KindleJo's Brain Dump

Chimes at Midnight is the seventh book in the October Day Series, I do not recommend starting the series with this installment. It can be done, Ms McGuire does an amazing job of reminding us of the things we need to remember while reading, but this is one of those series that only gets better with each book. So please do yourself a favor and start Rosemary and Rue right now if you haven’t already.

In this installment October (Toby) is dealt so much, yet she just keeps pushing her way through. This is one of the many reasons why she is one of my all time favorite characters. Every time I pick up the latest October Daye novel, I wonder how things could possibly be worse for Toby in the next book and somehow Ms McGuire finds a way to put Toby in more danger, to give her tougher choices, and generally make her life more miserable than should be possible.

The character development and world building is top notch throughout the entire series, and only gets better in Chimes at Midnight. There were some pleasant surprises with some of my favorite characters (I won’t say who because I don’t want to ruin it for you), but HOLY WOW! Even if you saw it coming, you didn’t want to believe it. We also get some foreshadowing regarding Toby’s very distant past and her relationship with her mom. I can’t wait to see where that goes!

You can’t read an October Daye novel and not talk about the King of Cats, Tybalt! Toby and Tybalt’s relationship has been a long time coming, and they aren’t given any slack during this journey. They don’t have much alone time, but what they share during those few stolen moments would make even the most jaded heart believe in love again.

I don’t want to give away any of the good stuff that happens, so I encourage you to stop whatever you are doing and start Chimes at Midnight right now!!

4.5 Stars

The Kings Series is a spin off (I consider it a continuation) of The Big Bad Wolf series (see Monday’s post), and this is the fourth book. I recommend reading all of these books in order as the back story and continuing plot lines are important.

Heather Killough-Walden is a master of characterization. In each installment, we meet more characters and revisit old favorites. This is one of the many things that keeps me coming back for more! Damon is strong, handsome, smart, funny, loyal, and loving. Diana is noble, protective, strong, and just as funny as Damon. I loved them both! There is one scene where Damon’s actions made me cry and if you know me, you know that doesn’t happen very often.

The world building and continuing story arcs are flawlessly executed. If you enjoy paranormal romance or urban fantasy, this is a series you should have on your TBR list.

One other thing I would like to mention that I don’t usually bring up – the covers! You don’t have to have man candy and corset ripping to compel readers, and the cover art for all four of these proves it!

I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so I’ll sum up with this: The Goblin King is action packed, fast paced, and sweet (in just the right places). I can’t wait to find out what happens when the next King finds his Queen :)

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to see if I can watch some NetFlix with Damon and Diana!

Check out all my reviews at mamakittyreviews.com

Sara Humphreys has been on my auto buy list since I read the first book in this series (Unleashed), so it's no surprise that when I received an email from Sourcebooks to review Unleashed I nearly peed my pants in excitement. No really, I had the complete fan girl squee going on!

You probably want to know at this point what makes me so excited over a book, so I'm going to tell you gush. The world of the Amoveo is set up so perfectly that you feel like you live there. The characters are so tangible, you feel like you actually know them. You feel their emotions, not because they are told to you, but because they are shown to you - in technicolor, in 3-D, in digital surround sound!

Okay, okay - get to the review already!!

What I liked loved:

The characters! Marianna who is portrayed as the shallow party girl just happens to be a strong willed and kind alpha female that has had her world turned upside down. Pete who comes across as alpha to the core, but shows hidden depths that are more than swoon worthy. Not only does the sexy man know his way around a snow mobile, he has his own issues, the least of which are his insecurities where Marianna is concerned. I have to say, the way he dealt with his insecurities and the changes around him are the reasons why he was became one of my book boyfriends. *ducks flying books* I know the snow mobile scene was hotttt (a must read!), but the depth of his character is what really sealed the deal for me!

The story! While The Amoveo Legend series is definitely paranormal romance and I love the twisted routes the couples take to get their HEAs, the ever expanding story arc is what keeps me coming back book after book. Let me tell you, when Ms Humphreys opens a door in her world, she blows it right off its hinges! In Undone, she expands her world and the story so much that one can't help but anticipate where she will take us next.

What I didn't like:

Normally, I would say waiting for the next installment - but I know that I will be reading Tall, Dark, and Vampire in August when it comes out. (The first book in the spin off series Dead in the City).

If you haven't read this series and you are a fan of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, romance, or just great reading material in general - Pick up this series, set aside some "me time", and GET READING!

FTC Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Second book for #boutofbooks. Review to come, I am still processing my thoughts!

I love this guy!!

On one hand I am kicking myself for not reading this series sooner, on the other I only have to wait until June for the next book. I will do a series review at www.mamakittyreviews.com after I finish them all (probably twice).

Will do a full series review.

Original review posted along with an interview with J.K. Hogan here: http://wp.me/p2F7sT-1tF

What I liked loved:

The expansion of the wonderful world J.K Hogan has created, the characters, the action, and the romance .

I have adopted Drew as one of my book boyfriends, he is caring, sweet, vulnerable, damaged, HOT, and most of all: he handled the changes to the world around him (and happening in his life) the way my dream man would.

I have also decided that in my next life, I want to be Raven, she has her own moral code - that you after her upbringing only adds to her charm, she kicks major butt, and she has an amazing capacity for love (even if she won't admit it to herself!).

We also get to peek in on Isla and Jere, Jere's mysterious brother, and even his mom (who helped to raise Drew)! (I also really liked Ray)

The romance was wonderful, showing that two flawed, yet strong characters can overcome their fears and strengthen their weaknesses together.

This series features truly strong women who don't sit back and wait for their men to fix things for them - for me, this is imperative in a Paranormal Romance series that has a female protagonist . You won't find whiny chits who either want someone to fight their battles or who want to know "why me" with the Vigilati Series. These heroines roll with the punches, get back up, acknowledge their weaknesses, kick some major butt , and love their men.

It is no secret that I love PNR, that being said - I have standards and I tend to set the bar rather high. Blood in the Valley not only reached the bar, but bounded right over it! Nothing is better as a reader of PNR than when the author expands the boundaries and rules of that world and makes it believable. And I have to say that by bringing us into her world as the characters learn the rules, Ms Hogan has made every single broken rule and shattered boundary flow naturally with the story.

*FTC Disclosure - I received an ARC of this book for review.

Review posted on MamaKittyReviews.com
http://mamakittyreviews.com/?p=5504

This book not for the faint of heart, if you have an aversion to blood and gore, rape, incest, or anything cult related; then this book is not for you.
Let’s jump right in with my likes and dislikes.

Likes: The characters, they are all flawed – extremely flawed. Some are redeemable; others make your skin crawl. I know this was the intent, and it takes true talent to portray that in the manner it is done here. I normally don’t add or mention songs in my reviews, but after the first chapter, every time Andel came onto the page I heard the song Scavengers of the Damned by Aiden in my head. I loved that Joanna wasn’t magically cured of her addictive behavior and that she recognized her flaws for what they were. Even the baddies made you want to know what they were doing, thinking, and feeling. Tony – just TONY!!! The creeps – if you are reading a horror novel and you don’t get that cold chills, hair on the back of your neck standing, pit of your stomach dropping feeling, the author just isn’t doing a good job. From page one, Ms Rae brings it and then keeps it coming!

Dislikes: It felt a bit rushed. Maybe the editor cut some of the narrative, but being a longtime fan of this genre, I felt this story deserved another hundred pages, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just my opinion. A few spelling errors and one very noticeable repeat sentence was present, but more than forgivable. Maybe these aren’t so much dislikes, but small complaints.

Overall, I recommend this book to horror fans, conspiracy theorists, and book lovers with a 4 full meows! I started out my love of reading with horror novels and have since traveled far and wide, let me tell you - I am oh so happy to be home with Halo of the Damned!

Link to song mentioned above: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAersib_JHM

See all my reviews at: http://mamakittyreviews.com/

All right kids I’m not going to lie, I LOVE THIS SERIES! If you haven’t read The Pride Series: you should hit the nearest book store/library/e-book store and start with The Mane Event! *Note there is also mention of The Magnus Pack and having read them makes that even better when you hit that point in the story.*

Toni is the oldest of 11 kids, that’s right, she has 10 younger siblings! These siblings have been for the most part her whole life. Oh, did I fail to mention that they are all child prodigies? Well, they are, every last one of them and Toni manages their schedules and them. Her mother is a famous violinist, her father is the perfect mate and follows her mother everywhere. Now that the family had invaded Manhattan, Toni finds a job outside her immediate family and the chaos and meddling ensues!

Ricky Lee Reed is a patient, laid back wolf. Coming from the Reed/Smith pack he has to be, but something about Toni fires up his protective instincts. The fact that his pregnant sister and cousin are “hounding” him because his ex is in town gives him just the excuse he needs to ensure he is on the protection detail of the cute little jackal he has been sniffing around – Toni!

Toni and Ricky’s relationship was very sweet, and I really loved how patient he was with EVERYTHING. (I want to go to Siberia with him myself.) I did feel that not enough emphasis was put on Toni coming to terms with being something other than her siblings’ keeper. I felt that she really blossomed in that regard, but she herself never addressed it.

Getting to visit with past and new characters was so much fun. Toni’s younger siblings added humor, mayhem, and just the right amount of cute.

If you’re a fan of humor, with side plots, an ever expanding world, and all around GREAT characters, this book series is for you!

Review copy provided through netgalley.

4.5 Stars (no 5 for novellas for me)

I absolutely loved Evan and Charlie! They were one hot couple. *fans self* Evan is forever a book boyfriend of mine. This was a short, happy read for me. Charlie and Evan hook up at the beginning of the book and it's non-stop action. The pace fit and I was amazed by Ms Prince's ability to have such a large span of time in a short amount of pages and make it believable! BRAVO! Everything worked for me, from the characters' hangups to the romance. I can't wait to get my hands on another Paige Prince masterpiece.

FTC Disclosure: I purchased this book with my own money.

Review originally posted here: http://mamakittyreviews.com/?p=5462

To be honest with you, after reading Falling for You, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book and I wasn’t disappointed.

I can’t tell you how happy I was to have loveable Paige in the spotlight in this one. She is out to redeem herself after her less than stellar appearance on The One and to spend some quality time with her new best friend Cassidy. This go around her and Cassidy will be paired up on the new show Treasure Trekkers (The Amazing Race meets Geo caching). Paige discovers shortly after arriving that not only will Cassidy not be competing, but that the producers have already filled Cassidy’s spot with none other than Zoe Oliver. Zoe was really quite cruel and shallow in the last book, so I was very anxious to see how this would play out.

Paige soon meets up with Jack Miles (Miles) from an opposing team and they have instant chemistry. Miles has his own reasons for being leery of Zoe.

The hilarity ensues as the teams compete to find the prizes and Paige tries to find her inner Diva. I truly enjoyed watching Paige gain confidence and seeing her break down the barriers of Zoe’s icy exterior. For me, this book was about overcoming for Miles *swoon*, Ben (Miles’ best friend), Paige, and Zoe.

The only thing that really aggravated me was Paige and Zoe’s insistence on wearing stiletto heels for tasks like climbing and hiking. I understand the image they were trying to set, but it seemed unrealistic for them to have been taken seriously.

Overall, Heather Thurmeier gives us a funny, sweet, and insightful romance and I will definitely be reading Zoe’s story in the next book.

OMFG! This is why I love Cynthia Eden!

Original review: http://mamakittyreviews.com/?p=5473

4.5 Stars!

First of all, this is the second book in the series The Montgomerys and Armstrongs. While not necessary, I recommend reading Never Seduce a Scot before starting this one. Mainly because it’s a Great book and because the back story will help you to better understand our hero Bowen and our heroine Genevieve.

Secondly a small warning, this series is not at all light-hearted romance. This didn’t bother me , but some of you may not appreciate the severity of some of the themes and actions taken by the villains. *Spoiler (Our heroine has been raped and is ostracized by those around her.)*

The good: There is so much emotion and strength of character in both Bowen and Genevieve. Maya Banks has an extraordinary talent for bringing emotion off the page and making the reader empathize with her characters. Genevieve is scarred physically and she is treated horribly by those around her, yet still manages to forgive and love. Bowen is so very honorable and becomes torn to the point that I just wanted to hold him and tell him everything would be all right. It took so much for these two to really come together and get their HEA that at one point I wasn’t sure they would. The supporting characters were fabulous, the good and the bad. If you read the first book, you already know the Montgomerys and Armstrongs, if not – don’t worry, you’ll love them. We get to see so more of the McHugh clan, as well as meet the McInnis clan.

Remember, attitudes of the time and behaviors were very different than they are now. I feel that while Ms Banks’s inclusion of these themes make this series darker than some may want, she handles them very well and gives the reader a truly believable romance. Plus, who doesn’t love a heroine who stands strong in the face of adversity and a noble hero with a heart of gold?

The bad: That I have to wait for the next book: Highland Ever After

Favorite Quote: “There were worse things than death, as she’d discovered. Sometimes living took far more courage. Facing another day. Enduring. Those things took strength. Far more than dying.”

3.5 Full review to come on MKR

4.5 review soon