The Reluctant Sacrifice

Book Review

Title: The Reluctant Sacrifice

Author: Kerr-Ann Dempster

Rating: ★★★★★

Date Published: August 7, 2015

Page Count: 327 

Genre:YA Paranormal/Fantasy

Connect with the Author: Website,FB, Twitter, Instagram

Buy Me! Amazon, B&N

Add me on Goodreads: The Reluctant Sacrifice

Synopsis:

Centuries ago, sibling rivalry tore Aramith apart. As punishment, the losers were stripped of their immortal birthright and banished to Earth. There, they wasted away from old age and diseases. However, there is hope… 

If a Shaw child, born on the 12th day of the 12th month offers her soul in a public sacrifice, then the exiles will be forgiven and welcomed home to Aramith. 

Aubrey Shaw is that child, but dying for the exiles is not on her to-do list. Using her gift as a Jumper, Aubrey leaps between bodies to escape relentless shape-shifting hunters. Only, shedding her skin is not enough. Not when Joshua, her best-friend-turned-hunter, is hell-bent on dragging her to the altar. 

Will Aubrey’s love for Joshua change his mind? 

Or, will she have to trust the scarred stranger who shows up out of the blue cloaked in lies and secrets? Doing so means giving up on Joshua. But betting on Joshua's love could do more than break her heart. 

It could kill her.

My Thoughts:

The author was kind enough to send my a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review.

This amazing book left me craving for a sequel, please tell me the story continues! I need more Aubrey and Coy in my life as well as Joshua and Tessa! Aubrey has been on the run from her father since she was named the sacrifice that is going to save her people and restore their immortality, but Aubrey is not ready to die. Aubrey is able to jump her soul through bodies and has been using that power to evade her father’s shape-shifting hunters, but her best-friend Joshua has become their leader and knows exactly how she thinks and they have finally found her.

I loved this novel the paranormal aspect was perfect and Kerr-Ann’s writing kept me up to the wee hours of the night, I just wanted to finish the book and know what happened; I could not get enough of her book, like I said above I'm really hoping for a sequel. The way the characters were writtem made them so likable and easy to connect with; I loved the way our heroin Aubrey could jump bodies, but when she did she lost a part of herself, it made her power seem all that more real; I really liked how brave Aubrey was she did doubt herself at times, but it just made her character that more relatable and made her seem more human. Aubrey's best-friend was so well written she was always there for her and you could tell she really cared for her and I freaking loved her sassiness. Now for the boys Joshua I really wanted to hate him at times, but I just couldn't; I knew he cared for Aubrey, but the love he had for Aubrey's sister and his hope that she would change for the better clouded his judgement and his power was to die for. Oh, Coy what can I say he's the guy that all the girls swoon for, I loved his protectiveness over Aubrey it didn't go over board and he always respected her and her feelings even though he was dying to have her in his arms, he was a true gentleman. This book was very enjoyable, I loved everything about it the characters, the paranormal aspects and the way Kerr-Ann describes the shape-shifting of the hunters and when Aubrey jumps bodies it was so well described I could see it happening right in front of me. If you have not picked this book up yet, you definitely should!

-SandraTheBookWorm

Air Awakens

Book Review

Title: Air Awakens (Air Awakens #1)

Author: Elise Kova

Rating: ★★★★★

Date Published: August 27, 2015

Publisher: Silver Wing Press

Page Count: 377

Genre: YA Fantasy

Connect with the Author: Website, Twitter, Instagram, FB

Buy Me: Amazon, B&N, Book Depository

Add me on Goodreads: Air Awakens

Synopsis:

A library apprentice, a sorcerer prince, and an unbreakable magic bond...

The Solaris Empire is one conquest away from uniting the continent, and the rare elemental magic sleeping in seventeen-year-old library apprentice Vhalla Yarl could shift the tides of war.

Vhalla has always been taught to fear the Tower of Sorcerers, a mysterious magic society, and has been happy in her quiet world of books. But after she unknowingly saves the life of one of the most powerful sorcerers of them all—the Crown Prince Aldrik—she finds herself enticed into his world. Now she must decide her future: Embrace her sorcery and leave the life she’s known, or eradicate her magic and remain as she’s always been. And with powerful forces lurking in the shadows, Vhalla’s indecision could cost her more than she ever imagined.

My Thoughts:

The author was kind enough to send me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, where do I even start this book was amazing! I loved every second of it! I can’t believe this is a debut novel Elise is such a brilliant writer and I'm so glad my friend Cassandra from cassandrareadsalot introduced me to this book; it has become one of my favorite series and I can't wait to dive into the second one. Vhalla Yearl is an library apprentice and she loves it, one day she is taken  to The Tower were the Sorcerers live, people who she has been taught to fear since she was young and she is told she is one of them. Now Vhalla has to decide if she wants to join the people she has always feared or continue to be a library apprentice and be normal and while she has this very hard choice to make the dark and mysterious Prince Aldrik is not making her decision any easier. 

Gosh, like I said in the beginning this book is amazing, I love everything about it! Vhalla is such a likable character and I loved the character development that she goes through in the book, she goes from a timid apprentice to a bad ass girl that will not let anyone mess with her; Oh, and the mysterious Prince Aldrik since before I knew who he was, I was already so intrigued and obsessed with him; as I read I also understood why he is so apprehensiveness about putting his guard down and letting people in, I also loved his sarcastic sense of humor he was just so perfect and I can't wait and see if book two reveals more about our dark, handsome prince.  I loved Elise's writing once I began to read the book I couldn’t put it down; it just draws you into this amazing world of magic and introduces you to characters that you wish you could pull out from the pages. I’m in love with this book and can't wait to see where the story goes; if you have not picked this book up yet, I highly recommend it! It's so good and everyone should read it!

-SandraTheBookWorm

Uncovering Desire

Book Review

Title: Uncovering Desire

Author: Kacey Shea

Rating: ★★★★★

Release Date: October 27, 2015

Publisher: Kacey Shea Books LLC

Page Count: 260

Genre: Romance

Connect with the Author: Twitter, Instagram

Buy Me! Amazon

Add me on Goodreads: Uncovering Desire

Synopsis:

Jonathan Beltran is adjusting to life as a civilian after an eight year military career. With a booming private investigation business and good friends to count on, life is headed in a positive direction. Coupled with his fierce will and strength, Jon will learn if his training has prepared him for this next journey. 

Life is never boring for the ever-positive, smart-mouthed, fearless Kate Bryant. When unexpected events leave her temporarily homeless, she accepts an offer of a free place to stay with Jonathan. The challenges of working with rock stars, living with Jon, and finally confronting ghosts of her past may prove to be too much. 

Will Kate and Jon be pushed to the breaking point or will they uncover the forgiveness they both desire?

Uncovering Desire can be read as a standalone but is book two in the Uncovering Love series. Explicit content, intended for adult audiences.

My Thoughts:

The author was kind enough to provide me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review

WOW, this book was amazing! I loved reading about Jon and Kate so much! Kate has been kicked out of her apartment for a couple of weeks and has nowhere to stay; Evelyn decides she will stay with her boyfriend Tate and Kate can stay in her room until she can move into her apartment again. This doesn’t sit well with Evelyn’s roommate Jon, he loves Kate but they don’t really get along too well and can’t be in the same room for more than five minutes without bickering.  

I really enjoyed this book, the bickering between Jon and Kate had me laughing out loud and there is so much tension between those two. I loved how Kacey still involved the characters we met in the first book; I loved seeing what they were all up to especially Evelyn and Tate, those two have a special place in my heart. I also really enjoyed the way we were introduced to some of Jon's and Kate other friends, there is just this way that Kacey writes her characters that you can’t help but fall in-love with them.  I loved to see the character development Jon and Kate go through, Kate is such a strong women and it was nice to see her bring her walls down and open up to Jon; those two complement each other so well. It was also really nice to see how much Jon cared for her, he comes across as a little overprotective but he means well.  As much as this book had me laughing with all the craziness that is Kate towards the end I was an emotional wreck. I loved that Kate and Jon got their own story, I loved reading more about them and seeing how their relationship developed. I can’t wait to read the third book! This book can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend you read the first one too because Tate and Evelyn's story is equally as amazing.

-SandraTheBookWorm

Uncovering Love

Book Review

Title: Uncovering Love

Author: Kacey Shea

Rating: ★★★★★

Date Published: June 30, 2015

Publisher: Kacey Shea Books LLC

Page Count: 244

Genre: Romance

Connect with the Author: Twitter, Instagram

Buy me! Amazon, B&N

Add me on Goodreads: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Evelyn Harper lived the perfect life.
Until she was fired from her job.

After a ridiculous idea devised among friends comes to existence, Evelyn finds herself part owner in a private investigation firm specializing in matters of the heart. Throughout wild antics with her best friends Jonathan and Kate, Evelyn conducts relationship background checks for a wide variety of clients.

Soon it becomes clear that one case has moved beyond professional and Evelyn finds herself fighting an attraction she cannot resist.

Will Evelyn admit her feelings when she uncovers love in the most unexpected of places? 

My Thoughts:

The Author was kind enough to provide me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book, where do I even start! I loved it so much I can’t find words to describe my love for all these amazing characters.  After losing her job Evelyn and her best-friend Jon who just came back from the Army decide to start their own private investigation firm with the help of their other best-friend Kate of course; what Evelyn doesn't realize is that being a private investigator is harder than she thought and its proven when she starts falling for one of the guys she is supposed to be investigating Tate.

This book was so fun to read! All the characters where so easy to connect with and you couldn't help loving them. I really enjoyed the P-I concept in this book, it made it really interesting and kept me up to the wee hours of the night. I loved the friendship between Kate, Evelyn and Jon you could tell they really cared for each-other and I really loved that even though Jon and Evelyn hadn't seen each other for years as soon as they were back in each other’s life's it was like he had never gone anywhere. Tate oh, the sweetness that is Tate, I immediately fell in love with him he was so sweet, caring and so freaking HOT! I'm honestly hoping for another book where I can read from Evelyn's and his perspective. As much as this book had me laughing between all the craziness going on between Kate, Jon and Evelyn towards the end I was a mess and had my crying face on. I really enjoyed this book and loved that even though it was short the love between Tate and Evelyn wasn't instant it was something that grew as they spent more time together and got to know each-other. I'm so excited to start Uncovering Desire and reading more about Kate!

-SandraTheBookWorm

  

Waiting On Wednesday #30

Steam

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at BreakingtheSpine in which we spotlight a new release we can't wait to get our hands on.

Title: Steam

Author: Stacey Rourke

Expected Release Date: September 14, 2015

Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing 

Goodreads Link: Steam

Synopsis:

Time passes, sins forgotten.
The bodies of the victims long since rotten.

Trapped within the essence of the Headless Horseman by the guilt of slaughtering her best friend, Ireland Crane follows the father of science fiction, HG Wells, in search of freedom from the curse that binds her. Instead, she discovers even he has a hidden agenda. A dark, relentless passion to be reunited with the woman he loves has driven him to manipulate time and a murderous Horseman.

Yet heed my warning, as the Raven flies,
The Hessian will come … and you will die.

All that prevents Ireland from abandoning Wells’ twisted pursuit, or introducing him to her sword, are the undead witches haunting her. Begging for freedom from a vile succubus, the ghoulish coven leads Ireland and her crew on a journey through Salem’s sordid past. There, they learn there is more to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s history than a scarlet letter, and the secret they’ve uncovered seeks to destroy them all. 

Why I Need It!

If you have read my last two reviews by now you should know I'm completely obsessed with these series; just reading the synopsis gave me goosebumps. I'm so excited for this book! It’s going to be a bitter sweet moment I want to know how everything is going to end, but at the same time, I'm not ready to say goodbye to all the characters I have grown to love. If you have not picked this series up yet I highly recommend it! I will leave links below to the reviews of the first two. What book are you looking forward to? Leave me a comment below! I would love to hear from you! 

Review for Crane

Review for Raven

-SandraTheBookWorm

Raven (The Legend Saga #2)

Book Review

Title: Raven 

Author: Stacey Rourke

Rating: ★★★★★

Date Published: September 21, 2014

Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing

Page Count: 340

Genre: Paranormal/ Fantasy

Meet The Author: Stacey Rourke

Buy Me: Amazon, B&N, 

Synopsis:

An infamous love, destined nevermore,
For death could not claim, the enchanting Lenore.

Cursed by the malevolent spirit of the Headless Horseman, Ireland Crane ventures to Manhattan in search of a way to break her soul crushing bond. Instead, she discovers the lines between fact and fiction are blurring once more. Croaking ravens. Telltale hearts. Could the works of Poe be coming to pass with handsome Wall Street Midas Ridley Peolte as their unwilling target?

She walks the Earth, a plague on mankind,
searching for he, her rotted heart doth pine.

Together, the two unknowingly release a dark force death itself could not tame. Surrounded by the unrelenting violence and mayhem they’ve unleashed, Ireland feels her control over the Horseman slipping. Before the beast within consumes her, she and her crew must follow the clues of the dead to right a centuries’ old wrong. Will it be enough to sate the Horseman’s appetite?

Hell hath no fury like a ghoul scorned

My Thoughts:

I was provided with a copy  in exchange for an honest review.

Um, how can we make the second book as amazing as the first lets add Edgar Allen Poe into the mix. I freaking loved this book and all the new characters Stacey introduced me to! I'm just in love with Stacey's writing it so easy to follow and keep you wanting more.  Ireland is back in Manhattan looking for the person that is responsible for her cursed tattoo her search leads her to Ridley who has more in common with her than any of her friends. Together they have to fight the darkness that plagues Manhattan, but as they do Ireland feels herself losing control of the Horseman and giving in to the darkness.

Like I mentioned above I freaking loved this book! Mixing Edgar Allen Poe with The Headless Horseman was such a brilliant idea and Stacey executed it perfectly. I loved how we kept changing from Ridley's perspective to Poe's it made you go deeper into the story and understand what Ridley was going through. The new characters that we're introduced to are absolutely amazing I fell in love with Poe he could make any girl go crazy for him and Ridley oh, Ridley does it make me a bad person if I'm rooting for him and Ireland, but then I also love Noah and he is just absolute perfection! Stacey is going to kill me with all these amazing men. This book is full of twist that keep you guessing and you never see coming; I also love the humor in the book it just makes it that more enjoyable. Stacey has me hooked on this series and I can’t get enough. If you have yet to pick up this series drop everything and pick it up! It’s absolutely AMAZING you won’t regret it! 

-SandraTheBookWorm

Voice of Innocence

Book Review

Title: Voice of Innocence

Author: Lindsay Detwiler

Rating: ★★★★

Date Published: February 26,2015

Publisher: Melange Books

Page Count: 252

Genre: Contemporary

Meet The Author: Lindsay Detwiler

Buy Me! Amazon,B&N, Book Depository

Synopsis:

We've all heard the saying: you never forget your first love. For some, however, perhaps the better terminology is haunted---haunted with the memories, the connections, and the life-changing relationship. So begins the tale of Emma Ranstein and Corbin Jones, two typical teenagers who travel the road of first love together, hearts sealed by a seemingly impenetrable bond. When Corbin Jones is convicted of murder and faces years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, though, their love is put to the test. As Emma and Corbin await his release from prison decades later, both reflect on the power of a relationship neither has gotten over. Their unique story speaks to a universal heartstring within all of us: how do we move on past a first love if we aren't meant to do so? More importantly, it reminds us that there is hope if the heart leads the way

My Thoughts:

The author was kind enough to send me a copy of Voice of Innocence in exchange for an honest review. Wow! This book was so different from the usual contemporaries I read and I really enjoyed it.

Emma and Corbin meet in art class and can't help but feel a click, they become good friends and later that friendship blossoms into something more. They have that perfect relationship that everyone envies, but wishes they had; until that horrible day where both are forced to grow up way too soon and they're dreams for a life together are destroyed.

This book was something else, but in a good way I enjoyed it so much and towards the end I just wanted more of Emma's and Corbin's story; I just couldn't get enough of it. I really liked that the book was told mostly in memories of both Emma and Corbin it made me understand the deep love they shared and it made me feel the pain and anger they went through the day he was convicted. All I could think throughout the book was how can life be so unfair to Corbin he didn't deserve the card he was dealt, but unfortunately sometimes life is unfair that way; I really loved his character the way he was towards Emma and the things he would do for her he was just perfection. I also really felt for Emma I wouldn't know what to do if I was in her shoes, she was such a strong character. I really hope there's a sequel for this book because this girl right here needs more. I recommend this book to all contemporary lovers or if you just want to have a good cry. I would love to see this book be turned into a movie; I would definitely pay to watch that.

-SandraTheBookWorm

To Be Honest

Book Review

Title: To Be Honest

Author: T.C. Booth

Rating: ★★★★★

Date Published: July 21st, 2015

Publisher: Clean Reads

Page Count: 252
Genre: YA Contemporary

Meet The Author: T.C. Booth

Buy Me: Amazon, B&N

Synopsis:

A freak accident left Starla Emerson with a deformed hand, low self-esteem, and a need to fade into the background. However, she finds it impossible to be invisible at her new high school where she is pushed front and center by a behind the scenes internet bully.

She joins forces with newfound friends to launch a counter attack in order to expose the cyber bully, aka grizzlygirl2015. Part of the plan involves the school’s bad boy Chase McFall. Star feels more for this golden eyed boy than she should as the plan progresses. The plan backfires and lands Star in a mountain of trouble.

Will she have the courage to be honest about her part in the plan and her true feelings for Chase? Or will she be left heartbroken? Once the truth is out…there’s no turning back.

My Thoughts:

The author was kind enough to send me an Ecopy in exchange for an honest review. This book is so good; it had me on an emotional roller-coaster.

Starla had a freak accident that left her hand deformed, but she has overcomes it and has an amazing boyfriend Jared and an awesome best friend Ally. Everything is going great until the night she overhears her mom talking on the phone finds out they're moving and in the middle of the school year. Everything is going great for Starla in her new school until she finds herself the center of attention brought on by a cyberbully that ruins her relationship with Jared, it is then her new friends decide to launch a counter attack to try and reveal the cyber bullies identity; part of the plan involves Starla and her new friend Chase faking a relationship, but soon Starla starts falling for Chase and the plan starts to backfire on her.

This book was not what I expected; I fell in love with it and all the amazing characters immediately. I loved T.C. Booths writing style it just sucked you into the story. I loved Starla’s character development throughout the book; she really learned to accept her flaws and to stand up for herself. Now let’s take a minute to talk about the perfection that is Chase; I loved everything about him, he was every girl's dream guy and so swoon worthy.  I also really liked the subjects the story centered on, cyber bullying which is very common nowadays and that you should never think less of yourself because you're different. Chase and Starla were perfect for each-other he understood her so well and always put her first. T.C. put me through an emotional roller-coaster she made me laugh, cry and cry of happiness and I would ride that roller-coaster all over again! This book was absolute perfection and everyone should pick it up. 

-SandraTheBookWorm

Waiting on Wednesday #21

Dreamstrider

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at BreakingtheSpine in which we spotlight a new release we can't wait to get our hands on.

Title: Dreamstrider

Author: Lindsay Smith

Expected Release Date: October 6th, 2015

Publisher: Roaring Book Press

Goodreads Link: Dreamstrider

Preorder Links:  Amazon, B&N, 

Synopsis:

A high-concept, fantastical espionage novel set in a world where dreams are the ultimate form of political intelligence.

Livia is a dreamstrider. She can inhabit a subject's body while they are sleeping and, for a short time, move around in their skin. She uses her talent to work as a spy for the Barstadt Empire. But her partner, Brandt, has lately become distant, and when Marez comes to join their team from a neighborhing kingdom, he offers Livia the option of a life she had never dared to imagine. Livia knows of no other dreamstriders who have survived the pull of Nightmare. So only she understands the stakes when a plot against the Empire emerges that threatens to consume both the dreaming world and the waking one with misery and rage.

A richly conceived world full of political intrigue and fantastical dream sequences, at its heart Dreamstrider is about a girl who is struggling to live up to the potential before her.

Why I need it on my shelf:

First the concept sounds AH-MA-ZING who wouldn't want to be able to walk into another person's dreams to do some spying. This book doesn't sound like anything I have ever read. I'm super excited to see how the author uses this amazing concept in her favor and the cover is just gorgeous! What book are you excited for? Let me know in the comments below; I would love to hear from you! 

-SandraTheBookWorm