Firstlife by Gena Showalter #review

 

Title: Firstlife

Author: Gena Showalter

Series: Everlife #1

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Source: Netgalley

Release Date: February 23 2016

Buy Now:

Amazon

Goodreads

ONE CHOICE.

TWO REALMS.

NO SECOND CHANCE.

Tenley “Ten” Lockwood is an average seventeen-year-old girl…who has spent the past thirteen months locked inside the Prynne Asylum. The reason? Not her obsession with numbers, but her refusal to let her parents choose where she’ll live—after she dies.

There is an eternal truth most of the world has come to accept: Firstlife is merely a dress rehearsal, and real life begins after death.

In the Everlife, two realms are in power: Troika and Myriad, longtime enemies and deadly rivals. Both will do anything to recruit Ten, including sending their top Laborers to lure her to their side. Soon, Ten finds herself on the run, caught in a wild tug-of-war between the two realms who will do anything to win the right to her soul. Who can she trust? And what if the realm she’s drawn to isn’t where the boy she’s falling for lives? She just has to stay alive long enough to make a decision…

My Thoughts

First off I loved the cover it absolutely beautiful.  Second The plot is original and highly descriptive as well as full of exciting action.

But….

Ten would rather spend Thirteen months locked in an asylum being tortured by a psycho that is paid by her parents to make her choose between two different realms for the Everlife, which is the real life which starts after death. which is fine but Ten takes so long spending time in the Asylum trying to decide what to do and it seems so long-winded for her to choose without any strong reason that she should have so much trouble to choose.

This book is a good read if you immerse your self in the action and the characters and don’t take the plot too seriously. I love the thought of  the Good Vs Bad afterlife, but Ten was pretty annoying in making her decision.

overall I liked the book, and recommend it to those who like Y.A, and give it a solid 3 stars.

 

 

 

A Mad Zombie Party #review

 

Title: A Mad Zombie Party

Author: Gena Showalter

Series: White Rabbit Chronicles 4

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Source: Netgalley

Release Date: September 17 2015

Buy Now:

Amazon (currently at time of posting on special for $1.99

Goodreads

The enemy has risen from the grave. Together we slayers must stand, or one by one we will fall.

Ali Bell’s crew of zombie slayers thought they’d won the war against Anima Industries, the evil company responsible for capturing and experimenting on zombies in an effort to discover the secret to immortality. In the last epic clash, the slayers lost many of their crew and closest friends. But Frosty, the ice man himself, has not recovered from one casualty in particular — the love of his life, Kat Parker.

On the path to self-annihilation, Frosty receives a message from beyond — Kat’s spirit returns, insisting he partner with rogue slayer Camilla Marks. Frosty will do anything for Kat. Except that. Camilla’s betrayal caused Kat’s death.

But when Anima rises from the grave stronger than ever, Frosty, Camilla and all the slayers will have to work together to survive. And one broken slayer will learn that sometimes the line between hate and attraction is blurred… and the road to redemption may mean letting go of the past and grabbing hold of the future. (

My Thoughts

 

I loved this book,

At first I was put off by the change in POV, after reading the series in Ali’s voice it took a little bit to get use to it, but after a while I just fell for the storyline.

One person I really didn’t expect to get a happy ending was Frosty, after the death of Kat, I really wanted those two to make it, even with their up and down relationship they were still made for each other.

When Millia shows up and Frosty and her spend time and start to fall in love, I though that it was a bit early for Frosty to be moving on especially with the woman that helped cause her death.

As the story progresses however Gena has a wonderful way of bringing these two together without offending Kat lovers.

Milla is a strong female character and because of this I really feel like her and Frosty will be a perfect match without all the drama that he and Kat shared.

I really enjoyed this book and being the last in the series didn’t disappoint. I highly recommend it.

Menagerie by Rachel Vincent #review

Title: Menagerie

Author: Rachel Vincent

Series: Menagerie 1

Publisher: Harlequin

Source: Supplied by publisher

Release Date: September 29 2015

Goodreads

From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent comes a richly imagined, provocative new series set in the dark mythology of the Menagerie…

When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger’s Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus black-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah in her black swan burlesque costume is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she’s forced to “perform” in town after town.

But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other “attractions”—mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she’ll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed.

Renowned author Rachel Vincent weaves an intoxicating blend of carnival magic and startling humanity in this intricately woven and powerful tale

My Thoughts

To me anything written by Rachel Vincent is pure gold, I have never read a book of hers that I did not thoroughly enjoy, I must admit I could not put this book down.

Delilah has a great life she has a wonderful mother, a good job, excellent boyfriend and a best friend that has been there for years, until the night her boyfriend decides to splash out on horribly expensive tickets to the travelling Menagerie, things go horribly wrong for Delilah when she sees a handler torturing a young werewolf child to  get her to perform, it flips a switch in Delilah and she strikes out with a power that she did not know she possessed.

Now instead of watching from the outside Delilah is watching from the inside as a Cryptid (mythical monster) while they determine what she is, with no idea how to turn on her powers and watching the other cryptids be humiliated and tortured day in and day out Delilah must find a way to not only protect herself but those around her.

The Menagerie world is so beautifully written you are transported to a world that has mythological beings, although these beings have been stripped of their rights and used and abused by humans, after an event that is slowly unravelled to us as the book progresses.  I would absolutely love a prequel to get more information about the history of the book.

This book is hard to put in a genre, fantasy yes, little bit dystopia and Adult literature, Ms Vincent has made a beautifully smooth transition between Y.A and Adult that makes this book so enjoyable.

I love that even though Delilah is being tortured, abused, beaten and starved she stays herself and doesn’t break, she is strong and powerful she just needs to find her voice.

I extremely recommend this book for anyone who is a Rachel Vincent fan and anyone in general that wants to take part of an amazing fantasy ride that will have you gripping the edge of your seat.

*It seems I made a embarrassing mistake in my review in mentioning that Rachel has just moved into adult writing, which is of course not true, silly me, sorry Rachel, I have removed this part of my review.

No Limits by Lori Foster #Review

Title: No Limits

Author: Lori Foster

Series: Ultimate

Publisher: Harlequin

Source: With thanks from Netgalley and publisher

Release Date:  August 2014

Add to Goodreads

The Synopsis

 A surprise inheritance reunites a mixed martial arts fighter with the woman he’s never forgotten in the first in a smoldering new series from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster…

Cannon Colter is quintessential hero material: chiseled jawline, shredded body—the works. He’s also the guy who rescued Yvette Sweeny from kidnappers, only to put an end to her romantic dreams. These days, she’s older, smarter, determined to face whatever life throws her way. Even the prospect of sharing a house and business with Cannon.

Cannon knew Yvette wanted him three years ago. But she was young—and some things are worth waiting for. Thrown together by her grandfather’s legacy, he realizes how deep Yvette’s scars really go, and how much danger lurks in their quiet town. As pent-up desire explodes between them, protecting her becomes the only fight that matters. And he’ll break all the rules to do it.

My Thoughts

 

 

 

I really enjoyed this story, to see a hardened Martial Arts fighter and playboy, fall head over heels in love with a sweet, damaged young woman.  Yvette was in love with Cannon when she was younger, Cannon always thought she was too young, when tragedy strikes and damages Yvette which sends her running.  Meanwhile Cannon becomes the town hero as a MMA fighter.  The two are brought back together by Yvette’s father passing away and giving Cannon half his possessions as long as he convinces Yvette to come back to town and protect her.

It was fun seeing the back and forth between Yvette and Cannon, it was a sweet romance with a hint of action, which I would have liked to have more of.  The story was fast moving and I loved the secondary characters as much as the first, I am hoping that future books involve those extra characters.

No Limits is a steamy tension filled book full of drama and a bit of action, funny and lively characters and a great start to a new series.  I highly recommend this book and look forward to the future books in the series.

Engaged at the Chatsfield by Melanie Milburne #Review

Title: Engaged at the Chatsfield

Author: Melanie Milburne

Series: The Chatsfield

Publisher: Harlequin

Source: With thanks from Netgalley and publisher

Release Date:  May 2014

Add to Goodreads

The Synopsis

Introducing The Chatsfield in this fantastic prequel, USA TODAY bestselling author Melanie Milburne invites you to step inside the world’s most exclusive luxury hotel empire!

Where secrets lurk behind every door…

A whisper, a rumor, a scandal!

Glitz, luxury and decadence—Juliet Montague should be having the time of her life. Her friend’s hen party is being held at the extravagant Chatsfield Hotel, London, but when she is surrounded by perfect, ultra-stylish women, each with rings on their fingers, a fake fiancé seems her only defense.

Until that very same fake fiancé arrives at the party! Now she must persuade Marcus Bainbridge, her older brother’s gorgeous best friend, not to give the game away. But as the charade deepens, will the lines between what’s real and what’s fantasy start to blur?

Welcome to The Chatsfield, London!
Collect all 8 fantastic titles
May–December 2014

My Thoughts

 

What a great start for a new series from Harlequin!  I love it , all the glitz, glamour and drama you need in one short story.

Juliet is invited to a hens night at the magnificent Chatsfield Hotel, where all the rich and famous stay. Juliet is the black sheep of the group, single and never really fit in, after a friend asks if she is seeing anyone, Juliet panics and mentions that she is engaged to her brothers best friend who is luckily in the middle east somewhere and not likely to find out about her little white lie.

Juliets weekend all comes apart when Marcus her unsuspecting fiance walks in and stays at The Chatsfield Hotel, now she is caught in her lie and has to convince Marcus to play along for her prides sake, which leads to an embarrassing, funny and romantic weekend that they will never forget.

A great romantic, swoon filled read, although short it is definitely a precursor to more exciting trysts at The Chatsfield Hotel, and I can’t wait to read more.  I loved Juliet she is not famous, special or rich, she is just herself and she is wonderful, who doesn’t freak out when all your friends are getting married and expect you to have settled down with the rich sexy husband.  Just as well Marcus did show up because I think they make a awesome couple.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to escape to the ritzy Chatsfield Hotel for a while.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Monday What are You Reading?

The Chatsfield Novella Box

 

 

Step behind the hotel room doors of The Chatsfield, London, for five fabulous novellas full of style, sensation…and scandal!

In The Soldier in Room 286 by Abby Green, soldier turned international actor, Salim Segal, has one night at The Chatsfield to convince beautiful Natalja Jordan that, despite the pains of the past, they have a future worth fighting for.

Ben treats girlfriend Joely to a luxurious birthday night at The Chatsfield, intending to propose, in Proposal in Room 309 by Joss Wood. But nothing’s going according to plan…. Who’d have thought being walked in on by a stranger–while naked!–would lead to happy ever after?

For The Couple in the Dream Suite by Marguerite Kaye, it’s 1921 at The Chatsfield–London’s glamorous new hotel–and disillusioned soldier Justin York is unexpectedly entranced by a socialite, Miss Vera Milton-Kerr. Can Justin’s dark-eyed gaze melt the ice running through Vera’s veins?

Libby Lancaster finds herself roomless at The Chatsfield and decides that one night of not being good-girl Libby with sexy Prince Lucaj might be just what she needs! But will her one-night fantasy end when the clock strikes twelve? Find out in The Prince in the Royal Suite by Susan Stephens.

In The Doctor in the Executive Suite by Tina Beckett, Doctor Chelsea Serrano is called upon to save the life of a guest while dining at The Chatsfield’s fabulous restaurant–a great excuse to escape her less-than-fabulous date. And who needs dessert when you can have a mouth-watering bodyguard to help instead?

Will they find love in London? Find out in volume one of The Chatsfield novellas!

 

The Wolf Siren by Karen Whiddon #Review

Title: The Wolf Siren

Author: Karen Whiddon

Series: The Pack #15

Publisher: Harlequin

Source: With thanks from Netgalley and publisher

Release Date:  April 2014

Add to Goodreads

The Synopsis

When a werewolf and the beautiful siren he once saved meet again, resistance is futile…

As Pack Protector, Kane McGraw never gets involved with the victims he saves. But Lilly Gideon may be the one exception. She has intrigued him ever since he helped free her from a religious compound called Sanctuary. So when he learns that she’s still in danger, he can’t stay away—not even if it means exposing Lilly to the fanatics she’s trying to escape.

Years of psychological torture have left Lilly without the ability to control her shifter nature. Any man she touches is driven mad by an all-consuming desire. Though she wants Kane more than any man, she’s forced to deny him the release they most crave. That is, until he decides it’s time to take matters—and her—into his own hands….

My Thoughts

 

 

 

Although This is book Number 15 in a series, I have only ever read a few of the previous books.  The Wolf Siren picks up after Lilly Gideon is saved from her deranged father and cult leader that held her captive for years and studied and tortured her.

Lilly is broken, currently living with her brother and his new bride, Lilly is terrified of everything and when her brother finds out that the surviving members of the cult is trying to kill Lilly he contacts Pack protector and friend Kane to guard her. Kane decides that it is not safe for her with her brother and convinces everyone to let him take her away so he can protect her and hide her better.

Lilly is a beautiful and realistic character she melts your heart with her softness and you just want to cuddle her and tell her to be strong, after years of abuse she is once again in the hands of a stranger, but after time Kane breaks down Lilly’s barriers and starts to help her put herself back together.

I love how this book is a sweet romance but also manages to be an action packed story as well that manages to keep you on the edge of your seat.

I have had no trouble reading these books in my own order as  I find them, so it is possible to start reading from this book, you still can easily put together the overall story-line with the book being mostly concerned with the new characters of Kane and Lilly.

I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys shifter stories and eventually I am hoping to get my hands on all the previous books so I can catch up.

 

 

Harlequin Presents The Chatsfield Reveal #TheChatsfield

The Chatsfield

· Harlequin, has launched The Chatsfield, a “first of its kind” digital series from Mills & Boon

· Set in the luxury hotel “The Chatsfield”, this digital series provides an extra journey for the

reader to continue engaging with the characters of a book and series beyond what is just on

the page, thereby extending the life of the story.

· The Chatsfield is a digital journey that blends fiction and reality and comes across multiple

mediums including print (The Chatsfield Presents books), video (YouTube), digital (blogs

and the main Chatsfield website) and social (twitter, Facebook).

To be a part of the digital journey, you can explore here:

The Chatsfield opened its doors on 6th

May at http://www.thechatsfield.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechatsfield

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheChatsfield

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/2/b/113143776951997975430/113143776951997975430/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thechatsfield

Mills & Boon website: http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/thechatsfield

#TheChatsfield – wherever possible

The Books

May

 

Sheikh’s Scandal by Lucy Monroe

Sheikh Sayed of Zeena Sarha and his harem of beautiful women are staying at the exclusive, opulent Chatsfield

Hotel, London, for the last stop on his worldwide tour before his wedding. But when his engagement is

unceremoniously broken, Sayed sets his sights on his sexy chambermaid!

Liyah Amari only took the position as chambermaid to find the truth about her birth father. But her search ends in

heartache, leaving Liyah vulnerable to this powerful Sheikh’s desires. Now their one night of passion could result in a

scandalous consequence for the proud Sheikh!

Welcome to The Chatsfield, London!

 

 

 

Lucy Monroe

Award-winning and bestselling author Lucy Monroe lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, surrounded

by a plethora of pets and children (her own, the neighbors, her sisters…). She finds inspiration for her

stories everywhere as she is an avid people-watcher. So much so that she disconcerted her husband

upon first meeting him when she watched the other dancers as much as she watched him. He thought

she wasn’t interested…silly man.

She believes there is no stronger emotion than love; that it truly can overcome pain, past rejection

and the challenge of finding happiness despite the hardest things life has to offer. She believes in the

victorious conclusions found in today’s romance. To her, the passionately sensual romance novel is a

beautiful expression of the reality of love, packaged in a fantasy readers can enjoy.

When she’s not writing, Lucy likes to read—big surprise, that. She can’t tell you the latest show going on

television, but she loves romantic movies, action adventure and the theater. She adores her family, and is

a smatterer when it comes to hobbies…a little of this, a little of that.

Since selling her first book to the Harlequin Presents line in September of 2002, she has sold more than

thirty books to three publishers and shows no signs of slowing down in the near future.

Visit her web site to read about all of her books and see flash movies for select releases,

including her Harlequin Presents title. She truly loves to hear from readers, and can be reached at

lucymonroe@lucymonroe.com.

June:

Playboy’s Lesson by Melanie Milburne

 

Lucca Chatsfield has one simple motto: no rings, no strings. Adored wherever he goes, he has yet to meet a woman

who can resist him. Until he’s sent to the small principality of Preitalle and meets his greatest challenge ever….

Poised and polished, princess Charlotte does not do drama. The very last person she needs interfering in her life is

this reckless playboy! Lottie is determined to resist Lucca’s seduction, but his charm is potent, and practically perfect

Lottie finds herself risking everything for just one more touch….

Melanie Milburne

It was while she was supposed to be studying for her final high school exams that Melanie Milburne

read her first Mills & Boon novel. She was 17 and decided right then and there she would continue

reading romance novels, and not only that, she would settle for no less than a tall dark handsome hero

as her future husband. Well, she’s not only still reading romance but writing it as well! And the tall dark

handsome hero, you ask? She fell in love with him on the second date and was secretly engaged to him

within six weeks.

They moved to Scotland so he could work and study for his M.D. in surgery, and two sons later, arrived

in Hobart, Tasmania—the jewel in the Australian crown. Once their boys were safely at school, Melanie

went back to university and upgraded her teaching qualifications to a bachelor’s and then master’s

degree.

As part of her final assessment she conducted a tutorial in literary theory concentrating on the romance

genre. She had the tutorial room decked out with hearts and champagne and roses and was standing

at the front of the room reading a paragraph from the novel of a prominent Harlequin Mills & Boon

author when the door suddenly burst open. The husband that she thought was safely tucked away in

an operating theater doing what surgeons are supposed to do was actually standing there dressed in a

tuxedo, his dark brown compelling gaze centered on her startled blue one. He strode purposefully across

the room, hauled Melanie into his arms and kissed her deeply and passionately before setting her back

down and leaving without a single word. The lecturer gave Melanie a High Distinction and her fellow

students gave her jealous glares! You can see by now her pilgrimage into romance writing was more or

less set!

As well as writing full-time, Melanie is also a keen athlete. She enjoys long-distance running and is a

nationally ranked top-10 master’s swimmer in Australia, holding several individual state records. She

learned to swim as an adult, so for anyone out there who thinks they can’t do something—you can! Her

motto is “Don’t say I can’t; say I CAN TRY.”

Melanie loves the pace and passion of the Harlequin Mills & Boon Presents series and hopes fans enjoy

reading her stories as much as she loves writing them.

 

Socialite’s Gamble by Michelle Conder

As the darling of London’s party scene, Cara Chatsfield isn’t surprised when her father’s CEO sends her to Las Vegas

to host The Chatsfield’s world-famous poker tournament. And if behind the glitz and glamour there’s a girl hurt by her

past? She’ll never tell.

Aidan Kelly detests women like Cara, but when his biggest rival includes Cara in the stakes, Aidan must win—and not

just for her protection! But getting to know the stunning socialite, he discovers a beautiful, vulnerable young woman

awoken by his own personal brand of passion!

Welcome to The Chatsfield, Las Vegas!

 

Michelle Conder

After graduating from the University of Melbourne, Michelle Conder took a variety of jobs before packing

her bags and traveling and working overseas. When none of the career opportunities she encountered

grabbed her she returned to Australia, and after more study decided to follow her lifelong dream of

becoming a writer.

Michelle now lives in Melbourne with her husband and three children; when she isn’t writing, she loves to

visit faraway places and spend time with her family and friends.

 

Dark Wolf Running by Rhyannon Byrd Review

 Paranormal Romance

 

Dark Wolf Running

Series: Blood Runners #5

Author:  Rhyannon Byrd

Published: December 2013

Length: 304 Pages

Publisher: Harlequin 

Source: provided by Netgalley for Honest Review

Genre: Paranormal Romance

The Synopsis:

In Rhyannon Byrd’s latest Bloodrunners romance, passion and secrets collide and only their love will save two werewolves and their pack.

With his sharp gaze locked on the most magnificent female he’d ever seen, Wyatt Pallaton did his best to hold himself back. Of course, Elise Drake was hardly just any female. Fiery and cool, strong, yet at the same time achingly vulnerable, she’d turned his entire world on its head.

No matter how bloody difficult it proved to be, he was done letting her pretend he didn’t even exist. Done with letting her fight her own battles. Done driving himself slowly into this maddening state of frustrated desire. One way or another, things were about to change.

Come hell or high water, she was done running….

 

I love shifter Stories but unfortunately this book did not really grab me too much, Most likely because I have not read the books in order, I did not realize that this is book 5 of a series, although I have read book 1 it was too long ago to remember  who was who so it made it a bit confusing, This is my fault not the books or the authors.

I still enjoyed the story for light reading, the characters were likable and believable Elise is a pure bred wolf but has emotional difficulties, she shuts herself off from the other wolves.

Wyatt is a Blood Runner Half human and Half Wolf he knows that Elise is his mate but needs to keep it a secret until he can convince her that he can be trusted.

Dark wolf Running is a nice Romance to curl up with on a afternoon, Although I did not find it terribly exciting it was good enough to keep me entertained, I believe the book would have been more enjoyable if I had not skipped a few books, I will be going back and reading them again.

Expecting a Bolton Baby by Sarah M Anderson

 

 

Expecting a Bolton Baby

Author:  Sarah M. Anderson

Published: January 2014

Length: 192 Pages

Publisher: Harlequin 

Source: provided by Netgalley for Honest Review

Genre: Romance

The Synopsis:

In this Bolton Brothers book, first comes the babyand maybe then comes marriage?

He’d never expected to see Stella Caine again. After one wild night, she’d walked away right after revealing that her father was the one man who could threaten the biggest business deal of Bobby Bolton’s career. So Bobby left her alone.

Until now.

Now Stella is pregnant and staying in his condo. This is a complication that can be solved only one way: marriage. Bobby wants to do the right thing. Hell, he wants her–he has never stopped wanting her. Surely he can convince her to say yes, even without those three little words.

 

 

 This book is number Three of the Bolton Family Saga, although I have not read the rest of the series, I could still follow this book easily.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         The Bolton Brothers are Reality T.V stars, while at a party Bobby meets a sexy woman and after a few drinks Bobby and Stella hook up in her car, That was suppose to be the end of it, until Stella shows up pregnant, things go from bad to worse when Bobby finds out that Stella’s father is in charge of not only their Television show but also the resort he is building.  Bobby’s one night stand has put everything at stake.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The story was different to the usual romances that I read in which Stella isn’t the blushing virgin, she takes Bobby without knowing who he is and sleeps with him in his car.  I really enjoyed the characters, not only do we see in depth what personalities Bobby and Stella posses but also all the brothers and their families.  I really would like to read the other books  now as I have become curious about the brother’s stories now.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Expecting a Bolton Baby is a dirty but sweet romance with lots of character involvement making you want to read more. But since this is a romance, not terribly unique or long I am rating it three hearts and I recommend it for anyone wanting to read a short and sweet book.