The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

The Darkest Minds
By Alexandra Bracken
The Darkest Minds book #1
Hardcover: 488 pgs
Published: December 18, 2012
By: Disney-Hyperion
Goodreads Link
Rated: 4.1 out of 5 Stars
Related Reviews: In the After Light - #3; Never Fade - #2

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

The world building in this book was phenomenal. I loved the world that Alexandra created; a dystopian society that was hit with a devastating virus, killing off most children. The ones that didn't die from the virus became.. different. Ruby is one of those children, locked away in an abusive camp with thousands of other children. In this book, she finds herself, and learns to trust others again. I fell in love with Liam instantly, with his outgoing personality and instant trust in her. He is a wonderfully written male character. The "Slip Kid" is a complex and intricate character, and I tried so hard not to hate him (without success). I thought that the 'colors' to describe the types of abilities was pretty cheesy, but effective. The chemistry between Liam and Ruby is instant and absolute. The ending was awful, and I won't give any details, but it was the worst possible ending that could happen without any of the main characters dying. Sigh. On a good note, the Psi generation is ready to fight back, and I'm hoping that the resistance stands up in the future books to try to take back their world. I will definitely continue reading this series, and I look forward to the third book.

The Darkest Minds book #3: October 28, 2014

"Did you know...you make me so happy that sometimes I actually forget to breathe? I'll be looking at you, and my chest will get so tight...and it's like, the only thought in my head is how much I want to reach over and kiss you." -Liam to Ruby

"It feels like we should do something,' he said. 'Like, send her off on a barge out to sea and set her on fire. Let her go out in a blaze of glory.' Chubs raised an eyebrow. 'It's a minivan, not a Viking.'" -Chubs & Liam

"The Darkest Minds tend to hide behind the most unlikely faces."

Book reviews relating to this one:

Connect with Alexandra Bracken: AlexandraBracken.com; Twitter; Goodreads.

Tags: dystopian, the Darkest Minds, urban fantasy.

Stay With Me by J. Lynn - Wait for You Series book #3

Stay With Me
By J. Lynn (Jennifer Armentrout)
Wait For You Series book #3
Paperback: 448 pgs
Published: September 23, 2014
By: William Morrow Paperbacks
Rated: 5 out of 5 Stars

At 21, Calla hasn’t done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.

But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she'd left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.

Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn’t give them her mom.

Holy crap on a cracker.

This is the first book that I've ever given a full five star rating to, and it is truly deserved. I'm blown away, yet again, by the amazing talent that is Miss Jennifer Armentrout. Sigh. I am usually torn by books that change main characters throughout the series. Beginning this one, I was missing Jace, the sexy book boyfriend from Be With Me. Jace who? Jax is incredible, the best written male character that I've ever read. He is driven, patient, stubborn, and did I mention, Hot with a capital H? I fell in love with him as soon as he was introduced to the story, with his cocky attitude and straight forward comments. Calla is also a wonderfully written character, although I never felt a connection to her in the first two books in the series. I found myself connecting with her almost instantly in this one, and experienced her ups and downs as a reader, right along with her. The story line was not lacking at all. I am drawn to the paranormal genre of books because romance typically doesn't cut it for me, but this book had so much going on that I never gave it much thought. The relationship building between Calla and Jax isn't the entire focus of the book, and for that, I am grateful. The fact that Jennifer Armentrout can make any dramatic situation humorous is another reason why I love her writing style. I found myself giggling more than a few times, and there were, of course, a few tears as well. All in all, I couldn't be more pleased with this latest installment in the Wait for You Series. Kudos to you, Miss Armentrout, for receiving my first five star rating!

"'Oh, no. I'm not talking about what has already happened. It's what's about to happen.' Katie leaned onto the bar, and I thought her boobs were going to spill right out of the top of her sequined dress and wipe down the bar for me. It would be like a nipple wipe-down. 'You see, I got the gift.' The gift of stripping? 'Um, what kind of gift?' 'Oh boy,' muttered Roxy. Katie tapped a long, French manicured finger off her temple. 'The gift. Sight. Psychic. Whatever they're calling it nowadays. I get feelings about things and I just know things.' Um... 'So, um... did you have this gift in high school?' I asked. Katie laughed. 'No. I had an accident. Woke up the next day with the gift.' 'What... what kind of accident?' I asked, wondering if I should know or not. 'Oh Lordy Lord,' muttered Roxy. 'Fell off the damn pole.' Oh my god. 'The pole?' She nodded as she ran a fingertip along the bottom of her life. 'Yep. Those damn bitches oil themselves up like they're going to take a skinny dip in a deep fryer, so sometimes the pole gets slippery if it doesn't get wiped down. A short giggle escaped Roxy and ended in a forced, fake cough as she grabbed a bottle and then three shot glasses. Oh no. 'Anyway, I got on the pole for a show. Busy night, too. On a Saturday, and I was doing this thing where I hang upside down.' Katie leaned back and raised her arms, and for a second, I thought she was going to reenact the whole thing, and I had a feeling it was about to become a boob apocalypse. 'And I was all like this.' Twisting her arms together, a rather convincing sexed-over look crossed her pretty face. 'Just upside down, right?' 'Right,' I mumbled as Roxy poured brown liquid into three shot glasses. 'Next thing I know, my legs are slipping down the pole, and I'm all like 'Man down!', or at least 'Stripper down!'' Another funny-sounding cough escaped Roxy as she slammed the bottle on the bar, and I forced myself to take several deep breaths as I murmured, 'Oh noes.' 'Yep,' she said. 'Cracked my head right off the stage. I was out like a belly button.' Out like a belly button? What the what?" -Katie, Roxy, and Calla

"Jax was staring down the guy on the other side of the bar, and then he was moving forward. Slamming one hand down on the bar top, he launched up over the bar, landing nimbly on the other side, inches from the guy. 'Holy crap,' I whispered, eyes wide. I'd never seen anyone do something like that. Didn't even know it was possible. Jax hadn't even hit a bar stool. It was like he propelled himself over the bar all the time. Maybe that's what he did during down time, winging himself back and forth over the bar. 'I said, get the fuck out of here.' Jax got right up in his face, and him being a good head taller than the other guy, it was pretty impressive. 'Right this fucking second, you wannabe ganster.'"

"I wouldn't get any kind of normal, not with a guy like Jax. Not when he might'e gotten over my jacked-up scar on my face, but hadn't seen or felt the rest of me. This wasn't about having a low self esteem, being inexperienced or weak, or being nervous to get naked because I needed to drop twenty pounds. My body was wrecked. There was nothing attractive about it." -Calla

"Maybe all men had a tongue that was literally a mass weapon of assured seduction." -Calla

"Tequila is a dirty whore." -Calla

Reviews related to this one: Be With Me - Wait for You #2; Wait for You Book #1

Connect with Jennifer Armentrout: JenniferArmentrout.com; Goodreads; Twitter; Amazon; Barnes & Noble.

Tags: Jennifer Armentrout, book reviews, romance.

Revelation by Randi Cooley Wilson

Revelation
By: Randi Cooley Wilson
Series: The Revelation Series #1
Paperback: 314 pages
Published: May 1, 2014
Self Published
Rated: 4.2 out of 5 Stars

A divine secret, a loyal protector, a forbidden love.
Eve Collins starts her freshman year at college blissfully unaware that one revelation will challenge everything she’s believed to be true about her family, life, and future, and right in the midst of it all is Asher St. Michael.

Mysterious and aloof, Asher is appointed to protect Eve at all costs. Bound by his oath of loyalty to mankind, loving her is forbidden.
Dark and enigmatic, Gage Gallagher may be even more dangerous to Eve than the demonic army that hunts her.

Caught in the middle of a centuries old war, Eve must choose sides knowing that the wrong choice will cost more than just her life.
Can Asher and Eve fulfill their destinies or will their love destroy everything?

This book has been sitting on my TBR shelf for quite a while, but I never got around to reading it. I have no idea why, because it was amazing Miss Wilson! I really enjoyed this story of forbidden love and the ultimate sacrifice. The world building was decent, with a college setting in a small Massachusetts town. The plot line was also pretty good, with a few twists and turns throughout. But the characters were what pulled it all together for me. I instantly found myself in Eve's shoes, living everything through her and sympathizing with her more than I do with most female leads. She is strong, yet not too strong that she appears heartless or cold. Asher is an amazing male character, and the way that she writes him reminds me of the way Jennifer Armentrout writes her males. The stubborn, infuriating, piss-you-off constantly- yet perfect specimen of a male. That is Asher. He is gorgeous, strong, supernatural, closed off- yet Eve is able to undo him and his hardened exterior to find the perfect, gentle man beneath. Sigh. The smaller characters are all wonderful as well. Gage is complex and multi-layered, and I'm thinking he could become an ally further into the series. (Please, no love triangles though Miss Wilson!) Aria, Abby, and even Kenna are all great supporting characters, and they each have different personalities that shine through in this book. I also loved the way that she meshed different supernatural characters together. This book has Fae, angels, demons, gargoyles, hellhounds, and Daughters of Heaven. I honestly cannot wait to read the second one in this series. It is called Restraint and was published at the end of July, 2014.

"Leaning on a classic black Wiesmann Roadster, in the parking lot near Lexington Hall, is a tall, lean, good-looking guy. He's smiling at his fan girl harem. Smoldering hot guy is the type of male that females instantly drop their panties for. No doubt he makes every girl feel as if they're the only one on the planet. Dame if he didn't have the chiseled cheeks and blond scruff along his perfect jawline to solidify the cliche." -Randi Cooley Wilson about Gage

"'I don't know. He just appeared, looking all cunning and surrounded by his fan club,' I say, feigning disinterest but keeping my eyes glued to him, watching his every move with an abnormal curiosity. 'Well, he's YUMMY. I wouldn't mind licking him up and down like a lollipop,' she states with enthusiasm, wiggling her eyebrows. I glance matter-of-factly at her. 'Don't you think the other ten guys you're currently sleeping with would be upset if they saw you licking him in broad daylight, in the quad no less?' 'I'm not sleeping with ten guys.' Aria fakes offense. 'It's only three'. She pretends to sulk. I offer a smug smirk. 'My apologies. I didn't mean to over exaggerate your promiscuity.'-Randi Cooley Wilson - Eve & Aria

"'You're ready'. I shake my head. 'I'm not.' 'You are.' 'What if I don't want it?' 'That's not an option,' Asher reminds me. 'What if I fall?' 'I'll catch you.' 'What if I fail?' 'I won't let you.' 'What if I get hurt?' 'I will protect you always.'"-Randi Cooley Wilson - Asher & Eve

Connect with Randi Cooley Wilson:
RandiCooleyWilson.com; Twitter; Goodreads.

Tags: Revelation Series, angels, demons, paranormal urban fantasy, book reviews

Trial by Fire - Josephine Angelini

Trial by Fire
By: Josephine Angelini
Series: The Worldwalker Trilogy
Hardcover: 374 pages
Published: September 2, 2014
By: Feiwel & Friends
Rated: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.

What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.

I forgot how great an author Miss Josephine Angelini really is. I fell in love with her Starcrossed Series, but I haven't read anything from her since. This book was wonderful in all of the ways that count. The world building was phenomenal, especially the alternate worlds where witchcraft is more accepted than science. The alternate world that Lily finds herself in is so backwards in their views, yet the perfect mixture of modern and old world. I felt connected to Lily almost instantly; after reading only the synopsis, I had a haunting inclination that she would be one of those whiny protagonists that are full of self pity. That was not the case at all, thankfully. Lily is a strong, stubborn female character. Tristan's character is more complex, and I thought at the beginning of the story that he would be much more than he turned out to be. I wasn't a big fan of him, but his friendship with Lily always came first, and for that, I don't completely despise him. And then there is Rowan. Sigh. Rowan is my book boyfriend for the week..(: He is a strong character, willing to sacrifice himself and everything he loves to keep Lily safe. This story really did hook me from the beginning and I put off sleep far longer than I should have to read one more chapter. I'm sure all of my readers know exactly what I mean when I say that. The plot line is rather twisted, and there were more than a few surprises thrown in. The underlying meaning behind the story is also something that is important to me. It is not just a tale of witchcraft and alternate worlds, there is a point behind the story that shines through and I found myself falling in love with Miss Angelini's writing style more and more as the story progressed. I recommend this read to everyone and anyone- definitely one of my favorites of the year!

“The people who love you will guide you like bright lights into the other worlds.” -Josephine Angelini

"She didn't have many options. She could pretend to be Lillian and try to escape later, or tell the truth and hope they would let her go. If they knew she wasn't the girl they all seemed to hate, then maybe they would realize that they had no reason to keep her locked up in the first place. 'I'm not Lillian. Please, you have to believe me', Lily begged. She heard Rowan make a scoffing noise and desperately raised her voice to be heard over him. 'I'm a version of Lillian'."- Josephine Angelini

Connect with Josephine Angelini: JosephineAngelini.com; Twitter; Goodreads

Tags: Josephine Angelini, witches, paranormal urban fantasy, book reviews

Stacking the Shelves - Book Haul 9/21

For my birthday, I got a gift card that was specifically for buying books, as if I would buy anything else! (: I ended up scoring 12 brand new books.. yay! There is nothing better in this world than a book shopping spree! From top to bottom, here we go..

1. A Temptation of Angels
By Michelle Zink
Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

2. Born Wicked
By Jessica Spotswood
The Cahill Witch Chronicles book 1
Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches.

3. Chime
By Franny Billingsley
Briony is a witch that lives in fear. In her village, witches are sentenced to death. Can she hide her secret, or will she end up like her mother?

4. Black City
By Elizabeth Richards
A Black City Series book 1
I've already reviewed this book, but only owned the ebook version. This is an amazing book Miss Richards, so I bought a copy! A dystopian vampire novel with crazy twists and turns, this is a three book series.

5. Dragonswood
By Janet Lee Carey
On Wilde Island, there is no peace between dragons, fairies, and humans. I saw the word, fairies and I stuck it in the basket. Yes, my fairie obsession is still going strong!

6. The Treachery of Beautiful Things
By Ruth Frances Long
A darkly compelling mix of romance, fairy tale, and suspense from a new voice in teen fiction.

7. Spirit Walk
By Richie Tankersley Cusick
Book 1 & 2 in the Walk Series
Unsettling. There's no better word to describe Miranda Barnes's ability to hear the cries of the dead, feel the wind move her hair when they run by, and - dare she look into a mirror - see the reflection of a ghostly woman behind her.

8. Extraordinary
By Nancy Werlin
Werlin delivers a captivating novel of friendship and trust, where the past determines the future and a generations-old curse requires the ultimate sacrifice.

9. Wake Unto Me
By Lisa Cach
A haunted castle, a handsome young man dead for four hundred years, one heck of a scary portrait of a witch, and a treasure hunt -- not to mention a princess for a roommate!

10. Strange Angels & Betrayals
By Lili St. Crow
Strange Angels Series books 1 & 2
I still have yet to read this series, but I heard amazing things and cannot wait to get into it!

11. Lucid
By Adrienne Stoltz & Ron Bass
What if you could dream your way into a different life? What if you could choose to live that life forever?

12. The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove
By Lauren Kate
From blackmail to buried desire, dark secrets to darker deeds, Natalie unravels. She never should've messed with fate. Fate is the one thing more twisted than Natalie Hargrove. Cruel Intentions meets Macbeth in this seductive, riveting tale of conscience and consequence.

Watch for these reviews and more in the upcoming weeks! That's all for today folks.. (:

Tag: 20 Things You Might Not Know About Me...

Thank you Tanya at Keep Turning Pages for tagging me in this post.
The idea is fairly simple- answer the questions, tag people, etc. I have been so busy with school that I promised her I would get this done this weekend. Let's get started with the questions..

1. How tall are you?

I tower over all of my friends at an astonishing 5' even. If I was two inches shorter, I would be qualified as a midget. But hey, some of the best things come in small packages. (:

2. Do you have a hidden talent?

I do have a fairly awesome hidden talent. I can dance with a hula hoop. Throw it up in the air, do crazy awesome tricks with it, light it on fire and poi hoop. I am rather addicted to hooping, and own eight different ones, even one that has LEDs and lights up at night.

3. What's your biggest blog related peeve?

Spelling and grammar errors make me want to stab myself in the eyes. It physically hurts me. So please proofread. It is imperative to my health. (:

4. What's your biggest non blog related pet peeve?

Oh, this is easy. Ten page research papers assigned a week before they are due, about Aristotle and his philosophical thoughts. Are you kidding me Professor? I know he was an amazing dude in his day, I really do. But he was alive in 300 BC Greece, where his ideas probably really did have merit, not 2014 America. Not to mention that it needs to be sited in Thebian, instead of what EVERYONE else on the planet uses.. MLA. Ugh. So yea, there goes my weekend! LOL (:

5. What's your favorite song?

I really love Nahko & Medicine for the People's Manifesto or Make a Change or Wash it Away. Actually, all their songs are really wonderful. Nahko is my future husband, for real.

6. What's your favorite Etsy shop that isn't yours?

Hoop Mamas or Katwise

7. What's your favorite way to spend your free time when you're alone?

No question, reading, reading, did I mention reading? When classes are in session, it's usually a text book or notes that I read, but reading for pleasure is one of my favorite activities on earth. (:

8. What's your favorite junk food?

Fried zucchini. OMG.. there is nothing on the planet that is as delicious as fried zucchini. It has to be homemade by me though, that frozen crap in restaurants is disgusting!

9. Do you have pets? If so, what kind and what are their names?

I grew up with pigs, chickens, dogs, cats.. now that I'm in college, I do not have any pets of my own. My dog still lives with my mom though. He is a Saint Bernard named Ruckus.

10. What are your favorite fiction and non-fiction books?

This is a loaded question. There is no way I can pick just one. How about top five favorite fiction books? Dan Brown - Angels and Demons, Anne Rice - Memnoch the Devil, Jennifer Armentrout - Lux 5 - Opposition, all 7 of the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne, aaaaand any of the three Fae Chronicles books out so far by Amelia Hutchins. That was really harder than it should be!

As for non-fiction, I really don't have a favorite. I read so many text books for school, I can't enjoy them anymore lol

11. What's your favorite beauty product?

I like smelly good stuff. There is this essential oil that I've bought online since I was 13. It's called Egyptian Goddess and I really could not live without it. If I don't wear it, my friends all tell me that I seem different.

12. When were you last embarrassed?

Yesterday in Western Civ class when my professor asked me what the moral behind Oedipus the King was and I obviously was texting someone. I managed to answer with, 'don't listen to the gods, they were all psychos...' while the entire class laughed. Totally embarrassing, but very true. (:

13. If you could drink one beverage for the rest of your life, besides water, what would it be?

Coffee. Or Red Bull. Really, anything with caffeine that keeps my mind awake while reading philosophy is good for me.

14. What's your favorite movie?

I am really horrible at watching movies. I fall asleep almost instantly. Same with TV shows. I guess the last movie that didn't put me to sleep was The Longest Yard with Adam Sandler. As long as it has a male character that can make me laugh, I'll probably enjoy it.

15. What were you in high school: prom queen, nerd, cheerleader, jock, valedictorian, band geek, loner, artist, prep?

I pretty much got along with everyone. I'm pretty laid back and friendly, and can talk to anyone with a brain comfortably (:

16. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Ireland. I hate the sun and the heat, and I love the rain. I am mostly Irish, and even though I have never been there, my body still knows that the sun is evil.

17. PC or Mac?

Although I would love to have a Macbook, my PC works just fine and I'm poor! (:

18. Last romantic gesture from a crush, date, BF/GF?

Guys flirt with me all the time, but I'm way too busy for a commitment right now. A cute guy got me a beer at a party last weekend? lol

19. Favorite celebrity?

Well, like I said.. I'm awful at watching TV and movies so I really don't know many celebrities. I like Adam Sandler, and Josh Harrison from the Pittsburgh Pirates. I live under a rock.. don't mind me.. (:

20. What blogger do you secretly want to be best friends with?

LOL Well, there are a handful of blogs that I read consistently. I definitely enjoy Tanya's Keep Turning Pages, Maria at A Night's Dream of Books, and Melissa at Melissa Reads Books. Any other blogger who wants to tag themselves in this, feel free! Leave me a comment so that I can read your answers. (:

Unchained by J. Lynn - Nephilim Rising book 1

I have apparently been on a Jennifer Armentrout kick lately. I'm ultimately looking forward to Stay With Me coming out September 23!

Between the pissed off creatures that want demon-hunter Lily Marks dead and the fallen angel who just...wants her, Lily is about ready to trade in forever for a comfy job in a cubicle farm.

The fact that she and Julian are civil to one another is enough to have her thrown out of the Sanctuary, but she can't shake her not-so-angelic stalker or how he brings her dangerously close to ecstasy.

Her forbidden relationship with Julian provides the perfect fuel for suspicion when a traitor is discovered to be working within the Sanctuary. Lily quickly finds herself hunted by well, everyone.

Her only hope is to discover the real traitor before she loses everything--and she'll need Julian's help. That is, if Julian is really there to help her...and not destroy her.

Yeah, being a Nephilim isn't everything it's cracked up to be.

Well.. this is one of the first books ever written by Jennifer, so I wasn't hoping for much. Although it was way better than I thought it would be! I really enjoyed this story. I never found the connection to Lily, but Julian was a well written character. A fallen angel that isn't evil, and is in love with a Nephilim. He is a well rounded, complex- not to mention- swoon worthy specimen of a book boyfriend. I really continue to be awed at the perfection that Jennifer writes male characters. The world building is well done, with the Nephilim having a private governmental building in our nation's capital. I wasn't impressed with the names of the supernatural creatures- deadheads and minions- and they were pretty cheesy all in all. The story line was typical for an angels vs. fallen angels type of story, but there were definitely twists and turns that I was not expecting. Especially the ending- was not expecting who the traitor turned out to be at all, so thanks for the epic plot twist Jennifer! Michael was another twist that I saw coming, yet was still surprised at the actual outcome. I am hoping Jennifer continues this series, but I haven't heard anything about a release date for the next in the series. I really did enjoy this book, and would recommend it to anyone that loves Jennifer Armentrout's writing style.

“It was like a date - a weird, twisted date that would probably end with them killing something”. -J. Lynn

Connect with Jennifer Armentrout: JenniferArmentrout.com; Goodreads; Twitter; Amazon; Barnes & Noble.

Tags: Jennifer Armentrout, paranormal book reviews, urban fantasy.

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer Armentrout

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Jennifer never fails to amaze me with her ability to create an intricate world of supernaturally gifted creatures. This book was no different; Wardens, Demons, and Alphas (the Seraphim) dominate this story. The plot line was wonderful, a quest that ends with Layla finding herself in a world that refuses to accept her. She is half demon, and half warden. These natural enemies both fear that she is more one race than the other, refusing to trust her because of her bloodline. For her entire life, she has been told that she's not good enough, and she believes it. But then she meets Roth, a high level demon of hell. He doesn't judge her, or make her fear what she really is. She is terrified of him at first. Raised by Wardens, they have constantly told her that demons are all evil. But Roth is there to protect her. When her life is on the line, it is he who saves her countless times. The trust between them builds, as does the attraction that she feels for him.

This is a wonderful story of a girl, believing her entire life that she is worthless, finally breaking free from her shell and finding herself. I instantly connected with Layla, and secretly rooted for her the entire way through the story. Roth is my favorite character by far, with Jennifer's ability to write humor into a dramatic story, I often found myself laughing out loud at Roth and his sarcasm. Zayne is a character that I am torn about. Layla obviously has a deep connection with him, but I wasn't feeling it as much as her connection with Roth. Of course, I have a feeling this series will continue with a dramatic love triangle between the three characters. I'm team Roth all the way. Sure, he is the Prince of Hell, a high level demon with amazing power, but there's just something about him that makes me smile. I truly admire Jennifer's ability to write the most impractical, hard headed, stubborn and irritating, yet perfect men. Sigh. I can't honestly say that I didn't cry Mrs. Armentrout.. but it was worth it! This story is definitely worth the read, and I honestly cannot wait until the next installment in The Dark Elements series!

Release date for Stone Cold Touch - The Dark Elements #2
October 28, 2014

“I lost myself the moment I found you.” -Roth

“You almost got plowed by a cab. And if you want to get plowed, I will gladly volunteer my services. I promise you I’ll be a lot—”
“Don’t even finish that sentence.”
“It was just an offer." -Roth and Layla

Connect with Jennifer Armentrout: JenniferArmentrout.com; Goodreads; Twitter; Amazon; Barnes & Noble.

Tags: Jennifer Armentrout, paranormal book reviews, urban fantasy.

Blood of Eden Series by Julie Kagawa

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for… again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

Another vampire series? Julie Kagawa laughs in the face of Twilight with this wonderfully written story. Blood of Eden is one of the best written worlds that I have ever read. Her version of vampires are dark and dangerous, as they should be. The world after a vicious plague has taken more than 60% of the population is the perfect, post apocalyptic world. Humans are greedy and selfish, as is our protagonist- Allie. She is jaded from years of starvation, of being the prey to the vampire rulers of her city. Along comes Kanin, a rare selfless vampire who turns her world on its head. Allie is a character that I could instantly relate with. Real world issues, whether they are post apocalyptic or not, are raging within her constantly. Yet she has the strength to pull herself out of her own darkness and be able to hope for a better outcome, a better world. It is her hope that survives throughout this wonderful story of war, bloodshed, insane vampires and humans alike, and, believe it or not, love. Amazing story Julie Kagawa, I cannot believe this series sat on my TBR shelf for so long! For the urban fantasy junkies out there that see "vampire series" and cringe, this one is definitely for you. (:

"The mighty hunter,” I quipped as we snuck out the backdoor, escaping into the yard. “He can take down vicious rabids and rampaging boars, but one old lady can make him flee in terror.” “One scary old lady,” he corrected me, looking relieved to be out of the house. “You didn’t hear what she told me when I got up — you’re so cute I could put you in a pie. Tell me that’s not the creepiest thing you’ve ever heard.” His voice climbed a few octaves, turning shrill and breathy. “Today for dessert, we have apple pie, blueberry pie and Ezekiel pie.” -Julie Kagawa

“You don't dwell on what you've lost, you just move on." -Allison

Connect with Julie Kagawa: JulieKagawa.com; Twitter; Goodreads

Tags: vampire series, paranormal, urban fantasy, dystopian, julie kagawa, ya, na, teen.

Be With Me by J. Lynn - For You Series #2

Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she’s in love with her big brother’s best friend, but he hasn’t spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, change-your-life kiss. She got out of a terrible relationship. And now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It’s time for Plan B – college. And maybe a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.

Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he’s not telling anyone. Especially not his best friend’s incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn’t have time for a relationship. But it doesn’t help that all he can think about kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.

As they’re thrown together more and more, Jase and Tess can’t keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they’re willing to risk to be together, and what they’re willing to lose if they’re not…

This is the second book in the 'For You' series by Jennifer Armentrout, writing as J. Lynn. I put off reading this series for quite a while because the paranormal aspect was non existent. I'm not a huge fan of cheesy romance novels, but I should have never expected typical cheesy romance from Miss Armentrout. Her writing was amazing as always, and I wish I would never have doubted her ability to bring so much more than just romance to the plate. Be With You hooked me from the start, and I really did feel a huge connection to her characters. Jase (wiping the drool from my chin) is amazingly sexy, mysterious, and jaded in all of the wrong ways. Yet he is the perfectly written man. His sweet, thoughtfulness over shadows his problems by miles. Tess is wonderfully written as well, going through several earth shattering experiences while trying to find her place in the world. They discover each other in the middle of the mess that their lives have become. Although their feelings for each other bring about a whole new list of troubles, can they overcome the impossible and open themselves up for the pain that a relationship can bring? Or will they ruin everything between them because of the fear of heartbreak?

This book was well written, with so much steamy sexual tension, as well as the release of that tension on a few occasions. And the cover, sigh, is incredibly sexy! Cam and Avery do play a role in the story as well, and I was thrilled about that development! I truly dislike a series that each book changes main characters, but Miss Armentrout pulled it off perfectly. By the end, I was asking, 'Cam who'? Give this series a chance, you will not regret it!

"Hi, I said, waving my hand as awkwardly as humanly possible. His father's smile spread as he strode toward us, his head cocked to the side in a mannerism that reminded me of Jase. You cannot be related to Came. There is no way a pretty girl like you shares DNA with that ugly mug. A surpised laugh broke free. I think I liked this guy. And there is also no way you're here with this one. He nodded his head at Jase, who frowned. You must be lost. Okay. I really liked this guy. You're right. I don't even know who this person is. Jase's frown slipped into a scowl as he glanced down at me. What the hell? I grinned."

"He stared at me a moment as his hands on my wrists spasmed. His arms extended out, putting a few inches in between our bodies, and I should've kept my damn mouth shut. 'Fuck', he said, voice hoarse, and dragged me back against him. Jase lowered his head and his mouth was on mine before I even realized what was happening. My brain was way behind what was going on, but he kissed me- he was kissing me. His lips were on mine, and there was nothing soft and sweet about this kiss. I was branded in seconds. There was a brief second where I worried about his father finding us like this, and, well, that would just be awkward. The threat vanished as his hands slid down my throat, over my shoulders, to my hips. Being caught? Total nonissue."

Book reviews relating to this one: Wait For You - Book #1 in For You Series

Connect with J. Lynn (Jennifer Armentrout): JenniferArmentrout.com; Goodreads; Twitter; Amazon; Barnes & Noble.

Tags: romance, Jennifer Armentrout, J. Lynn, Stay With Me Series, book reviews, love.

Broken Prince by Jen Wylie - The Broken Ones book 2

Sometimes, when you're broken, you can heal on your own. Sometimes, you need the help of your friends, your family, and the people you love. Keeping those pieces together when the world seems intent on ripping you apart is the greatest challenge of all. Especially when the ones you love, the ones who hold you together, start falling apart themselves. Arowyn and her family continue on their journey to return the Elven Prince, Shael, to his homeland before he fades and dies. A journey full of triumph and horror, love and sorrow, rips them apart with every fighting moment, and yet brings them together as a family. They don't allow the prophecy to rule their lives. Some don't believe, some don't care. Prophecies aren't written in stone. Events can change. People can change. They are only words. From besieged cites, to the elusive Were and wild Fey, nothing quite prepares them to face their deadliest of enemies, one they didn't know existed.

This is the second book in The Broken Ones Series, and it picks up almost exactly where Broken Aro ends. The dystopian world that Jen Wylie has created continues to expand and change in this second installment. The world building is phenomenal; it seems to be around the early 17th century. Wars, famine, disease and death run rampant throughout the countrysides as the group of misfits continue their journey to return Prince to his home. Aro's feelings for the stubborn Prince continue to grow, to the point that she can no longer deny them to herself. She is in love with the arrogant elf, even though he is a prince and she is nothing. Just a mortal. Or is she? The fact that she can take the Fury from her fey best friend and mind speak with the Were are hints that she is more than that, though. This story continues the journey; through fighting and death, to happiness and the discovery of more allies. The prophecy, and Dragos continue to haunt her waking dreams. This book is full of action and suspense; the reader gets to know the characters better, and with that comes the sadness when a character no longer has a place in the story. I enjoyed every minute of this book, and I would definitely recommend the series to any urban fantasy / dystopian fan out there. Jen Wylie does an amazing job capturing her characters and world so that the reader feels an immediate connection!

"Turning to glance behind her, she watched Prince bravely try to keep up. Though tall, his slim frame seemed weak compared to the others. It wasn't, or hadn't been. Few saw past the beauty of his face anyways. Even dying, he took her breath away. Had he not been an arrogant, tempermental, and impatient prince, he would likely have been a favorite to them all. As it was, quite often the other men barely tolerated him."

Reviews relating to this book: Broken Aro - The Broken Ones book #1

Connect with Jen Wylie: JenWylie.com; Twitter; Goodreads; Smashwords; Amazon.

Tags: Broken Ones Series, Broken Aro, Jen Wylie, paranormal, book reviews, urban fantasy, dystopian, book review.

Broken Aro by Jen Wylie

Open your eyes to darkness. What do you see? Does the darkness frighten you? Now imagine the darkness being the cargo hold of a slave ship. Your city has fallen. Your family is most likely dead. You don't know anyone around you, and some of them aren't even human. Giving up would be so easy to do, but not for Arowyn Mason. Not after being raised in a military family with seven brothers. Every great story should begin with a plan. Aro's was to escape and to survive.

Escape comes, but at a price. As they reach the shore, Aro and the other survivors learn that freedom doesn't mean safety. The slavers want their property back and will do anything to get it. The party uses every ounce of their brute strength, a hearty helping of cunning, and even ancient magics to keep themselves alive. Sickness, danger, and even love surprise them at every turn. Dealing with danger becomes their way of life, but none of them ever considered that nothing can be quite as dangerous as a prophecy. Running turns into another race altogether as her world falls to pieces again and again.

This book was not what I was expecting at all. The world that Miss Wylie built is amazing; the story takes place in what I want to say is the late 16th, early 17th century. The world still appears large and unexplored to most. Plagues are rampant, transportation for the most part non existent, women were still married off at the ripe age of 14. It is a wholly different world altogether than our modern metropolises; but yet I was still able to relate to it completely. It felt like I was there through the attack on her city, and in the slave ship bound for a strange land she had never been to. I found I could not put this book down, and finished it in a matter of hours. The characters are well written. Aro is a bit on the young side, filled with devastation and yet a hopeful outlook on the future. Her character is on a precarious balance beam, about to topple over, and yet always finds her way back to a level surface. Prince's character is a bit more complex, and I find myself wanting to get inside his head. There are otherworld creatures throughout this book, but they do not take precedence to the actual story line. I knew that there would be a twist near the end, and there definitely was. I was waiting for it, yet was not able to fully predict what it would be. I truly did enjoy this story, and look forward to reading the next one in the Broken Ones Series!

"A little gasp escaped her lips before she clamped them shut. He was beautiful. She shouldn't have been surprised. He was a prince after all. Weren't they all handsome? She took in his long black hair, fine and straight. Hers had never looked so nice. His skin was fair, except for a purpled bruise high on his left cheek and curling over his temple. His features were angular, but somehow slightly soft, too. Gentle. His nose was impossibly straight and his eyes... his eyes were glaring at her. She looked away quickly. 'Are you quite done?' She looked at him again because she hadn't finished. She'd only noticed his too long dark lashes and fine sweeping dark brows before his glare had scared her. She wanted to finish the picture and see what color his eyes were. They were blue, of course. Perfect brilliant blue. They were also glaring again."

Connect with Jen Wylie: JenWylie.com; Twitter; Goodreads; Smashwords; Amazon.

Tags: Broken Ones Series, Broken Aro, Jen Wylie, paranormal, book reviews, urban fantasy, dystopian, book review.