That One Day (That One Series 1.5) by Josie Wright

Photo Credit: Goodreads

4 Stars

One day.
One letter.
That’s all it took for my life to fall apart. Now all that’s left is deception and betrayal. I don’t know who I am anymore. I don’t know who to trust.

So I leave, searching for the truth hidden behind a web of lies.

The only thing I take with me, besides a bag of clothes, is the memory of one night. That one night with Frankie, my best friend’s little sister. The woman I have loved as long as I can remember.

The memory is what keeps me going when I learn the truth. It’s what keeps me sane when I feel like I’m losing my mind. And, it's what drives me back to a life I ran from eighteen months ago.

Yet, nothing is the way it used to be. Frankie has a secret. One that changes everything. Changes who I am. Letting her go is not an option. I have to make her trust me. I need to make her mine.

But I have a secret of my own. One that keeps me awake at night. A secret that could make me lose Frankie forever. It’s not a chance I can take.

Not suitable for under 18's due to strong language, violence and sexual content
*Though this book can be read as a standalone, it's recommended to read 'That One Night' first to get the full picture.
 

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My Thoughts: I give this book a very strong four stars.
   I had the opportunity to 'Beta Read' this book. It was my first experience as a beta reader and I look forward to doing it again someday. Josie is a delight to work with. As a blogger, I have had some authors that are not at all receptive to any sort of critique, but Josie not only welcomed my questions after reading book one of this series, she appreciated them and came back to ask me to beta for her. I was completely honored.

   Now for the book review-- as an avid reader I often find myself reading the POV flips of books I have read and loved. Some authors hit the mark and some are so so far off. Josie definitely hit the mark. I enjoyed this story from Frankie's POV, the ups and downs, her heartbreak and her falling in love with Ben all over again. But I felt Ben had a much deeper story to tell. There was so much going on in the background that we didn't know anything about while reading 'That One Night' and I am so glad that Josie took the opportunity to write Ben's side of the story. Good luck with you new release Josie!

Also available from this series

That One Night (That One Series Book 1)

See my review for That One Night by clicking HERE

Review: Untamed by SC Stephens

Credit: Goodreads

5 Stars

The spotlight doesn't only shine. Sometimes, it burns.

Being the bad-boy bassist for the world's hottest band has earned Griffin Hancock some perks: a big house, a fast car, and most importantly his incredible wife, Anna. The one thing it hasn't brought him is the spotlight. Anna tells him to be patient, that his talent will win out. But Griffin is through waiting for permission to shine.

Without warning, Griffin makes a shocking decision and takes the gamble of a lifetime. Suddenly he's caught up in a new level of lights, cameras, and chaos. One that pushes his relationship with Anna to its limits. Anna has always found his unpredictable behavior sexy, but lately he's seen an ache in her eyes--and it has his soul in knots. Just as the recognition Griffin seeks is finally within reach, the thing he loves most in life could be slipping through his fingers . . .


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My thoughts; First off I want to start by saying, this is a favored series for me. I always, always recommend it. It is solid five stars for me from beginning to end. If you have yet to read it get ready for a roller coaster ride. Angst and drama are just the tip of the ice burg. Even when you absolutely hate everything that is happening you still can't put it down.

This book was no exception. For those who know this series and its characters, you know the mess that is Griffin Hancock. I have always loved his character in a, well aren't you "special" kind of way. He is an egotistical, narcissistic, well ... Douchebag. I spent the beginning of this book rolling my eyes so hard, seriously, I think I pulled something. Griffin is like a toddler that throws a tantrum because he doesn't get the toy he wants. I wanted to throttle him through probably 70% of this book. He is literally like that person who you just look at and think, "his mouth isn't attached to a brain, is it?" How can someone be so completely oblivious? Being inside his head was possibly the most frustrating thing I have ever done. At first, it was funny and then it just wasn't anymore.

But then something miraculous happens...

Griffin became an adult! And I fell in love with his character in a completely different way. I began to see him in a completely different way. And I ended this book thoroughly satisfied.



This would be the part where Griffin would say something way inappropriate. *wink*

Previous books in this series...

  

Review: Blood Kiss by JR Ward

Photo Credit: Goodreads

5 Stars

The legacy of the Black Dagger Brotherhood continues in a spin-off series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author…

Paradise, blooded daughter of the king’s First Advisor, is ready to break free from the restrictive life of an aristocratic female. Her strategy? Join the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training center program and learn to fight for herself, think for herself…be herself. It’s a good plan, until everything goes wrong. The schooling is unfathomably difficult, the other recruits feel more like enemies than allies, and it’s very clear that the Brother in charge, Butch O’Neal, a.k.a. the Dhestroyer, is having serious problems in his own life.

And that’s before she falls in love with a fellow classmate. Craeg, a common civilian, is nothing her father would ever want for her, but everything she could ask for in a male. As an act of violence threatens to tear apart the entire program, and the erotic pull between them grows irresistible, Paradise is tested in ways she never anticipated—and left wondering whether she’s strong enough to claim her own power…on the field, and off.

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  My Thoughts; When I first heard about this spin off series I was over the moon excited. The idea that we would get MORE BDB each year was beyond epic. And then to hear that the Brothers, that we have all fallen in love with, would be the calmer side characters/sub plot was even better.

  I was crazy excited to get back to the training center. I mean.... This is where I truly fell in love with my John Matthew. Watching him progress from who he was when we first met him in Lover Eternal (BDB book 2) to where he is today. So, yes the idea that we would be back to the "old days" was an amazing feeling.

  We first meet Paradise and Craeg in The Shadows (BDB book 13). She is working as a receptionist for her father, Abalone; First Adviser to The King aka Wrath. Craeg comes in to get an application for the training program and she is smitten right away. Blood Kiss picks up where her side story in The Shadows leaves off, we get to follow along on her journey to the training center and everything that follows.

  As the "featured" Brother, Butch aka The Dhestroyer and his Shellan are having a bit of a bumpy road and their story is intertwined with Paradise and Craeg's HEA. There is not a lot of POVs, it sticks to these two couples jumping back and forth between the characters.

  I fell so in love with Marissa after this book. She was never one of my favorite shellans from the (original) series but that has definitely changed. Butch is as he always has been. You love him even when you are shaking your head with utter disappointment. (oh Butch....SMH).

  I admire Paradise. She is such a strong character. She was sheltered, as any child of the Glymera would be, but she has risen so far above that. She has chosen to be her own person and pave her own path. She is outspoken and brave. I love her. I had a little harder time with Craeg, it took time for me to really care for him. This is probably the first couple that I have more love for the female. Craeg came a long way and in the end I did really grow fond of his character. However, love would probably be too strong a word.

  The original BDB series has transformed into such a complex story line, with twists and turns, new characters and character development. The world has grown leaps and bounds and icludes multiple storylines in each book; reading them can be very intense. This book, for lack of a better phrase, was palate cleansing it slows things down a bit and that is completely refreshing for a wait between one BDB book and the next. I think any true BDB fan will love this book. Anyone who remembers the old "Slices of Life" JRW used to do will definitely enjoy this book. It is a steady pace of drama, falling in love, levity, and Lassiter-type-shenanigans. I strongly recommend this book.

*Note-- the girls and I believe this book (in our opinion) could be read without having read Black Dagger Brotherhood series. You would not know all of the original characters in as much detail as someone who has, but you could totally enjoy this story alone. 

***For more from JR Ward check out our "PLR's Favorite Author" post. This will give you a complete list of all of her books as well as reading orders for her series.

Review: Bound by Flames (Night Prince 3) by Jeaniene Frost

Credit: Goodreads

5 Stars

Play with fire, pay the price.

Leila’s years on the carnie circuit were certainly an education. What she didn’t learn: how to be a vampire, or how to be married to the most famous vampire of them all. Adjusting to both has Leila teetering on a knife edge between passion and peril, and now the real danger is about to begin…

Vlad must battle with a centuries-old enemy whose reach stretches across continents and whose strength equals his own. It isn’t like Vlad to feel fear, but he does…for Leila, because his enemy knows she is Vlad’s greatest weakness. As friend and foe alike align against him—and his overprotectiveness drives Leila away—Vlad’s love for his new bride could be the very thing that dooms them both…








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My Thoughts; I am absolutely in love with this series and characters. I don't even know how to write out how I feel. 

  I have been reading Jeaniene Frost for a few years now; beginning with the Night Huntress series, where I eventually met Vlad Tepesh (swoon). I have sat on ready for every single one of the books in this series. This one, however, is by far my favorite to date. This series (and its companions) are also my introduction into the world of audio books. My very first Audible book ever was This Side of the Grave, narrated by Tavia Gilbert. I have to say that she is fantastic, and her narration brings a completely new level to the books themselves. Try them, you will not be disappointed.

  I have cried and laughed and gasped and held my breath. They are never boring and always keep you on the edge of your seat. And did I mention.... VLAD TEPESH??

If you are a fan of vampires, or just paranormal in general, I highly recommend this series of books.  It is intertwined with another series so there could be a spoiler here and there. If you are interested in discovering this multi-series experience from the beginning check out the reading order listed... *HERE.

*Author recommended reading order for Night Huntress universe: (copied from Author's website linked above)

HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE

ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE

AT GRAVE’S END

DESTINED FOR AN EARLY GRAVE

FIRST DROP OF CRIMSON

ETERNAL KISS OF DARKNESS

THIS SIDE OF THE GRAVE

ONE GRAVE AT A TIME

ONCE BURNED

TWICE TEMPTED

UP FROM THE GRAVE

BOUND BY FLAMES 

~S

Review: Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

Credit: Goodreads

5 Stars

When Bree Prescott arrives in the sleepy, lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she hopes against hope that this is the place where she will finally find the peace she so desperately seeks. On her first day there, her life collides with Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds a secret agony of his own. A man no one else sees.

Archer's Voice is the story of a woman chained to the memory of one horrifying night and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man who lives with an excruciating wound and the woman who helps him find his voice. It is the story of suffering, fate, and the transformative power of love.

THIS IS A STAND-ALONE SIGN OF LOVE NOVEL, INSPIRED BY SAGITTARIUS. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

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My thoughts; This is going to go straight into my highly recommended category. When I finished this book I held my iPad to my chest and just loved it a little longer. I wish I had a million well written words as to why you should read this book but all I have is.....

thoughts

feels

reasons

more thoughts

 all of the feels 

and

so many reasons

Please read this book and love it the way I love it. I showered love onto my book group friends who recommended to me and I am paying it forward by recommending it to everyone. 

I know this review is vague and I am sorry but the truth is, I want you all to experience it the way I did, going in blind and coming out in love. I had never before read one of Sheridan's books, and this will not be the last.

~S

Review: Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

Credit:Goodreads

4 Stars

Best friends since they could walk. In love since the age of fourteen. Complete strangers since this morning.
He'll do anything to remember. She'll do anything to forget.

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My Thoughts; I think I will write this review in the same way I feel Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher wrote this book. I am going to just start typing and see what happens, Ok, I am only half kidding, I am sure they had some sort of idea where this is going to end up... eventually. *winky face*

So, I read a post way back when the two of them had began writing this. CoHo had posted on her Facebook page how they were each writing a chapter but the story was unfolding as they went along, sort of like a tennis match, if I understood correctly. At the time I thought, 'Oh I bet that is a fun writing exercise, bet it would be fun to read.' 

 Well fast-forward to this past weekend...

What the &*%@ did I just read? I was so engrossed that I couldn't put it down. Now to try and describe this book.... as you can see I have tagged it with almost everything.

• Is it a mystery? Yes 
• Is it paranormal? Ummm, yep. Certainly not normal
• Romance? Perhaps
• Thriller? Well yeah
• Contemporary? Obviously
• Suspense? Cliffhanger, nuff said.
• Young Adult? Most definitely. (which is one of my abso fave things)

Needless to say this book is all of the things. 

Now, how do I feel about it? Well when I was reading this book I thought there is so much WTF. Literally... Double U. Teeee. Effff people. I should not have liked it, I was so lost the entire time. Imagine starting a book in the middle. You want to flip back to the beginning and see what happened but YOU CAN'T, and neither can Charlie and Silas. They are just as confused as the reader is, perhaps more. At least the readers can sit there and say... these authors are insane!! The poor characters just have to live in the world that was created for them. Okay, so maybe I should not just type every thought that is coming into my head right now. I do know they aren't real people. *nervous giggle....eye twitch* 

Moving on

   I guess in summary I can say that I gave this book 4 stars because It is written so superbly. The two authors, whose writing styles are so different from one another, meshed their styles together in a way that if I did not know who wrote who's POV, I would be hard pressed to guess.  (Tarryn-Charlie. Coho-Silas). They played so well off of one another's character cues and I have to wonder if they didn't both sit and laugh evil genius style while writing each chapter.
   The cliffhanger, while worthy of a little scream of frustration, was very well placed as far as cliffhangers go, I can see why it was decided to break this into parts VS one longer novel. I was warned, I knew it was coming. So the closer I got to the end I started glancing between the words and the percentage left on my kindle. It still stung.
   All in all I really enjoyed this book, I am anxious for part two and can't wait to see what happens next. I am reserving my 5th Star for when I have seen how this plays out.

Now if you haven't... GO... read it!!! And if you have leave me a comment and tell me what you thought about it.

Never Never: Part Two

Expected publication: May 17th 2015

Credit: Goodreads

~S

Review - Wanted (Wanted 1) by Kelly Elliot

3.5 Stars

Verbally abused by her mother for years, 18-year-old Ellie Johnson always believed she would never be loved or wanted by anyone. She focused all of her attention on her grades and getting into the University of Texas to start a new life away from her mother.

The last thing Ellie expected was to fall in love with Gunner Mathews, a starting linebacker for the University of Texas football team and not to mention, her brother's best friend. 

Gunner only has two passions in life, football and his grandfather’s ranch, until he falls for his best friends little sister. He will stop at nothing to show Ellie how much he wants her, even if it means he has to move faster than she would like. 

Gunner knows they are meant to be together forever, but Ellie keeps denying her feelings out of fear of being hurt again. Every time he gets close to winning her love, something pushes her away again. Will Ellie ever be able to let go of the past and let him into her heart, and will Gunner be patient enough to wait for her?

What will it take for them to realize they are all each other have ever WANTED?



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