My TBR List *March* ~ Polls Are Open!

My To-Be Read List is a meme hosted by Michelle @Because Reading. I think it's a fabulous idea because it gets y'all in the game and it helps me knock off some of the many, many books on my TBR list. You're more than welcome to join in the fun! I've included the basic rules below but you can click on the graphic above to hop over to Michelle's site where you can find all the details. 

Here's how it works:
On the first Saturday of each month, I will make a post with three books from my TBR List (these books can be already on your ereader or bookshelf OR books you might want to purchase) and add your link on the linky that will be provided on Michelle's post. Y'ALL will help me choose which book I will read next. The following Saturday, I will announce which book won. Then the last Saturday of the month, I'll post my review.

Fun, right?!?

***

In 2018, I'm once again working at catching up on series and y'all get to decide which series I'm going to catch up on each month! :D

This month y'all are helping me decide which book *absolutely* will be read from my list for the Take Control of Your TBR Challenge. To be fair (to the books?) I picked one from each of the the categories: ebook, physical, and audio. 


Your Choices Are:


Consolation
 Consolation Duet #1, Salvation #3

Synopsis
Liam wasn't supposed to be my happily ever after.
He wasn't even on my radar.
He was my husband's best friend - forbidden.

But my husband is dead and I'm alone. I ache for him and I reach for Liam.

One night with Liam changed everything. Now I have to decide if I truly love him or if he's just the consolation prize.



End of Days
Penryn and the End of Days #3

Synopsis
After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They're both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn's sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe's past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?




Under Her Skin
Blank Canvas #1

Synopsis
Ivan thought the world was through giving him second chances. Who'd want a rough ex-con with a savior complex and a bad habit of bringing home helpless strays? Everyone in Blackwood, Virginia, knew he wasn't good enough for the fine things in life; they knew he was too damaged to save. He just needed to keep his head down, work himself to the bone, and pretend he was content with the lot he was given. Until she came into his life. Until she changed everything. Until he realized he would do anything, fight anyone, tear the world apart if it meant saving her.



Okay, now vote! And thanks! :D

Create your own user feedback survey

*Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge Goal Post*

I'm once again joining in the fun that is the Take Control of your TBR Challenge hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer. Since the basic rule is to read books put on your TBR shelf prior to March 1, 2018, it's a great way to get several books *off* my TBR shelf!

The challenge runs the month of March. You can find the rules by clicking on the button above.

As for my goals...well, I typically read/listen to 12 books a month so I'm scared to aim any higher than that. I know, I know...it's a challenge. Okay...you twisted my arm. *wink* I'll aim for 15 books. Eeep!! This really will be a challenge for me, y'all! But I can do 5 books per category - ebook, physical book, and audiobook.

Here's what I'm hoping to read/listen to in March:

Ebook:



Physical Book:



Audiobooks:



Are y'all participating? Let me know so I can check out your goals. :)

Audio Review ~ Ever Over After ~ J.A. DeRouen #AudioChallenge #ShelfLove

Ever Over After by J.A. DeRouen
Over Duet #2
Narrated by: Neva Navarre and Jeremy York
Release Date: May 16, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Marlo...wild-eyed, untamed, and every single thing I've ever wanted from this life. I wasn't ready for her back then. I was a stupid boy with adult feelings and no idea what to do with them. I squandered away every chance she gave me.

Yes, love like ours either burns white hot or crumbles under the pressure.
And now I'm back to sift through the rubble.

Questions and excuses are two things I have in spades. What I need now are answers.
Answers and Low.
Always Low.

My name is Ever Montgomery, and this is my story of love resurrected.

Low Over High straddled the line between YA and NA but was essentially YA. Ever Over After jumps ahead eight years and firmly into Adult territory. I couldn't wait to dive into this story to see what would become of Low and Ever. DeRouen did not disappoint.

The way DeRouen continues Low and Ever's story was very well done. It felt fluid and she did a great job filling in the few gaps that needed filling over the last eight years so that we understood how Low and Ever came to be where they are...and what it'd take for them to find their way back to one another.

I liked seeing what they'd become in their lives despite the fact that part of their paths were not easy. I liked how DeRouen conveyed the way they'd lived without one another and how they'd not moved on in some ways. It was all very authentic and I loved how they got their second chance.

I didn't mention the emotional roller coaster DeRouen too me on in my review of Low Over High but hopefully it was evident. Ever Over After was equally as emotional if not more so. And DeRouen again proved her prowess with character development creating a new cast of secondary characters along with incorporating a few of the ones we'd already met. I admit that I missed Low's dad and Nana in this installment but Low's friends and Ever's best friend, Jeb, made up for their absence.

Again the narration from Navarre and York kept the story flowing smoothly as well as bringing these characters, whom I've come to adore, to life. I will look for other books narrated by both these voice actors. And, of course, I'll be reading more books from DeRouen!

My TBR List Review *February* ~ Once Bitten, Twice Shy ~ C.C. Wood #COYER #MyTBRL #ShelfLove #TravelingtotheTerminus

My To-Be Read List is a meme hosted by Michelle @Because Reading. 



Once Bitten, Twice Shy by C.C. Wood
Bitten #2
Release Date: March 4, 2014
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased on Nook
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER, #ShelfLove, #TravelingtotheTerminus
Goodreads

Synopsis
I used to think my life was boring. I resigned myself to the rut I was stuck in. Then my entire existence was turned upside down.

In the last six months, I've learned things that would get me committed to an asylum if I repeated them. First, I was kidnapped by vampires. Yes, vampires. Sounds crazy, right? My best friend, Donna, became one of the fanged after that little adventure and hooked up with a hot, Scottish vampire named Conner. They're even planning a wedding.

Secondly, I learned not all vampires are evil. In fact, some of them are downright sexy.

Alexander Dimitriades has it all. He's tall, dark, and handsome and manages to give me tingles in all the right places and also make me laugh. Unfortunately, to be with him, I would have to give up my humanity and I like being human. Then, there's the fact that the whole drinking blood thing gives me the heebie jeebies.

To make matters worse, there are plans in motion to change the place vampires hold in the human world. And I'm caught in the middle, between the vampire I'm falling in love with and a group that wants to create a vampire dictatorship, with humans as slaves.

Now, all I want is my calm, normal life back. As my friend, Ricki, likes to say, "Be careful what you wish for because it might come and bite you on the ass." I hate it when she's right.

*This work contains BDSM elements/themes, spanking, bondage, anal play, and a bossy, persistent Greek vampire.

I don't know why I put off reading more of this series. This was an exciting second installment and I had to scratch my head over why I took so long to pick it up. Time, I suppose. But I plan to read more - dare I say finish? - this series soon!

Highlights

• Lex & Ivie
  I enjoyed the romance between these two even if Ivie made me want to shake her at times. The differences between them due to length of living made for entertaining interplay. Since the story is told from Ivie's POV I felt I got to know her better and I liked being witness to her learning more about herself as she fell for Lex. I enjoyed the way Lex took care of Ivie - letting her get used to him and their bond slowly, not wanting to scare her off. He was gentle with her even when he wanted to strangle her.
• Secondary Cast
  Getting to spend time with Donna and Connor, from book #1, as well as their friends made for a more entertaining read. It also gave me glimpses into who they next couples might be.
• Plot
  Although Wood is focusing on a different couple in each book, their stories are all bound together with an overarching plot involving vampire politics. Wood is slowly disseminating the machinations behind what's brewing with the vampires and she incorporates it well with her world building using vampire history and a Dallas setting

This installment was exciting, entertaining, and steamy. BDSM is mentioned in the synopsis but don't let that scare you away. It's barely an element, the smexy scenes are more just your typical smokin' hot sexy vamp sex scenes, and the plot doesn't revolve around BDSM in any way. I really am anxious to read the next installment as I think it may involve a werewolf and his witch. *wink*

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #77 ~ Once Bitten, Twice Shy ~ C.C. Wood

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is a weekly meme hosted by my blogger wife, Lexxie, @(un)Conventional Bookviews. It's a way to highlight a book using quotes that revolve around food and/or drinks. Every Thursday, post a line or two...or heck, a whole paragraph, that spoke to you in some way using food or drinks. *wink* Don't forget to link up!

My pick this week for Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is from:

Once Bitten, Twice Shy by C.C. Wood

So Lex is the bossy Greek vampire but in this scene he shows he's very capable of caring for his woman. 

***

"Lex put a stew together for our lunch this morning before the guys left," she said.

I jerked my hand back from the lid of the pot as though I'd burned myself. "What?"

She went to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water before she went to the bar and sat down on a stool.

"Yeah. He knew you hadn't eaten breakfast and said you were losing too much weight. He put all that together in like fifteen minutes and told me to make sure you ate a bowl of it around noon."

I stared at her blankly for a few seconds. "He said I'm losing too much weight?" I asked incredulously.

I was short, but not a small woman. In fact, my mother, who had been the same size since high school, gave me a huge guilt trip about my weight almost every time we spoke. I even had a bit of a complex about it. I had curves and I likely always would. No way in hell would I starve myself to fit what society considered the 'norm'. Did I want to be healthier? Yes, but I didn't necessarily think those stick-thin women were healthier either. A person who enjoyed good nutrition shouldn't be able to count every rib.

Donna smirked at me. "Yeah, apparently the Greek god agrees with me that you're gorgeous just the way you are."

#COYER Review ~ Hate to Want You ~ Alisha Rai

Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai 
Forbidden Hearts #1
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER
Goodreads

Synopsis
One night. No one will know.

That was the deal. Every year, Livvy Kane and Nicholas Chandler would share one perfect night of illicit pleasure. The forbidden hours let them forget the tragedy that haunted their pasts - and the last names that made them enemies.

Until the night she didn't show up.

Now Nicholas has an empire to run. He doesn't have time for distractions and Livvy's sudden reappearance in town is a major distraction. She's the one woman he shouldn't want...so why can't he forget how right she feels in his bed?

Livvy didn't come home for Nicholas, but fate seems determined to remind her of his presence - and their past. Although the passion between them might have once run hot and deep, not even love can overcome the scandal that divided their families.

Being together might be against all the rules...but being apart is impossible.

Oh so much to love about Hate to Want You! Alisha Rai is a new-to-me author that I picked up after reading Nick's review (@Nick and Nereyda's Infinite Booklist) of book #2 in this series. Thanks for the recommendation, Nick! You've made me a fan of Rai!

Highlights

• Diversity
  Maybe it's a strange thing to lead with but I adored the fact that Rai's characters were diverse in looks, race, ethnicity, religion, and even sexual preference. Fantastic!
• Mental Illness
  Rai also wrapped part of the plot around mental illness. She discussed therapy, treatment, and the toll it takes on everyone. Rai did this authentically and realistically and I appreciated it.
• Plot
  The plot revolves around a couple divided by feuding families. The families weren't always at war and Rai did a great job of giving us backstory - both the good and the bad. I liked how she wasn't always forthcoming about information - giving us rumors and speculation - so we could draw our own conclusions about a few things. I also liked how she went about giving our MCs their second chance despite family politics.
• Livvy + Nico
  These two have quite the history. They both made decisions thinking of everyone but themselves...and they spent ten years being miserable. The way Rai brought them back together was compelling and I was happy to be along for the ride as well as being there once they reached their destination.
• Secondary Cast
  Rai did well in creating a secondary cast that I enjoyed spending time with and hope to learn more about in future installments. I especially hope to uncover more in regards to the things not explicitly explained about the feud.

Overall, I'm pretty dang excited about my introduction to Rai. Livvy and Nico's story was one I wanted to know and I'm eager to get a few others' stories now as well.

Audio Review ~ Low Over High ~ J.A. DeRouen #AudioChallenge #ShelfLove

Low Over High by J.A. DeRouen
Over Duet #1
Narrated by: Neva Navarre and Jeremy York
Release Date: April 11, 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
I fancy myself a purveyor of truth, a sifter of lies, a cutter of bullshit. It's not a gift, but rather, all skill, honed to a razor's edge after one too many trips down the rabbit hole.

Some may dismiss my talent as misplaced and misguided cynicism, but they'd be wrong. Cliches about hope and faith in mankind are concocted unicorn farts, an effort to keep the dreamers dreaming. Experiences don't lie - people do.

While I'm not proud of the circumstances that led me to this way of thinking, I respect the journey. The road to enlightenment can be dark and foreboding, but the destination makes it all worthwhile.

But funny thing about the past - it's a defiant child refusing to stay in time out. No matter how deeply buried, it can always pop up when least expected, and sink its fucking claws into the flesh of your heart. No, not my heart - I no longer have one. I foolishly gave it away years ago, but I still feel the ripping in my chest as I fist the crumpled note left on my porch.

I've avoided this day, ran from it, for the past eight years.
And still we meet again.

But to truly understand...to feel my dread and fear my future as I do, it's important to know what happened in my past.

Or who...

My name is Marlo Rivers, and this is my story of corrupted love.

MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY 18+
Warning: This book contains graphic content which may not be suitable for sensitive readers.

Note: Despite the warning, this book is what I'd consider Young Adult.

I've found a new (to me) author to put on my favorites list! Low Over High - there was just something about it that resonated with me. And I can't wait to hear the rest of the story!

DeRouen created characters in Low (Marlo's nickname) and Ever that I couldn't help but fall for. Low is this feisty girl who can toss insults at the boys like nobody's business. She's always been more of a tomboy so it was also a lot of fun watching her befriend her new roommates at Orleans Academy - who were very girly - as well as Evelyn...her estranged mother. Low is also emotionally stable, having grown up in a loving home surrounded by people who love and support her...the exact opposite of Ever.

Ever is this hot and broody *sigh* young man who clearly has issues. When he and Low meet, they're like oil and water. But as they spend time together - time forced upon them - they become so close and much more than antagonistic acquaintances. But Ever has secrets and when something terrible goes down - something he won't share - Low worries she'll lose him to the ways he employs to escape his demons. And then something equally awful happens to Low that makes her broken on a level equal to Ever.

So the story is compelling and I loathed having to remove my earbuds. DeRouen's writing is flued and she also crafted a secondary cast that gave Low and Ever that much more depth.

I've a new favorite narrator in Neva Navarre as well. She embodied Low and even though she couldn't quite get a New Orleans accent, her voices for the many characters was great. Jeremy York also did well as Ever. His range for female voices lacks but it doesn't detract from the story. 

On to Ever Over After!

#COYER Review ~ Sparrow ~ L.J. Shen #ShelfLove

Sparrow by L.J. Shen 
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Troy Brennan

Every southie in Boston knows that name. The son of a dead mobster. The heart throb with steel blue eyes. "The Fixer" who can make or break you in this city. 

Oh, and my new husband.

Sparrow Raynes

That's me. No one seemed to remember my name up until he barged into my life.
But then he caged me.
Kidnapped me.
And killed every chance I had to runaway from the place where we grew up.
Put simply, Troy Brennan clipped my wings.

I have dreams, big ones, but I doubt he'd ever let me chase them. I have no idea why he'd decided to take me as his wife. But I do know this: pissing off this man will not do me any good. At all.

Sparrow is a standalone, full-length novel. It contains graphic violence and adult situations some may find offensive.

I've been hearing a lot of good things about LJ Shen recently and since I happened to have a few of her books already on my kindle, I decided to give her a go. Although I had a few issues with Sparrow, I can see what the fuss is all about *wink* and I'll definitely read more of Shen.

What Worked

• Character Development
  This is an area where Shen excelled. I'm not certain but I think Sparrow may be Shen's debut and so her characters are impressive. In Sparrow we have this street-smart young woman who's this total spitfire. She stands tall even in the face of fear and I admired her. In Troy we have...well, a hardened criminal, really. His father was the head of the Irish mob and even though Troy is no longer mob, he was raised immersed in it. He's a man driven by revenge - for the death of his father - and loyalty, fulfilling promises her made to his dad...including one concerning Sparrow.
  Y'all know I'm a fan of character growth and Sparrow has it, especially in Troy. I quite enjoyed watching their fall and particularly how emotion changed Troy.
• Setting
  I've never been to Boston but I feel like Shen did well in conveying the look and feel of the city.
• Emotion
  She was able to make me feel the emotional upheaval Sparrow felt at her situation...the far, the confusion, the anger, and eventually, the love. I could also clearly see Troy transition from cold and calculating to a feeling being. Shen uses dual POV to tell the story and that certainly made it easier to understand Troy.

What Could Have Worked Better

• Plot
  While the plot was compelling, I never felt it was exactly what it was aiming to be. I didn't feel like Sparrow had no choice in matters. I also felt liker the resolution was a bit too convenient. I didn't buy that Troy, doing what he did for a living and having been raised in the mob, wouldn't have done his due diligence.
• Editing
  There were things about the story that could have been tighter - made the story more solid - with some editing. I'm referring to content editing, not typos. There were a few things that could have been stronger, a few holes filled, had someone helped Shen focus.

Overall though, I'm happy I have Shen a try. I'll absolutely read her again. I'm eager to see how her writing progresses.