Review: Dead Spots

Dead Spots (Scarlett Bernard, book 1) by Melissa F. Olson

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Dead Spots

Scarlett Bernard knows about personal space: step within ten feet of her, and any supernatural spells or demonic forces are instantly defused—vampires and werewolves become human again, and witches can’t get out so much as a “hocus pocus.” This special skill makes her a null and very valuable to Los Angeles’s three most powerful magical communities, who utilize her ability to scrub crime scenes clean of all traces of the paranormal to keep humanity, and the LAPD, in the dark.

But one night Scarlett’s late arrival to a grisly murder scene reveals her agenda and ends with LAPD’s Jesse Cruz tracking her down to strike a deal: he’ll keep quiet about the undead underworld if she helps solve the case. Their pact doesn’t sit well with Dash, the city’s chief bloodsucker, who fears his whole vampire empire is at stake. And when clues start to point to Scarlett, it’ll take more than her unique powers to catch the real killer and clear her name.

---

Review:

Nulls. They're my latest obsession in my Urban Fantasy reads. I've been collecting them like crazy . . . and Dead Spots is the one I finally decided to try out. Up front nulls in this book are pretty cool, and the mystery behind what kind of powers they can truly develop is pretty mind tickling. Oh, and that ending!! Oh. My. Cliffhangers!

The problem is all of the above is pretty much all I carried away from this book. Or more correctly all I really cared about. Scarlett was not my favorite person. Some bad stuff happened in her past. From things she could have never have changed or predicted. That type of thing scars a person. Totally get that. However, for all of her cutting people out and trying to protect people . . . she went about a very stupid way of protecting them. Ignorance is not protection, if she would have told her brother about what had happened things would have been safer. Also, she basically finds out that a psycho up turned her world and that other evil people knew what happened. Yet they said nothing and supported those actions. She basically goes about her life normally, not bothering to try and learn anything. Hiding behind her scars and leaving herself buck naked to danger.

The world is interesting, but overall nothing new to the genre. It felt very generic. From the cast of characters to the creatures. The mythology behind why all the “Old World” creatures got that way is kind of cool, but the rest of the series was dull. Oh, and after I read the prologue I figured I knew what was happening and who was doing it. It needs to be said how badly the prologue felt connected to the actual story. In fact, I think the whole book would have worked out better without it.

That being said the Scarlett Bernard world still interests me. That cliffhanger ending was worth it! Plus, in general it's always good to give a series second—sometimes three—chances. It can take a series, or author, a few tries to get into the swing of things. Overall Dead Spots isn't bad. It's told from two POVs and I actually enjoyed the—man candy’s, cough—cop's page time. While I felt him accepting the Old World didn't come off strongly on the page, I enjoyed him immensely. It will be exciting to see if he develops away from being par of just another love triangle. Because there is one here, and it was annoying that it felt so . . . young adult. Cheap young adult. The rest of the books won't be jumping up on my TBR pile anytime soon.

Sexual Content: Yeah, it’s there. Scarlett get . . . OK got some. There’s some sexual humor and talk, however it’s all really tame.

  
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out.

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Dead Spots (1) Trail of Dead (2) Hunter’s Trail (3)	Dead Spots (1) Trail of Dead (2) Hunter’s Trail (3)	Dead Spots (1) Trail of Dead (2) Hunter’s Trail (3)

Definitely Back!

Yes, I know this is a speech I give a lot. I come back blog for a few weeks, or months, and then I fall of the face of the earth. Again. Remember those days when I blogged religiously? Well I do, and I miss them. So much!

This break was different. Between the failing health of my mom, and a recent batch of my beloved pets needing some serious medication and healing this time it was easy to stop blogging. But I’d be lying if I said that was the reason. Blogging keeps me pretty anchored and I love interacting with the few readers I have. This time I even fell off of Goodreads. Which is crazy because Goodreads is one of my top addictions. It may have even overtaken my reading time!

Not to mention that I stopped reading. The cause of all of this? Plagiarism. Strange thing is back when I first took up book blogging it only took 11 months before someone plagiarized one of my reviews. Four years later that review is still up on Amazon despite trying to get a hold of the user, which I am informed is deleted. Then Amazon has been none responsive.  I’ve been contacting Amazon and flagging the review. It’s still there. Strangely enough, only one of my comments has stuck to the review all of them getting deleted.

This year I was going about my usual check to make sure no one had stolen my reviews. Because I had know idea the first time I had been plagiarized until a year and half later. What I found was a bit sickening: 10 reviews stolen, by 3 different bloggers. Posted on on 2 blogs, Amazon, and Goodreads. (Well I guess only 2 were bloggers.) The reviewers didn’t even try to “make it their own”. Just like the first plagiarizer back in 2010, they simply copied and pasted my reviews.

It hurt having to come up with polite ways to inform them that I was aware they had stolen my content and that they needed to remove it ASAP. The first two did it promptly. However, the last blogger got really rude about it. Finally I had to threaten to do a “reveal”, and out her to the public. Which is something I never wanted to do. It was ugly and finally she did the right thing.

However, I felt mean because blogs and other accounts were suddenly deleted. Yeah, I was the victim of plagiarism. It’s surprising how the plagiarizers made me feel like a bully.

What really hurt. The thing that finally made me quit reviewing and reading, and ultimately turn my back on Book Whispers. Was that my reviews where more popular/more helpful coming from these other people. No, I don’t think that’s petty. Not at all. Anyone who has put their heart and soul into something knows that it hurts when other people take credit for it. What’s more is if other people are praising the thief.

When I write a review it’s a 5 step process, that’s not even including all the tiny steps in between. The reviews may not always be the brightest or best ones out there, but they’re my words. Opinions I have about books. Books. That one constant in my life that I love. Pretty sure my love for books is unhealthy.

That’s what the book blogging community is. A bunch of probably-unhealthily-addicted bookworms spreading the love. We’re tight knit here! So when you’re plagiarized, or someone you know is. It hits hard, and it feels personal.

So as I saw all the responses and likes of my plagiarized reviews in other peoples hands. Well, I shut down. Everything that had to do with books and my love for them got the axe. Thank you to all my Goodreads friends, and my followers who missed the posts and reviews. You guys pulled me back in.

The truth is I’m a tiny time book blogger, and I love it. I stay away from drama and I get to simply do what I want with my blog.

The final thing that helped make my decision coming back to Book Whispers and not writing that farewell post might be silly. While cleaning up my blog reader I noticed so many book blogs I started out with. Ones that I had waited 1 to 3 years to see if they’d ever start up again. While I deleted the inactive blogs and remembered the hosted events that I had done with those bloggers, it hit me that I did not want the same fate for Book Whispers.

The day I realized that I could book blog and have a place that no one could remove my reviews was so exciting. Book Whispers was a 1 month frantic brainstorm until I launched it. Every post was a thrill. Oh, how I loyally posted.

So after crisis I’m back! Sorry for the long story, but I feel like others should know.

My readers because I love you guys and you all deserve to know why I abandoned Book Whispers.

Also, while I didn’t make it public people need to know the struggle and hurt plagiarism can cause. Even though I know this post will probably get very little views, I’ve got my two cents out there.

Now with all that said. I’m back baby! Expect regular posts from here on out!

Review: Storm

Storm (Elementals, book 1) by Brigid Kemmerer

Genre: Paranormal YA
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Goodreads

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream.

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming . . .

---

Review:

Right up front I'm going to put it out there: I don't think this book was worth all the buzz.

That said I enjoyed it. To me it was a fun read, I liked the idea of a YA version of Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series. Elemental does well with the idea that I never thought that it was a rip off of said series. The writing was pretty fun and I enjoyed all of the brothers, and added hottie. The brothers have a very interesting dynamic to them and I look forward to each of their books, oh and the hottie AKA Hunter.

What I didn't like was the overall plot. Gosh is was so obvious that I felt like I should have just put the book down because I knew exactly what was going to be “revealed” and la-dee-dah. However, I kept reading because it looked like Becca—oh, and let me get to that mess in moment—and Chris were the leads telling the story, but Hunter entered as the new hot transfer student and it seemed like he had a real chance with Becca. Of course his “plot” twist meant drama that I'd usually say dump the guy for. The problem was the majority of the book evolves around Hunter and Becca dating. Even with Chris telling part of the story he felt like a third wheel and not part of the main romance. Even the ending was so, eh. Eh.

It didn't help that I loathed Becca. Loathed. Not disliked, loathed. Dear authors making a nice and empathetic character does not mean you need to make them feel like blank slates. Becca felt like a telling character, you know the author is telling me she's supposed to be really brave and all this. Oh, and the blushing. I'm a blusher, but I don't freaking blush like that!! I'd pass out. Over heat and probably kill myself. I will give props to Kemmerer for addressing the subject of sexual pressure among teens. For how a girl can blame herself and simply want the whole mess to just disappear. However, what I don't get is if you're afraid of going to a party because your ex might rape you in front of everyone (and that's only her 5^th worry, hate to know what the other top 4 are) don't effing go to the party! Oh, and no matter how kind you are do not wander off alone no matter how safe it looks.

Becca-Becca-Becca! You dumb girl. She put the whole too stupid to live thing into the light. She gets mad at the wrong people. If something traumatic happens and your passive and just taking the kicks, I understand. However, Becca would have these moments to show readers how strong she really was, but she was being aggressive to the wrong people. Which I get in a way, but most of the time it's a game as to what really happened with Becca and she's dumb enough that I really started to wonder . . . if she even knew what happened. Or if it was like a forced kiss gone wrong and or something mild blown out of proportion. That's how bad she was.

Beside the cast of brothers being really cool and my enjoyment of Hunter, I will say I was really disappointed in the lack of Chris. Honestly this felt more like Hunter's book, only he didn't have narration time. And no it's not a spoiler, we all know how these books work! The flip happens and Chris gets the girl, only I didn't give a fudge. Ya know it's gonna happen, and sadly both love interests are underdeveloped. Becca's best friend Quinn even got on my nerves and I'm worried about the book she'll have as she's pretty uncaring, an over the top drama queen, and a bitch—no I didn't think she was very “spunky” just mean.

Back to that plot. Storm is a really cool concept with the Elemental universe, like I said I'd been waiting for a YA title to do this idea. Yet the plot felt like someone's connect the dots on how to write a book. Within the first 30 pages, once all the elements are introduced—and even before those elements are added—I was all “oh, this is going to happen and then they'll go with this whole schpeel and try to do this silly plot twist.” And yeah, I was write on. If you're one of those people who can anticipate plots and know where a story is going this is one of those books.

Overall with the predictable A to B plot, with an unshocking twist tossed in, and a lead I loathed, it's puzzling as to why I enjoyed this book. Especially since the subject of sexual harassment, sexual pressures, and rape were such . . . props in the story. It was insulting. Especially since it was supposed to be a huge part of this book. Either go all the way, or go home! Please do not tip toe around subjects like this. And don't . . ugh. The world is interesting, but underdeveloped. The writing is nothing to bedazzled over. And besides the brothers and Hunter, the other characters and generic and cut outs. Oh, the brothers and Hunter are cut outs/generic characters too. Maybe it's the potential. Yes, I will be looking into the rest of the books. Let's hope the next ones buck up.

Sexual Content: Sexual humor and some dark sexual content. Nothing over the top though, the kids will live. Though I don’t have a drug content, but white out on nails . . . pretty sure that’s how kids in my grade got high. Why wasn’t that ever addressed? Or was the Kemmerer just unaware, or thought it was normal to add it . . .

  
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out.

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Elemental (.5) Storm (1) Fearless (1.5) Spark (2) Breathless (2.5) Spirit (3) Secret (4) Sacrifice (5)	Elemental (.5) Storm (1) Fearless (1.5) Spark (2) Breathless (2.5) Spirit (3) Secret (4) Sacrifice (5)	Elemental (.5) Storm (1) Fearless (1.5) Spark (2) Breathless (2.5) Spirit (3) Secret (4) Sacrifice (5)

Review: Dark Skye

Dark Skye (Immortals After Dark, book 13) by Kresley Cole

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Dark Skye

In this highly anticipated fifteenth novel in the Immortals After Dark series, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole spins a sultry tale of a mighty warrior scarred inside and out and the beguiling sorceress with the power to heal him—or vanquish him forever.

Eternal Obsession
As a boy, Thronos, prince of Skye Hall, loved Lanthe, a mischievous Sorceri girl who made him question everything about his Vrekener clan. But when the two got caught in the middle of their families’ war, tragedy struck, leaving Thronos and Lanthe bitter enemies. Though centuries have passed, nothing can cool his seething need for the beautiful enchantress who scarred his body—and left an even deeper impression on his soul.

Endless Yearning
Lanthe, a once-formidable sorceress struggling to reclaim her gifts, searches for love and acceptance with all the wrong immortal suitors. But she’s never forgotten Thronos, the magnificent silver-eyed boy who protected her until she was ripped from the shelter of his arms. One harrowing night changed everything between them. Now he’s a notorious warlord with a blood vendetta against Lanthe, hunting her relentlessly.

Can the heat of desire burn brighter than vengeance?
With their families locked in conflict and battles raging all around them, will Thronos and Lanthe succumb to the brutal chaos that threatens everything they cherish? Or will the fragile bond they formed so long ago spark a passion strong enough to withstand even the darkest doubts?

---

Review:

To be quiet honest the “Kresley Cole Formula” of IAD series, has been losing it's shine for me. In fact, formulamatic Paranormal Romance does in general. However, each new book had been building and introducing a world that I'm totally in love with. Dreams of a Dark Warrior tuckered me out, especially after how awesome Carrow's story was. Lothaire saved some of it, but then suddenly when I was reading the spinoff—Shadow's Claim—it just hit me how tiring the “formula” is becoming. Especially after the utter exhausting disappointment of MacRieve. Which did very little world building, and took the hate to love part of standard IAD to a point where I couldn't justify the woman ending up with MacRieve. Plus, after binge reading the entire Psy-Changeling books just last year my standards have rocketed up for Paranormal Romance.

That being said I've been waiting for Lanthe and Thronos' love story since book 7 impatiently. Considering the last time I got this excited for a love story—Lucia and Garreth MacRieve—in the IAD it hadn't quite lived up to everything I had hoped for. So I went into Dark Skye simply expecting to enjoy it. It started out slow for me, but then suddenly I was sucked in. Holy Valkyries Nix! Did they actually start to, grudgingly, trust one another. To start moving on, in the beginning of a book before page 100? Yes. They have a ton to get over with, as Lanthe states their love is epic. However, the reason for its epicness is that it is wrought with misunderstandings of the most darkest IAD style. What sets Lanthe and Thronos' story apart is that it starts out with the beauty of innocence and readers already no the basics going in.

Of course the “Kresley Cole Formula” is here, but this formula is spiced up enough that the love story stands out. Even better is that Dark Skye is a bit more tender story compared to others in the genre. Even better is that finally I can wash the bad taste of Will MacRieve out of my mind. Thronos' is so sweet and charming, it's nice to have another fierce male in the IAD universe who owns his innocence, and comes out more dominate and sexy on the other side. He's reasonable and it didn't pain me to watch how badly he treated his mate. Lanthe and Thronos have history, and they have a lot of personal beliefs/misunderstanding/issues to overcome. But this book is about friendship and partnerships being the foundation of not just relationships, but epic great love!

Lanthe worried me a bit going in, I just didn't think we could be friends. However, I immediately liked her and loved that while she might be one of the more “gentler” females in the series she's still completely fierce. Even better is she's not a virgin, nor does she have just a few men who were just bad experiences and mistakes. No, Lanthe has had conquests. She knows what she likes and desires. And. She knows the difference between sex and making love, that sex does not equal love. That perhaps she was trying to feel a void. Lanthe has enough self awareness not to feel the horror of “slut shame”.  Thank bookness. As my friends know, I can't diss a woman who owns her sexuality. Even better is a woman sharing some of that sexuality with her monkish type mate.

Thronos is basically zealous religious type, yet sweetly innocent. He knows the basics of things, but is the virgin in the series. A virgin of more then not only having sex. The Vrekener are basically like a cult, one who abhors merriment and joy. They live in a white washed world and they're exceedingly cocky in thinking they are angels and are above everyone. They've become tyrants and villains in the mind of a lot of the IAD races, even though they're supposed to be the good guys. Seeing Thronos' eyes open up to the truth of his people and what some were doing with the excuse of their belief system is very fascinating. Especially since readers already know what they've done to Lanthe and Sabine, as well as Princess Bettina—if you've read Shadow's Claim. They're villains. Cole loves showing both sides of the coin, and it's what I love about the series. Even if Thronos' uptight views on sex, and slut shaming Lanthe got my indignation up.

Now on to the world building. Lothiare really teased reader with hints of Nix's ultimate goals. Again MacRieve dropped the ball on this. So I was excited to not just get hints of Nix greasing the wheels of fate, but taking it by the reins and riding it out! Ah, it's awesome. The scenes where Nix is petitioning to become a Goddess and interacting with other powerful beings and revealing the end goal here. Ah, perfection. Because not everything is given away and there's still plenty of mystery going on for later entries.

After a slow start Dark Skye, starts to bring it. The world building I've been restlessly waiting to actually pan out is finally starting up again—let's be honest not much has been actually happening even with the spinoff. The romance brought enough freshness to the Kresley Cole Formula that I didn't feel that ping of announce as much. (No really. Cole let's mix it up just a bit more please. I know every PNR has a basic frame work they all follow, and in general love stories in general. They can be made unique.) While the real world building didn't happen until way later into the book, it fit in perfectly with getting to know the two love birds. This could have been a full on perfect entry to the series for me, except that despite its tidy ending it didn't feel tidy. I felt like there should have been more. It would surprise me greatly if the next book didn't have more to do with the Vrekener . Cough-Jasen-cough. It was too open ended, and while Cole has jumped around a lot in the series they usually go for runs and match up. So while I am definitely getting exasperated with the formula, I'm still enjoying myself. Here's to hoping the next book keeps building up the world, as well as the romantic/sexual heat.

Sexual Content: Steamy sex scenes, some voyeurism, and plenty of sexual humor.

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
A Hunger Like No Other (1) No Rest for the Wicked (2) Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night (4) Dark Needs at Night’s Edge (5) Dark Desires After Dusk (6) Kiss of a Demon King (7) Pleasure of a Dark Prince (8) Demon from the Dark (9) Dreams of a Dark Warrior(10) Lothaire (11) MacRieve (12) Dark Skye (13)	A Hunger Like No Other (1) No Rest for the Wicked (2) Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night (4) Dark Needs at Night’s Edge (5) Dark Desires After Dusk (6) Kiss of a Demon King (7) Pleasure of a Dark Prince (8) Demon from the Dark (9) Dreams of a Dark Warrior(10) Lothaire (11) MacRieve (12) Dark Skye (13)	A Hunger Like No Other (1) No Rest for the Wicked (2) Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night (4) Dark Needs at Night’s Edge (5) Dark Desires After Dusk (6) Kiss of a Demon King (7) Pleasure of a Dark Prince (8) Demon from the Dark (9) Dreams of a Dark Warrior(10) Lothaire (11) MacRieve (12) Dark Skye (13)

Review: The Beautiful Ashes

****Review copy received for an honest review.****

The Beautiful Ashes (Broken Destiny, book 1) by Jeaniene Frost

Genre: Paranormal New Adult
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: The Beautiful Ashes

In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who's bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn't mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn't: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…

---

Review:

Part of me likes to believe that if I hadn't read The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz, or any of the other-world-with-demon books, I would have loved The Beautiful Ashes more. The reality is, it's just boring and quite honestly it does not bring more then two new things to the angel/demon genre. First was Frost's signature wit. The second thing is the mythology, while it's not 100% unique the bloodlines part is fun and I enjoyed Frost's interpretation and alternate view on all that biblical mythology. (And you'll want to have a certain Lady Gaga song handy.)

While I was excited that Ivy would be a different kind of lead for Frost, I soon realized that if Ivy was put in a line up with many other YA/NA characters out there I couldn't pick her out. Maybe if she cracked a joke, but other then that she doesn't stand out. Even with things I love such as bravery, loyalty, and perseverance to put her on my good side. Ivy isn't a bad character, and if anything it's nice to have a smart and strong lead. The genre needs them! What hurt my connection to Ivy is that there isn't much development and then at page 11 the male lead enters. He just happens to have broken in to her hotel and is waiting for Ivy, who just got attacked. She isn't worried, nope she instead thinks this:

I knew I should turn around, open the door and run, preferably while screaming. That was the only logical response, but I stood there, somehow unafraid of my intruder. Great. My survival instincts must've secretly made a suicide pact.

No Ivy dear. What you're survival instincts are suffering from is what I like to call the plague of storytelling: Instalove.

Even after being kidnapped by this stranger, AKA love interest Adrian, nothing. Stop it authors!!! Stop it. Love isn't easy and I don't want that in my books! Make it epic, passionate, and totally worth the wait. Not wham or you're being tugged by some magical connection, but you're love transcends that connection. That's telling and the easy way out. The fact is I know Frost can bring the heat!!!

Besides my eye rolling over the romance, and my resignation that I would not be joining the swooning I'm sure other readers will feel, I still had hope for the world. Yet, that didn't deliver despite the cool mythology. Everything was predictable and the demon realms have been done quite a few times, so if you're going to add to the genre blow me away! The plot was also predictable. Once the core of the mythology was introduced at page 32 and who Ivy is descent of it all becomes transparent. In the blink of an eye I knew who Adrian was descended from, and the drag out of that mystery was too much. (Which is lucky because jamming out to a certain Gaga song made my reading enjoyment spike!)

The plot of withholding information from the lead and then slowly revealing it didn't work, because if you're a reader of the genre you know the drill. Especially coming from the male lead who is “doing it to protect” Ivy’s fragile mind, and leads to her almost getting killed(s). So when the big twist, or the “betrayal”, came a long I didn't even bat an eye lid. In fact, the twist was given away within only a few pages of 32.

What I do believe could have saved this book was if it had read like a New Adult, and not Young Adult. Besides Ivy being of college age, there is nothing NA about this book. Nothing. Yes, I've come to expect that New Adult titles can have range from content level of Young Adult, to Adult, and even risqué matter such as erotica. For me I was hoping that Frost had chosen NA to bring the maturity of an adult title to the fun of the Young Adult genre, with a heavy dose of dark grit for the demon world. As said before some are going to find this pretty dark, however if you’re bread and butter is dark fantasy it’s like the kiddy pool.

In the end I think this is a promising start. The mythology is there, and I do want to see if the next book can step things up now that all of that the first book stuff is out of the way. Especially in the character development, there's hope for Ivy. But Adrian is just another male heart throb I'm just supposed to be swooning over. Still I believe many Frost fans will be happy with this, and Frost newbies. If you're a long time reader and good at predicting plots, and rely mainly on the characters to get you through, this might not hit the spot.

Sexual Content: Some mild talk of rape and torture, mild sexual content and plenty of humor.

 
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out.

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
The Beautiful Ashes (1)	The Beautiful Ashes (1)	The Beautiful Ashes (1)

Giveaway! The Beautiful Ashes Release date!

Oh, my! It’s finally here Frost fans! What better way to kick off the week, or at least my internet-is-finally-working week!

Sit back and enjoy the awesome! 

---

The Beautiful Ashes (Broken Destiny, book 1) by Jeaniene Frost

Release Date:  August 26th, 2014

In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who's bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn't mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn't: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…

Grab it:  Amazon | BN | Goodreads

---

About the Author

Jeaniene Frost is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, and the upcoming Broken Destiny series. To date, foreign rights for her novels have sold to twenty different countries. Jeaniene lives in North Carolina with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. Aside from writing, Jeaniene enjoys reading, poetry, watching movies with her husband, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her. For information on Jeaniene's books, reading the first 20% of each book free, book trailers, deleted scenes, creature mythology, and more, please visit: www.jeanienefrost.com

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website

---

Excerpt:

“What is that?” Adrian’s voice startled me. For a second, I was disoriented, the dream clinging to me as it always did. Yes, I was in a car, but I wasn’t the unknown woman driving away from her baby. That wasn’t real. The glare Adrian leveled at my chest was, though. “Is that a mirror?” He sounded horrified. I looked down. My locket was open, the mirrored side facing me. At some point while I was sleeping, I must’ve opened it. Adrian’s hand shot out, but this time, I was too fast for him. “Don’t you dare,” I snapped, holding it out of his reach. “It’s the only picture I have of my sister after you left everything I own back at that hotel in Bennington!” He lunged again, actually letting go of the steering wheel to reach the side of the car where I held it. With a sharp yank, he wrested the locket from my hands. I tried to snatch it back, but he shoved me into my seat with one hand, finally grabbing the steering wheel with the other. “Are you crazy?” I shrieked. “You could’ve gotten us killed!” If this hadn’t been a lonely stretch of desert road, our careening into the next lane might’ve had permanent consequences. “You’re going to get yourself killed,” was his chilling response. Then, still pinning me to my chair with that single hand, he held my locket up. I gasped. Something dark poked out of the small mirror, like a snake made of blackest smoke. It disappeared when Adrian smashed the mirror against the steering wheel, but an eerie wind whistled through the car, ruffling my hair and stinging my nostrils with its acrid scent. Adrian muttered a word in that unknown language, and I didn’t need a translator to tell me it was a curse. “What was that?” My voice was hoarse. He threw me a pitying glance, which frightened me even more. If he wasn’t angry, we must really be screwed. His next words proved that. “Brace yourself, Ivy. You’re about to meet a demon.”  

---

Sign up for the giveaway here: 

   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Coveting(8)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

Sorry for skipping Thursday and Friday’s post last week. I was Dark Skyeing out. Anyone else enjoying Dark Skye?

---

Blood Assassin by Alexandra Ivy

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Sentinels, book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Shera’s thoughts: Hot bald guys happen to be a weakness of mine. However, this guy is not doing it for me. Considering how little he’s wearing, it’s still to much leather. His tattooed arm looks fake. No one wants their appendages to look fake.

Burned by Karen Marie Moning

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Dani O'Malley, #2; Fever, book 7; Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Shera’s thoughts: This is the paperback version, which matches the first books paperback. To be honest I like the hardback version better. You know why.

Carousel Seas by Sharon Lee

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Archers Beach, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Shera’s thoughts: Ah, I love old school art covers. So beautiful. While the creepy guys in the water kind of take away from it, I still like.

Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Black Blade, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal YA Shera’s thoughts: What, can the cover artist/designer(s) not give Estep a decent YA cover!! WTF. This is crap. Still excited for the series.

Deadeye by William C. Dietz

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Mutant Files, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Urban Fantasy/Sci/Fi / Hero ? Shera’s thoughts: Badass! It really looks more like an Urban Fantasy cover. Thank bookworms there isn’t tons of lever on this kick ass chic. Win for me!

Disciple of the Wind by Steve Bein

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Fated Blades, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Urban Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: Ahhhhhhhhh! Be still my heart! So. Much. Swooning. The Fated Blades’ covers are always amazing!! This one may be my favorite yet, especially since this is a “crouching” pose doesn’t look painful or forced.

Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Silver Trilogy, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal YA Shera’s thoughts: Personally I like the original cover for the German one—I believe it’s German. This one is fun.

Earth and Sky by Megan Crewe

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Earth & Sky, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Sci/Fi Shera’s thoughts: Hmmmm, I don’t love it. I don’t hate it. It doesn’t scream sci/fi, but it fits.