Friday Reads #17

It's Friday...What Are Your 



Mortal Danger (Immortal Game, #1) 

Title:  Mortal Danger
(Immortal Game #1)
Author:  Anne Aguirre
Format:  ERC/Audio
Length:  384 pages
Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends

Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.

In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly... bad things are happening. It's a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who—or what--she can trust. Not even her own mind... -Goodreads




City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, #3)

Title:  City Of Glass
(The Immortal Instruments #3)
Author:  Cassandra Clare
Format:  Print/Ebook
Length:  541 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. Elderberry Books

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the third installment of the New York Times bestselling series The Mortal Instruments. -Goodreads 



 All of Me (Inside Out, #6)

All Of Me
(Inside Out #6)
Author:  Lisa Renee Jones
Format:  ERC
Length:  138 pages
Publisher:  Gallery Books

In the sizzling conclusion to Lisa Renee Jones’s bestselling Inside Out series, Chris and Sara finally embark on the road to marriage—but will the threats from their pasts steal their joy? 

Sara and Chris have fled to Paris to escape the aggressive reporters covering an explosive scandal. But a long-time heartache from Chris’s past awaits him there, and he finally allows Sara in fully as he shares his darkest secrets with her. Seeking peace, they spend some time at his chateau in the countryside, planning their Valentine’s Day wedding, then return to Paris for a magical Christmas. And when they finally head home to San Francisco, other broken connections from their lives are made whole again. Healing finally seems within reach…until a surprise visitor right before the wedding throws Sara into turmoil. Will they ever be totally free of their pasts? - Goodreads




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FMR Book Studio Presents: Hidden Secrets Book Blitz


Happy Release Day to Nicole De La Cruz!
Find out how one chance encounter changed everything for Scarlett & Kyle
in Nicole's debut novel,
HIDDEN SECRETS

TITLE: Hidden Secrets (The Pub Series, #1)
AUTHOR: Nicole De La Cruz
GENRE: New Adult
RELEASE DATE: February 27, 2015

SYNOPSIS:
After a night of fun and drinking, Scarlett Collins' past comes rushing back into her life. Instead of facing it, she runs away like she always does, this time straight into a broom closet. Not sure how she is going to get out of this one, the gorgeous British bartender rescues her from the locked room. Little does she know her life might have changed in ways she would have never dreamed.

Kyle Harrington has had one hell of a night, it isn’t until he lets out a beautiful green eyed woman from his broom closet that his night might be looking up. That is until he lets her go without a number or a way of ever finding her again. When a second chance is put in front of Kyle, he knows he won’t let her get away that easy again.

Both have a past they wish they could change, but now they can have a possible future together. As long as hidden secrets don’t keep them apart...
 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nicole is a new author that has recently decided to pursue her passion of writing. Something she has been wanting to do since she was a little girl, and thanks to the push of her husband she is now living her dream.

Almost every single day you can either find her reading or listening to music. She got into reading when she picked up her first Sarah Dessen book and hasn’t stopped since.
She is an easy going person that likes to spend time with her husband and their three cats, drink wine, listen to Breaking Benjamin, and try out new recipes.

CONNECT WITH NICOLE:

"Love, Lattes, and Mutants" Gives Great Finned and Flirty Fun

Love, Lattes and Mutants (Mutants, #1)Title:  Love, Lattes, and Mutants
Author:  Sandra Cox
Format:  ERC
Length:  188 pages
Date of Publication:  February 17th, 2015
Publisher:  Kensington
Rating:  3 Stars


 Finding love is hard, even when you aren't a mutant.

 Like most seventeen-year-olds, Piper Dunn wants to blend in with the crowd. Having a blowhole is a definite handicap. A product of a lab-engineered mother with dolphin DNA, Piper spends her school days hiding her brilliant ocean-colored eyes and sea siren voice behind baggy clothing and ugly glasses. When Tyler, the new boy in school, zeroes in on her, ignoring every other girl vying for his attention, no one, including Piper, understands why...

 Then Piper is captured on one of her secret missions rescuing endangered sea creatures and ends up in the same test center where her mother was engineered. There she discovers she isn't the only one of her kind. Joel is someone she doesn't have to hide from, and she finds herself drawn to the dolph-boy who shares her secrets. Talking to him is almost as easy as escaping from the lab. Deciding which boy has captured her heart is another story...  -Goodreads 


My Thoughts
This sweet,touching, and very light YA, scifi romance is one that is best read with pleasure in mind. The reason for this being that if you go into this read looking for flaws; you are sure to find them.

 Cases In Point:
1. The rather vague treatment of Piper's back story. When dealing with a character who's main claim to fame is her status as something other, it is very important to answer the who's why's and wherefore's of that person's history. This is often done for no other reason than to help the reader to understand the being about which they are reading.

2. The unnecessary need to dress Piper in baggy clothes,and sunglasses. She looks completely human. Not only that, but she is pretty. Dressing her in such an outlandish way, only makes her seem more the freak.

3. The seemingly endless homage to Tyler's hotness! After about the third reference to his heart-stopping good looks, one can assume that readers understand the extreme level of teenaged male attractiveness that this young god among men just happens to be working with.

4. New and uber popular girl Holly, and the insta-friending!
Their interactions are written as though Holly is the school veteran, amd Piper is new. Backwards much?

Please understand that the list of positives is just as long as the negatives was.

They are:

1. Everything concerning Piper's life in the water. This is the part of the story where Piper really gets to shine. She is confident and sure of what she is doing. The action scenes here are first rate.

2. All character interactions; with the exception of the afore mentioned Holly and Piper role reversal. Watching the way these characters relate is like watching a well choreographed dance.
Transitions are smooth and flow as naturally as water downhill. The conversations and banter are never staged or forced.

In short. This tale of teens, romance, friendship, lattes, and mutation is the perfect Summer read. That perfect escape into the fun and fluffy fantasy of friends and fins.




About Sandra
Sandra Cox  Multi-published author Sandra Cox writes YA fantasy, historic and paranormal romance and metaphysical nonfiction. Sandra lives with her husband, a menagerie of pets, and an occasional foster cat in sunny North Carolina. To see the brood go to her website www.sandracox1.com and click on the cat tab. 
 
Her fourteenth book, SUNDIAL, a time-travel romance has recently been released through classactbooks.com.

Ballantine Books Presents: A Sinful Deception Blog Tour and Author Blog Post




A Sinful Deception (Breconridge Brothers, #2)
 Title:  A Sinful Deception
(Breconridge Brothers #2)
Author:  Isabella Bradford
Format:  ERC
Length:  384 pages
Publication Date:  February 24, 2015
Publisher:  Ballantine Books
Rating:  4 Stars


For fans of Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Sabrina Jeffries: the seductively charming second historical romance in Isabella Bradford's Breconridge Brothers trilogy.

Lord Geoffrey Fitzroy leads a charmed existence. As the second son of the Duke of Breconridge, he has none of the responsibilities of his older brother and all of the advantages, leaving handsome Geoffrey free to enjoy his rakish pursuits. And pursue them he does, leaving hearts fluttering all over London. But one night, at a ball teeming with high society's most sought-after beauties, only one truly intrigues him: the regal, aloof, and mysterious Miss Serena Palmer.

Magnificently dressed and wearing jewels befitting a queen, the lady is considered the prize of the season, a noble-born heiress raised in India. But even as Geoffrey's fascination grows, Serena deftly deflects his curiosity—and with good reason: Serena's exotic past contains a perilous secret that could destroy her. Yet her plan to live in safe solitude is thwarted by her hungry heart, and soon Geoffrey's passionate seduction finds her blissfully bed—and wed. Will her deception destroy her chance at happiness as Geoffrey's wife? Or will the devotion of her new husband reveal the only truth worth embracing: her undying love?


My Thoughts
A Sinful Deception, the second offering in the (Breconridge Brothers series) proves just as captivating as it's predecessor.
This time it is the secrets and  hidden passions of the exotic Indian born blossom Serena Carew, that serve to stoke passion's flame and enthrall the minds of one Lord Geoffrey Fitzroy, and readers alike.

The granddaughter of the Marquis of Allwyn, and the only surviving heir to her father's sizable fortune.
It is no wonder that the raven haired beauty with the somewhat guarded demeanor has tongues wagging and fortune hunters dogging her every footfall.

But for Lord Geoffrey Fitzroy, golden second son of the Duchy of Breconridge, the allure of young Miss Carew lies neither in the depth of her purse, nor the charms of her visage.  He it seems hears the call of a far more insistent master...the inescapable hand of kismet.
From their first furtively shared glances, to their mutual understanding and love for her native Hindi tongue, it is clear from the start that she is made for him, and he for her and no other.

That is of course if the fires of their passion and the ferocity of their love can withstand a secret from her past.
A secret of such import, that if discovered it could strip her of both her love and her fortune, and change the course of her life forever.

This is a brilliant tale of love, lies, and survival all wrapped up in the finery of English society.
In fact, it is that reliance on societal niceties that throws things off course for the first few chapters as readers sit through the superfluous back and forth of "I really like you but..." that romances of this ilk seem to demand.

If one can manage to make it through Serena and Geoffery's game of peek-a-boo with the truth of their feelings; they will find the wait and frustration well worth the reward.
As feelings deepen, desires are realized, secrets are unearthed, and schemes and disasters are averted, readers are treated to a book brimming with plot twists, great love scenes, and tied together with a very dramatic "happily ever after bow".





Guest blog for
A SINFUL DECEPTION
By Isabella Bradford

Bring on the Bling

I’m so excited for the release this week of my newest historical romance, A SINFUL DECEPTION. This is a story that’s been in my head for a long time, and I’ve always wanted to write a book that includes not just Georgian England, but the farthest corners of the British Empire. My heroine, Serena Carew, was born in India, the daughter of a English nobleman stationed there. While Serena has spent most of her life as an English lady, her Indian heritage is impossible for her to forget – and it’s also one of the things that Lord Geoffrey Fitzroy comes to love most about her.

There are many memories and experiences that make Serena who she is, but there are also some very tangible assets: the fabulous collection of jewels that she inherits from her father. I loved being able to describe Serena’s jewelry. In the 18th c., the best gemstones – emeralds, rubies, sapphires – were mined in India, and only gradually made their way back to London. Her necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings would have been jaw-droppers even among the aristocracy, and might well have outshone the Queen’s jewels.

One piece that Serena wears to her wedding to Lord Geoffrey is a gold turban ornament set with diamonds and emeralds, much like the one shown here. Because she remembers it in connection with her father, it’s a sentimental (if valuable) piece to her, linking her past with her new life and love.

I hope you’ll enjoy A SINFUL DECEPTION! For more about what inspires me, check out my website www.isabellabradford.com and on my Isabella Bradford Facebook page, plus my blog (written with writer BFF Loretta Chase) www.TwoNerdyHistoryGirls.com, Twitter @2nerdyhistgirls, and Pinterest: TwoNerdyHistoryGirls.


About  Isabella

Isabella Bradford is a pseudonym for Susan Holloway Scott, the award-winning author of more than forty historical novels and historical romances. Her bestselling books have been published in nineteen countries and translated into fourteen languages with more than three million copies in print. Bradford also writes as half of the Two Nerdy History Girls (twonerdyhistorygirls.com), an entertaining history blog and Twitter account (@2nerdyhistgirls) with an international following. She is a graduate of Brown University, and lives with her family outside of Philadelphia.     

Dramatic Romance Saves The Day In "Her Unexpected Hero"

Her Unexpected Hero (Unexpected Heroes, #1)Title:  Her Unexpected Hero
(Unexpected Heroes #1)
Author:  Melody Anne
Format:  Print
Length:  384 pages
Date of Publication:  February 24th, 2015
Publisher:  Pocket Books
Rating:  4 Stars

Would you recognize true love if it sat down next to you? In this unforgettable new spinoff of the Billionaire books from New York Times bestselling indie author Melody Anne, two strangers must look past their painful memories to make way for everlasting love.

Alyssa's modeling career came to an abrupt end when her manager boyfriend emptied her bank account and ruined her professional reputation. Now she's heading to a new town in Montana to rebuild her life—if she can even get there (stupid delayed planes!). But things are looking up when she's upgraded to first class and a mysterious stranger sits down next to her…
Jackson Whitman doesn't believe in love, or commitment, or forever—not since he lost his wife and daughter. But the beautiful woman sitting next to him at the gate has him rethinking that position. Can he convince her to be his for the night? Or will she convince him to be hers for a lifetime?  -Goodreads

 
My Thoughts
Her Unexpected  Hero draws the reader in using the lure of the unexpected.
Jackson  never expected to meet the beautiful and vivacious  Alyssa.


Brilliantly  snarky, witty, vivacious, beautiful, and under his skin.
Suddenly, there she is.
For her part, Alyssa is quite the worse for wear, both financially  and romantically speaking.  As such, she knows that a relationship  of any kind is not in the cards for her.  Even as the enigmatic  stranger, Jackson Whitman, proves an attraction that she can't resist.
This is a book that lulls the reader into believing  that it is all about  the  sweeter side of serendipity.  As things progress however, readers come to find that interactions  between these two are fated to be anything but uncomplicated.

There is a bit of planned predictably  when it comes to him coming to her hometown in Montana, and owning the bar at which she works.  The direction in which things go from there are...surprising!
The circumstances  under which  the author  brings these two together
make for great dramatic reading  and serve to up the emotional  ante for both readers and characters alike.

The unexpected negative  of said circumstances  comes in the form of Alyssa's  need to fight her feelings for Jackson  to the point past stupidity.

Luckily, things finally do even out before book throwing frustration ensues
The romance gets off to fiery start, but is sidetracked by drama for a great portion of the read.  The pacing of said romance is a decent mid-level heat, with nothing out of the norm sexually speaking.
This is a wonderful escape for readers who like drama with their romance.


About Melody
Melody AnneNYT and USA Today Best Selling Author Melody Anne has written the popular series, Billionaire Bachelors, Surrender, and Baby for the Billionaire. She also has a Young Adult Series; Midnight Fire, Midnight Moon and Midnight Storm - Rise of the Dark Angel.

As an aspiring author, she wrote for years, then published in 2011. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in business, she loves to write about strong, powerful, businessmen and the corporate world.
When Melody isn’t writing, she cultivates strong bonds with her family and relatives and enjoys time spent with them as well as her friends, and beloved pets. A country girl at heart, she loves the small town and strong community she lives in and is involved in many community projects.

See Melody's Website at: www.melodyanne.com. She makes it a point to respond to all her fans. You can also join her on facebook at: www.facebook.com/melodyanneauthor, or at twitter: @authmelodyanne.
She looks forward to hearing from you and thanks you for your continued interest in her stories.



Pocket Books Presents: The Lady Vanishes Review and Giveaway!

The Lady Vanishes (The Billionaire Tricksters of Boston #1)

Title:  The Lady Vanishes
(The Billionaire Tricksters of Boston #1)
Author:  Nicole Camden
Format:  ERC
Length:  245 pages
Date of Publication: February 9th 2015
Publisher:  Pocket Star
Rating:  5 Stars

Buy The Book:
B&N  Amazon  Kobo 
  
The first in a brand-new series by erotic romance sensation Nicole Camden, featuring sexy magicians and ladies whose desires tempt them ever deeper into a world they don’t quite understand...

Billionaire tech genius and inventor Milton Shaw never had life easy. Losing his brother at an early age, his only escape was into the world of magic, studying Houdini and perfecting the art of sleight of hand. Too smart to fit in, and isolated from his peers, he vowed that one day he would be so powerful that no one could touch him.

Stern doctor Regina Burke hates nothing more than attention and trickery. In fact, she went into science to feel in control of her world. Yet when her work brings her into contact with the sexy tech superstar Milton Shaw, she finds her body warring with her idealism…and her desires shifting from unlocking the magician’s secrets to unlocking his heart.  -Goodreads



My Thoughts
Both Milton Shaw and the lovely Regina Burke are no strangers to life shattering pain.  His suffered at the death of his brother, William, after a courageous battle with childhood cancer.  Hers brought about by the shame, public scorn, and financial ruin of her family when her father, Carter Burke, was convicted of embezzling millions of dollars from unsuspecting investors in an elaborate Ponzi scheme.

While time may not have succeeded in completely healing the wounds of their respective pasts, it has given them the drive, fire and ingenuity needed to craft brilliant futures.  His as a magician,  philanthropist, and owner of a billion dollar software conglomerate.  Hers as a respected children's oncologist.

When Milton, or in this case, The Amazing Shaw, finds himself face to face with the snark and fire of the beautiful doctor; while performing for the young patients of Boston Children's Hospital.  It is quite clear from the start, that if given half the chance...these two can and will make spectacular magic of the sensual sort.

That is if he can manage to heal the good doctor's heart of the hurts she has suffered in her ever present past.

Authoress, Nicole Camden, takes readers on an emotionally sensual journey in this her first offering of the Billionaire Tricksters of Boston series.
With both Milton and his leading lady, Regina, struggling to make something good from their unfortunate pasts.  They succeed in grabbing reader hearts right away. When you add  their easy banter and mind-blowing chemistry into the mix...the result is nothing less than utterly readable.
 
Topping the list of the many things that this story does right, is the fact that these two otherwise cautious people are allowed to act on impulse when it comes to their baser desires.  There is no initial denial of attraction to have to work through, before the erotic fun is allowed to begin.
Further sweetening this already delectably tantalizing pot of story craft, is the allure and wonder of magic and the comic relief provided by a colorful supporting cast. 
  
The care taken to make Regina and Milton whole characters, with lives, interests, and meaningful interactions outside of each other and the bedroom, is apparent from page one.  In fact, half the fun of the read is finding out how the two manage to fit their new 'relationship' into their already full lives.
Not to worry though, it seems that scheduling time for 'relating' is not a problem for these two.  The erotic scenes found in this tale are relayed with such vivid description, that readers experience each smoldering glance, searing caress, and earth-shattering orgasm on a visceral level.

In short, if you are a reader who like a little cute with your kink, a lot of story with your seduction, and some gorgeous geek with your freak; The Lady Vanishes, is the book that will make any doubts that you have about erotic and/or literary satisfaction DISAPPEAR!   


About Nicole
Nicole Camden
Nicole Camden, whose real name is Deirdre Moss, is the author of THE FETISH BOX, THE FETISH QUEEN and THE LADY VANISHES (Billionaire Tricksters of Boston series). She lives in Houston with her husband, a ridiculous dachshund, and an insane Cavalier. When she’s not writing, she works as an instructional designer for a software company. She also writes romantic suspense as Deirdre Dore. Visit her website at www.nicolecamden.com or www.deirdredore.com for updates.
Find Nicole:   Goodreads Tweet  Facebook 


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"At His Service" Part 2...The Place Where Emotion and Eroticism Meet

At His Service: Part 2 (At His Service #2) Title:  At His Service
(At His Service #2)
Author:  Suzanne Rock
Format:  ERC
Length: 100 pages
Date of Publication February 10th, 2015
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Rating:  4 Stars

The next installment in an exclusive and red hot mini-series from New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Rock.

Leo Perconti's life is spinning out of control. As head of his family’s hotel conglomerate, it’s his job to save his family from bankruptcy. At the center of his turmoil is Karin Norell, a quiet, alluring housekeeping manager who compliments his dominating personality and lets him feel in control once more.

As Karin explores her passion her feelings for Leo deepen. Unfortunately, Karin and Leo come from  different worlds, and when the two worlds collide, the cost can be devastating. As the service staff at The Palazzo rise up against the Perconti family, both Leo and Karin are faced with losing what each of them holds most dear. Together they must learn that true power comes from vulnerability and trust that can only happen when you let your insecurities go.

Read all four parts of this sensational e-series—and look for the full volume of At His Service in June 2015 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks.  -Goodreads


My Thoughts

This is the part of the book where a love hate relationship with Karin is bound to develop.
The blinders are off now, and Leo is fully aware of who and what Karin is. He is also aware of how much he wants her.

Karin, for her part, wants Leo and all of the desire that he awakens in her just as much. She also has this annoyingly persistent 'I can't do this, because we are from two different worlds' complex that chooses to bare its ugly head at very inopportune moments.

If it weren't for the times that she throws the stupidity that masquerades as a thought process out the window and succumbs to his charms; there would be some serious throwing of electronic reading devices going on.
Speaking of charms. This is the part of the book where the sex goes from a creamy vanilla, to decidedly tuti-fruti. Scenes including anal play and exhibitionism are sure to please.

The world outside of their little bubble is more chaotic than ever. With the press hot on the trail of the 'mystery maid' and the hotel's employees planning a strike. There are for more reasons than just being from two different worlds that serve as reasons for these two lovebirds to sing a farewell song.
But...
If viewed in the right light, those same reasons could be just the glue the two need to bind them for ever.




About Suzanne

Suzanne Rock A lifetime New Englander, Suzanne married her college sweetheart and has been with him for over twenty years. Every summer she drags her husband and two daughters to Maine on a quest for the perfect lobster dinner.
 Every fall she can be found down in Foxboro, Massachusetts cheering on her favorite football team. In between those trips, she’s a chauffeur, a maid, a chef, an event planner, a hairdresser, a wardrobe stylist, a tutor and a sometimes masseuse.
 To keep her sanity, she often drinks copious amounts of coffee and stares at the blank screen of her laptop, dreaming of great adventures. Sometimes she even writes them down for others to enjoy. Suzanne is represented by Deidre Knight of The Knight Agency and writes mainstream romances under the pen name ” target=”_blank”>Ava Conway.





'Red Queen" Reigns Supreme In the Realm of YA Dystopic Fantasy

Red Queen (Red Queen, #1)Title:  Red Queen
Author:  Victoria Aveyard
Format:  ERC
Length:  320 pages

Genre:  YA/Fantasy/Dystopian
Date of Publication:  February 10th, 2015
Publisher:  HarperTEEN
Rating:  5 Stars

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the center of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?  -Goodreads



My Thoughts 
There are so many things that are right about this book that it is hard to know where to begin.

With that statement in mind...let's start at the beginning.

Shall we?

This book drops readers into the thick of things with lead protagonist Mare Barrow.  A Red, living in the impoverished Stilts, and awaiting conscription into a bloody war that has taken several members of her family into its service.

With her prospects for gainful employment severely limited by both her status as a Red and her lack of a marketable skill.  Mare has had to resort to professional pickpocketing in order to make ends meet.  A profession which, as one might imagine, has nor exactly made her the family darling.   
When a chance to leave the Stilts for not only Mare, but her best friend Kilorn presents itself, she is determined to make it happen.
At any cost.

What Mare has no way of knowing however is just  how high that cost will be.
Or that it is she who will ultimately pay.

                                                                  IN BLOOD!


This book is paced at lightening speed.  Readers go from meeting Mare on the streets of The Stilts to the discovery of her gifts, and her rise to the rank of Lady Mareena Titanos, in the span of about 4 chapters.

If this were any other read, there would be concerns about this.  In this case however, there is no need to fear lack in any area.  In fact, going right into the heart of the plot so early in the story allows room for expansion and detail to occur naturally throughout the story's course.
 
And expand it does.

This story quickly morphs from Oliver Twist to A Game of Thrones, as  a very weary Mare tries to hold her own while dealing with life at court, the discovery that a fellow street urchin and friend is none other than heir to the throne, Prince Cal, the never-ending scrutiny and scheming of Queen Elana, learning to control her powers, and her betrothal to prince #2, Maven.
Oh and there is also all the hate coming at her from all the other princesses that she beat out for royal 'easy street'.

Believe it or not dear readers, those are just a few of the issues facing poor Mare as she journeys further into the madness of secrets and lies that is the Silver Court.

This is a book that is built on the plot twist.  Nothing and no one in this book is ever who or what he, she, or it seems.  It is for this reason that readers of this book spend most of their time on the edge of their proverbial seats.  Waiting for the WTF!

With everything else that is going on in Mare's life.  It is very hard to believe that she has time for a love triangle.  But wonders never cease...It prince 1 versus prince 2...sorta!

You want me to explain right?

Nope!

Sorry, you're just gonna have to read that one.

O.K. Enough of that!

This is a book that has a plot that is so entangled with the thoughts and actions of its characters, that it is not easy for me to review it without spoilers.

This is a definite favorite, and a read to own in this book buying season.



About Victoria
Victoria Aveyard


I'm a screenwriter/YA author who likes books and lists. This site is the nexus of my universe.

My book RED QUEEN will be published Winter 2015 from HarperTeen at HarperCollins. I'm repped by the incomparable Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc.

The genres I'm into include YA, Fantasy, Historical, Adventure, Apocalyptic - if people are dying, I'm buying.


Find Her: