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Book Review: The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On October 27,19 | 0 Comment

The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armetrout — Click to purchase

Title: The Darkest Star
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Genre: Sci-fi YA
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you are already a fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Lux series you are familiar with Luc; The comic relief to Damon and Katie’s angsty alien romance. Some of my most favorite parts of Origin and Opposition were due to Luc’s snarky and superior teen arrogance.

❝Luc moved to the center of the floor. “I don’t have all day, guys. I have things to do. A nap I want to take this afternoon. There’s a new movie out on Netflix I want to watch, and a goddamn coupon for a free Whopper Jr. that’s calling my name.❞
Origin: Lux Series #4

The Darkest Star is set a couple of years after the war between Humans, Lux, and Arum ending in the wholesale slaughter of entire populations of humans. In the aftermath, very tentative segregation exists between the races. Some people fearlessly mix; many don’t know that those around them are anything more than what they appear. The plot and continuity were so solid and seamless that there was no doubt in my mind that this is in the same world as the Lux Series or the Arum novel. And after writing so many books in this world JLA is fantastic at subtly dropping hints here and there that you don’t see until she starts pulling the strings together.

Book Reviews

Book Review: Deviant King by Rina Kent

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On October 24,19 | 0 Comment

Title: Deviant King (Royal Elite #1)
Author: Rina Kent
Genre: Dark Bully Romance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received this novel from Enticing Journey Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

This book rolled through my email as a Cover Reveal Blog Tour and I was all over it like it was cake. OMG! Sometimes I think authors are just at home in their writing caves penning books for me. Rina Kent studied my reading preferences and was like, ‘Well, Ali will be all over this’ and created Aiden King.

If you are riding the wave of Bully or Dark High School Romance, you will enjoy the hell out of this book.

Deviant King has become somewhat of an obsession of mine. I have read three books of this genre in the last week for review. Some good, some bad, but this book had all the complexity of fine wine, and I kept going back to study it. I read this twice, read the prequel Cruel King from the Noble Savages anthology, and ran out of time to remain soaking in this Royal Elite world.

Heroine Elsa Quinn is white bread. She’s on the near side of becoming a sandwich, ultimately waiting to be put together to fit someone’s tastes. Without even being aware of her delectability Elsa has been an item on Aiden King’s menu from the start. Unfortunately for both of them, she is about to be devoured by a man with a very dark appetite. What King doesn’t realize is that sinking his teeth in his Ice Princess will only leave him hungry for more.

Book It, New Release

New Release: Blood Night by Heather Graham

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On October 22,19 | 0 Comment

Title: Blood Night: A Krewe of Hunters Novella
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: October 22, 2019

Summary:

Watch the Book Trailer!

Any member of the Krewe of Hunters is accustomed to the strange. And to conversing now and then with the dead.

For Andre Rousseau and Cheyenne Donegal, an encounter with the deceased in a cemetery is certainly nothing new.

But this year, Halloween is taking them across the pond—unofficially.

Their experiences in life haven’t prepared them for what’s to come.

Cheyenne’s distant cousin and dear friend Emily Donegal has called from London. Murder has come to her neighborhood, with bodies just outside Highgate Cemetery, drained of blood.

The last victim was found at Emily’s doorstep, and evidence seems to be arising not just against her fiancé, Eric, but against Emily, too. But Emily isn’t just afraid of the law—many in the great city are beginning to believe that the historic Vampire of Highgate is making himself known, aided and abetted by adherents. Some are even angry and frightened enough to believe they should take matters into their own hands.

Andre and Cheyenne know they’re in for serious trouble when they arrive, and they soon come to realize that the trouble might be deadly not just for Emily and Eric, but for themselves as well.

Book It, Cover Reveal

Cover Reveal: Dangerous Romance Coloring Book

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On October 22,19 | 0 Comment

Dangerous Romance, an all-new coloring book featuring images inspired by some of your favorite romance reads, is coming November 19th and we have the stunning cover!

Explore the very best dangerous romance in this breathtaking adult coloring book! SIXTY original and creative illustrations honor the darkest heroes and twisty books we love. Includes exclusive designs for Anna Zaires, T.M. Frazier, Skye Warren, LJ Shen, Laurelin Paige, BB Easton, Willow Winters, R.K. Lilley, Aleatha Romig, and more.

Relax between reading your favorite books with soothing coloring. This coloring book is a MUST HAVE for the shelf of any dangerous romance reader. There are even a few book-themed word puzzles!

COMPLETE LIST OF AUTHORS INCLUDED: Giana Darling, Celia Aaron, Marni Mann, Nikki Sloane, Laurelin Paige, Trisha Wolfe, Aleatha Romig, T.M. Frazier, Claire Contreras, Autumn Jones Lake, M. Never, Anna Zaires, Parker S. Huntington, BB Easton, Tessa Bailey, Stylo Fantome, LJ Shen, R.K. Lilley, B.B. Reid, Natasha Knight, Alta Hensley, Tara Sue Me, Sierra Simone, Annika Martin, Willow Winters, A. Zavarelli, Annabel Joseph, Shanora Williams, Pam Godwin, Tamsen Parker, Pepper Winters, Skye Warren

Book Reviews

Book Review: Sudden Traveler: Stories by Sarah Hall

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On October 21,19 | 0 Comment

Title: Sudden Traveler: Stories
Author: Sarah Hall
Genre: Short Stories
Publisher: HarperCollins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received this ARC from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

Sudden Traveler is a beautiful collection of short stories interwoven by the delicately threaded narrative that speaks the language of feminine identity. Each story is an exploration of the essence of female embodiment. Not focusing on sex as gender but rather the classification, agency, violation, sorority, disambiguate, and celebration of what makes a being a woman.

These short stories range in tone by the narrator of each tale. Written in a way that a mother might tell her daughter or a sister to her own; every story is told as one would hear them mouth to ear. Spoken. Some of the voices are broken and distant as they describe the defilement of their innocence. Other voices burn with fervor as the woman is forged into a weapon of her defense. And some are the soft murmurs of affection, if not acceptance.

‘The greatest betrayal of all is to disaffiliate’
The Grotesques

Book Reviews

Book Review: A Hurt So Sweet Vol. 2 by Betti Rosewood

A Hurt So Sweet Volume 2 by Betti Rosewood

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On October 20,19 | 0 Comment

A Hurt So Sweet Vol. 2 by Betti Rosewood — Click to purchase

Title: A Hurt So Sweet (Elite of Eden Falls Prep Vol.2)
Author: Betti Rosewood
Genre: Dark High School Bully Romance
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this novel from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.

Because my review of this series book one was extensive and not favorable I am reviewing this second book against the first. I will not be repeating former criticisms in grudge form so any comments herein are specific to Volume Two.

You know when you are fully aware that something awful is happening but you have hopes that some divine intervention will save you from the horror? Well, the cliffhanger of Volume One did its job and allowed the moment of dire catastrophe to breathe. It gave the reader the hope that ill-will would somehow dissolve. Betti Rosewood is not going to be your white knight and just as Pandora is screwed and bound for destruction so are we as readers. We will not be saved and at this point, divinity has forsaken us all.

Book Blitz, Book It, New Release

Release Blitz: In Luv Duet by Jay Crownover and Rebecca Yarros

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On October 20,19 | 0 Comment

Book It, Cover Reveal

Cover Reveal: Sea Planes Don’t Fly at Night by Clare and Jeff Curtis

Sea Planes Don't Fly by Clare Curtis Jeff Curtis — Click to purchase

Title: Sea Planes Don’t Fly at Night
Author: Clare and Jeff Curtis
Genre: Non-Fiction Mystery/Thriller
Release Date: October 20, 2019

Summary:

It was a small decision that changed their lives forever.

Successful young couple Jeff and Clare Curtis are enjoying a romantic babymoon in the Maldives when Clare goes into premature labour, nine weeks early. The nearest hospital is a storm-ridden boat ride away,as it soon becomes clear that the lives of mother and child are in jeopardy. Can they get medical help in time?

With the storm continuing to rage, the events that follow stretch Clare and Jeff’s mental, emotional and physical limits to breaking point. Working as a team, they call on their own resources, the assistance of strangers and even divine intervention – whatever it takes to save the life of their unborn child.

Clare and Jeff have written this book to thank the many people who did what they could to help save the life of their premature baby. In a world where segregation and violence are often seen as commonplace, the world they discovered was one of kindness and support. Join them on their personal journey back into the depths of their worst fears, as they retell their quest to save the life of their child and bring him home alive.

Book It, Giveaways

Guest Post: Laura Bickle’s Glittery Ghoul Donuts

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On October 18,19 | 0 Comment

When I saw vampire donuts come across a friend’s Facebook feed, I knew that I had to give them a try. I’ve had my own share of Pinterest disasters, to be certain, but I think this is something I can handle. The worst thing that could possibly happen would be that I’d have a dozen mangled donuts, right? I could eat all the evidence before anyone was the wiser.

Book Blitz, Book It, Giveaways

Book Blitz: Flesh by Laura Bickle

A Spooktacular Giveaway

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On October 17,19 | 0 Comment

Title: Flesh
Author: Laura Bickle
Genre: YA Horror
Release Date: September 19, 2017

Synopsis:

The dead are easy to talk to. Live people, not so much.

Charlie Sulliven thinks she knows all the secrets of the dead. Raised in a funeral home, she’s the reluctant “Ghoul Girl,” her reputation tied to a disastrous Halloween party. But navigating her life as a high school sophomore is an anxiety-inducing puzzle to her. She haunts the funeral
home with her parents, emo older brother, Garth, their pistol-packing Gramma, and the glass-eyeball-devouring dachshund, Lothar.

Chewed human bodies are appearing in her parents’ morgue…and disappearing in the middle of the night. The bodies seem tied to a local legend, Catfish Bob, who has resurfaced in the muddy Milburn river near Charlie’s small town. When one of Charlie’s classmates, Amanda, awakens in the cooler as a flesh-eating ghoul, Charlie must protect her newfound friend and step up to unravel the mystery…and try to avoid becoming lunch meat for the dead.