Book Review ~ Chained by Night by Larissa Ione

 

Title: Chained by Night (MoonBound Clan Vampire #2)
Author: Larissa Ione
Release Date: September 30th 2014
Publisher: Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster)
Source: Received from the publisher for an honest review

THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE
Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction—or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation. To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader’s daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans.

THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL
But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress’s identical twin sister.

 

I am completely blown away by the level of awesomeness contained between the pages of Chained by Night. From the very first page I was held completely captive, taken away to an alternate plain where vampires fight for survival against the oppressive and tormenting humans.

Hunter is pure unadulterated, sinful sex on legs – OMG – love him! Bronzed Native American muscle wrapped around a loving soul who wants nothing more than to protect his people and bring about peace.

Aylin is amazing – not a whiney, woe-is-me moment to be seen. She is full of spunk, determination and wonder for a world she has been kept hidden from. A no-nonsense, honorable female, worthy of the ultimate alpha male.

I’ll be honest – I was a little doubtful about the success of this series. I found book #1 to be clunky and the MC’s pissed me off, but wow – what a difference! Chained by Night was everything a reader hopes for in a book; an emotionally charged love story full of smouldering looks and dastardly rival clans causing dissension and mayhem.

I even liked Nicole and Riker so much more this time around! And Myne, oh Myne... he pulled some serious heart strings. He is so tortured and lost; I just want to save him from himself! But I am really hopeful that Larissa Ione has an amazing love for him in the form of a tree climbing, disappearing, bounty hunter! I can’t wait to see what is in store for Myne and the rest of the MoonBound clan, I am so excited to read more.

Chained by Night took me on a blood thirsty thrill ride with some hot and steamy moments that had me trembling with desire for a Hunter of my own – my faith in this series has been restored!
5 Stars

Book Review ~ Mrs D is Going Without by Lotta Dann

Title: Mrs D is Going Without: I used to be a boozy housewife. Now I'm not. This is my book.

Author: Lotta Dann
Release Date: July 1st 2014
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Source: Received from the publisher via Booksellers NZ

Lotta Dann was in trouble - her fun drinking habit had slowly morphed into an obsessive hunger for wine. One bottle a night was never quite enough. When she tried to cut down, she found it nearly impossible to have an alcohol-free day.

Everyone around could see her drinking, but no one realised what a serious problem it was. She was high-functioning, fun-loving Lotta, not some messy, hopeless drunk. Only Lotta knew how sick and twisted her thinking about wine had become.

Desperate and miserable, she was falling deeper and deeper into a boozy hellhole and running out of ideas about what she could do to stop it. What's a girl to do when her beloved wine becomes the enemy?

Here's what Lotta did. She stopped drinking and secretly started a blog that charted the highs and lows of learning to live without alcohol. Mrs D was anonymous, honest and, as Lotta would discover, surrounded by people who would help her on her journey, and whom she could help in return.

Prelude to a book review...

I decided to write a short prelude to my review of Mrs D is Going Without, because it’s not the kind of book I normally read or review; I thought it might be good to give you a little insight.

I am the daughter of an alcoholic.

While I was between the ages of approx 12 and 34 my dad was pretty much drinking and/or drunk all-the-time. I won’t bore you with all the gory details of growing up in a seriously dysfunctional household, but needless to say it wasn’t healthy, or pleasant, or fun.

I’m an occasional drinker, but there is scientific evidence that suggests children of alcoholics may have a genetic predisposition towards alcoholism; and I guess that is always in the back of my mind. Like an inner voice of sorts, telling me to be responsible, reminding me that I don’t want to end up like my father. That’s actually a sad fact to admit to, but it is a true one. I do not want to be like my dad.

So I guess I was looking for some kind of reassurance that it couldn’t happen to me. Maybe reading Mrs D, would provide me with answers to my questions about my dad’s drinking, or perhaps I would be more understanding of his drinking through reading Mrs. D’s story...
 
Review

Mrs D is Going Without is nothing but honest... unabashedly so.
Lotta Dann (Mrs D) leaves no stone un-turned, no secret unrevealed, as she reflects and expands on her first years of sobriety; originally recorded on her blog (of the same name).

Full of insightful ‘light bulb’ moments, tips and tricks for skipping her 5 o’clock wine – Mrs D had a serious case of clean the house to avoid a drink syndrome – she did whatever it took to avoid booze, and it worked for her.

I love the narrative that strings the blog posts together, and the blog comments that slowly appear to offer support are great to read, to see how her story resonates with people from all works of life, all corners of the globe. But the thing I like the most is Mrs D’s relatability.

Mrs D really is like you or I. She is juggling all the exciting and mundane things that make us all hardworking wives and mothers. Sick kids, moving house, housework, school runs, general day-to-day monotony - you name it, she did it – all while going cold turkey, all without her usual wine o’clock relief that would turn in to an inevitable wow, I drank the whole bottle evening!

I saw similarities between Mrs D and my dad.
Hell, I even saw similarities between Mrs D and myself! But there are great differences too, as revealed on page 220.
I wrote this down in my notes: ‘I so loved this moment. I read it with a tear in my eye. Because after almost 40 years of being one, my Dad still can't say those words... you are a brave and honest woman Mrs D, and I applaud you for it.’ I won’t give it completely away for those of you who will read Mrs D is Going Without, but I found this to be one of the most defining moments in Mrs D’s journey.

To say I enjoyed this book would be understating the fact. I absolutely loved this memoir. After finishing, I wrote this note: ‘so I've pretty much cried my way through the last chapters of this book (yes, I am a crier in general) but I have been so moved by Lotta and her journey. Cheers (of the non alcoholic variety) to you :)’

Did I get some of the answers I was looking for – well yes, I think I did.
I definitely have a better realization about how easy the slide from one evening drink to out of control drinking can be. And while I always have been aware, I now have a better understanding about alcohol being a drug, about how it can consume your every thought, having to base every decision you make on what to drink instead of booze and how to avoid slipping back it to its clutches. Because it is so socially accepted, we hardly notice when it gets out of control.

Mrs D is Going Without, is a must read. And not just for those thinking of giving up the drink. Family, friends, loved ones, children and parents of alcoholics; anyone, anywhere can be affected by alcoholism and I would strongly recommend that you all read this book – if for nothing more than to simply understand that someone who may be struggling with alcohol doesn’t have to be falling down drunk every day. Even the person lying in bed beside you could be silently struggling... and you just don’t realise it.
A truly inspiring 5 star read.

More Than Just a Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent (Divergent #1)
Author: Veronica Roth
Release Date: January 1st 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Purchased by me

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

My Thoughts

I purchased Divergent way back when it was newly released, back in 2011, back when it was being hyped up the wazoo as the next best thing!!
It then sat on my to-be-read pile while I made my way through book after book that I felt took precedence over it. When I did finally plan to read it, I made the mistake of checking out its rating and reading some reviews first.

Many compared it to Twilight for its originality while others slammed it for its likeness to The Hunger Games. The stats I read were mostly 5 star reviews full of OMG’s and exuberant, expletive laden rants induced by too much chocolate and caffeine, or 1 star slammers full of WTF’s and disparaging speeches about the state of today’s literature; and to be honest my initial thoughts were “Oh, God, it’s a clunker!” And so it has sat, unloved and unread on my I’ll-read-it-one-day pile… at least it did, until just a few days ago.

Let me set the scene...

My Miss 15 asks me to look at a movie trailer she found on YouTube because it looks, and I quote “like the type of book you like to read” So I wander over to her desktop and casually watch over her shoulder.

I see the title and groan “Ugh, I have this one on my bookshelf. I haven’t been able to bring myself to read it yet” I say as I start to walk away.

“But Mum, it has that hot Aussie guy you like in it!” she waggles her eyebrows and does this crazy finger pointing thing like she’s cocking a gun and we both have a laugh over my sometimes inappropriate lusting of hot (half my age) guys!

So I watch.
I’ve seen it before, albeit briefly on Facebook. But this time I really watch.
And then I watch it again, and again, and yes, again!

Soooo, yeah. I was excited by the Divergent trailer and its beef cake factor! (there’s no crime in looking!)
Australian actor - and yes, total hottie - Jai Courtney (A Good Day to Die Hard, Spartacus - Blood and Sand) is in it, and I was very drawn to the deep, sultry voice of Theo James (Underworld: Awakening, Golden Boy) and it helps that he’s real easy on the eye too!

So I figured what the hell, the trailer looks pretty good awesome. There’s some visible tension between the two main characters, and being that I am a total noodle for the aforementioned man candy actors, the book must be good, right!

Wrong!

Divergent by Veronica Roth is freaking amazing!
Seriously, I really loved it!

Tris is the heroine yes, but she’s also a real girl. While she has insecurities and questions about her place in the world, in her own family and her faction, she is not weak, whiney, or totally dependent on being rescued by someone else. She has balls!!

And Four. He’s the strong silent type.
Strong.
Sexy.
Tattooed.
Did I say strong, sexy, and tattooed? - seriously what more do you need!!
He is also a total sweetie. He does what he can, when he can, and encourages Tris to find the strength to be Dauntless.

Veronica Roth’s writing is smooth, unhurried, and flows effortlessly throughout. Equal parts excitement and fear, suspense and drama; and all with an honesty that is quite frankly, sometimes hard to find.

I was captivated and addicted to Divergent right from the start, and even though it was published 2 ½ years ago, it’s one of my favorite reads for the year. A well deserved 5 Stars

...and here's the trailer that hooked me!!

Book Review: Three Things by Randall Grange

Title: Three Things
Author: Randall Grange
Release Date: March 22nd 2013
Publisher: Toad Ltd
Source: Received from the author for an honest review

After an accident, and a short hospital stay, Randall lands in an alcohol and drug rehab. Convinced she’s been sent to the wrong type of rehab, and desperate to leave but too scared to speak up, she sits through a group therapy session where she’s confronted by a straight talking therapist who lets her know why she’s there and what’s expected of her - to confess the three secrets that she’s willing to kill herself over.

Just three? She has way more than three, but which are her worst? And how can she be sure telling on herself is the right thing to do?

Prologue

I still can’t work out how it happened. How the therapist persuaded me to stay in rehab. Maybe it was her smile or the way she motioned for me to sit down, or perhaps it was the way she put her hand on my shoulder when she introduced me to the group, but most likely it was when she wiped the tears from her cheek as I tried to explain why my face was black and blue.

I sat and listened to the others talk about their troubles because I knew she wanted me to, and because I felt I owed her something for making her cry. I also knew she wanted me to talk, but I couldn’t. I was about to get up and run when she began to talk, “Drugs and booze are what got you here, and I happen to know a lot about both. I also know things will run a lot smoother if you understand the treatment plan here doesn’t include learning about your favorite color, your astrological sign or the TV shows you like to watch. What I want to hear about is your life and your secrets, specifically the three things that make you want to kill yourself.”

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My Thoughts
 

Three Things is a beautifully written story, the story of a lost girl totally unaware of where things went wrong in her life. Seemingly dealt blow after harrowing blow from a very young age, Randall rides a roller coaster of emotions that she is unprepared for and ill-equipped to deal with.
 

An entire family in turmoil, each with their own demons to battle, a young and impressionable Randall struggles to stay afloat amidst a sea of bad choices. Three Things will leave you shocked and shaking your head in disbelief as Randall attempts to claw her way through life, trying to etch out some sense of normality, ultimately leading her to the point of life and death; it’s time to choose.  

 

Three Things is a powerful and sad story of redemption that will pull at your heart; after all that has come before, can you forgive – if not others, then yourself?
 

I cannot say enough great things about this story; Randall Grange has a clear and unique voice that I was immediately drawn to - her story is honest, fresh and at times emotionally raw, but her resolve is admirable. 

When I first picked up Three Things I wasn't sure what to expect, but what I got was a truly engrossing and enjoyable 5 star read!

Author and Book LINKS

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Spotlight On... Carved in Darkness by Maegan Beaumont and GIVEAWAY!

It is with immense pleasure and bucket loads of excitement that I can shine a spotlight on one of my favourite reads of 2013 thus far, and the gorgeous author who wrote it, Maegan Beaumont, who has offered up a *personally signed copy* of her book Carved in Darkness to one lucky reader!!
(please see rafflecopter at the bottom of page)


Past horrors bleed into a present day nightmare

Fifteen years ago, a psychotic killer abducted seventeen year old Melissa Walker. For 83 days she was raped and tortured before being left for dead in a deserted church yard... But she was still alive.

Melissa begins a new life as homicide inspector, Sabrina Vaughn. With a new face and a new name, it's her job to hunt down murderers and it's a job she does very well.

When Michael O'Shea, a childhood acquaintance with a suspicious past, suddenly finds her, he brings to life the nightmare Sabrina has long since buried.

Believing that his sister was recently murdered by the same monster who attacked Sabrina, Michael is dead set on getting his revenge--using Sabrina as bait.

*I loved Carved in Darkness and you can read my review here*

Excerpt:

Michael looked at her for a few moments before he pushed the gate open and crossed the lawn to retrieve her jacket. Bringing it to her, he held it out but she refused to accept it. She preferred to keep both hands wrapped around the gun dangling between her knees. Waiting another beat, he tossed the jacket on the porch.

“You broke his finger.” The thought seemed to amuse him.

           “No, I didn’t. I dislocated it.”

He laughed. “You can put that away now,” he said, nodding toward the SIG.

“I like it just where it is.” Her eyes locked on his face. “What are you doing here, O’Shea?”

He flashed her a killer smile. She tightened her grip on her SIG and waited for him to start spitting lies.

“Melissa—”

Her spine snapped tight, encased in ice. “Don’t call me that.”

“Okay, Sabrina… I wanted to apologize for this morning. Lucy knew I was going to be in the area and she asked me to look in on you. I really didn’t think you’d recognize me.” The explanation sounded completely reasonable and it would have been enough to placate her if it were true.

“Liar.”

            The smile didn’t fade. It blinked out like a switch had been flipped. In its place was a carefully guarded expression that gave away nothing.

“He killed my sister,” he said quietly. The words carried the force of a wrecking ball. They hit her square in the chest, nearly knocking her over.

            “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

            “Liar.” He threw her word back at her with vicious smile. It held for a moment before his face gave way under the weight of his grief. He looked away from her for a moment, seemed to be wavering, choosing his words, before he turned back to look at her. “I need your help.”

            She stood and re-holstered her gun at her side.

“No.”

            He made a noise that sounded like a strangled laugh and nodded his head. “You don’t even know what I want.”

“I’ve got a pretty good idea but it really doesn’t matter. The answer stands.” She turned to leave. What he wanted from her was obvious. It would be what she’d want from him if she were in his place. He wanted her to go back to Jessup with him so he could bait the hook.

Not gonna happen.

            “Let me ask you something… do you feel even a tiny bit guilty you’re alive? I mean, don’t you feel like all those dead girls are at least partially your fault?”

            “What?” she said. His words rooted her in place. She turned to stare at him while the porch steps rolled beneath her feet like the deck of a ship. She turned around to face him. “What girls?”

            “Really? You thought he stopped with you? Guys like that don’t do what he did to you and then just stop.” His tone was hard. Cold.

She shook her head, still unwilling to believe. “No. I would’ve heard—”

“He likes waitresses. Young ones with blue eyes. Spreads it around—Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas. Sticks to small towns with podunk sheriffs that couldn’t find their asses with both hands and a map. He’s disciplined. Careful. He only takes one a year. Guess when?” he said, his words sucked the air out of her lungs. She couldn’t breathe.

October first. Today. He was hunting today.

“He takes them and—poof—they’re gone, never seen again. Frankie was number fourteen. My guess? He’s looking for number fifteen—if he doesn’t have her already.”

            Liar. He’s a liar. He’d say anything to get her to do what he wanted.

            “How do you know? If the police can’t put it together, how did you figure it out?”

            “I have unlimited resources and I’m highly motivated.”

            His answer reminded her she had no idea who or what he was. Not anymore. She turned her back on him, surprised she found her way up the last of the steps without stumbling. She turned to give him another look. “Stay away from me. Stay away from my family.”

            “I’m not going anywhere. You’re going to help me.” He bared his teeth in another vicious smile. “One way or another.” He backed away from her until he was standing in the glow of the streetlamp. The sullen young boy she remembered was gone. In his place was a hardened man who would not take no for an answer.

“Oh, and a word of advice… stop digging into my background. You’re going to get your boyfriend killed. I’m staying at the Brewster place. You want to know something, just ask.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“No. I’m warning you.”

“Don’t come back here.” She wanted to run. Instead, she crossed the porch slowly and

pushed through the door. She closed it with a quiet click and engaged every lock in an impressive row of chains and deadbolts.

I’m staying at the Brewster place. You want to know something, just ask…

            The Brewster place was a B&B, one street over—directly behind her house. She looked out the foyer window. He was gone.
Available from Amazon

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Maegan Beaumont is the author of CARVED IN DARKNESS, the first book in the Sabrina Vaughn thriller series (Available through Midnight Ink, spring 2013). A native Phoenician, Maegan’s stories are meant to make you wonder what the guy standing in front of you in the Starbucks line has locked in his basement, and feel a strong desire to sleep with the light on. When she isn’t busy fulfilling her duties as Domestic Goddess for her high school sweetheart turned husband, Joe, and their four children, she is locked in her office with her computer, her coffee pot and her Rhodesian Ridgeback, and one true love, Jade.

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And now for the giveaway! 

Its super easy to enter and open internationally!
Thanks again Maegan for your generosity 

and GOOD LUCK everyone :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway