Hey! Check out my RAK!

I know I don't do this meme very often. Plus, I think I'm doing it on the wrong day. Eh... I'm a rebel. ;) Anyhoo... I thought you'd like to check out my RAK! Uh, no... not that (dirty minded peeps... no wonder we get along...) but my Random Act of Kindness that was given to me by the awesomesauce Kristi!!

She gave unto me these ebooks:

 Shadows (Lux 0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane.

Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in.

Captivated. Lured. Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence...and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.

AND...

Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Starting over sucks.When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.And then he opened his mouth.Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me.You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don't kill him first, that is.

Can I get a squee???? 

I swear Kristi is so sweet and kind! I've been lusting after these books for a bit now but just didn't quite get to them. I can't wait to dive into the books. 

Thank you Kristi! 

Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1) by R.L. LaFevers

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

This book had me excited to read it. YA fantasy? While you get a lot of YA PNR, you rarely get a historical fantasy book. I do enjoy fantasy and to pair it with a bit of magic and assassin nuns I had to read this book.

You do get a lot of this world's political information within this book and it does slow down the story in spots especially within the first half. The pacing becomes a bit uneven here. However, do not let that dissuade you from reading it. Those slower spots are necessary information for what comes later. It also helps you understand the main characters much better as they are mired within the political intrigue.

Isame's character often read quite naive in the beginning as she should. She knows nothing but what she was taught at the convent of the world. Before that her small world consisted of harsh living and abuse. However, her character grows. She learns to think for herself and becomes not just an assassin, a pawn, but a heroine. 

Ah but what about romance? It is all about politics and killings? Yes, there is romance within these pages. It is slow building and it helps make it believable. No insta-love within these pages.

I give this book 4 stars. It's also for the older YA crowd. For fans of historical fantasy... you will enjoy this YA. For those that don't read this genre, I say give it a try. I really feel you will find elements in this story you will love. Just remember that all that political talk is necessary to untangle a web in which our characters are caught. 

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

Immortal Rules Giveaway!

Harlequin Teen has allowed me to give away one hard cover copy of Immortal Rules! The contest will be open until the day before the book birthday. It's open to all that have US/Can addresses. My review will come closer to the publication date.

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

 Don't want to wait? 

Preorder:

Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

Harlequin

Indiebound 

Enter via the rafflecopter form below:

The Kingdom (Graveyard Queen #2) by Amanda Stevens

Deep in the shadowy foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies a dying town…

My name is Amelia Gray. They call me The Graveyard Queen. I've been commissioned to restore an old cemetery in Asher Falls, South Carolina, but I'm coming to think I have another purpose here.

Why is there a cemetery at the bottom of Bell Lake? Why am I drawn time and again to a hidden grave I've discovered in the woods? Something is eating away at the soul of this town—this withering kingdom—and it will only be restored if I can uncover the truth.

 This is a great sequel to The Restorer. While I saw the first book as more of a mystery than a ghost story, this one blended the two perfectly.

The story takes place in a town which has become a world within itself. One where the rules have become a form of law and outsiders are unwelcome. Amelia finds herself drawn here not only by her job as a graveyard restorer, but by a pull she cannot explain. It is the mystery of her life and what came before she was born is the mystery begging to be solved. However, is the mystery itself a danger? Heh... you know I'm not going to spill a thing. :D *evil laugh*

The story has many twists and turns and it keeps your interest. The ghosts are both eerie and fascinating. They don't take over the story and yet enhance it well. Oh and there is an introduction of a dog, Angus, you will just love. He also becomes part of the tension. And those that crave romance, well there is a bit of that but not with Devlin... however, we get hints that she may not be done with that relationship either. ;)

I give this story 5 stars. I know I've been a bit more elusive about the story than usual, but I think those that love this series should read this book with as little information as possible. It preserves the tension. :D

PS... the third book is coming up quickly at the end of this month!! YaY!
I received this eARC from the publisher and NetGalley and no compensation for my review was given.

This is an interview by RT Book Reviews about the series.

Winner!

The winner of:

is...

Jen!

(confirmed)

While you are here, don't forget to check out Dakota Bank's great book/swag package! (International) As well as the Charity Hop giveaway! (US and International prizes)