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(This review can be found on my blog <a href="http://themisadventuresofatwentysomething.blogspot.com/">The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl</a> at the beginning of December).


When I was asked if I would review this book, I said yes without even thinking about. This book has been on my to be read shelf for awhile, and while it wasn't laugh out loud funny all the time, it was still laugh worthy.

The cover shows that this is going to be a humorous book with funny illustrations. I, personally, like the cover, and it drew me in.

There is one sign that you're a Facebook addict on each page as well as a full page illustration on the other to go with the sign. Some of these are funny while others are mildly amusing. Some signs used in the book include "you've already created a page for your unborn child," your partner angrily claims they've become a Facebook widow," and "you've had a face-off with Facebook." There's also suggestions to detox from Facebook such as "get sent to jail," "join Google+ instead," and "fall in love."

I enjoyed the illustrations the most if I'm honest. Gemini Adams, not only wrote the book, but also illustrated it. While most of them are cutesy, there area few which are kinda crude. Mostly, they only show women's breasts. There's no illustrations of crotches so worry not.

I believe this book would be a perfect stocking stuffer or gag gift for someone who is on Facebook a lot. I'm thinking of getting this book for my dad who is obsessed with how many friends he has and how many likes he gets.

(I received a free paperback copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review).
  
Twilight (Twilight, #1)
Twilight (Twilight, #1)
Stephenie Meyer | 2005 | Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
6.8 (160 Ratings)
Book Rating
Yes, I admit it - I'm in the Love It camp and so firmly in Team Edward it's ridiculous! The jury definitely seems out, not only this book but on the series in general. People seem to either love it or hate it with no middle ground, a bit like Marmite! What follows is my opinion, and only my opinion!

I didn't immediately read this book upon it's release due to the hype that had preceded it so I was happy to wait. When I did eventually buy it, it was because it was on offer as a paperback in my local supermarket and I was looking for something new to read. So I bought it. I read it in a couple of evenings, starting as soon my children had gone to bed and reading through until it was my turn to retire for the night.

The book has its flaws and faults just like every other book out on the market. But you either like Bella and Edward (Jacob isn't in this book much) or you don't. You know that he's a vampire from the beginning so it comes as no surprise when he admits it. I like the fact that Bella doesn't see herself as others do and is clumsy and uncoordinated.

I have since bought this in hardback and still enjoy reading it and I still fall in love with Edward every time that I read it as he is such a "gentleman" to me.

One thing I would say - whether you like it, love it, think it's ok or hate it, you are entitled to your own opinion the same as I am. Just don't knock mine because it's different to yours!
  
I'll be honest. Out of all the paranormal creatures out there, shape shifters are not high on my list of favourites. I find them hard to connect to but I obviously like something about some of them as I have two werewolf series in paperback--Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs and Shifters by Rachel Vincent.

This one took a little getting into. It had a very slow start, taking 50+ pages for Bryn to meet Chase, the boy who got bit by the rabid, and then another 50 or so for them to meet again under supervision this time and not without going through a lot of training to make sure she can outwit/fight Chase if things go south. Strangely, though, Bryn and Chase have a connection - a bond - something that keeps them coming together and they somehow mark each other, causing chaos in the Pack. There's also the little issue that the rabid that bit Chase is also the one that killed Bryn's parents when she was four. And that is what the rest of the book is about. Finding and killing the rabid werewolf.

It didn't really hold my attention. It was quite a lot of book for hardly anything happening. The final showdown with the rabid shifter took all of about 25 pages and seemed over far too easily.

I liked some of the secondary characters, for instance Devon. He's great; witty, protective and good in any situation. Lake was fun, if a little crazy with her guns. Chase, I haven't decided about yet. And then there's Callum. I liked him, he always had a plan.

That being said, I don't think I'll be continuing the series.
  
A Brutal Tenderness (A Terrible Love, #2)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
3.5 stars.

I think this is the first time I have ever read the second book in a series that tells it from another’s POV. If you don’t know what I mean here’s an example: Hopeless (girl’s POV) and Losing Hope (guy’s POV) by Colleen Hoover… but I have to asmit it was very interesting seeing everything from Cas’ POV.

Well, there’s something about a guy who talks dirty when your in bed with him that I like. And Cas with Jess/Jewell is no exception. I think it’s his dominance that I like so much. He wont take no crap, at all, and he uses his body as a weapon in this; both in a seductive and a fighting way.

The bits we read from the crazy psychopath also know as Jess’/Jewell’s step-brother are weirdly creepy but insightful. We never saw anything from his POV in the first book so that was an interesting change between the two stories.

As was reading about the FBI team who were sent out to keep a watchful eye on her. Seeing the interaction between them when they were at FBI headquarters and how they acted when in close confines with Jess was quite fun. Friends one minute, beating each other up the next.

I’m not sure if I’ll ever read another duet like this, if I’m honest, because it is basically just another version of the first book but from another’s POV (although I do have Walking Disaster in paperback, yet-to-read) with added bits when they disappear from the pages of the other.

But if you like New Adult books then this duet are not to be missed. Sure they’re a little darker compared to others but they are compelling reading. I highly recommend them.
  
The Sound
The Sound
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
4.5 stars.

I happened to really like this, so I am very glad I bought it in paperback when I had the chance. It was just what I was in the mood for so I'm happy right now.

It started a little shaky but I found myself so engrossed in the story that I devoured it fairly quickly for a physical book.

I loved the setting: Nantucket Island. It sounds quite lovely.
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_lrjkslF5sB1qfgo4ro1_500.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_lrjkslF5sB1qfgo4ro1_500.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_lrjkslF5sB1qfgo4ro1_500.gif"/></a>

And having a bonfire on the beach sounds cool too. Can't say we do that often over here in the UK (not that I know of anyway)
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_n58zv29dGF1qh377zo1_4001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_n58zv29dGF1qh377zo1_4001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_n58zv29dGF1qh377zo1_4001.gif"/></a>

I grew to really like Jesse. He was so protective of his friends and family.

Some of the other characters were fairly annoying, but I don't focus on that I focus on the romance between characters not the book as a whole, so it didn't really bother me.

To say it involved a bit of a love triangle I have to say it was fairly obvious who Ren was more interested in when she was seen to spend more time with Jesse than Jeremy, who just seemed a bit too perfect to be real.

I had my suspicions about who was behind the nanny murders and I was partly correct but I'm not going to go into detail. The only thing that bothered me was the ending. It just seemed to happen/end a little too abruptly for my liking but I still really liked it :D
  
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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, #1) in Books

Aug 26, 2019 (Updated Sep 3, 2019)  
Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, #1)
Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, #1)
Larissa Ione | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.3 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
Admittedly it's been a while since I read and enjoyed a paranormal romance but since that's what 75% of my paperbacks are at the minute, I decided to try this series.

And I was pulled in fairly quickly. It was straight into the action at Eidolon's demonic underground hospital in New York dealing with injuries and his brothers. And Tayla--an Aegis, the demons mortal enemy--ends up being one of his patients.

Within the first 25 pages we had a rather steamy sex scene and though I was surprised by the enemies turned lovers actions, I was intrigued on what would end up happening. Would she betray the Aegis for him? Would he defend her against all the demons who wanted her dead?

It was pretty non stop with stuff going on. It wasn't always just from Eidolon and Tayla's POV. We saw the odd scene from someone related to the hospital who was being hunted by the Aegis and I was very anti-Aegis from pretty early on.
"Tayla...she rocked his underworld"
This was a quote from early on in the book but I found it accurate and rather sweet. The romance was rocky, one minute they were all over each other and the next trying to kill each other--literally. I actually really liked the turmoil, the angst, and devoured the book in about two days when I finally just sat down and started it properly.

There is a story arc starting in this one that involves Gem, a half demon, and her want of Kynan, a human, that we see playing out in the occasional scene that has me intrigued and I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out in the next book.

I have book 2, Desire Unchained, and book 5, Sin Undone, in paperback, too, and look forward to reading them.
  
Dexterity Check (Dungeons and Dating #5)
Dexterity Check (Dungeons and Dating #5)
Katherine McIntyre | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Those damned Care Bears!
DEXTERITY CHECK is the fifth book in the Dungeons and Dating series, and really needs to be read in order to get the full benefit. This is a 5-star series, simple as that.

The thing I adore about this author is, no matter which book I'm reading, it's always my favourite. Does that mean I'm fickle? I'd like to think not. I'd like to think her writing is just that good! This series has been a hit with me from the beginning, and each book is on my "To Buy as Paperback/Hardback" list as I need to have the real thing.

Arjun and Eli balance each other out in so many ways but are both too stubborn to admit it. So similar in so many ways, and yet it is the differences that make them work so well together.

I will say this was a highly emotional book for me. First one strike (Arjun), then another (Eli), and then the final one (Arjun). Three strikes and I was down. Eyes leaking with no end in sight. Those damned Care Bears have done it again. I won't give any clues because you need to read it for yourself.

This has been a fantastic book and I really don't want it to be over. Only one more book to go and then it looks like re-reads are in my future. Ten out of five stars for sheer brilliance. A MUST-READ!!!

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
One Day in December: A Christmas Love Story
One Day in December: A Christmas Love Story
Josie Silver | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.6 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved the idea of this book and it sounded just my perfect romance read.  However it was so much more than I could have hoped for!  I read it in one sitting and found the lovely sunny day had gone dark and wet by the time I moved from the sofa - but oh! what a day I had in the world of this amazingly beautiful love story!

The story is told over a ten year period, beginning in December 2008 which is where the Christmas part comes in.  The story is told in sort of diary form from the characters perspectives and jumps many months at a time so you get the good bits whilst the story unfolds. 

It sounded like it could be yet another love triangle with the obvious difficulties however it is so unlike anything I have read before.  It is a book for all ages – no nasty double crossing, no detailed erotic sex scenes or nasty, bitchy comments we are so used to being part of daily lives – however, there  are many tear-worthy moments in this absolutely wonderful true love story. 

The author has found a way of telling a story in today’s times without having all the drama that we are so used to seeing in these types of situations.  Everyone deals with events in a very mature way and forgiving way which ensures that whilst reading you can live in a feel-good bubble.  I did plenty of bubbling while reading and many sharp intakes of breath at times too.  It is a story of love, heartache, friendship and the unbreakable bonds.

I can honestly say I will be recommending this to everyone I speak to in person, on twitter, Facebook and anywhere else that I can.  It’s amazingly beautiful – you really should go read it!

Thanks to Josie Silver, NetGalley and Penguin for giving me the opportunity to read and review prior to the paperback release in October 2018.
  
Blood Kiss (Black Dagger Legacy, #1)
Blood Kiss (Black Dagger Legacy, #1)
J.R. Ward | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I read my first Black Dagger Brotherhood book back in 2010, I think, and fell in love with this group of warriors. I have books 1-12 in paperback and they sit proudly on my bookshelf, as shown below

I guess it's not fair to have favourites but two of them always stick in my head: Rhage and Vishous, though all the guys are memorable. The King, Wrath's second book in the series took me a while to read so I gave up on the series for a while, though I have been buying the rest of the books in this series as Kindle books.
This spin off series - Black Dagger Legacy - is about the original guys finding new recruits who they will train so they can help them take on the lessers and any other threats to their population.

This one follows Paradise, a society heir who wants more from her life than parties so she fills in an application form and hopes her father will give her permission to join the programme and he does, believing she won't make it very far. Paradise proves everyone wrong, though, including Craeg - fellow trainee and the guy she has an intense attraction towards. And the feeling is definitely mutual.

I enjoyed watching this play out, although Craeg's reluctance to start with annoyed me a little. But Paradise certainly wore him down in the end and it was fun watching.

It also focuses on Butch and Marissa's relationship. Both are dealing - or more precisely NOT dealing - with issues from their pasts and it's starting to drive a wedge between them. Then there's the battered female that comes into Safe Place - where Marissa works - on the brink of death that brings up old memories.

I did enjoy seeing a lot of the brothers again, it reminded me why I love this series and I can't wait to read more. I think The Shadows will be my next read.
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Feb 6, 2021 (Updated Feb 6, 2021)  
Sneak a peek at the science fiction medical thriller FACTOR-7 by J.D. May, and check out the awesome author interview video on my blog. Enter the giveaway to win a signed paperback of the book, a travel mug, a coffee mug, coaster, pen, tote bag, and a bookmark - 5 winners total.

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2021/02/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-factor-7-by.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
Dr. Sam Hawkins’s friend and mentor, Dr. William Roberts, has been struck down by an unknown and hideous disease. Roberts’s dying words are cryptic, and Sam is soon confronted by a massive cover up of his friend’s death. He reluctantly partners with Dr. Rainee Arienzo, an Italian infectious disease specialist, and together they uncover the terrifying truth about Factor-7, a bio-weapon with a 98 percent mortality rate.

Roberts’s journal tips them off that a clandestine plot for using the virus is about to be unleashed by a secret society, the Keepers Collegium. The Collegium, an international group of rogue intelligence agents, ex-military, and government officials, has a demonic plan to use the pathogen to destroy anyone who threatens their twisted ideology. Sam and Rainee soon realize that public exposure of the evil plot would be as dangerous to the world’s security as the bio-weapon itself—the fallout could lead to World War III. Therefore, they must not only shut down the plans of the Collegium, but also keep the top- secret information away from the media.

But as they work to stop the plot, Sam and Rainee are kidnapped by the drug cartel. The kingpin, who financed much of the Collegium’s plot, wants them to hand over Roberts’s journal because it lists the names of the major players in the Collegium who had double-crossed him. He plans to carry out his own revenge. In order to survive, Sam and Rainee have no choice—they must play with one of two devils or be burned by both.