Review : Sleepwalker by Karen Robards

Title : Sleepwalker

Author : Karen Robards
Published December 27th 2011 by Gallery

It’s not that Micayla Lange is afraid of the clinking she hears coming from the first floor of the empty McMansion she’s housesitting for her uncle Nicco. She’s a cop, after all. It’s just that finding out her boyfriend was cheating on her was enough drama for one night. Now she’s alone on New Year’s Eve, wearing flannel pajamas and wielding a Glock 22 as she zeroes in on the unmistakable source of the sound: Uncle Nicco’s private office. Jason Davis steals things for a living, so unexpected developments are a natural part of the job. Getting caught red-handed by a hot, pigtail-sporting police officer in what is supposed to be a gangster’s deserted house is just one more twist in the game. Kind of like finding incriminating photos in Nicco Marino’s safe, only to discover the cop—and the security cameras—have gotten a real good look at his face. Unfortunately for Mick, she also got a good look at the damned pictures. Her “uncle” might love her like family, but if he knows she’s seen evidence that implicates him in the murder of a city councilman, she doesn’t like her chances. Which is why she’s having a hard time reconciling her professional instincts with what she is rapidly concluding is an inescapable fact: She’s about to help a criminal get away with a suitcase full of stolen money. And she’s going with him. Mick and Jason’s race for their lives hurtles them through the dangerous Michigan wilderness on speedboat and snowmobile. As their adventure heats up and their enemies close in, Mick is torn between her duty to the force and the combustible passion engulfing her and her unlikely partner in crime. She’ll have to turn Jason in sooner or later…if they survive. But will they ever get a second chance at love?

*Book courtesy of Simon & Schuster Canada




Mick finds herself house sitting for her uncle on New Year's Eve. In the middle of the night, her sleepwalking wakes her up. She immediately hears strange sounds. Being the good cop she is, she hurries to investigate. She soon regrets it! Turns out there's a few thieves in the house. When Mick discovers evidence she wasn't meant to see against her uncle, she realises she must let the bad guys take her hostage.


Mick is fighting a few personal demons. She keeps having a nightmare about her mother's murder which makes her sleepwalk at night. She still doesn't know what really happened that day or who the killer was. She's grown-up into a  really tough girl who can take care of herself and knows how to use a gun. I loved the tension between her and Jason the thief. She's really an honest and good cop. She knows she shouldn't have a relationship with a criminal but when you're stuck with a guy as good-looking and charismatic as Jason, how can you resist?  Will she do anything about the piece of evidence she found against her uncle? One thing's certain, her uncle is not who she thinks he is.


What a great thriller : non-stop action, great characters, sexual tension and a forbidden romance! It's a roller coaster ride of twists and turns and sizzling romance. I've read this in one sitting. The plot is so fast-paced it leaves you breathless. This is the first book by Karen Robards I read and I'm definitely intrigued to read more of her work.

4 out of 5 stars!

For more information, visit the author's website.
Visit the Simon & Schuster Canada book page here.
Like the author's Facebook page.
Foller her on Twitter.

ARC Review : Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Title : Fever (The Chemical Garden #2)
Author : Lauren DeStefano
Expected Publication : February 21st 2012 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness. The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.
In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

*ARC courtesy of Simon & Schuster Canada




Fever, the second book in the Chemical Garden series picks up where Wither left off.  Rhine and Gabriel have run away from the mansion but their troubles are far from being over. Through their journey to freedom and to reunite Rhine with twin brother we are introduced to fun new characters. Some friends, some not. Rhine's father in law is still on the hunt and will do anything to capture them.


In this second installment, Lauren DeStafano's writing gets increasingly morbid.  She creates a nightmare you just never want to wake up from. Even though how brutal the subject is you become quickly addicted and you find yourself racing to the last few pages where you'll be left craving for more. We're not left with a major cliffhanger but it will make you want to read the next book immediately.


The characters and descriptions are so vivid and real that I had to keep reminding myself that it's not reality. One of my favorite new characters is Maddie. She can't talk but proves to be a great help to Rhine and Gabriel. The carnival scene is amazingly horrifying and kept me on the edge of my seat. 


In Fever some questions are answered and we get to learn more about the hauntingly dystopian world but we're left with new ones. I honestly can't wait to read the final installment. Lauren DeStafano has proven she's an amazing author and I'm sure the next book will be nothing but incredible. I never thought I'd be so engrossed in this series!

A must-read!

4 out of 5 stars!

Review : A Lady of the Realm (House of DeDe) by Sharon E Mamolo

Title : A Lady of the Realm
Author : Sharon E Mamolo
Published: December 10th 2011

Bethany Boudreaux is tired of being a damn peasant. Her mother, a born again human who rejects her witch bloodline, has kept Beth secluded and ignorant for most of her life. Beth wants to eat, preferably twice a day. She’d like a grand home, with a fully stocked bar. She’s tired of eking out an existence while the rich freaks get all the breaks. She’ll do anything to claim what is, by law, hers. She needs help, lots of it, because paperwork can be a bitch.When Beth learns Lord Aleksander is coming to visit her club, she grabs a stiff drink and waits. The dark elf of Losalfar is the perfect solution to her current legal problems. He’s obscenely rich, a top member of the hierarchy, about to inherit region two, including New Orleans, but most importantly to her … he’s a man. Men are so easy, regardless of race. With his help, she can attain the privileges and powers only those with a title are born with. All she needs to do to gain his assistance is agree to three measly conditions.

 
 
Amazon
 
 
*eBook courtesy of the author
 
 
When Bethany Boudreaux learns she is the last full-blooded witch all she wants is claim what is rightfully hers. To help her become a lady she requests the help of an elf, Lord Alek. He's not your typical elf. He's tall, well-muscled and will make you swoon and drool over him. Plus his friend the half-breed fairy lawyer isn't so bad either. Lord Alek will do everything in his power to help Bethany but she must agree to three conditions...
 
With A Lady of the Realm Sharon Mamolo creates a unique world of elves, fairies, talking dogs, witches and shape-shifters. The plot is very rich and the characters are fun and diverse. Sometimes the storyline's moving extremely fast and sometimes it's a bit slow. It's an unpredictable and entertaining read with some hot guys and very sexy scenes. I don't want to spoil  the story for you so you'll have to trust me and give this book a try. Sharon E Mamolo has written paranormal like no one has done before. It's not all vampires and werewolves like we usually read. It has something for everyone.

4 out of 5 stars!



PS : For today only you can download the book for free on Amazon. Click here.

Review : A Kiss Under the Mistletoe by Jackie M. Smith

Title : A Kiss Under the Mistletoe

Author : Jackie M. Smith

Published December 21st 2011 by Secret Cravings Publishing

Emma and Laurent meet at a crime scene. Laurent's a police officer while Emma's a journalist. Sparks fly between them when they meet but with her past relationship Emma doesn't want to rush things. They both go together on an investigation but will they be strong enough to resist one another or will it be love at first sight?

Don't let the title fool you! A Kiss Under the Mistletoe may suggest a Christmas book but really it isn't (except for the mistletoe part). You can read this book on the beach or in a warm and cozy blanket in winter.

With only 27 pages, a lot happens in this book. It's a bit unrealistic how fast the relationship develops between the two characters. I would've liked for it to be longer. Honestly I didn't want it to end so quickly. In a short amount of page the author's able to put together a well-written story with well-developed characters. Like every romantic story the end is always predictable but A Kiss Under the Mistletoe has a few twists and turns along the way that I didn't expect.

A short but enjoyable read!

4 out of 5 stars!

Review : Bastion - Prequel To War by A. L. Collins

Title : Bastion  - Prequel To War

Author : A.L. Collins

Published November 16th 2011 by AuthorHouse

The same dream again. Things were twisted now, thunder clapping as the same man from before stood at the top of the same cliff. Rigil watched from some unknown position at this mystery being who was fighting for his life against some kind of invisible force. He raised his arm and shouted some kind of word that couldn't be understood as shadows began creeping in all around him. But this time his face could be seen. As an arrow struck him and he fell to his death, his face looked exactly like- Rigil's.

*Book courtesy of the author and publishing manager in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon

With conspiracies brewing Rigil loses his family and friends in a fire that ravaged his hometown.  Determined to fight these conspiracies and to save the other towns and villages, Rigil sets out on a enchanting journey with Syrius the "White Wolf" and Meriah the gypsy.The unlikely trio encounter dangerous enemies around every corner.  A mysterious sword serves as Rigil's weapon.  Will they succeed or will the world fall in the hands of evil?

Once I started reading about the wonderful and enchanting world the author has created I couldn't stop. Many times while reading I had to remind myself that A.L. Collins started writing this series at eighteen. I'm amazed! The plot is so rich and the many details give you the feeling of being right in the midst of all the action alongside Rigil and his friends. He has a created a unique world filled with vivid characters you can't help but love. It's hard for me to pick a favorite one but I really like Meriah. I couldn't help but laugh at how prude she is. She's very shy and won't admit she has a crush on one of her fellow companions.

The vocabulary specific to this new world is a bit overwhelming and many times I wished to have a glossary to consult whenever I needed to. A simple stop on the author's blog answered my question. He provides a short glossary that I found very useful while reading.

Bastion - Prequel To War proves to be a great fantasy novel. With guaranteed laughter, a bit of romance and a ton of action to keep you on the edge of your seat, you won't regret taking a trip to the universe of Bastion. I really enjoyed getting myself lost in this novel and I look forward to reading what this talented author has in store for us next.

4 out of 5 stars!

For more information on the book and the author click here.

Review : Can't Help Falling in Love (The Sullivans #3) by Bella Andre

Title : Can't Help Falling in Love (The Sullivans #3)
Author : Bella Andre
Published December 2011

He ran into a burning building to save a mother and daughter...and ended up falling in love.

Gabe Sullivan risks his life every day as a firefighter in San Francisco. But after learning a brutal lesson about professional boundaries, he knows better than to risk his heart to one of his fire victims ever again.

After Gabe saves Megan Harris and her seven-year-old daughter from a deadly apartment fire, Megan knows she owes the heroic firefighter everything. Everything except her heart. Because after losing her navy pilot husband five years ago, she has vowed to never suffer through loving - and losing - a man with a dangerous job again. Only, when Megan and Gabe meet again and uncontrollable flames of desire ignite between them, how can he possibly ignore her courage, determination, and beauty? And how can she deny not only his strong bond with her daughter.but the way his sweetly sensual kisses are challenging her to risk everything she's been guarding for so long? This winter, if one - or both - of them aren't careful, they just might end up falling in love.

*ebook courtesy of the author




After losing her navy pilot husband, Megan decided to never fall in love with a guy working dangerous jobs.  Then comes Gabe the firefighter. He vowed never to have a relationship with one of his victims. Through smoke and flames Megan catches his attention when he rescues her and her daughter. Will they both be able to keep the promises they made to themselves or will fire ignite between them?


Gabe is a strong and independent guy.  Megan's daughter Summer and Gabe become friends immediately. It's kind of cute the way she looks up to him. Summer seems to know what's going on with Gabe and her mother. She even tries to hook them up together by asking her mother to go on a ski trip knowing Gabe would also be there. She's quite the matchmaker. She's mature not like your typical seven year old. As for Megan I really feel for her. I understand why she doesn't want to get involved with a risk-taking man after having to raise her daughter alone when her husband died in a plane accident. I love how Gabe is very patient with her and wants to take things slow.


Can't Help Falling in Love is a great romantic story. When things heat up between the two we get some pretty steamy scenes. One minute you might laugh and the next cry. Although it's the third book in a series it can be read as a stand-alone.  Even if it's one of those books you can easily predict the ending it's still an emotional and very realistic read. This is the second book by Bella Andre that I've read and so far I haven't been disappointed.

4 out of 5 stars!

January RAK

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) was created by Book Soulmates and it's all about giving and receiving books. Not familiar with this? Check out the rules.

COMPLETE RULES RE-CAP:

Please read carefully & follow all rules! Thank you!


Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).


Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the right sidebar).


Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog, etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.


If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.


Once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!


E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble with Nook as well.


At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post. This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)


OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!


Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!


Easy peezy!!




Sign up for January [HERE]



See who else is participating [HERE]


 

 

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To view my wishlist click here.

 

 

 

 

Winners!

It's now time to announce the winners of the pre-anniversary of 12.21.12 giveaway :

One signed copy of Monad 12.21.12 : The Awakening of Stella Steinar by T. Anderson + a bookmark :

Maddwriter

One signed copy of Monad 12.21.12 : The Awakening of Stella Steinar for review + a bookmark :

GMR

One bookmark:

Just A Lil Lost

Jex

Amanda

Congrats to all & thanks to the author and everyone who entered.

Happy New Year!!

*Throws confetti*

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2012 brings you joy, good health and lots of books!

2011 was a good year for me but I've got a feeling the new year will be more challenging and it'll bring a lot of changes in my life but I'm ready for them. I've decided to not have any resolutions. I never follow them anyways or I just stick to them for a week or two.  One of my resolutions last year was to blog every day & review every book I read. Ha! That went well.

As for my 2012 reading goal, I'm thinking of trying to read at least 100 books. I've read 153 in 2011 but this year I'll be a lot more busy.



What are some of your resolutions? How many books are you planning on reading?