Review: Greta and the Goblin King - Chloe Jacobs

While trying to save her brother from a witch’s fire four years ago, Greta was thrown in herself, falling through a portal to Mylena, a dangerous world where humans are the enemy and every ogre, ghoul, and goblin has a dark side that comes out with the eclipse.

To survive, Greta has hidden her humanity and taken the job of bounty hunter—and she’s good at what she does. So good, she’s caught the attention of Mylena’s young goblin king, the darkly enticing Isaac, who invades her dreams and undermines her will to escape.

But Greta’s not the only one looking to get out of Mylena. An ancient evil knows she’s the key to opening the portal, and with the next eclipse mere days away, every bloodthirsty creature in the realm is after her—including Isaac. If Greta fails, she and the lost boys of Mylena will die. If she succeeds, no world will be safe from what follows her back...

Mylena Chronicles:
Greta and the Goblin King
Future titles and release dates to be confirmed

Visit Chloe Jacobs website for more information

Review:
When Greta saved her younger brother from a witch four years ago she ended up falling through a portal into the world of Mylena. Ever since that day Greta has had to keep her humanity a secret knowing that if anyone finds out what she is they will kill her. Luckily she was taken in by a reclusive wood sprite, Luke, who has trained her to be a successful bounty hunter but her abilities have also caught the attention of Isaac, the goblin king, and he isn't exactly the safest person to have around considering he would have to kill her if he discovers her secret. Greta is desperate to find a way back home but she isn't the only one searching for a portal and it seems that she may hold the key to opening the way which has painted a very large target on her back. Can Greta help the other humans who are trapped in Mylena find their way home and is she really ready to leave Isaac behind?

I don't think I've come across another book where you have a goblin as a romantic lead before and that was one of the things that drew me to Greta and the Goblin King. I have to admit that I spent the whole book picturing Isaac as a dark haired version of David Bowie in the movie The Labyrinth (I guess that's probably showing my age!) and I don't think that was a bad thing, it certainly didn't take me long to warm to him! I think Isaac was actually my favourite character, yes he was arrogant, secretive and at times manipulative but at the same time he was protective, caring and incredibly sexy. Some of my favourite Isaac quotes included:

"You can put up walls, Greta, but sooner or later, I'll break down every last one. There won't be any secret you can keep or any part of you I don't know..." He leaned forward, his voice lowering to a whisper. "Intimately."

"Then how about because you challenge me?" he said. "You provoke me, excite me. Make me think about things I shouldn't think about, want things I thought would be impossible once I became king."

I only wished we got to see him and Greta spending more time together but I'm hoping that is something we'll get in future instalments. Greta was a kick ass heroine, she has spent years training to survive in the incredibly inhospitable environment of Mylena and has had to learn to keep her true identity a secret. She has to work harder than anyone else to make up for the fact that she is physically weaker but she does a very good job of not letting that show. As much as Greta is desperate to go home it is only when she gets closer to the possibility of leaving that she starts to realise that Mylena has become like a second home to her. She has spent so long learning to fit in there that in some ways it is more familiar than the world she left behind. It isn't going to be easy for her to decide where she really belongs.

Alongside Greta and Isaac we are also introduced to Wyatt and his gang of Lost Boys, other humans who were unwillingly transported to Mylena by witches. I found myself really liking Wyatt and the others but I have to admit that I wasn't impressed when the obligatory love triangle was introduced. I'm so over love triangles now and unless they are done really well or there is something unique about them I'm just not interested any more. I did enjoy watching Greta fight alongside the boys though and it was interesting to see how she grew as a character when she started feeling responsible for them.

Greta and the Goblin King was a solid start to the Mylena Chronicles and has left me looking forward to future instalments. The story has great action, interesting mythology (although I still have a lot of questions that I'm hoping we start getting answers to!) and a great love interest. I'm looking forward to learning more about the bond between Isaac and Greta and will definitely be keeping my eye out for the next book.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Scent of Magic - Maria V. Snyder

The army of the dead are coming . . .

Avry of Kazan, the last Healer of the mystical Fifteen Realms, has a power that can't be matched. But in the minds of her friends and foe alike, Avry no longer exists.

Now, as the psychotic King Tohon builds an army mightier than any that has ever been seen before - a league of undead soldiers - Avry must face her toughest, most terrifying battle alone.

Fighting to be reunited with her family and her lover Kerrick, Avry must infiltrate Tohon's troops.

But does she have the power, the rare magic, to do what legend says is impossible?

Healer Series:
Touch of Power
Scent of Magic
Taste of Darkness

Visit Maria V. Snyder's website or the Touch of Power website for more information

Review:
After using her healing abilities to cure Ryne Avry came very close to death, in fact most of the world believe that she did die so she decides to use that to her advantage. Kerrick is the only one who knows the truth and Avry has sworn him to secrecy. While Kerrick must return to his homeland to rally more troops for the war against Tohon Avry heads straight into the danger zone determined to do what she can to train the soldiers to fight Tohon's army of undead. Neither of them are going to have an easy time of it, they will both face shocking betrayals and also find unexpected allies but can they survive long enough to meet again before Tohon really raises the stakes?

I absolutely loved Touch of Power so I had high expectations for Scent of Magic, I was nervous that Maria V. Snyder wouldn't be able to recreate the magic of the first book but I needn't have worried because I loved this second instalment just as much if not more. Everything I loved about the first book was continued in the second, we have fantastic world building, great characters, surprising plot twists and shocking events that took my breath away. My only disappointment was that Avry and Kerrick spent so much time apart during this book, I absolutely love the chemistry between them and the dynamics between them, Belen, Quain Loren and Flea was one of my favourite things about the first book so I missed that during this one. Even though I missed seeing the pair of them together I still enjoyed following their separate journeys and I could see why it was necessary for them to take different paths. It just made the time that they did spend together that much more special too.

We get to catch up with characters we know and loved from the first book but we are also introduced to a great selection of new ones. The story moves along at breakneck pace and was practically impossible to put down, I was so immersed in the world that I didn't want the book to end. Maria V. Snyder has a way of pulling me in and making me so connected to her characters that I feel their emotions right alongside them. Throughout the course of Scent of Magic I went through a rollercoaster of fear, worry, despair, grief, anger, shock, hope, happiness, relief and love. I had my heart broken and ripped into tiny little pieces one minute only to have it stuck back together the next. Shocking twists and betrayals kept me on the edge of my seat and have left me desperate to get my hands on the next book Taste of Death.

I'm sure that anyone who has read Touch of Power has been waiting to get their hands on Scent of Magic and I'm pleased to say that it was worth the wait. I wouldn't recommend starting the series with this book though so if you haven't read the first instalment then you need to do that immediately - this is a series that high fantasy fans will not want to miss.

Source: Initially received from publisher via NetGalley but I also received a print copy from Mira Ink in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Grave Memory - Kalayna Price

When the dead need to talk, Alex Craft is always ready to listen . . .

As a Grave Witch, Alex solves murders by raising the dead - an ability that comes at a cost and, after her last few cases, that cost is increasing. But her magic isn't the only thing causing havoc in her life. While she's always been on friendly terms with Death himself, things have recently become a whole lot more close and personal. Then there's her sometime partner, agent Falin Andrews, who is under the glamour of the Winter Queen. To top everything off, her best friend has been for ever changed by her time spent captive in Faerie.

But the personal takes a backseat to the professional when a string of suicides occur in Nekros City and Alex is hired to investigate. The shades have no memory of the days leading up to their brutal endings, so despite the very public apparent suicides, this is murder. But what kind of magic can overcome the human will to survive? And why do the shades lack the memory of their deaths? Searching for the answer might mean Alex won't have a life to remember at all . . .

Alex Craft Series:
Grave Witch
Grave Dance
Ruby Red (Short Story in the Kicking It anthology)
Grave Memory
Grave Visions
Grave Ransom
Grave Destiny

Visit Kalayna Price's website for more information

Review:
Alex and her best friend Rianna have finally opened their own PI firm called Tongues for the Dead but their first case is a lot more complicated than they had bargained for. What initially looks like a simple suicide case turns out to be much more when Alex realises that the Shade has no memory of the days leading up to the death - something that should be impossible. As the rate of public suicides continues to rise it becomes clear that something darker is going on but what could be behind the deaths? As if Alex's professional life wasn't complicated enough her personal life is even worse - with Falin under orders from the Winter Queen to keep his distance regarding anything that isn't work related, and Death nowhere in sight since his declaration, Alex is desperately missing both of the men in her life. She is also feeling more disconnected with her friends than ever before thanks to the efforts of the Winter Queen and the latest revelations about her own past. Before she can worry about her personal life she is going to have to deal with whatever is causing the current spate of suicides though, but can she do it before any of the people closest to her end up getting hurt?

Grave Memory is the third book in Kalayna Price's Alex Craft series and in my opinion this series just gets better and better with every instalment. I just wish I didn't have to wait for the next book to be published! This is one of the only series I can think of that has a love triangle that isn't driving me completely crazy, I can see why Alex is attracted to both Falin and Death so although I definitely know which team I'm on (Team Death of course!) I understand why Alex is finding it so hard to make a decision. I don't think Falin is a bad guy but the fact that he is tied to the Winter Queen makes it impossible to trust any of his actions, something that is really proved to Alex in this book. I would like to see him break his ties to the Winter Queen but to be honest I'm really hoping that Alex ends up with Death!

I have been crushing on Death since the first book but so far he had remained very much a mystery man and we didn't know very much about him so I was incredibly excited that he had a much larger role in this story. If I had a crush on him before I am completely 100% head over heels in love with him now - he is such a sexy guy and his actions in this book were completely swoonworthy. There is no doubt in my mind that he loves Alex and would do anything to keep her safe and he proves that time and time again no matter what it costs him. The only problem is that love between a human and a soul collector is forbidden so any future for them isn't going to be easy. There just has to be a way for them to make it work though - I refuse to accept any other alternative!

Although I love the romance in this series it is by no means the main focus of the story which is something I really appreciate. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the suicides and it was great to see Alex and Rianna reconnect after spending so many years apart. Rianna is having a hard time adjusting to having freedom again but I think Alex did a great job of helping her find her feet and start to experience life again. I also enjoyed learning more about the Fae and I don't envy Alex the choices that she is going to have to make when it comes to allying herself with one of the courts or declaring herself an independent. It seems like no matter which way she decides to go she is going to cause problems for herself of one kind or another. One of the things I like the most about this series is the way using magic has a price, that always makes it seem much more realistic to me but I have to admit that I don't envy Alex and Rianna their abilities. The cost of using her gift is becoming greater every time Alex accesses her grave magic and that is just going to make things even more complicated for her in the future. Kalayna Price has created a fantastic urban fantasy series that is fast becoming one of my favourites and I can't wait for the next instalment. If you aren't reading this series yet then I'd highly recommend starting with the first book Grave Witch but if you're already a fan then you're going to love this latest instalment!

Source: This book was a Christmas gift

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Book Review & Movie Comparison: The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien

This is the story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected . . .

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day, to whisk him away on a journey 'there and back again'. They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon . . .

The prelude to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit has sold many millions of copies since its publication in 1937, establishing itself as one of the most beloved and influential books of the twentieth century.

The Middle-Earth Universe:
The Hobbit
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers
The Return of the King
The Silmarillion

Visit J.R.R. Tolkien's website for more information

Review:
I've lost count of the number of times I've read The Hobbit over the years, it was the book that started my love of all things fantasy and it was always a go to book that I could read again and again as I was growing up. It must have been at least 5 years since I last read it though so I wanted to pick it up again before going to see the movie. It doesn't matter how many times I pick it up I still love it as much as the first and it always surprises me how many little details I forget between readings.

I know that most people have already read the story but if you're one of the few who haven't then I'd highly recommend it. It's a great story for adults but I also think it makes fantastic bed time reading with children because it's such a fun adventure story. There is a reason it's considered a classic! The last thing Bilbo Baggins is looking for is an adventure, he is quite happy living in his hobbit hole enjoying plenty of food and good company when he wants it (which is not too often thank you very much). When Gandalf arrives with a party of thirteen dwarves Bilbo is convinced they have come to the wrong person for help but the more he learns about their quest to re-claim their lands from the dragon who stole them the more curious he becomes and in the end he can't resist joining them.

Bilbo is the least likely of heroes, he doesn't consider himself particularly brave or smart and he has practically no experience of travelling or fighting, but when it comes down to it the dwarves wouldn't have got very far without him. I always enjoy seeing Bilbo reach is full potential, he goes on a journey of personal discovery and proves to everyone just what a strong character he is. The story isn't as dark or scary as the Lord of the Rings books are and is suitable for a younger audience but it is still quite scary in places and the scenes with Gollum are particularly creepy. I love the riddle contest between Bilbo and Gollum but have to admit that I'd be hopeless at figuring out the answers myself if I was in Bilbo's place! The Hobbit is such an enjoyable story and a great introduction to the Lord of the Rings books, I really think I'm going to have to re-read those this year too!

Source: Purchased

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I mentioned that my main reason for re-reading the book was because I wanted to go and see The Hobbit movie. My Dad, brother and I are all huge fans of the Lord of the Rings films and going to see them was always a family outing so we wanted to carry on that tradition with The Hobbit. As much as I love the LoTRs movies they had to leave out quite a lot of events because of the pure scale of the world building in the books - there was no way to fit it all into a 3 hour film even if they wanted to - so I was really pleased when I found out that they were splitting the The Hobbit into 3 separate films. The only downside to that is that we are going to have to wait so long to see all of them but if the first instalment is anything to go by then the rest will be worth the wait.

I didn't quite manage to finish re-reading the book before we saw the film but I was well over halfway through so I had made it further in the story than the movie does. I have to say I was impressed with how well they kept to the storyline. Yes there were a couple of differences, the main one being Thorin's attitude to Bilbo which I did feel a little disappointed with, but over all they stuck quite closely to the plot and I could see the reason for the changes that they had made. Anyone who has watched the LoTRs films will already be familiar with Bilbo, Gandalf and of course Gollum but I really enjoyed getting to know the younger Bilbo on screen. I also really liked the way they had tied the two sets of films together by starting the story with the older version of Bilbo writing about his adventures and by including both Elrond and Galadriel.

I absolutely loved all the dwarves too, I had a little trouble keeping the names straight in my head as I was watching but I think that will come with time and my favourites were without a doubt Bofur & Kili (yes I do have a bit of a thing for Irish accents!). I'm already really looking forward to watching the next two films and will definitely be watching this one again when it comes out on DVD.

Review: Rock the Heart - Michelle A. Valentine

For the last four years, good girl Lane has regretted breaking up with Noel Falcon. She thought she was sensible when she told him his dreams of being a rock star would get him nowhere, but now that he's a rock god and her career is stagnant, she realizes just how wrong she was. When Noel hires the marketing company where Lane is an intern, she’s forced to see him again. If she wants to land her dream job as executive within the company, she has to win him over and secure his account. Too bad Noel is still pissed at her for breaking his heart.

When Lane’s company flies her to a Black Falcon concert to gain Noel’s attention, emotions run high the moment she sees him and realizes she’s far from over him. But Noel’s countless trysts with groupies and his cocky attitude make Lane believe he isn’t the same guy she once loved—now he seems to only want her body. Then after Lane discloses she needs him to procure a job, Noel proves he’s a changed man by forcing her to go on the road with him in order to get it.

After Lane reluctantly takes Noel up on his offer, she becomes willing to do whatever it takes to keep him satisfied, even if it means succumbing to his seductive ways. Lane soon finds deception is a dangerous game and she’s not the only one playing.

Black Falcon Series:
Rock the Heart
Rock the Band (Novella) (January 2013)
Rock my Bed (February 2013)

Visit Michelle A. Valentine's website for more information.

Review:
Lane and Noel were high school sweethearts but she broke his heart by leaving him when he decided to chase after his dream of becoming a rock star. Lane was convinced that Noel would never make a success of himself in the music business and wanted him to focus on getting an education and a more traditional job instead. Four years on and Noel is living the dream and touring the world with his band Black Falcon while Lane is still struggling as an intern trying to build her dream career working for a marketing company. When Black Falcon hire the company Lane is working for it could be her chance to earn a respected position with the company but to do that she is going to have to do whatever it takes to keep Noel happy - even if that means going on tour with him and the band.

I have been really enjoying reading about rock star heroes recently and Noel is one sexy rocker who I was happy to spend time with. He has the bad boy attitude down perfectly but underneath the outward swagger it is easy to see he's really a nice guy. I ended up feeling quite sorry for Noel at times, he wore his heart on his sleeve when it came to Lane, she knew that she had broken his heart by rejecting him but he was quick to admit that he still had feelings for her. I found myself getting quite irritated by the way Lane kept messing him around, she couldn't make up her mind whether to give their relationship a second chance or not and I started to get to the point where I wanted Noel to realise that she just wasn't worth the effort! Then we found out about Noel's big secret and my opinion of him changed completely. It's hard to say much without giving spoilers but I wasn't annoyed with him because of what he'd done (he was trying to do the right thing) but I was livid with him for the way he had lied to Lane about things. He should have been honest with her from the start and if I was Lane I'd probably have punched him! Thankfully they have been able to work through some of their misunderstandings though because they do work well as a couple and they have great chemistry.

I'm excited we get to see more of Noel and Lane's story when Rock the Band comes out later this month and I'm equally looking forward to Riff's story (Rock my Bed) which is due to be released at the end of February. I hope that we will eventually see each of the members of Black Falcon get their own happy ending and I really, really want to spend more time with Striker who is the lead singer of a rival band. Rock the Heart was an entertaining read but there were times when you could tell it was a debut. I'm not saying that is a bad thing because every author starts somewhere but it does mean that there were a few typos and spelling mistakes in the book. There were also a couple of phrases that got a little repetitive but overall the book is well written and enjoyable. I do think it could have been improved with a little more editing but the potential is definitely there and I am expecting great things from Michelle A. Valentine in the future.

Source: Ebook received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Yours at Midnight - Robin Bielman

Lyric Whetsone only had eyes for Quinn Sobel's brother Oliver, until a car crash took Oliver's life on New Year's Eve. Then, a moment of shared grief between Quinn and Lyric became something more impassioned, something that frightened Quinn so much he ran from Lyric's bed and her life, disappearing for four long years.

Now Quinn's back for another New Year's Eve, struggling for closure, desperate to leave his grief in the past and make amends with the girl of his dreams.

But Lyric has a secret--one that could drive Quinn from her life forever. Will Quinn run away from the love and acceptance he's always wanted...or will he claim his New Year's kiss and make her his at midnight?

Visit Robin Bielman's website for more information.

Review:
Quinn has been in love with Lyric for as long as he can remember but she was only ever interested in his twin brother Oliver. Then after Oliver tragically dies in a car accident grief pulls them together and they end up having a passionate one night stand. But Quinn was struggling to cope with the loss of his twin and he blamed himself for Oliver's death so he left town without a word. Four years later and Quinn has returned, he still has feelings for Lyric and wants to both gain her forgiveness and claim her heart but Lyric has a secret - one that could break Quinn's heart and end things between them forever.

Yours at Midnight starts just after Christmas and culminates on New Years Eve so it was the perfect book for me to read this week and made a nice story to end my years reading with. I have to admit that I'd guessed what Lyric's secret was before I even started reading the story but that didn't reduce my enjoyment in the slightest. Lyric is a strong character who you can't help but admire for the way she has made the best out of a difficult situation and built a good life for herself. I could understand why she initially kept her secret but I did find myself getting a little irritated with her for taking so long to open up to Quinn and I felt that he forgave her a little too quickly but that is to be expected in a fairly short novel.

I really liked Quinn, he has been in love with Lyric for so long but had to watch her daydream about his brother. He was so jealous of Oliver but that doesn't mean he didn't love him and he was devastated by his death. I really felt for him and was pleased that Lyric was able to help him get past the guilt he felt over the accident. I enjoyed watching them spend time with Lyric's family, her mother had some great advice for them both but I also enjoyed the friendly sibling rivalry and banter between her brothers and sisters. Yours at Midnight was an enjoyable holiday romance and I'm looking forward to reading more from Robin Bielman in the future.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Easy - Tammara Webber

Easy is a New York Times bestseller - a must-read in the New Adult genre for everyone who loves Slammed by Colleen Hoover or Breathe by Abbi Glines. Deeply romantic and utterly gripping, Tammara Webber's Easy is not to be missed.

When Jacqueline follows her long-term boyfriend to college, the last thing she expects is a breakup. After two weeks in shock she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, ignored by former friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Leaving a party alone, she is assaulted. Rescued by a stranger in the right place at the right time, she just wants to forget that night. But when her attacker turns stalker she has to make a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Her saviour proves protective and intriguing, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly, knowing who to trust is anything but easy.

Visit Tammara Webber's website for more information.

Review:
When Jacqueline follows her high school sweetheart, Kennedy, to the college of his dreams she thinks that they are the perfect couple but just months later he tears her heart out by breaking up with her and she falls into a deep depression. After two weeks of wallowing she knows it is time to start rebuilding her life again, she needs to start having fun and making new friends and she needs to catch up on her classes before she is kicked out of college. After a party one night she is attacked by someone she thought she could trust, saved by a stranger she just wants to forget about everything that happened but when her attacker starts making threats she realises that she has to stand up for herself. As she grows closer to the boy who saved her she begins to re-build her confidence but what kind of future can they have if she discovers the secrets he is keeping from her?

I'd heard a lot of great things about Tammara Webber's debut novel Easy so when I was offered a review copy I jumped at the chance of reading it. I have been loving the recent influx of new adult books and Easy is up there with the best that I have read. The author doesn't shy away from tackling sensitive topics such as attempted rape but she does it with sensitivity. The scenes where Jacqueline was attacked made for difficult reading, you felt her fear, shock and horror right along with her and I think most women will be able to identify how weak she felt because she was unable to fight her attacker off on her own. As horrific as the incident was Jacqueline was lucky that Lucas came along at the right time to save her. Unfortunately a lot of other women don't have a rescuer so one of the things I appreciated most was the way the author included tips on how to avoid getting into that situation. Yes, a lot of the things mentioned are pretty obvious when you think about it but I'd be willing to bet that most of us have put ourselves into a dangerous situation at some point in our lives (I know I did as a teen and probably even have as an adult), even if we were lucky enough not to have anything happen to us. Using common sense doesn't guarantee your safety but it does make it less likely you'll find yourself in Jacqueline's situation. I think it's important to raise the issue that rape isn't just something that happens amongst strangers, it could be the boy next door, your best friend's boyfriend or even the boy you are dating. Of course not all men are potential rapists but that doesn't mean women and girls don't need to be careful and aware of their surroundings. I also think that self defence classes are something that should be compulsory for teenagers - I wish I'd taken a class like the one Jacqueline joined. In fact, if I could find one locally I'd join it now!

As much as Jacqueline's attack was an important part of the story I don't want to make it sound like this was a depressing read because it really wasn't. It was about Jacqueline's journey to find herself, she had built her dreams around those of her boyfriend and when he dumped her she had to remember what she really wanted from her life. Jacqueline had her moments of depression but overall she was a strong woman and she refused to let her attacker intimidate her even after he started a campaign against her. The attacker was one of the most vile characters I've come across in a long time so I was pleased to see him get what he deserved. Another thing I loved was the fact that Jacqueline's best friend Erin was so supportive, she never once questioned that Jacqueline was telling the truth about her attack and she stood up for her friend even though it cost her. An important message to take from the book is that if you are attacked it isn't your fault, there is no such thing as "asking for it" and there is NEVER an excuse for anyone (male or female) to attack someone else. One of my favourite lines in the book was "I could blame the alcohol . . . but no. Alcohol removed inhibitions. It doesn't trigger criminal violence where there was none before." I think that was one of the most sensible things that Jacqueline said!

I can't write this review without telling you how much I loved Lucas, he was incredibly sweet and protective but at the same time he didn't want to smother Jacqueline - he wanted to empower her so that she was able to protect herself and I think that was what I appreciated most about him. Yes, he would do anything to save her pain but he wanted to make sure she was safe even when he wasn't around. The back story with Lucas just about broke my heart, he had been through so much and deserved to find happiness as much as Jacqueline did. I had guessed part of his secret fairly early on but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story in the slightest even though I was practically begging him to open up and tell her the truth.

In case you haven't already gathered Easy is a book that I would highly recommend to any fan of the new adult genre. Tammara Webber has a great writing style that will suck you in from the beginning and this isn't your standard romance. These characters are three dimensional and so real to me I felt like I was losing friends when I finished the book. I can't wait to get started on Tammara's Between the Lines series - I'm pretty sure I've found myself another favourite author!

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Red Hot Holiday - Anthology

I’ll be home for Christmas…to fulfill all your dreams.

This holiday, a Mountie is determined to get her man. A widow finds a fireman who ignites her passions again. And two men unsure of their commitment discover a happily ever after—and a blindfold—under their tree. No matter your desires, this collection of three shorts is bound to treat you to all the joys of the season.

Edited by Angela James, this anthology includes:

Wish List by K.A. Mitchell
I Need You for Christmas by Leah Braemel
Breath on Embers by Annie Calhoun

Stories also available for purchase separately.

For more information about any of these authors click on their names below to visit their websites:
Anne Calhoun
K.A. Mitchell
Leah Braemel

I have been loving the Christmas themed anthologies again this year and I think that Red Hot Holiday has to be my favourite. The main reason I wanted to read it was for Leah Braemel's story and that one definitely didn't disappoint but I've also found two new (to me) authors who I'm sure I'll be reading more from in the future. If you're looking for a selection of spicy holiday reads then you can't go wrong with this one and I'd highly recommend giving it a try.

Wish List by K.A. Mitchell

Blindfolds. Handcuffs. Submission.

There's so much Jonah Kendrick hasn't tried, and so much he wants to explore. But just before Christmas he finds a ring box in his boyfriend's desk. Jonah panics. He loves Evan and their sex is hot, but how can Jonah be ready for forever, when there are so many items on his Naughty Bucket List? Desires that might drive Evan away.

Evan's noticed Jonah has been distant. His usually talkative and cheerful boyfriend is preoccupied. The seemingly straitlaced Evan stumbles across Jonah's wish list of sexual kinks, and Evan realizes he may not have to hide his true nature from Jonah after all. The Dom in him wants to see Jonah on his knees, begging, submitting, but Evan isn't sure Jonah's ready to accept what being Evan's sub would mean.

The two lovers must figure out how to share their hidden desires with each other before their secrets permanently damage their love.

Review:
Jonah and Evan have been together for two years and have a pretty good relationship but when Jonah accidentally stumbles across a pair of wedding rings in Evan's desk he panics. He loves Evan but the thought of getting married just makes him think of all the things that he'll never get to try if they tie the knot. Jonah creates a wish list containing all of his darkest desires but worries that Evan wouldn't be interested in helping him fulfil them. Evan has noticed how distant Jonah has become but has no idea what is worrying him, until he stumbles across the wish list that is. Evan couldn't be more surprised that Jonah has secret dreams of submitting to anther man, he has been hiding his own dominant side for years but it looks like they may both be able to live out their wildest fantasies together - if only they can find a way to share their secret wishes.

I'm still fairly new to M/M romance but it's a genre that I'm really enjoying so I was looking forward to reading Wish List. I liked both Jonah and Evan but I think my main problem was that I struggled to believe that they'd been together for so long and yet didn't really know each other that well. I find it hard to believe that someone who is an experienced Dom has been able to be in a relationship for 2 years without letting his dominant tendencies show through in the bedroom - surely his natural behaviour would have come out at some point? I also felt it was odd that Jonah got in such a panic at the idea of Evan proposing when they seemed to have a pretty strong relationship and had been living together for over a year. I found myself getting very frustrated that they wouldn't talk to each other, Evan at least tried to communicate but Jonah seemed more interested in potentially hooking up with a stranger than talking to the man he was supposed to be in love with. The sex scenes between them were undoubtedly hot though and I loved the way Evan introduced Jonah to BDSM - the New Years Eve scene in Times Square was very sexy. I did feel that they made a cute couple I just think it would have felt more realistic if they'd known each other for a shorter period of time or perhaps I just needed a longer story to help make things feel more plausible. Either way I did enjoy K.A. Mitchell's writing style and would definitely like to read a full length novel by her in the future.

I Need You for Christmas by Leah Braemel

Ryan Porter is a sculptor, and beneath his callused hands, even the most rigid metals bend to his will. So, too, does his girlfriend Megan—a confident, strong woman who delights in submitting to Ryan’s dominance in the bedroom.

Megan is a Mountie, and she’s spent the past few years in the arctic following her career dreams. Family obligations kept Ryan at home, but their love survived the distance thanks to several hot visits. A Mountie always gets her man, and Megan is bound and determined to keep Ryan.

Now Megan’s with Ryan for the holidays…but how long will this visit last? She’s always been willing to do anything Ryan desires, but will he finally tell her that all he needs for Christmas is her?

Review:
Ryan and Megan have been a couple for years and are crazy about each other but they are both sick of having a long distance relationship. When Megan left to follow her dream of becoming a Mountie Ryan had to stay home and look after his younger siblings after his parents died but they have kept their relationship alive with visits as often as they can. Now Megan has had enough of being so far from Ryan, she chased her dream and has spent time working as a Mountie but now she has a more important dream to follow - to spend her life by Ryan's side. Ryan also has plans to surprise Megan this Christmas, now that his siblings are away at college he has the freedom to follow Megan so that they can finally be together. They're both going to be in for quite a shock come Christmas morning!

I absolutely loved I Need You for Christmas and it was my favourite novella in the Red Hot Holidays anthology. Leah Braemel was able to create characters that I connected with immediately and even though Ryan and Megan don't get to spend much time together you could tell how much they loved each other and what a perfect couple they were. I loved the fact that they were both so willing to give up their own dreams to put their partner first and I couldn't help smiling at the way they were both making plans behind the others back. As a Mountie Megan has to be in control of every situation at all times but she loves nothing more than letting her hair down with Ryan and letting him take control. Ryan was pretty much the perfect guy, he was sweet, caring and protective of both Megan and his family, he takes his responsibilities seriously and was someone that you could rely on. At the same time he was artistic, creative, funny and incredibly sexy - the things that man can do with a couple of ropes is guaranteed to make you swoon! The ultimate feel good Christmas story I Need You for Christmas is a novella that I will be reading again every year because it left me with the biggest smile on my face.

Breath on Embers by Anne Calhoun

Christmas is the perfect time for Firefighter Ronan O’Rourke to take things to the next level with his sexually adventurous girlfriend. He knows she has feelings for him—and he’s sure of his feelings for her—but when Thea refuses his invitation to sample Christmas in New York City because what they share is nothing more than sheet-burning sex, Ronan sets out to change her mind.

Deep down Thea Moretti knows she cares for Ronan, but she can’t move past her grief over her late husband. Loud music and sex with Ronan are the only things she’s got that her feel alive, so she takes as much of both as she can get. She knows Ronan wants more, but during the darkest time of the year finding her way won’t be easy.

Ronan gambles everything and challenges Thea: one night of passion with him and another man. Can he prove to her that what they share isn’t just great sex but an emotional connection strong enough to last forever?

Review:
Since the death of her husband Thea has been locked in her grief and she uses every means possible to block her feelings and remain numb to the world around her. As the second anniversary of his death approaches Thea just wants to hide away from the world and be left alone to lick her wounds. But Ronan knows what she is going through, they have been seeing each other for nearly a year now and although Thea insists that it is just sex between them Ronan knows it is so much more. He is determined to find a way to break through Thea's tough outer shell and make her rejoin the world of the living, he will do whatever it takes to show her that she isn't as numb as she thinks she is - she's just scared to allow herself to feel again.

Breath on Embers is the first story that I've read by Anne Calhoun but I know for sure it won't be the last. This may not be your typical feel good Christmas romance but she has a way of writing that pulled me in and made me feel instantly connected to the characters. It is impossible not to feel Thea's heartbreak right alongside her but at the same time I knew that with Ronan she had the chance to move forward and be happy again. Ronan is one sexy firefighter and although he never says it outright it is obvious how much he loves her. While she seems determined to keep their relationship on a sex only basis he wants so much more and he knows deep down that she wants that too. The sex between them is incredibly hot but it is about so much more than a physical connection and I loved watching Ronan prove that to Thea. Breath on Embers is erotica with soul, sexy and intense it will bring tears to your eyes one minute and have you fanning yourself the next but in the end you are left with a feeling of hope and the reminder that life always goes on and no matter how bad things get they do eventually get better.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Secret Santa Baby - Robin Covington

Tessa Stoneman hasn’t been able to get long-time friend and business partner Nicholas Boone out of her head since they shared a single kiss in college. Even when she dated Nicholas’s best friend. Now that she’s giving up her position at GameNerdz to strike out on her own—and now that she’s single—maybe it’s the right time to see if there’s still something between them.

Nicholas knows once Tessa leaves the company she helped found, they might drift apart. Before she starts her own company in the new year, he wants to woo the woman he fell in love with during college. So he poses as her Secret Santa, gifts her with items from the song “Santa Baby,” and plans a big reveal at the company holiday party. But when his best friend wants to rekindle his romance with Tessa, will Nicholas lose his last chance?

Visit Robin Covington's website for more information

Review:
Tessa has been crushing on her close friend Nicholas since they were at college together but apart from a single kiss he never seemed to have any feelings towards her other than as a friend. She even dated his best friend and business partner Damien but Nick has always had a place in her heart. Now that she is single and is about to leave GameNerdz, the company that Nick and Damien both own, she wonders if this could be her last chance to show Nick how she feels but worries he might reject her. Little does she know that Nick has always loved her but been too afraid to show it. Nick can't imagine life without Tessa and has decided that it's time to finally show her how much she means to him - and he has the perfect idea for a romantic holiday gesture that is sure to get her attention.

I really enjoyed Robin Covington's debut novel A Night of Southern Comfort so when I was offered a review copy of her latest story Secret Santa Baby I jumped at the chance to read it. I love Christmas themed stories and this one has everything I look for in a feel good story; a sweet, sexy and believable romance; characters I can swoon over; and a plot that can make me smile. I've been saying for ages that we need more nerdy heroes and Nick is a perfect example of why, he is so cute and sexy but he just doesn't realise how hot he is. He is also such a romantic and I think he could win over even the most cynical woman with his wooing of Tessa - he could certainly make me swoon. As for Tessa she was a likeable heroine, someone who knows what she wants and is determined to take her chance before it is too late. The only character I wasn't too sure about was Damien but I have a feeling that is because he hasn't found the right woman yet and I'd actually be quite interested in reading his story in the future.

If you're looking for a quick, fun and sexy holiday novella then you can't go wrong with Secret Santa Baby. Robin Covington has a second hit on her hands with this one and I can't wait to read whatever she comes up with next.

Source: Received from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Kissing Under the Mistletoe - Marina Adair

Regan Martin stopped believing in Christmas miracles six years ago when she lost everything—her house, her job, and her impeccable reputation in the wine industry—after she fell in love with a man she had no idea was married. Then Regan gets a chance for a fresh start in the Napa Valley. With her dream job, dream home, and her daughter enrolled in a wonderful new school, she starts wondering if holiday wishes really do come true.

But she soon tumbles back down to earth when she learns that her new boss is none other than Gabe DeLuca, the scorned wife’s brother. Gabe wants nothing more than home-wrecking Regan Martin out of his life, his sister’s world, and his family’s business. Mostly, he wants the lush beauty out of his head. Yet his attempts to run her out of town have him thinking twice, especially when he sees that Regan may hold the key to tracking down his sister’s stolen start-up capital. Even worse for Gabe, Regan might just be his Christmas wish and hold the key to his heart.

St Helena Vineyard Series:
Kissing Under the Mistletoe
Summer in Napa
Autumn in the Vineyard (October 2013)
Future titles and release dates to be confirmed

Visit Marina Adair's website for more information

Review:
When Regan fell in love with Richard she had no idea that it would cost her everything, she didn't even know he was already married until she was five months pregnant with his child. When Richard vanished Regan was left broken hearted and alone to raise their daughter. At least his wife Abby had her family to support her and when Abby's brothers were unable to find the cheating husband they were happy to take out their anger on his mistress. For the last 6 years the DeLuca men have made Regan's life miserable costing her countless jobs and ruining her reputation in the wine industry. But this Christmas things are finally looking up for Regan and she has been offered her dream job and the chance to start over in a new town where she can build a life for herself and her daughter Holly. What she doesn't realise is that her new boss will be Gabe, the oldest of the DeLuca clan and the man behind everything that has happened to her. Gabe wants nothing more than to protect his sister Abby and that means getting Regan away from their home town fast. He isn't going to let anything get in the way of that goal - especially not an unwanted attraction to his family's enemy.

Every so often a book comes along that sucks me in from the very first page and makes it impossible for me to do anything else until I've finished reading it and Kissing Under the Mistletoe was one of those books. I picked it up planning on reading just one chapter before making myself some dinner but several hours later I was still reading. In fact I only managed to put the book down very briefly to grab a quick snack before I jumped back in to devour the rest of the story. I have now added Marina Adair to my list of must read authors and I can't tell you how pleased I was to discover that this is the first book in a new series.

I found it easy to connect with Regan from the moment I met her, she was young and innocent and completely betrayed by the man she loved and I had nothing but sympathy for her. I was so angry at the way the DeLuca clan had made life so difficult for her - especially considering she'd had no idea that Richard was married. She was as much his victim as Abby was and had spent a further six years being victimised for something that she had no control over. To say I was livid at Gabe and his family is an understatement and to be honest I didn't think he had a chance in hell at redeeming himself in my eyes. You have to admire Regan because although she has been through hell she has never given up, she never took the easy option of giving up her career and walking away from the wine industry and she never, ever let her daughter suffer because of what had happened. Holly was her world and Regan would do anything to protect her and make her happy. There were times that Regan's story brought tears to my eyes but more than anything I admired her strength and wanted to see her find happiness.

I've already mentioned how much I hated Gabe in the beginning so I was incredibly surprised that Marina Adair managed to make me fall for him. As you get to know him you see that he ended up responsible for his four younger siblings from a young age after their parents died and all he has ever done is try to protect them. He was convinced that Regan knew that Richard was married but went ahead and had an affair with him anyway and he had no idea that she had a young child to care for. None of that makes what he did to her acceptable but it did make it easier to understand. The fact that we get to see things from his perspective was what helped me fall for him though - you get to see first hand how guilty he feels when he realises that Regan was another innocent victim and when he sees first hand how hard life has been for her since then. I enjoyed watching Gabe discover his conscience and try to make up for what had happened but I enjoyed seeing Regan tell him where to go even more. The banter between them was one of the highlights of the book for me, the chemistry between them was off the charts hot but while their eyes were stripping each other naked their words were cutting them to the core. I knew from their heated looks that they'd be good together but boy were the sexy times worth the wait!

Other highlights included Holly who was utterly adorable - I dare anyone not to fall in love with her - and Gabe's grandmother ChiChi and her friends who Regan had nicknamed the Mrs. Clauses. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments at their antics and they really helped lighten the tone of the story. Kissing Under the Mistletoe is definitely my favourite Christmas read of the year, funny, cute, romantic and hot, it was the perfect book to get me in the mood for the holidays and I know it is a book I'll be re-reading in the future. Fans of small town romance series like Jill Shalvis's Lucky Harbor books will love this one - it has the same feel good factor and great cast of characters who I am looking forward to spending more time with.

Source: Received from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Under the Mistletoe - Jill Shalvis

JUST ONE MORE KISS

There's no place like home for the holidays. And the Lucky Harbor Bed & Breakfast is bursting with festive lights and good cheer. But for Mia, Christmas is turning out to be anything other than merry and bright. Her recent break-up with her boyfriend Nick has made her return bittersweet. But then a surprise arrives, when Nick follows her to town bearing gifts-and asking for forgiveness.

Nick grew up without a family of his own so he's overwhelmed by the love that Mia receives from all her relatives, gathered together to celebrate the season. Under their watchful eyes, Nick finds earning back her trust the hardest thing he's ever had to do. If he succeeds, he will receive the greatest gift of all, Mia's love for a lifetime.

Lucky Harbor Series:
Simply Irresistible
The Sweetest Thing
Kissing Santa Claus (Novella in the Small Town Christmas anthology)
Head Over Heels
Lucky in Love
At Last
Forever and a Day
Under the Mistletoe (Novella)
It Had to be You (2013)
Always on my Mind (2013)
Once in a Lifetime (2014)

Visit Jill Shalvis' website for more information.

Review:
I love the Lucky Harbor series and I really liked Mia when we first met her as a confused teenager in The Sweetest Thing. It was great to see her build a connection with her birth parents Tara and Ford previously and I was pleased to find out that we were getting more of Mia's story now that she's an adult in this novella. Under the Mistletoe is set around 5 years on from Chloe and Sawyer's story (Head Over Heels). Mia is now a student in New York and is heading back to Lucky Harbor for the holidays and to attend Chloe & Sawyer's wedding. She is looking forward to spending Christmas with her extended family but her only disappointment is that her boyfriend Nick refused to go with her. Her devastation over their breakup threatens to ruin her holiday but when Nick arrives in Lucky Harbor begging her for forgiveness she could find all her dreams are about to come true.

Nick and Mia were both given up for adoption when they were babies but unlike Mia, who was adopted by a loving family and who has since reconnected with her birth parents, Nick spent his childhood bouncing between different children's homes and foster families. He has never known what it is like to have a normal loving family and doesn't know how to react when Mia invites him to spend Christmas with her and her parents. I have to admit I felt a bit sorry for Nick the way Mia landed the idea of him coming to Lucky Harbor with her right at the last minute. She hands him a plane ticket for the very next day and expects him to drop everything to come with her and then because he panics and doesn't instantly agree she gives up on him completely. Really I would have expected Mia to be a little more understanding than that, especially when they haven't really been dating that long and she knows all about his history and the effect it has had on him.

I actually thought that Nick was a really sweet and caring guy, yes he upset Mia by his instant refusal to meet her family but I found it easy to forgive him, particularly when he realises he was wrong so quickly and immediately sets out to win her back. It must have been incredibly intimidating for him to face down not just Mia but also Tara & Ford, her aunts and uncles (Maddie, Jax, Chloe and Sawyer) not to mention her ex-boyfriend Carlos too. Nick is willing to man up though and he will do whatever it takes to win back the love of his life.

Under the Mistletoe is a nice addition to the Lucky Harbor series and my only complaint is that I wish it was longer. It was great to catch up with the couples from the first three books and see how they are getting on now and I was really excited that we were going to see Chloe and Sawyers wedding but I have to admit I was disappointed that it was only mentioned briefly. I understand that this was Mia's story but it would have been nice to have had more of the other characters too. Having said that there is only so much you can fit into a novella and I did enjoy Mia and Nick's story, their romance was sweet and I was happy with the way things ended. If you're a fan of the series and enjoyed meeting Mia in Tara and Ford's book then this is a must read.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Small Town Christmas - Anthology

Three heartwarming holiday stories
to prove that love is the greatest gift of all

Kissing Santa Claus
NASCAR driver Logan Perrish returns to Lucky Harbor, Washington, with love in his heart and a ring in his pocket. But can Sandy Jansen forget the past and give him a second chance? Or will Logan be spending another Christmas alone?

I'll Be Home for Christmas
After ignoring the advice of Miz Miriam Randall, local matchmaker, Annie Roberts expects another hum drum holiday in Last Chance, South Carolina. But when a stray cat arrives in the arms of Army sergeant Matt Jasper, a calico named Holly just may be the best matchmaker of all.

O Little Town of Bramble
All Ethan Miller wants for Christmas is to celebrate in Bramble, Texas, with family and friends. But when his childhood neighbor, Samantha Henderson, comes home for the holiday, Ethan realizes that the girl-next-door could be the girl of his dreams.

For more information about any of these authors you can visit their websites by clicking the links below:
Jill Shalvis's website
Hope Ramsay's website
Katie Lane's website

Kissing Santa Claus by Jill Shalvis

Lucky Harbor Series:
Simply Irresistible
The Sweetest Thing
Kissing Santa Claus (Novella in the Small Town Christmas anthology)
Head Over Heels
Lucky in Love
At Last
Forever and a Day
Under the Mistletoe (Novella)
It Had to be You (2013)
Always on my Mind (2013)
Once in a Lifetime (2014)

I absolutely love Jill Shalvis's Lucky Harbor series so it's no surprise that this story was my main reason for wanting to read the Small Town Christmas anthology. We first met Logan in the second book in the series, The Sweetest Thing. He is Tara's ex-husband and came to Lucky Harbor hoping to win her back but was facing fierce competition from her first love Ford. Now I have to admit that while I was routing for Ford to win Tara's affections I did develop a little bit of a crush on Logan so it was nice to be able to see him get his own happy ending. My only disappointment with this story is that I wanted more and I'd have loved for it to be a full length novel!

Logan met Sandy five months ago and they ended up having a rather steamy affair but Logan broke her heart when he left her to return to his job as a NASCAR driver. His time away has made him realise how much she means to him but now that he is back and hoping for a second chance Sandy isn't quite so keen to let him back into her life. It's going to take all of Logan's sweet talking skills to earn him a place in Sandy's life. This was such a fun story and made a perfect Christmas read, anyone who is a fan of Jill Shalvis is sure to love this addition to the Lucky Harbor series.

I'll be Home for Christmas by Hope Ramsay

Last Chance Series:
Welcome to Last Chance
Home at Last Chance
Last Chance Beauty Queen
I'll be Home for Christmas (Novella in the Small Town Christmas anthology)
Last Chance Bride
Last Chance Christmas

After the death of her mother Annie is expecting to spend the holidays alone but when soldier Matt turns up on her doorstep with a stray cat it looks like things are about to change. Matt has come to Last Chance to make good on his promise to deliver his friend Nick's last Christmas present to his grandmother. Matt is also hoping that he might get to experience his first ever proper Christmas but he actually finds a whole lot more.

This is the first time I've read anything by Hope Ramsay but I'll be Home for Christmas has definitely made me interested in checking out more of the Last Chance series, I enjoyed meeting some of the quirky side characters like the town matchmaker and would like to get to know them better. I did find the romance between Annie and Matt developed a little too quickly for my taste but it is very hard to write a believable romance between two characters who have never met before in a short novella so I can forgive that. Overall I found it a sweet story and I liked the underlying message about what is really important in life.

O Little Town of Bramble by Katie Lane

Deep in the Heart of Texas Series:
Going Cowboy Crazy
Make Mine a Bad Boy
O Little Town of Bramble (Novella in the Small Town Christmas anthology)
Catch me a Cowboy
Trouble in Texas
Flirting with Texas (2013)

Sam has been away from her home town Bramble for years while she completed her studies to become a vet. Now she is taking time out to visit her family for the holidays before she finds a place to set up her own practise. She always had a crush on her neighbour Ethan but he always treated her more as a younger sister than a potential girlfriend. Ethan has missed his best friend while she has been away but now Sam is back and he realises that she's all woman! Can he get past his shyness and convince her to stay in Bramble and make a life with him?

Katie Lane was another new to me author but I enjoyed O Little Town of Bramble so much that I've already ordered the first three books in the series. I loved the humour in this story and just know that I've found myself another favourite series. The romance between Ethan and Sam is perfectly paced, they have been friends forever but now that they have developed deeper feelings they are so tongue tied around each other that it was hilarious to watch. They make a great couple though and I just hope we get to see more of them as the series continues. I have to mention how amusing the live nativity was and it really did put me in the mood for the Christmas holidays! I can't wait to go back and read the rest of this series.

Source: Purchased

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Review: Ketchup Clouds - Annabel Pitcher

Fifteen-year-old Zoe has a secret - a dark and terrible secret that she can't confess to anyone she knows. But then one day she hears of a criminal, Stuart Harris, locked up on death row in Texas. Like Zoe, Stuart is no stranger to secrets. Or lies. Or murder.

Full of heartache yet humour, Zoe tells her story in the only way she can - in letters to the man in prison in America. Armed with a pen, Zoe takes a deep breath, eats a jam sandwich, and begins her tale of love and betrayal.

Visit Annabel Pitcher's website for more information

Review:
I absolutely loved Annabel Pitcher's debut novel My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece when I read it last year so I was incredibly excited to get my hands on an early copy of her second novel Ketchup Clouds. This book jumped straight to the top of my to read pile as soon as it arrived but I'll admit that I was slightly nervous it wouldn't live up to my expectations. Thankfully my worries were proved unfounded and I loved every minute of it!

Our narrator for Ketchup Clouds is fifteen year old Zoe, a teenager who has a horrible secret that has been weighing on her conscience for nearly a year. She is too scared to talk to anyone she knows about the things that she has done but when she finds out about criminals on death row who are looking for pen pals she feels like she has found someone to confide in. Stuart Harris is on death row after committing a murder and Zoe believes that he will be able to understand the guilt she feels. The story is told through a series of letters that Zoe writes to Stuart over a period of several months, her honest account of her life and the terrible events that ended with the death of a young man is touching, humorous and heartbreaking all at the same time.

Annabel Pitcher manages to create such realistic voices for her teenage characters, I felt the same about My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece but I think I found it even easier to identify with Zoe than I did with Jamie. Zoe is a normal teenager, she likes hanging out with her friends, loves her family and she dreams having of her first kiss and her first boyfriend. Her letters are a completely honest and give insight into her family life along with the trials and tribulations that come with being a teenager and falling in love for the first time. I dare anyone who reads the book not to fall head over heels for her adorable little sister Dot, she has to be one of the cutest fictional five year olds that I've ever come across!

I don't want to say any more about the plot or give away Zoe's secret but I felt that the story unfolded at a perfect pace. You are given just enough information to keep you hooked but still kept on tenterhooks until the very end of the book as you wait to see exactly what happened on that fateful day the previous year. I didn't pick up this book intending to finish it in one sitting but that is exactly what I did - I just couldn't tear myself away from Zoe's story and her heartfelt letters. Ketchup Clouds made me smile, it made me laugh out loud, it touched me emotionally and even made me shed a tear, it is a beautifully written story and one I'm sure I'll be recommending for a long time to come. Annabel Pitcher is an author who is going to go far and I can't wait to read her next book.

Source: Received from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review

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Hardcover / Kindle:

Review: Demon's Curse - Alexa Egan

A fast-paced and captivating debut—the first in the dark and sexy Imnada Brotherhood series about shape shifters in Regency-era England.

A rising star on the Covent Garden stage, Bianca Parrino believes she has everything she wants. Independence. Wealth. And a life finally free of her violent, abusive husband. But when her close friend, Adam, is murdered, and Bianca is suspected in his death, she is unwittingly drawn into the search for his killer, and soon must question everything she believes—about her friend, about herself, and about a world she never knew existed.

A member of the mysterious race of shape-shifting Imnada and part of an elite military unit, Captain Mac Flannery gathered intelligence during the Napoleonic wars. As a result of a savage massacre, Mac and the men he served with are cursed. Now one of them has been found murdered, and Mac suspects the existence of the Imnada has been discovered at last. His only link to unearthing the truth is the beautiful actress who turns up unexpectedly at Adam’s funeral.

Before long, Mac has more to contend with than Bianca’s overt mistrust, his ill-fated attraction to the haughty and beautiful actress, and his ongoing search for an end to the curse. Because Adam’s killer is back, and Mac is next on his list.

Imnada Brotherhood Series:
Awaken the Curse (Novella)
Demon's Curse (26th December 2012)

Visit Alexa Egan's website for more information

Review:
Mac is part of an elite military unit who are gathering intelligence during the war, they are also part of a secretive race of shapeshifters called the Imnada. The Imnada were supposedly wiped out by the Fae related Others centuries ago but in reality they have just worked hard to remain in hiding. When threatened with discovery Mac's team do what they have to to protect their clan but as a result of their actions they find themselves cursed. Now with one of his until murdered Mac believes someone has uncovered their identity and that he is their next target. Bianca is a popular actress but when rumours link her to the murder of her close friend she is asked to take leave from her job. She is grieving for her friend and desperate to prove her innocence but she can only do that with Mac's help. Can they work together to catch Adam's killer and possibly find a way to break the curse?

After reading the prequel novella Awaken the Curse I had high hopes for Demon's Curse when I picked it up but unfortunately I found myself feeling let down by the time I finished it. I normally love the combination of a paranormal romance with a historical setting but in this case the book just really struggled to hold my attention and I even found myself skimming sections which is something I never usually do. Firstly I was surprised to see that there was no link between this story and the prequel novella, I wasn't expecting to see much of the previous couple but I did think that Lucas might have an important role to play in the series so it confused me that he wasn't even mentioned. I do wonder if he will crop up in future books but at this point it kind of feels like there was no point in reading the prequel, it certainly didn't give me any information that I needed to read this story.

At 400 pages this isn't a massive novel but the pacing really drags in parts which made it feel much longer than it was. You have to wait a long time between the action scenes and I just found myself getting bored. I know there is always a certain amount of world building to be done in the first book of a new series, in fact that is something I usually enjoy because I like finding out the details, but in this case I had so many questions and it took forever to get any answers. Perhaps it's just me but I didn't even understand what the curse on Mac and his team did to them until about half way through the book! I still don't know much about the Imnada or the Others (on a side note I have to mention what a boring species name Others is - especially when you compare it to Imnada!) and the whole feud between the two groups seems ridiculous.

Mac and Bianca were likeable enough characters but neither of them stood out in my mind, in fact barely a week on from finishing the book I can hardly remember anything about either of them without looking at the notes I took while I was reading. I did like the fact that Bianca's past isn't brushed under the carpet as soon as she meets Mac. She had suffered a great deal at the hands of her abusive husband and that made her especially wary of Mac. Even when she got to know him better and decided to give in to the attraction between them she still had moments where her memories would surface and effect the way she reacted to Mac. I felt that this was a very realistic reaction for someone who had been abused and I really liked the way Mac was so patient with her and helped her work through her issues. I also liked the fact that Bianca wasn't a useless female who sat around waiting to be rescued by her man and that she helped him as much as he helped her.

I would like to find out more about the Imnada and I really want to know what will happen with Lucas (from the prequel) but I'm really not sure if I'll continue reading this series. I can't say that I hated the story but I can only say it was OK, nothing about it blew me away or made me excited to carry on reading future instalments. I may well be in the minority with that though so I don't want to put anyone off giving it a try. Hopefully you'll enjoy it much more than I did.

Source: Received from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

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