Stacking The Shelves (192)

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!

*Signed* Hardcover Gift from my Kids:

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

*Signed* Paperback Gift from my Friend:

Thief of Hearts by LH Cosway

eARC Awesomeness:

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

Kindle Love:

Retreat by Jay Crownover (gifted)
Captivated by a Vampire by Susan Griscom

Review: Edward Unspooled by Craig Lancaster

Edward Unspooled by Craig Lancaster

(Edward #3)

July 17, 2016

288 pages

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Contains: some language and sexual references

Change keeps stalking Edward Stanton. He and his new wife, Sheila, have retreated to his small house in Montana after an unsuccessful attempt at operating a motel in Colorado. That failure has left wounds, especially for Sheila, and now they face a bigger challenge: pregnancy and impending parenthood.

Edward begins penning notes to the child (ever precise, he refers to the gestating being as "Cellular Stanton") as he navigates married life with Sheila, who is unhappy and unfulfilled in Montana; a work partnership with his friend Scott Shamwell, whose own life is teetering; and the emergence of a long-buried family secret and the effect of this revelation on his relationship with his overbearing mother.

Even as Edward's world expands, he must confront questions about whom to let in, how much to give, the very definition of family, the fragility of hope, and the expanses of love.

This is the third book following the life of Edward Stanton. Though you could read this as a standalone, I highly recommend the first two books so you can have the full appreciation of Edward's journey. This is one of my favorite series.

I loved that Edward got another book. I rejoiced in his marriage, but I needed fatherhood for him. And this story went beyond my expectations. I didn't realize the journey Edward would be taking was going to go beyond just impending fatherhood. There was much more going on here, and I loved it. And the way this was written, through Edward's journal to the baby, turned out to be a brilliant.

This story handled Edward's transition to fatherhood beautifully, hitting all of Edward's layers. But there were a boatload of other layers infused in this story. We get Edward himself, with his fascinating depths, Edward's marriage to Sheila, and insights and revelations into Sheila herself. I particularly loved Edward's relationship with his friend Scott Shamwell. We're also introduced to another person in Edward's life, whom I can't wait to read more about. And there's just the right dose of life drama that enriches this story.

I dearly love Edward Stanton. He's one of my favorite fictional characters, and I would be exuberant (I love the word exuberant) beyond reason to have more books about him.

Amazon ~ Goodreads 

Book 1: 

600 Hours of Edward

Book 2: 

Edward Adrift

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books I Read in 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
For more information and a list of past and future topics, go here.

Top Ten Best Books I Read in 2016

(Listed in alphabetical order by author)

 
The Aere Saga by ST Bende (2016)
The Girl With All the Gifts by MR Carey (2014)

 
Thief of Hearts by LH Cosway (2016)
With This Heart by RS Grey (2014)

 
Edward Unspooled by Craig Lancaster (2016)
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (2014)

 
Beard Science by Penny Reid (2016)
The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds (2015)

 
Written in Fire by Marcus Sakey (2016)
Empire by Rachel Van Dyken (2016)


Honorary Mention:

It's You by K.P. Kelley
(which doesn't release until 2017)

Stacking The Shelves (191)

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!

Hardcover Treasure:

Loving vs Virginia by Patricia Hruby Powell

eARC Awesomeness:

 

It's You (part 2) by KP Kelley
Close Enough to Touch by Colleen Oakley

Review: Broken Souls by Stephen Blackmoore

Broken Souls by Stephen Blackmoore

(Eric Carter #2)

August 5, 2014

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Contains: Violence, language

When necromancer Eric Carter returned to Los Angeles after fifteen years on the run he knew things were bad, but he never imagined how bad they could get. Sister murdered, best friend dead, married to the patron saint of death, Santa Muerte.

And things are just getting worse.

His link to the Aztec death goddess is changing his powers, changing him, and he’s not sure how far it will go. He’s starting to question his own sanity, wonder if he’s losing his mind. No mean feat for a guy who talks to the dead on a regular basis.

While searching for a way to break Santa Muerte’s hold over him, Carter finds himself the target of a psychopath who can steal anyone’s form, powers and memories. Identity theft is one thing, but the guy does it by killing his victims and wearing their skins like a suit. He can be anyone. He can be anywhere.

Now Carter has to change the game, go from hunted to hunter. All he has for help is a Skid Row Bruja and a ghost who’s either his dead friend Alex or Carter’s own guilt-fueled psychotic break.

If things go right, he just might survive a week where everything is trying to kill him and nothing is as it seems

Talk about a harrowing, action-packed journey! Eric Carter's little trip to speak with an old friend and get some advice turned into one death-defying situation after another. Still dealing with the after-effects of his sister's death, his best friend's death, and his marital deal with Santa Muerte, Eric gets another load of trouble thrown his way. There's a dude skinning people, for goodness sake! And I've got to say, trying to figure things out alongside Eric, sorting through the crazy, negotiating who can be trusted, and deciphering the truth, was an incredible ride. Being a necromancer and married to Santa Muerte doesn't leave room for a normal life. Eric is quite the character himself. He's this odd mix of good and bad, a jerk one moment, as much of a friend as he can be the next. I find his character very fascinating, and love his narration of this life-endangering journey. Plus, it takes place in L.A., which is where I'm from, so I absolutely loved all the different locations. One more thing I really love about this series is that I never quite know what's coming next. There are a ton of twists and turns, even down to the very end. My jaw dropped at the end of this one, and I can't wait to see what happens next to Eric Carter!

Amazon ~ Goodreads 

Don't Miss Book One!

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ My Review 

Top Ten Tuesday: New-To-Me Authors I Read in 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
For more information and a list of past and future topics, go here.

Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read for the First Time in 2016

(Listed in alphabetical order)

 
Kristen Ashley
Stephen Blackmoore

 
Rachel Caine
M.R. Carey

 
R.S Grey
Julia Kent

 
Jennie Marts
Liane Moriarty

 
Jason Reynolds
Jacqueline Woodson

Review: Shopping for a CEO's Fiancée by Julia Kent

Shopping for a CEO's Fiancée by Julia Kent

(Shopping for a Billionaire #9)

June 22, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy 18+

Contains: strong language, explicit sex

We skipped right over the whole fiancée thing and went straight from girlfriend to wife.

At least, I think that’s what happened. I woke up after my brother’s Vegas wedding reception with my luscious girlfriend in bed with me. We’re both wearing wedding rings.

So is her coworker, Josh.

And our Vegas chauffeur, Geordi.

Who the hell am I married to?

Unraveling this mystery will be as difficult as figuring out why Amanda and I are having panic attacks over the thought of being husband and wife.

Or, whoever we’re actually married to.

Oh, ^%$#.

It’s true that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, with one exception:

If she’s my wife, we’ll make it work.

If she’s not?

I’ll make it happen.

Get the 9th book in Julia Kent's New York Times bestselling romantic comedy series as Andrew and Amanda sort out their wild Vegas night...and the rest of their lives.

It was so nice to get back to Andrew and Amanda... and less Marie!

With Declan and Shannon finally married, Andrew and Amanda are suddenly wading through their own waters of confusion. Las Vegas seems to have not only produced a marriage, but a new engagement as well. Or did it? There's never anything straight-forward with these couples. Andrew and Amanda are back together, but between Declan and Shannon's wedding, Marie's craziness, and wild Vegas fun, this questionable engagement comes on the heels of not-quite-resolved feelings from their earlier break-up.

What I really appreciate about Julia Kent is her amazing way of combining laugh-out-loud humor with tender and loving moments. Andrew and Amanda have some real things to discuss, and a relationship to restore. But it's done with an endearing mix of sexy, sweet, and hilarity. I loved them so much! Especially Andrew. I felt like he grew so much, and I especially loved being in his point of view. This story was such a great journey, reminding me of all the things I liked about Amanda and Andrew's relationship, and bringing me back to all the things I love about this series.

Amazon ~ Goodreads