Her Sinful Angel by Felicity Heaton [Review]

Her Sinful Angel (Her Angel #8) by Felicity Heaton
Format: ebook
Source: purchased as part of the Dark & Damaged bundle
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: July 4, 2015

Her Angel
1. Her Dark Angel
2. Her Fallen Angel
3. Her Warrior Angel 
4. Her Guardian Angel
5. Her Demonic Angel
6. Her Wicked Angel
7. Her Avenging Angel
8. Her Sinful Angel - Kindle

Felicity Heaton
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Cast out of Heaven and now the king of Hell, Lucifer is a powerful fallen angel warrior with a heart as cold as ice and soul as black as the bottomless pit. For millennia, he has ruled his realm with an iron fist as he plots the demise of his ancient enemies. When one of those enemies dumps an unconscious mortal female in the courtyard of his fortress and leaves her there, Lucifer finds himself entranced by the beguiling beauty and tempted beyond all reason. But is the enchanting Nina an innocent pawn in the eternal game or part of a plot against him?

Thoughts on Her Sinful Angel: Lucifer's story was a surprise to me since I had thought this series was finished with book 7. A happy surprise, mind you, because the poor guy has shown a little heart in previous books and deserved to not be rotting in hell on his own. Which isn't to say he's a good guy. He is the original fallen angel and his years ruling hell have left their mark on him.

But... he's also not all bad. His interactions with Erin and her son have shown us a slightly softer side of Lucifer and it was fun watching him fall for a fragile human woman in a big way.

And by "fun", I mean sad and a little heartbreaking. Occasionally with bloodshed. Not Nina's, because Lucifer's all about protecting her. Oh, you'll see.

As always, Felicity Heaton has given us a complex, tortured hero who has to work past some major roadblocks before he figures out the woman he's trying to push away is the one for him. Yep, Lucifer has some trust issues. Who saw that coming?

Enjoyable and sexy, with some fun cameos by previous characters. Erin's wrath over one of her father's actions was pretty epic. You don't mess with a mama bear when she had a cub to feed.

You know, that's a good rule of thumb no matter how you look at it.

Bottom line, I'm glad Lucifer found someone to make his reign a little less dreary. Even the king of Hell deserves some lovin', amirite?!?!

RtP Week in Review (08/30/15)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• Heat Exchange by Shannon Stacey [Review] - Hot firefighters who like to shed their clothes in private? YASSSSSS!
• Top Off Tuesday - Pucked. Niiiiiice!
• The Duke and I by Julia Quinn [Review] - I might need more of these Bridgertons!
• Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger [Review] - MOAR WEREWOLVES, PLEASE!
• Enticed by Blood by Laurie London [Review] - LOVE this cover. Oh, and the story's not too shabby either!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile - 3
• When a Scot Ties the Knot (Castles Ever After #3) by Tessa Dare
• Breakout (The Dred Chronicles #3) by Ann Aguirre
• Blood of My Blood (I Hunt Killers #3) by Barry Lyga
• Currently reading 
• Blood of My Blood by Barry Lyga

Globetrotting...

• On Friday, the First Line Friday post featured Stronghold at KellyApple.com. FYI, Stronghold is the BOOK THAT WILL NOT END. I keep writing and writing and MORE NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
• Free Books Need Love, Too! weekly reviews:
• Monday - The Viscount's Christmas Temptation by Erica Ridley
• Wednesday - The Hysteria Machine by Steffanie Holmes

Enticed by Blood by Laurie London [Review]

Enticed by Blood (Sweetblood #4.5) by Laurie London
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 15, 2015

Sweetblood
1. Bonded by Blood
1.5. Hidden by Blood
2. Embraced by Blood
3. Tempted by Blood
4. Seduced by Blood
4.5. Enticed by Blood - Kindle

Laurie London
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Stockbroker Juliette Bishop gets more than she bargained for when she flies to New Orleans to handle a business matter for her ailing father and comes face to face with her former lover, the handsome, yet mysterious Andre Lescarbeau.

Thoughts on Enticed by Blood: Two things. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy the vampires in this world and that cover is verrrrrra nice. *rubs hands together and admires the sexy*

So. Juliette and Andre have a sort of complicated relationship. I say sort of because she doesn't know he's a vamp and he might have done something a little questionable when ending things with her. I mean, I guess it wasn't questionable when you take into account that he was doing what he thought he needed to do to keep himself and her safe, but... no, it's still a little underhanded. If he hadn't been torn up about doing it, he would have lost some major hero points.

But he was, so he didn't and what were we talking about again? *enjoys being purposefully vague*

Anyway. Vampires. Sometimes they just hit the spot, you know? These particular vamps do it for me.

Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger [Review]

Curtsies & Conspiracies (Finishing School #2) by Gail Carriger
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 14, 2015

Finishing School
1. Etiquette & Espionage
2. Curtsies & Conspiracies - Paperback | Kindle
3. Waistcoats & Weaponry
4. Manners & Mutiny

Gail Carriger
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests?

Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy--won't Mumsy be surprised? Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners.

Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a field trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot--one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card.

In this sequel to New York Times bestselling Etiquette & Espionage, class is back in session with more petticoats and poison, tea trays and treason. Gail's distinctive voice, signature humor, and lush steampunk setting are sure to be the height of fashion this season.

Thoughts on Curtsies & Conspiracies: The second half of Sophronia's first year (or maybe it's the middle part of her first year. All I know is a lot happens to the wily girl and I see plenty more on the horizon.) is just as deadly and dangerous as the first half. With the added bonus of boys. Boys from the boiler room and a duke's son and her best friend's brother and a vampire or two.

(Where are the werewolves? I ask. Their lack is a disgrace! WHERE ARE THE WEREWOLVES!?!?! I should probably point out that the lone werewolf NEARLY made up for the lack, but my inherent love of werewolves makes me demand MOAR!)

*ahem* So. Sophronia. She's ingenious and sneaky and she can ferret out the inner secrets of the teachers and students of the school faster than anyone else. Which is fortunate because there's a lot of
STUFF going on that needs to be taken care of. I'm torn about the love triangle because as much as I like Soap, I can't see anything coming of it due to the fact that the girls are conditioned to expect they'll have their husbands picked out for them. I mean, this is a THING at the school. A THING. Like, they might be told EXACTLY who to marry to advance the cause. Or whatever.

While I like Soap, I really liked Felix. Because, well, he amuses me.

Fast paced and appropriately ridiculous at times (OMG! The NAMES! LOL!), I'm completely looking forward to the next book. Because I sense more werewolves. And that's always a plus for me.

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn [Review]

The Duke and I (Bridgertons #1) by Julia Quinn
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 11, 2015

Bridgertons
1. The Duke and I - Paperback | Kindle
2. The Viscount Who Loved Me
3. An Offer From a Gentleman
4. Romancing Mr Bridgerton
5. To Sir Phillip, With Love
6. When He Was Wicked
7. It's In His Kiss
8. On the Way to the Wedding
9. The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After

Julia Quinn
| Website | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Can there be any greater challenge to London's Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke?
— Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1813

By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend's sister, the lovely—and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it's all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.

But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it's hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it's his devilish smile, certainly it's the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her... but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke... for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love...

Thoughts on The Duke and I: Awww. I liked this one. A lot. Simon was a little closed off and a lot messed up by his past (although he might disagree with that statement) and I LIKED him. His sudden attraction to Daphne was made even sweeter by the way he tried to ignore it because she was his best friend's sister. Oh, and the way he delighted in tormenting Anthony just made me laugh. Because that is SO a guy thing to do.

What can I say about Daphne? First off, I love her family. Mama Bridgerton is  hilariously pushy while also being a pretty awesome mom. Daphne's brothers are pretty spectacular in their desire to keep their sister and her tender heart safe. I totally appreciate the way Daphne could hold her own against them, too. As she kept pointing out, having three older brothers has made her pretty adept at standing up for herself and given her a good sense of how to score a hit (sometimes literally) that can drop a man in his tracks.

Simon was charming while also managed to pull off the brooding, tormented hero thing. Daphne knew what she wanted, but she was able to adjust her plans on the fly when circumstances changed. I liked that about her. I wanted to cry a little for her at some parts, but I like that she took the curve ball Simon threw at her and made the decision to forge forward anyway.

*slow thumbs up to tortured heroes and strong heroines*

Top Off Tuesday - Pucked. Niiiiiice!

I've taken over the Top Off Tuesday meme (formerly hosted by Felicia, Christi and Amanda). Why? Because I can't resist gratuitous shirtless covers. Nothing says Tuesday like flashing some skin, amirite?!?!

I read this title wrong EVERY time. I'm totally okay with that.

Pucked (Pucked #1) by Helena Hunting

With a famous NHL player for a step-brother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation many hockey stars come with. She’s smart enough to steer clear of those hot, well-built boys with unparalleled stamina. That is until she meets the legendary team captain—Alex Waters.

Violet isn’t interested in his pretty, beat-up face, or his rock-hard six-pack abs. But when Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s previous misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes more than just a hot body with a face to match.

In what can only be considered a complete lapse in judgment, Violet finds out just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants. But what starts out as a one-night stand, quickly turns into something more. Post-night of orgasmic magic, Alex starts to call, and text, and e-mail and send extravagant—and quirky—gifts, making him difficult to ignore, and even more difficult not to like.

The problem is, the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be part of the game.

Heat Exchange by Shannon Stacey [Review]

Heat Exchange (Boston Fire #1) by Shannon Stacey
Format: ebook
Source: provided through NetGalley
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 16, 2015

Boston Fire
1. Heat Exchange - Paperback | Kindle
2. Controlled Burn
3. Fully Ignited
4. Hot Response
5. Under Control
6. Flare Up

Shannon Stacey
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Lydia Kincaid's shipping back to Boston, but she's not happy about it. She left to get away from the firefighting community—her father was a firefighter, her brother's a firefighter and, more important, her ex is a firefighter. But family is number one, and her father needs her help running the pub he bought when he retired. Soon, Lydia finds it hard to resist the familiar comfort and routine, and even harder to resist her brother's handsome friend Aidan.

Aidan Hunt is a firefighter because of the Kincaid family. He's had the hots for Lydia for years, but if ever a woman was off-limits to him, it's her. Aside from being his mentor's daughter, she's his best friend's sister. The ex-wife of a fellow firefighter. But his plan to play it cool until she leaves town again fails, and soon he and Lydia have crossed a line they can't uncross.

As Aidan and Lydia's flirtation turns into something more serious, Lydia knows she should be planning her escape. Being a firefighter's wife was the hardest thing she's ever done, and she doesn't know if she has the strength to do it again. Aidan can't imagine walking away from Boston Fire—even for Lydia. The job and the brotherhood are his life; but if he wants Lydia in it, he'll have to decide who's first in his heart.

Thoughts on Heat Exchange: I really enjoyed the family dynamics going on with this book. Lydia has some issues with the way the brotherhood always takes first place in a fire fighter's life. She's fierce when it comes to defending those she loves and she's rather uncompromising when it comes to her views.

Her views being that she won't play second fiddle to a fire fighter's job again.

So she lies to herself when she and Aidan tumble into a relationship. She sees their time together as having a built in end date since she's not sticking around Boston.

Except, she's falling for the guy. Because, you know, he's sweet and sexy and he's NOT her ex. Or her dad. Or her brother. Which is good, because EWWW.

I liked Aidan. I liked that he was willing to go for what he wanted. I liked that he was torn up about lying to Lydia's brother. I liked that he listened to Lydia and found a way to make things work.

I just liked him. Part of that might stem from the way he sheds his clothes whenever he's not working. I appreciate a man who likes to strip down when he's relaxing. It's a thing.

Sweet, sexy, and downright steamy when these two hit the sheets, I am very much looking forward to the next book.

RtP Week in Review (08/23/15)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• House of Payne: Twist by Stacy Gail [Review] - I am DYING to read the next book in this series. DYING!
• Top Off Tuesday - Swoony swoony swoon swoon
• Omega Beginnings miniseries 1-4 by Lizzy Ford [Review] - I'm looking forward to the next set of installments.
• Rock the Beat by Michelle A. Valentine [Review] - SUPER torn on this series as a whole.
• Midnight's Kiss by Thea Harrison [Review] - I love this series so hard!
• Write On Review-a-thon [19] - I have some REVIEW to write!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile - 1
• The Suffragette Scandal (Brothers Sinister #4) by Courtney Milan
• Currently reading 
• Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger

Globetrotting...

• On Tuesday, I talked about the release of Cursed Wolves at KellyApple.com. Connor and Lucy! YASSSSS!
• On Wednesday, I reviewed Death of a Batty Genius (Stormy Day #3) by Angela Pepper over at Amanda's blog. FUN STUFF, MAN! FUN STUFF!
• On Friday, First Line Friday returned with a peek at Operation Merman at KellyApple.com. This book is coming in October! OCTOBER!
• Free Books Need Love, Too! weekly reviews:
• Monday - Dominated by Aliens: Lizard Leaders by Jeniffer Grant
• Wednesday - Scoring by Mari Carr

Check it out!

• Bout of Books ends tonight! Which means I'll start preparing for the January event this next week! Wheeeee!

Write On Review-a-thon [19]

What is the Write On review-a-thon? you ask. Allow me to have Brianna explain...

From The Book Vixen:

The Write On review-a-thon is a monthly event created and hosted by Brianna at The Book Vixen. This time, it's 3 days dedicated to getting reviews done, whether you have one review to write or 30+. This edition of the review-a-thon takes place all day Friday, August 28th through Sunday, August 30th. Let’s get those reviews done!

I always like the kick in the pants this event gives me to finish up those reviews!

Reviews to be written : {I'm adding all my unreviewed Bout of Books books. I might get some of these written prior to the review-a-thon. We'll see!}

• What the Queen Wills by A.J. Tipton - DONE
• The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan - DONE
• When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare - DONE
• Pas by S.M. Reine - DONE
• Acting on Impulse by Ashleigh Raine - DONE

YAY! All caught up! Now I can read another book.

Midnight's Kiss by Thea Harrison [Review]

Midnight's Kiss (Elder Races #8) by Thea Harrison
Format: paperback
Source: purchased

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 7, 2015

Elder Races
1. Dragon Bound
2. Storm's Heart
3. Serpent's Kiss
3.5. True Colors
4. Oracle's Moon
4.5. Natural Evil
4.6. Devil's Gate
4.7. Hunter's Season
5. Lord's Fall
5.5. The Wicked
6. Kinked
6.5. Dragos Takes a Holiday
6.6. Pia Saves the Day
6.7. Peanut Goes to School
7. Night's Honor
8. Midnight's Kiss - Paperback | Kindle
8.5. Dragos Goes to Washington
8.6. Pia Does Hollywood
9. Shadow's End
9.5. Liam Takes Manhattan
9.7. The Chosen
9.8. Planet Dragos
9.9. The Unseen
9.95. The Adversary

Thea Harrison
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Ever since their scorching affair ended years ago, Julian, the Nightkind King, and Melisande, daughter of the Light Fae Queen, have tried to put the past behind them—and distance between them. But when a war breaks out between Julian and Justine, a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind council, they find themselves thrown together under treacherous circumstances…

Kidnapped as leverage against Julian, Melly is convinced that her former lover won’t be rushing to her rescue. But when Julian gives himself up to save her, they both end up Justine’s captives. Armed only with their wits and their anger, Melly and Julian must work together to escape. But will they be able to ignore their complicated history, or will the fiery passion that once burned them blaze again?

Thoughts on Midnight's Kiss: Holy bananas, I love these books. Ridiculously so. I reread all the previous books in the series this year just so I could be (re)caught up when this book came out. To be fair, I'd have probably reread them even if there hadn't been a new book on the way, BUT STILL.

*draws sparkly hearts around the Elder Races*

Anywho. Julian and Melly. Those two have some history they have to get over. Tangled, angry history. Being that they have to have contact with one another every so often because of their positions, this makes meetings fun. Or shouty. You decide.

Picking up almost directly from Xavier's book, we get to see a darker, more feral side of the Nightkind. Justine will use whatever she can to obtain her goals. Melly and Julian are simply obstacles she needs to remove or use to get to where she wants to be. Which is not a good thing for the two of them. Because Justine is pretty ruthless and whacked.

As bloodthirsty vampyres often are.

Speaking of ruthless, previous books have drawn Julian in that light. Which isn't entirely untrue, but he had his reasons for acting as he did. Seeing his reasoning puts some of those earlier actions in perspective and I completely understand why he did what he did to Carling and why he's so volatile.

As for Melly, I genuinely liked her. I liked that she saw her own limitations and decided to forge on despite them. She knows she's a B-grade actress at best, but she loves doing what she does. As the heir to the Light Fae Queen, she's toed the line her entire life except for when it came to Julian. So their breakup decades earlier shattered her.

*draws sad sparkly hearts around Julian and Melly*

Loved loved loved seeing the maneuverings and setup for the next book, not to mention revisiting familiar faces. *slow thumbs up with a side of sparkly hearts*

Rock the Beat by Michelle A. Valentine [Review]

Rock the Beat (Black Falcon #3) by Michelle A. Valentine
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 31, 2015

Black Falcon
1. Rock the Heart
1.5. Rock the Band
2. Rock My Bed
2.5. Rock My World
3. Rock the Beat - Kindle
4. Rock My Body

Michelle A. Valentine
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Twenty-year-old Holly Pearson never dreamed that while working at her father’s motocross track she’d run into the walking, talking definition of trouble in a sexy, tattooed package—Trip Douglas, the man sent to evaluate the track for a possible investment opportunity. Holly makes no attempt to hide the fact she despises Trip, but she learns to be civil toward him when he offers to help her land the man of her dreams.

Trip needs a break from the crazy rock-and-roll lifestyle he’s been living for the past few years. With his Black Falcon band mates settling down with marriage and babies, Trip peruses an investment opportunity in motocross, something he’s always been passionate about. Hiding his celebrity status, Trip infiltrates the new business posing as a dirt bike rider training for the X-Games. The only obstacle is the owner’s daughter, Holly. She’s a real ball bustin' Ice Queen, and she’ll do whatever it takes to make the deal fall through. Trip soon discovers that winning over his new enemy is the key to gaining a partnership in Mountain Time Speed Track.

Knowing he’s the expert on getting laid, Trip ropes Holly into becoming his ally by helping her score a date with the man she’s crushing on. The problem is, the more time Trip and Holly spend together, the more they uncover the undeniable attraction between them. Soon they both realize that even the best laid plans go to hell when you find you’re falling in love with the enemy.

Thoughts on Rock the Beat: I think my issue with this series is that I have a VERY hard time liking either of the main characters when we're first introduced to them. Trip is an unrepentant man-whore who laments going a few days without getting any. Meanwhile, Holly is kinda whiny and willfully blind to her boyfriend's (many) character flaws even after he dumps her because he's not interested in remaining faithful. I think it goes without saying that when a guy cheats on you and admits to cheating on you and doesn't bother to show up for dates... you need to let him go. Holly's stubborn insistence that whatshisname (I've totally blanked the douchecanoe from my memory) was the one she wanted to be with made her drop several notches in my estimation.

And then... AND THEN there was the thing where Papa Pearson admits that douchey ex (whom Holly wants to get back together with) had been running off business at the track with his douchery and I'm all... WAIT. WHAT?!?! Your business is failing and you're OKAY with your daughter's douchey boyfriend running your business even deeper into the ground?

*blink blink blink*

So, this book started off a little rough. I didn't dislike Trip by the end and I get why he acted like he did, but it was hard getting behind someone who looked to have very few redeeming qualities when we first met him.

And Holly? DUDE. The ex you're trying so desperately to get back together with is just making you look like a pathetic loser. STAHP WITH THE PINING. (Although I do get that you can't just turn your heart off, but the guy was a serious creep before he got even creepier with the creeping.)

I just... I don't know. Part of me wants to read the final book just so I can get some closure with the series and part of me is shaking my head at my desire to finish something I'm not really enjoying. So, you know, there you go.

Omega Beginnings miniseries 1-4 by Lizzy Ford [Review]

Omega Beginnings miniseries
1. Alessandra - Kindle
2. Mismatch - Kindle
3. Phoibe - Kindle
4. Lantos - Kindle
5.Theodosia
6. Niko
7. Cleon
8. Herakles

Lizzy Ford
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Alessandra 
Format: ebook
Source: free Kindle download 02/15/15
Date read: May 24, 2015

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Five-year-old Alessandra is obsessed with Disney movies, tea parties and just wants a real birthday party for once in her life. But normal kids don’t bring their toys to life for afternoon tea or see the colorful threads of magic and energy clinging to everything around them.

Normal kids don’t know that gargoyles feel pain, either, or invite one to live in their closet.

On her sixth birthday, Alessandra begins to learn the truth. She’s special, and the men in the black van are coming for her.

Thoughts on Alessandra: Yikes. Alessandra looks like she's going to have a hard road in front of her. As the start to an 8-part miniseries, this installment definitely captures the attention. (Having read the first 4 parts of the miniseries as I sit down to write this review, I can say that the worldbuilding is kinda awesome and grows with every installment and I'm the tiniest bit jealous of Lizzy Ford's brain.)

Yes, I picked up the next part of the story as soon as I finished this one. Because I can't resist gargoyles.

Mismatch 
Format: ebook
Source: free Kindle download 05/24/15
Date read: May 24, 2015

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Mismatch hasn’t always been a statue standing guard over the Temple of Artemis. Once upon a time, thousands of years ago, he was a man who led a privileged life. Like the Greek monarchs before him, he fell victim to the family curse: he was turned to stone and forced to keep watch over the temple of a Greek god or goddess.

Out of the blue, five-year-old Alessandra breaks the spell. Mismatch seeks out the shy, young crown princess next in line to the family curse and warns her about her fate in the hopes of saving her from the living death.

He returns when Alessandra is in danger, but the powers behind those seeking her are prepared for anything.

Even the grotesque prince.

Thoughts on Mismatch: Love love love how the worldbuilding deepens as we learn Mismatch's story. Not that we know all of it yet, but what he's forced into paints a long, lonely picture of servitude and... I don't know. Betrayal, maybe. He did his duty to his family line and then the curse enacted.

Brutal, man. Brutal.

I have a soft spot for gargoyles AND for men who have been broken by circumstances. Mismatch isn't broken, exactly, but I feel like he's teetering between worlds. He doesn't quite remember who he was and he doesn't quite fit into this more modern world.

I imagine things will get very bad before they get better.

Phoibe 
Format: ebook
Source: free Kindle download 03/21/15
Date read: May 24, 2015

Synopsis (Goodreads):

With a speech impediment and learning disability, the frail six-year-old Crown Princess of Greece is constantly being told she’ll never live up to the woman her mother was. She’s the only descendent of the sacred Bloodline, the royal family touched by the Greek Gods ten thousand years before, and protected by international law.

But Phoibe doesn’t care about any of that. She wants to be loved by someone, and that someone is a mysterious shadow named Lantos who talks to her when no one else will.

Before leaving, the gargoyle Mismatch made her promise never to speak aloud again, or she’ll seal her fate, and the family curse will claim her. She obeys him – and faces the wrath of cruel caretakers sworn to ensure the curse comes to pass.

When Mismatch doesn’t return to save her, young Phoibe must make her first grown-up decision: accept the curse or trust the shadowy creature who tries to help her.

Thoughts on Phoibe: I have some serious hate on for Phoibe's caretakers. SERIOUS hate. Poor Phoibe has to put up with them and their abuse and my heart broke for her. Poor thing.

I'm torn on Lantos and whether he'll be helping her the way she needs help. I'm just... POOR LITTLE GIRL. Mismatch's warning to Phoibe about the curse was pretty terrifying and she's in an awful situation no matter how you look at it.

Lizzy Ford's going to rip my heart out one way or another, isn't she?

Lantos 
Format: ebook
Source: free Kindle download 05/24/15
Date read: May 24, 2015

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Lantos is a demigod, the orphaned son of the Titan of the Unseen and a human mother raised on the streets of Washington DC. His sole mission in life: to be worthy of his father’s attention and hopefully one day, shed his human weakness and win his father’s love.

In his haste to help Princess Phoibe, Lantos stumbles upon a discovery that changes his life and destiny forever. Not only does he find someone capable of shoring up his very human weaknesses but he also uncovers a secret he believes will win over his father.

However, to use both to his advantage, he risks disobeying his father. Lantos is forced to decide how far he’s willing to go to get what he wants in life.

Thoughts on Lantos: Annnnd... Boom. There we go. Things have taken a turn that make me FEAR for both Alessandra and Phoibe. While I can't say I approve of Lantos's actions, I get them. I think those actions will have some long-reaching consequences and I can see it blowing up spectacularly in his face, but I get them.

Good gravy, how long do we have to wait until the next installments are out? *gives everyone the crazy eyes*

Top Off Tuesday - Swoony swoony swoon swoon

I've taken over the Top Off Tuesday meme (formerly hosted by Felicia, Christi and Amanda). Why? Because I can't resist gratuitous shirtless covers. Nothing says Tuesday like flashing some skin, amirite?!?!

While today's lovely offering isn't *entirely* topless, there's something about him that just WORKS for me! Day-um!

When a Scot Ties the Knot (Castles Ever After #3) by Tessa Dare

On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shyly pretty and talented with a drawing pencil, but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen. She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart. So Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done: she invented a sweetheart.

A Scottish sweetheart. One who was handsome and honorable and devoted to her, but conveniently never around. Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter … and by pretending to be devastated when he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures of London society entirely.

Until years later, when this kilted Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh. The real Captain Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep—handsome as anything, but not entirely honorable. He’s wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters… and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep.

House of Payne: Twist by Stacy Gail [Review]

House of Payne: Twist (House of Payne #3) by Stacy Gail
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 31, 2015

House of Payne
1. Payne
2. Scout
3. Twist - Kindle
4. Rude
5. Steele
6. Max
7. Tag
8. Ice
9. Styx
9.5. His Princess
10. Loki
11. Sage
11.5. Good Girl
12. Talon
12.5. Party Girl

Related Series
(Find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Gravediggers MC
1. Grave Games

Men of PSI
1. Luke: The Profiler

Scorpio
1. Year of the Scorpio: Pt 1

Stacy Gail
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Tattooist. Artist. Dreamer.
Angel had been a schoolgirl when she came to House Of Payne, a displaced princess with only a fanciful imagination to her name. Now the world clamors for her designs, but that means nothing to Goth tattooist, Twist. Long ago she craved to see admiration in his sexy dark eyes, but after years of enduring his contempt, she’s given up. Leaving the House feels like running, but Twist makes it impossible to stay.

Tattooist. Artist. Ex-Con.
Two words came to Twist’s mind when he first saw Angel—jail bait. When he'd been released from prison for a crime he would commit again in a heartbeat, he'd nevertheless been determined to keep his nose clean. Too bad he couldn't stop from thinking about getting into the pants of the House’s fairy tale princess. But with a past like his, he’s no good for Angel. All he can do is watch over her from afar… whether she likes it or not.

When Angel is injured, Twist appoints himself as her personal caretaker. She soon discovers that beneath his arrogant façade lies the heart of a devoted protector. She’s going to need that protection, as Twist’s past has made an unsettling reappearance.

Thoughts on House of Payne: Twist: You know when you read a book and you have one character who resonates with you a little more deeply? For whatever reason. It might be that you've had the same experiences or the author wrote the crap out of them and made you all emotional or they're just so darn broken you want to see them find their happy ending. With this book, what I felt for both Angel and Twist was pretty balanced.

Angel's breakdown over being the peacemaker and the one who always handwaves the bad stuff. I GOT THAT. She did her part and tried to get along with Twist and his overbearing ways until she just snapped. And, WOW, did she snap. Again, I GET THAT. I loved that Scout and Payne both had to reevaluate the way they've been treating her and the things they've done up to this point because it was unacceptable and Angel finally reached a point where she had to tell them.

And Twist. Given his past, his actions completely make sense. I LOVED how he had to force himself to see what he'd done through Angel's eyes. And seeing it through her eyes made him realize he'd belittled her and beat her down without ever meaning to. Twist could have been the most complete asshat on the planet. Instead he ended up being a total sweetheart who went overboard on protecting someone he saw as needing his help. Sure, he did things that would have made ANYONE blow a gasket, but he truly did it with the best of intentions. His delivery just needed some work.

Fine, a lot of work.

Stacy Gail has a tendency to pummel my heart into a wounded, bruised mess. I'm okay with this. Completely. Because once I get to the end of the book, I get a fabulous payoff. Twist and Angel worked for me on so many levels. I can't wait to see Sass and Rude battle through to their HEA. *slow thumbs up*

RtP Week in Review (08/16/15)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• House of Payne: Scout by Stacy Gail [Review] - *stares at everyone*
• Top Off Tuesday - *rawr*
• Finn by M. Malone [Review] - Not *quite* as good as book 1, but still entertaining.
• Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger [Review] - Moar werewolves needed, but an otherwise engrossing, humorous read!
• Against the Dark by Carolyn Crane [Review] - Good times!
• Bout of Books 14 Starting Line - IT'S ALMOST HERE!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile - 2
• Anything by Broken by Joelle Knox - For review!
• Mixed Signals (Off the Grid #3) by Alyssa Cole - For review!
• Currently reading 
• Nothing at the moment. I'm holding off starting anything until Bout of Books starts!

Globetrotting...

• On Tuesday, I talked about the forthcoming adventures of Connor and Lucy at KellyApple.com. I hope to have this bad boy up before the weekend's out.
• First Line Friday is back for round 2 at KellyApple.com with a peek at Cursed Wolves!
• Free Books Need Love, Too! weekly reviews:
• Monday - Monster Man by Zoe Dawson
• Wednesday - Taken by the Troll by Celia Leigh

Check it out!

• Bout of Books starts at midnight! You still have time to SIGN UP and JOIN US!

Bout of Books 14 Starting Line

Bout of Books 14 is here! Check out the Bout of Books blog to see the ins and outs of what to expect from this read-a-thon. Reminders for the daily challenges (if you wish to participate), Twitter chats, etc will be posted to keep you in the loop. Now, let's get our read on!

Time Devoted to Reading
I will be dedicating the entire week to reading. As usual, I'm also working full time and writing a couple of books. So...yeah.

My Goals

• Read
• Have fun!
• Don't stress

Books to Read

• any books off my review request list 
• Fallout Girl by Amanda Close - READ and review written!
• Alpha by S.M. Reine - READ and review written!
• Pas by S.M. Reine
• Anything but Broken by Joelle Knox - READ and review written!
• Mixed Signals by Alyssa Cole
• anything else that strikes my fancy
• What the Queen Wills by A.J. Tipton - READ
• Hell's Belles by Alison Perry - READ and review written!
• The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan - READ
• Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger - READ
• Among Galactic Ruins by Anna Hackett - READ and review written!

Updates

8/17
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Total number of books I’ve read: 1
Books read: Fallout Girl
Today #insixwords: BOW DOWN BEFORE YOUR CHAT LEADER!
Things I learned on Twitter: Y'all are REALLY into the idea of #boutofbooks merchandise. Like, REALLY into it. I honestly can't think of even starting something like that until after Bout of Books is over and Amanda and I can do some research. In the meantime, CHAAAAAATTTTTTTT! Chat 'til your fingers fall off and you feel light-headed. GOOD TIMES, MAN. Good times.
Final Tally: One over-sexed, hard hitting lady by the name of Kelly Killjoy. BOOM, MOTHERFUCKERS!

8/18
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Total number of books I’ve read: 2
Books read: Alpha
Today #insixwords: I can't even today. CAN'T EVEN.
Things I learned on Twitter: What's Twitter? So. Somehow I completely crashed my author website which gives me a sad and WHATEVER. I'll fix it later. BOO!
Final Tally: One book full of crazy-ass shit.

8/19
Number of books I’ve read today: 3
Total number of books I’ve read: 5
Books read: What the Queen Wills, Hell's Belles, Anything but Broken
Today #insixwords: I was convinced today was Thursday. (No, seriously. All day. I even told myself it WASN'T Thursday and I STILL kept thinking it was. Wednesday, you can suck it. Seriously.)
Things I learned on Twitter: I fixed my website! Well, Amanda helped. And the tech guy who worked on the support ticket I submitted. But whatever. I FIXED MY WEBSITE! Other than that, I wasn't online all that much today. Because, you know, I had to work. BOO.
Final Tally: One sexy threesome, one mysterious girl, and one book so good it made me cry.

8/20
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Total number of books I’ve read: 6
Books read: The Suffragette Scandal
Today #insixwords: Is it the weekend yet? Please?
Things I learned on Twitter: Drop off circles at schools are the first level of hell. Amanda likes things hard. I like to write! YAY!
Final Tally: One hard-hitting go-getter who gets her man.

8/21
Number of books I’ve read today:
Total number of books I’ve read:
Books read:
Today #insixwords:
Things I learned on Twitter:
Final Tally:
Today was a no-reading day due to work. Boo.

8/22
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Total number of books I’ve read: 7
Books read: Waistcoats & Weaponry
Today #insixwords: Awesome chat, everything else blurred by.
Things I learned on Twitter: This is the point of the readathon where I start lagging on the tweeting and stuff. In fact, I can't even tell you what I did today. NO CLUE. It's all a blur.
Final Tally: One sly student.

8/23
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Total number of books I’ve read: 8
Books read: Among Galactic Ruins
Today #insixwords: Today was my super lazy day.
Things I learned on Twitter: Today was my do-nothing day. I mean, I wrote some reviews and watched a few movies (as an aside, I like the City of Bones movie, but EVERYONE in that movie is weird looking. What's that about?) and was basically a lazy slug. AS ONE CAN BE.
Final Tally: One adventurous couple.

Final Thoughts: As always, I had a great time reading and chatting and being a general pain in the ass. Hope to see everybody for Bout of Books FIFTEEN coming in January!

Against the Dark by Carolyn Crane [Review]

Against the Dark (The Associates #1) by Carolyn Crane
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 30, 2015

The Associates
1. Against the Dark - Paperback | Kindle
2. Off the Edge
3. Into the Shadows
4. Behind the Mask

Carolyn Crane
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

SHE’S AN EX-SAFECRACKER FORCED INTO ONE LAST HEIST

Angel Ramirez left the safecracking game five years ago, and she’s worked hard to make amends and build an honest life. But when a beloved aunt is kidnapped, she must reunite with her girl gang to acquire the unique ransom: Walter Borgola’s prized diamonds. It’s a simple job that turns into a nightmare, thanks to a surprisingly clever—and searingly sexy—security guard named Cole Hawkins.

HE’S AN UNDERCOVER AGENT WITH BIG PLANS FOR HIS GORGEOUS THIEF

Cole is one of the Association’s most brilliant agents, under deep cover investigating a ruthless killer. He’s also running out of time: hundreds will die if he doesn’t stop the plan Borgola’s set into motion. Catching Angel is the break he needed--he promises not to turn her in if she poses as his lover and uses her unique talents to unlock the sociopath’s dungeon vaults.

But as pretend passions turn real, Cole regrets drawing Angel into his deadly game…and danger is closer than either of them could ever imagine.

Thoughts on Against the Dark: Oh, hey. I liked this one. It's sexy. It has some creepy, dangerous bad guys with a penchant for questionable interior decorating. It has a super smart hero with a...umm, hero complex. Which isn't a bad thing. Except for when he put his own life in danger and...where was I going with this?

Oh. Super sexy, super smart hero. YUM. I must say Cole's obsession with his abs was pretty darn awesome. How can you say no to a guy who knows how to draw attention to his sexy six pack? Or eight pack. Whatever it was. The point is he amused me and I liked how he teased Angel with his muscles.

And Angel. Gone straight, but pulled into the life for one last heist. That's gotta suck. You know, since she liked the thrill of the job and interior decorating isn't quite as pulse pounding as cracking safes.

Bottom line: I enjoyed it. *slow thumbs up*

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger [Review]

Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1) by Gail Carriger
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 2, 2015

Finishing School
1. Etiquette & Espionage - Paperback | Kindle
2. Curtsies & Conspiracies
3. Waistcoats & Weaponry
4. Manners & Mutiny

Gail Carriger
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

Thoughts on Etiquette & Espionage: Honestly, the only lack I found in this book was that there could have been MOAR werewolves. The one we were treated to was nice enough, but I have a decided soft spot for those wild men and you can never have too many by my standards.

Nonetheless, I can overlook the sad werewolf showing. Because as with the Parasol Protectorate books, this one is borderline ridiculous with some of the names and circumstances Sophronia finds herself in, yet I couldn't put it down. Mrs Barnaclegoose alone gave me a giggle with her name. Sophronia's propensity for ending up on the wrong end of pies and various other foodstuffs made me cringe (in a good way). Her first year at the school is a little rocky, but Sophronia certainly proves she's ready for anything life has to throw at her.

Except, possibly, avoiding making a mess or getting embroiled in crazy schemes.

Some old (yet young) faces pop up to tie this series in nicely with PP and we get see how progressive the teachers are in showing their charges how to be a deadly lady.

I have to say, I'm looking forward to the next book.