I can be brutally honest which often gets me in to hot water, but I am never disrespectful.
I may be opinionated, but I am more than willing to listen to the opinions of others.
If you have something to say about a book, feel free to say it here - I will.
Title: Flesh Author: Kylie Scott Release Date: October 1st 2012 Publisher: Momentum Source: Purchased for my own reading pleasure.
Ali has been hiding in an attic since civilisation collapsed eight weeks ago.
When the plague hit, her neighbours turned into mindless, hungry, homicidal maniacs.
Daniel
has been a loner his entire life. Then the world empties and he
realises that being alone isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Finn
is a former cop who is desperate for companionship, and willing to do
anything it takes to protect the survivors around him.
When the
three cross paths they band together; sparks fly, romance blooms in the
wasteland and Ali, Daniel and Finn bend to their very human needs in the
ruins of civilisation.
Lust, love and trust all come under fire in Flesh as the three band together to survive, hunted through the suburban wastelands.
My Thoughts
I bought this book because a friend recommended it, but I held off reading it because it has Zombies in it. Yeah, zombies aren't really my thing, I'm not a fan. I watched one episode of The Walking Dead and that was it. I just don't get it; it doesn't float my boat as they say. So after some further prompting by my friend, I somewhat reluctantly picked up Flesh over the weekend. OMG, when am I going to learn?!! (some friends know what they're talking about!!)
Flesh by Kylie Scott more than floated my boat, in fact my DH threatened me with an unladylike throwing out of bed if I didn't get up - but I refused to move until I finished this totally engrossing, surprisingly addictive, very sexy story.
Flesh caught my attention from the very first page with its snappy writing and giggle inducing banter from the two lead characters. I love a well written story full of snarky one liners, and Flesh had all that and more. A great page turner with an ever evolving love story, flanked by a fight for survival, stomach clenching suspense and gore, and two sexy men doing their best to protect and serve a sexually adventurous and open minded target for trouble! I admit, I wasn't sure at first how the sharing situation might work for Ali, Daniel and Finn, but I greatly enjoyed their sexual journey.
I cannot say enough great things about Flesh - in fact, author Kylie Scott may have very well converted me; I think I might try reading a few more zombie themed books. A good balance of action, romance, and erotica set in a unique and interesting world of apocalyptic Australia. Hot story, hot characters and even hotter sex, Flesh gets a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars from me ~<;]
Author Kylie Scott happened to see some of my exuberant comments about her book on facebook, and contacted me to very kindly offer, a digital copy of Flesh for a GIVEAWAY!!Thank you Kylie :) If you'd like to enter, just use the rafflecopter widget below :)
Title: Bonded Author: Michelle Davidson Argyle Release Date: November 1st 2012 Publisher: Rhemalda Publishing Source: Received from the author for an honest review/blog tour
What happened after
Cinderella married her prince? How did the evil sorceress in Sleeping
Beauty turn evil in the first place? Discover these stories and a world
filled with magic, forbidden love, elves, sprites, dragons, and the most
powerful creatures of all— the fairies —in Bonded, a collection of three fairy tale inspired novellas.
CINDERS: A Cinderella
sequel. Money can’t buy love, but magic isn’t a sure bet either.
Cinderella, now officially a princess, finds royal life is not what she
once dreamed. When a mysterious elf from her past stirs up
long-suppressed passion, Cinderella begins to wonder if there really is
love beneath the spell that captured her husband’s heart. But undoing
magic can be harder than casting the initial spell, and the results are
even less predictable.
THIRDS: A retelling of the Grimm’s fairy tale, One-Eye, Two-Eyes, Three-Eyes.
Issina is surrounded by magic, yet none of it belongs to her. Despised
and abused by her mother and sisters, she finds comfort when she meets
the beautiful elves living in the nearby woods. The elves want to help
her discover her own magic, but it’s not the kind of power she hoped
for, and she learns there is more to magic than getting what you want.
SCALES: A Sleeping Beauty
prequel. The sun never sets in the realm of the fairies. When the young
fairy Serina looks into her sister’s eyes, she sees darkness for the
first time. After her mother is murdered, Serina defies fairy law to
follow her sister to the human realm. There she discovers the strength
of a bond, the weight of a promise, and the darkness in her own heart.
My Thoughts
CINDERS: I thought that it started off great, but then headed into a really dark and dreary place that I felt took away from the magic of the start. The writing is great, and the imaginative and creative license taken with classic characters was refreshing and fun. But poor Cinderella had me wishing for a another, new happily ever after for her! A 3.5 star read :]
THIRDS: I really enjoyed the storyline - again, this was reminiscent of the Cinderella theme (downtrodden youngest sister, made to wait on the family hand-and-foot) but it turned into something so much more. Great character growth for both the lead and her mother and sisters - a coming of age story, and I enjoyed the magic element very much in this one. This was my favourite of the three, a very well written 4 star read ;] SCALES: I wasn't too keen on this one to begin with, it had a completely different feel to it from the first two. The two sisters arevery different from each other in temperament and behaviour and have an underlying competitiveness that made me feel uncomfortable for Serina. It was a very bittersweet tale of a fairy who really only ever wanted to be loved. A rather haunting almost 4 star read ;]
Title: Forbidden
(The World of Nightwalkers #1)
Author: Jacquelyn Frank Release Date: October 30th 2012 Publisher: Random House Publishing Group Imprint: Ballantine Books Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley From New York Times bestselling
author Jacquelyn Frank comes this first book in The World of the
Nightwalkers—an exciting and sensual new spin-off series in which the
Bodywalkers, an ancient race of the night, battles the evil forces who
prey on them. The unexpected happens
in an instant. On her way to work, secretary Docia Waverley hurtles into
a crashing crossroads, and she quickly begins to suspect that things
will never be the same. Then, when a tall, blond, muscular stranger
intervenes on her behalf, telling her it is his duty to protect her at
all cost, what is just a feeling turns to proof positive. That is, as
long as Docia’s savior doesn’t turn out to be a crazed kidnapper.
When Ram finds Docia, he has no doubt that she is his queen. But as
this golden warrior sweeps in to protect her, he feels something more
than body heat every time they touch. He is overwhelmed by a searing
connection that goes deep into the twin souls inside him. A desire rises
in him that is forbidden—this woman is his queen, the mate of his king,
his leader, his best friend. And yet Docia is so vulnerable and
attractive that she awakens a hunger in Ram that is undeniable, a carnal
craving he cannot yield to . . . not without risking the very survival
of the Bodywalkers. My Thoughts
I found some parts of Forbidden to be rather long winded and over explanatory, but as this is the first book in a new series, a reasonable amount of explanation does need to take place in order to build the world in which this series is set. But considering it's parallel to the Nightwalkers books, I did feel it was a little overdone. The characters were okay - at first I though that Jackson and Leo may have been a gay couple with all the love/hate tension going on! - maybe that would have livened things up a bit as I did find the love element of the story to be quite drawn out. I do like some good sex in the books I read, and by all accounts it's one of the things Jacquelyn Frank fans have come to expect from her books; and I definitely felt the tension between Docia and Ram (if a little awkward), but I found the description of Docia squeaking during sex a little off putting and I actually screwed up my face while reading it (cant say I've ever squeaked - LOL!!!)
All in all, I found myself zipping through this book with great anticipation - Forbidden is a pretty good read and I'd happily continue with future books in the series. A reasonably satisfying 3.5 star read :]
Title: Betwixt Author: Melissa Pearl Release Date: November 5th 2012 Publisher: Self published Source: Received from the author for an honest review Beautiful, wild-child
Nicole Tepper is hit by a car and left for dead. But when she wakes the
next morning, Nicole finds herself in bed without a scratch. Perhaps she
was more intoxicated than usual, as her mother is giving her the silent
treatment and her friends are ignoring her as well.
Things take
a turn for the weird when Nicole soon discovers she is actually
hovering between life and death. Her body is lying in the forest while
her spirit is searching for anyone who can hear her. Unfortunately the
only person who can is Dale Finnigan, the guy she publicly humiliated
with a sharp-tongued insult that has left him branded.
Desperate,
Nicole has no choice but to haunt Dale and convince the freaked-out
senior to help her. Will he find her body before it's too late? Or will
the guy who tried to kill her with his car, beat him there and finish
her off before anyone finds out? My Thoughts *Short moment of fangirl behaviour
required*
OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I was blown away by its emotion and
sincerity. Simply beautiful. I loved, loved, loved it!! I could not put it down, didn't want it to be over, loved it!
*fangirl squealing session over!*
Seriously though, it's no secret that I loved author Melissa Pearl's Time Spirit Trilogy, in fact they are on my favourite YA reads of 2012 list, and you can check out my reviews for them here: Book #1, Book #2,Book #3 And Forbidden Territory, which Melissa co-authored with Brenda Howson was a fantastic read too. You can read my review here So needless to say, I had some pretty high expectations for Betwixt. I needn't have worried because Melissa has again proved to me why I love her (writing) so much. Melissa Pearl has a talent for writing characters (in this case Nicky) with such emotion and truth, that you forget that you are reading a book. You almost become Nicky, its like slipping into her skin. Admittedly, my teenage years are far
behind me, but reading the first few pages of Nicky's chaotic teenage ramblings, had me reliving a similar moment in my own past, a mistake I had once made - and I was hooked.
The raw emotion, the turbulent thoughts of a messed up, hormone addled teenage mind is both refreshing and harrowing at the same time. The mean games of popularity, the constant need to be top dog, the good looking girl with the swoon worthy boyfriend, and all the nasty bits in-between just made me feel for Nicky all the more. She really is just a broken little girl trying to fill up all the cracks before she completely falls apart, and Melissa has captured it all with pinpoint accuracy.
Nicky's story is fresh and original, and while it's one of life and death, it's also a story of self discovery, personal growth, love, forgiveness and faith. A really great addition to a market flooded with supe's and otherworldly beings, Betwixt has a paranormal element all of its own. Full of beautifully written moments of horror and surprise, laugh-out-loud one liners, complete and utter sweetness (aww Dale), and bone aching sadness and joy; Betwixt is a story that is so lovingly told, it will have you questioning more than just how your actions affect those around you, but the very world you have created for yourself.
Whether 16 or 60, you will fall in love with this book and the author. Melissa Pearl is a powerhouse of emotional writing and her stories are addictive.
From start to finish, Betwixt had me choking with emotion, breaking my heart - but it was an absolute joy to read. Another book for the keeper shelf, Betwixt is a 5 Star Read ~<;] LINKS
Happy 1st Birthday to GOLDEN BLOOD by Melissa Pearl
Blurb:Gemma Hart never knows
when her father is going to whisk her back in time. Her toes start
tingling and she has a few minutes to find a secret haven where she can
disintegrate and appear in another time and place. While “across the
line,” her training and skills are put to the test as she completes a
mission that will change history for the lucky few her father has
selected.
Gemma's parents are adamant that secrecy is paramount
to her family’s safety. If people knew what they were capable of, they
could be "used and abused", as her mother always says. Afraid she might
accidentally utter the truth and break the ancient oath of her people,
Gemma spends her school days as a loner. Only one thing can throw her
sheltered life askew... Harrison Granger.
Harrison never expected
to talk to the strange Hart girl, but after a brief encounter he can't
stop thinking about her. He begins a campaign to chisel away her icy
veneer and is met with unexpected consequences. As he slowly wins this
girl over, he enters a surreal world that has him fighting to keep his
newfound love and his life.
If you want, you can read my Golden Blood review here
