Sunday, June 30, 2013

Indie Book of the Week: Ctrl Z by Danika Stone

This weeks Indie Book of the Week goes to a very interesting, very different read by author Danika Stone. Her book Ctrl Z is a very unique suspenseful romantic read. One I found myself easily getting caught up in. 




Title: Ctrl Z 
Author: Danika Stone
Series: Stand Alone (with possible sequel)
Published: March 1, 2013
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Author (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Romantic Suspense/Thriller



Book Description:
Indigo Sykes has spent years trying to forget where she came from. She has a degree, a new life, and a quiet existence. Everything she ever wanted... But all of this comes to a screeching halt when an unexpected meeting with computer hacker, Jude Alden, changes her plans. Romance blooms between the mismatched duo, even while entanglements from Indigo’s past threaten to pull the two of them apart. 

Dogged by a history of running, Indigo’s hard-won security is shattered when Jude’s illegal activity drags both of them into a dangerous game. As the net of hacking and underworld crime tightens around Jude and Indigo’s dark history is exposed, the two of them must find a way out or risk bringing the consequences down on them both.





About the Author:
Danika Stone is an artist with a graduate degree in Education, whose involvement in the Arts and New Media, has spanned a decade and a half. Danika has written for various publications and her non-fiction writing has appeared in several academic books. Passionate about Fine Arts, Danika has maintained her ties to the Arts community, merging the fields of writing, technology and artwork through technology-inspired art projects. Her thesis: 21st Century Learning and the Impact on Student Engagement (2012) investigated instructional practice as a means to invoke self-determination and participation in students, while her current artistic practice involves using digital tools to address the ethical questions posed by emergent technologies. 

No longer content with the rigid separation of non-fiction writing and her artwork, Danika returned to her roots in the arts community as she began researching her first novel: Intaglio. These connections to the modern art scene, along with her personal experiences and numerous friendships with contemporary artists, are the inspiration behind this story. 



My Thoughts and Review:
When I started this one I was definitely in the mood for something with a little more action, a whole lot of mystery and if it was a thriller with some romance thrown in for good measure, all the better. That was pretty much what I got.

Not only did it give me something different but it was something I could read in one sitting  which was nice. I love long books but it is always nice when you can get a quick suspense filled read in a matter of hours instead of days.

The story line was pretty engaging and moved quickly and kept me turning the pages to find out more. The only real downfall of this book was that there weren't a whole lot of surprises and not really as much mystery as I was hoping it would have. The writing was good though and with the ending I can only imagine that a sequel could be in the works at least, it would be nice to see one.

I loved that both Indigo and Jude were far from perfect and they each had their own secrets they were hiding not only from each other but from the whole world and yet even though they were both very different people from very different back grounds, their worlds collided and they were both the better for it. 

I am a sucker for two damaged people coming together as we all know and I love watching them grow together and separate and this had a little bit of both of that in it. 

I think this was a fun read that can easily be read in one sitting and that any lovers of romantic suspense will enjoy. 








*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author. I was not compensated for this review*






Saturday, June 29, 2013

Review: Emerald Isle by Barbra Annino

Title: Emerald Isle
Author: Barbra Annino
Series: Book Four in the Stacy Justice Mystery Series
Published By: Thomas and Mercer (July 2, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!



Book Description:
For most women, a twenty-ninth birthday might involve a day at the spa or dinner with friends. But Stacy Justice ? budding reporter and reluctant witch ? isn't like most women. Stacy's grandmother, Birdie, insists an Irish secret society known as the council will soon grant Stacy the role of Seeker of Justice. But terrible news interrupts the birthday ritual: the magic cauldron that supplies the world's food has vanished. The council decrees that if Stacy finds the cauldron, she?ll be appointed Seeker and her imprisoned mother will be freed. But a challenger for the role steps forward: Ethan, the grandson of spiteful council member Tallulah. If he finds the cauldron first, Stacy will never see her mother again. And if they both fail, the planet will perish. The fourth heart-pounding book in the Stacy Justice series, Emerald Isle sends the fiery-haired heroine on a whirlwind adventure across continents and generations, racing against time to save not just her mother but the whole world.







My Thoughts and Review:
I love this series, I have from the very first book and everything that made me fall in love with this series is still going strong in this fourth installment. Humor, mystery, a little romance and a whole lot of crazy antics, ghosts,  magic, and a cast full of loveable characters (oh Thor how I love thee!!), what more could a girl ask for?

Once again Stacy is in a little over her head and once again her grandma and great aunts are right in the thick of things with their mysterious ways, hints, crazy rituals and even crazier riddles. The Geraghty girls are a force to be reckoned with and when push comes to shove, they get the job done. 

I have also loved the Geraghty girls, they are so quirky and fun and not to mention mysterious. When I found out that parts of this book would be through Birdie’s eyes as well, I was thrilled, to be able to get some insight and background on one of the most mysterious Geraghty girls? Count me in!

This whole book had a different feel to it than the others, Stacy is really starting to accept who she is and she is really coming into her own. I have always loved how strong and brave she is but now there is a fierce determination there as well, her true self is really coming through and shinning. 

Thor is his wonderful comical self and I love him, the Geraghty girls are as fabulous as ever. Chance is as sweet as could be and even though he only has a tiny role in this one, he won me over even more with the part he did play.

So much happens, so much is revealed, and of course there is so much I can't tell you because it would ruin it all. 

I can't help but feel like this could be the end of the series, it gave off that vibe for me and I am really hoping that that isn't the case because, I would be heartbroken. I would miss everyone and I am not ready to say good bye. 

I don't usually quote books, mostly because those I read are ARC's and therefore it could change before the actual release but, once in a great while something will stand out to me and be so profound that I feel like I have to share it and this is one of those times.

“That it is important to be strong, courageous, and true to yourself, no matter what the rest of the world thinks. That the greatest mistakes in life are not the ones we make, but the ones that never get made because we are to afraid to try.”

That quote is just one of many reasons why I love this series so much.








*All opinions and thoughts are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review*


Friday, June 28, 2013

Review: Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton

Title: Some Quiet Place
Author: Kelsey Sutton
Series: Stand Alone (With a sequel in the works)
Published By: Flux (July 8, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!


Book Description:
I can’t weep. I can’t fear. I’ve grown talented at pretending.

Elizabeth Caldwell doesn’t feel emotions . . . she sees them. Longing, Shame, and Courage materialize around her classmates. Fury and Resentment appear in her dysfunctional home. They’ve all given up on Elizabeth because she doesn’t succumb to their touch. All, that is, save one—Fear. He’s intrigued by her, as desperate to understand the accident that changed Elizabeth’s life as she is herself.

Elizabeth and Fear both sense that the n to stalk her, and try as she might, Elizabeth can barely avoid the brutality of her life long enough to unckey to her past is hidden in the dream paintings she hides in the family barn. But a shadowy menace has beguover the truth about herself. When it matters most, will she be able to rely on Fear to save her?





My Thoughts and Review:
I must start by praising the gorgeous cover on this one, what kind of cover whore would I be if I didn't? And it is gorgeous. Thankfully this isn't just a pretty cover, it is a beautifully written tale as well. Lyrical and soft. Mysterious and sweet, dark and intriguing. Really everything the cover portrays.

Elizabeth is a girl that lives in a world where she feels no emotion at all. A world where the very emotions she can not feel, she can see instead. She can see the elements around her as they do they work each day bringing about light and dark and sun and clouds. They are people like you and me and yet, not at all like you and me. With a single touch they can cause anguish, fear, pain, happiness, sadness, anger, guilt and so much more. Each emotion and element are separate beings and ones that over time have learned to ignore Elizabeth for the most part, all except a select few. A few that are kind and compassionate, a few that are fascinated by their inability to affect her and a few that may have sinister motives.

The only emotion at all that is ever displayed from her and maybe the only clues as to how Elizabeth became this way lies in her dreams and in her paintings. Dreams that she does not understand about people she does not know.

Fear, fascinated and slightly frustrated that he can not affect her with his emotion sets off to help Liz discover what happened to her and why she went from a happy buoyant little girl to the emotionless teenager she is today and things she does not remember doing.

Then there is Fear, ah Fear. I never thought I would say this but I couldn't help liking the guy. He is the ultimate bad boy in Emotions. Yes, you heard that right, a bad boy in the form of an emotion (I can't help but giggle here at what you must be thinking as you read this).  He dangerous and dark and has a warped sense of humor, not to mention he is always trying to get Liz to succumb to his emotion but yet, underneath you can't help but think that maybe there is more to him than just his fascination and frustration at not being able to affect Liz. Does he want more from her? Does he care about her at all? Can he ever care for someone like her? These are the mysteries that are Fear.

Elizabeth does not have an easy life with parents that know something is wrong with her, a father who is abusive and few friends that care, it is probably a good thing that Elizabeth doesn't feel anything. Yet even with her wall of nothingness built firmly around her heart, she wants to find out who she is and why she is the way she is.

Really I loved this whole story. It flowed so nicely and so well. Joshua was a great character and I really enjoyed how shy, awkward and sweet he was. I loved how the author portrayed all of the Emotions and Elements. Their descriptions and personalities were so spot on for what I would picture some of them as.

I truly can't even fathom that this is a debut novel because it was so well done. I am pretty sure I just found another author to add to my auto buy list!










*All opinions and thoughts are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher in any way. I was not compensated for this review.*

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Review: Elegy by Tara Hudson

Title: Elegy

Author: Tara Hudson
Series: Book Three in the Hereafter Trilogy
Published By: HarperTeen (June 4, 2013)
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Paranormal
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
A stalker ghost, misguided Seers, and spellbinding wraiths—Amelia Ashley has faced them all. Now her greatest hope is to spend the rest of her afterlife with her living boyfriend, Joshua. But the demonic forces return to give her an ultimatum: turn herself over to the darkness or watch them murder one living person per week until she does.

Amelia fears she might really be doomed, until the forces of light give her another option. She can join them in their quest to gather souls, with a catch: Once she joins them, she can never see Joshua again.

Faced with impossible choices, Amelia decides to take her afterlife into her own hands—and fight back.




My Thoughts and Review:
I wouldn't be doing this series justice if I didn't mention the covers. This series has some of the best covers I have seen. They are simple gorgeous and thankfully, for me, the story line matches the covers.

I started this book extremely anxious to see how Joshua and Amelia's story would play out and excited to see how it would all end. But like most last books in a trilogy, I was also sad to know that this would be it. This would be the end and then their story and my time with them would be over. That is always such a bittersweet feeling.

And of course with knowing that this is the end, you also have those nervous feelings as well about how the author will handle the end. Will it be everything you were hoping it would be? Will you get left hanging or will she wrap up everything like and give you that happy ending we all desire so much for the characters we have grown to love and care about? Unfortunately and not so unfortunate, the only thing that will tell, is for you to actually read the story and find out for yourself. 

This simple act of picking up a book and reading it sounds simple. It should be simple. But for me, last books in a series or trilogy are never easy for me to pick up. I almost dread it and I end up putting it off because I don't want it all the end and almost more important, I am always so scared of how it will end. To be disappointed after putting so much time and feeling into a series is just heartbreaking and I wish I could say that I never get heartbroken but the fact is, I do and it sucks when that happens.

So, yeah, the fact that I picked this one right up to start it says something about how much I wanted to know, no needed to know, how Joshua and Amelia's story ended. Hoping and praying the whole time that they get that happily ever after I so desperately wish for them.

This story wouldn't be complete without the return of Ruth, Joshua's grandmother, head Seer and all around arch enemy to Amelia. Okay, that might be a little harsh but not by much, the two share no love but they do start to respect each other during this last story and really, that is all I could have asked for for them. 

I love how strong Amelia has gotten over the course of this trilogy, she truly has grown into her own and isn't the shy meek girl she started off being. And as always, her and Joshua's love and affection for one another is really one of the things that makes this series shine. No matter what they stick together and never let petty things get in the way of their relationship and that is so nice to see in the YA genre because it doesn't happen very often. They cherish all the time they have together as if it may be the last because, it very well could be.

I don't want to say how this one ends but I will say that even though I was hoping for...well I can't even say that without it giving something away. So, even though I was hoping for something different, I am happy with the ending we got because, it made sense and it felt real if not right. It was wonderfully done, sad and bittersweet. A perfect ending to the trilogy really no matter what my hopes and dreams for it were. A good ending. A happy ending after all. 






*All opinons and thoughts are my own and were in no way influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review in any way.*

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Blog Tour and Book Review: PODs by Michelle K. Pickett

Title: PODs
Author: Michelle K. Pickett
Series: Book One
Published By: Spencer Hill (June 24, 2013)
Genre: YA Dystopian
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul. 

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters. 

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.







About the Author:

I'm a wife, mother, author, reader, although not always in that order. I've been an avid reader since a young child. I began writing for personal enjoyment in college, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting. Why I chose a degree that didn't encourage creativity is a mystery to me.

I'm addicted to Reese's peanut butter cups and eat way too many while I write. I have a weird obsession with hoodies and can't write without wearing one. I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows. 

I'm an unabashed romantic and love swoon-worthy happy endings that give me butterflies for days.

Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, I now reside in a small community outside Houston, Texas with my incredibly supportive, not to mention gorgeous, husband, three amazing school-aged children, a 125-pound lap dog, and a cat that thinks she's queen.

I write adult and young adult Sci/Fi, urban fantasy and paranormal romances.

Website



My Thoughts and Review:

Have I mentioned before that this seems to be the year for dystopians? Because it is. Very much so and Pickett's dive into the genre was a huge splash. Okay, that was a little cheesy but, you get the point.

I am so excited that I was able to be a part of this blog tour and get to read and review this story because I truly ate up every word and became completely immersed in the story and into Eva's life. 
And while the main character is Eva, this isn't just her story. It is a story about survival and a story about love and friendship and how with a little faith and a whole lot of determinations, love really can conquer all.

This book has a whole cast of amazing characters that over the course of the book I came to care about just as much as I did about Eva and David. Pickett certainly knows how to write one tough heroine and one swoon worthy male. I feel in love with David in the PODs and even more outside of them.

This was a fast paced read that I really didn't expect to love as much as I did. So many twists and turns, betrayals and heartaches, sweet tender moments and rough and tough moments. I don't want to go into too many details but I will say that this took me by surprise with how much I loved it and how quickly I consumed it. 


I will definitely pick up anything this author writes in the future because I was completely enraptured by this read, the writing, the characters and the fast paced plot line. I am really hoping there will be a sequel because I will be standing in line waiting to read it. 






*All Opinions are my own and I was in no way compensated for my review*

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Review: Naturals by Tiffany Truitt

Title: Naturals
Author: Tiffany Truitt
Series: Book Two in the Lost Souls Series
Published By: Entangled (April 2, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
Tess is finally safe from the reach of the Council, now that she is living in the Middlelands with the rebel Isolationists. With James having returned to Templeton, she easily falls back into her friendship with Henry, though her newfound knowledge of Robert’s chosen one status still stings. Even surrounded by people, Tess has never felt more alone. So she’s thrilled when James returns to the settlement, demanding to see Tess — until she finds out that it’s because her sister, Louisa, has been recruited into Tess’s old position at Templeton, and that the dangerously sadistic chosen one George has taken an interest in her.







My Thoughts and Review:
I was so ready to jump into this one after finishing the first book. I just had to see where the author would take Tess next. I needed to know if James was okay and where he was and what he was doing. I needed to know more about Robert and Henry and the resistance. I needed to know more about the Isolationists and all they stood for. To put it simply, I just needed more.

This takes place just two days after the first ended. Tess, Robert and Henry as well as their guides are still traveling through the woods to their new home. I was happy to see that Tess isn't wallowing in having to say goodbye to James, but instead set on becoming that girl she has finally discovered. That inner strength still there that she didn't even know she possessed. 

I don't want to go into too much detail but I will say that this book was full of really wonderful characters, all of them flawed in one way or another and yet, all of them perfect too, well not perfect per se but perfect for the story and perfect for Tess, Henry, Robert, James, Lockwood, Eric, Susan, McNair, I really enjoyed all of them, warts and all, in fact I enjoyed this whole story and completely devoured it. I dare say I loved it more than the first.


And can we talk about that ending? Actually, no, we can't talk about that ending because I don't want to give anything away but, I will say, I didn't see that one coming. At. All. And, holy crap! I can't wait for book three. I need book three, like now. Sigh. It is going to be a long wait.






*All opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was in no way compensated for this review*




Blog Tour Guest Post and Giveaway: Conquer Your Love by J.C. Reed

Title: CONQUER YOUR LOVE
Author: J.C. Reed
Release date: June 8th, 2013
Genre: Mature New Adult/ Adult Contemporary Romance - recommended for ages 18 and up
Length: 350pp

Blurb:

Meeting Jett was like bad luck. Dangerous. Unpredictable. And better avoided. In his game, the stakes are high. But are they worth the risk?

Brooke Stewart, a realtor in New York, finds forgetting is hard, but forgiving is harder. When the man she trusted, betrayed her, the only way to forget is to move on. Brooke is determined to start a new life, until she meets him again: the green-eyed, sexy as sin, six foot two sex god. The man who played dirty. The man who played her.

Sexy, handsome, and arrogant Jett Mayfield knows he has made mistakes. He could have any other woman, and yet it’s Brooke he wants. When second chances collide with secrets and Brooke is threatened by the past, Jett is determined to protect her. She accepts his help unwillingly because she needs him but she wants to play his game on her own terms. And she has no intention to forgive or let him back into her bed.

When the man she is supposed to hate is the one she should trust, will he conquer her…or lose her forever?

A woman who can’t forgive.
A man who has made mistakes.
Two lives that are about to cross again and more secrets laid bare.



Author links:
http://jcreedauthor.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/JCReedAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/pages/JC-Reed/295864860535849

Book links:
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble








Giveaway:
*Sponsored by the author*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, June 24, 2013

Blog Tour and Book Review: Intuition by C.J. Omololu

Title: Intuition
Author: C.J. Omololu
Series: Book Two in the Transcendence Series
Published By:Walker Children's (June 8, 2013)
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.




Book Description:
As Cole begins to accept her new life as Akhet, someone who can remember flashes of her past lives, every new vision from her past lives helps explain who she is in this life. As her passion for Griffon grows, she learns to identify other Akhet around her, including Drew, the young self-made millionaire who reveals his startling connection to Cole-he was her husband in Elizabethan England and gave her the ankh necklace that has been returned to her after centuries in hiding. Drew's attentions are overwhelming as he insists that their connection in the past signals their future destiny together, but before she can decide who she truly loves, Cole must learn to harness her unique Akhet abilities if she is to ever understand her role in this strange new world.





About the Author:
I write as C.J., but you can call me Cynthia. My YA novel DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS came out in early 2010. My next book TRANSCENDENCE came out in June of 2012, followed by the sequel INTUITION in June of 2013. 
You might notice that I only give 4 or 5 star reviews. That isn't because I love everything, it's because I only review things I really love. As a writer, I know all that goes into making a book, and while a story might not strike a chord with me, who am I to say it won't with someone else? I hate tomatoes, but lots of people like them, and it's the same with a book. So, if I rate something here, it's means that I'd let you borrow my copy, but I really do want you to give it back so that I can read it again. 


My Thoughts and Review:
I am going to be completely upfront here and say that I completely forgot about this series until I saw this ARC, which is really quite horrible because I adored Transcendence when I first read it. But no worries because after the first few pages of Intuition, Omololu quickly reminded me why I fell in love with her writing and with Transcendence so much and why (regardless of my earlier transgression), I really was excited to get my hands on this sequel. 

I quickly became immersed once again in Cole and Griffon's world and it wasn't hard to see why I rated Transcendence so highly last year when I read it. Once again, Omololu blew me away with the world that she created.

I will always love books about past lives and Omololu's spin on the Akhet will be at the top of my list of favs. Once again Cole shows us why she is such a strong character and she learns more about herself, her past lives and the powers that she has come into. She once again shows that she is a girl that knows how to get a job done and not let other things get in the way. She is strong, determined and completely kick butt when she needs to be. 

I was rooting for Griffon from the very beginning of this series, but, I have to admit, Drew really stepped it up in this one and I didn't think it was possible but I felt myself leaning towards him more and more as the story progressed. 

I loved the direction the author took with this as Cole came into her true self more and more and I am happy to say that this story didn't at all suffer the usual drag that a lot of second books in a series do. It was pretty fast paced and held my attention and kept me entertained the whole way through. I did want to smack Griffon a few times throughout the story here and there but as I warmed up to Drew more, I realized that maybe I didn't need to be mad at Griffon after all, that maybe what was happening was all for the best and then of course a curve ball is thrown back into the picture that changes everything. The way I see the storyline unfold, my perspective of the characters, all of it and once again I am torn about how I feel about it all. Who is right for Cole and which direction she should go.

It also once again proved to me that Omololu knows what she is doing and that this woman can write. I loved every single minute of this and wouldn't change a thing.





*All Opinions are my own and I was in no way compensated for my review*




Sunday, June 23, 2013

Indie Book of the Week: Charade by Nyrae Dawn

I am super excited to have this weeks book go to a very talented writer and just an amazing person in general. This weeks book is Charade by Nyrae Dawn!



Title: Charade
Author: Nyrae Dawn
Series: Book One in the Games Series
Published: October 22, 2012
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased




Book Description:
Nineteen-year-old Cheyenne tries to portray the perfect life to mask the memories of her past. Walking in on her boyfriend with another woman her freshman year in college threatens that picture of perfection. 

Twenty-one-year-old Colt never wanted college and never expected to amount to anything, but when his mom's dying wish is for him to get his degree, he has no choice but to pretend it's what he wants too. 

Cheyenne needs a fake boyfriend to get back at her ex and Colt needs cash to take care of his mom, so they strike a deal that helps them both. But what if Cheyenne’s past isn’t what she thought? Soon they’re trading one charade for another—losing themselves in each other to forget about their pain. The more they play their game, the more it becomes the only thing they have that feels real.

Both Cheyenne and Colt know life is never easy, but neither of them expect the tragedy that threatens to end their charade and rip them apart forever.









About the Author:

Writing has always been Nyrae Dawn’s passion. There have been times in her life where she wasn’t able to chase that dream the way she desired, but she always found her way back to telling stories.
One of her loves has always been writing about teens. There’s something so fresh and fun about the age that she loves exploring. Her husband says it’s because she doesn’t want to grow up. She doesn’t think that’s such a bad thing and luckily for her, he doesn’t either.
Nyrae gravitates toward character-driven stories. She loves going on emotional journeys with characters whether it be reading or writing. And yes, she’s a total romantic at heart and proud.
Nyrae resides in sunny Southern California with her husband (who still makes her swoon) and her two awesome kids.



When she’s not with her family, you can be pretty sure you’ll find her with a book in her hand or her laptop and an open document in front of her. 

She writes for Entangled Publishing, Grand Central Publishing and is self-published. 

Nyrae is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel and Goderich Literary Management.



My Thoughts and Review:

There are really only a handful of authors that are on my auto buy list and Nyrae happens to be one of them, for very good reason. I love how all of her stories suck me in and evoke so much emotion from me, it doesn't matter if it is one of her YA books, one of her NA books or even one of her adult stories, all of them are fabulous and I can always count on getting something that I need right when I need it. 

She is my go to author when I need something to tug at my hear strings, when I need something heart felt and sincere. When I want characters that are real and amazing and people that I want to know and people that I grow to care about over the course of their story.

And oh how Nyrae broke my heart with this one. I can't remember a time I cried so much and so hard through a story. Colt was just amazing and his relationship with his mom was so real and raw and just simple beautiful. Colt was beautiful and so darn good and he didn't even know it. I saw right through that tough guy exterior of his. The moments with his mom were just..they were awesome and so so heart felt. I couldn't have asked for better scenes. 

Gah Nyrae knows how to write a man. But not only does she know how to write a man but she can write a female character like no other as well and Chey was every bit as good and beautiful as Colt was. Once again, two very damaged people finding peace with each other and creating something so beautiful together that is becomes magnificent. 

Nyrae has never let me down and this story is classic Nyrae. So real and beautiful and full of promise. I can't wait to read Facade, I know it will be every bit as wonderful as this one was.











*All opinions and thoughts are me own and I was not influenced nor compensated by the author for this review*



Saturday, June 22, 2013

Mini Review: A Dawn Most Wicked by Susan Dennard

Title: A Dawn Most Wicked

Author: Susan Dennard
Series: Book (Novella) 1.5 in the Something Strange and Deadly Series
Published By: HarperTeen (June 4, 2013)
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
Daniel Sheridan is an engineer’s apprentice on a haunted Mississippi steamer known as the Sadie Queen. His best friend–the apprentice pilot, Cassidy Cochran–also happens to be the girl he’s pining for…and the captain’s daughter. But when it looks like the Sadie Queen might get taken off the river, Daniel and Cassidy have to do whatever they can to stop the ghosts that plague the ship.
Fortunately, there happens to be a Creole gentleman on board by the name of Joseph Boyer-–and he just might be able to help them…




My Thoughts and Review:
I was so very happy to see Daniel be the star of this novella in the Strange and Deadly world, especially considering how the first book ended. 

I really liked Daniel and it was nice to see the hospital scene through his eyes. To know what he was thinking and going through when he had to say goodbye to Eleanor. 

Not only do we get that glimpse into Daniel but we really get where his story begins. Well, at least where it began with him meeting and joining Joseph and Jie. We also get why he had to end things the way he did with Eleanor. The guilt and loss he carries with him over someone years earlier that he loved then as well. Someone he cared very much for and someone that will always be a part of his life Someone he will never forget.

I absolutely loved the way this one ended. It ended with hope. And with that hope, a new beginning and a new adventure and I, for one, know that I want to be there, along for the ride. 




*All opinions and thoughts are my own and were in no way influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review*