Book Review: Bloodstorm

Title:  Bloodstorm
Author:  Amber Kallyn
Pages:  191
Publication Date:  2013
Version:  Kindle
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Paranormal/Fantasy

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"When duty forces a shaman to stop a vampire from her revenge, love doesn't just burn... it bites. For two hundred years, Niki DeVeraux has been tracking the monster who murdered her family and made her a vampire. She finally catches up to him only to face more than she bargained for in a too-sexy sheriff who makes her remember she's still a woman. With duties as Keeper of the peace and Sheriff, Shane Spencer must protect humanity and stop the friction between the local Arcaine races before it turns into an all out blood war. When wolves start turning up dead, the tension between the races grows and suspicion falls on Niki. Shane knows she's not to blame, and it has nothing to do with the primal urges she stirs within him. Working together, they must stop the hostilities from going over the edge. Trouble is, the desires raging between them might prove more dangerous than the surrounding threats."

My Review:
Niki is a vampire, but one with revenge on her mind.  She was turned unwillingly and is out for revenge for her sire, the vamp who turned her, because he also killed her entire family.  She is tormented by their lost and sad souls and is out to set them free by killing Thomas, the vampire who did it all!  She finally tracks Thomas, but runs right into a big muscular brick wall of sorts, Shane.  Shane is the Sheriff of the town Niki is in now and he also is a Keeper of peace between the paranormal beings, Arcaine.  Soon after Niki coming into Shane's town there are shifters turning up dead and worse yet, they have been killed by a vampire or man vampires.  Shane really doesn't think it could be Niki causing all this or doing the killing, but she is a vampire and is a rouge vampire.  The problem is that Shane and Niki soon are drawn to each other for more than a common interest in who is killing the shifters and where Thomas is.  They are having to put out the flames of their burning desires for each other so they can focus on working together to figure out why the crime rate between Arcaines has gone up.  Who is the vampire trying to start a war between shifters and vampires?  If it really is a rouge vampire, does Niki really have nothing to do with it?  How can Shane do his Keeper and Sheriff duty if all he can think about it Niki, for more reasons than one?  

This was an amazing read!  I have been in a bit of a rut lately for books that I really loved, but this one brought me right out of that rut.  The plot was interesting and amazingly complex, yet very easy to follow.  This was a very fast moving book that had a lot packed into the relatively few pages of it.  Action started on page one and continued until the last word of the book.  I liked how it is a book one, but did have an ending to it that made me feel like it was complete, yet it could carry on to another book too.  There is only one word for the characters of this book...amazing!!  To say they were detailed and well developed would be an understatement.  I really felt like I could understand them and felt like I got to know them even better as the book carried on.  Niki is my favorite character I think, so strong and independent, yet very emotional and delicate at the same time.  She had so many sides to her depending on the situation and she just knew what she needed to do and did it.  She gave no regard to her needs and wants, but only focused on what needed to be done to avenge her family.  I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give spoilers, so I think I will leave it all at that.  Bottom line from me though?  Read this book!  You won't be sorry you did and you will love it!

5/5 Stars!!

Book Review: White Aura

Title:  The White Aura
Author:  Felicia Tatum
Pages:  203
Publication Date:  2014
Version:  Kindle 
Genre:  Young Adult Fiction Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"How do you live with the gut clenching truth that the one you love will die if you meet them? Twenty year old sorcerer Scott Tabors is learning how. After seeing seventeen year old Olivia Whitehead outside of a coffee shop, his heart will never be the same. He longs for her, he wants her, and he knows she will be his. They are heart mates. …but due to a curse on his family, he can’t meet her. Not yet. So for now, he visits her in her dreams. Her dreams where he can tell her everything but his name.

Olivia Whitehead is a typical junior in high school. She and her best friend are having the time of their lives, but she can’t help but notice the changes happening to her. Especially the changes in her heart after she begins dreaming about a mysterious dark haired young man. But what will happen when the school heartthrob decides he wants Olivia? Will she realize the dream man is real or will she move on?"

My Review:
Scott is a sorcerer who has finally found his heart mate...bad news about this is that his family has a curse on it that if he has any contact with her before her seventeenth and six month age date she will die.  He helps himself with the longing he feels to be with her by dream walking.  He visits her in her dreams and somehow she just knows they are real and she is falling for this literal man of her dreams.  He can talk to her and can be close to her this way, but she is not to know his name.  
Olivia is in high school and is beginning to think she is losing her darn mind.  She is falling in love with the man of her dreams, literally a man she only has dreamed of, but knows somehow is real.  Her parents have been acting especially strange lately, but won't talk to her about any of it.  She is being hit on by the hottest boy in school, but she just feels something is wrong with him and she really has a deeper love for Mr. Sexy, the man she dreams of at night.  Soon her life is in danger and Scott decides that if he doesn't help her she will die.  So Scott, another sorcerer, and Scott's family members decide to do something to help Olivia and her friend Juniper.  Soon things take a horrid turn and they are all fighting for their lives.  Can they help and save Olivia in time?  What will happen when, in the heat of battle, Scott sees Olivia in person?  What is so special about Olivia that someone would do anything to have her?  

This was a really great read, but I was a bit disappointed in the ending of the book.  I know it was written the way it was because it has continuations in the next book(s), but I still felt it could have had a bit better ending.  I am a series lover, but I like the books to have some sort of closure to them, not leave me thinking I skipped the last part of the book.  The characters in this book are ones to love more and more with every word you read of the book.  Watching Olivia and Scott develop and develop their love was really an amazing touch to the story, especially because they developed their love without even seeing each other in person.  The plot was great and was very interesting to read.  The writing was done so well that I could vividly see the action while reading.  I could see Olivia, Scott, Juniper, Mark, and all the other great characters come to life as I read.  I could feel their emotions as I got to know them better and see what they were going through.  They were easy characters to relate to if you have ever been a teenager or if you are one.  The magical twist added the sizzle to the whole concept!  I really did enjoy this book and will more than likely pick up the next book in the series because of how this book ended, which I am sure was the intent, but I still say the ending to this book could have had a bit more closure of some kind to it.  However, like I said, it accomplished what it was supposed to...I will be picking up the next book in the series because I can't simply leave it like it ended, I have to find out certain things that will just bother the heck out of me if I don't continue reading on.  

4/5 Stars!

Book Review: Bluegrass Undercover

Title:  Bluegrass Undercover
Author:  Kathleen Brooks
Pages:  242
Publication Date:  2013
Version:  Kindle
Genre:  Adult Fiction Romance/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"In her first follow-up to the Best Selling Bluegrass Series, Kathleen Brooks brings Keeneston back to life through the Davies Brothers. Cade Davies had too much on his plate to pay attention to newest resident of Keeneston. He was too busy avoiding the Davies Brothers marriage trap set by half the town. But when a curvy redhead lands in Keeneston, the retired Army Ranger finds himself drawn to her. These feelings are only fueled by her apparent indifference and lack of faith in his ability to defend himself.

DEA Agent Annie Blake was undercover to bust a drug ring hiding in the adorable Southern town that preyed on high school athletes. She had thought to keep her head down and listen to the local gossip to find the maker of this deadly drug. What Annie didn’t count on was becoming the local gossip. With marriage bets being placed, and an entire town aiming to win the pot, Annie looks to Cade for help in bringing down the drug ring before another kid is killed. But can she deal with the feelings that follow?"

My Review:
Annie Blake is an Agent with the DEA.  She is good at her job...for the most part.  She is great at solving cases and getting the bad guy.  What is her downfall?  She tends to be a bit rough with her bad guys and is a lot of the time accused and with abuse to them.  Finally her boss has enough after, yet another, bad end to a case.  He sends her off on a drug case in Kentucky.  She is to be a high school counselor and while doing that needs to find out where the boss of a certain drug circle is.  She doesn't think much of this new job, she is used to moving around a lot, having been a foster kid, but what she doesn't count on is the coach at this high school to be so attractive and annoying to her.  Cade Davis knows there is more to Annie than she is telling, he just has to figure out what that is.  When he does find out her secret AND she finds out his secret they decide to become partners...in more way than one.  Soon they are on the trail of a hot drug boss and hoping to bring him down before anyone else gets hurt.  When playing with fire though, someone is bound to get burned.  Will they really be able to bring down a huge drug circle without getting in too deep and hurt or killed?  Will Annie finally find her place in life, in this small town?  

This was a good and fairly quick read for me.  I wouldn't call it a favorite book I have read, but it was pretty good and I am glad I read it.  I found some parts to be a bit too in depth, but they quickly turned around and changed into the quick paced read.  The part I enjoyed the most about this read, by far, was all the characters.  They were simply fantastic and so detailed and developed.  I especially loved Annie, a woman who had a horrible start to her life, but is determined to be the best she can be no matter what now.  She is such a strong character and woman, one that a reader can look up to.  I also enjoyed the small town setting.  It was so accurate to how things can be in a a tiny little town, right down to the welcoming committee when you first move there.  I loved reading all about the "ways of the small town".  The plot was good too, it was clear and I was kept guessing right up to the end as to who really was behind the drug circle.  Turned out I was way off, but I still enjoyed it!  The ending to this book was something too!  It was an ending, but was an ending that can be very easily continued.  

4/5 Stars!

February Wrap Up!!

The month of love has come and gone.  Sorry this is a bit late, but the end of February and beginning of March were a bit hectic.  

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS AND THOSE THAT STOP IN TO READ MY BLOG!!!  YOU ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED BY ME EVERY DAY!  


Here's what I have read in February: 5 Grand Total of  Books!!
You can click on the title of the book to get to my review of that book.  :-)

~ 1 Young Adult Fiction:
~The Rainbow Man by P.B. Kane

~ 4 Adult Fiction ( Paranormal Romance/ Mystery/  Fiction):
~Friends With Partial Benefits by Luke Young
~A Red, Red, Rose by Susan Coryell
~Green Lake by S.K. Epperson
~Yellowstone Heart Song by Peggy L. Henderson

How are my Challenges looking as we gradually approach the finish line?
You can click on each challenge and you will go to my post for that challenge to see which books counted for each challenge or what each challenge entails.  As I complete challenges I will highlight them!  :-)

1.  Reading Challenge Addict Challenge 2014  Complete 11-15 of my reading challenges that I have signed up to do in 2014.

1/11 Completed

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2.  Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2014  Read 60 books that are in my TBR pile, but have been there BEFORE 2014.

11/60 Books Read

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3.  2014 What An Animal Reading Challenge VII  Read 7-12 books with animals either on the cover, as main characters, or in the title.  

0/12 Books Read

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4.  Monthly Key Word Challenge 2014  Read a book with a "key word" from each months list.  

2/12 Books Read

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5.  TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2014  Read 50+ books from my TBR pile that were put in that pile BEFORE 2014.

11/55 Books Read

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6.  Cruizin' Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2014  Read 20+ cozy mysteries.

6/25 Books Read

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7.  Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2014  Finish two series.  I am counting by books in series for counts.

4/27 Books Read  0/2 Series Finished

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8.  Color Coded Reading Challenge 2014  Read books with colors in the title.  9 different colors in a year!

5/9 Books Read

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9.  Chill Baby Chill Reading Challenge 2014  Read six books in the time frame of December 21, 2013 to March 20, 2014.
6/6 Books Read
Wrap Up Post:  Challenge Complete!!

10.  Lucky No. 14 Reading Challenge 2014 Read 14 books from the 14 different categories given.

4/14 Books Read

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11.  Foodies Reading Challenge 2014  Read 3 books involving food, fiction or non-fiction.

0/3 Books Read

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12.  eBook Reading Challenge 2014  Read 10 eBooks.

6/10 Books Read

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13.  Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge 2014  Read 1-5 more books than 2013.

0/5 Books Read

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14.  Full House Reading Challenge 2014  Read a book from all the "boxes" on the sheet to get a Full House and complete the challenge.  Each box has a different category.

8/25 Books Read

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15.  Eclectic Reading Challenge 2014  Read a book from the categories listed to read different books you may not have read.

3/12 Books Read

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16.  Reading Outside the Box Reading Challenge 2014  Read books from categories that may be outside your normal reading.  Try to do all the categories listed.

7/25 Books Read

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17.  Quirky A to Z Reading Challenge 2014  Read books from the A to Z guidelines given.  A new and exciting spin on just reading books titled from a to z!

7/26 Books Read

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18.  I Love Picture Books Reading Challenge 2014  Read 25 picture books in the year!

0/25 Books Read

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19.  You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014  Read 150 books in the year.  (Level 2).

11/150 Books Read

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20.  Quick Fix Challenge 2014  Read books that are under 300 pages long.  I picked the Gorilla Glue level of 30+ books.

7/35 Books Read

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21.  100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2014  Read 100 books in a year.

11/100 Books Read

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22.  Audiobook Challenge 2014  Listen to audiobooks.  I picked the Newbie level of listening to 1-5 books.

3/5 Books Listened To

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23.  Jumble Your Genres Reading Challenge 2014  Read a different, set, genre every month.

2/12 Books Read

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24.  Dystopia Reading Challenge 2014  Read set number of distopian books in the year.  I chose the Rebel Level, Level 2 of reading 7-12 books.

0/12 Books Read

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25.  Rewind Challenge 2014  Read those books you couldn't wait to come out, but then never read.  I chose to try for 15 books.

11/15 Books Read

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26.  My Kind Of Mystery Reading Challenge 2014  Read mystery books!  I chose level of Lost Artifacts to read 31-40 mystery books.

3/40 Books Read

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27.  Freda's Voice 100+ Books Reading Challenge 2014  Read 100+ books in the year.  I am personally shooting for 105.

11/105 Books Read

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28.  Gentle Spectrums Challenge 2014  Read 10 books with titles containing color hues.  Read 10 books containing title words fitting in set categories.  

8/20 Books Read

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29.  Ethereal Challenge 2014  Read spiritual/paranormal books.  I picked Third Eye Level of 11-20 books.

2/20 Books Read

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30.  What's In A Name Reading Challenge 2014  Read a book with a title fitting in each of the name categories.

1/5 Books Read

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31.  Audio Book Challenge 2014  Listen to audio books.  I chose the Flirting level of 6 books.

3/6 Books Listened To

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32.  Book To Movie Challenge 2 2014 Read books that were made into movies, then watch the movie.  I chose the Movie Fan Level of 3 book/movies.

0/3 Books Read/Movies Watched

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33.  Diversity Reading Challenge 2014 Read books that have a main character or are written by a person of color.  I chose the First Shelf Level of 1-6 Books
0/6 Books Read
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34.  Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge 2014 Read books that are Witchy.  I chose the Maiden Level of 6-10 Books.
0/10 Books 
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35.  Shifter Challenge 2014 Read 10 books with a main character that is a Shifter.
0/10 Books Read
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36.  Vampire Challenge 2014 Read 10 books with a main character that is a Vampire.
1/10 Books Read
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37.  Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge 2014 Read a variety of books that start with all the letters of the alphabet to make up a nice soup of reading.
7/26 Books Read
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38.  Where Are You Reading Challenge 2014 Read books set in all of the 50 states!
7/50 Books Read
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39.  YA Mythology Reading Challenge 2014 Read 12 YA Mythology books.
2/12 Books Read
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40.  Fur and Fangs Reading Challenge 2014 Read books with Werewolves, Shifters, Vampires in.  I am shooting for 25!
1/25 Books Read
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41.  Ireland Reading Challenge 2014 Read books set in or about Ireland or that have Irish characters.  I am doing Shamrock Level of 4 books.
0/4 Books Read
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42.  Zombie Reading Challenge 2014 Read Zombie books.  I chose Infested Level of 1-3 books.
0/3 Books Read
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43.  Women's Murder Club Reading Challenge 2014 Read books in this series.  I chose level Detective in Training 4-6 Books.
0/6 Books Read
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44.  Erotic Romance Reading Challenge 2014 Read Erotic Books.  Level One 12 books.
1/12 Books Read
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45.  A to Z Mystery Author Challenge 2014 Read Mystery authors from A to Z using last names.
5/26 Books Read
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46.  In The Middle Reading Challenge 2014 Read books that are between 300 and 450 pages.  I am doing Cruising through the Pages level of 10 books.
0/10 Books Read
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47.  Witch's Reading Challenge 2014 Read books dealing with paranormal or witchcraft.  Initiate Level of 5-10 books.
0/10 Books Read
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Perpetual:

1.  Stephanie Plum Reading Challenge  Read all the books in this series.
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2.  Kinsey Millhone Reading Challenge  Read all the books in this series.
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3.  Read 1 Million Pages Challenge  Read 1 Million Pages.
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I'm Still Here

Sorry I have been a bit lax in posting.  To say life has been hectic here is an understatement.  In a nutshell...I had health issues, tests for these issues, family situations aplenty, a friend getting ready to move to another state I am helping, a friend who I was supporting as she grieved the loss of her Grandmother, and another friend who I have been helping get ready for her wedding later this year. 

I will try to get back into the swing of things on here again soon as I can.  I can't promise a whole lot of posts this month anymore, but perhaps April will be better.  I hope to have the February Wrap Up post ready and posted this week yet and then at least 2 reviews, maybe 3 before the end of the month.  

Here's to hoping things start turning around for the better and life can start to be a tiny bit more relaxing.