The Awakening: Liam by Abby Niles

Today I was able to read The Awakening: Liam by Abby Niles. We all know I'm not very good at figuring out I'm in a middle of a series till it's too late. Hey that's how I roll (snickers to self). Fortunately, I wasn't too lost with this story.

So, The Awakening: Liam is about Liam Doyle who has marked his mate, but she has rejected him. WOW, tough break for him. Now he's doom to live in hell without the love of his life. Ava Michaels actually loves Liam, but had to sacrifice the relationship to save her sister. Sucks for her too. Since Liam is tied to Ava, he can feel most of her emotions. So, when she's in danger he can feel it and has the need to save her.

All right, so Ava and Liam ended getting capture by this madman and we don't find out the reason why until the end. However, he tortures the two through most of the book. Plus, Liam and Ava have a lot of issues that they just don't want to solve. Surprise, surprise communication would have saved a lot of problems in their relationship, but if they had communicated with one another the complication that made story wouldn't have been there. Therefore, there would not be story, so the lack of communication was kind of important to the story. At the same time drove me nuts.

I really felt bad for Liam, because he just seem like he was thrown into the pity of despair. Ava drove me nuts, because she just wasn't willing to talk to Liam and kept pushing him away. Overall, not a bad story, but I don't think it was for me. I like towards the end when they found out the madman twist plot to extract revenge on something Liam didn't have a clue what was going on. Basically, if you like stories with shifters finding their mates and finding a way to keep their mate, you might enjoy The Awakening: Liam.

Copy provided by the publisher

Rating:

Slow Summer Burn by Elisabeth Barrett

I finally have gotten to the last book in Star Harbor books, which happens to be Valentine (Val) Grayson's book. Yes, we get to know Val a little better in Slow Summer Burn by Elisabeth Barrett.

We have finally arrived to the big finish, we are about to find out who's behind the drug problem in Star Harbor. Each book the danger level has increase. Who would have guess that dirty politics would play a roll in the drug ring. Honestly, I didn't see it coming.

Anyway, Val Grayson is the best brother anyone can hand. He basically step in when his father passed away and raised his brother. While raising his brothers he manage to get an education and end up working as DEA agent. Now he's one step closer to cracking the case behind the drug ring that has been plaguing Star Harbor. When he finally gets to know Cameron Stahl.

Cameron Stahl grew up with the privilege lifestyle, but slowly realize that her lifestyle is suffocating her and so she started her own business. Now she has open a new store in Star Harbor. Her parents would love her to make an ideal match with Junior Kirkland. However, she doesn't feel right about the situation. After all, she just sees him as a friend. Yet, when she's with Val, she starts to see her real self and likes.

So, we have the drug problem, but Cam and Val seem to make time to get to know each other. While in the process, Cam is able to help Val get closer to his target. I love Val. He's such a stand up kind of guy, who won't succumb to pressure. He stands up for what he truly believes and goes after what he wants. Cam is learning that she doesn't really like her old life and actually loves the life she's forging with Val. However, there are couple of complications that jump and they manage to handle it.

Overall, I really like how the series turned out. I think Elisabeth did a wonderful job with building of the story in each of the books. This is one of those series, you have to read them in order. The romance part you don't really need to, but to have the full appreciation of the story, must read in order. I believe Slow Summer Burn gives that satisfying ending and wraps everything up very neatly. So, if you have been reading the Star Harbor books, you need to finish out the rest. And if you haven't yet, then you need to get the first three books before getting this book otherwise you will be a tad bit lost.

Copy provided by Random House via NetGalley

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Fallen by Celeste Bradley

First off, I picked up Fallen by Celeste Bradley, because of the cover and the book blurb. Seriously, this cover is gorgeous. Plus, I'm really partial to pink. Also the book blurb made it sound like a scandalicious good time.

However, I had mixed feelings by the end of Fallen. I seriously loved the beginning. When you we first meet Isadora "Izzy" Temple, she's such an unusual young woman. She's willing sacrifice her good name to save Julian Blackworth. Most woman would be calculating on the circumstances that occur in the bedroom, but all Izzy really wanted was her freedom. So, Julian and Izzy pretend to have an engagement. However, Julian is a calculating young man and figures that he would marry Izzy to keep his inheritance. By the end of the story there was so much going on and you wonder what the heck happen.

Well, I did a little bit of looking in the story of Fallen to see if there were other books. Well, I came to find out that it was Ms. Bradley's first book and gotten a second chance of life. With that said, it's quite possible that she was trying to find her voice in romance.

I have read other books by Ms. Bradley and I have notice that she does like to have other story lines and other romances to go along with the main story. For instance, we have Izzy's maid and Julian's groom falling in love. Granted this isn't really important to story, but at times it did help to try to get Izzy and Julian together.

My thoughts on the main characters: I thought Julian to be an idiot at times. Serious idiot, because he was so focus on trying to get his inheritance at any means that he almost lost what was the most important person in his life. Izzy she's such a strong person at the beginning of the story and just accepts what she has been dealt, but as the story continues she kind of gives up. In a way, losing who she really was. Fortunately, she comes to her senses before she completes washes away, and about that time Julian realizes he loves her.

At the beginning of Fallen, the story reminded me of  Cinderella, and eventually becomes it's on story once Izzy leaves her home. I did like Izzy and I wish she hadn't went all wishy-washy towards the middle of the book. Oh well, I'm just glad she decided to fight for what was right for her. I'm serious when I say Julian was an idiot, but I'm glad he learned what it would take to become the man he is by the end. Even though I had mix feelings towards the end, the epilogue left the story open for another book. All though it wouldn't be about Izzy and Julian or their friends, but for their children. However, we are left guess what became of them. Overall, not a bad book and I did like it, but I just didn't love the story. So, if you like when rakes jump into the wrong bed, you find Fallen enjoyable.

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Stay With Me by Elyssa Patrick

The other day I finished reading Stay With Me by Elyssa Patrick. This would be Elyssa's first New Adult romance. I must say that it was a pleasurable read. Let me share my what it's about an my thoughts.

Hailey Bloom grew up in the limelight. Always performing, but as she got older it wasn't what she wanted anymore. She wanted to do something completely different from what she knows. She has decided to go to college in a small town in Vermont (talk about a major change). With this major change in her life, she has a hard time adjusting. Partly, because she doesn't really know who to trust. After all she got burned by people who "supposedly" cared about her. Caleb Fox is a decent guy who isn't after Hailey's fame, but just wants to get to know her.

All right, this story is a nice story. Let me explain. Caleb and Hailey meet and Hailey is afraid to let a relationship define her. So, at the beginning she pushes Caleb away, because she's afraid she's going to get hurt. Caleb is willing to let her have her boundaries. In a sense Caleb is a beta guy. He's willing to be her pal, and he's not afraid to be just her friend. In all honesty, Hailey needed a guy like Caleb to keep her grounded.

I enjoyed Stay With Me. As I said it's a nice story, because it's not an emotionally draining book. Sometimes we all need something that won't throw us into a tailspin. You watch Hailey adjust to real life and she ends up with a really nice guy. Caleb is very understanding especially when she reveals her big dark secret. Some may say that it wasn't that dark, which might be true. Hey it's a story and it's ok to have everything go smoothly. Elyssa could have gone a different direction with this story, but she didn't and you know what I'm fine how she wrote story. Stay With Me does have a sappy happy ending. Honestly, I like sappy happy endings. So, you want a new adult book that isn't going to leave emotionally drain, instead leaves you happy, you might want to give Stay With Me a try.

Copy provide by author

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New Release Alert: Gamble in Gold by Natalie Anderson

Gamble in Gold

by Natalie Anderson

 Blurb:

The one that got away...

Seven years have passed since shy Lexie Peterson had her heart trampled by her teenage crush. When she comes face to face with him in London, she vows to stay strong against his charms. But there's something about the man who has always made the impossible seem possible.

When Luke Marchetti walks into his flat to find Lexie in a negligee, all he can think of is having a little flirt and fling. But sweet, caring Lexie is all grown up now, and her determination to keep him at a distance makes him realize she deserves more than he can offer.

One kiss when they were younger ignited a passion that lasted seven long years. But is it enough to entice the two to take a gamble?

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Spotlight: To Catch a Princess by Caridad Pineiro

Title:                   To Catch a Princess

Author:               Caridad Pineiro

Genre:                Romantic Suspense

Release Date:      August 2013       

Imprint:              Ignite

Book Blurb:

Untold wealth, a loving family, a solid career in America: the only thing Princess Tatiana lacks is the one thing she really doesn’t want—a husband. Unfortunately, her parents have just arranged her marriage to a royal from the old country. Are they kidding? It’s the twenty-first century!

Police Detective Peter Roman is a royal living incognito … and escaping a secret that has haunted his family for years. He’s been quietly in love with his best friend Prince Alexander’s sister for as long as he can remember. Little does she know that he is secretly the Grand Duke to whom she is unwillingly betrothed…

When a series of high-end jewelry heists threatens Tatiana’s exclusive charity exhibition in glamorous Monaco, the two must trap the clever jewel thief before he strikes again. In a fight for their lives, Peter’s secret identity is revealed. With danger and passion increasing to the breaking point, she must decide: catch a thief...or trust the heart of her true love.

My Thoughts:

I need to share with y'all why I wanted to read To Catch a Princess. I wanted to read the story cause the story intrigued me with the whole idea of a Princess in the states who just wants to live a normal life, but being forced in an arranged marriage. Who really does arrange marriages in this day and age? I guess some cultures still do. Anyway, Princess Tatiana was hoping her parents would let go of that idea. Fat chance.

Funny thing is Tatiana actually knows her future husband, but not really. Detective Peter Roman is a pretty awesome detective. He has helped the Ivanov family with his services. However, there is more to the good detective. Not many people would know he being a royal himself. I was pretty surprise with his secret and how well he kept that information hidden. Honestly I wouldn't have guess he was a prince and arranged to be married to Princess Tatiana. 

I can completely understand why Tatiana kind of blew a gasket when she finds out who Peter really is. I actually love how Peter wants to be love for being Peter and not being the Prince to be married to Tatiana. So, Peter has rebuild the trust to Tatiana use to have for him. Not an easy task when things start to pop and cause trouble. 

Not only do we see a budding relationship between Peter and Tatiana, we also have a heist going on. Tied into the heist is one the most interesting character, Shea Brody. Normally, I wouldn't focus on secondary characters, but he's a jewel thief who's trying to steal some jewels from different royal family for Prince Sergio. So, we see him here and there in the story and by the end of the story I really want him to have his own story. I know it's the romantic in me, but he's really not that bad maybe a bit misguided.

Overall, I was entertained by the romance and impending danger. So, if you like royals and jewel thieves, you might find yourself entertain like I was with To Catch a Princess.

Copy provided by the publisher

Rating:



Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling paranormal and romantic suspense author Caridad Pineiro wrote her first novel in the fifth grade when her teacher assigned a project – to write a book for a class lending library.  Bitten by the writing bug, Caridad continued with her passion for the written word and in 1999, Caridad’s first novel was released.  Over a decade later, Caridad is the author of more than thirty published novels and novellas.  When not writing, Caridad is an attorney, wife and mother to an aspiring writer and fashionista. 

Links: 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads 

Watch for Caridad’s upcoming September 2013 release, For Love or Vengeance the first in a four (4) book Reborn Series. 

Last but not least, the giveaway. Entangled has offer a copy The Prince's Gamble. All you have to do is fill out rafflecopter. Thanks for stopping by today.
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