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The story opens with the tale of a magician and how he captured and lost magic. We revisit his story in segments (in reverse) throughout the story. While he plays an important part in the tale, the story doesn't concentrate on this strange figure. Instead we follow Gavin Stokes - a strange little boy that sees strange things. One of theses strange things is a woman he names Mrs. Gray. When Gavin is sent to stay with his aunt at an old, old estate called Pendurra while his parents are on vacation, this Mrs. Gray is the catalyst to a whole new life for Gavin.
There is a lot going on in this story and you really need to sit down and read it either all at once or in large chunks or you may miss some important connection. Several different pantheons seem to collide when magic begins to stir again at Pendurra. The descriptions of these creatures and people are fantastic. The scenes really come to life and the world is incredibly well developed. These are all things that I absolutely love in a fantasy or paranormal story. As a character, Gavin is not necessarily likable at the beginning but as he learns to trust in the things only he can see he and embraces his destiny he becomes a great hero and lovable character. Most of the characters are written in a way that they fit there roles perfectly, but I'm still not sure what Horace's place is going to be in the grand scheme of things. He seems to play more of his role in book two perhaps.
The downside of this book is that it is written very well - almost too well and too much detail for most young adult readers. I fear that many would give up on the story before it got the point that it really gets started.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
There is a lot going on in this story and you really need to sit down and read it either all at once or in large chunks or you may miss some important connection. Several different pantheons seem to collide when magic begins to stir again at Pendurra. The descriptions of these creatures and people are fantastic. The scenes really come to life and the world is incredibly well developed. These are all things that I absolutely love in a fantasy or paranormal story. As a character, Gavin is not necessarily likable at the beginning but as he learns to trust in the things only he can see he and embraces his destiny he becomes a great hero and lovable character. Most of the characters are written in a way that they fit there roles perfectly, but I'm still not sure what Horace's place is going to be in the grand scheme of things. He seems to play more of his role in book two perhaps.
The downside of this book is that it is written very well - almost too well and too much detail for most young adult readers. I fear that many would give up on the story before it got the point that it really gets started.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
This book is probably one of the most clever I have read in awhile. Both are characters are romance advice bloggers, but from different sides of the coin. The snippets or their writing that were spread throughout the book were great. They really gave some extra insight into the characters are where they were at in their lives. A perfect example of opposites attract, Holly and Dane seem to be heading in two separate directions. When an odd blind date goes a little wrong, they decide to milk the publicity for awhile. But, or course, one thing leads to another and now they need to decide if they were right about each other all along, of if maybe they were wrong and were meant to be together.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
This was a great introduction to this series. Macie is a hot headed liberal and Ross is an ultra conservative family man that are at each other's throats professionally. When Macie goes undercover to find a deep dark secret she can use against him, she doesn't expect to find the type of guy she could fall in love with and a teenage daughter that needs her. This was a very cute story with lots of laughts and "awwwww" moments. I especially loved the relationship Macie developed with Ross's daughter, Samantha. It was very sweet and touching how they helped each other out and in the end Samantha was a very important force bringing them together.
Operation Cinderella:
This was a great introduction to this series. Macie is a hot headed liberal and Ross is an ultra conservative family man that are at each other's throats professionally. When Macie goes undercover to find a deep dark secret she can use against him, she doesn't expect to find the type of guy she could fall in love with and a teenage daughter that needs her. This was a very cute story with lots of laughts and "awwwww" moments. I especially loved the relationship Macie developed with Ross's daughter, Samantha. It was very sweet and touching how they helped each other out and in the end Samantha was a very important force bringing them together.
The Cinderella Makeover:
We got to meet Francesca, Ross's ex-wife and Samantha's mother, a few times in book one. She was fun and sassy and oh so very Britsh. As a famous photographer she traveled a lot, but is not looking to settle down and rebuild her relationship with her daughter. Her ticket is a new reality show where she is one of the Greg's coaches. Greg seems to have it all, but can't find love, so he enters a reality show to transform himself into a new person - with a little help from Francesca. Their chemistry on the set is amazing, but when he finds out she made a bet on his success he turns his back on her. With the end of the season quickly approaching, Francesca will have to pull out all the stops to get him to take her back.
I adored Francesca. She was arrogant, very much a clothes snob, and totally stereotypically british - I loved it all. She was my favorite character from this series (although I haven't read the short novella yet).
The Cinderella Seduction:
I loved Stephanie's character and her family played their parts in the story perfectly. Constantly relying on her to pick up the slack and take care or things, she never seemed to know how to say no. Her setp sisters were priceless. I could just picture them screeching in the background and complaining just like the original Cinderella story.
Nick was an iffy prince charming at first. Known for trying a new flavor of woman every few weeks, he really didn't fit the mold of the traditional prince charming. But leave it up to an adorable seven year old to make a man change his ways for the better. He was chivalrous, charming, and handsome. His daughter managed to show him that being a prince charming was the better way to be.
Their story has a few ups and downs as it goes. Even though it dutifully followed the Cinderella storyline, there were a few surprises thrown in to keep things interesting and different.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
This was a great introduction to this series. Macie is a hot headed liberal and Ross is an ultra conservative family man that are at each other's throats professionally. When Macie goes undercover to find a deep dark secret she can use against him, she doesn't expect to find the type of guy she could fall in love with and a teenage daughter that needs her. This was a very cute story with lots of laughts and "awwwww" moments. I especially loved the relationship Macie developed with Ross's daughter, Samantha. It was very sweet and touching how they helped each other out and in the end Samantha was a very important force bringing them together.
The Cinderella Makeover:
We got to meet Francesca, Ross's ex-wife and Samantha's mother, a few times in book one. She was fun and sassy and oh so very Britsh. As a famous photographer she traveled a lot, but is not looking to settle down and rebuild her relationship with her daughter. Her ticket is a new reality show where she is one of the Greg's coaches. Greg seems to have it all, but can't find love, so he enters a reality show to transform himself into a new person - with a little help from Francesca. Their chemistry on the set is amazing, but when he finds out she made a bet on his success he turns his back on her. With the end of the season quickly approaching, Francesca will have to pull out all the stops to get him to take her back.
I adored Francesca. She was arrogant, very much a clothes snob, and totally stereotypically british - I loved it all. She was my favorite character from this series (although I haven't read the short novella yet).
The Cinderella Seduction:
I loved Stephanie's character and her family played their parts in the story perfectly. Constantly relying on her to pick up the slack and take care or things, she never seemed to know how to say no. Her setp sisters were priceless. I could just picture them screeching in the background and complaining just like the original Cinderella story.
Nick was an iffy prince charming at first. Known for trying a new flavor of woman every few weeks, he really didn't fit the mold of the traditional prince charming. But leave it up to an adorable seven year old to make a man change his ways for the better. He was chivalrous, charming, and handsome. His daughter managed to show him that being a prince charming was the better way to be.
Their story has a few ups and downs as it goes. Even though it dutifully followed the Cinderella storyline, there were a few surprises thrown in to keep things interesting and different.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
Spain has always had a rich and eventful past. This book highlights a horrible part of their history during the Spanish Civil War. But as it shows the bad, it also shows the color, light, and family that comes together. Drina finds herself lost, unsure where her life is taking her. She wants to dance - she needs to dance, but her mother has all but forbidden it.
The story follows Drina as her life changes from gypsy girl to flamenco dancer, from orphan to part of a family, and from lost to finding herself. The book is rich in character and description. The war touches their lives in many ways, but this is not a story about the war. It is a story about a family in Spain that happens to be living during the war.
I wish there had been more to the story. I wanted to see Drina's success, I wanted to see what happened next with her family, and if the war continued to follow their lives. This was a book I didn't want to see end.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
The story follows Drina as her life changes from gypsy girl to flamenco dancer, from orphan to part of a family, and from lost to finding herself. The book is rich in character and description. The war touches their lives in many ways, but this is not a story about the war. It is a story about a family in Spain that happens to be living during the war.
I wish there had been more to the story. I wanted to see Drina's success, I wanted to see what happened next with her family, and if the war continued to follow their lives. This was a book I didn't want to see end.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
Fated Match is a high profile match making service for supernatural. They specialize in finding that elusive connection that they are all looking for - a mate. With a very high success rate, but rising competition, they jump at the chance to match up a very high profile vampire. Abbey is one of the few humans that knows about the supernatural world, and Lucian is instantly curious about her. Something sparks an interest deep down and he insists that she personally handle his entire case.
Abbey isn't afraid of most supernaturals, but the vamps are a different story - well anything that may view her as a snack is strictly off the relationship radar. She is surprised to find that she can't keep Lucian out of her mind. Both try hard to deny their attraction and prove it isn't right between them - but deep down they both know they were meant to be together.
This was a humorous and inventive story. I loved the idea of the matchmaking agency - and it's really for all paranormals. This could turn into an amazing series with Fated Match as the linking point. I really hope it does, because I would love to read more like this.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
Abbey isn't afraid of most supernaturals, but the vamps are a different story - well anything that may view her as a snack is strictly off the relationship radar. She is surprised to find that she can't keep Lucian out of her mind. Both try hard to deny their attraction and prove it isn't right between them - but deep down they both know they were meant to be together.
This was a humorous and inventive story. I loved the idea of the matchmaking agency - and it's really for all paranormals. This could turn into an amazing series with Fated Match as the linking point. I really hope it does, because I would love to read more like this.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
After the Bane is a series that will to appeal to just about anyone. With an interesting mix of Zombie Apocalypse, hot Shifters, and some great romance - there's always something exciting happening. Ravenna played a smaller part in the first book of the series, but she stole the show for the pages she was on. She's a diva that also happens to be the alpha female of her raven murder - the princess that is set to take over the rule of the North American ravens.
Fate may have a different idea of what Rave will be doing. When she falls not only for a werewolf, but an enemy werewolf that thinks she devil-spawned, she's pretty sure something is going to go wrong. When they run into each other again afer a failed mission, Maddox has a hard time keeping his wolf from instantly marking her as his.
Their trip to accepting each other is full of strange supper ape zombie attacks, sex slave rings, and resistance from the shifters in their lives. But with so much going go, they still need to try and find time to figure out their love for each other and what to do about it.
This was an amazing second edition to the series and I really really hope there's more to come. With fantastically dynamic characters and a non-stop plot line (that doesn't skimp on the romance) it was nearly impossible to put down. While this is the second in the series, you could probably read it by itself and only miss out on a little of the world and organization backgrounds. I love the fact that Eva Gordon tackled the raven shifters - making a less glamourous bird into something truly exotic, exciting and sexy.
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/01/review-raven-moon-by-eva-gordon.html#sthash.Xrm8Kq5n.dpuf
Fate may have a different idea of what Rave will be doing. When she falls not only for a werewolf, but an enemy werewolf that thinks she devil-spawned, she's pretty sure something is going to go wrong. When they run into each other again afer a failed mission, Maddox has a hard time keeping his wolf from instantly marking her as his.
Their trip to accepting each other is full of strange supper ape zombie attacks, sex slave rings, and resistance from the shifters in their lives. But with so much going go, they still need to try and find time to figure out their love for each other and what to do about it.
This was an amazing second edition to the series and I really really hope there's more to come. With fantastically dynamic characters and a non-stop plot line (that doesn't skimp on the romance) it was nearly impossible to put down. While this is the second in the series, you could probably read it by itself and only miss out on a little of the world and organization backgrounds. I love the fact that Eva Gordon tackled the raven shifters - making a less glamourous bird into something truly exotic, exciting and sexy.
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/01/review-raven-moon-by-eva-gordon.html#sthash.Xrm8Kq5n.dpuf
Yes, you are seeing this right. I seem to be reading this series backwards. There is a little confusion at times when they refer to things from previous books, but overall I haven't really seen any negative impacts for the book because of it.
Harry is off to try and find the witch that cast a curse on his family - and it leands him to Glenfinnan and Portia. Portia's family is quickly running out of money and she sees his quest for a witch as a way for quick money to pay the rent. When Portia and her cat , Owl, decide to trick him in his quest to find a witch - she pretends to be Fenella - not realizing that it is the same witch to cast the curse.
Their romance is very quick - almost wham bam thank ya mam the first time. The relationship and romance didn't come until after, and that isn't always my favorite. Portia finds herself falling in love with him and is terrified of the curse landing on his shoulders - so she runs and distances herself from him for his own good. The big questions is will the curse still strike, or will they be able to find a way to reverse it and have their HEA.
While Portia was a great character - a very opinionated and honest woman for those times - Harry was a bit of a pompous ass (which he even admits to on occassion). I love how they fit together - their personalities played off of each other very well. Portia's mother and her suitor were a bit of comical relief through the whole thing without going too far as well. I have the first book and hope to start it soon.
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/02/review-scottish-witch-by-cathy-maxwell.html#sthash.Jljy0lMy.dpuf
Harry is off to try and find the witch that cast a curse on his family - and it leands him to Glenfinnan and Portia. Portia's family is quickly running out of money and she sees his quest for a witch as a way for quick money to pay the rent. When Portia and her cat , Owl, decide to trick him in his quest to find a witch - she pretends to be Fenella - not realizing that it is the same witch to cast the curse.
Their romance is very quick - almost wham bam thank ya mam the first time. The relationship and romance didn't come until after, and that isn't always my favorite. Portia finds herself falling in love with him and is terrified of the curse landing on his shoulders - so she runs and distances herself from him for his own good. The big questions is will the curse still strike, or will they be able to find a way to reverse it and have their HEA.
While Portia was a great character - a very opinionated and honest woman for those times - Harry was a bit of a pompous ass (which he even admits to on occassion). I love how they fit together - their personalities played off of each other very well. Portia's mother and her suitor were a bit of comical relief through the whole thing without going too far as well. I have the first book and hope to start it soon.
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/02/review-scottish-witch-by-cathy-maxwell.html#sthash.Jljy0lMy.dpuf
This one just didn't hit the spot for me. While there were quite a few very hot scenes, there just wasn't enough storyline. The story that was presented seemed to be an afterthought to the sex. Because of this I just didn't sync with either character. Beatricia is out for what seems to be a one night stand, but I never really understood why.
The ending was sweet, and it would have been nice if I had felt more about what was going on throughout the story. If you're looking for more of an erotica book with a little extra backgrough though, this would be right up your alley.
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/#sthash.1VkGSFP7.dpuf
The ending was sweet, and it would have been nice if I had felt more about what was going on throughout the story. If you're looking for more of an erotica book with a little extra backgrough though, this would be right up your alley.
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/#sthash.1VkGSFP7.dpuf
Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage: A Mystery with Hoverbots, Bristle Bots, and Other Robots You Can Build Yourself
Steve Hockensmith, Bob Pflugfelder
Another great adventure for Nick and Tesla's - this time involving more of what every kid loves - Robots! Even I loved the ideas and designed they talked about in the book. They sounded like so much fun. While the projects in this book are more complicated than the ones in book one, the instructions are much more detailed as well. They set off to find out who is responsible for a string of thefts in their little town, starting with a rare comic book from their friend's parents.
They make a few mistakes along the way, but in the end they have a lot of fun, learn a lot about robots, and of course catch the bad guy and save the day. This is another great book for kids that teaches them a bit about science and building while having fun.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/02/review-nick-and-teslas-robot-army.html#sthash.9xYbrtFO.dpuf
They make a few mistakes along the way, but in the end they have a lot of fun, learn a lot about robots, and of course catch the bad guy and save the day. This is another great book for kids that teaches them a bit about science and building while having fun.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/02/review-nick-and-teslas-robot-army.html#sthash.9xYbrtFO.dpuf