Title: Drowning in You
Author: Rebecca Berto
Publisher: Self Published, (April 5th, 2013)
From: the Author
Format: eARC
Add to: Goodreads

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: Secretly crushing

Crushed by a tragedy

Charlee May’s been crushing on Dexter Hollingworth since she was fifteen. Five years later, a horrific skiing disaster at Mason’s Ski Lift Resort leaves her millionaire dad critically injured and her mom dead at the hands of Dexter operating the lifts. Charlee is suddenly the sole caretaker for her little brother while their world falls apart.

Dexter couldn't be more different from Charlee. He’s tattooed, avoids exclusive relationships and his Dad has a fair share of illegal dealings. With Dexter’s reputation, almost everyone believes he planned the Mason’s skiing disaster.

And after all these years he’s still crushing on Charlee May, the girl who’s too good for him.

When this cruel twist of fate ties Charlee’s family and Dexter’s reputation together, Charlee and Dexter wonder if their feelings are reciprocated, while Dexter discovers his dad is trying to steal the May’s millionaire fortune.

But like an addiction, one look, one touch, one taste—they’re hooked no matter the consequences.

Disclaimer: Recommended for mature readers due to sexual content and crude language.

Review: 3 Stars - Author Rebecca Berto’s “New Adult” title, Drowning in You is a story of a tragic event that affects two people in completely differently ways and how it binds them together forever.

First off I have to say that I was immediately hooked with the dual point of views. It’s one of my favorite things; love to read and I look forward to when I find a new book that’s written from two or more perspectives. Especially when it comes to such a tragic story and the two people who are affected most by it. Having that chance to hear what both the good girl – Charlee and the tattooed bad boy – Dexter were thinking and feeling was needed. I’m not sure how well a story such as this would have worked without knowing both sides to the story.

Charlee and Dexter are both interesting characters with complex feelings and personalities. And while I enjoyed their story and the added layer of mystery that Berto included and the fact that I didn't see it coming was fantastic! However,  there were a few spots that I felt were confusing. I often found myself disconnected and at times it brought me just out of the story enough that disrupted the flow of the whole plot. This in turn is why I've given this one 3 stars.

A couple of other things to love about this title – “New Adult” – this has quickly become a new favorite category of mine. Next is the fact that this is a stand alone book and then the fact that this is a contemporary story. I love series books but it is nice to read a title from start to finish and have everything answered. The final conclusion in Drowning in You pushed how emotional this whole book was right up and on over that edge.

All in all, the story on a whole is sad beyond words. It’s point blank heart breaking and also healing. There were times that I wanted to reach in and yell and or hug both characters. Often both at the same time because you can’t help but feel for Charlee and Dexter and the journey these two take apart and together. I recommend this title to anyone who loves “New Adult” and memorable characters.

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.

Title: Endure (Need, #4)
Author: Carrie Jones
Publisher: Bloomsbury, 288 Pages (May 8th, 2012)
From: the Publisher
Format: eARC
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis: It’s all-out war (and no-holds-barred romance) in the climactic conclusion to Carrie Jones’s bestselling series.

Zara is at the center of an impending apocalypse. True, she’s successfully rescued Nick from Valhalla, but it simply isn’t enough. Evil pixies are ravaging Bedford, and they need much more than one great warrior; they need an army. Zara isn’t sure what her role is anymore. She’s not just fighting for her friends; she’s also a pixie queen. And to align her team of pixies with the humans she loves will be one of her greatest battles yet. Especially since she can’t even reconcile her growing feelings for her pixie king . . . 

Review: 4 Stars - Endure by Carrie Jones is the fourth and final book in her Need series. Jones ties up all of the loose ends and questions found throughout the series nicely in this eagerly awaited title.

Zara has a lot to come to terms and deal with… which is what she faces throughout each of the books, but things have finally all bubbled to the surface forcing her to make some choices and to face the consequences of choices from the past. She does this all while trying to save the world from the evil pixies who would love nothing more than to make her life and everyone around her a living hell on earth.

Throughout Endure I found it easy to be swept away with Astley. I was on the fence about him from the first time we met him, but the more he’s been around the more I’ve been rooting for him. Then we have Nick…. his actions and his overall horrible attitude in this one made me cringe and wonder who the heck this “new” character was and where the loveable Nick of old was! I was seriously shocked by him and felt a little heartbroken at his changes.

While this one might be a bit on the slow side for some readers, I had no problem at all with its pace. I was curious enough – as I love this series – as to what was about to happen next and who Zara might choose in the love triangle between her and the two boys and how they’d come up with a plan to save the world.

There are some definite twists and turns in this one, that will keep you on your toes… including a trip to Iceland, which turned out to be a pretty epic trip to say the least! 

I had become endeared to this series since the first book Need and am sad to see it end. Overall, I thought the series was thrilling and extremely enjoyable. Following the characters from one book to the next, watching them grow and change – for good OR bad – was half of what made this a great series. Jones is a fantastic story teller keeping the suspense flowing and the action thrilling from beginning to end. I’ve had a pleasure reading this series and am eager to see just what Jones treats us readers to next.

If you’re looking for a great series with Pixie’s and other supernatural/mythological creatures, the Need series would make a great addition to your shelves. Enjoy!

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.

Title: Devotion (Soul Savers, #3)
Author: Kristie Cook
Publisher: Ang'dora Productions, 374 Pages (February 10th, 2012)
From: the author, Thank You!
Format: eARC
Note: This is an adult title & series

Synopsis: With powerful abilities gained from the Ang’dora and Tristan back by her side, Alexis thinks she’s ready for the next challenge—protecting her son from what appears to be the inevitable. But she has so much to learn about her powers, her new world and the people in it. Nothing is what it seems to be on the surface, including the Amadis. Having believed the secret society to be definitively good and righteous, she discovers she couldn’t have been more wrong.

Power-hungry politicians comprise the council and make impossible demands. A traitor lurks among them all, inciting trouble that could destroy the Amadis and, ultimately, humanity. The Daemoni wreak havoc in the human world, with the ultimatum that they’ll continue attacking innocents until Alexis and Tristan are expelled from the Amadis’ protection. The couple’s own society begins to shut them out. But that’s not all.

There’s a secret. A big one. And faith and hope in Alexis and Tristan will be restored if she can uncover the truth in time.

But the search for answers leads only to the discovery of more betrayals by those closest to Alexis. Her devotion is put to the test—devotion to her husband, to her family, to her people and to her beliefs—leaving her to question whom she’s fighting for and why she should even bother. But if she won’t fight … who will?

Review: 5 Stars - Finding a series that you love from the beginning and having that love grow with each book is sometimes hard. Yet, there’s no doubting the love that I have for the Soul Savers series by Kristie Cook. Each book has kept me utterly captivated - with characters that are unforgettable and writing that sings to me.

I fell in love with the characters, story and writing in the first book and have been eager to get my hands on Devotion for months. Needless to say, Kristie didn’t let me down! Alexis came into her own in Promise, continued to grow in Purpose, and wow, does she kick some serious butt in Devotion! She’s an amazingly strong female lead that has been through so much and yet continues to have a huge heart. The third book in the series – Devotion - picks up right where we left Alexis, Tristan, Owen and many other characters that we’ve met in the past and some new ones we get the pleasure or maybe not the pleasure of meeting for the first time. Alexis and Tristan have a lot at stake in the third book. It makes you question if they’ll ever get a break. The issues they are fighting for and against are both new and old. And some of the new problems they have ahead of them are doozies!

The relationship between Alexis and Tristan is incredible on so many different levels. Being able to follow along as they find their footing, through many ups and downs, the two work so well together, it’s hard not to love this thrilling, amazing and exciting couple. They’re just the perfect pair, each the missing half to the other and you feel it. You see it happening before your eyes! I’m telling you people, Kristie is just THAT GOOD!

Tristan and Owen are utterly swoonable, without a doubt major pluses to this series, parts of the books that I look forward to the most are these two. While Tristan has Alexis, I find it somewhat sad that Owen hasn’t found the “one” for him. While discussing this with Kristie and Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic we (Jessica and I) suggested that maybe she (Kristie) writes the two of US into the book to help take care of Owen and show him he’s loved. See, this is where I’m totally giggling while I write this review because, well Kristie listened to us. We, Jessica and I are characters in the book!! Yes, we sure are! When you read this title and I have no idea what’s stopping you – you’ll get a chance to meet Lisa and Jessica and that is us! Talk about thrilling and seeing this book a bit of a different light than the first two, wow! I seriously can’t say thank you enough to Kristie for having us become part of one of my all time favorite series!

When you read these books, its Kristie’s incredibly writing that allows the reader to be easily whisked away to a far off place. And isn’t that what a good book should do? Another thing that I love about this series is how fluid the story & plot are from one book to another. You just know how much work the author has done and how much love they have for their characters when it’s apparent in any book or series and, such as in this one.

All in all, I know that the simple words I’ve typed here will never do Devotion or Kristie justice. I love everything about it/her/them! It’s a series I think about a lot and talk about often. I highly recommend each of these books to anyone who loves strong characters, wonderful writing that tells a story of choices, love, good, evil, sacrifice, passion and so much more. Seriously, you don’t know what you’re missing!

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.