Hey friends!

I have a mini review for you today!  A mini review is my short and sweet analysis of a book.  You'll know in 350 words or less if this is a book I recommend.

Publisher: Avon
Release Date: First published January 1, 2010 / Audio unabridged edition Released August 10, 2010 by Blackstone Audio, Inc
Format: Audio MP3
Pages: 361 (Mass Market Paperback) / Audio Length: Approx 10 hours
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Source: Library Borrow via Overdrive
Genre: Paranormal / Paranormal Romance
Review Date: October 28, 2013
Rating: 5 bookmarks

Synopsis: Chicago private investigator Kira Graceling should have just kept on walking. But her sense of duty refused to let her ignore the moans of pain coming from inside a warehouse just before dawn. Suddenly she finds herself in a world she's only imagined in her worst nightmares.

At the center is Mencheres, a breathtaking Master vampire who thought he'd seen it all. Then Kira appears, this fearless, beautiful . . . human who braved death to rescue him. Though he burns for her, keeping Kira in his world means risking her life. Yet sending her away is unthinkable.

But with danger closing in, Mencheres must choose either the woman he craves, or embracing the darkest magic to defeat an enemy bent on his eternal destruction.

Pros: Kira is amazing. I love that she's so strong and independent. I like her more than Denise (From First Drop of Crimson). She's not as whiny and dare I say stronger?  Maybe it's her background as a PI that makes her more able to deal with the vampire world.  I never knew really what to make of Mencheres, but this book made me like him.  Not as much as Vlad or Bones of course, but still he's decent people as far as vampire masters go.

I listened to this on audio so I must give props to Tavia Gilbert, this woman can narrate a book with near perfection. I love listening to her narrate Frost's books!

Cons:  Hmm....well, beside the awful cover art, I actually had zero issues with this story. I only wish she had a better designer for these covers. They are so cheesy. Thank goodness for ebooks and MP3 audio!

Final Thoughts: I loved this book, even more than First Drop of Crimson.  I enjoyed that one, but this was just wonderful, a notch better. Mencheres and Kira's story really drew me in.  The connection was there, the drama was there and the story was easy to get into. If Frost ever decided to do more stories with Kira and Mencheres, I would definitely read them!

If you've been reading the Night Huntress series with Cat and Bones, I recommend that you read the two books in the Night Huntress World spin off. If you can, read them after Destined for an Early Grave (book #4) and before This Side of the Grave (book #5). You'll be happy you did. 
 
Happy Reading and Listening,
~Tamara

Read my review of First Drop of Crimson (Night Huntress World #1), by Jeaniene Frost (Audiobook)

Publisher: Author, Prescott Lane 
Release Date: April 14, 2013
Format: PDF
Pages: 283
Source: Author
Genre: Romance
Review Date: October 21, 2013
Rating: 3 bookmarks

Synopsis: Emory faces life’s challenges at the one place that’s never failed her, the ballet barre. But even the barre can’t steady her when fate brings her face-to-face with her old college flame, Mason, who’s hoping to return to the NFL after a career-threatening injury. Before they can surrender to their sexual desires and find salvation in each other’s arms, they need to come to terms with their past. Mason must confront the demons that have set him on a path of self-destruction, while Emory must decide whether to keep her painful secrets locked away, or expose them and risk losing the love of her life. But nothing can prepare Mason for what Emory has kept hidden, or the possibility that he himself may be to blame for the very secrets she keeps – and why they continue to haunt her.

Disclaimer: I received this ebook as a courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone knows that I'm a sucker for a pretty cover.  I found this cover appealing then add to that the synopsis and it captured my attention. I've previously enjoyed stories where sports are mixed in with romance so at first glance this was a win-win.  First Position is a story I've never read before, by that I mean that it's unique and original.  Which is always a good thing. I also liked that the story seemed more realistic than the average romance. It absolutely doesn't follow the typical reunion romance formula and I appreciated that.

Hey friends!

What's All Hallow's Read you ask? Check out the video below.  I did a giveaway last year and decided to do it again!  I think this is such a fun idea.  Plus reading is more fun than eating all that high calorie candy! :-P Spread the word, and share the love of reading!

With that said, in honor of All Hallow's Read, I'm giving away a $10 Amazon gift card so that you can pick out the scary or (not so scary) book of your choice!   

I need some scary book recommendations!  What's your favorite horror or scary book?

Happy Reading,
~Tamara

Hey friends!

I have a mini review for you today!  A mini review is my short and sweet analysis of a book.  You'll know in 350 words or less if this is a book I recommend.

Publisher: Signet
Release Date: January 1, 2009
Format: Audio MP3 (Brilliance Audio, Released December 21, 2009 )
Pages: 474 (Mass Market Paperback) / Audio Length: Approx 15 hours
Narrator: Eric G. Dove
Source: Library Borrow via Overdrive
Genre: Paranormal / Paranormal Romance
Review Date: October 16, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Synopsis: Seven deadly sins. Seven souls to save. This is the first battle between a savior who doesn't believe and a demon with nothing to lose!

Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about-his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charged with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option. 

Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough-talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. And then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart-and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.

Pros: This book is very different from Ward's BDB series and it took me by surprise, in a good way. Do not, I repeat, do not go in expecting anything like the BDB series. It's a total departure from that. I wasn't sure that I liked it at first, but as the story went on, it started to grow on me. The only similarity is the Caldwell NY stomping grounds. Same place, different world.

I liked that even though there a clear good and evil, the good guys aren't perfect goody two shoe angels. They are real, flawed and sort of rugged, which makes reading about them pretty fun.

Since I listened to this on audio, I must mention the narrator. Great job there. Hearing the narrator really helped with figuring out what was what in the beginning when things were a little murky.

Cons: Immediately I was looking for something supernatural.  In my opinion, it took a long time for it to surface, at least a few chapters. At first I couldn't tell if anything would be supernatural at all.  But I pushed forward and as I continued on, I got into the flow of things and the story got better. The supernatural part that I was looking for appeared!  Another thing that bothered me a bit is the fact that there are a couple story lines to sort out in the beginning. I'm sure if I were reading instead of listening it may have been a bit difficult at first.

Final Thoughts: Put the BDB series aside. Completely. Take this book and series for what it is and you'll enjoy it a lot more. This story has a lot of aspects; angels, demons, good and evil, love and a whole lot of drama. This series has a lot of potential and I'm looking forward to seeing who Jim and his angel sidekicks help next.

Happy Reading and Listening,
~Tamara

Hey readers,

This review is a part of a author hosted blog tour. Ms Arielle sent me a copy of her book to review. Thank you Ms. Arielle, I enjoyed the South African adventure.  Be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post, hosted by the author.

Publisher: Phenice Arielle
Release Date: June 5, 2013
Format: Paperback
Pages: 508
Source: Author
Genre: Fantasy, AA Fiction
Review Date: October 11, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Synopsis Sure, Kay’s parents didn’t think twice about sending her to therapy.

After all, Kay fully believes that she just narrowly escaped an explosion, watched a handsome co-ed walk through fire for her—oh, and that she battled an extremely skilled foe to the death—all before her 10 AM class! 

They’re just dreams of course, but when this talented NYU student wins a coveted trip to South Africa, she soon finds out the truth—that everything her parents TRIED to convince her wasn’t real actually lies HIDDEN deep in a jungle Kay once assumed was paradise. 

Now, if Kay can survive the hand-to-hand combat and the one with the ivory dagger who wishes her death, Kay may just get the answers that unlock her dreams. Kay might even fall in love. On the other hand, our brave girl may get an answer to something she never wanted to know the answer TO: 

What happens… when you die.

Disclaimer: I received this book as a courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.

Phoenix Rising is one beautifully descriptive book. The authors very talented with world building. To read a story about a place that you're not familiar with and be able to visualize it almost like a movie is amazing. This is one book that I will not soon forget.  Love, adventure, betrayal, and family all revealed in a far away place, Africa.  This was the first story that I've read that is primarily set in Africa and I really enjoyed it.  I would place this book in the new adult arena. The main characters are juniors in college, so they're young but mature.

Hey friends!
I have a mini review for you today!  A mini review is my short and sweet analysis of a book.  You'll know in 350 words or less if this is a book I recommend.

Publisher: Koehler Books
Release Date: July 1, 2011
Format: Kindle (borrow)
Pages: 262
Source: Amazon
Genre: Romance
Review Date: October 9, 2013
Rating: 2 bookmarks 

Synopsis: AMBER’S WORLD IS SHATTERED when her husband Jeff dies suddenly in an accident. On the day of his funeral, in the midst of her grief, she is blind-sided with divorce papers, served only hours before the service. Forced to face how flawed her marriage truly was, Amber finally begins to deal with the lies and deceit that were at the very foundation of her relationship.

When the ruggedly handsome Kentucky horse breeder Dalton loses his beloved wife shortly after the birth of their child, he thinks he will never find love again. Four years later, he knows something is missing from his life, but just can’t seem to place it. Until he meets the raven-haired beauty – the woman of his dreams.

Will Amber overcome the fear of being hurt again and find true love?

Will she be able to see clearly through her tears of betrayal?

This is another book club selection, not my choice, but I'm a good member and read all the books. :-)  There are good ones and not so good ones. Which that said, on with the review!

Hey friends!

I hope you all are enjoying your day! I know I am. I have a fun Indie author feature for you today meet Lois Brown!  Ms Brown has a newly published book called Death on a Dig.  It's her first mystery novel, available now through Smashwords and Amazon.

I'm diggin the cover art (pun intended lol), and I find the synopsis pretty intriguing.  I'm a fan of a good mystery! Find out more about Death on a Dig below and I hope you enjoy the Q&A. 

Lastly, be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post to enter to win an ebook copy of her book via Smashwords coupon!

Find Lois Browne on: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Happy Reading, 
~Tamara

Hey guys!

Now that we're a couple weeks into the fall, check out what I consider the top 5 hyped up fall YA releases! 

If you haven't already, enter my follower appreciation giveaway! Only a few weeks left!

Let's chat!  I'm sure I missed some, so please share with me what newly released (with in the last 3 weeks) or upcoming YA books you think have a lot of hype for this fall!  If you've already read one of those books, was the book worthy of the hype? Does the hype of a book make you more, or less inclined to buy it?

Happy Reading, 
Tamara