Thoughts of a Scot: book review

Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts

Friday, 29 April 2016

The Wedding Pact by Katee Robert PLUS a giveaway

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert continues her smoking-hot series about the O'Malleys — wealthy, powerful, and full of scandalous family secrets.

Carrigan O'Malley has always known her arranged marriage would be more about power and prestige than passion. But after one taste of the hard-bodied, whiskey-voiced James Halloran, she's ruined for anyone else. Too bad James and his family are enemy number 1.

Hallorans vs. O'Malleys — that's how it's always been. James should be thinking more about how to expand his family's empire instead of how silky Carrigan's skin is against his and how he can next get her into his bed. Those are dangerous thoughts. But not nearly as dangerous as he'll be if he can't get what he wants: Carrigan by his side for the rest of their lives.

So she's done it again - Robert has brought sexiness to life with her words. We got to see how well James and Carrigan fit when they hooked up during The Marriage Contract - although there's something kind of weird about them continuing to hook up after what James did to her in that book but I'm not going to spoiler it too much in case you haven't read it.

To be fair, Carrigan tried to avoid James while James tried to find her. The last thing she wants is to see him but when they finally meet back up, she has feelings for him and that's just a bit weird - she should hate his guts ..... no matter how hot he is.

Still, they make a good couple and bring things out of each other that nobody else ever would. Of course, they have to sneak around behind their families and one of Carrigan's brother turns into a bt of a douche near the end of the book - I didn't like him. There's definitely lots of sexy times in this book but also a lot of very sweet moments that obviously make you route for the two of them.

There's some set up for another O'Malley sibling but I don't know if he's actually the next in the series but I hope he is because I liked how his character was growing in this. (edit: I read the synopsis after I wrote this and it is him so I'm looking forward to that.)

Find out more: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository | Waterstones | Barnes and Noble | Kobo UK | Kobo | iTunes UK | iTunes

_________________________________
EXCERPT

She headed for her favorite booth, but drew up short when she saw that it was occupied. Her brain took precious seconds to catch up to her eyes. There he was, the asshole, sitting in her booth with his legs stretched out in front of him, wearing those jeans that hugged his ass and thighs and a smug smirk, with his arms stretched out across the back of the booth. Challenging her.

In case she missed all that written all over his face, there were two drinks in front of him — a beer and, if she didn't miss her guess, a dirty martini. Her preferred drink. How the hell did he even know that?

Oh yes, this was a challenge all right.

Every intelligent cell in her brain demanded she turn around and walk away. Run away. But then the bastard raised an eyebrow, as if daring her to sit down and drink with him, and she threw common sense right out the window. Carrigan strode across the distance separating them, putting a little more swing into her step and smiling to herself when his gaze tracked the movement. Album or not, tangled history or no, he wanted her.

And she wasn't above using that against him.

"Two nights in a row. I must have pissed off Lady Luck somehow." She sank onto the cushioned seat across the small table from him. The bartender appeared half a second later, and Carrigan smiled sweetly at her. "A dirty martini, please."

The woman looked at the table, looked back at her, and shrugged. "Sure thing."

If anything James just seemed more amused. "Too good for my drinks?"

"I'm not stupid enough to take a drink I've left unattended ... and I've never laid eyes on this one until I got here. Party Girl 101."

"Now, lovely, why would I need to drug you? You came here of your own free will, just like I knew you would." He leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees, drawing her gaze to the way his black T-shirt clung to his shoulders and how his dangling hands seemed designed to frame the bulge between his legs.

Her body zinged to life in a way it hadn't in months. It was all too easy to take a walk down memory lane and feel him lifting her against that wall and shoving his cock home, growling filthy words in her ear in that same tone of voice he was using now.

Shit.

She held his gaze even though all she wanted to do was look away. James wasn't pretty. He was far too masculine for that. The first time she'd seen him, she thought he'd look perfectly at home on the back of a Harley, and that perception hadn't changed with time. Everything about him screamed danger in a way she wasn't used to. The men in her family were dangerous — there was no doubt of that — but it was a polished danger. James's wasn’t. He was gritty and primal and ... She really needed to stop. Right now. "I wouldn’t put anything past you at this point."

"You wound me."

"You kidnapped me. I'd say we're nowhere near even." Something she had to keep reminding herself, though the fact she kept forgetting annoyed the hell out of her. Only a weak woman would get all aflutter over a man who obviously meant her harm. A weak woman or one with a death wish.

Carrigan wasn't either.
_________________________________

Coming in July 2016, An Indecent Proposal

Get to know another O'Malley sibling - Cillian O'Malley

Greed. Ambition. Violence. Those are the "values" Olivia Rashidi learned from her Russian mob family - and the values she must leave behind for the sake of her daughter. When she meets Cillian O'Malley, she recognises the red flag of his family name ... yet she still can't stop herself from seeing the smoldering, tortured man. To save her family, Olivia sets out to discover Cillian's own secrets, but the real revelation is how fast - and how hard - she's falling for him.

Plagued by a violent past, Cillian is more vulnerable than anyone realises. Anyone except Olivia, whose beauty, compassion, and pride have him at "hello," even if she's more inclined to say good-bye to an O'Malley. While his proposal of sex with no strings seems simple, what he feels for her isn't, especially after he learns that she belongs to a rival crime family. Cillian knows that there is no escape from the life, but Olivia may be worth trying-and dying-for ...

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. She found romance novels at age twelve and it changed her life. When not writing sexy contemporary and speculative fiction romance novels, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her wee ones, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

Wednesday, 23 December 2015

The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert plus giveaway

Teague O'Malley hates pretty much everything associated with his family's name. And when his father orders him to marry Callista Sheridan to create a "business" alliance, Teague's ready to tell his dad exactly where he can stuff his millions. But then Teague actually meets his new fiancée, sees the bruises on her neck and the fight still left in her big blue eyes, and vows he will do everything in his power to protect her.

Everyone knows the O'Malleys have a dangerous reputation. But Callie wasn't aware just what that meant until she saw Teague, the embodiment of lethal grace and coiled power. His slightest touch sizzles through her. But the closer they get, the more trouble they're in. Because Callie's keeping a dark secret-and what Teague doesn't know could get him killed.

So it's no secret and shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that's read my blog that I love Katee's writing and this book is no different.

She writes really ~~lick~~likeable characters and Teague follows suit. I suppose Callie does as well to a point but not as ~~lick~~likeable as Teague - or some of the other guys and gals in this.

Teague and Callie are forced into a marriage by their fathers after Callie's first betrothed is killed. Even though they're both against the marriage, there's instant attraction and Teague feels the need to protect Callie.

The fact that they both have their secrets from each other and their families helps them come together which, let's face it, is what we want. As I've said Katee writes lickable, yummy and likeable characters as well as in depth worlds and backgrounds. I will most definitely be continuing with this series and can't wait for more, especially with the knowledge of who has their story coming up.

Find out more: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository | Waterstones | Nook UK | Barnes and Noble | Kobo UK | Kobo | iTunes UK | iTunes

EXCERPT

"There's always good and bad, all mixed together."
"Exactly." He finally looked at her, pinning her in place with his gaze. "Though I'll admit there's more good to this situation than I would have expected."
Desire rose up in a tidal wave that had shivers working their way through her body. Good lord, the man knew how to turn a conversation into something else entirely with a single look. She reached for her wine again, only to find the glass empty. Keep it together, Callie. You know how to flirt.
Yes, she did. But this wasn't harmless flirting. Nothing about Teague was harmless. He saw too much. He was an O'Malley. And, perhaps most importantly, he was going to be her husband in a very short time.
He seemed to realize her mind was going a million miles a second, because he sat back, breaking the moment. "Now I have a question for you."
"Yes?" She put as much nonchalance into her tone as she possibly could. The candlelight played along his cheekbones and jaw, the shadows dancing over his cheeks, following a path her fingers itched to trace. What was wrong with her? She should be focusing on what their next move was, not on how intimate it was to sit this close to him.
"Would you have actually married Brendan if someone hadn't done you the favor of offing him?"
She looked into his dark eyes and couldn't lie. "No." That man was a monster. She might regret the events that had brought her to that horrible strip club and put a gun into her hands, but once she knew the truth about him, she never could have signed her life away to him. And if it took her all of a week to find out what kind of man he was, Papa should have known a long time ago. She shifted, the realization sitting like a block of concrete in her stomach. Had he known and gone forward with the engagement anyway?
He must have. There was no other explanation.
"Which begs the question - are you planning on marrying me?"
It shouldn't be different - Teague was just as much a stranger as Brendan had been. But it was different. Even knowing him such a short time, she couldn't shake the belief that he'd never raise a hand against her. That didn't mean she could trust him, though, unexpectedly revealing information or not. He was loyal to his family first and foremost, the same way she was.
She wanted Teague, and a part of her that didn't have a lick of sense thought she could trust him. That, more than anything else, made him a potential threat in a way that Brendan never could have been.
"That's quite the proposal, Teague O'Malley."
He grinned, completely unrepentant. "I plan on making up for the lack of originality in other ways."
It was all too easy to imagine exactly the sort of thing his tone suggested. It took her back to that alley, to that kiss, to her desire for more. Callie reached across the table and snagged his whiskey, lifting it to her lips with a shaking hand. "Yes, Teague. I'll marry you."

The lovely people at Barclay publicity are offering up a giftcard to some lucky reader
a Rafflecopter giveaway

There's also the chance to win a paperback copy of the book from the publicity company which is open to US/Canada residents only but since I'm UK based I've also decided to put up my own offer for UK readers
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, 11 December 2015

His To Take by Katee Robert + a giveaway

A game of truth or dare gets WAY out of hand in the sexiest way possible, in Katee Robert's His to Take.
Fans of Samanthe Beck's Private Practice or No Strings Attached by Nicolette Day, will devour the final installment of the Out of Uniform series by NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Katee Robert.

Erin Robinson is having an epically bad year. Her blossoming career on Broadway tanked, forcing her to crawl back to home to Wellington. The icing on her failure cake? Her former on-again, off-again fling is in town, and the sexy Marine is taking up way too much space.

Warren Davis always knew Erin was special, which is exactly why he can't have her. A girl like her deserves something permanent — something neither of them wants. But now that they're both back in town and she's right there in front of him, a challenge in her eyes he's never been able to resist, he's questioning everything.

That challenge quickly escalates into an epic game of Truth or Dare. Erin's sure she's got him on lock, but as the night progresses, Warren's dares intensify, drowning her in lust. But with the past still breathing down their necks, there's no way either of them can win ...

So sad this series is over! But at least Katee Robert has ended on a high.

We've met Warren before in His To Keep and we met Erin's brother in the same book but I can't remember if we've met Erin before now. I'll tell you something, I don't get why anyone would leave this little town because it seems to be full of hotties!

Warren and Erin have a history that can't be denied when they meet up again and Erin can't help but respond to Warren's game of Truth or Dare.

I've re-read this series a few times either because I want something quick and fun (and hot!) to read or I'm in a reading funk and I know for a fact these will get me out of it.

Find out more: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes UK | iTunes

Sunday, 8 November 2015

Dying for Keeps by Seleste deLaney

Greta Gallagher is TRAIT's secret weapon. With her uncanny ability to sense trouble before it even happens, she's an invaluable asset to the team and her partner, Nico Tancredi. Except that ever since she botched the last mission, her "gift" has been completely MIA ... and she needs Nico's help to find it again.

Nico has the ability to manipulate anyone except Greta. His challenge is to figure out how her mind works, without letting their attraction - unspoken and untried - get in the way. It does ... and it's more intense than either of them imagined. But deep in the waters of the Bermuda Triangle, a terrifying secret waits for them both. A secret that doesn't just threaten their love, but their lives ... and the very heart of TRAIT itself.

Release Date 9th November 2015

This is the final title in the TRAIT series and it's definitely one of my favourites. Although ask me to list them 1-4 and I'd have difficulty - I've honestly liked the entire series.

One thing I loved about this particular title is it doesn't use one of the most common romance tropes - one of the characters has a secret they're not telling the other and you just know the wronged party is going to find out and it'll cause tension between them that they'll have to work past. I hate that plotline and feel it gets way overused but thankfully not in this book.

Greta and Nico are determined to find the link between all the latest TRAIT cases and find out what's going on above TRAIT's head. The whole TRAIT agency works as a team to help and all the previous books get tied together. It's actually a nice ending to the series, there are no open endings and everything's finished up.

.....Except I still want my Marron story!

I've really enjoyed this series and am kind of sad to see it end even though deLaney has done a fantastic job at doing so. I recommend this series to anyone looking for some fun, short and sexy reads.

I listed all the sites I could think off the top of my head for buying

Amazon UK: Dying for Keeps
Amazon US: Dying for Keeps
Amazon Canada: Dying for Keeps
Amazon Australia: Dying for Keeps
Barnes and Noble: Dying for Keeps
Nook UK: Dying for Keeps
Kobo: Dying for Keeps
Google Books: Dying for Keeps
Entangled: Dying for Keeps

Previous titles in the series
Click the image to take you to my review

Pen Holloway's done with men - in real life. Guys in game are so much less drama. But when her partner from　Heroes of Fallen Gods　invites her to the convention of the year, she panics. What if he's another jerk? What if he's not?
Cal Burrows is living his dream of being a spy. One of TRAIT's misfit spies, but still a spy. It's the perfect job ... until an arms dealer with a taste for blood invades his not-so-secret geek haven. All Cal wanted from ConDamned was to meet his on-line girl. Now, with the threat of mass murder looming, he's forced to choose between keeping his mission a secret and protecting the girl of his dreams.
Despite their attraction, Pen can't help but suspect Cal's hiding something. She also can't shake the feeling he's not as much of a stranger as he seems.

Secret Agent Marissa Jones has a gift. A con artist to the core, after deep hypnosis she can turn into someone else entirely. Marisa's gift has gotten her into hot water over the years, but now more so than ever. With her smoking hot partner by her side, she needs to convince him that not only is she her true self, but also that she can be trusted - even in spite of her past.
Trevor Harris has his own issues with the mission, he's got revenge to seek, a cursed painting to secure, and Marissa's sugary-sweet alter-ego to ignore. But when he releases Marisa from her mental cage and things get a little too hot, he ends up finding out what falling for a con artist really means - bigger trouble than ever before.

Sunday, 1 November 2015

Mind Games by Jana Oliver

Riley Blackthorne's life as a Demon Trapper is about to hit the wall. Knowing she will always be a target for those who want to exploit her "connections" with Hell, she's learning defensive magic. It seems the only way to ensure she and her fiancé, Denver Beck, have a future together. But not everyone in Atlanta, or at the Vatican, is pleased by this news. In fact, some want to ban the use of all magic, and Riley would make the perfect scapegoat.

As a new demonic enemy stalks her, Guild politics roil the city, throwing the trappers into chaos. To protect herself and the man she loves, Riley will be forced to choose: continue in her legendary father's footsteps, or carve her own path. A path that may well lead to her losing everything she so desperately seeks to protect.

Yay, Riley and the gang are all back! I was so excited to read that Oliver was releasing a 5th book, it really is one of my favourite series and I've recommended it to a few friends. The first in the series is Forsaken, 2nd is Forbidden, 3rd is Forgiven, 4th is Foretold, 4.5 is Grave Matters. Although Grave Matters is really only a wee novella, I included it in the list since the story is relevant to Riley's future and therefore this book.

This time we see Riley having to deal with a long distance relationship with Beck as well as training her own apprentice demon trappers and having to deal with prejudices from other trappers about her learning magic.

Riley's really matured since the start of this series, which I believe is less than a year in the timeline. She's been through a lot in her wee life and had to deal with some serious shit so it's easy to see why she's matured so much. This world just gets scarier as we learn more about hell and the demons it spawns - and I have a feeling we still have a lot more to learn. At least I'm hoping that's the case since I'm hoping Oliver writes more, the story definitely didn't seem finished. In fact, it did seem like more story threads have been opened in this.

I can't say anything bad about this series, I adore it. The world that's been created, the characters in it and the writing style are all fantastic and I'll continue to recommend this series to anyone that I think will enjoy it - which should be anyone that likes to read.

Jana Oliver self-published this so make sure to support her (and hopefully gain more books) by buying it from a legit seller - I've tried to list as many as I could find below.

Amazon UK: Mind Games
Amazon US: Mind Games
Amazon Canada: Mind Games
Amazon Australia: Mind Games
Nook UK: Mind Games
Kobo: Mind Games
iTunes US: Mind Games

Wednesday, 28 October 2015

Otherworld Secrets by Kelley Armstrong

This short story collection from internationally bestselling author Kelley Armstrong will feature tales about her witches and sorcerers - some of her most popular and fascinating characters. From Paige and Lucas to Savannah and her black witch mother Eve, these stories will enchant fans and new readers alike ...

Life After Theft
Karl Marsten has given retired as a thief so he can raise his daughter as an honest man, but someone wants to pull him back into it.
I enjoyed this, Karl's always a fun guy to read. The only thing that ruins it is Hope, she's my least favourite.

Forbidden
Morgan Walsh gets caught up in trouble as he's on his way to meet with the American pack and Elena & Clay have to go help him out.
A re-read for me, I bought the book from Subterranean Press when it was released. I like Morgan and it's fun to read from his POV.

Angelic
Eve's angel duties get prolonged as she's called on by the Fates to help deal with a Djinn outbreak.
Another re-read of a Subterranean Press book. Eve's a fantastic character to head a book, she's kick ass and awesome.

Zen and the Art of Vampirism
Zoe uses her wits to handle a couple of vampires that want to take over her territory.
I loved Zoe from when we first met her in Broken, she just has a great voice and attitude.

The Ungrateful Dead
Jaime gets harassed by a ghost and gets help from Savannah to teach him a lesson.
I liked this one, I mean it was okay. I like Savannah but Jaime I can take or leave.

Counterfeit Magic
Paige and Savannah go undercover in a supernatural fighting ring to solve some unusual deaths.
Click here to read my review of Counterfeit Magic.

I love Kelley's work and I'm glad her short stories are being released as anthologies because I missed some of them when they were in multi-author books.
I recommend this to any fans of Kelley or the Otherworld but only if you've read previous books, there are spoilers.

Book Depository: Otherworld Secrets
Amazon UK: Otherworld Secrets

Sunday, 25 October 2015

The Masked Truth by Kelley Armstrong

Riley Vasquez is haunted by the brutal murder of the couple she was babysitting for.

Max Cross is suffering under the shadow of a life-altering diagnosis he doesn't dare reveal.

The last thing either of them wants is to spend a weekend away at a therapy camp alongside five other teens with "issues." But that's exactly where they are when three masked men burst in to take the group hostage.

The building has no windows. The exits are sealed shut. Their phones are gone. And their captors are on a killing spree.

Riley and Max know that if they can't get out, they'll be next - but they're about to discover that even escape doesn't equal freedom.

A brand new standalone from one of my favourite authors and I'm glad to say she didn't disappoint. This is a little different from what she's known for, although it'll be a hit with any Nadia Stafford fans.

Armstrong does a great job with her characters here. Riley has survivor guilt about the murder that happened while she was babysitting, people call her hero for saving the kid in the house but she feels like a coward.

Max and his mother moved to the US after he was diagnosed with a mental illness which he keeps secret from everyone - not even speaking up at group therapy sessions.

Armstrong is great at building up the suspense and making you really fear for Riley and Max. She also does a great job of basically leaving you on the hook until almost the last page. Of course I'm recommending it, I wouldn't do anything else with a Kelley Armstrong book.

Book Depository: The Masked Truth
Amazon UK: The Masked Truth

Saturday, 10 October 2015

Valiant Heart by Angela Addams

When the choice is love or loyalty, no matter what she chooses the heart will bleed. Slay the beasts. Save the day. Such is Ariana's role in her first mission for the Queen. She has no reason to think the rest will be any different ... until, in the heat of battle, she uses her powers to heal an injured Order Huntress. Her gift doesn't go unnoticed. Lance, her very own Hunter, zeroes in, and a different battle is on. Lance is hot and very attentive, but this Amazon is determined to stay independent.

Lance has prepared his whole life to battle alongside his mate. Now that he's found her, nothing and no one else matters. He's not letting her go. For the Queen's second mission — bring the Oracle into the tribe — Ariana risks taking Lance's bond to get more power. She never expected her body to crave more pleasure, her heart to lower its defenses. As the battle rages on between Huntresses and beasts, there's a foul plan in play that will force Ariana to decide where her loyalty lies. The cost of her choice could be a life.

Release Date 10th November 2015

I really, really did not like Lance, he is such a dick! In fact, I kinda feel sorry for Ariana being saddled with him - he totally puts down her beliefs and generally tells her she's wrong and he (and therefore the Order) is right.

So not being a fan of the lead male, I obviously didn't enjoy this one as I have some of the others in the series. I liked Ariana and the whole Tribe thing, I'm hoping we get to see more of them in the future - of course it's hard to tell who is right at this stage as so far it's kind of a he said/she said thing regarding the Order and the Tribe so I hope we get more back story with the whole Hunter/Huntress/Wolf thing.

I'm still looking forward to reading more of the series but I haven't enjoyed the last two books as much as others. Although as I stated in my review for Mayhem, it's kind of a hit and miss thing for me.

Amazon UK: Valiant Heart

Thursday, 10 September 2015

Led Astray by Kelley Armstrong

RELEASE DATE 15th September 2015

Two brand new tales anchor this wide-ranging collection from one of urban fantasy's most successful authors. Here is the first time that best-selling fantasy, YA, and crime author Kelley Armstrong has had her stories collected from Otherworld and beyond. With her signature twists and turns, Armstrong gives a fresh spin on city-dwelling vampires, werewolves, and zombies, while also traveling further afield, to a post-apocalyptic fortress, a superstitious village, a supernatural brothel, and even to feudal Japan.

With tales that range from humorous to heart-stopping, these are the stories that showcase Kelley Armstrong at her versatile best.

Rakshashi - a standalone story
Rakshasi are almost genie-like creatures that are tied to serving a family until they've atoned for their bad deeds during life. Of course, they don't exactly like this arrangement.

Kat - a Darkest Powers story
Kat and Marguerite are on the run from the Edison group but Marguerite is keeping something from Kat.

A Haunted House Of Her Own - a standalone story
A young couple buy a dream B&B - it's supposed to be haunted but that's what they want. The woman discovers maybe she's bitten off more than she can chew.

Learning Curve - an Otherworld story
An Otherworld based short featuring Zoe Takano who we met in Broken. Zoe discovers she's being stalked by someone.

The Screams Of Dragons - a Cainsville story
A Cainsville short where a young boy starts hearing the screams of dragons and haveing weird dreams. Then the Cainsville residents start treating him strange.

The Kitsune's Nine Tales - an Age of Legends story
A guard leads the Kitsune traitor to the Forest of the Dead. He's been warned about all his tricks along the way.

Last Stand - a standalone story
A virus outbreak means the recently dead are back, the dead and alive are at war. Our main character is a leader and fears for her group as the numbers are dwindling.

Bamboozled - an Otherworld story
A small group of people hunt down wanted criminals but everyone's in for a surprise with their latest hunt.

Branded - an Otherworld story
People live inside the Fortress for safety - outside are where the branded supernaturals live. A young mand and woman hatch a plan for leaving.

The List - an Otherworld story
Someone has made a list of vampires living in Toronto so Zoe goes to check the author out.

Young Bloods - an Otherworld story
A man realises there are two vampires on the train trying to intimdate people into confrontation but they don't realise who he is.

The Door - a standalone story original to this book
A young girl grows up learning to stay away from the door, only her dad is allowed to leave and comes back with food and toys. She always obeyed until the time came where she had to leave.

Dead Flowers By A Roadside - a standalone story
A man is haunted by visions of his wife and child. He keeps himself busy by fixing up the family car.

Suffer The Children - a standalone story
A village have recently lost all their young and elderly to disease so when two guys visit and claim to be able to bring them back, they agree.

The Collector - a standalone story
A puzzle solver takes part in an online puzzle that eventually leads her to an office for the last part - a puzzle box.

Gabriel's Gargoyles - a Cainsville story
A young Gabriel searches for all of Cainsville's garygoyles while also dealing with his mother.

Harbinger - a standalone story
A young woman is haunted by the spectres of drowned girls. She tries to talk to them, she tries to ignore them but they won't go away.

V Plates - an Otherworld story
Reese want to help Noah lose his virginity and asks Nick to help so they go to a brothel but it's not just an ordinary brothel.

Life Sentence - an Otherworld story
Daniel Boyd is dying so he uses his money and remaining time trying to find a way to stop it.

Plan B - standalone story
A man and his mistress hatch a plan to get his wife out of the picture but nothing goes as planned - always have a plan B.

The Hunt - a Cainsville story
A hunter decides to step up the hunting game and move up a level.

Dead To Me - a standalone story
A woman tries to stop her husband's ghost from haunting her home.

Devil May Care - a Cainsville story original to this book
Patrick only returns to Cainsville once in a blue moon and he learns of a prophecy when he's there so decides to avoid it all together.

I loved all these stories and a few of them were new to me either because I hadn't read the original anthology they were in or they're original stories just for this one.

I never have a bad thing to say about Kelley's work and I highly recommend this anthology whether you're new to her or a die hard fan like me. Although if you're new to her, some of these stories may be spoiler-ific or not make sense.

There were a lot of books I had on my Amazon wishlist purely because they contain a Kelley story that I've now been able to remove so ... bonus!

Book Depository:
Amazon UK: Led Astray
Amazon UK: Led Astray

Sunday, 26 July 2015

Confessions of a Virgin Sex Columnist! by Kay Marie

My name is Skylar Quinn. I just moved to New York with my best friend Bridget, and I have a confession. Well, more than one. Okay, quite a few really. Fine, here goes!

Confession #1: I'm a sex columnist. Hold on, that's not really the confession. You see, I'm sort of a virgin ... sex columnist.

Confession #2: I'm kind of in love with Bridget's older brother, Oliver. No, I was. No, I am. Wait, was? Am? Crap.

Confession #3: I've been avoiding Oliver for four years. Or I was until today, because he just moved in. Yes, you read that correctly. He's my new roommate. So that night we've both been pretending never happened, well, we might not be able to keep it a secret any longer.

And trust me, this is only the beginning.

So this was a very generic chick lit type book. The heroine, Skylar, is very annoying about her virginity, - she makes this big deal out of still being a virgin when she's only 22 - she's also annoying about alluding to her and Oliver's past but never saying what happened (which turns out to be no big deal, by the way). I mean, I get that the author was trying to do with the "secret past" but Skylar mentioned it a lot and it really did start to drag.

The story was your basic girl likes boy, boy hurts girls feelings, girl avoids boy, girl can't avoid boy any more, girl denies feelings for boy, boy hints at feelings for girl, girl gets confused by feelings. I've read a few books like this and it sort of explains why I don't read a lot of chick lit books. I thought this one might be a bit different going by the title - I expected funny situations and maybe even for Skylar to not be afraid of her virginity.

If you like typical romance stories then you'll probably like this, for someone like me that was hoping for something a little different from the typical romance - I'd suggest you leave it alone.

Book Depository: Confessions of a Virgin Sex Columnist!
Amazon UK: Confessions of a Virgin Sex Columnist!

Thursday, 16 July 2015

The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

Loved, loved, LOVED this book. Great start to a (hopefully) new and long series from Rachel Vincent. Vincent created a .... I don't know if it falls under post apocalyptic or dystopian, I'm not good at differentiating between the two although I'm leaning more to post-apocalyptic for this one.

This world, to me, is scary ass because it's run purely by religion and it seems like everything is a sin and the punishments aren't small or insignificant. I mean, these church types burn people on TV for small misdeeds.

This is a world where demons consumed too many souls and now if you want to have a baby, there has to be a soul for it which means either a family member had to be willing to die for the baby or the baby dies. There's a list but I'm unclear about this list at this stage, you have to be lucky enough for a soul to be on the list when the baby is born or the baby dies. Basically, there are no free souls for people because of the demons, they possess people and they consume them slowly until they look like the demon they are inside. The church has exorcists to deal with them but then Nina meets a guy that says he's an exorcist but he certainly doesn't deal with demons the same way the church exorcists do. Nina starts to question everything and therefore must escape the town.

I really can't express my love for this book properly. I'm a huge fan of Rachel Vincent's writings and this new book is no different, I can't wait to read more from this world.

The Book Depository: The Stars Never Rise
Amazon UK: The Stars Never Rise

Dark Avenging Angel by Catherine Cavendish

Don't hurt Jane. You may live to regret it.

Bullied by her abusive father, Jane always felt different. Then the lonely child found a friend in a mysterious dark lady who offers her protection - a lady she calls her "angel". But that protection carries a terrible price, one to be paid with the souls of those Jane chooses to suffer a hideous and eternal fate.

When Jane refuses to name another victim, the angel reveals her most terrifying side. Payment must be made in full - one way or the other.

Release Date 4th August2015

I've never read anything from this author before but if this book is anything to go by, I'd definitely read more. This was quite dark and horrific.

Cavendish has made a really freaky world here with bad bad guys and a likeable (if also slightly pathetic) leading woman. I mean, I understand that she's been ridiculed by her father her whole life and pretty much walked over by most people because of that but, even knowing this back story, I found it hard to feel anything strong toward her.

It didn't put me off the story as a whole though, if I really didn't like her I would have DNF'd it fairly quickly. But I didn't and I'm glad I didn't because the story was unique and interesting.

Amazon UK: Dark Avenging Angel

Sunday, 31 May 2015

Magic To The Bone by Devon Monk

Using magic meant it used you back. Forget the fairy-tale, hocus-pocus, wave a wand and bling-o, sparkles and pixie dust crap. Magic, like booze, sex, and drugs, gave as good as it got.

Everything has a cost. And every act of magic exacts a price from its user - maybe a two-day migraine, or losing the memory of your first kiss. But some people want to use magic without paying, and they Offload the cost onto innocents. When that happens, it falls to a Hound to identify the spell's caster - and Allison Beckstrom's the best there is.

Daughter of a prominent Portland businessman, Allie would rather moonlight as a Hound than accept the family fortune - and the strings that come with it. But when she discovers a little boy dying from a magic Offload that has her father's signature all over it, Allie is thrown into the high-stakes world of corporate espionage and black magic.

Now Allie's out for the truth - and must call upon forces that will challenge everything she knows, change her in ways she could never imagine ... and make her capable of things that powerful people will do anything to control.

I've heard of this author before but not the actual name of the series so when I saw it on offer on Kindle I decided to give it a try.

I really enjoyed it, Allie is a great character who is very well written and I like the whole magic takes from you theme. It puts limits on magic unlike other books where it's unlimited, limits on magic makes for very interesting story telling. Allie (and others) can't just go throwing magic around willy-nilly - not even when her, or someone else's, life is in danger.

I liked all the characters introduced in this book and look forward to reading more from them. I also love the world Monk has created with this series, the theory behind the magic and its uses are especially intriguing to me. The rest of the series is definitely on my TBR list.

Book Depository: Magic to the Bone
Amazon UK: Magic to the Bone

Mayhem by Angela Addams

He will rock her world... once he shows her how he really howls.

By night, Mayhem howls out monster rock hits to roaring crowds, and lives the rock 'n' roll dream. But lately he wants more than empty sex marathons with lusting fangirls. When he spies a beautiful redhead at his latest album launch party, his wolf howls only for her.

He can taste her sweetness and innocence hovering just beyond his grasp, but it'll be a delicate task showing her the side of his life no one ever sees. When the sun rises, and his wolf form takes over.

Fledgling rock magazine editor Hannah knows the minute she lays eyes on Mayhem that she won't fit into his world. But that doesn't mean she can't fantasize that she's the only woman wrapped around his smoking-hot body.

One kiss — one perfect kiss — and Mayhem is ready to seal the deal of and for a lifetime. But before he can properly introduce Hannah to both halves of himself, she is gone without a trace. And the rapidly cooling trail smells distinctly of Hunter...

I have to start by saying if I was to properly judge a book by its cover, I wouldn't buy this. I just ..... I can't see the selling point in that cover, do readers actually like that sort of stuff? Am I abnormal in my dislike of this type of cover? Anyway, the cover does not a book make so on with what I think of the actual book.

This is long awaited for any fans of Order of the Wolf that may have a crush on Mayhem (personally, I'm a Dyami fan), as the alpha and lead in the band he was due a big story. Sadly, the actual storyline doesn't have the "Wow" factor I might have expected for Mayhem. The heroine is semi-likeable but I wasn't hugely impressed by her.

I like this series but the stories seem to be on and off for me. I find, I'll like one but maybe not the next or I'll be "meh" about one and excited about the next.

Amazon UK: Mayhem

Wednesday, 20 May 2015

Falling for his Best Friend by Katee Robert

Avery Yeung's biological clock just went off early. Thanks to her family's medical history, she's running out of time to get knocked up. And the only guy within donating distance? Her overprotective — and irritatingly hot — best friend. So clearly she needs an anonymous donor...

Anonymous donor? Over Sheriff Drew Flannery's dead body. While daddyhood will never be in the cards for a man with his past, Drew won't let Avery shop for a "popsicle pop". He'll do what's right for his best friend by doing his best friend. But only if they do it properly.

But there's nothing "proper" about it. Between the bed, the kitchen counter, and against his squad car, Avery and Drew are having the hottest sex ever. They can't get enough of it — or each other. And without knowing it, they've crossed the one line that could ruin their friendship forever...

Finally we get to Avery and Drew's story, I know there are plenty of Robert's fans waiting for this story as much as I was since we met them in In Bed With Mr Wrong. And apparently being friends for your whole life can make for some seriously sexy moments!

Robert gives us the story we've all been waiting on and she doesn't disappoint. Of course there's the weird feeling after they have sex and they're both worried about ruining their friendship because neither of them want to admit their real feelings in case the other one doesn't share them. And this is point in these books where I find myself shouting "Just talk to one another!" in frustration.

Seriously, most books have conflict purely because the characters don't talk about mutual feelings and then misinterpret something that someone says or does. I get that it's hard to create conflict without this trope but it's too predictable.

Even with that particular trope being used, this is my favourite of the Out of Uniform series so far.

Amazon UK: Falling For His Best Friend

Sunday, 19 April 2015

Deception by D.B Reynolds

Kauai, Hawaii — tropical paradise, vibrant jungle, turquoise sea ... and sensuous nights that hide vampires so powerful they can change the world.

Raphael — powerful, extraordinary, arrogant. He's been eliminating rivals and gathering allies, determined not just to survive, but to demolish the Europeans who think they can steal what he's worked for centuries to create. In a final bid to avert a war that seems inevitable, Raphael agrees to meet an enemy he knows of old. She is formidable, wily, and not to be trusted. But in his arrogance, Raphael believes he can foil whatever treachery she has brewing.

Cynthia Leighton — Raphael's human mate, beautiful, smart, and deadly when threatened. She doesn't trust anyone, much less a powerful vampire claiming to want peace. So while Raphael prepares to negotiate a treaty, Cyn is preparing for the inevitable double-cross that she knows is coming. Raphael worries about saving thousands of vampire lives. She only cares about one, and she will do anything to keep him alive and in her arms.

When Cyn is proven right, when it all falls apart and Raphael's enemies draw on ancient magic to trap him, taking him away from Cyn and out of the war, it all falls to her — to find Raphael, to save the thousands of vampires who will die if she doesn't succeed ... and to kill every single being, human or vampire, who gets in her way.

In previous reviews, I've made no secret of the fact that Cyn and Raphael aren't my favourite couple to read about in this series. However the story in this one was so good that I forgot that fact whilst reading.

This is the start of the war that's been threatening for the last few books and it was certainly a doozy of a beginning. The Europeans first order of business is kidnapping and weakening Raphael so one of them can challenge his Lord ....ship(?) of his region, knowing that it will end in a default with Raphael being incapacitated.

With Raphael being laid low for the majority of the book, the action was actually on the down low. The main story focuses on Cyn doing her best and using all her resources to find and free Raphael - she's doing it for selfish reasons but it'll also save lives.

I have to say that, as much as Cyn manages and the actual work she pulls off, she came across as a bit pathetic in this book - it really didn't up my feelings for her. She was grieving for her mate as if he were dead, but all the while she was certain he was alive and that she'd know if he was dead. I just felt a bit "bleh" reading the scenes with just her and her thoughts and feelings.

But that doesn't affect how much I like this series and I will continue to read it because there are other characters that I love. I'm hoping Elke gets her own story soon, as well as more from Juno.

Oh, I'd also like to read more Robbie, and possibly even something from Ken-Ichi. You know what? I'd be happy with more words in general.

Book Depository: Deception
Amazon UK: Deception

Tuesday, 14 April 2015

Fighting for Keeps by Seleste deLaney - Review and Giveaway

Since her partner's death, Jodi Israel has been perfectly happy playing Q to everyone else's Bond. Electronics and machines are safer - and they are a lot easier to deal with. Unfortunately, she's stuck with TRAIT's newest recruit, an infuriating, arrogant alpha-male who plays by his own rules ... and is hot enough to send electric voltage through all of Jodi's circuitry.

Finn Danby heeds his instincts, even though it's cost him his job on more than one occasion. The moment he sees Jodi's fiery hair and uncanny engineering abilities, Finn's instinct takes over ... and it's all libido. Now they're working together to protect the unstable daughter of a high-profile politician - and the sparks are flying. Both in and out of the bedroom. But when all hell breaks loose, Jodi and Finn just may find themselves alone ... and unemployed.

Release Date 21st April 2015

Love this series but how weird must it be to work at TRAIT knowing that all your co-workers are hooking up and becoming couples? I mean what are the chances that so many people within the same company partner up with their actual partners? This is not a complaint! I still love the series and can't wait to read more, I kinda want Marron to get his sexy on.

Anyway, back to this book. Finn comes across as a bit of a douche but eventually proves to Jodi that he can work as part of a team - although he's still a bit of a douche, just a douche-y team player. Jodi tries to break up the partnership at the beginning because she's happy enough working on gadgets and is still upset by what happened to her last partner. We also discover exactly how secret the secret agency really is and the work that it takes to keep it that way.

I really enjoy this series and the world and characters deLaney is building and I'm definitely looking forward to more.

Amazon UK: Fighting for Keeps
Amazon US: Fighting for Keeps
Amazon Ca: Fighting for Keeps
Amazon AU: Fighting for Keeps
Barnes & Noble: Fighting for Keeps
Kobo: Fighting for Keeps
iTunes: Fighting for Keeps
All Romance: Fighting for Keeps

To celebrate the new book, I had wanted to giveaway the entire series but it's only available in ebook form which is hard to do so I'll give a giftcard to the amount of the three books in whatever format you read them in and for whatever country you live in. So, an Amazon GC if you want Kindle or a Nook GC if you want Nook etc.

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Tuesday, 7 April 2015

Spell Weaver by Angela Addams - Review and Giveaway

Colouring outside the lines can sting like hell...

Shot by a Huntress, his wolf trapped within him, Dyami Storm is battling a poison that is eating him alive. His only hope is finding his mate, but without his wolf to guide him, he doesn't know where to look.

The second the sexy bad boy stumbles into her tattoo shop, smelling of booze and oozing attitude, Summer Sinclair knows he's trouble. She should turn him away, but a strange magnetic pull compels her to help him out with a little ink.

When Summer's boyfriend walks through the door, Dyami senses he's in the presence of a Hunter, and the Hunter recognises him as a wolf. With hackles raised, a weapon coming at him, Dyami's only choice snaps into place. Bite Summer, marking her as his — and unleashing her powers as a Spell Weaver.

On the run from Hunters and losing his fight against the poison, Dyami is in a race against time to convince Summer her power could change the course of the war ... and that his fate is in her hands.

I've liked Dyami since the beginning, quite possibly because he's the drummer .....

Anyway, this is his story and his chance to finally get rid of the poison in his system. The one thing I didn't believe was that Summer tattooed him while he was obviously drunk, not many artists would do that.

Summer's Hunter mate is a bit of a douche so I was happy this story was from the wolf POV and I didn't have to put up with him too much. Dyami and Summer's story is a bit different from the other wolves due to his poisoned state.

I like this series, the stories are nice and quick to read and quite enjoyable. Definitely looking forward to more.

Amazon UK: Spell-Weaver
Amazon.com: Spell Weaver
Amazon.ca: Spell Weaver
Amazon.au: Spell Weaver
Nook UK: Spell Weaver
Barnes & Noble: Spell Weaver
Kobo: Spell Weaver
iTunes: Spell Weaver
Samhain Publishing: Spell Weaver

Every day is Halloween for author Angela Addams. Enthralled by the paranormal at an early age, Angela spends most of her time thinking up new story ideas that involve supernatural creatures in everyday situations. She believes that the written word is an amazing tool for crafting the most erotic of scenarios.

She is an avid tattoo collector, a total book hoarder and loves anything covered in chocolate…except for bugs.

She lives in Ontario, Canada in an old, creaky house, with her husband and children.

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Angela is also giving away a signed copy of Wolves' Bane, a limited edition Order of the Wolf keyring and a signed Cursed bookmark. It is only open to Canadian and US addresses (which sadly means I can't enter - I want that keyring!)

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