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Review: Death Wish

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IN SEARCH OF THE MEANING OF DEATH, SHE’LL FIND THE MEANING OF LIFE.

The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint? 

Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Blake is haunted by death. Her estranged sister has made the ultimate dramatic exit. Running away from school, joining a surfing fraternity, partying hard: that sounds like Sienna. Butsuicide? It makes no sense.

Following in her sister’s footsteps, Scarlett comes to the isolated cove of Twycombe, Devon, with grand plans to uncover the truth. Alone. But she hasn’t reckoned on meeting two boys who are determined to help her. Luke: the blue-eyed surfer who’ll see the real Scarlett, who’ll challenge her, who’ll save her. And Jude: the elusive drifter with a knack for turning up whenever Scarlett’s in need.

As Scarlett’s quest for the truth unravels, so too does her grip on reality as she’s always known it. Because there’s something strange going on in this little cove. A dead magpie circles the skies. A dead deer watches from the undergrowth. Hands glow with light. Warmth. Power.

What transpires is a summer of discovery. Of what it means to conquer fear. To fall in love. To choose life. To choose death.

To believe the impossible.

(Blurb from Goodreads)

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 Death Wish is book 1 in the Ceruleans Series, and what a great start it was! Ms. Tayte does a fantastic job with her debut novel. You immediately get lost in the story. The characters have depth, and nothing is predictable. How refreshing for a book! I hate when I can figure out the whole story of a novel without even trying, but that wasn’t the case at all in this book. In fact, I still don’t quite understand everything that’s going on, lol, but that’s okay. I’m assuming it will get cleared up as the story progresses.

I think after reading a ton of books, especially young adult paranormal romance ones, I feel as though, how could this author make it different, make it more interesting and not the exact same thing, same scenario as sooo many other YA books out there. But somehow, Ms. Tayte does make her story unique and unlike all the rest, and thank goodness for that.

One of my favorite parts was when Scarlett starts mentioning all the Guinness World Record statistics off to Luke. It made me laugh. Plus, my husband has a Guinness World Record too, so I’m probably a  little biased. 😉  It was a funny part though.

So if you’re looking to get lost in a great book this summer, check out Death Wish by Megan Tayte.

My Rating: 4 stars

04

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

Review: Josefina’s Sin

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A thrilling and passionate debut about a sheltered landowner’s wife whose life is turned upside down when she visits the royal court in seventeenth-century Mexico.

When Josefina accepts an invitation from the Marquessa to come stay and socialize with the intellectual and cultural elite in her royal court, she is overwhelmed by the Court’s complicated world. She finds herself having to fight off aggressive advances from the Marquessa’s husband, but is ultimately unable to stay true to her marriage vows when she becomes involved in a secret affair with the local bishop that leaves her pregnant. 

Amidst this drama, Josefina finds herself unexpectedly drawn to the intellectual nuns who study and write poetry at the risk of persecution by the Spanish Inquisition that is overtaking Mexico. One nun in particular, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, teaches Josefina about poetry, writing, critical thinking, the nature and consequences of love, and the threats of the Holy Office. She is Josefina’s mentor and lynchpin for her tumultuous passage from grounded wife and mother to woman of this treacherous, confusing, and ultimately physically and intellectually fulfilling world.

(blurb from Goodreads)

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Ah historical fiction, how I’ve missed you. I won a copy of this book in Claudia Long’s Facebook party for another one of her books. I had finished up a book, had nothing new on my kindle so I picked up Josefina’s Sin. I honestly had a hard time putting it down. It made me remember how much I miss reading historical fiction, and that I should go read some more of it.

Josefina is a strong woman, especially for her time. At lot of misfortune and hardships are thrown her way, but she holds her head high and carries on. Sure, she made some mistakes that I wasn’t fond of, but the book would be pretty boring if Josefina was perfect, wouldn’t it?

If you like Philippa Gregory’s books, then I would give this one a try. It reminded me of the same style, which is a great thing!

My Rating: 4 stars

04

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***Disclaimer: Claudia Long has a different novel out by Booktrope. I work for Booktrope as well, but not with Ms. Long. Josefina’s Sin is put out by Atria Books – not Booktrope, so I don’t think this disclaimer is necessary, but I like to be cautious and honest. 

Review: Hopeless

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Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever. 

(Blurb from Goodreads)

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So I thought that this was my first Colleen Hoover book, but I totally forgot that I had read Slammed and Point of Retreat a long while back. (Common mistake amongst huge readers like myself.)

I remember when I downloaded this book I had heard somewhere that it was a dark read, and yes it was. If you’re looking for a light young adult read-this isn’t it. It IS of course, very well done, the writing is great, the characters have depth, but it does get dark. I don’t want to say much more about the how or why it’s so dark because I don’t want to give anything away.

I loved Sky’s best friend, Six, and the moments that they have together. It just gives the story the extra push, and some humorous moments as well.

One thing that bothered me a bit was how far the story went. I felt like things just kept getting worse and worse to eventually unbelievable. Yes, I know it’s a book and fiction, but I felt like the story took it a little too far. I felt as though if one of those scenes was missing then it would be more believable. (Again, I’m being vague on purpose.)

That being said, it is a great book. Just make sure you’re in the right mood for it before you start.

My Rating: 4 stars

04

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Review: Risking Ruin

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Marisa Tanner’s most important client, multi-billion dollar family-owned Brannon Company, has been sued by nine of its employees for sexual harassment. Marisa is a pro at handling sexual harassment allegations, but will she be able to handle the CEO’s prodigal son as well as she can handle the lawsuits? 

Clients are off-limits and Marisa could lose her law license and livelihood, but Memphis playboy Trip keeps making strong plays for her. 

Their attraction is undeniable and chemistry electric. Can she have her career and Trip, too, or will she have to choose? 

A steamy debut novel by Mae Wood, “Risking Ruin” is a stand alone novel that blends the tone of chick-lit and the sensuality of contemporary romance to create a landscape filled with strong characters in the lush environment of Memphis, Tennessee.

(Blurb from Goodreads)

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What a great debut novel by Mae Wood!! I love a confident protagonist, and Marisa was just that. The characters had depth and the story was believable. I had no trouble at all getting lost in the fictional world that Wood created, in fact, I looked forward to picking it up every night before I went to bed until I finished it.

I only have one teeny tiny complaint – the way that Marisa takes her coffee – milky white. I’m fine with this, I love coffee myself, but the words “milky white” where just mentioned a few too many times.

Other than that it was seriously a great read. Fantastic job Ms. Wood!

My Rating: 4 stars

04

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

Review: The Garnet Dagger

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Forbidden to cross the Elvin barrier into human lands, Brock cannot sate his curiosity. Cursed by a vampyre bite that forces him to feed on the life-essence of others, he is unable to touch another without taking their life. Chained by prophesy, he must find a witch, pierce her heart, and draw her blood for his cure. 

Celeste must escape the monks who have held her prisoner for years. Her magic has been kept dormant by her captors. An ancient powerful Warloc craves her powers. If he succeeds in devouring her magic, she and the world will die.

When Brock falls in love with Celeste before realizing her demise is his cure, will love triumph over his desire to be healed? Will he risk everything to save her from a Warloc, an oath breaker, who also wants her dead?

(Blurb from Goodreads)

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The best thing about reading a book, is when it’s not like anything you’ve read before.  There have been times when I feel like I’m reading the same story over and over again in different books. This is not the case, and how refreshing that is.

The Garnet Dagger has everything you want in a fantasy story; elves, witches, magic blades, and an epic quest. And I loved the fact that although it was fantasy, I felt like it could have been historical with the way the setting was described. I felt like I could have been there myself.

Like the summary states (so I’m not giving anything away) I like how Brock is in the ultimate dilemma of killing Celeste to fulfill the prophecy and save his own life, or not killing her and forfeiting his life. It definitely makes the book that much better having such a conflict in it.

So if you’re looking for your next fantasy read, give The Garnet Dagger a try.

My Rating: 4 stars

04

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Find the book:

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***I was given this book free by the author in exchange for an honest review.***