Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays

Here are the rules:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a page
3. Pick out 2 lines that are SPOILER FREE
4. Name the title, author, etc

"'This arrow will make you lose your capacity for love or feel love ever again. It will suck your happiness from your soul like a hydra would suck the marrow from your bones. You won't be able to experience pleasure to the point that you will seek out pain, just to be able to feel something. In a week, you'll go mad, in two, you'll be begging me to kill you; in a month, you'll do it yourself.'

Rowan stammers. I blink at--redacted--. Ethan was right--Cupid isn't a baby.

He's a badass." Kindle loc. 81%*


*Quote comes from my eARC, therefore it and its location are not final.

TITLE: The Eternity Key
AUTHOR: Bree Despain
PUBLISHER: Egmont USA
GENRE: Fantasy YA (Mythological)
RELEASE DATE: May 12, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list  that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

This week's topic is: Top Ten Books I'm Not Sure I Want Hesitant To Read..but will eventually!

*in no particular order

1. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer--I read Cinder and was hoping to love it like everyone. I felt meh. But now I feel like I should read this one. Put a request in at the library but didn't realize that there were like 30 people ahead of me. May end up buying it just to read it BECAUSE in October Marissa is coming to St. Louis!

2. Dead Girls are Easy by Terri Garey--not sure why I am so hesitant. I read a great review of this one. Then ended up buying the entire series at Borders closing sales. Sob! Maybe that's why I am hesitant! I really have no clue!

3. Evernight by Claudia Gray--I heard mixed things about this series. I think I downloaded this on a freebie day, but I haven't gotten to it because I think people didn't like the later books as much.

4. Scent of a White Rose by Tish Thawer--I bought this one sooooo long ago and still haven't read it. I can't remember what led me to buy it in the first place now, so yeah...wondering if I will like it now!

5. Switched by Amanda Hocking--bought this trilogy too a long while back. I liked her My Blood Approves series but then I heard mixed things about this. I am hoping I will like it!

6. Dark Heart Forever by Lee Monroe--another book I bought soooo long ago! Obviously it's a YA with werewolves, but what else!? Why did I buy it? Were there good reviews? I can't remember! Hence the problem with buying too many books!

7. Blood by Moonlight by Various Authors--I downloaded this one a long while back and haven't read it! Might have bought it because I loved Jocelynn Drake and was going to read Terri Garey eventually, but then it goes back to my wondering, will I like Terri's book? And Caris is new to me, so will I like that story too?

8. Virtue by Amanda Hocking--another one I bought for my kindle a long time ago. A cheap read but then I can't remember what reviews I read, so there's that fear of...will I like it?

9. Spellcaster by Claudia Gray--I don't know why I didn't pick this one up when it first released. I'm all for paranormal reads, but there's that reason, why didn't I buy it when it released? When it was a free offer at RT this year, naturally I grabbed it!

10. Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike--another freebie RT read that I picked up. And again, that hesitancy of why didn't I get it the first time around? Possibly because I need to read the Wings series first! If I have more of their older books on my pile, I usually like to finish that series first. Just my weird tendencies!

ARC Review--A Curse Awakened by Cecy Robson

Discover Cecy Robson’s sensational Weird Girls series—or return to where the magic first began—with this eBook original prequel novella about four sisters coming to grips with their unique supernatural powers.

Celia Wird shouldn’t possess the ability to transform into a tigress. Her three sisters should never be able to burst into flames, heal wounds, or transform common objects into deadly weapons. And yet they do.

Before they were born, the Wird Sisters were cursed by a spell that was intended to destroy them, not endow them with extraordinary powers. The sisters’ magic is untamed and explosive at best, and time is running out for them to take command.

Vampires have targeted Celia’s sweet, tragically human ex-boyfriend Danny. The sisters rush to his aid, but in order to take down the vamps, first they must face their dark past and break a spell that’s screwing up their powers. Except this curse wasn’t meant to be broken . . . and the witch who cast it isn’t done toying with them yet.


I received this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, I was in no way compensated for this review.


Cecy Robson's A Curse Awakened was an intriguing read to the Weird Girls series. It takes place before the series "officially" starts, yet their curse is in full swing. The girls are getting ready to move away and start a new life with new jobs, but their plans are abruptly halted when their friend Danny comes to them begging for help. His father has been kidnapped by vampires.

Celia and her sisters are racing to find his father, for he can't have much time left in the hands of vampires. He joins them in the search as well. The sisters learn a thing or two about their curse and put that knowledge to good use. 

Sometimes it can be hard to read these prequel stories that are taking place before the series stars. We don't have Aric or Misha, so it can be hard to get back into the swing of things. Or maybe it was the horrendous cold I have at the moment of reading this novella and writing the review! That could be a part of it too!

I am wondering though if some of the "new" characters we met will play a role in the next book. There has to be some sort of reason for this, everything that we just read, right? Right!

I soooo cannot wait for the next Weird Girls book! According to Cecy we should see it sometime in November. Which after that ending from the third one, is still going to be a wait, but at least it's in this calendar year!


Overall Rating 4/5 stars


A Curse Awakened releases August 18, 2014

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: First & Forever by Alyssa Rose Ivy

We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Alyssa Rose Ivy's FIRST & FOREVER! FIRST & FOREVER is a New Adult Paranormal Romance and the fourth novel in her The Crescent Chronicles Series. It is priced at just $1.99 during the release week only. This will last for a limited time only to celebrate the release!   

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | IndieBound

FIRST & FOREVER Synopsis: 

Ever wonder what Levi was thinking in FLIGHT? Find out in the two Levi POV novellas FIRST & FOREVER. This combined edition includes both FIRST (previously released) and FOREVER, a brand new novella.This edition also includes the bonus short story: The Royal Wedding. FIRST Levi's got it all. He's a paranormal prince with more money and power than he knows what to do with, but something is missing—a mate. He only has until college graduation to find her. Allie's perfect but she wants nothing to do with him. When attraction becomes something more, will he take a chance and show her who he really is or will he lose everything? FOREVER Levi's almost out of time. Allie's the one, he knows it in every grain of his being, but how can he make her see it? Desperate to keep Allie safe and at his side, he takes the biggest risk of his life. Reckless or not there is nothing he wouldn't do to keep her with him... forever.  


FIRST & FOREVER Excerpt: 

We walked off into the darkness, and I held her hand firmly in my own. I’d never been a big hand holder, but it’s like I needed to have hers in mine. I needed to touch her constantly, and I wanted her to know she was always safe with me—even if I was far from safe to most anyone else.

She tugged on my hand, and I gladly followed her down closer to the water. 

She took in another deep breath. “There is nothing like the beach at night.”

“You like it at night, too? I was worried you wouldn’t like it without the sun.” I wondered if I was unique in craving the quiet shadows of the dark beach.

“I like the beach during the day, but I love it at night. There is just something about listening to the waves in the darkness and the soft glow of the stars reflecting off the water.”

“Yeah. It’s nice.” I moved behind her, and she leaned into me. We stood that way for several minutes before I turned her to look at me. 

She looked like a dream standing there in the glimmering of the moonlight. I studied her face, looking for a sign that she was something more than the beautiful human that had attracted me from the moment we met. Every part of me knew how significant she was to me, but I wanted more proof. “You’re so beautiful. So unbelievably beautiful…” I trailed off as my lips gave in to what they had wanted to do all day. 

Catch up with every moment in the Crescent Chronicles, so far...

Flight, Book 1 | Focus, Book 2 | Found, Book 3 | First, a Crescent Chronicles novella

Alyssa Rose Ivy Bio: Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.  
    

Twitter | Author Goodreads | Pinterest | Website | FIRST & FOREVER Goodreads | Facebook

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See my review of First & Forever here 

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It's a fun meme where we gather to share what we've read last week and our reading plans for this week.

Last Week I Read:

Bled & Breakfast by Michelle Rowen (4 stars)

From Fear to Eternity by Michelle Rowen (4 stars)

Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout (5 stars)

Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout (5 stars)

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard (4 stars)

Currently Reading:

The Eternity Key by Bree Despain (ARC)

What I Plan to Read this Week:

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Other Posts of Interest:

Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays

Release Day Blitz: OPPOSITION

Waiting on Wednesday

Gretchen McNeil Preorder Contest Palooza

Random Thursday

Follow Friday

Top 5 Sundays

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves

This weekly meme is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!

I had a GREAT week! And shockingly I didn't buy all that much on my shopping day! Oddly enough, I just bought 2 bargain books that I technically already own!

Anyway here's what I bought this week:

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead--one I own, but I gifted my friend my copy of the original paperback when I got a signature hardcover and then I saw this at V-Stock for $2.99 and decided I wanted it back! ;)

Demon in My View by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes--one that I own for sure! But it's in paperback (and definitely worn!) and I found this hardcover at Half Price Books for $3.99!

Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs--I have the ebook but then Amazon had the paperback for $4! I had to buy it so I could stroke the pretty cover! And it's one of those nice, smooth covers too!! You all know the ones I mean!

Servants of the Storm by Delilah S. Dawson--my keeper copy since I read the eARC!

Lux: Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout--already read, reviewed, LOVED, and shelved!

Unforgotten by Jessica Brody--really the ONLY book that's been added to the TBR mountain this week!

And naturally I also bought my copy of:

Divergent DVD--cause I needz my Theo!

Review--Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

The Dead on her heels. Her life is on the line. And time is running out.

After her father dies and her brother mysterious goes missing, Eleanor Fitt is left to deal with her family's declining financial state. And with her controlling mother trying to marry her off, sixteen-year-old Eleanor doesn't think life could get more complicated.

But then the Dead start walking.

Desperate to solve the mystery of her brother's disappearance, Eleanor ventures into the private lab of the elusive Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. Always a social misfit, Eleanor finally feels at home among the intelligent Joseph, feisty Jie, and extremely stubborn yet gorgeous Daniel. But the more time she spends with them, the more dangerous her life becomes.

I finally got around to reading Susan Dennard's Something Strange and Deadly, and after a bumpy start, I have to say I really, really enjoyed it! I guess I struggled the most with trying to grasp the background and history aspects of the story, as they kind of came randomly at times. Maybe I was partially distracted with other thoughts in the beginning or something, but there were just the moments where it felt like I fell out of the story, but I would quickly come back!

This one is set in the fictional past and there's a lot of weirdness going around Philadelphia. The Dead are attacking the living, and that's just general rottenness going around! What concerns Eleanor most is her missing brother who should've returned from New York by now. She turns to the Spirit-Hunters and is soon enamored with them in general, with what they do and stand for. And of course, it's the unruly and snarky Daniel that gets her blood boiling!

Daniel is definitely the ornery type, calls Eleanor names like Empress, because she's a daughter of privilege, or appears to be, she keeps her family's money issues a secret and manages their finances herself. But Eleanor doesn't let it faze her at all, she shoots back the "compliments" to him too! You can practically smell the budding romance, but at least it's the kind that takes time to build rather than the insta-love!

To jazz things up, there's a dark spirit--or something of the kind--that's following Eleanor around lately too. And she knows for certain that this is not her father.

Something Strange and Deadly was definitely an interesting and exciting read! It had some slow moments for me, but they usually lead into something juicy good! Like a good action scene or some more witty bantering with Daniel!

The ending was a bit of a shocker as well. While things are resolved for the most part, there is a course set for the Spirit-Hunters, as for what Eleanor will do, that's a bit uncertain. I mean, since this is the first book, we obviously know she'll have to get back to them eventually, we have two more books to read after all! But for now, things seem to be a sort of hesitant peace. I say hesitant, because all is not necessarily calm, there's emotions rolling left and right! And I'll just have to get the next book soon to see where those will lead!

Definitely an exciting read filled with twists and turns I wasn't expecting! I can't wait to get the next one!


Overall Rating 4/5 stars

Follow Friday

This is a weekly blog meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.

Here are the general rules to Follow Friday:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts and any one else you want to follow on the list  

2. Follow our Featured Bloggers  
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.  
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments  
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can  
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers 
7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!  
8. If your new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

This week's question is: Social Share! What is your favorite social network and leave us a link so we can join you!

MY ANSWER: Well Blogger is definitely my favorite! And since you're here, you already have the link to my blog! 

Not much of a social network type person. Although I did join Twitter nearly a year ago when I got my iPhone! So here's the link to my Twitter page!

Mini Review--Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane. Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in. Captivated. Lured. Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence…and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.

Note that while I am showing the cover for Shadows here and using its description, my copy that I read came from Opposition as the bonus story.


Shadows is the prequel to Jennifer L. Armentrout's Lux series and I never seemed to get around to reading it while reading the series itself. Almost seemed pointless at that point, but I am glad I did! This is basically the story of how Dawson met Beth.

In a different twist, this is told in third person point of view, in Dawson, Beth, and even Daemon's point of view. It becomes obvious at the end why it was necessary for Daemon's point of view to happen. And even having read the entire series already, I totally got it. Especially, considering this was released after the first book. So that makes things even better having saved this one for last! Weird, but yeah.

Dawson is a completely different guy than Daemon. Where Daemon was snarky a lot and you wanted to hit him upside the head--or dump spaghetti all over him--Dawson is actually quite nice. Sure, he's got a bit of attitude to him, but nothing like Daemon and when he first sees Beth, he's lost. And he doesn't try to fight it all that much. He wants to be with Beth and does his best to keep his secret from her.

I gotta say I loved their romance! It was so sweet. Very different than Katy and Daemon's starting out, but still enjoyable! Dawson and Beth didn't seem to have any problems with one another and were able to click right away. It's definitely a tender, sweet kind of romance!

But naturally, things get dicey and intense! Everyone is against Dawson and Beth being a couple--everyone being Daemon, Andrew, and Ash. Adam and Dee are happy for Dawson though. But there are still many dangers, such as a loose Arum running about. 

This read was rather long, nearly 200 pages, but it was still highly enjoyable! Things got pretty scary and intense at one point, and having read the series you can imagine what that part was! And the ending was just another shocker! So emotional! Yet again, I am glad I read the entire series already to know how everything works out in the end!

A very enjoyable read that I urge all Lux fans to read! It's a great prequel story to the series and I almost wish I could've read this first before I started the series itself, but I don't at all regret reading it last!


Overall Rating 5/5 stars

Review--Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came. She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

Opposition is Jennifer L. Armentrout's conclusion to the fabulous and entertaining Lux series! I am sad to see this series go, but I must admit, I loved this one! Even when moments started to get dark and the future looked really bleak, I held it together because I knew Jennifer wouldn't go there!

Surprisingly, I couldn't remember much from Origin, a total blank, too many books since then I guess, but it was easy to see what was going on. Things were bad, the Luxen had come to Earth and they were not the friendly types. Daemon, Dawson, and Dee were under some sort of compulsion and basically switched sides, leaving Katy alone with Archer and Luc. Things were just plain bad.

Told again from Daemon and Katy's point of view, we quickly learn that Daemon and Dawson are not fully under the Luxen's sway, they have a mind of their own and are simply acting obedient in order to gain info and you know, find a way to save the planet. And when the government gets involved on Team Humanity's side, no one and nowhere is safe. War is coming, it's Humans vs Luxen and things are going to get really, really bad.

This was really one intense read for me! I mean, there were so many times when you thought things were one way, but then something happened or got revealed to totally change that. It was a roller-coaster of a read, but yet, I loved every moment of it!

We get to see Hunter and Serena again and that too, made me all kinds of happy as I totally loved their story! It really kind of sets a foundation of sorts for us to see the Arum, whom we thought were the enemies the whole time, as Daemon and Katy must go to Hunter for help from the Arum in order to take down the Luxen and their leader.

Opposition was breathtaking! I mean literally, the whole time I was reading it, I was either holding my breath, maybe crying a little, and of course laughing! Even in dire times, Daemon can still make me laugh! The read was truly emotional on all levels! I am sad to see it go, but I was happy with the ending. For a series I was almost reluctant to read--fearing it to be a resurrected Roswell scenario--I am beyond happy that I gave it a chance so much time ago! It's truly been one of my most favorite YA series ever, because I loved Katy's character. Her strength and determination, how she handled Daemon in the very beginning--absolutely loved that spaghetti scene--and naturally, her book blog! She's seriously my favorite YA heroine ever!

Jennifer L. Amrentrout is always going to be one of my favorite authors. She an incredibly talented woman and writes beautifully! Every book is different, yet you can still sense a crossover tone that is simply her unique voice! I will happily read whatever she writes in the paranormal genre (and thriller, like Don't Look Back and her upcoming one next year), for she is the kind of writer whose books I yearn for both as a reader and aspiring writer. Thank you Jennifer for all the amazing books you write!


Overall Rating 5/5 stars


Now I must go read Shadows, for I never did get around to reading that one! Expect a review for that one next!

Random Thursday

So I have to ask you guys a 2-part question, one did anyone else grow up watching Boy Meets World? Did you like it? Love it? Eh it?

Okay, now if you liked it in any way, have you watched the new sequel-spinoff Girl Meets World?

What do you think of that?

I have to admit, I kind of love it! It's just so cute! It reminds me a lot of Boy Meets World, except this time, we get to see the 7th grade (skipped over 6th I guess!) GIRL's point of view and see her problems! Her crushing over boys and having all the girl side issues!

It's just so darn cute! And that Cory is her teacher is a little odd, but yet still funny since he had the same teacher for like, ever!

I especially love seeing similarities! We've seen Mr. Feeny make his cameo appearance, and I'm really hoping it was just something Cory was seeing in his mind and not alluding to Mr. Feeny being dead! Sob! Minkus showed up and that we have Minkus' kid in Cory's class is just too funny! 

Sean is supposed to show up soon as are Cory's parents with a much older Josh! That'd be fun to see! Still only rumor that Eric will show up. I hope Will makes at least one appearance as I LOVED his character Eric the most! Especially during the college years! I laughed so hard those seasons!

Girl Meets World is a really cute show and for any fans of Boy Meets World, I highly recommend checking it out!

Gretchen McNeil--Pre-Order Contest Palooza!

The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars in Gretchen McNeil’s witty and suspenseful novel about four disparate girls who join forces to take revenge on high school bullies and create dangerous enemies for themselves in the process. 
  Bree, Olivia, Kitty, and Margot have nothing in common—at least that’s what they’d like the students and administrators of their elite private school to think. The girls have different goals, different friends, and different lives, but they share one very big secret: They’re all members of Don’t Get Mad, a secret society that anonymously takes revenge on the school’s bullies, mean girls, and tyrannical teachers.

When their latest target ends up dead with a blood-soaked “DGM” card in his hands, the girls realize that they’re not as anonymous as they thought—and that someone now wants revenge on them. Soon the clues are piling up, the police are closing in . . . and everyone has something to lose.

So as you may all know, the fabulous Gretchen McNeil has a new release coming out soon! On September 16th Get Even, the first in Gretchen's first ever series (duology) will be releasing! And it's a paperback to boot!

Yay! And even more yay is that Gretchen is running a contest, that if you preorder Get Even, you will get BONUS goodies! BONUS people! For a book you know you're already going to buy, so just preorder it!

Here's some of the contest details borrowed from Gretchen's blog post, click here to read the full post:

(1) Pre-order GET EVEN in paperback, ebook, or audio format from your favorite chain, independent, or online retailer

(2) Submit proof of purchase (email, scan, photo, etc. of your receipt) at gretchenmcneil.giveaways@gmail.com, along with a valid mailing address.  Alternately, you can pre-order from one of the participating bookstores listed below and pick up your booklet from them on release day!  Note: if you have already submitting proof of purchase for a previous giveaway, you must do so again.

(3) On September 16, 2014, you will be mailed/pick up a signed, special edition booklet containing the first two (2) chapters of GET DIRTY, which does not go on sale until June 2015, along with bonus content for GET EVEN and a signed Don't Get Mad bookplate.

(4) Submissions for the giveaway close September 15, 2014 at 11:59pm PST.


I REQUEST, no, URGE, no, IMPLORE you all to preorder this one! I've already read the ARC and let me tell you, I am DYING for those 2 chapters! Of course, after reading them, I will likely be experiencing a new kind of cliffhanger pain! But still, the ending to this one was a shocker! There's still a lot more to know as what's going on with the mystery, as it's nowhere near completely done and I just cannot wait to read the next one in the duology!

So above you have the basics to the special giveaway Gretchen's running--she's running this too, not the pubs, but HER! And this deal is just soooo freaking awesome and sooooooo unbelievably generous and kind...I am in awe of Gretchen even more! 

My review of Get Even will be up in early September, so be on the lookout for that one! You'll still have plenty of time to enter the preordering contest too, but why wait?!

Waiting on Wednesday

I hate waiting...

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blog post by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights releases we're eagerly awaiting.

Gargoyles abound in this sexy paranormal novel from New York Times bestselling author Christine Warren.　

A prominent art restorer, Felicity is more than game to help a friend track down an obscure statue in Montreal. But when "Fil" finds it, she’s taken by surprise at how drawn she is to this statue. Attracted to it in a way a girl shouldn’t lust for a stone gargoyle, she revists it at night, longing to feel its embrace. Little does Fil know, her desire for this stone cold beast is about to heat up a notch.

Locked in stone for centuries, Spar has slept, waiting for when a human would need him. When he is awoken, Spar is taken aback to find that a human female needs his help. A very sexy woman who’s about to be the victim of a cultist attack. Saving and leaving her should be no problem. But as more questions arise, Spar knows that he cannot rest until Fil is safe in his arms.

Granted I still need to read the first one, but I have high hopes for this series! I love gargoyles and am excited to read an "adult" novel wit them in it!


TITLE: Stone Cold Lover
AUTHOR: Christine Warren
PUBLISHER: St. Martin's Paperbacks
GENRE: Paranormal Romance
RELEASE DATE: August 26, 2014

Love burns. Worlds collide. Magic reigns.

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.

Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected.

But how can Lily be the saviour of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?

Now this one I did read, but I still can't wait to own my very own keeper copy! Love this cover too! So awesome and powerful looking! Loved it!


TITLE: Trial by Fire
AUTHOR: Josephine Angelini
PUBLISHER: Feiwel & Friends
GENRE: Paranormal YA
RELEASE DATE: September 2, 2014 

Review--From Fear to Eternity by Michelle Rowen

Newlywed vampires Sarah and Thierry de Bennicoeur have their whole undead lives ahead of them. And with Thierry’s job as a consultant for the Ring sending them across the globe to solve one vampire crisis after another, eternity may never have a dull moment.

Sarah was hoping the honeymoon would literally last forever, but when Thierry receives a mysterious invitation to an auction held in an old Beverly Hills mansion, it’s clearly time to get back to work. Thierry hopes to win a powerful amulet containing a wish-granting djinn that has eluded him for centuries. Unfortunately, Atticus Kincade, head of the vampire council, also has his eye on the item.

When the auction’s host reveals his unpleasant history with Thierry, and Sarah discovers a talking head in the freezer, things get even weirder than usual. But when the amulet goes missing, and everyone is suddenly trapped inside the mansion, the undead guests find themselves in mortal danger—and Sarah had better be careful what she wishes for.

From Fear to Eternity is yet another lovely cozy paranormal mystery by the incredibly brilliant Michelle Rowen! It might even be the last one, I am not positive on that but even this ending has an air of finality, but yet, there is definitely loads of room for more! I mean Thierry and Sarah are only 1 month into Thierry's 50-year contract with the Ring!

This time, the couple is interrupted during their honeymoon by a peculiar invitation to come to a private auction where an item of interest will be offered. The item is a magical amulet containing a djinn, and Thierry is hoping to get this lost item back as he thought it lost many, many years ago.

The night will be one that no one will forget and it's filled with several surprises too! The host, Sebastian has a connection to Thierry, not only that, but one of the other guests is Veronique, his ex-wife. Yeah, this is definitely going to be a fun night! At the auction's end, just as Sarah and Thierry believe they have bought the amulet, the amulet is missing and a powerful deity proclaims that they must find it and the djinn who escaped before sunrise...or else bad things will happen to them all. And this is what leads to a group of vampires traipsing around a mansion searching for a small, delicate necklace...and a djinn. Fun times!

What really starts to rack up the tension is when the partygoers start to be murdered one by one. This was an unexpected twist to the mystery because naturally, that means the murderer is one of them. Hello Clue! The signs are obviously pointing to the host Sebastian that Thierry is tied to from the past, but there's still the matter of the djinn and amulet to find before everyone else is likely to die by a powerful deity.

This mystery was quite fun too! There's a rather unexpected twist towards the middle that completely derails our characters, but it was rather interesting, fun, and a tad bit funny too! Wouldn't mind having that experience myself with other "works"--you'll know what I mean by that once you read the book as I don't want to give you more details!

This was yet another fast-paced read that I managed in a day! Cozy paranormal mysteries are a lot of fun for me! There's just enough paranormal element to enjoy and a mystery is always great too! Plus, just because this is deemed "cozy" doesn't mean there's no danger or action, there's plenty of that in here as well! One that has you on the edge of your seat and gripping the pages!

I found myself able to successfully guess who-dun-it this time around, but not their whole master plan in details. It's always fun to guess right too! If only you follow the clues...and yet, sometimes you really do just need to guess!

It was a delightful read and I once again found myself enjoying the story and characters quite a bit, despite not knowing their full backstory from the previous series. All in all, a very good read!


Overall Rating 4/5 stars