Monday, July 31, 2017

Review: Enrage by Rachel Van Dyken





Part of a world I loathe.
Part of a family who hates me more than I hate myself.
Living with a girl who reminds me of my darkness.
I'm. In. Hell.
Also known as the Cosa Nostra.
My life was over the minute I stepped off that plane.
Son to a murdered mob boss.
Heir to a throne of murder and lies.
My name is Dante Nicolasi.
And there will be blood.


Review
4.5 out of 5 stars


Blood in, no out.  It is a simple concept.  Family first, always.  But when it comes to the mafia, is anything really easy or black and white?  I don't think so.  Everyone knows that we love the Italian mafia men in Eagle Elite and I knew going into Enrage that it was going to be filled with emotion.  I had it on my kindle for 2 weeks before I had the guts to open it.  I was so scared to read it because I knew that something big would be going down in this book.  You could feel it from page one, so I worked up the nerve, made a big pan of lasagna in honor of my favorite fictional characters and dove the rest of the way into Enrage.

Dante Nicolasi is so angry.  While he didn't ask to be a part of the mafia he also wasn't really ever given the choice not to.  His twin sister Val is now married to Sergio Abandonato, so there's definitely no way to escape the world, thereofore it's imperative Dante find a way to embrace his role in a world he cannot control.  When you can't control your own destiny, you learn to fight and completely turn off your conscience.  Dante is a very intriguing character, I really was not sure how well I was going to connect to him, but I love where Rachel went with him.

El was abused and should be dead.  If it were up to the Russians she would be 6 feet under right now.  But for some reason, Frank Alfero saved her and saw how much she was abused by her former (dead!) husband.  But living with the Italian mob is not much better.  She constantly is waiting for someone to mistreat her.  She is terrified of everything.  Dante and El could not be more opposite of each other.  Good thing opposites attract!

Honestly, it is difficult to write a review for a book that you loved that is spoiler free.  Did this book make me cry? Hell yes. But, it also created a turning point for the characters.  I know this is the 8th book in the series, but I will never get tired of these characters.  I love each and every one of them and feel like I am part of their world when I read their stories.  I know that Rachel really wants to create a way for people to be able to start the series from the next book and you can certainly do that if you want, however, I personally think you will be missing out.  The mafia is complicated and their plots and stories weave a tangled web.  If you don't read all the books, I just don't see how you would be as emotionally connected to the characters and that is why I enjoy reading this particular series.  Honestly, if I don't have a connection with the characters then I almost always don't enjoy it.  

Enrage was an amazing read and you should most definitely one click it now.  But be prepared for twists, turns, new revelations and some anger.  Cause I am still pissed at a character and I finished the book hours ago.  Job well done, Rachel!

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Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Review: The Society by Jillian Dodd

 
THE SOCIETY 
Amazon
Goodreads

Spy Girl Series Book 3 Can one girl save the world? From USA Today bestselling author Jillian Dodd comes the second book in a sizzling series filled with action and adventure. Fans of The Selection and The Hunger Games will discover a heart-pounding thrill ride of espionage and suspense set in glittering high society.

Click HERE to purchase an ebook from your favorite vendor.
Click HERE to order a signed paperback.

Sent to London for their next mission, Huntley and Ari are guests at Malcolm Prescott’s home, where Ari is asked to join a secret group called The Society, and Huntley learns more about her “father” Ares Von Allister. Spy Girl was trained not to have emotional entanglements, but Huntley is learning that it’s hard to survive in the real world without them. As she uncovers hidden truths about her past, the knowledge leaves her reeling and questioning everything. She’s going to have to trust someone, and it’s not going to be Black X. So she goes against her training and forms relationships—caring, trusting, and, maybe, even loving. But relationships are dangerous for a spy. Particularly one who will be facing her most challenging mission to date. Tasked with getting close to the illusive Money Man, she will be forced to delve into a seedy underworld that will threaten her very existence.

Praise for the Spy Girl series:

“With a kickass heroine and intrigue, this page turner will have you spellbound and drooling over your new book boyfriend.” - H.M Ward, New York Times Bestselling Author

 “The Spy Girl series is an intrigue filled, exciting ride through a world you’ll wish you were part of and want to know more about!” - J. Sterling, New York Times Bestselling Author

 “This series will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout, never knowing what new twist or secret will be revealed. It’s the type of book that pulls you in, has you becoming heavily involved in the story and characters, trying to figure out the clues of what has happened or what may happen, and leaves you with wanting and needing more.” - Author Groupies

 “This is a fast paced, exciting series, full of suspense and riddled with clues that I am trying to figure out as I go.” - Reading is my Bliss

 “Every book I get in this series I end up reading in one sitting because I can't put it down.” - The Smutbrarians

 “I can feel myself getting more and more addicted the further in the series I go. Jillian Dodd really has a knack for creating these crazy worlds full of characters who you cannot help but love, but what makes this series unique is the mystery surrounding Agent X, better known as Huntley.” - Romance Rewind

 Watch the Spy Girl Series Book Trailer: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaUVtJyj28I&feature=youtu.be

Jillian Dodd is a USA TODAY bestselling author who lives in a small Florida beach town, is married to her college sweetheart, has two grown children and two Labrador Retrievers. She loves to travel, shop, and paint.

Jillian's Website: http://jilliandodd.net Jillian's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillianDodd1 Jillian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilliandodd


Review
4.25 out of 5 stars

Starting where we left off in the Eagle the pace of this book is spot on and while the mood has been somewhat light in previous books The Society digs into some much darker issues.  Not to mention our beloved heroine Huntley is in a bit of an emotional crisis - mainly because she has all these emotions and reactions to situations and she was trained not to be emotional, not to make emotional connections and now that they've started the floodgates are wide open.  Plus add in the development of her and Ari realizing they're actually twins!  To say Huntley's world has been turned upside down would be a little bit of an understatement.

Now let's talk love interest...Huntley and Lorenzo's relationship continues to deepen.  While she is adamant things don't go to a physical level for fear of being to emotionally attached to Lorenzo what Huntley doesn't have a grasp on is that she is already in love with this man, unconsciously she has already attached herself to the prince emotionally.  And I'll let you in on a little secret - I LOVE these two characters together.  They balance one another really well - I really hope she figures out a way to let him in and give this thing between the two of them a real chance.

Huntley's mission this time around puts her in a crossroads - forced into a really dark situation she comes face to face with a real life monster and the whole situation impacts her in such a meaningful way.  Jillian's writing of this particular scene and the aftermath is incredible.  She paints such a rich picture giving readers a truly vivid image of a very real danger.  I am excited to see how this mission impacts Huntley in the books to come - one thing's for sure you cannot go through something like that and it not affect you going forward.

As always when the last page was turned my mouth was left hanging wide open - I am desperate to find out what happens in the very last scene and I really hope we don't have to wait very long.  This is such a great series, with each installment the story takes you deeper and the twists keep coming.  The only thing I'd request if I could would be a brief couple of paragraphs at the beginning of each book just to "refresh" your mind as to all that's happened.  Well done Jillian Dodd!

  

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Review: The Fall Up by Aly Martinez



I wanted to jump.
He made me fall.

As a celebrity, I lived in the public eye, but somewhere along the way, I’d lost myself in the spotlight.

Until he found me.

Sam Rivers was a gorgeous, tattooed stranger who saved my life with nothing more than a simple conversation.

But we were both standing on that bridge for a reason the night we met. The secrets of our pasts brought us together—and then tore us apart.

Could we find a reason to hold on as life constantly pulled us down?

Or maybe there’s only one direction to go when two people fall in love at rock bottom—up.
 

Review:  4.5 of 5 Stars

In life, happiness can turn up where you least expect it.  You day may start out terribly but end great because of someone you see, a surprise phone call or a number of things.  The Fall Up proves that theory completely.

Levee Williams is a super star pop princess.  She has money, fame and a great best friend, Henry, also a star.  But what all those things don’t bring?  Happiness!  Levee begins going to a bridge every night and meets a tall, tattooed, smoking hot stranger.  Even though she is in a disguise she is still hesitant to talk much to him.  After meeting several nights in a row, the stranger is worried but a little obsessed with the mystery girl that seems to be contemplating jumping.


Sam, the stranger, offers Levee a reprieve.  He doesn't care that she is a celebrity.  He tells her what she needs to hear, not what she wants to hear.  He sees her for the flawed person she is and still wants her.  When he pushes her to get the treatment she needs. she obliges.  But will their feelings be strong enough to last?  Especially when she finds out all of Sam's past and the heartbreak he has already endured?

The Fall Up had me hooked from page one.  I love Aly Martinez writing style and her ability to weave such story and create characters I love so deeply is fantastic.  I highly recommend that you one click this one and enjoy!  
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Monday, July 3, 2017

Review: Steal by Rachel Van Dyken


Steal, the follow-up standalone rockstar romance to the #1 New York Times Bestseller Keep…

It's easy to lose yourself in someone you love.


Easier to lose yourself in someone you hate…


I didn't think it could get any worse than having to babysit a bunch of spoiled musicians on set ― keeping them out of trouble is a cakewalk compared to seeing my ex every day.


Seaside, Oregon isn't big enough for the both of us.


She hates me.


I loathe her.


The plan was simple ― stay the hell away and make sure she gets to set on time.
What I didn't expect was to be faced with our past in front of an audience ― and be forced to face it again.


It's torture.


The way she looks at me.


The way I try to look through her.


Words left unsaid.


The lingering aftermath still as powerful as ever.
I feed the chasm between us, for fear that she'll make me feel again ― and steal the last shred of heart I have left.


We have everything but each other.


It's not enough.


Not when you've lost love.


And replaced it with the only thing left ― hate.




Review 
4 of 5 Stars


The Seaside Pictures series by Rachel Van Dyken is a spinoff of the Seaside series. If you haven't read them from the beginning, I highly recommend you do! I know this is a standalone but honestly, I feel like you miss out on connecting with the secondary characters so much if you start with this book and they all have such wonderful stories why not start with the originals?!?! 

We met Angelica Greene in Tear (Seaside #1) and to say I couldn't stand her would be an understatement. She was rich, famous, entitled and a straight up bitch. I was really unsure I would ever sympathize with her or want to read her story. But, I should never underestimate Rachel Van Dyken! The Angelica in Steal is broken. She is post drug rehab and finally wants to make amends for her mistakes. As a last ditch effort to save her career, Jay gives her a part in his movie filming in Seaside. 

The only manager willing to take on Angelica as a client? Will Sutherland, former lead singer  of Adrenaline and ex-boyfriend/love of her life. Will is extremely bitter of Angelica and can't seem to forgive her for her role in destroying their relationship and completely shredding his heart.  Honestly, he's never been the same post Angelica and as much as he wants to hate everything about her, he can't deny the attraction he still has for her either. How long will they be able to avoid the demons chasing them from their past?

I definitely enjoyed this installment and as always I love how Rachel weaves characters from the other books into her new releases and how important of a role those characters play with each new release.  It's like the best part of a "family reunion."  Without a doubt watching their meddling was probably my most favorite part of Steal. At certain points of the book felt connected to Angelica and Will, but I also had a hard time feeling their passion at times and the pace of this story felt a little rushed.  Regardless, this is still a really fun read and fans of this series definitely don't want to pass on this story.  Take it from me you're definitely going to want to know what makes Angelica tick, how the past has shaped her, what the driving force behind her struggles and cry for attention is, and in the end you will find yourself rooting for this "villain" to get her very own happily ever after!