ARC Review: Lord's Fall by Thea Harrison

4.5 Feathers

Lord's Fall

by Thea Harrison

(Elder Races # 5)

LORD'S FALL is a great love story with a hint of Hunger Games element with some Civil War action. As usual, Thea Harrison did not disappoint. She has given her readers a chance to peak beyond Pia and Dragos’ Happy-Ever-After (HEA) and a glance at what’s up and up with the Wyr Demesne.

It has been 7 months since Pia and Dragos have mated. If you have been following the Elder Races series, you know that Pia and Dragos are expecting Peanut and she is now taking on the role of Dragos’ mate. Her first mission is to repair the Wyr and Elves demesne’s relationship. Turns out that she’ll be doing more than just fixing a demesne quarrels, she’ll also be in the middle of a civil war between the Elves and their Ancients. Unfortunately, she will be doing this mission on her own and away from her mate. It's something both she and Dragos must overcome.

Meanwhile, at The Callubre Towers, Dragos’ Seven Sentinels are down to five. His top two, Tiago has mated with the Dark Fae Queen, Nininane aka Trix and Rune has mated with Carling, the Vampyre Queen. The need to replace them was inevitable so Dragos held the Sentinel Games. That’s right boys and girls, there will be new characters to look forward to. The Sentinel Games are pretty awesome and watching Dragos do his public appearance without Pia was pretty cute. I like that Thea keeps his character at a constant. He’s still very powerful, rich, sexy, overprotective but very sweet to his mate. He is the reason I am addicted to this series.

It was brilliant how Ms. Harrison brought Dragos and Pia back even after their HEA in Dragon Bound. This just shows you, even in our fantasy world, an HEA still needs a lot of work to keep going. There are also a few new relationships that are rekindled, few that are obviously brewing to be something more and new friendships were formed. This hopefully ensures us more of this world. If you have not read Dragon Bound, I highly suggest you do so. Pia and Dragos' characters and relationship building started there and it’s a shame to miss their courtship. 

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Iced by Karen Marie Moning

Iced

(Fever #6)

by Karen Marie Moning 

If you haven’t read the first five books of the Fever series, I strongly suggest you reconsider starting with this book. It’s not a spin-off. ICED is book 6 of the series. The events of ICED occur after some events in SHADOWFEVER. In ICED, you will encounter spoilers that will spoil the first five books, so you’ve been warned.

Readers say goodbye to Mac and Barrons (for now) and are introduced to the World of the Mega. Dani O’Malley is her name and don’t you forget it! Since the walls came down, the streets of Dublin are littered with Fae and violence. This is just one of the trubs that Dani is faced with. Dani is juggling a myriad of problems: Her ex best friend, Mac, is out to seek retribution, the Unseelie princes are dead set on killing her and Inspector Jayne has taken her sword, the only protection and weapon she has against the Fae. Like it could get any worse? KMM adds another weight to the Mega’s shoulder. Mysterious happenings are appearing all over Dublin where people are dying as they are frozen in spot, like some creepy version of freeze tag. It’s up to Dani to save what’s left of her city before it becomes too late.

I had the same concerns that I’m sure everyone else had about Dani. She’s young. 14 years old. Where does KMM think she’s going to take this story? But not surprisingly, KMM does a remarkable job of writing Dani’s POV so that it stands out without being too loud or rambunctious. There are times when Dani freaks out like a normal teen. It happens usually when she’s angry or stressed out. But I would rather have a heroine who is reacts rather than just lets things fly over her. KMM straddles the line. ICED is definitely not YA and by no means should be the norm for a young teenage girl. But that’s the thing I think people need to remember. Dani isn’t your average teen. At 14, she has seen and experienced things that have carved her into who she is today. The events from her past make her into a mouthy, independent superhero who doesn’t take shit from anyone. And I love it!

While I was reading this book, someone asked me if I was OK with all the sex that happens in this book, considering how young Dani is. My answer is: Would it really make a huge difference if she was of legal age? I doubt it. KMM’s writing is infused with rich depictions of sex and passion. If she had toned that down simply because of Dani’s age, I think readers would be furious. And if she had made Dani older, we wouldn’t have gotten the true story that KMM planned for Dani. Moning’s writing tends to cause strong reader reaction. Controversy is conflict. Needless to say, sex keeps the series interesting. And Dani’s age doesn’t define her. She has already proven that she can keep her legs closed until she decides she is ready.

Ryodan is the new man of the hour and oh my, he can nod at me anytime! Sleek and sophisticated, Ryodan’s got everything he needs to knock Barrons off that Top Alpha spot! There is so much more to learn about the boss of Chester’s and I’m definitely willing to wait another year just to find out!

I think it’s too soon to decipher who Dani will have her HEA with. But Ryodan, Christian and Dancer are definitely not bad candidates. Naturally, Ryodan gets my vote. I’m already a complete puddle of goo for him. Christian would be a good fit too but with the way he is now, I doubt the story would take the simplest route. Christian already believes that he is in love with her. If Dani suddenly decides that the she wants him, where would the story go? Dancer is like home for Dani. When she is with Dancer, she isn’t Mega the super-fast, super-smart superhero who is going to save Dublin. She’s just Dani. I’m just glad that all three of them know not just how amazing she will be when she is older, but also appreciate who she is now.

ICED just may be my favorite book of the year. Terrifyingly addictive, Karen Marie Moning has ruined me for any other author or book out there. Introducing Dani to an audience who are so passionate about the series was a risk, yet Moning has proven time and again that she is one of the premier authors of Urban Fantasy. ICED is an absolute must read!

Favorite Quote:

"This ain't no fecking campfire and cuddle!"

I was thinking along the same lines as she was. Dani just says what I'm thinking.

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC review: Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis

Rescue My Heart

(Animal Magnetism #3)

by Jill Shalvis

Adam Connelly returns from a successful S&R where he is finally able to get some much needed rest. However, upon his return, Adam is bombarded by all the things that need to be done at the animal shelter that he and his brothers own. Exhausted from lack of sleep and in a bad mood because of injury he acquired, Adam pushes everyone who wants to help him back, telling others not to bother with him. He can handle himself. But when an unexpected visitor comes back from his past, Adam is caught off guard.

Holly, his teenage love, is in his room, asking for a very big favor. Her father has gone missing in the Bitterroot Mountains and there is only one person able to track him down. Unfortunately for Holly, Adam Connelly is the last person she wants to see again. Laying eyes on him could very well break her heart...again.

Jill Shalvis is having a stellar year! With her fantastic Lucky Harbor series, she is able to transfer readers into a whole new world. I used to say that her Lucky Harbor series was my favorite of her work, but with RESCUE MY HEART, she completely blew my mind. Adam is definitely my favorite of the Animal Magnetism series so far.

The thing about Adam is that he is content with himself. He never lets his true emotions show. He experiences some panic attacks that are normal for someone who has spent time in Afghanistan. Small triggers can set him off, causing him to spiral out uncontrollably. Yet he never asks for help. I loved his stoicism because Holly does a fantastic job of slowly chipping away at that icy exterior, revealing a man worthy of love underneath. Adam Connelly is hands down my favorite hero of the series so far.

Similarly, Holly was the perfect blend of cute and feisty. I loved her attitude towards life and that even though Adam pushed her away, she never let that deter her from what she truly wanted. Shalvis has a true talent of creating dialogue between characters that is sure to make you laugh out loud and warm your hearts. It takes a talented author to set a book in the icy mountains and still have warmth and love infused throughout. RESCUE MY HEART is filled to the brim with laughter and good times. It’s the perfect feel-good read!

But despite the humor and the lightness of the book, Shalvis is still able to bring substance to her books. She addresses real-life conditions that can burden a person’s life, yet she looks at it positively, bringing hope for the readers and the characters. With her words, Jill Shalvis is able to bring forth happiness with all of her books. RESCUE MY HEART is no exception. I love it!

*ARC provided by publisher

Review: Not Planning on You by Sydney Landon

Not Planning on You

by Sydney Landon

(Danvers # 2)

 

Tags: Sweet, Claimed, Top Bitch (assuming this means the heroine was a no-nonsense, take charge kinda gal)

This was a hot, sweet, and good ride. It was a quick ride, but a good one, nonetheless. That said, it also had so many elements of what it so prominently selling right now - a book very similar in many ways to the Fifty Shades and Crossfire series. In some ways that was positive, and some ways, it was meh. But I'll get back to that in a moment.

Not Planning on You begins with our heroine, Suzy, an event planner for Danvers International located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, finding out that the uberhawt, ubersexy, all alpha male, CEO of Mericom, Grayson Merimon (Gray for short) will be spending a lot of time at Danvers in Myrtle Beach...much to her chagrin. She is still getting over the heartache of her fiance' cheating on her and putting her heart back together, and while Gray definitely sends her libido into overdrive, Suzy is not ready for a relationship or to give her heart out once again. Luckily, Gray is a very insistent man, and whittles away Suzy's strong layers, getting her to finally agree, not to a date of course, but to a night of some hot and heavy sex to help simmer the temptation that has been wracking both of them. While on their non-date, and prior to the amazing sex that is supposed to occur, Suzy has an accident, breaks an ankle, and finds herself needing to be taken care of for some time. Of course, Gray instantly takes charge, takes over, and refuses that anyone but himself take care of her.

The chemistry between Suzy and Gray jumps off the page from the get-go, and it is clear to see that they are going to set things aflame when they do finally get down to business. Suzy is a very strong, independent woman who knows who she is, what she wants, and what she doesn't. She is beautiful, full of confidence, and loves to dress in a way to show off her assets and style, topped with six inch stilettos. Gray, the dark, hot and brooding CEO, is equally as gorgeous, all male, and the perfect man in all senses of the word. After he gets Suzy back to his home (that he is able to purchase within a day, and with the mindset of making it their home eventually), his perfection goes into hyperdrive. Not only is he richer than rich and the most perfect male specimen to be found, he has a wonderful relationship with his brother and his parents, his manhood is well above average, AND he cooks from scratch. Believable for the reader? Not.At.All. Nonetheless, he takes care of Suzy, and through their time together, they get to know one another very well, and you can see how they are able to fall in love...not because they are beautiful and the sex (that they haven't yet had) is amazing, but because they really do click and enjoy each other's company.

Of course, there is always a problem in perfect-ville. For Gray and Suzy, it's Gray being stalked by a pesky ex-lover. This comes to haunt them in the worst way imaginable and drives a wedge between our hero and heroine. Are they able to survive it as a couple? You'll have to read it to find out. ;)

So going back to how Not Planning On You is similar to Fifty and Crossfire, and how that can be good and how that can be bad, I'll start with the good. It's good in that it gives the reader the perfection of man to dream about and with which to escape reality. Do we all want that? Hell yes! There are so many elements that I imagine women dream about and are enticed by: tall, dark, sexy CEO who is head over heels in love with the woman of his affections, he's rich, he does all the right things, he is blessed with his amazing manhood, AND he cooks! Sign me up, please!! Now the bad. Is it achievable? Hell no! NO ONE can be THAT perfect. Additionally, the hero's name is Gray. Really? Wow! If that doesn't send up a signal, I'm not sure what would. Also, I think the CEO part has become too cliche', and the hero should not be as well off and owning his own company. It would be nice to see that changed up a bit. Much like Fifty, too, the conflict was a bit far-fetched and way too easily overcome.

Not withstanding my minor criticisms, though, Not Planning On You was a fairly quick and enjoyable read. While some could say that Suzy and Gray fell in love too quickly, I actually enjoyed watching them fall in love in a way different than most contemporary novels these days. They didn't fall in love through their lust for one another, but because they actually spent a lot of time together, getting to know one another. And when they did finally get together, watch out! The sheets were set on fire. I also really enjoyed watching Gray fall to pieces when Suzy would say or do something to break down his hard exterior. He is definitely a kitten underneath his Tiger skin, and it was adorable to see. I also enjoyed the peripheral characters, most especially Beth and Nick, who I can only assume might be the main characters in the next Danvers novel. I know I will be reading it to find out.

*Review copy provided by publisher

Review: Nobody's Perfect by Kallypso Masters

4.5 Feathers

Nobody's Perfect

by Kallypso Masters

(Rescue Me # 4)

I have been procrastinating in writing this review because I feel that I need to write something amazing to explain how I felt.  But now I realized that is not what's going to happen, so I'm just going to tell you how this book made me feel.  And in my opinion, when a book can move you, make you connect, engage you to the point that it feels as if you know these characters and you care so much for their well being, not just for their happily ever after... then that is greatness!

That's how I feel about the Rescue Me series in general.  I have come to care for each and every character in this series because they are all so damaged and have gone through so much hardship in their lives, that I just want to be part of the happiness when they get there.  A perfect example of that has been Damian and Savannah.

I won't get into the background too much from previous books, will focus on this book.  Savannah comes back to Damian with their daughter in tow, running away from her father and his right hand man.  From California to Denver, with no money and battered.  Savannah is strength personified.  Damian takes them in without knowing Mari is his daughter and just tries to protect them and care for Savi.

But she is so damaged.  I don't think we had a clue, even though we had a slight idea, of what Savannah has gone through in her life.  This book and her story brought tears to my eyes many times, even again as I write this.  I admit that I had to take breaks from reading this book and good thing I had something light and funny to read in between.  It is deep and emotional.  To find out what she's been through, to see her go through healing, to see her deal with her triggers, to see her break down.  And she had to break down before she was able to start putting herself back together.

The way the author told her and Damian's story was so believable and realistic.  Never jumping too fast ahead that you wouldn't believe Savannah could do it.  I think all around the research that went into this book shows, because the scenes Damian picked, the reasoning behind them and how he executed them...everything leads me to see how this lifestyle has a lot of healing in these situations.

Damian also has his story and his issues.  Some are just in his mind and some are physical.  Ms. Masters deals with those as well.  This is not an easy book to read, it is very emotional, but once you go are done reading it, you'll be happy you did.  And I do have to add that O.M.G. Damian is so hot, if he wasn't perfect for Savannah I would seriously consider looking for him and stealing him.

And if you're wondering why this is a 4.5 review and not a 5, I can only say that is personal preference.  My heart ached for Savannah to find happiness and I think I would've liked to see a little more in between her darkness where she had a happy moment.  Even if it was a moment where they interacted with Mari more.  I think I personally needed some light to break up the darkness, earlier in the book.

I think from now on I will call Ms. Masters "The Queen of Making Me Cry!" from sadness or happiness alike.  NOBODY'S PERFECT is just an amazing healing and love story, because at the core, love did conquer all for both and saved them. 

Favorite Quotes:

"I care, Savi.  I understand.  Let me help."

"He fought the urge to mouth 'I love you' to her, but didn't want to scare her off.  So he just mentally tattooed the words on his heart, instead."

"Savi held onto his wounded leg, wrapping both arms around it and laid her forehead against his knee.  She wished she could shed tears for him, but she hadn't been able to cry in...forever."

"You said you had nightmares."
His hand stilled on her head and he stopped breathing for a moment.  "A few.  Over time, though, I chose to dream about you...us...and the nightmares faded some."
"So that's why you call me mi sueño.  Your dream.  Oh Damian." They'd missed so much.

"Don't call me a victim.  I'm a survivor."

"It will never be okay.  I will never be okay.  I'm too broken."
"Nobody's perfect, Savi.  Hell, look at me.  But you'll always be perfect to me."

"Nobody's perfect, mi sueño, but you're about as close to perfection as I've ever known."

"I never forgot you, Savannah.  Not for a single day."

"Marisol told me once you'd forgotten you were a princess.  I just wanted to make sure you never forget again.  You're my princess, Savita.  I'll never let anything happen to you.  I'll slay your dragons.  I'll chase away the demons that invade your sleep - and, trust me, I know they will come -  but they're no match for me, my love.  I'll be there for you no matter what - if you'll let me be."

*Review copy provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon