Who Dunnit?

With minimal encouragement from Hannah while I was looking for books to pad my TBR with, she suggested a change of pace with the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling. I have always been hesitant to pick up her pseudonym books because Harry Potter has a Horcrux on my soul and I didn't want anything to taint my love for this author in case it didn't jive with me. Fortunately for me, I had nothing to worry about. 

5 Reasons You Should Read Pillars of the Earth

A few weeks ago, I found myself in a state that no book person ever expects to find themselves...my TBR was 0. I had a few 'keep in the back of your head' books I could have picked up but one book had been haunting my Kindle for the last 3 or so years...Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Why has it been haunting my Kindle, you ask? Because its approximately a thousand pages and quite the undertaking. But...I had no other books to read and was in the mood to commit to a thousand page tome of historical fiction. The results? Better than I could have ever imagined.

The Devil Needs His Share

"If this isn't heaven...I don't know what is."

--JR Ward, The Devil's Cut

My Thoughts
When it comes to JR Ward this woman can do no wrong in terms of her writing and books. I have yet to meet a Ward book I do not fall head over heels in love with...The Devil's Cut is no exception. I was nervous to start this because I have come to love these unlikeable characters and root for them so hard that if they all didn't end up in a happy place after so much pain and turmoil, I would be so sad. I wanted a satisfying conclusion to this series...but what I got was so much more.

Quick and Dirty Mini-Reviews {5}

Back for another edition of Quick and Dirty Mini-Reviews! So I feel a little bad giving mini-reviews to two of my hands down, all-time, will buy everything they write, favorite authors but I just love them so much that it's hard for me to articulate WHAT makes me love them so much so flailing mini-reviews of feels combined with JUST READ THE BOOK YOURSELF ALREADY is what we get. Susanna Kearsley and Mhairi McFarlane deserve more words than I give them but I just haven't figured out how to translate flails into text yet. Maybe one day. Enjoy!

As you probably know by now, Susanna Kearsley has become an instant favorite author. Her books speak to me on such a deep level. I feel as literally transported as is possible while not leaving my couch. Which actually fits perfectly with her books because they almost always involve some sort of transportation. Kismet. The Rose Garden did not disappoint in any respect from what I have come to expect from Kearsley. This book had love. Longing. Deep and complex emotions. Historical elements. Time travel. It was incredible. It's truly hard for me to articulate exactly what makes these book so special to me, they just are. The fill me with a desire. A sense of longing parallel to what her characters are feelings. I feel at home when reading her books. I feel like I want to experience a journey just like her characters and book a plane ticket to somewhere in Britain and never come back. How I feel about the UK and the feelings it invokes in me for no reason at all is exactly how her characters always seem to feel so I feel akin to her characters in a way I never thought I would be able to feel. She describes these places and sense of belonging to a place you shouldn't feel a longing for in the exact way I feel I cannot say enough how much I love her books and will enjoying re-reading all of them immensely and eagerly await for her newest book! Rating: VIP

Adventures in the Great Wide Somewhere // From Page to Plane with The Alice Network

"There are two kinds of flowers when it comes to women...The kind that sit safe in a beautiful vase, or the kind that survive in any conditions...even in evil."

--Kate Quinn, The Alice Network

The Alice Network & the French Countryside

My Thoughts

The Belle
When I found out Kate Quinn (an instant favorite author after I read Mistress of Rome and the rest of the series) had a new book coming out I instantly perked up. When I found out it took place in both WWI and WWII, I immediately emailed the publisher begging for a review copy, they took pity on me and thank the gods because it was hands down one of the best reading experiences I have ever had.

An Unexpected Gift

"I believe everything happens for a reason."

--Sarah J Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin

Genre: New Adult, Adult Fantasy 
Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 705

Publication Date: May 2nd, 2017

Source: Bought

Find on: Goodreads | Amazon
Previous Books in Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses & A Court of Mist and Fury

My Thoughts

The Belle
This book has been a long time coming. I have loved this series from its inception. The Beauty and the Beast theme in ACOTAR, the not everything is always as it appears ACOMAF, and the inspirational fight for the right thing ACOWAR. While I won't talk too much about the plot details as to not give away spoilers, I will tell you a few reasons why you should read ACOWAR or start this series if you haven't yet.

Adventures in the Great Wide Somewhere // From Page to Plane with The Empress of Rome Series

Daughters of Rome // Empress of the Seven Hills // Lady of the Eternal City

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 400 // 486 // 512

Source: Bought
Publisher : Berkley
Previous Book in Series: Mistress of Rome

Goodreads & Amazon

Adventures in the Great Wide Somewhere // From Page to Plane with Mariana

Anybody that knows me knows I'm obsessed with the UK. England has been a huge piece of my heart for a long time and reading Mariana has, yet again, inspired the wanderlust in me to go back to England. Why? Because the heroine in this story finds herself being drawn to the country town of Wiltshire, more specifically she's drawn to a house that coincidence or fate has made to cross her path on more than one occasion. The first time she saw the house she could feel it was hers. From there we get our story.

Mariana and Hever, England

The Strength of Family

"Our strength must be tested...for us to know it’s still there."

--JR Ward, Blood Vow

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Pages: 459

Publication Date: December 6th, 2016

Source: Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Previous Books in Series: Blood Kiss
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

My Thoughts

The Belle
Wow. So it's legitimately incredible to me that every book I read by JR Ward is 5 star level of amazing. I had no idea what to expect going into this book with Axe and a brand new female but what I got was, yet again, incredible. Add to that the deeply emotional component of Mary and Rhage and Bitty and you've got yourself one amazing book.

Memory of Love

"Ye cannot ever say which way this world will take ye."

--Susanna Kearsley, The Winter Sea

Genre: Adult Contemporary and Historical Fiction

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Pages: 536

Publication Date: 

Source: Bought

Series: First book in Slains series
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

My Thoughts

The Belle
Wow. This book, you guys. This book. To be honest, I can't even remember how this book got on my radar. I received a different book by this author for review and ended up DNF'ing it so I have no idea how or why I would put a different book by an author I DNF'd on my list to read but regardless, I did and I am so happy I did. Book serendipity strikes again.

A Court to Change the World

"The world will be saved and remade by the dreamers"

--Sarah J Maas, Empire of Storm

Genre: YA/NA Fantasy

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 693

Publication Date: September 6th, 2016

Source: Bought

Previous Books in Series: The Assassin's Blade & Throne of Glass & Crown of Midnight & Heir of Fire & Queen of Shadows
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

My Thoughts
The Belle

Per usual, my words have escaped me. My heart is so full after reading this that it's really hard to put into words my depth of love for this series so this is--probably--gonna be short and sweet.

I Just Finished The Most Wonderful Story...

"We women all have the capacity to carry magic."

--Kristen Ashley, Broken Dove

Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Self-Published

Source: Bought

Find on: Goodreads | Amazon 

My Thoughts
OK guys. It's time we had a serious discussion. The title of this post is LITERALLY  (and I hate using this word, let me tell you) is what I said to myself after finishing book 2, The Golden Dynasty. I actually hugged my Kindle to my chest, rocked back and forth, and announced to my very surprised Mom and sisters my declaration of love. They obviously didn't care because they didn't just read what I read. We all know I read a lot, I'm sure if you're reading this you read a lot too so you know...you KNOW and understand that special moment when a book or series hits you right in the face and heart and feels and soul and you didn't expect it. This is how I feel about this series. I didn't think I would be able to do a formal, typical review for each book because there are no adequate words to verbalize my soul-deep love I have for this series. So I decided to do a top reasons to read and add in a few gifs for good measure which I usually don't do but it felt compeltely appropriate for this series because IT CHANGED AND RUINED MY LIFE IN ALL THE BEST WAYS, YOU GUYS. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

Victory Is Yours

"The only way to have a life without pain, my darling girl, is to also have a life without love.
And that is no life at all."

--Laura Andersen, The Virgin's War

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Pages: 384

Publication Date: July 12th, 2016

Source: ARC provided by publisher

Previous Books in Series: The Virgin's Daughter & The Virgin's Spy
Previous Books by Author: The Boleyn King & The Boleyn Deceit & The Boleyn Reckoning
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

My Thoughts
The Belle
If you've been here before then it is no secret the deep love I have for Laura Andersen's books. If you're new, then you're about to get an earful. The Virgin's War is the third and final book in The Tudor Legacy series, companion series to The Boleyn King series with the generation before.

I Dream of Stars and Wings and Paint

"To the people who look at the stars and wish...
To the stars who listen— and the dreams that are answered."

--Sarah J Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's

Pages: 624

Publication Date: May 3rd, 2016

Source: Bought

Previous Books in Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

My Thoughts

*Some plot spoilers ahead. If you have not read, you have been warned* 

The Belle
I really don't know where to start with my feelings on this book. It really is rare I have a legitimate book hangover that makes it almost impossible to think let alone actually pick up another book. A Court of Mist and Fury is one of those special books to me. I went in with no expectations because I had legit no idea where the plot would go. I felt that ACOTAR was such a great story that came full circle in the end (albeit a few secrets left unspoken) that I was just excited to see where Sarah took the story. I was ready for anything and everything and I got all of that...and so much more.

Just Your Friendly Neighborhood Dog

"Life didn't have to be perfect...for true love to exist in it."

--JR Ward, The Beast

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: NAL

Pages: 508

Publication Date: April 5th, 2016

Source: Review copy provided by publisher

Previous Books in Series:  Dark Lover & Lover Eternal & Lover Awakened & Lover Revealed & Lover Unbound & Lover Enshrined & Father Mine & Lover Avenged & Lover Mine & Lover Unleashed & Lover Reborn & Lover at Last & The King & The Shadows
Books in Spinoff Series: Blood Kiss
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Description 

Rhage and Mary return in a new novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, a series “so popular, I don’t think there’s a reader today who hasn’t at least heard of [it]” (USA Today).

Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…

And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world...and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from...

Le sigh. I won't lie to you. I wasn't completely rabid about this book when I first head it was revisiting Rhage and Mary as the main couple. I didn't really warm to Mary in Lover Eternal...ok, I didn't like her. There! I said it! Sue me for my feelings! I am happy to say though...I am a convert to the Mary Madonna movement. I looooooove her. Love love love times a bajillion. I take it all back. I'm sorry, Mary. You taught my hellren how to read, I shouldn't have been such a dick to you in my head. We are BFFs now, k? Ok, you're probably asking yourself, why the change? Let me tell you.

I don't know what was up my ass when I read Lover Eternal but I just didn't jive with Mary. I found her kinda annoying and way too Debbie Downer even though I KNOW she had every right to be. Again, I take it back. I felt so in tune with Mary's emotions that I felt like I was living her story right there with her. I completely understood everything she was feeling when she felt it and it all just clicked it. I felt for her and with her and I wanted so badly for everything to work out in her favor. She is so incredibly kind and nurturing and caring that I feel like a TOTAL KNOB for not really liking her before. But I've changed. Mary was hands down my favorite part of this story.

I don't want to reveal too much about the plot because I want you to experience everything for yourself. I will give you some highlights though.

• Rhage is amazing, per usual. He is going through some things of his own and I loved how he and Mary worked together to face them. They are such an amazing team. 

• Assail...ASSAIL!!! He and Xcor are my absolute FAVORITE non-Brother characters and we get a ton of Assail development in this book. It was brilliant and I loved every second of his arc. It was perfection. And there were plot twists that I never saw coming at all! Amazing!

• Layla. She's amazing. That is all.

• Plot twists and reveals you would never expect. 

• Plot points that have a lot of room for development and movement.

• Vishous has a big role in this book and I loved being with that diamond-eyed brooder. He is so intelligent and gives so much to his Brothers. And while I think in general he has had a lot of attention paid to him in the series as a whole, I think things are shifting for him, in a good way. I just love him. He's so straight forward, tell it like it is, he's a total silent killer and I love his kink. If my hellren didn't spend 100 years tied up NOT for fun, he and I would definitely be borrowing V's dungeon room. 

• Did I mention plot twists and reveals? Because they're there and they are Home Alone face kind of reaction.

• Feels!!! Oh, my gosh did I mention the feels?!? I was crying at multiple points because I am just so invested in these characters. IT IS JUST SO GOOD, YOU GUYS!!!

• The Brothers. They are hilarious. I love their interactions together especially when they're ripping on each other. It's just the best. There's one ongoing joke in particular in this book that had me rolling laughing. It's too good. THEY are too good.

• Zsadist--my amazing hellren has a few absolutely beautiful moments. Good and bad, he is breathtaking amazing and I can't even verbalize how much I love him. I won't even tell you not to get any idea because he's mine because that's just fact at this point. 

OK, I think I'm done. I would just like to say one final thing. I love how JR Ward has evolved this series from paranormal romance to so much more. These books aren't just about the "main" couple getting their happy ending. There is real plot going on that has nothing to do with romance and so many storylines that she weaves in that I read for way more than "just" the romance. They are so much more than "just" anything. I have said this for years, since I started reading, there is something infinitely special to me about this series and these characters. They are my family. When I read these books it feels comforting and warm and like coming home. I feel immediately transported to Caldwell and the Mansion and I can see everyone right in front of my eyes. I think everyone has a series that is particularly special to them for one reason or another and this one is mine. They are my people. 

I have nothing to say here excited the graphic is the title of our book and the alter ego of Rhage so I'm leaving it.

VIP
If you love the Brothers, their shellacs, and love in every form...this book is for you.

The Truth Shall Set You Free

"You don't need to be gifted with a blade.
You are your own best weapon."

--Marie Rutkoski, The Winner's Kiss

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Farrar Strous & Giroux

Pages: 352

Publication Date: March 29th, 2016

Source: eARC provided by publisher

Previous Books in Series: The Winner's Curse & The Winner's Crime
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Description  War has begun. Arin is in the thick of it, with the East as his ally and the empire as his enemy. He’s finally managed to dismiss the memory of Kestrel, even if he can’t quite forget her. Kestrel turned into someone he could no longer recognize: someone who cared more for the empire than for the lives of innocent people—and certainly more than she cared for him. At least, that’s what he thinks.

But far north lies a work camp where Kestrel is a prisoner. Can she manage to escape before she loses herself? As the war intensifies, both Kestrel and Arin discover unexpected roles in battle, terrible secrets, and a fragile hope. The world is changing. The East is pitted against the West, and Kestrel and Arin are caught between. In a game like this, can anybody really win?

I don't even know where to being with writing this review. I fell in love with this series years ago when the beautiful ARC gloriously showed up in my mailbox. And it's been a beautiful love affair ever since. I have fallen in literary love with these characters, their struggle, their world, everything. There is...so much beauty in these books that juxtapose with the harshness of the world and their situations. I re-read the first two books to prepare myself and I am so glad I did. I was thoroughly enveloped in the world and my heart because their heart, this is how strongly I feel about this series. But I digress in the world of my emotions. Let's move on...

The Winner's Crime left us in the ultimate lurch. Kestrel was sent north. Arin left in a huff. And we the readers were crawling on the floor trying to pick up the pieces of our shattered hearts. The struggle was ACTUALLY real. The Winner's Kiss pick up almost directly where Crime left off. The plot of this story hits the ground running. We catch up with Arin, we see what's going on with Kestrel and the action starts there. Kestrel is obviously not happy where she is and Arin is losing himself in his war due to his poor, broken heart. I won't talk too much about the plot...okay I won't talk about it at all because you must experience it yourself. I WILL say that I adored how the plot played out and was paced. We got a certain kind of plot point introduced earlier than I thought which I was really happy about and then how everything else plays out is amazing.

What I appreciated most about the plot was how realistic it felt. The war is real. There are victories and defeats and I loved this. There wasn't some magic solution to the war, it was fought hard and bloody and REAL. I can't say it enough. I really dislike when final books wrap up too easily and quickly for the sake of resolution but this book (thankfully) stands on its own. It isn't rushed. It isn't easy. But it is so, so worth it.

Kestrel was...brilliant. Nothing less than. Her character is one of my absolute favorites in literature for her quiet strength, loyalty to those she loves, and her complete selflessness of doing what is right, not what is easy or in her personal best interest. She is a leader in her own right and to quote one character in the book, she is her "own best weapon." Her intelligence is uncanny and I loved seeing her hone her skills of military prowess. She is not a physical character and that's okay. We all have our own personal strength and weaknesses and it is how we accept those triumphs and shortcomings that make us who we are. I could talk for hours about how much I love her and admire her but we'll be here all day.

The relationship between Arin and Kestrel....is something I will not talk about. Sorry, guys. Read the book. You have to experience the same kind of sweet agony I did while reading.

Overall, this book is everything I wanted from the final book of this series and lots of thing unexpected in a good way! I really had zero inclination as to where the plot would go and how everything would turn out but I am so pleased with the conclusion of this story. If you are a fan of this series, I truly believe you will not be disappointed. And if you haven't read this yet, you need to get your life right and grab the Winner's Curse IMMEDIATELY!!!

VIP
If you love amazing storytelling, fierce heroines, and an epic romance...this book (and series) is for you.

Kiss and Tell // The Winner's Kiss Blog Tour

Welcome to my stop on The Winner's Kiss blog tour! If you've been here before you know I am OBSESSED with this series! The political intrigue, the forbidden romance, the FEELS! It is all there and wrapped up in some of the most beautiful writing I have ever had the pleasure of reading. For this blog tour we are talking about one of my favorite things ever...kissing!! Specifically our favorite literary kisses! 

What book is your favorite literary kiss in?
The book that my favorite literary kiss is in is Lover Awakened by JR Ward. It features my favorite book boyfriend OF ALL TIME and one of my favorite female heroines. {Review}

Who is kissing?
Zsadist and Bella!!!! *all the hearts in eyes ever*

Why is it your favorite?
This is my favorite kiss because it is SO sweet and endearing and unique. C'mon, how often is it that the man is the one having his first kiss?! Hardly EVER! I cannot think of another book where the hero is inexperienced and completely clueless. I love his vulnerability and how Bella takes charge and makes her feelings known. While Zsadist is all alpha, trust me I should know, the fact that in this respect he is unsure of himself is all kinds of endearing and sexy to me. I love him so hard.

Bonus Question: What kiss do you hope will occur in Marie Rutkoski's The Winner's Kiss?
Um, is this a serious question? The only kiss that matters. If I have to name names then you need to get your life right and read this series starting yesterday.

Don't forget to check out the other tour stops! And if you haven't read this series yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

Shoot For Love

"I mean you're facing a Jacob quandry.
You imprinted on her pussy, and now it's the only pussy you can think about.
You exist solely for this pussy.
Like Jacob and that weird mutant baby."

--Elle Kennedy, The Score

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Self-Published

Pages: 249

Publication Date: January 11th, 2016

Source: eARC provided by publicist

Previous Books in Series: The Deal & The Mistake
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Description 

He knows how to score, on and off the ice

Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn’t have the first clue about what she's going to do after college. To make matters worse, she’s nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di-Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once, though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won’t include the king of one-night stands.

It’ll take more than flashy moves to win her over

Dean always gets what he wants. Girls, grades, girls, recognition, girls…he’s a ladies man, all right, and he’s yet to meet a woman who’s immune to his charms. Until Allie. For one night, the feisty blonde rocked his entire world—and now she wants to be friends? Nope. It’s not over until he says it’s over. Dean is in full-on pursuit, but when life-rocking changes strike, he starts to wonder if maybe it’s time to stop focusing on scoring…and shoot for love.

Not gonna lie. I wasn't sure how invested I would be in Dean's story because...manwhore. Not usually my thing. I try to put myself in the heroine's shoes when I read so when I get to a story about a womanizer I immediately call bullshit because how can you really trust him? Has he changed his ways? But right now is when I say I bow down to Elle Kennedy because not only was I invested in this story quickly, it is my reading habit of trying to relate to the heroine that won me over completely. Let's break this down.

I loved being in Allie's head. She broke up with Sean after on-again/off-again dating him for several years and to avoid listening to his pleas of apologies, she hides out in Dean's house because his BFF is Garrett, Allie's BFF's boyfriend. One tequila shot leads to another and they end up sleeping together. And WOW kink. Sexual adventures. I was shocked in the best way because how these two attack the bedroom and their sexuality is something I was so on board with. I applaud Elle Kennedy for weaving a lot of creativity into their sexual exploits. Loved it so hard. It's not often female characters openly talk about masturbation or sex toys or what gets them off. Allie (and Hannah) do this and I could not be more happy with it.

On the flip side, though. After their one night stand Allie feels guilt. She slut-shames herself about what happened because that's not her typical behavior. While I'm all about you doing you and owning your sexuality and your choices, I could also definitely understand Allie's conflicted feelings. She has nothing to be ashamed about but she can't help how she feels. I loved how Dean handled this and talked her through it. No spoilers but there is a scene later on that peripherally deals with this and wow...just...wow. I was swooning so fucking hard I thought I was going to have to pick my heart up off the floor. It's brilliant.

The dynamic between Dean and Allie is electric. Their banter. Dirty texting. Sexual chemistry. It's all there and it's all on another level. I love how they explore and are adventurous in the bedroom. Not something you always find in the New Adult genre. Their candid discussions about sex was refreshing. Dean is crazy sexual and seeing him brought to his knees by somebody he never thought would was effing hilarious. When he talks about it with his friend, it is just too funny for words. The Twilight references were amazing.

More than just the romance we have the story of what each of them is going through outside the relationship. I won't give away spoilers or too many plot points because you'll just have to read it but I will say that I loved it. I love how Elle Kennedy brings so much more to the story than 'just' the romance. The interactions with friends, the real life situations, the everyday encounters. I just love it. Her writing is so fluid and effortless reading that she is the Queen of 'Just One More Chapter' or the incarnate of Pringles; once you start, you just can't stop.

I am head over heels in love with this series. If you have not read it yet, you really need to reevaluate your life choices. This series is heartfelt, funny, sexy, sarcastic, and filled with banter that is just feel good. I felt actually a little high when I finished this book. I just felt good. They make me so happy and I'm already planning on re-reading in the very soon future. They're just those kinds of books. 

VIP
If you love amazing characters, sexy adventures, and heartfelt stories...this book is for you.

Thou Shall Not Covet

"I'm not saying you're mine...I just wish you were."

--JR Ward, Covet

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Signet

Pages: 474

Publication Date: October 29th, 2009

Source: Bought

Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

Previous Books in Series: First in series

Goodreads Description 

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls to save. This is the first battle between a savior who doesn't believe and a demon with nothing to lose!

Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about—his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charged with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option.

Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough-talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. And then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart—and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.

Guys…GUYS! You all KNOW how much I love JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. They are family. Zsadist is my BAE and hellren and JR is my mother-in-law, shit is serious. I’m always hesitant to start a new book or series by a beloved author only because I feel like a failure if I don’t like it. It would break my heart. So I put off Covet for a while. *insert kicking myself here* I loved it. I’m not just saying that. I LOVED IT. Like I thought about it at work because I couldn’t wait to pick it back up! The romance *siiiiiiiigh* was SO amazing! Holy shit, it was so fucking romantic I had tears in my eyes. But let’s back up. Jim Heron is a man with an extensive military background who find himself being propositioned by Angels to help guide seven souls into the right direction as to decide the battle between Heaven and Hell. Badass, right? Jim totally is this. I loved his characterization and his struggle to figure out what the right path is and what is the right thing to do.

His first charge and soul is Vincent diPietro. Uber wealthy, rough childhood, doesn’t really care about anybody. He’s about to be engaged to a woman he doesn’t even love…and then Jim enters his life and he meets Marie-Terese. Marie-Terese has fallen on ridiculously hard times and has had to do the unthinkable in order to provide for her son and pay off debts aka become a prostitute at The Iron Mask—yes, THAT Iron Mask. She hates herself for having to do it and this is a point of struggle for her. When she meets Vin she gets *feelings* and she doesn’t like it. It reminds her too much of her awful ex-husband and she fights it tooth and nail. But some fights you just lose. The slow-burn relationship between Vin and Marie-Terese is just…beautiful. It’s beautiful, you guys. I just had so much emotion while reading because he’s so tender with her and understanding and I just got her hesitation and belief that he was way too good to be true. I liked that she struggled with trusting him because it felt so realistic. I just adored them. And how she is with her son broke my heart in the best way. She is the best mother around and what she sacrifices for her son just warms my heart. She is amazing and I loved her and I loved her with Vin and I loved Vin with her. They’re just perfect.

The world is set in Caldwell with the battle between good and evil being decided as Jim works his way through souls. I cannot wait to see where he goes after this and damn myself for not having the next book. Remedying this immediately. The only thing I’m sad about is I want more Vin and Marie-Terese! But…another book, another couple, and I can’t wait!

It Ended...
I wanted more of Vin and Marie-Terese!! SO. MUCH. MORE. Where is my novella, JR?! WHERE IS IT?!?! Give me something more! I need more! *deep breath* I'm cool. I'm good. But I'm not sorry. 

VIP
If you love JR Ward, romantic relationships, and redemption...this book's for you.

Fire and Ice

Genre

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher

Self-Published

Pages

358 // 297

Publication Date

February 14, 2015 // April 28, 2015 

Source

Bought

Find on Goodreads

The Deal

"I fight back laughter. 'As you wish.' 

'Did you really just Princess Bride me?' 

'Did you really just use Princess Bride as a verb?'"

This series came as a hug surprise to me. Steph recommend this book to me, especially after I LOVED Claimed, but y'all know me and my TBR, I don't add books lightly. But guys... I didn't move once I started this book. I mean, I started this book after working a 12.5 hour shift and I legit didn't stop reading until I was done around 1230 am. I. Could. Not. Stop. Elle Kennedy's writing is so fluid and engaging that she is the Queen of 'Just One More Chapter' because you just HAVE to know what's going to happen next. 

The Deal is about Garrett and Hannah. Garrett is a hockey player at Briar and...persuades Hannah into tutoring him. Her end of THE DEAL--see what I did there--is he is going to try and get her a date with another guy. Obviously things go awry once they spend time together. Dudes. The chemistry and banter is on another level. It's so funny and sarcastic and smart. And then there are emotions. Hannah had something traumatic happen to her in the past but it never felt cliche or used solely for a plot point as is easy to happen with romances but that was never the case. It's wasn't a huge melodramatic affair and I appreciated Hannah's self-awareness and maturity. Garrett was SO understanding and vulnerable and just uh-may-zing with her. She, in turn, was there for him with his own past. I thought the give and take of this relationship was perfection. 

I loved this book, I cannot wait to read the next one because LOGAN!!!!!!!!! *ALL THE HEARTS IN ALL THE EYES*

The Mistake

"First and foremost—be confident. 

Second—be spontaneous. 

Third—the only opinion that matters is your own."

I loved The Deal, as you see above, and I hesitated on The Mistake only because I found it hard to believe I could love this book even close to how much I loved The Deal. *insert foot in mouth* I think I loved it more. After reading The Deal, I knew Logan was my man. It was a feeling. I was not wrong. John Logan. You have my heart. You stole it from Garrett as a defender steals a puck--hahahaha I don't even know if that makes sense in the hockey world but I wanted to go there. Anyways! I was hooked into Logan and Grace's story almost immediately. I adored Grace. Her drive and intelligence engaged me immediately with her limited bullshit for her drunk friends. Girl after my own heart. And then her vulnerability won me over completely. Logan was equal parts incredible and incredible asshole. Grace and Logan meet and have a great connection, drama happens because Grace's friends suck ass, and Logan saves the day. *cue the fucking SWOON holy fucking hell*

After that Logan makes THE MISTAKE--*smirk*--and Grace 100% understandably shuts down and spends the summer with her mother in Paris. Work bitch! Logan vows to win Grace back the next school year and the hoops she has him jump through are fucking hilarious. He does not give up and his tenacity to win her back is so fun to read. I loved that he knew he fucked up, he suffered, he saw the total fault in his way of thinking, and did something about it. I think Grace making him work for it was so awesome. She was hurt and I completely agree that taking him back after that would be really hard. How Kennedy paced this book was on point. I cannot say enough or verbalize intelligently how much I loved this book and how engaged I was in the story. It was so sexy and the romantic chemistry between Logan and Grace was on another level. I definitely had to fan myself and I won't lie, I'm with Grace, I am 100% a football girl and have no interest in hockey...but fuck if I didn't google image hot hockey players and contemplated turning on ESPN to see if a game was on. FOR REAL! 

This book is sweet, sexy, sarcastic, and all things swoony. If you haven't read this series yet, you HAVE to put it on your TBR.

VIP

If you love stories with strong female characters, endearing hockey players, and sassy banter...this series is for you.