tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36493020974330240112024-03-13T21:16:22.181-06:00A Match Made in Heaven Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-72326134488693653532015-02-16T19:41:00.000-07:002015-02-18T19:41:58.534-07:00Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes (Falling Kingdoms #3)<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1419103977l/17342700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1419103977l/17342700.jpg" width="265" /></a><b>Genres:</b> Young Adult, Adventure, High Fantasy, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> December 9th 2014<br />
<b>POV:</b> Alternating - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>My Rating: </b>5 out of 5<br />
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<i>Prince Magnus has just witnessed torture, death, and miracles during the bloody confrontation that decimated the rebel forces. Now he must choose between family and justice as his father, the cruel King Gaius, sets out to conquer all of Mytica. All Gaius needs now are the Kindred - the four elemental crystals that give godlike powers to their owner. But the King of Blood is not the only one hunting for this ancient, storied magic...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Kraeshians join the hunt. Ashur and Amara, the royal siblings from the wealthy kingdom across the Silver Sea, charm and manipulate their way to the Kindred, proving to be more ruthless than perhaps even the King of Blood himself.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The rebels forge ahead. Princess Cleo and vengeful Jonas lead them, slaying with sweetness, skill, and a secret that can control Lucia's overpowering magic - all so they can use the Kindred to win back their fallen kingdoms.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Watchers follow Melenia out of the Sanctuary. They ally in the flesh with King Gaius, who vows to use Lucia's powers to unveil the Kindred.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The only certainty in the dark times is that whoever finds the magic first will control the fate of Mytica... but fate can be fickle when magic is involved. </i><br />
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This was as great as I expected. <i><a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2013/02/falling-kingdoms-by-morgan-rhodes.html">Falling Kingdoms</a></i> was a bit slower, but <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/01/rebel-spring-by-morgan-rhodes-falling.html"><i>Rebel Sprin</i>g</a> and <i>Gathering Darkness</i> are equally great. I just love the scale of the story, and that it features so many great characters. <br />
<br />
My favourite character is still Magnus, has been from the beginning. In the first book I felt a lot of pity for him and his situation, the way he was treated by his father. Although I still sometimes feel bad for him, that is no longer my primary reason for loving him. I love his strength. The way he has stood through everything. His father's deception, his sister's rejection, his mother's lies, his wife's hatred—and he has not broken yet. He has a clear goal in mind that he is constantly moving towards. He is determined. He has never faltered in his plans. Never doubted the necessity of it. He needs to take down his father, and he believes he is the best person to rule. That may not be entirely true, but he is not perfect. As Cleo said,<i> "Who was cruel and kind, strong and weak. Who was selfish and selfless all at once.”</i> But if anyone can sway him from his path, it is Cleo. And if anyone can make him worthy of success, it is Cleo. They could both get what they want and rule together.<br />
<br />
Even during <i>Falling Kingdoms</i>, I had secret hopes for Cleo and Magnus. But after Theon, and then Jonas, I wasn't really sure there was any hope there, so I didn't get my hopes up. But I always thought they would make a great couple, if only they could see past their differences. Then after reading book 2 I knew, this is my OTP! There's no doubt anymore. This has got to happen! Although, I was expecting Cleo to acknowledge that before Magnus. I was surprised but very proud of him. Although I suppose he has less to forgive than Cleo. I am sort of glad that this series is so long, and things can happen so subtly.<br />
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I hated Jonas in <i>Falling Kingdoms</i>. He was so blinded by his hatred for Auranos and Cleo. It was extremely frustrating. I hated the way he saw the world in black and white. He got better in <i>Rebel Sprin</i>g as he became a rebel leader, started to realize where he was wrong, and tried to do the right thing. But in this book he was useless. I don't think I hate him anymore, but I am just not very impressed. He fails as a rebel, leader or otherwise. And he severely mistreated Felix. I really saw that coming. He jumped to conclusions about what kind of person he was, the same way he did with Cleo way back in the beginning, and I thought he had learned better. I really can't bring myself to care about whether or not has a romance with Lysandra, Cleo, or anyone else. He is the only disappointing character in this series.<br />
<br />
Lucia is a fascinating character. I can't decide if she is good or evil. She is the only one like that in this series. Magnus is most definitely good in my opinion, when it really comes down to it. But Lucia has so much darkness in her, and sometimes she seems to revel in destruction. But she was so innocent in the beginning, before everything happened. Before magic, before Magnus. I am really sad about what happened to Alexius. He brought out different sides to her character, helped us understand her. But now, if she is working with the fire elemental, who knows what that will do to her. But I am interested to find out. <br />
<br />
I was hoping something more would happen between Nic and Ashur. I liked Ashur in <i>Rebel Sprin</i>g and I was really hoping he wasn't bad. I am glad we saw more of him, but I am sad there can't be more between him and Nic. There are so many great and fascinating characters in this series, good and bad, I could go on forever. But those are some of my favourites, and some other major ones. It is really anyone's guess what will happen next, as anyone's actions could change everything. Everyone has their hand in the game now.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>“Magnus had come to a horrible realization. One that he knew would cause him nothing but pain and suffering from that day forward.</b></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b></b></i><i><b>But there was no changing the truth of it.</b></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b></b></i><i><b>He had fallen in love with her.”</b></i></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gathering-Darkness-Falling-Kingdoms-Novel-ebook/dp/B00INIXP5S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1424313468&sr=1-1&keywords=Gathering+Darkness+by+Morgan+Rhodes" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img center="" src="http://i.imgur.com/rTqa0WG.png" height="56" text-align:="" width="200" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-18215889290197333552015-02-13T19:30:00.000-07:002015-02-18T19:30:55.359-07:00Winter's Heart by Robert Jordan (The Wheel of Time #9)<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422294753l/13891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422294753l/13891.jpg" width="236" /></a><b>Genres:</b> High Fantasy, Adventure<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> January 7th 2002<br />
<b>POV: </b>Alternating - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 5 out of 5<br />
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<i>Rand, with Min, is on the run, and Cadsuane, in Carhien, is trying to figure out where he is headed.<br /><br />Mazrim Taim, the leader of the Black Tower, is revealed to be a liar. Faile, with her companions, is a prisoner of Sevanna's Sept.<br /><br />With Elyas Machera, Berelain, the Prophet, and an "army" of disparate forces, Perrin is moving through country rife with bandits and roving Seanchan.<br /><br />In Ebou Dar, the Seanchan princess known as Daughter of the Nine Moons arrives. In Tar Valon, the schemers and counter-schemers in Elaida's White Tower are shaken to the core when the rebels appear suddenly outside the walls.</i><br />
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This book was very eventful. Several major events that I knew were coming finally happened in this book. And I was so happy to see Mat again. He was not in the last book at all, and it took half of this book before he showed up. But once he did, a lot happened. The story in Ebou Dar ended up being my favourite, from anyone's POV. <br />
<br />
I was happy to finally meet Tuon and she was not what I expected. She is a strong woman, like all the others in this series, but she is so young. I am curious how that will effect things. Will it make her easier to handle or harder? The other women in this series are all difficult. We last saw her, Mat had <i>just </i>realized that she was the Daughter of the Nine Moons, so I don't really know what to expect. His initial reaction was strange.<br />
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And I still love Rand. As uncomfortable as I am with his relationship with Min, Elayne, and Aviendha, I try to just ignore it. He spends most of his time with Min anyway, who is my favourite of the three, so I try to not let it bother me, because I love Rand so much, as a character and a hero. He has been trough so much, and it all effects him so strongly. He does what he must even as each action makes another mark on his soul, and each death turns him a little more to stone. But the incredible thing is that he knows what it will do to him, and he does it anyway. He is sacrificing himself a little bit at a time, for the sake of the world. And so far it is working. He has done such incredible things, and I admire him so much. Mat is my book boyfriend of this series, but Rand is my hero.<br />
<br />
After 9 books, this is still the most epic story I have ever read. I don't know when this series is suppose to start dragging, but I can't believe it will. I heard one reader say they stopped after book 10, so I suppose I will just have to wait and see. But I will not stop with only 4 books left. That would be incredibly lazy. I don't expect to ever stop loving this series, world, and characters, but I will finish this series either way.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>“A man who trusts everyone is a fool and a man who trusts no one is a fool. We are all fools if we live long enough.”</i></b></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Winters-Heart-Book-Nine-Wheel-ebook/dp/B003H3IOKU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1424312917&sr=1-1&keywords=Winter%27s+Heart+by+Robert+Jordan" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img center="" src="http://i.imgur.com/rTqa0WG.png" height="56" text-align:="" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13891.Winter_s_Heart" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/m3xbdDV.png" height="61" width="200" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-10594660430319313012015-02-01T20:05:00.000-07:002015-02-06T20:09:24.888-07:00Guns N' Boys by K.A. Merikan (Guns N' Boys #1.2)<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410994811l/23246881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410994811l/23246881.jpg" width="266" /></a><b>Genres: </b>Adult, Contemporary, Thriller, Romance </div>
<b>Publication Date:</b> October 8th 2014<br />
<b>POV:</b> Alternating - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>Smut-O-Meter:</b> 10 out of 10<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 5 out of 5 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uhU_mgDAX9iNTfmlsWly9EAmWP-oyHQ_fqROkncE-lAZATbUMjeHFfqAuYAikFZXK8NvrK3D6li5ZpN7ZGIvbSUdR27Gbs3-N5flOd3ULXt9194JmSIJ487sDTMaUfjJx1TV7R_vpAs/s1600/5-star-rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uhU_mgDAX9iNTfmlsWly9EAmWP-oyHQ_fqROkncE-lAZATbUMjeHFfqAuYAikFZXK8NvrK3D6li5ZpN7ZGIvbSUdR27Gbs3-N5flOd3ULXt9194JmSIJ487sDTMaUfjJx1TV7R_vpAs/s1600/5-star-rating.png" height="63" width="200" /></a><br />
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<i>Love is sour like a Sicilian lemon. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Family is always right.</i><br />
<i>The Family doesn’t forget.</i><br />
<i>The Family pays for blood in blood.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Domenico Acerbi grew up in the shade of Sicilian lemon trees ready to give his life for the Family. Ready to follow orders and exceed expectations. A proud man of honor.</i><br />
<i>When Seth, the younger son of the Don is kidnapped, it’s Domenico who is sent to get him back. The man he finds though, is not the boy he knew all those years ago. Lazy, annoying, spoiled, and as hot as a Sicilian summer.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Seth Villani wants nothing to do with the mafia. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get a say when the Family pulls him right back into its fold after his mother’s death. Thrown into a den of serpents otherwise known as the Villani Family, Seth has to find a way to navigate in the maze of lies. But when Domenico Acerbi, the most vicious snake of them all, sinks his fangs into Seth, the venom changes into an aphrodisiac that courses through Seth’s veins.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Domenico knows his life is about to change when he gets the order to train Seth up to the role of future Don. Seth isn’t made for it. He isn’t even made. But a man Domenico knows he would never have to fear might just be someone he’s always needed.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>If Seth is doomed to follow in his father's footsteps, he might as well enjoy himself--with the most intoxicating man he’s ever met. Maybe he can even fool himself into believing that Domenico isn't a handsome sociopath who kills for a living.</i><br />
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I enjoyed this more than part 1. I love how Domenico and Seth's relationship has grown. How I feel like they are now inseparable and forever, but Dom is still possessive and violent. I hope he never loses that. It gives their relationship an edge, so that you can never quite relax. And in his own way, it shows how much he needs Seth. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/ee/64/b6/ee64b68864285e594bb289092335b2bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/ee/64/b6/ee64b68864285e594bb289092335b2bb.jpg" /></a>Dom isn't going to use words to tell Seth how he feels. While Seth said the 'L' word near the beginning of this book, it took the whole book and a near-death experience for Dom to say it back. Dom is more familiar with sex and violence and those are his best tools. Love doesn't change a man and I wouldn't want him to change.<br />
<br />
I love the ending, as Dom puts everything on the line for Seth, leaving them in a very dangerous situation, and leaving Seth to take charge. Dom sacrificed so much for Seth already and if he needed anymore signs that Dom loves him, he got them.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens next. The blurb says that Dom lost his memories after his injuries, and I am so looking forward to what happens when Dom meets Seth for the first time again. What will his reactions to him be this time? Will it be the same? How confused will he be about his feelings for his brother? I really hope that at some point he finds the pictures that he sewed into the lining of his coat. Perhaps that will be an eye opener for him. I expect to love it either way!<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<b><i>“I think I'll take a shower, shave, get refreshed."</i></b> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><i></i></b><b><i>Domenico gave him a smile and lowered his voice. "Why? Because you still feel me inside?"</i></b> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><i></i></b><b><i>Seth bit his lip and started playing with his fingers. "You're always here, inside." Seth pointed to his heart, and it was so sweet, Dom hardly recognize the horny beast behind that facade.</i></b> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><i> </i></b><b><i>He stared at Seth, unsure how to react to such honesty in reply to his dirty question.”</i></b></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guns-erotic-romance-mafia-thriller-ebook/dp/B00OBRHGDW/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1423278282&sr=1-4&keywords=Guns+N%27+Boys+by+K.A.+Merikan" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img center="" src="http://i.imgur.com/rTqa0WG.png" height="56" text-align:="" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23246881-guns-n-boys" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/m3xbdDV.png" height="61" width="200" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-89198242817537260482015-01-31T11:57:00.001-07:002015-02-06T20:09:38.179-07:00Guns N' Boys by K.A. Merikan (Guns N' Boys #1.1) <a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1407940298l/22559419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1407940298l/22559419.jpg" width="266" /></a><b>Genres:</b> Adult, Contemporary, Thriller, Romance <br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> September 11th 2014<br />
<b>POV: </b>Alternating - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>Smut-O-Meter:</b> 10 out of 10<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 4 out of 5<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp7VBVwBbQpM2DLp-lhKvI2wmT7E9OcTaXH2i53I0gExYCUCzCIPlv3pjqMEoF4qwagX7jxi0xJD-7GFzZYlF24pQrCbvOG4GXScM7M3IcZk_Uxc0P_Z7BMZtusRyJQqOqm8pHnDg_KI/s1600/4+stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp7VBVwBbQpM2DLp-lhKvI2wmT7E9OcTaXH2i53I0gExYCUCzCIPlv3pjqMEoF4qwagX7jxi0xJD-7GFzZYlF24pQrCbvOG4GXScM7M3IcZk_Uxc0P_Z7BMZtusRyJQqOqm8pHnDg_KI/s1600/4+stars.png" height="63" width="200" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
_______________</div>
<br />
<i>Love is sour like a Sicilian lemon.<br /><br />The Family is always right. <br />The Family doesn’t forget. <br />The Family pays for blood in blood. <br /><br />Domenico Acerbi grew up in the shade of Sicilian lemon trees ready to give his life for the Family. Ready to follow orders and exceed expectations. A proud man of honor.<br />When Seth, the younger son of the Don is kidnapped, it’s Domenico who is sent to get him back. The man he finds though, is not the boy he knew all those years ago. Lazy, annoying, spoiled, and as hot as a Sicilian summer.<br /><br />Seth Villani wants nothing to do with the mafia. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get a say when the Family pulls him right back into its fold after his mother’s death. Thrown into a den of serpents otherwise known as the Villani Family, Seth has to find a way to navigate in the maze of lies. But when Domenico Acerbi, the most vicious snake of them all, sinks his fangs into Seth, the venom changes into an aphrodisiac that courses through Seth’s veins. <br /><br />Domenico knows his life is about to change when he gets the order to train Seth up to the role of future Don. Seth isn’t made for it. He isn’t even made. But a man Domenico knows he would never have to fear might just be someone he’s always needed.<br /><br />If Seth is doomed to follow in his father's footsteps, he might as well enjoy himself—with the most intoxicating man he’s ever met. Maybe he can even fool himself into believing that Domenico isn’t a handsome sociopath who kills for a living. </i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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I really loved this book, and probably would have given it 5-stars if not for the fact that it was incomplete, and the fact that it pushed my limits a little too much.<br />
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I was in the mood for a dark romance, and that is most definitely what I got. This book is . And Dom is a monster, a passionate, obsessive monster. I love him. Seth is not what I expected. Despite the fact that he is muscular and physically larger than Dom, he seems so weak in comparison. Even though Seth does not fit into Dom's world at all and Dom cannot help but laugh at him and mock him sometimes for his foolishness, there are still things about Seth that Dom finds completely irresistible, and not just his body. It is such a strange dichotomy. Seth's incompetence makes him roll his eyes, but at the same time his dependence on Dom make his blood burn.<br />
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I find it surprising that neither of them fought their relationship harder. The hard life they are in has no room for weakness, and in the Villani family being gay is a death sentence. But they both just threw themselves into it and never looked back. And on top of all that, they seem to be half brothers, which is completely disgusting of course, but I am holding out hope for a <i>City of Glass</i> moment. <br />
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One of the things about this book that I had a problem with was that there was a little bit of menage and some light bondage. Menage is usually an immediate deal breaker for me. If I come across a menage scene I will close a book immediately and never open it again. But the scene started over half way through the book and I already completely loved Dom and Seth and just couldn't give up on them that easily. Plus I could tell that the other guy, Silvio, was not going to be a permanent addition. So I just had to grin and bear it. If they had actually had sex I would have skipped the scene, but luckily they just did other things. It still made me extremely uncomfortable though and I hated Silvio. I noticed that he has his own series, <i>Dark Soul</i>, but I will not be reading it.<br />
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And there was some light bondage that came right after, with just Dom and Seth. It also made me really uncomfortable because I didn't like the way that Seth became so submissive and said that he had been a good boy. It felt so demeaning, as if he was just a dog. The only time I like it when someone becomes submissive is if it is out of love. Like in the last sex scene of the book. It was beautiful. Although neither of them have even thought the world 'love' yet, it seemed to be screaming at them in that scene. Seth hates to bottom but he did it for Dom and told him it was only for him, no one else, because he was the only one good enough. Dom was so tender and it was amazing. Being submissive out of love and not being forced to give up something.<br />
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I am totally in love with Dom and Seth and their complicated, angst-filled relationship. I love Dom's love tinged with obsession, and Seth's love tinged with fear. I can't see how things will work out for them and I am so excited to read the next part of their story to see what will happen next, and what they will be willing to sacrifice to try to make it work.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>“Domenico was the human equivalent of his motorbike. Fast and dangerous, yet impossible to resist taking a ride on, even at the risk of getting hurt.”</b></i></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guns-erotic-romance-mafia-thriller-ebook/dp/B00NBJKZL6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1422730885&sr=1-1&keywords=Guns+N%27+Boys&pebp=1422730882958&peasin=B00NBJKZL6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img center="" src="http://i.imgur.com/rTqa0WG.png" height="56" text-align:="" width="200" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-12622923316517824752015-01-28T19:14:00.000-07:002015-02-06T19:16:01.738-07:00Love & Loyalty (Faith, Love, & Devotion #2) by Tere Michaels<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348473685l/8390547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348473685l/8390547.jpg" width="258" /></a><b>Genres: </b>Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> September 8th 2009<br />
<b>POV:</b> Alternating - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>Smut-O-Meter:</b> 8 out of 10<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 3 out of 5<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3aEF7eHr2zzhWaAJ1JdjLli8QkFj82Yw7Up2etK8b_aqiv7n4QOYhVTc4kc0F32JQGETjvyvDLgoWK-s4BMm3oKRcC2vKbOI4sIYfiOAz3bGNxatyaQMOKoa8d8HIqDwEvzVvnLOFFg/s1600/3+stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3aEF7eHr2zzhWaAJ1JdjLli8QkFj82Yw7Up2etK8b_aqiv7n4QOYhVTc4kc0F32JQGETjvyvDLgoWK-s4BMm3oKRcC2vKbOI4sIYfiOAz3bGNxatyaQMOKoa8d8HIqDwEvzVvnLOFFg/s1600/3+stars.png" height="63" width="200" /></a><br />
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<i>Detective James “Jim” Shea is a Seattle homicide detective who has never taken his work home with him – until now. A case has gotten under his skin and though it’s “over," it isn’t for Jim. The emotional toll has left him vulnerable and tied to the victim’s dying father.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Hollywood comes calling for a hot story, and screenwriter Griffin Drake sees the tragic case as his ticket to more serious fare than his usual action blockbusters. But to get the whole story he needs to win over the stoic and protective Detective Shea.<br /><br />Neither man has had much luck when it comes to romance or long-term relationships and neither is particularly looking but there's an attraction from their first meeting that can’t be denied. Their impromptu first date seems to have no end in sight – quickly becomes a barreling freight train of romance.<br /><br />Looming problems outside threaten their relationship – death, secrets and broken trust – and they'll have to learn loyalty to save their newfound love.</i><br />
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Going into this, I was looking forward to reading James story. I wanted to read about Matt and Evan more, but I treated this as if it were a separate series. I already knew James a little bit and I liked him enough. Griffin took a bit longer to get to know, but once I did I ended up loving him even more. He was a lot of fun and really livened things up.<br />
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<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/72/c3/1f/72c31fd495956c5fbeba729409983713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/72/c3/1f/72c31fd495956c5fbeba729409983713.jpg" width="220" /></a>But I still ended up being somewhat disappointed by this. Griffin and Jim got along great and their relationship reminded me of what Matt and Evan's was like in the beginning. But with the added benefit of sex. Seeing as Jim and Griffin were not new to this, they got to the sex a lot faster. But I never felt that they got past the buddy-pals stage.<br />
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The story went by pretty quickly and when Jim first told Griffin that he loved him I was so shocked! I thought, "Already?" But then I looked at my progress and realized I was already about 75% done the book! I was still waiting for the story to get started, but it was actually winding down and I hadn't even realized. It just felt so short and insubstantial. There wasn't enough meat and emotion to this story.<br />
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I feel like this could have been great with more time and more development of Jim and Griffin's relationship. They never really had any tender moments. They had some moments, but nothing really displaying a deeper love. It felt rushed, but I still enjoyed it. They were greater characters and I enjoyed the side-stories. But I really look forward to getting back to Matt and Evan.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>“I know this is like the worst possible time, but I really need to tell you that I love you. Okay? Because I do. And you don't have to say it back or anything, but that's how it is.”</b></i></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Loyalty-Faith-Devotion-Book-ebook/dp/B00PBV1BCY/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1423275100&sr=1-3&keywords=Love+%26+Loyalty" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img center="" src="http://i.imgur.com/rTqa0WG.png" height="56" text-align:="" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8390547-love-loyalty" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/m3xbdDV.png" height="61" width="200" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-8773801679583489152015-01-20T18:39:00.000-07:002015-02-06T19:16:23.084-07:00Faith & Fidelity (Faith, Love, & Devotion #1) by Tere Michaels <a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388239387l/6343325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388239387l/6343325.jpg" width="255" /></a><b>Genres:</b> Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> September 23rd 2008 <br />
<b>POV: </b>Alternating - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>Smut-O-Meter:</b> 8 out of 10<br />
<b>My Rating: </b>4 out of 5<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp7VBVwBbQpM2DLp-lhKvI2wmT7E9OcTaXH2i53I0gExYCUCzCIPlv3pjqMEoF4qwagX7jxi0xJD-7GFzZYlF24pQrCbvOG4GXScM7M3IcZk_Uxc0P_Z7BMZtusRyJQqOqm8pHnDg_KI/s1600/4+stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp7VBVwBbQpM2DLp-lhKvI2wmT7E9OcTaXH2i53I0gExYCUCzCIPlv3pjqMEoF4qwagX7jxi0xJD-7GFzZYlF24pQrCbvOG4GXScM7M3IcZk_Uxc0P_Z7BMZtusRyJQqOqm8pHnDg_KI/s1600/4+stars.png" height="63" width="200" /></a><br />
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<i>New York City Vice Detective Evan Cerelli has lost his wife, the only person he ever loved and slept with. He's trying to get on with his life, build a life for his children. Former Homicide Detective Matt Haight is a ladies’ man, all sex/no commitment. He's depressed, having a midlife crisis, and not sure where his life is headed.<br />The two find friendship in the bottom of a shared bottle. When the friendship turns to love, it shakes two straight men to the core and flips their lives inside out. Kids, families, careers that are not gay-friendly -- can all the love in the world overcome the obstacles to faith and fidelity? </i><br />
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This is an absolutely beautiful story. I loved the way Evan and Matt's relationship developed from friendship to love. It felt very realistic and not rushed as these relationships are a lot of the time. It was not hard for me at all to believe that these two straight men were able to fall in love with each other.<br />
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They felt so natural together and along with the children. Matt just fit right in with Evan's family as if he belonged there, which is difficult to do considering how great of a family they were when Sherri was alive. It didn't feel like he was a replacement, but something new and different. I don't know how that was done so perfectly. I can't image a Cerelli without Matt in their lives.<br />
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I also really loved the 'gay for you' aspect, about how they were both completely new to the idea of being with another man, and they just figured it out together. They didn't rush things and haven't even had "A" sex yet. They just do whatever feels good and I loved it. Its the sense of discovery that I usually find and enjoy in YA romance. But the erotica level was still perfect. Not too much, not too little.<br />
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I look forward to reading the rest of this series. I don't have anything against James, but I just wish I didn't have to read his story before getting back to Evan and Matt. I will soon enough though. I just love these guys and their amazing family and I want to see more of them. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>Helena caught the look that passed between the two men and it was beautiful…the only word she could think of was beautiful. It was love and lust and such a tender expression of care she wondered if they had any clue how lovely it was to see.”</b></i></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Fidelity-Love-Devotion-Book-ebook/dp/B00NXZZERS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1423273646&sr=1-1&keywords=Faith+%26+Fidelity" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img center="" src="http://i.imgur.com/rTqa0WG.png" height="56" text-align:="" width="200" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-54836039377900122252015-01-18T14:07:00.000-07:002015-01-19T17:03:01.902-07:00A Forbidden Rumspringa by Keira Andrews (Gay Amish Romance #1) <a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1407970225l/22913988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1407970225l/22913988.jpg" width="266" /></a><b>Genres: </b>Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date: </b>September 3rd 2014<br />
<b>POV:</b> Male - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>Smut-O-Meter:</b> 8 out of 10<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 4 out of 5<br />
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<i>When two young Amish men find love, will they risk losing everything?<br /><br />In a world where every detail of life—down to the width of a hat brim—is dictated by God and the all-powerful rules of the community, two men dare to imagine a different way. At 18, Isaac Byler knows little outside the strict Amish settlement of Zebulon, Minnesota, where there is no rumspringa for exploration beyond the boundaries of their insular world. Isaac knows he’ll have to officially join the church and find a wife before too long, but he yearns for something else—something he can’t name.<br /><br />Dark tragedy has left carpenter David Lantz alone to support his mother and sisters, and he can’t put off joining the church any longer. But when he takes on Isaac as an apprentice, their attraction grows amid the sweat and sawdust. David shares his sinful secrets, and he and Isaac struggle to reconcile their shocking desires with their commitment to faith, family and community.<br /><br />Now that they've found each other, are they willing to lose it all?</i><br />
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This is a wonderful, touching story. My only complaint is that in the first section of the book there was too much focus on the sex and not enough focus of their relationship. I only felt that they had that wonderful, deeper relationship closer to the end. I didn't like how quickly they turned to sex. Especially considering their upbringing, I would have expected them to be more hesitant. And David had bought a gay magazine some time in the past and that was enough for them to figure everything out instantly. I never felt that innocence and sense of discovery that I love seeing in first-timers.<br />
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But that was only in the beginning. Once their relationship developed, their sexual relationship seemed to fit and feel more natural and I was able to focus on all the wonderful things about this book. I really loved Isaac and David. I felt for them and their situation so much. Especially when reminded of what happened to their brothers, and how hard things are for them, to be reminded of what they lost, and what it would fee like to the family they left behind if they left. They were both incredibly caring and wanted to best for their families. They tried so hard to do what they felt was the right thing. They were just amazing.<br />
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And I love how that played into their interactions with each other. They were so kind and caring to each other. So honest and polite. It is just who they were and how they were raised, but I really loved all the kind words and tender moments. I felt as if it added another layer to their affections, by making it so clear to each other. It was beautiful and I loved hearing them call each other "my David" and "my Isaac."<br />
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The last section of the book had me weeping. Pretty much from the time Isaac visited June until the end of the book I was in tears. I was so happy for Isaac to have made that reconnection. I was touched by all the support he received, proud of him for making the decision, and the ending was just so wonderful. I felt overwhelmed and I cried and I cried. I cannot wait to read <i>A Clean Break</i>. I will be reading it on release day.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>“I think about what it would be like to live with you instead of a wife. To share a bed every night, and work side by side each day. I know its a terrible sin, but the thought of it makes my heart so glad." He sucked in a breath, trying in vain to stop tears from forming. "I want to be with you forever.”</b></i></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Rumspringa-Amish-Romance-Book-ebook/dp/B00MTUG3NM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1421704294&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Forbidden+Rumspringa+by+Keira+Andrews&pebp=1421704292415&peasin=B00MTUG3NM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img center="" src="http://i.imgur.com/rTqa0WG.png" height="56" text-align:="" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22913988-a-forbidden-rumspringa?ac=1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/m3xbdDV.png" height="61" width="200" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-2669659801027011952015-01-14T17:41:00.000-07:002015-01-18T17:42:47.182-07:00Tattoos & Teacups by Anna Martin <a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340509796l/15719569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340509796l/15719569.jpg" width="266" /></a><b class="tr_bq">Genres: </b>Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date: </b>July 6th 2012<br />
<b>POV:</b> Male - First-person, Present tense<br />
<b>Smut-O-Meter: </b>9 out of 10<br />
<b>My Rating: </b>3 out of 5<br />
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<i>As a teenager, Robert McKinnon left his native Scotland and moved to America. That was sixteen years ago, and Professor McKinnon has never quite settled in his new home or found his place this side of the pond. He might be prematurely old, but he has his cat, and his books, and that's all he needs.<br /><br />Then Chris Ford explodes into Robert's life with a crash of cymbals. The younger man is the polar opposite of Robert's calm civility. Bright tattoos cover his skin, and he wears his hair in a Mohawk and plays drums for a rock band. But he's a shot of color in Robert's black-and-white world, and Robert turns out to be the one thing Chris can count on. Despite all the reasons it shouldn't work, somehow it does.<br /><br />Even if Robert wasn't looking for love especially not with someone nearly ten years his junior he can't deny being with Chris is fun. But sometimes Chris's free-spirited nature leaves Robert feeling vulnerable. If they can't find a balance between tattoos and teacups, their relationship won't survive and neither will Robert's newfound lust for life.</i><br />
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I read this really hoping to find another relationship like Howie and Arthur from <i>Know Not Why</i>, and I did a little bit, but not as much as I had hoped. Rob and Chris are not as different as Howie and Arthur, but there is a bigger age gap, which I liked. I always enjoy it when there is a large age gap or a big difference in physical size. And Rob did remind me somewhat of Arthur because of the way he talked so formally, and he actually had the accent to go with it. But he wasn't as funny and awkward as Arthur. I enjoyed Chris more. He was fun.<br />
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I didn't really enjoy the pace of this story. Everything moved so fast. Chris gives Rob a handjob on their first date. Second date he asks to meet his daughter. Whoa there, you know you are leaving in a few months to go back on tour and you are just ignoring that fact and meeting the family and everything. Telling everyone you are partners and even telling his work that you are his husband, but you have no idea where this relationship is going or if it will last beyond a few months? And the 'L' word popped up way too soon. Chris just said to Rob, "Tell me." And it was like Rob knew exactly what he meant and he said "I love you." But I didn't know what he meant and I was pretty surprised that Rob did. It felt way too soon.<br />
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Rob and Chris got along so well that everything just fell into place for them. There was none of the clashing of personalities that I was expecting. I usually like low angst stories but this was just ridiculous. Nothing happened! Their relationship was cute and I enjoyed them together, but the writing was awkward and kept me distanced from the characters making it hard to invest. Not that there was really anything to invest in. Everything was so clearly laid out that there was never any doubt of the outcome. I also found the sex scenes awkward, so I cant even give this plus points as an erotica.<br />
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So, while I was looking for a conflicted and angsty story I got a cute, smooth, simple read. Not what I was expecting at all, but still ok in its own right.<br />
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<i><b>“I’ll do absolutely anything for you,” I vow. “If you want the moon, I’ll get them to gift wrap it.”</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b>“You’re such a romantic,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.”</b></i></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-46940554587016110792015-01-06T14:04:00.000-07:002015-01-18T17:42:23.448-07:00Know Not Why by Hannah Johnson<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358362722l/17254317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358362722l/17254317.jpg" width="299" /></a><b>Genres: </b>New Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> April 23rd 2012<br />
<b>POV:</b> Male - First-person, Present tense<br />
<b>Smut-O-Meter:</b> 3 out of 10<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 4 out of 5<br />
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<i>Howie gets a job at Artie Kraft's Arts 'N Crafts hoping to score with his lady coworkers. After all, girls love a sensitive guy, and what's more sensitive than dedicating your life to selling yarn and ... stuff? (Okay, so maybe it'd be a good idea to actually learn what one sells at an arts 'n crafts store.) But things don't go exactly according to plan. Coworker #1 is Cora: tiny, much-pierced, and way too fierce to screw with in any sense. Coworker #2 is Kristy: blonde, bubbly, unattainable perfection. And Coworker #3 is, well, Arthur. It goes without saying that he’s not an option. Right?<br /><br />… Right?<br /><br />Yeah, Howie’s life just got straight up confusing.<br /><br />Pun intended.</i><br />
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I loved this book so much. Howie made this book! I am telling you right now, if you start this book and don't instantly love Howie, just give up. His constant sarcastic and sometimes self-deprecating monologues do not stop or even slow down, and you either love them or you hate them. But personally? I loved them, and I loved Howie. He was so much fun. Even in the beginning when you was still somewhat immature, he was an endearing immature. He was so quick witted, he kept me on my toes. I never knew what nonsense he was going to spew next, but I knew it would still be relevant and make an odd kind of sense. <br />
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Howie was a really great guy. Even before he realized he might be gay and he was hoping to hook up with Kristy, he always felt guilty about his lewd thoughts afterwards. It was adorable. It was like he was just going through the motions of what he thought a guy should act like, even in his head. I don't think his heart was really in it when he was trying to seduce her. He was just too sweet to go through with it, as Amber pointed out. <br />
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<i><b>"Come on, Howie. Your skeezy-talking skills are matched only by your inescapable decency. That's going to get in the way, Don Juan." </b></i></blockquote>
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And Arthur was funny in his awkwardness. When we first met him I was thinking, "Really? This guy?" But he really grew on me. It's not as if it took long, but for the first meeting or two, yeah, I was a bit baffled about what could be attractive about him. But he is funny in his own way. It doesn't define him like it does Howie, but he knows how to laugh. I almost always imagined Arthur talking in a British accent because of the way he used such big words and formal speech. I knew he was not British but I had trouble stopping myself. Its also hard to remember that he was only about 25. He seemed so much older than Howie. They seem like the epitome of an odd couple, but they work so well together. Howie helped loosen up Arthur, and Arthur helped steady Howie. They were both lost in life before they found each other.<br />
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This book is also full of amazing supporting characters. Every single one! Kristy and Cora! Amber and Mitch! Howie's mom and Emily! I really loved Howie's mom. She is definitely where he got his sense of humour and I loved knowing that he always had her support. I also surprisingly loved Emily. She was a bit odd, but kind and wise. A bit like Arthur but even more awkward. I felt bad for her and how she was being treated by Howie's mom. I hope she comes around soon. <br />
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I really highly recommend this book to fans of humourous romance. The humour is really its defining feature. Even if you are not really into M/M romance, you should give this one a shot. Its just too cute. Fall in love with Howie and Arthur with me!<br />
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<i><b>"You're funny and quick and interesting and aggravating and attractive. Its such a wonderful relief to be with you."</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b>A little wonderingly, he says, "You're exactly who I never would have picked out for myself."</b></i></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-52295845321158177162015-01-04T12:50:00.000-07:002015-01-04T13:04:43.529-07:00The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413725943l/23395716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413725943l/23395716.jpg" width="265" /></a><b>Genres:</b> Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> November 11th 2014 <br />
<b>POV: </b>Male - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>My Rating: </b>4 out of 5<br />
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<i>The perfect gift for Shadowhunters. This gorgeous illustrated hardback brings 10 stories about immortal warlock Magnus Bane together for the first time, along with a bonus never-before-seen tale. A fan-favourite character from Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter Chronicles, Magnus features in The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy and the movie of City of Bones. Magnus will never be able to tell all of his tales. No one would believe him. But these stories shed a little light on his often inscrutable character. They are stories he probably wishes had never got out. </i><br />
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So, some background on my relationship with Cassie. I read <i>City of Bones</i> first. Wasn't a huge fan of it, didn't particularly like Clary or Jace, I hated their relationship, and I hated Simon. The only redeeming quality was the excellent world-building and Magnus Bane. As I read <i>City of Ashes</i> and <i>City of Glass</i> I felt the same way and decided that was a good place to stop. I have never read <i>City of Fallen Angels.</i><br />
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Then, as I heard all the ravings from fans about how much better TID was, and all the raving about Will and Jem, I became curious and wanted to know which side of the love-triangle I would fall on. So I read <i><a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/04/clockwork-angel-by-cassandra-clare.html">Clockwork Angel</a></i> and yes, it is much better. It introduced me to Jem, who is the best thing Cassie has ever created, the story was very interesting, and Tessa is somewhat better than Clary. At least I don't actively dislike her. But there is one major drawback. Will Herondale is one of the worst things I have ever seen created on paper. I can't even tell you have much I hate him because words do not suffice.<br />
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I am always somewhat scared to start a new Cassie Clare book because her world is amazing and it has a lot of potential to impress me but I just seem to hate what she seems to think is a good romance and a good romantic lead. I do intend to keep trying though, by reading each of her new series. But as I said, Magnus Bane is one of the redeeming characters she has created, and I was excited to read about him in his own world.<br />
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<i><b>“If one could look this fabulous, one had an obligation to. One should wear everything, or one should wear nothing at all.” </b></i></blockquote>
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Each story in this book was interesting in its own right. I won't say which was my favourite because they were all interesting, entertaining, funny, and they all taught me something new about Magnus Bane. That is the best thing about this book. The overall experience of getting to know Magnus Bane. He never received this kind of undivided attention before and I feel like I know him intimately now. I don't know how much he appeared in the latter books of TMI, but this gave me a whole new view of him and I love him even more. He is an amazing warlock and an amazing person. <br />
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I loved seeing the friends he made over the years, the lovers, how he treated people, including Shadowhunters; how he tried to save Raphael, and Camille, innocent werewolves. He is a hero. But he never stops being Magnus Bane either. He shows up to battle in hot pink. I love his sense of humour too, his sarcasm. That is something I already knew about him, but I really enjoyed seeing more of. Two side of him worth loving.<br />
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<i><b>“Even if the Shadowhunters had been expecting an interruption, and the werewolves had been hoping for a savior, apparently nobody had been expecting all the hot pink.” </b></i></blockquote>
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I also loved seeing him with Alec. I enjoyed Alec in the books as well, but its different when you see him as Magnus sees him. I never knew Alec was so insecure and shy and <i>good</i>. I loved the way Magnus described him and the way he made him feel. It makes me reconsider finishing TMI, just to get a few more glimpses of Magnus and Alec together. I now have an incredible love and respect for Magnus Bane. I love him more than this series can contain. He is too big for his world. I will keep trying with Cassie Clare, but I have no reason to expect to find anything as great as this by her in the future.<br />
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<i><b> "...he had wanted Alec there, so badly, and here he was. It felt more like magic than anything he could do."</b></i></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-45134325915901492122015-01-02T21:43:00.004-07:002015-01-04T12:12:04.432-07:002014 Year in Review<div class="tr_bq">
I had a great year for reading in 2014! I read 152 books, rated 21 of them 5-stars, and I read 13 books that were newly published in 2014. I finished 20 series and started 18 new ones. I discovered 46 new authors. From M/M and erotica, to YA romance, to high fantasy and hard sci-fi. And now I am going to share the best of the year with you!</div>
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<h4>
Best Books Published in 2014 </h4>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I am going with the number 7 because there were 7 books published in 2014 that I rated 5-stars. Other lists may be different lengths)</span></i><br />
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<i>This book totally blew my mind! It is absolutely only for fans of erotica. For some strange reason it is categorized as NA on Goodreads and I think that is drawing in the wrong readers and resulting in negative reviews. I don't know why it is listed as NA when the heroine is 26 and the hero is 36. This is just full blown Alpha erotica! No ifs, ands, or buts about it. It kind of reminds me of a cross between Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren and <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/01/twist-me-by-anna-zaires-twist-me-1.html">Twist Me</a> by Anna Zaires, but with a better hero than either of them. A better hero than Bennett and Julian combined and multiplied by 10. And both of those books got a 4.5/5 from me. </i></div>
<i><br />If you are a fan of that type of book you know the bulk of the story is just an alpha male who has to win over a woman. There aren't a lot of... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/05/alpha-by-jasinda-wilder.html">more </a></i><br />
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<i><b>“As you learn to trust me, as you give yourself to me, so will I learn to trust you, and give you myself.”</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>I think I can solidly say that this is now my second favourite Cassie Mae book after <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2013/08/reasons-i-fell-for-funny-fat-friend-by.html">Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend</a>. I know that I have said that about every one of her books I have read since, but that only means that her books keep getting better and better! I still have 2 unread published books by her. Well, 3 when counting Unexpectedly You. I really need to get to them now! </i><br />
<i><br />I think there were two major things that made me love this book so much. 1) Eric. :) 2) Mia. Haha, but I will get into more detail than that. </i><br />
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<i>Eric is just so amazing! He is so sweet and vulnerable but he didn't put up with shit. I can't say that he is my favourite Cassie... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/06/the-real-thing-by-cassie-mae.html">more</a> </i><br />
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<b><i>“I can't tell if I hear your heart beating, or if it's mine."</i></b> </blockquote>
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<b><i></i><i>"Aren't they the same thing?”</i></b></blockquote>
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<i>This series is one of my absolute favourites. 5-stars across the board. It's just so unique. I really can't get over how unusual it was. It's so dark. And by dark I mean dark. The bad guys in this story are true evil. There is so much blood and death and destruction and pure greed and evil. Yet, at the same time, Kami is simply one of the best, smartest, funniest, and wittiest YA heroines I have ever read. She provides a balance that you need in order to handle all the darkness. This is one of those books where, when you try to list your favourites quotes, you find that you want to quote the whole book. <br /><br />Another thing I loved about this book was all the love. Kami and Jared's love is epic, but it wasn't the only focus. Everyone loved each other and were willing to sacrifice so much for each other. Kami loved... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/11/unmade-by-sarah-rees-brennan-lynburn.html">more </a></i><br />
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<i><b>"Your name was the first word for love I ever knew."</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>This is my 13th M/M book and I absolutely loved it. Only once I had already finished this book did I find out that it was written by an author who had started out as a M/F author, and that this book was what got a lot of people into reading M/M romance in the first place. I am not a veteran of the genre, but I am not new to it either. <br /><br />This is either the smuttiest romance, or the most romantic smut that I have ever read. I am gonna lean towards calling it the most romantic smut, because really, there is no need to have that much sex in a book unless you are writing a smut. Not that I am complaining. I love a good smut. But I really can't get into a book unless there is a good foundation to the relationship before... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/11/try-by-ella-frank-temptation-1.html">more </a></i><br />
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<i><b>“You make me crazy and furious and out of my mind with need, but in the end, you make me so fucking happy.” </b></i></blockquote>
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<i>This book destroyed me! It was just the right combination of factors to rip my heart out. </i></div>
<i><br />First, it heavily featured Kishan, the 'book boyfriend' love of my life. Secondly, it was from the POV of a woman who loved him. When she met Ren and compared him to Kishan, she actually found him wanting. In Kishan's eyes she saw the warm sun and kindness, not a man who always fell short. And thirdly, the real clincher to my broken heart, is the fact that I knew what would happen in the end. I knew that once again, or for the first time, chronologically, Kishan's love would be ripped from him. Every time Yesubai thought of Kishan it broke my heart again, knowing that they would never be together. It was constant pain and suffering for me to finish this book. I can't remember the last... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/06/tigers-promise-tiger-saga-05-by-colleen.html">more</a></i><br />
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<i><b>“Like the trees, his roots went deep, and I daydreamed that if he wrapped me in his arms, he could safely tuck me away within his branches and hide me from the world.”</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>This book is amazing and unique, like absolutely nothing I have read before.</i> <i>I love that it is solely from Ehd's POV, it gives us such a unique perspective. When we first meet Elizabeth, its clear she is from the future from the way that Ehd describes her jeans and eyeshadow, but we have no idea where she came from or who she was. She yells and shouts at Ehd when he takes her back to his cave, but we have no idea what she is saying. I can imagine why she is afraid, but we can only guess from Ehd's observations. As time passes, we know exactly how Ehd feels about her. How she has become his #1 priority. How everything he does is the provide for her and protect her. But we can only guess how Beh feels, as Ehd does. She isn't afraid of him anymore, but she sometimes cries, and we can assume it is</i><i>... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/02/transcendence-by-shay-savage.html">more</a></i></div>
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<i><b>"If she doesn't wake up, then I will just lie with her until I don't wake up either."</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>This book is beyond perfection. Its beyond anything that I ever could have hoped and dreamed. It was so perfect that it left me afraid for most of the experience, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I was anxious until the end. It was as if it was fanfic written by someone who was Team Warner, it had everything that we, as Warner lovers, could have ever wanted. But of course it couldn't be fanfic because only Tahereh Mafi could have ever written something so beautiful. </i></div>
<i><br />The absolute best thing about this series is the transformation of the characters. I just love the way that Mafi portrayed real struggle and realistic change. Although the story was great, it was really only the backdrop for Juliette's personal story. And Warner's. They both... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/02/ignite-me-by-tahereh-mafi-shatter-me-3.html">more</a></i><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>"So the two of you--I mean, together-- you two could basically--"</i></b> </blockquote>
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<b><i> </i></b><b><i>"Take over the world?"</i></b> </blockquote>
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<b><i> </i></b><b><i>"I was going to say you could kick some serious ass, but yeah, that too, I guess."</i></b></blockquote>
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<h4>
Best Books Read in 2014 </h4>
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<i>This has turned into the best YA high fantasy I have read since Graceling. </i><i>The story is vast and spans three kingdoms as well as a magical realm. It encompasses epic characters from across the kingdoms in various key roles, all of who could tip the scales in the war and in the race to find the Kindred. Sorceresses, kings, princes, princesses, rebels, and immortals.</i></div>
<i><br />There isn't a single character that I don't love, except perhaps the villain, King Gaius. He is a bit predictable and blinded by his thirst or power. But he is so psychotic and single-minded in his pursuit, that in a way, that makes him a great villain. He is so evil that it makes him more interesting. I didn't like Jonas too much in <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2013/02/falling-kingdoms-by-morgan-rhodes.html">Falling</a>... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/01/rebel-spring-by-morgan-rhodes-falling.html">more</a></i></div>
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<i><b>"The prince moved closer still. Before Nic could fumble for his sword to protect himself from attack, Ashur took his face between his hands and kissed him.</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b></b></i><i><b>Nic stood there, frozen in place.</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b> </b></i><b><i>This was </i>not <i>what he'd expected. At all."</i></b></blockquote>
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<i>This book is amazing and unique, like absolutely nothing I have read before.</i> <i>I love that it is solely from Ehd's POV, it gives us such a unique perspective. When we first meet Elizabeth, its clear she is from the future from the way that Ehd describes her jeans and eyeshadow, but we have no idea where she came from or who she was. She yells and shouts at Ehd when he takes her back to his cave, but we have no idea what she is saying. I can imagine why she is afraid, but we can only guess from Ehd's observations. As time passes, we know exactly how Ehd feels about her. How she has become his #1 priority. How everything he does is the provide for her and protect her. But we can only guess how Beh feels, as Ehd does. She isn't afraid of him anymore, but she sometimes cries, and we can assume it is</i><i>... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/02/transcendence-by-shay-savage.html">more</a></i><br />
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<i><b>"If she doesn't wake up, then I will just lie with her until I don't wake up either."</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>This book thoroughly exceeded my expectations. I loved The Lost Prince, but I think it was still missing something that the original four Iron Fey books had. I didn't even give Julie Kagawa's <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/05/the-immortal-rules-by-julie-kagawa.html">Blood of Eden</a> books 5-stars. I enjoy them but they don't even come close to how much I love The Iron Fey. But The Iron Traitor has everything that I ever loved about The Iron Fey.</i><br />
<i><br />The sense of adventure and of being on a mission was very strong in this book. Every step they took had a purpose. The story didn't wander around at all. Even if Ethan didn't always agree with their mission's purpose, and even if they failed in the end, it still took them somewhere important. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters better in this book, even Ethan. He was the MC so we got to know him pretty well in... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/01/the-iron-traitor-by-julie-kagawa-iron.html">more</a></i><br />
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<i><b>"I loved her more than anything else in my life. My heart turned over, and the air caught in my throat. I pulled back, breathless with the realization. I... was in love."</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>This book was amazing! It easily made up for any issues I had with book 2. I absolutely loved the characters and the story since book 1, but in this one it seemed to grow so much more depth! Veronica Roth's writing was always good, but neither of the first two books made me think, or made me feel, like this one did.</i><br />
<i><br />The story took a lot of turns that I did not see coming. The breadth of the story has grown beyond anything I had anticipated. Looking back to the problems of book 1, they seem so meaningless in comparison to the things Tris and Four had to contend with in this one. And it brought everything together. I remember, when <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/04/divergent-by-veronica-roth-divergent-1.html">Divergent</a> was first released and started gaining popularity, there were a few negative reviews... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/03/allegiant-by-veronica-roth-divergent-3.html">more</a></i><br />
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<i><b>"[My mother] taught me all about real sacrifice... That it should be done for people who need your strength because they don't have enough of their own."</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>This book is beyond perfection. Its beyond anything that I ever could have hoped and dreamed. It was so perfect that it left me afraid for most of the experience, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I was anxious until the end. It was as if it was fanfic written by someone who was Team Warner, it had everything that we, as Warner lovers, could have ever wanted. But of course it couldn't be fanfic because only Tahereh Mafi could have ever written something so beautiful. </i></div>
<i><br />The absolute best thing about this series is the transformation of the characters. I just love the way that Mafi portrayed real struggle and realistic change. Although the story was great, it was really only the backdrop for Juliette's personal story. And Warner's. They both... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/02/ignite-me-by-tahereh-mafi-shatter-me-3.html">more</a></i><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>"So the two of you--I mean, together-- you two could basically--"</i></b> </blockquote>
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<b><i></i></b><b><i>"Take over the world?"</i></b> </blockquote>
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<b><i></i></b><b><i>"I was going to say you could kick some serious ass, but yeah, that too, I guess."</i></b></blockquote>
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<i>This wasn't quite what I had expected but I greatly enjoyed it. I read New Spring first so I expected this to be similar. New Spring was heavily political and focus mostly on magic, mythology, and intrigue. I was totally blown away by it, but I later discovered a lot of people weren't because they expected it to be like the rest of the series. I suppose its a good thing then that I read it first and was able to enjoy it. The Eye of the World had a good deal of magic but very little politics and intrigue. It was primarily an adventure. </i><br />
<i><br />I know this must be simply the introduction to a much grander story, and there were certainly signs of that. With curses and prophecies and chosen ones, this is far from over. I would have known that, even... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/05/the-eye-of-world-by-robert-jordan-wheel.html">more</a></i><br />
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<i><b>“Whether the bear beats the wolf or the wolf beats the bear, the rabbit always loses.” </b></i></blockquote>
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Best Series Discovered in 2014 </h4>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I have only included series where I have read at least 2 installments)</span></i></div>
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<i>I picked up this book because I was in the mood to try something new. M/M romance was something I hadn't tried yet and this one was recommended to me. But I ended up enjoying it for mostly different reasons. Fantasy has always been one of my favourite genres so it was pretty easy for me to get into this. I love stories that introduce new worlds to me, and especially worlds with their own mythology and forms of magic.</i></div>
<i><br />I enjoyed the idea and the story, but it wasn't as good as it could have been. There are so many things that I still don't understand about what was going on. Who some of the characters were, what their involvement is, what the magic means, who is supposed to have it, and... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/07/ghost-by-carole-cummings-wolfs-own-1.html">more</a></i><br />
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<i><b>“Giving his life for another means nothing to him, because he can always have more, but for you, he'll give up his soul.”</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>I loved this book and I read it in one sitting. I am surprised by how easily this book drew me in even though I am usually a really tough critic of contemporaries. But this book didn't have any of the things that I usually hate about the genre.</i><br />
<i><br />Nix was a tough guy character, but he wasn't a bad person and he didn't follow any stereotypes or cliches about tattoo artist love interests. He was serious about his business, his family, and his friends. He had a past, but he was responsible and reliable and not an asshole. </i><i>Scotlyn is one of those super tragic heroines like Echo from Pushing the Limits or Nastya from The Sea of Tranquility, but unlike those two, Scotlyn felt entirely genuine. I didn't feel like she was a drama queen, needed... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/01/freefall-by-tess-oliver-custom-culture-1.html">more</a></i><br />
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<b><i>“I </i>will <i>take you from him, Scotlyn," he said with quiet confidence.</i></b> <i><b>"I think about you every fucking minute of the day, and I will not let you slip out of my life. I will take you from him.”</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>I was not expecting such a complicated story. All the Elizabeth Hoyt novels I have read in the past were more simple and mostly focused on the romance. They were still amazing stories. But this one focused a great deal on the murders in St. Giles, on the foundling home, and on Caire's complicated character. </i><br />
<i><br />Caire was such a tortured character that I felt like I was reading a book by Anne Stuart or Sherrilyn Kenyon instead. Elizabeth Hoyt's Princes were never that tortured and I loved it. Tortured heroes are my absolutely favourite type of leading man. Throughout the book people kept saying he was notorious for his "unusual bedsport" or his "sexual perversions" and it kept making me nervous because I hate BDSM, but more... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/02/wicked-intentions-by-elizabeth-hoyt.html">more</a></i><br />
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<i><b>“It was a strange thing, this feeling of empathy. He'd never experienced it before. He realized that what hurt this woman hurt him as well, that what made her bleed caused a hemorrhage of pain within his soul.” </b></i></blockquote>
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<i>This book was adorable, as I knew it would be. I think this is now my second favourite Cassie Mae book. Since reading <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2013/08/reasons-i-fell-for-funny-fat-friend-by.html">Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend</a> I have kept reading all her books hoping they would be as good. They have all been great (except for maybe Switched which I wasn't a big fan of) but this one came the closest.</i></div>
<i><br />Levi was adorable, which I knew from <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/05/how-to-date-nerd-by-cassie-mae-how-to-1.html">How to Date a Nerd</a>. But what I didn't know was that Sierra was so awesome. I love her weird style and how she made her own outfits. I would never wear any of it myself, but at least she was creative and unique. I liked that about her. I loved how to story was so simple and straight forward. Sierra didn't need to hatch an elaborate plan to win Levi. They just clicked. Probably the... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/05/how-to-seduce-band-geek-by-cassie-mae.html">more</a></i><br />
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<i><b>“He gives me a half smile, and taps his leg with his piccolo.<br /> </b></i><i><b>He is without a doubt, the sexiest human being alive.”</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>This is my 13th M/M book and I absolutely loved it. Only once I had already finished this book did I find out that it was written by an author who had started out as a M/F author, and that this book was what got a lot of people into reading M/M romance in the first place. I am not a veteran of the genre, but I am not new to it either. </i><br />
<i><br />This is either the smuttiest romance, or the most romantic smut that I have ever read. I am gonna lean towards calling it the most romantic smut, because really, there is no need to have that much sex in a book unless you are writing a smut. Not that I am complaining. I love a good smut. But I really can't get into a book unless there is a good foundation to the relationship before sex comes into the picture. I have... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/11/try-by-ella-frank-temptation-1.html">more </a></i><br />
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<i><b>""So...what's your truth, Logan?" Logan stared at him so intently that Tate wondered what was going on inside his head before he replied, "I think you are," leaving Tate speechless."</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>This wasn't quite what I had expected but I greatly enjoyed it. I read New Spring first so I expected this to be similar. New Spring was heavily political and focus mostly on magic, mythology, and intrigue. I was totally blown away by it, but I later discovered a lot of people weren't because they expected it to be like the rest of the series. I suppose its a good thing then that I read it first and was able to enjoy it. The Eye of the World had a good deal of magic but very little politics and intrigue. It was primarily an adventure. </i><br />
<i><br />I know this must be simply the introduction to a much grander story, and there were certainly signs of that. With curses and prophecies and chosen ones, this is far from over. I would have known that, even... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/05/the-eye-of-world-by-robert-jordan-wheel.html">more</a></i><br />
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<i><b>“Whether the bear beats the wolf or the wolf beats the bear, the rabbit always loses.”</b></i></blockquote>
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<h4>
Best Authors Discovered in 2014 </h4>
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I read two books by Jasinda Wilder this past year. <i><a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/05/alpha-by-jasinda-wilder.html">Alpha </a></i>and <i><a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/06/wounded-by-jasinda-wilder.html">Wounded</a></i>. They were both excellent. <i>Alpha </i>was more erotica, but both had a lot of turmoil and a certain darkness to them. They both explored the darkness of people and what can be forgiven and forgot. How far someone is willing to go for love and their happiness. </div>
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Jasinda created captivating characters for both stories. People who you instantly wanted to know. People you knew had a story to tell. And did they ever. Especially Rania and Valentine. They were both fascinating and complicated characters who had been through a lot, and had done a lot, but who were not bad people and I couldn't help but love. I look forward to reading <i>Alpha</i>'s sequel, <i>Beta</i>, in the coming months, and discovering new series by Jasinda Wilder.</div>
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Failte is an author who has written 9 stories on <a href="https://www.fictionpress.com/u/513599/failte200">FictionPress</a>, four of which are listed on Goodreads. This year I read his story <i><a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/10/the-girl-for-me-by-failte.html">The Girl For Me</a></i>, which was absolutely amazing. It was a story that explored the relationship between a cross-dressing teenage boy, and a gay-for-you jock. It is one of the best M/M romances that I have ever read. It explores all the emotions involved in young love, not to mention all the addition complications added by Kevin's sexual confusion, and Danny's gender confusion. These two young men went through a lot together and it was one of the most complex yet beautifully simple romances I have ever read.</div>
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Anyone who can write such real characters needs more attention. I hope to explore more of Failte's stories in the coming year. </div>
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I read two stories by Shay Savage this year. <i><a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/02/transcendence-by-shay-savage.html">Transcendence </a></i>and <i>Otherwise Alone</i>. <i>Otherwise Alone</i> is only a short story, an introduction to a longer series, but it still managed to draw a detailed picture of its characters, and made me care a great deal about what happened to them. </div>
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I am not surprised that the author who created Ehd and Beh can so easily create likable characters for a short. I plan to continue the <i>Evan Arden</i> series in the coming year, as well as discovering new stories by Shay Savage.</div>
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I read two stories by Madison Parker this year. <i><a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/12/play-me-im-yours-by-madison-parker.html">Play Me, I'm Yours</a></i>, and <i>Sock it to Me, Santa! </i>I am pretty sure<i> </i><i>Sock it to Me, Santa! </i>was one of the most adorable things I have ever read. It was a short I read early last month in preparation for the Christmas season. I loved it so much that I immediately went and bought <i>Play Me, I'm Yours. </i></div>
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<i>Play Me, I'm Yours</i> is a coming-of-age story more in the vein of Failte's <i>The Girl for Me</i>, but much more light-hearted. It still deals with the issues of sexual identity, teenage insecurities, and new love. It was the beautiful and sometimes painful story of Lucas' journey to discover who he is. Madison really has a way of capturing the innocence of young love.</div>
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I have not heard as many good things about Ella Frank's M/F series, but nonetheless I intend to read them. It may be that it took her time to grow into her talent. I suppose I will find out. But I find it hard to believe that the author who brought us Logan and Tate is not a formidable talent. </div>
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The <i>Temptation </i>series is without a doubt my favourite M/M series; as I posted above, my second favourite new series that I discovered in 2014; and <i>Trust </i>is my most anticipated book of 2015. Ella Frank is my favourite discovery of 2014 and I look forward to reading her other works as I impatiently wait for the release of <i>Trust</i>.</div>
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Most Anticipated Books in 2015</h4>
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I discovered my love of M/M romance in 2014, and it was a glorious discovery. I read my first in July and have not looked back. One of my favourite things about the romance genre in general is the "Love Conquers All" message. I most enjoy stories where a couple have to fight for their right to be together. Whether it be against family, society, or supernatural forces. M/M romance adds a whole new level of struggle through disapproval and self-realization with gay-for-you characters, which is a favourite subgenre of mine. Here are the top 5 reasons why M/M romance is my new love affair.</div>
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Best M/M Books Read in 2014 </h4>
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<i>I picked up this book because I was in the mood to try something new. M/M romance was something I hadn't tried yet and this one was recommended to me. But I ended up enjoying it for mostly different reasons. Fantasy has always been one of my favourite genres so it was pretty easy for me to get into this. I love stories that introduce new worlds to me, and especially worlds with their own mythology and forms of magic.</i></div>
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<i><br />I enjoyed the idea and the story, but it wasn't as good as it could have been. There are so many things that I still don't understand about what was going on. Who some of the characters were, what their involvement is, what the magic means, who is supposed to have it, and... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/07/ghost-by-carole-cummings-wolfs-own-1.html">more</a></i><br />
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<i><b>“Giving his life for another means nothing to him, because he can always have more, but for you, he'll give up his soul.”</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>This story was so sweet! It took a bit for me to adjust to an effeminate MC. I have never read a book like this before. Where the MC is a man, refers to himself as a man and has no problem admitting it, but acts and dresses like a woman. It was a bit jarring at first, until I got used to it and I could see that that is just Carson. It's just who he is and he is wonderful. </i><br />
<i><br />He was also very much like Jet's usual MCs, with low self-esteem and I just could not wait to see him shown his true worth by someone. So enters Eddie, the superintendent of Carson's building, who, when he sees Carson crying over a bad break-up, gives him a single rose from his gardens. Carson cannot resist befriending the man because... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/10/a-rose-is-rose-by-jet-mykles.html">more</a></i></div>
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<i><b>"Eddie, you can't do this to me. I do nothing for you."</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b></b></i><i><b>"That's not true. You make my world bright."</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>I am really starting to enjoy coming of age/coming out stories. They are so sweet and innocent. I really loved Lucas. He was so vulnerable in the beginning. The kind of person who would have been picked on even if he wasn't gay, just because he was so small and socially awkward. Its really hard to believe how cruel kids can be sometimes. I really hated seeing the things Lucas' classmates did to him. It really wasn't fair. Just because he didn't defend himself and he had a passion for music? Ridiculous. He was such a great person, if they only would have given him a chance. He was smart, and he respected and loved his parents, was an honest and loyal friend to Alex and Trish. And despite all the mistreatment, he admired and loved his brother. I am so glad that he was able to get past it all in the end. I really enjoyed how the... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/12/play-me-im-yours-by-madison-parker.html">more</a></i><br />
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<i><b>"He was usually relaxed when he played. He liked to let himself be swept away from the here and now, but with Zach beside him, brushing his arm when Lucas played the high notes, he was acutely aware of where he was and what he was doing. It was an emotional piece to begin with, now intensified by his feelings for the boy sitting next to him, the physical manifestation of his own dreams of love."</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>I don't even know where to start. I can't say how much I loved this book. It started out feeling very much like a normal YA contemporary romance. Danny was 16 and Kevin was 17 when they met at a party, despite a few significant changes, it began to progress as expected. Kevin convinced Danny to help him with his homework and they study together after school At this point it felt like a normal "wrong side of the tracks" romance, except they are both boys, and Danny likes to wear dresses.</i><br />
<i><br />Kevin and Danny don't get off on the right foot, but from the beginning you can tell Kevin isn't a horrible person. He just hasn't had the right influence. From the sound of things he had some pretty horrible friends, not to mention his father. But once he befriends Danny you see... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/10/the-girl-for-me-by-failte.html">more</a></i><br />
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<i><b>“I just meant that I wish you could just be you. You're great, Danny! You're fuckin' wonderful! Why do you have to be one thing or another? I... I just don't get why its so important to you to call yourself 'boy' or 'girl'!”</b></i></blockquote>
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<i>This is my 13th M/M book and I absolutely loved it. Only once I had already finished this book did I find out that it was written by an author who had started out as a M/F author, and that this book was what got a lot of people into reading M/M romance in the first place. I am not a veteran of the genre, but I am not new to it either. </i><br />
<i><br />This is either the smuttiest romance, or the most romantic smut that I have ever read. I am gonna lean towards calling it the most romantic smut, because really, there is no need to have that much sex in a book unless you are writing a smut. Not that I am complaining. I love a good smut. But I really can't get into a book unless there is a good foundation to the relationship before sex comes into the picture. I have... <a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/11/try-by-ella-frank-temptation-1.html">more </a></i><br />
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<i><b>“You make me crazy and furious and out of my mind with need, but in the end, you make me so fucking happy.”</b></i></blockquote>
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Thank you for reading! And I hope I was able to help send you on the path to wonderful reading in 2015! And I wish you all the best of luck in the new year!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-29705499759100506902014-12-31T16:12:00.000-07:002014-12-31T16:12:26.238-07:00Atlantia by Ally Condie<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398784253l/17731926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398784253l/17731926.jpg" width="265" /></a><b>Genres: </b>Young Adult, Sci-fi, Dystopian, Paranormal, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> October 28th 2014<br />
<b>POV: </b>Female - First-person, Present tense<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 3 out of 5<br />
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<i>Can you hear Atlantia breathing?<br /><br />For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamt of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all her plans for the future are thwarted when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long hidden—she has nothing left to lose.<br /><br />Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the complex system constructed to govern the divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.</i><br />
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Due to this being set in Atlantis I thought that it would be a fantasy, or a historical set in the times of ancient Greece. But it is not Atlantis, it is Atlantia. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where the world Above is poisoned so people moved Below the water. <br />
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This is the story of Rio, who dreams of seeing above, and her journey to see her sister again, and to discover the secrets of her world and Above, and what really happened. I read this because I loved <i><a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/04/crossed-by-ally-condie-matched-2.html">Matched </a></i>so much. And although the writing style is pretty much the same, the characters did not engage me as well. And there was very little romance. Although True helped her along the way, the real struggle was for Rio to find her sister. It had nothing to do with finding a way to be with True. He was a companion and a comfort during her journey, but not a central part of it.<br />
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The world of Atlantia was pretty unique and I wish it had focused more on the mythology and history of their world. I would have liked to learn more about the sirens and the gods and the other gifts that some people had. And about the other cities. It could have been much more interesting if it delved deeper I think. The story was not enough to really grab me. It focused too much on Rio's single-minded need to go Above. I felt no connection to her as a heroine. There was really nothing special about any of the characters.<br />
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The story was concluded at the end, and although authors can always find an excuse to come back and expand a story if they decide to later, I hope this remains a standalone story. I don't feel the need to come back to this world. We could always see how Rio and Bay are doing later, and how their worlds are faring, how things have changed, but I believe everything will turn out for the best.<br />
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<i><b>“Everyone dies. The don't all have the chance to see what they wanted most. At least I've seen the Above. At least I've known True.”</b></i></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-84617410185263316212014-12-24T16:57:00.002-07:002014-12-24T17:10:24.146-07:00Shardwell Series by Amanda Gerry and Christy HallI received an ARC today for book #4 in the Shardwell series by Amanda Gerry and Christy Hall and I am very exciting to get back into this series! It is worth waiting for and I highly recommend it to fans of epic fantasy and sci-fi, mythology, and massive world building. It is an extremely ambitious<span style="font-family: inherit;"> series.</span><br />
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book! At first I thought it seemed was familiar, just with enough differences to keep me hooked. But by the end I realized that it was actually like nothing I have read before. <br />
It starts out as a normal high school paranormal romance. Strange things start happening to beautiful Maggie. Things she can't explain. Then a hot new guy shows up at school. This is when the guy would usually tell her that he can help her understand what's been happening to her. But he doesn't. Kyle is actually as confused as Maggie. After they meet he starts to develop super-human strength and speed. They try to make sense of their new world together, along with Maggie's best friend, Lily<a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/10/phoenix-angel-by-amanda-gerry-christy.html">...more</a><br />
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This book was even better than the first, and perhaps even better than anything I have read all year. It is a prequel to <i>Phoenix Angel</i>, and shows what Maggie and Lily's lives were like before, as Margariete and Esilwen, and even explains some of the events referred to at the end of Phoenix Angel. Sadly, Kyle was not in this at all, and there was very little of Carter, but we get to learn a great deal more about Carter, as well as Raeylan and Feralblade. And what we learned was fascinating. There are so many character revelations in this books, it continually surprised me. I had so many misconceptions before starting it, and I loved the way Amanda Gerry and Christy Hall laid it out<a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/10/guardian-of-time-by-amanda-gerry.html">...more</a> </div>
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This book was just as amazing and epic as <i>Guardian of Time</i>, but so different! This is set 400 years after the events of <i>Guardian of Time</i>. It may have just been too long since I read it, but I don't remember it being mentioned that Margariete and Raeylan had such long lifespans. They spent the last 400 years searching for Esilwen, traveling the shards, many of which had advanced technology. So when we meet Margariete and Raeylan again, they are already somewhat familiar with technology and aren't completely out of their depths. And we also meet Kyleren again. I missed Kyle in <i>Guardian of Time</i>, and was glad to see that this book was his story<a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2013/09/child-of-stone-by-amanda-gerry-christy.html">...more</a></div>
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This series is ever expanding, and each book is set years and worlds apart. Shardwell is a planned 7-book series. The books have come out in fairly quick succession so far, so I would not worry about starting a long series and having to wait before the next book is released. Take the plunge! I don't know what to expect from <i>The Mystic</i>, but I will make sure to let you know once I have read it.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-14728953229930646872014-12-22T14:35:00.000-07:002014-12-24T17:19:05.404-07:00Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta (Lumatere Chronicles #2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1306866851l/10165727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1306866851l/10165727.jpg" width="263" /></a><b>Genres: </b>Young Adult, Adventure, High Fantasy, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date: </b>September 29th 2008<br />
<b>POV:</b> Alternating - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 3 out of 5<br />
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<i>Blood sings to blood, Froi . . . <br />Those born last will make the first . . . <br />For Charyn will be barren no more. <br /><br />Three years after the curse on Lumatere was lifted, Froi has found his home... Or so he believes...<br /><br />Fiercely loyal to the Queen and Finnikin, Froi has been trained roughly and lovingly by the Guard sworn to protect the royal family, and has learned to control his quick temper. But when he is sent on a secretive mission to the kingdom of Charyn, nothing could have prepared him for what he finds. Here he encounters a damaged people who are not who they seem, and must unravel both the dark bonds of kinship and the mysteries of a half-mad Princess.<br /><br />And in this barren and mysterious place, he will discover that there is a song sleeping in his blood, and though Froi would rather not, the time has come to listen.</i><br />
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There were some things about this book that I liked less than <i><a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/09/finnikin-of-rock-by-melina-marchetta.html">Finnikin of the Rock</a></i> and some things that I liked more. I don't think that it is actually worse, but the fact that it is so much longer makes its faults more obvious and gives them more focus. <br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/80/4b/39/804b39c739db132dbcb51da97e5f5e98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/80/4b/39/804b39c739db132dbcb51da97e5f5e98.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>I think my biggest complaint about this book, besides the length itself, would be the writing. It seemed really chopping and hard to follow. In particular, I remember one scene where Lirah slaps someone, and then just continues to talk to Quintana as if the slap never happened, no one acknowledged the slap, the person who was slapped did not protest, nothing. It felt like the slap had been cut and paste from a different scene. And a lot of times a scene is just abandoned and the next line says, "The next day Froi went to..." or something of the sort. Even if the previous scene seemed incomplete, ended in the middle of a conversation, or with a question. A lot of time was skipped and I felt like I was missing stuff. It had no flow.<br />
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I also had a lot of trouble understanding the characters. Their behaviour was inconsistent and after 600 pages I still feel like I don't know any of them and I don't understand their motives. I still don't know who to trust. One minute Froi loves them, the next minute he hates them, and they have never really did anything to deserve either sentiment. They were just in the way. I really couldn't care less about any of them. They could just die for all I care. Except for Quintana because Froi loves her and I want Froi to be happy. Froi is the only good character in this whole series. I remember thinking that even while I was reading <i>Finnikin of the Rock</i>.<br />
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So, as with <i>Finnikin</i>, this book only gets stars for the story. The story of Charyn is very interesting and deserves to be told. I only wish it had been told differently, and written differently. But it is a very unique story, I will give it that. And I enjoy Froi and seeing how far his life has brought him, and everything he has accomplished. I will read <i>Quintana of Charyn</i> eventually, but I am not making it a priority. <br />
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<b><i>"It's not that I like you least. It's that I feared you most. The Reginita taught me to like you. There was a strange joy to her that lifted my spirits. But you, Quintana of Charyn, you made me love you."</i></b></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Froi-Exiles-Lumatere-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B007A2A9P2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1419456893&sr=1-1&keywords=froi+of+the+exiles" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img center="" src="http://i.imgur.com/rTqa0WG.png" height="56" text-align:="" width="200" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-5569855267433153782014-12-14T14:02:00.002-07:002014-12-14T14:02:46.121-07:00Talon by Julie Kagawa (Talon #1) <a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397581124l/17331828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397581124l/17331828.jpg" width="276" /></a><b>Genres: </b>Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> October 28th 2014<br />
<b>POV: </b>Alternating - First-person, Past tense<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 4 out of 5<br />
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<i><br />Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.<br /><br />Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.<br /><br />Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.</i><br />
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I really loved this book. It felt a lot more in the spirit of <i>The Iron Fey</i>, which is the series that first got me into reading, than her other books. It has that great sense of adventure and discovery, and life and love and friendship. And heroism. <br />
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I absolutely loved Ember. She was so full of life and spunk. And her physical appearance was a perfect representation of who she was underneath. She was small with bright green eyes and spiky red hair. She was such a firecracker (or Firebrand, as Riley liked to call her). She was like a female Puck. A person like her would never have survived inside Talon. At least not with her soul intact. She needed freedom. But I love how, in the end, it was not selfishness and her desire for freedom that finally convinced her to leave. She would not have been happy in Talon, but I don't know for sure whether or not she would have left without Riley's help. I'd like to think she would have stayed for her brother. But in the end, it was her goodness and her heroism that finally convinced her of what she needed to do.<br />
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And the same goes for Garret. He may have unwillingly fallen in love with a dragon, causing him to question everything he has ever known. But it was not only his concern for Ember that made him betray St. George, but the fact that if Ember is good, than others must be as well. He would not kill Riley, or Nettle or Remy either. Because like Ember, he will do what he believes to be the right thing, not only the thing that is best for him.<br />
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This book was just full of great characters, from the protagonists, to Dante and Riley and Wes, and even Lexi. Riley is a great friend for Ember and I am so glad that she found someone who understands her and she can talk to about being a dragon. I enjoy the fact that their relationship is complicated and I look forward to seeing how much more complicated it becomes. Although I hope not too much happens between them, because it is clear that any attraction is a result of their dragon natures, and has little to do with actual feelings. I also really enjoyed Dante and I feel sorry for him. He was so easily fooled and put under Talon's thumb. I really hope that he comes around in the end, because he was a really great brother to Ember in the beginning. <br />
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I loved the fact that the story and mythology of the dragons was balanced with the amount of romance. In YA series you sometimes have to wait for several books before a romance really develops. But in Talon, Ember and Garret are in love and making sacrifices by the end of the first book. And that didnt take away from the high stakes of the story at all. I really look forward to learning more about Talon's secrets. What we learned about Vipers and Chameleons, and their possible secrets labs was all interesting and I am sure Ember will now work to rescue others and expose their secrets. I also look forward to her infiltrating St. George and rescuing Garret, and hopefully more shifting, now that she is free to do as she pleases. I am really excited for this series and I can see some much potential for it to be totally epic.</div>
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<b><i>"Somewhere between that day on the beach when I'd met her for the first time and the night of the party when we'd kissed in the ocean, she had become something more than a potential target. She had, very inexplicably, become the most important thing in my life.</i></b> </blockquote>
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<b><i></i></b><b><i>And that terrified me."</i></b></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-16249784296461399692014-12-11T20:51:00.000-07:002015-01-02T20:52:31.951-07:00Play Me, I'm Yours by Madison Parker <a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1363142868l/17609253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1363142868l/17609253.jpg" width="258" /></a><b>Genres:</b> Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> March 31st 2013<br />
<b>POV: </b>Male - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>My Rating: </b>4 out of 5<br />
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<i>Fairy Tate. Twinklefingers. Lucy Liu. Will the taunting ever end? Lucas Tate suffers ridicule because of his appearance and sensitive nature. When he’s not teased, he’s ignored, and he doesn’t know which is worse. He feels unloved by everyone, but the one comfort in life is his music. What he wants more than anything is to find a friend.<br /><br />Much to his dismay, both his mom and a schoolmate are determined to find him a boyfriend, despite the fact Lucas hasn’t come out to them. His mom chooses a football player who redefines the term “heartthrob,” while Trish pushes him toward the only openly gay boy at Providence High. But Lucas is harboring a crush on another boy, one who writes such romantic poetry to his girlfriend that hearing it melts Lucas into a puddle of goo. All three prospects seem so far out of his league. Lucas is sure he doesn’t stand a chance with any of them—until sharing his gift for music brings him the courage to let people into his heart.</i><br />
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I am really starting to enjoy coming of age/coming out stories. They are so sweet and innocent. I really loved Lucas. He was so vulnerable in the beginning. The kind of person who would have been picked on even if he wasn't gay, just because he was so small and socially awkward. Its really hard to believe how cruel kids can be sometimes. I really hated seeing the things Lucas' classmates did to him. It really wasn't fair. Just because he didn't defend himself and he had a passion for music? Ridiculous. He was such a great person, if they only would have given him a chance. He was smart, and he respected and loved his parents, was an honest and loyal friend to Alex and Trish. And despite all the mistreatment, he admired and loved his brother. I am so glad that he was able to get past it all in the end.<br />
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I really enjoyed how the book focused a lot more on Lucas' journey, than on a romance. It was still very romantic, but it took almost half the book before we even knew who the romantic interest was going to be. I really did not enjoy that parts with Donovan though. He was such a jerk and the parts with him and Lucas together made me uncomfortable. I feel bad that Lucas didn't see the situation clearly sooner, but at least he dumped his ass eventually. He may have had some good intentions, he seemed like a decent friend to Trish, but mostly he was just selfish. Alex on the other hand was amazing. He confused me sometimes and I had trouble trying to figure out his motives. In the end I had to settle on the fact that he is just the greatest person ever. Its that simple.<br />
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And of course I loved Zach. He was big and muscly and hot, but at the same time he was so deep and sensitive and he had a soul that matched Lucas'. No one else would have been able to understand Lucas the way Zach did, to anticipate his needs and fears and insecurities. Despite everything, Lucas is still only 17, and with that comes common teenage insecurities about sex and body image. And Zach was so patient and reassuring. You know he would wait forever for Lucas, because as much as Lucas needs him, he needs Lucas too. The poetry he wrote for Lucas was so intense, even more so because he wrote it before approaching Lucas and really getting to know him. He needed Lucas' passion and honesty and goodness. You could really see how broken Zach was after they fought and he thought that he had lost Lucas forever. Somehow, despite everything he has been put through by others, and the fact that he is so quiet and mostly isolated, Lucas still seems like a light. There was a brightness in him. And no one saw that more than Zach.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>"He was usually relaxed when he played. He liked to let himself be swept away from the here and now, but with Zach beside him, brushing his arm when Lucas played the high notes, he was acutely aware of where he was and what he was doing. It was an emotional piece to begin with, now intensified by his feelings for the boy sitting next to him, the physical manifestation of his own dreams of love."</b></i></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-22143401990619916222014-11-11T18:55:00.002-07:002014-11-11T18:56:48.138-07:00The Bone Orchard by Abigail Roux<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404240053l/22611946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404240053l/22611946.jpg" width="266" /></a><b>Genres:</b> Adult, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date: </b>August 11th 2014<br />
<b>POV:</b> Alternating - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>Smut-O-Meter:</b> 6 out of 10<br />
<b>My Rating: </b>3 out of 5<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3aEF7eHr2zzhWaAJ1JdjLli8QkFj82Yw7Up2etK8b_aqiv7n4QOYhVTc4kc0F32JQGETjvyvDLgoWK-s4BMm3oKRcC2vKbOI4sIYfiOAz3bGNxatyaQMOKoa8d8HIqDwEvzVvnLOFFg/s1600/3+stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3aEF7eHr2zzhWaAJ1JdjLli8QkFj82Yw7Up2etK8b_aqiv7n4QOYhVTc4kc0F32JQGETjvyvDLgoWK-s4BMm3oKRcC2vKbOI4sIYfiOAz3bGNxatyaQMOKoa8d8HIqDwEvzVvnLOFFg/s200/3+stars.png" width="200" /></a><br />
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<i>After leaving a trail of terror and death in his wake, the notorious “Missouri” Boone Jennings finally meets his match in San Francisco when US marshal Ambrose Shaw catches up to him. The story of his capture, and the marshal’s bravery, has already become legend back east by the time Pinkerton inspector Ezra Johns gets off the train from New York City to testify in the murderer’s trial.<br /><br />When Ambrose is unable to give witness to the evils he’s seen, Ezra becomes their lone hope for putting Jennings in a noose. But if Ezra thinks that’s his biggest problem, he’s got plenty to learn about life—and the afterlife—in the spirited West.<br /><br />Fortunately, Ambrose is there to assist, and more than happy to oblige Ezra—in the courtroom or the bedroom. He spent his life bringing justice to the Wild West, and if he has a say in it, that’s how he’ll be spending his death too. </i><br />
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This was a pretty good western ghost story. I don't read a lot of ghost stories, but this was really interesting. Ezra and Ambrose are both lawmen hunting the same killer. One a Marshall from California, the other an Inspector from New York. They hunt Jennings across the country, until they meet in San Francisco where they have tracked down Jennings. He is tried and hung, but continues to kill from beyond the grave. <br />
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I especially enjoyed the second half of the story, as time starts to pass more quickly, and Ezra and Ambrose watch the decades pass around them. The idea that having a nemesis is what makes the time worth living for them is different and unexpected. You would expect the good guys to defeat the villain, but not here, and that's okay. Ezra and Ambrose have each other, but protecting people is what their lives were about and so are their deaths. Meeting Ezra's nephew at the end was an interesting turn of events as well. I was not expecting more story at that point and I enjoyed the fact that others knew of Ezra and Ambrose's existence. Although, I wish they could have spoken more and that Owen and his friends could have known all the good Ezra and Ambrose have done over the last 150 years.<br />
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The romance in this was pretty disappointing though. I didn't really feel the connection between Ezra and Ambrose. It seemed to happen awfully quickly. They probably knew each other 3 or 4 days before they expressed feelings for each other. Eventually they said the 'L' word and it wasn't even made into a big deal. They both acted as if it was totally normal to fall in love after only a week or so and neither were surprised to hear the words.<br />
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But regardless of the passage of time, it wasn't used to its full potential. Their relationship could have been developed better in the given time. I don't really know what they loved about each other. We were not told. And I don't think we were ever told what Ezra looked like. When he first saw Ambrose he described him to us, but we were never given a description of Ezra and he is sort of just a blank in my mind. Also, in a story of 133 pages, there was time for more than one sex scene, but we were only given one. It wasn't super explicit but I enjoyed it. It was one of the few times when I felt their emotional closeness, as well as the physical, of course.<br />
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So this is a good read for people who enjoy ghost stories and paranormal, who don't mind some M/M on the side, but aren't looking for a romance at the moment. I wouldn't mind a sequel.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>"I love you," he said quickly. "If I don't come back..."</i></b> </blockquote>
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<b><i></i></b><b><i>"No," Ezra hissed. "No, you must."</i></b></blockquote>
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<b><i>"Know I loved you a lifetime's worth," Ambrose gasped. "A lifetime."</i></b></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-55699281179761818282014-11-07T11:28:00.000-07:002014-12-28T09:14:57.662-07:00Try by Ella Frank (Temptation #1)<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375230186l/17798649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375230186l/17798649.jpg" width="265" /></a><b class="tr_bq">Genres:</b> Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> November 12th 2013<br />
<b>POV:</b> Alternating - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>Smut-O-Meter:</b> 9 out of 10<br />
<b>My Rating: </b>5 out of 5<br />
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<i>Sex. Logan Mitchell loves it, and ever since he realized his raw sexual appeal at a young age, he has had no problem using it to his advantage. Men and women alike fall into his bed—after all, Logan is not one to discriminate. He lives by one motto—if something interests you, why not just take a chance and try?<br /><br />And he wants to try Tate Morrison.<br /><br />Just coming out of a four-year marriage with an ex-wife from hell, a relationship is the last thing on Tate’s mind. He’s starting fresh and trying to get back on his feet with a new job at an upscale bar in downtown Chicago.<br /><br />The only problem is, Tate has caught the unwavering and unwelcome attention of Mr. Logan Mitchell – a regular at the bar and a man who always gets what he wants.<br /><br />Night after night Tate fends off the persistent advances of the undeniably charismatic man, but after an explosive moment in the bar, all bets are off as he finds his body stirring with a different desire than his mind.<br /><br />As arrogance, stubbornness and sexual tension sizzles between the two, it threatens to change the very course of their lives.<br /><br />Logan doesn’t do relationships. Tate doesn’t do men. But what would happen if they both just gave in and…tried?</i><br />
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Only once I had already finished this book did I find out that it was written by an author who had started out as a M/F author, and that this book was what got a lot of people into reading M/M romance in the first place. I am not a veteran of the genre, but I am not new to it either. This is my 13th M/M book, and I absolutely loved it. It is either the smuttiest romance, or the most romantic smut that I have ever read. I am gonna lean towards calling it the most romantic smut, because really, there is no need to have that much sex in a book unless you are writing a smut. Not that I am complaining. I love a good smut. But I really can't get into a book unless there is a good foundation to the relationship before sex comes into the picture. I have DNFed more than one book because they had sex sooner than I liked, and it made me uncomfortable (<i>Sins & Needles</i> and <i><a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/01/on-dublin-street-by-samantha-young-on.html">On Dublin Street</a></i> to name a few). That did not happen here, despite how much sex there is in this book.<br />
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I really loved the pace in this book. I have read a lot of GFY stories where it only took the first advance for the straight guy to give in to his new and confusing feelings. I love how Logan took his time and visited Tate's bar several times to talk to him before Tate even realized he was attracted to him. And only several meetings after that did Tate agree to meet with him outside of work. They started with a few kisses before trying anything sexual, and even then Logan was patient and waited until Tate offered sex. It was so against his character and what he was used to giving. I loved how little either of them fought it. Tate was confused but once he realized what he wanted, he went with it. Albeit slowly. And Logan, as afraid as he might have been of commitment, he still knew he would not give up Tate to avoid it. They still had a few rough spot, but nothing too major. This was the story of two men who change each other's lives. How they get there and how they handle it. And I love how it wasn't overly complicated.<br />
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I also really enjoyed how evenly matched they were. Like Robbie pointed out, and like they both eventually recognized about themselves, they both liked to control and be controlled once and a while. It was a new dynamic and it worked for them. They are just so well matched for each other in every way. They challenge each other and balance each other, and understand each other. My only complaint is the way that the book ended to abruptly. Mid-sentence. I really don't like cliffhangers in books, and although this can't really be called a cliffhanger because it's not ended mid-action, it is ended mid-conversation and it is ended with a question without an answer. It always seems lazy to me when that happens. But its not enough to ruin the book for me. This book was emotional and beautiful as well as hot and exciting and I can't wait to read the rest of this story. <br />
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<blockquote>
<i><b>“You've changed me, and you don’t even realize it. Just being with you, near you? It makes me want to be a better person. You make me want to take a risk.”</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b> </b></i><i><b>"What do you want to risk?"</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b>Logan let go of all the emotions he'd held so carefully at arm's length. Finally, with those feelings surrounding and engulfing him, he answered simply, "Everything."</b></i></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-45180796601009013702014-11-05T16:51:00.001-07:002014-11-05T16:51:28.579-07:00How We Fall by Kate Brauning <a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414515948l/23464638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414515948l/23464638.jpg" width="268" /></a><b>Genres: </b>Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> March 14th 2014<br />
<b>POV:</b> Female - First-person, Past tense<br />
<b>My Rating: </b>3 out of 5<br />
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<i>Ever since Jackie moved to her uncle's sleepy farming town, she's been flirting way too much--and with her own cousin, Marcus.<br /><br />Her friendship with him has turned into something she can't control, and he's the reason Jackie lost track of her best friend, Ellie, who left for...no one knows where. Now Ellie has been missing for months, and the police, fearing the worst, are searching for her body. Swamped with guilt and the knowledge that acting on her love for Marcus would tear their families apart, Jackie pushes her cousin away. The plan is to fall out of love, and, just as she hoped he would, Marcus falls for the new girl in town. But something isn't right about this stranger, and Jackie's suspicions about the new girl's secrets only drive the wedge deeper between Jackie and Marcus--and deepens Jackie's despair.<br /><br />Then Marcus is forced to pay the price for someone else's lies as the mystery around Ellie's disappearance starts to become horribly clear. Jackie has to face terrible choices. Can she leave her first love behind, and can she go on living with the fact that she failed her best friend?</i><br />
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This wasn't really what I had expected, and it had certain factors that made me uncomfortable, but it was interesting, well written, and featured very likable characters. The blurb mentions Jackie's relationship with her cousin, Marcus, but it doesn't even touch on the true depth of their relationship. It's somewhat misleading. You have to be able to accept a relationship between first cousins to really enjoy this book I think.<br />
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Jackie and her family of four, and Marcus and his family of eight, moved in together to share a home when they were 14. They liked each other from the beginning. In such a large family they instantly gravitated towards each other, because they were the same age and they were both quiet. But after an innocent game of "Truth or Dare", they see each other in a different light, and their relationship is changed forever. The book starts during the summer before Jackie and Marcus' senior year, when their relationship is beginning to reach a tipping point. When they first gave in to their secret relationship they gave themselves rules. No commitment. Not labels. No sex. But things are getting too serious and they can't stop it. Marcus wants to spend more time with Jackie. He wants to be able to take her out without being afraid. Jackie is getting insanely jealous of Marcus talking to other girls. She is afraid she is falling in love with him, which she cannot allow. Their relationship just cannot be. So they try to make a preemptive clean break. It was inevitable, right?<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>“We didn't have to be a doomed romance. We weren't some cosmic mistake. We were us, and we couldn't be stopped by anything but ourselves.”</b></i></blockquote>
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Regardless of what I might think of their relationship, Jackie and Marcus were very well developed, believable, and likable characters. Even when they were going through some rough spots I still liked them. All of their arguments were realistic and I understood both of their point of views, and why they were acting the way they were. The situation they had ended up in was difficult and really, neither of them were to blame. But its impossible to separate them from their relationship and the fact that they were cousins. If they weren't cousins none of this would have happened. There would have been no conflict. And if they hadn't been cousins, they wouldn't have become the people that they had. <br />
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I have a hard time accepting the fact that they were cousins, and I am trying not to think about it in realistic terms. I get a little freaked out when I think of this happening in real life. But, as a story it was very well portrayed and understandable. I could see how they were each others refuge. Despite how freaked out I may have been when I realized what I was reading, Kate Brauning made me accept it enough to finish the book. She made me really care about Jackie and her intelligence and laughter. And Marcus and his strength and steadfastness. They deserved happiness, and after reading their story, I know they would only be happy together and I am glad they made it work. I only wish that I could have seen more. I always prefer a book to have an epilogue.<br />
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There was also a side-story about the disappearance of Jackie's best friend which accented the book with a bit of mystery. It was a nice addition and I really couldn't figure out what was going on. But it wasn't focused on that much, and the book would have still been able to carry itself as a contemporary romance without it.<br />
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As much as I appreciate being drawn into a story, this loses more than a star for the serious "ick" factor. Despite the taboo subject matter, this book was completely clean and YA appropriate. If you don't have a problem with the taboo nature of the story (I am sure those who have read <i>Forbidden </i>won't even bat an eye), I would recommend this to those who are looking for an emotional, angsty story. For those who enjoy a good, forbidden romance.<br />
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<b><i>“You did this to me. You came here when I was fourteen and shy and you were the prettiest girl I'd ever seen. You kissed me, and you talked to me, and you made me love you.”</i></b></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-63175612050999467802014-11-02T06:21:00.000-07:002015-01-04T12:57:35.936-07:00Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan (The Lynburn Legacy #3)<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393039058l/20342504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393039058l/20342504.jpg" width="262" /></a><b>Genres:</b> Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> September 23rd 2014<br />
<b>POV: </b>Alternating - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 5 out of 5<br />
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<i>Powerful love comes with a price. Who will be the sacrifice?<br /><br />Kami has lost the boy she loves, is tied to a boy she does not, and faces an enemy more powerful than ever before. With Jared missing for months and presumed dead, Kami must rely on her new magical link with Ash for the strength to face the evil spreading through her town.<br /><br />Rob Lynburn is now the master of Sorry-in-the-Vale, and he demands a death. Kami will use every tool at her disposal to stop him. Together with Rusty, Angela, and Holly, she uncovers a secret that might be the key to saving the town. But with knowledge comes responsibility—and a painful choice. A choice that will risk not only Kami’s life, but also the lives of those she loves most.<br /> <br />As coauthor with Cassandra Clare of the bestselling Bane Chronicles, Sarah Rees Brennan has mastered the art of the page-turner. This final book in the Lynburn Legacy is a wild, entertaining ride from beginning to shocking end. </i><br />
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This series is one of my absolute favourites. 5-stars across the board. It's just so unique. I really can't get over how unusual it was. It's so dark. And by dark I mean <i>dark</i>. The bad guys in this story are true evil. There is so much blood and death and destruction and pure greed and <i>evil</i>. Yet, at the same time, Kami is simply one of the best, smartest, funniest, and wittiest YA heroines I have ever read. She provides a balance that you need in order to handle all the darkness. This is one of those books where, when you try to list your favourites quotes, you find that you want to quote the whole book. </div>
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Another thing I loved about this book was all the love. Kami and Jared's love is epic, but it wasn't the only focus. Everyone loved each other and were willing to sacrifice so much for each other. Kami loved Jared, but she also loved Ash and Rusty, in a different way. She never really gave her love for them a title, but it was probably more brotherly. Then of course she loved Angela and Holly, and her brothers and her parents, and everything she did was for them. If you have read this series, then you know exactly how much Rusty loved Angela and Kami. How much Angela loved Kami, and Rusty, and Holly. How much Jared loved Ash, and Holly, and Lillian. How much Lillian loved Ash and Jared. And how much Ash loved Jared, Lillian, and Kami. They forged such a large family together, through everything that they went through they became stronger. <br />
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As much as I love Kami and Jared's oddly epic love story, it's really everyone in this series as a whole that make me love it so much. All the characters, the way they fight for each other and what is right and what they believe in. The way that they handle the tragedies in their lives. How they never quit, they hang on to what they have and keep going. How they always look for the bright side, and even when they believe that they are all going to die, they still do what needs to be done. Despite the evil of the story, and the heartbreaking deaths, this series was uplifting and inspiring because of the courage of Kami and her friends and family. I will never forget it.</div>
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<b><i>"Your name was the first word for love I ever knew."</i></b></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unmade-Lynburn-Legacy-Book-3-ebook/dp/B00JCS78CE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1415108127&sr=1-1&keywords=unmade" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img center="" src="http://i.imgur.com/rTqa0WG.png" height="56" text-align:="" width="200" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-24233978274435974442014-10-28T18:47:00.001-06:002015-09-26T10:09:31.989-06:00The Iron Trial by Holly Black, Cassandra Clare (Magisterium #1)<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1395928567l/13608989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1395928567l/13608989.jpg" width="265" /></a><b>Genres: </b>Young Adult, Fantasy<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> September 9th 2014<br />
<b>POV: </b>Male - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>My Rating: </b>3 out of 5<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3aEF7eHr2zzhWaAJ1JdjLli8QkFj82Yw7Up2etK8b_aqiv7n4QOYhVTc4kc0F32JQGETjvyvDLgoWK-s4BMm3oKRcC2vKbOI4sIYfiOAz3bGNxatyaQMOKoa8d8HIqDwEvzVvnLOFFg/s1600/3+stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3aEF7eHr2zzhWaAJ1JdjLli8QkFj82Yw7Up2etK8b_aqiv7n4QOYhVTc4kc0F32JQGETjvyvDLgoWK-s4BMm3oKRcC2vKbOI4sIYfiOAz3bGNxatyaQMOKoa8d8HIqDwEvzVvnLOFFg/s1600/3+stars.png" width="200" /></a><br />
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<i>Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial.<br /><br />Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail.<br /><br />All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him.<br /><br />So he tries his best to do his worst – and fails at failing.<br /><br />Now the Magisterium awaits him. It’s a place that’s both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.<br /><br />The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come...</i><br />
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After all the negative reviews I have read, and all the claims that this is a Harry Potter rip-off, I was expecting it to be a lot worse than it was. Really, the only comparisons to Harry Potter that I saw were the basic setup of the story. The fact that it takes place in a magic school, featuring a young boy whose best friends are a boy and a girl. But the Magisterium is absolutely nothing like Hogwarts; the mages are nothing like the wizards of the Potterverse; Callum, Aaron, and Tamara are absolutely nothing like Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The Enemy of the Magisterium may have been corrupted by his desire to defeat death, like Voldemort, but really, what else is going to turn someone with magic to evil? It was the same desire that turned Darth Vader to the dark side. Did JK Rowling rip-off George Lucas? I don't think so. I actually see much more of a basis for comparison between the Harry Potter series and The Mortal Instruments.<br />
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As of now, Callum is far from the hero that Harry was. He is actually extremely cynical for a 12 year old. He seems to think the whole world is out to get him. He was a bit annoying and there really wasn't much that was special about Aaron or Tamara either. Although they are better together, and having people actually care about him for the first time in his life, not counting his father, seems to be making Call less bitter. He seems to have the potential to be a better person, and proved that when he risked his life to save Aaron. But how will the revelation that he learned at the end affect him?<br />
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I really did not see that revelation coming and it definitely changes things. It changes the direction of the whole story and tells us that things are not as simple as we first thought. Call is not who we thought he was. Is he even the hero of this story, or is it Aaron? It brings into focus a lot of things that a 12 year old shouldn't have to think about, and that is the main reason why, for the time being, I will be continuing with this series. I am very interesting in where this will take us.<br />
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Although, I have to admit, I did a good deal of skimming. The characters are pretty flat, the writing is not engaging, and it was overall pretty boring. But the story was original enough to keep me interested and wanting to know what happens next.</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>“They all yelled in excitement. Tamara yelled because she was happy. Aaron yelled because he liked it when other people were happy, and Call yelled because he was sure they were going to die.”</b></i></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-16816168088620350012014-10-13T11:44:00.001-06:002014-11-05T07:22:01.235-07:00The Girl For Me by Failte <a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1292038481l/9878868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1292038481l/9878868.jpg" width="256" /></a><b>Genres:</b> New Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date: </b>November 27th 2006<br />
<b>POV:</b> Alternating - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>Smut-O-Meter: </b>5 out of 10<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 5 out of 5<br />
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<i>Straight jockboy Kevin thinks he has gay, cross-dressing Danny under his thumb. Kevin only likes girls.<br /><br />So... why does he keep thinking about her?<br /><br />Or him.<br /><br />Whatever.</i><br />
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I don't even know where to start. I can't say how much I loved this book. It started out feeling very much like a normal YA contemporary romance. Danny was 16 and Kevin was 17 when they met at a party, despite a few significant changes, it began to progress as expected. Kevin convinced Danny to help him with his homework and they study together after school At this point it felt like a normal "wrong side of the tracks" romance, except they are both boys, and Danny likes to wear dresses.<br />
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Kevin and Danny don't get off on the right foot, but from the beginning you can tell Kevin isn't a horrible person. He just hasn't had the right influence. From the sound of things he had some pretty horrible friends, not to mention his father. But once he befriends Danny you see his real potential, not only in his school work, but in the person he could become. And Danny has found someone he can finally be himself with, even if he doesn't always know who that really is. Kevin doesn't judge, and he eventually finds himself falling for Danny. Once he realizes what is important in life, and what will really make him happy in the long run, he jumps in with both feet. It is pretty much from that point forward that he wants Danny in his life, and he never wavers.</div>
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<b><i>"At the bottom of his pit, one light shone in Kevin's eyes. </i>Of course. <i>Fuck school. Fuck Dad. Fuck football and college and jobs and fags and straights and girls and boys and everyone and everything else - but Danny."</i></b></blockquote>
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As their relationship progressed it starts to feel more like an NA. When Kevin turns 18 he gets his own apartment and they spend a lot of time their together, feeling very domestic, even though Danny still lives with his mother. I was surprised how little supervision they are given by their parents, and the amount of sex they have. I would definitely give this an NA label. Since they age a bit during the story, and they are just around the border age, I would lean it towards the NA label, due to content. <br />
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There is a point in the story where they have a big fight, and it was bad. I feel like it was a bit too much, and almost unforgivable. The story does bring us around to forgiving Kevin when Danny eventually does, but it was so out of character for Kevin, I really don't understand how he could have let it happen. And although it made Danny feel weak and vulnerable, and temporarily made him reconsider his desire to be a woman, I don't think his gender really came into it from Kevin's point of view. He was momentarily an asshole of the tenth degree, but it wasn't because Danny was a guy, or a girl, he was just being selfish. It shouldn't have made Danny question his gender. Kevin was a true bastard in that moment, and he only has himself to blame, not Danny. <br />
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Danny continues to be confused about his gender for most of the book. We don't really know in the end what conclusion he comes to. In the beginning, he considers himself a woman in a man's body, but as time goes by, he eventually learns more about what it means to be transgendered, and realizes he doesn't fit the definition. I don't know a lot about transgendered myself, but I wouldn't imagine it comes in degrees. But I don't know. Danny likes to wear dresses, but not all the time. In the beginning, he is extremely disturbed by the fact that he has a penis, but as his relationship with Kevin progresses it starts to come into play more and more and he enjoys it. He even mentions in passing that he at one point topped Kevin (I know that this is not that kind of story, but I would have loved to see that. I am a smut fan, so sue me). His sister tells him about surgery and hormone supplements, and the more he learns, the more he realizes that there are things about being a guy that he would miss. But he still never gives up the dresses. Every time Danny questioned Kevin in any regard to his gender, Kevin kept reassuring him that he loved who he was, not matter what. Male, female, it didn't matter, and that he just wanted Danny to be able to accept who he was. I hope that Danny was able to do that in the end. He did seem happy in the epilogue. Although we don't know what conclusion he came to, was in in drag at the time. </div>
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<b><i>“I wish you could just be </i>you<i>. You're great, Danny! You're fuckin' wonderful! Why do you have to be one thing or another? I... I just don't get why its so important to you to call yourself 'boy' or 'girl'!” </i></b></blockquote>
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I loved how, once Kevin and Danny came out at school, that the entire school body stood up with them against homophobic teachers. It was amazing, and I loved how it also gave other Glbt students the courage to be themselves. It was truly inspiring and I hope things like that actually happen. <br />
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But of course my absolute favourite thing about this book was Kevin and Danny's relationship. They had some rough spots, and not only the one mentioned above, but in the end it all came down to the fact that they both knew that they were better, happier people when they were together. Kevin was ignorant of all things gay before he met Danny, and Danny not only educated him, but made him love him, made him want to be a better person, and literally taught him how. Kevin's love for Danny was so constant and unconditional, not even his gender was a condition and that makes me shed a lot of tears. And Danny loved that Kevin loved him. That he supported him and accepted him when no one else had. He loved that Kevin was really sweet underneath all his buffoonery, and that he was a lot smarter than he seemed. They were such a perfect pair, pretty much soul mates, that for the first time in an M/M romance (and I really think that the term M/M really doesn't do this story justice), I don't have a preferred main character. Despite Kevin's huge hiccup which I wanna just pretend didn't happen, I love them both so much. I can't remember the last time I got this attached to characters, or the last time I was this sad when I finished a book. <br />
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I loved the epilogue, but I still could have used more. The epilogue was set quite a while after the rest of the story, and it shows us where their life has gone, and that they are still together. But only Danny is in the epilogue. Even just one more page, set the evening after the epilogue, with Danny and Kevin both getting home and maybe cuddling; a kiss and a hug and an "I love you"? I would have been in heaven. I really didn't know what to expect going into this story, but it definitely blew any expectations I had right out of the water. This story really wound itself around my heart. My heart was racing as their relationship first started to grow. I was so anxious when Danny and Kevin were fighting. I was weeping as they proved they were forever. I will carry this story with me always. </div>
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<i><b>Danny chuckled, "So first you like boys, now you like cross-dressing boys, next-"</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b>"I like everything about you," Kevin said, while Danny thought about what might be 'next'.</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b>"Uh... next... Uh... I forgot what I was saying..."</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b>"You were about to say you loved me."</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b>"I love you. Thanks. I totally forgot.”</b></i></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-39566194632470712392014-10-10T10:12:00.000-06:002014-10-11T10:15:31.807-06:00A Rose is a Rose by Jet Mykles<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1295976388l/10314137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1295976388l/10314137.jpg" width="266" /></a><b>Genres:</b> Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Novella<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> February 8th 2011<br />
<b>POV:</b> Male - Third-person, Past tense<br />
<b>Smut-O-Meter:</b> 8 out of 10<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 4 out of 5<br />
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<i>When his latest sugar daddy drops him like yesterday's news, Carson's got more than a bruised ego to deal with. He's broke! No designer clothes, no baubles, and while he loves his job with the burlesque show he needs to pay the bills.<br /><br />Should be no problem. Carson's young and pretty, so it should be no trouble finding someone new to pick up his tab.<br /><br />Instead, he finds Eddie. The superintendent of Carson's apartment building, Eddie couldn't be further from Carson's usual type, financially or physically, but his gift of a single red rose touches Carson's heart.<br /><br />For the first time, Carson doesn't want to be just a kept man.<br /><br />To live the life he always thought he wanted, he needs to find a new sugar daddy. But how can he part with the support of someone who seems to really love him?</i><br />
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This story was so sweet! It took a bit for me to adjust to an effeminate MC. I have never read a book like this before. Where the MC is a man, refers to himself as a man and has no problem admitting it, but acts and dresses like a woman. It was a bit jarring at first, until I got used to it and I could see that that is just Carson. It's just who he is and he is wonderful. <br />
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He was also very much like Jet's usual MCs, with low self-esteem and I just could not wait to see him shown his true worth by someone. So enters Eddie, the superintendent of Carson's building, who, when he sees Carson crying over a bad break-up, gives him a single rose from his gardens. Carson cannot resist befriending the man because he is just so gosh darn sweet, and shy, and adorable, and straight.</div>
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Carson may be slaking his lust for Eddie alone, and Eddie is continuing to shyly dote on Carson, but it isn't until Carson confronts him about his attentions that it becomes clear that Eddie may not be so straight anymore. I really enjoyed the virgin factor too. Eddie wasn't a virgin be he was new to sex with men, and it was endearing to see Carson have to teach him what to do. But after the first time Eddie wanted to take charge, although he still needed help now and again, which was adorable despite the high intensity of the moment.<br />
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We never really get to know Eddie as well as I would have liked. This story would have greatly benefited from an alternating POV, but that may be too much commitment for a novella. Either way, Eddie was a bit of a cut out. Not that his characters was dull or unoriginal, but I just felt like I only saw his silhouette without the details of who he was. He was quietly caring, masculine, a serious sweet talker, and he loved Carson. <br />
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Carson on the other hand, is the kind of person that can always make someone feel better when they are having a bad day, even if his own day has been even worse. He will always have a smile for you. He knows he is beautiful, but he never acknowledges it in a conceited way. He may have used his looks to get the support of admirers, but he was not very confident about anything else. But Eddie believe in him, and, eventually, that was enough for Carson. Enough for him to get up off his butt and make his own like better, so that he could make a place in it for Eddie. :)</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>"Eddie, you can't do this to me. I do nothing for you."</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b>"That's not true. You make my world bright."</b></i></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rose-Jet-Mykles-ebook/dp/B004VB5SBK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1413043925&sr=1-1&keywords=a+rose+is+a+rose" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img center="" src="http://i.imgur.com/rTqa0WG.png" height="56" text-align:="" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10314137-a-rose-is-a-rose?ac=1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/m3xbdDV.png" height="61" width="200" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-11679578648167771352014-10-02T22:48:00.000-06:002014-10-04T22:52:07.475-06:00Home is Where You Are by Tessa Marie<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404782421l/22676013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404782421l/22676013.jpg" width="257" /></a><b>Genres: </b>Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> September 30th 2014<br />
<b>POV:</b> Alternating - First-person, Present tense<br />
<b>My Rating:</b> 4 out of 5<br />
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<i>Anna’s life reads like a check list. <br />Straight A’s (Check)<br />Editor of the school paper (Check)<br />Volunteering time at the local soup kitchen (Check)<br />Ivy League (So close she can taste it) <br />Falling in love with a homeless boy (Not on the list) <br /><br />Dean has a plan too. Survive. After being subjected to his foster father’s violent attacks, Dean made the hard choice to leave. Now he lives on the streets doing everything he can to get by, refusing to let people help him. But when he meets Anna, he realizes not everyone is out to hurt him. <br /><br />Slowly, Anna and Dean let each other in, blending their two worlds into one. But when a series of events brings Dean’s world into perspective, he pushes Anna away. Not willing to accept the line that divides them, Anna sets out to bring Dean back to her. Her determination and faith in their future puts her on the tracks of danger, and he is the only one who can save her.</i><br />
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This story was really sweet and heartwarming. I was looking for something "feel-good" after having a bad experience with a dark romance, and this ended up being perfect.</div>
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I really loved Anna. She was a such a disciplined girl. She was so studious, but it was not in an annoying way at all. And she may have been volunteering to make her college applications look good, but she was also doing it because she is just an amazingly selfless person. She cared too much. She wanted to save everyone that she could not possibly save, and it broke her heart whenever she failed. But she did save Dean.<br />
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Dean was a great kid who had been given a really shitty hand. He did his best and I actually really admire him for sticking through his situation as long as he had. And then surviving on the streets for two years at his young age and remaining clean is impressive. <br />
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It was a lot of fun to watch them falling in love, and it was just such a heartwarming story. They were so perfect together and their paths were clearly always meant to join. They have such a bright future together. </div>
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<b><i>“We may be part of two very different worlds, but right now we're in our own together.”</i></b></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-You-Tessa-Marie-ebook/dp/B00MRCDQ0K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1412484695&sr=1-1&keywords=home+is+where+you+are" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img center="" src="http://i.imgur.com/rTqa0WG.png" height="56" text-align:="" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22676013-home-is-where-you-are" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/m3xbdDV.png" height="61" width="200" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649302097433024011.post-26663484226398901252014-09-30T22:59:00.000-06:002014-10-04T23:01:45.449-06:00Keep Me by Anna Zaires (Twist Me #2)<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1401374794l/20806202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1401374794l/20806202.jpg" width="266" /></a><b>Genres: </b>Adult, Contemporary, Dark, Romance<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> September 30th 2014 <br />
<b>POV:</b> Alternating - First-person, Present tense<br />
<b>Smut-O-Meter:</b> 10 out of 10<br />
<b>My Rating: </b>Did Not Finish<br />
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<i>Abducted at eighteen. Held captive for 15 months.<br /><br />It reads like one of those headlines. And yes, I did it. I stole her. Nora, with her long dark hair and silky skin. She’s my weakness, my obsession. <br /><br />I’m not a good man. I never pretended to be one. She can love me, but she can’t change me.<br /><br />I can, however, change her.<br /><br />My name is Julian Esguerra, and Nora is mine to keep.</i><br />
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I absolutely loved <i><a href="http://amatchmadeinheavenreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/01/twist-me-by-anna-zaires-twist-me-1.html">Twist Me</a></i> by Anna Zaires, and I wrote it a glowing review. I had been impatiently waiting for the sequel, Keep Me, for nearly a year, and doing everything I could to help promote Anna Zaires and her books.<br />
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<i>Twist Me</i> was dark and uncomfortable. And although I did not enjoy the BDSM aspects, or the "hero", I was impressed by the psychology of the story, and the way that it played with my emotions.<br />
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When I began <i>Keep Me</i>, I still felt uncomfortable with Julian, but I figured it would pass because the story and relationship between Julian and Nora was enough to distract me from any squick factors. I continued to read but it just got worse. Everything Julian said and did disgusted me, and when he took Nora in the gym, I had had enough. <br />
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I could not see it as a 'love my captor' story anymore. No matter how I looked at it, I could not see it as a story that intended to entertain. All I saw was an abused and severely traumatized woman who was being used by a monster. I began to see all the woman stuck in abusive relationship, who stay because they think he will change, because they think it is what they deserve, because they are afraid of the consequences of leaving. I can no longer find enjoyment in the glamorization of abuse that is very real for many trapped women. <br />
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Sometime between now and when I read <i>Twist Me</i>, I must have experienced a paradigm shift. I cannot explain it. I have longtime enjoyed stories like this, that stir emotions both good and bad, but I think perhaps this just reached a limit I didn't know I had. I quit at 28%. But I will still be following Anna Zaires closely, and reading any more books she releases (not <i>Hold Me</i>, book 3). I still support her efforts and I am really looking forward to more Krinar books.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Me-Twist-2-ebook/dp/B00LF4TWPE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1412485157&sr=1-1&keywords=keep+me" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img center="" src="http://i.imgur.com/rTqa0WG.png" height="56" text-align:="" width="200" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126540247322358778noreply@blogger.com0