Tina's Book Blog

Tina's Book Blog

Wife. Mama. Bookworm! Aroha Ki Te Pānui ♥ Love to read. 

Review
4 Stars
Against All Odds (Against #1) by Angie McKeon
Against All Odds - Angie McKeon

Our lives shattered... Our hearts broken... Our souls torn to pieces...

He was my world, my whole life. My reason for breathing. I had a perfect marriage, a baby on the way, and I felt fulfilled—almost invincible. 

Until the day life hit, leaving me broken, vulnerable, and alone.

She was my life. My ray of hope on the cloudiest day. With her, I thought I had the ultimate safety. A love that would never hurt or betray me. I gave her my heart, my body, and my soul. 

Until she broke me, destroying every dream and illusion I had about life, love, and marriage.

In our grief, we made a mistake. A mistake I'm not sure we can come back from.

 

3.5 - 4ish. This book reminded me of Arsen abit. Review to come.

Review
2 Stars
Passion and Ponies (Chocoholics #2) by Tara Sivec
Passion and Ponies - Tara Sivec

Ava Gilmore has the perfect life. She’s surrounded by people who love her, she’s having sex on a regular basis and her Coach bag collection just grew by three. The problem? She’s expected to follow in her family’s footsteps at Seduction and Snacks, working with sex toys and baked goods. 

Ava loves vibrators and cupcakes as much as the next person, she’d just rather play with them than sell them. With her shopping addiction reaching an all time high and her credit card bills piling up, Ava decides to put her obsession to good use and start a fashion blog. But she has one other problem - the guy she’s having sex with has a My Little Pony addiction.

While dealing with her family’s disappointment and confusion over her choices, she finds support in the unlikeliest of places – Tyler Branson. Tyler has slowly wormed his way into her bed, her a$$ and her heart and he refuses to leave. Tyler has his own family problems to deal with and for the first time ever, Ava finds herself feeling bad for the annoying, immature guy and chanting “Friendship is magic!” during the sex she’d swore to stop having with him.

Ava needs to get her life in order once and for all before she finds herself doing something she never wanted to do – fall in love with a Brony.

 

Didn't really enjoy this one as much as the first. There were parts that made me have a good laugh but that's about it, I just wanted to hurry up and finish it so ended up skimming a lot.

Review
1 Stars
Dominic (Slater Brothers #1) by L.A. Casey
Dominic (Slater Brothers) - L.A. Casey

After a car accident killed her parents when she was a child, Bronagh Murphy chose to box herself off from people in an effort to keep herself from future hurt. If she doesn't befriend people, talk to them or acknowledge them in any way they leave her alone just like she wants.When Dominic Slater enters her life, ignoring him is all she has to do to get his attention. Dominic is used to attention, and when he and his brothers move to Dublin, Ireland for family business, he gets nothing but attention. Attention from everyone except the beautiful brunette with a sharp tongue.

Dominic wants Bronagh and the only way he can get to her, is by dragging her from the boxed off corner she has herself trapped in the only way he knows how...by force.

 

Dnf @ 25%. Dominic is the reason why I don't read books like this. He is an immature little twit who I was not gonna punish myself into reading more of his stupid, little boy ways. I actually liked Bronagh, didn't like her name though. I don't get the authors note: WARNING: Recommended for readers aged 18+. Please heed this warning. I can't think of anyone over 18 who would enjoy this childish book.  He's just a little twit douche bag  in my eyes and no way would I recommend this rubbish. 

Review
1.5 Stars
Number Thirteen by Bella Jewel
Number Thirteen - Bella Jewel

We're thirteen girls, captive, slave to our master. 
A master we've never seen.
Obedience will become all we know in our shallow existence. It is the only emotion we're permitted to feel.
When we're bad, we're punished. When we're good, we're rewarded. 
Our scars run deep. Yet we survive, because we have to... 
because HE teaches us to.
All of us are special, we feel it with everything we are.
He has us for a reason, but it's a reason we don't know.
We've never seen his face, but we know that something deeply broken lies beneath the darkness. With every touch, with every punishment, we know it. 
Then something changed. 
He showed me who he truly is.
Now I want him.
I'll go against everything I know to be with him. 

A monster. 

My monster. 

Loving him is a sin, but a sinner I am. I won't stop until I see every part of him. Even the parts he keeps locked deep down inside. 

I am Number Thirteen, and this is my story

 

The 2 star is for the prologue after that the story was disappointing, and didn't go the direction I thought it was heading. (Which was seeking revenge on the bullies. The prologue had a promising start but then went down hill.) 

Review
2 Stars
Second Time Around by Katherine Allred
Second Time Around - Katherine Allred

Five years ago Quinn McAllister's life was almost destroyed. While he lay in a coma from injuries sustained during an auto accident, the woman he loved divorced him. Or so his father told him. Now he's discovered that his divorce was bogus, and his whole world is spinning out of control. He's tempted to give his wife the quick divorce she wants until he finds out about the son he didn't know existed. Now he's going back to Wyoming to claim what's his, and nothing can stop him...not his father, and certainly not his wife's fiancée. It's taken Lanie McAllister five years to get over losing the man she loved with every fiber of her being. Now she's ready to move on with her life, and has even agreed to marry the local veterinarian until Quinn gives her an ultimatum. Give them three months to try to mend the marriage his father tore apart, or he'll fight her tooth and nail for custody of their son. Torn between the man her heart has never quite forgotten and the man she's engaged to, Lanie can only pray that love will truly be better the second time around.

 

Probably my least favourite from Katherine. (The sweet gum tree being my most favourite.) It was boring and dragged a lot.  I skipped a lot just so I could hurry up and finish it. 

Review
3.5 Stars
Three Wishes by Kristen Ashley
Three Wishes - Kristen Ashley

When Lily Jacobs was born, she inherited Fazire – a genie. Her family had three wishes and they’d only ever used one so Fazire was stuck in the human world. This worked since he’d become a member of the family anyway.

Even with a genie, Lily's young life wasn’t perfect. To escape the kids making her miserable at school, Lily buried herself in romance novels. One day, when the teasing was just too much, she used one of her wishes. She told Fazire she wanted to find a man like in her books and she made the most complicated wish Fazire had ever heard. Her wished-for man had to be impossibly handsome, virile, fierce, rugged and ruthless (amongst a dozen other things).

He also had to think she was beautiful and he had to love her more than anything in the world.

Nathaniel McAllister wasn’t born to a life where there were such things as genies granting wishes. His life was filled with drugs, crime and neglect. He was running errands for a gangster before he was in his teens and, even though life and hard work led him to wealth and respectability, he always knew, deep down, he was dirty. When Nate met Lily he knew he was no good for her but as virile, fierce, rugged and ruthless as he was, Nate was no match for the pull of sweet, innocent Lily.

Unfortunately, Lily’s wish included that she and her hero go through trials and tribulations to test their love. And Fazire wasn’t only a good genie, he loved Lily – so he gave her exactly what she wanted

 

I quite enjoyed this book. I liked how the characters age started younger then ka's usual age group she tends to write in her other books (30-40's) even though they ended up in the age group by the end and I loved both Nate & Lily and even Fazire (pronounced Faa sire?) and the history at the beginning. One of my favourites from Ka.

Review
2.5 Stars
At Peace (The 'Burg #2) by Kristen Ashley
At Peace - Kristen Ashley

Violet Winters once had it all but lost it when her husband was murdered by a criminal madman. During a cold winter night Violet has to leave her warm bed to tell her neighbor to turn the music down. And that’s when she meets sinister, scarred, scarily attractive security specialist, Joe Callahan.

She wants to deny it, but Violet can’t beat back the hunger she feels for Joe so she gives in again and again. Feeling it himself, Joe feeds Vi’s hunger, breaking his own rules to keep her in his bed.

Even though Violet had only one man in her life, she’s sure Joe is giving her the signals and Vi decides she’s ready to take a second chance at life and, maybe, love. But Violet doesn’t know the dark secrets in Joe’s past, secrets so soul-wrenching, they’ve drained him dry. With nothing left to give, Joe’s determined to live his life alone and he breaks Violet’s heart.

Crushed by Joe’s betrayal, Violet comes to terms with the fact that, no matter what signals he gave, Joe was not theirs to win. But Violet’s husband’s murderer is obsessed with her and heartbreak again haunts the door of the Winters home. When it does Joe is forced to face the knowledge that he can’t fight Violet’s pull, she’s under his skin and filled him full to bursting.

Joe needs to win her back and put his life on the line to keep Violet safe. But, having had it all once, can Violet endure losing Joe?

 

Okay, second book into Kristen Ashley's The 'Burg Series and Im liking it. Im in to it. Im feeling it.They sound like great characters, am liking it more than the first and by the end I still do but....... WHY-OH-WHY KA  Would you make up  ridiculous nicknames for characters honestly! Are you crazy lady?! "Buddy" really?! Way to turn me OFF is calling his lover BUDDY.

Okay thats my rant. 2.5-3. 4ish if the name Buddy was never ever mentioned in this book. Typical Ka book enjoyable, already know what's gonna happen. Vi seem's to piss me off at times with the Joe - Mike thing, but I got over it as she had only been with her husband since high school. Loved her girls, loved the way  Joe took care of those girls. & loved the extra characters too. they're the bomb.

Review
1 Stars
Love's Suicide: Love's Suicide by Jennifer Foor
Love's Suicide: Love's Suicide - Jennifer Foor

My heart belonged to Branch and Brooks Valentine since we were children, when we were all too naïve to know what that even meant. We didn’t understand that when we became adults, love would change us. I had to make a choice and when I did, it ripped our bond apart. Brooks left town, and he took half of my heart with him. It was difficult, but I coped and planned my future with Branch. I thought I’d made the right decision. I loved him and I always had. 
Brooks showed up to be our best man the night before our nuptials. After drinks and too much reminiscing, I ended up in bed with the wrong brother. To avoid the humiliation and the fact that I’d ruined all of our lives, I left Branch and the only family I’d ever known. 
That’s where my story should have ended. 
Almost three years, one beautiful little girl and an abusive marriage later, I was standing there staring at the man that would always hold my heart. 
The only question was… 
Would I give it to him 
I’m Katy Michaels and this is my story. 

 

That about sums up how I feel about this book. Epic fail. Quite sad, as I use to love Jennifer's books. Now, not so much. Either it's me not into her books anymore or her writing is not the same, I don't know but I do know that they are painful to read. Especially this, 3 stars for Brooks though. He was probably the best thing in the book.

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Haha.. CUTE
Haha.. CUTE
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True that!
True that!
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Loved it!
Loved it!

Calia Read's UNRAVEL is out now. Loved it. Great read!

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This is so me!
This is so me!
Held by Kimberly A. Bettes
Held - Kimberly A. Bettes

Nicole Lee, a young wife and new mother, steps out of the mall, squinting against the glare of the midday sun, completely unaware that her life is about to change forever.

In a matter of seconds, she is steeped in fear as the world she knows and the life she loves fades away.

As the panic sets in and the terror takes hold, Nicole tries to keep calm, though she's now in a frantic fight for her life. Locked in a deadly battle of wits with a psychopath, she struggles to keep her sanity as she's held.

 

 

This is how imagine Ron, but not with a chainsaw, with an axe cutting his victims into pieces and throwing them out in trash bags. I don't even know how to rate this book. I don't even know if I liked it. Ron is a psychopath. He is not handsome, though Nicole has mentioned his looks a couple times. He is a mental case. A bastard. I didn't even want to finish it. It was going to be a DNF but then I read Crystal's part & I desperately wanted to see what happened to her, and also to see how Nicole's story ends. It is horrific. Its brutal.  Its not for the faint hearted. There are bits where I couldn't even read because it was so gruesome.  I thought I had read some twisted mind fuck reads, until I read this. I don't think I could ever read something like this again. 

Review
4 Stars
Unravel by Calia Read
Unravel - Calia Read

Six months ago, I was happy. I was simply Naomi Carradine. 

One month ago, I was admitted into a psych ward. 

Yesterday, Lachlan visited me. Kissed me. And told me that I’m starting to lose my mind. 

Hours later, Max haunted my thoughts, reminding me I’m not crazy and that he needs my help. 

A few minutes ago, I drifted further from reality, trying to unravel the past. 

And now...everyone thinks I’m insane. But, I know he's real, and I know he needs me. 

Do you believe me?

 

I remember seeing this book awhile ago. I waited. Months later still waiting. Why are we still waiting?! Then I read it. And then I understood. Months and months of waiting was worth it. This book outdone itself and so did the author. 24 hours or so after reading it, I still feel affected. It touched me deep. My heart hurt. It still does. I loved Naomi from page 1. I'm so use to books boring me that I give up. I expected this book to do the same but it didn't. It pained me. Brought tears to my eyes. I love how an author can do that to a person. Write words that affects the reader so much it bring tears and heartache. The writing is amazing. I was so captivated from page 1. I just couldn't put it down. The chemistry between characters - loved it. Everything In this book I loved. My favourite so far for 2014. I'm thinking it will still be my favourite by the time 2015 rolls around.

4.5 stars storyline. Writing 4.5 stars. Characters 4.5 stars. 

 

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