Thursday, August 29, 2019

A Hidden Legacy Novel Book 4: Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews

Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy, #4)
A Hidden Legacy Novel Book 4
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrew comes an enthralling new trilogy set in the Hidden Legacy world, where magic means power, and family bloodlines are the new currency of society…

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.

But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.

To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart. (


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My Review: 5/5 Stars

AHHHH SOOOOO GOOD!!!!!! I need the next book ASAP!!! I absolutely love the Hidden Legacy books. I loved Nevada's trilogy, I loved the novella that introduced Catalina as our next main character, and now I just finished book 1 of Catalina's trilogy and I demand to have the next book right this moment. Just so good! I loved being back in their world of Houses and insane magic. The characters as usual are just the best and seriously super entertaining. Everyone in House Baylor is hysterical. Leon, Arabella, Grandma Frida. Just awesome. And now we get Catalina's story. A boy did is start off as quite a good one. And Alessandro? Her perfect match in every way. If you loved Nevada and Rogan's love story, wait until you read Catalina and Alessandro's, I guarantee you may like it even better. When Catalina's friend's family members are murdered, she can't do anything less but help. But what she takes on is way, way bigger than anything she could have expected. Dangerous, mysterious, and just all around crazy. I really loved this book (if you couldn't tell) and I am seriously looking forward to the next one. If you loved the previous books, this will not disappoint. 

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Stonefire Dragons Universe Book 2: Transforming Snowridge by Jessie Donovan

Transforming Snowridge (Stonefire Dragon's Universe #2)
Stonefire Dragons Universe Book 2
Rhydian Griffiths is the leader of Clan Snowridge in the North of Wales. Not only does he need to lead his clan, he also takes care of an orphaned boy on his own. The deadline for any remaining family to collect him expires and Rhydian decides to adopt the boy himself. However, hours later a human female shows up at his clan's gate, claiming she's the boy's aunt. While he'd usually admire her fire and determination, his dragon says he wants the human but he must resist. The last thing Rhydian needs is a human living on his clan.

Delaney Murphy spent the last three months jumping through hoops to prove she was Rian's aunt. When she finally finds the blasted Welsh clan hidden in the mountains, she's told the deadline expired. Even though they try to scare her by tossing her in a prison cell, the action only makes her more determined. After all, Rian is her only family. Provided she can ignore how the serious dragon clan leader looks at her long enough to come up with a plan, she'll be able to raise her nephew as her own.

As Rhydian tries to ignore the female, a threat reminds him of why any human inside Snowridge could be in danger. He has to work together with Delaney to ensure not only her safety, but Rian's as well. Of course it might mean giving up the family he's secretly always wanted but had long denied.


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My Review: 5/5 Stars

We have made it to Snowridge! The clan we have visited before but not in the way we explore it this time. Definitely one of my favorites from our dragon universe that Jessie Donovan created. Our story follows the clean leader of Snowridge, Rhydian Griffiths and human and former boxing champion, Delaney Murphy. Delaney has spent the last three months trying to prove that she is the aunt of orphan Rian, who lost his parents months ago and has been living with Rhydian. When she finally arrives at Snowridge, the deadline has expired but Rhydian isn't cruel. He senses that there is more to Delaney and that she will fight for the right to take care of her nephew. The sparks between Rhydian and Delaney are so intense, that it doesn't take Rhydian long to figure out Delaney is his true-mate. But having a human mate isn't easy at Snowridge, where the clan is mistrustful of humans. Together, they have to prove that not all humans are bad, find a way to raise Rian together, and decide if a future together is what they want. As always, the love story between our main characters are sweet and fun! And I gotta say Rhydian's dragon had me laughing right from the start. Plus, Delaney is such a badass! She's a strong female character who fights for what she wants and protects those who she considers hers. Loved their story! And I look forward to seeing more of them in future books.

I received an ARC for an honest review. 

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Starfish by Lisa Becker

Starfish: A Rockstar Romance

Ambitious graduate Marin Collins accepts a four-month internship at a prestigious public relations firm to work on a tech account, but her plans are derailed when she’s assigned to go on the road with touring rock band Kings Quarters, hailed by Rolling Stone as the next big thing. 

Enter Brad Osterhauser, the reluctant rock star who would rather be coding computer games than penning Grammy-nominated songs. 

Traveling by bus, city to city with a group of practical joking bandmates and a greedy manager, Marin and Brad forge a friendship and forbidden romance over a shared love of Seinfeld episodes, stolen moments and Red Vines. 

But when Marin’s accused of betraying her company and the band, will Brad come to her defense or believe she was disloyal to him for the sake of her career? 

Told in alternating perspectives of Marin and Brad, Starfish is a contemporary romance of unexpected love, the redemptive power of music and hogging the bed


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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Such a fun romance story to read. Marin Collins is ready to head to Seattle for a four-month internship with a prestigious public relations firm, but her plans are derailed when she is assigned to go on the road with a rock band instead. Freaked out by the sudden change and worried that she won't be able to prove herself and land a job when the internship is over, she packs her bags anyway and hops on the bus. But she isn't prepared for the songwriter, guitarist, nerdy, rock star that is part of the band. Brad may love being in a band with his brother, but his real love is coding computer games. But after meeting Marin, he thinks that this tour will be a bit better than the previous ones. Marin and Brad are for real adorable. In this story we get the boy meets girl, become best friends, but with the fear of the girl mixing work life and personal life, boy needs to step up his game and prove that the chemistry between them can lead to something great and taking the risk to be together despite woking together will be worth it in the end. Hilarious banter between the two and a cast of even more hilarious characters with them, this story will have you laughing, swooning, and cheering for Marin and Brad to get their happy ending. Definitely a fun story and I wish there were more! 

Sunday, August 18, 2019

The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen

The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1)

What if you fell in love with the one person you'd sworn to destroy? 

Lara has only one thought for her husband on their wedding day: I will bring your kingdom to its knees. A princess trained from childhood to be a lethal spy, Lara knows that the Bridge Kingdom represents both legendary evil - and legendary promise. The only route through a storm-ravaged world, the Bridge Kingdom controls all trade and travel between lands, allowing its ruler to enrich himself and deprive his enemies, including Lara's homeland. So when she is sent as a bride under the guise of fulfilling a treaty of peace, Lara is prepared to do whatever it takes to fracture the defenses of the impenetrable Bridge Kingdom. 

But as she infiltrates her new home - a lush paradise surrounded by tempest seas - and comes to know her new husband, Aren, Lara begins to question where the true evil resides. Around her, she sees a kingdom fighting for survival, and in Aren, a man fiercely protective of his people. As her mission drives her to deeper understanding of the fight to possess the bridge, Lara finds the simmering attraction between her and Aren impossible to ignore. 

Her goal nearly within reach, Lara will have to decide her own fate: Will she be the destroyer of a king or the savior of her people?


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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Definitely my favorite of Danielle L. Jensen's books. And I need the second book to come out asap! The story of kingdoms, war, princes, princesses, assassins, spies, and love. This book has it all. And it had me hooked from the very beginning. Lara was trained for one thing, to be the bride of the enemy and destroy them from within. But she was unprepared for the king to be anything but the demon her father portrayed him as. All she wants is freedom. To complete this mission and disappear. But the thoughts of leaving are halted by the king who is more than he seems and by the truth that is slowly being revealed. It becomes a matter of what is the truth. She was told she was doing the greater good for her kingdom by tearing another kingdom down. But there are always more than one side to the story. Lara has to choose what to believe and who she will fight for. Really great book. Plenty of twists in turns in what could seem predictable. And with the cliffhanger ending, yeah I need the second one now please. 

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Black Dagger Legacy Series Book 4: Blood Truth by J.R. Ward

Blood Truth (Black Dagger Legacy, #4)
Black Dagger Legacy Book 4
As a trainee in the Black Dagger Brotherhood's program, Boone has triumphed as a soldier and now fights side by side with the Brothers. Following his sire's unexpected death, he is taken off rotation against his protests—and he finds himself working with Butch O'Neal, former homicide cop, to catch a serial killer: Someone is targeting females of the species at a live action role play club. When the Brotherhood is called in to help, Boone insists on being a part of the effort—and the last thing he expects is to meet an enticing, mysterious female...who changes his life forever.

Ever since her sister was murdered at the club, Helaine has been committed to finding the killer, no matter the danger she faces. When she crosses paths with Boone, she doesn't know whether to trust him or not—and then she has no choice. As she herself becomes a target, and someone close to the Brotherhood is identified as the prime suspect, the two must work to together to solve the mystery...before it's too late. Will a madman come between the lovers or will true love and goodness triumph over a very mortal evil?


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My Review: 5/5 Stars

This series just keeps getting better and better with every new book. Absolutely loved the latest in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world. This was definitely a top favorite in the Legacy books. Boone has always been a pretty quiet character in the series. We got a first real look at him in The Savior and we finally got his book in Blood Truth. And it was worth the wait. Him and Helaine are such great characters. They are brought to together when there is a serial killer on the loose. And it only gets more interesting from there. Especially when Band of Bastards member Syn is brought into the light. And let me just say his story, which we know is next, is going to be insane. We only had a sliver of who he is and what is going on and let me tell you, it is crazy! And I definitely need more. Lot of questions and I can't wait to get some answers. But back to Boone and Helaine. Really great love story between the two. And the murder mystery in the story was definitely a good one, one with plenty of twists and turns to it. We got to see a good amount of our favorite characters, which to me is always a plus. Definitely looking forward to upcoming books. 

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Frankly in Love by David Yoon

Frankly in Love

High school senior Frank Li is a Limbo–his term for Korean-American kids who find themselves caught between their parents’ traditional expectations and their own Southern California upbringing. His parents have one rule when it comes to romance–“Date Korean”–which proves complicated when Frank falls for Brit Means, who is smart, beautiful–and white. Fellow Limbo Joy Song is in a similar predicament, and so they make a pact: they’ll pretend to date each other in order to gain their freedom. Frank thinks it’s the perfect plan, but in the end, Frank and Joy’s fake-dating maneuver leaves him wondering if he ever really understood love–or himself–at all.


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My Review: 4/5 Stars

A beautifully written story of not only first loves but finding yourself when expectations are telling you who you should be instead of letting you figure it out all on your own. The story is just so real. There are pressures and expectations parents give their teenagers in all their shapes and forms. For Frank it is being Korean-American and watching as his parents lived in their own bubble with their expectations of what they expected from their son. Perfect grades. Date a Korean girl. Follow the path they planned out for him. Frank doesn't hold back his feelings, the good and the bad, but of course it's in his own mind. How can he just saw screw it to what they want when he watched his sister do exactly that and she is no longer talked about? And if family expectations wasn't enough to figure out, how about finding yourself and falling in love for the first time? Nothing is easy and as Frank put it its simplicated (simple + complicated). I loved reading the story through Frank's voice. Like I said, it was real and honest and pretty hilarious at times. Frank's senior year of high school is definitely an interesting but you cheer for him at his lowest and highest moments as he learns some pretty hard life lessons early on. Great story.


I received an ARC for an honest review. 

Friday, August 9, 2019

Dance of Thieves Series Book 2: Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson

Vow of Thieves (Dance of Thieves, #2)
Dance of Thieves Book 2
Kazi and Jase have survived, stronger and more in love than ever. Their new life now lies before them―the Ballengers will be outlaws no longer, Tor's Watch will be a kingdom, and the two of them will meet all challenges side by side, together at last.

But an ominous warning mars their journey back, and in their rush to return to Tor's Watch, just outside the fortress walls, they are violently attacked and torn apart―and each is thrust into their own new hell.

Unsure whether the other is alive or dead, Kazi and Jase must keep their wits among their greatest enemies and unlikeliest allies. And all the while, Death watches and waits.


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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Amazing. Brilliant. Just overall fantastic. I felt like I was in a book slump and this one sparked me back to life. The sequel to Dance of Thieves and the spin-off duology to the Remnant Chronicles, Vow of Thieves is probably my favorite from the series. It was just that good. Though I will admit it pained me a bit because we finally had Kazi and Jase together and happy but when they arrive at Tor's Watch, their home isn't how they left it and soon they are ripped apart. Which of course had me yelling, "No!" for a majority of the book because I was waiting for them to be reunited. But the motivation to find the page where they were reunited and what was happening in the story, the challenges Kazi and Jase were facing as they fought hard to find one another again, just pulled me in. I couldn't put the book down. This world Pearson created is just so fascinating and interesting. The characters are ones you care deeply for. Kazi and Jase are just fantastic main characters but their family, friends, and even enemies are super intriguing as well. An overall great story that with every plot twist and new revelation you find yourself unable to pull away, demanding to know how the story ends. I'm sad it's over. I loved these new characters and visits from the older characters we first met in the Remnant Chronicles. My hope is that Pearson will revisit this world again, because there is just so much that can be done. Great, great book! 

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Race to the Sun

Lately, seventh grader Nizhoni Begay has been able to detect monsters, like that man in the fancy suit who was in the bleachers at her basketball game. Turns out he's Mr. Charles, her dad's new boss at the oil and gas company, and he's alarmingly interested in Nizhoni and her brother, Mac, their Navajo heritage, and the legend of the Hero Twins. Nizhoni knows he's a threat, but her father won't believe her.

When Dad disappears the next day, leaving behind a message that says "Run!", the siblings and Nizhoni's best friend, Davery, are thrust into a rescue mission that can only be accomplished with the help of Diné Holy People, all disguised as quirky characters. Their aid will come at a price: the kids must pass a series of trials in which it seems like nature itself is out to kill them. If Nizhoni, Mac, and Davery can reach the House of the Sun, they will be outfitted with what they need to defeat the ancient monsters Mr. Charles has unleashed. But it will take more than weapons for Nizhoni to become the hero she was destined to be . . .

Timeless themes such as the importance of family and respect for the land resonate in this funny, fast-paced, and exciting quest adventure set in the American Southwest. 


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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Another great addition to the Rick Riordan Presents imprint! Rebecca Roanhorse takes her readers through the mythology of Native Americans. These fantastic stories come to life through our main character Nizhoni Begay, who is on a mission to save her dad along with her younger brother Mac and her best friend Davery. Nizhoni is such a fun character to read. Her great personality and hilarious quips keep you entertained and rooting her as she faces each new challenge. Watch as she grows and learns what is truly means to be a hero. A fun read that never gets boring! 

I received an ARC.