Review: The Violinist of Venice by Alyssa Palombo

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Pub. Date: December 15, 2015

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Print ARC

Rating: 4.5 Stars

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Blurb:

A sweeping historical novel of composer and priest Antonio Vivaldi, a secret wealthy mistress, and their passion for music and each other

Like most 18th century Venetians, Adriana d'Amato adores music-except her strict merchant father has forbidden her to cultivate her gift for the violin. But she refuses to let that stop her from living her dreams and begins sneaking out of her family's palazzo under the cover of night to take violin lessons from virtuoso violinist and composer Antonio Vivaldi. However, what begins as secret lessons swiftly evolves into a passionate, consuming love affair.

Adriana's father is intent on seeing her married to a wealthy, prominent member of Venice's patrician class-and a handsome, charming suitor, whom she knows she could love, only complicates matters-but Vivaldi is a priest, making their relationship forbidden in the eyes of the Church and of society. They both know their affair will end upon Adriana's marriage, but she cannot anticipate the events that will force Vivaldi to choose between her and his music. The repercussions of his choice-and of Adriana's own choices-will haunt both of their lives in ways they never imagined.

Spanning more than 30 years of Adriana's life, Alyssa Palombo's The Violinist of Venice is a story of passion, music, ambition, and finding the strength to both fall in love and to carry on when it ends.

Review:

Secret trysts. Lovers. Music. Betrayal. And the forbidden love of a priest and girl. The Violinist of Venice isn't anywhere near what I thought it would be. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect which is why I chose to review it. I like Vivaldi' music so I thought, why not? This could be interesting. It was a little more than interesting. There are pages and pages of beautiful description, whether it be Venice or music, it was absolutely lovely. 

Adrianna loves playing the violin but her father forbids her from her one and only passion. In turn, she seeks out Antonio Vivaldi for secret violin lessons. What starts off as innocent lessons, turns into a beautiful affair filled with so much love and passion. But since Adrianna has a strict father intent on finding her a wealthy husband, Adrianna and Vivaldi know they are on borrowed time. The more the world tries to pull them apart, the more they cling on to each other. 

Also vying for our dear Adrianna's hand is very prominent young boy who's both charming and comes from a very promising family. But Adrianna can't give her whole heart to him due to the fact that she's in love with one and one alone. I'm not going to lie, I found this book hauntingly beautiful but majorly depressing. Women were treated so badly back then and it just makes me appreciate living in present day America where I am free to have a voice. I'm free to choose whom I love, the profession I want to do...

Adrianna didn't have those choices. They were all taken away from her the moment she was born. I want to stomp my feet and cry out about how unfair it all was. Having to sneak around with the one you love can be thrilling for a time. But what happens when you don't want to hide anymore? Or worse, what happens when you have to give that person up in order to fill family obligations. Such as marrying a man who you don't love. Sure, you could grow to love them but it would never be the same as if you got to choose for yourself. 

I really didn't expect to read such a profound and engaging story. It's bittersweet, it gorgeously told, and the research the author to get everything right is so amazing to me. I felt like I was in Venice. Overall, this is a book for all music lovers and historical romance fans. The book will make you feel so many different kind of emotions and I guarantee you that you won't be able to put this down. 

*Thank you the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Buy the BOOK!

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About the Author:

My name is Alyssa Palombo, and I am a writer living and working in Buffalo, NY. My debut novel, The Violinist of Venice, will be out on December 15th, 2015 from St. Martin’s Press. I am represented by Brianne Johnson of Writer’s House.

You can follow me at Twitter at @AlyssInWnderlnd.

Review- MASTERED (The Enforcers, #1) by Maya Banks

Published- Berkeley 

Pub. Date- December 29, 2015

Genre- Erotica

Source- Print ARC 

Rating- 2 Stars

Goodreads- http://bit.ly/1meQoRP

Blurb-

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Breathless Trilogy comes the first novel in the Enforcers series—a bold new direction in erotic romance that explores the games men and women play, and the price they’re willing to pay for pleasure.

What he wants, he takes with no remorse or guilt.

She stood out in his club like a gem, unspoiled and untouched. A lamb among wolves, she clearly didn’t belong. Drawn to her innocence he watched as she was surrounded by men who saw what he did—but no one but him could touch her. He summoned her to his private quarters. He sensed her fear. He also recognized the desire in her eyes. And he knew she wouldn’t leave before he possessed her. She had no need to know his secrets. Not until he had her under his complete and utter control.

What he wants, she isn’t sure she can give him.

The moment he told her want he wanted, she couldn’t resist. Instinct told her to run, but her heart said stay and walk the fine line between pleasure and pain. Though she wasn’t sure she could ever completely surrender, the primal part of her wanted to try, even knowing this man could break her in ways she never imagined. Because once he possessed her, he owned her and it would be too late to turn back. She can only pray that he doesn’t destroy her in the end.

Coming May 2016: The Enforcers Book II: Dominated 

Review-

"He was in control. Always. No exceptions. Not a woman. Not anyone. And he planned to keep it that way."

Mastered could have been good if it weren't for the fact that the heroine was always bringing up how she wasn't beautiful. Even though we're led to believe she's insanely gorgeous and turns heads
everywhere she goes. Yeah, she's one of "those". You know the one; she doesn't "know" she's
beautiful and that's what makes her beautiful? And heroines like that aren't the ones that get on my last nerve. No. It's the ones that have such low self esteem and are like poor me, poor me. It felt like every page we had to be reminded that she didn't belong and that she wasn't that beautiful. 

WE GET IT. 

I knew once I finished the first chapter that I would not be connecting to the story. For one, I feel like I've read it before. Girl meets boy; boy is insanely rich while girl is insanely naïve; girl might as well be a virgin; guy wants her to submit to him; girl basically does...no questions asked. Yawn. Give me something new. I'm okay with storylines being used over and over again if I can actually connect to the story that's being written. Drake Donovan definitely had that Christian Grey appeal; and I always was a sucker for Mr. Grey. 

I honestly wished I had enjoyed this more. It's a book I was very much looking forward to. I just like my heroines to have a little more confidence and more back bone. I also like a story to have a little more if you can look past a door-mat main character that thinks very lowly of herself, don't let my words sway you the other way. Everyone has different tastes in books. Unfortunately, this one was one that made me happy. I spent a lot of time wanting to throw my book across the room. I'm disappointed. 

"If it made him arrogant to consider himself God, so be it, because he was God. At least in his world."

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy the Book!

Kindle: bit.ly/MasteredKindle

Amazon Paperback: bit.ly/MasteredAmazon

Nook: bit.ly/MasteredNook

B&N Paperback: bit.ly/MasteredBN

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Google: bit.ly/MasteredGoogle

Kobo: bit.ly/MasteredKobo

About the Author-

Maya Banks is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today and international bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas.

Website

http://www.mayabanks.com/

Twitter

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Review: Between a Vamp and a Hard Place by Jessica Sims

Publisher- Pocket Books

Pub.Date- December 29, 2015

Genre- Paranormal 

Source- print ARC

Rating- 3 Stars

Goodreads- http://bit.ly/1mmH7Xp

Blurb-

In the wickedly funny spirit of bestselling authors Kerrelyn Sparks and Molly Harper, this sexy paranormal romance features an estate broker and a 600-year-old vampire out for revenge.

Lindsey Hughes loves antiques and couldn’t be happier to make a living in the estate sale business. But when her assistant accidentally buys an entire estate without her approval, Lindsey is forced to clean up the mess herself.

Lindsey travels to the newly purchased, age-old house in Venice, Italy, and soon discovers more than she (never) bargained for. While digging through the hoarder’s trove that fills every floor, she finds a secret staircase behind a wall that leads to a strange coffin…with an even stranger inhabitant.

Vampire Rand FitzWulf has been in his coffin for 600 years. But now that he’s awake, he’s ravenous, and there’s a delicious-smelling woman with a rare blood type in his basement. Luckily, Lindsey has more to offer than blood: she agrees to travel throughout Europe with Rand to help him get revenge on the one who turned him. But as the unlikely pair grows closer, will the billionaire vampire be overtaken by his thirst for blood—or his thirst for love? 

Review-

3.5 stars 

I liked this. It was funny, sexy, and all around interesting read. Girl discovers hot as sin vampire, vampire and girl get chased by evil, and along the way they fall in love. Easy enough, right? It was. The book was very easy to read. If you haven't sensed it already, there's going to be a "but". But I think the story lacked passion and at certain points, it was kind of boring. Not boring enough to make me stop obviously, still caught myself skimming some pages. 

Lindsey and her best friend, Gemma, are both in the estate sale business. While majorly down on their luck, they snag a house in Venice, Italy that will surely have quite the priceless gems they seek.
What they find instead is a 600 year old gorgeous vampire who is still stuck in a different time. It was
so  fun watching him adjust to the modern world. Rand is immediately attracted to Lindsey's blood. Sort of reminded me of Edward and Bella, but whatever. 

Lindsey has agreed to help Rand in his quest to seek revenge on those that betrayed him. Easier said than done. Especially when those they are trying to find are hunting down Lindsey and Rand as well. The plot is fun, the characters were funny, and the action was mediocre. I think the story was good but not great. Readers will without a doubt get a kick out of Lindsey and Rand. 

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy the Book!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QSNleT

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1QSNsqG

About the author-

Jessica Sims lives in Texas. She hates writing a bio, so something cool will undoubtedly go here later when she actually thinks of something interesting to write. She has some cats, but what writer doesn’t? She plays video games and confesses to reading comic books. And she likes writing, but that one was pretty obvious.

New Year's Giveaway

2015 is coming to an end even though it feels like it's only just begun. My life has been filled up with laughs, cries, and happiness whether it be through books, movies, or my family. Since I can't give away my kids, I'll give away books that have touched me in every kind of ways that count. (That sounds really sexual but I promise it's not intended to!) 

I'm so ready to begin a new year and see what 2016 brings both my family and me. Below are the books that ONE winner may receive once the contest is over. I'll be giving away a box of ten books. Yes, this will be an international giveaway. Oh, and it could pretty much be any ten books of my choosing in the pic! Okay, and then I'll throw in two bonus books of your choosing :)

Break a leg, lovelies. 

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Review: The Goblin's Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy with No Name and Two Girls Called Alice by Andrew S. Chilton

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Pub. Date: January 19, 2015

Genre: Middle Grade

Source: Print ARC

Rating: 4.5 Stars

GOODREADS

Blurb:

Brimming with dragons, goblins, and logic puzzles, this middle-grade fantasy adventure is perfect for readers who enjoyed The Princess Bride or Rump.

THE BOY is a nameless slave on a mission to uncover his true destiny.
THE GOBLIN holds all the answers, but he’s too tricky to be trusted.
PLAIN ALICE is a bookish peasant girl carried off by a confused dragon.
And PRINCESS ALICE is the lucky girl who wasn’t kidnapped.

All four are tangled up in a sinister plot to take over the kingdom, and together they must face kind monsters, a cruel magician, and dozens of deathly boring palace bureaucrats. They’re a ragtag bunch, but with strength, courage, and plenty of deductive reasoning, they just might outwit the villains and crack the goblin’s puzzle.
 
Review:
Parents and children alike, prepare yourself for an epic story filled with adventure, fun, and Witt characters that will make you fall in love. While children's books aren't my main repertoire in reviewing, I still love being able to sneak one in every now and then. The Goblin's Puzzle is easily one that will grace the bookshelves and put all other books to shame. No offense to other books at all! I just really enjoyed the imagination that went into this story.

The illustrations of the book were beautiful in their own right. Check out the picture of the map below. And of course starting each chapter is the beauty of the art. I love it! It's also amazing because I was able to share this with my cousin and he devoured the book like there was no tomorrow. By the way, my cousin is ten! The perfect age group for this book - although I highly recommend for all ages; big and small.

The story is not one to be missed. You have four main characters that each have their own story and it all intertwines together perfectly. Overall, if you're in search for a story full of all kinds of adventurous promises, please pick up this book!! You'll laugh and ultimately cheer for the good guys to beat up on the bad guys. How can you even want to pass up on that?

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Buy the Book!

Amazon

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Blog Tour Review + Giveaway- My Kind of Wonderful (Cedar Ridge, #2) by Jill Shalvis

Publisher: Grand Central Pub

Pub. Date: December 22, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance (Adult)

Source: Print ARC

Rating: 4 Stars

GOODREADS

Blurb:
UNEXPECTED AND UNDENIABLE...

Bailey Moore has an agenda: skiing in the Rockies, exploring castles in Europe, ballroom dancing in Argentina. Now that she has a second lease on life, she's determined not to miss a thing. What she doesn't realize is that item #1 comes with a six-foot-one ski god hot enough to melt a polar ice cap. She doesn't want to miss out on him either, but Hudson Kincaid isn't the type of guy to love and let go. And as gorgeous as Cedar Ridge is, she's not planning to stick around.

As head of ski patrol at his family's resort, Hud thinks he's seen it all. But never has he run into someone like Bailey. She might look delicate, but her attitude is all firecracker. And her infectious joy touches something deep within him that he's been missing far too long. Now he'll just have to convince Bailey to take a chance on her biggest adventure yet . . . something rare and all kinds of wonderful.

Review:

"Don’t worry about if you can do it, Bailey-Bean, just pretend you can. Pretend enough and it becomes real."

This was my first book by Jill Shavis. Yes, I know...I must be an idiot because she's amazing. I now see what everyone is talking about! My Kind of Wonderful starts off quite lovely; I loved Bailey immediately. The light shining from within and her happiness clearly showed throughout the book. I think Shavis did exceptionally well for catching the spirit of someone who has truly been through and survived at life when all it wanted to do was tear you down.

Bailey has lived a very sheltered life, for good reason. All she wants is to live life and to live it to its fullest. That's what brings her to Cedar Ridge ski resort; to ski in the Rocky Mountains. It's there that she meets sexy as all get out, Hudson Kincaid. One part God and the other part man. He's beautiful and perfect only one minor flaw; the man is married to his job. Oh and he doesn't let anyone close enough to break down his walls.

Destiny and fate don't care about that crap though. Because whether or not Hudson has a say in the matter, Bailey is getting under his skin. In more ways than one. There's just something about her that he couldn't help but be drawn to even though he fought like hell not to feel that way. I loved it! You read that right, I liked reading the angst and the way these two knuckleheads were so blind to what was in front of them the whole time.


“Don’t you know?” He set her hand onto his chest, right over his heart. “Home is wherever you are, Bay.” “Okay, that’s a good one,” Gray whispered. “That’s going to get him laid—Ouch! Christ, woman, watch the goods.”
What made the book even better were all the family moments with the Kinkaids. Seriously, this was a funny bunch and I can't wait to get more stories involving more of the family. I especially want Kenna's story, I'm hoping someone can help bring her out of her brick house she's built around herself. Overall, if you're looking for a loving story full of promise, love, and heart, then I guess I can finally say, Jill Shavis is for you! Don't be like me and wait too long to read one of her books because it looks like I have a long way to go in reading all of her other ones.


“I couldn’t be without you,” he said. “I couldn’t breathe here without you, I couldn’t think without you. I couldn’t… be without you. Without you, I wasn’t me.”

*Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Buy the book!

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BAM

Start from the beginning with book one in the Cedar Ridge series, SECOND CHANCE SUMMER! 

RESCUE ME
Cedar Ridge, Colorado, is famous for crisp mountain air, clear blue skies, and pine-scented breezes. And it's the last place Lily Danville wants to be. But she needs a job, and there's an opening at the hottest resort in her hometown. What has her concerned is the other hot property in Cedar Ridge: Aidan Kincaid—firefighter, rescue worker, and heartbreaker. She never could resist that devastating smile . . .

The Kincaid brothers are as rough and rugged as the Rocky Mountains they call home. Aidan has always done things his own way, by his own rules. And never has he regretted anything more than letting Lily walk out of his life ten years ago. If anyone has ever been in need of rescuing, she has. What she needs more than anything are long hikes, slow dances, and sizzling kisses. But that can only happen if he can get her to give Cedar Ridge-and this bad boy-a second chance . . .

Buy the book!

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B&N

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BAM

About the author:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect with the author!

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

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Blog Tour Review + Giveaway- Naked and Far from Home by J.P. Grider

About the Book:

Naked and Far from Home by J.P. Grider

Published on October 18th, 2015

Genre: young adult coming of age story

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Naked+and+Far+from+Home

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26232441-naked-and-far-from-home

Blurb:

Tia Mercury was a freshman in high school and had her first serious crush – on a senior who wouldn’t touch her. At least not until she turned eighteen.

Clinton Daniels was not your everyday teenage boy, and because his tougher-than-nails father wouldn’t let him forget it, Clinton became a loner. And learned to distrust everyone.

Until he met Tia.

She was sweet, she was funny, and she knew nothing about good music. It was the nineteen-eighties for goodness sake – time to turn off that AM radio crap. So, while Tia drooled over Clinton, he was busy making her mix-tapes.

She was falling in love. He was ignoring his heart.

See, Clinton had a secret. But sharing it could cost him their friendship, and he was not willing to risk losing the only person he ever loved.

Naked and Far from Home is a serious story that spans a decade. A tale about unconditional love and what two people are willing to look past to prove that love.

Review:
HOLY. SHIT.

Again. HOLY SHIT. I did not in any way whatsoever expect this book to turn out the way it did. There's one particular subject of the book I REALLY can't talk about because it's very spoil-worthy. So again, HOLY SHIT. My mind is going in a hundred different directions right now. One being, I was prepared to give the story a 2.5 or 3 star rating because it starts off so damn slow. Not only that but I didn't like the characters; I didn't not like them either.

I need to have emotional connection to a story and this one wasn't cutting it. The story and writing itself was good but I wanted something to happen. Anything. And boy, it did - I was taken by surprise so many times. I just can't believe all the twists and turns I never in a million years would have guessed. It's a story that teaches us that there are no rules or 'conditions' when it comes to love. Love just is. When it's true and unconditional - age, certain circumstances, and life in general can never truly keep it down.

At thirteen years old, Tia sees the most beautiful boy that will forever change her life. Clinton is a loner and doesn't trust anyone. But the moment Tia walks into his life, his life will forever change too. There's only one problem; Clinton is five years older than Tia. It's illegal for them to even think about a relationship. Clinton ends up telling Tia that he'll wait until she's eighteen to pursue being more than friends - Tia reluctantly agrees.

There starts s beautiful friendship filled with music, unconditional love, loss, and realizing that love does not have any kind of label. It doesn't discriminate against race, gender, or age. That's what makes this story so damn beautiful. I was born in 1989 but to this day I still love eighties music. It was nice reading about 'life' back then.

Music plays a huge part in the book. Make surd you make a playlist of all the wonderful songs! Overall, if you find yourself lost and in need of something, anything, I suggest picking this bittersweet yet uplifting story. It will certainly open up your eyes to love; literally. Also don't be as dense as me! I was still surprised, until the very last page. No joke. The author gives clues throughout the book but damn I was too blind to see anything!

On a side note, be open minded when reading...it opened up my eyes to certain things. My lips are sealed though, I don't want to give anything away. So please, please, make sure you pick this one up asap.

*Thank you the author for providing a print copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author:

J.P. Grider is a New Adult and Young Adult author who is a sucker for a good love story – whether it’s reading one or writing one. And when she’s not reading or writing a fairy tale, she’s living one.

You can follow J.P. on Facebook at J.P. Grider, Author, on Instagram and Twitter @JPGrider1, and on her blog atjpgrider.com

The Giveaway:

$25 Amazon gift card & signed copy of Naked & Far From Home open US only.

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Books I want...need...

Here is the list of books I really needed in my hands like yesterday. First and foremost some of these caught my attention from the cover alone. I'm such a sucker for a beautiful cover. I'm already making space for the beautiful books on my book shelf! Please tell me what other books you're excited for next year! What catches your eye? The synopsis? The cover? The author?

 

 GOODREADS

Blurb:
Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.

Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake.
 

GOODREADS

Blurb:
Cursed with a horoscope that promises a marriage of Death and Destruction, sixteen-year-old Maya has only earned the scorn and fear of her father's kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her world is upheaved when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. But when her wedding takes a fatal turn, Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Yet neither roles are what she expected. As Akaran's queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar's wife, she finds friendship and warmth.

But Akaran has its own secrets - thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Beneath Akaran's magic, Maya begins to suspect her life is in danger. When she ignores Amar's plea for patience, her discoveries put more than new love at risk - it threatens the balance of all realms, human and Otherworldly.

Now, Maya must confront a secret that spans reincarnated lives and fight her way through the dangerous underbelly of the Otherworld if she wants to protect the people she loves.

THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN is a lush, beautifully written and vividly imagined fantasy inspired by Indian mythology.

 GOODREADS

Blurb:
Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love . . . or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear . . . the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.

GOODREADS

Blurb:
Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. Forced to reveal her power to save a friend, she's shocked when instead of being executed, she's named the first female sorcerer in hundreds of years and invited to train as one of Her Majesty's royal sorcerers.

Thrust into the glamour of Victorian London, Henrietta is declared the prophesied one, the girl who will defeat the Ancients, bloodthirsty demons terrorizing humanity. She also meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, handsome young men eager to test her power and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her.

But Henrietta doubts that she's the chosen one. As she plays a dangerous game of deception, she discovers that the sorcerers have their own secrets to protect. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city--and the one she loves?

Exhilarating and gripping, Jessica Cluess's spellbinding fantasy introduces Henrietta Howel, a powerful, unforgettable heroine, and an entertaining world filled with magic, monsters, and mayhem.

GOODREADS

 Blurb:
Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

However, it’s not so simple.

The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force.

GOODREADS

 Blurb:
Wylie Dalton didn’t believe in fairy tales or love at first sight.

Then she met a real-life Peter Pan.

When Wylie encounters Phinn—confident, mature, and devastatingly handsome—at a party the night before her brother goes to juvie, she can’t believe how fast she falls for him. And that’s before he shows her how to fly.

Soon Wylie and her brothers find themselves whisked away to a mysterious tropical island off the coast of New York City where nobody ages beyond seventeen and life is a constant party. Wylie’s in heaven: now her brother won’t go to jail and she can escape her over-scheduled life with all its woes and responsibilities—permanently.

But the deeper Wylie falls for Phinn, the more she begins to discover has been kept from her and her brothers. Somebody on the island has been lying to her, but the truth can’t stay hidden forever. 

 

Review: The Great Christmas Knit-Off (Tindledale) by Alexandra Brown

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Pub. Date: October 13, 2015

Genre: Holiday Contemporary

Source: ARC

Rating: 3.5 Stars

GOODREADS

Blurb:
Heartbroken after being jilted at the altar, Sybil has been saved from despair by her knitting obsession and now her home is filled to bursting with tea cosies, bobble hats, and jumpers. But, after discovering that she may have perpetrated the cock-up of the century at work, Sybil decides to make a hasty exit and, just weeks before Christmas, runs away to the picturesque village of Tindledale.

There, Sybil discovers Hettie’s House of Haberdashery, an emporium dedicated to the world of knitting and needle craft. But Hettie, the outspoken octogenarian owner, is struggling and now the shop is due for closure. And when Hettie decides that Sybil’s wonderfully wacky Christmas jumpers are just the thing to add a bit of excitement to her window display, something miraculous starts to happen…

Review:
I just finished one of my first Christmas books ever. I try to stay away from them... Don't ask me why, I just do. I'm glad that of all the books to read about Christmas and knitting, I chose this one. It was cute but a little bit on the slow side. I was kind of hoping for a little more romance but the story is more about the main character finding herself after tragedy struck.

And boy, what happened to her truly sucked. I can kind of sort of (okay maybe not) understand people cheating; what I truly can't fathom is you're own flesh and blood being the one to cheat and still away a significant other. That to me is so damn selfish, I would NEVER do that to my sister. Granted, she's eight years younger than me but still. That's just a huge no-no.

One thing I loved so much about the book though was the warmth of living in a small town. The author did an amazing job of showing us what it's like most of all; but she also showed us that small towns is like having extended family. I absolutely adored that since I live in the city and all. It's nothing like that. Alas, I enjoyed being able to see Sybil work her way through heartbreak like no other and learn to heal through knitting and beautiful new friends.

The way Sybil feels about knitting is the way I feel about books. It's a passion. I can't wait to dive back into this world that Brown has created in the second book. Even though I mentioned that it was slow, maybe a little too slow at times, I still very much enjoyed the story. I hope that they'll be more than two books and that we get more stories out of the small town people. There's so much you can do!

Overall, if you're looking for a light Christmas read I suggest reading this one. It's an easy read and you'll be able to capture the heart of small town life and quirky characters.

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Buy the book!

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About the Author:

Alexandra grew up in Brighton and left school at sixteen to run away to London with dreams of being a writer. On realising that she needed a proper job too, she went to work in an office.

Throughout her twenty-year corporate career, she survived many dull meetings by writing a scene or two, until she could bear it no longer and collapsed in a heap and begged her husband to support her while she lounged on a chaise and waited for the muse to arrive. He's now living in hope that she'll become rich and famous so he can retire to sun himself by an infinity pool somewhere exotic.

After escaping office life, Alexandra won a competition run by The London Paper to write the weekly City Girl column, an expose of working life in the City of London. She wrote the column for two years before giving it up to concentrate on her first novel.

Alexandra lives near Brighton with her husband, daughter and two very shiny black Labradors.

Blog Tour feat Review + Excerpt + Giveaway:Corrupt by Penelope Douglas!!!!

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Title: Corrupt Author: Penelope Douglas Genre: Dark, Erotica, Contemporary Romance Release Date: November 16th, 2015

Synopsis:

Erika

I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.

His name is Michael Crist.

My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He is handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.

But I noticed him.

I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.

Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.

Because he’s finally noticed me.

Michael

Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.

My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.

Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.

In my city.

Unprotected.

The opportunity is too good to be true as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.

We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.

My Review:

Holy hell! Corrupt was an amazingly addictive story that held me captive from the very first page.

When I found out that one of my favorite authors, Penelope Douglas, was deviating from the kind of stories that made me first fall in love with her, I was thrilled. I love it when someone tries to change things up a bit and I always hope for the best. What Penelope has done with Corrupt was show that she’s a versatile author who be around for years to come. She’s willing to change things up and draw in new readers. She’s also proven that she’ll keep things fresh for those that have followed her from the start.

If you’ve read the blurb then there’s no reason for me to give you a rundown on top of it. It’ll help with the buildup. The excitement. The nervous fear. Trust me; you’ll be experiencing a lot throughout this story.

Corrupt was dark, twisted, and full of lies and deception. It took me on an emotional roller coaster that left me reeling at the end. It also left me with the biggest book hangover. I actually had to take a break from reading because I found that I could not focus on another story. Rika and the Four Horsemen had completely taken over my thoughts and my heart.

If you’re looking for something new to read then I HIGHLY recommend picking up a copy of Corrupt. The way it invaded my mind guaranteed it a spot as one of my top reads of the year. It also left me wanting more. Here’s to hoping that we’ll be seeing something from Kai, Will, and Damon very soon!

Excerpt:

I enjoyed the fright of not knowing what was coming and from where.

“When we used to wear the masks,” Michael said, dropping his voice to a near whisper, “you liked it, didn’t you? It scared you, but it turned you on.”

I raised my hesitant eyes and tried not to let out a laugh. What was I supposed to say? That the fact that they’d looked like monsters got me hot?

I shook my head clear and stood up, saying in a quiet voice. “I’m going to bed.”

I grabbed my phone and took a step, but Michael’s voice stopped me.

“Come here,” he said softly.

I turned my head, narrowing my eyes. Come here?

He sat up, resting his forearms on his knees and waiting, while I shifted on my feet.

He was always playing games. I didn’t trust him.

But the temptation to engage was too great. He was right. I was getting good at it, and I kind of liked it, too.

I took slow steps, holding up my chin to steel myself.

When I reached him, he placed a hand on my hip and pulled me in between his legs. I gasped as he fell back against the sofa again, pulling me in with him. I shot my hands out, planting them on both sides of his head on the back of the couch, keeping myself upright as I leaned into him.

“Say it,” he breathed out, holding my hips with both hands now. “It turned you on.”

I closed my mouth and shook my head, looking down at him with a challenge.

“I know it did,” he maintained, a fire in his eyes. “Did you think I couldn’t see how tense your body would get or how your nipples got hard through your shirt when you saw me wearing it? You’re a little twisted. Admit it.”

I folded my lips between my teeth, turning my head away.

But then he tipped his chin up and caught my nipple between his teeth through my tank top, and I closed my eyes, letting out a small cry.

Oh, God!

The heat of his mouth swooped into my stomach as he released my nipple and then snatched it up again, dragging it out between his teeth.

“I’ve got the mask upstairs,” he taunted, kissing and nibbling on me through my shirt. “I can get it if you want me to.”

No. No, I wasn’t like that.

I pushed away from him, but he held me firm.

“Michael, let me go.”

But then I felt my phone vibrate in my hand, and I quickly glanced at the screen, seeing no name with the number. Reading the number, though, I noticed that it was his mother’s. That’s strange. I thought I had her number saved in my Contacts.

But I let it go, remembering that my mom was with her. I needed to take this call.

Planting my fists on Michael’s chest, I shoved him away. “Get off me. Your mom’s calling.”

All he did was laugh, though, and my face fell.

He grabbed my arm and threw me down onto my stomach and came down on my back, pinning me to the couch.

I breathed hard and fast, feeling his cock press against my ass as he snatched my phone out of my hand.

I stared wide-eyed as he placed it a few inches in front of me, his finger hovering over the green Answer button.

“Michael, no,” I rushed out, panic making my lungs ache.

But he swiped the screen anyway. The ringing stopped, and I heard silence as she waited for me to say something.

“Say hi,” he whispered in my ear.

About The Author:

Penelope Douglas is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Fall Away series.

She dresses for autumn year round, loves anything lemon flavored, and believes there is too much blood in her Coca Cola stream. Or too much Coca Cola in her blood stream. Or...

You know what? It doesn't matter. She loves Coke. Now you know.

She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and daughter.

Follow Her Here: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads

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Book Blast with Brazen Titles!

Looking for some naughty reads that are oh-so-nice? Welcome the newest Brazen releases to your ereader today!

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Jasmine Taveras is the reason Sarge Purcell grabbed his six-string and bailed the hell out of New Jersey four years ago. She's the fuel for every song he's ever written—each one laced with bitter, hard-edged, hungry lust. Now, with his hugely successful band on temporary hiatus, Sarge is determined to prove to Jasmine that this “kid” turned into every inch the man she's always needed...

Men are slim pickings for a single factory girl in Hook, New Jersey…until tall, broad-shouldered hotness walks—or rather storms—into Jasmine's life. Sarge's return shouldn't affect her this way. He's her best friend's much younger kid brother, and the kind of rough, gritty, sexiness Jasmine has no right to taste for herself. Even if he lets her.

But lust is a blinding, insatiable force. And when it crashes, it will take both Sarge and Jasmine down with it...     

Find your copy of Crashed Out by Tessa Bailey: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Entangled | Goodreads

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Erin Robinson is having an epically bad year. Her blossoming career on Broadway tanked, forcing her to crawl back to home to Wellington. The icing on her failure cake? Her former on-again, off-again fling is in town, and the sexy Marine is taking up way too much space.

Warren Davis always knew Erin was special, which is exactly why he can’t have her. A girl like her deserves something permanent—something neither of them wants. But now that they’re both back in town and she’s right there in front of him, a challenge in her eyes he’s never been able to resist, he’s questioning everything.

That challenge quickly escalates into an epic game of Truth or Dare. Erin’s sure she’s got him on lock, but as the night progresses, Warren’s dares intensify, drowning her in lust. But with the past still breathing down their necks, there’s no way either of them can win…

Find your copy of His to Take by Katee Robert: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Entangled | Goodreads

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Navy SEAL Steven Thomas has only ever been able to count on three things: waking up in the morning, going to sleep sometime during the night, and Lauren Brixton. She’s been his best friend since grade school, and what they have is the only relationship he’s managed not to ruin.

Until one drunken night puts that all in jeopardy.

Lauren’s watched Steven flit from one-night stand to one-night stand, seemingly not interested in something more. So when the long-ignored attraction between the two of them blows up in their faces, she does the only thing she can—she pretends she doesn’t want him. But all’s fair in love and war, and Steven’s not about to lose the only person in his life who matters…
Find your copy of Say You're Mine by Diane Alberts: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Entangled | Goodreads