Blog Tour: Escape (Getaway #3)

   

About ESCAPE:

Everything inside of him is screaming that he needs to run, he needs to go, he needs to escape.

 Lane Warner is used to being overshadowed and overlooked.

After all, he’s the youngest brother and the most laid back one in the family. He’s the one known for going with the flow and not making waves, even when things seem to be at their worst.

Very few things in life have had the ability to rile Lane up and get under his skin. At the top of that list is his childhood friend Brynn Fox…no…Brynn Warner. The fact that they share a last name was the one thing that has the power to light him up and spin him out of control like no other. There was no calm, cool and collected when it comes to all the reasons why Brynn had to become part of his family.

It’s slowly killing him to keep wanting what he can’t have, so Lane sees only one way to stop himself from doing something they’ll both regret…he has to leave. 

Everything inside of her is calling out to find him, to follow, to bring him home.

Brynn Warner is used to being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

After all, she’s the daughter of an unrepentant gold-digger who never once blinked at being the cause of her daughter’s pain and suffering.

Very few things in her life have ever brought happiness and a sense of security. At the very top of that list is Lane Warner. She has unwaveringly loved the youngest Warner since the first minute she laid eyes on him. He was everything Brynn ever wanted and everything she knew she could never have.

Sometimes the right choice is the one that hurts the most and Brynn’s had to make a few that felt like they might be the end of her. When Lane takes off, one thing is clear, the only choice Brynn has is to go after him.

She’s going to bring her wayward cowboy home….whatever it takes.

Escape is a standalone novel, the third book in the Getaway series, which features the hardheaded and brokenhearted Warner brothers and the women who dare to love them. These boys are very good at putting the wild in wilderness.

   

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EXCERPT: 

Brynn 

He arched a dark eyebrow. “I’m in no rush to get back to the mess I’m sure we both left behind. I was planning on hanging out with Sutton for a few more days then making my way back home. There’s no reason we can’t make the drive together…unless you would rather fly?” I stared at him in silence for a long moment, weighing his words carefully. It had to be more than a thousand miles between Sacramento and Sheridan. That was hours and hours of him and me alone in his truck. We purposely avoided being alone when we were at the ranch. There were many awkward moments of silence and word we wanted to say but couldn’t. On the one hand, it was all I ever wanted. Lane Warner, with no place to escape me and our tangled, tormented history. We would finally be forced to put the past to rest, whatever that meant for us moving forward. On the other hand, the idea of being alone with him, trapped in that horrible, uneasy silence that plagued us since the second I said “yes” all those years ago made my skin crawl. There was no guarantee that Lane was ready to lance the wounds we’d both caused that had long been infected and festering. He seemed content to pretend things were fine when they were anything but. He rubbed his thumb along the corner of his mouth and gave me that grin of his that ensured he got whatever it was he wanted. “We can even take a few days and go to the Grand Canyon and Vegas if you don’t mind adding a few stops and several hundred miles onto the trip. I’ve never really been anywhere outside of home and who knows when we’ll get the chance to see it all again.” He was so persuasive with that charismatic smile and the soft look in his eyes. Daye caught my attention as she reached for my hand. She was bouncing on her toes, eyes as excited as her uncle’s. “You have to say yes. It sounds like so much fun. I want to go to the Grand Canyon one day. Did you know that you can ride horses down to the bottom?” She had the Warner charm already and did she ever know how to use it. “That does sound like fun, but are you sure I wouldn’t cramp your style? Especially in a place like Vegas.” I couldn’t disguise the hesitation in my tone. Lane never made it a secret that he liked the ladies, the flashier and easier the better. Vegas was built for a guy looking for a good time, and Lane was always up for some fun. There was no way I was hitching a ride with him if it meant that I was going to have front row seats for all of his bedroom antics. I was willing to suffer through a lot to get him back where he belonged, but my battered heart couldn’t take watching him with other women anymore. That was one thing about our tenuous relationship that had to change. He chuckled softly and hooked his thumbs into the front pockets of his jeans. The action pulled the denim down low on his hips flashing a strip of hard, tanned skin. I knew that under his t-shirt he was rocking more than a six pack and had a body littered with carved muscles and sharp lines. Ranch life had blessed all the Warner boys with bodies to die for, but somehow Lane ended up looking the best of all of them. He was quintessential cowboy, rugged and rough in all the best ways. Too bad he knew it and used every inch of that delectable body to his advantage. I couldn’t remember the last time he spent the night alone. All his conquests had to creep past my bedroom door to make their early morning getaway, and there was always a steady stream of them. “No, Brynn. You absolutely won’t cramp my style. In fact, I can’t imagine anyone else I would want to drive around the country with. I think we could both use the break from our reality and time away from it all. I promise to behave. So,” he lifted his eyebrows and gave me that panty-melting grin. “Are you in or out?” We watched each other, neither of us giving anything away. I wanted to go with Lane more than I wanted my next breath but I couldn’t tell if he wanted me to tag along with the same ferocity. It was the story of my life, a vicious cycle of wanting Lane Warner. Me wanting him and him not deciding what he wanted. Was I in or out? Of course, I was in…I was all in. I was in so deep with him there was no hope of me ever finding my way out. There was only one response to his question that I could give, my brain and my heart wouldn’t allow any other one. “I’m in.”    

   

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And don’t miss the first two standalone novels in the Getaway series, RETREAT and SHELTER. 

RETREAT is on sale for just $.99! Grab your copy today! ✦ RETREAT on Amazon ➜http://amzn.to/2iOD0DB 

RETREAT on Other Retailers ➜https://www.jaycrownover.com/thegetawayseries

✦SHELTER on Amazon ➜http://amzn.to/2zGQh98 

SHELTER on Other Retailers ➜https://www.jaycrownover.com/thegetawayseries

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Review:

Jay Crownover will never cease to amaze me with her tremendous talent. She's an author that is an automatic-buy-- one where I don't even need to know what the story is about to know I will read it. No matter what Jay writes, she does it flawlessly and I love every second I am in the story. Escape is no exception to this. The final installment in the Getaway Series is a tale of first love and finding your way back to the person you are meant to be with. 

I was most excited for Brynn and Lane's story as they always piqued my interest from the very start. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew that when they finally let themselves give into their true feelings and crash into one another, it would result in one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read. But let me tell you, I didn't expect to be so swept away by them as I was. 

Lane is very much the "little brother." He falls into the role easily due to his charm, wit, and good looks. After Brynn shattered his heart years prior, he threw himself into helping out with the ranch...and the women that came along with it. Brynn on the other hand, has spent all of these years watching Lane from a distance. After one fateful night, Brynn built her walls so high up around her that she had an excellent view when it came to watching Lane's antics. The only problem...she loves Lane in a way she can love no one else, but she's scared that Lane only sees her as a damsel in distress. She has spent years trying to drown that image of herself, but in the process, she has done the exact opposite of what she wanted-- she has distanced herself from Lane.

What I loved so much about this story is that Jay didn't drag out their reconciliation. Almost immediately, they end up coming together and working things out. Sure, they have a ways to go at the beginning of the novel, but the important thing is that they're together, exploring their feelings for each other. And let me tell you...once that spark ignites, there's no putting out the inferno that continues to build. At the same time though, they are focused on starting anew and building a new life, but this time together. They got to know each other in new ways and were able to see each other in a new light. 

This is where the story goes into a brilliant but unexpected direction of introducing a young teenager who Brynn connects with in a special way. I loved that Jay incorporated this element into the story (and small spoiler here...connected this series to not only The Point but also the Marked Men series). Jay allowed the reader to form a much deeper connection to both Brynn and Lane by seeing the lengths they went to for this teenager. We see Brynn become her own hero, and this was the most important part to me. Brynn became an even stronger, braver woman and the support Lane provided her throughout everything was incredible...and exactly the type of person we always expected Lane to be (but also the type of person Lane has always wanted to become). 

This was an absolutely heartwarming end to a fantastic series. I honestly want more from some other side characters (especially Ten and Wyatt), but for now I couldn't have asked for a better way for the brothers' story to conclude. Jay has always been one of my favorite authors, but she has truly outdone herself with Escape, and given fans a very special ending. 

Huge THANK YOU to InkSlinger Blogger for the ARC of Escape!!

Happy reading :)     

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About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, the Point Series, the Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.

         
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

~Cassie

Blog Tour: Rise

About the Book:
Title: Rise (Coven of Fire, #1)
Author: Sierra Cross
Publication date: June 15th 2017
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Synopsis:

I closed the door on magic long ago…the day it made me an orphan.

Ten years ago, the Coven of Fire sacrificed their lives—my mother among them—to hold off an overwhelming demonic force. Now it’s back.

As a poorly-paid bartender, how can any of this be my problem? But Callie, another orphan of that battle, swears I’m the key to reviving the coven. And there’s an incredibly sexy guardian stranded on my couch who’s promising to help me stop the demons and keep the veil between the realms standing.
One problem: I’ve never been able to use magic. Our local bad boy warlock assures me I have the talent, but even if I did, we don’t have enough witches to complete a coven. The only way to survive is to pull together this pack of magicborn misfits, who have more secrets than spells, into a makeshift coven.

Can we—three untrained witches, a sarcastic warlock, and an overly intense guardian—take back the city…before the demongate falls and the forces that killed my mother destroy us too?

                                                      Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

Spells and skyscrapers. Warriors and warlocks. Coven secrets and forbidden romances. Sierra Cross lives for urban fantasy, for modern magic and the bold supernatural beings who stalk our contemporary world. Her Spelldrift universe stars kickass witches and their heroic guardians, as well as vampires, shifters, mages, Fidei, and the dark demonic forces that threaten them all.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon

Review:

Rise was an excellent start to a brand new paranormal fantasy series that is sure to be a hit among fans of this genre. While there were some flaws with the story, I still found the book very enjoyable and I am interested to see what happens next. The book is a quick, fun read and I am excited to see where this series goes.

The story follows Alix (love the spelling of the name btw), who is a bartender at a local club who wants something more from her life. But once she learns of a demonic force threatening those she loves and cares for most, she rises up to the challenge and begins to hone the powers that she never knew she had. I loved the creativity of the story and I loved Alix as a lead character. She is a badass and sarcastic, which is always a winning combo. I really connected with her character throughout the story, and she is a well developed character throughout the story. 

However, since we only read from her perspective, this is also where the story hits a bit of a snag. I have no problems with reading from only one characters' perspective, but this story was screaming to be in dual POVs. I would have loved to hear from Matt's perspective (I have a specific reason for saying his perspective, but don't want to give away any spoilers...but you'll understand why I say him if you read the book). It would have made the story stronger in my opinion. At the end of the day though, this didn't bother me that much because I truly loved reading from Alix's POV.

The only other thing that I had a tiny problem with was the predictability of the story. I pretty much was able to tell the direction this story was going to go from the first chapter. While I still love the story and the creativity of the world, the plot itself was predictable which took something away from the reading experience. With this being said though, Sierra Cross did an excellent job at the world-building in the story!! I am intrigued by the world that she has introduced and I am excited to see where the story goes from here!

While there are a couple of small things that made me lower my rating, I still loved this novel!! This book is a fun start to a new series revolving around witches, covens, and demons. I definitely will be checking out the rest of the series and I can't wait to see what Ms. Cross has in store for Alix, Matt, and her other friends!

Happy reading :)

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~Cassie

ARC Review: The Wendy (Tales of The Wendy #1)

About the Book:
Title: The Wendy (Tales of The Wendy #1)
Author: Erin Michelle Sky, Steven Brown
Pub. Date: January 16, 2018
Publisher: Trash Dogs Media LLC
Pages: 280 
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis:

THE WRONG KIND OF HERO.


“Girls can’t be in the navy! Girls take care of babies! You’re so stupid, you don’t know anything!”

London. 1783. Wendy Darling is an orphan, living in an overcrowded almshouse, ridiculed for believing in a future she can never have. More than anything in the world, she wants to be the captain of a ship. But that’s impossible.
 Isn’t it?

By 1789, she’s sixteen, old enough to be sold into service as a dressmaker or a servant. When she learns the Home Office is accepting a handful of women into its ranks, she jumps at the chance, joining the fight against the most formidable threat England has ever faced. Magic.

But the secret service isn’t exactly what she had hoped. Accompanied by a reimagined cast of the original Peter Pan, Wendy soon discovers that her dreams are as far away as ever, that choosing sides isn’t as simple as she thought, and that the only man who isn’t blinded by her gender... might be her nation’s greatest enemy. 

Review:

I received an advanced copy this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I could not get enough of this story!! The Wendy is an absolutely fantastic novel that truly sweeps you off your feet! You immediately are sucked into the story...into a world where the story of Peter Pan is not quite how you remember. Peter Pan retellings have been very hit or miss for me, and I am happy to report that this book is truly a winner. It is unique and a fun twist on the original story, while still having all of the classic elements. To be completely honest, reading this book felt like I was reading a classic novel (which isn't a bad thing at all)!

The authors crafted a fun setting but also extraordinary characters. The took the original versions of these characters, expanded upon their personalities that we see in the original story, but still made them uniquely their own. All of the characters had the same quirks that we love, but they also have some new personality traits that will make you fall in love with them more. Wendy is such a strong, fierce female lead and I loved her representation. Hook is still sinister as ever, but we see a different side to him that is unexpected. I loved how the authors dealt with the subject of gender and women being seen as inferior in the time period. The story is an inspirational one at its heart as we go on a journey with Wendy to overcome the obstacles thrown in her path.

I can't wait until the next book comes out and where the story goes. I am excited to see how the authors make the next part of the Wendy/Peter Pan/Hook saga their own. I highly recommend checking this book out if you like fun retellings and are a fan of Peter Pan. You won't regret reading this hidden gem!

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

Waiting on Wednesday #129

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Cassie's Waiting On: 

Honor Among Thieves (The Honors #1) by Rachel Caine & Ann Aguirre
Publication Date: February 13th, 2018

Synopsis:

Petty criminal Zara Cole has a painful past that’s made her stronger than most, which is why she chose life in New Detroit instead moving with her family to Mars. In her eyes, living inside a dome isn’t much better than a prison cell.

Still, when Zara commits a crime that has her running scared, jail might be exactly where she’s headed. Instead Zara is recruited into the Honors, an elite team of humans selected by the Leviathan—a race of sentient alien ships—to explore the outer reaches of the universe as their passengers.

Zara seizes the chance to flee Earth’s dangers, but when she meets Nadim, the alien ship she’s assigned, Zara starts to feel at home for the first time. But nothing could have prepared her for the dark, ominous truths that lurk behind the alluring glitter of starlight.

Sci-fi books are kinda tough for me but because this is by Rachel Caine, I've decided to give it a go! I have loved all of Rachel Caine's books in the past so I'm hoping this will be another winner.  Now, I've never read anything by Ann Aguirre but I've heard some great things about her as well, so I think this book holds a lot of promise.  Plus, I love the cover of this book!!  Let's hope this one is as good as it sounds :)

ARC Review: Reign the Earth (The Elementae, #1)

About The Book:

  Title: Reign the Earth (The Elementae, #1) 

  Author: A.C. Gaughen 
  Pub. Date: January 30th, 2018
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Pages: 448

  Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

  Rate: 4.5/5 stars 

Synopsis :

Shalia is a proud daughter of the desert, but after years of devastating war with the adjoining kingdom, her people are desperate for peace. Willing to trade her freedom to ensure the safety of her family, Shalia becomes Queen of the Bonelands.

But she soon learns that her husband, Calix, is motivated only by his desire to exterminate the Elementae—mystical people who can control earth, wind, air, and fire. Even more unsettling are Shalia’s feelings for her husband’s brother, which unleash a power over the earth she never knew she possessed—a power that could get her killed. As rumors of a rebellion against Calix spread, Shalia must choose between the last chance for peace and her own future as an Elementae.

Review:

This book was one huge surprise for me. I'm going to be completely, utterly honest right now. I had this book since BEA 2017, and just read it. Why? The synopsis reminded me maybe of Throne of Glass or Red Queen - which personally, I am just not a fan of. However, perusing some Goodreads ratings made me change my mind. And after reading this book, I can tell you it's more like Kiss of Deception meets An Ember in the Ashes - but in a completely unique and original way. Shalia trades her freedom for the freedom of the desert, only to become the bride of Calix, the ruthless ruler of the Bonelands. 

At first Calix seems like a decent enough guy - a little controlling, but I'm holding out hope for a fantasy anti-hero type (hello Darkling). But no, he's just a jackass. An overall horrible person, who wants to exterminate The Elementae because they threaten his reign. By the way, The Elementae are people with special elemental powers.  So, earth, wind, water, etc. I assume you can predict based on the name. And I will say, this is still a love story. A hot and steamy one, at that. I'm not sure what kept me more intrigued - the love story or the fantasy aspects. They are equally addicting. Anyway, Shalia is soon to become your favorite YA protagonist. She is an advocate of women's rights and independence, I empathized with her since the first chapter. And I wanted to destroy Calix, ugh! You will too!

"You can't control your heart. You can only trust it." 

Would I recommend this book for high school students? Hmm, probably not. I could actually see it being banned in a lot of schools due to it's darker themes and trigger warnings. But this isn't me reviewing it as a psychologist, this is me reviewing it as a book lover. And Reign of Earth completely surprised me - in a great way. This is easily going to be one of the best fantasy novels of 2018. Reign the Earth is a feminist fantasy novel that will keep you on your toes. The 448 pages will seriously fly by before your eyes. For fans of Sabaa Tahir and Mary E. Pearson, The Elementae is an upcoming series you will be hearing more of in the coming months.

- Jocelyn

ARC Review: The Hazel Wood (The Hazel Wood, #1)

About The Book:

  Title: The Hazel Wood (The Hazel Wood, #1) 

  Author: Melissa Albert
  Pub. Date: January 30th, 2018
  Publisher: Flatiron Books 
  Pages: 368 

  Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

  Rate: 4/5 stars 

Synopsis :

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: her mother is stolen away―by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.”

Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.

Review:

"When Alice was born, her eyes were black from end to end, 

and the midwife didn't stay long enough to wash her." 

This one was a creepy read, and I am not kidding when I say CREEPY. At times, I found my hair standing up and goosebumps down my arms. Melissa Albert weaves several dark fairytales into one masterful novel when Alice's mother was snatched up and her world was rocked. Alice becomes even more on edge when she starts sensing people are following her,  people who she remembers seeing when she was a very young girl. And when Alice teams up with a classmate, Finch, to find her mother, she also finds out there is more to the bad luck that has been happening around her for her entire life. Alice and Finch set in search of the mysterious Hazel Wood, the house her grandmother lived in. But as they get closer, they start to realize things are off. There are more murders and more unexplainable events happening the closer they get. And the stories told in 'Tales from the Hinterland', her Grandmother's book, are becoming more and more realistic.

When I read the description to this story, I was honestly kind of like 'meh'. I thought it was going to be a YA contemporary/mystery of a broken family trying to find each other once again. Boy was I wrong, this book is a fairytale of epic proportions. And once I finally figured out what was happening in this story, I became completely in love. The constant plot-twists had me turning the pages faster and faster. Alice's grandmother, Althea, wrote the weirdest fairytales in 'Tales of the Hinterland' and Alice could just not seem to get her hands on the book (because they disappear from everywhere). Creepy stories, wicked characters, and the whimsy we feel while in Wonderland makes The Hazel Wood a fantastic fantasy read.

"Look until the leaves turn red,

sew the worlds up with thread.

If your journey's left undone,

fear the rising of the sun." 

While the ending was satisfaction enough for me, I definitely would have preferred a good cliff-hanger hanger, especially because there are more books coming out set in this world. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for them, but I'm most excited for Tales From the Hinterland. I'm guessing this is going to be a bind up of these creepy fairytales (I really want to read The Sea Cellar). For fans of Lewis Carrol's Alice in Wonderland and Holly Black's Darkest Part of the Forest, I feel like this book is right up your ally.

- Jocelyn

Book Review: One of Us is Lying

About the Book:

Title: One of Us is Lying

Author: Karen M. McManus

Pub. Date: May 30, 2017

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pages: 361

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis:

Pay close attention and you might solve this.

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.

Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule. 
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess. 
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.

And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app. 

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose? 

Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.

Review:

So I featured this book on my Top Ten Books of 2017 post last week, and now you can read about why.  One of Us Is Lying is an absolutely amazing read that I devoured in one sitting! I certainly did not expect to love this book as much as I did, but maybe that underestimation paid off. Because I LOVED THIS BOOK! There were 2 minor things that made me lower my rating, but honestly this book was so addicting that I couldn't possibly give it less than a 4 star rating. And by addicting I mean, if this was a TV show I would be binge-watching it so hard!

Let's start off with the characters...they were excellent! Every single character is fleshed out and developed throughout the story. While reading, we come to realize that everyone is definitely not who they first appeared to be and everyone (and I do mean everyone ) has secrets. Are they secrets they would kill for though is the ultimate question. Every character in this book was relatable and had a good head on their shoulders. I thought this book was going to be one of those typical teenage whodunit books where you had your stereotypical teenagers who were accused of a murder. Even the synopsis of the book implies this! But this is not the case at all!! Each character has a lot of depth and has their own voice.

I loved the set up of this entire book because it added that modern twist to the classic whodunit mystery. The story is told from every characters' POV throughout the chapters. At first, I was worried this would become confusing, but it never was. Again, tying into the fact that every character has their own voice, you can easily tell who is narrating at any given point. There are so many twists and turns in this book that you won't see coming (arguably some of them you will though). However, I think my favorite aspect in general was the ending! I loved how everything came together and how the ending was a bit messy for the characters. None of them had this HAE that has come to be expected in YA mystery novels such as this one. There were mistakes and consequences made by each character. On top of this, the ending is left a little open so who knows what future decisions (and the outcome of the decisions already made) will occur. Finally, the sure ingenuity of how everything came together made my inner Forensic Files-nerd absolutely giddy. 

The two things that made me lower the rating from 5 stars to 4.5. First: I was able to pretty much figure out what happened by the end of the first chapter. Obviously, I didn't have every single detail figured out, but I knew pretty much what happened. I will say that I was surprised about one thing (but I did know that there was more to the story anyway). I was hoping that I would be able to be completely surprised in the end, but this is more something personal anyway. I've read a lot of books like this, so it's hard to actually be surprised anymore. The second thing was the mental illness part of this book. I do see how many people will be upset by the way it was handled (or I should say the outcome of the story). I do think it should have been discussed more in depth because this part was just kind of glazed over in the end. But it's certainly not the worst I have seen and I don't think it was handled that poorly. Again, just wish it was incorporated a bit more.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who likes a good murder mystery story!! This novel was utterly addicting and intriguing from the very start. I loved putting the puzzle pieces together and watching all of the drama unfold. This definitely exceeded my expectations and I am very happy that I did read this book. 

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

Cover Reveal: Recovered

   

I'm so so excited to share with everyone the cover reveal of Jay Crownover's new novel, RECOVERED!!! This book is truly amazing and everyone needs to get a copy as soon as it comes out!! 

From New York Times bestselling author Jay Crownover comes RECOVERED, a standalone contemporary romance that will keep you turning the pages long into the night! Check out the amazing cover below, and order your copy today!

   

Cover Design by Hang Le

About RECOVERED (Coming 3/27/18):

It was hate at first sight... Affton I hated Cable James McCaffrey. He was entitled, spoiled, a user…and an addict. He was out of control and didn’t bother trying to hide it. He had everything anyone could want but still seemed miserable and lost. Every move he made, every mistake he stumbled his way through, rubbed me the wrong way. However, I couldn’t stop myself from trying to save him from himself when no one else would. In the sweltering heat of the summer, Cable taught me that having it all means nothing if you can’t have the one thing you want more than anything else. Cable I was obsessed with Affton Reed. She was rigid, uptight, and no fun. There was something about her innate goodness that called to me. She acted like she was above all the normal faults and failures that clung to the rest of us like the scent of smoke after a fire. I was infatuated with her, but that didn’t stop me from acting like she didn’t exist. In the scorching heat of summer, Affton taught me that there is always a way back from the brink of despair. She showed me that the trick to having it all was realizing that it was already there, in my hands. All I had to do was hold onto it. The road to recovery is full of twists and turns no matter who is in the driver’s seat.

     

PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

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About Jay Crownover: 

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, the Point Series, the Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.             

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~Cassie

Blog Tour: Deadly Sweet

About the Book:
Title: Deadly Sweet (Spellwork Syndicate #1)
Author: Lola Dodge
Published by: Ink Monster LLC
Publication date: January 16th 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis: 

For fans of Hex Hall, The Magicians, Practical Magic, and Food Wars!

Anise Wise loves three things: baking, potion making, and reading her spellbooks in blissful silence. She might not be the most powerful witch, but enchantment is a rare skill, and her ability to bake with magic is even rarer. Too bad one wants witchcraft on their campus. Anise’s dream of attending pastry school crumbles with rejection letter after rejection letter.

Desperate to escape her dead-end future, Anise contacts the long-lost relative she’s not supposed to know about. Great Aunt Agatha owns the only magic bakery in the US, and she suddenly needs a new apprentice. Anise is so excited she books it to New Mexico without thinking to ask what happened to the last girl.

The Spellwork Syndicate rules the local witches in Taos, but as “accidents” turn into full-out attacks on Anise’s life, their promises to keep her safe are less and less reassuring. Her cranky bodyguard is doing his best, but it’s hard to fight back when she has no idea who’s the enemy. Or why she became their target.

If Anise can’t find and stop whoever wants her dead, she’ll be more toasted than a crème brûlée.

Who knew baking cakes could be so life or death?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

Author Bio:

Lola Dodge is a compulsive traveler, baker, and procrastinator. She earned her BA in English from Stonehill College and MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University–and hasn’t stopped moving since. When she’s not on the road, Lola spends her time indoors where the sunlight can’t melt her, writing or bingeing on anime and cherry soda. She can be summoned in a ritual involving curry, Hello Kitty idols, and a solid chocolate pentagram.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Review:

Deadly Sweet was a fun start to a new magic series by author, Lola Dodge. While this is the first book I have read from Ms. Dodge, it certainly won't be the last! This book will appeal to all YA/NA/paranormal fans and is definitely a hit for 2018. 

This book follows Anise, a witch who's powers aren't always on her side. She dreams of attending pastry school to showcase her baking talents. But when her witchy powers backfire on her and cause a major accident, she's forced to join her great aunt who just so happens to run a pretty popular bakery. In this town, witches are more accepted, so Anise thinks this will be her ticket to achieving her dreams. Back as soon as she gets there, strange things start happening, which quickly becomes threats on Anise's life!! 

While the mystery was a little bit predictable, I was still captivated all the way through the book. I loved Anise's character. She was humorous, lovable, and just plain fun. I loved her quest on becoming the best baker she could. I love baking too so this made me connect with her a little bit more. Anise is a very relatable character and I loved reading her perspective. You can tell how dedicated she is to obtaining her dream by doing everything and anything she needs to in order to make in her great aunt's shop! I also loved how strong and brave she was. She didn't run scared in the face of danger. I also loved the focus on the friendships she made when she arrived in town. This was one of my favorite parts of the story.

I definitely recommend reading this book as it is a quick, magical read that is sure to sweep you off your feet. I hope to learn a little more about the magic and the witches in general in the next book, but for now, this was an excellent start to a fun new series. I can't wait to see what happens next!!

Happy reading :)

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~Cassie

Book Blitz: The Shadow Weave

About the Book:
Title: The Shadow Weave (Spell Weaver #2)
Author: Annette Marie
Publication date: January 12th 2018
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy

Synopsis:

Clio might be a nymph living in exile among humans. And she might possess the rare ability to mimic any magic she sees. And she might have just seriously ticked off the most powerful family of spell weavers in the Underworld.

But she is not in love with an incubus.

Lyre is the rebellious black sheep of said weaver family, and he’s the only reason she survived her recent Underworld “vacation.” He’s also the sexiest thing she’s ever seen. Together, they have to track down a catastrophically dangerous magic—a magic he created, she sort of stole, and they both lost—before his family gets their hands on it. And that means fighting alongside him in a desperate attempt to avert complete disaster.

But she is definitely not in love with him. At least, she’s pretty sure she’s not.
Mostly sure. Maybe sure? …Crap.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

As though summoned by her thoughts, the sex fiend himself breezed into the room. Hair damp and tousled, the kind of face that made women’s hearts skip, broad shoulders that tapered to a toned torso. His tattered clothes should have ruined the look, but they added an extra edge—dangerous and exotic.
The others in the kitchen noticed his arrival, but they dismissed him just as quickly. Unlike most daemons, incubi were easy to recognize even in glamour. No other caste possessed that stunning combination of golds—white-gold hair, warm golden skin, vibrant irises like a dark patina over rich yellow gold.
Yes, they recognized him as an incubus—and they didn’t bother to hide their curling lips and wrinkling noses. Lyre either didn’t notice or didn’t care as he swept over to her, his expression brightening for the first time in two days.
“Clio,” he purred, voice too low for even keen-eared strangers to hear, “your powers of seduction would put any succubus to shame.”
She blinked at him, the bowl of whisked eggs in her hands and a hot pan sizzling in front of her. His mood was so different from earlier that she couldn’t quite grasp it.
“Huh?” she managed. How articulate.
“This is entirely unfair. I have no power to resist such tactics.” He waited a beat. “Are you planning to do something with those eggs?”
She blinked again, trying to unscramble her brain. Scramble. Right, the eggs. She dumped the mixture into the hot pan. “What are you going on about, Lyre?”
“Bacon,” he sighed dreamily. “Pancakes. Scrambled eggs. You slay me, my love.”
On the words “my love,” her heart screeched to a stop so fast it might have left skid marks on her ribs. It kicked back into gear at three times its previous speed and she concentrated so hard on the spatula that she almost went cross-eyed. “You—you can’t be that excited about my cooking. You don’t even know if it’s any good.”
“I can tell already. It’ll be delicious.”
She shivered. The way he said that word should be illegal. As she hurriedly stirred the eggs with a spatula, he stood so close he was almost touching her, his body angled toward her as though she held his entire attention. But his gaze, sliding coolly from one watching daemon to another, was distinctly unfriendly.
She scraped the eggs off the pan, then rescued the bacon from the oven—triggering a stir among the waiting daemons. With her bottom lip caught between her teeth, she pulled a plate from the cupboard, loaded it with food, and held it out to Lyre. She’d cooked an elaborate late-night breakfast to cheer him up, but now second thoughts were crowding her brain. Too late to change her plan now.
His smile only fueled her blush as he fished a fork out of a nearby drawer, loaded it with eggs, and scooped them into his mouth. She held her breath. The entire room went silent.
His eyes rolled back in ecstasy. “So good,” he moaned.
Bang.
She jerked around. The female daemon had dropped her heavy book on the floor. As everyone looked over at her, pink tinged the woman’s cheeks. She snatched up her book and beat a hasty retreat out of the room.
Clio swallowed hard, envious of the woman’s ability to flee. Lyre’s moan had been so sensual it had been downright scandalous, and if Clio didn’t put space between them soon, she was going to start swooning like a complete fool.

Author Bio:

Annette Marie is the author of the Amazon best-selling Steel & Stone series, which includes Goodreads Choice Award nominee Yield the Night, and fantasy trilogy Red Winter. Her first love is fantasy, but fast-paced adventures and tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it's not quite that bad) with her comparatively sensible husband and their furry minion of darkness—sorry, cat— Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.

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~Cassie