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.

REVIEW: Only The Good Die Young by K.K. Hendin

Only The Good Die Young by K.K. Hendin

Genre: New Adult Romance

Purchase: Amazon / B&N

Synopsis:

The first year of college is supposed to be about parties, parties, and getting the hell out of Texas. Instead, Milcah Daniels is spending her eighteenth year in and out of Houston's hospitals. Her hair is falling out, they’ve cut off her boobs, and if she makes it to nineteen, she’ll consider it a personal miracle.

Breast cancer really has a way of messing with a girl’s social calendar.

When Milcah’s temporarily discharged from the hospital, she’s determined to get a tattoo for every medical procedure she’s had. Her quest leads her to Skin Stories, a new tattoo parlor a block from her apartment. And to it’s infuriatingly sexy artist, Callum Scott.

Callum is everything Milcah wants, and everything she shouldn’t have now. A new relationship when the official prognosis is one to five years is a terrible idea. But Callum doesn’t know about the breast cancer, and Milcah’s not running to tell him.

But when the doctor says things are actually looking positive, her entire life turns upside down. How is she supposed to start living again when she’s finally learned to accept her death?

* 3.5 STARS * Review:

This is a story about girl who lost will to fight for her life, a girl who became bitter person waiting for her death. But what happens when things change? When she meets someone who doesn’t fall for her pretenses?

"Why he has to show up in my life now - at the same time where I can handle him the least but need him the most."

Only The Good Die Young is very depressive book. Heroine (Milcah) is not only fighting with cancer, but she is going through everything all alone. Milcah was alienating herself from everyone, pushing all who cared about her away from her. It was heartbreaking to witness it, but also realistically written.

"I don’t know if I know how to not die anymore. I don’t know if I want to remember."

This book brought up many emotions when I started reading it. But I kept asking myself - was it the topic itself that made me so emotional while reading this book? I was hurting for Milcah, but was it honestly because of the writing style? Or was it because I am human and would be hurting for everyone in the similar situation, no matter who wrote the book? The answer is that I don’t really care in this case. Maybe I wasn’t impressed with the writing style, but I was still touched my Milcah’s story.

However, story lost its momentum in second half. I was expecting something epic after intense and emotional first half and it never happened. Even though this is a standalone, story left me hanging, feeling unfulfilled. Stories about characters with cancer are very tricky. Only The Good Die Young did not disappoint, but it did not make some kind of unforgettable impression either.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Anomaly by K.A. Tucker

Anomaly by K.A. Tucker

(Casual Enchantment #4)

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Purchase: Amazon / B&N / Apple

Synopsis:

She was merely a pawn in their game.
And then something happened.
Once the fragile, naïve human, Evangeline has become altogether … different.
A being who holds formidable power, she may be the key to changing the course of fate.
Or she could be the final nail in the world’s coffin.
But Evangeline doesn’t know exactly what she is, what she can do. She knows only that she has to stop an enemy far worse than the Sentinel and the sorceresses—one driven by revenge.
And he’s hunting the man she loves.
As Evangeline fights to keep Caden alive and the human population from eradication, she can’t help but sense the imminent doom.
Find out if fate will prevail in the harrowing conclusion to the Causal Enchantment series.

My Evangeline and Sophie:

*4 STARS* Review:

Anomaly (as well as whole Casual Enchantment series) is action-packed novel, full of twists that kept me guessing till the very end. The world author built in this series is without the doubt one of the most unique and fascinating things I have came across within YA fantasy genre to the date. Written in dual POV of Evangeline and Sophie, Anomaly is a must read for all fans of this exciting series!

"There are only so many impossible decisions one being can make before the weight becomes to much."

Sophie is the most tragic character in this series and definitely my favourite one. Author potrayed her despair and turmoils perfectly in this book and I could not help myself but be Sophie’s biggest fan. She is my "hero" of this series and I was so glad I was able to see things through her eyes in this instalment.

So why not 5 stars? I expected Evie to mature, to change mentally. But she didn’t. And while her naivité was charming at the beginning of the series; now, when there was whole world and innocents lives at stake, it was very annoying. In series, I expect characters to change a little bit, to grow one way or another. Not doing the same mistakes over again, hoping some higher power will solve it at the end.

But beside this minor complain, I enjoyed conclucion to Casual Enchantment series immensely. I really hope K.A. Tucker decide to venture into this paranormal/fantsay genre again in the future.

REVIEW: Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting

Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting

(Clipped Wings #1)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: March 4th 2014

Pre-order: Amazon / B&N / Kobo

Synopsis:

Their body art is hot. Their chemistry is even hotter.

From her dark hair sweeping below her waist to her soft, sexy curves, Tenley Page intrigues tattoo artist Hayden Stryker in a way no one else ever has…especially when she asks him to ink a gorgeous, intricate design on her back. Yet for all her beauty, there is something darkly tragic and damaged about Tenley that Hayden is everything.

Covered in ink and steel, Hayden is everything Tenley has never dared to want, awakening a desire to explore more than the art adorning his stunning body. Trapped by a past that leaves her screaming from nightmares, Tenley sees Hayden as the perfect escape. Although he has secrets too, if they both keep themselves guarded perhaps their intense physical connection will remain only that.

But nothing, not even passion, can keep them safe from their pasts…

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

My Tenley and Hayden:

* 5 STARS * Review:

Cupcakes-addicted tattoo artist and closed-off fragile girl. Both extremely attracted to each other and both hiding heartbreaking past. Can physical and emotional bond they slowly developped help them to overcome their nightmares or will it push them over the cliff?

Clipped Wings is one of the most intense and gut-wrenching stories ever. It is phenomenal book and I loved everything about it!

Hayden and Tenley are quite a pair. Him fearless, impulsive and overwhelming with OCD tendencies (yet adorable in his own way) and her being shy, emotionally unstable and completely messed up. I loved them together in this book!

Once Hayden agrees to do this significant tattoo for Tenley, one huge can of worms is open and story gets extremely emotional. Not so long ago, Tenley went through huge tragic event and her life crumbled completely. Can Hayden be the one to help her pick up the pieces? Or will it be too much for him to deal with their demons and heavy burden of the guilt they both carry?

Written in dual POV, author perfectly depicted emotions and feelings of both main protagonists. I loved how different individual chapters felt, depending on whose POV it was. Moreover, it was never re-telling of the same events which ensured the quick pace of the story.

It is worth mentioning that even though hero and heroine had extreme attraction between each other, this story never turned into insta-love. Their fascination witch each other was  cute and brought some funny banters and entertainment into otherwise depressive and heartbreaking story.

Together with rich background story, author created strongly captivating book which you would not be able to put down. I am already couting days utill the realease of sequel!

BLOG TOUR: Under These Restless Skies by Lissa Bryan

Check out my review, author’s guest post and enter giveaway!

Under These Restless Skies by Lissa Bryan

Genre: Historical Romance

Purchase: Amazon / B&N

Synopsis:

Will Somers has always thought himself unlovable. When he encounters a creature of myth and magic, he seizes the chance to finally have a wife and family of his own. Emma is a selkie—one of the immortal fae-folk of the sea—bound to Will by the magic of her kind, and eager to learn about life on land. She has to learn to adapt quickly to human customs, because Will is headed for the court of Henry VIII, to serve as the king’s fool. It’s a glittering, dangerous world, where a careless word can lead to the scaffold and the smallest of gestures is loaded with political implications. Anne Boleyn is charmed by Emma’s naïveté and soothing selkie magic and wants Emma for her own fool. Can Will protect his newfound love from the dangers that lurk in every shadow? Circa regna tonat: around the throne, the thunder rolls.

My Will and Emma:

*4 STARS* Review:

When presented with chance of having kind and beautiful wife, lonely Will doesn’t hesitate. Even if it means binding a supernatural selkie wife to himself. But when summoned to court to entertain king, will Will be able to protect their out of ordinary newfound relationship during dangerous times of rule of Henry VIII?

"Emma was the kind of woman he could never have dreamed of having. She was not only willing, but eager. Happy to let him learn his way around giving a woman pleasure, she tutored him with her gasps and sighs."

I absolutely loved setting of this book - Tudor English court. It’s probably my favourite part of English history and this novel does not disappoint in presenting its politics, religion or background court affairs. With added supernatural feature, author created charming and thought-provoking historical novel.

"I knew when I first saw you, you would take me on a grand adventure. But I never realized how grand it could be."

Will is not powerful or confident man. But what he lacks in wealth and social position, he balances with his witt and kind pure heart. I really liked his character a lot!

"I would not risk you, Emma. Not for any man’s favour, even the kings’s."

People might feel offended when authors bend historical facts so it fits their stories. I, on the other hand, found it fascinating to read about king Henry VIII, Anne Boylen and other historical figures without being bored with facts. But even though author took some creative liberties when writing this book, it was visible that she spent huge amount of time doing her research when it comes to Tudor England. Writing style and used expressions were fitting to the historical period. I really liked it and it helped to feel more immersed into the story.

Author’s Guest Post:

Anne Boleyn was arrested on May 2, 1536, accused of incest and adultery. She was sent to the Tower of London, where she waited for two agonizing weeks to find out what her fate would be.

In the meantime, her husband, King Henry VIII, partied with his new love, Jane Seymour. Even those who had hated Anne Boleyn thought Henry’s behavior was callous. He showed not a trace of remorse or grief over the fact his wife would die in a few days’ time, the woman he had once loved enough to defy the crowned heads of Europe and sever a thousand years of religious tradition.

Night after night, Henry sailed down the Thames on a barge filled with musicians and laughing courtiers. Did he spare a thought for the woman imprisoned behind the gray stone walls of the Tower as they rowed by to meet with the woman who would replace her? It seems unlikely. Henry never said Anne Boleyn’s name again. Her portraits, and the records of her trial, were all destroyed. Her initials were chiseled off the palace walls and replaced with Jane’s.

There was never a chance Anne would be found not guilty. The swordsman who beheaded her was summoned before her trial, and the jury was bribed by dividing up the property of the accused among them. Even five hundred years later, we can prove the specific allegations false, but no one was really interested in the evidence. Anne was found guilty and executed a few days later.

Anne Boleyn was never a popular queen, but the people of England grumbled at the shallow ruse used to dispose of her. Henry announced he had no intention of marrying again, unless the people asked him to— for the good of the kingdom, of course. The council obliged and requested he remarry. Henry magnanimously agreed and mentioned he happened to know a young lady who might be suitable, Jane Seymour.

Eleven days after Anne Boleyn was executed, England had a new queen.