• Splintered - AG HowardSplintered
  •  graceling - kristin cashore
  •  someone to love - addison moore
  •  breaking beautiful - jennifer shaw wolf
  •  the perfect game - j sterling
  •  the edge of never - ja redmerski
  •  independence - shelly crane

Thursday, March 19, 2015

{Review} Broken Blood by Heather Hildenbrand


Broken Blood
by Heather Hildenbrand
Series: Dirty Blood (#5)
Source: Provided by Author
Available as of March 10, 2015
Amazon
I thought watching my Werewolf boyfriend get arrested for murder was the worst experience of my life. But then I was knocked out and dragged off to a cell of my own by the very people who were supposed to protect me from danger.

I thought being held prisoner in solitary confinement for weeks on end was the worst experience of my life. But then a visitor came, and I realized I’d been wrong all along. There are worse things than torture and death. Much worse.

He wants my blood. More than that, he wants to get into my head. To use my bond to control his army, to wipe the world clean of anything with dirty blood. I can’t let that happen, but if I don’t he’ll kill every single person I’ve ever cared about—beginning with my Werewolf pack.

The prophecy said I would have to make an impossible choice, but I must be doing this wrong—so far every choice I’ve made has only led to more pain and danger and death. Hunters are pitted against Werewolves and I’m alone in my war against Gordon Steppe. I can’t fight him off anymore; all I can do is try to keep him out of the important places. And I’m failing at even that.

I thought the demons were out there, clearly marked and clinging to the shadows. But they’re not. The monsters are within the ranks of those sworn to protect. The enemy is among us.

Overall Rating
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Note:
This review may contain spoilers if you haven't read...

Review
As everyone who visits here should know, I LOVE Heather Hildenbrand and her books. I've loved everything I've read of hers and I will continue to read everything she publishes. Broken Blood is by far the best of the Dirty Blood series.

It's the final chapters of Tara's wild ride with Steepe. She wakes to find herself in a cell, forced to do what he wants if she wants her friends and her pack to survive.

Unlike the rest of the Dirty Blood books, Tara is still her strong, independent self, but she is in the dark about a lot of things that are going on. Granted some of those things are to protect her and her friends, but she doesn't have the same amount of control we are used to... at least not until the end.

I loved that Tara is given choices that will either put her in a terrible position or harm her friends. We get to see her true colors and while I agreed with most of her choices, I probably would have given in sooner for a few. I also loved that I was shocked by what happened in the last handful of chapters. Heather threw a few curveballs that I wasn't expecting, but the ending of this series had its way of coming to where I thought all end.

Overall, I loved this series and highly recommend it to EVERYONE!! Heather's books are a fantastic way to pass the time and are always at the top of my list when friends ask me what they should read. If you haven't started this paranormal adventure, do it now! If you have finish the series!!!!

 
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FTC disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.

Friday, March 13, 2015

{Guest Post} Cold Blood Ch 25 - Alex's POV


Cold Blood
by Heather Hildenbrand
Series:  Dirty Blood (#2)
Available as of November 22, 2011
Amazon
Wood Point Academy is not at all what I expected. For one thing, it looks like a cross between military school and Buckingham Palace. Everyone stares, the floors shine so bright you can see your reflection in them from a mile away, and no one smiles. Unless they're kicking your butt in the process.

At least I've got plenty to take my mind off the fact that my psycho cousin, Miles De'Luca, keeps calling and declaring his love and promising to come for me just as soon as he's destroyed anyone standing in our way. Wes isn't going to like that idea. So between Miles, Wood Point's evil welcoming committee, and the drill sergeant hottie trainer from hell, I just keep asking myself, how did I end up here?




Chapter Twenty-Five: Alex
 

The radio crackled out some country song that was nothing more than a tenor voice whining for more whiskey. I didn’t pay it any attention but I didn’t turn it off, either. The background noise helped numb the fear that had settled so deeply into my chest, it left an ache similar to what I imagined a heart attack to feel like.

Tara had almost died.

I couldn’t shake the image of her lying on her back with that … thing hovering over her, about to take a bite. Each time I allowed myself to remember, the memory swept me up and threatened to overwhelm me. I took a steadying breath and gripped the wheel tighter. I had to think of something else—anything else—to distract myself.

Unwittingly, another image floated in my mind. Tara in the hotel room we’d shared for a few hours. So much of her skin bared. Bruised. Swollen. It had been both beautiful and horrific seeing her that way. And then lying next to her, sleeping, and the kiss … it had been more than I’d hoped for, her kissing me back.

She certainly hadn’t kissed me back that day in the woods. Then again, I was pretty sure she’d been in shock. I hadn’t exactly planned it, but the way her face looked in that moment … fear of Miles, complete trust in me. And then she’d been angry. There was nothing more beautiful than an angry Tara. Or so I’d thought until she’d kissed me the way she had in the hotel room. The memory of that feeling would warm me for many, many nights to come.

“How bad is this going to be for me, exactly?” Tara asked.

I kept my gaze trained on the road but her question jolted me back to harsh reality. The kiss was over. Our time together, blocking out the world and pretending it didn’t exist, was over. We were almost back to school.

“That depends,” I answered her.

“On what?”

“On our method of entry. Do you want to announce your return?”

“Um, do I have a choice?”

I knew what she was asking and I’d already worked out the answer. The shoulder widened just ahead. Perfect. “Yes.” I pulled over and got out.

 

We left the truck and began our hike through the darkened woods. It took my eyes a moment to adjust and then shapes of trees and the familiar, yet narrow, path came into focus. I kept my steps small so she could keep up and led the way.

She asked me about the logistics of returning this way: the truck, the wards (as if they worked anymore). I could hear the irritation in my voice as I answered her but I couldn’t help it. We were almost back to reality. There was so much to say. And she’d rather talk about the damned truck.

 She must’ve caught on because I heard, “Alex, wait.”

I kept walking.

Her hand closed over my arm, my skin heating automatically where her fingers touched me. Right now, I hated my body. 

“What’s your problem?” she demanded.

“Nothing. We’re almost back to school. I assume you’ll want to forget about anything that happened between us once we’re there. I’m simply switching gears to accommodate.” I felt petulant and immature saying it, but I didn’t care.

“Switching gears to accommodate?” she echoed. I could hear her temper rising in her voice. Something in my gut warmed in anticipation of a good fight. “What are you, a robot?” I kept my mouth shut, willing her to go on, to say something that mattered. “I didn’t say anything because … well, it’s complicated. You know that.” She paused. The fire had gone out of her voice. “You haven’t said anything, either.”

“You’re right. I guess I figured I made things clear.” I let sarcasm drip from my words. Baiting her.

She laughed and my nerves pricked. “Have you ever actually had a girlfriend? Because you really suck at this.” I opened my mouth to snap back a retort, but she went on, “Don’t answer that. Seriously, though, you can’t kiss a girl and expect her to automatically know your feelings through osmosis or something. Besides, when I met you, you hated me. And now you’re kissing me. So, pardon me if that leavese me a little confused.”

“I didn’t hate you.”

“Pot-ay-toes, pot-ah-toes. You were disgusted, at least.”

I shook my head and the words were out before I could stop them. “You don’t disgust me, Tara. You amaze me, impress me, surprise me, entertain me. You definitely don’t disgust me.”

I clamped my mouth shut, horrified and elated that I’d finally said it. I couldn’t take it back, no matter her response, but I didn’t really want to, now that it was out there.

She didn’t answer and my heart plummeted to somewhere around my knees. “Do I do any of those things for you?” I asked, hating how desperate I sounded. And felt.

She stared at me, the whites of her eyes barely visible in the darkness. “Yes,” she whispered.

My heart soared. I wondered if he could hear us from where I knew he waited in the trees up ahead. I hoped so. Something twisted inside me really, really hoped so. I allowed myself three seconds to enjoy my triumph and then reality came crashing in around me. “And does Wes do any of those things for you?” I asked, trying not to choke on the name.

“Yes,” she repeated, her eyes darting away.

I changed my mind. Hopefully he couldn’t hear us.

The ache in my chest returned—for different reasons. It was my own fault. I’d known the answer the moment I’d asked.

“I think it’s best that we leave it there then. For now.” She didn’t speak and I knew the moment was done. “Let’s get you back to school and focus on getting Miles.”

“Okay.” She sounded defeated.

Exactly how I felt.

 




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Thursday, March 12, 2015

{Review} Blood Rule by Heather Hildenbrand


Blood Rule
by Heather Hildenbrand
Series: Dirty Blood (#4)
Source: Provided by Author
Available as of August 6, 2013
Amazon
Forty-six.
That’s how many hybrids survived the Hunter attack in the woods after I revived them with an injection of my blood. That’s how many followed me home to Frederick Falls. And that’s how many were now mentally linked to me through a blood bond.

Two days. Three valium. Fourteen hours of sleep.
That’s what it took to realize I wasn’t losing my mind as a result of the noise in my own head.

Sixteen.
That’s how many days have passed since I almost killed Alex. That’s how many days I’ve sat by his bedside, waiting for him to wake up. To ease the guilt, to understand his betrayal, to remember the exact shade of brown in his eyes.

Zero.
That’s my chances of skating by with Gordon Steppe and the Hunter Council. They want me for questioning. I’m afraid what’ll happen if I give them answers.

Overall Rating
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Note:
This review may contain spoilers if you haven't read...

Review
It has been some time since I posted a Dirty Blood review.... or any review for that matter. Since my training is finally slowing down I sent a message to Heather Hildenbrand asking if she needed more reviews for her Dirty Blood Series. Getting back into the story line wasn't difficult and I quickly found my way back into some of my favorite characters lives.

Alex is in a coma and Tara is anxiously awaiting his wake-up. Too bad Steepe is getting closer to having his way and she may not be able to stick around long enough to see him wake and ease her guilt. Little does she know that her world is about to tip on its axis.

As I stated before, it didn't take me long to get back into the story line, maybe a chapter or two. Remembering who the characters were and what role they played came back to me quickly even after a two year break from this series. Being able to fall right back into a storyline after so long away from it is a feat and I applaud Heather and her ease of doing this without repeating all the big detail or giving a brief summary of what happened in the prior book(s).

To say that I love Tara is an understatement because it is rare to find a strong female lead. She is the female who wants to jump right into the fight regardless of who is standing with her. Some may call this reckless (and it kinda is...), but at least she can be reasoned with. Wes, per usual, is willing to do anything for Tara. He's still insecure, but he wouldn't let her go anywhere without him regardless of what consequence he could face.

I think what I love most about this series is the camaraderie within Tara's pack/group of friends. Even when they don't always agree they still find a way to get from point a to point b. I love that Tara is finally realizing that she can do great things and that she needs her pack to succeed. In the prior books, she didn't want to hear her pack in her head, but now she is coming to terms with how her pack shapes her.

Overall, I'm extremely grateful for the time I found in my training schedule to get back to Heather's amazing werewolf series. Don't get lost in the sauce by reading this first. Go back to Dirty Blood and start from square one. If you enjoy paranormal werewolf storylines you'll most likely enjoy this series. After years of reading paranormal and getting burnt out on it I still look forward to the next book in this series.



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FTC disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.
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