Dinner with a Vampire (The Dark Heroine #1) by Abigail Gibbs

Violet Lee is the sole living witness to a horrific pre-dawn mass murder in Trafalgar Square, London.

But before she can alert the authorities, she is taken by the group of murderers, who, to her shock, are vampires. Kidnapped, Violet is forced to live among them, for they've discover she is the daughter of the UK's Secretary of State for Defense… who has been secretly dealing with the vampires for years.

Now a pawn in a game of politics between humans and vampires, Violet begins to doubt her allegiance, especially when she begins to fall for Prince Kaspar, the heir to the throne of the vampire world, as well as his best friend, Fabian. Swept into a complex love triangle, will Violet leave her newfound life, or return to the human world?

4 Stars
I received a copy of The Dark Heroine from the publisher in exchange for a review.

After reading a few of the reviews for this book, I was a little hesitant to start it. I mean, 2 star ratings don't really say "READ THIS BOOK NOW!" do they?! I guess I'm easily entertained, because I really enjoyed this book, and want the next one to be out NOW! Sure, there were some discrepancies, and maybe some gaps that could have been filled in, as well as parts that were added for maybe shock value. But I was expecting that, since my copy was an uncorrected proof.
The Dark Heroine reminded me a little of Discovery of Witches, one of my favorite vampire books. Violet is sassy and outspoken, but has a good heart and is sure in her beliefs of what right and wrong are. The thing I liked about her tho, is she was willing to see the other side of things. Kaspar is quite the dick, but Violet figures out the reasons behind his behavior, and he's soon not so bad. I look forward to the next book, where I'm sure we'll learn more about the other dimensions, as well as the rest of the prophesy of the Heroines.

~Mandy

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.

5 Stars
What a WONDERful book! I'd heard so many good things about this YA book, and had to check it out. As a mom, I can't even fathom what was going thru Isabel Pullman's mind when August was born with the severity of deformities he had. Granted, this is a fictional book, but it happens to be some people's realities.
"The universe hasn't been kind to August Pullman" was an understatement made by his friend Jack. No joke. Auggie's odds were 1 in 4 million. 27 surgeries before age 4. And a life time of horrified looks from strangers. How anyone keeps from tearing up during this read is beyond me. I found myself extremely grateful for my "perfect" babies, and wondering how exactly you can teach your children to be compassionate, as well as "kinder than necessary" like Summer, when there are so many Julian's? Everyone should read this book, if not just for the fact that it humbles you, as well as gives an excellent message.

~Mandy

Enslaved (Enslaved Trilogy #1) by Shoshanna Evers

From a red-hot erotica writer comes an original eBook—a sensual romp across the playgrounds of the unbelievably rich and extremely sexy.Elisabeth Anderson has seen Trevor and his friends at the infamous Manhattan BDSM club WhipperSnapper, where everyone calls them the BAD Boys, for “Billionaire Arrogant Doms.” The BAD Boys—Trevor Brooks, Marc Wilde, and Roman Chase—are aptly named; they’ve made money hand over fist due to their aggressive investing at the Brooks Wilde Chase Fund. These guys are so rich they can get away with anything, or so the rumors go.

Trevor gives Elisabeth full reign of his estate in Westchester, letting her do as she pleases. He has only two rules. Rule One: she must obey and submit to him while she is living in his house. Rule Two: always answer the blue cell phone. She’s happy to oblige, because being with Trevor makes her want to obey, to love him the way he seems to be falling for her. But Elisabeth’s never been good at being the quiet sub; she's feisty and gets off on the punishments more than she does by pleasing Trevor.

Elizabeth can’t submit to Trevor the way he needs her to, so his friend and business partner (and fellow BAD Boy) Roman takes her in hand. But love triangles can have sharp edges...and somebody’s bound to get hurt.

3 Stars
I received a galley of Enslaved in exchange for a review.

Enslaved starts out with Elisabeth leaving Gregory, the Dom she's had for 3 years, and traveling to Trevor, a possible new Dom. She's a bit nervous, and doesn't quite know what to expect, since Trevor and his two buddies have somewhat of a reputation at the BDSM club WhipperSnapper.

Enslaved was actually pretty tasteful, for an erotica novel. Not every sex scene was described in complete detail, leaving one to use their imagination. Nice change if you ask me. The love story that develops between Elisabeth and Trevor isn't conventional, but it sure is sweet, esp after Trevor has to make a decision on how Elisabeth needs to adjust her attitude. I look forward to reading Enamored, which is the second in the trilogy, about Marc, and of course the third about Roman.

~Mandy

Entangled (Spellbound #1) by Nikki Jefford

Two months after dying, seventeen-year-old witch Graylee Perez wakes up in her twin sister Charlene’s body.

Until Gray finds a way back inside her own body, she’s stuck being Charlene every twenty-hour hours. Her sister has left precise instructions on how Gray should dress and behave. Looking like a prep isn’t half as bad as hanging out with Charlene’s snotty friends and gropey boyfriend.

The “normals” of McKinley High might be quick to write her behavior off as post-traumatic stress, but warlock Raj McKenna is the only person who suspects Gray has returned from the dead.

Now Gray has to solve the mystery of her death and resurrection and disentangle herself from Charlene’s body before she disappears for good.

***Entangled is a young adult paranormal fantasy romance suitable for ages 15 and up.***

3.5 Stars

I won this eBook through NetGalley. Gray is a teenage girl dealing with the misfortune of having an identical twin with NOTHING in common. Oh, and they are both powerful witches. I did not read any reviews before I read the book and I didn't read the synopsis either. In doing so, I had a "What?!?!" moment and fell deeply under its spell. This book is an easy read and a great first in the upcoming Spellbound series. I enjoyed every minute of it and had a hard time putting it down.

~Kat

Waking up Married by Mira Lyn Kelly

Her first thought: "Who are you?"
It's the morning after her cousin's bachelorette party in Vegas and Megan Scott wakes up with the mother of all hangovers. Even worse, she's in a stranger's penthouse having woken up with something else as well - a funny, arrogant, sexy...husband!

Up until now, finding even a boyfriend had seemed impossible - been there, got the broken heart, sworn off men for good. Then a few martinis with Carter...no, Connor Reed and she's gone from first meet to marriage in one night!

Megan wants a lawyer. But Connor's shocking bombshell?

"I don't want a divorce."

3 Stars
I received a copy of Waking up Married courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.

Megan is in Vegas for her cousins bachelorette party/wedding, when she meets Connor. They end up hanging out all night, flirting, gambling, and of course, getting sloshed. Come morning, Megan wakes up ill, to find out that she blacked out the night before and got married to Connor! Oops! Connor convinces Megan to stay married and try it out for a 3 month trial, hoping he could prove to her that they are a great partnership and can give each other what the other needs out of life- a family.

I enjoy the occasional romance, and with Harlequin's KISS line of books, I enjoy them more! The stories are updated, modern, short and sweet. Of course they're as believable as a fairy tale, but that's the reason anyone reads a romance, right? For the fairy tale aspect! While reading Waking up Married, I was of course rooting for Connor and Megan to make it, as well as thinking "Damn girl! You got LUCKY! He has the looks, the physique, and don't forget the money!" What more could you want or need? In a romance novel of course. I love a happy ending.

~Mandy

The Water Witch (Fairwick Chronicles #2) by Juliet Dark (Carol Goodman)

Perfect for fans of Deborah Harkness and Elizabeth Kostova,The Water Watch is a breathtakingly sexy and atmospheric new novel of ancient folklore, passionate love, and thrilling magic.

After casting out a dark spirit, Callie McFay, a professor of gothic literature, has at last restored a semblance of calm to her rambling Victorian house. But in the nearby thicket of the Honeysuckle Forest, and in the currents of the rushing Undine River, more trouble is stirring. . . .

The enchanted town of Fairwick’s dazzling mix of mythical creatures has come under siege from the Grove: a sinister group of witches determined to banish the fey back to their ancestral land. With factions turning on one another, all are cruelly forced to take sides. Callie’s grandmother, a prominent Grove member, demands her granddaughter’s compliance, but half-witch/half-fey Callie can hardly betray her friends and colleagues at the college. 

To stave off disaster, Callie enlists Duncan Laird, an alluring seductive academic who cultivates her vast magical potential, but to what end? Deeply conflicted, Callie struggles to save her beloved Fairwick, dangerously pushing her extraordinary powers to the limit—risking all, even the needs of her own passionate heart.

4 Stars

I won this ARC from NetGalley and boy am I glad they chose me to win!! Juliet Dark (Carol Goodman) does it again. In a world where all paranormal creatures are attempting to coexist peacefully, once again power hungry tyrants and biased old witches want to ruin it for everyone. The love story between Liam and Callie continues, but unlike the first novel, it is not the main focus of the story. Don't get it twisted though. There are some steamy scenes that made me blush just like book 1. This time we learn more about Callie's past and the witch/fairy she is meant to be. We get a sneak peak into how powerful she will become and how warped her grandmother truly is. It is no wonder her parents took the steps necessary to protect Callie for all these years. We also get to learn more about the other endearing characters from the first novel. Goodman continues her to enhance her writing style with bold imagery and intellectually driven dialogue. I would highly recommend this novel/series to anyone who enjoys the genre.

~Kat

Notes from Ghost Town by Kate Ellison

They say first love never dies...

From critically acclaimed author Kate Ellison comes a heartbreaking mystery of mental illness, unspoken love, and murder. When sixteen-year-old artist Olivia Tithe is visited by the ghost of her first love, Lucas Stern, it’s only through scattered images and notes left behind that she can unravel the mystery of his death.

There’s a catch: Olivia has gone colorblind, and there’s a good chance she’s losing her mind completely—just like her mother did. How else to explain seeing (and falling in love all over again with) someone who isn’t really there?

With the murder trial looming just nine days away, Olivia must follow her heart to the truth, no matter how painful. It’s the only way she can save herself.

4 stars
I recieved a copy of Notes from Ghost Town courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.

Olivia is a 16 yr old artist from Florida, but attending school in Michigan. Her best friend, Stern, is a piano prodigy, as well as one of her mothers students. Right before returning back to school at the end of summer, Olivia and Stern share a kiss that causes her to go colorblind, and not long afterward, her whole life is tossed upside down, and changed forever.

I don't even know what to say about this YA book! I absolutely loved it! There was something so sweet about this murder/mystery, and the characters, I couldn't help but shed a few tears while reading. My heart ached for Olivia, not only losing her best friend and one she loved, but her mom AND her ability to see color. She was so passionate about painting and became clorblind! That would be like taking the legs off a dancer, a tongue from a chef, or the eyes from a reader. On top of it all, her dad is getting remarried, she has to drop out of school, and move from the house she grew up in and loved. Not to mention she starts wondering if her mothers schizophrenia is now rubbing off on her, since she is seeing Sterns ghost. Aside from not being able to be with Stern, the end of the story is a happy one, and I would recommend this one to anyone that is looking for a YA book that stands out.

~Mandy

Such Wicked Intent (The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein #2) by Kenneth Oppel

Devotion turns deadly in this second Gothic thriller from Kenneth Oppel.When does obsession become madness? Tragedy has forced sixteen-year-old Victor Frankenstein to swear off alchemy forever. He burns the Dark Library. He vows he will never dabble in the dark sciences again—just as he vows he will no longer covet Elizabeth, his brother’s betrothed.

     If only these things were not so tempting.

     When he and Elizabeth discover a portal into the spirit world, they cannot resist. Together with Victor’s twin, Konrad, and their friend Henry, the four venture into a place of infinite possibilities where power and passion reign. But as they search for the knowledge to raise the dead, they unknowingly unlock a darkness from which they may never return.

4 Stars

In Such Wicked Intent, we go deeper into the psyche of the young Victor Frankenstein. Kenneth Oppel does an amazing job of pulling the reader into Victor's mind. In the first book, we got to see only a glimpse of the desire for power, but in this sequel, we really get to see how far Victor will go to become omnipotent. There is action, suspense, and romance all sprinkled with a desperation to be reunited with a lost brother, friend, and lover. The story begins with the family grieving the loss of Konrad. As the story continues, Victor becomes intrigued by the possibility of bringing Konrad back from the dead through the use of occult rituals. Needless to say, things don't go exactly as planned, and a monster is born. I definitely recommend diving into this story. It will be hard to come up for air.

~Kat

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may also change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

4 stars
I absolutely adored Hourglass and can't wait to read Timepiece! I love the concept of the rips, and after seeing Back to the Future, who isn't intrigued with time travel? Granted, Hourglass wasn't about romping around the past/future the same way Marty McFly did, but it also added extra elements, such as people having extra abilities! Like the X-Men! I thought the 'forbidden fruit' relationship between Emerson and Michael was a tad hokey at times, and she sure did find him a bit hotter than was necessary, but nonetheless, it was swoon worthy. I'm eager to find out what happens with all the characters in Timepiece, and am going to be adding Myra McEntire to my list of awesome authors!

~Mandy

The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen

Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.

Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home.

Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.

Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes.

(New Adult Contemporary)
*Mature Content** Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language.

4 stars
I received a copy of The Secret of Ella and Micha courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.

Wow! Talk about two screwed up individuals! How could I not pity Ella and Micha while reading this book? The two of them were neighbors from childhood, became best friends, and eventually fell in love, but not without some serious bumps in the road! The shit hole town they grew up in is bad enough, but parental abandonment takes the cake. I fell in love with the characters and couldn't stop reading their story, hoping they would get a happy ending and overcome their situations. Jessica Sorensen has written some amazing books, and definitely one to keep an eye on!

~Mandy