly gathers male admirers, including the school's star quarterback, Damon Pierce. Damon has never met a female who could resist him until Eva. Now he's found the girl he wants and he's determined not to lose her. Unsure for the first time in his life Damon goes slow and befriends Eva with a long-term plan to make her his. He's making slow progress with his dream girl when suddenly he has true competition, his best friend, and roommate, Mason Shaw. Mason is the lead singer of a band and when he spots Eva in the crowd, every other woman pales in comparison. He knows he must have her. Sweeping her off her feet, Mason asks her to a major event where Eva once again attracts a new admirer, Damon and Mason's third friend, Beckham Stone. There's something unusual about Damon, Mason, and Beckham but it seems that Eva is pretty special herself.
First Impressions is a marvelous start to a new RH paranormal series. I loved every second of this book. Eva could have been a broken soul after her childhood. Instead, she is smart, talented, private, and has no idea of her true self but she is open to all of life's possibilities. Fresh experiences each new day with her, enjoying simple things we take for granted is a delight. Her lack of ego is refreshing. I adore her character. I was afraid that I would hate Damon and Mason. I am not a fan of the man-whore and these two certainly have a long history of using women. However, their immediate change after meeting Eva made their pasts seem less significant. Damon was so careful of Eva, so attentive, so gentle. Even with his less than scrupulous plans to keep her close, I felt like he truly fell for her. Mason was a whirlwind. What girl wouldn't be caught up in this force of nature? And while we only got a moment with Beckham, he sure had an impact!
This is a book of introductions. We meet the main characters, we get to know them or at least get a feel for them. They have all met, the chemistry is immediate, intense, natural. The stage is set now for an amazing story. I have a new obsession. I hate to be 'that' reader but I am desperate for more!
Lost Passions: The Timeless Affection Series 2 by
Juliet describes her life as a tragedy with beautiful moments. She is cursed/blessed to be a time traveler. Over the centruries, she has fallen deeply in love with five extraordinary men only to be torn away from them as she fades into another time. Each time she travels she leaves a piece of her heart, a piece of her soul behind until she felt that she just couldn't go on any longer. But this time when she was ripped away, she found herself back at the beginning. Back with James. Maybe this time would be different. Maybe this time there would be answers. Maybe this time her love would be allowed.
I am a fervent admirer of all of C.R. Jane's work, however, this is my favorite of all her series. I consider her among the best of the RH authors. Her writing is strong, her stories original, her characters lovable. I place her at the top of the genre for creating stories with a romantic feel to them. Her females are strong, intelligent, and beautiful but they are set apart from others by their fanciful touch. The Timeless Affection series embodies this quality and Juliet is pure romance. I read them and get a sense of nostalgia like I am traveling with Juliet through the years. Each dream she has makes me sentimental, every sweet or painful memory she has is like my own. I am swept into and away by her story.
This book was difficult at times, truly painful. Juliet thought losing her loves was the worst. Being returned to them will be just as difficult. Heartbreak, sorrow, feelings of betrayal, abandonment, and anger must be dealt with. Explanations will not be believed. But at least now there is hope. Hope for reunions, hope for a future. It's a beautiful story
*Through it all, the question remains. If you lived forever...could you love forever? (This last line in the book's blurb is hauntingly perfect to me.)
Lamented Pasts (Timeless Affection #1)
Juliet has loved and been loved. Men have wanted to protect her, cherish her, own her, save her. She has given a piece of her heart to each of her loves. But it never lasts. Juliet is cursed to fade away and reappear in a new time, a new place, always the same age. Each time she leaves a piece of her heart behind, a piece of herself. As Juliet travels across the centuries, she finds herself alone, broken, only to find love again. Could this time be
the time she stays or is she destined to be ripped away again with only her precious memories? James Kensington, Landon Torrio, Will Darling, and Gabriel Williams. These men each brought her immeasurable joy and even as she falls in love again, she continues to hold her other loves in her heart. Always searching, always missing her lost loves. And now, today there is Liam...
Lamented Pasts is beautiful, haunting, romantic, heartbreaking, passionate. Juliet is one of the most tragic, most fortunate women to be featured in fiction. Her life is a blessed curse. Is it better to have known great love and lost it or to have never loved at all? She makes the age-old question personal. She's extraordinary; beautiful, sensitive, alive. She's also broken, guarded, and deeply fatigued from her losses. Each new life, she tries to distance herself from others but love finds her. The connection is possibly magical with its immediate depth. Souls recognizing one another. She can't avoid falling in love and then disappearing, leaving pain behind with her absence and increasing her own suffering. And the men; a future king, a mobster, a soldier, and a blacksmith. They are gorgeous, powerful, kind, cruel, simple, complicated. Each offers her a different life, bringing out a different aspect of her being, but all love her deeply and passionately. She's perfectly happy with each man, loving him each day that they are given until she fades away.
This book touched me on a level books rarely do. It has a dreamlike quality. I ached for Juliet. Each love story was exquisite, each man so uniquely charming, each love story and disappearance so poignant. I was transported through time, fell in love myself, and shared the pain. Now I eagerly await to see what happens next. The author promises an eventual HEA; I'm not sure how it will work but I am counting on my tears being happy and not bittersweet in the end.
Coralee June
AggroBreeze has always lived in Violet's shadow. "The shout and the little whisper". Violet owns her world. She's outgoing, beautiful, popular. Breeze prefers to avoid attention. She's more comfortable surfing the waves than under the spotlight. Her happiness is found at her family's surf shop and in the waves. But Violet is Breeze's person, her bestie. Breeze loves her like a sister. So when she is murdered, Breeze is devastated. To survive, she needs the two boys in Violet's life, Chase, her twin, and Kai, her boyfriend. It's not clear, however, if they will save her or destroy her.
This book started out near perfection but didn't keep up its momentum. Still, it was enjoyable. I'm not sure I've ever read a book where I didn't trust anyone other than the MC until this one. I didn't trust one word out of anyone's mouth, didn't trust anyone's motives, and never trusted the "facts". There were a couple of times I was unnecessary suspicious but most of the time my skepticism was warranted. I wanted to grab Breeze, remove her from every other character, and move her to a less corrupt island. She was too trusting, too forgiving, too good for the people in her world, and on this island. This was the type of book where I was consumed by the story even though I didn't like the characters and pretty much had the mystery solved early on. It was like witnessing an accident in slow-motion; I just couldn't look away. I needed to know that I was correct in my assumption, I needed Breeze to get her hEA, and I was hoping for redemption of a few of the characters. I got what I wanted. Satisfaction!
Santobello won the last round. The Moretti Empire is in shambles. But they are all still alive. For now. They need time to recover and plan but Santobello seems to always be a step or two ahead of Gavriel Moretti and the rest of the Bullets. It's time to run. Time to live in Sunshine's world. Time to split off from Nix and Grace. Time to go off the grid. But there is one person out there who even Santobello is afraid of. Lily. So even while on the run they have a plan, they must find Lily. It's time to end this fight once and for all.
I don't know what to say. I liked this conclusion. I didn't like this conclusion. I like the revenge and the justice. I liked the time spent getting to know a darker, more dangerous side of Blaise. I like that Gav found his footing. I do not like lost, broken Gav; I love powerful, controlling Gav. I like that Callum stopped pretending. I liked Lily's power but had questions. I would have liked more Moretti Senior. I would have loved more Alessandro. I don't like that Nix disappeared. It seemed so totally out of character. I liked that Sunshine finally remembered that she was a survivor but I have come to terms with the fact I am not a fan of parts of her personality. She claims to love the Bullets, claims to be happy with them but she stays stuck in her head and seems depressed most of the time. I've decided that this is just her. Despite her name she is not a sunny person even though I want her to be. I just don't see what the Bullets see in her. But that's okay too. Finally, I didn't like their ever after. I realize it works for them but it didn't for me. Still, it was well-written and kept me entertained until the final page.
Summer Bright is dead, a name on a tombstone. But Sunshine lives. And she's back with the Bullets. They are all together again, all focused on bringing her father down. It's turning out to be harder than they thought because he's protected by Santobello who is determined to take back Gavriel's business. But when Paul Bright reveals one last secret he brings out the darkness of the most reluctant Bullet and his fate is sealed. Unfortunately, there is collateral damage.
I didn't love this second book as much as the first one. I felt like it moved too slowly; like maybe this series could have been better as two books instead of three and we wouldn't have so much time waiting for the next move. I also felt like Sunshine was a bit too lost in her own head way too much of the time. I would have preferred time between her and the guys rebuilding their relationships to her lost in her thoughts. It still feels that there's such reluctance and distance between her and the guys. They are devoted to her but do they like her, love her? Not the girl she was, but the woman she is. They think she's beautiful, they loved her as teens, but do they even really know her now? Are they in love with the idea of Sunshine? Are they following Gav? And the scene Nyx created for Sunshine and Blaise was not for me. It may not be cheating and it was consensual but that's not my idea of love. I would love more between all of them beyond sex and memories.I have to give a nod to Uncle Joe. Love this grumpy man and his Mrs. Joe. I wanted to adopt him myself.I look forward to the final book. I'm hoping the Sunshine who survived for years on her own finds her place among the Bullets. I want to see more of the girl who stood up to Callum and less of the self-doubting victim. Enough with the counting, own this world. Take your place beside the Bullets.
Once Summer was the Golden Girl; sweet, innocent, a good student, the perfect daughter of the police chief's perfect family. She played the part of a good girl beautifully with one exception or three. She had a secret friendship with the Bullets, the local gang. They were the town's bad boys; underground fighters, drug dealers, womanizers but Summer knew a different side to them. With her, they were gentle, protective. She was their Sunshine. Until it all fell apart and she disappeared. Summer was no more. She ran, changed her look, her name. She lived on the streets, did what she had to do. She survived. The Bullets and one of her dad's officers came together from the day she disappeared. Never believing that she was dead, they didn't give up until they found her. Now they have her back. It's the same but so very different. She's a different girl than the innocent girl they once knew. The guys are all grown up now and much more dangerous. A crime boss, a pro fighter, a bounty hunter, and a federal agent all bonded over the girl they once knew, the girl they all loved. Still love. However, Sunshine ran for a reason. Now that her past has caught up to her, it may kill her.
Sunshine and Bullets is extraordinary. For me, it was also a difficult read. It's well-written, the characters are indescribable, the storyline is fantastic. It's gritty, ugly, mean, and left me raw. I can deal with anything and everything Sunshine did to survive. I would never question or judge a person for their actions to remain in existence. It's the men who cause me pain, even as teens. The teasing, taunting, controlling, all while sleeping around. The pedestal she was placed upon was cold and lonely and to watch them easily give affections to so many others was callous at best. The adult men are brutal, cruel. Gavriel wants to control her. Blaise wants to see her. Callum wants to save her. Ryker wants to punish her. They are broken, complex and angry but it went too far in both Gav and Ryker's cases. They each caused me to have a negative physical reaction during their scenes. Sunshine may have left them, hurt them, angered them but she had reason and they had never been open enough or honest enough for her to understand how they truly felt about her. They each did what they wanted in life and then punished her for doing what she felt like she had to for herself and for them. Adult Blaise hopefully has outgrown his manwhore ways if he wants Sunshine and Callum has always been sweet and sexy. I also need to note her best friend, Nix. I look forward to so much more of this guy! Brilliant, commanding, twisted, loyal. Love him and can't wait to see him with the Bullets.
This story is a compelling, beautifully damaged, dark romance full of monsters. It's told in the present day and in flashbacks. It's abrasive yet there are enough moments of light that it keeps the reader from becoming overwhelmed. I was definitely out of my comfort zone but in the best way. I do believe in the love story despite the ugliness. Sunshine and the Bullets will never be perfect but if they stay together, they may do more than survive. They may get their twisted version of HEA. Despite my fears, I am anxiously eager for the next book.
Lies and Other Drugs (Lies #1)
Octavia has lost her twin brother. The official report is an accidental overdose but she knows better. It was murder. And her sole purpose in life, her obsession is to kill his murderer. So she drops her life as an artist in California and heads across the country to Blackwood University to destroy the ones responsible for his death. Justice. Revenge. At any cost.
I'm not sure what to say. If you know me, you know I am a Pollyanna (Look it up). I want everyone to hug it out, I demand the HEA. Coralee June took me out of my comfort zone with Sunshine and Bullets. She shattered me with this book. Each character is flawed, none are truly likable. It's ugly, dark, raw. It's powerful. Octavia is broken. Her mind is schizophrenic. She feels too deeply but not as a normal person feels. Her twin loved and hated her. It seemed he could only take her in small doses, he feared her on some level and hid parts of himself from her. Her closest relationship is with her alcoholic therapist Noah. He may really love her but it's toxic at this stage. Her brother's lover, Youngblood becomes Octavia's first target. Their time together is twisted. Young isn't a bad guy but he's weak and that makes him dangerous. Octavia's chemistry with Samuel is nuclear but he's just no good. Samuel is also weak. His obsession with appearance and not failing is common enough but the extremes he goes to show a complete lack of character. Renon would be the lowest character in their world but he's also the most honest. He never hides his motivation. His night with Octavia is interesting on every level. Even Mrs. Mulberry is a compellingly original character. I am not sure there has ever been a more complex or more disturbing cast of characters in any book.
This is not my kind of book. It upset me, destroyed me at times. I couldn't relate to any of the characters. I become the lead female in every book I read. We exist as one. Being Octavia hurt. Meeting the men made it worse. I would sympathize with the characters for a moment and then they would do something so upsetting, that I was repelled. There is not one lasting moment of sweetness or tenderness. It's page after page of pain. Yet it's enthralling. It's so well-written, so different. I couldn't put it down. I couldn't understand Octavia's harem or if it even qualified as a harem. Hook-ups with no emotional attachment, no affection. What does this mean? It drew me in with each increasingly disturbing revelation. The end left me desperate for more. This is a book that disturbed me, troubled me, hurt me, and possibly possessed me. I am fearfully awaiting book 2. I'm not sure how much more I can handle but I know that I have no choice. Octavia now owns me. We are on this journey together until the end.
So much as changed in Ashleigh's life. She's no longer a servant to the Stonewell Household, she's a free woman in Dormas. Free to live life as she wants, free to love. She lives in Black Manor with the 6 councilmen Maverick, Cyler, Jacob, Huxley, Patrick, and Kemper. She has a job at the bakery and she's drawing and painting again. Josiah has shown his character, betrayed her and by doing so, freed her heart to move on. However, now that Emperor Lackley has set his sights on the riches of Dormas and has shown he's willing to do anything, including harming Ash to control its leaders, it's clear that war is coming.
This is a wonderful continuation of The Walker Series. Ash is continuing to find her voice and become a stronger person. The men are all beginning to make it clear what she means to them, individually and as a group. This development is still a little frustrating since there wasn't enough communication. It seemed as if there would be a move in the right direction but nothing would ever play out. Yes, I am impatient. I did enjoy the special moments. The new characters, the Scavengers are fantastic. Mia and Tallis bring strength, wildness, and a sense of uncontrollable action to the story. Tallis even manages to make Jules interesting. I realize that I'm supposed to be more sympathetic to her now but her circumstances still don't change her behavior. Her immaturity, pettiness, and general nasty demeanor need adjusting.
The political story again captured my interest. It moves forward more naturally and with more intensity than the RH portion of the storyline. Emperor Lackley is horrid! Josiah is weak! Together they make a dangerous opponent. That ending. I don't know what to think. Good? Bad? Better? Worse? I'm concerned. With the Council, the Scavengers, and their secret weapons, one brat and a walker I think everything will turn out okay, but there will be a price to pay. I look forward to reading more.
Since Virus X appeared the world is divided into three groups, the Elite, Walkers, and Scavengers. The Elite could afford the vaccine to the virus. They hold the power and wealth of the world. Walkers are the poor. They either die from the virus, are bought by the Elite, vaccinated, and forced into a lifetime of servitude or they are the rare individual with natural immunity. Scavengers refuse to play by society's rules and live in the deadlands, the wilds. Ashleigh is a Walker. She was born with natural immunity but since she was orphaned as a young child, she was sold to the Governor's family. She was raised to cook, clean, and serve the family; to think less of her own value. Somewhere along the way she fell in love with the son of the house, Josiah and although he realizes that they can never be together, she believes he cares for her too. So when visitors arrive and a political engagement is announced, Ashleigh's heart is broken. Even worse, Josiah agrees to trade Ashleigh as part of the negotiations. Ash soon finds herself on the way to Dormas with one of its leaders Cyler. Established in the leadership Manor with all six of the town's leadership council Ash discovers freedom like never before. Torn between missing Josiah and discovering the family she's never had Ash's new life is more than she ever dreamed of. But Josiah isn't ready to let his little Walker go and his weakness places sh in danger. her new life, her life might be over just as it's truly beginning.
One of my first literary loves is dystopian stories. I love them all! The creativity, the world building, throwing away everything we know and starting all over again. Naturally, this story appeals to me. The setting, the destruction of the world due to virus x, the continued/reinforced class system. I enjoy the characters. Ashleigh is lovely, sweet. I liked her struggle to embrace freedom after having lived only as a Walker. I like that she is an artist and baker. I relate. I hope this is explored more. Josiah is weak. I do not care for a man who refuses to risk his power for something more important than position. Jules is an immature, spoiled brat. It's not clear yet if she's anything more. The Dormas Councilmen are intriguing. Cyler, his commanding way with his unpredictable mouth. His brother Maverick, intelligent and thoughtful. Jacob, sweet, gorgeous yet insecure about his place within the family. Patrick, always easy-going and fun. His twin, Huxley brooding and at times threatening. And Kemper, the sweet, shy perfectionist. I admit sometimes it was difficult to separate their voices. Their descriptions were clear but when everyone was together, the characters became blurred at times. I also couldn't warm up to Huxley. Too harsh for no good reason to Ash and also cowardly in his own way. And while Jacob had the most story, he was the least developed man. Cy, Mav, and Kemp were more successfully developed. Josiah and Ash are the only characters that felt fully developed. The others are all 'in-progress' and that's okay for a series. This is advertised as a slow-burn RH and it is definitely that. After setting a limitation that Ash is only to be thought of as a sister, all romantic progress is halted. There is nothing more than glances and short touches. A little frustrating but appropriate for the storyline.
The big picture storyline interests me. Government greed, corruption, danger. I can't wait to see how it all plays out and how everyone fits in. One little issue that bothered me; where is Josiah's mother? Mrs. Stonewall featured so heavily early on and then disappeared. Did I miss something? Anyway, this is a good start to the series. I look forward to more.
K - Authors
KA Knight
Dawn's husband abused her, finally killed her. But he didn't get the job done and when she comes back she wants revenge. She doesn't know how she's back, she doesn't know what she is and it doesn't matter. Now she's powerful. Now she's deadly. Now she's a monster. And she's not alone.
This is not your typical RH! A forest god, a fallen, a soul-eating dragon, and a minotaur, not to mention the little monster Dawn. Vampires, fae, shifters, and witches. It's a paranormal feast! The monsters are lethal but lovable. The humans are not. It's emotional, surprising, entertaining, and so original. It's hot. A little too bloody for my tastes; I don't like my sex quite so violent, but it seems to be working for Dawn and her first two mates.
This first book is setting the stage; introducing the characters and laying out the major storyline. There is great attention to detail. The connections are being made and right as it all starts coming together, it all falls apart. It ends with quite a predicament! You will be screaming for more.
Voyage to Ayama (Dawnbreaker, #1)
Indy didn't sign up for this. Her parents did. She was fine with her life on Earth but her parents joined the mission to colonize a new planet Ayama so, for now, she lives on the Dawnbreaker as it travels across space. But when tragedy strikes Indy is left orphaned. She has her best friend Effie and her father stepping in and Barrot, the guard who was with her the day her parents died watching over her but she is mostly alone. To fill the void of her parents' losses she becomes a bit of an adrenaline junkie. She becomes the youngest pilot trainee in history and loves the thrill of the illegal races and the personal competition with the other top racer. Throw in the arrival of a pair of brothers from the lower deck and it's enough to keep her life interesting. However, when rumors of a rebel group become more substantial, become deadly life takes a whole new turn!
Voyage to Ayama is a new sci-fi RH. I loved it. Indy is sensational. She's adventurous, quick-minded, strong, feisty, and sexy. I love a confident woman. Barrot is the surly, controlling male that should be annoying but is sexy instead. Indy and Barrot together have that push/pull explosive chemistry that can't be denied. Cain is delicious when he exposes his softer side. I love that he is so accepting and admiring of Indy. I'm worried about his secrets and hopeful that they can be overcome. Please don't let his mother have long black hair. The brothers are adorable. I love that they are able to be fun and be comically happy despite their father. Indy needs their lightness in her life. These four together make up the perfect harem in my mind. Each brings something to Indy's life that she needs and compliments her personality.
The characters, the story, the cliffhanger captivated me. I was sucked in from the beginning and eagerly look forward to more. KA Knight continues to impress me as one of the most versatile, creative writers in the RH genre at this time. Action, romance, intelligence. I couldn't ask for more but I definitely want it!
Aurora's Coven (The Lost Coven Book 1)
Aurora ran. Her mother was gone and she was not safe so she ran. Now she has a good life. It's not much, but she's safe. She works in a pub, has two people she trusts, and she guards her secret closely so that she can keep this life. Then one day a sexy male witch walks into her pub and recognizes her as a witch. He and his coven are council hunters and home on a mission to locate their missing brother. They offer Aurora friendship, fun, family but it comes with a risk. If they figure out her secret, they will be obligated to turn her over to the council. There is definitely a bond between Aurora and the male witches but they have a duty to the council. They also have questions about her that she's not willing to answer and suspicions that maybe she is tied to their missing brother. Will they be the family Aurora has always wanted or will they destroy her?
Aurora's Coven is fantastic! It captivates you from the very beginning. Aurora is a pint-sized powerhouse; a combination of sarcasm, strength, and beauty. Her inner monologue, the way she gets distracted so easily, her love of food, especially cookies, her love of Neville and Harry Potter, her ferocity defending others, especially Lane, make her hysterically unique. She's is unapologetically herself! She surprised me several times, actually made me snort once. I am a fan of this girl! Lane is the perfect best friend; so girly and loyal. I adored Aurora and Lane together. The other witches were magical! Sweet, open Ben; protective, giant Ezra (mine); awkward Jason: intelligent authoritarian Alexander; poor broken Mike; the mysterious missing sixth. I couldn't get enough of these guys and the chemistry they had with Aurora had me craving more, more, more.
The mystery surrounding Aurora, the secrets of her past, the guys' mission, and the darkness all came together as one entertaining read. The suspense built until the ending where the level of tension was scary. Aurora proved just how incredible she is and now we have to see what comes next. It's the guys turn to prove themselves. Alexander needs to redeem himself. He messed up. But all of the guys are going to need to work together to find a way to make everything better. Plus, I feel that Aurora still has a few secrets to uncover, maybe they hold the key and then maybe, the mystery 6th does. I am full of speculations and cannot wait to see what happens next!
The Forgotten (Their Champion Companion Novel Book 1) by
Piper has never known life outside of Paradise but she wants more. She feels trapped underground in the sterile environment of her world and wants to see the Wastes. So with her 18th birthday coming up, she sets her sites on becoming a guard, a position not assigned to women. When she is betrayed in the most horrific of ways and left for dead in the Wastes, she is rescued by an unlikely man. One who comes to own a piece of her heart. Piper becomes one of the forgotten. She's never felt more at home in the deadly world. If only she could have brought the two men from Paradise, who own the other pieces of her heart with her.
I love KA Knight's Their Champion Series. I love this companion series even more. Ms. Knight has created a harsh world where only the strongest survive. Happiness is hard to capture and even harder to hold on to. It's a brutal, ugly world where no one is left unscarred. Piper is fantastic. Her wit, intelligence stubbornness, and strength made her stand out like a star in this dark world. Piper has lived a pretty soft life in Paradise. Despite being an orphan and mostly overlooked, she still lived in safety, had plenty of food, and had that one person who meant everything. Evan, a fellow orphan, now a doctor has been a constant in her life. He went from being her best friend to the man she loved. But he seemed to only see her as a little sister and as she struggled to make her way as an adult, he couldn't keep from making one mistake after another and hurting her. Jago or the Beast was the guard who trained her, gave her a chance to show her strength and prove herself, and the man who matched her passion. Archel, the Assassin saved her and helped piece her back together. There may not be another human on Earth who understands her better. Three very different men but they each love Piper and are all fiercely protective of her. Little Piper with her beauty, intelligence, sass, and smart mouth inspires these men to go to extremes. She frustrates them, entices them, captivates them. They would kill, let the world burn or burn it down themselves for her. This intensity kept me spellbound.
The story itself was gripping. I could not put it down. I read with a sense of suspicion, foreboding, and horror. Yet like Piper, I felt the hope of a better day, a better life. Paradise was an illusion. Life above ground as a Forgotten was a chance worth taking, fighting for.
Trigger Warning: Contains scenes and references to abuse/assault that some readers may find triggering. Along with graphic sex scenes and violence.
War is coming to the Wastes. Ivar wants to control the lands and their people. More than that he wants his pet back. Major and Worth have called a Summit. The treaty has served them well over the years but the deadly Berserker King's intent means the uneasy peace is coming to an end. An already unforgiving world is soon to become more hostile. Politics have never been on Worth's mind but she has no choice. She will die before she submits to Ivar again. She has found love, she wants to protect her friends, and she wants her revenge. So a Summit has been called. Reeves, Priest, Dray, Major, and Nan have all assembled, along with a few unexpected guests, one representing the Berserkers and a delegation from Paradise. Chaos and tension reign before the politics are interrupted by bloodshed. Time has run out. Demons must be faced. It's time the Champion becomes a Queen.
Gritty, harsh, ugly, heartbreaking, unexpected. Worth is a force. She's fierce, borderline crazy, loyal, loving, twisted, and incredibly strong. Her surprise friendships, the way she steps in to protect the weaker citizens, the way she has dropped her walls, given and accepted love, and her total resistance to cave to Ivar define her growth as a character. Her rare moments of weakness and vulnerability in this book actually made me respect her more than ever. She's not your typical, likable lead female but she is one you will never forget. She's the woman this world needs. Her men are exactly what she needed. Jax, Drax, Thorn, and Maxen have proven that they are completely hers; they trust her, they will follow her anywhere, they adore her. Dray challenges her on every level. Unconventional love, sometimes disturbing, sometimes ugly; always passionate and intense. The moments of shared tenderness stood out in contrast and made me appreciate them even more.
So much took place in this story. Each scene is so absorbing, written so vividly that you feel the heat, smell the blood, hear the screams. It's an intense read. Horrifying, heartbreaking, inspiring. The story arc wraps up in a natural place at the end of this book although the story is not over. One issue has been dealt with but a major new problem has come up. It will take everything Worth has to fix it but her motivation has never been stronger. This time she takes the fight to the city. Sands above, they don't know what's coming. They have already made a huge mistake, they had better hope it's not any worse than it already appears. Otherwise, they will burn.
The Wasteland (Their Champion #1)
The world ended and when it did so did any semblance of humanity. Those who survived the end live day to day. It's kill or be killed. Worth is just as deadly as the world around her. She's the Champion and in this world, that means something; freedom, respect. Now she takes jobs tracking down those with a price on their heads from one of the four clans, those who have used up the last of their chances. Her nights are spent drinking and trying to forget her past. Then four men from the city appear offering her a job and not taking no for an answer. Jax, his twin Drax, Thorn, and Draxen. Four men who break down her barriers, give her something that she needs, make her happy in a way she didn't realize was possible, and prove that they have her back. It isn't long before she realizes that she no longer wants to be alone. But her past has caught up to her and threatens not only her future but the future of the Wastelands. It's time for the Champion to take up the fight one more time.
The Wasteland is startling, remarkable, and compelling. It's brutal and harsh. It's so vividly written that I could feel the heat and the grit of the sand. Each dirty scene's image was sharply distinct. I could smell the sweat and the blood. This book is not for the faint of heart. No flowers and heart here. The land is brutal and ugly and the survivors are as well. Soft doesn't survive. Tazanna Worth is violent, deadly, strong, powerful; there is not a drop of weakness in her blood. She's is not cruel, she is a survivor. The men have to be worthy of her and in this case they are. They prove that you can care about others without being weak, they are turned on by her violence, and they never promise a happy ending, only to be with her every step until the end. They are perfect for her. All five. You will have to read the book to figure that sentence out.
The storyline is as solid as the characters. I loved it. It's original and entertaining. And that ending! Did not see that coming. I rarely wonder where a book heads next; usually, it's obvious. I can honestly say, I am on this journey with Taz, following along eagerly waiting to see what comes next!
Trigger warnings: Violence; physical and sexual assault
Angel Lawson
by Angel Lawson *****REVIEW
Astrid and her team have decided to take a short escape to a mountain cabin after surviving the stadium 'incident'. With the town divided between The Swamp and The City and equally divided on whether The Supers are heroes or villains, they need a little R&R. However, Superheroes don't get time off for vacations so in no time at all duty calls them back. In a setup, the Supers are grabbed and taken 'home'. There they are put through a series of trials, then finally given a chance to learn some answers. What was Project 12? Who was behind it? What do they mean to one another? What went wrong? This is also a chance to strengthen their skills so that they can be ready to face down their ultimate challenge. Bad guys don't follow schedules, however, so before they are ready they must get back if there's any chance to save their city and friends. Their training may not be complete, but their bond is. The Supers are ready to fight for their city and the life they want.
Heroes is the thrilling conclusion to the Supers of Project 12 series. Each book has been leading to this. All of the remaining children are assembled; talents honed for the ultimate fight between good and evil. To rule, to serve, to protect. Sides are drawn. The suspense is high, the action is fierce. It's pure entertainment; a total adrenalin rush. But it's also a time for each character to come into their own individually and as a team member. Casper overcomes, Draco succumbs, Owen learns to trust, Quinn becomes the anchor, and Astrid is their heart. There are so many noteworthy scenes in this book between the characters. Surprising, touching, funny, sexy. There are heated moments of anger, suspicion, fear, and vulnerability. Finally, there is a sense of trust, caring, sharing, rightness, and love. The team comes full circle. Lost children who find each other again in a gym. Experiments, orphans, mentor-less misfits to confident, powerful heroes with an unbreakable, unshakable bond.
The Supers are having growing pains. They are trying to expand and perfect their powers, learn how to work best together as a team, figure out how they work together on a personal level, and how to best serve their community. Unfortunately, the community doesn't want them. The city has a special task force dedicated to stopping them and their allies are targets. It's getting more difficult to know where to draw lines, know who to trust. Do they fight for what is right, fight for the people or do they disband before the fight turns even uglier?
Rogues is a complex RH; part comic book, part romance. It's 100% entertainment. Astrid continues to grow. She still has a hard time truly being part of a team but she's come so far in this short period of time. I love her strength, her breakdowns, her impulsiveness, her self-doubt. Her individual actions and lack of communication are still being addressed but it's clear that she is their heart, the center of the team. She's getting closer to Owen and Quinn, trying to bring Draco in fully, and ease Cedric (Casper) out of his self-induced life of isolation. Owen and Quinn continue to be awesome. My love increases for these two each book. Their bond, their bickering, the way they are so different yet compliment each other so nicely, how they are with Astrid, hot, caring, protective. I adore them! Draco is pure hotness. I love the slow build with his feelings for Astrid, I love his flashbacks, his protectiveness, his depth. Casper's scenes are pure vulnerability. Each time he steps out of the shadows it's amazing. His ability to face his fears for Astrid moved me. Also, his brain is incredible and sexy as hell.
The story itself just keeps getting better. The bad guys are dangerous; equals in every way, sometimes even superior. The suspense, the danger, the touch of humor are perfect for this action-filled, superhero adventure. I cannot wait for more!
The children of Project 12 are starting to reunite. Astrid has always feared contact, feared to be around people. Her empath abilities make her feel everything that the person she touches feels so she has kept her distance from others. But now she has two men, Quinn and Owen. They were once with her in the group home, they have their own abilities, their own baggage. The three have a deep bond. As a team, together they are stronger. They can begin to face the past together; find the others, and deal with their own they and their powers are out of a control and a danger.
Cast of Characters:
The Supers of Project 12:
Astrid, Codename Echo: Abilities, Heightened Senses and Empathic Abilities
Quinn, Codename Charger: Abilities, Kenetic Electrical Manipulation
Cedric, Codename Casper: Abilities, Cyberkinesis. Manipulates and controls technology.
Owen, Codename Pan: Abilities, Illusion Manipulation
Opponents from Project 12:
Demetria, Wendy, can animate inanimate objects. Wants to collect the lost boys for herself. Hasplans to renovate the Swamp to her ideal through her company WIND-E Corp
Devin, Codename Blaze: Control of fire
The Task Force: Kincade/ Rowe; Their goal is to stop any vigilante behavior
Unknown; Draco, Mr. Perfect, ideal human specimen. From Project 12. Working with Demetria and Casper. True motives unknown at this time.
Sentinels is the continuing story of the orphans of Project 12; children who were tested on to strengthen their natural abilities. Now, adults, their guardians have all been killed, and they are slowly coming back together to form a team of Supers. Astrid, Quinn, and Owen have formed the strong core of the team with Casper providing tech and equipment assistance from a remote location. The team is learning how to trust one another, deciding how they fit into one another's lives, and investigating a string of arsons in the swamp. This leads to an unexpected alliance with Demetria and Draco of WIND-E Corp. Demetria is incredibly powerful and equally dangerous. Her dreams, delusions, and desires could make her a deadly opponent for Astrid if she feels that Astrid is standing between her and what/who she wants. Draco, as her right-hand man has formed a tentative friendship with Astrid unknown to Demetria. His motives are unclear and he is holding major secrets but he seems to be a genuine and honest man. When the partnership leads to disaster, everyone in the swamp is endangered and The Supers find themselves in a multi-front battle. Although their intentions were good, the results are nearly catastrophic. Now they are labeled vigilantes, they aren't sure who, if anyone, they can trust, and secrets are revealed within the team leaving them more unsettled than ever. At least Astrid, Quinn, and Owen have each other to turn to. And when they do, it is spectacularly hot!
I love this series. I think that there's is true brilliance in some of its creativity. I love the complexity of the Team; its dynamics, their abilities, the conflicts and uncertainty with other Project 12 survivors and with Kincade. I love the growing relationships. I love the Pan aspects. I love it all and can't wait for more.
Elites: The Supers of Project 12
Astrid doesn’t remember much about her childhood. After her parents died she was sent to a group home with eleven boys and girls. The memories are of unusual behaviors and scary doctors giving her shots. She was part of Project 12. She kept mostly to herself because she was too sensitive. Astrid is an empath; with the brush of her hand, she can feel someone’s deepest, darkest secrets. As a child, it was too much. But she's no longer a child. With the help of her mentor, she has learned to harness her abilities. She's strong, she's badass. She's super. Then the past catches up and her world is shattered but she's not alone. There are others like her and they must be a team to survive. However, not all of them have the same good intentions. At least one is the enemy.
The description of this book reads, The Elite is a superhero fantasy series with a healthy dose of kick-ass action, an unstoppable heroine, a sexy reverse harem love story and gadgets and cool toys that ever superhero wishes to add to their arsenal. I honestly can't describe it any better! Astrid is fantastic; guarded yet wanting a connection. She's physically and mentally strong. Then you have the boys, Quinn is wonderful. The bond he and Astrid share is based on common experience and shared abilities but the heat they have together is pure chemistry. I love the two broken inner children leaning on each other for emotional support and the two adults desiring a true connection. Great dynamic. Owen is intriguing, still a bit of a mystery but definitely interested. I look forward to the day he trusts Astrid and Owen enough to completely open up. Then there's the voice of knowledge, Casper, friend, and advisor. The villain is perfect. That's all you get from me.
I love the RH genre and love superheroes so this is perfect for me. Adventure, romance, fun! I can't wait for more.
The Allendale Four became Five. Oliver, Jackson, Hayden, and Anderson were legendary in the halls of high school, they went on to college, then two to the pros and two back home to open a celebrity gym. But the day that Heaven came into their lives, everything changed. Together, separate, together again. It took years but A5 is solid, happy. Now they are navigating the world as adults and doing it on their own terms. But that doesn't mean that it's always easy. Five adults mean five different opinions, five people making choices not only for the group but for themselves. So when Amber makes a life-altering decision, it shakes Heaven and as a result upsets the balance of her happy home. Conversations need to take place, long-term decisions must be made. Heaven must tell the guys how she feels; it's only fair but she could risk losing them if they want more.
Seventh Heaven is the encore book for the Allendale Four. It's a step into their happily ever after and it's everything I could have hoped for. True to character Heaven is lost in her head, full of angst, and hesitant to confide her innermost fears to her guys. The guys are pretty close to perfect this time around. This story is exactly how it needed to be. It's ultimately sweet and full of love. The hard-won happiness this group found among these pages brought tears to my eyes. These characters deserved this and as a reader, we did too!
It's two years after graduation and Heaven and the Allendale Four are all grown up. However, things didn't work out as they had hoped. Sometimes love isn't enough. Real life got in the way. Lifelong ambitions, different dreams took over. Sometimes HEA just isn't meant to be but that doesn't mean it wasn't real. Sometimes beautiful memories are all that is left at the end and then sometimes, you get a second chance at Heaven.
The Road To Heaven is unlike any RH I have come across to date. It nearly broke my heart at times. Heaven, Oliver, Jackson, Anderson, and Hayden all have happy, successful lives. They have great careers, friends, homes. They have all made their dreams come true but they are all missing something/someone important. The sorrow over loves lost, the heartache, the loneliness haunts each one of the A5. This was all too real. Can they recapture what has been lost? Should they even try? Is it foolish to think it can work as it once did for any of them, some of them, all of them? The emotion nearly overwhelmed me at times. I worried along with them, I hurt along with them. I became the invisible 6th member!
I need to make a special mention of Heaven. This character is brilliant. Her significance cannot be ignored. She is so relevant. Her internal struggle with anxiety, the bullying she faced, her strength, and her vulnerability, her succumbing to weakness and finally her triumph over it. She's a woman. Strong, confident, successful but a piece of that damaged little girl still lives deep within her and always will. It's perfect that she acknowledges who she once was without shame and protects herself from ever slipping back. Her acceptance and her embrace of who she is is beautiful. Her character growth sets a powerful example. She not only persevered, she lives and she thrives. She is one of my favorite fictional females in today's literature.
Heaven and the Allendale Four hold a special place in my poetic heart. I fell in love with them from the first chapter in book one and it's bittersweet reaching the final chapter of this book. I have already shamelessly begged for a future novella. To be continued...
College with the Allendale Four, a co-ed dorm with Amber as her roommate. High school can be put behind her and the painful memories laid to rest. A new beginning. Freedom. This is the life Heaven has always dreamed of. But of course, life isn't meant to be easy for Heaven. Her father has returned and is determined to control Heaven's life. It doesn't help that her mother has quickly fallen to his charms once again. As her father's demands increase, old habits re-emerge. It seems that after escaping high school's bullies, threats, and dangers, that she is doomed to face even worse in college. Heaven now understands that her life may not have the HEA she dreamed of. Maybe the Allendale Four would be better off if she were out of the picture for good. Maybe there's only one way to finally escape the pain.
Holding On To Heaven is a powerful, emotional read. Heaven is one of the most compelling characters that I've encountered. She's not extraordinary. That's what makes her so special. She's a normal girl. She's broken. Maybe life was too cruel, maybe she was born bruised. It doesn't matter or change anything. She's in pain and struggling. Her emotions are raw and palpable. The separation, the isolation she feels even with the love of four incredible guys is real. She can't fully embrace or accept their love until she fixes her broken parts. She's pure vulnerability and this allows others to manipulate and use her which then makes her hurt even more. It all works against her. She has strength as well as weakness in her but she's overwhelmed. The feeling of helplessness finally overtakes. There's only so much pain one wants to face. Heaven shows us this. Life can become too heavy.
While this is Heaven's book, the other characters are vital. There is no reason for Heaven to continue trying without the Allendale Four. Yummy, gorgeous, caring loves. Yet, they are definitely not perfect and have their own hang-ups and misconceptions. Their overcautious, protective treatment of Heaven helps to isolate her when she needs them most. They are works in progress too even if they seem more 'together' than Heaven. Anderson notices everything. The heat he has with Heaven is incredible. Oliver's empathy, his devastation when Heaven hurts and hurts herself takes my breath away. Hayden is 100% male hotness. Love his dominant nature. And Jackson's naughty streak. Mmm. These four are perfect together. Amber shows us a new side to herself that proves exactly why I fell in love with her from her first scene in book one. She's one awesome human! So much for the good guys. Heaven did not win the parent lottery. Her mother is weak and lost in her own way but her father is an unbelievable piece of scum. He makes me feel dirty reading about him. Unfortunately, he's realistic. The fact that these conniving, nasty men walk among us parading as upstanding members of society (church, business, politics) is terrifying. We are all susceptible to their self-serving plans. The various college students prove that humanity is flawed; greedy, controlling, violent, lustful, sometimes simply silent. They all help shape Heaven's world.
I am not going to cover any story details. Each reader deserves to emotionally free-fall into this very special book. I would like to commend this author for the way she portrays mental health. It's a fact of many lives. There is NO SHAME. It's a struggle, a daily burden. Those that face anxiety and depression are equally fragile and indomitable. She has captured this in a way that is heartbreaking, relatable, and relevant. The fact that it is part of an incredibly entertaining story is nothing short of amazing. I love the Allendale series more than I can convey. I think it's one of the best contemporary RH's on the market and likely the most important.
A Piece of Heaven (The Allendale Four)
Heaven is a good girl. Smart, pretty, shy. A typical teenager. She suffers from anxiety and she and her mom have gone through some rough times but nothing too horrible. Since transferring schools, she's flown under the social radar. That all changes overnight. One favor for her best friend Justin has unintended consequences and moves Heaven from high school obscurity to infamous status. A compromising picture, a suggestive caption featured on a webpage and she goes from invisible to school slut overnight. Mean girls, aggressive guys, bullies all make her life the focus of their gossip. As her anxiety threatens her well-being, she gains unexpected allies, The Allendale Four, the most handsome, most desired, most select guys in the school. Oliver, Anderson, Jackson, are an exclusive group. No one gets close to The Allendale Four but they decide to make Heaven one of their own. They protect their own. This time they may even fall in love with their own.
A Piece of Heaven is a contemporary YA RH. Don't underestimate it because it's YA. We all know the teen years can be brutal. There's drama and angst, pain and confusion. Because of this, I feel that this book is so very important. The issues it confronts; bullying in every available format, social anxiety, cutting, slut shaming, sexual threatening/assault are part of teenage life. Every bit of it is exposed, confronted, and overcome during this story in a non-preachy, 100% entertaining way. I was transported back to my teen self while reading this. Heaven is so relatable, brave one minute, insecure the next. She's a mess. She's authentic. The guys are all fantastic. Hormone-driven, yet protective and caring. The side characters are vital. Justin is the worst best friend ever. ICK! Amber, on the other hand, kicks a**! She's so awesome.
The drama, the suspense, the sexual tension, the sweetness all make this a delightful read. You will want to laugh, cry, scream, cringe, and cheer. It's a snapshot of high school in all its glory and all of its horror.
Summer's Fun (The Boys of Ocean Beach #2)by Angel Lawson ****REVIEW
Summer and The Boys of Ocean Beach are back home after surviving the school year apart. Summer successfully balanced four boyfriends, four long-distance relationships, and managed her classload but now the real challenge begins. During school there were visits, one-on-ones; now they will all be together under the watchful eyes of the small town. Now she will have to make sure that her attention is spread evenly among the guys, that no one feels left out or jealous. How will the guys adjust, how will she? Will the town gossip take off and their reputations be ruined? And it's not just her and the guys; everything is different this summer. She's a local now, no longer a tourist. Her mom owns a bookstore run my Summer's cousin Anita. Summer will be working at the store and with her mom's successful book tour ending, Julia will be coming back too. The huge success of her latest book has made Julia a famous writer. Tons of fans and a few crazies, some more dangerous than expected.
I love this book. I love the normalcy captured in this unusual relationship. Girl meets boy. Girl falls for boy. Girl wonders if she's good enough to keep the boy happy. Multiply this by four. Summer's worries are the same worries that any girl has when she first falls in love. This book is a series of summer snapshots. Summer, Justin, Pete, Whit, and Nick. Burgers, ice cream, sand, bikinis, and hot surfers. Walking, talking, long drives, and local dances. Couples spending real time together, getting to know the town better, getting to know each other better. Settling in. Learning to trust. Falling deeper in love. A little sexy time. There is a bit of drama but I'm not going to give even a clue as to what it is. Just know it's a clever little threat. The rest of the angst is all on a personal level, making life decisions, trying to do what's best personally and in the relationship.
Every Summer has a story. This one is all about love. Family love, lasting friendships, forever love. Live life your way, love your way. Enjoy an Endless Summer.
*I have to add how much I love this cover. So perfect for the story!
Summer is supposed to be in France for the summer on a trip she has looked forward to for years. Instead, she's living with her mother in a trailer by the beach while her mother works on her latest book. Summer is there escaping, hiding. Her year ended with embarrassment and heartbreak and now all she wants to do is hide and maybe enjoy the sun and sand. Instead, she meets previously unknown family, meets four local boys she could see herself falling for, and has to decide if she can risk her heart again.
Summer's Kiss was originally released as Serial Summer, a one on one romance. Angel worked her magic and this wonderful contemporary RH was born. This book was ALWAYS meant to be an RH. Four locals, Justin, Pete Whit, and Nick infamous in that small-town way. All good looking, likable, well known by the rest of the town's inhabitants. These boys do not plan on sticking around, however. Once they all graduate, they have plans that do not include the local dream of getting married, starting a family, and staying put. They have bigger futures in mind and have made a pact not to get involved with any girl that could keep them from leaving. Then along comes Summer. She is only there for the summer. With her bruised heart, her fragile ego, and lack of trust, she has walls in place to keep anyone from getting close, especially local beach bums. But like a hurricane hitting the beach, Summer impacts each one of the guys leaving a permanent mark. She feels for the guys too but it's just not that easy. Her vulnerability, her past mistakes, her fears make her such a realistic character. The RH relationship is handled so naturally, so perfectly. Angel writes contemporary RH better than anyone at this point. It's completely believable. The campground and beach are so authentic I feel transported at times. Maybe because I am also a Southerner I realize just how perfectly Angel captures these settings. Then when you add in the surrounding characters, Anita and Bobby, Summer's mom, Richard, and Sugar, you have a well-rounded, genuine cast.
There are multiple storylines occurring simultaneously in this book. Summer's mother's book, the research and mystery surrounding it; the estranged family elements, Summer's trauma from school, and of course, Summer and the guys. There is so much character growth from the teens and adults alike. A lovely combination of the everyday and drama, peaceful times and angst. It all blends together to make for a wonderfully entertaining read. I definitely want more Boys of Ocean Beach. I look forward to seeing what happens when summer ends, when they're all separated at different schools, when real life comes between them. I know Angel will come up with another compelling chapter in their lives!
Senior year for Starlee is not exactly what she expected. Dexter completed his probation, George and Charlie no longer have to worry about their father but Sierra is gone and her mother has stepped into her roles. She has taken over the Wayward Sun, her house, and her responsibility of the boys. Now with the dramas behind them, Starlee must find her way with each of her guys and with her mom. As they make plans for the future each following their own dreams, they must also make decisions about their future together.
This is a bittersweet book for me. I fall in love with each new series Angel creates. Each character becomes real to me. I cry with them, get angry with them, celebrate with them. I root for each of them from our first introduction and I want nothing more than for them to get their happily ever after. But when it's over, I mourn for them. I hate saying goodbye. When I first met Starlee she was afraid of the world, afraid of herself. Dexter was an angry young man, Jake had no self-esteem, George was slightly out of control, and Charlie was lost to gaming. The boys were like brothers but broken, jagged, like an unfinished puzzle and missing an important piece. Starlee was that vital piece. She gave them each what they needed most to be their best. In return, they gave her the confidence to take on the world. I think that each one of these characters would have ended up okay alone but together they are so much more.
This book was everything I could have hoped for; Valentine's, a wedding, graduations, declarations, first times...Growing up. There are so many major events but also priceless moments. Angel has captured so many authentic images between Starlee and each of her guys. College. I absolutely love how this part was written. It's perfect. And so is the epilogue. June. The Wayward month. Beginnings and endings. The original Starlee found a little bit of heaven and made it her home. The Starlee's that followed each made their own mark. Now it's time for this Starlee and her Wayward Sons to carry on. I admit, I teared up.
One innocent night, one ill-intentioned report and everything falls apart for Starlee and the Wayward Sons. George and Charlie have been removed from Sierra's care and returned to their abusive father. Sierra has demanded that Starlee stay away from her, Dex, and Jake. Starlee considers returning to her mother but can't give up on her new life or completely walk away from her guys. Dex and Jake are sure that this is temporary. If they can all stay strong, mostly stay away from each other, and hide their relationships, they can weather this storm. As soon as they turn 18, as soon as Dex is cleared by the courts, they can be a family again. If only it was that easy.
This series just keeps getting better. In my opinion, this book had more heart and more love than the first books. Not that the first two books were lacking, heart just burst out of these pages. Their forced time apart was painful and their fight to be together seemed to elevate their relationships from high school romances to forever loves. Every secret, stolen moment meant everything. Each sweet comment, each hurried kiss, each moment they shared seemed more important this time. I love the woman Starlee is becoming. This author has such a knack for taking broken girls and turning them into strong women. Starlee has grown so much. She is more confident, has allowed herself to fall in love, made a couple of good girlfriends, started repairing her relationship with her mom. She is a coming of age story success. Each of her guys contributes to her story perfectly. Their storylines bring tension, complications, and of course, romance. I love where everyone ended up by the finish of this book. Can't wait to see what's next.
Starlee's mom yanked her back to North Carolina once she discovered that Starlee wasn't living the quiet, secluded life she expected her to while staying with her Grandmother. She brought her back where she could have total control once more. But Starlee has changed. She's stronger now and she now knows what she's missing hidden away from the 'dangers' of the real world. And more than anything she's missing the boys. Dexter, Jake, Charlie, and George. She misses their time together, she misses each one individually and as a group. She misses her grandmother, Sierra, the mountains, the only place she's ever felt at home. So when the time comes, she knows what to do. She goes home.
This book is even better than the first. Starlee's journey is just beginning. It's fun, scary, full of precious moments, and major bumps in the road. But now she's part of the world, not just reading about it or watching from a distance. I love how the ordinary is anything but when you've never experienced anything. High school, mean girls, a new friend, football games, homecoming. Starlee is so brave and has no idea. This book is chock full of emotions; anger, resentment, fear, hope, excitement, love, loss, pain. It will leave you reeling at times and the ending will hurt. Be warned. But this group is a chosen family. Family will win out over fear in the end.
Starlee Nye is not a 'normal' girl. There was probably always a bit of anxiety, the came the bullying, then an 'incident'. Her mother went into Mama Bear mode determined to protect her, keep her safe. She pulled her out of school, homeschooled her but she went too far. She isolated her, made her afraid of the world and of the people in it. When she feels like she has failed her, Starless's mother decides that it would be best for her to spend the summer in the tiny town of Lee Vines with her Grandmother. Starlee is afraid of her own shadow but for the first time ever she's free. Free to make her own decisions, her own mistakes. With the help of the Wayward Sons, the four boys living next door, Starlee starts to gain some confidence, begin to trust herself and others, she's learning to relax, and she's having fun for the first time in her life. For the first time ever she has friends, a place she feels like she belongs.
I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to Angel Lawson but absolutely no one does contemporary RH better than she does. She takes the unusual relationships and makes them believable. She also has a talent for normalizing human quirks. Anxiety, anger, OCD, gaming addiction, and reading disabilities are all addressed in this book. Each one of these conditions has negatively impacted a character but all are facing their difficulties and overcoming the obstacles. I respect that. No human is perfect, yet society decides that some 'issues' are acceptable and others are not. By bringing everything out into the open and beginning the discussion, Angel takes away any stigma that might be wrongly attached. Every person that can recognize themselves in a character has a better chance at successfully navigating life.
Starlee is such a fragile soul. Her loneliness drew me in. My heart went out to this character. It was easy to understand her anger with her mother and to understand her mother's intentions however wrong the outcome. I loved her character growth and loved that she stepped out of her comfort zone with the Wayward Sons. She was so brave in her own way. Charlie, George, Jake, and Dex aren't your typical alpha male harem. They are more misfits. Each has a personal struggle, each is vulnerable in their own way. As much as they help Starlee find herself, she helps them gain control. These relationships are so beneficial and healthy on top of being adorable! The town itself acts as a character as much as a setting. It's a safe haven with a laid-back vibe that allows Starlee to open herself up to new possibilities and it's citizens all add an extra layer of protection. Finally, the Wayward Sun and Bonnie need a special mention. Bonnie is the unsung hero of this story with her selflessness and caring for the boys. Her obsession with all things Supernatural (TV Show), especially Dean and Sam Winchester is fantastically off-the-wall. The cafe's specials, the mural, her DVDs and collectibles all add to her character. I love it! The Supernatural theme that family is more than blood resonates throughout this entire story.
This story is a series of everyday events, normal people with normal problems, nothing extraordinary but before you know you it, you are in deep. You can't wait to see the sunrise with Jake, see Dex baking, indulge Bonnie with a SPN chat, watch an episode yourself with LeeLee, check on Charlie fixing something in a cabin and talk to Katie along the way, and giggle over something silly with George. It's the sense of family they give off. You want to be a part of it. You want to earn a tattoo of your own. This is a gift. Then the ending is brutal! I am keeping Supernatural in mind. An episode might end in a terrible situation but give it another episode or two and the brothers will come through. This isn't the end. There will be a HEA for The Wayward!
Sparrowood Academy: Book 3Eden lost this round. However, that doesn't mean she's giving up. Trip Cohen used her, humiliated her but she's not a victim. She's smart, she's strong and now she knows where her sister is. It's time to find out what is going on and end it. And if that doesn't work out, then she's going to live life for herself for once. She will get her education, get her K-Boys, and finish Trip. It's time to take control.
This is the perfect conclusion for Eden and her K-Boys. I'm not saying you won't want more at the end, because let's be honest, you will ALWAYS want more of the K-Boys, however, this is the next best thing. Eden gets her answers and her power back. This girl is so kick-ass. "A threat or an urban legend!" I love her strength and compassion. Sparrowood and Eden are both good for the K-Boys too. Theo gets a taste of his best life back, Gray shows off his strengths, and Hawk steals the book at times. His honesty and vulnerability prove his worth above all. Rochelle has her moment and you want to cheer. She was saved from herself. Other students were as well, but she is the prime example. You will have to read the book to find out about Hope and the Cohen's. Have faith. And I know you are wondering why I haven't mentioned Dorian. He plays his role too. He walks a fine line between respectable guidance counselor and K-Boy. Fine indeed!
From the Park to Sparrowood and beyond, Eden and the K-Boys won a special place in my heart. I loved the idea that you could come from a rough start and be given a chance (for whatever reason) at a better life. I love the bravery they showed by taking that chance and twisting it to serve them while making life better for others. Their love and loyalty to one another gave me faith, their resilience gave me hope. I wish them well and thank them for allowing me to be a part of their story.
Sparrowood Academy (Book 2)
It was supposed to be over. Her time with the K-Boys was supposed to be over. They took down Luke. They got rid of Camille. It was supposed to be over. But Luke was only a small time bully. His cousin Trip is so much more. More corrupt, more sly, and definitely more dangerous. But he has the answers Eden needs. He can tell her about her sister. So they can play the game one more time. They can trap Trip just like they did his cousin. Only, Trip isn't playing their game. He's one step ahead of them and this time Eden could be the one to pay.
I just can't...Ms. Lawson has left me speechless. I was so happy for a reason to continue on with the Eden/K-boys relationship "charade". I adore Theo. My troubled boy is such a sweetheart. Gray has really grown on me. He's more than just a pretty face and a charming smile. Hawk is a complicated soul who just needs someone to break through his walls. Dorian, my K-Boy disguised as a grown-up still carries the Alley in his heart. And Eden is the little spitfire who has captivated them all. I love these characters and love most when things are going their way and they are getting closer. There are so many small moments that are huge. When it's good with this group, it's so, so good. However, when it falls apart it's equally bad. Prepare yourself. This one hurts. Anger, pain, humiliation. Trip is even more dangerous than anticipated. But the damage they can do to one another may hurt more than anything he can do to them.
Take note, this is not the end so the ending will leave you screaming. It's a mess and Eden has gone off the script, so it's sure to get worse before it gets better. However, Theo, Gray, Hawk, and Eden are from the Alley. They have back-up. They have intelligence and quick wits. They are tough. Once they get themselves sorted Trip doesn't stand a chance. I can't wait to see how they take him down and I can't wait until Eden gets her K-Boys for keeps.
Eden once had a 'normal' life, parents, a sister, a nice home. Now her dad is gone, their home is gone, her mom stays self-medicated, and she and her sister hang out in the shady world of The Park. When her sister goes missing Eden is not about to give up on her. Desperate she goes to the Kings of the Park, the K-Boys and their leader Hawk for help with a lead. However, it was a set-up. Eden and the K-Boys find themselves given the choice of juvie or Sparrowood Academy, a school for the rich and famous. They can get a world-class education among the spoiled and privileged but it will come with a price. One that could be deadly.
It's no secret that I am a huge Angel Lawson fan. I think her RH's are fantastic. She captures the vulnerability of teenage girls struggling with inner demons and puts them on a road of discovery. They each find love but they also find themselves. Each evolves into a confident, happy, successful young woman. I love the sense of accomplishment and hope. Eden is stronger than Ms. Lawson's typical lead. She is struggling but it's more her circumstances than any insecurities. The world has not treated her kindly. She has brains, beauty, a sense of justice, and untapped potential. She's a sexy, feisty kitten with sharp claws. The K-Boys don't come across as likable on the surface as The Allendale Four or the Wayward Sons. However, there is something about them... Hawk is so guarded. I love his protectiveness, his loyalty, and his sense of responsibility to his 'family'. Gray has such confidence, arrogance, even a sense of entitlement. The world is his for the taking by any means he sees fit. Yet he does it with such charm. Theo breaks my heart. He shows how quickly everything can go wrong, that it's easy to be overtaken by demons, and that it's often without fault. He's lost control of his life, crossed lines, damaged his family. And Dorian, I'm not sure he's actually Eden's but I want for him to be! He is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He's cleaned up, wants to give back but still has the K in his DNA. I love him!
The characters will draw you in, the story will entertain you. The Academy setting is perfect for trouble. It provides the cast of entitled brats the seclusion that allows them power they wouldn't have out in the real world. It also allows more interactions between Eden and the K-Boys than there would normally be. There are several scenes that stole my heart but I will let you find that out on your own. The lines are drawn early and it's so easy to pick sides. The tension and suspense build throughout the book; so do the questions. Leverage, fear, control. Just what is going on? And right when you think the battle has been won, you discover that it was only the opening battle. The games aren't over yet.
Alex Lidell
Lera is an indentured servant who spends her days working hard and trying to avoid her master's advances and beatings. That all changes when 4 immortal fae warriors come through the barrier to find their fifth member. Fate has chosen Lera as the member to replace their lost brother. River, Coal, Tye, and Shade have waited a decade for their new fifth to be chosen but it appears that magic made a mistake this time, however. She's human and female. She's beautiful, fiery, and fragile. They need to get this bond broken as much to protect her as to strengthen their Quint.
Lera is likable enough as the lead female. I would have liked for her to be more passionate, stronger, and a quick study. She's not whiny which is good but she also has that annoying self-sacrificing thing going on that comes across as a bit weak and self-pitying at times. I am hoping for more of a fighter in future books. River is the stern, harsh leader. He's very much opposed to Lera one moment, defending her the next. I would have liked more of a build-up. The same goes for Coal but I do like his backstory. I don't like the character Tye plays. Easy-going manwhore is overdone and not my thing but I'm sure he will appeal to others. I do like that he calls Lera, Lilac Girl. I do love Shade; everything about him. His strength, his pain, his backstory, the way he says cub, his shifting, EVERYTHING! It's a little too insta for me. I like to feel the relationship build and watch the connections deepen and I didn't believe Lera's reactions at times considering she is a virgin. By the end, however, the Quint did work for me.
The story is entertaining, although there could have been more world building. Truly, I liked this book; I would have just enjoyed more detailing. It all moved along so quickly. It is an easy, enjoyable read. I am partial to the RH genre, I love fae, and I love a harem that must fight for their girl, so I will be reading book 2.
Echoes of Her Soul (Soul Tenders #2)
Kiarra's life has changed dramatically in just weeks. Her brother became a Soul Tender and was taken away. She found that she has five Soul Matches and a destiny bigger than she could have ever imagined. For a girl who has never had a boyfriend and couldn't master any ability enough to test into a House this new life could be overwhelming except for the rightness of it all. Once she is settled in the castle and surrounded by her men a diary is discovered. Written by Kiarra's distant grandmother it possesses magic and much-needed answers. Kiarra is more important than they had realized. There is more at stake than just her own destiny. Her path will affect not only the future of their Kingdom but the surrounding Kingdoms as well. Kiarra's family has a crucial role in the future. If Kiarra does not become Queen, all is lost. Kiarra, Mason, Ian, Sebastian, Clay, and Reed must strengthen their soul bonds, learn their history, and defeat a black force determined to rule and destroy the kingdom.
Echoes of Her Soul picks up where book one left off. There's so much continued world building and history, as well as character growth. We get to know each of the guy's characters more and see how the bond progresses. The story is fantastic. Magic, political intrigue, societal and human (male) failings but it's the relationships that make it special. Kiarra and her men have an incredible bond. This is RH done to perfection. Each guy has a clear character and serves a particular role. The way Kiarra feels for each of them individually, their returned adoration for her, and the growing friendship between the men themselves are fantastic! Kiarra's love for her brother and mother, the guy's former relationships are stressed as well. This story has it right. Life is worthy not because of power or position but because of love in all of its forms. This is what keeps the reader so invested.
This is a well-written book. Love, suspense, danger, drama, and sexy times. I love how the story continued from book one and that the story arc wrapped up at the end but let the reader know which direction we are heading next. I'm not opposed to cliffhangers but it is nice to not always have one in a series. There is plenty of anxiety with this story already. I look forward to continuing with Indrasa and her advisors in book three.
An erratic disaster. I absolutely adore this description! It is indicative of my feelings for this first book in the Soul Tenders series. Megreria is a society based on being orderly. It is made up of 5 houses; Military, Information Exchange, Scholar, Merchant, and Planning and Development. The city is arranged like a wheel with each house located as a spoke, the people all live within their house, and even dress the color of their house. It's all very efficient. If you are do not test high enough to be slotted into a proper house, you are deemed a commoner and assigned menial labor. They are ruled by a King who is assisted by his 5 advisers and the Soul Tenders. The Tenders see visions, sometimes prophecies, but their main job is to make matches. They reunite Pairs; joining men and women to their soul mate; finding matching souls so that they can be complete. One hunded years ago a prophecy came to all 4 Tenders that an atypical match would occur and save the kingdom. A ruler would emerge and have 5 soul matches, one from each house. The time of the prophecy has arrived!
Kiarra Walton does not fit in. Her teachers say she is an erratic disaster, she is unteachable. One day she will score high in every class, the next she fails at everything. Even her looks are unusual; her hair has every hue imaginable and her eyes are everchanging. She is a magnificent chameleon! She is shunned for her uniqueness by everyone except for her mother and brother Rowan, but she is a breath of fresh air. An unexpected event takes her brother away from her and starts a chain reaction of introductions. Kiarra's future, the future of 5 wonderful young men, and the future of the kingdom all change as these young people meet one another. Mason is a soldier, the son of the King's High Commander; Ian is a shadow, a trained spy; Clay, rising out of the commoner status is quickly reaching the tier in the Merchant house; Seb, once Rowan's roommate is one of the City's planners, and his foster brother Reed is an intelligent, thoughtful scholar. As each young man meets Kiarra they are drawn to her, recognizing her as the special young woman she is. They all want her and she is equally absorbed with feelings for the five men. With all pieces of the prophecy in play, the King puts a plan in motion. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Not only do we have 6 young people all getting to know one another and their respective fields, but we have palace intrigues and enemy countries also on the playing field. Makes for a wonderful, multi-layered story.
This is a dystopian story with solid world-building and nicely developed characters; it's a slow-burn reverse harem. There is insta-attraction, but only appropriate behavior. I was less than thrilled by the multiple references that men need sex to keep from becoming too pent up and must find outlets to not resort to more dangerous actions. REALLY? Do women not have urges? Are we so much more civilized that we can stay safely repressed? I am over the whole man-whore character, but I would have much preferred the honestly of lust to the excuse of need. Needs can be satisfied singularly. That is my only compaint, however. There is no overblown angst. Kiarra has been shown ugliness from her father, her sister, and her teachers. She has been shunned by classmates. She hasn't become bitter or beaten. She accepts herself as she is. The guys all seem honorable. There was no fighting or ugly jealousy. I am sure problems will surface, but from the beginning everyone treated each other with kindness and respect. It's refreshing.
Marlee P Louis
Into Dust
Avery North was running. She ran from her past mistakes and trouble and ran right into a nightmare. When her car broke down on the edge of Industry City in front of an old, abandoned factory she had no choice but to stop. Unfortunately, by the next morning, she was already marked and her life was so much more complicated, controlled, and possibly over. In a city full of broken, corrupted citizens Avery soon learns the danger she is in. The Darkness calls for her. She must decide if there's anyone she can trust; if anyone can save her. She must fight.
Into the Dust is a difficult book to describe; urban-dystopia with a touch of paranormal and a smidge of romance. It's one of the most original books I have encountered in a while. The descriptions are vivid, gritty, harsh, the characters beaten down. It's riveting, creepy, and keeps you guessing from one moment to the next. Avery is a flawed lead female. Beautiful but she acts on her heart's whims and not her brain. This has caused trouble in the past and is disastrous in Dust. However, she is aware of each mistake she makes and chooses to act anyway, so I'm okay with this. She's not stupid, only foolish and for the best reasons. The guys, Carter, Alex, and Ethan are an unusual group. I'm not sure how I feel about them, to be perfectly honest but I definitely want to keep Carter and Ethan around. Still undecided about Alex. They are handsome, flawed, sometimes selfishly motivated or untrustworthy, but very human and relatable. The other main and supporting characters are all completely depicted and vital to the story. Every person in Dust is doing their best to survive and protect the ones they love. Sacrifices have to be made. The final character that must be mentioned is Dust itself. "I will show you fear in a handful of dust", TS Eliot. The city shapes every person, allows for the Darkness, destroys hope.
This book has a complete story-arc but does end with an unexpected twist and in many ways, I feel the story is only beginning. I can't even guess what happens next because I was wrong so many times trying to guess what came next in this book. That is a thrilling thing to admit. This writer does not follow a simple formula. Characters who don't follow rules, unexpected events, paranormal influences. I am impressed and can't wait for more of the magic.
Kate (Madison Kate #4)
Hate (Madison Kate #1)
Seeker (The Royal Trials #2)
Imposter (The Royal Trials #1)
The Alpha’s Pack (Kit Davenport #6)
The Crow’s Murder (Kit Davenport 5 
The Viper's Nest (Kit Davenport #4)
The Tiger’s Ambush (Kit Davenport #3)
The Vixen's Lead (Kit Davenport #1)
Feral Magic (Forgotten Gods #1)
Forbidden Queens (Fated Wings #4)
Forgotten Specters (The Fated Wings #2)
Sunshine and Bullets (The Bullets #1)
Heart of the Walker (The Walker #2)
Wings of the Walker (The Walker #1)
Heroes (The Supers of Project 12 #4)
Rogues (The Supers of Project 12 #3)
Seventh Heaven (Allendale Four #4)
Holding On To Heaven (Allendale Four #2) by
Summer's Kiss (The Boys of Ocean Beach 
Starlee's Hope (The Wayward Sons #4)
Starlee's Home (The Wayward Sons #3)
Starlee's Turn (The Wayward Sons #2)
Starlee's Heart (The Wayward Sons #1)
Sparrowood Academy (Sparrowood Academy #1) by
Pieces of Her Soul (Soul Tenders #1)
If you are looking for the top gym in Pune with best personal trainers I would highly recommend about FittLounge. FittLounge has best personal trainers.top gym in Pune
ReplyDeletetop gym in pune
ReplyDeleteIts a great gym in Mumbai. The most awesome ambience nd equipped with the latest machines. The trainers are very knowledgeable nd helpful. in Aerobics exercise, body building.