Review: I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

(Jasper Dent #1)

April 2, 2012

Little, Brown and Company

359 pages

Genre: Mature Young Adult Horror/Mystery

(Contains: Graphic & disturbing images, sexual references)

Source: eARC for Honest review

What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

Jasper "Jazz" Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

OK, so this book is creepy. Completely creepy. And disturbing. Creepy and disturbing. The premise is completely captivating, though. Jazz is the son of the world's worst serial killer, who has been locked up in jail for the past 4 years. But despite the four years apart with no contact, the psychological repercussions are numerous. The amount of thought and research that the author took to give us a realistic, and highly disturbing view of what Jazz's life and mental state would be with his unusual and terrible upbringing, felt completely legitimate. Hence the creepy, disturbing factor. Oh, and then there's the new serial killer in town piling up new bodies in horrific ways. And now Jazz, for redemption or hope or forgiveness or a need to prove to himself and/or the world that he's not the same as his father, is working very hard to stop this new killer. The plot, the mystery, the suspense, were very well played.  I liked that this book kept me guessing until the end - twists, turns, terror, and all.

I am not normally a horror or murder mystery reader, but this story completely pulled me in, grabbing me with its intriguing concept, and keeping me engaged with its addictive plot and compelling characters. I was both sympathetic and fascinated by Jazz and his circumstances, and the inner struggle he had to mentally and physically differentiate himself from his father's doctrine and his own beliefs. He was completely fascinating, and so very likable in his honest struggles. The author also gave Jazz such a creative and unique supporting cast, truly making the story richer beyond the horrors. I loved his best friend Howie and his girlfriend Connie. They're fantastic! The back story of Howie and Jazz is lovely. And Connie is such a star, plus they are an inter-racial couple, and I am always all for that. Then there's G. William, whom I couldn't help but admire. Truly an all-star cast. This was a fantastic read, and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

 Book Links:

AMAZON  --  GOODREADS

Double Review: Tall, Tatted and Tempting & Smart, Sexy and Secretive

Tall, Tatted and Tempting by Tammy Falkner

(The Reed Brothers #1)

June 17, 2013

185 pages

Genre: New Adult Romance 18+

(Contains: Sex, sexual situations, mature language)

Source: Personal purchase

 

She’s locked up tight. But he might be the key.

Logan Reed is tall, tatted and tempting. Kit’s a woman with a mean right hook and a secret.

Kit wants a tattoo, but Logan sees more than she intends to share in the drawing of the tat she wants. He sees her in ways no one ever has.

Logan’s not disabled; but he hasn’t spoken in eight years. He hasn’t needed to. Until he meets Kit.

Logan doesn’t know everything about Kit. Kit doesn’t know anything about herself, until she has to sacrifice all she ever wanted to save what’s most important to him.

 

This is one of those books that hooks you right from the start. Logan and Kit pulled me right in. I had to get to know these people, what made them tick, what their stories were, and what was going to happen to all that chemistry. Who was Logan beneath his beautiful, silent exterior? What secrets was Kit holding onto so closely, and would she let Logan in? And watching their connection develop throughout the story, watching them open up, was completely engaging. I could feel their hearts coming off the page, but didn't know how it would turn out for them. There's just enough angst and drama to make the story interesting and intriguing without overdoing it, and I really appreciated that. Because I could love their love story and root for them without too much distraction. Though, to be fair, there is a second book to their story, so there is more to come. But even with that, I was okay with the ending of this book, knowing there would be more to come to complete their story. And don't forget Logan's brothers!! Hence the series title "The Reed Brothers." Because these brothers are awesome. I already love them all, and cannot wait to get all their stories. Bottom-line, this was a great start to this series for me.

 

Book Links:

Amazon -- Goodreads
*currently FREE on Amazon*

Smart, Sexy and Secretive by Tammy Falkner

(The Reed Brothers #2)

August 23, 2013

143 pages

Genre: New Adult Romance 18+

(Contains: Sex, sexual situations, mature language)

Source: Personal purchase

 

 

Emily

I'm back in New York, ready to start my brand new life with Logan. Things are still up in the air between us, and it has been three months since I've even talked to him. But there's one thing I'm certain of -- I can't live without him.

Logan

I need her like I need air. But now she's back, and her dad and her ex-boyfriend are conspiring to keep us apart. We can do this, though. Can't we? We can make this work? We have to, because I can't imagine my life without her.

 

I was so excited to get back to Logan and Emily and continue their story. Even though things were left a little up-in-the-air at the end of book 1, I had complete faith that things would work out. I was just happy to see what direction they would take to get their much deserved happy ending. Once again we have some drama to deal with. Nothing says messing with your love life than a disgruntled father and a pesky ex. Add in a little brother drama to mix things up. Then there's the fact that Emily and Logan have no façades or barriers between them. Emily is no longer hiding. They can finally be completely real and honest with each other. And they must learn whether or not their very different worlds can merge together. I really enjoyed the way their relationship developed further and stayed true to the love that we felt before. They handled everything that was thrown their way beautifully. This is a very special couple, and I loved how they were written and where their story bloomed. I definitely recommend this duet of Logan and Emily's story. And I'm looking forward to reading about more of the Reed brothers in the rest of the series.  

 

 

 Book Links:

Amazon -- Goodreads

 

It's Monday! What are you reading? (17)

 It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.

What I Read Last Week:
   
  
I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
It's In His Kiss by Jill Shalvis
Wonder by R.J. Palacios
All Lined Up by Cora Carmack 
The Fifth Day by Kaia Bennett
 
What I'm Re-Listening To: 

 

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

 
My Reviews Last Week:

     
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas (5+ star review)
Claimed by Light by Reese Monroe (5 star review)
It's in His Kiss by Jill Shalvis (4.5 star review)
 
 What I'm Reading This Week:

Game by Barry Lyga
 

Stacking the Shelves (78)

Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

 

eARCs for Review:

 

Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
The Fifth Day by Kaia Bennett

 

For My Kindle:

  

Infinity + One by Amy Harmon

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

 

Used Book Finds:

God-Shaped Hole by Tiffanie DeBartolo

 

Feature & Follow (21): Book characters on Twitter

 

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by both Alison Can Read and Parakunkee’s View. This is a great way to gain blog followers for book bloggers, follow other blogs, and get to know each other. Each week a different question is posted by our hosts and we get to answer. You can find more info about this meme here.

This week’s feature:

Book character(s) you’d like to see with their own Twitter page

 

My vote: Janie Morris from Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid (and the Knitting in the City series)

 

I love Janie! Janie is so funny and so quirky with such an abundance of random trivia. I think she would be a hoot to follow, not only because she is awkward and humorous, but it would be an educational experience as well.

 

 

  

Review: It's In His Kiss by Jill Shalvis

It's In His Kiss by Jill Shalvis

(Lucky Harbor #10)

August 26, 2014

Grand Central Publishing

368 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance 18+

(Contains: detailed sex, mature language)

Source: eARC for Honest review

 

 
ONE KISS CAN LAST FOREVER
Becca Thorpe has uprooted her life and escaped to the beach. Now's her chance to get away from city living, throw caution to the ocean winds, and live in the moment. Especially if the moment includes the deliciously sexy surfer she meets shortly after arriving in Lucky Harbor. Something about the dark intensity of Sam's eyes and the thrill she gets at his touch convinces her to stay awhile.

Boatbuilder and investment genius Sam Brody is a self-made man who knows how dangerous it can be to mix business and pleasure. But he can't resist offering Becca a job just to hear her laugh and have her near. Yet when her brother comes to town asking for help, will he tempt her back to her glamorous life in the city? Or do Sam and little Lucky Harbor have a chance to win Becca's heart?
 

 
It's in His Kiss is a wonderful contemporary romance that I truly enjoyed. Though it is part of the Lucky Harbor series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Jill Shalvis has a great writing style that completely pulled me in, intriguing characters with well-paced development that kept me interested, and a storyline that hooked me from the start.
 
Becca and Sam really drew me in. I loved getting to know them, even though getting to the bottom of their issues was almost painful at times because they were just so stubborn. But that was also what made them so interesting. Their individuality and independence shone through, but how much greater they were together was truly compelling. Becca and Sam each had their own painful pasts that affected their present. And those pasts were not going to lay stagnant in the background - they got up in their faces - making this not just a beautiful love story, but also a story about forgiveness, redemption, and hope. Plus, Sam and Becca are a super hot and sexy couple, making the read extra awesome.
 
Add in Sam's best friends, Cole and Tanner, who are hunktastic (and have their own love stories to come). Throw in some mysterious Olivia, Becca's neighbor. A dash of family issues to make it interesting. A sprinkle of the adorable kids of Lucky Harbor. And spicy Lucille, the ancient glue holding the town together. And not only do they make the love story that much sweeter, but the overall story is just so much better and well-rounded. All of this makes Lucky Harbor and its resident love stories ones I want to keep reading.

 

Waiting on Wednesday (35): Rowdy by Jay Crownover

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

ROWDY
(Marked Men #5)
By Jay Crownover
Expected publication date: October 21, 2014

Oh how I love the Marked Men series by Jay Crownover! Such fantastic characters! I've loved every book, and I can't wait for Rowdy's story.

After the only girl he ever loved told him he would never be enough, Rowdy St. James knocked the Texas dust off his boots and decided he was going to do everything in his power to live up to his nickname. Life was all about a good time, good friends and never taking much too seriously. Rowdy learned his lesson early on, when you care that much about anything it can destroy you, and he never wants to risk feeling like that again. Only now he has a new coworker, a ghost from the past who’s making him question every lesson he ever learned.

Salem Cruz grew up in a house with too many rules, too many regulations, and no fun allowed. That never worked for her so she left it all behind as soon as she could, but she never forgot the sweet, blue-eyed boy next door who’d been in love with her little sister. Fate and good intentions from an old friend have placed her right in Rowdy’s path and she’s determined to show him he picked the wrong sister all those years ago. A mission that is going along perfectly until the one person that ties them together shows up and could very well tear them back

 

 

Review: Claimed by Light by Reese Monroe

Claimed by Light by Reese Monroe

(Bound by Hades #3)

September 15, 2014

Entangled Embrace

300 pages

Genre: New Adult Paranormal 18+

(Contains: sex, mature language, violence)

Source: eARC for Honest review

 

Forgiveness softens even the hardest of hearts…
College senior Slade Bennet is so close to his degree he can taste it…until his sister becomes tangled with a coven of demons and he must trade his soul to save her. But first he must kill the assigned target: a sexually charged beauty who ignites his protective instinct.

After the devastating loss of her Companion, the last thing Halena Girard can stomach is the emotional connection to a Mate. She lives for only two things: vanquishing demons, and seeking Artifacts rumored to lead to Lucifer’s downfall. That is, until she’s attacked by a…frat boy? Worse, a newly-demonic frat boy wearing the mark of her Mate.

Halena would rather kill Slade than give him her heart. Unfortunately, the only way Slade can find his sister and Halena the Artifacts is to work together. As they face the darkest of evil, Slade’s ability to crush Halena’s carefully erected walls might prove to be the most lethal battle of all.
 

 

I am a big fan of this series. I loved Theo and Sadie's story. I loved Justin and Yvonne's story. Both fantastic. But I have to say, Halena and Slade's story is my favorite. After meeting the fiery Frenchwoman in the previous books and knowing she had some major walls built up around her heart and her life, I couldn't wait to get the rest of her story and see her fall in love. And what an incredible love story it was! I loved it!

Halena and Slade's story took me on quite the whirlwind experience. They both have such sad parts to their past and present, then add in the rough and raw circumstances the demons have drawn them into, and their heartbreak is palpable. But under all the hurt and injustice is an intense bond that cannot be ignored and a tentative love that beautifully develops into more. The road for Halena and Slade is far from easy. There's much to overcome. But I absolutely loved them. I loved the way they fell in love. I loved the way they saw the truth in each other beyond the façade and walls. I loved how they were better together. I just loved them!

Beyond the love story, this is the continuation of the previous two stories involving keeping the Artifacts away from the demons and stopping them from completing their master plan. There are some terrific twists and turns to the story. Great action and intensity. It kept me on my toes, not sure how it would all turn out, and if we would lose any of our loved ones in the process. This was a real page turner. Then add in getting more of Theo, Sadie, Justin and Yvonne, plus some great other new and old characters, and this story was a real treat. While there was resolution at the end of the story, I'm really hoping we are not done with these characters. I love them all and don't want to leave this world. Loved it!

 

Book Links:

AMAZON -- GOODREADS

Bound by Hades Series:

Forged by Fate #1

My Review -- Amazon

 

Marked by Hades #2

My Review -- Amazon

 

Claimed by Light #3

Amazon