Tag: Book Review

Posted in Spicy Romance

My favorite sexy werewolf got his own book

Posted on by Little Bee

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My rating: 4 stars

This book is a very quick read. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Let me point out, there are a TON of reviews on Goodreads that this book is all sex and no monsters…well…that is the damn point! This book was a lovely, sexy, break from all the boogeymen. If you don’t want to read it, then don’t. I can’t see how any of what happened will really be pertinent in later books (except if she actually cuts Jade loose).

If you are a prude, or can’t admit you like sexy stuff…then pass this book by because you will be disappointed. If you can’t handle a little “fudge ripple” and only want straight vanilla…move on a long then. This book isn’t for you. If you don’t mind reading about taboos, are comfortable with your own sexy preferences and do enjoy the sexier side of Anita Blake, then you will not be disappointed.

If any of you follow Hamilton’s twitter, you will see how close Anita’s life is to her own. Their little happy poly family, is similar. If those are things you can’t get your head around, why are you still reading this series? This series is so much more than vampire hunting. Anita has to face some really serious stigmas that a lot of women face on a daily basis! Our sex lives are always scrutinized (if we admit we like sex, we are considered whores), if we are hard workers then we had to have sexed up someone to get our position…seriously. SO yes, I enjoy reading about the new challenges Anita faces and how she handles them. How she dissects them. This book is no different. People just need to quit their bitching. You can clearly see from the description of this book that it is going to be sex filled shenanigans. If you don’t want to read it, then don’t.

I also don’t understand how people rate this book without even reading it…based solely on it’s description and their disappointment! Really? What is the purpose of that?

This book makes Anita realize that she is not uncomfortable with having women in her life, but that she needs strong women like the strong men. I keep forgetting who Jade is and trying to remember when she came about in the series. To my knowledge, she is not prevalent that much since her acquisition from her abusive master. I thought the sex scenes were well written, as usual. Of course I will read any scene with Jason, Domino and Nathaniel in them. Not really sure how much more to write for this review, ha. It was all sex and dealing with Anita’s Jade problem, which she did. It was short, sweet and to the point. I do wish it had a bit more of Jason in the story line.

Posted in Romance

Phenomenal X (mmmm…)

Posted on by Little Bee

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Overall rating: 3.5-4 Stars

Narrator rating: Alexandria Wilde 4.5 Stars

                                 Sean Crisden 2 stars

I gave this book 4 stars. I am somewhere between 3.5 and 4. I think the story held a lot of promise, but maybe for me, it fell a bit short because I just didn’t connect fully. Let me explain:

There seem to be a lot of books out there where good girls tame bad boys, or fix broken boys, etc. I get that Anna is supposed to be escaping from her father and branching out on her own, but her prudeness got to be a little much sometimes. I did like Anna’s character though, and I loved Xavier. Sure, I am not a big fan of bad boys, but Xavier is the sex. I would never want to tame him,  I mentioned in a status update on Goodreads that I would use him just like he uses other women. It would be purely sexual and I am so okay with that.

The point is, I am getting a bit tired of the whole good girl/bad boy thing going on these days. I understand in this book why Xavier is a bad boy, but I dont know, can’t we have a bad girl and a bad boy taming each other?! Or maybe a good girl/boy finding their inner devil 😉 Spice it up!

I do like the sex scenes in this story. One thing I can’t stand is when authors write “he touches my sex…” I can’t connect to that. If and when I read smutty, steamy novels, I want to feel it. I love when a scene was so well written I need a cigarette after (and I don’t smoke). A quick way for me to lose interest is using terms that aren’t relateable. I am not afraid of reading the “p” word (I say it this way for the simple fact that out of respect to my younger Goodreads friends and followers) in a sex scene. That’s hot! I want to hear what I would hear if it were me in that scene! Though the scenes weren’t fireworks, they held for a lot of promise.

At the end of the day all I can say is THAT END THOUGH! There is a major cliffhanger. So, if you don’t want to have to be stranded with the literary version of blue balls, wait until the second and final book comes out (date not yet given).

I listened to this as an audiobook. I think Alexandria Wilde did a phenomenal job. At first it took me a little getting used to her narrating style, but it worked. I loved her voice for Xavier. She made him sound all grovely and sexy. So when I heard Sean Crisden reading the few Xavier chapters, it just didn’t do it for me! I was left wanting and disappointed. The voice just wasn’t sexy. It made me a little sad that Alexandria Wilde’s voice for Xavier makes you feel things when the narrator who read Xavier’s chapters left you going “WTF”

Posted in Book Reviews

The Paper Magician

Posted on by Little Bee

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Rating: 4 Stars

Narrator Rating: 5 Stars

I first received this book through the Kindle First program but decided to listen to it instead….WONDERFUL idea!

Historical fiction is sometimes hit or miss for me, but this is definitely a hit! McFadden’s delivery captured me from the very beginning. Ceony was annoying until she finally let go of her anger about being forced into paper magic. I understand her sorrow/anger/aggravation, I’m not sure that I would’ve chosen paper magic either. That’s why she was forced.

I totally have a crush on Magician Emory Thane. If this were a movie I think Ian Somerholder would be a perfect fit.

I think Ceony was a little harsh on her quick clouded judgment on Thane and it was a nice bittersweet moment for her when she realized it and questioned how often had she done it before (because she was wrong)/

I gave this book 4 stars because, without giving too much away, I’m not sure what purpose the bulk of the book served. The specific chapters regarding when Ceony was trapped inside of Thane’s heart. I only see three purposes it served:

1) She developed a greater understanding and respect for Thane
2) A few spells she learned that helped her defeat Lira
3) How Lira became the way she is

Other than those reasons, it served no purpose. And it took up A LOT of chapters.On the flip side, it was nice to learn more about Thane.

The ending was feel-good and expected. But it was one of the few times that “expected” worked. Usually I am not a fan of too predictable of an ending. In this case, I was anxious to see how it played out to get to the ending.

I started this book with a smile and I ended it with a smile. It was magical, heart warming (sometimes heart breaking). with a dash of romance (but not romance at the same time…more of a heart opening experience). I am looking forward to the rest of this trilogy. The characters are lovable, they experience growth when growth is expected.

Amy McFadden was EXCELLENT in her delivery. Every voice and emotion was spot on. She elevated the experience of this story to a whole other level. She puts you into the scenes with Ceony. You experience Ceony’s journey like you are by her side the whole time.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

As Red As Blood

Posted on by Little Bee

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Goodreads rating: 2 stars

Narrator Rating: 4 stars

 

First, let me say, this review will contain a spoiler. I am just not sure how to write my true feelings and reasons for the low rating without giving away things. I won’t give away much, but enough to justify my feelings.

I originally received this book for free through the Kindle First Program. After multiple failed attempts to start this book, I gave up trying. Recently, I saw that I could get this book super cheap on Audible. I figured I could attempt it again this way. I can say that I finished the book.

This book was difficult or me to get into. Throughout the story, I kept getting lost during a half-assed flashback. The flashbacks were so vague that I didn’t think I would ever understand why Lumikki was such a badass. I thought of everything this girl could have gone through to become how she is. I thought maybe she was sexually abused as a child or maybe she was involved with the mafia (because how else would a 17 year old girl know how to do half the stuff she does). But no. Lumikki wasn’t an escaped victim of the sex trade, or a prostitute trying to hide from her pimp. She had no ties to the mafia. So…how did Lumikki become the ninja level master of disguise? *SPOILER* She was BULLIED Before I continue, I want to note that bullying is NEVER okay. EVER. I am simply stating that it is hard to believe that a bullied girl could suddenly exhibit CIA level covert, operating detective skills WITHOUT help in such a short time. I just can’t make that connection. The way Lumikki is now suggests something much more sinister than being beat up and bullied by a couple of mean girls she knew since she was a little girl. Yeah, the bullying was really bad. I can see how it would impact Lumikki’s life. Just not with these types of skills.

I know, I know…sometimes bullied kids retaliate in the most atrocious way. This isn’t like that. This girl became a sneaky super spy for herself. And ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time involving a bunch of drug lords and knew how to handle herself in the situation and how to investigate at such a high skill level. It just isn’t logical for Lumikki to be a bullied victim and have these skills.

A plus side is that Lumikki isn’t a damsel in distress. She is a very strong protagonist. For me, she isn’t 100% relatable but you do warm up to her. Her quirks make it harder to accept that she was bullied and that is why she knows how to walk 20 different ways or look less like herself on the fly. Or even how to snoop around a house with someone inside and they have no clue she is there.

This is apparently the first book in a trilogy, which has me confused. This book ENDED. What is there left for 2 full books? This book held a lot of promise, but for me, it failed to deliver. There is always a lot going on, which usually makes for an interesting story, but the climax just built with the end being a dud.

My narrator rating was high because the narrator was good. There were times some emotion wouldn’t have hurt. There were also times where her characters blended together and you couldn’t tell who was talking or if it was a flashback.

Posted in Middle Grade

It’s a Pandy thing.

Posted on by Little Bee

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My rating: 4 stars

 

I received this book for my honest review

My overall impressions of this book was that it is cute for the target age group.

Tony Pandy, the main character, is a bit selfish, self absorbed, sarcastic, mean and a bit on the jerk side. As the story develops, Tony also develops. At first, Tony’s behavior frustrated me. But as the story unfolds and you see how sad of a life Tony truly has, it makes sense. Tony is really sick, wheel chair bound, and not many years of life left.

Tony’s “father” died and Tony did not want to go to the funeral. In fact, Tony never went outside. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t get down the stairs in his wheelchair because there was no wheel chair ramp in the house. Further, it had been years since Tony even saw his own mother. They communicated via intercom in the house.

My favorite character was Hawes. I was so sad when Hawes was fired. I am curious about his background though…but Hawes showed Tony that not everyone is in his life for the money. Hawes genuinely wants to help Tony. How did Tony repay Hawes? Tony tricked Hawes into believing Tony’s mother approved of an outing. The end result? Tony’s oxygen tank depleted and he ended up in the hospital.

This story really is an underdog story. There isn’t ever really a slow moment. There is a lot of growth, a lot of “mysteries” to be solved and gaining a life worth staying alive for.

My one issue is that I felt it just kind of ended. I believe this is a series book? If not, the ending left me wanting. I am okay with happy endings, or bad endings that I didn’t want to happen, I just need an ending! I am curious about what Assignment Two is and am looking forward to reading when it is released! Aside from being asked for my honest review of the book, even though Mr. Lundqvist’s grass needs mowed, he really needs to finishGang of Sleuths. The grass can be mowed later!

If you have middle grade kids, this is definitely a fun little read.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

The Forager

Posted on by Little Bee

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I received this book from the author for an honest review.

I have started getting more and more into reading dystopian novels. I think when it comes to dystopian, there is a lot of creative avenues that can be taken. It almost doesn’t really matter the setting. You can create your own setting and your own reason for why the world ended, and you can’t really be wrong.

The Forager is no different. One thing I liked about this book is that, unlike some dystopians that use a mass war or environmental event, Ron Scheer used what could happen if the economy crashed and the value of the dollar became moot. It is scary, but our dollar is already not doing so well. So it made it that more interesting to learn while reading about what happened to the world when the economy crashed.

I did have a few minor issues…I don’t know if maybe I just missed it somehow or it wasn’t really explained, but I had no general idea of where this town was located in the story. I feel like it is situated somewhere in the mid-west, but I also can kind of visualize rural Pennsylvania. I also had a hard time visualizing majority of the characters. Reading this, I will tell you a few characters I could visualize and how I visualized them:

1. The Forager—Jeff Bridges
2. Frank- The Rock (not sure why, but just did)
3. The mayor—Anthony Hopkins
4. Millie- the mother from the movie Master in Disguise.

At first, this book starts kind of slow, but once everything happens, it picks up. Before I knew it I was 30 pages away from the end and wondering how in the world everything was going to happen that needed to. The ending was predictable, and I felt like I could have used more conflict, but overall, for a first book, it was pretty good. I enjoyed it. Structurally, there are some periods missing. All that said, I think it is an enjoyable read. It is original, and original is always welcomed and nice when so many books within a genre are almost the same.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

If I stay

Posted on by Little Bee

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Rating: 5 stars

Audiobook rating: 5 stars, Narrator: Kirsten Potter

This review will be short and to the point because if I say too much, I will give everything away.

I recently saw in one of my Goodreads groups that this book was considered “over-hyped.” I have to say that crushed me a little. I have come to realize, that there are stories I like because I listen to them through audibook instead of read them. Some narrators just captivate me and from the beginning. This book is one such book. I think I still would have liked it if I read it, but maybe not as much. I know everyone has different opinions, and I respect that. A book I love and give a high rating to, you may not like at all.

This book is a complete tear jerker and completely original. I have not read a book from the perspective of someone in a coma watching and hearing everyone around them and trying to decide if they want to stay or move on. I liked how the main character, Mia, has flashbacks of her life. The accident pretty much happens at the get go, so these flashbacks are the only way to connect with any of the characters.

This book is another book I think is more enjoyable as an audiobook. Kirsten Potter’s inflections were exactly right. She brings the right amount of emotions at the appropriate times.

All I can say is this-don’t listen to this book at work like I made the mistake of doing! Also, have tissue. And finally…I hope the movie brings this tragic story to life respectfully. This book is worth the read. Even if you find you didn’t like it, the experience of such beautiful writing is something you need to go through. Even more so through audiobook!

Posted in YA Book Reviews

Zac and Mia

Posted on by Little Bee

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My rating: 3.8 Stars out of 5. Goodreads rating: 4 stars

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. The following is an honest review that I was in no way compensated to give 

First, I should say, this if I could rate this more than a 3.5 but less than a 4 on Goodreads, I would.

When I first entered this giveaway, I was excited to find out that I won. Once I received the book and started to read it, I found that i constantly had to remind myself that this book is not John Greene’s The Fault In Our Stars. If you plan on reading this and you liked The Fault in Our Stars, Zac and Mia is WAY different. If you go in thinking it might be just as great, you might be disappointed.

Zac was an enjoyable character. He was funny, and your almost typical 17 year old male. He was a smart ass and was obsessed with success rates. Cancer success rates that is. Zac has lukemea, with a very low success rate. In the 50s. If he is lucky. At the beginning of this story, Zac is in the hospital after having just received a marrow transplant. Chemo didn’t work, and this transplant has a “hit or miss.” Zac was always the strong one. For his family, for himself, and eventually, for Mia.

Mia was atrocious. I am not trying to be insensitive. I do understand why she was upset, having osteocarcoma and ultimately having part of her leg removed…I get that she would be upset. Mia was very shallow, and instead of doing what the doctors told her, she RAN AWAY….because running away from our problems means they won’t ever catch up right? Page after page of “woe is me” is too much. Especially when you have Zac, who had to have a marrow transplant that MAY NOT work and he is not crying or sniveling or stealing from family to run away. I think Betts could have spent a little more time on Mia. I couldn’t stand Mia until part 3 when she finally got it together.

Zac was strong. He just tried living what he had left of life to live. He never gave up on Mia, even when she gave up on herself. This story is about more than cancer and friendship. It’s about growth and strength.

I feel this story took too long to get to the point. I liked it was told from the points of view of both Zac and Mia, but I found myself more engrossed in Zac’s narratives. This book did bring tears to my eyes. Even though it took me a while to read and truck through, part 3 was worth reading and bumped my overall rating.

This book was far from The Fault in Our Stars, but then again, it’s not supposed to be the same is it? Just keep an open mind.

Posted in Romance

Beauty Dates the Beast

Posted on by Little Bee

beauty dates the beast

My rating: 4 stars

Browsing through audiobooks on my library’s website, I came across this book. So of course, I had to read what it was about…The book review information was so funny, I decided I had to listen to it.

First, I want to say, if you get embarrassed easily, don’t listen to this book with your mom. Second, if your mom gets embarrassed, don’t listen to it with her. In any scene where there was some form of innuendo (and there are plenty), I received a bruise on my arm while I was driving…each time some sexual word or phrase was used, I received a bigger bruise on my arm…while driving. I can’t decide if it is because my mom was listening to it with me and maybe she was just embarrassed or if maybe the scenes themselves were embarrassing. Either way, it didn’t bother me, except for the receiving bruises while driving. As soon as it was done, my mom screeched that she was ready for the second book. In fact, she is trying to push us through a different audiobook just so we can continue on with this series QUICKLY because she enjoyed this book that much.

I don’t have a lot of “Bad” with this book. The only reason why I didn’t give it that 5th star is because the main character was CONSTANTLY trying to feel like she had to protect everyone and that she couldn’t tell anyone anything…but c’mon…seriously? Her sister is a werewolf and you seriously try to hide her smell when you are around other were-animals to keep her safe? Yeah…c’mon…I am sure we have all read enough paranormal books to know how effective that is yeah? After a while, this does get annoying.

Other than that, the characters were great. I figured it out, mom it took a bit. (but to her credit, I read a lot of similar books). The story line was enjoyable and creative. I do think that the character sketches could have been a little stronger, but they weren’t miserably horrible.

As for the narrator, she wasn’t bad, but she wasn’t the greatest either. I feel like over the last year I have come an audiobook snob. I have heard some REALLY BAD narrators, but I have heard narrators so amazing, I wanted to re-listen to the books over and over and over again, or I find myself searching out every book that person narrates so I can listen to more. In this book, some of her voices were just kind of “meh.” My mom didn’t like her voice for Beau but I did. It just fit some how. Overall, I wouldn’t go out of my way to not listen to a book by her again.

Posted in Romance

Dark Lover

Posted on by Little Bee

Dark Lover

My rating: 4 stars

This is the first book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. This series is constantly gracing my Goodreads News Feed. Many of my friends have suggested I start it. So, I happened upon a copy at Wal-Mart and said guess I will start now!

This story is told from various viewpoints, some I enjoyed more than others. I found when I was reading Mr. X’s viewpoints, I was aggravated, but I guess that is the point as he becomes a leader in a sect of vampire killers. J.R. Ward takes vampire lore and just changes everything. Thankfully, she gives a mini dictionary at the beginning of the book because there were new terms I had never heard of before. Yes, this is a series about vampire warriors that are in a group called the Black Dagger Brotherhood. The main goal of this group is to protect the vampire race from the Lessening Society, which are a bunch of men (lessers) who literally sell their soul to the Omega and hunt vampires. The Black Dagger Brotherhood is run by a vampire named Wrath, who also happens to be the Vampire King that refuses to be king and lead his people (who are desperate for a leader).

This story follows Beth, the daughter of one of the Black Dagger Brotherhood (named Darius) who is killed in the beginning of the book. Apparently, in J.R. Ward’s world, vampires are born not created. You can either be born into a vampire family or be half human half vampire. You cannot be human and be bit and changed. At a certain age, these children “transition” into vampires. Usually in the early to mid-20s. When a person transitions, they have to suck the blood from a vampire of the opposite sex. Many people do not make it through the transition, especially ones that are half human.

This book is the same love story, told differently. Wrath is an asshole, pushes everyone away, bad boy, reckless. Beth is the girl everyone wants, yet hates her life and feels like it is going no where. Darius requests Wrath to be the blood donor during Beth’s transition, which he said no at first. Wrath is one of the only pure vampires left, and his blood would help Beth survive the transition. Basically, Beth tames Wrath. Beth makes Wrath suddenly have purpose and want to live. What made this story fun and interesting is the challenges faced along the way. The way each character becomes important, even if they aren’t the main. Every character has a specific role. You either hate them, or you love them, or you know that they are just misunderstood.

This is no small book, and I read it within a day because I couldn’t put it down. For being a romance novel, I did feel like there wasn’t enough “romance” but the side story was fun and enjoyable. I think, at this moment, there are about 12 books in this series. So if you like reading series that are further along when you start, you should be able to read through these before the next book comes out, which should be next year.