To Have and To Harley

by Regina Cole

Series: Bikers & Brides (#1)

Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca

August 7th, 2018

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: eARC

Source: Publisher (via NetGalley)

Rating: 3.5 Stars

     You may now kiss the biker 

     Bethany Jernigan owes her bestie. Big time. So when wedding planning overburdens the bride-to-be, Bethany steps in to handle the nitty-gritty. But the guy in charge isn't anything like she imagined. He's gruff, tattooed, and 100% male. His staff is even rougher around the edges, and it's not long before she feels as if she's stepped into some kind of crazy alternate reality. 

     Are those...bikers? Arguing about wedding favors? 

     Trey Harding never wanted this to get so out of hand. One little lie somehow snowballed into a world of dresses and flowers and food and holy-hell-he's-in-over-his-head. But it's not like he can confess he's not the wedding planner he's pretending to be--especially now that he's falling for the maid of honor! His charade is becoming a farce, and as engines rev and ribbons fly, Trey's running out of time to figure out how to tell the truth without losing his new family, his crew...or the woman of his dreams.

     I adored this story and the biker characters so much.

     Bethany's best friend is getting married and she just quit her job and while she is looking for a new one her friend enlists her help with the planning of her wedding so she can concentrate on finals. Meanwhile, her "mother" (her BFF's mother and the woman who took her in after the death of her dad) just found her missing son.

     Trey Harding is a biker who was abandoned in the bathroom of a gas station and raised by the foster system. He skirts the law with his gang but not in the way one would think but by trying to have drugs and other "bad" things out of the streets.

     I liked how different from other MC books this story was and I found the premiss of the bikers-turned-wedding-planners to be entertaining and for the most part I enjoyed it but I think the author needed to either make this a RomCom or a touching contemporary story.

     I found myself laughing at the antics of the MC guys one moment and the next Trey or Bethany revealed something about their past that was touching and I didn't know if I should be annoyed or sad. I will be looking for the next book in the series because I am interested to see the HEA of some of the other characters.

Disclaimer:

This copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of it or the content of my review.

     There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from acclaimed author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books, This Savage Song is a must-have for fans of Holly Black, Maggie Stiefvater, and Laini Taylor. 

     Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives. In This Savage Song, Victoria Schwab creates a gritty, seething metropolis, one worthy of being compared to Gotham and to the four versions of London in her critically acclaimed fantasy for adults, A Darker Shade of Magic. Her heroes will face monsters intent on destroying them from every side—including the monsters within.

     I got this by a recommendation of my friend. Since you start this book, you get involved in the story of monsters, avengers and sinners. I loved it, from the beginning of story, to how it develops. I started it until I finished it, I couldn't drop it, I had to come with the excuse one last chapter and I am going to sleep. You don't know which is good and which is bad, until you read it entirely. Avengers Angels or monsters is what lurks in the city V? That it is what you need to discover with this book.

     This story is based on Kate and August one wanting to imitate the monster that has as an example and another wanting to be what never will be able to be: a human being.

     This is a story with a lot of action and a lot adventure. If you are a mega fan of twilight and Romeo and Juliet, because there is no doubt that the author was inspired by these stories, this is without a doubt your history and if you are not you will have to read this story you will be surprised because it will be one of your favorites this year, have you already read it? leave us your comments on your opinions for this book.

     There is no doubt that this book has became one of my favorites for this year: because the story, drama, characters and about the magnificent world that the author has created. This book is develops around a world where monsters are the protagonists and where living and keeping you safe is the main theme in this story. You really will love it! I already bought the second book.

     He’s a genetic experiment. The merging of human and lion DNA his creators call a Breed. And they have no idea just what kind of the creature they brought into being.     Callan Lyons wanted only to be left in peace to protect the small group of Breeds he rescued from a New Mexico lab, but those that created them refuse to stop their continued attempts to re-capture them. And the owner of a small, reputable paper, once a friend of his birth mother’s, now has proof of his existence. Proof that has caught his daughter, Merinus Tyler’s’s fascination and ensured her determination to find him. But once they touch, they’ll become far more than either ever imagined possible.     Man created them, but nature has made them her own. Beginning with Callan, she’ll show the world the folly of playing with the very building blocks of all she protects. And Merinus will learn the folly of tempting the beast…

     This novel was recommended by one of my friends who also loves to read. As always I was a bit bored because I did not know what to read. This week was a little busy for me in my work. So I told her that I was looking for something refreshing and did not leave this world. She told me that this series had some 32 books, so I told her to let me start with the first one and then we'll see if I continue with the rest. Hey, I'm not a millionaire to buy many books. The good news is that this book is free for those who have the Kindle Unlimited subscription that I am part of.

     I'll leave the link down below for those who are interested in being part of the Kindle Unlimited program. I only pay 9.99 monthly which amounts to 10.84 with taxes but I imagine that this will depend on the area where you are. You have a wide selection of books to choose from and thus do not affect your pocket.

     Returning to the book I got off in my kindle and I swear I read it like in 4 hours. Now, you will say how I got 4 hours without children and without a husband because it was my birthday, so that was my gift. Not only I love the story is that it was refreshing. I don't know this series seems a bit like this series by author Laura Dohner called New Species, which I recommend a lot. Well, this series or at least this book I liked a lot. I think that this series was recommended by Mineliz in one of my boredom.

     First, we meet Merinus. She is a journalist and the only woman among 7 brothers. Those who have been only daughters with more than two brothers know what the testosterone can do. How about you are overprotected. I remembered my brothers with this story. She is captivated by our hero.

     Callan is an experiment - come back to tell you that it looks like Laura's New Species - but I like it because it is a leader and super protects our heroine. Not just me the escape of the installation but could grab and protect some of his people.

     Another thing that I like is that they were introducing another story. Which means I have to keep reading the books. They were betrayed by someone close to them, which was a surprise to me. I can not avoid comparing them with Laura's new species, but there are many similarities. I love that this author put this betrayal, other beginnings of other stories and also know they can have babies.

     As I said I loved these stories so I'll be a little busy with them, hey they are 32 but I could be wrong and could be more. Definitely will recommend this one. Good job Lora! You will love it as I did.

Tower of Down

by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass (#6)

Published by: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

September 5th, 2017

Genre: Fantasy

Format: ePub

Source: Purchased

Rating: 5 Stars

     Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.
     His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica—the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.
     But what they discover in Antica will change them both—and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

     What can I said about this book -just read the author- come on is Sarah-freaking-J-fabulous-Maas. You can tell just by the author how the story's going to be. It's funny I specifically chose this story because I was the Maid of Honor at my friend wedding. So, I thought this is a big book so I can split it into several days since I will not have much time. I did not know weddings can be so hard and being the maid of honor harder. Wedding aside, as I mentioned I got so engaged that I could not put it aside. OMG!

     Whoever has been following these series know about Chaol. I had a hate-love relationship with him, still, have it. I said through the series when I was reading that he was a total jerk, even though he wants to protect Aelin, he still couldn't accept her. Thank God Aelin pass the page and now is with *spoiler alert* the magnificent, hot, fabulous, sexy fae Rowan (maintenance needs a mop for all the slobber I'm dropping around me). Coming back to Chaol, well he plays an important part in the life of Aelin and Dorian. I feel bad for what happened to him but we'll see more of him in this book.

     What can I said about Nesryn, I haven't heard much about her, or maybe I really hadn't pay much attention until now.  I am so glad that she is the first captain of the royal guard, even though is by name. Those who have been follow the books will understand. I will not tell since I have been saying a lot of spoilers. She is a kick-ass woman, I love that. I love to read more about her in this book.

     Is a great book! Guess what? I already order it on Hardcover for my future library!

     Kit Jernigan despairs of ever fitting in with her new tight-knit K9 unit. They've been through too much to open their arms to a stranger―and as mysterious fires begin raging across Monroe, she can't convince them to trust her long enough to catch the woman she knows is responsible.

     Wesley March, local fire spotter, knows Kit is right, and he's willing to help her prove it. But the more time they spend together, the closer they get...and the more danger they're in. A member of the K9 unit's inner circle is determined to get revenge―no matter who gets burned in the process. 

     This time, it's personal.

     THERE'S A FOX IN THE HENHOUSE
     Inheriting the most notorious house of ill repute in Texas can spell trouble for a girl's reputation... especially when she's Elizabeth Murphy, Bramble's prim and proper librarian. Yet when she discovers a buck-naked cowboy handcuffed to a four-poster bed, she forgets all about the town gossips. Elizabeth has sworn off men, but the stranger's kisses melt her resolve faster than ice cream on a hot summer day.
     Waking up in Miss Hattie's Henhouse isn't how Brant Cates reckoned on getting to the bottom of his great-granddaddy's murder. The plan was to solve the centuries-old crime, then get the heck out of Dodge. But after meeting Elizabeth and discovering that the buttoned-up beauty is a sexy siren in disguise, he just can't pull himself away.
     Now Brant needs Elizabeth to finally put his past to rest, but is she willing to risk her future on Bramble's newest bad boy?

     And this is why I love cowboys. There is something very appealing about a hard man that goes soft for and only for the right woman. Also about the way that they don't want to admit their feelings aloud but in their head, they're dying.

     With Brant, we see this and also the struggle he goes through with accepting that tragedies are part of life and not a myth as if a family curse.

     I wouldn't have guessed what really happened to his great-grandfather, or more specifically who, in a million years. Some other parts were easy to guess like Minnie and Lizzie's part.

     Overall this was a great story and I can't wait to read Beau's! In the meantime, I'll start reading the first book on the series.

     Yes, I know. But it's not the first time I start a series in the middle or end...

The Thief

by J. R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood (#16)

Published by: Ballantine Books

April 10th, 2018

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4 Stars

     Sola Morte, former cat burglar and safecracker, has given up her old life on the wrong side of the law. On the run from a drug lord's family, she is lying low far from Caldwell, keeping her nose clean and her beloved grandmother safe. Her heart, though, is back up north, with the only man who has ever gotten through her defenses: Assail, son of Assail, who never meant to fall in love--and certainly not with a human woman. But they have no future, and not just because she doesn't know he is a vampire, but because he is not about to stop dealing arms to the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Fate, however, has other plans for them. When Assail falls into a coma and lingers on the verge of death, his cousins seek out Sola and beg her to give him a reason to live. The last thing she wants is a return to her past, but how can she leave him to die?

     As a lethal new enemy of the vampires shows its face, and the Brotherhood needs Assail back on his feet, Sola finds herself not only a target, but a mission-critical force in a war she doesn't understand. And when Assail's truth comes out, will she run from the horror . . . or follow her heart into the arms of the male who loves her more than life itself?

     I never know with J. R. Ward books if I'm giving it 4 or 5 stars because there is something that annoyed me so much during the reading that I can't ignore or I loved it so much that I can't think of anything that I didn't like. This book is more of a 3.5 read just because I am so over and done with the Vishous shit. Like I posted on my Instagram, Ward should just kill the fucker and be done with him.

     What I did love about this book was Sola and Assail's story. I know many will disagree with me but I think every story so far has developed at the exact time it should and this one is no different. Assail needed to clean himself of his addiction and Sola needed to see him almost dying for this couple to appreciate what they have or could have.

     What I like about this books is that we see a side to this characters that is sweet but, even with the women, it does not make them weak and vulnerable, on the contrary, it gives them character and make them feel more real.

     I can't wait to see what this new turn in the war will bring and how some of the secondary stories will develop further in upcoming books.