Tag: Steamy (Page 1 of 7)

BOOK REVIEW: Worthy of Fate (Realms in Peril #1) by A.N. Caudle

BOOK REVIEW: Worthy of Fate (Realms in Peril #1) by A.N. CaudleWorthy of Fate by A.N. Caudle
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

The Gem

Marked by the Gods, Kya is forced to partake in a Trial for a chance to be deemed Worthy. If she succeeds, she’ll be gifted great powers. If she fails, she could lose her life or worse. But that’s only the start of her worries. Now, the same plague that took her home is spreading and threatening the fate of the realm. Can Kya survive the Trial of the Gods and gain the needed power to rid the world of the growing threat before it’s too late? Or will she be drawn to what awaits her in the shadows?

The Shadow

Ryker has waited a long time for her—his mate. Now he’s found her. He plans to claim what is rightfully his, but dark forces threaten to destroy his Nation should he embrace the bond he so desperately desires. Unable to escape the drive to be near her, he waits for his precious gem, lingering in her shadow.

Worthy of Fate is the first book in a new adult, dark fantasy romance series with an intriguing magic system, dark forces, Spirits, and forbidden fated mates.

Review:

Worthy of Fate was a spicy, romantasy that was filled with forbidden romance, fated mates, and found family.  This new world and their magic were intriguing and the storyline unfolded at a pace that was easy to keep up with.  This debut novel left me looking forward to the next one in the series!

No, I didn’t fear death. It had always followed me. What I did fear was life. However short it may be…

If you love a stabby fmc, then Kya is your lady!  I loved watching her come into her power and learning even more about the world around her.  She was a force to be reckoned with and I was so grateful she had her found family by her side.  Malina, her sister, was my favorite.  And while I liked her brother, Nikan, I did want to hit him a time or few haha.

“You are worthy in more ways than one. This title does not define you. It describes you.”

We also got chapters of this story told from Ryker, and he was a shadow daddy who was easy to love.  You could tell he had a heart of gold, and I love how he respected Kya.  While he had the world on his shoulders, I love how he still made time to tell truths and explain things to Kya further into the story.  The steam and tension between them was beautifully done.  They were mates, yet forbidden at the same time.  So, the angst and sexual tension between them was fabulous and so steamy.

“I’ve waited a very long time for my mate, and you can bet that I won’t let them take you from me now that I have you. We will get past this, show them we are no threat. Then, I will take you. I will claim what is mine. Because you are mine, Kya. I will seal the bond with you and be marked by our mating.”

With unknowns around every corner, mysteries to solve, and discovering who truly had your back, this book was a fun read.  I had some sweaty palm moments, especially during the trials.  It was a very small part, but definitely gave off Hunger Game vibes.  The only hiccup I had was there were a lot of names and places.  I took notes, but I still got confused.  This book ended on a wonderful cliffhanger and I’m looking forward to reading the next book.

She became the calm to my storm.

BOOK REVIEW – The Power (Titan #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

BOOK REVIEW - The Power (Titan #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I re-read this book in anticipation for the final book releasing this month. And it was even more amazing the second time around, so I tweaked some stuff in my review. Here it is.......

BOOK REVIEW – The Power (Titan #2) by Jennifer L. ArmentroutThe Power (Titan #2)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

With any great change, there is always strife, and the Covenant University has become the frontline between pure-bloods who want the Breed Order reinstated and the half-bloods who want the right to control their own destinies.

Fate has other plans.

The violence is escalating and war between the races seems inevitable, and it couldn’t come at a worse time. Hyperion may be out of commission, but Josie and Seth know they have only earned a reprieve. Seth must get Josie fully prepared, which means controlling her newfound abilities, and they need to find the other demigods before the Titans do.

But the gods are sensing a greater threat.

Only one thing is more dangerous than a bunch of starved Titans, and that’s an out-of-control Apollyon. The aether in Josie is drawing Seth in deeper, and when lust mixes with love and gives way to power, he knows being close to her is not only dangerous to her, but to everyone around them, but letting her go requires a level of selflessness that just isn’t Seth’s style.

The paths taken in the past are becoming the roads of the future.

Just as chaos breaks out, familiar faces from the past return, complicating the already strained bond between Josie and Seth, and when the danger from the Titans erupts with devastating consequences, the dark allure of power calls to Seth again, but this time Josie might not be able to pull him back.

And when the struggle between power and love becomes the deadliest battleground, there may be no salvation.

Review:

The Power was emotionally gripping and powerful!  Even though my adrenaline was still running high after those last few scenes, I kept swiping at the tears falling from my eyes.  I couldn’t seem to shake off the heartache, fear, and nervousness that was still thrumming through my veins.  But that’s not all that I was feeling.  The Power captured my heart all over again.  It was hilarious, heartwarming, sexy and extremely addicting.  Seth and Josie’s story is a must read for all paranormal lovers out there!

I didn’t . . . I didn’t deserve this with her.
I didn’t deserve her in general. – Seth

Seth continued to pull at my heartstrings.  He tried so hard to be good,  yet he had this innate ability to tap into the darkest part of himself.  It always seemed to just be a breath away, even with Josie in the picture.  But I didn’t care how dark his demons were.  And I sure didn’t care that he was judged and looked down upon by others.  Because he had the most pure feelings when it came to Josie.  He sent my heart into a tailspin with just the way he protected, cared and touched her.

There would be no room for anything else, because after this—after having her, after knowing that she was mine—there was no way I could stay away from her.
So I would do right by her.
Even if it killed me. – Seth

After how The Return ended, Seth was even more adamant about training Josie in not just hand to hand combat, but in learning to control and use all five of her elements.  The Titans were still out there, and they would try to get their hands on Josie again.  She had to learn to protect herself and be ready to go to war with them in the future.  And just like how Alex and Aiden’s training sessions were sizzling hot, Seth and Josie’s were scorching.

“I know I have the power,” she argued. “Duh.”
I arched a brow. “Yeah, you know you do, but you don’t really believe it or trust yourself.  If you did, you wouldn’t be setting every damn thing on fire every time you get horny.”
Her cheeks flushed pink. “I do not!”
I smirked.
“That was like once or twice.” She threw up her hands. “Okay, maybe four times.  I didn’t this morning.” A light sparked in her eyes. “Then again, maybe that just means you were slacking.”

By that last page, I was so proud with how far Josie had come!  She continued to find her voice while being determined to protect herself and fight right alongside with the others.  And I loved that some of her mannerisms were so relatable.  I mean she loved french fries and saw running as a necessary evil.  Hello, welcome to my life lol.  But again, I found that my favorite thing about Josie was the way she saw Seth.  Her faith and hope in him shined brightly.  She didn’t care about his past and what others thought.  She saw the good in him and believed he deserved his happily ever after, just like every one else does.

I felt bad poaching the dagger from him, but it was heavy and warm in my hand as I forced myself forward, knowing I was making the right choice. I was not a weakness that needed to be hidden away.
I was a mother-freaking demigod. – Josie

And Josie and Seth were surrounded by characters that I loved from The Covenant Series – Luke, Deacon and Solos.  But this time we got a few more additions……  (view spoiler) I loved having them back in the mix.  And seeing them through Seth and Josie’s eyes felt so very different from how we viewed them through the Covenant Series.  Eeks, you must read this!

Pressure increased in my chest and more tears snuck free. They kept falling silently, and I squeezed my eyes shut. By the time exhaustion dragged me under, I wasn’t sure who I was crying for the most. – Josie

So I closed the book in complete awe of my feelings.  While my heart is sad over some things that happened, I can’t deny how elated I still feel!  From that first page I was utterly addicted and so happy to be in a world that feels like home!  The Return and The Power are both books that I can’t wait to pick up and read all over again!

*ARC kindly provided by Spencer Hill Pres via Inkslinger in exchange for an honest review*

 

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
the return titan jennifer armentrout
The Return #1
Reviews:

Jen
The Power Jennifer L. Armentrout Titan
The Power #2
Reviews:

Jen

The Struggle #3
Reviews:
Jen

The Prophecy #4
Reviews:
Jen

About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

Jennifer Armentrout JLA_Author-photo# 1 New York Times and #1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.

She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

 

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BOOK REVIEW – The Return (Titan #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

BOOK REVIEW – The Return (Titan #1) by Jennifer L. ArmentroutThe Return (Titan #1)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

The Fates are cackling their bony asses off...

It's been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they've given him have been violent and bloody--which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He's got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet.

Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy's deal might be, but it's a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to puree. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of ancient myth is gunning for her.

But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all.

Because history has once again been flipped to repeat.

Review:

The Return was amazing.  Absolutely, brilliantly done amazing.  It was more than I ever could have asked or wished for.  Not only did I get to step back into a world that felt like home, but I got to be with so many characters that I loved.  But somehow, that wasn’t even the best part.  Because Seth and Josie made this book.  Their interactions of banter, animosity, anger, laughter and sexiness were perfection.  I fell hard for them and this story.  But, if you haven’t read The Covenant Series yet (Half-Blood #1), I highly recommend it before reading this series!  While Jennifer does an astounding job of pulling in previous information to keep a new reader abreast, I’d still want my friends to meet those characters and watch the events unfold firsthand.  Trust me, you’ll fall in love with that series too!

“Go away,” Seth said, his voice low.
Jesse blinked slowly, his lips forming a word that never came out, and then he pivoted around, stiffly walking off. What in the holy hell?
My mouth dropped open as my heart kicked in my chest. Jesse seriously had just turned and walked away, leaving me with Crazy Hot Guy! I spun back to Seth, and he was closer now, maybe a foot away.
He winked at me.
– Josie

I am so over the moon excited that Seth got his own story!  I loved Aiden, don’t get me wrong, but I always wanted so much more for Seth.  My heart always ached for him because even though he could be a pompous ass or a manipulative little shit at times, there was always that part of him that constantly suffered.  From not having a mother that wanted him, to then being manipulated and used by a Pure and the God Ares to help take over the world (uh yeah, huge screw up on his part), he somehow always seemed to get the raw end of a deal while trying to find acceptance, family and love.  But after all of the horrible things he did, I still could never hate him.  He was just Seth.  Sexy, cocky, beautiful, infuriating, playful Seth.  And the fact that I got to read almost half of this book in his head still has me going hamana-hamana.  Lol.  I love him completely, flaws and all.

His gaze flew back to mine and for a long moment he didn’t speak. A sense of hyperawareness rushed over my skin, forming tiny little bumps. Tension poured into the air like kegs of it had been tapped open above us. My pulse picked up as I drew in a shallow breath. A muscle spasmed along his jaw and his lips parted as he said, “What in the fuck are you?”
– Seth

We also got to hear the story from Josie’s point of view.  Josie was a girl that Seth had been ordered to protect by Apollo.  I had an easy time warming up to her.  Probably my favorite things about Josie was that she was understanding and pragmatic.  She owned up to her screw ups and realized what she did was wrong.  She didn’t make the same mistakes again and again, thank goodness!  When she was introduced to Seth’s world, she definitely fought it.  Not only because there was this whole other world that she didn’t know about but because her mindset would have to change.  Heck, I’d have a hard time coming to terms that it’s ok to kill certain people/creatures.  But she got it, understood it and dealt with it even though she doesn’t have to like it.  Wait!  Scratch what I said earlier, because my favorite thing about Joise was the way that she viewed Seth.  She saw him how I always did.  That Seth was someone with the potential and heart to be a true friend because he was a good person.  That he was someone that deserved to be trusted and cared for.  I love that she got that about him!

When I opened my eyes, she was staring at me with those big, blue ones. “When I’m with you, I don’t feel like a monster. I forget.” And that was the damn truth—a scary truth. “I forget all the things I’ve done that make me not deserve this.” – Seth

The Return was such a page turner.  It literally pained me to put this book down so I could get more than 4 hours of sleep at night.  That’s because Jennifer Armentrout has this ability to make me become completely swept away with my emotions.  I become lost in the story and the peril that she weaves throughout it.  The characters she creates become an intricate part of me while I’m reading and I truly feel as though I become invested in them and their story!  Sigh, I always find myself getting too attached to her characters, can you tell?  But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

She had no choices now. She had a destiny she’d never known about, probably didn’t want, and might end up getting her killed. I got how much that sucked. My heart pounded in my chest for no reason. “I’m sorry.” – Seth

So for anyone who loves paranormal, mythology, or is looking for a story that will make you become lost in the pages, well then this is your book!  And in case you didn’t know, Jennifer L. Armentrout is on my “I-will-buy-whatever-she-writes-list”!  I can always count on laughing, swooning, being over the moon happy, then scared shit-less, and of course the sexiness is so insanely hot!  If you can’t tell already, this is a definite must read!

PS YES, there are characters from The Covenant that are in this book.  Want to see an example?  Then read the quote below!!  EEKS!!

“This is Josie,” Seth continued. “Please don’t be weird and scare her.”
“Be weird?” Deacon rolled those gray eyes. “Ha. Whatever, dude. All you need to know about me is that I’m like a dolphin in a sea of less-smart fish,” he announced, spreading his arms with a flourish.
Luke turned to him slowly as his eyebrows inched up his forehead. “What?”
He shrugged. “Just saying I have a lot in common with dolphins. They’re smart. I’m smart.”
Seth rubbed his hand down his face.
There was a beat of silence, and then Luke sighed and shook his head, lips twitching. “It’s a good thing I think you’re fine as hell.”

PPS There were SO many quotes I wanted to use BUT I couldn’t because it would give too much away.  Quotes that made me sigh, quotes that made me cry and quotes that made me feel so much!  Not fair….I just wanted to whine about that for a minute haha.

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
the return titan jennifer armentrout
The Return #1
Reviews:

Jen
The Power Jennifer L. Armentrout Titan
The Power #2
Reviews:

Jen

The Struggle #3
Reviews:
Jen

The Prophecy #4
Reviews:
Jen

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BOOK REVIEW: Flame in the Mist (Flame in the Mist #1) by Renee Ahdieh

BOOK REVIEW: Flame in the Mist (Flame in the Mist #1) by Renee Ahdieh(Flame in the Mist, #1, #1)
by Renee Ahdieh
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

The daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has long known her place—she may be an accomplished alchemist, whose cunning rivals that of her brother Kenshin, but because she is not a boy, her future has always been out of her hands. At just seventeen years old, Mariko is promised to Minamoto Raiden, the son of the emperor's favorite consort—a political marriage that will elevate her family's standing. But en route to the imperial city of Inako, Mariko narrowly escapes a bloody ambush by a dangerous gang of bandits known as the Black Clan, who she learns has been hired to kill her before she reaches the palace.

Dressed as a peasant boy, Mariko sets out to infiltrate the ranks of the Black Clan, determined to track down the person responsible for the target on her back. But she's quickly captured and taken to the Black Clan’s secret hideout, where she meets their leader, the rebel ronin Takeda Ranmaru, and his second-in-command, his best friend Okami. Still believing her to be a boy, Ranmaru and Okami eventually warm to Mariko, impressed by her intellect and ingenuity. As Mariko gets closer to the Black Clan, she uncovers a dark history of secrets, of betrayal and murder, which will force her to question everything she's ever known.

“The only power any man has over you is the power you give him.” 

Holy guacamole. This was wonderful.

HOW COME NO ONE TOLD ME THIS IS A SERIES AHHHHHH. I WAS NOT PREPARED….

Alright. I wasn’t that into the first 30-40%. It wasn’t bad at all, but I just wasn’t really connecting. Mariko is on the way to her betrothed (the prince) when she gets attacked by who she believes is the Black Clan. She manages to escape (as told by the synopsis), but she refuses to return home and tell of her survival until she can figure out who paid the Black Clan to kill her. So, she infiltrates their camp and attempts to gain their trust. 

Mariko has quite the aversion to men, being that men predominately rule in their society and women are left to please men. I totally get that, and Mariko was justified in feeling that way, but she does bring it up quite a lot. Almost too much, but whatever.

Anyway, about half way through, once we’re into the Black Clan hideout, things start to get interesting. And they just keep getting better and better. I literally could not put it down past the 70% mark. Like holy wowza… SO GOOD. It was non stop, action packed, with so many fun turns. AND THE END AHHHHH WHAT DO I DO NOW?!?!

I TOTALLY GUESSED THE TWIST TOO. And I don’t even care that I guessed it because it was so great. I was actually hoping I was right because just.. yes. So good. 

Some of the highlights for me were:

1. Japanese inspired culture. Lush and gorgeous.
2. Okami. And he the fact that he has long hair.
3. Topknots.
4. The scene where Mariko falls from the… cliff thing.
5. Gorgeous quotes, like the following…

“A blossom can split through a rock, given enough time.”

I did have a few small complaints – one being the magic system. It was really confusing and not really explained at all – no rules were mentioned and it seemed very random. I’m assuming this will be explained much more in the next book, but it was odd to me that it was so sporadic. 

The only other thing was the writing- not that it was bad. It just felt a bit dry and hard to follow at times. I felt the same way about Ahdieh’s other series too – ‘The Wrath and the Dawn’. Whatever, the story here is amazing.

All in all, I totally recommend this. I’d read it again in a heartbeat.

BOOK REVIEW – Bold Tricks (The Artists Trilogy #3) by Karina Halle

BOOK REVIEW – Bold Tricks (The Artists Trilogy #3) by Karina HalleBold Tricks (The Artists Trilogy #3)
by Karina Halle
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Raised by con artists, Ellie Watt has a lot of crazy childhood memories-but none crazier than being scarred with acid by the demented crime boss Travis Raines. Now Ellie is a full-grown woman who lives for revenge, and Travis is a full-blown drug lord who kills for pleasure. The sadistic bastard has kidnapped her good friend Gus as well as her mother, whom he's been holding as prized possessions in his heavily guarded lair. And Ellie has only one chance in hell of getting them out alive-using two dangerous men who love her to death . . .

One is Camden McQueen, a talented tattoo artist who's made a permanent mark on Ellie's heart. The other is Javier Bernal, her fiery ex-lover who's busted more than a few heads in his time. From the crime-ridden streets of Mexico City to the predatory jungles of Honduras, this unlikely trio forms an uneasy alliance in the deadliest game of all-a gun-blazing battle to the finish that will pit enemy against enemy and lover against lover. And Ellie must choose the right man to trust . . . or die.

Review:

*Spoilers for Shooting Scars #2*

Bold Tricks was the perfect way to close this stunning trilogy!  The angst kept me on the edge of my seat, the love made my heart swoon, and the dark, twisted storyline quickened my heartbeat and at times filled my veins with dread.  This book was so good.  So insanely freaking good!

…there was something so goddamn sexy about seeing Camden handle a gun, the shiny metal against his big arms and wide chest, muscle against muscle. With the blood smeared on his face, dripping down onto the tats that teased at his neck , he was 100 percent man. I just wished he was 100 percent mine.

We jump right into the story were Shooting Scars left off.  Ellie, Camden and Javier have barely escaped from Travis’ house and they know it is a matter of time before they are found.  They are on the run for their lives, together.  And they will need to work together to keep Javier’s sister safe and to rescue Gus and Ellie’s mother.  What follows is an action packed, intense ride that was completely unpredictable at times.  It was impossible to put this book down.

“You own my heart. Please let me have yours.”

This book was only told from Ellie’s voice.  And while I was sad that I didn’t get to be in Camden’s head, it made a lot of sense.  We needed to feel as though we were in Ellie’s shoes.  Because her heart and soul had been ripped apart.  She desperately wanted to be back together with Camden, but she betrayed him in the worst sense.  Ellie tried to make Camden see the light, but with Javier there it was impossible.  Javier’s presence was slammed in Camden’s face every second of every torturous day.  The anger, jealousy, betrayal and lust from all of them was beyond palpable.  I loved it!

“What happened to your glasses?” I asked him.
He bit his lip, his eyes darting to the car. “They fell off somewhere. Probably when I fell. I can’t remember. That whole thing was… a blur.”
“Can you still see?”
He smiled, all beautiful white teeth, full lips, and dimples. “I’m nearsighted. Which means I’ll be a lousy shot until I get a new pair or some contacts. But at least I can see you clearly. The things up close. The things that matter.”

Ellie was one of those characters where it was easy to vacillate from liking to hating her.  Her actions and thoughts could be entirely messed up, but I still wanted the best for her.  Maybe it’s because I felt her suffering and remorse towards Camden.  I felt her desperate need for him to forgive her.  Or maybe it’s because finally in this book Ellie became a total bad-ass!  She knew who she wanted to be and where she wanted to stand.  She finally figured out all of her shit.  She even had me laughing at her in scenes that were entirely inappropriate for laughing, like when she stole a weapon from someone, but gah, I was so ecstatic that she became the person I thought she deserved to be!

This was no longer a matter of good or bad.
This was all gray.
Hazy, fuzzy gray.
I squeezed the trigger.
The chamber clicked.
Loudly.
Empty.

I can’t end this without talking about Camden.  I loved how dark he continued to be in this book.  A sexy, glasses wearing tatted up guy who would do anything to keep you safe, to do what is right, even if it meant not blinking an eye to kill someone?  UH, YES PLEASE!  I was so sad to say goodbye to him and Ellie (sooo not mentioning Javier here besides this part haha).  This whole series was utterly addicting, crazy, and entirely messed up but so, so, so good!  It’s unlike anything I have ever read before and I plan to devour many more of Karina Halle’s books!

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
sins & needles karina halle
Sins & Needles #1
Reviews:
Jen

Chelsea
karina halle shooting scars
Shooting Scars #2
Reviews:

Jen

Chelsea
Bold Tricks Karina Halle Arttists Trilogy
Bold Tricks #3
Reviews:

Jen
Chelsea

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