Review: Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield

Raw and powerful, this story will stay with you for a long time

Title: Paper Butterflies
Author: Lisa Heathfield
Publisher: Electric Monkey, UK
My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Released: 30th June, 2016
R eading Seed by Lisa Hetfield had been an experience and an eye opener for me. Tugging at my heart string the ending had left me wanting more. So I went in to Paper butterflies with a little trepidation and hope that she will blow my socks off with her writing. And I’m pleased to report she successfully does.

Paper Butterflies is the story of June who lives with her step mother and stepsister along with her busy father. On the surface it may look like a happy family, but it’s hiding dark secrets just under its surface. Amongst it all June’s ray of light in her life is Blister, her secret friend who belongs only to her and is untainted by her life.

I adored this book, in a way even more than Seed. It is clear that Lisa Heathfeild is coming into her own with her writing because each book is getting better than the last. I left the premise vague as I believe some of the emotions you feel from the plot is derived from the slow unveiling of June’s life.

Paper Butterflies is not for the faint hearted as it deal of a lot of issues life, racism, abuse, bullying and neglect. At many instances I found myself tearing up and getting angry, balling my fists and ready to exact some revenge on June’s behalf. I’m a person with coloured skin but fortunately I have never experienced racism or bullying yet.

But what is so special about this book you ask as there are a dime a dozen books with address similar themes you ask? Well, it’s the authors writing. She writes with such gentleness for her characters that I feel, she genuinely cares about them. Horrific events may occur to these characters but not once do I feel that the author is using it as a plot device instead she imbibes them with so much innocence despite the cruelty around them that it tears the reader apart. I truly feel that she is an expert in ‘showing’ instead of ‘telling’ and that is what digs a hole in your heart.

Overall, a fabulous, heart wrenching, throat clogging emotional storying which hits you where it hurts. A must read for anyone and everyone.

Review copy provided by Electric Monkey via NetGalley Releases on the 30th June, 2016

Review: Rebel of the Sands(Rebel of the Sands #1) by Alwyn Hamilton

An adventure of epic proportions

Title: Rebel of the Sands
Series: Rebel of the Sands
Author: Alwyn Hamilton
Publisher: Faber, UK
My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Released: 4th Febuary, 2015
A setting of Wild West crossed with Arabian nights you say? Never in a million years had I thought that would work. While I have read my share of Wild West romances, the new trend of books appearing with a desert setting is new to me. Glowing reviews forced my hand and I had try this. And now I urge you, if you haven’t already, give this book a go.

Amani lives in a small village in the middle of nowhere where legends and myths abound. Wanting to have a better life and escaping her cruel uncle’s home, she will do anything to win her freedom. One thing leads to another and she manages to make an escape with an Outsider called Jin. Soon she is swept in what can only be called an adventure of epic proportions.

I know I’m being vague on purpose as I want readers to experience the plot and the setting for themselves. I loved the main heroine Amani, who felt edgy yet relatable. Her expertise with guns and her single minded determination to leave her life behind made her someone who I could root for. Yet throughout this book, she had to make difficult and sometimes selfish decisions but towards the end of the book, I could see how her experiences were shaping her and changing her.

Jin was so charming and mysterious that I pretty much loved him from the moment he appeared in the scene. He seemed wild and vagabond. For those looking for romance, Jin and Amani’s love story was a slow burn and the chemistry was off the charts. However, the winner in the book was the beautiful, mysterious desert setting, abound with Djinns and creatures of fire and legend.

If you like fantasy but have been disappointed by the recent disappointing releases, give Rebel of The Sands a go. A gun slinging heroine, a foreigner thief and an all sweeping romance and adventure where you can breathe the sand and feel the dry air licking you skin. Highly recommended one of the best books read in 2016 so far.

Review copy provided by Faber & Faber via NetGalley

Review: Because of Miss Bridgerton (Rokesbys#1) by Julia Quinn

Fun, witty and fabulously entertaining!

Title: Because of Miss Bridgerton
Series: Rokesby
Author: Julia Quinn
Publisher: Piatkus, UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 29th March, 2015
Whenever I fancy reading a quality regency romance, I know I can pick up a Julia Quinn books and it will deliver. However, due to commitments, reading Historical romances have been at the bottom of my reading list. I adore Julia Quinn and there is a reason why her books are popular. Not only are they swoony and romantic, they are utterly clever with witty rapid dialogue and vibrant characters her books keep me entertained to the very end.

Because of Miss Bridgerton was no exception. The Bridgerton series has been her most successful books and I was really excited about new Brigderton characters getting more HEA. Unfortunately, this book doesn’t feature Violet Bridgerton, the clan’s matriarch but introduces new character, Billie Bridgerton. She lives in the countryside and is somewhat of a tomboy. She has been befriends with their neighbours, the Rokesby. While she grew up with the Rokesby boys, everyone expects her to marry one of them eventually. But fate had other things in mind and after a cat, a sprain ankle, and a fall from a tree, she somehow finds herself having a strange attraction with the oldest Rokesby, George, whom she never got along.

We have a classic hate to love relationship, but calling it ‘hatred’ is taking it a little too far. Both our main characters have never liked each other and never quite got along. Of course this led to wonderful rapid, venomous dialogues and hilarious monologues where each one of them is befuddled about their feelings. The legendary Pall Mall makes an appearance too.

All in all Because of Miss Bridgerton, is fun, witty, entertaining and a page turner. The characters feel alive and Julia Quinn does a fabulous job of bringing the world alive. Recommended for all Bridgerton Series fans.

Review copy provided by the publisher by NetGalley.

 Releases on the 29th March, 2015.

Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Read the next phenomenon in YA/NA

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Series: : A Court of Thron and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher:Bloomsbury Childrens Books, UK
My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Releases: 7th May, 2010
Over the course of a few years Sarah J Maas has become something of an auto buy author for me. Which is rare as not every book turned out by YA writers appeal to me but I think Sarah has a skill to keep churning out which hits just the right spots for me. Her Throne of Glass series has become an annual celebration for me where I can immerse myself in Celeana’s world. I adore that series (Read my reviews of Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, The Assassin’s Blade) and cannot wait for Queen of Shadows coming in September. When I was given a copy of A Court of Thorns and Roses I was beyond excited but I had been saving it for a better time. And let me tell you the wait was worth it. Now I’m bummed that I don’t have the next book on me. As with any 5 star review the following may be filled with fangirling and dispersed occasional with squeals. Now that we have dispersed with warnings I can follow through my review.

Feyre lives in a small little village on the bordering human and faerie territories. She hunts in the nearby woods and provided for her family. While she has heard of the elusive faeries but has never set her eyes on them until one night when her family is nearly starving in the winter that she spots a wolf that may be fae and manages to bring it down. But a few days later she is taken away by a wild looking beast snarling at her door for killing a fae and she is taken to replace his life. She is to stay in Fae territories and live the rest of her life with the beastly Tamlin, and his unwelcoming friend. While she is served by an array of servants she is sill a prisoner in a guilder cage. However danger is not far away and soon she may be having feeling for her captor no prisoner should have.

I can admit that I’m not giving justice to the plot but believe me people it is awesome. A Court of Thorns and Roses (known as ACOTAR from hence forth) is a fairy tale retelling of the beauty and the beast. I love love love fairy tales and the combination of fantasy, action and beautiful writing made this book an instant favourite.

It has been a while since I have found a series which I can unashamedly fangirl about and this book is it. Feyre is such a well thought out heroine. She is self sacrificing and lives with her lazy and deplorable sister. When she first arrives at Tamlin’s Manor she is subdued and quiet but she finds her inner iron core soon enough. Her chemistry with Tamlin was off the charts and there romance was so, so sweet. It was slow burning, swoon worthy and honest to god made my heart skip a few beats. The Fire Night scene was unforgettable ands sexy as hell. This not a YA book. Not, it is anew adult and Sarah shows how New Adult is done.

There is character development where pretty much each and every character learns and grows from the experiences into his books and learns about each other.

The writing is excellent and the imagery used by Sarah J Mass is lush, beautiful and absolutely stunning. On a side note, do check out her Pinterest Boards to get an even better visual of her imagery. Like all her books, ACOTOR has a slow start and some people may even find it dragging towards the middle but I find that the action catches up to you quickly enough and in all fairness I am too busy exulting in the story to have noticed the slow pace. This book may be slightly long for your average YA/NA book but in my opinion is was worth it. In fact I want the next book even longer. The longer the better.

Tamlin is simply swoon worthy and he is everything I could ask for. He is mysterious, determined, noble and oh so smouldering. I wanted more of him. Also to mention Lucien whose banter with Feyre was spot on and provided this weird dynamic which I loved. What I should mention at this point is that Rhysand or Rhys as he is known is another character who is quite mysterious and dangerous I thoroughly enjoyed the role he played towards the end. As we see more of him towards the end, he leaves a very strong impression. I know in my bones and there is more for us in store about Rhys in Book 2 and I simply cannot wait for it.

Over all I predict great things for this series. I know that this series is going to become a phenomenon. There is no doubt in my mind that this book will rock great many readers. Not only does it appeal to the girly side of me which likes fairy tales, jewellery and dresses but also my blood thirsty side which demands blood, grime and body parts being flung about.

A Court of Thorns and Roses was intense, captivating, sensual, and it will make you obsessive over it.

Now that I have read the advanced copy I have an even longer wait for the next book which comes out next year. This was a book which left be hugging the book and heaving a giant sigh with a ginormous grin of satisfaction on my face. An absolute must read! I want MAORR!!!

Releasing 7th May. 2015. Mark the date on your calenders!

Review copy provided by Bloomsbury Childrens Books, UK

Review: Cold Burn of Magic (Black Blade #1) by Jennifer Estep

Sword wielding ass kickery!

Title: Cold Burn of Magic
Series: Black Blade
Author: Jennifer Estep
Publisher: K- Teen
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 28th April, 2014
Jennifer Estep writes a cracking Urban Fantasy with the elemental assassin’s and her Ya series Mythos Academy is also crack. So Estep’s new YA fantasy series Cold Burn of Magic follows Lila who is a 17 year old orphan living alone in a municipal library. Her mother died while trying to protect one of the mob families in tourist town known for its magical residents. One day she accidentally saves the life of a Mob Prince and before she knows it she is his body guard in knee deep in Mob Family politics.

Cold Burn of Magic was fast paced and action packed. Lila was a hard ass and her life experiences shaped her personality. She comes across as gruff and silent but she knows more that she lets on. She was loyal, determined, and courageous. A character which I could easily root for.

The side characters were well crafted and they added a great dynamic to the story and world building. The love interest Devon will also make readers hearts swoon and I cannot wait to see more development between Lila and Devon’s relationship. While I enjoyed learning the new world but I figured out who the bad guy ages ago.

Over all Cold Burn of Magic is fast paced, well thought, intricate and packs a punch. It is great entry into a new world where minsters and humans live side by side with mob families fighting for domination with a sword wielding, kick ass heroine taking them down one fight at a time.

Review copy provided by the publisher by NetGalley  

Releases 28th April, 2015

 

ARC Review: Frozen (Heart of Druid #1) by Melissa De La Cruz and Micheal Johnston

Frustrating dystopian which made no sense

Title: Frozen
Series: Heart of Druid
Author: Melissa De La Cruz and Michael Johnston
Publisher: Orchard Books, Hachette UK
My ratings: 2 out of 5 stars
Releases: 2nd October, 2014
A Las Vegas which is frozen. A dystopian where everything is frozen like an ice age, pulled me right in. So much in fact, that I dropped the book I was reading to pick it up when I received this book.

It started off well enough. Natasha Kestral is Marked. She has different colour eyes and hidden powers which regular people are afraid of. If she is discovered she will be killed but the voice in her mind keeps calling her, showing her a place which is warm and pleasant. In order to reach her destination, she hires Wes, a mercenary who will help her make the treacherous crossing into the famed land. But everything is not so easy as soon they run into trouble.

I enjoyed the start. The world building was intriguing and the characters were forming there niches but then slowly everything fell apart. Characters acting out of character, too many mythical creatures and worst of all dues ex machina. It went all over the place. The plot holes, the inconsistencies and incomprehensible scenarios were too much for me. I tried very hard but I was skipping pages together and it made no difference to how much I enjoyed it.It was a right mess.


The characters lost their connection to me and the plot was all over the place. It felt like there hadn’t been a lot of thought put into writing the story, the world or the book in general. It felt like the authors, grabbed anything they could find to make the story exciting and added cheap thrills and slapped it together to make the story acceptable.

ARC provided by Orchard Books via NetGalley

Review: The 100 (The Hundred #1) by Kass Morgan

How far will you go for love and survival?

Series: The Hundred
Tittle: The 100
Author: Kass Morgan
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
My ratings: 3 out of 5 stars
Released: 29th August 2013
T he 100 was not a book I had heard before the series was telecasted. The show is addictive and I was hooked from the first episode. The premise, cinematography and special effects were top notch. So to satisfy my curiosity I picked up this book and did a read along with a few of my fellow UK book Bloggers.


As I read The 100 after I saw the series, this review will be full of spoilers and the TV series.

Clarke is a juvenile prisoner awaiting a retrial but suddenly she is shipped off on a drop ship to Earth. See, Earth is inhabitable since a century and the last of the human race are living on a spaceship called The Ark in space. Clarke and 99 other juvenile prisoners will be the first humans in earth in a century  If they prove that Earth is habitable for human, more will soon follow. The story is told my many characters. The four main characters are Clarke, the daughter of the resident scientists, Wells, the son of the Chancellor, in love with Clarke, Bellamy, who is trying to protect his sister and Glass who manages to get away from the drop ship to save herself.

While the premise is promise, exciting even, the execution left something to be desired. There was so much potential with such a setting, the drama, the world building etc, but the story focused more on the relationships between the characters rather than action or mystery. To top it all the pint of view changed with each chapter and almost each chapter had a flashback. The flashback gave an insight to the characters and provided a background story for each, creating a connection but the changes were jarring and I wish the author had found a better way to integrate their back stories.

The TV series has cleverly only borrowed the premise and added it's own flavour and twists making the story more interesting. My favourite character and POV was Glass who wasn't even featured in the TV series. Her romance with Luke was sweet and the events towards the end of the book were sad and sweet. Bellamy was a little more mellow in the book but Wells felt as bland as ever.

Regardless, I enjoyed The 100 book, if not for the actually story but how differently it pans out from the TV series. I have the next book in the series, 21 days, which I'd be picking up soon.

This review is based on a review copy received from the publisher

ARC Review:Firelight (Darkest London #1) by Kristen Callihan

Historical fantasy romance has never been this fun before

Title: Cursed
Series: Darkest London
Author: Kirsten Callihan
Publisher: Piatkus
My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars

Wow! What an experience I have had. Kristen Callihan has built a brand new world which is both exciting and wonderful. When I requested it on Netgalley I had no idea I would have found such a gem.

All my friends know about my love for UF and Historical romances. This book had encompassed both my love for these two great genres. At the beginning I wasn't so sure how this would turn-out to be. It could have gone either way .So I started it with low expectations and I am so glad that I was wrong.

Miranda is a beautiful red-head who can produce fire spontaneously. She is struggling to make ends meet living with her father. In comes this enigmatic Lord who offers to pay all her debts if she marries him. Without any choice, she agrees to the union. How bad can it really be married to a man she did not love. Here is what the catch is. Lord Archer has a secret. He hides his face in a mask. He is this mysterious, enigma hiding his face in a mask and no one knows what he is up to or he thinks. She doesn't know what’s going on in his head. She is married to this person who talks to her, stimulates her mind. Whom she even calls her friend but she hasn't even seen his face. The sexual tension was staggering. What was Archer hiding? What did he look like? Why did he hide his face? These questions were not only driving Miranda mad, but were also making me crazy. I stayed up to the wee hours of the night trying to figure out the mystery.

The prologue was very nicely done. It piqued my interest in the book. The writing was fantastic. I was blown away by the complexity and the descriptive nature of the writing. It described London in the olden days perfectly .It felt like I was present there, walking on the cobbled stones and smelling the different smells wafting from the street. I loved Miranda. She was fiery, quite literally, and sane. Stupid heroines in romances are so common that I want to shoot them one by one but here Miranda was just right. She would give any Urban Fantasy heroine run for her money in the kick-ass department.

Archer, oh my! He is a perfect tortured hero. I was in love with him just half way through the prologue. The curse that torments him makes him believe he is not worth Miranda. Even though we don’t see his face in most of the book we all know he is all hotness and desire packing some serious romantic hero.

I can go on and on but how much I liked this book but that would take me all night. If you a UF fans and like Paranormal Romance or Historical this book is just right for you. Even if you are not,….read it anyway as I am sure you will not be disappointed cannot wait for the second book Moonlight.

ARC provided by Piatkus via  NetGalley.

ARC Review: The Beautiful Ashes (Broken Destiny #1) by Jeaniene Frost

Dark, grim, edgy with a smudge of humour

Title: The Beautiful Ashes
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Broken Destiny
Publisher: Harlequin Books, US
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Releases: 26th August, 2014
When I saw that the latest Jeaniene Frost book was available for request, my fingers couldn’t move quickly enough to request it. She has been one of my favourite Urban Fantasy authors and her Night Huntress Series made me a hard core fan. The icing on the cake was that The Beautiful Ashes was a New Adult fantasy, which I have screaming for months to be an area of potential. So as soon as my dirty fingers, got hold of this I started reading this bad boy.

The premise goes that Ivy is looking for her younger sister, Jasmine who has been kidnapped. Her parents were killed in a car accident day later. Ivy knows something is worng with her as she keeps seeing visions all her life where reality would lose it’s shroud and an darker, grimmer alternative world of the reality would be standing in front of her. She meets Adrian, a mysterious guy who, on their first meeting, kidnaps her, and very well may be the last hope of finding Jasmine. But Adrian himself is plagued by him own demons, and may even have an agenda of his own.

It would be impossible to write this review without comparing Jeaniene’s previous fantasy work and how well written it was. The main character Ivy was kick ass, not the same way as Cat was but understandably less edgy and soft due to a normal upbringing and her young age. However slowly, as the story progresses we get to see her grow and really bloom into a woman who can really hold her own.

The humour was spread out through the story. I would admit I enjoyed Cat’s and Bones’ dry humour more but Ivy had her own brand of humour when she finds herself in ridiculous circumstances. At one point I was laughing out loud to the dismay of my fellow commuters.

And now for what you all Jeaniene Frost fans have been waiting for. To know more about the Man meat. I mean the main male character. To be honest I am a little conflicted by it. He is by no means Bones, with her cheeky humour and bad ass attitude or his tendencies of wholly taking over a scene by his mere presence. Ahem, it’s not fair to compare both of them here but I simply didn’t quite feel any spark about him. He was angry, frustrated, trying to fight his attraction towards Ivy but he felt flat to me. Even the relationship between Ivy and Adrian seemed half baked. I still don’t see how they ‘fell’ for each other as so far they were only attracted physically but I still cannot see an emotional connection between them. Plus, his secret keeping habit really grated on my nerves.

The plot was good with a world building which was dark, dangerous and full of the strange and wonderfully grim creatures which makes my days when I read fantasy. The background with David, Goliath and the demons was innovative and I am sure with a few more books, Frost will be able to etch out a complex world.

Overall, The Beautiful Ashes is a good attempt at writing a decent Urban Fantasy book. It may not be outstanding or remarkable but it was just right at the exact correct places. It may not have hit the spot but it gave a good few hours.

Releases on the 26th of August, 2014  

ARC received by Harlequin Books, US, via NetGalley

 

Review: Half Bad (Half Life Trilogy #1) by Sally Green

Deserving of all the hype and accolades

Title: Half Bad
Author: Sally Green
Series: Half Life Trilogy
Publisher: Penguin, UK
My Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Released: 4th March, 2014
Half Bad is one of those books that you will either love or get bored by it. It has so many well thought reviews that explain this book so much better than I can. Still, I’ll try.

Half Bad is the story of Nathan, the son of the most feared Black witch. He is in fact one of a kind. He is half code: half white witch and half black witch who are supposed to be evil. This mother dies when he is young, there is no trace of his father and he lives with his Grand-mother and his half-brother and sisters.

This book broke my heart and built it up again. Nathan’s young life was tragic, filled with struggles and tests with everyone judging him for his heritage. His quest for love and acceptance moved me. Half Bad tells the story from Nathan’s point of view how detrimental judgement and fear can be on a young child. Everyone around him was waiting for him to explode into the big bad wolf but all that child wanted was normalcy.

He lived in the world of the White Witches who liked to call themselves ‘good’ but over the course of the book it was clear that they were anything but. This book explores so many themes that I don’t think I’ll be able to give each of them justice and will be able to give any subjective rationale in my humble opinion. While I found the second half not as good as the first, the plot moved at a decent place. There were bits of strange third person narrative between scenes which required a little getting used to but I understood their purpose.

Nathan was such a relatable characters that I could understand and support for from the start. It felt he had taken a root into and heat and refused to let go. I loved the relationship he had with his brother and sister, Gabriel and of course the enigmatic Cecile. I’m still over the fence about Annalise but hopefully the next book, Half Wild, will satisfy my curiosity and even a slight urge to end her life. (Yes, I can’t seem to like her. Nathan’s story has such endearing and tender scenes and yet he manages to still have this dry sense of humour that I felt instantly protective of him.

What I do want to say that this book is absolute must read not only for Young Adults but also for adults. Themes like nature vs nurture, fear of the unknown, a child’s desire to be loved, freedom, good vs evil, etc have so beautifully been twirled one single story that my eyes were practically glued to the pages. It was poignant, addictive, moving, heart breaking, compelling with characters which are multi-faceted and over the course of the book the lines between good and evil are blurred and somehow turned upside down.

ARC provided by Penguin UK via NetGalley

Review: The Dark World (The Dark World #1) by Cara Lynn Shultz

Demon Slaying Warlocks descend in New York

Title: The Dark World
Series: The Dark World
Author: Cara Lynn Shultz
Publisher: Harlequin Teen, US
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 27th May, 2014
T he Dark World took me by surprise. I had not read anything by Cara Lynn Shultz before but I have had her other series on my TBR from donkey years.

The Dark World is set in modern day New York where Paige is a high school girl who lives with her parent goes to school like any other regular girl. She attends classes, hangs out with her besties, skips lessons but the only difference is that her best friend is a ghost. Paige has been able to see ghost for a long time and hence has be slotted into the weird person category in her school. Unfazed by it all she carries on with her life but one day she notices that the cute guy who sits next to her seems to be interested in her. Turns out that Logan, the new guy is a demon slayer and his job is to protect the world from demons and warlock.

I really enjoyed the writing and the plot. Everything fell into place as the story progresses and all the characters were what I’d expect them to be like. Paige was clever, responsible and fearless. She would rather be friends with a ghost and be ostracised for being crazy than be accepted in the popular throng of people. I liked her confidence and the fact there was no confusion as to what she wanted for herself. Of course things change over the course of the book which throws her in turmoil but I appreciate how she handles the situation.

Logan was pretty cute, sweet and kick ass at the same time. He rocked a sword and the demon slaying stint and he had an eye for good things in life namely in choosing Paige. Their romance was really sweet with just the right amount of sexual tension thrown in.

The side characters were well hashed out and the world building with the demon and warlocks was interesting enough. However, with the way the book came to an end, the world was turned upside down on its head and past alliances and friendships are being question and I have to say I’m looking forward to the next book.

The Dark World was fun, action filled and engrossing. I felt invested in the characters, the story with no love triangles (Thank God!) and dodgy characters who may or may not be trusted. I’d recommend it to any YA fantasy fan who is de up of the same old vampire, werewolf, faery, angel, dystopia troupe.

ARC received from Harlequin Teen via NetGalley

Review: The Professional (Game Maker #1) by Kresley Cole

Kresley Cole’s take on contemporary erotica

Title: The Professional
Series: Game Maker
Author: Kresley Cole
Publisher: Simon and Schuster, UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 6th of May, 2014
I have always enjoyed Kresley Cole's writing. In fact her is the only Paranormal Romance, Immortals After Dark, I read. Her writing melding romance with a great paranormal aspects makes for compelling read with no cheesiness in sight. Saying that, I picked up The Professional with high expectations.

It starts with Natalie being informed one night that she is the daughter of a Mafia boss and that she has to leave the US to go to Russia to meet her father before his enemies find her. To collect her, Sevastyan is sent. Unlike a lot of erotica I have read, there is decent plot line with chemistry between the protogonist and a good bit of action thrown in. I did not expect any less of Krelsey Cole.

This review will be brief as I really don't have much to say about it. The biggest thing that irked me was that the main character, Natalie was stupid. I have come to expect more of Kresley Cole's female characters and was waiting throughout the story to find something which suggested she had a kernel of brain inside that head of hers. She made stupid, irrational decisions and was ready to go hot and heavy with a man she had just met, literally few hours ago. And she was meant to be a virgin too.

However, I really enjoyed the book. Even with all the mixed reviews floating about, it was the right book at the right time for me. The first few scenes were sizzling and let’s not even go to the closet scene which they probably could have set on fire with their passion.

The aspect I enjoyed the least was how BDSM was inserted into it. I have tried, really tried but I simply cannot relate to a a BDSM scene where the participant's claim are enjoying the physical pain in a sexual situation. Don't get me wrong, I read a spot of erotica every now and them even get the' feels' leading upto this emotionally/sexually charged situation. But as soon as the infliction of pain begins, my connection to the scene cuts off. I suddenly feel that I'm floating and watching this scene from far above somewhere.

Regardless of that, Kreley Cole is damn fine writer and her male leads, are always hunky bad boys with a sad past.Just the kind us, ladies like.

I'd recommend this book for fans of Krelsey Cole, erotica, BDSM who like to have a quality narration to their stories.

ARC received from Simon and Schuster, UK

 

Review: The Wizard's Promise (The Hanna Dulogy #1) by Cassandra Rose Clarke

For fans of Yaks, inhumanly beautiful boys, grumpy fishermen and magic

Title: The Wizard’s Promise
Series: The Hanna Dulogy
Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke
Publisher: Strange Chemistry, UK
My ratings: 3 out of 5 stars
Released: 6th May, 2014
It is no secret as to how much I love Cassandra Rose Clarke and her writing. It started with The Mad Scientist’s Daughter and continued on with The Assassin’s Curse and The Pirate’s Wish. So when I saw The Wizard’s Promise, set in the same world as The Assassin’s Curse I was over the moon. As soon as the book downloaded on to my Kindle I started it straight away.

Hanna is a fisherman’s apprentice, who want to be a full-fledged witch. One day while at sea somehow she and her fisherman mentor, Kolur, get blown off course. And somehow Hanna is sure that that whole thing is planned by the perpetually grumpy Kolur and there is more there that meets the eyes. And slowly she gets embroiled in a rescue mission? Or an adventure with deadly assassins, the dreaded Mists, witches and an inhumanly beautiful boy who keeps visiting her every night.Check out the pictorial description Cassandra Rose Clarke made for The Wizard's Promise  here.

Sounds exciting? Unfortunately The Wizard’s Promise failed to deliver on that front. Hanna felt lack lustre and I struggled to really connect with her. It was clear that Clarke had a story in mind and was plotting the events as to reach a climax but it was slow moving and dragged as some points. While I did sympathized with Hanna it was hard to truly be on her side as especially I kept on comparing her to Ananna from The Assassin’s Curse who was driven, passionate and sassy. Even though I wasn’t expecting a pirate again this time, I had hoped that Hanna would have some personality but she felt strangely bland to me.

The other characters like Kulor, Isolfr and the many other on the way were far more carved out. I could see potential oozing out of them but somehow it all fizzled out. The world and the setting is so intricate and fascinating that there were so many ways the story could have gone.

However the way it panned out felt dis-jointed. Regardless of the above setback, The Wizard’s Promise still has a lot of potential. The mystery around Isolfr was frustratingly well done and Kolur’s grumpiness was a delight to read. The setting as usual was fabulous with a new mystery to solve or a new adventure just round the corner.

The Wizard’s Promise is what it says it is. Full of promises but did does not actually deliver or perhaps Cassandra Rose Clarke has had me expecting so much off her that even a little less is getting exaggerated in my eyes. I’d recommend this book to all fans of Cassandra Rose Clarke and The Assassin’s Curse. I’ll surely be reading The Nobleman’s Revenge.

ARC received from Strange Chemistry via NetGalley

Check out the pictorial description for The Wizard's Promise Cassandra Rose Clarke made for the blog tour.

 

Review: Forever Jack (Eversea #2) by Natasha Boyd

Jack is back and he won’t take no for an answer

Title: Forever Jack
Series: Eversea
Author: Natasha Boyd
Publisher: Headline
My ratings: 3 out of 5 stars
Released: 6th of December, 2013
After enjoying the light, fluffy predecessor Eversea, I knew what to expect from Forever Jack. But what is did not expect was a full out angst fest.

Forever Jack picks up a few months after Eversea leaves us. We get Jack’s POV this time and it shows how much he is suffering after his break up with Keri Ann. He is getting by and he full of this anger and frustration which he cannot vent. After a series of shocking events he is back at Butler’s Cove to grovel and get Keri Ann back. But she is feisty and after her heart break she has just managed to pull herself up and resists Jack at every step of the way. But as we all know all resistance is futile when our sexy, heart throb puts his mind into it. So he turns up in Butler’s cove and sweeps Keri Ann off her feet.

Elements which were not quite addressed in Eversea were dealt with such as dealing with Jack’s fame and the life Keri Ann wanted for herself. For some reason, I didn’t like Keri Ann as much this time. It felt while she was trying really hard to deal with her abandonment but I felt she was being stubborn and selfish at times.

While I really enjoyed Eversea it took a while to really get into Forever Jack. The angst had been dialled up and I think that is what bothered me a little. While Eversea felt like a fairy tale, Forever Jack had the elements of NA which I have come to dislike. I’m not saying it’s a bad book. No, it is an enjoyable book but it just felt that the author was trying really hard.

The thing that annoyed me that it was not enough that Jack was a famous movie star playing a heart throb in a movie adapted from a book but he turns out to be British and not just any random British bloke but part of the English aristocracy complete with a title and an abused childhood. Furthermore, I was still not quite satisfied by the explanation of as to why he really like Keri Ann.

Overall, Forever Jack is a worthy sequel to Eversea. While it touches upon a few pet peeves of mine it will be an intense read for readers who loved Eversea. It was emotional and well executed romance which will have readers sobbing their eyes out or fill with the satisfaction of have reading a journey of how two people gain their HEA.

ARC revived by Headline via NetGalley

Review: Eversea (Eversea #1) by Natasha Boyd

Sweet and endearing cinderella story

Title: Eversea
Series: Eversea
Author: Natasha Boyd
Publisher: Headline
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 14th January, 2014
Eversea is what I’d call a good New Adult book. Lately I’ve been quite picky with NA titles as they all seem so similar. And yes, Eversea in a way is similar but is well written and nicely done.

Keri Ann is a Southern Belle living in a coastal town in her crumbling house in South Carolina. She is working as a waitress but in fact she is waiting for her brother to finish his studies so that she can start college. Out of sheer luck, she meets Jack Eversea, the young and up-coming movie star one night, who is running away from the media due to his recent break up with his girlfriend. Sparks fly instantly between Keri Ann and Jack.

I really enjoyed the meetings between Jack and Keri Ann. They obviously were attracted towards each other and I loved reading how each scene was fraught with tension as to will they or wont they. The dilemma was to whether Keri Ann was attracted to Jack for his good looks or his personality or the fact that he played the fictional character in the movie which was made from Keri Ann’s favourite book. I’d bet on the role but of course the author had different ideas.

The setting was beautifully written as I could feel the sticky heat of the sun beating down on me and the way legs get glue to leather seats. The quirks of living in a small town were well captured.

This was one of the books which I enjoyed but don’t really have much to say about. What I do want to say is that at this point I’m still not sure why Jack likes Keri Ann? Why she likes him is obvious as it’s told from her POV but why him? It’s not like he has not met other simple non Hollywood girls before. But what exactly about her did he find irresistible?

Eversea is one of the good New Adult titles floating around which delivers and does not feel regurgitated a million times. It’s a bit of a Cinderella story and that’s what adds an element of whimsical which had me turning the pages as I smiled. I’d recommend it for fans of pretty covers and New Adult books.

ARC received by Headline via NetGalley

Review: Clipped Wings (Clipped Wings #1) by Helena Hunting

Tattooed and hunky. What’s more to ask for?

Title: Clipped Wings
Series: Clipped Wings
Author: Helena Hunting
Publisher: Orion Books, UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 13th March, 2014
With New Adult titles popping left, right and centre, enjoying a true NA tittle is rare. They are being shoved down my throat making me keep them at a distance. However, the rave reviews from my fellow bloggers made me give this a second chance.

The plot centres around Hayden, who is a guy who has seen it all and done it all. Drugs, crime, alcohol and strip clubs. But now he is concentrating on running his tattoo shop where he meets Tenley. The quiet, shy girl, who works at this aunt’s antique shop. Tenley, on the other hand, has her own past from which she is running away. She is trying to start a new life but the ghost from her past will not leave her alone. So she decides to get a tattoo as her attempt to break free. During the process of making the tattoo, Tenley and Hayden get close and the spark between them ignites.

I started Clipped wings with low expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised. The relationship developed between Tenley and Hayden was slowly. Their attraction was like a slow burner with stolen glances and quick touches and few words exchanged. But when Tenley decides to get her back tattooed things take a decisive turn.

Like every other NA title out there, both Hayden and Tenley have their own demons to deal with and this is what brings them together. Both understand pain at a visceral level and I believe is what connects them. The sex scenes where hot and the tension leading up to it was thick. Exactly how I like it.

What I enjoyed the most was the dual perspective of the characters. Usually dual perspective can be jarring and confusing. Moreover, I don’t particularly enjoy a male POV. However, Clipped Wings had me loving Hayden’s POV. His voice was honest, entertaining with a dry sense of humour. In fact, I’d rather have had the whole book in Hayden’s POV. I did not have any deep impression of Tenley. I understand that her pain is still raw but I felt disconnected to her. Regardless, I still enjoyed the little interactions between them.

Overall, Clipped Wings is a great NA title with real characters and two people who not only have a connection but even though they come from such different background their pain brings them together. Clipped Wings is no Beautiful Disaster but it’s a wonderfully written story about two people who fall in love and it was meant to be. It ends with a sort of a cliff hanger so I will be reading the next book, Inked Armour when it comes out.

ARC received by Orion Books, UK via NetGalley

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted on Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're impatiently eagerly anticipating.

 My pick this week is;

THE WIZARD'S PROMISE (The Hanna Duology #1) by Cassandra Rose Clarke

All Hanna Euli wants is to become a proper witch – but unfortunately, she’s stuck as an apprentice to a grumpy fisherman. When their boat gets caught up in a mysterious storm and blown wildly off course, Hanna finds herself further away from home than she’s ever been before.

As she tries to get back, she learns there may be more to her apprentice master than she realized, especially when a mysterious, beautiful, and very non-human boy begins following her through the ocean, claiming that he needs Hanna’s help.

Releases in 5th May, 2014

I am utterly bewitched with Cassandra Rose Clarke's writing.  Her The Mad Scientist's (click here for my review) is one of my favourite adult fantasy books and her YA series The Assassin's Curse (click here for the review of The Assassin's Curse and here for The Pirate's Wish) had me hook, line and sinker. So when I heard there will be more books in the same world and Ananna and Naji, my excitement was over the charts. The Wizard's Promise is the first book in The Hanna Duology.

ARC Review: Decepetive Innocence (Pure Sin #1) by Kyra Davis

Gripping plot and a dark heroine

Title: Deceptive Innocence
Author: Kyra Davis
Series: Pure Sin
Publisher: Gallery Books
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Releases: 24th June, 2014
With an intriguing synopsis closer to a thriller than an erotica I was hooked. IT starts with Bell trying to befriend Lander, a rich successful son of a business man. She intends to get into his bed and destroy him and his family so extract revenge for what they did to her mother.

The story had me turning the pages like an addict. There was sexual tension and some more between Lander and Ball. I loved their interaction and Bell’s monologue. It was clear that she had started to fall for him but her own darkness was pulling her back. Bell as a character was dark and depressive. Her personal vendetta was what made her tick and I loved that about her. She was this abyss of darkness and bitterness which every-thing she did and every thought in her mind was her revenge. She was driven and stubborn.

Lander on the other hand was a mystery which I’m yet to solve. He was your quintessential erotica male lead rich, successful, attractive and dominating. However she somehow too had this edgy darkness to him which was hinted but never fully revealed. I read this on Netgalley and the book came in three parts. I read the book in chunks and was eagerly waiting for the last part of the book. Each part ended in some manner of a cliff-hanger and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

The writing was cohesive and the plot seems to be tight. I am still not sure how Kyra Davis will take her characters but nothing is as it seems. The was fast paced and filled with thrilling moments which had me biting my nails as to see what will happen in the next scene.

The ending seemed a little anticlimactic to me. It sort of ended on a note as to there was more to come. I mean there better be more in the forthcoming books are there were tons of threads unresolved.

Overall, Deceptive Innocence is a cleverly writing, gripping erotica which gives you hope that erotica can be intelligent too. Bell was such a hard character, especially since she had gone through so much that I felt sorry so how she was slowly getting more and more entangled in her web.

I’d recommend it to erotica virgins (*wink) and anyone one who likes a sensual, thrilling and mysterious read which makes you do a double take on this genre.

Review: Shadowdance (Darkest London #4) by Kristen Callihan

Dark, thrilling and exciting

Title: Shadowdance
Author: Kristen Callihan
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, US
My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Releases: 17th December, 2013
  Darkest London books are always a treat for me. Whenever I am bored with the usual Historical romances or even the odd urban fantasy, I pick up Kristen Callihan’s books and chase all my blues away.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the last three book in the Darkest London series so when Shadowdance came out, I was confident that it would entertain me again. Well, it did not disappoint at all. Shadowdance tells the story of Mary and Jack who have an odd relationship. They always argue and bicker but beneath it all there is a flame of attraction that would not go away. So when a murderer is on the loose and Mary suspects that Jack is involved, she decides to step in and hence begins the adventure.

Shadowdance was immensely enjoyable with a good dose of intrigue and mystery. There was action and new characters were introduced. I love how Kristen is slowly expanding the Darkest London World with more and more supernaturals being introduced and the plot keeps getting thicker.

 Of course this is Kristen Callihan’s writing so it was full of thick sexual tension and charged arguments and confrontations. I enjoyed how much Jack and Mary fought throughout this book but when they come together, man it was hot! It was intense and totally worth the wait.

 Shadowdance tells the story of Jack and Mary so we have brief appearance from Daisy, Ian, Poppy and Win. But I really missed Archer and Miranda. No matter how good the subsequent books are in this series and my favourite book will be Firelight. The chemistry between Archer and Miranda was something to behold and the mystery behind Archer’s mask kept me engaged.

 Shadowdance was dark, romantic, thrilling, and mysterious with a dash of steam punk. Jack was your quintessential tortured hero while Mary was anything but your regular girl next door. The world was well built, the plot tight and the premise engaging. I’d recommend it to all historical romance readers and fans of fantasy alike as this series is an excellent blend of these two and forces you to keep turning the pages into the wee hours in the morning.

Released 17th December, 2013  

ARC provided by Grand Central Publishing

ARC Review: The Almost Girl by Amalie Howard

Assassin at High School? Bring it on.

Title: The Almost Girl
Author: Amalie Howard
Publisher: Strange Chemistry, UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Releases: 7th January, 2014

An assassin with kick-ass skills on a mission where she has to pretend to be a high schooler? When I read the synopsis so was totally on board. The cover is absolutely gorgeous too. So when I finally read Almost Girl, unfortunately I was slightly disappointed.

It starts with Riven trying to find someone in different high schools pretending to be a high school. She is basically looking for Caden to take him back to this own parallel universe as he is wanted by the Prince in her own planet called Neospes. She was a Legion General feared and revered. Along the way she meets people and the journey on her way back to her city many secrets are revealed, rebellions established and betrayals endured.

The Almost Girl was fast paced, action packed with something new being revealed in almost every chapter which I enjoyed immensely. However a few things did let me down. I don’t want to go in to details as it may seem like I am nit-picking but these few things together bothered me and spoiled my overall experience of this book. I enjoyed the tone of the book and even the setting but the main protagonist, Riven, sometimes felt rather vain and shallow. She was meant to be the Legion General of an army and yet she seemed to act shallow. However, through the various events which happen over the course of this book Riven goes through somewhat of a journey and changes and improves.

Caden on the other hand was your typical YA love interest. Good looking, somewhat charming with the right moves, which wins the girls heart. But there was one issue (called Saddie) which felt off as I can’t explain without giving away spoilers.

The book could have done with a few more chapters as at times it felt too rushed. It was clear that it has been through a lot of chopping and cutting but I think a few more chapters would not have harmed the narrative but would have added more depth to the story and characters.
Overall, The Almost Girl is a good, action packed adventure with a Sci-Fi twist which the fans of dystopian would enjoy. It ticks all the boxes and is an excellent addition to the YA genre.

Released 7th of January in the UK

ARC provided by Strange Chemistry