5 STARS | With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

Title: With All My Soul
Series: Soul Screamers #7
Author: Rachel Vincent
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Elements: Bean sidhes, Reapers, Demons, Psychic Abilities, Necromancers
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-0373210664
Published: March 26th, 2013
Source: Library
Events: With All My Soul Mini-Reading Challenge
Rating: ★★★★★
Series Reviews: If I Die | Never to Sleep | Before I Wake

What does it mean when your school is voted the most dangerous in America? It's time to kick some hellion butt...

After not really surviving her junior year (does "undead" count as survival?), Kaylee Cavanaugh has vowed to take back her school from the hellions causing all the trouble. She's going to find a way to turn the incarnations of Avarice, Envy and Vanity against one another in order to protect her friends and finish this war, once and forever.

But then she meets Wrath and understands that she's closer to the edge than she's ever been. And when one more person close to her is taken, Kaylee realizes she can't save everyone she loves without risking everything she has....

I'm so incredibly sad that the series is over! This final book in the Soul Screamers series pack quite a punch, emotionally and mentally. Kaylee is truly amazing in With All My Soul. Her sacrifice was so selfless, it just stunned me. The love between Tod and Kaylee left me emotionally wrecked. It was so beautiful in its pureness and depth. And as we learn in With All My Soul, their connection is a lot deeper than it ever was. Their love for each other is what saves them both in the end. There were a few very powerful moments for the other characters too. Nash realizes just how much Tod loves him and what he gave up so that Nash could live. And Sabine shows that she really does care about everyone in their group, more than they ever thought.

Now this is probably wishful thinking, but I think it would be incredibly awesome if there were a spinoff series written that explored more of the afterlife, maybe from Tod's POV or another reaper or something. Because there is one loose end that wasn't tied in With All My Soul. As far as I know, Thane is still out there.

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A resident of San Antonio, Rachel Vincent has a BA in English and an overactive imagination, and consistently finds the latter to be more practical. She shares her workspace with two black cats (Kaci and Nyx) and her # 1 fan. Rachel is older than she looks-seriously-and younger than she feels, but remains convinced that for every day she spends writing, one more day will be added to her lifespan.




Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2013 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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5 STARS | Astarte's Wrath by Trisha Wolfe

Title: Astarte's Wrath
Series: Kythan Guardians #0.5
Author: Trisha Wolfe
Age Group: New Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Romance, Historical, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Steampunk
Publisher: Trisha Wolfe
Format: Kindle Edition
ASIN: B00BNZ6XV6
Published: March 2nd, 2013
Source: Trisha Wolfe
Events: Book Promotion
Rating: ★★★★★

Two thousand years before Dez Harkly developed her secret powers, Guardian Astarte was vowed to protect by the binds enslaving her to the Egyptian pharaohs. Discover the prophecy that originated from a very different time, and spans generations to link two very different girls.

This is the beginning.

Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Actium, in the city of Alexandria, Star struggles with her guardian duties as her feelings for the newly named pharaoh of Egypt grow deeper. Not only is Caesarion her duty, he's the son of Cleopatra, and he's human. All of which makes their love forbidden.

But when a conspiracy linked to Caesar creeps into Alexandria, Star must choose between helping her fellow Kythan free themselves of their servitude, and protecting her charge - the last pharaoh - while Egypt burns around her.

I absolutely loved Astarte's Wrath. It was equal part thrilling and heartbreaking. There was no way that I couldn't love the characters of Star and Xarion. Their love seems doomed--and in many ways it is--but there is also a hope that is brought forth from their love for each other. I'll admit that I was getting teary toward the end. I just couldn't help it, I loved these characters so much, that my heart broke for them. I loved how seamlessly this prequel flows into the main story of the Kythan Guardians series. I'm really excited to see what happens in Destiny's Fire.

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Trisha Wolfe is the author of the YA Steampunk DESTINY'S FIRE (Omnific Publishing), the NA Historical/Supernatural ASTARTE'S WRATH, and the upcoming YA Utopian FIREBLOOD from Spencer Hill Press, October 2013. Her NA Dark Fantasy OF SILVER AND BEASTS available May 2013.

She’s the creator of YA Bound, a promotional site for the Young Adult genre. Also a member of SCWW and The Apocalypsies.




Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2013 to my book blog, A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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3 STARS | The Blind Cupid by Karyn Gerrard

Title: The Blind Cupid
Series: The Edge #56, The Blind Cupid #1
Author: Karyn Gerrard
Age Group: Adult
Genres: Historical, Erotica, Romance
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
Format: PDF
ASIN: B00ANEKKOE
Published: December 12th, 2012
Source: FMB Promotions
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★
Series Reviews: The Edge: Night Music | Hypnotist | Friends with Benefits | Treason and Treacle

Was Cupid blind?

Anne Sommer, a spinster firmly on the shelf, does the unthinkable. She hires a man to give her pleasure for one night. Anne wants the erotic memories to keep her company in the lonely years ahead. She did not expect the young man who showed up at her door to move her in ways she never imagined.

Desmond Glover gives pleasure---for a price. An orphan whose childhood was mired in scandal and poverty, Desmond has learned to close off his emotions with regard to his occupation. He did not count on a lonely spinster to awaken his hidden passion.

Not only do the years separate them, but their social standings. Can Anne and Desmond cross such a chasm and find mutual desire---or love?

I really liked The Blind Cupid. When it looked like Anne and Desmond weren't going to work out, I was chanting over and over, "They have to be together, they have to be together." Their story was actually pretty sweet, and I couldn't help but love Desmond. I really liked his show a vulnerability at points, it showed that he wasn't as unfeeling as he lets on. I can't wait to read the next books in this series.

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Living in a small town in a corner of Ontario, Canada, I wile away my spare time writing and reading romance. As long as I can avoid being hit by a runaway moose here in this wilderness paradise, I assume everything is golden. Originally from the east coast of Canada.

I've been happily married for a long time to my own hero. His encouragement keeps me moving forward.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2013 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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