The Savage Grace by Bree Despain
****

This was my favorite out of the whole series, and I was glad it was a long read in fact it could have even been longer I wouldn't have minded. I was that caught up in the story and the emotions of the characters. Mrs. Despain writes these amazing characters that you really feel, whether it's their joy or their pain and it is intense with all those big werewolf emotions are concerned lol. This story did make me laugh out loud and cry which I was a little surprised by. This story is full of action and suspense. Whether the town or Calab trying to kill them, or dissension among the ranks the pages just kept flying by.
Poor Daniel is stuck as the great White Wolf, and Grace is searching for the answer to help him change back, at the same time trying to fight her inner wolf from changing her. She also is dealing with the fact her mother has been institutionalized and may never come home. A brother who she is unsure if she can trust. The Lost Boys ( Daniels new pack) needing a roof over there heads, the town wanting to kill the howling wolf, and finally wondering when Caleb will come back to try and kill them. As you can see there is a lot going on, but all in a good way. I loved every minute and was glued to my kindle. The plot moved quickly and the writing was well done a few typos the editor should have caught. I loved how the story/events all played out it was perfect and done smoothly. I love these characters they are so well done. Daniel is swoon worthy and awesome always thinking of Grace, and it is so sweet, he is always think of his pack and Grace and how to keep them all safe, he is awesome. Grace is amazing in this book she really shows what she is made of, she is sweet, smart, courageous and tough when she needs to be, she takes care of those she loves and has an amazing forgiving heart. I was glad to have Jude back in this story, he has many demons in his life to overcome. Talbot is quite the guy he is cute and sweet with Grace, and mysteries the type of guy you love to hate. The ending was really well done tying up all the lose ends and leaving me feeling satisfied. Great series the old saying "Save the Best for Last" definitely applies here. Enjoy!

language handful
clean romance

The Calling by Kelley Amstrong
*****

I really enjoyed The Calling it is well written with fast pace action. This second book in the Darkness Rising series picks back up right were it left off in The Gathering. The action starts up pretty quickly and goes throughout the story. Maya and friends have been whisked away in the helicopter, to find themselves in danger once again after the helicopter crashes and leaves them in a precarious situation. The action and adventure is great in this story. I loved seeing how they handled each situation thrown their way. We also get to find out more about Maya's friends and there different powers which I enjoyed. In this story we are told more about what is going on with the lab and with the kids, the who and what of it all. A few surprises there. Yes we get more Danial and Rafe in this story as well. I love them both, I am in trouble. One minute I think Rafe is the perfect guy for Maya. Then Danial does something amazing and I think no he would be perfect for her. Usually I have a clearer conclusion to who I think should get the girl , but I just can't choose. Daniel is forever thoughtful and protective of Maya. Rafe is charming and caring too. It will be nice to have closure on this with the final book. This was a fun well paced, well written story that I couldn't put down and completely enjoyed.

Nicola and the Viscount by Meg Cabot
****

This was a really fun, cute, sweet regency romance. A really quick read when you want something fun and light to read. This story is about Nicola who is orphaned yet has some means in which to survive, her father did not leave her completely destitute. She does somewhat rely on friends to take her in, so she can go to all the amazing social outings that they had back in the day. Her best friend Eleanor and family are wonderful and take good care of her. Both girls have a crush on the God (yes they refer to him as this,P please rolled my eyes.) Nicola is naive, and after one thing because of her station, a man well not any man the God to be exact. She is not a very deep person, very in the moment, proper, shallow, but she does get a little better, and the story is still a good story. Eleanor, is a little more grounded but not much, they are both just silly girls and typical for the time period. The god is gorgeous, and a little to agreeable in my opinion, but for good reason. The characters and the story are both written really well and were fun to read. There is a mystery that Nicola is trying to figure out as well, someone is trying to take something from her that she holds dear. Plus an added surprise that I will not say anything about. Fun and Cute!

Language maybe one or two mostly just god referring to this guy
romance clean

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
*****

This is one of those books that you ponder and mull over in your mind days after you are finished reading it, it was that interesting/intriguing. I love books like this were it really makes you think. At first I had a hard time with the concept of assassins nuns. Their whole mission to do Lord Mortains (Lord Death)will was hard to swallow. How do they know what his will is? Hmm do they....? In a christian world today this was hard to digest at times, but....once I put it all into context it helped. This story opens in Brittany 1485 the clans of this region were still in the process of switching from Pagan Gods to Christianity. Lord Mortain for this story is a Pagan God of Death, and then becomes Saint Mortain of this particular Abby.
From the very first page I was hooked, I wanted to know what would become of this girl who had suffered and endured such sadness, pain and heartache. The first few pages were really intense, and Ismae isn't a strong women at this point, but she is a survivor. As the story progresses we get to watch Ismae grow and turn into a smart independent thinker, strong, she losses her naivety, she learns that she is of worth and is lovable. She ends up at St. Mortain's Abby, were she is asked if she wants to serve Lord Mortain. In doing so she will be called upon to be his mercenary. She excepts and is put on trial, and away the story goes. There is plenty of political intrigue, assassinations, murder, suspense, romance, and self discovery to make one fly through these pages. The story really did just flow beautifully from page to page, I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to know what would happen next and how it was going to happen. Mrs. LaFevers weaves a wonderful tale that I completely enjoyed. The characters all had depth and felt real to me. The plots were intricate and simply woven, for a very nice climax and ending. I have to talk about a few of my favorite characters besides Ismae. I really liked Annith, she was smart, witty and a good friend to Ismae. Sybella was another favorite, who was constantly misunderstood in my opinion. She was portrayed authentically, she was strong, good friend, and a survivor. I felt sorry for her and the situation she was in. Duval, swoon, loved him....that's all I am going to say about him.
Quite a captivating tale, can't wait for the second book.

language: not much
romance: abusive husband, know what's happening but no details, murder, Lord Death you feel is a good guy when in reality this particular character of death has others kill for him instead of letting nature take it's course so to me he is still on the side of evil, this could be confusing to younger readers. Recommended adults and older teens.

Thank you Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing and Netgalley

Shayla Witherwood: a half-faerie Tale by Tamra Torero
****

This was a really fun and cute faerie, fairytale read. It is a contemporary Fey tale. Shayla has been home schooled her whole life and has lived a somewhat sheltered life. Her circumstances change and she is thrust into public high school. Shayla is not your normal teenager she is half human and half faerie. Shayla doesn't know much about her Fay magic which makes for some humorous moments in the story. As she learns to navigate high school she makes some great friends and learns a little about her magical self. There is also something strange going on, someone keeps whispering to Shayla that they know who she really is. This alarms Shayla because she has been told to keep her faerie identity hidden.
I thought this was a cute tale, and enjoyed it. Shayla is sweet, funny, a good friend, naive, a little unsure of her self at times, and endearing. I enjoyed the sweet romance that occurs in this story. I enjoyed all the characters, I thought they were really well done and relatable. Towards the end the pace really picks up as secrets are revealed and pieces click together. The story is fun, and quick paced light Fey read.

Clean language
Clean romance

Thank you Cedar Fort and Netgalley.

Friends & Foes
*****

I love Sarah's books they are always a fun read, and this one was really cute. I also love the cover, perfect. This story is about Philip, and boy is he to swoon for he is full of chivalry, smart, incognito, humorous, and stubborn, puts his foot in his mouth often too. He works undercover for the Royal Government, and has been in pursuit of a known spy. During this assignment he encounters Sorrel and boy is he annoyed with her as she is with him. He makes light of things he knows nothing about which spikes her temper, and makes her have self doubt. Poor Philip had no idea that he had hurt her though. Sorrel is proud, flawed, lonely, beautiful,smart,determined and stubborn as well. I loved being apart of their story seeing how they each give a little, and confide, in each other until magic happens. Really a great story!

clean language
clean romance

 

The Flame Priest by Karen Azinger
*****

This book was just as amazing as the first, and it takes off were we left off at the end of The Steel Queen. Kath, Duncan and their group are off to stop the Mordant. I was so shocked that he is who he is, I couldn't believe it. Liander and her kingdom is in conflict with its own military. The infiltrated Red Horns are trying to dethrone her. Liandra is a force all her own, and if you are going to play her you better know your game. She is awesome, one of my all time favorites in this story. Mean while Justin, Samson and Grandma Magdna are all trying to survive in Coronth, and take down the Potifax and his Flame God. That is quite an under taking. This story is really well done the righting is good the characters are breathtaking weather for good or for evil they are so well fleshed out. The characters really make the story, as well as the plot, so many twist and turns and oh my heck that did not just happen, and then I was jumping up and down yes, yes yes, that was so awesome. The romance comes full circle for some of our favorite characters and there is even a surprise romance as well woo, woo. Mrs. Azinger had me in awe, in tears, and hurraying. She kept me a very captive audience who is overly anxious for book 3...well all the rest:) Great Story!

Comment section is full of spoilers you may not wish to read:)

clean language
romance pg-13 pushes the limits