Saturday, December 31, 2016

Lick (Stage Dive, #1) by Kylie Scott ~ Review

Source: Purchased audio book


Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas's plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man in her room, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is certain, being married to one of the hottest rock stars on the planet is sure to be a wild ride.







Jess has been after me to read this series and since she gave me books two and three for Christmas (I already had book one), I think it's time!

I'm such a sucker for couples that are better together than they are apart and this couple is certainly one of those.  David and Ev fall fast - instalove - but I loved every moment of it!  David's crazy life as a rock star has gotten to him.  He can't write songs and the fake world around him leaves him empty.  Evelyn grounds him from the first moment they meet.  And while he brings some crazy into her life, Ev responds to David like she has no one else.  Better together.  That's what couples should always be - better together.  But when two people come from such different worlds, there are bound to be issues.  Lots and lots of issues.  A $200 tank top is one of them.

I really enjoyed these characters - the whole band really.  I'm excited that there are more books for each.  Mal (the DRUMMER - I so love drummers) is the one I'm most excited to read and it's next!  All these characters are the reason I fell in love with this book.  

Of course, the story was interesting with lots of places for me to cheer and shout.  I loved that (at different points in the story) each of them struggled to let the other back into their heart.  It felt like the relationship had to be earned again and again despite how quickly it happened.  That made up for the instalove for me. 

The writing is first person (my favorite) and completely from Evelyn's point of view.  I think the only thing that could have made this book better would be if we got to be inside David's head.  All the little plot points where wrapped up - something that I always look for.  And the way is paved for Mal.  He makes a comment near the end of this book that he's not going down the marriage path. HA!  You're next sucker! 

Rock star drama, cuddle time with side of yummy kissing - this story will capture you!




                                          












Friday, December 30, 2016

Chosen Fool by Scarlett Dawn ~ Review

Chosen Fool (Forever Evermore, #5)Source: e-ARC provided in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Chosen Fool (Forever Evermore #5) by Scarlett Dawn


The second saga in the bestselling, Forever Evermore series continues with Chosen Fool, where deception runs deep and Caro’s transitioning life turns even more deadly…

Caroline Jules has received news of a lifetime. She’s going to be Queen to ‘her’ people. Instead of running, as any sane criminal would, she faces the mêlée with all the wits and savvy that her difficult life has honed. With her best friend, Sin, at her side, Caro pushes past the animosity her power inevitably brings, and prepares to rewrite her future.

Until the night Sin leaves, and she is alone.

Now, Caro must face the Royal world and all its intrigues and intricacies by herself. People aren’t always as they appear—and danger lurks behind even the most pleasant face. When a threat not even the Elders can handle puts her new tribe in danger, Caro takes matters into her own hands. Armed with the power of the mysterious spirit Elementals, Caro’s determined to eliminate the evil ransacking the Mysticals. All she needs is time.

But time waits for no fool…and time isn’t as straightforward as it seems.




I am absolutely in love with the Forever Evermore series. It is one of my all-time favorite series, and that fact just keeps getting more and more certain with every installment. Which is funny because every time I start another book in this series, I am SO EXCITED--but also so nervous because what if this book is going to be the book that lets me down? That wouldn't be fun. But that's irrelevant because that has yet to happen and Chosen Fool was AMAZING. In fact, it has taken the place of King Cave as my favorite in the series. Which means a lot, friends, because EZRA.

So the greatest thing about this novel, in my opinion, was the writing. This is for a few reasons. One is the characters, which are written well and I will go more into depth on in a moment. Another is the masterful way the plot is unleashed. I have never read a book that flipped an entire series on its head the way Scarlett Dawn has with this one, particularly in Chosen Fool. Nothing is as it seems and I am so on board until the end to unravel it all.

Then there's the characters, who are incredibly fleshed out and complex. They each have their own individual personalities that they stay true to, and that makes them feel like living, breathing people I wish I could be best friends with. They have struggles and joy and conflicts and I love them all for everything. (That was a very vague character commentary, I know, but it'd take all day to sit here and tell you everything I love about every character specifically--because, yes, they're all that great.)

And I'd be amiss if I didn't discuss the relationships. Man, oh man I LIVE for these relationships. The friendships and the romances and the bonding and the emotions. It's all my absolute favorite and I seriously need more in my life. Truly, it is this aspect of the story that makes the pages fly, leaving me regretting nothing except the fact that now it's over and I have to wait for the next book.

Basically, this whole review in a nutshell is saying that Scarlett Dawn has serious writing skills and I live to read her words. Chosen Fool is a perfect addition to this magnificent series, and if you haven't started reading it yet, I strongly recommend you do. It's paranormal romance at its best, my friends. I adore it beyond words!


5 stars - A perfect addition to a magnificent series!

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Swoon Thursday ~ 12/29/16


Who doesn't LOVE a good swoon?!  We love them for sure!  Check out our swoon below and then add to the fun.

Post anything that made you swoon, past or present read.  Include the cover, blurb and links.  Please no spoilers.



Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas's plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man in her room, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is certain, being married to one of the hottest rock stars on the planet is sure to be a wild ride.



Swoon...




Sigh.  Totally love this book!




That's our swoon this week!  What about you?  Leave us a comment & a link.


Wednesday, December 28, 2016

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet ~ Review

A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles #1)Source: Purchased.

A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles #1) by Amanda Bouchet


Catalia "Cat" Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he's ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her.




I hadn't heard about this book at all until a friend recommended it to me. She'd seen I was in the midst of an ACOMAF-induced book hangover and pushed me to give this book a try. And since I've been in on a huge fantasy kick lately and I heart my friend this time, I gave A Promise of Fire a try. And you know what, I really enjoyed it.

The book and I didn't click right away. I started reading and was confused. Like, THIS is what my friend was so enthusiastic about? It wasn't bad, but I wasn't understanding the hype either. But then as the story progressed, I got more and more sucked in. Before long, I was super into it. That kind of reading experience is always fun--the shift from reading skeptically to becoming immersed in the story.

I loved the characters. Cat is fun and sassy and a total badass. Griffin is protective and strong and can turn on the charm when he wants to. And the rest of the inner circle is a BLAST. Seriously, they were so fun and the first thing that started winning me over to the story when I was still warming up to it. Griffin's family was nice, too, and I especially enjoyed his sisters' budding friendships with Cat.

Speaking of relationships, both the romantic relationship between Cat and Griffin and the whole big friendship between Cat and the guys were so great. Cat and Griffin are one of those couples that bicker all the time, but it's really funny and just WORKS for them. They're both stubborn, but they both also care deeply for one another. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them together in the next book. And as for the big friendship, it made reading this book such a good time. I'm so fond of all of them, and I'm also looking forward to more of them all in the next book.

The writing and the plot were both well done. However, I had one issue that I can't go into a huge amount of detail of because I don't want to spoil something, but I wish a...thing had been revealed in this book. There's a certain secret that is kind of obvious that I kept waiting and waiting to be mentioned--and then the book ended without a single word directly said about it. That kind of thing bothers me. It's so obvious, it should have been revealed in book 1! Or maybe it's just me? I don't know. That said, this didn't make me like the novel any less, it was just more of a REALLY??? THAT'S IT? IT'S OVER? type of reaction when I reached the end of the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed A Promise of Fire and look forward to reading book 2! It's a fun romantic fantasy that did a wonderful job of drawing me in. If you're looking for a romance full of magic and snark, I definitely recommend checking this book out!


4 stars - A fun fantasy romance full of magic and snark!


Waiting On Wednesday ~ 12/28/16


This is our version of Waiting on Wednesday but with more cuddles, books we can't wait to cuddle for various reasons.

What are we waiting on this week?  THIS!



In New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s gripping new novel, a young woman comes home to reclaim her life—even as a murderer plots to end it. . .

It’s been ten years since Sasha Keaton left her West Virginia hometown . . . since she escaped the twisted serial killer known as the Groom. Returning to help run her family inn means being whole again, except for one missing piece. The piece that falls into place when Sasha’s threatened—and FBI agent Cole Landis vows to protect her the way he couldn’t a decade ago.

First one woman disappears; then another, and all the while, disturbing calling cards are left for the sole survivor of the Groom’s reign of terror. Cole’s never forgiven himself for not being there when Sasha was taken, but he intends to make up for it now . . . because under the quirky sexiness Cole first fell for is a steely strength that only makes him love Sasha more.

But someone is watching. Waiting. And Sasha’s first mistake could be her last.



Why am waiting?  Seriously?  JLA is my very favorite author and anything she writes is on my auto-buy going to read next list!  And I can't wait!


That's what we're waiting on this week! What do you think? What are you waiting on? Leave us a comment and link us up!


Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Featured Releases



From Harlequin...




The Granger siblings thought they'd left their ranching days behind, until fate sends them home to Wrangler's Creek, Texas and into the passionate arms of those they'd least expect

It's some run of bad luck when Sophie Granger loses her business and gets left at the altar all in one day. Desperate to not appear jilted, Sophie begs Clay McKinnon, Wrangler's Creek's smoking-hot police chief, to pretend they're having an affair. But Clay refuses, leaving Sophie to retreat to the family ranch to lick her wounds.

Hoping to leave his disreputable past behind, Clay moved to Wrangler's Creek for a fresh start. But that looks unlikely when Sophie's ex-fiance shows up married to Clay's impulsive kid sister. Overcome, Sophie resuggests the affair but this time for real. Clay is hesitant. City-girl Sophie isn't usually his type. But he can't deny the desire she elicits or his yearning to have her plant her cowboy roots for good.




Sharon Page sparkles in this poignant and irresistibly entertaining follow-up to her breakout novel, An American Duchess

Lady Julia Hazelton is the most dazzling among 1920s England's bright, young things. But rather than choosing the thrill of wanton adventure like so many of her contemporaries, Julia shocks society with her bold business aspirations. Determined to usher the cursed Worthington estate into a prosperous, modern new era, and thus preserve her beloved late fiancé's legacy, the willful Julia tackles her wildest, most unexpected adventure in Cal Carstairs, the reluctant new Earl of Worthington.

The unconventional American artist threatens everything Julia seeks to protect while stirring desires she thought had died in the war. For reasons of his own, Cal has designed the ultimate revenge. Rather than see the estate prosper, he intends to destroy it. But their impulsive marriage—one that secures Julia's plans as well as Cal's secrets—proves that passion is ambition's greatest rival. Unless Cal ends his quest to satisfy his darkest vendetta, he stands to ruin his Worthington wife and all her glittering dreams.





From MIRA...


The eldest of the Frobisher brothers and widely known as the lord of the privateers, Royd Frobisher expects to execute the final leg of the rescue mission his brothers have been pursuing. What he does not expect is to be pressured into taking his emotional nemesis, childhood sweetheart, ex-handfasted bride, and current business partner, Isobel Carmichael, with him. But is it Isobel doing the pressuring, or his own restless unfulfilled psyche?

Resolute, determined, and an all but unstoppable force of nature, Isobel has a mission of her own—find her cousin Katherine and bring her safely home. And if, along the way, she can rid herself of the lingering dreams of a life with Royd that still haunt her, well and good.

Neither expects the shock that awaits them as they set sail aboard Royd's ship, much less the new horizons that open before them as they call into London, then, armed with the necessary orders and all arrangements in place, embark on a full-scale rescue-assault on the mining compound buried in the jungle.

Yet even with the support of his brothers and their ladies and, once rescued, all the ex-captives, Royd and Isobel discover that freeing the captives is only half the battle. In order to identify and convict the backers behind the illicit enterprise—and protect the government from catastrophic destabilization—they must return to the ballrooms of the haut ton, and with the help of a small army of supporters, hunt the villains on their home ground.

But having found each other again, having glimpsed the heaven that could be theirs again, how much are they willing to risk in the name of duty?








Teaser Tuesday ~ 12/27/16

This is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.


To participate you:
* Grab your current read
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas's plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man in her room, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is certain, being married to one of the hottest rock stars on the planet is sure to be a wild ride.



Teaser...




LOVE this book.  Ev makes me laugh and David is so sexy!  Thank you Jess for insisting I read this series!






The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles, #2)Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save Lia's life, her erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar's interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen.

Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: There's Rafe, who lied to Lia but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be savages. Now that she lives among them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country... and her own destiny.



Teaser...


I stared at him, his gaze swallowing me whole, and I opened my mouth to speak, but every word still swam in my head. Fall in love with me again...this time as a prince. 
The door banded open, and two guards came in. "You," they said, pointing to me, and I barely had time to get to my feet before they dragged me away.

I read book 1 earlier this year and loved it, and now I'm finally picking up the sequel. I've heard super great things about this one, and I'm really enjoying it so far, so I'm excited to continue reading!


Those are our teasers for this week! What do you think? Do you have a teaser to share? Leave us a comment and link us up!

Monday, December 26, 2016

Royally Screwed by Emma Chase ~ Review

Source:  Purchased audio

Nicholas Arthur Frederick Edward Pembrook, Crowned Prince of Wessco, aka His Royal Hotness, is wickedly charming, devastatingly handsome, and unabashedly arrogant; hard not to be when people are constantly bowing down to you.

Then, one snowy night in Manhattan, the prince meets a dark haired beauty who doesn't bow down. Instead, she throws a pie in his face.

Nicholas wants to find out if she tastes as good as her pie, and this heir apparent is used to getting what he wants.

Dating a prince isn't what waitress Olivia Hammond ever imagined it would be.

There's a disapproving queen, a wildly inappropriate spare heir, relentless paparazzi, and brutal public scrutiny. While they've traded in horse drawn carriages for Rolls Royces, and haven't chopped anyone's head off lately, the royals are far from accepting of this commoner.

But to Olivia, Nicholas is worth it.

Nicholas grew up with the whole world watching, and now Marriage Watch is in full force. In the end, Nicholas has to decide who he is and, more importantly, who he wants to be: a King... or the man who gets to love Olivia forever.







The experience of reading a book usually comes down to three things for me.  

First, characters.  That connections with the characters is the most important piece for me.  And I truly did love these two.  Nicholas has been raised a Prince and as nice as that sounds, in reality it's a royal pain in the a$$.  But he's developed the best qualities from it and I adore his protective, loyal ways.  AND he's one HOT royal!  Definitely has some dirty, sexy ideas.  I may never look at shaving my legs the same way again.  And then there is Olivia.  She's a New Yorker and is barely getting by.  But she has the backbone to get things done and she is one of the good ones.  True and human through and through.  Together, these two have some serious heat - maybe a bit too much for me - but sexy sparks are in every possible way and place. Hehe

Second, the story.  Great characters are important but if their story falls short, what difference does it make.  These two have an emotional story that is jammed full of lots of joy, love, pain and happiness coupled with an impossible situation.  Yeah, this story will suck you in and have you stuck in it's pages.

Finally, the writing.  I consider several things with this one.  What person is it written in?  How well does the writing help me connect to the characters?  Did the author tie up all the strings for me?  Where there any glaring errors that had me taking pause?  Mostly, I was happy with this aspect of the book.  It's written in third persona with alternating points of view.  I enjoy that type of third person the best.  I still felt very connected to the characters.  Perhaps my one problem were a few loose ends.  I still want to know a couple minor details that are sprinkled throughout the book.  Nothing major, mind you, but I always feel a polished author ties those all up for the reader.  

Overall, this book is a sexy bombshell that's waiting to go off in your hands (or eReader as the case may be).  I read it quickly and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It sets the stage for Prince Henry's story and I definitely want to read that one. 

It would make the coldest nights thaw for you so if that's your thing, pick this one up!