These Starcrossed Lives of Ours by Megan Linski

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Christine Fjord is on the run. After making her escape from the cult she called her family for three years, nineteen year old Christie is now wanted dead by the girl she’s loved and idolized forever...the cult's cunning and venomous leader, Annabelle Lane. An expert in the art of deception, Annabelle's threats aren't to be taken lightly, and everybody knows that once you're in the cult, you're in it for life. The only way out is death. 

Christie's break from Annabelle's clutches leads her to a place she never knew existed, a small town called Manchester, Michigan, and into the arms of a man who is the opposite of everything she's been. Ian Rosenthal is kind, forgiving, and willing to sacrifice everything for Christie's safety. Christie resists Ian's efforts to win her over, despite the strong feelings she has for him. Is falling in love again worth risking her life? Christie knows that nobody crosses Annabelle Lane without paying the ultimate price... Official Description from Goodreads.

Our first introduction to Christine isn't exactly the best impression. I can understand why she did it afterward but at first it seems terrible and unconscionable. Especially once we understand why Christine did what she did and what she became part of. Cults aren't typically raised in romance books and so it was a unique plot. It was intriguing to see that look into a cult leader's mindset as well as a cult in general.

Ian on the other hand was comfortable and made the story more humorous. He was adorable and I easily fell in love with him. I don't think anyone could resist once they got to know him. That doesn't mean he has or had the perfect life but it does mean that he's doing the best he can with the hand he's dealt. And helping others as well.

And then there was a huge shocker that I honestly didn't expect but really should have seen coming. It was one of those things that you think possibly could happen but dismiss it once you hear more details. So I was shocked to discover the truth behind Annabeth's past.

These Starcrossed Lives of Ours was an intriguing read that was well written.

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Whip Smart: Lola Montez Starts a Revolution by Kit Brennan

The Sensation of Europe Strikes Again!

Lola Montez, Changes Europe and History with Cosmopolitan Panache.

"Whip Smart is a sexy, adventurous and intelligent tale that I would dare name a bodice ripper for the literary mind!"

-- Marisa Lancione, NOW, Montreal

"A fun and sexy romp! I can’t wait for the sequel!"

-- Gwyn Cready, RITA Award winning author of Seducing Mr. Darcy, A Novel Seduction and Timeless Desire: An Outlander Love Story

The Whip Smart series is based on the real-life historical adventures of Eliza Gilbert, aka Lola Montez, The Sensation of Europe.

Astor + Blue Editions presents the third installment of the Whip Smart series, Lola Montez Starts a Revolution, (ISBN: 978-1-938231-87-2, ePUB: 978-1-938231-30-8; Historical Fiction, Romance; Pub date: September 2014) the continuation of Lola’s scandalous adventures through Europe!  Lola has perfected her Spanish dance, and uses her sexy moves to her full advantage.

Lola Montez’s life is one of espionage, scandal, and adventure. She’s an independent, real woman from the 19^th century who seduces King Ludwig I of Bavaria – or, as Lola comes to know him, Luis. She is a curious free-spirit who is confident in her sexuality, a rarity in a time of patriarchy and social repression.  

In the midst of this brow-raising love affair, Lola finds herself the target of a witch hunt! Can she save herself and the man she loves from the political unrest in Europe? With a pistol in hand and a whip in the other, Lola proudly charges against the mob which wishes to tear her apart. Follow a dancer’s travels in this decadent adventure of scandal, romance, and danger.

She began her romp through history as an unsuccessful actress in Whip Smart 1: Lola Montez Conquers the Spaniards. She continued her travels through France in Lola Montez and the Poisoned Nom de Plume. Lola Montez Starts a Revolution is written in Kit Brennan’s signature zesty writing style, wonderfully blending history, humor, and romance.  And coming soon, book four—Lola Montez Seduces America—follows our flamboyant heroine to New York, Nicaragua and California

Book buy links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1AlBCL2

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1rNcREV

Kobo: http://bit.ly/19x18En

REVIEW:
The first thing that I noticed and really commented on was the different time period. It was intriguing to go back to time periods I'd heard about and learned about in class, but this time have a character's interpretation of things. It certainly took some time to adjust to as I don't usually read a lot of books set in the past, but once I started to get that into my head, it got easier and easier to be drawn in.

As per usual, I didn't enjoy the first person perspective. The character was lively but I just don't enjoy that perspective. It didn't take away the interest I had in the book, it's just something I like to mention. It is continuing on from the previous books, and while there were a few small details that I felt were missing, the necessary events were at least explained in sufficient detail so that you didn't feel out of the loop while you were reading Whip Smart: Lola Montez Starts A Revolution.

Time seemed to pass quickly in the novel, which wasn't a bad thing but sometimes you felt as if you were racing from event to event. Which fit perfectly with the character, you just sometimes wanted to yell at her to slow down for a moment so you could catch your breath.

Whip Smart: Lola Montez Starts A Revolution was an energetic, for the most part lighthearted book. You'll never suffer a bored moment. So if you're looking for something a bit lighter with occasional moments of sadness or anger than please give it a chance!

 Kit Brennan is the author of the bestselling Whip Smart: The Lola Montez Series, a nationally produced, award-winning playwright, and teacher of writing and storytelling at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. Her adventure novels are based on the real-life story of Lola Montez, a top-notch, notorious bad girl of the Victorian world. Kit divides her time between the vibrant city of Montreal and the quiet lake wilderness of Ontario alongside her husband, Andrew, and a variety of animal friends.  Whip Smart: Lola Montez Starts a Revolution is her third novel. Visit her online at www.kitbrennan.com.

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Dragon Lights Part One by Dusty Lynn Holloway

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“There will always be bad, dear heart. But there is much that is good as well.” -Dusty Lynn Holloway, Dragon Light Part One

Auri is trying desperately to prepare for the battle she knows is coming. But things seem to just keep coming and she’s not so sure that she and Liren, not to mention all of the other people she loves will make it out alive. But will she give up or will that make her fight all the harder? Find the official description on Goodreads.

I’ll admit that at first I found it hard to connect and re-enter the world that Dusty has created. But I slowly was able to jump back in and once I did I once more found myself reading with bated breath. I was cheering for Auri at all times, watching things happen and wishing I could somehow influence them. Not to mention silently watching and realizing how much that all the characters but especially Auri has changed. It was interesting to see the changes from how she was in the beginning to how she is now and yet still seem some things that are the same. We also see more about Liren, his priorities and character. (Dusty, can you get me one of him? I would love that. Thanks!!) But seriously, it was amazing and awe-inspiring to see how completely devoted he is to Auri and the things he is willing to do as well as his fears. It blew me away.

While Dragon Lights is very much a grim book, it also has it’s hilarious moments. Those moments that give you glimpses into why they are fighting and what for. It makes everything worth it - the pain, the grieving, everything. Even as you know that you aren’t in the book, you experience everything as if you are a part of the book.

There is also a bit of a surprise that I wasn’t really expecting, but it was a happy one. It made the book that much less grim and more a joyous book. But it only helped relieved some of the grimness not all of it.

The ending ended the book well, but it also left readers with plenty of questions. It also leaves the reader anticipating the next part of Dragon Lights with excitement!

So what did you think about the third installment of the series? Did you think it lived up to the previous books?

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Burnouts, Geeks and Jesus Freaks: A Love Story by Karen Gordon

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"OK, that was kind of funny. She needed that today." -Karen Gordon, Burnouts, Geeks and Jesus Freaks

WARNING: This book is not for younger audiences. It contains Sexual Content.

Carrie Gould doesn't have the best home life. And yet it's better than most. She doesn't get hit, she has a nice room and food to eat. And yet her mother criticises her in anyway possible. So she finds friends that help her to laugh. In order to stay with them, she believes she has to stay with her current boyfriend. That's alright until she falls in love with her best friend/neighbour/geek Ben.  This is the story of their love, difficult choices and finding a way to make things work. Find the official description on Goodreads.

At first, I wasn't sure that I would like this book. But then Carrie and Ben drew me in. It was their easy friendship, the way that Ben made Carrie feel as if things weren't really that bad and vice versa. That relationship easily drew me into the book  until I was reading just to find out what would happen between the two. You find yourself hoping against hope that maybe this will be the tale where first loves are the forever kind. Carrie is such a smart alec that you just find yourself wondering how she'll respond. Then Ben is the cute, easy to get along with guy who still does sweet things for you. It's no wonder that you quickly fall for both of these characters.

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Unfinished Business by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

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"I told her how much I loved her, how much she impacted my life." -Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, Unfinished Business

Unfinished Business is the story of Angela Panther, the first in the Angela Panther Series actually. Angela's mother has died, and yet Angela is still seeing her. Now she must deal with a gift that she doesn't want and trying to balance the rest of her life; children that she worries about, her mother popping by randomly and serving up some wicked humour. This is only the beginning for Angela. She must find a way to keep her life somewhat normal and yet balance this new gift. For the official description, look on Goodreads.

What can I say about this book? It was an amazing book, one that I will go back and read again and again. Angela and her mother, even with her mother dead, has this amazing banter that you can't help but chuckle at.

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