Thursday, December 28, 2017

ARC REVIEW Into the Night by Cynthia Eden


Book three of Cynthia Eden's Killer Instinct series. It a fantastic series about a department inside the the FBI that tracks down serial killers, each agent involved has had an up close and personal encounter with one. The lead in this group Samantha Dark was dating one, another member's brother was one, in this book Macey Night was the lone survivor of serial killer who was a colleague and friend. Even though she gave him a life threatening wound and the authorities presumed him dead Macey never stopped believing that he survived and never stopped looking for him; and now she thinks she found him. Bowen Murphy is Macey's partner and has since the beginning loved her, he has managed to keep his desires at bay because of her past and because they are partners but this cases pushes him to his breaking point and everything comes out, even his own torrid past. 
The premise of this one is very similar to that of one of her other book where the serial killer is focusing on other serial killers, but that is where the similarities end.  The "Profiler" has manipulated everything from the beginning with an ultimate goal, Bowen and Macey are trying to get to the bottom of it before he kills again. But it's not easy when they come across red herrings and plenty of twists and turns along the way. 

I love Cynthia Eden's characters they are all so wonderfully flawed and relatable it is easy to empathize and connect with them. The suspense is exactly how I like it fast paced, dark, and keeps you on edge the entire time. I was enjoying the story so much I forgot to make a prediction as to who the bad guy was. The romance is hot and heavy and Bowen is wooo, definitely one of my favorites from Cynthia Eden. Overall, it's another winner for me.  

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

ARC REVIEW The Duke of Her Desire by Sophie Barnes



Duke of Her Desire is book two of Sophie Barnes' Diamonds in the Rough series, it can be read as a stand-alone. The only thing you need to know for this book that happened in the previous book was what and where they were before Raphe Matthews inherited a title, which can be explained in about a sentence. Rafe and his new wife need some time alone so they arrange it where Coventry will be his sister's escort to all their social functions with the help of Coventry's mother and the girl's eccentric aunt.   
Amelia Matthews has no luck when it comes to deportment whenever she is around Coventry, she always finds herself in a situation that doesn't show her at her best. He is seemingly perfect and that alone makes her nervous and always manages to mess up around him and the fact that he manages to point it out as well is even more disconcerting. Amelia is willing to go along with the matchmaking her aunt and Coventry's mother have planned but Amelia has plans of her own. Now that she is in a place to help the children of St. Giles she will not be stopped, she's going to start a school and already has the property. When Coventry finds out about Amelia's plan he is proud of her endeavor and is willing to help, but when it turns out that someone doesn't want Amelia there he will protect her and not just because he promised her brother he would. 

Coventry alway thought that Amelia was the prettier of the two sisters but now that he's spending more time with her he finds that he actually wants to spend time with her even if they do end up arguing most of the time anyways. He has convinced himself he is not in the right place to court and eventually get married he has other obligations, but his feelings for Amelia make him want to rethink his stance on that. 

Overall, it was a good read. Coventry and Amelia had a nice romance both of their hard headedness and their inability to communicate with each other and not to mention jumping to conclusions (Amelia) get in the way of them finding their HEA much sooner. I love Sophie Barnes writing style, she has a great narrative going on switching the third person POV of Amelia and Coventry it gives great insight into the characters. The mystery was really good, I wish there was a little more to the romance. I liked the little tidbit letting us know what the third book is going to be about.      

Friday, December 22, 2017

ARC REVIEW Jake by J.S. Striker


Jake is book 10 in the Clan Legacy series by J.S. Striker. Jake was a secondary character in the last book Simon, TBH I really didn't like him in that book so I a little apprehensive about this one, but oh my, my perception of Jake really change after digging in to this book. Some years have past since the events of  Simon, the last book, Jake is now a seasoned pro at his job. He loves his life just the way it is an exciting job, love 'em and leave 'em with the ladies until his latest assignment the dreaded bodyguard duty of some stuck up heiress who tends to get kidnapped, a lot, just what he needed in his life (insert sarcasm) another stuck up self centered princess especailly one related to the last one he let into his life, who proceeded to stomp on his heart after she tired of him. Gabby isn't your typical heiress, oh sure she fashion savvy and knows all the right people but she has a secret, a dark secret she's only ever told one other person about. Up until a few months ago and her latest botched kidnapping attempt she realized it wasn't because of her family that she was being kidnapped but because of her, now if only she can figure Who? and Why? Her only course of action is to let them kidnap her again, but her new bodyguard might have something to say about that.

Jake and Gabby start off with an extreme hate-on for each other but the sexual chemistry is still very much evident and it doesn't take long before they are going at each other. When Jake finds out her secret he's not phased he is still willing to risk his life to protect her. All they have to do is figure out who's behind the kidnapping and a way to fix Gabby, if there is a cure at all. I liked the chemistry between the two of them it was very hot. This one is well paced and very exciting to read. I kind of hope Raz gets his own story eventually. Overall, a very enjoyable story with great action and hot romance.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Suicide Squad vol 4 Earthlings on Fire

Suicide Squad

vol 4 Earthlings on Fire



DC Universe Rebirth
issues 16-20
by Rob Williams
art by: Tony S. Daniels, Sandu Florea, Neil Edwards, Stjepan Sejic, Tomeu Morey (colorist)





Story: Amanda Waller has really bit off more than she could chew when she acquires exactly what she wants, lucky for her Lex Luthor knows a lot more than she thinks he does. Waller thinks she can control Zod but he proves no one controls Zod. She just needs one mission to go right the one mission to finally take out The People and their own Suicide Squad, The Annihilation Brigade, and to lay a trap for the trader in her own ranks. Shortly after Waller thinks everything has gone well Zod breaks loose and starts reeking havoc in Belle Reve. The Suicide Squad barely contained him the first time and without the help of Hack they alone can not take him out.  


Art: The art was visually pleasing. I love the covers, especially Otto Schmidt's cover for Managing People, and there were quite a few individual panels I quite liked. "Alone" was probably the one I liked the least it didn't seem like it stayed consistent with the others it almost seemed like more time was spent on Zod, Eradicator, and Cyborg Superman then the rest of the characters.







Review:  Overall, it was a good story. I'll admit I did get teary eyed there. "Alone" while probably my least favorite art-wise was my favorite story-wise. In "Managing People" you discover that Waller knows what Boomarang did and I'm am just waiting for  the day Harley discovers it and tears him a new one. I love the unlikely romance between June and Waylon (still a better romance than Twilight as my son would say). And I'm still crossing my fingers that what happened isn't a permanent thing.      

ARC REVIEW Heart of Danger by Sidney Bristol




Sidney Bristol's Christmas novella Heart of Danger is a Aegis Group novella and also the start to a new spin off series Body of Danger. Val and Duke were introduced in the last Aegis book, Dangerous in Transit, but it is not imperative to read it each book is pretty much a stand-alone, but it is a pretty awesome book so I would recommend it anyways.

Val and Duke are spending Christmas in her hometown of La Playa in Colombia where the whole town goes all out for the holiday but once they get there they discover the entire town is too scared to even decorate. Val is determined to get to the bottom of it and Duke goes along with it to keep her safe. Even before Val started working with Duke she has had a crush on him, and Duke feels the same but they are both worried about crossing that boss/employee line and afraid they will ruin not only their working relationship but also their friendship. But dealing with the dangerous situation they found themselves in forces their hands and they finally admit their feelings, as they dig deeper into the problem with the town they discover it's bigger than they thought and now the whole valley might be in danger from their interference.

Overall, a great novella. I was hoping that Duke and Val would get their own story when I was reading Dangerous in Transit. I loved Abuela, oh my she was a hoot. Sidney took her time with the characters making sure they had a background and plenty of chemistry with each other in between the other book and this one without going into too much detail and distracting away from this story. The end really cracked me up, I don't think I've ever read an ending quite like that before.   

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Batman vol 4 The War of Jokes and Riddles

Batman

vol 4 The War of Jokes and Riddles


DC Universe Rebirth
issues 25-32
story by: Tom King
art by: Mikel Janin, Clay Mann, June Chung (colorist) 



Story: A year after Batman took up the cape and cowl a war hit Gotham between Joker and Riddler. In this volume he tells Selina his side and everything he learned by talking to as many of the participants involved as possible. He still feels guilt over what he had to do and has to tell someone. The Joker has lost the ability to laugh, nothing's funny anymore and he blames Batman for ruining his joke. The Riddler breaks out of prison so he can solve the one riddle he has yet to solve, Batman. Riddler originally goes to Joker so they can band together to kill the Bat, but Joker instead shoots him in the gut. Joker and Riddler gather up all the other villains and divide Gotham, showing no mercy to anyone who gets in the way. Deadshot and Deathstroke go at it shot to shot, head to head until then Batman and Gordon have been dealing with it the best way the could but that was the straw that broke the camel's back. Batman figured the only way to stop it was to pick a side, but whose side to pick????






Art: Mikel Janin did the main story line with June Chung as the Colorist. The Ballad of Kite Man done by Clay Mann and Jordie Bellaire (colorist) and Gabe Eltaeb (colorist).  For the most part I'm easy to please when it come to the art I think the only thing that really bugged me was how Riddler was drawn. I guess I'm just so use to the lean almost scrawny cerebral kind of guy instead of this Irish bruiser-ish type guy with his shirt all open. But Riddler has evolved quite a bit since Frank Gorshin played him, I'll get over it. Back to the art this has some pretty impressive and detailed two page spreads, I always like those. Overall it was very pleasing on the eyes and added so much to the story.     









Review: Overall, this was a fantastic read, it was a great story even if it did feel a little truncated it just gave you the details you needed to know. It was awesome to see Deathstroke and Deadshot fight it out. (Although I think Deathstroke would win.) I liked the interludes with Kite Man with his story and how he plays a major part in the story. For missing the first three volumes this one was real easy to pick up and read without having read the previous issues and normally I wouldn't have grabbed this one not having read the previous one but how could I turn down Joker vs. Riddler?! 







Wednesday, December 13, 2017

ARC REVIEW Once Upon A Christmas Eve by Elizabeth Hoyt



So this is the last of the Maiden Lane series, if I had known that before reading this I probably would have been a lot more disappointed with it than I am. I was kind of hoping that she was going to just keep writing and find a new story arc to follow. I am split on this, on one hand you have great Hoyt writing with witty dialogue and wonderful characters; on the other hand you have a really short romance that makes you feel cheated that these great characters didn't get more. With how strong the animosity Sarah has toward d'Arque you would think it would take longer for her to admit to herself that he's different. d'Arque is a shameless flirt and sometimes his humor is a bit crude, but it's so funny. They met once before (back in book 5) but it didn't matter Sarah had already made up her mind to hate him because he was a rake. To d'Arque Sarah was different because she didn't fall for his charm like every other woman out there, it was obvious she hated him but he gave her no reason to.
Fast forward some time it's Christmastime and d'Arque is taking his grandmother to her cousin house for the holiday when the carriage breaks down and they must seek refuge at a local house. Fortuitously d'Arque is acquainted with St. James unfortunately his grandmother's health isn't good to travel the rest of the way and they must stay where they are and celebrate Christmas with the St. James'. d'Arque sees this as an opportunity to change Sarah's opinion of him because no matter what he feels a strong attraction to her. Sarah had a bad experience with a rake in her past that has made her hate all rakes, but the more she talks to d'Arque the more she realizes there is so much more to him the just a rake, it's making her all confused her physical attraction to him and now she finds herself actually liking him. But Sarah is looking for a husband and d'Arque doesn't think he wants to get married, ever.

Overall, I did like the story and the characters but it felt so short and rushed, and it doesn't feel like it's the conclusion to a series.       

ARC REVIEW Dangerous in Transit by Sidney Bristol


More Alpha Team awesomeness! Sidney Bristol does it again an action packed, kick-ass story. This time Sidney Bristol whisks you away to the Islamic Nation of Mauritania in Africa. It's in the midst of a civil war, the PPM are trying to overthrow the elected President and make things the way they use to be in the strictest of terms where even slavery isn't a crime. In the midst of it is an American woman, Jackie Davis, and a team of doctors and nurses trying to help free some women and children from their captivity but they go from being the rescuers to being hostage victims. It was suppose to be a simple extraction for the Aegis Alpha Team but things just keep going from bad to worse as the civil war escalates and evidence shows up that it wasn't an accident that got Jackie captured in the first place.
Felix Larson, retired Royal Navy, isn't the one who normally handles the asset but this time he seems to be the only one who can handle the hard headed Jackie who questions every decision and wants to argue every point. Jackie doesn't know why out of all the guys on the team she feels like she can trust the straightforward Felix to tell her the truth and she willingly puts her life into his hands. Jackie doesn't want to wait to see if they make it out alive she wants to be with Felix just in case they don't make it. An action packed story about greed and power and the attempt to overthrow a government. It's not an easy case for any of the Aegis boys this go around and just when things finally seem to start to go there way Jackie discovers something that Felix had been hiding from her and it major enough to ruin their chances at a relationship.

Overall, as always Sidney Bristol does a fantastic job with active setting and emotionally tying you to the characters. I found myself holding my breath at points because of stuff happening to the  secondary characters. I'm crossing my fingers at who the next couple is.  

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

ARC REVIEW Wolf Hunger by Paige Tyler


SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team series book 7 brings us the baby of the group Max Lowery. As the most recently  changed Max is still dealing with control issues. Max is lucky enough to find his One so early in his life, when he meets her and discovers that she too is a wolf shifter he feels even luckier until he realizes she doesn't even know that she is a shifter. Lana Mason felt a pull bring her home after graduation and she's glad she did after meeting Max; she feels an instant attraction with him and even though it's happening all so fast it doesn't scare her. For Lana the biggest issue they are having to face is her father's disapproval; Lana's Dad is one of Max's bosses, Deputy Chief Hal Mason. Max doesn't think it's going to be a problem they are destined to be together he's just going to have to deal with it, Max's main worry is that there seems to be a group of Hunters after Lana.

Lana is notified by Austin PD that her roommate was murdered, tortured first then executed. Max isn't worried about it too much at first until the Detective on the case tells him they found someone else who was murdered the same way, the guy in the picture the detective emailed Max is an Omega, that's when the warning bells start going off in his head. Lana isn't really taking it seriously, not knowing the full truth so Max tells her the truth, shows her he can shift. She is justifiably freaked out and upset. It isn't until she is chased around Downtown Dallas by these Hunters that she realizes he's right. But these Hunters are far more dangerous than they estimated and one of the team mates suffers for that miscalculation. 

The romance between Lana and Max (there initials are ML and LM, I thought that was cute) is pretty swift and easy until the whole I'm a werewolf thing. There is a good bit of build up for their relationship it's not just all sex. There is also a side story that has to deal with Max's character development and him dealing with his past and those emotions, it also shows the IA as not such an ahole. 

Overall, it was a great book I thoroughly enjoyed reading, I love the whole series, I can't wait until we finally get to the point where we find out who is behind the Hunters, and why the Omegas are changing into a more protective role. Paige Tyler has definitely weaved a great universe here, it's on going mystery of the Hunters and it's wonderful(ly hot) characters, memorable action, and fantastic romance. 

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

ARC REVIEW The Demon Crown by James Rollins


I can not tell you how excited I was to get approved for this ARC. Seriously I squealed, loudly and threw in a happy dance. Why was I so excited? I was so excited because I freakin love this series, Sigma Force is one of my absolute favorites. James Rollins is amazing when it comes to weaving a mystery that ties together history and science in an action packed, intelligent, and suspenseful story. I, for one, greatly appreciate all the research Mr. Rollins does for each of his stories, with the fiction so close to the non-fiction, it really makes the whole thing seem so real. The characters are so real to me, through the previous twelve books I have come to know each of the characters and I love them. I have been TeamSeichan from the beginning and this is a very heavy Gray/Seichan book but for a damn good reason. It's a very emotional book for them, I'm tearing up just thinking about it. Kat and Monk go out into the field together for their own little adventure, Kowalski and Maria are still together, although Maria is mentioned in the book she isn't actually in it.

There was a biological attack on the Hawaiian Islands, in the form of huge wasps. I know it sounds like a cheesy B-rated Sy-Fy channel movie but believe me it's so much better. Gray, Seichand, Kowalski, a local fireman named Palu, a entomologist Ken Matsui, and a Japanese Intelligence agent Aiko handle things on the front lines trying to stop and eliminate the threat of world domination by way of these insects and the madman behind it all. While Kat, Monk, the Librarian of Congress Elena Delgado, and the entomologist for the National Zoo Sam Bennett tackle how these prehistoric insects came to be and how it connects to James Smithson the founder of the Smithsonian and a giant chunk of amber that went missing during WWII. I'm not going to say to much on the actual story because I don't want to give to much away and the blurb for this book is actually really good.

Off the coast of Brazil, a team of scientists discovers a horror like no other, an island where all life has been eradicated, consumed and possessed by a species beyond imagination. Before they can report their discovery, a mysterious agency attacks the group, killing them all, save one, an entomologist, an expert on venomous creatures, Professor Ken Matsui from Cornell University. 
Strangest of all, this inexplicable threat traces back to a terrifying secret buried a century ago beneath the National Mall: a cache of bones preserved in amber. The artifact was hidden away by a cabal of scientists—led by Alexander Graham Bell—to protect humankind. But they dared not destroy it, for the object also holds an astonishing promise for the future: the very secret of life after death. 
Yet, nothing stays buried forever. An ancient horror—dormant in the marrow of those preserved bones—is free once more, nursed and developed into a weapon of incalculable strength and malignancy, ready to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting world. 
To stop its spread, Commander Grayson Pierce of Sigma Force must survive a direct attack on the island of Maui. To be there first has always been the core mission of Sigma Force, a covert team forged to be America’s front line against emerging threats. But this time, even Sigma may not be able to decipher this deadly mystery, one that traces back to the founding of the Smithsonian Institution. 
With each new discovery, the menace they hunt is changing, growing, spreading—adapting and surviving every attempt to stop it from reconquering a world it once ruled. And each transformation makes it stronger . . . and smarter. 
Running out of time and options, Commander Grayson Pierce will be forced to make an impossible choice. To eradicate this extinction-level threat and expose those involved, he will have to join forces with Sigma’s greatest enemy—the newly resurrected Guild—even it if means sacrificing one of his own.
Okay, I'll say it, Rollins is so much better than Crichton. Don't get me wrong Michael Crichton is in my top 15, Eaters of the Dead is one of my favorites and Sphere is creepy as hell, but the way Rollins adds all the intense action on top of the scientific and historic mystery just makes it all so heart-poundingly good. The way he comes at the mystery from two different paths makes a thrill ride; intelligent, emotional, daring and an inventive storyline and it all leads up to an explosive and heart stopping conculsion. I absolutely love his writing his active setting, his character development, his plot twists, I especially love at the back of the book where he reveals just how much of the book is truth and what's fiction. I can not wax poetically enough about this book or the series.         

Monday, December 4, 2017

ARC REVIEW So Over You by Kate Meader


So Over You is book two in Kate Meader's Chicago Rebels series. Three half sisters, daughters of a hockey legend, who must work together to keep the hockey team. According to the requirements in the will the Rebels must make the playoffs that year or be sold out to a conglomerate. For two of the sister it's their legacy, one the managerial role and the other a coaching role. Irresistible You, the first book, is about the oldest sister Harper Chase, she is bound and determined to make it to the playoff this year and keep her team. I wouldn't say this is a standalone, but it could be the events of the first book have only a minor impact of this story but most of the emotional development between the sister happens in the first one. Isobel was the apple of her father's eye she was born to continue on his legacy on the ice and Isobel wanted nothing more than to be the best on the ice. Until her dreams came to an end after an accident now she just wants to coach. Vadim has to redeem himself after a knee injury but first he has to get back on the ice only one thing is standing in his way, the only woman who has ever mattered to him and the same one whose father blackballed him from the NHL.

To prove herself Isobel is assigned to privately coach Vadim so he can get back into skating form. Vadim thinks it's a bad idea not because she's a woman but he doesn't trust himself around her and Isobel can afford to have gossip that she's sleeping with players tied to her name especially if she wants the head coaching job. Isobel thinks she can handle coaching Vadim even if he still makes her feel all a flutter but after the one and only one time they were together left her wanting she didn't think they were compatible. Once Vadim finds this out he makes a point to prove to her that they are, over and over again. 

Their sexual attraction isn't the problem between one particularly cruel player on the team, Vadim's little sister and his mother, and the big one Isobel has the chance to play for the gold again. She was asked to audition for the NCAA, she told no one but Vadim expecting him to be excited for her only to get the opposite reaction. This is her last chance to achieve her dream and as much of a bastard her father was and even though he's dead she still feels like she's disappointing him by not playing hockey. Vadim and Isobel have a bunch of issues to work out before they can achieve their HEA.

Overall, I loved this one. Vadim be still my heart that smokin' hot Russian is not only great with kids but once he realizes he left Isobel wanting he sees his way into her heart again. There is a lot of personal growth in this book as with the first one and as always Kate Meader is exceptional with it and the sex is so freakin' hot. I very much recommend anything she written.    
  

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

ARC REVIEW Darkness at the Edge of Town by Jennifer Harlow



Book Two of Jennifer Harlow's Iris Ballard thriller series. It picks up a couple months after the events of the first book, Iris has achieved some fame and fortune and even hopefully a spot as a consultant for CNN. She's even signed a book deal to tell her story but before she can settle back down at home and start writing her book she gets a frantic call from her Mother saying her brother is missing. The past internal problems Iris faced in Beautiful Maids All in a Row for the most part have been handled, she no longer drinks and has stopped abusing prescription drugs, but she still dealing with the death of her husband especially now that she is looking at Luke as someone who is more than a friend. Now she's dealing with a whole new/not so new batch of internal and external conflict in the form of her mother. Then there is the whole issue with her brother being suckered in by a con artist and his cult. 

Mathias Morning and his New Morning Movement say all the right things the cater to the people who are at their weakest, recovering addicts who want someone else to blame for their decisions. After his fiancee miscarried, Iris' twin Billy was at his weakest and after he cleaned out their joint bank account and disappeared Iris knew nothing good was going ot come of it especailly the deeper she dug. While this is the main storyline of the book Iris family drama almost overshadows it, it does play a big part her interaction with her brother and mother and their past histories and in turn how Mathias is able to manipulate them because of it. Luke is seriously Iris' rock, he is there when she needs him and reminds her of her self worth and he just awesome. 

Overall, this was a really good read. The internal conflict is even more important to the story than with the first one the family dynamics and all the past drama finally comes out with some revelations and closure. I really enjoyed  how the story played out, it was a slow build up but a good one.   


Monday, November 27, 2017

ARC REVIEW Totally His by Erin Nicholas



Totally His is the third book in Erin Nicholas' Opposites Attract series, and it is probably my favorite out of the three. Never mind that I am a reformed theatre junkie I just really liked everything about this book. And I'm hoping with Finn Kelly's huge family we get a spin off, hint hint nudge nudge wink wink.

Sophie was raised by a manipulative father, he would seduce woman and charm them into marriage and when the charm stopped working or he just got tired of them he took his Sophie and left and went on the look out for the next ex-Mrs. Birch. The times when Sophie didn't have a mother she would often live in the car. This made Sophie very jaded toward men, she also longed for a big family with open arms and unconditional love. That is the Kelly family, a big Irish bunch who argue and meddle and love unconditionally, Sophie already loves Angie Kelly, she met Angie at her playhouse and they fell into a very easy friendship. Angie also understood Sophie's need to stay out of her family life, after all with a father like her's she couldn't take the risk that he would show up and ruin it all for her.

Finn is a fixer, he likes to help out when he can, he also has a bit of a hero complex which is a good thing he became a cop. When his Mom's favorite playhouse catches on fire, one he was on the scene for and had to physically remove a woman from the theatre, he feels it's only right for him and his buddy's help out with the repairs. Finn is pleasantly surprised when he finds out that the woman he had to pull out the theatre is the Sophie his mother has been talking about. Even though he promised his mother he would go after Sophie he can't help but flirt with her and feel jealous when any of the other guys flirt with her. They decide an easy way for them to raise money to repair the playhouse is to put on a play with the firefighters and policemen. Lucky for them Angie just happens to have one ready, one based on how she fell in love with her husband and the troubles that arose when they did. Finn and Sophie are cast as the leads. The sexual chemistry between Finn and Sophie goes deeper than just that they feel comfortable around each other and Sophie shares more with him than she's ever shared with anyone else before.

Just when Sophie starts to feel comfortable around the Kelly family her father introduces himself to the family as well. Sophie tries to warn Angie and Finn not to let him in but they do and trying to convince Finn that her father can not be fixed is the one thing that just might tear them apart. Overall, it was a really good read, I loved the characters and especially Angie. It was an emotionally charged story and the chemistry between Finn and Sophie was so perfect.     

ARC REVIEW Spy Games by Sidney Bristol


What an apt name. Spy Games is the newest book from Sidney Bristol the start of a new series Tarnished Heroes through Entangled Publishing. Just like the name suggests it is full of  intrigue, double dealings, and plenty of  subterfuge. Sarah and Rand are a friends to lovers romance. Each having a crush on the other but friendship and Sarah's older brother, Matt who is also Rand's best friend, kept them from admitting their feelings. Rand and Matt even enlisted together and were lucky enough to be assigned together, but then they hit trouble and Matt lost part of his arm Rand felt nothing but guilt and isolated himself from his friends and family. He didn't re-enlist and became a private contractor for the CIA. 
Sarah job allows to travel quite a bit on the Asian continent, the CIA decided to use her as a courier to drop  messages off at dead drops. Sarah does fine with her non-official job with the CIA until someone sells her out. Rand is asked to help secure the courier until they can extract her, Rand didn't realize his "courier girl" is his Sarah were one in the same and now protecting Sarah has become his number one priority, even after they get back to the states. The fact that Sarah was sold out and the briefcase she was transporting is missing means their is a mole, and they don't know how exactly they can trust, while Sarah and Rand run for their lives their CIA handlers are trying to make heads and tails of everything trying to track down the mole. 

Rand and Sarah's romance come son hot and heavy. Rand has trouble trying to get past the guilt of the fact that he failed her brother and he's not worthy of Sarah no matter how much he loves her. While Sarah tries to convince herself that Rand isn't going to be long term and to not fall in love. But first things first they must survive and track down the mole and stop the sale of the documents that were stolen.

Overall, not my favorite of Sidney's but still a really good read. I didn't guess who it was until almost the end and the action is so good, very intense. and the romance, it is hot. Although I do get tired of  Sarah and Rands inability to communicate at times. And I want to know more about Thailand and Matt and Emily!    

Friday, November 24, 2017

ARC REVIEW Simon: Clan Legacy Series by J.S. Striker



If I'm not mistaken this is book 9 in the Clan Legacy series by J. S. Striker. I like the premise of the whole Clan Legacy series, the different shifters working together while maintaining a peace treaty with the witches and vampires. I was able to read the first four in the series and book 8 before reading this one, both Erik (book 8) and Simon can be read as standalones. Simon had some brief appearances in books 3 and 4 I liked that he was brought back and has a story of his own.

Simon and Robin worked as teens (young adults??) training together. They each had their own dream Robin would become the best witch in the world and Simon would eventually find a nice wolf shifter to settle down with and have a parcel of kids running around. Several years down the line Robin is closer than ever to her goal and after another successful mission she's earned some time off to travel and the only person she wants to travel with is her old friend Simon. But when she gets to New York she is talked into working with Simon again.  With another shifter, Jake, they go undercover in Japan where there target was last scene, but it's not as easy as rescuing a damsel in distress.

All grown up Simon is looking at Robin in a new light and even though she's undercover playing a part he still gets jealous at the attention she's getting from their suspect. Robin has been fighting her own feelings for Simon since she saw in again. They both think that it's not in their future to be together but one ill times potion on Robin and they give into the sexual desire.

Overall, I liked it. The characters were great and non- stop adventure. It was a very full book it seemed longer than what it was. The one thing that kinda bugged me and I didn't see this in any of the other book but some parts of it were very succinct, they weren't pertinent to the rest of the story it was just kind of summarizing what has happened, but it happened more than once and at those time it just seemed like it was more of  telling me rather than showing me. The last it happened is the time it really bugged me. It could have gone to expand more on those events and get in a higher word count or cut it down more because those three paragraphs worth of events did nothing except tell why Robin was exhausted and too tired to defend herself. Other than that one part I really did enjoy the book and I look forward to reading the ones I missed and the ones to come, especially if it's Jake.
Was given an ARC and giving a voluntary review 

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth: Wonder Woman vol 4 Godwatch

Wonder Woman

Vol 4
GODWATCH


issues 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 
and Wonder Woman Annual #1
DC Universe Rebirth
by Greg Rucka
Art by Bilquis Evely, Romulo Fajardo Jr.


Story: Godwatch is the past look at how it got started. They are nice issues that give you the insight to Veronica Cale's motivation. It explains what exactly happened to Izzy how Adrianna became Doctor Cyber and just how Cale was able to trap Deimos and Phobos in to dogs. Even how she was instrumental in Barbara Ann Minerva's change into Cheetah.  Vol 4 starts six months after Wonder Woman's appearance and moves to the present. ...And Then There Were Three from the Annual is the introduction of Superman and Batman to Wonder Woman.



Art: Bilquis Evely is just wow. The cover, to me, looks very reminiscent of a Mucha painting. You see the visible strength of Wonder Woman but also soft womanly features. I love that cover. The rest of the book is just as good it has great lines and beautiful colors, except Godwatch part four. While it was well drawn and beautifully colored I just couldn't stand that they all looked like teenagers. They look like they should have been in some angsty teen drama instead of Wonder Woman. I love Jenny Frison's variant covers.


 Review: Overall, I really enjoyed the story. Sometimes I like to know what's going on in the bad guys mind set and Veronica was a good villain. Greg Rucka did a great job with the timeline for this whole story arc and keeping you interested bouncing back and forth from past to present. Normally that would bug me and I think it would if I was reading this single issue by single issue but grouped as they are in the graphic novels it makes reading them very easy. 






Tuesday, November 21, 2017

ARC REVIEW What Does Consent Really Mean? by Pete and Thalia Wallis


"Consent is not the absence of 'NO', it is an enthusiastic YES!!"

So I'm doing something a little different, this is not my usual kind of review but I feel like this is something that needs as much exposure as it can get. With everything going on right now our kids need to understand consent and what it means and everything it applies to. In this graphic novel it delves into what consent is and not just for sex. This group of teens they have a classmate who was raped and social media is tearing her apart, blaming her ect.. Which bring up the topic of what consent it, and how it's not just a stranger doing it but date rape, and then there's statutory rape and the consent between a minor and and adult.  First it's just the girls talking about boyfriends pressuring them into it and how it makes them feel like they should just because they are dating. When the guys join them they start getting the opinion from guys side, their expectations of how they are suppose to act as opposed to how they want to act. By the end of the day they have all learned something.

I liked this because it is a great starting point to talk to your kids either read it with them or just be there to answer questions afterwards. It gives ideas about what to talk to them it's good for opening up the discussion. I would definitely recommend this to parents or to school councillors. It is British so the slang is that to them but it is still very easy to read and follow and the art is appealing. The cast of characters are easy to connect with; it definitely felt like an after school special with how the dialogue played out but it gets the point across.

What I took away from this (as an adult) No matter what if you decide to have sex or not this is a good eye opening read for teens to think that it's ok to say no, if you want to be abstinent that's ok and if your gf/bf wants to be abstinent then you need to respect their wishes. It's even ok to change your mind if you start to feel uncomfortable! And don't let anyone make you feel bad for what you want.     

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth: Batwoman vol 1 The Many Arms of Death

Batwoman



The Many Arms of Death

vol 1
issues 1-6
DC Universe Rebirth

Story by: Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV,
Art: Steve Epting, Stephanie Hans, Renato Arlem, Jeromy Cox (colorist), Adriano Lucas (colorist)



Story: Katherine Kane's life wasn't an easy one, the traumatic events when she was a child spiraled her life onto a difficult path. She was kicked out of West Point for being gay and then became a socialite drunk. It all changed though when she was saved by Batman. She went back to her training and then donned the cape and cowl as Batwoman. There is one year of Kate's life she doesn't talk about that's about to change when her past finally catches up with her. The Many Arms of Death is an extremist group bend on genocide. They want to cleanse the world and have no problem using any means possible. Kate has to track them down and stop them before they kill millions, and she's not like Batman she's willing to use anything she can to stop them.




Art: The art is spectacular. It's definitely one of my favorites. Steve Epting worked The Many Arms of Death 1-4, wonderful detail and combined with Jeromy Cox's coloring it brought the story to life. Stephanie Hans did Blinding with much softer lines and was a little hazier which added to the flashback feel of the story and the result was very pretty. The futuristic story of Pax Batmana was done by Renato Arlem and colors by Adriano Lucas, it has a great futuristic dystopian type vibe to it and fit in great with the story. The fantastic cover for that one was done by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira colored by Adriano Lucas. I am always intrigued by the variant covers.




Review: I'm not very familiar with Batwoman's story, I think the only thing really I know is the animated movie with the three different women as Batwoman. That being said I loved this. Marguerite Bennett together with James Tynion, it's a complicated and in depth story but easy to follow. The truncated version of her past letting you know the basics and then slowly showing you what happened in that missing year followed by a more in depth story, Blinding, and the foreshadowing with Pax Batmana really nice touch, just a little extra tug to make sure they hooked you into the story. 
I liked that Kate is willing to push the limits, and with her own Pennyworth there to remind her not to cross them keeps Kate from fully going over the deep end, and act as Bruce's spy. Overall, I don't think I disliked a single thing in this volume, I'm hooked and can't wait for more.