Review: A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forest

A Shade of Vampire  (A Shade of Vampire #1)

Author: Bella Forest
Pages:149
Publisher: CreateSpace Independence Publishing Platform
Release Date: December  14th 2012
Author Website | Twitter | Goodreads |Facebook

Available for Order: Amazon|Barnes and Noble  

Source: ARR            

On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.
A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.
She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.
Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.
Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.
Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

My Take:

Contemplating on telling the love of your life you like them is hard enough throw in being  kidnapped, you have the means of survival, even when  your kidnappers are showing restraint and keeping you 'safe' doesn't mean it's the safe you need. Sofia just thought she was normal but when she is taken to a place the sun doesn't shine, and people with fangs anyone would be on the offense. Especially when she takes to the prince of darkness himself, Derek Novak. Because she is human she is in constant danger, and with escape doesn't mean she will be able to get back home. The only thing to count in is the princes' word and even for him it's hard enough.

Waking up 400 years later to find that your siblings woke you up because they couldn't keep the place in order. Derek's way didn't go through and the kidnappings of humans are just the one thing that changed. They are slaves their purpose is to be the meal. The one to open his eyes is Sofia, who also opened a part of the self he thought he had lost. Protecting her is the only thing preventing him from tearing into her skin. She challenges him and even though she is young it's her presence  that changes his mind. But how long can Sofia stay and if given a chance would she leave Derek behind, or will a greater darkness come and split them apart forever.

A Shade of Vampire literally had me wondering what is to come and even though I would hate to be taken, would my kidnapper be so generous. I love vampire stories and this gave me a taste into a world I would consider venturing into. All we got was one shade of this story now for the others to let us know what Sofia and Derek do next, plus could there be light where there is darkness.

5/5 Stars

Review: The Collector by Victoria Scott

The Collector  (A Shade of Vampire #1)

Author: Victoria Scott
Pages:352
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: April  2nd 2013
Author Website | Twitter | Goodreads |Facebook |His Website 

Available for Order: Amazon|Barnes and Noble  

He makes good girls...bad. 

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried.

My Take:

Being at the top doesn't mean anything if you follow the rules, for Dante Walker rules are simple, collect the soul in the alluded time. Being Boss man's second means he's trained all collectors just like him, of course it's hard getting their loyalty. Any collector would want the promotion Boss man chose Dante to bring the soul within 10 days. Collectors do just that they collect the soul they are charged with and bring it back with any means necessary. Of course being not dead themselves, the cuffs they all have allow them the turn invisible as well as put a invisible light to show others that the person has acted badly.

The soul in questioned is a girl named Charlie and she is the type not to get into trouble so easily. Being the charming devil that he is Dante will do whatever it takes to take Charlie's soul. Even though the town she lives in is small and Dante sticks out like a sour thumb, getting closer to Charlie isn't hard when you know how to play the field. Even going to far as to trick her into the soul contract, Dante will do anything and everything, even stand in the way of others like him. Because once your inside this type of darkness its hard to step back. Even when stepping back means keeping Charlie safe, even from himself. 

How can you now fall in love the a charmer like Dante when he says lines like"" and "". He is able to make you feel special, and I love his swagger. Plus he loves the color red which is HOT and he. May not show it but he has a heart and shines through. I wish I can change someone's ways like charlie can because she speaks for those around her not ready to speak and she allows you step in and view the world differently. How can you not want a book that has swagger, a hot swoony worthy guy who takes what he means seriously, and a girl with a kind heart that can help shape others.

5/5 stars Dante has the swagger that begs for more.

Blog Tour: Mortality by Kellie Sheridan

Mortality (The Hitchhiker Strain #1)

Author: Kellie Sheridan
Pages:271
Publisher: Snarky Books
Release Date: March 19th 2013
Author Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Available for Order: Amazon|Barnes and Noble  

Source: ARR            Kobo | iTunes | Goodreads

After surviving a deadly plague outbreak, sixteen-year-old Savannah thought she had lived through the very worst of human history. There was no way to know that the miracle vaccine would put everyone at risk for a fate worse than un-death. 

Now, two very different kinds of infected walk the Earth, intent on nothing but feeding and destroying what little remains of civilization. When the inoculated are bitten, infection means watching on in silent horror as self-control disappears and the idea of feasting on loved ones becomes increasingly hard to ignore. 

Starving and forced to live inside of the abandoned high school, all Savannah wants is the chance to fight back. When a strange boy arrives with a plan to set everything right, she gets her chance. Meeting Cole changes everything. Mere survival will never be enough.

My Take:

Ever think the world we live in can change and something unexpected happen. Living in a post apocalyptic world is tough even for teens, the out break happened and even though the US government swore to protect, the virus was just to much to keep secure. In Mortality, to better understand the effect, two sides of a story is told through the eyes of two different teens trying to survive. Savannah is the present, her group isn't usually the one to be sent out and gather supplies, but with the way times have been sand supplies limited, her group gets a opportunity to venture into Z's territory. Taking down zombies might be all make believe in our world, but with the outbreak survival is key. Along the way Cole shows up with wanting her help to protect him and hope for a future.

Zarah is the past, she tells us what happened and what the government tried to prevent, who knew one normal day of school and the next thing you see is a neighbor trying to tear your skin off. Getting to her parents is the main thing on her mind, of course without an idea of where they could be, getting to them could be tougher than she thought. Even though she would have never thought getting on a bike with a boy, that is the last thing she needs to be worried about. Of course it helps that Liam did smile at her before the world changed in those two seconds. But when the government offers a safe bet Zarah and Liam take what they can get, except of course they didn't know once bitten they turn into super smart Zs and that is more scarier than any thing.

Both Savannah and Zarah understand that with some help their course can change. This was an amazing story in that it reminded me of so many different zombie movies and it kept up with good story telling. Savannah had some skills and even though she is young her character saw development, and showed some strength in a lot of places. Zarah had strength also to venture on not knowing if her parents were alive, hope is strong and my guess she has that hope along her journey. I can not wait to see what else happens, so if your into Zs than this is definitely one for you to pick up.

5/5 Stars 

Don't forget to check out the prequel 

Review: Game for Marriage by Karen Erickson

Game for Marriage (Game For It #1)

Author: Karen Erickson
Pages:170
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: January  11th 2013
Author Website | Twitter | Facebook
Available for Order: Amazon|Barnes and Noble

He’s going in deep to make her his…

Struggling artist Sheridan Harper never imagined she’d spend a sizzling night with Jared Quinn, the smoking-hot star quarterback of her local professional football team, the San Jose Hawks. And she’s even more shocked when Jared’s publicist offers her a proposition: a fake marriage to keep Jared out of the gossip mags. Being that close to Jared would be too tempting, so to protect her heart, she insists on secretly including a clause forbidding sex between them.

Jared just wants to keep his starting QB job and keep it in San Jose. His reputation as a ladies’ man has landed him in the headlines one too many times, but there’s something about his kind, passionate new wife that tempts him beyond reason. Any sort of intimacy between them is completely forbidden, but as their bodies fall in deep, will their hearts follow suit?

My Take:

Even when fame comes with a fortune, it also comes with some drawbacks. Jared Quinn has everything, star on and off the field, but with his latest scandal threatening his career the teams representative comes with the idea of a fake marriage. Struggling to keep the art studio is tough for any artist but for Sheridan Harper losing the last piece she has of her grandmother isn't something she will let go easy. Meeting Jared wasn't in the cards but when a hot guy asks you out of course you go right. The thing is he can't be photographed because another story can be made up. It's not until the night they have that Sheridan has know idea what she was drawn into. With a binding contract for a one year marriage and a clause that can't be broken its hard not to break it. The two get hitched and even though she can't tell anyone, no one would believe her and she needs some help with her studio.

It's not until both Jared and Sheridan come to realize the clause isn't right to stop them and even though they didn't plan the next step they both can't live without the other. But with stories being twisted and the contract still binding can the two realize that it doesn't matter what others think and live with what they have or will the threat break them. With rules on and off the field it's hard not to want to break as many and you can and who isn't game for anything.

I instantly fell in love with Jared and Sheridan because this can happen. So many celebs could have fake marriages and than because of all the time spent together they can fall for each other. They both were drawn to each other and even without the clause they would have found a way to go on. I liked the fact that they both seemed so real and believable. I loved that even though I love football I fell in love with the game all over again. With Jared it's hard not to fall into his arms. I laughed so many times when Sheridan was thinking and she didn't think a guy like Jared cared was she so wrong. Jared was there even when he wasn't and she never had to doubt it. So if you like rule breaking and the game that comes along that you will enjoy this and wish you had a quarter back like Jared waiting for you on the field.

5/5 Stars

Review: Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Apollyon 

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Pages:360
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: April 9th 2013
Author Website | Twitter | Facebook
Available for Order: Amazon|Barnes and Noble

Source: Sent by the Publisher

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

My Take:

For Alex being the Apollyon isn't as easy as one thought, and losing yourself is worst than any other possibility. But with patience from those who care about her, and time, Alex is able to Alex again. Even though life isn't back to the way it was, Alex knows that life is still moving forward. Even though the link is still their, her walls that were taught to her by Seth, are still holding up. With a rhythm set and training still being instructed, Alex finds that even though she is what she is doesn't mean it will over take her. 

Finding out information from past Apollyons helped with her to not repeat the past and even though she knows what the gods want it doesn't mean Alex has to complete it. But with everyday passing mean many passing souls and that means one thing to be the person your meant to be means to become the thing no won will expect. But with the gods against her and trying to kill her, its tough to say what the next action Alex will take. Of course Aidien is there to help along the way and even though the world is in chaos doesn't mean those feelings stop. 

Since reading Half-Blood I have been drawn into a world that has fighting, struggles, growth and strength in the story itself, and I can't help but want more time with these characters, Aidan especially. You haven't seen action packed adventure until you've read any of Jen's work and with every page your left with some emotion. It's hard not to want to devour and savior every page and never wanting it to end. I am both sad and happy with the way Alex has grown since she walked into my life 2 years ago, and even though we maybe saying goodbye others will want to say hello again or for the first time.Their are no words to describe how awesome Jen's work is. Give me some gods and I'm your forever always loyal.  Thank you to Spencer Hill for giving us the work of a genius and for giving this little blogger an ARC. Thus journey has been amazing and even though the next one is long, it just gives me more time to re-read Alex's story and enjoy it again. So let Alex take you on a journey and let her show you her strength from within. 

 5/5 stars

Review: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Unravel Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi
Pages:461
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: February 5th 2013
Author Website | Twitter | Facebook
Available for Order: Amazon|Barnes and Noble

it's almosttime for war.
Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.
She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.
Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.
In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

My Take:

Ever since Juliette can remember she has been used this way or that way and even though she knows she is safe she still feels being cautious is easier. At first she was on bored with everything and willing to fight for the cause. But being at the center of attention and everyone finding out who she is and what she can do is tough. Are they still willing to risk themselves for her. Having the power she has is risky and even finding how she can us it puts not only her but the people she cares about at risk.

Of course things change once word gets out that Warner is searching for her personally. With time being lost to her training and helping out as possible as she can, Castle feels that her being there is sparking a revolution on the outside. So even though one threat is looking for her, there is also the fact that Warner's father is their as well. He only wants one thing and that is to end all the nonsense of war. Even though they are together, can the people who have been cast out spark a new revolution for the people too scared to try. Or will the Reestablishment put an end to them all even as valuable as Juliette is, can not foresee what is to happen if or when things go wrong.

While reading Unravel Me, I couldn't help but wonder how powerful one government can be. Even though  Juliette is learning how to harvest her power, its still tough being put on for everyone to see. She is valuable and when she is not letting her emotions cloud her, her power can drive any one to retreat. When you gain something its hard to lose it again and even though everyday is still a struggle at least Juliette has people who are willing to stand beside her. 

5/5 Stars - Still epic and still Team Adam

Review: Life Before Legend by Marie Lu

Life Before Legend

Author: Marie Lu
Pages:38
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: January 15th 2013
Author Website | Twitter | Facebook
Available for Order: Amazon|Barnes and Noble

Find out more about June and Day in this never-before-seen glimpse into their daily lives before they met in Marie Lu’s New York Times bestselling LEGEND series. As twelve-year-olds struggling to survive in two very different worlds within the Republic’s stronghold, June was starting her first day of school at Drake University as the youngest cadet ever admitted, and Day was fighting for food on the streets of the Lake sector. LIFE BEFORE LEGEND contains two original stories written by Marie Lu that give readers a sneak peek into the lives of their favorite characters in a thrilling new context.

My Take:

Before there was Legend, as a twelve year old boy Day had to survive the streets of the Lake sector. His knee is wounded and tries to help those he nows needs it. Taking a job for a couple days we see how Day spent his early days surviving. With a little help from a girl who is just a little older than him, Day can't help but imagine life not on the run a setting up their on the lake. Of course dreams don't always come true and Day has first hand knowledge of this.

Drake University is the place every citizen wishes to get into but starting at the age of twelve can be tough. For June being the only Prodigy is privilege and shouldn't be taken lightly. but do you expect when you enter a school reserved with teens who look down at her and not up. Starting trouble is one of June's strong suits and even when its the first day. Of course being late to the first day is not her fault but the school seems to think it is. 

Life Before Legend, offers a chance to look into the lives of June and Day before they met and before their true story can be said. They both seem to adjust and know that survival is key. Of course both live in separate areas and gain a different experience, both are learning skills that help them become the Legend they are meant to be.  

5/5 stars - Extraordinary