ENDLESS by AMANDA GRAY

Title: Endless (ARC)
Author: Amanda Gray
Publisher: Month9Books
Date published: 8 October 2013
Genre: YA

My review:
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Initially I had my doubts about the content. Reincarnation/soulmate/time travel doesn't normally grab me by my stomach and flip it. I do, however, like a good romance.

This grabbed enough of my attention to keep me interested. Even though you know when reading that Nikolai is 'the one,' I still found myself rooting for Ben. He's the badboy with all the piercings but good to the core. Nikolai loves her more than time itself though so in that sense the story becomes a tad predictable.

My rating: 3.5/5

SWITCHED by CASSIE MAE

Title: Switched (ARC)

Author: Cassie Mae

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Flirt

Date published: 2 December2013

Genre: New Adult/Romance

My review: Loved it, loved it, loved it!

I was so in love with Wes and his smartass mouth the entire way through. I loved how there was this love square happening. I wasn't sure who I wanted to end up together until Kayla started admitting her feelings to herself. Which was great as it kept me changing my mind about which one I thought she should choose.

Loved the hot'n'heavy scenes and LMAO when Kayla bit Talon's nose. A fantastic romance read. 

My rating: 5/5

SPRING MOON by HRH SOPHIE AUDOUIN-MAMIKONIAN

Title: Spring Moon

Author: HRH Sophie Audouin-Mamikonian

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Genre: YA sci-fi fantasy

My review: I received an ARC for my honest opinion.

It took a bit to get into however, once we got to the juicy parts it was quite good. A few twists and turns and now I'm waiting to see what Indianna is exactly.

I found the ARC hard to read in some parts as any word beginning with 'fi' or 'fl' would be missing those letters. Fly becoming y, fire be coming re. I'm sure this will be fixed in the published edition.

My rating: 3.5/5

THE ELEMENTAL SERIES by Brigid Kemmerer

 

Title: The Elemental Series

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: KTeen/Kensington

Date published: Storm (1st book) May 2012

Genre: Young Adult/ Romance/Fantasy

My review:

I love this series! Four brothers that can control the elements, trying to lay low while they learn to control what they can do. If they stir up too much commotion, the guides will come to take them out. Breathless & Spirit are the only ones not released. Brigid writes so I'm literally LOL and gasping at the good bits. 

My rating: 5/5

Title: BREATHLESS (ARC) - The Elemental Series

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: KTeen/Kensington

Expected publish date: 30 April 2013

Genre: Young Adult/ Romance/Fantasy

My review:

I cannot believe my luck.  I got my hands on an ARC!! OMG!! The twist... All the way through I'm thinking 'No! It cannot be! Not Nicky' but it was to be that way... All the signs were there looking back now. I still absolutely love him to bits though. I'm so glad he finally has a story line all to his own now. I cannot wait for Spirit. I LOVE this series. With Brigid's writing style I am literally LOL at the good parts and looking forward to the next instalment when i finish. I'll be sad to see this series end xxxxxx 

My rating: It's definitely a 5+++++++++/5 for this series.

Title: SPIRIT - The Elemental Series

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Allen & Unwin/Kensington

Publish date: 2013

Genre: Young Adult/ Romance/Fantasy

My review:

I love this series. It's nice to read something not dead boring but not overly-raunchy either. I do love me some raunchy stuff but this was nice... Just a bit of teenage love. Don't get me wrong, there is some major teenage lusting between Hunter & Kate. I shed a little tear throughout the pages but I'm glad at how it turned out. I love following these boys growing up and become great guys. Well done Brigid. I'm so happy to hear there will be more to come in this series :)

My rating: It's still a 5+++++++++/5 for this series.

Title: SECRET - The Elemental Series
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Publisher: Kensington
Date published: Jan 2014
Genre: Young Adult/Romance

My review: W-O-W! Yes, I dragged it out into three syllables just as Michael does in the book. This has some serious story lines that I wish we had more of in other books. Struggling with sexuality and dealing with mixed reactions from loved ones once they become aware; also dealing with a violent home life and being too afraid to get help for fear of what will happen or not knowing who to turn to. These topics are slowly but surely emerging and I am so happy about that. It still needs more coverage so our kids are not afraid to speak up.
Well done Brigid for choosing to 'go there'. I wish there were more writers like you willing to tackle the harder subjects, letting our kids know they are not the only ones dealing with this. I especially liked the pages regarding help websites etc.
Keep 'em coming Brigid!

My rating: 5++++++++++++/5

THE PERFECT MATCH by Kristan Higgins

Title: THE PERFECT MATCH
Author: Kristan Higgins
Publisher: Harlequin
Date published: 29 October 2013
Genre: Romance
My review: Hey hey book lovers,
Long time, No reviews... I know, I've been busy. I received THE PERFECT MATCH by Kristan Higgins via NetGalley for my honest opinion and review. 

I loved it! A beautiful romance. Although it was pretty predictable, I wouldn't have wanted it to finish any other way. I laughed a heap and had tears falling multiple times. I found myself thinking "oh you two-get it together would you." If it didn't have the romantic tension it though, where would the story evolve to? 

If you're looking for a feel good romance, this book is for you! 

My rating: 5/5

OFFSIDES by Sawyer Bennett

Title: OffSides
Author: Sawyer Bennett
Publisher: Big Dog Books
Date published: 2013
Genre: Romance

My review: I loved this book. I read it as a book club friend of mine had rated it strongly.

Ryan has been raised with a silver spoon in his mouth but is just about over the snooty up themself girls he is expected to date.

Danny has had a hard life with both her parents dying. She lost her scholarship to Juilliard while looking after her dying mother. However she still holds a positive outlook on life and is smart and witty. This is what first catches Ryan's attention while he is busy playing Angry Birds. Then he looks at her and is struck with her.

A great story of the hurdles Ryan and Danny face being from different sides of the tracks.

My rating: 5/5

AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES by John Green

Title: An abundance of Katherines 
Author: John Green
Publisher: Penguin
Date published: 2006
Genre: YA fiction

My review:
I liked this story well enough. It took me a smidge longer to read as it's not one of my faves but it's a nice little story. I love John's writing style. I love how his characters are funny, witty and make me giggle.

My rating: 3/5

ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: Orion eBooks
Date published: 2012
Genre: Fiction/YA romance
My review: This is a gorgeous book about first love/unexpected love. Two teenagers simply falling in love on the school bus.

Eleanor is from a poor broken family, has lived a very hard life and is starting a new school. She has a hard time at home and then goes to school and has a hard time with everyone there as well. Everyone, that is, except for Park.
Park is at the lower end of the cool crowd, but a cool kid nonetheless.

It all pulls together nicely at the end. After the first second of finishing I was a tad disappointed and thinking 'Is that the end?' Until I worked out what the words could've been on the card... A few possibilities but the most likely should come to you after a second or so.

My rating: 5/5

SHATTERED PROMISES by Jessica Sorensen

Title: Shattered Promises
Author: Jessica Sorensen
Find it at: Amazon
Date published: 2013
Genre: New Adult

My review: I gave this a go as it was free on Amazon. Apparently the author turned her YA Fallen Star series into a New Adult series for a bit of fun. So she added some sex scenes. My problem with this book was the lead up to the sex scenes seemed a tad repetitive. They always seem to start with him having to restrain her so she'll listen to what her has to say, and by restrain I mean he covers her body with his from feet to chest. The first sex scene was nothing special and it wasn't until a tad further in the book that she refers to the orgasm and I'm thinking "What?? When?? Who??"... I flipped back realising she had experienced some clothes on "explosions" lol. There are a few confusing parts where you're not quite sure if Gemma is dreaming or awake. It seems like it would be a good paranormal storyline however I was left confused and picking out typo's.

That being said, I have read other reviews saying that the YA Fallen Star series this book was taken off is quite good and all the questions in the first book are answered throughout the series and the follow-on 'Lost Souls' series. As I am intrigued by the storyline, I may switch to the YA series after i've finished all the books I have piled up around me.

My rating: 2.5/5

THE NATURE OF CRUELTY by L.H. Cosway

Title: THE NATURE OF CRUELTY
Author: L.H. Cosway
Genre: Adult romance
My review: This is a gorgeous book about about love/hate relationships and how cruelty can arise in many situations for varying reasons . It is mainly from Lana's POV and begins with Lana visiting her best friend, Sacha, in England only to find out Sacha's brother, Robert, unexpectedly has to stay with Sacha also.  It has past 'interludes' from Roberts POV throughout the book that begin when twins Robert & Sacha have to move back to Ireland with their mum due to divorce. Sacha finds friendship with the girl next door, Lana. Robert, although finding Lana very pretty, despises the fact that Lana is interfering with his and Sacha's plans to hate Ireland in the hope of convincing their mum to take them back to England. So the attraction/cruelty dance begins. Just like when your mum tells you that the boy pulling your hair at school probably really likes you and just wants your attention (although Robert does much more cruel stuff than pulling hair). It was a delicious read by Irish author L.H. Cosway & is currently available on Amazon Kindle.

My rating: 4/5

THE ULTIMATE POWER SERIES (TEGAN'S BLOOD, CRIMSON, TEGAN'S RETURN, TEGAN'S MAGIC, TEGAN'S POWER) by L.H. Cosway

Title: THE ULTIMATE POWER SERIES (TEGAN'S BLOOD #1, CRIMSON #1.5, TEGAN'S RETURN #2, TEGAN'S MAGIC #3, TEGAN'S POWER #4)
Author: Publisher: L.H. Cosway
Date published: 2012-2013
Genre: Adult Fantasy/Fiction

My review:

"Within every myth lies a grain of truth - Ethan" - Tegan's Blood. L.H. Cosway

Another vampire story with a different curve to it. What if vampires were not dead but just an evolved version of human's as human's are known to have evolved from apes. What an interesting concept.

This series was recommended by a book club buddy of mine who loves a good fantasy series, as do I.   I love going into a sexy, sizzling & dangerous world. This series lived up to that and more. One of those series that although you have other books to read, you still find yourself logging into Amazon Kindle and buying the next instalment. I literally read this series (so far) in three days! I cannot wait until the final instalment due out December 2013 although I'll be mighty devastated to let go of the sexy Ethan.

My rating: 5/5

A TOUCH OF CRIMSON by Sylvia Day

Title: A Touch of Crimson
Author: Sylvia Day
Publisher: Eternal Romance
Date published: 2012
Genre: Adult fiction

My review: I enjoyed this book. Another Angel, Vamp & Lycan story
although she has put a new spin on how they all came about.
It took no time at all to read as I found it hard to put down.
I loved the characters. I loved this story about Lindsay & Adrian.
She also sets the plot for the next book to find out who
is setting Elijah up.

Has a slight BlackDagger Brotherhood feel to it.
Yes it has naughty bits in it but I love a good Sylvia Day novel!


My rating: 4/5

DARK WOLF by Kate Douglas

Title: Dark Wolf (ARC)
Author: Kate Douglas
Publisher: Kensington Books Aphrodisia
Date published: April 2013
Genre: Adult 18+ Erotica

My review:
I loved this book. Very sexy. The Chanku shapeshifter race has been outed and are living in harmony with humans until a series of murders has the humans wondering if the shape shifters are as harmless as they think.  All is revealed when Sebastian meets Lily who is basically the princess of the Chanku. A lot of sexy scenes follow. It is fairly predictable but it doesn't ruin the storyline.

My rating: 4/5

HUNTER by JAX (aka Jacquelyn Frank)

Title: Hunter (ARC)
Author: JAX (AKA Jacquelyn Frank)
Publisher: Kensington Books/ eKensington)
Genre: Adult Romance

My review:

A book about witches. Good versus Evil.

I loved this book. It's raunchy & sexy and I loved every minute of it. Tatyana is so likeable. She can be seductive yet some times she lets her guard down showing us an immature and self conscious girl.

Her love interest, Hunter, is older and torn between his feelings for Tatyana and his past.  His and Tatyana's chemistry & connection are strong however, he does not want to burden her with his past self that he feels lurking just beneath his skin waiting to explode out of him.

They have to battle another coven so there is action. There's also a bit of 'what's going on here' throughout the book when they're trying to work out what's happening to Tatyana.

 My rating: 5/5

DARE YOU TO (ARC) by Katie McGarry

Title: Dare You To (ARC)
Author: Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin (UK)  Limited
Date published: 7 June 2013
Genre: Young Adult fiction

My review:
I really liked this book. I'm a sucker for an odd pairing in characters and Ryan and Beth definitely fall into that category. I love that the book touches on the fact that although things seem perfect, everyone has their secrets.

Ryan has such a strong 'I don't lose' mentality that at first it comes of as arrogant and cocky. It also seems he's slightly possessive however everyone has some kind of possessive side when it comes to love. Once he opens up you see he isn't as arrogant and cocky as he first appears. He is actually quite a respectful gentleman.

Poor Beth had no chance in life until her uncle tries to make a life for her in Groveton. You really feel for this girl right from the beginning. She is always thinking that when good stuff happens to her, bad news is not far behind. Thank goodness for Uncle Scott.

I love the plot. It's all tied up at the end very neatly and you ARE NOT left wondering 'hmmm wonder what happened to that character'. A very good read with loveable characters. Looking forward to a spin off book.

My rating: 4/5

SPELLBOUND by Emmie Dark

Title: Spellbound (ARC)
Author: Emmie Dark
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia-Destiny romance
Date: 15 March 2013
Genre: Adult Fiction/Romance

My review:
Well it definitely was hot and heavy which I liked. It was the in-between bits that I wasn't so sure of. I'm glad that I wasn't able to pick the twist however I think I was a little disappointed that Nick needed so much prompting from Aunt Gertrude. I think if Aunt Gertrude wasn't in this book and Nick had worked it out for himself with a few little clues, like through the whole thing in the lift, it would have had more of a love pulling them together rather than old Gerty. If the lift thing was elaborated on they could have worked out that she wasn't psychic but she could project her thoughts onto people... And maybe if her self esteem also had something to do with why she sucked at being a witch and when they worked everything out in the end then she was able to make the blanket, that was just out of her reach, come to her unlike the scissors at the start.  I liked the concept but a few things unfortunately just didn't click.

My rating: 2.5/5

A SHIMMER OF ANGELS by Lisa M Basso

Title: A shimmer of Angels (ARC)
Author: Lisa M Basso
Publisher:  Month9Books
Date published: 29 January 2013
Genre: YA Fantasy

My review: I really enjoyed this book. I loved how I couldn't really guess if she was crazy or not.  At some stages I thought 'oh poor Ray, no one believes her. They think she's crazy' and in the next few pages I was thinking 'oh but what if that's the twist? What if she really is crazy and it's an insight into an unstable mind'. I was happy with how it all tied in at the end and would encourage Angel book readers to give this a read.

My rating: 4/5

ON THE ISLAND by Tracey Garvis Graves.

Title: On the Island 
Author: Tracey Garvis Graves
Publisher: Penguin
Date published: August 2012
Genre: Adult fiction/Romance/Adventure-survival

My review:

Read it in one day. Couldn't put it down. This is a romance and hits on a few issues relating to teachers and students... What do you do if you are stranded on an island for years with a late-teens boy becoming a man?... Its a lovely story. I think I read somewhere that this was Tracey's debut and she has written it very well. Very easy to read and I loved it. It is a fave of mine now. 

My rating: 5/5

'DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE' & 'DAYS OF BLOOD & STARLIGHT' by Laini Taylor

 

Title: Daughter of smoke and bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher:Hodder & Stoughton
Date published: Sept 2011
Genre: Fantasy/Romance/YA Fiction

My review: The first book in the series. I enjoyed this book. It ends 'to be continued' but it ends well, pulling the first installment to a close and book two will be the beginning of a new adventure for Karou and Akiva. A tricky little twist at the end made me say 'oh bugger. Akiva, you idiot'. The story takes place on Earth with flashbacks happening in Eretz (another world accessible through portals).

My rating: 4/5


Title: Days of blood and starlight
Author: Laini Taylor 
Publisher:Hodder & Stoughton 
Date published: 2012
Genre: Fantasy/Romance/YA Fiction

My review: The second book in the series. I enjoyed this book as much as the first. It again ends 'to be continued' and again it ends well. In this instalment Karou's life seemed to be the main focus and there was not as much interaction with Karou and Akiva. There were moments of Karou and the white wolf, Thiago. There were moments of Akiva, Liraz and Hazael. Even though they aren't getting along and do not know what the other has planned, they still end up striving toward the same dream they dreamed together. I absolutely love how Laini pulls her stories into a neat, tight knot with a twist in the end. They all end up coming together so fantastically. I cannot wait for the third instalment.

My rating: 4/5

FREEDOM by Jonathan Franzen

Title: Freedom
Author: Jonathan Franzen
Publisher: 4th Estate/HarperCollins Publishers
Date published: 2011
Genre: Literary fiction

My review:

This book for me was B.O.R.I.N.G! Don't get me wrong, it is written well and had it had a different storyline it my have evoked a different opinion. It was the storyline that had me thinking once I turned the last page, 'is that it?'. It was reviewed on The Circle Book Club and Cheryl couldn't talk it up enough so I persevered through hoping it would take a turn for the better. I was disappointed. It's about a family, the Berglunds. It includes a teenage sexual assault, marriage, kids, affairs etc and then ends up finishing with Patty & Walter as an old couple once the kids have flown the nest. I think it was hyped up because apparently Jonathan has written a good book prior. Maybe it's just that I like books of fantasy and make believe. Although I do like Rachael Treasure and Di Morrissey books and they are about fictional life/love stories, I just found this storyline boring. Other people such as Oprah and President Obama loved it according to Wikipedia so it is a book you will either love or not. Unfortunately it was the latter for me :( 

My rating: 1/5

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson

Title: The girl with the dragon tattoo
Author: Stieg Larsson
Genre: Mystery/Crime/Thriller

My review: 

Calling all murder mystery lovers, this one is for you. Unfortunately it's not my kind of book as it took me about a third of the book to get into. I need a book to pull me in from the get-go. I persevered and eventually got into it and enjoyed the last half of the book. A guy is hired to solve a disappearance and solves more than just that with the help of a strange but smart chicky. If you love mystery, you will like this series and I know my friends may rate it better than me but I can only give it a 2.5 out of 5. It wasn't a major disappointment, it just took ages to get into and took me a good month to finish.

My rating: 2.5/5

THE ELEMENTAL SERIES by Brigid Kemmerer:

Title: The Elemental Series
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Publisher: KTeen/Kensington
Date published: Storm (1st book) May 2012
Genre: Young Adult/ Romance/Fantasy

My review:

I love this series! Four brothers that can control the elements, trying to lay low while they learn to control what they can do. If they stir up too much commotion, the guides will come to take them out. Breathless & Spirit are the only ones not released. Brigid writes so I'm literally LOL and gasping at the good bits. 

My rating: 5/5


Title: BREATHLESS (ARC) - The Elemental Series
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Publisher: KTeen/Kensington
Expected publish date: 30 April 2013
Genre: Young Adult/ Romance/Fantasy


My review:
I cannot believe my luck.  I got my hands on an ARC!! OMG!! The twist... All the way through I'm thinking 'No! It cannot be! Not Nicky' but it was to be that way... All the signs were there looking back now. I still absolutely love him to bits though. I'm so glad he finally has a story line all to his own now. I cannot wait for Spirit. I LOVE this series. With Brigid's writing style I am literally LOL at the good parts and looking forward to the next instalment when i finish. I'll be sad to see this series end xxxxxx 

My rating: It's definitely a 5+++++++++/5 for this series.


Title: SPIRIT - The Elemental Series
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Publisher: Allen & Unwin/Kensington
Publish date: 2013
Genre: Young Adult/ Romance/Fantasy


My review:
I love this series. It's nice to read something not dead boring but not overly-raunchy either. I do love me some raunchy stuff but this was nice... Just a bit of teenage love. Don't get me wrong, there is some major teenage lusting between Hunter & Kate. I shed a little tear throughout the pages but I'm glad at how it turned out. I love following these boys growing up and become great guys. Well done Brigid. I'm so happy to hear there will be more to come in this series :)

My rating: It's still a 5+++++++++/5 for this series.

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green

Title: The fault in our stars.
Author: John Green
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Date published: January 2012
Genre: Young Adult

My review:

This is an absolutely BEEAAUUTTIIFUL book about love and loss and how we all deal with loss differently. It follows 16 yo Hazel to a cancer support group and the changes to her life that follow because her mum forced her to attend this group. It portrays teenagers very well. It's funny and sad and just overall beautiful. 

My rating: 5/5

'The girl you left behind' by Jojo Moyes

Title: The girl you left behind.
Author: Jojo Moyes
Publisher: Penguin
Date published: Sept 2012
Genre: Adult fiction

My review: I have read Jojo's previous book 'Me before You' under recommendation from A girlfriend of mine. I loved it and when I walked past her new book 'The girl you left behind', my hand shot out and I grabbed it on the way past without hesitation... It practically jumped off the shelf and into my hands. Jojo is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. This is a beautiful story that follows Sophie LeFevre from 1917 in the war through to 2006 when a painting of her is found on the wall of Liv Halston's home. Jojo links these two women, a century between them, in such a gorgeous way that they stay with you even after you have turned the last page and closed the back cover. It left a wide smile on my face. Devastating and heartbreaking as to what they had to endure in the war but also gave me the warm and fuzzies on love and life. I absolutely loved this book. 

My rating: 5/5

Well hi there :)

Hi all,
I'm glad you have come to read my blog. I am an avid reader & I'll be reviewing and rating the books I read here.  I will not purposely try to offend any readers who like certain genres or any authors. These are simply my thoughts and I will try to give reasons for my opinions when I can. I am not a trained reviewer. I am a person who enjoys sharing the different thoughts and emotions evoked by reading.