Tuesday Reviews: Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

When Cora attends her sister’s birthday party, she expects at most a hangover or a walk of shame. She doesn’t anticipate a stolen wallet, leaving her stranded and dependent on Dean—her arch nemesis and ultimate thorn in her side.

And she really doesn’t anticipate waking up in shackles in a madman’s basement.

To make matters worse, Dean shares the space in his own set of chains.

After fifteen years of teasing, insults, and practical jokes, the ultimate joke seems to be on them. The two people who always thought they’d end up killing each other must now work together if they want to survive.

But Cora and Dean have no idea their abductor has a plan for them. A plan that will alter the course of their relationship, blur the line between hate and love, and shackle them together with far more than just chains.

First off, if you are sensitive to dark, abusive situations with sexual violence... this is not the book for you. Still Beating is a harrowing tale of two people taken by a serial killer, and their against the odds survival. Cora and Dean's traumatic story may end in escape, but going home has never been harder. For two people who have survived the worst thing imaginable, the battle to find normalcy is only beginning.

While dark, the story will suck you in, and won't let go. Trust me, I read this entire book at work... whoops. I just couldn't put it down. It's a bare, tragic look at what happens after you survive. How traumatic events reshape you as a person, and how sometimes what you think is right in front of you isn't what you think.

Read More

Tuesday Reviews Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.

But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.

To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.

There is absolutely nothing about this book that I didn’t like. As one of my coveted “me time” vacation reads, I dived in before we even crossed into the state lines of our destination, and as done before vacation really even started. I couldn’t stop. Not even to hit the bathroom at rest stop. This book was ready to be devoured from page one.

This book is fantastic. Reminiscent of the first three novels in the Hidden Legacy series following Nevada, Sapphire Flames brings us a new leading lady and an entirely new big bad knocking on her door. The story inside is heart-poundingly hot and steamy. Catalina is about to give her big sister a run for her money as my favorite Baylor family member. The story itself is off the charts exciting, and will leave readers begging and pleading for more. Speaking of which… Please Ilona… can I have some more? Like now? Today. Within an hour. The next five minutes. For the love of god, I need more.

That being said, since this was an ARC, I cannot really dive much further in the plot, the characters, the steamy intrigue, the peeks in on Nevada, and all the deviously fun that makes up Sapphire Flames. What I can say is that … YOU NEED THIS BOOK!

Read More

Tuesday Reviews: Summoned to the Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones

 

Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the final installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series!

Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper extraordinaire, is pissed. She’s been kicked off the earthly plain for eternity – which is the appropriate amount of time to make a person starkraving mad. But someone’s looking out for her, and she’s allowed to return after a mere hundred years in exile. Is it too much to hope for that not much has changed? Apparently it is. Bummer.

She’s missed her daughter, she’s missed Reyes, and Beep, but now that she’s back on earth, it’s time to put to rest burning questions that need answers. What happened to her mother? How did she really die? Who killed her? And are cupcakes or coffee the best medicine? It all comes to a head in an epic showdown between good and evil in this final smart and hilarious novel.

One day.

That’s all it literally took. One single day for me to devour the end of my all-time favorite series. Hours if I were being truthful despite my attempts on trying to drag it out as much as possible because surely this isn’t the end to Reyes Alexander Farrow and Charley’s story. But as a I turned to the last page, it surely was. The end. No more coffee jokes or sexual innuendos. No more namely random objects or body parts. Sigh. I need coffee and a counselor. Stat.

Summoned to the Thirteenth Grave was the end all. The last, but so flipping good end to Charley and Reyes’ ill-fated romantic series. Because I received an early ARC, there’s not much that I can say at this point, but this story is amazing. Simply brilliant. Jones’ took everything about this series, the highs, the lows, the twists and turns, and created such a beautiful ending to such an intoxicating thrill ride of a romance. It’s not what you would expect, but at the same time it is. Jones’ leaves just the smallest crack open for the continuation of this series in relation to Beep, which gives me hope that this isn’t the last time we will see Reyes and Charley in action. Just like the ending, I am left speechless and wondering one simple question.

What’s next?

Read More

Tuesday Reviews: Operation Fit-Ish by Shannon Myers

What’s a comic book nerd to do when she’s dumped by her not-quite-a-superhero fiancé just weeks before the wedding? Tempting as it is to drown her sorrows in ice-cream, Dakota decides that maybe she’ll keep that appointment with the personal trainer who was going to help her squeeze into her dress after all.

She soon realizes that while she’s not quite ready to ditch her Avengers T-shirt for a Spandex crop top just yet, being at the gym does have some perks. Like semi-stalking Zane, the cute blond guy who looks a lot like Thor…

But while Zane may not be a Norse god, he does have a secret. One that brings him closer to Dakota, and brings Dakota closer to danger.

Is Zane the superhero she’s been waiting for her whole life? Will he swoop in and save the day? Or is he the villain whose superpower is the ability to break her heart?

Operation Fit-ish is a comic book nerd’s dream of a romantic comedy. Myers has created a twisted romantic tale loaded with suspense, humor, and just enough comic book references that is might just be the perfect triple threat combinations. It’s got the POW! with the gritty action with Zane’s career and the BAM! with the chemistry between these two characters.

The female lead for this book, Dakota, is relatable to the everyday woman. She’s not a supermodel, isn’t stick thing, and of course, she’s a comic book nerd. That right there is enough to make this book an easy one click trigger for me. There are not enough books out there that feature nerdy girls for my tastes. Zane, the male lead, is a bit alpha male, but he has a softer side to him. He tries so hard not to fall for Dakota, but he fails miserably. One of the best things about this book is the internal banter with both of these characters. It’s been a long time since a book literally made me laugh out loud, which wasn’t exactly a good thing since I was trying to read this literary comedic gem on the sly at work.

Now, Ms. Myers, all I need to know is when do we get the next one?

Oh, and PS. MARVEL ALL THE WAY! #TEAMTHOR

Read More

Tuesday Book Reviews: Exrated by Stevie J. Cole

Tyler Westbrook, better known as Johnny Depth, is taking the adult film industry by storm. With his playboy looks, it’s no surprise a few coworkers have attempted to take things off set and into the bedroom, but Tyler refuses to blur the lines between work and play…until the new assistant to the director walks in.

Jemma Morgan was recently fired from a lead role on a kid’s TV show that was supposed to be her big break. Unable to get another acting gig, she's accepted a job in an industry she never expected to be a part of. Although she anticipates being shocked her first few days on set, nothing could prepare her for the moment she's asked to hold the reflector as her ex-boyfriend plows through a woman like a Kansas cornfield.

In a world of butt-plugs, lube, and fake moans, is there a place for a second chance? Exes and some serious ohs…the term ex-rated just took on a whole new meaning.

Holy.F-ing.Crap. (<-Edited for Amazon’s pleasure)

Miss Stevie J. Cole, you have not only blown my mind, but turned me on all at the same time. This story could have literally been ripped for world’s most embarrassing encounters with your ex. I don’t know how many times I busted out laughing with Jemma and Tyler’s collision into the porn industry. You could literally feel as these two characters battled their feelings and the pains of the past. While there were a few serious “I got the feels” moments in this book, it was the humor and the ridiculousness of the situation that really made me love this story.

Exrated is one part crazy, one part sexy, and two parts just plain fun. I will warn readers if you are sensitive to a M/M scene, you might want to just walk away now. Cole did her research *insert eye wiggle here* and makes the story believable and incredibly detailed. The only portion of this story that left me a little wanting was how abruptly the ending came. It was a slam, bam, thank you ma’am ending that left me gaping at my kindle at 4am. All in all, great book! If you are looking for a funny and sexy read, Exrated is a sure fire hit!

Read More

Tuesday Book Review: The Immortal Crown by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods introduced religious investigator Justin March and Mae Koskinen, the beautiful supersoldier assigned to protect him. Together they have been charged with investigating reports of the supernatural and the return of the gods, both inside the Republic of United North America and out. With this highly classified knowledge comes a shocking revelation: Not only are the gods vying for human control, but the elect—special humans marked by the divine—are turning against one another in bloody fashion.

Their mission takes a new twist when they are assigned to a diplomatic delegation headed by Lucian Darling, Justin’s old friend and rival, going into Arcadia, the RUNA’s dangerous neighboring country. Here, in a society where women are commodities and religion is intertwined with government, Justin discovers powerful forces at work, even as he struggles to come to terms with his own reluctantly acquired deity.

Meanwhile, Mae—grudgingly posing as Justin’s concubine—has a secret mission of her own: finding the illegitimate niece her family smuggled away years ago. But with Justin and Mae resisting the resurgence of the gods in Arcadia, a reporter’s connection with someone close to Justin back home threatens to expose their mission—and with it the divine forces the government is determined to keep secret.

The Immortal Crown takes everything I loved about the first book in the Age of X series and expands it in all the best ways. Richelle Mead continues to build this fascinating world, blending mythology, politics, action, and romance into a story that is nearly impossible to put down.

One of my favorite aspects of this installment was seeing more of the world beyond what we experienced in the first book. The journey to Arcadia introduces new cultures, new dangers, and new challenges for Mae and Justin. The contrast between societies was both intriguing and unsettling, adding another layer of depth to an already richly developed world.

Mae remains one of my favorite heroines. Her determination, loyalty, and tendency to charge headfirst into danger make her endlessly entertaining to follow. At the same time, Justin's protective side shines through more than ever in this book, and watching him struggle with the choices before him added a great deal of emotional weight to the story.

The relationship between Mae and Justin continues to be one of the strongest parts of the series. Their feelings for each other grow stronger, but the obstacles standing between them feel very real and heartbreaking. Every step forward seems to come with a new complication, which kept me completely invested in their story.

I also loved learning more about the gods and seeing how their influence continues to shape the lives of the characters. The mythology becomes even more complex and fascinating, and it feels like every revelation opens the door to even bigger mysteries.

And that ending! Richelle Mead delivers a cliffhanger that left me stunned and desperate for the next book. The twists, connections, and surprises throughout the novel were brilliantly executed, and I found myself thinking about the story long after I finished reading.

Overall, The Immortal Crown is a fantastic sequel that expands the world, deepens the characters, and raises the stakes in every possible way. Fans of Gameboard of the Gods will not be disappointed, and I can't wait to see what happens next in this incredible series.

Read More