Hearts under Siege by Natalie J Damschroder

Hi everyone!


 February is nearly finished but here the week is startind under a light sun to remind us that spring will come and i must say it does wonder to the mood^^.

It's not often that i request an arc... but when Natale Damschroder asked for reviewers for a new release "Hearts under Siege" i couldn't resist, i wanted to read this romantic suspense story and now i can't wait to add a physical copy on my shelves. (Also she is really a kind and open author , i noticed something in my review copy and i contacted her a little afraid to disturb or annoy her but it was the complete opposite^^,so if only for that you should give her a try^^)

 I will let you see why while reading my review but just a notice the book is only 99cent ( dollars) for this week only so if it's call to you don't hesitate to profit of this offer.

Publisher: Entangled: Ignite

Publication: 2014

ISBN:  1622664949

Genre: romantic suspense
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: ecopy in exchange for an honest review

Short description from goodreads :

Brady Fitzpatrick has spent a decade burying the pain of a broken heart while working for SIEGE, an information-gathering spy agency. That it kept him away from his family as well as his best friend Molly has been an unfortunate side effect. But when his brother, also an agent, is killed during a foreign op, Brady is drawn into a web of intrigue that threatens the lives of everyone he loves…

Molly Byrnes has loved Brady forever. As his best friend and a de facto member of the Fitzpatrick family, she holds them together in their crushing grief. But as a member SIEGE’s ground team, she doesn't buy the official line about Brady’s brother’s “accidental” death and launches her own investigation—only to uncover a shocking secret that she and Brady must get to the bottom of before their target finds them.


Tangled emotions land them in bed together, opening Brady’s eyes to the incredible, fearless woman who’s been there for him all his life. But after a lifetime of disappointment, how can Molly trust the possibility of a future with him…or if they can count on any future at all?

My opinion:

          A pure pleasure! As you know I do love romantic suspense from time to time, it’s a genre I really appreciate but sadly they are also often too predictable for me with “Hearts under Siege” it wasn’t the case at all.

The story is captivating, Molly and Brady are characters we would love to meet and there are so many twists and turns that I was completely hooked turning pages after pages without a break because I needed to know! A pure pleasure, I’m telling you….yes I did guess some things but really I was completely immersed in the story.

Brady is a  moving character…I love how romantic he is and his vision of love, but unfortunately he is also stupid from time to time and I wanted to shake him to open his eyes to what was in front of him! However I must admit he is utterly loyal and did suffer to do the honourable thing. Molly was so reliable… all along she was by his side even when he didn’t think too and she did enter SIEGE also because he was part of it I’m sure. She is more talented that she think I loved how intelligent she was, she reacted quickly on the field and trusted her instinct…it’s an heroine without super power but that’s what makes her so believable and adorable… who wouldn’t want such a friend?!

Now about Jessica.. I did hate her from the start and it didn’t improve even at the end … I don’t trust her.

The Fitzpatrick are a funny family and I wouldn’t have minded to have them as neighbours, Molly was really lucky to have them growing up even if she certainly idolised them it’s the kind of family I want to see more of. Now ,oki  the official front of course^^, I’m not tough enough for SIEGE and I don’t think I would be able to lie to my family even for the greater good…

The intrigue was wonderfully though and built; the rhythm perfect, fast but not so much it wouldn’t seem believable. The relationship between Brady and Molly is steamy but it felt right, not rushed or too quick. I didn’t guess the villain, the secondary characters are not filling void just that but are  real part of the story.

 If you are looking for an excellent romantic suspense with action, romance and lot of surprise^^ you have to try this one!

Score:  5/5

Disclaimer: Source an ecopy from the author in exchange for the review. All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Lovely, Dark, and Deep ( the Collectors 1) by Susannah Sandlin

hello to all!

            Time is really flying, in less than one month it will be my birthday, a little after the " Carnaval" and of course there will also be a lot of new releases i'm dying to get my hands on.

Thankfully it also means that the wait has finally come to an end today was realeased the last episode of the serial " Lovely, Dark and Deep" by Susannah Sandlin.....now just a few months of patience to get the paperback but you can already preoder it...because later this year we get the second installment of this series!!! YES, hard to tell you how excited i am with this year program but first thing first, here is my opinion on  this new story, first in a new series, it will be short because want to avoid spoilers...

And if like me you love discovering the little history behind a book, you can discover who inspired the characters this time here, if you are like it it could steal you some tears.

 happy Reading

Publisher: Montlake romance

Publication: 2014

ISBN:  0373277210

Genre: thriller, romantic suspense
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: ecopy in exchange for an honest review

"From award-winning author Susannah Sandlin comes a heart-pounding romantic thriller that pits a quick-witted scientist and a scarred ex–combat diver against a ruthless billionaire treasure hunter with ties to the White House....

When biologist Gillian Campbell makes an offhand comment about a family curse during a TV interview, she has no idea what her words will set in motion. Within days, Gillian finds herself at the mercy of a member of the C7, a secretive international group of power brokers with a dangerous game: competing to find the world’s most elusive treasures, no matter the cost, in money or in lives. To save her family, Gillian teams up with Shane Burke, a former elite diver who’s lost his way, navigating the brutal 'death coast' of the North Atlantic to find what the collector seeks: the legendary Ruby Cross of the Knights Templar, stolen by Gillian’s ancestor and lost at sea four hundred years ago."

My opinion:

          Lovely! The title says it all in fact there are dark moments, some angsty ones and as a whole it’s more than a lovely reads^^. Susannah did succeed in my opinion at this attempt at the thriller genre and I was hooked right at the start.

As always the author is a master at descriptions you really fell like you right next to Gillian and Shane as you see by their eyes and feel their fears and frustration…  the psychological building of the characters is really essential in this story since the villain uses their weakness against them and Susannah really knows what she is doing because you  immediately fell like you are in their shoes and you understand how deep their guilt goes…you want to shake them sometimes and at others just to hug them with promise it will get better. They are really realistic, like you could meet them at the street corner.

The tension is really high at some point , The villains are making your skin crawl and biting your nails, but then there are also time for breath thanks to the little touch of humour with Shane ‘s best friend taste in music and of course.. TANK, the dog, so funny ^^ and protective^^  Shane ‘s nightmare. 

If you love investigation, the idea of treasure with a good touch of romance spiced with steamy scene this book is right you alley! A must read

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: Source: a copy in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

So what are you waiting for? You can get it here and if you want more info you can check Susannah's Website  .

I've been Interviewed! Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all!!

I hope your day will be filled with love ( and not only the romantic kind) and luck since there are a lot of giveaways in the blogosphere to celebrate this wonderful day!

Because yes it's a really great day aside from the fact i started a new treatment for my hands and that it gave me a fabulous night of sleep ( yes more than 4hours and real sleeep without pain or anything! just for that i could suffer the 2h of complete inactivity again), this friday is a day to celebrate.  Yes, even if you haven't found your soulmate yet because there are always someone somewhere who appreciate you - too often we only think about the romantic love but life is full of different kinds that should be treasured- and i wanted to start by telling some how much they count for me.

Let start with my soulmate sisters....we live far from each others but we share more than books love in common. I know i can trust them if i need some reassurance, some motivation and of course if i need some book recommendations i'm sure to love. So Brenda (from Crazy Four Books) and Amber ( from Carpe Diem)  i love you! thank you for being yourselves

Then there is the book blogging community.. Stella (Ex Libris), Laura ( Colorimetry), Nat ( Reading Romances), Anna ( Herding Cats and burning soup), Rachel ( Fiktshun) who were there from the start making me want to start blogging and guiding me when needed. Now there are also some others -not living as far- like Melliane ( Between Dreams and reality), Birgit ( The book Garden) or Sullivan ( Pearls cast before a McPig)  who i finally dared to contact after looming around for years .... i certainly forgot some so this isn't a complete list of course but i wanted to tell you how much i appreciated all of you and THANK YOU for the discoveries you helped me make, for the events you made me live via your experience.... thank you for making this community so welcoming and loving.




Now that i shouted an hello to all of you.... it's time to get back to me a little because I'VE BEEN INTERVIEWED!!!! Granted, Laura already asked me a few questions in the past but when Cherie Colyer contacted me i felt so honored and intimidated that it's a completly next experience for me. If you want to learn a little more about my blog or my bookish tastes go have a look at the interview ;  you will see some of theses questions are really interesting ( and it was so hard to answer in less than 5 words...^^;;) . I really had fun doing this , if you have some question you can ask them there or here and i will try to answer ( if not too personnal ;) )

This interview is part of Cherie's "Feature Friday" where she spotlights a blogger and her/his blog. Cherie is an author ( YA, MG) whose i admit i haven't read yet , i do have her book " Embrace" though and it's been quite a time by the way but as you know me...ebooks aren't my forte and thus it takes me ages to go through that specific TBR pile...i will review it one day for sure, after all if i did pick it it's because i was interested,  but when that's the question.
What i can tell you is that as a person, she was really kind and open when she contacted me so if you have the opportunity at least tell her hello^^ because we love kind and open authors!

 My Interview by Cherie



Have a fabulous day and Weekend! and remember you can comment ;)

Kitty and the Midnight Hour ( Kitty Norville 1) by Carrie Vaughn

Hello!

            There are some series i've heard about ( sometimes for years ) but haven't tried yet either because i hadn't the book(s) or simply for lack of time... in 2014 i decided to change that and finally start those series and perhaps i will add some favourites to my list ... the list is long ( Dresden i will reach you, .....one day!) but i'm starting by a series with already a lot of books released ( though since i'm way behind it will often be the case, i fear) because i have book 1 and it has shifters so too tempting to resist.

Which one did i pick this time? Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaughn.


 Happy reading

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication: 2005

ISBN:  0446616419

Genre: urban fantasy
Violence: strong
Language: mild
sex: strong (rape mentions)
Public: 18+

Source: won
 

Short description from goodreads :

 Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station - and a werewolf in the closet. Her new late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged is a raging success, but it's Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew?

My opinion:

          Sadly I got to high expectations about this book… it was a pleasant read but I didn’t like it as much as I hoped.

I guess I deserve some explanations. As a whole this universe is interesting and more even if we get only a glimpse of it and more specifically on the werewolves part, we see a little of the vampires but there is so much more to discover I’m sure. It’s only the second time I come across a paranormal series where the heroine ( yes both time it’s a female^^) is working in a reading station and I must say it makes me curious to listen to one because it sound so different than those in my country.

There are shifters, vampires, a touch of romance; some characters like Cormac are definitively funny and intriguing. The rhythm of the story is just what is needed and while we get enough info to understand the story there are more to come but we are left hanging either. Those are the good parts and why I will give this series another try later this year.

Now why didn’t love it?  It simply clashed too much with my view on werewolves… now it’s personal of course but I envision them as loyal, protective yes ferocious when needed but mostly fair I guess…. For me the pack hierarchy serves that purpose too…..weaker ones are protected….not abused and that’s where it start to get on my nerves…oki let precise first that in this book we only learn about ONE pack so others can be run very differently true and even in this pack TJ and Kitty are not like the others. Still imagining a pack leader.. (a wolf!) that abuses his position to sleep around?!! I mean wolves don’t do that and from the author description of the wolf part of Kitty… it’s really like a normal wolf so that part clashed hard with me…

 Also the fact that Carl not only abuse his position but doesn’t protect the pack and all his members and worse he doesn’t even fight fair… a challenge between 2 members of a pack no one interfere….but he doesn’t care for that… he even goes back on his word…. That I couldn’t accept… if an alpha acted like that the pack wouldn’t turn on him not readily accept him.

Also back on the wolf part but strongly linked to the human one…we learn than Kitty was raped just before becoming a werewolf…it makes 2 traumatic events..so big that it should have an impact. I mean yes there are nearly simultaneous but her dual personality make them quite separated…so if you follow me you can see how for me it was completely absurd to see her sexually submit to Carl….it’s not realistic…she was sexually aggressed and then she accept to sleep with someone who use that to show his position? Even if she was in a long lasting, trusting relation before than happened she would have had an hard time to accept to be touched… we are not even speaking about enjoying being touched…and in this case Carl was an unknown , yes perhaps months passed before it started but it’s not something you forget ion month or years…the human part should rebel, be disgusted, react! The wolf part… like I say wolf usually have one mate only so submit like that to a male who has mate isn’t likely and the fear from the human part should  I don’t know invoke some protection instinct and make her fight not accept that as normal and something she long for. ( that’s where TJ disappointments me.. while honourable, protective he let the situation pass as normal perhaps because of his love for Carl but it’s no excuse).

 Kitty could be a promising heroine but so far so lack credibility ( and in my eyes urban fantasy  need some touch of reality, you need to believe it could happen)…it’s great to have her “wolf’s” point of view but it doesn’t sound like a wolf… Then she wants to act like a human being and mostly it works except in most important part…she was to keep her nature a secret she tells it while on air…she fears vampires but she plans on confronting their master…and she goes back to Carl while she despites him and while her maker is there and in a way protected…I guess I would have loved her to either plan more carefully her actions or to really act on her wish like leave the pack to keep her show.. I wanted her more  determined, sure of herself, to believe in herself… it could still happen so I will continue the series a little bit but this tome I just liked it

I can’t really recommend this series so far so I will let you decide what you think about reading this humble opinion..; some readers absolutely love this series so far I can’t say it’s my case but perhaps it will be yours.

Score:  2,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

Are there some series  often recommended to you that you still haven't tried? Have you read this one?

International giveaways: romance books and vampire academy

Hello to all,


What a better way to start the week that to win some free books? It's with that idea in mind that i decided to share some international and really interesting giveaway or event that are taking place this week . Since the occasion for most of these giveaway is the St Valentine day approaching most of the prize are romance books but it's one genre we love so much that we are more than happy to savour this time of the year.

There is one little variant though, it's to show her love for her readers and followers but also because Vampire academy movie is realeased that Brenda has a special giveaway rtelated to this series....
Yes you can win any book in the Vampire Academ series ( perhaps the spin off too) to be prepared before going to see the movie or simply to discover what this all about or to complete it if you have started it ( like me^^;;)

So if you are interested hurry on Crazy Four Blog and enter this generous giveaways before St Valentine!
Enter Here 

While you are there don't forget to enter her incentive giveaway Here: February CIG for an opportuinity to win any book featured during the month ( so yes another chance for one VA book if you  wish so)

And because she is really generous that's not all! Brenda also joined the Heart of Fire Valentine Hop to ferrt you another great giveaway. If you want one steamy or less steamy book, check the list she did... the winner of her giveaway will have the choice of one book from teh list and there are some really interesting book on it.

Before St Valentine day enter: here in the second rafflecopter; the first one is for US only but jewellery and books so not something to decline.



 But Brenda isn't the only generous ones in the blogosphere so you can also check Mythical Books who joined two blog hop for St Valentine and you can win your books of your choice as long as it's a romance and under the limit authorized both open to international.

The St Valentine gift hop  you can enter here for a romance under 17dollars and if you are in the US your comment enter you for  kindle too

The heart of fire hop: for your choice of a romance book under 15dollars enter here, and as Us entrants it will give you another entry for a pendant and some books




Last but not the least: during all the weeks, 4 bloggers joined their efforts to host the Fire and Ice Blog Hop

one weeks of interviews, guest posts and yes GIVEAWAYS, not all of them international but some are so don,'t hesitate to check

Candace's Book Blog, you can win there a book of your choice under 12dollars: enter HERE

Rainy Day Ramblings for an opportunity to win " Better Spirits" by Jenn Bennnett: Here

The Nocturnal Library: for a book of your choice under 15dollars: Here

or she gives you also the opportunity to win a book that sound really interesting " Angelbound" by Christina Bauer and it's for a signed copy!! Don't Hesitate enter Here

My Guilty Obssession : you can win an ebook

Now like i told you until the 15th February, those 4 bloggers will keep adding some greats post as you can see on the event schedule... for example another book is to be won on the Nocturnal Library but since it's US only i prefered not to show it here. If i come accross more int one i will try to add the links but don't hesitate to be curious and to follows them to be kept updated on time and to thanks them

We all have a book that comfort us, a romance that made or makes us dreams....wants to share yours?

Bodyguards ( QuickSilver Codex 1) by Kallysten

Hello to all,

     Today hasn't started as a good day,... to be honest the week didn't start well, so i'm quite a mess right now and i can only hope some positive news will come to change that even if i doubt it.
 Anyway,  i wasn't in any state to read now but i had done my homework this weekend so i'm happy to be able to share something with you today.

As you know i love the "Ward of the Vampire" series by Kallysten quite a lot but she has written a lot more than that so when given the opportunity to try another of her series i was highly curious and excited...a new universe, new romance and still some vampires really how could i have refused. As a result i'm happy to share with you my opinion on Bodyguards the first book in her QuickSilver Codex.

Enjoy!

Publisher: Kallysten

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  9781301558278

Genre: paranormal romance
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: ecopy received in exchange for an honest review

Short description from goodreads :

 On the verge of her twentieth birthday, Vivien’s worries are those of a typical young woman: doing well in college, gaining more independence, and maybe managing to show Brad, her classmate and sometimes jogging partner, that she wouldn’t mind taking their burgeoning relationship to a different level.

Everything changes in the blink of an eye. Vivien stumbles into a knife fight, watches a man die in front of her, and soon listens, stunned, as Brad and his brother Aedan tell her a story of magic, vampires and a murderous ruler intent on killing a princess in hiding – a tale in which she is the princess and heir to a realm she didn’t know existed.


Vivien’s first instinct is to refuse to believe this incredible tale, even if it comes from a man she is attracted to. But when her self-proclaimed bodyguards use magic to take her to a different world, the edges of reality start blurring and Vivien has to figure out who she truly is

My opinion:

          While I wanted to read this book I’m still agreeably surprised to see how much I loved it and how I want more something I should have thought since it’s written by Kallysten and that I’m so easily swept into her story thanks to her clear captivating writing style.

With the QuickSilver codex we are immersed in a sort of parallel universe where magic users (called “channelers”) live side by side with vampires and elves will be present too later… As her habit, Kallysten built a complex but enchanting universe that we discover along the heroine, in this case Vivien.

Vivien is a princess from that world called “ Foh’Ran” however since little she was raised in our world and forgot all about her origin….when her twentieth birthday approaches people are sent to kill her and the boy she had a crush on reveals himself to be is bodyguard sent with her to protect her.

Brad aka Bradan grew on earth to protect her like he swore to do…..as a child him and his twin Aedan took a oath to protect her by all costs…and since then both did it. Bradan living on earth started to have feeling for Vivien while Aedan left on Foh’Ran was alone… worse on Foh’ran time isn’t the same than on earth so wghat was days for Bradan was weeks or months for Aedan….while we learn about their past I could only feel draw to Aedan because he is the one who sacrified the most in my opinion and sadly he is suffering from it while Vivien reject his sacrifice and his helps.  She is quite accustomed to Brad but Aedan is unknown for her and thus she is acting rudely with him and I wanted to slap her from time to time..

Oh it’s not I don’t like Vivien, I mean with everything happening to her she is adjusting quite well but sadly she was a little focusing to much on herself in my opinion… she is judging with searching for answers first and how she acting with Aedan wasn’t fair…. He protected her for years, he did things for her he never thought he would, he sacrificed his channelling ( kind of magic even if he would hate that word) for her and at best she is ignoring him….She is acting like a child when they wanted her to be a queen but she has first a lot to learn.

Kallysten is also a master at slipping tips or doubts from time to time and thus we are after this book wondering what the supposed king is accusing the late Queen of…now his action don’t make me doubt he is a bad man….he is cruel, arrogant and a killer for sure but his alleged accusations do me make wonder what he has under his sleeve and how Kallysten will certainly surprise us.

 There were a lot of moments filled of emotion: when the brothers reconnect with each other, Annabel return and what to say about the first attempt at channelling from Vivien. Brad is really in love with her but put his duty first a long time while Aedan is ready to be left behind even if it means his death…the ending is a cliffhanger and I hate those with passion but to be honest even without it if I had the next book ready I would just read it without waiting more.

 If you want a good paranormal romance with parallel universe, vampires and magic this one is for you

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: Source: a copy in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was received.All opinions are my own .

Challenges: