Feasted On: Lovestruck in London by Rachel Schurig

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 524 KB | Expected Release Date: May 19, 2013 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: NetGalley

"Lovestruck in London" by Rachel Schurig

My Book Summary : Elizabeth (Lizzie) is the youngest of six children in a very close nit family. Growing up she's always felt a bit out of place compared to everyone else she knew and it doesn't help that her family has high expectations for her to become just like them, graduating from college then getting a stable job--as a school teacher--and possibly settling down soon by getting married. However, after graduating from college she is still not ready to settle down, so when she hears about an additional courses she can take for nine months in London she convinces her best friend to join her and off they go for knew adventures.

Within the first week of living in London, Lizzie meets Thomas, an up-and-coming movie star, and they have an instant attraction between them that is undeniable. Quickly they become an item and start dealing with the reality of trying to spend time together while doing school work and managing an up-and-coming acting career with all of the perks and nightmarish things that come along with it.

Over time, their relationship gets stronger and they fall into a wonderful routine for themselves. Nevertheless, they knew at the beginning, that their relationship was going to have to deal with a major separation at some point. When that time comes, will they be able to make it through their separation or will they be able to find a better solution for everyone?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars!! This sweet, enthralling, fun novel lets you enjoy the historical aspects of England, while capturing you in an intense romance involving its main characters. I really wish I could be Lizzie. She was a spunky character when she wanted to be, while staying very down-to-earth. Plus, it helped that Thomas was charmer that I could not get enough of, he captured me from the beginning. Together they evened each other out, especially when it felt like the world kept trying to pull them apart.

It also helped that Thomas' friends and Lizzie's best friend, Callie, were an entertaining group too. They made the novel light and fun during the times when Lizzie kept wanting to be depressing, while being great characters in their own right.

I only wish that Lizzie dealt with her situation at the end of the novel better then she did. Then after Lizzie did smarten up, I wish there was an epilogue or something to see how Lizzie and Thomas were doing not long after the ending. =0/

Nevertheless, I do recommend this novel to anyone who likes the New Adult romance genre and/or romances dealing with movie stars.

Purchase This Book Here :

Author's Novel Extras : Crazy Dreams | What I’m Working On | How is it April?? | Cover reveal! Title reveal! Contest! Exclamation points! | Chick Lit Author Blog Hop! | New Book!


Book Teaser(s) :

"He's been, uh, talking about me?" I asked, feeling my heart rate start to increase.
"Oh God, yeah," Sarra went on, oblivious to Meghan's death stares in the mirror. "Sunday brunch, all we heard about was your date on Saturday. When we saw him Wednesday night at trivia, it was even worse. And I must have at least gotten four texts from him about this evening, warning me to be nice and not make you feel uncomfortable."
"Texts which you clearly took to heart," Meghan said drily. "Way to embarrass her." ~ within Chapter 8

There was plenty of wine, the food smelled amazing, and everyone seemed happy and excited. I couldn't have asked for a better Thanksgiving.
"Hang on!" Thomas cried, before I started to fill my plate. "You haven't seen my special dish."
Sarra crossed her arms. "He's been talking about this secret dish all day. Meghan made an entire turkey! Have some perspective."
He stuck out his tongue at her as he turned to run back to the kitchen. "Do you know what this is?" I asked Meghan, but she only smiled at me.
He returned a moment later, carrying a covered casserole dish. Grinning at me, he pulled off the lid to reveal a layer of tamales, my very favorite food.
I stared at him. "What...what is this?"
"I may have emailed your cousin," he said. "To ask her what your favorite Thanksgiving food was. She said your family always had tamales, in addition to the traditional stuff. She even sent me your mum's recipe. It might not taste quite as good as hers, but I wanted you to have a taste of home today."
I couldn't believe he had gone to so much trouble. It was my turn to get teary.
"Can you guys be sappy some other time?" Charlie called out. "I'm starving."
"Wait!" Callie said. "We haven't said what we're thankful for yet. It's tradition! Everyone has to go around and say what they're giving thanks for this year."
Charlie grumbled about cruel and unusual punishment, but, under a glare from Callie, he dutifully said he was thankful for how many photos he'd sold lately. ~ within Chapter 15

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Rachel, then please check out her website.

Feasted On: Entwined Realms Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 380; Kindle Edition - File Size: 484 KB | Expected Release Date: July 15, 2013 | Publisher: Romantic Geek Publishing | Obtained: NetGalley

"Stone Guardian" [Entwined Realms Series, Book 1] by Danielle Monsch

My Book Summary : Twenty-six years ago, our world (aka the Human Realm) collided with another world (aka the Magic Realm), which is now known as the Great Collision where tales of myth and legend unwittingly came into our world and somehow settled in. On that same day, Larissa was born.

Since then everyone/every "thing" has tried to be as civil as they can get. However, like all good races/colonies they try to stay involved into their own agendas instead of getting mix into everybody else's issues.

Or at least that is what Larissa's father led her to believe for a majority of her life...

However, when The Oracle brings Terak--the Leader of the Gargoyles--into her life it is not only turned upside down it feels like it's been thrown off course. Will she be up for the challenges that are soon to face her? Or will her life be torn apart for good?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars, this intensely suspenseful romance will keep you on your toes while it keeps you hoping for more. I enjoyed reading about how these two worlds came together and how some of the "typical" creatures that you read about in other books have other nuances in this one that you wouldn't expect but were intriguing to learn. It definitely makes me curious as to see where this series will go, especially with the unusual cast of characters that you already find in this first novel.

Larissa and Terak are quite a pair, from their immediate chemistry to dealing with each other's differences. I really liked them together!! Even though Larissa has "no power," she has the ability to stick up for who she believes is truly good and does her best to stand up to those who are against her in any way (even if they are stronger or have other powers). Plus, I liked her sassiness! While Terak appears to be very stoic and determined, I enjoyed how he grew--because of Larissa--throughout this novel.

I recommend this novel and series to anyone who enjoys suspenseful paranormal romance!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Author's Novel Extras : Stone Guardian - Overview & Excerpt | COVER REVEAL! Stone Guardian – First book in my Entwined Realms series! | Sneak Peek and First Read – Stone Guardian

Author's Series Extras : Pinterest - Entwined Realms

Book Teaser(s) :

The last two weeks were the most disturbing of her life, and yes, she was including the week when she first got her period. She had been attacked by zombies, kidnapped by a gargoyle, found out her best friend had some sort of secret life amongst the new races, had a brother who was acting suspicious, and a father who was still upset at her for asking questions about the security of the city.
And she had a gargoyle protector she was starting to care about, maybe even like.
Out of all the above, that last one kicked her hardest in her solar plexus.
He had wings. And a tail. A tail.
How the hell did this happen? Stockholm syndrome? Some power dynamic because she was the helpless little woman and he was the big, powerful gargoyle?
No, it was because of his chest. No male should have a chest like that, and he never wore a shirt. Never, like they offended him or something. Maybe she should be grateful that at least he wore pants.
No, she shouldn't be.
Yes, she should.
Well... ~ within Chapter 10

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Danielle, then please check out her website.

Feasted On: Love Overdue by Pamela Morsi

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 432; Kindle Edition - File Size: 525 KB | Expected Release Date: August 27, 2013 | Publisher: Harlequin MIRA | Obtained: NetGalley

"Love Overdue" by Pamela Morsi

My Book Summary : Three people find new ways to change their lives...

Eight years ago while on spring break in South Padre ...

... Scott was out to prove to himself that he was a capable lover. There he meets a girl he remembers as "Sparkle" and it shakes up his world. However, after she takes off the next morning he leaves that place, goes back to his girlfriend, and the life he has planned for himself.

... Dorothy (D. J./Sparkle) was out to have one wild night as a way to break out of her "shell" for a little while, also so she could celebrate her 21st birthday with her girlfriends. There she meets a hot guy (Scott) however she never asks for any personal information from him. Even though she's nervous, she feels safe with him while he makes her feel alive in ways that she never expected to feel. Nevertheless, once morning comes, she escapes his room with erotic memories for her to remember but because she thinks he is a player, she didn't want any more then one night.

Recently ...

... Vivian (Viv) has lost her will to live ever since her husband and best friend died a little over a year ago. Therefore, before she does anything "drastic," she makes plans to make sure her son (Scott) is settled and happy--preferably with the new librarian (D. J.) she personally chosen for him and who recently moved into their small Kansas town....

... When D. J. realizes that a small town in Kansas is offering her the position to be their librarian after they only looked over her LinkedIn profile, she immediately accepts the offer and moves to her new home. Only to find her new home (and where she hopes to settle down in for a long while) happens to be full of gossips and her new land lady seems set on setting her up with handsome son who just happens to be the hot guy she met in South Padre all those years ago...

Will Viv get her wish so she can move on with her plans? Will D. J. be able to settle into town with little complications or will her past get the better of her? Will Scott recognize that D. J. is his Sparkle?

Stay tuned to find out!!

My Book Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars!! This endearing and funny novel keeps your attention rapt as you follow three people who all mean well when it comes to wanting to do what is best for everyone else but when it comes to doing what is right for themselves it takes a few blunders to get everything as it should be. I loved the town they all lived in, it was full of characters that keeps the novel light and fun while dealing with some very serious plot lines.

D. J. was a bit overly serious. Yet, I liked how she lightened up--especially in her clothing choices--as she got more excited with the changes she was doing to the library. However, Scott and her together seemed to light up the pages when they thought about their shared pasts and what was going on between them currently. I could not get enough of this one electric duo!

I just wish some of the plot lines were completed instead of how they were left hanging the way they were. I mean I like the way the novel goes into talking about the future--the "epilogue"--but I just wish I knew what happened between the two of them immediately after Scott found out. Also, along with a few other things, I wonder if Amelia and Eileen ever gave D. J. more problems.

Anyway...

Overall, I LOVED this novel! I recommend it to anyone who likes cute, kind of suspenseful, contemporary romances!

Purchase This Book Here :

Book Teaser(s) :

"So, did you meet the new librarian?"
Amos nodded and took a sip of coffee before answering. "I did. She's young. Late twenties, I'd guess, but she dresses older. Kind of going for that old maid look."
"I don't think we're suppose to say 'old maid' anymore," Scott pointed out. "The PC term is single working woman."
"She's definitely that. Stuffy business suit, gray on gray with her hair pulled back into a little bun like somebody's grandmother."
"Not my grandma," Scott said. "She always dressed in canary yellow."
"And your mother dresses in purple. I think it runs in the family."
Scott nodded acceptance. "That's why my dad and I have always worn white. So we won't clash with our womenfolk."
"Well, nobody is in danger of clashing with the new librarian. She dresses like a little sparrow. I guess she thinks she has to."
"Well, she's probably smart to, anyway," Scott said. "Remember Old Man Paske is on the library committee. That ancient reprobate would grope a bass fiddle."
Amos nodded. "Makes you wonder how often he's tried to pinch Amelia Grundler's fanny."
"Good God, Amos, are you trying to ruin my day, putting an image like that in my head."
He agreed. "It surely is more horror movie than porn flick."
Scott chuckled. ~ within a chapter titled '102. Miscellany of Philosophy'

So much for the well-behaved, professional librarian.
She realized that Scott was attempting to regain his composure. She determined to do the same.
"He didn't see anything," Scott repeated. "I'm sure he didn't see anything."
"No," D. J. agreed. "There was nothing really to see. It was a kiss, nothing more."
"Right."
A buzzing sound erupted in Scott's pocket. He dug out his cell phone.
"It's a text from Amos."
D. J. met his eyes before he held it out for her to read.
Get a room!
D. J. stared at the words on the phone for a long moment, her brain racing with a million things to say or to do. Finally, unexpectedly, a small giggle bubbled up from inside her and she laughed.
After a few shocked seconds, Scott did, too. ~ within a chapter titled '642.2 Meals and Table Service'

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Pamela, then please check out her website.

Feasted On: Conquest by Rebecca York

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 213 KB | Release Date: March 8, 2013 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com | Originally Found Out About @ Free ParTay

"Conquest" by Rebecca York (aka Ruth Glick)

My Book Summary : After being stranded on a harsh planet for years, Earth colonists make plans to marry off some of their young woman to some native males in hopes to interbreed the species and survive when they find that their own males have become sterile. Elena is one of the chosen women, and was married before to a man that didn't treat her well. Will she find that Rohan, her new husband, be her salvation or her own destruction?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! If you are a female and are a fan of Worf from Star Trek: The Next Generation then this short story is the perfect snidbit for you! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the quick yet endearing romance that sweeps up Elena and Rohan together. From learning about their pasts and coming together for their futures, this pair is one you want to root for from the beginning!

I recommend this novella to anyone who likes sci-fi romance and/or novels that have Star Trek type of characters in them.

Purchase This Book Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Shattered Magic

Book Teaser(s) :

“When you first came in, you said I was too small to bear your children. Are you still worried about that?”
To her amazement, his expression became slightly embarrassed. “I think I said it because I was nervous.”
“You?”
“I knew what you thought of me,” he growled. “You expected a beast. An animal. That is what your race thinks all Jalarans are.”
“My people are wrong,” she said, then added in a rush of words, “You are a man of honor and courage, a warrior. Yet you aren’t afraid to show tenderness to your mate in her bedchamber.”
She was amused and touched to see color rise in his dark cheeks. Reaching for his hand, she placed it over the spot where her heart beat in her chest. “You are a man to claim a woman’s heart.”
“What does that mean?”
She gave him a little smile. “It’s an old expression from our home world. Earth. We speak of our romantic emotions as residing in our heart.” ~ within PART I - titled 'CLIMAX'

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Rebecca, then please check out her website.

Made the Grade: The Necklace Chronicles, Book 2

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 209 KB | Release Date: September 15, 2012 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Smashwords

"The Gigolo’s Bride" [The Necklace Chronicles, Book 2] by R. E. Butler

My Book Summary : When Eden was young (and just reached maturity), his parents sold him as a sex slave to pay off their debts. Years later he feels beaten down and like his life can never get better so he tries to take his own life, only to be saved by a friend and fellow sex slave. In hopes of turning his life around, Eden's sister pays for him to be able to find his soul mate, who happens to live on Earth and named Ashleigh.

Five years later, Eden has saved enough money to pay off his debt at the brothel to become free and pay the money to be able to "pick up" Ashleigh from Earth so they could be together....

Ashleigh likes her life, well her job as a nursery school teacher and her friends at least. However, she is very intrigued by a necklace and flowers that arrive for her by a secret admirer (aka Eden). Then soon finds her life being turned upside-down not long after receiving the gifts when she becomes kidnapped and informed she can never return to Earth.

Now Eden has a little over two months to try to win Ashleigh's heart for good, with hopes that she'll never find out about his past...

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars, two caring hearts meet under harsh circumstances and decide if being with each other is something that they're willing to go the long haul for or not. I liked Eden & Ashleigh together they suited each other well. At least once Ashleigh got over her own personal issues about being kidnapped and never being able to go back to Earth again. In truth for most of this novel, I really didn't like Ashleigh, and only because I knew how sweet Eden was and I didn't like how she treats him for most of this novel. Nevertheless, once everything is on the table I do like how Ashleigh steps up to the plate so-to-speak when it comes to her true feelings for Eden and wanting to help him out no matter the costs.

In addition---and I mean this in regards to Eden & Ashleigh's friends at the end of the novel---I just wish this it didn't lead you up to another sort of plot only to fall short in the end. It was somewhat disappointing, unless Ms. Butler was going to write a novel about them...

Anyways. Overall, I liked this novel and recommend it to anyone who enjoys sci-fi abduction romances!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Every Night Forever | A Bead of Blood | A Twitch of Tail

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013

Author's Series Extras : The Necklace Chronicles - Overview

Book Teaser(s) :

"Freedom? How is what you are doing to me freedom?"
"You're no less free than in a marriage on your planet. I've done my research, Ashleigh. Human men and women belong to each other in marriage, there's mutual love and respect, sharing of household and family duties. It's no different on my planet. The only difference is that you didn't ask to be taken, and I understand your anger at the situation, but I only want you to be happy. Ask me anything, except to take you back to Earth, and I'll go to the ends of the universe to see it happen."
Of course he would say, "except to take you back to Earth". Damn smart alien. ~ within Chapter 3

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by R. E., then please check out her website.