Lay Me Down by Erin Kellison

Series: Reveler #2
110 p.
Publisher: Flower Power Publishing, LLC
Published: 5/12/14
Source: From author for honest review

Able to navigate sleep’s vast dreamwaters, wild child Maisie Lane makes easy money as a courier delivering packages from one dream to another. So what if her employers are on the shadier side of the law? Her sister thinks she’s living for the pleasure of the moment. Pleasure is involved—why shouldn’t it be?—but every step Maisie takes is part of a careful plan. That is, until she crosses into a dream so evil, she has no choice but to run. 

Special Agent Steve Coll is tasked to recruit Maisie for Chimera, the organization that polices shared dreams. At first he’s taken with her funny and carefree spirit, then brought to his knees by her tough and passionate soul. Touching her is forbidden ecstasy, but Steve can’t resist breaking the rules with Maisie. A darkness is gathering, evil preparing to strike, and only Maisie stands between it and innocent lives. No matter what happens, Steve won’t let her stand alone—he’ll die before he leaves her side.

My thoughts:
I read the first one (still a free ebook at your fave retailer) and enjoyed it, but I have to say I enjoyed this one more. I think it is because the complex world here is pretty well established. I also was surprised that the short length didn't feel short to me. It felt like the perfect length. I'm always worried with a short book the romance will feel like insta-love (not a fan) but it didn't feel that way at all, especially when the couple first come at each other in the first book and it isn't love at first sight.

I give this book 4 stars. There is action, romance and some smexy times within the 110 pages. It is great if you want something short but not exactly sweet. It did have it's sweet moments but with so much action, it didn't last. I really enjoyed the characters and this is a series that needs to be read in order. I recommend it to those that enjoy PNR with a UF twist.

On My Wishlist: Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow

Oh I've wanted to know about this book since Dan Dos Santos revealed this cover:

Trailer Park Fae
by Lilith Saintcrow
Series: Gallow and Ragged #1
320 p.
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 6/23/15

New York Times bestselling author Lilith Saintcrow returns to dark fantasy with a new series where the fairy world inhabits diners, dive bars and trailer parks. 

Jeremy Gallow is just another construction worker, and that's the way he likes it. He's left his past behind, but some things cannot be erased. Like the tattoos on his arms that transform into a weapon, or that he was once closer to the Queen of Summer than any half-human should be. Now the half-sidhe all in Summer once feared is dragged back into the world of enchantment, danger, and fickle fae—by a woman who looks uncannily like his dead wife. Her name is Robin, and her secrets are more than enough to get them both killed. A plague has come, the fullborn-fae are dying, and the dark answer to Summer's Court is breaking loose. 

Be afraid, for Unwinter is riding...

So what are you wishing for this week? 

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Series: Penryn & the End of Days #1
288 p.
Published: 8/28/15
Publisher: Skyscape
Source: NetGalley for review

It's been six weeks since the angels of the apocalypse destroyed the world as we know it. Only pockets of humanity remain.

Savage street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night.

When angels fly away with a helpless girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back...

My thoughts:
I've heard about this one for quite a while. People raved about it and so my curiosity grew. I decided to wait until more of the series came out but I couldn't wait any longer when this one came up on NetGalley. Yea, okay, I want to read this one!

I have to admit that it took me a bit to really get into the story. We are thrown into the dystopian landscape without much fanfare. Questions abound but as you follow Penryn and she finds her mission, it is easy to slip within these pages and find yourself worried about her and even her angel friend... even if we don't know for sure if he is a friend.

While it still felt as if I wanted a bit more explanation of what was going on, a bit more exploration into this world, I was still engaged and had trouble putting the book down. It's only more than a couple of hundred pages and those pages go fast. I would have loved a much longer book by the end of this one. While it wasn't exactly a cliffie, it left much uncertainty for the next book. 600 pg book (or more)? Please... if it is good, no problems here! :D Most of you reading this would feel the same way. Oh well, I guess I have to locate the next book.

I give this book 4 stars. It was engaging and just enough possible romance to satisfy those that crave it. It didn't concentrate on it because there was so much action, so I would consider this one more YA UF than PNR. I also recommend it to those that enjoy dystopian books.

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Rachel's Deception by Karen Ann Hopkins

Series: Temptation #4
324 p.
Publisher: Indie
Cover Art: Seedlings Design
Published: 5/8/15
Source: From Kismet Touring for review

Growing up Amish is difficult…but leaving it behind is even harder.

Noah was Amish...Rose wasn't. Being together should have been impossible. But somehow they found a way to make it work. They are finally a family, but their happily-ever-after is still a long off. Will Rose and her friends be able to force real change in the community? 

Karen Ann Hopkins returns with a gripping new book in the YA Temptation series. The powerful family saga continues with Rachel's Deception, as events spiral out of control in the sleepy farming community of Meadowview. And Rachel Miller has her own secrets to hide. Noah’s younger sister has been living a double life. That is, until Justin Cameron, Rose's little brother, catches her in the act. Rachel is not the obedient Amish girl that her sister was, and her rebelliousness takes her to a very dangerous world. A world that only her true friends can help her escape from. 

As Rachel questions all she has been taught about love, family, and commitment, Rose discovers what it really means to be shunned. And an evil shadow looms on the horizon, threatening not only Rose, but everyone she holds dear.

My thoughts:
Although I've always been curious about the Amish culture, I haven't gravitated toward the fiction. Mostly because I don't know much about it so I may not know what is fact or fiction. However this story, while it felt fictional, also seemed to bring in some relevant topic concerning Amish women. It felt genuine and after reading the author's blog post (check out Wed's post HERE) I have to say that I also believe it was genuine. It makes sense that the women in a patriarchal and closed society would have it pretty tough. Especially when having several children as babies and toddlers without help. It astounds me that any one would be sane by the time a few of your kids would be old enough to help.

I enjoyed the story and found the pages slipping by even though there were several POV changes. It didn't get confusing and I liked following many characters. I have to say though it also didn't quite feel like Rachel's book but more of Rose's book. Not sure if that is intentional but I think it was a good thing here especially since there is a sort of love triangle going on within the story. I honestly didn't care for the romance here and I also didn't like how Rachel left things. However, I feel as if I may get more of a better ending in Rachel's romance down the series. I could feel a lot of potential in that area. I really think I'll love it in other coming books. Strange, I know. :)

I also have to admit I haven't read all the books prior to reading this book. I thought I would be fine since this is a "offshoot" series beginner as well as #4 in the series. I wasn't lost but I did feel as if I missed some important information especially about Rose. This makes total sense to me and I feel like I may have to go back to book 1 to remedy my lack of knowledge.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I may have enjoyed it more if I had read the other books but I still found it very entertaining. I recommend this one to those that are curious about a culture we don't often get to see as well as those that enjoy contemporary YA.

Bloggy PS

In case you didn't see it, there is a great post and international giveaway with the author. Just go to the post HERE to enter.