Waiting on Wednesday (5) This Heart of Mine

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.

A new heart saved her life—but will it help her find out what really happened to its donor?

Seventeen-year-old Leah MacKenzie is heartless. An artificial heart in a backpack is keeping her alive. However, this route only offers her a few years. And with her rare blood type, a transplant isn’t likely. Living like you are dying isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But when a heart becomes available, she’s given a second chance at life. Except Leah discovers who the donor was — a boy from her school — and they’re saying he killed himself. Plagued with dreams since the transplant, she realizes she may hold the clues to what really happened.

Matt refuses to believe his twin killed himself. When Leah seeks him out, he learns they are both having similar dreams and he’s certain it means something. While unraveling the secrets of his brother’s final moments, Leah and Matt find each other, and a love they are terrified to lose. But life and even new hearts don’t come with guarantees. Who knew living, took more courage than dying? 

This Heart of Mine is a haunting, poignant tale about living and dying, surviving grief, guilt, and heartache, while discovering love and hope in the midst of sadness.

Why am I waiting?

CC Hunter wrote this and as she is one of my favorite authors I of course pre-ordered it. I am sure it will have the perfect combination of romance, sass and of course mystery.

Teaser Tuesday (5) Secrets at Midnight

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!

"Some people"- he closed his hand over hers-"we know in a heartbeat." Leopard and man both looked into the unusual hazel of her eyes and saw their future. "Others, we'll never know, even if we speak to them for a thousand years."

Night Shift page 52

No truer words have been spoken Bastien, hopefully Kirby listens to you.

Review: Torment (Origin #3)

Author Scarlett Dawn

Format e-book

Print Length 230 pages

Publisher self

Published September 12, 2017

The bestselling, pulse-pounding Origin series returns with Torment, an electrifying new tale that dives into the underbelly of New City. In the ravaged future when goodwill is vital, trickery and vice lurk in the darkest corners.

Megan Marshall is well acquainted with torment. Her father’s sick ‘experiments’ on his only daughter wrecked any sense of normalcy she ever dreamt of. Her life is one trial after another to stay ahead of him—and his mind games.

Enter Rune Mason…

He’s a wicked, playful beast. But don’t judge him. He enjoys his carnal pleasures and bloody battles, with equal delight. The day he meets the sassy Megan Marshall, he knows his world’s screwed—in the best way.

He wants her. He’ll do anything to have her.

Including taking on her father whose never been beaten at his own games. 

Rune has always loved a challenge.

Megan has too. She won’t be won over that easily. 

My Opinion

Torment, the third book in the Origin series, picks up right after the big cliffhanger of Transcend. This one really does live up to its’ name. Not only were the characters in the story tormented by Mr. Valentine, but those who had grown to love certain characters were also tormented. This book focus is very much the aftermath of the previous, and so I feel like this one is not really a book about the relationship of Rune and Megan but more about reacting to what is going one from Transcend.

Megan can hold her own against, the other two female characters- Poppy and Mina. In fact, Megan can even hold her own against the guys. She goes in knowing that she is an equal, which is interesting given her background with her dad. She is like that song- I get knocked down, but I get up again…You are never gonna keep me down. After all the mind games her father has done to her, you can imagine how screwed up she should be. Yet, she isn’t. She is pretty well balanced and just wants to live her life. I also appreciate that she wants to take care of herself. Even when given the opportunity for others to take care of her, she says no. She is independent and you gotta give props to a gal like that.

Rune is interesting in that he wants to protect Megan but he knows she will be skiddish. So he does it on the sly. This is very sneaky and pantherish of him. This makes him one of my favorites in the series. He totally protects her the entire book without her knowing it. I really love how he stands up to her father who completely deserves any knock down fight that comes his way. The chemistry between these two is magical, and I like how it builds throughout the book.

“The Game” was cruel and horrible. It was resolved in such a way that my heart broke and my eyes were watery. I know that there must have been a reason for what occurred. I just am not sure if the reason is going to be big enough in my opinion to make up for the betrayal. I won’t have to wait too long though since I finished this one right before the next one comes out.

My Rating 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote Laughter and love are good for the soul.

Other People

Finn- Rune’s besties, white tiger

Cass- Rune’s bestie, seer- fox

Wolfe- Rune’s besties, wolf

Alaric- Rune’s besties, bear

Mr. Valentine- the evil baddie

Review: Midnight Jewel

Author Richelle Mead

Format e-book

Print Length 416 pages

Publisher Razorbill

Published June 27, 2017

In MIDNIGHT JEWEL, Richelle Mead goes beyond the glitz and glamour of the Glittering Court, delving into the dark, political underbelly of Cape Triumph through the eyes of one girl who dares to fight for her freedom.

A refugee of war, Mira was cast out of her home country and thrust into another, where the conditions were inhospitable at best. In a life-altering twist of fate, she is given the chance to escape once more, and she takes it, joining the Glittering Court.

Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. There, Mira finds herself subjected to persecution, not only from her fellow Glittering Court jewels, but from her suitors, as well—men she would potentially be expected to give her life to.

By day, she goes through the motions, learning the etiquette and customs that will help to earn her anonymity, even making a couple true friends in the process, the forthright ladies’ maid Adelaide and the ambitious laundress Tamsin. But by night, Mira hatches a different plan entirely—one that, if exposed, could get her hanged in the highest court of Adoria.

MIDNIGHT JEWEL is the extraordinary story of a girl with few options who courageously forges a new path, finding love, passion, lifelong friendships, and maybe even a way to freedom.

My Opinion 

This is the second book in The Glittering Court series. It starts at the beginning of Mira’s tell so there is some overlap with things that you saw in the first book, The Glittering Court. That being said the overlap is not a re-hashing of everything. It is looking at it through a different perspective and a pretty amazing experience for a reader who always wonders what the other characters in the story are thinking. This time we find out, and I pretty much dug the whole experience so much so that I am dying to get my hands on Tamsin’s story cause girl gots some grit to her. Back to Mira’s tell though, this girl sure is feisty with a moral compass that will leave you spin right round baby!

Cedric used his pull with his dad and uncle to get Mira into The Glittering Court. She is suppose to be learning how to be a lady to land a wealthy hubby and live richly ever after. Her true goal is to find her brother who went missing in the New World as well as pay off his debt. Mira is a girl to be reconked with.

Mira is a strong female character. She is use to discrimination and hatred both because of her ethnicity and her looks. Which is sad since she gives off exotic sense about her with a splash of the mysterious. She always tries to look out for the underdog, in any situation which has endeared her to me. I love that she has a hidden identity in the series and what that identity is about.

Grant is the love interest in the story. It took me a while to warm up to him, as he is kinda hard in the beginning. His story is a sad one and I don’t want to ruin it for you. I understand why he was distant though it did no good as our gal Mira warmed her way into his heart anyway. He does tend to led her into dangerous situations and then gets her back out of them.

Overall, I enjoyed this reading experience. Yes, experience as I have rarely read a series that shows the same story from a different perspective that is not a love interest. I cannot wait for Tamsin’s story as she is the bestie that I liked the least but I am betting grew the most from this experience. 

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote You were supposed to go chase your obsession.

Other People

Adelaide- Mira’s bestie, she is hiding something

Tamsin- Mira’s other bestie, will do anything to get a head

Clara- mean girl

Swoon Thursday (4) Magic Steals

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.

“Everyone has that someone who is most important to them," he said, his voice so low only a shape shifter could've heard it. That one person who trumps the rules. You are that to me. I would do anything for you.”

Magic Steals page 164

Night shift is a collection of four short stories. I love this one by Ilona Andrews about Dali and Jim. Who if I am honest (with myself )is my favorite couple in the Kate Daniels series (yes they even beat out Kate and Curran).

Waiting on Wednesday (4) The Queen’s Rising

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.

When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?

Why am I waiting?

A disgraded lord, someone who studies knowledge with some magic mixed in. This has the makings of a great series.

Teaser Tuesday (4) Love Between Enemies

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!

It never stopped- with each grade we found ourselves pitted against each other.  Sometimes, I'd surpass her and other times, she'd best me.  I didn't know if it was because we thought the same or because we were the only two students who enjoyed academics as much as we did, but either way there was never a time in my life where she wasn't some kind of threat.

 Love Between Enemies Kindle Location 72

He'd always been in my life, the best adversary a girl could ever want.  He challenged me to do better, push harder, work longer.

 Love Between Enemies Kindle Location 352

The first is from Gordon's point of view, the second is from Zoey's.  Both of them have a healthy respect of the other.  How do they become enemies?  Is there love there?  

Review: Chosen One

Author Scarlett Dawn

Format e-ARC

Print Length 373 pages

Publisher Escape Publishing

Published December 4, 2017

The next book in the best-selling Forever Evermore series as Caro goes where no spirit elemental has gone before...

When Philip Masterson sends Caro back in time, he doesn’t expect to set off a series of events that will see her return stronger and more powerful than ever before. But her time spent with the Prodigies, Kings, and Elders in the nineties has long-reaching consequences that no one could have foreseen, consequences that increase tensions between the Mystical leadership when peace is needed.

Then Caro discovers something that changes the entire trajectory of her life, and finds herself torn: between the man she loves and the man who could mean everything, and the life that she’s chosen and the life that she was born to lead.

My Opinion

At the end of Chosen Fool, Caro is sent 40 years in the past. Here she befriends the prodigies of the 90s and the previous kings. She starts a relationship and then bang as it ends she is time warped back into present day. Right as she finds out the truth about the relationship. The ramifications of the relationship and how it ends plays a lot into this book. All I have to stay is that she is better woman than I, cause mister would never be allowed in my personal space again. The chemistry between the two is mind blowing I will give you that. The back and forth, the love/hate thing did kinda get old. Either you love her/him or you hate them you can’t really do both for a long period of time. 

Being the Chosen One to Lyric is difficult and there are issue there. I would have hated being in Caro’s shoes but I think she handles the situation well. Props goes out to Lyric for trying and failing completely. Again, Caro does a great job handling the situation for the both of them. I enjoyed the Temple uprising storyline but I really would rather have Caro back in the magical world.

For those invested in the series, there was a lacking presents of the prodigies in this installment. This is disheartening as we were well on our way of getting to know them and then bam, they are pretty much not in this book. How are they going to bond and lead the magical community if they don’t work together. Noticeably missing was London (mage prodigy), Aria (vampire prodigy) and Brenna (Brann’s twin sister). Why introduce this cast and then just throw them away?

I feel like there was no resolution in this book- not with the love triangle (well, I guess one did but another one arose), not with the uprising, or the stuff in the magical world. That didn’t stop me from liking the story though kinda just felt like it just ended though.

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “One day, Caro… you’ll have your own Prodigy to deal with.”

Other People

Brann- Shifter Prodigy

King Collins- Caro’s mentor

King Zeller- Vampire King

Sin- Caro’s bestie “brother”

Leric- Spirit elemental

Book Trailer Saturday (3) Ice Wolves

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...




Everyone in Vallen knows that ice wolves and scorch dragons are sworn enemies who live deeply separate lives.

So when twelve-year-old orphan Anders takes one elemental form and his twin sister, Rayna, takes another, he wonders whether they are even related. Still, whether or not they’re family, Rayna is Anders’s only true friend. She’s nothing like the brutal, cruel dragons who claimed her as one of their own and stole her away.

In order to rescue her, Anders must enlist at the foreboding Ulfar Academy, a school for young wolves that values loyalty to the pack above all else. But for Anders, loyalty is more complicated than obedience, and friendship is the most powerful shapeshifting force of all.

Review: Love in the Friend Zone

Author Molly E. Lee

Format e-arc

Print Length 150 pages

Publisher Entangled Publishing, LLC (Crush)

Published August 14, 2017

The only thing worse than not being able to tell your best friend you’re head over heels in love with him? Having to smile and nod when he enlists your help to ensnare the girl of his dreams. 

Braylen didn’t even want to go to Lennon Pryor’s epic graduation-night party, but when Fynn begs her to be his “wingwoman,” she can’t deny him. Talking up her BFF—how he’s magic behind a camera, with a killer sense of humor and eyelashes that frame the most gorgeous blue eyes in the history of forever—is easy. Supporting his efforts to woo someone so completely wrong for him? Not so much. 

Fynn knows that grad night is his last shot before leaving for college to find true love. And thanks to Bray, he gets his chance with the beautiful Katy Evans. But over the course of the coolest party of their high school careers, he starts to see that perhaps what he really wants has been in front of him all along. Bray’s been his best friend since kindergarten, though, and he’d rather have her in his life as a friend than not at all. 

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains one epic party, complete with every high-schoolers-gone-bad shenanigan, and two best friends whose sexual chemistry is off the charts…if only they’d succumb to it.

My Opinion

Fynn and Braylen have grown up together, and are best friends. Best friends typically do not keep secrets from each other but Braylen has been keeping one from Fynn. She is in love with him, he has no clue. Fynn thinks that this is the night, the night he finally lands the girl-Katy. So who better to help him than Bray, after all she knows everything about him. Only now that there is another guy in the picture he is not so sure about Katy.

This book is extremely fast-paced, it takes place over one night. It works though given the character's relationship. I love that they have known each other since kindergarten. All the awkward get to know you stuff is out of the way. 

Braylen has got to be the most supportive bestie in love with the guy in all of bookdom. She agrees to play wingman to Fynn when really she just wants to kiss him herself. I get that she is afraid of hurting their relationship but girl needs to girl up already. What is the worse that could happen? He doesn’t like you in that way? 

Fynn is completely in denial of his feelings for Bray and I understand that as well. So much so he is convinced that this other girl is the one. Their banter is perfect for two people that grew up together. I like how they get each other, especially the non-verbal cues. Very cute!

This was a fun read, one where you shake your head and smile. You may even talk to the book a little and say things like “Come on Fynn how blind are you? What were you thinking? Way to go Bray showing off your awesomeness.” The secondary characters are hilarious and I cannot wait to get my hands on Zoey and Gordon’s book.

My Rating 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “Giving bros hope everywhere because he found love i n he friend zone!”

Other People

Katy- girl Fynn is crushing on

Randy- Braylen’s accidental wingman

Lennon- Fynn’s guy bestie

Zoey- Bray’s gal bestie

Swoon Thursday (3) Torment

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.

"My childhood was a horror show. It'd be nice to help kids have a good one. It'll help my soul to see kids smile."

"All while wearing a princess dress?"

I shrugged. "The dresses are pretty, but I'm not sure if I'm tall enough for it. They probably wouldn't hire me anyway."

Golden eyes squinted. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but if you really want to dress like some make-up princess, go after it. Laughter and love are good for the soul."

Torment Kindle location 928

Gotta love a man who will support his woman's career. Now if Rune would only make Megan his.

Rune hopped down the last step and enveloped me in his arms, his embrace warm, strong, and steady. he inhaled deeply against the top of my head, and whispered quietly, "I'm sorry, beautiful. I didn't like frightening you. That was the worst part of the plan."

Torment Kindle Location 1773

You also gotta love a man, who doesn't like upsetting his gal.

Waiting on Wednesday (3) Assassin of Truth

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 gateways linking the great libraries of the world don’t require a library card, but they do harbor incredible dangers.

And it’s not your normal bump-in-the-night kind. The threats Gia Kearns faces are the kind with sharp teeth and knifelike claws. Not to mention there’s an evil wizard trying to use his magical abilities to take her down. Because she has the keys to end his devious plan. That is, once she figures out what to do with them. 

With the handsome, cocky, and maybe-perfect-for-her Bastien by her side, Gia travels through the beautiful wizard havens and Mystik covens to gather the answers she seeks. The journey is harrowing, and it pits Gia against someone she loves. But there’s only one way to destroy her enemies—if she can uncover it before they catch up to her.

Because sometimes facing our demons is the only way out. 

Why am I waiting?

Bastien and Gia together again. Super excited to jump back into this series and see how they end the evil wizard’s plans.

Teaser Tuesday (3) Lure of Oblivion

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!

“Why would you think that?” 

“He barely paid any attention to Julie. That’s not normal.” 

Marlon’s expression softened. “Aw, sweetie, not all guys want to use you to get to Julie.”

Lure of Oblivion page 83

I absolutely love this moment between Gwen and her foster brother Marlon. He seems to be taken aback with how Gwen perceives Zander's attention.

“That mark tells others that you’re taken. Not by someone who considers you a simple possession—shifters won’t mark people they don’t respect, and they don’t do it on a whim or for sh*ts and giggles. The mark says you’re taken by someone who respects, protects, and values you."

Lure of Oblivion page 94

Zander trying to explain how things are to Gwen. She isn't buying it though.

Review: The Perfectly Imperfect Match

Author Kendra C. Highley

Format e-ARC

Print Length 252 pages

Publisher July 10, 2017

Published Entangled Teen (Crush)

Pitcher Dylan Dennings has his future all mapped out: make the minors straight out of high school, work his way up the farm system, and get called up to the majors by the time he’s twenty-three. The Plan has been his sole focus for years, and if making his dreams come true means instituting a strict “no girls” policy, so be it. 

Lucy Foster, needlepoint ninja, big sister to an aspiring pitcher, and chicken advocate, likes a little mayhem. So what if she gets lost taking her brother to baseball camp…at her own high school? The pitching coach, some hotshot high school player, obviously thinks she’s a hot mess. Too bad he’s cute, because he’s so not her type. 

Problem is, they keep running into each other, and every interaction sparks hotter than the last. But with Dylan’s future on the line, he has to decide whether some rules are made to be broken…

Disclaimer: This book contains a crazy night of moonlit skinny-dipping, a combustible crush, and kisses swoony enough to unwind even the most Type A athlete.

My Opinion

The high school baseball coach is making his players coach the elementary school kids. Otis is one of the kids on Dylan’s team and pretty much Dylan is his hero. Dylan wants to fast his way to the pros by starting in the minors and not going to college. His parents are against this plan but he thinks it is for the best. He has it all laid out. Lucy is Otis’ big sister, she teaches needlepointing and wants to help her bestie save her chicken farm. Neither have time for the other and yet time and time again they are paired together.

If you love stories where opposites attract this is the story for you. Dylan and Lucy could not have been more different. Him a Type A personality, her Type B. Both of them have stress on them, yet it is how they handle things differ vastly. Dylan straight-laced and no nonsense, Lucy feisty and a bit of a pistol. She is not however flakey as she does have a lot of responsibility on her plate.

My favorite thing about this story is that the parents were not absent. They were very much involved in both of their children’s lives. Dylan’s parents hoping for a plan B, as they understand that being a major league baseball player may not work out for him. Lucy’s parents being supportive of her, even with her dad being deployed. Regardless of their parents involvements they were still able to make their own decisions.

It takes a while for the chemistry to build between these two, although there were sparks right away. I like that they spare Otis the heartache of his coach dating his sister. I like even more when they decided to give it a go.  There is some heart ached mixed in when the these two have communication issues.

Cute, fast read that will leave you sighing and thinking that love just may be real after all.

My Rating 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote

Other People

Otis- Lucy’s brother

Serena- Lucy’s bestie

Tristan- Dylan’s bestie

Book Trailer Saturday (2) Everless

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 kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.

No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.

Review: Spartan Heart

Author Jennifer Estep

Format e-book

Print Length 279 pages

Publisher self

Published December 5, 2017

New school year, same old problems . . . 

At Mythos Academy, everyone knows exactly who I am: Rory Forseti, Spartan girl and the daughter of Reapers. 

Even though I fought alongside my cousin Gwen Frost to save the mythological world from Loki and his evil Reapers of Chaos, I’m still the most hated girl at the academy because of all the horrible things my parents did. I had hoped that this school year would be different, but the other kids just won’t let me forget about my parents. 

But something strange is going on at the Colorado Academy. First, I run into a Viking guy who dislikes me more than most. Then I notice some odd artifacts in the Library of Antiquities. And worst of all, I start hearing rumors about a new group of Reapers who can summon mythological monsters. 

I might be the most hated girl at Mythos Academy, but I’m also the only one who can save it . . . 

My Opinion

***Spoiler Alert***This review contains some spoilers for the original series***

I was so excited when I found out that Jennifer Estep was writing a spin-off to the Mythos Academy series. I laughed in delight when we found out that it was going to be about Rory, Gwen’s cousin. Then I not so patiently waited for the release date. If you have not read the original series, I would suggest that you do before starting this one. The first book was Touch of Frost, it was fabulous and will give you the back ground information that you would be missing going into Spartan Heart.

Spartan Heart begins about a year after the events in Killer Frost the sixth and final book in the original Mythos Academy series. The book follows Rory Forseti, Gwen’s Spartan cousin who parents happen to be Reaper Assassins. She didn’t know until the final battle and she fought against them. As assassins, they had killed a lot of good people. The betrayal cut deep, and the wounds are still bleeding. This could be due to the other students harboring some serious hate for Rory even though she fought on the good side.

Rory is definitely the most hated girl on campus which she knows and handles pretty well. She has the support of her Aunt Rachel and that helps her for the most part. She even has a plan concentrate on her schoolwork, and prove she is not like her parents. Only hanging out at the library to do your schoolwork could be extremely dangerous when Reapers show up and bring with them chimeras. So Rory does what Spartans do best, she fights them. After a quick visit with Linus Quinn, the head of the Protectorate, Rory is put on the case of the missing artifacts with a team of other students lead by a Samurai.

There is a quesi-love interest. Not sure if it will turn out to be anything as the sparks that were there with Logan and Gwen were missing with Rory and Ian. I think this will be solved in the second book, once they spend more time together.

There are some parallels between this book and the first series- the library being the focal point, reapers, talking swords, Goddess quest, an animal sidekick. This book is still fresh and exciting in its own right. 

A great start to a spin-off series, and I was excited to be back in the world where Romans, Vikings, Valkyrie, Spartans and Samurai’s all intermingle.

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “I wanted to do something important. Something that mattered. Something that would aid other people.”

Other People

Lance- Roman warrior, school golden boy

Professor Takada- Samurai, mentor to Ian

Aunt Rachel- Rory’s Aunt

Zoe- Valkyrie

Swoon Thursday (2) Trick

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.

I rested my head back against his shoulder.  "Beauty, huh?"

"Oh, yes."  His hands rubbed slowly against my body, a curling flame firing ow in my gut.  "You're the beauty to my beast."

My lips twitched.  "I've read that fairy tale."

"I imagine you have.  After all, that was the only hobby you listed on your Marriage Match application."

Trick Kindle Location 862

The minute Alaric mentioned Faith's love of books I was sold.  He gets way swoonier but this is my favorite moment so far.

Waiting on Wednesday (2) The Bastard’s Bargain

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.

When Keira O’Malley was a child, she used to picture her perfect wedding. The flowers. The dress. Her husband. But nothing could have prepared her for saying “I do” to Dmitri Romanov—cold, domineering and always one step ahead of everyone else in the ever-shifting power plays of New York City. She agreed to his bargain to secure peace for her family, and she may want the bastard more than she’d ever admit, but she’ll be damned if she’ll make this marriage easy for him.

Dmitri knows better than to underestimate Keira for one second. Molten desire smolders between them, a dangerous addiction neither can resist. But his enemies are already on the move, and he needs every ounce of his legendary focus and control to keep them alive. Keira could just be his secret weapon—if she doesn’t bring him to his knees first.

Why am I waiting?

 

I hate Dmitri and Keira is not much better. How they get together I do not know but I want to know. I also want to know if their romance can redeem either of them in my eyes because these are two characters I love to hate.

Teaser Tuesday (2) Midnight Jewel

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!

Each girl was powerful in her own way, one always burning with drive and the other so light and playful that she practically danced through her days. Me? I was the mediator, the one who kept those extremes balanced.

~Midnight Jewel

Sometimes it sucks being the mediator, the balance Mira is handling it well but one can't help but wonder what she is hiding.

“With your prompting! Don’t drag her into your reckless lifestyle. Don’t make her like you! She has a good chance here. A chance for stability and happiness, maybe even love.”

~Midnight Jewel

Grant sure is getting yelled out here, wonder if he really is going to ruin Mira's chance at love.

Review: Ruining Mr. Perfect

Author Marie Harte

Format e-book

Print Length 337 pages

Publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca

Published Oct. 7, 2014

It's Not Easy Being Right...

Vanessa Campbell is a CPA by day and a perfectionist by night. She's fit, successful...and decidedly lonely. She can't stop thinking about the youngest McCauley brother, Cameron. He's just like her: smart, attractive, and usually right—except when dealing with her.

...But Someone's Got To Do It.

Cameron McCauley likes Vanessa a little too well. She's a blond goddess with a razor-sharp tongue. She hates to be wrong, just like him. But she can hold a grudge and is stubborn to a fault—also like him.

A past misunderstanding has them rubbing each other the wrong way. Cam is dying to shake Vanessa up—get her to let loose. But if he succeeds, can his heart handle it?

My Opinion

I read this series in order, which definitely helps as I knew the other characters and had some sense of what was going on. Plus, I knew who all the side characters were. There may be some spoilers in this review for the first two books.

Cam’s dad and brothers are all blue collar workers, Cam being the exception. Instead of working with his hands he is much more of a mathematics kinda guy. Sometimes this puts him at odds with his pop and the boys and other times they go right to him for help. I do hate how it puts him at odds with his daddy more often than not. At times I felt that Cam was a little bit too sensitive.

Vanessa lives next door to Cam’s widowed brother and nephew. Vanessa is the tough one outta of the group of girls living in his parent’s old home (his childhood home). She can kinda be a witch and she most definitely has a resting face. I liked it when she was wrong since she is almost always right. She has a corporate job, a planner and a plan. Her plan does not include Cam or a serious relationship. Too bad for her, his plans do include her and a happily ever after.

There are a lot of subplots going on here with Del and Mike then Cam’s parents. I think that took away from Cam and Vanessa’s story a bit. I also think that they may both be a little too uppity to actually workout, maybe even a little too much alike.

My Rating 3 stars out of 5

Favorite Quote “It means, princess, that if you touch me again, I’ll give you the kiss you’ve been begging for since day one.”

Other People

Beth- Cam’s mom

James- Cam’s dad

Mike- Cam’s brother

Del- automatic

Books I am excited about in 2018!!!

Here are some books I am really excited about that will come out sometime this year!  There are a lot more that I am excited for but they have no covers as of yet so I left them off the snapshot below.  What books are you excited for?

Book Trailer Saturday (1) Moonlight Sins

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...

 

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout delivers the unforgettable story of a woman whose new life has just begun—but may end in murder... 

Julia Hughes has always played it safe until she learned a very painful lesson. Now Julia’s starting over with a job in the Louisiana bayou—and a scorching encounter with a stranger, only to discover he’s Lucian de Vincent... her new employer. The de Vincent brothers share a massive fortune and a dark reputation. Julia cares for their troubled sister, but a menacing presence in the mansion—and the ever-present temptation of Lucian—prove dangerously distracting.

Lucian’s grandmother claimed de Vincent men fall in love once—and hard. Apparently, it’s Lucian’s turn. Julia’s compassionate care of his twin makes Lucian want to lay himself bare. But some secrets are better for Julia not to know.

The recent “suicide” of Lucian’s father is the latest in a string of deaths on the estate. Someone is eliminating the de Vincents. And the best way to get to Lucian may be through Julia...

Review: Of Flame and Fate

Author Cecy Robson

Format e-ARC

Print Length 332 pages

Publisher self-published

Published September 26 2017

Taran Wird, who commands the power to wield fire and lightning, is an oddity in the supernatural world. But neither Taran nor her unique sisters compare to the bizarre entity known as Destiny. And Taran is assigned to protect her.

Born of two witches, Destiny is revered among the supernatural elite for her acute ability to predict the future. Her biggest prophecy involves Taran’s sister, Celia, whom Destiny decreed will bear children strong enough to take on the evil that’s rising. Yet Destiny is not alone in her predictions, or individuality.

When Johnny Fate, a rock star among humans and a male version of Destiny is discovered, his powers and Destiny’s clash, triggering the start of Destiny’s demise and altering the fate of Celia’s unborn children.

Taran, her werewolf lover Gemini, and their allies must determine if it’s Fate who will decide what will become of Celia’s children, or if their lives and the world will perish with Destiny.

My Opinion

***Review contains spoilers from Of Fire and Light***

With Gemini and Taran back together, the council can of course outsource both of their special skill sets. Gemini to being Beta to Aric’s Alpha and Taran to being a body guard. Doesn’t sound bad, I mean after all how much trouble can the supernatural seer actually get into do? Turns out a lot! Destiny accidently runs across Fate and this causes her prophecy to well go a little up in smokes. It also causes her to become dangerously ill. Only the Weird Girls can save her but is fighting fate good or bad?

I love seeing Gemini and Taran together- it is like seeing caution and impulse get married. Gemini is so protective of her and Taran is so reckless that at times it causes some tension. The good kinda of tension that means each care about and understands the other person. How they resolve their conflicts are pretty intensely HOT.

I loved how Destiny and Fate are connected in this story. When they co-exist in the same time period an imbalance is created, one that must be dealt with. How this is resolved is interesting and will engage the reader for the remaining portion of the story. If I was Destiny I would seriously consider no longer working for the council after their display of love in this book. I may even take my mate and say adios completely. 

We get to see snippets of the other sisters and how they are getting along with their mates or lack there of. Poor Emme! I honestly hope that Bren is her mate but he is not, then I hope that she knocks him out. She is too gentle to punch him in the nose but a reader can hope can’t they?

It was fabulous being back in the Weird Girls world. I felt like I was on an epic rollercoaster ride to save everybody that I have grown to love (except for one grouchy neighbor). I cannot wait to read the next one, and will willingly shout the world that I am checking the authors social media sites on the regular hoping for snippets, cover reveals or release dates.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “Together is how they belong.”

Other People

Aric- Alpha of Gemini’s pack

Celia- Taran’s oldest sister, shifter

Emme- Taran’s youngest sister, healer

Shayna- Taran’s younger sister, metal manipulator

Swoon Thursday (1) Ruining Mr. Perfect

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 tender expression confused her, because she wanted to hold on to it as much as she wanted to look away.

“I love talking to you. I think the first thing about you that attracted me, aside from those long, long legs, was your mind.”

Ruining Mr. Perfect

Not really sure that Vanessa deserves Cam. I kinda like him and her not so much. Hopefully she will grow on me. You gotta like a guy who is attracted to a great mind.