Bound by Night (Moonbound Clan Vampire #1) by Larissa Ione

Larissa Ione's bestselling Demonica series has captivated fans with its sensual blend of dark passion and demonic fury. Now she takes you to another intoxicating world—where a dangerous clan of wild vampires rules the night...

A WOMAN OUT FOR BLOOD

Nicole Martin was only eight years old when the vampire slaves rose up in rebellion and killed her family. Now she devotes her life to finding a vaccine against vampirism, hoping to wipe out her memories—along with every bloodsucker on the planet. But there’s one thing she cannot destroy: her searing, undeniable attraction for the one man she should hate and fear the most . . .

A VAMPIRE OUT FOR REVENGE

A member of the renegade vampire MoonBound Clan, Riker is haunted by demons of his own. When he recognizes Nicole and remembers how her family enslaved his loved ones, his heart burns for vengeance. But when he kidnaps Nicole and holds her in a secret lair, his mortal enemy becomes his soul obsession, his greatest temptation, and, perhaps, his only salvation—a hot-blooded lover who could heal him with her touch . . . or bury him forever.

4 Stars

I received a copy of Bound by Night courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I wasn't sure that Bound By Night was going to be any different than any other vampire book I'd read before, so I wasn't too much in a hurry to delve into it. My friend recommended Larissa Ione tho, so I decided to give her a read. Very good introduction to this author! I actually started telling my husband the story as I was reading it, how I liked the fact of the vampires being a part of society, although they were enslaved in America, and that they had derived from the days of Native Americans and still followed the ways of the spirits. I really look forward to reading Chained by Night, and also adding more of Larissa Ione's books to my TBR! 

~ Mandy

Revenge (Revenge #1) by J.J. Knight

Jess moves to LA for her dream job as a music intern. On her first day, she bumps into Dylan busking on a street corner.

Dylan Wolf has a gritty voice. His eyes are soulful. His incredible body is to die for, tattoos and all.

When Dylan looks at Jess, she feels emotions she's never had before. He can be sweet, but his dark moods scare her. When he sings, the whole world falls away.

Jess and Dylan's meeting hasn't gone unnoticed. At her job, Jess is summoned to the mysterious ninth floor. Her new assignment is to get close to Dylan. By seducing him.

Jess is shocked. She's an innocent girl.

Selling her body would be immoral. It would be wrong.

But strange things are happening at the company. No matter which decision she makes, she might be in danger.

One thing is for sure: If she takes this assignment, Jess will never be the same.

4 Stars

I received a copy of Revenge courtesy of the author and publisher in exchange for a review. 

Jess moves to LA to pursue her dream of working in the music industry, and within her first couple days, is mugged and ends up with a black eye. Good thing she was watching a sexy musician busking on the street, because not only did she get her wallet back, she got a bonus. Dylan makes her feel something, and she's lucky enough to be hired as Eye Candy to pursue him and earn his trust.

I would love to happen upon a hot street performer, but that's never been my luck. Lucky Jess! Not in her new town for a hot minute before she's got one singing to her about her shoes! I enjoyed the way Jess presented herself, and how she interacts with her new roommate. Although, it took me a minute to appreciate her always calling Amanda a skank, since that's also my name. Call 'em as you see 'em I guess. I really am curious about the shady seeming dealings with Jess becoming Eye Candy, and I can't wait to find out more in the next installment! Dylan is a mystery to me and I want to get inside his head!

~Mandy

Devil's Frost (The Spellspinners of Melas County #3)

Every young witch looks forward to her first Solstice Stones. The pride of representing her coven against the warlocks. The rush from her first taste of dark magic.

But a few short minutes into the Stones, and Lily’s lifelong dream turns into a nightmare of pain and regret. Betrayed not once, but twice, her restraint snaps—with dire consequences. 

Lily is wracked with guilt and on the run from the powerful Congression, when her broken confidence is further shattered by an ugly secret from the past. As her options dwindle, Lily is forced into a distasteful alliance.

Will she be able to find her way back to the light? Or will darkness consume her before dawn's new day?

3 Stars

I received a copy of Devils Frost courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange of a review.

Devil's Frost is the '3rd in the Spellspinners of Melas County, and starts off where the Gleaning leaves us. I don't envy Lily, and all the heavy crap she has to deal with! She finds out some disturbing info regarding her gift and family secrets, and is now on the run from the Congressional. Not only that, but she still needs answers to some seriously unexplained questions, one of them being the mystery Islands of the Seven Sisters. 

I really enjoyed this series so far, although I was thinking the Witches of Melas County was a trilogy. Heidi R. Kling has definitely captured and held my attention, I will certainly continue with the story that is next, but I just wish she would've combined at least two of the books. The Coliloquy usage is one of the funnest things I've experienced while reading a book, and I have to be honest, I went back to all the choices and read it each way. Kind of glad I did, because certain things were mentioned that I would've missed! I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.

~Mandy

The Unidentified Redhead by Alice Clayton

When Grace Sheridan returns to Los Angeles to become a working actress, it’s a second shot at a life-long dream. With some help from her best-friend agent, will that dream become a reality—or at thirty-three, has Grace missed her chance at the big time? And when an unexpected sizzling romance with Jack Hamilton, the entertainment industry's newest “it” boy, threatens to shine an uncomfortable spotlight on her life, how will that affect her career…and his?

Funny, borderline neurotic Grace is perfect in her imperfections, and the sexual chemistry between her and charming yet blissfully unaware Jack is off the charts. With laugh-out-loud dialogue and a super-steamy romance that will get your heart racing, sneaking around in L.A. and dodging the paparazzi has never been so fun.

4 Stars

I received a copy of The Unidentified Redhead courtesy of the publisher in exchange for a review.

How did I miss this gem by Alice Clayton? I read Wallbanger awhile back and LOVED it, but The Unidentified Redhead seemed to get shoved onto my TBR and overlooked. Seems to be a trend lately *sigh* Grace Sheridan is 33, single, and living back in LA, ready to take the acting world by storm. Enter her best friend Holly's new client, Jack Hamilton. Jack is a 24 yr old newbie heart throb, and instantly clicks with Grace, propositioning her for a tryst. What perhaps started as a hot and hilarious fling quickly became a real romance, eliciting a few 'ahh's' from me, as well as my new book boyfriend going by the name Sweet Nuts. He also answers to George...I applaud Alice Clayton for letting this 33 yr old cougar live vicariously thru The Redhead. Can't wait to start on The Redhead Revealed!

~Mandy

Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, bringing home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna's new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can't know.

Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical,  Uses for Boys  is a story of breaking down and growing up.

3 Stars 

I received a copy of Uses for Boys courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for a review. I enjoyed Uses for Boys, even tho it scared the crap out of me! Not for myself, mind you, but because I am a mother to girls! It is so easy for girls to lack self worth and self confidence, and like Anna, get caught up in the emotions of when a boy likes you. Anna didn't have a proper role model in her mother of course, and if she had, then maybe her story would be a little different. I just found her sad, and having the damaged reputation she did, it was no wonder she acted out.  Toy was a little easy for me to figure out, maybe because it just seemed too convenient that she was so desirable, but she was another sad case. I was happy that Anna found Sam and his family, and was worried she would corrupt him, but it all worked out in the end. I just pray my girls come to me when they reach that age! ~Mandy

Stealing Harper by Molly Mcadams

Chase Grayson has never been interested in having a relationship that lasts longer than it takes for him and his date to get dressed again. But then he stumbles into a gray-eyed girl whose innocence pours off her, and everything changes. From the minute Harper opens her mouth to let him know just how much he disgusts her, he's hooked.

But a princess deserves a Prince Charming who can make her dreams come true. Not a guy who can turn her life into a nightmare.

All good intentions go out the window when Harper starts to fall for the guy Chase has come to view as a brother. He wanted to protect her by keeping her away, but he can’t stand to see her with anyone else, and he’ll do anything to make her his. But when it comes down to Harper choosing between the two, will Chase have the strength to step back from the girl who has become his whole world if it means she’ll be happy?

Lines will be crossed. Friendships will be put to the test. And hearts will be shattered.

3 Stars

I received a copy of Stealing Harper in exchange for a review.

For some reason, I didn't realize Stealing Harper was the POV of Chase, from Taking Chances. So I read Taking Chances first, so I was in the know. Let's just say, I enjoyed Chase telling the story a little better. Maybe it was because I was a bit in love with Chase (yep, my book boyfriends are awesome) or maybe it was the fact that he was simple compared to Harper. The female mind is a confusing thing, I should know! Harper was a little too whiny, made things more complicated, and I felt like she could've told her 'side' in half the time it took. Chase did an excellent job in Stealing Harper! Of course, his ending was different from Harper's, but still. I really like Molly Mcadams, and think she does an excellent job at the love triangle thing!

~Mandy 

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

5 Stars
Jojo Moyes is now one of my favorite authors. Although the subject matter isn't conventional, it sure touches you where it counts! In Me Before You, Will is a quadriplegic, stuck in his chair and in pain for the last 2 years, after someone on a motorcycle ran him over. He is utterly miserable, a shell of the man he once was. His mother hires Louisa as a sort of caretaker/companion for Will, to try to cheer him up. The two form a friendship, and end up helping each other thru some heavy stuff. I sort of knew what I was getting into when I started this book, but I sure didn't expect to get the ugly cry going! There were a few parts in the book that had a profound effect on me, one being from Will's mothers POV. She mentions her son as a broken man, but that she didn't see him as just the man he had become, instead she saw his whole life when she looked at him. From the moment he entered the world, the toddler, then adolescent, teenager, and grown up, it was all of him she saw when looking at him. Before being a mom, I'm not sure I ever would've been as affected by that particular part, but boy did it hit home now. I haven't been this impacted by a book in awhile! It will probably remain one of my favorites, and will definitely stay with me.

~Mandy