Review: Bookishly Ever After

Author Isabel Bandeira

Format e-ARC
Print Length 350 pages
Publisher Spencer Hill Contemporary
Published Jan. 12, 2016

In a perfect world, sixteen-year-old Phoebe Martins’ life would be a book. Preferably a YA novel with magic and a hot paranormal love interest. Unfortunately, her life probably wouldn’t even qualify for a quiet contemporary. But when Phoebe finds out that Dev, the hottest guy in the clarinet section, might actually have a crush on her, she turns to her favorite books for advice. Phoebe overhauls her personality to become as awesome as her favorite heroines and win Dev’s heart. But if her plan fails, can she go back to her happy world of fictional boys after falling for the real thing?

My Opinion

Adorable read! This is one that leaves the warm fuzzies in your tummy when you are finished.

Phoebe lives in her own little world, wrapped in whatever new book that just released. She has her favorite series (like us all) that she re-reads as well. She even took up archery because of a book, she is so good at it that she her coach wants her to volunteer to do be a camp counselor. She is considering it, calculating how much it will take out of her reading time. Since she lives in her own little world, she doesn’t really notice when a guy is flirting with her. This is why her bestie Em keeps trying to hook her up with a boy. When Em starts to think that Dev (a long time theater/band friend) may be into her- Phoebe doesn’t believe it. Then she starts to, maybe even wants to hope that he is into her. There is nothing in her books to help her though. She is a fish out of water when it comes to dating and so she does what everyone else tells her she should do.

Phoebe is a book nerd. I am sure on all of the reviews out there you are going to read that she is relatable. That is because well- she is, to those who read a lot. Dresses up like her favorite book character, waits in line to meet the authors, re-reads her favorite scenes. She is the poster gal for all the book nerds or worms (I prefer nerd). She is awkward, she is sweet, she is just so endearing. I got excited when she was excited, and I wanted to cry when she cried. There are moments where I was literally cheering her on. Stepping out of your comfort zone is hard and well Phoebe does it so endearingly I wanted to hold her hand.

Dev is just too cute. He has always been around but lately he is around more. Phoebe and him banter back and forth instead of being annoying and snarky it is delightful. It is not mean spirited and just feels natural. He understands Phoebe’s need for books. There are times that he does get frustrated, which is not unusual at all for someone that likes a book nerd. He makes up for it in the cute stuff that he does- wait till you get to the mall scene.

Bookishly Ever After is a debut novel, that tells the story of a gal who falls in love with book boyfriends and then with a guy. The road to Ever After is bumpy, sometimes it has cracks maybe even a pot hole yet that is what makes the story even sweeter.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “Normalcy is overrated.”

Other People

Em- Phoebe’s gal bestie, theater queen
Alec- Phoebe’s guy bestie
Grace- Phoebe’s gal pal, cheerleader
Kris- Phoebe’s longtime crush
Lexie- a gal who is crushing on Dev

Review: What a Werewolf Wants

Author Kristin Miller

Format e-ARC
Print Length 195 pages
Publisher Entangled:Covet
Published Jan. 11, 16

A paranormal category romance from Entangled's Covet imprint...

They may not be the perfect match…But they’re having fun.

Going to the chapel, and her sister is going to get married…no matter what.

Josie Cole might be unlucky in love, but she’s a pro at matching other couples. When her sister gets married to the man of her dreams, it’ll be Cole Matchmaking Services one-hundredth match, and secure Josie a television special that would boost business.

Private investigator–and werewolf–Ryder McManus doesn’t believe in marriage. Catching cheating spouses has taught him there is no such thing as happily ever after. But then he never expected to find his fated mate, Josie, at his best friend’s wedding festivities.

When Josie and Ryder are together, the chemistry heats up. While he’s trying to stop the wedding, she’ll do whatever it takes to give the couple a dream day. But the secret he’s trying to expose might just ruin everything…

My Opinion

Sometimes you need a book that you know will have you closing it with a smile on your face…

Josie is a matchmaker- one who has a perfect record. That is right all of her matches last. Which is why when she got Mitch and her sister together, she didn’t worry about how fast things were going. She is confident in her matches and her sister’s wedding is going to be perfect. That is if the interfering best man Ryder doesn’t ruin things.

Josie is a gal that has a good heart. While she hasn’t found the love of her life yet, she knows she will. She is happy with matching her clients together in the meantime. It is refreshing that we have a main character that is not afraid of being alone. One who is okay standing on her own two feet and being successful.

Ryder is cynical. His job and his childhood have made him this way. He has seen too many couples end due to cheating spouses. He doesn’t think that Carrie and Mitch have what it takes to make a marriage work. Right now Mitch is a little short on the trust and honesty part of marriage. Since Mitch is Ryder’s best friend he does need to save him from himself. Ryder is completely honest with Josie when he meets her- he is here to stop the wedding. Maybe not completely honest, he leaves out the part about being her fated mate. Josie can’t let that happen. Her sister’s happiness is everything to her. So she is set on making sure Ryder doesn’t mess with her sister’s perfect day.

Goodness when these two get together the temperature in the room rises. H-O-T-T (yeah, I had to throw in the extra T)! Josie’s reaction to the werewolf reveal is perfect. For starters she has a reaction- which is a large step up from some books where the gal is like ok. Ryder’s reaction to her being his mate is pretty awesome too.

This is the third book in the series. Yet, each of them could be read as a stand-alone. Enjoyable read that goes great with a cup of Earl Gray tea.

My Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “A man who’ll promise me the world and actually deliver."

Other People

Mitch- Ryder’s bestie
Carrie- Josie’s sister

Book Trailer Saturday (2) Nexis

Some people believe you can fall in love at first sight. When it comes to books I believe those people. Book trailers are an excellent way to fall in love at first sight. I hope to feature a book trailer here every Saturday to help you fall in love at first sight...

In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In 

Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it’s been waiting for Ella. 

Review: All In

Author Aleah Barley
Format e-ARC

Print Length 179 pages
Publisher Entangled: Ignite
Published January 4, 2016

World-class statistician and poker prodigy Daisy Drake has two rules: never risk anything you can’t afford to lose, and never, ever, trust a gambler. Which is why she gave up the game and moved to Los Angeles, where she became a tenured professor. But when an old acquaintance calls needing Daisy’s...expertise...to help catch a cheater, she heads back to Las Vegas and the poker tables.

FBI Agent Ryan DiNatto’s been a gambler since he was four, and a hustler since he hit puberty. Coming off an undercover mission that ended with him shot and his partner in a wheelchair, Ryan’s out for blood. With a mob accountant and a hit man on the loose, the stakes have never been higher, and this time, he’s determined to make things right—even if it means beating spunky, sexy, Daisy Adams at her own game.

My Opinion

Quick read that leaves you feeling the love!

Daisy and Ryan both enter a poker tournament for different reasons then winning the jackpot. Ryan needs to even a score, Daisy needs to help her mentor, Bullet. Daisy grew up in Vegas and knows the ropes- Bullet is now the manager of a casino where the books aren’t adding up. Who better to investigate than the math genius he kept on the straight and narrow. Daisy doesn’t do love, that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t date just never the same guy twice. Ryan is a smoking FBI agent, one who was recently released from being shot. He is out to prove himself- to his boss, his peers and even himself. They accidently uncover each other’s ulterior motive and decide that they can assist each other.

Daisy is adorable! She is a true math nerd who believes in the numbers. The numbers and Bullet saved her life. By putting her on the straight and narrow, Bullet has long earned Daisy’s respect and devotion. Life was hard for her growing up, yet she was determined to make something of herself. Just as determined to catch the bad guy that is hurting Bullet. She is a no nonsense kinda gal that has you rooting for her.

Ryan is an undercover FBI agent going after the mobster who hurt his partner. How to hurt the mob? Go after the money, which is what Ryan is doing. While smoking hot, I had a hard time buying that an FBI agent would give up his undercover persona so fast. As in super-duper fast, all over a gal he just met. Another thing that was hard to believe was him devoting more time to her than to actually getting the revenge he claims he wants.

All In is an enjoyable read- it has action and romance. What more can a gal looking for love want or need? I did not realize that this was the second book in a series- I thought it was stand alone.

My Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote The woman was original sin incarnate.

Other People

Bullet- manages the casino, Daisy’s mentor
Edgar Blethins- accountant, fan of Daisy
Lily- Daisy’s sister

Swoon Thursday (1) All In

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.

His mouth grazed her lips as his hand curved around her neck, tilting her head to exactly the right angel.  He came off the couch, kneeling down in front of her to bring them closer together.

All In Kindle Location 517

Sometimes you just need a guy who knows how to kiss.  Ryan is that guy.

Waiting on Wednesday (1) The Prophecy of Shadows

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.

Filled with magic, thrilling adventure, and sweet romance,

Elementals is the first in a new series that fans of Percy Jackson and The Secret Circle will love! 

When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret coven of witches. Even more surprisingly … she’s apparently a witch herself. Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers—and, to her dismay, by Blake—the school’s notorious bad-boy.

Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt. His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic. But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle’s wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance.

When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers. But the comet has another effect—it opens the portal to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it’s up to them and the others to follow the clues from a cryptic prophecy so that they can save their town … and possibly the world.

Why am I waiting?

I absolutely loved The Secret Circle series and I am entertained by the Percy Jackson movies so I am thinking that this one is right up my alley.

Teaser Tuesday (1) Bookishly Ever After

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!

"Don't worry, Dev.  Fictional crushes pale in comparison to you.  You're so hot, you're totally out of my league," I said, patting his cheek in mock consolation.  "I'll just have to settle for boys in books."

Bookishly Ever After Kindle Location 2072

"Before all of this, my life was perfect. I had my book boyfriends and it was enough for me to read and dream about these guys because they weren't real. I'm so scared I can't go back to that. I'm afraid that maybe reality ruined me for fiction. And that means I really did lose everything."

Bookishly Ever After Kindle Location 2072

Phoebe just flirted!  Bookworm style, which means of course she has no clue she is flirting.  

Phoebe just broke my heart. I just wanted to hug her and tell her that fiction would never leave her.

Review: Fragile Reign

Author Stacey O’Neale

Format e-ARC
Print Length 306 pages
Publisher Phoenix Reign Publishing
Published Nov. 25, 2014

It’s been a week since all hell broke loose…

Rumors of King Taron’s weakened powers have left the air court vulnerable. Kalin is desperate to awaken her akasha powers, except she doesn’t know how. Tension within the court is at an all-time high. Pressure is mounting for her to ascend to the throne, but a halfling has never ruled over any court. To solidify her position, the council has advised her to marry Sebastian—a high ranking air elemental she’s never met and her betrothed.

Will Kalin sacrifice her relationship with Rowan to strengthen her court?

Rowan and Marcus return to a fire court in turmoil. Liana’s death has fueled the fire elementals’ distrust against the air and woodland courts. The unbalanced elements have set off natural disasters all over the mortal world. Rowan takes the throne to restore balance, promising to unite the fire court. But not all elementals are happy with his leadership. Many are secretly loyal to Valac, which means Rowan needs to find allies for his cause.

Can Rowan unify the court of fire before the elements destroy the world?

My Opinion

My favorite book in the series so far! When oh when is the next one coming out? Rarely is the second book better that the first in a series- there is a thing known as the sophomore curse for a reason. Fragile Reign did not fall to the curse but instead comes out on top as the best book in the series. It is told in dual perspective- Kalin and Rowan’s. I already loved both of these voices-Rowan’s we were introduced to in The Shadow Prince, and Kalin’s in Mortal Enchantment. I saw what you did there Mrs. O’Neale and I liked it. Fragile Reign allows us to view them together as a couple and apart as their own person.

The story picks up right where Mortal Enchantment ends. King Taron is ill from being held captive. The council decides that if Kalin is to be acting queen, she must marry a high ranking noble man. As in they pick the guy and everything- Sebastian. This doesn’t seat too well with her actual boyfriend Rowan. Now, I get that they want her to marry someone from the court but Rowan is the king of the Fire Elementals. King trumps Lord in my book although I can see how they may not want their queen to be married to the Fire King.

Kalin is under a lot of pressure in this book. There is belief that she is the akasha but something is blocking her powers. Since she can’t use them, she feels like this belief is wrong. Sebastian is around all of time. Rowan is dealing with things in his kingdom which is stressing her out as well. Interestingly enough, she doesn’t whine but instead puts her big girl pants on and takes on the council. Talk about having some gumption.

Rowan oh how I love you! Rowan is completely supportive of Kalin, even though he has some reservations. He has no problem showing this support in public and in private voicing his concerns. Ultimately, he lets her make her own decisions. This is exactly how relationships should be. He is worried about his people and he lets this worry be known. His brother and sister are still lurking in the background trying to take his throne away from him.

Fragile Reign brings with it all the feels- giddiness at the relationship of Rowan and Kalin, mistrust of the individuals in the court, the mystery of who is trying to harm her, the shock of who the big baddie is and the astonishment of what happens at the end. Speaking of that ending- umm the only question left is when is the next book going to be published?

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “She turned out to be exactly what I didn’t know I needed.”

Other People

Marcus- Fire Elemental and Rowan’s bestie
Ariel- Air Elemental and Kalin’s bestie
Sebastian- Kalin’s fiancé (I don’t like him)
King Taron- Kalin’s daddy

Review: The Witch Who Cried Wolf

Author Sarah Makela
Format e-book

Print Length 182 pages
Publisher Kissa Press LLC
Published May 24, 2014

Be careful what you wish for...

A potion gone wrong: Mia Brooks is a reluctant witch, with powers that she tries to hold in check. But when her magic gets mixed up, supernatural forces are unleashed and suddenly she's being pursued by werewolves--that she didn't even realize existed...

Hidden emotions: Ethan Parker, Mia's brother's best friend, is home from deployment for the holidays. Mia's not only hiding from werewolves, she's trying to keep her feelings for Ethan secret; it would be a disaster if he knew she's been nursing a long-time crush...

The power of love: Things take a terrifying turn when Mia and Ethan are attacked by a werewolf. Ethan is amazed when Mia reveals her paranormal prowess as she tries to shield them from danger. But can she really protect them from the darkness that lurks? And how can he tell her that, for ages, he's been denying what he really wants? Mia...

My Opinion

Mia is a newly practicing Wiccan, one who is hiding this fact from her family. All of which she sees on a regular bases. Ethan is her brother’s bestie (she likes him, he likes her). They aren’t together because of well Ethan being afraid that her brother will not like it.

Mia is in danger as she accidently almost killed the local alpha of the werewolf pack (why the beta would trust a neophyte Wiccan to make a healing potion is beyond me). So know the whole pack is trying to kill her. Ethan being a war vet is of course going to protect her. While protecting her he gets bitten and scratched by a werewolf. So now not only is she a newly practicing witch he is a newly made werewolf.

My problem with Mia is that she is weak. She hides who she is from everyone she loves. She is only strong when her brother and Ethan are around- hence kicking her boyfriend to the curb. Nicely done now that Ethan is back.

Ethan for the most part is dashing. His internal struggle with his bestie’s feelings is a little annoying though. I mean seriously, if your bestie is going to dump you for dating their sibling then are they really besties?

The Witch Who Cried Wolf was just not for me. It has all the aspects of a story I would love- paranormal, danger, hotties but it fell short with the personalities of the characters. There are several who loved it though, like:

Roxie’s Reviews 5 stars

Crystal 4 stars

My Rating 2 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “This woman had to be a witch, for all the power she possessed when it came to my heart.”

Other People

Nolan- Mia’s brother
Greg- Mia’s boyfriend

Book Trailer Saturday (1) Glass Sword

Some people believe you can fall in love at first sight. When it comes to books I believe those people. Book trailers are an excellent way to fall in love at first sight. I hope to feature a book trailer here every Saturday to help you fall in love at first sight...

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control. 

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors. 

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat. 

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

Snowed In Giveaway Hop!!!

Snowed In? I wish! On Christmas day, we had a high of 80 degrees. Yeah, 80! When they say the south does holidays warmer they were not kidding. Since I do not know what it is like to be snowed in I can only imagine what I would want to read if I ever did get snowed in. Something hot and romantic, something with a mystery to solve. Several of my favorite reads for 2015 match this so feel free to pick a book from the photo montage.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There are plenty of other great giveaways!  Just click on a link below to hop to another site.

Review: Thief of Lies

Author Brenda Drake
Format e-ARC
Print Length 400 pages
Publisher Entangled Teen
Published Jan. 5. 2016

Gia Kearns would rather fight with boys than kiss them. That is, until Arik, a leather clad hottie in the Boston Athenaeum, suddenly disappears. While examining the book of world libraries he abandoned, Gia unwittingly speaks the key that sucks her and her friends into a photograph and transports them into a Paris library, where Arik and his Sentinels—magical knights charged with protecting humans from the creatures traveling across the gateway books—rescue them from a demonic hound.

Jumping into some of the world's most beautiful libraries would be a dream come true for Gia, if she weren’t busy resisting her heart or dodging an exiled wizard seeking revenge on both the Mystik and human worlds. Add a French flirt obsessed with Arik and a fling with a young wizard, and Gia must choose between her heart and her head, between Arik's world and her own, before both are destroyed.

My Opinion

Adventure, love, mystery and a little bit of sass, Thief of Lies is everything you could hope for in a book.

 Gia and her besties are at a library not just any library but Boston’s very own Athenaeum library. A hot guy catches her eye but in a flash he was gone. Gia looking over the book that he was just looking at accidently recites a word that causes her and her friends to jump into a different library half way across the world in the middle of a battle. What in the heck did she just get herself into? Sometimes a hot guy just ain’t worth it. Sometimes he is. It is through this jump that she discovers that her birth was prophesized and could mean the end of her kind all together (Gia doesn’t know it but she has a lot in common with the Sentinels).

Gia is a character that on the outside shows a lot of confidence, on the inside she is as self-conscience as the rest of us. I think that is why I like her so much, her internal dialog is pretty spot on for what I would have said to myself. She accepts this knew world, and yet questions it at the same time. She holds her head high even when she makes mistakes and is not afraid to say sorry.

Arik, hmmm I know I am suppose to love him. I know that I am suppose to ship them together. Here is the thing though. I don’t. I like the other part of the love triangle. You see Sentinels at birth are matched up with their future significant other. Both Arik and Gia have someone they are promised to. Gia of course grew up not knowing this. Arik on the other hand did, and yet he still dates. This kinda turns me off of him. That and he kinda runs like the Katy Perry song Hot and Cold. Now the person that Gia is promised to Bastien, dang is he hot. Plus he understands and still wants Gia to be happy, he is confident in the end that they will be together so he is not threatened by Arik. I want her to end up with him.

Thief of Lies is a great book to start the New Year off with. It will capture the imagination and pull you into the the imaginary world that Drake makes. Not only that but they travel via libraries- every booklovers dream.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “In the future, when someone says he fancies you, it’s a serious moment.”

Other People

Nick- guy bestie, origin unknown
Afton- girl bestie, human

Nana- Gia's granny