About Frostfire
Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes. Set apart by her heritage and her past, Bryn is a tracker who's determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite King’s Guard to protect the royal family. She's not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her boss Ridley Dresden. But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin– a fallen hero she once loved – begins kidnapping changelings. Bryn is sent in to help stop him, but will she lose her heart in the process? My Rating: 5 Stars I've been a fan of Amanda Hocking ever since I read My Blood Approves. I read the Trylle series in its self-published form, and I was excited to re-enter the world of trolls with The Kanin Chronicles. Bryn is a likeable character. She's strong, driven, stubborn, and reluctant to admit her feelings for her boss, Ridley. Unlike the Trylle, the Kanin live in colder climate of Canada. It was interesting to discover Bryn's world and note the differences between the troll kingdoms. And kingdoms they are, as they live by a regimented class system. Someone is taking the changlings, and it's up to Bryn and the other trackers to discover who it is and stop them. This very much read like a cat and mouse chase, and as the reader, I was often questioning, "Who is the cat and who is the mouse?" I look forward to learning more in book 2, and I can't wait to continue on Bryn's adventure, see if she ends up with Ridley (I hope so!), and figure out watch as the pieces of the conspiracy come together, because right now, I have no idea what to think. I highly recommend Frostfire. It was a quick, enjoyable read.
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 About Fair Game, an Alpha and Omega Novel
They say opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant alpha. While Anna, an omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind. Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can't afford any bad publicity. Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father's dirty work is taking a toll on Charles. Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston, when the FBI requests the pack's help on a local serial killer case. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves-all of them were. Someone is targeting their kind. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer's sights... My Rating: 5 Stars ***** I first discovered Patricia Brigg's werewolf world in Moon Called, book one in the Mercy Thompson series. I fell in love with the smart, strong, and often funny female lead. In the Alpha and Omega series, Patricia introduces Anna, an Omega wolf. I love the idea of the Omega - a wolf that can stand on its own against an Alpha, but also does not cause the tension that two Alphas struggle with. Anna is a very likeable leading lady. She has a troubled past, but she has overcome it to become both confident and strong. She is a perfect match for her mate, Charles, and she proves it by standing up to her pack to show that Charles is hurt and needs help. She asks when he can't. This particular story involves a serial killer case where what was believed to be human kills is discovered to be supernatural. Anna and Charles join federal officials to solve the case. The story is interesting and well paced. I also love the relationship between Charles and Anna. This was another great book in the Alpha and Omega series. For anyone who reads both Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega, the events in this book take place after Rivermarked (Mercy Thompson #6), but before Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson #7). You can read the Alpha and Omega series on its own, or read them together as I do. There is just enough character crossover to support the world building and satisfy your craving to know what's going on with the other characters. Happy reading! 
About Reign
Going to the Fae plane against Jared’s orders has cost Mina dearly. Her decision continues to haunt her as a new danger surfaces. The Grimms are fading. To save her family’s future, Mina Grime will have to travel to the past with the help of her Fae Godmother and a magic pair of shoes. She must go to where the Story first began, to the beginning of the dark prince’s reign. But can she finish her quest before her time runs out or will she be trapped in the past forever? My Rating: 5 Stars I am so hooked on this series. I purchased the first book as part of a set for some other authors that I already knew. I am so glad I found Chanda Hahn! I love this twist on the Grimm fairy tales. Mina is strong, and I love watching her stand up to Teague. I know the romance was with Jared, but I see sparks flying between her and Teague, too. I feel a little bad for Brody, because I don't think he's going to be the one she chooses, but I say it's fine for him to keep trying! I also love Nix, who was introduced in the last book. He's a great character and a good friend and confidante for Mina. I can't wait until the series conclusion.  About Voodoo Moon:
A sinister magic is sweeping across Nash City… To Fiona Moon, it’s just another day at work. And some days, well, they’re a helluva lot worse than others. As a member of the elite Black Blade Guard, Fiona is tasked with hunting down the most-dangerous Paranorm criminals. To find out who is kidnapping mages and sucking the life energy from their bodies, she has to work with the one man that embodies everything she despises. Master Necromancer Ian Barroes, a rich professor of Necromantic Studies, wants only one thing in this world… Fiona. They each hold secrets that could destroy them, but could also be the key to destroying the evil Voodoo priest, Bokor. They must learn to trust each other and track down Bokor before more innocent lives are lost. When Fiona becomes a target of the evil madman, she is lured into his trap. Now, she and Ian have to fight for survival… and their very souls. My Rating: 4 Stars Voodoo Moon introduces a completely fascinating world. I love the idea of a post-apocalyptic society that is magically, but not technologically, advanced. The chemistry between the two main characters crackles on the page. If you like fantasy and strong female and male leads, this book is for you. The only thing that keeps it from being a five for me is the amount of back story. At times, it got to be too much for my taste. Those who love that level of detail will really enjoy it. The world building is extremely thorough! 
About Rumpel's Prize
Imp, deceiver, villainous mastermind… Rumpelstiltskin’s been called all these names and more, and for the most part, they’re entirely true. But there is more to the brooding, blond haired Adonis than brokering deals for the devil. He’s hiding a terrible, hideous secret. One that threatens to fray the already delicate strands of his sanity and reason. A secret that he’s desperate to make right, to see whole again, and there is no one and nothing that will stand in his way of getting what he wants—no one except a slip of woman with hair like fire and skin like finest porcelain. Something about Shayera Caron calls to the beast inside him and makes him question his motives for the first time in his life. Shayera Caron is the daughter of the infamous Gerard Caron, former lothario of Kingdom but now a reformed rake and settled husband and father. She can go nowhere in her tiny hamlet without seeing the sneers of women and hearing the murmurings of their disdain for the blood that runs through her veins. Shayera is desperate to get away from the gossiping hens, so when Rumpelstiltskin rides into town, she doesn’t think twice before going wherever he leads. Only thing is Shayera is not as innocent as she might seem, for she hides a secret too. One that will bring the most feared man in all of Kingdom to his knees… My Rating: 5 Stars Marie Hall's stories are like romance novel crack to me. I absolutely adore her bad boys. They are not the villains you remember from fairy tales. What I like even more about her books is that the heroine is feisty and brave. You'll find no shrinking violets in her books. Even the fairy godmother, Danika, is a force to be reckoned with. Ms. Hall has made me fall in love with more than one villain from lore. First it was the Mad Hatter, then Hook, and now, Rumpelstiltskin. These stories are for a mature audience, but they are extremely enjoyable. Keep writing, Ms. Hall. I can't wait to see what characters you turn on their heads next!  About Unspeakable
“Breathe. No one will break me. I’m strong. Breathe. Just breathe.” On the outside, Willow appears to have it all. She’s beautiful, smart, from an influential family, and she dates the most popular guy in school—Jaden. But she would walk away from it all in a second. Willow is tormented by lies and suffocating guilt, not the hearts and flowers people believe her life is full of. She carries a dark secret. Plagued by nightmares and pain, the secret dominates her life. If she hadn’t walked away. If she had just…but she didn’t. And now she has to live with her choice. But when someone uncovers her family’s past, they use it against her, crushing her spirit little by little. She tells herself she just has to make it to graduation. Then she can leave Middleton, and her secret, far behind. When Brody transfers to Cassidy High, he turns Willow’s life upside down. He shows her what it feels like to live again, really live. And suddenly, she isn’t satisfied with just surviving until graduation. She wants a normal life—with Brody—and he wants her. But the closer they become, the more it threatens to unravel the secret she’s worked so hard to hide. Willow finds true love with Brody. Will she let his love save her, or walk away from him to keep her secret safe? My Rating: 5 stars Unspeakable is a book that pulls on your heartstrings. There were times I wanted to throttle Willow and tell her to wake up and get out of her situation. However, having never been a victim of violence, I can't say that I understand her mindset. It's also hard because her friends seem helpless. They clearly know something is wrong, but maybe not exactly what, and they aren't doing much to help her. Most likely, because they don't know how. It's the ugly side of abuse. It's noticing all the signs but not wanting to believe it. It's the truth that no one wants to hear about or speak, and I applaud Ms. Pickett for tackling this issue head on. Woven delicately throughout this story is the romance that builds between Brody and Willow. It's sweet and beautiful. It's also very realistic. Not perfect. They argue. They don't see eye to eye. They work hard to make it work. That's real life. I recommend Unspeakable to anyone who likes realistic fiction with a romantic overlay. This is a well told story of love, loss, and secrets that hurt. 
About Ensnared After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She’s determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles . . . and even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world—a parallel dimension filled with mutated and violent netherling outcasts. In the final installment of the wildly popular Splintered trilogy, Alyssa and her dad journey into the heart of magic and mayhem in search of her mom and to set right all that’s gone wrong. Together with Jeb and Morpheus, they must salvage Wonderland from the decay and destruction that has ensnared it. But if they succeed and come out alive, can everyone truly have their happily ever after? My rating: 5 stars
Oh, how I loved this series! My imagination soared as high as Alyssa did with her wings. I swooned over Jeb and Morpheus, because honestly...how can you choose between them? While my mind continues to whirl from the magical world Ms. Howard has introduced in the Splintered series, my heart is full. I couldn't ask for a better ending to this series. I loved every minute of all three books. If anything, I am sad to leave such rich, full characters. While the last book was darker than the previous two, it also kept me guessing through the entire story as to what would happen next. The madness and wonder that is Wonderland shines in this series. Jeb and Morpheus were both worthy opponents and worthy of Alyssa's love and devotion. Usually, I have no trouble picking a favorite in a love triangle, but I couldn't choose between these two. They are both brave and wonderful in their own right. Alyssa is a strong heroine, one who is willing to give up everything she loves for what she believes in. Her qualities as a leader are evident. I will miss this vivid interpretation of Wonderland, but it will live on in my imagination. |
Reading is Power
Before I was an author, I was an avid reader. I absolutely adore books and getting lost in the worlds that other people create. I love to discuss books, too. Feel free to leave comments. :-) Archives
February 2016
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