Book Review: Dark Child by Adina West Episodes 1-3

Dark Child Adina West

About the book:

Episode 1

Kat can run a marathon without breaking a sweat. Catch anything you throw at her. Differentiate blood types by smell alone. And she’s spent years hiding the fact. But secrets from the past have a way of slipping out when least expected … and a simple blood test is enough to turn her quiet life in the shadow of the Appalachian Mountains upside down forever …

Episode 2

Kat doesn’t want to question her luck too closely when she lands a fabulous Manhattan apartment only blocks from her new job, even if cab drivers do have a funny habit of driving right past her antiquated apartment building without seeing it. 

But the quiet building hides a deadly secret, and when Kat meets Char from down the hall, she’s drawn into a hidden world where humans aren’t welcome, populated by beings as dangerous as they are beautiful. Soon Kat’s neck-deep in trouble and on the run, and discovering the truth about her own unique heritage might just make things worse …

Episode 3 

Dead? Kat clenched her fists, her stomach a writhing tangle of knots. Her pulse thundered in her ears.

Had this all been an elaborate ruse to trap her? The platelet study; the offer to come and work at the Hema Castus Research Institute; the special attention from Director Norris ... Surely they’d have had no way of knowing who she was. Still, if the Directorate controlled Hema Castus, and the Directorate wanted her imprisoned, even dead, everything took on a much more sinister light. And anyway, why did the Directorate want her dead? 

Kat has always known she’s special. Different. But finding out why is still a shock, especially when she discovers the malevolent Directorate, a clandestine organization of untold power, have put a price on her head.

Forced into hiding in the remote White Mountains, Kat’s life is suddenly in the hands of the wild and dangerous unalil. But trusting her new protectors isn’t easy, since they seem almost as terrifying as the killers who pursue her . . .

3/5 

My Review: 

Having picked up this series of shorts from Netgalley, I found the concept and blurb interesting. I have currently read the first 3 installments and am working on the 4th (Review of 4 and 5 will follow). 

After picking up my kindle on a short flight, I was looking for something that I could read in short bursts and this is a great book to do just that. Each of the episodes is just long enough for you to be able to sit and read on breaks, yet it also manages to pull you into the story and want to continue reading. The only downfall with having it in smaller episodes is that you lose some of the flow from one book to the next, I almost would have prefered to have the entire story in one book, two if the length would have been too long. 

All of that being said I am so far really enjoying this series of shorts. The characters have been engaging and made me want to see where they are going and how they develop and progress. There could be a little more description and depth to each of them as well as the secondary characters that are in the background. I really feel they have more depth and the description of the characters looks, abilities and background could be gone into more depth. This would help me to visualise and delve into the story more as I picture the sights and sounds. 

The world building and storyline are really good, but again although I want to continue reading and fall in love with the book. I find I can't, with more description and depth I think the author would have a winning formula. 

I love the way the relationships are so tangled and interwoven together, although it is not clear at first and seems to be a little hazy about who and where people fit into the whole system. 

I do like seeing the book from two different perspectives, though there is a lot of back and forth between what is happening in the US and what is happening in Europe. I know the stories will eventually come together and merge (Or at least that is my thoughts on where it is going.) Maybe having it broken down into two book, one from Europe and everything there (Expanding on all that happens, I ma sure there is so much more than we see) and one covering the happenings in the US, would help swapping between one and the other and causing me to need to remember what I read two chapters ago about Kat in the US. 

Overall I gave the books so far a 3/5 based mostly on the fact that there was a considerable amount of hopping between the countries, the depth and story telling as well as character building and world building could be built upon. 

I am still invested in finishing the last two episodes,  in no way has it stopped me wanting to read or not want to know what will happen in the end. I would like to see more by this author and see how she grows and develops her writing style. 

This I would recommend to paranormal fans, who are looking for a light and quick read. Don't let that deter you from reading and enjoying this work. 

Heart of the Oak by Rory Ni Coileain Book Trailer Release

Heart of the Oak Rory Ni Coileain 

Blurb:

Magick is reawakening after a sleep of thousands of years—and passion is not far behind. Darach is the first-reborn of his race, a tree spirit living within an ancient oak on the shore of a remote loch.

Trevor knows nothing of magick or passion. He’s escaping an oppressive family and a lonely life. One breath of freedom, he thinks, before his stark, loveless reality swallows him up. The last thing he expects from his vacation to the Isle of Skye is to spend his first night being thoroughly ravished against a tree by a naked man who speaks in the sounds of leaves and wind.

Darach never believed he’d have his heart stolen by any man, let alone one so different from any human he remembers. Freedom is intoxicating and the potential for sensual play limitless. But what can be built in a night of scorching desire can be torn down all too easily by fear.

Author Bio:

                

Rory Ni Coileain majored in creative writing, back when Respectable Colleges didn't offer such a major, so she designed it herself – being careful to ensure that she never had to take a class before nine in the morning or take a Hemingway survey course. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa at the age of nineteen, sent off her first short story to an anthology being assembled by an author she idolized, got shot down in flames, and found other things to do, such as nightclub singing, for the next thirty years or so, until her stories started whispering to her. Now she’s a lawyer, a legal editor, an Irish dance teacher, the mother of a teenage son, and amanuensis to a host of fantastic creatures who are all anxious to tell their stories.

Check out this awesome video for Heart of the oak: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjgUY1XIdmM&feature=youtu.be

Celestial Beginnings - Rebekah Daniels

Celestial Beginnings - Rebekah Daniels 

About the book: 

Being a descendant of a fallen angel, nephilim Malachi Starkman, is all about his duty in protecting mankind and preventing Satan’s army from growing any further. He leads a squad of talented warriors on this quest to preserve humanity, but as leader, he feels every aspect is his responsibility. After centuries of fighting, he is starting to feel burned out, and wondering if this is his sole purpose on Earth. 

Local teacher, Trinity Bradshaw, has been trying to move on from her turbulent past but it doesn’t seem to want to let her go. Therefore, when a deliciously handsome man with alluring eyes says he wants to help her, she cannot say no. So many obstacles stand between the two, but neither of them seem to be able to walk away from the other. Will they find common ground or will she just be a liability in his quest to destroy the one that has plagued him for years?

4/5 

My Review: 

After reading the blurb for this book I was more than happy to accept this for review and I must say I was not disappointed. Everything about the book grabbed you and pulled you into its depths, the twists and turns  mixed with the story-line detail just leave nothing to chance. The characters give this book the extra lift, if it needed one and the author has done this in such a way that you feel and walk through every emotion and turmoil with each and every one of them. Feeling and growing to love even the ones that wouldn't want you to love them. A great mix of action. adventure, intrigue and with the added bonus of the well written and placed bedroom scenes leave you really wanting to just keep on reading until it reaches its conclusion. With Trinity pulling at your heart strings, everything about her drawing you in. The way she builds and holds relationships with even the most obnoxious of characters builds and develops her more. She is well rounded and balanced, with floors and problems that she has to deal with as she moves forward in her life, all this only serves to endear her further to the reader. Then we move on to Mal, and well what can I say......Everything you could want and more, throughout the book he never fails to show you a side to him that balances and makes your love for him grow. Holding nothing back when it comes to Trinity and the time they spend together. Then you can turn to the other "secondary" characters, and I don't say that in a way that it would normally be left, these guys and girls pull and hold everything together, coming forward and shrinking back when its needed. Each having their very own distinct personality and voice you can never mistake who it is and that really that is the way they would act. Each and everyone of them pulling you deeper into the well written and developed story-line that flows with peaks and troughs spread all through the book. Just when you think you need something it is right there and has you hooked and reading through to find out what happens. 

All in all I really loved reading this book and would not fail to pick up the next in the series, really wanting to find out how much more each of them can grow and change as they face all of the struggles that I am sure they will face as they continue on their destined paths. Good v's evil with magic and emotion thrown in... what more could you want from a good read? 

I would recommend this book to lovers of paranormal romance aimed more towards the adult end of the market, those who love to read angels will not be disappointed and to anyone who really just wants to read a damn good read and something they can immerse themselves in to forget about everything around you. I will be checking out anything else by this author in the future and this is a book to watch.  

Entwined with you - Sylvia Day

Entwined with you - Sylvia Day 

About the book: 

The worldwide phenomenon continues as Eva and Gideon face the demons of their pasts, and accept the consequences of their obsessive desires…

From the moment I first met Gideon Cross, I recognized something in him that I needed. Something I couldn’t resist. I saw the dangerous and damaged soul inside–so much like my own. I was drawn to it. I needed him as surely as I needed my heart to beat.

No one knows how much he risked for me. How much I’d been threatened, or just how dark and desperate the shadow of our pasts would become.

Entwined by our secrets, we tried to defy the odds. We made our own rules and surrendered completely to the exquisite power of possession…

4/5 

My Review: 

I was eagerly anticipating the release of this book, I must say I wasn't disappointed and I don't want to spoil it for those of you that have not read it yet. So here goes....... I loved the continuation of Gideon and Eva's story, but some things I did not see coming and would not have expected to see. Sylvia has seamlessly carried the story forward from the other books and although i felt that there was some of the magic missing from this book compared to the first two it is still a good read. She lets the reader see more of Gideon and Eva as we see them grow and develop not only as individuals but also as a couple. They continue to work on their issues and new ones seem to always come up and send them spinning, but that is nothing new for this loveable pair its just how they deal with it that changes and matures as they do together. On the other hand we see Eva and Gideon's other relationships with family, friends and ex's all change and take new turns and directions. Secondary characters are given more to do in this book and play a bigger part in the story line, but this never takes anything away from the pair, they always stand front and centre of everything that is happening. It is nice to see more of the background characters coming through and maturing as the book progresses and the story flows. 

This is a compelling read and anyone a fan of the series will be happy with the way it goes, the ending....... well I will leave that to your choice, but I don't think its too much of a spoiler to say Sylvia has much more planned for this couple and the trilogy will expand. I for one cannot wait to see where she takes them and what other mis fortunes come their way and how they will deal with it. Will they come out stronger and together or will there be something that can finally tear them apart for good?  All questions as a reader I ask myself and as yet I have no idea on the answers. I can't wait to see what comes next and I am sure its going to be a long and arduous wait for Gideon and Eva part 4........

I urge fans of this genre and of this couple to go and get the book, read it for yourself and continue your love affair with the couple. All credit to Sylvia for bringing us yet another book that will captivate, titillate and entice readers new and old. 

Delivery Disaster Delight - Brandy Michelle

Delivery Disaster Delight - Brandy Michelle 

About the book: 

Alex works for a local florist, delivering flowers and other romantic gestures, some are more risqué than others. When he mixes up his last delivery, he soon finds it to be more than he bargained for. Sometimes one mans headache is another man's pleasure.

3/5

My Review: 

This is a short erotica book that has a well written story that is easy to follow and well worth the quick read that it is. The characters are realistic and the story compelling and captivating. It urges you to keep reading right to the end. I would recommend this to anyone who loves this genre and is looking for a lunch break read to get them moving and keep them entertained. I will be checking out more of this authors work in the future. 

Unexpected Moments - Brandy Michelle

Unexpected Moments - Brandy Michelle 

About the book: 

After an agreement that Michelle made with her best friend she steps out of her comfort zone and tries something new. Only to find out when she tries new 
things amazingly unexpected things may happen.

4/5

My Review: 

This is a very quaint and quick read, the short story is well written and the characters are sound and believable. The story is one that will keep you reading right through and I would recommend this to people looking for a quick enjoyable read, or a break time read while at work that will get the brain paying attention. I will be checking out more books from this author and hope that this is to be one of a collection of great short reads that I can pick up anytime and just flow right through the book. 

Fairy Tales with a Twist Giveaway and book blast

Hey, guess what? You got it! The Anchor Group anthology will be on sale from April 21st to the 27th. What is Unhappily Ever After; Fairy Tales with a Twist you ask? Good question.

Synopsis:

Fairy tales have a happy ending ... or do they? In this anthology of short stories we learn that sometimes happily ever after misses the mark. From Rumpelstiltskin's Ghost, to an unhappily married Snow White, or the little known Eighth Dwarf to Jack's poor decision making skills. Sit back and enjoy these lesser known fairy tales as told by some of today's hottest authors!

Show more

Show less

Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble


Rafflecopter Giveaway:

What you can win:

This snazzy shoe tape dispenser, since every princess needs a slipper. A two-pack of sleep masks, since every princess needs her beauty sleep. Various bookmarks and donated swag. A paperback copy of Unhappily Ever After; Fairy Tales with a Twist. And a few added suprises!