Book Review: Bound To Me by Jeannette Medina

Bound To Me 

By Jeannette Medina

Published: May 27th 2013

A girl with nothing else to lose.
A life that’s brought nothing but pain.
A tattoo that’s more than what it seems.

Eighteen-year old Veronica has had enough. Her alcoholic mother has only delivered a slew of abusive step-fathers and life is only getting harder. What was to be a simple tattoo for her birthday brings more than she ever imagined.

Liam is a shape-shifting dragon. He lives on her shoulder, watching her, helping her. Having the dragon come to life and teaching her courage becomes a new lifeline for Veronica. But Liam will eventually become a permanent tattoo on her skin – never to take the shape of the protector she became attached to.

Will she embrace her life or will a broken heart shatter her soul forever?

Available At:
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My Review:

This is a beautiful cover and because of that very misleading. This book started out very good, but doesn't do the cover justice. I'm a sucker for abused heroines who then become strong and fight for what's right, but that didn't happen either.

The dialogue in this book seemed forced and awkward to me. The non use of contractions in the sayings felt like I was reading a biography. People usually do not talk like this, because it will take longer for everything to come out and by then I will be sleeping. The funny thing is that when the author used contractions it was Ronnie's mind talking and not the character. It felt like she was trying to heighten the word count on her novel. 

 
I've decided that this book deserves a theme song, which would be Hot 'N Cold By Katy Perry. Why you ask? Well one moment Veronica (AKA Ronnie) stands up to her abuser and the next she's a coward waiting to get hit. She meets a guy who just out of no where knows personal stuff about her and she just lets a "slide" (her word, not mine). Now tell me if someone started talking to you said that your used to pain without having seen you have ANY tattoos AT ALL, would you be all "How did he know I have tattoos?" or "WTF! He's a creep, I better get out while I can". My point.

 
This book get's into one paranormal creature that I definitely love to read about, but the author just killed it with Ronnie's reactions. I ask you again: If you just found out that your possible "guardian" becomes a creature out of this world would your first question be "How is it that you can speak to me without moving your mouth"? The better reaction would be to question my sanity and mention how DANGEROUS that creature can be (which the author neglected to say).

 
Miracles happen as well in this novel. Ronnie's mom is a hardcore alcoholic (been that way since her father left 6 years ago). Out of the blue, one bright morning her mom become sober, kicks out Mr. Abuser and stays that way. WTF, she did a 180 over night? Let's not forget to mention she got a job the next day. Explain to me, in detail, how believable that is.

 
On a side note, in the whole book it was emphasized that all creatures out of the norm can read minds. I lost count of how many times Ronnie "forgot" and got embarrassed over it. Also, I'm not a grammar freak, this was the first time it actually got on my nerves. I usually do let a lot slide because the story is more important then the mistakes, but OMG that was ticking me off by chapter 5. Every few paragraphs there would be a missing word or a missing "s" for the sentence to make sense. 

 
P.S. This could have been an amazing trilogy with well thought out dialogue and natural character development  but became a rushed 250 page eBook. I would had been happier waiting for the sequel, then with a rushed piece of work that I regret buying. 

Favorite Quotes:

"People always seemed to disappoint me anyway".

"I'm so sorry, it it's any consolation I fell too".

"You left, and it was like we never existed".

My Rating:

Book Review: After Daybreak By J. A. London

     

After Daybreak
(Darkness After Dawn #3)
By J. A. London



Published: June 25th 2013

Dawn returns from L.A. with terrifying news: In his greed for power, the maniacal Day Walker Sin is raising an army and infecting his followers with the Thirst—a rabieslike disease that will turn them into mindless killers. To stop him, Dawn and Victor will have to convince humans and vampires to work together before it’s too late.

Available At:
| Amazon | B&N |

My Review:

This is one of the few dystopian book series that I actually like, since it doesn't involve "Love" as a disease and one exception (heroine) in a society of ten thousand people who can feel it. I love the vampire aspect of it as well since I'm a big fan of everything supernatural and paranormal. 

This was an amazing ending to a beautiful trilogy. I would have loved to see more Dawn & Victor moments, but the action got all the priority in this novel, unfortunately. The character development was incredible, especially with Faith and Richard as a couple. Sin was off the charts weird and vindictive, which was fun to watch, though everything set it's self right in the end. 

I really liked Faith better then all the other characters in this book, mostly due to her awesome one liners which would consist of 50% of my favorite quotes for this novel. Don't even get me started with her wardrobe choices. 

Basically everyone got their happily ever after which isn't hard to except considering this is an YA book. I actually like when something goes wrong and the author leaves a few ends untied to maybe continue the series in the future. To my dismay this does not happen with this series. 

Favorite Quotes:

"You command empty space. You are masters of falling walls."

"I have become a God. And I will be a lonely God. For nothing will remain once I am finished."

"Don't annoy me. My hand might accidentally slap your face."

My Rating:

Book Review: Lucky In Love By Karina Gioertz

Lucky In Love
By Karina Gioertz

Published: April 12th 2012

One Girl (Lucky) + Three Guys (Noah, Jason and Gabe) all living together under one roof = Humor, Secrets and Sorrow...and even the possibility of Love.

Most days Lucky doesn’t mind being single. And why would she? Between her three male roommates, there’s always someone around to keep her company. But then as relationships evolve and change, Lucky soon finds herself being left behind.

When Lucky’s birthday rolls around and she finds herself being the only one without a date in a room full of people, she has to face the sad truth that the three men in her life all have women in their lives that aren’t her.

Lucky finally asks herself how she wound up there. Has love been avoiding her…or has she been avoiding love?

Available At:
| Amazon |

My Review:

I went to reading this book knowing what to expect. Too bad the author didn't agree with me. This book was fun and easy to get into and the characters are adorable in their own way, but the story felt like it was at a stand still the full 242 pages. 

Lucky (Lindsay) was always complaining about not having a boyfriend, but lived with 3 HOT men. In my opinion it's impossible not to have something happen in between 6 years of living together. Anyway, she had a friend who would drag her everywhere and match her up with a guy. Of course the friend then gets together with one of the men and lives a happily ever after. 

All Lucky does is complain about her own life and pick bad men. The only way she can get a fresh start (in her head) is to move halfway around the world. Much to her roommates  dismay, it's exactly what she does. Then of course she comes back and everyone accepts her, she gets the guy and happily ever after.

The ending wasn't believable at all and her relationship gave me whiplash. Both the heroine and the love interest acted like they didn't want a relationship the entire novel. Lucky would have a few breakdowns in private and the love interest would then profess his love whilst being drunk. That helped the situation a lot.

Have you ever read a book where the heroine and the love interest share one drunk (on his part) kiss and it's happily ever after? Well that's this book. If you don't want that, then don't pick it up. 

Favorite Quotes:

"Unable and unwilling to truly recover, I had built up a wall I knew nobody would climb. Then, I had strategically placed good looking men around it to keep me from breaking through it myself."

"I'm old now. I can't party like you young kids anymore."

My Rating:

Book Review: Midnight Frost By Jennifer Estep

Midnight Frost
(Mythos Academy #5)
By Jennifer Estep

Expected Publication: July 30th 2013

Here we go again …

Just when it seems life at Mythos Academy can’t get any more dangerous, the Reapers of Chaos manage to prove me wrong. It was just a typical night at the Library of Antiquities — until a Reaper tried to poison me. The good news is I’m still alive and kicking. The bad news is the Reaper poisoned someone else instead.

As Nike’s Champion, everyone expects me to lead the charge against the Reapers, even though I’m still hurting over what happened with Spartan warrior Logan Quinn. I’ve got to get my hands on the antidote fast — otherwise, an innocent person will die. But the only known cure is hidden in some creepy ruins — and the Reapers are sure to be waiting for me there …

Available At:
| Amazon | B&N | iBooks |

Check Out The Other Books In This Series:

(Linked to my review)

My Review:

* I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I continue to be a fan of this series, but like almost every other series out there, there comes a point it's at a standstill. This book started becoming very stereotypical by the first few chapters. I can resume this book in a few lines and still tell you every sordid detail that the author included.

On to the characters: a) Logan was a coward for doing what he did, but most will arrgue that he had reason behind it. I disagree. He took the cowards way out; b) It's been 5 books, you'd think Gwen would get confidence by now, she's Nike's Champion for christs sakes!; c) More secrets Grandma Frost? Really?

I only thing I seemed to really enjoy in this book were Vic's one liners. They make up most of my favorite quotes for this book. I can't forget to mention Nickamedes and his overreactions for his books (I'm like that as well so I agree 100%).

Like always Vivian and Agrona get away and return to fight and lose and the cycles starts over. This is getting quite annoying. They seem to come out of no where and almost kill Gwen, when suddenly some miracle happens and BOOM! someone saves Gwen. 

I will continue to read the next few books, because I really want to find out how Gwen and her gang will destroy Loki. But by this point, it's getting hard to believe she can do it at all. So good luck to her.

Favorite Quotes:

"You are making it impossible for me to get in my mid-afternoon, pre-killing-Reaper nap".

"Apparently, I have to translate as well as stand guard. My work is never done".

"You're really going to talk about how awesome you are at a time like this?".

My Rating:

Book Review: Spartan Frost By Jennifer Estep

Spartan Frost
(Mythos Academy #4.5)
By Jennifer Estep

I’m Logan Quinn, the deadliest Spartan warrior at Mythos Academy. At least I was — until the day I almost killed Gwen Frost.

Professor Metis and Nickamedes say that I’m fine, that Loki and the Reapers don’t have a hold on me anymore, but I can’t risk it. I can’t risk hurting Gwen again. So I’m leaving Mythos and going somewhere far, far away.

I know Gwen wonders what’s happening to me, whether I’m safe. I can’t tell her, but this is my story …

Available At:

| Amazon | B&N |

Check Out The Other Books In This Series:

(Linked to my review)

My Review:

* I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I've been a fan of this series since the beginning. It's also a plus that I really like Gwen and Logan as a couple.  It was really nice to get inside Logan's head in this novella for a change. He proved that he's as hard on the outside and just as caring on the inside. Though it didn't get into his love for Gwen, he did mention how he cared about her and was scared to see her again after the incident in the ending of book 4.

Like every book in this series the only complain I have would be the repeating of key details. I am a fan of the series wouldn't it be calling me dumb by repeating every sordid detail every time it came up in the story? For example the story behind Logan's sadness came out around book 2 or 3 and it's already book 5 coming out, don't you think that's a key enough detail for me NOT to forget? Don't even get me started on what type of magic every character in the series has. It's OK to mention it once in the beginning or even make a chart at the end of the book or after the index, but mentioning it every 30 pages or so gets tiring to say the least. 

Overall, very good novella. I will be looking forward to the next book. 

Favorite Quotes:

"I didn't want to talk to the Reapers- I just wanted to kill them".

"Agrona wasn't going to hurt anyone else that I cared about. Never again, I vowed (...)".

My Rating:

Book Review: The Wrong Girl By C. J. Archer

The Wrong Girl
(Freak House #1)
By C. J. Archer


Published: May 25th, 2013

It's customary for Gothic romance novels to include a mysterious girl locked in the attic. Hannah Smith just wishes she wasn't that girl. As a narcoleptic and the companion to an earl's daughter with a strange affliction of her own, Hannah knows she's lucky to have a roof over her head and food in her belly when so many orphans starve on the streets. Yet freedom is something Hannah longs for. She did not, however, want her freedom to arrive in the form of kidnapping.

Taken by handsome Jack Langley to a place known as Freak House, she finds herself under the same roof as a mad scientist, his niece, a mute servant and Jack, a fire starter with a mysterious past. They assure Hannah she is not a prisoner and that they want to help her. The problem is, they think she's the earl's daughter. What will they do when they discover they took the wrong girl?

Available At:
| Amazon | B&N |

My Review:

* I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

    
I usually don't like books that take place anywhere before the 21st century. For some reason, I actually liked the premise of this book. I started off thinking this book was going to be a long read and a very dull one at that since it takes place somewhere in the 17th maybe 18th century. I was very surprised when I couldn't put it down. The character's felt so real and the story, though a bit confusing, was good to read.

In the synopsis it explains "The problem is, they think she's the earl's daughter. What will they do when they discover they took the wrong girl?". I was not expecting what happened to happen. I mean, if they have the wrong girl it would be logical to kill her and kidnap the right one wouldn't it? Well that doesn't happen. Something even better does, which I can't comment on.

I have a huge problem with liars so it's obvious that I disliked Jack and Mr. August Langely (especially Mr. Langely). He has an annoying habit of leaving everyone in the dark even though it's something that not knowing could get them killed and he answers questions with other questions or my favorite: "I don't know. You'd have to ask ______ that question".

On a side note: I had a difficult time understanding what Patrick was saying since apparently he has an accent of some kind. Until I figured out all you had to do was substitute an "h" before the apostrophes I had missed half the conversation.

This book left A LOT of questions unanswered. I can't even hint at them because then I'd be giving away some big spoilers and I know how everyone hates those. I'll be looking forward to book 2, maybe I'll get to answer some of those questions.

Favorite Quotes:

"Clever people can do foolish things".

"Perhaps you ought to keep us all apprised of the villains you've fallen out with, Mr. Langley".

My Rating:

Book Review: Forever Too Far By Abbi Glines

Forever Too Far
(Too Far #3)
By Abbi Glines

Published: June 9th, 2013

Rush promised her forever... but promises can be broken.

Torn between his love for his family and his love for Blaire, Rush has to find a way to save one without losing the other. In the end one has to be more important. Letting go isn’t easy.

Blaire believed in her fairytale... but no one can live in a fantasy.

Her love for Rush and desire to have a family keep her believing that they can find a way for this to work. Until she has to make the right decision for her and the baby. Even if it breaks her heart.

Can they find the forever that they both want or has it all just gone... too far?

Available At:
| Amazon | B&N |

My Review:

I've been a fan of this series since book 1 came out and boy am I happy dishearted with the ending it had. I did like how it incorporated the same scenes from Twisted Perfection into Blaire and Rush's story. It was nice living the same scenes in different POV's.

Rush has been one of my Book Boyfriends from Book 1. If you've read all three books you can see how much he changed and grew over the year (that's debatable at the moment). In my personal opinion, in book 3 he was a little too into Blaire. I don't mean relationship wise, because that's how it's supposed (at least we can hope it's) to be. The problem for me was that everywhere she went, he went. If someone/he made her sad he wanted to know who/what so he could hit that someone. Can't she just be sad and not having someone breathing down her neck as to why?

Blaire has also grown. She a momma now and she really wants what's best for the kid (whose name I didn't approve of).

The ending didn't really feel like an ending because, obviously, Rush and Blaire will probably appear in a scene of two of all the spin-offs that are occurring. Mainly Woods's story and now Grant's (really happy about that!). 

Favorite Quotes:

"Don't underestimate her importance. She's mine. Respect that".

"Be glad I don't have my gun because right now I'm considering the different ways I can get you to shut up. Let me scream and back off".

My Rating:

Book Review: Obsession By Jennifer L. Armentrout

     

Obsession 

By Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Published: May 31st 2013

He’s arrogant, domineering, and... To. Die. For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something... unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life… or is it Hunter?

Available At:
| Amazon | B&N |

My Review:

     

I never thought I'd say this after just finishing reading a book, but I'm CONFUSED. That seems like the basic premise of this book. Apparently, with all the new tellings and back story provided, there are no purely good heroes and no purely bad villains, just a lot of in between. In other words, it's just one huge snowball in my head at the moment.

Moving on, the Arum in this story are captured being the race that got (excuse the language) f*cked over after the Luxen came to earth. Arum weren't given the choice to be part of human society. On the contrary, they were given a choice: work for the DOD or die. They just got the short in of the stick so to speak.

The Luxen, well boy are we in for a reality check. They were presented as being arrogant, power hungry beasts with the intent to take over the world and kill all humans with this "secret" Project, which is why this story even takes place. This is a side of the Luxen that was never even hinted at in the Lux series (also by Jennifer Armentrout).

A new development that took place which I found really cool was that it was revealed that the Arum were created as a sort of "police" for the Luxen (there's the reason that only they can kill Luxen), to make sure they didn't take over other planets and worlds before they came to Earth. But that didn't blow over so well, so the Luxen then enslaved the Arum and decimated their race.

There were a few things that came off as "not right" in this book. The first was Hunter saying "fuckadeefuck". Seriously? I've met a lot of grown men who mix the word "f*ck" in their vocabulary, but never that expression. The second was toward the end of the book, where Miss Cross got upset after telling Hunter off. She has no right to be hurt by his rebut. The wedge is there because she put it there, it's all her fault. I hated her throughout the book.

Favorite Quotes:

"If one of them acted like he was constipated, then yes, I'm with Officer Zombro and Richards".

"I've heard it all before and the end is always the same. You talk. We fight. I feed. You die. The end".

"We are not at the top of the food chain, Miss Cross. We own the food chain".

My Rating:

Book Review: Taking Back Forever By Karen Hooper

Taking Back Forever 
(Kindrily #2)
By Karen Hooper


Published: May 31st 2013

*Recommended for ages 15 and older due to mature content.*

Forever is worth the fight.

Maryah erased all memory of her past lives, but she couldn’t erase her soul mate Nathan, or his undying love. Now, Maryah and Nathan have a second chance at a future together, but first Maryah must remember the person she used to be and embrace her supernatural gifts—more than one kindrily member’s life depends on it.

Maryah’s power is Harmony’s best hope of finding her kidnapped soul mate, Gregory. But Harmony isn’t big on asking anyone for help, and she’s tired of waiting, so she’s taking matters into her own hands. Heaven help anyone who stands in her way.

Available At:

| Amazon |

My Review:

After finishing book 1 almost 8 months ago I was looking forward to reading the sequel. Unfortunately, it took too long getting here and I forgot a lot of detail and character names. I was a bit lost in the first few chapters, so because of this I started seeing everything with new eyes and not love-struck-he's-so-hot eyes.

I admit I found myself disliking Nathan (hate that name for personal reasons). He acts all superior and using BIG complicated words to show off and one thing I absolutely loathe is a show off. He also treated Maryah (AKA Mary) like a little child you need to put up with. Sure they're "soul mates", but I want to see some genuine emotion in the relationship.

I loved Harmony this time around. I liked that she took risks and didn't care about other peoples opinions on her actions. Even thought nothing much happened in the chapters narrated by her.

The only thing that really ticked me off was the abundance of chapters dedicated to the possible resurrection of wounded main characters. I almost feel asleep during those.

I loved the ending of this book because Mrs. Hooper let's you decide if you want the book to end in a cliffhanger or not. Cliffhangers are a big turn off for me so I decided I will not be reading it. I'd rather wait for book 3 and read them together then submit myself to even more unnecessary torture.

Thank you Mrs. Hooper! 

Overall this was a good book, could have been better had I had the time to reread book 1. I will be looking forward to book 3.   

Favorite Quotes:

"What'd I say about speaking more mainstream? I swear, sometimes having a conversation with you is like training for the SATs all over again".

"Dear Judy Blume, why didn't you write a book about how to survive talking to your centuries-old, super-duper experienced, smoking hot soul mate about s** for the first time ever? That book would have been extremely helpful in preparing me for this incredibly awkward situation".

"Comparing me to The Crypt Keeper is a bit insulting".

My Rating:

Book Releases: June 2013

JUNE

June 24th

Damaged 2 (Damaged #2) by H.M. Ward

June 25th

After Daybreak (Darkness Before Dawn Trilogy #3) by J.A. London

Chameleon (Supernaturals #1) by Kelly Oram