Book Shelf: Car Crash (Collision #2) by T. Gephart

Kitty was not only beautiful but also incredibly intelligent—except when it came to relationships. It seemed if a guy was a loser, corrupt, deadbeat or unavailable, she was completely and utterly attracted to him. She definitely had a “type,” and all of them had been one bad decision after another.

Dallas had trouble of his own. Finding women wasn’t a problem—he could charm the pants off almost anyone—but most of those “pantless” women ended up being a few bananas short of a fruit basket. Not always the best candidates for his sex-without-strings philosophy. He was one date away from ending up a 60 Minutes special.

While both of them were at the top of their game professionally—she a high-powered executive assistant, and he one of the best tattooists in the city—their personal lives had become a dumpster fire.

No one in their right mind would have suggested they join forces to help each other wade through the crazy. Surely that was a recipe for disaster? But without reason, logic or even sanity on their side, they decided to do it anyway.

It was a hot mess primed for a head-on collision.

More info on Goodreads.......


Review:

T. Gephart is back with the second novel in her Collision series, Car Crash, another wildly entertaining and enjoyable romance full of humour, passion and tension.

Kitty Donovan is used to people underestimating her. Even though she has built herself a successful position as an assistant to a leading CEO, she’s still not seen for her intelligence and ambition, just her glorious body. A body that has led Kitty into a lot of questionable situations with men. Tattoo artist Dallas is happily living the single life. He has a string of gorgeous women he gets to take to his bed and as long as everyone knows the score, everyone should leave happy, right? Wrong! All his no-strings-attached hook-ups always end the same way; a mess, and after talking to a new work colleague, Dallas has a plan to turn things around. He and Kitty are going to conduct an experiment to see if spending time with someone outside of the bedroom can help heighten what happens within. Yet as Kitty and Dallas find themselves becoming closer than ever will the experiment become something more or are they on a collision for a complete disaster?

Having enjoyed Train Wreck, I was super excited to read it’s companion novel Car Crash, which is as good, if not better than its predecessor! In fact, I think I loved Car Crash even more than the first book! Easily read as a standalone novel or alongside Train Wreck if you want to appreciate the other characters a little bit more, Car Crash follows Kitty and Dallas and unfolds through their dual, back and forth perspective.

Both Kitty and Dallas are highly likable characters and have fantastic chemistry. Theirs is a slow burn romance with plenty of sexual tension and eventual sizzling sex scenes that heat up the pages. I loved that they built their relationship on a friendship even though they had been intimate in the past. Seeing them interact and hang out was sweet and I enjoyed seeing them fall for one another so effortlessly.

T. Gephart brings love to life with this rom-com and I definitely believe Car Crash is worth a read. I was thrilled to see Josh and Eve again from time to time throughout the book and am already intrigued by the new Ink Addiction employee Mason. Here’s hoping there will be a third book featuring him as there’s just so much I want to know more!


Rating:
Source: Sent for review by InkSlinger PR and the author (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: T Gephart
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: February 7th 2019
Buy: Amazon US | Amazon AU | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: So much fun; I'd love to see another novel featuring Mason if possible.

Waiting on Wednesday #257

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....  

The Last Hope by Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie 

Releases on: August 13th 2019

Add on Goodreads!

A stunning conclusion to the sci-fi romance duology by writing duo Krista & Becca Ritchie, The Last Hope is filled with twists and turns you'll never see coming.

Sacrifice all you have to survive. 

 
Imprisoned for weeks on an enemy starcraft, Franny, Court, and Mykal have sat with an unfathomable revelation. They are human. But as they fight to stay alive, they’re unsure of why or how they’re different. Escaping prison means trusting a young mysterious stranger. He knows everything about their lost histories, but when answers aren’t given freely, the bonded trio are forced to join a mission. One that will determine the fate of humanity. 

 
Legend says, a baby—the first of her species—has the power to cloak and teleport planets. Tasked with retrieving the infant, Court is afraid the baby is just a myth, and if they fail, they’ll never know the truth about their human origins. 

 
As Court and Mykal grow closer, their linked bond becomes harder to hide, and dynamics change when Franny begins to fall for someone new. Vulnerable and with no choice, the hunt for the baby sends the trio on a dangerous path to Saltare-1: a water world where their enemies can’t die and survival comes at a high cost.

Thoughts:

The Raging Ones was one of my favourite books of 2018 and I'm beyond excited to get my hands on The Last Hope. Franny, Mykal and Court have won my heart and soul and I MUST HAVE THIS as soon as possible! 

What are you waiting on this week?

 

Swag Giveaway!

In recent time I've come to the conclusion that I'm a book hoarder, but I've also recently realized that I hoard swag too. Badly. I've boxes of it. Which is why I'm going to give it away!

20--yes 20--followers with will an envelope full of swag made up of post cards, pictures, book marks, bracelets, magnets, lip balms and other bookish goodies. And most of it is signed :)

There will be:

15x AU/NZ winners

5x INT winners

Boxes of swag!

 

Signed pictures!

Swag--a lot of it signed--from authors including:  

Carmen Jenner, Amity Cross, Abbi Glines, Jennifer L Armentrout, Tamara Stone, Cora Carmack, Kylie Scott, Jay Crownover, Lara Adrian, Kiki Hamilton, Natalie Gayle, Jay McLean, C.J. Duggan, Stacey Nash, Holly Black, Eden Summers, Kia Carrington, Jana Oliver, Lisa Edward, Penny Reid, Leisa Rayven, Pepper Winters, Belle Aurora, Samantha Young, Lili St Germain, Denise Grover Swank, Selena Fenech, Maria V Snyder, Amie Kaufman, Jacinta Maree, Maya Banks, Cassia Leo, Bella Jewel, Jessie L. Starr, Rachel Johns, Harper Sloan, T. Gephart, Margaret McHeyzer, Chantal Fernando, Nina Levine, J. L Perry/Jodi Perry, Janeal Falor, Alison Goodman, Jaymin Eve, Kat T Mason and MORE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck to everyone to enters :)

 

Book Shelf: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

Crush: a strong and often short-lived infatuation, particularly for someone beyond your reach…

Darcy Barrett has undertaken a global survey of men. She’s travelled the world, and can categorically say that no one measures up to Tom Valeska, whose only flaw is that Darcy’s twin brother Jamie saw him first and claimed him forever as his best friend. Despite Darcy’s best efforts, Tom’s off limits and loyal to her brother, 99%. That’s the problem with finding her dream man at age eight and peaking in her photography career at age twenty—ever since, she’s had to learn to settle for good enough.

When Darcy and Jamie inherit a tumble-down cottage from their grandmother, they’re left with strict instructions to bring it back to its former glory and sell the property. Darcy plans to be in an aisle seat halfway across the ocean as soon as the renovations start, but before she can cut and run, she finds a familiar face on her porch: house-flipper extraordinaire Tom’s arrived, he’s bearing power tools, and he’s single for the first time in almost a decade.

Suddenly Darcy’s considering sticking around to make sure her twin doesn’t ruin the cottage’s inherent magic with his penchant for grey and chrome. She’s definitely not staying because of her new business partner’s tight t-shirts, or that perfect face that's inspiring her to pick up her camera again. Soon sparks are flying—and it’s not the faulty wiring. It turns out one percent of Tom’s heart might not be enough for Darcy anymore. This time around, she’s switching things up. She’s going to make Tom Valeska 99 percent hers.

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

99 Percent Mine is Sally Thorne’s latest release and is a vibrant, hilarious romantic comedy perfect for fans of Alice Clayton and Penny Reid with an electric chemistry and sharp, witty interactions that will have you smiling from start to finish.

A talented photographer, Darcy Barret has travelled the world and can easily say that no man is as perfect as Tom Valeska. He’s kind, funny and so good-looking he puts others to shame. His only flaw? Darcy’s twin brother saw him first and claimed him as his best friend when they were eight years old. Which means Tom is off limits to Darcy…..even if he has always been the one she wanted. Determined to restore her late grandmothers beloved cottage to its former glory Darcy hire’s Tom new construction business to complete the renovations. Despite planning to be hundreds of miles away during construction, Darcy’s plans are derailed when her passport cannot be located and she finds herself working alongside a sweaty, determined Tom who is single for the first time in nearly a decade. Sparks are soon flying and as Darcy begins to realise that a future with Tom may be what she wants, she is more determined than ever to make Tom hers….

Sally Thorne’s debut novel The Hating Game is one of my all-time favourite romantic comedies, so I was beyond excited to get my hands on her follow up novel 99 Percent Mine as soon as it hit Netgalley. Diving into the story it was clear that 99 Percent Mine featured the same wit, humour and chemistry between the main character and her love interest that I adored about Thorne’s first novel.

99 Percent Mine is told through the crazy and often hilarious eyes of protagonist Darcy Bennett. Though she suffers from a weakened heart, and has since birth, Darce refuses to let it stop her. I quite liked Darcy. She was funny and determined even if she was also over the top and kooky at times too.

As Darcy’s love interest and the object of her affection, Tom Valeska was pretty darn perfect. He was the whole package and seemed to truly get Darcy. A result of having known someone since you were children, Tom and Darcy seemed effortless together. They bantered non stop while Darcy constantly made sassy innuendos that Tom took in stride good naturedly and with the ease of someone knowing the other person deeply.

Romantic and fun with a great cast of supporting characters and an endearing storyline, 99 Percent Mine will capture your attention 100 percent and leave you smiling all the way to the very end.

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher via Netgalley (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: William Morrow Books
Format: Kindle ebook via Netgalley
Release Date: January 29th 2019
Buy: Angus & Robertson | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: Very enjoyable--Sally Thorne has done it again!

Waiting on Wednesday #256

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones 

Releases on: September 24th 2019

Add on Goodreads!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Sky in the Deep in this bewitching, historical horror novel, perfect for fans of Holly Black and V.E. Schwab.

Seventeen-year-old Aderyn ("Ryn") only cares about two things: her family, and her family's graveyard. And right now, both are in dire straits. Since the death of their parents, Ryn and her siblings have been scraping together a meager existence as gravediggers in the remote village of Colbren, which sits at the foot of a harsh and deadly mountain range that was once home to the fae. The problem with being a gravedigger in Colbren, though, is that the dead don't always stay dead.

The risen corpses are known as "bone houses," and legend says that they're the result of a decades-old curse. When Ellis, an apprentice mapmaker with a mysterious past, arrives in town, the bone houses attack with new ferocity. What is it about Ellis that draws them near? And more importantly, how can they be stopped for good?

Together, Ellis and Ryn embark on a journey that will take them deep into the heart of the mountains, where they will have to face both the curse and the long-hidden truths about themselves. Equal parts classic horror novel and original fairy-tale, The Bone Houses will have you spellbound from the very first page.

Thoughts:
I'm always on the look out for something unique and different and The Bone Houses definitely seems to be both of these. It sounds super good and I'm very much hoping to read it upon its release.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Book Shelf: The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air #2) by Holly Black

You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring.

The first lesson is to make yourself strong.

After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her younger brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.

When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world. 

More info on Goodreads....


Review:

The Wicked King is the explosive sequel to Holly Black’s stunning novel The Cruel Prince and is a exhilarating follow up that gives its predecessor a run for its money with its twists, turns and shocking developments.

Jude Duarte has bound herself to former faerie prince Carden in the hopes of protecting her brother Oak. Having been placed on the throne thanks to Jude’s slight of hand, King Carden is an unwilling puppet; bent to Jude’s will and the face of her control over the crown. Navigating the ever changing political alliances of Faerie is difficult for Jude as Carden does everything in his limited power to defy and humiliate her even as he struggles with the fascination and desire he has for her. Desire that Jude shares despite her best intentions not to. As it becomes clear that someone close to her plans to betray her, Jude must discover who the traitor is before everyone she loves is lost.

Last year The Cruel Prince became an unexpected favourite read of mine and as quite possibly my most anticipated read of 2019, The Wicked King had a lot of expectations to live up to. Something it certainly does and then some! Brilliantly written The Wicked King is a deftly woven story of political intrigue, court deception and ulterior motives. Holly Black details a vivid and darkly luscious world of Faerie that comes alive through the eyes of human protagonist Jude who has spent the majority of her life carefully navigating the treacherous land she calls home.

As far as main characters go, there is a lot to like about Jude Duarte. Despite being mortal, Jude has spent her life learning to survive in the cruel, manipulative world of Faerie. Jude is intelligent, quick on her toes and perceptive. She’s kind and caring towards those she loves, but it’s the calculating and capable sides of her that have kept her alive…and now in control of arguably the most powerful person in Faerie.

I genuinely do love Jude. I feel like after only two books she’s grown substantially as she has taken on more power and responsibility. In The Wicked King, Jude is a far cry from the weak human she was in the first book and as she continues to weave together her plan to protect her brother Oak, I definitely enjoyed seeing this new determined and dedicated side to her.

Then there’s the wonderful chemistry between Jude and Cardan that is continually explored in The Wicked King. Theirs truly is a love-hate relationship—heavy on the hate—but I absolutely adore the way Holly Black has created their romance. It’s so fiery and passionate and deceptive. You never know if they want to kiss or kill one another which only makes the rare moments where they give into their desires all that more potent. I know their motivations (mainly Cardan’s) are very much still shrouded in mystery, but I honestly think that what they have between them has the power to be truly life changing. And I for one certainly think Cardan isn’t the cruel, devious person he occasionally comes across as.

Shocking and unexpected, The Wicked King introduces readers to new branches of this delectable faerie world so expertly crafted by Holly Black including the devious and murderous Undersea and builds to a jaw dropping conclusion. Leaving readers at quite possibly one of the most opportune moments, The Wicked King thoroughly entrances and will have you hanging out for the next novel, The Queen of Nothing to be released as soon as humanly possible!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Format: Paperback
Australian RRP: $19.99
Release Date: January 8th 2019
Buy: Angus & Robertson | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: Simply superb; this series is one that will take your breath away. Can't wait for the next novel!

Owl Post #227

Inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, Owl Post allows us bloggers to showcase the books we've bought, won or received throughout the week and is hosted by Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries. We all know that the Owl Post is the fastest way to send and receive mail and they certainly make me happy every time they drop a book off.  

Happy Monday book lovers and welcome to this weeks Owl Post :)

     For Review

From Simon & Schuster:

- Slayer by Kiersten White 

The idea of this novel is so darn fabulous. Buffy was such an iconic character and the concept of diving back into the same world she existed in is simply too good to pass up. Can't wait to read this one! Vampires will forever rock in my eyes!

....Thank you Jamie!

I Bought:

- Illusion by Sherrilyn Kenyon

- Instinct by Sherrilyn Kenyon

I'm BEYOND EXCITED that Sherrilyn Kenyon will be attending the Australian Romance Readers Association A Romantic Rendezvous signing in March and am in the process of getting myself copies of the books of hers I don't have. Can't wait to meet her. She's without a doubt one of my favorite authors EVER!

What did the owls bring you this week?