Future Lost - Book Review

Future Lost (Future Shock #3)
by Elizabeth Briggs

What is it about:
It’s been a year since Elena and Adam were first recruited by Aether Corporation and six months since they destroyed the accelerator, finally putting an end to Project Chronos and their involvement with Aether. Now they’re trying to move on with their lives. Elena’s in college and Adam is working on making genicote, his cure for cancer, safe for the public.

But genicote has become a dangerous fixation for Adam. He’ll do anything to figure it out, and when he goes missing, Elena realizes that he’s done the unthinkable: he went to Aether for help with the cure. To Elena’s horror, she discovers that Aether has created a new accelerator. Adam betrayed her trust and has traveled into the future to find the fix for his cure, but he didn’t come back when he was supposed to. Desperate to find him, Elena decides to risk future shock and time travels once more.

This future is nothing like they’ve seen before. Someone has weaponized Adam’s cure and created a dangerous pandemic, leading to the destruction of civilization. If Elena can’t find Adam and stop this, everyone is at risk. And someone will do anything to keep her from succeeding.

What did I think of it:
I loved the first two books in this trilogy, so pre-ordered this book so I could get my trotters on it as soon as it released.

And this is a really cool conclusion to the trilogy.

The time travelling is again not perfect. The way they travel through time is only possible if they're not only time traveling, but also traveling between different dimensions, but they never act or say anything that confirms this. And yes: I know, I'm a complete nerd when it comes to time travel. I want it to fit. Maybe it's a good thing though, that the characters in this story don't realize they're dimensional time travelers. Especially Elena with her perfect recall would probably go insane if she knew.

That aside I loved this story.

This time when Elena travels to the future she ends up in a post apocalyptic world. If I have one complaint it's that her time there was much too short in my opinion. She has to hunt down Adam and get back to her present to save the future.

I was gripped from the start and read this book in one sitting. It was just too cool to put down, even with the dimensional time travel not being acknowledged. As the story unfolded I began to get my suspicions as to what was going on, and couldn't wait to find out if I was right, and how Elena was going to fix things.

I will confess I would have liked to see a different ending than I got, but even so I was satisfied enough. All in all thi is a really great trilogy, and i will most certainly reread it.

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome YA read with time traveling.


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Hollywood Roommates - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Hollywood Roommates: A Reverse Harem Romance
by Elizabeth Briggs

What is it about:
Three sexy actors. One curvy English teacher. An impossible rule just begging to be broken...

When my boyfriend dumps me, I need a new place to live, fast. Luckily my best friend offers me a solution: move in with her brother and his two roommates in his Malibu beach house. Sounds good, right?

Except my new roommates turn out to be three of the hottest actors in Hollywood. Each one is gorgeous, rich, and famous—and they’re all off-limits because there’s only one house rule: no sleeping together.

They could have any woman in the world, but to my surprise they each want me. Soon there’s a new rule: whatever I do with one guy, I do with all of them.

There’s no way this can end well, but how am I supposed to choose just one of my sexy-as-sin roommates?

Unless I don’t have to choose…

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I never heard of Reverse Harem before, but it did sound like a menage to me, which I usually am not a fan of. Still... this book was written by Elizabeth Briggs and I love her Contemporary Romance books. So I decided to give this book a try.

And this turned out to be a fun and sexy read!

Allie gets dumped and with the help of her best friend moves in with three gorgeous guys. The way they are described and how they act made that I could understand why Allie drools over all three of them. And once the first kiss happens things turn hot and steamy fast!

What I really liked was that there were some chapters written from the point of view of the guys. Usually I don't like menage type stories, because I feel like one (or more) of the characters is missing out. Seeing inside the heads of the guys took that feeling away, and made that I actually could enjoy this Reverse Harem story.

Next to some really delicious scenes with Allie and her guys there is a more serious storyline about if they can make their unconventional relationship work. I had to keep reading to see how this romance would end, and was left feeling satisfied.

All in all I very much enjoyed this book and I will most definitely get hold of the next book Briggs writes.

Why should you read it:
It's a delicious and sexy Reverse Harem Romance


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e-book releases February 8, 2018

More Than Distance - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

More Than Distance (Chasing the Dream #5)
by Elizabeth Briggs

What is it about:
She’s off-limits, but he’s the only one who can help her…

Carla Jackson has her life all mapped out, so when her plans fall apart she’s more lost than ever. A spot on the reality TV show Road Trip Race seems like the perfect escape, except she needs a partner. The only option is her brother’s best friend: the man she’s secretly loved forever and the last person she wants to be stuck in a car with.

Tech billionaire Ryan Evans has done everything he can to put his bitter past behind him. He’s avoided Carla ever since they shared a forbidden kiss six years ago, but when his best friend asks him to protect her on the show, he can’t refuse—even if the biggest threat to her heart might be himself.

As Carla and Ryan drive across the country while competing on the show, there’s no escaping the undeniable chemistry between them. But when they’re thrown off course, can they find their way home together?

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I think this is my least favorite book in this series and I still very much enjoyed it.

I might have mentioned before I often have a hard time connecting with the heroines in Contemporary Romance. So far I didn't have that problem in Briggs' books, but I had trouble connecting with Carla. Even with the problems she had in her past and the problems she has with her family, she just seemed too perfect for me. Successful model, car mechanic, every guys dream girl. Meh...

And Ryan didn't really impress me either: billionaire playboy, lusting after his best friend's little sister...

But although it took me some time to warm up to them, I very much enjoyed the story. Once again there's a reality TV show with challenges and competition. At the point where the TV show wasn't the focus of the story anymore I had warmed up enough to both Carla and Ryan to root for them and to look forward to their Happy End.

This being the last book in the series, there were a few glimpses at how the other couples were doing, and it was fun to read about that as well. All in all a very enjoyable read.

I will keep an eye out for other books by Elizabeth Briggs.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun, enjoyable Contemporary Romance.


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More Than Once - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

More Than Once (Chasing the Dream #4)
by Elizabeth Briggs

What is it about:
She’s trying to be good. He loves it when she’s bad.

Andrew West is done being the nice guy. After a marriage proposal gone wrong, he’s started over in a new city and he’s never risking his heart again.

Becca Collins is done being the bad girl. After quitting the band she played bass for, she’s going to prove to her family that she’s really changed.

When Becca’s dumped by her boyfriend and fired from her job on Christmas Eve, all seems lost, until she runs into a former one night stand—Andrew. To impress her parents, Becca convinces him to pretend to be her perfect boyfriend for their holiday dinner.

After Andrew shows Becca he’s all bad boy in the bedroom, neither wants to pretend anymore. But when Becca's invited to rejoin her band for a show and Andrew's forced to face his ex, they both wonder if they're ready to take a leap again—or if they're doomed to fail in life and love a second time.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I am seriously addicted to this series!

This book is yet another delicious read.

At first I was a bit hesitant to pick this one up. Becca was a difficult character in the previous books, and Andy somewhat bland.

I didn't need to fear though. Becca and Andy/Andrew together make sparks fly. Becca is trying to be the good girl her parents want her to be, but is failing miserably. then she meets Andrew again and things get interesting.

The chemistry between the two is great, and I loved how Andrew likes Becca's wilder side. I especially liked how it's shown that it's not Becca's lifestyle that made her fail, but that she as a person needed to grow. Andrew needs to grow as well and to get over past hurts. Together they manage to shake the dust from their troubled pasts and shape a better future.

All in all this is fun and very enjoyable romance with just enough obstacles to make you feel they earn their happily ever after.

You bet I'll read the last book in this series as well. And if any of you know about more Contemporary Romances with alternative heroes/heroines that are fun: let me know!

Why should you read it:
It's a heartwarming and fun Contemporary Romance


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More Than Fashion - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

More Than Fashion (Chasing the Dream #3)
by Elizabeth Briggs

What is it about:
They’re enemies who will do anything to win...including each other.

When Julie Hong wins a spot on a fashion design reality TV show, she celebrates by picking up a hot English guy in a hotel bar. But too many drinks leads to a night of embarrassment and a major hangover, and wow is she glad she’ll never see him again. Until the show starts, and he’s on it too.

Julie quickly realizes she’s out of her league among the other designers, and Gavin Bennett, with his cocky grin and sexy accent, is her biggest competition. Julie can't decide if she wants to kiss him or kill him. Or both.

After she’s almost kicked off, Julie convinces Gavin to pretend they’re sleeping together for the camera. The ploy works, but as they get closer to the show’s finale their fake relationship starts to become too real. But only one of them can win the show—and they might both end up heartbroken.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I've been very much enjoying the first books in this series, so I eagerly picked this one up.

And it's such a fun and yummy read!

Hector from More Than Comics is still my favorite hero so far, but Gavin is a really close second. I loved the interaction and chemistry between Julie and Gavin. Their romance is hot and full of delicious tension.

I loved the reality show set up in the first book, but wasn't a fan of the hero. Here I got the reality show set up again, this time with a hero I really rooted for. I was hooked from the start and only put the book down when I absolutely had to.

The story is really fun with all the fashion challenges, and there were some cool contestants as well. I like how Briggs doesn't make things an easy stroll for the hero and heroine in her books. I really was wondering how the show would end and how Julie and Gavin would get their Happy End with them competing.

Of course this is a romance so things do turn out well, but the journey to their HEA was a treat to read. I'm already looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a delicious Contemporary Romance


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Future Threat - Book Review

Future Threat (Future Shock #2)
by Elizabeth Briggs

What is it about:
Six months ago Aether Corporation sent Elena, Adam, and three other recruits on a trip to the future where they brought back secret information--but not everyone made it back to the present alive. Now Elena's dealing with her survivor's guilt and trying to make her relationship with Adam work. All she knows for sure is that she's done with time travel and Aether Corporation.

But Aether's not done with her--or Adam, or fellow survivor Chris. The travelers on Aether's latest mission to the future have gone missing, and Elena and her friends are drafted into the rescue effort. They arrive in a future that's amazingly advanced, thanks to Aether Corporation's reverse-engineered technology. The mission has deadly consequences, though, and they return to the future to try to alter the course of events.

But the future is different yet again. Now every trip through time reveals new complications, and more lives lost--or never born. Elena and Adam must risk everything--including their relationship--to save their friends.

What did I think of it:
I loved the first book in this trilogy, so after we read some of Briggs' New Adult Romances it was time to dive into book two of this YA trilogy.

And this is yet another cool read.

I will confess that I thought the time traveling got a bit... dodgy. Looking at the fact that the future constantly changes by things Elena and the others do, I think that some of the things that happened in this story shouldn't be possible. It sure made me raise and eyebrow at times.

It's a credit to Briggs' writing and storytelling that I was able to let these time travel glitches slide and enjoyed the story even so.

Elena continues to be a cool character. She's slowly learning to trust others and I enjoyed seeing her evolve. I also really liked Adam and Chris. It was the new cast of characters I didn't really warm up to, but the story is cool enough that it didn't matter.

All in all a great read. You bet I'll be getting my trotters on the last book once it releases.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool YA read with time travel


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More Than Comics - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

More Than Comics (Chasing the Dream #2)
by Elizabeth Briggs

What is it about:
They're friends online - but can they be more in real life?

Writer Tara McFadden has been friends with artist and drummer Hector Fernandez for years, long before his band became famous on reality TV – yet they’ve never met in person. They finally have a chance to connect offline when they’re both sent to Comic-Con to promote the graphic novel they collaborated on.

Hector's secretly been in love with Tara for as long as he can remember, and once they meet, she sees him in a new light. All the years of longing lead to an incredible night of passion after one of his concerts, but neither is sure if their online relationship can translate into a real life romance – or if this will ruin their friendship forever.

Over four crazy days at Comic-Con, Hector and Tara must decide if they want a future together. But when their story seems to be over, it’s up to Hector’s entire band to make sure he and Tara get their happy ending.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I really liked Hector in both the novella and the first book in this series, so I was eager to read this book.

And it's everything I hoped for.

The previous book was really good, but it didn't Wow me with the romance. This book delivered!

The viewpoint switches between Hector and Tara, giving you insight in both their thoughts and feelings. I was already a little bit in love with Hector, but soon after starting this book I was totally hooked. I could relate with Hector and could really understand why he is hesitant to show Tara how he really feels, why he's afraid to commit.

I also really liked Tara and could understand her feelings as well. She just came out of a serious relationship, and is starting a job in a new town. A new relationship on top of that might be a bit much. I love how her doubts and the solution of her problems are handled. It's easy to go the 'love will solve everything' route in a romance like this, but luckily Briggs didn't take such an easy way out.

I loved the setting of course: a big comic convention!!! So next to enjoying the hot and intense romance I also got to geek out over Comic-Con and the mentions of comics and movies. The characters of the previous books make their appearance as well, and it was fun to see how they were doing. The main characters of the upcoming books had some screentime as well, and I'm curious about their story I will confess.

All in all this is a delicious read, and I'll definitely will be rereading it. But first I'll be reading Future Threat, the second book in Briggs' YA trilogy, and I'll be getting my hands on the other books in this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a steamy and delicious New Adult Romance read set at Comic-Con.


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More Than Music - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

More Than Music (Chasing the Dream #1)
by Elizabeth Briggs

What is it about:
Classical musician Maddie Taylor secretly dreams of a louder life, but geeky girls like her don't get to be rock stars. That is, until tattooed singer Jared Cross catches her playing guitar and invites her to join his band on The Sound, a reality TV show competition.

Once on the show, Maddie discovers there's more to Jared than his flirty smile and bad boy reputation. With each performance their attraction becomes impossible to ignore, but when the show pressures them to stay single, they're forced to keep their relationship secret.

As the competition heats up, Jared will do whatever it takes for his band to win, and Maddie must decide if following her dream is worth losing her heart.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I fell in love with the prequel novella of this series, so had to read more. I wasn't a fan of Jared in the novella, so I was tempted to skip to book two in the series (comic books geeks!). I finally decided to get both books and give Jared a chance.

I love this book!

I will confess Jared wasn't the romantic hero I wanted him to be, and I really think Maddie could do better, but the story was just so good!

Instead of losing myself in the romance I was totally engrossed in the competition and the dynamics of the whole band. Yes: there were some tense scenes between Maddie and Jared, but to be honest I was more curious to find out if the band would win, than if our two lead characters would end up together. To me this story felt much more like it was about Maddie finding out who she is than that it is a romance.

I loved reading more about Kyle and Hector, and the whole competition was really fun to read about as well. I liked getting to know the heroines of later books in the series, and seeing Maddie grow and finding her place in the band and in life. Jared grew on me during the story, but he doesn't hold a candle to Kyle or Hector. Still Briggs writes in a way that made the ending satisfying and that makes me eager to pick up the next book.

Luckily it's already in my TBR pile.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun New Adult read.


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More Than Exes - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

More Than Exes (Chasing the Dream 0.5)
by Elizabeth Briggs

What is it about:
He wants to win. She wants to win him back.

Keyboardist Kyle Cross may look like a bad boy with his tattoos and piercings, but he’s really the good guy who’s always stuck fixing his band’s problems and never gets the girl. His band is competing in a Battle of the Bands, but when their bassist doesn't show, Kyle must track her down with the help of the person he least expects: his ex-girlfriend Alexis Monroe.

Kyle hasn’t seen Alexis since she dumped him in high school, and she’s dropped her preppy image for fiery red hair and a bold new attitude to match. With only hours before his band goes on stage, Kyle has to be a little bad if he wants to win both the Battle and the girl he's never gotten over. But when their old problems resurface, the good guy might just get his heart broken all over again.

A stand-alone prequel novella that launches the Chasing The Dream series.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I'm usually not into Contemporary Romance, because I often have a hard time to connect with the lead characters (some rare exceptions aside). I know this might sound weird, because I read a lot of UF and PNR. But for an alternative geek like me it's easier to connect with the leads in those books. They're often different from those around them, get judged by it, etc... While in Contemporary Romance the lead characters are often the kind of women I have nothing in common with. Women who know how to use make up, have a fabulous career, and look at me sideways because I dress alternative and wear combat boots. Well... that became more personal than intended when I started writing this.

Anyway: It was with some hesitation I picked this book up, but it was a novella I got for free, and I really enjoyed Briggs' YA book Future Shock.

And on the first page I was introduced to Kyle, an alternative guy who likes the same music I like. He's not even the bad boy who needs to be "fixed" by a pastel colored girl: he's a nice guy who got dumped for being alternative. Oh yes: I fell in love right way.

The whole story is told from his perspective, and I rooted for him from the start. I could totally understand why he is wary of his ex, even though she seemed to want him back. I enjoyed reading how they feel each other out after three years apart, and how Kyle struggles with his feelings.

This being a novella, the development of their relationship is quick, but still believable. The romance was both sweet and hot.

I also really loved some of the other characters and wanted to know even more about them. After finishing this novella I did some investigating and those characters have their own book! One is even about comics!

So you can bet I'm buying the first book in this series soon, because this is Contemporary Romance I can relate to.

Why should you read it:
It's a sweet Contemporary Romance read.


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Future Shock - Book Review

Future Shock (Future Shock #1)
by Elizabeth Briggs

What is it about:
What do you do when the future is too late, and the present is counting down to an inevitable moment?

Elena Martinez has street smarts, the ability for perfect recall, and a deadline: if she doesn’t find a job before she turns eighteen, she’ll be homeless. But then she gets an unexpected offer from Aether Corporation, the powerful Los Angeles tech giant. Along with four other recruits—Adam, Chris, Trent, and Zoe—Elena is being sent on a secret mission to bring back data from the future. All they have to do is get Aether the information they need, and the five of them will be set for life. It’s an offer Elena can’t refuse.

But something goes wrong when the time travelers arrive in the future. And they are forced to break the only rule they were given—not to look into their own fates. Now they have twenty-four hours to get back to the present and find a way to stop a seemingly inevitable future—and a murder—from happening. But changing the timeline has deadly consequences too. Who can Elena trust as she fights to save her life?

What did I think of it:
I have a weak spot for time travel stories, so I couldn't resist this book. Now I have to confess I also am very critical when reading time travel stories, so often time travel stories that seem cool before I start on them turn out to have faulty time travel theories, mistakes in time line changes, etc... You don't want to know how often I started on a time travel story to end up DNFing in annoyance. So I was prepared to get burned once gain.

This book turned out to be really cool though!

I liked Elena right way. She has had a difficult life, and it made her wary. She doesn't trust easily and for once I could really understand why she's not always communicating with those she has to work with. The other teens were interesting as well, even though they couldn't all get along all the time, I could find something to like in all of them.

The future she and the other teens travel to is intriguing and the time traveling felt like Briggs thought about it, I didn't feel like there were weird inconsistencies anyway. I liked how things fell together and how Briggs used some time travel theories.

The story was suspenseful and had me hooked from the start. Elena and the others manage to find trouble in the future and have some pretty narrow escapes while they try to figure out how to stop the past from happening. There were a few times I thought they made a very lucky escape, but I enjoyed the story too much to be annoyed.

The ending was satisfying and even though there's no cliffhanger I was hungry for more, so I immediately ordered the next book. Yup: I thought it was that cool! I also signed up for Briggs' newsletter and was rewarded for that by a free novella from a contemporary romance series, which we will definitely give a try as well.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool YA Time Travel read.


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