A Diva A Day!: Favorite Author

Showing posts with label Favorite Author. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Holy Hotness ~ Kestrel by A.M. Hargrove

Kestrel (a Hart Brothers novel) by A.M. Hargrove

This is an adult contemporary romance novel (Rated NC-17)

♥♥♥♥1/2
(Four and a Half Swoon Worthy Hearts)

Book Summary

Kestrel (A Hart Brothers Novel)

**This is the 3rd book in the series, but it is a Stand Alone Novel

**Not intended for readers under the age of 18 due to its mature content and strong language.

Two lives with horrific pasts. One chance meeting that changed them both forever.

“One look at her and I want to run. Frizzy hair, thick glasses, mom jeans, and ruffles up to her neck. Who the hell wears shit like that? What decade is she living in? My mother doesn’t even dress like that!”

Raised by a monster, Kestrel Hart somehow survived. Now that the monster is dead, he’s trying to move on, to pull himself together. Struggling with issues no one can imagine, he moves away from his family, from the brother who loves him, and the sister-in-law who supports and understands him the best.

Charleston, South Carolina is his new home. And he has a purpose. He’s opening up a new division of his brother’s corporation. But a surprise awaits him. Her name is Carter Drayton.

Carter’s past is also a painful one. She is dealing with the tragic death of her family. She’s healing in the only way she knows how.

Carter needs love. Kestrel craves human contact. Neither of them recognizes what’s right before their eyes. Will they see it before it’s too late?

My Review

This is a story about two broken people with totally different past. One wants to protect and the other doesn’t want to get close. Talk about opposites attract.

Oh how I love a story about a broken man. I don’t want to give anything away, but Kestrel’s story runs deep, but so does Carter’s. These two have a chance meeting that will spark a future to come but it won’t come easy. And what would the fun in that be it happened too easy. There will be some laughs in the story too.

The tension between the two will build and when the damn breaks, talk about holy hotness. Kestrel will make you swoon and make it hard to put the book down.

But this isn’t all about sweet nothings, this book has meat. It has a dash of danger and mystery to spice up the dish to one book you’ll want to get your hands on. This author has a way of keeping things interesting by not giving us a boring tried romance.

If you like a romance with a bit more grit than your mother’s old harlequin romances, check this one out.

My book boyfriend Kestrel.

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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Meet 'the one' and Read Freeing Her!

I'm not going to re-has the blurb and such (seriously, just look at the post below this one for the synopsis and all that jazz.) Shouldn't be a secret or anything, but I've fallen in love with A.M.'s books- especially the romances. Freeing Her is no exception; this is book hangover material right here, folks.

This book hit my like a freight train, in a good way. In a 'hit me baby, one more time' way. It was emotinal, and raw, and sensual, and so damn sweet at times. Keep in mind, this is a series, and while it does have a 'happy for now' thing going on, you're going to want to continue the series. Nay, you're going to NEED to contiue the series. It won't be a chore. *Shivers with delight*

It's a sexy, dark (and I mean ebony dark) ride with characters that have equally dark pasts, and unfettered kink without all the restrictions. This isn't a full rubber bodysuit with handcuffs and floggers and butt plugs, get your mind out of the red room of pain. Consider it more of a 'layman's kink'; the kind of kink I am so much more familiar with. No contracts and safe words, because it doesn't always have to go to that level of extreme to have seriously hot kinky sex. I know hard core BDSM lovers will probably be grabbing their pitchforks (or floggers?) over that statement, but if you're just a 'dabbler' in that scene, and occasionally like it rough... this is how it is in my experience.

One thing that did give me a minor *ick* feeling... being inside the head of Gabby's cousin. Ewww. I don't like it there. At all. Though, to really get that full analysis of exact what a sick puppy he is, the reader needs that peek. Do I have to like it? No. But I needed it. It's just sad knowing there are such sick freaks (using that word in a BAD way) out there. So, let that be a warning, there is a sick and twisted counsin that will make your skin crawl. No Cleaver family here.

I don't want to spend this entire review spewing out favorite quotes- but just you you know, there was highlighting going on. And maybe a panty change or two... or three, or four... OK Moving on...

I cannot WAIT until the next book. *starts jittering like a crack addict* I want more Kolson! I want to hold him, and find out more, and maybe lick him just a tiny bit. That's not weird at all, right? MORE KOLSON!!!

Officially, I'm giving 4 'I love your mouth' hearts, but throw in a nice swat on the ass and claiming kiss.

I received a complimentary eBook from the author

in exchange for my honest opinion.

Be sure to head over to

Dark Obsession Chronicles

for Blog Tour Giveaway!

Saturday, July 05, 2014

The Blood of Eden Series by Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Allie is a human living in post apocalyptic America after a plague wipes out over half of the population and vampires take control. She and her gang of friends struggle every day just to not starve to death on the streets. Allie hates the vampires with everything that she is, until she is attacked and forced to make the choice between life and death. Choosing life, she then has to learn to come to terms with what she has become and try to figure out how to keep her humanity.

I loved this book for many reasons…First, I really liked Allie. She was a tough street girl who knew what it took to survive, yet she had a soft side to her, always helping out those around her. In a world where even humans had lost their humanity, Allie was struggling to try to keep hers.

I loved the descriptiveness of the book. The author really does a great job weaving Allie's tale and painting a picture of the world she lives in. I really liked the way Allie described everyday things that she hadn't seen before because they don't exist in her world…motorized bicycles (motorcycles) and winged mice (bats). Through the whole story the author described each setting, whether it be a run down, long forgotten farmhouse or a deserted paved road, with such feeling and intent.

I also loved the romance aspect of the story. There wasn't much romance to the story, which is a good thing (see below), but what was there was done well. I really liked that the story was from the POV of the vampire falling for a human. Most books are written the other way around, and it was a nice change. I liked that Allie and her love interest didn't fall in love instantly and were very cautious with their feelings.

Here's the 'see below.' The author did such a great job framing out Allie's character. In the beginning of the book I was rooting for her to survive, then after she turned and was alone I felt sorry for her, then after she met up with Zee's group I was glad that she had friends, and then later I was sad for her again. It makes for a great story when you can connect with the characters so much that you feel for them. I think a romance really would have ruined the story, as Allie wouldn't have felt like such a loner if she would have been able to make it work out. As it was, she was a very new vampire and trying to learn her limits, and she knew that falling for a human was out of the question.

In the end, Allie did what she had to in order to survive and keep her humanity intact. I liked the way things ended but am waiting very anxiously for the next book….which I will be buying the day it's released!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Immortal Rules was my first Julie Kagawa book, and I immediately fell in love with the characters, the writing, the story, everything! I had been looking forward to this second book for what seems like forever. The only thing I don't like about it is the cover (the blue one with the lungs or roots whatever they are on the front). I am very disappointed to have gotten this cover on the hardcover I purchased. Oh well, what are you going to do?

In this second book in The Blood of Eden series, our much loved heroine street girl-turned-vampire is still struggling with how to keep her humanity in a world where humanity is no longer valued. She is trying to do what she knows is right, even if it is not always the easiest. She makes some new friends along the way as well as crosses paths with some old ones we thought were lost. There comes a point where Allie has to decide who to trust, and she finds sometimes it is not the most obvious people.

The romance in the story, like the first book, is nicely paced and does not take over the story. While I want Allie to be happy and in love, the world she lives in is a rough and dismal place. There are many things that must be overcome before she gets her happily ever after…if she gets it at all.

Once again Ms. Kagawa's writing had me pulled into the story. The descriptive writing is beautiful and detailed. I am now anxiously looking forward to book three and will be re-reading the first two before it comes out!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Saturday, June 14, 2014

Review: Shadowfever (Fever, #5) by Karen Marie Moning

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You know a book (series) is epic when…
1. You cannot put it down. Literally. All life around you becomes unimportant. Sleep? Don't need it. Food? Will accommodate as long as you can eat one-handed while holding your Kindle in the other.

2. You invest in the characters. You dream of them. You wish you could meet them. You want to be them. You miss them when they are gone. More than you miss your family.

3. The story comes to life. You are driving down the street expecting to see a rhino-boy at any moment (or insert fictional creature of your choice).

4. You are in love with one of the characters and if he showed up on your doorstep you could die happy. Jericho Z. Barrons. Enough said.

5. Even the secondary characters that you know next to nothing about pique your interest so much that you want to stalk the author until she promises to write a book about them and then stalk her until she actually writes it and you have it in your hands.

This is what the Fever series did to me. I finished Shadowfever two days ago and I am craving more. I miss Barrons so much. *Sigh* There's not much else to say. I knew it was going to end eventually but still I went through it as fast as I could because I had to find out what was going to happen. As they say, don't cry because it's over, be happy because it happened. I'm happy.

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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

The Burning Star by Jessie Lane

If you love fantasy, the paranormal, romance and twisty-turny stories featuring two young women in the fight of their lives then we have the book for you! Pick up Jessie Lane’s THE BURNING STAR, available now, and we have a special excerpt from the book to whet your appetite! Learn more below and be sure to enter the author’s amazing giveaway while you’re at it!

The Burning Star by Jessie Lane Re-Release Date: March 23, 2014 Original Publication: May 23, 2012 Links: Website | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page Hosted by: Author's Taproom

*This book is a re-release and revision from the original book. Please be aware that some things have been added, deleted or changed.*

Kay’s journey of a lifetime started in the woods outside of Asheville, North Carolina. It was there that the 17 year old met a beautiful man along with a monster. The chance encounter led her to an unbelievable world that shouldn’t exist; a place where myths and fairy tales were real, and in some cases, deadly. Kay knew she would have to brave this new world if she hoped to find a cure for her terminal cancer.

With a strange yet beautiful cast of characters that she would meet along the way, Kay uncovered truths that would change her life forever. However, before it was all over, it would become clear that Kay wasn’t the only one with problems.

Yet another 17 year old young woman was fighting for her freedom and her life.Kira had lived in a magical world that Kay had only dreamt of. Despite this, her life had not been filled with many good things. As a matter of fact, she considered her empty, emotional solitude the only positive aspect of her life. She fought daily battles to escape abuse and torture.

Trained to be an expert assassin, she was charged with kidnapping Kay and delivering her to Kira’s master, Lord Donovan.

As the two young women set forth in their journeys, their paths would cross in unimaginable ways. The only question that would remain was who would come out alive and whole in the end?

WARNING: This is a upper ya/young adult/new adult fictional story that includes some explicit language, graphic violence, and mild sexual situations. Recommended for ages sixteen and up.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance/OMNI Lit | Kobo

I stood there frozen, knowing that I would probably die because of this wretched creature, when all of a sudden I saw the quick movement of an arm bringing down the point of the knife, slicing towards the large creature’s skull. The animal’s enraged screams ripped through the woods surrounding us. My brain tried to analyze what was happening before me as I stood still as a statue and watched as the monster started to crumble away like something that had been burnt from the inside out and then fell apart. This can’t be real. I looked up from the ashes into the face of an angel. He’s not an angel; he’s just a guy. Right? He was staring at me as if he had just seen me sprout a second head. I was staring back at him like he was somehow related to those alien birds outside my window. My mouth flapped open to scream again, but before a sound could escape, the world faded to black, and I fainted. At least I didn’t scream again. When I opened my eyes, two ethereal blue eyes were staring back at me. My head was throbbing like a bass drum in a marching band, and it felt like my head might split in two from the pounding headache. “Are you okay?” he asked me, his voice strong but sweet. Before I could stop my mouth from saying anything ridiculous, I replied, “Are you an angel? Did I finally die and go to Heaven?” He bellowed a laugh while I blushed a shade that was more than likely lobster red. I smacked myself in the forehead and tried to hide my face behind my hand. What a brilliant way to make a first impression on an extremely hot guy. That’s when it hit me. The past few moments of events flooded my brain again and I started to panic. “Wait a minute! What was that thing and how in the world did it just, just—” “The dog? I had to cut it with my knife to scare it away. It wasn’t a mortal wound though. He took off through the woods to escape. Sorry if you’re one of those animal lovers, but I was afraid it might kill one of us.” I shook my head to try to clear it. “No, no, no, no. That was no dog. Well, it was at first, but then it became something else. It was black and huge and had those red eyes…” Before I finished my sentence, I looked up at him to see complete shock and amazement on his face. I had never seen anyone look so bewildered. “Don’t look at me like that! I know what I saw! Now what was that thing and what happened to it? It didn’t run off; I saw you kill it. And I would point to the body to prove it, but it, well, it fell apart or something.” In a split second, the shock had disappeared from his handsome face, replaced by something more masked and calculating. “I’m sorry, but you’re quite mistaken. I didn’t kill it. I only wounded it. And it was a dog. Are you sure you didn’t hit your head or something? I’m afraid you might be having some kind of hallucination.” Somehow, when he said it, it didn’t seem as scary or grotesque as it did when I played what I saw back in my head.

Crystal and Melissa often live half their lives with their heads in the clouds dreaming of alpha military hunks, werewolves and kick ass heroines crazy enough to chase after creatures that they unquestionably should know better than to chase. Their first YA novel, The Burning Star, was released in May 2012. Big Bad Bite is their second novel, but their first adult paranormal romance. They are now working on their next two novels, Walk On The Striped Side and Secret Maneuvers. With these projects underway, they are looking forward to showing the rest of the world their crazy stories, heroes and heroines that often plague their minds until written, and hope you will join them on their journey!

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