Book Shelf: Up in Flames (Rosemary Beach #13) by Abbi Glines

#1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines returns to Rosemary Beach one last time in this highly-anticipated finale.

Spoiled. Selfish. Rich girl. Villain. Slut.

As the Prada-clad bad girl of Rosemary Beach, Nan Dillon has been called every vile name under the hot summer sun. Some of her reputation is deserved—she’s never had to worry about anything but maintaining her perfect figure and splitting Daddy’s private jet with her brother, Rush.

But Nan is far from happy. Rush has another kid on the way and doesn’t have time to catch up with his sister. Grant, the last guy she truly cared about, chose to be with her half-sister, Harlow, instead of her. And Harlow, who has never gotten over the way Nan treated her when she first moved to town, remains distant.

So when Major asks her out, she jumps at the chance to date the gorgeous charmer. Though she doesn’t know much about the sweet-talking Texan, and though it’s clear he doesn’t want to be exclusive, dating him beats hanging out with vapid socialites or watching Netflix alone at home.

For a while, Nan deals with Major’s playboy ways, but after he burns her one too many times, she takes off for an impromptu wild weekend in Vegas. There, she meets Gannon, a darkly seductive and oh-so-dangerous businessman who knows exactly how to handle her.

With Major asking for a second chance and Gannon haunting her dreams, Nan has to decide who to give her heart to. But what she doesn’t realize is that these players are involved in a much bigger game—and they’re already two moves ahead of her.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review: (Warning: May contain some spoilers!)

Up In Flames is the long anticipated final installment in the riveting Rosemary Beach series by Abbi Glines and features the misunderstood but often infuriating villain of the series Nan in a scorching read that will leave you breathless!

Nanette Dillion has garnered a reputation for herself over the years. Spoiled, rich and a born trouble maker, Nan knows that some of her selfish reputation is well deserved, but that doesn't mean she's as coldhearted as everyone seems to think she is. Discarded by her mother and unacknowledged by her father, Nan has been desperate for love her whole life, being with man after man in an attempt to find it. Even Major Colt, the charming Texan can't seem to give her what she needs, so fed up with being used, Nan does what every rich girl does in her situation....she hightails it off for a weekend in Vegas! And it's in Vegas that she meets Gannon, a rough, mysteriously and darkly seductive individual who isn't who he seems but who makes Nan burn like never before. Gannon appeals to a part of her she never knew, but when Major reappears begging for a second chance, who will Nan choose and who will finally give her everything she's always longed for?

Having been yearning and desperate for this book for so long, Up In Flames wasn't what I was expecting. There were times whilst reading it that I even debated how I felt about it, but in the end I think I'm generally pretty happy with how Abbi Glines wrote Up In Flames. It wasn't what I expected, but it was still an enjoyable read.

That being said, as far as I'm concerned, Up in Flames seemed to ooze a darker aura than the other Rosemary Beach novels. The darker edge gave the story a different overall feel. The relationship between Nan and Gannon was raw and edgy and sexually dominant. Glines blurred the line between pleasure and pain in a way she has before. Gannon was a lot darker than the Glines leading men I'm used too.

I was really happy to finally have Nan front and center though. Whilst reading the series, I hated her for a long time before she eventually became someone I loved to hate. Now I think I just love her. We're all a product of our childhood and environment and Nan never had the love and security she should have had as a child. It made her hard and cold and cruel. She made bad choices in an effort to find love and be loved. I'm glad Abbi Glines finally gives her some redemption in this book. Everything isn't magically fixed--Nan still has a lot to make up with her family and those around her, but Up in Flames marks a big turning point and shows how far Nan has come. It was lovely to see her begin to let go of her hate and to make amends.

Nan has two love interests in Up in Flames; Major and the mysterious Gannon. I'd been hoping that Glines would pair Major with Nan and that he was perhaps going to be her happy ending. Imagine my surprise when I began the novel and quickly realized that might not be the case. Major and Nan just didn't fit the was she and Gannon did. I wasn't expecting that and was really disappointed in the beginning, but as the novel progressed I found myself becoming entranced in the relationship between Nan and Gannon.

I have to say Gannon was sexy; all bearded and strong with that man bun and attitude, but he was also very sexually dominant, bordering on violent. I'm not against those kinds of leading men but it did feel a little out of place in a Rosemary Beach novel at first. It wore on me, but I felt it was strange at first.

The relationship between Nan and Gannon was really raw. Sexual and dark, Gannon gave Nan what she needed and accepted her for everything she was, faults and all. Considering Nan had been crying out for love and acceptance her whole life it was nice to see her finally find someone who could give that to her unconditionally. There was a lot of sweetness woven into their tale amongst the sensuality and I loved the way Glines completed their tale.

Dark and sensual, Up in Flames was a powerful Rosemary Beach novel that redeemed the resident bad girl and allowed us to see many of our faves again. My only issue with this tale is that I find myself still wanting to see Major get some resolution himself. Fast paced with an unexpected storyline, Up in Flames gave Nan the tale she deserved and left me happy with how her story ended!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
Format: Paperback
Australian RRP: $19.99
Release Date: June 2016
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: This was a great ending to the series, but I find I'm still curious as to what's in store for Major's future.

Sydney Author Event 2016 Recap & Giveaway!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Sydney Author Event for 2016 and had an absolutely brilliant day! I travelled into the city with my mum--who is always my signing companion and so incredibly supportive of my love affair with books--to attend the event which was full with both Australian and International authors alike.

Me and my mum :)

I attended both the AM and PM session which allowed me the opportunity to meet with and chat with so many fabulous people. The organizers did an absolutely fabulous job and the place was packed full of people! There was plenty of fun, giveaways and even members of the NSW Fire service attended to help raise money for charity.

I was sooooooo excited to get to meet, and in some cases see again, authors that I absolutely adore. Meeting Nalini Singh and Christina Lauren were highlights with all three ladies having MASSIVE lines throughout the day. But you bet they were worth waiting for!

Me with authors Nalini Singh, Carmen Jenner, Christina Lauren, J.L. Perry, Leisa Ravyn. Chantal Fernando, Jay McLean and Kylie Scott!

I lugged a massive suitcase full of books to and from the event (with the help of my mum!) and of course bought and picked up a few on the day as well :)

My Nalini Singh books--all signed :)

Signed books by Christina Lauren, J.L. Perry, Chantal Fernando & Kylie Scott

 

My pre-orders. All signed and collected. I also got copies of All Your Reasons and Be The One by Nina Levine which aren't pictured.

 

And being the book hoarder and squirrel I am, I have a few extra copies of books I've been collecting by Kylie Scott, Christina Lauren and Chantal Fernando for future giveaways, along with a lot of swag and book covers signed by the authors.

Signed bookies :)

Saturday really was a fabulous day! The venue is beautiful, easy to get to and the organizers managed to do an even better job that last time, back 2014.

THANK YOU to all the organizers, publishers and authors who made this day so brilliant. I can't wait until Sydney Author Event 2018!

 

And to celebrate how much fun I had at SAE2016 (and to apologize because I've been so MIA from the blog) I'm giving away a SIGNED copy of Sweet Filthy Boy to one lucky winner and a swag pack full of signed goodies to a second. And it's open INTERNATIONALLY!

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Waiting on Wednesday #144

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.....  

These Ruthless Deeds by Tarun Shanker & Kelly Zekas

Releases on: March 14th 2017

Add on Goodreads!

England, 1883. Still recovering from the loss of her beloved sister, Evelyn is determined to use her powers to save other gifted people from those who would harm them. But when her rescue of a young telekinetic girl goes terribly wrong, Evelyn finds herself indebted to a secret society devoted to recruiting and protecting people like Evelyn and her friends.

As she follows the Society’s orders, healing the sick and embarking on perilous recruitment missions, Evelyn sees her problems disappear. Her reputation is repaired, her friends are provided for, and her parents are newly wealthy. She reunites with the dashing Mr. Kent and recovers the reclusive Mr. Braddock (who has much less to brood over now that the Society can help him to control his dangerous power). But Evelyn can’t help fearing the Society is more sinister than it appears...

Thoughts:
*SQUEEEE!* I'm soooooo excited for this book. I absolutely loved the first book, These Vicious Masks and have been waiting for it's sequel since I finished the final page. It was just that good. Think X-Men meets Jane Austin with a fabulous heroine and not one, but TWO dashing love interests. Go Sebastian! Can't wait until March to literally devour this.

What are YOU waiting on this week?

Book Shelf: Bound to Endure (Elven Princess #2) by Janeal Falor

After narrowly escaping marauding pirates, Arabella has returned to safety and is ready to go through with her arranged marriage.

The human Prince Phillip isn't who she wants to wed, but he was chosen by her parents to unite the elven and human realms. Arabella has fought her way through too many death threats and attacks to give up on this important goal, although the pirate Captain Smythe remains set on keeping the two countries enemies.

With the odds and her own heart against her, Arabella must overcome forces beyond her control if she's to forge peace between the kingdoms.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:


Bound to Endure is the second novel in Janeal Falor’s Elven Princess series and is a grand follow-up to the first novel that entranced me with its action, adventure and romance. 

Picking up exactly where there first novel left off, Bound to Endure continues to follow elven princess Arabella who has just discovered the identity of her betrothed but whose wedding is thrown into chaos when pirates attack and Arabella and her servant Jocelyn are kidnapped. Taken aboard a ship, Arabella  and Jocelyn see their chance after a week at sea and manage to escape, seeking refuge in a human town and beginning their journey home. Though she longs to be with Robert, Arabella is determined to unite the elves and humans, however there are still people determined to thwart Arabella’s marriage to the human prince with disastrous consequences. 

After the shocking conclusion to Bound by Birthright, Janeal Falor practically became my best friend by allowing me to read the next novel straight away; before its release. Bound to Endure follows on with Arabella at the altar, having just learnt the identity of her groom, before her wedding to the human prince is interrupted by none other than Captain Smythe. What follows is another fast paced and exciting adventure that sees Falor continue to tell Arabella’s tale and develop her storyline. 

I continue to adore all the characters, with Arabella continuing to remain a strong leading lady. Determined to do right by her people, Araballa constantly tries to convince herself of the benefits of marrying her betrothed, even though her heart yearns for another; a man who ignites desire and passion in her and who she wishes she could be with. Arabella has fire in her that I like and I appreciate that even as a princess she’s still the first one to grab a sword and defend herself and those she loves. 

Bound to Endure sees Falor explore a bit more of Arabella’s kingdom and that of the human’s, with Jocelyn and Arabella attempting to return home. There’s a lot of emotion in this book as Arabella experiences some heartbreaking loss and the lives of the characters we love never completely safe. Old enemies and new appear and continue to threaten the fragile peace between the elf and human lands. 

Janeal Falor will keep you guessing as to what will happen next, even as you as the reader yearn for Arabella to finally get her man and defeat the foes that continue to threaten all she holds dear. And with another startling and unexpected ending, I’ll be looking to start the third and finally book in the trilogy, Bound by Love as soon as I’m physically able! Brilliant! 

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by the author (Thank you so much Janeal!)
Publisher: Chardonian Press
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: June 27th 2016
Purchase:  The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: A fantastic sequel that complimented the first book. I can't wait to read the next one!

Waiting on Wednesday #143

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.....

 

Shadow Run by AdriAnne Strickland & Michael Miller

Releases on: March 21st 2017

Add on Goodreads

"Firefly" meets DUNE in this action-packed sci-fi adventure about a close-knit, found family of a crew navigating a galaxy of political intrigue and resource-driven power games.

Nev has just joined the crew of the starship Kaitan Heritage as the cargo loader. His captain, Qole, is the youngest-ever person to command her own ship, but she brooks no argument from her crew of orphans, fugitives, and con men. Nev can’t resist her, even if her ship is an antique.

As for Nev, he’s a prince, in hiding on the ship. He believes Qole holds the key to changing galactic civilization, and when her cooperation proves difficult to obtain, Nev resolves to get her to his home planet by any means necessary.

But before they know it, a rival royal family is after Qole too, and they’re more interested in stealing her abilities than in keeping her alive.

Nev’s mission to manipulate Qole becomes one to save her, and to survive, she’ll have to trust her would-be kidnapper. He may be royalty, but Qole is discovering a deep reservoir of power—and stars have mercy on whoever tries to hurt her ship or her crew.

Thoughts:
Shadow Run sounds like a really promising sci-fi! A few of my fave YA sci-fi  series/trilogies have ended recently, so I'm on the lookout for the next one to fall in love with. This book looks like it could be exactly what I need to fill the void. Plus, it releases on my brothers birthday--that's got to me a good omen, right??

What do you think of Shadow Run? Do you want to read it?

And what are YOU waiting on this week?

 

Book Shelf: Blaze of Memory (Psy-Changeling #7) by Nalini Singh

A woman without a past becomes the pawn of the man who controls her future...

Dev Santos discovers her unconscious and battered, with no memory of who she is. All she knows is that she's dangerous. Charged with protecting his people's most vulnerable secrets, Dev is duty-bound to eliminate all threats. It's a task he's never hesitated to complete...until he finds himself drawn to a woman who might prove to be the enemy's most insidious weapon yet.

Stripped of her memories by a shadowy oppressor and programmed to carry out cold-blooded murder, Katya Haas is fighting desperately for her sanity. Her only hope is Dev. But how can she expect to gain the trust of a man who could very well be her next target? For in this game, one must die...

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Nalini Singh is back with the seventh instalment in her Psy-Changeling series, Blaze of Memory, another enjoyable PNR readers are sure to devour.

Dev Santos is a man determined to protect his people. A decendant of the first Psy to rebel against Silence decades ago, Dev heads up Shine, a company made up of dedicated individuals who are determined to help those whose abilities make them targets of the Psy Council. Dev will stop at nothing to protect those in his care, but everything changes when he discovers an unconscious, battered young woman who stirs something in him like no one before. Waking in a Shine clinic with no memory of who she is and what happened to her, all Katya Haas knows is that she's Psy and something is very wrong. Her mind has been stripped and tampered with, leaving her a walking time bomb meant to carry out a dangerous mission. Katya is a threat to everything Dev has been working for, but as the two fight to discover what has been done to her and what she is expected to do, both Dev and Katya begin falling for the person who has the power to change their worlds forever; each other.....

I'll be honest; Blaze of Memory isn't but favorite Psy-Changeling book, but I did enjoy it. Nalini Singh is a very talented storyteller who manages to write sensual romances amidst fast paced action and excitement. Her stories are intricate and well told and Blaze of Memory is no exception. I'm very impressed with how she is detailing this series and weaving everything together. There are a lot of layers I'm looking forward to exploring.

I don't want to give anything away, but I thought Nalini Singh was very clever to tie Katya into the story as she did. Again, no spoilers, but Katya has an almost obvious connection to Ashaya from Hostage to Pleasure that I thought was a great development.

Dev and Katya were decent enough to follow. They're not my favourite Psy-Changeling couple, but I thought they were nice together and were easy to follow. Even though she was Psy, I liked the childlike wonder in Katya that came out as she discovered new sensations, new flavors and new experiences. Having been denied such basic senses for so long, Katya appreciated the smaller things in life, and I liked that.

As with all the books in the series so far, past characters and couples are back, including children Keegan and Noor, who are just too cute for words. Singh introduces a new branch to the Psy-Changeling world with the Forgotten and I admit I'm intrigued. I really liked Tag and Tiana and hope to see them feature in a story in the future. Oh, and Aurby too if we ever get the chance!

An enjoyable PNR, Blaze of Memory may not be the best Psy-Changeling book, but is definitely worth a read as Nalini Singh continues to detail a very addictive, exciting and amazing series I'm thoroughly enjoying getting lost in!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Berkley
Format: Paperback
Release Date: November 3rd 2019 Purchase: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: This series is brilliant and I can't wait to read more!

Owl Post #97

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.  

Hi guys and welcome to another Owl Post. I bought some great books this week. Check them out :)

  I Bought:

- Dark Wild Night by Christina Lauren  - Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren - Beautiful Boss by Christina Lauren - Beautiful Beginning by Christina Lauren I absolutely love Christina Lauren's Beautiful Bastard series and with the writing duo attending SAE in a copy of weeks, these are the last of their books I needed. Can't wait to meet them.   - Rake's Redemption by Chantal Fernando I've heard nothing but good thinks about the Wind Dragons MC series and this is the only book I didn't have. Ready to jump in before SAE.   - Angels' Flight by Nalini Singh - Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh - Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh - Archangel's Shadows by Nalini Singh I freaking LOVE Nalini Singh. The woman is a writing genius! Can't devour her books fast enough and I'm sure these will be no exception.   - Talon by Julie Kagawa I adore Julie Kagawa, but it's taken me so long to get a copy of this book. I just couldn't seem to find it anywhere for a decent price. Finally got a copy though ($10 at my local Big W. Score!) and ready to begin the series--especially seeing as the third book has just come out.   And that's me! Lots of brilliant reads this week. What did the owls bring you?