The Book Bitch on BookLikes

After finishing The Shadows and allowing time for my emotions to settle, I sat down to write-up my review…I have my opinions what I loved, what I hated, what I wanted more of, but most of all I have questions.

First let me say, I am a huge J.R. Ward fan! I absolutely LOVE the brothers and am obsessed with all things BDB [Black Dagger Brotherhood] related. The Shadows [book 13 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series], however, has left me feeling conflicted and verklempt. This is a difficult review for me to write, I’ve literally attempted to write this more than a few times. I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no way for me to review this book without spoilers.

If you haven’t read it…and don’t want to be spoiled…don’t read past the Spoiler Alert caption below!

The Shadows has a ton going on… besides Selena, Trez and iAM, we get other POV’s from Layla, Xcor, Rhage…just to name a few. I usually enjoy the multiple POV’s that are evident throughout this series, but there are way too many going on in The Shadows.

Some new characters are introduced. We finally meet the princess of the s’Hisbe…ya know, the one Trez is supposed to mate! We also meet Paradise and Craeg, the main characters of Blood Kiss [book 1 in the new BDB spin-off series, Black Dagger Legacy], which will be released December 1st of this year.

There’s discord in the BOB [Band of Bastards]. We get an inside look at the dysfunction of this group and a pretty big plot twist happens which will leave you wondering what the future holds for the BOB and the brothers.

And of course, there is Trez and Selena. Such a beautiful love they have. She truly brings out a side to Trez that we have never seen.

There’s a lot of ground to cover but before I say more, I must warn you there will be MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!

So, with that said, let’s start…

First, I have to celebrate the fact that iAm finally gets him some lovin’! YEAH BUDDY! It’s about damn time too. I am just beyond thrilled that iAm got busy. It was a love connection too and not just a wham bam thank you ma’am…but it’s with none other than the freaking princess of the s’Hisbe! iAm goes in search of records that could possibly help his brothers love, Selena, with her condition. While breaking into the palace in search of those records the Queen’s guards capture him and hold him captive. Maichen aka Catra, the princess of the s’Hisbe, takes a liking to him. Disguised as a maid, Maichen sets out to help iAm but without reveling her true identity. That comes later in the book and while iAm was pissed that she lied, they get passed it and iAm gets his HEA. I don’t know about y’all but I think it’s beyond over due for iAm to start living his own life and get out of his brother’s shadow [no pun intended]. Even though iAm and Maichen were secondary characters in The Shadows, they have a lot of page time. I feel they should have had their own book separate from Trez and Selena’s.

Layla is having twins! Qhuinn and Blay still don’t know about her secret meet-ups with Xcor. Layla and Xcor clearly have a thing for one another and I loved the little glimpses into their ever progressing ‘friendship’ but it all went to shit in this book. Xcor is having a hard time getting a grip on his emotions and feelings for Layla. He clearly has self-esteem issues which is kind of amusing for a big ole bad guy. I don’t understand where Ms. Ward is going with their story. She really ruined it for me, having Xcor get with a prostitute. WHY??? Ugh…who knows what the future holds for these two.

Throe leaves the BOB after a major conflict arises between him and Xcor. A conflict that has everything to do with Layla and Xcor’s secret [not so secret] attraction. I’m sure this will play into another attempt to overthrow Wrath from his throne…

Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty…Selena and Trez.

Selena is the fade. Yes, the WARDen killed off the heroine. Burnt her body and killed her DEAD! No miracle cure, no divine intervention, no coming back as a ghost…she is just plain DEAD and GONE!

Really J.R. Ward? REALLY?


I understand not wanting a predictable ending, I even understand for every character there is not a HEA but why kill off the heroine? Why get your readers so vested in these two particular characters and end it like that?!?

The love story between Trez and Selena is a truly beautiful one. Tragically beautiful, but beautiful all the same. You get to see a  tender, vulnerable, unconditionally devoted side to Trez. Selena is his ONE and ONLY true love. I loved getting to see this side of him and he truly makes Selena's last days so special.

Selena was battling a crippling disease that afflicts some of the Chosen, called the arrest. It's incurable. But we have seen miracles happen throughout this series. Mary for one, was battling cancer and had a death sentence but the Scribe Virgin stepped in and saved her, so Rhage got his HEA...Jane died but she get's to live as a ghost to be with Vishous, so they got their HEA. Where the hell is Trez's HEA??? Trez is left, a shell of a man without his beloved Selena!

I have tried to come to a conclusion as to why? But I have nothing. I don't foresee Trez getting a second chance at love like Tohr did. That just doesn't feel right. Trez can't go through with his initial thought of offing himself in the wake of Selena's death, because 1) Selena made him promise that he would go on living without her and 2) if he did kill himself he would not make it to the fade, where Selena is waiting for him. So what am I supposed to wish for Trez? Death? Is this really what these books have come to now?

The ending really threw me for a loop. I honestly thought someone would come through at the end and Selena would be saved. All the characters were so vested in trying to find a way to save Selena. We even leave this book with Rhage having serious survivors guilt because his Mary  and Trez doesn't get that same happily ever after. Poor Rhage is an emotional mess stricken with panic attacks and a sense of doom.

I don't understand the direction Ms. Ward chose to take with this book. I wonder if J.R. Ward is getting burned out on the series. I truly hope that is not the case but the last 25% of the book left me feeling like the author's interest in the story was waning.

Only time will tell...

Book Blurb

 

A word-of-mouth bestseller that’s captivating readers with its honesty, grit, and headstrong heroine, White Trash Beautiful is a story for anyone who has ever felt trapped in life, cheated by love—and longed for something more . . .

Cass Daniels isn’t waiting for her knight in shining armor. She knows that girls like her don’t get a happily ever after. Not if you live in a trailer with your mom, work at a greasy spoon diner, and get leered at by old men. Maybe that’s why she puts up with Jackson—her poor excuse for a boyfriend, who treats her like dirt. Cass has learned to accept her lot in life. That is, until he walks into her diner. . . .

His name is Tucker White, and he’s different from any man Cass has ever known. Tall, tattooed, and bad-ass gorgeous, he’s the lead singer of the rock band Damaged. From the moment they meet, Tucker sees something in Cass he just can’t shake. Something beautiful. Something haunted. Something special. And he’s determined to find out what it is—if only he can get her to open up and let him in. . . .

 

My Review

 

 

I really wanted to like this book...I mean the name...the cover...I just knew I was going to be hooked. Eh, not so much.

 

The writing style seemed a bit rushed to me. In what world does a drop dead gorgeous rock star waltz into a run down diner to rescue a sullen waitress he just met. There was little interaction to warrent his night in shining armor routine.

 

The story was not well developed and left me full of questions...Why? Why? Why?

 

I tried to connect with Cass and wrap my head around why this young beautiful woman would allow herself to continue to live in the crappiest of situations. From her abusive good for nothing junkie boyfriend to her drugged out crackhead mother. Why Cass? Why???

 

And the decisions she makes....damn Cass, you gotta brain honey, use it!

 

 

Then there is Tucker....what do we know about Tucker?

 

Not much at all. He's a rock star. He loves Cass. BUT WHY???

 

The characters were not fully developed and lacked any real depth, especially Tucker. I came away from the book feeling like I hardly know anything about him and still having the question, WHY HER? 

 

 

I just need a reason why Tucker falls instantly in love with Cass without having an actual conversation with her other than ordering a burger and a beer! Am I the only one frustrated by this?!?! Sorry, not sorry, this really bugs me!!!

 

 

I really wanted to love this book but it did not resonate with me. It's not relatable, it's not believable and most of it did not make much sense. 

 

The ending was over the top and left me feeling a bit unsettled. 

 

 

Overall I rate this book 1 out of 5 stars and would not recommend. 

 

It was not my cup of tea to say the least!

 

 

 

 

Being an overachieving workaholic just comes naturally to Jill Stevens, that is, until the day it all falls apart...

After being fired from the prestigeous law firm she thought she would be made partner at, Jill goes home to find her fiancé in a compromising position with his secretary.



Things seem to go from bad to worse quickly. A month before she turns the big 3-0, Jill, jobless and fiancé-less, has to move back home with her parents.



For Jill this is about as depressing as it gets. In a frustrated fit she comes across an old high school assignment. A list she wrote of 30 things to do before she turns 30. Noting that she has completed next to none of the tasks her 18 year old self had deemed worthwhile, she sets her sights on completing the list before her birthday...in 30 days.



This was such a fun book to read. I literally found myself LOLing [which had my husband and children giving me some strange looks].



I loved living through Jill as she learned how to truly live, love and be happy. I fell for Chris right along side her with the turn of every page.



This is a really great story, full of life lessons told in a quirky, sweet, hilarious style. I highly recommend you give this refreshing romantic comedy a try for yourself today!

★ ★ ★ ★

4 out of 5 stars!

For more reviews visit www.thebookbitch.com

Captivating...Enlightening...Passionate

This eloquently written novel gripped at my heart strings. The words seemed to leap off the page and come to life.

In South Africa, the Spring of 1976, life for a black man from Malawi and a white Afrikaner living in Johannesburg could not be more vastly different...and separate.

After a near fatal car crash almost blinds and disables Stanwell, Elsa comes to his aid. Fate quite literally yielded Stanwell at Elsa's feet when his pick up truck crashed. Elsa, not seeing a black man but only a man...another human being in need. She risks it all to nurse him back to health. And with the assistance of her friend, as well as Stanwell's employer DGF, Stanwell receives proper medical treatment. An unlikely and forbidden love affair blooms under the racist rule of the apartheid government.

While at times it was hard to read about the hate and degradation so many endured under this racist regime, it was a real eye opener. Mark Fine beautifully weaves historical facts and references in his work. I highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy history and culture.

5 out 5 stars!

http://thebookbitch.com/tbb-reviews-the-zebra-affaire-by-mark-fine/

Jolie Wilkins life turned upside down as soon as the handsome warlock, Rand Balfour walked into her shop. Going from a psychic who reads auras to a witch who can reanimate the dead, Jolie is plunged into the depths of the underworld. She finds herself surrounded by witches, warlocks, ghosts, vampires, werewolves and fairies.

A total culture shock to say the least.

Caught between a crazed power hungry witch, an overly lustful fairy king, a sexy insatiable vampire (Sinjin Sinclair) and a drop dead gorgeous warlock (Rand) trying to protect her, Jolie learns her talents, as well as her body are a much sought after commodity.

Jolie’s lack of self esteem and self doubt is apparent through most of the book, but through her journey of self discovery she does start to come out of her shell a bit. The love triangle between Rand, Jolie and Sinjin is both frustrating and uber hott!

This is a great read and it will leave you wanting more!

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As the 12th book in the Midnight Breed series, Adrian does not disappoint. Fire and ice collide and the passion explodes right off the page when the heat between Nathan and Jordana ignites...and threatens to burns out of control.

Hang on tight 'cause this is one hell of a ride!


While their passion for each other is hotter than hell, the love that blooms from that passion is deep and tender. I loved the brief glimpses into Nathan's tortured soul, Seeing his vulnerability made me ache to nurture the scared child within.


Jordana helps Nathan realize he is not the monster he feared himself to be...that he is no longer the killing machine Dragos trained him to be.

Emotions never felt before ignite a fierce drive in Nathan to protect his love at all cost...

This book delves more into the origins of the breedmates, with the discovery of Jordana's biological father. I am truly intrigued to learn more about the Atlanteans and how they will effect the future for the vampire breeds and their mates...


Adrian keeps the series fresh with the ever evolving story line, plot twists that will keep you guessing and explosive, mind-blowing love scenes.

I find myself getting lost in the world Lara has created for us. I can't wait to read the next installment of the series.


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The book begins with the lovely Elena searching for a place to safely shift into her wolf form. You soon get an in depth look into the torture that takes place within Elena. Trying to deny her animalistic need and plunging her self into so called normalcy. She left her pack behind after feeling betrayed by her one true love, Clay (Clayton Danvers).

Desperately trying to suppress her inner wolf , she moves to Toronto and begins work with a popular newspaper. Soon after, she begins to create quite the double life for herself, living with her architect boyfriend, Philip Madden and sneaking into alleys in the middle of the night to shift, when she can’t hold the wolf at bay any longer.

When contacted by Jeremy Danvers (leader of the pack she turned her back on and father figure to Elena), he summons her back to the home she once new, Stonehaven. Finding that she can’t ignore Jeremy’s demands to help with an investigation pertaining to a local woman that was found murdered on Stonehaven’s land, Elena reluctantly returns to her former home.

Being face to face with her past and her ex-lover Clay, Elena is forced to embrace her the animal within…and the passion that still burns deep for Clay.

I definitely give this book 5 stars!

It’s a really great read!

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I was late to the Outlander hype. After endless threats from a dear friend, saying that if I don't read this wonderful novel she'll kick my arse, I finally caved. Also, the fact Starz picked up the series and it was about to début, well my curiosity was peaked. I honestly did not think I would enjoy this book but boy was I wrong! Diana Gabaldon gave me a whole new perspective on men in kilts [and what's underneath o.O].


The first of 8 novels in the Outlander series, the story takes place in the Scottish Highlands. A place full of history, legends and lore.
Inverness 1945... Frank and Claire Randall are on their second honeymoon, trying to reconnect with each other after being separated by their work in World War II.

...
After hearing rumors, Frank and Claire venture up to the Standing Stones a top Craigh na Dun to watch the local "witches" perform a ritual dance.

After the women leave, Frank and Claire walk up to Stones to investigate but are soon interrupted. Not wanting to be seen, Frank and Claire hurry off. The next day Claire decides to return to Craigh na Dun to collect a plant specimen. As she ventures up the hill top there is a mighty wind and a roar coming from the large cleft stone. Claire walks over to the stone to investigate the ghastly sounds further and inadvertently gets swept back in time 200 years, to the 18th century.

Trying to make heads or tails of the circumstance, she comes face to face with Frank's ancestor, Jonathan Wolverton Randall (a.k.a. Black Jack). Baring a striking resemblance to Frank, he takes Claire by surprise and soon gets her in rather compromising position.

Black Jack is quite an unsavory character and my disdain for him runs deep...but I digress. Claire gets rescued by one of the men of the Clan Mackenzie. Going from one predicament to another, she finds herself in a cabin full of curious and smelly Scots. They batter her with questions about who she is, why she's there and how she knows one Captain Randall. While fielding their questions and trying to come up with an escape plan, she spies a young man in pain.

Enter the one and only James (Jamie) Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser *swoon*
Dislocated shoulder be damned...he is the ultimate man in one hell of body! *drools*

Oh sorry...back to the story...
The Scots, thinking that Claire may be an English spy, take her back with them to Castle Leoch, to go in front of Colum Mackenzie, the Laird of the MacKenzie clan and Jamie's maternal uncle.

It's a non stop adventure for Claire as she tries to get back to 1945...and her husband Frank. Circumstances put Jamie in her way and she finds herself falling head over heels for him. Caught between finding the love of her life, her soul mate, Jamie and the obligation and devotion she feels for Frank.

Should she risk it all to stay with Jamie or go back to a familiar time and the husband she once knew...



 

First off, I must say this is one of the most well written books I have read in a long time, or maybe EVER. I could see the characters, landscape and scenery like I was right there among clansmen on the gorgeous Scotland countryside. Gabaldon brings every page to life, in this historical, time-traveling, romantic adventure.

Character Review
While Frank is a decent man and a pretty likable character, Jamie will steal your heart. Jamie being stubborn as an ox and wise beyond his years is no match for feisty, quick witted Claire. As their story unfolds you can't help but to get drawn in the book yourself. I'm in love with Jamie Fraser, there is just no one else that compares to him. And yes I am fully aware that he is a fictional character, but damn it don't ruin it for me...
As for Claire...where to start? Well to put it plainly, she is a true bad ass! She is smart, fearless and feisty. I loved reading how she dealt with all the male characters. She really puts them in their place.
And the love that develops between her and Jamie...ahhh...that will melt your heart.
I highly recommend this book. I give this book an overall rating of 5 out 5 stars!
It will make you ask yourself if your soul mate is waiting for you back in 1743...

...more at http://thebookbitch.com

This is the first book I have read by Deanna Chase. I thought it was an okay read. Cute romance and quirky story.

Not my favorite of the series but I can say I like Doc Jane way better then Marissa. This one held my interest more then the last one (Lover Revealed). I liked getting to know V better and learn of his past. He is a very interesting character. Now on to Phury's love story...

I love the whole Midnight Breed series, but Dante and Tess are by far my two favorite characters. I fell in love with their story line and truly think Kiss of Crimson and Midnight Rising are the best books in the series.

I have read this book multiple times...It's my all time fave!

I love this book! This is the first book I read from the Midnight Breed series and I'm so glad. I didn't care for the first book of Lucan and Gabrielle's stroy. Rio's tortured soul touched my heart and Dylan's feisty, head strong ways makes her the perfect mate for such a stubborn warrior. I highly recommend this book and the entire series for anyone that loves paranormal romance. The breed warriors give a tantalizing take on everything you ever thought you knew about vampires.