Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Reviews + Giveaway: Marked & Claimed by Sarah Fine

Marked (Servants of Fate, #1) by Sarah Fine
Release Date: January 1, 2015 / Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I've been pumped to read Marked ever since I heard about its release a year ago. Sarah Fine's one of my favorite authors, and Marked is book one in her first adult series. While she's known for her young adults novels, after reading this book I think she's proven she can write for any audience.

Marked follows paramedic partners Cacy Ferry and Eli Margolis as they try to save lives and survive in a futuristic and devastated version of Boston. They also have to fight their intense attraction to one another and deal with the deadly secrets Cacy and her powerful family are hiding. Cacy and Eli were both awesome characters. I loved how accepting they were of each other and how their relationship developed from friendship to romance. I especially enjoyed the romance. It got really hot and steamy at times! I also appreciated how protective and close they were with their siblings. Good relationships between siblings are something I haven't seen much in the books I've read, so it's always nice and memorable when I do.

Marked was a fun and exciting start to a new series involving family politics and the afterlife. As soon as I finished it, I could not wait to pick up the next book Claimed! If you love adult books in the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres, I definitely recommend this series to you.



Claimed (Servants of Fate, #2) by Sarah Fine
Release Date: March 24, 2015 / Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Claimed is book two in the Servants of Fate series, and I thought it was even better than Marked! I felt that the world became more unique and the characters more fascinating in this book. It was just an unputdownable read!

While Marked was about Eli and Cacy, this time the story revolved around Eli's sister Galena and Cacy's brother Declan. Galena is a scientist, working on finding cures for the diseases ravaging the world, and Declan is a paramedic, part of the powerful Ferry clan, who wants to honor his father's dying wish of protecting Galena in order to save the future. We met Galena and Declan in the previous book, and it was clear from the beginning that they were going to have a deep, emotional bond. What happened to Galena and her brother years ago was devastating and traumatizing, and I'm glad Galena had someone as patient and protective as Declan at her side. They worked so well together, and their relationship was sweet and intense. I honestly couldn't get enough!

After reading Claimed, it's no surprise I'm eagerly anticipating the release of the final book Fated. (I hope a certain intriguing Kere is one of the main characters!) This series is set in a harsh, yet captivating world full of wonderful characters, non-stop action, and amazing relationships. I highly recommend it!


To celebrate the upcoming release of Claimed, I'm giving away a paperback copy of Marked! This giveaway is open to US residents and ends March 7. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Top 5 Books & Goals

I realize I haven't posted anything since October. I think the amount of blog entries I post will continue to be scarce, but hopefully I find a balance next year. Anyway, since I'm on break, I decided to make an end-of-year list!

Top 5 Favorite Books I Read in 2014

  • Chaos by Sarah Fine - The conclusion to one of my favorite series that I believe deserves more attention. I'm sad it's over, but I couldn't have asked for a better ending.
  • Easy by Tammara Webber - This book definitely lived up to all the high praise it has received. It was an emotional and amazing read.
  • Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews - One of my favorite urban fantasy series. Each book has been awesome and addicting so far. 
  • Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine - Loved the characters and the setting. It would have been satisfying as a stand-alone, but having a sequel makes it even better.
  • Spiral by Mila Ferrera - This book surprised me. It was unexpected, heartbreaking, and different from other new adult stories I've read.

Top 5 Books Released in 2014 I Still Need to Read

  • Breakable by Tammara Webber - Well, I loved Easy, so of course I need to read this one.
  • Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - I've been waiting YEARS for this!
  • Rival by Penelope Douglas - Loved Madoc in the first two books.
  • Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead - I actually started this months ago. I need to finish it so that I can get excited for The Ruby Circle.
  • This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner - The first book was amazing, and I'm sure this will be too.

Top 5 Books Releasing in 2015 I Can't Wait to Read

  • Blood Queen by Rhiannon Hart - It was suppose to come out this year, but the release date moved to 2015. That cliffhanger from book 2...!
  • Burned by Karen Marie Moning - Another one that was suppose to come out this year. I'm pretty much dying for this book!
  • End of Days by Susan Ee - I had a feeling it would be out next year, but I'm shocked it's coming out in May. That's not too far. Yay!
  • Of Dreams and Rust by Sarah Fine - Although the first book could have been a stand-alone, I was so happy when I found out there was going to be a sequel!
  • The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout - I think the Covenant series will always be my favorite books by JLA, so I'm very excited for this spinoff!

Top 5 Bookish Goals for 2015
  • Buy a bookshelf - There's stacks of books growing on my floor because I ran out of shelf space...  I need a new one! I plan on buying a 5-shelf case next month.
  • Go to a book event - I caught a cold (which almost led to bronchitis) & missed YALLFest in November. I was so disappointed! Some of my favorite authors were there this year too. :'( I'm hoping to try again in 2015. And maybe the SC Book Festival in May.
  • Read at least 25 books - That includes those 10 books listed above. I need to seriously find a balance between work & life outside of work. I only read about 40 books this year. I feel behind.
  • Stop buying Kindle books when I'm bored - For real... I already have too many books to read, especially in my Kindle app! Plus, I'm trying to save money. I gotta calm down.
  • Get a Kindle - lol Okay, I know I sound like I'm contradicting myself, BUT! Reading on my iPad sucks. I just have no idea which type of Kindle to get.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Mini Review: First Night by Lauren Blakely


First Night
by Lauren Blakely
An erotic novella from the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lauren Blakely...

It was only supposed to be one night…

When the sinfully handsome man walks into her bar in San Francisco, Julia Bell simply wants a break from the troubles that keep chasing her. That escape comes in the form of sexy, confident and commanding Clay Nichols, who captivates her mind AND turns her inside out with pleasure. The attraction is electric and they share one scorchingly hot night together, but they also discover there is more than just off-the-charts chemistry; the connection between them runs deep. Clay never thought he’d return to New York with this woman still on his mind. But he can’t get her out of his system, and he needs more of her…He wants more than just the first night…

*This is a prequel novella to the erotic romance NIGHT AFTER NIGHT.*

Mini Review:
I started with this novella to see how I would take to the series, and sadly I'm not impressed.

Even though I guiltily enjoyed this book, it reads like beginner/intermediate fanfiction. The writing seemed blocky, and I felt like someone had a thesaurus sitting next to them trying to expand on the vocabulary usage. Let me tell you that this can be a good and bad thing.

I'm still trying to decide if I'll give the actual series a shot, but if I do I'll be sure to post a review.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars