Made the Grade: School Spirits Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 304; Paperback - Pages: 304; Kindle Edition - File Size: 393 KB; Audiobook - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: May 14, 2013 | Publisher: Disney Hyperion | Obtained: NetGalley

"School Spirits" [School Spirits Series, Book 1] by Rachel Hawkins

Author's Book Description : Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt?

Rachel Hawkins' delightful spin-off brings the same wit and charm as the New York Times best-selling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance!

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! It's a sweet humorous suspenseful novel that has spurts of romance thrown in, gets you all warmed up for what looks to be a intriguing spin-off series!! Izzy is a softhearted protagonist who is still getting her footing in what her role is supposed to be within her family's lifestyle. Just recently losing her older sister, she feels responsible for the loss and tries to show her mother what a good "worker" she is by taking a ghost "case" on her own. Yet, as she has to pretend to be a "normal" teenager for her mission she gets involved in a lot of firsts. First kiss. First crush. First friends. During that time she comes to terms what it means following in her family's footsteps, what she might have to give up, and see if she can change her future for the better...

I really liked Torin!! And even though I liked Dex and Izzy together, I have hopes that something between Torin and Izzy will happen! =0)

I recommend this novel for those who are fans of the Hex Hall series, fans of Ms. Hawkins, and/or those who like YA paranormal novels with romance thrown in!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Hex Hall

Author's Novel Extras : SCHOOL SPIRITS! A WEEK FROM TOOODAAAY!

Book Teaser(s) :

That done, I tossed my phone on the bed and turned my attention to my closet.
"Whatever shall you wear?" Torin observed, propping his chin in his hand. "Let's see, there's the black T-shirt with black jeans. Or perhaps, it you're going for elegance over function, you could wear the black T-shirt with black jeans. Ooh!" He sat up, widening his eyes. "Do you know what would be particularly fetching? The black---"
"T-shirt with black jeans," I finished for him. "Hilarious."
But looking at my closet, he did have a point. Other than that pink hoodie, my closet was a sea of sameness. A sea of black. And I didn't have the faintest idea what girls wore to basketball games. ~ within Chapter 13

"So you were...dead."
"Romy," I warned, but she just shrugged and pulled the blanket tighter around her.
"Look, I get that he's traumatized, but hey, am I, too."
"We all are," Anderson muttered. ~ within Chapter 33

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

Feasted On: Southern Shifter Series & The Black Cougar Trilogy, Book 5

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 1393 KB | Expected Release Date: January 27, 2014 | Publisher: Gypsy Ink Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"Be Were" [Southern Shifter Series & The Black Cougar Trilogy, Book 5] by Eliza Gayle

Author's Book Description : Dean had a family once. Until tragedy and betrayal consumed them. Now he lives on his own terms keeping life simple and carefree. Then one night leads to one bite and he’s forced back into a dangerous world that reminds him he’s still as angry as ever and this time he’s not leaving until he gets what he wants. Niki.

Niki Harris has lived a life of secrets and solitude with no interest in making a change. But an easy one night stand turns complicated and she finds herself marked. Now she has to decide, tell the sexy shifter with a possessive streak a mile wide she’s pregnant and in danger or do what she’s always done–run.

"Be Were" is the continued story of Dean and Niki from the free story, "White Cougar Christmas." (If you have not read WCC, no worries. It is included as the first chapter of "Be Were")

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars!! Finding your mate is like finding a needle in a haystack, so why is Niki trying to run away from hers? This intriguing fast-paced novel brings back all your favorite characters from "Bad Kitty," gets you involved with these hot new characters, while setting up the series for a bunch more twists and turns that will be interesting to see where it'll go!

Dean and Niki believe that they are complete opposites, which is why Niki runs away from him in the first place, yet they are more alike, then they know. Hot tempered. Feisty. And once they open their hearts and lives to each other, nothing can tear them apart not even Niki. =0)

I cannot wait to see where this series goes, especially since they Kitty & Rafe seem to stay in the immediate background and I really like them!

I recommend this novel and series to anyone who like reading about alpha males in paranormal romances!!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 4

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2014

Author's Novel Extras : Be Were - Overview, Excerpt, & Behind the Book with Eliza | Seriously Shifter Giveaway Hop

Author's Series Extras : Pinterest: The Shifters | Lucas - Overview, Excerpt, & Behind the Book with Eliza | Kane - Overview, Excerpt, & Behind the Book with Eliza | Malcolm - Overview, Excerpt, & Behind the Book with Eliza | A White Cougar Christmas - Overview | Bad Kitty - Overview, Excerpt, & Behind the Book with Eliza | FAQs | What’s Left For 2011 | Looking Ahead To 2012 | Shameless Giveaway Hop | Saturday Snippet – Character Sass

Book Teaser(s) :

"Relax," Kitty said. "I come bearing breakfast."
Niki couldn't see Dean's reaction but the smirks on both Rafe and Bhric's faces indicated he wasn't happy. Seems these idiot males took entirely too much pleasure when the females didn't behave as expected.
"We don't need--" Dean started.
"Whoa." Niki shoved him to the side. "Speak for yourself. I'm starving." She sniffed the box. "Blueberries?" she asked hopefully.
"Yeah, we stopped at Mia's bakery in the village and she had these blueberry muffins fresh made."
Niki lunged for the box and tore into it. Her stomach rumbled as she plucked the biggest one from the box and peeled the wrapper from the bottom. She and Dean had a lot more on their minds than food, so they hadn't thought about eating, until food came into view and then bam. Starved. She took a huge bite and savored the burst of fresh blueberries. "Oh my goddess," she moaned. "These are so fucking good."
Laughter burst out around her and she realized all eyes were on her and most of them quite amused.
"Hello. Pregnant." She took another bite and tuned them out. She might have to rethink her attitude toward the scarred feline. Bringing blueberries bought her a lot of goodwill as far as she was concerned.
"So are we going or what?" Niki asked. "Cause if we're not, I'm going back inside to find some milk."
"Depends on whether you're done having an orgasm over those damned muffins," Dane said.
Niki looked up with her mouth stuffed with the fruity treat. They were all still staring at her, their looks intense.
Uh oh.
"Yeah," he said. "Your little display is affecting everyone."
She focused on Dean and breathed deeply. He wanted her and damn it was strong. "Crap." She shoved the rest of her muffin back into the box. ~ within Chapter 10

Often times in hybrid-shifters either the human or the animal became dominant instead of being equal. In this case he'd guess the cougar was dominant for this woman or she would have reverted back already. Four long days in a mad scientist's lab brought about a lot of strange education. Maybe Simon wasn't mad, but he sure as hell wasn't normal. ~ within Chapter 17

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

Teaser Tuesdays: Hajar's Hidden Legacy

• Today's Teaser Tuesdays by MizB - click here

"Hajar's Hidden Legacy" [Beasts of the Desert Series, Book 2] by Maisey Yates

Book Teaser:

“This is Lilah. You can ride her. She’s very gentle.”
“The sentiment is appreciated, but I don’t need gentle.”
That statement made a dark cascade of erotic thoughts spin through his mind, made him pause for a moment as he thought of all the hidden meanings her statement could possess.
“Noted,” he said, jaw clenched tight.
“And who’s your handsome gentleman there?” she asked.
He put his foot in the stirrup and swung his leg over his mount. “Nalah doesn’t appreciate being called a he.”
“Sorry. I assumed—” she pulled herself up onto Lilah “—that a big strong man like you would ride a stallion.”
“Oh, no, definitely not. Not a good idea to have two stallions together, you know?”
She laughed, a shocked burst of sound that echoed through the paddock. “Did you just call yourself a stallion?”
He felt a smile teasing the edges of his lips, such a foreign feeling, even more so the small bit of contentment that accompanied it. Such a strange thing to talk to another person like this. To find that barrier of fear and uncertainty absent. Pride grew in him, mingling with the surge of warmth that was trickling through his veins. He had made her smile, after she had looked so sad.
“I did,” he said.
“Mmm... quite the ego.” ~ within Chapter 7

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : An Accidental Birthright | Heir to a Desert Legacy | His Ring Is Not Enough | Hajar's Hidden Legacy

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013 | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2014