Release Day Review: With Ties That Bind by Trisha Wolfe

With Ties That Bind: A Broken Bonds Novel, Book One (Broken Bonds Novel #1) by Trisha Wolfe

This series is a spinoff of the Broken Bonds serial which must be read prior to beginning this first book. Contains spoilers to the Broken Bonds serial.
Detective Ethan Quinn has questions. The Arlington Slasher case is closed, the UNSUB no longer a threat—but Quinn can’t quiet the suspicion he harbors toward his partner and the young, attractive M.E. Not only does he loathe his uncertainty, he’s torn between doing his job and protecting his team.
But burying himself in cases no longer works. He’s restless. On edge. And tired of fighting his compulsions. Quinn has always viewed the law in black and white. Only now his world is swirling with a murky gray that threatens to devour him.
When lead medical examiner Avery Johnson careens toward a dangerous path, she pulls the unwitting detective into a dark web of deception and lust, triggered by a spree of recent killings.
Is this new player linked to the Bathory murders, or is it another copycat?
Time almost took Avery from him once before. As the clock ticks, Quinn will stop at nothing to protect her, refusing to let Avery become a victim again. Against his uncompromising logic, Quinn can’t deny his feelings. Avery forces him to acknowledge his darker desires, tempting his control—which weakens with every second he spends with the feisty M.E. as they hunt down the perpetrator threatening to tear them apart.

Publishes in US: February 29th 2016
Genre: adult thriller
Source: author/publicist
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.

 **   Audience alert: this is an adult book. It does contain sex scenes that aren't fade to black. If you are under 18, get your parent's advice if this is a book for you.
Trigger alert: abuse, torture and bdsm
Series?  Broken Bonds Novel #1

Need to read first:
With Visions of Red 
With Visions of Red Book Two 
With Visions of Red, Book Three 

Other books by Trisha I've reviewed:
Astarte's Wrath , The Darkest Part, Of Darkness and Crowns, Destiny's Fire , Fading Out, Fireblood, Losing Track, Of Silver and Beasts, Unveiled 

Buy it:
With Ties That Bind: A Broken Bonds Novel, Book One
→ iTunes: http://apple.co/1QwCZeW
→ Google Play: http://bit.ly/1WIe1hi
→ B&N: http://bit.ly/1KJEmLa

Author stalk away: Site Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | YouTube Channel 

 

    I wanted to read With Ties that Bind because I love Trisha's writing, and as you can see from above, I have read everything she's published and was lucky enough to even read some that wasn't since we helped each other while we were writing novels years ago. She writes characters you can't help but love, and knows how to really put the suspense and the heat into hear stories, so that you never want to put them down. 

   I devoured the serials of Broken Bonds (visions of red books) and they should be read before this because there are spoilers. This is no different and it gets me into the minds of secondary characters from before that I really enjoyed and was glad to see that they would get their time in the spotlight. The story is told in dual narrative from Quinn a detective that was partners with Sadie from the previous books, and Avery, the victim of torture of the serial killings from Visions, she was taken because of her friendship with Sadie and the fact that she was a member of the force, a medical examiner where Sadie worked. 

   Avery is still traumatized from the torture and kidnapping from the book before. She has nightmares, and PTSD. She took comfort from Quinn while she was still in the hospital where he would hold her hand and it helped to ground her. Quinn is hard core attracted to her, but tries to hide it for a lot of reasons. I liked watching their relationship and friendship continue in this one. Avery doesn't get a break and she keeps seeing everyone especially Quinn as trying to pamper her and not think that she is able to handle life. She can't see that they just care and want to protect her. 

   This one is fast paced, and had a lot of character exploration. Avery doesn't get a break though. She is still trying to feel more after her attack, especially sexually, and she is trying things that normally wouldn't and Quinn sees some of this and isn't sure. She is also in danger again which adds to the suspense in this one. 

   A third POV is added too at the very end which is not all so surprising with the Visions series as an example. It is from the one behind the attacks of the girls and shows us that things are even more complex than we could imagine, setting things up for the next book. 

   I read this in one sitting and can't wait for the next installment. Trisha doesn't disappoint! She brings on the emotions, the suspense, and the break neck pacing of the plot. 

Bottom Line: Steamy, fast paced, and love the characters getting more in depth from previous series.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you normally read thrillers/mysteries?

Disqus changed!! How to comment as a guest

Ugh. They changed things. I don't like disqus, but can't switch back without losing my comments.
So here is how to comment as a guest with disqus:

1)write your comment, 
2) click name and there is a box that you can check that says I would rather post as a guest. It then changes to name and email. If you don't want to put your email, you can make one up


For those who like pictures:

Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post, Bought Borrowed and Bagged

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews,  check it out and sign up  here

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged is a weekly meme, hosted by TalkSupe, where I share with you the books I have bought, borrowed, or bagged. Link up with me here.

Currently reading

Flawed (Flawed, #1) source: netgalley

Ahern, Cecelia

In my mailbox/new giveaways:

 Pearl by Deidre Riordan Hall

Pearl Jaeger is seventeen and homeless after drugs, poverty, and addiction unraveled the life she shared with JJ, her formerly glamorous rock star mother.

This moment of happiness is fleeting; someone will take it from me.
When tragedy brings a chance to start over at an elite boarding school, she doesn’t hesitate. Yet the only salvation comes from an art teacher as troubled as Pearl, and she faces the stark reality that what she thought she wanted isn’t straightforward.
I trace the outline of my reflection in a window. I am no more than a replica of my mother. This is not the self-portrait I want to paint.
Through the friendships she forms at school—especially with Grant, a boy who shows Pearl what it means to trust and forgive—she begins to see a path not defined by her past. But when confronted with the decision to be courageous or to take the easy way forged by her mother’s failures, which direction will Pearl choose?

Go enter here

What I read:

With Ties That Bind: A Broken Bonds Novel, Book One source: author

Wolfe, Trisha *

Last Week on the blog:

Titans source: scholastic via edelweiss Review:

Scott, Victoria

Shadow Heir (Dark Swan, #4) source: library Review:

Mead, Richelle *

Catching Jordan source: library Review

Kenneally, Miranda *

• Rec Me: Stories with disabilities AKA Loved Season...
• Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

What are you reading? Any of my books new to you or have you read any of my books? If so, what did you think?
Also, feel free to link up your blog and mailbox post.

Giveaway: Pearl by Deidre Riordan Hall

Pearl by Deidre Riordan Hall

Run fast and run far, unless you’re fearless. Unless you’re courageous. I’m not, but I’d like to be.
Pearl Jaeger is seventeen and homeless after drugs, poverty, and addiction unraveled the life she shared with JJ, her formerly glamorous rock star mother.
This moment of happiness is fleeting; someone will take it from me.
When tragedy brings a chance to start over at an elite boarding school, she doesn’t hesitate. Yet the only salvation comes from an art teacher as troubled as Pearl, and she faces the stark reality that what she thought she wanted isn’t straightforward.
I trace the outline of my reflection in a window. I am no more than a replica of my mother. This is not the self-portrait I want to paint.
Through the friendships she forms at school—especially with Grant, a boy who shows Pearl what it means to trust and forgive—she begins to see a path not defined by her past. But when confronted with the decision to be courageous or to take the easy way forged by her mother’s failures, which direction will Pearl choose?

Website
http://www.deirdreriordanhall.com
Twitter
deirdrespark
Genre
Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary

 blog



Giveaway is for: Pearl by Deidre Riordan Hall

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Review: Titans by Victoria Scott

Titans by Victoria Scott

From Victoria Scott, author of FIRE & FLOOD, comes a thrilling story of impossible odds.
Ever since the Titans first appeared in her Detroit neighborhood, Astrid Sullivan’s world has revolved around the mechanical horses. She and her best friend have spent countless hours watching them and their jockeys practice on the track. It’s not just the thrill of the race. It’s the engineering of the horses and the way they’re programmed to seem so lifelike. The Titans are everything that fascinates Astrid, and nothing she’ll ever touch.
She hates them a little, too. Her dad lost everything betting on the Titans. And the races are a reminder of the gap between the rich jockeys who can afford the expensive machines to ride, and the working class friends and neighbors of Astrid’s who wager on them.
But when Astrid’s offered a chance to enter an early model Titan in this year’s derby, well, she decides to risk it all. Because for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, it’s more than a chance at fame or money. Betting on herself is the only way she can see to hang on to everyone in the world she cares about.

Publishes in US: February 23rd 2016 by Scholastic Press
Genre: ya fantasy
Source: earc from Scholastic via Edelweiss
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.

My review of Scott's other YA series (amazing)
Fire and Flood series reviews
Fire and Flood
Salt and Stone 

Buy it:

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog

    I wanted to read Titans because I loved Victoria Scott's first series and wanted more of her writing, characters and world building.

    Astrid is the main character and she is smart and driven and very interested in the Titan races. it's something she loves because of the horses which are a blend of animal and machine from what I understand that about 10% through. she loves The mechanics, the how and why to things so the build and the computer coding to get the animals to race and be good at what they're doing is right up her alley. it's also something that she hates because she is in a lower class family and it feels like the Titan races are where the rich get richer and poor bet all they have on the races. not only her grandfather has lost catastrophically his way of life, his home where she and her family were staying, he lost everything to betting when Astrid was young, leaving them on the streets. They were slung okay once Astrid's dad found a job at a factory but on top of it all 'dad has just lost his job.

    There is the family dynamics and friendship and it was complex but fascinating to read about. As far as family dynamics go, Astrid's dad is pretty overbearing and he is bitter about not having work and it creates a rift in the family at times. Astrid has 2 sisters Dani and Zara. they all three are pretty different Dani is dating a guy and she is pretty obsessed with him and she uses barbs like he would never let them lose their house or lose their job that he would protect them against their dad. Zara is the younger sister and she depends a lot on Astrid. their mom is both present and absent if that makes any sense. she holds the family together and she make them dinner and keeps house running and listens to them but when things get tough she kind of disappears into garden which is her main hobby. as far as friendship Astrid's best friend is Magnolia and I guess that's the case in some aspects of opposites attract because magnolia is very fashion and accessory oriented but their friendship still makes it because they share an interest in watching the Titan practices and races and they have been next door neighbors for forever so that was also a glue that holds them together. Along with the fact that Magnolia's dad used to work with Astrid dad and they have both lost their job and are looking for new ones now, there is a lot that holds then together, and they know they have someone who gets it.

    I also appreciated that there wasn't romance in this one. Astrid gets more focused on her family, friendship, and the help (from Rags and his friend) that comes from the most unexpected places. Most of all, she gets used to her unique Titan, and wanting to win the races, and therefore help her family and discover a lot about herself. Now, while I love a good romance, it is refreshing to have one without it. There is enough going on with the characters and the action of the Titans.

    I really enjoyed watching Astrid bond with the Titan aka Padlock and realize its limits as well as hers. She wants to believe that it's just a machine and that there's no cognizance or emotions or feelings but the more she's around him the more she begins to question that. There's one moment on their first run where she completely forgets what she's doing and how to do it and they're barely dodge a tree and what she finally gets her wits about her and gets down she says she swears she sees the Titan looking at her with an expression of you're an idiot. The companionship, understanding, and respect that they formed was wonderful to watch. Astrid and Padlock had a one up relationship, they would joke and play around, but then they shared a seriousness and a vision of winning, and of the thrill of the race.

    I really appreciated how Rags, Barney, and Lottie all took in Astrid and Magnolia. They offered their technical help, as well as helping them to learn to be a part of the world. Lottie is a woman that has money, but she has class, and she ended up helping them to have that as well, learning courtesy, etiquette, and also showing them when to ignore what she's taught them and to have inner strength.

   I devoured this one, the alternating action and then the character building, and the family dynamic changing and evolving throughout the story. Realizing when to accept help and when to support and encourage each other.

   I also loved the ending. It all came together well, wrapped up well, and I was happy with it. Some things were sad, others happy, and others hopeful. I love Scott, and will read any future books.

Bottom Line: Couldn't put it down, loved the characters, action, and sense of family and friendship.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you like horses? Would you ride a mechanical one?

Rec Me: Stories with disabilities AKA Loved Season of Me and You

I really enjoyed The Season of You and Me. My review will go live 4/4, but its 5 star, and you should know that I don't give that much these days.

The Season of You & Me

Constantine, Robin *

Here's a teaser of my review: This is the book that I read for. Emotional, romantic, well written, strong characters including a diverse one and the family involvement.

So, do you know of any other stories featuring paralyisis, wheelchairs?
What about well done writing/realistic featuring disabilities.

I wanted more, so I actually went back to one of my fave fanfictions and read an old favorite: In the Blink of an Eye , and a new one:Through the Flames  both featuring bella in a wheelchair and disabledward respectively.

Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. I also feature books that may have already released, but I am anxiously waiting to read.

This week, I'm featuring:


A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2)
by Sarah J. Maas
Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court--but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms--and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future--and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights. 

Releases:  May 3rd 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

What are you waiting on?

Review: Shadow Heir (Dark Swan #4) by Richelle Mead

Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead

#1 New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead returns to the Otherworld, a mystic land inextricably linked to our own--and balanced precariously on one woman's desperate courage...
Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld...
The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't--or won't--reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon--and risk the ultimate sacrifice...

Publishes in US: February 2nd 2012 by Bantam Books
Genre: adult fantasy
Source: library
Series? Dark Swan #4
My reviews:
#1 Storm Born
#2 Thorn Queen
#3 Iron Crowned

Buy it:  Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound Book Depository

Author stalk away:  site twitter facebook blog

 

      I wanted to read Shadow Heir because I love Richelle Mead, as well as the first three in this series. Eugenie is charismatic, and I love her passion and energy. She is now the queen of two kingdoms in the Fae world since she defeated its king and claimed the other with the famed Iron Crown. She is gaining experience with both magic and leadership, but she still has a long way to go. I love the cast of characters, they are flawed, complex and they all bring something to the table and to Eugenie's character. 

     The romance has been a true and complicated triangle and I can't decide how its going to play out and how it can work out in the way that I thought it would.

   Eugenie once again has hard choices to make and is stuck in her battle of worlds demanding her attention. Since she is expecting, she doesn't want to give up modern medicine especially with the high risk, but it is hard to leave her kingdoms. Attacks and threats from Maiwenn and Kiyo and their allies are picking up, and her safety is so back and forth. 

    A somewhat compromise was made until after the babies were born when the Otherworld, both her kingdoms, Dorian's and Maiwenn's are in crisis, causing a temporary halt to the bickering about the prophecy associated with Eugenie's son. They have to work together to save their lands and people, but Eugenie is always leaving people behind and the constant danger and changes aren't easy on a new mom. But help comes from all sorts of unexpected places, and I didn't want to put this book down, just another page or chapter. But I also knew that I was barreling towards the end of this series and characters that I have come so quickly to love. 

    There was a huge surprise near the end that I never expected, but it certainly changed a lot. It never crossed my mind, but the person involved was never really on my radar. It totally changed the end of the series, and made a lot simpler and then other things harder because of the unexpectedness to everyone. 

    These last paragraphs get kinda spoilery because I am kinda ranty... And um. I love this series, the characters and everything except the ending. I do not agree with her decision, I think that it is selfish and deceptive. I understand what she thinks her reasoning is, but I think that it goes back so much on everything she was harping on about love, trust, respect, and manipulation, everything that made her angry and want to leave Dorian and Kiyo. I hear that there will hopefully be a fifth book. And there better, because I was not cool with it. 

     But then I read some reviews where it talked about the ending that left questions and a lot left to mystery. And someone linked to this article.  So I read the last chapter again, and realized one sentence that turned all of that into more of a mystery because she says she didn't know if she could keep it from him... SO... I dunno... 

   On Richelle's site it says:  Future Eugenie books?

At the moment, Shadow Heir is the conclusion to the Dark Swan series. As many of you know, there's definitely room for more of the story! I would like to write a fifth book, but at the moment, other commitments have taken precedence, so it may be a long time. But I'll keep you guys posted! Fingers crossed.

Bottom Line: Amazing, 5 stars until the ending that wasn't so neatly HEA bow wrapped.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you have a child if a prophecy said he would try to conquer mankind?

Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Catching Jordan (Hundred Oaks) by Miranda Kenneally

ONE OF THE BOYS
What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.
But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

Publishes in US: November 18th 2011 by Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: ya contemp
Source: library
Series?  yes. Hundred Oaks

My review of #4 Racing Savannah

Buy it: amazon | Barnes and Noble |Book Depository |IndieBound | Powell's |Target | Wal-Mart

Author stalk away: ~site Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Wattpad

   I wanted to read catching Jordan because I really enjoy racing Savannah one of the later ones in the series so I figured I would try and see if I like more of the authors writing style.

    Jordan's a great character and I liked her right away. she's the female quarterback and coach of her high school football team and she wants to go even further to the college or pro level but her dad is not supportive of her playing even though he was a football player himself.

   Jordan is a pretty complex character she has a best friend named Henry and I'm beginning to suspect that he has feelings for her but she just sees it is totally platonic because they've been friends for so long.

    Jordan and Henry I guess that are best friends but it just feels like it goes even further than that because Henry spends the night in Jordan bed a lot and even though nothing happens there it can just give kind of the wrong ideas.

    Their relationship is kind of a mystery to the guy that Jordan has a crush on by the new guy in town who is also a quarterback and he has also very good. Jordan wants keep Her distance though. she's always kind of shied away from any kind of relationship besides friendship with the team because she doesn't want them to view her as we are too girly or anything else could because she wants to keep their respect because she is there a captain.

   She faces some pretty hard issues in this one. her Dad not wanting her to play and him never really showing up to any of her games or even talking football with her and that really hurts her pretty deeply. she also gets an offer from a college saying that she'll probably get a full ride but they want me to do this photo shoot and it has her very girly like in a jersey and shorts shorts and she's uncomfortable with it but she also pretty much will do anything to get into that schools and to be able to play ball on that sort of level. Jordan always wears workout clothes and she's very much a tomboy and she's okay with that for the most part.

     The whole crush thing is pretty new to her too she liked her but she keeps holding back in even though its obvious to other people and even her that they have the chemistry she just doesn't want to give up that part of herself and it's all very new to her she never even really been kissed and all the sudden she's having thoughts about how hot this guy is and it's different because she's been surrounded by boys a lot with the team

Bottom Line: Enjoyed Jordan, the friendships and eventual romance.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Ever played football?

Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post, Bought Borrowed and Bagged

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews,  check it out and sign up  here

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged is a weekly meme, hosted by TalkSupe, where I share with you the books I have bought, borrowed, or bagged. Link up with me here.

Currently reading

Titans source: scholastic via edelweiss

Scott, Victoria *

What I read:

The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight, #1) source: library

Grey, Melissa *

Last Week on the blog:

• Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

The Iron Warrior (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten, #3) source: library Review

Kagawa, Julie *

Iron Crowned (Dark Swan, #3) source: library Review

Mead, Richelle *

My week: Had a lot going on, meeting friends but oldest daughter has been sick.

What are you reading? Any of my books new to you or have you read any of my books? If so, what did you think?
Also, feel free to link up your blog and mailbox post.