Review: The Collector's Society by Heather Lyons

The Collector’s Society

Author: Heather Lyons

Released: October 14^th, 2014

Goodreads

Summary:

From the author of the Fate series and The Deep End of the Sea comes a fantastical romantic adventure that has Alice tumbling down the strangest rabbit hole yet. 

After years in Wonderland, Alice has returned to England as an adult, desperate to reclaim sanity and control over her life. An enigmatic gentleman with an intriguing job offer too tempting to resist changes her plans for a calm existence, though. Soon, she's whisked to New York and initiated into the Collector's Society, a secret organization whose member confirm that famous stories are anything by straight forward and that what she knows about the word is only a fraction of the truth.

It's there she discovers villains are afoot--ones who want to shelve the lives of countless beings. Assigned to work with the mysterious and alluring Finn, Alice and the rest of the Collector's Society race against a doomsday clock in order to prevent further destruction... but will they make it before all the endings are erased?

*This is the first book in a series*

Review:

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. At first I was a bit confused and I thought the beginning was a little choppy, but it picked up and started to move better. I thought the plot line was very original, I just wish that it was all explained a lot more. It seemed that there are little holes throughout that leave you trying to decipher what’s going on rather than enjoying the book. This did not deter me from continuing on and finishing the book.

Alice, who has grown considerably since her last trip to Wonderland, wants nothing to do with it. She escapes by the skin of her teeth and only has a room at an asylum to show for it. After finding herself there for half a year, she is catapulted into what we learn is The Collector’s Society. Alice herself is strong willed and shows a lot of potential throughout the book. She proves that even though she might seem fragile, she is bad ass and can hold her own.

The book itself moves at a decent pace but much of the action doesn’t happen more until you’re about ¾ of the way through. Plus with as much dialogue that takes place, you would think that more would have been explained, but you’re left empty handed. Don’t take this as me saying that it’s a bad book. Like I said earlier, I really enjoyed the book, I just felt shafted in some areas.

Finn, the male lead is quirky and charismatic and very loyal. The only thing I would have wanted was a little more depth from him. He also just has an air about it that you have to like. He is about his missions and his partner.  The sexual attraction between him and Alice was definitely there, leaving you wanting more.

Being listed as a New Adult story, I would have loved to have seen more intimacy, but unfortunately we don’t really see that. We get a few ridiculously short scenes and that’s it. Nothing to really show the intimacy between the two further.

Overall, I thought the book was really good. I’m very interested in what the next book brings and I’m hoping that when I read it, more of my questions will be answered. I really enjoyed the combining of so many characters from so many different books, many of which I have read. It’s interesting to see how she entwined them together to formulate this book. Plus it’s fun to try and figure out who is who and what story they came from. 

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Release Day Launch: Ember by Rachel Van Dyken!!!!!

I have read all of the books in this series and I've been eagerly waiting for Phoenix's story.  I've been impatiently waiting for my Mafia fix and hopefully this will hold m over until the next one... 

Ember

Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Release Date: February 19^th, 2015

I am a Killer. A Rapist. A Monster.

I know only pain and survival. 

That is until the Cappo's sister walked into my life.

And changed everything.

She's a light who makes my darkness darker, her smile makes my heart turn to ice, and I can't escape the fear her seductive looks instill--knowing it's only a matter of time before I fail--again, and take her for myself.

This is the story of my redemption.

But it's not pretty...I died, and now I'm alive, but not living, breathing but not surviving. I am Phoenix De Lange, son to a murdered mob boss, estranged brother, horrible friend, monster in the making, newest leader to one of the most powerful families in the Cosa Nostra.

And I will have my vengeance.

Or die trying.

I am Phoenix De Lange.

Death is all I know.

Until she offers me a piece of life--I can't resist taking.

EXCERPT

Once we were on the road, Phoenix chose the correct music for our drive. I say correct because, according to him, one didn't start the day listening to hip-hop or anything remotely fun. No. Mr. Rogers had me listening to classical music.

Classical.

Mozart, to be exact.

Not that I wasn't a fan of the arts, but really? It just seemed so against what you would expect from him. He was the bad boy personified; like, if you put his name in the dictionary, right next to it would be "And mothers warned their daughters to stay away, but the heart wants what the heart wants, and that heart wants that body… bad."

He was all lean muscle and tight abs.

And I could have sworn he had a dimple, but I'd never actually seen it. Phoenix's dimple was like Bigfoot; I'd seen glimpses in pictures and via rumors, but I had never actually seen it for myself.

One day.

One day I'd catch it and take a mental picture or five. Maybe ten. Needless to say, I knew that if I had one of his smiles, it would be a magical thing.

His hands gripped the steering wheel so hard I had a brief moment of panic thinking he was actually going to rip the thing from the dash and have a breakdown. Sad part? I half-expected it. He wasn't acting normal… well, he was always moody, but this morning he seemed downright suicidal.

"So…" I tried to zone out the instruments assaulting my sanity. "You went to Eagle Elite, right?"

He was quiet for a minute then gave a swift nod.

"Wow, don't talk so fast. I almost didn't get all that."

And crickets. Again.

I cleared my throat. "You graduate?"

"Sort of."

"How do you sort of graduate?"

"Did you bring lunch money?" He asked in a tight voice.

I gaped. "Did you just ask me if I brought lunch money?"

He shrugged.

"You're driving me to school, forcing Mozart on my poor sensitive morning ears, and just asked me if I had money for milk."

"I'm concerned about you eating. Sue me."

"Pretty sure the Nicolasi boss can afford to spare me a few dollars for a sandwich and a can of pop."

"No pop."

"Who died and made you my grandpa? Seriously. I want to know so I can steal your gun and point it at them."

"Nobody touches my gun."

"Which one?" I smirked, hoping he'd find the humor in my sexual innuendo, but who was I kidding? It was Phoenix. He simply grunted, rolled his eyes, and kept driving.

In a moment of pure rebellion, I undid the first two buttons of my white, collared shirt.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he asked, his voice calm, his eyes still on the road.

"Wow, you really are like a parent. You can see me even when you aren't looking."

"Button that shit to your chin before I pull this car over."

"Put on Jay-Z, and we'll talk."

More cursing.

I undid another button.

"Son of a bitch, you're annoying."

"Is this our first lovers' spat?"

"Were there drugs in your toast?" He finally glanced at me, his blue eyes chilling me to the bone. "Be serious. I don't want to get called into the dean's office because you're high."

"Do I look like I'm on drugs?"

"Is this a trick question?"

Buy Links:

  

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About Rachel Van Dyken: 

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com.

Important links:

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Series buy links:

Elite: 

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * iTunes

Elect: 

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * iTunes

Entice: 

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * iTunes

Elicit:

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * iTunes

Bang Bang: 

 Amazon * Barnes and Noble * iTunes

Enforce:

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * iTunes

Release Day Launch: The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout

It’s here!!! OMG!!! I cannot wait to see what trouble Seth can get into! We first met Seth in the Covenant Series. He really is an awesome character and I’m so happy that he is getting his own series! I can’t wait to gobble this down.  The Return is a New Adult Paranormal Romance and will be part of Jennifer L Armentrout’s titan Series.

THE RETURN Synopsis:

The Fates are cackling their bony asses off...

It's been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they've given him have been violent and bloody--which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He's got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet.

Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy's deal might be, but it's a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to puree. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of ancient myth is gunning for her.

But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all.

Because history has once again been flipped to repeat.

THE RETURN Excerpt:

I was a half-blood, but I was also the Apollyon, a child of a pure and a half, a union that had been forbidden for thousands of years because an Apollyon was more powerful than any pure or half could ever hope to be.

And I always got to the traitors’ hideouts before they did, so the Sentinels were usually left with the cleanup, which I was sure absolutely thrilled them.

The first to enter was a female half-blood dressed just as I was. Her black hair was pulled back in a neat little knot at the top of her head. She was older, probably in her mid-thirties. It was pretty rare for a Sentinel to live that long. Her dark skin paled as she stopped just inside the entrance. She clenched titanium daggers in her hands like she expected something vicious to pop out from under the bloody mess.

The female Sentinel tipped her chin up, and the overhead light sliced across her broad cheekbones. She bore a jagged scar under her right eye, the skin lighter in tone. She saw me and froze.

My smile widened.

Behind her, another Sentinel rushed in, almost mowing her over. He saw me and whispered, “Seth.”

He’d said my name like I was the monster under his bed, and I sort of liked that. Then another Sentinel and another rolled in. The fifth took one look at my interior design work and keeled over. Slamming his hands on his knees, he hurled up his dinner.

Nice.

Our society existed completely unknown to the average mortal and had operated under what was known as the Breed Order for thousands of years. The Order had been dismantled, which meant halfs were no longer forced to choose between becoming Sentinels—hunting down violent creatures, protecting pures, enforcing laws, and otherwise usually dying pretty damn quickly on the job—or servants, which was a job that really wasn’t a job, but more like slavery. Since then, many pampered pures had signed on to be Sentinels, making up for the loss of the halfs who’d pretty much said

“Screw this shit, I’m out.”

This wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

For example, the dumbass puking all over my blood-covered floor was a pure. When he straightened, his face a greenish hue, he backed away, shaking his head. “I can’t,” he gasped out. “I can’t do this.”

Then he turned and hauled ass out the doors.
I sighed. This was why we couldn’t have nice things.

Buy Links:

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * iBooks * BooksAMillion

About Jennifer L. Armentrout: 

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Author Links:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Novel Goodreads * Author Goodreads

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Blog Tour: Following the Sun by Alisa Mullen

Following the SUN

by Alisa Mullen

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA| Amazon AU

Synopsis: 

Nate Wilson lives his life with pride and heart. When his pops hands down the family bowling alley in Framingham, Massachusetts, he doesn't think twice about making it his own. Nate is a guy's guy. He is true to his old friends, his family, his dates, and his business.

Sunny, a vivacious and mysterious woman frequents the alley all of a sudden. Somehow she catches Nate's attention and holds it. Nate becomes slightly obsessed with who she is and why she loves the bowling alley.He is not one to be easily distracted by a woman to the point of letting his priorities fall the wayside.

However, after he follows his instinct, Nate finds himself entranced, enthralled, and in the worst predicament of his steady life.

Teasers:

About the Author:

Alisa Mullen is the author of the Best Selling Saga Series (Four books as of EOY 2014), The Chosen Series and the Best Selling psychological suspense novel, Plastic Confidence. She grew up in Down East Maine. Mullen has a BA from Texas A&M University and a MS from Our Lady of Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, making necklaces, and spending time with her family. Mullen lives in South Texas with her loving husband and their two children.

In her rare off time, she enjoys laughing and goofing off with her husband and their two children.She loves the beach, Estate Sales, Blue Bonnet season, and macrame.

Mullen currently lives in South Texas and likes it there for now. Mullen owns a macramé necklace business, Devika Knots, which she started with her daughter in 2009 and it has become a great part of her life. Many times her whole family will go out to the markets to be around other artisans and farmers. She and her husband look forward to one day owning an RV and following their noses around the country year round.

Where to find Alisa:

Blog| DP Profile | Twitter | Amazon | TSU 

Instagram: alisamullen2014 | Pinterest: Alisa Mullen

Cover Reveal: Black Number Four by Kandi Steiner

Title: Black Number Four

Author: Kandi Steiner

Release Date: April 4, 2015

Find on Goodreads

Synopsis:

Known as one of the youngest and most ambitious poker players in the country, Skyler Thorne has a reputation to uphold in Vegas this year. Her sole focus for spring semester is to perfect her game and get tournament ready – and have some fun with her sorority sisters, of course. Meeting a care-free pledge with incredible arms adds a whole new element of fun to her semester, but when a shocking discovery about his past surfaces, Skyler finds herself stuck in a game she wasn’t prepared to play.

Kip Jackson is on a mission from his father. His plan was to get in, have a little fun, and then get out – on to bigger and better things. A feisty girl with bright blue eyes wasn’t on his list of things to do, but she quickly moves her way up to the very top. When he realizes completing his dad’s mission means crushing her in the process, he must decide if his dreams are worth the risk – or if he even has the same dreams, at all.

Two secrets. Two hearts. Two hands being played in one twisted game of deceit.

When the cards are on the table, will anyone be left standing?

The perfect poker face can only hide them for so long.

Pre-Order Link:

Amazon

Excerpt:

There are three things you should know about me.

One, I can read a bluff like a neon street sign. Everyone gives themselves away in some form of a twitch or another, and after a few rounds at the table with me, I can guarantee I’ll know yours. So, throw your best fake smile or confident wink at me, but just know I can see right through you – and we both know there’s no sense in betting all your chips with nothing but a Jack high in your hands.

Two, I have the best poker face in the game. I’ll make you think you’re reading me, show a little sign of being nervous maybe or bite my lip in anticipation of the river, but it’s all part of the plan. I’m building you up to expect the wind to blow one way just so I can pull out an industrial size fan and send your shit flying just the opposite. And if by chance you do get to me, you won’t know – because I don’t let it show, not even a little. If anything, I’ll make you think you actually played right into my hand – making you the nervous one, in turn. The key to a killer poker face is to strip your soul of all emotion and show only what you purposefully want the other person to see. And trust me – I’m the lead singer in the band of No Emotion.

Number three and, perhaps, the most important thing to know about me is this: I know when to fold. I know when to hang in tough, when to push my luck, when to bluff my ass out of a tight situation and when to throw the cards down and run as fast as I can in the other direction. In poker and in life, it’s all about knowing the game you’re playing and how you stand up to the competition. And pace – you have to know when to push and when to sit back and let it ride. Now don’t get me wrong – I hate throwing in the towel as much as any other competitive, adrenaline chasing poker junkie, but I’ve learned even in my short time in the game that there are some hands you just don’t mess with… some cards that forever trump others.

All three of these things are true. If you asked any sports reporter, any poker analyst, any pro standing around watching the final table of this tournament right now – they would tell you all three of these things about me and maybe add in a few notes of their own. Which is why I can’t understand why my hands are trembling, why my skin is slick with a film of sweat as I drop any shred of a poker face I have left and push the remainder of my chips forward – toward the one person who managed to get under my skin, to break me down, to change the game, to flip me on my ass and toss every rule I’ve ever had into a massive wood chipper, leaving me with nothing but the shavings.

The last thing I see before I close my eyes and give one final push of the chips toward the center of the table are the burning blue eyes that will forever haunt me, forever remind me that – even when we think we have a game completely mastered – there’s always the possibility that Chance and his brother, Luck, will show up and utterly screw everything.

“All in.”

Author Info: 

Kandi Steiner is a Creative Writing and Advertising/Public Relations graduate from the University of Central Florida living in Tampa with her husband. Kandi works full time as a social media specialist, but also works part time as a Zumba fitness instructor and blackjack dealer.

Kandi started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic (like most girls brought up on Disney movies).

When Kandi isn’t working or writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys beach days, movie marathons, live music, craft beer and sweet wine – not necessarily in that order.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Release Day Launch: Verum by Courtney Cole

I just finished reading Nocte and knowing that this book is bein released today makes me so happy. I don't think I would have been able to last very long waiting for the next book to come out. I was a completely mind-blown with the ending of the book. I couldn't put it down and I hope the same will go for this book.

VERUM

Author: Courtney Cole

Release Date: February 2nd, 2015

Verum blurb:

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE.

My name is Calla Price and I’m drowning.

My new world is a dark, dark ocean and I’m being pulled under by secrets.

Can I trust anyone? I don’t know anymore.

The lies are spirals. They twist and turn, binding me with their thorns and serpentine tongues. And just when I think I have it figured out, everything is pulled out from under me.

I’m entangled in the darkness.

But the truth will set me free.

It’s just ahead of me, so close I can touch it. But even though it shines and glimmers, it has glistening fangs and I know it will shred me.

Are you scared?

I am.

Important links for Verum: 

Goodreads

Amazon * iBooks * Nook * Kobo

Important Links for Nocte:

Goodreads

Amazon * iBooks * Nook * Kobo

Release Day: Winter Kiss by L.P. Dover

Winter Kiss

Author: L.P. Dover

Release Day: February 1^st, 2015

Summary:

What do you want in your stocking this Christmas? How about your favorite Gloves Off fighter, Ryley Jameson?

After moving away to their cabin, Ashleigh and Ryley have grown to love each other more and more every single day. Their lives will be forever changed as soon as their twins are born, but Ryley is determined to get what he wants this holiday season. He just hopes Ashleigh will give him this gift before it’s too late.

Perhaps Christmas bells aren’t the only sounds you hear this season. Maybe there’ll be some wedding bells and the pitter patter of little feet. It’s a holiday wish you don’t want to miss.

EXCERPT:

“What’s wrong?” I asked, whispering the words. “You don’t look right.”

He took off his gloves and brushed his fingers down my cheek. I was surprised they felt so warm after being out in the cold for the past hour. “Let’s go inside before you freeze out here.”

Grabbing my hand, he led me inside and shut the door. I stood there staring at him, my breaths coming out in pants while I waited on him to take off his jacket and boots. “Ryley, you’re freaking me out. What’s wrong?”

Taking a deep breath, he let it out and slowly turned my way. He was nervous. But what could he possibly be nervous about? He grasped my hands and pulled me over to the couch. When we sat down, he lowered his gaze to my hand, the one I wore my engagement ring on.

“I will never forget the day you told me you would marry me,” he said.

“Neither will I.” The memories flooded my mind. It was a cool, brisk autumn day out in our meadow. We had just made love on the grass when he slipped the ring on my finger without me realizing it. It was a good day. “But I want you to tell me what has you looking so lost. I thought everything was good this morning when you left.”

“Believe me, angel. Things are better than good. I’ve just been doing some thinking and I wanted to talk to you.” He looked down at my ring again and twirled it around my finger. “I gave you this ring because I love you, and because I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life without you by my side.”

I squeezed his hand and moved closer. “I feel the same way. I’m more than ready for next October to get here so we can get married.”

Releasing a heavy sigh, he lifted his blue eyes to mine. There was no trace of my playful Ryley, he was nothing but serious. "I don't want to wait till October"

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can't forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.

Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written over nine novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

Links: 

* Facebook * Goodreads * Website * Twitter * Pinterest * Amazon Author Page * TSU