ARC REVIEW: The Moonshadow's Daughter (Wolfe Creek #3) by Kaylie Newell

Title: The Moonshadow's Daughter
Series: Wolfe Creek #3
Author: Kaylie Newell
Publisher: Entangled Covet
Published: October 26th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 182
Genres: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★★✩ (4.5/5) Stars!

Kaylie Newell | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A paranormal category romance from Entangled's Covet imprint...

Some secrets can kill. Others bite...

To the citizens of Wolfe Creek, Aimee Styles is dead. What they don’t know is she’s alive...and a werewolf. After she was bitten two years ago, Aimee isolated herself away from the town, determined to keep them safe. But all it takes is an icy winter evening—and an incredibly virulent flu—to interrupt her self-imposed exile.

Nothing prepared doctor and single dad Jake Blackstock for the sight of Wolfe Creek's missing girl, or her delicate beauty. He's instantly and fiercely attracted to her, despite her secrets and the shadows in her near-black eyes. Jake's falling hard. He knows nothing about Aimee...or what she really is.

But something else lurks in Wolfe Creek's shadows. Something malevolent. Something that won't hesitate to rip apart their life and new love…

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!

Shifter/werewolf books are always hard for me to pick up. They either try to replace substance with a lot of sex or they're filled with insta-love and someone finding their "one true mate" where they instantly fall into feelings and emotions. And let's face it add more sex over substance. Having previously read the second book in this series though, and really enjoying it, I felt no hesitation picking up The Moonshadow's Daughter and jumping back into this series. Kaylie Newell actually knows how to write a really intriguing story that will keep you on the edge of your seat filled with tension and danger and a really good love story. I will never hesitate to pick up one of her books in the future, especially after finishing this one!

So I've read this series sort of out of order. I read book two back in June when it released and really loved it but I still haven't gone back and read  the first one. Something I plan on fixing just as soon as I finish typing this up! But Aimee's story was one that I really couldn't wait to dive into. I've been intrigued by her ever since learning of her "death" back in Hunter of Her Heart and then having her suddenly pop up in that one. I couldn't wait to really find out all the details of what her life had been like. Plus she seemed so isolated and alone and even though I didn't know her I really wanted her to find some peace and happiness.

This book was everything I was hoping it would be and so much more. I mean I fell head over heels in love with these characters and this story. The thing I've discovered that Kaylie Newell is absolutely brilliant at his making you feel everything. I really do mean everything. She can write fear and tension in a way that makes you feel as if you are living through it right along side of the characters. For most of the book you don't see this thing that she's building up towards but when she's describing the feeling of being watched the hairs on your arm and the back of your neck stand up right along side the character you're living it through. You get that creepy feeling as if you yourself are being watched. It was amazing! It's intense and I couldn't have put this book down if I wanted to. I devoured it as I held my breath and turned the pages as fast as I can.

I was so excited to see that Jake and his absolutely adorable son Daniel were set to bring Aimee into their lives for this book. I remember both of them from the previous book and their story was also one that I was intrigued by. Daniel is just the sweetest little thing and I wanted him to be real so I could snuggle him in my arms and carry him around with me. And I always lose my heart the fastest to the really devoted single dad type characters. They're like my kryptonite. I am quite smitten with this little group of characters. They're the types of characters that have you desperately wanting them to be real.

I am just completely in love with this book. It's got danger, heartbreak, intensity, passion, and a love story that will melt your heart. In a way I am so happy that I haven't read book one, Lone Wolfe Protector, yet because I'm not ready to be done with Wolfe Creek and it's people this evening. I want more! Though it's going to be hard to top this one I'm still very much looking forward to getting to know Koda and Maggie better. Love this book. Love this series!!

Huge thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

ARC REVIEW: True Deceptions by Veronica Forand

Title: True Deceptions
Author: Veronica Forand
Publisher: Entangled Suspense
Published: October 19th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 271
Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
★★★ (3/5) Stars

Veronica Forand | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Temptation. Seduction. Murder. It's all part of the game...

After his partner was murdered, Simon Dunn was done with MI6. But the cold, violent world of British intelligence never lets anyone go free. Now Simon has been blackmailed into a new job...with a beautiful new partner who's going to get them both killed.

Robotics expert Cassie Watson is a newbie field agent with as much sophistication as...well, a pacifist, vegan computer nerd. Now she's abruptly thrust into the cutthroat world of espionage with a partner who is as cold as he is brutally-and brutishly-handsome.

But when their mission is betrayed from the inside, Cassie will be forced to place her life in the hands of the one man who's anything but trustworthy...

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating.

My review for True Deceptions may end up being a bit confusing, or at the very least contradictory, because that's how my feelings are for this book. Very contradictory. On the one hand I was sucked deeply into the story and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Hence not feeling like I could go below three stars for my rating. On the other...well, it was very easy to put down or get distracted with other things or have my mind wander. You see what I'm saying? I liked it, but I wasn't over the moon in love with it.

The whole suspenseful aspect and the mystery of what was going on within the story was very solid. I highly enjoyed that part of the story. Especially when you have something extremely dark and sort of "holy crap what am I reading?!" happen within the first few pages. I loved that start and the shock it gave me.

Where things got iffy for me was within both of the characters and the romance. The romance itself felt like it was happening at warp speed and was difficult to believe at times. I feel like they never really talked to each other about themselves, the things they did know about each other for the most part came from them doing some digging and internet stalking of each other. There weren't many conversations besides "you work for me you will do as I tell you and stay out of my way" types of conversations. And all the "sexual tension" I just was not feeling, like I didn't get it, couldn't understand how they would end up in bed together. How all of a sudden they each meant so much to the other one. It was just kind of silly to me. Yep, basically insta-love. So that was a strike against it.

Cassie's character was extremely hard to like, most especially in the first half of the book. She has zero backbone and gives new meaning to the word passive. When Simon starts insisting that Cassie do something that goes against the lifestyle choices she's made for herself the fight she puts up against him is basically nonexistent. It's like "no" "yes I insist" "fine". I mean this wasn't like some tiny little thing it was a huge deal and she just caved to avoid confrontation. I have zero respect for people like that. It wasn't until a majorly traumatic event happens somewhere around the middle that I actually start to like her a bit but even then her change is just so drastic that it doesn't feel real you know? Like she went too far in the other direction for as meek as she started out.

And Simon really wasn't that great either. I feel like controlling would be an understatement in describing his personality. If I go into very much detail or facts to back up my assessment it'd be too spoilery. He's got a few moments where he seems descent and sweet and thoughtful but he always seems to find a way to ruin it by being a complete jackass. I truly didn't understand how someone with a personality like Cassie's could have taken an interest in him at all.

Just so I'm not completely dumping on the book and to show that I did get into it quite a bit, one thing Veronica Forand did a really good job of doing was making you second guess your first impressions of the characters she's created. You get this gut instinct about someone and then their actions are constantly making you waver back and forth with are they good are are they bad? I actually liked that. Nobody was ever really quite what they seemed.

Overall I'm very in the middle on my feelings with this book. It was engaging and pulled me in and at times even had me on the edge of my seat. I feel like the romance really got in the way when it comes to True Deceptions though. It was one of the few times where I could have done without a romantic entanglement and I live for that stuff. And there were moments of pure frustration and aggravation. But regardless of how I felt about the romance and all that I did enjoy the rest and felt it made it worth the read.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!!

ARC REVIEW: Wilde at Heart (Wilde Security #3) by Tonya Burrows

Title: Wilde at Heart
Series: Wilde Security #3
Author: Tonya Burrows
Publisher: Entangled Ignite
Published: September 7th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 260
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
★★★ (3/5) Stars!

Tonya Burrows | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A thrilling category romance from Entangled's Ignite imprint...

He has everything under control.Except her .

Reece Wilde put everything in his life on the back burner to protect his brothers and their struggling company, Wilde Security. With a major contract on the line, Reece can't afford any mistakes...like getting caught in a red-hot, X-rated moment with wild child Shelby Bremer, who's more trouble than he can handle. Now he's being blackmailed. 

Shelby's mile-long impulsive streak gets her in more trouble than she'd like to admit. Between her sister's wedding, her coffee shop set on fire, and getting down and dirty with the groom's brother, things are definitely coming off the rails. With both their careers and their safety on the line, Reece is determined to keep them both safe...even if it means a Vegas-style shotgun wedding. 

But gambling on a wild card-and a wild soul-is risky...and sometimes, it can get a guy killed.

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!

Even after taking a couple days to soak it all in, I'm still feeling just as "meh" as I did when I finished. I mean, there was plenty of stuff about Wilde at Heart that I absolutely loved, but along with that, there were just as many things that I didn't care for. The first book in this series, Wilde Nights in Paradise, was a huge hit for me. I absolutely loved it and I fell in love with the Wilde brothers and their different personalities and the really fun vibe and family dynamic that they shared. I couldn't wait to get to know the other four brothers better. While this one was just okay, I feel like the first book was so much better.

Reece and the oldest Wilde brother Greer were the two brothers I was drawn to the most. So this was one of the books in the series that I was looking forward to the most. Both guys seemed like very responsible, workaholic and driven guys. I love characters like that. The ones that are wound up tight, don't allow themselves to let loose and be playful or have fun. Because you know the moment they do let that side of themselves out, even just a little bit, it's going to be so much fun. That's exactly how Reece was. I absolutely adored him and he surprised me so much in this series. Especially his little secret that had me completely lose my heart to him.

I loved Shelby to pieces. She is the exact opposite to Reece in every way possible. She's tattoos and colorful hair, she's bold and pretty wild, she was just a whole lot of fun. She's also made a whole lot of mistakes in her life and it always seems like she's letting those close to her down. My heart went out to her so many times. It was like a tornado of crap just followed her everywhere and wouldn't let up.

I think that's what made this so difficult to get through at times. A situation would go from bad to worse to holy crap when will this end and then still the stuff would just keep piling up on top of it all. There were times when I felt like it was all just too much. I like obstacles, I like angst and drama. But the things that went wrong weren't just a bunch of little things here and there. These were huge, intense and crazy things. I guess I just constantly felt defeated like there was no way things could get better...ever. Even the good moments between Reece and Shelby were tainted because of her own personal demons and secrets. So even when I'd feel moments where my heart wanted to soar for these two I'd think about how bad things where going to be when truths would come out and it would mar everything and leave a dark spot where the lightness had been.

This story was definitely not lacking in the suspense department. Don't get me wrong, I loved the storyline. Truly. It is a romantic suspense after all so that's not what I'm complaining about. I guess I wish there had been more straws of hope for me to grasp for.

I really, really did love Reece and Shelby together though. There was a sweetness to their relationship mixed in with all the intensity. They had a very strong connection and it was so much fun seeing the things they brought out in each other. Opposite as they were, they were each exactly what the other one needed in their lives.

Overall it was a fun read, but not everything I had hoped it would be. I'm just kind of right down the middle with this one. It definitely wasn't bad and I'm glad that I read it, but I wasn't in love with it either.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

ARC REVIEW: Exposing the Heiress (Once a Marine #3) by Jennifer Apodaca

Title: Exposing the Heiress
Series: Once a Marine #3
Author: Jennifer Apodaca
Publisher: Entangled Ignite
Published: August 4th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 198
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
★★★★★ ( 5/5) Stars!!!

Jennifer Apodaca | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

This Marine will protect her at all costs...

When wealthy heiress Alyssa Brooks finds out her stepfather has been paying her fiancé to marry her, she's humiliated and betrayed. She quickly breaks the engagement, only to be blackmailed by her now ex-fiancé, who threatens both Alyssa and the son she gave up for adoption. With nowhere to go, she turns to the one man she can trust.

Former Marine sniper Hunter Reece's lethal skills could save Alyssa's life. But his little sister's best friend has turned into a woman, who is an irresistible mix of secrets and sexiness. And while Hunter can trust himself to protect her, he can't trust himself to keep his attraction hidden...or even pretend to be the man that Alyssa remembers.

Because the only way to keep the lovely heiress safe is to become the one thing he knows she could never love...a killer.

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!

Oh. My. Heart. I think there's a very real possibility that I lost it somewhere between the pages. Sigh. Exposing the Heiress was the perfect blend of suspense, scorching hot romance and heartfelt characters. I was on the edge of my seat from the moment I started it and didn't relax until the final word on the very last page. I'll admit that at first it was the beautiful set of abs on the cover that first drew me to this book, hey, I'm human! But the thing that made me say I need to read it was that blurb. I was intrigued by it's fresh plot and the promise of very complex characters. Which was exactly what I got.

I love deeply complex characters. The ones who make you feel the need to pull apart their layers to really understand what makes them tick. Especially the ones who are a bit broken, I always seem to gravitate towards the broken ones the most. Delving deep and discovering their secrets, the things they hide from everyone else. In both Hunter and Alyssa I got all of that. Hunter being the ex-marine sniper who's seen and done stuff that keeps him awake at night, tortured by memories. While Alyssa's secrets are a bit less obvious but her pain is just as valid.

I absolutely freaking adored and loved Alyssa deeply. In the beginning she gives off this air of innocence and fragility and in some ways is a bit naive. Once she has someone in her corner though, Hunter, you see her blossom. It's in seeing herself through him that she discovers bravery and strength and discovers a passion and fierceness she didn't think she was capable of. She has this incredible heart, I mean, there were times that just seeing how much she thought about and cared for people who are normally brushed aside or not given a second glance brought tears to my eyes a couple of times. Even something as simple as her bringing a plate of dinner to one of her bodyguards had my eyes filling up for crying out loud. It was something so simple but the awe and appreciation from Hunter watching this just got me all emotional. She's such a beautiful force of good.

Tattoos? Check. Tortured past? Check. Strong and protective? Check. Sexy as all hell? Check, check, check, check! Hunter is the type of guy who steals your heart and then really does a number on it. He is so sweet and has a heart of gold but he's also one of those guys who is so torn up over what he had to become in the military that he's almost afraid to touch Alyssa because he doesn't want that darkness to touch her. Totally just sighed and my heart skipped a beat right there. Holy guacamole though, that sexy side? Jiminy Christmas! Sorry I'm trying to keep it clean, but *fans self* He could talk your panties right off of you! There were a couple times when he'd be telling Alyssa what he'd do to her if she didn't walk away and...

Okay, enough. Need to finish this review. Temptation to go back and reread is way too strong...

Sigh.

As you can tell...I kind of liked this book just a smidge. What can I say, I'm a huge sucker for the best friend's older brother trope. Especially with characters like these. Throw that bit of danger into the mix and I've completely been won over. It seems I've had the first book in this series on my Kindle for quite some time now and all I want to do is kick myself and wonder how the heck I haven't started it before now. That will be remedied very soon. I can't wait to go back and read both Adam and then Logan's stories. 

I believe I've become an instant fan of Jennifer Apodaca's and can't wait to read more from her. And I'll close this off with one question for her. Well, two names in the form of a question but...Coop and Maxine? Maybe? Just think about it. Haha!

Thanks goes to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

ARC REVIEW: His Last Redemption by Clarissa Yip

Title/Series: His Last Redemption
Author: Clarissa Yip
Publisher: Entangled Ignite
Published: March 10th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 171
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars!

Clarissa Yip | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

First comes marriage. Then comes murder… 

Lauren Burke waited fifteen months and twenty-three days for her divorce to be finalized. Instead, her ex-husband went one step further—he turned up dead. And the detective working on the case is none other than Kane Hollister—the man who ran off over three years ago and shattered Lauren’s heart into a zillion pieces… 

It looks like Lauren, but she’s no longer the carefree girl Kane once knew. And yet he can’t deny the awareness that heats his blood at the sight of her. But when the death threats begin, Kane realizes that the killer has a new target…and it’s Lauren. Now he must protect the woman he’s always loved—and always hurt—from a vicious murderer. And when the sparks between them ignite, Lauren will have to make a choice between her life… or her heart!

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!

This was very nearly one of those I-need-to-quit-while-I'm-ahead types of books for me. I even got to the point where I was sitting here contemplating what exactly I was going to say when I emailed the publisher to say sorry this wasn't for me. Yet as I sat here something in my gut kept saying, "You're only at 16%. Try to hold on and give it just a little more time. At least get to 25%, get a quarter of the way through the book and if you still aren't feeling it...well..." So I picked up my Kindle with determination to once again to make sure I put in a good effort to allow this book to capture me. Next thing I knew it was nearly midnight and I was almost to 65%! I'm so glad I listened to that little voice.

I haven't read any romantic suspense novels in a very long time. That's what the huge deciding factor was in me requesting this book. The blurb just sounded way too interesting to me to pass it up. I didn't have any sort of problem with that part of the book. I actually loved the storyline and the mystery and suspense aspect of it. Even though I was pretty sure I had the whole who done it and why part figured out about halfway through, I was even pretty cocky about it in my head, Clarissa Yip did a really good job of casting doubts on what I was positive was a sure thing.

I think that my main problem was that in the beginning both Lauren and Kane, it didn't matter whose POV I was in, they always had these very obsessive inner monologues going about the other one. And it was very repetitive at times. Maybe a few words changed here and there but they all came down to the same things. Why is he back here? Everybody leaves me. Daniel didn't love me. Just like Kane didn't love me. Why is she so cold now? What happened to the girl who used to be so open? There was a bit more and like I said, they thought these things repeatedly. It was sort of frustrating.

Once I got past that hump though I actually grew to really love these characters. Kane's back story was absolutely heartbreaking when it finally came out. I mean I was very nearly in tears. It explained a lot of his self-loathing and need to keep everyone at arms length and even his protective instincts and career choice. I loved how, even though she was trying to keep everyone out most especially Kane, Lauren couldn't help but push him and try to fix him in a sense. I guess it was more like they pushed each other even though they both kept trying to tell themselves that they needed to stay away from the other one. You could tell that for all their protests there was truly something great there between them.

Besides the whole crazy, serial killer thing going on, which had me on the edge of my seat by the way, there was quite a bit of other stuff going on as well. It wasn't just a murder mystery with some romance thrown in. Speaking of romance though, that part of it had me swooning and breathless at times. Lauren and Kane had these moments of sweetness and tenderness that were so heartwarming and then they also had this intense passion that burned so hot I'm surprised my Kindle didn't melt. Even when they were fighting it was filled with sparks. There were even moments of humor that had me laughing out loud. I swear if there is ever a book about Kane's partner Ryan, which I really think needs to happen by the way, I am going to be all over that!!

It's books like this one that leave me glad that I push myself sometimes even if I don't think I'm feeling it at first. It's worth the risk because now as I sit here, done, I can honestly say that I had so much fun reading it!

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

ARC REVIEW: Prep School Confidential (Prep School Confidential #1) by Kara Taylor

Title/Series: Prep School Confidential | Prep School Confidential #1
Author: Kara Taylor
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Expected Publication: July 30th 2013
Format: Paperback | Pages: 310
Genre: YA, Mystery, Contemporary
Source: Goodreads First Reads win
★★★★ (4/5) Stars!

Kara Taylor | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

In this breathtaking debut that reads like Gossip Girl crossed with Twin Peaks, a Queen Bee at a blue-blooded New England prep school stumbles into a murder mystery.

Anne Dowling practically runs her exclusive academy on New York’s Upper East Side—that is, until she accidentally burns part of it down and gets sent to a prestigious boarding school outside of Boston. Determined to make it back to New York, Anne couldn't care less about making friends at the preppy Wheatley School. That is, until her roommate Isabella’s body is found in the woods behind the school.

When everyone else is oddly silent, Anne becomes determined to uncover the truth no matter how many rules she has to break to do it. With the help of Isabella’s twin brother Anthony, and a cute classmate named Brent, Anne discovers that Isabella wasn’t quite the innocent nerdy girl she pretended to be. But someone will do anything to stop Anne’s snooping in this fast-paced, unputdownable read—even if it means framing her for Isabella’s murder.

I was a bit worried first starting it that I wasn't going to like this. I mean it's prep school and at the very start Anne sort of had that spoiled rich girl vibe. That all lasted only about a minute though because I was quickly sucked in to this fun, fast paced read that kept me on the edge of my seat. I was pretty cocky in the beginning, thinking I knew exactly who did it and what was going on. I couldn't have been more wrong. It was so much more complex that I could have ever imagined.

There's a whole lot more to Anne Dowling than just a spoiled prep school girl. She is snarky and funny and incredibly smart. Unlike most of her peers she doesn't have that "I'm better than all of you" type of attitude. She was genuinely friendly to everyone regardless of where they came from. Unless of course you got on her bad side.She was so much fun to read.

My father says I got my big mouth from my Uncle Jason. He landed himself on a federal no-fly list after making casual jokes to a flight attendant about having an explosive in his pants.

Basically Uncle Jason is a dumbass, and so am I.

I was completely intrigued with this suspenseful murder mystery. Every time I would think I knew what was going on and who to trust or not to trust something would happen and I'd be even more confused than ever.and eventually I just didn't trust anybody! The suspense had me turning page after heart pounding page. Wheatley is a small and exclusive prep school that only accepts 50 students each year most of which are kids from very prominent families, politicians and such, there are secrets and cover ups everywhere. Though Anne wasn't afraid to dig into those secrets to find justice for her friend and roommate Isabella, often to the point of putting herself in danger.

Though the murder and Anne's clever investigating are the main story there is a bit of a love triangle and hints of a romance here and there. There's the fellow prep school classmate Brent. He's everything she should be going for. They come from similar backgrounds, he's sweet and watches out for her. And then there's Anthony. Anthony is Isabella's twin and from the wrong side of the tracks. He's got a past and has done some things that she's not sure she can look past. Both guys have a good and bad side and I'm sure we'll get to see more of that in the future installments of the series. Thankfully though the romance is very light in this book and definitely not the focus which was a nice change.

The murder of Isabella may have been cleared up by the end of this book, but things are definitely not over. Other secrets were revealed in trying to find her killer and Anne's determined to take down the rest of the shady individuals at Wheatley. I'm looking forward to what is sure to be some fun adventures with Anne Dowling in the future. This was a brilliant debut novel by Kara Taylor and once you pick it up it's impossible to put down!

ARC REVIEW: Far Far Away by Tom McNeal

Title/Series: Far Far Away
Author: Tom McNeal
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published: June 11th 2013
Format: eBook | Pages: 384
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Suspense
Source: NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
★★ (2/5) Stars!

Tom McNeal | Goodreads

It says quite a lot about Jeremy Johnson Johnson that the strangest thing about him isn't even the fact his mother and father both had the same last name. Jeremy once admitted he's able to hear voices, and the townspeople of Never Better have treated him like an outsider since. After his mother left, his father became a recluse, and it's been up to Jeremy to support the family. But it hasn't been up to Jeremy alone. The truth is, Jeremy can hear voices. Or, specifically, one voice: the voice of the ghost of Jacob Grimm, one half of the infamous writing duo, The Brothers Grimm. 

Jacob watches over Jeremy, protecting him from an unknown dark evil whispered about in the space between this world and the next. But when the provocative local girl Ginger Boultinghouse takes an interest in Jeremy (and his unique abilities), a grim chain of events is put into motion. And as anyone familiar with the Grimm Brothers know, not all fairy tales have happy endings. . . 

Young adult veteran Tom McNeal (one half of the writing duo known as Laura & Tom McNeal) has crafted a novel at once warmhearted, compulsively readable, and altogether thrilling--and McNeal fans of their tautly told stories will not be disappointed.

I received an eBook copy of this book from NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. I've been struggling all day with what to say here. Much as I struggled to get to the end of this book. To be completely honest I probably shouldn't have started it. I don't even remember putting in the request and was thrown when I received an approval email. It really isn't my type of book but I figured it was there why not give it a go?

I think my biggest problem was the narration. The book is narrated by none other than Jacob Grimm. Yes one half of the infamous Brothers Grimm. Well, his ghost to be more specific. Sometimes I felt like he was just talking to hear himself speak, like it had absolutely nothing to do with the story. And the frequent bursts of German, yeah that got old fast. I found myself often having to reread things to try to make sense of them.

I didn't care much for a good portion of the other characters who made appearances in the book either. Jeremy Johnson Johnson was...alright, I'm still sort of on the fence about him. He had his moments when he made me smile possibly even laugh but they were too few and far between. On the other hand, for the most part I liked Ginger Boultinghouse. She was mischievous and funny.

It was extremely slow paced. Around 60%-ish it sort of took a turn for the creepy and I was hoping it would pick up, but it just didn't get any better for me. I gave it a shot but it just wasn't the right fit for me. And on that note I really don't feel it's very Middle Grade either. But maybe that's just me.

Thanks to Knopf Books for Young Readers for approving me to read and review this book even though it wasn't right for me. :)

REVIEW: Heat Flash by Taylor Anne

Title/Series: Heat Flash
Author: Taylor Anne
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Expected publication: August 14th 2013
Format: eBook | Pages: 214
Genre: Suspense/Thriller, Romance, Adult
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review
 ★★★★ (4/5) Stars!

Taylor Anne | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

When FBI agent Mason Black left Kendall Reed without warning, it devastated her, but she managed to bounce back. Now on the run from a maniacal stalker, she must learn to trust the man who betrayed her in the past. 

Dealing with his own insecurities and secrets, Mason will do anything to protect Kendall from the dangerous lunatic terrorizing her. But the bigger threat may be the one Kendall poses to his heart. Scared of Kendall's reaction if she learns the truth about him, Mason puts his own problems and emotions on hold to find her stalker. 

But when Kendall's life is threatened, he has no choice but to risk body and soul--and even his heart--to save her.

About a week ago or so a friend had messaged me to mention that a friend of hers had a book out and she was currently reading it and wondered if, when she was done would I be interested in giving it a shot and reading it as well. That whole blurb up there had me extremely interested so I agreed. And that's a huge deal. It always makes me nervous before I even start a review book. I mean what if I don't like it? What do I say? #CueAnxietyAttack. Okay, it's not quite that bad but you get my point. But luckily some of those books, like this one, will never have to have those questions answered.

It switches back and forth between Kendall and Mason's POV (third person) but, ohhhh but there's also a few little glimpses from the stalkers POV. It totally added to the creep factor and just made things that more fun to read. He seriously creeped me out!

Mason is your typical tough guy that comes from a completely broken and dysfunctional family, and in growing up in that sort of dysfunction he's afraid of becoming one of his parents. His mother in this case. And I don't know what it is but I love reading these types of guys. The ones who have this girl in their life, sometimes it's a friend or a friend's sister or I don't know it doesn't matter, the point is they would love to be with them. But never feel like they'd be good enough for them or are so afraid of messing up like they've seen happen their whole lives that they're afraid to give themselves the chance to realize that in reality...they're a perfect match. I just love it!

Kendall was frustrating in the beginning. And honestly it's not because I didn't like her. It's because she was so real. There are women out there who have things going on in their lives that they're afraid to talk to someone about it or ask for help. Kendall was one of those girls. It was a bit of stubborn independence but I also think she didn't want to be sort of an inconvenience to someone in asking for help? I don't know maybe that wasn't the intention but it's how it felt. I mean she was getting harassed by some creepy *beep*, and yeah sure it was mild little things at first, but stalking is stalking. It can only escalate. I just wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her a little bit and say "Your brother is a freaking detective CALL HIM" ahhh. But hey it adds to the intensity of the story and it made it more real. And look it had me yelling haha

It is such a fast and easy read. I mean when I had time to actually sit here and get into it. I messaged Taylor at one point yesterday just to let her know that "hey I'm still reading and don't worry because I'm loving and my only frustration with this book, is not having solid blocks of time so far to find out what happens next!" But those times when I did, I swear it would feel like maybe 15 minutes had passed but in all reality it was closer to an hour and I'd read about 20% more. You just really get sucked into the story.

The ending? *Sigh* Mason had me swooning. Okay he had me swooning more than once in this book. He is very yummy. But honestly the end was the best, love, love, loved it. The last chapter (not the epilogue) had me grinning like an idiot and so happy I was screaming "Thank you Mason!!!" on the inside I swear.

Thanks to both Taylor and Tara for the joint effort in getting me this book because it was a pleasure to read it. :)

ARC REVIEW: The Twisted Window by Lois Duncan

Title/Series: The Twisted Window
Author: Lois Duncan
Publisher: Open Road Publishing
Published August 28th 2012 (first published 1987)
Format: eBook | 184 pages
Genre: YA, Suspense, Mystery
Source: NetGalley

★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars!

**An old format of how I used to do my reviews. I just don't have the energy to update it to my current style**

Summary (from B&N):

The new guy at Tracy’s school is handsome, intense, and desperately needs her help—but there’s something about him that isn’t quite right

High school junior Tracy Lloyd is unsure about the new guy in school. Brad Johnson is attractive, smart, and polite, but Tracy can’t help but feel he watches her too closely. Then one day Brad confides in Tracy a horrible secret: His little sister Mindy has been kidnapped by his stepfather, and he needs Tracy’s help to get her back. But even as Tracy commits to a plan to help her vulnerable new friend, details emerge that suggest nothing is what it seems. The Twisted Window is a zigzagging thriller that keeps readers guessing up until the final page.  This e-book features an illustrated biography of Lois Duncan including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the author’s personal collection.

My Review:

Plot (3/5):

When I first read the summary, as I was browsing NetGalley, it seemed pretty interesting. I mean obviously right? I did request it. And it wasn't horrible. I made it through and it kept my attention enough. But it wasn't exactly great either. I think the idea behind the story was pretty good, it just could have been executed much better. It wasn't until after I had finished and was pulling stuff up to get ready to post this review, did I see on Goodreads that this was originally published back in 1987...it explains a lot.

Characters (2/5):

Though there were some likable aspects to them, in a lot of ways these characters were so unrealistic. Even if we consider them from a point of it being 15 years ago.

First of all Brad is just a nut job. I won't get into it because you really can't without revealing plot twists and such. Just trust me...the boy needs an extended vacation in a room with padded walls. I mean, yeah, he's got things that have happened in his life to lead him to the point of coo-coo, but seriously someone should have intervened a while ago. And Tracy? She's not exactly a golden girl either. The whole "then one day" that Brad confides in Tracy is like hardly 24 hours after semi-stalking her. And the girl just agrees to go along with helping him?? Really??? But that's not the worst thing. She runs off with him, knowing he has a gun and only knowing him for like a week tops and even then they'd talked 3 times during that period. I swear I felt like I was reading a manual on how to get yourself chopped up into a million pieces instead of a YA suspense novel. Sheesh!

Originality (5/5):

I will give it respect for being original. Like I said the idea is good, just poorly executed.

Ending (4/5):

There's a pretty good twisting "whoa, no way!" type of moment at the end so I can't get into much detail. It did end, somewhat, leaving things a bit unanswered. It could have gone on at least one more chapter maybe to let you know what happened to everyone. Or even an epilogue maybe. But in the grand scheme of things it wasn't really that vital to the book I suppose. It's just one of those "it would've been nice" things.

Overall Satisfaction (3/5):

There was a lot of awkward dialogue and at times it was really stiff and formal. Teenagers, at least American teenagers don't normally go around saying "mustn't" and it was used at one point. Along with the fact that these days contractions are used a lot more often; won't, didn't, can't etc. Knowing now though that this book is really 15 years old, I guess maybe that could explain a some of the stiffness and formality. Maybe, maybe not. But that wasn't the only thing that lessened my enjoyment, I just really had a hard time believing things would have happened the way they did. Am I sorry I read it? No, not really. It had its moments and it was an okay read. However it didn't wow me by far and I wouldn't sit through it again. I guess I'll leave you with take your chances.

About the author:

Lois Duncan 

Goodreads

Purchase this book at:

Amazon 

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