Review: The Mistletoe Melody by Jennifer Snow

The Mistletoe Melody by Jennifer Snow

Genre: Contemporary Romance

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

'Tis the season of forgiveness…but can she ever forget?

Brad Monroe was truly unbelievable. Blowing back into Brookhollow for three days to film a Christmas special—three years after the accident that killed his best friend…her husband—and expecting Melody to be civil? Please. He'd been the only one who'd survived the tragedy, hightailing it to Nashville and hijacking her dream…Patrick's dream. She'd spent that time grieving, working three jobs, struggling to raise her boys and keep a roof over their heads. Now she was losing ground on all fronts, and not about to forgive and forget. Or give him the one thing that could save them all….

   I'll be upfront. I've never read anything Harlequin before. So I was a bit skeptical about The Mistletoe Melody. But I wanted to give it a chance because Christmas! And I'm so glad that I did. This book is the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit!

  There were so many dynamic layers to this story. It was full of emotions! The characters are so fitting for this story, and I really enjoyed getting to know them. I was instantly swept into their love story and rooted from them hardcore!

  Even if you aren't a Harlequin fan, you have to pick up The Mistletoe Melody. It's the perfect book for a romantic around Christmastime. You won't regret it!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Lazy Weekend Reviews #6

In an effort to catch up on reviews and indulge in a lazy weekend, I've rounded up a few of my recent reads for quick reviews below. Included are Control by James D. Horton, Heart Tales by Celine Garcia, and Perfect World by Shari Sakurai.

Control by James D. Horton

(Predator & Prey #3)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

[Goodreads | Amazon]

Two weeks have passed since Lily became a vampire
and things couldn't be worse. She is starving, out of
control, and Wolf has vanished. Her maker, Athene, is patient, but fails to help Lily tame the beast within. After Lily's introduction to Society goes horribly wrong, she is sent to train with Griogar, a narcissistic vampire with questionable tactics.

A powerful member of Society, John Genosoa, has secretly arranged for Wolf's mate to return. The distraction works. Wolf and Luna's reunion is passionate, yet laced with memories of insurmountable loss. Even so, neither is able to refuse the animalistic magnetism drawing them together.

When Lily reaches a new low during a session with Griogar, Wolf reappears. She's furious, but vulnerable to his charm and follows him beneath the City. Lily finds out Wolf has spent ages chasing a legendary tale of transcendence and discovers who has been keeping him away.

Lily is forced to put aside her heartache when Genosoa's plan threatens the City's inhabitants. Genosoa's magic is strong, but not strong enough to keep the existence of vampires a secret from humans. He needs souls to sacrifice.

Wolf, Lily and Luna are dispatched by the Keeper and must act fast to stop the killing of innocents. Screams of agony and a scene of destruction greet them, but they are confronted with a much more sinister obstacle and it's too late to turn back. What begins as a battle turns into an all-out war for their very survival.

  What a roller coaster! This series just keeps getting better and better. Control introduced a lot of new elements to the series, and I was blown away. But I'm totally ready for another story in this series! I won't rest until Lily and Wolf get their happily ever after (or at least a happy for now)!

  Lily has went through so many changes since this series started, and it's so fun to watch her story develop. James D. Horton devotes so much to these characters and story, and it really shines through. Paranormal romance fans will flock to this series!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Heart Tales by Celine Garcia

Genre: Romance

[Goodreads | Amazon]

Three charming tales of that never ending roller
coaster called life, each one sure to pack a sweet
punch of candy for the heart. One story involves a girl and a mystery box with handwritten song lyrics. The second follows a guy on the road with memories of the girl that got away, and finally a teen girl who can actually speak to the source of her angst…her heart.

  I absolutely adored these books! They were filled with realistic characters and situations that I really enjoyed. Heart Tales is filled with fun and light reads that romance fans will fall in love with. Each story has unique elements that really make them stand out.

  My favorite story was Audio Frequency. It involved a music store and really took me back a few years! If I could only pick one word to describe Heart Tales, it would be heart-warming. I suspect that readers will drawn to these stores!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Perfect World by Shari Sakurai

Genres: SciFi, LGBT

[Goodreads | Amazon]

London, 2115

It is the year 2115 and the world is very different. With climate changes, natural disasters and war shaping the landscape, England has become a nation made up of several super cities and wasteland in between.

Eric Rawlins is a genetically engineered superhero created by the London Security Agency (L.S.A) to defend and protect the city against both national and international threats. With his superior abilities, celebrity status and beautiful girlfriend, Eric appears to have the perfect life. However, it is an illusion created by the L.S.A in order to control him.

Eric's nemesis is the charismatic Adam Larimore. The only son of billionaire business tycoon Victor Larimore, Adam is gifted with a genius level IQ as well as the same longevity as Eric.

When the actions of the L.S.A throw the two of them together Eric finds himself questioning everything that he has ever known as well as discovering the true course of events that led to Adam turning to a life of crime. As they become closer Eric realises that the L.S.A may be the real threat to London. But can he trust Adam or is he part of Adam’s plan for revenge against those who have wronged him?

   Perfect World caught me completely off guard. I expected an LGBT romance set in a SciFi world. But what I go was a really deep book that focused on many different elements. While Adam and Eric's romance isn't the highlight of the book, it is still sweet and I enjoyed it. I actually like that the author paid more attention to the whole story instead of focusing on the romance.

  The pacing was great. There were never moments of lag, and I enjoyed this book all the way until the end. The ending, though. It's a bit of a cliffhanger. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Adam and Eric's story isn't over yet!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Top 5 Authors I'm Thankful For

1. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

2. Joanne Rowling

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3. Jane Austen

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4. Edgar Allan Poe

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5. Kira Adams

Finally

Review: At Hell's Gates Anthology

At Hell's Gates Anthology

Genre: Horror

[Goodreads | Amazon]

When evil overflows from the deepest, fiery pits, the
battle will be At Hell’s Gates…Whether you are a zombie
aficionado, or you feed on horror, there is something for everyone. We've summoned some of the top Zompoc authors, masters in horror, and even some new talent to strike fear into even the most jaded soul. Dare you look, let alone approach, the dreaded gates?

Each skillfully crafted vignette showcases previously created worlds in the individual author’s works. If you've ever yearned for more back story or ached to learn what happened to a peripheral character; your wait is over. But, as they say, “Be careful what you wish for”. Once it has been seen, you cannot go back. And once infected; there is no cure.

This collaboration is in honor of the brave men and women in our Armed Services who willingly lay down their lives for our freedom. Words could not possibly express our undying gratitude, so we have banded together, doing what we do best, to show our appreciation. All proceeds from the sale of this anthology will go to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to serve wounded soldiers and their families. This is for you, those who have truly been…At Hell’s Gates.

For more information on this release, future anthologies in the At Hell's Gates series, and how to get involved with the project, visit www.athellsgates.com.

For more information on The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, visit www.fallenheroesfund.org.

   Talk about creepy and absorbing! I very much enjoyed Shana Festa's Time of Death: Induction, so whenever she approached me about reviewing this anthology I was all over it. On top of that, the proceeds support a veterans charity! No guilt buy, y'all!

  This is a completely random comment, but these stories were placed in a really well thought out way. Whenever I was finished with one story, it was easy to flow right into the next one. The stories range over a broad set of subgenres, and I enjoyed every single story. Of course, my favorites were the zombie ones. But I really cannot find a complaint about any story in this collection. My TBR list has grown so much!

  If you're a zombie fan like I am, you really need to pick up At Hell's Gates! There are so many stories in this collection that you're bound to find a new favorite. Just remember to keep the light on while reading this one!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Review: The Leopard Stratagem by T.A. Uner

The Leopard Stratagem by T.A. Uner

(Leopard King Saga #2)

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

Camus Scorpio, the vicious criminal overlord, who for
years tormented the good merchants of Rome, is dead.
His ruthless army of thugs and bloodthirsty killers wiped out by the avenging force of Tullus the Leopard King, the Leopardess Celestra, and their Troupe.

But the victory is a costly one. Anna, Tullus’ lover, is dead, and her departure serves as an open wound to all her friends in the Troupe. Needing time to collect himself and continue developing his magical abilities, Tullus decides to seek out the wisdom of a reclusive wizard named Hradack, also known as the Leopard Master and a product of the Age of Paladins.

In Rome Eliana becomes involved in political intrigue and finds herself caught up in a conspiracy involving a persecuted race called the Dryads.

Decimus, now a prominent Centurion in the Praetorian Guard, is assigned to a new Roman Legion in Switzerland, where he faces the biggest challenge of his military career.

As Tullus’ power in Elemence grows, he foresees a hideous plot by an unknown enemy called Serpentus, who has kidnapped his Troupe friends and is holding them hostage on the island of Capri.

Unbeknownst to Tullus, Serpentus seeks revenge against the Leopard King and Celestra, and has armed himself with arcane powers. Under the tutelage of a fanatical cleric, Serpentus harbors plans of destroying the Leopard King and Celestra before embarking on a destructive path of conquest.

   The Leopard Stratagem is another brilliant book by T.A. Uner. I was instantly drawn into this world again. There is the perfect blend of new elements while still recognizing the first book to make this second book a delightful follow-up to The Leopard Vanguard.

  There are so many layers to The Leopard Stratagem. The more you read of this book, the more you get involved in the tangled web that T.A. Uner has weaved. Pacing is perfect and keeps you absorbed in the story as it unfolds.

  Villains are abound in this book leaving the reader with plenty of conflicts to witness. T.A. Uner does the fantasy genre justice with the rich details and thoughts paid attention to these scenes. With the inclusion of new characters, the cast builds its ranks. But it isn't done in a way that screams info dump. Everything moves very fluidly and organically.

  T.A. Uner never disappoints and he hammers this point home with The Leopard Stratagem. It's the perfect read if you love getting lost in a fantasy world that's so well planned out. I cannot wait for the next book in this series. You won't be disappointed if you pick up any of T.A. Uner's work! 

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Blitz & Giveaway: Beautifully Broken by Kira Adams

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Jacqueline Blunt hasn’t had an easy life. In fact, she’s had anything but. From
a drug addicted mother to being bounced around in foster care,
Jacqueline longed for one thing—normalcy. Lee Bennett had everything he could ever want—girls falling all over him, a dream job, money. The one thing he was missing? Passion.

Sometimes the ones worth fighting for don’t know their worth. Sometimes being broken is beautiful. This is a story of strength, courage, hope, faith, and love. This is Beautifully Broken.

Add to Goodreads | Buy on Amazon

Only 99 pennies during the blitz!

After we changed in the locker rooms, we emerged and I couldn’t stop staring at Jacqueline. Austyn had chosen the tankini, whatever that was and Jacqueline looked beautiful. Austyn had been spot on.

We started off in the shallow end. That way she could touch the ground, in turn feeling safe.

I initiated a water fight to make her feel even more secure. I had never seen her smile more.

“Okay, I’m going to need you to lie flat on your back, I’m going to teach you how to float.” Instinctively, I put my arms out in front of me.

I felt Jacqueline’s weightless body fall back onto my arms and I guided her around the pool. When we had been in the deep end for more than ten minutes, I removed my arms from underneath Jacqueline. Her eyes were closed and by the time she realized she was alone, I was already halfway across the pool.

“Lee?” She began to kick her legs, flailing her arms, looking for me; causing her to accidentally swallow some pool water.

“Jac, I’m right here,” I said in a calming voice. “You were doing fine until you began second guessing yourself. Just kick your feet underneath you and keep your head above water.”

I swam out to her after I saw a visible change in her posture. “How you doing?”

“You’re an ass, but I’m swimming!”

“Now that’s the spirit!” I wiggled my eyebrows at her.

She wrapped her legs around my torso. “Don’t leave me again,” she murmured.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Jacqueline was my life now. I spent every waking moment apart from work wrapped up in her.

For once in my life someone had grounded me—and I liked it.

“What are you thinking about?” Jacqueline ran her fingers gently over my forehead.

“You,” I replied, honestly.

Her eyes grew wide. “What about me?”

“You’ve managed to ground me; this is the longest I’ve been in one single place in years.”

Jacqueline looked enthused. “That’s awesome.”

“That’s awesome? That’s all you have to say after I made that huge confession?” She was being modest.

“I knew you liked me more than you let on…I’ve just been waiting for you to come out and say it!” She poked me in the chest playfully.

“Oh really? I’m going to drop you in this water!” I tried to release her limbs from my body but they were hanging on for dear life.

I couldn’t help but laugh. This was us. Jacqueline was my girlfriend and I was falling hard. If I didn’t watch it I would be the one face planting in love with her much quicker than I had ever anticipated.

My player days were being put behind me and I felt relieved; I felt renewed.

Krista Pakseresht has always been a dreamer. From the first time she opened her eyes. Creating worlds through words is one thing she is truly talented at. She specializes in Young adult/New adult romance, horror, action, fantasy, and non-fiction under the pen name Kira Adams.

She is the author of the Infinite Love series, the Foundation series, the Darkness Falls series, and the Looking Glass series.

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Pretty Little Indies: Heather Beck

Happy Monday, lovelies! Today I'm so excited to share Heather Beck and her YA paranormal romance, Frostbitten, with you guys!

Frostbitten by Heather Beck

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

Great beauty hides dark secrets...

Seventeen-year-old Anastasia Lockhart has never led an easy life, but when she starts getting into serious trouble, she’s sent to live with her grandparents in Cedar Falls. The small, picturesque town hasn’t changed since she visited four years ago, with one exception – the presence of a handsome, mysterious boy named Frost. Despite warnings from her grandparents and friends to stay away from Frost, Anastasia can’t deny their attraction, and the more time they spend together, the deeper in love they fall. Unfortunately, Frost has a secret that is beyond Anastasia’s wildest imagination, and she soon finds herself in the midst of a supernatural legend that has haunted Cedar Falls for years.

Can Anastasia and Frost’s love really overcome anything, or are their fates much darker?

  Frostbitten has all of the elements that make a great paranormal romance! There's an amazing romance, well thought out characters, enthralling descriptions, and werewolves! The descriptions are what really drew me into this story. They are so rich and welcoming that you cannot help but be absorbed.

  Frost definitely has a bad boy edge, but he redeems himself over the course of this book! Anastasia is a bit on the dramatic side, but I enjoyed her nonetheless. Her and Frost make an excellent pairing, though. I really liked being able to follow their relationship as the story went on.

  Heather Beck really has proved that she's an excellent writer with Frostbitten. The story line was developed and inviting. It's a beautiful story full of promise for Heather Beck's future writing endeavors! If you're a paranormal romance fan, I think you'll love Frostbitten!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Heather Beck is a Canadian Author and Screenwriter who began writing professionally at the age of sixteen. Since then she has written eleven well-reviewed books, including the bestselling series, The Horror Diaries, which has sold in six continents.

Heather received an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree from university where she specialized in English and studied an array of disciplines. Currently, she is working on the Frostbitten series and has two anthologies slated for publication. As a screenwriter, Heather has multiple television shows and movies in development. Her short films include: Young Eyes, The Rarity, Too Sensible For Love, Circular, and the forthcoming Witch’s Brew.

Besides writing, Heather’s greatest passion is the outdoors. She is an award-winning fisherwoman and a regular hiker. Her hobbies include swimming, playing badminton and volunteering with non-profit organizations.

[Goodreads | Website]

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Review: Backward Compatible by Sarah Daltry and Pete Clark

Backward Compatible 

by Sarah Daltry and Pete Clark

Genre: Contemporary Romance

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

Not too long ago, in a town that, depending on your
current location, is either not super far or actually
quite close… It is a time of chaotic hormones. Two nerdy gents home for winter break have discovered a female gamer at a midnight release.

During the break, the gamer trio manages to reveal the game’s secret boss, a hidden enemy with enough power to destroy anything in its path. Pursued by other gamers who want to be the first to beat this boss, George and Katie race to level up, and, in so doing, restore decency and sexual activity to their personal galaxy…

  Backward Compatible is the language of my people. Since Spyro came onto the scene, I've been a gamer. Console, PC; doesn't matter. Just give me a good storyline and something to kill. I knew I'd love Backward Compatible on premise alone. I didn't realize that I would feel such a connection to the story and characters that I was sad whenever I reached the last page. I need more Katie and George in my life. Hell, I'll even put up with Lanyon to do so.

  Can we talk about Katie? I am Katie. Her dizzying addiction to video games and penchant for social awkwardness? That's me in a nutshell. Katie was such an honest character. So was George. The authors weren't apologetic in portraying these characters realistically, and I love them for it. Constantly reading about swoon-worthy guys and perfect heroines gets tiring. Having Katie and George was a much needed dose of reality. Their romance was amazing, too. It wasn't a kiss in the rain, instalove, we're perfect. It was awkward, unsure at times, and absolutely authentic. Geez. I love them.

  Not only were the characters great, but the whole book was. It's filled with nods to geek culture that I appreciated. The chapters are titled as levels. I audibly squealed whenever I saw the last chapter was titled Boss Level. It was epic. And the writing. Both of these authors were phenomenal writers.

  There are so many things that make Backward Compatible amazing. I could sit here and go on and on about it. It's just that good. One simply does not identify as a geek, gamer, or nerd without reading Backward Compatible.

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Review: Orenda by Ruth Silver

Orenda by Ruth Silver

(Orenda #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

Join forces with a parallel universe.

Dark forces, magical creatures, and the world Lil thought she knew collide when a dream transports her to the strange world of Orenda. Stunned and terrified, Lil comes face to face with her doppelganger, Willow, who possesses the ability to travel between the two worlds. Everything Lil knows logically says that Orenda can’t exist, but a small clue may be proof that it was more than an ordinary dream. With the threat of her sister in danger, Lil crosses dimensions but it may cost her even more than she bargained for.

A sword wielding girl, the eternal suit, and a parallel universe come together in this action- packed Young Adult fantasy adventure that will keep readers of all ages turning the pages. Orenda is the first novel in the Orenda series.

  Whoa! I really enjoyed Ruth Silver's Dead Girl Walking, so I was excited to have the chance to read another one of her works. Fantasy has always been a genre that I have a lot of love for, but can get easily bored with. Orenda never presented that problem! It was so fast paced and engaging that I was absolutely absorbed!

  This book is brimming with adventure and unexpected twists and turns. All of the characters, even the evil sorceress, were so well thought out and I enjoyed them all immensely. Lil was my favorite, though. The courage and bravery that she showed was really admirable. I loved going on this adventure with her!

  Ruth Silver is easily moving into my favorite author category. Her books are always so rich with detail and descriptions. It took no time before I was lost between the pages of Orenda. If you love fantasy worlds that promise adventure and a brilliant escape, look no further than Orenda!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Tour: Orion's Curse by Amy Bartelloni

ORION'S CURSE

Author: Amy Bartelloni

Genre: YA Dystopian

Series: Andromeda series, Book #2

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

~ SYNOPSIS ~

It's been two months since the blowout with President Vise. 

The Valley is rebuilding and elections have been planned, but things are about to change when a new group of refugees arrives seeking the cure. They've brought with them someone Anyon never thought he'd see again, but he's not the only one who's surprised.

While Anyon sorts out the new arrivals, Malachi's loyalty will be tested when Dax and Raven, old friends from his time on the streets, show up baring secrets he's tried hard to keep hidden. He's never shared that part of his past with anyone, and finds himself going along with Dax to prevent anyone, especially Sera, from learning what they did on the streets to survive. 

But how far will he go to keep his past hidden?

Things take a turn for the worse when Dax and Raven pit Malachi against his friends. Will Sera's love be enough to prevent him from sliding back into his dark past, a past that's more brutal than even she can imagine?

~ PURCHASE ~

Amazon | Paperback | B&N 

~ REVIEW ~

  You guys! Wow! I absolutely FLEW through Orion's Curse. It is filled to the brim with action and development. I was left breathless!

  Amy Bartelloni really showcases her writing with Orion's Curse. The devotion and attention she paid to developing her characters in the second book of The Andromeda Series really shines. There are many different elements to this book, as there were with Andromeda, and they are fit together so effortlessly.

  I absolutely adore Amy Bartelloni's writing and The Andromeda Series. This book couldn't have been crafted any more perfectly. Dystopians are becoming more and more popular these days, but this series really stands out to me. You can't go wrong with it!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

*****

~ The Andromeda Series ~ 

ANDROMEDA

Series: The Andromeda Series, Book #1

Genre: YA Dystopian

Publisher: Limitless Publishing 

~ SYNOPSIS ~
Ten years after a pandemic swept the globe, survivors were forced into factions and camps in order to survive.

Jade and Sera are two orphans who have found refuge in a government camp. It's there where Jade falls in love with a young soldier, Anyon. But Anyon has his own secrets, carefully guarding a past that involves Sera. Before Jade and Anyon admit their feelings to each other the camp is attacked and they're separated.

Jade knows to lead Sera to Albany, the last free camp in the east, but the road is dangerous.

Not only must they dodge pockets of infection, but they're threatened by drifters and gangs. When they arrive in Albany, they find it deserted.

Anyon and his friend Malachi are close on their heels, but not close enough. The Provisional Government is on a mission, and no one is quite prepared for what lies ahead.

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 ~ PURCHASE ~

Amazon | Paperback | B&N

~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~

Amy Bartelloni is a reader, writer, & coffee addict who lives with her husband, 3 children, and various animals in the northeast US. When she's not playing mom-taxi, you can find her with her nose in a book or her head in the clouds. A people watcher and science fiction junkie, she still believes dreams can come true. Some of her favorite authors include Neil Gaiman, Jasper Fforde, Paulo Coelho, and Stephen King.

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