Blog Tour + ARC Review & Giveaway: Awaken by Nina Lane

Posted in 5 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

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Title: Awaken
Series: Spiral of Bliss #3 (full reading order below)
Author: Nina Lane
Genre: Contemporary Romance 18+
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Cover Design: Victoria Colotta of VMC Art & Design
Event Organized By: Literati Author Services, Inc.

“I love that you love me, professor.”

“I love loving you, beauty.”

Since their intense, passionate beginning, Professor Dean West and his wife Olivia have fought dark secrets and betrayal in order to save their marriage. Now reeling in the aftermath of a personal tragedy, Liv and Dean are driven further apart by a vindictive threat to Dean’s career.

Struggling to stand on her own for the first time in years, Liv is determined to defend her husband and prove herself. Then an unexpected letter dredges up old insecurities and endangers Liv’s newfound independence. As Dean fights for his professional life, he is forced to confront his worst fear when he discovers that he can’t protect his beloved wife from her own painful past.

Buy Links:
Amazon US • Barnes & Noble • Kobo • iTunes

“You and me, professor.”
“You and me, beauty.”

Oh. My. Goodness. I don’t even know how to describe my love for this series! It’s beautiful, phenomenal–Nina Lane perfectly portrays Liv and Dean’s emotions, the strong, unwavering love they have for one another, as well as the heartbreak that the two of them go through. These two characters… oh my. Dean and Liv sucked me into their story from the very first page of the very first book, and they continue to have me hooked up until the very last page of this last book.

Awaken picks up where Allure left off, and Dean and Liv are separated physically, but never emotionally. The two of them have gone through such heartbreak and tragedy, and I never doubted for a second that they wouldn’t patch up their marriage, their heart-stopping romance. There’s just something so beautiful and special about Dean and Liv’s romance. You can feel the intensity of the love they have for one another, the support that they have for each other. This series is not the usual romance, because the main characters are already married, but that doesn’t make their romance any less beautiful to read. If anything, I’d say that their marriage heightens the love, passion, intensity between them. God, I just really, really love this series.

Liv makes me smile so much. She’s sweet (and so adorable sometimes), and yet she’s strong, stubborn, and fierce in regards to her husband. I loved how she has so much room still to grow, and she does. I felt so proud of her, and Dean too. In Awaken, Liv and Dean learn to stand on their own. They learn to overcome their struggles, never once losing their steadfast love for one another. And oh my god, have I mentioned how much I love Dean? I truly, whole-heartedly love this sexy professor. He makes me swoon so freaking hard.

My husband doesn’t just love me. He knows how to love me. He knows what I need and when I need it, sometimes even better than I do. He knows how to unfold all the tight, rough parts of me and smooth them out with one glide of his hand. He knows how to prove that he — and only he — understands every crevice of my soul. He knows how to remind me that I am forever safe within his heart.

I love love love the romance. The passion, the beauty of it, I can’t even begin to describe. I just love it so damn much. Liv and Dean have a perfectly imperfect romance, which is just all the more remarkable after all the pain, hurt, and heartbreak they experience. It’s not an easy road towards a happily ever after for these two, but the journey getting there is stunning to read.

And I am just in awe with Nina Lane’s writing! It’s beautiful, it’s lush, and it’s exquisite to read. Her writing really makes me fall in love with the story over and over again, because I’d read these sentences, or even these paragraphs, that are just filled with emotion. It’s breathtaking, really. So if anything, I recommend reading this series for the writing. BUT it’s not just the writing that makes this series incredible! Dean and Liv West have a captivating and beautiful romance that warmed my heart, that made me smile and giggle and sigh, that made me fall in love, and I just can’t recommend this series enough. But now that the series is finished… I’m going to miss Dean and Liv so, so much.

Love the one who proves to you that happily ever after is only the beginning.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Spiral of Bliss series

#1 ~ Arouse: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Allure: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Awaken: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

USA Today bestselling author Nina Lane writes hot, sexy romances and spicy erotica. Originally from California, she loves traveling and thinks St. Petersburg, Russia is a city everyone should visit at least once. Nina also spent many years in graduate school studying art history and library sciences.

Although she would go back for another degree if she could because she’s that much of a bookworm, she now lives the happy life of a full-time writer. Nina’s novel The Erotic Dark hit #1 on Amazon’s Erotica Bestseller list.

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads • Pinterest

Grand Prize: Personalized paperback set of The Spiral of Bliss Trilogy, keychain and Alice in Wonderland Teapot w/matching cups
2nd Prize: Personalized paperback set of The Spiral of Bliss Trilogy, keychain and Hand-stampled necklace
3rd Prize: Personalized paperback copy of Awaken

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13Jan2014

Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Posted in 6 hearts, Reviews by Shirley

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 22nd 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover

One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

wow excuse me while I bawl my eyes out for multiple reasons.

CAN WE PLEASE. I CAN’T EVEN BEGIN TO EXPLAIN MY LEVEL OF HEARTBREAK AND LOVE FOR THIS BOOK.

Allegiant, like the other two books in the series, had action from beginning to the end. I was a bit lost on what had happened because it was a while since I had read Insurgent, but once you start reading, you begin to understand a lot more of what’s going one. ToBIAS IS BEAUTIFUL and his and Tris’ relationship was a bit rocky in my opinion, but I’m glad that they worked it out.

OH, LAWD CALEB THOUGH. Ok I’m always really really forgiving towards siblings for some reason, so I just wanted so badly for Caleb and Tris to make up. Although I did understand why Tris was upset, but I just felt so BAD for Caleb. & I DON’T WANT TO SPOIL ANYTHING BUT I really really really want to discuss this ONE particular scene in Allegiant but I feel like if you read it, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT. The incredibly sad part where he volunteers because he says he’s not important. *cue the crying*

This trilogy ended so…unexpectedly? But also expectedly at the same time (if you read this book, you’d understand). The ending was honestly S U C H a surprise. But once I took a step back, it was S-O INCREDIBLY OBVIOUS.

6 Hearts (because how could this series get anything less?)

Series Order: Divergent series

#1 ~ Divergent: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Insurgent: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Allegiant: Ebook • Hardcover • Goodreads

12Jan2014

ARC Review: Masquerade by Nyrae Dawn

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Masquerade by Nyrae Dawn
Series: Games #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: January 7th 2014
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Forever) in exchange for an honest review

A biker. A tattoo artist. A love to last a lifetime.

Maddox Cross has always had to be tough. When his father went to jail for murder, the teenager took care of his sister and mother. Now on his own and working security at a night club, Maddox wants to become a tattoo artist-a dream that comes closer to reality when he falls for the hottest, most tatted woman he’s ever seen. She’s wild and beautiful, and Maddox will do anything to be with her.

Bee Malone came to town to open up her new tattoo parlor, Masquerade. Since being kidnapped as a young girl, Bee has had trouble getting close to anyone. But when she meets Maddox, she sees that under his hard biker’s body is the sensitive soul of an artist. What starts out as a sizzling one-night stand soon becomes so much more.

Bee wants Maddox to join her tattoo business, but letting him into her life means revealing all her most intimate secrets. And as the past begins to intertwine with her present, Bee fears their love may not be as permanent as their ink . . .

Masquerade was phenomenal! It was slow, but poignant. I loved how the characters grew on me throughout the book, and Maddox and Bee’s story went straight to my heart. The writing flows so well (I’m definitely going to read other books by Nyrae Dawn), and some quotes just popped out at me, making me think and feel so much. When I started reading, it was a bit hard to get sucked into the book, but by the end of it all, I truly, wholeheartedly enjoyed reading Masquerade. It was the culmination of everything–the slow, sweet romance, the complexity of main characters, the wonderful writing–that had me smiling by the end of the book.

Masquerade is the third book in the Games series, but can be read as a standalone. I don’t really like starting a book that’s not the first in the series, but I made an exception for Masquerade. And it didn’t disappoint! The main characters from the other books in the series do appear in Masquerade (Maddox is the brother of the heroine from Charade), but Nyrae Dawn worked the story well enough that I didn’t need to have read the previous books. So if you want to jump in the Games series and start Masquerade first, like I did, you can!

I loved, LOVED how the main characters developed throughout the book. Maddox and Bee start off as closed, private individuals, but with good reason. Maddox kept quiet about his father’s secrets, secrets that ruined his family. His guilt makes him lost, and he has no direction in life anymore. Bee was kidnapped when she was young, but her kidnappers were ‘good’ people. They loved her, even though they stole her, and when Bee was discovered, the kidnappers went to jail. She loved those parents, but she feels guilty about loving them, because they kidnapped her. And she can’t be the good daughter her real parents want, since Bee ended up being a girl with tattoos who didn’t want to go to college. Bee doesn’t know who to love anymore, she doesn’t know what love means anymore, so she becomes lost herself.

These two lost, tortured characters eventually find their way towards each other. Bee and Maddox hook up one night, believing they’ll never see each other again. But it turns out that Bee is the tattoo parlor owner that Maddox wants to apprentice at. Bee reluctantly decides to give him a chance, recognizing in him the guilt and anger that she once, and still, feels. And that one decision gives the two of them a chance at love, love that they never really believed they would ever find. But it’s definitely not an easy road getting there.

Want. We both want each other but we know it’s not smart to act on it. I hate it but love it at the same time.

Bee and Maddox agree not to sleep with each other again, but… there’s some seriously hot chemistry between the two. The two of them spend a lot of time together at the tattoo parlor, and eventually they start opening up to each other. They don’t really talk, but they learn about each other through the other’s actions. I thought this part was very beautiful, how the two of them learn about each other not through words, but by actions. The romance builds up slowly, but it’s so, so sweet.

Through each other, Maddox and Bee learn to move past their guilt and inner pain. It was truly heart-wrenching at some parts of the book, and my heart cried out for Bee and especially Maddox. Both of these characters have so much depth and growth, and I loved reading their journey towards happiness–with each other.

Christ, we have all lost so fucking much. Parents, kids, dreams–way more than our fair share. We’ve hurt people we’ve loved and we’ve hurt ourselves and we’ve been lost. Through it all, we’re still fucking standing.

And can I just talk about the writing again? I freaking fell in LOVE with Nyrae Dawn’s writing. I highlighted so many quotes that spoke to my heart. Everything is so raw and emotional, and Nyrae Dawn portrayed everything perfectly.

This quote is one of my favorites from the book:

Reality. It’s not living a lie like so many of the people we know have done. It’s not treating life like a game of charades or living behind any type of façade. Life is fucked up, it hurts, and it’s not always pretty, but damned if it can’t be beautiful too.

I highly, highly recommend reading Masquerade or anything by Nyrae Dawn, if her writing is just as good in her other books (which I will definitely be reading soon!). Masquerade is packed with emotions, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and the romance between Maddox and Bee is so real and honest and beautiful.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Games series

#1 ~ Charade: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Facade: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Masquerade: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

8Jan2014

ARC Review: Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder
Series: Healer #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: December 31st 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Harlequin MIRA) in exchange for an honest review

She’s fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he’s gone forever.

But there’s a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry’s healing powers are needed now more than ever. Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

OH MY. Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness, this book was incredible! Taste of Darkness was everything I expected for the final book in this brilliant series and more. There were still some iffy parts that I’m still not too sure about (those Death and Peace Lilys are still the most bizarre things I’ve ever read), but other than that, I LOVED this book. There’s so much going on, between Avry and the gang trying to find Kerrick, and the upcoming war to save the whole kingdom, but at the heart of it all, Avry truly shines in this book. She displays an impressive amount of courage and leadership, she takes charge and fights for those she loves, and she never loses faith in Kerrick

So if you’ve read Scent of Magic (which you should have before starting Taste of Darkness–this series should be read in order!), then you know there was one hell of a cliffhanger at the end. But not to worry folks, Maria V. Snyder gives us an excellent follow-up to that awful cliffhanger. This final book is actually my favorite of the series, despite not loving Kerrick as much.

Avry has her usual stubbornness and her goodness for wanting to heal, but she has matured so much throughout this series. I had admired her already from reading the other books, but my admiration only grew stronger after reading Taste of Darkness. And Kerrick, well, he’ll do just about anything for Avry. He loves her, no doubt about that, but I was a little disappointed in him in this book. He’s weak (magic powers-wise), but I was hoping for more of that spark that he had in the previous two books that made me fall in love with him, but he fell just a little bit short of that. Nonetheless, when these two are together, they make the impossible possible. They love together and fight together, and these two characters have ingrained themselves into my heart. Reading Avry and Kerrick’s adventures, they’ve become so dear to me that it was a little hard to say goodbye to them.

And I can’t forget about the incredible cast Maria V. Snyder has created! The most wonderful part of this fantasy series are the characters. Avry, Kerrick, and the gang are back in action. They’ve been through so much together, and in this final round, they stick by each other no matter what. I love the beautiful camaraderie between these friends. The jokes and banter between everyone made me smile and laugh and love them even more.

And the brilliant story-telling! The book was a bit slow in the beginning, but it was a slow I enjoyed. And when the plot started picking up, there was non-stop action, as usual. But as this is the final book of the series, it’s even more heart-pounding and thrilling to the end. There are strategies to plan, battles to fight, people dying and coming back to life, a freaking kingdom to save. Everything was just WOW. This intricate world hooks you in and never lets you go until the very last page.

Taste of Darkness is an entirely satisfying ending to this series. I’m so sad it’s over, but I’m just so happy with the way everything ends. Maria V. Snyder is just SO GOOD at writing fantasy! (Maybe I should get back to finishing the Study series…)

Reading Order: Healer series

#1 ~ Touch of Power: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Scent of Magic: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Taste of Darkness: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

8Jan2014

Blog Tour + Review & Giveaway: Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Click the banner to see the tour schedule!

Branded (Sinners #1)
by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki
Release Date: 06/28/13
252 pages

Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

Buy Links:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble

Branded was quite a thrill to read! It’s got a great, angsty forbidden love and a plot chock-full of intense action. It’s dark and gritty, and the authors hold nothing back. This is a young adult book, but there is death, gore, and murder, so just beware! If you think this is just a simple, clean dystopian, you’re going to be in for a shock. There is an incredible amount of violence in this book, which I really enjoyed, because the authors really make me feel for the main character, and for her pain.

In the world Lexi Hamilton lives in, there exists The Hole, the place where people are sent to when they are accused of displaying one of the seven deadly sins. Lexi is wrongfully accused of Lust, and is forced into The Hole, and is branded with a blue band around her neck. The blue represents lust, and there are different colors for each deadly sin. These brands dehumanize those who are marked, and even worse, The Hole is absolutely filthy. It’s dirty and grimy, and the people live there do anything and everything to survive, including killing others.

It’s so, so painful for Lexi to be taken to The Hole. She has an awful, tragic past, and even though she’s a good person, she’s closed off. Her heart can’t take any more pain in her life, and I felt so much for this girl. She’s been dealt a bad hand in life, but being sent to The Hole might just ironically be the best thing that could have happened to her. Lexi is assigned a guard, a gorgeous man named Cole. He’s tough on Lexi but he still treats her infinitely better than other guards would. Lexi and Cole have to spend time together, especially since they live in rooms right next to each other. Lexi sees him only as an untrustworthy guard working for the evil Commander, but she slowly starts to see the good, kind side of Cole. He has a good heart, he’s loyal, and he’s got a dog named Zeus!

Cole is such a sweetheart! He’s cold in the beginning of the book, and doesn’t see Lexi any differently from the other prisoners in The Hole, but as he gets to know her, he falls for her goodness, for her huge heart, and for her incredible courage. Because no matter how bad her situation is, Lexi always moves forward. Some things might bring her down, but she’ll get back up. I really admired Lexi, and I adored Cole for his sweet actions and words.

“You’re beautiful. That’s the problem.” He shuffles his feet and shifts his weight uncomfortably. “They can’t stop looking at you.” He glances up at me for a brief second before locking his gaze on something behind me. “And I understand why.” The words come out so soft I can barely hear them.

Sadly, the romance sort of tapered off during the second half of the book. I mean, I still really wanted Lexi and Cole to get their happily ever after, but it just wasn’t the main focus of the story anymore. At least for me it wasn’t. In the second half, I didn’t feel the same intensity between Lexi and Cole as I did in the first half. And the book shifted more towards the rebellion against The Commander and his soldiers. There’s some awesome action scenes, but things moved a little too fast for me near the end, so I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I wanted to.

Branded has some twists and turns that kept me reading, and for dystopian fans, or even romance fans, this book is worthy a try. Cole is the sweetest, and Lexi is such a tough heroine. I give a 4 for the first half, and 3 for the second, so 3.5 hearts!

Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredible adventure.

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20 ebooks of Branded (mobi) Open Internationally
5 signed print copies and picture of Cole (US only)

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