Phantom Kiss by Chloe Neill ~ Review & Teaser Tuesday (@chloeneill)

I have been enjoying the Chicagoland series for a number of years, and it's sad that it's almost at the end. Phantom Kiss was another fun instalment in the series as I got to see all the characters I love again, solving another mystery. The next book is the final ine, and I am SOOOOO looking forward to it!

Title: Phantom Kiss

Author: Chloe Neill

Series: Chicagoland Vampires #12.5

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: January 19th 2017

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In this all-new novella from the New York Times bestselling author of Midnight Marked, Merit, Ethan, and the rest of Cadogan House crew discover that not all undead creatures are kindred spirits…

Vampires generally aren’t afraid of things that go bump in the night, but Merit and Ethan are extra jumpy after a recent attack by a dark sorcerer. So when they learn that someone is messing with graves in Chicago’s cemeteries, stealing skulls and snatching souls, they fear that their powerful foe might be back for even more magical vengeance.

But after a specter begins haunting Cadogan House—and targeting vampires—they realize that their being taunted by an altogether different sort of monster. A ghoulish villain straight out of the Windy City’s urban legends is on the prowl—and he won’t stop until he’s killed again...

I crave stories from the Chicagoland series; I just love Merit and Ethan, and the eclectic crew they have. Phantom Kiss was a great little taste, with an addictive ghost story that had me hooked, and hanging for the last book in the series.

The story starts off with Ethan and Merit attending their wedding shower at Merit's parents home, and on their way home they get a phone call from their friendly necromancer, Annabelle about a disturbed grave. This leads them on a chase looking for missing bones, uncovering who did it and fighting against ghosts.

I love how well the whole group works together, and the faith they have in each other. They faced the ghost issue head on and were determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. I love how Ethan and Merit's love continues to grow; the banter between them, how passionate they are and always look out for one another. 

Chloe Neill crafts each story in this series so that a new reader can catch on easily. She describes the scenery, fleshes out the characters and builds the plot to keep me mesmerised. My only complaint... it wasn't long enough! I'll be on edge waiting for more!

Complimentary copy provided by the Publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love a little banter, especially while Catcher and Merit were working together through a fight!! 

“That your attempt at period-appropriate insults?” Catcher asked when I reached him.
“Yep. Did I pull it off?”
“You did not,” Catcher said good-naturedly, the buzz around him increasing as he gathered magic for another throw. “So let’s meet magic with magic.”

Kindle Arc Loc 633

Hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat

Chloe Neill is the New York Times bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires Novels, the Devil's Isle Novels, and a YA series, the Dark Elite. Chloe was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest. When she's not writing, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys--her husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout.

Connect with Chloe at www.chloeneill.com.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
Instagram / Pinterest

Other reviews featuring Chloe Neill

Chicagoland Vampires series

Some Girls Bite #1

Friday Night Bites #2

Twice Bitten #3

Hard Bitten #4

Drink Deep #5

Biting Cold #6

House Rules #7

Biting Bad #8

Wild Things #9

Blood Games #10
Dark Debt #11
Midnight Marked #12 
Devil's Isle series
The Veil #1
The Sight #2

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Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet ~ Review & Teaser Tuesday (@AuthorABouchet, @HachetteAus)

What an amazing sequel Breath of Fire was! There was so much action, suspense and intense moments that I was on edge the whole time reading it! I am DYING for more!

Title: Breath of Fire

Author: Amanda Bouchet

Series: Kingmaker Chronicles #2

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Published: January 3rd 2017

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Catalia Fisa has been running from her destiny since she could crawl. But now, her newfound loved ones are caught between the shadow of Cat's tortured past and the threat of her world-shattering future. So what's a woman to do when she knows it's her fate to be the harbinger of doom? Everything in her power.

Griffin knows Cat is destined to change the world-for the better. As the realms are descending into all-out war, Cat and Griffin must embrace their fate together. Gods willing, they will emerge side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom . . . or not at all.

After reading the first book in this series, A Promise of Fire, I knew I had to continue this series. I was blown away by the authors debut novel, and I was again with a Breath of Fire. It was another action packed read as I continued on the journey with Cat, Griffin and the Beta Team.

Cat was just as sassy as ever! She's quick with her tongue and is even faster to jump into battle without thinking things through. I love how close she had become with Griffin and the Beta team in only a short amount of time. The faced a lot of hurdles on this journey and did so together.

I loved the passion that continued to grow between Cat and Griffin too. He was very protective of Cat and there were a few times that he wore his heart on his sleeve. Their love continued to grow through everything they faced and a few subtle hints were dropped that had me thinking... But boy, do I love these two together.

I liked getting to know the members of the Beta team more in this story. Kato spent a lot of time with Cat on a challenge, Flynn let his emotions control his decisions, and Carver may be tough, but he showed a vulnerable side that I didn't realise that he had. They all remained loyal to Griffin and Cat through everything and would protect them at all costs.

The Kingmaker Chronicles has quickly become a favourite series of mine. I'm hooked to the addictive storyline, the dangerous situations that the characters face and the strong, determined characters that are willing to see their world united once again. The ending was spectacular and I must have the next book soon. However the release date of the third book has been pushed back until 2018! How am I going to survive until then?

Complimentary copy provided by Hachette Australia in exchange for an honest review.

This was a big moment for Cat, and Griffin showing how much he believed in his love!

“When a crumbling house reaches a certain point, there’s no fixing it. You tear it down. You clear the rubble, and then you build something better.” The silver linings around Griffin’s irises draw me like a magnet. “You may be the Harbinger of the end, but do you know what else you are?”
I shake my head, half dreading the answer still.
“You, agapi mou, are the new beginning.”

Paperback Pages 172-3 

Hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat

Amanda Bouchet grew up in New England where she spent much of her time tromping around in the woods and making up grand adventures in her head. It was inevitable that one day she would start writing them down. Drawing on her Greek heritage for the setting and on her love of all things daring and romantic for the rest, her debut trilogy, The Kingmaker Chronicles, took form. She writes what she loves to read: epic exploits, steamy romance, and characters that make you laugh and cry.

A French master’s graduate and former English teacher, Amanda lives in Paris, France. She met her husband while studying abroad, and the family now includes two bilingual children who will soon be correcting her French.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Other reviews featuring Amanda Bouchet
Kingmaker Chronicles
A Promise of Fire #1 

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Almost a Bride by Jo Watson ~ Review & Teaser Tuesday (@JoWatsonWrites, @ForeverRomance)

Almost a Bride by South African author, Jo Watson, is released today! It is the second book in the Destination Love series and I found it to be a fun, quirky read! 

Title: Almost a Bride

Author: Jo Watson

Series: Destination Love #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: January 31st 2017

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Books-A-Million | Google Play | iBooks | Indiebound

That awkward moment you catch your boyfriend in bed with another woman and then mistakenly get arrested #chargesdropped

Annie knows life isn't always fair. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes you get mistaken for a crazed intruder when you come home early and find your boyfriend wearing nipple clamps with a coworker on the night you thought he was going to propose to you.

The important thing is to move on, and for Annie that means treating herself to a tropical vacation. But when she runs into her ex and his new woman staying at the same resort, reason is washed out to sea. Caught off guard, Annie pretends she's with Chris, a cute screenwriter she meets on the beach. With his own writing blocked, Chris is happy to help Annie craft a story to save face. Soon Annie isn't just getting over her ex, she's getting under Chris. As her fictional feelings grow increasingly real, Annie has to decide if she's ready to risk her heart on a new relationship.

This was the first book I've read by Jo Watson, and I was surprised as to how much I enjoyed it. Set in South Africa (in the beginning), it was heartbreaking to watch Annie struggle to begin with, but some of the situations she managed to get herself into were amusing! I also enjoy stories that have a fake relationship in them, so it was no surprise that I would like this one!

Annie's life turned upside down from the opening chapters. She walked in on her cheating boyfriend, lost her job and was homeless in a matter of hours. With the help of her close friend Jane, she was able to find some sort of stability. When her friend Lilly suggested an all expenses paid trip to Mauritius, she was hesitant at first, but decided it was time to change her life. Her first meeting with Chris was a little rocky, but after a while they realised how much they liked being with each other. When Annie's ex turned up, Annie somehow found herself in a fake relationship that soon escalated out of control.

I enjoyed this book right from the beginning, I actually devoured it within a day. I laughed at some of the situations that Annie found herself in, swooned as I watched the connection between Chris and Annie grow, and felt her loss as her heart broke. She had a strong group of friends that supported her through her loss and her crazy plan of revenge. What I loved most was how Chris and Annie's feelings grew throughout the story, considering that Chris didn't believe in love and that neither of them were looking for a relationship. Despite the short amount of time they've known one another, they were cute together and found it easy to open up to one another.

Even though this was the second book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. The first book was Lilly's and the next book will be Jane's, who was Annie's best friend. For my first Jo Watson book, I enjoyed the way she pulled me into the story and developed characters that I loved, and a couple that I despised. It touched on a serious topic that was handled well, but overall it was a fun, cute read, and I'm looking forward to more from this world.

Complimentary copy provided by the Publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hehehe... this first kiss was building up to be epic!!

“You should know, I haven’t done this in a while.”
“That’s okay.” Chris smiled as if I was amusing him terribly.
“Okay. Let’s do it then.” I started leaning in again but then pulled away. “So I could be rusty.”
“Okay.” Chris nodded again and this time he started leaning in. I closed my eyes and felt his breath again and then—
“So please don’t judge me on this kiss or anything, because it probably won’t be that good, or maybe it will be okay, but—”
“Annie!” He said my name so loudly that I did a double take. “Shut up, I want to kiss you.”

Kindle Arc Loc 1914

Hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat

 

Jo Watson is an award-winning writer of romantic comedies. Burning Moon won a Watty Award in 2014. Jo is an Adidas addict and a Depeche Mode devotee.

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Wicked Bride Games by Clarissa Wild ~ Review & Teaser Tuesday (@WildClarissa)

I'm a little late with my review for Wicked Bride Games, but WOW! I really enjoyed this dark, twisted read! It will have any reader on edge, but it's definitely a read for those that enjoy a little bit of naughty in their lives! 😜

Title: Wicked Bride Games

Author: Clarissa Wild

Series: Indecent Games #1

Genre: Dark Romantic Suspense

Published: January 10th 2017

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Fifty million dollars for three weeks of your life in the hands of a total stranger. Would you do it?

When Naomi Lee finds herself out of a job and out of the money she needs to pay her father’s medical bills, she receives an anonymous letter, containing an offer she can’t refuse.

Max Marino, a wealthy businessman, wants her and he’ll pay any price.
Three weeks of her time, no-holds-barred, in exchange for fifty million dollars.
With no other means to pay her bills, Naomi has no choice but to accept.

However, Naomi isn’t the only one who signs the contract.
And Max isn’t alone in his deal.

Three brothers …
Nine girls …
All competing for the ultimate prize … marriage.

Let the games begin.

WARNING: contains explicit situations, dubious consent, graphic violence, and other disturbing content. Includes scenes involving multiple men & women being dirty together. Every boundary is crossed. Read at your own risk.

What a dark, dangerous and twisted story this sizzling read turned out to be! If you've read Clarissa's work before, you can kind of expect that she can go dark, but Wicked Bride Games was definitely something else!

Now for me, I had a bit of a connection with the main character, but that tends to happen when you have the same amazing first name! * wink * I loved how strong she was despite the crappy situation that she found herself in. She was willing to do whatever it took to help her parents out, considering the hard times they themselves were also facing.

The game that she found herself in was intriguing, but soooo dangerous! I enjoyed that sense of fear that I could feel throughout the story, the lust that grew between some of the characters, and the unknown of what was coming next! There were scenes that would unsettle any reader, but I just couldn't look away!

The dark side of this story enabled me to thoroughly enjoy Wicked Bride Games! I was often on edge, and was amazed after each twist was thrown at me. I've enjoyed Clarissa Wild's dark reads, and she seems to step it up every time I pick up her latest work. Those for the faint hearted should give this a miss, but for those who love reads that will leave you shocked, breathless and a little on edge... snap this one up!!

Complimentary copy provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review.

Just wow! I loved the bluntness in this story, and the characters never held back!

“I may have fu*#ed you like an animal, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still a gentleman when it comes to you.” I press a kiss on her lips, and she doesn’t fight me back. I’m the first to pull away. “And you’re still the only girl I want.”

Kindle Arc Loc 2382

Hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat

Clarissa Wild is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author, best known for the dark Romance novel Mr. X. Her novels include the Fierce Series, the Delirious Series, Stalker Duology, Twenty-One (21), Ultimate Sin, VIKTOR, and Bad Teacher. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire's Bet series, and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.

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Other reviews featuring Clarissa Wild
Ruin
Bad Teacher
Fierce series
Fight #0.5
Fierce #1
Flame  #2
Filthy #3

Mr. X
Stalker
Twenty-One (21) 
Viktor 

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Frostblood by Elly Blake ~ Review & Teaser Tuesday (@elly_blake, @HachetteAus)

What a perfect beginning to a new trilogy! I thoroughly enjoyed Elly Blake's debut novel and I cannot wait for more! Ruby and Arcus were fantastic characters to read about and I felt I was right there on the journey with them.

Title: Frostblood

Author: Elly Blake

Series: Frostblood Saga #1

Genre: YA Fantasy

Published: January 12th 2017

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In a land governed by the cruel Frostblood ruling class, seventeen-year-old Ruby is a Fireblood who has spent most of her life hiding her ability to manipulate heat and light - until the day the soldiers come to raid her village and kill her mother. Ruby vows revenge on the tyrannous Frost King responsible for the massacre of her people.

But Ruby's powers are unpredictable...and so are the feelings she has for Arcus, the scarred, mysterious Frostblood warrior who shares her goal to kill the Frost King, albeit for his own reasons. When Ruby is captured by the Frost King's men, she's taken right into the heart of the enemy. Now she only has one chance to destroy the maniacal ruler who took everything from her - and in doing so, she must unleash the powers she's spent her whole life withholding.

Frostblood is set in world where flame and ice are mortal enemies - but together create a power that could change everything.

I love it when a book consumes you, and that is exactly what happened to me while reading Frost Blood. I began reading it while travelling on my holiday and every free moment I had just had to pick it up to continue on the journey. It was action packed, had a intriguing story line, a well crafted world and characters that I loved!

Ruby was an untrained Fireblood, she had the gift of fire, but didn't know how to control it. After she was rescued, she was taken to the Abbey where the monks nursed her back to health. Even though they had the power of frost, they helped her to harness her power and learn how to defend herself.

Ruby was a character I like to read about; she was feisty, determined and passionate. She was hesitant at first, unsure if the people in the Abbey were going to help her, but she soon built some friendships and was able to control her power. I liked they way she kept everyone on their toes, pushed her limits and grew into a stronger person.

Arcus was a mysterious guy, but strong with the power of frost. I liked that Ruby and him had a slow growing friendship, they tested each other, but their feelings grew for one another. Arcus was very reserved and revealed as little as he could about his past, which always kept me wanting to know more about him.

I loved the monks that helped Ruby! They were kind hearted and helped her become a stronger person, both with her power and within herself. I enjoyed the prophecies that were revealed, and how they contributed to the story as well. 

But once Ruby reached the castle, I was hooked! The fighting, her determination and the darkness that helped her survive! Getting to see the king, the spine tingling moments! All of it! Elly Blake has found a new fan in me, to write a debut novel that has left me wanting more!

Complimentary copy provided by Hachette Australia in exchange for an honest review.

Ruby had no idea! I could see it coming, and this helped her to understand, that's for sure!

He stood abruptly and paced the room.
I shook my head. “Just when I think I understand you, you say something to confuse me. First you seemed to detest me, then you treat me with kindness. Then you tell me you wish me dead. Now you fear I will somehow break you. Which is it?”
He paused. I stopped breathing, half regretting that I’d pressed him. I wasn’t sure I could handle being pushed away again.
“I promised you a secret,” he finally said, his eyes glittering in the candlelight, “and I can’t think of any way to tell you plainer than this.”
He took two strides toward me, fell to his knees, and turned my face up to his.
His lips moved over mine, the scar on his upper lip feeling pleasantly rough. His touch was tentative, but a shock of pure, toe—curling excitement shot into me.

Paperback Page 187

Hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat

Elly Blake loves fairy tales, old houses, and owls. After earning a BA in English literature, she held a series of seemingly random jobs, including project manager, customs clerk, graphic designer, reporter for a local business magazine, and library assistant. She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and a Siberian Husky mix who definitely shows Frostblood tendencies.

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