Becoming

Becoming by R.M. Gilmore

Goodreads synopsis

BECOMING
"I'm Sharlene Carolynn Diamond Russell, but most folks around Havana call me Lynnie. I want to tell you about the day a chance encounter changed my life forever. From a few sweet smooches to gut churning transformations, this is the story of the events that led to my Becoming."

Country girl paranormal novella trilogy from author R.M. Gilmore (author of the Dylan Hart Odyssey of The Occult series). A new twist on an old classic. Havana, Arkansas it's the picture of mystics and magic, but Lynnie Russell learns quickly you can't judge a book by it's cover.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the first few pages of this book I knew I was going to enjoy it. There was just something about Lynnie that dragged me into the story and I couldn't put it down.. even when I physically had to put it down to do my everyday jobs like eat, sleep, take care of the children. If I wasn't reading the book I was thinking about it.

There was no easing you into the story, it was more like here's Lynnie, her brother, his friend, her friend and BAM! there's your action.
This is the story of how Lynnie becomes (and I'm not telling you what she becomes) and the rest of the trilogy will tell what happens next.

FIND THE AUTHOR
www.RMGilmoreAuthor.com
@RMGilmoreAuthor
Facebook.com/RMGilmoreAuthor

Sweetest Taboo

Sweetest Taboo by Eva Márquez

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I had every intention of leaving this with at least a 3 star, but that says I like it and honestly, I didn't. It was ok.

When a 15 year old has crush on a teacher, the teacher in question has an obligation to protect the child and ignore it, not encourage it. As I was reading this I was thinking, maybe if they just form an emotional attachment, rather than a physical one, maybe then I will agree and say yes its sweet. But the reality is Tom, Mr. Stevens, went out of his way and encouraged Isabel's feelings. He was the instigator in this. He was the predator.

Yes, from Isabel's point of view this is the perfect love story, but she is continually manipulated. They have to be careful because its his job, his family, his life at stake. There is never any mention (not until near the end of the book) does anyone consider the sacrifices that Isabel makes. She spends a lot of time worrying about Tom, when in reality it should have been Tom looking out for Isabel.

I honestly cant find anything 'sweet' about Tom and Isabel's relationship.

The story is well written though and I will definitely look out for future works by Eva Marquez.



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Thirteen

Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have spent the last year waiting for this book to be released and when I finally got a copy what did I do? Did I read it immediately? No. Why? Partly because for a while I contemplated reading the entire series back to back and partly because I couldn't bare to say goodbye to this series.
I have loved this series since the first 3 chapters of Bitten Watching Savannah grow up throughout the series (mostly on the sidelines) I was really pleased when she was finally old enough to have her own voice. I think Kelley Armstrong did a great job of allowing each of the women from the series a chance to have their voice heard in this last book.

I was completely drawn in by this book, I got that warm fuzzy feeling that feels like coming home, or being hugged by your favourite person. I found myself laughing in parts and crying in others (did anyone else do that or was it just me?). While I am sad that one of my favourite series is officially over there are enough 'loose ends' to leave openings for several more novella's and who knows, maybe one day a 14th book in the series. Which makes me happy.

I know a lot of people have felt a little 'short-changed' on the ending, but I think its fitting. Not one of the characters leads a normal life, they all live with various dangers and as such there can be no 'happy ever after', but they come damn close.

If you haven't read this series yet then I definitely recommend it. Especially if you like a little werewolf, witch/sorcerer, demon and vampire (amongst others) in your story.



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Thanks for reading.

Ever Fire by Alexia Purdy

Ever Fire by Alexia Purdy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had this book for a while and always meant to read it immediately after reading Ever Shade but for some reason it didn't work out that way. I really do wish I had been able to read them all back to back, because I just could not step away from Shade's story.

This one is set just a little after Ever Shade, with Dylan living with Shade and her family (being her personal bodyguard) and Shade taking regular lessons in all things Faerie, from learning magic to battle skills. Drawn into yet another adventure Shade is torn between wanting to protect her human family and helping her Fae friends. Shade grows a lot in this book and she finally learns about her faerie magic.

As you would expect from the second book in a series, this one jumps straight in, with no hanging about trying to fill you in on back story. There is almost no slow points to the story so its easy to just continue reading (unless you have a houseful of people who think because your 'just' reading means you're not doing anything important).

My only issue with this series is I have to wait until next year for the next installment Ever Winter


Thanks for reading.

Evangeline by Alexia Purdy

Evangeline by Alexia Purdy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great short prequel to the Dark Faerie Tales series.

We met Evangeline in the first book in the series Ever Shade, and this is great back story. We already knew that Evangeline had a relationship with Jack, but this tells the story of how they met, though it doesn't explain what happened to end their relationship.

As I neared the end of the story I had a full on OH MY GOD! moment which I wont go into for fear of spoiling it for those who haven't read this or Ever Shade yet. I'm now looking forward to reading Ever Fire to see if we discover any more of this back story.


Thanks for reading.

Towering Pines Volume One: Room 509 by Bruce A. Sarte

Towering Pines Volume One: Room 509 by Bruce A. Sarte

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this book based on a small excerpt where Liam is literally shoved out of bed by no-one. I haven't read many ghost stories and figured I was over due.

The book starts with Liam being hurt by 2 members of the opposing basketball team, one of which then foul him just as he is about to take the winning shot at the end of the match, Liam loses his mind in the heat of the moment and takes his revenge by beating him with a folding chair,leaving him in a coma. Liam then finds himself facing aggravated assault charges, and being sent to Military school to serve out his sentence.
Once there he tries to settle into the routine of the Academy. But he keeps having strange dreams, dreams in which his life is in danger.. and time is running out.

I actually felt sorry for Liam at the start of the book, injured deliberately by the opposition and then fouled near the end of the match its no wonder he lost his temper (yes he took it too far), and then shunned by his family who wouldn't even arrange legal advice for him... Not once did he try to deflect the blame away from himself.

The story developed at just the right pace to keep you reading. Not giving away too much early in. However, the final showdown seemed rushed and left me feeling a little cheated. Now im looking forward to reading the second book in the series.


Thanks for reading.

Willow by Amy Richie

Willow by Amy Richie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Willow and her sister Ivy are werewolves, raised by Bella the wolf who changed them when they were just little. They have always known that when they came of age they would have to leave Bella and her pack and go find a pack of their own. But when Blake arrives from the council to take Willow to meet the pack she will lead Willow she doesn't want to go, she decides to stay with the pack for a short while until Ivy is old enough to take over. Soon Willow accepts her role and blanches at the idea of anyone else leading her pack.

This is a great story, from the first few chapters I was hooked. So much so that I finished reading the story in one sitting. Richie has a way of writing that just draws you into the story, of making you feel like you're a part of the pack. Its only been a few minutes since I put the book down and I wish I had the next instalment.


Thanks for reading.

Project ELE by Rebecca Gober & Courtney Nuckles

Project ELE by Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckles

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis.

Millions have already died, and thousands more are perishing daily. As a last ditch effort to preserve the human race, the government implements Project ELE. With the earth heating at rapid speeds, all remaining survivors are forced to turn to F.E.M.A. shelters to wait out ELE's wrath.

Fifteen-year-old Willow Mosby's life, as she knows it, ends the moment she walks through the shelter's door. Willow has to quickly adapt to the new challenges that shelter life demands, the least of which includes making new friends and working a full time job.

Soon after making an interesting discovery, Willow and her friends start exhibiting strange abilities. Seeking answers, they embark on a mission to find out what these new abilities mean and whether they are a gift or a curse.

This new adventure can send her world crashing down around her. The question is: Can Willow survive the fall?

My review.

I normally read paranormal books, but I was given the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review and since books are my drug (Hi my name is Shona and I AM a book addict)I jumped at the chance. I knew nothing of the plot, but I have heard the phrase ELE (Extinction Level Event) before so had a brief idea of what I might expect. From the first chapter I knew this was a book I could enjoy, by the end of the book I am on the verge of stalking the writers to find out where/when I can get the next instalment.

The book begins with Willow and her family (mother, father and younger brother) hoping they will be granted entry into the shelter that promises to save those not infected with the virus that threatens to wipe out the rest of the world. Before they can be accepted they must undergo some tests. It's at this point that Willow's family falls apart.

Inside the shelter, Willow soon finds herself a small group of friends in Connor, Claire and Alec, and in an effort to stave off the boredom they go exploring the mountain and its tunnels. It's these adventures that lead to Willow discovering all is not what it seems.

Thanks for reading.

Unbound by Emily Goodwin

Unbound by Emily Goodwin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I started reading this book I knew nothing about it, I hadn't even read the blurb. I guess I got really lucky but this was great, I honestly couldn't put it down and sat up until 3am just trying to see what was going to happen next.

Other than guessing in the first couple of chapters that Anora saw ghosts I honestly didn't see the direction the book was taking.

I have read books about young girls who discover they are witches, books with demons and I've read books that mix both of those elements, but none of those even come close to the reading experience of this one.

I liked that we didn't go from normal school girl to demon hunting witch in the blink of an eye. there is a gradual increase in power, though not her confidence. Even at the end of the book when Anora has (maybe not single-handedly since she had some help from Hunter and some ghosts) defeated the demon who was after her power, she feels that her friends, family and boyfriend would be better off without her and she leaves.

Anora still has plenty of growing into her powers to do and I'm really looking forward to reading more of her story.


Thank you for reading.