Book Review: Fated (The Soul Seekers Book 1) by Alyson Noel

Title: Fated
Author: Alyson Noel
Series: The Soul Seekers #1
Pages: 352
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Until now, he's existed only in her dreams - but fate is about to bring them together.

I shove through the crowd, knocking into girls and bouncing off boys, until one in particular catches me, steadies me. I feel so secure, so at home in his arms. I melt against his chest-lift my gaze to meet his. Gasping when I stare into a pair of icy blue eyes banded by brilliant flecks of gold that shine like kaleidoscopes, reflecting my image thousands of times. The boy from my dream. The one who died in my arms.

Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter’s sanity, Daire’s mother sends her to live with the grandmother she’s never met. A woman who recognizes the visions for what they truly are—the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker—one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead.

There on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico, Daire sets out to harness her mystical powers. But it’s when she meets Dace, the boy from her dreams, that her whole world is shaken to its core. Now Daire is forced to discover if Dace is the one guy she's meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

I read Noel's Immortals series a few years ago and really enjoyed it. So, when I came across Fated, I knew that I had to pick it up. Once again, she did not disappoint!

This series is definitely different from her immortals series, but is just as amazing! For her whole life, our main heroine has never remained in one place for long. Her Hollywood make-up artist mom has just dragged her from movie set to movie set. However, Daire's life isn't as glamorous as it may appear. Due to her constant bouncing around, she has learned that nothing lasts forever and chooses to not form attachments. In reality, she is actually really lonely...

Strange things start to happen to her and when one thing leads to another, she is forced to stay with a relative in New Mexico. Despite her protests, this town, this place, turns out to be one of the best things that have ever happened to her. 

The mythology that Noel weaves into the story is really interesting, and I absolutely love how it all unfolds. I mean, who wouldn't want their very own spirit animal? And, all of this with a beautiful New Mexico landscape makes for a very ENCHANTING story.

Book Review: The Wrong Kind of Compatible (Love Undercover Book 1) by Kadie Scott

Title: The Wrong Kind of Compatible
Author: Kadie Scott
Series: Love Undercover #1
Published: June 12, 2017
Pages: 172
My Rating: ❤❤❤ 1/2

Data analyst Cassie Howard may be brilliant (and, okay, a little awkward), but she’s worked hard to get where she is. She definitely doesn’t need some sexy new analyst coming in and taking credit for her work. Or the inappropriate thoughts that keep popping out of her mouth she’d rather he not hear.

For undercover FBI agent Drew Kerrigan, computers have always made more sense than people, but he’d better develop some slick social skills in a hurry if he’s going to win over the too-tantalizing-for-his-sanity Cassie. Hacking their systems was easy. Now he’s just got to hack the one person in the company most likely to see through his ruse…

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *

If you are looking for a light, fun read, then look no further than The Wrong Kind of Compatible! This is a fast read that is full of charming dialogue that will put a smile on your face!

The story focuses on Drew and Cassie, who are each quirky and awkward in their own way. They both feel a little off beat from everyone else, and as if no one really fully gets them. However, as luck would have it, it just so happens that Drew and Cassie are perfect for each other. They practically even speak their own language, which by the way is full of innuendo. 

Even with all of the fun and flirty dialogue, I couldn't help but want more. The story went by so much quicker than I wanted it to. I wanted to know more about all of the characters, including Drew, Cassie, their coworkers, and their families. I feel that knowing more would have made for a more dramatic criminal reveal at the end. I would have liked to get to know the characters and guess who the culprit was. Instead, the story focused solely on Drew's and Cassie's attraction to one another. Don't get me wrong, I did love reading about their relationship, but the crime buff in me just wanted more about the cyber crime component of the story. 

Despite me being left with wanting more, I still enjoyed this read! One cannot crack open this book and not find Drew and Cassie completely adorable! They are completely right for each other!

Book Review: Black Orchid (Svatura Book 4) by Abigail Owen

Title: Black Orchid
Author: Abigail Owen
Series: Svatura #4
Published: March 23, 2014
Pages: 224
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Heartbroken... Adelaide Jenner feels nothing... she is completely numb inside. Her te'sorthene, her fated love, abandoned her and joined their enemy. On that day her sister turned off all Adelaide's emotions in order to save her from a heartbreak that could push her over the edge of sanity. But great power wielded without compassion or love can only lead to pain. Deceived... Nate Pierce believes Adelaide used her extraordinary powers to deceive him all these years. So he destroyed a relationship he thought to be false and hungers for revenge. Now, Nate serves Maddox, unaware that his new leader is using him as a pawn in a bid to enslave all Svatura. Unraveling... The only hope of finally defeating Maddox is for Adelaide and her sisters to combine their growing powers against him. But the the key to a Svatura's power is the heart, and Adelaide is still missing hers.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

The last installment of Miss Owen's Svatura series was full of twists. I think I even experienced more emotions than Adelaide did throughout the book (and trust me, she goes through a LOT)!

It was nice to finally get to know Adelaide and Nate more. In previous books, they have served as more quiet, reserved characters. Who knew Adelaide had such an attitude...or that Nate loved The Princess Bride so much (who can blame him; it's a great movie!).

All of our favorite characters play a role in Black Orchid, which I absolutely love! The ending was everything I wanted it to be! My only problem is that there wasn't more! I am super sad to bid some great characters farewell. Over the course of this series, I have gotten to know each character more and more with each installment. Even though all the characters are great, I have to say that Lila may be my favorite!

This was a great series full of surprises! I am so glad that I was given the opportunity to read them, and I can't wait to see what else Owen has to offer!

Book Review: Avenging Heart (Ignited Book 4) by Desni Dantone

Title: Avenging Heart
Author: Desni Dantone
Series: Ignited #4
Pages: 354
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Kris Young wants nothing more than to be a normal girl. Thrust into a life she didn’t ask for, and faced with a future that she does not want, she sets off an adventure that she hopes will lead to her freedom. With her best friend’s life, the future of the Kala-Skotadi war, and her own soul at stake, failure is not an option.

Old and new allies unite on a quest against the demigods and Kris’s half-sister, Circe, the mastermind behind it all. Together, they fight to sever Kris and Alec from their evil ties once and for all, and rescue Callie from her own doomed fate. But Circe has other plans for them.

When an unexpected loss strikes the group, will Kris lose the will to go on? Or will a need for vengeance drive her to finally succeed?

Find out how the story of Kris, Nathan, Alec, and Callie will end in the epic conclusion to The Ignited Series, where, in the race against time and evil, all bets are off . . . and no one is safe.

Avenging Heart was a true treasure, and I absolutely loved it! I admit, after reading the synopsis I was afraid of what was going to happen and pretty terrified to read it. I had fallen in love with these characters, so of course I didn't want anything bad to happen to them...however, at the same time, I had fallen in love with them, so I just had to know what Dantone had in store. Of course, Dantone completely blew me away!

This installment was packed full of action, emotion, and of course mythology. Also, not only do you get to see different sides to Nathan and Kris, but you also get to know some of the more "background" characters. And, they are pretty great! I was determined to dislike Lillian, but instead found myself liking her more and more.

I am also happy to say that I found myself blissfully satisfied with how this series wrapped up. Dantone did a perfect job! There weren't any unanswered questions and I didn't find myself feeling let down. It was just perfect! Don't get me wrong however, I would be up for getting some more Nathan, Kris, and Alec!

"Either outfit combined with the high black boots Lillian had set on the floor would make me look 'street corner on the wrong side of town' ready."

"And some plan it was. Wild...crazy...maybe even stupid. But necessary."

"My incredibly sexy, hard-nosed man needed help. It was enough to make a girl swoon."

Book Review: Salvaged Soul (Ignited Book 3) by Desni Dantone

Title: Salvaged Soul
Author: Desni Dantone
Series: Ignited #3
Pages: 384
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Life in paradise isn’t exactly what Kris thought it would be. Treated like a prisoner and forced to keep her romance with Nathan hidden, she struggles to adapt to island life with the Kala. Worse, her specialties are coming in faster than she can control, and she fears the Skotadi within her will soon win the battle for her soul. Her only hope is to embrace her Incantation lineage, master the skills she’s supposed to have, and free herself of her destiny. If only she could figure out how to do it…

The ghosts of Nathan’s past still inhabit the island. Adapting to the Kala way of life again is something he will grudgingly accept, as long as they agree to help Kris. But falling back into the Kala system means being a Kala soldier, and when the gods ask for help, he cannot refuse. Sent around the world on a mission, he faces new dangers and stumbles upon a startling discovery that could change everything…

Together, they face their biggest hurdle yet and put their relationship to the ultimate test. When old temptations arise, new enemies emerge, and emotions run high, can their love survive?

Once again, Dantone does not disappoint!! Just as with both Ignited and Sacrificed, I found myself instantly sucked in by Salvaged Soul!

The world that Dantone has created in her Ignited Series is a remarkable one. It is full of mythology, drama, and some amazing scenery. Despite Kris' complaints about how she feels like a prisoner at the Kala homebase, I wouldn't mind being there. It's an island surrounded by beautiful blue water! Which, of course, makes for some pretty great beach scenes 😉. Additionally, if that isn't enough, part of the book takes place in Greece!

To put the cherry on top, this book also alternates between Kris' and Nathan's points of view. I really love finally getting to see what goes on in Nathan's head, However, I wish the author would have gone one step farther and threw in Alec's point of view, because it would have been super entertaining, and not to mention he is one of my favorite characters!

I can't wait to see how this story plays out, although the synopsis for Avenging Heart has me a little nervous about the fate of some of the characters. I'm sure though, that it will be just as fantastic as its predecessors!

Alec grinned. "Honey, I don't need to use my paranormal skills to charm any girl, including you. It's called charisma, and I have it."

"And...you were right. I was wrong. It doesn't happen often, so I'll let you bask in the glory...for now."

"The way I see it, I've been told to go to hell so many times, I figure it's about time for me to go see what all the fuss is about. I'm looking forward to it."