eARC Review: Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh

LORD OF THE ABYSS by Nalini Singh
FORMAT: eBook via Netgalley
GENRE: Paranormal
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 288 pages
PUBLISHER: Harlequin Nocturne (November 15, 2011)
ISBN: 9780373618729

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.…

As the dark Lord who condemns souls to damnation in the Abyss, Micah is nothing but a feared monster wrapped in impenetrable black armor. He has no idea he is the last heir of Elden, its last hope. Only one woman knows—the daughter of his enemy.

Liliana is nothing like her father, the Blood Sorcerer who’d cursed Micah. She sees past Micah’s armor to the prince inside. A prince whose sinful touch she craves. But first she has to brave his dark, dangerous lair and help him remember. Because they only have till midnight to save Elden.

Where To Find Nalini: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Where To Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I really liked it

Other Books in Series(click on covers for more):

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REVIEW & Book Trailer:

Gah! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a little bit of The Ugly Duckling meets Romeo and Juliet meets 1001 Arabian Nights. 


It goes something like this:

• Girl is the guide for boy who is the Guardian of the Abyss
• Boy is angry with girl
• Girl becomes cook and prisoner at boys castle after bribing him to tell him stories
• Boy is slightly attracted to girl and is confused by feelings for girl
• Girl is slightly attracted to boy even though he wears a black suit of impenetrable armor and is quite testy
• Boy is a prince of a kingdom taken over by evil sorcerer
• Girl is the daughter of said evil sorcerer
• Girl must get boy back to kingdom to fight evil sorcerer with the help of his siblings
• Boy and girl make The Sexy and everything changes
• Girl tells boy stories of his kingdom but boy doesn't know it's his kingdom
• Boy gets flashes of his past and soon begins to remember
• Girl knows she must sacrifice her life so boy can defeat her father
• Boy finds out girl has been lying to him and gets angry
• Boy and girl must travel to his kingdom to defeat evil sorcerer once and for all
• Boy and girl face dangerous obstacles along the way
• Boy and girl must decide whether their giant misunderstanding is worth putting aside and living Happily Ever After

The End.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

A prince, regardless of his position in line for the throne, was expected to marry a certain kind of woman, a woman with an unsullied past, one who could carry the crown of princess with elegance and beauty.
Everything Liliana was not.
You could be his mistress.The sly suggestion came from the part of her that had no honor where Micah was concerned. She was sure she would do any terrible thing to be with him---but she didn't think she could stand to share him, to know that another woman had the right the bear his name and is children, to love him and hold him. It would break her.

OVERALL: I loved the fact that this was a fast paced read. Danger, betrayal, secrets, adventure, love, laughter and a dangerously sexy man. *sigh* Everything I look for in a great story. The ending wasn't was epic as I thought it would be but it still brought a tear to my eye and a smile to my face. I will be reading more books from Nalini Singh. Well, after I get this monster of a TBR pile down.

***review copy from Netgalley***

Review: If You Give A Girl A Viscount by Kieran Kramer

IF YOU GIVE A GIRL A VISCOUNT by Kieran Kramer
FORMAT: Kindle
GENRE: Historical
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 383 pages
PUBLISHER: St. Martin's Paperbacks (November 1, 2011)
ISBN:9780312374044

All the single ladies want him.
If life were a fairy tale, Daisy Montgomery’s stepmother and two stepsisters would surely be cast in the wicked roles. For years, they’ve made life miserable for Daisy. But when she discovers she has a godmother, she’s determined to ask her for help. Little did Daisy expect her godmother to play matchmaker with her very own grandson—who happens to be a viscount!

Is he ready to put a ring on it?
A freewheeling playboy, Charles Thorpe, Viscount Lumley, is bored with his wealth-seeking female admirers. Not only that, he’s been cut off from the family coffers. One day, on a bet, he rids himself of what little money he has left in his pockets and vows to solve problems using his wits alone. But when the Impossible Bachelor is confronted with Daisy’s plan to save her castle, the payoff is more than he could have bargained for. Sometimes, if you give a girl a viscount, you just might find love…. (source)

Where To Find Kieran: Author Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Where To Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N/Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it!

Other Books In Series(click on cover to read excerpt):




REVIEW and Book Trailer:

The moment I read the blurb of Kieran Kramer's latest book, I was humming "Single Ladies" by Beyonce for the rest of the day. Ha! Now you'll be humming it. You're welcome. :)

Oh Kieran Kramer, thank you for the fantastic ab workout. I laughed, I cried, I snorted, I sighed and I giggled.Out of all the Impossible Bachelor series, this one is my favorite. A new spin on the Cinderella story. And you know how I love me a Cinderella story.

The Cinderella Elements:
1. Cinderella. Daisy Montgomery lives with her stepmother, two stepsisters (different as night and day) and two very loyal servants. In desperation, she writes to her godmother in hopes of securing funds to keep the castle running and her family from getting thrown out. She's headstrong, straightforward and compassionate. However, she hates her step-family and blames herself for her father's death.
2. Prince Charming. Okay, he's not a prince but he's a viscount. Charles "Charlie" Thorpe, Viscount Lumley is stinking rich, has property all over the place and doesn't have a care in the world. His family has cut him off, his friends (the other Impossible Bachelors) have married and settled down, he doesn't know what to do with himself. He's currently seeing to his godmother's affairs and Daisy's letter leads him to the middle of nowhere Scotland. A wager with his friends: he couldn't survive being penniless, gets the ball rolling after he shares the letter.
3. Evil stepmother. Mona married Daisy's father, taking advantage of his grief over the death of Daisy's mother. She's mean, she's condescending, she's manipulative and a total she-bitch. She may need a bottle of Rogaine for the bald patches on her head.
4. Mean stepsister #1. Cassandra is a beauty but very shallow. All she cares about is flirting, fripperies and being mean to Daisy. She looks nothing like her mother or her sister.
5. Mean stepsister #2. Perdita looks like a drag queen. She has broad shoulders and doesn't know what an indoor voice is. She's socially awkward, blurts out whatever comes to mind and eats. A lot.
6. Fairy godmother. In lieu of her real godmother, Charlie goes and tries to be at her beck and call.
7. The ball. To raise money, Daisy and Charlie invite the rich people from neighboring villages to a ten day Highland games event which ends with a ceilidh, a dance.
8. The glass slipper. There is a man in the village named Mr. Glass (get it???) who makes slippers, each uniquely tailored for the wearer. Only a loved one can commission the making of the slippers.
9. The tree. Daisy's father bring her a lemon seed and from all the years that the tree grows, only one lemon ever comes into fruition. (In one of the earlier versions, it's a hazel tree. Bet you didn't know that little bit of Cinderella trivia.)
10. Dressing up and going to the ball. Surprise! It's Perdita dressed as the son of a son of a Highlander, in a kilt. Yup, this takes the earlier cross dressing comment and makes it real. It's such a hilarious scene that I may have wet myself from laughing so hard.

FAVORITE QUOTE: "He was half drunk. He was in an ill temper. He was an Impossible Bachelor. With no money. It was hell being poor. He'd found no redeeming value in it. The irony was, whether he was in rags or in a London ballroom, he was pursued for his purse either way."

OVERALL: A fun, flirty and whimsical conclusion to the Impossible Bachelors series. *squee* Oh you guys. I love this book. Daisy and Charlie play off of each other well. Their banter is witty and fun, their chemistry sizzles. I wanted to slap Mona and tell her to quit her bitchin' but the stepsisters (both of them) really surprised me. There's a whole other side to each of them that slowly gets revealed as the story goes along. Of course it's always fun to catch up with the previous Impossible Bachelors and their wives and Ms. Kramer doesn't disappoint. Between trying to keep from getting thrown out, planning a ten day Highland games event, sheering sheep, pretending to be engaged, taking crap from the mean stepsisters and stepmother and secretly sharing passionate kisses comes a story full of love, laughter, forgiveness and a happily ever after in the Highlands. I can't wait to see what Ms. Kramer has next in store for readers. :)


***bought for Kindle on November 1, 2011***

13 Things I'm Loving Today

Today is a HUGE release day. So many books, not enough time in the day to read them all. I did however, take a peek the ones that had been pre-ordered and arrived a little after midnight last night. Yes,  I was up until 1. I read the first sentence of each and almost cried. I wanted to read them all at the same time.

So here is what I'm loving today:

1. Sarah MacLean's 11 Scandals to Start to Win A Duke's Heart- The cover is flippin' pink! And it's my favorite color. Oh yeah, and I finally get some answers regarding the stuck up Duke of Leighton, Simon Pearson. And because I love her book trailer.

2. Kris Kennedy's Defiant- Confession: I have not read a book by Kris Kennedy. I just heart the cover. Like a lot. I want to lick it, stroke it and grate cheese on the man's abs. Oh yes, and this:

"At first, it appeared they both wanted the same cock." 

That there is the first sentence of the book. Now tell me that you're not the least bit curious. What's that? Yeah, I thought so. Go forth and buy this book with it's lickable cover.

3. Kieran Kramer's Cloudy with A Chance of Marriage- Because this book isn't about meatballs and food raining down from the sky. It's a love story (which neither character knows yet). And she owns a bookshop! And his name is Stephen. I've always wanted to fall in love with a Stephen. (shh...don't tell Mr. Kati)

4. Henry Cavill's O face. That is all.

5. . Because I just wanted to put a shirtless, tied up Richard Armitage.

6. Mary Jo Putney's book trailer for Nowhere Near Respectable- It features real, live people MOVING! And if this were a movie, I'd be the first in line to see it.

7. Tom Welling's birthday- Yeah it's today. And he's still gorgeous. Just another excuse for me to post a picture of another good looking man.

8. Vampires- I've been on a Lara Adrian kick with her Midnight Breed series. I really like her take on the vampire mythos. They're born, not made. And speaking of, Laurie London's Bonded by Blood is going to be my next vampire book. I'm halfway through book 8 of the Midnight Breed series and then I've got 2 months to wait until the 9th one comes out.

9. My mailman- He has been bringing me some awesome books and swag. Rain OR Shine. (I can't post a pic because that would be borderline creepy, me asking him to take a pic to post on my blog. I'm sure he'd really be okay with that.)

10. Taylor Swift and Permanent Marker- This would have been my middle school anthem if Taylor was singing then. (Only 4 years too late)

11, 12, & 13. Thor, Captain America: First Avenger and Green Lantern movie trailers- Look at the movie posters. LOOK AT THEM! Need I say more? Hemsworth, Reynolds and Evans (w/a side of Armitage). *sigh*

So, what are you loving today? Did you buy any or all of the new books released today? Are you going to see any of these superhero movies? Read any good book series that I should check out? (no Jamie, I've already got BDB on the list) 

First Book Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre

• Enclave by Anne Aguirre
• Format: Kindle Edition
• Print Length: 272 pages
• Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (April 12, 2011)
• New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.

Buy it here: borders | b & n | amazon 

I loved it.

Book Trailer and Review:

All I can say is WOW! I told myself I'd read it in the evening. I took a peak and somehow lost the rest of my day. (In a good way) Thank you Ms. Ann Aguirre.

I haven't read a book set in a post apocalyptic society. Nor have I read YA books in a while.

What I liked about this book: 

1. Deuce. The book is in her POV. She a strong, fierce and loyal Huntress. She has always lived her life underground and trained to be a Huntress since she was a brat. After getting paired with Fade, an older boy and Hunter, she begins to question whether the Elders in the enclave are keeping things from them. She sticks up for her friend and gets exiled along with Fade. She has the will of a Huntress but the heart of a Breeder.
2. Fade. He comes to the enclave partly starved and slightly feral. He is an outsider so he is never accepted by the people of the enclave. He is mysterious,strong and thoughtful. He always has Deuce's back whether she likes it or not.
3. The subtle hints of a love triangle between Deuce, Fade and Stalker. What book is complete without a bit of a love triangle?
4. The Freaks. Can I say that these zombie-like things gave me nightmares? I can still hear the sound of teeth ripping into flesh. I can still see their claw-like hands, razor sharp teeth dripping with blood, and smell death on their breaths.
5. Movie-like description. As I was reading this book, I could almost see it like a movie playing in my head. (Are you listening Hollywood?)
6. The fight scenes with the Freaks and later the gangers. I haven't read a book that has given me this many short bursts of adrenaline or heart palpitations. Ever.

What I didn't like about this book:

1. It left me wanting more. As in, I can't wait for the next book.

Favorite quote: "I was born there. I expected to die there. If I'd never left, I think I would've been content. I believed what they told me about the surface. When we started climbing that day, I thought I'd die of fear."

Overall impression:

It seems quite a few romance authors are making their way into YA. Ms. Aguirre being one of them. I have never read any of her other books so this book determines whether or not I'd read another one by Ms. Aguirre. The answer is a resounding YES! This series shows a lot of promise. If you decide to pick up this book, make sure you're not doing anything important. A peek inside this nitty, gritty and dangerous world won't be just a peek, it'll become a whole afternoon. I haven't read any YA books since Twilight and with this book, I am ready to make my way back into the fold. 

*This book was provided by Ms. Ann Aguirre for an honest review on Amazon.