Made the Grade: Ice Gods by Helen Scott Taylor

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 287 KB | Release Date: November 2012 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com | Originally Found @ Free Par-Tay

"Ice Gods" by Helen Scott Taylor

My Book Summary : All her life Annika has known that she was different, especially when she found out as a child that not everyone has their own spirit guide that they can talk too in their head. Now she's faced with the option of meeting her father after 26 years of wondering who he was and why he left her....

...however what she never expected was to be thrown into the middle of a long-time family feud amongst Gods during that meeting!

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars!! With similarities to the author's The Magic Knot Series, this novel gives you the mysteriousness and spiciness that you enjoy with that series while being short enough that you can finish it in one setting! Annika and Tyr the Valiant (Tyr) are such a sweet couple!!! I loved how their romance grew and became something in and of its own!

My only problem with it was the ending. I know it's was a short novel when I began reading it but I was just hoping for something a bit more. Even though I was very happy with how things ended between the main characters, I just wish the everything else was wrapped up a bit better. =0/

I do recommend this novel to anyone who has read and liked the author's The Magic Knot Series. Also, to anyone who enjoys reading paranormal romances, especially ones involving mythical creatures and Gods.

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : The Ruby Kiss

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Teaser Tuesdays: The Ruby Kiss

Book Teaser(s) :

The last time he'd set eyes on Annika she'd been a tiny baby. He'd been curious to see how she'd turned out, to put an adult face to the child he'd protected over the years. He knew the feel of her mind, enjoyed the mental bond they shared, but he'd always intended to keep his distance from her physically.
Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined she'd be so beautiful. He'd expected her to resemble Vali the Slayer as she carried his genes, and she did. But somehow on her the look was feminine and attractive. How could he want to kiss her when she reminded him of Vali?
Whatever his feelings, he must resist. ~ within Chapter 1

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Helen, then please check out her website.

Made the Grade: Three Worlds Series, Book 1

Format: Paperback | Pages: 320 | Release Date: March 2011 | Publisher: Ballantine Books | Obtained: Friends of the Pasquotank-Camden Library - Fall Book Sale

"Seduce Me in Dreams" [Three Worlds Series, Book 1] by Jacquelyn Frank (aka Jax)

My Book Summary : Ravenna (Rave) has been visiting Bronse's dreams for a while now, trying to warn him of impending trouble coming his way as well as to learn more about him. They both don't understand the dreams, why or how they are able to talk to each other, but they are drawn to each other more because of the dreams then they would ever realize.

Therefore, when Rave learns of her own kidnapping she turns to Bronse in hopes that he can be her (and her younger brother) savior. Just hopefully, Bronse won't come too late....

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars, two strong leaders come together with plans of protecting themselves from a plot on their heads and to save those in their groups. It is an intriguing novel set around three unique worlds. However, Bronse and Rave weren't as great of characters as I wanted them to be. Their chemistry was great in the beginning but by the middle, their indecision about their attraction to each other made it so I couldn't like them, as I wanted too. Plus, it didn't help that Rave's younger brother, Kith, was soo annoying (even the characters thought so)! My favorite character was Lasher (Bronse's second in command and best friend).

I recommend this novel to those who are fans of Ms. Frank and who like sci-fi romances!

- On a side note -
Well, I didn't find this novel as "tasty" as I had hoped. -- Click here to find out why I would say that. --

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Forbidden | Drink of Me

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : "Waiting On" Wednesday: Forever | The Books I'm Thankful For (so far) in 2012 | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013 | Books & Animals Just Don't Mix...

Author's Novel Extras : A Legacy of Words

Author's Series Extras : NOCTURNAL!! | Debut of my first JAX book, THE BID | Happy New Year 2011! | The Nightwalkers Book SIX is DONE!! | SEDUCE ME IN FLAMES! TODAY!!

Book Teaser(s) :

"I'm sorry," Bronse murmured after a moment, blinking and refocusing his disbelieving attention. "Could you repeat the question?"
Unperturbed, Lasher did so, grinning the entire time. He knew full well that Bronse had heard him and comprehended. "I asked you what you were thinking."
Bronse laughed suddenly, half with humor, half with that same disbelief. "I am suddenly having a flashback to my marriage. Liely asked me that question a hundred times a night when I was off-mission. Do I have to worry that we've been on-mission together too long?"
Lasher responded by throwing a bread roll at Bronse's head. ~ within Chapter 2

"What the hell is going on around here? I want to know just exactly what I did to deserve this. There must be something. Maybe some information I have that I don't realize I have."
"I think we'd better find out. Fast would be nice. I'd hate to think I'd be afraid to get laid until we do." Lasher smirked at Bronse.
"You know, I'm so glad my impeding homicide is such a source of humor for you," Bronse said. ~ within Chapter 8

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Jacquelyn, then please check out her website.

It's A Rundown Life: Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Image of :: I'm not sure how many more years this old barn has left in it but I drive past it almost daily and loved the rundown look of it. So, when I finally found a day where the sun was hitting it just right I needed to take a photo of it.

Date Taken :: February 15th 2012




Location :: Elizabeth City, North Carolina -- about where the map shows --

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Check out more from my It's A Rundown Life Series

Books & Animals Just Don't Mix...

Okay, since my husband and I are moving in about 2-3 months so I'm trying to get through my TBR pile that I've had for a while. Therefore, I decided to start reading Jacquelyn Frank's "SEDUCE ME IN DREAMS" last night and this is what I found ....

Post by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews.

Now I will admit that I knew that it was bitten before I picked it up, since it was at my local library's seasonal book sale, but I just didn't realize how bad it was until yesterday. Thankfully, the previous owner was nice enough to hang onto the 6 torn up corners that I found stuck in the middle of the novel but I needed to tape up/reenforce a little over 25 other pages too. *shakes head*

I guess the pet found "SEDUCE ME IN DREAMS" mighty tasty! *hehee* Now that it's all put together I hope I'll like it just as much! =0)

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Forbidden | Drink of Me

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : "Waiting On" Wednesday: Forever | The Books I'm Thankful For (so far) in 2012 | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013

Feasted On: Hunger Awakened by Dee Carney

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 464 KB; Audiobook - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: March 4, 2013 | Publisher: Carina Press | Obtained: NetGalley

"Hunger Awakened" [Vampire Hunger Series, Book 2] by Dee Carney (aka Morgan Sierra)

My Book Summary : Sebastian (Bast) knows he is a half-vampire, has dealt with the prejudices of it and has had to prove himself to the vampire community because of it for over 400 years; the problem is he doesn't know what his other half is. So, over the year he's done his best to just forget about it....

....that is until his other half finally decides to make itself known in a BIG way. Suddenly one night while he is at a club, to hook up and get fed, pain and fever crashes over him out of nowhere leaving him in the back alleyway throwing up and almost unconscious. Alice, a homeless woman who has an illness of her own, finds Bast in the alley and unwillingly tries to help him. However, once she starts helping she has a hard time walking away. One thing leads into another bringing her into a world she never realizes existed.

Together they find and feel that they'll be able to defeat whatever is happening to Bast and accept what he truly is. Yet when her own illness gets worse, will they find a way to stay together for good or will others and Alice's body keep them apart for good...

My Book Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars!! This is a compelling novel about two "people," who come from tough pasts, finding each other and help each other deal with the cards life handed them. You can't help but fall into this novel and start rooting for Alice & Bast immediately; they are just that sweet of couple! Plus, I love reading about the genealogy research/knowledge in the book because I'm a genealogy buff myself.

Then as a cherry on top, for those who have read "Hunger Aroused" (since I didn't), it gives you an update on what Jasmine & Corin are doing while not having a confusing plot line enough so it can be considered as a standalone novel! Nevertheless, the epilogue leaves you with plenty of things to get you excited for the next novel while hoping Alice, Bast, Jasmine, & Corin will be in it too!

I recommend this novel/series to anyone who likes paranormal romances!

Author's Novel Extras : Hunger Awakened Excerpt | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Wednesday’s Words: Feeling Accomplished | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Two New Covers

Author's Series Extras : Hunger Aroused Excerpt & Romance Trading Card | Hunger Revealed - FREE READ | Discoveries | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | What I’m doing | I’m going to audio, baby! | Trick or Treat? | Six Sentence Sunday | Hunger Aroused FTW | A saying for every occasion | Tooting my own horn | Six Sentence Sunday | More about | Six Sentence Sunday | Winter Reviews | A Hero’s Hop

Book Teaser(s) :

She leaned in closer to the screen, tracing a finger along one of the lines. “You made a mistake here. This person’s on two different branches, unless...” Alice started muttering to herself. “No, not the same person. A mistake. I think if you...yeah. She needs to be on this line, not that one.”
He’d worked with painstaking precision on the chart. “Show me.”
“Here.” She made a face. “And here.”
“Son of a bitch,” he said with a low growl. “I don’t know which one is correct. Fuck. I’ll have to—”
“You could hire me to do it.”
“What?”
Her words picked up speed, her enthusiasm growing. “Let me do this for you. Like a personal assistant or something. My mother worked on these in her spare time, and I know how to do the research. Let me—”
“No.”
“But Bast, it’s a win-win. For room and board. You’ve got this huge house—”
“No, I’m sorry. I won’t let you work on this.”
“But why not?”
He shook his head again, regret washing over him that he couldn’t share even this tiny snippet of his life with someone. Especially not a human. “Not this.” ~ within Chapter 5

He focused. Nodded in response to her original question. “At the end, just as I was finishing, I felt something.” He tried to bring back the sensation. The rush. “Power.”
A pause. “Yeah, it’s called coming.”
Bast snorted out a laugh. “As I was coming, smart ass.” He let the mirth settle before continuing. ~ within Chapter 16

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Dee, then please check out her website.