Review: Delayed Admission

Author Heather Renee 

Format e-ARC 

Print Length 255 pages 

Publisher self 

Published June 25, 2019 

She's being hunted and the only way to survive is to become the hunter.

To Raegan Keyes, she's the only one of her kind but has no idea what she is. Until one night, when she finds out her unexplainable abilities aren't the only thing she needs to worry about, and her world becomes much bigger than she ever could have dreamed.

When a mysterious man named Enzo arrives, too striking to be human, Raegan learns she's not as alone as she believed. As more secrets are revealed, she's swept off to an academy for others like her thousands of miles away from home by a complete stranger whom she'd rather stab than travel with.

As tension builds between Raegan and Enzo, she begins to find her purpose as she settles into her new existence. With a group of new friends, she's finally feeling alive again. That is until something sinister comes along, once more throwing her life into mayhem. 

My Opinion 

Raegan has had a rough time of it, her parents passing months ago, grieve is eating her up. So is survival guilt. Her Aunt Jules tries her best to help her through it, moving to Oregon and helping her to test out of high school. Something is off, she is gaining abilities she shouldn’t have and when she is attacked by something not so human, a guy with pointed ears steps up to save the day. Apparently Enzo is from Shadow Veil Academy and she is showing signs of being something other than human. What is up for debate as her magic is locked. 

Raegan is pretty stable, she going through the stages of grief. She acknowledges them and then keeps on rocking. She is taking everything pretty much is stride. She tries her best when it comes to the magic portion but she is not like the other students. (Saying why would be a total spoiler so #sorrynotsorry). She develops a great friendship with Gemma, a shifter who lives on her floor. 

Enzo is a full elf, and extremely powerful. As a mentor he is great, as a boyfriend not so much. He keeps too much hidden. Of course, he is good looking and there is some attraction there. I think the issue is that I wanted her to be with a full on alpha meal and he was more like the Beta. He just wasn’t enough for me, and with the ending how it is there is an opening for a better love interest to come into the picture such as I don’t know Embry maybe. 

This one has all the elements of a great series. The book starts off solid. The love interest, well that is where is fell short for me. I hated the love interest, he attempted to be all protective alpha male but something was off for me. I hope he does not continue to be the love interest in the next book. I would love for him to well fall off the face of the Earth, but I doubt that will happen. 

My Rating 3 out of 5 stars 

Favorite Quote “You, on the other hand, could use some sparkle in your life.” 

Other People 

Gemma- new bestie 

Lyssa- Enzo’s ex, resident mean girl 

Stone- Headmaster, sorcerer 

Malina- big baddie 

Jules- aunt, guardian

Waiting on Wednesday (28) Crown of Coral and Pearl

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.

For generations, the princes of Ilara have married the most beautiful maidens from the ocean village of Varenia. But though every girl longs to be chosen as the next princess, the cost of becoming royalty is higher than any of them could ever imagine…

Nor once dreamed of seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty of Ilara, the kingdom that’s ruled her village for as long as anyone can remember. But when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.

Then Zadie is gravely injured, and Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.

In order to save her people, Nor must learn to negotiate the treacherous protocols of a court where lies reign and obsession rules. But discovering her own formidable strength may be the one move that costs her everything: the crown, Varenia and Zadie.

Why am I waiting?

Do you see this amazing cover?  This is a case of judging a book by it's cover.  Then I read the blurb and I need to know if she is going to save her village, her sister and what is up with the Prince Talin?

Teaser Tuesday (28) Blood Bond

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.

Teaser One

“Just listen. I don’t have family. I don’t get attached. It’s easier that way. Which is what I kept telling myself about you, but it happened despite my best efforts to prevent it. It’s not going away and it's not fading. If anything, it's gotten worse."

Blood Bond page 8

I wonder where Alex is going with this? She gots a man dude. Back off... Go find yourself a different gal. (Guess you know who's side I am on.)

Teaser Two

“You listen to me, young lady,” she said pointing a finger in my face. “I am loyal to you, first, last, always. The things I’m doing for CHAS are all for you. And you’re one to talk about loyalty. When have you ever trusted me with the whole story, huh?”

Blood Bond page 218

Grandma just calling it like she sees it. Glad to know that she has Tara's back when it comes down to it. 

Teaser Three

“I’ve got time. Besides, whenever you say ‘long story,’ it’s the popcorn-and-vodka kind.” “Popcorn and vodka?” I echoed. “Yeah, you know, popcorn for the show and vodka because the only way any of it’s going to make sense is if you’re halfway sauced. Especially with your stellar decision-making skills.”

Blood Bond page 235

Cambria is the most accepting best friend on the planet. Or else she is a plant for the CHAS but I am not getting the gonna backstab you vibe from her.

Book Trailer Saturday (26) The Dark Intercept

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 sigh...

The State controls your emotions. What would you pay to feel free?

In a radiant world of endless summer, the Intercept keeps the peace. Violet Crowley, the sixteen-year-old daughter of New Earth’s Founding Father, has spent her life in comfort and safety. Her days are easy thanks to the Intercept, a crime-prevention device that monitors and provokes emotion. But when her long-time crush, Danny Mayhew, gets into a dangerous altercation on Old Earth, Violet launches a secret investigation to find out what he's hiding. An investigation that will lead her to question everything she's ever known about Danny, her father, and the power of the Intercept.

The Mid-Year Book Freak Out (2019)

Sometimes it is just fun to tag a book, let folks get a snippet of what you love to read and maybe even check out a book or two that they didn't realize was out. I of course got this one from Jessica's blog a GREAT read,who saw this tag over at The Bucket List. The image for the tag is also the one that The Bucket List uses. because I have zero graphics skill as you all know!

BEST BOOK YOU'VE READ IN 2019

In a Badger Way is hilariously over the top, shifting craziness with the MacKilligan sisters front and center.

BEST SEQUEL YOU'VE READ IN 2019 

“You always need to keep fighting, even when it seems all hope is lost.” 

NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN'T READ YET, BUT WANT TO

I have both of these on my kindle right now, but I am on a huge indie author binge and doing several series that are already released....

MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR

Love these two authors and can't wait to read more from the world's they built.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT:

The lack of romance in this had me wanting to bail. Really the lack of relationship building at all, had me wanting to bail. So this one is a one and done for me which is sad since I know bloggers who love this series with all their hearts.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

This one rivaled In a Badger Way for the number one slot! I was completely taken aback with how much I adore Bettina and Jackson. The magical world that they live in with witches, shifters, vamps, fae and angels has be begging for more.

FAVORITE NEW TO YOU OR DEBUT AUTHOR

These two authors have occupied a lot of my time this year, I have binged everything they have written. Stumbled across both of them during reading slumps and they lifted me up so fast my world was spinning.

NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH

Jackson from the Academy Magic season and Deacon from the Elemental Magic season will have you swooning and crushing in no time.

NEWEST FAVORITE CHARACTER

Bettina! You have got to meet her and then you will know why!

BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY

This one made me ugly cry, then laugh and finally happy tears.

BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY

Part of me wants to be Fallon when I grow up. So self-assured, so confident in who she is.

FAVORITE BOOK TO FILM ADAPTATION

I tend to watch movies about superheroes or sci-fi. I took my girls to see this though and I adored it as much as the first one when I was their age.

FAVORITE POST YOU'VE DONE THIS YEAR

I would have to say my Fandom Friday post from the beginning of the year:

Fandom Friday (1) Pride and Prejudice

Fandom Friday (2) Harry Potter

Fandom Friday (3) Urban Fantasy

Fandom Friday (4) Fantasy

Fandom Friday (5) The Magicians

Fandom Friday (6) Battlestar Galactica

Fandom Friday (5) NCIS

MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU'VE BOUGHT THIS YEAR 

The covers for this series is just gorgeous to me! The back of the girl, in her surroundings, the crown-breathtaking.

BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR

My goal to to get to these before the end of this month. I need to, I want to- will I? I don't know.

Waiting on Wednesday (27) A Pack of Love and Hate

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

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

ONLY ONE CAN WIN.

Volunteering to duel alongside Liam Kolane against the ruthless Creek Alpha could get Ness killed, but the alternative, leaving her hot-headed Alpha to die alone in the dueling ring isn’t an option. Not even when he places ridiculous conditions on her, like not spending time alone with August, her intended mate.

Ness didn’t want a mate, but that was before August stepped back into her life, before he picked up the scattered pieces of her heart. Between their shared history and the magical tether that binds them, Ness finds herself falling dangerously hard for the sexy shifter.

But Liam’s heart is on the line. A heart that still beats for Ness.

Only one man can win her love, the same way only one Alpha can rise from the duel.

Let the fight begin...

Why I am waiting?

I really want Ness to come away from this series, stronger. I tend to when it comes to love triangles- the pairing I ship is always the one that is not picked. Maybe this one will be different.  Cause I have a huge liking for one of these guys and I hope you die hatred for the other.  Which means she will end up with the one I hate.

Teaser Tuesday (27) Delayed Admissions

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.

Teaser One

My hand reached out to grab his wrist as he turned away. “No.”

His brows shot up, and a look I couldn’t read appeared on his face. “Excuse me? Did you just tell me no?”

“I don’t need or want your help. I can handle myself, and Lyssa isn’t going to be a problem for me. I’m only here to figure out who I am and how to protect myself. I’ll be out of here as soon as that's done, and you can forget all about me."

Delayed Admissions page 62

It appears as if no one has ever told Enzo no before. Wonder if that makes her more attractive to him. I am going to guess yes..yes it does. 

Teaser Two

“I’ll only say this once, so listen carefully. Raegan is my responsibility. I brought her here. I tutor her. I will keep her safe. Don’t get in my way of that or you’ll regret it.”

Delayed Admissions page 113

So much is going on here! I won't tell you who Enzo is speaking to or why... that would be too spoilery just know that he is speaking to someone who cares for Raegan a lot.

Teaser Three

Enzo’s eyes were almost black, and his chest vibrated beneath me. “Mine.” 

That one word was filled with a pain I couldn’t identify and my heart hurt for him as my emotions warred with each other. I didn’t want to give in to him, but I was afraid someone would get seriously hurt if I didn’t.

Delayed Admissions page 160

Dang if he acts like this without them even dating could you imagine him in a relationship? His last girlfriend didn't have this problem.

Let's Discuss: Pre-orders

Pre-orders are when you buy a book before the release date. Some publishers and authors offer incentives to pre-order. It may be cheaper to pre-order as well. Sometimes though it isn't so you have to be okay with paying a higher price.

I have a love/hate relationship with pre-orders. 

What is there to love?

I never miss a new release in a series that I am reading or by a favorite author. If I stress about missing a date for a new release and have pre-ordered it tells me that I am safe, when I click on the book. I read a lot on my kindle and pre-ordering means that when I wake up in the morning or get home from work there is a forgotten present waiting for me to open. Who doesn't like presents?

What is there to hate?

When pre-orders happen closely to each other or even on the same day, you have to choose which one to read first. This may stress me out, opening one book before the other may seem like I like that story/author better. I realize that no one else knows which one I opened first but I know. Then I have to justify it to myself. If I am in the middle of a book and the pre-order comes in, I may accidentally forget to read it later on. Even if it was a highly anticipated, oh my goodness no the the author did not just end it like that cliffhanger. As in right now, I have four books from the beginning of the year that I still haven't read from my most anticipated list. I have them, I can open them, I could read them but the release date for the next one is still six months out...

So there you have it...readers guilt or peace of mind?  

Peace of mind always wins.  Pre-orders happen around here on a fairly consistent bases.  I love them, yet there is some resentment there.

Waiting on Wednesday (26) Untamed Delights

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. 

Return to the sensual and feral stirrings of the Phoenix Pack as a woman who’s already bound to one man is tempted by a wolf who’s bound only to his nightly desires.

Cat shifter Mila Devereaux can’t help but see it as a betrayal. That her one true mate imprinted himself on another female was hard enough to accept. Struggling to be at peace with her loveless fate, she doesn’t fight the suggestion of entering an arranged mating. Then she meets Dominic, a pack enforcer with a notorious reputation. It’s in his very scent. This irresistible playboy—and delicious badass wolf—is making Mila’s fantasies come alive again.

Alarming, compelling, and heady with sensual energy, Dominic is an expert at making women shed their inhibitions. Now everything about him—his killer smile, his perfectly sculpted body, and his smooth-as-honey voice—is drawing in a captivating new catch. But for the first time in his life, Dominic is feeling more than a fling. He finds himself tantalized by a female who makes him think of forever. He wants all of Mila and won’t be satisfied until he has it.

As the passion grows wild, so does the risk. They’re falling in love in the shadows and secrets of their pasts. And it’s threatening to destroy everything Mila and Dominic are fighting for. And are destined for. 

Why am I waiting?

Dominic deserves his happily ever after, has since the first book in the series. This could be it.

Teaser Tuesday (26) Dragon's Gift: The Huntress

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.

Teaser One

“Just because you’re loaded doesn’t mean I’m going to let you pay the bills. This isn’t a date.” 

“But it could be, if you agreed to one.” 

I shivered. Dates usually involved kissing. At least at the end. His dark eyes promised at least kissing. As much as I wanted to sign up for that…

Mirror Magic Kindle Location 3192

The more Cass pushes Aiden away the closer he wants to get to her. I wonder how long she will hold out.

Teaser Two

“I don’t get you,” I said. “You show up in my life, learn what I am, and instead of turning me in, you help me. Even your freaking heavy-handedness in making me practice my magic seems to be for my own safety. You’re too good to be true.” 

Shadows fell over his face. “I wish that were the case, but you don’t know enough about me to say that.”

Mirror Magic Kindle Location 3342

Just when it looks like Cass could be falling for him he drops this bomb. I wonder what Aiden is hiding. Cause he response makes it seem like he is hiding something big!

Teaser Three

“You are at a crossroads that few must face. One direction will call strongly, but you must resist. For your own good, and that of others. Your fears about yourself are valid because you face great darkness. But there is more than enough light within you to vanquish the dark, if you embrace it.”

Eternal Magic Kindle Location 9389 

Will Cass go dark or light? Being at a crossroads is never a good thing.

Review: Just One of the Groomsmen

Author Cindi Madsen 

Format e-ARC 

Print Length 304 pages 

Publisher Entangled: Amara 

Published May 28, 2019 

Addison Murphy is the funny friend, the girl you grab a beer with—the girl voted most likely to start her own sweatshirt line. And now that one of her best guy friends is getting married, she’ll add “groomsman” to that list, too. She’ll get through this wedding if it’s the last thing she does. Just don’t ask her to dive for any bouquet.

When Tucker Crawford returns to his small hometown, he expects to see the same old people, feel comfort in the same old things. He certainly doesn’t expect to see the nice pair of bare legs sticking out from under the hood of a broken-down car. Certainly doesn’t expect to feel his heart beat faster when he realizes they belong to one of his best friends. 

If he convinces Addie to give him a chance, they could be electric…or their break-up could split their tight-knit group in two.

Hiding the way he feels from the guys through bachelor parties, cake tastings, and rehearsals is one thing. But just as Tucker realizes that Addie truly could be the perfect woman for him—he was just too stupid to realize it—now she’s leaving to follow her own dreams. He’s going to need to do a lot of compromising if he’s going to convince her to take a shot at forever with him—on her terms this time. 

My Opinion 

Thank you to Entangled: Amara and Netgalley for allowing me to review this novel. This in no way influenced my review. 

Addie is just one of the guys- okay so she is a female but honestly, she has always been more the trucks and dirt than bows and dresses. Her squad growing up was the guys and it was never weird or awkward. They were just friends and that is a good thing. Or is it? I mean when your whole squad is a bunch of guys it is intimidating as hell for someone to ask you on a date. When you know more about football than they do, that may just be a point against you. Plus, when your friends start dating the girlfriend may see you as competition instead of “just one of the guys”. That is a bit weird, you know, I know it and Addie sure does know it. 

City life is just not all it is cracked up to be. Tucker misses home, his friends, the town- pretty much all that he grew up with. He starts to wonder what is the point. When one of his besties becomes engaged he knows it is time to come home. Sure he is giving up a high paying job at a prestigious law firm in the big city but he is gaining so much more. Granted all of his plans and dreams are out the window as well. Tucker is completely thrown by his reaction/feelings for Addie. 

Addie is pretty amazing. I wish she was one of my friends. Granted all of her friends are boys so it would be impossible. I love that she is questioning how/when she got the “non-girl” status. She has all the necessary parts, so she doesn’t like to shop and she loves sports. How did that automatically de-genderize her? I like her relationship with her sister and the town. She cares enough about her friends to try this crazy thing called being a “groomsmen”. She goes with the flow and tries her darnest to make both the groom and bride happy. She initially is confused by her reaction to Tucker when he moves back. So the rest of the book is of course an epic romantic comedy. 

The chemistry between these two are off the charts. How the rest of the gang didn’t realize it (although one does) is beyond me. The struggle of deciding to move past just friends was real, the anxiety high and the wait so very much worth it. The town gossips adding their two cents into everything made it so much better. (I grew up in a town where I still run into folks I went to elementary school with.) 

Adorable read! This book was just fun to read! Moving from the friend zone to lovers usually is but add in the group dynamic of the other guys and you will seriously be laughing. There were times when Tucker was just so darn sweet I couldn’t help but sigh. There were other times when I wanted to shake him and tell him to stop being stupid.  So yeah this one brought with it all the feels.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars 

Favorite Quote “You holding back is what’s tearing you two apart.” 

Other People 

Shep- bestie who is getting married 

Lexi- Shep’s fiancé 

Nonna- Addie’s granny 

Easton- bestie who is a cop 

Ford- bestie who does search and rescue

Book Trailer Saturday (25) The Beautiful

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 sigh...

New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns with a sumptuous, sultry and romantic new series set in 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight.

In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans provides her a refuge after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent along with six other girls, Celine quickly becomes enamored with the vibrant city from the music to the food to the soirées and—especially—to the danger. She soon becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's leader, the enigmatic Sébastien Saint Germain. When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in the lair of La Cour des Lions, Celine battles her attraction to him and suspicions about Sébastien's guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.

When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights . . . and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface.

At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful.