Reread Book Review: Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy #4
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:  August 1st 2009
My Rating: 4 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters ... Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?


Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

My buddy read with Jamsu @ Jamsudreams of the Vampire Academy series continues. We have finally gotten to Blood Promise and this is one of the books in the series I've been most excited to read. Not only because we meed Sydney and Abe, but because evil Dimitri is a thing.

Blogger Conversations: Why I Blog

I was scrolling through my Stitcher app, in search of a new podcast to listen to, while cleaning last week. I hate doing most things without some form of audio stimulation, and recently I’ve wanted to listen to more podcasts. I discovered the Just Keep Blogging podcast by Kim Anderson and I binged a ton of her episodes. In fact one of the episodes, I think the very first one probably, gave me the idea of this post. So… enjoy my story behind the story.

*Special thanks to Clo @ Cuppa Clo for helping me edit this post and turn it into something readable. You rock, girl! 

Reread Book Review: Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy #3
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:  November 13th 2008
My Rating: 4 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

WHAT IF FOLLOWING HER HEART MEANS ROSE COULD LOSE HER BEST FRIEND FOREVER?

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires - the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them.

Rose knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa - the last Dragomir princess - must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken...


Then a strange darkness begins to grow in Rose's mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. The immortal undead are closing in, and they want vengeance for the lives Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmares, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most... but will her choice mean that only one can survive?

My buddy reread of the Vampire Academy series with Jamsu @ Jamsudreams continues this month with Shadow Kiss. So far I've been enjoying this time of revisiting this world, but I have to say...something's changed. Big time. Let me tell you all about it!

As with the previous books, if you want to check out my first review of this book you can go here.

Blog Tour Book Review: Long Lost by Lexi Blake

Author: Lexi Blake
Series: Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten #4, Masters and Mercenaries #20
Audience:  +18
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Publisher: DLZ Entertainment, LLC
Release Date: February 4th 2020
My Rating: 5 Cups
Source: Social Butterfly PR

Blurb (from Goodreads):

A stolen past

The only thing Tucker remembers of his past is pain. Used in a doctor’s evil experiments, his memories and identity were erased, and his freedom taken. He believed his nightmare was over when he was liberated by the men and women of McKay-Taggart, until he heard the name Steven Reasor. The idea that he could have been involved in the terrible experiments that cost his “brothers” everything crushed him. A desperate attempt to force him to remember the truth almost cost him his life. Now his world is in chaos and his only path to finally uncover the truth and atone for his sins leads to Veronica Croft.

A painful present

Veronica “Roni” Croft knew Dr. Steven Reasor was bad for her, but she also saw a side of the man that no one else knew. Even as she began to believe their employer was hiding something sinister, she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Their affair was passionate and intense, but also fraught with danger. When he disappeared under mysterious circumstances, she took her first chance to run and never looked back. She has stayed hidden ever since, running from forces she knows are too powerful to overcome. But now the man she believed was dead, the man she mourned, has returned and needs her help.

A dangerous future

As Tucker and Roni unravel the secrets of his past, a dark force rises and threatens to destroy them. Their only chance for survival will require them to join forces with the Lost Boys’ worst enemy. Only together can they finally unlock Tucker’s past. But as Tucker’s memories begin to come back, will it free them both or tear them apart forever?

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of his book from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.

If there's one character that I'd hoped would finally get closure in this action packed series The Forgotten, that has been Tucker. I loved all the Lost Boys, don't get me wrong, but Tucker has been the real mystery. The one who could have actually done a ton of damage to the entire group depending on what his backstory was has always been Tucker. I went into this book knowing I'd get my heart completely shattered, and while things didn't go as I thought they were, I can honestly say that once again Lexi Blake delivered a powerful story.

Book Review: Whiteout by Adriana Anders

Author: Adriana Anders

Series: Survival Instincts #1

Audience: Over 18

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Release Date: January 28th 2020

My Rating: 5 Cups

Source: NetGalley

Blurb (from Goodreads):

Angel Smith is finally ready to leave Antarctica for a second chance at life. But on what was meant to be her last day, the remote research station she's been calling home is attacked. Hunted and scared, she and irritatingly gorgeous glaciologist Ford Cooper barely make it out with their lives...only to realize that in a place this remote, there's nowhere left to run.

Isolated with no power, no way to contact the outside world, and a madman at their heels, Angel and Ford must fight to survive in the most inhospitable—and beautiful—place on earth. But what starts as a partnership born of necessity quickly turns into an urgent connection that burns bright and hot. They both know there is little chance of making it out alive, and yet they are determined to survive against the odds—and possibly, the world.

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of his book from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.

I believe the first person to bring this book on my radar was Teresa @ Romance Reader and reads_romance on IG. She mentioned how this book was romantic suspense set in Antarctica and I knew I wanted to read this book right then. I am very proud to say that I also convinced begged Sam and Haley to come along for the ride, and it was the best of times, guys!

Blog Tour Book Review: Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis

Author: Jill Shalvis

Series: Wildstone #4

Audience: Over 18

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Release Date: January 21st 2020

My Rating: 4.5 Cups

Source: HarperCollins

Blurb (from Goodreads):

Piper Manning’s about as tough as they come, she’s had to be. She raised her siblings and they’ve thankfully flown the coop. All she has to do is finish fixing up the lake house her grandparents left her, sell it, and then she’s free.

When a massive storm hits, she runs into a tall, dark and brooding stranger, Camden Reid. There’s a spark there, one that shocks her. Surprising her further, her sister and brother return, each of them holding their own secrets. The smart move would be for Piper to ignore them all but Cam unleashes emotions deep inside of her that she can’t deny, making her yearn for something she doesn’t understand. And her siblings…well, they need each other.

Only when the secrets come out, it changes everything Piper thinks she knows about her family, herself…and Cam. Can she find a way to outrun the demons? The answer is closer than she thinks—just as the new life she craves may have already begun.

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of his book from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.

With each book I read by Jill Shalvis I fall a little bit more in love with the worlds she creates, and her Wildstone series is no exception. I always know I'm going to get a story far more complex than boy meets girl, with a bit of heartbreak, and a lot of life lessons on the side. Which is always something I adore.