Waiting on Wednesday (#318): In the Woods by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

In the Woods by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

Publisher: Tor Teen

Publication Date: July 16, 2019

Summary (from Goodreads):

New York Times bestselling author Carrie Jones teams up with acclaimed cowriter Steven Wedel in this supernatural mystery

It should have been just another quiet night on the farm when Logan witnessed the attack, but it wasn’t.

Something is in the woods. 

Something unexplainable. 

Something deadly.

Hundreds of miles away, Chrystal’s plans for summer in Manhattan are abruptly upended when her dad reads tabloid coverage of some kind of grisly incident in Oklahoma. When they arrive to investigate, they find a witness: a surprisingly good-looking farm boy.

As townsfolk start disappearing and the attacks get ever closer, Logan and Chrystal will have to find out the truth about whatever’s hiding in the woods…before they become targets themselves.

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I am not into horror stories, BUT I love Carrie Jones's books! Her Need series was one of my favorites, when I was a young teen. I am so excited about her new book!

Swoon Thursday (#297): The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas!

He did not move again. Not because he might startle her - she had ever been imperturbable in these matters. But because he was startled. He had thought he knew everything there was to know about his desire. Had considered it, so long fettered and trammeled, as tame, or at least manageable.

When it had always been feral. Primal. 

Her lips touched his nape, just above the rim of his collar. He spun around, cupped her face, and kissed her on the mouth, a kiss that he might never be able to stop.

She was the one who eased them apart - and combed her fingers through his hair. "You are welcome to stay."

- eARC, page 94

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FINALLYYYYYYY.  I adore Charlotte and Lord Ingram. This romance is a slow-burn one that is finally happening in book three! YAY!

Review: Moonlight Sins by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Moonlight Sins by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Book One of the de Vincent series

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: January 30, 2018

Rating: 3 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

Julia Hughes has always played it safe until she learned a very painful lesson. Now Julia’s starting over with a job in the Louisiana bayou—and a scorching encounter with a stranger, only to discover he’s Lucian de Vincent . . . her new employer. The de Vincent brothers share a massive fortune and a dark reputation. Julia cares for their troubled sister, but a menacing presence in the mansion—and the ever-present temptation of Lucian—prove dangerously distracting. 

Lucian’s grandmother claimed de Vincent men fall in love once—and hard. Apparently, it’s Lucian’s turn. Julia’s compassionate care of his twin makes Lucian want to lay himself bare. But some secrets are better for Julia not to know. 

The recent “suicide” of Lucian’s father is the latest in a string of deaths on the estate. Someone is eliminating the de Vincents. And the best way to get to Lucian may be through Julia. . . .

What I Liked:

I had high hopes for this book, because (1) it's a JLA book, and she's a great storyteller, and (2) the whole New Orleans/Gothic vibe really pulled me in. I love stories involving the heroine living in the same house as the hero (like this case, in which Julia is hired as a live-in nurse, or historical romance novels in which the heroine is a governess or chaperone, or whatever). So I excited to like this book a lot. In the end, I felt kind of meh about it. I have no doubt that fans of JLA will enjoy the book. For me, I just didn't love it.

Julia is a sweet, caring young woman in her late twenties, looking for a fresh start. She's leaving her job as a nurse to move to Louisiana and work as a live-in nurse, caring for a young woman in a near-coma. But Julia doesn't know that the young woman is Madeline de Vincent, and that the family hiring her is the notorious de Vincent family. Three brothers live in the de Vincent mansion - Devlin, Gabriel, and Lucian. There is something strange about the house, and there is something even stranger about the brothers. No matter how she tries, she can't get Lucian from under her skin. Lucian would do anything for his twin sister Maddie, including allowing a nurse to live in the mansion and become privy to the de Vincent secrets. But he doesn't plan on falling for her. His feelings for her put her in danger, something neither of them realize until it is too late.

For the most part, I liked Julia. She is different from JLA's repetitive heroines, who are usually spitfire spunky girls who are always looking for a fight. Nothing wrong with those types, but it seems like ALL of JLA's heroines are like that. Julia is actually very sweet and caring, and takes her job as a nurse very seriously. I liked how resolute and determined she was to treat Maddie as best as possible, and how she tried to keep things professional between her and Lucian. Julia, for the most part, is very smart, and I loved her sweetness and near-docility. Her strength is quiet and smooth, not loud.

Lucian is such a flirt, and a charming, swoony one at that. He has his own emotional baggage, including his relationship with his father, his tense relationship with the eldest de Vincent (Devlin), and all that he has done to protect the de Vincent family. I liked Lucian even though he's such a flirt - he is very honest and open about what he wants, so you can't even really fault him for being a flirt.

The mystery/suspense part of the story deals with the murder (but apparent suicide) of the de Vincent patriarch (the brothers' father), which happened right around the time Maddie shows up, lying face-first in the family's pool. Maddie is unresponsive and barely moves, but something strange is going on, and it has to do with her reappearance, after ten years of absence. Sometimes the suspense was intriguing, other times it was boring. 

The romance started off really lusty and eventually progressed to deeper feelings. I liked the chemistry between Lucian and Julia and also liked how they fit together as a couple, beyond the sexy times. They circled each other for nearly the entire book but it was gratifying to see them finally get together. They had good chemistry!

I didn't really care about the other two brothers, though I'm curious to see if Devlin will crack under his perfect, cold facade. Gabe got on my nerves and I don't really care to read his book (the next one, Moonlight Seduction). But I did like the bond between the three brothers, tense as things were.

Overall, the book wasn't bad, but I have a bit of a bad taste in my mouth after finishing the book, like something didn't settle right with me. There were a couple things that I didn't care for, minor as they might seem. 

What I Did Not Like:

I just can't shake the "meh" feeling I have for this book. Like it was an okay read but 10/10 would not reread, that sort of thing. At times I was intrigued, other times I was bored. The beginning was somewhat boring, and then it got interesting, and then it got boring again, and you get the idea. 

The middle 40% of the book is kind of a drought in terms of sexy times, so that might have factored into things. Maybe the other should have spread things out, in terms of the sexy times. Also I kept seeing people say how this book was sooooooo hot. It really wasn't? I mean it was pretty hot but not scorching hot? I think my expectations, in that regard, were too high.

I really could have done without Gabe's initial interest in Julia. Seriously? It wasn't the formation of a love triangle, thank goodness, but the author could have dropped that part, especially since it clearly went nowhere. I h a t e when there is any hint of anything when it involves brothers, so that didn't need to be in the story at all. When Julia meets Gabe for the first time? Unnecessary. Other interactions? Unnecessary. Again, no love triangle, no messiness, but it just felt unnecessary, especially since Julia had no feelings or attraction towards him.

It's amazing how a heroine who is supposedly not super attractive, somehow attracts aaaaallllll the hot men in town. Good for Devlin for being a cold-hearted bastard with no interest in Julia.

The climax and ending felt really rushed. I completely expected the ending, actually from the moment a key character was introduced I knew what was going on, and yet I still had a hard time keeping track of what was going on in the end. There was a lot to sort through. Also? There was that cliche thing in which the villain took the time to explain everything to the hero/heroine. Does this ever actually happen in real life? I highly doubt it. This is a pet peeve that seriously bothers me.

Would I Recommend It:

If you're a fan of JLA's adult work then it's fair to give this book a shot - especially since the "meh" feeling that I have could very well just be me. I wanted to fall in love with this book and also be seriously creeped out and chilled by the Gothic setting and curses and hauntings and whatnot. Mostly I was just annoyed with Julia for not jumping Lucian's bones, and for Gabe not leaving everyone alone (he's so annoying), and for everyone not waking up and seeing what was in front of them. Also don't read this book if even a shred or hint of love triangles mess with you. There isn't a love triangle but it still bothered me (Gabe's interest in Julia).

Rating:

3 stars. I do not think I will be reading Moonlight Seduction, especially since Gabe's story now has a trope that I do not like (feel free to contact me if you want to know more). Don't get me wrong! These books can be read as standalone novels and this trope I mention has nothing to do with Lucian and Julia. If book three focuses on Devlin, then I will probably read book three! But not book two.

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Review: Haven by Mary Lindsey

Haven by Mary Lindsey

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Publication Date: November 7, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Review copy sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

"We all hold a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed."

Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere, He’s used to people judging him for his rough background, his intimidating size, and now, his orphan status. He’s always been on the outside, looking in, and he’s fine with that. Until he moves to New Wurzburg and meets Friederike Burkhart.

Freddie isn’t like normal teen girls, though. And someone wants her dead for it. Freddie warns he’d better stay far away if he wants to stay alive, but Rain’s never been good at running from trouble. For the first time, Rain has something worth fighting for, worth living for. Worth dying for. 

What I Liked:

It's been a while since I read a YA paranormal romance novel, and an even longer while since I read a YA shifter type of paranormal. In the last few months alone, I've read a few of them - two of which are published by Entangled Teen. Black Bird of the Gallows and Haven are two of Entangled's biggest titles, and I can definitely see why. Both were excellent. Haven was intense, dark, and sexy, and I couldn't read it fast enough.

When Rain Ryland's mother dies unexpectedly, he has no one and nowhere to go. Or so he thought - but as it would turn out, he has an aunt in a small town called New Wurzburg, and she has offered to take him in. Aunt Ruby is sweet and loving and everything Rain never had in a mother. But New Wurzburg is... strange. Eerie shadows lurk in the dark, and nothing seems to add up when it comes to Friederike Burkhart and her bizarre family. Rain doesn't know what is going on, but he intends to find out - especially when the town has plans for him. Trouble has always followed Rain, but this kind of trouble is the kind that could end his life.

This book is told from the third-person perspective of Rain. It's so rare that YA books are told exclusively from the perspective of the male protagonist, and I found it very refreshing. I love third-person narratives, and a third-person male narrative was so interesting to read from.

I liked Rain from the start. He seemed like a troubled kid, running the streets and getting into trouble. But when he moves to New Wurzburg, he tries to better, to not worry his aunt. But both he and his aunt are ignorant to what really goes on in New Wurzburg. Rain is a good guy with a lion's heart. He immediately jumped to Freddie's defense without even knowing her. He was always taking up for her, wanting to stand up for her, wanting to protect her. He knew she could handle herself, but he wanted her to know that he stood behind and with her. He's protective and loyal, but also cognizant of Freddie's personality and her role and being.

Freddie is tough as nails, and a total alpha female. She is so kickbutt and fierce, and she goes after what she wants. I liked her a lot. She isn't the type of alpha female to lord herself over rain and drag him around. I like that both characters were alpha types, but they were both respectful of each other and neither of them tried to control the other or assert their will over the other. I loved Freddie's confidence and her assertiveness. 

Rain and Freddie really work as a couple. They immediately hit it off and have such great chemistry from the start. That chemistry spills over and they end up having some steamy times together. The chemistry is great, and so is the romance. Rain and Freddie fall for each other as the book goes on, against Freddie's wishes (she thought she would be protecting him if she left him alone. But of course she couldn't leave him alone!). I really liked the romance - it was passionate and steamy and intense, and very well-written.

The first half of this book is slightly creepy! We as readers are reading from Rain's POV and we have no idea what's going on because he has no idea what is going on. The slow reveal of information is so well-written, and really hooked him. I couldn't stop reading if I tried, because I had to know the what's and the why's and whatnot. 

The paranormal aspect of the book involves werewolves and Weavers, people with spell-casting abilities. It was really cool to understand, as information was slowly revealed. I would definitely say that this isn't your typical YA shifter paranormal romance. There is a lot of politics at work, with Freddie being set to inherit the Alpha position of the pack, but a lot of contention and dissatisfaction brewing in the midst. On top of all of that, there is a huge mystery going on, which takes some creepy and chilling turns. This is a paranormal romance novel, but it's also a mystery novel, and there are tiny pieces of horror (not enough to label this as a "horror" novel. This book had my heart pounding throughout many chapters, and my pulse racing in other chapters. At no point was I bored or in danger of not finishing; this was a book that demanded my attention and kept me hooked until the very last page.

It was so hard to tell who were the "bad guys" and who were the "good guys", because the author had a great way of making characters seem bad but end up being good, and vice versa. You can't trust anyone in the town! Freddie's cousins are trouble, as are their fathers... or are there? Who is on Freddie's side? Is Freddie trustworthy? Seriously, the author had me questioning everyone.

The ending is a very good one, which was lovely! After all of the dark craziness that happened in the book, I was happy to see a HEA. I love how the author ties everything together, from Rain's parents, to his friend Moth, to the murder of Freddie's father, to the pack politics. The end is very wrapped up and airtight, which I like. Standalones are wonderful things!

What I Did Not Like:

I can't think of anything specific that I didn't like. I'm not giving this one five stars (you all know how particular I am with a five-star rating) but I really enjoyed the book regardless.

Would I Recommend It:

Any fan of YA paranormal romance would enjoy this book! Years ago, I read a ton of YA novels with vampires, or werewolves, or other types of shifters, and I got sick of those paranormal novels really quickly. Years later, I'm dipping my toes back into the YA paranormal world and I must say, I'm loving what I'm reading so far. Haven is a really excellent YA paranormal novel with a fantastic murder mystery. Another Entangled book that is YA paranormal romance that I'd totally recommend is Black Bird of the Gallows. Super great book, one of my favorites of the year!

Rating:

4 stars. Haven was new to me up until a few weeks ago, when I saw it on Goodreads. It has loose references to Beauty & the Beast, with the tagline being "Sometimes Beauty is the Beast...", and I thought that was pretty neat. I am very thankful to Entangled for sending me a review copy of this book! It's like they read my mind. I will definitely be looking out for Entangled's big titles publishing in the future!

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Review: A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas

A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas

Book Two of the Lady Sherlock series

Publisher: Berkley Books

Publication Date: September 5, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

The game is afoot as Charlotte Holmes returns in the atmospheric second novel in New York Times bestseller Sherry Thomas's Victorian-set Lady Sherlock series.

Being shunned by Society gives Charlotte Holmes the time and freedom to put her extraordinary powers of deduction to good use. As “Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective,” aided by the capable Mrs. Watson, she’s had great success helping with all manner of inquiries, but she’s not prepared for the new client who arrives at her Upper Baker Street office.

Lady Ingram, wife of Charlotte’s dear friend and benefactor, wants Sherlock Holmes to find her first love, who failed to show up at their annual rendezvous. Matters of loyalty and discretion aside, the case becomes even more personal for Charlotte as the missing man is none other than Myron Finch, her illegitimate half brother.

In the meanwhile, Charlotte wrestles with a surprising proposal of marriage, a mysterious stranger woos her sister Livia, and an unidentified body that surfaces where least expected. Charlotte’s investigative prowess is challenged as never before: Can she find her brother in time—or will he, too, end up as a nameless corpse somewhere in the belly of London?

What I Liked:

This sequel novel was incredible, quite possibly even better than A Study in Scarlet Women. I don't read nearly enough mystery fiction novels, but I'm glad I started reading this one. Clearly Sherry Thomas can write anything, and I'd enjoy it!

In this second book, Charlotte Holmes has a new set of cases that are puzzling and strange. Lady Ingram has sent a request for Sherlock Holmes, to find her childhood love, who did not meet her at their annual rendezvous. There is something peculiar about this request, and Charlotte knows it's not just the case of a missing man - especially when Lady Ingram cites that the man is Myron Finch, Charlotte's half-brother. Throw in a dead man and some business from the previous novel, and it is clear that this is no ordinary situation. Charlotte and Mrs. Watson must find Myron Finch before any unpleasant business catches up to him - or them.

There are so many moving parts to this story, which was fantastic! Charlotte takes on several cases, and some of them intersect. The primary one is that of Lady Ingram, but there is also a woman who believes her housekeeper is trying to poison her. There is the matter of the dead man, whom Charlotte happens upon by chance, in some ways. In the end, all of these plots come together, except one. I thought it was so neat, how everything connected. As you're reading the story, you wonder about each individual case. But then as the climax draws near, it becomes obvious that many things are connected.

Thomas had me guessing about everything, right up until 98% of the book, when all is revealed. Don't get me wrong, the author drops information here and there, enough to make you think you understand what the mystery is. But the big reveal is nothing like I would have expected. I must applaud Thomas for how she set up the crime and the mystery!

Charlotte is so, so clever! I can't imagine writing such a clever character being easy! She is so perceptive and intelligent - nothing gets past her. She is so formidable when using her brain. Thomas did an amazing job of writing Charlotte.

The other characters were equally as well-developed and likable. I enjoyed reading scenes from Mrs. Watson's POV - she is a very kind and intelligent woman. Most of the book is written from Charlotte's POV, but all is from third-person, so the author had the freedom to have scenes from different characters' POVs. It was mostly Charlotte and Mrs. Watson. Mrs. Watson is a fantastic sidekick, and I liked seeing her friendship with Charlotte grow and solidify more.

Lord Ingram is a big part of this story, though he plays less of a big role as he did in the first book. His presence is always noticed, even though he is barely in the book (in terms of being in the same space as Charlotte). He is as honorable and clever as always, though of course not nearly as clever as Charlotte. He is a good man.

We also got to read from Livia's POV, and I liked that. Livia is a sweet girl, and her part of the story was fun to read. Fun, and sometimes a little wistful, but also hopeful. She has begun writing the tales of Sherlock Holmes and I think it's obvious that she loves it. 

In terms of romance, there is even less of it than there was in book one, at least for Charlotte. She does get a proposal but not from who we as readers would want (that couldn't happen anyway). However, this proposal thing is dealt with by the end of the book. Fret not!

I won't say too much more, especially in terms of the mystery. Suffice it to say, Thomas has written a really good mystery that will be difficult for most readers to crack, until the end. 

What I Did Not Like:

I would say the only thing I would complain about is the lack of romance. I understand why, but I want romance between Charlotte and her man! I think it'll be more possible in the next book, but still. The setup of the possible romance is so strange. But I guess it might move in a good direction in book three. Maybe? I don't know!

Would I Recommend It:

I highly recommend these books to fans of mystery novels. This is a historical fiction novel that is purely mystery-based. And if you hadn't noticed yet, it's a gender-swapped Sherlock Holmes story. It's great for adults or young adults, even though it is published under an adult imprint. I kept guessing at the mystery until the very end, which is the mark of a great mystery novel, to me!

Rating:

4 stars. I can't wait to see what is in store for Charlotte next! I do hope certain things proceed (you know what I'm talking about), but I also hope certain things are addressed and brought to light, in book three. Basically, I have a lot of expectations for book three!

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy

Happy Tuesday, friends! I hope you all are enjoying the wealth of new YA books published today. Today, I'll be introducing you to a July publication - First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy. Learn more about the history secret societies, and check out First We Were IV!

The History of Secret Societies

We've all heard of the Freemasons, the Illuminati, the Skull and Bones, right? Here's something you might not have thought about: where did secret societies originate? What was the first secret society?

Some of the most well-known secret societies are actually pretty recent, relatively speaking. The Rosicrucian Order dates back to the seventeenth century, and the Bilderberg Group was founded in the twentieth century.

Rosicrucian Order – 1607 (a brotherhood formed to find secret knowledge around the world)

Freemasons – 1717 (exclusive group of masons)

Illuminati – 1776 (atheist group opposing superstition and religion)

Skull and Bones – 1832 (Brotherhood of Death, founded by Yale undergraduates)

The Bilderberg Group – 1954 (formed based on the fear of the spread of Anti-Americanism)

(Source: The Richest)

But there are some really old secret societies that existed long before these renowned groups!

The Hashshashin (or Nizari) existed in the thirteenth century. This was a group of Muslim assassins in the Middle East. Their tactics included espionage, sabotage, and political assassination. Honestly? This group sounds AWESOME. (Unless you're one of their targets...)

The Knights Templar formed in the twelfth century. The organization formed to protect pilgrims traveling through the Holy Land, and it is said that they protected some of Christianity's sacred treasures. There is a modern group called the Knights Templar, which has no relation to this original, medieval group.

(Source: Huffington Post, Elite Daily)

But perhaps the oldest secret society is Nine Unknown Men, formed by Emperor Ashoka of Indian around 270 BC. After being victorious in a war that cost hundreds of thousands of lives, Emperor Ashoka swore off violence. He didn't want to fight any more wars. He formed this group in order to develop and protect secret information and knowledge that would be too dangerous for "rebellious people" (and people in general) to have. Each of the Nine men had a specific secret book. Details about the nine books are known! Subject matter included alchemy, transmutation, cosmogony, and more.

(Source: Ancient Explorers)

So, tell me: which of these secret societies sounds like something you'd join? We know which one I would choose! 

About the Book:

First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: July 25, 2017

Official Summary:

A group of friends start a secret society in this out-of-control thriller from the author of The Telling and The Creeping that examines the all-consuming love of lifelong friendship—and what someone is capable of when they’re afraid of losing it.

Izzie loves nothing more than her three best friends, Viv, Graham, and Harry, and the bond the four of them share. And she’s terrified of their friendship falling apart next year when they go off to college. To bind them together, she decides to create that will belong only to them, a special thing that they’ll always share between the four of them. And so they dream up the Order of IV, a secret society devoted to mischief that rights wrongs and pays back debts. At first, it works like a charm—but when the Order of IV’s escapades get recognition beyond their wildest expectations, other people start wanting in. And soon, what started as a game of friendship is spiraling into something dangerous and beyond their control—and before it’s over, they’ll pay the ultimate sacrifice.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

About the Author:

Alexandra Sirowy is the author of the young adult thrillers THE CREEPING, the Bram Stoker Award® Nominated THE TELLING, and the upcoming FIRST WE WERE IV. Alexandra attended a women's college as an undergrad and received her graduate degree in International Studies. When she isn't writing, she loves to travel, read, eat, and get into mischief. She lives with her husband in Northern California.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

The Giveaway:

One signed ARC of First We Were IV. Open internationally. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Tour:

Week 1

March 27: Brittany's Book Rambles - Intro Post + Excerpt

March 28: YA and Wine - Most Mischievous YA Characters 

March 29: Rattle the Pages - Nail Art

March 30: Book Nerd Addict - Inventing A Secret Society

March 31: Fables Library - YA Books with Secret Societies

Week 2

April 3: Emily Reads Everything - Fancast 

April 4: The Eater of Books! - History of Secret Societies

April 5: It Starts At Midnight - Author Guest Post: FIRST WE WERE IV vs. Alexandra's Previous Books

April 6: BookCatPin - Mystery YA List

April 7: A Book and a Cup of Coffee - Moodboard

Week 3

April 10: The Book Buzz - YA Thrillers You Need to Know About

April 11: The Candid Cover - Bookworm Initiation Quiz

April 12: Girl in the Pages - Book Recs for First We Were IV Characters

April 13: Stories and Sweeties - Author Guest Post - Story Behind the Title

April 14: Little Lillie Reads - Playlist

Week 4

April 17: Literary Legionnaire - Favorite Quotes 

April 18: Chapter by Chapter - Author Guest Post: Secret Society Initiation Rituals

April 19: Tales of the Ravenous Reader - Secret Societies You Never Knew Existed

April 20: YA Book Central - Author Guest Post:  3 Favorite Books About Secret Societies

April 21: The Bookish Feels - Author's March Favorites

Week 5

April 24: Waiting For Wentworth - Author Guest Post: Secret Society Rules

April 25: The Reader and the Chef - Book Inspired-Recipe 

April 26: Forever Lost in Literature - Author Guest Post: What We Do For Friendship

April 27: Flying Through Fiction - Favorite YA Friendships

April 28: One Way or an Author - Phone Wallpapers

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway: The Devil's Daughter by Katee Robert

Welcome to the release day blitz for The Devil's Daughter by Katee Robert! I'm very excited to be sharing my review of this novel - and an excerpt!  Stick around for both, and a giveaway. =)

My review:

The Devil's Daughter by Katee Robert

Book One of the Hidden Sins series

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication Date: January 24, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Growing up in a small town isn’t easy, especially when you’re the daughter of a local cult leader. Ten years ago, Eden Collins left Clear Springs, Montana, and never once looked back. But when the bodies of murdered young women surface, their corpses violated and marked with tattoos worn by her mother’s followers, Eden, now an FBI agent, can’t turn a blind eye. To catch the killer, she’s going to have to return to the fold.

Sheriff Zach Owens isn’t comfortable putting Eden in danger, even if she is an elite agent. And he certainly wasn’t expecting to be so attracted to her. As calm and cool as she appears, he knows this can’t be a happy homecoming. Zach wants to protect her—from her mother, the cult, and the evil that lurks behind its locked gates. But Eden is his only key to the tight-lipped group, and she may just be closer to the killer than either one of them suspects… 

What I Liked:

Katee Robert does it again! I'm convinced there is nothing she can't write. I've read most of her steamy, sexy adult romance novels, her dark crime/mafia adult romance novels (O'Mallley's series), and now this series, featuring murders and cults. I knew this wasn't specifically a romance novel (though there is romance in it), which is different from what Robert usually writes. I'm really happy that I loved this story despite the usual heavy-romance expectation being taken out of the story.

Sheriff Zach Owens has a dead body to identify and a missing girl to find, within days of each other. The first instinct would be to point fingers at Elysia, a cult group run by religious fanatic Martha Collins. But with no evidence, he can do little more than ask questions. But things change when Eden Collins, daughter of Martha Collins, shows up in the precinct with a photo of the dead girl's body. Someone sent Eden the photo, and Eden believes whoever sent it is trying to draw her back to Elysia. She vowed she'd never come back, but now she is involved, even if she's not back in Clear Springs on official business, as an FBI agent. Zach doesn't like the idea of involving Eden, for her safety, but he has no other options when it comes to Elysia. Zach and Eden are determined to find the killer, before more girls are taken and killed.

There is such a dark, creepy tone underlying this story, which is probably Robert's intent. I'm assuming that's the case, and I must say, Robert did an excellent job building up the creepy factor. Chills and goosebumps were definitely present as I was reading this book. There is something about cults that has always freaked me out, but add raped and beaten murder victims with ritualistic patterns to the murders, and the creepy factor is significantly upped. Like I said, Robert really did a good job with setting the tone. 

The world-building is well-written too. I don't think I've read many novels set in Montana, but here we are, with a story set in Clear Springs, Montana. I've always thought Montana was creepy, but this novel sort of seals the deal. I know this is fiction but I'm assuming there is some sort of authenticity to the setting (mountains, small town, cabins, fishing, three cops total). Robert painted the picture of Clear Springs and Elysia really well. Montana is a very different place from Baltimore, and Robert made this extremely evident. 

Of the two, I liked Zach more, but I liked them both. Zach is the white knight in shining armor type. He isn't overly alpha or macho, but he is extremely protective of his town, the citizens, and eventually, Eden. He feels responsible for each murder and any crime in the town. He tries to do the best for everyone, and often takes care of himself last. He has the makings of a devoted family man, but his job and his dedication to it has him very single. Zach is smart, honest, and protective, but he is also a hardened ex-Marine who is ruthless when it comes to protecting his town.

Eden is the more complex of the two. She wears a lot of emotional armor and puts up walls with everyone. Growing up in Elysia left her extremely scarred, and she has tried to block out a lot of what happened. Coming back and reliving those memories is extremely difficult for her. But she is an FBI agent and a stronger woman than she ever was. She doesn't want Zach's help (as much as she really does need it - him), and she often wants to do things her own way, even if (to me) her actions seem reckless and impulsive. 

Like I said, this isn't a romance novel (it's a mystery/suspense novel), but there is romance in the book that isn't at the forefront. Zach and Eden have chemistry between them, and they complement each other well. But with Eden's walls, a relationship between them would be impossible. I was a little frustrated because I wanted more from the romance, but at the same time, I definitely understand why there wasn't more. Still, the progression of the romance is sweet.

Back to creepy! The premise of this book is very intriguing, being a mystery/suspense story about several murders that seem to follow the same patterns. The victims are young with pale skin and dark hair, and they all have tattoos, specific to the Elysian cult. All fingers point to Elysia and Martha Collins, but there is no concrete evidence. Zach and Eden must hunt down every clue and every scrap of knowledge they have. Robert had me going in one direction or another, but it really didn't take me long to hone in on one person - and I turned out to be correct. There was another aspect that I didn't quite aspect. Really, the ending is both surprising and not surprising. Robert crafted an excellent and twisted story, keeping readers guessing until the end. 

Overall, I liked the story. It was complex and unique, not just about the murders of several girls and trying to catch the killer before more girls disappear. Eden works through a lot of emotional pain throughout the story. Zach has to deal with the crushing guilt he feels every time someone else is missing, or shows up dead. And the pair share a lot more than a common goal to find the murderer - they grow closer, but Eden doesn't know what to do with her feelings. There are many layers to the story, which all come together in the end.

The ending is good in that it wraps up well (in terms of the murderer and the mystery of it all). I wish there was more concreteness to the romance's ending - it's a HEA, but I think I need an epilogue to be fully satisfied. Still, I liked this book and I can comfortably say that it is one of Robert's best.

What I Did Not Like:

This is nothing against the main aspect of the story (the "murder mystery")! But my complaint would be that I wanted more from the romance, especially at the end. The ending is a nice one, in terms of Zach and Eden, but it's also slightly open-ended. Like I said, I would love an epilogue. I don't really love not knowing how things are going to be concretely resolved and worked out. If that makes sense (hopefully I've been vague enough to avoid spoilers but also specific enough to make sense).

Would I Recommend It:

I recommend this novel if you like murder stories, mystery/suspense novels, or the like. A warning - there is a creepy cult, and mentions of beatings, rape, non-consensual acts. All of these horrible acts happen to the murder victims (and not out protagonists (Zach or Eden). But I thought I'd mention that. This book has a pretty heavy dose of creepy in terms of the cult, but that definitely makes the novel interesting, and it kept me reading. My attention was captured and I could not stop reading until I reached the end!

There is "mature" adult content, in terms of the romance. Another thing to note. Not as steamy as Robert's contemporary romance novels, but definitely explicit enough for adult readers only.

Rating: 

4 stars. This is one of Robert's more complex and thought-provoking novels! It was dark and chilling, but with some warm and hopeful moments (such as the romance). I hope that there will be Zach/Eden cameo appearances in subsequent novels, because I really want to know how they work things out logistically! I'm a facts/logic person, and I must know. I'm excited to read the next story (Vic's)!

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About the Author:

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. She found romance novels at age twelve and it changed her life. When not writing sexy contemporary and speculative fiction romance novels, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her wee ones, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. 

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The Excerpt:

“This is stupid. Get out of the car. Get out of the car right now.”

She threw her body into motion, half-afraid that if she didn’t force herself to move, she’d sit there until someone decided to report her for being creepy. Who am I kidding? The people in this place are just as likely to knock on the window and ask me if I need any help.

The fall air had a little bite to it, and she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Home.

No. It’s not home. It’ll never be home again.

She’d made a life for herself in the FBI, and if she didn’t have much in the way of roots . . . Well, she’d left the possibility of roots behind when she left Clear Springs. Most days it didn’t even bother her that much. She was doing good in the world, using her nontraditional childhood to give her an edge that had helped her make a name for herself over the last six years in the cult division. She was Eden Collins, FBI agent. She wasn’t that scared little girl. Not anymore.

One step at a time, she made her way into the police station. She’d half expected it to be a whirl of motion, with people rushing here and there, trying to come to terms with the fact that death had touched their small town. But there was no one in the room except a man sitting behind the desk in the corner, glaring at the phone on his desk.

Zach Owens.

The golden boy of Clear Springs in every sense. His blond hair was still cropped short, hearkening back to his days as a marine, and his body was obviously well taken care of. This wasn’t a man who’d let his years working in a sleepy little town turn him soft.

While Zach took her in, she conducted her own perusal. She’d never met him personally, but she knew him by reputation and pieces of information stolen via eavesdropping. He’d gone off to war a boy and come back a man with shadows in his eyes. Or maybe she was just seeing him with rose-tinted glasses, the tragic figure representing everything she’d never have. Acceptance. Loyalty. The love of the people here.

Something like jealousy curled through her stomach. It was silly and childish and she was better than that, but it was hard not to resent someone who so obviously fit. Eden had done a bit of traveling since she’d turned eighteen and run as far and fast as she could from her mother, but she’d never found a place that was well and truly hers.

He caught sight of her and narrowed his eyes. “Can I help you?”

Being pinned in place by those blue eyes made her second-guess the intelligence of her plan yet again. It didn’t matter. He needed her help, even if he didn’t know it yet. She stepped forward. “I’m here about the body.”

The Giveaway:

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Swoon Thursday (#193): The Row by J.R. Johansson

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from The Row by J.R. Johansson!

I pull his neck down, stand up on my tiptoes, and bring my lips up to his. [...]

He's obviously surprised, because he falls one step to the side, but it only takes him one soft kiss to recover. By the time I'm trying to decide if this was a mistake and if I should pull away, he slams that thought clean out of my head by kissing me back - and doing one hell of a job at it.

Jordan's kiss makes mine look like a finger-painted portrait next to a Picasso. He wraps one strong arm around my waist and the other around my back and up to my shoulders. His fingers tangle in the hair at the nape of my neck and he pulls me off my feet and tight against him. My hands that were behind his neck end up in his hair as my arms cling around his shoulders for support. His lips are soft, and each kiss makes my entire body vibrate with a need to be closer to him. The movements of his lips over mine seem calculated to steal my breath away, and it's clear that I'm woefully over-matched in this department. In chess terms, I'm a novice and he's the equivalent of a grand master. His arms crush me against him with blinding urgency, but his kiss seems to think it has all the time in the world. It is slow, sweet, and I never want it to stop.

- ARC, pages 271-272

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My review of The Row

I adored this book! This particular scene was so sweet. As fictional first kisses usually are. <3