Book Shelf: Hunter (Hunting Her #1) by Eden Summers

I wasn't looking for his kind of trouble.
It found me anyway.

Tall. Dark. Addictive.
He unravels me with his kisses.
Melts me with his touch.

But he has secrets.
A hidden agenda, beyond his craving for me.

A desire for more than tangled silk sheets and our sweat-slicked skin.

I need to run. From him. From the lies.

But running from the hunter means I've now become the prey.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:  

Hunter by Eden Summers is a dark and gritty contemporary novel that is part romance, part thriller and will keep you hooked from beginning to end with its fast pace and mystery.

Delving into Hunter by Eden Summer, I was super excited. I always enjoy her novels and couldn’t wait to read her latest release. The beauty of Hunter is that heading into the novel, both the description and the first few chapter’s don’t really give much away. Hunter is a gritty and suspenseful novel, heavy in mystery. The motivations and intentions of the main characters are things the reader will only discover over time and the drive to know more will urge the reader along.

Introducing readers to a driven and determined woman in search of vengeance and then man who stirs her desire but holds his own secrets, Hunter unfolds through the varying perspectives of both main characters Steph and Hunter. Both are twisted, conflicted and dark individuals with their own haunted pasts and secrets. Their relationship isn’t always altogether healthy but they find comfort and solace in each other and their attraction burns up the pages.

Personally I quite liked both Hunter and Steph and felt they fulfilled their respective roles within the story beautifully. Eden Summers writes some scorching sex scenes between them as well as a lot of sharp dialogue. I also found myself intrigued by Decker and Torian and can't wait to learn more about them down the track.

Raw and thrilling, Hunter was a deeply mysterious but driven story and hooked me from beginning to end. Can't wait to see what Eden Summers has in store next!

Rating:
Source: Read via Kindle Unlimited (I also own a signed paperback copy)
Publisher: Published by Eden Summers
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: February 6th 2018
Buy: The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 
Final Thoughts: A thoroughly enjoyable read, I'm ready to begin Dexter's tale next!

Book Blitz: Venus Falling by RaShelle Workman- Excerpt & Giveaway

Welcome to the Book Blitz for Venus Falling by RaShelle Workman thanks to Xpresso Book Tours! I think this novel sounds fabulous and I'm excited to help share it with you today. I mean, get a look at that stunning cover.....just beautiful!

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“Roswell meets The Vampire Diaries in this mashup! Romance. Betrayal. A hot vampire kissing an alien princess?! Be swept away to the wiles of Wyoming and then to the stars in this seriously entertaining, twisted, science fiction/fantasy series.” ~ 

Betrayal sucks! I should know. On my sixteenth birthday, it was my destiny to become immortal and the next queen of my home planet, Kelari. Instead I was betrayed and sent to Earth where I was given a choice by the gods. Suffocate and die by Earth’s atmosphere or help a human find his soulmate. 

Of course, I chose the latter. The decree sounded easy enough until I met the guy. Michael is gorgeous; I’ll give him that. But he’s also an arrogant jerk! No one could possibly love him—least of all me. 

But Michael is the least of my problems. There’s a hot vampire after me, determined to make me like him. He’s hard to resist, especially when he’s kissing me. Not to mention a government group whose sole purpose is to hunt beings from other worlds. They’ve found out about my unearthly identity, and despite my human appearance, they are intent on capturing and dissecting me like some kind of a lab experiment. 

Thankfully my guardian Zaren followed me to this planet. He’s sworn to protect me. He’s done so my entire life. At least he’s supposed to. But Earth is different than Kelari in more ways than one, and the planet is affecting me like neither of us expected. I don’t think he counted on keeping me safe from my own traitorous heart. 

Add on Goodreads!

Purchase:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

From Venus Falling.....

Christopher stood on the outskirs of Snow White’s house. He wouldn’t go in. Doing so would cause a hassle he wasn’t ready for. And neither was Snow. Soon though. He leaned against the enormous tree in her front yard, watching the changing leaves fall like colorful rain. Above, the stars twinkled in the clear night sky, as though it had no inkling of the grim trouble on the horizon.

Christopher sighed, pushing his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. He had come to Snow’s house for one reason. To get his head right. He had plans for Snow. Big plans. Traitorous plans. But for now, he'd been tasked with handling an impending problem of intergalactic proportions.

He closed his eyes against what he’d learned, but for some reason, that only made what he had to do more real. The Vampire Queen had asked him to infiltrate a high school and befriend some particular students. At her request, he’d laughed. He was too old for such an assignment. It didn’t matter that he still looked like a teenager because he’d been changed at that time in his life. He was a vampire, specifically a Hunter, and had been for decades. He could just kill them all. Wouldn’t that suffice?

But the Vampire Queen had other ideas. Plus, she hadn’t asked, she’d demanded. Going against her wishes was detrimental to his health. He sighed again, thinking of all she’d told him. When she spoke, his world had been turned upside down. Similar to the time before he’d become a vampire. Then, he hadn’t believed in the supernatural. Of course, now, he did. But there was more.

The queen told him life existed beyond humans and the supernatural. There were creatures not of this world, and they were determined to make Earth theirs.

He refused to let that happen.

So, he would do as she ordered and head to the wiles of Wyoming. He would join the high school there. According to the Vampire Queen, a princess would be attending. He was to search her out and turn her—make her one of them. But the princess wasn’t from Earth. She was from another planet, though according to the queen she would look human.

He shuddered with excitement at the strangeness of life. How would the alien princess taste? His body hummed in anticipation of her blood in his mouth. He wasn’t afraid. He was hungry. And determined to have his fill of her. The sooner, the better.

Let the hunt begin…

RaShelle Workman is an international bestselling author. Under this name she writes reimagined fairy tales, science fiction, time travel, and romantic suspense. All of her novels have been listed on multiple bestseller lists, including her BLOOD AND SNOW series, which has sold more than a million copies. Three of her books have been translated into Turkish and several can be downloaded and enjoyed on audio.

NOW AVAILABLE: Blood and Snow is a CHOICE TEXT ADVENTURE game as is Alice in Demonland. Created by Delight Games. Pick them up free on your App Store today!

When RaShelle isn't writing, she enjoys baking, creating new taco recipes and watching Supernatural. She lives in Utah with her husband, three children, and their dogs. Find her online by visiting her website at: www.rashelleworkman.org. And sign up for her newsletter to receive free books and get information on book release dates: http://eepurl.com/chMcej.

Visit RaShelle:
Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

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Book Shelf: The Darkest Bloom (Shadowscent #1) by P.M. Freestone

In the empire of Aramtesh, scent has power.

When disaster strikes and the crown prince lies poisoned, long suppressed rivalries threaten to blow the empire apart. It’s up to a poor village girl with a talent for fragrances and the prince’s loyal bodyguard to find an antidote.

To succeed, the pair must uncover secrets – cryptic, ancient tales as well as buried truths from their own pasts – in an adventure that will ignite your senses.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

The Darkest Bloom is P.M. Freestone’s debut novel and the first in her Shadowscent series, sweeping readers into a passionate fantasy world where the power of scent reigns supreme and an unknown enemy is determined to change the empire.

In the kingdom of Aramtesh, scent has power and when the crown prince is poisoned, two unlikely allies must join forces in order to save him. Rakel is a poor village girl, hoping to build a life for herself in the capital using her healing abilities and talent for fragrances. Ash is a Shield—best friend and bodyguard of Prince Nasai—and a man of secrets. They couldn’t be more different, but when Nasai is poisoned, they must travel together in search of an antidote. Uncovering the clues and ancient secrets proves tricky but with time running out for the prince, Rakel and Ash will need to trust in one another if they have any hope of succeeding.

After heading into The Darkest Bloom unsure what I would find, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. P.M. Freestone’s debut was reminiscent of Maria V. Snyder’s Poison Study series and features a well told plot and beautiful writing. Adventurous in nature, all the fantasy elements I love were present in The Darkest Bloom—danger, magic, romance, excitement—just what I needed to get sucked into the story.

The story unfolds through the varying perspectives of main characters Rakel and Ash. I enjoyed the opportunity to follow them both in equal measure throughout the story and found myself really liking them both as characters. They have two distinct voices and personalities that complement one another. After beginning a shaky alliance, it was satisfying seeing them come to trust and rely on one another more as their journey progressed. Rakel is a genuine and strong willed heroine who is quick thinking while Ash is more guarded and restrained—the reason for this restraint becoming clear as the novel reaches its final few chapters—though he is undeniably capable in most areas.

I loved Ash’s closeness to his friend and charge, prince Nasai, and felt the two had a wonderful friendship. There an underlying romantic element that simmers between Rakel and Ash as they grow closer during The Darkest Bloom. Slow blossoming, but sweet with so much potential, the romance between them is just enough to fit with the action, danger and sense of adventure that comes with the story.

The Darkest Bloom offers a glimpse into a very intriguing fantasy world. P.M. Freestone begins the Shadowscent series extremely well and ends this chapter of Rakel and Ash’s story with a cliffhanger ending that is guaranteed to have readers keen to get their hands on the next novel. Highly enjoyable, The Darkest Bloom is well worth a read for fantasy lovers and leaves me ready to read the sequel as soon as it comes out!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Format: Paperback ARC
Australian RRP: $16.99
Release Date: February 7th 2019
Buy: Angus & Robertson | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: I highly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one!

Waiting on Wednesday #269

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 Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

Releases on: January 7th 2020
Add on Goodreads!

He will be destruction of the crown and the ruination of the throne.

Power is much easier to acquire than it is to hold onto. Jude learned this lesson when she released her control over the wicked king, Cardan, in exchange for immeasurable power.

Now as the exiled mortal Queen of Faerie, Jude is powerless and left reeling from Cardan’s betrayal. She bides her time determined to reclaim everything he took from her. Opportunity arrives in the form of her deceptive twin sister, Taryn, whose mortal life is in peril.

Jude must risk venturing back into the treacherous Faerie Court, and confront her lingering feelings for Cardan, if she wishes to save her sister. But Elfhame is not as she left it. War is brewing. As Jude slips deep within enemy lines she becomes ensnared in the conflict’s bloody politics.

And, when a dormant yet powerful curse is unleashed, panic spreads throughout the land, forcing her to choose between her ambition and her humanity…

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, comes the highly anticipated and jaw-dropping finale to The Folk of the Air trilogy.

Thoughts:
SQUEEE! I'm sooooooo in love with this series and cannot wait for more of Jude and Cardan. As far as I'm concerned, it just keeps getting better with each installment and after the shocking ending of The Wicked King, I'm expecting big things from Holly Black with this third and final novel. Can't it just be next year already?!?!

Are you a fan of this series?

And what are you waiting on this week?

 

Book Shelf: The North (Vampire Royals #4) by Leigh Walker

The Pageant has Ended, but a New Adventure is Just Beginning!
 
Blake Kensington enjoyed her time at the palace. But after the royal wedding, it’s time for her to begin her new role as Goodwill Ambassador to the North. Curious about the foreign country and even more curious about her traveling companion, Prince Austin Black, Blake sets out on her adventure with the handsome and mysterious prince.

But once they cross the border, and the North reveals itself to be more treacherous than Blake ever anticipated.

Austin vowed to never leave his Northern home. But when the werewolves begin threatening the castle, putting Blake at risk, the prince must defend his claim like never before. Austin never planned to risk his kingdom for a human…

How do you choose between your past, and what could be your future? 

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

The North is the fourth novel in Leigh Walker’s Vampire Royals series and is another brilliant read, this time featuring previously introduced pageant contender Blake and details another romantic adventure, this time located in the vampires home land of the North.

The Pageant has ended, but the adventure has only just begun for Blake Kensington! After seeing her friend Gwyn fall in love with vampire prince, Dallas, Blake is ready to step into her role as Goodwill Ambassador for the North. Departing straight after the wedding of the century, Blake is excited to travel to a foreign country, but it’s her travel companion who she is most curious about. Prince Austin Black is handsome and mysterious, and so darn frustrating. Like his older brother Dallas, Austin is a vampire but unlike his brother, Austin has only ever seen humans as food…..until he met Blake. Austin seems to care for her and continues to make her heart race but as he struggles to be truthful, Blake finds herself wondering if what she feels is really worth the pain. As dangers increase in the North and with a werewolf threat hanging over their heads, will Blake and Austin find themselves lost to their enemies or will they instead lose their hearts to each other?

Having fallen in love with this series throughout the first three books, I was ecstatic to discover Leigh Walker planned to continue it despite the conclusion of Gwyn and Dallas’s tale. Though I would have adored to continue following them, especially during their wedding, I was excited about the prospect of getting to know Blake and see Walker capitalise on the chemistry she and Prince Austin had in the last novel.

The North marks a new chapter in this series as readers find themselves drawn into the mind and heart of Blake Kensington, a fellow pageant contender who became a good friend to Gwyn throughout the previous three books. I liked Blake then and I like her even more now, having read her story. Blake is a sweet, food loving and kind individual who is determined to be a good ambassador. She wants to protect those she cares about and is genuinely easy to follow.

Blake and Austin have a fantastic chemistry. Leigh Walker imbrues their romance with possibility and potential and so much sexual tension. I love seeing Blake stand up to Austin and want to know what was going on. It was adorable seeing Austin let her keep Beast (who was too cute for words I might add) and slowly begin to act on what he was feeling towards Blake. He couldn’t deny the attraction he felt and I have to admit there’s something so addictive about seeing a strong, male come apart over a woman.

There are so many characters in this series I absolutely love! I’m stoked to be able to follow Blake and Austin again in another story but I would also love to see Eve and maybe even Shaye feature in a tale down the track. I feel like they, especially Eve, have real stories to tell!

Leigh Walker has captured my attention once again with The North and I am utterly captivated by Blake and Austin’s relationship. I’m dying to read more about them as soon as possible and can’t recommend this series enough!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by author (Thank you Leigh!)
Publisher: CMG Publishing
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: September 28th 2018
Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository
Final Thoughts: A great installment, I can't wait to read the next book!

Owl Post #234

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.  

Hello book lovers and happy Monday! Here's to another great week in books!

  For Review:

 From Pan Macmillan: - Hive by A.J. Betts - Rogue by A.J. Betts  I'm excited to be participating in the tour for Rogue presented by Pan Macmillan Australia and #AusYABloggers in July and will be reading the first novel Hive in the lead up.   .....Thanks guys!    I Bought:

 - Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson I'm yet to read any books by Mary E. Pearson but I've heard great things about her series!
- Golden Curse by M. Lynn This novel is a Rapunzal retelling and I think it sounds really good. Hope it's as good as it appears.   - Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch This series has been on my TBR list for a while so I'm excited to finally have a copy. Hope to read it in the future when I have the chance. 
And that's me this week! What did the owls bring YOU recently?

Torian by Eden Summers- Cover Reveal & Giveaway

I'm excited to be helping Eden Summers share the cover today for the third book in her Hunter Her series, Torian! I highly enjoy this series and can't wait to read this novel myself!

He's my nemesis.
My tormentor.
A notorious criminal with a smoldering smile to mask the devil hidden beneath.

Conniving. Threatening. Brutal.
He stalks me from the shadows.
Makes me itch to place him behind bars.

But he has an offer I can't refuse.
A major risk with the perfect reward.

I can't let down my guard.
Can't be tempted to trust him.

Not even when I begin to understand his corrupt ways.

Because the only face the devil shows is the one he wants you to see.
And all I’m seeing is hunger.

Add on Goodreads!

$25 Amazon Giftcard 

Facebook Page Giveaway 

Before the release of Torian, go back to where it all began and read Hunter (currently FREE in Kindle Unlimited).

 Goodreads | Amazon

Eden Summers is a bestselling author of contemporary romance with a side of sizzle and sarcasm.

She lives in Australia with a young family who are well aware she's circling the drain of insanity. Eden can't resist alpha dominance, dark features and sarcasm in her fictional heroes and loves a strong heroine who knows when to bite her tongue but also serves retribution with a feminine smile on her face.

Visit Eden:

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon 
 Website | Reader's Group

These books can be read as standalone novels or as part of the series and are fast moving, exciting reads. I definitely recommend!