Endure (Need #4) by Carrie Jones

Zara is at the center of an impending apocalypse. True, she’s successfully rescued Nick from Valhalla, but it simply isn’t enough. Evil pixies are ravaging Bedford, and they need much more than one great warrior; they need an army. Zara isn’t sure what her role is anymore. She’s not just fighting for her friends; she’s also a pixie queen. And to align her team of pixies with the humans she loves will be one of her greatest battles yet. Especially since she can’t even reconcile her growing feelings for her pixie king . . .

Unexpected turns, surprising revelations, and one utterly satisfying romantic finale make Endure a thrilling end to this series of bestsellers.

 Sometimes you get a series and you don't know when it will end. You want to know the conclusion and yet, you don't want to leave characters that you have grown to really enjoy spending time. This is such a book, but alas, it does end and this is the last book of the series.

When this book starts out, I admit I was a bit confuddled. It skipped over a big portion of what had happened in the last book. I'm wondering if that part will be a novella. Anyway, we know the conclusion of that adventure and it may only bug you because you want to know how they got out of that latest jam. Still, I was happy to be back with the gang and on to saving the world.

The characters in this book still rock. However, I will admit, I was still on the fence with Astley up until book #3, Entice. I really started to enjoy his character and relaxed a bit about his motives. And without giving anything away... this book really solidified me as an Astley fan. He is the perfect compliment to Zara's character.

This adventure they go on is also a bit like Buffy saving the world. I'm not telling you which episode(s), but those that are fans will recognize the situation. Yes, this adventure is their own, but there are elements there that are still familiar. In fact, Carrie Jones gives a nod to Buffy frequently in this book, so it is quite intentional. I enjoyed that.

My biggest complaint is the ending. However, it often is that way in series that ends. The ending of the crisis is clear. But it felt rushed and there is a question about Zara that remains. I don't want to say what specifically so it doesn't give anything away.

I give this book 3 1/2 to 4 stars. Yep... it's somewhere along there depending on the time of day. Jenny from Supernatural Snark must be rubbing off on me and has made me (yes, I'm blaming her... LOL) give this book a star range. Maybe I'll rub off on her and she'll start reading books starting in the middle. ;) I recommend this book to fans of YA, faeries and mythology.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher and no compensation for my review was given.

Entice (Need #3) by Carrie Jones

Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever.
But that's not quite how things have worked out.

For starters, well, Nick is dead.
Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it's taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla?

And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't just turned...she's Astley's queen.

I've enjoyed the Need series and was so happy when I got this book. However, as what happens to many of us in the book blogging world, we can't always get to the books we want. I finally got to this book. I had to because I have the next book, Endure on my tbr.

This book doesn't give us the answers we seek from the first cliffhanger of the last book, Captivate (Need #2). However, it does give us answers we didn't even know to ask. These are not bad things as it gives us the information we need to go with Zara on her journey. And Zara's journey isn't anything but pleasant. It is filled with danger and sorrow. So much sorrow that you think that she would end up curling into a ball and giving up, but I have to give props to her. She continues on no matter what gets in her way.

I also have to admit, as much as I admired Zara for continuing on her journey, you wonder if there is another way she could have approached the problem. However, when really examining the journey Zara and her friends did everything that they could with the information they were given and found out. I really don't know what other way they could have ventured, what other path they could have taken.

I give this book 4 stars. I enjoyed this journey with Zara. It is a series that should be read in order and this book is a good step in the adventure. It ends with a cliffie, but luckily... I have the next one ready to go!

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1) by Darynda Jones

A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper 

Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. 

This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.

I've really been wanting to read this book for a while now. I finally got the opportunity through an audio book. I don't often do audio, but I thought I'd give it a try. I'm glad that I did. It was snarky, funny, and the secondary characters were great. In fact... they were often "hot". This takes place in Albuquerque NM. I've been to the Northern part of NM often. So, I have to ask... where is she meeting these guys??? All I've gotten when I go there are jerks who tease my dogs. Granted, it's my fault for going to tourist traps with my pups, so I don't often meet the locals so right there that may be the problem (and the locals I know aren't dating material... married!). But still... I think I need to track down Charley and just hang with her. I mean, she's real and the "hot" men she hangs out with are real too, right?

I also liked that it was set in N. NM which I feel is a part of where I'm from, so the colloquiums used (with the exception of one which I will forgive since it is used for those not from here) were quite familiar to me. I felt right at home with the narrator. It was also easy for me to get lost in this story. I can also see many of the places she rode around.

What? Go back to the hot guys? Well, there were 2 in particular. One was Reyes. Oh man... Reyes. *sigh* That hot hunk of a man could visit me incorporeally or corporally any day... or night. ;) I mean YUM. Face of an angel and a temper of the devil. Still did so much to help anyone who he thought was weak. *sigh*

Oh and the other one? Garret. Dark, tall and handsome. I might be able to forgive his status as a cop since he is so hot and seems to really care for Charley. Plus, he totally didn't freak out at her with her abilities. Totally points in his direction for that one. Ah yes... both very suitable for the man harem. *drifts off into fantasy*

*ahem!* Oh sorry... I give this book 4 1/2 stars. It was just what I needed at the time. Entertaining distraction with a couple of hot guys to drool over. The narrator, Lorelei King did a grand job and held the pace well. I would so listen to another book she narrates. I also suggest this book for those that love UF, PNR with a side of humor.

Gabi Stevens Blog Post and Giveaway!

The Coolest Bit of Magic that Happened While Writing

We writers hope that our stories ring with truth for our readers, and often that means research or putting ourselves into the story. In writing Wishful Thinking, the third book in my Time of Transition series, I had a little more freedom, since I was writing about magic, but nevertheless, I had things I needed to research. I went to school in San Diego and my husband is from there, but I pored over maps and drove the streets when visiting my father in law so I could get the feel of the city for the novel. I pulled out my Latin dictionary for the spells, and my Old English textbook for other words. But one element required the most research for this book—weaving.

My heroine, Stormy, grows up in a colony of artists, so it’s not unexpected that she too becomes an artist. Her media—textile, fabrics and weaving. Stormy weaves. I don’t, but I read articles, watched videos, viewed pictures, and learned not nearly enough to weave myself. I have to admit that when I had finished my research, I really wanted a loom. Weaving is so cool, so historic, so primal. I found it very appealing.

It’s one thing to research something and then try to transfer the knowledge to the page. I did my best. In the opening chapter, Stormy weaves. I tried to convey the creativity, the effort it takes, the process.

So what was the magic? When my editor read that opening scene, her only question to me was “Do you weave? This sounds wonderful.” What a relief. I felt as if I had won a prize. Then recently, my husband read Wishful Thinking (yes, he reads all my novels and enjoys them). After he finished the scene he looked at me with a frown on his face. My heart dropped.

“I thought I knew you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do we have a secret staircase to some secret attic where you have a loom? I didn’t know you could weave.”

Wishful Thinking is dear to my heart. It finishes the story that started in The Wish List, and continued in As You Wish. It’s the series that made me believe in magic again...of all sorts. Because, of course, there’s a happy ending. Wishful Thinking is a romance, and happy endings are the best magic of all.

So what about you, readers. What bits of magic do you find in your lives? And you weavers, how did I do? (You can read the first chapter at my web site, www.GabiStevens.com)

Gabi Stevens was born in SoCal to Hungarian parents. After spending time in boarding school, college, and studying abroad, she spent seven years in the classroom trying to teach eighth graders the joys of literature. An award winning author, Gabi writes in New Mexico where she lives with her robotics engineer husband, three daughters, and two dogs. She loves to play games, has a wicked addiction to reading, avoids housework and cooking, and doesn’t travel nearly as much as she would like to. Discover the magic in Gabi’s books:

THE WISH LIST (available now); AS YOU WISH (available now); and WISHFUL THINKING (just available now!)

You can find her at www.GabiStevens.com; www.GabiStevens.wordpress.com; Facebook at Facebook.com/GabiStevensfans; or Twitter at twitter.com/GabiStevens.

Thanks Gabi for coming on the blog. I actually have done some weaving and it was fun! Love that you were able to fool everyone!

Giveaway!

Gabi is giving away 2 books to one lucky winner. The Wish List and As You Wish both which have recently been reviewed by AimeeKay. She loved them! Oh and it's INTERNATIONAL! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter!

Wishful Thinking (Time of Transition #3) by Gabi Stevens: Review by AimeeKay

Free-spirited artist Stormy Jones-Smythe was raised by two talented Wizard fathers but never showed the slightest hint of magical abilities. Which is why she’s totally surprised when three famous fairy godmothers show up at her door to tell her she’s one of them.
Surprised, and none too happy. The godmothers are fugitives, framed for treason, and the last thing the magical Council wants is another fairy godmother going rogue. Hence Stormy’s new full-time Guard, Hunter Merrick.

Stormy quickly realizes she’s not going to escape Hunter’s watch…and before long, she’s not sure she wants to. But her freedom depends on her ability to expose the plot against the godmothers, and that means getting control of her magic. Despite the growing chemistry between them, Hunter is fiercely loyal to the Council—and duty-bound to keep Stormy from doing either of those things.

But he didn’t count on Stormy’s irrepressible exuberance and passion for life. Before long, even Hunter isn’t sure which side he’s on, and he can’t contain Stormy either way.

*sigh* Wishful Thinking is the third and final (?) book in the godmother's story. We get to meet the third godmother Stormy and follow her on her path as she finds out that not only is she a godmother, but she has become one in a time of great upheaval in the Arcani world. If you've read the previous two books you know that the other Godmothers, Kristin and Reggie, have gone into hiding. Also that Lucas Reynard, the son of Elenka Liska, a Godmother who tried to take over the Arcani world during WWII, is the reason. He has come to finish what his mother started and only the godmothers realize his true intentions. If you haven't read the previous two books then may I suggest you go read them before you read this review. There are tons of other important details that you are missing and reading this review would only spoil the other two books.

Ok, so why the *sigh*? Mainly because this IS the final story in the trilogy. There is no open ending on the last page. Everything is neatly tied in a pretty bow, and there is definitely a happy ending. Which don't get me wrong I love a happy ending, especially a good one that doesn't leave obviously glaring loose ends. However I really enjoyed the world that Ms. Stevens has created and I hope she plans on writing more stories that take place there. (hint, hint, to Ms. Stevens if you are reading this)

As for the story itself. It follows the other two books in form. Magic-less girl finds out she is a godmother, and of course there is a love interest. But Stormy's love story isn't as easy as Reggie or Kristin's was. Not only is she being watched even closer than Reggie was by the counsel, but the person she falls in love with is a member of the council's elite Guard. To make matters worse because he is a guard he has taken an oath to never betray them. A magical oath that will kill him if he should side with the godmothers. The beginning of the story seemed a bit slow. But then again some of it was just rehashing what I as the reader already knew, but Stormy didn't so she had to be told about the godmothers and how they had turned away from the council. Of course she isn't always told the whole truth and a large portion of the beginning of the story is her trying to sift through everything to figure out who's side she is on. Then there is the problem of her magic, which she can't seem to get under control. I actually liked that part. Unlike Kristin and Reggie's powers, even with practice Stormy never seems to be able to get hers completely under control.

But even though it took a minute to take off, Stormy's story still drew me in. I didn't want to stop reading. Plus there were the extra details about Arcani life and the world that the author has created that were revealed. Definitely interesting. (I want to find out more about the dragons!!<---another hint to the author!) Also I got to see some of the characters from previous books. This definitely made me happy.

There are some very smexy sex scenes in the book. (Just like in the others) So don't let the little ones start reading it. There are also some tear jerkers too, so have the tissues handy. (I'm not saying why, I won't spoil that much, I will however say I almost cried in the one scene)

Definitely pick up these books if you are looking for a new world to dive into. Yes it is romance, but there is also mystery and adventure thrown in with the magic of the mix.

Thank you again Melissa for sending these to me to read and review, I really enjoyed all three. To everyone else if you are going to start reading them, may I suggest you get all three at once. That way you can read them all straight through just as I did. It was very satisfying to be able to do that.

Til next time,

AimeeKay

Note from Melissa:

Come back tomorrow for a author blog post by Gabi Stevens and a giveaway!!