It's that time again--Owl Post time! Check out the fab books that arrived last week :)
What did the owls bring you?
In many ways life is a story and you are the author. Each and every day you write another paragraph, another page, another chapter. The story, the plot….even the ending, are all up to you and often when you first set out, you yourself have no clue where you’re going to end up....
Monday, July 17, 2017
Owl Post #126
What did the owls bring you?
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Book Shelf: The Darkest Torment (Lords of the Underworld #12) by Gena Showalter
Driven to his death by the demon of Distrust, Baden spent centuries in purgatory. Now he's back, but at what cost? Bound to the king of the underworld, an even darker force, he's unable to withstand the touch of another and he's quickly devolving into a heartless assassin with an uncontrollable temper. Things only get worse when a mission goes awry and he finds himself saddled with a bride just not his own.
Famed dog trainer Katarina Joelle is forced to marry a monster to protect her loved ones. When she's taken hostage by the ruthless, beautiful Baden immediately after the ceremony, she's plunged into a war between two evilswith a protector more dangerous than the monsters he hunts. They are meant to be enemies, but neither can resist the passion burning between them and all too soon the biggest threat is to her heart.
But as Baden slips deeper into the abyss, she'll have to teach him to love or lose him forever.
More info on Goodreads.....
Review:
The Darkest Torment is the 12th novel in Gena Showalter’s brilliant Lords of the Underworld series and this time features recently returned from the dead Baden, former keeper of Distrust and the woman set to bring him to his knees.
Tired of the endless war and torment Baden, keeper of Distrust gave in to a moment of weakness and allowed a Hunter to behead him. Centuries passed and Baden remained in purgatory, his only companion the woman he and his friends betrayed by opening her box. Now Braden finds himself bound to the king of the underworld, able to be touched and to touch others in return….as long as he continues wearing the bands that bind him to Hades. Yet locked within Baden is a new dark force, turning him into a mindless assassin with an uncontrollable temper and things only become worse when his latest task for Hades see Baden kidnap a human bride who arouses desires he thought long forgotten. Determined dog trainer Katarina Joelle will do anything for those she loves, even if it means marrying a monster. Just moments after saying ‘I do” Katarina is taken hostage by a darkly tormented but beautiful stranger who interrupts the ceremony and sweeps her up into a war of powerful beings and evil creatures. Sparks fly and soon Baden and Katarina discover that even though they’re meant to be enemies, the passion between them may be too great to resist……
Gena Showalter is without a doubt my favourite author—has been for a long time. I’ll read everything she releases happily and with pleasure, but in all honesty, I don’t think I loved The Darkest Torment with the same passion I have a lot of the other novels in the series. It was still definitely a deeply sensual and sexy PNR with all my favourite characters back again, but unfortunately Baden and Katarina failed to really win me over.
Throughout the story there were a number of times when both hero and heroine got on my last nerves. Unfolding through predominantly their POV’s as well as a few strategically placed chapters through the eyes of other characters including Cameo and Gilly, The Darkest Torment sees Baden and Katarina fall in love whilst fighting their attraction to each other. I wanted to love Baden and Katarina, and while I’ll never regret reading their story as I did enjoy it for the most part, it was far from perfect.
Seeing as Baden had been dubbed the “gentleman” amongst the Lords, I was expecting someone a lot more laid back and gentler than what we got. This coupled with his desire to convince Katarina she was “weak” and “needed him” was not in any way appreciated. I understand there needs to be a balance with couples and it’s a beautiful thing when two individuals need each other and complement each other in a profound way, but with Baden and Katarina, it just was too much. Katarina fighting to prove her strength; Baden fighting to convince her she’s weak; it just didn’t work in my opinion.
As far as I’m concerned, this isn’t Showalter’s best work—and I know she can do better. I’ve read dozens of her books and never really been disappointed, so I have high hopes for the next story. The Darkest Torment sets up what I’m thinking will be the next few tales including Cameo, Gilly/William and Galen. Considering the new character Gena Showalter introduces in the form of Puck, I’m really hoping she gives fans what they want with a Gilly and William happily ever after. I forgave her for not pairing Cameo and Torin together—because YAY Lazarus, but I will be grossly disappointed if these two aren’t paired together simply for the sake of an extra book.
Despite it’s faults, The Darkest Torment is sexy and beguiling with humourful moments and plenty of twists. Cameo’s tale is up next with Lazarus and I for one can’t wait to see what Gena Showalter has in store for the Keeper of Misery next!
Rating:
Source: Purchased by me from QBD
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Format: Paperback
Release Date: November 22nd 2016
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: Not my favourite book by far, but still worth reading.
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Free Ebooks
Hi guys and happy Saturday! I hope you've all had another great week :) And to end it, I have some fabulous new freebies I've found!
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Book Shelf: Train Wreck by T. Gephart
Those were the words to describe Eve Thorton’s exhibition. Not even a fine arts degree from Yale or her daddy’s bank account could save her from the scathing reviews. And failure was a word Eve would never be comfortable with. Not even close.
Plotting the demise of every critic who’d written her off was her first instinct. But that would come later. Instead, she would show them that she wasn’t a bored socialite with more money than talent.
She would prove everyone wrong, and she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. But when her journey for redemption crashed headfirst into Josh Logan, the sexy, talented tattooist from Queens, getting her hands dirty took on a whole new meaning.
Josh was everything Eve wasn’t, translating on skin what she couldn’t onto her canvas. All she had to do was convince him to share his jaw-dropping brilliance, and help her—seeing him naked—a bonus. Then she could go back to her regular life, vindicated.
It should have been easy. Pity her plans had a habit of derailing.
More info on Goodreads.....
Review:
Train Wreck is Aussie author T. Gephart’s latest release and is a sensual and downright fun romance with charismatic characters and a delectable storyline that definitely entertains.
Manhattan alum Eve Thorton’s life changes unexpectedly when two disastrous things happen in one night; first Eve’s art exhibit is met with harsh scrutiny and the critics are as cruel as they come, calling her out for everything and then she returns home distraught and looking for comfort only to find her boyfriend with another woman in their apartment. Kicking the bastard out is the first thing on Eve’s to-do list, then she sets out to prove to her critics that she’s more than just a talentless socialite with daddy’s money. An unexpected referral sees Eve heading to a shop in Queen’s where a tattooist is making a name for himself with his stunning tattoos. Eve feels Josh Logan may be the exact thing she needs to get her inspiration back and is determined to learn his secret. Hoping to shadow him, Eve isn’t prepared for the instant attraction she feels when she meets the sexy Josh in person, but having just come from a relationship and trying to prove herself in the art world, beginning a relationship with Josh wouldn’t be the best thing. Yet with inspiration and talent heating up the shop, will Eve and Josh’s own heat lead to something more?
Train Wreck was a really easy, enjoyable novel to read. A solidly told NA, unfolding through Eve and Josh’s varying POV’s, Train Wreck featured all the elements that make a saucy read; likable characters, sexy chemistry, humour, wit and charm, and it all worked very well together. Even my fears about Eve and Josh’s relationship seeming to come on too fast after Eve’s recent breakup were unfounded and T. Gephart managed to capture the perfect balance and pace in my eyes.
As the main two characters within the story, I did like both Eve and Josh. Heroine Eve is a capable, confidant woman, who, even though she comes from money wasn’t in any way pretentious. She was sharp and cheeky at times and was willing to take a chance to try and save her career. Josh was a relaxed, laid back individual who was very supportive and sensible. Honestly, you just can’t fault Josh as a character. He was well balanced; cool, sexy and actually a good guy.
Train Wreck is very fun and flirty, with some hot sex scenes and an electric dynamic featured with Eve and Josh’s budding romance. T. Gephart wrote their relationship perfectly with a building attraction that developed into something very sweet but thrilling.
Ending wonderfully, the only thing I ask is that T. Gephart please give Dallas a story in the future as I thought he was fabulous character and definitely deserves his own tale!
Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Give Me Books and the author (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Published by author
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: July 10th 2017
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: Thoroughly enjoyable, I really hope T. Gephart gives Dallas his own story down the track and will keep my eye out on what she releases next!
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Waiting on Wednesday #186
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.
Pacifica by Kristen Simmons
Releases on: March 6th 2018
Pacifica, an all-new stand-alone, near-future adventure from the critically acclaimed author of Article 5 and Metaltown.
Marin is cosario royalty, a pirate like her father and his father before him. Sailing the ocean to chase adventure is in her blood. But these days no one cares that the island town her people call home is named after her grandfather. They have a new leader, one who promises an end to their hunger – and one who thinks that girls are meant for the kitchen or the brothel. Marin knows she's meant for more than that, and with the sudden influx of weapons on the island, and rumors of a pending deal with the enemy oil nation in her wake, she knows a big score to gain the council's favor is the only way to save her people, and herself.
Ross lives a life of privilege. As the president's son he wants for nothing, but he longs for a life of adventure. On a dare, he convinces his best friend Adam to sneak out to the Docks, the site of local race riots between the poor Shorlings and the upper class. But when Adam is arrested along with the other Shorlings, and not even the president is willing to find him, Ross finds himself taking matters into his own hands. He journeys back into the Docks, ready to make deals with anyone, even a beautiful pirate, if it means Adam's safe return.
When Marin and Ross meet in dangerous Shoreling territory he sees a way to get his friend back and she sees her ticket home. The ransom a president’s son would command could feed her people for years and restore her family’s legacy. But somewhere in the middle of the ocean, Marin must decide if her heart can handle handing over the only person who has ever seen her as more than a pirate.
Thoughts:
I've really enjoyed Kristen Simmons books in the past so I'm definitely keen to read Pacifica especially after reading that description. Pirates! Gotta love pirates. There's something so exciting about the idea of being on the open sea, of adventure, excitement and daring rescues--or escapes! Looking forward to reading this standalone novel when it comes out next year.
What do you think of Pacifica?
What are you waiting on this week?
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Book Shelf: Dear Banjo by Sasha Wasley
Willow ‘Banjo’ Paterson and Tom Forrest were raised on neighboring cattle stations in the heart of the Kimberley. As young adults, sharing the same life dreams, something came between them that Willow cannot forget, and now ten years have passed. When her father falls ill, Willow is called home to take over the running of the family property, Patterson Downs. Her vision for a sustainable, organic cattle station is proving hard to achieve. She needs Tom’s help, but is it all too late, and too difficult, to make amends?
A pile of Tom’s heartfelt letters has remained unopened and unspoken between them. Willow must find the courage to finally bring them out. Their tattered pages reveal a love story like no other – and one you’ll never forget. Dear Banjo is a wildly romantic and utterly captivating story about first love and second chances, from an exciting new Australian author.
More info on Goodreads.....
Review:
Dear Banjo is Sasha Wasley’s first release published by Penguin Australia and is a hardy and endearing rural fiction set in the rich Australian outback that explores a delightful tale of romance, growth and the possibilities that come with finally facing your fears.
Growing up on neighbouring cattle stations, Willow “Banjo” Paterson and Tom Forrest were best friends, planning for their future until something came between them that saw Willow run for the hills. Ten years have passed since that fateful day, but when her father falls ill, Willow returns home to look after the family property. Having always dreamt of running a sustainable, organic cattle farm, all Willow’s hard work and research over the course of her academic career are about to pay off, yet putting research into action is harder than she thought. Willow needs Tom’s help, but approaching her former best friend is near impossible. Willows guilt over the multiple heartfelt letters Tom sent, left unopened and unread keep her from reaching out. Willow knows Tom poured his heart and soul into his words and she refused to even read them, fear keeping her from acknowledging what happened between them. Back in the Kimberley, Willow will find herself finally reading the letters so beautifully written and needing to decide once and for all where her heart lies. Yet with all the hurt and pain between them, can Tom forgive Willow or is their friendship destroyed forever?
In the interest of full disclosure, Sasha Wasley isn’t a new author to me. I’ve read a number of her YA novels written under the name S.D. Wasley in the past, however Dear Banjo was a completely different experience from the talented Aussie author. With the story featuring such a beautiful depth and development that only comes from a well written adult novel, Dear Banjo was an absolute joy to read and very hard to put down at times.
Rural fiction isn’t normally a genre I would seek out, but I was thoroughly entranced by the tale Wasley has created and quickly found myself lost amongst the wide open plains, hidden valleys and cattle stations of the Kimberley region in Western Australia that was so wonderfully depicted. It felt lush and vivid and very authentic. It was like being right alongside the characters as they mustered cattle and organised the day to day running of their farms.
Dear Banjo featured an independent and capable main character in the form of Willow as well as a laid back, genuine love interest in the form of Tom Forrest. They truly were solid characters with flaws, insecurities and individual personality traits. Their time apart hadn’t diminished the powerful friendship they shared and Sasha Wasley perfectly transitioned them into something more as Willow was forced to face her fears and true feelings.
Sasha Wasley packs a lot of endearing moments into Dear Banjo as well as a lot of light-hearted humour. Tom’s letters to Willow are absolutely adorable and so beautifully written. Admittedly it makes you think “what if” often as you read the tale. What if Willow had read them? What if she’d stayed? What if she’d reached out to Tom? Yet, as a novel that explores regrets, fears and even the power that comes with taking chances, Dear Banjo couldn’t have unfolded better.
Littered with a vast cast of tangible characters, including Willow’s two very different, but equally intriguing sisters Beth and Free who I hope will get their own stories, Dear Banjo is a perfectly told romance by Sasha Wasley that is enriched with the Australian spirit and entrancing until the very end.
Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)Publisher: Penguin Australia
Format: Paperback
Australian RRP: $32.99
Release Date: May 29th 2017
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: A rivetting read, I'm very much looking forward to whatever Sasha writes next!
Monday, July 10, 2017
Owl Post #125
Hello book lovers and welcome to another Owl Post for 2017!
From Allen & Unwin:
- Gap Year in Ghost Town by Michael Pryor
I hadn't heard of this novel before it turned up on my doorstop, but it does sound really promising--looking forward to reading this!
....Thank you guy!
I Bought:
- Roseblood
by A.G. Howard
I really enjoyed A.G. Howard's novel Splintered (though I'm yet to read the second and third books) so I'm really excited to read Roseblood. Plus it's Phantom of the Opera!
I really enjoyed A.G. Howard's novel Splintered (though I'm yet to read the second and third books) so I'm really excited to read Roseblood. Plus it's Phantom of the Opera!
I'm so looking forward to reading The Possible--even if our Aussie cover can't compare to the US one. It sounds just fabulous!
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