Review: Burning Bridges by Nadege Richards

SYNOPSIS

Kill or be killed. Love or let go.

In a world divided between the Hunters and the Warriors, the prisoners who have fallen prey to King Cyrus's decrees are forced into the arena to fight until death. The winner is granted mercy and the privilege to see another sunrise–for the loser, it’s death unto the weak.

Seventeen year-old Princess Echo races towards freedom to find out who she really is, and to put a world that has been swallowed by lies back together again.

And then there’s Ayden. His very existence as a Hunter is forbidden, and with his otherworldly, violet eyes Echo is finding it hard to stay away from him. When death threatens their forbidden love Echo and Ayden are forced to do the unthinkable–how far will they go to be together?

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1Rgg5KL

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PnIOQb

*If I could give this book a million stars, I would. Unfortunately the max is 5, so 5 it is.*

Do you believe in second chances? 

Not until I met you. 

This book y'all. THIS. BOOK. I can't even. 

   

BenjaminofTomes on YouTube described this book as An Ember in the Ashes meets Romeo and Juliet, and I agree almost completely, except that there is a bit of a Gladiator air to it as well.

   

I simply could not put this book down. There were hardly any "stopping points" throughout the story. It was so fast paced and had me on the edge of my proverbial seat for 98% of the story. I lost count how many times my heart raced either from fear or swooning. And trust me, there was a lot of swooning going on. Ayden just might be my new book boyfriend.

   

"I think I love you, Echo Abbeny. It's not about freedom. It's about how I am with you. I'm no longer a tortured soul, Echo; I have hope. You make me want to try harder, and not just for myself, but for my family and for you. Always you. You're so damn stubborn, but you make me look forward to the next day, whereas five weeks ago it was hell to think about the next week. You've given me a second chance."

Echo was a force to be reckoned with. She has never felt like she fit in with her family. She doesn't want to be Queen. She just wants to be free to make her own choices.

 

"I am a disgrace! I'm pitiful, Mother! You and Father have this hideous image of who you expect me to be, but I don't have the same mindset. I'm different, and forever will be. I don't want to be a princess; I don't even want to be here right now!" 

This book had everything. Forbidden romance. Drama. Twists and turns. The ability to make you hate a character in the first half of the book and then sympathize with them in the second half. It also left me wanting more. I need to know what happens next! My only regret is that I didn't buy the whole set of books from the beginning. I don't know what I was thinking only buying book 1. Now my poor mailman is going to be traumatized by my less-than-secretive stalking.

Review: Final Life by Rose Garcia

SYNOPSIS

For seventeen-year-old Dominique, nothing sucks more than being forced to move across the country during senior year. Angry and feeling alone, she thinks things can’t get any worse until her new neighbor pressures her into playing a psychic card game. When she touches the cards, she has a vision of a red desert where a malignant presence hints at past lives and threatens to kill her...again. 

Convinced she’s gone crazy, Dominique struggles to forget the experience, but the vision follows her and intensifies with each repetition. Adding to her problems are two gorgeous guys she desperately tries to avoid. If Dominique is to put an end to the evil pursuing her, she must push through her fears and discover the secrets of her past. If she doesn’t, she’ll be dead. For real. 

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1NgiHYh

Amazon: (FREE) http://amzn.to/1MIcBl8

*4.5 STARS*

Final Life was my very first book purchase at my very first book signing, so it's got a special place in my bookish heart. I don't know what took me so long to actually read the book, but I'm so glad that I finally did!

     

Once I started reading, I could not put it down. Laundry? It's gonna stay in the basket. Kids need dinner? Let them eat cereal and pop tarts! Don't judge me. You know you've all done it at least once. Adult responsibilities? Pffffft.

   

Final Life hooked me from the very beginning. Poor Dominique just wants to have a normal senior year after being uprooted from Michigan and transplanted to Houston. Of course, that doesn't happen. She gets plagued by visions and then her parents take in their friends' son, who just happens to be super hot, Farrell. Farrell was my favorite. He was quiet, reserved, reliable, and loyal. Plus he was strong and fiercely protective of Dominique.

   

I will note that there is a love triangle in this story. And while I understand why Trent was relevant to the story, I spent most of his scenes wanting to shake some sense into Dominique and drop kick Trent out of Houston. Basically, I just wanted Farrell. More Farrell.

   

 Basically, Final Life was amazing. I'm so glad that I have the next two books in the trilogy and I am eagerly looking forward to finding out what happens next in Dominique's story. Oh, Farrell. I'm looking forward to MORE FARRELL.

 

Review: Crane by Stacey Rourke

Holy beautiful cover, Batman!

SYNOPSIS

The Horseman is unending,

his presence shan’t lessen.

If you break the curse,

you become the legend.

Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle had no choice but to cover up the deadly truth behind Ichabod Crane’s disappearance. Centuries later, a Crane returns to Sleepy Hollow awakening macabre secrets once believed to be buried deep. 

What if the monster that spawned the legend lived within you?

Now, Ireland Crane, reeling from a break-up and seeking a fresh start, must rely on the newly awakened Rip Van Winkle to discover the key to channeling the darkness swirling within her. Bodies are piling high and Ireland is the only one that can save Sleepy Hollow by embracing her own damning curse. 

But is anyone truly safe when the Horseman rides?

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1LQHZbU

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PkKkm3

*5 STARS*

If you're looking for the perfect spooky read for October, look no further! Crane is sure to scare the pants off those who are faint of heart and will at least send a shiver up the spines of those who are more daring and like to take a walk on the wild side.

   

The story is told in dual perspectives, alternating chapters between Ichabod's POV and Ireland's, who is Ichabod's descendant. I love how Washington Irving was made to be an actual character of the story and not just mentioned as the author of the original Sleepy Hollow legend. And intertwining Rip Van Winkle and his sleeping curse? FANTASTIC!!

   

The descriptions were wonderfully horrific. Chapter 22 scared the ever living snot out of me and I had to sleep with my bathroom light on that night. 

He didn't look her way, didn't so much as flinch. Only when she inched closer did she see why. Small silver hooks had been fished through his upper and lower lids, forcing them open. Blood puddled at the corners of his eyes, trickling down his face into crimson slashes. Ireland's hand hovered over him, wanting to help -to free him- but not having the foggiest idea where to start. Slowly, his mouth began to move. Sneaking syllables passed barely twitching lips. Tipping her ear to his mouth, she leaned closer. "Save her, save me. Save her, save me."

 

So. Freaking. Creepy. 

My favorite characters were Noah and Rip. Noah was adorable with his self-deprecating humor and determined chivalry.

   

Rip was just plain hilarious. From his *ahem* "condition" to his ever present confusion of modern day things such as slang and computers, you couldn't help but love him. I loved his banter with Ireland.

   

If you're looking for a unique spin on the Sleepy Hollow legend and want a deliciously creepy read to put you in the mood for Halloween, I highly recommend Crane!!

 

Review: Ghost Hand by Ripley Patton

SYNOPSIS

Olivia Black just discovered that her ghost hand, a rare birth defect, can do more than light up a room. It can reach into people and pull things out. Things from the darkest depths of the human psyche never meant to exist in this world.

Olivia can pickpocket the soul.

But she can’t control her ability, or the strange items it extracts, and the only thing between Olivia and the men bent on taking the power of her hand is a boy she barely knows and doesn't trust.

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1GtnHUh

Amazon

Book 1 (FREE): http://amzn.to/1OUeigB

Book 2: http://amzn.to/1MV2rvA

Book 3: http://amzn.to/1jacbIR

*5 STARS*

HOLY CRAP ON A CRACKER!

   

Stop what you're doing right now and download this book. It's FREE on Amazon. What are you waiting for? Go! Go! Go!

  

I had no idea what to expect with Ghost Hand and so I went into it with zero expectations. All I knew was that it was about a girl with a ghost hand. That concept alone was enough to draw me in. Little did I know that I was in for a roller coaster ride of twists and turns. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist would trip me up.

 

I really liked Olivia's character. She was easy to relate to and her reactions and insecurities were real. All the poor girl wanted was to live a normal life, well as normal of a life with a ghost hand. She was sassy and had an arsenal of one-liners.

-I was beginning to appreciate Marcus's intelligence almost as much as I appreciated his exterior.

And Marcus!!! 38% in and I was already in love. 

-As I looked at it a memory flashed in my mind-Marcus asleep in that chair, pulled up next to me, his long arm stretched over mine, his hand cupped protectively over my ghost hand.

 

He's got secrets, lots of them. Some are sad, some are devastating, and there's one that had me spazzing out.

   

I won't go into much details because it's best if you have no clue at all. So many characters had secrets of their own. One twist caught me SO off guard that I had to stop reading and just stare at my Kindle for a moment. I usually can get a sense of characters and where a storyline is going to go, but this 100% caught me off guard.

   

 Seriously, for real...read this book. 

You will NOT be disappointed!!

 

Review & Giveaway: Enchanted Revenge by Theresa M. Jones

SYNOPSIS

When seventeen year old Lily finds her parents brutally murdered, leaving her broken and alone, she is determined to bring justice to the fairies responsible. Her quest leads her to infiltrate The Empyrean, the land of the Fae where terrifying creatures lurk in every shadow. But with a political rebellion mounting, bloody battles and foreign enemies stand in her way. Alec, a mysterious and secretive fairy, gradually becomes her guide and dear friend in the unfamiliar world, and restores her faith in love.

Disturbing secrets about her parent’s true identity are revealed, causing her to be more involved with the devastating fairy war than she can afford. Her vengeful mission becomes compromised and her growing romance with Alec wavers. She must conquer her fear of the unknown, ignore her grief, and overcome her growing list of enemies if she is to succeed in avenging her parents’ death. Or ever make it out alive.

Enchanted Revenge will appeal to fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Julie Kagawa.

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1WDy6Gn

Amazon

Book 1: http://amzn.to/1RmJK5A

Book 2: http://amzn.to/1RmJVhm

About the Author

Theresa M Jones is just a regular small town, Texas girl, who loves reading, writing and playing with tech gadgets. When she isn't at work fixing computers and the like, you can find her at home with her husband and two beautiful (and rambunctious) kiddos.

In her spare time- as if there ever was such a thing as "spare time" - she reads and reviews books on her book blog, and writes paranormal romance and fantasy romance novels.

Links

Website 

www.theresamjones.com

Twitter

www.twitter.com/mrstheresajones

Facebook

www.facebook.com/MrsTheresaJones

Goodreads www.goodreads.com/author/show/6563363.Theresa_M_Jones

GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*5 STARS*

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

For some reason, the beginning of October did a number on me. I don't know how to explain it, but I was starting to feel the beginnings of a reading slump coming on, and I was starting to panic.

   

Then I picked up Enchanted Revenge and it dawned on me. It has been way too long since I've read a book about fairies. Before I knew it, I was flicking the screen on my Kindle so fast it had trouble keeping up with me. Reading slump? What reading slump?

   

This book has everything. A slow burning romance...no insta-love. In the beginning Lily doesn't even really care for Alec, but knows that she needs him if she's going to avenge her parents' death. A hot, broody male lead who, once you find out about his past, you can't help but love. A lovable and little bit awkward female lead who is very easy to relate to. Her pain over her parents' death was so real and raw. I teared up several times while reading.

   

Amazing world building. The descriptions were so lush and detailed but not to the point where it was exhausting. And the mythical creatures!!! Oh my goodness! My favorites were the abada and Fenris, a wolf. Lily's first impression of him was hysterical!

   

I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series. This is definitely a book that I'm going to want in paperback to put on my shelves. It was just amazing!!

 

Review: The Hunted by C.J. Hart

SYNOPSIS

Just your average boy-meets-girl, boy-kills-people story.

The Native American Navajo tribe has stories of a monster so wicked, so blood-thirsty, that they are to be hunted down and slaughtered. But are they just legends? Or is something sinister lurking in the shadows? The Yee Naaldlooshi—skinwalkers—have the ability to transform themselves. And they can be anyone. Anything.

The Hunters—a group dedicated to tracking the creatures—are hot on their trail and they won’t stop until every last one is dead. But are they all as evil as foretold? Seb, alpha of the Taylor, Arizona reservation pack, begins to question the acts of their kind. But he’s broken a rule and must choose between killing the girl he loves or risking everything to save her. Cassie must fight for her survival. The pack is after her. And they’re no joke. Cass is about to find out how sadistic they can be. 

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1FLAB5i

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1j5MJnU

*4 STARS*

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

The Hunted was a great, quick read. It read like most YA novels, quick and full of delightfully snarky and corny wit. I really enjoyed the joking back and forth and mushy talk between Seb and Cass. Sometimes it seemed a little too sweet, like give-me-a-cavity sweet, but on the other hand, it fit the story. I spent at least half the time looking like this while reading. They were seriously adorable.

   

 And let's stop for a moment and appreciate the wonder that is Seb. He is the epitome of book boyfriends. Now, I will admit, there is a wicked case of insta-love. So beware if that's something that bothers you. I'm a helpless romantic so I didn't mind one bit.

I dream of being with you forever, no matter the struggle or consequence. 

Her brow puckers. I'd hate to be forced to choose between my family and you."

"I already have. I chose you."

I was really intrigued by the skinwalker mythology. I wish that part of the story was fleshed out more and hopefully there will be more about it in the next book. They sound absolutely terrifying. 

"They're nasty, dangerous creatures. Born from witchcraft and raised as pure evil. They'll stalk you and taunt you. Then, when you're alone, they'll rip you to shreds."

 

 A quick note about the ending.... 

 HOLY CLIFFHANGER, BATMAN!!

   

 I can't wait to read book 2!!!