~REVIEW~ Runes by Ednah Walters

Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.

Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.

Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about Torin. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only are she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.

ADD TO GOODREADS

 

~MY REVIEW~

“True love transcends logic, Freckles. It’s a blending of minds and souls.”

“It makes us feel and see things in ways that normal people don’t. You don’t question it or try to understand it. You just accept it for the gift it is. "

The Plot

When Raine’s swim team is hit with a case of misfortune she starts to suspect that the new members in town have something to do with them. When she starts to notice the runes that are all around her she doesn’t act naïve and demands answers that she doesn’t get. The runes hold the answer to her questions but no one can reveal to her what they mean so for most of the book we spend it trying to figure them out. Along the way Raine must deal with her connection to all the events going on and her guilt over the horror that has befallen her swim team.  As well as the loss of her father, her love for her best friend and her growing feelings for her neighbor.

The Characters

Raine was such a wonderful heroine. She lives a typical normal teenage life. The only issues she has to deal with his her missing father and her crush on her best friend. But she is like any teenage girl and she enjoys her life. When the mysterious Torin St. James moves next door his cockiness and arrogance makes her furious but she doesn’t let him get to her. She was feisty and fought back when she needed to but always sweet and caring of those she loved.

Torin was just GREAT! He comes off as an arrogant bad ass but there is so much more to him. He has a destiny that he didn’t know he was choosing and has been living with the repercussions for eternity. When he moves next door to Raine he knows what his job is and holds no attachments to anything. That of course changes when he actually meets his new neighbor and is she doesn’t fall for his charm. So although it’s against the rules Torin breaks all of them realizing that his need to protect Raine transcends it all.  Like every girl in this book you will definitely swoon for Torin and fall in love with him as you learn more about him and his story.

Some of the secondary characters are equally as wonderful. Cora and Eirik are Raine’s best friend and through it all they are her biggest supporters. They all look out for each other and are there for each other through all the good and bad times.

The Romance

Okay so this book has a bit of a love triangle. Something I detest. But I like when there is really no competition just indecision. I adored Eirik, Raine’s best friend, he was caring and protective of her. It takes him a long time to get the nerve to finally take things to the next level but when he does he is wonderful. Unfortunately, he seemed very distant at times and secretive. I have my questions about him and wonder what his part is in this whole storyline.
Now Torin on the other hand was no match for Eirik. The moments between him and Raine were so intense and so funny. They both fought and loved passionately when together. The chemistry between them engulfed the pages and had you wanting more of them. So when things don’t turn out great or when they try to fight what is growing between them it is a sad and frustrating.

The Wrap-Up

I was blown away by the storyline and characters! Runes was a great start to this series and I can’t wait to continue! This book has great characters, a great storyline and a great cliffhanger that has me wanting to read more! If you are a fan of YA Paranormal Romance this is the series for you! Pick it up now!

Happy Reading!

~NEW RELEASE & GIVEAWAY~ Fighting for Infinity by Karen Amanda Hooper

FIGHTING FOR INFINITY,  the 3rd and final book in The Kindrily series by Karen Amanda Hooper, has been released!

BUY: Amazon

Synopsis

Every moment, every lifetime, every decision—including her choice to erase—has led Maryah to this.

Two outcomes are possible: an infinite happy-ever-after with her kindrily or
the final severing of her relationship with Nathan.

Closer to the enemy than ever before, Maryah unravels the diabolical plan that
Dedrick has been manipulating into place for centuries. Revelations, secrets,
and lies surface faster than Maryah can process. She doesn’t know who to trust,
what to believe, or how to save her loved ones from the desolate future Dedrick
is so close to executing.

Guided by an enigmatic raven-haired prisoner, Maryah fights body and soul to
save Nathan, her kindrily, and countless others. But is her love strong enough
to alter a prophecy written in the stars?

ADD TO GOODREADS

 Right now all Kindrily series ebooks are on sale in
honor of the trilogy being complete.

Book 1, GRASPING AT ETERNITY, is only $.99!

But hurry and grab your copies now because the price will go back up soon.

All books can be purchased at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.com

Karen is celebrating with a week-long Facebook party where many authors will be giving away free books and prizes. Go here to join. Karen will be giving away winner’s choice of a signed copy of any of The Kindrily books. 

You can enter using the Rafflecopter below, but she’ll also be giving away more prizes during her Facebook party running April 30-May 8th.

~GIVEAWAY~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~REVIEW~ When Wishes Collide by Barbara Freethy

 

Synopsis

Adrianna Cavello's life changed in an instant when a break-in at her restaurant took the life of her boyfriend and left her too traumatized to return to work. Months later, with everything she's ever wanted on the line, Adrianna makes a wish by tossing a coin into a fountain known for making miracles.

Wyatt Randall is also in need of a miracle. Two years earlier, his ex-wife kidnapped their daughter, and Wyatt is desperate to find his little girl. A new lead raises his hopes, but quickly fizzles out. When his coin clashes with another, he sees what little hope he has flying away.

Adrianna and Wyatt soon learn that they have more in common than two coins that collided. In fighting for the lives they lost, they must learn how to trust again. Only then will they discover that meeting each other and falling in love might not be what they wished for, but exactly what they need.

ADD TO GOODREADS 

~MY REVIEW~

The Plot

On a regular afternoon, two strangers meet while making a wish at a fountain. When their wishes collide both realize that there is a reason they were brought together. When one realizes that his missing daughter is the reason, he stops at nothing to get her to help him find his daughter. He believes and knows that she is what he’s needed all along. And while the two search for his missing daughter both come to realize that maybe there’s more reason behind the collision of their wishes. A friendship quickly turns into so much more as they both search for the missing daughter. 

The Characters

Growing up with a difficult childhood after her mother’s death Adrianna has always taken care of herself. Now a chef, nothing has changed. Until the night that takes away someone close to her and leaves her with a crippling fear of life. When she meets Wyatt she finds her true self during her friendship with him.

Wyatt has been secluded since losing his daughter to her vengeful mother. He has given up on life and everyone around him seems to pity him. He spends his day and nights trying to find clues to lead him to his daughter with no avail. When Adrianna gives him his first shred of hope he stops at nothing to follow the clues. And though he seems to be only focused on his daughter he can’t help the emotions that fill him when Adrianna is around. While she gives him hope he gives her the one thing she needs: the will to live her life.

The Romance

Although minimal, there was romance. Both characters find a solace in each other that they never experienced. But first and foremost the story centered on the search for Stephanie, Wyatt’s daughter. They both refused to let desire get in the way of what they needed to do. So while there was romance they fault against it so much that it frustrated the reader and makes it seem like its forced. In end it is wrapped up so fast that you really don't feel like it was love between them.

The Wrap-Up

So all in all When Wishes Collide was a sweet and interesting read. I would have wished to have more of a connection grow between the characters but what we did see was sweet. If you are in need of a quick and light read I would say give this a try.

Happy Reading!

~REVIEW~ King Sized Beds and Happy Trails by Cassie Mae and Theresa Paolo

Synopsis

Book One in the Beds Series

Written by authors Cassie Mae and Theresa Paolo under the pen names Becca Ann and Tessa Marie

Lexie Boggs needs out of her house… away from her alcoholic mother and far away from the “white trash” label that’s been smacked across her chest. She’s saved every penny from her multiple jobs so she can dart out of there as soon as she graduates. But there's something else she wants so badly she's willing to spend every dime she has. Her senior class trip and the chance to seduce the senior hottie, Sean Dixon.

Ryan Parker knows how much college means to his best friend, Lexie. He also knows Sean is a player on a search for how many girls he can get in his bed. So instead of letting Lexie drain out her piggy bank, he forks out the dough to get her on the senior ski trip. Not only because she’s his best friend, but because he’s face-planted in love with her.

When Ryan and Lexie get jammed in the same cabin, with one king-sized bed and a whole lot of history, Ryan fights to keep his feelings hidden, while Lexie discovers some of hers.

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~MY REVIEW~

Do you know how hard it was to rate this book? Extra hard. The reason being that Cassie has written some awesomesauce books. I’ve enjoyed the others I’ve read and when I picked this one up I didn’t have a doubt in my mind I would enjoy it. Sadly, that wasn’t the case.

The Characters

Ryan and Lexie both grew up with terrible mothers and both found a connection that brought them close. Ryan although saved by his grandparent never gave up on trying to save Lexie. He was a likeable character and was very protective of Lexie in a way that makes you smile throughout the book. I enjoyed his POV much more than Lexie. Lexie didn’t get away from her mother and deals with her mother’s reputation on a constant basis. Lexie was an okay character to me. She whined a lot, cried a lot and didn’t really have a backbone.  

The Plot

The storyline to this book was “girl and boy are friends, girl likes another boy, girl realizes she loves friend”, and then the end. The drama was typical high school drama and everything was quickly resolved.

The Romance

This was a super sweet YA romance. You got the sweet best friend romance and the really cute moments between the characters. But for once, while reading this book I wish there were more time spent on the conflict then on the romance.

The Wrap-Up

So overall, if you are looking for a sweet and light romance this is the book for you. If I had read this at a different time maybe I would feel differently so I would say give this book a try. And do check out Cassie’s other books as well as Theresa's!

Happy Reading!