Review: Dare To Lie by Jen McLaughlin

Dare to Lie by Jen McLaughlin

Book Three of the Sons of Steel Row series

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Publication Date: February 7, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

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

Summary (from Goodreads):

As an undercover DEA agent in the most powerful gang in Boston, Scott Donahue accepts the risks of living a double life. But when Tate Donovan, leader of the Sons of Steel Row, assigns Scotty to take his place in a bachelor’s auction sponsored by his sister’s sorority, he’s exposed to a whole new level of danger. Even though Tate makes it very clear—Skylar is off limits—the second Scotty sees her, he’s a goner. But how does he tell Sky she’s falling for a man who doesn’t exist?

Sky can’t resist Scotty’s cool confidence or the raw, edgy power oozing from his perfect body. She’s always been the good girl, but he brings out the bad in her. And even though she knows so little about who he really is, Sky’s willing to take the biggest risk of all. But putting her heart on the line is no guarantee that Scotty won’t slip through her fingers...

What I Liked:

Dare to Lie is the third book in the Sons of Steel Row series, and at the moment, it looks like it will be the last. This novel follows Scotty Donahue and Skylar Daniels, and it's easily the riskiest and the trickiest of the three novels (in terms of how high the stakes are, for Scotty, and Skylar). Dare to Run (book one) remains my favorite, but this one is probably my second favorite, ahead of Dare to Stay. I really hope there is at least one more book in the series though!

Scotty Donahue is a DEA agent, working undercover as a Son of Steel Row. He is a lieutenant of the Steel Row gang and very good at his job - both of them. When Tate Daniels, leader of the Sons of Steel Row, asks him to go in his place to a charity auction that his little sister is hosting, Scotty knows better than to refuse. He doesn't expect to be captivated by the stunning - and innocent - med student. Both the DEA and Tate ask Scotty to watch over Skylar, because of rising tensions between the Sons and Bitter Hill. But what happens when Skylar finds out about Scotty? Or worse - if Tate and everyone else finds out who Scotty really is?

In Dare to Lie, we're lead to believe that Scotty is a bad guy, trying to harm his brother. But Scotty is an undercover agent and he was trying to protect Lucas. He gets Lucas and Heidi out of the state and covers up their disappearance with a fire and fake deaths. Scotty is young - twenty-five - but he knows Steel Row better than most. He is a hardened man playing two roles, and he is determined to see Steel Row become a better place. Scotty is young (as the Sons like to remind him), but he is definitely a rugged alpha and he proves it several times over, in this book. I personally loved how protective he was over Skylar, and how much he cared about his family and Chris and Molly. 

Skylar, on the other hand, is completely innocent. She isn't involved in the crime life at all, and she doesn't want to be. She has no idea that Scotty is a Son of Steel, or that he is a DEA agent. She's a twenty-three-year-old med student who studies a lot and lives a lonely life due to her overprotective older brother, Tate. Skylar is a sweet girl who likes the consistency of her life, but also wants more. When she sees Scotty Donahue at her charity auction, she has this feeling that he is the one to shake up her life. 

The romance took off pretty quickly. Skylar and Scotty have intense chemistry, and they recognize the attraction between them pretty quickly. They throw down the very first night after they meet, and they continue to see each other. At first, their connection is completely physical, and they can't get enough of each other. But they start to open up to each other (well, for Scotty, as much as he can, which is very little), and they realize that they like each other, besides being in lust with each other.

So, the romance was pretty steamy, and that happened quickly. There were plenty of steamy scenes throughout the book. This pair is really passionate and there is an energy and a fervor to them that is different from the other pairs in the previous books. Skylar is an actual "good girl" with no taint, and Scotty is the "baddest" of bad (especially being a double agent). The sparks (read: inferno) really fly between them, and I love how they connected.

Of the three books in the series, this one had the most intense story, in terms of the Steel Row/Bitter Hill war. Everything escalates to a frightening level, in this book - much deadlier than in Dare to Run and Dare to Stay. The stakes are so high for Scotty, because he could get outted to either side. The stakes are high for Skylar (despite her not being aware), because Bitter Hill is coming after the loved ones of Steel Row members (and she is Tate's sister). The stakes are high for the pair, because Tate will kill Scotty if he finds out about them. The scene when he inevitably finds out... I was pretty surprised at how that went down. Anyway, things get intense on a larger scale, and it's not just about our main couple. It was so cool to see how McLaughlin made the Steel Row/Bitter Hill war such a big part of the story, and how it affected everything Scotty did.

The climax and ending was a whirlwind of decisions, bloodshed, and shock. There was a lot going on in the end, both good and bad. I was a tiny bit sad at first, but reading the epilogue made me feel better. I do like the ending and it's very worthy of the struggle and the pain and the passion of the story before the ending. I'm happy with how Scotty and Skylar's HEA came to be. 

What I Did Not Like:

There was nothing really major that I didn't like about the book, just some minor things. I really thought the author could have went a little easier on Scotty (he's banged up a lot, in this book). Scotty is such a good guy but he always seemed to be getting the short end of the stick.

I also think there could have been a little more variety in the sex scenes? Is that weird for me to say? They seemed to follow the same pattern. I loved the varying intensity (some were definitely more lusty than others, though all of the scenes were pretty fiery), but the physical acts were pretty much the same. I don't know why I feel awkward typing this.  

Would I Recommend It:

I highly recommend this series in general. It's a great romance series but there is so much more than just the romance. The crime and the gangs and all of the high stakes and sneaking around and double-crossing gets really intense, really quickly. All three books are very engrossing, and hot. Dare to Lie does not disappoint!

Rating:

3.5 stars -> rounded up to 4 stars. I liked this book but I liked Dare to Run more, and I wasn't totally crazy about this one overall. I liked it but it's not a new favorite. I'm going to be really disappointed if this is indeed the final book in the series! I had hoped that we would get to read Tate's story, or maybe Marco's... who knows!

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Review: The Dragon's Price by Bethany Wiggins

The Dragon's Price by Bethany Wiggins

Book One of the Transference series

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: February 21, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Fans of Julie Kagawa’s Talon and Renee Ahdieh’s The Wrath and the Dawn will devour this action-packed fantasy adventure about a girl who chooses to surrender herself to a deadly dragon rather than marry an enemy prince.

When two warring kingdoms unified against a deadly menace laying waste to both their lands, they had to make a choice: vow to marry their heirs to one another, or forfeit their lives to the dragon.

Centuries later, everyone expects the sheltered princess Sorrowlynn to choose the barbarian prince over the fire-breathing beast—everyone, that is, except Sorrow, who is determined to control her own destiny or die trying.

As she is lowered into the dragon’s chamber, she assumes her life is over until Golmarr, the young prince she just spurned, follows her with the hopes of being her hero and slaying the dragon. But the dragon has a different plan. . . .

If the dragon wins, it will be freed from the spell that has bound it to the cave for centuries. If Sorrow or Golmarr vanquish the dragon, the victor will gain its treasure and escape the cave beneath the mountain. But what exactly is the dragon hiding?

There are no safe havens for Sorrow or Golmarr—not even with each other—and the stakes couldn’t be higher as they risk everything to protect their kingdom.

What I Liked:

The Dragon's Price is the first novel by Bethany Wiggins that I've read. I've seen her other Young Adult novels but they never caught my eye like this book. I'm a huge fan of YA fantasy, especially any fantasy dealing with dragons. "Good" dragons, "bad" dragons, I don't care. This novel is the first of a trilogy, and it follows the story of Princess Sorrowlynn.

Princess Sorrowlynn is the fourth and last daughter of the king and queen of Faodara. The Faodaran princesses are required to sacrifice themselves to keep an ancient spell at bay. The spell holds the fire dragon in the mountain; the sacrifice is to marry the heir of the throne of Anthar, or be fed to the dragon. On the day of the Mountain Binding, Sorrowlynn shocks everyone and chooses to be fed to the fire dragon, rather than marry the 42-year-old heir of the Antharian throne. But everyone is even more shocked when Prince Golmarr, the youngest prince of Anthar and the Antharian that has made her feel most comfortable since they arrived at her home, follows her down into the mountain. Golmarr is not a barbaric Antharian like Faodarans are taught to believe - in fact, he is kind and noble. Sorrowlynn and Golmarr must face the fire dragon, or die trying.

One of the things that sticks out the most to me is Sorrowlynn's character development, from start to finish. In the beginning, she is a scared, soft, weak girl (sorry!). She is terrified of the Mountain Binding, and she doesn't know how to stand up for herself. Her parents hate her, because her fate is to die by her owns hands. She doesn't want to marry the heir of Anthar, but she also doesn't want to be fed to the dragon. And she certainly doesn't want to be trapped in a lonely, miserable, sheltered life with her parents, who abhor her.

But after she is lowered into the cave of the mountain, things start to change. She and Golmarr fight to stay alive, and Sorrowlynn, while still a weak, soft girl, slowly becomes stronger. She is no longer a pampered, scared princess - she shows more assertion and backbone, and she stops cowering in fear when her and Golmarr's lives are in danger. By the end of the book, she is so much stronger (both mentally and physically), and she is ready to take on all the dragons in the world to find what she is looking for (not going to spoil that!).

While this book is written exclusively in Sorrowlynn's first-person POV, Golmarr is easily as important to the story as Sorrowlynn. Golmarr and Sorrowlynn interact a little bit before the Mountain Binding, and there is mutual affection. Golmarr goes after her in the mountain to protect her and slay the dragon for her. Golmarr is such a sweetie! He is honorable and completely selfless - such a gentleman. He is incredibly courageous and would have done almost anything to protect Sorrowlynn. To me, Golmarr steals the show, and he is the character that the story most benefited from having. I liked Sorrowlynn, but I adored Golmarr. He is a warrior, a horse lord, a prince, and an honorable man.

The fantasy world is nothing really new, but the author does a good job of creating and describing all of the parts and pieces to the setting, the history, and the magic. At first I was a little confused about why the Mountain Binding was necessary, but the history of the spell and the fire dragon was explained in detail within the story. There are six (I think six?) kingdoms that are all at odds (you know the deal), and there are different dragons that are not at peace with humans. The fire dragon is contained by the mountain and a spell shared by the Faodaran and Antharian people, but there is also the glass dragon, in the Glass Forest - this dragon becomes important. 

On that note, we do get to understand why the series is called the Transference series! That's really important in the story. I don't want to say why though! The dragons are NOT human-friendly dragons, and that is important too. 

I don't want to get into too much detail in terms of the plot, because things will get spoiler-y in a hurry. BUT I will say that Golmarr and Sorrowlynn are not trapped in the mountain with the fire dragon for the entire book. In fact, they're there for about half of the book. The second half of the book is more interesting to me, though there is a lot of important development (character, plot, romance) while under the mountain. 

There is romance, and it's sweet! Golmarr is a sweetheart and Sorrowlynn is a kitten with claws. Their personalities mesh well together - Sorrowlynn clearly is no docile girl (despite seeming weak), and Golmarr is a fierce yet kind warrior prince. The romance develops pretty quickly, but the physical side of things is very slow-burn. There were a lot of swoony moments in the second half of the book! I like how honest and open with each other the pair was. Also: no love triangle! (Something I like mention in all of my reviews, if there is a love triangle or not.)

The climax is something that you see coming, and there was a little bit of dread mixed into my anticipation of the climax. The ending is a bit cruel but also hopeful at the same time. This book is part of a trilogy, so I understand why the book ended the way it did. It isn't a permanently cruel ending, so I'm (mostly) fine with it. It could have been worse.

Overall, I liked the book! There were some things that I didn't love, which I'll discuss below. 

What I Did Not Like:

One of the first things I noticed was that there is some seriously cheesy dialogue in this book. It wasn't all of the dialogue, all of the time, but you notice it when you see it and it's cringe-worthy. I was a little surprised by how much cheesy dialogue there was! This is the author's fourth book, but the writing felt like that of a debut author (though, that's not quite fair of me to say, because some debut authors have BEAUTIFUL writing. Stephanie Garber, for example!). 

I also didn't love the ending, as I mentioned above. I'm not going to fuss over it because I know it's not permanent, but still, it was a little bittersweet. You can't see me but I'm pouting right now. If the author messes up ____... I'm going to be very upset. Ugh, trilogies!

Would I Recommend It:

Yes and no - I have a love/hate relationship with YA trilogies. YA trilogies are the worst because there are cliffhangers and messy plots and sometimes even messy romances, and everything drags out over three books, which could be three or more years or waiting. 

In this book's case, I do highly recommend this book. This series though? I might wait to binge-read the books when they all publish. This one ends on a cliffhanger, and I imagine book two will as well. I really do not like YA trilogies anymore!

But like I said, I do recommend this book. It was great, and it felt fairly short so it was a quick read. Plus, evil dragons? We find a lot of "good" dragons in YA literature, but not necessarily bad ones. I thought that was a cool aspect!

Rating:

4 stars. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from this series! In book two, I would like to see more evil dragons, more history on the dragon's magic, and a looooot more kissing between Golmarr and Sorrowlynn.

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Swoon Thursday (#209): The Dragon's Price by Bethany Wiggins

- 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 Dragon's Price by Bethany Wiggins!

His hands tighten on my hips as he presses his lips firmly to mine, and where my hand is splayed against his chest, I feel his heart burst to life. Closing my eyes, I melt against him.

His mouth moves over mine, patiently coaxing my lips open, and I tighten my hold on the back of his neck as my knees wobble. He kisses my slowly, softly, like I am a new flavor and he has to take his time to taste all of me. I slide my hand up his chest and press it to the side of his face to feel his jaw working as he kisses me. One of his hands slowly traces my spine through my shirt and finds my neck. The other hand fiddles with my braid, tugging the ribbon from it, slowly undoing the weave until my hair falls long and loose all the way to my waist. Golmarr twists his fingers in my hair and kisses me harder. The sound of the waterfall is replaced with the roar of blood moving through my body.

- ARC, page 199

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Read my review of The Dragon's Price

I liked this book, especially the romance! There were soooo many swoony scenes I could have shared today. This one is one of my favorites. :D

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Highland Flame by Mary Wine

Hello friends! Today I'm revealing the cover of Highland Flame, the fourth book of the Highland Weddings series. You all know how much I loved the first two books in this series, Highland Spitfire and Highland Vixen? Highland Vixen publishes on February 7th, so be sure to check it out. Highland Hellion, book three, publishes on June 6th. Here are the covers of the first three books in the series:

  

And here is the cover of Highland Flame!

Highland Flame by Mary Wine

Book Four of the Highland Weddings series

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Publication Date: September 5, 2017

Official Summary:

Laird Diocail Gordon has just come into his title and inherited his father’s run down castle and rag-tag clan. He knows the sorry sight of the castle would send any woman running, but is determined to find a wife to help return his home to its former glory.

Widow Jane Stafford is on a mission—return to England even if it means trudging through the Scottish Highlands on foot. Her travels lead her straight to the path of danger until a mysterious, brawny man comes out of nowhere and saves her—and the spark between them is immediate. With a target on Jane’s back, she knows the only way to stay safe is to go with Diocail. But the real trouble will be guarding her heart from her newly ignited Highland flame…

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About the Author:

Acclaimed author Mary Wine has written over 30 works of Scottish Highland romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. An avid history-buff and historical costumer, she and her family enjoy participating in historical reenactments. Mary lives in Yorba Linda, California with her husband and two sons.

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Read an excerpt from Highland Vixen (book two):

One

1572

She was not afraid of him.

At least, Helen had told herself so a hundred times over, and had even made certain to tell Marcus MacPherson the same when he was glowering down at her.

Yet, the truth was, she was running from him, and that bit of truth left her cheeks warm from temper. She snorted, finally pleased with some part of her circumstances. Standing in the rain, looking out over a deserted moor, she needed any way to warm herself, even being disgruntled. Her fingers were frozen, and beggars couldn’t be choosers, after all.

“Having second thoughts, Helen?”

Helen turned to look at Brenda Grant. “No, simply enjoying a view that does no’ include MacPherson Castle.”

“Ye were there a long time.” Brenda spoke softly, her tone hinting that she wasn’t convinced by Helen’s answer. “Long enough to consider it home.”

Helen shook her head. “It is no’ me home—that’s why I left with ye.” She felt something tugging at her heart but was determined to resist naming it. She’d made the choice to leave, so there would be no dwelling on anything left behind.

One of the Grant retainers burst out laughing. He was sitting with his comrades farther up the hillside from them in front of a fire. The men had built a crude shelter for the women before withdrawing to what was likely thought to be a respectable distance to preserve their good names. In the middle of the wilderness, it seemed ridiculous.

Brenda let out a sigh. “No’ that I am one to offer advice on men. Me own circumstances are a mess, to be sure.”

She patted the length of wool next to her. “Sit down, Helen, I am nae yer mistress. Share the shelter with me.”

“I’ve no quarrel with me circumstances,” Helen responded. “I am grateful.”

Brenda’s face contorted with disgust. “Oh aye, we are both reduced to being grateful for having to run like a pair of rabbits from the places that should have been our homes. Men have no kindness in them.”

Helen settled down next to Brenda.

“Do ye think they know we’re gone?” Brenda asked.

“I hope no’. The longer they think we’re in the chamber with Ailis, the better.”

Brenda looked toward her. “Ye think Marcus will come after ye?”

“Nay, he has too much pride. The man is War Chief of the MacPhersons,” Helen answered. “I worry they will come after ye, because returning ye to Grant land would gain them good favor.”

Brenda was the niece of the current laird of the Grants, and she was a rare beauty. Laird Grant had arranged a second marriage for her, and she’d run before being forced to the altar.

“

That is all we are to men in the end. A tool to be utilized,” Brenda said. “Ailis is fortunate to have Bhaic’s love.”

“She is,” Helen agreed as the rain increased and they both drew their feet up.

Brenda’s words were haunting. Helen heard them well into the dark hours of the night, likely because the fairies and other night creatures enjoyed tormenting her by reminding her of her lot. Her simple life had shattered the moment she met Marcus MacPherson. He’d plucked her from her happy home as easily as he might a flower.

But she would not be broken, would not wither. No, she was going to find a way to regain control of her fate. So she’d left MacPherson Castle dressed as Brenda’s serving woman. For sure, many would tell her it was reckless to venture out with so few men, but her alternative was to remain inside the castle and wait for Marcus to force a marriage on her.

She shifted in her sleep, the memory rising in full color. Marcus had lined up his men and offered her as a bride to them. To settle her into her life, he’d said. Well, she’d have none of it. Nor was she going to think about the way the man had decided to fight over her before one and all, as though he’d offered her even a single kind word that might have made her inclined to accept him. Damn him. He was her captor. She wouldn’t be forgetting that.

Ever.

***

MacPherson Castle was huge. It needed to be, because there were over three hundred retainers alone. When supper was laid out on the tables, their conversation echoed through the stone corridors. But that didn’t stop a woman’s scream from penetrating the chatter. Men came off their benches, their kilts flipping aside as they started toward the back stairwell where the sound had come from.

What stopped them was their War Chief, Marcus MacPherson, coming through the wide arched passageway. He had a woman with him who wasn’t pleased to be his captive.

“What are ye doing?” Shamus MacPherson demanded from his seat at the high table.

“Uncovering a deception,” Marcus replied to his father and laird. He set the woman in front of the MacPherson laird. “Helen and Brenda are no longer in this keep. Ailis has kept to her chamber to deceive us all into thinking Helen and Brenda were there with her. While this one”—he pointed at the girl—“has made sure no one saw her face to notice the game.”

Shamus dropped his knife and looked at the girl. Her eyes widened. “I did as I was told by me mistress.” She lowered herself awkwardly.

He snorted at her in reprimand. “Allowing her to act foolishly and leave the protection of this stronghold is no’ to be commended, girl. Ye lack the sense to be a personal servant to me daughter-by-marriage.”

The girl paled, shaking like a dried-out leaf in a wind storm.

Shamus grunted and waved her away before turning to his other son. “Best ye go discover what yer wife has been about this last week.”

Bhaic MacPherson was already pushing his chair back. There was a grim set to his jaw as he moved behind the other chairs and down the steps to where his half brother was glowering at him.

“With child or no, that wife of yers needs a reckoning,” Marcus growled.

Bhaic stopped in the passageway, just out of sight of the rest of the clan. “She is with child, so ye’ll manage yer temper or no’ be seeing her.”

Marcus crossed his arms over his chest and grinned at his brother. Bhaic grunted, recognizing the promise in the expression. No one liked a fight better than Marcus, except perhaps Bhaic.

“I mean to have words with her, Brother,” Marcus warned Bhaic. “And they will nae be kind.”

“If ye truly want to frighten Ailis, speak nicely to her.”

Marcus grunted and took to the stairs. Bhaic reached up and pulled him back by the shoulder.

“Helen may well be in the hands of the Gordons, thanks to this deception. Ye killed Lye Rob, and they would take great delight in paying us back in blood.” Marcus shot back at his brother. “Brenda and Helen could no’ have more than half a dozen men with them.”

Bhaic’s face tightened. “I know ye’re right to be angry, Brother.” He passed Marcus and took to the stairs. He offered his wife a single rap on the door of their chamber before he pushed it in and Marcus followed him.

Ailis Robertson was waiting for them. She stood in the center of the receiving room, ready to face them. Damn, but Marcus loved her spirit, even when it was at odds with what he thought she should be doing with all that strength of character.

“Ailis…” Bhaic began.

“I’ve deceived ye,” she stated. “I’ve been pretending to be more ill than I am, so the women could stay with me and no’ be seen.”

“Ye know very well how the Gordons treat their captives.” Marcus pointed at her. “Did ye no’ think of what might happen to Helen and Brenda if they tried to ride across the Highlands with naught but a handful of men?”

She paled. Bhaic reached forward and gripped her forearm, but she sucked in a breath and steadied herself.

Marcus snorted at her. “How long have they been gone?”

“Four days.”

Marcus was gripping his sleeves so tightly his knuckles popped. “Where did they go?”

“To court, to seek shelter from Brenda’s kin.”

“Court.” Marcus spat the word out like a curse. “Right into the hands of the Earl of Morton. Ye might recall how that man treats women he thinks can be of use.”

Ailis stiffened. “I do.”

Marcus grunted at her before he purposefully turned on his heel and left the chamber, the longer pleats of his kilt flaring out behind him.

The Giveaway:

Thanks to Team Casa, I have one paperback copy of Highland Spitfire and one paperback copy of Highland Vixen to give away! One winner will win both. USA/CA only. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


What do you all think of the cover? Aren't the covers of this series beautiful? :D

Also! Huge thanks to Nick at Nick and Nereyda's Infinite Booklist, for creating the cover reveal banner for me! If you can, give her a follow and/or check out her blog! Thank you, Nick. =)

Waiting on Wednesday (#213): Lucky in Love by Kasie West

"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:

Lucky in Love by Kasie West

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: July 25, 2017

Summary (from Goodreads):

In this new contemporary from YA star Kasie West, a girl who wins the lottery learns that money can cause more problems than it solves, especially when love comes into the picture. 

Maddie doesn't believe in luck. She's all about hard work and planning ahead. But one night, on a whim, she buys a lottery ticket. And then, to her astonishment --

She wins!

In a flash, Maddie's life is unrecognizable. No more stressing about college scholarships. Suddenly, she's talking about renting a yacht. And being in the spotlight at school is fun... until rumors start flying, and random people ask her for loans. Now, Maddie isn't sure who she can trust.

Except for Seth Nguyen, her funny, charming coworker at the local zoo. Seth doesn't seem aware of Maddie's big news. And, for some reason, she doesn't want to tell him. But what will happen if he learns her secret?

With tons of humor and heart, Kasie West delivers a million-dollar tale of winning, losing, and falling in love.

Author Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

I can't wait for a new West book! I've read her previous seven books, and I have yet to be disappointed. =)

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.”

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Review: The Valiant by Lesley Livingston

The Valiant by Lesley Livingston

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication Date: February 14, 2017

Rating: 5 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss/ARC

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lost to history, the story of the female gladiator has never been told. Until now.

Fallon is the daughter of a proud Celtic king and the younger sister of the legendary warrior Sorcha. When Fallon was just a child, Sorcha was killed while defending their home from the armies of Julius Caesar.

On the eve of her seventeenth birthday, Fallon is excited to follow in her sister's footsteps and earn her place in her father's war band. She never gets the chance.

Fallon is captured by ruthless brigands who sell her to an elite training school for female gladiators owned by none other than Julius Caesar himself. In a cruel twist of fate, the man who destroyed Fallon's family might be her only hope of survival. 

Now, Fallon must overcome vicious rivalries, deadly fights in and out of the arena, and perhaps the most dangerous threat of all: her irresistible feelings for Cai, a young Roman soldier and her sworn enemy.

A richly imagined fantasy for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Cinda Williams Chima, "The Valiant" recounts Fallon s gripping journey from fierce Celtic princess to legendary gladiator and darling of the Roman empire."

What I Liked:

This book was incredible. I've not read any book - Young Adult or Adult - featuring female gladiators, so I was immediately intrigued, upon reading the premise. Discovering this book was truly a blessing, because this book was every bit as ferocious and kickbutt as the synopsis and the hype promised. I'm honestly stunned.

Fallon is the second daughter of the Celt king of the Cantii tribe of Prydain (Britain). Her older sister Sorcha was captured and killed by Romans years ago, and Fallon has grown up hating the Romans and desiring vengeance. Fallon is a fierce fighter, and wants to be a warrior of her father's war band. But she is captured by slavers, who take her to Rome and sell her to a woman who trains female gladiators. The Ludus Achillea  is filled with girls Fallon's age, who have been trained to be gladiators to serve Julius Caesar. Fallon must train to be deadly and vicious, in order to survive fighting in an arena, like all of the the other female gladiators of Ludus Achillea. Fallon must put aside her thirst for vengeance against Rome in order to survive and fighter for her freedom.

The first thing I want to say is that this book is nothing like Sarah J. Maas's (note the last line of the synopsis on Goodreads, also copied above). Maas's heroines (any of them, in any series) pale in comparison to Fallon and her fellow gladiators. I've always thought Maas's heroines were weak, and they definitely appear so, compared to the highly skilled ladies of this novel. I'm only bringing up Maas and her characters because of the synopsis above - don't let that "comparison" trick you. This book is nothing like Maas's, and for the better.

From the start, I liked Fallon, and was cheering for her. She is turning seventeen, and she is going to make a bid to her father to be a part of his war band, like her sister had years ago. But she is captured, dragged across lands and seas, sold, and then trained to be an even better fighter than she was. Fallon never loses her intense, defiant spirit. She was made and destined to be a gladiator, with her intelligence, defiance, persistence, and skill. Fallon isn't a merciless killer, and she is not without honor. I liked how human she was, how much she had to learn, and how far she had to become, in order to be a noticeable gladiator. 

She grows so much, emotionally and mentally as well. Being captured and taken from her beloved home and loved ones strikes an incredible amount of anger in Fallon's heart (as it should). But Fallon begins to realize that the world is so much larger than her Cantii tribe, and that there is more to Rome than she ever thought. I loved seeing Fallon mature as the story progressed. The book takes place over months, possibly a year or more, so it's a long time for a lot of character development (and Livingston delivers).

The world-building of this story is so beautifully written. I felt like I was in the ancient times, especially throughout Fallon's journey from Prydain to Rome. The descriptions of Rome, the markets, the warriors, the clothing - everything seemed incredibly realistic to the time period. It's clear that Livingston did her research very well. 

I am such a fan of the sisterhood and female friendships of this book. From the start, we know that Fallon deeply misses her sister Sorcha, and has mourned her death for years. Fallon is captured and chained to another captive, Elka, and while they don't hit it off at first, Elka and Fallon become friends during the journey. They are sold together to Lady Achillea, and train together. Their friendship, along with others, is powerful. It was especially encouraging to see this strong relationship, when not all of the female gladiators were intent on being part of the "sisterhood" of the Ludus Achillea. There are ruthless rivalries, and Fallon finds herself amidst several almost immediately upon entering the ludus.

I looove the romance! It's amazing, the journey Fallon is taken through, and not just her journey to becoming a gladiator. She doesn't expect to fall for a Roman decurion, and pretty much resists the attraction and feelings of affections that bloom, at first. It's somewhat of a hate-to-love romance, at least on Fallon's end. I think Caius Varro was intrigued by Fallon from the start, even when she tried to kill him. I loved their dynamic. Caius never tries to dominate or own Fallon, and he sees her as his equal. The progression of their feelings and whatnot is somewhat slow and subtle, and I loved it. Things do get a little heated but I also liked how the romance was not at the forefront at any point in the book. No love triangle!

Caius is probably my second or third favorite character of the book. He is an extremely skilled, extremely powerful Roman officer, and he is often at the academy, reporting for Caesar. He seems arrogant at first, but as the pair fall for each other, Fallon can see that he has her best interests at heart. He is a good man and an excellent match for her, in terms of personality and temperament. Did I mention that I'm a little in love with him? Swoooon.

The story builds to an epic showdown in which we finally get to see Fallon's skills and training be tested, as a true gladiator. She is fighting for Caesar, and the stakes are very high for her. The ending of the book gets very fast-paced and very thrilling. The whole book is well-paced and extremely engrossing, but the last quarter picks up speed.

The ending is perfect! There are elements that are extremely wonderful, and elements that are purposefully open-ended. I love that some things are hinted at, and you kind of have to imagine what life will be like in the future, for Fallon and ____ and _____, etc. But I also love that some things are very concrete ad permanent. I'm especially thrilled about something developments. I love that this book is a standalone, because it ends really neatly, and while I wouldn't mind seeing more from this world, I'm glad Fallon's story ends here!

What I Did Not Like:

I really can't think of anything worth mentioning, that I didn't like! You can probably tell how much I enjoyed the book. It swept me off my feet!

Would I Recommend It:

Historical fiction fan or not, I highly recommend this book! I don't tend to give super high ratings like this one often, but when I do, it's usually for an amazing book that is a new favorite. Female gladiators kicking butt should be enough to reel anyone in, but throw in the politics and intrigue of Julius Caesar and ancient Rome, some incredible world-building, an engrossing plot, a swoony (and forbidden) romance, and a fantastic ending, and you've got a winner. 

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded up to 5 stars. That did not take long! Only twenty-three days into the new year and I've handed out my first five-star rating. Granted, this is the thirteenth book I've read for the year already. Honestly, I would have been so disappointed had I not enjoyed this book, and I'm glad it turned out to be every bit as sensational as everyone said. The hype is strong with this one, and rightfully so!

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