Finding My Pack by Lane Whitt

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 430
Series: My Pack #1
Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis:

Abondoned as a baby and forced to grow up way too fast, Kitten has learned to live and survive by her own unique code. When Kitten is at her lowest point and thinks she can’t carry on, she meets an extraordinary group of men who welcome her into their home and their hearts, showing her more kindness than she has ever known. What will happen when she fnds out the secrets they keep? They may be more connected than they all thought when secrets about Kitten begin to surface as well.

Review:

I love reverse harem stories. Don’t ask why! I just do. I saw this and thought what the heck.

I was going in thinking that I will probably not like this, but it turns out that I do. Kitten flows well with the boys. I liked the story line and thought some parts were just extremely cute. I don’t have much to say other than I liked the story.

This may also have to do with the fact I hardly slept last night because I was reading and I am just to tired to really put any effort into writing. Moving on to second book. Also found out third book isn’t out yet. I have to wait a whole month. Damn.

I do have one major problem though. The ending. Not a fan.

 

Shallow Graves by Patrick Logan

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages:242
Series: The Haunting #1
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

Not all houses are made of brick and stone… Robert Watts is having the worst day of his entire life: first he’s laid off, then he finds out that his wife is having an affair… with his boss no less. And that’s only the beginning.

Before the month is out, Robert finds himself alone to raise his daughter with no money, no job, and a house that is minutes from being repossessed. Just when he hits rock bottom, a strange visitor arrives at the doorstep of his soon to be foreclosed house with a letter from an Aunt he didn’t know existed.

The offer is simple: look after Aunt Ruth during her dying days, and in return Robert will be bequeathed the Harlop Estate in which she currently resides. It’s no brainer and Robert jumps at the opportunity, equally motivated by the prospect of financial security as he is for a fresh start.

Problem is, it only takes a few nights in the Harlop Estate before he begins to question Aunt Ruth’s claims that they are the home’s only inhabitants…

It’s the scratching he hears during the night, the voices that he can barely make out over the constant rain, and then there’s the girl with the rat…

With their house foreclosed and their bank accounts liquidated, Robert and his daughter Amy desperately need a place to live. But the question Robert soon finds himself struggling with is whether living in the Harlop Estate is worth it… and if he can survive until Aunt Ruth passes to collect his inheritance.

Shallow Graves is the first book in the Haunted Series, chilling, gruesome, and truly haunting tales with a twist that you will never see coming.

Review:

Sorry guys but I have to put this warning: Spoiler Alert!!!!

Lately I have been in the mood for a good horror story. What truly scares me is ghosts, apparitions, demons, demon possessions, ect. I really do love reading and watching shows/movies about stuff like this. A haunted house is even better. While going through my book bub deal I saw this and decided to go ahead and give Mr. Logan a try. The first couple pages made me not regret picking this up.

Now it is hard for me fully hate a character to wish death upon them easily. But with Wendy, Robert’s wife, ugh she made my blood curl. She doesn’t play a big part. She is in a couple chapters and that’s it, during those chapters though she does one thing that makes me so mad that I do wish she has a slow death. (Unfortunately no.) Actually scratch that she does two things that makes me mad. 1. Takes her daughter to the home of the man she is cheating on her husband with. 2. The T.V. doesn’t work and it is raining outside so the little girl doesn’t have anything to do while mommy is busy. Guess what mommy does. Instead of being faithfully wife and a caring mother, she tells her daughter to walk home in the rain (that is down pouring) which is twenty minutes from this man’s house so she can continue to have sex with this man. The little girl not wanting to disobey her mother goes out in the rain and walks home. I’m sorry but because of that THE BITCH NEEDED TO DIE!!!

It takes a lot for me to root for someone’s death. But for Wendy Watts it was very easy. I got my wish a few more pages in.

When a mysterious stranger shows up to give Robert a letter from an “aunt” who needs his help a few days later he doesn’t know what to think. He’s never heard of this aunt but he is in a major money crisis situation. So he packs a few things and takes his daughter to this “aunt” in the middle of nowhere. The Harlop Estate gives off a vibe. Robert feels like he should take his daughter and head back but he doesn’t. Instead he continues on to help the old woman who is claiming they are relations.

On the first night, Robert wakes to find Amy missing. He looks for her everywhere. He ends up in the kitchen when he hears scratching noises coming from a door that Aunt Ruth said under no circumstances was he to open. But he comes to the door open. He goes downstairs to a basement when he sees a little girl around Amy’s age holding a dead rat.  After this much goes down in the estate.

I really didn’t have much of a scare effect. I tend to like books that build up the scare. While this was only 242 pages it didn’t build up. It seemed the ghosts and voices just start to happen then all of the sudden something big happens. Then the end. It wasn’t really satisfying to my scare tooth. The writing was great but I just wasn’t scared. I need a good ghost story. The one that makes me want to sleep with a light on.

I will continue on with the series but just not for the scare aspect.

Meant to Be by Tiffany King

My edition: Kindle (Owned)
Pages:287
Series: The Saving Angels #1
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

Krista Miller feels like she has lived her entire life in a glass box with her every emotion on display. She can’t help feeling like a defect as her sensitivities have made her socially inept and without any real friends; the one exception being the boy that visits her each night in her dreams.

Krista’s emotions are put to the test when a move to California triggers a devastating change to her fantasy world. The nightly comfort that the boy provides has now become a recurring nightmare as he is taken from her by an unseen force.

Struggling to appear normal, Krista enrolls in a new school and finds it to be nothing like she thought. Her new life is sent spiraling out of control from a strange connection with a boy, Mark, who clams to know all her secrets.

As Krista begins to explore the emotions that Mark evokes in her, secrets about their mysterious past and their predestined purpose threatens to separate them just when they have found each other.

Review:

This had potential. It wasn’t gripping but it was interesting enough for me to continue on with the story without getting bored. The plot wasn’t really strong till the end. The story was mostly about Krista and Mark having a connection they couldn’t explain along with others.

It was a little to much insta love for me. Even though I know about their connection now it was still to quick. I kind of didn’t really buy it. I want to know more about Mark’s dad and why they are what they are. I understand the love ties in with who they are and what they are meant to be, but I could still deal without it.

I will read the second book when I get the chance. I do want to see where this is headed.

 

 

Top Ten:Daily Quote? Here are some of my favorites.

Hey everyone! How is you 2017 going so far? Can you believe we are half way through March? Where is the time going?

Anyway I was thinking this morning, while I went over my daily routine, that I love quotes. Love them! I have an app on my phone that sends me daily quotes and I also get an email from Goodreads of the day’s daily quote. Not to mention that I love looking through books for amazing quotes.

Here are my top ten favorite from all over. Some are from books while others are from people or my daily quote app.

10. “You are your own problem, but you are also your solution.”-John Burk

I follow a guy on instagram and snapchat named John Burk. He is an Army veteran who owns his own clothing company and is in the fitness world with Integrity Driven. He is an awesome guy and one of his quotes the other day will not get out of my head. He was saying to the people who think the world is their biggest problem and that it’s the reason life is shity, “You are you own problem, but you are also your solution.” Makes perfect sense. Only we can control were we want are life to go. We may hit bumpy roads but we must learn from those bumps and help it grow us into a stronger person.

9. “You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” William Faulkner

I really do love quotes like these. I am a very firm believer in leaving the past in the past and focus on the present. Sometimes holding on to the past is very unhealthy. Other times it is the reason why you are in a rut. Just let go. Now letting go does not mean forget. It means that the past won’t way you down anymore.

8.”I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be” Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul

I like this one because it is a way of saying “Shit happens and Life has it’s own agenda.” Many events happen in our lives that we don’t plan out or want to happen but sometimes we need these events to happen to help us become stronger person. A better us.

7. “When I was a kid, I learned the hard way how expensive the truth was. Sometimes it cost you people in your life. Sometimes it cost you things in your life. And in this life, most people were too cheap to pay the price for something as valuable as honesty.” Mariana Zapata, The Wall of Winnipeg and Me.

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time. Most people say that they are an honest person, which I don’t think is true. We don’t tell people how we really feel about them. I think it’s better to tell the truth which is why I don’t have a lot of friends because I tend to just let my mouth talk before thinking of a nice way to say something. I have learned to just keep my mouth shut because sometimes my advice is a bit cruel and sometimes when I say something to simply say it, people take it as an insult when really I’m only stating an opinion.

6. “People make the rules of society, not God.” V. C. Andrews, Flowers in the Attic

I’m just going to leave this one here.

5.”Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.” J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

It’s better to face things now than to bottle it up and let it fester.

4. “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all- in which case, you fail by default.” J.K. Rowling

We have to make mistakes in order to grow and move on with life. The biggest failure in life is never risking something because you’re to afraid. So you failed at something. Big deal. You found out what didn’t work now go and figure out what can. You just helped yourself eliminate one possibility. That brings you that much closer to success.

3. “Don’t think or judge, just listen.” Sarah Dessen, Just listen

I found out the hard way that I shouldn’t judge. The few friends now are the ones I use to judge and think they were either mean girls because they looked a certain way or was a loser because my so called “friends” didn’t like this person. I let other people control the way I looked at something or someone. Now I make my own decisions. Sometimes it’s better to just take a step back and look at the big picture.

2.”It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.” Andre Gide, Autumn Leaves

Just like the last quote, just be yourself. It’s better to be true to yourself no matter what people think. There are two sayings that I grew up on. 1. It’s better to have four quarters than a 100 pennies. 2. Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.

1.”The right kind of love is supposed to bring out the best in people. It adds to your life, fills in all those gaps you didn’t realize where there.” Cambria Herbert, #Rev

Find the person who brings light in your life. If you don’t life will be negative. Relationships can turn unhealthy. It’s better to live alone than to be with someone who makes you hate yourself.

 

If you know any inspiring quotes or your favorite quotes feel free to leave them in the comments.

Have a great rest of the week. Don’t get to wild on Saint Patrick’s day. Remember to always have a DD or if you don’t drink offer to be someone’s DD and help save lives.

Doll House by John Hunt

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 201
Standalone
Rating: 3.5 stars

Synopsis:

Olivia is excited for university. She will be on her own, in a new place hopeful to meet new friends.

On the night she moves in, she is taken off the street by two masked men. She is placed in a room which is little more than a cell. A pink cell. A room made for a doll. She is now part of their collection.

Review:

At first sight I thought okay this book looks good. Reading the blurb really made me want to read this. So I picked this up and thought here goes nothing.

Well this had a good story to it. It was going to be a four star but the end bumped it down a half star. There are somethings that have been left unanswered. What will happen now for the girls?

I will say the writing is good. I almost wanted to throw up at times when torture was going on. I couldn’t figure out who the Jackal was till about chapter 39. After that I had my suspicions which turned out to be right. But it wasn’t bad for a debut novel. I will pick up another book of his when it comes out.

Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages:326
Series: The Bargainer #1
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disapper.

Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want… at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.

But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s a chaste kiss-a single bead’s worth- and a promise for more.

For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a class casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken.

If the Bargainer has any hop to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one.

Review:

This is the third series that I have read by Laura Thalassa. I’m really sad too. I didn’t realize that this series isn’t fully out yet. So when it ended and I went to get the second, I was then sadden because I can’t get the next book. Which highly sucks.

As with the last two series, I love the heroine. Totally sassy. Now she can’t beat Gabrielle (Unearthly) as my favorite Thalassa heroine but she does beat Serenity(Queen of all that Dies).

I loved Callypso aka Callie. Her story with the Bargainer was a roller coaster. But mostly because they both have secrets and aren’t into sharing. There was a couple things I didn’t like but I could see past them and love this story anyway. I want to know more about these two and I want to know, is the Thief of Souls really dead? I have a feeling, no.

When the Thief of Souls finally appeared though, he was not what the one I was expecting. At all. But that is what is awesome about Thalassa. She has that certain twist that makes me want to read more.

I looked up some more books by her to see if I could read anything else by her till the rest of The Bargainer series comes out. Luckily she has a few stand alones because her other series aren’t done yet and I don’t want to start yet another series that isn’t out yet.

 

Gilded Cage by Vic James

My edition: hardcover (own)
Pages:354
Series:Stand alone
Rating: 3.5 stars
Synopsis:

Not all are free. 
Not all are equal.
Not all will be saved.

One world belongs to the Equals aristocrats with magical gifts- and all commoners must serve them for ten years. But behind the gates of England’s grandest estate lies a power that could break the world.

A girl thirsts for love and knowledge.

Abi is a servant to England’s most powerful family, but her spirit is free. So when she falls for one of the noble-born sons, Abi faces a terrible choice. Uncovering the family’s secrets might win her liberty, but will her heart pay the price?

A boy dreams of revolution.

Abi’s brother, Luke, is enslaved in a brutal factory town. Far from his family and cruelly oppressed, he makes friends whose ideals could cost him everything. Now Luke has discovered there may be a power even greater than magic: revolution.

And an aristocrat will remake the world with his dark gifts.

He is a shadow in the glittering world of the Equals, with mysterious powers no one else understands. But will he liberate-or destroy?

Review: 

I have been seeing this book around on Goodreads. This having several mixed reviews, I was skeptical, but thought better of it. When I went up to Barnes & Noble I saw this and just had to have it. Along with six other books.

As the story begins, we learn that in England, commoners must give ten years to servitude or better known as slavedays. The aristocrats or better known as Equals are set apart from commoners due to Skill. Equals pass skill by blood. Therefor Equals only marry other Equals. There are times when an Equal will socialize with a commoner but there is no marriage between Equals and commoners that we know. Equals are pretty much like royalty.

Abi has tried to keep her family together by applying to serve an Equal family at the Equals estate. When it comes time to go they find out that not all are going to the Equal’s house. Luke, Abi’s sixteen year old brother, will have to got to Millmoor, a slavetown, to work in the factory. While at the Equal’s estate Abi must work with the middle son Jenner, while her little sister is to look after the eldest son’s daughter who was born to a slave girl. Even though her father and mother are there, they aren’t mentioned much. Abi feels as if she gets Jenner’s trust and affection he can help her out with getting Luke to Kyneston. Luke meets a girl named Renie on the first day he is in Millmoor. He starts a friendship/partnership with Renie to help people throughout Millmoor. Luke realizes that he can make more of a difference at Millmoor.

So, I’m still mulling over what has actually happened in this book. I feel Luke’s story was more thoughtfully processed than Abi’s. I really didn’t feel like there was much to Abi’s story about Abi herself. It seemed her P.O.V. was mostly to update on what was going on at Kyneston than Abi’s story. I didn’t even really get if Abi had any feelings for Jenner. I feel as if James would have left out Bouda’s P.O.V. and been able to develop Abi’s story a little further then I would have been able to buy it. Now Luke’s side I was fully interested in. I actually feel as if James should have made the whole book about Luke instead. His story is probably the only reason I kept reading. If this didn’t have Luke I would have probably DNF. I mostly just wanted to only read Luke’s parts and skip the rest but I didn’t. I forced myself to read them. It seemed with Luke’s side I was getting answers and every other P.O.V. I was getting more questions on what’s happening.

This is a good story. Would have been better in my eyes if some parts were a little more developed. The ending caught me by total surprise. Once the Proposal Ball hit everything started to move fast and get really good. TO BAD IT WAS THE DAMN ENDING!!! I will be getting the second book. Well when it comes out of course.

 

Dear Life by Meghan Quinn

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages:351
Rating:5 stars
Synopsis:

Four lives. Four stories. For sets of letters. Four brave souls in need of guidance while facing life’s greatest challenges.

The anonymously published Dear Life program is designed to help them step outside of their comfort zones, face their obstacles, and relinquish their demons… and prove their existence.

With their lives teetering between wanting more and losing it all, all four souls dive into the program as a New Year’s resolution, sending them on a crazy, life-altering journey.

Dear Life,

Please be kind.

Yours truly, Hollyn, Jace, Daisy, and Carter.

Review: Fair warning: Spoilers!!!

Dear Life,
Fuck you.
Carter

Hollyn

Lost her husband to a firefighting accident, her friend Amanda wants her to be able to get past her grief.

Jace

Is a new to be father after his ex randomly shows up on his doorstep saying she doesn’t want the baby and wanting nothing but Jace to give their daughter a good home.

Daisy

Grandmother had a stroke, leaving Daisy alone for the first time in her life.

Carter

Was finally going to get out from under his uncle’s thumb till he got home to find his girlfriend had stolen all of his money and left him with nothing.

The first start of this book made me feel well like this,

I was feeling this not even 10% of the way in. I had to start questioning what the rest of the book is going to make me feel like.

These four lives are in some shape or form connected. They either know each other from work or they know someone who knows the other person. I love how there are four different P.O.V.s, I really didn’t need a name to tell me who was who. Even with the letters. I could tell who was writing the letter before they signed it.

With this being my first Quinn book I really didn’t know what to expect. I ended up loving the writing. I was so happy when she kept Daisy innocent, even with sex.I hate when some authors *cough*EL James *cough* have an innocent virgin who all of the sudden because porn star good in sex even though it’s their first time. So for Quinn to keep Daisy innocent was awesome.

Dear Life,
Thank you.
Carter

I love this story. Well written. The characters were amazing. I fell in love with both Carter and Jace. Wanted to comfort both Hollyn and Daisy for the trials they went through. And the ending… with the author’s own personal letter to life. Ah I need wine for this. I also need to crawl in the corner and cry for a bit too. Such a great story with four great stories to follow.

I must get another Quinn book soon. After my heart refreezes.

The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages:438
Series:Rogues of the Republic #1
Rating:4.5
Synopsis:

The most powerful man in the republic framed her, threw her in prison, and stole a priceless elven manuscript from her family.

With the help of a crack team that includes an illusionist, a unicorn, a death priestess, a talking warhammer, and a lad with a prophetic birthmark, Loch must find a way into the floating fortress of Heaven’s Spire-and get past the magic-hunting golems and infernal sorcerers standing between her and the vault that holds her family’s treasure.

It’d be tricky enough without the military coup and unfolding of an ancient evil prophecy-but now that determined and honorable Justicar Pyvic has been assigned to take her in.

But hey, every plan has a few hitches.

Review: I have been in such a mood for YA Fantasy. When I put up a status for good recommendations, I was recommended this by David from Goodreads. I found out it was on Kindle Unlimited and snatched it right up.

Shall we meet are cast of characters…

Loch-The leader
Kail- the funny, you’re mama jokes, second in command
Tern- Mousy safe cracker
Icy- Imperial contortionist
Orris- Warden of the cleaners, very pissed off at Loch
Uluenia-Shapeshifting unicorn with a fetish for young muscular virgins
Dairy- young boy of sixteen
Desidora-death priestess
Hessler-wizard rejected from the univeristy
Pyvic-set in his ways Justicar
Ghylspwr-Warhammer that talks
Silsten- Archvoyant, powerful man

I don’t know what I had gotten myself into. This is definitely a good one. The characters were never boring. I haven’t found one that I truly hate. Even the bad guy I like. I don’t hate one single character. Not even a dislike. How is this possible. I always have one character I dislike or hate.

Besides the characters this was a wonderful story. I loved it!!! There wasn’t anything I could find wrong with it. An original story with a great cast of characters. Must read on.

Top Ten: YA Fantasy

Right now I have been in the biggest mood for YA Fantasy. Last year I mostly read New Adult and Erotica. I’m a little burnt out on those genres. So this month I am reading YA Fantasy. I was thinking that it would be a good time to count down my top ten YA fantasy. (Note: I haven’t read a lot of YA Fantasy in a while and some that are popular right now I have yet to read.)

10. A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest

Granted I did stop reading this on book 8 I did get to book 8. I stopped reading this because the series seemed to go on forever with over 20+ books that seemed to have almost the same plot over and over just different scenes and a bit of twist on the ending. Granted even though this happens it was still pretty catchy.

9.Precious Stone Trilogy by Kerstin Gier

This was a compelling trilogy. It kept me hooked till the very end. The story was very original. I’m not one for time travel but this one was worth it.

8. Pulse by Kailin Gow

Still currently reading, a vampire Octavious has found his love of life but she has the magic to cure him. Unfortunately he is not the only one who knows this and he has to make a choice to stay away and be a vampire to protect her. It’s adorable in it’s own unique way.

7.Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

When I was younger I had a love for vampires that grew to this day. Most of my books were vampire books. This series being one of them. (Also due for a reread of these.)

6. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

I am a sucker for fallen angels. This was the book series that got me on the path of such angels and demons. Along with the Fallen series.

5.The Unearthly series by Laura Thalassa

What’s worse then finding out your a siren from a complete stranger?? Finding out that you’re the devil’s destined mate. This series was gripping. Loved it. Might reread sometime soon as well.

4.Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schrieber

I started reading this series when I was in junior high. I loved it. Raven was my all time favorite heroine because I was a lot like her. Still one of my favorites.

3. The Captive series by Erica Stevens

A great story of Vampires ruling the world and humans as their slaves. Not all though are slaves, some are rebels who want to end the vampires one and all.

2. The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine

My favorite vampire series to date. I love Claire and Shane. Another series I need to reread.

1.Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

My all time favorite is Harry Potter. I always feel at home when I pick this up.

 

These are my top ten. But they might change as time goes on.

What is you favorite YA Fantasy?