Tour Review : Wanted: Wife

 

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Wanted: Wife
Author: Lacey Wolfe
Publication date: July 15th , 2013
Published by: Beachwalk Press Inc.
Edition: E-book
Purchase from: Amazon / Nook / Beachwalk Press / All Romance / Kobo

Help Wanted: A Wife

Darcy White can't believe she's answering a help wanted ad from someone looking to hire a wife, but she's hit rock bottom and is on the verge of being evicted from her apartment. When she learns that the guy she had a crush on in high school is the one looking to hire, she'd be crazy not to live out her fantasy.

Steven McDonald needs a wife, or at least a fiancée, before his grandfather retires or else he won't inherit the family business. He knows not just any woman will do, and in a desperate attempt to find a solution, he places a help wanted ad in the local paper. The day Darcy White answers it, his dreams begin to come true.

As Darcy and Steven pretend they're engaged, they make a promise to keep things platonic. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to keep their hands off one another. With his grandfather's retirement approaching, and the possible end to their fake engagement, can Steven and Darcy admit their feelings to not only themselves but each other?

Content Warning: contains adult language and sensual love scenes

Received as part of a Blog Tour !

Darcy White is down on her luck, cut off from her family, with a closed down restaurant, no job and pretty soon with no home. So what does jobless and soon to be homeless Darcy decide to do to pay the bills? You probably read the synopsis so I'm going to get on with it. She answers a Help Wanted ad that pays really well. All she's got to do is pretend to be someone's wife!

Now here's where Steven McDonald enters, the hottie who posts the wacky ad. 

Steven loves working for his grandpa's apple orchard company. And he's soon to inherit the business himself! But ofcourse granddaddy sets an ultimatum, settle down and get married or get nothing. Desperate to please and not lose the orchard, he places an ad in the paper.... for a wife.

As it turns out Steven and Darcy know each other from high school and happened to be each other's crushes. Never acting on it ofcourse. Now that they have to act out the charade of being engaged,  they grow close, feelings develop, sparks fly and certain sensuous scenes take place.

Hurdles come along the way and threaten to separate them. But will love conquer all? 

You'll just have to read it won't you? ;)

This book was pretty fun really! It was an interesting premise certainly. The title is what really drew me to the book. There are quirky bits and funny bits that make you smile. Steven was ADORABLE!! Darcy was........nothing special really. She wasn't a bad character not at all. I'd knock down a star if she was. I just couldn't deal with her sometimes. Let's just say I adored Steven.

The concept and dialogs etc. were pretty enjoyable. The thing that held me back from enjoying this completely would have to be the slight disconnect I felt from the characters and book. I wasn't completely invested all the time.
Also Darcy and Steven seemed to minimal arguments. They had arguments, yes. But as much as I thought they really should? No. They do move in together I was expecting a LOT of arguments. But they seemed to take most of it in stride. Maybe that's just them.

Darcy and Steven as a couple were good. Darcy ever witty and strong and undeniably stubborn. Handsome, caring, confident Steven.  Overall the couple made the story a good read. Despite my negatives and enjoyable read for sure! Two people falling in love. What's not to love? 

Also check out the giveaway for a chance to win a $5 Amazon GC from Lacey Wolfe!

Rating: 3 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Review : The Goddess' Choice ( Kronicles of Korthlundia #1 )

The Goddess's Choice
Author: Jamie Marchant
Publication date:April 18th 2012
Publisher: Reliquary Press
Genre: YA Fantasy
Purchase from: Amazon, B&N

The crown princess Samantha fears she’s mad; no one but she sees colors glowing around people. The peasant Robrek Angusstamm believes he’s a demon; animals speak to him, and his healing powers far outstrip those of his village’s priests. Despite their fears, their combined powers make them the goddess’s choice to rule the kingdom of Korthlundia.
Samantha's ability enables her to discern a person's character through their multi-colored aura, and Robrek's makes him the strongest healer the kingdom has seen in centuries. 

But their gifts also endanger their lives. Royals scheme to usurp the throne by marrying or killing Samantha, and priests plot to burn Robrek at the stake. Robrek escapes the priests only to be captured by Samantha's arch-enemy, Duke Argblutal; Argblutal intends to force the princess to marry him by exploiting Robrek's powers. To save their own lives and stop the realm from sinking into civil war, Robrek and Samantha must consolidate their powers and unite the people behind them.

Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Jamie Marchant. You are fabulous.

I love the fantasy genre, so when I received this one I certainly was excited what with that synopsis and that gorgeous cover. But I was pleasantly surprised as to how good this book was and how well the fairy-tale was integrated into it.

The Goddess' Choice is based on a Norwegian Fairytale, 'The Princess and The Glass Hill'. I'd never heard of it before so I took to the internet to find out more about it. Jamie Marchant mentions that the girl in the following fairy-tale is mentioned as nothing more than a prize handed off to the knight than manages to climb the Glass Hill and collect all the golden apples.

Boy did she make Samantha a lot more than that.
Samantha is a strong character from the get-go. I didn't like her very much in the beginning really. She didn't really seem to be really as good a princess as she really is. But she does make you root for her. Robrek is equally as strong as Samantha and though they both made me feel like punching their faces in I just couldn't help but root for them as I knew why they did behave the way they did. The things they went through. Gosh Robrek really does go through a lot.

If Robrek was at Hogwarts, he'd be a Gryffindor. Horribly brave and a whole lot of ego problems ;) .

This story has only the basics of The Princess and The Glass Hill. The rest is all her own. And the sheer brilliance of it!! The story line has it all a despicable villian Argbutal, romantic angst and drama, a few 18+ scenes.

Loved the characters, each of them had a well defined personality, even down to the those magical horses. If you like fantasy and sorcery this one is for you. Looking forward to the next book from Marchant.

I even had the pleasure of asking this great writer a few questions. Do head over to my Interview with Jamie Marchant to find out more about her book, what she's writing and herself.

Rating: 4 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Tour Review : Legacy of a Dreamer (Dreamer #1 )

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Legacy of a Dreamer ( Dreamer #1 )
Author: Allie Jean
Publication date: May 3rd , 2012
Published by: The Writer's Coffee Shop
Genre: YA Fantasy
Edition: E-book
Purchase from: Amazon / B&N / TWCS / iTunes

Chantal Breelan is a ward of the state, living under the care of a woman who is cold and heartless. Her past is a mystery, and her future is even more uncertain. She can’t recall why she had been taken from her parents and so she’s left with nothing but an empty hole where her childhood should have been. When she awakens from her nightmares, she’s left with terrible, violent images, as well as a boy whose face is oddly familiar, yet can’t be placed.

Scared and alone, Chantal begins to confide in an imaginary friend – a shadow in the shape of a man who stands in the corner of her room. She is comforted when she believes he listens to her.On her eighteenth birthday, Chantal is forced to leave her foster home. She moves to New York City, but the start of her new life doesn’t begin as smoothly as she’d hoped. In this environment, she faces a whole new set of challenges.

One night at a subway station, Chantal meets a young boy who runs away from her, and she’s compelled to follow him down into the tunnels. But this Rabbit Hole reveals a world where reality is a nightmare. Her dreams are clues to her future, and her life becomes twisted and dangerous when she learns that things that go bump in the night are not just in fairy tales and childhood stories.

Received as part of a Blog Tour !

When I initially saw the cover and the title, I believed this to be a contemporary novel and upon reading the vague synopsis seeming to hint at fantasy but don't really find that even during the beginning the book. And as soon as you hit the fantastical fantasy aspect, things took a turn for such awesome-ness. Let me stop being vague myself and get on with it!

Chantal Breelan is a ward of the state, an orphan treated badly by her foster parent and in addition is plagued by terrifying nightmares. As a result she creates an imaginary friend out of the shadows, named Nick, confiding in him about her horrible nightmares.

Soon after being kicked out of her Foster home on her 18th birthday Chantal and moves to NY city where she starts seeing shadows that seem to be after her life. 

Now here's where I'm thinking this girl's psychological  problems have finally gotten to her and she's falling apart. Oh boy........

So when she comes back to her apartment to find the dark evil shadows closing in, who should come out to save her but the warrior Nick himself. Now here's where everything gets going!

Nick who's real name is Mathias, is a warrior, the son of a fallen angel who breaks away from the evil one. He is her protector from creatures lurking in the dark. Chantal soon finds out that all she has known to be true has never been so, while as her nightmares are. Phew.
That's hard for me to grasp myself, imagine being the character!

Mathias was not mentioned in the synopsis, well a lot wasn't, but not knowing helped me enjoy the story in a different manner. Discovering things about Chantal as she and Mathias discovered it themselves.

The main characters are great and so are a few of the others.  
Chantal maybe confused and afraid yet is strong-willed and determined to find out everything she can and help the warriors as much. Mathias is just great. Caring, affectionate, protective. Perfect boyfriend material I say.
I really liked Damon too, one of the warriors working for the Evil one, after Chantal's life.
The romance between Mathias and Chantal was meh. Nothing special but it certainly didn't turn me off so there's hope yet! Looking forward to it actually.

I'll tell you this. This book is worth picking up. Allie Jean gives us a different read with lots of twists and turns that just keep you turning the pages and wide eyed at the developments. I loved this one! Especially the vivid nightmares. Like wow! Hats off to your imagination.

Nothing left to say other than, looking forward to the next one in the series!

Rating: 4 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Tour Review : Armored Hearts ( Armored Hearts #1 )

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Armored Hearts ( Armored hearts #1 ) 
Author: Melissa Turner Lee and Pauline Creeden 
Publication date: May 20th , 2013
Published by: AltWit Press
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Edition: E-book
Purchase from: Amazon / B&N / Smashwords 

When a crippled young lord rescues a girl falling from a tree, it reveals a secret about himself and his mother's side of the family that could put him at the center of a war with beings he thought only existed in fariytales.

Tristan Gareth Smyth lived his entire life stuck at home at Waverly Park and left behind while his Grandfather makes trips to London, all because of his blasted wheelchair.

Then an American heiress falls in his lap, literally, and he must find a way to keep her at a distance to protect not only his secret, but everyone around him from an assassin sent to kill him.

Received as part of a Blog Tour !

I certainly was pretty excited with the prospect of reading this book and was expecting an ordinary story set in Victorian England with a little steampunk involved. What I got was a fantstic adventure with fanatical elements and the fae. That's right, the FAE! 

It should obviously have crossed my mind that some form of magic would be involved when the girl falls from the tree and Gareth, the main character rescues her, after all he did freaking FLY! It did cross my mind but I chose not to ponder over it, and chose to be dimwitted and discovered it while going through the story which provided pleasure all the same. Perhaps I should use this tactic for every book I read? ;)

Armored Heart starts off in 1894, with twelve year old crippled boy who discovers he can fly when he saves a young girl falling off a tree. Years pass and Gareth is still the same, closed off never mingling with people and despising himself for his condition, his ability to fly being the silver lining. Tabitha, his aunt by relation, is the only one who knows the secret and looks out for him.

Soon Jessamine, Tabitha's friend from America comes to stay and is drawn to Gareth. Gareth wants to keep her away and wants to keep himself closed off from her too, thinking she only wants to be with him for his money.

Watching the two of them getting to know each other and interact was so pleasurable! Jessamine is stubborn and doesn't back down easily constantly trying to get Gareth walls to fall. The love that develops between them was lovely to read.

On the whole a fast read that might take a little time to get into. But it really does get interesting further on. the first book in a series, I'm anxious to see where this heads and hoping to see where the steampunk and paranormal elements from this collaboration of two authors goes forward.

There were obviously some low points like when Tabitha is rescued, which seemed too simple, being one of them. but which book doesn't have them.

I'd probably rate this a 3.5 but there was just something that clicked with me be it the characters and the possible relation to the fae. So here's where I give it that half a quill more.

Also check out the giveaway running for this book!

Rating: 4 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Tour Review : Mortimus Walker & the Secret of The White City

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Moortimus Walker And the Secret of The White City
Author: Zach Turner
Publication date: May 20th , 2013
Genre: Sci-Fi
Edition: E-book
Purchase from: Amazon

Morty is a One.  He's been laboring his entire life, but finally it's his sixtieth birthday.  Time for him to retire his old body and travel up through the clouds to the White City where he'll begin his new life as a One-Two.  He'll be given a new body and anything he wants as reward for his service.  But once Processing begins, things don't go exactly as planned.  Can Morty figure out the secret before he is lost in the System all over again?

Received as part of a Blog Tour !

This was certainly a pleasant surprise.. I wasn't aware when I volunteered to read this that this was to be a short story. I wish there was more for me to read! But then again I don't think there could be much more to it, but it would be greater if there was more. Am I even making any sense?

The whole book is about Mortimus Walker, a One and the arrival of his sixtieth birthday when at last he will leave behind his life of hard labour and reap the reward of giving back to his society. A second life without hardship or labour reaping the his much deserved life of freedom.

The world is run on a One-Two system. There's the One's who work for all of there life just giving and giving to their society , living on only basic amenities waiting for the next life that awaits them, their fruit of their hard labour. Then we have the Two's who live above the cloud of pollution that the One's see, in White City where they never work, and live as they wish in luxury.
The One's after finishing there life below then go on to live a life of fulfillment up in White City.

A very interesting concept that was cut short as it is after all a short story. But that ending.. Zach Turner! They do not deserve that! I had a premonition that something is just going to go wrong. But that end was just wow.

On the basis of a short story this ought to get 4 quills. But there was still something that left me wishing more. So here's me being a nit-picky brat with 3.5 stars. Science-fiction fans are bound to enjoy this! :D

Rating: 3.5 Quills 

quill design: QioDen

Tour Review : A Healing Love

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A Healing Love
Author: Tara Chevrestt
Publication date: May 2013
Genre: Romance
Edition: E-book
Purchase: Amazon

Kimberly Rogers vowed to fight a tragic past the only way  she knew how: she joined the Army and became strong. No  man would hurt her again. But a war wound sends her to her brother's in Cripple Creek, WY, with vision and hearing impairments.

Where as glasses can help her see and hearing aids can help her hear, nothing can force her to talk again. Is she really unable to speak, or is she hiding behind her disability to protect herself, her pride, and her heart? Regulated to the most menial of jobs, her world in shambles, Kimberly is finally convinced to seek medical assistance.

Carlos Medina is Jackson Hole's best therapist. If anyone can make Kimberly speak again, it's him. But Kimberly has to meet him halfway, and Carlos has his own past tragedy that the young, mute woman threatens to force him to conquer.

They both have wounds…and sometimes wounds must be reopened before they can heal. Can they open up to each other? Can Kimberly find her voice again and open her heart? Can love heal them both?

Received as part of a Blog Tour !

Kimberly is severely injured during her service in the Army in Iraq, by an IED that explodes close to her. It is her duty to guard the convoy delivering much needed medical supplies when upon hearing no response from her team members, she steps out to investigate why the convoy had stopped. She is soon met with a whimpering dog by the side of the road and Kimberly cannot bear to see the suffering animal and bends low to talk to it soothingly. She finally realizes, albeit a bit too late, that the dog IS the IED.

Kimberly finds herself heading to Wyoming to stay with her brother so she can recuperate. When she arrives, Kimberly hasn't spoken since her injury, she has experienced a loss in vision and hearing capabilities. Upon constant coaxing by her brother Kimberly finally decides to see a therapist. And here enters Carlos Medina.

Carlos wasn't expecting the petite, simple and pretty girl who needed her help. Kimberly certainly didn't expect therapy to go so well till she saw Carlos. The story goes on to show us how Kimberly lets go of her fears and doubts and rises to the occasion. How Carlos and Kimberly help each other overcome each other's tragic pasts and move forward.

A really good book with a few parts that went a little low. But then again every book has one. It was lovely to read about how the two help each other overcome each other's obstacles and doubts all the while falling for each other.


Rating: 3.5 Quills

quill design: QioDen

 

Review : Clockwork Angel ( The Infernal Devices #1 )

Clockwork Angel ( The Infernal Devices #1 )

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publication date: August 21st, 2010
Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Genre: YA Fantasy, Steampunk
Formats: E-book

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

May read for Young Adult Blogger Book Club. #YABBC 

It's been awhile since I've given a book a full 5 quills. 

I've been pretty nit-picky lately, but gosh did Clockwork Angel have it all ! I haven't read The Mortal Intruments... yet. And have been pretty hesitant about reading it too. So when I was told that I didn't have to read TMI to enjoy this one I was happy to board the train. But gosh, I didn't expect such loveliness! ;P

First off, it's Victorian London! There's just something about that era that compels me to read it. Add with the addition of my new-found interest in steampunk...

Let's try to keep this review short and sweet?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn't very well put it down. I had to keep turning the pages, needed to know more about Tessa and Will and Jem and all there is to know about shadowhunters.

Tessa the main protagonist, allows the reader to discover the shadowhunter world along with her. We feel her dread, her loss, her frustrations along with her. I enjoyed her voice as I did the rest of her characters. All the characters were so wonderfully written, be it Charlotte, Henry, Magnus, Thomas, Sophie, Jessamine .

Especially so the two boys, Will and Jem.

Will Herondale is the snarky, bad boy who you can't help but love and hate at the same time. He's got his secrets and angst and what not. I'd grow so frustrated every time the douche would not express his feelings or thoughts. Spit it out god dammit! 

He may be mean but I just knew there had to be a good reason behind his misguided actions. Yes I had many a urge to slap him now and then but *sigh*, soft-spot for bad guys you see.

And there's the lovely, lovely Jem Carstairs. He's a sweetheart I tell you. See's the silver-lining in any situation. There's a hint at a love triangle in the next book. Makes me apprehensive but I hope it's worth it.

This book has got kick-ass demon fighting, the clockwork creatures!, a great backdrop, great characters, had bits that might have been over the top in places. (Ah, who cares! You love these guys right?! ) and made sure I kept reading. That makes it a winner in my eyes. Clockwork Prince here I come!

Fans of TMI may or may not enjoy it as much the modern day counterparts since the shadowhunter theme is recurrent in those books too. But hey, this book has given me the drive to maybe read City of Bones.. finally... Atleast before the movie comes out.

*Spoiler Alert*

Before I finish, here's an extra from Cassandra Clare's website. Will's perspective on the attic scene. *wink wink*

So how did you find the book? Liked it as much or were you disappointed? Let me know. :)

Rating : 5 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Tour Review : To Stand Beside Her

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To Stand Beside Her
Author: B.Kristin McMichael 
Publication date: January 24th, 2013
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Edition: E-book
Purchase from: Amazon, B&N

To be the best courier in the world, eighteen-year-old Benét Leila follows three simple rules: always work alone, never stay in one place too long, and never fall in love. Too bad she didn't follow her own advice.

Leila is a courier. To the people she takes from, she is seen as a common thief; to the people she helps, she is a savior.

Nalick is your typical king. He's rich, powerful, and always assumed to be right. When Leila crosses paths with King Nalick, she finds herself trapped. In a rush to save her best friend Kay from a prison sentence for a crime Leila committed, Leila trades her hand in marriage in exchange for Kay’s freedom.

Tomboy Leila does not want to grow up, but in three months’ time, she will be married to King Nalick, if Nalick can keep his end of the bargain. First, Nalick must make Leila fall in love with him, a hard task since Leila is not ready to love again after losing her first love to a greedy king. Second, Nalick must keep her safe. He is not the only king trying to hold onto her. Leila has made many enemies over the years, and even more admirers that want her as a prize. Lastly, Nalick must convince Leila that ten years of love is better than a lifetime without. Unless Leila can trust her destiny, she might not reach her wedding day at all.

Received as part of a Blog Tour !

Okay, let's get straight to it.

Kristin McMichael is an author to look out for. There I said it. *Yay indie authors!*

I'm not saying this book is the best out there, but is it the worst. It's got sooo much promise! Action, adventure, romance, humour its all there.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one I'll tell you that. The story of the courier and her encounter with Nalick, her skills as a courier were very well described. This is really good for a first (or second, I'm not sure if this is her first or not..) book and isn't that cover really interesting as well? I was captivate at the beginning itself which is important sometimes but can also mean that the story has potential to go downhill from there. This didn't go downhill so to say, it was more like heartbeats, there were high's and a few low's.

I enjoyed the character's Nalick, Leila, Antonio and even his two buddies. Leila is stubborn and won't change her mind very easily when she's set her mind to it. Nalick is said to be arrogant, and just like the other big bad kings he just wants to have Leila as a prize, a mere possession. So why is it that Leila accepts getting  married to him? And fairly easily at that. She's supposedly supposed to accept a wee bit grudgingly, but soon realizes that he is gentle and caring at heart.

Nalick changes a little too, but that was expected as he DID want her to marry him didn't he? Other than the fact that the changes in their demeanors from dislike to like was pretty quick, that Leila didn't try to cause any significant tantrums or disruptions to delay her wedding and the obvious fact that something was going to happen to Leila. I mean it should, it was certainly leading up to it. I just didn't enjoy the fact that I was waiting for it going "It's coming, any moment now".

It certainly was not that much of a problem as the other characters had important and significant mysteries to reveal that really covered the above peeves really well.
And that end!!! It was soo good that I was willing to forget all the things I didn't enjoy! And yes I am a bit macabre in situations but that end was just so ... Bittersweet really. I wished it hadn't happened but I also couldn't see it without it. But I really wish there had been an alternate ending. Those of who might read my posts would know what happens to characters that begin to grow close to heart.......

All in all a great read! There's action, adventure, romance and a bit of humour. What more could you need?! I might have given it a 3.5, but it is soooo very close to a 4 . It would have a 3.85 rating if I could do that. But then again I'm a nit-picker so go ahead pick this one up and find out for yourself.

Also check out the giveaways for this book here!

Rating: 3.5 Quills (a veeerry close 4)

quill design: QioDen

Tour Review : Deer in Headlights ( Good Gods #1 )

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Deer in Headlights

Author: Staci Hart

Publication date: January 24th, 2013
Publisher : Promise Socks Publishing

Genre: Mythology, Paranormal Romance

Edition: E-book
Purchase from: Amazon.
Goodreads

What do the Greek gods do when they're bored? Because they're always bored, so humans are the perfect players in their games.

Aphrodite owns love; she hasn't lost a competition on her turf in over three millennia. Apollo is on a mission to win. He's counting on it to finally get the one woman he's never been able to have. The two gods will choose their human players, and if Aphrodite can't get them together before the clock runs out, Apollo will get his way. And Aphrodite couldn't have that.

Lex and Dean are perfect for each other, they just don't know it yet. Dean is a perpetual bachelor, and a brooding, beautiful rock star. Lex is always with a man, but she'll never fully give herself up. Aphrodite has her work cut out for her, but if she can't make it work, no one can.

The gods have their own drama. Apollo killed Aprhodite's mortal love - they've got beef that's been dragging on for thousands of years. Ares, the douchebag, is forever trying to pick a fight, and trying to get Aphrodite into bed. And Persephone, Aphrodite's best friend, is the one person who Aphrodite shares everything with.

Follow the gods as they fight, laugh, cry, lose love, gain power, and make a mess with humans.

Received as part of a Blog Tour !

Ooohh. Greek mythology with a sexy modern twist? And that B-E-A-utiful cover! Bring it on I say!

The Greek gods have been here since absolutely forever and are bored. Using mortals as players they hold
competitions against each, the winner receiving a token from the loser. This time it's Apollo and Aphrodite against each other. Apollo picks a male player Dean , beautiful rockstar, bachelor and manwhore. While as Dita chooses Lex , always in a relationship but never in love and  Dean is the one man she needs to avoid. Can Apollo keep them apart long enough and get the one thing he wants most in return or will they inevitably come together? Dita is after all the goddess of love.

This story was actually good! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the gods and their conversations. Sometimes it felt like they were trying to portray themselves a bit too modern, it was forgiven  they would adapt and not stay in the past forever now would they? So yes they have nicknames, there are references to Facebook, Steve Jobs, Call of Duty etc. We meet sweet Hephaestus (Heff), arrogant Ares, best friend Persophone (Perry), Hades and the others.

I enjoyed the gods far better than the human participants sadly especially Apollo. I've always imagined him far more adaptive and modern (and handsome ;) ) than the other gods.
Dean and Lex with their relationship were good certainly, but not as enjoyable as reading about the gods and their slightly clichéd but nonetheless enjoyable dialogs.

All in all this is more of a light hearted read with a mixture of mythology, love, and some sexy scenes. I enjoyed it thoroughly so pick it up would ya!

Also check out the giveaways for this book here!

Rating: 4 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Tour Review : Epsilon A.R

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Epsilon A.R
Author: Zackery Alexander Humphreys 
Publication date: January 24th, 2013
Genre: Sci-Fi
Edition: E-book
Purchase from: Amazon, B&N .
Goodreads

Hundreds of years into the future mankind has gone under-ground to relocate to Epsilon; a beautiful city run by a strong, secretive government that keeps its citizens in check by subtle manipulation and strict schedules. No one questions the city's authority and no one is unhappy.

ALN-896, an average man who is just trying to live a normal life, begins to have dreams; something strange and rare in Epsilon. In his dreams a man named Harry dies. ALN-896 shrugs this off as if nothing has happened. It was only a dream. The next day, however, he is suddenly arrested and sent to prison for killing Harry. Now inside prison, ALN-896 begins to learn about what the government of Epsilon has been doing and he plans on escaping. Not only from prison, but from Epsilon. This one decision turns him against everything he has ever known and forces him to face against centuries of lies. To escape means to live, but what will it cost?

Received as part of a Blog Tour !

 Epsilon is a community with strict routines. Everyone falls asleep and wakes at one time. An allotted time to get dressed. Automated vehicles to drive you to and from your assigned work. Food is made at a voice command. Laws dictating what he does, to what he must do. Each day the same as the rest. And no one questions their existence.

Until the fateful day that ALN-896 rescues a woman from a fire. After performing this forbidden act he is plagued by odd dreams. He soon finds himself arrested for the murder of his co-worker.

This was actually a really nice read! I enjoyed reading about Epsilon and how the lives of the people are dictated such that they can't even talk about certain subjects.

I found it a little hard to remember the 3 letter 3 number names of the citizens. I'd started reading ALN as Alan and was glad to find he is named the same at prison :D .

The story gets a whole bucket load of interesting when Alan is convicted for murder. The atrocities and what he has to face, at the same time unsure of whether he could have committed such a ghastly crime? Murdering  his friend and colleague?

So why the 3.5 and not a full on 4 quills? Because I found the ending left me hanging. I like that sometimes but I was a wee bit confused by the end as to what was happening really. So there you go!

All in all, an interesting read for Science Fiction and dystopia fans. You'll enjoy it.


Rating: 3.5 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Review : Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Author: David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

Publication date: October 26 , 2010
Published by: Knopf Books
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Formats: E-galley (Netgalley)

Goodreads

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

I received this one as an e-galley via Netgalley ofcourse. And I'll tell you this. This book is cute, sweet and funny too as a matter of fact, but.... Ah there's always the "but", it didn't make me think about it long after I closed it.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the exchange of dares taking place between Dash and Lily with the help of the red notebook. Of the two I enjoyed Dash's chapters far faar better than Lily's.

(Dash's chapters are written by David Levithan and Lily's by Rachel Cohn.. Umhm that's right.)

The story is not totally realistic but it is worth getting lost in the fairy-tale taking place with Dash and Lily. *Sigh* If only I'd find a red notebook of my own!

I enjoyed watching Lily lose her inhibitions and getting out of her comfort zone and Dash opening up to someone. There's even a little cinderella-esque scene in there with Lily's losing her aunt's one-size too big majorette boot behind.

What I didn't like? Something just felt incomplete. I couldn't totally let myself go and believe the story.

All in all it's a fun, light read for when you want a light-hearted christmasy romance.

Rating: 3 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Review : Beautiful Creatures ( The Caster Chronicles #1 )

Beautiful Creatures ( The Caster Chronicles #1 )

Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Publication date: Dec 1st, 2009
Published by: Little Brown Books
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Formats: E-book

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

April read for Young Adult Blogger Book Club. #YABBC 

Gosh that was something. I'm still confused about whether I like this one or not. 

It took me too long to read this one. A month.. An effing month! Everytime I put this book down, I never felt the urge to pick it up and get on with it. And I had to force myself really since I had to post a review. Which is actually really sad, because I genuinely liked the idea and everything.

I thought I would hate this one, but though it did nothing to make me go "Oh, give me more!" , it wasn't really all that bad either. I actually liked it, towards the END.  

Anywhoo, let's put down some likes and dislikes now.

What I liked :

 ·       The idea behind Casters, magic and the like.

       I loved that bit! The different kinds of casters, light and dark, all of that shebang. And I'm glad we weren't flooded with all these different kinds of creatures. Basic divisions- Light and Dark, Mortal and Caster. Ofcourse there's the Lilum and all the different powers in the Lena's family. But it was soo much more better than the romance could ever be!

And that Library! Enough said I think.

 ·       Macon Ravenwood

      I was waiting for this guy to show up. And he proved to be worth the wait. Which was long for me since I kept keeping the book down and took way too long to pick it up again.  He was my favorite character in here, and what happens to characters I like? It'll be a spoiler so I better shut it.

 ·       Male POV ! & Ethan Wate ( To a certain degree )

       Ethan's point of view was great. I think this was why I even managed to get towards the second half of the book.

 ·       Boo! And Ridley too.

     Okay the dog didn't do much indivisually. But I liked him. And I know he should be mentioned along with Macon, but I had to mention him separately.
And Ridley. God I loved that bitch. Lena's sickly sweet and dark dark cousin. They got that character down pat..

What I most certainly did NOT :

 ·       The Romance

     I'm not saying I don't like romance. Ofcourse I do! But this was just too much maybe? Too many soppy moments. And what was that scene in Greenbier where they behaved like a human see-saw? ( Will mention the line in the last point. ) I just wish we could find out more about Lena's family and ancestry and magic and maybe even more about Genevieve (Lena's great times four, grandmother).

 ·       Ethan and his dad

     *Sigh* What was going on with Ethan and his dad!? I wish we were told more about him really. I understand him becoming a shut-in because of losing his wife. But I never thought a woman like Amma would let him stay locked up in that room of his for an indefinite period of time. 

Amma was great. The parent Ethan needed and had. So what was his dad doing there anyway? Waste of space I tell you.

 ·       Connection with the characters

     *Sigh again* I didn't feel anything for anyone of them. Nil. Nada. Zilch. Not when Ethan's dad planned on jumping off, nor when the whole town went against a singular, sort-of defenceless 15 year old girl, nor during that "incident" with Macon Ravenwood towards the end. I liked him, very much so. But did I feel a twinge of sadness? Nope. I was pretty neutral really, as I was for pretty much all of the book.

 ·       Better writing? I'm not sure

     I'm not really sure what went wrong. There was the brilliant magic and creatures and characters and parts that made you want to join in. But I just couldn't get invested. Something was off and I'm still not sure what.

And that scene in Greenbier. 

“As I lay down, she sat up, I sat up, she laid down, I laid down. Awkward.”

I'm sorry. What just happened? I would've laughed at this but I didn't. I just sat and stared at the bit of text wondering what I was going to encounter further in.

            So all in all a good read? Umm..... Yes to a certain extent. The imagination of the authors and the magic, flashbacks etc was really good, and I absolutely enjoyed those bits. I can see the appeal of the many who liked this book. I think... But sadly I just failed to connect.

Will I be reading the sequel. Maybe.

 Rating: 3 Quills

quill design: QioDen