Review: Lux (Nocte Trilogy Book 3) by Courtney Cole

Credit: Goodreads

3 (confused) Stars

LET THERE BE LIGHT.


My name is Calla Price and I’m broken.

My pieces are all around me, floating on the wind, even as I desperately try to grasp them.

Who is dead? Alive? Insane?

What is the truth?

I don’t know.

I do know this: The darkness is strangling me. With every breath, I choke on another lie.

My mind has protected me, but that shield will soon be lowered.

All will be revealed.
Every answer to every question.

It’s all been leading to this.

Don’t be afraid.
Be terrified.

BUY Lux (The Nocte Trilogy Book 3) NOW on Amazon



My Thoughts: I honestly don't know how to feel about this book. This series started off so strong with book one but then the ending took a twist and I did not know where this author was taking us. Then when book two came out I jumped right in and I basically had this look on my face the entire time...

I could not even understand what was going on. Suddenly book one that I loved is now questionable as to whether or not the events even happened! Why, author WHY?? But being the glutton for punishment that I am I decided to read book three. I needed to know where this cluster of insanity was going. So I picked up Lux and started to read. This book had me ...

Ok, so I see we are sticking with this complete incoherencey. Way to commit! But in all fairness to the author I really did read this book e-cover to e-cover, in one day, basically one sitting. I was glued to it. I did have to put it down a few time because it was literally giving me a headache, but I would pick it right back up.

Now, being that this is book three there is about to be some spoiler-ish comments if you have yet to read the first two books in this series. 

Look away from the next paragraph if you are anti-spoiler

Seriously....

Ok, you were warned.

In Nocte (book one) I was captivated by the story between not only Calla and Dare, but also the love that Calla and Finn share as siblings. It is such an emotional roller coaster and as we get toward the end and we start to realize than Finn had actually died in the crash along with his mom my heart BROKE, shattered into a million pieces. I know what it is like to lose someone so close to you. To feel that it isn't real. To crave the ability to make it all go away. But Calla appeared to do this on a psychological level. Suddenly it wasn't Finn who had the mental break, it was her. Everything we thought we knew was skewed by Calla's POV. When Dare helps her come to terms with Finn's death it is heart-wrenchingly sad. But then the final chapters hit and suddenly Dare isn't who we all thought. Suddenly there is this enormous family secret. *cue suspenseful music* Then Verum (book two) leads us to Whitley which is such a confused jumbled mess. Nothing makes sense, you begin to question if book one even happened, you question what genre you are even reading. Wait!? I thought this was a psychological thriller. Is this paranormal? I'm confused. Ughhh why am I reading this?

Ok spoiler paragraph over..

Which leads us to book three. And this book was even more confusing than books one and two. As you are reading it comes to a point when you are basically just reading book one all over again. It is condensed down but still a verbatim reading of book one events. I even found myself skimming these parts because I could not understand why this needed to be completely retold, and then a few chapters later told again. And then the last 10-15% of the book comes and suddenly everything is explain, there is resolution on the horizon. and AH HA!! this is paranormal! Wish that had been made clear two books ago. And then the final chapter hits and you are once again rereading something that has already happened. and then the book ends with the author's note. And even though I read the book in basically one sitting, even though this was the final book in the series, even  though I read the author's note and I get what she was going for. I just really can not help wishing this book had ended before the plot twist in book one. I can honestly say that the second and third books completely robbed me of the feels that I got from book one. 

I guess as far as my recommendation goes I will say proceed with caution. Nocte, book one is amazing and I do highly recommend it. But the rest of the series.... consider me conflicted.

If you would like to check out this series here are the links to all three books,

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.

Buy NOW on Amazon

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: RELLIK by Teresa Mummert

4 Stars

Rellik Bentley is to die for. 

He can have any woman he wants and they will do anything to be with him. He uses and abuses them like drugs and tosses them out with the trash. The only thing he gives a f*ck about is his music. That is, until Ella Leighton walks into his life and stumbles upon one of his darkest secrets. In the midst of doing damage control, he begins to obsess over the mysterious woman who wants absolutely nothing to do with him.
Rellik won’t take no for an answer.


 Publication Date: October 28, 2014

Buy now on Amazon

  My thoughts; I know the old saying about books and judging covers and all that but, ummm, do you see this cover?? How can I not. Honestly, I have wanted to read this book since before it was fully written... all because of the cover. I pre-ordered it back in January, I was not playing around.

   I could tell by the synopsis that Rellik was not exactly a good guy. But Teresa "Queen of the Plot Twist" Mummert, has shocked me more than once. I am no stranger to her work so I know that just when I think things are one way, it may just turn out to be another.

    I wanted Rellik to be this misunderstood guy who was really just hiding all his pain under this facade of bad boy. And well......

   Ok, you all know me better than that. If you have ever read a single review I have written you know I am not going to give up a spoiler. I will say this, Rellik is not who he appears to be but neither is Ella. They both have secrets to hide. Rellik is not a sweet Happily ever After kind of story. It is dark and twisted and I loved every minute of it.

Just because I have to be fair and honest I will add a couple of things that were dislikes.

   There were a couple of spots in the book where I had to go back a paragraph or two because I had a "Wait what just happened" moment. Almost as if the transition between one event and the next were blurred but it does not detract from the storyline at all.

   The other thing that bothered me was that this book ends at 88%. However, there are two chapter from another book by Teresa Mummert (Pretty Little Things) to fill in the space. I am not sure if there is a note somewhere that says the book ends early and has bonus chapters from another book or not. If it does I missed it.

   All in all this was a really great and quick read (I read in a single day). I would recommend it to anyone who likes a dark twisted romance, with a possible anti-hero. 

~S

Author Spotlight: Linda Barton

The Admins at Pretty Little Readers would like to welcome Linda Barton to the page today! We look forward to introducing her to you all, as well as getting to know her a little better ourselves. We will also be posting throughout the day on our Facebook page so be sure to check it out but clicking the tab at the top labeled Facebook Home. Be sure to like the page if you have not already so you can see all of our spotlight posts!!

PLR: Tell us a little about yourself.

Hello, my name is Linda L Barton and I'm a Thriller/Suspense Author with Storyteller Entertainment, LLC.

I've done many different things in my life from working as a hair stylist, claims processor, to driving a Peterbilt Truck across the United States with my husband, Bob.

I published my first book, Next Move, You're Dead in March of 2011, and currently have five published books. While I never dreamed that I would be able to call myself an author, I must say that it has turned into one of the highlights of my life.


Bob and I live in a quiet little community in southeast Texas with our two dogs, and one crazy cat. Over the years, I have learned that life is an adventure and to appreciate all the blessings it brings.

For more about Linda click here

Be sure to check out the following websites to stay up to date on Linda's work.

Facebook 
http://www.rjsmithproductions.com/about-linda-l-barton/  
 http://pinterest.com/barton166/boards/  
http://lindalbarton.blogspot.com/


Tell us a little about your book.

This book is all three books of the Next Move, You’re Dead trilogy in one book. It will be in the VIP Swag Bags at the 2013 Emmy Awards on Sept. 22nd

  A mysterious caller chooses Homicide Detective John Cooper, and then Detective Lucinda Mackey to be his opponents in what he refers to as The Game.  With each telephone call, he pulls the unwilling player deeper in to his game causing them to begin to question everything they have ever believed about themselves, and their reality.  Will they escape The Game, or surrender to the darkness, as so many have before them?











Where can we purchase your book(s)?

It is available on Amazon, and Sellfy.com for Nook, Sony, iPad, and all other epub ereaders. I am in the process of having it made into an audiobook as well.

Amazon US 
Amazon UK 
Sellfy.com



PLR: What books/authors have influenced your writing?

I try not to be like other authors.  I like to give the readers something different.

PLR: Do you ever experience writer's block?

I don’t call it writer’s block.  The voices in my head just seem to go on a vacation from time to time. LOL

PLR: Do you write an outline before every book you write?

Somewhat, unfortunately, I don’t always follow it.

PLR: Have you ever hated something you wrote?

No, that’s never happened….yet. LOL

PLR: What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?

Thriller/Suspense.  I love to sink my teeth into something dark and twisted.

PLR: How long have you been writing?

I began as a child, but I published my first book in 2011.

PLR: What inspired you to write your first book?

It’s really a funny story.  I was still driving truck with my husband and one day he turned to me and said, “I have an idea for a book.”  After several hours of planning, my debut novel Next Move, You’re Dead (book 1 of the trilogy) was born.

PLR: Do you have a specific writing style?

I’m not sure, I just write what comes out of my mind.

PLR: How did you come up with the title?

I had fussed for several days trying to come up with a unique title, and I finally realized since the book was about a game of death, Next Move, You’re Dead popped into my mind.

PLR: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

No, this book is simply for fun.  I’ll leave it up to the readers to find any message.

PLR: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Not at all, that would be horrible if it was. LOL

PLR: What books have influenced your life most?

Bible

PLR: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I don’t really have one.

PLR: When you get a chance to read, what type of books do you enjoy?

It all depends on my mood at the time.

PLR: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

OG Tomes, Lisa Vandiver, and RJ Smith.

PLR: What are your current projects?

I’m working on my first paranormal thirller, Flight 437.

PLR: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

RJ Smith

PLR: Do you see writing as a career?

I hope so.

PLR: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Not at all.

PLR: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I was too young.

PLR: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Flight 437

PLR: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

No, I love to write thrillers, so they seem to come easy to me.

PLR: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

 I don’t really have a favorite.

PLR: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

Not yet, but I probably will in the future.

PLR: Who designed the cover(s)?

I’ve done some, as well as Jacob Drake and Steve LeMaster

PLR: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Putting other things aside and just doing it.

PLR: Did you learn anything from writing your book(s) and what was it?

That I can come up with a great story that people seem to enjoy.

PLR: What advice would you give to other authors?

Stick with it no matter what people say, ignore the nay-sayers, listen to your inner voice, and be sure that it is properly edited before you publish.  Once all that is done, get ready for the hard work because marketing and promotion can be a full-time job. LOL

PLR: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I want to thank them for giving me a chance by reading my books.  I love to hear from them, and I am thankful for their reviews.  I enjoy visiting with them on facebook, and getting to know them.

PLR: What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?

Thank goodness for google is all I can say. LOL

PLR: While you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?

No, I’m more of a visual writer.  There are times when I am deep into writing that I will find my eyes are closed and I’m watching the scene play out like I’m watching a movie.

PLR: What are your expectations for the book?

I’m not sure.  I’m just enjoying the different developments as they come.

PLR: Which of your books was the easiest/hardest to write?

My easiest book to write was Pure Justice.  It seemed to flow out of me.  The hardest was Next Move, You’re dead because it was my first, and I had no idea what I was doing.

PLR:Which of your books is your favorite?

Pure Justice because I have a crush on the main character, Ted, but I’m not the only person who has claimed to have a crush on him. LOL

PLR: Which of your characters is your favorite?

Erebus from the Next Move, You’re Dead trilogy

PLR: Which of your characters is most/least like you, and in what way(s)?

Wow, that’s hard to say.  I’m sure there is a little of me in each of my characters. LOL

PLR: Which of your characters would you most/least like to invite to dinner, and why?

Ted because he is a man on honor and is a man you could respect.

PLR: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes, but I never thought it would happen.

PLR: What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?

I’d go back to being a truck driver.  I loved the freedom of the road.

PLR:If you were to do your career as an author again, what would you do differently, and why?

Nothing really.  Each step whether good or bad has taught me so much.

PLR: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

Yes, I read every single one I can, and they let me know I’m pleasing the readers.

PLR: Have you ever been surprised by a controversy among fans or reviewers - for example, you created a character without thinking too much about what people would think of him, and found some readers loved him and some hated him?

Yes.  My character Erebus has been labeled as someone you love to hate by several readers.  I’ve also had readers beg me not to kill him off because they love his evil ways. LOL

PLR: Have you ever written anything that you thought would be controversial and found it wasn't?

not yet.

PLR: Which question are you most sick of answering in interviews?

 I try not to think that way.  I’m just thrilled that someone would take the time to interview me.

PLR: If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Hmmm… my grandma Broyles. I miss her very much.

PLR: If you could work with any author who would it be?

Probably OG Tomes because we’re both dark and twisted. LOL

PLR:Who is your favorite author and is you writing style similar to theirs?

I don’t have a favorite, and I try not to be like anyone else.

PLR: What's your favorite part of a book?

The beginning because that’s where the fun starts.

PLR: When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning?

Sometimes.  I did with Erebus.

PLR: What is your favorite thing to write? Characters, A certain type of scene etc.?

The more dark and twisted the better for me.

PLR: Can you tell us all the books you have written and where they are available to purchase?

Next Move, You’re Dead, A New Game, Erebus (these are the books of the Next Move, You’re Dead trilogy)  Pure Justice, and finally Next Move, You’re Dead-The Trilogy (this is all three books of the trilogy in one book)

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