Teaser Tuesday (43) Hunt: A Shifters Short Story

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!

"Abby? What's wrong?" Normally, his automatic assumption that something was wrong would have irritated me. But this time, he was right.

"Jace, I need help. Fast." My teeth chattered, and I sniffed back a chocked sob. "How soon can you get here?"

Hunt by Rachel Vincent Kindle Location 261

I adore Jace, feeling that he got the raw end of the deal in the original Shifters series. So, I got all kinds of excited when I read Rachel Vincent's blog post last week. She has written a spin-off series to the Shifters called Wildcats. The first chapter of her new book Lion's Share is at the end of this short story. Abby is all grown-up and all kinda of spicy in the chapter teaser. Jace will have his hands full and I cannot wait.

Review: Whisper the Dead

Author Alyxandra Harvey
Format e-ARC
Print Length 397 pages
Publisher Bloomsbury Childrens
Published October 9, 2014

Gretchen is struggling with her newfound gift as a Whisperer; the constant buzzing in her ears from detecting spells is more frustrating than fun, especially when she is spending time with one of the Order of Iron Nail's Keepers, the icy but strikingly handsome Tobias Lawless. But while Gretchen tries to hide the truth and resolve her feelings for him, London fades from beautiful and bustling to deathly silent ...Something evil is once again menacing Mayfair, and Gretchen and her cousins must use their powers to prevent a horrible sacrifice.

This second book in the Lovegrove Legacy trilogy is full of dark twists, spellbinding suspense and sweeping romance - perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, Lauren Kate and Ruth Warburton.

My Opinion

Thank you to Bloomsbury and Netgalley for allowing me to review this novel.  This is no way influenced my review.

Whisper the Dead stops the sophomore curse in its tracks. A fabulous sequel to an already enthralling series. A cliff-hanger ending that leaves you gasping, asking what the heck just happened and why all in the same breathe.

When we last left the Lovegrove cousins, they had battled that Greymalkin sisters and won. Whisper the Dead takes place a few days after the battle. With the Order wanting to keep a stronger eye on the cousins, each being assigned a Keeper. Gretchen’s Keeper is Tobias Lawless- a by the book Keeper who has a secret or two of his own, such as the true nature of his family. Tobias is a straight and narrow Keeper who does not like to break the rules. Gretchen is a forward thinking gal who will try his patience and broaden his heart all at once. They make the perfect couple- if they would only realize it. I love their interaction, and how it often exasperates Tobias.

Gretchen’s relationship with her cousins and her twin brother, Godric all play a key role in this book. Her cousins ground her, yet encourage her to go her on way. Godric well he is a remarkable brother in that he understands how the restrictions of the time on one’s gender could seriously bother his twin. He is supportive in every harebrained scheme she comes up with. Which may be a problem, yet Tobias is there to catch her when she falls.

Gretchen’s power is coming into its own in this book. Allowing her to know what spells was being used and how to strengthen them is no small power. She and Tobias just need to learn to trust in her ability and honestly she needs to take it a tad bit more seriously.

The ending was horrifying and awe-inspiring all at once. It does set up the final book in the trilogy rather brilliantly though. A book that this reader is biting her nails waiting for.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “Kiss me back, you idiot,”

Other People

Emma- Gretchen’s cousin, in a secret relationship with Cormac
Cormac- Tobias’ partner, Keeper, in a secret relationship with Emma
Penelope- Gretchen’s cousin, the conscience of the trio, seems a little boycrazy this go round
Godric- Gretchen’s twin brother, has a bit of a crush on Moira
Moira- a witch that is known as a Madcap, not really sure what her role is though

Book Boyfriend (42) Ryker

• 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 
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He tells it like it is.

"I really like you," he whispered. He gazed into my eyes, and I felt myself being pulled right into them. He turned slightly to brush his lips against mine.

He's not worried about her demon side.

"I guess you want to go?"

"Go? Why? You mean 'cause your skin starts glowing when I kiss you? Don't be silly. We'll just have to take it easy. Just to make sure you don't explode or anything," he laughed.

I grabbed a pillow and thumped him with it. And kept hitting him. This wasn't funny; tears were streaming down my face. Why couldn't I just be normal? Like mom.

"Hey, hey, hey." He grabbed my wrists and pulled me to his chest. "It's going to be fine. I'm sorry for teasing you."

He is worried that she will get hurt.

He stood over her, looking down at the sleeping demon with the same love and concern as he had when she'd been the beautiful human version.

It's hard sometimes to find someone who loves us for who we are in good and in bad times. Ryker loves Faustine beyond a shadow of a doubt. It is refreshing.

Books I'm Grateful I Read Giveaway Hop!

Every once in a while there is a book that comes along at a moment in your life where once you are done reading, you think man I needed that.  I needed that escape, that emotion, that love-story, that thriller, or even that murder mystery.  I needed that bickering, that snark, that attitude, or even that Supernatural reference.  Regardless, you are just thankful for that book.  In that moment in time that made everything better, clearer, the book even helped to take your worries and stress away.

For this giveaway you can pick any book from the photo-montage below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Here is hoping that one of these books helps you to escape for a little bit. This hop is hopping with great giveaways!  

Swoon Thursday (42) Protecting his Witch

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!

"Kiss me." Reassure me you're alive and okay.

Her gaze snapped to his lips. A flush stained her cheeks.

He leaned in close and whispered hoarsely, "Kiss me, wildcat."

Her fingers dug into the collar of his coat and tugged him down to her level. A ripple of shock went through him when her lips touched his. He pressed her backward against the wall.

Protecting His Witch by Zoe Forward Kindle Location 752

Matt and Kat are an interesting pair. He screws up in the beginning, but dang he still cares about her. Caring is swoon-worthy.

Waiting on Wednesday (42) Killer Instinct

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.

Seventeen-year-old Cassie Hobbes has a gift for profiling people. Her talent has landed her a spot in an elite FBI program for teens with innate crime-solving abilities, and into some harrowing situations. After barely escaping a confrontation with an unbalanced killer obsessed with her mother’s murder, Cassie hopes she and the rest of the team can stick to solving cold cases from a distance.

But when victims of a brutal new serial killer start turning up, the Naturals are pulled into an active case that strikes too close to home: the killer is a perfect copycat of Dean’s incarcerated father—a man he’d do anything to forget. Forced deeper into a murderer’s psyche than ever before, will the Naturals be able to outsmart the enigmatic killer’s brutal mind games before this copycat twists them into his web for good?

With her trademark wit, brilliant plotting, and twists that no one will see coming, Jennifer Lynn Barnes will keep readers on the edge of their seats (and looking over their shoulders) as they race through the pages of this thrilling novel.

Why I am waiting?

This is a sequel to a book that I really liked, The Naturals- it got a four star review from me. I want to know how Cassie, Dean and the gang move on from the shocking ending in the last book. What ramifications occur? What happens to the program now?

Teaser Tuesday (42) Eternal

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!

Steve Teaser:

Scared of where all this was going to end, but the one thing she knew, the one thing she felt certain of was... Steve. Of how he made her fell.

Safe.

Accepted.

Cherished.

He knew her and still liked her; still wanted to be part of her life.

Eternal by CC Hunter Kindle Location 645

Chase Teaser:

"I'm not sorry that I get a chance to prove to you that you and I belong together. But don't you dare doubt that I'm sorry you're hurting. The pain in your eyes when you walked into the office, the pain you're working so hard to hide, I said it. I feel it. And for that, damn it, I'm sorry."

Eternal by CC Hunter Kindle Location 1854

Who should she pick? The one that makes her feel accepted, cherished? Or the one that knows what she is feeling? I am team Steve all the way- there is something about that shapeshifter that is yummy. 

Who should she choose?

Eternal the next book in the Shadow Falls After Dark series comes out tomorrow!

One my of all time favorite authors CC Hunter posted this on her website.

A list of reasons Della should end up with Steve and reasons Della should end up with Chase.

Della should choose Steve because:

* he’s hot. And looks good in his jeans!

* he’s been so patient waiting for her to get over Lee.

* he chose to give her the transfusion that bonded her to Chase believing it could save her life, but knowing he could lose her forever.

* he saved her life on the mission and even gave her some of his blood.

* she could let herself love him so easily.

Della should choose Chase because:

* he’s hot. Mysterious and sexy.

* they are both vampire and reborns and can understand each other.

* he risked his life and was willing endure extreme pain to save her life.

* she is bonded to him, drawn to him, attracted to him.

* she could let herself love him so easily.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Steve fan. Oh how I hope that she chooses him.  I will be okay if she doesn't, although I may send my kindle some evil death stares for a while.

Book Boyfriend (41) Kallistos

• 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 
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He is like a boy scout- always prepared.

In response he opens the closet, pulls out a hanging bag, then tosses it onto the bed.  Two shopping bags follow.

"What's this?"  I ask.

"Emergency clothes.  By the time you get out of the shower, breakfast will be here.  You now have time."

I quickly rummage through the bags.  he's thought of everything- shoes, stockings, undergarments, classic black pantsuit, and a dove gray poplin shirt with French cuffs.

He has no shame asking for what he wants.

My cell phone vibrates announcing a new text.  Hot vampire here with cold champagne.  Awaiting your arrival.

He is understanding of the situation Emma is in.

"I am devoted to you.  I will forever remain so.  Demeter is the only one who could jeopardize that, and her ability to do so, her power to do so, is extremely restrictive."

Kallistos is not the main love interest for Emma because is is not suppose to love.  She is cursed by Demeter to never love, so it may seem weird that Emma's "friend with benefits" is my book boyfriend for the week.  Honestly, I like him more than the main love interest, Zack.

Swoon Thursday (41) Stone Cold Touch

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!

"God," he said, speaking finally in a voice that was a deep, low rumble. "You're beautiful, Layla. A gift."

Stone Could Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout Kindle Location 287

Sorry if you are seeing this one a lot today.  I am by no means on Team Zayne, but when you are only 11% into the book, you work with what you got. Besides here Zayne is being swoony, I just feel like he worries too much about what other people think.

Waiting on Wednesday (41) Fire Fall

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.

In the exciting conclusion to the Dark Star trilogy, Audrey Whitticomb is faced with a tough decision: save her people from the demons known as Harrowers, or save her best friend from certain death?

Audrey Whitticomb wants to be a Guardian like her superhero mom, Morning Star, and her superhot boyfriend, Leon. But at seventeen, Audrey still hasn't been called--unlike reluctant Tink, who'd rather not deal with all those scaly-skinned, red-eyed demons.

The truth: Audrey can no longer fight her fate. She has a different role to play.

The Beneath is waking. Demons are rising. Friends are falling. And the future is waiting. Will Audrey stop the Harrowing in time to save the Kin? Or will she save her best friend, Gideon, from certain death? Can Audrey find the power and the courage to act before it's too late?

Why I am waiting?

This is another one that ends a series for me. While it is sad to read the last book of any trilogy, there is something satisfying about closing that last page. I want to know how Audrey deals with her destiny. Will she do it gracefully or kicking and screaming?

Teaser Tuesday (41) Reckoning

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!

"Are you happy, Zack?" I ask. A dangerous question. One I have no right to ask.

I'm standing, my hand on the passenger door to the Suburban. he's on the driver's side, key in the lock.

'I'm not sure I ever will be. Something's missing, I don't even know what it is, but I know I want it back in the worst possible way.

Reckoning by SJ Harper Kindle Location 560

"All bark and no bite," I say as the dog slinks back to the porch, tail between its legs, whimpering.

Zack grins at me. "Sometimes having a big, bad wolf on your team comes in handy."

I smile back.

Reckoning by SJ Harper Kindle Location 997

If you read the first book in the series then you know what is missing. If not, get on it dog-gone-it, what are you waiting for? Siren, werewolf, witches and vamps. Need I really say more?