#BookReview Bad Blood by Mari Mancusi

If you were wanting more Sunny in this book – YOU GOT IT.

This addition to the Blood Coven Vampires series follows Sunny (but don’t worry, Rayne is still kicking!). This time around, Magnus has to get a blood mate – and guess what? It’s not Sunny.

Sunny, who’s madly in love with Magnus, and her trusty sister Rayne have to work hard to try to get Magnus back to Sunny and away from this blood mate. Will they do it? I guess you’ll have to read to find out…

I really loved this book, it helps that Sunny is my favourite out of the two girls but I also really enjoyed the adventure and drama within this novel. It’s a big step up from the last novel in my opinion. This book hooks me instantly, made me not want to stop reading it, and desire more from Mari Mancusi ASAP.

This book had it’s faults – Sunny is definitely in love with Magnus, but I doubted his love for her. While Sunny’s actions and thoughts show how deeply in love she is, Magnus barely seems like she has the time of day (despite expressing his feelings).

Overall, this young adult novel was everything I wanted (minus the Magnus fault, but hey we can’t have everything we want). It’s silly, cute and totally unrealistic – but that’s what I want in a silly, YA vampire novel that’s filled with cute moments and teenage drama. Mari shows her true skill at writing as a teenage which makes this book even more “believable” within it’s realm. That helps this quick read continue moving at a super fast pace and become utterly addicting – what teenager didn’t think like Sunny and Rayne?

Five out of five stars.

 

You can find Mari on Goodreads! Mari Mancusi on Goodreads

Or swing by her website – Mari Mancusi’s Website

Want urgent updates from Mari? Check out her twitter! @MariMancusi

Did you enjoy this series? Check out it’s website!  Blood Covens Series by Mari Mancusi

Enjoy my reviews? Check out my Goodreads page! Briar’s Reviews on Goodreads

Give me a shout-out on Twitter! Let me know your recent reads!!! Or give me some recommendations!  Briar’s Reviews on Twitter

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#BookReview Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Now is time for a #ThrowbackThursday review – AKA I’ve gone back to reading a book on my shelf from years ago and reviewing it. Enjoy!!

 

 

Poison Princess is one of those books that takes you by surprise, pulls you in and won’t let you go until you finish it.

I actually found this book (originally) via Gena Showalter. She was always talking about her author friend Kresley Cole on Twitter, so I decided to pick this book up. They seemed to get along so well, so why not pick up her book? I doubt author friends who hated each other’s works would talk so great about each other. And to no one’s surprise, Gena’s suggestion was on point. (Keep in mind I love Gena Showalter. I’m quite sad I haven’t been able to read any of her books recently, due to my busy schedule).

This is a dystopian, apocalypse novel is for sure a YA novel – but that doesn’t mean adults can’t enjoy it. It’s not R rated, if anything it’s more of a PG/PG-13-esque novel. It’s an easy read, and it’s totally addicting. There are some cringy YA moments (silly romances, ironic comments, and all the joys that come with being a teenager) but it’s still an enjoyable book. If you keep in mind it’s a YA novel made for a YA audience, it’s not to heart breaking when silly teenage plot lines go on. It’s like a soap opera – if you understand that some extraordinary things happen that are out of the line of reality, then you can thoroughly enjoy it.

Keeping in mind that I have read the next novel – the character development in this book works. You begin to fall in love with these sassy characters and they do grow! Their story is continually built on into the next book, and to me it’s a worthy read worth a recommendation. It’s probably one of the better YA novels I’ve read – and one that I’ve been able to come back to and enjoy.

Overall, Kresley Cole is an amazing story teller. She’s great at her adult series and her YA series, and it’s a worthy read for those looking for some YA or dystopian drama in their lives.

Five out of five stars.

#BookReview The Darkening by Maggie L Wood

 

The Darkening was a thrilling sequel to the Divided Realms series.

I am so dishearted when I couldn’t find the third book of this series, because I was OBSESSED with this book series back in the day. I went to Borders (in the states) and bought the first two books. They were two of the first books I bought with my own money at a bookstore. Then, Borders left that mall and I thought I would never find the books again (since my local Canadian bookstores didn’t carry them, and I wasn’t aware at the time that I could order books).

The game of chess was the focus of this series, and that was so fascinating to me. There’s good and evil, light and dark, and pulls towards each direction.

The world building within this universe was fantastic, and to me it’s a definite must read.

Overall, I really want to pick up this series again but with the final book (it says it’s available online as an ebook but I’ve yet to find it. I’ll have to look a little harder!). Maggie L Wood was so talented and I really hope she writes more and has more books come out. The premise alone was unique!!

Five out of five stars.

 

Comment below your favourite YA novel!

If you enjoyed this review, check out another you might enjoy! #BookReview Saving Me by Sadie Allen

Tweet me with the hashtags #BriarsReviews and #DividedRealms if you read this review!

You can find Maggie L Wood on her website: http://www.maggielwood.com/

Check out The Darkening on Amazon:

Amazon.com The Darkening

#BookReview Stake That by Mari Mancusi

Mari Mancusi’s 2nd novel in the Blood Coven Vampire series is an excellent read.

I fell in love with this series when I was much, much younger than I am now (aka high school era), but rereading this series has made me fall in love with Mari all over again. And with the introduction of Once Upon a Vampire into this series (kind of…it’s in the same universe, so it’s the same series, I geuss?) I had to go back and reread to get a feel of these books again (and just because I love them. I can’t help it!).

This book is full of sassy, snarky teenage angst with a splash of vampires, blood and comedy. It may be labelled YA, but it’s a great read for anyone who doesn’t want something that is going to make your brain explode. It’s an easy read with a fast yet simple plot and it’s absolutely delightful. I was hooked when I first read them, and I’m hooked reading them yet again. Mari has a great style and tone in her writing that makes it really easy to read her books, fall in love with the characters and stay interested.

I find these stories have an easy to follow plot and it’s well thought out. It doesn’t get boring since it keeps moving as a fast yet leisurely pace. They are thoroughly enjoyable at any age, and don’t require any advanced theorizing. This book follows Rayne’s story, and it’s a wonderful read and continuation of this series. It’s a definite recommendation from me!!

Keep in mind – this series is narrated by sassy, silly teenagers who over exaggerate life’s problems (like any other teenager, let’s be honest guys. I thought the world was going to end in high school too when everything didn’t go perfect!). So, you’ve been warned!! It’s not a serious adult novel, it’s a fun YA novel that adults can read and enjoy as well.

Overall, this series is fun! I really hope Mari continues on writing more books within this universe because it’s nice reading something light-hearted and sweet!

Five out of five stars.

 

Check out Mari on Goodreads! Mari Mancusi on Goodreads

Or her website! Mari Mancusi’s Website

She can also be found on Twitter! @MariMancusi

Blood Covens also has it’s own website for your viewing pleasure!! Blood Covens Series by Mari Mancusi

Check me out on Goodreads where I post up to date reviews as soon as they happen! Be the first in the know!! Briar’s Reviews on Goodreads

Or follow me on Twitter! Briar’s Reviews on Twitter

#BookReview Mastering Her Senses by Laura Kaye

Mastering Her Senses by Laura Kaye is one mega hot novel that will leave you breathless.

I picked this book up as apart of the anthology A Love Thing – I was told by the amazing author Tamsen Parker that the anthology book (full of tons of sexy ebooks) was free on Amazon, so I picked it up. I had already read Tamsen’s books and loved it, so I figured her book Personal Geography had to be alongside some books similar that I might enjoy. Luckily, I was right!

I really enjoyed this novel! It was fast paced, super sexy and kept me interested and hooked to every word! I love a sexy, erotic novel but I tend to get bored easily (which is one of my biggest flaws as a reader). Laura Kaye mixes the perfect amount of drama, sexy scenes and excitement in this book.

We are introduced to Cassia, who is a submissive, and Quinton (Q) who is a dominant. Now, that’s all fine and dandy and your typical BDSM trope, but Laura has more instore for us – Q likes sensory deprivation. Yup, that’s right. I have honestly never read a book in regards to that subject before, so this was a new adventure for me (and it was a crazy, sexy adventure that was so totally worth it!). The premise was interesting, and it makes this book stand out among other erotica novels.

Side note: This book is the second in the series, but I have not read the first one as of writing this review. The book was easily understood without having to read the first novel.

I also found the book to just be long enough. It ended where you’d like it to in terms of the story telling – there wasn’t any more information I wanted out of the book, and I didn’t feel like it had been cut short. The book is also super sweet and leaves at an ending that made me feel all happy and ooey gooey inside.

Overall, this book is epic! I love Laura Kaye’s writing in this book and I 100% want to read more ASAP! It’s a must read from me!!

I definitely want to read more by Laura Kaye! I might have found a new favourite author out of this anthology (and I’m only on the first book, so I’m sure I’ll find some more authors to read after I finished!).

PS Thanks to Tamsen Parker for suggesting I pick up this anthology!!

Five out of five stars.

 

Did you enjoy this review? Check out another you might enjoy! #BookReview On The Edge of Scandal by Tamsen Parker

If you read this review, give me a shoutout on twitter using the hashtags #BriarsReviews & #Blasphemy @ReviewAlholic

Check out Laura Kaye on her website http://laurakayeauthor.com/ or give her a shoutout on twitter! @LauraKayeAuthor

#BookReview Saving the CEO by Jenny Holiday

Saving the CEO was an enchanting romance novel that I need more of in my life!

This week has been busy and full of homework, work, assignments, tests and everything else that comes along with being a college student. When I finally finished my week, I wanted something nice, light and fun to read and Saving the CEO was the perfect fit.

This book follows Cassie, a Canadian university student and bartender, and Jack, a successful CEO of a successful company. These two start off with a “no strings attached” relationship, and of course things get more complicated as the story goes forward. The mixture of romance and plot in this story is perfect, being about 60:40 of romance to plot. I found the plot line of Cassie assisting with Jack’s company’s finances a unique and intriguing idea and I think it was done exceptionally well!

That being said, pros and cons time!

Pros:
1. This book is fast paced and kept me thoroughly addicted. I was really disappointed that I had to put the book down and wait a day to finish it, but that’s life for you.
2. Lovable characters! I normally HATE the alpha male, rich guy stereotype but Jenny made me LOVE Jack. I want my own Jack now – rich, caring, handsome…
3. Lighthearted, comedic moments were everywhere in this book! I’m glad Jenny didn’t take this book too seriously – she did play with some romance tropes and used silly metaphors which made this book so much better!

Cons:
1. This isn’t a book con, this is a website problem. This book is listed as BDSM and New Adult on some websites – it’s not. It’s an adult romance with really sexy erotica in it. That might mislead people.
2. The story had a typical romance narrative, which some readers might not like. I didn’t mind it at all, I quite enjoyed being able to sink my teeth into this book and escape the world.
3. Some of the plot points just magically happened at the perfect timing. That gets on my nerves a little when I read books like that, but the author had to get there somehow so I do understand WHY it happens… That doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it though.
4. We are meant to not like a certain character, and I didn’t hate him that much… He seemed misunderstood. I’m guessing a future novel might be in the works for him?…

Overall, this book is cute and addicting! I definitely want to read more by Jenny Holiday since I am OBSESSED with her fun, romantic writing! Hopefully I’ll be able to pick up more of her books soon!

Five out of five stars

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

 

Comment below with your fave romance novel!

Tweet @jennyholi and @ReviewAlholic with the hashtags #BriarsReviews and #SavingtheCEO if you read this review!
Check out Jenny Holiday on her website! http://jennyholiday.com/

Did you enjoy this review? Check out another you might enjoy! #BookReview Intricate Deceptions by Jennifer Rayes

#BookReview The Coffin Club by Ellen Schreiber

#ThrowbackThursday is upon us – and this time I picked another vampire YA book, but one that was and is still my guilty pleasure. Here’s the view!

 

 

The Coffin Club by Ellen Schreiber is one of my sweet obsessions in the YA genre.

Vampire Kisses was one of those series I binged read on a school trip. They were all adorable, they were sweet and it was everything I needed at the time. Going back to them, they are for sure my guilty pleasure. Happy endings, cute drama, adorable romance – everything I need in a guilty pleasure during rough times!

These reads are fast, and somewhat mindless. There’s no crazy Dan Brown plot lines or Inception like mysteries to be solved. It’s a YA novel with vampires and ooey gooey romance and drama. It’s everything that it’s designed to be – the perfect guilty pleasure package.

This isn’t the best in the series – this book is definitely one of the “filler” books that give you required information and new characters that will be extremely important as the series goes on. There is still crazy teen angst and drama to fill up the pages, but it doesn’t rival the first four, or the next novel in the series. That being said, it’s still great in my eyes. Not every book will be a home run, or else technically none of them would be.

Raven and Alexander are a cute couple – and Raven will do anything to get Alexander back (since he’s missing, of course). With a supporting cast like Jameson, Jagger, Phoenix and Onyx in this book, I definitely recommend it. It’s funny and sweet!

Overall – I love this series. If you want a sweet, easy read that is YA based and full of the vampire craze this book is for you!! Five out of five stars!

 

Check out Ellen on Goodreads: Ellen Schreiber on Goodreads

Or take a peek at her website: EllenSchreiber.com

Maybe give her a shoutout on Twitter too? @EllenSchreiber

Enjoy my reviews? Check out my Goodreads page! Briar’s Reviews on Goodreads

Give me a shout-out on Twitter! Let me know your recent reads!!! Or give me some recommendations!  Briar’s Reviews on Twitter

If you enjoyed this review, check out another great vampire review! Once Upon a Vampire by Mari Mancusi