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Review: Love me, Love Me Not

2/22/2016

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Love Me, Love Me Not
by Alyxandra Harvey

Synopsis

Dating isn’t easy when you’re in the middle of a blood feud.
 
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Anastasia Vila’s family can turn into swans, but just once she’d like them to turn into responsible adults. 

After hundreds of years, they still cling to the blood feud with the Renard family. No one remembers how it started in the first place—but foxes and swans just don’t get along. 

Vilas can only transform into their swan shape after they have fallen in love for the first time, but between balancing schoolwork, family obligations, and the escalating blood feud, Ana’s got no time for love. The only thing keeping her sane is her best friend, Pierce Kent. 

But when Pierce kisses Ana, everything changes. 

Is what Pierce feels for her real, or a byproduct of her magic? Can she risk everything for her best friend? And when the family feud spirals out of control, Ana must stop the fight before it takes away everything she loves. 

Including, maybe...Pierce. 

Review

I enjoyed reading this book that is loosely based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I really enjoyed the magical realism in making the characters be swans (this is not a spoiler, you find out on the first page). Ana is the main character of the story and she comes from the family of Vilas. In order for a Vila to turn into a swan, she needs to fall in love. Ana is a pretty busy human and has absolutely no idea that her best friend Pierce is actually super adorably in love with her. I loved Pierce for his bookishness and all around - niceness. It was also such a great thing to read about a boy falling in love with the girl and the girl being oblivious.

Due to the story being based on Romeo and Juliet, the opposing family turns into foxes (get it?). There is reason to believe the treaty between the two families is broken, but both parties deny it. So what is causing things to go wrong? That is what Ana decides to find out. 

I recommend this read to anyone who enjoys magical realism. I don't come across it that often - and my best example of it is Francesca Lia Block. If you find yourself a fan of hers or would like to try it out, you will be happy you did!
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Review: Bloodfever

2/18/2016

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Bloodfever (Fever Series #2)
by Karen Marie Moning

Synopsis

I used to be your average, everyday girl but all that changed one night in Dublin when I saw my first Fae, and got dragged into a world of deadly immortals and ancient secrets. . . .

 
In her fight to stay alive, MacKayla must find the Sinsar Dubh—a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over the worlds of both the Fae and Man. Pursued by assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she can’t trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and powerful men: V’lane, the immortal Fae Prince, and Jericho Barrons, a man as irresistible as he is dangerous.


For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them.

Review

I was finally able to finish this book! It's not for lack of the book being good - because it is VERY good! It's just super easy for me to get distracted by the television or other books or the internet. 

​SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!

In this second installment of the Fever series by Moning, we have more answers, but far more questions. Mac is living at the bookstore with Barrons (forced proximity is my catnip - add a bookstore to the mix and I'm over the moon!!!!) trying to hone her skills to become a better OOP detector. Barrons is as enigmatic as ever. Lots of stuff happens: Mac's father comes to get her, only to be magically persuaded by Barrons to leave without her; V'lane saves Mac only to place her in Faeryland giving her an illusion of spending time with her sister (this was a really sad and touching scene -for sure); and Mac and Barrons...well, let's just say a side of their "relationship" that we haven't really seen starts getting more uncovered, which is awesome!

I really crave sexy times for Barrons and Mac, but there is so much more to the story that it helps with the cravings...a little. If anything those little moments where Barrons shows he cares about Mac in more than the OOP sense is what does me in. Barrons is a jerk - except that I kinda want to hug him most of the time. 

Mac learns more about her sidhe-seer bloodline and finds a couple of might-be friends: a young sidhe-seer who seems as tough and lonely as Mac and a guy named Christian - we don't know much about him except that he seems to know A LOT about Mac.  I can't wait to read the next book!

"One day you may kiss a man you can't breathe without, and find breath is of little consequence." - Jericho Barrons

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Book Blitz: The Dead Dance Faster

2/17/2016

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The Dead Dance Faster - Spirit Breaker
By Julie Ann Hacker
 
Synopsis
 
After stumbling upon a misguided trip into her horror-filled childhood in book #1, The Dead Dance Faster - Unsacred Awakening, the quagmire of secrecy and terror continues to unfold. Jael's mind boggles under the dense, manipulative charade of a reprobate, thriller religion. Spirit Breaker takes off where Unsacred Awakening's thrills twisted into a disquieted prologue of what's held within the pages of Spirit Breaker. The intensity of Jude's 'Screaming-Ego' lure has reached Jael revealing the seductive persuasion it wields as it continues to follow her through the next stage of her life. 
 
Moving to Lousiana garners short-lived relief before Thomas Jude and Annalise hatch another conniving plan, which becomes seductively clear to the one closest to her, Shane--her partner, lover, and friend. Jael's thwarted back to Seven Hills, NY, the small town from which she escaped not long ago, and back to her childhood home, uncovering new lengths to which her divorced religion will go. 'DDF' (Dead Dance Faster) and 'Diversus' determinations were only the beginning. The war to keep Jael from freedom, to keep her reeling, to keep her mind imprisoned by fear, has established a battle for one coveted idol. And, the idol's priceless, the most precious--one she will not willingly give up--one to die for. Once she steps into this spiritual realm once again, she may never make it back home. 
 
Allow Pastor Jude's shrouded mind bring to light hidden conjurings of life. Allow Jael's courage to break free and inspire you. 

A saga filled with horror, mystery, suspense, drama, fear, diabolical wickedness, truth & love.


About the Author

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Julie Ann Hacker is the authorpreneur of Screaming Ego Books and author of The Dead Dance Faster – Unsacred Awakening, the first book in The Dead Dance Faster series which debuted with 5 star reviews; The Dead Dance Faster - Spirit Breaker, book #2 in the series; and, My Name Is Sacrifice, a short story series soon to be published as a novel, also debuting with 5 star reviews. She will also be releasing a memoir in February 2016, Underground Neighborhood, a true-life story of childhood sexual abuse.
 
She honed her writing skills alongside a few good people, notably her college creative writing and literature professors. She whetted her curiosity for life and its subtleties alongside her sociology and psychology professors, not to mention through her own life homilies, the greatest teacher of all. Born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, Julie has lived her life near the Laurel Mountains where her imagination spurned and twisted stories of intrigue, mystery, and suspense. Taking an “early retirement” from non-profit and religious ministry work, Julie now fills her days writing fiction and non-fiction. When not spending her ‘free time’ with family and friends, she also enjoys reading, knitting, biking, running, yoga and Starbucks. And, she loves to travel when she gets the chance.
 
http://www.facebook.com/julieannhacker

http://twitter.com/julieannhacker
www.julieannhacker.com

Purchase: The Dead Dance Faster - Book #1 - Unsacred Awakening http://amzn.to/1PuuLDM

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Review: Interior Darkness

2/16/2016

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Interior Darkness: Selected Stories
by Peter Straub

Synopsis

An American icon renowned for his bestselling novels, Peter Straub displays his full and stunning range in this crowning collection. He has consistently subverted the boundaries of genre for years, transcending horror and suspense to unlock the dark, unsettling, and troubling dissonances that exist on the edges of our perception. Straub’s fiction cracks the foundation of reality and opens our eyes to an unblinking experience of true horror, told in his inimitable and lush style with skill, wit, and impeccable craft.

With uncanny precision, Straub writes of the city and of the Midwest, of the depraved and of the righteous, of the working class and of the wealthy—nothing and no one is safe from the ever-present darkness that he understands so well. “Blue Rose” follows the cycles of violence and power through the most innocent among us, leading to a conclusion that is audacious and devastating. In the darkly satirical masterpiece “Mr. Clubb and Mr. Cuff,” a stern estate lawyer known as the Deacon hires a pair of “Private Detectives Extraordinaire” to investigate and seek revenge on his unfaithful wife. “The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine” follows a man and his much younger lover as they explore their decadent and increasingly sinister fantasies aboard a luxurious yacht on the remotest stretch of the Amazon River. 

Interior Darkness brings together sixteen stories from twenty-five years of dazzling excellence. It is a thrilling, highly entertaining, and terrifying testament to the prodigious talent of Peter Straub.



Review

I wasn't aware when I received this arc from NetGalley that it was a collection of Peter Straub's past stories - though now it seems more than obvious because of the term "selected stories" - oops). Either way, it actually worked out because it was my first time reading anything by Straub. I enjoyed the stories, and found them just creepy enough for my tastes (I love horror!). 

I can imagine that fans of Straub would probably want to skip this collection unless they are completists (like me). This collection is perfect for individuals who would like to dabble in the horror short story genre - especially if you have been curious about Sraub's work!

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Review: A Friendly Flirtation (Friends First #3)

2/15/2016

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A Friendly Flirtation
Friends First novel #3
by Christine Warner

Synopsis

One kiss can change your life...
Allison Hall is fed up with being a social outcast. Even at the tech company where she works for her brother and his best friend, Jared, she's the invisible nerdy girl. What she needs is confidence—and that requires a makeover and dating tips. And she knows just the man to help…

Jared Esterly is shocked when Allison asks for his assistance and turns her down, knowing that her brother—his business partner and best friend, Nick—would kill him if he dated her, even if it is just for practice. But when Al’s attempt to make changes on her own fails spectacularly, Jared reluctantly steps in. Things heat up quickly, and soon lessons move from the salon to the bedroom.

When overprotective big-brother Nick discovers Jared is dating Allison, their friendship and business partnership sour. Allison, consumed by guilt, must make a choice: stay with Jared, even though that means ruining his friendship with Nick and possibly his career, or leave the one man who sets her on fire.

Review

I truly am a glutton for punishment. There are going to be spoilers all over this review - you have been warned. 

​If any of you listen to the Smart Bitches podcast, they talk about "catnip" a lot. They do love cats, but that's not what they're talking about. Catnip is basically the tropes and cliches one likes in particularly romance novels. The catnip is the reason why we will read a story that is so insane just because it contains a theme we really like. This story - by description alone - had one of my favorite tropes: the friends to lovers story. Truly the only one that tops that one is the enemies to lovers story. I love it when they can't stand each other and end up falling for the other. Ugh. But I digress. 

Allison is this geeky, intelligent woman who wants to make herself over to gain some confidence and momentum in her life. Jared is the family friend (namely, to Allison's older brother, Nick) who reluctantly decides to help her after Allison tries to make the transformation on her own. I thought Jared was really sweet, telling Allison from the beginning of the story that she already had the confidence and looks and all that. However, I do like a good makeover. Instead of writing her as a completely different person, the author really wrote Allison as herself - just with a little mascara on and wearing a nice dress. She remained her geeky self who loves penguins. I really enjoyed that. 

I felt that the romance that ultimately blossoms between Jared and Allison was really sweet - but moved along a little too fast for my taste. I LOVED the jealousy coming from both of them when they see each other with other people. And I realized that I totally take for granted the fact that romance authors rotate POV between the hero and heroine. Not all books do that!! I forget that fact. I love hearing from Allison's mind and Jared's mind - especially cuz of the jealousy haha. 

This book had a little something extra - penguins! Allison loves penguins because it was something her mother was interested in too. Allison talks to Jared about penguins and how different they can be, their behaviors, etc. This is something that Jared comes to connect with Allison, so when they are going through their "rough patch" - Jared uses a penguin-esque idea to get Allison back. 

Now - what I didn't like. It's really only one thing and if you're a reader of this site, you already know what it is. THE PROPOSAL!!! *insert shriek of frustration here* Why why why do people have to get proposed to at the end of every romance book I read? I know it's traditional, but we are living in 2016 here - people can be happy being together. Period. I don't mind all proposals in books - but lately it seems like it's just a part of the formula that I do not like. 

​So - lovely story, love the penguins and Allison and Jared - but HATED the end. 

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