REVIEW - Bound to Me by Jeannette Medina

Title: Bound to Me
Author: Jeannette Medina
Publisher: Self-published
Published: May 27th 2013
Genre: NA Fantasy Romance
Link: Goodreads  / Amazon

Summary:
A girl with nothing else to lose.
A life that’s brought nothing but pain. 
A tattoo that’s more than what it seems.

Eighteen-year old Veronica has had enough. Her alcoholic mother has only delivered a slew of abusive step-fathers and life is only getting harder. What was to be a simple tattoo for her birthday brings more than she ever imagined.

Liam is a shape-shifting dragon. He lives on her shoulder, watching her, helping her. Having the dragon come to life and teaching her courage becomes a new lifeline for Veronica. But Liam will eventually become a permanent tattoo on her skin – never to take the shape of the protector she became attached to. 

Will she embrace her life or will a broken heart shatter her soul forever?

2.5/5

I was drawn to this book after reading the blurb. I thought the concept was unique and I was immediately intrigued. I also loved the cover. The book fell short for me though. There was great potential but there were a few things that made me give it only 2.5 stars. Firstly everything was far too rushed and this I felt was a result of the book being so short. There was no time for Ronnie and Liam to fully flesh out there relationship and so I felt like they fell for each other far too quickly. It was definitely a case of insta-love which I was disappointed with. I would have loved a slower progression of their relationship. I never really connected with either character. 

There was also numerous grammatical errors. There was a constant switching of tenses in the middle of sentences and several spelling errors.

This book has great potential and I can see this author bringing out some great books but I felt this book was far too rushed and not enough time put into it. The author should have spent more time fleshing out the characters and the story and definitely on the editing. A good attempt at a debut novel.

REVIEW - Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan

Title: Fields of Elysium 
Author: A.B. Whelan
Series: Fields of Elysium #1
Published:December 12th 2012
Genre: YA Sci-fi Romance
Link: Goodreads 

Summary:
How can love mend a heart full of hate?

Small town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful. Then one day after school, something magical happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers. While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding. Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly's life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor. Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no return and multiple endings.

Would you fight to be with the one you truly love? What cost would you be willing to sacrifice for that love?

Fields of Elysium is a suspenseful romantic tale full of forbidden secrets, unimaginable danger, deception, and the never-ending fight for true love.

2.5/5

I really wanted to like this book. The synopsis made it sound really interesting and I wanted it to be good. But unfortunately it fell short. It did not live up to my expectations and there were too many things that annoyed me so that is why I am only giving it 2.5 stars.

The story itself was slow moving. Nothing that overly exciting happened throughout the book. The world that the author created I have to admit was very imaginative and captivating. I liked learning about how Arkana came to be. 

The characters did nothing for me in this book. I didn't connect to any of them and that is a big problem in my opinion. I didn't feel that the relationship between Molly and Victor was believable. It felt too forced. Molly I felt acted very childish and naive for her age and she just really got on my nerves at times. Victor I did not get. One minute he wants to kill Molly and the next he is declaring his love for her. It was done in such a short space of time that it didn't feel believable. 

Another big issue I had with the book was the writing. It didn't flow and some sentences felt out of place and choppy. There were numerous grammatical errors which normally I can overlook but there were too many to ignore here. 

There didn't seem to any definite plot or point to the book other than the relationship between Molly and Victor. It seemed like the author would just throw in something to keep the story interesting but instead it just felt out of place and unnecessary. 

I know there are others who have loved the book but sadly it wasn't for me. 

*I was provided with an ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

REVIEW - Ember by Madison Daniel

Title: Ember
Author: Madison Daniel
Series: Ember #1
Release date: March 16th 2012
Genres: YA Paranormal Romance
Links: Goodreads / Amazon
Source: Bought ebook

Summary:
Love never dies...but it can kill.

Ember is the story of Max Valentine, a teenager with secret abilities and many inner demons. His life revolves around music and his love for it. When his father dies he seeks answers with his last living relative, his fathers brother Frank. Frank lives on the island of Maui and eagerly takes Max in as his own. Max soon learns that healing his past will be more difficult than he could have ever believed. Two major complications will tempt and torment him as he tries to make sense of his abilities.

The first temptation comes in the form of a mysterious island girl. Asia Lyn Michaels is rich, spoiled, angry and beautiful. Her path crosses with Max on the beach one afternoon, forever changing both of their lives. Max saves her life and she discovers his secret. From that moment on they are connected, no matter how much they fight it.

The second temptation will test Max’s very soul. Samantha Ann Summers is sweet, artistic, smart and confident. She will help Max find his smile again and maybe even heal his past mistakes. She is possibly his soul mate and Max will fight that with every fiber of his being.

Max’s temper and indecision with the girls will send in motion events that will cost him dearly. He will test the limits of his powers and the new relationship with his protective uncle. He will gain a powerful love and lose another.

2.5/5

I'm really sorry to say that I didn't like this as much as I thought I would. This book had so much potential but sadly it didn't live up to it. The concept of the story was original and different and I had wanted to read this book from the moment I heard about it. 

Max annoyed me throughout the book. How the hell could he string along both girls for so long? He just came off as a jerk to me. He sleeps with one, says he loves her (after only knowing her for a short time) and yet is kissing another girl at the same time and nearly sleeps with her too! I'm sorry but what the hell?! He says he loves both girls after knowing them for like a week (I'm really starting to dislike insta-love stories). Sam seems like a really sweet girl and I can see why someone would be in love with her but she came across a little naive. Why would you continue chasing a guy if he was clearly going out with someone else? You're just leaving yourself open for getting hurt. Asia on the other hand I did not like. She was a real bitch and I just didn't see what Max saw in her. I know they had this connection after he healed her but to me it just seemed like Max liked her mainly cause she was hot (no pun intended). 

Another thing I didn't get was the POV. The story is told in first person from Max's POV yet we know what's happening from Sam/Asia's POV. How is that possible? It didn't make sense and kind of disturbed the flow of writing. 

I know I sound like I hated this book but I did enjoy the story concept and the fight scenes were good. It has the potential to be a great series but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I know a lot of people loved it and that just goes to show that everyones tastes are different. I will probably read the next book as I want to see where the story leads. From the way Ember ended I kind of have an idea about what is to come.

I don't want to put anyone off reading this book. Everyones opinions are they own so I encourage you to make your own regarding this book.