Thorn - Review

Thorn - Dauntless Path #1

by Intisar Khanani

What they say: For Princess Alyrra, choice is a luxury she's never had ... until she's betrayed.

Princess Alyrra has never enjoyed the security or power of her rank. Between her family's cruelty and the court's contempt, she has spent her life in the shadows. Forced to marry a powerful foreign prince, Alyrra embarks on a journey to meet her betrothed with little hope for a better future.

But powerful men have powerful enemies--and now, so does Alyrra. Betrayed during a magical attack, her identity is switched with another woman's, giving Alyrra the first choice she's ever had: to start a new life for herself or fight for a prince she's never met. But Alyrra soon finds that Prince Kestrin is not at all what she expected. While walking away will cost Kestrin his life, returning to the court may cost Alyrra her own. As Alyrra is coming to realize, sometime the hardest choice means learning to trust herself.

Thorn will be re-released by HarperTeen.

More info

What I say: I didn't read Thorn when it was first published but I really enjoyed reading the rereleased Harper Teen edition. 

I have to admit I've read a lot of YA fantasy stories recently where the main character has been difficult to like, but thankfully there's something awkwardly charming about Alyrra, the reluctant princess. The story itself is a retelling of the Goose Girl. Don't worry, if you haven't read it I won't spoil either story for you.

Alyrra has suffered at the hands of a family who are supposed to support and love her. As a princess she's seen as a burden and her only role is to be married off to form an alliance with another kingdom. As a result, she's weary of royalty and is distrustful of those in positions of power. A series of events sees Alyrra find a newfound freedom and a different role. From princess to goose girl she is caring, fierce and determined in both roles. I found her believable and relatable and wanted her to find her true place in the world. There are a lot of secret reveals and betrayals throughout the story so be prepared for twists.

One of my favourite elements was the unusual romance. Alyrra is not sure of her feelings for Kestrin but she respects and admires him and what he stands her. He defies her expectations and can see her when others cannot. I liked the slow burn and sense of camaraderie between them.

The secondary characters are well written and developed. They really bring something to the story and enrich the world building to the point I found myself immersed in the narrative.

4.5 Stars in my Sky!

Waiting on Wednesday - Conversion

My W.O.W. post this week is for a rerelease/reissue...

Conversion

by Katherine Howe

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What they say: From the New York Times bestselling author of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane comes a chilling mystery—Prepmeets The Crucible.   
It’s senior year at St. Joan’s Academy, and school is a pressure cooker. College applications, the battle for valedictorian, deciphering boys’ texts: Through it all, Colleen Rowley and her friends are expected to keep it together. Until they can’t.
 
First it’s the school’s queen bee, Clara Rutherford, who suddenly falls into uncontrollable tics in the middle of class. Her mystery illness quickly spreads to her closest clique of friends, then more students and symptoms follow: seizures, hair loss, violent coughing fits. St. Joan’s buzzes with rumor; rumor blossoms into full-blown panic.
 
Soon the media descends on Danvers, Massachusetts, as everyone scrambles to find something, or someone, to blame. Pollution? Stress? Or are the girls faking? Only Colleen—who’s been reading The Crucible for extra credit—comes to realize what nobody else has: Danvers was once Salem Village, where another group of girls suffered from a similarly bizarre epidemic three centuries ago...
 
Inspired by true events—from seventeenth-century colonial life to the halls of a modern-day high school—Conversion casts a spell. With her signature wit and passion, New York Times bestselling author Katherine Howe delivers an exciting and suspenseful novel, a chilling mystery that raises the question, what’s really happening to the girls at St. Joan’s?

Reissue (this was first released in 2014) - Expected publication: June.

Pre-order:

Amazon UK * Amazon US

Book & Author links:

Website * Twitter 

Why I'm waiting on Conversion:

1. The reviews of the first release of the book are either really good or really bad - I'd like to see for myself.
2. The concept is interesting.
3. I like the cover.

New Release - SAFE HAVEN

SAFE HAVEN by Lauren Hawkeye is available now, but just for a limited time only! 
All proceeds go to Brenda Novak's Online Auction for Diabetes Research, so make sure you grab SAFE HAVEN now!

Amazon * Barnes and Noble

About SAFE HAVEN:

A fresh start...

It's been three years since Serena King learned to say no--no to the boys that were a desperate cry for help, no to the extra weight she put on in self defense, and most of all no to the abuse that has haunted her since she was fifteen. Now a sophomore in college, all she wants is to be normal. The last thing she expects is a guy who can make her want, well, everything.

A new guy...

Alex Blackthorn is a bundle of contradictions, a sexy dark haired badass who goes slow... deliciously slow. And despite the iron will that has gotten her through the last few years, Serena finds herself unable to ignore the heat that sizzles between them whenever they're together.

A dark past...

Serena never thought she could be involved in a relationship, but Alex makes her long for things she thought were out of her reach forever. When he finds out her secret... when he finds out what she did to keep herself sane... will he still want her, or he will treat her just like everyone else?

And Alex has secrets of his own.
**This book was previously released as Love Me For Me by Lauren Hawkeye/ Kate Laurens. It has been rewritten and features new scenes.**


Don’t forget to check out SWEET TALK, SWEET DREAMS and SWEET SEDUCTION, three limited edition collections from Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research, as well as LOVE THAT!, Brenda Novak's new cookbook with Jan Coad... read and help the fight against diabetes!

Amazon * Barnes and Noble

Excerpt:

“I’m Alex.” He didn’t let go of my fingers, and I was acutely aware of the heat pulsing from his into mine.

“Um. Hi.” I wanted to smack myself. I was so socially inept. Kaylee had gotten all the charm in our dorm room.

“You don’t want to drink that. Trust me.” He took the cup from my hand and set it on a nearby table. He had to lean in close for me to hear him, and when he did I smelled shaving foam, soap, and the faintest hint of cologne.

"Maybe I wanted it." The flash of irritation I felt was burned away in a blast of heat when his eyes strayed to my breasts, outlined in the fitted tank top. He did it so quickly that I almost missed it... and rather than being offended I felt myself responding, licking my suddenly dry lips.

The feeling I'd had when we'd studied at Daily Grind... I was right. He was attracted to me.

There was no question that I felt the same way.

"That's almost pure booze. You drink that entire cup and you won't even remember your own name." His stare was so intense that my mouth went dry. I ran my tongue over my lips to moisten it, and his eyes followed the gesture.

"It doesn't taste like booze. It tastes like sugar." The artificial sweetness still coated my tongue.

"It's vodka with an insane amount of juice crystals. It's mixed with the specific purpose of getting girls drunk." He raised an eyebrow at me. "You didn't think it was that strong, did you? This frat has it down to a science."

"Oh." I should have been more concerned about the fact that I'd been sips away from losing control, but when he looked at me like that, I couldn't think. “Um... are you part of this frat?"

“No.” He snorted with derision, then shook his head. “All they do is party.”

“You’re at a party.” I arched an eyebrow, taking a careful sip of my drink. In return he cast me one of those devastating smiles.

“Only because I thought you might be here.”

Oh my God. My stomach did a slow roll, sending adrenaline coursing through my body.

“Dance?" Startled by the request, I looked quickly over at Kaylee. She was giving me a very unsubtle thumbs up, and with only that to bolster my courage, I nodded before I could over-think it.

Lacing his fingers through mine, he led me through the crush of people dancing to a song that seemed to be an ode to the plastic cups that everyone was drinking from.

He smiled at me when we found a space and he turned to face me. He kept his hold on my hand, but his other came to rest gently on the indentation of my waist. I had to swallow my gasp at the light press on my skin.

I'd been touched plenty, but never like this.

 
Author Spotlight:

Lauren Hawkeye/ Lauren Jameson never imagined that she’d wind up telling stories for a living… though when she looks back, it’s easy to see that she’s the only one who is surprised. Always “the kid who read all the time”, Lauren made up stories about her favorite characters once she’d finished a book… and once spent an entire year narrating her own life internally. No, really. But where she was just plain odd before publication, now she can at least claim to have an artistic temperament.

Lauren lives in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada with her husband, toddler, pit bull and idiot cat, though they do not live in an igloo, nor do they drive a dogsled. In her nonexistent spare time Lauren can be found knitting (her husband claims that her snobby yarn collection is exorbitant), reading anything she can get her hands on, or sweating her way through spin class. She loves to hear from her readers!

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Before We Fall Release Day Blitz

BEFORE WE FALL 

by Courtney Cole

(November 4, 2014; Forever Trade Paperback; $12.00)

Sometimes before we fall . . . we fly.

One dark moment was all it took to turn twenty-four-year-old Dominic Kinkaide's world black. On the night of his high school graduation, a single incident changed him forever, and he became a hardened man-famous in the eyes of the world, but tortured inside. Now all he cares about is losing himself in the roles that he plays.

At twenty-three years old, Jacey Vincent doesn't realize how much her father's indifference has affected her. She is proof that sometimes it isn't one specific moment that wrecks a person, but an absence of moments. She tries to find acceptance in the arms of men to fill the void-a plan that has worked just fine for her, until she meets Dominic.

When jaded Dominic and strong-willed Jacey are thrown together, the combination of his secrets and her issues turns their attraction into the perfect storm. It could change their lives for good-if it doesn't tear them both apart...

Buy Links:

B&N * BAM * IndieBound * iBooks * Amazon 

Author Spotlight:

Courtney Cole is a New York Times and USA Todaybestselling author who lives near Lake Michigan with her family.  She's always working on her next project... or staring dreamily out her office window.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

I received a copy of Before We Fall from Forever via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review! 

Review originally posted here on 27th Dec 2013.

What I say: I really enjoyed Courtney Cole's other books in her Beautifully Broken series and I couldn't get the Before We Fall blurb out of my head. Cole take's her readers on a pretty dark journey in this instalment. Although I wasn't always expecting the direction the story went, particularly with Dominic, I found myself hooked by the confusing and often disturbing world some of her characters reside in.

Dominic is a spoilt actor with a dark past and an even darker present. He's rich, famous and beautiful, but he's also sorta disturbed (according to himself) and is trapped by horrible memories. Dom's brothers are in a famous band and the three of them most definitely do not live a normal life. At one of his brother Sin's (great name) parties he meets Jacey (Gabe's sister and Maddie's best friend from book 2), who is still coming to terms with her part in the horrific events in the previous book. 

I don't want to spoil anything by revealing too much of the plot so I won't go into details about Dom's issues or why he's like he is, but I will point out that Before We Fall goes deeper into non mainstream sexual desires than I was expecting (it's not an erotica book, but Dom has some kinky idea's surrounding sex). Dom is surrounded by self-loathing and despite his successful career and cocky persona he had no self-worth.

When Jacey and Dom meet, he is very drawn to her natural charm and beautify, yet doubtful of her goodness. Jacey blames herself for everything that happened with Jared in the last book and relies heavily on Brand. I had previously been hoping Jacey would end up with Brand but totally changed my mind once we met Dom in all his disturbing glory.

Before We Fall is cleverly written because just when I though I'd figured everything out, then Cole would throw in another twist and mix things up. I really enjoyed the story and found myself drawn to both Jacey and Dom. They have both suffered a lot and have sabotaged themselves in the past but I really wanted them to find a HEA.

4 Stars in my Sky!


My fav non-spoilery quotes:

• I'm sitting right smack in the middle of a group of prostitutes. Fun fact: they're all wearing more clothing than me.
• If two consenting adults do deviant things to each other in the dark, did the deviant things actually happen? There's a question for the ages.
• I shouldn't be happy about anything concerning Jacey. Because once I'm through with her, there won't be anything left to smile about. There never is.
• I can't help but smile, just a little, just enough to pull the corners of my mouth up. "Dominic will do. I tend to drop the 'f**king.' Unless of course, I'm actually f**king."

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Written In Blood Tour & Review

Written In Blood by Elaina Lee

Romantic Suspense Date Published: Jan 1, 2011 (Re-published June 2014)

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 Written in Blood: A dark and sensual, award winning, romantic suspense.

Lyndi Crisdean is assigned one of the hardest cases in her career as a defense attorney. A serial murder case. Investigating is Alek Trevian, the lead investigator for the district attorney, and a handsome and supremely dangerous man. Lyndi finds herself in over her head when she chooses desire for Alek over common sense. If they're caught, Lyndi will lose everything she's worked for. Circumstances beyond her control pull her toward Alek, for he turns out to be the only one who can help when threats start to mount against her.

Lyndi may be the key Alek needs to bring down a murderous cult running loose in his city. When her beach house is broken into and a man begins to tail Lyndi, Alek can't help but reason Lyndi may be next on the cult's hitlist. The question is, will he discover the identity of the cult, keep her safe, and still win the case against the serial killer she's defending, all while losing a battle against the strong, untamable desire she alone ignites within him?

Buy Links: Amazon * B&N * iTunes

Author Spotlight: 

I'm Elaina Lee, romance writer. Since given an assignment in the 6th grade to write a fantasy story, I knew writing was a passion I'd never be able to do without.  From that moment on my imagination took flight.  Over the years I've written everything from the Dark Ages to Science Fiction, all with romantic elements, of course ;-).

As a mother of two boys, a kindergartner and high schooler, life is never boring in my house!  When I'm not keeping a little one out of trouble, or trying to keep my sanity as a boy migrates into a man, I write.  I'm very fortunate to have met my remarkable husband who has supported and encouraged my dreams of being an author since the day we met. 

Thanks for taking the time to learn about me!   

Website * Facebook * Blog * Amazon Author Page

Excerpt:
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!

“What floor?” he asked when the elevator began to descend. 

“What floor?” Lyndi repeated, exasperated. Slamming her hand against the stop button, 
she brought the lift to a squealing halt. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

 His lips shifted into a smile. He stepped closer. Lyndi braced her back against the wall. 
Her hands curled around the brass railing. 

“You’re thinking I should have introduced myself last night,” he said. 

“No, that would have been too polite for you.”

 He grinned, and Lyndi wished he hadn’t. She thought him dangerously handsome before; 
now he was fatal. 

“You just caused a scene in front of half the courthouse; I don’t think my behavior should 
be the one judged at the moment,” he said.

 “I caused a scene because of your behavior, Mr. Trevian.” 

“Ah, you know me... see, I said you did. Feel free to call me Alek.”

 Lyndi wanted to smack him. The laughter dancing in his eyes made her stomach burn. 
“No, I don’t know you. My assistant told me your name.”

 Leaning in closer to her, he braced a hand above her head. “My mistake. Allow me to 
introduce myself then. I’m Alek Trevian, lead investigator for the district attorney.”

“I know who you are,” she said between clenched teeth. A hint of leather, musky oak, 
cedar, and traces of citrus made her want to close her eyes and breathe in deep. Of 
course he’d smell as appealing as he looked. 

“You just said...” 

The man was infuriating. She couldn’t think with him standing so close. “I didn’t know 
you personally. I didn’t even know what you looked like until last night, and I wasn’t 
aware you were Alek Trevian.”

 His dark brows drew together. “You say my name like I’m someone important.”

 “In my world, you are.” She thought perhaps he’d step away from her then, because 
confusion lit his eyes and made the smile disappear. “You already know who I am, so 
surely you’d also know your name means trouble when mentioned in my circles.” 

Cloth rustled when he shifted slightly and he pushed his free hand into his pocket. 
His body moved nearer as he crossed one ankle over the other. Lyndi tried to move farther 
back, but the railing bit into her hip. His eyes wandered to her mouth. Under his gaze, 
her lips parted. 

“You didn’t come on this elevator to find out who I am, did you? You came to find out why I kissed you,” he said. 

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!

What I say: I don't read many contemporary romances with a thriller/crime/mystery twist so it was a treat to read something different in Elaina Lee's Written In Blood. 
Defence lawyer Lyndi is facing the toughest case of her career but finds herself attracted to Alek aka the-one-guy-she-definitely-cannot-ever-want! Alek is the investigator working for the defence in Lyndi's case - talk about a huge conflict of interest. A romance could ruin both of their careers but the extreme attraction is hard to fight. 

Not only does Lyndi have to fight her attraction to Alek but she has a murder case to defend whilst battling against an annoying ex husband, rude law partners and a psychotic stalker or two. Alek comes with an interest back story and has rather intriguing interests...

The main thing I noticed about Written In Blood is the intense chemistry between Lyndi and Alek. The sexual tension is pretty high and Alek is the king of innuendo.

The tension really builds and although I had my suspicions as to who was involved in the murder/crime I didn't totally guess. This is good because it means the plot isn't predictable. Written In Blood is clever, thrilling and full of sexual tension.

4 Stars in my Sky!

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