Sunday, January 25, 2015

Review: Once and Always by Julia Harper/Elizabeth Hoyt


Once and Always by Julia Harper
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: February 24, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

IS THERE A PROBLEM, OFFICER?

Small town cop Sam West certainly doesn't mind a routine traffic stop: speeding ticket, stern warning, and sayonara. With a whopper of a blizzard closing in, that's all he has time for. But the lawbreaker he pulls over is anything but typical. From her mile-long legs to her razor-sharp wit, Maisa Bradley is like nothing Coot Lake, Minnesota, has ever seen . . . and she's about to take Sam on the ride of his life. 

BEING BAD HAS ITS BENEFITS

Whoever said blood is thicker than water probably wasn't related to a former Russian mobster. But an innocent mix-up and rumors of stolen diamonds soon have the Russian mob taking an unusual interest in the sleepy little town-and Maisa facing heated scrutiny from a certain tall, dark, and handsome deputy. Sam's dazzling blue eyes beg her to reveal all her secrets, but how much should she tell? Getting snowed in with the sexiest lawman in the frozen north may not be the worst way to decide . . .

What I Liked:

Gosh, I am soooo addicted to Elizabeth Hoyt's books. Julia Harper is a pseudonym for Elizabeth Hoyt - just clearing that up so I don't confuse anyone. This isn't Hoyt's first book written as Harper; you can find Harper's other books on Goodreads. It's been nearly six years since the publication of her last "Harper" book. I've read and enjoyed Hoyt's Maiden Lane series (which is historical romance), and when I saw this contemporary romance novel, I was immediately intrigued. Hoyt did not let me down at all!

Sam West and Maisa Burnsey are no strangers. One night half a year ago, they let their guards down and shared a single night together. Sam has been chasing Maisa for a year and a half, and he doesn't let her go that easily. When the pair gets entangled in some shady dealings and a Russian mobster, it could be the opportunity for the two of them to actually learn to trust each other - or get killed. 

I'm not always the biggest fan of romances that involve a romantic history between the protagonists. Best friend history, totally fine, but romantic history, eh. I'm usually wary. However, I LOVED how Hoyt handles this romance structure. Maisa and Sam really don't know each other at all, since they only spent a night together. But both of them have wanted the other for a year and a half, despite not continuing what they had that night. I loved seeing them slowly get to know each other in this book, as well as build up trust.

Maisa is a likable heroine - she's grumpy and tough and protective of her heart. She annoyed me at times, but at the same time, I totally understand her. I can't say I'd be scowling all the time like she basically was, but I understand why she was the way she was. I'm just as prickly and protective, so I get that.

I really, really like Sam. He's actually such a decent person, with command and poise and selflessness hardwired into him. He was in the Army, on tour in Afghanistan, as a career, and now he's a cop in a small town. He's brooding on the interior, but sweet and kind and dependable on the exterior. Everyone loves him and depends on him, because he's easygoing and laid back, but underneath, he's a storm of anger and sadness, over what happened in Afghanistan. I loooove Sam. I loooove a man in uniform. He's definitely one of my favorite male protagonists from an adult contemporary romance novel.

The Russian-mob-craziness story is, in my opinion, more significant than the romance. The story revolves around stolen diamonds and a mix-up of suitcases and hostages. Trust me, there are plenty of romance and steamy scenes and whatnot, but there is also a very solid plot that has little to do with the romance. The romance had my heart stuttering, but the high-stakes story had me at the edge of my seat, at some points.

The romance is sooo steamy. The chemistry between Sam and Maisa sizzles, burns, and erupts. Hoyt masterfully creates a romance that does not involve insta-love or insta-lust. She also really knows how to write hot scenes, and makes them unique. Which is hard to do, in romance, in my opinion! 

Not to mention that there is another romance subplot between two other characters - so adorable! Karl and Molly are great together; Karl is a bit silly and crazy, and Molly is very levelheaded and serious. They are a great match!

I really liked the setting - it's a snowy town in Minnesota. The setting is HUGE in this book, as snow is a limitation at several key points of the book. In bad ways, and in very, very good ways.

Overall, I LOVED this book. 100% would reread, recommend, buy, borrow, etc. I was already hooked on Hoyt's historical romance novels, but she has proven that she can handle contemporary romance just as well as historical romance.

What I Did Not Like:

More Sam and Maisa? Hehe I kid, I kid, this isn't a dislike. 

Would I Recommend It:

YES! I loved this one! If you like adult contemporary romance, then definitely check out this book. Or Hoyt's historical romance novels. Basically anything by Elizabeth Hoyt/Julia Harper.

Rating:

4 stars. 4.5 stars. Love love love. One of my favorite adult contemporary romance novels! I will certainly be looking out for more Hoyt/Harper contemporary books in the future!


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Saturday, January 24, 2015

Stacking the Shelves (#109)


Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, in which bloggers share the books and swag they've received in the past week!


So, what did I get in the week of Sunday, January 18th to Saturday, January 24th?


(all links to Goodreads are provided!)


In the mail:



I've never seen so many Harper ARCs O_O It was TWO giant packages! Like woah! I think I asked for one of these - Death Marked - and I got nine others! Thank you, Harper :)



I have a bad feeling about this one, but I must read it anyway. Thank you, Kelly!



Thank you, Macmillan!



Thank you sooo much, Bloomsbury!



TOR SENT ME A HARDCOVER COPY! You remember when they sent me an ARC? Gosh, I feel spoiled. I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH :D



Thank you, Penguin! I liked this one a lot :)


From NetGalley:



I LOVE ELIZABETH HOYT! This time, it's contemporary, not historical romance :D


From Edelweiss:



I love Sarah Ockler's books - and I have special connection to this one! My family is from Trinidad & Tobago ;)


From Amazon:



Already read and reviewed this one! LOVED it!


And that's my week! WOAH O_O 

Because of last week's massive haul, I didn't think I'd get anything this week. Good grief. I asked for like, three of these review copies LOL. I'll take them for sure! And probably give away most of them. Look out for multiple giveaways!

Last day of winter classes was Friday, first day of spring semester classes on Monday! Holy guacamole, yo! I'm excited and optimistic :D

Friday, January 23, 2015

Review: Game for Marriage by Karen Erickson


Game for Marriage by Karen Erickson
Book One of the Game For It series
Publisher: Brazen
Publication Date: January 11, 2013
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Copy from Amazon

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

He’s going in deep to make her his…

Struggling artist Sheridan Harper never imagined she’d spend a sizzling night with Jared Quinn, the smoking-hot star quarterback of her local professional football team, the San Jose Hawks. And she’s even more shocked when Jared’s publicist offers her a proposition: a fake marriage to keep Jared out of the gossip mags. Being that close to Jared would be too tempting, so to protect her heart, she insists on secretly including a clause forbidding sex between them.

Jared just wants to keep his starting QB job and keep it in San Jose. His reputation as a ladies’ man has landed him in the headlines one too many times, but there’s something about his kind, passionate new wife that tempts him beyond reason. Any sort of intimacy between them is completely forbidden, but as their bodies fall in deep, will their hearts follow suit?

What I Liked:

YAY for more Brazen novels! I was planning on reading a different book for today's review, but I was in the mood for a super steamy romance novel. Brazen books rarely let me down. I liked Erickson's Game for Trouble, which is book two of this series. It was interesting how I read the second book - Willow's story - before this one. I was like, I recognize the names Willow and Nick... so some of the characters were already familiar. I liked this book even more than I liked Game for Trouble!

Jared's reputation is slowly deteriorating, thanks to several ill-timed photos and false rumors. As a  star NFL quarterback, he has talent, but the new owner of the team wants him to clean up his act. When he meets Sheridan at a fair, the team's publicist dreams up a perfect solution to Jared's problems. Sheridan and Jared could get married, live as a married couple for a while, and Jared's reputation would be secured - and Sheridan would have plenty of money to bail her business out of the red. A perfect, tantalizing, steamy arrangement...

This book starts off sizzling and picks up steam (all puns intended hehe). Jared and Sheridan meet, and the chemistry sparks between them immediately. They can't keep their hands off each other, and one things leads to another, and the same night, they've gotten seriously intimate. The next day, Jared's publicist (and Jared) paid Sheridan a visit at her studio, and make her the offer. Jared feels so bad, but somehow, Sheridan agrees. They get married, she moves into his giant home, and that's that. Oh, but wait, there's a catch - Sheridan asked her lawyer to sneak in a no-sex clause for the duration of the marriage, and Jared has to agree. But the two of them have really hot chemistry, so you and I both know that line is going to be toed. And possibly some.

I love the banter and tension between Jared and Sheridan. The no-sex clause doesn't stop Jared from teasing Sheridan, and doesn't stop Sheridan from wanting to take back the clause. The foreplay is alive and sizzling throughout the book, until things happen. Because you know they will. Erickson definitely knows how to build a steamy romance, and keep the romance alive after the characters come alive and come together.

I liked Sheridan a lot. I feel like I could identify with her - she's quiet and a bit shy and sometimes lost in her head. But she's not a naive dreamer - she has ambitions and dreams, and works hard for what she has. But she's also bold when pushed, and Jared definitely pushes her.

I liked Jared a lot too. He's a very dedicated football player. I really like that passion towards anything, but it really comes out in a man and his sport. Apparently that's totally my type (driven athlete), but hey, they're usually in FANTASTIC shape. Exhibit A (Jared)! But he's more than a hot body and pretty face - he's sweet and caring and diligent.

The story is lovely to read, even though I'm not usually a fan of the stories built on deception (a fake marriage). I like how Erickson constructs Jared and Sheridan's story, showing readers the characters, their passions, their relationship. Erickson handles the climax and ending very well, in my opinion. It's not extravagant or too cliche, in my opinion, and even involves the sports plot. I'm quite pleased with this romance novel!

What I Did Not Like:

I have no immediate complaints! It's a four-star read for me, but there was nothing that really stuck out to me that I didn't like.

Would I Recommend It:

To all romance lovers that want a steamy romance, smart and witty character, and the ever-important HEA, definitely go for Erickson's novels. This is an excellent start to a great series. I wish I had read this one first, but I like that I read the first two books in the series out of order.

Rating:

4 stars -> more like 4.5 stars. I might read the third novel in the series - Foley wasn't a favorite character of mine, but he was definitely an interesting one. Plus I love Erickson's romance novels!


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Thursday, January 22, 2015

Review: Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott


Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott
Book Two of the Fire & Flood series
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: February 24, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

How far would you go to survive? 

In FIRE & FLOOD, Tella Holloway faced a dangerous trek through the jungle and a terrifying march across the desert, all to remain a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed for a chance at obtaining the Cure for her brother. She can't stop--and in SALT & STONE, Tella will have to face the unseen dangers of the ocean, the breathless cold of a mountain, and twisted new rules in the race.

But what if the danger is deeper than that? How do you know who to trust when everyone's keeping secrets? What do you do when the person you'd relied on most suddenly isn't there for support? How do you weigh one life against another?

The race is coming to an end, and Tella is running out of time, resources, and strength. At the beginning of the race there were 122 Contenders. As Tella and her remaining friends start the fourth and final part of the race, just forty-one are left...and only one can win.

Victoria Scott's stunning thriller will leave readers' hearts racing!

What I Liked:

I really like Victoria Scott's books. I read (and enjoyed) the Dante Walker trilogy, and Fire & Flood, so I had a good feeling about this book. Thank goodness the sequel was not only NOT a victim of the sequel slump - but it was better than the first book (in my opinion)!

Tella and the other Contenders have crossed the jungle and desert - and now, the ocean and mountain waits for them. As she and her group go farther into the Brimstone Bleed, tensions run higher. The terrains get more dangerous and treacherous. Trust is a fragile thing, and Tella must reassess who she can trust and who she should be wary of, all the while, trying to survive and obtain the Cure for her brother. 

There is a lot of internal struggling in this book, as well as man vs. nature, and man vs. man. Tella doesn't know if she can trust the new members of the existing group formed in book one. Cotton, a boy who joins them in the ocean terrain, is very strange, but not like Dink (in Fire & Flood). Willow is a girl that also joins them in the ocean terrain, and she is also a bit odd. Tella wants to trust the current members in her group - Braun, Olivia, Guy, etc. - but a group is always difficult to control.

There is also a struggle between Guy and Tella. Guy has not touched Tella since telling her about his goal of taking down the Brimstone Bleed. Guy is also a hugeee alpha male, and like to boss everyone around. However, Tella is quite intelligent, even if she hasn't had training like Guy has. Tella wants to dictate orders to the group, but Guy shoots her down a lot. This would have irked me more except that while Tella IS intelligent, I'd say that Guy is more so (in terms of the Brimstone Bleed). He's not always right (as he quickly learns at one point), but he is clever.

I liked Tella more in this book. I felt like I could connect with her more - maybe because it quickly became apparent that our personalities are similar. She's very girly (which I'm not necessarily), she's very kindhearted (which I'd like to say that I am), and she's pretty selfless when it comes to humans OR Pandoras. I remember thinking to myself at certain scenes, I would have done the same exact thing. Like with Oz the Pandora (he's a new one). On several occasions, I would have felt really bad for him too, and done certain things.

There are many, many secondary characters, and I really liked all of them! Even the weird ones, like Cotton and Willow. I still can't really figure out Willow, or Olivia. The two of them don't really get along, it seems. I can't remember how I felt about Harper in Fire & Flood, but I liked her in this book. She's very direct and gutsy.

The romance is there, it's not, it is. There is NO love triangle, and throughout the two books, no insta-love. I really like Guy, and I really like Tella, and I really like how their relationship is developing. They are slowly learning to trust each other, lean on each other, cede to each other. Tella wants Guy to let her make decisions, and she wants him to express how he feels about her. Guy wants Tella to be safe. Towards the end of this book, things really click between these two. But they totally have a love/hate thing going on, and it definitely leads to some steamy scenes.

I loved the plot in this book, the story. I feel like more things happen in this book, more death, more craziness, more Pandora action, more high stakes. Which is great, because Fire & Flood already had these things! I could not have guessed what would happen at different points throughout the book. I could not have predicted the ending. Oh my gosh, the ending. I seriously hope there will be a third book in the series, because this series CANNOT end the way it did with this book!

What I Did Not Like:

While the author definitely amps up the tension and stakes and creativity of the world and story, there are definitely more Hunger Games similarities in this book. Like, for example, there are people betting on the Contenders, which they didn't know, going into the Brimstone Bleed. This is similar to the contestants in The Hunger Games having sponsors (or something like that). There are similarities, but not enough for me to be all like OMG THIS IS BASICALLY THE HUNGER GAMES. Because that's not what's happening.

Would I Recommend It:

If you enjoyed Fire & Flood, then I think you'll definitely enjoy this book! Personally, I thought it was better than Fire & Flood, and I know others have thought that as well. Especially others who didn't even like Fire & Flood, but liked Salt & Stone a lot. So, that's saying something!

Rating:

4 stars. I hope there will be another book in the series. I want more!


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!


Read an excerpt | Win Fire & Flood

Swoon Thursday (#104): Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott

Swoon Thursday is a hot meme hosted by the fabulous ladies at YA Bound!


- 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 Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott!


I spin on my heel and storm away, but before I can get too far, Guy overtakes me. His hands are suddenly everywhere: in my hair, clutching my back, stroking the planes of my lips. I fall into him, allowing his touch to overtake my senses. His lips graze my collarbone and work their way up, moving with fervor. My head falls back, allowing him full access to my throat. Each hurried, passionate kiss along my neck is like flames licking my skin. He lifts me up, drawing my body closer. My hands slide into his hair, and I grip those dark locks between my finger.s

His mouth moves from my neck and hovers an inch from my lips.

- ARC, page 152



Read my review of Salt & Stone, or Fire & Flood!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (#108): The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh


"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:


The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
Book One of The Wrath and the Dawn series
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publication Date: May 12, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One Nights

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.

She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.



Fantasy, love story, A Thousand and One Nights retelling... sold!

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Review: The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury


The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury
Book One of The Sin Eater's Daughter series
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: February 24, 2015
Rating: 2 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Seventeen-year-old Twylla lives in the castle. But although she’s engaged to the prince, Twylla isn’t exactly a member of the court.

She’s the executioner.

As the Goddess embodied, Twylla instantly kills anyone she touches. Each month she’s taken to the prison and forced to lay her hands on those accused of treason. No one will ever love a girl with murder in her veins. Even the prince, whose royal blood supposedly makes him immune to Twylla’s fatal touch, avoids her company.

But then a new guard arrives, a boy whose easy smile belies his deadly swordsmanship. And unlike the others, he’s able to look past Twylla’s executioner robes and see the girl, not the Goddess. Yet Twylla’s been promised to the prince, and knows what happens to people who cross the queen.

However, a treasonous secret is the least of Twylla’s problems. The queen has a plan to destroy her enemies, a plan that requires a stomach-churning, unthinkable sacrifice. Will Twylla do what it takes to protect her kingdom? Or will she abandon her duty in favor of a doomed love?

What I Liked:

Huge case of Alyssa-is-the-black-sheep, with this novel. To be fair, I was really, really excited to read this book, for months. I remember seeing the words "seductive fantasy", and was sold. And of course, the cover is gorgeous. The concept of a touch killing people isn't new, but I haven't read too many books with this concept (Kresley Cole's Arcana Chronicles features Aric with this ability) - I haven't read the Shatter Me series (soon though!).

Twylla was a commoner - the Sin Eater's daughter - until the royal took her in, because she is Daunen Embodied. She can kill with her touch, she has poison in her blood. She has killed many men, for treason, include her one and only friend. Twylla is a prisoner, engaged to the prince, slave to the queen. When a new guard is hired to protect Twylla, he makes her question who she is - or who she has been told she is. With or without the guard's help, Twylla must realize the danger that lies in the kingdom before the queen destroys everything and takes it all for herself.

I think the beginning of this book started really strongly. I was completely sucked in and wanted to know more about Daunen Embodied, the kingdoms' conflicts, the Sin Eating. I think the world-building is very well done - probably the best thing about this book. And Twylla's initial characterization (her guilt over killing so many people, including her best friend). I think my issues began when the guard - Lief - is introduced. 

What I Did Not Like:

When Dorin - Twylla's guard - falls ill, the queen hires a new guard, a Tregellian (from a neighboring enemy kingdom). I did not like Lief from the start. He is too childish, too stupid, too familiar. He speaks out of turn all the time, and disrespectfully so, to Twylla. I know Tywlla is lonely and kindhearted, but if my NEW, TREGELLIAN guard was speaking to me like that - I wouldn't be put at ease. And then he always apologizes (like an imbecile), and is always in Twylla's personal space. Something about him really irked me (and we find out why, in the end), but something about Twylla letting him do what he wants irritated me too.

Also, tell me why a GUARD serves a lady her food on a tray, or delivers messages, like a common courier. Guards are supposed to be stationed outside one's door, never leaving his post. Instead, it is Lief who is bringing her food, and messages, and entering her room like he owns the place. That's what FEMALE SERVANTS are for... correct me if I'm wrong, but I know enough about medieval history and fantasy to understand this basic concept. 

Okay so I basically hated Lief from the start. Something about his character, his being, is so wrong. I don't understand how others like him so much - he seems like a cartoon character or something, to be honest. Very one-dimensional and childish. He is never a GUARD to me - not once does he have to prove himself as a guard (meaning, not once does he actually perform his guard duties), and he's always "grinning" and "teasing" and "winking" at Twylla. Guard much? No. Aaaand, insta-love. There is that too.

To make matters worse, there is a love triangle. Oh, yes. We already know that Twylla is engaged to the prince (the queen's son and king's stepson). Twylla doesn't really like him (he's the queen's son), but it would seem that he falls for her. Twylla (stupidly) falls for Lief, someone who spouts pretty words and flexes a few muscles, and has her in his lap like nothing. Talk about insta-love, in terms of Lief and Twylla.

There really isn't much "Twylla and Merek" (the prince), because Twylla is so caught up in Lief (why), but it's obvious that the prince won't give up. Good for him. Although, this is one of those cases where I wish Twylla would end up alone. Or die, even. I wouldn't mind. I don't hate her, but a tragic story is fine, too. That won't happen, though. 

After the initial world-building and whatnot in the beginning, my interest tunneled. When Lief was introduced into the story (which is like, forty pages into the book), I was like, here we go. Dumb girl falls for idiot boy, everyone rebel and save the kingdom. Barf.

Here's something else that bothered me: the whole fake-princess-and-evil-queen thing is really grating on my nerves. A common girl is taken in by the royal family and engaged to the prince but then she falls for someone who isn't the prince OMG! This book. Red Queen. A Wicked Thing. All three books coming out in February 2015. All three featuring an evil queen, a commoner-turned-princess, an engagement between that girl and the prince, a love story with the girl and another guy... and a rebellion to rid the kingdom of the tyrant queen (and possibly king).

SO OVERUSED. SO CLICHE. I'M SICK OF ALL OF THAT. Perhaps this is circumstantial. Perhaps not. I'm really sick of those plot arcs though. Can we stop with evil queens and rebellions and twisted love triangles? Thanks.

The story kind of goes downhill after the big reveal, too. First of all, the big reveal is revealed in such a pointless, anticlimactic, thrown-in-there way. Twylla gets mad and paranoid for no reason, and then the big reveal happens. And then I got really REALLY bored, because things about Twylla's power as Daunen Embodied were revealed. I like things as they were, in the premise of the novel. Once other things were revealed, I was like, snooze...

And then things become all about the evil queen being evil and wanting to overthrow the kingdom and marry the prince (her son) to preserve bloodlines. Yep. I was pretty much done by that point.

Would I Recommend It:

Not really. This is a huge case of pretty-cover-lures-all-and-disappoints. At least, for me. There are a bazillion positive reviews on Goodreads, and I know I'm one of the few that didn't enjoy the book, so there's plenty of hope for you yet!

Rating:

2 stars. I'll probably pass on the next book - I'll wait until the synopsis is revealed, and then make that decision. Synopses are important, yo.


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