Book Review: Black Blood by Melissa Pearl

Title: Black Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy #2)

Author: Melissa Pearl

Publication Date: April 1st 2012 paperback, e-book December 14th 2011

Publisher: Melissa Pearl through CreateSpace
Source: Purchased for my own reading pleasure

Gemma's parents have put enough rules around her relationship with Harrison that she feels like she's living on parole. But she wins one battle—a summer job working for Harrison's step-father. It is the perfect chance to spend the steamy, hot Florida days with her boyfriend. It's also a great distraction from the cellphone hiding in her underwear drawer—her only contact with Gabe, the mystery man who's stalking her.

When she confronts Gabe, he tells her that her parents are not who she thinks they are, and Harrison has the gall to believe him. Surrounded by conflict, Gemma doesn't know what to believe, and it takes a trip back in time for her to glimpse the sickening truth.

Thanks to her parents, she returns to the present to find the love of her life no longer exists. His family line was broken and now, so is she.

This betrayal forces her to seek out Gabe. Setting aside her fear of the truth, she must trust this man and learn what he can teach her... otherwise, she'll never get her boyfriend back.

My Thoughts

I got to the bottom of page 229 and read the final three words...To Be Continued...
I threw my head back and screamed a silent NOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Its 12.20am, my husband is snoring beside me and my girls have been asleep for hours.
Me, well I've been unavailable for the last 5 hours. 

I've had my head firmly and completely stuck in Black Blood and loved every second of it.

Melissa Pearl has written a story that has utterly enraptured me.

I love her characters. There is just something about the way they speak to me that grabs me by the heart strings and pulls a coy smile from my lips.
Harrison and Gemma are without a doubt the most lovable and endearing teenage couple you can imagine.

Do teenage boys like Harrison truly exist, I sincerely hope they do and that my own daughters can capture the hearts of one for themselves someday!
 

But Black Blood is more than just a love story.
It is a story of mystery and intrigue, of love, loss and betrayal.
Oh my gosh, the betrayal!

The mysterious Gabe offers Gemma a glimpse into something too plausible to ignore, but is she ready to face the truth. Could the people she loves most in the world be the monsters Gabe says they are?
Gemma finds her life and all that she has known to be true unravelling around her and without her rock of support for guidance she flounders.
Can she be all that Gabe says she can and rescue Harrison from never existing at all?!

Black Blood kept me on the edge of my seat and up half the night.
It is a one sitting read kind of book!

Another 5 Star read from one of my new favourite authors ~<;]

I can not wait for Book 3, Pure Blood to release in paperback, I've just purchased it from Smashwords and plan on reading it tonight :)

LINKS

Melissa Pearl on Facebook
Goodreads 
Amazon 
The Book Depository 

Book Review: Cold Blood by Heather Hildenbrand

Title: Cold Blood (Dirty Blood #2)

Author: Heather Hildenbrand

Publication Date: November 22nd 2011

Publisher: Accendo Press

Source: Received from the author for an honest review

Wood Point Academy is not at all what I expected. For one thing, it looks like a cross between military school and Buckingham Palace. Everyone stares, the floors shine so bright you can see your reflection in them from a mile away, and no one smiles. Unless they're kicking your butt in the process.

At least I've got plenty to take my mind off the fact that my psycho cousin, Miles De'Luca, keeps calling and declaring his love and promising to come for me just as soon as he's destroyed anyone standing in our way. Wes isn't going to like that idea. So between Miles, Wood Point's evil welcoming committee, and the drill sergeant hottie trainer from hell, I just keep asking myself, how did I end up here? 

My Thoughts

Cold Blood is just as exciting as the first book Dirty Blood (you can read my review for book #1 here), but in new surroundings with all new pressures and with some great new characters.
 
Cambria or 'goth girl' as she lovingly refers to herself is a particular favourite. She has a quick wit and kick arse attitude which fits well with Tara's  personality.

Wes is more in the background in this instalment and I really did miss his presence but that's not to say there was no love interest for Tara (I'm not telling, spoiler free remember!)

Another great instalment in the Dirty Blood series, Cold Blood has action, intrigue, bitch fights, an awesome twist and so much more.

Cold Blood is an excellent read, 4 Stars ;]

Book Review and Author Spotlight: When You Come Back To Me Again by Jaimie Hope

Title: When You Come Back To Me Again

Author: Jaimie Hope

Release Date: October 31, 2011

Source: Received from Zaphyre Marketing and Public Relations for an honest review

It has been three years since Sara Rhea lost her beloved, James. Many changes have gone on around her, yet she seems unable to move forward. Finally, in an effort to help Becca invites her on her annual trip to Salem, Massachusetts. Sara is sceptical, but agrees to go along figuring she could at least satisfy the history buff in her by seeing the place the Salem Witch Trials took place if nothing else should happen. Still, she can't help hoping she'll find the answers she seeks while worrying she's in over her head. 

My Thoughts

This is the second book in a trilogy centred around Sara Rhea, but I haven't actually read the first book 'Who Says You Cant Go Home'.
However, it is the first paranormal romance written by this author.

The premise sounds great and intriguing and don't get me wrong I really liked the story, but I do think that reading book 1 first would have given me a better insight into the supporting characters and more understanding of the circumstances.

That being said the emotional connection between Sara and James that is shown from the first chapter is exceptionally written and you definitely feel their love.

The writing flows well throughout, and I was taken on an interesting journey into the tamer side of mediumship.
With a nice little twist at the end, 'When You Come Back To Me Again' is a very pleasant, easy read.
A decent 4 stars.

Under The Spotlight...

Jaimie Hope was born on November 3, 1976 in New York. It wasn't until high school that she decided she wanted to be a writer. This is when the ideas for the Adventures of Baby Jaimie started forming. This was also around the time she joined the newspaper staff. According to the author she was part of the staff for two years and really enjoyed it. Because the students weren't given assignments and were allowed to write on any topic on their minds. This gave Ms. Hope her first experience in freelance writing.

In 2003, she moved to Florida, where she was not only an active volunteer at the local library, but also in the historical society. During this time she also sang on a few demos at the local studio, wrote her first song, and ran a book club.

It wasn't until 2005, when she picked up The Adventures of Baby Jaimie and started working in earnest to get it done. It only took a month to finish the text of my manuscript. After several rejection The Adventures of Baby Jaimie was again shelved.

She didn't pick up the manuscript again until 2006. Ms Hope had moved back to New York and had lunch with a friend in the summer of 2006 who told her about a friend of hers who was a self published author. Ms. Hope contacted with him, and got advice on how to go about making her dreams of becoming a published author come true, and in November of 2006, AuthorHouse released The Adventures of Baby Jaimie.

After the release, Ms. Hope got busy trying to promote it, and as they say, life happened. Next she decided to try her hand at writing a novel. This proved to be a slow process as well, but not as slow as the first book.

In July of 2008, PublishAmerica released her first novel, Who Says You Can’t Go Home.

In June of 2010, Jaimie Hope became a two time PublishAmerica author with the release of her second novel, Bless the Broken Road. Her second children's book, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Goes to School also available courtesy of CreateSpace in the same year.

In 2011 three more books were published. An Autobiography, Roll with it, courtesy of PublishAmerica, and two direct to Kindle E-Books. The first one is the third instalment of the Baby Jaimie series entitled, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Gets Stage Fright and the other is my first Paranormal Romance, When You Come Back to Me Again. Both e-books are now available in book format courtesy of CreateSpace. (taken from author's website)

Links
 

*Purchase When You Come Back To Me

*Facebook

*On Goodreads

*Author's website

*Blog

Book Review: Fire With Fire by Penelope King

Title: Fire with Fire (Demonblood Series #2)

Author: Penelope King

Release Date: October 31st 2011

Publisher: Ascension Press

Source: Received from the author for an honest review

Book #2 in the Demonblood Series...

It's been over two months since Lucky and Liora decided their fate outside the cave. Over two months since Kieron left to finish his mission.

So why hasn't he returned?

Crushed and confused, Liora finds comfort with a mysterious stranger, a guy whose motives include more than just healing Liora's broken heart. Meanwhile, Lucky finds herself in the arms of an old friend...the one who has always laid claim to her true soul.

When the reason for Kieron's disappearance becomes known, loyalties will be tested, friends will be betrayed, loves will be lost, and hope will be found. Once and for all, Lucky and Liora will have to chose their destiny. And not everyone will survive their choice.

My Thoughts 

I have been chaffing at the bit to get my hands on this book since I read 'A Demon Made Me Do It' back in August. You can read that review HERE

I literally devoured Fire With Fire. 

Which probably was a bad idea, as I missed things that I shouldn't have.

But hot damn....I was Bones deprived!!

I will freely admit to having a HUGE crush on Bones ;P

I've now had a chance to have a bit of a re-read and you will LOVE every single sentence, every word in fact, of this engrossing, thrilling, exciting, sexy, tear jerking love story.

Yes I said tear jerking.....BIG hint *you will need tissues*

Penelope King has yet again produced a most beautifully written book that will leave you gasping for more, more, MORE!

When will Book 3 be available?

I dont know.

What I do know is, I will be I am chaffing at the bit for it already :)

Fire With Fire is most definitely a 5 Star read ~<;]




Other books available:

Demonblood Series Book #1

         
      

Spellbound Trilogy #1

Author links that may interest you:

Goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4893411.Penelope_King

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002167812628

Blog: http://authorpenelopeking.blogspot.com/

Book Review: Journey by Mireille Chester

Title: Journey (The Chosen One Trilogy #2)

Author: Mireille Chester

Release Date: May 16th 2011

Publisher: Baico Publishing Inc.

Source: Received from the author for an honest review

Hayden has made up her mind. If she doesn't pick sides between the Namaels and the Majs then innocent beings won't die because of her. Of course, things can never be that simple and when she's taken prisoner by the humans, a whole new problem arises. It doesn't take long before everything she thought she knew no longer makes sense. 

Could it be possible that the prophecy was wrong...

My Thoughts

I thought that Part 1 in this series was great and was hoping that Part 2 would match it.

Boy was I wrong....Journey is better!!!

As Hayden became more confident in the strange and wonderful world of Quelondain, so too did the author by thrusting more interesting twists and surprises in Hayden and Jasper's way.

You think you know where this tale is leading and then you are thrown another curve ball to wrap your mind around.

I loved this fast paced and intriguing story so much I barely left the comfort of my bed from start to finish.

I am consumed with love and wonder for all the immensely gorgeous characters and their quest for peaceful and happy lives.

I am chafing at the bit to read Part 3

An un-put-downable 5 Star read ~<;]  

Book Review: Mine Until Dawn by E.B Walters

Title: Mine Until Dawn (The Fitzgerald Family #2)

Author: E.B Walters

Release Date: July 20th 2011

Publisher: Firetrail Publishing

Source: Purchased by me

She's armed with a new attitude and a kick-ass wardrobe....

By age twenty-eight, art historian Jade Fitzgerald has had a marriage from hell and an equally nasty divorce, worked hard to control her weight and her arrhythmia. The last thing she needs is another man messing with her head or shooting her heartbeat off course. That is exactly what she gets when an aloof and mysterious stranger storms into her life.

He's cynical and doesn’t take crap from anyone....

Former investigative reporter Vince Knight is on a quest to recover a priceless, ancient Mayan artifact, which he believes Jade’s mother stole. He’s skilled at gathering information while remaining emotionally detached, until he meets Jade. The voluptuous woman stirs in him a hunger he hasn’t felt in a long time and a protectiveness he can’t explain.

Until, an insane man decides to add Jade to his collection of beautiful and rare things....

Neither Vince nor Jade expects passion to flare so fast or danger to dodge their footsteps. To defeat a ruthless art collector with a twisted agenda, Jade and Vince must learn to trust each other and embrace their growing feelings

My Thoughts 

I enjoyed Book 1 in this series a lot and you can read my review for Slow Burn HERE

I struggled however, to find the same love for Mine Until Dawn.

The storyline was alright but I felt it lacked suspense, and moved rather slowly considering a twisted art collector had sicked his henchmen onto Jade and Vince.

Vince is great as a bad boy turned good bad boy! 

But I just didn't connect with Jade and I found her a bit annoying.

There are some really great moments in this book and the sizzle between the sheets in undeniable, but I just wasn't 'feeling the love' for the book as a whole.

A bit of a bumpy read for me but The Fitzgeralds and Mine Until Dawn gets a solid 3 Stars :]