Cover Reveal: Few Are Angels by Inger Iversen

One of our favorite books has gotten a cover revamp and I LOVE it. The original cover was great but this revamp is breath-taking. Last month whe had a guest post by the amazingly talented Inger Iversen so when I saw on facebook her new cover I knew I had to share it with you all. I hope you love it as much as I do.

It goes much better with book two's AMAZEBALLZ cover which is due out on my birthday (Feb 14th)...coincidence? I think not.

Review: Conjure (The Hoodoo Apprentice) by Lea Nolan

Conjure by Lea Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Before Conjure came out I was lucky enough to be a part of the cover reveal. The cover was gorgeous but more on that later.

Now is the time when a lot of YA mistake/misrepresent strong heroines for/as hard-headed and stubborn I was leery of reading a novel from a new author. It is always a bit like Russian roulette. I loved Emmaline (LINE not keen or Lynn). She was such a realistic character. Young but already a glimmer of the person she will grow into. That person will make mistakes but is more times than not, awesome. Emma has a twin brother who I wanted to kill and their best friend, Cooper. Oh what can I say about Cooper that won't have me gushing? Nothing because the boy is all a YA swoon worthy guy should be. Hot, maturing and only has eyes for Emma. I loved them. Whenever they were together even just hanging out I would squeal. Their chemistry was just hop off the page sparks. I was originally concerned about their young age. I may have groaned when I read how very young they were. I was like how can this be entertaining, and appropriate? I'm going to be bored to tears! I was not! I was enthralled and entangled (Heehee.) The age worked for the story and adds more sweet innocents and was kept very appropriate for their age and younger readers while still keeping us young at hearts on the edge of our seats.

On to the plot. This plot was very interesting and unique. It is like nothing I ever read but can't figure why nobody thought of this genius plot this far. There is a message in a bottle (though never explained why the message was put there.) There was treasure, hoodoo and a wicked curse or two. If that doesn't get you then let me continue.

It is summertime, the time of year when Emma and her twin Jack come down to visit their dad on a Gullah island of the coast of North Carolina. It is also the time of year when Cooper comes home and they can all hang out. This year Emma is harboring a raging crush on Cooper and you will quickly get why. Jack gets them into deep crude and his actions forces Emma to delve deep into the world of Gullah magic. In this strange, odd, scary and magical new world of Emma's she learns some big century long family secrets. The end is satisfying but will have you lying awake for weeks after wondering...what's going to happen to this kids next.

Cover whore:
Breath-takingly gorgeous. I loved the font of the title. The atmosphere of the cover effectively set the tone of the book.


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Review: Destine by Katherine Polillo

Destine by Katherine Polillo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not another Angel book, quickly turned into Yes, another Angel book!
I was expecting to be sucked in right away because normally books start with action that suck you in. This book did not, it didn't start with action and it didn't instantly suck me in but the characters were likeable so I was compelled to keep reading. Michelle and her best friend's school was like mine, invisibility was apparently my super power so I connected with them on that level. I struggled to read past the mundane set up but when chapter 2 came around and science class was mentioned (any YA reader worth her weight in gold knows that means hottie up a head. Twilight, hush hush...need I say more?) Enter dark curly haired, clear eyed Gabriel. Hell no. I'm never going to STOP reading this book now.

From the beginning I was already on the fence about Cami but it quickly turned into realization that I hated her. Michelle was more like me in H.S except she actually wanted a friend. I wasn't driven by that. LOL I started praying Chelle would get the guy and the rest of the school get sucked into the pit of hell. That's what this story is about right? No? Guess I better keep reading.

About midway through the book if someone had bothered to interrupt me I might have gone horseman on them and bit their head off. Zooomg! It got so good. I was on the edge of my seat. I was squealing. Michelle and Gabriel are the best characters ever. The storyline was unique. I loved this book so hard, I want to eat it. I cannot wait for book two. I want more. Like now!


Besides changing eye color, some typos, misuse and over of words, also at one point the book seemed to be a week passing but it went from August to early October. Yeah it was odd. I was confused. Even with those oopsies the book was great. It was very entertaining and I look forward to the series.



Cover Whore:
The cross reminds me of Michelle's but not exactly but it is close enough but I like it. View all my reviews

Review: Hanging by a Thread by Sophie Littlefield

Hanging by a Thread by Sophie Littlefield


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I was anxious to read this book because lately I have ventured out of my usual reading box. The premise was something different than most YA.

Clare had a gift for fashion and the fabric sometimes told her things. Yes, it sounds silly but that was actually interesting. Clare and her stick in the mud mother move back to their small town that is going through a serial killer scare. That was interesting. Clare starts a business with her best friend. Rachel is annoying and insist on calling Clare a nickname that Clare hates. Also Clare bends over backwards kissing Rachel's popular ass so she will fit in. That was annoying. Clare also has on her summer list to have some sex before summers over. That is interesting. Most YA novels demonize sex. That could also be a plot of its own book, "My big sexy summer."

I didn't hate this book but I also didn't love it as much as I thought that I should. I think the characters never connected. I just didn't care. I felt that was just looking in on the story but never was pulled in. Jake, Clare's bad boy love interest didn't even hook me. I KNOW. CatholicKittie didn't drool over the bad boy. But was he really bad? I didn't see it. There was also just way too much pointless descriptions. The clothes, Clare's old friends...it would totally bored me pulling from the story. I would skip paragraphs and not miss anything about the story, that is how long the descriptions were. You are now asking yourself, what exactly did I like about the book. The story was wonderful and the mystery was perfect. So if you like that type of stuff you will also enjoy this book despite the few flaws.




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Review: Blink Once by Cylin Busby

Blink Once by Cylin Busby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Blink Once is a departure from the books I usually enjoy. I read the synopsis and knew I had to give it s shot. I added to my W.O.W list and then when I saw it on Net Galley I prayed I would get approved.
West was biking with his friend Mike and ex girlfriend Allie when the unthinkable happened; he hits the ramp wrong and wipes out. He wakes up tied to a bed and a strange girl tells him he is paralyzed. She tells him to "Blink Once for yes" and the relationship soars from there. West and Olivia become friends and they realize that nobody gets them like they get each other. We are able to watch an undeniable and unforgettable relationship develop as these two damaged people heal. I was taken in by the raw emotion West felt and I could feel is frustration, his angst and his fear.
The story leads you one way then zigs when you think it will zag only to zag once you just gotten use to the zig. I was so emotionally invested by the end of the story my heart was racing and heavy and just worn out. This book takes you by the heart-strings and refuses to let go.
I would recommend this story to anyone but especially those who loved If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Cover Whore:
Pretty Girl laying there. Has the contemporary YA feel just from the cover. Not especially attention grabbing but heartfelt.

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Interview: Belle Dam Boys (Scott Tracey)

Adorable tidbit, my niece calls Witch Eyes "Thunder Eye." Cute right?

When I read Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey, some may have heard me rave about the awesomeness. Mainly, the boys are what made the book most memorable. Their dysfunction was hilarious. Every single one brought something to the table, from cockiness, pouty/brooding and bitchy/snarky. That combination could only bring pure awesome entertainment.

Then I was given an opportunity to interview one of the boys. The easy choice would be Braden; it does all start with him. If you know me the obvious choice was Drew. I always connect to the cocky ones. I am anything but EASY or OBVIOUS. And like the greedy little spoiled brat that I am, I wanted ALL THREE. Lucky for me Scott Tracey saw what I envisioned and the results were perfect!

I was worried it would get hostile but they managed to behave themselves, somewhat. So in honor of Demon Eyes release, I bring you the best interview ever done. You will love these guys so much you will run right out and pick up Book 2 in this series because surely you have already read Witch Eyes, right?

1. Okay, guys, first impressions. What where yall thinking the first time you saw each other? Obviously this question is for those of you who first met in Witch Eyes.
Braden: Well, when I first saw Drew, I was thinking ‘wow, he’s hot.’ But then he opened his mouth, and I was thinking ‘restraining order.’

Trey: Really? Because I know someone who can make that happen.

Drew: Shut it, Lansing. No one cares about the paralegal you used to crush on back in Future Businessdouches of America.

Braden: Wait…paralegal?

Trey: Don’t listen to him. Besides, we’re supposed to be answering a question. The first time I saw Braden, I thought “this kid wears sunglasses at six in the morning. Okay, I can work with that.”

Drew: How romantic. The first thing I thought about Braden was “witch.” He reeked. Still does. And before Gentry jumps in with another snotty rebuttal, the first thing I thought about him was “how did Catherine even manage to find a silver spoon that big to shove up his—“

Trey: Okay, next question!

2. Who was cuter Braden? Drew, he described you as “Adonis in Abercrombie” I’m guessing you have a rock hard body? ;-P
Braden: Wait, why am I getting excluded? Maybe I’m cuter…..I could be cuter!

Drew: *snorts* I’ve been told I have the body of a young Greek god, its true.

Trey: Medusa wasn’t a god, Armstrong.

Drew: Are you sure? Whatever. Anyway, Braden’s supposed to be the one answering this question. Don’t sulk just because he thinks I’m better looking. It’s not my fault you’re allergic to stomach crunches.

Braden: Can’t I just plead the fifth? Yeah, I’m going to do that.

3. How is it to live in a town like Belle Dam? I can’t imagine growing up there much less being a newbie.
Trey: It’s not like growing up on Mars, it’s a perfectly ordinary town.

Drew: Spoken like the boy with the silver broomstick shoved up his—

Braden: No! Do NOT finish that sentence.

Drew: Fine. But it’s not like growing up in a ‘perfectly ordinary town.’ It’s like growing up on a chess board—

Braden: I get that, I think about it like that all the time.

Drew: --and you don’t know what kind of piece you are, you only know that someone else is moving you around in a game you’re not really a part of.

4. So you all have some connection to Jade but Drew yours is kind unclear to me, did yall date before you supposedly went all grrr on her?
Drew: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Braden: Uhm, Trey? You’re growling.

Drew: He’s just jealous. He wanted me all to himself.

Trey: Shut up, Drew.

Braden: Yeah, wait…what?

Drew: Fine, I’ll answer the question so we can just move on. We didn’t date so much as associate with one another. Jade needed a way to needle at her mother, and I’m as sharp as they come.

Braden: Said by no one in the history of the world, ever.

5. I am guessing we will get more dirt on that history and more in Demon Eyes?
Drew: What part of ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’ wasn’t clear?

Braden: Drew, now you’re growling.

Trey: That’s his guilty conscience. Not that he ever showed any actual remorse for trying to kill my sister.

Drew: Oh, I’m sorry, you must have been too busy trying to kill me to hear it properly the first time.

Braden: Can we just…not? We agreed to a no-violence policy for this interview.

Drew: Sure, jump in to his defense.

6. Drew, I do hope you play a bigger part in Demon Eyes, you have a bit of a following in the “Team” Drew sense?
Drew: Luckily, everyone wised up and realized my star potential. By which I mean Braden decided he couldn’t live without me in his corner.

Braden: We’re friends, I wouldn’t go that far.

Trey: …

Drew: Aww, is little Lansing going to have himself a little sulk? Maybe huff and puff and pout your house down?

Braden: Lay off of him, Drew. I swear, the only reason you’re even here is because it lets you pick on Trey.

Drew: Not my fault Gentry can’t fight his own battles. He needs his lady love to fight his battles—ow!! You hit me!

Braden: I didn’t raise a finger. That boom mic must have fallen all on its own. Weird timing, though. Maybe it’s allergic to the crap coming out of your mouth.

Drew: Have I mentioned how much I hate witches?

7. At the end of Witch Eyes everything ended so tranquil and so calm. Braden and Trey, you’re both so complacent in letting the issues and war of your parents dictate how you should live; isn’t that a bit insane?
Braden: I mean, I just got out of the hospital. Give me at least a little credit.

Trey: *silence*

Drew: Morons.

Braden: I’m just saying, nothing’s resolved yet. Maybe almost dying made me a little complacent, but it’s not like I’ve given up.

Trey: *silence*

8. Can you give us a hint of what to expect in Demon Eyes and the rest of the series?
Drew: You get to see more of me.

Trey: Yeah, the quality really goes downhill.

Drew: That’s not what your boyfriend was saying last night…

9. Okay, any last words before I let yall go?
Drew: Defenestration.

Braden and Trey: …

Drew: What? I want to leave them wondering!

10. Who wants the very last word, Drew? ;-)
Braden: Of course HE gets the last word.

Drew: Hey, you had your chance to admit that I was the fairest in all the land.

Trey: I am in hell.

Drew: Just remember, in hell, no one can hear you sulk.

Thank you Braden, Trey and Drew for the entertainment! I mean for the interview :-) And thank you to author Scott Tracey, for allowing me to convince you of this crazy thing purely for my own amusement.

To purchace these books click on the photos!

Review: Blood Will Tell by Samantha Young

Blood Will Tell by Samantha Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A few months ago Blood Past was offered for free on Amazon so I downloaded it even though it was book 2 in The Warriors of Ankh series. Then I was gifted Blood Will Tell from a fanpage on FB and I started reading and was hooked instantly.

Now, I'm not saying it was the best book ever. Eden was very annoying. She made dumb choices and kept stupid things from people but it was regular YA book stuff. Noah was equally annoying but again your everyday run of the mill YA annoying.

The story was good, even the parts that drag read fast enough that I didn't get bored. The story was character lite. Even though there were a lot of them named so few mattered that it didn't get distracting. The start of the book was so far from the end that it made book 2 very needed and also very appealing. Which is awesome. That is how it should be done.

Now on to the story. Eden is torn. She knows she is a monster. Her survival means preying on innocent souls. She does not want to do this but her entire family is pressuring her, including her beloved brother. To make things worse, her best friend, Noah, has awaken a hunger in her so strong it is damn near impossible to resist. It is not the romantic hunger but one that would leave him dead if she gave in and oh how she wants to give in... Trying to save both their souls she does the only thing possible, pushes him away as she gives into the pressures of her Tyrannical father, unfeeling mother and her sociopath of a cousin who is also her betrothed? Yuck.

Noah is keeping a secret from Eden. A secret that feels like betrayal. A secret that ends with a death. How can Eden be helped by people she can't trust?

Sounds all twisty turny right? It is. And I loved every moment of it.

Cover Whore:
The cover is the typical pretty girl fantasy emo Indie cover. Not cheesy but not jaw dropping spectacular either.

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Review: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not many YA paranormals surprise me nowadays. I have gotten a little bit "been there done that" with it all. Unspoken was not the case. Some things truly surprised me at first but once you get into the story you kind of get to the routine and see things coming a mile away. Luckily, that only made it more exciting when you discover you were right.

The characters were hit or miss. Jared - hit. Even though he was king hot Emo. Kami- another hit. Rusty - hit everyone else had something that held me back from really liking them. Jon Glass, Kami's dad was so almost a hit but something, wasn't ...gellin. Clare Glass an utter miss. Frick and Frack Glass (not really their names but equally ridic) weren't so bad but they would need more time for me to declare a hit. On to Kami's friends. Angela who's plot was easily figured out was so close to a hit that hurt she is a miss. She became a caricature . Okay I get it she likes naps. Enough. Almost the same with Rusty we get it, he is lazy and never serious. But with his sister Angela, it's Okay I get it, she is gorgeous but a bitch who hates the world. Holly a miss. She is poor, fine. She is so damn hot she has to beat them off with sticks...oh wait no that was Angela *insert eye roll please * Ash a miss. Swarmy. He just rubbed me wrong.

Enough with that the plot. The mysteries Lynburns move back into town and everybody starts shitting bricks they are so scared. Kami who has a not so imaginary friend she chats it up with in her mind starts to investigate them. She develops a connection to both lynburn boys and adventure ensues.

Well worth the read. I'm dreading the wait until book two comes out. Because this book ends with us asking when will Jared remove his head from his ass?

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Guest Blogger: Inger Iversen- Oh My, He Gives Me The Vapors...

I have been facebook stalking Inger for sometime now so when she mentioned having some time to do some guest blog post, I swooped in so fast. Then she asked if there was some topic I had in mind and even though I didn't I quickly thought of one. We all know my obsession...Book Hotties. So without further ado:


Okay, now for the extra fun part...THE giveaway. Comment who your top three swoon-inducing guys are. Mine? 1. Jordan Catalano (My So-Called Life) fine it's not from a book but dude he is Jordan Freaking Catalano! 2. Dylan Fourcade (Midnight Dragonfly Series) He is mysterious and the most amazing gray eyes. He also promised me a kitten so YAY.  3. Tiamaris (Elantra Chronicles) again he isn't YA and he is in fact a dragon but he floats my boat in his human form. But I did listened to the audio version of Linger and Forever by Maggie Stiefvater and the guy who read for Cole made me want to have his puppies! SO strictly YA he'd be on the list.

What's up for grabs:

Plus a surprise!!!

So now it is YOUR turn comment below to be entered to win a swag pack grab bag! The only rule is you have to follow THIS blog and Inger's by clicking here. Leave your email address in your comment. Contest ends next Monday.

Click to purchase Few Are Angels by Inger Iversen

After a fatal hit and run accident, Ella Monroe fears that she’s lost more than her beloved parents. Horrifying visions of a past life and a disturbing voice in her head have psychiatric professionals convinced that she’s lost her sanity as well. But when Kale--a dark and handsome stranger with a mysterious past--reveals the true meaning of her visions and the tremendous power she wields through them, Ella must come to terms with the devastating truths of her own past, while eluding an ancient Dark Prince who seeks to control not only her future, but all of mankind’s, by means of abilities that Ella is only beginning to understand. Enter the shrouded world of an age old battle between an ancient race known as the Immortals and their bitter enemy Laurent, the so-called Dark Prince, who commands an army of half-breed vampires known as Chorý. Both sides have been desperately searching for the prophesied emergence of the Arc, a clairvoyant with unparalleled power to recall the past and a soothsayer with clear vision into the future. The Council of Immortals has sworn to protect the Arc, whom they have identified as young Ella Monroe, a college freshman from Virginia living quietly and unaware of her powers or her past. But a renegade Chorý has other plans for the protection of a girl he has loved through the ages. Can Kale convince Ella of who she is, what she is destined to become, and what he once meant to her? Is he truly the best protector to shield the world from the devastating misuse of her powers that Laurent is bent on controlling? Or will the forbidden love they share and Kale’s cursed condition as a retched and hated Chorý be used against them both? This paranormal romance told from the heroine’s perspective builds in intensity and intrigue to a finale you won’t see coming. Heart pounding action mixed with heartwarming friendships and heartbreaking romance will leave you breathless and begging for more.

5 Books to read before word ends. VLOG

1. The Catastrophic History of You And Me by Jess Rothenberg
2. Beautiful Chaos by Margaret Stohl & Kami Garcia
3. Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey
4. Broken Illusions by Ellie James
5. Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready

Review Coming Soon...

How to Date an Alien by Magan Vernon


My rating: 4 of 5 stars





CatholicKittie's thoughts as she read. Status updates:
07/26 100.0% "Awesome book if you get past the misuse of Romeo and Juliet. As well as the overkill of the Romeo and Juliet thing."


07/26 87.0% "the Romeo and Juliet thing again. oye."

07/18 52.0% "Seriously, Wtf is wrong with Riley! What's her deal?"

07/18 47.0% "Okay now she is obsessed. But I understand...I miss Ace too."

07/18 46.0% "So good only 2 things that rub me wrong. I wish they'd stop bringing up Romeo and Juliet every other chapter. And Alex keeps saying Ace has been there for her more than her dad...um Ewl Ace is your boyfriend. Daddy issues for 1000 please."

07/17 13.0% "So far...helloooooo Ace."

07/17 9.0% "Im giggling all over the place. I will be up reading this for awhile."
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Review: Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout

They're not like us...

Starting over sucks.


When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don't kill him first, that is.


The Review:
Pure delicious awesome sauce. Okay this book will make anyone obsessed with finding aliens. If they are as insanely hot as Daemon, then I will take 2. (oh Dawson, duh.)


The writing was flawless, easy to follow and flowed like water. The characters were likeable when they were supposed to be and loathsome when it was appropriate. Either way, they were realistic.

Daemon was an asshole for like 90% of the book with mini flashes of a guy who's passion burned hot and bright. It was enough to keep hope that he was worth the work. I would hate to think that his hotness made me stick with him with false hope. There is a back story and you pretty much get why he is an ass. There is a novella all about what makes Daemon how he is. Shadows is a must read too.
Katy was super awesome (most the time.) She do a lot of dumb things but nothing out of the relm of teenage girl. She is a book blogger that gets geeked over new releases, books and swag. So I thought she was awesome. She has a smart mouth, she is funny and she cusses mildly...so I LOVE her.
There was a treasure trove of other awesome characters the only character I had real issue with was Katy's mother. My issue is that she was supposed to be likeable but I found her annoying and stupid. Like, pimp your daughter out to a strange boy because he was hott. Which is another issue. Her drooling over a kid her own daughters age was just...Wtf EWWW.

I have been on pins and needles waiting for August 14 when Onyx comes out for my Daemon-Katy goodness.

 

Cover Whore:

I have seen two covers for this book the one I posted is the awesome version. Pepe and Sztella are supre gorgeous people and I think of them as Daemon and Katy. Now, when I see them on other covers (which is often) I can't see them as anyone else. The cover is great. The other version has cheesy, weirdish bubble hive lettering for the title but either way this series so far has covers full of win...and yes Pepe's hottness doesn't hurt.

Cover Whore: Conjure by Lea Nolan COVER REVEAL!

Cover Reveal:

Synopsis:
Emma Guthrie expects this summer to be like any other in the South Carolina Lowcountry--hot and steamy with plenty of beach time alongside her best friend and secret crush, Cooper Beaumont, and Emma’s ever-present twin brother, Jack. But then a mysterious eighteenth-century message in a bottle surfaces, revealing a hidden pirate bounty. Lured by the adventure, the trio discovers the treasure and unwittingly unleashes an ancient Gullah curse that attacks Jack with the wicked flesh-eating Creep and promises to steal Cooper’s soul on his approaching sixteenth birthday.



When a strange girl appears, bent on revenge; demon dogs become a threat; and Jack turns into a walking skeleton; Emma has no choice but to learn hoodoo magic to undo the hex, all before summer—and her friends--are lost forever.  

Cover Whore:
At first sight, I would buy this book! The cover is all that I look for in a book. It has paranormal all over it. The word "Hoodoo" cracks me up but effectively shares the aptmostphere of the story. I can't wait to read this book.




a Rafflecopter giveaway





  CONJURE on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13425130-conjure Lea's website: http://www.leanolan.com/
Lea on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lea_Nolan

Thursday Book Recomendations.

1. 50 Shames of Earl Grey by Fanny Merkin aka Andrew Shaffer (Now)
2. Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (Oct 23)
3. Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick (Oct 23)

Review: Branded by Keary Taylor

Jessica's got a secret...she becomes dead people.

Jessica's had the nightmares for as long as she can remember. Nightmares of being judged for people who have died, of being branded by the angels. Her friends and family think she's a crazy because of it all. Yet she carries the mark of the condemned, seared into the back of her neck, and hides it and herself away from the world.


But when two men she can't ignore enter her life everything changes, including the nightmares. The two of them couldn't be more different. She will do anything to be with one of them. Even tell him the truth about angels, why she never sleeps, and the scar on the back of her neck. But one of the two has set events into motion what will pull her toward her own judgment and turn her into the object of her greatest fear.
The Review:
I adore Cole.


This was a good Indy book. I make that distinction because there is a difference between mainstream and indie, and it's not hard to tell them apart. But that's not the point the point is, it is a good book.

The story took a little too long to get to the meat and potatoes. the filling part wasn't until a little after half way almost to the 3/4ths mark. As this book was about sleep I kept finding myself in need or wanting to take a nap.

The the slow pace had me putting down the book, often times yawning the characters had me picking the book back up. Alex was a perfect YA boy and I enjoyed the Insta-love. Yes, the book has insta-love. It doesn't bother me and I rather enjoy the trope if you do have an issue with insta-love and you push through the slow build of the story once you get to about the 85% mark of the book, you won't be able to put it down. And if you do, the characters and story will stick in your mind. The plot is a very unique twist and addition to the angel theme. I liked it.

Like all great YA novels the boys carry it. Cole and Alex are perfectly awesome. Jessica was almost not memorable, I even had to go back to the book to find her name for this review. I am hoping she comes into her own in the next book or I may start to wonder what Alex or Cole sees in her.

Cover whore: The cover has been redone. I like old cover, which is why I bought book. I am glad my book marks are of the old cover or I'd burn them. New cover? I hate. If it had this cover when I found it, I wouldn't even look twice at it. It actually makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little bit.

Thursday *ahem* please pretend, Book Recommendations.

1. Fragile Darkness by Ellie James (Nov)
2. Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones (Oct)
3. Blink Once by Cylin Busby (Sept)
4. Butter by Erin Jade Lange (Oct)
5. Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel (Aug)
6. Vortext by Julie Cross (Jan)
7. Uses For Boy by Erica Lorraine Scheidt (Jan)
8. 34 Pieces Of You by Carmen Rodrigues (Sept)
9. Me, Him, Them and It by Caela Carter (Feb)
10. Demon Eyes by Scott Tracey (Oct)

Review: Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

A boy who can see the world’s secrets and unravel spells with just a glance.

A boy who can see the world’s secrets and unravel spells with just a glance.

Braden’s witch eyes give him an enormous power. A mere look causes a kaleidoscopic explosion of emotions, memories, darkness, and magic. But this rare gift is also his biggest curse.

Compelled to learn about his shadowed past and the family he never knew, Braden is drawn to the city of Belle Dam, where he is soon caught between two feuding witch dynasties. Sworn rivals Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe will use anything—lies, manipulation, illusion, and even murder—to seize control of Braden’s powers. To stop an ancient evil from destroying the town, Braden must master his gift, even through the shocking discovery that Jason is his father. While his feelings for an enigmatic boy named Trey grow deeper, Braden realizes a terrible truth: Braden may be destined to kill him. **I deleted a line from the blurb because I felt it ruined one of the shocking plots. So if you buy the book DO NOT READ the back blurb, it should have a spoiler alert warning.**

The Review:
What I am about to say next may cause a shock induced heart attack to this who know my book peeves. CAN I GET A LOVE TRIANGLE IN THIS BITCH!


I hate Trey. He is a wimp. Braden deserves better. Braden is the perfect book hero so in my opinion he needs an equally awesome non bitch hero. Helloooo Drew. From the first time he entered the story I was like HIM, he is Braden's match. I never connected with Trey like that.

This book was character heavy which I liked because that adds more surprise factor. You never know who is going to do what and throw a wench in the plans and cause a "dun dun dun" twist.

I cannot wait for Demon Eyes because I never wanted to leave Braden's world.



Cover Whore:
This is a new section of the review where I rate the cover.

Witch Eyes is a book that gives great cover. So far the entire trilogy does. I have seen the first 2 covers. It is the type of cover everyone wants. Once it is seen you will remember it and it will NEVER be mistaken for another series. (Though it has floaty eyes, much like Shannon Delany's 13 to Life) they are easily not mistaken for one another. If you see this cover once you will always remember what book it is when seen again. I lust for this cover. It has so much umf. The feel and tone of the book is in the cover.


Trailer:

Interview with Dylan from Midnight Dragonfly Series

A few months ago, the awesomely wonderful author of the Midnight Dragonfly series asked for volunteers to interview a few of her characters. I love that series so if course I was all over that opportunity like a cat on the book you are trying to read! I have been aching to ask Dylan a few questions since he first entered the scene and stole my heart in Shattered Dreams. It’s took a lot of prodding from Ellie and I (rumor has it that Ellie had to hunt him down, wrestle him and tie the boy down.) Whatever the case he answered and I have the answers here. Enjoy and swoon.

Casse: "Allez" You sure know how to make a first impression and an entrance. So what is up with the creep beast dogs? Did you train them yourself and why?



Dylan: It’s never a good idea to let your guard down, especially given the kind of work my dad did. He’s not exactly a popular man. He taught me early on to expect the unexpected, stay one step ahead, and to realize the biggest mistake a man can make to believe the past (or anything) is really over. Before and after are illusions. It’s always now. That’s why we keep the dogs. They’re brothers. My dad and I trained them together.



Casse: You really are a man of mystery, is that by design or merely happenstance?



Dylan: Life unfolds day to day. My grandfather taught me that. You can try to divert or dam a river, but the results aren’t usually that good. All things have to run their course. Who am I to try and change that? There is a time for everything. I learned patience early on. I don’t need to force things. I can wait.



Casse: If you were up for judgment with the possible outcome execution and your words about you were the only thing that could save you, what all would you tell us?



Dylan: You can’t yank the sun from the sky just because it burns.



Casse: Okay, now narrow it down. If you could say only one thing about yourself to a person before they were to form an opinion about you that would define who you truly are and the outcome of rather the feel they knew you would save everyone you loved what would you say? The most important thing about you that the judge should know.



Dylan: Fear doesn’t matter, only what’s on the other side of it.



Casse: Okay, last day on earth, what would you eat?



Dylan: Trust me, cher. Food is the last thing I’d be thinking about.



Casse: What does a girl have to do to get a stray cuddly kitten out of you? Heck I'd even take a puppy. (You can't train it though lol)



Dylan: Which would you prefer, sweet Casse, a kitten or a puppy—or maybe a dream catcher? Do you have any of those? Dreams? Nightmares? Life is only as complicated as you make it.



Casse: One last question, perhaps most important, what is your middle name? (Purely for notebook heart doodling’s sake.)

Dylan: Michael, after my father’s father. He was David Michael. We share the same initials: DMF.

What’s yours?

Casse: It’s Rose

Dylan: Just like Trinity :)

There it is my interview with Dylan. Thank you Ellie for your time. I tried to get him to give me a picture for this post (okay no I didn’t. I didn’t want him to think I was a stalker.) Also I am sure he is very busy with all that is going on in Fragile Darkness. You can follow Ellie James on FB https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Midnight-Dragonfly-Books-by-Ellie-James/154988421236309

P.S I think Dylan was flirting with me, don’t you?

Click here for review of  

New reviews coming up.

Expect 3 new reviews. As in already written just need edits and pictures. Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey, Branded by Keary Taylor and Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout. First one will be up tomorrow. I have a new update schedule. Tuesday book reviews and Thursday book recommendations. I will try to mix in both mainstream and indy on both reviews and recs. See ya on Twitter @catholickittie

Hijacked!

Hey all, I’m Shayna and I have been hijacking Casse’s thoughts so I decided to take over her blog as well. *waves* I am her new TextNovel project. She insist on calling it Tag em n Bag em. Yuck. I will see if I can change that.

So why am I here anyway? Just to share a little background story to make you anxious to read MY full story.

HERE IS ME. A regular girl

I had a regular guy...hot guy at that.

This happened...I know don't judge!

Then he disappeared. Gone. I was all:
 

Then I was like,

Turns out he had a great reason for disappearing. A year and a half later her came back with an excuse and a cat as his peace offering. Keep the excuses gimme the cat!

I also had a crazy lot happen while Yesh was gone, I found out I am a reaper! So you are thinking:

WRONG! I'm more like:
 

Now I know why Yesh gave me a cat named Scythe while smirking. So though I am a reaper, well part time reaper I still have High School to finish and an ex boyfriend who ditched me after sex to deal with. I'm pretty much the same girl...HER.

But if you see a hot jerky guy followed by Me and of course Scythe (because every Reaper HAS to have one mine just has to be cuter than the rest) I am sorry.

Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Can there truly be love after death?

I'm just going to say it, the cover is so freaking gorgeous. I admit that is the reason I bought this book. It's much like the cover of  Die For Me, which I also bought due to the cover and LOVED!

I really liked this book. The first 3/4ths more than the ending, which dragged. I loved Amelia, I adored Joshua and I even liked Eli.

I do feel some characters could use some fleshing out: Ruth, Jillian, Eli, hell Joshua and Amelia for that matter. So I guess all the characters could. I am not saying they were all flat but most lacked motivation that I (a reader) could sympathize or relate to. I'm sure they had it. I'm sure they felt strongly about it but why? Why did Ruth hate Amelia? I know seer/ghost but why so passionately? Prejudice? Why was Jillian a huge bitch?

At the end I also felt the author just made Eli do crazy bad shit so we didn't like him? Because the entire time I am sure we all felt like he was kinda annoying but if we just understood why he was like that. Why he was obsessed, besides lonely, he could be likable. We didn't know why Amelia was dead(teehee no pun intended) set against even attempting to befriend him so at the end the author had Eli go bat shit Cray Cray without us fully getting his motivation but only so we wouldn't care what happened to him?

I am hoping book 2 gives us more and goes deeper. I recommend this book.        

Review: The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

A family destroyed. A love threatened. An enemy returns.

The tag line should truly read: These mofos just keep lying for no reason...lol seriously everybody that claims to love one another lies to each other. Why? There is no why as far as I can see but that frustration aside...
This is truly one of my werewolf series! I know I'm hard on Grace but she really is a great character. I still hate Jude he is such a simp. He is truly worthless, a simpering idiot and pretty much has no point other than give Grace something new to save. April grew on me. I think I only hated her in Dark Divine because of her attachment to Jude, same for Grace I suppose. Daniel is still great but less so than last go round and that is partly due to his lying habit and largely due to...enter Talbot- I swoon!

A highly recommended read. I enjoyed this book so much. It made me giggle, it made me angry, it definitely made me swoon, but more importantly it kept me panting and coming back for more.

Review: Beloved Purgatory by Katherine Pine

Sometimes God has a good reason for breaking your heart.

I was really excited when I bought this book on Christmas. I loved the first book in the series and was anxious to read what was going to happen to Devi and Oz.

I admittedly enjoyed After Eden more but Beloved Purgatory was a good follow up. I only grew extremely tired of how Devi was constantly getting gross looking and dirty. Or how self-loathing she was and feeling undeserving of anything and her constantly “not getting it” and saying “I don’t understand.” How many times and ways can someone explain the same thing to her? I wish she was a little less dense.

I get not wanting a heroine to be like catnip to guys but there has to be a happy medium. She doesn’t have to be drop dead gorgeous but can she also not be covered in puke and hideous?

Back to how much I loved the story. I like all the twist, the scheming and betrayal. I think dealing with Angels, the Fallen, devils and Demons would involve all those things. You’d never know who to trust and Beloved Purgatory shows that extremely well. I mean seriously, can there truly be good guys when dealing with devils and demons?

A good book leaves you sighing with resolution and reeling with questions anew…Book 2 in the Fallen Angels series does that swimmingly.

Review: The Ghost and The Goth by Stacey Kade

I can honestly give this book 5 stars! I would give it 10 if I could. Alona and Will have to be the most likeable characters I have read in such a long time. I truly enjoyed this fun and light-hearted paranormal. It's books like this that keeps me reading.




Alona and Will had such a real and organic relationship. We saw them grow together in their bond and their characters. They made one another better and because of their bond growing stronger they, personally grew stronger. That's what a healthy relationship is all about.



I also enjoyed that even at the end they still have more places to go both in the relationship and in the series. Most YA involves insta-love, which is fine and epically romantic sometimes, but it is good to see the work and revelation that is normal in real life.

How I enjoyed my weekend!

Review: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Some would say, CatholicKittie is biased. But me being in love with Gwen Hayes has nothing to do with my love of Falling Under…I love her because I love Falling Under as well as the rest of her stories. This woman is Midas. And to prove my unbiased love I will post my comments I made as I read Falling Under as well as my review. They were not all me drooling over her...okay some were but NOT all.


3/6: "Dear Gwen Hayes, when you write an English person, I imagine you are writing in an English accent, thus I read in an English accent and for hours afterwards, I think in an English accent."


"Yes, yay...the Gwen Hayes humor I love so much. I just laughed so hard bf must think I am insane."


"I hate when YA boys pay attention to other girls romantically besides the heroine even if it is just flirting. It takes the romance of it all from me. Is she not enough?!"


"Instead of bye I use to say cheerios back in the da da day, but not because I really thought the English said it. Gabe makes me LOL!"


"Still not in love with Haden. Gabe, yes. Haden, no. He is too hot and cold."

3/7: "That, that scene, is probably my favorite scene! All dark para romance needs a lite hearted scene with just fun being had!"


"Girly laughter and frustrated groan 2 seconds apart...he must think I'm bipolar. LOL It's not my fault! Blame this cracktastic book!"


"*gulp* If Haden said all those yummy things to me, I'd attack him in the best way. No way he'd walk out that door without some! Like a black hole eats stars huh? That just gave me a nerd-on!"


"Oh shit, that is effin the absolute hottest thing anybody ever said in history. Ho'boy! Page 171 people...you'll know...about her heart...*fans self.*"

**Got epically sick** **Tibit…I always seem to get the plague while reading Gwen Hayes’ books…I blame how effin romantic it is!**

3/10: "Shit just got real!"


"And that, is how you end a book! Dear Gwen Hayes, I heart you!"

Okay, as you can see, I HATED Haden…he was everything I hate in paranormal. He made the heroine question her hotness when we all know he is supposed to make her feel like the best thing on earth. He flirted, kissed and touched other girls…I was steaming. I was won over by page 171 and it only got better from there. The secondary characters were a little added awesomeness my favorite was Gabe and Vernie but as much as I loved Theia, I did not like her friends Donny most of all. She is something like Bipolar but they were much needed characters to add dimension to the story and the group.

Review: Shattered Dreams by Ellie James

Okay, I guess I should let the world know one fact about me first...I have a huge thing for bad boys. Now, for fact number two, my love of bad boys is eclipsed only by my soft spot for the mysterious good guy who had no idea he is good. This story had both and I was in delicious heaven I tell!

The story was pure brilliant, the setting brilliant (made me text my sister and ask her to move to NOLA with me), Pitre (bad boy I am sure I wasn't supposed to puddle over) and Dylan (can I just say O my frakkin Gawd, right now) those 2 lovely boys made my heart all a flutter. Those were the good points that made me race to read this story at a break neck pace and read much too late into the night. Trinity, our heroine, was interesting enough and she had some awesome traits I like in my YA girl. Angst, the angst, I love the angst! She also had some inner turmoil going on that made her hop off the pages but boy was that chic so flip floppy, I was often annoyed and Chase is so bland and wishy washy I can't figure what anyone would see in him. I think it was because the story started at a good point but their connection was already established and they had already started falling for each other so I didn't get to nosey in on it.



This book left me anxious waiting for the next installment and praying for more Pitre and Yes, oh yes...more Dylan.

Review: The Catastrophic History of You And Me by Jess Rothenberg

Admittedly, I have been a very absent blogger.  I have been neglectful, but ever looking for a book to pull me from my book funk.  I had grown weary of Paranormal…so weary of the genre.  The gggggrowly alphas, the bumbling heroines, I even got sick of the YA variety.  But I was still hopeful.  That hope was rewarded.

My daily browsing of the Walmart book section paid off big this weekend.  I often buy books from there (it’s the only story we have in my city.) but rarely do I buy the book, rush home, crack it open and never stop until the end.  It has been a while that I fell in love so fast and so completely.

I guess it is time to tell you the title of the book that ‘woke me up inside.’  The Catastrophic History of You And Me by Jess Rothenberg.  The book is amazing, beautiful, funny, heart breaking (heehee) and romantic.

 Brie's life ends at sixteen: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart - literally. But now that she's in heaven, Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend knows a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost - and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul who's been D&G (dead and gone) much longer than she… and who just might hold the key to her forever after. With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on… but how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

The book is full of music references that just made the book completely fun to read.  I looked forward to see how the lyrical chapter titles tied into what was going to happen next.  Brie was very likable, relatable and understandable.  It was easy to be swept into her emotions and feel them like they were your own…because we all have felt this way before or easily can.  There was only one time that seemed a little off to me.  Brie was in the middle of her dark moment with Patrick and she realized see was acting insane and regretted it but then went further and KEPT DOING IT!  It felt like it was done to push the two into the next plot but really didn’t make a lot of sense with what she was thinking, her realizing what she was saying, the regret and wanting to take it back but then the next second say more stupid crap. It was the only real wtf moment and though it was enough to piss me off, it wasn’t enough to ruin the story.