"Impulsion" by Jamie Magee (Station 32 Book #1)

"With a glance Wyatt Doran stole Harley Tatum’s heart. With each summer that passed, touch by touch, they robbed each other’s innocence, birthing a love that was so deep that it scorched within. Without warning, they were ripped from the clutches of each other, placed in lives that were worlds apart. Only to cross paths after a freak accident where Harley’s horse rig was flipped. An accident that Wyatt Doran, from fire station 32, responded.

The tension was immediate, the emotions were raw. One breath told them they were not the same as before, one touch…changed their world."

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Impulsion by Jamie Magee (Station 32 Book #1)
Completed: 06.04.2015

* I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Impulsion is the first 'more adult' read from the author, and it did not disappoint.

The story starts off with Harley taking riding lessons over the summer, and gradually falling in love with Wyatt throughout the summer and her little trips back to the estate. One fine day, their love affair was found out and it ripped them both apart. Now, it seems like the fates are not yet done weaving their story, and a freak accident brings them back together again.

The story was so delicately written with great descriptions and I felt like I could relate to both characters. The element of rekindled young love was also great to read, the chemistry is still there for both Harley and Wyatt, but can they overlook the problems of the past and finally be together again?

This is the first time I'm reading a piece of work by Jamie Magee, and her style of writing is so different from most, but once I adjusted, I started flying through the book. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, and I literally mean anyone, because if you don't read this book... Man, you have no idea what you're missing out on!

Four stars!

"Safe at Home" by Christina Kirby (The Warm Springs Trilogy Book #1)

"Driven by fear and desperate to protect her family, Samantha is forced to leave Chicago and everything she’s worked to achieve, only to start over by tossing a dart-at-the-map. The Georgia townsfolk’s true Southern charm is the unexpected prescription needed to heal her soul, and the sexy carpenter who touches her heart are distractions she didn’t plan on, but they might offer her a chance at a new life, if she can let go of her past. 

Town heartbreaker, Spencer Malloy, isn’t looking for anything serious. His days are perfect working as a contractor, attending his nephew’s baseball games or taking him fishing. He never expects to fall for the big city girl, Samantha. She’s not his type, timid and closed off, but in her unguarded moments, he’s intrigued by the woman he can’t get out of his mind. The urge to get closer to her grows stronger each day, and when the shadow of evil resurfaces, he vows to protect Samantha, even if it means abandoning his home and joining her on the run. 

When confronted by the man who’s bent on revenge, Samantha must choose between running again to save the people she loves, or if she has the strength, to stay and fight for her new life."

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Safe at Home by Christina Kirby
Completed: 03.03.2015

This is the first book I have ever read by Christina Kirby, and I must say, I am so glad I got myself a copy of Safe at Home. This book follows Samantha, who finds herself in danger from a psychopath (no, really. He's a frickin psycho!), and in order to keep those she loves safe she leaves her hometown and starts a new chapter in a completely new town, where she can hide herself. Enter bad boy, Spencer Malloy, this guy had me swooning throughout the whole book. I couldn't even think of anything else but the electric connection between Samantha and Spencer.

The book was written beautifully from the descriptions to the interactions between all characters in the book. I don't think I've ever had as many emotions as I did reading Safe at Home... So much feels, bad and good, EVERYWHERE. I thought the book would have been one of those easy going romance reads, however - I found myself stuck in the middle of a freaking thriller. I always wanted to know what happens next, I like the element of a psychopath as well, not because I like psychopaths, it's just that it adds so much more flavour to the book, and is essentially what set it apart from all the other books I've read recently!

I am so satisfied with this read, and can't wait for the next book in the Trilogy!!

FOUR STARS!
:)

"The Forgotten Ones" by Laura Howard (The Danaan Trilogy Book #1)

"Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity."

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The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard

Completed: 04.02.2015

The Forgotten Ones is a story about Allison (Al), a normal girl who's got her life pretty much planned out; a job, grad school & taking care of her schizophrenic mother. She has no time for distractions, especially one by the name Ethan. However, a twist of fate lands Al in a heap of trouble. Especially with her long-lost father suddenly turning up on her front porch claiming he can 'heal' her mother. 

It was a really short, fun read. I loved the determination Allison had. Ethan was super swoon worthy, I found myself biting my lip, and smiling to myself for quite a large portion of the book. The descriptions of places in the book were magical, especially Tir Na Nog. (No pun intended)

The other characters were great, Niamh, Aodhan, Liam, as well as, Nicole. They add so much character to the book, each having their own distinct attitudes. 

Overall, it was a great read & I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in Irish folklore, more specifically the Tuatha Dé Danann. Awesome start to a trilogy.

Three and a half stars! Almost at four!

"City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare (Mortal Instruments #1)

"When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . "

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City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Completed: 04.08.2013

I'd been contemplating about whether I should read this series, since a tremendous amount of people have recommended this book I thought 'eh, why not?' And I swear that picking up this book has been the best thing to happen to me in a long time!

Meet Clary, she's the epitome of an ordinary girl, until one day - she sees a group of people murder someone in a club. The only problem is, why does it seem like only she can see them? Enter Jace, the biggest jerk you'll ever meet, but you'll end up falling in love with him anyway, just because - he's freaking sexy. 

The storyline was by far the most original piece that I have ever read, and I enjoyed the action and the occasional romance. I'm so tempted to run back to my kindle and start reading the next one, but then I realize that there's yet ANOTHER book coming out next year. Whaaaat?

Four stars! A well written book, with lots of plot twists & heart-thumping action.

"Fae" by C.J. Abedi

"The battle between Light and Dark is about to begin. 

Caroline Ellis sixteenth birthday sets into motion a series of events that have been fated for centuries. A descendant of Virginia Dare, the first child born in the lost colony of Roanoke, and unaware of her birthright as the heir to the throne of the Light Fae, it isn’t until she begins a tumultuous relationship with Devilyn Reilly that the truth is revealed. 

Devilyn is the only one of the Fae who is both of the Light and of the Dark, and struggles to maintain that precarious balance to avoid succumbing to the power of the Dark within him. He is the only one who can save Caroline from those who would destroy her and destroy all hope for unity among the Fae. He promises Caroline that he will protect her at all costs, even when it means protecting her from himself. 

Told from the alternating perspectives of Caroline and Devilyn, FAE draws on mysteries, myths and legends to create a world, and a romance, dangerously poised between Light and Dark."

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Fae by C.J. Abedi

Completed: 04.08.2013

C.J. Abedi have created a world of their own, based in Roanoke the storyline combines folklore with what I like to call "fae-lore".

I do admit that there is a bit of work to be done when it comes to descriptions (or the lack thereof at certain parts of the book) and the overall editing of the book, but nevertheless, this book was an easy read, I loved that each chapter began with quotes and especially how we got to see things from both Devilyn and Caroline's point of view. It really made all the difference!

I commend the effort put into writing a book; especially the first book. So if anyone were to ask me whether I'd read the next book in this series, I'd definitely say yes, because that ending... MAN, THAT ENDING. I need to know what happens!

*I received this book as an eARC from NetGalley*

Three stars! 

"The Changelings" by Elle Casey (War of the Fae #1)

"WAR OF THE FAE is a 4-book, YA Contemporary Fantasy series, written for older teens and adults.

Jayne Sparks, a potty-mouthed, rebellious seventeen-year-old and her best friend, shy and bookish Tony Green, have a pretty typical high school existence, until several seemingly unrelated incidents converge, causing a cascade of events that change their lives forever. Jayne and Tony, together with a group of runaway teens, are hijacked and sent into a forest, where nothing and no one are as they seem. Who will emerge triumphant? And what will they be when they do?

**No sex or drugs. Yes, contains some violence and foul language - some might say excessive foul language. Not meant for middle-grade readers (less than 15 years of age).**"
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The Changelings by Elle Casey
Completed: 11.06.2013

I must say that I was rather taken aback by how slow this book started off, but once things picked up - they REALLY picked up, and I was never left without action.

Jane is a character and a half, the blurb really doesn't hold back on how potty-mouthed she is, but I found myself falling more and more in love with her character - there were times that I would grin like crazy at my kindle, and there were others that I would end up fully laughing til my eyes teared up. 

I loved how she didn't learn who or what she was instantaneously, unlike most books that i've read... The character barely develops then, BAM! - they're telling you who and what he/she is and the "destiny" they're bound for. This book definitely kept me wanting to continue reading on just to figure out what happens next! And of course, the infamous cliffhanger ending left me like... WHUUUUUT?! No way in hell am I going to take that as the end of the book, so obviously I had to pick up the next book in the series, like... PRONTO!

Four stars! 

"Unearth" by Jenna Bernel (The Secret Trinity #1)

"Aria Darwin has always considered herself cursed. She is obsessed with finding a cure for the bad boyfriend plague. Worse yet, she’s in denial about her weird abilities and terrified of her mysterious stalker who causes the earth to quake violently with the snap of his finger.

With her two best friends, Aria enters her first semester of college armed with a “no more men” pact in an effort to demagnetize the sleaze balls. Unfortunately, the agreement proves difficult when she meets Liam, a charming foreign exchange student, on the first day of school. 

Aria quickly discovers that Liam is not only Mr. Perfect, but he also somehow ignites her supernatural side. Upon the invitation of her dream guy, Aria travels to Ireland through the study abroad program, dragging her friends along with her. But her world of euphoric bliss quickly comes crashing down as she uncovers the truth about her past, revealing who she really is and what she was born to do."

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Unearth by Jenna Bernel
Completed: 09.06.2013

Wow. 
Just, wow. 
I don't even know where to start.

At the beginning, Aria is just an average ordinary teenager, fresh out of high school and on her merry way to college... Or so she thinks. She has the worst luck with guys, attracting jerks everywhere she goes and being too trusting with her heart. I mean seriously, douchebag Doug didn't even deserve any of the attention she gave him! But onto the more swoon worthy Irish men. First, Liam comes into the picture - being all gorgeous and heartmelting, but to be honest, I kind of found him too good to be true. I always believed in the saying: "If you think it's too good to be true, it most probably is." And what's with Aria being so willing to move miles away from home just for a boy? Ridiculous. But oh well, love is blind and OBVIOUSLY makes you do stupid things.

But the mysterious stranger Aria vaguely remembers from the day she nearly drowned in the river behind her house, NOW THAT is what I would call swoon-worthy-plus one! He comes to her from the shadows, always keeping his distance, but always looking out for her. I hated how she thought he was a creep/stalker throughout the entire book when to me, it was so freaking obvious that he's been watching over her to protect her. Sigh... Clay. 

The book gives the reader a great start to a series, and readers will watch characters grow and become more aware of their surroundings. It was definitely fun to watch Ari grow and become more and more confused by the powers that she begins to develop as the book progresses.

A short, sweet read, but full of action and it definitely keeps the reader entranced. (I would know, was glued to my sofa for the better part of a day, and had to finish the series)

What a way to start a series! Well done Ms Bernel! FIVE STARS!

"Touched" by Corrine Jackson (Sense Thieves #1)

"Remy O’Malley heals people with touch—but every injury she cures becomes her own. Living in a household with an abusive stepfather, she has healed untold numbers of broken bones, burns,and bruises. And then one night her stepfather goes too far.

Being sent to live with her estranged father offers a clean start and she is eager to take it. Enter Asher Blackwell. Once a Protector of Healers, Asher sacrificed his senses to become immortal. Only by killing a Healer can a Protector recover their human senses. Falling in love is against the rules between these two enemies. Because Remy has the power to make Protectors human again, and when they find out, they’ll be coming for her—if Asher doesn’t kill her first."

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HOLY BALLS.

So initially I was hesitant to pick up this book, I was scared of reading yet another one of those typical paranormal love triangles that most authors love to incorporate into their books. But alas! It was anything but!

Remy is a girl who suffered from continuous abuse from her "step-father" or more appropriately named, her mother's new "man". After an attack that leaves Remy in a hospital bed, her long-lost father suddenly reappears and takes her back to his home in order to keep her safe. There she meets the mysterious and OH-SO-SEXY Asher Blackwell.

The way in which the author builds the relationship between Remy and Asher defies all other storybook romances (or well, in my opinion anyway). I could literally feel their sparks fly off the pages of my ebook. Asher knowing exactly who and what Remy is continuously allows their relationship to grow, becoming more and more intense as the book progresses!

FIVE STARS FOR CORRINE JACKSON!

I cannot wait for the next book to come out!

Love,

Francine.