The Taming of the Wolf by Lydia Dare

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THE TAMING OF THE WOLF
Author: Lydia Dare
Source: Publisher
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (November 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402244371
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402244377

SUMMARY:

Regency England has gone to the wolves!

He could never lose control…
Dashiel Thorpe, Earl of Brimsworth, has spent his life fighting the wolf within him. But when the full moon rises, Dash is helpless. A chance encounter with Caitrin Macleod on a moonlit night inadvertently binds the two together irrevocably, and Dash’s impulsiveness plunges them both into a nightmare…

She never saw him coming…
Caitrin Macleod is no quiet country lass, but a witch with remarkable abilities. But when it comes to Dashiel, she’s as helpless to fight his true nature as he is. Her senses overwhelmed, she runs back to the safety and security of her native Scotland… 

But Dashiel is determined to follow her-she’s the only woman who can free him from a fate worse than death. And Caitrin will ultimately have to decide whether she’s running from danger, or true love…

MY THOUGHTS:

What more can I say about this author and her books that I haven’t said before?  The books are amazing and the writing is spectacular! With each book, my love of the series just grows even more!

Like the title suggests, Dashiel must learn how to tame his beast side.  Unfortunately, Caitrin finds herself mixed into the lesson against her will.  It leaves consequences that will leave both of them with choices to make.  They each have their own set of secrets they choose to keep, while Dash is trying to convince Caitrin to marry him.

Filled with humor, secrets, suspense and exceptional writing, I found myself actually liking Dash  in this book.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy his story since he was around in previous books.  Yet, after just a few chapters, Dash grew on me.  Now that I have finished the story, I find myself missing him!

Caitrin was headstrong and matched Dash perfectly!  She wasn’t going to just roll over and give in to him just because he wanted her to.  She was the perfect balance to Dash’s personality.  She could match him with each remark he made.  I loved seeing her interact with Dash.

If you are a fan of Lydia Dare and her series, then this is another amazing read to add to your collection!  You won’t be disappointed and the books are just getting better with each one!

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

(ARC Review) The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

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THE LOST SAINT
Dark Divine Novel #2
Author: Bree Despain
Source: Publisher
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 416 pages
  • Publisher: EgmontUSA (December 28, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1606840584
  • ISBN-13: 978-1606840580

SUMMARY:

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process. 

Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot, a newcomer to town. But as the two grow closer, Grace’s relationship with Daniel is put in danger — in more ways than one. 

Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her — not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung. 

MY THOUGHTS:

After reading The Dark Divine, I was hooked on this authors writing and story.  When I heard that The Lost Saint would be released in December, I was on cloud nine!  I knew that this would be another action packed and heart stopping read to follow up the first book.  When the publisher offered it to me for review, I clicked yes and sent that email faster than I could blink. That is how much I love this author and her story!

When The Lost Saint starts out, Daniel is training Grace to balance her new powers. Grace needs to learn how to control the wolf so it doesn’t overtake her.  While they are star gazing afterwards, Grace receives a call from Daniels phone.  We find out that Jude is on the other line and trying to warn Grace.  When Daniel and Grace arrive at Daniels house though, Jude is already gone.

From that chapter on, the book is filled with suspense and mystery.  Daniel starts to change in personality and you will be surprised as to why.  I actually found myself getting mad at Daniel throughout this book and couldn’t believe half of what he was doing!  I wanted Grace to slap some sense into him!  I missed the Daniel from the first book and the author teased you throughout the whole story with the sudden change in Daniel.  When the book comes to a close, we realize why Daniel has been acting the way he has and it will throw not only the reader for a shock, but for Grace as well.  I had tears in the last chapter and couldn’t believe the author left us with that cliffhanger!  I wanted to throw the book in frustration and call Ms. Despain up and ask her how she could do that to us!

Now, as the release date approaches,  I find myself undecided if I should let the author know how frustrated I am!  On one hand it is great for the book, but on the other hand, I am one frustrated and impatient reader!  The author needs to write faster and give the reader more quickly!  This is one series that just keeps getting better with each book.  I look forward to the next book in the series!  This is one series that does not disappoint and will keep the reader engaged in the plot up until the last page.  Have tissues on hand and be prepared to read from page one straight to the end with no breaks!

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

(ARC Review) Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

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DEMONGLASS
Hex Hall #2
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Source: Around the World Tours

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (February 15, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1423121317
  • ISBN-13: 978-1423121312

SUMMARY:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Acher to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

MY THOUGHTS:

Oh my! Where do I even begin with this book? After reading Hex Hall, I was so excited to read this book!  The cover was amazing, and the book surpassed my expectations! Author Rachel Hawkins has an amazing gift for writing books that capture your interest and keep you gripping the pages until the end.

Sophie is such an amazing main character! It seems nothing fazes her, but we all know that inside she is far from calm at times.  Of course we get to be introduced to Archer again, and be prepared to be swooning.  We finally get some background on him that makes the character realistic and believable.  We also get to meet Sophie’s Father in this book. Not only does he make an appearance, but it is in the beginning of the book when it matters, not near the end at a climax. Cal also makes a reappearance and when you find out why he so involved in this book by Chapter 3, you will be shocked and laughing at the whole situation. Be prepared to have your feelings flip flop between Cal and Archer by the end of the book.  I was on the fence about this part of the story only because it is such a hard decision that Sophie will have to make.

Full of surprises and gripping suspense, the author balances the fun and romance as well.  With another cliffhanger to tease the readers, all I can say is write faster Rachel Hawkins! Don’t leave us in suspense again for too long!  Demonglass, in my opinion, was better than Hex Hall.  The writing has improved, the story is progressing, and the witty dialogue and suspense is amazing!

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

(ARC Review) Hungry For You by Lynsay Sands

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HUNGRY FOR YOU
An Argeneau Novel
Source: HarperCollins
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Avon; Original edition (November 30, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061894575
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061894572

SUMMARY:

This vampire has been alone for far too long . . . 

As one of the most ancient in the Argeneau clan, Cale Valens has given up on finding a life mate. His friends and family, however, have not. In fact, they believe they’ve finally found his perfect match. Getting them together, however, requires one little white lie . . . 

Alexandra Willan is in a panic. Her restaurant is due to open in two weeks, but her chef just walked out. Then a highly recommended replacement arrives, an impossibly handsome culinary genius who sends electric tingles racing through her body . . . 

Except he can’t cook. In fact, Cale hasn’t eaten real food in two thousand years. Yet he’s determined to prove to Alex his prowess in the kitchen . . . and elsewhere. Because never has he hungered so for any mortal woman. And not just for a taste of her, but for the whole delicious feast! 

MY THOUGHTS:

I am a HUGE fan of Lynsay Sands. She is an auto buy for me no matter what the story is about.  In the latest installment in the Argeneau series, we are introduced to Cale and Alex. 

We have met Alex in previous books.  She is the sister to Jo and Sam Willan.  While those two have already found their life mates in previous books, I was waiting on pins and needles to see who the author would pair chef and restaurant owner Alex with.  While Cale is no Chef, the author made sure to fit Alex with him as a balance.  Cale is a business man and hasn’t cooked in over a thousand years if not more.  When he finds out that Alex is his life mate though, he does try to cook and woo her at the same time.

Alex hires Cale as her project/business manager since she would rather be head chef at her restaurant then handle the paperwork.  Cale is happy to oblige, and Alex finds their growing attraction hard to resist.  When they share some sexy dreams, Alex finds her wall of defense crumbling. 

I must say that after certain scenes in the book, I will never look at a microwave again without laughing out loud!  While I loved the characters of Cale and Alex, my favorite had to be Bricker again for saving the day when Cale found himself messing something up.  Bricker trying to teach Cale how to use a microwave and how to cook was hilarious.  Ms. Sands never fails with the witty and fun writing that also has the sexy romance we crave.  She balances it perfectly and the writing is phenomenal!  While the story ended in a bit of a rush, I still was very satisfied with the book.  The author also explains things to where if this is the first book you pick up and read, everything is explained without having to read the prior books. 

Another fantastic read that quenched my thirst for paranormal romance! Bravo Ms. Sands for another outstanding read in the series.

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

(ARC Review) The Locket by Stacey Jay

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THE LOCKET
Author: Stacey Jay
Source: Around the World ARC Tours

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Razorbill (February 3, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1595143351
  • ISBN-13: 978-1595143358

SUMMARY:

For Katie, life as Isaac Tayte’s girlfriend was pretty much perfect. Until the night she messed everything up by cheating on him with their mutual best friend, Mitch. Katie is devastated over her mistake – and she’ll do anything to get Isaac back.

Then, on her seventeenth birthday, she discovers a strange, beautiful locket. When she puts it on, Katie finds herself going back in time – to the night she and Mitch kissed. At first, Katie is thrilled at the chance to do it all over again. If she can only change the past, she might be able to save her perfect future with Isaac. But as other aspects of her life become inexplicably altered, she realizes that second chances come with a dark price. Katie can’t help but wonder: is fate meant to be tampered with – or is the most extraordinary kind of life the one that’s far from perfect?  


MY THOUGHTS:


What would you do if you could travel back in time and change something you wish could be done again? Would you change it, or would you leave it as part of the past?


Katie finds out that having a way to travel back in time through a locket, might just be her chance to fix a mistake and keep her life perfect.  What Katie doesn’t realize at first is that changing the past also changes the future of others.  When Katie travels back into the past she finds that not only can she change that one mistake, but she also changes the outcome for the lives of her friends, family and even strangers. 


Katie was your typical teenager in high school that wants to fix her perfect relationship with Isaac after a misunderstanding of sorts with their best friend Mitch.  At the thought of being dumped by Isaac, Katie wishes for a do over.  When the locket grants her wish, Katie realizes that things are different now, but not always in a good way.  She finds herself becoming someone entirely different and with new friends as well.  She never felt good enough to be Isaac’s girlfriend, yet she was always trying to be what everyone expected her to be.  When things backfire in the do over though, she finds herself drawn to Mitch more than she should be. 


I enjoyed this book from beginning to end.  While I loved Katie and adored Mitch, Isaac was not one of my favorites.  I didn’t like the way he treated Katie in any of the time frames.  He never really acted like a boyfriend to her.  Mitch on the other hand was always there for her and Katie failed to see what she could have with Mitch.


With suspense and drama, this book is sure to be a hit for teens and adults who always think about do overs in life.  A great new story from a wonderful author who knows how to right teen angst.  


MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!