Title: Embrace
Author: Jessica Shirvington 

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy 

Series: The Violet Eden Chapters #1 

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire 

Number of Pages: 382

Source: Publisher

 

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before. Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…

Embrace was one of those Young Adult books that looked promising. It got a lot of hype, so when I was offered a chance to be apart of the blog tour in March I accepted.  I really wanted to like the book, so when I started it the first time and couldn't finish it, I put it aside and went back to it later. What I discovered was the things that annoyed me the first time around, annoyed me even more the second.

This book just wasn't for me. It had every cliche you could think of in a Young Adult book. A heroine whose parents aren't around, who can't live without coffee and is rude to every adult authority who is trying to help her out. Then came the "oh you lied to me about who you were and now I can't trust you, so I'll hook up with the bad guy" part of the love triangle. That wasn't so bad, because I found myself cheering for the good guy, Linc for a change.   

The one thing I couldn't get past, and maybe it's just my age was the fact that the guys involved in the love triangle were so much older then Violet. Linc was 22 and Phoenix, the other half of the love triangle was even older. When Violet makes a certain decision with Phoenix, that was it for me. I just couldn't get past the age difference. I thought it was icky that they were both in love with a minor. I know that it seems silly that something so minor could make me stop reading, but it did. I might have been able to get past those things of Violet were likable or I could relate to her in some way, but I just couldn't. I think this is one series I am just going to have to pass on.

The Fireman Who Loved Me by Jennifer Bernard

   Title: The Fireman Who Loved Me 

Author: Jennifer Bernard 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: The Bachelor Fireman of San Gabriel #1

Publisher: Avon 

Number of Pages: 384

Source: Edelweiss

 

 Captain Brody has been badly burned by his ex-wife. When he orders Ryan, his star fireman, to participate in a bachelor auction, little does he know he’s the one who will lose his heart. Melissa McGuire is a brainy local news producer trying to get her career back on track. She can’t believe she’s being set up by her grandmother, who bid on a date with a fireman at the auction. She prefers the artsy type, not the tough, commanding , though clearly attractive, fire chief. And yet, they can’t resist each other, especially once her ambitious news anchor assigns her the “Thanksgiving with the Firefighters” news special. Add in her grandmother’s matchmaking and the combined efforts of Captain Brody’s crew…can Brody help being the first bachelor to succumb to love, and the crazy rollercoaster ride of the Curse? (goodreads)

I don't read a lot of contemporary romance, but when I saw the buzz about this series last year on twitter when it was announced, I kept my eye out for it. Who could resist fireman whose station house was supposedly cursed, and that is why most of the fireman who worked there were single? Not me, that's for sure. So when it was available at Edelweiss, I jumped at it.


The first half of this book was great. I really liked the heroine Melissa. She gave Captain Brody a lot of crap, and I liked how she didn't immediately fall for him. Captain Brody was equally great. He was alpha without being alpha if that makes sense. I liked how he couldn't get Melissa out of his mind, even though he tried. The secondary characters were a lot of fun. You had Melissa's match making grandma, Nelly who was hilarious in her attempt to make sure Melissa was happy and had a man of her own. There was also Ella Joy, Melissa's co-worker who was delightful to hate. The fireman under Captain Brody were wonderfully hot & funny.

However, for me everything fell apart in the last half of the book. Everything was so predictable. I read this on my kindle, and at 60% in Melissa and Capt. Brody had still only been on one official date. I found myself getting annoyed that they were together more often. Sure, I loved all of the secondary characters but there were so many different pov's coming into play that I found myself wanting Melissa's voice to be heard more. When Melissa and Brody finally got their act together I loved it. They had chemistry, and were just plain fun as a couple. After only two or so chapters of being together the typical we can't be together because of X happened. Characters were introduced that I felt really served no purpose except to cause the we can't be together part of the book.  This annoyed me, because I felt like it just made everything that happened after these characters were introduce super predictable. 

Characters whom I loved in the first half, started bugging me. I just wanted Melissa and Brody to be together more, and everyone else kept getting in the way. I thought that the part that allowed the two to get together was a bit unbelievable, and while it did cause me to tear up a bit, was frustrated by it at the same time.

Even though the second half of the book really disappointed me, I  will be reading the second book because I requested at the same time I did this one and because I really liked Ryan, the character who will be in the next book. I can't wait to see him grow and mature. Even though this book wasn't for me, I think fans of contemporary romance will probably enjoy this one. It's a fast read, and perfect for the summer when you want something light to read.

Curran Crush Meter: Medium 

Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: Medium 

Rhiannon Kick Ass Heroine Meter: Low 

Finn Sidekick Meter: Medium 

Sizzle Meter: Medium 

Review: Dark Frost By Jennifer Estep

Title: Dark Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep 

Genre: Young Adult/Urban Fantasy 

Series: Mythos Academy #3

Publisher: Kensington 

Number of Pages: 336

Source: Author

 

 I’ve seen so many freaky things since I started attending Mythos Academy last fall. I know I’m supposed to be a fearless warrior, but most of the time, I feel like I’m just waiting for the next Bad, Bad Thing to happen. Like someone trying to kill me—again. Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects—and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I’m also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me? It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can’t use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me—and I’m in for the fight of my life. (goodreads)

Once you step into the world of Mythos Academy, there is no leaving it. It has lots of action, a kick ass heroine, hero you can't get enough of, and secondary characters you wish you were best friends with. Each of the characters in this series is endearing because not only are they tough as nails, but they all have this sensitive side that shows when you least expect it.  Underneath it all, they are trying to deal with their magical abilities growing each day while fighting the bad guys. Each has their own set of problems that they are overcoming, and everything is not as perfect as it may appear to be.

The reapers, the bad guys who are out to take over the world are back and are still trying to kill Gwen. One would think that I would be tired by now of the reapers trying to kill Gwen, but I'm not.  I love the mystery behind them and watching Gwen grow as a person as she continues to deal with her mom's death and her pschometry magic. In this book she learns more about her mom, tries to stop the reapers from winning and is still trying to figure out what is going on between her and Logan. I love the ups and downs of their relationship. Both are trying to figure out how they fit into each others lives while dealing with issues of their past.  Daphne, Gwen's best friend is featured in this book much more then the last one. She has a lot going on  and isn't afraid to tell Gwen that she isn't the only one dealing with magical power problems. Their friendship has growing pains, but whose doesn't? The couple of complaints I have about this series are minimal.  One is that Gwen does too much on her own at times. While it was nice to see her friends more active in this book, it would be nice to have her have more one on one interaction with them. Another is that while I love being reminded that Logan is a Spartan, and Daphne is a Valkyrie I found myself after reading the book forgetting their real names and just referring to them as their nicknames. All in all though, this series is a fun, escapist read and a guilty pleasure.

Dark Frost is the third book in this series, and like most third books it's a bridge between the upcoming novels. What separates it from other third books is that this is not just a "filler book." There are events that happen open up a whole new world of trouble for Gwen and her friends and  Jennifer Estep continues to impress me with her world building and ability to write heroines that are strong, loyal, independent, yet not afraid to take a chance on love.

HellBound By Berrin Rae

Title: Hellbound

Author: Berinn Rae

Series: Guardian of the Seven Seals #2

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Crescent Moon 

Number of Pages: 232

Source: Sent to me from the author

 Everyone has monsters under the bed... 
The Seven Seals are said to be all that stands between humanity’s survival and the end of days. Led by a reclusive angel, the Seven are immortals, enhanced by the marks they bear. After centuries of bloodshed, the Seven and their Guardians have brought down the nefarious Dominion. But the world isn’t safe yet. Now, a rogue hellhound is building an army to claim the Seven Seals for himself. But what if you're one of them?
In one night, Lana Wolfe’s life was destroyed and she was reborn a walking nightmare. A year later, she dedicates her life to destroying others like her. That is, until she discovers Orion Benandanti, the Alpha of all hellhounds and host to the Third Seal. But when the hunter becomes the hunted and Orion’s Seal is put at risk, the only way to survive is for Lana to trust the man who very well may destroy her soul. Will she let him claim her—for the Seal’s protection and for a passion forged in hell’s hottest fires. (goodreads)

 
I got so into this book. There were times I just wanted to shake some sense into everyone, especially the heroine Lena. I loved that she was strong, could her own and wasn't afraid to tell Orion to shut the hell up and stop acting like he owned her because he thought she was his mate. There came a point though, where she was so headstrong that she ran right into trouble. I have to admit that I said I told you so to myself when that happened, but loved it when she was able to get out of the mess by herself without the help of Orion. I think that is what I enjoyed the most about Lena. She didn't relay on Orion to do every little thing for her. Both Orion and Lena were so unused to the feelings they had for each other that it was great to watch them struggle with accepting the fact that they did have some feelings for each other.

The secondary cast was much more put together in this book then the first one. I loved everyone in Orion's pack, especially his brother Ben. (I hope he gets his own book) I have to say that there were a few things that happened that I didn't expect, especially to a character I really liked. In the first book I really liked Cellach and thought he was wrongfully pegged as the bad guy. However in this book, I really didn't like him at all..but a part of me still thinks he can be redeemed and I would like to seem with his own book. He has an equally awful sidekick, who has a connection to Lena, and he was just so smarmy that I cringed at almost everything he did.  What made me really happy was that the good guys were really likable and the bad guys were really awful. There is nothing worse then a boring bad guy!!

The couple in the first book, Gareth and Kerra weren't really in this one at all. I have to admit that I liked that, because one of my pet peeves is when characters from past books over power the current love story being told. I also liked how this books setting was in a different place then the first one was.  It was just refreshing. Another difference in the two books is while I thought the first one read more like an Urban Fantasy, this one was definitely a paranormal romance. There was a lot of action, but not so much that the romance got lost. The only thing that bothered me was that Lena kept referring to all the bad guys as monsters..which they were, it just got old after awhile and I wanted her to call them by there real names. I don't know why that bothered me so much, but it did.

 While this book does work well as a stand alone, I really recommend reading Knightfall because so much of the world building was done there. I have to admit that I can't wait to see where this series goes, and who the next book will be about.

Curran Crush Meter: Medium

Martini Sigh Meter: Low (Orion is too alpha for a lot of mushy lines, lol.) 

Rhiannon Kick Ass Heroine Meter: High 

Sizzle Meter: Medium 

Finn Sidekick Meter: High

Favorite Quotes: 

 Isn't this an Oscar moment," Jorn drawled as he pushed open the screen door. " You two going to smooch, or can we go and kick some mongrel ass now?"

With stares locked, she moaned and her hands tightened on his head. "Orion...." "Yeah?" His sandpaper voice seemed to cause her grip to tighten even more. "Fuck me. Now." Then, oh gods, did he ever."

Blogiversary Winners!!!

All winners were chosen by rafflecopter & random.org. I will be contacting the winners today by email. If I don't hear from them within two days then new winners will be chosen. I want to say thank you so much for everyone who entered the giveaways. I was blown away by the responses. Thank you to everyone for making the Blogiversary Bash so successful!!

Congratulations to: 

Cari Quinn:  Gift Certificate Winner:   Danielle L
Cari Quinn Back list Winners: Rebecca Hipworth,  JenM
Carolyn Crane Chocolate Winner:  Mary Preston

Alexander Outland: Space Pirate Winner: Natalia J
Barbara Ashford Winner:  Erin

Gabi Stevens Giveaway: Blodeuedd  
Sierra Dean Winner:  Alyssa (Reader's Refuge)
Erica Manfred Winner: Denise Z
Valerie J. Lewis Coleman Winner: Wanda F.
Lori Brighton Winner:  Selywn, Aurian & Heidenkind
Gini Koch Prize Pack 1: Miki
Gini Koch Prize Pack 2:  Aurian
Jennifer Estep Prize Pack 1: Madison
Jennifer Estep Prize Pack 2: Smash Attack
Katie Lane Winners: Hannah R., Stacy

The Hostage Bargain by Annika Martin

 

Title: The Hostage Bargain 

Author Annika Martin 

Genre: Contemporary Erotica Romance 

Number of Pages: E Book 

Publisher: Self Published

When small town girl Melinda Prescott is taken hostage by three hot bank robbers, she quickly discovers that a life of bank heists, luxury hotels, and kinky menages is way more exciting than working on the family sheep farm. She should be scared of her dominating, fierce captors...but there's something wicked inside her that's craving to obey their every dark desire.Melinda's an all-too willing captive to three smoldering sex maniacs...but is it all too good to be true? Will her delicious captors overcome their own demons enough to let her in…or is she going to end up a victim of the world's sexiest crime spree? Warning: This book contains a sexy bank-robbers-and-their-captive sandwich, light bondage, spanking, teasing hints of domination, and a little play-time in a hot tub. Oh, and some all too delicious, villainous alpha heroes who bend the heroine to their will. (goodreads)

I admit that I had some qualms about reading this one. A heroine who ran a sheep farm but worked as a bank teller and then joins up with some robbers? I didn't think that the story would be believable or that I would be able to connect to the heroine at all. But you know what? This book really surprised me, because while the heroine did take some getting used to she really grew on me by the end of the book. Do I agree with all of her actions? No, I do not, but I could see where she was coming from and why she made some of the choices she did-like leave her old life behind and having no qualms about helping them out. 

Luckily for Melinda the bank robbers she fell in with were super hot and more then made up for her flaws. I loved all of the guys in the book, and really liked their names-Thor, Odin and Zeus. Melinda spends the most time with Thor, and I have to admit that I adored him. Zeus was the one that was the hardest to get a handle on. I liked that he didn't immediately join in on falling for Melinda like the other two because it just made the story a little more believable. He has his issues, and I was really wondering how Melinda would work her charm on him. There are a few scenes between the two I really liked because of how emotional they were. 
 
I just want to go on and on about how much I loved this book. It's one of the few books lately that finished it and had a content sigh on my face all night. I'm not sure why this book pulled me in so much, but it did. The Hostage Bargain is just a lot of hotness and fun to read. I found myself cheering for the bank robbers. I really hope that this isn't a stand alone book and that we learn more about who  Thor, Odin and Zeus are. 

This was just a fun read-you just have to go into with that mindset. I really hope that there are more stories to come with these four.

Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: Super High 

Curran Crush Meter: High 

Martini Sigh Meter: Low 

Rhiannon Kick Ass Heroine Meter: Medium 

The Demon's Bride By Zoe Archer

Title: Demon's Bride

Author: Zoe Archer

Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance

Series: The HellRaisers #2

Publisher: Zebra

Number of Pages: 370

Source: Sent to me from the author

 

 Leo Bailey may have been born to poverty, but ruthless business sense and sparkling intelligence have made money worries a thing of his past. It doesn’t hurt that the Devil himself has granted Leo the ability to read the future.But even infallible predictions are a déclassé commoner’s trick to some members of the ton. They’ll never see Leo as their equal—one good reason to prove himself their better. And a noble marriage is an obvious start.
Bookish Anne Hartfield, daughter of a baron, is hardly the flashiest miss on the marriage market. But her thoughtful reserve complements Leo’s brash boldness in an attraction neither can deny. A whirlwind courtship sweeps Anne and Leo into a smoldering marriage before either can believe their luck. But happiness built on Leo’s dark powers can’t last. Soon, Anne will have to save her husband…or lose her heart. (goodreads)

This is one of those books that I really wanted to love, but had some issues with it; the major one being that I had a hard time buying into the romance. That being said however, I still really liked the heroine & hero. Anne was feisty, independent & not afraid to think for herself. All things I love in a heroine. I liked that she was into maps, and  felt just out of place as Leo did. I also enjoyed that we got to see her progress from someone who was unsure of herself to someone who had power and wasn't afraid to use it. Leo is everything I normally love in hero-an alpha who is all jerkish on the outside,  but on the inside as a heart of gold and wants to do the right thing.-even though it takes him awhile to realize it. I liked how the two had a real relationship, and there were some pretty hot love scenes, but I felt like something was missing to buy into their sudden love.

Not being familiar with the first book, I felt like the romance almost took second place to overall story arc. There were some really cool things that happened with the overall story that I wasn't prepared for, but I didn't understand why the guys felt so betrayed by Lord Whitney leaving their group and upset with the fact that he was trying to convince them that their powers were evil and that their soul was in danger of being lost to the devil. I had a hard time with this because you knew that Lord Whitney was right and the other guys were just too blind to see, and it was just a matter of time before the hero of this book, Leo came to his senses and realized that maybe, just maybe Lord Whitney was right.

I enjoyed the ending of the book, and honestly I am interested in seeing where this series will go, because the ending was unpredictable and I liked that. Even though I had trouble with this book, I really do want to read more of this author because I liked her writing style. No matter how well a book in a series works as a stand alone, it's always helpful to read the others one that come before it, and I wish I had done that with this book. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more.

Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: Medium 

Rhiannon Kick Ass Heroine Meter: Medium 

Martini Sigh Meter: Medium 

Curran Crush Meter: Low 

Finn Sidekick Meter: Medium