Week in Review: 4/29-5/5

Books Ive Bought/received

* Wilde's Fire By Krystal Wade-eARC- Netgalley


Books I read

Just One Drop by Quinn Loftis
Wishful Thinking by Gabi Stevens
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris
A Patch of Darkness by Yolanda Sfetsos

Reviews posted


The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Lies & Omens by Lyn Benedict
Elemental by Emily White
Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready
Wishful Thinking by Gabi Stevens

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* New Releases for the week. Was there anything you were looking forward to reading?

* Friday I asked What Are you Reading??


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*If you see something on my books Ive read list that you are dying to know about let me know I'm back logged on reviews and can move it up on the list if I know people are wanting one.

* I love comments so if you see something you like (or not) please comment away and let me know.

Review: Wishful Thinking by Gabi Stevens

Wishful Thinking
Author: Gabi Stevens
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Tor
Time of Transition Book #3
ISBN:  0765365057
ISBN13: 9780765365057
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Free-spirited artist Stormy Jones-Smythe was raised by two talented Wizard fathers but never showed the slightest hint of magical abilities. Which is why she’s totally surprised when three famous fairy godmothers show up at her door to tell her she’s one of them.

Surprised, and none too happy.  The godmothers are fugitives, framed for treason, and the last thing the magical Council wants is another fairy godmother going rogue. Hence Stormy’s new full-time Guard, Hunter Merrick.

Stormy quickly realizes she’s not going to escape Hunter’s watch…and before long, she’s not sure she wants to. But her freedom depends on her ability to expose the plot against the godmothers, and that means getting control of her magic. Despite the growing chemistry between them, Hunter is fiercely loyal to the Council—and duty-bound to keep Stormy from doing either of those things.

But he didn’t count on Stormy’s irrepressible exuberance and passion for life. Before long, even Hunter isn’t sure which side he’s on, and he can’t contain Stormy either way.

WISHFUL THINKING is book 3 in the Time of Transition series but it happens to be the first book of the series that I read. Although I'm sure the whole back story would have been nice to know I at no time felt like I completely missed out on things. 

As a groundling raised by two wizard fathers Stormy has come to terms with the fact that she is no way magical. That all changes when the Aunts show up and present her with her new wand as she has been chosen by the magic to be the third godmother.

I liked Stormy, she was spunky and down to earth. Hunter was also very likable. He is a rule follower and is given the task of protecting story but Stormy calls to his senses more then anything ever has.  Their romance was slow starting but strong and very easy to fall into. I really liked the scenes with all the Godmothers together. I don't know their personalities like I know Stormy but they all fit together well. The ending felt a bit rushed for a finale to the trilogy but without having read the first two books and knowing what happened in them I cant really say if it tied up all lose ends as a whole. I felt satisfied with the ending of Hunter and Stormy's story though. I might just go back and read books 1 and 2 but was fine with reading book 3 as a standalone.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars 

What are you reading??

So many great books came out this week that I have been waiting forever for so I thought it would be a good time to ask you what are you reading??

I just got done reading Insurgent by Veronica Roth and I'm going to be diving into Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris shortly

Review: Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready

Shine
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
The Shade Trilogy Book #3
ISBN:  1442439459
ISBN13: 9781442439450
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Publisher

In this dramatic conclusion to the Shade trilogy, Aura and Zachary’s relationship sizzles as the secrets of the Shift are revealed.

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.

As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart.

It has been a stressful ride for Aura since the moment her boyfriend died but she is finally at the end of her journey to discover who she is and why she is that person. After some highly stressful events in the states with Zach by her side they finally get to go investigate what really happened between their parents and the events that caused the Shift overseas.


SHINE started off with a bang and ended with closure. Zero time has passed between the end of SHIFT. Aura and Zach are still in danger and continue to be in danger throughout the whole book. An unexpected ally helps Aura in her time of need. Logan is finally truly gone and It was definitely time for that. I liked that Aura's friends are still very much involved in the final book. There is a ton of Aura and Zach romance and it was great to watch them together as they committed to each other. There is plenty of action and suspense and the pacing was perfect.

Jeri did a fantastic job in closing out the series in a way that left me feeling satisfied and the story complete. Your heart will sore, it will break and it will cringe. This is a great series to add to your TBR pile if you have not already read it.

I gave it 4/5 stars 

Review: Elemental by Emily White

Elemental
Author: Emily White
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
ISBN13: 9781937053048
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Just because Ella can burn someone to the ground with her mind doesn't mean she should.

But she wants to.

For ten years—ever since she was a small child—Ella has been held prisoner on an interstellar starship. Now that she has escaped, she needs answers.

Who is she? Why was she taken? And who is the boy with the beautiful green eyes who haunts her memories?

Is Ella the prophesied Destructor… or will she be the one who's destroyed?  

ELEMENTAL is definitely a unique read. We start out with Ella on a prison ship, no clue where the ship is really or why she is there only that she is there and for some reason someone in her head is telling her that she has a chance to escape. She doesn't really remember anything about herself from before she was taken prisoner and we follow her on her journey as she escapes, is on the run and falls into her destiny.

Ella really doesn't have much time to build herself up from the starved, scared girl she starts out as but does gain confidence and strength gradually throughout the book. I can't say that I connected fully with Ella but I did enjoy her character and her story. Another character we meet right away Meir is also a huge mystery but he is a huge part of helping Ella and you cant help but fall in love with his fatherly affections. Cailen, I liked him right away. He and Ella of course were made for each other and I hope their relationship goes a little more smoothly in book 2. I saw the traitor pretty much from the moment he was introduced. I wasn't really surprised when his big reveal came. That whole part of the story was pretty predictable. I was a bit confused trying to follow the different religions. I didn't feel they were well explained until way later in the book and I would have liked to know a little more about them from the start so I could understand their beliefs and positions a little more. I must add that I busted out laughing when the cat was introduced my husband looked at me like I was nuts because I just couldn't stop. 

ELEMENTAL falls heavy on the side of Sci-Fi with a bit of YA romance thrown in. Emily had a good story voice going and the whole thing was fast paced. I AM interested to see what happens next for Emily so I will most likely pick up book 2 when it comes out but it isn't a must read for me. 

I gave it 3/5 stars

 

Review: Lies & Omens by Lyn Benedict

Lies & Omens
Author: Lyn Benedict
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Ace
Shadows Inquiries Book #4
ISBN:   1937007502
ISBN13: 9781937007508
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Sylvie Lightner is a P.I. specializing in the unusual—in a world where magic is real, and Hell is just around the corner. After escaping secret government cells and destroying a Miami landmark, Sylvie’s trying to lay low—something that gets easier when a magical force starts taking out her enemies. But these magical attacks are a risk to bystanders, and Sylvie can’t let that slide.    When the war between the government and the magical world threatens the three people closest to her—her assistant, her sister, and her lover—Sylvie has no choice but to get involved with hidden powers bent on shaping the world to their liking. Now, with death and disaster on the horizon, even if Sylvie wins, things will never be the same...  

The Shadow Inquiries series continued with plenty of action, frustrating romance and otherworldly type creatures aplenty. Sylvie once again has to save humanity from the magical world and those hell bent on destroying the ISI with no care who falls into their path.

Sylvie is kick ass, loyal and full of surprises. We continue to get a peek into what being the New Lilith entails for Sylvie while continuing to keep us (and her for that matter) in the dark.  We get a hot and sexy shower reunion scene between Sylvie and Demalion. I'm really not sure what my feelings are towards Marah, I honestly can not tell what her motives are and who's side she is on. Erinya brings lots of excitement to the series but she is a bit out of control now that she is a god and I cant imagine what she will do next or how Sylvie will deal with it.

I really liked how LIES & OMENS ended. It felt like all the key players are finally on the same side in the same fight. There is a great lead up to book 5 worked in. I wont be missing a release in this series anytime soon.

I gave it 4/5 stars

New Releases: 4/29-5/5

Tue May 1

Black Dawn (The Morganville Vampires #12) by Rachel Caine
Body and Soul (The Ghost and the Goth #3) by Stacey Kade
Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse #12) by Charlaine Harris
Demon's Bride (The Hellraisers #2) by Zoe Archer
Destined (Wings #4) by Aprilynne Pike
Elemental by Emily White
Embrace of the Damned (Brotherhood of the Damned #1) by Anya Bast
Heart of Brass (Wardens of the Realm #1) by Kate Cross
Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth
The Impossible Cube (Clockwork Empire #2) by Steven Harper
In the Company of Witches (Arcane Shot #2) by Joey W. Hill
Kiss of the Goblin Prince (Shadowlands #2) by Shona Husk
The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry
The Seven Year Witch (That Old Black Magic #2) by Jodi Redford
The Shifter by Jean Johnson
Shine (Shade #3) by Jeri Smith-Ready
Silence (The Queen of the Dead #1) by Michelle Sagara West
Sparks Fly (Light Dragons #3) by Katie MacAlister
Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Under Suspicion (Underworld Detection Agency #3) by Hannah Jayne
The Vicious Deep (The Vicious Deep #1) by Zoraida Córdova
Wrecked by Anna Davies

Thurs May 3

Broken Dream (Dark Angel #3) by Eden Maguire
Until I Die (Revenants #2) by Amy Plum

Happy Reading!!