The Ice Queen (The Dark Queens 3) by Jovee Winters

Description

Long ago, tragedy struck and turned a young woman into the ice queen of legend… 

Evil has come to Luminesa's forest. The Goblin has stolen three innocents and thrust them into a violent and terrible time loop - in her own lands. And the only way to save them is to go to them herself. But there's a problem, because the moment Luminesa steps foot inside that magicked place she too will get sucked into the Goblin's nefarious scheme. Freedom can only be had if she can figure out the riddle of the key, and she only has one month to try. Failure means death for them all. 

There is absolutely no time or room for romance, but that's exactly what happens when she first sets eyes on the centaur male, Alador. Luminesa's been burned in love before, nearly losing her life to the hands of a crazed male she'd once thought a friend. Since that night she's hated men, all men, no matter what form they come in. But Alador is different, kind, gentle...with soulful green eyes that seem to peer through the icy veil of her legend to see the real woman beneath. His touch makes her burn, and his kisses make her feel alive again. 

Luminesa will do everything in her power, to make sure they all leave there alive. Even if that means killing anything that stands in her way... 


REVIEW 

I absolutely adored the Ice Queens ' story. In truth I've been waiting to read it for some time now. The first portion of her tale can be found in the early pages of "Her One Wish" by Marie Hall, which is another fantastic book.

The Ice Queen is intriguing, sexy, and emotionally riveting.  The characters are ridiculously sweet and vulnerable. They stay true to their essence throughout the entire story. Then comes the moment of 'Aha! I see where this is going now!' Total plot twist bliss! I can't get enough of this author's creativity or her endearing characters.

5 Stars!

Mind Readers by Lori Brighton

Product Description

#Free on Amazon

Cameron Winters is a freak. Fortunately, no one but her family knows the truth …that Cameron can read minds. For years Cameron has hidden behind a facade of normalcy, warned that there are those who would do her harm. When gorgeous and mysterious Lewis Douglas arrives he destroys everything Cameron has ever believed and tempts her with possibilities of freedom. Determined to embrace her hidden talents, Cameron heads to a secret haven with Lewis; a place where she meets others like her, Mind Readers. 

But as Cameron soon finds out some things are too good to be true. When the Mind Readers realize the extent of Cameron’s abilities, they want to use her powers for their own needs. Cameron suddenly finds herself involved in a war in which her idea of what is right and wrong is greatly tested. In the end she’ll be forced to make a choice that will not only threaten her relationship with Lewis, but her very life. 

Best for ages 14 and over.

REVIEW:

I am currently stuck in bookie limbo. Should I take a chance on the second installment or no?

 I am a huge of the YA Paranormal/Fantasy genre, but finding the perfect series sometimes means reading an imperfect debut to the series. I've read several slow starter books and I've read books where the author doesn't take time to finely tune her talents. I'm not sure which this will be.

Minder Readers does have something of an X-Men vibe, which of course is awesome, and I did enjoy the snippets of romance. The repetitious innermonologue is what gave me a lot of long pauses. The primary protagonists choice of running scared whenever she was faced with controversial or frightening situations can be excused. She'd been taught that behavior and punished her entire life if she even thought of taking a different route. So, I don't actually see that particular aspect of her character underdeveloped. It's not terribly intriguing to read in an Era of strong heroines, but if she had suddenly grown a backbone over night, then yes, THAT would be considered a character flaw.

(I may have read a reviews that mentioned this in particular. No worries, I can agree to disagree.)

As for the male protagonist, I'm honestly not a fan of his. In the beginning he appeared more mysterious and charming.  Toward the end he was something of a bipolar jerk. Teen angst?

Also, too many scenes were predictable. The saving grace, however, is there are a few plot twists I rather enjoyed. They weren't explosive, but I do tend to be a picky reader. I actually enjoyed the ending, but realized that throughout the entire story close to nothing had actually been solved and the big secret at the end was rather obvious.  If I had read this when I waa around 10 years old I probably would have enjoyed it more. It is a YA book after all.

2 Stars

Skypunch: Ascenders 2 by CL Gaber

Description

"Supernatural angst like you've never seen it before." - MTV.com 

C.L. Gaber continues the epic story of Walker Callaghan, afterlife's avenging angel. 

In the Midst—a place for those who die young—there are no rules except one. 

And Walker Callaghan, dead at seventeen, just broke it. She briefly revisited her earthly life . . . and the punishment is devastating. 

Longing for her rebel love interest, Daniel Reid, Walker finds an ally in Cass, whose attraction to her is as alive as he is. “Life is short,” he tells her. “I’m banking on eternity. With you.” 

In the second book of the Ascenders Saga, a proposed realm-jumping journey will take Walker and Daniel back to life again to search for something buried in history. They team with students from several other schools in the middle realm including a place for teens born with oddities. It’s home to the Claires . . . beautiful, ruthless, and quite dead seventeen-year-old quads who each have a different clairvoyant gift. 

Can Walker survive another adventure of an afterlife-time—or will she find herself on the downside of eternity?

REVIEW:

Ascenders 2 is a fun, YA Fantasy romance novel with dark twists that haunt and enthrall! In the second installment there is an abundance of romance scenes between Callaghan and Daniel. I adore their characters. Throw in a delicious plot twist or five to satiate an avid reader's expectations and we have a 5 star novel! I look forward to book 3 in this compelling series. 

Faescorned by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson (Part of the Once Upon a Curse Boxed Set)

Description

**Special release pricing for a limited time only** Seventeen magical stories from NY Times andUSA Today bestsellers and award-winning authors that will entice you to the darker side of faerie tales. More Grimm than Disney, in this collection you'll find twists on Snow White, Hansel & Gretel, Rumpelstilstskin, Beauty and the Beast, The Snow Queen, Cinderella, The Pied Piper, Alice in Wonderland, and Red Riding Hood, plus new tales paying homage to the old traditions.

Shadows cannot exist without light, however, and you'll find enough happily-ever-afters to lift your spirits in this anthology full of adventure, dark powers, and ultimately the enduring power of true love.

YARROW, STURDY AND BRIGHT by Devon Monk -Sweet music cannot hide a wicked heart...

FAE HORSE by Anthea Sharp - Faerie bargains can grant any desire, but be careful what you wish for.

THE QUEEN OF FROST AND DARKNESS by Christine Pope - Her heart is the only thing colder than a Russian winter....

BONES by Yasmine Galenorn - Sometimes, your most cherished dream can turn out to be a nightmare.

MAGIC AFTER MIDNIGHT by C. Gockel - The Wicked Stepmother is about to meet her match...

DANCE WITH THE DEVIL by Donna Augustine -When the devil makes a deal with a dancer, he gets more than he bargained for.

NO GIFT OF WORDS by Annie Bellet - Never steal from a witch...

THE GRIM BROTHER by Audrey Faye - Not all walks in the wood end well...

BEAST INSIDE BEAUTY by Danielle Monsch -Happily Ever After ain't guaranteed when Once Upon a Time is here.

FAESCORNED by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson - The Morrigan, Celtic goddess of war and strife, must relive a painful memory that reminds her of what she can never have.

DRAWN TO THE BRINK by Tara Maya - Sajiana's job is to hunt down monsters brought alive from paintings. She never expected to meet one so handsome... or to need his help.

THE VARIANCE COURT by Alexia Purdy - Anna, a struggling college student, discovers a mysterious ring that turns her quiet life chaotic when the ring's magic doesn't do what it's told.

THE MORRIGAN by Phaedra Weldon - A young man discovers he has leprechaun blood - and is wanted by dark faerie forces.

ALICE by Julia Crane - A twisted tale of Alice and Wonderland. Facing madness and an ominous prophecy, Alice chooses to follow her heart despite knowing her world is about to change forever.

STILL RED by Sabrina Locke - When the Hunters come, can there be any escape?

THE FINAL STRAW by Jennifer Blackstream - To banish a gold-spinning demon, first you must guess his name...

THE UNICORN HUNTER by Alethea Kontis - Only Snow White knows what really happened in the forest...

REVIEW 

Wow, I am IMPRESSED! Faescorned is an exhilarating read from the first page to the last. I was thrilled when I realized it takes place during one of my many favorite scenes in the Otherworld series. It not only made me homesick for the Otherworld, but the direction of the plot stunned my senses as I realized my perspective of the Otherworld is forever changed. The revelations written from the Morrigan’s POV is conflicting mentally and emotionally. Faescorned is a plot twist all on its own for this series and anyone who has read the Otherworld MUST READ IT!!! If you haven't read the Otherworld Series by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson then get to it! Who doesn't love castles, kilts, and magic? 5 well deserved stars! 

 Purchase for only 99 cents!!!

The Passionate Queen (Dark Queen series) by Jovee Winters

Description

The Passionate Queen 

Once upon a time a dragon dared to fall in love with the Queen of Hearts… 

Zelena Hermosa wants only one thing, to be free. But for a morphling like her freedom will never be possible. Bought by a witch as a baby, she’s been raised in a household that knows no kindness or love. She’s a broken, dirty child the day she meets her prickly little dragon boy. 

Ragoth Nur, heir to the throne of Drakon has just stolen a golden apple from Zeus’s favored orchard. In order to make sure he doesn’t have to face the wrath of the gods (but especially his mom) he runs off to wonderland to enjoy his treat and there bumps into the human girl who will change the course of his life forever. 

There’s so much more to the Queen of Heart’s than the stories. So much more than the vindictive woman who shouts, “Off with her heads.” This is the true story of the woman, the legend, and the myth… 

REVIEW

Jovee Winters just rocked my hot fairy tale loving socks off! The Passionate Queen is an obsess-worthy, steamy, adult fairy tale destined to be a reader's favorite!

As one can guess there are dark elements surrounding the protagonists of this book, bringing forth the darkness within their own bitter and broken hearts. The beginning, however, is somewhat a picture of light , youthful innocence with a dash of evil witchiness to create what would be an infamous dark queen in the making. The difference between Zelena, future queen of hearts, and the epic fairy tale character we all knew as children, is this one has a devoted, not your ordinary run of the mill, dragon shifter with a heart that beats only for her. Their story is riveting and the deeper I fell in love with them the more my heart ached for their trials and injustices. Of course these events made for one heck of a story and a more intriguing reunion! 

Winters did an incredible job with developing the characters. The scenery is blissfully mystical and the overall story is a page turner that is simply impossible not to finish in one sitting. 

5 Stars for a 6 Star fantasy!

Scarlett (A Creepy Hollow Story) by Rachel Morgan

Description

Deadly power. Stunning beauty. She will not be controlled. 

Sixteen-year-old Beth’s ordinary life is shattered the night her dormant magic awakens and she almost kills her boyfriend. Horrified at what she’s done, she flees into the fae realm to find the siren mother who disowned her a decade ago. When it turns out her power cannot be controlled, she is once again cast out from the siren community. Alone and afraid, Beth winds up in the Dark North where she’s rescued by a group of witches. They offer to help her gain control of her deadly magic—but at what price? 

Scarlett is a companion story to the bestselling YA fantasy Creepy Hollow series. Grab your copy today to taste a darker side of this captivating magical world! 

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Length: 40,000 words or approximately 160 print pages


                                      REVIEW

I am the happiest bookie in the world at the moment. Rachel Morgan's talent as an incredible writer caught me off guard once again. There were literally moments when I had to manually close my mouth from all the jaw dropping scenes. 

Scarlett has everything a book lover couod possibly desire: magic, romance, fun atmospheres and darker ones, and the most delicious plot twists a reader could dream of uncovering.  I was so entranced by the heart breaking circumstances of such a loveable character that the most important detail of the entire story was lost on me up until the very end. I am still scolding myself for missing it. In my defense, there were literally moments when I had to manually close my mouth from all the jaw dropping scenes and twists. 

 I firmly believe Morgan's story telling skills are put to the test with this particular book because it strays from the fae realm into a darker world filled with siren's, witches, and those awful, hateful humans *ack!!!*. Amazingly enough, she passed with flying colors as her presence was very obvious from the first page to the much devoured last. Scarlett is phenomenal! Personally, I'd say Harry Potter has competition. Don't murder me please,  but the magic in this story feels so tangible and is so unique that I'm giddy every time I read something new. 

If you love fantasy then this entire series will leave you wanting more. I honestly don't ever want to say goodbye to the Creepy Hollow series. After all this time, and a few hundred books later,  it's still my favorite.  

Purchase for 2.99

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles)

The #1 New York Times Bestselling Series!

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend--the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer's national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series.


REVIEW

Winter is an epic finale to a wonderful series. It definitely has a Hunger Games vibe, but I actually found this story more riveting. Although, it is pretty obvious from the cover that the newest fairy tale character addition would be a snow white spin off, I was delighted and intrigued to see what I'm assuming is an extra special quality to her reminiscent of another well loved classic.

Despite the multiple changes in point of views, each character is well developed and stay true the essence in which they were written from start to finish.  The world, or worlds, Marrissa Meyer created is down right fascinating and fun to read. The plot twists were thorough and left my mind spinning long after I finished the book. I'm beyond thrilled that the Lunar series has become one of the few books I will personally recommend to fellow readers as being well deserved 5 star tale.