Almost 1000 Followers! Time For A Giveaway!

Hi guys!  As usual, I couldn't do this without all of you and all of the amazing authors and publishers that allow me to read their amazing books and give some away for you guys.  As of this moment, I'm five (5) likes away from reaching 1,000 followers on Facebook and as soon as I reach that number, I'll be doing a huge giveaway.

If there are any authors, publishers or just generous readers out there that would like to donate a prize, that would be amazing and greatly appreciated!  If interested in helping out, you can contact me by email at mysticsandmoonbeams@hotmail.com or through the Facebook page which is linked over in the right sidebar.

Thank you guys so much for getting the page this far!

Review: Seers by Heather Frost

Source: GoodReads

Title: Seers
Author: Heather Frost
Series: Seers #1
Version Reviewed: ARC, eBook.
Website: www.heaterfrost.com
*This book was provided for free by the publisher for review.

GoodReads Summary:
For Kate Bennet, surviving the car wreck that killed her parents means big changes and even bigger problems. As she begins to see auras and invisible people, Kate must learn to trust Patrick O'Donnell, a handsome Guardian, or risk her life being overrun with Demons. She soon realizes that both she and her heart are in big-time trouble.

This book had been on my TBR list for a while, so I was glad when the opportunity came around to do the blog tour. It gave me a great excuse to read Seers. And I wasn't disappointed.

When I first started reading the novel, I wasn't too sure about it. Honestly, there was way too much about it that reminded me of the book Evermore by Alyson Noel. There were quite a few similarities the stuck out to me. I was hoping like crazy the book would turn in a completely different direction and the similaritites would die out. About a few chapters in, the story took a complete turn. The fact that it seemed a lot like Noel's first book in the Immortal Series was just an accident, I'm sure.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVED Seers. It was a great book, one that I would definitely read again in the future. There were a lot of things in it that shocked me, surprised me, and had me going "Whaaaa!?" So don't let the similarities in the beginning turn you away. Once I got into the book, I was hooked. I read continuously for hours and numerous times I spoke out about some of the events to my husband (who was playing Fable 2 and not paying attention, but I talked anyways...)

There were so many things about this book that I loved. I loved the story line, the setting, the events, and especially the characters. Oh, the characters. Kate's grandfather is amazingly sweet, sassy, and adorable. He actually reminds me quite a bit of my own grandfather. The male protagonist...don't even get me started on Patrick. Irish, strong, sexy, sweet and understanding... with his own little twist in the story. But I don't want to indulge too much. You'll just have to read it for yourself.

Memorable Quotes:

"'What if I'm not much of a lady?" I challenged. He shrugged characteristically. "Maybe you're not. But I've always been a gentleman."

Rating: 4 Stars.

Giveaway: Winner's Choice of A Cambria Hebert Book!

I currently have a giveaway running on the Facebook page! Thanks to Cambria, one winner will get their choice of one of her eBooks!  So go enter!  Just click the button below!

Review: Rogue by Rachel Vincent

Cover Source: GoodReads

Title: Rogue
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Shifters #2
Version Reviewed: Finished, Paperback
Website: www.rachelvincent.com
*This book was borrowed from a friend.

GoodReads Summary:

Okay, so cats don't always land on their feet.

I know that better than most. Since rejoining the Pride, I've made big decisions and even bigger mistakes: the kind paid for with innocent lives. As the first and only female enforcer, I have plenty to prove to my father, the Pride, and myself. And with murdered toms turning up in our territory, I'm working harder than ever, though I always find the energy for a little after-hours recreation with Marc, my partner both on- and off-duty.

But not all of my mistakes are behind me. We're beginning to suspect that the dead are connected to a rash of missing human women and that they can all be laid at my feet--two or four, take your pick. And one horrible indiscretion may yet cost me more than I can bear...

The more that I read into this series, the more I fall in love with it. I'm only two books in, but I can't wait to finish the series. I am quickly becoming a Rachel Vincent fan.

Rogue is full of action and suspense and keeps you guessing throughout the book. I had a couple of things figured out half way through, but it was written in a way that had me second guessing my ideas. This is a series that both men and women will definitely love. My husband actually read the series extremely fast. I'm very curious about what happens in the upcoming books, especially if it includes some of the same type of hot, steamy, angry, sex scenes we got in Rogue.

Favorite Character: Faythe and Marc.

Rating: 4 Stars.

Review: Rippler by Cidney Swanson

C over Source: GoodReads

Title: Rippler
Author: Cidney Swanson
Series: Ripple #1
Version Reviewed: Finished, eBook.
Website: www.cidneyswanson.com
*This book was provided for free by the author for review.

GoodReads Summary:
Samantha Ruiz has a freak gene that makes her turn invisible, or ripple. She can’t control it, and it’s getting worse. Afraid of becoming a lab-rat, Sam keeps her ability secret, until fellow runner Will Baker sees her vanish into thin air. Will promises secrecy and help, and Sam begins to fall in love.

Together, the two discover there are worse things than being a scientific curiosity. Someone’s been killing people who possess Sam's gene. A mysterious man from France sends letters that offer hope for safety, but also reveal a sinister connection with Nazi experiments.

The more time Sam spends with Will, the less she can imagine life without him. When Sam uncovers secrets from her past, she must choose between keeping Will in her life or keeping Will safe.

I wasn't sure what Rippler was going to be when I first asked Cidney Swanson if I could read it. I assumed it was going to be a young adult paranormal romance, just like everything else I read. And I was right...sort of.

There is a bit of romance in Rippler but it definitely doesn't dominate the story.

Right away, on the very first page, we're thrown into the storyline and left to figure out what the heck is going on, where the events fit into the story, and how it will all play out in the end.

The book centers around "rippling", an idea that I have never read about before. So I applaud Cidney Swanson for writing a book with a subject that I have never heard, thought of, or read about before.

Also, that cover is absolutely beautiful!


Favorite Character: Will.
Rating: 3 Stars.

Review: Luke by Diana Bocco

Source: GoodReads

Title: Luke
Author: Diana Bocco
Series: Forbidden Lust #1
Version Reviewed: ARC, eBook
Website: www.dianaboccobooks.com
*This  book was provided for free by the author for review.

GoodReads Summary:

Of all the men in the world, Cailin Walker fell in love with the one she cannot have. The one her sister married.
Billionaire Luke Blackwell made the biggest mistake of his life when he married the wrong Walker sister, but that’s one mistake he intends to rectify.
Cailin’s stayed away for the past three years to fight what she feels.

But all it takes is one drunken mistake for passion to ignite.

Now that they’ve tasted the forbidden, there’s no turning back. They’ll either have to fight the passion threatening to consume them or take a chance and risk losing everything.

Losing it all might just be worthy.

The FORBIDDEN LUST novellas are erotic romances intended for mature audiences. Each book is a complete story; no cliffhangers and a guaranteed happy ending.

I was excited to read this book and was really happy to get an ARC to review for Diana and to become a part of her street team. I admit that I've never read any of her other books but after reading the synopsis for Luke, I was definitely curious and wanted to give it a try.

Luke is a really fast paced, quick to the point story. Even though it's so fast, it doesn't leave anything out. I was reading a novella, but honestly, by the end of it, I felt like I'd just read a full length novel. It was packed with that much awesome-ness.

For those that are into really steamy sex scenes, a little dominance, a little romance and a really hot guy, Luke is for you. I really can't wait to read more in the Forbidden Lust series. Just the name invites curiosity and makes me wonder what the hell these future stories have in store for us.

Favorite Character: Cailin and Luke.

Rating: 4 Stars.

 

Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Cover Source: GoodReads

Title: Pandemonium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium #2
Website: www.laurenoliverbooks.com
*I bought this book with my own money.

GoodReads Summary:
I’m pushing aside
the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana
and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

“Oh my God!” This was the only thing I could think when I read the last page of this book. Anyone that has already read it knows exactly what I’m freaking out about. Oh my God! Lauren Oliver, you’re killing me here! I need to know what happens now! I can’t wait for Requiem!

Okay, all the freaking aside, (I’m still freaking), this book was really good. It was written in a different way than Delirium, set up differently. This book seemed like something completely different than the last book. Things that I didn’t think could happen happened and I was surprised at all the new and interesting things we learn about and experience in these chapters. It’s full of heart breaking characters and crazy plot twists. The only thing I could say I would have preferred to be different is that this book could have easily been split into two separate novels. Overall though, amazing.

Favorite Character: Lena and Julian.

Rating: 5 Stars.

Review: Prey by Rachel Vincent

Cover Source: GoodReads

Title: Prey
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Shifters #4
Version Reviewed: Finished, Paperback
Website: www.rachelvincent.com
*I borrowed this book from a friend.

GoodReads Summary:
A battle is coming, and Faythe will not allow the Pride to become prey...Faythe has finally come to accept that she will someday be Alpha of the Pride, and she is hell-bent on changing the sexist Tribal Council from the inside. But first she must ensure that there will still be a Pride left to lead. Her father's role as Alpha is at risk, as is his control over the territory they all love. At the same time, Faythe's exiled boyfriend is under attack from rogues somehow connected to the political schemes of the tribal council. With her world collapsing around her, Faythe must fight to keep her friends and family together, as their enemies conspire against them.

As usual, I was eager to get into the next installment in Rachel Vincent’s werecat series. And as always, I was not disappointed.

There were so many things going on in this book. It just takes you for a ride and makes you wonder what the hell is going to happen next. I never really can seem to figure outwhat is going to happen and that is a really good thing. They keep me guessing.

This book, just like the others, was very well written. There were parts that made me want to scream angry words at Faythe and parts that made me want to cry with her.

I’m extremely curious after the events in this book, of where this series will go from here. There were so many story-altering events and I can’t wait to see how they will be resolved.

Favorite Character: Faythe, Jace and Marc.

Rating: 4 Stars.

Review: Pride by Rachel Vincent

Cover Source: GoodReads

Title: Pride
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Shifters #3
Version Reviewed: Finished, Paperback
Website: www.rachelvincent.com
*I borrowed this book from a friend.

GoodReads Summary:

I'm on trial for my life. Falsely accused of infecting my human ex-boyfriend--and killing him to cover up the crime. Infecting a human is one of three capital offenses recognized by the Pride--along with murder and disclosure of our existence to a human.I'm two for three. A goner.
Now we've discovered a rogue stray terrorizing the mountainside, hunting a wild teenage tabbycat. It's up to us to find and stop him before a human discovers us. With my lover Marc's help, I think I can protect the vulnerable girl from both the ambitious rogue and the scheming of the territorial council.
If I survive my own trial...

Once again, I have fallen into the world of Rachel Vincent’s were cats. And once again, I have fallen in love. The more that I read into this series, the more I realize why so many people love it.

There were so many things that tear my heart into a million directions in this book, especially when it comes to some certain personal relationships. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to skim ahead to the last book just to find out what happens. We all know that I will not and cannot do that, however.

The characters and situations in these books are so well written and so well defined that you easily fall in love with them and ache to know what will happen next in their lives. Rachel Vincent’s world is a hard one to put down and though I’m excited to get closer to the end, I’m also dreading it because I don’t want it to end.

Favorite Character: Faythe and Marc.

Rating: 4 Stars.

Review: Perfect Strangers by Rebecca Sinclair

Cover Source: GoodReads

Title: Perfect Strangers
Author: Rebecca Sinclair
Series: The Scots #1
Version Reviewed: ARC, eBook
Website: www.rebeccasinclair.com

GoodReads Summary:

Gabrielle Carelton is one of Queen Elizabeth's most devoted ladies-in-waiting. But her loyalty is put to the test when Her Majesty commands her to marry Scotsman Collin Douglas. When Gabrielle is kidnapped by Collin's twin brother, not even Good Queen Bess can save her. Dubbed the Black Douglas, devilishly handsome Connor is known throughout the land for his magnificent feats of strength and cunning. But now he is in need of an heir. An English bride will bring peace to the warring nations and give him the son he craves. What he doesn't expect is a woman as passionate as she is proud and a desire that knows no boundaries. Set against the pageantry and savage splendor of 16th-century England and Scotland, here is the story of a man and a woman who begin as enemies and strangers and find a love that will triumph against all odds.

So, I've tried to read this book twice now. As much as I hate to admit it, I just can't get into it. It's very well written and I like the characters, but for osme reason, I just can't seem to get more than a couple chapters in.

I hate this because I haven't read far enough for the book to even begin to kick off. I feel like I'm not really giving it the chance that it properly deserves.

So in fairness, I've decided that in the future, I will come back to this book and give it another shot. Hopefully then I can get into it more.

Perfect Strangers, I apologize. I promise to try and read you again someday.

Favorite Character:

Rating: 1 Star.

*This book was provided for free by the publishers for review.

Review: Painted Blind by Michelle A. Hansen

Cover Source: GoodReads4

Title: Painted Blind
Author: Michelle A. Hansen
Series:
Version Reviewed: ARC, eBook
Website: www.michelleahansen.com

GoodReads Summary:

Psyche Middleton vows her dad will never see the risqué photos she took during a summer modeling stint abroad, but one of them ends up on a billboard in her Montana hometown, where everyone—especially her dad—can see it. That becomes the least of her worries when she meets Erik, a mysterious guy who rescues her from a mob and who she’s never actually seen because he can make himself invisible.
Erik takes her to his palace in an idyllic kingdom, and she is swept into the beauty and culture of his world, but his affection has one condition: she may not see him. Enchanted, intrigued, and not wholeheartedly believing he’s real, Psyche can’t bring herself to love him blindly. When she betrays his trust for a glimpse of his face, Psyche ends up at the mercy of Erik’s controlling mother, who demands that Psyche prove herself in order to be reunited with him. Psyche knows love is never easy, but this is ridiculous. She agrees to complete three impossible tasks to prove her devotion to Erik—or die trying.

This modern retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche is a fantastical journey filled with laughter, danger, and the indomitable power of love.

This book caught my attention right away and as soon as I began to read it, I was immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading. The storyline was very easy to fall into and the characters were easy to like, read, and enjoy.

I liked the journey that Psyche had to go on and the tasks she had to complete. In a way it reminded me a little of Impossible by Nancy Werlin.

I really enjoyed the characters of Eros/Erik and the mystery that surrounded him in the beginning.

The book was very enjoyable and definitely one that I would read again and recommend to other readers.

Favorite Character: Eros & Titus.

Rating: 4 Stars.

*This book was provided for free by the publishers for review.

 

Happy New Year Everyone!!