Our Book Thoughts 💭 and Recommendations March 29th

💖 OUR PICKS FOR THE WEEK 💖
📚 03/29/20 📚

💧  When the Saint Falls by A.D. McCammon
🐅 Stolen Choices by Anna Edwards
💔 Wings & Roots by Gemma Weir
💞 Shark's Rise by Angel Payne
⛦  Dark Secret by Danielle Rose
🏫 Wicked Dreams by S. Massery

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When the Saint Falls by A.D. McCammon
Description:
Thatcher Michaelson is a bully.
Arrogant. Cruel. Ruthless.
And the most attractive guy I’ve ever laid eyes on.
He’s the rebel of Westbrook High, and I’m merely the annoying goody two-shoes he dubbed the saint.
There must be something wrong with me. After nearly two years of dirty looks and constant humiliation, I’m still crushing on the guy who hated me on sight.
Then he kissed me and instead of the ice-cold gaze I was accustomed to, I saw passion burning behind his dark molten eyes.
Violet St. James doesn’t belong in my world.
Good. Kind. Pure.
She’s everything I’m not.
She doesn’t just look like an angel, she is one. And I’ve fought every impulse to make her mine.
But all my efforts went up in flames the second I tasted her sweet lips. My inability to stay away has changed everything.
She’s determined to break down all my walls, but my little saint doesn’t understand the consequences of her actions.
She tells me she’s not afraid of the fall.
But she should be.
Thoughts 💭
" every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. "
- Oscar Wilde
All the feels!
Violet is the walking definition of a saint. She is far from perfect but she tries to make the right choices, to see all sides before passing judgment. In a way, that big heart ❤ of hers is what made her the perfect target. Bullies are superficial creatures they target those who have what they desire but can not achieve - like honesty, integrity or the simple art of unconditional acceptance. Virtues and traits that can't be bought, faked or crafted.
Our sweet Violet is about to be crushed.
Thatcher has so much anger buried in him and no proper way to process it. The day his dark world collides with heavens light was the first day of his forever.
Thatcher had his own experiences with bullies. He evolved, overcame and ended up on top. Now he does what he must to keep his place.
In his quest to bring down his tormentors, he became one.
When you hold on to anger it consumes burning not only you but that which is closest to you, possibly making you what you hate most.
" Stop it you're getting feels all over me"
Arwen I love her can not wait to read her story just from the breadcrumbs I know it is going to rip out my heart and leave it shattered.
And the ever-faithful sidekick and sometimes a voice of reason, Cole.
There is a story here!
We get a glimpse, a couple of hints but nothing substantial.
He may be the genius that manipulates the ether-net in their fight against evil but I believe he has a formidable opponent of the fairer sex manipulating who is about to challenge his crown.
This read for me like a journey of self-discovery for both of our main characters.
There are a lot of smaller plot lines that play in the background and some areas I never did get my answers.
-Who they took down?
-How they did it?
I get the why but ...
Lots of laughs, all the drama and a heart ❤ melting HEA.
Need the next in series, please!!
The copy I read was an ARC so my rating takes into account that final editing will be done before release.
Amazon 

Stolen Choices by Anna Edwards
Description:
Katia Morgan is the mysterious tigress of the Glacial Blood pack. She’s a skilled fighter when needed but hides away when not. Only Kas, the pack’s alpha, knows the true pain behind her silent demeanor. Can her kidnapper, Jackson, teach her to trust him and give her the spirit to emerge from the shadows of her suffering?
Jackson Gates, a black panther shifter, was found weak and alone by Nuka Lincoln when still a cub. Under the evil polar bear’s authority, Jackson was trained to be a skilled solider with a hatred for mortals. It’s the path he’s followed willingly ever since, but when he is ordered to hand Katia over to a human, the consequences may just break him. Can Katia teach him that not all humans are bad, and make him see he could be fighting for the wrong side?
Can their love survive the paths their respective packs take?
Welcome to the bestselling Glacial Blood series, a world of shifters and witches, magic and mayhem, unforgivable lies, and unbreakable love. A world where family is born not only through blood, but a bond. With plenty of threats to come—and a secret that remains untold.

Thoughts 💭

😱 it's just gotten real
I always wondered about our lone tigress
The pain that haunted her eyes
This is her story
Jackson was raised to be an elite soldier
Found as a child and raised by Nuka
His life's mission was revenge. To rid the earth of human filth.
He followed his Alpha without question knowing he owed him his life.
Except for occasionally when something just wasn't quite adding up.
Like that niggling feeling this was wrong -And the pounding headache that accompanied it when he turned an innocent shifter over to the humans to be subjugated and abused.
It was a sacrifice for the greater good.
The cost of one for the many?
He did not have a choice, did he? Not if he wanted the scourge of humanity removed from the earth.
I don't think so. Open your eyes!!
This is part of a series to truly experience everything this cast has to offer you need to start at the beginning
Be prepared going in - this one touches on some of the man's darker acts
It also has a twist in the middle... It's a little clue that gave me hope since without it it would seem that our antagonist has just won the war before it ever truly started
Amazon

Wings & Roots by Gemma Weir
Description: 

How do you deal with a life you don’t want and a future you’re terrified of?
Run.
That’s what I’ve planned to do for years; run from this narrow world I was born into. Run from the friends I love, but who bind me to the roots I want to leave behind.
Run, towards the anonymity I so desperately crave, to a place where no one knows who I am; where no one cares who my family are.
But something happened that changed all of my plans. My best friend, my sister, fell off her pedestal and hit the ground with a crash.
Now I realise I’m not as ready as I thought I was to run from this life and these people.
Maybe I need the roots that I thought were holding me back, that were actually just stopping me from floating away.
I’m a Scion, one of the elite. I was born into this life, but I crave more.
Everything that’s happened in the last year has shown me that I need my roots, but I want to spread my wings too.
College, boys, adulthood, it’s all calling my name and it’s time to figure out who I am.
My name is Emmy Devereaux and I’m so much more than just the daughter of the president of The Doomsday Sinners MC.

Thoughts 💭
All the what-ifs in the world
" you shout, you cry, you fight, but you don't run"
Emmy always felt like she was missing something. She always felt like a little star 🌟 whose light was eclipsed by the brightness that was being a child of the Sinners - one of its scions. So sure the world never really saw her. The friend you kept at your side that made you shine all the more. She has a plan though one that will let her test her wings, let her shine. Seems little Emmy did not take into account the Scions when she planned her great escape.
When our little family finally takes flight together she gets a chance to explore and what she finds is ... well, you are just going to have to take this journey for yourself.
"Roots and wings. I've got you shortcake. Always have always will."
Awww, Griff, you big teddy bear what took you so darn long?
Griff has always had Emmy. She was there beside him since the day he arrived on the steps at Uncles - Shattered, but not broken - She has been his solid, his companion, his.
He almost lost her before and he isn't going to risk it again. What would be the point of living in a world without his Shortcake?
I am gonna admit I shed a few of those silent blurry eyes tear with this one.
Growing up, Finding yourself.
One of the hardest things life will ever throw at you.
Weir has touched on so many of the emotions that plaque those years between wanting to stay rooted in what is familiar and wanting to spread your wings and find who you are.
One of those rare young adult/new adult series that I can honestly recommend
I need a few to gather my emotions
Maybe a pint of Ben n Jerry's then I'll be back to write my review
*review updated
Amazon

Shark's Rise by Angel Payne
Description: 
When a dream is taken to the edge of destruction, what will it take to rise again?
Abbigail Gibson has finally broken through Sebastian Shark’s staunch defenses, erected through years of having to fight for his multimillion-dollar success and the skyscraper that will be his legacy.
But as construction starts on the Edge, the foundations of Sebastian’s world are crumbling. Security has been breached, lives have been taken, and Bas has no choice but to hide Abbi to secure her safety. But at what price? As each day goes by, Abbi’s health drains away by frightening degrees. Has he kept her safe, only to sacrifice her vitality? Her light?
Separated, miserable, and on the trail of bizarre clues that lead to dead-end shadows, Sebastian and Abbigail can’t be sure of anything anymore…until destiny intervenes with a precious gift for them both.
They must now decide between living in fear, letting enemies shatter their trust and destroy their bond, or defy the odds and believe in their love—and see just how high they can rise.

Thoughts 💭

Holy Schnikeys!!! New game plan it is

Nooooooo!!
I have so many questions
I have needs!!
I needs to know!
So this doesn't really end on a cliff hanger but Bas and Abbi's story is far from over
Actually, their journey is just beginning
Someone is still trying to topple the mighty Shark
I am going to have to admit some of my suspects are no longer viable 😳
Things are getting a bit more chaotic while at the same time it seems like the pieces are slowly falling into place
Though as soon one problem was solved it seemed a new one popped up
I couldn't turn away
Bas is still learning how to swim in uncharted waters - He is currently treading water, keeping his head up - though occasionally he gets sucked under - never fear he's resilient and pops back to the surface before drowning in his own misactions (?)
New game plan it is
Abbie is... well Abbie - I love her but she is still driving me crazy. I do give her credit where it's due though she has stood by her man through all this. Not once has she flip-flopped with her feelings for him. I admire that.
Now if she can step back and just breath for a bit.
Prioritize!
Trust that her loved ones can take the reins and run things without her
Rio is a bit more of a player on the board - some of her skeletons manage to escape the closet in this episode -leading me to question events and wishing I knew more about her past cause holy snikeys! does she have skeletons
Grant - still love him - though I think he is digging his own grave - I'm pretty sure that's a different story
Elijah - wow I owe you an apology
Hang on tight it looks like our little crew is about to hit very turbulent waters
Amazon  Kobo  Nook  Google

Dark Secret by Danielle Rose
Description:
Seventeen-year-old spirit witch Ava López is the self-appointed guardian of the witches and humans of Darkhaven, an idyllic village nestled between the forest and the sea. Her watch: vicious and bloodthirsty vampires.
Ava is a novice in the eyes of her coven. If she expects to protect them and the secrecy of their powers, she must gain better control of her own. When a full moon ritual goes awry, control may be lost forever, and Ava is exiled from her coven. Forced to seek refuge among the beings she had always sworn herself to hunt, she vows revenge on those who have upended her life.
But the more time Ava spends away from her coven, the more she discovers a startling truth: the witches haven’t been honest with her. Ava’s quest to strip the truth from everything she’s ever known begins with the toughest realization of all—coming to terms with who she has become.

Thoughts 💭

This tale is told from our young heroines pov
It is a bit different take on witches and vampires than the norm.
The story line is engaging though at times it felt a touch choppy.
It read like a bit like Ava's thought line at times which was a bit hard for me. Instead of the details and character facts slowly being introduced to the reader I felt like it was overwhelmingly put into the first few chapters, repetitively.
Once I got a bit into the story it had a much better ebb and flow, the characters were still a bit hard to connect with but I was finding them more endearing.
For me, something did not completely click
It was that little twist that drug me in and kept me turning the pages That carrot on the stick dangling just beyond the known.
I knew something was coming.
I even thought I knew what it might be -
But when they happened...
Ava was a bit on the immature and spontaneous side for my taste. She wants to be treated like an adult but her impulsive choices are proof she is not one. I did, however, enjoy her sense of humor and self-preservation. She was loyal to a fault.
Jasik is a pretty solid character I enjoyed his ability to manipulate a situation with extreme tact - can't say too much it will give hints
I am not happy with the coven at all
This is a series each part focusing on Ava and her trials as she learns to control her power
as she faces the truths that be
as she discovers her heart
Amazon  Kobo  Nook  Google

Wicked Dreams by S. Massery
Description:
As a kid, she crushed my dreams to dust.
She tore both of our families apart with one confession, ending any chance of happiness for either of us and setting off a ripple effect of chaos.
Now she’s back as the new girl in school, and she doesn’t suspect the war that’s coming. She doesn’t realize the anger I’ve been harboring.
I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to ruin her life, and it’s finally here.
Because even traitors sleep—and I’m going to make sure she only dreams of me.
Then I’m going to destroy her.
This is a dark high school bully romance with mature content and themes. It contains dubious situations that some readers may find offensive. If you’re looking for a white knight hero, this book is not for you.
Thoughts 💭
😱 No Spoilers
Devoured this in one sitting
Holy ch it!
How?
Why?
There are so many unknowns in this episode
Even I as guarded as I was ...
I wasn't ready for the twist
No way
This is not your typical cliffhanger-
More like a tightrope walk in high winds over the grand canyon
Stomach twisted so tight you are nauseous kind of ending
I need the next in the series like yesterday
Amazon


#newadult #bullyromance #highschool #dark #pnr #shifter
#romance #fiction #witches #fantasy #bookreview #kindleunlimited
#AD McCammon #AnnaEdwards #GemmaWeir 
#AngelPayne #DanielleRose #SMassery