Books that stand out,
and I consider Must Reads!
All Fired Up
by Kristen Painter
Desire can heal the coldest heart—or burn it to ashes. Alrik
Gunn knows from bitter experience that change isn’t always for the
better. From the woman who annihilated his Viking clan to the goddess
who tricked him into centuries of slavery, betrayal has dogged his
existence. The Goddess of Love is going to let him avenge his family,
but for a price. As a Phoenix—a merchant of change—he must grant a human
woman three chances to change her life. When former Irish dancer
Calleigh McCarthy tosses a carved-bird statue that belonged to her ex
into a roaring bonfire, she unwittingly summons an honest-to-god
Phoenix. A sexy, irresistible Viking who offers her an unbelievable
bonus—three get-out-of-her-crappy-life-free cards. She’ll take it, even
if it means guarding her cautious heart against the dark pain behind
Alrik’s eyes. Alrik has vowed never to let love sway him again, but
Calleigh’s innocence and kindness throw him off balance. Yet even as his
need for revenge fades and his love for her grows, he is bound to let
her make her choices without interfering. One wrongly chosen word, and
any chance for happiness—for either of them—will go up in flames.
~My Review~
Loved this book! It starts out with a vicious murder making vengeance a
must for Alrik. I was completed enthralled with just the first
chapter. I loved the main heroine as well, which usually doesn't
happen. Calleigh's name, family, demeanor, humor, everything was
wonderful. The betrayals were a great addition to the paranormal
romance. I was still laughing even 3/4 of the way through, and
literally I couldn't put it down. I read it in one sitting.
I hadn't
read anything by Kristen Painter before, but now I can safely safe she
is a favorite author of mine. I give it 5 stars.
Looking for Alaska
by John Green
Miles "Pudge" Halter is abandoning his safe-okay, boring-life.
Fascinated by the last words of famous people, Pudge leaves for
boarding school to seek what a dying Rabelais called the "Great
Perhaps."Pudge becomes encircled by friends whose lives are everything but safe and boring. Their nucleus is razor-sharp, sexy, and self-destructive Alaska, who has perfected the arts of pranking and evading school rules. Pudge falls impossibly in love. When tragedy strikes the close-knit group, it is only in coming face-to-face with death that Pudge discovers the value of living and loving unconditionally.
John Green's stunning debut marks the arrival of a stand-out new voice in young adult fiction.
~My Review~
This book was really good. I had no idea really what it was about before
starting, so I just kept reading to figure it out. Usually I try to at
least have a starting idea, but it is hard to do with this book. If
you know what is going to happen, the book doesn't have the punch it
should. I thought the story telling was wonderful, and obviously the
author is smart, or researched a bunch, which is great to read.
It was
very easy to get into the story of Miles' life and since there is a
countdown of days to 'after' it is intriguing. I at first didn't really
like the characters, but this story is the very definition of character
development. I can clearly understand why this book has won numerous
awards. It was deep and heartbreaking, rewarding and thoughtful. It
dealt with issues in a way that made you believe there really is hope
out there no matter who you are, where you come from, and no matter how
the future looks.
I laughed, cried, and wanted to scream multiple
times, and each time I felt in awe of how an author can still turn this
book around and make me feel complete to have read it.
I almost want to
go in search of a Great Perhaps! 4.5 stars, well done Mr. Green.
Lord of the Isles (Men of the Isles) Book 1
by Debbie Mazzuca
After travelling to
Scotland on business, the bed of a highland laird is the last place Ali
Graham expected to wake up. But there's no mistaking the irresistibly
masculine Scottish Highlander whose chambers she's accidentally
infiltrated—or the severe wound he's suffered in battle. As a doctor,
Ali knows how to heal his injury, how to nurse his body back to health.
What she doesn't know is how to heal his heart...
A proud warrior and the leader of a powerful clan, Rory MacLeod is ready to fight to the death to protect his homeland. After all, ever since tragedy robbed him of his wife, he has had nothing to lose. Yet the mysterious woman sent to tend his wounds is beginning to reawaken something inside him—something that he'd rather stay buried. But when true passion is mixed with Scottish magic, even the most fearsome warrior could begin to fall...
A proud warrior and the leader of a powerful clan, Rory MacLeod is ready to fight to the death to protect his homeland. After all, ever since tragedy robbed him of his wife, he has had nothing to lose. Yet the mysterious woman sent to tend his wounds is beginning to reawaken something inside him—something that he'd rather stay buried. But when true passion is mixed with Scottish magic, even the most fearsome warrior could begin to fall...
~My Review~
I found this book by accident, and I loved it! Debbie did an amazing
job in writing the story, and my oh my Rory is a hero! I was actually
intrigued by Ali, usually when this sort of time-travel 16th century
story is written, the female is a cowering weakling, but Ali was
wonderful! I am going to search for more of her books. I am hoping
that there is a story for Iian and Fergus. I loved the world that was
created, and even though it was extremely hard for Ali being in a
different more challenging time, the story was enhanced not strained!
I
definitely recommend this book to all who love historical romance, I
couldn't put it down! I give this book 5 stars.
Pride Mates (Shifters Unbound) Book 1
by Jennifer Ashley
CALL OF THE WILD
To
most, they are animals even when in human form. They are to be collared
and kept on the fringes of society, scorned because they are feared,
hated for their extraordinary powers. And attorney Kim Fraser has to go
right into the heart of their lair. It is her job to defend those in need. But there is absolutely nothing defenseless about Liam Morrissey. His soft Irish lilt and feline grace can t disguise his sheer strength. Nor can the silver chain at his throat, designed to control the aggression of his kind, completely reassure her that this man has been tamed.
Yet when a feral shifter begins to stalk them both, Liam is the only one she trusts with her life. She'll let him claim her for her protection, for her pride, and for a passion that knows no bounds.
~My Review~
I love this book/series! I had read a novella about a Kodiac Bear, and
fell in love with the story of the shiftertown. I was excited when I
learned that the first book was Liam's even knowing that he was in the
novella, it was great to learn about how he and Kim got together. It
was also wonderful to read about the Morrissey family, and I am anxious
to read the rest of the books.
I will definitely try out the other
books by Jennifer Ashley, she is a wonderful story teller!
I give this book 5 stars.
You are Amazing!..
ReplyDeleteTheRoyalPoke
TechTantrik