ARC Review of Two Roads (Gypsy Brothers #6)

Two Roads (Gypsy Brothers #6)

by Lili St. Germain

Reviewed by Shannon

I was gifted a copy of this book in return for my honest review. I honestly can not say enough good things about this series it is just that awesome!!!. Each installment gets better and I am almost sad to think we only have one more book left. There is so much to clear up and so little time. There has been so many climaxes in this series that I'm pretty sure I have permanent "O" face ;).

Surprises and secrets are revealed. Shocking and heartbreaking are too calm to even remotely describe what you will feel and that's just in the first few chapters. Two Roads did not disappoint and is another 5 star read for me. Grab it up it went live today.

Review of Temptation Series books 1-3

Temptation (Temptation #1), Satisfaction (Temptation #2), Fulfillment (Temptation #3)

by K.M. Golland

Reviewed by Shannon

I stumbled across this series in my recommendations list from amazon. Temptation Book 1 I was initially intrigued. I had a really hard time getting on board with the moral aspects of this book. I definitely think the lines of what is considered cheating and what isn't are seriously skewed. Satisfaction Book 2 left a lot to be desired for me. While I think the story was still interesting, I waivered on my interest and it took me a couple days to finish. I'm not a reader that normally takes longer than an evening to read a book, so when I lose interest and put it down that usually says something. After reading the first two installments, I decided to push forward and continued with Book 3 and what I thought was the conclusion in the series. Fulfillment Book 3, was a little more of an improvement over Satisfaction, but I still did not feel that need to hurry and finish. There seemed to be a lot of filler conversations and some of the dialogue was a little annoying. All in all I would give the entire series as a whole a 3 Star rating.

ARC Review of High Stakes Seduction (Book 1)

High Stakes Seduction (Book 1)

by Ami LeCoeur

Reviewed by Shannon

I was gifted a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. What do we have here?? I do believe we have a new great serial series. I finished this one up quick and I'm anxious to see where book 2 will lead us. Really good character development and a interesting plot line. High Stakes Seduction will be released in 5 parts. With the entire series scheduled to be out by late November. Another win when we don't have to wait too long for the conclusion. I give Book 1 4 Stars. Look for purchase links to be posted 9/26.

Synopsis:

After a horrific accident that killed her mother and left her sister in a wheelchair, Angela Tilson dropped out of college to care for her remaining family.

But her father wasn't faring well. Between his binge drinking and gambling, he didn't have much time or energy left for his daughters. When threats started coming in, demanding payment of the debts he'd racked up, he took off, leaving the two girls to fend for themselves.

Months later, Angela receives a call that changes their lives forever. The call closes the door on their father's disappearance, but sets in motion a new set of dangers and complications, including the powerful, and mysteriously connected fashion mogul, Antonio Mancini.

Antonio is attractive, remote, and very much in control. He quite literally holds the key to their security and wellbeing in his hands. He offers Angela a job, and the means to repay her father's debts... but the conditions require her to step way outside her normal boundaries.

In desperation, Angela accepts the new challenges before her. Now she must battle her growing attraction for Antonio, and conquer her own fears and secrets. The stakes are high - she and her sister could lose everything if she doesn't follow the rules to this game he's set up.

Review of Drive (Fire on Ice #4)

Drive (Fire on Ice #4)

by Brenda Rothert

Reviewed by Shannon

Another great sports romance by Brenda Rothert! Super fun and easy read that I zipped through in no time at all. We see a lot of our loveable characters from Fire on Ice books 1-3 along with the addition of our new couple Niko and Sadie. 4 Stars for this one. I love this series and this concept. Brenda has created another couple that you really fall in love with. This had some really funny back and forth between these two along with some really hot scenes. Check it out for sure and be looking for the next Fire on Ice book around Orion. (Side Note: I'm honored that I have the very first paperback copy of this book - from Brenda's mouth herself right after she signed it.. sqeeeee!! Thanks Brenda so glad we got to meet you!)

NikoVereshkova is an up and coming minor league hockey player. When his day finally comes to be called up to the NHL he finds himself on the team with his former teammate Luke (Fire on Ice #3). Niko is focused and determined to earn a permanent spot on the Chicago team to help out his family. Niko has an uncomfortable first meeting with Sadie at Luke and Dell's wedding, but something about the smart mouth maid of honor sticks with Niko. Having friends in common these two are drawn together by a chemistry that is undeniable and despite Sadie's first impression of the sexy hockey player she is finding she can't stay away from him.

ARC Review of Blue Shoes Volume 2

Blue Shoes 2

by JJ Knight

Reviewed by Shannon

I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. So if you read volume one or the review I posted a few days ago, you know we were left on a bit of a cliffy with Jess and Dylan's relationship. Well let me tell you in Volume 2 everything really hits the fan and again we are left on yet another, not quite as stomach churning but close, cliffy. The only downside to volume 2 in my opinion was Dylan and Jess are pretty much never together the entire story apart from a few chapters. I understand that the separation builds to the story but I felt really disconnected to them and their chemistry on this one. I give this one a 3.5 star. I still love the story and of course I will be hanging on to see how this all clears up in volume 3. It's a roller coaster so prepare. Check this out for sure it went live today so 1-click away!!!

Jess is in Rome working and is feeling the separation from Dylan. Trying not to feed into the tabloid lies is becoming harder and Jess can't help to check every alert that has Dylan's name attached to it. Insecurities are forming and the need for Dylan to visit is weighing hard on Jess. Jess is determined to figure out who the girl Dylan was seen with is and how she is tied to Morris Music. Is there someone behind these obstacles that are driving Dylan and Jess apart, or are they just from two different worlds that will never be one?

Review of Extreme Close-Up (Perspectives #1)

Extreme Close-Up (Perspectives #1)

by Julie Jaret

Reviewed by Shannon

I was gifted a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. This was a cute read and I zipped right through it. My favorite thing about Extreme Close-Up was the fact that her husband had left her for another woman and she starts a relationship with said women's 23 year old son. IN THEIR FACES!!Fist Pump for her!!  haha!. I love a good revenge or girl got her groove back book!. I give this one 4 Stars. Book #2 in the Perspectives series releases this fall as well so I will be watching for that.

At 41 Lisa Taylor is starting her life over. When her marriage falls apart she finds herself in unchartered territory. She's starting a new life and supporting her teenaged son, Jake. Bills are pilling up and her hobby turned career is not making ends meet. While her son Jake is away at baseball camp for the summer he asks his old neighbor / babysitter Braden to look out for his mom. Lisa gets the shock of a lifetime when she realizes the gardener she's been ogling through the kitchen window is none other the Braden "Brady", the same teenaged boy that used to babysit her son. The instant chemistry and pull these two share heats up quickly and a teenaged crush Braden has dreamed about finally becomes a reality. Braden also happens to be the son of the woman Lisa's husband left her for.  After years of feeling like she's not good enough Braden just may be what changes her opinion of herself.

Review of Promised (One Night #1)

Promised (One Night #1)

by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Reviewed by Shannon

I was under the impression that there was no way Jodi Ellen Malpas could come up with a character as awesome as our beloved Jesse Ward, boy was wrong. She's done it again and our next BBF is....... Miller Hart. I finally got a chance to start this one last night and I could not stop. I got to the end and was like "NOOOOOOO I need more". That's right... another amazing book by JEM!!! 5 Big stars from this girl!!! With his demanding attitude and OCD mannerism there isn't a thing you wont love about Miller "M" Hart. Get ready for a good ride when you start this one because it goes every which way. Luckily we only have to wait a few short months for book 2 because we are left hanging at the end. I am counting down the days. Grab this one up quick.

Synopsis:

Livy notices him the moment he walks into the coffee shop. He's heart-stoppingly stunning, with a blue-eyed gaze so piercing she's almost too distracted to take his order. When he walks out the door, she thinks she'll never see him again. Then she finds the note he left on his napkin . . . signed M.

All he wants is one night to worship her. No feelings, no commitment, nothing but pleasure. Every defense mechanism Livy has adopted during her solitary life is at risk of being obliterated by this confounding man. He's obnoxious but well-mannered. He's a gentleman but aloof. He's passionate but emotionless. Yet the fascination is so powerful, Livy can't deny him... or herself.

M awakens something in Livy, something deep and addictive that she never knew existed -- and that she fears only he can satisfy. But she senses that behind the fast cars, fancy suits, and posh apartment, he's aching inside. To have him, body and soul, she'll have to brave his dark secrets. Delving into his world and breaking down his defenses become her obsession - an obsession that could shatter her heart beyond repair..

ARC Review of Blue Shoes Volume 1

Blue Shoes Volume 1

by J.J. Knight

Reviewed by Shannon

I was gifted a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. If you haven't read JJ's Revenge Series then stop right now because you should definitely read it. Although I love Dylan and Jess, I do not particularly like the whole serial concept. I feel like a broken record, but I hate being spoon fed little snippets of a story. It leaves me very unsatisfied. This one was a little better as far as length and since this series will wind down in 3 installments I'm hoping the next two will be a little meatier. I love these characters and think there was plenty of drama to keep this Volume edgy and interesting. 4 Stars from me on Volume 1. Per norm JJ leaves us with a cliffy but luckily we wont have to wait too long for Volume 2.   

Blue Shoes is the next chapter in the Jess Rivera and Dylan Wolf story. At the end of Revenge Dylan and Jess are happy and engaged to be married. Blue Shoes starts off a year from then and Jess is struggling with being in the spotlight that Dylan loves. Having a rock star fiancé makes it impossible to do anything normal or privately especially wedding plans. Not wanting her wedding day to be a media nightmare, Jess and Dylan have decided not to tell anyone when their big day is.  With the big day quickly approaching and Jess's job taking her to Rome for 5 weeks the distance between Jess and Dylan is going to be tough.

ARC Review of Charlotte (Marked Heart)

Charlotte (Marked Heart)

by M. Sembera

Reviewed by Shannon

I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this one. It was an easy ready that had likeable characters. There is no cliffy which is always a plus . There is also enough interesting side characters that I'm sure we'll be seeing more of Charlotte and Auggie in future spin offs. There were a few things that I felt could have been touched on a little more around Charlotte's past and why she moved to Spain, but all in all it was really cute. I give it 3.5 Stars and look forward to what this author will bring with the next installment.

Synopsis:

Charlotte Roberts and Augustus (Auggie) Caffrey may never have known each other, if it were not for William Caffrey. They would have simply moved on with their own lives without the anger and resentment that followed, when William fell for Charlotte almost six years ago.

Under the pretense of introducing Trace Delgado, her soon to be fiancé, to her adoptive parents, Emerson and Amila Roberts, Charlotte arrives back in her small southern hometown to personally collect on the forgiveness William promised he would give her if she ever returned.

Spending his days at the hospital with his brother William and his nights tending bar at The Dog House, Auggie knows it is only a matter of time before he loses the brother he has tried his entire life to protect.

When Auggie finds out Charlotte is in town, to no doubt torment his brother on his death bed, he wants her to stay as far away from William as possible. All Charlotte wants is to be forgiven and move on with a clear conscience. While, William's dying wish is to ensure the two people he cares about most step outside of their comfort zones and see that life is not as cut and dry as they think it is.

Charlotte's guilt and Auggie's brotherly devotion compel them to, secretly, follow through with William's last requests forcing them to begrudgingly spend time together. The more time they spend together, the closer they become. And the harder it is to keep what is taking place between them secret.

Late nights visits and stolen moments cause Charlotte to fall hard. But when a reminder of what brought them together stops Auggie dead in his tracks, he starts to question how far he's willing to go with someone who was his brother's first.

Charlotte Roberts and Augustus (Auggie) Caffrey may never have known each other, if it were not for William Caffrey. They would have simply moved on with their own lives without the anger and resentment that followed, when William fell for Charlotte almost six years ago.

Under the pretense of introducing Trace Delgado, her soon to be fiancé, to her adoptive parents, Emerson and Amila Roberts, Charlotte arrives back in her small southern hometown to personally collect on the forgiveness William promised he would give her if she ever returned.

Spending his days at the hospital with his brother William and his nights tending bar at The Dog House, Auggie knows it is only a matter of time before he loses the brother he has tried his entire life to protect.

When Auggie finds out Charlotte is in town, to no doubt torment his brother on his death bed, he wants her to stay as far away from William as possible. All Charlotte wants is to be forgiven and move on with a clear conscience. While, William's dying wish is to ensure the two people he cares about most step outside of their comfort zones and see that life is not as cut and dry as they think it is.

Charlotte's guilt and Auggie's brotherly devotion compel them to, secretly, follow through with William's last requests forcing them to begrudgingly spend time together. The more time they spend together, the closer they become. And the harder it is to keep what is taking place between them secret.

Late nights visits and stolen moments cause Charlotte to fall hard. But when a reminder of what brought them together stops Auggie dead in his tracks, he starts to question how far he's willing to go with someone who was his brother's first.

Review of Sand Omnibus (Sand #1-5)

Review by Laura Leigh

Sand Omnibus (Sand #1-5) – Hugh Howey

4 Stars – I will read anything wrote by Hugh Howey. His imagination is pure genius. The only books I had read by him before “Sand” where the Silo series (still three of my favori...te books of all time) but I knew I had to have more Howey. “Sand” is set in a dystopian world, much like the Silo series, but it has a much different feel to it. This is probably because it takes place above ground while the Silo series took place, well, in underground silos. Regardless, I love dystopian novels and I love Hugh Howey books, so it was probably a good bet I would enjoy this read.

“Sand” takes place in futuristic Colorado, but it is not the beautiful mountains and forests we would recognize; sand hundreds of levels deep now cover the once gorgeous landscape. Water is a precious commodity in this world filled with dirt and grit and civilization has built itself around it. Walls have been built to keep the sand drifts at bay from the wealthier areas of town while the less fortunate have to continually build house upon house as the dunes claim their homes. Not only do these people have to deal with the mind-numbing barrage of sand being thrown at them but there is also a group of rebels whose main goal seems to be chaos and destruction. As dreary as this scene sounds one cannot just get up and walk away. Once you leave civilization you enter “No Mans Land”. A place plenty of people have tried to escape too but none have come back from. Nevertheless, man will do what it takes to get by and try to make life better for himself and those he loves. We see this in the characters we encounter in “Sand”.

The main character, Palmer, has followed in his families footsteps and made a life for himself as a sand diver. While in our world a diver goes in search of buried treasure and sunken ships beneath the ocean, in the world of “Sand” a diver wears an electronic suit that enables him to search for riches buried hundreds of feet beneath the sand. There is a whole world underneath the sand that contains resources a world with limited water would be hard to come by. This world is the old Colorado… and the gold mine would be finding Danvar (you might know it by its “antiquated” name Denver). As it turns out Palmer just so happens to be the man that finds this place… and some people aren’t so happy he has lived to tell about it.

I really did enjoy reading this book. It was a whole new world that I had never imagined myself. It did not drag me into itself quite like the Silo series did, which is the only reason I gave it 4, instead of 5, stars. Quite a few people have said that they actually preferred it to the Silo series… I suggest you give both a read and decide for yourself!

http://www.amazon.com/Sand-Omnibus-Hugh-Howey/dp/1494904489/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409708710&sr=1-1&keywords=sand See More

Review of Doctor Sleep

Review by Laura Leigh

Doctor Sleep – Stephen King

4 Stars – I love love love Stephen King. I own more books by him than any other author (probably because he has wrote so many books haha!). If you don’t know the backstory of Doctor Sleep,... let me tell you. To make it short and sweet this is the sequel to one of Kings most popular novels of all time, “The Shining”. Remember the cute little boy in “The Shining”, Danny Torrance? Well, he is all grown up now and the shining is still as strong as ever.

Danny, who goes by Dan now, has a major problem with alcohol just like his daddy, crazy Jack, did in the first novel. He also went into the caretaking business just like his father. Though, instead of caring for a haunted hotel, he is caring for the elderly in nursing homes. After drifting from town to town, getting arrested, starting bar fights and copulating with some pretty unsavory women Dan finally settles down in a quaint New Hampshire town. Dan finds steady work and, with the help of some new found friends, even kicks his drinking habit and steadily starts to go to AA. Though his shining is waning as he grows older he still finds he can use it to help the elderly pass over when their time has come… hence his nickname “Doctor Sleep”. Life is going great for Dan when he meets Abra Stone, a spirited young girl that also has the gift of the shining. Dan has met other people with the same gift, most only having a touch of the shining. Abra’s power is much greater than the average persons though. Even compared to Dan, Abra’s shining is as bright as the sun (pun intended). And Dan is not the only one that has noticed.

A gypsy band of thieves, who call themselves the True Knot, have taken a special interest in Abra. These gypsies are not interested in material goods though, they feed off of children’s shining. The shining keeps them alive and powerful. Without it they would, quite literally, disappear into thin air. The shining is not easily taken though. It must be turned into steam which the gypsies then feed off of. How can it be turned into steam you might ask? That is the tricky part. The children must be caught and then tortured to death. The more painful it is the more steam is released. Can Doctor Sleep help Abra escape from these maniacs? Can they be stopped from harming other children? Dan must face his horrific past and personal demons in order to find out.

Even if you have not read “The Shining” (which I suggest you at least rent the movie) you can still read “Doctor Sleep” and not get lost. It’s been years since I have read it but King gives enough background into the first book that you understand what is going on. If “The Shining” scared the bejesus out of you then don’t worry - this book only has a couple creep-tastic moments… which is why I only gave it 4 stars. I was going into this with the expectation that the Overlook Hotel ghosts would make more of an appearance but instead it was more “action packed” than “horror show”. Regardless, this is a good read for any Stephen King fan.

http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Sleep-Stephen-King/dp/1451698852/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409711626&sr=1-1&keywords=doctor+sleep See More