Showcase Sunday #91

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

Physical Book

I received this for review which I am so happy to get and I can't wait to start it but at the minute my reading is on the back burner due to the Commonwealth Games!

Free Kindle Books

  

Review Kindle Books

  

  

What are you waiting on?

Book Review: Elixir (Covenant, #3.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Website

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Spencer Hill Press

Published: 27th November 2012

Pages: 74

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance

Main Characters: Aiden, Alex
Date Read: 13th July - 15th July 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Aiden St. Delphi will do anything to save Alex. Even if it means doing the one thing he will never forgive himself for. Even if it means making war against the gods.

“I swore to you that I wouldn't let that happen, and I know I've failed you, but I'm not going to just give up, Alex. I'll never give up on you.”

I wasn't going to read this novella but I found that when starting Apollyon I was too confused and felt like I had missed something and I did, something huge.

Like all of the covers in this series Elixir has a stunning cover. I love the way that each of them has a different colour as it makes each of them different yet the same as they have a similar look about them.

 This was a short novella but it sure had a lot happening during that short period so it sure didn't feel like it was a novella I felt like I was reading a full length novel as everything was in depth with so many twists and turns. I loved that this book was from Aidens point of view as we then got to know what he was thinking which made a refreshing change as he did keep a lot of his feelings to himself throughout the series plus we get to know to what lengths he would actually go to when it comes to Alex. There was some very heartbreaking moments in Elixir with some tender and sweet moments. I didn't like that there wasn't much light relief that I come to expect in Armentrout's books. We did get to see a few different sides to Alex and none of them where good sides as none of them felt like Alex. This novella sure does set you up for Apollyon which I am now excited for to see what on earth is going to happen next but one things for sure it's not going to be pretty!

Overall this is a short but sweet novella which I highly recommend you read before you pick up Apollyon.

“Apollo had said he knew what this kind of love was capable of. And I finally understood why Paris had risked his country and his blood for Helen. Selfish, yes, but I understood. I would burn the world if that meant Alex would be safe.” 

Waiting on Wednesday - All Broke Down by Cora Carmack

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's this week's book I can't wait for...

All Broke Down (Rusk University, #2) 

by Cora Carmack

Expected Publication: 28th October 2014

Synopsis:
In this second book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack’s New Adult, Texas-set Rusk University series, which began with All Lined Up, a young woman discovers that you can’t only fight for what you believe in . . . sometimes you have to fight for what you love
Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one.
Environmental issues, civil rights, education—you name it, she’s probably been involved in a protest. When her latest cause lands her in jail for a few hours, she meets Silas Moore. He’s in for a different kind of fighting. And though he’s arrogant and not at all her type, she can’t help being fascinated with him. Yet another lost cause.
Football and trouble are the only things that have ever come naturally to Silas. And it’s trouble that lands him in a cell next to do-gooder Dylan. He’s met girls like her before—fixers, he calls them, desperate to heal the damage and make him into their ideal boyfriend. But he doesn’t think he’s broken, and he definitely doesn’t need a girlfriend trying to change him. Until, that is, his anger issues and rash decisions threaten the only thing he really cares about, his spot on the Rusk University football team. Dylan might just be the perfect girl to help.
Because Silas Moore needs some fixing after all.

I am currently reading the first book in the Rusk University series and I am loving it so I am now very excited to see Silas as what we saw from him in All Lined Up he was a funny and interesting character.


What are you waiting on?

Book Review: Red and Her Wolf (Kingdom, #3) by Marie Hall

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | 

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indie

Published: 27th September 2012

Pages: 176

Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance

Main Characters: Violet, Ewan
Date Read: 6th July - 10th July 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Long ago there lived a beautiful child. Her name was Violet. Fair of skin, with blonde hair and large blue eyes. Born of wild magic, she was a woman with a child’s heart. Innocent and lovely, but not at all what she seemed--you see Violet went by another name: The Heartsong.
She was the child of fairy magic, the physical manifestation of all fae kinds unbridled power. Cosseted and pampered, she grew up in isolation, never knowing who she really was, or why there were those who’d seek to harm her. 
Ewan of the Blackfoot Clan is a wolf with a problem. He’s been sent to kill the Heartsong, but the moment he lays eyes on the blonde beauty he knows he’ll defy the evil fae he works for to claim Violet as his own.
This is the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, as it really happened...

"She traced the curve of his lips. "My, what big teeth you have."
Ewan snapped them at her. "The better to eat ye with, my dear."

I have read the first two and the fifth book of this series which I have enjoyed which I thought that maybe this would be the same but it just fell flat to the others I've read.

I'm not a huge fan of these covers but I do prefer them over the other versions. I do like the hint of colour as it matches the title as well as a running thread in the story.

The first half of this book wasn't good as I really didn't think I would continue with it but I'm glad I kept with it as by the end I was really enjoying it. The first half was just a lot of confusion with not much going on in the romance or action I was pretty much bored. Once there was some chemistry going on between the two main characters I felt it then started to make it more interesting wanting to see if she finally let go of her past and be with him.  I do think that the reason why I couldn't grasp the story was because it was too short so there didn't seem to be any reasoning behind things that was happening until the end and then everything was rushed to get things sorted out.

I think that out of all of the books I have read in this series these two main characters are my least favourites especially Violet. Although there was a reason why Violet was the way she was but because of those reasons she was hard to warm up to. Ewan was the better character out of the two of them as he was always there for Violet even when she kept pushing him away.

Overall I found this review hard to do as I have enjoyed this series but this one just doesn't live up to them.

"Ewan. She trembled, he'd found her. Saved her. Love you. Love you so much, she thought over and over even as she poured more and more death into him."

Showcase Sunday #90

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

Gifted Kindle Book

The author was asking the reviewers of this book if they wanted a finished copy and after enjoying it I jumped at the chance.

Free Kindle Books

This sounded really good and it was free so it would be rude not to get it.

Review Kindle Books

  

  

  

Looking forward to reading all of these books especially the Sawyer Bennett and Sarah Morgan books.

What books did you receive this week?

Book Review: Because of Low (Sea Breeze, #2) by Abbi Glines

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Paperback

Publishers: Simon & Schuster

Published: 25th April 2013

Pages: 290

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Main Characters: Marcus, Low
Date Read: 6th July - 10th July 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Set in the steamy coastal Alabama town of Sea Breeze, an interconnected group of older teens hook up, break up ...and much, much more. Marcus Hardy had hoped to enjoy a year away at college while he put the summer he'd rather forget behind him. But instead, he's jerked right back his home town of Sea Breeze due to a family crisis. The only bright spot to returning is the hot redhead who sleeps over at his place several times a week. There's just one thing though - she's sleeping in bed with his new roommate, Cage York. Willow "Low" Foster needs a place to live. Running to her best friend Cage's apartment every time her sister kicks her out isn't exactly a long term solution. But Cage has a new roommate and suddenly sleeping over at his apartment isn't such a bad thing. Not when she gets to see those sexy green eyes of Marcus's twinkle when he smiles at her like he wants her there. There's one problem though, Cage is under the disillusion that when he's through sowing his wild oats, he's going to marry Low - an assumption Marcus intends to change. But when his carefully laid plans come crashing down with a revelation he never expected, Marcus will have to choose between Low or his family. Because once the truth comes out ...there's no other choice.

“I don’t think I’m making myself very clear Low,” he’d lowered his voice and the effect made goose bumps break out over my body. “I was only interested in one person at that bar last night. I only came to see one person,” he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and softly caressed my earlobe before tracing the line of my jaw. “I was there for you.” 

After reading and loving Breathe I decided not to wait too long to start the second book and I'm glad I didn't as everything was fresh in my mind (even though it didn't really matter as each book in this series can be read as a stand-alone book) and in the end I loved this far more than the first in the series...

I keep changing my mind on whether I like these covers as when I picked up this one to read I didn't really like it but the more I saw it the more it grew on me. I think so far out of these versions this one is my favourite which I think has more to do with the heart.

I have read so many rave reviews for this book and now I understand why. I loved this book so much more than the first book and I was hooked from the moment I started it. Everything about this book had me enthralled I just wanted to know what was going to happen next and to see if I was right about a few things which I was but I didn't mind I just wish they realised sooner themselves. I did love the little love triangle but for me Cage was never in the running. What was a great addition to this book was the family troubles that both Marcus and Low had as it added an extra dimension to the story. The chemistry between them sizzled from the very first moment they met one another with some sweet and tender moments as well as the smoking hot moments. I loved the ending especially after reading this one and knowing that we got to see more of the couple from book one so I feel like there is more to come but still with some closure. I am looking forward to finding out more about their future in the last book where each couple gets there own novella ending.

I loved all of the characters in this book especially some of the side characters which I am so happy they will be getting their own book so I can see more of them. Low was a great female character who has gone through a lot in her life but instead of it bringing her down it makes her more of a fighter. As well as her strong side she also has a softer side which was also nice to see as it made her more 3D. I absolutely adored Marcus who I loved in Breathe but even more so now that it was his book. He isn't the usual bad boy trying to get the girl he was more of a good guy and yeah he had his moments but I understood where he was coming from.

Overall the second book in this series outshines the first as I loved every minute of this book.

“Willow had stood back from my embrace, and her face was chalk white. I needed to deal with what was bothering her, but my mother's life hung in the balance right now and I couldn't.” 

Waiting on Wednesday - The Hit List by Nikki Urang

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's this week's book I can't wait for...

The Hit List by Nikki Urang

Expected Publication - 11th November 2014

Synopsis:
The Los Angeles Conservatory for the Arts is supposed to be a new beginning for Sadie Bryant. Moving across the country is exactly what she needs to escape the gossip surrounding her injury, the devastating betrayal of her ex-partner, and to rebuild her career as a solo dancer.
When the school announces that the annual Fall Showcase, a performance that secures a spot studying in London, will now require each dancer to have a partner, Sadie’s fresh start is a nightmare. Now she has to dance with Luke Morrison, the school womanizer with a big ego. Sadie doesn’t know how to trust Luke enough to dance with him after her last partner left her broken, but Luke is determined to change that.
Then, The Hit List comes out. A game of sexual conquest where guys get points for all the girls they hook up with—and it seems like every guy at the school is playing.
The girl worth the most points? Sadie.

I had seen this on someone else's WOW post not so long ago and it sounded like something I would enjoy, as I love dance films so I'm hoping that I will love this dance book.


What are you waiting on?

Showcase Sunday #89

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

Physical Books

  

 

The top three I got for 3 for £5 at The Works, couldn't find a third one that I have had my eye on so went for Personally... as it sounded like something I would enjoy. The bottom two books I got as I was having a really bad day so thought I would get a couple of books.

Kindle Books Bought

  

I bought these for my kindle when I was having that bad day. The first one was only 99p and the other two was £1.99!

Free Kindle Books

  

 

Kindle Review Books

  

Book Review: Violet Midnight (The Enchanters, #1) by Allie Burke

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle (earc)

Publishers: Booktrope

Published: 1st May 2014

Pages: 154

Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance

Main Characters: Jane, Elias
Date Read: 1st July - 4th July 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Look into the world of The Enchanters, where water has a sense of humor, trees scare people, and love… is destiny.
The beautiful Jane is hovering at the edge of content in her life of solitude in the quiet town of Jasmyn Lake, but when her energy sends her on a journey to meet the man she has been dreaming about for months, she cannot resist. Meet sexy artist Elias, who moved to Hazel Grove, California to get away from the rain, his parents, and everything that was taken from him in Hayward, Washington. But he thinks he may be losing his mind when he starts seeing purple glitter in the air, the scent of rosemary is everywhere, and he is hearing a beautiful voice.
But all is not flowers and ease for the newly joined couple. With a woman who prefers night to day and a man with heartache from his past, they must learn how to create their own new world with grace and the occasional water feature. Written with humor and intensity, book one of the three part trilogy will leave you yearning for more and daydreaming shades of purple.

Thunder roared around him, trees fell in his path; large chunks of ice fell from the sky. He leapt, dodged, and ran faster. A massive earthquake loomed below him, ready to strike. Still he ignored it. The entire world around him could perish in an hour, but he wouldn't care less. His only responsibility lay in his arms.

I was asked if I wanted to review this book by the publishers and after reading the synopsis I thought it sounded like something I would enjoy which I wasn't completely wrong...

I don't really like this cover and the main reason for that is because of the two models used as they look like they're teenagers which made me think that this book was a YA however after reading the book they are not teenagers they are a lot older. I do like the location used as I feel as though this is the actual location of the book. I also like the use of colour as that is mentioned throughout the book.

When I first started this book I wasn't that into it as I felt a little lost with what was happening and I was easily distracted which is never a good sign for me. I do think throughout the book there was some great and interesting moments that had me wanting to find out what was going to happen next there was just a few more of those lost moments towards the end which stopped me from giving it the full 3 out of 5. In the beginning I didn't feel like the romance was believable as they fell in love far too quickly which I don't usually mind but the love just came out of nowhere. As I hit the halfway mark I felt that the romance did get a bit more believable and it was cute to see. I did enjoy the 'fight' scene but I felt it was over far too quickly in the way you blink and you've missed it. There was one bit in particular involving Elias's dad that really had me stumped, I think if this book was a bit longer then maybe this would have been mentioned before the end. I did kind of like the end as it went into the future which is always good for me but there was a lot of questions that was left unanswered I just hope they get answered in the next book but seeing as the next book is from someone else's point of view I'm not sure that's going to happen.

I'm not too sure about the characters in this book as I felt they didn't really develop enough, I didn't feel like they where real characters as they didn't jump out at me but there was times when I liked them. Out of all the characters the one I liked the most would be Elias as he seemed the most interesting.

Overall I feel like this book needed to be longer so that we could get the character development. There could have also been some more explanation throughout this book.

“She ignored his feverish, sweaty skin, his violent trembles, and she kissed him. As he passionately held her against him, the whole world disappeared. It was just him. It had always been him.”