Jessica Sorensen is one of the best authors I have discovered this year. Each one of her books has had me feeling so many different emotion
[image]
Jessica Sorensen is one of the best authors I have discovered this year. Each one of her books has had me feeling so many different emotions, from happiness, to angst, to hatred and to shock. One thing that you are guaranteed when you pick up a Jessica Sorensen book is a whirlwind of emotion. You cannot read one of her books and feel stoic about it. Sorensen pulls emotions from her readers and that takes a lot of talent, I think, in a writer.
Luke Price has always been a little misunderstood. After the weird incident in the last book of the series, the opening scene pours light on Luke’s situation at home. As you can guess, it’s not pretty but it was also different than what I had anticipated for him. Now, Luke drowns himself on alcohol and sex, hoping to gain control of his life that way. It doesn’t work and when he falls deeper and deeper into that dark hole, only one person becomes the very distraction he needs.
Violet is a very dark and complex character. She hasn’t been particularly warm and fuzzy but as you read, you realize that in order for her to survive the harsh world she lives in, she needs to be that way. She purposely keeps people out of her life and her reasons are good ones. As that part of the story is revealed, you come to understand her pickliness and her attitude problem. Violet’s character actually reminds me a lot of Beth from DARE YOU TO by Katie McGarry. Both are a product of the foster system and have a huge chip on their shoulders. Unlike Beth though, Violet remains distanced until the very end where you see some of her core showing through.
This is when Sorensen hits you with a twist that will have readers fall into a hysterical tailspin. At 85%, I thought I was going to go mad from it. Thoughts started jumbling in my head. How will Sorensen fix this? At 90%, everything that Sorensen that built in this book comes crashing down. It’s a hard read and because of that, I still don’t how I feel about this book. I love/hate it. I love/hate Sorensen for pulling that stunt at the end and leaving me feeling like a broken heap on the floor.
As I mentioned earlier, you will feel a variety of emotions while reading Sorensen’s books. Although I didn’t cry for this book, it doesn’t mean it’s not dark. The lives that Sorensen writes about are messy. These kids go through so much that the angst that is there feels more genuine and real because of it. Some books feel injected with a heady dose of angst because readers love it. But with Sorensen, I feel like the angst is a product of their hard lives. This is what makes them so relatable. This is what makes us feel what they are feeling. And this is what makes Sorensen’s books so great.
I will be on my knees begging for a sequel for Violet and Luke. My heart refuses to accept that this is the end for them. Please, please, please, Jessica!
Jessica Sorensen is one of the best authors I have discovered this year. Each one of her books has had me feeling so many different emotions, from happiness, to angst, to hatred and to shock. One thing that you are guaranteed when you pick up a Jessica Sorensen book is a whirlwind of emotion. You cannot read one of her books and feel stoic about it. Sorensen pulls emotions from her readers and that takes a lot of talent, I think, in a writer.
Luke Price has always been a little misunderstood. After the weird incident in the last book of the series, the opening scene pours light on Luke’s situation at home. As you can guess, it’s not pretty but it was also different than what I had anticipated for him. Now, Luke drowns himself on alcohol and sex, hoping to gain control of his life that way. It doesn’t work and when he falls deeper and deeper into that dark hole, only one person becomes the very distraction he needs.
Violet is a very dark and complex character. She hasn’t been particularly warm and fuzzy but as you read, you realize that in order for her to survive the harsh world she lives in, she needs to be that way. She purposely keeps people out of her life and her reasons are good ones. As that part of the story is revealed, you come to understand her pickliness and her attitude problem. Violet’s character actually reminds me a lot of Beth from DARE YOU TO by Katie McGarry. Both are a product of the foster system and have a huge chip on their shoulders. Unlike Beth though, Violet remains distanced until the very end where you see some of her core showing through.
This is when Sorensen hits you with a twist that will have readers fall into a hysterical tailspin. At 85%, I thought I was going to go mad from it. Thoughts started jumbling in my head. How will Sorensen fix this? At 90%, everything that Sorensen that built in this book comes crashing down. It’s a hard read and because of that, I still don’t how I feel about this book. I love/hate it. I love/hate Sorensen for pulling that stunt at the end and leaving me feeling like a broken heap on the floor.
As I mentioned earlier, you will feel a variety of emotions while reading Sorensen’s books. Although I didn’t cry for this book, it doesn’t mean it’s not dark. The lives that Sorensen writes about are messy. These kids go through so much that the angst that is there feels more genuine and real because of it. Some books feel injected with a heady dose of angst because readers love it. But with Sorensen, I feel like the angst is a product of their hard lives. This is what makes them so relatable. This is what makes us feel what they are feeling. And this is what makes Sorensen’s books so great.
I will be on my knees begging for a sequel for Violet and Luke. My heart refuses to accept that this is the end for them. Please, please, please, Jessica!
Jeaniene Frost returns to the Night Huntress world with another book. But this time, we get a glimpse into Bones’s mind. For a lot of fans, this is soJeaniene Frost returns to the Night Huntress world with another book. But this time, we get a glimpse into Bones’s mind. For a lot of fans, this is something that we’ve been asking for for a long time. However, I never thought that she would actually do it.
Now that years have passed since the last books, I feel like it was a nice refresher to return to this world. We get to see new details of familiar scenes and characters as well as delve deeper into the mind of Bones. I don’t know if Frost has plans to write more books like this, but I do feel like it was comfortable to read. I wouldn’t mind it if she started writing a new series which Bones as the main narrator. It’s not often we get to see a male as the lead for an entire series. ...more
Jaci Burton returns to her Boots and Bouquet series with an interesting concept. Honor Bellini is a wedding planner a Read this review on Fresh Fiction
Jaci Burton returns to her Boots and Bouquet series with an interesting concept. Honor Bellini is a wedding planner and she attends a convention at in Vegas. There she encounters her sister’s ex-fiancé Owen Stone who is there on business as well. As they have a drink together, they begin to get closer until they find themselves waking up in a hotel room together with no recollection of what happened the night before. The only clue is the wedding certificate that states that they are married.
I think a lot of people will be interested in this kind of concept. However, it did take me a while to enjoy it. I think the problem was in the fact that Honor and Owen really felt like just friends to me in the begging of the book. I didn’t get that romantic vibe from them at all until much later. So I think that played a part in how the romance panned out for me. Nevertheless, I do think that the chemistry started to show itself more when they left Vegas and headed back to Oklahoma. I feel like that’s where the romance really got going.
So while THE ACCIDENTAL NEWLYWED GAME had a slow start for me, I did enjoy it. Burton’s writing flows nicely and is very easy to read, making it a quick read. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoy Harlequin novels or wedding-themed stories....more
In the latest installment of the In Death series, a dead teenager leads Eve Dallas and her friends into the sex traffiRead this review onFresh Fiction
In the latest installment of the In Death series, a dead teenager leads Eve Dallas and her friends into the sex trafficking world. Given Eve’s past, this case is especially traumatic.
Robb details the abuse that the girls experience from the very beginning, so when one of them turns up dead, I feel like readers can connect more with the victim. I think this may disturb some readers due to the subject matter, but the details are glossed over. But I did just want to give a warming just to be safe.
Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of this concept, so this book isn’t my favorite of the series. However, I do think that Robb did a good job of bringing Eve’s past and her experiences into it as well. Of course, the story is written well and in an interesting way where we know who the bad guys are, but we don’t know everything about them. As the story unfolds, more truths are revealed.
DESPERATION IN DEATH is definitely one of the darker books in the series. But if you like a thrilling mystery and lots of twists and turns, then you don’t want to miss out on this one!...more
It’s time for readers to get excited again because Gena Showalter has returned to the Rise of the Warlords series!
With this installment, she pairs up an unlikely couple together. Halo is a cold and merciless assassin whereas Ophelia is a fierce and spunky harpy warrior. However, the two make up a wonderful couple as they repeat the same fierce battle again and again. Normally, I’m not a fan of stories that involve infinite loops. With these types of stories, it can feel repetitive or boring. However, Showalter does a good job of creating new differences that keep it exciting.
My favorite aspect of this story was the characters though. It’s been a long time since I’ve fallen in love with a hero and heroine like this. Despite their differences, I thought that both were very interesting characters. So as they started to fall in love, it created a lot of wonderful tension and chemistry.
I had a blast reading this book and I have no question that readers will enjoy this action-packed book. Showalter is an amazing storyteller and I can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve next!...more
A new League story? Somebody pinch me! I was super excited to get this book in my hands because I’ve missed Sherrilyn KRead my review at Fresh Fiction
A new League story? Somebody pinch me! I was super excited to get this book in my hands because I’ve missed Sherrilyn Kenyon’s writing for a while now. I was looking for something to quell my thirst for Paranormal Romance and this one hit the spot!
The couple of this story is Eve and Jinx and they were absolutely amazing together! I loved their sexy banter and their combustible chemistry. It’s been a while since I’ve been so smitten over a hero, but Jinx totally blew me away with his alpha attitude. Despite all that though, there was an endearing quality to him that made him feel less stoic or ruthless as the other heroes of this series have been.
As always, Kenyon adds a dash of torment to all her books, so expect a bit of angst and a lot of action. Unfortunately, this story was only a novella, so I was disappointed when it was over so quickly. I would have loved to read more about them and this world. Ninety pages just doesn’t feel like enough when you’re addicted and wish to read more. This is especially true when I feel like it’s been a long time since Kenyon has released a new story in this series.
That being said, if you’re looking for a great Paranormal Romance series to binge, I would highly recommend The League series. There’s a lot of great worldbuilding and many hot heroes to swoon over! If you’re like me, you’ll be falling in love with these complex and captivating stories. You definitely don’t want to miss out on EVE OF DESTRUCTION!...more
I feel like it’s been a long time since I’ve read a book in this series, so I was especially excited to see Leslie BuRead this review on Fresh Fiction
I feel like it’s been a long time since I’ve read a book in this series, so I was especially excited to see Leslie Budewitz writing in this world again. I’m a big fan of Pepper and the secondary cast of characters in this series, so it felt good to read about them again.
Each one of the characters in this book is interesting to me. Normally, the victim or secondary cast don’t stand out, but I really enjoyed reading about everyone in this book. Budewitz’s writing is very easy to read and follow. I also thought the pacing was great since it has a few twists at the end.
I am definitely pleased with this latest installment of the series and would definitely recommend it to all Cozy Mystery readers. The Spice Shop Mystery series is definitely not one to be missed!...more
Exciting things are happening when J.R. Ward releases a new Black Dagger Brotherhood book! THE WOLF is the second bookRead this review onFresh Fiction
Exciting things are happening when J.R. Ward releases a new Black Dagger Brotherhood book! THE WOLF is the second book in the Prison Camp spin-off. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure how I would love this series because I love the original so much. However, Ward has quickly won over my heart with these shifters. There’s so much to love about this book!
Epic worldbuilding, intriguing and relatable characters, and passionate romance that will melt everyone’s hearts, this book literally has it all. I devoured this book in one sitting and stayed up all through the night to read it. I laughed and cried along with the characters and gobbled up this book to say the least. It’s definitely one of my favorite books of the year!
J.R. Ward can do no wrong in my eyes. She’s the ultimate storyteller that can capture reader’s hearts. Pick up THE WOLF and see for yourself why Rio and Lucan’s story is so captivating in so many ways!...more
There seems to be a pattern when it comes to Jill Shalvis books for me now. Sometimes, I really like her books and they are a huge hit for
[image]
There seems to be a pattern when it comes to Jill Shalvis books for me now. Sometimes, I really like her books and they are a huge hit for me. But then another one comes out and it seems to be a miss.
For me, THE FOREVER GIRL didn’t continue the excitement from the last book of the series. Although this is the sixth book in the Wildstone series, you can definitely read this on its own. I just found that I didn’t quite connect with the characters like I have with other Shalvis books. I find that especially true with this particular series. The Women’s Fiction mixed with romance usually works for me, but for some reason, I found myself putting this book down very often and it took me quite a long time to finish it. It may be the characters or the concept of this book, but I often find the books of this series to be a bit of a downer. There are some light and funny moments of course. Shalvis’s humor always brings that in, but I don’t always think it fits the situation or the character the way it does with her Romance series. That being said, I guess I will just have to see if the next book will be a hit for me!...more
HARD LINE is book five in the Cobra Elite series by Pamela Clare. With this particular book, we have a Danish hero and for me, this was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. Thor is more of a cold hero, which I didn’t really mind all too much. I like having a variety of different heroes in a series, so I thought that he was easy to fall for.
Samantha, on the other hand, required a little more time for me to warm up to. It’s funny because this book is set in a really cold climate, so I felt like even the characters had some coldness to them. But whether or not that was intentional by the author or not, Samantha didn’t completely win me over. I found her narration to be quite repetitive, especially in the first few chapters. The repetition really got me out of reading this, so it took me much longer than usual to finish.
I enjoyed the setting. It provided a great backdrop for the action and also the suspense. It actually reminded me of another I-Team novel of Clare’s that I enjoyed with cooler climates too. So while it wasn’t a total win for me, I did like several aspects of this book. I’d maybe even say that it was one of the better ones of this series....more
RAGE & RUIN is book two in the Harbinger trilogy by Jennifer L. Armentrout and she continues her exciting story about a half human and half angel. AloRAGE & RUIN is book two in the Harbinger trilogy by Jennifer L. Armentrout and she continues her exciting story about a half human and half angel. Along with her gargoyle protector, Trinity and Zane seem to be against the odds as the Harbinger approaches.
Trinity acts much like Armentrout’s other heroines. She’s feisty, sarcastic, and kickass. I think readers will have an easy time liking her character. She’s one of those heroines that you can’t help but root for.
In this book, there’s a bit more details of Zane thrown in, which I think is so important for his character. The relationship between Trinity and Zane is really about being partners, so although Trinity is used to doing things on her own and in her own way, they have to figure out a way to work together.
This book was easy-to-read and reminds me a bit of The Dark Artifices series by Cassandra Clare, so if you enjoyed that series, then you may enjoy this one as well. I think Armentrout has definitely found a formula that fits her writing style when it comes to writing paranormal romances and I can’t wait to read more! ...more
SECRET AT SKULL HOUSE is book two in the Secrets and Scrabble series by Josh Lanyon. I have been looking forward to this series because I’
[image]
SECRET AT SKULL HOUSE is book two in the Secrets and Scrabble series by Josh Lanyon. I have been looking forward to this series because I’ve really enjoyed the Adrien English series in the past. Although this one doesn’t quite have the same vibe as my favorite series, it does have a lot of interesting characters.
In this particular story, Ellery’s ex, Brandon, is one of the main characters. I always get a little excited whenever an ex is involved in the storyline, especially when Josh Lanyon does it. You just know that there’s going to be something juicy going on. Needless to say, I really liked this storyline.
However, I did feel like the beginning of the story dragged a bit. It took a while to get me into the story, which is quite different for me. Normally, Lanyon can grip me within just a few pages, so I’m not really sure how I feel about this book. I liked it, but it’s probably not my favorite. I do appreciate the details that the author put into this book though and I think readers will enjoy it, especially if they are big Ellery fans....more
I was so excited to learn that Josh Lanyon was going to write Cozy Mysteries! As a fan of Lanyon’s writing style and Cozy Mysteries, I was
[image]
I was so excited to learn that Josh Lanyon was going to write Cozy Mysteries! As a fan of Lanyon’s writing style and Cozy Mysteries, I was looking forward to seeing what a mystery series from a M/M author would be like. I loved the Adrien English series, so I had some high expectations for this new one.
First off, the backstory of Rhode Island offers a different feel right off the bat. It has a little bit of an eerie vibe to it, so I think it matched well with the genre. Another big concept of the series is pirates so it was nice to see Lanyon playing around with that.
I was a little slow to like Ellery, but I do enjoy the writing style. It’s a bit slower than the other Mysteries that I like to read, but I liked the fact that the murder happened quickly. This entire book felt like a really short read to me, but all the aspects of a good mystery are there. I think it has a promising start and I am definitely looking forward to more from Ellery and Carson.
Oh yeah, in case you’re wondering, there’s no on-screen sex or violence in this book....more
I’m pretty late in the game on this series and that’s really only because I didn’t even know it existed. I used to be a really big fan of Pamela Clare’s I-team series and since this is the spin-off, I knew that I had to give it a try. Now, I didn’t start with the first book of the series. Instead, I jumped straight into HARD JUSTICE, which is the third book in the Cobra Elite series.
I think if you haven’t read the I-team series then you can probably get by with enjoying this one, but I think the true fun comes from seeing the cameos from some of the beloved characters of the original series. I know for me, it was one of the things that I most looked forward to.
However, that’s not to say that the characters don’t hold their on in this series. I do like Clare’s brand of characters. They are very knowledgeable and intense, and they often get themselves into a mess of a situation. However, through determination and grit, they are always able to pull through. I do think some of the “magic” that was in the I-team is missing in this series, but the Cobra Elite are definitely special in their own way too. It’s obvious that comparisons will be made, but nothing will likely ever top the original I-team series for me.
Nevertheless, I am intrigued about this series and I look forward to catching up with the other books. It’s nice to see Clare back in action, dishing out intense love stories with plenty of thrilling action and suspense....more
WOLF UNDER FIRE kicks off Paige Tyler’s new STAT (Special Threat Assessment Team) series. It’s very similar to her SWAT series, which is a
[image]
WOLF UNDER FIRE kicks off Paige Tyler’s new STAT (Special Threat Assessment Team) series. It’s very similar to her SWAT series, which is a paranormal romance that features shifters. I really enjoyed that series, so I was glad to see her continue on with that concept in this new series.
I’m not really sure what to say about this book because it is so similar with the other series. There’s plenty of action and amazing thrills in this book, so if you enjoy fast-paced suspense then I think that you will really enjoy it.
Jes’s character was a little slow to warm up to me in the beginning, but then once I got into the meat of the story, I started to enjoy her. The same went with Jake Huang. First off, I thought that it was incredibly cool to see Tyler feature an Asian hero. So many books, especially romantic suspense, feature predominately white males, so I thought it was incredibly unique and thoughtful of Tyler to represent someone else.
In the end, I really liked the book and I look forward to reading more of this new series....more