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Catalyst is a fantastic start to a new series. Addison, given up for adoption to protect her, has no knowledge of her past and the part she could play in the bigger picture. This first book covers more than just her discovering more about her birth family, it also shows how she discovers herself and a world of magic she never knew existed. She discovers that not only is there magic, but there are several kinds, and she is not sure if she really wants to have any part of it at all. Addison drew me in from page one. She is a blend of mystery and openness. I enjoyed watching her relate to her old friend, her adoptive mom (very touching), and all the new people she meets in Soul Harbor. The people of Soul Harbor are diverse. With a cliffhanger for an ending, I was left not sure of who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. While that may sound like a bad thing, it was done brilliantly and only made the characters even more intriguing. There were a few times while Addison was learning about magic and the town history that dragged just a little, but never enough to make me want to put the book down. These less exciting areas were always followed by a new revelation - about a character, about the past, or about magic. There are even a few characters that seem to be minor but show a lot of potential for expanding their standing in future books. I think this is a great start to a series that has me hooked. It is different enough to stand out, but still feels comfortable. The characters are what makes or breaks a good series, and these guys definitely make it! - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-tour-and-review-catalyst-by.html#sthash.sisAwDhh.dpuf
The blurb for Viking Fire caught my eye when the request was sent and I just had to check it out. I am always a sucker for a really good historical romance - and having a soft spot for vikings helped, too. Kaireen is in some ways your typical historical heroine - headstrong, independent, and determined not to marry just because her parents say so. In other ways she was very unique - she wasn't perfect. In the beginning she showed signs of being a bit snobbish and spoiled - but learned her lesson in those areas as she grew as a character. Bram was a bit of a mystery. He was foreign to her lands, but had earned the trust of Kaireen's parents and her clan, but hadn't earned Kaireen's. He finds ways to repeatedly prove himself to her as loyal, but she still wonders if their marriage is one of convenience and politics or if there could be love.
There is a lot of action in this for a romance, but not so much that the romance falls from center stage. Every action had a purpose of bringing Kaireen and Bram closer together. This romance also includes a good bit of mystery and intrigue in its midst, giving yet another depth to the story. This threads hangs out in the background, reappearing in bits and pieces as the story unfolds, but really comes to a head when a rival clan leader is killed. It took me awhile to figure out all the players involved in the plot, and I really enjoy figuring out the bad guy at the same time as the character instead of knowing all along. And our bad guys here are really bad - and their story is quite unique as well and led to several big reveals as the story wrapped up.
The minor downside was something that may be attributed to being a newer author. Two or three times it seemed like entire phrases or paragraphs were repeated - not word for word, but in a way that made me think I'd accidentally turned back a few pages. It didn't detract much from the overall enjoyment, but it was just enough to keep this from getting the full five stars it would have otherwise received.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review* - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-viking-fire-by-andrea-r-cooper.html#sthash.Awc2W36S.dpuf
There is a lot of action in this for a romance, but not so much that the romance falls from center stage. Every action had a purpose of bringing Kaireen and Bram closer together. This romance also includes a good bit of mystery and intrigue in its midst, giving yet another depth to the story. This threads hangs out in the background, reappearing in bits and pieces as the story unfolds, but really comes to a head when a rival clan leader is killed. It took me awhile to figure out all the players involved in the plot, and I really enjoy figuring out the bad guy at the same time as the character instead of knowing all along. And our bad guys here are really bad - and their story is quite unique as well and led to several big reveals as the story wrapped up.
The minor downside was something that may be attributed to being a newer author. Two or three times it seemed like entire phrases or paragraphs were repeated - not word for word, but in a way that made me think I'd accidentally turned back a few pages. It didn't detract much from the overall enjoyment, but it was just enough to keep this from getting the full five stars it would have otherwise received.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review* - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-viking-fire-by-andrea-r-cooper.html#sthash.Awc2W36S.dpuf
A short and sweet prequel to the Hellsbane series. This was a cute introduction to Emma Jane Hellsbane and her special power of empathy. When she "feels" something is wrong with her boyfriend, she never suspected it might be a form of possession, but it looks like the supernatural world has just decided to make itself know to her.
It was a great lesson in wanting things you didn't work for and not pissing off your supernatural girlfriend. Emma manages to save the day overall, but Justin pays an interesting price for his selfishness. I'm currently reading book 1 in the series and this does seem like a great introduction to the character, although it was just too short to get really involved. - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.eZmQrrmy.dpuf
It was a great lesson in wanting things you didn't work for and not pissing off your supernatural girlfriend. Emma manages to save the day overall, but Justin pays an interesting price for his selfishness. I'm currently reading book 1 in the series and this does seem like a great introduction to the character, although it was just too short to get really involved. - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.eZmQrrmy.dpuf
It's been awhile since a series hooked me like Solus did. I read books 1 - 3 back to back not wanting to put any of them down. The series begins with Wings of Arian the story of Kiora and her Protector. Kiora is very special. She is the first person born in a thousand years that can defeat the evil that is slowing taking over the land of Meros. Meros is a land of peace and goodness, but Dralazar is escaping his prison and is determined to see evil across the land. This may sound like a bit of a standard fantasy beginning, but that is not the case.
There are amazingly unique creatures and magics that are introduced throughout the story that give Wings of Arian a different feel than other fantasy novels. I particularly love the shapeshifters and their society. Their home is a place I wish I could actually see. As Kiora learns of her powers and her destiny, she meets these and other creatures no one ever even thought to exist. Some will be loyal to her and others will want to use her to prove their value to Dralazar - and through it all her Protector stands by her side.
Do you hear romance in the background? Possibly, but with all the training and fighting against the ultimate evil to save the entire land, it's hard to start a new relationship - especially when they can't stand each other.
Full of the magic and mystery that really defines what a good fantasy story is for me, this book earned it's five stars over and over again. This is turning into a favorite series already! - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.bYe6v33h.dpuf
There are amazingly unique creatures and magics that are introduced throughout the story that give Wings of Arian a different feel than other fantasy novels. I particularly love the shapeshifters and their society. Their home is a place I wish I could actually see. As Kiora learns of her powers and her destiny, she meets these and other creatures no one ever even thought to exist. Some will be loyal to her and others will want to use her to prove their value to Dralazar - and through it all her Protector stands by her side.
Do you hear romance in the background? Possibly, but with all the training and fighting against the ultimate evil to save the entire land, it's hard to start a new relationship - especially when they can't stand each other.
Full of the magic and mystery that really defines what a good fantasy story is for me, this book earned it's five stars over and over again. This is turning into a favorite series already! - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.bYe6v33h.dpuf
Emma Jane has just learned that she's special - in a not so good way. It means that demons will be tracking her down trying to kill her before she can kill her Fallen Angel father. Not the best way to be introduced to you real genealogy. Thankfully she has her Magister, an angel appointed to train her, to help her learn the basics. It's too bad he can't just tell her who her father is so she can go take care of it and save herself a world of trouble.
Emma is a sarcastic and witty character. One that isn't afraid to talk back to the angels, and even gives them nicknames without permission. She knows they need her as much as she needs them and isn't afraid to remind them of it. In other words, she's bad ass. I love her character. She is just accepting enough to move the story forward and just stubborn enough to keep her from being another sheep in the flock.
Emma needs to learn a lot before she will have the skills to take out her father, and she hits the ground running. It was great watching her interact with Eli and Tommy. They are both fantastic character in their rights. The action was spaced out enough not to be exhausting, but often enough to really keep things interesting. Throw in a little bit of a romance to weave through it all and you have a great story.
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.bYe6v33h.dpuf
Emma is a sarcastic and witty character. One that isn't afraid to talk back to the angels, and even gives them nicknames without permission. She knows they need her as much as she needs them and isn't afraid to remind them of it. In other words, she's bad ass. I love her character. She is just accepting enough to move the story forward and just stubborn enough to keep her from being another sheep in the flock.
Emma needs to learn a lot before she will have the skills to take out her father, and she hits the ground running. It was great watching her interact with Eli and Tommy. They are both fantastic character in their rights. The action was spaced out enough not to be exhausting, but often enough to really keep things interesting. Throw in a little bit of a romance to weave through it all and you have a great story.
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.bYe6v33h.dpuf
This one was a little too short for me. The story went flying by so fast I couldn't get to know the characters. There wasn't time to introduce any side stories or people (except the dog - who I think is awesom). A story about a tough guy putting on a show to hide his true feelings from the shy sensitive girl he's loved for years. Their love was forbidden as children, and now she doesn't trust him. I think if the story had been fleshed out a little more I could have connected better, but there wasn't enough time to develop the the way I liked.
The story was good though, but I always have a soft spot for London. There are a few very humorous scenes were we get to see a glimpse of the people under their masks. - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.bYe6v33h.dpuf
The story was good though, but I always have a soft spot for London. There are a few very humorous scenes were we get to see a glimpse of the people under their masks. - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.bYe6v33h.dpuf
Wings of Nestor, the third book the Solus series, is another absolutely amazing installment. We travel all over the world and see so much I sometimes feel as if I've read more than one book. Don't get me wrong, it's not so packed that it's too much - it's just the right amount. Things move at the perfect pace to make the book fly by and still allow so much to happen that I don't even know where to begin.
Alcander and Emane change by leaps and bounds and really start to emerge as main characters in the own right. It's rumored they may not even hate each other anymore. Both will do anything they can to support Kiora, but hey wonder what will happen if she doesn't follow her destined path.
Kiora is continuing to grow in her powers and winning over new allies in her battle against the Shadow, but she beginning to fight her destiny. She wants to find a way to defeat the Shadow without a battle that would cost thousands of lives. This changes her course and she discovers new places long thought destroyed by time and returns to her home of Meros to bring a small part of the story full circle (it was a major Ohhhhh so that's what that was for moment - I love those). She discovers that every action has a consequence. Some absolutely horrible (I cried - really - I cried) and some so amazing I wanted to jump up and down (I restrained from scaring my family).
Any series that can bring such a emotional reaction to its characters is one that is sure to be a great series. One that can pull this off three books in a row, well that's one that will never leave my bookshelf because I know I will want to read it again and again.
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.WsxG9LCw.dpuf
Alcander and Emane change by leaps and bounds and really start to emerge as main characters in the own right. It's rumored they may not even hate each other anymore. Both will do anything they can to support Kiora, but hey wonder what will happen if she doesn't follow her destined path.
Kiora is continuing to grow in her powers and winning over new allies in her battle against the Shadow, but she beginning to fight her destiny. She wants to find a way to defeat the Shadow without a battle that would cost thousands of lives. This changes her course and she discovers new places long thought destroyed by time and returns to her home of Meros to bring a small part of the story full circle (it was a major Ohhhhh so that's what that was for moment - I love those). She discovers that every action has a consequence. Some absolutely horrible (I cried - really - I cried) and some so amazing I wanted to jump up and down (I restrained from scaring my family).
Any series that can bring such a emotional reaction to its characters is one that is sure to be a great series. One that can pull this off three books in a row, well that's one that will never leave my bookshelf because I know I will want to read it again and again.
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.WsxG9LCw.dpuf
This is the second book in the Solus series. There may be minor spoilers if you have not read book 1, but nothing that should ruin your experience. You will definitely want to read book one before beginning book 2.
We've all hear of the sophomore slump for series, well this book breaks the rules and a just barely takes a little dip. With a very full 4 star rating it was a great continuation to Wings of Arian. Picking up very quickly after book one ends, Kiora and Emane venture through the newly opened gate into a vast world they never imagined existed - a world Meros had been locked away from for ages. Kiora thought the creatures she had already met to be new and strange - well she hasn't seen anything yet.
But this world is far from a new paradise. A strange evil has covered the land and driven the good deep into hiding. This evil seems so powerful that even Kiora's old enemy, Dralazar, fades into the background - at least for a bit. Kiora's guide to this new world is a Tavean named Alcander. He's seems decent enough if you can get past the arrogant, selfish, egotistic, self-righteous, and know it all attitude - a little bit too much like Emane's beginnings for my taste.
As Kiora learns to harness new powers and learns of new prophecies and destinies all piled one on top of the other, it's amazing she doesn't break down completely. Another book full of action and wonder. I loved some of the new creatures and the way Wells took traditional ideas and tweaked them into something new and exciting. Even the creatures we were familiar with from book one take on a new twist in the lands outside of Meros - having evolved into totally different cultures.
This book only confirmed my belief that this will be a great new fantasy series and I dug into book three the next day. And on a side note - I really love these covers - book three is amazing!
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.WsxG9LCw.dpuf
We've all hear of the sophomore slump for series, well this book breaks the rules and a just barely takes a little dip. With a very full 4 star rating it was a great continuation to Wings of Arian. Picking up very quickly after book one ends, Kiora and Emane venture through the newly opened gate into a vast world they never imagined existed - a world Meros had been locked away from for ages. Kiora thought the creatures she had already met to be new and strange - well she hasn't seen anything yet.
But this world is far from a new paradise. A strange evil has covered the land and driven the good deep into hiding. This evil seems so powerful that even Kiora's old enemy, Dralazar, fades into the background - at least for a bit. Kiora's guide to this new world is a Tavean named Alcander. He's seems decent enough if you can get past the arrogant, selfish, egotistic, self-righteous, and know it all attitude - a little bit too much like Emane's beginnings for my taste.
As Kiora learns to harness new powers and learns of new prophecies and destinies all piled one on top of the other, it's amazing she doesn't break down completely. Another book full of action and wonder. I loved some of the new creatures and the way Wells took traditional ideas and tweaked them into something new and exciting. Even the creatures we were familiar with from book one take on a new twist in the lands outside of Meros - having evolved into totally different cultures.
This book only confirmed my belief that this will be a great new fantasy series and I dug into book three the next day. And on a side note - I really love these covers - book three is amazing!
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.WsxG9LCw.dpuf
Emma Jane's life is not going as she planned. As a half angel - half human warrior fighting against the Fallen Angels and their demons she's used to surprises and sudden excitement. But this time when her angel, Eli, pops in with a report, even she is blown away. Someone has killed and angel and saying heaven is pissed off would be the understatement of the year.
A lot happens in this book and sometimes it was a bit difficult to keep it all straight. I felt exhausted on Emma's behalf with all the running around and fighting. Of course she's not only fighting against the Fallen, but against her own forbidden urges to fall for her angel, Eli. Tons and tons of twists and turns throughout kept the book interesting and I was never sure what was going to happen next.
While it would have been nice to slow things down just a tiny bit, I still enjoyed the wild and crazy ride this book takes. Just be prepared to find a hard time finding a place to stop if you're reading past your bedtime.
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-heaven-and-hellsbane-by-paige.html#sthash.NhY4g7kZ.dpuf
A lot happens in this book and sometimes it was a bit difficult to keep it all straight. I felt exhausted on Emma's behalf with all the running around and fighting. Of course she's not only fighting against the Fallen, but against her own forbidden urges to fall for her angel, Eli. Tons and tons of twists and turns throughout kept the book interesting and I was never sure what was going to happen next.
While it would have been nice to slow things down just a tiny bit, I still enjoyed the wild and crazy ride this book takes. Just be prepared to find a hard time finding a place to stop if you're reading past your bedtime.
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-heaven-and-hellsbane-by-paige.html#sthash.NhY4g7kZ.dpuf
What happens when you turn an elf into a vampire? You get the fulfillment of a centuries old prophecy. One that tells how to save the land from a horrible blight. But to do so, this elf must pierce the heart of a very specific witch. Brock is devastated when he is bitten and turned by a vampire. As punishment, he is cast out of the Elvish lands until he can redeem himself by fulfilling the prophecy.
Celeste is a witch. She has been held captive for years by a group of monks that want her for some unknown purpose that can't be good. When Brock realizes this just may be the witch he is looking for, his prayers are answered. At least until he falls in love with her.
This book tried very hard to combine fantasy and romance, but the romance just didn't flow very well for me. It was almost overly sweet. On the other hand, I loved the very unique aspects of the the fantasy. With a unique twist on the elves and vampire lore, along with a few new magical creatures - creativity always keeps me interested.
The storyline flowed nicely and kept the action moving in the right direction. With a great twist at the end when some history is revealed, and of course the prophecy itself comes into play full force, the characters are forced to make some tough decisions that will effect all of their lands.
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-garnet-dagger-by-andrea-r-cooper.html#sthash.ZfpIU9o2.dpuf
Celeste is a witch. She has been held captive for years by a group of monks that want her for some unknown purpose that can't be good. When Brock realizes this just may be the witch he is looking for, his prayers are answered. At least until he falls in love with her.
This book tried very hard to combine fantasy and romance, but the romance just didn't flow very well for me. It was almost overly sweet. On the other hand, I loved the very unique aspects of the the fantasy. With a unique twist on the elves and vampire lore, along with a few new magical creatures - creativity always keeps me interested.
The storyline flowed nicely and kept the action moving in the right direction. With a great twist at the end when some history is revealed, and of course the prophecy itself comes into play full force, the characters are forced to make some tough decisions that will effect all of their lands.
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-garnet-dagger-by-andrea-r-cooper.html#sthash.ZfpIU9o2.dpuf