A MONSTER LIKE ME by Pamela Sparkman
Heart of Darkness series #2
HELLO STRANGER by Lisa Kleypas
The Ravenels series #4
THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT by Emma Scott
Companion to the Full Tilt series
PLAYING FOR KEEPS by Jill Shalvis
Heartbreaker Bay series #7
UNWRITTEN by Jen Frederick
Woodlands series #5
Cross My Heart by L.H. Cosway
Hearts series #5.75
MOONSHADOW by Thea Harrison
Moonshadow series #1
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Review: Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5) by Jennifer Estep
Gwen Frost is back and she ain't afraid to kick some Reapers' asses!
I was provided with an advanced electronic copy of this book in return of an honest review. This review will be also posted on Smokin’ Hot Book Blog closer to the release date.
As always, at the beginning of my Mythos Academy Review, my great respects go to Jennifer Estep for creating this shamelessly enjoyable read, that will be one of my favorites young adult series forever. She’ve done fantastic job with Midnight Frost, and I feel miserable thinking that Gwen’s shenanigans will end soon. There’s only one book left! Killer Frost will be released in March 2014 and then I’ll hope for spin-off.
Anyway Gwen is back and she’ s not afraid to kick some Reapers’ asses. She’s heartbroken over what happened between her and Logan, and despite the fact she’s moping and brooding, she’s doing everything she can to find artifacts and kill Loki.
Now, that everyone know she’s Nike Champion, she’s a priceless target for every Reaper and so are her friends. Between classes, trainings with Oliver and work in Library she’s trying to find a way to save the world. Mix it with heartache, nightmares and bloodthirsty Vic, Gwen has to grow up really fast. Which she does.
Midnight Frost is different than rest of the series. It’s a book about growing up, adventure and picking up the pieces of Gwen’s life.
I loved everything, the storyline was intriguing and fast paced, characters amusing and good written. I’m looking forward to 6th installment.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Review: Spark by Brooke Cumberland
2 stars
Spark is a novel with great potential, that unfortunately was not used even in 10%. This book could easily mesmerize me and be fantastic read but author decided to go another road and this spectacular premise could not handle it, it was just crashed by things that weren’t necessary.
Fantastic blurb made me believe Spark will rock my world, but unfortunately it only made me frustrated and sad. People who supposed to help author with eliminating unnecessary things haven’t done their job. My biggest issue was the fact that there were so many events I couldn’t keep up! It was like bad soap opera where things go from bad to fucking terrible.
The story follows Velaney, 23 year old woman who one night was caught in the fire. Thanks to her hot neighbor who happens to be firefighter she’s alive. He goes to her bedroom and helps her out of the house. And I loved how it started! But after that things went a little downhill…
In only four chapters main character, Valaney meets Eric five or six times. Almost every encounter ended in Eric rescuing Valeney from fire, bar brawl, getting lost in the woods, when she knocked herself on the butt while running and so on. It was absolutely irritating to see her acting like silly damsel in distress. Every damn time.
Velaney feels toward Eric instant attraction that easily changes into insta love, despite the fact she act like she doesn’t care about him at all, it was plain to see how she really feel. Add to the mix, she has a terrible past that hunts her and another situations where she’s helpless and Eric rescues her, there’s nothing I haven’t seen before.
Oh, yeah, there’s a fact that this sexy tattoed firefighter isn’t as smokin’ as I thought he would be, cause he acts like a totall creeper! He just walks inside Velaney apartment every time he feels like it, is almost everywhere where she is like knight in shining armour, waiting for her to fall on her butt to ‘take care’ of her. I mean, what the fuck is that?
Another thing that I despised is the fact that writing is too fast, there’s several things happening at once, I couldn’t connect with characters and I was so mad because of that!
I wish there were more to Eric and Velaney relationship and that there wouldn’t be cliffhanger which was forced! All situation with Aiden is horrible and it’s definitely not well thought.
But there were nice enough moments to make you forget for a while about errors, I loved sex scenes which were enough to show affection and to turn you on.
Overall, I wish someone helped out the author and gave a few tips how to change this soap opra drama to really entertaining and beautiful story, because Spark definitely could melt few hearts.
Review: Redemption of Callie and Kayden (Coincidence #2) by Jessica Sorensen
The time for Redemption has come. It’s time for beauty to be reborn from the ashes.
Jessica Sorensen created stunning sequel to the one of the best 2012 books. Spectacular story of Callie and Kayden is continued in the same flawless way as the previous novel. Heartbreaking, touching or affecting are only few words that can describe this tear- jerking story of damaged teenagers.
"I realize how perfect we are for each other and also how disastrous we could end up being. Because even though we can help each other pick up the pieces of our lives, we could also break at the same time and then nothing would be left to catch us as we crumble."
After mind shattering cliffhanger at the end of first book, I thought nothing in Callie and Kayden’s story could move me more. I was painfully wrong. It was only the beginning. This time I saw another aspect of the plot, that is clearly deeper and more psychological.
"He’s looking at me, and I mean really looking at me, and
there’s this connection, this understanding that we are two people
who have been fractured, not by ourselves but by someone else
and we’re doing everything we can to not shatter to pieces."
Now, we get more than romance between two young and broken people. Redemption is emotional portrait, a journey into damaged souls that seek love. Every page is filled with something moving. This book bleeds emotions.
Fear. Loneliness. Pain. Regret.
In this painful story, Jessica Sorensen showed another side of herself and I adore her for that even more. Redemption is spectacular read worth every tear and aching heart.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Review: Escaping Me by Elizabeth Lee
** ARC provided by an author in echange for honest review**
Escaping me is another worth buying summer read that make you all warm and fuzzy with optimistic emotions. From the first page I was hooked and wanted to know more about main characters, because of the great way they were created. Nice setting, amusing characters and really well bulit plot make Escaping me enjoyable romance story!
There is nothing better than a summer read that make you all giddy and Elizabeth Lee’s book is exactly like this. I had a blast reading Whitney and Cole’s story and literally cannot wait to find out if rest of Lee’s books are as good as this one.
Whitney is 19 year old daughter of a rich lawyer and woman who has her own buisness on a small farm. After her parents divorce she decided to stay with her father. Now, she’s doing everything she can to not disappoint him. Being a perfect daughter and girlfriend is tiring so after she catches her boyfriend cheating she comes to spend vacation with her mother and sister.
There she has a chance to take a deep breath and start to live a life she wants to have. No more doing want people want, no more agreeing to everything her father wants. She escapes from the girl she is to find her true self.
Cole calls himself white trash. No one has ever believed in him or loved him. His problems with anger and figths as well as tattooes and piercings make him nobody in eyes of his family. After another incident that sends him to jail his brother has enough of his crap and sends him away. Now, in new small town when no one knows him, Cole tries to lay low.
How bad that he has to be unforunate enough to meet Whitney, because meeting this beautiful and unique woman can only cause trouble.
Whitney is a girl who knows a way to make him want to be better person. Man good enough for her.
Can both of them change their ways and find happiness? Is there a chance for Whitney to finally live her life the way she wants to and for Cole to accept himself?
Escaping me is a sweet romance that also touches another deep topic - finding a way to live. It’s hard to say no or make your own decision. It’s also hard to not give a fuck what other people think.
Overall, I loved this book! It’s passionate, funny, sweet and everything I looked for. Whitney and Cole’s relationship and their stories are fantastic way to spend the day.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Review: Like Falling by Jaden Wilkes
Like Falling is story that easily can be hated and loathed. Unfortunately I am all the way in Team Haters. Usually when a book catches my eye and makes me anticipate reading it my expectations are pretty high. So imagine my deep frustration and disappointment when I started getting pissed off at heroine, plot, romance interest and generally at almost every aspect of this book.
I feel like a jerk writing this, but it is the truth. Like Falling is totall mind fuck for readers who despise naive, not likeable characters. Even thinking about some of Sarah’s actions make me want to hurl. Ygh. How is that possible you can love idea of book but reading it is like pure torture?
In few words Like Falling is about a girl who lives in Mennonite Community. She’s suposed to be good Innocent girl and in the future perfect catholic, wife and mother. And then she goes to college, everything is like this: GOOD GIRL GONE BAD in a matter of seconds.
Our sweet, naive girl starts to think only about GETTING LAID. It is like she finally woke up and thought: „Hey I have a vagina I need to get rid of my hymen, because it’s so boring to be virgin! Who’s a volunteer?” and „I can say pussy, fuck and cock! It so fucking cool”
I mean really?
Ugh. Sarah wants only to have sex. That’s all. All freakin’ plot!!!
Her relationship with Tyr is only about sex and I really didn’t feel any good emotions toward him. Author tried really hard to create hot romance interest but I was so disgusted by Sarah I couldn’t connect with him at all.
Usually I love sexy parts, as you can see in my previous reviews I can die happy girl after some hot book action, but after reading about Sarah’s sexscapades and her totally silly comments I couldn’t handle them. There were parts I totally didn’t understand, like situation with Adam.
„Sarah was shocked and a little upset, but intrigued. She hadn’t thought about daytime sex. What about seeing each other totally naked in the broad daylight? She imagined herself stripping naked in front of a man, and Tyr’s face popped into her mind. No no no, Adam, it’s got to be Adam, she forced herself to think about removing her bra and panties and crawling along the bed towards Adam.”
„She didn’t even want to think about their physical relationship, she might become bitter thinking of her own lack of sex. I just want to know what it feels like, is that too much to ask?”
She was completely clueless at this point, she had seen videos and read as much as possible, but nothing would prepare her for the actual act of sex. Even her vocabulary was limited, she felt foolish even talking to him about it. What should she call their body parts?
Overall, Like Falling is bitter disappointment. I was expecting wonderful and deep coming-of-age story about finding yourself in true, big, bad world. Instead I got novel about heroine that was plain silly. It's lack of depth, true feeling and love that didn't really exist. It was sad to read a book about someone who can't find love because it's mixed with lust.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Review: Unbreakable by Rebbeca Shea
Unbreakable is a story that definitely can allure lot of readers. Eye catching cover, great sounding premise and several positive reviews, really work magic. Rebbeca Shea’s novel is something that totally goes with the New Adult flow. Unfortunately, for a reader who have read so many new adult contemporaries, Unbreakable just vanishes from mind only a couple of minutes after you finish. It’s not bad book, I defintely won’t start bitching about, but it is not something worth my bows or gratidute. I guess, Unbreakable is just meh kind of novel.
I haven’t got anything I haven’t seen before. Every aspect of Shea’s novel is something that I’ve read earlier. If I haven’t got my hands on so many fantastic new adult romance novels before this one, I would love this story.
Gabe & Jess know each other from the time they were children. Jess is the best friend of Gabe’s little sister and person that is like a part of family. So when both of them start to have deeper feelings for each other they don’t act on it, because of the fear of losing friendship and closure. But one summer things got pretty much heated and their attraction as well as love can’t be denied.
Gabe
Jess
First half is sweet heart warming romance. Everything is beautiful, from time to time mystical, glittery unicorn will show along side with some perky rainbows. Romance is bloosoming, characters are likeable enough, sex pretty hot too, but… it was too much touchy feely for me! It was kind of… boring, I guess? How good life could be before something will fuck this up. Which of course will happen.
After that things are little bit dramatic. We have heart breaking moments, gritty and raw situations and start of dreaded love triangle. Some time in the story we’ll meet London, sexy police officer, who will want Jess for himself. And all this love triangle yada, yada.
London:
I can’t say it’s not enjoyable book, it is just so not worth remembering. After few moments I couldn’t remember some plot twists or name of characters, which I suppose mean that I wasn’t into it at all. Lately I want something mind blowing and totally unique and Unbreakable was not this book.
Overall, people who don’t mind sugarcoated pretty little romance stories, will really enjoy Shea’s work. Readers who have had his/her share of old scheme in new adult, will be disappointed. Three stars feel like merciful rating for the book, that easily will be forgotten.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Review: See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1) by Michelle Graves
Review:
Copy provided by an author in exchange for honest review
See How She Runs is mystery, fantasy and a dose of sweet romance that will rock your world, just like it did to mine!
After reading only a few pages I was instantly hooked on the story and the protagonist.
Izzy is strong, witty, smart woman that lives in Chicago and is a bike Messenger. Her quirkiness makes her very likeable, which made connecting with her easy.
Izzy lives with her sexy best friend Kennan, who’s a delicious eye candy and really protective. I instantly fell in love in him! He’s got golden heart and the fact that he is major hottie only makes me want him more ;)
Grave’s characters are really well developed and every of them has different personality that made me love them more. Which is a big puls for me!The other thing that’s captivating and made me read faster is unique plot, that enchanted me.
One day Izzy delivers a package to strange man, that really creeps her out. After accidentaly touching his hand she knows she has to stay away from him.
When Kennan finds out about it her life drastically change. Kennan isn’t exactly who she thought he is, her life isn’t quite normal and she is in great danger… Now, she has to run.
She enters a world of danger, evil, Seers and Guardians.
There were mere moments when I felt like some things were a little bit rushed and I couldn’t grasp them easily. I also wish I could get more romance and descriptions of feelings, it would made Grave’s writing more seductive.
Overall, See how she runs is a little hidden gem that needs to be discovered! Amazingly mysterious cover is only a small taste of what you’ll get and a great promise of mystical world like no other. Extremely enjoyable Urban Fantasy story that will make your heart beat faster and shows you a world you’ve never seen before.
Solid 4 star read!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Blog Tour: Just Human by Kerry Heavens
Review:
ARC provided by an author in exchange for honest review. This review will be also posted on 25th July on Smokin’ Hot Book Blog
Sweet. Loveable. Entertaining. Everything Second Chance Romance Fan needs.
Just human is enjoyable second chance romance that will capture your attention and warm your heart. It’s really realistc story, that can happen to all of us and that makes it even more enchanting read.
Olivia is twenty nine year old owner of a bar, who lives in UK. She’s trying to find stability and love, but her relationships end in terrible way. After another disaster she wants to relax and stop getting into bad relationships.
And then, when she’s on Facebook, she gets a message… message that will change her life and open the door for memories she tried hard to push away…
You have 1 new message from Danny Morgan.
From: Danny Morgan 23rd March
Hey! I was reminded of you today. How is life?
Add me if you feel like chatting to an old friend.
Danny x
Danny is Liv’s first. First love, first kiss, first touch… 12 years ago he moved to US and their relationship was destroyed. Now after getting simple message via social networking site they can have their second chance. Can they?
“I don’t have any idea what I want for my future, but I know I want you. I’m twenty-nine years old and I haven’t had a relationship with anyone that’s even come close to having a lifelong future, except with you, but we were too young. We’re adults now and I have you back, I can’t pass up a second chance like this. I can see my future with you Liv, and if you feel the same way, then we have to try.”
Just Human plot is really simple, but in a way it makes it better. Reading it is like living Liv’s life for a little while. You can’t help but wonder about your first teenage love. Keary Heavens created funny, sweet and heart warming novel mixed with great steaminess. I can highly recommend it for fans of Second Chance Stories who won’t be disappointed by it.
Cover Reveal: The Only One by Megan Vernon
And here is it, stunning cover of The Only One:
ABOUT
THE ONLY ONE:
Honor student, manager at the campus coffee shop,
owner of an impressive sweater collection – Melanie Wilder has it all together.
Then John “John Boy” Walden strolls into her life wearing nothing more than an
impish grin and all-too-revealing loin cloth.
Soon, make-out sessions replace homework, lust triumphs over work. And to further crumble her perfect world, an unexpected phone call threatens to take away everything she’s worked for.
Now, as Melanie struggles to pick up the pieces, she realizes that John may be the only one to put her life back together…unless he shatters it first.
Soon, make-out sessions replace homework, lust triumphs over work. And to further crumble her perfect world, an unexpected phone call threatens to take away everything she’s worked for.
Now, as Melanie struggles to pick up the pieces, she realizes that John may be the only one to put her life back together…unless he shatters it first.
ABOUT
MAGAN VERNON:
Magan
Vernon is a Young Adult and New Adult writer who lives with her family in the
insurance capital of the world. When not writing she spends her time fighting
over fake boyfriends via social media.
You can find her online at www.maganvernon.com.
You can find her online at www.maganvernon.com.
Links:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MaganVernon
Facebook fan page- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Magan-Vernon/215620155165079
Blog - www.maganvernon.com
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/authormagan/boards/
Excerpt:
I looked
around the basement, sipping whatever concoction some guy poured out of a
cooler. He called it a ‘magic potion’ and I hoped that didn’t mean he rufied
it. I don’t know how Monica talked me into this.
A horde
of girls clad in nothing more than lingerie pushed past me as if I were nothing
more than another one of the paddles on the paneled wall. I tried to pull back
but then I came face to chest with a set of abs and felt all of the magic
potion cascade down my cardigan.
I gasped
once the cold liquid soaked through both my layers and hit my skin.
“Too
bad, that was such a nice sweater…” A deep voice said.
I looked
up, all the way past the chiseled six pack and to a pair of cool blue eyes.
“Maybe you should just take it off up in my room and I can help you dry off.”
He leaned in, his full lips right on my ear. “Or make you wetter.”
My
breath caught in my throat, rendering me speechless. Luckily my best friend
Monica jumped between us, pushing the guy back so I got a full view of him and
realized he was only wearing a loin cloth and a large smile.
"Down
John Boy." She scowled at him and then turned to me, almost knocking her
beret off. "What the hell happened to you?"
"I-I-I
spilled my drink."
Monica's
eyes narrowed as she looked down at the red liquid soaking through my gray
sweater. She whipped her head around to the loin cloth clad guy. "Was this
your fault? Are you trying to get my friend naked?"
He held
up his hands, a cockeyed grin on his face. "Purely an accident, Lib."
Ah, now
I knew where I’d seen him before. He had come into the coffee shop we worked at
a few times. I don’t think he even glanced in my direction more than to hand me
his student ID to pay, but was always calling Monica ‘Lib.’ I’m guessing
because she was an extreme liberal.
Monica's
boyfriend, the governor's son Trey Chapman, pushed through the crowd. When I
usually saw him he was polished in dress pants and a dress shirt, but his
Halloween costume was nothing more than a pair of American flag boxers, a dress
shirt, and some gray hairspray. He looked ridiculous. I still don't know how
Monica talked him into the Clinton and Lewinsky couples costumes.
"Hey,
I’ve been looking for you." He slipped his arm around Monica's waist.
"What's going on here?"
"Your
big brother here spilled a drink on Melanie to try and get her naked."
"Hey!"
John yelled.
"It
wasn't his fault," I piped in. "It’s crowded here and he just ran
into me. It’s fine."
"Fine?"
Monica raised her eyebrows. "That Hermione costume you've been wearing
since middle school is covered in ever clear and Kool aid. That’s not
fine."
"I
haven't worn this since middle school!" Okay, truth was, it was my go-to
costume. I bought it for the first movie's midnight showing and wore it for
every movie opening and Halloween since.
"Whatever." Monica turned her head to Trey and tugged on his
shirt. "You can just wear Trey's shirt."Tuesday, July 23, 2013
NA Readathon Challenge
Welcome to Smokin’ Hot Book Blog!
Thanks to awesome NA
Readathon I’m hostng for you Mini Challenge called Character Twitter Bio. Rules
are pretty simple!
Character Twitter Bio is where participants choose a
character from a New Adult book and write a twitter style 140 character bio for
them. This is something nice and easy that everyone can be
involved in and is also just a little bit of fun :)
To win ebook copy of Speak Easy by Melanie Harlow post a
comment with your Twitter Bio, I’ll pick one of the most interesting Bio, so be
creative!
This giveaway is open ONLY to NA Read-a-thon participants.
And they are only eligible for the prize if they have linked up to their
sign-up posts via the linky.
This Giveaway is open only 24 hours!
Temptation is everywhere.
It's July, 1923. By day twenty-year-old Tiny O’Mara works for her father’s smalltime bootlegging operation. By night she craves the roll-your-stockings-down lifestyle of a flapper, but with her mother gone, she’s usually stuck at home with two younger sisters—until her father is kidnapped by a mobster in Detroit's exploding organized crime scene, and it’s Tiny who has to come up with the ten-thousand-dollar ransom.
In one week.
Enzo DiFiore’s screen-idol looks and dangerous charm leave her breathless, even though he’s the son of the mobster holding her father hostage. But when the forbidden spark between them refuses to burn out, she tries to use their powerful attraction to buy more time.
And then there’s Joey Lupo, the irritatingly handsome pest from her childhood who’s got the street smarts Tiny needs to smuggle enough booze to make a quick ten grand. But he’s got his own agenda where gang rivalries are concerned, and despite his promise to protect her, Tiny isn’t sure she can trust Joey—or stop her growing feelings for him.
To save her father’s life, she’ll have to choose between them. But deciding whom to trust isn’t easy in a world where everyone wants something—be it booze, money, power, or sex—and no one cares what it takes to get it.
It's July, 1923. By day twenty-year-old Tiny O’Mara works for her father’s smalltime bootlegging operation. By night she craves the roll-your-stockings-down lifestyle of a flapper, but with her mother gone, she’s usually stuck at home with two younger sisters—until her father is kidnapped by a mobster in Detroit's exploding organized crime scene, and it’s Tiny who has to come up with the ten-thousand-dollar ransom.
In one week.
Enzo DiFiore’s screen-idol looks and dangerous charm leave her breathless, even though he’s the son of the mobster holding her father hostage. But when the forbidden spark between them refuses to burn out, she tries to use their powerful attraction to buy more time.
And then there’s Joey Lupo, the irritatingly handsome pest from her childhood who’s got the street smarts Tiny needs to smuggle enough booze to make a quick ten grand. But he’s got his own agenda where gang rivalries are concerned, and despite his promise to protect her, Tiny isn’t sure she can trust Joey—or stop her growing feelings for him.
To save her father’s life, she’ll have to choose between them. But deciding whom to trust isn’t easy in a world where everyone wants something—be it booze, money, power, or sex—and no one cares what it takes to get it.