A Lush Betrayal (Lush) by Selena Laurence Review

Series: Lush #1
Publish: February 22nd 2014 by C.P. Writes
Format: ebook, 234 pages
Rating: 5 / 4

Synopsis: Joss Jamison has it all. He's the lead singer for the world's hottest rock band, Lush. He's wealthy, sexy, talented...and miserable. Twelve months ago, Joss lost his finely honed control and made a mistake he can't undo. A mistake that could end up costing him his best friend, his band, and maybe his heart.
Mel DiLorenzo has it all. She's been hired to document the world tour of her sister's fiance's rock band. She's gorgeous, talented, loved...and sick of being the little sister. When she agrees to the summer job, Mel has no idea she's walking into a minefield of friendships lost and hearts destroyed. She also has no idea what it means to be the object of Joss Jamison's affections.
One hot rock star plus one life-altering mistake, add a dash of sexy younger sister and a handful of broken hearts, and you've got a recipe for fire. Life on the road can be hot, but for the boys of Lush, it's about to get a whole hell of a lot hotter.

Review:
  This is my first read from this author so I don’t really have anything to compare with. Alone the cover, the synopsis and the fact that it’s about rock stars convinced me to read it. The story is basically about three friends and a lot of heartbreaking emotions.

  Joss is the leading man of Lush, a pretty famous rock band so you would think that he is a typical rock star persona. However as we get to immersed more and more into the story it became obvious that he is much more than that. He has a very deep And complex personality; he betrayed one of his best friends and keeping his action takes a lot out of him and the guilt slowly eats him away. He is afraid to confess the truth because he fears the consequences. So he is not himself when we first meet him. The truth is that he didn’t plan on doing what he did, but it doesn’t make it easier. But everything changes when he meets Mel. His guilt stays and the consequences only grow, but for the first time for a while he feels god in his skin and becomes his old self.
  Mel is beautiful, who was around Lush from the beginning since her sister is the long time girlfriend of one of the members. Somehow they still didn’t notice her presence, simply see through her. She was the invisible little sister. That’s why when her sister asks her a favor she has mixed feelings about it. For one, she is excited because it’s a fantastic possibility in regard of her carrier. On the other hand she doesn’t know if she can work with her sister, she had enough of being in Tammy shadow where nobody sees the real Mel. When Joss starts to show interest in her she doesn’t know how to respond since she knows well about his reputation with woman. In addition to this everybody around her tries to keep them apart, especially Tammy, who acts like a lunatic every time Mel and Joss are close to each other.
  Tammy is not my kind of a girl; I didn’t like her a bit. She is really conceited, extremely jealous and infuriates me a lot. The reason behind this comes to light but if she could keep her mouth shut there wouldn’t be a problem.
  Unfortunately the other characters stay in the dark; we don’t really get to know them. It’s a pity.

  The author interlinks the fascinating characters and the rock stars’ word in an exceptional way. I laughed a lot during reading thanks to the amazing writing. It’s easy to read and relate to the story. My only problem is that the big betrayal comes to light very soon in the storyline and because of this and the characters background it’s obvious that their relationship is doomed from the very beginning. After finishing the book I feel I didn’t get what the synopsis promised.

Firebolt (The Dragonian) by Adrienne Woods Review

Series: The Dragonian #1
Publish: September 19th 2014 by Fire Quill
Format: ebook, 394 pages
Rating: 5 / 4

Synopsis: Dragons. Right. Teenage girls don’t believe in fairy tales, and sixteen-year old Elena Watkins was no different.
Until the night a fairy tale killed her father.
Now Elena’s in a new world, and a new school. The cutest guy around may be an evil dragon, a Prince wants Elena’s heart, and a long dead sorcerer may be waking up to kill her. Oh. And the only way Elena’s going to graduate is on the back of a dragon of her own. Teenage girls don’t believe in fairy tales. Now it’s time for Elena to believe – in herself.

Review:
  I’m not much of a fun of books about dragons, but the beautiful cover and the synopsis got my attention. The story’s not really what I was expecting, it was even better.

  I was expecting a medieval setting, instead we get world that is a more advanced but still full of magic and fairytale like creatures. It is a beautiful and colorful world, perfect for the mysteries and excitement the book presents. The author writing style is great and the story flows easily. The whole installment narrated by Elena who is new to this magical place so we experience every little detail alongside with her. Her reactions and emotions come through spectacularly. It’s strange how easily magic and technology work together in Paegeia, but if we break down the story, the bare core of it a simply fairytale where the heroic prince who saves the day is replaced with Elena.

  Beside the beautiful world the book has a fantastic cast, too. Elena, the heroine, has no clue about magic and dragons so everything is quite a shock to her. The acceptance comes slow and hard and however much hers is the most realistic reaction I ever read about, sometimes she acts so dumb and infuriatingly hysteric. Then in no time she accommodates to her new life and genuinely tries to understand her new surroundings. That is until the first hardship, when she returns to the dumb, hysteric girl from the beginning of the book, some instance she even acts as a brat. So even if she portrays the most realistic reaction from someone who just finds out about the supernatural world I was expecting a stronger and more resilient main character.
  Becky and Sam, her room-mates personalities aren’t constant trough the story. My first impression about Becky was that she is a quirky, scatter-brained, mouthy and more of a laid back person, later she shows a more badass but also entitled side of herself. Sam transforms from strong and free-spoken to a skittish and gentler character. But they have a really strong friendship and they quickly include Elena in it, too. They are also extremely loyal, understanding and have a rebel spirit. Then there is Lucian, the quintessential prince charming with more determination and stubbornness than anyone. He is a stereotype through and through. I wasn’t too happy about his advances but as my other reviews show I usually like the dark ones.
  Blake stays an enigma and acts like somebody with multiple personalities. There are also a lot of interesting secondary characters, whom add to the book complexity.

  I have two big problems with the story. One is the pacing or at least the pacing of Elena change. In the first ¾ of the book she struggles to adjust to her new life then in a blink of an eye she starts to plan her grandiose world saving mission. It’s too fast change for my taste. The other is a minor detail which is the fact that a lot of “mystery” or secret is really obvious and predictable. You can guess almost everything from the clouded stories if you play attention. Unfortunately it has the potential to ruin the further books. So I’m hoping for a twist in the installment.

  Despite the little kinks I really enjoyed the story. It is well constructed, exciting, interesting and has a little bit of everything a fantastic fairytale needs. Looking forward to Thunderlight.

By Viki

UnTouch Me (Angels Warriors MC Trilogy) by Dawn Martens Review

Series: Angels Warriors MC Trilogy #2
Publish: April 20th 2015 by Dawn Martens
Format: ebook, 220 pages
Rating: 5 / 4

Synopsis: The truth always comes out, no matter how deep you try to bury it. Secrets never make their way to the grave.
Lilly Mayer has always lived a simple life. She’s loyal—maybe too loyal since faithfulness cost her the love of her life. Keeping Eden’s whereabouts a secret from everyone, including Vinny, has ripped away Lilly’s future.
Vincent “Zippo” Torino knows he’s a goddamn bastard. And he’s willing to use Lilly’s loyalty to Eden as his own escape from a hell he created. He doesn’t give a damn that he’s leaving the woman pregnant with his child behind—not when he has to protect his own destructive secret. And not when he’s sure she’s going to beat him to the punch and leave first.
As the dangers to the club escalate, nobody’s hearts—or lives—are safe.

Review:
  I absolutely love Dawn Martens’ books. However the first book in this series was a huge disappointment for me. That’s why I was a bit reluctant to read this one, but with the way the first book ended I couldn’t help myself.

  Fortunately the structure of UnTouch me is so much better than UnKiss me, that purely this gave the story a better chance in my book. It has a clear timeline with a couple of well placed glance in the past here and there, but the most positive difference that it has a preceptible beginning and a more or less clean ending. Still has a cliffhanger but at least it’s feasible. This is what I was missing from the first book the clear, follow able and logical timeline.
  Sure there are still things bugging me but it would be strange if all of the books I read ended the way I want them.

  This story is told from different characters point of view but the books strongly intertwine with one another. We get to know Lilly and Zippo story but the conflict from the previous book starts to unfold on another thread, too. I like that we get some kind of explanation for things that happened, even if it’s not a full one, yet. Most of these connecting events are surprising and not even remotely predictable.

  Lilly and Zippo’s story is kind of heartbreaking and depressing. Honestly the characters in this series have a really twisted, screwed up values. All they do are making stupid mistakes and decisions. As in the first book with Eden and Angel, now with Lilly and Zippo the secrets rule and eventually destroy their relationship.
  I don’t want to rant about their screw ups because then my review would be full of spoilers and I don’t want that, but let me tell you this Zippo reasoning simply pissed me off. He has extremely strong double standards and in times even act disgustingly. More importantly he doesn’t have a remotely justifiable reason for his actions, like Angel has, other than being a prick.
  Lilly is kind of naïve, a bit too forgiving but loyal to a fault. Her loyalty causes her a lot of grief. In my opinion she deserves better than Zippo, but love is blind.

  Overall this book is much better than the first installment. It’s of heartbreaking emotions and drama with better structure for it. I liked it and it’s more like Dawn Martens other works.
  The way she lined up the stores in the series is a new idea, and it’s good when authors try new thing out but it’s not working, for me at least. In this genre I like when the story is clean cut.
  I hoping for a happy ending, and a triple one at that, in the next book and I’m quite curious about the mysterious ‘Unknown’ characters’ identity so I’m gonna read the next book and I hope the next story is going to be more like this one than the first.

  Oh and the cover is freaking amazing.

By Viki

Bind the Soul (Steel & Stone) by Annette Marie Review

Series: Steel & Stone #2
Publish: January 9th 2015 by Annette Marie
Format: ebook, 304 pages
Rating: 5 / 4

Synopsis: The most important rule for an Apprentice Consul is simple: Don't get involved with daemons. Well, Piper is planning to break that rule — big time.
After a near-deadly scandal with the Sahar Stone, she has the chance to return to the only life she's ever wanted. All she has to do to keep her Apprenticeship is forget about Ash and Lyre. Ash might be enigmatic and notoriously lethal, and Lyre might be as sinfully irresistible as he is irritating, but they’re not bad for a couple of daemons.
There's just one problem: Ash is missing.
Really, she shouldn't risk her future for him. He lied. He betrayed her. But he also saved her life, damn it. Wherever he is, he's in trouble, and if she doesn't save his sorry butt, who will? But with every dangerous secret she unravels, each one darker than the last, she slips deeper into Ash's world — a world with no escape for either of them.

Review:
  I loved the first book so I purchased the second and third installment in the series as soon as possible. The author doesn’t disappoint in this book either. However in the second story she shows us another side of the world she built. In Chase the dark we see how the Earth side of things work while Bind the soul plays mostly on the Underworld’ side. Or more like in a little pocket of it.

  The story starts with Piper and Lyre desperate search for Ash, whom wellbeing they worry about quite much. So our favorite trio is not together, what stays a common motive through the book. Actually it’s more like a Piper only mission. Sure Ash and Lyre show up here and there but until the last third of the book they don’t have much of a role. In this story there are a lot more dark elements than in the previous one. We get a glimpse how Ash grows up through Piper hardships, and thanks to this can understand a little better. Since the whole story is narrated from Piper point of view so it’s helps a lot to understand and relate to other characters.
  The story is not as fast paced either but has plenty of actions and complications enough to keep the reader’s attention. Piper is still struggling with her lack of magic and her father changed a bit either so he is no help at all. The fact that she gets a lot of new information about her dual magic and her capability to wield the Sahar stone just makes her work harder. So it’s safe to say she didn’t get more confident and content with what she has. Samael torture just gets her spirit lower and lower in a short period of time. Fortunately she is really stubborn and feels a deep loyalty toward Ash what helps her fight back. Before that in her desperation she shows her uglier and more manipulative side, too. Even her naivety shows, mainly toward daemons or mostly Mysis. However he bursts her bubble relatively fast. What I really liked were the subtle but noticeable romantic notions between Piper and Ash. These little scenes are quite cute, pure and honest but both of them try to deny them. There are still a lot of things they have to work out in that department.
  While Lyre doesn’t have a substantial role in the story, Ash is present quiet much. Although he truly feels like a secondary character some of the times. As I mentioned earlier we get an explanation about his actions and guarded personality. It also turns out that he is really honorable and would be a spectacular leader. On the other hand the connection between him and Piper that formed in the first installment starts to show more and more, you can clearly see how it gets stronger and how much trust he lies with Piper.
  There are a couple of new characters too but I don’t think either of them would be good. I had hopes for Mysis after his initial introduction but it turned out real fast how manipulative, condescending and power hungry truly is he.

  Overall this book has a completely different undertone than the first; I think it’s admirable ho the writer created an entirely different atmosphere with the same world, topic and cast. There is a lot of good, funny, heartbreaking and action packed part in it and I really liked it. I was hoping for a bit more positive or happier ending than we got. I can’t wait to read the next installment.

By Viki

Daughter of the Blood (The Black Jewels) by Anne Bishop Review

Series: The Black Jewels #1
Publish: March 1st 1998 by Roc
Format: ebook, 416 pages
Rating: 5 / 4

Synopsis: The Dark Kingdom is preparing itself for the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy the arrival of a new Queen, a Witch who will wield more power than even the High Lord of Hell himself. But this new ruler is young, and very susceptible to influence and corruption; whoever controls her controls the Darkness. And now, three sworn enemies begin a ruthless game of politics and intrigue, magic and betrayal...and the destiny of an entire world is at stake....

Review:
  I usually read books that are recently released, but some of the times I find little jewels from the past like this one, most of the time they are high fantasy and quite edgy. I found this book after finishing Murderer of crows, one of the authors other books. I really liked her style so I searched for her other works and I got The Black Jewels series.

  Anne Bishop has a unique talent to create interesting and original worlds for her stories and she did it with this book to. Although in this case we get an extremely complicated and dark world and it takes quite a while to really get an understanding about how the society works. So you don’t get a clear picture about the structure of it until almost the end of the book and even then you only see the life of the higher ups in the hierarchy. It’s an amazing world but incredibly deprived and most of the time disgusting. During reading it I often thought that there isn’t as many pervert, ugly and abusive people in the whole world as in this book. Even so I just couldn’t stop reading it. The story simply sucked me in and it was impossible to stop reading it. I can’t call the story beautiful because there is too much graphic negativity in it but it’s certainly fascinating and well developed. There is so much sexuality in it, savagely and vividly described but in case of the more crude words Bishop uses symbolism.
  The whole story is built around a really twisted, pleasure based politics but not the good kind of pleasure. They use it as a punishment, and all of the leaders have a sadistic, pervert and arrogant personality, so in my opinion their world is doomed.
  One of the strangest thing about it, that despite the fact that the story’s told from a couple point of view, maybe even from too many, but neither of them is Jaenelle side, yet we get a full picture. We don’t get into her head so it’s harder to connect with her but with a bit of persistence you got there. It’s a new solution at least for me, and I think it’s harder this way to give a balanced and complete story. Well the author executed it perfectly. So yeah, maybe there is a couple of unnecessary point of view in there which makes it feel like that the story has too much different angle, but as I mentioned previously in the end the writer balanced it out perfectly. But it’s true in the beginning this kind of multi- leveled plot makes hard to follow the storyline.

  Daughter of blood is a quite long book and covers a relatively long period of time, namely years if I remember correctly. Overall I would say that the whole first book of the series is about character introduction and world building, but there is a little bit action too.
  However I had a serious problem with it. There is a list of jewels and a short description about some of the titles in story, but honestly a world map or even just a detailed characterization about the people from different realms would have helped more in regard of following and understanding the story. It’s a minor oversight on the writer part.
  Thanks to the multiple POV there is a lot of important character. Almost all of them is dark, intense, and original and has a strong presence. Sure some of them are terribly arrogant and power hungry but the main characters still loveable despite their shortcomings. My favorite was Daemon with even with his cruel and mean moments. I think he has perfectly justifiable reasons for his actions. I think I would have loved Lucivar too, but unfortunately he has a really short appearance and in the end his accusations pissed me of.
  I surprisingly liked the book. It’s very well done even more so since this was the author debut novel. But I have to mention that you need a really strong and resilient mind if you want to read it since there are a lot of taboo and cringe worthy elements in it. The story is very dark, savage and harsh. The writer is extremely talented and has a twisted imagination, but I like her style. I’m certainly going to read the next book.

By Viki

Elsker (The Elsker Saga) by S.T. Bende Review

Series: The Elsker Saga #1
Publish: May 16th 2014 by S.T. Bende
Format: ebook, 305 pages
Rating: 5 / 4

Synopsis: Kristia Tostenson prefers Earl Grey to Grey Goose and book clubs to nightclubs, but when she transfers from her one-stoplight town to Cardiff University in Wales she falls in love with Ull Myhr. Her new boyfriend isn’t exactly what she was expecting. He’s an honest-to-goodness Norse God — an immortal assassin fated to die at Ragnarok, the battle destined to destroy Asgard and Earth. Kristia’s crazy visions are the only thing that can save their realms. Her orderly life just got very messy.

Review:
  I love books about mythology and I found this series one day when I was browsing the realeses under the genre. I was a bit reluctant to start because the synopsis was too telling for my taste. I don't really like when I can get to know basicly the whole story beforehand. So the other day I got over myself and started it.

  The plot and the mythologycal elements of the book was actually quite interesting and enjoyable and it had a couple of original ideas, too. Sure there was some samll similarities with other popular young adult trilogy, but not too much so it wasn't annoying, yet. My main problem was that some of the scenes and interactions in the book felt forced, staged and sometimes a bit childish. Mainly when there was supposed to be a bit flirting. Fortunately, eventually these parts faded out and the story became a bit more natural.
  The author built up quite an interesting settings for her book and it was really well constructed. The flow of the story was really good if sometimes a bit erratic, but not confusing.

  I loved the characters they weren't perfect even so they were supposed to be gods. Kristia had a hard life in a remote little town where she her ability was a known fact, and I think she made it harder for herself when she titled herself crazy. She wa shy in the beginning but during the book she developed a comletly different personality. A more determined and brave one but still a bit childish. It was good to see her 'bloom'.
  Ull was a real gentleman, who treated Kristia quite good, of course just after the hard and challenging start where he tried to be act as a hard edged and unattainable person. He was a Norse god but we didn't get to see that side of him, yet. Hopefully in the next book.
  I liked the secondary characters too. They all had a uniqe personality and they played a major role in Kristia personality change, but I don't think they gonna have a bigger role in the whole Ragnarok story line. Who knows. I also loved Ull immediate family however the only appeared at the very late stage of the story.

  First I was going to give the book a lower rating but in the end things really heated up and there was a bit more action too. I hope later we get a deeper picture of the mythologycal line I missed that. Oh, and I think that the identity of the bad gus was really obvious but nobody seen it. I can't wait for the second book.

Chosen Thief (Forever Evermore) by Scarlett Dawn Review

Series: Forever Evermore #4
Publish: March 8th 2015 by Escape
Format: ebook, 197 pages
Rating: 5 / 4

Synopsis: Caroline Jules knows death is imminent. She’s only 22, but as an inmate of Death Row in the most secure Mystical jail, what else could her future hold?
Caro has no idea. Her solitary, transient life is about to get flipped on its head when it is revealed that she is the new Prodigy Elemental, and she has responsibilities and ties that she can’t ever escape. Caro is attempting to run from a brutal past, but the Rulers have other plans for this thief’s future.
But the transition from a self-contained existence to life with the other Prodigies, the Kings and Queens, and even the Elders was never going to be easy, and Caro has secrets she’s loath to share. Suddenly she has friends, mentors, lovers — and they all want to know more about her than she is willing to reveal.
Will Caro ever escape the darkness of all she is, or will she fall deeper into the life that has been chosen for her?

Review:
  Scarlett Dawn is one of my favorite author and I love the Forever Evermore series so I think I strated the book with quite high expectations. It's good, I really enjoyed it but it's nowhere near as good as the first two book in the series. But lets start in the beginning.

  The story takes place in the same world as the first trilogy just a 20 or so years later. Same world, same problems and some of the same characters. Althought the main focus is on a completly new character, Caro and a new kind of Elemental. Ok, not new but I don't remember it being mentioned previously. And I think the most important difference is the atmosphere, mood that the story generates. There isn't that much heartwrenching and overwhelming emotion and event. We get to know the Mystical world from a different perspective. It's like the same and completly different than Lilly's story.
  There isn't too much action in the plot, still I can't say that the story is missing it. It's how the story builds up, gets to the real starting point. The whole thing is a bit laid back and kind of slow, but it's working and I really enjoyed it. We get to know the new characters, part of the backstory and a couple of things about how the previous characters lifes changed. The information about Lilly, Ezra, Pearl and Jack I was really looking forward to but it's one of the things I was dissapointed in. They became rigid and we don't get to see the dynamism the had in the first three book. I missed that. Otherwise they are still as badass as they were.

  Now for the new 'elements' mainly the characters. Caro is a special kind of Elemental, and we don't really get to know about her ability. Based on the synopsis and a couple of reviews I read before getting the book I was expevting her to be a badass and unstoppable character. She is badass and strong but not in the way I originally thought. I like her personality and her flaws, she is more human than the heartless killer the synopsis suggests at least in this book. I think she has two sides the volnerable, lonley girl and the aforementiond heartless killer. One of her sides we don't get to see, yet. The author keeps her past a mystery and it pissed me of because there are shady references to the past and we don't know what are they talking about. It is annying. As for her personal life, tath is really complicated. There are more than one possible outcome, the question is who will she choose. I corious and don't quite agree with her decisions in that aspect of her life so far. We will see.
  Sin is another new character, who play puite an important part in Caro life. Their connection is confusing but they are really good together. I loved their antics. They act entirely differnt when they are in the same room. Caro is more carefree and funny around him. They have a special relationship.
  Oh and we get to know the new Prodigies, where is a serious lack of capability for leadership. There is Brann, the snob man-whore, but at least he is strong and has brain. Aria is lacking in self respect and London is a perfect bait if you running from wild animals. They have room to learn. I don't like them as much as I liked the previous quartet but during the story they grow upon you.
  Last but not least there is Leric, whom I don't know how to relate yet. He is inscrutable, I think he has some kind of ulterior motive but I'm not sure because sometimes he acts in favor of Caro and the others.

  As for a footnote I don't understand the importance of the first chapter. For me Isa involvement was a bit far-fetched. I just can't understand why was it needed from the story perspective. Especially since Caro being bisexual doesn't play a part in the plot after the first chapter. So Isa part was unnecessary aspect.

  I still like the series and looking forward to the next book. I hope we get to know a little bit much about Caro past and about her powers. I just hope that the idea behind the world stay enjoyable unlike other long serieses.

Bloodmagic (Blood Destiny) by Helen Harper Review

Series: Blood Destiny #2
Publish: December 29th 2012 by Helen Harper
Format: ebook, 156 pages
Rating: 5 / 4

Synopsis: After escaping the claws of Corrigan, the Lord Alpha of the Brethren, Mack is trying to lead a quiet lonely life in Inverness in rural Scotland, away from anyone who might happen to be a shapeshifter. However, when she lands a job at an old bookstore owned by a mysterious elderly woman who not only has a familiar passion for herbal lore but also seems to know more than she should, Mack ends up caught in a maelstrom between the Ministry of Mages, the Fae and the Brethren.
Now she has to decide between staying hidden and facing the music, as well as confronting her real feelings for the green eyed power of Corrigan himself.

Review:
  The second book in the Blood destiny series starts roughly six moths after where Bloodfire ended. I was really excited when I started it because the first one was simply fantastic, but in the end I was a bit dissapointed.

  The characters and the writing style is still the same and I sill like it but there is a huge hole in the book. In my opinion there isn't a story behind the happenings. Sure there is a lot of action and badass fighting, new developments and emotions but nothing realy connecting and more important main thread than in the previous one. Because of this and the lenghtof the book when I finished I felt like I lost half of the book somewhere along the way. Kinda ended in the middle of the action. And I had high hopes, I don't like when I have to be dissapointed. It was unfortunate. This huge missing piece was my main problem with the book, I liked the way things were working in the first book, but in this everything chaneged. There is a jumble of everything supernatural in it. Mack pisses of everybody who counts, meddel with the fae, with magic and with the shifters even more. And I missed the shifters. Sure there are shifters in it, mainly Corrigan I just don't get why, doesn't really have a place in the story. They just show up out of the blue. Don't get me wrong I accept every minute I can get from Corrigan, but their part of the story is out of place is this book. So there is everything in it, a confusing mix of otherworld and the whole thing is rushed. It is good for making a great foundation for the following books but nothing else.But I still liked it. When you have a great main character and an interesting world and a talented writer, it is almost impossible to write a bad book. I look at it like a bridge or a companion novella.

  I loved Mack how she was in the first book. She isn't worst in this just a bit more emotional and maybe reckless. After leaving the pack she became pennyless and really lonely, oh and a bit paranoid, too. But her fighter spirit saves her again and again. Her biggest problem in this installment she cares too easily and can't give up somebody even if it means she becames the target. She gets new abilitis and those just complicates her life. Honestly I laughed a lot because of her reactions. There are a lot of changes in her personality and I can't decide yet if it is good or bad that she started to mellow.
  Then there is that so called sexual tension between her and Corrigan, it is still there and finally they started to realize it, too. I'm rooting for them they are cute together.
Unfortunately, Corrigan lost a little of his shine for me. He is a bit slow realizing the true and looks a bit dumb because of it. An beside that his obsession with Mack starts to seem unhealty. Okay, I still like him but come on get yourself together and man up. Just like in the first book.
  There are quite a few new characters but we still doesn't get to know them deeper. However, in this book I doesn't rmind it that much I did it in Bloodfire. Solus isn't really lieabel, at least I doesn't like him. And the others just keep dragging Mack down.

  I'm goingto continue the series despite my initial dissaponitment. I hope Corrigan and Mack romance ging to fire up a bit and the story gets back to the right tracks. I really like the general conception of the book I hoping for the best.

Poison Promise (Elemental Assassin) by Jennifer Estep Review

Series: Elemental Assassin #11
Publish: July 22nd 2014 by Pocket Books
Format: ebook, 400 pages
Rating: 5 / 4

Synopsis: Gin Blanco is hard-nosed, sexy, and lethal. Nicknamed “The Spider,” she’s a stone elemental assassin who brings her unique mix of magic and tact to every assignment, no matter the target.
There’s a new drug on the streets of Ashland, and its name “Burn” sums up the potent effect it has on its users. When one of her restaurant employees is threatened by dealers of the drug, Gin steps in to set things straight...

Review:
  Here is the eleventh book in Jennifer Estep phenomenal Elemental Assassin series. So far I read everything form the author and I think that she really good at writing urban fantasy. I didn't really expected this much installment in the series especially after reading the fifth book. For me it started on a rocky road, I liked the general idea but it took a while, a couple of books, it too became one of my favourite. But since then I always look foraward to reading new installment. The course of the series it developed a lot, story and character wise too.

  It's amazing how easy it is to fall back into the story and that the author still can show us something new and that the story is still exciting and original. There is an ongoing development in the books that helps this. And I think the fact that there is 2 or 3 new book piblished in the series every year helps, too. The reader don't have to wait a year between them. It's a quite accomplishment from a writer especially since she has/had another ongoing series. I think because of this there is not that much reharsing in the book than usually in others and I really like this fact. I hate when half of the book is about what happened in the previous ones. If you want to now read them first and don't strat with the eleventh one.
  I really like Jennifer Estep's writing style and how she can twist thing you thought are already finished but suddenly something happens and it turns out there are still mystery behind it. Also she is quite a talented writer when it's about character building.
  The story as always is told by Gin and despite the fact that nowdays almost every book is narrated from at least two point of view, the book still can hold it's place.

  As all of the previous books there is a crazy dinamic in the plot and everything happens really fast still it's not so hard to follow. The whole installment is full of surpriese and dispite the little predictable details, like that Gin is going to come out on top in the end, it is still exciting and fresh. A lot of thing is unforeseeable because there isn't a main arc in it like there was in the first 5. You simply don't know what is going to happen. Sure I was expecting the infamous M.M.Monroe appearance since the author drawn it out quite a while beside that however it is a mystery. I was hoping that M.M. Monroe isn't as bad as Mab were. Unfortunately we get a more maniac version of her, not good at all.
  After Gin satisfied her revenge every book started to became more emotional and more about Gin and the other characters feelings and sometimes their background. However, it's looks like the series is returnig to the beginnings in plot wise. I mean we got another mastermind criminal who still lives after a whole book with Gin. Oh and Gin desperatly needed a more focused goal. I don' have any idea how long the series is going to be but right no the author is contracted for 12 books. In taht case I think the final showdown with M.M. Monroe is going to be a bit rushed. I see a lot of potential in it.

  Gin has a kind of personality I love. Strong, sarcastic, independent and a real fighter. Still I think after she defeated Mab she simply lost herself. And beside this she started to be more and more emotional and in the course of the 3-4 book she started to feel tired. She can't bethe cold blooded killer she once was and I think she is strating to exhauset herself. It is not helping either that her friends and family slowly leave her behind but they still expect the help and problem solving from her. She reache rock bottom in the seventh installment when Owen left her and since then she is barely keeping her head above water. Book after book it feels more emotionally exhausting for her and all of that is wonderfully portrayed and I can really feel them. I love her but I think her so called retirement is more spending than she thought. She should take more time for herself. Fortunately, Owen came to his senses and since then their relationship is really solid and balanced. I think it is strange how can Owen be so important in Gin life, yet we know so little about him, he stays in the background in a way. However it seems Owen the only constant in her life and he is the only one who doesn't leave her behind.
  I never liked Bria and this book didn't changed my opinion. I started to simply hate her. She always were judgmental with Gin but in this book she became cruel and mean with her. Gin made many sacrifices but Bria couldn't cope with them, respect them. She only sees the cold blooded killer and she acts like somebody who desn't even want to try and get to know the real Gin. It's really bugs me, especially since Finn, her boyfriend isn't better crime wise and she doesn't have any problem with that. It doesn't matter Gin how much tries to warm up to the idea that her sister still lives, Bria makes it immosibble since most of the time she simply just avoiding Gin. Except when she needs something from her criminal sister. Oh, and I was a bit dissapointed in Finn, too. He is starting to leave behind Gin, too. Don't get me wrong all of them was written perfectly. I just don't like Bria selfish and judgmental personality.

  Over all Poison Promise is a fantastic instalment in an interesting and exciting series. I can't wait the next book, but I'm a little afraid that the end is near. However I don't know what would be best a couple of new books or to finally give Gin a little bit of a peace. She deserves it.

Mortal Enchantment (Mortal Enchantment) by Stacey O'Neale Review

Series: Mortal Enchantment #1
Publish: May 20th 2014 by Phoenix Reign
Format: ebook, 183 pages
Rating: 5 / 4

Synopsis: In Kalin Matthew's world, elementals control the forces of nature. They are divided into four courts: air, woodland, fire, and water. At sixteen she will leave the life she's built with her mortal mother. Kalin will move to Avalon to rule with her father—the elemental king of the air court. Along the way, she's attacked by a fire court assassin and saved by Rowan, a swoon-worthy elemental with a questionable past.
Worst of all, she learns her father is missing.
To rescue him, Kalin will have to work with a judgmental council and a system of courts too busy accusing each other of deceit to actually be able to help her. But, they aren’t her biggest challenge. With the Midwinter’s Ball only five days away, Kalin must take over her father’s duties, which includes shifting control of the elements—power Kalin has yet to realize.
As Rowan attempts to train her, a war looms between the four courts. If Kalin fails, her father will die and the courts will fall, but the betrayal she’s about to uncover may cost her even more...

Review:
  I didn't read anything from the author before so I didn't know what to expect. But since it has a beautiful cover, intresting title and an exciting synopsis it wasn't a question whether or not to read it.

  The book has an entire new picture about the fae world, characters, something quite original in parts if you ask me. Sure there are similarities with other other book worlds about the fae but still there are a lot of new motif in it and I really like it. It is rare to find a book with elements you didn't see before. My personal favourite idea is change with the seasons. Despite the fact that it is original, there are really strange things in it too. Things I couldn't understand why the characters do it or live like it. But all in all I love the world the author built for the story.

  As for the characters, Kalin wasn't my favourite in the beginning. She is really childish, whiny but she is just sixteen so it understanable. She sees sexual references in every little and innocent thing Rowan tells her, she acts like a twelve years old little girl, who just got her first kiss. After a while it became annoying mainly because even if there is an alleged attraction between the two main character I just could't feel the chemistry. So for me the romantic part was a little bit dull. And if it's not enough there is a part when she became crazy paranoid too. Fortunately, when she realized the real weigth of her actions and responsibility, she kind of grew upa and started to act more mature like and with more determination.
  And there is Rowen. First of all, I didn't read the companion novell, which is about Rowan before the first book happenings. Thanks to the fact that a didn't read it there is a couple of more surprising fact in ths story for me. There is a kind of suspense about Rowen and his secrets. Especially since thy whole story is told by Kalin viewpoint so the reader doesn't know what Rowan is thinking. Sure whe know how he looks like, that he is hot, loyal and a talented fighter. He is struggling between his responsibilities and his desires and with Kalin presence it became harder for him. But he doesn't tell anybody about his difficulties, he is a secretive person.
  We can read about a lot of other characters, and while their personalty and place in the plot is really detailed, they are not that important.

  Ultimately it is an interesting and action packed story, with unexpected turns, a little romance and a huge surprise element in the end. I liked it and can't wait to read the next installment. I hope the autor will clarify a few question I still have.