Teaser Tuesday (2) Spirit

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This time when her mouth fell on his, he didn't pull away at all. Her tongue slipped between his teeth, teasing at his until he sat up straighter, his free hand at the small of her back, just inside the waistband of her jeans, pulling her closer. He felt silk and lace and skin under his fingertips.

Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer Kindle Location 1400

Well, you got to hand it to Hunter. He knows how to kiss.

Review: Spirit

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Format: e-ARC

Print Length: 301 pages

Publisher: K Teen

Published: May 28 2013

With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…

My Opinion

I have to be honest, I was a little disappointed in this edition to the series.  Mainly though I feel that was due to it being Hunter’s story and not one of the brothers.  When we were introduced to the series it was about the Merrick brothers.  The novella, and the first two books were the brother’s stories.  Then we get Hunter.  Hunter who hunts down elementals.

The story starts off almost where Spark left off.  Calla is still around, and still causing trouble for Hunter.  No one of course believes him in regards to her though.  Why would they when she is the mastermind behind scenes like the one in the lunchroom.  He totally comes off as guilty.  The stuff she accuses  him of puts him at odds with his grandpa and he is systematically kicked out of the farmhouse.  Who should come to his rescue by Michael Merrick.  Oh Michael how do I love you.  Let me count the ways- hot, smart, responsible and always willing to help out.  I could go on and on but this is not about Michael this is about Hunter.

There is a new girl in school, Kate- who happens to be a guide apprentice.  She has it all- great looks, fabulous personality, lots of snark.  Oh… did I mention a complete psycho for a mentor?  Kate is along for the show because she has already taken down an elemental- the same one who killed her momma.

The chemistry between Hunter and Kate is off the charts.  They both have had bad things happen to them.  Kate handles it better even though Hunter had the better childhood.  The training that the guides have to go through is mentioned in this book and holy night is there no way I could have gone through it. 

The thing about Hunter that bothers me the most is his lack of trust in the Merricks.  They have been there for him and he still does not trust them.  He keeps putting his trust in a group of people that have routinely screwed him over.  Why?  Oh why?

Speaking of why- the ending is a real tear-jerker.  I was like holy heck did she really just do that?  Is this for real?  And where does that leave us?  One thing for sure, this book is an emotional roller coaster.

My Rating 3 stars out of 5

Favorite Quote “No, jackass.  I blame you.  Where’d you learn how to be a friend, anyway?”

Other People

Silver- Kate’s mentor, a guide and a real jerk

Michael- oldest Merrick, best father figure in town

Calla- evil weak elemental, also Hunter’s enemy

Gabriel- Hunter’s best friend, too bad neither of them know it

Book Boyfriend (2) Aric

• Join the Book Boyfriend meme
• Pick your book boyfriend for the week
• Current read or not
• Tease us with something about your boy
• Don't spoil the book
• Link up with us

Aric from the Weird Girls series is my cuddly book boyfriend of the week.  Sure, as a were he could possibly shed some hair on my furniture but I would gladly vacuum it up for a couple of dates with him.

He is willing to help.

Aric's face hardened. "I don't deny you're tough or that you can fight. You have to be to endure the shit you have. But stop feeling like you have to rely on yourself all the time. I'm around now, Celia. You're no longer alone.

Sealed with a Curse Kindle Location 2505

He knows when to hold on.

 Aric sat on the edge of the porch, draping me across his lap. His strong chiseled arms curled around me. My cheek fell against his bare chest and our bodies melded and relaxed into a state of tranquility.

A Cursed Embraced Kindle Location 1052

He is not afraid to show his emotions.

I meant what I told you at Koda and Shayna's wedding, sweetness. You're the one I want to spend my life with.

Cursed by Destiny Kindle Location 491

Review: The Naturals

Author Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Format: e ARC

Print Length 304 pages

Publisher Disney-Hyperion

Published: November 5, 2013

Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides— especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own.

Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.

Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.

My Opinion

When Cassie was twelve she discovered her mother’s dead body, this changed her entire life.  Now she lives with her grandmother, Nonna.  Every Sunday there is a huge Sunday supper where all of her extended family comes to visit.  Too bad Cassie even after five years does not feel that she fits in.  So when the FBI show up and offer her a position in a school that would allow her to actually look for her mother’s killer she is all about it.

While at school, Cassie meets several other Naturals.  There are two guys at this school that could cause a love tri-angle later on in the series.  For now, Cassie is learning how to hone her skills.  That is until a serial killer fixates on her.  With little clues to go by, Cassie and Dean must profile this serial killer and determine what they want.   Why are they so interested in Cassie and in her mother’s murder?  Will they be able to save the kidnapped girl in time?

I like the chemistry between Cassie and Dean and Cassie and Michael.  So at this point I do not have a favorite guy, who I want her to pick.  This is highly unusually for me and I think speaks well of the writer’s ability to show that you can like two guys at once.  I did wish that there was a little bit more romance in the book, that would have moved things a long faster.

With all the background information laid out, The Naturals has the potential to be a great series.  While at times the book moved rather slowly, I have to say the suspense portion of the book was spot on.  The Naturals kept me guessing who the killer was up to the actual reveal. 

Overall, The Naturals is a book that you can lose yourself in for a few hours and come away thinking great story.

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “I can be a patient man, Colorado.  A devastatingly handsome, roguishly scarred, heartbreakingly courageous patient man.”

Other People

Sloane- specialty is numbers and probabilities

Lia- specialty is deception, has a knack for picking out the lies

Agent Briggs- FBI Agent who is behind the naturals

Agent Locke- Cassie’s profiling mentor

Swoon Thursday (1) Cursed by Destiny

The fabulous girls over at YA Bound created this super HOT meme. Here's how it works.

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.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! I want to know & so do the gals at YABound!

"Sweetness, I couldn't look at you. It's getting damn near impossible to control my wolf around you. All that part of me wants is to be with my mate no matter what. My animal side doesn't care about the consequences, and now I don't know if my human side does, either. I can't keep away from you much longer."

Cursed by Destiny by Cecy Robson Kindle Location 4098

I cannot imagine what it would be like to have to fight my entire pack to be with the one that I love.  If that doesn't make you swoon I do not know what will.

Waiting on Wednesday (2) White Hot Kiss

Hey y'all, thanks so much for stopping by my WoW!

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

One kiss could be the last. 

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. 

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. 

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. 

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Why am I waiting?

In December, we were introduced to Layla in Bitter Sweet Love. I couldn't help but feel bad for her and would love to read her story. I would also love to get a glimpse of Dez and Jasmine.

Teaser Tuesday (1) A Breath of Frost

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

You have two options: find a gentleman with manners who will marry you, or wait for your father to find one for you. The first is preferable, though by no means guaranteed. The second is most likely, and most unpredictable.

A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey Kindle Location 437

"Are you sure?" he asked, running his lips along the side of her neck until her knees felt as if they were made of water. She shoved at his chest. he was laughing as he stumbled back. "If you're not here to kiss me, love, you should go home."

A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey Kindle Location 863

The first teaser is some sensible advice from a beloved aunt.  The second one is well Cormac is just well hot.

Review: A Breath of Frost

Author Alyxandra Harvey

Format e-Arc

Print Length 496 pages

Publisher Walker Childrens

Published Jan. 7, 2014

In 1814, three cousins-Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope-discover their unknown family lineage of witchcraft. Beyond the familiar manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, a dangerous, alluring new underworld visible only to those with power is now open to the cousins.
But unbeknownst to them, by claiming their power, the three cousins have inadvertently opened the gates to the Underworld.


Now the dead, ghouls, hellhounds-and the most terrifying of all: the spirits of dark witches known as the Greymalkin Sisters-are hunting and killing young debutante witches for their powers.
And, somehow, Emma is connected to the murders...because she keeps finding the bodies.
Can the cousins unravel the clues and mystery behind their heritage and power before their gifts are stripped away ...or even worse, another witch is killed?

My Opinion

Incredibly entertaining, and oddly suspenseful A Breath of Frost was a refreshingly new idea in a genre that is saturated with many books that follow the same formula. The paranormal side of things was rather intriguing although at times it was a bit hard to follow. This is mainly from writing style as the author does jump around in regards to character narration. Having been familiar with this particular author this is something that I had come to expect from her.

Emma accidently breaks a bottle of her momma’s in the middle of a ball room. This bottle was a spell that bonded the magical powers that she and her cousins possessed. They are apparently descendants of a long line of witches- although they have no clue. I adore the cousins’ relationship- they genuinely love and support each other. Their love of each other shines throughout the book in their thoughts, words and actions.

Cormac is Emma’s love interest, he is also a Keeper. As a Keeper, he is not supposed to be interested in Emma and does try hard to push her away. This does not work out very well though as it only confuses her. Especially after he comes and rescues her again and again. He tries hard to distance himself from her yet he is very protective of her.

The debutants keep dying and there is no way to prove that Emma is innocent. Can they find a way in time? A way before the Order binds her magic back? Can they stop the killer? Are they strong enough to prevent more deaths? Will Cormac kiss her? Why hasn’t he kissed her? These are the questions that will plague the reader until the end.

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “That’s my girl,” he said softly.

Other People

Gretchen- Emma’s cousin, speaks her mind
Penelope-Emma’s cousin, the conscience of the trio
Moira- a witch that is known as a Madcap, not really sure what her role is though
Daphne- resident mean girl, hopefully though maybe she will become a friend of the cousins

Cover Reveal: Alliance

BLURB:

“Saving him meant saving her colony…”

Lyra Bryan has been saving people her whole life from a chick in the ventilation pipes to her mentally ill brother when his mind drifts back to Old Earth. She meets her match when she finds a gorgeous alien man aboard the arachnid ship. Captured after a failed attempt to save his people, his spirit is broken, craving only vengeance. To save her colony, Lyra must save his body and soul.

Lyra’s lifemate, Tauren, is jealous of her obsession with the alien man and will do anything in his power to break them apart. While they travel to the arachnid’s home world to defeat the mother brain once and for all, they must set aside their differences and work as a team. But, can Tauren be trusted? 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Aubrie Dionne is an author and flutist in New England. Her books have received the highest ratings from Romance Times Magazine, as well as Night Owl Reviews and Two Lips Reviews. She has guest blogged on the USA Today Happily Ever After Blog and the Dear Teen Me blog and signed books at the Boston Book Festival, Barnes and Noble, and the Romance Writers of America conference. Her writings have appeared in numerous publications including Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Inkspell Publishing, Astraea Press, Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. When she's not writing, Aubrie teaches flute and plays in orchestras.

COVER REVEAL CONTEST!

Winner gets this awesome crystal paperweight from Paradise 21 series! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Boyfriend (1) Nicholas Drake

• Join the Book Boyfriend meme
• Pick your book boyfriend for the week
• Current read or not
• Tease us with something about your boy
• Don't spoil the book
• Link up with us

My very first book boyfriend post will go to none other than Nicholas Drake from the Drake Chronicles Series.

He really knows how to compliment a gal- for a teenage vampire that is.

"When you're angry, your heart beats faster. It's like the cherry on a hot fudge sundae."

Hearts at Stake Kindle Location 110

He is protective.

"Nicholas leaned against the wall nearest to me, like he didn't want me out of his reach, even in his own house."

Bleeding Hearts Kindle Location 2435

He understands that value of love.

“I knew damn well if Lucy broke up with me I'd still love her until I turned to dust.”

Blood Moon Kindle Location 761

“And then Lucy happened...

She made everything better...

She was necessary.”

Blood Moon Kindle location 776

He knows how to kiss.

"He dipped his head, slanting his mouth over mine. The kiss didn't meander or hesitate, it went straight to fire. I was a drought-dry field and Nicholas was the spark. Our tongues touched and I felt it all the way down my thighs and into my toes."

Blood Prophecy Kindle Location 1500

So who is your book boyfriend for the week?  Some tall dark and handsome?  Maybe with a little techno geek on the side?

Swoon Thursday Ruined

The fabulous girls over at YA Bound created this super HOT meme. Here's how it works.

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. 

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! I want to know & so do the gals at YABound!

"It wasn't a slow, sweet kiss. It was the dive-right-in-before-you-lose-your-fucking-nerve kind. Arms winding around her waist, I pulled her close and covered her mouth with mine."

Ruined by Jus Accardo Kindle Location 883

"A contented sign rose in her throat at the contact. It was the most fragile, delicate sound I'd ever heard and it drove me crazy."

Ruined by Jus Accardo Kindle Location 895

I am really liking this book so far. Jax is of course a troubled soul but I am hoping that he gets the girl in the end.

Waiting on Wednesday (1) Killer Frost

Hey y'all, thanks so much for stopping by my WoW!

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

I’ve battled the Reapers of Chaos before–and survived. But this time I have a Bad, Bad Feeling it’s going to be a fight to the death … most likely mine.

Yeah, I’ve got my psychometry magic, my talking sword, Vic–and even the most dangerous Spartan on campus at my side, in Logan freaking Quinn, but I’m no match for Loki, the evil Norse god of chaos. I may be Nike’s Champion, but at heart, I’m still just Gwen Frost, that weird Gypsy girl everyone at school loves to gossip about.

Then someone I love is put in more danger than ever before, and something inside me snaps. This time, Loki and his Reapers are going down for good … or I am.

Mythos Academy series is coming to an end- who will win the battle?  The blurb has me so worried that the Reapers are going to go after Gwen's grandma.  An awesome series and I am very excited for this one.