The Vampire Trials - The Summoning by Storm Song

4/5☆ Hunger games and The Purge meets the Paranormal!

Soon as I read the description I knew I needed to read it. 

Set in the future supernaturals have came out of hiding and the Vampires now rule New York City. It's split into 3 sections and the governors select 2 from each section to kill each other off to save there section from a night of free for all killing.

This is normally limited to adult males but this time they have made a change. Women are to be included in both now too. 

Scarlett is the one and only woman chosen to participate. She is taken to a manor where she's to train and party with the other contestants and the governors.

In come however is the governors sons. This is where I knew interest would remain. Drax, Colt and Finn are all gorgeous (of course) but different gifts and demeanours.

When 2 of them find Scarlett interesting and already disagree with the fathers they all get thrown into the arena early and have to work together to try and survive.

I find this great start to what I'm hoping will go on to be amazing series. I love that Scarlett has trust issues and doesn't instantly fall for them as she as grown up hating Vampires. Though parts of it still felt a bit rushed.

The guys are all amazing in their own way but also have flaws rather than seeing perfection it gave more interesting dynamics and kept me wanting more. 

I finished within few hours and would recommend to those who enjoy paranormal rh romance books. I'm hoping that there will be more to come as really I do want (and need) more from these characters. It doesn't feel complete  but I do believe this is suppose to be a series anyway so will keep fingers crossed.

By Claire 

Aria's Travelling Book Shop by Rebecca Raisin

5/5☆ Worth the Wait!

I have been dying to read since finishing the first book (Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop) back in November. This book certainly didn't disappoint either.

I am becoming a huge fan of the way Rebecca Raisin writes. This one has a bit of the angst as Aria is still struggling to cope with her husband's death but it still has humourous passages that had me giggling away.

I would love to have a travelling book shop of my own and feel that would be very similar in the piles of books including the bed as this was my life before mainly swapping to ebooks. Theres still some on there most days though!

The characters feel real and its definitely not a quick meet guy fall for him and end up in bed which I loved. 

Plus this time we see them in France rather than the UK and we still get to see the awesome friendship Aria shares with Rosie.

I can't fault this book at all and will be (and already have been)recommending wherever I can. Especially great for the current times to have a nice reasonably light read.

Hope to read more from the author soon.

By Claire

Link by Serena Akeroyd

3/5☆ An amazing second part to the Series.

Straight after Nxy I jumped straight into this as the next in the series. Even on no sleep it was completely worth it!

Link is another member of the MC and cares greatly for who he considers his family. Lily isn't family but he still seems to want to protect her.

Lily is the brother of Guila's attacker in Nyx. Her brother isn't the only bastard in her family either. She tries to help and passes information on via Link to the MC on the missing women.

I loved that business turned to friendship with the pair. Their texts were great while they got to know each other.

It is more of a slow burn though which was a little disappointing, as I'm not very patient, and it more cliffhanger of what will happen next with the pair of them and the rest of the group as a whole. 

Could have cried when realised the next book (Sin) will not be out until end of June. Just not sure I can wait! 

Definitely recommend to all MC Romance lovers. Actually as I am behind on Reviews I can't say there is any of Serena's that have read so far that I wouldn't.

By Claire 

Beast by A. Zavarelli

A darker beauty and the Beast story.

This definitely has a feel to a dark fairytale full of angst and no prince charming.

Isabella is young star who is a great portrayal that becoming a hit singer isn't all its cracked up to be. 

Javier isn't your typical beautiful male character which I like that hes got scars and you can see emotionally gone through a lot.

However I found that the disclaimer of this dark story that I just found it wasn't really. Least not for me. 

When initially Isabella is kidnapped it says she's being tortured and treated badly but a lot of that is off screen. It feels a lot was missing.

I did however still like the book and certainly appreciated the ending. Also who wouldn't love the cover!

I would still recommend to others as think it might be that takes a lot to be "dark" for me. 

Also been hearing great things bout the authors other books too so will keep you posted when I manage to get them read!

By Claire 

A Tangled Web by A. Claire Everward

5/5 ☆ Oh what a Tangled web we weave...

I have read a few contract marriage books and was very interested on what this would be like. Not sure what was expecting but it did not disappoint... in fact it blew me away!

Ian Blackwell is beyond well off but is sick of the press falling him around and gossiping on his batchelor lifestyle. He tasks the job of finding him a wife to his friend and lawyer.

Tess on the other hand works in one of the companies Ian recently purchased and is looking for a way out but it's not clear why. For that reason she says yes to the lawyers proposition without knowing who she will be marrying.

The relationship between the two is certainly strained but you can see throughout the book them getting to know each other better which I love to see as it's not a quick happily ever after story.

There's a few twist and turns in the book with a bit of a mystery that they need to work on together. 

I was kept interested whole way through the book. It says its first in the series but it can be read as standalone as well. I'm not sure what would go in another book but I'd definitely be interested to see more from this author and these characters.

By Claire

The S*x Tape by Serena Akeroyd and Helen Scott

3/5☆ Beyond my Expectations.

I picked this up when authors kindly put up for free. I wasn't sure honestly if I would like it from some of the conflicting reviews and opinions.

When it started I thought it a bit juvenile from the bullys point of it. Spilling coffee, knocking books etc just seems very school age where as this Academy is a University.

Soon however I did start feeling there was more to it and continued on. I'm glad I did. Briar really was someone you could feel for going through so much. Her uncles and the boys fathers made for the real villains of the stories. 

I loved the love interests of this and couldn't pick a favourite between them they all had their own characteristics. I did find that didn't get to know them maybe as well as could have during the book and then ending bit more rushed where more leisurely earlier in the book. 

It would definitely still be one I intend to recommend for those who enjoy Bully romances and Reverse Harem books.

By Claire 

Nyx by Serena Akeroyd

4/5 ☆ Can't beat a hot MC Romance.

Nxy is the Satan's Sinner Motorcycle Club's Enforcer so you know he can be not a nice man but he's much darker in nature due to his past.

He does however have his own moral compass even if even he considers himself a monster.

Giulia left the motorcycle club when her mother took her and her brothers away when she separated from their father. Just weeks after the mum died they return to the club but Giulia doesn't like the lifestyle or roles women play in it. 

Though she's determined to stay away from falling into a relationship with a biker you can see the Sexual tension almost straight away.

Theres a few extra twists in the story that kept me interested all the way through. I loved the writing, the characters and the plot. Definitely a big hit for me and had some great sex scenes thrown in to complete it.

Highly recommend. I went straight to book 2 second after finishing this, which was in less than a day. Review for next book - Link will be coming soon as I can. 

By Claire

Dancing by Laurell K. Hamilton

Quick review for a quick book.

Zerbrowski is having a family BBQ at his house for the other cops. Of course he invites his work partner Anita and she brings along Micah and Nathaniel. 

The happen to be babysitting Matthew as well so that gives a slightly different dynamic. It focus from title seems to be on Dancing which there is some at the end.

Nathaniel has a bet with Zerbrowski that he can get some of the boys (other than Matthew) to dance. That part at end with the dancing I did quite like.

There was more though about hiding the men being together from everyone else that does seem bit more outdated even though was only wrote in 2013. But being cops and the fact there was plenty that still are homophobic I can see some point just not sure why was put in the story.

There also is a focus on Nathaniel and a problem with the wives that seemed only put in to fill pages and add in some angst. I just don't think was needed.

Was just a small snippet of a scene that really isn't for a book or does much but was sweet to see some dancing and more interaction with Zerbrowski n a little with his family.

By Claire