Review: The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter

Image and Description from goodreads.com

Book provided by publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Love or life.

Henry or their child.

The end of her family or the end of the world.

Kate must choose.

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity.

My Thoughts:

Wonderfully heart wrenching from the start.  It's been nine months and Calliope has been holding Kate captive unbeknownst to Henry.  Kate fears for her unborn child and for Henry.  This book was a fantastic ending to the series.  Kate and Henry continue to learn how to be a united team up to the end.  This story showed how compassion shown in one moment can spare great pain later.  It also demonstrated that when a family is divided everyone loses something.  I loved that Kate and Henry, while so in love, never had the perfect relationship.  As a mother myself, my heart ached for Kate as she agonized over the best thing for her baby.  I can't say more as to avoid spoilers.  Kate also had to come to terms with the fact that even our parents are capable of making huge mistakes that are hard to forgive.  I can't wait to see what Aimee Carter gives us next.  She is such a talented author.  If you love Greek Mythology you should pick up this series.

Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Image and description from goodreads.com

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . . 

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

My Thoughts:

I know I'm behind on reading this book.  I've wanted to read it for several months and I kept hoping to win it in one of hundreds of giveaway hops I entered.  Then my sweet blog sister gifted it to me.  This book was so worth the wait!!  I love books about the ocean, mermaids and Poseidon is one of my favorite Greek gods.  I soon found out that the Poseidon in this book was nothing like I'd ever heard before.  Anna Banks created such a pragmatic world for her Syrena with all the politics and a social system to follow.  I really enjoyed that all the answers weren't just laid out easily.  The characters had to search to find many of them.  Emma was a likable and I loved her fiery temper.  She takes her new situation and discoveries about herself courageously.  Galen sounds extremely swoon worthy.  He takes a  huge risk helping Emma figure out who she is.  His twin sister was the perfect character to love/hate.  The banter between all the characters added some great comic relief.  The story was well paced and one that I couldn't put down.  Then I get to the end...OH MY CLIFFHANGER!!!  What?!!  I have to wait?  How can I possibly wait?!  Clearly Banks is unfamiliar with my lack of patience when I fall in love with a series.  I suppose that's the bitter-sweet of it though.

YA Giveaway Hop

YA...It's not just for the young anymore!

Here on my stop one winner will win a $10 Amazon GC to get a book they've been hoping for.  If I got to choose a book from my own wish list it would be to be Pre-order Of Triton by Anna Banks.  It comes out 2 days for before my birthday so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Bent by H.B. Heinzer

Description and Image from goodreads.com

Book provided by author in exchange for my honest review.

If there’s one thing Julia Wilson has learned in life, it’s that you can’t push your own dreams to the background for anyone. Newly divorced, Julia returns to the hometown she once swore would never see her again. Her plan is simple; enjoy the cheap rent her friend is offering and stay just long enough to develop a plan to make her own dreams come true. 

It doesn’t take long before Julia realizes she’s made a big mistake. 

Micah Anderson came closer to breaking Julia than anyone else ever had. After promising her forever, he broke her heart the week before she left for college. Now, Julia’s back in town and he’s going to have to tell her the truth about why he left her. It’s not possible to hide a twelve year old child when you live in a town of 5,000 people. 

Is following your dreams worth it if it means giving up on a second chance with her first love? Is trying to make a relationship work worth it if his past becomes a threat to her safety?

My Thoughts:

This book was quite a roller coaster ride.  I loved all the characters in this story and couldn't help but hurt for them when things got rough.  I even had sympathy for the "villain" in the story.  Julia's reactions to most of the situations were realistic and I could see where she was coming from.  While some might get frustrated with her need to do things for herself, I completely empathized.  You can't help but fall in love with Micah and admire his decision to be a good father.  In a day when so many men throw their children away it was refreshing to read about one who put his child first.  There were some editing issues through out the book but nothing that took away from the story.  There is some sexual content and language.  I recommend this read for 17 yrs. and older.

Review: Frosted by Wendy Sparrow

Image and description from goodreads.com

Book purchased from Amazon because it looked delicious!

After falling through the ice one cold day, Kate is saved by a mysterious man named Jack and ends up marrying him. Come to find out she's committed herself to the king of winter himself. Now Kate has cold feet about their life together…and cold everything else.

She doesn't think Jack will miss her if she packs up and runs away to Colorado. After all, she's been in living in sunny Florida for seven years, and he hasn't managed to come see her. But Jack has one last chance of convincing his runaway bride to come back to him, and he won't give up until he breaks through the ice that's frosted her heart.

My Thoughts:  

I don't know why, but I seem to have a huge crush on Jack Frost.  This version of him definitely encourages it.  He sounds like he would give any woman the shivers.  This story was a fantastic romance with just the right touch of fantasy.  I appreciated that Kate had real problems and issues holding her back from her relationship with Jack.  Not to mention it would be a little disconcerting to think you'd be surrounded by snow and ice all the time with only one other person for company.  That would give any normal person cold feet.  Pun intended.  The Winter World sounds AMAZING.  I loved the way the author described it and I wish there had been more.  I wanted to know more about the winter fae.  I guess when a book makes you want more, it's pretty good.  This was a fast read with light sexual content and no bad language.

Review: Level 2 by Lenore Applehans

Description and Image from goodreads.com

ARC provided by publisher

'I pause to look around the hive - all the podlike chambers are lit up as the drones shoot up on memories ... I've wanted to get out of here before, but now the tight quarters start to choke me. There has to be more to death than this.'

Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend ... and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her.

Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves.

My Thoughts:

The Matrix meets the after life.  That's my over all impression.  I have to give the author an A+ for originality.  I've never read a paranormal book like this.  I really liked the references to bee hives and drones.  Felicia feels like she's been in a version of Purgatory for eons.  I liked Felicia, but I didn't get attached to her.  I appreciated the way she learned from her past mistakes; though I think I wanted her to succeed more for others' sake than for her own.  I would have liked a little more closure when it came to her family issues.  The book description talks about two loves, but I don't think Felicia ever loved Julian.  Julian wasn't my favorite, however.  Most of the things he did were nonredeemable.  So when we get to his final scene in this book it was a bit too late for me to like him.  I guess we'll see more of him in the next book.  I couldn't really reconcile the use of Greek mythology with an Angels/Heaven/Hell subject.  It just didn't mix.  I suppose if there had been more explanation or history behind it I could have understood better.  That being said, I enjoyed going with Felicia on her journey to confront her past and the more painful parts of her life.  I was left with some confusion at the end.  It was almost like someone turned on the fast forward.  I hope the next book clears some of it up.  If you like sci-fi you'll probably like this book.  

No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop

Thanks to ALL my awesome followers! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SQUEEEEEEE! Hunted will be here so soon!

OMG, OMG, OMG!  One of my most favorite authors, Ednah Walters, has given me what I love most...MORE Sykes!  I know for others it's Bran you want, but I love my Sykes.  The next book, Hunted, in the Guardian Legacy series will be out in just a few months.  That means a blog tour and giveaway will be coming our way too!  Add this to your TBR/Wish list right away.  I have the widget on the left if you want to add it to your page.  
April 2, 2013 can not get here fast enough!

Bran and Lil may have escaped an attempt to lure Lil to the dark side, and recovered the contracts damned people signed with Bran when he was a soul collector, but someone forgot to tell them that no one switches sides or cancels contracts without consequences. 

Hunted by an unknown but powerful enemy, Lil, Bran and the Guardians must seek help from unlikely sources to avert total annihilation of the Guardians. When they finally face their enemy, one of them may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Bad Boy Rehab Hop

They try to make me go to rehab but I said No, No, No!!

I'll keep my addiction to those swoon-worthy, eye candy thank you very much!  Now you get to choose a boy err...ebook from my favorites.

Ash is the ULTIMATE bad boy with a golden heart!

  

To quote Kat, "Daemon Black is the Holy Trinity" of bad yumminess!

You can't  survive out in the harsh world without Perry.  

Now stop drooling over my boys and fill out the rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just Breathe by Kendall Grey Book Blast Day!

How breath taking is this cover?!!!  

WARNING: This book contains graphic language, sex, and violence. NOT SUITABLE FOR READERS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

He made a deal with the devil to save the woman he loves…

After a terrible accident rocks the foundation of their relationship, Australian Sentinel Gavin Cassidy and whale biologist Zoe Morgan call it quits. Gavin can’t forgive himself for shattering her trust, and being with the sexy rock star is killing Zoe. Literally.

But love—and duty—are powerful motivators, and alliances are forged in the most unlikely places. With the key to salvation locked inside the mind of an unconscious child, Gavin must find another way to snuff out the Fyre Elementals before millions of humans die, or make good on his deal with the devil and lose the one he loves. Again.

*The author will donate all profits from the sale of the JUST BREATHE trilogy to programs that educate people about whales and the challenges they face.

JUST BREATHE is live at:

 Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Just-Breathe-ebook/dp/B00AY0K0TC

Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-breathe-kendall-grey/1045551004

Readers can also purchase directly from my web site via PayPal if they prefer - http://www.justbreathenovels.com/Just_Breathe/Purchase.html

I'll put up the Smashwords version later this week. 

Add to Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13414346-just-breathe

FYI, INHALE, the first book in this trilogy is free (http://amzn.to/L1vuBI) on Amazon through the end of January. EXHALE is $2.99 for Kindle (http://amzn.to/KD72Aq) right now but should return to $3.99 any moment (Amazon hasn't figured out it's supposed up the price yet).

YA Faeries & Fantasy Giveaway Hop

I think this is one my favorite hops of all.  It may have something to do with the fact that I LOVE all things Fey or Faeries!  How could you not?!

For my magical stop on the hop I'm awarding one winner with their choice of any ebook or ebooks (up to $10) that have anything to do with Fairies.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Through the Ever Night

Image & description from Goodreads.com

Review copy provided by HarperCollins in return for my honest review.

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

My Thoughts:
When you look back on all the books you've read in a year from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 you can probably compile a list of your five or ten favorites.  It's only the 4th day into the new year and I'm pretty sure I've just read one of my top THREE favorite books of the year!  It could even be my #1.  Under the Never Sky was one of my favorites last year and Through the Ever Night is even better!  The story picks up a few months later and Perry is adjusting to his new role as leader of the Tides.  Aria is trying to figure out how to get Hess what he wants in return for Perry's nephew Talon.  When they finally reconnect it is so bitter sweet it makes you smile and tear up all at once.  The politics that play out in both worlds, Dweller and Outsider, are realistic and true to human nature.  The world that Veronica Rossi has created engulfed me.  Aria's transformation from Dweller to a combination of Dweller/Outsider is fascinating.  Perry's determination to stay true to he was and protect his people was admirable.  I hope this series is made into movies.  I'll be one of those crazy enthusiastic fans at the midnight showing.  If you haven't started this series please stop depriving yourself immediately!

Helpful Links:

http://www.veronicarossi.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronica-Rossi-Author/139136976179726

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4637369.Veronica_Rossi

Twitter: @v_rossibooks

http://www.harpercollins.com/

The Essence by Kimberly Derting

I was originally going to do a review for this book but I never received my copy from the publisher.  While I am super disappointed, I completely understand it's just part of life and I hope I'll still receive a copy that I can review in the near future.  I loved The Pledge, the first book in the series and I recommend it whole heartedly.

At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.

Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.

As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.

Author Spotlight:

From Goodreads.com

Kimberly is the author of the BODY FINDER series (HarperCollins) and THE PLEDGE trilogy (Simon & Schuster). She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the ideal place to write anything dark or creepy...a gloomy day can set the perfect mood. She lives with her husband and their three beautiful (and often mouthy) children who provide an endless source of inspiration.

Lovely Links:

http://www.kimberlyderting.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimberly-Derting/195909643784427

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2755160.Kimberly_Derting

http://pinterest.com/kderting/

http://kimberlyderting.blogspot.com/

Twitter:  @kimberlyderting