Madeleine Abducted by M.S. Willis (The Estate #1)

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Suspense, Romance
Publication Date: October 15th 2013
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 10 out of 10
My Rating: 5 out of 5

_______________

She was meant to be his destruction…
A pawn played in a perilous game between father and son…
Yet, her strength was more than either man could imagine.
As Maddy learns to save herself…
She becomes the one thing that could set the son free.

Madeleine Clark was raised to become a concert cellist. Sheltered and naïve, she remains hidden behind her music, a protection from the world around her. On the night of her first solo performance, Maddy accepts the admiration of a stranger and finds herself captive in a cruel and twisted power struggle between a sadistic father and his son, Aaron.

Seemingly dangerous and uncaring, Aaron manages the business operations of his father’s estate. Wanting nothing to do with the slaves kept at the Estate, Aaron refuses to take part in the deeper depravities of his father. Despite his resistance, Aaron’s father ‘gifts’ him with a petite, brunette woman he can’t refuse.

A bond forged in conspiracy and deceit, Aaron struggles to save Maddy by teaching her to survive in the world in which he’d been raised. An unlikely union, Aaron soon learns that great strengths can exist within small packages, while Madeleine learns that love and light can exist in the darkest of places.

_______________

This book grabbed me by the horns and would not let me go, and still hasn't.Instantly, I was captivated and amazed by Maddy as a character. The strength she had, despite being a small, shy woman, as she woke up to find herself naked and chained to a cot in a strange, dark room. She didn't scream and despair, she didn't panic. She held herself together long enough to discover that there was a hidden light in the darkness.

 

"...he'd been left with no choice but to turn his own angel against him, to treat a treasured jewel as nothing more than filth scraped across the bottom of his boots."


Aaron was a man lost. Lost in his own darkness. Lost in the life of crime that was forced on him by his father. You could see that he was fighting the life that he had been dealt. Like another Aaron, his father sought to corrupt him, and although he revelled in the control and violence of his position in his father's organization, he had limits. Lines he refused to cross. He wouldn't let his soul be wholly lost.

Aaron has never brought a woman that he could care about into his life, knowing how he would corrupt her. Knowing how his father would use her against him. But, when Aaron shows special interest in the beautiful concert cellist Madeleine Clark, he unwillingly gives his father the tool to control and destroy him. But what his father didn't know, was that by bringing Madeleine and Aaron together, he had also given them both a reason to fight, to face down death and become lions.

"There was light in him, one so bright it could illuminate the entire night sky if only it wasn't covered over by the shadows of his darkness."


The writing and dialogue in this book is beautiful, but you should be warned of the darkness you will find. It is full of abuse, inhumane degradation, and violence; but above all, the strength of the human spirit and enduring love. But the violence did almost overshadow the beauty of this story near the end. It is the reason for the missing half a star. I'm talking about graphic disembowelment, dismemberment, and beheadings. I knew to expect more violence for the climax of the story, but I didn't expect it to be that strong. It was much more than I would have wanted, or what I was comfortable with and it really turned me off for a few moments. But before that I was convinced it was going to be a 5-star book. I still feel like it deserves a 5-star rating rather than 4-star, though.

A bonus point for this book, is that the scene on the cover actually did happen. Its rare that they have such exact representations on book covers. I highly recommend this book for fans of dark and intense romance. You wont soon forget it.

"Through her strength and her bravery, Maddy had not only saved herself, but also Aaron: By opening her eyes and discovering that hidden deeply within the recesses of the executioner's soul, there was goodness, there was compassion, there was love and there was honor; but above it all...deep within the infinite darkness...there was light."

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Covenant, #5)

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy/Mythology, Romance
Publication Date: October 31st 2013
POV: Female - First-person, Past tenseMy Rating: 4 out of 5

_______________

It's a beautiful day for a war.

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoon-worthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself.

_______________

This book was great for the most part. It renewed my faith in the series after Apollyon which I found to be a big disappointment and pretty uneventful. But a lot happened in this one and it was exciting. I really enjoyed Perses and I hope he is in The Return. And I loved Seth in this one.

This was possibly Seth's best book. This one or Pure. I was Team Seth from the beginning until Deity. And Elixir was definitely Aiden's best book. After those two there was really no denying how much they belonged together. But I still loved Seth and I am pretty happy about how things turned out for him. Except for the him-being-sad part.

But overall, I'm not a huge fan of the ending. The final battle was anticlimactic and unfolded exactly as was

expected. And the ending for Alex was weird and unnecessarily confusing. It reminds me of the ending to the Evernight series. It was not really a bad ending, but it wasn't entirely satisfying either.

At first I preferred this series to Lux, but after a few disappointments, and how Origin blew my mind, I am not sure if that is still the case. We shall see after Opposition. But this was an amazing series either way. Alex is still among my top 5 heroines and Seth is still a great character and I wont forget him anytime soon. It was an incredible world and an incredible story. I always feel a sense of relief after finishing a great series which I am ready to move on from.

“He was my strength when I needed him to be, my friend when I needed someone to talk me down, my equal in a world where by law I would always be less than him, and honest to gods, he was the love of my life.”

True by Laurann Dohner (New Species #11)

Genres: Adult, Sci-fi, Romance
Publication Date: December 10th 2013
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 8 out of 10
My Rating: 4 out of 5

_______________

Jeanie loves a New Species and is willing to pay for that love with pain, tears and heartbreak. She’ll do anything to keep 710 alive but she never wants him to know how she suffered for him. He’s the reason for her mission in life—freeing others like him.

True has a new life working with the NSO to rescue his people. A good life, until he encounters a dying woman—the female who betrayed him. True should feel gratified that she’s finally going to pay for her crimes, but she claims to be a victim too. He is still irresistibly drawn to the pretty little human who touched his heart and made him want her. When he clasps her hand to offer comfort, his instincts kick in and True will fight everyone to protect her.

_______________

I really loved this book! It was just what I needed! I hated that I had caught up and now need to wait in between New Species books, but this was worth the wait.

I really loved Jeanie. She was pretty bad ass. She had so much inner strength and she was so brave. She fought for the NS like almost none other. She is such an amazing champion for them. She is fearless. The story surrounding her and the mysterious Terry Brice was different and fascinating. This still had the usual NS mandatory kidnappings, but it was very different circumstances and it really drew me in with the mystery of it and what was really going on. I couldn't put it down.

I also really loved True. He was a bit softer than most NS. Still very dominating, but also a little insecure and just so sweet. He was a great character and he was wonderful to Jeanie. A complete sweetheart. They are a wonderful couple and I am incredibly happy for them. I cant wait until they have children! He's gonna be such an awesome father!

I was so sad when I finished this book. I didn't want it to end. And although I enjoyed the softer side of True, I still cannot wait to read about Darkness next, one of the most intimidating and "darkest" NS there are. That must be why he chose that name, because he feels like Mercile ripped out his heart and left nothing but darkness behind. But he has a heart, and some incredible woman is going to discover that. Wow! She is gonna be amazing. I cant wait!

“She rolled over and sat up as he bent, tearing off his boots. "Whatcha doing?" 

"Getting naked." 

"I like that.”

Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Romance
Publication Date: November 1st 2006
POV: Female - First-person, Past tense
My Rating: 4 out of 5

_______________

Martine Leavitt offers a spellbinding story, interweaving elements of classic fantasy and high romance. Keturah follows a legendary hart into the king's forest, where she becomes hopelessly lost. Her strength diminishes until, finally, she realizes that death is near. Little does she know that he is a young, handsome lord, melancholy and stern. Renowned for her storytelling, Keturah is able to charm Lord Death with a story and thereby gain a reprieve -- but only for twenty-four hours. She must find her one true love within that time, or all is lost. Keturah searches desperately while the village prepares for an unexpected visit from the king, and Keturah is thrust into a prominent role as mysterious happenings alarm her friends and neighbors. Lord Death's presence hovers over all until Keturah confronts him one last time in the harrowing climax.

_______________

This was such a unique story. I loved it. It read like a fairy tale, or folklore or myth. Keturah was such an unusual girl. She had never been in love, but she wanted to love with all that she was. It seemed to be her life's ambition to find her soul mate and fall madly in love. But there was no one that piqued her interest. She gave everyone a fair chance. She was very forward about it. She spoke to every man in her town to see if she could love them, some she even told the truth of why she was speaking to them.

When she got lost in the woods and Death came for her, she convinced him to give her another day to find her true love. She didnt want to die before finding her love. Each day she goes back to Death and convinces him to give her another day. Three days she searches high and low. At first, she thinks she might love Ben, the best gardener in town. Then she thinks she might love John, the Lord's son. But neither prospect fills her with happiness. Something is missing, until she realizes what it is.

It was beautifully poetic and I loved every minute of it. I was so anxious to get to the end and find out who Keturah's true love was. Although part of me knew, I just didnt want to get my hopes up. :P

My only complaint is that the story started as a story within a story. Keturah is around a fire and begins to tell the story of when she met death. But at the end, it does not go back to an older Keturah, and the beginning doesnt really fit with the ending. I am kind of confused about that. Also it never explained why the eye slowed down for Ben and wept for John. But besides that, this book would have been perfect!

“She knew she had never been truly alive until she met him, and never so happy and content with her lot until she was touched by the sorrow of him.”

Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan (The Lynburn Legacy #2)

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Publication Date: August 29th 2013
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
My Rating: 5 out of 5

_______________

It's time to choose sides....

On the surface, Sorry-in-the-Vale is a sleepy English town. But Kami Glass knows the truth. Sorry-in-the-Vale is full of magic. In the old days, the Lynburn family ruled with fear, terrifying the people into submission in order to kill for blood and power. Now the Lynburns are back, and Rob Lynburn is gathering sorcerers so that the town can return to the old ways.

But Rob and his followers aren’t the only sorcerers in town. A decision must be made: pay the blood sacrifice, or fight. For Kami, this means more than just choosing between good and evil. With her link to Jared Lynburn severed, she’s now free to love anyone she chooses. But who should that be?

A darkly humorous take on Gothic romance, Sarah Rees Brennan's Lynburn Legacy weaves together the tale of a heroine desperate to protect those she loves, two boys hoping to be saved, and the magical forces that will shape their destiny.

_______________

This more than makes up for the heartbreaking ending to Unspoken. I find that relationship cliffhangers kill me the most. They are way worse than story or action cliffhangers. That's why the ending of Unspoken destroyed me, but I was fine with the ending of Opal.

This story has more of what we loved in book one. More of the humour and the brilliant Kami. More of the awesome sidekicks Angie and Rusty. More of the brooding Jared and Golden Boy Ash. Especially Ash. We got to know him a lot better in this book and I really feel for him. He is so often overlooked. I hope he gets more affection from his mother in book 3.

 

"Everyone all right?" 

"I'm okay," [Holly] said. "I see you are too. I also see you have a weapon that is on fire." 

"I'm badass like that," Kami said.

Kami and Jared also break my heart. They are like star-crossed lovers. There are so many things set against them. But Jared is such a hero and a martyr. In that way he kind of reminds me of the Rajaram brothers from Tiger's Curse. He has traits of both. But make no mistake, he is not as awesome as Kishan. Very few people can compete with the love of my life, and none of those outside of my holy Quartet (Kishan, Ash, Warner, Jem). But, there is a great shortage of amazing heroines, so Kami does make the cut for me. She is whip-smart and clever and funny, and amazingly brave and strong. There are not enough heroines like her.

Although so far this has been a very clean YA series, Kami and Jared are still totally epic and they both love each other unconditionally and passionately. And not just romantically, but any way they can. Its Eros, Storge, Pragma, Mania, Philia, and Agape. And that, my friends, is beautiful!

"Do you remember how you used to believe I wasn't real? Sometimes I wish that was true. If I was just a thought in the back of your mind, then I'd be with you, and I'd be better."