Monday, February 27, 2017

REVIEW: Don't Speak by Kate Regnery




Title: Don’t Speak
Series: Modern Fairytale #5 (Standalone)
Author: Katy Regnery
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 27, 2017

OUR REVIEW:


Shel: I have no problem admitting that this is my very first Kate Regnery novel and that I became interested because of the world famous book blogger Aestas; I love it when other bloggers love a book so much that they convince me to try someone new-- and I'd hope that we do a little of that here--and in the recent past Aestas was gushing over a Kate Regnery novel and my curiosity was piqued. When we were offered a chance to review Don't Speak I jumped at the chance not only because of the high praise Regnery regularly receives but also because The Little Mermaid was a favorite in my household. Getting the chance to see a modern retelling of it in romancelandia was a no brainer! Court: I hadn't ever read any body her either, but now I am so hooked! I loved how things were tied to the world of The Little Mermaid, and since I've recently been binge watching Once Upon a Time...I am obsessed with taking these classic characters and making them modern, and new and a wonderful story. I was a wreck through most of it...I won't lie...omigosh. But, the writing was captivating and kept me intrigued even when I wanted to smack the characters through the book for their decisions! 

Shel: As noted in the synopsis this romance has that Romeo and Juliet, forbidden love, feel to it. He's the governor's son, she's the daughter of a fisherman. He's rather worldly and she's got to be one of the most naive 18 year old's I've come across; I could go on and on but I think you get it--they came from entirely different worlds and seemed doomed from the beginning. As a matter of fact, I think I read this with a slight sense of dread the entire time because I knew, just knew, bad things would happen --and they did and boy the aftermath was heartbreaking--the way Regnery handled the hard stuff was so tasteful and respectful and punched me right in the feels again and again and again and it made the sweet ending that much sweeter. Court: I was in dread mode too. Messaging Shelley the entire time because I didn't think my heart could take it (I spend a significant amount of time trying to get this woman to tell me plot points of books...and she hasn't yet, so maybe one would think I'd give up on that idea...hhmm!) I thought I was going to tear up there for a while, but I regained my strength as Laire found hers. Her character development went from downright painful to blossoming into a beautiful woman, and that was a pleasure to watch. 

Shel: I truly appreciate the way Regnery took the story of The Little Mermaid from what I watched with my little sister and my daughters and turned it into something new, yet recognizable. If you're like us and have yet to try a Kate Regnery novel/modern day fairy tale, I'd definitely suggest Don't Speak as a great one to start with. Court: I think so too! Read this one, and let us know what you think. The beginning is a little slow...but their relationship really needed it for the whole thing to be believable, to be honest. So hang in there, and get to know these characters and this authors style because I'm very interested in knowing more! 



Blurb

From New York Times bestseller Katy Regnery comes a new twist on a beloved fairytale.

In this modern retelling of The Little Mermaid, a fisherman's daughter from an Outer Banks island untouched by time, meets the son of the North Carolina governor at a fancy party she helps to cater.

Laire, who wants more from life than her little island can offer, is swept away by wealthy, sophisticated Erik, who is, in turn, entranced by her naiveté and charm. The two spend a whirlwind summer together that ends on the knife-point of heartbreak and forces them to go their separate ways.

Years later, when fate finds them together once again, they will discover the terrifying depth of the secrets they kept from each other, and learn that shattered hearts can only be healed by a love that willfully refuses to die.

All novels Katy Regnery’s ~a modern fairytale~ collection are written as fundraisers. 10% of the e-book sales for in March and April 2017 will be donated.




Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






Also Available


A MODERN FAIRYTALE COLLECTION

Don't Speak is part of the ~a modern fairytale~ collection, which includes six standalone, completely unrelated novels inspired by beloved fairy tales:

The Vixen and the Vet (Beauty & the Beast) - available now (FREE!)
Never Let You Go (Hansel & Gretel) - available now
Ginger's Heart (Little Red Riding Hood) - available now
Dark Sexy Knight (Camelot) - available now (99c!)
Don't Speak (The Little Mermaid) – new release
Swan Song (The Ugly Duckling) - available late-2017



Series Links

 AMAZON US / UK

Free in Kindle Unlimited






Author Bio

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Regnery started her writing career by enrolling in a short story class in January 2012. One year later, she signed her first contract and Katy’s first novel was published in September 2013.

Twenty-five books later, Katy claims authorship of the multi-titled, New York Times and USA Today Blueberry Lane Series, which follows the English, Winslow, Rousseau, Story, and Ambler families of Philadelphia; the six-book, bestselling ~a modern fairytale~ series; and several other standalone novels and novellas.

Katy’s first modern fairytale romance, The Vixen and the Vet, was nominated for a RITA® in 2015 and won the 2015 Kindle Book Award for romance. Katy’s boxed set, The English Brothers Boxed Set, Books #1–4, hit the USA Today bestseller list in 2015, and her Christmas story, Marrying Mr. English, appeared on the list a week later. In May 2016, Katy’s Blueberry Lane collection, The Winslow Brothers Boxed Set, Books #1-4, became a New York Times E-book bestseller.

In 2016, Katy signed a print-only agreement with Spencerhill Press. As a result, her Blueberry Lane paperback books will now be distributed to brick and mortar bookstores all over the United States.

Katy lives in the relative wilds of northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, where her writing room looks out at the woods, and her husband, two young children, two dogs, and one Blue Tonkinese kitten create just enough cheerful chaos to remind her that the very best love stories begin at home.



Author Links

Saturday, February 25, 2017

NEW: FLOW by Kennedy Ryan

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Flow, the prequel to GRIP, by Kennedy Ryan is now live and TOTALLY FREE!
And pre-order GRIP, the riveting full-length conclusion, while it's only 99c! Goes up to regular price $3.99 on release day, March 2!
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY for a $50 GIFT CARD! www.facebook.com/KennedyRyanAuthor

"Flow is the intro to an epic love song. It's that first beat that has you stopping in your tacks and turning up the volume. The perfect cadence to a must-read prelude. 5 on top of the world stars!" -Mandi Beck, Bestselling Author of the Caged Love series and Stoned.

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GRAB IT NOW FOR FREE! 
 Available on WATTPAD: http://w.tt/2kUo8Yk
Nook: http://bit.ly/2lNxZyo 

"Ryan continues her streak of amazingly accessible and authentic romantic fiction. Grip is a bold and unapologetic look at interracial romance and does not shy away from any of the ideals and prejudices that most of us are too polite to acknowledge - head on- amidst one of the sexiest, and provocative true love romances Ryan has penned to date. Break out the fans folks, Grip is aptly titled and sure to make you need a grip! -- Sheena, Smexy Books
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Blurb:
In 8 years, Marlon James will be one of the brightest rising stars in the music industry. Bristol Gray will be his tough, no-nonsense manager. But when they first meet, she’s a college student finding her way in the world, and he’s an artist determined to make his way in it. From completely different worlds, all the things that should separate them only draw them closer. It’s a beautiful beginning, but where will the story end?
FLOW is the prequel chronicling the week of magical days and nights
that will haunt Grip & Bristol for years to come.
GRIP is the full-length conclusion of their story available March 2 here: http://kennedyryanwrites.com/grip/
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Don't miss out on preordering GRIP - only 99c until release day when it goes up to $3.99!
PREORDER NOW: http://amzn.to/2lKfZVt

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Blurb:
Resisting an irresistible force wears you down and turns you out. I know. I’ve been doing it for years. I may not have a musical gift of my own, but I’ve got a nose for talent and an eye for the extraordinary. And Marlon James – Grip to his fans – is nothing short of extraordinary. Years ago, we strung together a few magical nights, but I keep those memories in a locked drawer and I’ve thrown away the key. All that’s left is friendship and work. He’s on the verge of unimaginable fame, all his dreams poised to come true. I manage his career, but I can’t seem to manage my heart. It’s wild, reckless, disobedient. And it remembers all the things I want to forget.
About the Author:
Kennedy loves to write about herself in third person. She loves Diet Coke…though she’s always trying to quit. She adores her husband…who she’ll never quit. She loves her son, who is the most special boy on the planet. And she’s devoted to supporting and serving families living with Autism. And she writes love stories! For updates, new releases, giveaways and other adventures, subscribe to her newsletter: https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/j9u8i3

REVIEW: Nova by Rebecca Yarros


OUR REVIEW:

Shel: If you're new to this series one of the stand out features that drew me in, and keeps me reading, is that Yarros set it on a student study abroad cruise ship. So not only does that allow for the characters to go to really cool and interesting places to add additional conflict or to set a mood, it also creates the additional element of having her characters stuck on a ship together--there's no escape if there's an issue and lots of time to make the issue worse or better. BRILLIANT, right? Court: So brilliant. The settings though add so much to this story, and really adds so much love for her writing because they are such a huge part of the story. The most exotic places in the world are the perfect setting for the most extreme people to do the most extreme things. It was really exhilarating to read about the jumps that they pull off, and their stunts made my heart race. Uhhhh! It was so much more than I ever hoped for, this book! 

Shel: In this second book in the series, Nova, we get to the bottom of the Landon/Nova and Rachel relationship we were introduced to in Wilder. We find out what really happened in their past and keep turning pages to see if can they move past it. As you can see this sets up for revelations, backstory on all of the Renegades, and also the whole will-they-have-a- second-chance-to-be-together-or-not scenario? Here's what I'll tell you--Yarros gives Rachel a most stubborn demeanor--one that many find frustrating (because sometimes it is frustrating). That being said, I actually like her stubborn nature because I can relate to it--I can imagine I'd be equally reticent and protective of my heart if someone destroyed it the way Landon did. Even when I found Rachel unrelenting and hard, I knew that I'd be the same way, if I found myself in a similar situation. Court: I was frustrated at first by her unwillingness to give him a chance...but then the more you delve into it...and think about it, I can agree that we'd act the exact same way. The scenes were hard to read sometimes because it would be brutal to see the one guy you'd loved and lost surrounded by beautiful women all day fawning over him. That would be even more brutal that the thought that maybe he'd love you again! But, Yarros made it a believable ride and everything happened in its due time, so the plot wasn't rushed even though I was wishing it was. I was a little impatient, but there was so much more to learn from these two! 
A

Shel: I also liked that Yarros gave us a Landon who was equally stubborn when it came to what he wanted. Kudos to him for knowing exactly how to attack the problems he created. I really liked these two together. Were they maddening at times? Yes. But I liked the tension. Court: I loved him for the Landon (Nova) combo. I love these boys nicknames. I love the world that has been created here, and really wish it was my current reality! They definitely don't know how to lose, and I think that makes them so much more in terms of book boyfriend territory because they don't face a single thing without thinking they'll be the best, or win however they can. 

Shel: What I hope to know more about as the series progresses is how this group will move forward--will they be successful in what they're working on? Will Penna be able to overcome her issues to rejoin them? Will Nova get another shot at his big moment? And will Zoe ever stop being so...Zoe? I'm eager to see where the cruise takes us next and how they're going to make their hopes and dreams come true. Court: MMMEEEE TOOOO! Is it weird that even though she isn't an original, that I want Zoe to get her happy ending too...and read all about it? I am so nervous for Penna. I don't know what is going to happen next, and I just CANNOT WAIT TO GET BACK ON THE ATHENA! 

BUY IT: http://amzn.to/2lLlOlv

SYNOPSIS:The only heart he wants is the one he already broke...

He's Landon Rhodes.
The Renegade they call Nova.
Sinfully gorgeous, broody, tatted-up, professional snowboarder.
Four-time X Games medalist—
Full-time heartbreaker.

They say a girl broke him once—
That's why he's so reckless, so driven, so careless with his conquests.
But I'm that girl.
They can call me his curse all they want.
He and I both know the truth—
He's the one who destroyed me,
And I'm not the sucker who will let that happen again.


FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WRITER & SERIES: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31844195-nova?ac=1&from_search=true

***NOVA can be read as a standalone***

Friday, February 24, 2017

REVIEW: Royally Matched by Emma Chase


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OUR REVIEW:

Shel: This series is so much fun--not that that's a surprise, Emma Chase always has me laughing on one page and clutching the Kindle to my chest with the feels on another. Knowing that Henry was the featured character had me anticipating fun times and I was not disappointed. This guy is funny! Court: He is a fun guy, and he really was going through some major stuff when we met him in the first book. Being inside his head was sure to be a joy before we started reading, and I was expecting and impressed by the amount of growth his character would undergo as I read. Ugh, being a member of the Royal family anywhere seems seriously like a hard life, but I did enjoy all of the fun he had too! 

Shel: I think, though, it would be a mischarachterization to chalk him up to what he appeared to be in Royally Screwed--a careless shallow sexual conquestor. Sure, he has those tendencies but he's so much more than that. What he's hiding behind his charisma is what makes him that much more lovable. Court: He's an old soul for sure, but I thought initially he was the way he was due to living in Nicholas' shadow his entire life. Which he was...to a point, but is also just like any 25 year old trying to find their way in the world and be independent...but with stringent security attached. The bachelor-esque TV show to boot that might give the Queen a heart attack and make him King all the sooner also was a hysterical time...but also not at all what it seems on TV, am I right? 

Shel: Also not to be overlooked or underestimated is the lovely Sarah. Man is she funny and sharp and really quite charming herself. Who she seems to be in our first looks at her ...what people perceive her to be...this shy, wilting flower is a small part of who she really is and the more I got to know her the more I loved her. Court: I loved her. I love that she really embraced who she was, and didn't make excuses. Was she hiding a little bit, sure, but I also get how she would be completely at peace with her life. I die of terrible stage fright as well when more than 1 or 2 peoples attention is on me but like her live vicariously through books as well. I like the thoughts about truly "living" and not just being a bystander to life too, and Sarah really steps up for those who need her.

Shel: Henry and Sarah's romance really did feel like a fairy tale in many ways; I enjoyed the fantasy of it and their escapades but i especially loved how Chase made both of these characters genuinely good hearted people. Discovering who they were and how they evolved into who they were together made for a quick, funny, and heart warming bread. Court: A theme to not believe everything you read about someone in the public eye sticks out a lot here, and I love how her writing was able to really make these characters absolutely anything she wanted them to be, and do, and believe in. They're amazing characters, and the writing is amazing as well. The plot flows, and there is a plethora of emotions to wade through at any given scene. I really can't wait for more from this series and from this author! 

Shel: I love this royal family (the Queen steals the show for me every time!) and I'm so curious as to who the next Book will be about. Court: I know, right? She just won't give the names away in the little blurb for the next book at the end. I am so curious, and have theories and need to know asap!!! 

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Some men are born responsible, some men have responsibility thrust upon them. Henry Charles Albert Edgar Pembrook, Prince of Wessco, just got the motherlode of all responsibility dumped in his regal lap. He’s not handling it well. Hoping to force her grandson to rise to the occasion, Queen Lenora goes on a much-needed safari holiday—and when the Queen’s away, the Prince will play. After a chance meeting with an American television producer, Henry finally makes a decision all on his own: Welcome to Matched: Royal Edition. A reality TV dating game show featuring twenty of the world's most beautiful blue bloods gathered in the same castle. Only one will win the diamond tiara, only one will capture the handsome prince’s heart. While Henry revels in the sexy, raunchy antics of the contestants as they fight, literally, for his affection, it’s the quiet, bespectacled girl in the corner—with the voice of an angel and a body that would tempt a saint—who catches his eye. The more Henry gets to know Sarah Mirabelle Zinnia Von Titebottum, the more enamored he becomes of her simple beauty, her strength, her kind spirit…and her naughty sense of humor. But Rome wasn’t built in a day—and irresponsible royals aren’t reformed overnight. As he endeavors to right his wrongs, old words take on whole new meanings for the dashing Prince. Words like, Duty, Honor and most of all—Love.    

Kindle | Amazon Paperback | iBooks | Nook | B&N Paperback | Kobo | BAM | IndieBound

   
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 Emma Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the hot and hilarious Tangled series and The Legal Briefs series. Emma lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children and two naughty (but really cute) dogs. She has a long-standing love/hate relationship with caffeine. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | NEWSLETTER | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Thursday, February 23, 2017

EXCERPT: The Deep End by Kristen Ashley

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✮✮✮A delicious world of erotica, BDSM with alpha-subs and their Dommes, and a gripping love story…Welcome to The Bee’s Honey! The first book in New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley’s Honey Series, THE DEEP END is a seductive and rich love story releasing March 7, 2017! And check out the tantalizing excerpt below!✮✮✮


Fall into THE DEEP END and preorder your copy today!

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About THE DEEP END (Erotic Romance Releasing March 7, 2017):

Enter a decadent sensual world where gorgeous alpha males are committed to fulfilling a woman's every desire…

Olivier isn’t sure what he’s gotten himself into when he joins the Honey Club, only that a dark part of him hungers for the lifestyle offered by this exclusive club. Here, no boundary will be left untested…and one's deepest fantasies will become an exquisite reality.

When Amélie invites Olivier to surrender, she gives the alpha submissive what he craves. Soon they both find themselves falling harder than they ever anticipated—but as their connection deepens, the truth about Olivier’s past could destroy everything…

Gripping and seductive, The Deep End is the first book in a sensational new series from bestselling author Kristen Ashley.

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

GooglePlay | Kobo | IndieBound | BAM

  THE DEEP END - Excerpt Reveal Teaser     EXCERPT: She turned back to him. “You seem to have a good deal of stamina.” “Amelie…Mistress, I don’t think you’re getting’ that I seriously find you not hard on the eyes.” She bent closer, as intended for this part of their session, some of her fair falling on his chest in another caress. She did this letting her amusement show, if not all of the emotion she felt at his compliment. “I wonder, monchou, if you think you can butter me up with compliments.” “I don’t know. Maybe. Though not sure why I’d bother since I didn’t give you one and you just made me shoot a huge-ass load the like that have never come from my cock.” “And he gives another compliment,” she said through a smile. “You earn it, I’ll say it, he replied, his lips twitching. “That is, if I’m physically capable of speech.” She was still smiling when she reached out a hand and delicately traced circles around his nipple. His eyes darkened. Her good humor increased. “You’re of course aware I should do something about you being so audaciously cheeky.” Another darkness crossed his face. “What?” “I shouldn’t allow you to be cheeky with me.” “Cheeky?” “Impudent,” she explained. The look fled. “You mean, in uppity, hot-chick speak, a wise-ass.” Amelie couldn’t help it, she laughed softly. “She’s got a pretty laugh, too, to go with that pretty accent,” he murmured and she saw his eyes on her lips. I could get lost in this one, she thought. Lost and never found.    
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About Kristen Ashley: Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA and nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!). Her mother said they took Kristen away, put her Mom back in her room, her mother looked out the window, and Gary was on fire (Dr. King had been assassinated four days before). Kristen's Mom remembered thinking it was the end of the world. Quite the dramatic beginning. Nothing's changed. Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she's blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched). Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up. And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.
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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

REVIEW: Black Hearts by Karina Halle

For Vicente Bernal, truth is all he’s known. The son of an infamous drug lord, Vicente was born to help run the family business, which means he’s been raised on a throne of sordid pasts and dirty laundry, violence and pride. But when Vicente stumbles across someone he’s not supposed to know about – a woman from his father’s checkered past – he sets out to California to find her behind his father’s back.

What Vicente doesn’t expect to find in San Francisco is Violet McQueen, the woman’s twenty-year old daughter. Beautiful and edgy with a vulnerability he can’t resist, Violet tempts Vicente from afar and though he promised himself he’d stay away from her, curiosity and lust are powerful forces. Besides, Vicente has always gotten everything he wants – why shouldn’t he have Violet too?

Soon his wants turn into an obsession, one that sweeps Violet into his games as they fall madly, deeply in love with each other, the type of first love that can drive a person mad.

But it’s a love with tragic consequences.

Both the truth – and the lies – not only threaten to tear them apart, but threaten their very lives.

Someone has to pay for the sins of the fathers.

And they’ll be paying the price with their souls.

Black Hearts is a BRAND NEW STANDALONE DUET - the second book and conclusion, Dirty Souls, releases March 17th.

Published February 19th 2017
Source: Author; Purchased
Purchase a copy: Goodreads | Amazon

OUR REVIEW: 

Shel: Were you guys as excited and surprised about this novel as I was? Was I the only one who didn't know until recently that this was something Karina Halle was working on? Maybe I was? I don't know...sometimes I get into my own bubble and don't keep up with all of my favorite authors like I should. So when I saw that this book was coming out and it involved Javier's son and Ellie's daughter I was 1 million percent excited and eager to revisit these characters. I never in a million years thoughts we'd get a shot at meeting up with Javier and Louisa and Camden and Ellie again much less have their kids involved as young adults. OMG.

Court: I squee'd hard core when you told me, girl. I didn't realize this was coming and when I did it was basically released so I was so EXCITED! The Artists Trilogy was how I conned (heh, get it) Shel into being as obsessed with Karina as I was and I am so glad. Then Dirty Angel and then these characters solidified themselves in all of their completely deranged, insane, holy calzone I die glory as some of the best characters we have ever had the pleasure to read. They're antiheroes...unreliable narrators...and just seriously an amazing group of people to get lost in the pages with. They do still have me terrified to travel to Mexico, but maybe someday I'll get over that. 

Shel: As you can imagine the minute this book hit my kindle I was all over it and it totally owned me. I couldn't put it down until I was finished. I have theories (some confirmed), questions (so many questions), and concerns (my heart is still racing!). As you can see from the synopsis (see above), Javier's son, Vicente, and Ellie's daughter, Violet, end up together for various reasons and the relationship that develops between them is dynamic (and hot..I should totally mention it's really sexy). It's also built on deception and truth and passion and other things that I can't quite describe--all adding up to something that I couldn't seem to tear my eyes away from and based on how it ended, I know that I'll be equally consumed when the second book comes out in a month.

Court: You can totally read this series without reading the others, in case you were wondering...but it is one intense thrill ride just like those series were. I do like knowing up front that this is a duet, so there is more to come. I haven't read something that had me quite so captivated in a bit, but somehow Karina Halle always is someone who can pull it out of me. I read this in one sitting, and COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! Ugh, it was so hot...how they meet is more of a slow burn than I was expecting and I liked that a lot. 

Shel: I have so many thoughts right now. Thoughts that are stumbling over themselves as I try to figure out how I feel about all of the characters involved and what their motivations and intentions are--but I suppose what I want to share with you now is that you should go into reading this novel as blind as you possibly can. I found that not knowing much made flipping each page that much more exciting. I had no idea what would happen next or why--and even though I feel like I have a little bit more of an understanding because of the ending, I still feel like I have a lot more to learn. 

Court: I was dying. A starving woman for more details, and I liked how we get each morsel of information as Violet does. I did appreciate our vast knowledge of this world so we do KNOW the things that Ellie and Camden experienced...and Violet knows something is up with her family, but she can't quite figure out what. That is a whole novel to be delved into in the next one just because that is oh my goodness, just messed up. These kids world is about to be flipped on it's head by a tornado. 

Shel: Here are my questions (and some might be spoiler-y so you may want to stop here if you want to take my advice and enjoy the novel from a place of ignorance about its goings on):


  • Who is following Violet? Does Parada know and isn't saying--I noticed he's left some details out of his reports? Is he setting up Javier and Vicente?
  • What will Vicente do? Will he be loyal to his place in the world, his family, or his new feelings towards Violet?
  • Will Violet embrace the darkness and strength she's acquiring--and what will that look like and mean?
  • What will Ellie and Camden do? And Ben? What about Ben (omg--I want his story so bad now!)
  • What the hell is Javier up to? And Louisa--she's too cunning, surely she's somehow involved?
  • How is this all going to end? Halle hasn't been kind to these characters in the past and I know she's capable of mass destruction (which is why I love her), so who is she going to destroy and will I make it out alive in the aftermath of her character destruction?
Shel: Karina Halle--you surprised me with this novel--not for any reason other than I wasn't expecting it to be written and now it's all I can think about. I cannot wait for the next one to come out and I can't help but hope Ben gets a book too. Unless you kill him off? Please don't kill him off. Court: ME TOO! DON'T KILL OFF ANY IMPORTANT CHARACTERS WITHOUT ANSWERS DANG IT! Okay, sorry for the yelling y'all! Haha. I am so very excited for the next one as well, and I will be waiting these luckily few shorts weeks with bated breath! 

Monday, February 20, 2017

REVIEW: Triumph by Cecilia London

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REVIEW:

Admittedly I was a little nervous to start this final novel in the Bellator Saga series but can you blame me? Cecilia London has had me on an emotional roller coaster for five books and I had no idea what she had in store for me--would I be terrorized, crying, laughing, swooning, or would she introduce me to a whole new set of emotions? Good news, Triumph was the perfect ending to this series and all of the armor I put on to steel myself from the hard stuff was wholly unnecessary. The characters were softer, funnier, and just seemed better equipped to handle the world they were living in. Instead of cringing in anticipation of what would hardship or horror Jack or Caroline would encounter, I was smiling and hopeful and fist bumping with them (in my head, of course). Make no mistake, there were still moments when I still held my breath in nervousness or felt the prickle of anxiety but my prevailing mood as I read was one of relief and happiness as Jack and Caroline continued to triumph (see what I did there? *insert eye rolling emoji here*) over the evil that had descended on their nation.

 After going on such an emotional journey in the previous five novels, Triumph was a welcome respite from the heaviness and loss that Caroline and Jack endured; it managed to honor the seriousness of the events from the previous books while also imbuing a sense of hope for better days to come.

Now that all six books are out and I have some closure with these characters I can't help but feel excited for all of the readers who are new to this series..and maybe a little jealous that they can read all six books back to back. This series is unlike any other series we've reviewed--it has politics, intrigue, horror, psychological aspects, romance, friendship, rivalries, and, of course, baseball. Every single one of these aspects is explored deeply and with a sustained attention to detail that makes the entire series feel cohesive and thoughtful and purposeful.

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“All of your ideals, your hopes and dreams…they cease to matter if you abandon them in your darkest hour. We have to see this through to the end.”

Jack McIntyre and Caroline Gerard have never shied away from a challenge. As dual commanders of the American rebel forces, they now face the greatest adversity of their lives. Every decision has permanent consequences. Relationships are tested and restored. Hard truths come to light. When the reality of their situation finally hits them, there is one thing they know for certain.

No sacrifice is too great for love.
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BUSINESS CARD FRONT
Cecilia London is the pen name of a native Illinoisan currently living in San Antonio, Texas. She's filled several roles over the course of her adult life - licensed attorney, wrangler of small children, and obsessed baseball fan, among others. An extroverted introvert with a serious social media addiction, she is the author of The Bellator Saga, an epic, genre-crossing romance series. You can catch all of her quirky updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or at her website.
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