Melpomene

New Releases for Nov 26, 2013

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It’s super Tuesday!!! There are a ton of great books being released today. Again, I’m thanking my family for all the GC. I am using them up quite quickly.

17830559Remy (The REAL series) I love Remy!! That is all I’m saying about that. Here is my review.

17233800Crash into You (Harlequin Teen) I really enjoyed this one as well!! Here is our review.

16101234The Chocolate Heart (Amour et Chocolat) I’m just about to start this one. But here is our review.

17415184Highland Master (The Murrays) Gotta love those Highlanders! I’m hoping to get a chance to read this one soon.

18050760Love a Little Sideways (The Kowalskis) This is Number 7 in the Kowalski series. I have a few of them sitting on my kindle. I am determined to start this series this week. Perhaps while I sit in those long lines on Friday morning.

18221310Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion) This is the first in the Blackcoat Rebellion series. I just finished it yesterday. My review will be up tomorrow. All I can say is, if you liked The Hunger Games, you will like this.

Now, I hope you found at least one book that caught your eye. Make sure you fill up your kindles before you head off to family gatherings. You never know when you’re gonna need a break from all those crazies. 🙂

~Melpomene

Review: Remy by Katy Evans

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“When I take you, you’ll be mine.”

Holy sexual tension, Batman!! I love reading male’s POVs cuz of all the emotions they feel, but this books is nothing like those. Now, don’t get me wrong, this book had emotion, but most of it was filled with sexual tension so raw, I was fanning myself a few times. He is a fierce lover. FIERCE!

It’s starts off on their wedding day. And while he’s waiting for Brooke, he remembers all those things that happened between them. I thought this book was going to basically be Real from Remy’s point of view. But I was wrong. It was Real and Mine together. I was very happy about that. It basically alternated between the now and then. I’m glad we got to see some of his scenes, where Brooke isn’t there. We never knew how he felt about going black and needing the shots. I felt so horrible for him, at those parts. I can’t imagine not being in control like that. Scary.

When we first see Remy meet Brooke, you see how he was thrown off balance, just like she was. It’s nice to see a guy off kilter. The way he wanted her was slightly overwhelming. He was quite obsessive for her. I never knew the depths of his needing love, until this book. He was basically thrown away, when all he wanted was love. He wants to give all of himself to Brooke, if she’ll take him.

And once he has Brooke, he will do everything to keep her.

“I’m not letting anyone take her. I’m not letting her go. I’m her Real. She’s Mine.”

I still loved the way music was intertwined throughout the book. Remy uses songs to show Brooke how he feels, since he can’t quite say the right things. The songs they picked were perfectly written for them. She seems to understand him more and more, with his song choices.

This was a nice ending to the Remy and Brooke story. I know there are more books coming, but those will be about some of their friends. Not that I’m complaining about this sexy fighter, but it will be a nice break from all his obsessive ways.

I received this ARC for an honest review.
~Melpomene

REMY Banner copy

Release date: Nov 26
Gallery Books
Buy it now Remy (The REAL series)

Review: Infinite Possibilities, by Lisa Renee Jones

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“You are infinitely mine.”

OK. So if you haven’t read Escaping Reality, stop right here and go read it first. I’ll wait…..

Done? Good. This book starts off right where ER left us. Amy just left Liam and is on the run trying to figure out what happened to her family. She doesn’t fully trust him, even though she’s be alone for so long and was hoping she could trust, but that’s not what happens.

So she tries to hide and keep moving so Liam, and whoever else, can’t find her. But he is one determined man and will do anything to find her.

“Run to me, not from me.”

He finds her eventually, only to lose her after a major twist in the story. I honestly never saw this coming. But Liam won’t give up. He is out to prove to her that she is everything to him and that he needs her just as much as she needs him.

She starts to have more and more flashbacks, which give a glimpse on some of the people from her past. She learns that the answers to many of her questions, were right in front of her, but her brain blocked them. But as she learns more about her family, she finds more unanswered questions.

But as the puzzle pieces started to be put back together and her life may actually start over, she still faces guilt over the deaths of her family, even though it wasn’t her fault. That is the reason she can’t move on. She knows there’s more to them and she doesn’t want Liam involved. It could lead to his death and she’s had enough death in her life. She can’t survive anymore. But that man is stubborn and shows her that she is his and he will always be there for her.

“When our eyes met in that airport, I saw another lost soul. And baby, you will never be alone again.”

I was so hoping that this would wrap up Amy’s story, but it didn’t. I understand why it can’t. The next book will be about the twist. And what a twist it was. And I’ll say it again. Never.saw.it.coming!! And that leads to the craziest epilogue. I want the next book NOW!!!

~Melpomene

Buy it now Infinite Possibilities (Contemporary New Adult) (The Secret Life of Amy Bensen)

Review: Four Seconds to Lose, by K.A.Tucker

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I believe you don’t have years, or months,
or weeks to impact a person’s life.
You have seconds.
Seconds to win them over,
And seconds to lose them.
–Cain

This was definitely not the like the first two books. It was still good, but just different.

Cain wasn’t your traditional strip joint owner. He set out to help girls get back on their feet. He knew if he didn’t help them they’d end up lost and forgotten. He’s very good at his job and he never wanted to mix business with pleasure.

Well, that was until he met Charlie.

Charlie needs cash. And she needs it FAST. She is in a horrible situation and need is desperate to get out of it. So desperate that she’ll become a stripper to do it.

Soon she finds herself falling for Cain, but she knows she can’t. She can’t risk him knowing who and what she really is. She doesn’t want him to get hurt or worse.

She tries everything to get away from him and her new friends, but she is so lonely she doesn’t want to leave.

Cain doesn’t want to let Charlie go. He is determined to help her with whatever she needs help with. He doesn’t care what she’s done in her past. He wants to be in her future. He’s done things in his past that he’s not proud of, so he understands why she’s leery.

When everything comes out in the open, they both need to make some very hard decisions. Decisions that will tear them apart, before they can even think of being together.

We get a glimpse of the past friends from the other books. Storm and Dan play a bigger roll than Ben, Kacey, Trent and Livie do, but they all play a minor roll.

I knew I liked Cain, after reading the other two books. But after reading this, I REALLY liked him! Something horrible happened to him, in his late teens, but he chose to turn it around and make a better life for himself.

I can’t wait to see what trouble Ben gets into, in the next book. But I have to wait til February for that one.

~Melpomene

Buy it now Four Seconds to Lose: A Novel

New releases for November 12, 2013

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I’m actually quite happy with the low amount of books this week. I can’t keep up with all the past ones I’ve purchased. It’s nice to have a break. The funny thing is that the first two were released yesterday!

17840487Working It: A Love by Design Novel
I can’t wait to read this book! I’m saving it for my birthday treat. I plan on doing nothing but read, and this is the first book I’m starting with. I’ve really enjoyed all of Kendall’s books, so I know I’ll enjoy this as well.

18166194Infinite Possibilities (Contemporary New Adult) (The Secret Life of Amy Bensen)
After the last book, Escaping Reality, left us with a cliffy, I am dying to read this book as well. So don’t even look for me tomorrow. I’m gonna be busy. 🙂

17628631 Plain Peace (A Daughters of the Promise Novel)
And while this may not seem like my normal read, I’ve read the first 5 books in the Daughters of Promise series. This is #6. So I know I’ll be reading it as well. I sometimes enjoy the simpleness of the Amish life and reading about it gives me a glimpse into it.

Happy Reading!!

Don’t forget to enter the 2nd birthday week giveaway, on our Facebook page!!

~Melpomene

Review: Mine, by Katy Evans

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“Remy, you’re my king…There’s no chess game for me without you.”
“You’re the queen who will protect me.”

Oh my word!!! This book had my emotions all over the freaking place!! I remember how intense Real was and this is right up there. This takes place right after Real ends. Brooke is back with Remy and she continues to fight for him at every corner.

They have such a fierce, and an all consuming love for each other, it made their struggles even more hard to read. And boy did they have struggles. They had such doozies, that I remember the exact percentage that these happened. Brooke had to come to terms with what happened when she left him, in Real. She knows she was gone, and shouldn’t hold anything against him, but it’s much easier said than done.

“You…are going to love me until I die. I’m going to make you love me even if it hurts, and when it hurts, I’m going to make it better, Brooke.”

I felt so bad for Brooke during this book. She seemed to draw the short straw at every turn. At one point, I was reading, thinking it was a dream, until I realized it was actually happening. I was shocked and appalled. I couldn’t imagine anyone surviving that.

But then something wonderful happens and that totally made the book for me. But, as with all good books, the good parts can only last for so long, before the drama and turmoil starts to seep in and tries to destroy everything that is good. Brooke has to face something so hard, and Remy can’t help her. And when he’s away from her, the poor guy can barely function. He may appear so strong, but even the strongest beasts can fall. And if she’s not there to catch him, no one can.

Scorpion is still a major player in this book. He’s also the creator of some of the drama. Brooke’s sister play a role in the drama as well. I was getting so mad at her for not supporting her sister and Remy. He was the reason she’s alive and back in good health. But of course, drama is needed.

“You deserve this and more. While you fight out there, I will fight for you to come home to this.”

I was so strung out on the all the fight and sex scenes. FIERCE. Every time I turned around, someone was getting thrown to the floor or the bed. Not that I’m complaining. If I had a Remy of my own, I’d probably be the same way. He’s a force to be reckoned with and you better watch out. He loves and protects the ones he loves and he’s not afraid to fight hard or dirty.

There was a point where him being bipolar produced a scene that was extremely hard to read. My stomach was in feet. He was so down, there was no other option for him. Watching Remy try and fail to bring himself back up, was so sad. Growing up with people who basically threw you away, will change you, and not for the better. Even if he has caring friends, that love and support him now, not having that in the beginning of his life, has done damage to him. I know there are many people who suffer from this also, I just hope they are surrounded by loving people who will help them.

“Your family isn’t with you because of destiny or blood or because they have no choice. They’re with you because they love you. And chose you.” I gaze into his blue eyes. “I choose you.”

~Melpomene

Gallery books
Buy it now Mine (The REAL series)

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Review: When I Look to the Sky, by Barbara S. Stewart

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“Cause when I look to the sky something tells me
you’re here with me
And you make everything alright

And when I feel like I’m lost something tells me
you’re here with me
And I can always find you when you are here”

-Train-

Oh my word….I need a minute…..

OK, I have sat here for two hours writing and deleting and writing again. This is the 5th time a book has made me wanna just type…It was awesome. I cried. Buy it. But that won’t do it justice, will it?

This is the second book in a trilogy. The first, Rock and Roll Never Forgets, was one of the ones I couldn’t write a review that was worthy of it. But I have to give this one a go. I’ll try not to spoil the first book by telling you of this one. But you REALLY must start from the beginning. You MUST!!! I’ll be buying these in print, because some of the proceeds go to The American Cancer Society. That makes me love these even more.

When I finished Rock and Roll, I was devastated. The last 25% of the book I spent crying. I won’t spoil it, but I will say, you may need tissues. The entire love story was so romantic and tragic. The love, that was shown, was overwhelmingly beautiful. I never wanted the story to end. I wanted to know what happens next.

But I admit, I was scared to read this one. After the last, I didn’t know if it was gonna live up to the emotions I felt. So I put it off for a while. But when I finally picked it up, I knew I wasn’t gonna be disappointed. And I knew I was gonna need tissues. 🙂 Just reading the beginning, I was already crying.

Carlee always felt loved by Andy. He gave her everything she ever needed or wanted. She’s been through a lot, in her young age, but her Papa was always there. And she loved him with all her heart. When Andy surprises her with a European vacation, she never imagined that it would bring her another man to love and change their lives forever.

While eating at their hotel, she meets Matthew. I loved the way we see him for the first time and get his view of her. He was instantly smitten and so sweet to her. Offering to be her tour guide, was perfect. 🙂 It was cute to see Andy find ways to have Matthew join them in their travels.

I loved all the point of views we see. This book shows us what everyone is feeling and seeing. But not in a confusing way. They have so many people in their lives and they all have a part to play. You see Andy as he is watching his sweet girl move farther from him and closer to another man. You watch Carlee experience everything for the first time. You see Matt try to be the best man he can, for his girl.

Watching Matt’s and Carlee’s romance reminded me of the good times between Andy and Carlee’s mom, Beth. They were very slow and sweet. Innocent kisses and hugs and long phone calls. Now, I love romances with a bit of sauce in them, but not every story needs that. I think if they rushed into things, it would’ve ruined it. They way they took their time to get to know each other was perfect. And when Matt needed Carlee, she jumped to his aid. They leaned on each other through the hard times and grew closer through the good.

“I think about more than ‘now’ when I look at you…I can’t wait for every tomorrow with you…”

Music played such major character in this series. I was constantly looking up the songs to listen while I read the scenes, which undoubtedly made me cry more. I’ll never hear “Unforgettable” without thinking of Andy.

DO YOU KNOW MEL?

The camp scenes were just so touching. I won’t say much more. I don’t want to spoil that part. But if I ever have a chance to be a part of something that amazing, I’m going to jump on it.

While we’re watching Matthew and Carlee’s love story we see Andy and Carlee’s love. They love each other so much it hurts. It’s been only them, for so long, he has to learn to let go of his little girl, and it breaks his heart.

“I’m going to bed now and cry myself to sleep…Wake me in the morning. I need a few more minutes alone with you before I share you with Matthew…forever.”

“Papa, I love you.”

“Carlee Elizabeth, you just don’t know.”

*wipes eyes*

After I typed all of this out, I read the last book, Feel Like Makin’ Love, and that was the perfect ending to a wonderful series. I am so glad I went straight to it, after this one. It answered the few questions I had. But really, I just needed closure. I needed to know that everyone was OK.

There is so much more I want to say, but it would spoil it, so I’ll leave you with this.

It was awesome.

I cried.

Buy it.

~Melpomene

Rock and Roll Never Forgets (The Rock and Roll Trilogy)

When I Look to the Sky (The Rock and Roll Trilogy)

Feel Like Makin’ Love (Rock and Roll Trilogy #3)

Review: The Edge of Always, by J.A.Redmerski

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Since I LOVED The Edge of Never, I just HAD to read this one. And when I received an ARC, I was super duper excited to start it. But sadly, I didn’t love is as much as the first. I honestly think The Edge of Never was fine all by itself. But I can appreciate the need for some closer in these characters, since the ending of Never destroyed us.

I liked the duel POVs. It made the struggles more real. But some of the scenes made me so mad. I was disgusted and sick, at one particular. I felt so mad for Cam and Andrew.

I loved that we were able to see more of their families and friends. Since this book spans over many years, we get to see them all grow up to be adults. We get a glimpse of their happily ever afters and their not so happily ever afters.

Cam’s struggles were heart breaking. She didn’t know how to keep it together. I knew it was gonna be hard for her to move on, from her struggles. Even though she loves Andrew, I knew things were going to come up and devastate her. But Andrew’s love for her was so strong, he’d do anything for her. Even take her on another life altering journey.

“Camryn, you are the other half of my soul, and I will love you today and every day for the rest of our lives. I promise that if you ever forget me, I’ll read to you like Noah read to Allie.”

I may have teared up at that scene. Just a li’l bit. 🙂

All in all, I was very happy with the story. I liked the way she ended it, and yet it leaves it open for a side story. But I’m hoping not. Leave it alone. 🙂

I received this ARC for an honest review.

~Melpomene

Release date: November 4, 2013
Forever Romance
Buy it now The Edge of Always

Review: Jagged, by Kristen Ashley

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15817361“…love is a show, it’s not a tell”

Ham Reece was always moving around. But he always came back to Zara Cinders. If she called him, he was there. If she was hurt, he’d fly to be with her. But when she found someone more stable, he walked away.

But three years later she finds herself alone and barely scraping by.

By some near death experience, they are brought together. And when he discovers how little she has and what she has gone through, Ham decides to help her. But she doesn’t want to get sucked into Ham again. It’s hard enough being near him, without all her feeling bubbling up to the top.

Ham wants her. He’s always wanted her. He waited til she was ready and now he’s going to show her how ready he is.

“I’m here, Zara, as in I intend to stay here…I like the people, I like the work…But this is mostly where I wanna be because your’re here.”

Ham gets her a job and takes care of her. But she tries really hard not to fall for him, but, of course, she does. How can you not. The man was sex on legs. HOT. The way he bosses her and talks to her, very hot. No nonsense kinda guy. Needed to fan myself a few times.

Of course there’s a HEA. This is a Kristen Ashley book. And we love her rough and sexy men who practically throw their women over their shoulders and make them listen. I’ll probably grab the first four books in the series, just for more sexy alphas.

I received this ARC for an honest review.

~Melpomene

Release date November 5, 2013
Forever(Grand Central Publishing)
Buy it now Jagged

Review: The Iron Traitor, by Julie Kagawa

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15811405I was so excited when I received this ARC. I even did a happy dance. But no, you don’t wanna see it. This book is the second in the Call of the Forgotten series, which is a spin off of the Iron Fey series. I loved The Iron Fey so much, I just knew I’d love this one as well. I was not wrong.

This book takes place a few days after The Iron Prince ended. We find Ethan Chase trying to get back to normal life. Well, as normal as you can get, when you see the fey no one else can see. He’s determined to be a good boyfriend to Kenzie and to NEVER go back to Nevernever. But you know what they say….

When his nephew, Keirran, goes missing, Ethan decides to go and find him as quickly as possible. But finding him and stopping him from doing something so drastic, are two different things. Keirran is determined to save his love, even if it causes great damage and forever change this world. But Ethan tries to help him anyways, cuz he’s family. But that help, just may be the thing that destroys him.

I love that we get a glimpse of Meghan, Ash, Grim and Puck. It was wild seeing Ash as a formidable man and father. He was frightening. But I just love Puck!! I loved the way he never changed and was still the jokester at times, but at the same time, he could also step up and help.

All Puck’s scenes made me wanna go back and read the Iron Fey from the beginning. Many of Ethan and Keirran’s scenes reminded me of Ash’s and Puck’s adventures, from the Iron Fey. They may be different, but they fight together against anything that was thrown their way.

Grim still helped them, too, and yet disappeared when trouble comes. I wonder about that cat….

This book took me four days to read, and I made sure to highlight everything I deemed important. I don’t wanna forget a thing. But that ending…..A CLIFFY!!!!! I am speechless….What…..where……how…..And now I have to wait til next year!! I was seriously shocked. I NEVER saw that coming.

Well done Ms. Kagawa. You have written another fabulous YA book. And, like you tweeted me, your muse was well feed by my tears. So glad I could help you out. 😉

I received this ARC for an honest review.

~Melpomene

Release day: October 29th
Buy it now: The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey)