REVIEW: Come Alive (EIT #7) by Karina Halle

Come Alive by Karina Halle
(Experiment in Terror #7)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Purchase at: Amazon / Smashwords

Goodreads Blurb:

It’s one thing to bring the woman you love back into your life. It’s another to try and keep her there. For Dex Foray, con­vinc­ing Perry Palomino to open her­self to their bur­geon­ing rela­tion­ship has been more chal­leng­ing than hunt­ing ghosts, bat­tling demons and stalk­ing Sasquatch com­bined. Add in the fact that the only way they can keep their Exper­i­ment in Ter­ror show run­ning is to take on a third part­ner in the form of the mys­te­ri­ous Max­imus Jacobs — all while inves­ti­gat­ing a sin­is­ter voodoo sect in New Orleans — and you’ve got the per­fect South­ern storm and a recipe for dis­as­ter. Luck­ily, Dex has never been one to back down, even when his life –and heart — are on the line.

Come Alive is told from Dex’s POV.

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

My Dex and Perry:

* 5 STARS * Review:

MY MOST ANTICIPATING BOOK OF 2013!!!

I was looking forward to spending whole book in Dex's pervy sarcastic mind and I have to admit that Come Alive surpassed my expectations. His thinking is extremely entertaining and without a doubt I can say that Dex is the best and my all time favourite book character in the whole world! Together with exciting, nerve wracking and undownputtable storyline, Karina Halle created another perfection. Come Alive is my new favourite book in this superb series!

Come Alive is a mind-blowing story. Everytime, when I think that I already read the best by Karina Halle, she writes another fabulous story. Story that leaves me breathless, story that I cannot put down, story full of emotions which consume me. That is exactly how Come Alive made me feel.

Dex & Perry went through some pretty scary stuff in previous books but I found this instalement the most dangerous one. Spook factor was really high this time and I was creeped out of my mind. Zombies, woodoo and other scary stuff. This book is full of it. I was not only creeped out by scary stuff but also worried for Dex and Perry since author is not making it easy for the two of them...

I loved the fact that whole book was in Dex’s POV. Everything that came out of his mouth was either funny and hilarious or just brilliantly awesome. He can be sexy pervert one moment, but honest and loving the next moment. Yes he has his flaws, but my love for him has no boundaries. He is just that perfect!

So many new things and info were revealed in this book and couple fo new characters were introduced too. It has been a long journey for Dex and Perry and things are getting clearer when it comes to the big picture. But there is still a lot ahead of them and I cannot wait to see what is in store for Dex and Perry who are my all time favourite book couple!

Beside the scary stuff, this book brings plenty sexy-Dexy time! I loved it! So in case you have not read this series yet, you have to do it now. Believe me, these books are more than worth it!

About Author: 

The daughter of a Norwegian Viking and a Finnish Moomin, Karina Halle grew up in Vancouver, Canada with trolls and eternal darkness on the brain. This soon turned into a love of all things that go bump in the night and a rather sadistic appreciation for freaking people out. Like many of the flawed characters she writes, Karina never knew where to find herself and has dabbled in acting, make-up artistry, film production, screenwriting, photography, travel writing and music journalism. She eventually found herself in the pages of the very novels she wrote (if only she had looked there to begin with).

 Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently lives on an island on the coast of British Columbia where she's preparing for the zombie apocalypse.
 

REVIEW: Extinguish by J.M. Darhower

Extinguish by J.M. Darhower

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

5 STARS

Goodreads Blurb:

One… Two… Three… Four…

I Declare War

Serah always believed the world around her was perfect. As a Power, one of the warrior angels, she has spent her existence defending the innocent from evil. After tragedy strikes, tearing Serah's brother from her life, she's given the task of stopping the approaching apocalypse before it's too late.

Only one thing, though: she has to venture to Hell to do it.

Lucifer—or Luce, as he prefers to be called—has been biding his time in Hell, longing for revenge against those who oh-so-easily cast him into the pit. When the heavenly beauty shows up at his gate, he's just as captivated by her presence as she becomes of him. The attraction between them is palpable, and Serah's willpower slowly slips. How can this charming creature, this scarred Archangel, be the one annihilating the world she so loves?

As the war wages on, the world entwined in chaos, Serah starts questioning everything she ever knew. When the light and dark, hot and cold, finally collide, she has to make a choice—a choice that sets her world on fire, black and white exploding into colorful flames.

Serah has questions. She wants answers.

Luce just wants to play a game.

My Review:

I truly loved this, definitely the best adult angel/fallen angel story I have ever read! Do not hesitate and read it, you won't regret it.

My Serah and Luce:

Serah is Power angel - she protects the innocent from evil. She believes in goodness and happily serves the God and his purpose. But after her brother becomes fallen angel and she is ordered to establish the truce at the border between "the righteous and the wicked", Serah starts to ask herself questions. Questions about what is good and bad, questions about life and humanity, questions that need answers. And the most important question is - how can you cooperate with the Devil himself?

Yeah, we all know that Satan (or Lucifer as he prefers to be called) is the bad guy. Rebelling against God, bringing people into temptation, etc... But what if there is more into him? What if there is still a little bit of compassion in him? A little bit of goodness that noone else bothered to look for? Seems like Serah may be the only one seeing hope where other see only damnation. But is it wise to trust the Devil?

I have to admit that I was smitten by Luce. He was arrogant, mocking and bitter but never vulgar or disgusting. I knew I should not fall for the Devil himself but I was truly fascinated by him. He was able to push all Sarah's buttons and their banters or discussions made extremely intriguing read out of this book.

I am not going to tell you more since I want to avoid spoiling the story for you. But believe me, once you start reading it, you won't be able to put it down! Extinguish is thoughtful story written in brilliant and beautiful writing style which only J.M. Darhower can master. Yeah, I admit it, I have a girl crush on this author and her stories. Everything she writes appeals to me. You simply cannot go wrong with the book by J.M. Darhower! This is her first paranormal story and I loved every single moment of it.

Story is wrapped up nicely by the end, there is no cliffhanger but I have a feeling there may be a sequel coming... Who knows? I definitely know that I would be more than happy to come back to this paranormal world and characters J.M. Darhower created in this story.

REVIEW: Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

(Sinners #1)

Genre: New Adult Dystopian Romance

Release date: June 28th 2013

Synopsis:

Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

My Lexi and Cole:

 

* 3 STARS * Review:

I loved the emotional first half of the book. But after promising introduction into this story I was a little bit disappointed with the second half which lacked element of surprise or twists that would keep me on my toes. However, I was still able to enjoy this book!

In Branded, after World War V, country is ruled by Commander who sends all "sinners" into The Hole as a way of keeping society "pure". All sinners are guarded by Guards of Commander and relationship of any form between sinner and guard is strictly forbidden. There is no trial, no evidence gathering. Accused sinners are sent to the Hole right away. And that is exactly the case of Lexi Hamilton - accused of sin, branded with sign symbolising a sin she supposedly committed and sent to the Hole with no real chance for survival. Her only chance may be Cole, the guard assigned to watch her. Byt why and for what cost?

Cole was a tough guy. Strong, fearless, focused, well-trained and loyal. Brought up as a guard, he did not have much choice how to live his life but he always tried to make the best out of it. When I got to know him better through out the book, I was completely enraptured by his character. If I was judging this book based on Cole, I would rate it with 5 stars because he deserves all stars in the world. Yeah, he was that awesome!

Lexi's life was turned up side down. Living in unhuman conditions, witnessing terrible things and being on her own unable to protect herself in the most dangerouns place on earth. Yeah, her life was not ideal at all and she was very weak. But she never lost hope for better life and always kept going no matter what.

"You can overcome anything...shorth of death.

Branded is about the will to keep fighting for the good cause, about need to survive and maintain some sort of humanity at the same time. The beginning of this book was very emotional for me. It deals with various human's destinies and none of them is easy or overjoyed.

Unfortunatelly, I had a big problem with characters development. Their feelings evolved and changed rapidly without proper background information or building up. The change came all of the sudden and it left me confused on more than one occasion. Moreover, Lexi was very weak character. She transformed from admirable person to girl who was unable to stand up for herself. I know she had to endure pretty horrible stuff but she was feisty when it came to strangers but when it came to her feeling, she was weak and it annoyed me a lot. And I am not even going to talk about many unbelievable and unrealistic details that kind of frustrated me through out the whole book.

The blurb of this book immediatelly caught my attention, so when I received a review copy I did not hesitate to dive into it. I really liked the world authors created in this book and I definitely want to continue in reading this series. But after captivating start, the ending was rushed and left me a little bit bitter and indiferrent...

 

REVIEW: Lost by Nadia Simonenko

Lost by Nadia Simonenko

(Lost & Found #1)

Genre: New Adult Romance

Purchase at: Amazon

 

Goodreads Blurb:

Sometimes you need someone else to help you find your way.

Maria's life was torn apart when she was fifteen, and for seven years she's kept her terrible secret hidden from the world. Now, in her final semester of college, she still struggles against paralyzing fear just trying to speak up in class, and the terror and helplessness linger on in her nightmares.

Across campus, Owen sees his scars in the mirror every morning while he gets ready for class. They remind him of the broken home he left behind, the father he hates and fears, and the little sister he couldn't protect. Now, in his final semester of college, he's scared that he may have to return to the hell he called home after staying away for almost five years.

When Owen becomes a teaching assistant for one of Maria's classes, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. As the two learn each other's secrets and grow closer, they realize that although they may be lost, they're not alone anymore.

This new adult contemporary romance is recommended for ages 17+ due to heavy subject matter.

My Owen and Maria:

  * 4 STARS * Review:

Books like this one are reason why I love indie authors so much. Lost is chilling, emotional and sad story about broken individuals with terrible past. If you don't mind reading about abuse and other tragic events, I highly recommend this story.

Maria is in her final semester at college, still hiding this one huge secret from her past which makes her going into panic attacks whenever near strangers. At this point of her life, she has no idea what to do after graduation. She just cannot stand attention of any sort which makes her life very difficult.

As we find out in prologue, Owen was raised in hell by abusive father. Now, couple of years later, he is a teaching assistant but he lives with huge guilt of not protecting his little sister from their abusive father.

What will happen when paths of these two tortured and miserable souls cross? Will they be ablle to find solace within each other or is it too late for them to find any sort of peace?

This kind of story has been here in different variations before, but I still love to read them. I flew over this story and grew attached to main characters very quickly. It was just so emotional to read about these two broken souls trying to heal each other and help overcome their nightmares. I was hurting for both of them, especially for Owen and his extremely sad life.

But even though Owen and Maria perfectly understand what it means to live with dark secrets and they are perfect match for each other, would they be able to ultimately face their demons and heal? To answer this question, you will have to read this story yourself. However it is not a standalone, readers will be spared of cliffhanger. I personally cannot wait for sequel Found!