REVIEW - The Voyeur Next Door by Airicka Phoenix

Title: The Voyeur Next Door 
Author: Airicka Phoenix
Release Date: April 27th 2015
Genres: NA/Adult Erotic Contemporary 
Links: Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / B&N

Source: eARC from Author 

Summary:

He lived next door.

Alison Eckrich was an expert at being invisible. Having been raised by a mother who saw only flaws, she had learned long ago to watch and never participate. Until him. He was gorgeous from what little she could make out through his bathroom window and he awakened things inside her she had always been told was wrong. But she didn’t care.

She was addicted.

Gabriel Madoc was no stranger to the cold sting of betrayal. His broken heart had left him hard and bitter and that was how he liked it. Until her. She was a vision in the soft twilight. Everything about her called to him. It didn’t even matter he couldn’t see her face.

He wanted her.

The rules were simple: No names. No faces. No attachments. They both had what the other needed so long as they never broke the rules. But what will happen when the mystery is unveiled and they both come face to face with the truth and each other? Is what they shared in the cloak of darkness enough to keep them together, or will reality tear them apart?

*Warnings: Strong sexual content & language. (18+ Only)*

4/5

So obviously this book was awesome. It is by Airicka Phoenix after all. Everything that that woman writes I love and this one was no exception. While it was more erotic than what I usually read, it still had a great story line with a fantastic cast of characters.

The main thing I absolutely adore about Airicka's books are her snarky characters. They always make the most interesting reads. Ali and Gabe have an instant disliking to each other and the hostility between them was brilliant. I love the hate-to-love stories cause they are always so much fun. Ali was very likable and was easy to connect with. She was funny, witty, insecure but also brave. She had a really tough childhood that has followed her to adulthood and as such she is a bit of an introvert. The anonymity of voyeurism appeals to Ali (Aoife), and even if the "relationship" she begins with Gabe (Q) wouldn't necessarily be something I would do, we all have a little voyeurism inside of us. That's another thing that makes Airicka's books great. There is always something relatable to be found in them.

As always, Airicka has written a swoon worthy male lead in the form of Gabriel. The man was intense, domineering, brooding, broken, and so very very hot. I may have liked for there to have not been as big of an age gab as there was, but I let it slide. The connection that "Q" and "Aoife" share was great to read about and I loved that not all their interactions were about sex. Even though they made a deal to form no attachments, that's just what they did. They became so much more to each other. 

I'm not really sure what else I can say. This was an intense, sexy, heartbreaking, funny and all around amazing read. I highly recommend it!

*I received an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review*

***SALE ALERT***

Below is a list of print books on sale on The Book Depository. The sale is up to half price and there is FREE SHIPPING worldwide.

BLOG TOUR - Dragons Are People, Too by Sarah Nicolas (Review &Giveaway) @sarah_nicolas @entangledteen

Dragons Are People, Too

by Sarah Nicolas

Release Date: 04/28/15

Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

Never judge a dragon by her human cover...

Sixteen-year-old Kitty Lung has everyone convinced she’s a normal teen—not a secret government operative, not the one charged with protecting the president’s son, and certainly not a were-dragon. The only one she trusts with the truth is her best friend—and secret crush—the über-hot Bulisani Mathe.

Then a junior operative breaks Rule Number One by changing into his dragon form in public—on Kitty’s watch—and suddenly, the world knows. About dragons. About the Draconic Intelligence Command (DIC) Kitty works for. About Kitty herself.

Now the government is hunting down and incarcerating dragons to stop a public panic, and a new shape-shifting enemy has kidnapped the president’s son. Kitty and Bulisani are the last free dragons, wanted by both their allies and their enemies. If they can’t rescue the president’s son and liberate their fellow dragons before getting caught themselves, dragons might never live free again.

Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books

About the Author:

Sarah is a 30-something YA author who currently lives in Orlando, FL with a 60-lb mutt who thinks he's a chihuahua. She believes that some boys are worth trusting, all girls have power, and dragons are people too.

She's a proud member of the Gator Nation and has a BS in Mechanical Engineering, but has switched careers entirely. She now works as an Event Coordinator for a County Library and as a freelance book publicist and author's assistant. She also blogs at YAtopia and video blogs at the YA Rebels.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

4/5

The main thing to draw me to this book was one word. Dragons. Any time I see the word dragon I'm like a meerkat popping it's head up. I love dragons and if a book is about them then there is a very strong chance I will read it. Dragons Are People, Too though was such a unique take on dragons. These are were-dragons and I think I've only read one other book about people that can shift into dragons and it was nothing like this. I absolutely loved Nicolas' take on them. This urban fantasy was action-packed, exhilarating and highly entertaining. It has such a diverse set of characters and I loved the protagonist, Kitty. She had all the characteristics I love: snarky, tough, and well able to kick some butt. And her side-kick Sani was also great. The two of them make a brilliant team and I loved watching them work together. 

The story itself is very fast paced and has no shortage of action. The world building was done really well too. The history of dragons and DIC wasn't made overly complicated. It was easy to understand and follow and I never felt lost. The book is very well written and I just found myself completely immersed in this world. I stayed up until well after 3am to finish it, I just could not put it down. I really hope there will be a sequel because I need more! A fab start to what I hope will be an amazing series. Highly recommend this one :)

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***Special Announcement*** All Closed Off by Cora Carmack

HERE’S THE SCOOP!

Fans of Cora Carmack’s Rusk University, we have a SUPER exciting announcement:

 

ALL CLOSED OFF, Book 4 in the Rusk University Series, is coming!!!

 

Check out this message from Cora!

*WARNING: This letter contains spoilers for All Broke Down. If you haven't yet read that book, read at your own peril. SECOND WARNING: this letter talks about fictional characters as if they are real people. Sorry I'm not sorry. THIRD WARNING: The letter below broaches a serious topic that could be a trigger for some people*

  Hello beloved readers! 

The first person who read one of my Rusk University books was my older sister. I gave her All Lined Up when I finished, and her first question was "Are Ryan and Stella going to be together?" 

At the time, I told her no. I had plans for both of them that included their own storylines. I thought they were too much alike. They'd make great friends. They might even hook-up, but in the end... I couldn't envision anything serious for them. So I actually rewrote some of their scenes trying to make that aspect of their connection more obvious. And still, when All Lined Up released, amidst the chatter about sweet Carson and sassy Dallas, I had people asking if Stella and Ryan were next. I denied it again (and again and again). 

But sometimes in writing, the stars align and a character will become bigger and more real than you could have possibly imagined. It's a wonderful experience, but in Stella's case it was also incredibly heartbreaking. While I was writing All Broke Down, the news was inundated with information about the Steubenville rape trial and other tragedies and injustices like it. Tragedies where women have been violated first by an attacker, then by judgmental and hateful people, and finally by a justice system that repeatedly fails survivors of sexual assault. Having grown up in Texas, where too often football stars are treated like gods and can get away with just about anything, it hit particularly close to home. And since All Broke Down featured a passionate activist heroine, I felt compelled to reference this chronic dark underbelly of elite sports. 

I can remember vividly sitting on my couch, brainstorming how I would incorporate such an event into the book. I had thought the assault would happen to an unknown character, and maybe I would focus on the way it divided the team and the school and the town. But like I said... Sometimes a character will become bigger and more human than I anticipated. And it sounds crazy, but in my mind, I felt Stella push her way forward and say, "Mine. This is my story." I immediately began to cry. Sob, really. Because I loved her as a character. She was hilarious and strong and didn't take crap from anyone. She was everything I always hope to be. And I didn't want her to go through that. Even as I cried, my brain began to tell me that it made sense. Stella was vibrant and enjoyed a wild party. She was not afraid of her sexuality, and she had no problem with casual sex. She was the kind of girl that probably had a reputation. The kind of girl who could be heinously and violently taken advantage of, and people would STILL blame her. Because she was in the wrong place, wearing the wrong clothes, behaving in the wrong way. But just because it COULD happen to her, didn't mean I wanted it to. But once again, Stella was there in my head saying, "Someone needs to tell this story. And I'm strong enough to do it. Let me." And when Stella chose her story, she also chose the man I'd been adamant wasn't right for her. Because as it turns out... Those two characters who I thought were too alike aren't so alike anymore. And Stella needs Ryan to help her hold on to that vibrant and strong girl she was before. 

So I let go of all the plans I had for her, and allowed her to tell me her story, which is about more than just sexual assault. It's about the aftermath. Depression. Shame. Guilt. Anger. Injustice. Victim-blaming. Slut-shaming. It's about the way that kind of event can change everything-- how you relate to people, how you think, how you dream, how you love. It's about the way the rest of the world moves on to the next big tragedy, and you're still left holding the broken pieces of who you used to be, with no idea how to put them together again or even if you want to. It will be the most difficult story I ever tell. And the most important. Because it’s a story that belongs not just to Stella, but to millions of people around the world. It’s a story that belongs to a new person every 107 seconds*. And that’s just in the United States. Think about that for a moment. 107 seconds. Stella’s story won’t be any easier to read than it will be to write. But I hope you’ll help me drag this story into the light. 

So now I’ll step off my soapbox and just tell you about the book… 

  ALL CLOSED OFF: 

Stella Santos is fine. 

Maybe something terrible happened to her that she can’t even remember. And maybe it drives her crazy when her friends treat her like she’s on the verge of breaking because of it. Maybe it feels even worse when they do what she asks and pretend that it never happened at all. And maybe she’s been getting harassing emails and messages for months from people who don’t even know her, but hate her all the same. 

But none of that matters because she’s just fine.

For Ryan Blake, Stella was always that girl. Vibrant and hilarious and beautiful. He wanted her as his best friend. His more than friends. His everything and anything that she would give him. Which these days is a whole lot of nothing. She gets angry when he’s there. Angry when he’s not there. Angry when he tries to talk and when he doesn’t. 

When Stella devises an unconventional art project for one of her classes all about exploring intimacy—between both friends and strangers—Ryan finds himself stepping in as guinea pig after one of her subjects bails. What was supposed to be an objective and artistic look at emotion and secrets and sex suddenly becomes much more personal. When he hits it off with another girl from the project, Stella will have to decide if she’s willing to do more than make art about intimacy. To keep him, she’ll have to open up and let herself be the one thing she swore she’d never be again. 

 Vulnerable. 

 ***** 

ALL CLOSED OFF will be releasing sometime in early 2016. I don't have a date yet for several reasons. The first and most important, is that I want to do this story justice. And as such, I have no intentions of rushing the process. Secondly, I'll be returning to indie publishing for the remainder of the Rusk series. As you can probably tell, this story means a great deal to me. And by having the ultimate control over everything from timing to editing to price, I'll be able to ensure that I'm able to create exactly the story I envision. Unfortunately, that means you won't be seeing the paperback of ALL CLOSED OFF on the shelves in most stores. Nor is it currently available for pre-order. But I hope you'll add the book on goodreads, follow me on social media, and/or join my newsletter. I promise to shout it all over the place when I have a set release date or pre-order links. 

Thank you for listening as I told you the evolution of Stella's story. When it's finished, I hope you will feel as passionately about it as I do. 

All my best, 

Cora Carmack   

*Statistic from RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network)

 

And an opportunity to add your voice to Stella’s…

Stella’s experience is only one story of many. She was with someone she trusted when it happened, and the only memories she has are pieced together from her own blurred recollections and the things people have told her. Not everyone’s experience with sexual assault is the same. Each person reacts, copes, and overcomes differently. And while this book is about one specific character’s journey, I would like to tell as many sides of this story as possible. As Stella grapples with her thoughts and emotions she’ll be searching for advice, for comfort, for a place where people understand her and can identify with what she’s experiencing. There will be room for truth within the fiction, and if you’d like that truth to be yours, this is your chance.

 If you have a story like Stella’s, and you want your voice to be heard….

 If there’s something you wish more people understood about what you’ve gone through….

 If there’s something you’d like to tell people struggling with a story like yours…

 I’d like to give you the opportunity to add your voice to Stella’s. Use the hashtag #WhenItHappened and let your voice be heard on your own by posting on your own social media, or if you’d rather I share your words fill out this google document and tell me your story. You can fill out this form anonymously or not. I’d like to begin this discussion now because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. But my hope is to include as many stories as possible within the book itself.

 So many have stories of #WhenItHappened. Your voice and your story deserve to be heard. I’m listening.

  #WhenItHappened Google Form: http://goo.gl/forms/4VRjWgZYSW

   ABOUT Cora Carmack: 

 Cora Carmack is a twenty-something New York Times bestselling author who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She now splits her time between Austin, TX and New York City and spends her days writing, traveling, and spending way too much time on the internet. In her books, you can expect to find humor, heart, and a whole lot of awkward. Because let’s face it . . . awkward people need love, too.      

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook **Newsletter **Author Goodreads

 

Cover Reveal: Twisted Bond by Emma Hart

I’m an Italian-Texan woman in a family full of cops. I’m passionate and shoot before I think. You only f*ck with me if you’re stupid.

Photograph cheating spouses. Hand over the evidence. Cash my check.

That was my plan when I returned home to Holly Woods, Texas, and became a private investigator.

Finding the dead body in my dumpster? Yeah… Given the choice, I think I would have opted out of that little discovery, especially since all three of my brothers are cops. And my Italian grandmother is sure the reason I’m single is because of my job.

Of course, my connection to the victim is entirely coincidental. Until I’m hired by her husband to investigate her murder and shoved bang-smack into the path of Detective Drake Nash.

My nemesis, a persistent pain in my ass, and one hell of a sexy son of a bitch.

Shame he still holds a grudge from that time I shot him in the foot twelve years ago, or we could have something. In another life.

So now all I have to do is avoid my nonna’s blind dates, try not to blackmail my brothers into giving me confidential police files, and absolutely do not point my gun at Drake Nash. Or kiss him. Or jump his bones.

All while I hunt down the killer.

Sounds totally simple—until a second body proves that sometimes things that start as coincidences don’t always end up that way…

(Twisted Bond is book one of the Holly Woods Files series and while it does not end in a cliffhanger, it is not a standalone.)

ADD TO GOODREADS

“Get out!” I yell, my voice hoarse.

“I’m sorry?” Drake recoils.

“Get out. Of my building,” I add, moving toward him as he walks backward. “If you don’t have a warrant in your ass pocket, get the fuck out. Now.”

He grabs my wrist and pulls me into him. “Listen to me, cupcake. Someone got real lucky last night, and that someone was you. You weren’t here when your killer wanted you to be. Yeah, I said yours. They know you’re waitin’ for ‘em. Most nights you’d be here, right? But last night, because I pissed your ass off, you weren’t. Know what that tells me?”

“I’m sure you’re gonna tell me,” I manage through gritted teeth.

“It tells me this killer is watching you. You ain’t safe. They’re waiting to strike, and it’s gonna be the second you’re alone. We’re close. I can feel it. You’re their target now. And this killer? They want to kill you.”

“No shit,” I whisper, looking away from him. “I won’t back down. I don’t care what you say. They can try and kill me. I’ve dealt with worse.”

“Stop being a pain in my ass.” He grabs my chin and forces me to look into his eyes and all their devastatingly icy glory. “Someone. Wants. To. Kill. You.”

“I know.”

“Yet you don’t care.”

“I care,” I whisper, holding his gaze. “But did you ever think that I’m your best bet at catching this person? If they’re watching me, if they want to kill me, they’re there. Waitin’, like you said. And that means they’re gonna come to me. Not you. Not anyone else. Me.”

“Yeah, I thought it. But I don’t like it.”

“Ain’t your job to like it, Detective. It’s your job to deal with it.”

“You’re right. It ain’t my job to like it, but I ain’t exactly dealing with it either.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“It means,” he leans in, his touch relaxing just a smidge, “It means that I don’t like it. I’m not dealin’ with it. And the thought of you bein’ in the kinda danger you are scares the ever-lovin’ fuckin’ shit out of me.”

By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies - usually wine - and writes books.

Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love.

She likes to be busy - unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.

NEWSLETTER  FACEBOOK  TWITTER  GOODREADS AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Waiting on Wednesday (#92)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine,

which spotlights upcoming books we can't wait to read.

My WoW for this week is:

Doing It for Love (All About Love #1)
by Cassie Mae 

Summary:

Cassie Mae’s charming, sexy new novel, perfect for fans of Emma Chase, puts a steamy twist on modern love as one bride-to-be tries to put the spark back in the bedroom—by any means necessary.

Elizabeth Fanning’s life looks pretty perfect, judging by the diamond ring on her finger. Her fiancé, Landon, is sweet, handsome, and hilarious. The trouble is, before they’ve even tied the knot, their sex life has gone from mind-blowing to “meh”—and Liz isn’t ready to be part of an old married couple. After a cathartic call to her best friend, Liz comes up with a brilliant idea. She and Landon may never be able to re-create the magic of their first time, but how amazing would their wedding night be if everything below the neck was off-limits until then?

Liz thinks it’ll bring them closer together. Landon’s convinced she’ll cave first. So they raise the stakes: Whoever lasts longer gets to pick their honeymoon destination. With her heart set on the Bahamas and Landon fighting for snowbound Utah, Liz simply has to win. But pretty soon, her body is screaming for attention, and Landon’s never seemed so far away. Has Liz’s experiment backfired? Losing their little competition would be frustrating—but the one thing she can’t afford to lose is him.

My thoughts:

I seriously cannot wait for this book! It's Cassie Mae so obviously it's gonna be awesome!

Expected Release Date: September 29th 2015

What book are you waiting for?

REVIEW - Vampire's Bane by Suzannah Daniels

Title: Vampire's Bane 
Series: Vampire's Bane #1
Author: Suzannah Daniels
Release Date: April 14th 2015
Genres: Mature YA paranormal fantasy/romance/action & adventure/post-apocalyptic
Links: Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: eBook from Author 

Summary:

A lethal sword.

A dangerous mission.

A seventeen-year-old girl finding her way in a world that is nothing like she remembered.

When Maylin Kavanagh’s parents surrendered her to The Program, they swore it was for her protection. After being confined in a small underground cell for nearly two years, she is finally released.

But the world has changed.

Most of the populace has been wiped out by a deadly disease, and the rules of society have regressed. But that’s not the worst of it. When her group is kidnapped by a band of rogue vampires, Maylin realizes the decline of the human population has brought other races to the forefront—races she never knew existed. And now they’re all battling for survival and power.

In his father’s absence, Thane Warwick must lead his people. He has two priorities: find his father and find humans who can supply blood to his tribe. Immediately intrigued by his latest captive, he becomes interested in Maylin for more than just her blood, but he soon discovers that he must make a choice between his father and her.

Despite their attraction, Maylin and Thane each have an agenda, and only one can be the victor.

VAMPIRE'S BANE is the first book in the VAMPIRE'S BANE series. While it does end at a natural turning point in the heroine's journey, it is an ongoing story, and not all questions will be answered. You will need to read this series in order.

VAMPIRE'S BANE SERIES ORDER
Vampire's Bane #1
Shaman's Curse #2 

3/5

After reading excerpts and participating in the book blitz for this book, I was really intrigued. When the author contacted the blog requesting a review I jumped at the chance. And although I'm disappointed I didn't love it, I still enjoyed the book and managed to finish it in one sitting.
The story is full of mystery and suspense. At times I wasn't sure what was gonna happen next. The book held my attention and made me not want to put it down. Daniels has created a fascinating world and we have only just scratched the surface of it.

Now while the story itself was interesting, my main reason for giving 3 stars has to do with the characters. I never really connected with them. I'm not really sure what it was but they just came across a little...flat. I think there was too much trying to be packed into such a short book that not enough time was spent on character development. And the relationship between Maylin and Thane progressed way too fast for my liking. They knew each other about a day and they were already making out (I'm pretty sure it was only a day). I know if I was kidnapped by a vampire, which I had always thought was myth, I would not be making out with him the next day. I can maybe reason that because Maylin had been locked away for the last 2 years that she was craving some human (or vampire in this case) contact that she kind of latched onto Thane, but I still would have preferred their relationship to have been more fleshed out.

Apart from all that though I did enjoy the story. The ending has me looking forward to book 2. I'm excited to see where the story will go from here.

*I received an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review*