Swoon Thursday (21) Descent

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!

“You saved me.” I said, unable to distract myself from the way he was looking at my mouth, the riot

of strange sensations it stirred up inside of me.

“I’ll always save you, Gwen” he said, without hesitation. “As long as I have you, I mean.”

Decent by Tara Fuller Kindle Location 1062

Oh my Easton can save me any day of the week- this is one fine reaper. You do not want to miss out on all of his swoon worthy moments.

Waiting on Wednesday (21)The Stars Never Rise

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.

Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

Why am I waiting?

I loved Vincent’s Pride and Soul Screamer series. I am sure that this one will be just as good.

Teaser Tuesday (21) The Witch Hunter

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!

Facing all these people, dining with them. The wizard who rescued me, the boy who healed me, the girl who bathed me, the fool who befriended me. I'm indebted to each of them in some way, yet they are my enemies.

The Witch Hunter Kindle Location 949

Elizabeth is in a rough spot- especially if she truly is surrounded by her enemies. For some reason, I do not believe these folks see her as an enemy.

Review: Through Fire & Sea

Author Nicole Luiken

Format e-ARC

Print Length 354 pages

Publisher Entangled Teen

Published May 5, 2015

Mirror mirror, hear my call…

In the Fire world, seventeen-year-old Leah is the illegitimate daughter of one of the realm's most powerful lords. She's hot-blooded—able to communicate with the tempestuous volcano gods that either bless a civilization or destroy it. But then Leah discovers she's a Caller, gifted with the unique—and dangerous—ability to “call” her Otherselves in mirror worlds. And her father will do anything to use her powers for his own purposes.

In the Water world, Holly nearly drowns when she sees—and interacts with—Leah, a mirror image of herself. She’s rescued by Ryan, a boy from school with a secret he’d die to protect. Little do they know, his Otherself is the son of a powerful volcano god at war in the Fire world…and he’s about to fall.

As Leah and Holly's lives intersect, the Fire and Water worlds descend into darkness. The only way to protect the mirror worlds is to break every rule they've ever known. If they don’t, the evil seeping through the mirrors will destroy everything—and everyone—they love…

My Opinion

In the beginning, there was the True World. It was perfect- so perfect that someone tried to re-create it. First with heat, followed by water, then by stone and finally air. These worlds were not perfect but they were our worlds- our reality. A caller is a person who after looking into a mirror can call to her otherselves. There are rules though, rules that are made to protect the worlds and the otherselves.

Through Fire and Sea is a story about two girls. The same girl from two different worlds. One lives in the Fire World and the other in the Sea World. This story is told from a dual point of view.

Leah, from the Fire World is an illegitimate daughter of a duke. She gets sent to live with Qeturah, a duchess who has the power to control the fire breathing dragon that is plundering the kingdom. She was sent as payment. Once there she learns that she is a caller- one who can call to her otherselves. Leah shows a strength and loyalty that the elders in her kingdom lack. Once with Qeturah, she falls in love with Gideon. Events leave her with a quest to save the Gideon’s of the otherworlds. To do this she visits the Water World first.

Holy is the Leah of the Water World. Her parents are divorced and she lives a privileged life. One day while out with her daddy she falls overboard into the ocean. Instead of drowning a boy named Ryan saves her. Ryan is the Water Worlds Gideon. Ryan is a loner, who wants nothing to do with anyone. He has his reasons. Holly of course wants to find him and thank him for saving her life. He tries to ignore her until they are casted as the leads in the school play. This could mean his one big chance to break the chains of poverty. But what will this do to his relationship with Holly? Holly for her part tries not to fall for Ryan but once she learns his life is in danger, it really is game on.

Since this is told from both points of view, at times it will be difficult to follow. Both girls due to circumstances of their worlds have distinctive voices and switching back and forth can cause whiplash. Once you get use to the flip-flopping though the story picks up. It really is a race against time and the big bad meanie to see if the girls can save Ryan’s life. Through Fire and Sea is a hypnotic tale that ends with a new beginning. Hopefully, you will like it as much as I did.

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote Your father isn’t the most interesting thing about you. Not even close.

Other People

Gideon- Leah’s honey

Qeturah- Gideon’s mom and the big baddie

Joseph- Holly’s daddy

Review: A Boy With the Hidden Name

Author Skylar Dorset

Format eARC

Print Length 320 pages

Publisher Sourcebooks Fire

Published Dec. 2, 2014

This is not your average trip to Fairyland...

Selkie Stewart has just saved her quasi-boyfriend, Ben, from a fairy prison run by the Seelie Court. If they weren't the two most-wanted individuals in the Otherworld before, they definitely are now. Along with Ben and the rest of their ragtag group of allies-Selkie's ogre aunts; a wizard named Will; Ben's cousin Safford; and Kelsey, Selkie's best friend-Selkie is ready to embrace her destiny and bring the Court down. Until she hears the rest of her prophecy: Benedict le Fay will betray you, and then he will die.

My Opinion

After the events of The Girl Who Never Was, Selkie just wants to have a normal life. Well as normal a life as one can get being a princes half-breed of the Seelie Court. She wants to spend time with Ben and Kelsey. Except she can’t- Ben is hardly around- a fact that Selkie is going to complain about A LOT. Oh I may have forgotten the Seelie Court is still after her. The protections around Boston are beginning to fail and its looks like Selkie and her group of misfits are the only ones who can save it. With the Seelie Court after her, Selkie must go to the Goblin Court to seek guidance and assistance. At the same time, she must find the other three fays that will help her save Parsymeon and the Other World.

Selkie for the most part complains throughout the whole book. I mean Boston her home is come apart right before her eyes thanks to a magical Civil War and she is still complaining about Ben not spending time with her. What the what? Everyone is being supportive and following her to Parsymeon and she still complains. Ben for his part is trying to protect Selkie from the prophecy. With him being absent a lot there is very little romance going on. Oh they still have feelings for each other, just not a lot of time together. Plus, when they are together Selkie kinda acts bratty.

While this novel has a lot of action, the world building and sub-plots really do take something away from the story. I found myself caring

less and less about Selkie. There honestly was just too much going on- sort of like trying to eat a taco with too much filling. Some of the plot gets lost in the grand scheme of things.

My Rating 3 stars out of 5

Favorite Quote “You’re angry with me for being fine? I just saved your life.”

Other People

Kelsey- human bestie

Will- wizard that helps to protect Selkie

True- orge aunt who helped to raise Selkie

Virtue- orge aunt who helped to raise Selkie

Book Trailers (10) The Naturals

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...

Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides—especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own. Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.

Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.

Review: The List

Author Kate L. Mary
Format e-ARC
Print Length ?
Publisher Lyrical Press
Published May 26, 2015

The List. Twenty things every girl must do before she turns twenty. . .

Body piercing
Get drunk
First kiss

But thanks to her crazy, over-protective father, Annie Roth is way behind schedule. Good thing it’s her first semester of college, because Annie is more than ready to start checking off items. . .

Fake ID
Skinny dipping
Road trip!!!

Where it gets complicated? Ryan and Chris. Best friends. Both sweet, funny, totally hot, and totally into Annie.

But there are some things on The List that Annie only wants to do with Ryan. . .

Lose it
Get Heart Broken
Fall in love

My Opinion

Annie is a girl that due to a horrific event grew-up very sheltered. She also grew-up very protected by her daddy and four older brothers. Since she was the only girl in a house full of mean she pretty much was a tomboy by default. She wonders if that is who she really is or if there is more to her. The List is suppose to help her discover the truth about herself.

While The List is entertaining, I did not feel a connection with Annie. I couldn’t sympathize with her instead I was angry with her pretty much throughout the whole book. She meets her roomie and instantly they are besties? Umm…okay. Then she starts dating one guy while incredibly lusting over his best friend. She drinks for liquid courage.. maybe her daddy was right to protect her. She keeps making a lot of wrong decisions just because she can. There is a love triangle- love triangles do not make me happy.

Chris, oh the reason I kept reading. Chris is the sweet understanding guy that Annie is dating. He is clueless to fact that his best friend and Annie have an insta-lust attraction to each other. He tries to be understanding , giving Annie her space. Protecting her even when she gets pissed about it- I feel bad for him.

Throughout the book, I kept thinking Annie needs to grow-up. She whines a lot, internally which I get I do but dang is it overwhelming. Her treatment of her family also annoyed me- I wanted to yell at her. “Good Lord child call your daddy” a good amount of the time, while I was reading.

The List is an entertaining read about one girls road to self-discovery. The mistakes she makes and the consequences that come with them. Do I recommend the book- yes. That is largely due in part to the secondary characters in the book. The next book in the series is about Cami and Liam and that is one book I can get excited about.

My Rating 3 stars out of 5

Favorite Quote “I wanted to be your first everything. And your last.”

Other People

Cami- Annie’s roomie
Ryan- Chris’ bestie, Cami’s cousin
Liam- Ryan’s roomie

Swoon Thursday (20) Through Fire & Sea

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!

"You are much more than a friend." bending, he covered her mouth with his own. Hot blood sang through Leah's veins. She stretched up onto her tiptoes and kissed him back.

Through Fire & Sea Kindle Location 1091

This first swoon is with Gideon and Leah. They make such a cute couple together...if only his secret wouldn't keep them apart.

He framed her face with his hands and kissed her possessively. When he lifted his lips, his eyes were stormy seas.

"I'm taking the screen test, that's all. I'll be back in two days. We are not breaking up."

"But-"

Another deliciously hard kiss. "Repeat after me: we're not breaking up."

Through Fire & Sea Kindle location 2175

This second teaser is with Ryan and Holly. Boy, does he know how to read her. Hopefully the big bad evil in the book won't get in the way of their love.

Waiting on Wednesday (20) Spellbinder

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 magic, romance and family secrets collide, the result is spellbinding!

Miranda Kane has always felt like a screw up–at least when it comes to her ability to

wield magic. Her only sanctuary is Shadow Falls camp, where she’s learning to harness her powers as a witch. But thanks to her shapeshifter boyfriend who called it quits and ran off to Paris, both her heart and powers feel broken. 

When she unexpectedly lands a top spot in a spell casting competition in France, she flies out with her best friends Kylie and Della. But her trip takes her straight into the heart of a dangerous supernatural mystery–and a heated romance. What Miranda doesn’t expect is for her investigation to unleash shocking revelations…about herself, her family, and her arch enemy. Now Miranda must step up and show everyone that she’s a witch to be reckoned with….before it’s too late.

Why am I waiting?

Miranda is getting her own novella! Miranda is getting her own novella! How can I not be waiting when this is Miranda’s tale? Hopefully a warlock will pick up the pieces of her broken heart.  Also, don't you just love love love this cover?

Teaser Tuesday (20) The List

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!

I was only a teenager for one more year, and I was determined to go into my adult years with at least some idea of who I was.

The List Kindle Location 525

It is hard to imagine not knowing who you are. It is also hard to imagine knowing that you don't know who are you. How would you go about your day? What would you do? What decisions would you make?

Review: A Cursed Bloodline

Author Cecy Robson
Format e-ARC
Print Length 371 pages
Publisher Loveswept
Published Nov. 18, 2014

Just when Celia thinks the supernatural world can’t turn deadlier, a new rival emerges, proving just how dangerous a power-hungry were can be.

Since being cursed with unique abilities, Celia Wird and her three sisters have fought the most bloodthirsty preternaturals in the Lake Tahoe region. But Celia’s greatest threat is someone she would have never suspected: Anara, a werewolf Elder who has allowed his hatred for Celia to spiral out of control. In a play for dominance, Anara tortures Celia and gives her an ultimatum: sever her mate bond with pureblood were Aric — or Anara will kill everyone she loves.

From the instant they met, Celia and Aric have shared an attraction that cannot be tamed. So keeping Aric away is impossible, and Aric would sooner die than allow anyone to hurt the woman he loves. Misha, master vampire and Celia’s sworn protector, also finds his way into the chaos, seeking blood from those who have harmed her.

Now Celia and her sisters are caught in the middle of a war driven by lust, fueled by hatred, and destined to end in tragedy. For Anara is a force to be reckoned with, and he will not succumb without robbing Celia of those who hold her heart.

My Opinion

Aric and Celia have made their pairing public. Aric has even claimed Celia as his mate. Yet not everyone is happy about this especially not Anara- one of the Elder werewolves. He threatens Celia to do the unthinkable- sever her mates link. Even though this could kill both her and Aric. If she doesn’t everyone she loves dies. At first Celia fights Anara but his power over Aric’s clan and even Aric himself is too strong, too much for Celia to bear. She takes refugee with Misha, a vampire sworn to protect her.

A Cursed Bloodline brings all the feels. You will laugh, get mad and of course cry. Holy cryfeast! Do not read this tale without a box of tissues with you. The emotional beat down that you will ender will of course require them.

The best thing about this series is the subplots. Yes, we find out how Celia and Aric will handle what comes their way but man does the secondary characters shine. Liam and Emma, Taran and Gemini even Misha takes center stage as the pages turn. Boy do the pages turn. You will not be able to put this one down.

Celia and Aric have already faced a lot- vampires, witches, demons oh my. The betrayal of one of Aric’s own is well too much to bare. Celia grows throughout the series. This is the book that causes her to grow the most. She has none to turn to or depend on because the attacks are coming from everywhere. No one will believe her as no one knows what is going on. How can they, when she doesn’t believe it herself?

Mrs. Robson is a master at making you feel happiness and then crushing to the ground. She cons you into routing for the couple and then breaks your heart along with the characters. A Cursed Bloodline is a must read!

My Rating 5 stars out of 5

Favorite Quote "Don't say that!  You just can't give up on us."

Other People

Taran- Celia’s sister
Gemini- one of Aric’s guards
Bren- in Aric’s pack
Emme- Celia’s sister

Book Trailer Saturday (9) Mystery Falls

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...

Secrets. Lies. Deception. For the past six years, Samantha Hunt has lived with the belief that the untimely death of her parents was the result of an unfortunate accident—that by the cruel hand of fate, she had been left an orphan. But it was a lie, a terrible lie told to her by those who wanted to keep her in the dark. And the truth... when revealed, will change her life and haunt her forever.

Suddenly plagued by a series of events which find her in danger and in need of a savior, Samantha is repeatedly rescued by the mysterious and elusive Shadow—a stranger who seems to know more about her past and the tragedy which befell her family, than she does. Drawn to him despite the antagonism she feels whenever in his presence, Samantha soon discovers that Shadow is not what he appears to be. Determined to learn his true identity and why he has come to Mystery Falls, the small town in which she has spent all of her seventeen years, Samantha not only uncovers the secrets he refuses to share, but also the truth about her own past. A truth which forces her to acknowledge that things are not always as they seem, and sometimes, not even those close to you can be trusted.

Resolved to seeking justice for the unwarranted death of her parents, Samantha embarks on a journey which brings her perilously close to her own demise. Can Shadow use his angel powers to save her yet again, or this time, will he be too late.