Review: Along Came Trouble - Ruthie Knox

Ruthie Knox’s Camelot series continues in this sizzling eBook original novel, featuring two headstrong souls who bump heads—and bodies—as temptation and lust bring nothing but delicious trouble.

An accomplished lawyer and driven single mother, Ellen Callahan isn’t looking for any help. She’s doing just fine on her own. So Ellen’s more than a little peeved when her brother, an international pop star, hires a security guard to protect her from a prying press that will stop at nothing to dig up dirt on him. But when the tanned and toned Caleb Clark shows up at her door, Ellen might just have to plead the fifth.

Back home after a deployment in Iraq and looking for work as a civilian, Caleb signs on as Ellen’s bodyguard. After combat in the hot desert sun, this job should be a breeze. But guarding the wilful beauty is harder than he imagined—and Caleb can’t resist the temptation to mix business with pleasure. With their desires growing more undeniable by the day, Ellen and Caleb give in to an evening of steamy passion. But will they ever be able to share more than just a one-night stand?

Camelot Series:
How to Misbehave (Novella)
Along Came Trouble
Flirting with Disaster
Making it Last (Novella)

Visit Ruthie Knox's website for more information.

Review:
After divorcing her waste of space husband Ellen has worked hard to gain her independence. Her career and taking care of her two year old son take up all of her time and she just wants to be left in peace to get on with things. Unfortunately with her very famous pop star brother Jamie dating her pregnant neighbour Carly privacy has become a thing of the past and she is getting sick of reporters trampling her flowerbeds trying to take sneaky pictures. Jamie is worried about Ellen and Carly's safety so he hires Caleb's security firm to protect them both while he is on tour. Caleb has spent years serving his country as a soldier but has now returned home to Camelot to be closer to his family. He has been working hard to build up his business and this high profile case could be the making of his company if he does a good job. Unfortunately for him Ellen isn't about to make his life easy, she spent years being pushed around by her ex-husband and has no intention of giving anyone control over her life to a complete stranger.

Along Came Trouble is the second book in the Camelot series and although I'd recommend reading How to Misbehave because it is a fantastic novella you don't need to have read that story before picking this one up. Every book I read by Ruthie Knox just makes me love her even more, she's yet to create a hero that I haven't fallen head over heels for and Caleb is no exception to that. He is pretty much perfect, not only is he sexy as hell but he is also caring, sensitive, protective, demanding, bossy, flirtatious, good with children AND looking for a long term relationship. Now if someone can just tell me where to find a guy like him in real life I'd be a very happy woman!

Ellen has been through a lot in the last few years, her husband was an alcoholic who constantly cheated on her and he knocked her confidence at every opportunity. The only positive thing about their relationship is her son (who is absolutely adorable by the way) so she is relieved to have him out of her life. For the first time in years Ellen has a home that she is happy in, somewhere she feels safe and that she is proud of. It has taken a lot of effort to get things exactly how she wants them so when Caleb comes charging in wanting to make changes she isn't happy. She knows deep down that the things Caleb is suggesting are for her safety but she is so scared of letting someone else have that kind of power over her. It could be a little frustrating watching Ellen put up such a fight over fairly minor things but I could understand why she acted the way she did so it didn't bother me too much. It also gave Caleb the perfect opportunity to negotiate with her and that was just so much fun to watch!

Caleb was irritated with the way Ellen kept blocking him but he took the time to find out why she was so wary of changes and then did his best to reassure her and bring her around. They are both incredibly attracted to each other but are looking for different things from life. Ellen doesn't want a serious relationship, she's been burnt before and doesn't want to risk her heart again. She's also wary of letting anyone into her son's life in case he ends up getting hurt. She can't deny that she wants Caleb though so if she can have him on her terms when her son is visiting his grandmother then she's all for it. Caleb on the other hand knows that they could have something special. He's looking to settle down and is pretty sure that Ellen is the woman for him, he just needs to find a way to prove it to her. The romance is so sweet and I absolutely loved their banter, especially when they were negotiating the terms of their relationship or the safety measures Caleb wants to put in place.

Another thing I really enjoyed was the side story between Jamie and Carly. I wasn't sure if I was going to like Jamie at first because he came across as quite spoiled but he really proved himself in the end and he added a lot of humour. We also get to meet Caleb's younger sister Katie and find out about the disastrous relationship that has left her broke and forced to move in with Caleb. I really liked her character and am pleased we're going to get her story in June. Fans of contemporary romance are going to love this series, it is a perfect example of Ruthie Knox's writing - full of humour, fabulous characters and steamy romance and I can't wait to get my hands on Flirting with Disaster in the summer.

Source: Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Shadowed Blog Tour: Sarah Alderson's Top Ten YA Reads

I'm very excited to welcome Sarah Alderson to the blog today to celebrate the release of her latest novel Shadowed. Sarah is going to be sharing her top 10 YA reads with us but before she does let me give you a bit more information about Shadowed.

Fate has won. The realms have been severed...but the fight’s still far from over.

It’s been three months since the devastating battle that closed the way through between this world and the demon realms but Evie’s still reeling from all she's lost.

When news reaches her that a group of Originals is on the prowl in LA and growing in numbers, Evie must decide whether to join the rogue Hunters in a final battle or fight her fate one last time.

The way through might be closed. But that doesn’t mean Evie’s got closure.

Fated Series:
Fated
Severed
Shadowed

Visit Sarah Alderson's website for more information

I absolutely love the Fated series and if you enjoyed the first 2 books you're going to love this one too. Now please give a very warm welcome to Sarah Alderson and have a look to see if she's chosen your favourite YA books in her top ten list!

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Sarah Alderson

My Top Ten YA reads 

by Sarah Alderson

Oh man, this is impossible. Even more so given my books are all in boxes in my dad’s attic so I can’t peruse my shelves pulling out my fave pics. So here goes…

1. Room with a View – E. M. Forster
I read this book when I was 14 and fell in love with the characters, the forbidden romance, the stolen kiss in a sunflower field near Florence. It’s the story of a young girl from a repressed well to do family falling for the artistic, free-thinking working class boy with a tortured soul. Think literary young adult. This book made me study Italian and move to Florence. I didn’t find my George there though alas.

2. If this is a man – Primo Levi
As part of my Italian studies degree, I read a lot of Primo Levi. He’s one of Italy’s most famous writers. It tells of his time in Auschwitz concentration camp and is all about man’s humanity in the face of supreme inhumanity.

3. Wonder – R. J. Palacio
Another book that focuses on humanity and takes a look at how important kindness is. It was one of my favourite reads of last year. It’s middle grade but I think it’s so marvelous everyone should read it.

4. Harry Potter – J.K. Rowling
I’m just about to start reading this series to my daughter and I’ve waited 6 long years to do so. These books will clearly be making the list of best ever books for the next ten centuries. Unless of course you’re a creationist.

5. The Fault in Our Stars – John Green
I cried my way through this book from start to finish and some days I find myself thinking all about Augustus. Great books should make you think and make you feel and this book certainly did that. And it made me treasure every single day that me and those I love are healthy.

6. Lord of the Rings – J. R. R Tolkein
My dad bought me this when I was 12 and I just couldn’t get into it. I read it about 12 years later and fell in love with the world Tolkein created. It really is one of the books I’d take on a desert island (it’s so heavy it could double as a weapon).

7. Daughter of Smoke & Bone series – Laini Taylor
These books simply blew my mind. It’s not just the spectacular world-building or the incredibly real characters or the highly developed plot, it’s the sheer beauty of the writing that gets me with these books.

8. To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
I know it’s an oldie but it’s a classic for a reason. It’s timeless and have there ever been two more brave children than Jem and Scout?

9. The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
I’m only going to choose books 1 & 2 though as I wasn’t such a fan of the third. They are truly gripping and very much my kind of book in that they’re very visual and they tackle great themes. I love dystopia!

10. Grave Mercy – Robin LeFevre
I’ve been raving about this book ever since some bloggers in Singapore recommended it to me. It was incredible. Not my usual cup of tea at all but so well written it drew me in.

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Thanks so much for dropping by Sarah! You've made some fabulous choices, I really enjoyed Wonder, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Hunger Games and Grave Mercy but I haven't read the others so I'll have to add them to my to read pile!

I was trying to think about books that I'd include in my list and I think that I'd add Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma, Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys & Maria V Snyder's Touch of Power series. It really is hard to pick my top ten though!

What do you all think of the books Sarah added to her list? Are they the same choices you would make? Which other books would you include?

Review: Burning Up - Anne Marsh

It takes a special kind of hero to be a smoke jumper. To take the greatest risks. To live or die in the raging heat of the moment. And it takes a special kind of woman to love him. . .

Where There's Smoke. . .

For Jack Donovan, smoke jumping is a way of life. He lives for the adrenaline rush--the thrill of flying over the burning California hills, the intensity of diving straight into the inferno, the glory of taming the forces of nature. Love is a distant ember compared to the feeling he gets fighting fires--until an emergency call from his hometown brings him face to face with the one woman he can't forget. . .

There's Fire

Lily never got over the handsome rogue who once kissed her senseless--and then left. She vowed she was done with love-'em-and-leave-'em men and small town life. Until a series of malicious fires set by a stalker has her running home to hide. Now, their summer is heating up as Jack fights to save her from the stalker's fiery threats and to convince her to give the passion between them a second chance.

Smoke Jumpers Series:
Burning Up
Slow Burn (April 2013)

Visit Anne Marsh's website for more information

Review:
Jack couldn't wait to get away from small town life and he loves his job as a smoke jumper more than anything. He's always been restless and the job makes sure he never has to spend too much time in one place which suits him perfectly. His adoptive mother Nonna is about the only person who could get him back to his home town so when she calls to tell him about a spate of arson attacks and begs for his help to keep the town safe he drops everything to help her. Lily was crazy about Jack when she was a teenager but he always felt she was too young for him so apart from one scorching kiss he kept her at a distance. She has only recently returned home hoping to get away from a stalker who was making her life a misery but it looks like the danger has followed her. Jack is determined to keep Lily safe and figure out who is making her life a misery and he needs to do it before they start a fire that puts the whole town at risk. As they give in to the passion they feel will Lily be able to make Jack realise that settling down wouldn't be so bad?

Burning Up is the first book in Anne Marsh's Smoke Jumpers series and introduces us to the three foster brothers who are at the centre of the books. Jack, Evan and Rio all had difficult childhoods (although we don't know each of their stories in detail yet) but have been inseparable since they met in the foster system. Their lives didn't improve until they were adopted though so although they have a strong bond with each other and their mother Nonna none of them find it easy to trust others or let anyone else in. They are all hard working, love the adrenaline rush of fighting fires and they run a successful business together organising teams of Smoke Jumpers who travel around the country to help wherever they are needed. I have to say I loved all of the brothers and I really enjoyed watching the banter between them and the rest of the firefighters. I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know Evan and Rio better when I get to read their books.

I really liked Lily's character, she is the kind of girl most of us would like to be friends with - caring, loyal and independent. She was forced to move back home after being terrorised for months by a stalker but she is happy to be back and excited about running the lavender farm she has purchased. She just wants to be able to live her life in peace and is working hard to build a successful business. I'll admit that Jack irritated me, he was very sexy but he came across as far too pushy and domineering for my liking. He constantly ignored Lily's wishes and did whatever he thought was best no matter how much she fought him on certain issues. I know he was trying to keep her safe but I'd have preferred him to spend time explaining why he felt things needed doing and waiting for her to agree rather than going ahead without her consent. Lily is a grown woman and had the right to make her own decisions which was something Jack didn't seem to believe and I found it hard to accept that someone as strong as Lily wouldn't tell him to get lost.

I also found Jack's constant mood swings about their relationship started to make me feel dizzy, one minute he couldn't live without her and would give up anything if only she'd take a chance on him and the next he was pushing her away and complaining that he didn't want to settle down and be stuck in one town forever. I wouldn't have minded a bit of internal conflict but it just went on and on until it became a bit much. I think I would have understood him better if we'd been given a bit more insight into his past before he came to live with Nonna, we could see the effects of serious childhood trauma but didn't learn about the cause of them. I was desperate to know why he felt so claustrophobic sleeping inside. He does manage to redeem himself by the end of the book but I never fell for him as hard as I usually fall for my romance heroes.

I really enjoyed the scenes where Jack and his team were battling fires, they were well written and showed just how dangerous the job of smoke jumping is. I have a huge respect for all firefighters (my step dad was one until he retired so I've grown up knowing just how hard they work) but living in the UK I have very little experience when it comes to the huge forest fires that cause such devastation in other parts of the world. The scenes with Lily's stalker were interesting and I thought the escalation in his behaviour was realistic but I felt it was all just a little too easy to figure out who they actually were. I could have done with a little more mystery there and would have loved a few red herrings thrown in along the way.

I have to confess that I didn't love Burning Up as much as I hoped I would but it was still an enjoyable way to pass the time and I'm definitely planning on reading Evan's story in Slow Burn. I'm hoping that the few of the issues I had with this story will have been ironed out and the next book will be much stronger. Either way I'm looking forward to seeing more of Evan and I hope that Rio will be getting his own book after that one.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Setting up Bloglovin

I'm trying to set up new ways for people to follow me since Google Friend Connect is going to be disappearing later on this year, I've not really had time to look into it properly yet but I've added Bloglovin and Google+ to the sidebar on the left and I really hope that some of you will start to follow me using those options!



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Get a sneak peek at Down London Road by Samantha Young

UK cover

I absolutely loved Samantha Young's novel On Dublin Street when I read it (you can read my review here) so I've been dying to get my hands on the sequel Down London Road ever since. In fact I've had my copy pre-ordered from Amazon for months now and it feels like I've been waiting forever! I can't tell you how excited I was to see that Samantha Young has released an extract of the first chapter so I had to share it here with you. Before we get to the extract I just want to give you a bit more information about the book:

US Cover

Blurb:
Johanna Walker is used to taking charge. But she’s about to meet someone who will make her lose control....

It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.

But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.

Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets …even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.

On Dublin Street Series:
On Dublin Street
Until Fountain Bridge (Novella)
Down London Road (May 2013)

Visit Samantha Young's website or the On Dublin Street website for more information

Now for the bit you've all been waiting for - the first chapter!

UPDATE 29th March:
It looks like there is some kind of a problem with the chapter excerpt widget so if you want to read the first chapter of Down London Road you can find it on Samantha Young's blog here.

What do you think? Are you all as excited about Down London Road as I am? Which of the covers do you prefer - the UK one or the US? If I'm honest I have to say I prefer the US covers myself.

Simon & Schuster's Exciting 2013 New Adult Releases: Covers Revealed!

I think most of you have probably noticed how much I've been loving contemporary romance over the last few months, it's been a nice change for me because I've been so focused on anything paranormal for a few years now! I'm a huge fan of all the fantastic New Adult titles that we're seeing come through at the moment so I can't wait to get my hands on all of the new books Simon & Schuster have lined up for us over the spring and summer. I received an email yesterday revealing all of the fantastic new UK covers for some very exciting books that are already proving very popular in the US so I wanted to share them with you today (you can click on any of the images in this post to see a larger version of the covers).

I'm a HUGE fan of Simone Elkeles, I absolutely love her Perfect Chemistry series - those Fuentes brothers are seriously hot! - but I also really enjoyed Leaving Paradise (read my review here) when I read it back in 2010. I don't think that Return to Paradise has been published in print in the UK before (I certainly never found it anyway) so I'm really excited that we'll be able to buy it soon. Both of these stories are available as ebooks from TODAY and there will be a print bind up of both books published sometime over the summer. It's been so long since I read Leaving Paradise that I will definitely be re-reading it before Return to Paradise but I can't wait! What do you think of these covers? Sexy aren't they!

On the 11th of April S&S are publishing Going too Far and Forget You by Jennifer Echols. Jennifer is an incredibly popular contemporary author who writes wonderful romances. I actually read Forget You as part of a book tour about 3 years ago and it was a fab book that I'd actually quite like to re-read (read my review of here). I love the new cover though and since I don't already own a copy of the book I'm going to have to make sure I end up buying a matching set!

I already posted these fantastic new covers for Abbi Glines's Sea Breeze series (Because of Low, Just for Now and While it Lasts) but I'm including them again just in case you missed them (click on the pictures to see them in a larger size). These stories are already available as ebooks but the paperbacks with these snazzy covers will be in shops from the 25th of April so make sure you keep an eye out for them. If you've read the Vincent Boys series you'll know that Abbi excels at creating sexual tension between her characters and she writes great make out scenes too so I have high hopes for these!

I've heard so many good things about Steph Campbell's Grounding Quinn series that I can't wait to read it! Delicate and Grounding Quinn will both be published in the UK on the 9th of May so we have a little while to wait for these.

You may already have come across Crash and Clash by Nicole Williams but they will be in shops with these gorgeous covers on the 6th of June. I've had Crash on my wish list for ages now so I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on a copy!

So which of these books are you most excited about? Do you have a favourite cover? If you've already read any of them please let me know what you thought of them (you can always leave a link to your review/s in the comments).

Review: Mortality - Kellie Sheridan

After surviving a deadly plague outbreak, sixteen-year-old Savannah thought she had lived through the very worst of human history. There was no way to know that the miracle vaccine would put everyone at risk for a fate worse than un-death.

Now, two very different kinds of infected walk the Earth, intent on nothing but feeding and destroying what little remains of civilization. When the inoculated are bitten, infection means watching on in silent horror as self-control disappears and the idea of feasting on loved ones becomes increasingly hard to ignore.

Starving and forced to live inside of the abandoned high school, all Savannah wants is the chance to fight back. When a strange boy arrives with a plan to set everything right, she gets her chance. Meeting Cole changes everything. Mere survival will never be enough.

The Hitchhiker Strain:
End Dayz (Prequel Novella)
Mortality
Future titles & release dates to be confirmed

Visit Kellie Sheridan's website for more information

Review:
After a man made virus created an epidemic of undead, flesh eating monsters the whole world was thrown into chaos. Things just got even worse when a vaccine supposed to stop the spread of the infection created a new breed of zombies, ones who are faster, stronger and much more intelligent but still just as desperate for a taste of human flesh. Survivors have banded together but supplies are hard to come by and the risk of attack is constant. The new world isn't an easy one and only the smartest will survive.

Mortality is told from the perspective of two teenage girls Savannah and Zarah. Savannah's story begins six months after the vaccine created the new kind of zombies. The survivors from her town are all living together inside the old school building with the adults trying to clear the surrounding area of monsters while they keep the teenagers and children safely inside. Savannah and her friends have spent the last 6 months training and are desperate for a chance to prove themselves but when they are finally given the opportunity things go horribly wrong. Separated from the rest of their group the four friends must try to make it to the safe house to see if they can find the others. Zarah's story actually starts on the night of the second epidemic and we follow her and her boyfriend Liam as they try to find somewhere safe where they can be together.

Out of the two girls I have to admit I liked Savannah more, she was stronger than Zarah and more willing to stand up for herself and her friends. Savannah is the kind of girl who doesn't sit back and wait for others to rescue her, she'd rather be in the thick of the action trying to keep her friends safe. She does make some questionable decisions but you can tell that everything she does she does because she thinks it is the best option for those she cares about. Although I felt Zarah was a weaker character I still enjoyed her story, it was interesting to see things from such a different perspective and I liked the way the two girl's stories gradually start to merge together. I have to admit that I didn't predict the way things ended!

When Savannah and the others are trying to catch up with the rest of their group they come across another survivor Cole. Cole is searching for his uncle who he believes he may be with the survivors from Savannah's town and it is desperately important that Cole finds him. I have to confess I had mixed feelings about Cole, at times I thought he was really sweet but I never really felt like I connected to him. Since I knew he was keeping secrets I found it really difficult to decide if he was trustworthy or not and I found myself really annoyed with the way he put Savannah at risk. There was one point where I couldn't believe that Savannah was stupid enough to go along with his plans and I almost felt that if she was dumb enough to do as he said then she deserved whatever the consequences might be. I did find it interesting to see how different people coped in the situation though. You had very different groups all fighting for the same resources and I think that is only going to get more complex as the series continues. What confused me was the large militia group - they were so organised in many ways but then in others they took stupid risks. They came across as more of a mob at times but they were supposed to be what remained of the government & army which was kind of worrying. It's hard for me to say much more than that without giving spoilers so I'll leave it at that.

Mortality is an interesting start to Kellie Sheridan's Hitchhiker Strain series, there were a few problems that stopped me loving the book as much as I could have but it was still an enjoyable read and she has created an interesting world. I liked the fact she has created 2 different types of zombies and the way both came to exist was well thought out and felt realistic (as much as any zombie story can be believable that is!).  I will be keeping an eye out for future books in the series because I'd like to know how Savannah and Cole's story plays out.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review & International Giveaway: Protecting What's His - Tessa Bailey

She’s running from the law, and the law wants her bad.

The opportunity was just too damn delicious for Ginger Peet to pass up. The purse full of money she finds—$50,000 to be exact—could give her and her teen sister the new start they need. So she grabs the cash, her gothy sibling, and their life-sized statue of Dolly Parton, and blows outta Nashville in a cloud of dust. Chicago, here we come...

Turns out, Chicago has some pretty hot cops. Hot, intense, naughty-lookin’ cops like Derek Tyler, who looks like he could eat a girl up and leave her begging for more. And more. Tempting as he is, getting involved with the sexy homicide lieutenant next door poses a teensy problem for a gal who’s on the lam. But one thing is certain—Derek’s onto her, and he wants more than just a taste.

And as far as he’s concerned, possession is nine-tenths of the law.

Line of Duty Series:
Protecting What's His
Protecting What's Theirs (Novella in the Lovers Unmasked anthology)
His Risk to Take
Officer Off Limits
Asking for Trouble
Staking His Claim

Related Stories:
Unfixable (Standalone NA story featuring Ginger's sister Willa who originally appears in Protecting What's His and Protecting What's Theirs)
Riskier Business (Prequel to the new Crossing the Lines series which stars Ruby and Troy from His Risk to Take)

Visit Tessa Bailey's website for more information.

Review:
Ginger has spent years trying to raise her younger sister while their mother spends her time either drunk, high or just vanishing from their lives for long periods of time. She is sick of struggling to get enough money to buy food for them and of living in a house that is falling apart at the seems. When her mother passes out holding a massive wedge of money the temptation is too much to resist and Ginger takes the money to make a new start for herself and Willa. The girls leave Nashville far behind them and move to Chicago for a fresh start and to build themselves a stable home. On the run with stolen money and her under age sister the last thing Ginger wants is to catch the attention of the police but her new neighbour Derek is a sexy Lieutenant who is difficult to ignore. Derek knows that Ginger is hiding something and is determined to get to the bottom of it but he has no intention of handing her in. He has plans for Ginger but first he needs to gain her trust and help her find a way out of the mess she's gotten into.

I'm a massive fan of Entangled Publishing's Brazen line so I wanted to read Tessa Bailey's debut novel Protecting What's His from the minute I heard about it. I do love a sexy, domineering, alpha male and Derek fits that bill perfectly. I have to admit that there were a few instances where I felt his behaviour went a little too far though and unfortunately that did put me off him a bit. Thankfully his dirty talk was enough to keep me hooked though and boy does Derek know how to make a girl swoon! I have to include a couple of my favourite quotes here just to prove it:

"Let me be clear, Ginger, since you insist on talking in circles. I want you underneath me in my bed. I want to be buried inside you so deep that I have to remind you of your own name."

“Baby, I don't need an excuse to cuff you. I just need the opportunity.”

“The longer it takes me to get between your thighs, the rougher I'm going to be when I finally get there. Understand?”

Ginger is a great heroine, she is incredibly caring and protective of the sister that she has basically raised. Ginger never really got to have a childhood herself but she has always done as much as she could to protect Willa from the nasty side of life and she wanted this fresh start mainly for Willa's sake. You have to admire her determination to make something of their lives and get them away from their difficult start. One of my favourite things about the book was the relationship between Ginger and Willa, they have a strong bond and the pair of them are full of snark and sarcastic banter which made for amusing reading.

Although I felt Derek came on too strong at times and some of his behaviour would surely have lost him his badge if his bosses had found out about it I did still think he was good for Ginger. She was so wary of ending up like her mother that she pushed everyone but Willa away and she believed that she would always have to do everything on her own. She needed someone who was going to stand his ground and not let her walk away and Derek was willing to do that, he knew when to give her space and when to push her for more which helped him break through her tough outer shell.

Protecting What's His is a great debut from Tessa Bailey and the start to a promising new series that I'll definitely be continuing when the next book is released. If you're a fan of contemporary romance and like your men to be alpha to the extreme then you're going to love this book.

Source: Received from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:



Giveaway Details:

As part of the blog tour I'm excited to offer one of my followers an ebook copy of Protecting What's His thanks to Entangled Publishing.

• One winner will receive a PDF copy of Protecting What's His by Tessa Bailey.
• The winner's prize will be sent out directly by the publisher Entangled Publishing so by entering the giveaway you are agreeing that I can give you email address to my contact if you are the winner.
• To enter please use the rafflecopter widget below, there are optional extra entries for following or tweeting about the giveaway but these are not required to enter.
• Duplicate and invalid entries will be deleted and the winners will be chosen at random from all remaining entries.
• The giveaway will close at Midnight GMT on the 9th of April 2013 and the winner will be contacted soon afterwards with their prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Scarlet - Marissa Meyer

Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other.

Meanwhile, in New Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive - when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of vicious Queen Levana.

As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder and a new one unravels. Together they must challenge the evil queen, who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner . . .

Lunar Chronicles Series:
Glitches (free prequel short story can be read online here)
The Little Android (free short story can be read online here)
Cinder
The Queen's Army (free short story can be read online here)
Scarlet
Cress
Carswell's Guide to Being Lucky (free short story can be read by signing up for Marissa Meyer's newsletter)
Fairest
Winter

Wires and Nerve:
(Graphic novel series staring Iko set after the events in the Lunar Chronicles books)
Wires and Nerve Volume 1
Wires and Nerve Volume 2: Gone Rogue

Visit Marissa Meyer's website for more information

Check out the Scarlet book trailer below:


Review:
Although this review will be spoiler free for Scarlet I am working on the assumption that if you're reading this you've already read Cinder. If you haven't then look away now because there will be spoilers ahead if you don't. Now we've got the warning out of the way let's get back to the actual review.

I really enjoyed Cinder when I read it last year so I couldn't wait to get my hands on Scarlet, I knew it would be a great read but it managed to blow me away. If you thought Cinder was good then you've not seen anything yet because Scarlet was absolutely fantastic! Seriously, my only disappointment with this book is that I've got to wait a whole year to get my hands on Cress. Marissa Meyer has masterfully woven two different plot threads so that you get to follow both Cinder and Scarlet on their adventures, although both girls are facing very different challenges the threads eventually weave together as they discover a common enemy.

Cinder was imprisoned as a traitor at the end of the last book and she is awaiting exile to Luna at the order of Queen Levana. She knows that she will be killed if Levana gets her hands on her so her only option is to escape from prison. In hiding and on the run she must try to uncover more about her past to understand why Levana is so threatened by her. I love Cinder, she is so practical and no matter what is thrown at her she uses her brain to find a way around it. She is struggling to accept the discoveries she made in the last book, it has changed everything she thought that she knew about herself and her upbringing but she doesn't sit around moping. Instead she becomes determined to find out who helped to keep her hidden all of these years and just why she was given all her cyborg implants. We don't get to see as much of Kai in this book but Cinder has an unlikely companion to help her with her investigations. Thorne was absolutely brilliant and he added a lot of humour to the story (don't worry though - Marissa Meyer hasn't created yet another YA love triangle for us!). I did miss Kai but we have a few chapters from his POV scattered throughout the book and to be honest I don't think we needed more of his story at the moment.

Our other heroine in this tale is Scarlet, a young pilot who works delivering produce from her grandmother's market to local shops and restaurants. Scarlet's grandmother has been missing for several weeks and she knows that something terrible must have happened to keep her away from her home for so long. The police refuse to investigate thinking that her grandmother has left on her own accord so Scarlet knows that it is up to her to uncover the truth. Scarlet doesn't trust street fighter Wolf but she has good reasons to believe that he can help her find her grandmother so she has no other option but to request his help. The romance that develops between them as they try to track down her grandmother was delightful to watch and I have to admit to swooning over Wolf on more than one occasion! He's definitely my favourite hero of the series so far. As much as I loved Wolf he definitely has a darker side and he is keeping plenty of secrets from everyone around him which makes it hard to decide if he's trustworthy.

I don't want to say too much more about the story other than to tell you to go out and grab a copy immediately. If you enjoyed Cinder you're going to love Scarlet even more and I absolutely can't wait until Cress is published. This is quickly becoming one of my favourite series so if you like fairytale retellings or futuristic science fiction you need to read these books. I'm actually kind of jealous of people who haven't read these books yet because they still get to experience reading them for the first time.

Source: Received from Puffin in exchange for an honest review

Other reviews of this book:
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Paperback / Kindle:

Quick Review: The Queen's Army - Marissa Meyer

It is time. The boy must leave his family to serve in the Queen's army. To be chosen is an honor. To decline is impossible. The boy is modified. He is trained for several years, and learns to fight to the death. He proves to the Queen—and to himself—that he is capable of evil. He is just the kind of soldier the Queen wants: the alpha of his pack.

Lunar Chronicles Series:
Glitches (free prequel short story can be read online here)
The Little Android (free short story can be read online here)
Cinder
The Queen's Army (free short story can be read online here)
Scarlet
Cress
Carswell's Guide to Being Lucky (free short story can be read by signing up for Marissa Meyer's newsletter)
Fairest
Winter

Wires and Nerve:
(Graphic novel series staring Iko set after the events in the Lunar Chronicles books)
Wires and Nerve Volume 1
Wires and Nerve Volume 2: Gone Rogue

Visit Marissa Meyer's website for more information

Quick Review:
I'm a massive fan of Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series and I love the fact that she has written a couple of free short stories that tie in with the series. The first story, Glitches, shows how Cinder came to live with her adopted family and was a great series prequel and the second story, The Queen's Army, fits in before Scarlet and is the story of a young boy who is forcibly recruited into Queen Levana's army.

Z was taken from his family against his will and genetically modified before spending years training as a fighter with the rest of his pack. It was quite heartbreaking to think of all the things he's been through but I really enjoyed getting a bit more background information about the queen's soldiers and how they came what they are today. Anyone who has already read Scarlet will recognise a few familiar faces and I think I enjoyed this more because of that but you won't pick up spoilers if you read this first.

Fans of the series won't want to miss these short stories, I always love it when author's give something back to their fans in the form of extra scenes (especially when you don't have to pay for them!). You can read The Queen's Army on the Tor website here: http://www.tor.com/stories/2012/11/the-queens-army

Source: Read for free on the Tor website here.

Other reviews of this book:
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Review: Requiem - Lauren Oliver

Battling against a society in which love has been declared a disease, Lena now finds herself at the centre of a fierce revolution. But the Wilds are no longer the haven they once were as the government seeks to stamp out the rebels. And Lena's emotions are in turmoil following the dramatic return of someone she thought was lost forever...

Told from the alternating viewpoints of Lena and her best friend Hana, Requiem brings the Delirium trilogy to an exhilarating end and showcases Lauren Oliver at the height of her writing powers - emotionally powerful and utterly enthralling.

Delirium Series:
Annabel (Short Story)
Delirium
Hana (Short Story)
Pandemonium
Raven (Short Story)
Requiem

Visit Lauren Oliver's website for more information

Review:
Please note that while this review does not contain spoilers for Requiem it will talk about major events in Delirium & Pandemonium so please don't read any further if you're new to the series. Consider yourselves warned!

Requiem picks up Lena's story right after the ending of Pandemonium, she is still living in the wilds and helping plan the rebellion but life is becoming more and more difficult for the rebels. The society is becoming more organised in their plans to kill the resistance and they have started to bring the war into the wilds. With soldiers killing anyone they come across in the wilds and burning down any remaining buildings they find it isn't going to be easy for Lena and her friends to survive, let alone for them to plan future attacks. At the same time we also get to follow Lena's best friend Hana's story. Hana has been cured and is living a life of luxury inside the city while she prepares to marry the new mayor. Hana's life should be perfect but she is worried that the cure hasn't been fully effective. She also has questions about her future husband and whether he is really the man she thought he was.

I absolutely loved Delirium, I'll admit was a little upset with the direction the story took in Pandemonium but the shocking ending more than made up for that so I couldn't wait to read the final book in the trilogy. Now that I've read it I find myself left with mixed feelings about Requiem. I'm not really sure why but the first half of the book felt incredibly slow moving, it was only Lauren Oliver's beautiful writing that kept me reading. The last third of the book was fantastic though, once Lena and Hana's stories started to merge together things really took off and I was holding my breath in anticipation of what was going to happen. It isn't enough to tell you I was gripped, I just don't even have the words to describe how caught up in the story I was.

I was so excited by Alex's return, that was something I prayed for throughout the whole of Pandemonium so I couldn't have been happier with his shock appearance. What I wanted to see most in Requiem was more of Alex, I was never a huge fan of Julian so I wanted Lena back with Alex and for the pair of them to work things out. Alex was understandably going to be upset to see that Lena had moved on while he was gone but it was obvious that her feelings for Julian were nothing like her feelings for Alex. It's funny because I think I actually missed Alex more in this book, where he was there but not really there because he was acting so cold and distant, than I did in the last book where he only appeared on a couple of pages! Lena doesn't spend much time with Alex because he pushes her away but she doesn't really spend much time with Julian either. A lot of the time Lena is just sitting around trying to decide which boy she likes most and who she should be with which I found frustrating and a bit boring if I'm honest. I'm just so over books with love triangles, especially ones where it is so obvious who the main character really wants to be with.

I did find it interesting to have the two completely different points of view though (although I would have loved a few chapters from Alex's POV thrown in for good measure!). It allowed us to see both what was happening in the wilds and inside the city and it made it clear that neither side was completely right in their actions. I have never been a big fan of Hana because I felt she was spoilt and selfish, especially after the way she betrayed Lena, but I actually started to understand where she was coming from a little better through reading her POV. I still don't think her actions were excusable but at least she tries to make up for it and I think she has come to realise that she shouldn't have behaved in the way she did. I even found myself feeling quite sorry for her at times, as much as her life looks perfect from the outside it really wasn't as good as it seemed and she was surrounded by some very nasty characters who made it quite clear that if she didn't act in the way she was supposed to then they considered her expendable. I felt she was quite brave to investigate what was going on in spite of the risk to her life.

Overall I have to say that Requiem wasn't my favourite book in the trilogy but it is still full of the beautiful writing that I've come to expect from Lauren Oliver and I'm glad to know how the series ended. Lauren has left things quite open which I know some fans will love because it will allow them to decide in their own minds what happens next. Personally I prefer a more complete ending, possibly because I lack the imagination to create my own in as much detail as I would like, but I do have a very clear idea about how I would tie up a couple of situations! If you're a fan of this series then you won't want to miss this one and if you buy the UK hardback it also includes a short story from Alex's POV at the end. I'm never going to complain about spending more time with Alex even if it was hard to hear about all the things he went through after he was shot and locked up in the Crypts! I'm still a huge fan of Lauren Oliver and I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Source: Received from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review, I was also sent a print copy by Hodder & Stoughton.

Other reviews of this book:
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Hardback / Kindle:

Review: Bonds of Trust - Lynda Aicher

After ending her passionless marriage, Cali Reynolds is eager to live out her forbidden fantasies. Her first step is attending new members' night at The Den, the most exclusive sex club in town. Perhaps here she can find a man who understands her desire to be dominated….

At first, Jake McCallister thinks Cali has come to his club for the wrong reasons. But when he discovers she is seeking fulfilment after years of denial, he's intrigued—and takes it upon himself to initiate her into the pleasures she's been missing.

Her first encounter with Jake is everything Cali has always craved, and more; she's not prepared for the feelings he inspires in her. And Jake is just as surprised by his overwhelming attraction to Cali. As their play intensifies, so does their bond. Now, Jake doesn't want anyone but Cali—but is he ready to officially claim her? And will she submit to being his forever?

Wicked Play Series:
Bonds of Trust
Bonds of Need
Bonds of Desire
Bonds of Hope

Visit Lynda Aicher's website for more information

Review:
Cali spent the 22 years of her marriage feeling sexually unfulfilled, her husband wasn't interested in sex with her and he made her feel that her desires to be dominated in bed were shameful. Now that she is divorced Cali wants to experiment with her sexuality so she decides to join an exclusive BDSM club. Jake is a Dom and one of the joint owners of the club, he is asked to interview Cali before she is allowed to attend a new members night to decide which of their Doms she would be most suited to. Although he worries that Cali isn't really prepared for what being a sub involves he finds himself incredibly drawn to her and decides to introduce her to the delights of Dominance and submission himself. Jake has always been happy to play but has never been interested in taking on a permanent sub before Cali but there is something about her that makes it impossible to let her go.

I really enjoyed reading Bonds of Trust, this is a fairly light introduction to BDSM but that makes perfect sense when it comes to these particular characters and I have a feeling that the books are only going to get more intense as the series continues. Cali is completely new to the scene, she has no idea what she will enjoy she just knows she wants someone else to take control in the bedroom. Her confidence is at an all time low after the way her husband reacted to her and she feels ashamed of her own desires. She desperately needs someone who will be patient with her and take their time helping her discover what she enjoys. Jake is the perfect man for the job he may be a Dom but he is actually a lot less severe than most of the Doms I've come across. He lets Cali get away with a lot but I think that is because he recognised how skittish she was and knew that if he came on too strong he would only scare her away. I would have liked to have seen their relationship a few years down the line just to see how things have changed between them but perhaps we'll get glimpses of them as the series continues.

I loved the scenes in the club, they are sexy and hot without being too overwhelming so I think this would be a good story for anyone who is fairly new to BDSM. If you're used to books that really push your boundaries then this story may not be heavy enough for you but if you want something lighter then this will hit the spot. As a side note I have to mention that I loved the relationship Jake has with his foster brothers (& fellow club owners) Deklan and Seth. I do love seeing close male friendships and I'm looking forward to reading both of their stories. This is the first book I've read by Lynda Aicher but I can't wait to read more in this series.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
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Kindle:

Review: Wolf Nip - Vivian Arend

Cat got your tongue?

Tessa Williams is looking to make her mark outside the family business, and the unusual landlocked paddle wheeler she spots in Haines, Alaska, strikes her as the perfect location. Only the owner is being difficult, refusing to sell. Still, she’s sure that replacing her written queries with a little in-person charm is all she’ll need to shortly have her Eco-tour B&B on the road to success.

Local wolf-slash-owner of said vessel, Mark Weaver, isn’t hanging on to the landmark building out of spite. There are more reasons for holding back the sale than are easily explained on paper. A face-to-face meeting to resolve the matter only confounds it—when Mark recognizes Tessa as his mate.

But she’s a cat…and cats don’t do insta-mates.

The sexual attraction between them isn’t in question, just everything else. He wants her. She wants twue wuv. His wolf can’t figure out what the holdup is. Her cat thinks the entire situation, and the pack, are rather amusing.

Somewhere in here is the beginning of a beautiful relationship—if they don’t drive each other mad.

Warning: One hyper cat, one laid-back wolf. Inappropriate use of permanent markers, and a heaping side dish of cat/dog jokes. Shenanigans (read: nookie) in front of a roaring fire. Spiced liberally with sarcasm. Enjoy!

Granite Lake Wolves Series:
Wolf Signs (Novella)
Wolf Flight (Novella)
First Howl (Short Story free on Vivian's website)
Second Howl (Short Story free on Vivian's website)
Wolf Games (Novella)
Wolf Tracks (Novella)
Wolf Line (Novella)
Wolf Nip (Novella)

Takhini Wolves Series:
(This is a spin off from the Granite Lake Wolves series but can be read separately)
Black Gold
Silver Mine
Diamond Dust
Moon Shine

Takhini Shifters Series:
(This is a spin off off the Granite Lake and Takhini Wolves series but can be read separately)
Copper King (Novella)
Laird Wolf (Novella)

Visit Vivian Arend's website for more information

Review:
Tessa wants to break out of the family business and create something of her own, she doesn't have the sea legs to work on their cruise ships but she spotted the perfect location for the B&B she would love to open. She has her heart set on buying the property but the owner hasn't seemed very open to her plans so she has travelled to Alaska to try and convince him in person. Mark has his reasons for not selling his home but he's come around to the idea of having a business partner so a face to face meeting seems like the ideal way to sort things out. Matters are complicated when Mark recognises Tessa as his mate. All of his wolf instincts scream at him to claim her immediately but Tessa is a cat shifter who doesn't believe in true mates and she isn't going to accept him easily. She wants to be wooed and fall in love naturally but waiting isn't going to be easy for Mark.

Wolf Nip is the sixth book in the Granite Lake Wolves series and although each book focuses on a different couple and can be read as a stand alone I would still recommend reading the books in order so you can fully immerse yourself into the world Vivian Arend has created. This is such a fun series to read and this latest book was no exception. Anyone who is familiar with the earlier books will know to expect humour and sarcasm and this cat / wolf pairing definitely creates plenty of room for the pack to make cat & dog jokes!

We met Tessa in the previous book where she was in charge of the cruise ship where Keri and Jared met. She may be a cat shifter but as Keri's best friend Tessa is used to being around wolves and she saw the mating bond in action with Keri and Jared so she has an idea about the way Mark is feeling. Unfortunately she just doesn't have the same physical response to him, she's drawn to him and finds him attractive but she doesn't love him and she isn't willing to rush into anything when there is no emotion involved. Mark suffers physically because he can't claim Keri but he never tries to rush her decision. He is so caring towards her and he is determined to do whatever it takes to prove how good things could be between them if she'll give him the chance. I really liked the way he had to work to win her around and I enjoyed the build up of heat between them as they got to know each other.

If you're a fan of this series then you'll love Wolf Nip, it's a really sweet romance between a lovely couple that is full of humour and also gives us a chance to catch up with some of the pack members who we already know and love. I really hope we're going to see more instalments to the series in the future! If you're new to Vivian Arend then you're missing out so grab a copy of Wolf Signs today.

Source: Purchased

Original Cover

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Kindle:

Review: Wolf Line - Vivian Arend

"Into the best-laid plans a little chaos must fall "

Jared is not sure how his quiet morning coffee near the harbour ended with him on a cruise ship impersonating one of his pack mates. Well, it might have something to do with a woman, but who can blame him? The female of the species was made to love, and he s more than willing to share his considerable skills in that area. Especially since he figures the chances of meeting his own one-and-only are slim.

Keri Smith is positive the last-minute recruit sneaking aboard the Arctic Wolf Cruise Lines tour is her mate. Ix-nay on confirming that, though, at least for the next ten days. She's promised her best friend to be overall troubleshooter for the shifter-only cruise. Getting tangled up in mating lust would reduce her skills to nil. Avoidance of the sexy wolf for the duration of the cruise, followed by jumping his bones, seems the logical solution.

But when libidos are on the line, logic and wolves don t go together. Throw in suspicions of wrongdoing, and these two virtual strangers will need a lot more than luck to find their way through to forever.

Warning: Really? You need to be warned about the hot nookie and sarcasm? Yeah, it s in here. Also colourful cat shifters, lupine royalty, and wild adventures in cabins like you've never seen before.

Granite Lake Wolves Series:
Wolf Signs (Novella)
Wolf Flight (Novella)
First Howl (Short Story free on Vivian's website)
Second Howl (Short Story free on Vivian's website)
Wolf Games (Novella)
Wolf Tracks (Novella)
Wolf Line (Novella)
Wolf Nip (Novella)

Takhini Wolves Series:
(This is a spin off from the Granite Lake Wolves series but can be read separately)
Black Gold
Silver Mine
Diamond Dust
Moon Shine

Takhini Shifters Series:
(This is a spin off off the Granite Lake and Takhini Wolves series but can be read separately)
Copper King (Novella)
Laird Wolf (Novella)

Visit Vivian Arend's website for more information

Review:
Jared finds himself in hot water as he is chased through the town by the family of his latest girl. He sees the cruise ship in port and thinks it would be the perfect place for him to hide out for a few minutes and until the coast is clear but when the ship leaves before he can make his exit he realises he's going to have to make the best of things. Thankfully one of his pack mates failed to turn up for their holiday job so Jared is able to take his place. Tessa is on the ship to act as a troubleshooter and make sure everything runs smoothly for her friend's first trip as the new cruise director. As soon as Tessa spots Jared she is pretty sure he is her mate but with a thief on board she really doesn't have time to act on her instincts and take him to bed. Can they work together to discover who is up to no good?

I love Vivian Arend's Granite Lake Wolves and I'd been looking forward to Jared's story since we first met him. As the majority of Wolf Line is set on a cruise ship we don't get to see quite as much of the rest of the pack as we're used to and I did find myself missing the pack banter a little. Even without that I thoroughly enjoyed Wolf Line though, it actually made a nice change to have such a different setting for the story and it was a good way of bringing some new characters into the series. If you've enjoyed the earlier books in this series then you're definitely going to love this one just as much.

Jared is fab, he is very laid back and easy going but has always been a bit of a player when it comes to women. He isn't in a rush to find his mate but the moment he realises that he's found her he starts to realise what he has been missing all these years. Keri was great too, she is working hard to make sure everything runs smoothly to keep the pressure off her best friend. As much as she wants to act on her attraction to Jared she is worried about letting her friend down, she doesn't just abandon her responsibilities no matter how tempted she is to do so. I'm not always a fan of insta-love but I don't mind it so much in paranormal romances and it always works well in this series. There is something I find very appealing about the mating bond between these wolves! The physical connection between Jared and Keri is intense but I really enjoyed seeing them get to know each other too. There are a couple of hilarious misunderstandings between them but I loved the fact that even when they both thought that the other was up to no good their first instincts were to protect their mate and find a way to fix the mess they thought they'd got themselves into.

If you haven't discovered the Granite Lake Wolves yet then this is a series I'd highly recommend for when you're looking for a fun and hot read full of sexy shifters. I have loved all of the stories so far and can't wait to read the next one. I do think you could pick this book up even if you haven't read the rest of the series but I'm sure once you've tried this one you'll be going back to the beginning and working your way through the rest!

Source: Purchased

Original Cover

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Kindle: