Samantha Watkins by Aurelie Venem

Samantha Watkins by Aurélie Venem
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**I received an ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
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This book was a terrific read even though it took a little bit for me to get "into" the story. The writing style is quite a bit different from my typical reads, but that was refreshing.

This is the story of Sam - a quiet, fairly insular woman - who loses everything and in the process gains a whole new world. On the way home from her mundane job as a librarian she comes across something she was never meant to see, and in one fell swoop her whole world changes. Unable to return to her former life or risk death she must become a stronger, more confident version of herself.

It is well-told from Sam's point of view with plenty of detail and sub-plots as well as the main story to increase the reader's involvement in the storyline. I would love to read the next installment to see if the author manages to keep up the quality of the plot.

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RYLEE (The Rylee Adamson Epilogues) by Shannon Mayer

Rylee by Shannon Mayer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review.**
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OMGEEEEEEEE!! Rylee is back - taking names and kicking butt!

True fans all bawled buckets of tears when Blood of the Lost ended. But, because she screams so loudly in her author's head, now we get to see where Rylee has ended up a year later.

Rylee is having trouble transitioning from Tracker to daywalking vampire. When she transitioned she lost her tracking abilities and immunity. She has gained immense strength and healing abilities among other things, but to remain alive she now requires blood - something only a monster would require to her previous mindset - and that is causing her to question who she really is. Her fears and worries are holding her back from her patchwork family, and while the love remains as strong as ever her relationship with Liam is strained.

Enter a job... While she has either passed off to other family members - or completely rejected - most jobs for months now, this one calls to her. Liam agrees that she should do this job as a way of finding not only the lost girl, but also herself. Her investigation leads her into The Pit. And, of course, Rylee manages to find new friends along the way.

Another awe-inspiring chapter in the world of Rylee Adamson by Shannon Mayer! I can't wait to read more in the epilogues!

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Midnight Star by Karpov Kinrade

Midnight Star by Karpov Kinrade
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review.**
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Who wants to be ordinary... when you can be extraordinary?!

First... WHOA! Second... I mean REALLY WHOA! Ariana's sojourn in Hell continues with her month now being passed to Asher as she has been kidnapped by the fae. Of course, there is a reason for the kidnapping - beyond annoying the demon lords, and Ari soon finds herself embroiled in even deeper political issues than before.

The fae teach Ari some of what she needs to know about her newly awakening powers, and then she's off to finish the month in Asher's castle. The demon lords are fighting about how to handle the changes - as usual, and Ari is discovering the true depths of her love for Fen as well as what she is truly capable of.

Apparently I do not have the mind of a writer - I mean, really, look how often these reviews sound similar - but beyond that the twists and turns with extremely detailed imagery in Karpov Kinrade's arsenal just astound me! Every book I've read abounds with exquisite detail letting the reader imagine themselves within the story much like watching a movie. Time passes, and you aren't sure where it went!

The ending... well, I'm going to make you read it for yourself, but I didn't see that coming! I feel like I should have, but I didn't!

PS - I adore Baron. Yami has his own charm, but Baron still holds my heart.

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The Last of the Firedrakes by Farah Oomerbhoy

The Last of the Firedrakes by Farah Oomerbhoy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**I received a ebook in exchange for an honest review.**
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Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings meets Chronicles of Narnia!

An epic tale of a young queen-to-be that begins with her having absolutely no knowledge of her heritage. Imagine growing up as a completely "normal" human... only to learn that you are actually one of the strongest fae-mages ever known in the history of your realm! Aurora is living in the home of her "aunt" and "uncle who do not like - or even love - her after the death of her adoptive parents. Lately strange dreams have been plaguing her, and she cannot understand why. Then her "uncle" tries to sell her, and all the pieces start to fall into place.

As Aurora travels through her realm she gathers friends, companions, and of course, enemies. The intricacies of her journey and her personal growth during it make for a fine read for the young and young at heart alike. I can't wait to read the continuation of her story!

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Numbers Ignite by Rebecca Rode

Numbers Ignite by Rebecca Rode
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review.**
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An exciting ride of a sequel!

Picking up the story a few months after the end of Numbers Game, we find Treena (now going by Amy) on a trek across the world outside the wall in an attempt to reach Vance and the rebels in the mountains. After the tragic bombing of the city center, her stepfather has handed over her position as Empress to her former boyfriend, and she has fled to try to help the rebels overthrow the current status quo.

Her journey gets waylaid when a snakebite almost kills her. While recuperating in a community previously unknown to any except those who lived there, Treena manages to make a place for herself among the people of the community. There are odd things happening on the surface though, and it soon comes to light that SHE is drawing danger to the community.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although I did - once again - have to push my way through the beginning. As much as Treena grew in the first book, this one shows she still had (and probably still has) much more room to grow. By the end of the book she was beginning to take on responsibility more like an adult than a teen or child.

Rebecca's writing brings you into the story, and give you enough specifics to help you "see" the story. I look forward to reading the conclusion to this trilogy.

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Spider Game by Christine Feehan (audio)

Spider Game by Christine Feehan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

After previous stories in this series which I LOVED - this was a disappointment. It seemed that it was more soft porn than paranormal romance. I don't mind some sex scenes in my stories - it tends to spice up the story line normally - but this was overload in the extreme. It was about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way through chapter 10 before we actually saw a story/plotline emerge, and even then it was heavy on the sex which leaned toward BDSM.

I honestly didn't care much for Trap either. His character is the sort of male that puts my hackles up and makes me want to punch someone. He's overbearing, demanding, and expects subservience to an extent that pisses me off.

I also didn't feel the narrator has a tonal range that effectively "read" the women and the men. Most of the characters sounded extremely similar compared to other narrators I've listened to.

Overall it is just very disappointing for me. I'm hoping the next book can redeem my love for the series.

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Shadow Rites by Faith Hunter

Shadow Rites by Faith Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! I've missed a bit of Jane's story, but this was as great as expected!

Jane, Yellowrock Securities, the witchs' conclave, and the Mithrans are preparing for a large meeting to try to reach a peace agreement between the two factions in preparation for the visit of the European Mithrans. As usual nothing can be straightforward when Mithrans are involved, and everything seems to go to wrong. Can Jane & company bring the world back to rights?

Faith's writing is always engaging, adventuresome, and descriptive - bringing the reader into the story as a part of the action. I love reading her stories as they take me out of myself and into another world.

Now to go back, and catch up... lol

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Vampire Girl by Karpoc Kinrade

Vampire Girl by Karpov Kinrade
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.**
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Wow! What an introduction for a new series!

Ari is exactly the type of heroine I love - smart, funny, SARCASTIC, and strong. This is no shrinking violet - when life hands her a tough choice she steps up to the plate, and takes charge of her future. Raised in Portland, with no hint of mystical or mythical, Ari has always had an affinity for the night. Now that "strangeness" is starting to make sense as her mother has fallen into a coma, and the only way to save her is for Ari to agree to marry one of seven brothers - vampires - in order to determine who will rule Hell.

Each brother has been cursed with one of the seven deadly sins, and she must spend a month with each brother in his realm of Hell before deciding whom to marry. First up - Fen, Prince of War. Fen had originally decided to pass on his month with Ari as he has been tasked with seeing to her safety, and has all ready spent some time watching her in Portland. However, when it seems there is a plot afoot which has actually killed their father, the King, he changes his mind.

This story is well written with many intricate details which help you empathize with Ari, and the writing team of Karpov Kinrade has definitely mastered the art of descriptive writing so that you can imagine yourself in the story. I can't wait for book 2!

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Replica by Shannon Mayer & Denise Grover Swank

Replica by Shannon Mayer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

** I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review.**
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Wow! WOW! And, WOWZA! How two authors manage to co-write with two characters who are so similar and so different and make it all blend so seamlessly is beyond me!

Rachel and Lea pick up shortly after where Recombinant left off. Rachel still doesn't realize the full extent of the bond she and Lea now share, and they are going their separate ways to try to fight the powers that be creating the unnatural supernatural creatures that now lurk in the shadows. Fate steps in though, and that's where it gets really interesting! Joined by two men who are almost as similar and different as Rachel and Lea - the women are now in a race against time and outside forces to shut down the Asclepius project.

I love the humor, (sarcasm), action, and emotions that are all a HUGE part of this series. Throw in supernatural creatures and you a have lure I am hopeless to resist!

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Shadow Rites (Faith Hunter) Blog Tour!

If you love Jane Yellowrock then you don't want to miss all the chances to win goodies on this blog tour!  Be sure to stop at each stop for your entries!

Listing of Blog Tour Stops