Mencheres and Kira's story really drew me in.
353753
Pros: Kira is amazing. I love that she's so strong and independent. I like her more than Denise (From First Drop of Crimson). She's not as whiny and dare I say stronger? Maybe it's her background as a PI that makes her more able to deal with the vampire world. I never knew really what to make of Mencheres, but this book made me like him. Not as much as Vlad or Bones of course, but still he's decent people as far as vampire masters go.

I listened to this on audio so I must give props to Tavia Gilbert, this woman can narrate a book with near perfection. I love listening to her narrate Frost's books!

Cons: Hmm....well, beside the awful cover art, I actually had zero issues with this story. I only wish she had a better designer for these covers. They are so cheesy. Thank goodness for ebooks and MP3 audio!

Final Thoughts: I loved this book, even more than First Drop of Crimson. I enjoyed that one, but this was just wonderful, a notch better. Mencheres and Kira's story really drew me in. The connection was there, the drama was there and the story was easy to get into. If Frost ever decided to do more stories with Kira and Mencheres, I would definitely read them!

If you've been reading the Night Huntress series with Cat and Bones, I recommend that you read the two books in the Night Huntress World spin off. If you can, read them after Destined for an Early Grave (book #4) and before This Side of the Grave (book #5). You'll be happy you did.
3321465
I love a book that draws me into the story. FINDING ANGEL pulled me into the midst of Angel's world with the same force my vaccum cleaner uses to suck up a dead beetle. Angel has no memory of her life before becoming a foster child. When Angel's little foster brother finds another unusual bug, she discovers a link to her mysterious past. The pattern on the beetle's back is an exact replica of a charm on her bracelet. The bracelet is the only link to her lost identity. Angel's new friend takes her back to her homeland. Dragons and beetles and elves abound, along with an ancient prophecy.
Kat Heckenbach's writing style is so convincing, I had a hard time returning to reality. I look forward to more stories from this multi-talented author.
4844675
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Audiobook Review:

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Ethan has always been an outsider to his pack and in his family.  When he is drawn to Miguel he realizes that he does have a true mate, the one thing he never thought he would have.  Miguel takes a little more convincing but Ethan can be more than stubborn enough.

This story is told from Ethans point of view so you can feel just how broken he feels with his family and how determined he is to make his home with Miguel.  He packs up everything he can carry so that he can leave his parents home to make a life with Miguel knowing that his mating will never be accepted by his pack.  Ethan is such a sweet heart and I felt connected to him throughout the story.  Miguel doesnt quite understand Ethans connection to him but its the first time in a long time that he isn't so hungry that he doesnt need to drink more than enough for multiple vampires.  Ethans illness allows him to feed Miguel despite that shifter blood is usually poisonous to vampires.

Charlie David did a good job narrating this story.  I could connect with the characters through the voices and emotions he portrayed.  However, he didn't seem to stay consistent with Ethans voice in the story, I always knew who was talking but his accent fluctuated and changed throughout the story.

Cover art is absolutely beautiful and gives a wonderful visual of these two characters together.
64255
The characters  found a place in my heart. It will be a long time before I forget the strugfles, loves and choices of these characters.
744580
I think this is the first time I read a book with this category. The prologue of the story actually crept me out because it felt realistic. I have never watched or read books that involves exorcism because that topic really spooks me out.

I really feel for Austan and see how he would choose his own path between good or evil and despite his father's meddling in his life, Austan stayed strong till the end. I'm glad that he makes his own destiny.
On the other hand, Gabe and Imani are both the same with Austan. Wanting something for more in their lives than what is handed to them.

It's nice to see the these characters striving the hardships that life has given and despite choosing different choices on how to live their life, they were able to pass the trials handed to them.

I wanted to see more about Austan's half brother, Milo. His story was both bittersweet and sad. I'm glad that he had Fr. Bonaventure at his side.

I hope there's more. The ending was sort of a cliffhanger.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review via We  YA Books!
2046011
I found I really enjoyed this story. Getting into Gabriel's head gave me a much better understanding of his character, the fears, and insecurities that drive him, and often lead to friction with his brothers, and others around him. He tries so hard, but sometimes it seems the harder he tries the more he is misunderstood. He isn't always nice, but he has a good heart, and a lot of guilt, and fear  which sometimes comes out as anger. Understandable considering his age, and his powers. It was interesting to see how his powers fueled his temper. It added a lot of depth to both the story, and character for me.

I really liked Layne as well. It's nice reading a series where the female characters are just as interesting, and flawed as the main characters. I loved her dedication to her brother, and her quick wit. She was more than a match for Gabriel, and she never let herself be pushed around. I liked the pacing of their relationship. It felt natural, and unhurried, and I appreciated that.

The secondary characters were well drawn, and I enjoyed that even people you weren't sure about, like Layne's father, showed that they had more than one side, and could be more than who they first appeared to be. I really liked Layne's brother, and the friendship he developed with Gabriel was nice to see how much that connection benefited them both. I also liked Gabriel's friendship with Hunter in this book as well. I love that each book in this series is more than just a romance about each of the different brothers, and that friendships, rivalries, and family bonds all play such important roles.

The plot was well done, and I really felt for Gabriel in this story. Events developed quickly, and I found myself drawn deeper into the lives of everyone involved. I'm looking forward to the next book, and finding out more about Hunter.
3838861
OK, I'm sure I just really dated myself by mentioning the movie Blue Lagoon, but that is what came to mind when I first started this book; but this was so much more. First, I found myself fully engaged into this story. I kept putting myself in Anna's place wondering how I would relate to the situation that she was in and if I could survive. To me that just lends to the strength of this beautiful story; I literally felt it. I admired Anna and TJ for their resolve, their strength and their bond; it was really lovely to witness. I'm so glad to have stumbled onto this read, and I am positive that it will stay with me for a long time to come.
4499435
It's a shame I have to go to work all the time, because I think my time would have been much better spent sitting at home reading this.  Ah well, such is life.

The prologue grabbed me right off.  I loved it, and the writing was beautiful (something I noticed throughout the novel).  I adored some of the metaphors used.  I thought the story was fascinating and well-told, and the characters were likeable.  There was even the obligatory character I have a crush on (D'tanesse, maybe partially because I love his name, but mostly just because I really like him).

I found myself rushing through it at times because I wanted to know what happened, and I think sometime in the future I'll have to read it again, take my time, and just savor some beautiful story telling.
3198069
I like what I like most about these stories so far is how completely accepting they are of people or ideas that are outside the norm.  These stories are short, not allowing a lot of time for character development or much plot.

I really loved the female lead, Gina, in the second novella.  There was a lot of depth into her neuroses, fears and insecurities and I think the author did a fairly good job of portraying a transgender individual, even if I've never met one (that I know of).  The story got me curious about a subject I'd never really taken much interest in before.  Sure, I've known homosexuals, and transgenders have always been a curiosity to me, but I never really tried to understand it.  Out of sight, out of mind.  This story was about emotional renewal.  Loneliness and isolation that is so often the case when you're a little bit different, not quite the norm.  Everyone tries to shove you in a box, expecting you to fit, frequently not realizing how much they hurt you in the process.

I think this one was my favorite in the series.  I really liked Gina and it was so easy to see her as all female.  There was a depth of character development in this story not seen in the other two.
2941207
The Bone Witch caught my eye because I loved Rin Chupecos writing in her The Girl from the Well stories. She has this way of making things have this haunting feel to them that really brings the best out of stories like these. I really enjoyed her writing once and again as well as the story itself.

I love how this story is told. Present Tea is relating the story of how she got to where she is to a bard. It was interesting to go back and forth because you start to see Tea in a different light as things begin to match up. I loved her as an MC. She was just such an interesting character, especially for the fact she often mentions that it feels good to draw from the dark magic. As the story goes along you start to wonder what side is she one. Is she good or bad? The lines all seem blurred. I loved how intelligent she is, even if at times she can be impulsive. I love her fondness for her brother and her Asha sisters. I also really like that Tea wants to do the right thing by her friend, who is a boy but loves to dance and sing more than be a soldier. She understand why he has to be forced into a role he doesnt want.

Its been a long time since Ive read Memoirs of a Geisha, but I have to say the Willows reminds me of that a little. I guess the Asha are similar to Geisha except of course they have magic. They also have their own political world outside that of the kingdom politics and each House is kind of like its own kingdom. The Asha system used to be a bigger part of the political game I think but then they started to veer off in their own agendas. We spend a large amount of the story with Tea learning to be an apprentice and the ins and outs of the world. Its very intriguing. I also love the time that is taken to describe all the different outfits and adornments. An Ashas Hua can tell a lot about her.

I find the relationship and the Oracle to also be intriguing. Its only lightly explored in this book but Im curious to see how much more details there are in the next book. As Tea walks this line between what is considered to be good and evil (I think the considered is important), I want to know what part the oracle is really playing.

There are some other great side characters. Like the Heartforger and his apprentice, the different shop owners and of course other Asha. Of course there is the light love interest, again its not deeply explored...yet.

So the ending.leaves you like, okay I need the next book. Its a cliffhanger of sorts. I really liked it though and am looking forward to see more of the story.
2818749
I thoroughly loved reading it, being with all the different characters and all the emotions it brought out in me.  I especially loved how Clara helped Edward realize how his possessive love of Greer was harming her and himself as well.  And since I've been reading a number of books about the Holocaust, it was especially touching to read Marthe's letters to Otto.  Each of the  characters had something very important to say and brought up strong feelings in me.

I've been a huge fan of Menna ever since reading The House at the End of Hope Street, and rereading it twice more, and all her other books since and before.

Your writing really touches me deeply and
1705014
I was pulled into this story quickly.  I liked the set-up and it seemed like it had an interesting story line.  But, it started to slowly sound exactly like a well known book.  Thankfully the story did have elements of is own, even if I was reminded greatly of something else.

I think what kept me invested in the story was Violet.  I really liked her character.  She's had to grow up having visions of the future and everyone else thinking she was crazy for it.  The teen years are hard enough without having that thrown in.  I was happy to see her find a place at Whitehaven and learn that she wasn't different from all the other students.  She could have friends that she could trust.  I liked that her talents were more than what she thought.

I wasn't sure what to think of Aiden at first.  But the more he was drawn to Violet but distant from everyone else, the easier it was for me to beg what was going on.  It bugs me when a character expects someone to tell them all their secrets but refuses to divulge any of their own.  When he does finally open up to Violet, I discovered that I actually liked his history.  It's not a new theory, but from some reason his voice gave it something new.

Overall, I liked the story, but parts of it were way to similar to others.  It was almost hard to look past.  If this becomes a series, I may seek out the next one.
498975
At first I was not quite sure I was going to like this book however I was pleasantly surprised! I love the way the author retold the story of Eleanor and Soren  as if it was a fairy-tail. I can't wait to see how the rest of the stories play out.
1954093
I liked the way each character was set up and it really felt like I knew everyone of them personally. I could relate to them. I had feeling for them. Amazing story. My compliments.
3225599
I REALLY, REALLY, liked this story.  I think it is really more a 4.5 story, but again we don't get that option.

It's hard to not like this story.  The story line is one of menage, but it is a step up from most of that particular gene's offering.

Usually, I find that menage stories make me feel a bit naughty and sometimes a little squimish about reading them. This one, however, was so beatifully written and with such love and respect for Carrie, The Precious Sun, that I felt completely content and happy to be previledge to be sharing it with her.  All of the love scenes felt natural and unsullied by the usual smut factor.

I, also, thought it was a novel and new idea for a story plot and one that I could really get into.  I sincerely enjoyed every minute of it and I think that others will too.
1544988
This book is not the sort of thing I normally read but was instead selected for me as part of a book group.  I was unsure and a leery when I started it.  But, by the end of the opening scene, I was completely sucked in.  It opens with an old man reading a story to his wife who has Alzheimer's and doesn't recognize him.  The scene is so well written and is both powerful and understated, I found myself getting emotional.

The middle two-thirds of the book go back in time 45 years and tell a beautiful story of love found, lost and found again.  It is not a fluffy tale of lust and desire or of cheap emotions.  It is a fully adult story of two people who never gave up on their first true love even after being separated for fourteen years.

The final third returns to the old man and old woman.  Their story is painful and wonderful.  It made me think of my own mortality, my partner, my parents ... It gave me a model to live into 40 years from now when its my turn to be in my twilight years.
2771565
The book drew me in right from the beginning and I look forward to reading more of the author's work.