Reviewed for Cocktails and Books
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This was such an interesting take on the tale of Peter Pan.  The author took the fun loving story about the boy who wouldn't grow up and put a dark spin on it.  If you ever wondered what happened to Wendy (or Gwendy in this case) after she left Peter's island, this is definitely a book to pick up.

Gwen Barre was trying to put her life back into some semblance of "normal" after spending several years under psychiatric care.  The heir to the Barre company and fortune has all eyes on her to see if she can withstand the pressures of college before they make the decision about turning the company over to her. Gwen's not sure she's ready to be in this type of situation, but she's determined to try.  She has her brother with her and her roommate, but things are easy for Gwen, still haunted by the dreams of  The Boy she's been told she created to deal with the events that lead her to be in psychiatric care.  So when she runs into guy who looks haunting familiar, red hair and all, she finds herself fighting with everyone and herself as she tries to figure out just why she's drawn to someone everyone says is bad for her.
Gwen's broke my heart, because she really was a girl lost.  She was trying to figure out how she fit into the world, how she can convince her family she was getting better while dealing with the dreams that proved (to her) that she was getting anything but better.  You could see that she'd lost faith in a lot of things, but more importantly, she'd lost it in herself.  She could fake friendly smiles and dates with boys, but she really was lost.  Until Peter.
Peter came to Northern looking for his Gwendy.  We never really learned the extent of just what Peter went through to get to Wendy, but we did see what her inability to remember him did.  Despite what others may have said, Peter really was the only one that helped Gwen.  Instead of telling her what she should be feeling or doing, he helped her remember what it was like to think for herself and ultimately remember who she was.

The Lost Boys are present in the story, but off in the back where we don't have a lot of involvement with them, except for Tank.  Tinkerbelle is there too and she is nothing like the little pixie you remember.  She's a bit of a bitch and definitely holds a grudge against Gwen for "stealing" Peter from her.

I applaud the author to taking a childhood favorite and putting a New Adult spin on it.  The characters are full of angst, which brings a dark edge to the story that had me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next.  There were elements to the story that I wish we had more of (Peter's back story and what he's gone through to get to Gwen, his relationship with the Lost Boys now) and the way the book ends leaves me wishing there were more coming so we knew what happened after, but I'll use my imagination and believe Gwen and Peter got their HEA.
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When I went to Malice Domestic last month, I had a list of books I planned to buy while I was there, but Im sure its a surprise to no one that I also make multiple spur of the moment purchases.  One of those was Decanting a Murder, the debut from Nadine Nettmann.  I was so excited about it, I dove into it as soon as I had a break in my reading schedule.

Katie Stillwells life revolves around wine.  Shes been practicing for her Sommelier Certification while working as a wine expert at a San Francisco restaurant.  And this weekend, she is getting the experience of a lifetime  shes been invited to an exclusive party at Frontier Winery.  The winery is normally closed to the public, but it is open this weekend to celebrate its 100th anniversary.  Katies best friend Tessa works there, and managed to get Katie an invitation to the exclusive event.

The party seems to be going well until Katie hears a scream.  When she goes to investigate, she finds the winerys owner, Mark Plueger, floating in a vat of wine.  Suddenly, the party is over, and Tessa is nowhere to be found.  Where did she go?  Did she have something to do with the murder?  Can Katie figure out what is happening?

The book starts out well and never lags in pace.  There is always something interesting happening to keep us turning pages, and I had a hard time putting the book down.  The ending caught me by surprise, although I wish it had been given a bit more time to breath.  While everything is explained, it felt very rushed.

Katie is a strong main character, and I really did like spending time with her.  Tessa could be a bit much, seemingly all over the place at times, but most of the time I liked her as well.  A couple of the other characters could have been more fully developed, but overall, the rest of the characters are good and provide us with viable suspects.  Ive just finished this book, but Im already interesting in visiting Katie to find out what happens next to her.

I was bothered by how the detective investigating the case, Detective Dean, seemed to include Katie in his investigation at times.  I know enough to know that was a highly unrealistic aspect of the book.  However, I was having too much fun to truly be bothered by it.

Instead of wine tips at the back of the book, each chapter is paired with a different wine.  The pairings are actually quite clever and give a hint of the action to come.  Since there are 31 chapters, there are plenty of suggestions if you want to broaden your pallet after youve finished the book.

Decanting a Murder is an enjoyable debut that promises more great mysteries to come.  The elements are there to allow this series to age like a fine wine.
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For Love & Bourbon is Katie Jennings newest novel about a spitfire young woman named Ava who works at her familys whiskey distillery in Kentucky. This novel includes all the lush, luxurious atmosphere of Ms. Jennings prior works, as well as the luscious romance, and emphasis on complicated family relationshipscomplete with their juicy, dark secrets to unearth.
One other delightful element pervades this novel and that is, of course, the whiskey. After reading the tantalizing descriptions of Lucky Foxs signature beverage, you are going to be CRAVING that flavor for yourself. It got me yearning for bourbon so badly, I actually had to go buy a handle of bourbon so I could sip a glass while getting lost in this tale of long-kept family secrets, passionate romance, and smoky southern atmosphere.
Jennings does a wonderful job of illustrating the mood of the southern United States, complete with the velvety nights spent at the local bar, the strong family bonds, and the tight-knit communities with all their gossip and generosity.
One of the more satisfying elements of this novel is watching Avas fate entwine with the cool-headed heros. The leading man, Cooper, is an FBI agent charged with digging out the truth behind Avas familys ties with a terrorist organization from Ireland. This creates a sparking chemistry between the two of them that unfolds into one of Jennings most compelling and engrossing romances yet.
I highly recommend this book to fans of atmospheric romances, but I have to warn youbefore reading this, set aside some of your monthly budget for bourbon because you will not be able to resist!
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Nicola is stuck, she is in love with her brother's best friend Austin (who took her virginity), but he not willing to risk upsetting her brother Chip.  She has her eyes opened about him, when she actually catches him with another woman (not that they are together in a relationship, but she kind of pretended he didn't get with other women to herself).  Austin is also a bit stuck in the town he secretly dreams of doing more than just being a bartender, but will he end up losing the best woman for him when he gets his dream?  Can Nicola move on from Austin or will she be stuck living on without him?  The two main characters aren't perfect (although Nicolas seems more forgiving than most of us would be), but they sure have some nice chemistry, and do really care for one another even if they seem to have trouble expressing that to each other.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
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If you want to amaze your friends at the neighborhood pub or the next cocktail party, this book has all the right ingredients. In Proof: The Science of Booze, Kavli Science Journalism Award winner and first-time author Adam Rogers covers everything you can imagine about the subject. There are chapters on the science and history of yeast in the production of alcoholic beverages, the role of sugar, the processes of fermentation, distillation, and aging, the biochemistry of smell and taste, the effects of booze on the body, and the causes, prevention, and cure of hangovers.  Rogers research was exhaustive; the bibliography is more than 13 pages long, and his travels took him from the ultra-exclusive New York cocktail bar Booker and Dax to  Glen Ord Maltings in Muir of Ord, Scotland,  to the San Francisco Brain Research Institute. The research was impressive, until Rogers described the experiment where he and two friends got totally blotto in order to test the effectiveness of some recommended hangover cures, at which point I decided his devotion to his subject had gone above and beyond.
So why only 3 stars? Its not what he said; its how he said it. Rogers is an editor at Wired magazine, and Proof apparently grew out of a Wired article, The Angels Share, about the Canadian whiskey fungus. Proof is written in the same Wired style, and it just doesnt work as well here.  Wired often takes a light tone liberally laced with witty comments, which I normally enjoy, but the humor here often comes across as forced. Also the author will drop witticisms into the middle of an extended serious scientific description, where it seems out of place. The book also seems disorganized. There is a topic for each chapter,  and the author covers a number of items under that topic without good transitions. For example, the chapter on Sugar talks about a 19th-century Japanese scientist named Jokichi Takamine who developed a process to replace malting in distilling whiskey. It says, "He was on the cusp of a new world of booze, but the Old World wasn't quite ready to let go yet." The next paragraph launches into a 5-page description of a present-day Scotch whiskey malting operation and how it operates. The book suddenly leaves that topic and jumps to a discussion of koji, the fungus that produces sake. My reaction is, "So what happened to Takamine's process?" Eventually the chapter gets back to Takamine and his process, but all it says is "it never really took off", hardly a very satisfying conclusion. In some chapters, the author leaves a subject abruptly and never does return to it. These kinds of problems are much less likely to occur in a shorter magazine article. Although Roagers  has won prizes for his journalism, this is his first full-length book, and he hasn't quite made a successful transition to the longer format.
If you are very strongly attracted to the subject of booze or the style is not an issue for you, you will probably enjoy Proof. Otherwise, perhaps you should accompany your reading with a good stiff drink.
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A few dashes in a glass of bourbon, makes for a great cocktail!
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4.5/5 Stars

Ugh, this book did a number on me  but not in the way I was expecting.  I was expecting for Walshs alcoholism to be a focal point of the story and, honestly, I really didn't want to read a book about an alcoholic.  Thankfully I didn't have to.  I read a book about two people trying to forgive each other as well as themselves as they attempt to salvage a once cherished relationship.  Oh, and one of them happens to be an alcoholic.

For Walsh and Tammy, it was love at first sight.  They were high school sweethearts who spent fourteen years together until one tragic betrayal destroyed not only their relationship but also the band and friendships within the band.  Going into this book, I wasn't a fan of Tammys but somewhere along the way, she gained my respect and forgiveness.  Ive been a fan of Walsh since A Lush Betrayal so it was difficult for me to have moments of dislike for him throughout the book.  Trust me though, he earned them.

One of the things I like most about Selenas writing is that its real.  You can relate, sympathize and often times empathize with the characters in this story.  Her plots are not far-fetched and ridiculous  she hunkers down on her characters and you live and breathe every up and down with them.  I especially felt that way with Walsh and Tammy.  I don't think Ive ever wanted two people to find their way back together more.

For the Love of a Lush is the second book in the Lush series and focuses on the bands drummer, Walsh.  The book can be read as a standalone but I strongly encourage reading the first book beforehand not only to be more in tune with Tammy and Walsh but because you really don't want to miss lead singer Joss and Melanies story!
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3.5 Cocktails

I really enjoyed this book.  I liked that the main character started the book at the lowest point of her life and it's at the point that she meets the man who is going to change her life.

Gabby made a horrible decision after her high school graduation that took her from being popular to being a outcast.  She doesn't deal with the downfall well, turning to drugs and alcohol to numb the guilt and hate she receives from everyone in her small town.  Gabby gets her wake up and I applaud her for turning her life around.  For everything that she had been through, I could understand her downward spiral, so I was happy to see she was determined to dig herself out of the hell she was living in.
Ryker was a pretty special guy.  He was able to see Gabby the first time he met her, even though she was cloaked in despair.  When he found her again a year later and saw the changes in her, he did what he had to in order to make sure she didn't disappear again.  He showed Gabby, in many ways, that she was worthy of love.  He may have looked like a bad boy who raced motorcycles, but he was a big softy who definitely went all squishy for Gabby.

I look forward to see ing what Brianna Lee has in store for us with this series.  This was a great start.
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{Many thanks to NetGalley for sending me an eARC of Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge in exchange for an honest reviews.}

Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge by Paul Krueger occupies an undiscovered corner of the fantasy genre: bartenders who make cocktails that impart short term magical powers, which the bartenders use to fight demons. You read that right!

I love a book that doesn't take itself seriously, that is fun and quirky, and that is smart. Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge is all of these things, plus some lovely cocktail recipes thrown in for good measure!

Stories of secret cultures within our midst are so intriguing and this novel creates one that is certainly unique. They have a rich history that is shared through discussions of cocktails, but their underlying motivation to protect others is really an ode to the service industry.

With all of that fun stuff being said, I found Bailey's motivations suspect enough that it became distracting. Her immediate connection and unconditional loyalty to her mentor didn't have enough foundation to seem real, which affected the rest of the story. I also skimmed some of the fight scenes. Please don't make a magical screwdriver and hit me.....

3.5/5 Stars
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This review was originally posted on http://booksthathook.com/all-bets-are-on

Jaclyn's friend talks her into a blind date with a guy from a dating website. Derek doesn't know his minions have put him on the dating site, thinking he needs to get laid. Jaclyn goes to the date, but she's got a whole list of reasons not to actually go out with the guy, mostly based on her assumption that good looking guys are jerks.

I thought it was funny how it was the less attractive person who was judging based on appearance. It was refreshing that they don't instantly like one another, despite the physical attraction.

I liked Cynthia Cooke's writing style. She didn't add unnecessary words. The pacing was great.

In a few places in the book, there were some cliched phrases. I can overlook that, since it wasn't a huge issue.

This was one of few books where I didn't skim or skip the sex scenes. They were written very well.

Derek is a good guy, despite being the prince of Hell. Later in the story, we learn why this is. There's a nice twist about his father.

I wished she had slowed down a little to add some descriptions of places. I would have liked to have a sense of the city. Other than one time they went to the beach, setting is non-existent. All I knew was that they were in Miami.

However, when Derek takes Jaclyn to the underworld, his home is described well.

Jaclyn is a character who is easy to relate to as well. It is understandable why she is so afraid of getting involved with Derek, especially once she learns what he is.

Most of the secondary characters were well developed. I particularly liked the interactions between Derek and his mother and sister.

Although it is a paranormal book, the problem Derek and Jaclyn have to deal with is very normal-her partner is embezzling from their charity. I thought this was a nice change from what I usually read in this genre.  They didn't need superpowers to solve the problem.

Overall, I loved reading All Bets Are On. I would recommend it to readers who are looking for a paranormal romance with a solid sub-plot and an up-and-down kind of relationship between the main characters.

Plot: 5 stars

Pacing: 5 stars

Setting: 3 stars

Characters: 5 stars

Dialogue: 5 stars

Style and Rhetoric: 4.5 stars

Sex Scenes: 5 stars

Romance Development: 5 stars

World-Building and/or Research: 5 stars

Consistency, Details, Logic: 5 stars

I give this book a 5 star overall rating.
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Lauren Dane launches her Whiskey Sharp series with Unraveled, a sweet and sexy tale about dark and brooding Russian Alexsei Petrov and independent and free-spirited Maybe Dolan.

After a year of hiring Maybe to work at his vintage-styled barbershop, Alexsei is ready to take their attraction to fruition, but even though Maybe has crushed on the delicious Russian, her independence and natural inclination to put others before herself makes his desire to protect her and make her his a bit of a challenge. But hot nights make getting to a place where they find a balance a very enjoyable journey.

Both the main characters were equally appealing. Maybe, with all her issues was lively, warm and passionate caring for others, particularly her older sister, with fierce determination. Alexsei doesnt just exude confidence and sexiness, hes a family man whose tendencies to dominate and guard never overwhelm the Maybes free-spirited nature and finds her generosity absolutely intoxicating. The supporting characters were equally interesting and I cant wait to read more about them, and although at times they threatened to overcome the main plot, Dane preserved the focus on the main couple.

Unraveled is book #1 of the Whiskey Sharp series by Lauren Dane. It is an engaging contemporary romance, told in third person from both points of view with a happy ending.
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I liked Whiskey Secrets but it doesn't really stand out for me and I will admit my interest lagged a bit at the halfway point. However, I enjoyed the Collins' family and their closeness; it's clear this family relies on each other and takes care of each other. Set in the small town of Whiskey, each of the brothers seems to hold an important place in the town but overall we didn't really see much of the town outside of the Inn, bar, and restaurant. Kenzie and Dare jump into bed pretty quickly and I'm not completely sold on their instant lust and love. After all, Kenzie flinches from a touch on the shoulder by her female boss, but doesn't seem to struggle with Dare at all, with the exception of asking not to have her arms held.

I really enjoyed Kenzie as a heroine and I can't help but admire the journey that she's been on. Like many women in the same situation, Kenzie didn't realize just how isolated and controlled she was by her husband until things came to a critical point. Now that Kenzie is away from her ex she's determined to find the person that she was before and relearn her passions. I enjoyed watching her make friends in Whiskey, find success and happiness in her work and eventually fall love with Dare. Kenzie is the epitome of a strong and compassionate woman who isn't afraid to put herself out there and learn from her past. Dare was also an enjoyable character, if a bit rough and grumpy at times. Him and Kenzie don't start off on the best foot but it's clear that Dare is not intentionally trying to be mean, he just has a lot on his mind and isn't used to losing control of anything. Although we don't see much change in Dare's personality I did enjoy watching him care for Kenzie as they grow closer. I also felt for Dare's custody situation and I wish that he wasn't always defending his ex, Monica, because her actions don't really make her seem like the nice person Dare keeps saying she is.

Though I felt that things flowed pretty well and the story was interesting there were times where the writing felt a bit rote and mechanical. The sentences were all correct but sometimes it felt like they were missing the substance behind the words. This was my first book by Carrie Ann Ryan so I'm not sure if the writing style is indicative of the rest of her work or not. Even with a few problems, overall, I didn't mind the writing and for the most part it didn't detract from the story. I do plan to try out the Montgomery Ink series of which this book is a spin off for and I also plan to read the next one in this series.
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Screwdrivered by Alice Clayton is the third book in her Cocktail series. Where in Rusty Nailed we got to see Simon and Caroline's relationship from the other side of a happily ever after ending where we left them in Wallbanger, in Screwdrivered they play a small peripheral role. This story is about Viv, Simon's high school friend that is a computer software genius and an artist to boot.

Viv receives a late night phone call from the East coast telling her she's inherited a beautiful cliff-side home in Mendocino, California. so she goes there and falls instantly in love with the "cowboy" that is taking care of the few animals there. What she didn't bargain for is the argumentative, elbow pad, tweed jacket-wearing librarian telling her what she can and cannot restore or replace in the home. Turns out Clark is also the head of the historical society and is responsible for maintaining historical authenticity on homes that are listed on the historical register.

Well that just puts all kinds of wrenches in the works for Viv. She calls in Caroline and Simon for support and ends up spending a ton of time "arguing" with Clark over the repairs on the home.

A cute and quirky story. Viv has a tendency to totally let her mind wander into a daydream of a romance novel only to be rudely brought back into reality time and time again - usually blushing at her own inappropriate thoughts.
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Villains and Vodka  (Top Shelf #2) by Alta Hensley is the next story in the Top Shelf  saga. This is Harley and Marlow's story. Harley is a trained assassin who is getting tired of the profession. He also knows the only way to retire is to be killed. What he has done is to be part owner in a very exclusive gentlemen's club Spiked Roses. Marlow is a waitress at the club and has had her eye out on Harley since she started working at the club. All she wants is a chance to get close to him. When she finally gets her chance she jumps at spending some time with the assassin. Harley usually doesn't partake in women from the club but this lady has caught his eye. I was looking forward to finally reading this author's work. This was my first time reading her and I look forward to reading more about the characters of the Top Shelf series. A very enjoyable story of two people who like it a tad bit on the dark and twisted side. I am all for Dark and twisted and this story definitely fit the bill. Reading the first book is not necessary but I am curious about the other owners of the Spiked Roses. Harley and Marlow's story has me wanting more. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and I give this story 4 stars.
746285
From the opening, I was hooked. The main characters are charming and lovable right off the bat, and their constant banter is addictive. Filled with lots of activity, quirk, and love, I gobbled up this book (and the rest of the Cocktail Series) earlier this week and am cycling back through it now. Just wonderful -- the most I've enjoyed myself since Evanovich's Stephanie Plum or Tracy Ellen's Anabel Axelrod.
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Title: Single, Volume 1
Author: Lyra Parish
Series: Single #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Finished Reading: January 26, 2015
Review Date: January 26, 2015
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Goodreads Bookshelves: 4-5-stars, arcs, arcs-read, korenas-review, read

Reviewed By: Korena

 ARC PROVIDED BY Lyra Parish FOR MY HONEST REVIEW 

At an alternative lifestyle club, Orleans. Roxane, aka Katie, meets a masked blue-eyed bartender who she could not forget. The same masked blue-eyed shows up the next night at a lifestyle party that Stacey, Roxane's best friend, got invites to. Masked man and "Katie" danced and kissed. A connection was felt. "Katie" was taken out of the party abruptly by Stacey, who was recognized as a model and posted on You Tube.

Roxane has her identity hidden because she is president of Van Buren Investments. Van Buren Investments has three positions open. Parker's previous mentor where he interned in New York, gives a high recommendation. With Roxane's father and grandfather in total awe of Parker, he was hired. Tension is definitely building in the office.

She is an alpha businesswoman who is trying to prove herself because she is only 28 and is president of her family's investment firm. Roxane appears vulnerable in her personal life thinking she won't find love after her fiance's, Charlie, motorcycle accident. Parker is a hot, muscled, blue-eyed man. He is a confident corporate attorney who takes to detail in contracts that saves Van Buren Investments millions. The chemistry between them is scorching hawt! I cannot wait for the next installment.

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http://www.twitter.com/oneclickpimp
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Changed by Alicia Renee Kline, the 4th book in the series The Intoxicated Books was very interesting, and was the first one I have read in this series. The story is about Gracie and Will, how they meet for a second time, and their story. I loved how the author put them together, and since I hadnt read any of the other books, I did at times feel a little confused but that part wasn't important for this book. I also enjoyed how they find each other again and both agree on that they are not looking for a relationship, but just some fun. Do you really think that can happen? In life, things always happens, there is always changes and forks in the road. Can they keep up their non-relationship so their friends don't find out? Even when there are changes and being stubborn, can they maintain the friends with benefits)? I did find this story worth my time to read and cant wait to read the other books in this story.
I was provided a free ARC from the author for my honest opinion.