Tuesday, February 6, 2018

By a Charm and a Curse by Jaime Questell


Hardcover, 300 pages
Expected publication: February 6th 2018 by Entangled: Teen
ISBN:  1633759008 

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Le Grand’s Carnival Fantastic isn’t like other traveling circuses. It’s bound by a charm, held together by a centuries-old curse, that protects its members from ever growing older or getting hurt. Emmaline King is drawn to the circus like a moth to a flame…and unwittingly recruited into its folds by a mysterious teen boy whose kiss is as cold as ice.

Forced to travel through Texas as the new Girl in the Box, Emmaline is completely trapped. Breaking the curse seems like her only chance at freedom, but with no curse, there’s no charm, either—dooming everyone who calls the Carnival Fantastic home. Including the boy she’s afraid she’s falling for.

Everything—including his life—could end with just one kiss.









By a Charm and a Curse was an entertaining and unique book! This was a quick read that definitely can be done in one sitting!


The beginning of By a Charm and a Curse was a bit chaotic and too fast paced for me. I actually had a hard time keeping up with everything that was happening and truly understanding what was going on. I liked that the author kept me on my toes, but I just wish the pace would have been toned down a little bit in the beginning. However, after the first couple chapters, the book found a great pace and stayed consistent throughout the story. 



The setting of this book was interesting a truly magical. The glamour and the allure of the circus was beautifully showcased in this story. I loved getting a behind the scenes look of this circus and the curse that was holding everything together. The setting alone made this book addicting!



One of the things the author pulled off really well was making a memorable cast of characters! There were so many side characters that made such an impact on the story and stood out! The side characters all had unique personalities, which added so much depth to this story. The main male character, Ben, was an adorable cinnamon roll. He was a character that I constantly wanted to hug BECAUSE HE WAS SO STINKING CUTE. The main female character, Emma, was a passionate and kind girl. I do think she made some dumb decisions throughout the story, but I enjoyed her overall! The romance between Ben and Emma was cute and full of swoony moments! I did think the romance developed a little too quickly for my tastes, but I thought they made a good couple. 



Overall, By a Charm and a Curse was a magical and exciting book! I would recommend this to readers who are intrigued by the idea of reading about a cursed circus!



3 / 5 Fangs



*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. * 
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Survive the Night (Rocky Mountain K9 Unit #3)
by Katie Ruggle


Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: February 6th 2018 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 1492643106

Goodreads



He's always been a haven:
For the lost. The sick. The injured.
But when a hunted woman takes shelter in his arms, this gentle giant swears he'll do more than heal her battered spirit―he'll defend her with his life.

K9 Officer Otto Gunnersen always had a soft spot for anyone in need. As Monroe's very own Dr. Doolittle, he dedicates himself to rehabilitating the injured souls that cross his path―but for all his big heart, he's never been in love.

Until he meets Sarah Clifton's haunted eyes. Until he realizes he'll do anything to save her.

All Sarah wants is to escape a life caught between ambitious crime families, but there's no outrunning her past. Her power-mad brother would hunt her to the ends of the earth...but he'd never expect Sarah to fight back. With Otto and the whole of Monroe, Colorado by her side, Sarah's finally ready to face whatever comes her way.

It's time to take a stand. 



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Whenever I pick up a book by Katie Ruggle, I know it's going to be an action-packed adventure! Survive the Night was a fun, entertaining, heart-pounding, and steamy novel! This was the perfect book to cuddle up with on a rainy afternoon. 


Otto was the main male character, and he was a charming and adorable teddy bear. He came off as a tough and burly man but he was just a soft and cuddly muffin underneath that intimidating exterior. I feel in love with his charming and adorable personality. His desire to protect both humans and animals truly warmed my heart. Sarah, the main female character, was a kind, smart, gentle, and caring woman. I admired her dedication to keeping everyone safe and how she never wanted anyone to get hurt on her behalf. 



Otto and Sarah made for one heck of an endearing couple. Otto and Sarah continued to tip toe around their feelings, even though the sexual tension was obvious! The chemistry between Otto and Sarah was steamy and full of passion. The romance might have felt fast paced, but I felt like it matched the action-packed pace of the overall plot of the boo. 



The plot of this book was full of nail-biting action that kept me glued to the pages! There were times when I felt like some of the things that happened seemed a bit ridiculous and out of place, but they definitely kept the story interesting. 



This was another fun and romantic addition to this series! Fans of this series will not be disappointed! 



3 / 5 Fangs



*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. * 


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Shadowsong (Wintersong #2)
by S. Jae-Jones


Hardcover, 384 pages
Expected publication: February 6th 2018 by Wednesday Books
ISBN: 1250129133

Goodreads



Six months after the end of Wintersong, Liesl is working toward furthering both her brother’s and her own musical careers. Although she is determined to look forward and not behind, life in the world above is not as easy as Liesl had hoped. Her younger brother Josef is cold, distant, and withdrawn, while Liesl can’t forget the austere young man she left beneath the earth, and the music he inspired in her. 

When troubling signs arise that the barrier between worlds is crumbling, Liesl must return to the Underground to unravel the mystery of life, death, and the Goblin King—who he was, who he is, and who he will be. What will it take to break the old laws once and for all? What is the true meaning of sacrifice when the fate of the world—or the ones Liesl loves—is in her hands?




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Wintersong is one of my favorite books of all time, so to say I was excited to read Shadowsong is a bit of an understatement. That is why it hurts my heart to say that this book was a disappointment. There were things that I did enjoy in this story, but overall, it was a letdown.

In the beginning of the book, the author included a trigger warning for things like suicidal thoughts, addiction, self-harm, and bipolar disorder. These issues are very important topics that should be discussed more frequently. I was proud of the author for including these tough topics in her novel and being so open and brave about it. It was clear that the author intertwined her own experiences into these topics, which made the topics feel so real and raw. This book wasn't about sunshines and rainbows, which was oddly refreshing. 

Liesl went through a lot in the first book of this series, and we got to see her deal with the after-effects in this book. Liesl was clearly in a dark place throughout this story and as much as it hurt my heart, I felt like that was a very important element of the story. 

I liked the darker and more melancholy turn this book took, but the plot was very slow moving and at times it didn't even feel like there was a plot? Most of the time I felt like the characters were just doing mundane tasks and were talking in circles. There were interesting elements presented, but I felt like those ideas never developed to their full potential. The end of the book seemed to have the most plot development, which was exciting, but I couldn't help but feel like the resolution was rushed. 

My biggest issue with this book was the lack of one of my favorite characters, the Goblin King. The Goblin King was such an intriguing and mysterious character. I was really hoping to learn more about him and see him develop more. However, he was BARELY in the book. It was disappointing to feel like his character was just written out of this series. He had a few moments in this book and they were so short! Anytime he would appear, I would get so excited, but he would disappear five seconds later. 
Due to the lack of the Goblin King in the book, his relationship with Liesl hardly had any development. I was anticipating some more delicious and agonizingly slow burning moments between the Goblin King and Liesl in this book, but I got nothing. Their relationship in the first book was so enchanting and mesmerizing, but it felt so dull in comparison in this novel. It felt like they didn't even have a relationship in this book. I didn't need romance to be the focus of this book, but after building up their relationship, it was a let down to not have it be very prominent in this story.


Overall, Shadowsong just was not what I was expecting or hoping for. The author's writing was just as beautiful and enchanting as ever in this novel and I appreciated the darker topics that were presented in this novel. However, there were just too many things that happened that I didn't like, which made this a less enjoyable read. 

2 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. * 
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Thursday, February 1, 2018

Final Siege by Scarlett Cole


Scarlett Cole is back with FINAL SIEGE, book two in the Love Over Duty series. When an urgent phone call brings Mac’s troubled past—and the woman he once loved—into the present, it’s a chance to redeem himself that he can’t refuse. To protect her, he’ll risk it all. Don’t miss out on this second chance romantic suspense featuring yet another sexy alpha hero!




Title: FINAL SIEGE  
Author: Scarlett Cole
Release Date: January 30, 2017
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, SWERVE
Series: Love Over Duty #2
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Page Count: 300 pages
Format: Paperback and Digital




In the Line of Fire...


Former SEAL Malachai “Mac” MacCarrick is all about the future he’s created with his Navy brothers in Eagle Securities, taking assignments in the most dangerous places, and doing things no one but ex-military would attempt. But when an urgent phone call brings his troubled past—and the woman he once loved—into the present, it’s a chance to redeem himself that he can’t refuse.

Straight to the heart. . .


An investigative journalist researching an explosive story, Delaney Shapiro tells herself she got over Mac—and his role in her brother’s death—a long time ago. But the first moment she sees him at her bedside in an overseas hospital, she knows it’s not true. Every moment together rekindles the desire that once burned between them, and now that she’s a target for an emerging Russian arms dealer, Mac won’t let her out of his sight. To protect her, he’ll risk it all—including his life…



Goodreads → http://bit.ly/2zZHUIi








Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/2xsfrGE
Chapters → http://bit.ly/2BcF2Wl





Copyright © 2018 Scarlett Cole

Half asleep, unwilling to fully waken and face the day, Delaney snuggled deep into the covers and allowed the dreams that danced on the edge of her consciousness to enter. In it, she was naked, in a large white bed, with a man behind her. A hand spanned her stomach, pulling her back against a firm, warm chest. Spooning. Her favorite thing.
Lazily, the hand moved upward until it cupped her breast, and Delaney secretly urged it to squeeze gently, but it didn’t. Whoever the hand belonged to was definitely aroused. She could feel the heavy erection pressing against her back. Teasingly, she wiggled her butt against him in the hope he’d get the message, but nothing. No response.
Sun shone in through large open windows with white billowing curtains as she reveled in feelings of being turned on.
She turned in the man’s arms, grateful when he pulled her closer to him. His chest was wide, with a light smattering of hair, and she pressed her forehead to it as she slid her hand between them to the waistband of his shorts.
A hand gripped her wrist. “Don’t,” a voice said gruffly. Hard to get? That was a new one. She moved closely and pressed a series of soft kisses to his chest. But she could be that girl. The one who was confident enough to initiate. She licked his nipple and heard him gasp.
“Delaney, please. Fuck. Wake up!”
Suddenly the bed shook. Covers were dragged off her body, and her skin was cold. Then the realization hit her.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
It wasn’t a dream.
Delaney forced one eye open and confirmed her worst nightmare. Mac stood naked, apart from a pair of basketball shorts and a huge erection. And if the tenting was to be believed, his chest and bicep dimensions weren’t the only muscles that had grown. His hair was ruffled, standing up every which way as it always used to, and his eyes told her that she’d woken him up. By attempting to grab his dick.
Dear God. She was going to die.





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The tattoo across my right hip says it all really. A Life Less Ordinary. Inked by the amazingly talented Luke Wessman at the Wooster Street Social Club (a.k.a. New York Ink). Why is it important? Well, it sums up my view on life. That we should all aspire to live a life that is less boring, less predictable. Be bold, and do something amazing. I’ve made some crazy choices. I’ve been a car maker, a consultant, and even a senior executive at a large retailer running strategy. Born in England, spent time in the U.S. and Japan, before ending up in Canada were I met my own, personal hero – all six and a half feet of him. Both of us are scorpios! Yeah, I know! Should have checked the astrological signs earlier, but somehow it works for us. We have two amazing kids, who I either could never part with or could easily be convinced to sell on e-bay.

I’ve wanted to be a writer for a really long time. Check through my office cupboards or my computer and you’ll find half written stories and character descriptions everywhere. Now I'm getting the chance to follow that dream.






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