Made the Grade: Legends of the Seven Galaxies Series, Book 2

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 187 KB | Expected Release Date: May 1, 2013 | Publisher: Escape Publishing | Obtained: NetGalley

"Awakening the Warriors" [Legends of the Seven Galaxies Series, Book 2] by S. E. Gilchrist

My Book Summary : Fran is seriously reconsidering her decision to leave Earth to move onto a new colony located on another planet, especially since she is currently trapped in a dungeon because of a war going on. The only way of escaping and protecting her fellow inmates is if she can awaken the sexual power two of the male inmates’ posses. Now if she can protect her heart along the way she might survive everything...

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars! A brave woman takes it upon herself to find a way to escape confinement and possible experimentation with the help of two sexy men.

This novella has potential. However, even though I knew it was a short story before I began to read it, it felt overly rushed. It's only redeeming quality was the hot scenes between the Fran, Jerrell, and Quain.

I recommend everyone to try this novella since the series does sound interesting. It's mostly for those who like sci-fi erotic romances!

Author's Novel Extras : New Release : Awakening the Warriors

Author's Series Extras : An Exciting, Delicious Dilemma | Legend Beyond the Stars #Six Sentence Sunday 4 | Villains & Character Development

Book Teaser(s) :

By sheer effort of will, I stopped myself from running after them. My vision blurred. Stupid to feel as if I'd been abandoned.
"I find I am envious," murmured Relia stepping closer to me. She indicated the disappearing men with a jerk of her chin. ~ within Chapter 3

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

Feasted On: Crescent City Fae Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 318; Kindle Edition - File Size: 995 KB | Expected Release Date: March 8, 2013 | Publisher: Bayou Moon Publishing | Obtained: NetGalley

"Influential Magic" [Crescent City Fae Series, Book 1] by Deanna Chase

My Book Summary : Four years ago, after Beau, Willow's twin brother, died she joined the Void as a part-time vampire hunter with hopes of finding out why and how he was killed. Now her life is a mixture of tracking down the bad guys and baking delicious magically yummy treats at her bakery The Fated Cupcake.

However, her life is about to get a drastic change when her ex-boyfriend and recently turned vampire Davidson (David) comes back into her life with plans of protecting her whether or not she wants it. Conspiracy runs rampant in her life as soon as David gets back into hers, and now she doesn't know whom to trust. Maybe with her best friend and long-time crush, Talisen, by her side she might be able to muddle through the murky waters that have become her life and job... if only she can keep her heart/mind straight about what she truly wants during the process...

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars, one kind hearted faery deals with a conspiracy against her while trying to protect those she cares about most. This novel reminded me of an intriguing mixture of "Sunshine" & the Cassandra Palmer Series. It is full trickery, excitement, a faery that can't decide which guy she loves more, a shape-shifting dog who can't control his urges, and friends that would seem to do anything for each other.

Plus, it didn't hurt that I liked both of Willow's guys, David and Talisen. In some ways, I wish she could end up with both but I know that's not possible. Talisen is her childhood crush, her brother's best friend, and an honorary family member. Also, they have such a sweet relationship and great banter. While David and her were together for over a year and it's hard to just give up on the love that they share, especially since he was the one who broke up with her. It will be interesting to see where she'll end up in her relationships as this series progresses.

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes suspenseful action-packed sorta romances.

Author's Novel Extras : The Stigma of Self-Publishing | Influential Magic is Here!

Author's Series Extras : Crescent City Fae Overview

Book Teaser(s) :

Talisen searched my eyes, his gaze serious and intense. What was he looking for? "You can trust me with anything. You know that, right?"
Ah. He'd been searching for the link. Our common thread of trust. "Of course I do." I took his hand and squeezed. "Sometimes I think you're the only one."
He raised an eyebrow. "Not Phoebs?"
"Oh sure. But it's harder. She has strong opinions on everything."
He laughed, and the sound helped ease some of my tension. ~ within Chapter 13

Another crash rumbled upstairs. We all glanced at the ceiling. Jesus. Good think David came from money, because anything he broke, he was replacing. With an upgrade. ~ within Chapter 22

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

Made the Grade: Puma Nights Series, Book 3

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 331 KB | Expected Release Date: April 22, 2013 | Publisher: Carina Press | Obtained: NetGalley

"Falke's Renegade" [Puma Nights Series, Book 3] by Madison Layle & Anna Leigh Keaton (aka Leanne Karella)

My Book Summary : When Heidi gets a call asking for her assistance because of an accidental shooting of a big black jaguar, she is stunned but jumps to help immediately. However, not everything about this big beautiful cat isn’t like he seems, especially when her sister-in-law, Beth, confirms that he is actually another shifter. Even so, Heidi feels it's her duty to assist this "man," Javier, even against her family's wishes.

As the days pass and they get to know one another better they find that both of their desires for the future are beginning to change drastically, if only Javier can get over his past losses and open his heart once more...

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars, probably the only known female shifter in existence recently rescues a new male shifter that could just be her one if only he wasn't so hung up on his past...

I enjoyed this dramatic novel! Javier and Heidi pushed each other in ways I never expected, while I liked their constant need to protect each other even through Javier's personal denial of what he wanted being right in front of him. This novel seemed to have more substance and drama then "Falke's Captive," yet it keeps you updated on the dynamics of Heidi's family. I especially appreciated reading about Beth & Heidi's friendship and Beth's cute little one-liners.

I recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of this series and/or to anyone who likes paranormal romances!

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 2

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Jess' Update :: September 20th 2011

Author's Novel Extras : Falke's Renegade - Contracted! | Falke's Renegade Update!

Author's Series Extras : Puma Nights Overview | Falke's Peak - Excerpt | Falke's Peak is #1 at Carina Press | A Peek at Our Technique | Whew! It's off! | Harlequin's Carina Press Called (Sort of...) | Checking In... | Falke's Captive - Excerpt | Falke's Captive finals in the Passionate Plume | Falke’s Peak On Sale


Book Teaser(s) :

How many brothers do you have? Javier asked while Heidi worked on removing his cast. He wanted to know how outnumbered he would be whenever the confrontation occurred—and it would. His pretty, petite vet might be naïve enough to think her brothers would let him get this close and not react, but he was under no such delusions. She was rare, and this town was their home. The men in her family would respond the same way he would if some stranger encroached on his territory.
“Six.”
Mierda.
She met his scowl with a frown. “I take it by the volume, that’s a curse. You don’t have to worry. I can handle my brothers. It’s the pesky reporter we have to worry about.”
She was wrong, but he didn’t argue the point. As soon as he was strong enough, he’d find his car and get the hell out of here. His fight was not with her family.
She continued to work on his cast. “So, where are you from?”
Nowhere.
“What brings you here to Washington?”
Nothing.
“Is your name really Javier Montero?”
He didn’t respond at all to that snarky question. ~ within Chapter 4

“He is seriously injured.” Burke pulled Heidi away from her thoughts. “Fridrik and I haven’t had time to question him, yet. But we will. For now, let him be,” he said, adding a stern look at both Kelan and Reidar. Then her dad’s mood changed. “Will dinner be ready on time?”
Heidi sighed with relief and sagged against the door. “Yes, Daddy. Of course.” She gave Burke a kiss on the cheek and headed down the hall toward the kitchen.
Kelan said to Beth, You are in trouble, woman.
Her sister-in-law could handle the boys, and her brothers would never harm their mate, but Heidi was glad she wasn’t in Beth’s shoes. Keeping secrets from brothers was one thing. Keeping them from your mates was quite another.
More than half an hour passed before Beth came into the kitchen just as Heidi was putting the pork chops under the broiler. “What do you need me to do?”
Her sister-in-law’s face glowed, and Heidi didn’t need three tries to guess what had kept her occupied. “Hope they weren’t too hard on you.”
Beth waggled her eyebrows. “Just hard enough.” Then she burst out laughing before she leaned over the counter and stage whispered, “They’re such pussycats.”
“Pussycats?”
Beth batted her eyes. “‘You mean you’re upset I didn’t tell you about Heidi’s patient? But...what does that have to do with us?’”
Heidi rolled her eyes. “And they fell for that?”
Beth just gave her a toothy grin and changed the subject. ~ within Chapter 6

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Madison and/or Anna Leigh, then please check out their websites: Miss Layle's website & Miss Keaton's website.

Feasted On: Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 305; Kindle Edition - File Size: 552 KB | Expected Release Date: March 5, 2013 | Publisher: Entangled Publishing : Teen | Obtained: Entangled Publishing

"Dear Cassie" by Lisa Burstein

My Book Summary : Since Cassie was only 17-years-old when her arrest took place, she gets to be sent to a Wilderness Survival Camp instead of jail. However, Cassie feels like she deserves being there, not because of her arrest during her horrible prom night but because of what happened as a result after that night. Now she's fighting her personal demons while dealing with teens that have their own issues, a Drill Sergeant type of "counselor," and a hot annoying boy--Ben--who wants Cassie to spill all of her secrets to him.

Cassie might just find that this is the one place that will break down all of her barriers...

Will she be able to keep her secrets to herself? Will she loose her identity and possibly her heart during her time there? Or will she find a way to escape under the radar of everyone around her before it's too late?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars!! A girl tries to protect herself and her secrets while being thrown into a "wilderness survival camp." This novel is a spin-off/follow-up to Ms. Burstein's "Pretty Amy," and while I never read "Pretty Amy," it gives a good view point of what Cassie went through to get where she is as well as the process she goes through to slowly get better. However, I will say from Cassie's POV it made me really not like Amy.

Cassie as a character goes through severe personality changes, even without her being aware of it at times, throughout this novel. She starts out as a tough character, and while she keeps some aspects of that, by the end of this novel she turns into someone who doesn't try to keep everyone at arm’s length anymore. Plus, I really enjoyed reading about the secondary characters and the small romance between Ben & Cassie.

Ben is a guy who would do anything, literally, to help those he loves or feels he needs to protect. Together Cassie & Ben seem like oil and water, but in truth, they balance each other out in a way that surprises Cassie and scares her because of how that changes her in some ways too.

The ending has a few surprising twists that I didn't expect. However, what I loved most about this novel was the constant mystery of learning about Cassie's secrets and her past while wondering what she'll do to make her future better.

I definitely recommend this novel to anyone who likes dramatic YA/NA sorta romances with a strong female main character.

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : A Day in the Life of Lisa Burstein - March 2013

Author's Novel Extras : BIG News! PRETTY AMY WILL HAVE A BOOK SISTER! | DEAR CASSIE NEWS | To Fuck or not to Fuck- Editing Dear Cassie for Content | DEAR CASSIE COVER REVEAL SIGN-UP & CONTEST | My new book: DEAR CASSIE COVER & First 5 pages!!!! | DEAR CASSIE Diary Contest Finalists!- VOTE | DEAR CASSIE Diary Contest WINNER!!! | Which of your books should/can I read first? | Entangled in Love Blog Hop! | The NEXT BIG THING Blog Hop | HAPPY Dear Cassie NEWS! | WIN a Kindle/Nook or other great prizes in the Dear Cassie Launch Celebration | DEAR CASSIE is AVAILABLE- Free Bookplates & Bookmarks | CONTEST! Guess how many F*cks are in Dear Cassie | DEAR CASSIE Book Trailer! | WINNERS of the How Many F*cks in DEAR CASSIE Contest!

Author's Book Trailer :

Author's Book Interview(s) :



Book Teaser(s) :

We had a long, tiring day ahead of us. That would have been bad enough, more than bad enough, but, of course, the boys were waiting at attention for us at the trailhead. They stood in a line: Nerone, the guys next to him in order of height. Ben was in the middle, grinning at me like someone behind him was pulling back his skin.
“Claire, what’s with the smile?” Rawe asked.
“Just ready to hike with my fellow hikers,” Ben said.
“You look deranged,” I said.
“You look like you’d be into deranged.” He smirked, daring me.
“No more talking,” Nerone yelled.
I smirked back, thinking Ben was lucky that Nerone had told us to be quiet. Not that I had any idea how to respond. I was into deranged. ~ within DAY 9 - titled '21 Fucking Days to Go'

“I’m not taking your hand,” I said, like I was reminding myself not to as much as I was saying it to him.
“I’m patient,” he said, starting to hum.
“You are a zombie that won’t die,” I said, looking up at him.
He held his arms out in front of him and shuffled his feet. “Brains,” he moaned. “Mmmm, Cassie brains.”
I started to laugh. I couldn’t help it.
“Mmmm, Cassie laughs,” he moaned, still acting like a zombie.
“You’re seriously crazy,” I said, finally standing up.
“But that’s why you love me,” he said, pretending to tap dance.
I started to laugh again and it made him dance harder, faster, his tongue lolling out of his mouth.
“I’ll keep this up all day if I have to,” he said. He was clearly out of breath, but he didn’t stop.
Laughing at him, I felt warm, safe. Like I had at the lakeshore, in that moment when I had let myself hold his hand. When I had forgotten I needed to stay away.
“You can’t keep dancing forever,” I said.
“Well, you can’t keep pushing me away forever,” he said. “Eventually one of us is going to have to give up.” ~ within DAY 18 - titled '12 Fucking Days to Go'

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

Blog Tour - Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein | Guest Post, Spreading the Word, & Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Lisa Burstein, who is talking about what a typical day for her is like. =0)

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY!! [Blog Tour will run from March 5 - 28, 2013]

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A Day in the Life of Lisa Burstein :

A typical weekday from totally boring, totally ordinary young adult author of "Pretty Amy" and "Dear Cassie," Lisa Burstein (I say boring because if this was one of my character's lives they would surely be complaining about how bored they were- LOL)

• 5:40 AM - alarm goes off, I grumble and hit snooze.
• 5:50 AM - alarm blares and is snoozed again, more grumbles.
• 6:00 AM - alarm blares and husband yells for me to turn off alarm, while dog burrows under covers. More grumbles, but I finally wake up. I wish I didn't have to, but in addition to being a young adult author I also have a day job. I don't hate my day job, but I certainly do hate having to have one.
• 6:01 AM - Coffee is made. My cat usually comes in the kitchen to say hello, splaying himself out like a bear rug. Lunch is packed: Cottage cheese, tomatoes and crackers almost every day. Because it's easy to make and I am lazy.
• 6:10 AM - Shower: I use my time in the shower to work out plot points and ideas for what I am currently writing. I usually get my best ideas in the shower. I sometimes even get ideas for tweets in the shower. I am ashamed to even admit this.
• 7:00 AM - Arrive at the day-job where I am chained to my desk until 3:30 PM. At the day-job I work and also tweet with readers and friends. Do some face-booking, blogging, emails with editor, publicist and agent as needed oh and also WORK.
• 4:00 PM - I try to go to the gym. The word is "try" but I am usually back home and in my office writing. I write until dinner.
• 6:30 PM - Dinner with hubby.
• 7:00 PM - Until bed... Watching TV or reading until I fall asleep. I am always reading at least one book. The book I am reading now is "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn. I've been reading more adult than young adult lately.
• 10:00 PM - Lights out, so I can be well-rested for another super-exciting day as a young adult author. ;)

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"Dear Cassie" by Lisa Burstein
Author's Book Description :

What if the last place you should fall in love is the first place that you do?

You’d think getting sent to Turning Pines Wilderness Camp for a month-long rehabilitation “retreat” and being forced to re-live it in this journal would be the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.

You’d be wrong.

There’s the reason I was sent to Turning Pines in the first place: I got arrested. On prom night. With my two best friends, who I haven’t talked to since and probably never will again. And then there’s the real reason I was sent here. The thing I can’t talk about with the guy I can’t even think about.

What if the moment you’ve closed yourself off is the moment you start to break open?

But there’s this guy here. Ben. And the more I swear he won’t—he can’t—the deeper under my skin he’s getting. After the thing that happened, I promised I’d never fall for another boy’s lies.

And yet I can’t help but wonder...what if?

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About the Author :

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University and is glad to finally have it be worth more than the paper it was printed on. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats.

She wrote her first story when she was in second grade. It was a Thanksgiving tale from the point of view of the turkey from freezer to oven to plate. It was scandalous.

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Giveaway!! :

• An E-book copy of "Dear Cassie" to ONE randomly drawn person from Rafflecopter

The Fine Print -- To Enter :

1. This contest ends on March 31st 2013.
2. This contest is International!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Find Lisa Burstein :

• Lisa Burstein - Website
• Lisa Burstein - Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook Page
• Goodreads
• Dear Cassie : Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

What was I thinking?: Renegade Saints Series, Book 1

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 439 KB | Release Date: February 2013 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Picture Perfect" [Renegade Saints Series, Book 1] by Ella Fox

What was I thinking? : It had a hot cover and I liked the author's book description.

Author's Book Description : Flynn Rand spent the last decade as the lead singer of one of the world’s most famous bands. Although he's got a reputation as a player, he’s decided that it’s time to find something real.

One look at a photo of Tessa Hamilton had him hooked.

Tessa’s teenage celebrity crush was Flynn Rand. Now he was offering her the professional opportunity of a lifetime, a job as the official photographer for the Renegade Saints farewell tour. Assuring herself that her teenage attraction to Flynn wouldn’t hold up when she met him in person, Tessa took the job.

The chemistry between them is immediate and powerful, but Tessa is hesitant to explore their connection.

Flynn has no intention of giving up, and he intends to prove to her that they are meant to be together.

Can Flynn convince Tessa that their attraction to each other is the real thing?

My Book Review : 1.5 out of 5 stars. Two "soulmates" finally get together, if only he can prove to her that his feelings are true.

Well .... I had hope for the characters and for liking this novel but after reading 38% of it (at Chapter 19) other then the erotic sex scenes the plot doesn't seem to go anywhere. Although, I'm a fan of the erotic novels this one just didn't hold my interest as much as I would have liked. Even though Flynn seemed to be a "perfect gentleman."

No recommendation either way from me, just a good luck if you decide on reading it.

Author's Novel Extras : “Picture Perfect” is out! | Picture Perfect is now an Amazon Best Seller!

Author's Series Extras : Work in progress | A taste of Flynn | A taste of Flynn

Book Teaser(s) :

A soulmate is an ongoing connection with another individual that the soul picks up again in various times and places over lifetimes. We are attracted to another person at a soul level not because that person is our unique complement, but because by being with that individual, we are somehow provided with an impetus to become whole ourselves. 
 ~ Edgar Cayce ~ within the Prologue

Dad: I swear I love this girl already. You’ve had it too easy your whole life where girls are concerned.
Me: Hey! Mary didn’t make it easy on me.
Dad: Mary didn’t count as a relationship, and if you think she did... then you’re an idiot.
Me: Ouch dad. Ouch.
Dad: Fighting every day and breaking up every four seconds does not a relationship make.
Me: I know, dad. I’m just kidding. You’re right. I don’t know anything about having a relationship.
Dad: Son, you learned at the knee of the master. You’ve got it in you. Now you just need to access it.
Me: Jeez dad. Inflated ego much?
Dad: I worshiped your mother. Still do. That had to have rubbed off on you. But I was talking about POP, smartass.
Me: I learned from you both, dad. I remember how you were with mom.
Dad: That means a lot Flynn. I’ve got to get changed before I pick Pop and Gram up. If I’m not there on time Gram will tweet about it.
Me: She scares me with that Twitter account. Last week she put up a pic of me naked in the bathtub when I was a baby. #myprecious I swear to god I choked when I saw it. All the gossip sites copied the pic too.
Dad: Of course they did. Gram’s got a million followers. She takes her legion of fans seriously.
Me: I swear to god its Gram that’s the real performer in the family. She’s a nut.
Dad: That she is! But she’s the nut that you insisted on giving a computer and an iPhone to, genius.
Me: I just wanted to be able to talk to her all the time! Who knew she’d get into trouble?
Dad: It’s Gram. Of course she was going to get into trouble! ~ within Chapter 12

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

Made the Grade: Spellbound by Emmie Dark

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 587 KB | Expected Release Date: March 15, 2013 | Publisher: Penguin Books Australia: Destiny Romance | Obtained: NetGalley

"Spellbound" by Emmie Dark

My Book Summary : Isabella's (Belle) personal life has been on a downward slope for a while, ever since her ex-boyfriend (Tony) broke up with her, and now she wants to do something about it. Well, sort of. You see Belle is a witch, just not a very good one. Recently she found a "phantom lover" spell in her spell book and tries it out; with hopes to have him look like her super gorgeous neighbor Nicholas (Nick).

Yet without her knowledge her spell goes wrong and she ends up with an "almost" night of passion with the real Nick! Now their passions ignite and Nick wants to take things to the next level between them, but when he finds out about her "witchy ways" will he be able to accept his feelings for her as truthful or will he push her away for good? It also, doesn't help that there is another force pushing them apart for unknown reasons...

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars--two neighbors fight unusual circumstances to be together as a couple. The chemistry between Nick and Belle is undeniable and it flies off the page! I enjoyed reading about a witch who really wasn't that good at being a witch.

Nevertheless, I really wish that this novel's big fight scene/reveal of "who is keeping them apart" was a lot better written and executed then it was because of the way it builds up/leads you to believe it's going to be something a whole lot more then it was. Very disappointing.

Overall, though, I do recommend this novel because the erotic scenes are very hot and the main characters keep you entertained the whole way through. It's for anyone who likes fantasy romance novels!

Author's Novel Extras : Emmie's adventures in La La Land | More competition news | It's Spellbound release day! | My Spice Recipe by Emmie Dark, author of Spellbound

Book Teaser(s) :

He opened his mouth, looking as if he were going to yell at her and Belle flinched in expectation, but again there was only a strange choking sound as if he were being strangled.
'Damn!' he cursed. He turned away from her and began to pace in a circle in front of her door, muttering to himself. After a moment he turned back to her.
'Okay, let's try this,' he said.
'Try what?' Belle answered, completely flummoxed.
'Just . . . trust me.'
Belle nodded. She barely knew this man, but she did trust him, for reasons she couldn't define.
'Do you like coffee?'
'I prefer tea.'
Nick smiled, he looked pleased about something. 'Good. Okay, how about this: what do you do for work?'
'I'm a graphic designer at an ad agency,' she answered.
His smile grew. 'Excellent. What are you doing tonight?'
Belle coloured slightly, but admitted the truth. 'Having a John Cusack rom-com film festival.'
A slight expression of distaste crossed his face, but overall he still seemed pleased. 'Okay so, would you ---'
And then that choking noise again. His voice simply died out.
Looking disgusted with himself, he took a step back and swore as he paced back and forwards, using language that would have had Aunt Gertrude flinging a cone of silence over him.
Belle waited patiently to see what would happen next. ~ within Chapter 4

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