Southpaw

*I received a free copy of this book for review*

Synopsis:
I fight because I have no other choice. I fight because it’s in my blood.

Given Name: Kelly James Black
Nickname: “The Dude”
Born: Madison, Wisconsin
Age: 24
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 205 lbs
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight
Record: 12-0-0
Relationship Status: Train wreck

Meet MMA fighter and Piper Sullivan's roommate extraordinaire, Kelly Black, in this South Boys Novella. This story takes you on Kelly's Black journey to love and overcoming a broken past. Approximately 24,000 words, it can be read as a standalone or for more enjoyment, can be read along with Southbound Surrender

Mini-Review:
This is the story of Kelly Black: a research scientist by day and part time underground fighter by night.  As we first meet Kelly, he is a serial man-whore / commitment-phobe with narcissistic tendencies.  His roommate/fight-ring assistant is Piper Sullivan, a girl with a broken heart, intent on "fixing" Kelly.  After a chance meeting with a girl named Olivia - that Kelly cannot get out of his mind, Piper hatches a plan to get them together.

What I liked: 
*The characters were easy to like and I wanted to get to know them better.
*The back story for Kelly, Piper and Olivia all seemed interesting - though we did not get anything much in depth (due to this being a novella).
*The writing style was easy to read and kept me turning the pages.
*There are a ton of MMA/Underground fight books out there - and this one was just a little different from others I have read. This made it interesting.

What I wished was different:
*Honestly, I wish this had been a full novel.  I liked the characters, but I wanted them to be a little more developed.  Everything happened so fast, and it was almost *too fast*.  There would be plenty of material to make this into a full length story, especially if you factor in more of the back stories of the main characters.  I wanted there to be more build up in the relationship between Kelly and Olivia.

Overall - a nice, short read that I just wish were a little more than it already is.

The Grisha #3 : Ruin and Rising

So...this is happening. Release date is June 17, 2014 (The Grisha #3)

Synopsis:

The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

My thoughts to date:

OMFG...June? Killing me.

Also...team Darkling and Sturmhond.

If you have not started reading this series...what are you waiting for?  IT IS AMAZING! 

Go. Now. Read.

"I lost myself the moment I found you."

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sort-of Mini-Review & thoughts on what I have seen: 4 stars

Synopsis:
One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

My thoughts:
Yeah, so it is no secret that I am a Jennifer Armentrout fan. I absolutely love this woman's work. I am fully aware that I do not *actually* know her, but as I follow her on just about every possible social media site, have read all her books under both pen names and LOVE THEM ALL...and because I 'get' her humor and snark...I FEEL like we could totally be BFFs. Totally.

So, I read the book in two sittings and now I may have just a little crush on Roth. Where little = massive. JLA knows how to write hot guys...no freaking doubt. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the premise...who else could make gargoyles sexy??! And though I kind of hate snakes in general, I have a soft spot for Bambi...and was totally looking forward to seeing what Thumper could do. Which, I know totally brings me back to Roth.  Did I mention that I am obsessed like him?  No, I am not going to go into more details, you will just need to read the book.  I know I will be completing the series (and any other book this woman publishes!).


I have seen gushing reviews and not-so gushing reviews of this book, but I knew there was no way I wasn't going to like this new series.  I mean, c'mon...show me YA or NA books written completely without tropes or formulas of any kind(the main complaints I saw on the not-gushing reviews by others).  Honestly, I didn't have any problem with the way the book was written, the plot or characters.  Most books, like movies are meant to be read/viewed with a suspension of disbelief (there are freaking gargoyles in this book...that are alive, so yeah - suspension of disbelief is required).  Most YA/NA or Adult fiction have elements of fantasy - whether it be characters, location or plot...but regardless, a LOT of books have 'the special girl who doesn't know her own beauty' or 'rich, hot guy who wants to take care of the girl' or 'a school full of insanely handsome/beautiful people' and endless other scenarios that in no way fit the "normal world" we all regularly live in.  But, isn't that the point?? I don't want to escape to another world where everybody lives, looks and has experiences just like in my life. No! I want to escape into something different.  I think most of us want to experience the 'love triangle' where multiple HOT guys want the girl, or that they want to be the one to love & take care of her - even to put ourselves in her place and feel that for just a little while before we come back to reality.  Or, maybe that's just me (though I cannot fathom why there are countless books out there with that follow these kind of general guidelines if that is true).  I may not like Layla *as much* as I like Alex (from the Covenant series)for example, but I don't dislike her either.  There is tension, drama, yes - a love triangle (again, when isn't there one in most NA/YA books...), an evil plot to destroy the earth, demons, wardens...and the ending made me tear up a little. I was heart broken.  BUT, the second book STONE COLD TOUCH comes out in October 2014. (This woman is a writing machine, I swear).

I personally think that we all have 'favorite authors' whose styles of writing speak to us, whose humor and characters make us happy. Not everyone is going to have the same level of appreciation of their work.  So, if you have liked JLA's other books/series, you will more than likely enjoy this one too...as it is written with her same usual style and humor.  Have faith in JLA. The woman is a USA Today & NY Times Bestselling author for pete's sake...I'm pretty sure she knows what she is doing. ;)


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#Truth

Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full review to follow...

Just finished (in 1 day).  Need to process.  Having a very (very, very) hard time with the many feels the ending has left me with.  I swear to alien babies everywhere that JLA is trying to send me over the edge with these endings.   Seriously. Killing. Me.

This is what it was like when I finished the book:
"Man, it was so quiet you could hear a grasshopper karate chop a fly" ... and then when I realized that, in fact, it was the end...I was screaming (no, SCREAMING) at my e-reader for hiding the additional book-length of text that * should * have followed the last sentence.
Completely. Killing.  Me.

I need to go do some yoga or tai chi...or get a drink.  Anything to help process the feels.  * cries *




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