Review for Betrayals of Spring by L.P. Dover

The smell of rain vastly approaches as we are lying on the ground in a sea of flowers. They surround our bodies while the fresh Spring wind caresses our skin with its soft, gentle touch. Combined as one, we stare into each other’s eyes as we bask in the pleasure of our love and OUR land.

The Land of the Fae has flourished bringing a new beginning and a new court, the Fall Court. Five years have passed since then along with the dreaded day that Meliantha, Summer Court Princess and one of the powerful Four, was betrayed and broken-hearted by the sexy and alluring Winter Prince, Kalen. Spurned by the man she loves, Meliantha has turned and fallen into the arms of the fierce and handsome warrior, Finn, who understands she can never love him, but wants more than anything to mend her broken heart.
The Winter Solstice Ball is approaching, meaning Meliantha will have to face the Winter Prince and make it out of there with her heart intact. But what does she do when Prince Kalen acts as if nothing ever happened and seems more in love with her than ever before?

The dark sorcerer has planned his twisted game of lies and deceit well, and has enjoyed making himself a player without anyone’s knowledge. The game is almost over and the players are exactly where they are needed to be. Will Meliantha figure out his twisted game and save all the players? Or will the dark sorcerer once again obtain the power of the Four and take everything away from her…..even her one true love?

My Take:

4 Stars

Would I recommend to others:  yes

Appropriate for 14 and under:  no, 18+ in my opinion

Language and sexual content:  high on both

I really enjoyed this book, just not quite as much as the first one.  There's something about Ryder and Calista that was more dear to my heart.

I enjoyed some of the twists and turns in this book, but some of it was more predictable now that I know what to expect from the dark sorcerer.

I enjoyed Kalen the most.  I loved his vulnerabiltiy and his charm and sarcasm.  I really hated what was being dished out to him and the princess throughout the story though.  Just when you think thinks are going to calm down and work for them, something happens.  I did enjoy the tasks that the sorcerer set up for the princess to accomplish, but it was sad what she had to go through.

All in all, this was a quick enjoyable read and I'm moving onto the Sorcha and Drake's story next.

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Forever Fae by L.P. Dover Review

He leans down, lips parted, and then our lips connect... We didn’t know that this one kiss has FOREVER changed the Land of the Fae.
According to the Prophecy proclaimed many years ago, Princess Calista of the Summer Court is destined to change the Land of the Fae from the evil determined to destroy it. Her powers are phenomenal, and she secretly trains for battle with her handsome warrior friend, Merrick, who unbeknownst to her protects her heart as well, in hopes of keeping it for himself. At least, until the seductive Prince Ryder attends the Guardian Ceremony and instantly sends a fire burning through her veins and a connection so deep they both discover a love above anything imaginable.
No one knows how Calista is destined to change the kingdoms, but there is one that does. He not only craves Calista’s power, but her body as well, and his goal is to steal her power, make her his Dark Queen, and take over the Land of the Fae.
Will the evil succeed in claiming Calista’s soul? Or will the two men that fight for her heart save her from despair, and help her fulfill her destiny to become what she was meant to be.

***Warning: this book contains graphic language, sex, and violence. Mature readers only. Not intended for young adult readers.***

My Take:

 4 Stars

Recommend to others:  Yes

Appropriate for 14 and under:  No

Language and sexual content:  much of both

Overall I enjoyed this book.  I have to admit, I felt like the language could have been left out, I felt it more pulled me from the story than contributed to any feelings or scenes.  The sex scenes are easily pointed out and you can skip pass them, if you so desire.

From page one, you're drawn into this beautiful world of Fae.  They are so much like us, but with a few awesome differences.  I'd love to have 1/2 the powers some of them have and all of them are a very beautiful people.  The landscape that is described throughout the book is absolutely breathtaking.  I love that this story flowed pretty evenly and I wasn't left wondering why something was happening or what happened to someone.  This made for a very quick read.

Calista is a very strong, stubborn woman.  She knows what she wants and she doesn't let anyone deter her from it.  She is no different when she sees Ryder for the first time and is powerfully drawn to him, even at the possible expense of her best friend's feelings for her.  My favorite scene with the three of them is after Ryder comes upon her and Merrick training and he jumps to conclusions.  The entire time I was like, "you go girl!"

Merrick is the perfect best friend and guardian.  He's known Cali her entire life and he's loved her.  His sarcastic remarks were the balm to my soul through this entire book.  I knew she needed to love Ryder, but it broke my heart that such a perfect guy, like Merrick, wasn't her destiny.  I love that he finally came to terms with things, but was heartbroken at the timing.

Ryder is the perfect male specimen.  He's gorgeous, got a hot body, funny, determined, and did I mention he was hot?  He wasn't a completely perfect character in that he was very jealous from time to time, but it made the storyline even more interesting.  I loved so many of the things he said to Calista when professing his love,  it'll make your heart sigh.  Anyway, I had 3 books from the series on my Kindle and was so curious about the continued storyline, that I'm gonna continue on to the next book.

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AnguiSH by Lila Felix Review

Anguish was the status quo, until she walked in.
Breaker James Collins is confined in a prison of his own making. Scarred doesn’t begin to define his hell since finding out his girlfriend had cheated, stolen, and lied two years ago. It led to a single event—one that would blacken his days and his nights from then on. Since then, he hasn’t left his house, crippled by fear of people and any social interaction.
Ashland talks too much and has the voice of a meth-laden prairie dog, or so she’s always been told. She’s been called annoying and irritating all of her life and gave up on having friends for a long time. College has given her a new lease on a social life and she’s embraced who she is. But now she’s waiting for the one guy who can take her breath away and put up with her antics.
A simple note pinned to a corkboard will lead Ash right to Breaker’s solitary world and she will learn that just because a guy doesn’t fit her ideal, doesn’t mean she won’t fall head over feet in love.

My Take:

4 Stars

Would I recommend to others: yes

Appropriate for 14 and under:  no

Language and sexual content:  small amount of both

This book has sat on my Kindle for a while, being as I normally enjoy reading paranormal more and contemporary not so much.  I kept hearing so much about this book, so I decided to unbury it and read it.

The story drug in a few places for me, hence the reason for the 4 stars.  There were a few times that I thought "why do I need to know this", but it wasn't enough to stop me from reading.  I enjoyed learning about agoraphobia, I have a relative that suffers from it, and it was interesting to me to get inside Breaker's head.  Breaker's character facinated me, the way he was and the way he grew.  I found myself almost rushing through Ashland's dialog to get to his thoughts and inner core.  I could've fallen in love with this boy, he had it all, even with disorder.

Ashland was easy for me to relate to.  I've often been told that I talk too much and end up giving an hour long dialog where only a 5 minute explanation would've sufficed.  I love that she was a flawed character as well, I don't think a perfect woman would've been able to get through to Breaker like Ash did.  I loved how he was constantly complimenting her on parts that she hated about herself.  And his little speech about that?  I almost swoon.  What a hunk.

All in all, I really enjoyed the book and I'd recommend for others to read it.  I liked it enough that I'll read other works from Ms. Felix.

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Capture Me Cover Reveal by Morgana Phoenix

Capture Me by Morgana Phoenix

Book Name: Capture Me

Author: Morgana Phoenix

Publisher: Fire & Ash Publishing

Release date: TO BE ANNOUNCED

Genre: Adult Romance

Formats: eBook & Paperback

GoodReads link:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18191259-capture-me?ac=1


SYNOPSIS:

After years of struggling to make his mark as an artist, Johnny Hoffman has finally gotten his big break.  All he needs now is that perfect piece of art to be his shining star. 

In walks Elle, a timid beauty with a fire Johnny knows could explode to unimaginable heights under the right hand.  But Elle isn’t looking for a relationship and Johnny’s sure he isn’t either, but he can’t help falling for the woman coming to life with every stroke of his brush. For the first time in her life, Elle Knight is finally free, but her freedom hadn’t come without a price.  Elle is on the run from a three year long mistake that wants her back dead or alive.  She’s not looking to fall into that trap again, but one look into Johnny’s soulful brown eyes and Elle’s heart is captured.  She’s shown into a world where love doesn’t hurt and being happy is okay. But when Elle’s past threatens to destroy them, can their love survive the betrayal?  Will Johnny surrender his muse and will Elle finally put an end to the nightmares? “I’m not perfect, Johnny.”  He peered into her eyes.  “You’re perfect for me.”

SOCIAL NETWORKS: 

Twitter - @MorganaPhoenix

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Morgana-Phoenix/148839731972606

GoodReads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7171327.Morgana_Phoenix

Author Site: http://morganaphoenixxx.blogspot.com/

BIO: Morgana Phoenix is the alter ego for Airicka Phoenix and the author of adult paranormal and contemporary romance. Capture Me, coming out 2014, will be Morgana’s first steps into the published world. To learn more about Morgana and the release of her books, visit her website at http://morganaphoenixxx.blogspot.com/

Bet In The Dark Review

All Ellie Harris wanted was a life of her own.

In a shortsighted decision, she follows her high school boyfriend to college, only to get cheated on and then dumped. And to add insult to injury her overprotective family is suddenly clinging to her again, fighting to control every part of her life.

Bad luck follows her hasty decision and when her roommate steals her identity and leaves town, Ellie is left to clean up a gigantic mess.

Fin Hunter insists Ellie owes him seven thousand dollars from an online poker game and he is determined to get it from her. Determined to keep her family out of her life, Ellie agrees to work for Fin in his illegal online poker operation. He’s given her six weeks to pay off the debt.

Soon sparks are flying between them and the only thing keeping her from falling for him is the debt she still owes and the money she doesn’t have.

At the end either Ellie will have to pay the mistaken debt or bet in the dark that her feelings for Fin will be worth more than the money.

My Take:

Can I give this 10 stars??

Would I recommend to others:  yes and I already have!!

Appropriate for 14 and under:  maybe closer to 16

Language and sexual content:  mild on both counts

I don't even know where to start on this book!!  I will start off by saying, after reading Rachel's last book, I wasn't as excited as I normally am to read her stuff.  Honestly I didn't even read what this book was about before I started reading it, I just went for it.

I love the main character, Ellie.  She reminds me of myself in a lot of ways.  It was fun to witness her relationships with her family and her feeling lost and smothered by them.  I love that she was a little bit of a sarcastic, smart alec and would laugh out loud at some of the comments she'd make.  And then there's her relationship with Fin.  Oh my goodness, she had that boy wrapped around her finger and all by just being her sassy little self.  I absolutely LOVED the interactions between these two.  They reminded me so much of my relationship and banter with my husband, that I found I myself laughing pretty hard and sighing at other points.

This brings me to Fin.  I loved this boy/man.  I think I fell in love with him when he ate Ellie's Burgerwich, lol.  He was fighting the attraction he had for her from the start and it was hilarious to watch him fall under her spell.  He had the humor, the sex appeal, the good looks, the smoldering eyes...I could go on and on!  He was just the all around perfect man, in my eyes.  I think at this point he even won out over Kiran and Jericho. *gasps*

My other favorite character was Ty.  This guy was a big burly teddy bear that I just wanted to peel like an onion and find out all his layers.  I wasn't the least bit shocked when he pulled Ellie inside his office to talk to her.  I loved what he had to say to her, it was perfect.  And I could scream when she didn't listen and allowed her doubts to take over.  Anyway, another happy moment for me was dinner.  I loved the interactions between all members, especially the grandmother.  This part actually brought tears to my eyes, reminding me how much I missed my own sweet grandmas.  If you haven't read any of Rachel's work, this is a good place to start.  Run and grab it, I'm loaning to my husband next...he's gonna love it.  :)

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Renegade Review

The conclusion to the Heven and Hell series.

I’ve been beautiful. I’ve been ugly. I’ve died. I’ve been brought back. I’ve had abilities awakened within me. My strength has been tested. My beliefs have been tested.

Yet I stand.

What’s next when you’ve pretty much experienced it all?

The end.

Sam and I are picking up the pieces. We’re trying to come to terms with all we’ve lost. And as much as I would like to hide my head, ignore the reality I live every day, there is no forgetting.

Riley is in hell—I’m still not sure of his agenda. My mother’s past haunts me. And Kimber… Kimber is being herself. Cole sneaks glances at Gemma and she returns them when she thinks I don’t see.

But I do.

When Beelzebub escapes he brings his war to places I never thought he would. Earth. Maine. Home. Now everyone and everything is at risk. This has become bigger than my circle of friends. This has become bigger than me. I have to finish this. I have to find a way to stop him, to finish this war.

I just pray we will all be left standing in the end.

My Take:

 5 Stars

Would I recommend to others:  Yes!

Appropriate for 14 and under:  yes

Language and Sexual Content:  mild to none for both

What a perfect ending to this series.  I couldn't keep up with all the twist and turns that were thrown at me during this book.  Everything, however, is finally tied up together nicely.  I was only left with one desire...more of Riley!!  Riley wiggled his way into my heart, just like he did to Heven.  Every tidbit of information that came my way about him, I found myself clinging to my Kindle and pouring over the chapter trying to find out what made him tick and if he'd finally get his happy ending.  I REALLY hope there's another book with his story??

The danger in this book is more than in any of the other books.  A lot of weird things happen to people around Heven and Sam.  I was absolutely devastated by the middle of the book when another character that I loved, didn't get the ending I wanted.  I kept reading though and was SO glad that I did.  This book is beautifully written and I'll add the entire series to my "favorites" list.  I will definitely enjoy reading this story again and again. 

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Tirade Review

Betrayal burns. Death hurts and the clock ticks…

Minutes and hours stretch into days. How long can Sam survive being confined in Hell? I have a plan… a plan with a lot of holes. I need someone who can make up for my weaknesses, someone who possesses the power that I lack. Riley is supposed to be off limits. He’s dangerous, he’s mean and he’s not to be trusted. But I do.

Beelzebub is on a tirade, bent on revenge. I took what he wants and sent him into the flames. I will wear the scars of his punishments forever. But scars don’t scare me anymore.

On my way to free Sam I find my true path, a secret place and new allies. But in Hell nothing is easy… and everything is cruel. The only thing left to do is survive.

My Take:

5 stars

Would I recommend to others:  yes

Appropriate for 14 and under:  maybe

Language and sexual content:  mild on both

So far this one was my favorite of the series! I simply couldn't put it down and the action was pretty much nonstop through the entire thing.

It starts out with Sam being trapped in Hell and Heven living through hell knowing she "left" him there and all the danger she's in now, without him there to protect her. The things that Sam is put through during his residency in Hell are absolutely horrific! And the only thing pulling him through is his Mindbond with Heven. Heven's life isn't much easier as she fights off enemies of her own, all while feeling Sam's pain and imagining the worst for him.

There were SO many things that happened in this book that I couldn't even begin to imagine would happen. It was so fast paced and full of fun and yummy Sam, that I couldn't put it down until I finished it. So, onto the last book now, I can't wait to see what is in store for these characters!

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Charade Review

Dying at the hands of a psycho was a shock. Having my life returned to me by an angel was incredible. Being named a Supernatural Treasure and being given Sam as my guard was pretty darn awesome. Acquiring a debt for it all - well, I should have seen it coming. Now here we are, fighting demons from hell, caring for a boy that I just don't trust and traveling to faraway places to return a treasure to its rightful place. Nothing is as it seems. Everyone wears a mask, everyone puts on a charade. It's up to us to separate the truth from the lies and reality from fiction. A hard task when my new reality involves fallen angels, witches and dragons...and did I mention hell? Anchoring me down through it all is Sam. Sam who must face tragedies of his own and is put to the test again and again. If we fail in our task, life as we know it - life as you know it - will end. Forever.

My Take:

 5 Stars!!

Would I recommend to others:  yes

Appropriate for 14 and under:  maybe

Language and sexual content:  mild on both

I'm sorry that I am continuing through the series on this review, but I am seriously addicted!!  Please bare with me as I conclude the series.  I hope you read it and that you become as engrossed in it as I am.

I don't know how she did it, but Ms. Hebert wrote an even better book than the first (Masquerade). I couldn't put this down and read it into the wee hours of the morning.

Sam and Heven have made it through the unbelievable, only to have Heaven ask them to give their everything on a task that Heven and Sam alone can complete. Trial after trial are upon them, people they love and know the most surprising them at every turn. And the cliffhanger at the end?? Can their lives get anymore horrible and complicated? And yet the two of them, linked as one, are able to make it through even the most daunting days.

I just have to say this book was very well written. I loved her descriptions of the bond between Heven and Sam, the landscaping and demons and dragon in hell...I could go on and on, but it would be better if you read it yourself. Do NOT miss out on this book!

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Masquerade Review

I'm disfigured. Scarred. Ugly.
When I look in the mirror, I see a stranger. When I look over my shoulder, no one's there…
Yet I feel watched. Hunted. Afraid.
And then he tells me I’m beautiful.
He tells me I’m safe.
I believe him.
Until someone tries to kill me.
Secrets abound, danger is near, and still… my heart desires a boy with whiskey-colored eyes and far too many secrets.
Secrets that could cost me my life.
To stay alive I have to look deep, beneath the masks everyone wears, to find the truth.
To find myself.

My Take:

5 HUGE stars!!

Would I recommend to others:  Yes!!!

Appropriate for 14 and under:  yes

Language and Sexual Content:  mild on both counts

Oh, WOW!! I loved this book! Honestly I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I "opened" this book, but I'm so glad that I did. I was grabbed from the first paragraph and thrust into the world of Heven and Sam. I was (still am) so invested in their world that I feel like I know them, like I want to jump in and protect them from things they can't see yet, lol. This book had me on the edge of my seat one moment, tearing up another and then chuckling out loud. It's SO well written and I'm only sad that I didn't read this book sooner. (It's been buried in my TBR list for quite a while.)

I love Heven. She isn't the complete package. She has her weaknesses and her strengths and her love for a beautiful boy with whiskey colored eyes. She is vulnerable at times, but at her strongest when she needs to be, drawing some of that strength from who she is and from Sam.

Sam, Sam, Sam...what a completely perfect specimen of a man!! He's so supportive, loving and just an all around "make your body melt" kind of guy. I love that he wants to protect Heven with ever fiber of his being, but at the times when she needs it, he allows her to stand on her own two feet, with him at her back.

You absolutely need to read this series! I gobbled up almost the first 3 books in one weekend!

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The Rush Review

A life not her own—A future already decided.

Every facet of Ivy Pierce’s life is meticulously planned out and plotted. Cynical and jaded by sixteen, Ivy’s only hope is to escape the legacy she was born into.

She has a plan, a carefully thought out, feasible plan. She just has to play by the rules until everything falls into place. Unfortunately as predictable as her life can be, she never sees Ryder Sutton coming. He tumbles into her life unimpressed and untouched by her and the life she lives. He’s an enigma to her. A gorgeous, frustrating, sincere mystery and a complete phenomenon in the ugly world she lives in.

What blooms between them is a fiercely intense attraction that cannot be ignored. Even though they would both be better off without each other—Even if both their lives depend on staying apart.

My Take:

3.5 to 4 Stars

Would I recommend to others: yes

Appropriate for 14 and under: yes

Language and Sexual Content:  none, very mild

I had to wait a couple of days to absorb this book and decide how best to review it.  I did submit a quick little blurb on Goodreads, just over my phone, but it may be changed.

To start off, I love all things "Rachel Higginson".  So when I started this book, I hadn't even read the synopsis of what it was about.  I have to admit that I couldn't get into the book, it didn't have the same draw and Rachel's other work did.  However, because I love her writing, I continued until the book drew me in...which was about 49% of the way through it.

What I didn't like:

I felt like the book sort of drug a little in the first half.  I felt like we were constantly in Ivy's head and that things were on repeat, without giving any of the story away.  It drove me crazy that you don't find out anything about her previous relationship until almost this point, yet it's alluded to.  I just felt like being in her head for so long, drug and some of the story may not have been necessary.

What I liked:

 I loved the originality of the plot.  I haven't read a book yet that was written about this content.  That is another part that drew me in and pushed me along to finish the book.  I loved the relationship Ivy develops with Ryder and all things centered around him.  He's pretty much a knight in shining armor masquerading as a high school student, lol.  Will I continue to read this series?  Yes, especially because the book ended so abruptly for me.  I'm curious as to what plays out with the anomaly that is Ryder.

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