Review: Boundary Lines by Melissa F. Olson

Fitting into the Old World isn’t going very well for Boulder boundary witch Allison “Lex” Luther: she may have earned a place in a vampire’s service, but now it seems as if every supernatural creature in town has found a reason to hate her. And when Lex and her partner are assigned to investigate the suspicious disappearance of two vampires during the night of the full moon, they find themselves with more questions than answers.

Was it murder…or mutiny?

The crusade for answers will lead Lex all over the Colorado Old World, from a prison cell for a broken werewolf to a haunted Denver brothel. And when Lex determines the responsible party, the hunt is just beginning: something has been awakened in Boulder, something as old and powerful as it is terrifying. Only the woman with death in her blood can stop what’s coming.

My Thoughts:
Lex is one bad ass chick!  Oh. My. Goodness!  Lex sure has her hands full in this book.  It picks up a few weeks after she's returned from LA investigating her sisters death.  I should have read Dead Spots first so I would know more details of that adventure.  It doesn't directly affect this story but it would have answered some lingering questions.  Lex is on the hunt for some weird things in Boulder.  Along with carousing werewolves & exploring her new relationship with Quinn, Lex has a her plate is over flowing. In true Lex fashion she handles all situations with the skills of a soldier & the determination of a force to be reckoned with.  If you're looking for a unique, exciting series to read jump into this one!

Recommended for readers 16 & up.  Moderate to intense violence & sexual situations.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review Tour: I Wish & Wishing for You by Elizabeth Langston

 

I Wish by Elizabeth Langston What Lacey needs is a miracle. What she gets is a genie with rules. Lacey Linden is hiding the truth of her life—a depressed mom, a crumbling house, and bills too big to pay. While her high school classmates see a girl with a ready smile and good grades, Lacey spends her evenings seeking ways to save her family. On a get-cash-quick trip to the flea market, Lacey stumbles over a music box that seemingly begs her to take it home. She does, only to find it is inhabited by a gorgeous "genie." He offers her a month of wishes, one per day, but there's a catch. Each wish must be humanly possible. Grant belongs to a league of supernatural beings, dedicated to serving humans in need. After two years of fulfilling the boring wishes of conventional teens, he is one assignment away from promotion to a challenging new role with more daring cases. Yet his month with Lacey is everything that he expects and nothing like he imagines. Lacey and Grant soon discover that the most difficult task of all might be saying goodbye.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

My Thoughts:
I read this book in less than 24 hours!  That is how awesome it is.  Lacey has experienced more grief in her short life than most adults do the entirety of theirs. She is over whelmed with responsibilities no teenager should have to face.  The two things that hurt Lacey most are her stubbornness and her fear.  She's to prideful to admit when she needs help and too stubborn to take it when it's offered.  Enter Grant.  At first you think he's the answer to all of Lacey's problems. But soon it turns out that while he can do as many handyman jobs as she wishes, it's what they both learn from each other that's the true gift.  You can't put a value on learning to open you heart to love.  The ending was a bit unexpected and I can't wait to read the next one.  I think there's more to Lacey's story & I hope we get to see what happens.  I'd like to know where she ends up going to college and if her mom ever makes the progress she needs to.  I'm also dying to know what will become of Grant and his aspiring career goals.  

Recommended for readers 13 & up.

I received this book from the author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  

Praise for I Wish From School Library Journal (I Wish #1) Langston wisely limits the power of wishes, so there can be no easy fixes to complex problems. [The story] is all the better for it, putting the focus on the compelling and sympathetic characters. … the denouement offers enough twists and unresolved questions to have readers wishing the next book was already available. From K-books blog: I Wish is a fantastic storyline, with a dash of romance that is perfect for any YA fan. I can't recommend it enough. From Reese’s Reviews blog: This is definitely one of the most beautiful and amazingly written books I’ve ever read. Elizabeth Langston has written a fantastic story that drew me in from the first page.    

   

  Wishing for You by Elizabeth Langston She’s a girl who can’t remember. He’s the guy she can’t forget… It’s her final semester of high school, and Kimberley Rey is curious to discover what will come next. She needs to pick a college, but her memory disability complicates the choice. Will her struggles to remember make it impossible to leave home? Help arrives through an unexpected and supernatural gift. Grant is a “genie” with rules. He can give her thirty wishes (one per day for a month) as long as the tasks are humanly possible. Kimberley knows just what to ask for--lessons in how to live on her own. But her wishes change when a friend receives a devastating diagnosis. As she joins forces with Grant to help her friend, Kimberley learns that the ability to live in the moment--to forget--may be more valuable than she ever knew.

My Thoughts:
This book in the series was a bit on the sad side.  The rules on wish making keep the story grounded which I really liked. The same characters in this story that were in I Wish, but the focus in on Kimberly, Sean & Grant rather than Lacey & Grant.  Kimberly has a hard time with things most of us take for granted.  She struggles with simple tasks like doing laundry & cooking.  When we first get a glimpse inside Kimberly's world we see how dependent she is on her mother, iPhone & iPad to help her get by that she's lost all confidence in herself.  Grant comes along & helps her find that & much more.  The fact that Grant can't solve or heal every hurt for her makes her stronger in the end.  The nice surprise is the unexpected place Kimberly finds love.  I can't wait to find out what's in store for the next book.  This one eludes to some of it at the end and I know it will be awesome!

Recommended for readers 13 & up.  

I received this book from the author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

  Author Elizabeth Langston Elizabeth Langston lives in North Carolina, halfway between the beaches and the mountains. She has two college-age daughters and one old husband. When she's not writing software or stories, Elizabeth loves to travel with her family, watch shows on dance or Sherlock Holmes, and dream about which restaurant ought to get her business that night.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/11/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Happy Birthday Ednah Walters!!

Happy Birthday Ednah (Oct. 18th)!!!

Ednah Walters...the amazing author of two fantastic series and more.  She's also a dedicated mother & wife who manages to still do Zumba!  Shhhh.... don't tell, but I think she might really be Wonder Woman.  Ednah takes the time to interact with her fans & is known to send surprises on their birthdays.  The personable approach she takes with her fans is heart warming & is one of the big reasons she continues to be one of my most favorite authors.  So scroll on down & discover the awesomeness that is Ednah Walters!

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In a world where Angels, Nephillin and Demons live amongst us, discover what happens when you are forced to face the truth about who you truly are. Would you be able to find a balance between Love, Destiny, and Sacrifice?

Amazon http://bit.ly/RunesKindle
Amazon http://bit.ly/ImmortalsKindle
Amazon http://bit.ly/GrimnirsKindle
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When a world you barely  dreamt existed is not only real but part of your destiny, would you take the path unfolding before you? And how far would you go to protect those you love?

And that's not all!!!
Look what's coming....

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Isn't he just delicious!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Ednah:

Ednah Walters, holds a PHD in Chemistry and is a stay-at-home mother of five, (one with ADHD), and she is also a USA Today Bestselling Author. She's the author of the Award winning, International bestselling YA Paranormal Romance series, RUNES. Runes spin-off, GRIMNIRS, and THE GUARDIAN LEGACY-YA fantasy series. Demons, A Runes Companion Novel, The next Book in the Runes series and the 1st book in the Story of Eirik Baldurson (Formerly Eirik Seville) is currently available for Pre-Order and is scheduled to be released on December 15th,2015. She's also the author of the bestselling Contemporary Romance The Fitzgerald Family series, which started with Slow Burn for a total of six books & her NEW series, Infinitus Billionaire. Impulse (book 1) was published in January 2015. Indulge (book 2) was released on August 4th, 2015 Making USA Today Bestseller the first week Of sales. Intrigue the Third Book in the Series is currently in the works and will be released at the Beginning of 2016.

Links:

Ednah Walters’ Website: http://www.ednahwalters.com
Follow Ednah Walters in Facebook http://bit.ly/EdnahWFans
Follow Ednah Walters on Twitter http://bit.ly/EdnahTwitter
Follow Ednah Walters on GoodReads http://bit.ly/EdnahWGoodreads

Review: Nashville (Parts 1-4) by Inglath Cooper

Image & Description from goodreads.com

Part One - Ready to Reach 
Ever thought a dream might pass you by? 

Nineteen-year old CeCe Mackenzie is determined to make her dreams come true. She heads for Nashville with not much more to her name than a guitar, a Walker Hound named Hank Junior and an old car she'd inherited from her grandma called Gertrude. But when Gertrude ends up on the side of I-40 in flames, Nashville has never seemed farther away. Help arrives in the form of two Georgia football players headed for the Nashville dream as well. When Holden Ashford and Thomas Franklin stop to offer CeCe and Hank Junior a ride, fate may just give a nod to serendipity and meant to be. Because while CeCe is chasing after her dream, she might find love as well. 

Part Two - Hammer and a Song 
CeCe McKenzie grew up dreaming of a life doing what she loves - singing in Nashville. When she and her Hound dog Hank Junior set out to make her dream come true, life takes some twists she hadn't counted on. Like falling for Holden Ashford, a songwriter with a gift. And also a girlfriend. Can a country music star's hunky son help her forget about Holden? Or is that even possible when her heart insists on writing the song? 

Part Three - What We Feel 
Hunky musicians Holden Ashford and Thomas Franklin rescue Nashville bound CeCe MacKenzie and her Walker Hound Hank Junior from the side of the road when her car catches on fire. A less determined girl might have let her dreams go up in smoke as well, but not CeCe. She’s been singing all her life, and she just wants a chance to do the thing she loves in a place where music is part of the fabric of life. As it turns out, Holden and Thomas want the same thing, and it isn’t long before they’re all chasing after the dream together. 

Falling in love hasn’t figured in to CeCe’s plans, but the moment she sets eyes on Holden, her heart is asking why not? Holden is drawn to her as well, but he already has someone in his life, Sarah who still lives in Atlanta, Sarah who loves him. Who he thought he loved back until CeCe makes him realize he hadn’t really known that love could turn him inside out. 

But an unexpected visit from Sarah brings to light a terrible truth and Holden is faced with a choice between doing the right thing or permanently defining himself as a guy he never thought he would be. 

It is only in letting each other go that both Holden and CeCe will come to understand that in life and love, the part that’s real is what we feel. 

Part Four - Pleasure in the Rain 
Just as Barefoot Outlook begins to hit the big time, tragedy strikes when a rage-filled Nashville musician who hasn’t found the success he’s hoped for crashes an after-concert party and begins shooting. Among the victims are band members CeCe MacKenzie, Holden Ashford, Thomas Franklin, Beck Phillips and his country music star dad, Case. 

With each of them gravely injured, one will not survive, forever changing the lives of everyone involved. Will one man’s hatred and contempt demolish all of their dreams, or will they eventually reach a place where they can even take pleasure in the rain?

My thoughts: 
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved these book set & all the emotions it invoked.  At first it seemed like CeCe & Holden had nothing but one drama after the next that kept yanking them together or apart like a yo-yo.  But as the story progressed it became clear how connected they were.  Thomas was perfect as the country boy, yoda of the group.  His humor kept the story light in just the right places.  I envisioned Case looking & sounding much like Trace Adkins.  The grief that came through during the darkest parts of the story was heart wrenching.  It's what made the joy on the other side so much better.  I would love to have read an epilogue of what happened to all of the characters months or even years later.  I'm hoping there will be another box set including the last parts of the series.

Recommended for 16 & up. 

Review: The Lost Code by Kevin Emerson

Image & Description from goodreads.com

In the year 2086, Camp Eden promises summer “the way things used to be,” back before the oceans rose, the sun became a daily enemy, and modern civilization sank into chaos. Located inside the EdenWest BioDome, the camp is an oasis of pine trees, cool water, and rustic charm.

But all at Camp Eden is not what it seems.

No one will know this better than 15-year-old Owen Parker. A strange underwater vision, even stranger wounds on Owen’s neck, and a cryptic warning from the enchanting lifeguard Lilly hint at a mystery that will take Owen deep beneath Lake Eden and even deeper into the past. What he discovers could give him the chance to save the tattered planet. But first, Owen will have to escape Camp Eden alive…

My Thoughts:
Love the originality of this series.  I think I'd love to read more books about Atlantis mythology.  In The Lost Code the world is in ruin.  The ice caps are all but melted, the ozone is gone and humanity is hanging on by a thread.  Owen is a kid from the Hub; a mostly under ground community.  He's been sent to a "summer camp" called Camp Eden.  Camp is inside one of very few domes created for the rich to live life much like they did before things went to hell in a hand basket.  As Owen begins to experience some weird changes he finds out some strange things are going on at Camp Eden.  I liked Owen.  I liked how he handled the situations hat were thrown at him.  It's weird how humans can seem to adapt even when things seem weird or even unbearable.  I can't wait to read the next book and see where the Atlanteans end up.    The guy on the cover doesn't look like 15 yr. old Owen to me.  He looks more like imagined Evan.  Just a thought...

Recommended for 13 & up.  Mild language & sexual content.

Review: (Mis)Fortune by Melissa Haag

Image & Description from Goodreads.com

Michelle, another young woman with an unexplainable gift, finds herself surrounded by the previously undiscovered werewolf society. Kept prisoner for the predictions that torment her, she meekly follows orders waiting for her opportunity to run. When her stepfather dies, she takes a chance and escapes.

After witnessing Blake, her captor, grow canines, she knows he will do anything to find her. She needs a place to hide and someone to listen to her predictions so her head doesn’t explode, but knows there’s nowhere she can hide forever, and no one who can protect her… unless she can find someone just like him.

Part of the fur wearing faction wants to use her, another part strives to keep her safe. The second book of the Judgement of the Six series will raise more questions about the purpose of these gifted few and Michelle will need to fight for answers. Will what she discovers be enough to help her keep those she loves safe from an emerging evil?

My Thoughts:
I love how the books in this series are weaving together!  And the covers are BEAUTIFUL!  Michelle is special like Gabby from Hope(Less).  Sadly she's been forced to use her gift to benefit a cruel man with very little hope of a better life.  Blake is one mean SOB!  You'd think if he was so smart he would have tried using kindness to persuade Michelle to help him rather than abuse.  I think we'll be seeing more of him as the series progresses.  This book really opened up some questions about the werewolves and the possibility of more than one type of that could exist.  Like Gabby, Michelle has had to deal with much grief in her young life.  The only complaint I have is the same as the last book.  The lack of background story for the main character leaves the story open for too many holes.  I have so many questions.  Who are their fathers?  Where are their extended family members?  What was their life like before tragedy struck.  I hope much of it gets explained later on.  Emmit is YUM-MEH!  Unlike Clay he plants himself in the very middle of Michelle's life without a single apology.  He gives her the security she's been missing for so long.  I can't wait to move on to the next book.  I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a unique paranormal story to dive into.  

Recommended for 14 & up.

I got this book from Amazon and received no compensation for my review.

Review: Hope(Less) by Melissa Haag

Image & description from goodreads.com

Gabby's brain is like a human fish finder. It comes in handy when she wants to avoid people. Mostly men. They seem to like her a bit too much. It's lonely being different, but she's adapted to it. Really. She just wishes she knew why she is different, though.

In her search for answers, she discovers a hidden community of werewolves. She immerses herself in their culture, learning about their world until she meets Clay. He's unkempt, prone to mood swings, intense without saying a word, and he thinks Gabby is his.

It's going to take every trick she knows to convince Clay to go away, and every bit of willpower not to fall for him when she discovers the man beneath the rough exterior.

Judgement has begun...

My Thoughts:
I love books about werewolves and this book was unlike any I've read before.  There a few things I didn't prefer so let me get those out of the way.  I didn't like the lack of background or history for Gabby.  In the end we find out some stuff, but I would have liked to know more & a bit earlier in the book.  It helps me understand the meaning behind her actions & reactions.  The same lack of information on Sam & the wolves bothered me as well.  I hope in the following books of the series we learn more about the wolves & the special humans like Gabby.  None of that kept me from reading this book in less than 2 days though.  The way Clay inserted himself into Gabby's life was hilarious & I loved the way their relationship progressed.  I like that Gabby's character stayed true to herself & never changed her core personality or goals.  I do think that she should have a stronger connection to Sam than it appears in the book.  I hope in the end he ends up being the "grandpa" she missed out on.  Over all, the pace of the book was good.  The story is unique and kept me interested all the way through.  
Recommended for ages 14 & up.  

I bought this book on Amazon & received no compensation for my review.