Review: Dark and Deadly Things by Kelly Martin

    

Synopsis:

It is a strange feeling in life to watch your ghost hunter of a father live on TV while eating popcorn next to your dead mother.

That’s not entirely true. It is a strange feeling to be sure and my mother is most assuredly dead. But she isn’t next to me. She’s across the room, standing between the old mahogany grandfather clock that needs to be dusted and the old cabinet television that belonged to my grandma in the eighties. It doesn’t work anymore, the television that is. Now the cabinet is used as a stand for the newer TV version, one that you don’t have to get up and change the channels on.

~*~*~
I watched them die. I watched them all die, and I could say nothing as my father was accused of the crime. Only he didn't do it. The black shadow did... only no one will ever believe me.

And then there is Abel Hale. His entire family died at the hand of the black shadow, and he thinks I can help him get revenge.

If I could do that, I'd already gotten it. As it is, I go with Abel because it is the easiest thing to do.

Nothing is ever easy.

Seeing ghosts is a curse, but Abel's curse is something I never expected, something I fear.... something I can never trust.

Only he's all I have.

And I'm the only thing standing between him and the truth.

Review: Rating- 5
I hate horror. I hate scary things. I hate being scared. I hate all things that go bump in the night or that flicker out of the side of your eye. I’m queen of being paranoid. I can’t enter a room without turning a light on first. I can’t go upstairs unless someone is with me. I think you get the picture.

Somehow, I don’t think any therapist worth his or her salt will believe me anyway.

I LOVE Dark and Deadly Things. It is scary and I did have to call my husband home from work just so I could finish reading it. However, it’s more than just scary, it’s brilliant, and written so well. This is Kelly Martin’s best book yet. Fans of the supernatural are going to devour this one.

The world won’t ever come into focus if I keep my eyes covered.

The story is of a girl, Elise, who can see ghosts. Her dad is a ghost hunter on TV and she used to be part of his team, but no longer helps him on his show. One night she watches her dad’s live televised showing of him hunting ghosts in a families haunted house and something goes terribly wrong, leaving a family torn apart. One of the son’s in that family, Abel, tracks Elise down and requests her help.

A soul is a soul, whether living or dead.

I’m purposely leaving this review vague, because the book needs to be read in itself, not in someone else’s review. It’s amazing, realistic, scary, and it’s hilarious. In the midst of all the crazy that goes on, Kelly Martin knows how to lighten the mood, to bring you back from that dark place.

Derek the Dick promptly doubles over, his hands grab what I assume is a very small package, and I’m sure he could sing soprano in The Phantom of the Opera right about now. Strange how my knee just suddenly rose up and hit him in the junk like that.

Pick up Dark and Deadly Things, grab your blankey, keep the lights on, and get ready for a wild crazy terrifying ride that you don’t want to miss out on.

Things happen, and we have to somehow find the strength to get through it and live our lives.

Review: Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Kelly Martin

    

Synopsis:

Nancy Corbin makes a living screwing with the minds of Nashville's less than upstanding men.

As the owner of the underground business, Once Bitten, Nancy makes it her mission to give scorned women the justice they deserve. She lures in the man who has wronged her client, flatters him with her considerable charms, then strikes.

It's only business.

Until the ex-girlfriend of tabloid-proclaimed Romeo, Chad Harris, comes in. According to the ex, Chad is the worst Nancy has ever had the pleasure of manipulating. However, after their first encounter, Nancy isn't so sure.

As business becomes pleasure, will Nancy be able to finish the deal? Or will Chad prove to be more of a challenge than she ever realized?

***********
1989: ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY is part of the Love in the 80s: A New Adult Mix romance series. It is a stand-alone novella.

Don't miss the other Love in the 80s titles:
1980: You Shook Me All Night Long by Casey Bond
1981: Jessie's Girl by Lindy Zart
1982: Maneater by Cambria Hebert
1983: Cruel Summer by Amber Lynn Natusch
1984: Against All Odds by Rebecca Yarros
1985: Careless Whisper by Misty Provencher
1986: Why Can't This Be Love by R.K. Ryals
1987: (How Do I Get You) Alone by Cameo Renae
1988: Need You Tonight by Rachel Higginson

Review: Rating-5
You know the saying, nothing is ever what it seems. Nancy runs a quiet business, Once Bitten, where she gets revenge on the men who have scorned women. The business is discreet, quiet, and tame. Nancy might go on a date and set the guy up for a bit of embarrassment, or puts him in a sticky situation, nothing to raise too many eyebrows, just enough to make the scorned women happy and the man to feel a bit of regret. She uses this business to pay for college and stay afloat.

Some people might argue that I'm taking advantage of these poor souls in their state of weakness. I say, if they want to pay me, who am I to be their moral compass?

Nancy gets a call from a woman named Dana to help her get revenge on her ex. This time it's not a tame revenge the woman wants, she wants her ex to pay royally. In return Dana will pay Nancy enough money so she can finish out college.

I could retire on a beach with a drink and a cabana boy making my every dream come true.

The problem is, the man Nancy is hired to get revenge on is a celebrity playboy always in the tabloids. He's richer than sin, flaunts his money off, flaunts his good looks off.

     "Did you notice that before or after you knocked me down?" I have yet to take his hand. I have yet to figure out what he's doing here.
     "Before. I noticed your big brown eyes after I knocked you down."
     Smooth, dude. Real smooth.

The book has so many hilarious one-liners that are notorious in Kelly Martin's novels.

My hair isn't as close to Heaven as Amy's, but I'm knocking on Heaven's door.

In the end we have a college girl just trying to get by in a business that leaves her thinking love isn't real. A job with a rich play boy who is too darn good looking for his own good. And a huge decision to make that could make or break a girl full of hope.

Revenge is supposed to be easy. This isn't easy. This is torture.

In the end we're left with a funny, moral-questioning, swoon worthy read. I fell in love with these characters and I'm positive you will too. I mean, come on, Chad Harris knows how to play the ladies.

He smiles slyly. "Not in the slightest, ma'am. I promise to be on my best behavior."

Review: Reckless by Kelly Martin

    

Synopsis/Chapter 1:
JESSUP HART BLACKWELL SAVED THE WORLD.
Not that anyone will ever know.
Not that they’ll remember.
But I know.
I remember.
That’s my curse.
I don’t agree with how he did it.
I wish it had been me that died. Lord knows we would’ve all
been safer if I’d been the one instead of Hart.
But he couldn’t let that happen.
He couldn’t live with it.
How am I supposed to live with it?
The pain.
The remorse.
The pressing feeling that something inside me that I can’t
control is still there… dormant but not dead. Ready to pounce.
Ready to kill again.
Hart saved the world, that’s true.
But he couldn’t save me

Review: Rating- 5
If you haven't read this series stop reading this review, grab Heartless, and start reading! You wont regret it! I've been putting off this review for so many reasons, but mostly, writing a review means the book, this series, is really done- no, completed. Complete. This series is complete and this finale was more than I imagined because I never thought it was going to be like this... and I'm glad. 

Gracen is my rock. My constant. The one thing that keeps me even the slightest bit human.

If someone asked me to summarize this book or even this series in one word, for once I wouldn't stutter around trying to grasp a word, for once a single word comes straight to mind: Empowering.

I stand and look down on her. She's so... frail. So small. All this time I've been afraid of her, of the voice in my head telling me I'm not good enough, not worthy. And when I look at her now, I have to wonder who the hell she thinks she is.

"Yes?"

"Yes. Yes, I'm worthy."

If you haven't read this series then stop reading this review because there will be spoilers from this point on. Reckless picks up right where Breathless left off.

Jessup Hart Blackwell saved the world.

We see Gracen panicking, crying, cleaning up the blood. We get to see what life is like for her after the event. Then we get to the big problem. Gracen is still alive. Gracen being alive means there's still the Abomination.

I can never allow myself another moment of weakness.

Everyone we've come to love and hate show up in Reckless for their final move, their last effort to make the world and their lives go the way they want it to.

If you don't save her, if you don't bring her back to me, I'll rain a fire of death and destruction that you've never seen onto the world. I'm a demon, Lucien. A demon. Evil. Ruthless. Reckless. I'll do whatever I damn well please if I don't have Gracen by my side. You wont have to worry about the Abomination when I'm finished with everything. You have my word on that." My fingers dig deep into his neck. So deep I can see red droplets of blood pooling, fixing to run down my fingers.

"You'd do that? For one person."

"No." I shake my head and let his feet fall to the concrete steps. "I'd do that for her."

The book is about each of these people coming up with a way to stop the Abomination from taking over again.

As long as there is hope, I'll be okay.

If you asked me for the top 10 ways I expected this book to go I would have been completely wrong. Kelly Martin took an intense action packed series and wrapped it up in intense feelings. These college kids had to face and conquer the impossible and in doing so they had to have their hearts ripped out, but in the end they got their Hope.

He's Hart. My Hart.

This was a beautiful ending for a beautiful series!

"Stay with me." He whispers.
"Always."

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Review by Patrick:

This book may be the best book I've actually ever read. Literally. And I don't say that lightly.

Lois Lowry is a master. This book has been on my "to read" list for many years, but, like a lot of things, I haven't gotten around to it. Well, I finally finished one book series, my schedule lightened up a little bit, and I decided to start this one. I'm so glad I did.

The book has about the same reading level and length of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, but the depth of the book and the implications are much deeper. An easy read, this book took me three workdays to finish: I just couldn't put it down. The story gripped my mind, heart and soul, and I did not want to eat, sleep, go to work, or do anything until I found out what happened in the next chapter or on the next page.

For those of you who do not know me, I'm pretty stoic. I don't necessarily feel what others feel. My range of emotions tend to range on a normal scale of 4 to 6 (with a normal person going from 1 to 10, and Rachel from probably -5 to 20). So I should warn you: I cried when I finished this book. The first thing I did when I read the end was ask my son to come to me so I could hug him, and he asked me why I was crying. After reading the book, I appreciated what we humans have so much more. There are emotions, such as love, hate, envy, jealousy, hunger, pride, fear, joy, sorrow, desire, frustration... the list goes on forever. And we have personality. We work together, and create new things. We are innovative. We make mistakes. We have loss. We have salvation. We need each other. As I was hugging my son, I felt so overwhelmed and glad that he will grow up in a world where he can experience those things.

In this book, the setting is in "The Community," which is the futuristic utopia that a certain path and thinking leads to over a long time. There is no pain or suffering, no choices to be made. Everyone is a productive member to the Community, and will have no cares or worries. Lowry shows that to obtain this level of utopia, there are trade offs to be made. I won't spoil the book further, but that's the premise. (Actually, this might be the society that Vulcans boast of.)

The story is heart wrenching. As the story went further, I felt the dread of foreshadowing of events to come. I was drawn in by the story, and worried about what happens next. I knew as I was reading it that there would be a different ending than the rest of the book. I knew something had to change, but I didn't know what. As the story unfolded, I realized with a terrible sadness, that this book might end tragically. But I will let you decide for yourself. Tell me in the comments if you think the last two pages were literal or metaphorical, because I'm not sure.

In the end, this book receives nothing but five stars from me. It does not fall short of "Phenomenal! Must read!" If you want to be more aware of the gifts you have in your life, read this book. If you desire to be a better informed citizen of the world, read this book. If you have children, ever want to have children, or know of a child somewhere in the world that you like and desire to have a better future for them, read this book. If you think we should all be nice to each other and never argue again, read this book. If your parents or grandparents are still alive, or you enjoy spending time with your family, read this book. If you want your world to be a better place, read this book. I will argue that this book should be on the required reading list for every high school or equivalent education system in the world. Please read this book.

Review: Breathless by Kelly Martin

    

Synopsis:
There's good.

There's evil.

Then there's her.

When Gracen Sullivan stabbed Hart Blackwell, she thought it was over. She thought the world was safe--safe from her. Stuck in the Abyss, watching as the evil inside her body takes over, she has to find some way to stop it.

Hart Blackwell expected to wake up in Hell. Instead, he woke up in his grave. With the world falling apart, he has to put the bad history with his brother in the past or there will be no future.

Armageddon has been set in motion. Enemies will have to work together or everything will end in fire and brimstone.

The Abomination is here. And she must be stopped no matter the consequences.


Review: Rating- 5+

There's no way I can write this review adequately enough: there aren't words for the emotions that this book will produce in you, I'm not an eloquent writer, and I haven't held this book in my heart long enough to give words to how amazing it is.

"Some of the most evil people in the world are the ones who hide behind righteousness. Who hide behind good and God and all that other stuff that makes them feel better than anybody else in the world. It makes them feel superior."

So, here's a review that doesn't give this book justice and some quotes that I loved from the book.

Breathless picks right up where Soulless left off. Let me tell you, those first two chapters do nothing short of put you straight into the characters life. You're thrown right into a world that is going to hell in a handbasket and no one has any idea of how to stop the Abomination.

"A part of me feels grateful that Seth did what he did. Without it, there would never have been a Gracen for me to love."

This is a journey of emotions, so many emotions, regret, guilt, sorrow, worry, happiness, helplessness, and love. There's Hart and Lucien together and Human and facing the past, what they did and didn't do.

"I just never thought it would be the kind of love that would destroy the world."

Kelly Martin is a brilliant writer. Can you imagine being a human who killed your own brother, died yourself, went to hell, was tortured by your mother, watched over a girl who was destined to be the Abomination, be killed by her, and come back alive to face the world you helped destroy? No? Kelly Martin is so brilliant that she's able to make you feel like you did that. That you can actually imagine going through it all. You can feel it. The pain, the regret, the worry, all the emotions that are drowning you.

"I just saw myself.
Me.
The real me.
The real me in the flesh.
The flesh that hurt Colleen.
The flesh that disappointed my father.
The flesh that killed my brother.
The flesh that can't forgive itself."

This story is intense and the emotions are real and strong, but there's that famous Kelly Martin humor sprinkled in the pain that I've come to love. Hart goes through so much in this story and he copes with snark and poor comebacks and reality that sometimes you need humor in the dark because it's the only way to keep the light going in you.

"That's what I need when the world ends. To be wearing high waters. Hell, then I might even be okay with it. If I must wear high waters, I might as well die."

As the story progresses and we come down to the final wire of the world ending and Lucien, Hart, and Seth come up with a plan to hopefully stop the Abomination we're left ragged. We've been through pain. We've lost everything. Lucien has his end goal. Seth has his. And Hart. His humanity, his soul is so beautiful and so stubborn.

"If we can't save Gracen, we aren't saving everybody. Let it burn. Let it all burn."

Hart is better than anyone I've ever known. Read this series. You wont regret it.

"I know."

Review: Betraying Ever After by Kelly Martin

    

Synopsis:

The first time Vaughan Wexley, Earl of Brighton, eyes the blonde beauty from atop the balcony, he is taken. Once he confronts her, he finds himself in love. The mysterious woman seems out of place in the regular sea of husband nabbing debutantes. She posses a gentle spirit, wide-eyed innocence, and-- his favorite quality-- cascading golden waves around her elegant shoulders. In need of a wife of noble blood, Vaughan believes his search has ended.

Emma Hartwell's only mission at the ball is to deliver a message to the host from her employer. In and out. That's the plan until she sees beautiful sights she's only dreamed of and hears wonderful music that touches her soul. Dressed up as a noble woman by the young housemaid Elizabeth and knowing she'll never get this opportunity again, Emma lingers longer than she intended. Her amazement with the grandeur allows the devilishly handsome Lord Brighton to steal her attention and sweep her off her feet. He is a charming man who is obviously taken with her. Emma's heart doesn't stand a chance. If only she could tell him the truth.

An earl in need of an honorable wife.

A servant in love with a man she can't have.

An evil plan that was set in motion years ago coming to fruition.

Can love conquer betrayal? Or will Emma's fairytale end at midnight?

A Cinderella re-telling.

Review: Rating- 5
Betraying Ever After was truly an enthralling, gripping retelling of Cinderella. Kelly Martin wrote this retelling in a way that made the story completely new. I was hooked from the very beginning, the more I read the more engrossed I became.

I loved Emma, this sweet innocent clueless girl with a wicked right hook. You cant help but feel bad for her and all the other characters that are paying for their sins or the sins of their parents. Sins... Good ol' Mr. Dodsworth, call me whatever you want, but I'm captivated by Mr. Dodsworth. The puppeteer, the punisher, the pathetic lonely man. I want to know more about him, his story, I want to see someone take him on and best him in a way that wipes his smile from his face and makes him cast his eyes down.

This was a fantastic romance with so much depth and feelings. By the time you get to that climax your heart will be left on the ballroom floor as secrets start coming out and every character learns their part in this master plan for Justice.

Review: Soulless by Kelly Martin

    

Synopsis:

Sometimes all the wishing in the world doesn't change the fact that in order to save everyone, you have to destroy yourself.
Sometimes good doesn't always win.
Sometimes choices suck.
Sometimes people don't break their promises.
Sometimes the thing we hate the most is the one thing that can save us.
Sometimes...
Sometimes love ruins everything.

Sequel to Heartless
Book 3: Breathless (September 4th, 2016)

Review: Rating- 5
I have done nothing but rave about Heartless (book one) and seriously thought it was going to be my favorite paranormal/supernatural book of the year, but Soulless has won that spot. I don't normally read horror books and I honestly wouldn't classify these as such. Heartless was slightly closer to the horror side of things, Soulless definitely isn't. There was suspense, a touch of romance, and a ton of feels.

Soulless can be broken down in three parts. The first 50% of the book Kelly Martin screws with your (Gracen's) mind, putting in doubts and insecurities and blowing everything up in front of you. Then for the next 30% it's just anxiety, anxiety to turn the page because you don't know if you're going to love it or hate and you're honestly going to flip flop the whole time. Finally that last 20% is all feels. All. The. Freaking. Feels. All of them.

Gracen was created to let Hell loose and finds out she has the capacity to be one scary creature. This is the story of Gracen fighting that scary creature inside of her. To keep her own humanity. To not have her destroy the world.

I'm a sucker for dual point of view. I love it, especially when the other point of view is from the male in the book. Hart is one interesting demon and has a ton of secrets. I loved seeing what his part in all of this truly is and I'm curious to see where it leads him in the next book.

 Soulless is book two in a trilogy. Breathless (book three) comes out in September. Soulless does leave on a cliffhanger, but it's not one of those evil cliffhangers. There is an epilogue that was hands down everything I ever hoped to have in these books. This book was worth the wait. Now the wait begins for Breathless.

Favorite quotes:
Hell was real. And if I'm not stopped, I'll make it look like Disneyland.

"Tell me why you stay Sam." I push.
Hart lowers his head, averting looking in my eyes. "Because you love him."

"You need blood. I have blood. And I'm heading to your mother's house. So if you want to follow your free buffet, come with me. If not, find your own damn Happy Meal. I'm done."

We all have darkness inside us. Everybody does.

Review: Heartless by Kelly Martin

    

Synopsis:

Some things can't be saved.

What would you do if your guardian angel wasn't sent to protect you from the world but to protect the world from you?

For thirteen years, Gracen Sullivan dreamed about a red-eyed demon named Hart Blackwell who tortured her every night. Her mother freaked when she found out about her daughter's "hallucinations" and forced Gracen to go to the doctor, who prescribed some very powerful medication which kept Hart out of her head for five years.

A week ago, Hart came back and brought a friend.

But something has changed, and Gracen is seeing Hart when she's awake too. And the other "friends" in her dreams? They have been found dead.

The police want to talk to her.

Her boyfriend has become distant.

Her dreams are becoming more and more intense.

Hell wants her. Heaven has to stop her.

When push comes shoving, can Gracen fight the evil eating away inside her or will she be forced to embrace it and destroy the world?

Review: Rating- 5+
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And it was good and all the angels rejoiced.............. And then God got bored."

Kelly Martin does a marvelous job at putting you in Gracen's shoes. We follow along with Gracen and she knows very little about what is going on in the beginning, which means we know very little. As the story progresses things get jumbled and confusing in the best way possible. In the way that forces you to keep turning page after page, gasping and grasping at bread crumbs.

Every character introduced in this book will make you suspicious. Every character will have you second guessing other characters. I want to rant and rave and tell you everything about this book because it is so, so, so good, but I won't. I'll spare you that amazing feeling of reading a WONDERFUL book for the first time. Stop reading this review and go one-click this book, you won't regret it. I can't recommend this book enough!

About the book for anyone hesitant: From what I heard other people say about this book and from the first few pages I was expecting this to be full of horror and blood and gory things happening. I don't do scary, I don't do horror or gory, but there was something about that first page that called to me, maybe I saw that there would be more to this story. Maybe I knew it wasn't how it seemed. And I was right. It's more of a mystery with angels and demons and hints of horror. It's not nearly as grotesque as some might think after reading the first few pages. It talks about it and makes you feel the horror without being too gory.

I would definitely classify this as a new adult paranormal horror mystery. There's talks of sex (no sex in this book though), there are innuendos, and typical college flirting and lusting. Recommended age for reading is a mature 14 years and older.

This is a trilogy so be prepared for an epic cliffhanger in the epilogue. If you dislike cliffhangers then I recommend reading the final chapter and waiting to read the epilogue when you have book two, Soulless.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis

Synopsis:

Narnia...the world of wicked dragons and magic spells, where the very best is brought out of even the worst people, where anything can happen (and most often does)...and where the adventure begins.

The Dawn Treader is the first ship Narnia has seen in centuries. King Caspian has built it for his voyage to find the seven lords, good men whom his evil uncle Mizaz banished when he usurped the throne. The journey takes Edmund, Lucy, and their cousin Eustace to the Eastern Islands, beyond the Silver Sea, toward Aslan's country at the End of the World.

Lucy, Edmund, and their cousin Eustace, are magically transported onto the ship, Dawn Treader, where King Caspian is searching for the seven lost friends of his father. On the voyage, the children meet many fantastical creatures, including the great Aslan himself.

Review by Patrick:

This is my favorite of the series, so far. (I haven't read the last book yet, or finished the sixth.) This has a great story, with fantastic characters, amazing places, and descriptions and details that will absolutely capture your imagination. I've read this book a few times, and every time, I love it.

This story is about a ship's journey, so there is much seafaring time, but also plenty of time on islands and places on the ground too. Edmund and Lucy are back for this book, along with their cousin, Eustace and new characters. My favorite is Reepicheep, who is a mouse (albeit, a foot-tall mouse) with the courage of a lion, and the heart of a true gentleman.

This book keep you on your toes. It moves quickly, but every chapter has something new and exciting to it. The adventure, challenges, character growth, and story is worth every page. Read this one. I think it is the best of the series, and there's nobody who can tell me any different.

Review: Violet's Story: The Faerie War by Rachel Morgan

         

Synopsis:

Violet Fairdale is in big trouble. Her home is gone, her beloved forest lies in ruins, the guy she gave her heart to has deserted her—and she doesn’t remember any of it. The powerful Lord Draven is taking over, brainwashing guardians into fighting for him. No one is safe from the evil spreading throughout the fae world.

As alliances are forged between the remaining free fae, Vi struggles to reclaim her identity and figure out where she belongs in this new world. When someone from her past shows up, life gets more complicated. He brings with him a long-forgotten weapon and an ancient prophecy that places Vi at the center of the fight against Draven. With the future of the fae world at stake, can Vi carry out the prophecy’s instructions before it’s too late?

Review: Rating- 5
Read this series! Hands down, one of my all time favorite! I have loved every moment with these characters, from the horrible moments to the sweet ones.

This book is the final book in Violet's Story and it doesn't let you down. It picks up just after we left off in the second books, The Faerie Prince. You'll be taken on a journey with Violet to get her memories back and to stop the war, but it's never like it seems.

I don't want to give anything away because these books were so enjoyable that when I finished it and I couldn't turn another page on my Kindle I just sat there staring at it for 15 minutes.
I. Didn't. Want. It. To. End.

Violet and Ryn are still very much part of this book and you even get dual point of view. I love Ryn's humor, it helps give light in an otherwise bleak world.

Overall, I can't get enough. I want more of Violet and Ryn! Really this book is full of joy and heartache and hope, you will love them.

:::Spoiler::: Why did it have to end with their parents kind of having a thing for each other?! Why? I wanted a better happy ever after for Vi and Ryn! I didn't want the awkwardness of their parents being together.

I received a copy to read and review in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Violet's Story: The Faerie Prince by Rachel Morgan

 

    

Synopsis:

Guardian trainee Violet Fairdale is just weeks away from one of the most important occasions of her life: graduation. After messing up big time by bringing a human into the fae realm, Vi needs to step up her game and forget about Nate if she hopes to graduate as the top guardian of her year. Everything would be fine if she wasn’t forced to partner with Ryn, her ex-friend, ex-enemy, current ‘sort of friend’. They might be trying to patch up their relationship, but does she really want to spend a week undercover with him for their final assignment? On top of that, the possibly insane Unseelie Prince is still on the loose, free to ‘collect’ as many specially talented faeries as he can find—and Vi is still at the top of his list. Add in faerie queens, enchanted storms, complicated not-just-friends feelings, and a murder within the Guild itself, and graduation is about to become the least of Vi’s problems.

Review: Rating- 5+
Yes! This is what I was waiting to read! It is a top favorite for me! It had it all: suspense, intrigue, action, friendship, family, wibbly-wobby-what-just-happened-twists, and scorching romance!

The Faerie Prince is book two in the Creepy Hollow series. It picks up right where we left on in The Faerie Guardian. I thought the first book was fairly predictable. I went into this book thinking the same thing, that it would be overly predictable until the end. Oh, how I was wrong. There are so many twists and turns and loop-the-loops with the plot that it's refreshing to have this blossoming hot romance taking place at the same time.

One more note for those of you that got attached to Nate for a bit, don't worry and just keep reading. Ryn makes Nate look like the wart on a trolls bum.

Beware of the cliffhanger. You're going to get to the last few pages and it's just going to





.... end. You will want to throw your book/kindle in frustration if you don't have book 3 ready. That ending is a doozy.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Behemoth by Scott Westerfield

 Synopsis:

The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.

Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.

Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.

Review by Patrick:

If you haven't read my review of Leviathan, please read it first. It gives some background about what is going on generally.

This book continues the greatness started in Leviathan. Alek and Deryn are noticeably coming closer together, although there is a slight "love drama" later in the book. Don't worry, I think it all turns out alright in the end.

The main part of this book stays in one location: Istanbul. As we learned from the first book, the British (and other Darwinists) are definately not happy with the Clanker Powers, but as further evidence is seen, not all the Clankers are on the same page either. Istanbul, in this book, is the meeting of everyone. There's the British, the Austrians, the Sultan, the Germans, and even the Americans have a role to play. Then to through a kink in everything, you have the revolution. It's not quite the political read of a Tom Clancy, but we have a different audience.

The fantasy presents new elements in this book. There's the Bovril that hatched and attached to Alek. There are the elephant walkers, the Sultan's automaton, several encounters with Tesla cannons, and of course, the Behemoth itself. The world created by Westerfeld is not neglected in the imagination department. Seriously, it's amazing he has come up with this stuff.

The book ends on another cliff hanger. I have no idea how the story is going to end, or even if the British are going to win the war. (Remember, this is an alternate history.) I do know that I really want to read it, and look forward to the last book of the series, Goliath. Another 5 stars from me for this book.

Review: Jett by Dana Pratola

    

Synopsis:

When a reclusive businessman takes an interest in Haven’s artwork, she knows it’s an answer to prayer. But Jett Cestone is an enigma with a disconcerting connection to the young women in his employ. He’s by far the most unusual man she’s ever met.
Haven is the most interesting woman to ever cross Jett’s path. But she’s too naïve and pure to learn what goes on in his home. Too bad he wants her more than he’s wanted anyone or anything in his life.

Review: Rating- 5
I had to take some time after reading this book so I could compose this review. I have never read a book that has made me feel the way this one did. I know I will not be able to do this review justice because this book is one you just have to read to understand why I have this massive book hangover.

It was a slow build that felt monotonous, but it really wasn't. It was slow and the climax was tame, but by the time it's over you realize Dana Pratola has made you feel. It was all too realistic and I think that's what made it feel monotonous. When I read I don't expect to read a book that feels like reality, yes I hope to be able to relate to the characters, but I always expect that little bit of unrealistic-ness to come through. The book does have a paranormal element to it, but Dana Pratola even made that feel normal.

The romance between Jett and Haven was phenomenal. This is a clean book, but it does talk about wanting to be with the other. The sexual tension was palpable!!! I was completely intrigued with Jett's paranormal side. I kept wanting to know more and more, which is what had me turning the pages. Plus, what he does with his gifts was interesting and tied in wonderfully with the book. I was surprised by the religious element to the book. I have never read a Dana Pratola novel so I didn't know she wrote Christian Fiction. I thought it was an interesting view and very tastefully done. If you don't like hearing about God then I advise you to read this novel with an open mind. It's too good to tell you not to read just take note that it is Christian Fiction.

This book has rocked me to my core. I don't know how I've never heard of Dana Pratola because she is fantastic. If you haven't read this series I highly, highly recommend you pick it up be on your way to your very own book hangover.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Into the Aether: Part One and Two by T.C. Pearce

       

Synopsis:

A scared teenager, Lara must battle her own inner demons … while being stalked in her nightmares by an all-too-real monster. She has only two options: run or succumb.

A courageous woman, Cybil is doing her best to piece together a new life free of her abusive husband. She is cursed with confused glimpses into future events she may not be able to change—including her own death.

An honorable warrior, and the reluctant leader of her people, August must undertake the familial obligation of protecting a seemingly ordinary high school teacher. If she shirks her duty, then the world will fall to a preternatural tyrant in search of a long-lost weapon of immense power.

Their stories weave together to reveal a mysterious supernatural world that hides just beneath our own. As chaos swirls among and around them, the three women must put aside their differences and act together, or watch two worlds collide in a deluge of fire and blood.

Review: Rating- 5
I cannot wait until this fall to have the next installment of this! Wow! This was a phenomenal novel!

I have to admit, the first half of the novel was a bit overwhelming, but I promise if you get through it you'll see what a beautiful piece of work this story is. Each chapter you're introduced to more characters which I kept thinking was too much to start with. I mean, we're introduced to Aaron, August, Phillip, Lara, Greg, Cybil, and Linda. That's a lot of characters! The only way this worked as well as it did is because each character was so unique, strong, and believable.

This story didn't fully capture my heart until chapter 10, which is when all the information about each of the characters finally begins to weave together. From there, as the chapters progress you're sitting there aching to find out what's going on. I greatly enjoyed how captivating and suspenseful this story is.

This is a hard review to write because the last half of this story has a lot of twists and turns that I can't spoil for you. I will say, I'm always skeptical about reading serials because they usually end at awful cliffhangers that have you wanting to hunt down the author and demand the next part... This story doesn't end in a cliffhanger. However, it does end with a few questions unanswered, especially that epilogue!

Overall, I enjoyed this story so much that I'm forcing my husband to read it next. I need someone to talk about how amazing everything wove together... it's really a piece of art!

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.