Clean Sweep Review

 

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

Title:  Clean Sweep

Author:  Ilona Andrews

Published:  2013 by Ilona Andrews, Inc.

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Purchase Clean Sweep from Amazon
 

Dina’s not sure whether to intervene or not when her neighbors’ dogs are being killed by what seems to be some sort of paranormal creature.  Being an innkeeper, she is just supposed to take care of the inn and her guests and stay out of other paranormal affairs.  Plus the new werewolf in town, Sean, should be the one taking care of this sort of problem.  After all, werewolves are very territorial.  But when approached, Sean doesn’t seem intent to take care of it.  In fact, he acts like a jerk.  Decision made, Dina decides to find out what is killing these dogs, and it’s more then she expected.  Will werewolf Sean decide to help Dina or just get in her way?

Urban fantasy is a pretty cool genre.  Its fantasy that’s set in the modern day world we all know.  And if the author is good it’s believable because its setting is what we’re used to day in and day out.  And Ilona Andrews is a great author.  Who knows, maybe I have a werewolf and innkeeper as neighbors?

Anyways, Dina is a great protagonist.  She is a bit alone in the world though.  Her parents and their inn were lost (we don’t know what happened).  Dina does still have her siblings but they don’t live nearby and aren’t really in the story.  Although she’s alone she is confident and knows her job as an innkeeper.  She decides she’s had enough of her neighbors’ dogs being murdered and decides to do something about it.  In real life, I’d like to be Dina’s friend.   She’s a take charge kind of girl.

In the mist of finding this horrible creature and solving her neighborhood’s problems, she also gets to know Sean a little more.  And a vampire also makes an appearance.  Sounds like Twilight the way I’m describing it, but it’s not similar at all.  However, the vampire and werewolf are definitely attracted to Dina…

I’m pretty sure Ilona Andrews doesn’t know how to write a bad story.  So if you like urban fantasy, or if it’s something that you’re thinking about, pick up a copy of Clean Sweep.  Plus, I’m pretty sure it will keep you entertained, as would her other books as well.

Happy reading!

 

My Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

 

~Pam

*****I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.*****

Mary’s Merry Christmas and Birthday Giveaway Hop

Christmas is approaching, and what better way to celebrate this joyous season than with a chance to win a Kindle Paperwhite and more? Mary, a blogger at Buried Under Romance, is turning one year older on December 20th, and she has gathered the support of some fantastic authors and bloggers in hosting her first ever blog hop.

It’s the season of gifting, and what better gift to give back than following our wonderful bloggers and authors on their platforms? In addition, we ask that you think about what you are most thankful for this year, and embrace it along with your family and friends.

This Christmas I’m most thankful for my family and friends.  I’m thankful to have time to read and blog when my kiddos are sleeping.  And I’m very thankful that my mom finished chemo!  Hopefully she feels better soon.  Here’s to a great Christmas, and a fabulous new year!

What are you celebrating this season? 🙂 Please leave a comment, and don’t forget to support our bloggers and authors for their contribution! Click on the linky and visit each blog to find out what they are celebrating!



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Feature & Follow Friday #19

Feature & Follow

 

This is a blog hop, a way to find and follow new blogs,

hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

You can follow me by using any one of the options over on the left sidebar.

This weeks question:  Pick a book in your favorite genre that you’d recommend to a reluctant reader.

Hmm, I love historical fiction but it needs to have romance in it.  And the one book that I can think of that fits in that category is my favorite all time series.

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

 

A few years ago (2006-07) I wasn’t really into reading books, and I happened upon Twilight (before all the movies and hype.)  Anyways, afterwards I was feeling depressed and trying to find something to read that was comparable, and someone online recommended Outlander.  So I went to the library and I have to tell you, this series, other than being more mature if you will, blows Twilight out of the water.  That is all.  🙂  Seriously, read it.

Have a great weekend guys!

~Pam

Guest Post – Author Marlene Morgan

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO GET OR KEEP A MAN?

New York attracts a multitude of young, ambitious and successful people. It’s a draw for highly educated, professional women in the prime of their marrying years. It’s also allures well-educated, highly sexual, money-driven men. But the problem is, there are far more women than men in the mix. Studies have revealed that in New York women outnumber men four to one. This often cited statistic is used to support an argument that the gender imbalance makes it more difficult for some women to find a partner. New York is described as a ‘candy store’ for straight single men on the dating scene, leaving gloomy prospects for young women because the male-to-female ratio is in favor of men.

Commentators have said that more women flock to the Big Apple than men in a bid to have it all but often eligible men are hard to find. More importantly when they find that man, an increasing number are unwilling to commit.  On the one hand, the men that I interviewed said that they do not treat New York as a ‘candy store’ and that it was impossible for good men to get a date in NY. The men argue that the women are insane, that they limit themselves statistically as well as demographically to a tiny pool of men, some of whom are married, yes married, who meet their exacting requirements of a 7 figure salary, looks, and religion.

On the other hand the women said that a good man is hard to find. It’s the complaint of many women in New York that dateable men are either taken or gay. What are women to do about this quandary?  Some would say leave New York and the East Coast.  What if you do not want to leave New York, and like the woman, Jessica, in ‘Sleeping with a Wall Street Banker’ you have found your man.  How far would you go to get and keep your man? Unmarried, childless and with a biological clock that has all but stopped ticking, Jessica feels betrayed by her ex-boyfriend. She is jealous of the woman who he is having a relationship with her ex-boyfriend and who, in Jessica’s eyes, is “her” person.  Afflicted with Dissociative identity disorder (DID) – multiple personality disorder – she resorts to destruction.

Marlene Morgan

 

Marlene Morgan

Marlene Morgan is an author, and a Barrister-at-law. She also holds a master degree in taxation and administration law from Kings College London. Having recently passed the New York Bar Exam she is currently seeking admission to the New York Bar.



About the Book:

Title: Sleeping with a Wall Street Banker
Author: Marlene Morgan  Sleeping with a Wall Street Banker
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Romantic Suspense
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Pages: 322
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1-48178-874-8

Sleeping With A Wall Street Banker is a psychological thriller that begins when lawyer Alice Francis leaves her life in London for a new start with Wall Street banker Jake Logan in New York. She quickly learns that this is a man consumed by his need to control; he loves but on his terms. When Jake’s ex-girlfriend, Jessica, finds out about Jake’s relationship with Alice, Alice’s life takes a dark turn. For all the trappings of success from a Wall Street career, Jake is a man tormented by the irrational guilt he carries from his past relationship with Jessica. Jessica is unmarried and childless with a biological clock that has all but stopped ticking, and Jake is her back-up plan. Her ultimate goal is to fix Jake’s life by interfering, setting him up, and blackmailing him in an effort to force him into a horrible relationship that was never meant to be. With Alice in the picture, Jessica’s goal is almost certainly a recipe for disaster and a fate equal to death itself. When the plan begins to fail, a mentally unbalanced Jessica resorts to destruction.

Purchase Sleeping With A Wall Street Banker from Amazon

 

Connect with Marlene

www.marlenemorgan.com

https://twitter.com/marlene_morgan2

http://marlenemorgan.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/marlene.morgan2

Sleeping with a Wall Street Banker banner

 

****All images in the post were provided by Pump Up Your Book****

Justice (Deck of Lies #1) Review

 

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

Title:  Justice (Deck of Lies #1)

Author:  Jade Varden

Published:  2011

Genre:  Young Adult

Purchase Justice (Deck of Lies, #1) from Amazon.com

 

Rain is transferring to a new high school in the middle of the school year.  She was one of a select few to get a scholarship to a very prestigious and expensive school.  Her first day is awful, especially when she accidently spills something on the most popular girl in the school, Carsyn, during lunch.   However, Carsyn still asks Rain to accompany her and a friend to go shopping after school.  Rain should have thought about it more beforehand, because Carsyn is about to not only get revenge on Rain, but ultimately change her life forever.

Wow, I wasn’t expecting so many things that happened in this book, and that is going to make it pretty hard to talk about without giving anything away!  But it was great.  I love when I’m surprised, and I was, multiple times.

Rain is a likable protagonist, but man, does she have bad luck.  I feel for her, because so many things keep going wrong.  Like big life changing things.  But somehow Rain manages to push past these things and get by.  I guess she has no other choice, but to me she is a strong character.

Also, I knew it was book one of a series, but I still thought that the book would end with closure.  But it didn’t, so now I’m going to need to read the next one to see what happens.  That’s okay though, because Ms. Varden sure does know how to tell a story and keep you intrigued.  So if you like a book that will surprise you and keep you in suspense, pick up Justice by Jade Varden.

 

 

My Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

 

~Pam

 

*****I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.*****