Review: Him by Carey Heywood

Title: Him
Author: Carey Heywood
Release Date: 2nd July
Rating: 3 stars

Summary:




Sarah Miller hasn’t been home in seven years. She thought she could stay away forever. If it wasn’t for her big brother's wedding, that is. Part of her even feels silly for staying away this long. It's not like anyone even knew what happened. Well, except for him.

That guy. The one she compared all others to. The one who set the bar so high no other guy after him could even compete. The one who made her feel like anything was possible. The one she thought she would never be good enough for. The one she spent the last seven years trying to forget.
All she needs to do is make it through the next week without running into him.


Review:

BEFORE READING

For those who still don’t know, it was released earlier! I just got my copy. It sounds faaaaantastic, don’t ya think?
It’ll be my first book by Carey Heywood so I’m a little nervous, because I really want to love it, so crossing my fingers.
Just look at this cover! The only men that are equally sexy to tattooed ones are these in suit ;) Smokin’!


AFTER READING:

HIM - Second Chance Romance Story means you know the drill



It’ll be short review, cause I don’t know what to write exactly. Still trying to decide if like it or like it not so much.


Him is a typical second chance romance kind of story, and the longer I’m thinking about it the more common it seems. Like the millions second chance romance stories before it’s exactly the same as everything I’ve read before in that type of romance. There wasn’t anything I can say I hated , because there are no such things. It’s like with a radio pop song, it’s not what you’d listen to normally, you definitely would not buy a CD or go to concert, but when you drive and there it is, you’d type your fingers and sing the words. You can’t say you hate it, but do you love it? No.
Anyway, Him is a metamorphic pop song, you can say it’s Gangam Style, good to dance to, everyone knows it, and it’s like hundred other songs of this type. Nothing special, but still enjoyable.

But I have to say I really swooned over Will. And he makes me give this book one more star than I'd normally give.

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Branded Blog Tour Smokin' Hot Book Blog Stop

Title: Branded

Author: Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Release Date: June 28, 2013

Genre: Mature Young Adult, Dystopian

Welcome on another Branded Blog Tour Stop! Smokin’ Hot Book Blog is honored to host such amazing book here! It’s sizzling! This spectacular book will turn you into pile of mush! 

Book Description:

Twenty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.
The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

My Review:

 First of all I wanted to say Thank you to Abi Ketner & Missy Kalcicki for giving me a chance to read Branded earlier, you have no idea how much I enjoyed reading this book.

Branded is scorching hot debut novel that will blown you away. Twist your insides and melt you to the puddle on the floor, and when you turn the page with shaking hands it will do the same, but with twice as much strength. It's action packed and has lot of gut wrenching moments, and of course a forbbiden romance. Romance that's changed lifes forever.



Branded is story about 18 years old Lexi that fights for her life. She's been accused of one of the sins and sentenced to spend her life in the most evil place in her world. The Hole. Hole is filled with people that commited seven deadly sins: Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, Pride. The Commader has forbbiden to act on them and if someone will be caught, he or she will have to spend the rest o their life fighting to survive in the pirson and there's no way or hope for them to escape. The Sinners are branded and thrown into The Hole, there is no way around it. In the world were Commander rules every life is at risk.

Lexi is a strong heroine, a fighter to the end. She strongly believes in her opinions, and protects the ones she loves. Very quickly I've became her fan number 1. In The Hole she was assigned to the guard named Cole. His job was to protect her, but he doesn't know why.

Lexi quickly realizes that Cole is different from other guards, he's not only handsome and sexy, but also has something good in him. She's attracted to him like a moth to the flame, but she knows she can't act on her feelings, because romance between Sinner and the Guard is forbbiden. If you're accused of it, you'll be tortured to death.



"I never planned on falling for you. You were just an assignment. But it just sort of happened and now... There's not a single thing I would change about you. When you smile, my entire world stops. All I see is you. I need you."


I can't express how much I loved Branded, it has everything I love in dysthopian books, strong heroine, sexy as hell romance interest, forbbiden love and evil villain. It's phenomenal start to the series and Must Read of 2013.

Author Bios:

Abi Ketner Is a registered nurse with a passion for novels, the beaches of St. John, and her Philadelphia Phillies. A talented singer, Abi loves to go running and spend lots of time with her family. She currently resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband, triplet daughters and two very spoiled dogs.

Melissa Kalicicki received her bachelor’s degree from Millersville University in 2003. She married, had two boys and currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Aside from reading and writing, her interests include running and mixed martial arts. She also remains an avid Cleveland sports fan.

Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredible adventure.

Links:
twitter @abiandmiss.com 

website and blog www.abiandmissy.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AbiandMissy

goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17402117-branded

Branded Book Trailer:
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtM0cwRMqLM

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Review: A Night To Forget by Jessica Wood

Title: A Night To Forget
Author: Jessica Wood
Release Date: 20th June
Rating: 2 stars
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Summary:

A Night to Forget is the first book in the two-book series, Emma's Story. The second book in this series, The Day to Remember is scheduled to be released in August 2013.

What happens in Cancun doesn’t always stay in Cancun.

When Emma Anderson and her friends decided to spend their senior year Spring Break in Cancun, she expected some crazy memories to end their final college days. What Emma didn’t expect was to meet Brandon Fisher. Tall and sexy, with dimples that would make any girl swoon, Brandon Fisher was literally the man of Emma’s dreams. She couldn't quite believe that this stranger, who seduced her every night in her dreams, actually existed.

After serendipitously bumping into each other, Emma could not resist Brandon’s pull and spent an unforgettable night with him. Passing it off as a spring break fling, Emma never expected to see Brandon again. But when she started her first day at her new job a few months later, there he was. The only problem was, Brandon didn’t even remember her.


Review:

ARC received from publisher , All Night Reads via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review

Closer to 1.5

A night To Forget by Jessica Wood is story about 22 year old Emma who lost her virginity in Cancun with a man she’s head over heels in love with. But that one night haven’t bloomed into something more than one night of passion. Now, few months after her spring fling she’s starting her new job and bumps into her ex-lover.

I hate writing not nice enough reviews, because I actually don’t like to waste my time on typing my opinion about something I want to erase from my mind. Unfortunately Jessica Wood’s story has to be put in this category. Being entirely honest I have to confess that A Night To Forget is weird and boring. Plot is constructed on Emma who are saving herself for a man of her dreams and when she ‘magically’ meets him on her spring break, she decide to give him her V-card. Please, what the heck is that?

I couldn’t connect with Emma, who acted like a 14 year old girl instead of full-grown woman. She acts like life and love’s supposed to be rainbows and unicorns. It was pathetic to see how she acted around Brandon or how she was not ready for sex with her steady boyfriend but spent the night with a complete stranger. That’s just… plain stupid, naïve, selfish, unwise, thoughtless.
And to be even more daft Brandon is Emma’s new boss and totally don’t remember deflowering her. He doesn’t know who she is. WTF is that? It’s delusional.

The writing also is an issue. I was actually shocked someone older than 14 wrote it and that it was edited and published.
Overall, The Night To Forget is a total cliché. If it was longer, I wouldn’t have finished it.

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Review: The Ballerina & The Fighter by Ursula Sinclair

Title: The Ballerina & The Fighter
Author : Ursula Sinclair
Release Date: July 1st
Rating: 3,75 stars
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Summary:

I travel through life dancing.

All I ever wanted to do was dance, as did my best friend. We'd made so many plans together, but one night an explosion changed it all. Only one of us survived, and I promised myself I'd succeed for us both. And I did, until an accident almost ruined my career, but Maze came back into my life when I needed him most. He pulled me out of the depths of my despair. But could I save him now?

I travel through life fighting.

It had always been Ivy; from the first moment I saw her leaping through the air like she had wings to lift her from the ground. But she was my dream, something I wanted more than anything else in my life. I promised myself I would stay away from her. Violence followed me everywhere and I tried to keep her far away from it. She was my point of illumination in the dark tumultuous world I lived in. But I could not stay away from her. Not when I knew she needed me. As much as I needed her. But could she accept me as I am?

New Adult Contemporary 18+


Review:  
 
** copy provided by an author in exchange for honest review **

Ursula Sinclair’s novel is sensual story about two very different people that are trying to find a way to be together.

"You’re perfect to me. Don’t go"

Ivy and Maze meet for the first time when they’re teenagers on the beach. They instantly attracted to each other and start to feel things they never really thought are possible. Unfortunately after few weeks together they lose contact and start to life with regret of not giving each other a proper chance.

Ivy is ballerina. She’s beautiful young woman, who’s like feather. Light, slim, full of grace and elegance. She makes ballet the most spectacular dance ever. She breathes dance and create art by her movements.





Maze is fighter. He’s strong, possessive as well as protective. He practices martial arts from the childhood and he’s very good at kicking ass.

Ivy and Maze are opposites to each other. She’s light and graceful to his strong and caring. They’re like magnets. Even five years after their fling they’re still thinking about each other.

The Ballerina and The Fighter is enjoyable romance. Being entirely honest I have to confess I have mixed feelings about this book. It’s not bad read and I’m quite sure lots of people will love it, but it wasn’t exactly what I needed.

There are things I enjoyed immensely. Especially the author’s love of ballet. You can see and feel it only by reading Sinclair’s descriptions. I have never danced, I’m too tall and clumsy for that, but I really want to try it, because of this book. Another thing I adored is relationship between Maze and Ivy, I’m glad I could read alternative point of views. And the sex scenes are sizzling.

I didn’t like that some things are rushed, I just couldn’t connect with the rest of the story. Some characters need pimping.

Overall, 3.75 star for creativity, well written relationship and steamy factor. 

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Review: Love Thy Neighbour (Friend-Zoned #2) by Belle Aurora

Title: Love Thy Neighbour (Friend-Zoned #2)
Author: Belle Aurora
Release Date: June 26th
Rating: 5 stars
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Summary:

Asher 'Ghost' Collins and Natalie Kovac shared a passionate night together. One neither of them can forget.

So why is it so hard for them to be around each other?

With no hope of the two getting along they decide to go their separate ways. And somehow end up closer than they've ever been.

Will friendship ever be enough for the pair?

Review:


Friend-Zoned is back and Belle Aurora knows how to put her readers ‘ panties in twist as well as make them laugh!

You can read here my review of first book in Friend –Zoned Series.


This girl. She’s my girl. She’s not perfect. Neither am I. But she’s perfect for me, and I’ll do anything I can to keep her."

Love Thy Neighbor is as good, amusing and sexy as her precursor. Everything I Ioved in Tina and Nik’s story is present in Ghost and Nat book which makes it highly worth reading. Along with Wall banger Love Thy Neighbor is the funniest book I’ve read this year.

Natalie:



I love her witty personality and brutal honesty. She’s fantastic, easygoing and full of optimism.

Asher aka Ghost

Secretive man. Oozes sexiness. Hot as fuck male. Yum.

Everything started about a year ago when they shared quick passionate sex in conference room, after that things started falling apart. They can’t forget about each other and how their bodies worked good together, but they still decide to avoid contact. Despite this, sexual attraction between them is still in full swing and nothing will make them stop wanting and needing each other.





“Say it, baby.”
It dawns on me and with a small smile, I tell him sincerely, “I love you, Asher Collins.”
Looking pained, he closes his eyes and rests his forehead on mine. He whispers, “Don’t deserve you. Not even a bit. But as long as you want me, you got me.”
My eyes close and I whisper, “Don’t leave me. Ever.”
“Never. You’re my girl,”


With great storyline, unique and hilarious humor, excessive characters Love Thy Neighbor is a book every fan of good contemporary romance will enjoy immensely. It’s great entertainment.

 

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Review: Avery (The Chronicles of Kaya #1) by Charlotte McConaghy

Title: Avery (The Chronicles of Kaya #1)
Author: Charlotte McConaghy
Release Date: 1st July 2013
Rating: 5 stars

Summary: 

The people of Kaya die in pairs. When one lover dies, the other does too. So it has been for thousands of years – until Ava.

For although her bondmate, Avery, has been murdered and Ava’s soul has been torn in two, she is the only one who has ever been strong enough to cling to life. Vowing revenge upon the barbarian queen of Pirenti, Ava's plan is interrupted when she is instead captured by the deadly prince of her enemies.

Prince Ambrose has been brought up to kill and hate. But when he takes charge of a strangely captivating Kayan prisoner and is forced to survive with her on a dangerous island, he must reconsider all he holds true . . .

In a violent country like Pirenti, where emotion is scorned as a weakness, can he find the strength to fight for the person he loves . . . even when she’s his vengeful enemy?

Avery is a sweeping, romantic fantasy novel about loss and identity, and finding the courage to love against all odds.  


Review:


**ARC courtesy of Random House Australia Pty via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**



Epigraph

The people of Kaya die in pairs. With the forging of the soul magic, so is forged an unbreakable bond between those in love. When one dies, so shall the other, and forever will it remain so …
– extract from the words of Agathon of Sancia

First Warder of Kaya
Forged in iron are men.
Bound for the earth are women.
– extract from The Song of Pirenti


Love. Passion. Revenge. Hate.

Avery is first installment in The Chronicles of Kaya by Charlotte McConaghy that will be fascinating, appealing and enchanting read for fans of high fantasy and unique romance stories. Every fan of Gracling Trilogy will swoon over this book. This exceptional novel will bring you to new world of passion and love that has no borders and start a journey you’ll never forget.

Ava is twenty year old Kayan who lost her bondmate Avery. she should die alongside with him, but something happened and she still lives without him. Now she has only half of her soul, doesn’t have a taste, can’t smile or laugh and feel pleasure. Her life is miserable, Kayan’s people look at her with disgust and hatred. Without Avery there’s nothing in this world for Ava. The only thing that makes her go on with her painful and lonely life is vengeance. She wants to kill Barbarian Queen – the one that murdered her mate.


Kayan’s people bond for life, love only one person and die in pairs, but Ava is an gruesome exception, abomination.

Dressed like a boy she’s captured by Prince of Pirenti and sentenced for prison. Little did she know that man she’ll hate will help her heal.

‘Don’t choose a memory over a flesh-and-blood man who loves you to oblivion and back,’


I can’t express in words how much I’ve enjoyed reading Avery, I don’t want to spoil you fun, so I can’t say more, and believe me, it hurts to keep my mouth shut about Ava’s journey. It is excruciating and at the same time hopeful. This captivating story got me hooked from the beginning. I have never read a high fantasy novel with so many feelings.

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Review: Lick (Stage Dive #1) by Kylie Scott

Title: Lick (Stage Dive #1)
Author: Kylie Scott
Release Date: 1st July 2013
Rating: 5 stars
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Summary:

Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas’s plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure as hell never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is for certain, being married to rock and roll’s favourite son is sure to be a wild ride



Review:

Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.



Lick is unique and enchanting story that is completely different from every rock star romance I have ever read. It will totally blow your mind with amusing plot and scenes filled with electrifying sexual tension. Which means there is everything we love in rock stars romance but with fantastic plot twist. What is this twist? Hmm… it’s the fact that our main characters married after meeting and spending one night together in Las Vegas. How bad that after to many shots of tequila Evelyn doesn’t remember a thing.




He physically recoiled from me. “Let me get this straight, you don’t remember anything?”
“No,” I said, swallowing hard. “What did we do last night?”
“We got fucking married,” he growled.
This time, I didn’t make it to the toilet.

Celebrating Evelyn’s 21st in Las Vegas didn’t exactly went as planned for her that’s for sure. Especially when her drunken mistake started as the biggest catastrophe in the whole world. Marring famous and sexy, tattooed guitarist David Ferris was not on her to-do list.





After few hours everyone knows she’s Mrs. Ferris and the biggest question is what she should do now? Get a divorce and stick with her normal life or give a chance this fuckable man who’s ready to give her things she doesn’t know exist?


Lick is brilliant! It’s enjoyable, amusing read that make you laugh, tingle all over and cry. Rock star story is now on new higher level and I seriously doubt someone could write another Las Vegas story as good as this one. I highly recommend Lick for every fan of Rock Star Romance. 

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