Waiting on Wednesday (22) Smoke in the Sun

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 highly anticipated sequel to Flame in the Mist--an addictive, sumptuous finale that will leave readers breathless from the bestselling author of The Wrath and the Dawn 

After Okami is captured in the Jukai forest, Mariko has no choice--to rescue him, she must return to Inako and face the dangers that have been waiting for her in the Heian Castle. She tricks her brother, Kenshin, and betrothed, Raiden, into thinking she was being held by the Black Clan against her will, playing the part of the dutiful bride-to-be to infiltrate the emperor's ranks and uncover the truth behind the betrayal that almost left her dead. 

With the wedding plans already underway, Mariko pretends to be consumed with her upcoming nuptials, all the while using her royal standing to peel back the layers of lies and deception surrounding the imperial court. But each secret she unfurls gives way to the next, ensnaring Mariko and Okami in a political scheme that threatens their honor, their love and the very safety of the empire.

Why am I waiting?

If you read Flame in the Mist, you know why I am waiting on this one. That cliffhanger was a killer. Flame in the Mist was one of my Five Star reads last year and I am hoping that this one will be another.

Teaser Tuesday (22) The Werewolf Meets His Match

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 didn’t wonder why women stayed with men like this. She knew. Even smart women sometimes found themselves in bad situations they couldn’t see their way out of. And smart didn’t always equal brave.

The Werewolf Meets His Match page 8

Hmm... I wonder what Ivy is going to do about the douche bag?

"But I would never hurt you or your mother. And just because you can’t turn into a wolf doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. It just means you’re different. And that’s okay. You were born exactly the way you were supposed to be."

The Werewolf Meets His Match page 224

And this is the moment that Hank stole my heart!

Review: Moonlighted Sins

Author Jennifer L. Armentrout

Format e-book

Print Length 400 pages

Publisher Avon

Published Jan. 30, 2018

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...

My Opinion

When JLA writes an adult novel boy does she write an adult novel. I absolutely loved Lucian, h is so unapologetic that it boarded on funny. Julia was definitely a good girl and so to see them together, this is one troupe I fall for every time.

Julia is getting over a messy divorce, and needs a new beginning. The de Vincent family’s prodigal sister has returned but she is in a catatonic state. As a nurse Julia has no problem taking care of her. If only her one- one night stand- ever wasn’t standing right in front of her. As an adult she can put aside her issues and care for this beautiful girl who has been through something tragic.

Julia is practical, and really a tad bit boring. However, she is relatable to anyone who has just always done the right thing. Got the safe job, married the safe person, lived the safe life and then got burned. Going through a divorce has her breaking outta of her shell a little. So when her friends invite her out for a going away party she can’t say no. This is when she meets Lucian, although she has no clue who he is just a stranger in the night.

Until the next day he turns up in the mansion where she has been hired. Lucian knows he did wrong but his intentions were good. Sort of like how the road to hell was paved with. Lucian is hot, rich, and just enough bad boy to be oh so good.

I love love love their chemistry. Have I mentioned how much I loved their chemistry? These two belong together. I love how Lucian is like a magnet with Julia and I like how she balances him out with her practical nature. The best part of their chemistry is that Julia does not bow down to him and kiss his feet like he is used to.

The suspense in the novel is just enough to leave you on the edge of your seat. I knew something wasn’t adding up but I never figured out what it was. Until the end and woow! Really? I see what you did there JLA and I liked it.

A great start to a series that I cannot get enough of. Granted I may be biased as I pretty much have loved everything that JLA has written to date. So if I liked it so much why the four stars… there was a section of the story that the pacing fell a little bit and there is almost love triangle that I felt was unnecessary. Also unnecessary Dev’s fiancé, I am hoping she falls to the curse before they get married cause girl just needs to die.

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “The devil smiled.”

Other People

Gabe- Lucian’s brother

Devlin- Lucian’s other brother

Madeline- Lucian’s twin sister

Review: The Rules of Rebellion

Author Amity Hope

Format e-book

Print Length 150 pages

Publisher Entangled: Crush

Published April 2, 2018

1. Skinny dip (her idea)

2. Stargaze (his idea)

3. Prank someone (her idea)

4. Go on a date (his idea)

Leo Zimmerman has had a crush on his curvy friend Kylie Jenkins since forever, so when he discovers the girl with a flair for candy making has a newfound plan to rebel against her overbearing parents, he’s determined to be the one to help her carry it out. Who better than himself to show her the ropes of letting loose?

Sure, taking her to her first high school party, helping her sneak out of the house, or watching a sunset together isn’t exactly a hardship, but much harder is masking his feelings the more time they spend together. And when he suggests adding “a first date” to Kylie’s plan and she accepts…suddenly all his dreams seem to be coming true.

But Leo’s got a secret that could change everything between them, and it’s only a matter of time before it comes to the surface. 

My Opinion

Kylie makes a high school bucket list after her baby sister tells her she needs a life. Only she loses the list. Leo finds a list written by Kylie, who he has liked forever. This list gives him enough courage to ask her out, kinda. By making her list a reality. 

Kylie is the middle child, and her parents are a little on the strict side. Which is why she has never pushed the limits. She loves to bake and makes lots of treats for her friends to try out. She is also feeling a little lonely since her besties all got boyfriends now. This is a common problem in high school and I like how she makes a list to overcome it instead of wallowing in self-pity. She is extremely relatable in not wanting to rock the boat, and being the friendly one in the group. Leo is adorable and his secret is not much of a secret as in it really isn’t his fault. I love his interest in art and his abilities to overcome his parents being well the way he is.

The history between the two families is the secret, although Kylie knew nothing of it. How her parents handle things is interesting and his parent’s reaction was pretty spot on as well. More importantly is how Leo handles everything and his take on the situation. Talk about mature. He truly is a gentleman.

This is a cute read that you can finish in a few short hours. It brings all the feels and leaves you with a smile on your face. The characters and the situations that they are in are extremely likeable.  I liked it so much I ended up one clicking the other one in the series.

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “If it wasn’t for me, you’d probably be spending the evening hanging out with those ogres, elves, and magical fairies you like so much.”

Other People

Allie- Kylie’s little sister

Francesca- Kylie’s bestie

Meg- Kylie’s bestie

Book Trailer Saturday (21) King of Scars

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...

Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

Review: Wild Hunger

Author Suzanne Wright

Format e-ARC

Print Length 320 pages

Publisher Montlake Romance

Published May 29, 2018

When half–wolf shifter Frankie Newman receives an e-mail from a family member she didn’t know existed, a secret is revealed: as a child, Frankie witnessed her father killing her mother…and then himself. Frankie was torn from her pack by her mother’s human relatives, and the trauma was erased from her memory. Realizing that she’s been lied to her entire life, she’s never felt more alone. Until she catches the scent of an old friend—warmly familiar and intoxicating.

Trick Hardy, enforcer of the Phoenix Pack, can sense the rush of mutual attraction when he sees Frankie again. He knows immediately that she’s his true mate. But he also knows that, given her fragile state, he needs to tread with care—no matter how fierce his surging desires.

As aroused as Frankie is by Trick’s darkly dominant air and simmering desire, her priority right now is her past—not her future, no matter how tempting. But as more secrets emerge and Frankie’s life is threatened, Trick must do everything he can to keep her close and safe. After all, it’s their destiny. 

My Opinion

The truth has been hidden from Frankie her entire life. Her father killed her mother, her human grandparents raised her. They told her that her parents died in a car crash. Away from her pack she has been raised as a lone wolf. Imagine the shock and surprise when the truth is revealed. Holy cowzers! Trick finds his mate right off and he recognizes her right away. There is no games, just him making sure that his mate is safe, secure and sound. Let the courting begin!

Coming from a wealthy family Frankie doesn’t need to work. As an artist though, she makes a killing. Her work is always dark, frighteningly so which is a reflection of her background. So when she finds out what she saw when she was three everything begins to make sense. Trick understands that she is going through emotional baggage and he really just wants to be there for her. His reaction to her, his ability to pick up on what it is that she needs is spot on and frankly just adorable.

Frankie knows that things aren’t adding up. Why would her daddy murder her momma? Did it really happen the way she was told. On top of that someone is threatening the pack that Trick belongs to. The pack that has taken her under their wing. Is she in danger?

Wild Hunger is full of passion, patience and love. The suspense aspect of the story and Frankie trying so desperately to remember gives the story a sense of urgency. Trick really is the perfect match for her.

Sometimes you find an author and you just like their writing style. You love their stories and you would read anything they wrote. Yes, even a book on how to program some computer game because you know you just know that there will be a female character that you could love in it, a male character that is gonna go all alpha male on you and a romance that will make you swoon. Suzanne Wright is one of those authors for me. I will one-click anything she writes.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars 

Favorite Quote “I knew the moment our eyes met outside the coffeehouse and my world tilted that you’re mine.”

Other People

Lydia- Frankie’s aunt

Waiting on Wednesday (21) Listen to Your Heart

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.

Talking to other people isn't Kate Bailey's favorite activity. She'd much rather be out on the lake, soaking up the solitude and sunshine. So when her best friend, Alana, convinces Kate to join their high school's podcast, Kate is not expecting to be chosen as the host. Now she'll have to answer calls and give advice on the air? Impossible.

But to Kate's surprise, she turns out to be pretty good at the hosting gig. Then the podcast gets in a call from an anonymous guy, asking for advice about his unnamed crush. Kate is pretty sure that the caller is gorgeous Diego Martinez, and even surer that the girl in question is Alana. Kate is excited for her friend ... until Kate herself starts to develop feelings for Diego. Suddenly, Kate finds that while doling out wisdom to others may be easy, asking for help is tougher than it looks, and following your own advice is even harder.

Kasie West's adorable story of secrets, love, and friendship is sure to win over hearts everywhere.

Why am I waiting?

Kasie West is one of my go to contemporary authors. She has never disappointed. Her books continue to being on the feelings.

Teaser Tuesday (21) Moonlight 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 wasn’t living like that anymore—like she was seventy years old and had buried the love of her life three years ago instead of divorcing him, which was what had happened. These last three years had felt like she’d given up, was going quietly into the night.

Moonlight Sins page 55

Sounds like Julia is finally ready to move on.

“Is there literally anything you can’t make sound sexual?” 

“No. It’s like a superpower of mine.” 

Her eyes narrowed. 

 Lucian smiled.

Moonlight Sins page 202

Maybe Lucian is the right guy for her to move on to.

**Two teasers because why not?**

Book Trailer Saturday (20) War Storm

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...

VICTORY COMES AT A PRICE.

Mare Barrow learned this all too well when Cal’s betrayal nearly destroyed her. Now determined to protect her heart—and secure freedom for Reds and newbloods like her—Mare resolves to overthrow the kingdom of Norta once and for all… starting with the crown on Maven’s head.

But no battle is won alone, and before the Reds may rise as one, Mare must side with the boy who broke her heart in order to defeat the boy who almost broke her. Cal’s powerful Silver allies, alongside Mare and the Scarlet Guard, prove a formidable force. But Maven is driven by an obsession so deep, he will stop at nothing to have Mare as his own again, even if it means demolishing everything—and everyone—in his path.

War is coming, and all Mare has fought for hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the little lightning girl be forever silenced?

In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard’s stunning series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power… for all will be tested, but not all will survive.

Waiting on Wednesday (20) Furyborn (Empirium #1)

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.

Follows two fiercely independent young women, centuries apart, who hold the power to save their world...or doom it.

When assassins ambush her best friend, the crown prince, Rielle Dardenne risks everything to save him, exposing her ability to perform all seven kinds of elemental magic. The only people who should possess this extraordinary power are a pair of prophesied queens: a queen of light and salvation and a queen of blood and destruction. To prove she is the Sun Queen, Rielle must endure seven trials to test her magic. If she fails, she will be executed...unless the trials kill her first.

A thousand years later, the legend of Queen Rielle is a mere fairy tale to bounty hunter Eliana Ferracora. When the Undying Empire conquered her kingdom, she embraced violence to keep her family alive. Now, she believes herself untouchable--until her mother vanishes without a trace, along with countless other women in their city. To find her, Eliana joins a rebel captain on a dangerous mission and discovers that the evil at the heart of the empire is more terrible than she ever imagined.

As Rielle and Eliana fight in a cosmic war that spans millennia, their stories intersect, and the shocking connections between them ultimately determine the fate of their world--and of each other. 

Why am I waiting?

It has been while since I have read a dual timeline story. One queen of light and salvation and one of death and destruction caught my interest. Plus, the cover is breathtaking.

Teaser Tuesday (20) Wild Hunger

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!

"Who are you meeting?"

"What's with the tone?" Because she didn't like it at all. His easygoing charm was gone, and the dark predatory streak that he hid seemed to take over.

"Answer the question, Frankie."

"And just why would you think it had a damn thing to do with you?"

He growled. "It has everything to do with me." He went nose to nose with her and whispered, "I don't share."

She narrowed her eyes. "I'm not yours to share."

"You will be."

Wild Hunger Kindle Location 1067

You gotta hand it to Trick when he makes a declaration he makes a darn good one. How does Frankie not melt into a puddle when he states she belongs with him? I will never get over my love of shifter and true mates novels.

Waiting on Wednesday (19) Onxy and Ivory

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.

They call her Traitor Kate. It’s a title Kate Brighton inherited from her father after he tried to assassinate the high king years ago. Now Kate lives as an outcast, clinging to the fringes of society as a member of the Relay, the imperial courier service. Only those most skilled in riding and bow hunting ride for the Relay; and only the fastest survive, for when dark falls, the nightdrakes—deadly flightless dragons—come out to hunt. Fortunately, Kate has a secret edge: she is a wilder, born with magic that allows her to influence the minds of animals. But it’s this magic that she needs to keep hidden, as being a wilder is forbidden, punishable by death or exile. And it’s this magic that leads her to a caravan massacred by nightdrakes in broad daylight—the only survivor her childhood friend, her first love, the boy she swore to forget, the boy who broke her heart.

The high king’s second son, Corwin Tormane, never asked to lead. Even as he waits for the uror—the once-in-a-generation ritual to decide which of the king’s children will succeed him—he knows it’s always been his brother who will assume the throne. And that’s fine by him. He’d rather spend his days away from the palace, away from the sight of his father, broken with sickness from the attempt on his life. But the peacekeeping tour Corwin is on has given him too much time to reflect upon the night he saved his father’s life—the night he condemned the would-be killer to death and lost the girl he loved. Which is why he takes it on himself to investigate rumors of unrest in one of the remote city-states, only for his caravan to be attacked—and for him to be saved by Kate.

With their paths once more entangled, Kate and Corwin have to put the past behind them. The threat of drakes who attack in the daylight is only the beginning of a darker menace stirring in the kingdom—one whose origins have dire implications for Kate’s father’s attack upon the king and will thrust them into the middle of a brewing civil war in the kingdom of Rime.

Why am I waiting?

Magic, royalty, lost love and an author who I like. Her Arkwell Academy series was pretty good. Of course, I am waiting on this one.

Waiting on Wednesday (18) How to marry a Werewolf

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.

Guilty of an indiscretion? Time to marry a werewolf.

WEREWOLVES

The monsters left Faith ruined in the eyes of society, so now they’re her only option. Rejected by her family, Faith crosses the Atlantic, looking for a marriage of convenience and revenge.

But things are done differently in London. Werewolves are civilized. At least they pretend to be.

AMERICANS

Backward heathens with no culture, Major Channing has never had time for any of them. But there’s something special about Faith. Channing finds himself fighting to prove himself and defend his species. But this werewolf has good reason not to trust human women.

Even if they learn to love, can either of them forgive?

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Parasol Protectorate series comes a stand alone romance set in the same universe. Look out for appearances from favorite characters and the serious consequences of unwarranted geology.

Why am I waiting?

I love the Parasol Protectorate series and so these stand alones are right up my alley. Plus I would really like to see Major Channing have his happily ever after.

Teaser Tuesday (18) The Rules of Rebellion

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 arched an eyebrow. "Leo?" I still had my hand protectively placed over the last two truffles. "Tell me what you think," she said. As if I'd tell her no, Kylie had no idea, but there wasn't a whole lot I wouldn't do for her. I had it bad for her. Had for years.

The Rules of Rebellion Kindle Location 154

"She was harsh," I agreed. "But she was also kind of right. My life is pretty boring. Especially now that Francesca and meg both have boyfriends. Since Nate goes to school out of town, when he's here on the weekends, Francesca understandably spends every second with him. Meg and Luke, well, you know how they are. They're together just as often. And me? I haven't been doing much of anything."

The Rules of Rebellion Kindle Location 280

Thus how the list was born. And it looks like Leo is just the right guy to help her check off each task.