Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements #3 ) by Jennifer L Armentrout

Every Last Breath

The Dark Elements #3

by Jennifer L Armentrout

Synopsis:

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.

Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…

My Review

5/5 Stars

So, I love this author. I’ve enjoyed all her books either for the characters, the story in general or both.

I found this book to be a great ending to a great series.

Layla is still kick butt as ever and still transforming into something more awesome. All the while she has to deal with what she did to Zayne and choosing between the guys in her life that have mattered to her. Roth or Zayne? Also dealing with those reprcussions.

So not far into the book we find out who she chooses ( so for those that are super excited it won’t take you long to find out). I was kind of heartbroken for the other dude. 

Then you got the fact that she has to deal with the Lilin and figure out how to kill it by going down in the underworld and talking to Grim. I love what we find out what happens with Bambi and another familiar down in the underworld. Its neat to see Bambi’s personality manifest. I wish we would have seen it more through out the book.

The ending was sad yet still a happily ever after. I love the very end with “ The Boss” and Morris that was interesting.

and what happens to Bambi I’m wondering if there is going to be maybe some books about The Witches because they are mentioned seldom but the strike my interest. 

Again loved the series, love this author, WONDERFUL ending to a great book with great characters, fun story, some romance and lots of kick butt action.

Breakout by Ann Aguirre (Release Week Blitz!)

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Release Week Blitz for Ann Aguirre's BREAKOUT! BREAKOUT is an Adult Romantic Science Fiction novel set in the Jax Universe and is a part of Ann Aguirre’s Dred Chronicles, published through Ace. Grab your copy of BREAKOUT today!

 

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    BREAKOUT Synopsis: All hell is breaking loose in the edge-of-your-seat follow-up to Havoc and Perdition fromNew York Times bestselling author Ann Aguirre… The prison ship Perdition has become a post-battle charnel house with only a handful of Dred’s soldiers still standing and now being hunted by Silence’s trained tongueless assassins. Forging an uneasy alliance with mercenary commander Vost—who is their only chance at escape—the Dread Queen will do whatever it takes to end her life sentence on Perdition and keep the survivors alive long enough to cobble together a transport capable of getting them off station. If Dred and her crew can win the deadly game of cat and mouse, the payoff is not only life but freedom—a prize sweeter than their wildest dreams. Yet the sadistic Silence would rather destroy Perdition than let a single soul slip from her grasp… Praise for the Dred Chronicles: "There's so much action, so much adventure, and more than that, it's great writing."—USA Today "SiranthaJax fans may be intrigued to see what befell Jael after his ill-considered actions there, and new lead Dred is a strong linchpin for a promising new series."—Publishers Weekly "Spectacularly and spell-bindingly perfect with high octane action that keeps you on the edge of your seat and a romance that is surprisingly sweet and tender in a harsh and unforiving setting...This is honestly one of the best SF romance series I have read." —Book Pushers  

BREAKOUT Excerpt:

They didn’t speak until they had put a fair amount of distance behind them, then Dred signaled her desire to pause by tapping his ankle. He couldn’t turn fully because the ducts had narrowed, but he glanced over his shoulder. 

“You all right?” 

“Just . . . spooked.” The somber tone told him he hadn’t been alone in what he felt, watching those crazy, tongue-less bastards. 

“It’s different now,” he said.

“With what she did to Queensland . . . she seems larger than life. I’ve been afraid before, but . . . not quite like this.” 

The words were barely a whisper, and they roused an answering prickle of gooseflesh on his arms. 

“I know. There’s run-of-the-mill evil, like Priest and Mungo. And then there’s Silence.” 

“It’s like she can do worse than kill me. Rationally, I know that’s not true—” 

“But it’s uncanny the way she’s last one still standing, moving through the carnage.” He didn’t say it out loud, but he thought, Like Death itself. 

Dred nodded. “I’m still here, too, but I’m not the Dread Queen anymore.” 

“If it’s any consolation, I don’t miss her.”

“Me either,” she whispered.

There was no space to touch her as he wanted to, and it wasn’t the time anyway, so Jael continued on. They slid out of the ducts near the closet, but when he opened it, there were no droids plugged in. He choked out a curse. It was impossible to predict when a bot would come back, and it was dangerous to wait out in the open. They desperately needed some intel about how many men Silence had left, how often they patrolled, and where, but with manpower as scarce as it had become on their end, recon had to wait. 

“Back up?” Dred whispered. 

He nodded. This time, they found a way in that gave them vantage over their target, so they’d know when a bot returned. He’d just finished fitting the vent panel in place behind them when he heard the familiar, shuffling sound of Silence’s men. From her expression, Dred registered it, too, and she practically stopped breathing. The fact that her killers were roving freely must signify that she believed herself the undisputed ruler of Perdition. 

When they rounded the corner and came into sight, he stifled a surprised sound. This group was huge, compared to the usual numbers, ten this time, and horror jolted through him like lightning when he realized they were carried a human-sized bundle. They’d wrapped their captive in dark fabric, so he couldn’t tell anything about the person, but the worst part was, he or she was still moving, thrashing against his bonds. 

Who is that? And why the hell would Silence want someone taken alive?

And don’t miss the previous books in the Dred Chronicles!

PERDITION

HAVOC

     

About Ann Aguirre: Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and RITA winner with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. Ann likes books, emo music, action movies, and she writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens, published with Harlequin, Macmillan, and Penguin, among others.      

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Dark Witch (The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy #1) By Nora Roberts

Dark WitchThe Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy #1By Nora Roberts

Synopsis From Goodreads

With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends.

Ireland.

County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits.

Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives.

When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horseman, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.

Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…

My Review

3/5 Stars

This was my first Nora Roberts book. I’m thinking maybe I should try another to see what everyone raves about.

I enjoyed the setting and the world building. She did a wonderful job with the description of Ireland that I felt I could close my eyes and see the castle and the woods and all the beautiful places Iona went. 

The characters were just okay. Nothing that really made me particularly like them except the were likable characters but nothing that really made me love them and want to know more about them with the exception of Fin but I think that was because he was the odd magical one. The one who didn’t belong. 

The story was good. I’m always up for a good paranormal/witch/fantasy book. And this was decent but it just felt lacking in the background of the characters. The beginning she seemed to do a fantastic job drawing me in and holding me but after awhile It was all just okay. 

So as for my first Nora Roberts book I was kind of disappointed because I was excepting amazingness. I borrowed the next book in the series from an aunt so I’ll be reading that one as well, maybe this just fell under the first book in the series issue that I sometimes feel books have. Maybe I’ll try a different book series by her. 

Lets see, Great world building, okay characters, okay romance, decent story. Just felt a little lacking in places.

Heart -Shaped Hack by Tracey Garvis Graves Release Day!

When Kate Watts abandoned her law career to open a food pantry in Northeast Minneapolis, she never dreamed it would be this difficult. Facing the heartbreaking prospect of turning hungry people away, she is grateful for the anonymous donations that begin appearing at the end of each month. Determined to identify and thank her secret benefactor, she launches a plan and catches Ian —a charismatic hacker with a Robin Hood complex—in the act.

Ian intrigues Kate in a way no man ever has. But after learning he’s snooped around on her personal computer, she demands retribution. Impressed with her tolerance and captivated by her spirit, he complies and begins to slowly charm his way past her defenses. Time spent with Ian is never boring, and Kate soon finds herself falling for the mysterious hacker.

But Ian has enemies and they’re growing restless. In the hacking world, exploiting a target’s weakness is paramount, and no price is too high to stop an attack. And when Kate learns exactly how much Ian has paid, she’ll discover just how strong her love is for the man who has hacked his way into her heart.

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© 2015 Tracey Garvis Graves

Heart-Shaped Hack

EXCERPT

“Oh, hi,” she said.
“Imagine running into you here.”
“This is quite a coincidence.”
“It’s not a coincidence at all. I knew you were following me.”
“You did not.”
“I spotted you hiding behind the plant when I walked into the bank. Plus I could smell your perfume as soon as I stepped out here.”
“Did you”—she used her fingers to make little air quotes—“appropriate money from this bank?” she whispered.
“Of course not. I do all my work from the Batcave. Believe it or not, I actually bank here. I was just signing some papers.”
Kate had never seen a man look so utterly scrumptious while wearing glasses. There was something about the combination of his hair, his scruff, and the semi-rimless designer frames that made him irresistible. “Are the glasses a disguise? Because I totally knew it was you.”
“The glasses are real. I often suffer from eyestrain since I spend so much time on the computer, and I was up late last night, working.”
“They make you look very smart.” She took a moment to imagine how his scruff would feel rubbing against her skin if he were to kiss her.
“I am smart, but I think you mean devastatingly handsome. More so than normal, that is.”
“You’re so humble.”
“Ready?” He walked to the door and held it open for her.
“Yes.”
“Follow me.” He looked at her and laughed. “That shouldn’t be a problem for you.”
They took the elevator to the basement, and when the doors opened to the parking garage, Kate followed Ian to a row of cars. He stopped beside one and pulled a set of keys from his pocket.
She gasped.
Ian smiled. “It’s a—”
“1964 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe.”
“’65. But color me impressed.”
“My brother Chad was obsessed with this car. He used to have a poster of it on his bedroom wall. There were only six built between 1964 and 1965.”
“A bit rare indeed.”
The last authentic Shelby had sold at auction for around seven million. Ian’s was obviously a replica, of which there were quite a few, but it was still a very notable vehicle with a price tag that started in the low six figures. “Helena called it an old blue car.”
He grinned, looking contemplative. “Technically, that is correct.”
Kate could not resist running her hand lightly over the Guardsman Blue paint and the white racing stripes on the hood. The Shelby was unmistakably race-car-like in appearance with its aerodynamic design and unique body style. Chad was going to be so jealous. “For someone who values his privacy, isn’t this a bit ostentatious?”
“How so?”
“Rakishly handsome playboy who makes grand philanthropic gestures and drives a flashy car. Any of this ringing a bell?”
“Rakishly handsome playboy?”
“Well, if the Prada loafer fits. Wouldn’t you fly under the radar more easily in, say, a Ford Focus?” she asked.
“A Ford Focus? You want me to tool around town in a Ford Focus? Jesus, would I still have my balls?”
“No, they cut them off when they hand you the keys. Of course you’d still have your balls. What kind of question is that? This conversation has gotten way off track.”
“You mean because we started out talking about my car and now we’re talking about my balls?”
“Are we?”
“I believe so.”
“Maybe we should go back to talking about your car.”
“You want to drive it, don’t you?”
“Why would I want to drive your car?”
“Why wouldn’t you want to drive my car? Can you handle a stick shift?”
“Yes, and rather competently I might add.”
“That’s an enormous turn-on. Truly.”
She pretended not to hear him. “This is not a good car for Minnesota winters.”
“Horrible, I agree. My other car has four-wheel drive, but it’s not nearly as fun to operate as this one.” Ian dangled the keys in front of her.
He was right. Kate was dying to drive his car and couldn’t wait to see how it handled. She took the keys, opened the door, and reached over to unlock the passenger side for Ian. They belted up, and she started the car.
“Please note that I’m already making good on my promise, Katie. Because I assure you, driving this car will be the opposite of boring.”

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Tracey Garvis Graves is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Her debut novel, On the Island, spent 9 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into twenty-seven languages, and is in development with MGM and Temple Hill Productions for a feature film. She is also the author of Uncharted, Covet, Every Time I Think of You, and Cherish. 

Tracey loves to interact with her readers and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

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With a Twist (Bad Habits #1) by Staci Hart

With A Twist
Bad Habits #1
by Staci Hart

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Love is somewhere near the bottom of Lily Thomas’ list of life goals, right next to competitive eating and underwater cave diving. She’s spent six years pirouetting and pliéing her way up the ranks of the New York Ballet with her eye on the prize and love in the back seat. But now that Blane Baker -- Lily’s long time crush -- is finally single, she’ll throw her rules out the window without thinking twice. 

Reality with Blane isn’t as epic as the fantasy she imagined, and the truth sends her spinning straight into the arms of the man she never knew she’d always wanted.

West Williams has been friends with Lily since the day she moved into their building and he saved her armoire from a swift, sudden death by staircase. Their friendship has always been easy, the boundaries clearly defined. With neither of them willing to risk their relationship, they’ve drifted happily through the years as companions, never considering more.

That is, until they do. And that realization changes everything.

My Review:

4/5 Stars

West and Lily have been best friends since she moved in to the building. They have a wonderfully adorable best friend love where they just go right in and stay up and watch tv shows. Neither of them want to risk losing the wonderful friendship. That is until Lily starts seeing Blane a long time crush of hers and that relationship isn’t what she thought it would be. 

It seems that it was all of a sudden West couldn’t stop thinking of Lily as more than friends and then Lily’s realization that she loves West was a kind of a smack in the face for her. 

I liked this book it was a fast easy sweet read with lots of humor, cute story and great characters. Fun summer read and I look forward to reading more of this series.

The Call of Agon by Dean F. Wilson Review Tour!

Synopsis:

THE LAST LINE. THE LAST WORDS. THE LAST CHANCE.

Ifferon is one of the last in the bloodline of the dead god Telm, who mated with mortal women, and who imprisoned the Beast Agon in the Underworld. Armed with a connection to the estranged gods in the Overworld and a scroll bearing Telm's powerful dying words, he is tasked with ensuring the god's vital legacy: that Agon remain vanquished. Fear forces Ifferon to abandon his duty, but terror restores his quest when the forces of Agon find his hideaway in an isolated coastal monastery.

Weighed down by the worries of the world, but lifted up by the companions he encounters along the way, Ifferon embarks on a journey that encompasses the struggles of many peoples, the siege of many lands, and discoveries that could bring hope to some—or doom to all.

Enter the world of Iraldas. Answer the Call of Agon.

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Author Bio

Dean F. Wilson was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1987. He started writing at age 11, when he began his first (unpublished) novel, entitled The Power Source. He won a TAP Educational Award from Trinity College Dublin for an early draft of The Call of Agon (then called Protos Mythos) in 2001.


His epic fantasy trilogy, The Children of Telm, was released between 2013 and 2014.


Dean also works as a journalist, primarily in the field of technology. He has written for TechEye, Thinq, V3, VR-Zone, ITProPortal, TechRadar Pro, and The Inquirer.

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My Review

5/5 Stars

A wonderful epic fantasy! The way the author described the world and the characters made them easy to visualize.




The story was wonderfully told with action( especially towards the end) and adventure. It grabbed me from the beginning and had me turning the pages trying to hold my eyes open in the early morning hours just to read what happens next. I really enjoyed the poems through out the story.




The characters where interesting and well written and I kept reading because I had to know more about Ifferon’s past and who he was.



In all I found this to be a wonderfully written and intriguing story that if you like epic fantasies this is one that I would pick up. I personally am looking forward to the next book in this series.

The Hotter You Burn (The Original Heartbreakers #2 )by Gena Showalter

The Hotter You Burn
The Original Heartbreakers #2
by Gena Showalter

Synopsis from Goodreads:

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter is back with a sizzling Original Heartbreakers story featuring a troubled playboy and the woman he can’t resist… 

Beck O'ckley is ruthless in the boardroom...and the bedroom. He's never been with the same woman twice, and vows he never will. With a past as twisted as his, meaningless sex keeps the demons at bay. His motto: One and done. No harm, no foul.

Harlow Glass is the most hated girl in town. The beautiful artist is penniless, jobless and homeless. When she sneaks into Beck's home—her ancestral estate—for food, she's shocked by his early return...and her immediate, sizzling and intense attraction to him.

For the first time in Beck's life, he can't get a woman out of his mind. All too soon, friendship blooms into obsession and he'll have to break her heart...or surrender his own

My Review:

5/5 Stars

I’m loving this series 

Beck is a playboy with a good heart. He is funny and sweet but he takes a woman home for one night and then never again. He has all his conquests constantly trying to get another night to no avail. 

Harlow has a nasty passed with a sad secret. She lost her home she grew up in ( Which Beck now currently lives) and loved. She’s broke and has burned bridges through the town. To the point no one is nice to her or has a nice thing to say about her. She knows she has done wrong and is trying to make amends here and there but the town isn’t having it.

Harlow sneaks into her old home for food but ends up stuck inside while Beck and a date come home. She gets caught and after that Beck does what he can to help Harlow get back on her feet and tries to keep her at arms length.

I like Harlow she’s trying to right her wrongs and might be too proud for most things but when Beck does stuff for her she is not too proud to take advantage of his offerings. Even though she comes up with some funny excuses. I also like how even though she is not immune to Beck she doesn’t give in to him. The banter between Beck and Harlow is funny. I love how no matter how hard Beck tries he just can’t seem to stay away from Harlow. 

The story itself is heartbreaking and sweet with wonderful humor and romance and some great sexy scenes. Gena Showalter is one of my must read authors. I love her characters and how funny the usually are. The women tend to be smart , pretty kick ass and funny. The men tend to me flirty, sweet and good guys with big hearts. 

In short heartbreaking, humorous, sweet story with great characters. I loved that Harlow tried to right her wrongs of her past and she did it with a chin up. She wasn’t a flawless character but she tried her best to be a good person.

The Unleashing ( Call of Crows #1) by Shelly Laurenston

The Unleashing ( Call of Crows #1)
by Shelly Laurenston

Synopsis from Goodreads:

WINGING IT

Kera Watson never expected to face death behind a Los Angeles coffee shop. Not after surviving two tours lugging an M16 around the Middle East. If it wasn’t for her hot Viking customer showing up too late to help, nobody would even see her die.

In uncountable years of service to the Allfather Odin, Ludvig “Vig” Rundstrom has never seen anyone kick ass with quite as much style as Kera. He knows one way to save her life—but she might not like it. Signing up with the Crows will get Kera a new set of battle buddies: cackling, gossiping, squabbling, party-hearty women. With wings. So not the Marines.

But Vig can’t give up on someone as special as Kera. With a storm of oh-crap magic speeding straight for L.A., survival will depend on combining their strengths: Kera’s discipline, Vig’s loyalty… and the Crows’ sheer love of battle. Boy, are they in trouble

My Review

3/5 Stars

I think this was a good start to a series. 

Different take on mythological paranormal type stories that I haver read. 

At first the characters kind of came of as shallow and just lacking but reading more into it they started to become more interesting to me. I did like Kera because it was nice to see a female who is a former military instead of something else. Usually the books I’ve read the men tend to be the ones who are military not the females, so that was a nice change of pace.

The rest of the female characters in the Crows were pretty cool once you read more about them and a few of them I look forward to reading more about.  Especially Jace's story.

The males tend to be a bit of a mystery if not your typical paranormal cast of males. But still I’m interested in their backgrounds and seeing who the end up with. 

The world building of the story is where I had the most trouble staying focused. There just seemed to be so much thrown at us but about half way through I got a decent grip on how everything was and I think it became easier to understand.

All in all it was an interesting story and a different type of mythological paranormal romance that I usually read ( I like the Viking aspect and the Norse mythology in it) Takes a bit to really get into it but I think its a good and interesting start to a series. 

Action, romance, danger, mystery and humor.