Mini Review: The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost

The Beautiful Ashes (Broken Destiny #1) by Jeaniene Frost
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication date: August 26th 2014
My rating:  DNF


 

 In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who's bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn't mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn't: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…

My Thoughts:

DNF at 58%

I just can't read this anymore. I have no patience for the doomed, forbidden romance that I've had zero feelings for. Instant attraction can work for me, but it just doesn't here.

This feels like more of a YA read than an adult. Ivy comes off more like a fifteen-year-old than the twenty years she's supposed to be. To be fair, my impression may have been tainted by starting with the audio version which I had to stop listening to. The narrator made Ivy sound shrilly which is hardly an appealing quality in a heroine. I don't recommend the audio version at all.

I switched to reading instead but I still couldn't get into this story. I wish I swooned over Adrian, but his withholding of information and keeping of secrets made it impossible to connect with him.

My feelings could be due to my reading mood, so check out other reviews before making your decision to read this story.

Waiting on Wednesday #28 Worth the Risk by Claudia Connor

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

The book I'm eagerly looking forward to is:

Worth the Risk (The McKinney Brothers #2) by Claudia Connor 

Expected Publication Date: January 20th 2015

Publisher: Loveswept

 

About the book:

When a McKinney brother falls in love, powerful emotion and overwhelming desire are never far behind.

Two hearts locked away . . . Hannah Walker spends her days coaching children through injury and trauma, one therapeutic horseback ride at a time. She knows all too well how violence can change a child and leave scars that never heal. It’s easy for her to relate to the kids; what isn’t easy is the thought of facing her own harrowing past.

Millionaire playboy Stephen McKinney could use a little coaching himself. Five years ago he encountered his most horrible nightmare—and the nightmare won. No matter what he achieves, nothing can make up for that awful night . . . or so he believes.

Both desperate for a second chance . . . Stephen is used to getting what he wants. And he wants Hannah. So when she turns him down, he’s intrigued. What he doesn’t know is that her secrets will lead him to a place he never wanted to go again . . . to a side of himself he’s tried to forget . . . a side that would scare Hannah away from ever loving him. Now his only chance to win her trust is to bare his soul, risking everything he tried so hard to protect.

I LOVED Worth the Fall the first in this series (my review), so I can't wait to pick up the next which focuses on Stephen, the absentee, rich brother.  I'm hoping to get a glimpse of Matt, Abby and the kids, too! Plus, how can you resist that cover?!!  Where's my bottle of whip cream?

What are you dying for? Link me up and I'll come and check it out!

Short & Tweet Reviews #1: Highland Surrender & Blank Slate

I've been meaning to try this method of review since seeing it done by Mary@The Book Swarm and Andrea@The Bookish Babe.  I going with Karen's @For What It's Worth title of Short & Tweet Review because there is just no way I can keep my words to a 140 characters! Lol!

Highland Surrender by Tracy Brogan
Narrated by: Sarah Coombs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Length: 12 Hours 27 Minutes
Audiobook Publication date: December 4th 2012
My rating: 4 stars 
Goodreads | Audible | Amazon | B&N

My Thoughts:

A forced marriage between two opposing clans.  Misinformation and lies make for an adversarial relationship to start.  As the truth comes to light and Myles and Fiona get to know (yum!!) each other, the marriage becomes very dear to both. Political intrigue, danger, and revelations make for an exciting read!

I highly recommend the audio version! Accents are lovely and the performance enhances this wonderful story. Steal of a deal!: If you buy the Kindle version for $2.49 you can add the audio for an additional $1.99!! 

Blank Slate by Tiffany Snow
Narrated by: Tanya Ebe
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Length: 10 Hours 3 Minutes
Audiobook Publication date: October 14th 2013
My rating: 3.5 stars 

Goodreads | Audible | Amazon | B&N

My Thoughts:

A fun, quick audiobook. Clarissa is a very wanted computer hacker/thief, but loses her memory completely! Classic opposites attract with Erik being an FBI agent and Clarissa being a thief. Lots of snarky banter and a few sizzling scenes.  Non-stop action at every turn and I loved that Clarissa was a bad-ass!  The narration was pretty good, too. Clarissa's accent wasn't heavily overdone, just right. Another steal of a deal: If you buy the Kindle version for $3.99 you can add the audio for $1.99! 

Showcase Sunday #58

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea. The aim is to showcase our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders this week.  

Hey all. I hope you had a great couple of weeks. I'm finally back from London and my cousin's wedding. I was there for two weeks and things were pretty hectic, but now that I'm back home I'm feeling all down, especially now that my cousin's have gone back to Canada too. But  I'm looking forward to getting back to reading and commenting on blogs. Here's some of the books I have to look forward to!

(Click on title for Goodreads link)

The Chapel Wars and Chaos had been my highly anticipated reads for sometime now, so I was thrilled to finally get copies of both of these books. I hope that Chaos doesn't totally leave me all over the place like Fractured did. And I've been reading so many praising reviews for Famous in Love and Rites of Passage, so I'm hoping that I end up loving both as well. Over to Rachel and her haul,

Rachel's Haul:

(Click on title for Goodreads link)

 
 

Well it's been a while since the last time we did a Showcase Sunday and therefore I have a TON of books!! I've left some out just to spare you a bit. But anyhow, I got a lot for review and sort of went a little crazy with an Audible Sale which is going on until September 18th.  The last six book are from the Audible sale at $4.95 a piece. I may pop over again and get some more.  Somebody really needs to reign me in!!  I'm currently reading and listening to Naked in Death and loving it!! Livvy @ The Absent Historian recommended it some time ago and I'm finally just now getting to it.  I got the e-Copy and audio version to switch back and forth. Keertana @ Ivy Book Bindings turned me onto Into the Darkest Corner.  It sounds riveting and chilling and I can't wait!

What did you get in your haul? Link us up and either Jasprit or I will come and check it out!

Review: Worth the Fall by Claudia Connor

Worth the Fall (The McKinney Brothers #1) 
by Claudia Connor
Publisher: Random House Loveswept
Publication date: September 9th 2014
My rating:  4.5 stars
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Prepare to be swept away by a talented debut author with a passionate, powerful story to tell.

They meet on a beach. . . . Abby Davis isn’t wearing a skimpy bikini or sipping umbrella drinks, not when she’s busy chasing around four little ones. And Matt McKinney isn’t looking for fun—he’s a Navy SEAL, a grown man with a long list of missions . . . and fallen brothers.

They only have a week. . . . Abby has brought her children to this beach to start over, to give them the enjoyable memories they deserve. Matt’s been sidelined by a combat injury, and haunted by the best friend he lost and the promise he made: to remain a SEAL—focused and dedicated. This leaves no time for what he’s always wanted: a family.

But a week is all it takes. . . . Matt opens her heart while Abby soothes his soul. And though they plan to say good-bye when the week is over, something magical happens on that beach, something neither can forget. Something utterly, completely worth falling for.
 
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from other Loveswept titles.

My Thoughts:

When I read that Worth the Fall was a romance between a Navy SEAL and a pregnant mother of four, I was like…What?!! How can that possibly work or be believable? Well it more than worked because this story MELTED my heart! Just sooo lovely!

Matt McKinney is spending some time at the beach while on leave when Abby, captures his attention. She’s beautiful, pregnant and alone with four small kids, and the way she cares for her children draws Matt in like a beacon.  He wonders what kind of idiot of a man would allow his wife go on vacation alone and miss out on all the love they obviously provide.  Soon he’s caught up with the kids, drawn into games of catch, making sandcastles, and coming to the rescue in the inevitable crisis a brood of young, energetic children encounter *queue swoony sigh here*.  As the week goes on it becomes more and more apparent that Matt won’t be able to just walk away and say goodbye.  Every minute he spends with Abby makes him fall a little more, and by the end of the week he’s a complete goner.  But Matt has his career and a promise to a fallen friend to consider, and he doesn’t want to hurt Abby and her kids. 

Abby is alone on vacation with her children, but she’s used to being alone, even before she lost her husband.  Having everyone who promised their love eventually leave her has left emotional scars making it hard to let anyone close. Matt is gorgeous with a heart of gold to match, so Abby can’t imagine why he would spend his time with her instead of finding someone with less baggage.  But she can’t stop herself from allowing him in bit by bit, especially when he seems to care so much for her kids. Plus, he sends her hormones into overdrive every time he gets near.  The chemistry they have is palpable! However, Abby doesn’t want to fool herself into thinking this will go on any further after their time is up at the beach.  Placing hope in others has led to nothing but grief and disappointment in the past, so she carefully guards her heart, and who could blame her?

Matt and Abby’s romance was a slow burn and a pure pleasure to experience.  Realizing quickly the abandonment issues Abby had, Matt was so careful with her heart.  My heart squeezed and clenched at all the sadness she had to endure growing up.  To let her guard down and let Matt in is a gradual process, but thankfully Matt is patient and determined.

As if that wasn’t enough, Matt’s interactions with the kids were so adorable, and I found it impossible not to fall hard for him! The kids were amazing, and so very cute, each and every one of them! From Jack, eager to learn how to catch football, to three year-old Gracie, Matt’s “ladybug” with all her curls and dimples, to two year-old Charlie glued to Matt like a tick.  I laughed and smiled as they progressed closer and closer to becoming a solid family unit. 

Matt had some struggles with what he saw as his duty, and how to make things work with Abby while staying true to those obligations.  There were some bumps in the road because of that.  My one issue that kept Worth the Fall from being a perfect read was the last minute drama. It didn’t go on for very long at all, BUT it was a punch to the gut. If it would’ve happened a little earlier I wouldn’t have minded so much, because it would’ve been over and taken care of instead of marring my pleasure over Matt and Abby’s happiness.  But like I said, it didn’t last very long and my heart was once again soaring in bliss for them by the end.

I was thoroughly impressed with Claudia Connor’s moving debut! It was heart-wrenching and beautiful!  I can’t wait to read the next McKinney brother’s story, Worth the Risk, and I hope I get glimpses of Matt, Abby and the kids in the next one, because I don’t want to say goodbye!

 

Connect with Claudia Connor:

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