Darkfever

Darfever (Fever, 1)
by Karen Moning
Rating: 4 Bows!

MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands…

I haven't read much Fae books and those that I have were nothing compared to this one. 

We start off with MacKayla, Mac for short, heading off to Dublin to figure out who killed her sister. In her search, Mac runs into all sorts of weird things, a man that turns into a monster, an old woman who threatens her, I mean how bizarre is that? 
Things don't get any better when she meets Jericho Barrons. This is where the books takes off. Mr. Barrons isn't just your average book store seller, he knows all about the secret world of the Fae and helps bring Mac into this world and teaches her everything about it. The story is full of action, mystery, and suspense and doesn't let up even on the last page.

Mac was an awesome heroine. She is willing to do anything to discover what happened to her sister, even entering the dangerous world of the Fae. I loved that she didn't let Barrons push her around and that she had a backbone. My only complaint is that when it came to her wardrobe, she was a child. I don't know if the author believes that the way Mac dresses is "grown up" but I, personally, did not like the way she dressed; Too much pink. 

Jericho Barrons was a mystery the entire book. We don't know what he is, if he is one of the good guys, or what his intentions really are. I liked that we didn't really get to trust him until halfway through the book, it gave us time to decide, by his actions, if he was really trying to help Mac. 
Is Jericho Barrons sexy? Controlling? Alpha Male? ABSOLUTELY! I loved his dominating attitude, it made me swoon every time he spoke! Ugh, love him!

Karen Moning built an excellent world of mythical Fae full of mystery and darkness. The world-builidng was awesome, the characters are perfect, and I seriously would recommend this book to anyone that's looking for a little paranormal mystery.

Consumed

Consumed (Devoured, 2)
by Emily Snow
Rating: 3.5 Bows!

Now that Lucas is back in her life, Sienna is sure the drama between them is over. But then he comes to her with a new offer: his band, Your Toxic Sequel, is going on tour and he wants her with him—working in wardrobe and as his girl.

Life on the road is a complete 180 from everything Sienna has ever known. Not only does she have to deal with Lucas’s band members, but she’s also forced to be around Cilla, the lead singer of Wicked Lambs. Still, despite horny band mates and a gorgeous rock goddess determined to sink her talons into Lucas, Sienna stays by his side.

Then the letters start to come—harassing messages from Lucas’s ex-wife, Sam.

At first, Sienna brushes them off, keeping Lucas in the dark because Sam is bad for his music. But after Sam’s contact turns personal and violent, Sienna has no other choice but to confront Lucas. If she’s ever going to understand the twisted pull Sam has on him, she has to know his secret. But when he finally reveals it, will they be able to survive the consequences? Or will it tear them apart, consuming them?

It's finally out!!! After months and months of waiting we finally get to see what happens to Sienna and Lucas. I gotta say, after all the waiting and the building angst, I was expecting this book to be phenomenal. I'm a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I liked the book, but after all the anticipation and waiting, it was not what I was hoping for. 


Consumed starts right where Devoured left off. Sienna and Lucas are reunited and after some coercing, she agrees to go on tour with YTS and be their "wardrobe consultant". Everything is fine and dandy, we have the occasional Cilia jealous fits but that nothing major. Then Sienna starts to get letters and gifts from Lucas's crazy ex-wife Samantha. 

Now, from everything we know about Samantha, I was expecting some major drama...and I think that fell a little flat for me. I wanted drama, angst, a little bit of frustration and sadness but nope, that didn't happen. 

The main mystery of this Devoured series is that Samantha knows something about Lucas. So most of the story is about trying to get to know what that is. We don't find out until 3/4 of the book AFTER something major happens to Sienna (which reminded me of Music of the Heart by Katie Ashley btw) and that was a big relief for me. Not because of what the secret was but because it was something unexpected and at this point in the book I needed something shocking! 

My biggest let down was the ending with Samantha. I mean COME ON! After everything that happened because of her, you're gonna give us that closure about her?  It baffled me. 

Aside from all that, Sienna was great, glad she grew a backbone and was able to stand and fight for herself and Lucas Wolfe was just as sexy, dreamy, and naughty as ever. I swooned every time he spoke, sigh...

Over all I'm happy that Sienna and Lucas got their HEA and sam and cilia are out of the picture. It was a good conclusion for the series but I just wish I would have been a little longer and had something grand in it. Even then, thank you Emily Snow for giving us Lucas Wolfe! <3

Torn from You

Torn from You (Tear Asunder, 1)
by Nashoda Rose
Rating: 4 Bows!

Love is like an avalanche. It hits hard, fast and without mercy.

At least it did for me when Sculpt, the lead singer of the rock band Tear Asunder knocked me off my feet. Literally, because he’s also a fighter, illegally of course, and he taught me how to fight. He also taught me how to love and I fell hard for him. I mean the guy could do sweet, when he wasn't doing bossy, and I like sweet.

Then it all shattered.

Kidnapped.
Starved.
Beaten.
I was alone and fighting to survive.
When I heard Sculpt's voice, I thought he was there to save me.

I was wrong.

Dear Lord. I was so not expecting this. The novella was sweet and romantic and then this story did a 180 and went in a whole new direction. It's dark, scary, and hard to read, well most of it is. 

The first half was difficult to read but at the same time I couldn't but down the book. I hated Sculpt, I wanted to crush his head and kick him while he was down...that's how angry I was. But even worse? I started to hate Emily as well. 
Honey, you're being tortured, humiliated, and beaten, why in the world are you feeling "lust-full" to the man that brought you to this situation? I wanted to slap her so she could see what was going on around her. 
There's a difference in complying so you'll survive and being dumb and wanting someone who has harmed you. Ugh! 

"You will fear me, Emily. And if you don't…I will make you."

But like all great authors, Rose turned us around again and soon I was starting to forgive Sculpt. I know it's like whiplash!

In the second half, you find out why things happened the way they did but even with the explanations (I won't give those away) I wasn't totally convinced they were justifiable. But that's just me.

Emily finally grows a backbone, Hurray!, and learns to trust those around her. It was great to see her mature and not be as whiny as she was in the novella. We have the old Sculpt back and he's just as swoon worthy and sexy as ever.

"What we had, we can't get back, Sculpt."

"We can, 'cause it never fuckin' left."

There's plenty of action, love, crying and redemption in Torn from You and even though the first half I loathed, the book was exceptional. I recommend this for everyone who wants to try something a little different, and out of their comfort zone. 

With You

With You (Tear Asunder, 0.5)
by Nashoda Rose
Rating: 4 Bows!

Sculpt is an illegal fighter.

He’s also the lead singer of a local rock band.

And from the moment I met him, he made me forget mine.

In order to convince Sculpt to give me self-defense lessons, I had to follow his one rule—no complaining or he’d walk. I didn’t think it would be a problem. I could handle a few bruises. What I hadn’t anticipated was landing on my back with Sculpt on top of me and my entire body burning up for him.

I tried to ignore it.

I failed of course. And having a hot, tattooed badass on top of me week after week, acting completely immune to what he was doing to my body—it was frustrating as hell, so I broke his rule—I complained.

Then he kissed me.

SWOON...so much sexiness! This is a short novella that comes before the actual story, Torn from You.

The romance was pretty quick, but considering it's a novella I expected that. My only problem with this story was that I felt like the author combined two really popular concepts at the moment and threw them into the story: Rock star and Fighter bad boy. 

Emily, I liked her, I didn't love her, I just liked her. She was a timid, self doubting girl through out the whole story. I get it, but come on, have a little faith in yourself. It get's tiresome after awhile. 
I gotta say though, I loved Sculpt. He was a good balance of mystery, bad boy, and all around sweet. He was delicious! Every time he would speak, I listened.

"I'm a fighter, Mouse. And I know what I want in life, and I'm not scared to take it. I want you. I'm not walking away from you." 

"Emily. You're a fuckn' trophy. My trophy." 

Major swoon...I NEED MY OWN SCULPT!

Overall it was a short introduction to the main story that I recommend you read before because you'll understand Sculpt and Emily's relationship a little better.

2013 Favorites

Hey everyone!

I hope you had a great christmas and New Years!

I thought I would do something different for this post since

I realized that most of my posts are just reviews,

I wanted to share with you a few books 

that I fell in love with in 2013.

Origin (Lux, 4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Who doesn't love a broody,sexy, love sick Damon Black?

This book was fantastic, the love story is just heart warming and I can honestly say that this is by far one of the best series I've ever read!

Sweet Peril (The Sweet Triolgy, 2) by Wendy Higgins

Forbidden love, bad boy drummer, and restrained lust...makes me swoon just thinking about it! This series takes a different route than your typical angel stories and it doesn't disappoint! I can not wait for the final installment. I love Kaiden Rowe!

Fallen Too Far (Too Far, 1) by Abbi Glines

This whole series...wow. It was phenomenal! Yes there were times where I wanted to punch a few characters (Rush*Cough*Cough) but in the end he really was the perfect guy. He is the first non mythical character that I wish existed just so that I can kiss him! :( 

Rush and Blaire's story was beautiful as it was frustrating and worth all my time! If you haven't read this series I whole-heartedly recommend you do ASAP!

Real (Real, 1) by Katy Evans

Remington Tate...I LOVE YOU. I wish you were real because I want you to be mine!! AHHH He is absolute perfection: alpha male, possessive, fighter, protective, and sweet. What more could you ask for? This story made me swoon, laugh, cry, broke my heart and then put it back together. It's perfect. 

Mine (Real, 2) by Katy Evans

The sequel to Real. It surpassed its expectations. Remington and Brooke, they are beautiful together. There story continued with love and heartache but when they are together, everything is right in the world. I loved the underlying aspect of this story (Remy's condition) and how Katy Evans proved to us that it's just another obstacle to be overcome. This series has forever touched my heart. One of my favorite series hands down. 

These are just my top 5 favorite books of 2013. The list

is probably endless but these are the books that I can 

name right off the top of my head

because I loved them so much. I hope you check these books out,

if you haven't already, and let me know what

you think.

What were your favorite books in 2013? Let me know! I'd

love to read them!

Have a happy Friday everyone!

Much love <3