Preservation

Preservation
Author: Rachael Wade
Adult Book
(Amy's Review)
4 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis

Kate has no time for meaningless romantic charades, and definitely no time for hot college professors who are full of themselves and smitten with her. Constantly battling eviction notices, tuition she can’t afford, and a sick, dependent mother, the last thing she needs is to be distracted with someone else’s complicated baggage.

When she stumbles into Ryan Campbell’s creative writing class, he is only “Mr. Campbell” to her, until Ryan finds himself captivated by her writing and she is forced to face their mutual attraction. His cocky know-it-all syndrome is enough to send her running in the other direction, and his posse of female admirers and playboy reputation are enough to squander any odds in her favor.

But underneath Ryan’s abrasive facade is something to behold, and she can’t stay away for long. Ryan and Kate must decide who they’re willing to become and fight against their former selves if they want to make things work. That’s if academia, vicious vixens, old skeletons, and their own mastery at self-destruction don’t pummel their efforts first.

My Review

I have to give it to Rachael on this one.  I totally did not anticipate the emotional roller coaster she put me on reading this book.  This book is not a mystery, or action read in any way, it is pure emotion.  I have yet to have come across any book of this type.  From the very beginning, you are at war with yourself as a reader for who Kate wants to be with.  She has so many better options than Ryan, and this man will break her heart.  Through this book you will feel all the obstacle's Ryan and Kate will go through to have a relationship and believe me, they have a lot of obstacle's.  This is true life people, read it and you just might learn something.  Enjoy!

Eye of the Abductor

Eye of the Abductor
Author: Elaine Meece
Adult Book
(Amy's Review)
4 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis

After serving two years in a federal prison for a crime she didn't commit, Allison Davenport returns to Tennessee for one reason. To regain custody of her four year old son. If the courts won’t give him back, she has a backup plan. Abduct him.

The hotter-than-hell detective living above her not only finds his way into her dreams, but also into her life.

As Detective Brance Stone gets acquainted with the sexy woman living in the apartment below him, he makes plans to get the lady into his bed. But she makes it clear she's not looking for a relationship with him or any man. That doesn't stop Brance from trying. He soon discovers she's a felon hoping to regain custody of her little boy and decides to help, despite the fact that his involvement could possibly destroy his career and alienate his all-cop family.

When a big-time drug lord comes looking for Allison and the five million her dead ex-husband stole from him, she has to take drastic measures to ensure her safety as well as her son's. She doesn't have the money, but she doubts anyone believes her, and she has no idea who to trust anymore.

Is Brance just another dirty cop, or will he be able to save her heart along with her life?

My Review

As much as I wanted to hate Brance in the beginning (such a player) I could not help but love him by the middle.  I love the depth of each of the characters.  Every one of them had some story behind them that made them unique.  This story is a heartfelt one, especially all the mothers out there.  This story could possibly have a lot of truth to it.  It is so true to life that you can just see this really happening.  I love the strong female characters and Allison is one right off the bat.  This one has a great story to it and keeps on the edge of your seat until the end.  Enjoy!

Dancing With Deception

Dancing With Deception
Author: Kadi Dillon
Adult Book
(Amy's Review)
4 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis

When Rebecca Channing promises to hide a mysterious painting known as 'The Dance' for her estranged father, she wants only to gain an ounce of affection from him. Instead, she finds herself running for her life, trying to elude two brutal men who will stop at nothing to catch her. Rebecca has to keep them from taking the painting—and her life.

Cornered on a pier, and feeling desperate, Rebecca leaps into a moving boat. She's safe, but for how long? The ship's captain, Gideon Avery, won't let her jump ship and Rebecca is trapped. Gideon is as hard and ruthless as any sailor, but he offers to help her when no one else will.

He whisks her away to his island and his family takes her in, giving her the love and affection she'd been denied all her life. Her pursuers, however, are relentless. Soon, it becomes evident that the painting was only a cover and what they really want is Rebecca.

With time running out and the thugs hot on their trail, Rebecca must fight to protect those she has come to love and her heart.

My Review

This was such an entertaining read and it was hard to put down.  Rebecca is such a great character.  Rebecca is abducted by men who are after a piece of artwork her father gave her.  After she escapes she ends up on a boat, Gideon's boat.  Gideon has no idea about Rebecca but is compelled to help her.  Rebecca has secrets about her family especially her father, the con artist.  Rebecca was raised by her parents, and even participated in her fathers cons with him.  Her adventure with Gideon to find her father and save herself from being killed over a painting is action packed.  This was such a fun book to read, not too serious and not to romantic.  I can't wait to continue the Saga.

Intimate Enemies

Intimate Enemies
Author: Joan Swan
Adult Book
(Amy's Review)
4 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis

Six months after the mysterious yacht explosion that killed Cassie Christo’s mother and stepbrother, authorities still have no answers to the cause. Searching for closure, Cassie returns to her childhood home on the Pacific Coast of Baja, Mexico, where she launches her own investigation into the accident. She never expected to find an adversary in the man who had once touched her heart with kindness in her darkest moment.

Rio’s been fantasizing about reconnecting with Cassie for months. But not here and sure as hell not now. As an undercover agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he’s working the biggest sting operation in all of northern Mexico, and he definitely doesn’t have time for the wild attraction he feels for Cassie.

Not only is his cover on the line, so is his heart. Because as the end of a yearlong operation draws closer, Rio knows if he tells Cassie the truth about who and what he is, it won’t only jeopardize his mission, it may result in him losing her forever. And if he doesn’t, his lies and deception could get them both killed.
My Review

I think I am on a action/romance novel kick.  It seems that is all I have been reading lately.  In this book you have an awesome strong willed female character with a bit of a troubled past.  What I loved about this book was Cassie travels back to her home after he mothers death to boot out her stepfather.  The attitude and brass she gives him is awesome!  When she sets her mind to something look out because she is going for it.   Then she meets Rio who is her stepfathers right hand man, but what she doesn't know is, he's an undercover agent out to take down her stepfather.  Of course there is the romance aspect where she is totally crushing on Rio but that doesn't stop her from obtaining her goal and taking her stepfather down.  I really enjoyed this book, it has a great story from beginning to end. 

Playing with Fire

Playing with Fire
Author: Taylor Lee
Adult Book
(Amy's Review)
4 out of 5 Stars


Synopsis

 A rookie firefighter accused of setting the fire that kills her husband and his mistress.

 “A bad-assed cop falls for the beautiful firefighter only to discover she is his #1 suspect in a double murder.

 Can Nate find the real murderer before the murderer finds her?


My Review

What can I say about Taylor Lee’s books?  Well, that they are awesome.  When I finished reading Big Girls Don’t Cry, I was so excited to read more of Taylor’s stories.  I moved on to Playing with Fire I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to put it down.   Not too smart on my part to start it at night because yes, I didn’t stop reading until it was over.  That’s the thing I love about Taylor’s books.  They are so dramatic that you can’t wait to turn the page to see what’s next.  In this story it’s a woman firefighter (love it!) and a police detective.  Now I so did not like Nate in this story but his character worked.  Sorry, he was a jerk, but I loved Erin.  I have got to say it must be hard to write about someone with such a traumatic past but turn out to be a strong character.  I love that about Taylor’s female characters.  I can usually pick out who the villain is in the story but not so much with this one.  There were so many different angles to this mystery that anyone could have been “the one”.  Taylor’s story has action, romance, drama and suspense, which in my book are the essence to a great read.  Taylor has made me a loyal reader, I can’t wait for more.  Enjoy.

Witch Way Bends (Bend Bite Shift Trilogy #1)

Witch Way Bends (Bend Bite Shift Trilogy #1)
Author: Olivia Hardin
Adult Book
(Amy's Review)

Synopsis

Devan Stowe is a woman on a quest. She has only one thing on her mind when she teams up with Kent Crosby and his associates—putting an end to her father’s child trafficking business. Her determination takes her on a journey to discover her true strength and… the one man she was destined to love. In his arms, she’ll learn the meaning of trust, honor, and courage. Old friends and new will come together to help Devan unlock an amazing gift that will free her from her past and open up a future full of magic, faeries and more things than she ever imagined possible.

I was very skeptical in the beginning of this story because it feels like you start in the middle of a story.  It works though because you learn a bit more towards the end that pulls it all together.  Devan, who believes she is an ordinary woman, is working with a group of men set out to destroy a group called the Org.  Devan has personal ties to this group because her father is one of them. Kent, Nicky, and Langston all have gifts that help support their cause.  Devan soon learns that she is no ordinary human, she is a special witch part fae, one that has never been heard of before.  Devan is the key to bring the human world and the fae world together.  Devin will need help from her friends to get answers on who she really is but also to take down a master vamp that wants her blood.  This story has witches, vampires, and the fae in it.  So if you like the paranormal, you get a bunch.  This story is unique and I haven't read anything like it before which is refreshing. 

Rating 4 out of 5

Glimpse Review

Glimpse (Zellie Wells #1)
Author: Stacey Wallace Benefiel
YA Book
(Amy's Review)

Zellie Wells has a devastating crush on Avery Adams, the son of her mom’s high school sweetheart. At her sixteenth birthday party, held in the basement of her dad’s church, she finally finds the courage to talk to him. Turns out, the devastating crush is mutual.  As Avery takes her hand and leads her out onto the makeshift dance floor, Zellie is overwhelmed by her first vision of his death; shocking because not only are they both covered in his blood, but they’re old, like thirty-five, and she is pregnant.  Afraid to tell anyone about the vision, (she’d just be labeled a freaky black magic witch, right?) Zellie keeps the knowledge of Avery’s future to herself and tries to act like any other teenager in love. When they get caught on their way to a secret rendezvous by her mom and his dad, they are forbidden to see each other.
Convinced that their parents are freaking out unnecessarily, Avery and Zellie vow to be together no matter what. They continue their relationship in secret until Zellie learns that their parents are just trying to prevent her and Avery from suffering like they did. The visions are hereditary, they’re dangerous, and if they stay together the visions will come true.  Now Zellie must choose between severing all ties with Avery, like her mom did to prevent his father’s death, and finding a way to change Avery’s future.

My Review:

Imagine being a 16 year old girl with a gift that allows you to see how and when people are going to die.  Especially when one of them is a boy that you love and are destined to be with.  That is what Zellie can do.  All of this happens on her 16^th birthday and the day that her boy crush Avery finally puts the move on her.  This is such a cute story.  When you read this, it gives the true perspective and reality of a teenager.  I have read other stories where I think to myself “This is not what a teenager would say or do.”  It was very refreshing.  I am excited to read the next in the series “Glimmer” and see where Zellie’s gift takes her and Avery. 

Rating: 4 out of 5

Enlightened (Light Tamer #2)

 

Enlightened



Jessie Lucente, a Light Tamer, has started her junior year at Parca Academy in New Bern, NC. She has a new boyfriend, Caleb Baldwin. He is beyond good looking, he is her mate for life. They've been bound by the light and will rule and heal with it too. Her new classes aren't what she expected. Finding out the school is filled with 'gifted' kids is almost too much to comprehend. She finds out what it really means to be a Light Tamer. Some of the assumptions she had are debunked and now everything is crystal clear...well, clear as mud. Now that she is enlightened with the facts, she struggles with the truth.

Thorne Woodson has all of the girls swooning. His Doc Martens and hoodie stand out against his school uniform. He might be the guy to heal Amber's broken, grieving heart. What's his story, and why does he appear everywhere Jessie is? He has a secret that will change the game for everyone. Who is he in cahoots with? 


Amber starts her junior year with a bang and a huge crush. She has a point to prove on the first day of school. She refuses to let everyone believe she went soft over summer break. Her shenanigans end with detention on the first day. The anniversary of her brother's death has her making dumb decisions but her friends have her back. Jessie will struggle to help Amber deal with the grief.

The secrets that have been revealed by Fate will leave Jessie in a new role. It will all come down to bloodline versus logic. She must step up and embrace her new title, and life on the other side of the shimmer. With her small army together, they promise to vanquish Nyx back to the Underworld and seal the portal she came through.

The second book in The Light Tamer trilogy will answer the questions that are burning in your head. A beautiful tale of first love and friendship. Be prepared to be amazed at the twist in this story. You didn't see it coming, but you'll be glad it did!


Get your copy of Enlightened today http://www.amazon.com/Enlightened-Light-Tamer-Novel-ebook/dp/B009O51Q6Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349993433&sr=8-2&keywords=enlightened+devyn+dawson

Get to know Devyn and her works at http://www.devyndawson.com/

 

 

Haven't read The Light Tamer?

5 Star Review

 http://the-book-diaries.blogspot.com/2012/05/light-tamer.html

 

Jessie's moved from New York to North Carolina one week after school lets out for summer break. Being a teen in a retirement area, is one more thing to add to her 'this sucks' list. It's bad enough to have to move, but even worse her alcoholic father left them as he went on a quest to be an artist in Greece.

Things begin to look up when she is reintroduced to Caleb, the dorky boy that saved her life one summer at the beach. Caleb is no longer scrawny and nerdy, he is now tall, dark and handsome. Caleb is a Light Tamer. Now, Jessie and Caleb must learn how to control the light...before they lose each other forever.

Jessie and Amber become fast friends. Amber is a no frills girl, her snarky comments and sassy attitude will raise a few eyebrows and have you laughing out loud. Amber is rough around the edges, a light tamer with only two years left to find the one she is bound to. Her father's surfing accident left her dad paralyzed and her brother dead.

This paranormal romance will keep you on the edge of your seat with humor, romance, and determination. Fall head over heels for Caleb and Jessie.

 

Beyond The Veil (The Grey Wolves #5)

Beyond The Veil (The Grey Wolves #5)
Author: Quinn Loftis
YA Book
(Amy's Review)
5 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis

Though the Serbian pack has been brought to heel thanks to the downfall of their Alpha, the war is far from over.
Desdemona, a witch of unfathomable power, has escaped the wolves’ wrath, but she will not go quietly into the night. She takes refuge in a place where even the smallest sliver of light does not dare to enter. Though she had to flee, she has not given up on the treasure she wishes to acquire. Her depravity knows no bounds; she's even willing to search for the one who can assist her in opening a Veil that has not been opened in millennia – with good reason: the danger is incalculable.

Meanwhile, there are major changes rippling through the Romanian Grey wolves. Decebel has become Alpha to the Serbian pack in an effort to begin to unite the Canis lupis species. Their numbers are dwindling in the wake of the shortage of true mates and lack of offspring. The wolves are beginning to lose faith and darkness seems to be crashing in on them from all sides. But the winds of change are blowing, changes that will alter the future of not only the Canis lupis, but of another ancient race as well.
Amidst all of this, Sally is continuing to come to terms with her relationship with the playful, charming, flirty, unbelievably handsome bartender – who happens to be a member of the Romanian pack.
If all that weren’t enough, the Fates have decided to pay a little visit to Jen. It’s time to collect. She cheated the Fates of a life, her life. Now they want what they are due. The problem? It’s more than Jen is willing to pay.
Yes, the war is indeed far from over. Bargains will be struck, declarations will be made, sacrifices will be given, love will be tested, and trust will be questioned as evil makes its stand against them all.

My Review

When I first saw that Quinn finally released this book I was like "YES! FINALLY!"  by the end I was like "OH NO SHE DIDNT! WTF!".  Yea so be prepared people.  I think of the 5 books out, Quinn really left no holds barred on this one.  She really shows the struggles of her characters in this one.  I was sitting on the end of my seat the entire time reading this and I couldn't put it down.  It is a major page turner.  I am all the way Team Decebel but Costin comes out of nowhere and makes you do a double take... Quinn has taken her story to a whole new level, adding new characters, supernatual beings and a whole lot of evil.  Enjoy!

Minding Amy

Minding Amy
Author: Saskia Walker
Adult Book
(Amy's Review)

Synopsis

Sassy London journalist, Amy Norton, is on the trail of a missing TV celebrity. When her over-protective father hires a bodyguard to accompany her during her investigative work, she's furious. Things only get worse when she realizes the bodyguard is the guy she mistakenly approached on a blind date the night before. She was all over the man and embarrassed herself, big time. The last thing she wants is to have him obstructing her task, gorgeous though he is.  Undercover Investigator, Sebastian Armitage, is amused and fascinated by the situation and sets out to charm the pants off the hot-headed Ms Norton. She is one sexy lady, and he wants her. Before long they embark on a red-hot affair, but how is Sebastian going to point out that she's going about investigate work the wrong way, while keeping her sweet?

This was my first non-paranormal read and it was fabulous!  I got this as a free read on Amazon and I'm so glad I did. Amy is a journalist who is looking for something different, something exciting.  She finds it when a famous TV personality goes missing.  When she gets the ok for the story she had no idea that she would need a bodyguard, Sebastian.  Not only does she get her story but she also gets something else along the way.  This was a really cute story, I would definitely recommend it.

Rating 5 out of 5  

Kiss of Fire

Kiss of Fire
Author: Deborah Cooke
Adult Book
(Amy's Review)
3 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis

For millennia, the shape-shifting dragon warriors known as the Pyr have commanded the four elements and guarded the earth's treasures. But now the final reckoning between the Pyr, who count humans among the earth's treasures, and the Slayers, who would eradicate both humans and the Pyr who protect them, is about to begin...
When Sara Keegan decides to settle down and run her quirky aunt's New Age bookstore, she's not looking for adventure. She doesn't believe in fate or the magic of the tarot-but when she's saved from a vicious attack by a man who has the ability to turn into a fire-breathing dragon, she questions whether she's losing her mind-or about to lose her heart...

Quinn Tyrrell has long been distrustful of his fellow Pyr and a self-reliant loner. So when he feels the firestorm that signals his destined mate, he's determined to protect and possess Sara, regardless of the cost to himself. Then Sara's true destiny is revealed-and Quinn realizes he must risk everything- even Sara's love-to fulfill their entwined fates...

I came across this book and found it intriguing because I've never read about dragons before.  It was a good story but I wasn't that excited about the characters.  Sara was a good character although for someone who was around mythical and spiritual beliefs from her aunt and mother, it didn't make sense that her character was so disbelieving of things that were happening.  Quinn's character bugged me the most.  He was so hot and cold.  For someone who met their destined mate, he seems so uninterested.  He vows to protect her but every time something happens to her he is never around, and pretty much just wants to get in her pants.  Yes the story changes towards the end but there is just that lacking connections between the characters.  The other dragon shifters seem more interesting and I will continue to read the series to find out more about them.

Blaze of Memory (PsyChangeling #7)

Blaze of Memory
Author: Nalini Singh
Adult Book
(Amy's Review)
5 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis

A woman without a past becomes the pawn of the man who controls her future...

Dev Santos discovers her unconscious and battered, with no memory of who she is. All she knows is that she's dangerous. Charged with protecting his people's most vulnerable secrets, Dev is duty-bound to eliminate all threats. It's a task he's never hesitated to complete...until he finds himself drawn to a woman who might prove to be the enemy's most insidious weapon yet.

Stripped of her memories by a shadowy oppressor and programmed to carry out cold-blooded murder, Katya Haas is fighting desperately for her sanity. Her only hope is Dev. But how can she expect to gain the trust of a man who could very well be her next target? For in this game, one must die...

My Review

So when I first read the synopsis of this book I was a little sad because I like my changeling packs.  I was floored while reading this.  I think Dev is my #2 favorite male of the series so far!  This book pulled at so many emotions that you don't get in the previous books.  I was gripped right up until the very end.  I love where Nalini is going with this series.  Even though in some series, you hit book 6 and your just like..alright that's enough time to end, but Nalini is a genius at keeping this series intense!  I love it. Don't be fooled or discouraged by the change of characters, this book is awesome!
Enjoy.

Branded By Fire (PsyChangeling #6)

My Favorite So Far!!!

 

5 out of 5 Stars!!

 

 

Synopsis

 

When a brilliant changeling researcher is kidnapped, DarkRiver sentinel Mercy, a cat, and SnowDancer lieutenant Riley, a wolf, must work together to track the young man-before his shadowy captors decide he's no longer useful. Along the way, the two dominants may find that submitting to one another uncovers not just a deadly conspiracy, but a passion so raw that it'll leave them both branded by fire.

 

 

My Review

 

READ IT!!!

Flame Moon

Flame Moon
Author: K.J. Jackson
Adult Book
(Amy's Review)
4 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis

Skye Walters thought waking up on the side of a river with no memory was her biggest problem. She had no idea that the man who had saved her from drowning, the man she now depended on, Aiden, was more than mere mortal. A warrior of ancient.

No memory, nowhere to go, Skye stays in the mountain town, only to discover she herself, has unexplained powers. Her life, her destiny, are soon out of her control, as are her feelings for Aiden. The deeper Skye gets sucked into Aiden’s hidden world, the more the past, and who she really is, threatens her future, her love, her sanity.

My Review:

I came across this as a free read on Amazon, and I'm glad I did.  First off let me say this is a romance/love story.  It does have some action but first and foremost, its a love story.  So what got me all excited about this book was...Mythology.  I love Mythology!  In the beginning of this book you have no idea what is going on.  Everyone is a mystery.  That is the one thing that keeps you reading, you want to find out what is going on.  Kudos for the author on that one.  She has taken parts of mythology and created her own world.  It was very creative and intriguing.  I can't wait for book 2.  Enjoy!

Witchblood

Witchblood
Author: Emma Mills
Older YA Book
(Amy's Review)

When Jess steals a glance at a gorgeous guy in a Manchester nightclub, little does she realise how he is going to change her life…or should that be death? Yet, the vampire clan could never have predicted what they were taking on. With Luke pronounced ‘off-limits’ and the blood of a vampire simmering in Jess’s body, can she forget the love of her life and move on? If not, she will risk exposing the entire Northern vampire clan to untold dangers, in order to live her life the way she wants. Can Jess be sure that Luke is all he appears to be? Will she succumb to the attraction she desperately tries not to feel for Daniel? And why does she still crave a packet of crisps more than a tasty teenage boy’s blood?


I did not expect to become as engrossed with this book as I did.  I began reading and couldn't stop until I was finished.  This story was unique in that I have not come across a book where the main character was a witch turned vampire.  The whole situation I think is the most believable.  Jess is a ordinary girl who gets killed outside of a nightclub.  She is saved by two vampires.  Jess soon finds out she has special gifts because she is part witch.  Jess and Daniel have to work together to find out her mysterious heritage and learn to live as a vampire.  I am looking forward to the next book.

Rating 4 out of 5