YA Book #Review: Rogue (Croak 3) by Gina Damico .@ginadamico

Book Title: Rogue (Croak 3)
Author:  Gina Damico |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher:  Graphia
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal, Mature YA
Series/Standalone: Book 3
Format: ebook, Trade Paperback

Cost: $9.99

Pages: 326

How I got it: Purchased 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: Sept 10, 2013
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Synopsis:

Lex is a teenage Grim Reaper with the power to Damn souls, and it’s getting out of control. She’s a fugitive, on the run from the maniacal new mayor of Croak and the townspeople who want to see her pay the price for her misdeeds. Uncle Mort rounds up the Junior Grims to flee Croak once again, but this time they’re joined by Grotton, the most powerful Grim of all time. Their new mission is clear: Fix his mistakes, or the Afterlife will cease to exist, along with all the souls in it.

The gang heads for Necropolis, the labyrinth-like capital city of the Grimsphere. There, they discover that the Grimsphere needs a reboot. To do that, the portals to the Afterlife must be destroyed…but even that may not be enough to fix the damage. Things go from bad to worse, and when at last the fate of the Afterlife and all the souls of the Damned hang in the balance, it falls to Lex and her friends to make one final, impossible choice.

Once again let's start with the amaze-balls covers, when they are all lined up together they are so pretty!!!  This has taken me several years to finish as I have placed it on like every TBR pile through the years. It's not because it wasn't engaging it's because I didn't want it to end and as much as I love it and can go back and re-read; there's nothing like reading the ending and finding the twists for the first time. I procrastinated reading this because I didn't want the series to end, I didn't want to let go of the amazing characters and I was scared she wouldn't do it justice. Man I'm an idiot!!

I have loved this group of ragtag Grim Reapers from the first and didn't want to part with them. Lex has been one of my favorite characters to read in a long time. As I have said a few times before she reminded me of Toilet seat Girl in Dead Like Me.

Lex is an angry sixteen-year-old, unfortunately, she has plenty of reason to be, so much has gone down since she came to Croak and it all seems to be going from bad to worse. In the last book, we were left with some heartbreaking news and given the choices she has to make I can understand why she's still so angry. Betrayed, angry, heartbroken Lex is on the run and keeping secrets. Her town of Croak was damaged when they went to war and now the Juniors and Uncle Mort are on the run trying to right the wrong done generations ago. While trying to stay one step ahead of the mob hellbent on making them pay for their transgressions.

Running, Crashing and Reaping as they go the Juniors are doing their best to undo the damage being done to the Grimsphere. Except they don't have the help they should because their enemies are moving faster than they are and have better PR. This is the book that holds the most amount of adventure, growth, and development for the Juniors. They each get their moment to shine and show that even with Lex as their leader they are fearless as well. They back her plans and she and Uncle Mort begin to rebuild their relationship. Even as they face the dangers of their mission they wouldn't be them without Fergus cracking a joke or Pip being dramatic. There are some sweet reunion moments for Lex and heartbreaking goodbyes as well.

I will say I started to cry when we go to the last few chapters as betrayals happened to the team, as each member began to step up and make a difference for the ultimate mission. As their enemies get savior and take the fight to another level, Lex, Uncle Mort, and the Juniors try to find a way to bring the townspeople around to their side.  As the battles continue, there are prices to pay and so many paid them, each taking a piece of Lex as it happened. Knowing that the Afterlife is in danger if they don't win the team keeps going even with the loses. New powers come into play, old enemies come back to *surprisingly* help when they realize they too will lose if the Grimsphere doesn't get the help it needs.

This is the darkest the books have gotten. And it's been the best adventure as well. I didn't see the ending coming and sobbed when I realized how far each town had to go to help right the wrongs. When you realize this is bigger than Lex and her quest for vengeance. When we learn all about Uncle Mort's past & some seriously surprising secrets about the history of Croak and the Grimsphere.  When the end comes it's bittersweet, heartbreaking and at the same time so perfect. When the Last does their job and then lays down their Scythe?? I just fell apart.

A fantastic end to a great series. I highly recommend it my loves, be ready for an adventure, for young love, for a great found family and be prepared for the loses that come with war.

 ★★★★★

Books In Series

• Croak (Book 1)
• Scorch (Book 2) 

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Shows: Dead Like Me 
• Books: (Adult Grim Reaper) First Grave on the Right;  Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones
• Song: Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult

Happy Reaping Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Tame Me (Stark International ) by J Kenner @.juliekenner

Book Title: Tame Me (Stark International 3.15)
Author:  J Kenner  |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Evil Eye Concepts
Genre: Contemporay Erotic Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook

Cost: $0.99

Pages: 80

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon  | KOBO| Nook
Publication Date: March 2014
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Synopsis:

Aspiring actress Jamie Archer is on the run. From herself. From her wild child ways. From the screwed up life that she left behind in Los Angeles. And, most of all, from Ryan Hunter—the first man who has the potential to break through her defenses to see the dark fears and secrets she hides. Stark International Security Chief Ryan Hunter knows only one thing for sure—he wants Jamie. Wants to hold her, make love to her, possess her, and claim her. Wants to do whatever it takes to make her his. But after one night of bliss, Jamie bolts. And now it’s up to Ryan to not only bring her back, but to convince her that she’s running away from the best thing that ever happened to her--him.

I really enjoyed this one. It was a great gap closer for the Stark trilogy, and gave us Jamie's story as well.  From the stark trilogy we got to see Jamie grow and make mistakes, here we see her fight to claim a life free from mistakes.  With that idea in mind Jamie make THE PLAN (yes the caps are necessary).

THE PLAN is a way for her to reset her life and not hinge her dreams on a man or chasing men, so she's got a couple of steps, and one of the major ones is going home to Texas.  But first she's going to have one last chance at the man she wants and knows wants her.  However that plan doesn't go quite the way she wants, and when given the opportunity to make a move on the plan she takes it, who care if it looks like running.

I really enjoyed seeing Jaime again and watching the sparks fly between her and Hunter was pretty awesome. Hunter is pretty witty when it comes to Jamie and isn't at all afraid to let her know he's not here to play any games.  And boy does he make the pages singe.  I loved reading them together, their exploration of their desires (holy heck that was hot) and I loved that Jaime was so open and honest with her desires, well not all of them but at least the physical ones.

I really enjoyed the whole reading experience and was kinda hoping there will be more from them throughout the books.

Well now onto the next one!!

 ★★★★☆

Would recommend for those looking for a quick sexy erotic read.  And as always my loves, Happy Reading

Book #Review: Dark Crime (Carpathian Series 27 ) by Christine Feehan ..@AuthorCFeehan

Book Title: Dark Crime (Dark Saga 27) (Edge Of Darkness)
Author:  Christine Feehan |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Jove

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: MM paperback

Cost: $7.99

Pages: 216

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date:
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Synopsis:

Dark Crime by Christine Feehan Blaze knows who killed her father and she has merciless plans for payback. Until a phone call from a seductive stranger pleads with her to wait. Retribution is in his blood, too. Now, he and Blaze will be united in the blood of the guilty. Tonight, vengeance is theirs.

I loved this story way better than Dark Curse which came after the events of this one. But unlike Dark Curse, this one gave us so much more about the over-arcing story.  We meet some fo the ancients form Dark Curse that were mentioned and learned even more about what the vampires are up to.

I really loved Blaze because she was strong willed and fun, and knew going in that she wasn't going to be easily swayed from her task. She was bent on revenge and in her desire to make sure they all paid for their crimes, enlisted (without knowing she was doing so the help of her lifemate). And from there the story becomes one action packed moment after another.

I really enjoyed this one because we got so much more than the couple's coming together, we got some mystery, a glimpse of the world that the vampires have been building and learnt about somuch more about the Carpathians and their weaknesses in the face of this war.

I think had this book been it's own story and not just a novella, we would have had one hell of a story, I can't wait to see whats going to happen with those that they rescued, and who will be the lifemate for her best friend.  I want to know what happens to all those Carpathians, and how will the battle between the undead and the hunters go. I want to know what happened in that room, and how deep does this mystery really go. It's going to be interesting, hopefully the next few books will give us those answers.

★★★★☆

I really enjoyed this novella, and now onto the other books in the anthology, it's going to be awesome sauce because the next book is by Maggie Shayne!!!  Happy Reading

Book #Review: Dark Ghost (Carpathian Series ) by Christine Feehan .@AuthorCFeehan

Book Title: Dark Ghost (Carpathian 28)
Author:  Christine Feehan |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Berkley Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Format: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle Ebook

Cost: $7.99

Pages: 368

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: September 2015
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Synopsis:

In the new novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling “queen of paranormal romance,” (J.R. Ward) a wounded warrior and a woman on the run find salvation, passion and unimaginable danger in the ghostly darkness of the Carpathian Mountains… He wasn’t civilized or tame. He had his own code and he lived by it. Monk. Bounty hunter. Vampire slayer. Andre Boroi has spent centuries battling the undead, holding out against the dark with honor. But now, gravely wounded by master vampire Costin Popescu, Andre will be easy to track—his spilled blood marking the killing trail for Popescu and his hungry band of underlings. Andre’s only chance is to disappear into the gray mist of the Carpathians. To wait. To hope. She had a healing touch and a scent that was his lifeblood. In the mountains in search of a precious crystal, geologist Teagan Joanes suddenly finds herself hunted by those she once trusted. Then she comes across the warrior—wounded, wanting and irresistible. Andre has been craving her for an eternity: his lifemate. Her warmth envelops him. Her scent pulsates. And with every beat of her heart, Teagan surrenders to a passion she can’t possibly comprehend. Now they are bound by destiny, but is it enough to keep them safe from a stalking, relentless darkness that threatens to swallow them alive?

I can't begin to explain how disappointed I am, I expected so much more from this book than I got.  It took way longer to read than it should have considering it's only 312 pages, and considering the novella that comes before this is 216 pages and that's in a smaller cheaper book I'm not amused that this is a hardcover and cost almost 27 dollars. Nope not amused at all.

So this book is following Teagan who is supposed to be a biracial American girl in the Carpathian mountains with a guy she considers a friend. They are old college buddies and it's not until they get deep into the mountains that his love to murder women comes out. Yeah she's so screwed but she's got a head on her shoulders and fights back and get out.  She's got an amazing gift and in her hurry to hide from her stalker finds a cave covered in a spell that she unravels and takes refuge in and it's there she makes the discovery of a lifetime.

As the story builds we are repeatedly told over and over again so much about her family that I get the feeling this book is really a filler or an explanation for the book coming in the future.  We are also told she's going to be the hope of the men in the hidden in the monastery and yet we aren't given any indication of what the 'hope ' she can give the men is.

Teagan doesn't feel like an African American at all, she doesn't use any colloquialism or any old sayings that a woman who is raised by her grandmother would use, she doesn't have any of the reactions that an American should be having to seeing a vampire for the first time, and just beyond that she's almost a cardboard cut out and that's just disappointing.  I was so annoyed by the biting of the lip thing that kept being mentioned over and over and over and over again  it just became too repetitive and annoying.  To me it felt like Christine had heard that the biting of the lip thing was big in fifty shades of grey and decided that was something she should throw in her books. It's so annoying.

This books should've have been a novella instead of a hardcover novel because it's really just a filler book which sole purpose was to expand the world of the Carpathians and introduce us to the monks in the monastery.  Having read the synopsis for the other book I get the feeling one of these men going to be the man courting Gabrielle or even be the man who meets the Grandmother.

We learnt a lot about her grandmother and her family and you have to wonder if she got his talent from her mother or her mysterious father, was he really Razvan like in Colby's case?? Or was it something from her mother's side of the family, things that should have mattered where not discussed but stupid things I didn't care about got repeated over and over again, like her fearsome glare that she uses on her in laws and her rowdy nephew. Like what?? Why??

Yeah I found myself almost not wanting to continue the book because yeah no not feeling it. but I'm finished and I'm now completely caught up and that's one book goal for the year complete. Yayy

★★★☆☆

I'm not sure I could recommend this one, I would say only if you have read the series then you can add it on, but don't let this one be your first read.  Happy Reading

Book #Review: Dark Blood (Carpathian Series 26) Christine Feehan .@AuthorCFeehan

Book Title: Dark Blood ( Carpathian Series 26)
Author:  Christine Feehan |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Berkley Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook, Hardcover, Mass Market

Cost:   $7.99 , $26.95, $ 7.99

Pages: 432

How I got it: Borrowed From The Library

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: September 2, 2014
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Synopsis:

At long last you are truly back with us… Zev Hunter was an elite warrior, a dark-blood dealer of death to rogue Lycans who preyed on mankind. He was a loner, never given to personal attachments, and damned fierce at his job. But Zev begins to question his past and his purpose when he awakens in the darkness of the sacred cave of warriors—and is soothed back to consciousness by the sensuously familiar voice of one woman, the woman who has haunted his fantasies for centuries. She was Branislava, member of the Dragonseeker clan… Mother Earth called the ancients to witness your rebirth… For this half-mage, half-Carpathian temptress, the ritual of awakening Zev to the council of warriors was the only way to save him. Locked away for his own protection, the time has now come for his rebirth, for his blood to stir with that of the ancient warriors before him. He has been assured by Branislava that their fates are entwined, that their spirits are woven together for eternity and that his new purpose in life is beyond imagining. Now, with a blood-sworn vow of honor, mercy and endurance, and under the influence of a siren as bewitching as Branislava, Zev begins to wonder what his purpose is, what it means for the future of the Carpathians and what it is about his rebirth that he has to fear…

I finished this book in two days, I stayed up way too late to finish it too. I fought sleep because I wanted to read this one so bad, I'm so mad I listened to all the naysayers who said this one sucked, it didn't it was amazeballs, and I found myself enjoying way more than I have enjoyed any of the others in while, this had so many great moments that I needed to finish it.

I found myself laughing out loud while reading this, and really reading so I could know just what was on the next page, what adventure was waiting and how far these villains thought they could go before the good prevailed.  I was thoroughly intrigued and loved that in this one story, the woman was the best of the best and that once again the circle of women became the greatest assets that the warriors had.  I really love Zev, even if he is a little bit kinkier than I personally liked, his woman loved it so to each their own I guess.  I know that moment might upset some so there are going to be trigger warnings for those who might need it.  Also I must issues a trigger warning for those who might need it, most of that happens off screen but if reading about violence and what happens when psychopaths reign then you might want to skim those pages.

Braka grew up with her sister trapped within the ice walls as her father used and abused as many people as he could, his evil knew no bounds and he had accomplices that made him seem tame compared to them, and it's here that Braka must return, to face the past before she can even begin to consider a true future.

I really enjoyed the coming together of these two, especially because we knew it was going to happen, but also because they were from different clans and much like MaryAnn & Manolito they were a inter-species relationship.  Bronnie (to her family and Braka to her mate) unknowingly became her father's greatest pupil, trapped as she was, she was witness to all his crimes, all his experiments and all his spells, he gave her lessons and never even knew it, and this makes her his greatest enemy.  As the story unfolds, we get to see a great mixing of the clans, and picked up right were the books previously left off, we hang out with Dimitri and Skyler ( who we learn even more about her family lineage and where she really comes from), see even more of Fen and Tati (Bronnie's sister), work closely with the Prince (why isn't he called the King, he's not waiting to rule he is the ruler of his people) and even get some screen time with Gregori (who is by the way my fave out of all of them).  The scary De La Cruz brothers come to call and we see a fave who almost die come into the fold.

This was just as much a book about the over arcing story as it was a bit of a reunion story as well.  Even as the world around them expands and the bigger mystery is shown, we also learn even more about the Carpathians and their traditions, we see so much more from the lycans and realize that sadly racism isn't just a human flaw.

I loved reading the adventure from both Zev and Braka's views, loved that Braka had to fight more than Zev did, that she was the one who could save them all, that this time she was the one with the knowledge and the know how, that even with all the extra that made Zev the ultimate Alpha, he still had to take his ques from his lifemate.  I really enjoyed see the different relationships, and loved how the men embraced Zev and shared with him.  I loved seeing that the brand of leadership that makes Mikhail their Prince isn't an easy brand to bear.  Mikhail literally houses the energy that makes his people who they are if he falls, then so do the people. It's why so many have tried to come for him.  Gregori and his clan have protected the Prince and his clan since the beginning of their people and they literally are together the most unstoppable force ever, and even in the children can this be seen.

I loved the glimpses of the future that we are getting in seeing the children, and how they are growing, learning and changing.  I loved that the families are starting to expand, that each couple is finding a way to not only carry to term, but ti keep their children alive, it's a part of the plan to exterminate them that they are starting to beat.  I loved seeing them not just at war but learning to come back together as a people, embracing their differences, and their talents.  I really loved seeing the re-emergence of thier Culture and their traditions, it's awesome to see them try to keep from going under, and that makes the difference.  Hope really makes the difference.

This was a great book to read, not just because the whole gang was there, but because of the healing that takes place for Braka, and for Tati and Skyler.  It's amazing to read the changes that are coming and knowing that there are even more stories to come from the expanding worlds.  I can't wait to see how they battle the next evil coming for them, and I like knowing that they very well might win this war.

I'm hoping that we get stories from Andre, Luiz, Matais, and the other men mentioned, it would be really cool if the wolves could find mates among them as well.

Now I've got to go read the latest one which will make me totally caught up on my Christine Feehan challenge. yassss!!!

 ★★★★☆

Have you read the Dark series?? Are you enjoying them as well?? Share what you thought of Dark Blood in the comments my love and I will see you tomorrow and of course as always, Happy Reading

Book #Review: Dark Demon (Carpathian # 16 ) by Christine Feehan .@AuthorCFeehan

Book Title: Dark Demon (Dark 16)
Author:  Christine Feehan |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Jove Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: Trade paperback

Cost: $9.99

Pages: 500

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: March 28, 2006
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Synopsis:

Christine Feehan has worked magic on a legion of fans with her darkly thrilling Carpathian tales. Now she delivers the provocative story of a female vampire slayer who proves as seductive--and mysterious--as the night dwellers she stalks... For as long as she can remember, Natalya has been fighting demons: first in the form of childhood nightmares, then later, immortal creatures that kill and prey on the innocent--including her own twin brother. Whether Carpathian or vampire, she slays those who murder by night, and has no equal--until she is seduced by the ve thing she considers her enemy... A Carpathian who has seen nearly everything in his endless existence, Vikirnoff doesn't think he can be surprised anymore--until he faces a woman who rival him as a vampire hunter. A formidable and gifted warrior in her own right, Natalya has a nature that is strange familiar--yet alien--to his own. Who is this mysterious female who fears no one--not even him? Natalya could the key to the survival of the Carpathians, but a Vikirnoff is certain of is that she is the key to his hear and soul...

This is one of the bigger books in the series and perhaps that was why I was hesitant to read it.  But then when I couldn't find it in me to read one more contemporary I realized that I was in the perfect mood to read it.  I blew through this one really quickly.  I both loved this one and had issues as well. The idea that she's so unique when we know that there are other women who hunt??  Yeah she's unique because every woman is unique but she's not the first female hunter.  We got to see her in Dark Secret when she showed up to help Colby and we were introduced to the De La Cruz brothers.

But then I remember that I read the other books before this one so he wouldn't know about the others yet.  I gotta remember I'm ahead in the reading order. I loved that we got a bit of a reunion in this one and got to see the families as they get to know one another.  There are more pieces of the over arcing mystery that is unfolding for them. as everyone is beginning to see that this isn't just the vampires banding together but them getting help from someone just as powerful and just as motivated to see the Carpathians come to an end.

I truly feel for her because she has been corrupted even more than Aiden's girl I was. We saw somewhat of the corruption in Dark Destiny with Nik's lifemate having been tagged, and we now know that the Society has been using science along with vampire magic to make themselves even  more nefarious, but it's in Dark Demon that the whole story starts to come together, we meet several new characters, we explore more of the ice world, we learn much of history of the peoples, and of Natalya's time and when you read the other books and look back at this one you see how much she is loved, because someone makes the ultimate sacrifice so that she and another may live.

As I've said I've already read ahead in the books and already know more about the 'mystery' than they do, so I know how it's being worked out, but it was good to get the tiny story pieces I was missing, A few things that I didn't understand from later books are explained and we see the beginning of some new relationships and see the ground work of the next books being set.

This is where we begin to return to the caves we saw in Dark Descent, we see the caves and learn more about history of the Carpathians and the Mages, we also see the beginning of the war and what led to the different races becoming what they are in later books.  Natalya came from a long line of the Carpathians the Dragonseekers and she is also part Mage, she is unaware of her true connection because she has run from all of them, it's the only way she's managed to stay alive.

I really enjoyed the way Vikirnoff and Natalya came together, she was witty, funny and sarcastic, she never once forgot that she was a full woman herself and not just Vik's lifemate.  She refused to leave Vik in the caves as she loved to put it, she was great at talking to him and getting him to I really loved the buildup as the story went along.  The one thing I didn't like was Natalya's refusal to think that perhaps there was more to the story of her brother, but when you considered what happened to her and all the things that have been done to her, you can see the struggle to not want to see her twin as the monster the others have seen him as.

Vik was as funny as his brother kept saying. He was a really good guy and he saw way more than others gave him credit for and I loved that he was so in love with Nat.

This is a really good story, especially because I read the stories of the bothers back to back.  Another great addition to the series.  Perhaps even the best one yet.

 ★★★★★

Happy Reading and of course can't wait to get to the next one.  

Book #Review: Dark Destiny (Carpathian Series #13 ) Christine Feehan .@AuthurCFeehan

Book Title: Dark Destiny (Carpathian Series 13 )
Author:  Christine Feehan |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Leisure Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: Mass Market paperback

Cost: $6.99

Pages: 383

How I got it: Borrowed From The Library

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: July 2004
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Synopsis:

They were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light.... Her childhood had been a nightmare of violence and pain until she heard his voice calling out to her. Golden and seductive. The voice of an angel. He had shown her how to survive, taught her to use her unique gifts, trained her in the ancient art of hunting the vampire. Yet he could not bend her to his will. He could not summon her to him, no matter how great his power. As she battled centuries-old evil in a glittering labyrinth of caverns and crystals, he whispered in her mind, forging an unbreakable bond of trust and need. Only with him can she find the courage to embrace the seductive promise of her ...

So I read this and Dark Demon back to back, this being the first of the stories about the brothers.  I really enjoyed this one, especially because our heroine is a woman who despite all reasons that she should be dead, has survived and fought to be here to be strong, to be feared.  When she was young, her light called to a demon, one she unknowingly let into her home, and one that decided to keep her and torture her.  She became a victim at a young age and as a powerful psychic she called through time and space for the one who was to be her perfect mate, unable to get to her, he shared with her all he knew about fighting, about being a hunter and with his knowledge she became something the vampires have told stories of and someone they feared.

The years are starting to wear on her though, always being hunted never having a home, always being alone, Destiny is tired.  She finds herself coming back to this neighborhood, to this place, and without meaning to creating friendships and unknowingly creating a home.  It is here the undead have chosen as a battlefield, and now Destiny isn't going to run anymore, she's going to stand and fight, unaware that the one who taught her, the one who is hunting her for all time, is close by.  She's not going to be fooled by a pretty face or a nice voice, not like she had been once, and Nic has to prove himself before he can gain her trust.   I loved that Destiny didn't believe Nic right off the bat and that need for him to prove himself created tension in the story as well.

I absolutely loved this story. I loved that we get to see MaryAnn, that this one comes after the events of Dark Melody and I have read that one as well so I'm finally seeing all the little pieces and not just the grand picture.  Glues that will lead them into discovering just what the grand scheme is are laid out here, and we get the setup for a few books to come.  This book also answers the question of what happens to the lifemate when a Carpathian has given up his soul and it is heartbreaking to read.

This book was also one of the most therapy positive books of the series, with Destiny's past she's not able to just accept the authority of any man even if he is her lifemate and I absolutely love Nicolae for understanding and working with her on it.  I loved her friendships and how hilarious the other women were with her. Especially the older women, they were pretty kick ass as well.    Destiny sought out a friend and talked things out with her in a way that allowed her to begin to heal, and Nicolae allowed her to be herself and embraced her desire to set the pace, never pushing her for more because he needed it.  He was a perfect lifemate, he had had to train her in the ways of taking care of the vampires hunting her because she was so young and didn't trust him and didn't share where she was so he couldn't find her to protect her, now that he found her, he wanted her to want him, he understood because he had been there when she was in the most pain and he knew he couldn't scare her away.  It was pretty beautiful to read, how much he allowed himself to be vulnerable so that she wouldn't feel threatened.

I loved the story that unfolds, I loved seeing the discussion of PTSD, and the effects of trauma in childhood.  I'm glad the characters actually worked towards it and didn't act as if because they were in love that it miraculously cured her.  I loved that Nicolae was man enough to let go of the reins in the relationship and worry more about making her feel accepted than being in charge.  I loved meeting Vik in this one and couldn't wait to see him meet his match, because he clearly needed a woman's influence to help him with his idiot beliefs.

It's a great read and it's part of the introduction to realizing the vampires have more in store for the Carpathians than previously thought, it's where our friends begin to understand that the plan is far more insidious than they previously believed and it's about to get seriously real.

 ★★★★☆

Highly recommend and of course, Happy Reading

Book #Review: Dark Melody (Carpathian Series # 12) by Christine Feehan .@AuthurCFeehan

Book Title: Dark Melody(Carpathian Series 12 )
Author:  Christine Feehan |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Leisure Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: Mass Market 

Cost: $6.99

Pages: 374

How I got it: My personal library

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: November 2003
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Synopsis:

They were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light... Lead guitarist of the Dark Troubadours, Dayan was renowned for his mesmerizing performances. His melodies stilled crowds, beckoned, seduced, tempted. And always, he called to her. His lover. His lifemate. He called to her to complete him. To give him the emotions that had faded from his existence, leaving him an empty shell of growing darkness. Save me. Come to me. Corinne Wentworth stood at the vortex of a gathering storm. Pursued by the same fanatics who'd murdered her husband, she was risking her life by keeping more than one secret. Fragile, delicate, vulnerable, she had an indomitable faith that made her fiery surrender to Dayan all the more powerful. This was the one woman whose loss would destroy him, even as her love promised to heal his soul.

I really enjoyed the story and seeing how varied the talents among the Carpathian truly is.  We are following the Dark Troubadours who have had some bad times recently, they are now post run in with the society of fanatics, who don't realize they're being used to track psychic women by the very thing they're believing they're hunting.

This isn't the first time one of the women have hinted at a previous relationship but this is the first time one had been married and pregnant before meeting the Carpathian lifemate.  This pregnancy puts her in danger, because her heart is giving out more rapidly than the pregnancy can advance.  To save her life they will have to convert her quickly but she can't be converted while pregnant and she's not far  enough in the pregnancy to be able to save the child's life.  It's a complication that they have never had before in the Carpathian community and it makes for a great story and a wonderful love story unfolding.  The whole community comes together with a big family reunion happening so that the healers can all be there for the newest addition to the family.

She has another complication in the form of her family. Personally I'm not a big believer in stupid characters being allowed to live her best friend??  The one that's too delicate for this harsh world?? Who is told by at least AT LEAST five people that she' being stalked and that her brother was murdered for what he was, has decided to put everyone's life at risk because it's to inconceivable  for her to believe;  "she's too gently she's too uncomfortable with things so we all have to protect her". You claim to love me and need me but you put my life at risk because you don't want your world view to change? BISH?!!!!!!! Yeah you are no longer my friend and no I'm not sorry about it either you NEED to go. You know I have a heart condition but let's worry me and put my baby at risk so you don't have to be an adult.  Yeah she can't be my friend anymore and I'm not going to miss her either. #ByeGirl you're too stupid to live.  This was my biggest pet peeve out of the whole story; she was a flibbing idiot and everyone kept indulging her, because oh poor her, she was hurt once in childhood, and even though the others were there and were just as hurt she gets to be the kid for the rest of her life #nawbish.

I really enjoyed the courtship that had to take place in this one.  I loved that we got a bit of a reunion in this one and got to see the families as they get to know one another.  I loved that they had music in common and were both hugely successful in their own rights, so they came in as equals even though she's way way way younger than him.  I loved that they were each other's fans before they met each other and admired each other's works.  It made it even more rich.

This one wasn't really about providing the hunt for any particular vampire, it really was about the relationship and I kind of enjoyed that. I also loved seeing characters you knew were going to get their own books and be instrumental down the road, get their little bits of screentime.

Being that I've read the series a bit backward I already know what the big issues for the women and how it's being solved so the main tension isn't there for me however if I hadn't read it out of order that would have been a huge mystery.  Overall this is one of the best ones out of the series, the next few books Certainly the most modern

★★★★☆

Happy Reading

Book Review: Brazen Virtue (D.C. Detectives 2) by Nora Roberts

Book Title: Brazen Virtue ( D.C. Detectives 2)
Author:  Nora Roberts |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Bantam
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series/Standalone: Series Book 2
Format: trade paperback

Cost: $11.69

Pages: 288

How I got it: Purchased 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: November 22, 2011
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Synopsis:

Grace McCabe was shocked to find her sister Kathleen living in a grungy D.C. suburb, supplementing her income as a phone sex operator after a bitter divorce. But with the company Fantasy, Inc. guaranteeing its employees complete anonymity, how dangerous could it really be? Grace was soon to learn the answer when she returned home one night to a horrifying scene that might have come from one of her own novels. Ignoring the warnings of cool-headed detective Ed Jackson, Grace sets her own daring trap to rouse a killer out of hiding. But what can protect her from a brilliant madman whose lust for murder stops at nothing...and no one?

First Trigger warnings for those who need it. Because graphic scene involving sexual violence is in the first few chapters of the novel.

OMG this book is clearly an older book that has been republished, because the attitudes, the lack of cellphones, the smoking casually without people freaking out and telling the characters to quit, the discussion of typewriters, all of it dates the book, and yet murder never changes, the methods may advance but it's the same crime throughout the ages, however the actually story?? The characters, the mystery and the case keep you intrigued and glued to the pages, and let you know why Nora Roberts has been a powerhouse for so many years, she can really tell a tale.

I wasn't expecting the story to go so hard when it did, and I certainly didn't expect it to be so close to the protagonist and man listen, it just went there.  Grace is a novelist, who is trying to hide out and get a chance to relax, then this big crazy case goes off right in front of her and she needs to see it through to the end.  I like Grace, but umm honey, you're not a cop. Detective Ed (can I just say there are almost no Eds as heroes now a days, in all the reading I have done they generally tend to be the serial killers or the side characters of no real consequence, but this was pretty cool to see as a hero).  I really liked that hte characters were two strong, determined well established people, and that Grace was so fluid in her ability to make her life and living anywhere, that the thought of getting up and moving around didn't affect her strength as a character.  I'm all for strong willed heroines but I'm not down for dummies. When I read I imagine how I would react and way too many times the character goes way too far into the stupid barometer for me to be coll with it, and at page 173 she went right into the full fledged full time idiot mode.

Ed and Grace made me laugh because they just flowed so well together, sometimes a little more than I expected considering the circumstances.  Funny how beards are now back in style if she'd said he had a ,an bun I would have loved Ed even more than I did. I pictured him looking like :

found on Pinterest using the search term ' red beards"

On page 187 I started to panic, Don'e do it dude, she's way too nice, just leave her alone, as I'm reading the scene my palms start to sweat and my heart hammers. please let some one come back and let her kick his butt please, just please anything to save her.  OMFG sweet Goddess that moment that effing moment just wow.  I almost cried reading that scene it was so emotional. Oh gawd there is going to be so much fear and issues to deal with.

I loved the mystery, no the devastation being left behind by the killer, but the motivations that pushed him were so odd.

I enjoyed the overall story, even though it's a bit dated, I still loved the chemistry between them and I'm going to pick up Sacred Sins the first book in the series soon so I can really get the full expedience.

★★★★☆

Happy Reading

Book #Review: Your Voice Is All I Hear by Leah Scheier .@Sourcebooks .@leahscheier

Book Title: Your Voice Is All I Hear
Author:  Leah Scheier |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Young Adult
Series/Standalone: Stand alone
Format: ebook

Cost: $9.99

Pages: 336

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
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Synopsis:

"I was the one he trusted. I was the one he loved, the only one who believed him, even when his own mother had locked him up and thrown away the key. And now, I was going to pass down the white tiled hallway, knock on his doctor's office door, slam his secret notebook on her desk and make her read it, make her understand what he was hiding, make her see what only I had seen." April won't let Jonah go without a fight. He's her boyfriend-her best friend. She'll do anything to keep him safe. But as Jonah slips into a dark depression, trying to escape the traumatic past that haunts him, April is torn. To protect Jonah, she risks losing everything: family, friends, an opportunity to attend a prestigious music school. How much must she sacrifice? And will her voice be loud enough to drown out the dissenters-and the ones in his head?

This has got to be one of the most frustrating but good books I've read in a while. I both liked April and wanted to yell at her; then I had to remember that she's just a kid dealing with something even adults struggle with and I had to roll the attitude back several steps. 

This isn't your typical teen romance, April meets and starts to date the new boy in school, when he made a few choice words that made the teen school queen hate him.

 I already love the lead and I totally get that feeling.  At 6% there is a moment that makes me laugh so hard, then again at 12% her snark is so infectious it makes me love her even more.  At 13% there are female fighters that April could have listed instead of just men, she could have listed Laila Ali for example and she wanted modern MMA fighters there is always the Queen Ronda Rousey. Then at 14% April hit a whole new level of stupid, ugh girl no time to recover because you're a freaking idiot.

I understand that the female lead April felt she should stick with the young man because he was the first guy to show real interest in her, however I felt she had an unhealthy level of devotion for a relationship that was at first only weeks old.

As his disease progressed you realized that April's denial also added to his burden because she refused to admit something was wrong.  Jonah need her help and she only admitted something was wrong way later.  And only after there were some serious consequences,   I loved that this book didn't judge that it showed how devastating the disease is for those related and in love with someone who is spiraling down. Each incident was followed by denial by all those involved because no one wanted something to be wrong.  His mother's reaction in the doctor's office?? Yeah girl stop burying your head in the sand.    It was heartbreaking to read and it made me wonder how Jonah felt as he realized he needed help but others wouldn't see it because they had their own fears.

April's desire to be ignorant irritated me so badly because by ignoring it she was 'othering' him without realizing it.  Because only those 'other' people not Jonah.  The 'real' Jonah wasn't like this was her train of thought and that only seemed to push Jonah further away.  Her experiment however?? Made me cry.  When she humbled everyone??  And showed how desperately ill Jonah was.  Even as I write this I tear up.  Her classmates reactions were so raw and I just.  I needed a moment as the enormity of that scene sunk in.

I really loved the ending, it was perfect, not a perfect ending but a good one that let's you know the story continues in even if you're not reading it.  You get to kind of create your own perfect ending.

This was a great therapy positive book and I loved that they discussed the stats behind the disease and what can trigger it.  I love this so much and even though I had issues with April hiding parts of the relationship that could have had seriously consequences I give it five stars for a great look at the spiral down.

It wasn't until later that I found out that the author is a doctor, which totally explains why she was so good at creating the world that Jonah and April live in.

I really enjoyed the novel and the way everything was unrolled and I want everyone who wants to read more diversely to check this one out.  It's a great look at how the people around the sufferer deal and how this affects more than the person who had the disease.

★★★★☆

Happy Reading

Book #Review: Commanded by Stacey Kennedy .@Stacey_Kennedy .@TastybookTours .@readloveswept

Book Title: Commanded ( Club Sin 6)
Author: Stacey Kennedy |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: LoveSwept (Random House)
Genre: Erotic Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook, 

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 195

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: July 7th, 2015
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Synopsis:

Club Sin comes alive once again in this decadent new romance from USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy, perfect for fans of Fifty Shades of Grey. A dedicated cop, Sawyer Quinn blows off steam by immersing himself in his role as a Master at the hottest club in Las Vegas. But when Sawyer goes after the perp who brutally beat his sister, he teams up with Chloe Nash, a sexy private investigator who awakens a sweet new need: to keep her to himself, away from the dungeon of Club Sin. Chloe is beautiful, smart, and too innocent for the BDSM lifestyle. Sawyer’s never wanted a woman like this before. Is her love worth swearing off the one thing that keeps him sane? There’s something different about Sawyer: a commanding strength that pulls Chloe into a vortex of heady desire. But when she learns about his double life as a Dom, she’s shocked—and afraid she could never complete him. Then he saves her life, and just like that, Chloe knows she will be able to give him anything he desires. She is his—wherever and however he wants to take her.

I both liked and disliked this story, and the dislike had more to do with a character's point of view which didn't seem to mesh with what had happened before he made that comment.  So his point of view made me lower the stars to three and a half instead of four.

I really liked the characters, especially Chloe, who was quick witted and smart, when faced with danger her reactions were all real and smart, she did what was necessary without trying to be a superhero, or any tstl (too stupid to live) moments.  I loved that she took a leap of faith in dating Sawyer because it gave us a really great story.

This story progressed really quickly, and although it was a part of a series it didn't feel like you had to have read the others to get the story and understand the characters.  Chloe and Sawyer met and felt an instant connection to each other, however Chloe was involved at the time and they didn't do anything about their attraction.  When the story starts, Sawyer is in need of a good private investigator to help find a criminal who is being hidden by everyone who should be turning him in.  Chloe is so happy to get to help, and not just because she wants to spend time with Sawyer, but especially because she learned even more from the victim than Sawyer had and this gave her an even greater need to help.  It was great to see how everyone rushed to help Sawyer when he needed it and the mystery unfolds quickly and is apart of the story without overwhelming it nor getting lost behind the romance that is also building.

I enjoyed reading the two characters confront the fact that they are from two different sexual experiences.  Chloe isn't a part of the lifestyle and Sawyer is a Dom, it was interesting to watch their relationship unfold, especially because of their two different desires.  Chloe didn't believe they could mesh and Sawyer did his best to show her how well they connected; and boy did they connect. I enjoyed how Sawyer was able to find a way to balance his need to be a Dominate and Chloe's non submissiveness.  It was great to see them bend BDSM to their lives and not feel the need to meet the preconceived notions of what it was.   This isn't a BDSM heavy book, it's mostly mentioned as something that gave Sawyer structure when coming out of the military, the couple however doesn't really engage in many scenes, it is however written in a way that lets you know that they would engage later in life as the relationship grows.

I liked the glimpses of previous characters and their relationships in progress.  I enjoyed that they learnt that they could also still remain friends even thought they may not share the same things all the time.

I disliked  Sawyer's attitude that submissive in a club aren't innocent or pure.  Lookie here sir having sexual experience and experimenting with your sex life doesn't make you unpure or not innocent.  It just didn't seem to mesh with what he had been thinking at the very beginning of the story.  It also didn't seem to fit because he is a Dom and a Master at a Club, and has been for years.  It felt too close to slut shaming when he was celebrating it earlier in the book.

 ★★★1/2☆☆

Happy Reading and share your comments down below.