This is Joanna's story. The story of how she hates her life and everything seems to be falling apart all at once. Then a star falls and everything changes. Everything she hated about her life no longer exists and maybe things are going to be better now. The only other person who knows what's going on is James, the strange boy that comes to her rescue time and time again. But he's not just a boy - there's something different about him and Joanna suspects he may be the one behind all the strangeness.

Joanna tries very hard to adapt to her new life and realizes she's missing all the things she thought she hated. She's very confused and not sure what she will be able to do to fix it all. This was a sweet book, but I was never fully dragged into the story. Joanna didn't click with me for some reason - even though she was a volleyball star which was something different in a book. James was a little too fake for me, even though I'm sure some of it was intentional. I enjoyed the way the author hit you over the head with the message in a way that I didn't even realize she was doing it! That takes some skill. Overall, a good story with good characters. It just wasn't quite up my alley.
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I didn't even realize this was a series until I went to write my review - so it's safe to say this can be read as a complete stand-alone.

I grew up loving archaeology and historical sites, so this book seemed like it would be right up my alley. Lucy is a bit of a tomb raider type - only not nearly as destructive. She prides herself on getting in and getting out with the artifact without being caught or causing any damage. Keats prides himself on restoring sites and keeping everything where it belongs - which is not in Lucy's hands. They first meet as she gets away with an artifact on his boat and when she shows up again at another preservation site, he knows he's in trouble.

Sparks flew for Keats the moment he first met Lucy, he just didn't know who she was or how to find her (and the ring she stole). He's determined to show her that her skills can be put to a more legal use and her life should be spent with him. Lucy isn't so sure. She's used to being on her own and has quite a bit of personal baggage she carries around with her.

I loved their chemistry and how their interests were so similar, but still kept them in different worlds. Their relationship was a hard one to get started, and you're never quite sure if it really will succeed until the very end. With a couple outside characters that help breathe some life and humor into the story, as well as a great atmosphere this was a very enjoyable read. - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-risky-surrender-by-robin-bielman.html#sthash.lwJ0nynC.dpuf

Sarah is ready to get out and learn what "real" life is like, to leave her Mennonite community behind and experience the outside world full force. She has no desire to get married and start popping out babies. Instead she heads out and starts her academic life at college studying archaeology. She experiences a bit of culture shock her first day, but determines to plow through it all and make the best of it. It seems to take a turn for the better when her professor takes a personal interest in her and they develop a bit of a friendship that may lead to more. But there is also the intriguing tattooed boy that always sits in the back of the room - she is drawn to him as well. Sarah was an interesting character, although I wasn't a very big fan of her friend and roommate, Naomi. Sarah tries to hold onto some of her basic family values but finds pressure all over the place to conform with the rest of society. She doesn't always make the right choices, but I enjoyed seeing her decision making process - or lack there of at times. Naomi I found to be a bit annoying. Constantly trying to change Sarah, but saying that she accepts her just as she is at the same time. It was an interesting dynamic to say the least. Adam and Tyr, her two potential boys, are a study in opposites. I didn't like either of them at first, but they are both quite complicated (as boys naturally are) in their own ways as well. Sarah will need to try and find a way to balance the men in her life, her studies, and her very traditional family. At time this tended to drag the story down a little as it dwelt a little too long on some of the issues. I did enjoy that it made a point of bringing up so many issues, I just disliked hearing the hashed out over and over. - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-tour-like-falling-by-jaden-wilkes.html#sthash.utksYbhp.dpuf

Once Upon a Wallflower is a beautiful story of love and suspense. When Mira finds that she has been engaged to a man everyone believes is responsible for murder, she is quite naturally afraid and hopes to find a way to call it all off. Nicholas, a misunderstood man everyone believes killed his last fiance, is just as determined to break the engagement - he has no need to get married. But of course, if things worked out that way we wouldn't have a very good romance.

While the book started out just a little slow, it picked up the pace once Mira and her family travel to the Blackwell country estate to stay until the two can marry. Once there, the clues are laid out nice and thick for anyone caring to go and find them - Mira is just that person, even if Nicholas seems to not see the need to clear his name. The best part of this was trying to figure out who did it. With only 30 pages left, I had it narrowed down to three people, but still wasn't sure which it was. This was a brilliant job at keeping me interested in the mystery. The reveal of who was responsible was fantastic as well, and I still wasn't 100% sure until the characters figured it out as well. Again...brilliant.

Mira and Nicholas are both social outcasts for different reasons and they seem to bond over that. Throw in the fact that Nicholas likes his women to be intelligent, and Mira becomes quite the catch once he gets to know her. Theirs was a sweet romance, but clouded with doubt over Nicholas's innocence throughout the story - the driving force behind Mira trying to clear his name. If the book had started off just a tad bit better - moving the story along more from the very beginning this would have received 5 stars. - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.jVnPGvWh.dpuf

Reading book one first is recommended. My review is HERE.

The end of book one, Witch's Soulmate. was high energy and amazing. Witch's Revenge picks up shortly after with Peter and Jade trying to find a way to put their lives back together. Part of this includes finding ways to live as normal as possible - for their friends and family to be safe - and also working with the FBI to track Arrow and put a stop to their efforts - both normal and paranormal - once and for all.

Karyn, a particular nasty villain, has targeted Jade and Peter as her own. With the deadly ability to drain a witch's power and feed of it, Karyn will be the most dangerous witch they have gone up against - and to top it all off, she's responsible for the death of Jade's parents. The descriptions of Karyn's attacks were phenomenal, and Jade doesn't fare well after their first encounter.

Peter and Jade must rally the troops and unlock a secret weapon no one even knows exists yet. But in order to do that, they need to overcome the last of their doubts about each other in order to find it. Unlocking this weapon was a very touching scene of complete devotion and acceptance by both of them.

This was a great second book, while it got off to a bit of a slow start, once it got going it really picked up the pace. It took off running and never looked back.

Jenny's Blue Velvet had to be one of the most strange stories I've read in awhile. It followed Jenny as she tries to make sense of her life and how to make it better. Her grand idea is to write a romance, but it seems to have taken on a life of its on and begins writing itself. It's hard to say too much without giving a lot away. There were so many things that helped drive the story forward it never really seemed to stop moving or take a break. The writing was very good and easy to read, doling out bits and pieces that all added up in one big "ah-ha!" moment. This moment was far from what I expected, but was even better because of it.
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I was very excited to read a book about a gargoyle. I haven't found too many out there and they are a fascinating part of the fantasy world. Kann did not disappoint. He was a cold, hard-hearted hunter that was the pride of his clan. When he finds himself summoned by a "sleeper" or human as we like to call ourselves, he is very surprised. Not many would have that power. But now that he's here, he's going to make the best of it and see just what he ca do with the very attractive woman that called him to her.

I was very impressed with Karla at first as well. But as the book moved forward, she seemed to change the least. I think finding out that you're not a human, but someone that can summon anyone to do her bidding would have quite an effect on a person's life view. I didn't understand many of the choices she made, and even at the end of the book don't quite understand her. It made it difficult to relate to her has a character.

The world building and overall story were fantastic! I love the gargoyle world - it was not how I imagined, but something even better and more forbidding. The gargoyles Karla and Kann interact with there are just as cruel as Kann, but without the spark of love and passion that was awakened in him by Karla. With a few other fantasy creatures (with a twist) thrown in to keep up the variety, this was a very entertaining story. I just wish I had gotten into Karla a little bit more.
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-tour-gargoyle-addiction-by-livia.html#sthash.zjTI0Szt.dpuf

Unfortunately I didn't connect well with Maggie - she was far, far too "good". Constantly lecturing Cain (the escaped murderer) about morals and how he should treat people, there were times I wished she would do something mean or wrong just to make her more human. Cain on the other hand, was the perfect tortured hero, falsely accused and wanting to make things right, knowing that it might mean hurting people to get it done.

Cain's part of the story was great. I loved his character as well as his backstory. They both combined to lead him down the path he is on, taking Maggie along with him for the ride. I was surprised at how quickly they fell for each other, and sometimes it seemed like they both forgot Maggie was a hostage. I think a little more realistic heroine would have made this book fantastic.
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-maggies-man-by-alicia-scott.html#sthash.c6XwqrLf.dpuf

A short but sweet story of two very different people that end up together because of a yoga lesson. This quick day and night together changes both of their lives. Cami has always believed she had issues with food - Paul is determined to show her that it's perfectly fine to indulge once in awhile - in more ways than one. While this is a very short read, it still managed to pull in some nice characters and development. Read after eating or it just may make you hungry. - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/#sthash.tPwHj8iD.dpuf