REVIEW: Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins

(The Sweet Trilogy #3)

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Purchase: Amazon / B&N / Kobo

 

 

Synopsis:

It’s time.

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways. 

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk. 

In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

 

* 5 STARS * Review:

Sweet Reckoning is kind of book that makes you smile, laugh and swoon; book that makes you feel emotional and sad, anxious and nervous, hopefull and happy. It was phenomenal ending to this series and it secured very special place in my heart and on my bookshelf.

According to the prophecy, Anna is destined to free Nephilims and rid world of demons. But when presented with a choice, will she choose her love Kaiden or saving the world?

Book started calmly, with the hints of danger lurking behind our beloved charcters. But soon enough, there was twist after twist and story surprised me at every turn. I was constantly holding my breath, overwhelmed with worry about what will happen to Anna and Co. And there is no better compliment for author that the fact that I read this book in one sitting, unable to put it down!

In previous books, it was clear that Kaiden is the most swoonworthy as well as most tragic character in this series. In this instalment, his self-loathing (when it comes to his soul) was breaking my heart and simultaneously, his kindness was melting it. He truly is wrothy of "hero" status.

Anna matured a lot through out this series and I liked her more and more with every instalment. Together with Kaiden, they are one of my all time favourites bookish couples and I am sad to say goodbye to them.

"As I acquanted myself with all of him for the first time, I learned the power of being a woman - the wekaness in his eyes brought on by my touch - and the underlying trust and love I saw there."

One more thing. I love how this author is able to write steamy scenes without completely fading to black or being explicit. It is very difficult to do so in YA genre and it shows how talented Wendy Higgins is. I am already excited to see with what she will come next.

Read my reviews of previous books by clicking on pics:

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REVIEW: Love, in English by Karina Halle

Love, in English by Karina Halle

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Pre-order: Amazon / B&N / iTunes

Release date: April 20th

Synopsis:

He’s thirty-eight. I’m twenty-three.

He speaks Spanish. I speak English.

He lives in Spain. I live in Canada.

He dresses in thousand-dollar suits. I’m covered in tattoos.

He’s married and has a five-year old daughter.

I’m single and can’t commit to anyone or anything.

Until now.Because when they say you can’t choose who you fall in love with, boy ain’t that the f*#king truth.

***

To a restless dreamer like Vera Miles, it sounded like the experience of a lifetime. Instead of spending her summer interning for her astronomy major, she would fly to Spain where she’d spend a few weeks teaching conversational English to businessmen and women, all while enjoying free room and board at an isolated resort. But while Vera expected to get a tan, meet new people and stuff herself with wine and paella, she never expected to fall in love.

Mateo Casalles is unlike anyone Vera has ever known, let alone anyone she’s usually attracted to. While Vera is a pierced and tatted free spirit with a love for music and freedom, Mateo is a successful businessman from Madrid, all sharp suits and cocky Latino charm. Yet, as the weeks go on, the two grow increasingly close and their relationship changes from purely platonic to something…more.

Something that makes Vera feel alive for the first time.

Something that can never, ever be.

Or so she thinks.

THIS BOOK IS RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE READERS AUDIENCES ONLY. HOWEVER, THIS REVIEW ITSELF DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL.

My Vera and Mateo:

* 5 STARS * Review:

"My name is Vera Miles.
And in the story of my life, I am the villain.
But I’m starting to think that most villains aren’t evil – they are just misunderstood.
Or victims of that most manipulative force: love. " 

We don't choose love. Love choses us, attacks us, surprises us when we least expect it. You cannot ignore love, you cannot simply turn your back on love when it comes to your life. Vera Miles knows it the best and this is her story to tell. Don't judge, read it. Just remember that nothing comes without consequences or sacrifice...

Even within otherwise worn out genre of contemporary romance, Karina Halle was able to come up with new, fresh and engaging background story. English language practicing camp for adults where bunch of strangers lived together in Spanish countryside like a family was a great set up for intense interactions and funny situations. Add forbidden love, slow burn romance, thoughtfully written characters and you get this powerful story that will stay with me forever.

"Love was scarier than deep space."

Love, In English is realistic and beautifully emotional love story. It is a character-driven book that made Ms. Halle’s writing style stand out and shine.This book will make you feel everything from laughing, swooning and lusting, to being depressed, anxious and on the verge of panic attack. Karina Halle played with my emotions like a master puppeteer in this novel. It was, without the doubt, my best reading experience of this year.

For some poeple, subject matter may be a taboo topic. Married guy with kid and young college student? Karina Halle mastered it tastefully. Vera was strugling with her feelings, resisting, never shamelessly going for Mateo. No matter how much she wanted him. Did I see her as villain, as a bad person? Never. She was just a human being who found herself in a tricky life situation. Same goes for Mateo. He was just a loving, passionate man looking for real hapiness in his life, trying not to hurt anyone in the process. I cannot fault him for that.

“Love is like a thief, it robs you of all thought and logic and all you have left is a heart that you can only pray is strong enough to survive the rest.”

Age difference, different life-style, appearence... At first sight, Vera and Mateo seem like the biggest possible opposites. But when I got to know them better, got to know their fears, dreams and passions; it was clear that they would be a perfect fit. Plus chemistry between those two was off the charts! Gradually, I found myself falling in love not only with Vera and Mateo as individual characters, but also with them as a "couple". By the end of the book I was so strongly connected with both of them, that it felt like I was right there in the story, experiencing all feelings, hopes and heartbreaks alongside Vera and Mateo. And that is exactly how a great love story should make you feel like.

Do not hesitate to pick this book up when it is out. I love it from the bottom of my heart and cannot recommend it enough!

Giveaway:

Together with my fellow bloggers from Lit Slave and My Book Muse,

we have this awesome giveaway for you guys. Good luck!

*Kindle copies to be  gifted on release day*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW: With This Heart by R.S. Grey

With This Heart by R.S. Grey

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Purchase: Amazon US / Amazon UK / Kobo

Synopsis:

If someone had told me a year ago that I was about to fall in love, go on an epic road trip, ride a Triceratops, sing on a bar, and lose my virginity, I would have assumed they were on drugs.

Well, that is, until I met Beckham.

Beck was mostly to blame for my recklessness. Gorgeous, clever, undeniably charming Beck barreled into my life as if it were his mission to make sure I never took living for granted. He showed me that there were no boundaries, rules were for the spineless, and a kiss was supposed to happen when I least expected.

Beck was the plot twist that took me by surprise. Two months before I met him, death was knocking at my door. I’d all but given up my last scrap of hope when suddenly, I was given a second chance at life. This time around, I wasn’t going to let it slip through my fingers.

We set out on a road trip with nothing to lose and no guarantees of tomorrow.

Our road trip was about young, reckless love. The kind of love that burns bright.

The kind of love that no road-map could bring me back from.

**Recommended for ages 17+.**

THIS BOOK IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNGER READERS. HOWEVER, THIS REVIEW ITSELF DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL.

My Abby and Beck:

* 4 STARS * Review:

"His face was easy and open; a small smile dotted the side of his mouth. His default setting was happy. That’s what I loved about Beck. He looked at life like it was a journey, like we were meant to enjoy every step of the way." 

After careful and sheltered life, 19 years old Abby got her heart transplant. Now the times comes to finally "live". And a secret road trip with irresistible Beck seems like the best way to fully enjoy her second chance at life...

Road-trip stories are always so much fun. I have a thing for these kind of books since I read On the Road by Jack Kerouac for the first time, and this book didn’t disappoint. With This Heart is sweet and adorable story about sexual awakening and emotional journey of young woman who found courage to live her life to the fullest.

Our heroine Abby is a cynic, an inexperienced but lovely girl. I had a little problem with her attempts for sarcasm (which felt slightly forced) at the beginnig. But as story progressed, I got used to her inner thoughts and grew to like her a lot.

On the other side, Beck was a walking ad for sarcasm and made me laugh numerous times. He was cheerful, sexy, adorable and I could totally understand why Abby wasn’t able to resist his charms. Beck is exactly the kind of boy that inexperienced and teenage girl should have for a boyfriend.

“So you’re a stalker?” I asked with a hard stare.
He smirked, a knees-turning-to jelly kind of smirk. “I prefer gravitationally linked to your presence.”

Are you asking yourself why not 5 stars since I enjoyed it so much? I just couldn’t get over the fact that Abby never really questioned why complete stranger was so adamant on going on road trip with her. I know she wanted an adventure, to do something crazy, to finally truly live. But taking on a road trip a boy she met twice for couple of minutes and not really telling anyone about it - not very wise. But it is only minor complaint and it didn’t prevent me from enjoying this book!

NEW RELEASE: Still Life With Strings by L.H. Cosway

Attention! 

This book easily secured its place among my all time favourites. 

Yes, it is that good. Don't miss it!

Still Life with String by L.H. Cosway

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Purchase: Amazon / B&N / Smashwords

Synopsis:

My name is Jade Lennon and I stand still for money.

The night I saw Shane Arthur watching me everything changed. A man in a suit always catches my eye, but it was the way he looked at me that was different. Like he knew me or something. He didn’t know me, especially not in my costume. My sobriety rests on staying away from men, but there was something about him that made me throw caution to the wind.

After all, I was never going to see him again, right?

Wrong.

Standing still isn’t the only way I make my money. I also bartend at a concert hall. Never in my wildest dreams did I think Shane was going to show up there. Not only that, but he’s the most recent addition to the orchestra. So now on a daily basis I have to resist one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever met and he plays the violin. For me that’s one hell of a deadly cocktail.

He wants me to teach him how to live. I’m not sure how much a twenty-six year old recovering alcoholic who works in a bar and moonlights as a living statue can teach a world class concert violinist, but I’m sure going to try.

THIS BOOK IS RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE READERS AUDIENCES ONLY. HOWEVER, THIS REVIEW ITSELF DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL.

My Jade and Shane:

* 5 STARS * Review:

Shining diamond among contemporary romance novels, Still Life With Strings is a perfect combination of romance, art, steam and realism. L.H. Cosway wrote another unforgettable story. A must-read!

Jade lives colorful but difficult life. Recovering alcoholic, living statue performer, bartending at concert hall, taking care of her younger siblings. Straightforward with no time for games, one night she has a "quickie" with handsome stranger.

But when mysterious stranger becomes a permanent feature at one of her work places, they develop extraordinary friendship. With a strict no-relationships rule, how long will Jade be able to fight her attraction to Shane? 

L.H. Cosway has a talent of taking me to the most exciting and enthralling secluded places with her books, places that are not usual part of my life. This book is no exception. Art, music, performances and unconventional fascinating characters. Still Life With Strings is truly magical and senses-provoking romance story.

I love how author depicted this raw and primal attraction between Jade and Shane. It was incredibly hot, yet simultaneously breathtakingly beautiful and earth-shatteringly intense. They were walking fine line between friends and lovers. And it brought huge amount of anticipation, sweet torture and tension into the story. I absolutely loved that.

And the best part of this book? In depth characters. It seemed like they were real people living their lives in Dublin, not just on pages of this exceptional novel.

Tough reality made quite a complicated person out of Jade. With so many responsibilities and pressure on her shoulders, I totally understood her reasons for everything she did in this book, good or bad. But most importantly, I admired Jade and the fact that after everything she had to go through in her life, she never became a bitter person. She is exactly the kind of character I love to read about - mentally strong and genuinely (and realistically) nice person.

Shane was absolutely amazing. Sexy confident and talented man with hints of shyness. I loved how L.H. Cosway was able to combine such opposite characteristics in one person and made it work perfectly. Author took human's vulnerability and turned it into something beautiful. Shane was broken but truly adorable character. I would definitely want him to "Colin all over my Farrell", he was that yummy.

Still Life With Strings is emotional story about hardships that real life brings along, about social differences, about fate and destiny. I cannot recommend it enough, this novel touched my heart and I know for sure I will be coming back to relive Jade's & Shane's story.

REVIEW: White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

(The Dark Elements #1)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Purchase: Amazon / B&N

Synopsis:

One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

My Roth, Layla and Zayne:

* 3 STARS * Review:

Layla is half-demon, half-Warden. But brought up by Wardens, daily fighting her demon urges, she hates everything demon-connected. But what happens when her perception of demons is ruined forever?

I am not sure what happened here. I love JLA and all her previous paranormal stories. But this one did not live up to my expectations.

So what was my biggest problem with this book? It wasn't the love triangle or the fact that heroine was perfect example of damsel in distress. No. It was the fact that most of the banters and dialogues between characters were super-cheesy and childlish. There were so many clichés it wasn't even funny. And action was almost non-existent or really boring. It took 80% (and whole week of reading) until I was really hooked in the story. And that was just too late for me.

When it comes to "love triangle" in this book, there was only one guy for me. And after reading this book, I am Team Roth all the way. Zayne who? Roth was definitely the best part of this book. A big contradiction. Cocky and arrogant, yet caring and self-sacrificing. I really enjoyed those parts of the book when he was present.

However, question remains. Who will win Layla's heart at the end? I am definitely curious to see how will this series develop and what direction will JLA take it. Last couple of chapters proved, that she knows how to capture my attention with her writing. She will have her chance with book #2 to either win me over or lost me forever when it comes to The Dark Elements.