Book Review: Dirty Blood (Dirty Blood Book 1) by Heather Hildenbrand

Title: Dirty Blood
Author: Heather Hildenbrand
Series: Dirty Blood #1
Pages: 288
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

I killed a girl last night. I did it with my bare hands and an old piece of pipe I found lying next to the dumpster. But that’s not the part that got me. The part that scared me, the part I can’t seem to wrap my head around and still has me reeling, was that when she charged me, her body shifted – and then she was a wolf. All snapping teeth and extended claws. But by the time I stood over her lifeless body, she was a girl again. That’s about the time I went into shock… And that was the moment he showed up.

Now, all I can do is accept the truths that are staring me in the face. One, Werewolves do exist. And Two, I was born to kill them.

This is actually the second time I have read Dirty Blood by Ms. Hildenbrand, and I enjoyed it just as much this time as I did the first!

Tara is thrust into a new world full of werewolves and those that hunt them. She has no idea how she fits into this crazy world, but for some reason she finds herself in the center of it. There are those that are after her, but she is not alone. She has a hunky protector that just keeps popping up. Personally, I would be okay with a hunky protector...however, Tara is not one to sit idly by.

Tara wants to be active in this new world. She wants to stand up for herself and not just have her battles fought for her. In the midst of all of her new world drama, she still has to go to High School. And, if you remember High School, then you know that it's no picnic...

Hildenbrand does a fantastic job of introducing us to Tara's world in the first installment of the Dirty Blood series! Oh, and I just love the sleek silver Aston Martin...and its driver is pretty great too. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, Cold Blood!!

"This just figured. The hottest guy I'd ever seen, alone with me in my room, and he was completely whacked."

"Seat warmer? Wow, my mom's Taurus had two vents on my side of the car, and I thought that was luxury."

"I cranked the volume on the stereo and sang at the top of my lungs to an old Britney Spears song, my possession and enjoyment of which, I hoped, would remain a secret between me and my car."

"Do you ever feel like you've been waiting your entire life for a specific moment when it'll all make sense?" 
      → Have truer words ever been spoken?

   
 

Book Review: The Chief (Daughters of Destiny Book 3) by K.R. Grace

Title: The Chief
Author: K.R. Grace
Series: Daughters of Destiny #3
Pages: 212
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Star Allistar:

It appears I’ve waded into dangerous waters. Go figure. I can’t say much right now, but what I will tell you is that if it weren’t for a tribe of persistent, loveable Black Bears and their reluctant Chief, I would be so screwed right now.

Oh yeah, and now my heart feels like it’s in a taffy pull. If you’ve never seen one in person, look it up. It’s intense.

Raeb Clawson:

Star’s one of the few people who treats me like I’m just a regular seventeen-year-old guy…not the new Chief of a dying tribe. With Brighton out of the way doing only Creator knows what, now’s my chance to win her over.

The tribe was trusted with a great secret. A secret that could either protect or kill Star. It’s our job to make sure nothing happens to her, and I’ll die upholding my end of the bargain if I have to.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to see clearly when the heart gets in the way.

Let me first just say "Oh My Gosh!!" By far, The Chief is my favorite book in this series! I didn't want the book to end, but sadly I was shocked when I got to 92% on my kindle and the book was over. I thought I still had 8%!!!! Right now, I'm a little distraught... I REALLY did not want the book to end! However, the fourth book, The Phoenix is scheduled to come out in April!! Whew, that's a relief, I though that I was just going to be waiting around (extremely impatiently) until fall. If you can't tell, I didn't just like this book, I LOVED it!! Okay, now that that's out of my system, I can get on with the rest of the review!

In The Loner, we had Drake Knight, and in The Brother we had Brighton Sterling. The Chief introduces us to the third contestant in this twisted game, Raeb Clawson. Star initially wants absolutely nothing to do with the guy. He is able to get under her skin and annoys her like no other. But, for some reason she finds herself smiling, laughing, and having fun. With Raeb, she is able to forget her destiny for a little while. He also is able to forget his position as Chief and all the decisions he must make for his tribe. Star just treats him like a normal guy.

With all that is going on, things are getting stranger (if that is even possible). Star starts leaning more about who she really is, and it scares the hell out of her. If I had it my way though, she would just be able to lean on Raeb. If you haven't already figured it out, Raeb is my favorite!

The Chief is an amazing book, however, there was a few flaws. There are some grammatical errors (don't get me wrong, there are probably even some in this review), but if you get sucked into the story like I did, then they are easily overlooked. Something else I found a bit strange was that Raeb has an aunt Tonya, or is it Tanya (I'm pretty sure they were the same person, but I don't really know, anyhow, I really like her). Oh, and beware, this book does end with the drop of a bombshell. Overall though, this is an amazing book, and by far my favorite in the series!! Keep up the good work Ms. Grace, and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us in The Phoenix!!!

"If you couldn't laugh at yourself, what was the point?"

"Gotta be more specific sunshine." He winked at me before starting another. 
"You might want to get that eye problem checked out. One might mistaken it for flirting."

"Love isn't a feeling. It's much deeper than that. Yes, it's a choice, but there's also a necessity to be with that person that makes you depend on that person for survival. That feeling can't be fabricated."

  

Book Review: The Drifting (Velesi Trilogy Book 2) by L. Filloon

Title: The Drifting
Author: L. Filloon
Series: Velesi Trilogy #2
Pages: 344
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

“Welcome to Velesi, Princess.”

It is Lily’s first day in the Velesi realm but not as the princess she was made to believe, but as a captive to a strange Lithi elf name Ziri – Tharin and Tolan’s mysterious brother. Who is he and why has he taken her? Or is he only a pawn in someone’s deadly game of chess?

Tharin and Lily discover a prophecy involving the Unnamed Sidhe and a way back to Eirrell, the birthplace of the Thirteen Clans. However, before they can get to the doorway to Eirrell, Lily must first make it to the Day of the Seating to take her rightful place on the throne of the Willow Clan.

Tharin must keep Lily safe until the Day of the Seating even if it means keeping the beautiful Sidhe warrior Kalis close to him. Will he be able to protect his naïve, but stubborn bride-to-be not just from Harlu but from his warrior mistress? He once again turns to his brother and cousin, to only find that Tolan has his own problems with his feisty Julia.

Thank goodness for the future king of Velesi that he has Phoris, Alorn and Mellis to cover his royal back.

Welcome to Velesi, a realm existing alongside our own with their own rules, their own players and their own way of life.

The Drifting picks up exactly where the first book in the series, The Binding, ended. Lily is scared, she is in a new place with strange people she doesn't know. The one person who should be helping her, Tharin is extremely wishy-washy this entire book. Just as with the first book, this one also switches back and forth between the perspectives of Lily and Tharin. Everytime Tharin's turn would happen, I would instantly think, "Okay, how are you going to make me mad now?" I mean, it was just one thing after another.


Not only did Tharin dig a hole for himself, but he kept on digging...deeper...and deeper. I really like Tharin, but come on, you're the future king, man up! It was not only me that felt this way, Lily had exactly no idea what was going on with him, among other things. She is a busy girl! Being at the center of a prophecy that could save the world and prevent war is certainly no cake walk! And on top of that, she has to deal with some moody, wishy-wasy elf!

Besides Tharin, being Tharin, the world that L. Filloon created is expanded upon even more in this second installment. She is extremely talented! She described a world filled with beautiful trees, and a LOT of rain. There is no doubt in my mind that Velesi would be beautiful.

"However, he was right about one thing. You are stunning, but then again, you are my twin."

"What a spoiled and self-entitled bitch. I have had to deal with her type all my life, both Julia and me. Always looking down their noses at me, and my height had nothing to do with it."

"Yes, but you must remember that you hold your own destiny. Fate can whisper in your ear what road you should take, but it is up to you to make that decision."

 

Book Review: The Binding (The Velesi Trilogy Book 1) by L. Filloon

Title: The Binding
Author: L. Filloon
Series: Velesi Trilogy #1
Pages: 279
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Two nights after her eighteenth birthday, Lily is attacked while out jogging, but is saved by Tharin Lunar, a Sidhe prince. When she discovers that her attacker is her own brother, Lucas, who disappeared four years ago, Lily refuses to believe that her brother would truly hurt her and becomes determined to find Lucas and bring him home. Lily finds that Lucas’ disappearance is somehow tied to Tharin; so when he informs her that she is his betrothed and must return with him to Velesi, fulfill a treaty between their families and unite the two strongest clans through their marriage, Lily agrees. However, she’s not going to Velesi for a wedding, but to bring home her only family, Lucas.

On their journey to the borders of Velesi, the realm of the Thirteen Clans, they’re pursued by a Sidhe assassin group call the Ange, meet with an ogre crime lord that ends badly, deal with a sleazy troll motel manager, and when they discover that there’s a bounty on their heads, they must keep one step ahead of every assassin, bounty hunter and low-life criminal in Velesi.

Protecting Lily has become the biggest challenge of Tharin’s life. Lucky for him he has help in the form of his twin brother, Tolan, Lily’s best friend Julia and his three bodyguard cousins. 

This is my third time reading this book. That's right, you heard me, THIRD. Just like with the first two times, I found myself immediately sucked in right from the start. I just love the characters! Not just one or two, but all of them! How often can you say that about a book?

The story begins when Lily is attacked after her eighteenth birthday. After that, the point of view switches between her and her savior, Tharin. So, you do not just get the whole story through Lily's eyes, you instead get to see half of it through Tharin's. Ever wonder what someone else is thinking in certain scenes? Well, you do not have to wonder in The Binding. Many of the scenes overlap, so you will be able to see a scene through Tharin's and Lily's eyes. I loved that!

Just to be clear, The Binding does have a cliffhanger. When I first read it - you know the first time - I remember thinking how I had to get my hands on the next book. Well, I did a little while later. I found myself just as much in love with that book, and even the last one, as I did with the one that started it all, The Binding. This is a great book that starts off a great series! Be prepared you will laugh, be frustrated, but above all else, you will find yourself rooting for the wonderful characters that L. Filloon has created!

 

Book Review: The Brother (Daughters of Destiny Book 2) by K.R. Grace

Title: The Brother
Author: K.R. Grace
Series: Daughters of Destiny #2
Pages: 328
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Star Allistar: So, boyfriend #1 dies in a tragic car accident and boyfriend #2 mysteriously vanishes without a trace. One would think I would get a clue and lay off the boyfriends at least until I graduated high school. To say I didn’t expect Brighton Sterling to come into my life and make things difficult is a stretch. What I didn’t expect was for him to lie to me about who he is and why he and his family moved to my small neck of the woods. I should stay away from him. Unfortunately, I have a habit of doing things I shouldn’t do.

Meliena and the Wolves are out for blood. They want to find Drake’s captors and destroy them. They seem to be under the impression all the blame can be placed on the Falcons…Brighton’s family specifically. Now I’m stuck in a losing battle. If I side with the Wolves, I am accusing Brighton of being a monster. If I side with Brighton, I betray Drake. Either way, I lose someone.

With Drake gone, communication between the heavens and the Guardians has stopped. Someone must find out who is really behind his disappearance and restore the order, and judging by the insanity surrounding me, I am the only person sane enough for the job…or maybe I am the crazy one.

Brighton Sterling: Drake Knight killed my brother.

The mission is simple: move into town, make the mutt pay, and then leave before anyone suspects anything. Falling in love is unacceptable…

Raphael was my twin. That type of bond doesn’t go away with death. Yet, rather than staying on course in administering justice on his behalf, I’m wavering because of a broken girl who never asked to be brought into our messed-up world. I can’t fight the attraction, and I’m not sure I want to. Unfortunately, the plan is already in motion, and I left no room for error. Star will suffer…unless I can find a way to stop it.

But who do I give up: my brother…or a girl whose heart could already belong to another man?

After finishing The Loner, I quickly picked up the second installment, The Brother. Just like with the previous book, this was a good read! The story is extremely interesting and had a few little twists that I wasn't expecting...at all.

In The Loner, we found out that Star is the center of a well, let's just call it a prophecy. She must choose between three very different guys. In The Loner, we get to meet the first contestant, Drake. Now, in The Brother we get to meet Brighton. This is an extremely interesting concept. Not only do we get to see the guys from Star's point of view, but we also get a few glimpses inside their own heads. I feel like this just connects the reader to what Star is feeling even more!

Oh, and in case you don't know, Star is feeling...A LOT. She has really been through the ringer, and it's not done with her just yet. She is going to have a really tough decision to make in the end. So far we have only seen the wolf and the falcon, but we still have the bear. Drake (the wolf) and Brighton (the falcon) both have their flaws. As of right now though, I am still waiting to find out more about the bear. He may just come along and blow them both right out of the water!

I can't wait for the third installment, The Chief, to come out next month. I am eager to meet the next, and final contestant (I know I have already said this, but I'm excited. Can you blame me?). This is just a really great quick-read series!!