{COYER} Clean Out Your E-Reader Summer Spectacular

I am so jumping on the bandwagon for another #COYER with Kimberly and Michelle! I utterly failed in March with so many things going on and over committing myself to tours. My netgalley number is hurting, publishers are gonna stop giving me access to ARCs, I GOTTA CLEAN HOUSE! 

So, I signed up for very few blog tours, am going to focus on the pile of books I bought, the piles in my Kindle, and the piles sent to me to review! Wish me luck...and hey, won't you join in?! 

Cliff of the Ruin by Bonnie McKernan

Cliff of the Ruin by Bonnie McKernan
Publisher: Abbott Press
Publication date: November 2012
Length: 418 pages
Genre: Historical fiction, fantasy
Editions: Hardcover, paperback, kindle
Source for Review: Netgalley

Synopsis: There are three good reasons why dashing Civil War hero and New York lawyer William Teague cannot tell artist Mae Kendrick he''s in love with her. One, she told him he was dull. Two, she is the niece of an important client. Three, she just hired him to find the man she doesn't remember marrying.

As Will manages this peculiar case, the search for Mae's husband unveils a shocking discovery about her childhood, one that shifts the investigation to the place of her birth--Ireland.

But on the voyage overseas, circumstances become increasingly bizarre. Mae suffers ghost-like visions and further memory loss, and Will is seduced by a beautiful stranger who just might be trying to kill him. When Mae suddenly vanishes like her husband, Will is forced to enter a thin place, an ancient monastic ruin leading to Ireland's Celtic otherworld, in what becomes a race against time to find her.

But are Will''s war-honed instincts any match for the alluring forces of Irish legend? Can he distinguish friend from foe? Can he protect Mae from the apparitions of her past? And how far beyond the breaking point can his secret love be tested?

Review after the jump!

Heaven's Night by Harry Aderton

Bear with me as I try a new review format today! Instead of just copying and pasting from my goodreads review, let's see if I can't give you a little more information.

Heaven's Night by Harry Aderton
Publisher: Aderton Prime LLC
Publication Date: March 1, 2013
Formats: Hardcover and Kindle
Length: 496 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Source for this review: Netgalley


Synopsis: When Lucifer challenges the throne of God, it ignites a decades-long war that devastates the serenity of the Heavens. With an arsenal of demonic fallen angels at his side, Lucifer's march to satanic glory seems imminent.

Archangel Sariel has other plans.

Join acclaimed author Harry Aderton as he takes you on an incredible journey from the pinnacles of heaven to the dark depths of hell. The heroic soul of Sariel is put to the test as he battles fierce warriors in his quest for love and the resurrection of the Heaven he knew.

This addictive novel combines a complex blend of action and passion with the age-old debate of obeying your heart or your duty. Follow the intricate twists and turns as they lead you to the surprising and explosive climax.

Hang on - all hell is about to break loose! -amazon.com blurb

Review:

5 out of 5 Stars
First I should say that I am an atheist so I wasn't very pre-disposed towards geeking out about this book. Requesting this book I was of two minds: completely intrigued and a little put off. A long novel based on Lucifer's defection?  I thought it would be angsty and long-winded and, frankly, too religious in tone to hold my interest. I am SO happy to say I was wrong.

The story is told from the point of a view of a lesser known Archangel named Sariel. Sariel explains angelic names (Sariel, Sammael, Gabriel, Kakabel, Azazel, Michael, etc. Notice anything?) as he starts to tell his story. Sariel has a soulmate in Requel, an angel of the lower classes and she is the catalyst to get him involved in the destruction Sammael, who now calls himself Lucifer, is bringing to the lower spheres of existence.

I am not very well-versed in angel lore other than knowing vaguely the classes of angels in a sort of cut-and-dry school way: Cherubim, Serpahim, Archangel. This book explained the different classes of angels perfectly, easily, and well-integrated to the story.

And what a story it is. A story of heartache, of a family fractured, of deepest betrayal, of despair and the horrors of war, of how twisted one can be come, of hope, of faith, and most of all, of love. Truly, love conquers all. It can conquer fear, self-doubt, loneliness, heartache, betrayal, corruption.

The author seemed to weave some of the eastern philosophies as well into the story and I truly enjoyed that. It goes to highlight harmony we could have if we would only recognize it and let it happen.

This book isn't preachy. It's filled with fantasy and gruesome war scenes. And yes, it talks about faith and faith in god. But I walked away with the sense of faith in love and trust in your family members and loved ones. But most of all, I walked away with the story of two soulmates, and one who literally moved heaven for the other.

Available at Amazon.com. $2.99 for a Kindle Edition, $15.45 for hardcover at the time of this review.

Liesel Schwarz's A Conspiracy of Alchemists

A Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Schwarz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: Received from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun, well-paced steampunk fantasy romance! I thought it was a strong start to a new series that I will be snatching as soon as available. It starts off with intrigue and action and keeps it up throughout the book. I loved the absinthe fairies and the inner monologue of Adele as she travels with Elle on her adventure.

I've always liked Wonder Woman and the archetype of strong, self-efficient feminine leads without them acting as if they have something to prove. Elle Chance is this kind of character. She is self-sufficent and able to stand on her own, but doesn't have that self-aggrandizement that can be so annoying. She questions Marsh and his motives from the beginning, which was smart in my book as why ever would you trust someone with your life and the life of a loved one based on his word alone?

Marsh, as her counterpart, is likeable with the tiniest hint of "hurt in the past" that makes you want Elle to fix him. Dashing, gentlemanly, and never condescending.

I enjoyed the turns of mythology in regards to oracles, the fantasy of magic with warlocks, and the steampunk ships, creations, mechanicals, and alchemists. The ending was satisfying even though it left you with heart palpitations and wanting the next book RIGHT NOW.

A Conspiracy of Alchemists publishes on March 4, 2013. So get it now and join me in the "wait, when is the SEQUEL?!"

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Pursuing the Times

Pursuing the Times by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I was given this book by the author in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. No monetary compensation for this review at all.

Very very rarely do you come across a book that has you grinning only a few pages in and laughing out loud a few chapters later. Mercury Lauren, the Chick Lit writer desperate for a review from the New York Times Book Review, is a chaotic, spazztic, witty, bright woman who definitely knows how to go after what she wants. She describes herself as once being a "mousy book clerk" but I fail to see how this is possible because this woman has got PERSONALITY.

The whole premise of the book is about Mercury's passion for a NYT Book Review blurb, how she doesn't write "Chick Lit" but stories about "the human condition" and as she runs into one person after another, we truly see that human condition.

The glimpses into the world of a burgeoning author (well, I guess I should say well established as she is into her fifth book) and her relationship with her agent, book tours, ARCs, and insecurities was fantastic. There were frustrating moments of her believing the slimeball, but I think it was even more frustrating for me because I am so often the victim of being too trusting myself.

Mercury's neuroses were just non-stop. It did get to be a little much at times because you just know she can be an energy drainer! I liked the golf scene where a certain someone admires her chutzpah, and I liked the vulnerability she shows at the book signing.

This was a fun, witty, laugh out loud read with a nice bit of romance, including a modern little White Knight to the Rescue bit. The bantering of emails had me snickering, her inner dialogue that quickly turns into a panicked phone call to her agent had me shaking my head, and her antics had me laughing out loud.

Thank you SO much, Lauren Baratz-Logsted!


********************
Tomorrow, the blog will have a little something special! I've got TWO excerpts and a link for a FREE e-book for you, no matter what kind of reader you have!

Maria Snyder's Scent of Magic

Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received this book through netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I did NOT read the first in this series, "Touch of Power", before reading this book. I would say that you don't really need to, however, there is a lot of interaction between the "team" of players that is subtle and now I really want to read Touch of Power.

This book starts off with Avry and Kerrick parting ways with very specific set goals to help fight against Tohon. There's a lot of unspoken coupleness about these two that tell you that you're missing a whole history between them.

There is a ton of action in this book! You have two points of view, mainly - Kerrick and Avry. You have different events occurring simultaneously and I didn't once feel as if there was a very boring lull and wanted to just page through to get to something.

I liked that Ms. Snyder has a lot of strong female characters. You don't have fluff; they are all, good ones and bad ones, strong capable women, powerful and power hungry, and aren't the simpering, fainting wallflowers. I've been a fan of Wonder Woman and strong female archetypes since I was a girl.

The ending was upsetting. Talk about a cliffhanger. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? So, yes, I need to get the third book now. This is NOT a standalone.

View all my reviews

Soul Avenged by Keri Lake - GO GET THIS

Soul Avenged by Keri Lake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay, first I should say that I got my copy directly from the author as an ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. I am doing my best to keep this a spoiler free review, including not giving away much of the plot. Okay?

Honest. Unbiased. Review. Got that? Good.

This was one of the BEST paranormal fantasy reads I have read in a long time! I started reading this in earnest today as Blizzard Nemo hit the area. Between bouts of taking the dogs out, checking on friends, etc., I was sneaking time in to read. And then when I finally had a few hours to myself (very late at night as it's now 4am and I've been reading the last 3 hours straight) I finished this in one, long gulp, unable to put it down and sleep. I simply had to know what was going to happen!

The book hits the ground running, full sprint. There is no lead up, Keri Lake just drops you into the middle of the action and makes you say to yourself, "Yeeeesss!"

The heroine, Ayden, kicks some serious ass, but flawed in that way that makes her human and appealing to the reader. If you liked Lilith Saint Crow's Dante Valentine or Jill Kismet, you are going to love Ayden. In the beginning, I was in complete agreement with Kane: "This woman is all kinds of fucked up, but damn she is one tough cookie!" She frustrated me in her inability to see past his new "halfling" status. He hasn't done anything wrong yet, woman!

Kane seems like quite the good man. Motivated by his own loss in life, he's the director of a children's cancer institute before he's bitten. He lives a good life, if a tad obsessed with his job. It's as he's seeing the end come, that he realizes he really wasn't LIVING.

Ms. Lake's world is well constructed and detailed. READ THE GLOSSARY IN THE FRONT. You won't necessarily need it as the explanations come seamlessly in the plot of the novel, however it does help to have an idea and something to reference when they are talking about it. As the reader, I found myself connecting with the different characters easily. They are all so fascinating! I am happy that this is the first in the series and I am hoping that the series will be a book for each Wrath brother we just met. I mean, this story is about Ayden and Kane, really, with an introduction to the Sons of Wrath. Sooooooo...books on Gavin, Logan (and Calla?), Zeke, Zayne, Calix, Ferno, and dammit I'm missing one.

This sounds like something weird to say, but not only did I really enjoy the story and the characters, but I also really appreciated Ms. Lake's writing. I've read several series whose story could be fantastic, but it melts into just sex scene after sex scene, which while hot detracts from the progression of the plot, and isn't what I'm looking for when I read. Yes there are sex scenes in this book, but they integrate well with the plot and the story of the characters involved. I also appreciated that we the readers weren't told in detail about the disgusting and sadistic sexual actions General Wade inflicted on his female soldiers. The hints alone left such distaste in my mouth, but I was very glad not to have it solidified into imagery.

The ending was very satisfying and complete. No cliffhanger to leave you dangling, although PLENTY to explore in future books in the series.

I haven't enjoyed a book of this genre this much since I was first introduced to Dante Valentine, Jill Kismet, Elena & Clay, Paige & Lucas, etc. I need the rest in this series. I know this book just came out, but I really need the rest of this series. LOL

TL;DR - It was a frickin' good read, urban/paranormal fantasy, go GET IT! And then join the bandwagon as we await more in this series. :) Thank you, Ms. Lake, for giving me a FABULOUS read during a huge blizzard!

View all my reviews

Three Graves Full releases on February 12!

Three Graves Full by Jamie Mason
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really didn't know what I was expecting from this book, but had I had any expectations, I'd have to say this far exceeded them. This was a well-paced read that immerses you in the story from the get go.

As the title suggests, there are three graves full, all on one property, Jason Getty's property. Jason knows about one of the graves. He should; he's the one who put the body there and it's been tormenting him for more than a year. What he didn't know is that his property has two more graves interred in his garden! Those bodies are discovered when Jason decides to have a little lawn maintenance done and from there, the dominos start to fall.

As the stories unfold and we have flashbacks from Jason, and Leah, the fiance of one of the victims, you completely empathize and understand why Jason murdered that person and hid the body. And as you learn about the other two victims on the property, you kinda rationalize it out as well. The bodies are stacking up, but who did what? And why? And can we forgive and forget and move on?

Jason's memories are very reminiscent of "The Tell-Tale Heart". He isn't a violent person so this is eating at him, bit by bit, day by day, at odd moments it rears its ugly head.

Mysteries such as these bring up subtle moral questions that would make for great book club discussion. Do you want Jason to get away with what he did? What about Leah's actions at the end? Should Bayard pursue his instincts?

Received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This releases on February 12, so go get it! Definitely recommended for a lively discussion book club read as you can discuss the moral choices and your own visceral reaction to the plot. As for me? I was satisfied with the ending.

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How sweet it is to be loved by you!

It's funny; I never really thought of the meaning behind song lyrics, just sang along to all the songs I know, etc. Lately, all the love songs make more and more sense. Why? Because I am in love with a wonderful man who gets me. And I feel showered with love all the time.

Case in point - it's a little early, but I have already received my Valentine's Day gift. Now, I've gotten jewelry from him before (gorgeous, perfect jewelry I might add), and each was thoughtful and sweet.

But here's proof that he really knows my heart!

 This was waiting for me in the mail today! Amazon kinda gave away what it is though immediately as they only shipped it in its own little box!

Mhmmmm...the kindle paperwhite is MINE!

Sigh, I can't figure out how to turn the pictures in blogger. On my PC they are the right side up, but not in blogger. And I uploaded them different times!

Oh well. Don't mind my chipped nailpolish, but look at the pretty new kindle! Hooray!

Thanks, sweetie! I ADORE IT. Especially with all of my e-ARCs I need to read! Perfecto!!!