Tortured Souls *Freebie, Review, & Giveaway*

*Review located at bottom*

I am thrilled to announce that Tortured Souls will be FREE on Amazon from

December 15, 2014 through December 19, 2014.

Be sure to grab your copy before it's too late!

Tortured Souls
The Orion Circle #1

Kimber Leigh Wheaton

YA Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
June 30, 2014
Sea Dragon Press

FREE on Amazon 12/15 - 12/19/14

Sometimes Rest in Peace isn't an option

Kacie Ramsey sees ghosts—and it's ruining her life. Her mother left, her father blames her, and no matter how hard she tries, she can't keep the ghosts away. Now a new power has emerged. Nightly visions of grisly murders and a relentless predator draw her to the brink of insanity.

When the phantom appears at a party, Kacie's longtime crush, Logan, saves her. He invites her to join the Orion Circle, a group of supernatural hunters with chapters in schools all over the country. Through the Circle, Kacie learns to embrace her spiritual powers, and for the first time in her life she feels in control rather than a victim.

But the Foxblood Demon will not give up so easily. A demented serial killer in life who trapped the souls of the thirteen children he murdered, imprisoning them within the walls of his mansion. Now in death, he plots his return while drawing power from the pure souls of the children. He recognizes something in Kacie he's never seen before—a medium powerful enough to provide a vessel for his tainted soul.

Kacie can't ignore the tortured souls of the children crying out to her every night. With Logan at her side, she will fight the Foxblood Demon. But can they banish this powerful phantom, or will Kacie lose not only her body, but her eternal soul to the monster.

About the Author

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a bestselling YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs, four cats, and lots of dragons. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) She currently lives in San Antonio, TX but has been somewhat a rolling stone in life, having resided in several different cities and states.

Website*Twitter*Goodreads*Facebook*Pinterest*Amazon Author Page

Giveaway

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My Thoughts:

 Over all, I thoroughly enjoyed Tortured Souls. The main characters were a little younger than I am used to, so at times, when I thought the dialog was cheesy, I had to remind myself of that fact. Other than some of the dialog, the story seemed like it's target audience should have been older. I won't say it was graphic, but some of the story line involving the murders really freaked me out! 

All the characters were well written and easy to like. I enjoyed the fact that each member of the Orion Circle had their own special gift to offer. I do wish Gavin would have had a little more to do with the story. He was the only character I didn't really make a connection with. 

 Normally I do not like anything that has to do with 'ghost hunters'. All those T.V. shows - I hate them. I found that when attached to a fiction book, I really get into the idea. I loved the story line about the cult leader and what all he did to trap the souls in the earthly realm. It was intense and really freaky. I couldn't put the book down waiting on everyone to figure out the secrets of his plot. 

 If you are up for a gruesome story about teenagers trying to rid the world of one seriously bad guy then Tortured Souls is the book for you! 

Anomaly (Schrodinger's Consortium #1)

Anomaly

(Schrodinger's Consortium #1)

Tonya Kuper

Release Date:

November 25, 2014

Publisher:

Entangled Teen

Pages:

400

Source:

eARC

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

Reality is only an illusion.

Except for those who can control it...

Worst. Birthday. Ever.

My first boyfriend dumped me-happy birthday, Josie!-my dad is who knows where, I have some weird virus that makes me want to hurl, and now my ex is licking another girl's tonsils. Oh, and I'm officially the same as my brother was when he died. Yeah, today is about as fun-filled as the swamps of Dagobah. But then weird things start happening...

Like I make something materialize just by thinking about it.

When hottily-hot badass Reid Wentworth shows up on a motorcycle, everything changes. Like, everything. Who I am. My Family. What really happened to my brother. Existence. I am Oculi, and I have the ability to change reality with my thoughts. Now Reid, in all his hotness, is charged with guiding and protecting me as I begin learning how to bend reality. And he's the only thing standing between me and the secret organization that wants me dead...

Teaser Sentence:

'I flicked on my light, shut the door, and my Benedict Khan and Benedict Sherlock posters welcomed me home.'

My Thoughts:

Anomaly is real-life science meets science-fiction with lots of betrayal and secrets. It was most definitely a good read. 

As a fellow science nerd, I really appreciated the fact that the sci-fi parts of the story were based off real science. It made for a more believable fiction book, which is refreshing when you are always reading fantasy. I really liked Josie as the main character. I could related to her. And her love for science and Star Wars and everything else nerdy. 

Some parts of the story were a little slow. The betrayals and secrets spread throughout made me want to keep reading though. I also love stories that have multiple points of view. I know some people do not like the switch, but I enjoy getting to see the story from another angle. So, having some of the book from Reid's POV was a plus for me. 

I will absolutely be on the look out for the next installment of this series. I feel like Anomaly was a lot of world/character building, and that the next book will be even better.

Dark Visions (#1-3)

Dark Visions 

(#1-3)

L.J. Smith

Release Date:

December 1, 2009

Publisher:

Simon Pulse

Pages:

732

Source:

My Personal Copy

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

Kaitlyn Fairchild has always felt like an outsider in her small hometown. Her haunting eyes and prophetic drawings have earned her a reputation as a witch. But Kait's not a witch: She's a psychic. Tired of being shunned, Kait accepts an invitation to attend the Zetes Institute, where she can have a fresh start and study with other psychic teens. 

Learning to hone her abilities with four other gifted students, Kait discovers the intensity of her power--and the joy of having true friends. But those friendships quickly become complicated when Kait finds herself torn between irresistible guys. Rob is kind and athletic, and heals people with his good energy. Gabriel is aggressive and mysterious, a telepath concealing his true nature as a psychic vampire, feeding off of others' life energy. Together, Rob and Gabriel's opposing forces threaten the group's stability. 

Then one of the experiments traps the five teens in a psychic link. A link that threatens their sanity and their lives. And Kaitlyn must decide whom to trust...and whom to love.

My Thoughts:

 Dark Visions is a trilogy made up of The Strange Power, The Possessed, and The Passion. I read all 3 of these books together, so I am only doing one review.
I liked the basic idea and the plot of Dark Visions. In my opinion, this is a great series ruined by very unlikable characters. I hated Kait and Rob with a passion. I never saw anything in their relationship. There was no feeling in it, and it felt forced. I think Gabriel could have been better if we could have had more from his perspective. There was a lot going on there we didn't get to experience. Most all of Gabriel's interaction was him being a jackass. In the final book I did feel sorry for Gabriel. I still didn't like him, but all the dirty things Rob and Kait do make me have some level of sympathy for him. It also made me hate Kait and Rob that much more.
Okay, so to end my little rant here. I wanted to like this series, but the characters just didn't make the cut for me. I would not recommend this series. I am extremely happy I purchased it off the bargain rack.

Renhala Tour & Giveaway

Renhala  

(Renhala #1)

Amy Joy Lutchen 

Release Date:

September 27, 2012

Genre:

Adult Fantasy

Reading Level:

Adult

Description:

Kailey Rooke, timid accountant, dedicated to philanthropic work, finds herself spiraling into a deep depression after she suffers a horrifyingly odd and humiliating assault, to only discover more of these freakish assaults occurring across the globe.

A chance discovery leads Kailey to a meeting with elderly Gunthreon, actual master of persuasion. Gunthreon, who seems to know too much of Kailey's history for her liking, opens Kailey's eyes to a coexisting realm she never knew existed: Renhala, while entrusting her with the knowledge of her newfound power as karmelean, serving as a beacon to the Higher Ones. Kailey slowly starts revealing new talents, and Gunthreon is fascinated with what she starts achieving.

She soon discovers that Renhala is in danger, and this danger has been leaking into her own realm. As she uncovers secrets within herself, and attempts to toughen up, she fuses with an unlikely band of fellow travelers (including a dragon, woodsprite, six-hundred-pound greble, her faithful female canine companion, and a "giver"), falls into an unexpected love triangle, deals with her sexy and flirtatious best friend’s “issues,” and finds the courage to master a new deadly weapon. 

On her mission to save Renhala, Kailey will find herself running from life-threatening disasters, such as greble Tartarin, who likes to remind Kailey that when he catches her, he plans on eating her brains with ice cream; she'll run from the deadly meeples: small cute bunnies with talons and an undeniable thirst for imposing self-destruction on others. Kailey will also run into the possibility that a centuries-old Renhalan rumor is true, that advanced technology existing in Kailey's realm shortens all life spans.

As blood is shed and puzzles near completion, Kailey pulls from deep within herself, conjuring up mystical qualities that enable her to astonish as once predicted at her birth, but despite the newfound strength, Kailey will discover that monsters not only come in ugly packages, but can be easily disguised as those she has come to love and trust.

Goodreads  |  Amazon  |  Smashwords  |  Barnes & Noble

Amy Joy Lutchen

Born in Chicago, Illinois, a few days prior to watching her first movie, at a drive-in theater. Yes, drive-in theater. And yes, her mother believed she was possessed by the devil after said first movie.
Grew up in the Chicagoland area and graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, where she simply became a number, but decided it was a good number.
Loves cooking (mostly candy-cooking), gardening (putting holes in the ground for perennials, DONE!), designing and constructing jewelry (everything from silversmithing to lampworking), and living with her wonderful husband, two children, black Labrador, and frog—and maybe even the chipmunk family that likes to destroy her aforementioned perennials.
Also hopes that you enjoy her writings, and won’t criticize her for her aversion of eating things in multiples of three.

Website  |  Goodreads  |  Twitter  |  Facebook

Excerpt: 

Six o’clock means she’ll be here at seven, and that gives me plenty of time to get ready. I can hardly believe I’m the one who initiated a night out, but I’m riding the minute possibility that a few really strong, dirty martinis will crumble a few emotional walls of mine tonight. I’m willing to give it a try, but damn well know the probable outcome: me sitting, totally sober, while already-drunk Amber downs the countless drinks bought for her from overly-anxious meatheads.  

I switch on the radio and get dressed while lightly shuffling to “Good Vibrations,” by Marky Mark. As I check myself out in the bathroom mirror, I stare, unhappy with the somewhat low-cut shirt I chose—too revealing. While taking the shirt off, I bend over to plug the iron back in, and then the power suddenly goes out, engulfing me in total darkness. 

I freeze for a brief two seconds. Then whirl about, using my hands as eyes in the darkness, searching for any weapons in my bathroom. Realizing that two previous nights ago I walked away with a pocket knife usually stored in the medicine cabinet, I grab my cuticle scissors in one hand and my hairspray in the other. Kioto had only been moaning in her sleep that night I moved the knife, but it sounded so alien. Alien. Alien-like grunting.

The guttural sound of grunting from my assaulter’s throat echoes through my mind as I stand motionless, frozen from fear, remembering the noise as he tore off my cotton panties the day of the assault. I lay there, on my stomach, on top of my newly made bed, staring at Bear—a feeling of despair so great and overpowering pulsing through me. I also remember, too painfully, the blood-curdling scream that escaped my throat as I pleaded to anyone listening, a higher being even, to please save me. Don’t let this happen to me. This shouldn’t be happening to me. I wouldn’t survive feeling that hopeless again.

After my eyes adjust, and as I wait for the sound of footsteps or breathing, I hear neither, so I peek around the door and see Kioto lying on the ground, head turned toward me—possibly perturbed by the roaring sounds emanating from my chest. I walk, shakily, with weapons still in hand, toward the window and I see the whole block is out. A quick check toward the sky reveals the approaching storm. I collapse on my couch and cry like a baby, doubting my ability to function like a normal human being ever again. Kioto walks toward me, and slowly licks my blackened tears from my face. “Thanks, baby,” I say as I snuggle into her and regain my normal breathing. 

I wipe my running mascara from my face and gather my composure. A glance at the clock tells me that Amber should be here soon. Sooner than I can fix my makeup, the power goes back on, giving me another heart attack when “Kung Fu Fighting” starts blaring throughout the apartment. What a wonderful start to the evening.

Amber arrives at 7:15 and lets herself in with the key I gave her last week, which was supposed to be for emergencies only. She is absolutely stunning. Her long, straight blond hair complements the lime-green baby-doll dress and her black stilettos. She’s only five foot three, so the extra four and a half inches brings her closer to eye level, but not for long. I decide to wear my knee length, heeled, black boots with my new taupe silk tank top and black pants. I grab my father’s ring off my dresser and slip it into my pocket.  

She stares at me and says, “Girl, I need some of that leg length. If you die, can you donate your legs to me?” I laugh and tell her only if she shares some of the endowment on her chest. She’s about a thirty-two E, compared to my thirty-four B. 

“You sure you’re ready to do this?” She emanates sincerity.

I shake my head no as the tears fill my eyes and I grab my purse.

Giveaway:

Tour Grand Prize:

Open internationally

$100 Amazon gift card

Two Renhala magnets

Goodies: Blackberry Sage tea by Republic of Tea and Mighty Leaf's Organic African Nectar tea

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*Cover Reveal* Obsession by Jennifer L Armentrout

Obsession

Jennifer L Armentrout

Release Date:

May 31, 2013

Publisher:

Entangled's Covet

Reading Level:

Adult

Description:

He’s arrogant, domineering, and… To. Die. For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something…unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life…or is it Hunter?

GOODREADS

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.
She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

TWITTER  | FACEBOOK  | WEBSITE

I am excited for this release! Anyone else feel the same way?

Mirror of Shadows Review & Giveaway

Mirror of Shadows

T. Lynne Tolles

Release Date:

September 1, 2012

Source:

Review Copy Provided*

Reading Level:

New Adult







View the Trailer Here


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Description:

Ella McKaye returns home for her grandmother's funeral to find she's inherited a ton of money and a run down mansion she never knew existed, called Grey Manor. Her greedy mother is appalled when the will stipulates specifically that Ella can't give her any of the inheritance. She quickly throws Ella out of her home forcing her to take up immediate residence in the spooky old mansion.

Within minutes of entering her new home she has a strange interaction with a creepy old mirror in the main hallway and the ghostly inhabitants of the past get more and more agitated the longer Ella's there. Nearly fatal back to back accidents make Ella start to wonder if she's angered some ghost or if there is something more sinister at work. Will Ella unravel the deadly mystery before she becomes a ghost herself? Or will fate take

another one of the Grey ancestors to the grave.

Teaser Sentence(s):

He looked absolutely mortified as he grabbed a dishtowel and held it in front of him as if to hide the fact he was in his underwear. Of Course the boxers could be seen from all edges of the dishtowel, making Ella want to giggle at his sudden realization of his lack of pants.

My Thoughts:

Mirror of Shadows was a nice paranormal mystery.

Elle was a very independent protagonist. She wasn't dependent on a man to come in and save the day, even though that did keep happening. I was happy she didn't come off as being perfect. She even made herself look a little crazy at the beginning when she first met Jeremy. I hated Matt straight from the beginning, but I love Jeremy. He was the silent, keep-to-himself type, and that drove me crazy wanting to get to know him. Jeremy was another character who wasn't perfect. He was handsome and, obviously, likes cats, but he was far from flawless and had a somewhat bad background. There was not any insta-love or hooking up, so I have my fingers crossed for a follow up book with more on Elle and Jeremy's relationship.

Jeremy and Elle were well written and, to me, felt like they could be real people. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story. It was fun (and creepy) trying to figure out the secrets of Willow along with Elle. Who was she? Why did she die? Is she good or bad? What the heck is up with that mirror in the hallway? The ending was good, and I would recommend this to anyone who wanted a clean, paranormal romance.

Enter below to win a copy of Mirror of Shadows + some swag. Open internationally.

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T. Lynne Tolles

T. Lynne Tolles is a lifelong avid reader of all things paranormal and now is a writer of new adult paranormal romances for readers 15 to 115. She grew up in the sunny California San Francisco bay area. She's the mother of two, wife to one and pet mom to three cats and Newfoundland dog. 

Blood of a Werewolf is the first of five books in a series called, the Blood Series. Other titles include Somber Island and Mirror of Shadows - both unrelated to the series.

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*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for my opinion.

Everdark (Dark Ink Chronicles #2)

Everdark

Dark Ink Chronicles #2

Elle Jasper

Release Date:

June 7, 2011

Publisher:

Signet Eclipse

Pages:

336

Source:

Borrowed 

Reading Level:

Adult

Description:

When Savannah tattoo artists Riley Poe is ambushed by an undead enemy, she inherits some of the traits of her attackers-and a telepathic link with a rampaging vampire. Now, she's experiencing murder after murder through the victims' eyes. And her new powers will not be enough to stop the horror-or the unending slaughter. . .

Teaser Sentence(s):

Sitting around a roaring campfire on a Georgia barrier island at night with a handful of centuries-old vampires, Gullah conjurers, and adolescent boys with vampiric tendencies made for a way more interesting crowd than any other I'd ever hung with in my wild teenage years, or in my adult years, truth be known. No lie- it was surreal. Bizarre. Oh, and Zetty-can't forget the big Tibetan.

My Thoughts:

Now, bad-ass Riley Poe has vampiric tendencies and is, somehow, even more bad-ass.

Riley is one of my favorite main characters. She is very independent, and doesn't need a man to protect her, even before she had 2 ancient vampires out to get her blood. Eli is a bit too overprotective of her in my opinion. I often find myself wishing he would back off some. 

After everything that happened in book 1, Afterlight, I was thrilled to get to know Seth a little better. Seth also now has vampiric tendencies, and is just as bad-ass as his sister, Riley, when it comes to fighting rouge vampires and newlings. 

I still really liked all of Eli's vampire family, especially his siblings, Phin, Luc and Josie. Luc has a great attitude. He knows Riley can take care of herself, and tries to get Eli to realize that too. Victorian is also a main part of this story. He was made to not seem like such a bad guy in Everdark. I am very curious to see how his story is played out.

Some readers may not enjoy the Gullah accents some of the characters speak with. I am from the South, so reading this comes naturally for me.  I have read a couple reviews where the reader complained of this, so be warned.

I personally enjoy this series. I know vampire stories are everywhere these days, but if you like a good smutty read with not-so-average vampires then you should check this series out. 

My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers #2)

My Soul to Save

(Soul Screamers #2)

Rachel Vincent

Release Date:

December 29, 2009

Publisher:

Harlequin

Pages:

288

Source:

My Personal Copy

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.

So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry for someone who has no soul.

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld-a consequence they can't possibly understand.

Kaylee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk... ~Goodreads

Teaser Sentence(s):

And as the impossibility of what we were about to attempt truly sank in, I focused on one thought to keep myself calm: Weirdest. Wednesday. Ever.

My Thoughts:

I love the Soul Screamers series. I, personally, have not stumbled upon another quite like it. The series contains a lot of folklore and mythology, then some dark paranormal is added in with the grim reapers and demons. I think it makes for a good mix.

In My Soul to Save you get to know Tod much better. He is the main reason this part of the story is taking place. I am still partial to Nash, but it was nice to get to know his grim reaper/bean sidhe brother a little better. 

Kaylee is great. She is not whiney, and is insistant on saving souls. Even when the outcome doesn't look good, and she is bound to get in some kind of trouble. Kaylee always seems ready to jump in and tangle with demons. I love her brave, strong will. Nash is always suporting Kaylee, even when he thinks the plan may not be the best idea. Sometimes, I wish he would be a little more assertive with Kaylee, instead of always letting her run the show. 

I don't know why it took so long for me to find this series, but I definately recommend it to all the lovers of dark paranormal.  

Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1)

Shatter Me

(Shatter Me #1)

Tahereh Mafi

Release Date:

November 15th 2011

Publisher:

HarperCollins

Pages:

338

Source:

My Personal Copy

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

Ostracized or incarcerated her whole life, seventeen-year-old Juliet is freed on the condition that she use her horrific abilities in support of The Reestablishment, a post-apocalyptic dictatorship, but Adam, the only person ever to show her affection, offers hope of a better future.

Teaser Sentence(s):

'Someone picked up the sun and pinned it to the sky again, but every day it hangs a little lower than the day before. It's like a negligent parent who only knows one half of who you are. It never sees how its absence changes people. How different we are in the dark.'

My Thoughts:
I have a habit of going into books without reading what they are about. I did that with Shatter Me, and guess what... another 'touch of death' book. I read 3 books about this subject in the same week. You could say I am getting burned out.

I did like this book a little more than the others. I think the Dystopian theme to the book made it feel a little different from the others. I am not sure if I like Juliet or not yet. There isn't anything wrong with her personality or anything, I think I just need more time to get to know her. Of course, there is one guy who can touch her without dying. I bet you didn't expect that, did you? I like Adam, and I am thrilled he turned out to be one of the good guys. 
Towards the end of the book, you learn that somewhere beyond the borders of the Reestablishment there are more 'gifted' people living hidden. I am actually looking forward to learning more about these people in book 2. I am hoping for some originality in the powers the people there have.

Toxic (Denazen #2)

Toxic

(Denazen #2)

Jus Accardo

Release Date:

October 16 2012

Publisher:

Entangled

Pages:

317

Source:

My Personal Copy

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

When a Six saved Kale's life the night of Sumrun, she warned there would be consequences. A trade-off. Something taken for the life they gained. But Dez never imagined she'd lose the one thing she'd give anything to keep... And as if it's not enough Dez finds her immunity to Kale fading, the Six bought in to help Kale learn to control his killer touch starts drooling on him the moment they meet. Worse than that? Jade can touch Kale. But bimbo Barbie is the least of Dez's problems.

After Dez and Kale got away at Sumrun, her father lost not only his most powerful weapon but an important piece of the Supremacy project. Forced by Denazen to remedy the situation, he poisons Dez and offers her a choice--surrender to Denazen for the cure...or die. Determined to find a solution that doesn't involve being bagged and tagged--or losing someone she loves--Dez keeps the poison a secret. But when a rash of Denazen attacks hit a little too close to home, Dez is convinced there's a traitor among them. Jade.

Sacrifices, broken promises, and secrets. Dez will have to lay it all on the line if there's any hope of proving Jade's guilt before they all end up residents of Denazen. Or worse, dead...

Teaser Sentence(s):

'Kale was trained for this kind of thing. Breaking and entering. Sneak attacks. All-around ninja stuff. Alex could name each member of every nineties alternative band ever formed. Kale could kick all their asses. It just was what it was.'

My Thoughts:

I really liked book 1, Touch, in this series, but I cannot say the same for Toxic. There was a serious lack of action, unless you count all the plant killing. Dez spent most of the book whining and being jealous instead of taking care of the problems at hand. 

The thing I liked most about this book is probably the creepy twins who work for Denazen, Able and Aubrey. I liked their powers and their sinister attitudes, even though I do not think I was supposed to like them. I was surprised to find out who the actual traitor was, but the rest of the book was just 'meh'. I have a strong feeling of dislike towards Jade. She continuously had a crappy stuck up attitude, and I really hope she isn't in the next book. I also hope there is more of Alex. I really like him, even though I cannot figure out why. He isn't a major character, and he has done some pretty bad things. I guess I can still see the good in him.

I will still buy and read book 3 when it comes out. For some reason the second book in a series always seems to bore me, so before I call it quits I want to give it one more shot.

Cursed

Cursed

Jennifer L Armentrout

Release Date:

September 18, 2012

Publisher:

Spencer Hill Press

Pages:

304

Source:

My Personal Copy

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

Dying sucks--and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.

Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he’s a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't?

But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not have been an accident at all, she’s not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

Teaser Sentence(s):

'I guess it could be worse, I admitted. If I was going to hallucinate, then at least it was some hot dude instead of something gross.'

My Thoughts:

I cannot believe I am going to say this, but I was not impressed with Cursed. *Gasp* I know! I love all things Jennifer L Armentrout. I think part of the problem was I had read books like Shatter Me and the Denazen Files first, so there was nothing fresh about this book. 

I really had a hard time connecting with Ember. She has had a hard life the past 2 years, but I felt her whining was a little overwhelming. I kept waiting on her to grow up and start realizing things weren't all that bad, but that never really happened. 

JLA is a goddess when it comes to writing male characters I want to runaway with. Hayden is no exception to that. I absolutely loved him. But the relationship between Hayden and Ember was lacking in my opinion. I could feel it on Hayden's side, but I could not connect with Ember in anyway.

I would recommend this book to all the die-hard Jennifer L Armentrout fans. A lot of you might actually like it. I personally just felt like I was re-reading a book I had read before, and that made me not like it.

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3)

Clockwork Princess

(The Infernal Devices #3)

Cassandra Clare

Release Date:

March 19, 2013

Publisher:

Simon & Schuster

Pages:

568

Source: 

My Personal Copy

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

THE INFERNAL DEVICES WILL NEVER STOP COMING

Tessa Gray should be happy-aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows beings to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London institute. A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan.

He needs Tessa.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are engaged, Will is still in love with her.

The last words of a dying Shadowhunter provide the clue that might lead Tessa and her friends to Mortmain. But their small group cannot stand alone, and the powerful Consul doubts that Mortmain is coming. Deserted by allies, the Shadowhunters find themselves trapped when Mortmain seizes the medicine that keeps Jem alive. With his best friend at death's door, Will must risk everything to save the girl they both love.

To buy Will time, the warlock Magnus Bane joins with Henry Brandwell to create a device that could help defeat Mortmain. As they all work to save Tessa and the future of the Shadowhunters that resides with her, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself-for in the discovery of her own true nature, Tessa could become more powerful than she ever dreamed possible. But can a lone girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy. ~book blurb

Teaser Sentence(s):

'Every meeting led to a parting, and so it would, as long as life was mortal. In every meeting there was some of the sorrow of parting, but in every parting there was some of the joy of meeting as well.'

My Thoughts:

It's been a couple weeks since I finished reading Clockwork Princess, and it's still getting to me. I opened the book to check the number of pages, and seriously, my eyes start watering!

Cassandra Clare managed to conclude this series flawlessly. Everything came together smoothly in the end. I never would have guessed the love triangle between Tessa, Jem and Will would have worked out the way it did. I grew really close to these characters throughout this series, and it really is sad to have to let go of them all. In the end, I have never been more happy for a fictional character than I was for Tessa. She got everything she deserved; love, happiness, and answers to secrets long kept. 

If you haven't read The Infernal Devices or Mortal Instruments, I suggest you do so, and make yourself familiar with the world of the Shadowhunters!