Blackbirds - Book Rant

Blackbirds (Miriam Black #1)
by Chuck Wendig

What is it about:
Miriam Black knows when you will die.

She’s foreseen hundreds of car crashes, heart attacks, strokes, and suicides.

But when Miriam hitches a ride with Louis Darling and shakes his hand, she sees that in thirty days Louis will be murdered while he calls her name. Louis will die because he met her, and she will be the next victim.

No matter what she does she can’t save Louis. But if she wants to stay alive, she’ll have to try.


What did I think of it:
This is one of those books that everyone is raving about, and I wanted to love it, but it just wasn't for me.

I really, really disliked Miriam. She is not a nice person. Ok: so she has it hard, seeing other people's deaths, and that might have made her the person she is, but that doesn't mean I have to like her, let alone root for her.

And then later on in the story she starts working together with another really unlikable character...

The only person in this whole book that I liked was Louis, I will confess.

And then there was Ingersoll, a Dutch character...

I don't know what annoyed me more about Ingersoll: his name (not Dutch) or his background. At one point he's musing about his Dutch grandmother who used to pick cranberries and found snake bones in the boggy ground...

I will have to take a wild guess his grandmother must have been from the small island of Terschelling, because that's the only place in the Netherlands that has cranberries (and those ended up there by accident, It's not a native plant). Not that there are many snakes on Terschelling, but who's counting...

That I kept reading until the end was because I wanted to know if at least Louis would survive, or if the one person I actually could root for would meet his gruesome death.

So all in all I didn't much enjoy this book, and I won't be reading any other books in this series.

Why should you read it:
Maybe you have a higher tolerance for unlikable characters than I do.

Unsettled by S.C. Ellington - Promo Post

 

Unsettled by S.C. Ellington

Book #1 - Unsettled Series

After a horrific breakup with her longtime boyfriend, Brooklyn Caldwell is completely disenchanted with the notion of mingling with the opposite sex. Damon Williams had been everything she thought she wanted…until he wasn’t. 

In an attempt to escape her heartbreaking past, Brooklyn seeks refuge in bustling Washington, D.C. where she folds into the fast-paced society unnoticed…until she meets a young entrepreneur, Logan Colton. 

Brooklyn is surprised to find that while she has been successful in keeping the opposite sex at bay, somehow she is defenseless against Logan’s confidence and charm—and it doesn’t hurt that he is absurdly beautiful. 

As much as Logan didn’t plan on pursuing her, he is drawn to Brooklyn’s muted beauty and her witty persona. For all his success, Logan is ensnared in the coveted world of unequivocal wealth and power, but behind closed doors is taunted by demons and an undeniable need to atone for a monumental mistake. 

As the two embark on a tumultuous obstacle course saturated with unknown twists and turns, Brooklyn is left to question whether she can endure the journey ahead. 

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About S.C. Ellington

S.C. Ellington is an up and coming author who enjoys expressing her creativity through frequently writing adult, contemporary romance novels that readers can relate to, but more importantly, enjoy.

Aside from writing, Ellington enjoys curling up with her e-reader and absorbing herself in novels loaded with emotion, desire, and passion. She also likes to spend sunny, wistful afternoons, in her hammock thinking up new ideas for great stories.

Ellington currently resides on the west coast with her beautiful family and loving friends.

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Kiss of Crimson - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Kiss of Crimson (Midnight Breed #2)
by Lara Adrian

What is it about:
He comes to her more dead than alive, a towering black-clad stranger riddled with bullets and rapidly losing blood. As she struggles to save him, veterinarian Tess Culver is unaware that the man calling himself Dante is no man at all, but one of the Breed, vampire warriors engaged in a desperate battle. In a single erotically charged moment Tess is plunged into his world--a shifting, shadowed place where bands of Rogue vampires stalk the night, cutting a swath of terror.

Haunted by visions of a dark future, Dante lives and fights like there is no tomorrow. Tess is a complication he does not need--but now, with his brethren under attack, he must shield Tess from a growing threat that includes Dante himself. For with one reckless, irresistible kiss, she has become an inextricable part of his underworld realm...and his touch awakens her to hidden gifts, desires, and hungers she never knew she possessed. Bonded by blood, Dante and Tess must work together to thwart deadly enemies, even as they discover a passion that transcends the boundaries of life itself....

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I will confess I considered skipping this book and dive right into book three, because the hero of book three drew my attention when reading the first book in this series.

But I decided I should read this book first in case something happened in this book that was important for book three.

And I'm glad I picked up this book, because it was a fun read.

As with lots of Paranormal Romances there is an action storyline, but it's just there to give the romantic storyline a backdrop. Not that I minded. These books are a treat to read, cool action or not, because the romance is so enjoyable.

I think I enjoyed this book more than the first, mostly because I immediately liked the heroine. In book one it took me some time to warm up to the heroine. I also knew what to expect from Adrian's writing style and world, so I slipped into the story much easier this time.

This book did introduce Elise, the heroine of book three, and I must say I'm a bit apprehensive, because she didn't seem like the right woman for Tegan. I'm enjoying this series enough though to pick up book three soon, and to see if Adrian can change my mind about Elise.

Why should you read it:
It's an enjoyable Paranormal Romance.

Living Hell - Book Review

Living Hell
by Catherine Jinks

What is it about:
What happens when a single moment changes everything? For seventeen-year-old Cheney, life on earth exists only in history books. He and more than one thousand other people have known life only aboard the Plexus spacecraft: self-contained, systematic, and serene. But that was before the radiation wave.

Now Plexus has suddenly turned on them, becoming a terrifying and unrecognizable force. As the crew dwindles under attack, Cheney and his friends need to fight back before the ship that’s nurtured them for so long becomes responsible for their destruction.

What did I think of it:
I picked this up because it was on sale and sounded entertaining.

I didn't expect it to be a really cool and creepy read.

The ship that's home to Cheney and his family and friends starts to change and turn on them. I was surprised how believable Jinks manages to make this story. I will confess I had a 'Yeah, sure' reaction when things first started to go wrong, but soon I was drawn into the action. And when it became more clear what is going on, I actually could almost believe that this could really happen.

For a book that is aimed at younger teens it doesn't pull any punches. There are some really gruesome things happening, and not everyone survives. The blows just keep coming, making this an action-packed and fast read.

This book took me by surprise and had me hooked after the first few pages. I will most certainly check out what other books Jinks has written.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and creepy SciFi read.

Rain - Book Review

Rain (Paper Gods #2)
by Amanda Sun

What is it about:
American Katie Green has decided to stay in Japan. She's started to build a life in the city of Shizuoka, and she can't imagine leaving behind her friends, her aunt and especially Tomohiro, the guy she's fallen in love with. But her return is not as simple as she thought. She's flunking out of Japanese school and committing cultural faux pas wherever she goes. Tomohiro is also struggling—as a Kami, his connection to the ancient gods of Japan and his power to bring drawings to life have begun to spiral out of control.

When Tomo decides to stop drawing, the ink finds other ways to seep into his life—blackouts, threatening messages and the appearance of unexplained sketches. Unsure how to help Tomo, Katie turns to an unexpected source for help—Jun, her former friend and a Kami with an agenda of his own. But is Jun really the ally he claims to be? In order to save themselves, Katie and Tomohiro must unravel the truth about Tomo's dark ancestry, as well as Katie's, and confront one of the darkest gods in Japanese legend.

What did I think of it:
I really enjoyed Ink, the first book in this trilogy, so I made sure to get hold of Rain soon after it released.

And Rain is an enjoyable read as well.

I really like the Japanese setting. It makes this book stand out from other Paranormal Young Adult books. The use of Japanese mythology is also really cool.

I will confess I was a bit irritated by Katie not communicating with Tomo. I was close to wanting to kick her at times. I didn't like the romantic drama either. I also had hoped that Katie's friend would have a bigger role in this book, but alas.

Those things aside I had a great time reading this book. The story is suspenseful and full of danger and mystery. Some things get more clear in this book, while at the same time new mysteries and questions arise. This book left me eager for the next book to see what will happen to Katie and Tomo.

All in all this is a cool read and I will definitely get my trotters on the next book once it releases.

Why should you read it:
It's an enjoyable Paranormal YA set in Japan.

Now or Never by A.J. Bennett - Promo Post

  Now or Never by A.J. Bennett

New Adult
Contemporary

Twenty-one year old Grayson Alexander finally breaks away from
an abusive relationship and finds herself free for the first time in three
years.



Determined to enjoy her new-found freedom, Grayson is intent on sticking with
'no strings attached' relationships—one-night stands, and steamy sex.



But she didn't plan on Derrick.



Her attraction to the sexy man in uniform quickly turns into an unhealthy
relationship. They both try to resist the pull, but neither can stay
away.



When tragedy strikes, Grayson realizes it's now or never—walk away or make it
work.

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About A.J.
Bennett

A.J. Bennett lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and
bulldog. She's addicted to coffee, popcorn and books. Becoming an author has
been a lifelong dream, and she's extremely excited about her debut novel Now or
Never.

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I Want It That Way - Early Book Review by Voodoo Bride

I Want It That Way (2B Trilogy #1)
by Ann Aguirre

What is it about:
Nadia Conrad has big dreams, and she's determined to make them come true—for her parents' sake as well as her own. But between maintaining her college scholarship and working at the local day care to support herself, she barely has time to think, let alone date. Then she moves into a new apartment and meets the taciturn yet irresistible guy in 1B….

Daniel Tyler has grown up too fast. Becoming a single dad at twenty turned his life upside down—and brought him heartache he can't risk again. Now, as he raises his four-year-old son while balancing a full-time construction management job and night classes, a social life is out of the question. The last thing he wants is for four noisy students to move into the apartment upstairs. But one night, Nadia's and Ty's paths cross, and soon they can't stay away from each other.

The timing is all wrong—but love happens when it happens. And you can't know what you truly need until you stand to lose it.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I usually don't like Contemporary Romance: too much drama.

But then I heard Ann Aguirre had written a New Adult Contemporary Romance trilogy! I had to at least give it a try, because I love every book by Ann Aguirre that I've read. So when I got the opportunity to get an Advance Reader Copy you can bet I jumped on it.

And this is such a delicious read!

There's no sign of all the relationship drama that so often plagues Contemporary Romance. Instead this is a fun and addicting read about two people who feel drawn to each other, even though it might not be convenient.

The romance is light, hot and a delight to read. I was hooked from the start and couldn't stop reading. I even totally fell in love with Tyler's son, while I normally don't like kids in romance novels.

There are some obstacles of course which keep Nadia and Ty apart, but it never was frustrating. I rooted for them both to find a way to be together without having to sacrifice the things that were important to them.

I also really enjoyed reading about Nadia's friends, and knowing some of them will be lead characters in the upcoming books makes me eager to get my hands on the whole trilogy.

All in all this was a very enjoyable, fluffy, addictive, sweet, romantic read that makes me hungry for more. I will most certainly read the other books in this trilogy as well.

Why should you read it:
This book is candy for your brain!