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

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

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.

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

SLAYED
Author: Amanda Marrone

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse; Original edition (October 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416994874
• ISBN-13: 978-1416994879

SUMMARY:

The Van Helsing family has been hunting vampires for over one hundred years, but sixteen-year-old Daphne wishes her parents would take up an occupation that doesn’t involve decapitating vamps for cash. All Daphne wants is to settle down in one place, attend an actual school, and finally find a BFF to go to the mall with. Instead, Daphne has resigned herself to a life of fast food, cheap motels and buying garlic in bulk. 

But when the Van Helsings are called to a coastal town in Maine, Daphne’s world is turned upside down. Not only do the Van Helsings find themselves hunting a terrifying new kind of vampire (one without fangs but with a taste for kindergarten cuisine), Daphne meets her first potential BF! The hitch? Her new crush is none other than Tyler Harker, AKA, the son of the rival slayer family. 

What’s a teen vampire slayer to do? 

MY THOUGHTS:

First of all, I love the cover!  I love the upshot angle of the camera focusing on our heroine with the stake in her hand. Unfortunately, that was about all that I loved about this book.

Daphne dreams of being a normal teenage girl with normal friends and school.  Unfortunately, she comes from a long line of vampire slayers and is forced by her parents to stay true to the family business.  While I wasn’t a big fan of Daphne, I did enjoy Kiki in the story.  She was a laugh out loud riot throughout the whole story. 

The writing wasn’t amazing, but it was bearable.  It came across childish even though Daphne is suppose to be seventeen in the story.  I felt she acted more like a fifteen year old than a near adult.  The plot of the story also left me feeling like the story would never end.  Sometimes this can be a good thing, but in this instance, it was tiresome and I found myself hoping each chapter was the last. The story could have been great, yet I felt it only to be so-so.  The characters never really captured my interest enough to really care what happened.

An okay book, but not one I would reread anytime soon, if ever.

MY RATING:

• Paperback: 82 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (November 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1453808418
• ISBN-13: 978-1453808412