Review: The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers

Title: The Story Guy (Novella)
Author: Mary Ann Rivers
Published: July 8, 2013
Pages: 120
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Loveswept
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Marq

Favorite quote: "You were the first thing I asked for, just for me, in a long, long time."

summary from Goodreads


I will meet you on Wednesdays at noon in Celebration Park. Kissing only.

Carrie West is happy with her life . . . isn’t she? But when she sees this provocative online ad, the thirtysomething librarian can’t help but be tempted. After all, the photo of the anonymous poster is far too attractive to ignore. And when Wednesday finally arrives, it brings a first kiss that’s hotter than any she’s ever imagined. Brian Newburgh is an attorney, but there’s more to his life . . . that he won't share with Carrie. Determined to have more than just Wednesdays, Carrie embarks on a quest to learn Brian’s story, certain that he will be worth the cost. But is she ready to gamble her heart on a man who just might be The One . . . even though she has no idea how their love story will end?

Quickie Review: Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare

Title: Any Duchess Will Do (Spindle Cove)
Series: Spindle Cove, #4
Author: Tessa Dare
Published: May 28, 2013
Pages: 384
Genre: Historical Romance
Source: Edelweiss
Publisher: Avon
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Marq

summary from Goodreads
What’s a duke to do, when the girl who’s perfectly wrong becomes the woman he can’t live without?

Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, has no desire to wed this season—or any season—but his diabolical mother abducts him to “Spinster Cove” and insists he select a bride from the ladies in residence. Griff decides to teach her a lesson that will end the marriage debate forever. He chooses the serving girl.

Overworked and struggling, Pauline Simms doesn’t dream about dukes. All she wants is to hang up her barmaid apron and open a bookshop. That dream becomes a possibility when an arrogant, sinfully attractive duke offers her a small fortune for a week’s employment. Her duties are simple: submit to his mother’s “duchess training”… and fail miserably.

But in London, Pauline isn’t a miserable failure. She’s a brave, quick-witted, beguiling failure—a woman who ignites Griff’s desire and soothes the darkness in his soul. Keeping Pauline by his side won’t be easy. Even if Society could accept a serving girl duchess—can a roguish duke convince a serving girl to trust him with her heart?

Review: Beyond Control by Kit Rocha

Title: Beyond Control
Series: Beyond, #2
Author: Kit Rocha
Published: March 19, 2013
Pages: 400
Genre: Erotic Romance (Dystopian)
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Self-published
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “I can’t do this without you. I can’t be Dallas without Lex.”
“What can I say. We like our women only mostly tamed. What’s the fun in a woman who’d never stab you just a little, if you pissed her off bad enough?”

summary from Goodreads
She refuses to be owned.

Alexa Parrino escaped a life of servitude and survived danger on the streets to become one of the most trusted, influential people in Sector Four, where the O’Kanes rule with a hedonistic but iron fist. Lex has been at the top for years, and there’s almost nothing she wouldn’t do for the gang…and for its leader. Lie, steal, kill—but she bows to no one, not even Dallas O’Kane.

He’ll settle for nothing less.

Dallas fought long and hard to carve a slice of order out of the chaos of the sectors. Dangers both large and small threaten his people, but it’s nothing he can’t handle. His liquor business is flourishing, and new opportunities fuel his ambition. Lex could help him expand his empire, something he wants almost as much as he wants her. And no one says no to the king of Sector Four.

Falling into bed is easy, but their sexual games are anything but casual. Attraction quickly turns to obsession, and their careful dance of heady dominance and sweet submission uncovers a need so deep, so strong, it could crush them both.

Review: Crave the Darkness by Amanda Bonilla

Title: Crave the Darkness
Series: Shaede Assassin, #3
Author: Amanda Bonilla
Published: March 5, 2013
Pages: 336
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher (Signet Eclipse)
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “The thought of returning to my life as it had been-detached, lonely, without compassion or companionship, without love and tenderness-made my head spin.”

summary from Goodreads
Nothing comes easy for Darian. Her heightened powers make her indispensable to the Shaede Nation, but dangerous missions have driven her lover, Tyler, to his breaking point. Darian must salvage their bond, but a new assignment to protect Anya—a fellow Shaede and the first of their kind to become pregnant in centuries—stands in their way.

It doesn’t help that the two Shaedes are longtime rivals and share nothing besides mutual hatred. But when it becomes clear that someone—or something—is bent on destroying the expectant mother and her unborn child, Darian must put her feelings aside and track down Anya’s would-be assassin.

As she probes into Anya’s past, Darian digs up long-buried secrets—and a connection between Tyler and the mission that could destroy everything between them…

Review: How To Lose A Demon in 10 Days by Saranna DeWylde

Title: How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days
Series: 10 days, #1
Author: Saranna DeWylde
Published: August 28, 2012
Pages: 320
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher (Kensington Brava)
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Dawn

Favorite Quote: “Caspian was technically a Crown Prince of Hell. Technically. And technically, he was royally fucked. Or was about to be, if he could manage it.”

summary from Goodreads
Got Demon? Grace does, she’s got more demon that she can saddle. In fact, she’s got a sinfully sexy Crown Prince of Hell named Caspian. She’s also got ten days to get rid of him or Bad Things will ensue. See, her Russian mobster ex-boyfriend didn’t take kindly to her smutty Mephistophelean contract. It’s not that she’s conspiring with fiends; that was his idea. It’s that she’s conspiring against him with outrageous devilry that runs the gamut from embarrassing to a dead hooker turned dominatrix demon gunning for his soul. One should never trust demons, let along shag them. They don’t have hearts. Yet Grace is buying hers some slightly tarnished armor and hoping that once he been shoveled into it, kicking and screaming, he’ll find its just his size. This damsel in distress needs a dark Knight for a Happily Ever After.

---

Dawn's thoughts:
Grace has a problem, she is seeking her little boy who has been stolen away from her by her ex-boyfriend, Michael. Distraught, she seeks a way to find him and decides to conjure up a demon to assist with her dire situation.

The appearance of a demon, Caspian, knocks Grace for a loop. Caspian is not only a demon, but a Crown Prince of Hell. He is definitely not your ordinary garden variety demon. Caspian is immediately taken with Grace, he finds her incredibly sexy and attractive. His attraction to Grace causes him to strike a bargain with her, his help in return for sex. Grace is intrigued despite herself and acquiesces to his demands.

Grace and Caspian set out to find where her son has been hidden, and hilarity ensues.

This book is a fun read. The humor is evident in almost every page. Grace and Caspian generate a LOT of heat. I truly enjoyed their repartee. Grace is a strong character who stood up for herself, and even though she was intensely drawn to Caspian, she retained a sense of herself. As for Caspian, I enjoyed the fact that retained a sense of humor. Since he was a demon, I expected a little more doom and gloom to be a part of his character, but that was not the case. Caspian had an innate fairness within him.

The love scenes between Caspian and Grace were hot. They not only connected physically, but also emotionally. They were two people who were blindsided by their mutual attraction. Caspian and Grace have great chemistry and I enjoyed their scenes whether they were having sexy times or just bantering with each other. Ms. DeWylde has a gift for crafting involving conversations between her characters. She gives her secondary characters the same treatment as her primary characters. The reader is invited into the witch/demon world and this reader did not want to leave. I loved the bed action and equally loved the hilarious conversations that Ms. DeWylde crafted. Ms. DeWylde has a deft touch which is most evident when she is letting the reader into the internal thought process of her characters. Some writers give their all to writing the main characters yet neglect the secondary characters, writing them as mere shadows or plot devices. Not so with this book. I was just as enchanted with the secondary characters as I was with Grace and Caspian.

In conclusion, I loved this book, and eagerly await the next entry in this series. I believe that if you get the chance to read “How to Lose a Demon in Ten Days” you will enjoy it as much or more than I did. This is my first time reading this author and she does NOT disappoint. Great book, Ms. DeWylde! I sincerely hope that you are hard at work with the next one in the series.

Review: Demon Hunting in the Deep South by Lexi George

Title: Demon Hunting In the Deep South
Series: Demon Hunting, #2

Author: Lexi George

Published: July 31, 2012

Pages: 336

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Source: Publisher (Kensington)

Rating: A

Reviewed by: Dawn

Favorite quote: “By the Gods, he’d missed her. He stood in the green shadows and drank in the sultry sound of her voice. Each soft, drawling utterance from her lips played upon his senses until he thought he would go mad with need.”

summary from Amazon
Shy, self-conscious Evie Douglass tries to stay under the radar, especially when her nemesis, Meredith Peterson aka The Death Star is anywhere around. Meredith and her bitch posse of skinny girlfriends have tormented Evie about her size since seventh grade. Unfortunately, it is hard for a plus sized gal to stay invisible in Hannah, Alabama. And then Evie finds Meredith brutally murdered.

Suddenly, she’s the number one suspect in a sensational murder case. Worse, Hannah is infested with demons, and the only thing standing between them and Evie is a hunky blond demon slayer named Ansgar. Evie could swear, though, that Ansgar is interested in more than demons. She could swear that he is interested in her...

---

Dawn's thoughts:
Evie Douglass is in trouble. Her high school nemesis, Meredith, has been murdered. Unfortunately, Evie has been falsely accused of being the murdered. Since the townfolk suspect Evie of being involved with Meredith’s husband, Trey, Evie seems to be the prime suspect. Of course, the fact that Meredith was murdered in Evie’s own office, does not help the matter.

Enter Ansgard, or should I say, Ansgard re-enters Evie’s life. Ansgard is one of the Dalvahni, ancient demon hunters, who was sent to Evie’s home town of Hannah, Alabama, to help contain the influx of demons. Ansgard is powerfully drawn to Evie, but she does not think that such a hunk would be interested in her. As Ansgard hovers protectively over Evie, she has flashes of memory that disturb her. Evie does not realize that Ansgard has wiped her memory of him. Evie and Ansgard join forces to find out who actually killed Meredith and why Evie was set up. Along the way, Evie realizes that being plus-size does not mean that you cannot have a handsome demon warrior of your very own.

I loved this book! It is the second in a series, but that did not impede my enjoyment. Ms. George provided enough backstory from the previous entry that I easily entered the world she created. Evie and Ansgard were fun to watch as they navigated the rocky waters of love. Evie was a realistic heroine for me. Not just because she was plus-sized, which I am, but also because she was feisty, funny, and loving. She had her insecurities, as we all do.

I also felt love for Ansgard. Although he messed with Evie’ memory of him, he had a powerful reason for doing so. It was evident from his first arrival in the book that Evie was his heart and soul. I enjoyed their interactions immensely from the conversations to the love scenes. Ansgard helped Evie see herself as he saw her, and I love when the male characters do that. He shows her a different perspective, and Evie comes into her own.

Next on my hit list of things I loved about this book were the secondary characters, they were laugh out loud funny! I found that not only were they humorous but you came to care about them as people. They were not just the backdrop for Evie and Ansgard’s story, they were an integral part of Evie and Ansgard’s tale. In fact, I would love to read a story about any of the secondary characters, Ms. George’s writing skills made me care about what happens next for these colorful inhabitants of the town of Hannah, Alabama.

In conclusion, go get this book if you desire a fun, fabulous read! The conversation sparkles and the heat between Evie and Ansgard is steamy! The ending of the book made me crave more of the shenanigans that happen in Hannah! From the opening scene to the end of the book, you will have a smile on your face.

Ms. George, I await your next entry in this series with bated breath! Please do not make me wait too long! I need my demon hunting fix!

Review: Touch of Steel by Kate Cross

Title: Touch of Steel
Series: Clockwork Agents, #2
Author: Kate Cross
Published: December 4, 2012
Pages: 352
Genre: Stempunk
Source: Publisher (Signet)
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “You try to be so hard and tough, but beneath that you are a good man, and no woman can resist that. I don’t care how well-trained or determined she is. You will make her want to please you, to win your trust and the ultimate prize of your heart, and then she’s lost.”

summary from Goodreads
The Wardens of the Realm are a group with extraordinary abilities, dedicated to protecting England from any threat. But in this steam-powered world, there’s a fine line between enemy and ally…

Reeling from her brother’s death, beautiful American spy Claire Brooks has vowed revenge on the member of The Company who she believes to be responsible: Stanton Howard. But when she chases the man to London, Claire is captured by the Wardens of the Realm and placed in the custody of the Earl of Wolfred, the dashing Alistair Payne.

Seeing the prospect of retribution slipping away, Claire convinces Alistair that she has defected and will help him take down The Company. As they travel via steam liner, Claire and Alistair must pretend to be engaged. Claire can’t deny the growing attraction she feels for her pretend husband, but when Howard is finally within her reach, she will have to decide whether her true loyalties lie with The Company or with her heart…

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Ellie's thoughts:
Claire Brooks has been a spy for The Company, an American spy agency, since she was fifteen years old and joined with her brother Robert. Claire, aka The Dove, has betrayed her agency and is out for revenge on the man who killed Robert in a fire. On the hunt Claire is shot and ends up in The Warden’s, the British spy agency, custody where she is shocked to be shown kindness and a chance to get her revenge by switching sides. Claire will do anything to avenge her brother’s death and agrees to accompany Alastair Payne to capture the men involved.

Alastair Payne, Earl of Wolfred, always knew he would be a Warden just like his mother and father were but he never expected to be double crossed by her former mistress and left for dead. Now more robot than man Alastair is determined to show everyone that he is a good spy and won’t let a woman get the best of him again. Until he meets Claire Brooks. Claire is not to be trusted but the more time together Alastair sees deeper into her soul and why she needs revenge. The love affair could ruin them both or cost them their lives but they both know it can only end in heartache.

Touch of Steel is hands down the best steampunk-romance book that I have read in 2012 and maybe ever. The world Kate Cross has created is amazingly complex with spies, double crossings and everyone out to save their way of life. Nothing is this world is perfect and both Claire and Alastair have their share of tragedies and hardships that make them the driven people they are. The blend of the Victorian Age with the autotrons, and wonderful gadgets that Arden comes up with make this a world that I never want to leave.

We meet Alastair in the first book Heart of Brass and he comes full circle in Touch of Steel and I liked him so much better this time around. Alastair wants nothing to do with Claire but he knows how valuable she is at bringing down important people in the company. The more time he spends with her he learns what we readers already know: she’s an amazing woman who fights for what she loves and will do anything for the people close to her. He can’t help falling for her and the adventure they go on is an amazing ride of twists, turns and some very steamy scenes.

Claire is one of my new favorite heroines and she is a badass. She hangs with the boys, is an amazing spy and has a fan made with knives. I want to be her when I grow up so badly. Claire is on a mission and nothing will stop her from reaching her goal except her feelings that develop for Alastair. There is a huge plot twist towards the end of the book and it throws Claire’s world upside down.

I can’t say much more without giving too much away but this book is mind blowing. If you love steampunk as much as I do you must read this series that is only getting better. I can’t wait for the next book because these are now at the top of my Must Read Pile.

Review: Just A Cowboy and His Baby by Carolyn Brown

Title: Just a Cowboy and His Baby
Series: Spikes & Spurs, #6
Author: Carolyn Brown
Published: December 4, 2012
Pages: 342
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Rating: A-
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: "That’s not kinky. That’s plain old cowboy sex.”

summary from Goodreads
One determined, hell-on-wheels cowgirl. One equally determined, sexier-than-hell cowboy. One innocent baby, who suddenly takes center stage and everybody's priorities are suddenly up for grabs.

With a young baby dropped in his lap, bronc rider Trace Coleman's world is turned upside down. Suddenly, Gemma O'Donnell, his stiffest competition on the rodeo scene, is now the one person who can help him. She's already resisting his sexy smile and even sexier swagger, but she can't resist a baby. When it comes down to it, only one can win, but is winning more important than love and family?

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Ellie's thoughts:
Just a Cowboy and His Baby has been a book that I have been dying to get my hands on. As a huge fan of the Spikes & Spurs series I was a little disappointed with the last installment but with Gemma and Trace I got everything a fan could want. Gemma is part of the O’Donnell family from Ringgold, Texas that most of the series has focused on and I have been wanting Gemma’s story every since it was predicted that she would get a cowboy and a baby for Christmas back in book three.

Gemma is out on the rodeo scene trying her hand at bronc riding and doing a great job of keeping up with the boys. Trace Coleman is not only her toughest competition but he sets her blood on fire every time he touches her. After a horrible incident on the circuit scene Trace and Gemma are finally together and realize that the passion the feel is mutual. They decide to hit the road together and see where their relationship takes them but everything is turned upside down when a woman from Trace’s past shows up with his newborn daughter and leaves him and Gemma alone to raise the adorable baby.

Gemma is a spitfire and I love that she is out on the rodeo circuit trying to win big and beat all the boys. Trace is a great guy, one sexy cowboy and the chemistry between these two is electric. I like that these two really got to know one another and didn't spend all their time in bed. I felt that they genuinely got along and even when they fought it was mostly a pride issue and not one of them being a jerk. When Trace and Gemma go to a ranch camp and work as counselors was my favorite part of the book and when these two become my favorite couple of the series.

I did expect more of Trace’s daughter to be around for more of the book just because of the title but when she did show up it brought a whole new side to Trace and Gemma. Gemma I thought handled the situation much better than I would have and I was so glad she was there for Trace because I don’t think he could have done anything without her.

In this book we get to see more of former characters and the O’Donnell family which I really missed in the last book and they always keep things interesting. This is a great addition to a great western series that is always on my Must Read List. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Ringgold, Texas.

Review: Come Fly With Me by Addison Fox

Title: Come Fly With Me
Series: Alaskan Nights, #2
Author: Addison Fox
Publisher: November 6, 2012
Pages: 382
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher (Signet)
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “That man is so crazy about you, it blinks off him like Christmas lights on Main Street.”

summary from Goodreads
How do you say no to a man at thirty thousand feet?

When Grier Thompson is called to Indigo, Alaska, to deal with the estate of her estranged late father, the last things she expects to find are a hotly contested will, a hostile half sister who has never known Grier exists, or an entire town that doesn’t take kindly to this stranger.

Except maybe for Mick O’Shaughnessy.

An Indigo native, Mick has all he wants in life: a soft flannel shirt, a nice cottage, and a thriving airline charter business. Could this simple life get any better? One look at Grier and Mick discovers the answer is a resounding yes. She thinks so too—and if it weren’t for her family baggage, maybe she could relax and enjoy herself before it’s time to return to real life.

But then an unexpected visitor from Grier’s past unsettles the community just when the residents are finally starting to warm to her. By the time Mick comes out of the clouds to realize he’s fallen head over heels in love, it might just be too late to win Grier’s heart.

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Ellie's thoughts:
Grier Thompson has had a tough year. First she finds her fiance in a compromising position with his secretary then she learns the father she never knew about has died and left half of his estate to her and the sister she never knew she had. Indigo, Alaska is a big change from New York City and not everyone is welcoming to Grier when she first arrives, especially her half-sister Kate. Slowly Grier wins the people of Indigo over especially the sexy brush pilot Mick O'Shaughnessy who took one look at Grier and fell hard.

Mick O’Shaughnessy loves his life in Indigo, Alaska and never knew something was missing until Grier Thompson showed up and turned his life upside down. Mike knows Grier’s the one but he also knows she’s going back to New York in six weeks. Determined to show Grier how perfect they are for each other Mike’s past comes into play and both he and Grier must face the demons of their pasts to have a future.

I reviewed Baby It’s Cold Outside, the first book in this series, almost a year ago and I have been eagerly anticipating Mick and Grier’s story ever since. Usually when I have to wait so long for a book I’m disappointed when I actually get it since my expectations have been built up while waiting but Come Fly With Me met all expectations and more. Addison Fox has created a wonderful world in the town of Indigo, Alaska filled with funny townspeople, sexy men and some good-hearted but meddling grandmothers. I am hooked on this series and it’s one of the few that I reread over and over again.

There was a lot going on in this book and it tiptoes the line of being too much and just right. I love the side stories that take place especially with Grier’s half sister Kate. The book as sets up the next book Just In Time which is Avery and Roman’s story. I cannot wait for that book and thankfully we only have to wait until August. This is now a must read series for me and I hope that the books continue and the town’s grandmothers continue to matchmake for a long time. I couldn’t be happier with Come Fly With Me and I plan on rereading it many times while waiting for August to hurry up and get here.

Audiobook Review: ICED by Karen Marie Moning

Title: ICED
Series: Fever, #6
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Audible Release Date: 10-30-12
Length: 14 hrs 51 min
Narrators: Natalie Ross, Phil Gigante
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Source: Purchased
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Marq

summary from Audible
Dani "Mega" O’Malley plays by her own set of rules - and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the few humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.
When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks - and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.
Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin - before everything and everyone in it gets iced.

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Marq's thoughts:
The Fever series is the only series where I own the digital, print and audiobooks. Yes, I love this series THAT DAMN MUCH. The moment I finished reading ICED, I immediately started listening to the audiobook.

Natalie Ross - She was the narrator of Dreamfever and Shadowfever. In those two books, she had Dani sounding high-pitched and it annoyed me. I think that also had to do with why I didn't like Dani's character. Maybe she did that on purpose. In ICED, she scaled Dani back a lot. Dani sounded more mature even when she was doing stupid stuff. I felt that Dani was more reflective about her actions and I could feel it in the narration. Natalie Ross does a great job of voicing all the female characters in the book.

Phil Gigante - Thank God he started voicing Barrons in Dreamfever. The first three books of the series, a woman did all the voices and she had Barrons sounding like a leprechaun. Gigante has the perfect voice to be these bad ass sexy beasts in the Fever series. When I started listening to the book, I wondered if he would have Ryodan sounding just like Barrons. Nope. Phil Gigante is amazing. He had a distinctive voice and tone for each male character. It was awesome

Sometimes the voices would get meshed in a scene where a lot of the characters were together, and it was hard to distinguish who is who. But for the most part, they did a fantastic job and I will be listening to the audiobook again and again.

Together, Natalie Ross and Phil Gigante make ICED so much more. I absolutely loved it. They are perfect for this series. I wish they would go back and redo the audiobooks for Darkfever, Bloodfever and Faefever.

Review: ICED by Karen Marie Moning

Title: ICED
Series: Fever, #6
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Published: October 30, 2012
Pages: 512
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchased
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Marq

Favorite quote: "One day, kid, you'll be willing to mortgage your fucking soul for somebody."

summary from Goodreads
The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

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Marq's thoughts:

**contains spoilers if you haven't read books 1-5 of the Fever series and minor spoilers if you haven't read ICED**

Like everyone else, I was so worried when KMM announced that she was doing a trilogy in the Fever World with Dani as the heroine. Say what? Dani was so annoying in the Fever books. And she's 14. The big questions were: Is this book going to be YA? And can Dani 'Mega' O'Malley be a likable heroine that can carry an entire book? Will Ryodan be her love interest? Why oh why did I doubt KMM? We should know by now that she knows what she's doing. I will never doubt her again.

The first thing that blew me away was that I actually liked Dani! Yes she still had her annoying moments (they increased in frequency towards the end of the book) but I had to remind myself that she's only 14. She was kept in a cage and neglected by her mother and then she lived in the abbey with Rowena (ugh) and the other sidhe-seers. Dani doesn't know what it's like to be normal - have friends, love and affection from adults, to just be. So some of her actions were selfish and frustrating and wanted her to be knocked down a pedestal or two. Her bravado became annoying but then I realize she doesn't know how to be any other way. She has seen and done a lot in her young life but at heart, she's still a kid.

Here's a rundown of how I felt about the major players:

Ryodan - He *could* give Barrons a run for his money. Ryodan is intense and methodical. He pushes Dani and doesn't take her shit. The big question is will Ryodan be Dani's HEA? I can say after reading ICED, that I don't see it...yet. Right now I see Ryodan as someone who is using Dani to get what he wants (like Barrons did Mac) and he is her mentor in an odd, fecked up way. He protects Dani but he pushes her as well. We'll just have to wait and see where their relationship is headed. The only way I can accept them in a non-platonic relationship is if KMM fast forwards 4 or more years to where Dani is an adult. I really like Ryodan. He's very sexy and intense and he doesn't wear underwear because it....chafes.

Christian MacKeltar - I loved Christian in the Fever books but he started changing in Shadowfever when Mac fed him Unseelie to save his life. Being a Druid, the Unseelie flesh started turning Christian into an Unseelie Prince. In ICED, Christian is still changing and he is obsessed with Dani. Like psychotic, stalker obsessed. By the end of ICED, Christian is pretty much batshit crazy. LOL! Whenever he was around Dani, he made me uncomfortable. He is now full on Unseelie Prince. He has his black wings and he can sift. Is there no going back for Christian? I don't see how he can change back. All I know is, he's loco in la cabeza and Dani needs to get her distance before he buys her a White Mansion! *inside joke*

Lor - One of Ryodan's men, Lor was surprisingly an interesting and funny character. He's like Ryodan; he don't take no shit. But he's the eyes and he sees things that no one else sees. Lor has a front row seat to everything that's going on between Ryodan and Dani and Ryodan and Jo. Lor is going for providing some levity and humor and insight.

Jo - I never paid much attention to the other sidhe-seers in the series. Jo showed up at Chester's to rescue Dani and ends up working in the subclub and becomes Ryodan's lover. I don't know what's Jo's purpose? Right now she seems to be nothing but a warm body for Ryodan and Dani's personal punching bag. I did feel sorry for Jo when Dani went all psycho bitch on her. I don't see Jo as a compelling character and maybe it's time to send her back to the abbey.

Dancer - He was mentioned in Shadowfever. He's Dani's friend and about 3 years older than her but he treats her like an equal. He's smart, resourceful and Dani trusts him implicitly. They have a strong friendship but I'm wondering if Dancer is Dani's eventual love interest. There's one thing I do know, there's more to Dancer than meets the eye. I can't wait to find out more about him in the upcoming books.

Kat - Kat is the new Grand Mistress (now that Rowena is dead) and she doesn't want the job. But the girls are counting on her to lead. But she can't lead properly if she's constantly doubting herself and sexing up Cruce in her sleep. Yep. The Unseelie Prince, even though he's imprisoned underneath the abbey, has found his way to Kat in her sleep. She's fighting falling under his spell but her utter lack of confidence in herself is making her easy bait for Cruce.

Mac and Barrons - We have glimpses and mentions of Mac and Barrons. During the entire book, Mac is looking for Dani. And we know why. At least we think we know. In Shadowfever, Mac finds out that Dani led Alana to the alley where she was killed by Unseelie. Dani is positive that Mac is looking for her in order to kill her. I honestly don't know. I wouldn't mind seeing a showdown between the two.

Inspector Jayne - He's an asshole.

Cruce - Up to his old tricks and I won't be surprise if he escapes his prison in the next book.

I loved ICED. I enjoyed it from start to finish. I love being back in the Fever World. I enjoyed the multiple POVs. Ryodan is HOT! Lor is hilarious! Dani is a great heroine despite being annoying at times. I can't wait to read book 2. Write faster KMM! Write. Faster.

Review: Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha

Title: Beyond Shame
Series: Beyond, #1
Author: Kit Rocha
Published: September 16, 2012
Pages: 354
Genre: Dystopian/Erotic Romance
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Self-pubbed
Rating: A+
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “I want you to have other people, find out what you like. Get and give pleasure before you settle on me.”

summary from Goodreads
All Noelle Cunningham has ever wanted is a life beyond–beyond the walls of Eden, where only the righteous are allowed to remain, and beyond her stiflingly restrictive existence as a councilman’s daughter. But only ruins lie outside the City, remnants of a society destroyed by solar storms decades earlier.

The sectors surrounding Eden house the corrupt, the criminal–men like Jasper McCray, bootlegger and cage fighter. Jas clawed his way up from nothing to stand at the right hand of Sector Four’s ruthless leader, and he’ll defend the O’Kane gang with his life. But no fight ever prepared him for the exiled City girl who falls at his feet.

Her innocence is undeniable, but so is their intense sexual attraction, and soon they’re crossing every boundary Noelle barely knew she had. But if she wants to belong to Jas, first she’ll have to open herself to the gang, to a dangerous world of sex, lust and violence. A world where passion is power, and freedom is found in submission.

---

Ellie's thoughts:
It has been a very long time since a book knocked my socks off but from page one Beyond Shame did just that. The characters are raw, gritty and so different from anything i’ve ever read. I was sucked into this dystopian world and I never wanted to leave the Sector Four or the O’Kane gang. Things are not pretty in this world but everyone is free to make their own decisions and act as the want without judgement and once you are in the gang you are never alone.

Noelle Cunningham grew up sheltered behind the walls of Eden waiting for her very wealthy and powerful father to make a decision about her life when she finally decided to make one for herself. All Noelle ever wanted was to feel something and because of that she was banished from Eden into the world outside the safe walls that always protected her and right into the arms of Jasper McCray, one of the lieutenants of the O'Kane Gang. As Noelle is taken into one of the most powerful gangs in all of the Sectors she is finally living her life with jasper helping her every step of the way.

I love books set in dystopian worlds and Beyond Shame is set in America after all the electricity has gone out and the world is divided into very specific classes of the wealthy, the gangs and farmers. The gangs control the world outside the walls of Eden where the wealthy live and most make their money off of alcohol and black markets. The O’Kane gang lead by Dallas O’Kane is one of the most successful gangs and Dallas rules Sector Four with an iron fist. Dallas isn’t happy about letting a councilman’s daughter into his gang but Jasper and Lex, the unofficial female leader of the O’Kanes, pushing for it he has no choice.

Once in the gang Noelle discovers a whole new world of possibilities and experiences. The females of the O’Kanes are allowed to do as they please as long as they put the gang first and in return are offered safety. For once in her life Noelle can dress as she wants and finally explore her sexual side which she does right away. The sex in this book is off the chains hot and is written so well that it was easy to get lost in the story and the raw experiences that were taking place.

The men in this book are strong alphas who live dangerou;ly and love their women with everything they have. The relationships in this book are anything from easy especially for Jasper and Noelle. These two take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and by the end of the book I was happily exhausted. Noelle grows so much in such a short amount of time and her character grows from a naive, slightly annoying one to a badass O’Kane girl who I wouldn’t mess with.

I am desperate to get my hands on the next book which I am hoping is Dallas and Lex’s book but I’m not sure. This was hands down one of the best books I’ve read all year and I can’t wait to see what happens next in the O’Kane gang. I am also now obsessed with getting some new ink and I have a feeling the number of tattoos I have will go up the more of the Beyond series books I read.

Review: The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Lost Prince (Iron Fey)
Series: The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten, #1
Author: Julie Kagawa
Published: October 23, 2012
Pages: 379
Genre: YA
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Rating: A-
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “If the damn fey wanted me as an enemy, bring it on. I’d be their worst nightmare.”

summary from Goodreads
Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’s dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myths and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

My name is Ethan Chase. And I may not live to see my eighteenth birthday.

---

Ellie's thoughts:
Ethan Chase may be a human but his sister is the Iron Queen and that makes him special. But Ethan doesn’t want to be special and he really doesn’t want to have the Sight which allows him to see the fey in our world. Ethan has spent his life trying to avoid the fey and sometimes fighting for his life which lead him to being expelled from his last school. All Ethan wants is to get through his senior year and be left alone but Kenzie, the school’s head reporter, has a different idea and will stop at nothing to get the scoop on Ethan. When Todd halfbreed fey and Ethan’s classmate goes missing Ethan knows he’s the only one who can save him and Kinzie is determined to follow into a world she never knew existed.

I wondered where this amazing series would go next and I was so excited to start this book and get to know Ethan and see what his life has been like since Meghan has become the Iron Queen. Ethan has had a really hard time growing up and because the fey have used people he cares about against him he doesn’t let anyone get close to him anymore. At his new school Todd and Kenzie both breakdown Ethan’s wall that he has created to keep people away from him. Todd is half human half fey and is shocked when he discovers Ethan can see him and enlists Ethan’s help to find out who is after him. When Todd goes missing Ethan knows there’s only one person who can help him and it’s off to Nevernever with Kenzie in tow.

The Lost Prince dives right back into the wonderful world that Julie Kagawa had created and we even get to meet up with some old favorites such as Puck and Grimlikin. Ethan is not a fan of the fey and he makes that very clear when encountering any of them. The quest to find Todd takes Ethan and Kenize all over both sides of the veil. They don’t spend as much time in Nevernever as I would have liked but it was still amazing to read about the Iron Kingdom and see what Meghan has accomplished as Queen.

This book is told from Ethan’s point of view and it was very interesting to see how he viewed Meghan and the fey years after she left everything behind to be the Iron Queen. In previous books Ethan was just the little brother that Meghan had to get back and it was amazing to see him as a young man trying to deal with the Sight and the knowledge that he has of this world that if he told anyone about he would be called crazy. Kenzie is great because she not only offers the most humor out of all the characters but she’s the only one who can get Ethan to be so angry and open up a little.

I missed Puck a lot in this book because there wasn’t anyone to really offer the great one liners or lighten the mood when things were getting dark. Kenzie does an okay job but this book is lacking some brightness at times. Part three drag at the beginning for me but after a few chapters it picked back up and got to the point where i couldn’t stop reading until I finished the entire book.

This is a very wild ride back into the world of the fey and I think any fan of this series is going to be so happy with this book. I do not recommend reading the Lost Prince without reading the Iron Fey series from the beginning. This book and the characters have so much history and such a large backstory that it would very almost impossible to know what is going on. I am so curious to find out what will happen next with the new fey that are emerging and I really hope we get to see more of Ash and Puck in future books. I loved this book and can’t wait to see what happens next in the best young adult series out there.

Review + Giveaway: The Angel by Tiffany Reisz

Title: The Angel
Series: The Original Sinners, #2
Author: Tiffany Reisz
Published: September 25, 2012
Pages: 416
Genre: Erotic Romance
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Rating: A+
Reviewed by: Marq

Favorite quote: "I love her. I love her more than my own life, and you...you hurt her."

summary from Goodreads
No safe word can protect the heart
Infamous erotica author and accomplished dominatrix Nora Sutherlin is doing something utterly out of character: hiding. While her longtime lover, Søren—whose fetishes, if exposed, would be his ruin—is under scrutiny pending a major promotion, Nora's lying low and away from temptation in the lap of luxury.

Her host, the wealthy and uninhibited Griffin Fiske, is thrilled to have Nora stay at his country estate, especially once he meets her traveling companion. Young, inexperienced and angelically beautiful, Michael has become Nora's protégé, and this summer with Griffin is going to be his training, where the hazing never ends.

But while her flesh is willing, Nora's mind is wandering. To thoughts of Søren, her master, under investigation by a journalist with an ax to grind. And to another man from Nora's past, whose hold on her is less bruising, but whose secrets are no less painful. It's a summer that will prove the old adage: love hurts.

---

Marq's thoughts:

***This review contains spoilers if you have not read The Siren***

Tiffany Reisz continues to knock it out of the park with the latest installment of the The Original Sinners series. If it's even possible, I liked The Angel even more than The Siren. And I loooved The Siren! Both books are my favorite reads of the year and Tiffany Reisz is definitely my favorite author of the year.

A year has passed since the ending of The Siren. Soren and Nora are together, back in their D/s relationship. All is well until Soren is one of the candidates for the bishop. An anonymous fax sent to a report has her snooping around Soren. In order to protect his secret and Nora, Soren sends Nora and Michael to live with Griffin while he handles the nosey reporter. While at Griffin's country estate, Michael becomes Nora's protege and under the tutelage of Nora and Griffin, slowly comes out of his shell.

The Angel is much lighter than The Siren. I was anxious and scared while reading The Siren thanks to boogeyman Soren. I didn't have that anxiousness while reading The Angel. We learn so much about Soren's past and it is not pretty. Soren does some things in this book that had me liking him. And I did not want to like him! He's not nearly as scary as he was in The Siren. Drats!

The best scenes of The Angel are between Michael and Griffin and Nora. To see them together  and to watch Michael slowly come into himself, was so amazing. Even though it could have been icky it wasn't. Why? Because Tiffany Reisz is such an amazing writer that you don't think about the age factor or the sex. It's all about the relationship and how these people care for each other.

The Angel is more than just a novel about BDSM. It’s a story about love and the journey to finding love. This novel is wrought with emotion from start to finish and will pull at your heart strings. These characters are people who love each other who happen to have a BDSM relationship. That aspect of their relationship does not make their love invalid.

There’s a lot of sex in The Angel (more than The Siren) and it’s hot and wonderfully written. But with that hot, steamy sex there is a wealth of emotion and connection between the characters and that is what makes The Angel so great.

The Angel is extremely well written and I was completely invested in all the characters. You don’t expect an erotic novel to touch your heart but that’s exactly what The Angel did. When I finished, I had a tear in my eye (happy tears) and a smile on my face.

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I have one (1) print copy of The Angel to giveaway. To enter, leave a comment with a valid email address. Open to US residents only. Giveaway ends 10/3/12.

Good luck!!

Review: On The Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves

Title: On the Island: A Novel
Author: Tracey Garvis-Graves
Published: June 7, 2012 (reprint)
Pages: 329
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Plume
Rating: A+
Reviewed by: Marq

summary from Goodreads
When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.

T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments - instead of his friends.

Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter. Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

---

Marq's thoughts:
Let me start off by saying: WOW. Just WOW. I did not expect to fall in love with the story and the characters.

On the Island isn't a book that I would pick up and start reading on my own. I saw some reviews by bloggers that I know and trust and figured I'd give the book a go. When I read the blurb, I hesitated. A romance between a 30 year old and a 16 year old? How can this author make this relationship NOT skeevy and icky? By writing a beautiful story about two people who fight for survival and find love in the least likely place.

Anna and T.J.'s relationship from teacher and student to lovers was written in such a wonderful way that it felt natural and that to have them keep their relationship platonic wouldn't work. Their relationship changes over a span of years. It's not immediate. It's a gradual change that takes place as T.J. transitions from boy to man. The entire time Anna does not cross that line until the line crossing became inevitable.

Once I started reading On the Island, I could not put it down until I'd finished the book. I was engrossed from page one. The writing is so vivid and detailed that I felt like I was on the island with T.J. and Anna. I was on the edge from start to finish. I had no idea how the book would end. T.J. and Anna had serious obstacles to face and I wasn't sure if they would be able to overcome them. Their journey and their struggle felt real and I was rooting for them from beginning to the end.

What really worked for me and kept me in the story was the changing POVs between Anna and T.J. Normally this would drive me crazy but it completely worked in this book. With this type of plot and the situation that the characters were in, as the reader, we had to know what was going on in their heads.

On the Island is one of my favorite reads this year. I am so glad that I decided to read this book. It was the best way to spend a Friday afternoon.  I recommend you read this book. Do not let the premise deter you. It's a beautifully written story about finding love where you least expect it.

Review: The Ripple Effect by J.A. Saare

Title: The Ripple Effect
Series: Rhiannon's Law, #3
Author: J.A. Saare
Published: July 31, 2012
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Mundania Press
Source: Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Rating: A-
Reviewed by: Marq

Favorite quote: "There is always something to lose. You might not know what it is, but there is always something they can find to take away from you."


summary from Goodreads
There is always a price to pay…

Rhiannon Murphy visited the future, witnessed hell on earth and made choices to change things for the greater good. Unfortunately there are consequences for her actions, the penalties for her interference possibly more than she can bear. Determined to sever her debt with a fallen angel, she pushes everything aside, focusing on locating Marigold Vesta’s resting place.

Until death comes knocking at her door.

When Disco’s maker arrives in New York, he resents Rhiannon on a level she can’t begin to comprehend. Yet Marius isn’t her most dangerous adversary, not by a long shot. Marius’s sire -- a half-demon -- is determined to see the necromancer who stunned the vampire world on her knees. If she won’t bend, he’ll do everything in his power to make her break. No price is too high, meaning no one is safe -- including Disco and Paine.

Dealt a blow from which she can never recover, Rhiannon turns to the only person who can help her: the fallen angel who is relying on Rhiannon to save her soul. Bartering with a creature from Heaven is probably just as dangerous as starting a war with a demon from Hell, but with nothing to lose it’s no longer about life or death.

It’s about getting even.

---

**contains spoilers if you have not read the previous two books in the series**

Marq's thoughts:
Wow. Just...wow. I was scared to read The Ripple Effect after the events that took place in The Renfield Syndrome. When J.A. Saare sent me the e-galley and told me that I might not like it because TRE is "pretty dark stuff", I was nervous yet anxious to read it. Nervous because I had a feeling I wouldn't like what happens and anxious because I couldn't wait to read what happens.

The Ripple Effect takes place a couple of weeks after Disco betrays Rhiannon and she pretty much writes him off. She still loves him but she can not and will not forgive him. Rhiannon is still searching for the burial spot of Marigold, so that she can resurrect her. Meanwhile, strippers are being murdered and rape and Disco's maker, Marius, decides to pay them a visit. There's never a dull moment in Rhiannon's world.

I love that J.A. Saare is not afraid to have her characters do things that we are not going to like. Rhiannon pissed me off for most of the book. It was all about her ego. She'd gone rogue in a sense, becoming dependent on the amulet and Sucker (the knife that she used to kill a demon in the previous book) and her hold onto Sucker is going to have consequences and is one of the reasons Marius is visiting. Rhiannon being in possession of that night is making the half-demons nervous. They don't want a necromancer to have that much power. Unfortunately, Rhiannon isn't listening to the people around her. Disco has sheltered her from the real vampire world and she has no idea how ugly and dirty it's gonna get.

"God help you, Rhiannon. You should have brought him the knife. Your reckless decisions are about to catch up to you."

The Ripple Effect is all about Rhiannon's actions and how her stubbornness and her ego comes back and bites her in the ass. Not only does she suffer, but those she around her suffer as well. Like I said, Ms. Saare does not pull any punches. I was so pissed at Rhiannon throughout the book. Her decisions and actions were so selfish and all about what worked best for her. But the one thing I did trust is that Ms. Saare put us and Rhiannon through the ringer for a reason.

Rhiannon needed her life to fall apart in order to grow. She had to hit rock bottom. Up until now, Rhiannon did Rhiannon. She was status quo, not changing and not evolving. The events in The Ripple Effect finally forces her to grow the f*ck up and realize that there are consequences, serious big time consequences.

The Ripple Effect was beyond my expectation. It was dark, gritty, and intense. I truly didn't know what would happen from one moment to the next. My heart broke (can't tell why) but I managed to pull it together and continue reading. Disco finally mans up and takes a stand (even though I still don't like him). We're introduced to a new and mysterious character, Bane. Will his association with Rhiannon be a help or a hindrance?

The Ripple Effect is one of my favorite books of the year. I love this series and it continues to get better with each book.

I highly recommend this series. Highly. Recommend.

Summer with Jill Shalvis Blog Tour

Title: At Last
Series: Lucky Harbor, #5
Author: Jill Shalvis
Published: June 26, 2012
Pages: 400
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher (Grand Central)
Rating: C
Reviewed by: Marq

summary from Goodreads
HER LOVE HAS COME ALONG . . .
Amy Michaels loves her new life in Lucky Harbor. A waitress in the local diner, she's looking forward to her first weekend hike through the mountains. But when a wrong turn takes her off the trail, she finds herself up close and personal with forest ranger Matt Bowers. And even though she's tempted to kiss that sexy smile right off his face, she won't make the mistake of getting involved with the town heartthrob.

A former cop whose life went south, Matt doesn't let anyone get too close. But something about the feisty beauty caught his eye the moment he first saw her in the diner. After a hot night under a starry sky, Matt can't deny their attraction-or the fact that for the first time in a long time, he feels the stirrings of something more. Now it's up to Matt to help Amy see that, no matter what is in their past, together they can build a future in Lucky Harbor.

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Marq's thoughts:
At Last  is the 5th book in the Lucky Harbor series but is really the 2nd book in the second Lucky Harbor trilogy. Confusing, right? No, not really. This book can be read as a stand alone but I highly suggest reading this series starting with book 4, Lucky in Love or book 1, Simply Irresistible which is the very first book in the entire series.

I loved the first 3 books of the series but have struggled with the last two. I liked finally getting Ranger Hot Buns - Matt - story and I felt that the chemistry between Matt and Amy was explosive but there was still something missing. I think it's because I can't connect with the friendship between Amy, Molly and Grace. With the first 3 books with the sisters, there's an instant connection even though they didn't like each other. I feel like the female friendships in this trilogy is a little forced. I guess bonding over chocolate is something that can bring three women together but it felt a little forced.

I enjoyed Amy's journey through reading her grandmother's journal. The romance sizzled even though I couldn't quite buy into Matt and Amy's relationship. I adore Lucky Harbor and its crazy residents. I still love the series but this latest addition was a little disappointing.

---

Title: Forever and a Day
Series: Lucky Harbor, #6
Author: Jill Shalvis
Release Date: June 31, 2012
Pages: 384
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher (Grand Central)
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Marq


summary from Goodreads
LOVE CAN HAPPEN IN A HEARTBEAT.

Grace never thought she’d be starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor, working as a dog walker for overwhelmed ER doctor Josh Scott. But the day his nanny fails to show up, Grace goes from caring for Josh’s loveable mutt to caring for his rambunctious kids. Soon Grace is playing house with the sexy single dad…

With so many people depending on him, Josh has no time for anything outside of his clinic and family–until Grace arrives in town. Now this brainy blonde is turning his life inside out and giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “good bedside manner.” Josh and Grace don’t know if what they have can last. But in a town like Lucky Harbor, a lifetime of love starts with just one day…

---

Marq's thoughts:
This is what I am talking about! Forever and a Day is classic Jill Shalvis and has all the elements that made me fall in love with this series starting with Simply Irresistible. The humor, heart, sexual chemistry - it had all of that and more. I loved Grace and that's a rare thing for me to say. Normally the heroine is irksome and there is some fault that I find with them but not Grace. Grace is beyond awesome and I wish all female characters in contemporary romances were like her. Despite losing her job and taking odd jobs around town, Grace is never whiny about her situation. I love that she is taking charge and doing what needs to be done to get back on her feet. Even if that means taking a job as a dog walker even though she's never had a pet or walked a dog. That's how she becomes Dr. Scott's dog walker and babysitter/nanny.

The sexual tension between Josh and Grace was off the charts. I loved the build up and the constant coitus interruptus. It made the pay-off even better. Josh is my favorite kind of hero - grumpy, cranky and hot as hell. Josh is a doctor and his life at home is out of control. He keeps his feelings to himself and puts on a calm facade to tackle whatever problem he is dealt.

Grace integrates perfectly with Josh's family and I loved how even though she didn't know what she as doing, she went with the flow and made the best out of every situation. Josh and Grace worked so well together. The ending was perfect. There was no contrived fight or conflict to make them split up and then get back together. The best part of Forever and a Day is the epilogue. I am a sucker for an epilogue and this one was awesome if not a little too short for my taste. I re-read the last line at least 10 times with a big cheesy grin on my face.

Forever and a Day is my 2nd favorite book of the series. I could not put it down. I was engrossed, engaged, and entertained. Josh and Grace were the perfect couple and I found their relationship believable and the sexual chemistry smoking hot. Jill Shalvis outdid herself with the sex scenes in this book. The sexual tension had the pages of my book smoking!

Forever and a Day is definitely one of my favorite books of 2012.