Review: Hot Under Pressure by Louisa Edwards

Hot Under Pressure

Louisa Edwards

Copyright 2012, St.Martin's Press

Henry. Effing. Beck.

All is fair in love and cooking in the Rising Star Chef Competition. Cooking, war, same difference here. I've heard that the best chefs give you a taste of who they are through their cooking. That is especially true when it comes to the strong and silent Beck and the ever-held-down-hippie-chick Skye.

Between a history, a future they never foresaw and a present-tense that is kicking both of their asses, these two have a spicy story to tell!!

Through every book in the series I've thought "Man. I want more Beck." and then BAM! I got it! And you can get it, too!! But here's the deal. You can't just jump into it. I mean...you can...but that would take SO much of the fun and angst and pain out of it!

I don't do this often. Victoria Dahl has made me misty, I'll admit, but I do not cry while reading. Damn if Louisa wasn't just TRYING to hurt me. In a goodway. Henry Beck has an incredible story. He's an incredible man. It's hard to deny that he is all man. Beck has emotional depths he tries to even hide from himself, a physique that's as tough as the training he went through.

Henry Beck, guys. He's the real deal. Tear drops falling, book cuddling, an ending to a series that could not have been better. It's a short review, but man. There was little I could say without giving away any tiny detail that might take away from the book. It's one hell of a ride through the series and it's one I encourage  everyone to pick up. Not only is it an amazing tale but if you like to cook...the books actually have the recipes in the back! How stinking cool is that?!

Review: Some Like It Hot by Louisa Edwards

Some Like It Hot

Louisa Edwards

Copyright 2011, St. Martin's Press

Welcome to the Rising Star Chef Competition! And boy is this kitchen HOT. In the first of the series, Too Hot To Touch, we met Max Lunden and Jules. Max being the runaway big brother to Jule's best friend Danny, and son to the owner of the restaurant she has worked at for years Lundens Tavern. Danny was of course present in the book, but he was just a brotherly figure. So to pick up book two and know that it would be his book, I didn't see how it would work. But Lord, do I trust Louisa.

She doesn't disappoint. Danny has always taken care of everyone. Himself, his parents the restaurant, hell, he even takes care of Jules when she's a mess! So it shouldn't be surprising that as the stakes raise in the RSC competition, Danny is on overdrive. Luckly, if anyone knows overdrive it's Eva who is not only in charge of the competition for the first time ever but she's also fighting the feeling that she's never lived up to her dad's expectations.

What starts as a game and a sort of stress reliever quickly turns into more. With two people who only know to take care of others, Danny and Eva embark on a journey of steamy sex, stomach flipping moments and feelings that neither of them can deny.

I never expected to LIKE Danny but holy crap I LOVE him! He has so many layers and believe me when I tell you it is downright out fun to peel back every.single.one.

Not to mention that we get more of the Slater Kane/Claire Durand story!! These two could have had their own book or series or tv show or whatever they want, their story is HOT and sooooo intriguing!! The combination and the way all of the characters interact together makes for one hell of a story.

Even more than all of this: The next book...Hot Under Pressure? It's Beck's book. And trust me. By the time you've read Danny's book you will be dying to know more about Beck!!! KEEP READING!

Review: Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Vanish

Sophie Jordan

Copyright 2011, Harper

An Impossible Romance.
Bitter Rivalries.
Deadly Choices.

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?  - BN.Com Overview

Holy. Cow. For one who stays pretty securely on one side of the fictional boyfriend fence, Sophie Jordan had my heart in a vice and my feet unsure of where they wanted to settle. There are several important parts to this story but the two that reign supreme are: Love and Family.

Jacinda's had a rough go of it family-wise. Between her Dad having been taken and killed, her sister never having turned into the Draki she was meant to be and her Mom who has wanted to escape the pride for so long that being forced back to it could destroy her. So what changes when Tamra changes? Uh. Awesomeness? Yep. As the big sister, there are things that my sister and I have been able to share since we were kids. Like gymnastics. But she wasn't into it like I was. Now, we take an adult class together and honestly, there's nothing like flipping around and flying through the air on the trampolines with my little sis. Sharing something like that made experiencing Tamra and Jacinda's new relationship even more special to read! Sophie did an amazing job with the connection they had and the way they understood each other.

And now...Cassian. I mean...Will...I mean...CRAP. Always rooting for the guy the heroine "shouldn't have" seems to be my go-to, and I did feel like that when I first read about Cassian and Will and how different they were back in Firelight. Cassian is a great guy, a little overbearing but still. As much as I wanted to cheer him on, there was always something about Will that made me cheer louder. But holy heck, Jordan can WRITE. And I mean, REALLY. There were times I had no idea where the fence WAS, let alone what side of it I wanted to be on.

Overall, there isn't a page you can leave unturned or a sentence unread. There is nothing missed, no emotion left unturned in a world so beautifully created you'll find yourself longing for a mountain range you can claim for your own inner Draki!

And what's best?! There's MORE. Hidden is set to release September 11, 2012!! Click on the title for the pre-order page from Barnes and Noble!

Review: Girl in the Clockwork Collar

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar

Kady Cross

Copyright 2012, Harlequin Teen

Publish Date: 5/22/2012

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for approving me to read this!!

Fans of Steampunk, YA, Action and Reading - Gather 'Round!! The sequel to The Girl in the Steel Corset is full of all you can ask for! Everyone knows Finley is a do-it-herself kind of gal with the muscle to back it up, but when she continues to step out on her own, the ever loyal Griffin gives her an ultimatum - join the team or go truly on her own. Trust has always been an issue for Finley, which we learned in Steel Corset, but now so much more than the gang of steam punk bad arses is at stake. Jasper Renn is being held for murder, in America, and not only does the gang need to find him but they need to figure out his true role in the crime and if possible - help him escape.

While locked away under his old gang leaders hand, Jasper is brought face to face with his former love, Mei, a girl he left behind to keep safe. Only she isn't safe - the clockwork collar around her neck has made sure of that and even touching it will cause its further restriction.

The action of Clockwork Collar is right where it needs to be; fast paced and meaningful. Every punch has a meaning, every use of the "beasties" we've come to know and love is for a reason and Kady Cross leaves no emotion or feeling left unstirred. As much as I loved Steel Corset, I felt like I became even closer to the characters when brought back to them in Clockwork Collar. Though it feels as though I've waited forever to catch a glimpse, I fell back into the world and the love in the first page. Cross is able to write readers into a world that is so vivid you forget you're reading and are allowed to "watch" the story as you fly through it.

Even if you've never read or aren't necessarily interested in the Steam Punk Genre, I would highly encourage you to give this series a shot!

Underworld - The Giveaway

Everyday we face injustice in the world; frizzy hair, that ridiculous zit that appears from out of nowhere, mall parking and the ever so upsetting amazing book that is "released" but we can't seem to get our hands on.

That, my friends, is the one the irks me the most.

Of all the books this should not happen to, Underworld is right near the top of that list. And yet from what I've seen on Facebook and Twitter, some of us have yet to add it's pretty blue cover to our shelves!

Considering it my civic duty, I've heard your cries! And I hope to help! At no cost to you! I give you: The Underworld Giveaway.

About Abandon.

In Abandon we meet Pierce Oliviera who has had a near death experience. She was trying to help a struggling bird next to her indoor pool in the winter, tripped and fell into it - right onto the cover. The broken cover aides gravity in pulling Pierce to the bottom where she hears only her heartbeat before she wakes up on the dark shores of a strange lake surrounded by hoardes of other people. This would be strange enough but when she recognizes a guy on a horse helping to control everyone she takes it upon herself to re-introduce herself and take everyones complaints to him. what she doesn't know is that this mysterious hotty is more than just a guy on a horse with a list of "who goes where", he's a death diety and she is our modern day Persephone.

About Underworld.

Pierce has to stay in the Underworld forever. Which is kind of ok because she's in love with John. But it's only kind of ok because she's had to leave her family behind. Her mom, dad and cousin - Alex. Dealing with all of that is enough, add to it that she has to get used to her new surroundings and you can imagine how overwhelming it is. Now her cell phone - which is dead in the Underworld - starts showing video of Alex in distress. Pierce has to get out of there, but there's no way John's letting her go on her own.

I. Love. This. Series. SO. MUCH. And I want you to read on with me! Enter for your chance to win Underworld, below! This is open internationally, one entry per person please!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Corralled

Corralled

Lorelei James

Copyright 2010, Signet Eclipse

Hank and Kyle are long time buddies, grew up together and now traveling in different circuits and doing different jobs - are in the rodeo business together. They're also both in love with Melanie Capshaw, famed rodeo legend Jason Capshaw's little girl. But they don't know it at first. One is dating Mel and the other Lanie. Oops! Lanie is a med tech and works both circuits. Although she's fought off cowboys for a long time, something about each of these men gets under her skin and she finds herself unsure as to who she wants to be with. So when the boys find out about the predicament, and realize she's not going to give up just one of them, they decide to share her. Until she picks. If she ever does.

Holy steamy mc steam erotic!! I was warned that going from sweet romance to Corralled was less of a baby step and more of a front handspring, but WHOA. Here's the thing though, just like Lanie in her new situation: I think I kinda liked it!

I'll tell you this: if you're not put off by sex, and a lot of it, and many different kinds and variations; you will love this book. There is a hardcore love story in there, full of hopes and dreams and touching moments. But there is also some SERIOUS sexy times. And Lorelei doesn't shy away from the details!

I looooooove the love story aspect of this book. It may have had a bit too much sex in it for my taste, but it was my first and I don't regret a thing! I was Team Kyle from the get-go. He was more straightforward, outspoken and funny while I feel like Hank was the strong-silent type. Sure, he was romantic but meh, I'm a Kyle kind of girl :) The only other thing I wasn't thrilled with was that the boys seemed really demanding and Lanie just kind of went with it. They could be like: Get naked. Now. And she would just obey. My heroines are usually more stand off-ish and less compliant...but that said, none of my heroines have previously signed up for threesomes either! Take from it what you will. If you're reading romance and wanting to add a dollop of spicy cowboy to it - Go for it! But if you're an avid MG/YA reader just looking to dip your toe in the Romance/Erotic world...Baby Steps. By all means, feel free to try it, every reader is different and you may jump in and be just fine, but for me, it would have thrown me into shock!

Lorelei is definitely a talented writer with a strong knowledge of her characters and the world they navigate. She can also weave together one heck of a love story! 

Review: Underworld

Underworld

Meg Cabot

Copyright 2012, Point, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.

Thank you SO much to Scholastic for sending me the book I've been dying, and willing to live happily in the Underworld, for!!

John Hayden is the lord of the Underworld. He's also incredibly sexy and the love of Pierce Oliviera's life and well...after life. She's escaped the Underworld once, only to be saved by John back on earth - while people around her die. On the brink of a Fury-induced war on earth, John takes Pierce back to the Underworld. He believes it will protect her and the people she loves. He's wrong.

Startled by an intense dream, Pierce wakes up knowing only a few things. One; she loves John. Two; she's not at home. Three; holy cow - why is John in bed with her?! Shirtless?!

Demanding to slow things down, because even though she must remain with John in the Underworld forever and yeah she loves him - man that's a lot to take on!- Pierce walks a fine line between hurting John and confusing his actions with her own rationalization of what's happening, all while remaining true to what she's ready for - in both her relationship and her new life.

Until her cell phone magically works - and shows a startling image of her cousin, Alex, in great distress. The time for slowing down isn't now. Pierce has to convince John that she needs to get back to her world to rescue her cousin. With a motley crew at her back, Pierce and John head back to Isla Huesos where truthes are learned, lives are at risk and love rules.

Meg Cabot once again shows us the extraordinary skill she has in creating worlds and people that we can't live without. John, regardless of how brutal and strong he really is, shows us sides of himself that will make you fall further in love with him than you thought you could. Pierce remains strong and, though I feel she's unknowing of it, really comes into her own. She has so many battles to fight and she handles them all with a grace that is unexpected of any woman - let alone the teenage consort to the lord of the Underworld!

I love this series. I will beg, plead and push everyone I know to jump into these books. Yes, they have a mythological background, yes, they take place in mythological worlds, but the love and fights; the emotions and struggles that our hero and heroine go through are every bit as contemporary as your daily life. Live and love in the Underworld with Meg Cabot.