This was a difficult one to review. The story itself had a great foundation and a fairly unique perspective. Vampires and humans are trying to live in peace - and one of the efforts to help this along is a school where vampires and human teenagers can all attend together. Now, many of the vampires attending are actually far older than their peers, yet they still behave the age they appear. When Kula shows up to start schoo, she has no idea of her past and lineage. She is one of the few half human/half vampires in the world - which puts her in an awkward position of choosing sides. She is also the offspring of the strongest vampire leader, Count Dracula. There is a lot of background here to explore and have fun with - and the story attempts to do that. The downside is that the characters really don't go anywhere. They don't grow or learn from their lessons - just continue to be the same people. It's always bothered me when leading characters just don't develop or mature. There was so much potential for growth that just didn't go anywhere - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/01/blog-tour-review-and-giveaway.html#sthash.gbpAmsuk.dpuf

Book two of the Transylvanica High series was much better than the first. While there was still not a lot of character development, you could see that they were trying much harder. Kula and Eriq especially saw at least a little bit of personal growth. Her friends and guardians from the Dracula clan weren't too far behind. In this book we see a new threat - a vampire on instead of a hunter. Along the way Kula and her friends learn a few very large secrets, but it doesn't phase them - at all - it should have a little.

Again the storyline potential held the story together. It continues to be a very interesting concept and world that Flowers has written. With the introduction of a few more key players (and the elimination of others - shhhh), I see some real potential in the future of the series. I know that my daughter would really enjoy it.
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/01/blog-tour-review-and-giveaway.html#sthash.gbpAmsuk.dpuf

I loved TaleSpins! The stories are cute and funny - each putting a different twist on classic characters. I thought each one would be my favorite until I started to read the next. The Eighth dwarf was well named (in many ways), and I loved his interactions. The Princess Poppy was just a great character, and this new version of Jack and the Beakstalk really had you thinking. The writing style is part of what made this book so wonderful. Told lyrically, like a nursery rhyme, you couldn't help but keep reading and the pages flew by. I would recommend this to fairy tale lovers, or anyone who is just looking for something a little different. - See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-tour-review-and-giveaway-tale.html#sthash.PkZMHfZd.dpuf

The Countess's Groom:
Rose and Will come from two different worlds. Rose is a lady and Will is a lowly groom, but they unite in their love of animals and in their efforts to save Rose from her incredibly abusive husband. Unfortunately, I didn't end up liking Rose as much as I should have. She was overly formal, even after her and Will became close. It had a very swet ending though.

The Blacksmith's Son:
This was a great one. Ally has been hiding out as a boy in order to escape from the false accusations of theft from her former employer. When Captain Quentin Drake finds out that she is actually a girl, he decides to find out why she is hiding. Their dialog and interactions were great. The only bad spot was a little of the beginning where things worked out a little too perfectly.

The Earl's Christmas Colt:
This was such a cute story. I loved the emotion Rebecca Thomas was able to explore in such a small novella. Lady Arabella isn't your typical noblewoman, she would rather be out riding her horse than try to find a husband. It's a good thing that Oliver Westwyck, her betrothed, ends up being just as much a horse lover. They meet for the first time and they don't know who the other is at first. Arabella mistakes him for a horse breeder.

I'm not a big fan of intential mistaken identity storylines, but the way this one plays out is quite humorous. It was a great Christmas story.

Christmas Past:
Christmas Past is a sweet time travel romance. When Sydney finds herself stuck in 1810 after her time machine breaks, she must make a tough decision on what to do next. Unfortunately (or maybe on the bright side) Miles has found her secret. He takes her under his wing and talks her into waiting until after Christmas to make a final decision on her fate.

Of course the romance follows very quickly and it is a very sweet one. A very feel good style of romance with one really good explosion (literally). I also liked how the author handled the issues of multiple time lines and changing the future. She had a lot figured out for such a short novella.

*Highly recommend reading this series in order if you want to follow the storyline*

Victoria did exactly what I was praying for and fleshed out one of my emerging favorite characters. We get to watch Glen become a major player in the storyline and I loved every minute of it. His character really shines and we get to see what kind of man he is when the head of Jefferson Unit takes a vacation - and leaves the rookie in charge. Of course this is just setting up disaster and it strikes in several forms - Storm goes missing between dimensions, an invasions from another dimension out to assassinate Elora, and sweet little Rosie.

Sweet little Rosie is growing by leaps and bounds - literally. We get to watch her grow up - all the way and it's amazing how well Victoria Danann wrote this. She is another character that I know I am going to love as she works her way into the storyline.

A perfect addition to the fantastic series - book six is coming soon and I'm itching to get my hands on it.

This is the second book in the Good Gods series by Staci Hart - I highly recommend reading the first book, Deer in Headlights (also a top bite) first - you can find my review HERE.

After winning round one of her challenge, Aphrodite is all set for round two - even if it is against Ares, her "I love you- I hate you" friend. This time Ares has chosen his player well, and Aphrodite is a little worried at first - until she realizes the siblings are a love match as well. What could be better than beating Ares with a two-for-one! Ares isn't sure how he wants to play this round. On one hand, the god of war can't stand being defeated. On the other, he would do anything to make Aphrodite his forever - even throw the game by not using his most valuable card.

Meanwhile, back on earth, the players of this great game are set for action. Kat and Dillon are two of the most angry characters I've ever seen - and they're perfect for each other. But only if they can cool their tempers long enough to say a civil word to each other. Kat hates men - especially after what happened with her sister's, Kiki, ex-boyfriend (cant give too much away here). She is determined to keep her sister, and herself, man-free for as long as she can. Moving over to Dillon and Owen - Dillon has been his brother's protector for as long as he can remember. Dillon knows that his uncontrollable temper means no love life for him - and he's determined to keep Owen from being hurt by falling for the wrong girl as well. Both sets siblings are a study opposites that was very comical at times. I love Staci Hart's sense of humor when it comes to writing about her humans.

Back in the realm of the gods - Aphrodite is starting to unravel an ancient mystery that involves Ares and Apollo, and she's not liking the way it looks. While she struggles to find a happily ever after for all her players, she realizes she may have just lost hers. The mythology was spot on again, and helped to tie the complicated lives of the gods together in a wonderful ball of tangled yarn. As Aphrodite tries to untangel part of her thread, she may be distracted just enough not to notice the danger her players are about to encounter - danger that could not only cost Aphrodite the game, but the humans their lives.

Another amazing book by Staci Hart. I very rarely love sophomore books in a series as much as I liked the first book - this is one of the very few exceptions. It was the perfect follow-up and I really want to see what happens in round 3.

Five years ago, she left without a word…

Internationally-renowned artist Max Estin is as well known for his million dollar commissions as he is his partying and clubbing. But Max is hiding a secret—for almost a year he’s been completely blocked. Unable to paint. And to unlock his art, and save his career, he’s going to need the one woman he never wanted to see again.

Now, he’s determined to make her pay…

Kira Estin never told Max exactly why she left, or what secrets forced her to return home to Passion Creek so abruptly. So when a chance reunion turns to seduction, Kira is more than a little suspicious. She knows better than to trust Max, but can’t fight the fire that he lights in her body—or her heart. But when everyone is hiding a secret, can even the hottest passion survive?

Falling in love with your nanny seems a little cliche, but rock star Marcus Troy doesn't really care how cliche it may be once he gets to know Ryan Evans. These two are a fantastic couple, but they can't be a couple because she's the nanny and he's the famous rock star. She wants a normal life, and he is constantly surrounded by press and fans. Farrah Taylor managed to keep these the central problem in their relationship without pounding on it so much that it got old or repetitive - it was constantly being reworked from a different angle - privacy, custody of the kids, different career goals - it continued to be new and different ways of looking at the same situation.

Many people threw obstacles into their path (including themselves) as they tried to find a balance, and a few almost succeeded. This was a really great book with some really sweet characters.

Sweet Southern Betrayal has just a bit of suspense mixed in - it's hard not to when you have a Vegas dancer making deals with a mobster who is trying to get some dirt on a DC lawyer - sounds a bit like something you'd see on a TV crime drama. I'm glad that Robin Covington didn't overdo this aspect of the story, but just let it hang in the background and linger while Teague and Risa figure out thier life - together or not. These two characters really shone through for me. Risa was who she was and she didn't care if you approved or not. Her small business venture led to quite a few humorous scenes as well, it's great when a book can make you grin or chuckle.

Having not read the previous books in the series I can say this does well as a stand alone, but it does make me want to go back and read the others to see what I may have missed. The few side characters that really stood out were a bit stereotyped, but I think that helped make them who they were as well. After all, how many ways are there to write about a creepy Vegas mob boss. With a really sweet ending straight out of my one of my favorite classics, this one was really close to getting a fifth star.

Chosen was a great introduction to this series. It eased you into the world of the Realms and introduced you to its history of Light vs Dark very nicely. It is a rich world with a lot going on. Witches and Vampires have been warring for centuries - each chosing a side and fighting til death. When the Chosen is prophesied, a witch with unimaginable powers, everyone begins to watch for her - each with their own reasons. I wasn't a big fan of the Chosen, Kaitriana (although I love her name). While I enjoyed her banter and her fun-loving attitude, there were times she carried it too far. Jorcan was a little too serious - he needed to lighten up a bit. Their story was a great romance though - a true opposites attract and love conquers all.