Claw 2 by Lucian Bane

Dante saves Rin from her abusive husband only to face an even greater enemy--her.

But the web of deceit trapping Rin may go a lot deeper than any of them know. He takes her to California to lay low and dig around for dirty details on her abusive ex only to run into his own past in the form of a jealous brunette. The sh*t storm ushers in an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, f**ck for a f**ck fight that he never saw coming.

 For the love of God! Put me out of misery already!
Everything about Rin and Dante's relationship is taken to the next level in Claw 2 and I'm pretty sure I'm dying a slow, agonizing, tortured death because book 3 isn't available yet!!!! If there were ever a time to go scary, axwielding fan girl on someone that would be now.  Okay, so maybe I wouldn't take it that far but for book 3 I wouldn't be beyond breaking some legs and using restraints... speaking of restraints! Okay, so yeah, no spoilers...

If you read the first book ( you really should) and loved it (and you will) then you should know that the second installment puts the first book to shame! How is that even possible?!? So yeah, it's an easy 5 stars

Merry Chris Witch by CK Dawn

 

Chris Heron is a witch who loathes the holiday season. What's even worse is getting expelled from private coven school on Halloween and having to attend public magic school, where Santa's son is visiting and has all the girls in a frenzy. Fairies, mermaids, elves, even the trolls are swooning over Kris Kringle Jr. All except for one girl, and she's a North Pole mystery that has Chris intrigued. Will he be able to put his prejudices aside in time to see the true magic all around him?

This book is so much fun to read! I really felt like a kid watching my favorite Christmas movie all over again! The world CK Dawn created reminded me of Harry Potter and the characters reminded me of a Harry Potter and the Santa Clause mash up. It has a really light atmosphere and I loved the story line and the secrets that were revealed completely caught me off guard. I can't wait until my kids are a little older so they can read it. If I love it this much I can only imagine how much they'll enjoy it!  5 Stars for the perfect Christmas Story! It really is a must read!

99 Cents at time posted!

Claw by Lucian Bane

Dante is a skin artist, a murderer, and a healer. Hired by a religious couple to troubleshoot a barren marriage, he sets out to bring the miracle they crave. But disturbing secrets arise about the couple and Dante's protocols take a dark turn in response.

WARNING: This book contains a scene of sexual assault and could act as a trigger for some readers. Read with caution.

 

Have you ever read a book that dominates you to the point of NEEDING to read it again immediately after you finish it? This is that book! And have you ever read a book that calls  for your significant other to get attacked immediately after you finish it ( and in the middle of it...and the beginning when you need to read it again)? This is also that book! My husband thanks you!

Though the nature of Claw is dark, Ryn and Dante's story is inspired.
I'm in awe of the messages I get from reading this author's work.  His reverence of women in his books speaks volumes illuminating the adoration a woman should expect from her partner while also exposing the harsh realities of what we, as women, often experience in abusive relationships. His writing style and choice of words never cease in wreaking blissful havoc on my emotions and leaving my world spinning hours after I finish his story.

It's well written, has an amazing storyline, and can EASILY be your next addiction. And let's not forget steamy! But only enough that you might forget to breathe a few times, could possibly forget you have children and responsibilities. You'll definitely remember your husband though. Make sure he's close by!And you should steer clear of reading it in public places...Unless your husband is near...

5 Stars aren't nearly enough!

Fate Forgotten by J.L. Sheppard

Valerie Matlock’s life revolves around her coven. Young and naïve, she knows little about the immortal war brewing until the night her coven is attacked. In the blink of an eye, the family she loves is gone. Devastated, she lays eyes on the angry demon warrior, Jacob Rhodes. A Guardian, he means her no harm, but she fears him as deeply as she craves him. She has to stay away. She just doesn’t know if she can.

The pain of Jacob’s losses have hardened him. He lives for revenge and uses anger like a shield, keeping everyone at arm’s length. He can’t risk losing more. Tragedy strikes, again, and he’s left caring for his four-year-old niece, Annie. The bright girl deserves better than him. But he can’t give her up, not ever. When he sets his eyes on his fated mate, the powerful witch, Valerie, his life gets twice as complicated. Will she accept him, a demon she fears and his adopted child?

I enjoyed the characters of Fate Forgotten, it's well written, and really enjoyed the paranormal elements of it. I loved how these characters had each been broken individually, but came together to create a new beginning with one another. And there is a lot of angst between them that could destroy it all.

I think my hang up on the story, and the reason I can't give it an honest 5 stars, is the "Insta-love" factor, which I should have realized from the title *face palm* so that is actually completely my fault. However, yes there is a but in there, there are quite a few stories out there with the same themes and components and a lot of people love them. There's not actually anything wrong with the story,  it's just my own personal bookie preferences standing in the way. Overall, I'd say to give it a chance.  Most people will probably enjoy it!
4 Stars

The Rise of the Phoenix (A Society Novel) by Mason Sabre

Cast out by his own family after a wolf’s bite infects him, a young thirteen-year-old boy is forced to roam the streets and fend for himself. In a world of Humans and Others, he belongs to neither. No longer considered Human, but nor a purebred Other, a race of powerful supernatural beings, he will be unwanted and hunted by both.
Danger lurks at every turn. Young, vulnerable and afraid, he tries to come to terms with the physical changes taking place in him while at the same time trying to find a way to survive.
In a menacing world filled with threats and hate, is there any hope of salvation for this orphaned fledgling?

Please note, this is a Society Short.

If you're really looking to read something that is emotionally alluring and well written, but do not have the time, this is the story for you! It's not a romance and it is very much a tragedy told from a young boy's point of view as his life is altered by one poor choice any kid in his position might have made.  The author captured a young teenagers reasoning skills perfectly and adeptly portrayed cause and effects patterns that reflects back to the horrible characteristics of own modern society. There is bullying, abuse, and manipulation involved. And of course, fear or childish curiosity of the unknown.  I look forward to finding out where the story leads and I'll definitely be reading more by this author. 5 Stars!

The Magic Queen by Jovee Winters

Baba Yaga is probably the darkest of all the queens. An unrepentant bad girl, she has no time for men, or something as pedestrian as love. Too bad Calypso and Aphrodite never got that memo. They've decided to make the witch their pet project. Baba's choice is simple, fall in love with the male they found her, or die. She'd laugh, except for the little fact that they're totally serious. But Baba has never been a quitter, she'll go to that male, she'll even willingly go through the goddesses ridiculous "games," what she won't do is fall in love. At least, those were her plans until she stared into the ice blue eyes of a Viking god and realized her life would never be the same again...

Baba Yaga is probably the darkest of all the queens. An unrepentant bad girl, she has no time for men, or something as pedestrian as love. Too bad Calypso and Aphrodite never got that memo. They've decided to make the witch their pet project. Baba's choice is simple, fall in love with the male they found her, or die. She'd laugh, except for the little fact that they're totally serious. But Baba has never been a quitter, she'll go to that male, she'll even willingly go through the goddesses ridiculous "games," what she won't do is fall in love. At least, those were her plans until she stared into the ice blue eyes of a Viking god and realized her life would never be the same again...

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with an unforgettable love story between a writer and his unexpected muse.

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

Can Ben’s relationship with Fallon—and simultaneously his novel—be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak?

REVIEW

Did you know there is such a thing as a genre-snob? Me neither! That is, until I read this book. I discovered that I have been prejudiced against contemporary romance and cheating myself out of beautiful,  emotionally havoc wreaking stories that could I could easily become addicted to! 

November 9 is the first time I've read anything by Colleen Hoover. I mean sure, I've heard her name more times than I could count and yes, she comes highly recommended as an author, but why?

I only have this book to go by, but it's all I've needed to completely change my perspective on genres.  It was immediately intriguing,  and mysterious without the constant allusion to the mystery which in turn created a pretty amazing plot twist. The characters are jaded and so very vulnerable that at times I forgot I was reading a fictitious story! I fell in love with feel good moments of the story in the beginning and stayed on for the love that quickly developed for the characters. Ibtgibk what shocked me the most is that the story was highly entertaining all the way through to the end.  I would give this more than 5 stars if I could and it is safe to say I am now a Colleen Hoover fan. I cannot wait to buy more books written by her! Pick it up! I guarantee you won't regret it!