Review: Beautiful Redemption (Maddox Brothers #2) by Jamie McGuire

Beautiful REDEMPTION

The Maddox Brothers

book 2

Jamie McGuire

Adult / Romance 

If A Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever. But what if he didn't love you, first? 

No-nonsense Liis Lindy is an agent of the FBI. Deciding she is married only to her job, she breaks off her engagement and transfers from Chicago to the field office in San Diego. She loves her desk. She is committed to her laptop. She dreams of promotions and shaking hands with the director after cracking an impossible case.

Special Agent in Charge Thomas Maddox is arrogant, unforgiving, and ruthless. He is tasked with putting away some of the world’s toughest criminals, and he is one of the best the Bureau has to offer. Though, as many lives as he’s saved, there is one that is beyond his reach. Younger brother Travis is faced with prison time for his involvement in a basement fire that killed dozens of college students, and the media want a conviction. Travis’s only savior is his unusual tie to the mob. In a deal that will spare his brother, Thomas has agreed to recruit Travis into the FBI.

Liis is stubborn, defiant, and yet somehow softens Thomas’s rough edges, making her the perfect agent to accompany him to the ceremony. Posing as a couple, they must travel to Travis & Abby’s beach vow renewal and give him the news, but when the pretending ends, she finds herself wondering if they were pretending at all.

In the second installment of the Maddox Brothers books, experience firsthand the mysterious world of the elusive Thomas Maddox, and how good love can be when you’re not the first, but the last.

  

Review:

I'm loving this series so far! The Maddox brothers are addicting.

This book follows the story of Thomas (Tommy, TJ) Maddox. He is the oldest of the brothers and took on most of the responsibilities after their mom passed away. He helped raise his younger brothers while his dad was dealing with his wife's death.

You could read this book as a stand alone, but if your at all interested in reading the series I'd definitely recommend reading them in order. This is listed as book 2 in the series, but to get the full story you need to read Beautiful Disaster, Walking Disaster, Beautiful Oblivion, and then Beautiful Redemption. (technically making this the 4th book)

After reading Travis and Trenton's stories I was expecting Thomas to be... well, not what he is! He surprised me, in a good way. With this book we get more into the backstory of the boys and a few more things make sense. Also, this book is a little more adult than the previous books.

I really liked Liis, she is a strong female character that didn't put up with anything from anyone. She wasn't emotional and annoying with the love story like a lot of female characters tend to be. It was refreshing. One of the previous books kind of gave away the conclusion to this one so there wasn't as much suspense as there could of been, but towards the end a twist is thrown at you so fast it'll make your head spin!

I can't wait to read the next book! 

Tons of Prizes being Given Away!

The Party may be over, but the Giveaways are open until Midnight on Oct. 31. 

Join the fun HERE

 

Go join in on the fun and win some amazing prizes! 

I even pinned a post to the top with links to the giveaways so you don't even have to search through all the posts to find them!! 

Good Luck, and Happy Halloween! 

RELEASE DAY: Whiteout (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #5) by Nikki Jefford

  

RELEASE DAY BLITZ

Whiteout (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter, #5)

by Nikki Jefford

NA Paranormal/ Urban Fantasy

Life on the run is no winter picnic, especially when Aurora’s partner sees himself as the sheriff, not the outlaw.

It’s a cat and mouse game across the Last Frontier with agents and vampires out for blood while Fane searches desperately to find Aurora before rogue vampires do.

The hunters have become the hunted. And the road to freedom has never felt more uncertain.

iBooks

Amazon US

Amazon UK  

Kobo

Begin the Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter series FREE!

Reading Order:

#1 Aurora Sky (FREE)

#2 Northern Bites

#2.5 Stakeout 

#2.6 Evil Red (FREE)

#3 Bad Blood

#4 Hunting Season

#4.5 Night of the Living Dante (FREE)

#5 Whiteout

Amazon || iBooks || B&N || Kobo || Smashwords

Nikki Jefford loves fictional bad boys and heroines who kick butt. Books, travel, TV series, hiking, writing and motorcycle riding are her favorite escapes. She loves meeting people from all walks of life, from all around the globe; and wouldn't trade her French husband in for anyone - not even Spike!

She's a third generation Alaskan, born & raised in Anchorage, now living in northern Washington. Crazy about her dog, Cosmo. (Writer's best friend.) The dark side of human nature fascinates her, so long as it's balanced by humor and romance. Believes all animals, people and the planet should be treated kindly.

Her favorite TV heroines are Buffy, Veronica Mars, and Dr. Temperance 'Bones' Brennan.

Keep in touch with Nikki by following her...

FACEBOOK || WEBSITE || TWITTER || NEWSLETTER || AMAZON

Review: Beautiful Oblivion (The Maddox Brothers #1) Jamie McGuire

Beautiful OBLIVION

The Maddox Brothers 

book 1

Jamie McGuire

New Adult / Romance 

Fiercely independent Camille "Cami" Camlin gladly moved on from her childhood before it was over. She has held down a job since before she could drive, and moved into her own apartment after her freshman year of college.

 Now tending bar at The Red Door, Cami doesn’t have time for much else besides work and classes, until a trip to see her boyfriend is cancelled, leaving her with a first weekend off in almost a year.
Trenton Maddox was the king of Eastern State University, dating co-eds before he even graduated high school. His friends wanted to be him, and women wanted to tame him, but after a tragic accident turned his world upside down, Trenton leaves campus to come to grips with the crushing guilt.

Eighteen months later, Trenton is living at home with his widower father, and works full-time at a local tattoo parlor to help with the bills. Just when he thinks his life is returning to normal, he notices Cami sitting alone at a table at The Red.

As the baby sister of four rowdy brothers, Cami believes she’ll have no problem keeping her new friendship with Trenton Maddox strictly platonic. But when a Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever—even if she is the only reason their already broken family could fall apart. 



Review:

As always, I enjoyed this book by Jamie McGuire!

I've grown to love the Maddox boys in the couple of books I've read so far and can't wait to continue on with the next one.

Beautiful Oblivion is Trenton's story. It's packed full of sarcasm, playing hard to get, and some twists and turns. I was blown away with the ending, it was driving me mad trying to figure out what secret Cami was keeping, but I NEVER would have guessed that! Wow, just wow. I have no words for the shock I felt! Loved it.

I loved all the time at the tattoo shop, it has me craving some new ink myself. ;)

I like that the books are all the same basic timeline and we get to see what was going on behind the scenes with the other characters. It answered a few questions I had from Travis' story.

I'm in the process of downloading the next book, so I'm off to continue reading.

****** NOTE ******

While this is listed as book 1 in the series, I would HIGHLY recommend reading the Beautiful Series first! 
Beautiful Disaster - Travis & Abby
Walking Disaster - same story from Travis' pov
 

Release Day: Unleashed by Shadows (By Moonlight #10) by Nancy Gideon

Unleashed by Shadows
By Moonlight
Book 10
Nancy Gideon

Genre: dark paranormal

Date of Publication: 10-26-15
Number of pages:  326

Cover Artist:  Patricia Lazarus

 Description: 

He feared no man, no foe, no obstacle or challenge . . .
 

Burdened by the weight of his secrets and his father’s sins, the need for redemption pulls Cale Terriot from his duty to his clan and the arms of his new mate into deadly intrigues in a rival territory.  His dangerous masquerade in a high-stakes Shifter fight club is about to be exposed to those who would show no mercy – if he can survive in the ring.
 
How to protect a prince turned king made pawn?
 
Fearing she’ll lose her soulmate to the darkness he carries inside, Kendra Terriot, newly made queen in the Shape-shifter House of Terriot, must provide him with an heir in order to save his life . . . and his soul.  But first she must risk all to coax him back from the edge of violence inherited with his crown.
 
Can her love tear him from an unbreakable vow that can only end in death?
 
Amazon    Kobo


 About the Author:

Nancy Gideon is the award winning author of over 58 romances ranging from historical, regency and series contemporary suspense to dark paranormal, with a couple of horror screenplays tossed into the mix, and is currently testing the “Hybrid author” waters.  She works full time as a legal assistant in Southwestern Michigan, and when not at the keyboard, feeds a Netflix addiction along with all things fur, fin and fowl. She’s also written under the pen names Dana Ransom, Rosalyn West and Lauren Giddings, and is a member of the Mid-Michigan, PAN and FF&P Chapters of RWA.
 

  Website     Blog      Facebook     Twitter
 
Pinterest     Goodreads     Amazon
 
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New Release: No Way Out Series: SIN (book 1) by Shari J. Ryan

SIN

No Way Out Serial Series; Book 1

86 pages

Published by: Booktrope Editions

Published: October 15, 2015

Blurb:

I’m called Sin. People think there’s a reason for my name, and they might be right.

Most of us think we live in a world that runs on truth, politics, and laws. We don’t. We live in a world full of lies and deceit. That’s why some of us are here in the town of Chipley. Two hundred prisoners and Reese. Sweet, innocent Reese, who was taken and held captive in a shed for three years by my father.

Releasing her is dangerous, but I have to.

She’ll think she’s being saved. She’ll think she’s getting a second chance. She’ll think she’s finding a speck of light in the darkness her world has become.

But the light reveals what the darkness has concealed. And it isn't pretty.

In Shari J. Ryan’s Psychological Thriller, you’ll be left questioning the definition of truth.

**This is a serial novel, which means it is part one of many. THIS IS NOT A STAND- ALONE novel. There will be a cliffhanger. But never fear book 2 will be out soon.**

ADD TO GOODREADS

Buy Links:

Amazon US -> AU -> CA -> UK

Barnes & Noble -> iBooks (Coming Soon)

Excerpt:

A loud flutter sounds from the sky, and I look to see if there is a plane up above, wondering where it's coming from and where it's going. The right direction might point us toward a nearby city. Regardless, there's an aircraft, which means Sin and I aren't completely lost in the middle of nowhere. Not as it seems anyway.  A helicopter finally appears on the horizon behind us, and heads in the direction we're walking. The sound of the propellers biting at the wind becomes painfully loud as it flies over our head, and the rush of air nearly knocks me over. I can't help but wonder why it's flying so low over this town.

"Bad timing," Sin says. He stops suddenly and drags me off the path and behind one of the sheds where no one can see us. Over here, I see trees in the distance. They're the first trees I've seen—maybe that means there's a road on the other side of them.

"Should we go that way?" I ask, pointing toward the green blur of leaves.

"No. That's not the right way," he says. Sin squats down, pulling me down with him until I'm resting on my knees. "Listen. In the next few minutes, you might see things that scare you, and when you see what I'm talking about, I'm going to need you to remain calm."

"I am calm." Not necessarily inside, but I'm good at pretending.

"I know you are easily excitable, and I can understand why, but right now, it's important that we stay calm." He places his hands on my shoulders and looks me in the eyes. "Do you understand?"

My skin tingles beneath his touch, even separated by the thin material of my shirt. "Please tell me what's going on."

He nods his head and looks away from me. "We left the safe area. The shed and the basement—those are safe zones, meant for the caretakers. Chipley is an isolated town, imprisoning many people from the outside. Including us."

"Isolated?" Imprisoning… Care takers?

"There's no way out. Not that I have found yet. We're surrounded by an electrified wall." Every piece of hope I had developed over the past twenty-four hours has shattered into a pile of dread. "I don't know if we'll make it out, but we're damn well going to try. And this might be the only way."

"What is the reason we are confined in this town?" I ask, unsure if I want to know the truth.

"You and I are the only two people who don't have a reason to be here. So, I can't answer that." There's no reason for why I was taken. There's no reason for why I'm confined to some compound of a town.

"And there's no reason for why you are suddenly so kind to me… I don't understand any of this, Sin. And I most definitely don't understand you." My breaths shudder as I try to compose my anger, sadness, and fear. "You've been so mean to me, but then there are moments like now, where you're nice. Why?"

"I'm angry," he says through a growl. "Your existence here has made this more complicated than it once was for me. I need to protect you. And for that, part of me feels resentment. However, the other part of me feels deeply connected to you, and for that reason…I can't fully resent you."

"I didn't ask for this," I tell him. "And you don't need to make me your problem."

"It's too late," he says as his hand cups around my cheek. Gentler than I thought capable, he presses his lips against my forehead and pulls me in against his chest. Again, I hear his heart beating—the comforting sound of not being alone. Warmth covers my body from the roots of my hair to the tips of my toes. I hate how he makes me feel so many different things at the same time. "Reese, I will do what I can to keep you safe."

"Safe from what?"

Before he has a chance to either ignore my question or answer me, I hear his name called again. "Sin," the voice shouts in a whisper. I glance over Sin's shoulder, seeing that man with the blanket again. JJ. He's limping toward us with a paper bag. Food? I pull out of sin's arms and take a few steps toward the man. I'm starving.

"Is that food?" I ask.

"Reese, no!" Sin shouts.

About the Author:

International Bestselling Author, Shari J. Ryan, hails from Central Massachusetts where she lives with her husband and two lively little boys. Shari has always had an active imagination and enjoys losing herself in the fictional worlds she creates.

When Shari isn’t writing or designing book covers, she can usually be found cleaning toys up off the floor.

To learn more, visit her: Website, Facebook, or Twitter. Also, you can find her here:   TSu, Pinterest, and Google+.

Shari’s other books: Red Nights, TAG, You’re It, Schasm, Fissure Free, and When Fully Fused.

Review: Life and Death (Twilight Re Imagined) Stephenie Meyer

Life and Death

Twilight Re Imagined

Stephenie Meyer

Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Twilight! This special double-feature book includes the classic novel, Twilight, and a bold and surprising reimagining, Life and Death, by Stephenie Meyer.


This edition features nearly 400 pages of new content as well as exquisite new back cover art. Readers will relish experiencing the deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful love story of Bella and Edward through fresh eyes.


Review: 

I'll admit, I was intrigued by this gender swap idea, I wanted to see how much of the story would remain the same and if the characters would really work in reverse.

Sometimes I wish my curiosity didn't get the better of me...

I loved Twilight, it is what started my love of reading. With that said, this was no Twilight. It's almost as bad as some of the fan fiction that I've seen online. While the writing is good, the characters are not! You cannot give a male character all the quirks that Bella had and expect him to be likable. He came off as weak and pathetic - I'm pretty sure Bella was stronger than he is - and the first time he started to tear up I was nearly done. I wanted to bury the book in the back of my shelf never to be seen again...

I pushed on though, through the mundane daily routine of a high school boy that is obsessed with a girl. Not just any girl, a tiny girl that acts like a man at times and an obsessed teen girl at others. The amount of detail that was put into the extra days at school and his inner monologue were way over the top! I think Stephenie Meyer took all the criticism of her original story to heart, at least when it came to the I Love You's... it's ridiculous how many times it's said in this book! 
 
At first I thought it was going to be the same story start to finish, but finally it started to differ a little, with a few of the original scenes. Near the end when they find themselves in the ballet studio is when the story finally changes completely. This is the only thing that saved the book. I would have rated it a 2 otherwise (points for the writing ability).

In my opinion this is a failed experiment. The role reversal does not work. If she wanted to give the readers something new, it should have been something we actually wanted - like a completed Midnight Sun. The few chapters that were released were even better than the original story and I would LOVE to read the whole story from Edwards pov.  

I give this barely 3 Stars
 

Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter - Whiteout (Book #5) Pre-Order Sale

 -- The Hunters Have Become The Hunted --
WHITEOUT

iBooks: http://apple.co/1Vn21Fz
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PfrFHj
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1VCbLfa
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Z7jcdF

NEW to the series? Start book one FREE:
iBooks: http://apple.co/1iJOx44
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1aIeJsl
B&N: http://bit.ly/1wBBdl4
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1FRyFrN
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1wBiJRU

Author Event: The Brookehaven Vampires 5th Anniversary

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 

Not only is it Laney's Birthday, but it's the 5th Anniversary of the series original release date! 

Come join us for lots of games and prizes! There will be a question and answer session with the author, Joann I. Martin Sowles, as well as a possible sneak peek at the next book. 

Click --> HERE <-- to join the party! 

 Be sure to invite your friends, you never know - there may be a prize for that.  

There's even a chance you could find yourself carrying around one of my custom book purses! 
 

Click --> HERE <-- to join the party! 

 

Review: Evil Red (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #2.6) Nikki Jefford

Evil Red

Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter

Novella 2.6

Nikki Jefford

L.A. is one tough city, especially while sharing a trailer with four thieving sisters.

Valerie’s plans for a better life and Hollywood grandeur are interrupted after a fateful stabbing lands her in Anchorage, Alaska where government agents expect her to play the role of a vampire hunting La Femme Nikita.

The redheaded vixen is back in her own novelette.

Recommended after Northern Bites (Aurora Sky, Vol. 2) or Stakeout (Vol. 2.5). Approximately 20,000 words.



Review: 


I really enjoyed this story which I didn't expect. 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this series, it's one of my favorites - I just wasn't thrilled to read about Valerie; I can't stand her character! Turns out it was a great read. I don't hate her quite as much...

We learn so much about Valerie's life before she 'died', and then we finally find out how she and Fane became a couple. This story answered a lot of questions that I had, and a few more pieces of the puzzle are falling into place now! Oh, and I think I love Fane a little more after this.

I know a lot of people skip the short stories in a series (I do it myself sometimes) but these are really worth the read. I can't tell you how much more the story makes sense after reading this! I wish now that I'd read it between books like it was meant to be... there would have been a lot less who, what, when, where, and why going on in my head!! 
 

Review: Forsaken (Secret Life of Amy Bensen #3) Lisa Renee Jones

Forsaken

The Secret Life of Amy Bensen

book 3

Lisa Renee Jones

Adult, Mystery & Romance

In this third book in the sexy, suspenseful “The Secret Life of Amy Bensen” series from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones, we meet Amy’s brother Chad—and the woman who either loves him or wants him dead.

Six years ago, Chad’s hunt for a dangerous treasure turned deadly when his family home was set on fire, his parents killed. Faking his and his sister Amy’s death to protect her from further retaliation, he set her up in a new life with a friend’s help, letting her believe he’d died.

But now the men who hired Chad to find the treasure have found him, imprisoning and torturing him to learn where it’s hidden. A dark-haired beauty named Gia helps him escape, promising him access to his worst enemy. And as he tries to unravel the deep secrets of the past, he starts falling for her…only to discover she’s not what she seems.

Unable to trust anyone, Chad focuses on only two things: protecting his sister Amy and getting revenge. Is love even possible in the midst of heartache?


Review:

I almost didn't read this book, but I'm glad I did.
I really liked the first one, but not so much the second so I wasn't sold on trying the third... Having it from Chad's point of view is was ultimately pushed me to continue the series and I'm really glad I did.

This book basically answers all the questions that piled up while reading the first two. We finally get the full story on what happened six years ago, we learn who we can and cannot trust, and then there are some more crazy twists thrown into the mix to keep it interesting.

Forsaken is packed full of action, suspense, romance, and most importantly... answers!  
 

Review: Stakeout (Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter #2.5) Nikki Jefford

Stakeout

Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter

book 2.5

Nikki Jefford

(STAKEOUT is an Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter novella told from Noel Harper’s POV. Approximately 54,000 words.)

 Noel Harper got a second chance at life when the government recruited her as an undercover vampire informant. Since the day they brought her back from the good-as-dead, she has wanted to prove herself worthy.

When a member of her investigative unit is murdered, Noel is paired up with a vampire hunter named Dante to spy on a suspect in Fairbanks. The problem? They're not the only ones on stakeout. Taking down murderous vampires is one thing. Dealing with the past is another. But this time, Noel isn't letting fear win. She's calling in help from the other side and discovers a shocking secret along the way.


Review:


Short and sweet, with a little sass.

In this novella we get to know Noel, Fane and Dante a little better.

After reading Stakeout I find that I like Noel more. Just based on her character in the books I found her a bit sketchy at times, and I wasn't sure Aurora should trust her. This book clears up a lot of the issues I had with her and the pieces are starting to come together for the bigger picture!

We spend a little more time with Dante and see a different side to him. (One that is not trying to seduce Aurora) I liked him more that way, but that has a lot to do with me being on team Fane. ;)

Speaking of Fane, I love him even more. He gives off this bad boy stereotype, but it turns out he's super sweet and willing to do anything for a friend! Even if that means hurting them for their own protection!

I love this series and I can't wait to read more! 

 

New Release: Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined by Stephenie Meyer

So it's the 10th anniversary of Twilight and Stephenie Meyer has promised some bonus content... 

I was really hoping for a completed Midnight Sun, but what I was not expecting is a whole new full length novel where she has done a gender swap on the characters! Now the vampire is a woman and the high school student is the guy.

What are your thoughts on this? 
Are you excited, disgusted, or maybe you don't care one way or the other. 

I'm not going to lie, my husband picked me up a copy today - mostly because I'm really curious to see how this new story plays out. You never know, it may be even better than the original! 

**********************************

Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Twilight! This special double-feature book includes the classic novel, Twilight, and a bold and surprising reimagining, Life and Death, by Stephenie Meyer.

Packaged as an oversize, jacketed hardcover “flip book,” this edition features nearly 400 pages of new content as well as exquisite new back cover art. Readers will relish experiencing the deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful love story of Bella and Edward through fresh eyes.
Twilight has enraptured millions of readers since its first publication in 2005 and has become a modern classic, redefining genres within young adult literature and inspiring a phenomenon that has had readers yearning for more. 


The novel was a #1 New York Times bestseller, a #1 USA Today bestseller, a Time magazine Best Young Adult Book of All Time, an NPR Best-Ever Teen Novel, and a New York Times Editor’s Choice. The Twilight Saga, which also includes New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella, and The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide, has sold nearly 155 million copies worldwide.

*******************************

You can find it here: 

 

 

Review: Infinite Possibilities (Secret Life of Amy Bensen #2) Lisa Renee Jones

Infinite Possibilities

The Secret Life of Amy Bensen

Book 2

Lisa Renee Jones

Adult, Romance, Mystery 

 

Catch up with the New York Times sexy, thrilling bestselling mystery THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN SERIES, before the highly anticipated books 3 and 4, FORSAKEN (Aug. 18th) and UNBROKEN (Sept. 7th), release! Both available for pre-order now!


Secrets and lies. They are everywhere: haunting her, tormenting her. In the midst of it all, he’d been her escape, her passion. The only person she’d trusted in six years. And then he’d made her doubt that trust, cutting her deeply. But as she’d once told him, she was damaged, not broken. She is ready to fight and not just for survival. She is fighting for the truth and she won’t stop until she has it, not even for…him.


Review:

 
I enjoyed the read, it was just really slow in parts and it jumped around quite a bit.

The book started out great, with lots of suspense. Who to trust, who not to trust, why are things different this time... but I found myself annoyed with Amy more than once. It was almost like she had multiple personalities. One minute she's a scared teenager, the next she's so stubborn she doesn't care if it gets her killed, and later in the day she's a dumb blonde that has no clue what's going on. It was a bit much.

I really liked the plot, though it drug on and on at times. There was a whole cast of characters and you never knew who to trust and Amy just jumped from person to person with blind faith like a lost puppy. I was disappointed in the bad guy, I was hoping for something more interesting instead of the obvious. There were some characters that just fell out of the story, but perhaps they are explained in the next book... It just didn't feel like much of an ending.