Caedmon's Curse

Author: A. J. Nuest

Author Website/Blog: http://ajnuest.com

Publication Date: January 9, 2014

Summary from Goodreads:  The two years Prince Caedmon suffered in the dungeons of Seviere’s keep left him with more than just lash marks lacing his back. He now retains the secret behind the key, and is the only one who understands its grim connection to his beloved Rowena. Torn between telling her the truth and risking their future, he agrees to join her perilous quest. But their enemies to the north are not the only menace determined to see them fail and, to prove his love, he must conquer the demons of his past.                                                                                                             
Join Caedmon and Rowena as they rediscover a love bound by fate, and struggle to unravel the significance behind  Caedmon’s Curse, Book III in The Golden Key Chronicles. 

Source: ARC from author in exchange for an honest review

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: This book is definitely my favorite in the series (at least so far)! I was sucked into this magical story and literally stayed up way to late to finish it because I simply could not put it down.

It was gripping, action packed, emotional, and super steamy!

To start, I love our characters. Rowena and Caedmon have most definitely grown on me. Rowena is still her feisty, but strong self, and I'm so glad to see her develop this way. Caedmon has remained true to his swoon-worthy self. As a pair, they are perfect for each other. I love how the author has managed to balance the genres of fantasy and romance, they blend together perfectly.

The action scenes are well-written and had me on the edge of my seat with my heart racing. There were quite a few twists in this book and several important pieces began to fall into place.

Yet again, the book ended with a cliff-hanger (Holy Cow! What an ending!) and I was not ready to put this story aside. I can't believe that I will have to wait for the next installment AND that the next book is planned to be the last. Seriously, this book took the series to a whole new level - if you haven't started the series yet, then you really should.

Dates Read: December 30 - 31, 2013

Candra's Freedom

Author: A. J. Nuest

Author Website/Blog: http://ajnuest.com

Publication Date: December 12, 2013

Summary from Goodreads: The key would unlock his future and the safety of his kingdom, but he never imagined the sorceress would unlock his heart…Lost in a world she doesn't recognize, Rowena struggles to find her place.Yet her abilities with a blade and the loyalty of a fierce falcon don't discourage the heated advances of the handsome Prince Caedmon, and the connection between them seems much deeper than her troubled heart can recall.Book 2 in the breathtaking new Fantasy Romance series from AJ Nuest!

Source: Author in exchange for an honest review

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: I absolutely wolfed this book down. It is another quick read, which had me on the edge of my seat. I think I liked this book more than the first; it had more of a fantasy feel to it.

Rowena has grown since the first book, but not in a way that you would expect. Her memories are still missing, but she is fighting to be an independent woman in a society where that is unheard of. I love her in this book and really hope she remains this feisty. Caedmon is still quite the heartthrob and I appreciate the duel perspectives which help to understand both characters.

I love how this book takes place only in Caedmon’s realm, the world building in this novella sucked me it. The action scenes were well-written and I felt like I could have easily been watching a movie.

The book ends with another cliff-hanger, and again I felt I wasn't ready for the end of the book, leaving me desperately waiting for the next installment.Dates Read: December 29, 2013

Living Backwards

Author: Tracy Sweeney

Author Website/Blog: http://www.tracysweeney.net

Publication Date: January 21, 2013

Summary from Goodreads:Twenty-nine-year-old Jillian Cross refuses to believe that a pair of skinny jeans has led to her untimely demise. Life just isn't that cruel. But when an overly-enthusiastic attempt at squeezing herself into them leads her to fall and lose consciousness, she is faced with just that possibility. When she awakens with both a bruised ego and a bump on her head, she's not in her tiny apartment but her childhood bedroom circa 1999-the spring of her senior year in high school. Jillian knows that time travel isn't logical. But then again, neither was her decision to wear skinny jeans. As she attempts to navigate her way through the halls of Reynolds High, walking the same path and making the same choices she made years before, she knows that any change she makes can have a catastrophic effect on her future. But when she strikes up an unexpected friendship with motorcycle-riding, cigarette-smoking Luke Chambers, can she pretend to be the same shy girl she once was? At least she has her pink sparkly flask to take the edge off. One little change won't hurt, right? 

Source: Purchased

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: I was sucked into this book within the first few sentences and immediately liked the main character, Jillian. A few chapters in, I was totally hooked; I literally stayed up until 3:30am to finish it. I loved it and I highly recommend this book!The synopsis makes this book sound like a cheesy chick-lit book, but trust me it is NOT cheesy and it is not your typical chick-lit book.

The plot moved at a natural pace and it was unpredictable. The writing was really good: some of the dialog is hilarious, there were parts that I laughed out loud; I also found myself feeling the emotions of the characters. The changing point of views and the well-developed, honest characters reminded me of Emily Griffin’s work (but minus the heavy issues). I also loved seeing the characters grow in a way that seemed true to who they were.

I imagine this book will take off this summer, when women start looking for books to read on the beach – it’s perfect! I’ll be looking forward to more work from Tracy Sweeney. (I read this book from February 1 – 3, 2013)

Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Author Website/Blog: http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/

Publication Date: February 28, 2012

Summary from Goodreads: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.                                            
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Source: Purchased

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: WOW! This book had my adrenaline pumping an my heart racing. Seriously, you need to read this book!

It is a young adult dystopian read (without a heavy social or political message) that I think most adults will enjoy. It starts a little slow but the pace quickly picks up. There were literally scenes where I felt like I was part of the action; my heart was pounding, my palms were sweaty, and I my breaths were racing.

The characters are a little difficult to get to know and understand, but it's not a lack of character development, it is a result if the world they live in. that being said, I really liked the two main characters.

The world is interesting and somewhat believable for a dystopian future, however I had lots of questions about the world they live in. But, like I said I couldn't put it down! The action was intense and the voice was gripping.

There are lots of themes being explored in this book that make me think it would be great for a class discussion or book club.

I highly recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading the others in the series.(I read this book from November 29 – December 1 2012)

Rowena's Key

Author: A. J. Nuest

Author Website/Blog: http://ajnuest.com/

Publication Date: November 7, 2013

Summary from Goodreads: The key would unlock his future and the safety of his kingdom, but he never imagined the sorceress would unlock his heart…Antiques restorer, Rowena Lindstrom, finds herself the owner of an ancestral armoire containing a hideen key and a magic mirror leading to another realm! But the handsome warrior prince waiting on the other side is truly the final straw. This must be an elaborate joke, right? As she struggles to discover the truth, Rowena learns Prince Caesmon Austiere needs the key to save his kingdom. In the end, she cannot deny him anything. Including her heart.

Source: Author in exchange for an honest review

Rating: 4 Stars 

Review: This is a unique story. I love the idea of the two realms being connected by the mirror. I am also intrigued by the key and feel like there is more to learn about its importance. I like the characters. Rowena could have used a bit more development, especially because of the twist at the end, but she is likable. Oliver is hilarious! Caedmon is definitely perfect for his role in the story.

The romance happens quickly, and normally I hate that, however the circumstances in this story made it believable - definitely need to tip my hat to the author for achieving that. I was swept up in the romance and found it to be a nice touch.

This is a short book and I really feel like the story has the potential to stretch out quite well. I almost wish that instead of writing four novellas that the author would have written one longer book - because I just wasn't ready for the story to end.

The book ends quite abruptly and there is a definite cliff hanger. So, I am dying to read the next installment. All in all, it was a fun quick read. It has all the ingredients of a beautifully woven fantasy tale with just the right touch of romance.