Review: Forbidden Promise

Author Katee Robert

Format e-ARC

Print Length 337 pages

Publisher Forever

Published May 30, 2017

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert delivers the next book in her sizzling O'Malleys family series, hailed as "The Godfather meets Romeo & Juliet." FORBIDDEN PROMISES features Sloan O'Malley and her mysterious new next-door neighbor, Jude MacNamara.

Some lines should never be crossed . . . not even for love.

Sloan O'Malley just left her entire world behind-her family, her wealth, and even her real name. For the first time in her life, she's free. She can live the "normal" life she's always wanted. A life without fear. But there's nothing safe about her intensely sexy next-door neighbor.

Jude MacNamara has no room for innocence in his life. Only revenge. Still, he's never been able to walk away from the forbidden, and Sloan--who is every inch of pure, mouthwatering temptation--has forbidden written all over her. Only after it's way too late does he discover the real danger: claiming Sloan as his puts a target on her back. To protect her, Jude is willing risk everything . . . and to hell with the consequences.

My Opinion

I have attempted other Mob stories in the past and have always just stopped. They don’t hold my interest. That is until the O’Malley series came out. The O’Malley’s are an Irish Mob family located in Boston. If you read the first three book, then you know why Sloan is no longer in Boston. Read the other books before you read this one, it will help. Review may contain spoilers from the previous books.

Sloan is out- out of Boston, out of the family business, out of her daddy’s reach to hand her off in a business related marriage. Finally, she can breathe deeply. Sure she misses her siblings but she loves her life now. Only bump in the road is her next door neighbor who is sex on a stick. Jude is hiding something and she needs to either figure it out or leave him alone.

Sloan was my least favorite character in the entire family. Yepper, even below her daddy. I felt that she was weak, and judgmental. She hurt Carrigan time and time again with that judgement. It made me mad, and honestly I just didn’t like her. Then this book came along. Sloan shows that instead of weak she is strong. She runs from her family and tries to strike out on her own. She finds a job, she learns how to live on her own. Then she learns that one cannot always run from their roots. Instead of jumping ship and running again, she does something surprising. She fights.

Jude is a surprise as there is a lot of family history between his family and the three remaining families in Boston. He is the last MacNamara. If you are not picking up what I am putting down, read the series it is worth it. Earlier I stated that he is sex on a stick, man is he ever. He has the whole gruffy, don’t mess with me thing going on. He tries to keep Sloan at a distance, even as he watches out for her. She puts him on edge, makes him forget his purpose. 

Sloan left with a very dangerous man looking for her, Dmitri Romanov. When he finds her, things will get ugly. Will he be able to keep these young lovebirds apart? Or will her family have to intervene?

Forbidden Promise is the perfect addition to this series. Although, it is less about the family business and more about Sloan’s development the reader needed that. Sloan’s growth in this book and her acknowledgement of her family makes this book worth the read. If you love mob stories, you are going to be captured by the first page. If you typically avoid them like the plague, try this series out. It will change your mind and leave you asking when is Aiden’s book coming out already? The answer is Nov. 28th dear readers so you have some time to get caught up in the O’Malley world. 

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote Kindness for the sake of kindness wasn’t something in her realm of experience.

Other People

Dmitri Romanov- Russian mobster

Teague- Sloan’s brother

Callista- Sloan’s sister-in-law

Carrigan- Sloan’s sister

James-Carrigan’s boyfriend

Aiden- Sloan’s brother

Swoon Thursday (24) Wicked Cravings

The fabulous girls over at 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.A Bound created this super HOT meme.

"It's. None. Of. Your. Business."

That was when Dante lost all control.

Jamie gasped as strong hands threaded through her hair and a demanding mouth was suddenly taking hers. Dante ate at it, possessed it, and devastated it. She groaned into his mouth...

Wicked Cravings page 61

Jamie stood up to Dante and it looks like he liked it. I am loving this couple.

Waiting on Wednesday (24) Poison and Protect

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.

Can one gentle Highland soldier woo Victorian London’s most scandalous lady assassin, or will they both be destroyed in the attempt? 

New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger presents a stand-alone romance novella set in her popular steampunk universe full of manners, spies, and dainty sandwiches. 

Lady Preshea Villentia, the Mourning Star, has four dead husbands and a nasty reputation. Fortunately, she looks fabulous in black. What society doesn’t know is that all her husbands were marked for death by Preshea’s employer. And Preshea has one final assignment. 

It was supposed to be easy, a house party with minimal bloodshed. Preshea hadn’t anticipated Captain Gavin Ruthven – massive, Scottish, quietly irresistible, and… working for the enemy. In a battle of wits, Preshea may risk her own heart – a terrifying prospect, as she never knew she had one. 

Buy Poison or Protect today to find out whether it’s heartbreak or haggis at this high tea. 

Warning: Contains men pleasing women, and ladies who know what they want and ask for it, sometimes in detail. May also contain plaid, appearances from favorite characters, and the strategic application of leather gloves.

Why am I waiting?

A new series by Gaill Carriger! I am so there! With a cup of hot tea and some biscuits.

Teaser Tuesday (24) Feral Sins

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!

"She seemed kind of quiet earlier, but other than that..."

"Yeah? Well, she's really quiet. As in mute. That's when she's not telling us to get of her way while she cleans every room."

"Cleaning?'

"Like Mary Poppins on crack. You know, the way women do that fast-forward cleaning when they're pissed off."

Feral Sins page 161

I know lots of women who have fast cleaned when they are mad. Wonder what is going on with Taryn here and if Tray did something to tick her off. At least the rest of the pack is concerned.

Review: Frostblood

Author Elly Blake

Format e-book

Print Length 376 pages

Publisher Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Published Jan. 10, 2017

The frost king will burn.

Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a Fireblood who has concealed her powers of heat and flame from the cruel Frostblood ruling class her entire life. But when her mother is killed trying to protect her, and rebel Frostbloods demand her help to overthrow their bloodthirsty king, she agrees to come out of hiding, desperate to have her revenge.

Despite her unpredictable abilities, Ruby trains with the rebels and the infuriating—yet irresistible—Arcus, who seems to think of her as nothing more than a weapon. But before they can take action, Ruby is captured and forced to compete in the king’s tournaments that pit Fireblood prisoners against Frostblood champions. Now she has only one chance to destroy the maniacal ruler who has taken everything from her—and from the icy young man she has come to love. 

My Opinion

Bering a Fireblood in a land where the Frostblood reign is well tedious. You have to keep it a secret or else you or those you love may die. A truth that Ruby learns too late, with her mother being murdered right before her eyes and she is taken prisoner. Arcus saves her from prison and takes her to an Abbey for sanctuary and training. They use saving her life as the reason she is tasked with killing the current Frost King.

Ruby is weak at the beginning of the book and at the end she still has a lot to learn. Yes, you’ve seen this type of character before but she was still enjoyable to read about. Arcus is a little too harsh for my liking he is kinda mean to Ruby even though he thinks she will bring peace to the land. Plus he depends too much of her to defeat the king. 

I didn’t really buy into the chemistry between these two. I wanted to but it wasn’t enough for me. Hopefully the next book will develop it more. Overall, a good start to a series with a lot of potential.

My Rating 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “To be filled with light, you need only to make a choice. Choose to forgive yourself. Choose to love.”

Other People

Brother Thistle- mentor

Review: The Dark Days Club

Author Alison Goodman

Format e-book

Print Length 482 pages

Publisher Viking Books for Young Readers 

Published Jan. 26, 2016

New York Times bestseller Alison Goodman’s eagerly awaited new project: a Regency adventure starring a stylish and intrepid demon-hunter!

London, April 1812. On the eve of eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall’s presentation to the queen, one of her family’s housemaids disappears-and Helen is drawn into the shadows of Regency London. There, she meets Lord Carlston, one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of demons infiltrating every level of society. Dare she ask for his help, when his reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her intelligence and headstrong curiosity wind up leading them into a death trap?

My Opinion

Lady Helen is an orphan being raised by her loving well-meaning aunt and her horrible uncle. Her parents perished when she was a little girl. She must make a good impression when she is presented to the Queen as her family has yet to overcome her mother’s traitorous past. It is at her presentation that she meets Lord Carlston who has a reputation that would have a proper young lady faint.

Lady Helen has been raised to be a proper lady. Balls, fittings and tea to ensure that she finds the proper husband and creates the proper children. If she does not follow this path she will lose everything, her family her life and god forbid her reputation. In the Dark Days Club, she will be given a choice, which way will she choose? Lady Helen plays the role of the proper lady so well that one could venture to say that she buys into it. Her role, what she is to do, secure a proper marriage. Only her curiosity is what keeps her guessing. What are those rumors surrounding her mother and her untimely death? She has a lot of social limits put on her. Can she overcome them to find the answers she seeks?

I am sure that people will compare Lord Carlston to Mr. Darcy. Let me just say that Lord Carlston is NO Mr. Darcy. He may share some characteristics but he seemed more like a Dr. Frankenstein with two different sides that a Mr. Darcy. Dark, angry with a lot more guilt as well.

The world building is amazing and vivid. The detail that goes into the story is amazing. The pacing is slow at times due to the details. The romance was lacking for me, there were a few swoony times but overall I need more. Hopefully the next book will have a bunch more.

Paranormal Regency at it’s finest. I needed this book like I need chocolate. Now I must find out what happens next! 

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “Sometimes there is no good choice.”

Other People

Darby- Lady Helen’s maid

Duke- not too sure about him

Book Trailer Saturday (23) Dividing Eden

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...

From the author of the New York Times bestselling Testing trilogy comes a sweeping new fantasy series, perfect for fans of Victoria Aveyard and Sarah J. Maas.

Twins Carys and Andreus were never destined to rule Eden. With their older brother next in line to inherit the throne, the future of the kingdom was secure.

But appearances—and rivals—can be deceiving. When Eden’s king and crown prince are killed by assassins, Eden desperately needs a monarch, but the line of succession is no longer clear. With a ruling council scheming to gain power, Carys and Andreus are faced with only one option—to take part in a Trial of Succession that will determine which one of them is worthy of ruling the kingdom.

As sister and brother, Carys and Andreus have always kept each other safe—from their secrets, from the court, and from the monsters lurking in the mountains beyond the kingdom’s wall. But the Trial of Succession will test the bonds of trust and family.

With their country and their hearts divided, Carys and Andreus will discover exactly what each will do to win the crown. How long before suspicion takes hold and the thirst for power leads to the ultimate betrayal?

Review: Flame in the Mist

Author Renee Ahdieh

Format book

Print Length 393

Publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Published May 16, 2017

The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires.

My Opinion

Mariko was on her way to her betrothed when her convoy was attacked. She is the sole survivor. Finally, she has options about her life- return to her beloved family, head toward her betrothed or figure out why someone wanted her dead. Who ordered the hit? To do this she must become a member of the Black Clan. The leader Takeda Ranmaru and his best friend Okami are descendants from disgraced samurai. Once she infiltrates the Black clan she realizes theirs is a just cause. Her brother and Riaden are still looking for her. Will they destroy her new home to take back what they deem is theirs.

Mariko grew up a sheltered daughter among the ruling daimyo class. She understands her purpose in life. To marry well for the honor of her family. A purpose she resents. Dreaming instead of inventions she could make that would benefit of her people. Throughout the book you witness her grow, adapt, and what a wonderful journey it was.

If you like hate to love relationships then this is the one for you. Mariko believes the Black Clan is trying to kill her, Ranmaru and Okami believe she is a weak boy. It is only once Okami realizes that she is girl that romance occurs but when it does holy Japanese warlords it is intense.

Flame In The Mist brings feudal japan to life in the most dramatic of ways. It also pulled me out of a devastating reading slump. The ending leaves you wanting more. More of Mariko, more of Okami even more of Kenshin. There are questions still to be answered and new ones that popped up. Most importantly the reader is left wondering when the next book will be released.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “Always. In all ways.”

Other People

Kenshin- Mariko’s twin brother, Dragon of Kai

Raiden- Mariko’s betrothed

Ranmaru- leader of the Black Clan

Yoshi- mentor to the Black Clan

Swoon Thursday (23) Blood Kissed

The fabulous girls over at 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.A Bound created this super HOT meme.

Aiden shrugged out of his jacket and offered it to me.  "Here, put this on."

"I'm fine," I said, unable to keep the surprise from my voice.

"No, you're damn well not," he all but growled.  "So take the damn jacket and stop being silly."

Blood Kissed Kindle Location 2315

Aiden is a little bit grumpy but he still has a sweet side.  Hopefully that sweet side will come out more with Lizzie soon. The tension between these two is off the charts.

Waiting on Wednesday (23) Transcend

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.

The bestselling, groundbreaking Origin series continues with Transcend. Women are disappearing in New City, and the Corporate Army assigns their best soldiers to the case. In a world still recovering from war and death, every woman is needed for the survival of the human race.

Mina Kramer is a socialite in New City. She smiles for her father’s business associates, laughs at all their jokes, and acts the perfect daughter. When she’s suddenly abducted from a party at Baker Corporation, her whole world turns sideways. The kidnappers aren’t asking for her family’s money, the one item her parents have plenty of. With only confusion and captivity in her future, she prays for a rescue by her parents.

Except her saviors come in the form of the all-power Mr. Finn Baker and Poppy Carvene, a tiny sprite of a woman. And they don’t return her to her parents. Mr. Baker decides he wants to keep her and use her as bait to flush out the kidnappers’ leader. 

Mina must push her fears aside or dive deeper into them. Does she want to run to her parents, who are safe? Or will she transcend to a woman who fights criminals bent on destroying New City? And can she overcome her startling feelings for the sexy Mr. Baker, a man who harbors secrets of his own?

Why am I waiting?

We meet Finn in the first book of this series Trigger. I cannot wait to find out what kinda gal he falls for.

Teaser Tuesday (23) Persuasion

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!

We were all the same way: a little too impulsive, a little two reactive, a little too rough around the edges. It was why I let them stick around.

Because it was definitely me that was allowing them to stick around, and not the alternative.

Persuasion Kindle Location 120

Willa is growing on me, the Abcurse brothers had me at hello.

Swoon Thursday (22) White Hot

The fabulous girls over at 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.A Bound created this super HOT meme.

His mouth closed on mine.

His lips burned me. The sleepy wooziness evaporated in a heart-fluttering rush. He smelled of sandalwood, and my head was spinning. I licked his lips. He tasted so good. A hoarse male noise escaped his mouth. Yes, growl for me.

White Hot Kindle Location 1987

Mad Rogan has some mad kissing skills.