Rebel Rose (The Queen's Council #1) By: Emma Theriault Published: November 10, 2020 by Disney-Hyperion 352 pages Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Re-telling Source: Netgalley ARC ( Goodreads / Amazon ) Summary: Happily ever after is only the beginning as Belle takes on the responsibility of becoming queen and learns to balance duty, love, and sacrifice, all while navigating dark political intrigue—and a touch of magic. It’s 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution. Belle has finally broken the Enchantress’s curse, restoring the Beast to his human form and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it’s only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep. Not so very long ago, Belle dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. But now she finds herself living in a palace, torn between her past as a commoner, and her future as royalty. While Belle grapples with ...

Sweetness (The Sweetest Thing #1) By: Sierra Hill Published: July 24, 2016 by Ten28 Publishing 244 pages Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance Source: Personal Kindle Library ( Goodreads / Amazon ) Summary: I’m the girl from the school of hard knocks.  Nothing has ever come easy for me. So forgive me if I’m a bit reluctant about Kincaid Griffin – born-with-a-silver-spoon in his mouth, conceited college hoops player. A guy who could get any girl he wants, and yet, is suddenly everywhere I am trying to woo me. The more I protest, the more persistent he becomes.  I’m a lucky guy.  Let’s face it. As a college athlete, I don’t chase girls – they come to me. I’m as arrogant and cocky as they come, getting nearly everything I want, whenever I want. But there is nothing sweeter than a girl who plays hard to get. And Ainsley Locker is so full of confidence that she knocks me off my feet from the moment I meet her. She’s a challenge. And I like challeng...

And I Darken (The Conqueror's Saga #1) By: Kiersten White Published: June 28, 2016 by Delacorte Press 498 pages Source: Netgalley ARC from publisher ( Goodreads / Amazon ) Summary: This vividly rendered novel reads like HBO’s  Game of Thrones  . . . if it were set in the Ottoman Empire. Ambitious in scope and intimate in execution, the story’s atmospheric setting is rife with political intrigue, with a deftly plotted narrative driven by fiercely passionate characters. Fans of Victoria Aveyard’s THE RED QUEEN, Kristin Cashore’s GRACELING, and Sabaa Tahir’s AN EMBER IN THE ASHES won’t want to miss this visceral, immersive, and mesmerizing novel, the first in a trilogy. NO ONE EXPECTS A PRINCESS TO BE BRUTAL. And Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to su...

Flamecaster (Shattered Realms #1) By: Cinda Williams Chima Published: April 5, 2016 by HarperTeen 544 pages Source: Edelweiss ARC from publisher ( Goodreads / Amazon ) Summary: Set in the world of the  New York Times  bestselling Seven Realms series, a generation later, this is a breathtaking story of dark magic, chilling threats, and two unforgettable characters walking a knife-sharp line between life and death. This dazzling beginning to a new series is indispensable for fans of Cinda Williams Chima and a perfect starting point for readers who are new to her work. Adrian sul’Han, known as Ash, is a trained healer with a powerful gift of magic—and a thirst for revenge. Ash is forced into hiding after a series of murders throws the queendom into chaos. Now he’s closer than ever to killing the man responsible, the cruel king of Arden. With time running out, Ash faces an excruciating choice: Can he use his powers not to save a life but to take it? Abandone...

Never Never By: Brianna R. Shrum Published: September 22, 2015 by Spencer Hill Press 368 pages Source: Netgalley ARC from publisher ( Goodreads / Amazon ) Summary: James Hook is a child who only wants to grow up. When he meets Peter Pan, a boy who loves to pretend and is intent on never becoming a man, James decides he could try being a child—at least briefly. James joins Peter Pan on a holiday to Neverland, a place of adventure created by children’s dreams, but Neverland is not for the faint of heart. Soon James finds himself longing for home, determined that he is destined to be a man. But Peter refuses to take him back, leaving James trapped in a world just beyond the one he loves. A world where children are to never grow up. But grow up he does.  And thus begins the epic adventure of a Lost Boy and a Pirate. This story isn’t about Peter Pan; it’s about the boy whose life he stole. It’s about a man in a world that hates men. It’s about the feared Capta...

Carter Finally Gets It #1 By: Brent Crawford Published: April 7, 2009 by Brilliance Audio Audiobook Source: Borrowed from my SNL, Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know ( Goodreads / Amazon ) Summary: Meet Will Carter, but feel free to call him Carter. (Yes, he knows it's a lazy nickname, but he didn't have much say in the matter.) Here are five things you should know about him: 1. He has a stuttering problem, particularly around boobs and belly buttons. 2. He battles Attention Deficit Disorder every minute of every day unless he gets distracted.  3. He's a virgin, mostly because he's no good at talking to girls (see number 1). 4. He's about to start high school. 5. He's totally not ready. Join Carter for his freshman year, where he'll search for sex, love, and acceptance anywhere he can find it. In the process, he'll almost kill a trombone player, face off with his greatest nemesis, suffer a lot of blood loss, narrowly escape dea...

Feed (Newsflesh #1) By: Mira Grant Published: April 10, 2010 by Orbit 609 pages Source: Personal Kindle library ( Goodreads / Amazon ) Summary: The year was 2014. We had cured cancer. We had beat the common cold. But in doing so we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop. The infection spread, virus blocks taking over bodies and minds with one, unstoppable command: FEED. Now, twenty years after the Rising, Georgia and Shaun Mason are on the trail of the biggest story of their lives-the dark conspiracy behind the infected. The truth will out, even if it kills them. FEED is the electrifying and critically acclaimed novel of a world a half-step from our own---a novel of geeks, zombies, politics and social media. MY REVIEW: I debated doing an actual review for this one but I decided to go ahead because the book isn't awful. Many I'm sure will enjoy it. But once I got to 20% (page 127) I knew this wasn't one I wanted to read. When ...

Temptation  By: Robin Covington Published: August 5, 2014 by Burning Up the Sheets, LLC 254 pages Source: Netgalley ARC from publisher ( Goodreads / Amazon ) Summary: She needs to be good. Five years ago, Kit Landry was homeless and alone at sixteen. Determined to ditch her crappy life, she moved to Nashville with only $200, her guitar, and a notebook full of songs. She hit it big as America’s country sweetheart, but a year of living like a rock star plus a stint in rehab has killed any good will she had with her label. The suits have ordered Kit to shape up or ship out of the limelight. The last thing she needs is a hot, sexy distraction with a sinful smile. He doesn’t know the meaning of the word. Max Butler is as far from a celebrity as you can get and he likes it that way. A Nashville firefighter, he’s living the single life with a revolving door of parties, friends, and a different woman in his bed every night. When his normal life suddenly collides wit...