: Fantasyland Series by Kristen Ashley

I'm back.

It's been a while, but honestly? I haven't had any reason to write lately. Sure, I could have posted but it would be totally random, well, shit.

As you can see, todays surprise post (hey, it is a surprise, I never write lately, remember?) is a mini review. It's a mini cause' I loved this series, but I feel like I still need a little time to reflect or I'd just waffle on. Nothing new there though he he.

So, I've read almost all KA books, and loved em. But this series? I put it off. I wasn't really ready to give up super alpha hotness where it could totally happen to me. Nuh uh. I was not there yet. And then..it happened.

I had nothing to read, nothing sounded even remotely good. And I saw these babies on my every growing TBR list. So I thought to myself what the hell, right? What's the worst that could happen. Ah, see, turns out the worst that can happen is you spend a whole weekend holed up in what is now referred to as The Pit. It's like a man cave, with a twist. I say man cave cause it's a total mess. Coke bottles, chocolate wrappers, comfy yet disturbingly holey clothes required. **sighs** I love it there!

And yes, I really did spend the whole weekend there, alone with four amazing books. MmHm. FOUR!
Now some of you might think this is weird, how do I have time to absorb everything and reflect? I don't, I just sorta shove through it, and spend quite a while after doing the reflecting. I can;t explain it, it just works for me.

They get a mini review because they're just awesome. I enjoyed some more than others, but as one, they are the shit guys. There were moments where I wanted to cry, maybe I did? Times where I was pretty damn disgusted if I'm honest. And then..I so got the guys. No joke, I understood them. I knew (as well as I could anyway) how they thought, where they were coming from. Even that scene in the beginning of The Golden Dynasty? I cried, I..words cannot possibly begin to describe how I felt. But in the end? Totally got it. Is that weird? I do not condone abuse of any kind, but the way this was written, I dunno. I just got it. Sorta.

Oh who am I kidding? You're not gonna understand me. Just trust me, they're damn hard to read at times, but so fucking worth it. Honestly!

So, I said review didn't I? Yup, lied again. I just wanted to rave about these beauties. Full reviews will be posted this week!

x

Books to movies: Instant Death?

Good afternoon my lovelies!

Good weekend? Huh, mine was pretty good too.

So, you're reading this right now and wondering what the hell I'm talking (writing?) about this particular subject for, am I right? I swear, I have a reason. The main being I can't find the energy to write a review right now. Nope. It's a chill day.

Since Twilight became a movie hit, is it just me, or are the movie guys going a little crazy trying to turn some of our favorite books into the next big thing to hit the screens? Don't get me wrong, sometimes I really, really wish there was a movie based on a book I've read. And others, I feel as thought it would ruin everything I came up with inside my weird little head. Make sense?

Take Fifty Shades of Grey as an example. People are going mental over the fact that it will be on the big screen next year. People have bitched about who's playing who. We get it, you don't like them. It is not the end of the world, just don't go see the movie! Hmm. Okay, I admit, I may have bitched a little. But in all honesty, that was because I had a totally different image of Christian in my head. Each to their own and all that. Will I see the movie? You're damn right I will. I couldn't stop myself even if I wanted to.

I think the problem with adaptations is that everyone will have something to complain about. And they will think that they're the only ones who feel this way. Also, some of the best bits are going to be missed out, some of our favorite scenes will be tweaked, sometimes a little too much. I'm all for a little constructive criticism, hell, as a reviewer, I do this shit in my sleep. But I do it nicely. 

I got sidetracked then didn't I. The point I'm trying to make is...
Are all these upcoming movies going to be worth it? I loved the Twilight series. Sure they were a little..meh..at times, but overall, I enjoyed them. I was browsing IMDB last week, and saw a list. On it was countless movies that are due to be made, based on some of the most amazing books I have ever read. But you know what? I don't think they need to do this. So many of my friends have seen the movies, I tell them to read the books, and they ask "why should I? I saw the movie".

Movies take something special away from books. They take away the opportunity for someone to use their imagination, to tweak things here and their with their own minds, to really get a good grip on the potential outcome. I can't explain this right. I know, I'm rambling again.

What books are on the list? Well, there's If I Stay which I loved. This one, I think would be worth turning into a movie. I don't think they could go too wrong with it.

Then there's Fallen. Now this one, this I have to admit I really don't want to be turned into a movie. I'm sure some of you are sat there screaming at me, what can I say? I love seeing things play out in my mind. I love having my own personal movie going on. I love the fact that I get something out of a book that is unique to me. It's special.

Oh man, I've pissed myself off with this. I really should have known it would happen.

What I want to know is, what do you guys think? Pro's and con's? Tweet me, comment, get you're opinion out there! And please, let's keep this nice guys. :)

Book Hell

I've been in hell.

Yup. I said it. Why hell you ask? Oh, I'll tell you.

You know when you're walking alone, birds are chirping, suns shining, and it's a just a great day? Okay, so the weather has sucked lately, but you get the idea. So there you are, plodding along. Then you get a feeling that everything is going too smoothly....



and suddenly...





BAM!!!!!!




Everything goes wrong. MmHm. You've been there? Yeah. Me too. I had tons of books on my TBR list, I had finally settled on what to read..and then..the internet died. Why was this a problem? Because I am such an unorganized shit. Yup. See, I didn't buy the books. Nope. They were sitting nicely in my Amazon basket, begging to be bought. They were there because I'm always in two minds what to buy. Back to the point, I hadn't bought them.

Now, I could have read something I already had right? RIGHT??
Nuh uh. See..I was stupid again. Mr Kindle Senior, god bless his soul, died. And Mr Kindle Junior (laptop app), well, I lost the charger. So I was left with Baby Kindle on my phone. Not bad, until I realised I hadn't downloaded all of my books. I had like, maybe three? Well, three that I hadn't read. **Sighs, what an idiot!**

Let me just point out right now, if you don't read like a maniac, you cannot understand what that meant to me. I felt like...I dunno. I have no idea where I was going with that.

Hmm, what else happened? Oh! Power cut. It keeps getting better doesn't it? It's okay, I'd laugh too.


Was there light at the end of the tunnel? Did the book gods decide to have pity on me and give me hope? NO!. Maybe I did something bad recently. Maybe this happened 'cause I'm so unorganised and never get reviews up when I should? Karma, bitches.

I got sidetracked again, my bad. I'm now back to the start, as always, and have no bloody idea what to read. I have nothing to review. I totally lied then. I have tons to review, like old reads, but my minds not into it today. I need something fresh, something that will tear me apart, leave me with no hope and then, at the last second, give me the fuzzies.

With that note, I will have to say goodbye! I'm on a important top secret mission right now.
Yeah, is browsing amazon and stalking my fave authors for new releases classed as a secret mission?

Hehe

Review: A Different Blue by Amy Harmon

So, I've been looking through Mr Kindle again, and found tons of books that I need to review. I say this all the time, but I am sorting this out today! It's been interesting, that's for sure. Some books, I remembered straight away, others..not so much.

This one stuck with me. I read it almost a year ago, and I still get tingles just thinking about it. It isn't your usual romance. It's not even your usual teacher/student romance thing. Nope. It is so much more. It's powerful, it is written just right. I totally went all three bears there didn't I? He he. It's true though. I didn't get that weird feeling that I usually do when reading about teacher/student relationships. Why? Well, the whole background story. I was totally rooting for these two. Weird. That never happens until around 60% in. Oh, I was all for these guys right from the start.

Blue Echohawk has no clue who she is. She doesn't know who her parents are, where she was born, hell, she doesn't even know her real birthday. She was abandoned when she was 2, and a drifter raised her as his own. That sounds really odd doesn't it? I thought so too, but honestly, it's super sweet when you get into it.

She didn't begin school until she was ten, and now at nineteen, she's a senior in high school. Blue is..difficult. She's totally bad ass on the outside. How could she not be? She doesn't identify with anyone. Oh, but her shit is about to end. At least it is in school. For now. He he.

Enter Mr British teacher! MmHm. Now, I'm form the UK, so when I read about British teachers, I totally imagine them talking like I do. I've been told that some of you US guys read it all proper and posh. Whatever works. Sorry, random thought right there. Back to it!

Blue tests him. She isn't used to anyone giving a damn about her, anyone apart from the man who raised her that is.

I want to say, right now, that this really is not like anything I have read in this genre. It isn't all about Blue falling for her teachers and keeping everything a secret. Sure that plays into it, but it is in no way the main element to the story.

They bond. They form an amazing friendship, They test each other, they hurt one another. And when all's said and done, they love. I cannot do this book justice with this review. I could rave on forever, but I won't. I highly recommend this one guys! If you haven't one clicked yet, well, what are you waiting for?

5+Stars!

Review: Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

I've had trouble lately deciding what sorta book I want to read. I have moment's like this, not often, but when they come, oh boy. Sometimes, you need something that is the opposite of what you thought you needed. Am I making sense? Huh.

I will give every book a chance. If it catches my eye, I'll nab a sample and get a feel for it. Archer's Voice was a book that I didn't really want to read. Now, don't get me wrong, what I mean is that I didn't want to read it at that particular time. I thought I was ready for something steamy, fast paced, maybe even a little dark. Ah, but as you can see, that did not happen. I couldn't find anything that kept my attention. And then..this popped up.

I'd read the blurb quite a while ago, decided I would read it at some point since I loved Leo. With nothing else catching my eye, I thought why not give it a go? Worst case scenario, I put it down and read it later. Didn't happen. Nuh uh. I was hooked. I don't know what happened, but I stayed up until the early hours to finish this. It was addictive, quietly seductive. Here's the blurb:

"When Bree Prescott arrives in the sleepy, lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she hopes against hope that this is the place where she will finally find the peace she so desperately seeks. On her first day there, her life collides with Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds a secret agony of his own. A man no one else sees. 

Archer's Voice is the story of a woman chained to the memory of one horrifying night and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man who lives with an excruciating wound and the woman who helps him find his voice. It is the story of suffering, fate, and the transformative power of love."


Sounds great right? Lots of drama? Well..no. Okay, so technically there is a dramatic background story. But for me, the main focus of this book? It was the forming and development of the bond between Archer and Bree. Both have their own demons to handle, and they do okay on their own, but together? Shit, they destroy them. It really is quite freaking amazing to read. You sort of forget everything. You hurt and you laugh, cry, it can be overwhelming at times, make no mistake. The sheer beauty of this book is that it refuses to let you go until the very last page, it teaches us to be thankful for all we have, and because it has a realistic feel to it, you connect with the characters from the very first page.

It's amazing. I could rave about this all day, really, I could. I won't though. The blurb does not cover it, reviews could not do it justice. A truly brilliant book that is beautifully written and will leave a mark on your heart.

5+++++ stars!

Review: Fighting Temptation by K.C. Lynn

I haven't posted in a week. Why? Because I forgot to click the little schedule post box. Yeah, silly.
So while I've gone crazy over Witches Of East End (how freakin' good is this?) Mr Blog hasn't posted anything. My bad. I told you I suck at this stuff.

Since I have no idea where my posts are right now, you get a review. A review of a book that confused me. Not in a bad way, not really. It just left me feeling really weird.

Remember when I said I hate giving low star reviews cause I feel bad? Yeah? Just checking.

What was my problem? Okay, I'll start by saying this. The book was good. Honestly, it was. The plot wasn't super dramatic as such, the history between the two main characters was interesting to read about. And it had a HEA (you know they're the best!). But..I feel like it could have been more. Don't ask me how, cause I cannot tell you. I don't know myself. I do know it has the potential to be an amazing read. At times, it read a little robotic. A lot of I am not rather than I'm not involved, especially when two characters were interacting. Maybe it's just me who finds this sorta annoying? Huh.

Okay, this is where the good parts are, I swear!

Julia and Jaxson have a special bond that no one seems to understand. It began one night when Julia prayed for help, prayed for the first time since her mother died. And help came, in the form of the local bad boy, Jaxson. They're connected. It's sweet, maybe slightly predictable, but still, super sweet.

It's all good, but dum dum dum! Jaxson joins the Navy. That's right you perverted ladies! We have another SEAL! **waves pom-poms** ..and he is hot! Aren't they all? I lied..we have more than one SEAL in this baby. MmHm. We have three. :)

We reflect, and we move forward with this book. I wouldn't say it's the dramatic side to it that kept me reading on (yeah there is drama, but I don't feel as though that is the main focus here.) I would say it was Julia and Jaxson reconnecting. It was their constant battle with their emotions, how Jaxson refused the light and saw only darkness (if you read it, I'm talking about the uh..shit. Kitchen scene where he walks out? There, that didn't reveal anything! hehe). It's pain and beauty, light and dark.

As I said, there is potential for this. I really think it could be a huge success with a little tweaking! And nothing major, just a little less I am and a little more I'm. 

Overall rating is 3.5 stars.
I didn't love it. But I really enjoyed it. And did I mention it was a debut book? No? Oh, well not I have :) I think it's pretty darn good for a firstie!

Review: Kaleidoscope (Colorado Mountain #6) by Kristen Ashley

I haven't posted in a while. I know, I suck. You want to know what sucks more? The Flu.

It's been too long, but I haven't read anything. Okay, that is a lie. Until today, I hadn't read anything. As you can see, I've got to know Jacob Decker. Hehe. Everyone knows I am a huge KA fan. I go all fan-girl when it comes to this lady. And I am proud!

I know there are no reviews for the Colorado Mountains series yet, and I really should post reviews in order, but I could not wait to tell you all about this! I tried, but Deck may very well be my new fave mountain man. MmHm. Totally is.

Not read any other books in the series yet? That's cool, these read pretty damn well as a stand alone. Of course, it's better if you read the first five, cause' you get a feel for the other characters and their stories, and you know how they work. It's great. But like I said, they totally work as stand alone's too.

So, what crazy ass story do we have to drool over today?

Jacob Decker and Emmanuelle Holmes haven't seen each other in nine long ass years. He was dating her best friend. Her best friend decided she wanted bigger, brighter things and got shot of Deck. Poor Deck. He's spent nine years in a constant state of confusion. I suppose you could say he..pined for Elsbeth.

When he stumbles upon Emme on the street, he doesn't recognise her. And our guy never forgets a face. Saying she's changed in a serious understatement. A case that brought him to Gnaw Bone gets personal. Oh yes, Emme is a suspect. Okay, so really, the police need to look into her cause' her current boyfriend is a total douche and he's connected to all the robberies that have been happening. Hey, they have to check her out! But Deck, oh boy, he does not like this shit. Nuh uh. No way. He clears her. Of course he does. He's Bad Ass.

Emme, sweet Emme, is all about rekindling their friendship. Deck, being an uber alpha, decides he's going for more. He he. There is no denying this man! When will they ever learn?

“Your girl?” I asked, my voice coming out in a near on squeak.
“Yeah,” he answered, his voice deep, low and firm. 
“This is, well…kinda weird.” Understatement! “And fast.” Extreme understatement!
“Met you twelve years ago and we’re just gettin’ here. I don’t call that fast. I call that a waste of fuckin’ time I’m about to rectify.”

The two dive head first into a passionate, sweet relationship. Until Emme fucks things up. Royally. Yup. She will do anything to pull away. The problem is, she doesn't even realise she's doing it until Deck tells her how it is and confronts her about it. Poor girl. Now, this isn't the..well..usual..KA girl in denial. Nope. It's something deeper.

Dark penetrates Emme's life. Something from her past constantly overshadows her, influencing her in a way she never thought possible. She's ignored it. She's done it for so long, it isn't even a conscious thing anymore. Deck wants this shit sorted. And he gets it done!

I refuse to give anymore info on the plot. It would ruin it. This is one you need to experience for yourself, cause I think it's so much deeper than the others. Another thing I adored about this one was the whole story behind the kaleidoscope. Now that? That was a beautiful thing. Truly, it had me teary eyed whenever the thing would come into a scene.

I was surprised, pleasantly so, with how attached I became to their story. I was there with them, every step of the way. It's not packed with crazy drama like the others, this one is more personal. It hits you in the gut, it makes you think. It touches you, marks you.

Will everyone have the same reaction? Of course not. Will it leave some sort of mark on each reader? I believe so. It is a beautifully written story, and one helluva way to continue the series. I don't think I can find any fault with this one. I know, I say this about all KA books. What can I say, she's amazing!

5++++ stars