Soul Bonded by Ann & Brown

I received this book for an honest review through a Goodreads community post.

Soul Bonded is the first book in the Tales of Dark Legacy Series.

I will admit that it took me a bit of time to get into this book.  I can't say whether it was from the things going on in my own life that kept me from reading it faster, or if I couldn't get into the plot. Either way, it took me way longer than I should have to read and post this review.

Morganna is the type of woman I love to read about. She's an independent, self-controlled badass. Who doesn't love a woman who can smile, kill some nasty bad vamps, take a shower, and then get a good night sleep? I know I do.  Her life has been that of a clean-up crew for her clan and alliances.  She has a reputation in name alone. She stays to that shadows in order to do her job.

A strong of incidents are causing Morganna to face memories she would rather leave forgotten. And to add to it, she has to work with the very person she has played clean-up after for several years.

Taz is amazed he gets paired up to work on a new case that gets him back out into the field. What he didn't realize is that it is with the woman he met and could never shake. He was even more amazed when he realized that she is the daughter of his father's closest friend, who failed to mention that she's the infamous Morgan.

The story is a combination of a couple of things. First, it's a story between the relationship of Morgan and Taz. Their stubbornness and passion is fun to watch unfold on the pages.  Second, it's the setting up of a series. There are passages and sections about the political structure of the clans, etc. I have no doubt, this will be important as more books release in this series.

I enjoyed reading reading this book. If you like vampires, a deeper world to explore, and some romance and action thrown in, then you should like this book.

~AG

Disclaimer: This book is not suitable for everyone. Adult content throughout.

Winter Wonderland by Ann Popp

I was sent a copy of Winter Wonderland for an honest review.  I met Ann a couple of years ago at an author event in North Carolina. She has a great love for books and bringing good stories to others.

Hailey and Griffin grew up together. They were friends and later became lovers. They had plans to spend forever with each other. Those plans were torn away from Hailey when Griffin decided to leave. With no explanation or idea where he went, Hailey mourned and moved on with her life.

Fast forward five years. Griffin returns home and everything gets turned upside down. Why did he leave? Why wasn't she enough to keep him around? What exactly was his purpose of coming back?

Griffin tries hard, but he has a hard task. He realizes that leaving like he did wasn't going to allow him to come back and start where things left off.  Hailey was still a feisty, passionate woman. But she had been abandoned and scorned.  He has a big undertaking in front of him in order to get Hailey back into his life.

I enjoyed reading this sweet holiday story.

~AG

Carolina Hurricane by Gwendolyn Grace

Carolina Hurricane by Gwendolyn Grace

I met Gwendolyn while attending #sass15 in Greenville, NC. After having a conversation with her, I ended up leaving her table with a signed book!  She was a delight to meet, and I am so glad I was able to experience this book.

This was my first read by Grace. I really enjoyed the story of Fox and Harley.

The story start with Harley having yet another disappointing night. It’s something she’s used to. It may not be the ideal life, but it’s what she’s comfortable with. She is always wondering if there is something better in store for her, though. She is constantly reminded of her Grandmother. She is always comparing what she is doing in life to whether her Gran would be happy and proud of her. She wants to live a life that would make her proud, but she’s unsure how to go about it.

Due to some circumstances, there is nothing left for her in her current location. She lost her job, most of her belongings, and her living quarters. She decided there is no better time to go back to where she felt the happiest-where she grew up with her Grandmother.

Enter Fox. Through a comical exchange at a diner, Harley ends up getting a ride with this easy going, fun loving man that just happened to be passing through town to exactly the location Harley was headed. After circumstances brought on by a storm they couldn’t beat, Harley and Fox end up spending the night in a hotel. After some alcohol and a fun exchange that involves a storm, nakedness, and lots of swearing, they are able to make their way to their destination.

Little did they know that encounter would be the start of a wild ride in their own lives. 

Fox comes from a pretty stable home life. All families have their dysfunctions, but mostly they are the type of family anyone would love to be around. They joke, laugh, have fun, and love each other. These are the types of people Harley’s Grandmother would love. Harley wonders, though, if she’s good enough for this family. Will she be a disappointment? Will they look down on her past?

Harley and Fox give a relationship a chance. Of course after they have some confrontations of their own to deal with.

This story is a fun, quick paced read.  I loved the Southern humor throughout and the passion between Fox and Harley.

Thank you so much for allowing me the chance at reading your book Gwendolyn!

~AG~

Rumer by A.L. Wood

Rumer by AL Wood

*I received an advanced reading copy for an honest review*

In Bain, we met Rumer and learned about some of her story. In Rumer, we get more about her past.  She wasn’t given a good number. As a child, it felt like the world was against her. Rumer has built walls and has been able to keep anyone from penetrating them until Bain.  They start running scared from each other due to how much they connect after a hot encounter.  Will Rumer open her heart and give Bain a chance at her trust?  Will Bain accept the heartbreak of his past and give himself a chance at the future?

I am not a fan of giving spoilers, so I will say that their story is fun to read.  I enjoyed their interactions. They have a connection no one could deny-not even them. Rumer is a sassy, quick-witted woman and Bain is a dedicated father with an issue with being attached. They both fear the unknown with giving each other a chance at each their hearts.  Love is painful and tricky.  Can they find love?  Will they give love a chance?  How will they handle their mounting emotions and continue to work together? 

Wood is great at her story telling. It’s easy to follow and fun!  She covers the levels of emotions in this story! 

The only thing I would have loved to have resolved/concluded would be the history of her family. I would have loved to see Bain and Rumer interacting with her piece of crap relatives. 

Thank you for a great read!  

~AG~

Bain by A.L. Wood

Bain by A.L. Wood

*I was sent this book from the author for an honest review*

What can I say?! I don’t know where to start. This is a fantastic start to this story about Bain and Rumer. 

Usually a story eases you into the emotional stuff, but this one jumps right on in. I love when an author throws convention out the door. Bain has worked hard to excel as quick as he has in the fighter world. But he doesn’t do it for himself. He has a great relationship with his manager, a lady named Jade, and those that share the same gym. He has a level of respect and he works hard to keep that respect. He keeps his focus on everything-not allowing anything or anyone come in between what he tries to accomplish for his family.

Until he sees a female fighter kicking a co-workers butt in the gym they share……….

Rumer is a ‘take no shit’, kick-ass woman.  She doesn’t hold to convention. She has had her own cynical lessons in life, but her instincts and barriers are there for good reason.  She never expected to meet Bain, much less right as she took a kick to the face.  She doesn’t know exactly what is happening to her cautiously built walls, but she doesn’t like it one bit. 

Could having a bit of fun with Bain get him out of her system, or will it create a monster? 

I look forward to reading the follow up ‘Rumer’.

With that said I just want to say that I had the pleasure of meeting this incredible lady at #SASS15 in Greenville, NC.  She was such a pleasure to meet!  The whole weekend was great. Book lovers in one place talking books and laughter!  I look forward to reading more stories from her and seeing her again and making new memories.

Thank you for visiting my little blog. I hope you enjoy reading about these books.

~AG~

What have you read? (Will be updated occasionally)

Who always clicks on those links that state "If you like 'this' then these are some books you should read." Or "15 books to read after this"?  I admit I do. I love to see the variety of books out there to gobble up.  I found a few today.  Leave me some comments on what you've read and what you thought of the book.

http://www.bustle.com/articles/79602-21-books-every-woman-should-read-by-35-because-reading-keeps-you-young-sort-of?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=owned&utm_campaign=booksbustle

http://penguinteen.tumblr.com/post/132095902101/you-know-besides-all-those-textbooks-they-have

Added 11-2-15: http://www.bustle.com/articles/115836-12-of-november-2015s-best-books-to-take-home-for-the-break?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=owned&utm_campaign=booksbustle
(Some of these look really interesting!)

http://www.bustle.com/articles/120714-10-books-to-read-before-bed-for-a-good-nights-sleep?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=owned&utm_campaign=booksbustle

http://www.bustle.com/articles/102564-16-of-november-2015s-best-ya-books-to-keep-you-warm-when-weather-gets-chilly

I've read very few on these lists! With the array of books out there, it can be difficult to keep the to read list small. But we kept the list small then we wouldn't have anything to look forward to would we?  

If you have any lists for me to look at, feel free to post a link in the bottom!  

AG

Brooding City by Tom Shutt

Brooding City by Tom Shutt

*I received a free copy of this book for an honest review (Lovers of Paranormal)*

Simply put, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have always been a fan of paranormal, and this did not disappoint. In recent years paranormal has really risen to popularity. One of the potential downfalls of this, however, is that sometimes character types and story lines can feel recycled. It is safe to say that this was not the case in this book. Forget the werewolves, vampires, and witches in this book!  We have ‘Sleepers’, Fractured mental states, and unique abilities. So if you like a story that is paranormal, but not in the norm, then I highly suggest you give this a try.

This book has two story lines happening at the same time. Now I know some people are not fans of parallel story lines, but Shutt does a great job keeping them in order and flowing-even in their respective settings. 

Detective Brennan has seen some cases in his time, but a man with his eyes gouged out is not a typical crime.  Along with his partner, Bishop, they begin to investigate the crime with little to no information.  Brennan enlists in the talents of his friend and ex-cop turned PI, Sam. Through some digging they get enough information to get them on the path to finding their killer. Brennan soon realizes that this case hits closer to home than expected. When some family emergencies come into play, Brennan realizes that there are some things that are not black and grey. With painful dreams and memories of his past, the impending situations with his sister and nephew, and ghosts from the past threatening to make him go crazy, someone wonders how Brennan can handle it all.

While we are watching the story unfold with Brennan, his partner, and his friend, Jeremy is just like any other teenager and gets injured while exploring. When he wakes up from his injury, he is soon thrown into the world where he can gain insights into those he touches.  It causes confusion and the inability to concentrate. He then gets a visitor in his dreams and Jeremy realizes the world is not what it seems.

While these stories do not cross paths with each other, they are connected in some way. I look forward to seeing what happens in the next installment. Thank you very much for allowing me to read and review your work.

My only complaint is that I wanted it to be longer. 

~Arayna~