Review: A Dark Faerie Tale Books 1 & 2

A Dark Faerie Tale (Books #1 & #2) by Alexia Purdy

Release Date: March 9, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal

Source: E-Book, Review Copy provided by Author

Goodreads Description:

Shade’s destiny was never meant to be typical, no matter how hard she tried to avoid it. The inadvertent discovery of the bewildering Land of Faerie throws her into a perilous journey to find magic only she can wield. Along with a band of magical misfits and warriors, she must fight past innumerable dangers, surpass unimaginable hardships, and face all who are bent on sabotaging her mission to the very end.

The more Shade’s magic grows, the more the power of the Land of Faerie calls to her. Blood, memory, treachery, and most of all, love will push her past boundaries she never knew existed. All those she’s bound to must take arms against an unrelenting evil determined to rule all of Faerie and humankind, the Unseelie Queen Aveta, or all will be lost. 

Notes about the book:

This is a compilation of the first two books in a 5.5 book (currently) series.

I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

My Review

This is the first book about faeries (and by this author) that I've read. I was drawn in to the faery world and the characters right away. The faery world that Ms. Purdy describes sound so beautiful that I'd love to be able to see it with my own eyes. Several times throughout this book I couldn't help but think that Ms. Purdy drew on her readings and viewings of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings stories. At least that's what came to my mind as I read this book.

I always find myself captivated with characters who have non-human "powers" and that was again the case with Shade, this book's main character. At first she appeared as the typical teenager upset that her mother has forgotten to pick her up from school. But then we learn that her father has died and that Shade has had to grow up as a result. This comes into play repeatedly throughout the book as she has to accept loads of responsibility to save the Faery world. I was impressed with her resolve to help and do what she had to.

There is a small love triangle involved in this book. I say small for a few reasons. One, the characters do little more than kiss. Two, Shade quickly realizes she is in love with one over the other. As the result of an attempt on her life, Shade becomes bound to one of these love interests. This is another aspect of paranormal books that I always love - when the main characters are bound together in some way. They usually start out not liking each other and then grow to love each other. That's the case here.

The only issue I had with this book was Shade's siblings. We are told early on about her siblings. I, however, got the impression that they were quite a bit younger than Shade. Later in the book we learn that two over her siblings are just one and two years younger than her. It just felt like their ages were changed mid-book as an afterthought.  But this issue wasn't big enough to detract from my pleasure in reading the book and won't keep me from continuing the series.

I can't wait to continue reading this series to see what happens!

It's Monday! What are you reading? April 11, 2016

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? hosted by The Book Date is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great post to organise yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone.

Finished Reading

Broken at Love was better than I expected. I figured it would just be a quick hot read. But it was a little more than that. Edge of Chaos - I fell in love with the snyopsis and had to have it! I've read one other book that included a storm chaser and enjoyed it. Plus that is what my daughter is studying at college. So I had to read it! I loved the book and hope to have a review up this week!

Currently Reading

 

I'm enjoying Broken Down. I'm only 23% into it as of Sunday night. It releases Wednesday. So I've got to get a move on with this one.

What Will I Read Next?

 

 

Silent Orchids is the Young Adult Paranormal book I've settled on. Debauched is the next ARC that I need to read. It releases April 26.

What are you reading? Please share in the comments.

Book Review: The Workaholic and the Realist by Mary Smith

The Workaholic and the Realist (New Hampshire Bears #2) by Mary Smith

Release Date: April 5, 2016

Genres: New Adult, Romance

Source: E-Book, ARC

 

Goodreads Description:

If someone looked up the word workaholic in the dictionary, one would see a picture of New Hampshire Bears’ Keaton Jaco next to it. Not only is he a top defensemen in the hockey league; he’s also working towards a master’s degree and writing a book. His teammates think he’s just a playboy, but his grandmother and one other person knows the truth.

Harlow Goldsmith has never wanted to get married or have children. She considers herself a realist and knows all she wants in life is to be financially stable, travel, and have sex. After turning forty and starting her own editing company, she’s realized she has accomplished most of her goals and has done it without the help of any man.

It’s not until the workaholic and the realist initiate a sexual liaison that they see their lives in a whole new light. With both set in their ways, is a relationship even possible?

Notes about the book:
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Not recommended for readers under 18 as there are explicit sex scenes.

Book Quote:

“You are my one. You walk in a room and I forget to breath. You laugh or smile and my heart stops beating. I crave being with you every moment I can, and when I'm not, I feel like part of my soul dies. I love you and only you."

My Review

 

 I loved Harlow's character in the first book and was excited to read more about her. The characters make this series for me. They are likable characters that when you don't get enough information about, you wish you knew more. In each book so far you get glimpses of future stars of the book that make you want to read the next book to learn more about these people. With this book, I'm interested to read about the next set of characters, Maxima and Remington; but I'm hoping there will be a future book starring Dacey and Vance. 

Harlow and Keaton have a fun and sexy relationship. Neither is afraid of sex. However, when it comes to committing to a longtime relationship, both are a bit reluctant. Then, of course, some climactic action occurs that causes Keaton to pull away. Unfortunately Harlow is the type of character to hold a grudge and doesn't forgive easily. 

Harlow and Keaton start off in a professional relationship. However, there's a playful banter between the two from the start as they each develop nicknames for each other. I don't always like when characters use nicknames for each other. But every now and then I will find a couple who I feel it works for and this was one of those couples. 

 

Through the climactic action I mentioned above, Keaton is forced to resolve some other stress in his life. I'm trying not to be too revealing to avoid spoilers. This stress was something that I completely understood why he had the feelings he did, but really wasn't sure how to resolve it or if it even could be resolved. I found the way it was resolved to be very satisfying and that I liked the outcome. 

 

Of course there was nothing NOT to like about the sex scenes. I personally have my favorite. :)-

 

I think while I was reading this that I had fallen into some kind of depressed slump that made me not love this book 100%. I'm not sure if it was this slump or the book itself. I came up with some things that I thought I didn't like about the book. But as I examine them closer now I can find things to disprove my thinking on them. So I think I have to conclude that it was just the events going on in my life that affected the way I felt about this book.

Although, I do have to say that this book will forever hold a special place in my heart. 

Yes, that is my name in her acknowledgements. I can't tell you how surprised I was to see that! I've shown several people in my life. :)  (Mary, please don't tell me if there's another Carey that reads for you!)

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble

 

Book Blitz with Excerpt & Giveaway: Catching Summer by L.P. Dover

Catching Summer
L.P. Dover
(Second Chances #6)
Published by: Loveswept
Publication date: April 5th 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Former nurse Summer Jacobs has seen her fair share of suffering, but she never expected tragedy to hit so close to home. After watching her husband die in the MMA ring, Summer spends the next two years fighting her way through the darkness. The last thing she needs is another hardheaded athlete turning her life upside down. But that’s exactly what happens when she meets a gridiron star who’s as skilled at stealing hearts as he is at snagging passes.

Carolina Cougars wide receiver Evan Townsend usually has no problem winning fans, so he’s intrigued when Summer shoots down his go-to plays for winning a woman’s attention. Never one to back down from a challenge, Evan turns up the heat, setting off sparks that neither can deny. But as his slow seduction begins to chase away Summer’s pain, he gets the feeling that someone is desperate to keep them apart. Now Evan will do anything to protect her—because he never misses a chance to make a perfect catch.

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EXCERPT:

Once out the door, I breathed a sigh of relief and slowed my pace. “Come on, Summer, stop acting like an idiot.”

“Talking to yourself now?” Evan teased from behind.

I stopped mid-step and closed my eyes. “Do you enjoy provoking me?”

When he circled around me, I opened my eyes. “Not really, but I do love seeing you blush. I didn’t realize I had that effect on you.”

“You seriously are full of yourself, aren’t you?” How could I be so stupid? There was no way in hell I could hide my face now. I didn’t want him to know how flustered he made me.

Chuckling, he shook his head and kept his gray eyes solely on mine. “I’m really not. I was just hoping to hear your laugh again. I guess I didn’t get enough of it yesterday.”

“So, this is you flirting with me? What do you expect to gain from that?”

He took a step closer and smiled. “For starters, I was hoping to persuade you to come to my party after the game Saturday night.”

My heart thumped wildly in my chest. I could feel the sweat pouring down my back. “Like what? A date?”

“Only if you want it to be. I just figured I’d save you the trouble of having to ward off my teammates. I can name three of the guys who are interested in you. My threats to stop their advances can only go so far.”

“What if I didn’t want to go to your party? I can easily just tell them I’m not interested.”

He nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. “You could, but that doesn’t mean shit to these guys. They’ll keep hounding you until you give in. They love the chase.”

“Just like you,” I retorted with a smile.

“What can I say? I’m relentless when I want something.” I sucked in a breath and bit my lip. Did he really want me like that? The thought made everything inside of me tighten. It was too dangerous to think of him like that.

“So are you trying to save me from your friends or are you really wanting me to join you? I know how you guys work, and I don’t want to be a part of some game you’re playing to get girls.”

His grin faded, gaze hard. “I don’t play games, Summer. I may have in the past, but I would never do that to you. Have I ever given you the impression that you can’t trust me?”

Sighing, I shook my head. I felt like such an idiot. “No, and I’m sorry for being presumptuous. It’s just . . .” I paused and bit down on the side of my cheek.

“It’s just what?” he asked in all seriousness.

“It’s just this is all new to me. All I’ve ever known is Austin. Being around you makes me nervous. I’m not like the girls you’ve brought into the restaurant. If it’s sex you want, you can forget it. I’m not one of your groupies.” For a second there, I thought he was at a loss for words, but then he belted out in laughter. Ouch, that hurt. “I’m glad I could amuse you.”

When he straightened up, he took off his hat and ran his hands through his hair. And again, my heart sped up at the sight. Shit. “Damn, you are a fiery one. And just so we’re clear, I’m not trying to fuck you or trying to put another notch in my belt. Believe it or not, I’m actually interested in something else.”

“What is that, exactly?”

“I don’t know, but I’m hoping you can help me figure it out.” Grabbing my hand, he pulled me toward his truck. “Let’s go.”

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can't forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.

Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written over seventeen novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading: April 4, 2016

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? hosted by The Book Date is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great post to organise yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone.

Finished Reading

 

I loved this set of books! The descriptions are enthralling! I hope to have a review up on Wednesday.

Currently Reading

 

What Will I Read Next?

 

 

What are you reading?

Stacking the Shelves #17

Welcome to my post for this week’s Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews. This is where I can post about the books and book swag I received this week. I will be posting my list on Sundays and will include anything I received Sunday through Saturday.

Here’s my list for this week.

It was a slow week for me on freebies. But I had some Amazon gift cards eating a hole in my pocket that allowed me to be able to pick up a new release I was really interested in and the next book in the Significance series that I love.

FREEBIES

*Please check prices before one-clicking*

 

ARCs RECEIVED

BOOKS BOUGHT

What did you pick up this week? Be sure and leave a comment with a link to your post so I can check out your Stacking the Shelves haul.

Cover Reveal: Safe With You by Sophie Lira

Safe With You
Sophie Lira
Published by: Swoon Romance
Publication date: April 26th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Olivia Simon is starting over in the Big Easy. Her new job as a yoga instructor means she gets to pursue her passion, while giving her the motivation she needs to get back on track. But she’s scared. Really scared. Scared her abusive ex-boyfriend will find her. Scared of all things that go bump in the night… and day. She knows her ex will have a claim on her future happiness unless she can find her own peace. Which starts with Kyle.

Kyle Avery, a former college baseball player on the brink of going pro, is also starting over. His dream since Little League was shattered when a jealous rival went too far in a pre-season game. After a few surgeries, all Kyle is left with are a few rods in his leg, a rebuilt knee, and no idea who he is without baseball. But when he trades center field for a yoga mat, he finds solace in a way he never imagined. Kyle knows there’s something about Olivia. Something he needs to move forward.

But Olivia loves to run, and it’s too soon for her to be playing house. Olivia and Kyle want to invest in each other, but the secrets they’ve kept take a dangerous turn when Olivia’s past returns with a vengeance. Devastated and helpless, Olivia wonders who she can really trust, and Kyle questions if he was ever able to keep her safe.

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

Sophie is represented by Julia Weber & will be publishing her first novel, SAFE WITH YOU, on 04/26/2016, by Swoon Romance

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!
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