Stray Moon by Kelly Meding (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Para-Marshal Shiloh Harrison has always been a great number two for the East Coast unit. But after her boss is found dead (having betrayed the paranormals he was sworn to protect), she’s suddenly thrust into a leadership role she isn’t prepared for. And it doesn’t help that she traded away memories of one of her most important team members to save another’s life during her last mission.

Too, she’s in charge of a unit that is mired in bureaucratic red tape, meaning she’s essentially under house arrest. But a West Coast Para-Marshal has astral-projected a warning: werewolves are going missing, and she needs Shiloh’s help. Last time it was vampires. This time it’s werewolves. Half-djinn herself, she knows she can’t just sit around and do nothing while paranormals are getting snatched. Her old boss may have broken his oath, but Shiloh will do anything to serve and protect."

My Thoughts:

I am well and truly hooked on this series now thanks to this latest book!  Urban fantasy has always held a special place in my readerly heart.  There just isn't enough new series coming out lately in my opinion which is a shame.  Happily enough I found this series right at the beginning with the first book Stray Magic.  Without sharing any spoilers, that first book left me very eager to get my hands on this newest book so I jumped at the chance to read it.  It was just as good as I had hoped that it would be I'm happy to report.  I picked this book up and jumped right back into where I had left off in book one it felt like.  Let me start off by saying though that I really do think that you need to read this series in order so start with book one.  It's not that the author didn't do a good job of catching the reader up on the action from that first book (she actually does a really great job of it) but there is just so much that carries over from that first book that I really do recommend reading them in order.  For me, the details she gave from that previous book were enough to help jog my memory so that I didn't feel lost when starting on this one which sometimes can happen when waiting to read books in series for periods of time.  I absolutely adore the characters in this series!  Shiloh is everything that I could want as a main character.  She is kick-ass when she needs to be but also both vulnerable and caring.  Her team and job as a para-marshal are two of the most important things to her and it shows throughout the book.  I love how this author has taken different types of paranormal characters and featured them as main characters rather than just your typical vampires and shifters.  Sure, this book has them too but it isn't often that you see a half genie as your main character!  This book was just as fast paced as the first book so I breezed through the pages of it.  I actually finished the last half of the book all in one chunk after work one evening because I just couldn't stop reading.  I'm so curious to see where this author is going to take us next after the way this book ended!  It is going to be a very long wait until book three - that's for sure!

Overall, I enjoyed this book and am so excited to have found this series!  I NEED more urban fantasy series like this in my life!  Books like this are just so fun to read.  I love how action packed this was, all of the different types of characters, and there is even a little bit of mystery behind who could be involved in it all.  All of this combines into a book that I just couldn't set down!  I would recommend this series to fans of urban fantasy and paranormal.  I stand by my recommendation of reading them in order.  There are only two books so far so it's not like there are ten books to catch up on (although at this rate I would still say they were worth taking the time to read).  Easily recommended!

Bottom Line:  A great addition to this series that has me wishing I had book three in my hands already!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss.  Thoughts are my own.

It's A Charmed Life (The Grimm Chronicles) by Selene Charles (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Welcome to a world of fantasy, fairy tales, and murder most foul... 

My name's Elle. Princess Arielle, for those who know about my past. Cursed by my own father, now I'm banished to Grimm. I'm a siren, killer, and one of the best damned cold-case detectives in all of the bloody realms. I don't stop until I discover the truth, no matter where that truth leads.

My next case sends me to Wonderland, a harrowing place of madness and dark secrets. I'd rather be landlocked than step foot on that tainted soil, but I don't have a choice after discovering Alice's bloodstained ribbon and a bandicoot's claw covered in blood beside two stiff's at the Charming's sprawling castle. My insatiable thirst for truth leads to a conspiracy that will not only rock the Grimm world but also my own.

No one ever walks away from Wonderland unscathed... No one."

My Thoughts:

I am so, so excited to have found this series and to have read this book!  I picked this one up thanks to reading another blogger that I trust's thoughts on the second book (I believe), and was just so intrigued by the sound of it.  I instantly downloaded a copy to my kindle and didn't look back.  This was such a fun read but it's going to be kind of hard for me to describe.  Take all of the fairy tale characters (and even worlds) that you know and love, then twist them into something different, darker, and edgier.  That's basically the best way that I can describe this book.  Let me just tell you that I loved every minute of it!  Our main character is Elle - or Arielle from the Little Mermaid (kinda sorta) if you are keeping track - but in this book she is basically a badass detective who has been banished from her kingdom for unknown reasons.  She has to go Wonderland during her current investigation which is a dark and dangerous place.  There's even the Mad Hatter and the Hare except the Hatter is a handsome investigator for Wonderland who has visions of the future and past.  I could keep going but I'm sure you get the point by now.  Nothing is as you expect it might be, and one of the best things about this book was just seeing what this author did with all of the fairy tale characters.  She created her own world with some of these well known but albeit very different characters.  And I just could not get enough of it!!  I plowed through the pages of this book and enjoyed every minute of it!  I just had to see how everything was going to turn out!  There is quite the chemistry between Elle and Hatter which I'm looking forward to seeing continued on in future books (I hope!).  I don't know what else to say besides read this one!  It's SO good!

Overall, I obviously enjoyed myself immensely while reading this book.  I've actually already started reading the second book in the series because I just needed more time with these characters and this world.  The only downside is that I'm going to have to wait for book three (please say there is going to be a book three).  Luckily, it does look like this author has other series that I can check out to tide me over.  Fair warning that the author ties up the ending of this book perfectly....but....she gives you a hook that makes you instantly want to jump into the next book.  Which I obviously did!  I would recommend this book to fans of the paranormal, urban fantasy, and fairy tales in general.  Half of the fun is just seeing the different characters and aspects that she incorporates into the story!  Highly recommended!

Bottom Line:  This was honestly such a great beginning to this new series that I couldn't get enough!

Disclosure:  I read my copy of this book thanks to my Kindle Unlimited membership.  Thoughts are my own!

How To Save an Undead Life by Hailey Edwards (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Grier Woolworth spends her nights weaving spooky tales of lost souls and tragedies for tourists on the streets of downtown Savannah. Hoop skirt and parasol aside, it’s not a bad gig. The pay is crap, but the tips keep the lights on in her personal haunted mansion and her pantry stocked with ramen. 

Life is about as normal as it gets for an ex-necromancer hiding among humans. Until the society that excommunicated Grier offers her a second chance at being more than ordinary. Too bad no one warned her the trouble with being extraordinary is it can get you killed. 

Warning: This book contains one ex-con/ex-heiress with a pet zombie parakeet who lives next door to her ex-army/ex-crush. Brace yourself, we’re talking more exes than a pirate treasure map here."

My Thoughts:

Let me just start off by saying how Kindle Unlimited has filled a hole in my reading life that I didn't even realize that I had!  I'm absolutely adoring the new paranormal/urban fantasy series that I'm finding thanks to it!  This is one of those gems and I'm just thrilled about it!  I've actually seen a lot of readers talking about this author's books but hadn't had the chance to give her a try myself until now.  How To Save an Undead Life is everything that I enjoy in an urban fantasy read.  It had a main character that I couldn't get enough of as well as all of the paranormal elements that I love to read about!  Grier was previously an assistant necromancer until things went very wrong, and she was thrown into a type of "paranormal prison" is the best way I can describe it.  She's out now but is still trying to deal with everything she went through during that time.  Her life is about to get a bit more complicated though as she is being pursued by vampires and doesn't know the reasoning behind it.  And the book basically just goes from there!  I flew through the pages of this book (well swiped through the pages I guess you could say as fast I could).  It was fast paced and suspenseful which kept me reading nonstop.  The author does a good job explaining this new world that she is creating without overwhelming you with the details.  Plus, there are great secondary characters that I couldn't get enough of.  What else could you possibly want in a book like this?? Maybe a haunted house with an actual personality of its' own?  Check that one off your list because this book has that as well!  I'm telling you I just enjoyed this book so much for all of these reasons!  

Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book immensely!  It has been really great to dive in and find some new paranormal series like this!  Although the author ties this book up quite nicely at the end, you know there is more to come.  I'm really looking forward to it!  I cannot wait to see what kind of trouble and adventures Grier finds herself caught up in next!  I'm actually itching to get my hands on that second book so I don't think that I will be waiting long before continuing on with this series.  The added bonus is that there looks like she has other series out there that I can check out as well!  My kindle is going to be overflowing but I'm loving every minute of it!  I would recommend this book to fans of paranormal and urban fantasy!  And I can easily recommend it!

Bottom Line:  A fast paced and fun beginning to this series that has me craving more books just like it!

Disclosure:  I read this book thanks to my Kindle Unlimited membership.  Thoughts are my own!

If you are a Kindle Unlimited reader (I'm a newbie) what other books and series do you recommend that I check out?  It doesn't have to be paranormal but I'll take all of the recommendations that I can get!

Murder on Millionaires' Row by Erin Lindsey (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Rose Gallagher might dream of bigger things, but she’s content enough with her life as a housemaid. After all, it’s not every girl from Five Points who gets to spend her days in a posh Fifth Avenue brownstone, even if only to sweep its floors. But all that changes on the day her boss, Mr. Thomas Wiltshire, disappears. Rose is certain Mr. Wiltshire is in trouble, but the police treat his disappearance as nothing more than the whims of a rich young man behaving badly. Meanwhile, the friend who reported him missing is suspiciously unhelpful. With nowhere left to turn, Rose takes it upon herself to find her handsome young employer.

The investigation takes her from the marble palaces of Fifth Avenue to the sordid streets of Five Points. When a ghostly apparition accosts her on the street, Rose begins to realize that the world around her isn’t at all as it seems―and her place in it is about to change forever."

My Thoughts:

I'm not even going to lie - I jumped at the chance to read this book almost entirely based off of that gorgeous cover.  I'm a sucker for good cover and this one has that in spades!  Happily I enjoyed this book just as much as I enjoyed that cover!  This feels like it has been the year where I've discovered historical mysteries.  I've started some really great historical mystery series  and I can add this one to the list.  In this book, Rose Gallagher goes searching for her missing boss when she realizes that the police aren't taking his disappearance seriously. I really adored Rose's character because she was just so determined and strong willed.  Her adventures made this book so much fun to read.  I really just found myself sucked into the pages of this book.  This book took me to a different time and place...heck, it was really a different world where ghosts walked and certain individuals had different kinds of "luck" and I was just transported by it all.  The author swept me into the pages of this book so that I didn't want to stop reading.  I just HAD to see what was going to happen next.  I loved that in this book ghosts were actually dangerous to humans - everything to do with the paranormal actually felt very original to this book.  I wasn't sure when I read the book summary how the author would fit ghosts into the storyline but it worked beautifully.  I feel like the author really just managed to create this unique world in this book that I couldn't get enough of.  I enjoyed my time within its' pages and am looking forward to reading more of this series in the future.  Really, what more could you ask?

Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book and am very excited to have found both this series and this author.  I need to check out what else Lindsey has written - hopefully she has written more so the wait for book two doesn't seem so long.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble Rose can get herself into next.  If you are looking for a fun, fast-paced read then look no further then this book. It's a definite page turner with a world that I won't be forgetting about any time soon.  I can easily recommend this book to fans of historical mysteries and really mysteries in general!

Bottom Line:  A fun beginning to a series that I can't wait to read more of!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher.  Thoughts are my own.

The Unleashing by Shelly Laurenston (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Kera Watson never expected to face death behind a Los Angeles coffee shop. Not after surviving two tours lugging an M16 around the Middle East. If it wasn’t for her hot Viking customer showing up too late to help, nobody would even see her die.

In uncountable years of service to the Allfather Odin, Ludvig “Vig” Rundstöm has never seen anyone kick ass with quite as much style as Kera. He knows one way to save her life—but she might not like it. Signing up with the Crows will get Kera a new set of battle buddies: cackling, gossiping, squabbling, party-hearty women. With wings. So not the Marines.

But Vig can’t give up on someone as special as Kera. With a storm of oh-crap magic speeding straight for L.A., survival will depend on combining their strengths: Kera’s discipline, Vig’s loyalty… and the Crows’ sheer love of battle. Boy, are they in trouble."

My Thoughts:

I've been meaning to read this book for awhile now but it was hearing about it on the Smart Podcast, Trashy Books podcast that helped me to make it my next read.  I was in the mood for a fun romance and this book definitely fit the bill.  It is probably one of the most unique beginnings to a paranormal romance series that I've ever read.  Kera wakes up to find herself to have become a crow - basically she is now part of this group of strong females that have special strengths and abilities.  They are almost like warriors for a god - at least that's the best way that I can describe them.  How wonderful to find a book that focuses on female relationships like this one does!  That being said - my one and only complaint with this book was that at times it was hard to keep track of all of the characters.  There are just so many of them!  I'm sure that as the series goes on I will become more and more familiar with all of the characters but I did find it a bit overwhelming at times.  Enough on that though!  I absolutely breezed through the pages of this book!  It was such a fun read and it had me giggling at times.  Especially at the beginning where Kera explains more of how she first met/what she first thought of Vig.  It's pretty great but I don't want to spoil anything so I won't say any more than that.  I found that I especially enjoyed the relationship between Kera and Vig.  He helped her in so many different ways to adjust to her new life and I adored him for that alone.  Plus there are some nice steamy scenes between the two of them and I couldn't help but root for their happy ever after!  This book was very fast paced and I raced through the ending because I couldn't stop reading.  We don't get full closure since this is just the beginning of this series but it was wrapped up enough to feel satisfying.  I'll still be reading the second book sooner rather than later though!

Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book and am excited to have finally given this author a try.  I was bummed at first to see that there are currently only three books in this series but Laurenston has other series and books that I can read as well.  I just enjoyed this book so much so I want tons more just like it!  I also really appreciated that the crows are all women of mixed heritages and races!  Yet another thing that I just loved about this book.  I'm so eager to read more in this series because of all of this.  There are just so many great things about this book that have me so excited to read more in this series.  I would highly recommend this book to other readers of romance, paranormal romance, and even urban fantasy.  I will be picking up that second book as soon as possible!  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  I thought that this was a really great beginning to this unique paranormal romance series!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.         

The Becoming by Jeanne Stein (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"My name is Anna Strong. I am a vampire. How I became one is the reason for this story. I tell it all the way it happened. It may not be what you expect.

She's a bounty hunter--tough, beautiful, and trained for the unexpected. Until the night she's attacked and left closer to death than she can imagine. She awakens to an indoctrination into a dark new world where vampires walk among us. But this time, a tight grip on a .38 won't stop what she's hunting for.

Existing between the worlds of the living and the dead, Anna is torn by her love for two very different men. Max, a DEA agent, all too human, and vulnerable. And Avery, a Night Watcher who's joined Anna in pursuit of the rogue vampire who changed her life that terrifying night. Now, as her two worlds collide, fate plunges Anna into the ultimate battle between good and evil where survival is not just for the living..."

My Thoughts: 

Books like this are why I still love paranormal and urban fantasy so much!  On a side note:  I am dubbing myself queen of starting books in a series.  I've given up even attempting to track how many series I am currently reading and I don't feel bad about it in the slightest.  But back to this book which languished on my shelves for a ridiculous amount of time.  I bought a copy of this book and then it sat unread which was definitely a mistake.  I am so glad that I finally picked it up because it was really so good!  This book was such an engrossing read and I found myself flying through the pages.  In fact I found myself wishing I could read faster at times because I just wanted to see what was going to happen next.  This book was exactly what I have come to expect with good urban fantasy series: lots of fast paced action scenes that mean I can't stop reading.  Also, add in a great main character who can kick some serious ass and you have a book that I just know that I will enjoy.

In this book we see Anna become a vampire (no that isn't a spoiler as it is in the summary from above).  It was really interesting to see how Anna reacted to having her entire life turned upside down.  The author added enough unique twists to her vampire lore and abilities that I didn't feel like this was the same old vampire book that has been done before.  Anna didn't ask to be turned and now she has to really adjust her life in order to deal with this hand that she has been dealt.  I loved watching how she handled everything and it made for a really great beginning to this new series.  There was some mystery that was hinted at in parts of the book that I am hoping to learn more about in future books in this series.  I feel like Anna will start to grow into her new abilities and only get stronger as the books go on.  I cannot wait to see if I am right!  I liked the way this book ended and found it to be quite intense.  I'm super excited that I already have book two loaded on my Kindle and won't be waiting long to read it!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  My one complaint was that I was able to figure out the "bad guy" relatively early on so I really expected Anna to do the same.  Other than that though, I really can't say enough good things about this book and feel like it is a great beginning to this new to me series.  I'm excited to continue on with it and am very hopeful that each book will get better and better.  I loved Anna's character and am eager to dive back into her world so I won't be waiting long to make that happen.  Fans of urban fantasy series should definitely check this book out.  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  A great beginning to this urban fantasy series! 

Disclosure:  I purchased a copy of this book from Borders ( I believe) before they closed.  Definitely worth it!

The Darkest Night and The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member -- a man trapped in a hell of his own.

Neither can resist the instant hunger than calms their torments... and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction -- and a soul-shattering test of love...
Though they carry an eternal curse, the Lords of the Underworld are irresistibly seductive -- and unimaginably powerful..."

My Thoughts:

Be still my paranormal loving heart!  A few years back (six to be exact) I read this book and I remember enjoying it.  Sadly this is about all I remembered when I tried to think back on it.  I do know that I also meant to continue on with this series but that never happened (along with writing up my thoughts on this one. Go figure!).  When I was given the chance to read a book in this series I was eager to reread this one because I remembered so little of it.  Now I am wondering how in the heck I ever forgot this one because this book was HOT!  Don't mind me over here just fanning myself.  LOL!  Seriously though, this is such a great and unique beginning to this paranormal romance series!  Fallen warriors with actual demons living inside them?  Gods and curses along with other hints of the supernatural?  I found myself instantly sucked into this complex and dark world where falling in love is the last thing that any of the warriors thought could ever happen to them.  Sigh!

I learned very early on that I remembered next to nothing about this book.  This worked out really well for me as I was sucked into this book and the world that the author had created once again.  I loved every minute of it!  It is one of those books that you just cannot set down and read as fast as you possibly can.  The chemistry between Maddox and Ashlyn is so scorchingly hot that it also made me want to read even faster.  Basically I devoured this book and that is all you really need to know.  It is funny considering that this was a reread so you would think that it would have been less suspenseful for me.  That wasn't the case in the slightest, and I had forgotten how this author isn't afraid of putting her characters through the wringer which just adds to the tension more.  The world that Showalter has created  is both dark and intense which is such a great combination.  Add to it these fallen warriors trying to keep the demons living inside them under control and you have a winning read in my opinion.  I couldn't help but want to see Maddox find his happy ever after with Ashlyn.  I loved them together almost instantly because she brought out a different side to him that I just adored.  Plus the chemistry between them was both electrifying and such fun to read about!  The ending of this book was even more intense than I remembered which left me frantically reading when I got to the last fifty pages or so.  It was worth it and I finished this one totally satisfied!  Overall, this was a really great reread and left me really pumped to continue on with this series!

Bottom Line:  I adored this book and know that I will end up rereading it again at some point.  So good!

Summary from Goodreads:

"Though she has lived for centuries, Anya, goddess of Anarchy, has never known pleasure. Until Lucien, the incarnation of death--a warrior eternally doomed to take souls to the hereafter. He draws her like no other. And Anya will risk anything to have him.

But when the merciless Lord of the Underworld is ordered by the gods to claim Anya herself, their uncontrollable attraction becomes an anguished pursuit. Now they must defeat the unconquerable forces that control them, before their thirst for one another demands a sacrifice of love beyond imagining..."

My Thoughts:

These books!  I just can't seem to get enough of these books and these fallen warriors!  After finishing The Darkest Night I was super pumped to read this one and I wasn't disappointed.  Basically when I go to read book three I need to make sure that I have nothing planned because I am completely useless while reading these.  I spent an entire Saturday afternoon curled up in a chair finishing this book- it was completely worth it!  This book was just as readable as the first book and just as hard to put down.  I find myself so completely sucked into these books from the very beginning page.  The author is just that good!  

What I loved about this second book is that we are learning more about the world that these warriors used to be a part of.  A world filled with gods and goddesses and artifacts with magical properties.  It is all so unique and interesting and fun to read about.  Plus, it is all very dark and intriguing as well which is something that I am just a sucker for in world building.  Anya and Lucien's relationship was just as hot as I had hoped that it would be which makes it all the more fun to read about.  With this book, Anya has a curse that really affected her ability to have a relationship with a man (I don't want to say more and spoil it so I will leave it at that).  This curse was something that Lucien and Anya were forced to deal with but I really loved the way that it was handled.  I also enjoyed that we learned more about some of the other warriors and the demons that they are dealing with.  The bonus scenes in this book were when we got to see Ashlyn and Maddox a bit more although the focus wasn't on them at all.  I just loved their happy ever after so it was great to see it continue on in this book.  My only complaint with this book was the ending.  After all that build up for the first 3/4ths of the book I felt like the ending didn't quite live up to my expectations.  It just wasn't as intense as I expected it to be.  It was good and I wasn't upset with it by any means but it just felt a bit flat in comparison to the rest of the book.  If that is my only complaint though....well, I can live with that!

Overall, I have become a huge fan of this series thanks to these two books.  I am so eager to continue on with this series and get my hands on book three.  I'm thinking though that I will need books three and four nearby though so I can continue on this paranormal romance binge.  These books are so steamy and such page turners.  I can't emphasize that enough!  I am loving my time in this world and am so very excited to continue on.  Highly recommended to romance and paranormal romance fans!

Bottom Line:  Another great read that left me pining for more!  I love this series!

Disclosure:  I received both of these books thanks to the publisher as part of a TLC Book Tour. 

Firelight by Kristen Callihan (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Once the flames are ignited . . .

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . .

Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask."

My Thoughts:

This is one of the best paranormal romances that I have read in a long time!  I am super excited about this series even though I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read it.  Why do I do this to myself?  I actually have the answer to that question though: because now I have a bunch of great books in this series to look forward to!  2016 is going to be the year that I focus on catching up with this series and read the rest of these books because I loved this one so much.  It was just so unique and different from many of the books out there!  I found this to be one of those books that just pulls you in as the reader and doesn't let you go.  I couldn't help but love this world that the author was creating.  It was a throwback similar to a historical romance with something "other" thrown in.  It was the paranormal aspect that really made this book stand out for me and honestly I just couldn't get enough of  this book!  

In this book, Archer hides behind masks and keeps to himself to hide his true nature from others.  He cannot resist taking Miranda as his bride though and the chemistry between them was instantaneous.  Oh my goodness but I loved the relationship that developed between these two.  They are both keeping secrets from each other from much of the book and it added a layer of suspense to the reading of the story.  I couldn't help but read faster so that I would be able to see how everything was going to play out.  One of the things that I love most in a romance book is when it takes time for the two characters to come together.  I'm not a huge fan of insta-love or anything similar to it.  I loved how Archer and Miranda's trust took time to build between the two of them.  It just made the ending all the sweeter because of it.  I also really, really loved Miranda's unique abilities.  It made her into such a strong main character and I always appreciate that but in especially in a romance read.  This book was just so completely readable for me and I found myself curled up on the couch with it for hours.  I especially loved the ending but I won't say more than that since I don't want to spoil anything.  I was left very excited about this series and ready to begin reading the second book as soon as possible!

All in all, this was one of the best romance reads that I read in 2015 and just barely missed being on my top reads list.  It was just so good and such a treat to read!  I'm super excited to continue on with this series and hopefully read ALL of the books in this series over the course of the year.  I have high hopes that each book after will be just as good as this one!  Romance fans should definitely give this one a try!  I highly recommend it!

Bottom Line:  Such a unique and refreshing romance!  Loved it!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. I also ended up buying a copy from the used book store which is the one I read.    

The Night Visitor by Dianne Emley (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Gorgeous and successful, Rory Langtry seemed to have it all. Daughter of a movie star and sister of a supermodel, Rory was engaged to sexy artist, Junior Lara. But her bright future went dark one terrible, bloody night that left her sister dead and the accused murderer—Junior—in an extended coma.

Now, five years later, Rory appears to have put the past behind her. She has a wonderful new fiancé and heads a successful cosmetics company. Yet dark secrets threaten. Across town, Junior lies close to death but before he departs he seeks to clear his name."

My Thoughts:

 The Night Visitor was a unique read that had me spellbound by the end.  An unusual mystery thanks to the paranormal elements, I found myself eagerly reading this book to see how it would all play out.  Rory finds herself in quite the mess.  She is having visions that don't seem to be her own that all relate to her sister's murder.  Her ex-fiancee is believed to have been responsible for Anya's death, but since that night he has been in a coma which means he can't tell anyone what happened.  The entire book is focused on Rory finding out what really happened on that night so many years ago.  

This book was an interesting read for me because I was never sure how it would all work out.  The idea of Rory experiencing visions thanks to a connection with Junior was a bit out there if I am being honest.  The author really followed through with it though and because of this "connection" Rory struggles with her sanity at times.  That made sense to me even if I wasn't sure how it would all work out.  It is also one of the factors that made me not want to stop reading by the end.  I think that readers need to go with the flow when it comes to this book.  At first I struggled with the plausibility of it all and really disliked the paranormal elements.  Finally I decided to set those feelings aside, and just experience the book.  And I really ended up enjoying it!  The mystery portion of this book was done quite well.  I never really saw the end coming at all.  I had an idea as to parts of what must have happened on that evening so long ago but it turns out I was completely wrong.  There was only one portion of the book that I figured out (and really it was such a tiny part of the overall story).  I really appreciated that this book kept me guessing throughout!  When I finished reading this book I was glad that I had allowed myself to be pulled into this book because it was worth it.  Definitely a very unique read!

Overall, this book was a good read and one that I enjoyed.  It wasn't perfect but it was engaging and has me thinking that I will be watching for more by this author.  I think that mystery fans will enjoy this one.  Just be warned that if you don't care for paranormal elements than this might not be the book for you.  If you don't mind them, let the author take you on a ride that will keep you guessing.  It was worth it!  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  An interesting mystery that kept me guessing!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley as part of a TLC blog tour.  Sorry that I missed my date and am posting this so late!  Thoughts are my own!

 

Dark Skye by Kresley Cole (thoughts)

I'm going to start my review on this book with my final thoughts:  I absolutely don't read enough paranormal romance!  And this book made me wonder why as I just gobbled it up!  This book was one of those perfect reads where you read it at exactly the right time.  I had been in the mood for a good romance (but haven't read that many this year so far) and liked the sound of this one.  Two families that hate each other with an intense history of violence?  A hero and heroine who once shared a secret relationship when they were younger but now cannot stand one another?  Yes please!  I knew that this was going to be my kind of romance and it certainly was!

In this book, Melanthe and Thronos had a secret friendship when they were very young.  A violent past though tore their relationship apart and caused them both to hate the other in every way possible.  The fact that Thronos knows that Melanthe is his fated mate means that he cannot leave her alone even if he hates her for all that she has done to him.  Melanthe's childhood experiences have caused her to despise all Vrekeners but especially her ex-childhood friend Thronos.  When they are thrown together and forced to survive in different worlds, they will begin to rediscover some of their past history finding that everything that they both believed in might not be the truth.  Will love find a way to reunite them??? 

Okay so I've got to admit that I was easily rooting for these two from the very beginning of this book.  I am such a sucker for a romance where the hero/heroine hate each other.  I love the slow build up to where that hate turns to passion.  I especially like when they resist each other for some time....it comes across more believable then when one just rolls over and falls madly in love for no reason.  Give me a book like this anytime and I will be hooked!  I thought the author did a really great job of setting all of these different obstacles between them especially with their shared history.  I also appreciated that their relationship slowly began to build and simmer.  It made it that much more steamier when it finally happened in my opinion :)  And this was definitely one of those books that I couldn't set down.  I found myself skimming at times just so that I could see what was going to happen next.  Then I would go back and reread just to make sure that I hadn't missed anything.  This is my first book by this author which means that I started yet again in the middle of a long standing series.  It didn't matter in the slightest.  I really appreciated that this book felt like a stand-alone novel even though now I know I have lots of good books to look forward to!  My only complaint with this book is in regards to the ending.  I feel like it wrapped up a little too fast and left more open than I would have liked.  Does this mean that we will have another book featuring Thronos and Lanthe?  I don't know but I do know that I would really like it if we did.  Overall though, even though I was left wanting more it didn't really detract from my reading experience all that much. 

This book has me eager to start at the beginning of this fourteen plus book series!  If they are all this good then I will certainly be in for a treat.  I really loved this book!  The connection between Thronos and Lanthe was something that I couldn't get enough of.  The best thing about finally trying this author's books though is just knowing that I have so many more to look forward to.  I can't wait!  And like I said before, I'm eager to try some new paranormal romance series out just to see what else I have been missing.  What other paranormal romance series are out there that you can't get enough of??  Please share as I need more books like this in my life!  Highly recommended but especially to romance fans and fans of the paranormal. 

Bottom Line:  A slow building romance led up to a GREAT read for me!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher.  Thoughts are my own!

Dark Witch by Nora Roberts (thoughts)

Iona Sheehan comes to Ireland looking for both family and something more.  She has lived her life up until now feeling vaguely dissatisfied as if she was missing out on something important.  It isn't until she meets her cousins Branna and Connor O' Dwyer that she realizes the missing piece might by her heritage and recently discovered powers.  It will be up to Iona though to really find herself and let her powers as a witch awaken before she comes to battle a centuries old evil named Cabhan.  Because if she isn't able to do this, it may destroy her new found love and family.

As soon as I heard that Nora Roberts was coming out with a new paranormal trilogy, I wanted to read it.  Simple as that to be honest.  I loved her Key trilogy and Three Sisters trilogy enough that I have read them multiple times each.  And although I hate to make comparisons, this first book was very reminiscent at times of some of those books.  For me, I went into this book expecting something similar because what she writes works.  I literally gobbled up all of those other books in a matter of days.  Couldn't get enough.  This one was good but not as good as those other two trilogies and I'm not honestly sure what the difference was.  I think for me it was a slight lack of connection to both of the characters.  I am huge on connecting with a book and for me this is why I liked but didn't love this one. 

Iona comes into the book looking for family as her own family never really cared for her the way that she needed them to.  She doesn't realize it but she is looking for love.  Enter Boyle, her new gruff boss that doesn't really share his feelings with anyone.  From those descriptions, you would think that their chemistry would really click but for me it just didn't quite do it.  I wanted to see them get over all of their emotional obstacles to find a happy ever after, but I wasn't connected enough to the story to really want it.  It is hard to explain other than that.  This book sets everything up perfectly for what is to come in the next two books but it didn't do it in a way that left me emotionally invested.  I just needed a little bit more to make this book a great read.  All of that being said, I did find this one to be a page turner.  The storyline may be a bit similar to others that she has written but it was different enough that I was intrigued.  I really liked both of her cousin's characters.  I'm eager to see if I click with their stories more than I did with this one.  And I have to reiterate that I liked this book.  I just feel like I expected a bit more and was  harder on it since I have loved some of her other books so much.

Overall, this was a good beginning to a new trilogy even if I had a few issues connecting to the characters.  I have high hopes that I will enjoy the next two books even more as they will be focusing on her cousins Branna and Connor.  It was an easy book to sink into and I found myself flying through the pages.  I just wanted a bit more so maybe I will get that with the next book.  Recommended but with a few hesitations as there are other of her books that are better and I enjoyed more (if interested definitely try the Three Sisters and Key trilogies). 

Bottom Line:  A good read but one that just left me on the edge of finding it to be a great read.

Disclosure:  I checked this one out from my local library.  Thoughts are my own.

Nightfall by Ellen Conner (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Growing up with an unstable, often absent father who preached about the end of the world, Jenna never thought in her wildest nightmares that his predictions would come true. Or that he would have a plan in place to save her-one that includes the strong, stoic man who kidnaps and takes her to a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest.

The mysterious ex-Marine named Mason owes a life-debt to Jenna's father. Skilled and steadfast, he's ready for the prophesied Change, but Jenna proves tough to convince. Until the power grid collapses and mutant dogs attack-vicious things that reek of nature gone wrong."

My Thoughts:

Books like this are why I love reading so much!  I was completely and utterly sucked into this book from almost page one.  Nightfall was filled with a dark and gritty atmosphere as the main characters (Jenna and Mason) tried to adjust to this new type of world that they found themselves in.  Their lives are changed in a way that they could never have imagined and they really only have each other to rely on.  This book was so intense!  The action starts from the very beginning and really doesn't let up until the very last page.  I read this one late into the night because I just wanted to keep going...I was so engrossed in this novel that I would lose track of time.  I flew through the pages and was left wanting more at the end.  This book wasn't a perfect read, in fact there were times that I wanted to bang Jenna and Mason's heads together when they were both being too stubborn or dense.  But it really didn't matter because I was so completely lost in their story that all that mattered to me was them surviving and finding their happy ever after.  Just talking about this book gets me all excited about reading the remaining two books in this trilogy....I CANNOT wait to see what happens next!

What else can I say?  I loved the fact that there was a bit of a paranormal bent to the book.  The demon dogs were quite scary and not like anything that I've ever really read about.  I was heartbroken at one point in the story, and couldn't figure out for the life of me how this book could possibly end well.  The authors did an amazing job of not only pulling it all together in the end but ending the story in a way that left me truly satisfied.  I cannot praise this book enough just for the single fact that I loved it to pieces. 

Nightfall is one of my favorites reads of 2013 so far because I found myself completely sucked into the world that these two authors created.  This is also the book that started my craving for more romantic action-suspense filled reads.  I NEED more books like this so if you've got recommendations shoot them my way!  I would definitely recommend this one....heck, I'm singing its' praises enough just right here.  So may I reiterate that  I would highly, highly recommend this book!

Bottom Line:  A no brainer for me when it comes to my best of 2013 reads list!

Disclosure:  Checked out from my local library but I'm thinking I will need my own copy at some point for a reread :) 

The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Antiques-shop clerk Maggie O'Neill was a little weirded out when she discovered her new boss Felicity was a witch. But when Felicity becomes the suspect in a local murder, Maggie must enlist Felicity's wiccan friends for help--and discover her own spellbinding talent."

My Thoughts:

The Trouble With Magic is the beginning to a cozy mystery series that I had wanted to begin for some time.  I'm so glad that I finally found the time to read it because it was quite an enjoyable read.  I love a good cozy mystery and I really don't think that I read enough of them.  This book made me wonder why because I just didn't want to set it down and it was such a pleasure to read.  

There was something about this book that just instantly drew me in.  This is the type of book that makes you want to curl up in a chair with a blanket and just read.  And that is exactly what I did at times.  There isn't a ton of action in a book like this but there doesn't need to be.  I just went along for the ride as Maggie works to discover who could really be behind the murder of Felicity's sister.  It was fun to see her try to figure out the mystery while also trying to deal with the paranormal elements that came along with working in Felicity's shop.  Maggie is a sceptic when it comes to believing that her boss is a witch but it isn't long before she starts to question her beliefs in the paranormal.  For me the paranoramal element to this book really worked!  I liked that Maggie was a non-believer and had to really adjust to the idea of working for a witch.  I'm eager to see what future books in this series will bring in regards to Maggie learning more about Felicity and her "witchy powers".  Heck, I'm just looking forward to reading more books in this series because I really enjoyed this one.  The mystery was well done, the ending was nice and suspenseful, and even though I guessed the murderer it didn't detract from my reading experience.  And I really appreciated that!  

All in all, I found this to be a pretty good read and I'm glad that I finally began this series.  Now I just need to find the time to read the second book!  If you are a fan of cozy mysteries (and especially those with a paranormal bent) then I would definitely tell you to give this one a go.  I would actually recommend this one to anyone who is a fan of mysteries if I'm being honest.  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  A quiet but suspenseful read!

Disclosure:  This book was checked out from my local library.

Soulless by Gail Carriger

Alexia Tarabotti isn't your typical high society matron and in fact, she is almost the complete opposite. Alexia has no soul and that is just one of the things that is different about her. Without meaning to Alexia accidentally kills a vampire and stumbles upon more trouble than she could have ever counted on. Alexia meets her match though when Lord Maccon, the werewolf, begins to investigate. The two of them are going to get more than they bargained for while the tension between them mounts.

How to classify this book?? It is a little bit of everything which makes this book such a good read. There is paranormal (a favorite of mine), steampunk, mystery, romance, and historical aspects to name a few. The dialogue between the characters, especially Lord Maccon and Alexia, is witty and made me chuckle a few times. The storyline itself was interesting and kept me entralled within the pages. What I liked most about this book is that it is so original. The details and the storyline are just a bit different than anything that I've read. I think that the multiple genres really adds to the book. And the book is fun! I would definitely recommend this one especially if you are looking for something that is just a bit different than what you would usually read. I can't wait to read more by this author and see what kind of trouble Alexia gets herself into next.

Disclosure: I picked this one up from the library.

*I read this for the following challenges:

1st in a Series Challenge

100+ Reading Challenge

Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge

New Author Challenge

Support Your Library Challenge

"C" Author for A-Z Challenge (personal)

Kissing Sin by Keri Arthur

Give a brief summary of the book:

Kissing Sin finds Riley lying naked in an alley, unable to remember how she got there or the previous days that have obviously passed by. She figures out all too soon that she needs to escape, and escape fast, as someone is after her and won't be happy that she is free. Once again, Riley is up against an unknown force that is trying to create the perfect breed of species and they want her as one of their test subjects.

Likes?

I liked everything about this novel and this series so far. This was a fast-paced novel that I couldn't put down as I was constantly trying to figure out what was going to happen next. And who was behind everything that is going on...I flew through this book. Riley is a great main character. She is strong and sure of herself and doesn't make apologies for the way she is. As the reader, I can't help but like her. Especially as we see her struggle with the possibilites of becoming a guardian and the killing of others that will be involved. I also like the mix that makes her both werewolf and vampire. Keri Arthur made it even more interesting in this book as she gives Riley new talents that she is just beginning to discover. Definitely a series that I will continue following!

Dislikes?

Hmm...I can't say that I have any real dislikes. I will say that I have a hard time relating to Riley when it comes to having multiple sexual partners all of the time. Which is going to sound odd unless you've read this series. Suffice it to say that it is an integral part of being a werewolf and while I understand that...well, I just have times where it is a bit too much. But it doesn't make me like the story any less if that makes any sense. Probably not :)

Additional Thoughts?

I'm finding after reading this 2nd book that I really, really like this series and am eager to pick the 3rd book up. I'm curious as to where the author will take the next book and am also curious as to how Riley will grow. I'd recommend this series (start out with the 1st one though) to paranormal romance lovers and those who enjoy urban fantasy. But be prepared to not want to set this book down once you start it!

*Reading Order*

1. Full Moon Rising

2. Kissing Sin

LoL! Sorry but I'm going to stop there. And that is 3 for 3 for me in November so far...I am on a roll. Now if I could get some other back reviews posted...another day. Be on the lookout for a new library loot post soon. I have a BUNCH of books that I'm so excited to share about but I'm waiting until the last 2 requests come in from the library.

A Veiled Deception by Annette Blair

A Veiled Deception is the first in the cozy mystery series featuring Madeira Cutler who is a fashion designer with a love and flair for vintage clothing. But when she comes home for her youngest sister's wedding, trouble begins to brew as her sister's nemesis is found strangled with a bridal veil. Now Madeira is out to clear her sister and her family's name as well as find out who the killer really is. And while doing that she begins to discover and explore the new paranormal gifts that she inherited from her mother.

Hmm...what to say about this one other than I liked it. It wasn't great or anything but it was a fun enough read. Madeira, or Maddie as she is most often called, is an interesting main character with a lot of quirks. The way she talked at times was a bit over the top but other than that I liked her. The mystery itself was interesting and I especially liked the visions that Maddie was having of previous women wearing the same wedding dress. It was definitely a cozy mystery with nothing too over the top but a fun read nonetheless.

All in all, I would recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers who enjoy reading about fashion as well. As for myself, I'll be reading the 2nd book at some point but I won't be rushing out or anything to grab it. Good but not great :)

P.S. - 2 for 2 so far this month on reviews...woohoo!

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

"Each Reader must choose a piece of lace. It is hers for life. It might be a pattern handed down through generations or a piece cosen by the reader for its beauty or familiarity. Many Readers prefer the handmade laces, particularly the laces of old Ispwich or the new circular pieces made by the women of Yellow Dog Island. - The Lace Reader's Guide" p. 6 of The Lace Reader

I'm not even sure where to begin with this review other than to say that I found this book to be an amazing read. The Lace Reader begins with the reader meeting Towner, the main character, who admits freely that she lies and that her name is really Sophya. Towner is going back to her hometown as her Great Aunt Eva is missing. While there she will be forced to confront her demons from the past and work through the issues that are still haunting her today. The women in Towner's family are all lace readers and can read the future in the lace. But something has caused Towner to vow never to read lace again...


Oh my goodness...how I enjoyed this book! From the very beginning, I was swept up in the story that the author had written and the atmosphere that she had created. I didn't quite know what to make of Towner, I mean she admits right from the beginning that she is crazy and that she lies. So I wasn't sure at any point in the book if she was telling the truth which made for an interesting read. I ended up just letting the author take me for a ride and what a ride it was! The story was told from different viewpoints at time but it didn't detract from the story whatsoever. In fact, it made me feel even closer to the main characters. I ended up caring about Towner even though I couldn't entirely trust the story that she was telling me. And the ending of this book...blew me away. Seriously, I might have seen pieces of it coming but really in the end when I closed the book I was stunned. I think that this would be a great book to read with a book group and have a discussion over. I myself would love to hear what other readers thought of the ending of this book.


All in all, I found this to be an amazing read and will probably go on to my top reads of 2009. I'm pretty sure I've gushed enough over this book...so go pick it up and give it a try. I doubt that you'll be disappointed. Highly recommended.


P.S.- This is me meeting my November goal of reviewing books directly after I read them. I can't possibly get more behind on reviews if I do this and I'll try and catch up on a few reviews that I am behind on at some point in this month as well.

The Lost Sister by Megan Kelley Hall

Awhile back I read and enjoyed Sisters of Misery by Megan Kelley Hall (clink on the title to read my review). When I heard that the sequel had come out...well, I had to pick it up so I instantly requested it from the library. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations but here are some of my thoughts.

Warning: This review MAY have spoilers. There is just no way to get around it because the reader needs to read Sisters of Misery before they should give this one a try. The Lost Sister picks up where the previous book left off and shows the reader what Maddie has been up to since going away to school and leaving her hometown (and bad memories) behind. Maddie is still searching for Cordelia and trying to figure out what happened to her after that horrible night on the island. The book is written in multiple viewpoints which allows the reader to begin to see things from Cordelia's experiences to where she is and what she is planning on doing. But mysterious forces are still at work which will draw both of the girls deep into danger once again.

I'm going to split this review into two parts: what worked for me and what didn't. One of my favorite things about this book were reading about the different meanings of the tarot cards beginning at each chapter. It was really interesting and made me want to learn more. I'm glad that we finally find out what happened to Cordelia as the 1st book left me curious and wanting more. It was also nice to see a stronger Maddie, one that stood up for herself and made better decisions. I was able to relate to her even more in this book which was a positive thing.

Not everything worked for me in this book and one of the main problems that I had was the jumping around in narration. It wasn't always clear who was talking at times and it interrupted the flow of the story more often than not. And this bothered me as I think that the flow of the story is an important aspect to me enjoying it as a reader. I also had a hard time getting into the storyline and it wasn't until the end that I found myself really wanting to find out what was going to happen. The ending itself was pulled off nicely as it did keep me reading but all in all, I had a very easy time putting this book down.

I'll still be looking for more books by this author even if this wasn't my favorite book. Has anyone else read this? What were your thoughts...did you like it better than I did? And lastly, leave a link to your review and I'll add it to this post to give readers some other opinions on this book :)

P.S. - In other book-related news, I received Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (won in a contest @ Stark Raving Bookaholic - thanks again!!!) in the mail as well as an unexpected read from Orbit Publishing called Bite Marks by Jennifer Rardin. Don't know why they sent me this but as it is SO up my alley, well...I'm already requesting the 1st book in this series from the library :) Another new author and series for me to start...and I'll say a big thanks as well!

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

There isn't much I can say about Twilight that hasn't already been said. The book begins with Bella moving to a little town and meeting Edward. She figures out that Edward is a vampire and falls in love with him. Talk about a brief summary but that gives you the main highlights without divulging too many details.
Now for my thoughts: I liked this book. It was a great beginning to this series and I'm glad that I picked it up. That being said I'm not going to rave about it because while I enjoyed it, it didn't blow me away or anything. Stephanie Meyer is a talented author for this being her first book and I'll definitely be picking up her other books. Edward and Bella's story captured me enough that I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I wanted to see them have a happy ever after...I had to force myself to put the book down at times to get things done around my house. The last portion of the book was suspenseful and had me turning the pages trying to see how it would all play out. It wasn't one of the best books I've ever read but it was enjoyable. All in all, a good read especially for a young adult novel and I will be picking up the next book to see how this story continues.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

On a side note: I'm WAY behind in reviews! It isn't looking good folks as I can't seem to stop reading which means I'm falling further and further behind. I have a couple of books that need to be reviewed so I may do some reviews out of order just to get them done. Plus, I have challenges to post about and other blog misc. Don't forget about my contest that is going on until Dec. 29. I hope everyone had a happy holidays and is looking forward to the new year. And thank you to everyone that stops by here and takes the time to comment. It really makes my day to hear from you guys :)

Stray by Rachel Vincent

I'm working hard on catching up on reviews and this was one of those books that started my review backup because I just couldn't put it down. Stray is the 1st in this series and introduces us to Faythe who is a werecat. Her father is the leader of the Pride, a large group of werecats, and has always kept a close eye on Faythe as she is one of the few female werecats. Trouble is brewing in the sense that two of the females are missing and there are no leads to who has taken them and why. Before Faythe knows it she is caught up in the middle and is trying to find the answers to who has taken her friends. Faythe is a feisty main character with a lot of spunk that had me rooting for her from the beginning. She is also dealing with being around her ex-boyriend who has obvious feelings for her and her overprotective father and brothers. Faythe had her flaws which in my opinion made her all the more likeable.
This book captivated me from the beginning and I was turning the pages as fast as I could. The author gave the reader a fresh twist on the paranormal and I've gotta admit that this book blew me away. I just really enjoyed it can't say enough good things about this book. There were a few scenes that were hard to read but I don't want to share for fear of spoilers. Not enough to take away from the book at all. I'm impressed as I believe that this is the author's 1st book. I've already picked up the next book from the library and am anxious to start it. Great read!
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5