Main chacters were too cookie cutter and the dialog was very wishy-washy.

Collide was a bit of a mixed bag for me. There were parts that I really, really liked. There were also parts that just seemed a bit dull. The beginning of the story was a little all over the place and the story dragged a lot until about half way through. By then, I had gotten a little more into the rhythm of the author's writing and the way events were pieced together within the book and within the individual chapters.

There were several points of view - we had Dakota, The Architect, and a doctor's journal. They all helped slowly piece together the history of five children with special powers. The history of a grand experiment that went bad - wiping the memories of most of the kids and splitting them in protective custody. But someone wants them back - for all the wrong reasons. The story is their fight for freedom and understanding.

There seemed to be a few too many "I learned this just in time to save the day" scenarios. I would understand a couple, but it seemed every time they got in trouble some really cool thing would help save the day. There also didn't seem to be too much logical character growth. While Dakota goes through a remarkable change - I had a hard time believing that it could have happened to her that quickly.

There really was no set ending. I hope the sequel explains a little more about Dakota's past and the inner workings of her power and mind. Perhaps it will make me understand her drastic change better. The premise of the world and story were great - it just needed to be flushed out a little better for me to really get into it.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/09/review-collide-by-christine-fonseca.html#sthash.xcWjyVZW.dpuf

This part of the Parable, Montana series didn't feel quite as flowing as the previous ones. I still very much enjoyed Casey and Walker's story, but parts were a bit too much or just not quite enough. Casey is a famous singer and she has settled down in Parable to enjoy life and take it easy after many, many years on tour. The thing is, she has just happened to settle down in the same small town that the father of her two teenage children lives in (and she knows it). To make it more complicated, Walker knows he's the father, has tried to be the loving "uncle" to them as they grew up, but the kids have no idea that he is their father. This is were the story started to get a little questionable. Walker really isn't the type to let someone convince him his kids were better off not knowing he was their father.

On the other hand, the reaction of both kids was perfect. It was an incredibly well written scene and the ones that followed as they came to grips with the fact they had been lied to, were just as good. Both kids were great and I loved them.

Have you noticed anything I've said concerning a romance yet? No? Well, this was the big downfall. The romance didn't quite seem to be the primary focus in this one. It was more about the kids - and I loved their story, but I wish I had seen more of Casey and Walker falling in love with each other all over again.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/09/review-big-sky-summer-parable-montana-4.html#sthash.VHruY2ms.dpuf

While this story begins with the tale of two boys - this is definitely an novel geared towards adults. The first part of the story tells the history of Ewan, Knocks, and Colby. It all begins in the fairy courts - and eventually it seems to end there as well. The story is full of new legends and lore that are based in some of the traditional faerie legends that I have read in the past. It is at the same time both familiar and strange. This wonderful mix was what kept the book going for me. I loved the history and the interactions between the non-human folk.

The downfall of this book was that even once I finished - I wasn't quite sure where the story was going. This is a series, so perhaps more will be "settled" in book two, but I was just confused as to what the point of it all was at the end of book one. It was also much more violent than I had expected - so if you like your violence behind closed doors and glossed over - this isn't for you. While it wasn't overly graphic, it was still quite descriptive and not my favorite.

- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/09/review-dreams-and-shadows-dreams.html#sthash.EXwMm0qs.dpuf

Derek has been in a bad mood for about 100 years (or so his minions think). So they have the brilliant idea of setting him up on a blind date through an online dating site. Now, as a prince of hell, Derek doesn't like the idea too much but follows through when they bet him he can't get her to sleep with him. Now I know, I know, we're all thinking "what a jerk". But Derek is really such a sweetheart. His job is to punish people in the corporate world that do bad deeds.

Jaclyn is another reluctant online dater. But she has sworn off dating - especially good looking guys - she just knows they're all players and will lover her and leave her behind. When this reluctant couple finally meet, sparks fly in some very snappy dialogue. I absolutely loved it! Jaclyn is a snarky (if a bit obnoxious at times) strong woman that just doesn't realize how strong she is yet.

There is some family drama on Derek's side that drags Jaclyn in as some possible collateral damage, and some crime solving that really freaks her out and hits close to home. I love how Derek was willing to do anything to try and get to know her better. He sees something special in her and wants to find out what it is and make her his.

This was a good mix of romance with just a touch of humorous dialogue, some really hot characters, and some nasty bad guys. I would have liked to see more of the motivation behind Derek's family drama a bit, but at the end of the book a lot is revealed. It was just quite a surprise.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/#sthash.61kenu8a.dpuf

Amazing. That is the best way to describe Against the Darkness. It was a brilliant mix of coming of age, science fiction, and alien invasion apocalypse. Sinta was a very well built character and you can't help but love her. She has plenty of flaws for readers to relate to, but has such an inner strength and fortitude that you admire her at the same time. Watching as she turned from the bratty teen arguing with her mother into a formidable survivor was great. I enjoyed watcher her recover from her mistakes and was thrilled that she didn't make them over and over again.

Now the aliens - we don't see too much of them, but they are this constant threat lurking everywhere. And I really mean everywhere. The first time you actually see them as a reader is incredibly intense and brilliantly written.

There is a sort of love triangle, but the players all know where they stand with each other so it didn't really bother me. Sinta is pretty sure who she wants, and even the times that it doesn't work out well for her, she sticks to it. She's not the type to change her feelings easily.

There is one scene where I was afraid something beyond horrible was happening, but thank goodness it didn't - I think you will all recognize it when you get there as the kids were all rescued just in the nick of time. I had a hard time putting this down and I loved the world that A.M. Griffin created. Familiar, but at the same time strangely transfigured by the alien invasion.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/09/review-against-darkness-cimmerian-moon.html#sthash.1y94CrO0.dpuf

Encounter at Shalana got off to an amazing start. We have exciting characters, cool technology and spaceships, a mystery, and smugglers (gotta have smugglers). However, about a third of the way through it got very repetitive. Kristy breaks into several planets headquarters, and while each planet was very different (kudos to the imagination of the author), the way of piecing the scenes together was too much alike.

Kristy and Andrew seem to have quite the on again off again type of relationship, but they still obviously love each other - while also annoying the crap out of each other. At times I wanted to bash their heads together and tell them to kiss and make up, and others I wanted to gag because they were way to love dovey. This is how the book went for me. It was very I love it - I hate it - I love it.

This book was heavier on the science fiction than the romance, but there was still some love to be found between the pages.

- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/09/review-encounter-at-shalana-adventures.html#sthash.CloO1wUG.dpuf

This is the first book in the Wings in the Night series where the main couple isn't a type of vampire or vampire-like person. Instead we have a friend of the vampires "Mad Maxie" and a police detective, Lou Malone, taking the center stage for the romance. There is still plenty of paranormal types to go around though so don't worry about missing her wonderful vampires.

The town of Endover is just plain weird. It's residents seem to be under a constant mind fog and even Max and her friends feel some strange dulling effect on their brains. When the vampire in question targets one of Max's close friends as "interesting" things start to get exciting. You're in for a good old fashioned vampire hunt - at least at first.

This vampire isn't like anything I was expecting though. Maggie Shayne gave me glimpses into his life and mind that make him an incredibly sympathetic character that plays looks to play a major role in a future book. He is devious and cunning and just a little crazy. He is an amazing addition to the vampires of the Wings in the Night series.

- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/09/review-blue-twilight-wings-in-night-11.html#sthash.xNtMB1LR.dpuf

This was a fantastic introduction to The Orion Circle, an special club that investigates paranormal mysteries, hauntings, and tries to assist the unwanted ghosties on their way to the other side. Kacie is a new addition, invited after a current member (and serious crush) finds out she can see and communicate with spirits. But this time the spirit she sees isn't just annoying or needing help, it wants Kacie. And it will do just about anything to have her.

This spirit is incredibly nasty and has quite a history that the Orion Circle has to figure out before they can get rid of it. The journey if very exciting, and all the little clues dropped throughout the story all come together brilliantly.

There is a romance between Logan and Kacie, but while it is somewhat important, the real story is defeating the Foxblood Demon.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/10/review-tortured-souls-orion-circle-1-by.html#sthash.bCDjCPzY.dpuf

I feel in love with Max after the first line:

"Max had been a cat as long as he could remember, but he was pretty sure he'd been a rock star in one of his previous lives."

That just about sums up Max's personality. He is an amazing character, and half the book is told from his perspective. The only thing he loved more than himself was Melody, and he figured she needed a man and he was the perfect person (errr cat) to help her find one. So off he goes and has quite an adventure, bringing it home to share with Melody.
Melody is a very quirky and unusual person. She's a children's librarian and is often caught out whilst dressed in costume for that day's story time. Max is the current love of her life and when he goes off for his wander she gets very upset and worried. It was awesome to watch the two of them related to each other and at times lovingly completely misunderstand each other as well.

There is more than just a fun cat and a quirky girl in this or it wouldn't be much of a romance. The romance brings with it just a touch of drama and secrecy that comes very close to ruining the whole thing, but somehow Max jumps in a saves the day again.

As a novella you could fly through this book in one sitting, and I recommend doing it that way because you won't want to put it down. While Max is definitely the life of the party here, the romance is also beautiful.

- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/10/review-girl-with-cat-tattoo-cool-cats-1.html#sthash.4qqCvZbZ.dpuf