Book Review (431): Last Hit (Hitman #1) - Jessica Clare & Jen Frederick

Last Hit (Hitman #1)

by Jessica Clare, Jen Frederick 

Publication: 3rd February 2015

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Pages: 368

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Appropriate: New Adult

Buy It: Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iTunes ~ Kobo

From two bestselling authors—the first in a deliciously bold new series that takes readers to the most dangerous edge of desire . . .

Nikolai: I have been a contract killer since I was a boy. For years I savored the fear caused by my name, the trembling at the sight of my tattoos. The stars on my knees, the marks on my fingers, the dagger in my neck, all spoke of danger. If you saw my eyes, it was the last vision you’d have. I have ever been the hunter, never the prey. With her, I am the mark and I am ready to lie down and let her capture me. Opening my small, scarred heart to her brings out my enemies. I will carry out one last hit, but if they hurt her, I will bring the world down around their ears.

Daisy : I’ve been sheltered from the outside world all my life. Home-schooled and farm-raised, I’m so naive that my best friend calls me Pollyanna. I like to believe the best about people. Nikolai is part of this new life, and he’s terrifying to me. Not because his eyes are cold or my friend warns me away from him, but because he’s the only man who has ever seen the real me beneath the awkwardness. With him, my heart is at risk . . . and also, my life. 

My Thoughts.

I absolutely loved this book, the idea of a Hitman being the male lead and a naive farm girl as the heroine.

From the very first moment Daisy and Nikolai meet sparks fly and I could tell that this was going to be a romance that I wouldn't forget in a hurry.

There's something about bad boys that I really enjoy reading about, and Nikolai is the definition of a bad boy, I didn't seem to mind when he spent the start of the book watching/spying on Daisy through her apartment building window, through his POV we get to know his thoughts and reasoning behind it, and you know what, he can spy on me anytime!

His accent is hot and the feelings that he develops for Daisy just made me adore him even more.

Daisy is a very likeable character and her innocence and naïveté balances Nikolai out perfectly, she helps him to believe that he's worthy to be loved and to be happy.

There's so much to like in this book, the concept was executed so well and I really feel for these characters I've come to love.

I'm so excited and anxious for the next book, I feel really bad for Regan and I can't wait to read her and Daniel's story.

A great start to a new series.

I give this 5/5 stars.

Author Jessica Claire

This is a pen name for Jill Myles.

Jill Myles has been an incurable romantic since childhood. She reads all the 'naughty parts' of books first, looks for a dirty joke in just about everything, and thinks to this day that the Little House on the Prairie books should have been steamier.

After devouring hundreds of paperback romances, mythology books, and archaeological tomes, she decided to write a few books of her own - stories with a wild adventure, sharp banter, and lots of super-sexy situations. She prefers her heroes alpha and half-dressed, her heroines witty, and she loves nothing more than watching them overcome adversity to fall into bed together.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Jen Frederick lives with her husband, child, and one rambunctious dog.  She's been reading stories all her life but never imagined writing one of her own. Jen loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at jensfrederick@gmail.com.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

(ARC) Book Review (430): The Mime Order (The Bone Season #2) - Samantha Shannon

The Mime Order (The Bone Season #2)

by Samantha Shannon

Publication: 27th January 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 528

Genre: Fantasy

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

Buy It: Amazon  Barnes & Noble

Paige Mahoney has escaped the brutal prison camp of Sheol I, but her problems have only just begun: many of the survivors are missing and she is the most wanted person in London...

As Scion turns its all-seeing eye on the dreamwalker, the mime-lords and mime-queens of the city's gangs are invited to a rare meeting of the Unnatural Assembly. Jaxon Hall and his Seven Seals prepare to take centre stage, but there are bitter fault lines running through the clairvoyant community and dark secrets around every corner. Then the Rephaim begin crawling out from the shadows. But where is Warden? Paige must keep moving, from Seven Dials to Grub Street to the secret catacombs of Camden, until the fate of the underworld can be decided.

My Thoughts.

Last year I was sent a copy of The Bone Season for review, I was hesitant about reading it because of the amount of hype it was receiving, but I picked it up and was utterly amazed at how brilliant that book was, so when I got a an ARC in the mail of the sequel  The Mime Order you can bet your ass I was beyond excited!

I was captivated and enthralled from the get go, this series goes from strength to strength, the anticipation, sense of tension and fear for the fate of these characters just adds another dimension to this world and story we find ourselves absorbed in.

It's hard to write a review for this book without accidentally posting spoilers so I'm going to do a very short overview, Paige has escaped the penal colony Sheol 1 and is set on taking down the Rephaite leader Nashira, she is also the most wanted person in all of London, with the fate of Warden unknown, the murder of the Underlord Hector and the fight that will see a new leader crowned there is never a dull moment.

This is an epic series that I can't get enough of, thank goodness it's going to be seven books long!

I ship Paige and Warden so bad, if these two aren't a couple by the time that this series concludes I'll be inconsolable, although I think that us readers will be tortured with this will they/won't they relationship for the next five books.

I really can't say enough about how amazing, fantastic and utterly wonderful this book and series is, everybody needs to check this series out themselves, you won't be sorry.

I eagerly anticipate book three, bring it on!

I give this 5/5 stars.

I'm Samantha Shannon: dreamer, migraineur and author ofThe Bone Season, the first in a projected series of seven fantasy novels. I was born in Hammersmith, London in 1991. From 2010 – 2013 I studied English Language and Literature at St Anne's College, Oxford, specialising in Principles of Film Criticism and Emily Dickinson. I'm now working on the second book in the Bone Season series,The Mime Order (out 21 October 2014).

I'm a fan of old music, gramophones, silent film, good coffee, and real books. I have four siblings, four parents, and a male tortoise named Lily-Beth, some of whom live with me in west London. The Bone Season is my first published novel. 

My blog, A Book from the Beginning, tracks my journey to publication and my experiences as a debut novelist. Comments and discussion are always welcome. 

Blog + Facebook + Twitter + Goodreads

Blog Tour & Giveaway/(ARC) Book Review (429): Tear You Apart (Beau Rivage #2) - Sarah Cross

Week One:

1/19/2015- Two Chicks on Books- Story Post

1/20/2015- Crossroad Reviews- Review

1/21/2015- Magical Urban Fantasy Reads- Story Post

1/22/2015- Bumbles and Fairy-Tales- Review

1/23/2015- Tales of the Ravenous Reader- Story Post                                                                    

Week Two:

1/26/2015- Jump Into Books- Review

1/27/2015- Du Livre- Story Post

1/28/2015- Head Stuck In A Book- Review

1/29/2015- A Glass of Wine- Story Post

1/30/2015- A Backwards Story- Review

Tear You Apart (Beau Rivage)

by Sarah Cross

Publication: 27th January 2015

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Pages: 384

Genre: Fantasy/Fairytale Retelling

Age Apprropriate: Young Adult

Buy It: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads

An edgy fairy tale retelling of "Snow White" set in the world of Kill Me Softly for fans of Once Upon a Time and Grimm.

Faced with a possible loophole to her "Snow White" curse, Viv goes underground, literally, to find the prince who's fated to rescue her. But is life safe in the Underworld worth the price of sacrficing the love that might kill her?

My Thoughts.

There are so many reasons why I adore not only this book but the whole series, I really enjoy reading fairytale retellings no matter the fairytale I will pick it up and read it, also having this book compared to the tv shows Once Upon A Time and Grimm which I both love to watch made it almost a 100% guarantee that I was going to thoroughly enjoy this book, and enjoy it I did.

Having read and reviewed the first book Kill Me Softly and giving it five stars I was already familiar with the authors writing style and enjoyed it.

What I love most about these books are the twists that are made on these classic fairytale characters, the family situation with Viv's (Snow White) fated Prince Charming Jasper was genius, it definitely added another layer to the fairytale we have all grown to love.

The character of Viv added a whole new depth to the Snow White character, a Princess who doesn't want her pre-destined Prince Charming and instead wants to be with her on-off boyfriend Henley who happens to be The Huntsman in this tale and who is given the task of killing Viv by her evil Stepmother Regina.

With a sprinkling of fairytale characters throughout there is never a dull moment, you can't ever go wrong with a fairytale retelling written by Sarah Cross.

I hope there will be more companion novels added to this series, I'm eager for more.

I give this 5/5 stars.

Giveaway Details: 1 Winner.

10 winners will receive a signed finished copy of TEAR YOU APART. US/Canada Only. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sarah Cross is the author of the fairy tale novels Kill Me Softly and Tear You Apart (coming January 2015), the superhero novel Dull Boy, and the Wolverine comic “The Adamantium Diaries.” She loves fairy tales, lowbrow art, secret identities and silence.

Find her: Website | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

(ARC) Book Review (428): The Darkest Part Of The Forest - Holly Black

The Darkest Part of the Forest

by Holly Black

Publication: 13th January 2015

Publisher: Little, Brown Books For Young Readers

Pages: 336

Genre: Fantasy

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

Buy It:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.

Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.

Until one day, he does…

As the world turns upside down, Hazel tries to remember her years pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?

My Thoughts.

It's hard for me to write a review for The Darkest Part Of The Forest, I didn't hate it nor did I love it, it was more of a meh read for me, I didn't feel connected to any of the characters at all which didn't help, the storyline only seemed to build to anything exciting at the very end and even then it wasn't an edge of your seat kind of action-packed ending.

The tone of the book pretty much stayed the same most of the way through, and while I wouldn't say that I was bored reading it I wasn't exactly eager to pick it up once I'd put it down either.

I loved the idea of the concept and I really enjoy stories that feature fairies, but it unfortunately wasn't enough to leave me as intrigued and absorbed as much as I wanted to be.

This was my first Holly Black book ever, and I've heard so many good things about her writing that I think my expectations were so very high that I hyped myself up a bit too much, however I will give her books another go, the way I look at it the next book I read of hers may just become one of my favorite books, you never know.

I still recommend picking this book up, everyone has different tastes and most people that have read this already seem to love it.

I give this 3/5 stars.

Holly Black is the author of bestselling contemporary fantasy books for kids and teens. Some of her titles include The Spiderwick Chronicles (with Tony DiTerlizzi), The Modern Faerie Tale series, the Curse Workers series, Doll Bones, and The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. She has been a finalist for the Mythopoeic Award and for an Eisner Award, and the recipient of both an Andre Norton Award and a Newbery Honor. Her new books are The Darkest Part of the Forest, a return to faerie fiction, and The Iron Trial, the first book in a middle grade fantasy series, Magisterium, co-authored by Cassandra Clare. Holly currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret door.

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads/Pinterest/Tumblr

(ARC) Book Review (427): In His Keeping (Slow Burn #2) - Maya Banks

In His Keeping (Slow Burn #2)

by Maya Banks 

Publication: 27th January 2015

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Pages: 256

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Age Appropriate: Adult

Buy It: Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

#1 bestselling author Maya Banks continues her suspenseful and steamy Slow Burn trilogy with this second book-a twisting tale featuring a strong yet vulnerable heroine in danger and the sexy alpha hero who must save her.

Abandoned as a baby to a young wealthy couple and raised in a world of privilege, Arial has no hint of her past or who she belonged to. Her only link lies in the one thing that sets her apart from everyone else—telekinetic powers. Protected by her adoptive parents and hidden from the public to keep her gift secret, Ari is raised in the lap of luxury, and isolation. That is, until someone begins threatening her life.

Beau Devereaux is no stranger to the strange. As the head of Deveraux Security, he’s more than familiar with the realities of physic powers. So when a family friend approaches him about protecting his daughter, he’s more than ready to jump on board. What Beau isn’t prepared for is the extent of his attraction to his beautiful and powerful client. What began as a simple assignment, just another job, quickly turns personal as Beau discovers he’ll do anything at all to protect Ari. Even if it costs him his life.

My Thoughts.

I loved the first book Keep Me Safe, so I was extremely happy to get my hands on a copy of In His Keeping, I adored this book so much more than the first.

From the very first page I was captivated, starting with a prologue which sets the story up and gives us a feel for the strong relationship between Arial and her parents.

When Arial who is telekinetic is attacked one day, she uses her telekinesis and is unknowingly filmed using her powers and it's then that her life becomes fraught with danger, forcing her to seek out the aid of Beau Devereaux who owns a family run security firm.

In amongst trying to keep Arial alive, Beau and Arial develop feelings for one another, a big case of insta-love if I've ever seen one.

But besides that this was still a thoroughly intriguing and action-packed novel that was a great addition to this series.

I eagerly await book three and the next couple which I believe is Zach's story.

I highly recommend this series for those who like a touch of paranormal with their contemporary romances.

I give this 5/5 stars.

Maya Banks is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today and international bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

(ARC) Book Review (426): A Single Kiss (Sweetest Kisses #1) - Grace Burrowes

A Single Kiss (Sweetest Kisses #1)

by Grace Burrowes

Publication: 6th January 2015

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Pages: 384

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Appropriate: Adult

Buy It: Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

A single kiss can change everything...

In the first novel of the Sweetest Kisses series, Hannah Stark has set her sights on corporate law to assure her a career of paperwork, predictability, and conservative suits. Contracts, finance, and the art of the deal sing to her, while the mess and misery of the courtroom do not. But her daughter needs to eat, so when Hannah is offered a temporary position in a small town firm's domestic relations department, she reluctantly accepts.

Trent Knightley is mightily drawn to his newest associate, though Hannah is as protective of her privacy as she is competent. When their friendship and attraction heat up, Hannah's secrets put her heart and Trent's hopes in double jeopardy.

My Thoughts.

I'm a big fan of Grace Burrowes historical romances, so when I was sent a copy of A Single Kiss for review I was intrigued and excited, her debut in contemporary romance was sure to be something great, and I wasn't wrong.

I read the two novellas that proceeded this first book and I really enjoyed them, I knew then and there that I was going to love not only this book but the series as well.

When the three Knightley brothers who own their own law firm are in need of a new attorney, Hannah Stark is the one that wins them over, filling in for the first six months in Family Law under Trenton Knightley is not what she wanted, far from it, having been a foster kid  and having been put through the system throughout most of her childhood she has no desire to go through it again bringing up too many bad memories, even if she is the lawyer this time around, but she'll stick with it until she can move to the Corporate Law position that she was originally hired for.

What Hannah hadn't planned on was the feelings that develop between her and Trent, both single parents with sole custody to two little girls who have fast become best-friends, the chemistry is hot and no matter how hard she fights it Hannah can't deny the attraction she feels towards Trent, when her past comes back to haunt her in the present she realises that Trent may just be the one person that she can trust and rely on.

I adored this book, this was one of the best contemporaries I've read in a long while, it just goes to show that Grace can write anything, and I would read anything she wrote.

For anyone who loves their contemporary romances with substance, great writing, concept and plot then do yourself a favor and definitely pick this book up, it's fantastic!

I give this 5/5 stars.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes’ bestsellers include The Heir, The Soldier, Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal, Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish
and Lady Eve’s Indiscretion. The Heir was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2010, The Soldier was a PW Best Spring Romance of 2011, Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish won Best Historical Romance of the Year in 2011 from RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight was a Library Journal Best Book of 2012, and The Bridegroom Wore Plaid was a PW Best Book of 2012.

Her Regency romances have received extensive praise, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Grace is branching out into short stories and Scotland-set Victorian romance with Sourcebooks. She is a practicing family law attorney and lives in rural Maryland.

 Website /  Facebook / Twitter

(ARC) Book Review (425): Twisted Fate - Norah Olson

Twisted Fate

by Norah Olson

Publication: 20th January 2015

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 272

Genre: Contemporary

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

Buy It: Amazon + Barnes & Noble + The Book Depository

When Alyson meets Graham Copeland, the new boy next door, she instantly feels like he’s a kindred spirit—shy and awkward like her, someone who has trouble making friends. It’s impossible to resist having a crush on him. 

As usual, her sister, Sydney, sees things differently. In Sydney's mind, Graham's odd personality and secretive past scream psychopath, not sweetheart. Her gut is telling her to stay away from him, and to protect a love-struck Alyson from her own naïveté. But despite her instincts, Sydney is surprised to realize that a part of her is drawn to Graham, too. 

And the more Sydney gets to know him, the more she realizes just how right—and wrong—she is about everything.

Perfect for fans of Michelle Hodkin, and E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars,Twisted Fate is an unputdownable novel, teeming with suspense.

My Thoughts.

My first thoughts after finishing this book was "I'm So Confused", the big twist at the end wasn't really a surprise, I'd guessed it very early on in the story, what I don't understand keeping in mind the big reveal was how quite a few things were even possible, thinking about it after I'd finished reading left me bewildered to say the least.

This was such a great concept for a story it just wasn't executed well enough for me to be able to overcome the problems I had while reading this book.

I don't know whether the main characters were written to be unlikeable as they were, Graham is at the top of the list, nothing but a creep who somehow had two girls falling for him, I preferred reading the secondary characters POV's a lot more, but it got to the point where there were at least eight different characters POV's  throughout the story it seemed a bit too much, especially when some seemed to be repetitive, repeating the same thing over and over again.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but unfortunately that wasn't to be, I also wish that the cover that is on the advance reader edition was kept the same for the finished copy, it was such a pretty cover.

In saying all that, this book is a very quick read though, you can get through it in one sitting.

I give this 3/5 stars.

I write for teenagers. I live in New York State with my lovely girlfriend Áine Ní Cheallaigh. My debut novel The End was published by Prizm Books in December 2010. My second YA novel,SWANS & KLONS, was published Bold Strokes Books in May 2013.FRENEMY OF THE PEOPLE is forthcoming from Bold Strokes Book in May 2014.

Website + Facebook