Stolen by Kelley Armstrong (Last book in the SS Challenge!!!)

Summary  (Goodreads):

Even though she's the world's only female werewolf, Elena Michaels is just a regular girl at heart - with larger than normal appetites. She sticks to three feasts a day, loves long runs in the moonlight, and has a lover who is unbelievably frustrating yet all the more sexy for his dark side. Like every regular girl, she certainly doesn't believe in witches. Then again, when two small, ridiculously feminine women manage to hurl her against a wall, and then save her from the hunters on her trail, Elena realises there are more things in heaven and Earth than she's dreamt of.

Vampires, demons, shamans, witches - in Stolen they all exist, and they're all under attack. An obsessed tycoon with a sick curiosity is well on his way to amassing a private collection of supernaturals, and plans to harness their powers for himself - even if it means killing them. For Elena, kidnapped and imprisoned deep underground, separated from her Pack, unable to tell her friends from her enemies, choosing the right allies is a matter of life and death.

Elena certainly bit off more than she could chew with this book. It started off with Elena investigating a supposed story on the actual existence of werewolves which somehow came down to Elena being kidnapped and fighting for her life.

To be completely honest, I was looking forward to reading about Elena, Clay and the rest of the Pack as in Bitten so was a bit put out when all the new characters were introduced.

BUT! When the characters started to interact, whether they were getting on or arguing, I started to enjoy reading about how the werewolves cooperated and related to the 'outsiders'. It was refreshing to read the different and slightly vulnerable side to Elena and Clay.

As always, I love strong female protagonists who can more than take care of themselves. If you do too, then Elena is your gal to read about! Even though she was knocked down a notch or two in this story she just got right back up and brushed off her paws!

Elena meets some right characters in Stolen that send shivers down your spine. They really do give you a real rush whilst reading about them especially if Elena decides to get particularly nasty.

This book was a superb read...the pace was amazing. I was reading it while studying at college and couldn't wait to find a spare five minutes after lessons to get a quick chapter in! A brilliant escape from reality.

 My Rating: 10/10!

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Plume

                                                                                  

Teaser Tuesday #7

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can take part! All you have to do is:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us (2) teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12 (but don't give any spoilers!)
• Share the title of the book that the teaser is from...that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given!

You can find out more here!

My current read is: Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong

Random page: #74

Two sentences:

Grace and I walked in silence to the doors, then she suddenly remembered something she'd left in the van.

As I walked in, all chatter stopped dead and everyone turned. 

Ooooh what do you think? I haven't even read up to this part yet so I'm definitely intrigued!

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong Review (Book#4 in the SS reading challenge)

Summary (Goodreads):

Ever since her parents were killed in a car accident when she was five, Elena Michaels has longed for a normal family life. Smart, beautiful and engaged to be married, Elena hopes to fulfill that dream when disaster strikes. Not only has her fiancé lied about his secret life as a werewolf, but he's made her one too. She has no choice but to join him at Stonehaven, the upstate New York home of an elite pack of werewolves.


In an attempt to breakaway, she moves to Toronto to lead a normal life. Working as a journalist, Elena now lives with her new architect boyfriend, works out in the basement gym of their high-rise apartment, lunches with girlfriends from the office, and once a week, at four in the morning runs naked and furred through a downtown Toronto ravine, ripping out the throats of her animal prey. But when a band of outlaw werewolves threatens the Stonehaven Pack, Elena's feral instincts drive her back there to join the defense. What follows is a war for territory, for pride, and ultimately for Elena herself.


After being bitten and changed by who she thought to be her human boyfriend, Elena moves to the city to try and live life as humanly as possible.

But when Jeremy, Alpha of the Pack, calls Elena asking for her help Elena has to obey and is thrust back into the life she had previously tried to get away from.

I love Elena's character, she's so relatable to a lot of girls out there I think, trying to be a part of a normal society; trying to fit in and trying to gain more respect as a woman more than anything.

Clay was the perfect bad boy! I loved how he always knew he was wrong whenever he made a mistake and always held himself and no-one else accountable for it, and yet he doesn't regret a thing. I also liked Clay's past which was explained just a tiny bit in this story. It was very...inventive. It made me laugh at times and also made me realise why Clay is the way he is which is what I think Kelley was going for.

Elena and Clay's relationship was different to say the least. Normally I hate it when I don't know where a couple stand with each other in a book but this one was contrary to my normal thoughts on this particular matter. They were perfect together and yet, Elena still hadn't forgiven Clay for what he had done but he still remained loyal to her and waited even if he didn't expect her forgiveness. It just fits somehow...

As for the plot; it was brilliant. The story line was great, as was the pace and flow of the book.

Kelley Armstrong I take my (figurative) hat off to you!!!

My Rating: 10/10!

Author: Kelley Armstrong 

Publisher: Plume

Fall Into Reading Challenge

As you've probably figured out already I love reading challenges!

Thanks to Should be Reading I found another reading challenge to get involved with and it's super easy too which is always an added bonus!

The challenge is over at Callapidder Days and basically it involves the partaker to compose a list of books that they would like to read and to read them between the challenge dates of September 22 to December 20.

I have a goal of 12 books! Here they are:-

• Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong.
• Cast In Courtlight by Michelle Sagara West
• Shift by Rachel Vincent
• Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong
• Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
• The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter
• Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
• Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
• Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
• The Good, The Bad and the Undead by Kim Harrison
• The Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter
• Angel by L.A Weatherly

And there you have it! These are the books I plan to read for this challenge hopefully and I'll post the review of each of them as I finish them; when the challenge comes to an end I'll post about how I did as a whole and give a list of the links to the reviews! Sound good?

Make sure to check out the challenge!

Teaser Tuesday #6

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can take part! All you have to do is:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us (2) teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12 (but don't give any spoilers!)
• Share the title of the book that the teaser is from...that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given!

You can find out more here!

My current read is: Stolen by Kelley Armstrong!!!

Random Page: #167

Two Sentences: 

The spot where Bauer had injected herself was gushing  a thick, stinking, blood-streaked pus and had swollen to the size of a golf ball, which threatened to cut off circulation to her lower arm.

Okay, that would normally seem like a cause for alarm, but in the metamorphosis from human to werewolf it was only one of several dozen potentially life-threatening hurdles.  

So that's my teaser this week! I have to apologise for not being up to par with my blog lately I've had a load of work to do, you know how it is...

Anyway, if you haven't yet feel free to subscribe via email which I recently added to the blog and leave a comment!

The Dark Divine Review - Book #3 in SS Challenge

Summary:

True Love's First Kill

Daniel looked up at me. His dark eyes searched my face. There was something different about those too-familiar eyes. Maybe it was the way the orange light from the streetlamp illuminated his pupils. Maybe it was the way he stared without blinking. His eyes made him look...hungry.

This review isn't going to be of the long sort because I don't have much to say about this book other than I didn't like it...

It felt like a very bad copy of 'Twilight' with werewolves instead of vampires. I thought the whole story was so unoriginal.

I didn't like the characters either. Grace seemed desperate and needy with all of her urges to help everyone and be a hero, while Daniel was the complete opposite.

Daniel's character didn't sit very well with me. At the beginning of the book I found him to be moody and all 'angst-ridden' but then towards the middle he just turned the tables completely into a love-struck teenager that thinks nobody loves him because he's a 'monster'.  There was no in-between development; he kind of contradicts himself. To put it simply Daniel needs to get a life....

What I did like about this book though was lead-up to all of the events. The story had a nice flow to it which did keep me reading till the end.

All in all, I was immensely disappointed with this read and wouldn't really recommend it. It's just not for some readers I guess.

My Rating: 4/10

Publisher: Egmont 

Author: Bree Despain

Dawn Judd Interview!

This is definitely something new to the blog today....my fist author interview!!!

I'm really excited to welcome Dawn Judd to my blog who is the author of the most recent book I have reviewed Reining In. You can read my review here!

Check it out!

***********************************************************

What five words would you use to describe yourself?

Right at the top of the list would be shy.  Although I don't have problems talking to people online, in person is another story.  

Next would be artistic or crafty.  I do everything from painting and drawing to crocheting and sewing.  Art is my escape.  I am most creative when I am completely stressed out.

Protective.  Not just with my children, but with my siblings, parents, friends, etc.  I feel the need to stand up for them.  (the only time I'm not shy around people I don't know)

Dabbler. If I could focus everything I knew about everything into one field, I would be really awesome at something.  Instead, I know just enough about everything to get me in trouble.

My husband says I'm particular.  I think he's referring to me chewing him out for leaving his stuff all over the place.  LOL.

Aside from writing what else do you like to do with your spare time?

I like to draw and paint.  I also love to golf, although I'm not very good at it. 

Tell us a little bit about your book Reining In.

Reining In is about a vampire, Khalida, who is trying to regain her humanity.  In doing so, she has developed the Network, a group of people who who hand picked for their talents.  Their job is to keep her identity as a vampire hidden from the rest of the world.  Throughout the story the roles become reversed and Khalida becomes their protector.

How did you come up with the story angle for Reining In?    

Initially, my daughters asked me to write them a story.  They were big Twilight fans, and knowing that I liked to write, they asked that I write a vampire story for them.  I wanted something different that what was already out there, and went with the premice that present day vampires have a lot more obstacles to face than years ago, especially if they are trying to fit in with society.  They would need someone to help them fake their identities.

Do you have any favourite authors?

I have a few.  Stephen King, Robin Cook, Terry Brooks, and my favorite, Steve Alten.

Do you have any favourite books?

Domain by Steve Alten.  I have always been facinated by the Mayans, and his spin on it really makes a person think.

What are you currently working on?

Currently I'm working on the sequel to Reining In.  I am actually days away from completing it.

How do you come up with the titles for your books?

Reining In seemed fitting, because the main character was bringing her "family" back to her in order to protect them. 

How long did it take you to write Reining In?

It took me a little over a year to complete it.  Because I didn't plan on publishing it when I started it, I didn't devote a large amount of time to it.

Random question: What's the last film you watched and did you enjoy it?

I went to The Expendables over the weekend.  I enjoyed it, although I think our drive-in could use a new projector.  (either that or I'm getting old and need glasses)

Another random question! What's your guilty pleasure?

Restaurant City on Facebook.  Sad to say, but I am addicted.

Anything else you want to add?

I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to talk with me and review my book. 

No, thank YOU!

Reining In by Dawn Judd (review)

Summary: (Goodreads)

After witnessing the murder of one of her dearest friends, Khalida finds herself caught between doing what she knows is right and letting go of her past. With the help of the network, an organisation created to keep her secrets buried, Khalida will battle enemies as old as time. But will the secrets of the past destroy everything she knows and loves?

Soon, another friend is facing his death, and she will have to save him or others will follow, and she will have to make the hardest decision of her life. There is only one way to save her friends from this enemy. As she races against time, Khalida will learn that sometimes your past comes back to haunt you, even when you are a vampire.

I won't go into much detail with the plot of this book as there is plenty I could spoil without meaning to. Instead, I'm just going to go straight into what I did and didn't like...

Boy was this book action-packed! Things just kept happening - one adventure after another. There definitely wasn't a dull moment to say the least.

Some people may not think this is a good thing but this book was definitely out of my comfort zone. I liked reading something new to me, whether it's different because of the writing style of the author or a genre that is completely alien. I like it. It's a challenge to finish reading and then write a review even though my outlook towards this particular genre or the writing techniques could have completely changed. But if I find I like the new style/genre of book, then all's good for me, right?

What was different about this book was the writing style. Because of all the energy and action in the book, it consisted of mostly short sentences which kind of kept me in sync with all the drama.

I loved the mystery aspect of Reining In. I definitely think Dawn Judd did a brilliant job at revealing any secrets at a need-to-know basis at precisely the perfect time. It was worked very well into the story.

However, I do feel the story could have had a better flow to it. So much was going on, it sometimes felt like the story was jumping from one event to the next with no in-between development and the like.

I also felt the protagonist, Khalida, was a bit too easy going and laid-back for a five thousand year old vampire. I suppose this could actually be me comparing Khalida to the usual vicious, blood-thirsty beasts vampires are usually made out to be, but like I said before it was something different.

My Rating: 8/10

Author: Dawn Judd

Plus, make sure to check back tomorrow for an interview with Dawn Judd herself!!!

Alpha trailer!

Okay, so I don't normally do this but I've just found a trailer for Rachel Vincent's new book Alpha which is coming out pretty soon. I just had to share it with you!

Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine (Review) - Book #2 in Reading Challenge!

Summary:

It was hard to imagine how Claire's day could get any worse...

And then the vampires holding her hostage wanted breakfast.

In the town of Morganville, vampires and humans have learnt to live in relative peace. Still, Claire Danvers knows that after dark, her homework can take a backseat to staying alive. But this tenuous harmony is tuned on it's head with the arrival of Mr. Bishop.

Bad to the bone, the ancient old-school vampire cares nothing about keeping the peace; staying at the top of the food chain is enough. What he wants from the town's living and dead is unthinkably sinister. It's only at a formal ball attended by vampires and their human dates that Claire realises Bishop's plan - and the elaborately evil trap he's set for the warm-blooded souls of Morganville...

As always, Feast of Fools starts off where the last book in the Morganville series - Midnight Alley - left off. With the arrival of Mr. Bishop.

I loved Mr. Bishop's character. As much as anyone can love a bad guy in a book of course. He was so dark and sinister as every evil vampire should be and he came equipped with his own devilishly evil plan. He made the perfect enemy along with his two goons Ysandre and François.

As per the usual, I have to mention how much Claire seems to grow up in this series and even more so in this book. Still working for Amelie, Claire has to deal with a lot of stuff on her own, keeping it a secret from the rest of her friends; not because she wants to, but because she is forced to. So there's that whole element of being alone whilst still having supportive friends (almost family) in this book.

The gang's relationship (Claire, Shane, Michael and Eve) is really touching. They are all so selfless and are just looking to protect each other from being the next victim of another resident of Morganville.

I also love the almost behind-the-scenes aspect of Shane's problem with Michael. I won't mention what this problem is in case you haven't read the rest of the series. It's nice to follow Shane's conflicting emotions regarding Michael; on the one hand Michael is like a brother to Shane, but on the other he is the very thing he hates.

Also, the pace of this book is brilliant; I could hardly put it down. Something was always happening until the very end where things just got a whole lot more complicated. 

On the whole, this book was a fantastic read and I definitely can't wait to read more. In a way, it was like a great T.V show playing in my head!

My Rating: 10/10

Publisher: Allison and Busby

Author: Rachel Caine

Teaser Tuesday #5

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can take part! All you have to do is:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us (2) teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12 (but don't give any spoilers!)
• Share the title of the book that the teaser is from...that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given!

You can find out more here!

My current read is: The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Random Page: #356

Two sentences:

The black wolf lay on it's back under the gray one's feet.

It knew it was going to lose. 

Fallen by Lauren Kate (Review) - Book #1 in reading challenge!

Summary:

Some Angels Are Destined To Fall

Instant. Intense. Weirdly familiar...

The moment Luce looks at Daniel she knows she has never felt like this before. Except she can't shake the feeling that she has...and with him - a boy she doesn't remember ever setting eyes on.

Will the attempt to find out why enlighten her - or destroy her?

I was really looking forward to reading Fallen but I'm sorry to say I was disappointed.

I think most of my disappointment stemmed from me not being able to help comparing it to Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Both books are about 'Fallen Angles' and after reading Hush, Hush; Fallen had a lot to live up to.

The main protagonist, Luce, didn't seem to connect with me. She was too dependant for my liking; for most of  the book the other characters had to tell her what was going on and the like when she could have figured out most of it herself. I know I did. I felt like shaking her and shouting 'wake up and smell the roses' or white peonies in Luce's case.

Luce only started to wake up in the last hundred pages or so and only when Penn - a mortal who had nothing to do with Fallen Angels and yet somehow still figured out more than Luce -gave her a book that Daniel happened to have written years ago.

Another reason I didn't like this book is because nothing happened. Most of the story was just blindingly following Luce trying (and failing) to figure things out and me thinking she's just plain stupid. It was only until the last hundred pages that things started to pick up and even then it was so predictable it became really anti-climatic.

What I did like about this book however, was that it set the scene nicely for it's sequel Torment which is set to be released on the 30th of September. Not all of the plot was revealed in Fallen so it will be interesting to see how Torment turns out. To be honest, it can't really get any worse.

My Rating : 4/10

Publisher: Doubleday

Author: Lauren Kate

On My Wishlist (#6)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick Cityand runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I want but haven't haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

********************

  

Summary (Goodreads):

There’s something about the new guy at Crossroads High . . .

Most sixteen-year-olds have friends. Aden Stone has four human souls living inside him:

One can time-travel.
One can raise the dead.
One can tell the future.
And one can possess another human.

With no other family and a life spent in and out of institutions, Aden and the souls have become friends. But now, they’re causing him all kinds of trouble.

Like, he’ll blink and suddenly he’s a younger Aden, reliving the past. One wrong move, and he’ll change the future. Or, he’ll walk past a total stranger and know how and when she’s going to die.

He’s so over it. All he wants is peace.

And then he meets a girl who quiets the voices. Well, for as long as he’s with her. Why? Mary Ann Gray is his total opposite. He’s a loner; she has friends. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks; she tries to make everyone happy. And while he attracts the paranormal, she repels it. For her sake, he should stay away. But it’s too late. . .

Somehow, they share an inexplicable bond of friendship. A bond about to be tested by a werewolf shape-shifter who wants Mary Ann for his own and a vampire princess Aden can’t resist. Two romances, both forbidden. . . doomed. Still, the four will enter a dark underworld of intrigue and danger. . . but not everyone will come out alive. . .

********************

Summary (Goodreads):

THE DEPARTED HAVE ARRIVED.

The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen, and the living are under attack. The powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased.

Consequently, there are many false claims of hauntings from those hoping to profit. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully-tattooed witch, freewheeling Debunker, and ghost hunter. She’s got a real talent for nailing human liars and banishing the wicked dead. But she’s keeping a dark secret from the Church: a little drug problem that’s landed her in hot and dangerous water.

Chess owes a lot of money to a murderous drug lord named Bump. And Bump wants immediate payback. All Chess has to do is dispatch a very nasty species of undead from an old airport. But the job involves black magic, human sacrifice, a nefarious demonic creature, and crossing swords with enough wicked energy to wipe out a city of souls. Toss in lust for a rival gang leader and a dangerous attraction to Bump’s ruthless enforcer, and Chess begins to wonder if the rush is really worth it. Hell, yeah. 

********************

Summary (Goodreads):

From Lisi Harrison, the New York Times bestselling author of The Clique and Alphas, comes a new series with a fresh twist on high school, romance, and the horrors of trying to fit in.

They prefer to call themselves RADs, but some call them monsters. So far, the "monster" community has kept a low profile in Salem, Oregon, but this year two new girls enroll at Merston High School, and the town will never be the same.

Created just fifteen days ago, Frankie Stein is psyched to trade her father's lonely formaldehyde-smelling basement lab for parties and friends. But with a student body totally freaked out by rumors of monsters stalking the halls, Frankie finds that life in the "normi" world can be rough for a chic freak like her.

She thinks she finds a friend in fellow new student Melody Carver--but can a normi be trusted with her big secret?

So that's what's On MY Wishlist this week; what's on yours?

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (Review)

Summary:

The pack circled around me,

tongues and teeth and growls.

When a local boy is killed by wolves, Grace's small town becomes a place of fear and suspicion. But Grace can't help being fascinated by the pack, and by one yellow-eyed wolf in particular. There's something about him - something almost human.

Then she meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away...

After almost being mauled by wolves when younger, Grace finds herself falling in love with one in particular. The one who saved her. The one with yellow eyes.

But it's only after six years that  they could finally meet - as humans that is!

Shiver is definitely unique. I loved it for it's originality. I mean, where else can you read about werewolves that are only human in the hot temperatures of summer and a wolf in the icy temperatures of Mercy Fall's winters.

This book is told in alternating perspectives (Sam and Grace's) which was refreshing to say the least. Both characters were so different and yet they seemed to fit so perfectly together.

Sam is gentle, kind and had a burdensome past after becoming a werewolf. Grace is strong, intelligent and set in her ways.

The ending of the book seriously melted my heart! I don't even know what to say anymore; I really can't fault this book at all. I can't wait to read the sequel - Linger.

On the whole, Shiver was a beautiful read with a lovely pace and poetic writing style. Definitely well worth the read!

My Rating: 10/10

Publisher: Scholastic

Author: Maggie Stiefvater