Category Archives: 4 Flames

VAMPIRE CRUSH
Author: A.M. Robinson
Source: Library Loan

Reading level: Ages 13 and up
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen (December 28, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061989711
ISBN-13: 978-0061989711

I swear, my life was always totally normal. 

Normal house, normal family, normal school. My looks are average, I don’t have any superpowers, no one’s showing up to tell me I’m a princess—you get the picture. But when my junior year started, something not normal happened. There were new kids at school . . . new kids with a wardrobe straight out of a 19th-century romance novel, and an inexplicable desire to stay at school until sundown. 

And on top of that, James Hallowell showed up. James, who stole my sandwiches in fourth grade and teased me mercilessly through middle school. James, who now seems to have the power to make my heart race any time he comes near. 

But something weird is going on. Because James rarely goes out during the day. And he seems stronger than your typical guy. And he knows the new kids, all of whom seem to be harboring some kind of deep secret. . . 

I have waited forever to read this book after seeing so many reviews on it, and I have to say that it was worth the wait.  This is the authors first book, but you wouldn’t know it by the writing that was printed on the pages between two gorgeous covers.

Sophie is an investigative reporter for her school newspaper.  When she is handed the assignment to interview the new group of kids at school, she finds out more than what she bargained for.  To add to the mysterious friends who have arrived in her school, her friend James arrives back in town at the same time after moving away long ago.  What she discovers though about them all is the fact that they are vampires and determined in finding a special girl who is attending the school.  When she discovers that James is also a vampire now, she struggles with her crush on him and whether or not he is the same James from before on the inside.

Yes, the book is predictable and cliche, but I found myself enjoying the writing so much that it didn’t even bother me.  I loved the witty banter between everyone and the romance between  Sophie and James was sweet and fun.  I wanted more romance between the two, but the author balanced it out well enough to keep the reader happy by the end.  I loved Violet and her crazy ways of trying to fit in by using tons of teen magazines as guides.  The other were okay, but I found Violet to be the best of the bunch.  Vlad was just mean and nasty and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen to him and if Sophie would be the one to do it. 

I do hope that the author plans on writing a sequel to this book because some things were not finalized in the story.  Yes, you are left with a finished book, but you can’t help but wonder on a few things and it leaves it open for a sequel.  Plus, I need more James and Sophie, so please Ms. Robinson—keep the books coming!

INSTANT TEMPTATION
Wilder #3
Author: Jill Shalvis
Source: Library Loan

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Brava; 1 edition (April 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 075823127X
ISBN-13: 978-0758231277

T.J. Wilder is the perfect package of breathtaking adventure and raw sex appeal. Even better, he’s about to reconnect with the one woman he’s never been able to forget…

Get Your Pulse Racing

To Harley, the landscape around Wishful, California, is exhilarating, untamed, and more than a little dangerous. The same could be said for T.J. Wilder, who’s invited himself along on her trek to study a rare coyote. Harley’s career is riding on this trip, and she doesn’t need a stubborn, incredibly sexy distraction. But T.J. is a professional guide who knows when to stay back and when to provide invaluable expertise-just like he’s done since they were in high school. And Harley, as usual, is torn between throttling him and giving in to the raw attraction that’s been smoldering all these years. 

T.J. knows how proud and capable Harley is, but he’s damned sure not letting her put herself at risk when there are illegal hunters in the area. She needs him, with the same soul-stirring urgency that he’s always craved her. And here, in this beautiful place days from civilization, he’ll finally have a chance to prove it-over and over again…
 

Finally we get to read about TJ Wilder and his romantic journey!  While I will say that the first book in the series was my favorite of all three,  I found that TJ and Harley were a perfect fit!  I have enjoyed Harley all through the series as she has been in each book as well as TJ.  What I liked about this story is the fact that we got to see into Harley’s life better and understand why she has the attitude that she has.

TJ has forgotten the one night of explosive passion he had with Harley from long ago.  He was drunk, wild and not in a good place when they had their first steamy sex session.  Harley unfortunately, can remember it very clearly and has never forgotten about it.  I loved the flirting and witty banter between the two whenever they are within close proximity of each other.  I also enjoyed the fact that the characters from the previous books were involved in this story as well instead of being on the back burner.

Between the laugh out loud moments, the very sexy  sex scenes and the admissions of feelings, I was swept away into the Wilder world from page one.  I didn’t want it to end and I kept hoping that Ms. Shalvis would reveal a long lost brother just so I could get another book out of the series!

THE HIDDEN
The Hollow #3
Author: Jessica Verday
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (September 6, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416978976
ISBN-13: 978-1416978978

A love that knows no bounds.

Abbey knows that Caspian is her destiny. Theirs is a bond that transcends even death. But as Abbey finally learns the full truth about the dark fate that links her to Caspian and ties them both to the town of Sleepy Hollow, she suddenly has some very hard choices to make. Caspian may be the love of her life, but is that love worth dying for?

I have been following the mysterious journey of Caspian and Abbey since the beginning book called The Hollow.  I was sucked into the legend of Sleepy Hollow and the beautiful romance between the characters.  The Hidden is the third and final book in The Hollow trilogy, and the author let it end with a bang. 


I will start off by saying that if you haven’t read the previous books in the series, you will have a hard time understanding what is going on this book.  You will also be confused at the basic plot and who all the characters are.  For this reason, this is not a stand alone novel.  You really need to read the whole series to understand how Caspian and Abbey have made it to this final chapter.  I found myself having to read the previous book before I even attempted to read this one.  I needed a refresher course on their story to be able to remember what has happened previously.  


In The Hidden, secrets will be revealed along with the mysterious death of Kristen.  The reader finally gets closure and answers involving Kristen’s death, her relationship with Vincent, what Vincent really wants, and the future that can be involving Caspian.  Favorite characters are returned to the fold and make an appearance for the the conclusion as well.  The author even gave the reader an unexpected epilogue that finalized the story for the reader. 


If I had to pick one problem with this story, it would be the fact that I have mentioned before in this series.  It moves slowly throughout the book until you reach the ending.  Finally, when the ending was approaching,  it picked up its pace and was great.  I am saddened by the thought that I am finished with this series because I loved Caspian and Abbey so much.  Yet, as they say, all good things must come to an end.  Trust me when I say that it is an ending worth the time of reading about!

INSTANT GRATIFICATION
Wilder #2
Author: Jill Shalvis
Source: Library Loan

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Brava; Original edition (July 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758231253
ISBN-13: 978-0758231253

In Instant Attraction, Jill Shalvis introduced Cameron, Stone, and T.J.—the sexy, daredevil brothers who run Wilder Adventures. And for Stone Wilder, the thrill of a lifetime is about to arrive in a surprising package. . .

The Doctor Is In Deep

Wishful, California, is 3000 miles from Dr. Emma Sinclair’s last job in a New York City ER. It may as well be another galaxy. Here, running her father’s clinic for a summer, Emma treats bee stings, stomach flu, and the occasional pet cat. Plus, she has to contend with patients like Stone Wilder: gorgeous, laid-back, and irritating beyond belief. The man laughs at her. A lot. And Emma loathes him. All except that tiny part of her that wants to throw him on her examining table and break every doctor-patient rule in the book. . .

When Stone tries to help Emma learn to loosen up a bit, he pictures white-water rafting or scenic mountain hikes. Not a mind-blowing affair that shakes them both to the core. Emma’s sure she has no place in a town like Wishful, but Stone knows different. Emma belongs here—in this town, in his life. And convincing this strong-minded, stubborn, sexy woman of that fact will be a challenge no Wilder man could resist. . .

After laughing out loud plenty of times in the first book, Instant Attraction, I knew Stone’s book was going to be a fun and sexy read.  Stone Wilder is the middle brother and I found that he had similar qualities from his two other brothers. 

Stone has been secretly attracted to the new Doctor in town for a bit now.  He has watched her from afar and is ready to start with the flirting.  Emma on the other hand, would rather ignore Stone.  She knows he is attractive and can’t stop thinking about him, but she is only here for a short time.  Her father had a stroke and she took over his office while he recovers.  She still plans on going back to her busy city life once her Father is well enough to return to work.  When Stone just happens to keep getting hurt and needing the assistance of her Doctor expertise, things start to heat up between the two. 

I just loved Stone.  He kept me laughing through out the entire story and his efforts to break down Emma’s wall were great.  Emma on the other hand is the complete opposite of Stone.  Where Stone is laid back and easy going, Emma is uptight and orderly.  How these two are attracted to one another is a miracle in itself.  Yet as you read the story, you can’t help but notice they are perfect for each other.  I loved how they supported each other on certain things and they both wanted something more in life. 

While I am not a big fan of the cover, as many others have agreed to, the story within is well worth the read.  Even though this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone.  But if you want the full swoon worthy effect of the Wilder brothers, I recommend starting with the first one and reading them in order.

WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD
The Company of Angels #1
Author: Stephanie Chong
Source: Planned TV Arts
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Mira (August 23, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 077831247X
ISBN-13: 978-0778312475

Fledging guardian angel and yoga teacher Serena St. Clair dares enter Devil’s Paradise nightclub on a mission—to retrieve the wayward Hollywood “It Boy” she’s assigned to protect. But she’s ambushed by the club’s owner, arch demon Julian Ascher. The most powerful demonic entity in Los Angeles, Julian is handsome as sin, a master of temptation who loves nothing more than corrupting pleasure–seeking humans. He won’t release the lost soul Serena is supposed to guard. Unless she accepts his dangerous wager…

After the disastrous way his human life ended, Julian vowed that no woman would get the better of him again. Yet this sexy–sweet angel, smelling of fresh ocean air and happiness, triggers centuries–old feelings. Now, their high–stakes game of seduction, where angels fall from grace and where demons fear to tread, will lead them either to an eternity in hell.or a deliciously hot heaven.

Humans, Angels and Demons…OH MY!  Ever wonder what Guardian Angels are and who they might be?  In Where Demons Fear to Tread by author Stephanie Chong, we get these questions answered and more.  We learn about the Demons and their way of capturing souls while the Guardian Angels are trying their best to keep the humans on the right track.  When Archdemon Julian Ascher notices Guardian Angel Serena St. Clair in his club, he immediately wants to know more about her.  Not only is she innocent and sexy, she happens to be an Angel who is on his turf.  When the two meet and strike a bargain, it is a fight for the soul of an innocent man named Nick Ramirez.

Usually, I don’t have much luck with books involving Angels.  They either work or they don’t.  In the case of this book, putting an Angel and an Archdemon together made this story sexy, intriguing and climatic. As Serena starts to piece together the puzzle her boss has handed down to her involving Julian, she also starts to fall in love for the bad guy.  Falling for a demon is not allowed, but she can’t help the feelings she is experiencing for Julian.  Of course, Julian is feeling the same and they both put up a good fight in not succumbing to their passion.  What they both don’t know is that a Demon can be rehabilitated and can have his soul returned to good.  Can Serena help him discover and accept this?

I really enjoyed this book.  I loved the dynamics between the two characters and the ease of writing the author used for the reader.  It flowed wonderfully and you could feel the chemistry between the two on each page.  While I wasn’t a big fan of Nick in the book, mainly because he was spoiled and pushy, I liked how his character was the basis in the relationship of Serena and Julian.  Without Nick, they never would have met.

If you are looking for a new author to read, and love the supernatural of Angels and Demons with romance thrown in, then Stephanie Chong is the author for you.  You will be swept away in adventure, passion and redemption.  A new author for me to keep an eye on.