Liv's Reads

Secrets of the Demon (Kara Gillian, Book 3)

4:00 pm 9 January 2014

This is one of those series that I've enjoyed but for various reasons, just kept being pushed aside for sexier reads. So glad I finally got back to it. I really enjoy Kara. She's a nice mixture of funny, tough with a touch of self-deprecating humor. A typical mix for Diana Rowland.

So glad we finally got some answers as to who and what some of her sidekicks are. Ryan is still a mystery and I hope that these two make some romantic headway eventually. So many layers that are still left to be uncovered. Mainly the question of what Rhyz wants with Kara.

Looking forward to catching up!

Hereafter (Reaper, #2)

4:00 pm 8 January 2014

*claps hands excitedly*
Really enjoyed this. It was another very quick read and at times it seemed like no questions were being answered, but at the end, the story came full circle and ended with me saying a loud "AAAW!".

The love story could've been handled differently. It felt forced at times and underdeveloped, but it was still sweet and it proved that love conquers all! Even death.

Touch (Reaper, #1)

4:00 pm 7 January 2014

Nice intro to a series. TONS of questions but this is a novella after all. I do feel bad for Rowan's dad. Jet sounds interesting, hope we get to know him better. Again, TONS of questions but this wet my appetite enough for more.

Master of the Mountain (Mountain Masters #1)

4:00 pm 6 January 2014

Sexy quick read! This didn't push my comfort level like Sinclair's Master of the Shadowlands does. Rebecca is scarred not just physically but emotionally and it was nice to see her heal at the hands of Logan. There were parts in the plot that I wished had been developed a lot more and her acceptance of Thor, the dog, was too instant but... that's how these stories roll.

Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion, #1)

4:00 pm 6 January 2014

Didn't love it. Didn't hate it. Liked it enough to read book 2 but not sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for it.

This was a slow start. It didn't pick up until about 25% into the story and that was mainly because we were introduced to a new character, Knox. I liked Knox, but like with many of the characters, we didn't really get to know him. Kitty was a bit bland and something else that I still can't put a name to. The story itself was interesting but with WAY too many twists and turns. I lost track of who is backstabbing who and supposed to doing what. Then there is Benjy. In many ways he is the perfect match for Kitty just because he was also really bland. That's actually the other problem, not enough character development. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters enough to feel bad about them possibly getting killed or hurt. At certain moments I thought maybe the story and the characters would develop to something more only to have them stay flat and have the story take yet another sharp turn. Could've been great, but it turned out just so-so in my opinion.

Holiday in Death

4:00 pm 4 January 2014

One of the reasons I enjoyed this one more is that I had no clue who the killer was. In the other books I've been able to guess early on who is doing the mischief. In every book we peel off a layer of brass Eve Dallas. I loved how she kept doing holiday shopping without meaning to. We also got to spend more time with Peabody and McNab. I can tell those two are going to be entertaining.

Taste

4:00 pm 2 January 2014

Could not put down! This is a nice twist on zombie stories. The writing was very vivid and I could easily visualize the Academy with it's old architecture and dark hallways. Phoenix was at times very brave and at others annoying. She is clearly wounded and uses humor and sarcasm to hide the pain but I really wished she would shut up!

To me it was clear who the leading guy would be. Both Luka and Demitri were interesting characters. One dark and brooding and the other a ray of sunshine and full of carefree spirit. My only complaint was that there seemed to be holes in the story. Some parts - like the love aspect - felt too rushed, while others seemed to drag on a bit.

Overall a nice human/zombie story with action, court politics and drama and love.

Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men (Jane Jameson, #2)

4:00 pm 2 January 2014

Vampires, family drama, love drama and laugh out loud moments. LOVED IT! Still wish we learned more about Gabriel. I can't say I'm sold on him as a love interest or leading man. He acts more as a father figure. Dick Cheney on the other hand is hilarious!

Scandal in Spring (Wallflowers, #4)

4:00 pm 31 December 2013

Devoured this in one day! I wasn't looking forward to Daisy's story. She hasn't bee my favorite character but maybe because she's a dreamer who loves to get lost in her books, she won be over.

I can now understand why my GR friends love Lisa Kleypas. She has a knack for spinning stories and in this case, bringing past characters and weaving them seamlessly into the story without taking away the focus from the MC.

Looking forward to more Kleypas.

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs (Jane Jameson, #1)

4:00 pm 31 December 2013

Very funny and entertaining. I love that Jane is a librarian down on her luck. Loved the southern setting. The only reason this isn't a 5 star read is that I felt there were a too many plot holes. Gabriel's story being the main one. I'm intrigued by him but wanted more. Could tell there was attraction between the two but it felt a bit rushed.

Looking forward to book 2!

Omega

4:00 pm 29 December 2013

This was less romancy - thought here was romance - more focused on the plot. Penton's residents are living underground in Omega. Aiden, Mirren and Will are wanted for different reasons and trying to figure out how to save their asses, their humans and Penton.

We got a glimpse of Randa and Will's relationship in book 2. It was pretty clear that their relationship was going to progress in the rantic route. Part of me wishes we'd spent more time with them but I'm not disappointed.

I'm very curious to read Cage's story! Unfortunately it looks like I'll have to wait a while. Boo.

Absolution (The Penton Legacy)

4:00 pm 28 December 2013

It has been a long while since I read book 1. While I found it entertaining, it didn't impress me enough to jump to the next book. Now I wish I hasn't waited so long. This was a great follow up. Mirren was the right balance of tortured, warrior, sexy and smart. Glory was no pushover and I enjoyed the chemistry these two had. Looking forward to book 3!

The Devil in Winter (The Wallflowers, Book 3)

4:00 pm 26 December 2013

This wasn't as "punchie" (is that a word?) as [b:It Happened One Autumn|827412|It Happened One Autumn (Wallflowers, #2)|Lisa Kleypas|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347738779s/827412.jpg|1823891] but it was beautifully written. Sebastian and Evie had a slow and innocent love that I got caught it. Sebastian's humor and inappropriateness cracked me up. I wasn't sure how he would be redeemed after the last book but Lisa Kleypas managed to weave a sweet story that endeared him and shy Evie to me.

Magic to the Bone (Allie Beckstrom, #1)

4:00 pm 21 December 2013

2.5 stars

This didn't impress me. I did find the world to be interesting but just never connected to any of the characters. The love relationship with Zayvion felt a bit forced. I didn't feel the chemistry between the two. I also found Zay to be a much more interesting character than Allie. Allie seemed at times very stupid. Some people have found her snarky and funny, I just found her boring and whiny.

Overall, this book wasn't for me and I doubt I'll continue the series.

The long wait begins....

2:24 pm 25 November 2013

DONE! Ready for book 3.
*looks around expectantly*
Resigns to another long wait.

Well... It's been over a year since I was first introduced to Penryn and the chaotic world she now lives in. There were a couple of details I had forgotten. For instance that it had only been about 2 months since the world fell to Angel chaos and just how much I love the chemistry between Penryn and Raffe.

I will be honest. I don't think this is worthy of 5 stars. Perhaps more like 4. But I just love the writing and the emotions that it evokes. I feel for Penryn. I could see how she struggled with this new version of her sister Paige. Her little sister now turned into a human patchwork doll. She has razor sharp teeth!! GAAA! But. She is her little sister. And I see how she struggles to reconcile the feelings she used to feel with this new monster.

I really wish we'd had more time with Raffe. Though we got flashbacks of sorts, I wanted more chapters with him. I greedily read the few that were given. Trying to take in every single detail possible.

Want to learn more about the angels. I still don't feel I have a tight grasp of what they want and why they want it. But we did get some interesting characters. Dee and Dum and of course Pookie Bear.

Overall, another great read that just engrossed me from beginning to end. Stories like that are rare.

Source: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/426073614

The Immortal Highlander (Highlander, #6)

4:00 pm 21 November 2013

★★1/2

Overall disappointing mostly because I've been looking forward to Adam Black's story since book one. While Adam delivered being what he has always been, arrogant and sexy, Gabby was a big yawn and I found her annoying. Plus those Epilogues *rolls eyes*. Apparently in Karen Marie Moning's world if you're not married with children you're not happy.

I did like that it tied the story back to the Fever series and the origins of some key characters in that book. I love the whole faery court stuff and the ties to Drustan and Dageus. But the actual story of Gabby and Adam was disappointing.