Review: A Little Harmless Submission by Melissa Schroeder

A Little Harmless Submission

(Harmless # 6)

By: Melissa Schroeder

Pub. Date: October 25, 2011

Source: eARC from Author

For a tough as nails Dom hunting a sadistic serial killer is nothing compared to losing his heart.
 Rome Carino is hunting a predator. One who likes to hurt submissives and the most popular BDSM club’s patrons are being targeted. With each fresh kill, he gets more brazen. Rome knows he just needs one little break, but before he can make headway, the FBI shows up. Worse, the uptight, buttoned-down Special Agent Maria Callahan suggests a plan that is dangerous, but worth it because it might just catch the killer. If Rome can keep his mind on the case and off the beautiful FBI agent, he'll be just fine.
 Maria is still trying to step out of her legendary father's shadow and knows just how to do it. Luring the killer by posing as Rome's new sub seems like a good idea. That is, until undercover becomes real life and she finds herself tangled up with a man who amazes and scares her at the same time. Her growing attraction to the Honolulu Police Detective is a little too much to handle. Even knowing that, she can't help falling in love with the tough Dom and losing herself in the games they play in the bedroom.
 Rome is overwhelmed by his need for Maria. He has never had a sub respond to him the way she does and no matter what he does, he feels himself slipping off that cliff into love. As their relationship starts to unfold, he realizes that he will do anything to win her heart, to convince her to become his sub for a lifetime. But before he can do anything, the killer turns his attention on Rome and the one thing he holds dear: Maria.

WARNING: The following book contains: A Dom who thinks he can do no wrong, a new sub who is about to teach him he can, palm trees, a trip or two to Rough ‘n Ready, a flirty Aussie Dom with questionable motives, old friends, and a new enemy. Yeah, it might be called Harmless, but you Addicts know it’s anything but.

Wow! This story is HOT. The characters, the plot, EVERYTHING, makes this story one of the best in the Harmless series! Even though I have the most overwhelming reading pile that actually makes me nervous, as soon as I was sent an eARC, I put everything else aside to read it. As soon as I found out Submission was going to feature Rome, I could not wait to read it! Schroeder, once again, has written a fantastic novel and clearly does not disappoint.

Rome Carina is a tough detective whose latest work has him looking for a serial killer that has been killing subs that go to the local BSDM club, "Rough and Ready". Being a member of the club as well, Rome finds this case very personal and will do anything in his power to find the killer before he kills another female. Maria is a member of the FBI who goes to Hawaii to catch the killer. She is willing to do anything to prove herself in force, even if that means posing as Rome's sub and putting herself right in the killer's view.

Rome and Maria have amazing and hot chemistry. I could not have asked for a better couple to get to know! I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow. It totally worked for me because it seemed so real.

Evan is still my favorite Harmless hero, but Rome is definitely a close second! A Little Harmless Submission is not to be missed! Actually, the entire Harmless series should not be missed!  

In My Mailbox (26)

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren to share with everyone the books they bought, borrowed, or received for review.

~Review~

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber (via netgalley)

Sacrifice by Melinda Metz & Laura J. Burns (via author)

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel (via netgalley)

Melinda Metz was so nice! She sent me a signed copy of Sacrifice, and also 3 copies (2 in which are signed!) for a giveaway. So keep a look out for that giveaway happening soon! 

~Bought~

Ladybird, Ladybird by Abra Ebner 

This book looks fantastic! And hello, ladybugs are apart of it, so I knew I had to have it. The story also looks very sweet. I can't wait to start it. I might read it next! 

~Borrowed~

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Fateful by Claudia Gray (Read this week and LOVED it!)

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

That's all for me this week. What did you guys get in your mailbox? Leave me your link in the comments so I can check it out! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Also, be sure to check out my giveaway going on right now to win a copy of Raven by Nuayma Jeggels!  

Review: Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter

Lord of the Vampires

Royal House of Shadows # 1

By: Gena Showalter

Pub. Date: August 23, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin

Source: Netgalley

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with a need for vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.

Nicolai the Vampire is renowned for his virility, but in a cruel twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” has become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina—stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remains is a primal need for freedom, revenge—and the only woman who can help him.

When the wanton vampire summons Jane Parker, she is helpless to obey. She's drawn to his dark sexuality and into his magical realm. But for this human, all is not a fairy tale. For saving Nicolai could mean losing the only man she's ever craved...

I have to admit, I was confused for most of the story. I didn’t really understand what was going on. Piece by piece everything started to come together and make sense. Once that happened, I was able to enjoy the story and I ended up really liking it!

I loved Nicolai. As a sex slave to a sadistic women, he lives every day being raped and beaten. With no memory of who he is, he doesn’t even know if Nicolai is his real name. All he knows is that he has a need for revenge. He was so brute and caveman like, and actually, he’s kind of ass. But once we get to know him, and his memories start to come back, we see a completely different side to him. His polar opposite personalities made for a great character that I really enjoyed reading about.

I didn’t really like Jane. I liked that she was willing to help Nicolai, but she was also kind of stupid and whiney, which annoyed me a little. I did like watching Jane and Nicolai relationship blossom as they escaped. I thought it was very sweet.

Overall, I enjoyed Lord of the Vampires and I am excited to read the next three books in the series, all written by different authors, which I think is pretty neat.

More information on the Royal House of Shadows series.

Royal House of Shadows trailer: 

Review: Crave by Melissa Darnell

Crave

(The Clann # 1)

By: Melissa Darnell

Pub. Date: October 18, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 416

Source: Netgalley

Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.
 For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

There was many aspects of Crave that I enjoyed. I liked the characters and felt for them. I also thought the plot was very original, which is saying a lot because there are so many books about Vampires and Witches already out there. I also loved that Darnell used the POV of both Savannah and Tristan.

Savannah has been an outcast at school since elementary school, when her best friends decided not talk to her anymore. I think every single teenage girl has experienced this at one time or another. Tristan is the golden boy at school, and unbeknownst to Savannah, has secretly liked her, since, well, forever. He has never forgiven himself for hurting her by being one of the people to end his friendship with her.

"The Clann" is a powerful set of witches, and the parents have forbade their children with interacting with Savannah. None of the other kids know why, they just know to stay away from her. Tristan is not able too, and Savannah can't stay away from him either. Despite what both of their families say, the two of them need to find a way to stay together.

Even though there were so many supernatural elements going on around them, I liked that Savannah and Tristan were still normal teenagers. They were going through the same pressures as everyone else. They had to deal with keeping their families and friends happy, which is a lot of pressure for a teenager.

Crave definitely ended with a BAM and I am looking forward to reading the second book when it comes out. The only complaint I have about it was that it was too long. I think it could have been shortened by at least 100 or so pages, then the book would have been perfect for me!  

Review: Yours To Keep by Shannon Stacey

Yours To Keep

(Kowalski Family #3)

By: Shannon Stacey

Pub. Date: June 6, 2011

Pubsliher: Carina Press

Source: Netgalley

Sean Kowalski no sooner leaves the army than he’s recruited by Emma Shaw to be her fake fiancé. Emma needs to produce a husband-to-be for her grandmother’s upcoming visit, and, though Sean doesn’t like the deception, he could use the landscaping job Emma’s offering while he decides what to do with his civilian life. And, despite his attraction to Emma, there’s no chance he’ll fall for a woman with deep roots in a town he’s not planning to call home.

Emma’s not interested in a real relationship either; not with a man whose idea of home is wherever he drops his duffel bag. No matter how amazing his “pretend” kisses are…

I saw Yours To Keep on netgalley, loved the cover, and requested it. I had no idea that it was a series, and that I would be reading book three. But, no matter, I understood everything perfectly, because it seems that each book is about a different member of the family, so you don’t have to read the books in any kind of order.

I loved Yours To Keep. It was completely adorable. It was fun and fresh. Reading the summary, I’m sure you can tell what the outcome of this is going to be, but Shannon Stacey added some hilarious surprise twists that I absolutely loved!

Sean was amazing. He’s strong, capable, hot, and a military man. But he’s also sweet, funny, kind and respectful. He was definitely swoon-worthy! Emma got herself in such a predicament that I couldn’t help but feel bad for her, but she carried herself in such a way that was believable. I was rooting for Sean and Emma the entire time, but they were both so freakin’ stubborn, I thought they would never get together!

I have nothing but awesome things to say about Yours To Keep, and I have been gushing to my friends about this book for weeks now. I recommend downloading this book onto your nook or kindle ASAP and spend a night curled up in bed laughing your ass off and enjoying a wonderful story.

And for those of you who read it, how adorable were those post-its!

In My Mailbox (25)

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren to share with everyone the books they bought, borrowed, or received for review.

Sorry that I have been MIA for the past two weeks. I haven't written any reviews, or visited other people's blogs. I just moved from New York to Texas and things have been CRAZY! Hoping to get things back on track with the blog this week!


This IMM is about three weeks worth of books!

~Review~

Tempest by Julie Cross (via netgalley)

The Glass Collector by Anna Perena (via netgalley)

Dark Eden by Patrick Carmen (via netgalley)

Dangerous Reflections by Shay Fabbro (via author)

Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh (via netgalley)

A Little Harmless Submission by Melissa Schroeder (via author)

Waiting To Forget by Sheila Kelly Welch (via netgalley)

~Bought~

 

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen 

~Borrowed~

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Shift by Jeri Smith-Ryan

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

What did you guys get in your mailbox? Leave your link in my comments so I can check it out!

Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

By: Ransom Riggs

Pub. Date: June 7, 2011

Publisher: Quirk Publishing

Source: Bought

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

I’ll be honest, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children was not at all what I was expecting! Actually, I didn’t really know what to expect. All I knew was that everyone else who read it had LOVED it, and I had to read it ASAP! I am so glad that I can finally say I read Peculiar Children! It wasn’t like anything I had read before, and the creepy pictures and setting just added to the mystery of the story.

The beginning of the book did go kind of slow for me, and I would have stopped reading if I didn’t trust some of the reviews I read on it. I felt like for the first quarter of the book I was just waiting and waiting for something exciting to happen. When I started to figure out what was going on, that’s when the book just flew by.

I really enjoyed the main character, Jacob. He was funny and extremely loyal.  The way he was able to digest the information about the peculiar children, I thought, was very believable. I also loved all of the peculiar children. They were so much fun! I thought they were going to be evil, but they weren’t, which was nice.

Ransom is a very talented writer and storyteller. Even while the book was slow for me in the beginning, I still thought that the writing flowed nicely. The story was also very original. I heard there will be a second book, and I am extremely excited to read it!

And those pictures! They just added so much to the story and I loved how Riggs incorporated them into the story. They fit perfectly!

This is a story that is not to be missed. I recommend every one who hasn’t to go out and read it right away!  

I bought Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children for my nook when it first came out, but I am definitely buying a second copy to go on my shelf!

Also, the trailer for it is amazing!!