Book Review: Easy by Tammara Webber

Genre: New Adult Romance
Publisher:  Berkley

Publication Date: October 9, 2012
Links:  Amazon   Goodreads

 

 

Rescued by a stranger.
Haunted by a secret
Sometimes, love isn’t easy…

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl's struggle to regain the trust she's lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy.

My Overall Impression of the Book:

This is the first book I’ve had the pleasure of reading from Tammara Webber, and it will not be the last.  Easy was an exceptional book. I've read many books over the years and this is one of my favorites. The writing and the flow of the story was remarkable and the author kept me engaged during the whole story.  Reading this book gave me a sense of contentment that I have not felt after reading a book in awhile.  This is one of those books that grabs you in the very beginning and never lets you go.

The overall story was powerful because it meant something. They are so many people both young and old that can relate to the situations that happened in this book. The book was empowering and I would suggest it not only to the New Adult crowd, but to anyone. Anyone who is young going off to college or the military should read this book.  The book centers on Jacqueline Wallace who follows her long time boyfriend Kennedy to college only to find out that everything that glitters is not gold, and basing your decisions in life on another person may not be the best idea. 

Caution:  This book deals with sexual assault in a very tasteful manner.  

Lastly, there will not be a sequel to this book.  I am usually disappointed when I love a book and there is not a sequel, but the story is so strong and meaningful that a sequel is not needed and I respect the author’s decision completely.  The plot and writing in this book was spot on.  

 

Characters

 

Lucus – Was the hero and I loved him. I thought I would not find a hero I loved more than Christen Grey and I was so wrong. Lucas was a protector and so selfless. He was such a great character. He was not over powering like a lot of heroes, but he was able to get his point across. He was so caring and attentive but not sappy and annoying. He was wonderful and his back story was so interesting and heartbreaking.

 

Jackie – Is a heroine I really love.  She was not weak (and not a freaking virgin thank goodness :-).  Not that I have anything against virgins, but there are far too many books focused on “innocent virgin” college girls.  She was a strong woman and I loved how she evolved during the story. That is so true of anyone who goes through a break-up with someone they adored for a long period of time.  I loved how she finally realized who she was as a woman, and how she fought for her happiness with Lucas. Usually the hero is doing all the chasing in love stories, but in this story they chased each other.

Book Review: Fated (Dark Protector #1) by Rebecca Zanetti

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance Series
Publisher:  Kensington Books

Publication Date:  March 1, 2011
Links:  Amazon   Goodreads

Star Rating

Marry Me! Cara Paulsen does not give up easily. A scientist and a single mother, she's used to fighting for what she wants, keeping a cool head, and doing whatever it takes to protect her daughter Janie. But "whatever it takes" has never before included a shotgun wedding to a dangerous-looking stranger with an attitude problem.

Or Else! Sure, the mysterious Talen says that he's there to protect Cara and Janie. He also says that he's a three-hundred-year-old vampire. Of course, the way he touches her, Cara might actually believe he's had that long to practice. . .

My Overall Impression of the Book:  
 

Fated is the first book in the Dark Protect series by Rebecca Zanetti. The book is about Cara Paulsen and Talen Kayrs. Cara is an enhanced human with special gifts and Talen is the vampire who wants to mate her. I recently finished the Immortals After Dark and Black Daggar Brotherhood series so I was looking for a new group of alpha males to fall in love with. Well I got them. I love the Kayrs brothers. There a lot of mix reviews about Talen and his “run you over like a Mac Truck” approach to Cara and there mating. I do think he is the most barbaric of the bunch and that is okay with me. I loved him personally. Cara was in danger and every action he took (rather you agree or not) was to protect her. Zanetti did a great job with the world building. I was actually more interested in the world she created then some of the characters, a first for me. 

This book was a good start to the series. Now I am hooked!! The books are an easy read. I actually read the first two books in the series over the weekend. Zanetti also writes novellas that focus on the side characters. Although I see her reasoning, I wish she just wrote full novels about the side characters as well. Anyone who loved IAD or BDB will probably enjoy this series as well. One thing I love about this book series is the Dark Protector’s world is so different from other paranormal books I have read, I do not feel like am reading the same story.  Cara was a likeable heroine.  She had to deal with the cards she was dealt, and Talen did not leave her a lot of choice.  Her life was going to change forever one way or another.  She could either go with vampires, or get kidnapped by their enemy…the Kurjans.  No I do not agree with her leaving her daughter for a extended period of time but Talen did not leave her much choice.  I fell in love with Cara’s daughter Janie, and she is a very important part of the series.

Characters

Talen – Is a barbaric old school alpha male…and I absolutely loved it :-).  There was one thing Talen did in the book that I did not like at all (you will know when you read it), but for the most part I love me some him.  Talen is the take charge, kick butt and ask questions later kind of guy

Cara – Cara was a likeable heroine.  She had to deal with the cards she was dealt, and Talen did not leave her a lot of choice.  Her life was going to change forever one way or another.  She could either go with vampires, or get kidnapped by their enemy…the Kurjans.  No I do not agree with her leaving her daughter for a extended period of time but Talen did not leave her much choice.  I fell in love with Cara’s daughter Janie, and she is a very important part of the series.

Plot and Writing: Love the plot of these books.  So the Kayrs brother are basically the royal family, but they act more like soldiers then royalty.  They have a enemy called the Kurjans.  These two factions have been at peace for hundreds of years until both factions find out about Janie, who is a little girl with special abilities.  Cara also has special abilities and these qualities are needed in the mate of both the vampires and the Kurjans.  So the war is between these two factions is back on, and all the other factions in the realm (witches, shifters, deamons, werewolves) will have to pick a side.  The world that Zanetti has built is both fresh (for a paranormal romance) and interesting. 

This series is a must read!! 

Book Review: Opal (Lux Series #3) by Jennifer Armentrout

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance Series
Publisher:  Entangled: Teen (August 27, 2013)

Publication Date: December 3, 2012

Star Rating:  4/5
Links:  Goodreads  Amazon

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back.  Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

 

My Overall Impression of the Book:

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!!!. Is this really how the book ended???  This is beyond unfair.  I would rather them take Dawson again then Kat (I know that sounds terrible). Oh Daemon, the love of my life.  Well after Christian Gray and Travis Maddox but I love you still.  He is so wonderful and romantic in this book.  I know this is a YA novel, but they could have included a little more spice between Daemon and Kate, but it was still good.  What a cliffhanger, and this is so unfair.  This book was the cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers.  Now I have to wait until April 2013 to reader the next book…REALLY!!  I’m going to have dive face first into another series so I will not lose my mind.  Which reminds me, this is the exact reason I usually wait until a series is complete before I start reading it.  I am a impatient woman…what can I say :-).  Opal was a great read and I cannot wait until Origin comes out.  By the way...I am a PNR psycho now because of these books.  Thank you Jennifer L. Armentrout for introducing me to this awesome genre!! And Blake you are beyond a freaking jerk!!

Characters:

Daemon – I love me some him :-).  He is still awesome and I love it.  You see a different side of Daemon with each book and I love that.  I love a characters that evolves.  You never get bored when you are reading about Daemon Black.

Katy – Pissed me off in this book.  Her decision making skills are flawed by the hundredth power.  I wanted to slap her at least twice, which means something if you can get that kind of emotion out of me…so good job Jennifer :-).  I blame Kat for the ending.  As usual she should have listened to Daemon.

Blake – He is a terrible person.  I can’t count how many times I wanted Daemon to just “end him”.  He was beyond a freaking jerk…

Plot and Writing:  The writing is great as usual.  Ms. Armentrout is a professional.  This is the 3^th installment of the Lux series.  Jennifer has done an excellent job progressing the storyline.  Each book adds something new and fresh about the world of the Luxen.  This story was all about sacrifice.  You get more information about the Daedalus organization and the DoD’s role with the Luxen.  You also get introduced to Luc, who I think will be a key player in the rest of the series.  I can’t wait!!

Book Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Genre: New Adult Romance
Publisher:  Atria Books

Publication Date: August 14, 2012
Star Rating:  5/5
Links: Goodreads Amazon

 

 Synopsis 

INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE.

Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

My Overall Impression of the Book:

I love this book so much!!  This book was INTENSE DANGEROUS AND VERY ADDICTIVE.  I thought I was in love with Christian Grey until I met Travis Maddox.  This is not a typical love story.  Travis had some serious anger issues and Abbey did have a past.  Abbey was an okay heroine.  I also loved the supporting characters; which is not always the case. I actually hope the author will make more stories about the supporting characters.  This book was different and was an emotional roller-coaster.  I laugh, cried, yelled, and smiled throughout the book. 

The Bad – There were some misplaced story-lines in this book that I did not care for.  For example there was a short scene in Vegas with her father that I thought was pointless.  The author should have explored that storyline or left it out completely.  This book is easily one of my favorites.

**This book is not for everyone. There is violence and emotional instability, but to me that is real life**

The author has a second book called Walking Disaster.  It’s the same story told from Travis’ POV.  I would have preferred a sequel, but if you are interested in being in Travis’ head...have at it.

Characters 

Travis Maddox - I loved Travis, although he has some serious anger problems.  He fought hard but loved harder.  He went to great lengths to win Abbey over once he realized he had real feelings for her.  ALPHA ALPHA ALPHA was Mr. Maddox.  He did what he wanted to do, when he wanted to do it…and nobody dared get in his way.  Loved it!!

Abbey Abernathy - She was an okay heroine.  She did irritate me at times, and her “sordid” past was not that bad to me.  Actually it was kind of a letdown from all the build-up.  I have read books with worse heroines so Abbey…I could take.  

Plot and Writing:

The writing was okay.  There were some grammatical errors but it was an easy read and the errors did not throw the story off…not for me anyway.  The plot was great.  Travis made a bet with Abbey…if she lost she had to stay with him for month.  What a difference a month makes.  Living within someone 24/7 changes your perception of that person.  There is no hiding when you are around someone all the time.  They really got to see one another…on the inside.  Their love was wild, passionate, and fire.

Recommended Read!!