Wednesday, February 22, 2017

KING'S CAPTIVE/TOO TABOO AN EROTIC ANTHOLOGY


King's Captive

For three years, I've belonged to Julius King. 
Some people would think being stuck on a private island is heaven, but this is my hell.  
Because I'm not here as a guest. Not even close. I'm a prisoner. I'm his. 
Julius King. Powerful. Wealthy. Dangerous. 
There are parts of me he wants that I can't give him. When he looks at me, there are times I swear he sees someone else. And the scary part is that sometimes, when he touches me, I think he may be someone else, too. 
Though my body might be tempted, and he might control everything else, I can't let him have any piece of my heart. I won't. But every day, the fight gets harder, and Julius manages to slip past my defenses in the most unexpected ways.  
I have to find out the truth about Julius King. Even if it destroys me.  
What I thought:
Holy Hot Sauce... This book! Okay, so I figured out the surprise way way early--like before I made it to the 1/4 mark--but I did not see that twist coming. Totally unexpected. With romance novels, I tend to get burned out from time to time because it's so hard to camouflage the ending when the reader knows there's a HEA coming. This book pulled me out of a romance slump. Hallelujah. This story is complex and twisty and I loved it.
Rating: 4.5 stars ****
*I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
_____________________________

Too Taboo: An Erotic Romance Anthology: Absolve Me\Twice as Hard\Seduction Squad: Captured


Saturday, February 18, 2017

MIRANDA AND CALIBAN by Jacqueline Carey



Miranda and Caliban

This is a retelling of The Tempest, but I went into it blind because I've never read the original. Not even the CliffsNotes. All I really needed to know was that Jacqueline Carey wrote it and I was sold. 
And then there's that cover. *swoons* 
Told from alternating POV's,  the book follows the lives of Miranda and Caliban from childhood to early adulthood. This is a slower, character-driven story, and I think it needs to be. I don't know how far Carey's story-line ventures from the original, but I have to guess that it's a fair amount. The language is stunning. I loved the build-up between Miranda and Caliban and the mounting tension as Miranda starts to follow her father's orders less and question him more.    
Beautifully done. Compelling and bitter-sweet.
Ultimately, I don't think this is the right story for people who need a clear-cut-tied-up-in-ribbons HEA. And don't expect Kushiel's Dart. But it's so well done and I loved it. 
Rating: 4.5 stars ****
*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Check it out and let me know what you think. I love book recommendations. Drop me a comment or find me on twitter @chellypike.

Happy Reading,

Chelly

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

THE TURN by Kim Harrison / THE YEAR OF NO CLUTTER / BITTER MOON /THE GOLDEN / GILDED CAGE/ FEVERSONG by Karen M. Moning




The Turn (The Hollows 0.1)

Kim Harrison returns to her beloved Hollows series with The Turn, the official prequel to the series that will introduce fans and readers to a whole new side of Rachel Morgan's world as they've never seen it before!

Can science save us when all else fails?

Trisk and her hated rival, Kalamack, have the same goal: save their species from extinction.

Death comes in the guise of hope when a genetically modified tomato created to feed the world combines with the government's new tactical virus, giving it an unexpected host and a mode of transport. Plague takes the world, giving the paranormal species an uncomfortable choice to stay hidden and allow humanity to die, or to show themselves in a bid to save them.

Under accusations of scientific misconduct, Trisk and Kal flee across a plague torn United States to convince leaders of the major paranormal species to save their supposedly weaker kin, but not everyone thinks humanity should be saved.

Kal surreptitiously works against her as Trisk fights the prejudices of two societies to prove that not only does humanity have something to offer, but that long-accepted beliefs against women, dark magic, and humanity itself can turn to understanding; that when people are at their worst that the best show their true strength, and that love can hold the world together as a new balance is found.
 
What I thought:
I love this world. Kim Harrison is an amazing author. This book stands on its own, but for Hollows' fans it's a peek into the past. And the story... I love that the story doesn't pull punches. It's a fairy tale before fairy tales became fluff and happily ever afters. Oh, and there's Al. Yep. *nods*

I adore this entire series, but Al might be my favorite part. If you're new to this series, I highly recommend it. If you're already a fan, then you need this book!

I need more Hollows. Please let there be more Hollows...

Rating: ***** 5 stars
*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. But, seriously, I'd already pre-ordered it so I'm not sure that matters.


Year of No Clutter

Eve has a problem with clutter. Too much stuff and too easily acquired, it confronts her in every corner and on every surface in her house. When she pledges to tackle the worst offender, her horror of a "Hell Room," she anticipates finally being able to throw away all of the unnecessary things she can't bring herself to part with: her fifth-grade report card, dried-up art supplies, an old vinyl raincoat.

But what Eve discovers isn't just old CDs and outdated clothing, but a fierce desire within herself to hold on to her identity. Our things represent our memories, our history, a million tiny reference points in our lives. If we throw our stuff in the trash, where does that leave us? And if we don't...how do we know what's really important?

Everyone has their own Hell Room, and Eve's battle with her clutter, along with her eventual self-clarity, encourages everyone to dig into their past to declutter their future. Year of No Clutter is a deeply inspiring--and frequently hilarious -- examination of why we keep stuff in the first place, and how to let it all go.
What I thought:
I really enjoyed Eve's story. Plenty of chuckles, a few laugh-out-loud moments, and a lot I could relate to. Recommend for those of us with too much stuff.
Rating: 4.5 stars ****
*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.




Bitter Moon (The Huntress/FBI Thrillers #4)

FBI agent Matthew Roarke has been on leave, and in seclusion, since the capture of mass killer Cara Lindstrom—the victim turned avenger who preys on predators. Torn between devotion to the law and a powerful attraction to Cara and her lethal brand of justice, Roarke has retreated from both to search his soul. But Cara’s escape from custody and a police detective’s cryptic challenge soon draw him out of exile—into the California desert and deep into Cara’s past—to probe an unsolved murder that could be the key to her long and deadly career.

Following young Cara’s trail, Roarke uncovers a horrifying attack on a schoolgirl, the shocking suicide of another, and a human monster stalking Cara’s old high school. Separated by sixteen years, crossing paths in the present and past, Roarke and fourteen-year-old Cara must race to find and stop the sadistic sexual predator before more young women are brutalized.

What I thought:

I love this series, but I think this one might be my favorite. From a technical standpoint, it's flawless. Exactly the right way to tell a story. And the story... so gripping. I loved seeing a younger Cara--seeing where it all started. And the dual timelines were handled wonderfully. I highly recommend this series.

Rating: 5 stars *****

*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.



The Golden

Deviating from traditional tales that feature lonely vampires who prowl through human society in search of victims or solace, this account of vampires flourishing in their own "inhuman society" takes place in the year 1860, when their centuries-long breeding experiments have finally produced "The Golden," a mortal whose blood is perfect and powerful. Mobilized by the news of this discovery, aristocratic vampire clans arrive at the looming Castle Banat, where they plan to partake of the sublime blood. To their shock, the guests find that The Golden, a young girl, has been brutally murdered and her blood already drained. The story also follows the Inspector Michael Beheim—a recent vampire—assigned to track down the killer. Recounted in full 19th-century literary style with gothic elements and foreshadowing, the inspector navigates his way through the vampire world and the crime therein.

What I thought:
While I liked some elements here, I think the author tried to do too much... and it ended up being too much. Some beautiful language, but the plot gets buried under the imagery. The print is tiny and there are paragraphs that take up whole pages. Hardcore vampire fans, try it. Everyone else, meh.

Rating: 2.5 stars



Gilded Cage (Dark Gifts #1)

Our world belongs to the Equals — aristocrats with magical gifts — and all commoners must serve them for ten years. But behind the gates of England's grandest estate lies a power that could break the world. 

A girl thirsts for love and knowledge.

Abi is a servant to England's most powerful family, but her spirit is free. So when she falls for one of the noble-born sons, Abi faces a terrible choice. Uncovering the family's secrets might win her liberty, but will her heart pay the price? 

A boy dreams of revolution.

Abi's brother, Luke, is enslaved in a brutal factory town. Far from his family and cruelly oppressed, he makes friends whose ideals could cost him everything. Now Luke has discovered there may be a power even greater than magic: revolution. 

And an aristocrat will remake the world with his dark gifts.

He is a shadow in the glittering world of the Equals, with mysterious powers no one else understands. But will he liberate—or destroy?
What I thought:
Great start to a new series. New and interesting world. Smart, strong, independent characters to root for.

Lots of POV characters, but the shifting POVs gave this a quick pace and made it a fast read. 

There were a few things that were supposed to be surprises that I'd already figured out, but I loved the ending. Overall, I'm intrigued and can't wait for the next book in this series.
Rating: 4.5 stars
*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.



Feversong (Fever #9)

What I thought:

Go ahead. Judge this book by its cover. You know you want to. 


The cover is gorgeous and the story is much of the same. This is the last book in this series (but not the last book in this world) and there's not much I can say without spoiling something for new readers, but I can't get enough of Mac and Barrons. I love this world and will buy everything Karen Moning writes. Ever.

I highly recommend this series. Start at the beginning with DARKFEVER but plan to miss a whole bunch of sleep. Highly addictive. You've been warned. 

There's a giveaway going on on Goodreads through 2/17/17, and I've linked it below. 

Goodreads Giveaway (ends 2/17/17)


Rating: 5 stars *****



Reckless Hearts (Reckless Hearts #1)

Between boot camp and two TOD’s in Iraq, my buddies Max, Gavin and me have been through some serious hell. So the last thing I ever expected was to find the biggest challenge of my life back home.

My girlfriend died. I couldn’t even attend her funeral, let alone tell her goodbye or that I’m sorry I wasn’t there like I should’ve been.

But she left me a gift. The best and scariest one I could’ve ever asked for. One I didn’t think I could handle…until the day I saw her tiny blues looking up at me in that airport. Chloe.

Now here I am, raising my baby girl—with the help of my two best friends. Things couldn’t be better. Until she walked into my life.

All I wanted was a nanny. Someone to take care of my girl when I couldn’t. What I didn’t count on was Addison, the brown-eyed temptress with a body of sin, and everything I didn’t need, but suddenly wanted.
 

What I thought:


I love an alpha hero. Collin is hot and sexy and... not for me. His frequent use of the word "sweetheart" was my main trigger. In and of itself, the word is harmless. However, use it as a direct address and my blood boils. Every time he called Addie sweetheart, I wanted to throat-punch him. So I'm sure 99.9% of the female population will think him sexy and charming, but I couldn't get past "sweetheart." In fact, I have a friend who will likely never call another human being sweetheart as long as he lives. Ahem. But, yeah, it's all me. I'm unequivocally biased here.

Like tall, gorgeous, hot alphas with dreamy blue eyes and dimples? Like smart, sassy women? Then this story is absolutely for you.

The other two hot alphas in the story show major potential, so I will definitely keep going with the series.

Rating: *** 3 stars


*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 


That's all for January. What was your favorite read this month? What 2017 books are you most excited about? Drop me a comment and let me know.  

As always, follow my blog for more reviews and find me on twitter @chellypike

Happy reading,

Chelly

COMING NEXT MONTH:

THE 100 BOOK/TV SHOW Blitz & GIVEAWAY!





I am so
excited that THE 100 returns to TV tonight! And to help celebrate the show's return Little Brown Books For Young Readers and Rockstar Book Tours are giving away 5 Boxed Sets of the Complete series! 
So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the
Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.







About The Book:



Title: THE 100 Box
Set (Books 1-4)

Author: Kass Morgan

Pub.
Date: 
January 3, 2016
Publisher: Little,
Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 1360

Formats: Paperback

Find it: AmazonGoodreads

All four thrilling novels in The 100 series, now available in a paperback
boxed set! 



Ever since nuclear war destroyed our planet, humanity has been living on
city-like spaceships hovering above the toxic surface. As far as anyone knows,
no one has stepped foot on Earth in centuries--that is, until one hundred
juvenile delinquents are sentenced to return and recolonize the hostile land.
The future of the human race rests in their hands, but nothing can prepare the
100 for what they find on this strange and savage planet. 




Read the series that inspired the hit TV show. The 100, Day 21,
Homecoming, and Rebellion are gathered together for the first time in this
striking box set, perfect for fans and series newcomers alike.














About Kass Morgan




Kass Morgan
studied literature at Brown and Oxford, and now resides in Brooklyn, where she
lives in constant fear of her Ikea bookcase collapsing and burying her under a
mound of science fiction and Victorian novels. Kass is currently working on the
sequel to The 100, which she’ll finish as soon as she finds a coffee shop that
allows laptops on the weekend.












Giveaway Details:



5 winners will
receive the complete boxed set of THE 100 Series, US Only.




Ends on February 8th at Midnight EST!