Friday, February 28, 2014

White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout



White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: February 25th 2014
Rate: Loved it

Synopsis:
One kiss could be the last. 

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. 

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. 

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. 

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Recently I had the pleasure to enter to the new magical world that Jennifer L. Armentrout wrote thanks to Lisa from Harlequin Teen. And I am more than grateful, because Ms. Armentrout is an amazing writer and she proves it once again with White Hot Kiss. Not only she created an amazing story worth of a series of books that would leave you wanting for more, but a dark and dangerous romance, forbidden love, an adventure that if they fail it would set loose the Apocalypse and an unbelievable, heart-breaking and astonishing ending.

White Hot Kiss has the very signature of Ms. Armentrout, because it reminded me a little bit of the Lux Series, but not quite the same. Well, not at all. In this series, the gargoyles who protect the humans from the demons. But these past years, the increase of demons in the human world made the gargoyles go public.
Layla works with the wardens, also her family, marking demons for them to make their work easier. Meeting Roth in the process was not planned. He turns her world up side down and makes her doubt everything she knew. However, what started as a job for Roth and a merely curiosity for Layla turns out to be a dangerous path that could destroy everything. 

Layla's world is dark, intense, dangerous and simply addictive. I was addicted with her story from the very first page and didn't want to finish it. The story has the two perfects factions of good and evil: wardens and demons. However, throughout the story, there's a point when those lines are blurred and the author makes you doubt in which side you are really on.

Jennifer L. Armentrout's characters are simply amazing. The main character, Layla is one of Armentrout's heroines, but with a dark side. Being part demon and part warden is not easy and the character has some difficult moments that made her be kind of insecure and doubt everything. Despite this, she's also funny and has a peculiar humor that made me laugh all the time. Plus her badass side brought a little action in the perfect situations.
Roth is the perfect representation of a bad guy: he is dangerous, badass and has this "I-am-always-right" attitude characteristic from other famous bad boys like Klaus Mikaelson and Damon Salvatore. Even if you always like more the good guy, Roth will steal your heart. He always reminds Layla what he's, but he has some sweet moments that shows us that he really cares for Layla and that simply melt my heart.
Zayne's the good boy in this love triangle. He's shown as that boy next door that always takes care of the girl, protecting her like a brother. And that simply makes the girl fall, head over heels, for him. Since Layla and Zayne grew up together, they are like brothers, have this great connection and chemistry that is only shown in a couple that's comfortable around each other. Despite this, I'm simply glad that Layla was not hitting on her "brother". That would be beyond awkward. But I wouldn't mind having a "brother" like Zayne (you know what I mean *wink, wink*).

I would venture to say that Zayne, Roth and Layla are one of my favorite love triangles, not only for its level of hotness and great chemistry, but because they are simply epic.
One one hand we have the good Zayne, trying to protect and save Layla all the time. He's the golden boy. As for Roth, he's the bad guy who turns out to be good after all, but without denying what he really is. I liked the fact that he warns Layla about being soulless and because of that he cannot feel love. The impossible love, plus the forbidden touch because of Roth being a demon, was one of the main reasons that made me choose Roth over Zayne.

The story has a good plot and the unraveling secrets that we get to know while reading Layla's discovers are shocking as well as new for the readers. Not at all expected, and that's one of the things that makes the reader addicted to know more.
As for the paranormal touch in White Hot Kiss, I would have never imagined to have such a crush on both demons and wardens, but I have it now. The author brings dangerous, good and sexy together and with a slightly Supernatural (TV Show) touch creating a paranormal story in which the fate of the world is involved. 

Finishing White Hot Kiss was the hardest part for me. Not that it was difficult because it was bad, but because I didn't want it to end. And saying that it broke my heart to read those last chapters, is not nearly enough to the actual heart-breaking I felt. I like that about Jennifer's story: always the unexpected can happen and those situations that you think "no, that's too cruel to happen" it does. So, I would only say that she left a big open finale that would make The Dark Elements fans scream for the second book. Am I one of those fans? How do you dare question that. Of course, I am!

Jennifer L. Armentrout has the great ability to swoon readers and captivate them with her stories and The Dark Elements is simply a reminder of that. With new mind-blowing characters and an incredible story that would leave you speechless, White Hot Kiss not only was an incredible and epic read, it exceeded my expectations. And the only thing that would be left in White Hot Kiss would a warning sign: "Warning, this story might be addictive."
I highly recommend this book, as in "leave-everything-you're-doing-and-start-now", and that's one of the main reasons White Hot Kiss won a well-deserved five gorjuss dolls. 







Alex Pettyfer as Zayne
Claire Holt as Layla
Jordan Legault as Roth


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# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia. 

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true. 

Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.

She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen. 

Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.




Thursday, February 27, 2014

Release Day Blitz: Heartbreak Ranch by Anastasia Ryan



Heartbreak Ranch
Release Date: 10/15/13
Publisher: Swoon Romance
New Adult 17+
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Synopsis:
Recent college graduate, Graysen Beaufort, resigns herself to two weeks of boredom at a dude ranch honoring her parents’ wishes for one last family vacation.
She doesn't plan on meeting Colt McCord, an irresistible cowboy who threatens to bring disorder to Graysen's ordinarily ordered life.
Dodging an overprotective family, an unwelcome suitor, and certain heartbreak, Graysen struggles to break free of her limitations and submit her heart to Colt’s love. But learning to let go isn't easy, even with a man like Colt.
Colt McCord, White Pine Ranch’s head horse trainer, loves the busy, back-breaking work of a cattle ranch.
But when he meets a beautiful and spirited woman from Iowa, she makes him forget everything he'd known before, and he risks everything to be with her.
Colt is accustomed to breaking horses, but can he tame Graysen’s wild heart before it is too late?


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Anastasia Ryan is a native New Yorker, but lives in Iowa with her family. She loves the beautiful chaos of raising six children. She is her husband’s girlfriend, but is also quite smitten with the written word. As the daughter of teachers, she has had a love of both great literature and writing in her blood since she was a baby. At a very early age, you would have found her perched on her father’s lap as he typed out his Master’s thesis for English. She is addicted to great books she can get lost in, finds cooking relaxing, is a sometimes web geek, and loves spending time with family and friends. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Creative Writing.

Anastasia Ryan's debut new adult novel HEARTBREAK RANCH will be released by Swoon Romance in the Fall of 2013.



Book Blitz Organized by:




Release Day Launch: The Hazards of a One Night Stand (Hazards #2) by Alyssa Rose Ivy



We're so excited that Alyssa Rose Ivy's THE HAZARDS OF A ONE NIGHT STAND is finally here!!! THE HAZARDS OF A ONE NIGHT STAND is a New Adult contemporary romance and is a part of Alyssa Rose Ivy’s Hazards Series. It is priced at just $.99 right now. This will last for a limited time only to celebrate the release!


The Hazards of a One Night Stand Cover
The Hazards of a One Night Stand (Hazards #2)
Release Date: February 27th 2014
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Synopsis:

One small town boy, one girl who wants more, one roll in the hay...

Hooking up with your high school crush is a bad idea, a really bad idea. It was only supposed to be one night, one brief departure from my real life, but nothing ever works out exactly the way you plan.

Colton Waters was everything from my past that didn't fit into my present, so why did he have to show up at my college and pledge the one frat I couldn't avoid?
Because nothing is ever meant to happen just once. At least not the life changing things that mean the difference between falling apart and falling in love.


The Hazards of a One Night Stand Cover


The Hazards of One Night Stand
by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Colt wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer. “No. I’d rather bother you.”
There was something kind of sexy about the motion, something more confident than his usual goofy flirting. His hand felt nice resting on my hip, so I let it stay. Was this really the same Colt? Since when did his touch have that kind of effect on me? “When did you get back to town?”
“About two hours ago.”
“You didn’t wait long to come out.” I took a big sip of the drink. It was starting to taste a lot better.
“I took time for a shower.”
“That was thoughtful of you.”
“Planning on getting close to me tonight?” He watched me intently.
“Maybe.” The flirtatious word flew out of my mouth without me realizing it. The alcohol and that smile of his was making me forget where I was. “Sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?” He moved his hand, turning me and wrapping his other arm around me so my body was pressed against his.
“Colton…”
“Mallory…”
I laughed. “What are you doing?”
“What am I doing? You’re the one telling me you might be getting close to me tonight.” His hand slid down slightly, settling below my hip. His touch felt so good.
“Your birthday passed, right? You’re nineteen now?”
He laughed that deep, throaty laugh of his. “I’m going to take it as a good sign that you’re checking to make sure I’m old enough.”
“I’m not supposed to be into younger guys.”
“I’m three months younger than you. I can’t help that my parents held me back a grade.” He leaned back against an old oak tree, pulling me along with him. The motion had me leaning into his chest.
“You’ve gotten hotter.” I couldn’t believe I’d said the words out loud. I also couldn’t believe I was thinking about Colton that way again.
He laughed once more. “So have you, although I wouldn’t have thought it was possible.”
I took another sip of my drink. “When did you get this cute?”
“Are you implying you haven’t been ready to jump me for the last five years?”
“I’ve never thought about it before tonight.” The words weren’t exactly true, but I hadn’t thought about it in a while.
“But you are thinking about it now?” He grinned, moving his hands even lower so they cradled my ass.
“Maybe.” His hands sent a thrill through me, reminding me of just how long it had been since a guy had touched me that way.
“That’s the second maybe you’ve given me. How am I supposed to make that into a yes?” He took the bottle from my hand and dropped it down on the ground next to his empty cup. The remaining liquid seeped out onto the dirt.
“I don’t know. It’s your job to figure that out.” I ran my now free hand down his chest. It was firmer and more muscular than I expected.
“My job, huh? I like the sound of that.” His lips tickled my ear. “I like the sound of anything involving you.” He took my hand and led me further into the grouping of trees. It wasn’t a dense forest or anything, but I knew he was looking for privacy. I didn’t object when he gently leaned me back into another tree.
I closed my eyes, ready to feel his lips and hands on my body. I was horrible at knowing what to do in those situations. I needed the guy to take control.
His lips brushed against mine as he rested his hand on my stomach. He slipped a few fingers underneath my shirt. “Am I earning a yes, or do I have more work to do?” he whispered with his lips right next to mine.
“You have more work.” I kept my eyes closed, taking in a breath as his hand moved further up my shirt.






Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.



Win (1) Print Copy of The Hazards Of Skinny Dipping and The Hazards of A One Night Stand (INT)