The Dark Elements trilogy by Jennifer L. Armentrout

5/5 stars

I would like to begin by saying that I finished this trilogy with high-pitched squeals. Happy ones, I might add. I'll always have a soft spot for JLA; she's one of my most favorite authors and I have loved every single book I've read by her so far. She hasn't disappointed me yet [let's hope she keeps it that way]. But this trilogy has probably been one of my favorites by her yet! 

This trilogy really got my emotions going. That takes a lot for me nowadays in books. Aside from just everything going on in the book, I was a little hesitant to read the series just because it was gargoyles. Gargoyles! I didn't know how it would pan out; you almost never see gargoyles being the main part of what books are about. But now that I've gotten through it, I think it was an amazing choice for JLA to stray from the cliches of vampires, werewolves, faeries, and so on and write about something fairly new. Doing things like that, writing about something out of the ordinary, is basically putting your head on the chopping block for authors. 

JLA always ties her stories together in a little perfect bow in the ends. Things make sense, you aren't sitting there wondering "Why" or "How". She hands you a story that is satisfying in the end, even though she has you cursing her name throughout the entire story. 

Now, I won't spoil anything for you, but I am so glad how the romantic-aspect side of things ended up for Layla. I was so stressed out when I finished Stone Cold Touch and began Every Last Breath. Seriously. I really like romance [good romance, mind you] so I stress over the unknowns in relationships in my books, but JLA really got me and I felt like I aged five years just over what I wanted to happen. ///The next bit may end as a spoiler, so highlight the text if you want to see what it says.\\\ I wanted Layla to end up with Roth from the very beginning. Zayne was a great character, but I feel like Roth was better for Layla by a ton. Roth encouraged her and acknowledged her strengths, whereas Zayne didn't want her to go out and hurt herself and was overprotective. I feel as though Zayne never recognized Layla's abilities until the very end, but Roth knew she was strong and let her fight alongside him. I'm just not one for overprotective male-type. Protectiveness is fine, but definitely to a point, at least for a romantic-prospect. 

I believe a lot of people who have read this trilogy forgot that it isn't strictly YA+a little romance+action, it's fiction/fantasy/romance, meaning that the romance will be focused on a lot more than a general YA. There were a few people that I noticed on Goodreads that complained about the romance getting too much focus on it, especially through the last book. News flash: there's a reason for that. Remember that JLA wrote this to be a romance along with being fantasy/action.

JLA is such a talented author and I have no idea how she hasn't surpassed authors such as Stephanie Meyer and EL James in popularity and recognition. JLA creates well-rounded, strong characters, pleasing stories, and leaves you begging for more.

Read her books now!

I've finished JL Armentrout's White Hot Kiss and have moved on to book two in her The Dark Elements trilogy, Stone Cold Touch. Can I just say... Jen, can you stop hurting me so much? I can't deal with the emotions of the characters. Umm, Roth, get your act together please. Layla, kick some butt. Zayne, calm yo' booty with over-protectiveness. I am freaking out over what's happening in this series!

Vanished in the Night by Eileen Carr

3/5 stars

So I finished this book a little while ago, but got caught up in life that I've just had now to write out a review! Sorry!

Vanished in the Night is written about a cold case popping back up. A decomposed body turns up in a construction site, which turns out to the body of Veronica's brother who had gone missing years before. Although there is much more to what happened than just what happened in the past; there's murders happening around town that the police can't piece together. 

I did like this book, though I had to focus on how things were written and described. I got it off of BookOutlet under their romance section, and don't get me wrong, there is romance in it, but I wouldn't put it under romance books. Vanished in the Night focused more on the mystery/crime case aspect of the story than the romance between the two main characters, Veronica Osborne, a nurse, and police Sergeant Zach McKnight. There's little romance to it; I'd say 85% mystery, 15% romance.

The characters were well put together and didn't seem cliche to me. Zach, Veronica, and supporting characters all seemed real. Along with the fact that, even with a growing attraction, Zach and Veronica kept their heads in the game instead of unrealistically "caving to their fiery passions" in the middle of important happenings. 

By the end of the book I was satisfied. I enjoyed the ending, and just by how it ended. It made sense to me! The only reason I gave three out of five stars was that this really wasn't my type of book. Not sure how else to explain it, but I'm sure my fellow bookworms know what I mean! I do recommend reading it though if you like crime case books!

So I'm pretty sure those of you who like to check out this blog have noticed my... absence. I'd like to say sorry for that.

I just got home on Sunday from a 10-day stay at my boss's house, watching his dogs and home while he was in France with his family. Why would that keep me from reading and blogging, you may ask. Well, my boss's house is also on the land where I work. My job? I work with horses and give lessons, and at work, I generally work all day. Each day I usually didn't get off until 7:30 and by then, I was exhausted and did not have the energy to read, so the last book I read, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, took me a while to get through. I loved it though, I promise! I didn't think it required a review, though, because who doesn't love Harry Potter? 

Along with getting up at 6am for class and Saturday work day, I was exhausted every day. But I'm back to my normal schedule and have more time for reading! I finished Jessica Sorensen's book in about 2-3 days. 

So forgive me! I've just started Don't Look Back by Jennifer L Armentrout, so hopefully you all will get a new review soon! 

The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

4/5 stars

I don't know why, but I'm actually surprised that I enjoyed this book. Though I know one reason is because of the abuse cases in this book aren't romanticized—just the connection that Callie and Kayden share are the hard experiences they're dealt with in their lives. As a trigger warning: there is physical abuse from a parent and rape/child rape mentioned in this book. 

About the only thing I didn't like about this book was the "I never noticed you before, but now I do" cliche; but to be fair, I generally don't like that in stories. Although, it is not overdone, which is wonderful!

I really love Kayden, he isn't made out to be absolutely perfect like so many men in books. He has problems, and again, those problems aren't romanticized. As with Callie's past. They're there for each other. They don't run away from their mental challenges anymore, they've accepted them, which is a common case for long-time sufferers of such things. Depression, anxiety, triggering. Sorensen does pretty well at hitting these parts of a bad past/present. And she doesn't make it seem like said actions make a person bad. 

There is a killer for me; grammatical errors. I'm a fast reader, so I generally don't notice too many minor grammatical errors, but there was one that the editor must have missed. The use of 'your' instead of the proper "you're". I was ready to pull my hair out, the grammar nazi that I am. Sorensen may need to find a new editor. 

All-in-all, this was a pretty good book. Not one of the best ever, but worth the read. The ending tortured me and I really can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

Jennifer L Armentrout's ELB Giveaway!!!

Check out miss JLA's giveaway celebrating the anticipated release of her book Every Last Breath.

CLICK HERE

JLA is one of my most favorite authors. The giveaway includes wonderful stuff like some signed books of her own, a couple Julie Kagawa books, a Kiera Cass book, along with some awesome swag! What makes it great? The giveaway is international! So if you're a JLA fan, I suggest you enter it!

- Christina 

Easy by Tammara Webber

5/5 stars

I absolutely loved this book. The quality of the relationship, the characters, the well-done background. WOW Webber outdid herself. Please know that there is attempted rape scenes and rape on another character, in case anyone needs a trigger warning.

What I do love so much, though, is that the concept of rape is in no way glorified [as like some books]. It's put into a real perspective, along with the fact that it not ever being the victim's fault. I also like how Webber added a self-defense class and actual moves to use. Plus, Webber put rape and abuse hotlines and websites in the back of her book. Wow, do I love her for that.

The character of Lucas made me so happy. His background and past was obviously what made him who he was, which is hard to do well for a character. There was a lot to Lucas's character and wasn't overdone or seemingly cliche. It makes me want my own Lucas.

Along with the story itself, the romance is A+. It's realistic, not seeming childish, and didn't have aspects in it that couldn't happen in real life. It gives a reader an amazing example of how a relationship should be: between two people, not one. 

To me, Jacqueline wasn't whiny. She was intelligent an a go-getter. She made her own path and made sure she was safe instead of relying on other people for safety. Of course, she was babyish after her break-up with Kennedy, but the way Webber wrote her fall-out after it, it wasn't overdone or unrealistic. She was sad, but dealt with it and got past it instead of whining through the whole book about it. Kennedy wasn't for her, so she didn't pine after him. 

All-in-all, I loved this book a lot and wouldn't mind reading another one of Webber's books.