Review: Sixteen Scandals

 

Sixteen Things I enjoyed about this book:

Prim's determination

Regency Era

Sixteenth Birthday Party - despite parents

Friendship - Olympia 

A Mysterious Gentleman Stranger

Vauxhall Gardens

Breaking society's rules

The danger of getting caught

Wearing masks

All the kissing

Prim's sisters

The not grounded - grounded moment

The hinted romance of Prim's sister and her best friend

The short time frame of the book

I really love the author

And that cover is cute!

Christmas Book Review: How the Dukes Stole Christmas

Four novellas featuring four dukes from some of my favorite historical romance authors.

My Thoughts: I loved these stories. They were funny, sweet, charming, and entertaining. Meet Me in Mayfair mostly took place in one night during a ball. Louisa must find a titled wealthy man to fall in love with her in one night to save their family. The Duke of Christmas Present is all about second chances and chocolate. I loved the secret tunnel in that story. Heiress Alone reminded me of Home Alone - but set in Scotland. Her family won a house there and the daughters, except for one, are looking to be married well. The mother reminded me of Mrs. Bennett. Christmas in Central Park takes place in New York City, during the Gilded Age. There's a twist on the Duke in this one. I love how one bad idea snowballed until it became out of control. A fantastic collection of stories that I didn't want to end!

Source: Gifted

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your romance section, your readers will thank you!

Review: Foreplay

Pepper has always known that she belongs with Hunter. When her BFF tells her that Hunter is finally single, she knows it's time to make her move.

Except that she doesn't have an experience - as in zero. Her friends drag her to a bad to find a bartender with a hot reputation.

With his help, she'll be ready for Hunter. But the more time she spends with Reece, the more she starts to care for him.  Could there be something more to this relationship than learning?

My Thoughts: Foreplay is the start of a New Adult trilogy and it brings the heat. I really enjoyed this book. I love how it takes places in college and it's centered around three roommates. I like how Pepper came into her own with the help of Reece.  I liked how the relationship between Reece and Pepper developed. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.

Final Thoughts: I think I'm late on the bandwagon, but this was a perfect New Adult read!

What's on My Holds List (90)

My Librarian friend Jess from I Read to Relax came up with a great idea.  It's to highlight the books on hold at the library. I usually have 20-40 items checked out at the library and another 20 items on hold. 

Adult Books:

Swan Point: A new Sweet Magnolias book -although sadly this one isn't the start of a new trilogy.

Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet: A book featuring Lizzie Bennet - enough said!

Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin: The first in a new Regency romance series by Sophie Jordan

Engaged in Murder: 1st in new cozy series featuring two sisters and a planned proposal gone wrong

Cover Splash: Unleashed

Are you ready? Here we go....

UNLEASHED mini-teaser:

I thought being labeled a killer and losing everything—my future, family, boyfriend, friends—was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. It’s not. Finding out they were right. Finding out that’s exactly what I am?

That’s worse.

UNLEASHED Book Summary:

What if the worst thing you ever did was unforgivable?

Davy’s world fell apart after she tested positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome. She was expelled from her school, dumped by her boyfriend, abandoned by friends, and shipped off to a camp that turns HTS carriers into soldiers. Davy may have escaped, but the damage has already been done. The unthinkable has happened. Now, even worse than having everyone else see her as a monster is the knowledge that they may have been right about her all along. Because Davy has killed.

On the run from government agents, Davy is rescued by Caden, the charismatic leader of an underground group of rebels. Despite Caden’s assurances that the Resistance is made up of carriers like her, Davy isn’t sure she can trust them. Then again, she doesn’t even know if she can trust herself . . . or her growing feelings for Caden. But if she doesn’t belong with Caden and his followers, is there anywhere she can call home?

UNLEASHED Cover: 

Doesn't it look great?

Books I'm Dying to Read: January Edition

Here's a list of books I can't wait to get my hands on come January! 

 

Queen's Choice: Love the cover and this book of faeries and the journey to find the heir sounds great. 

Cruel Beauty: the tagline: Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast = sold.

Uninvited: A genetic testing reveals a murder gene. Is Davy really dangerous?

Offering: Excited read the ending of this trilogy which has been great so far.

Lost Planet: A boy with a mission is running out of time

Rule of Three: Survival story as the computers are targeted - sounds like a cross between Die Hard 4 and Life as We Knew It

Home of the Braised: Love this series. The Secretary of Defense is found dead right before an important State dinner. 

That Old Black Magic:  Piper Donovan heads for New Orleans for a pastry class and a potential role in a movie - when a murder happens.

Breath of Frost: Regency Witched (enough said)

Vitro: Sophie's looking for her mother - a scientist on a island full of danger, people from test tubes, and a deadly secret. 

 

Going Rogue: sequel to Also Known As - where Maggie has to clear her parents' name.

See Jane Run: Riley's being sent secret messages about her past - messages that could ruin everything

Monster Chefs: Looks super fun!

Dare the Wind: A book about a woman sailor - Ellen Prentiss breaking records.

 

Duck Duck Moose: The ducks are trying to put together a party, but moose keeps getting in the way.

The Night Before My Birthday: Birthdays! Who doesn't love that?

Home to Seaview: Love Sheryl Woods - looking forward to a new series by one of my favorite adult authors. 

Review: Hidden

 * End of the trilogy - read my reviews for books one and two*

Jacinda has the perfect escape plan to leave behind her life with the draki and to find out what happened to her family.  Unfortunately, the guilt she feels for Miram's capture weighs upon her.

Jacinda can't leave Cassian's sister to the humans. She helps formulate a plan that will get her captured. From there, Will, Cassian, and Tamra will break them both out. The prison isn't what Jacinda imagines - it's brutal. The humans want to break her and then uncover her secrets.

Jacinda isn't sure she can last the day or two it will take for her rescue. Miram isn't interested in leaving. They've broken her. Jacinda uses Cassian's name to spur her into motion. Jacinda hopes that she can last without breaking to ensure the success of her mission and her escape into the happily ever after with Will.

My Thoughts: A great ending to a steamy, heart-pounding, action packed trilogy. I love how each book layers upon the danger of the world knowing the draki secret. I love the romance between Will and Jacinda - and also the pull Jacinda feels for Cassian. I loved the relationship between Jacinda and her sister. They were friends, then almost enemies, and then friends again. It's the normal sisterly relationship. I was both fascinated and horrified to learn the secrets behind Jacinda's family. A perfect trilogy for those readers who are looking for a steamy fantastical story.

Cover Thoughts: I love the flowing red hair and how this book cover ties into the others
Source: My Library

review: Vanish

Jacinda showed her true colors in front of humans putting the pride in danger in order to save Will.

There's one bright spot in all of her troubles - her sister Tamra finally manifested. She's a shader. She can erase memories and she uses that power to help Jacinda escape the hunters after she showed her true self.

With her secret out, Jacinda's brought back to the pride in shame. Her sister's finally celebrated and accepted. Jacinda is happy for her sister, but struggles to find her place in a world where she was once revered. She is nothing now.

Jacinda attempts to put Will out of her mind for good, but it's no use. She doesn't want to let him go. She doesn't want to give in to the pride and become their puppet. How will she survive?

My Thoughts: I loved the second book!!! I loved how Tamra becomes a larger part of the story and how the sisters bond again. I love how they fly together. The love triangle becomes a more significant part of the story with Cassian taking a larger role. Jacinda has a hard time choosing between what's best for her and what might save her life. She makes mistakes and tries to live with them. She's suffering under the pride rule, but she has inner strength. I can't wait to read more of this sizzling, engrossing, fantastic read.

Cover Thoughts: Love it - I love how Tamra is on the cover.

Source: My Library

Cover reveal: Vanish

It's FINALLY here! After all the twitter teasing, here it is.
And it looks AWESOME!

I can't wait to read it. I love how they kept the face scales and I LOVE the font!

Simply amazing.

Now if only Sept would hurry up

Book of the Month

It's that time again! To share my favorite read and reviewed book this month.

This month's winner is:
Check out my review

What's the favorite book you read last month?

Review: Firelight

Jacinda has a deep dark secrets that one morning almost comes out destroying everything she holds dear. She's a draki - a descendant of dragons who can portray themselves as humans. Each draki has a special power and Jacinda can breathe fire.

This has gained attention from the Prince of her pride. She's not interested in his attentions. After that almost fatal morning, her mother doesn't give her a choice.

Her mother, her sister, and Jacinda pack their bags and escape in the dead of the night. They travel to the desert, where they will blend into the human world. Jacinda's sister can't wait for school, making new friends, and maybe trying out for cheerleading. Jacinda can't believe it.

The heat from the desert threatens to kill her draki form - which is part of her mother's intention. Jacinda feels trapped. She hates her life. Then she meets Will. She meet Will the morning her life changed forever. She feels drawn towards him and even though she knows she should stay away from him, she can't. They dance around each other.

Will she remain in human form or will her struggle with her draki side force her to take action in saving herself?

My Thoughts: When does book two come out? Because I want to read it NOW. Seriously, it's that good. Jacinda and Will's relationship is steamy and sizzling - literally. I can't say enough about this book: there's danger, family drama between sisters, attempting to fit in at a new school, jealous mean girls, a that one boy who makes everything worth it.


The Cover: Amazing. I love the scales around the eye and the shimmering skin- so creative!

Source: My Library