Review: Dark Taste of Rapture by Gena Showalter

Dark Taste of Rapture (Alien Huntress #6) by Gena Showalter

• Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Star; Original edition (August 23, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter captivates with a dark, tantalizing world of humans, otherworlders, and a powerful AIR agent consumed by his desire for a woman he can never have. . . .

With one caress, he can give unforgettable pleasure . . . or unending pain. . . .

Hector Dean is shaved, tattooed, and totally ripped—and he has a deadly secret. He is a walking weapon, capable of killing with a single brush of his fingertips. Little wonder he’s determined to remain on his own. But Noelle Tremain is a temptation like no other. She is beautiful and rich, with a party girl smile that hides a shocking vulnerability, and from the beginning his sizzling attraction to her is undeniable. For the first time, his stone-cold resistance is tested. But to be with her, he risks destroying her.

When a wealthy businessman is murdered in New Chicago’s seediest district, the two are partnered, and there’s no escaping what they both want: each other. Yet neither Hector nor Noelle knows what to fear more—the killer case, or their own lethal desires. . . .

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OH.MY.GOSH....this is absolutely the best book in the Alien Huntress series. If you read the last book in the series (and you should) then you have already met Noelle Tremain. She is besties with Ava who was the focus of the story in book #5. The story starts off with Ava and Noelle entering AIR Training Camp where they meet one of the instructors, AIR agent Hector Dean. He is all muscles, tattoos, and attitude. Oh, and he has a secret...his arms are weapons. Their attraction is instant but of course nothing is easy. They have a lot of differences and Hectors secret puts a wide chasm between the two of them. Later they are partnered on a case and sparks fly but not without some damage first.

I LOVED the characters. Noelle may be rich and pretty but there is more to her than that and she definitely keeps you on your toes. She is unpredictable and fun. Hector makes a great leading man. For being such a big, gruff, scary looking guy he is actually rather adorable. His past is pretty rough and it is interesting to find out what made him into the man he became. One character I can't wait to read more of is Dallas. I've been anxiously awaiting his story for some time now and the bits in this story he was in only whet my appetite for more.

When I finished this book (in one sitting because I couldn't put it down) I was so sad that it was done. I could have kept reading more and more. If you have read and enjoyed this series so far you won't be disappointed in this that is for sure. If you are new to the series I suggest reading it in order so you don't miss out on anything. I just have to say as well that the cover of this book is gorgeous. It's one of my favorite Gena Showalter covers (of all her series).

5/5

I received a copy for review from the publisher. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon

I've decided to sign up for the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon. For more info and to sign up for yourself go HERE

Books to Read:

• Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
• Dead Iron by Devon Monk
• Alterant by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love
• Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep
• Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
• I Dream of Genies by Judi Fennell

I'm hoping I will be able to read them all in the time-frame of this read-a-thon but my goal is to read at least 4 out of 6.

updates:

8/22- Started Carrier of the Mark and read about 3/4 of it.
8/23- Finished Carrier of the Mark (will be reviewing it soon) and started on Dead Iron
8/24- Read about 1/2 of Dead Iron
8/25- Finished Dead Iron
8/26- Went off my book list and read Never a Gentleman by Eileen Dreyer
8/27- started I Dream of Genies

Review: Bad Boys Do by Victoria Dahl

Bad Boys Do (Donovan Brothers Brewery #2) by Victoria Dahl

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books (September 27, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

Olivia Bishop is no fun. That’s what her ex-husband said. That’s what her smart bob and glasses imply. And with her trademark determination, Olivia sets out to remake her life. She’s going to spend time with her girlfriends and not throw it all away for some man. But when an outing with her book club leads her to a brewery taproom, the dark-haired beauty realizes that trouble – in the form of sexy Jamie Donovan – may be too tempting to avoid. Jamie Donovan doesn’t mean to be bad. Sure, the wild streak in his wicked green eyes has lured the ladies before. But it’s time to grow up. He’s even ready for a serious romance. But how can that be when Olivia, the only right woman he has ever met, already has him pegged as wrong.

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It's official...I am in love with this series! This book left me with a genuinely good feeling when I finished it. Jamie really carries this series and gives it life with his charming personality. He is treated like an irresponsible kid by his older brother Eric, and even his little sister Tessa is guilty of having low expectations of him. Jamie wants more responsibility and to be more involved at the brewery but his siblings prejudice against him is preventing them from seeing past that to the person he has become.

Olivia is a nice but reserved and slightly uptight woman. She meets the gregarious Jamie when she attends a book club meeting at the brewery he is co-owner of with his siblings. She's definitely attracted to him but knows that a good-looking, outgoing man like Jamie would only be trouble. Their paths collide later unexpectedly and things get heated and interesting. They really learn a lot from each other and come into their own. The changes they make to their lives made me respect their characters and I feel that they are a perfect balance for each other. Definitely an unexpected pairing but all the better for it.

5/5

Review: Good Girls Don't by Victoria Dahl

Good Girls Don't (Donovan Brother Brewery, #1) by Victoria Dahl

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books (August 30, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family's brewery. He's got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he's the father.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother's playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their "baby" sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He's not who people think he is—and neither is she.

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Contemporary romance is a genre I don't read too often but when I find an author I enjoy I stick with them. Well, after reading this book Victoria Dahl has a new fan...ME! I devoured this book in one day because I couldn't tear myself away from it. The best part is that this is part of a series so i get to continue reading about the Donovan siblings.

Tessa and her two older brothers run a brewery together. There is a break-in and Luke is one of the detectives on the case. Tessa is drawn to Luke but the detective's life is complicated and Tessa's brothers are a "tad" overprotective when it comes to their little sister. With a failed marriage and a partner who is rumored to be pregnant with his baby, Luke's reputation isn't exactly stellar. However, things aren't always what they seem and Tessa really goes out on a limb to look past the gossip and find out Luke's side of the story.

Tessa feels her family is slipping away from each other and the break-in seems to be the straw that broke the camel's back. Eric, the oldest (and of course most responsible) holds Jamie (the irresponsible middle child) to blame for the break-in at the brewery. Tessa is stuck as referee between the two and tries to keep things from falling apart. She doesn't necessarily go about things the right way which leads to more stress and tension.

I loved the characters in this book which bodes well for this being an awesome series. Although I enjoyed reading about Tessa I actually found the Donovan brothers most interesting and this book just whet my appetite for them. I'm curious to see how (or if) the dynamic between the siblings changes over the course of the series. I am rooting for their happiness.

4.5/5

I received a copy of this for review from Netgalley. Any opinions expressed are my own.

The winner of Sweet Venom is....

RICKI

Congratulations! I have sent the winner an email and they have 48 hours to respond.

I loved reading everyone's comments. I'm pretty close to 500 followers and when I reach that goal I will have another giveaway
Thanks!

Review: Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer

Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens (June 21, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

Sarah Weaver wasn't looking forward to starting at an all-girls school. But that was before she met Maddy. Maddy and her best friend, Agnes, are fun and rich and interesting-and for some reason, they seem to really like Sarah. Before long, Maddy and Agnes have moved Sarah into a big house off campus, where they cook together, buy each other presents, and share each other's secrets. So why does Sarah feel like something's bizarrely wrong? As more and more cracks start to show in Maddy's and Agnes's perfect veneers, Sarah notices some strange and disturbing things: Maddy's compulsive lying, Agnes's obsession with Maddy, and the deterioration of their friendship. And just when Sarah begins to question her own sanity, things turns deadly. Fans of Pretty Little Liars will devour this juicy debut novel.

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What first attracted me to this book was the great cover (yeah, I'm a sucker for pretty book covers) and that in the description it suggests that fans of the Pretty Little Liars book series by Sara Shepard would enjoy it. After reading this book though I don't see how being a fan of that series would have anything to do with this book. In my opinion there is no resemblance between them other than characters lying about things. I was very disappointed in this book. The storyline was just too over the top (and not in a good way) and other than Agnes I didn't find the characters interesting. I wasn't able to connect with any of them. I constantly questioned why Sarah didn't walk away from her friendship when she constantly had reason to. It didn't make sense how even though she knew certain things she still allowed herself to be manipulated and believed lies told by a known liar. At times it felt like the author was grasping at straws to explain certain character's behaviors. Don't even get me started on the ending. I was holding out hope that maybe the ending would redeem the rest of the book when in fact it turns out that it was the biggest let down of them all. It wrapped up quickly and not that interestingly.

1.5/5

I received a copy for review from the publisher. Any opinions expressed are my own.

August R.A.K.

A new month brings a new R.A.K. sign up and since this is the 6th month that Book Soulmates has hosted R.A.K. they are also going to have a giveaway for a $20 Amazon gc (participants eligible only)

For more info about R.A.K. and the contest go HERE

My wishlist

July R.A.K. Update:

I sent Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs to SpadesHigh @ SpadesHighReads and I sent My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent to Lisa @ Turning Pages

I didn't receive any books in July, but I was told to be expecting something from Lisa sometime soon I believe :)