Mini Review: Still the One by Jill Shalvis



Still the One (Animal Magnetism #6)
Author: Jill Shalvis
Release Date: April 7, 2015
Publisher: Berkley
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Source: Berkley
Review by: Jenn
Darcy Stone is game for anything—except sexy Navy vet and physical therapist AJ Colten, the guy who’d rejected her when she’d needed him most. Now the shoe is on the other foot and he needs her to play nice and help him secure grants for his patients. Unfortunately Darcy can’t refuse. She needs the money to fund her passion project: rescuing S&R dogs and placing them with emotionally wounded soldiers.

AJ admits it—Darcy is irresistible. But he’s already been battle-scarred by a strong-willed, vivacious, adventurous woman like Darcy, and he’s not making the same mistake twice—until he and Darcy are forced to fake a relationship. Growing closer than they’d ever imagined possible, Darcy and AJ have to ask themselves: how much between them is pretend? What’s the real thing? And where does it go from here?

3 star out of 5 stars
*I received a finish copy of this book from the publisher. However, my review is not influence in any way by it.*

Now this is the Jill Shalvis book that I know and love. After my horrendous experience with Get a Clue, I’m glad to read a Jill Shalvis book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Still the One was easy to get into and fall for the characters. Darcy and A.J. were fun to get to know and I love their sexual tension and their snarky banter. I really like what Darcy was trying to do with giving special dogs to those in needs. It made her character all the more special and unique.

Being back in Sunshine, Idaho is always an interesting ride. I really need to go back and start the series from the beginning. All the characters just seem like a fun group of people I want to hang out with.

But seriously, this is the kind of Jill Shalvis’ book you need to read. Pick this one up!

Quotes (#164)

Morning Friends,
Last week was crazy for me, but wonderful all at the same time! I made it through the first week of school; which was a little stressful but overall still went great! We also welcomed baby Noah to the family, and I am now an aunt!!! He the most adorable little boy I've seen (I might be biased).

Either way it was a great emotionally charged week! In the mist of all the craziness I managed to finish reading Outlander, which by the way I really enjoyed! So here are some of my favorite quotes.

“I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have.”
~Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

“Oh, aye, Sassenach. I am your master . . . and you're mine. Seems I canna possess your soul without losing my own.”
~Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

“Ye werena the first lass I kissed," he said softly. "But I swear you'll be the last.”
~Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

“There are things that I canna tell you, at least not yet. And I'll ask nothing of ye that ye canna give me. But what I would ask of ye---when you do tell me something, let it be the truth. And I'll promise ye the same. We have nothing now between us, save---respect, perhaps. And I think that respect has maybe room for secrets, but not for lies. Do ye agree?”
~Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

“And if your life is a suitable exchange for my honor, why is my honor not a suitable exchange for your life?”
~Diana Gabaldon, Outlander
“I had not slept with many men other than my husband, but I had noticed that before to sleep, actually sleep with someone did give this sense of intimacy, as though your dreams had flowed out of you to mingle with his and fold you both in a blanket of unconscious knowing.”
~Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

“I wanted ye from the first I saw ye – but I loved ye when you wept in my arms and let me comfort you, that first time at Leoch.”
~Diana GabaldonOutlander

Have a great week friends!

Review: Fatal Identity by Marie Force



Fatal Identity (Fatal #10)
Author: Marie Force
Release Date: July 26, 2016
Publisher: HQN Books
Format: eARC
Source: Sullivan and Partners, LLC
Review by: Jenn
Every family has its secrets…

As the first anniversary of her marriage to Vice President Nick Cappuano approaches, Lieutenant Sam Holland is dreaming of Bora Bora—sun, sand and a desperately needed break from the DC grind. But real life has a way of intervening, and Sam soon finds herself taking on one of the most perplexing cases of her career.

Government worker Josh Hamilton begs Sam to investigate his shocking claim that his parents stole him from another family thirty years ago. More complicated still, his “father” is none other than the FBI director. When a member of Josh’s family is brutally murdered, Sam begins to question how deep this cover-up goes. Is it possible the revered director was part of a baby-napping ring and that others involved are also targets?

With a killer intent on deadly revenge and her team still reeling from a devastating loss, Sam’s plate is full—and when Nick and their son, Scotty, take ill, is her dream of a tropical anniversary celebration in peril too?

3 stars out of 5 stars
*I received a copy of this book from the publicist. However, my review is not influenced by that in any way.*

I have gotten into reading romantic suspense book again, so I was happy when I got a copy of this book. It is also my first Marie Force book even though I own a copy or two of her other series.

The book starts off fairly quickly. Sam Holland is suspended because of something that happened in the previous book but on her way home, her plans to relax with her son and husband are thrown in the wrench. She gets asked for help in a case, and it what seem like a Sam Holland move, she is unable to say no. Even though she is supposed to be suspended, all of her team members and superiors help her with this case.

This book is supposed to be read as a standalone even though it is book 10 of the series. I have read many books that follow the same format as the Fatal series, books in series that are companion or standalone in the series. However, with Fatal Identity, I always got the sense that I was missing something. All the characters and their relationships, they all have that familiarity of knowing each other but there were too many references or inside jokes that I never really got because there wasn't any explanation for the reader who was reading the book/series for the first time. So I feel like that took away from my enjoyment a bit because I always felt behind.

I also have a hard time believing that a police lieutenant like Sam Holland was still hanging onto a flip phone. When I was made aware that she still carry her old flip phone for reasons I cannot remember, I was perplexed because I assumed that Sam was around 35 years old. She's young enough  to roll with technology changes. I know it a weird thing to fixate on but because I was still getting to know these characters, it was something that stood out to me.

Aside from that, I enjoyed reading this story. The plot moved quickly, so I never felt like things were lagging. I'm debating whether to go back to the beginning and start the series but I'm not sure if I will. While I enjoyed the book, I didn't really love it. I am willing to give another of Marie's book a try though.

Mini Review: Deep Dark by Laura Griffin


Deep Dark (Tracers #10)
Author: Laura Griffin
Release Date: May 24, 2016
Publisher: Pocket Books
Format: ARC
Source: Pocket Books
Review by: Jenn
The moment detective Reed Novak steps onto the crime scene, he knows the case is going to rock his world. A beautiful young woman murdered at home. No sign of forced entry. No motive. She’s obviously not the killer’s first victim, and Reed’s instincts tell him she won’t be his last. Reed’s first clue comes via a mysterious text that links to a dating profile, but even more intriguing than the clue is the person who sent it.

As a white-hat hacker in the Delphi Center’s cyber investigation unit, Laney Knox sneaks into some of the deepest, darkest corners of the Internet looking for predators. Laney would prefer to stay away from Austin PD’s most recent murder case, but she can’t ignore the chilling similarities between that crime and her own brutal attack years ago. Laney offers to help the sexy lead detective, but he wants more from her than just a promising tip—Reed wants her trust. Laney resists, but as their relationship deepens she’s tempted to reveal the closely guarded secrets that could make her a key witness…or the killer’s next victim.

4 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. However, that did not influenced this review in any way.*

I was hooked from page one of Deep Dark. It had been ages since I picked up a romantic suspense novel and this book bought everything that I love from this genre. Laura Griffin wrote a hero and heroine I could root for, some slow burn sexual tension that I love, and a story and villain that terrifies me. I love these kinds of novels and I can’t wait to go back and start this series from the beginning.

If you love suspense with some romance, then I sincerely recommend this series. All books can be read as standalone, so you don’t’ have to read them in order. So go pick up this book!

Quotes (#163)


Morning Swooners,
In about an hour I will be dropping off my princess for her first day of kindergarten! HOLY SMOKES!@#$ I have been nervous about this day for months. Just thinking about it was enough to bring tears to my eyes. In fact I'm tearing up right at this moment. I am going to have to find it in me not to cry before or during drop-off; all bets are off afterwards for sure. Good Luck to everyone going back to school tomorrow. May the odds be ever in your favor. On to our quotes I need a distraction.

“If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.”
~ Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

“He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty"

~Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

“Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?”

~ Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

“A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.”
~ Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

“The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.”
~ Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

“When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.”
~Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

“If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness.”
~ Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

Have a great week everyone!

Second Chance Read: The Program by Suzanne Young


The Program (The Program #1)
Author: Suzanne Young
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Format: Audio
Source: Library/Overdrive
Review by: Jenn
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

4 stars out of 5 stars

If I loved The Program way back when I first read it a few years ago, hearing the audiobook made me realize how much I loved Suzanne's ways with words. The narrator hooked me in and I couldn't put the book down, so to speak. I was crying at all the right places and hurting along with Sloane.  I was reminded of how heartbreaking this book was and how scary the program is. I'm looking forward to listening to the rest of the series and I really hope that it is the same narrator for all of them as I think she did a great job.

Have you heard this audiobook? Or have you read the book? Tell me down below!

Waiting on Wednesday (#156)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spinethat spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:
Expected Release Date: August 23, 2016

Synopsis:
Willa can’t erase the bad decisions of her past that led her down the path she’s on now. But she can fight for forgiveness from her family. And she can protect herself by refusing to let anyone else get close to her.

High school quarterback and town golden boy Brady used to be the best of friends with Willa—she even had a crush on him when they were kids. But that’s all changed now: her life choices have made her a different person from the girl he used to know.

Gunner used to be friends with Willa and Brady, too. He too is larger than life and a high school football star—not to mention that his family basically owns the town of Lawton. He loves his life, and doesn’t care about anyone except himself. But Willa is the exception—and he understands the girl she’s become in a way no one else can.

As secrets come to light and hearts are broken, these former childhood friends must face the truth about growing up and falling in love…even if it means losing each other forever.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Until Friday NightI have been looking forward to Under The Lights ever since I finished the last book!! I can't believe its almost here!!!!

What are you "Waiting on?"

Review: Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo



Shadow & Bone (The Grisha #1)
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Format: Hardcover
Source: Personal Signed Copy
Review by: Jenn
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

4 stars out of 5 stars

How can I have waited so long to start the Grishas Trilogy?! I have no one to blame but myself but still! I picked up Shadow and Bone because one of my reading goals this year was to read some of my “old” books from my shelves. And boy, am I excited I FINALLY picked it.

Leigh Bardugo created a world that reads so real and scary. The characters, complexed and three-dimensional. The villain! It been a while, since Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series to be exact, that I found myself wanting to know and being intrigued by the villain, The Darkling. I liked Alina, our heroine, and I’m looking forward to seeing her embrace her powers and learn her own strength. I’m not sure how I feel about Mal, to be honest. I liked how he came through for her but I don’t feel like he’s the one for Alina.

I can’t wait to see what Alina will do next and what will be The Darkling’s next move. This series is shaping up to completely suck me in and at least the one good thing about waiting to read this series, is that all the books are out so no wait in between them.

Have you read this series? What do you think about The Darkling? Tell me down below!



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