Waiting On Wednesday

Tiger's Dream
by Colleen Houck

Release Date: March 2018

Synopsis:

A tiger left behind.

A goddess in need of an ally.

Stranded in a time and place he never wished for, Kishan Rajaram must carry out his destiny of assisting the beautiful yet extremely irritable goddess Durga. This daunting task is not made easy by the fact that he must also face the truth about the girl he loves and the brother who stole her away.

When the wily shaman Phet appears and tells Kishan that Kelsey needs him, he jumps at the chance to see her again. In his efforts to save her, Kishan discovers that the curse he thought was over is just beginning. As time unravels around him, Kishan realizes that the fates of all those he holds dear lie in hands.

The goddess’s power hangs in the balance. Kishan has no choice but to sacrifice the unthinkable to fight the dark forces swirling around the woman he’s charged to protect. As he does, he discovers that love and loyalty create their own magic and accepts that he must decide his destiny once and for all.

Tiger’s Dream is the conclusion to the epic Tiger’s Curse fantasy romance series that left you breathless.

My Thoughts:

5 years. I have waited 5 years for this book to come out. I've waited 5 years for this book to even get a cover and synopsis and finally, it is here. I'm excited and terrified to read this in the coming year. I just hope that when I finally do get to read it that it'll be worth the wait.

Black Snow Spoiler Free Review

Black Snow
by Lena North

Release Date: October 24th, 2017

Synopsis:

Snow’s best friend is a bird. An osprey, to be specific.

Everyone knows Snow’s parents died a long time ago, and she has perfected her happy smile and girly giggle so no one suspects that she hides a darker side of herself deep inside. No one, except her bird – and Nick, who always seems to know how she feels.

Then Hawker Johns blackmails her into joining his covert group of protectors. The imposing sheriff from Norton sends Snow to the Islands to investigate Jamie Jamieson, one of her friends and a man she dates casually, and once the first fury has passed, she’s eager to go. Mostly so that she can come back and shove Hawker’s suspicions down his throat. 

Things are not what they seem on the Islands, though, and when Snow has been shot at, almost drowned and fallen through the roof of a cave, she starts thinking about her life, and her past.

Then she suddenly finds herself in a situation where she has a tough choice to make. Will she follow her heart or the pull from her family and friends? And will she ever find peace with her past?

Black Snow is the fourth book in the Birds of a Feather series, a young adult/coming of age series with paranormal elements, full of laughter, mystery, and romance.

My Thoughts:

***I recieved an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***

I gave this book 3 stars. It was okay, a definite downgrade from the first three books in this series. I’m disappointed in this one.

I was so sad by this development, I loved the first three books, but I just felt like this  book didn’t have as much substance as the others. It was enjoyable, but that’s mostly because I was already accustomed to the characters and the world and the basic plot of the series. 

I can’t even really tell you what the climax of the story was. I can think of one part that may have been it, but at the time I didn’t know it and was actually surprised that I was done the book because I expected more. 

Not to say it isn’t still good, just not on the level as the other books. I am excited to read the final book in this series though. If you have read the other books in this series, then you should definitely still read this one. It’s still part of the story and I can’t wait for it to all be pulled together in the final book.

The romance in this book was cute, but a good romance isn't enough to make a book mind blowing and amazing, it can help it there, but it isn't the only factor. 

Hideaway Review

Hideaway
by Penelope Douglas

Spoilers

Release Date: October 2nd, 2017

Synopsis:

BANKS

Buried in the shadows of the city, there’s a hotel called The Pope. Ailing, empty, and dark—it sits abandoned and surrounded by a forgotten mystery.

But you think it’s true, don’t you, Kai Mori? The story about the hidden twelfth floor. The mystery of the dark guest who never checked in and never checks out. You think I can help you find that secret hideaway and get to him, don’t you?

You and your friends can try to scare me. You can try to push me. Because even though I struggle to hide everything I feel when you look at me—and have ever since I was a girl—I think maybe what you seek is so much closer than you’ll ever realize.

I will never betray him.

So sit tight.

On Devil’s Night, the hunt will be coming to you.

KAI

You have no idea what I seek, Little One. You don’t know what I had to become to survive three years in prison for a crime I would gladly commit again.

No one can know what I’ve turned into.

I want that hotel, I want to find him, and I want this over.

I want my life back.

But the more I’m around you, the more I realize this new me is exactly who I was meant to be.

So come on, kid. Don’t chicken out. My house is on the hill. So many ways in, and good luck finding your way out.

I’ve seen your hideaway. Time to see mine.

*Hideaway is a romantic suspense suitable for ages 18+. While the romance is a stand-alone, the plot is a continuation of events that began in CORRUPT (Devil's Night, #1). It is strongly recommended that you have read Corrupt prior to reading this.

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 5 stars. I decided to sleep on this before I wrote my review because after finishing it last night I was in a state of what the holy fuck?! I need more. Immediately. Sadly, I’m probably going to have to wait another two years to get the next book. I don’t know if I can wait that long. I devoured this book. I can not express my love for this book enough.

I guessed pretty early on that Banks was Damon’s sister. The hints were there and I just thought the overall idea of their relationship was a good idea. I love those two together. Damon needs a female that he can trust because he has had that shitty past with the woman he was supposed to trust the most. Seeing them together was probably the highlight of the book for me. I feel like I may be alone in this, but Damon is definitely my favorite character. 

This book took me by surprise. I was expecting something edgy with a plot that was 99% romance. What I got was so much more than that and I can honestly say that this is my favorite Penelope Douglas book. It’s 10 times better than all of her other books. I was a bit annoyed that the release date kept getting pushed back, but I understand that she was trying to perfect this book and I’m glad she took the time and made this book so amazing. 

Kai has totally grown on me. The first time I read Corrupt I didn’t really care for him, but as time went on and I reread Corrupt many more times I developed a love for Kai. I was so excited to read this book. Kai is a gentleman at heart, but he also knows that he can’t be contained by the rules of society and he accepts that he has a dark side sometimes and isn’t someone to be fucked with. 

Banks is an amazing protagonist. She was so calm and down to earth, but she was absolutely devious. I love Banks way more than Rika. I always found Rika to be a bit annoying. She just did things that irritated the crap out of me, Banks is not the same way. I’ve pretty much been on board with everything she decided to do in this book. 

The only thing that actually bothered me about this book is that Banks always wears these fingerless gloves. We don’t know why she wears them or what their significance is, and Gabriel Torrance at one point hints that we are going to find out. It has something to do with him keeping her “obedient”. So after he makes a comment about that, the reader expects that we’re going to find out why Banks wears those gloves. Except we never do. I would like to fricken know.

I am also happy to say that a bit of confusion I had stemming from the first book has been fixed. Damon’s last name is Torrance, and he’s Russian and has strong Russian ties. The only problem is that Torrance is not an Russian name. This is such a mini detail, but it really bothered me for the past two years. It turns out that when moving their family to America the Torrances just decided to pick up a more westernized name. 

Overall, if you are into darker adult romances with really intense plots then this is something you should definitely read.

Approximately Yours Spoiler Free Review

Approximately Yours

by Julie Hammerle

Release Date: October 2nd, 2017

Synopsis:

Danny Garland is so out of Holly’s league. And her family is only back in North Pole, Minnesota, long enough to sell Grandma’s house and say “Merry Christmas.” So telling her basketball-star, too-hot-to-be-real long-time crush that she’d like to kiss him under the mistletoe just isn’t going to happen.

And now he’s asked out her cousin, Elda. Elda is a mess at flirting, so when she begs Holly to intervene, she does. Holly helps her flirt with him over text. And then again. And again. Now she’s stuck texting him as her cousin, and Elda is the one going on the date. Holly thought she could settle for just conversation with Danny, but talking with him is some kind of magic. He’s got the perfect comebacks, she makes him laugh, they text until everyone is asleep.

She just can’t ever tell him it’s her he’s really texting.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book has hot texts, gingerbread wars, and a slow-burn romance that could melt a Minnesota winter

My Thoughts:

***I received an ARC through Netgalley for an honest review***

I gave this book 3.5 stars. It was cute and fun, but not really anything I hadn’t already read before. I still liked it, but it was nothing new, you know?

In the midst of my contemporary craze, I read this book fairly quickly. While it wasn’t eh best contemporary romance I had ever read in my entire life, it was still a book where I enjoyed the storyline and the characters.

Holly, is a complex. Aside from the puppy tattoo which I think is more cutesy than punk rock, Holly can seem a bit hard core. I mean, Danny was convinced she hated him despite reality being the exact opposite. Holly has really bad self esteem issues caused by constant rejection and I can’t help but relate to that. Holly was a character that I had no problem seeing her point. She pushed people away and was a bit mean to them at times because she was afraid of rejection.

Danny is a sweet guy. His ex girlfriend has definitely caused some damage. Especially considered his breakup happened right after he almost ruins his career by breaking his leg in a basketball related accident. I found it so cute that whenever him and his friends were talking about the Page girls, they would always talk about the hot one, now to everyone else the hot one was Elda, but Danny always thought they were talking about Holly. It was absolutely adorable his quiet crush on her. He was never the obnoxious athlete that is common in YA and teen movies. He was the gentle nerd/athlete who just wanted to be good at everything, I can appreciate that.

The two characters together was pure chemistry. They had so much in common and could talk about anything. Although, I have to dock points because they talked shit about Game of Thrones, and I’m obsessed with that show. Besides that obvious blunder, they were in fact, a very cute book couple. 

I would recommend this book to anyone currently going through a contemporary craze. It’s nothing that absolutely blew my mind, but it definitely helps with the craving. 

Clashing Colors Spoiler Free Series Review

Clashing Colors
by Elin Peer

I never actually know how to set up my series reviews, so I feel like they will all be very different. So I'll try something a bit new with this one, see how it goes.

Book 1: Black

Synopsis:

Can a man who gives and takes orders for a living help a rebel who lives to break all the rules and answer to no one? 

Twenty-one-year-old Black is a homeless "Goth-rebel" who has broken laws to survive ever since she ran away from home seven years ago. When she is arrested for shoplifting, she's forced to reach out to the father who never wanted anything to do with her.

Gabriel is a decorated war hero who just returned from duty in Afghanistan. When he overhears his stepbrother having a phone conversation with a secret daughter that the family never knew about he is shocked to hear the hard rejection she gets. Since his stepbrother won't do the right thing, Gabriel steps up, committed to help his new step-niece get back on her feet.

But what happens when Black is forced to go into drug rehab with an unorthodox therapist whose methods are bat-shit crazy.How far is Gabriel willing to go to help her and can someone as cynical as her learn to trust anyone but herself?

Black is the first book in Elin Peer's Clashing Colors series. Elin Peer offers a new fresh style and a unique talent for developing characters that you will come to love. If you like fast-paced stories with quirky flawed characters, and you don't mind an emotional roller coaster, then this contemporary romance is for you. 

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 4.5 stars. Looking back at all the books, this one is probably my favorite of the entire series. I loved Black aka Cia. In a lot of ways, we have the same personality. She's very vengeful and cranky and that's how I feel every day of my life, so it wasn't hard to relate to her. The story itself was so uncomfortable at times that I couldn't look away. I just meant to read a few chapters but then I couldn't stop because it weirded me out in the best way possible if that makes any sense.

Book 2: Violet

Synopsis:

"Ever since I fell in love with Jake as a child, I’ve thought of him and me as opposites that would complement each other. 

Unfortunately, adulthood has only increased our differences and to everyone around us we’re more like clashing colors, that should avoid mixing. 

I’m a psychic medium who works with spirits and tarot cards while Jake is a scientist who only believes in things that can be proven with hard data. 

It seems unfair that I can clear a house of spirits, but I have no clue how to clear my heart of Jake."

Violet is called upon by a group of scientist to investigate supernatural phenomena in their lab. It could be her chance to prove to Jake, her longtime crush, that what she does is valid. But can she produce evidence strong enough for the biggest skeptic to believe that all psychics aren’t frauds and that she doesn’t belong in an asylum for mentally unstable people?

My Thoughts: 

I gave this book 4 stars. Every time I think about this book I get so mad at Jake. He was just such a douchebag to violet, she deserved better than that. Violet is an amazing character. When I read that she was a psychic, and quirky, I immediately just thought of Phoebe Buffay from Friends, that's definitely not how she turned out, she was actually very down to earth and reasonable. Other than the psychic thing, she didn't really do anything that weird. As mad as I was at Jake, I'm glad that their relationship played out the way it did, Violet deserves someone who will appreciate her and treat her right. 

Book 3: Green

Synopsis:

How dare he? How dare he come into my store, The Green Vegan Shop, with a t-shirt saying: I didn’t claw myself to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables? 

I get it. He’s a chef and meat lover, but does he have to flash it in my face every time he shops here? Honestly, I try to be nice to everyone. I’m a vegan after all. We’re nice people… but this guy gets under my skin. Like a tick. And he brings out the feisty redhead lurking inside me. He is easily the most infuriating, selfish, and cruel bastard in the city of Seattle.

Melody is proving to herself and the world that she has what it takes to run a successful business, based on sustainability and fair trade. 

Her family thinks she should be focusing on starting a family since she’s already thirty-two, and she is trying. But even with the help of an agency, it seems impossible to find a decent man who matches her criteria and has what it takes to excite her. It’s not that she’s frigid, it’s just that she’s attracted to the wrong man. 

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 4 stars. This book was where the hate to love trope came in. I've talked about this before, but it's the one trope I can't seem to hate. There is always so much chemistry where there is a hate to love relationship and Melody and Christian definitely had the heat. This book made me dislike the character Darren (a reoccurring character from the first two books) a lot more, he was an incredible douche to Melody for no reason and he didn't apologize for a single shitty thing he did to her. 

Book 4: Blue

Synopsis:

Have you ever told your darkest secrets to a stranger? What if that "stranger" was no stranger at all?             

Logan MacKay's sexy Scottish accent can drop panties on both sides of the pond.

But he's a shy tech-savvy introvert.

Complicated.

Logan's confident and flirtatious hiding behind his phone, but gloomy and withdrawn in the flesh.

And that compelling stranger he laughs with on the phone? Mary?

It's me.

But to Logan, I'm Faith. The vivacious cheerleader who sheds unwelcome light on his dark and debilitating anxiety when exposed to beautiful women. 

And I don't want a relationship with him.

No. Damn. Way.

I just want to help him get past his ridiculous and unfounded beliefs about the opposite sex.

You see, Logan MacKay has scars. Physical and emotional marks that he thinks make him undesirable. But he's not. Not by a long shot.

Damaged people like Logan inspired me to enter the mental health field. He's one reason I'm studying to become a psychologist.

With my eternal optimism, I can fix Logan. I know I can.

If only he would stop scowling at me and say yes to my brilliant idea of taking me in as his roommate. 

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 3.5 stars. This book felt a lot slower to me, I read it in about the same time it took me to read the other three books, but it just felt a lot longer. For the first half of the book, there isn't that much going on plot-wise, just a bit of character development. Faith was a very pushy and hilarious character, she definitely pushed Logan right out of his comfort zone. What I really want to read is that Highlander romance the characters kept acting out. I'm intrigued by the story there and I would like to read that. 

Book 5: Yellow

Synopsis:

“If you were a color, what color would you be?” he asked me. 

“I would be a rainbow of colors. Whatever color people wanted to see, I would be it.” 

“I’m not asking what color you think other people want to see. Tell me what color you are – at your core?” 

And then it hit me. I had absolutely no idea because I didn’t know who I was at the core. 

Twenty-six-year-old Chloe Olsson, aka movie star “Cleo,” is caught in a toxic world of fans, paparazzi, and a money-hungry agent. Being the girlfriend of pop star Niko is no dream either, and his constant jealousy has caused her to go into hiding for a time. 

Two weeks in the forest with famous Native American healer Onava was supposed to be a wonderful and relaxing detox. But when Onava is called away and her grandson Adam moves in to the small cabin instead, Chloe’s peace is over. 

Adam is rude and unimpressed by her fame. And what’s worse is his ridiculous idea that she’s in this mess because she doesn’t know how to set her personal boundaries. 

With only eleven days to teach her, he seems determined to give her plenty of opportunities to practice on him. 

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 4 stars. In my opinion, Chloe was the most rounded character in this entire series. She was the girly girl who could be incredibly glamorous and a tad bit fake at times, but she also loved outdoors, she had no problem being without a lot of basic modern technologies while she was out in the woods. She even enjoyed it. Also for all her confidence, she could be a complete doormat, which was very surprising. 


If you've read this series I'd love to hear your thoughts!


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Top 5 Bromances

I am completely cheating with this list, three of the five probably shouldn't even be on this list, but I'm keeping them because it's my list and I can do what I want.

5. Fear Me

My first cheat: The "bromance" in this book is actually between three characters, Dash, Kieran, and Keenan. They are a trio of awesomeness and I couldn't just pick two of them, it would be wrong.

4. Corrupt 

My second cheat: This is between four characters, their chemistry is as a friend group is unmatched. I want to be a part of it. 

3. Arin and Roshar

This one isn't a cheat! The witty banter between these two simultaneously brought life to the story and lightened the harsh mood. It was one of the greater aspects of the series.

2. Chandler and Joey 

This is probably my biggest cheat, but I don't even care. If you didn't know, Chandler and Joey are from the TV show Friends and they are the epitome of "bromance". I just couldn't make this list without putting them on it, the fact that they are from a  show and not a book is the reason that I didn't put them down as number one. 

1. Will and Jem

Who else would be number one on this list? These two friends are more like brothers and would gladly die to protect the other. Honestly, in comparison everyone else on this list look like very distant relatives that have never even met. Heronstairs for life.

What book bromances are your favorites?

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My Life in Books Tag

I was not tagged for this, I never am, but I'm going to do it anyway because I enjoy doing tags. Also I'm not 100% sure that is the name of the tag, but I'm about 99% sure, so that's good enough for me. 

1) Find a book for each of your initials

J - Just for Now by Abbi Glines

S - Shadowkiss by Richelle Mead

S- Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

2) Count your age along your book shelf- which book is it?

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I'm keeping my age a secret because a lady never reveals her age;)

3) Pick a book set in your city/state/country.

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong. This book briefly takes place in Vancouver and I live in the Greater Vancouver Area, so that was the closest I could find for this one. Also probably the only book I've read that has taken place here. 

4) Pick a book that represents a destination you would love to travel to.

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young. I would love to go to Ireland. It's number one on the list of places I want to go.

5) Pick a book that's your favourite colour.

Crooked Kingdom. I know the dust jacket on the hardcover isn't red, but under the dust jacket, it's red along with the pages. It's completely red and completely my aesthetic.

6) Which book do you have the fondest memories of?

The Frog Princess by E. D. Baker. I read this book before I liked reading. I had checked it out of the library before and barely gotten a chapter in before I stopped. But the second time I decided to give it a go, I stayed up way past my bedtime, if I'm not mistaken it was one in the morning and I'm surprised my parents let me stay up that late, and I finished it. It was the very first chapter book I ever read in one sitting.

7) Which book did you have the most difficulty reading?

The Lord of the Flies. I could not for the life of me get through this book. I wanted to love it so much but it was honestly like chewing cardboard. I had to read it for school, but I ended up just using sparks notes.

8) Which book in your TBR pile will give you the biggest sense of accomplishment when you finish it?

Under the Dome by Stephen King. I've had it on my shelf for so long, plus the book itself is fricken huge. I will be so proud of myself when I finally get through it.

This was a really fun tag to do, so if you also want to do it you definitely should. 

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Fallen Heir Spoiler Free Review

Fallen Heir
by Erin Watt

Release Date: August 28th 2017

Synopsis:

These Royals will ruin you.

Easton Royal has it all: looks, money, intelligence. His goal in life is to have as much fun as possible. He never thinks about the consequences because he doesn’t have to.

Until Hartley Wright appears, shaking up his easy life. She’s the one girl who’s said no, despite being attracted to him. Easton can’t figure her out and that makes her all the more irresistible.

Hartley doesn’t want him. She says he needs to grow up.

She might be right.

Rivals. Rules. Regrets. For the first time in Easton’s life, wearing a Royal crown isn’t enough. He’s about to learn that the higher you start, the harder you fall. 

My Thoughts:

***I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review***

I gave this book 4 stars. Still not quite as good as Paper Princess, which in my opinion is the best in the series, but it’s still a really good book. This book is full of so much new drama and shenanigans. It’s a perfect read if you loved the former Royals books. This book will leave you utterly dumbfounded.

This is the fourth book in the Royals Series by Erin Watt, and this is different from the first three because it’s about Reed’s brother Easton. Now, while I don’t think you actually have to read the other books in this series, I would highly recommend it, I think it adds a lot more depth to this book in particular because you do have more background information. A lot of the events in this book are caused by the first three books.

I love Easton Royal, but he can be such a spoiled brat sometimes. He’s so outrageous and irresponsible that it actually makes me laugh. He does not think things through. Something that I found very evident in this book was, I wish Easton was better at revenge. He really sucks at it, he has these opportunities but never uses them. Easton is just a very lovable yet frustrating character. He’s a bit cruel at times, mostly in his mind, but he does need to grow up a bit and I hope to see that in the next book.

As always I love the writing style and the characters. Their rich and ridiculous and get away with so much crap it’s unbelievable. I’ll keep reading books by Erin Watt forever. Even if I have to habitually reread them. What I would have liked from this book was to also get Hartley’s point of view. I would have loved to get to know her better from her thoughts and what she’s doing and going through. It would have added something else to this book.

Hartley’s family is absolutely terrible. I thought I had seen shitty families in books, but this takes it to a whole new level. I mean Parker, Hartley’s sister, puts her daughters pony over her own sister. How messed up is that? That’s only scratching the non spoiler surface. We don’t even find out much about the bad things her family has done but they are so terrible that I didn’t even need to hear all the things they had done before deciding I hated them.

What I didn’t like was that Ella felt a bit like the wet blanket friend. That may just be because it’s from Easton’s point of view and he’s a bit out of control, but I love Ella and this made me see her from a different light. Also I miss her and Reed, I hope we get more of those two in the next book.