Review: Camp Cauldron by Juli Alexander

Title: Camp Cauldron

Series: Stirring Up Trouble

Books in this same world: Stirring Up Trouble (#1) | Trouble's Brewing (#2)

Author: Juli Alexander

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: December 2013

Published by: Juli Alexander

Source: Own e-book

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Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

Forced to spend Spring Break as a counselor at a camp for troublesome young witches instead of drooling over hotties at the beach, Emma relinquishes her hopes for romance. Could the perfect guy be waiting in the midst of poison ivy, s'mores, elephant trunks, and kangaroo feet?

My rating: ★★★★★
So this short little story actually takes place in Juli Alexander’s Stirring Up Trouble world, one which witch I love! See what I did there? Because they’re witches? Eh? Yeah, yeah… lame, I know. Lol. Anyway, the main character from that series, Zoe, and her witchy best friend Milo were actually mentioned! Eeeep! That was exciting! I just love Juli’s work! Everything I’ve read so for is just so much fun and so very funny!

Review: No Angel by Helen Keeble

Title: No Angel

Author: Helen Keeble

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: October 2013

Published by: HarperTeen

Source: Own paperback

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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Book Outlet

Synopsis:

Rafael Angelos just got handed the greatest gift any teenage boy could ever dream of. Upon arriving at his new boarding school for senior year, he discovered that he is the ONLY male student. But what should have been a godsend isn't exactly heaven on Earth.

Raffi's about to learn that St. Mary's is actually a hub for demons-and that he was summoned to the school by someone expecting him to save the day. Raffi knows he's no angel-but it's pretty hard to deny that there's some higher plan at work when he wakes up one morning to discover a glowing circle around his head.

My rating: ★★★★★
No Angel was so much fun! I cannot believe I didn’t read it sooner! I LOVED it!

So, our main character Rafael has decided that he wants to go to his mom’s old all-girl boarding school, this being the first year to open up to boys. But much to Raf’s surprise, upon arrival he finds out that he’ll be the only male in attendance! What starts out as a dream for any guy out there soon turns into a nightmare when things get a little weird from there... a glowing halo, wings, and then more freaking wings! What?! It turns out that Rafael Angelos is a freaking angel! Well, part angel, anyway. And wouldn’t you have it, there are demons roaming around the school, what a coincidence! (Not really, lol.) So, Raf is appointed not only a guardian angel, but a demon hunter as well. Only, there’s more to the situation than he could possibly imagine...

Review: Freak Show (The Nightshade Cases #1) by Patti Larsen

Title: Freak Show

Series: The Nightshade Cases #1

Author: Patti Larsen

Genre: Adult, paranormal, mystery

Publication date: June 2014

Published by: Patti Larsen Books/Purely Paranormal Press

Source: E-book from author for review

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Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

When transsexual starlet Aisling is murdered, Detective Geraldine Meyers is assigned the case. With help from medical examiner Dr. Rachel Hunter, Gerri realizes this is no ordinary killing. While she might not want to call in over-eager anthropologist Dr. Kinsey DanAllart, the detective is forced to trust her friend's expertise in symbology, even though doing so means admitting "weird" things might be happening in Silver City. As the three friends unravel the mystery of the dancer's death, one thing is made absolutely apparent--something isn't right in their new hometown. And someone is doing everything they can to make sure the truth doesn't come out.

In Silver City, sometimes friendship can be murder.

Welcome to the first Nightshade Case, a series of twenty-one episodes in twenty-one weeks. Please note: this episodic series is based on the television show model, with screenwriting notations and shorter formats. There will be a complete mystery each week, with cliffhangers only occurring in the full season story line.

My rating: ★★★☆☆
Freak Show was a very interesting book in that the format of it was very different than your typical novel. It was actually set up like a TV show and I really, really liked that! That was pretty cool and very unique.

Sunday Post #77: Dinosaurs, Sharks, and Pretty Nails, Oh My!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week! Let's get started!

Review: Spider’s Revenge (Elemental Assassin #5) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Spider’s Revenge

Series: Elemental Assassin #5

Previous books in this series: Spider's Bite (#1) | Web of Lies (#2) | Venom (#3) | Tangled Threads (#4)

Short stories in this series: Poison (#0.1) | Web of Deceit (#0.2) | Spider's Bargain (#0.5) | Web of Death (#1.5) | Wasted (#2.7) | Tangled Dreams (#3.5) | Tangled Schemes (#3.7) | Spider’s Nemesis (#4.5)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: September 2011

Published by: Pocket Books

Source: Library book

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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

Old habits die hard for assassins.

And I plan on murdering someone before the night is through.

Killing used to be my regular gig, after all. Gin Blanco, aka the Spider, assassin-for-hire. And I was very, very good at it. Now, I’m ready to make the one hit that truly matters: Mab Monroe, the dangerous Fire elemental who murdered my family when I was thirteen. Oh, I don’t think the mission will be easy, but turns out it’s a bit more problematic than expected. The bitch knows I’m coming for her. So now I’m up against the army of lethal bounty hunters Mab hired to track me down. She also put a price on my baby sister’s head. Keeping Bria safe is my first priority. Taking Mab out is a close second. Good thing I’ve got my powerful Ice and Stone magic—and my irresistible lover, Owen Grayson—to watch my back. This battle has been years in the making, and there’s a good chance I won’t survive. But if I’m going down, then Mab’s coming with me . . . no matter what I have to do to make that happen.

My rating: ★★★★★
Finally, the fight we've all been waiting for: The Spider vs Mab Monroe!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #64: Funeral Crashing? What?!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey.

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Sunday Post #76

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week! Let's get started!

Review: Tangled Threads (Elemental Assassin #4) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Tangled Threads

Series: Elemental Assassin #4

Previous books in this series: Spider's Bite (#1) | Web of Lies (#2) | Venom (#3)

Short stories in this series: Poison (#0.1) | Web of Deceit (#0.2) | Spider's Bargain (#0.5) | Web of Death (#1.5) | Wasted (#2.7) | Tangled Dreams (#3.5) | Tangled Schemes (#3.7)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: April 2011

Published by: Pocket Books

Source: Library book

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Synopsis:

I’d rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.

But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson’s front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn’t shy away from my past—or my present. And right now I have a bull’s-eye on my forehead.

Cold-blooded Fire elemental Mab Monroe has hired one of the smartest assassins in the business to trap me. Elektra LaFleur is skilled and efficient, with deadly electrical elemental magic as potent as my own Ice and Stone powers. Which means there’s a fifty-fifty chance one of us won’t survive this battle. I intend to kill LaFleur—or die trying—because Mab wants the assassin to take out my baby sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, too.

The only problem is, Bria has no idea I’m her long-lost sibling... or that I’m the murderer she’s been chasing through Ashland for weeks. And what Bria doesn’t know just might get us both dead...

My rating: ★★★★★
The war between Mab Monroe and the Spider is finally on.

Review: Venom (Elemental Assassin #3) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Venom

Series: Elemental Assassin #3

Previous books in this series: Spider's Bite (#1) | Web of Lies (#2)

Short stories in this series: Poison (#0.1) | Web of Deceit (#0.2) | Spider's Bargain (#0.5) | Web of Death (#1.5) | Wasted (#2.7)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: September 2010

Published by: Pocket Books

Source: Library book

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Synopsis:

What kind of assassin works pro bono?

It’s hard to be a badass assassin when a giant is beating the crap out of you. Luckily, I never let pride get in the way of my work. My current mission is personal: annihilate Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who murdered my family. Which means protecting my identity, even if I have to conceal my powerful Stone and Ice magic when I need it most.

To the public, I’m Gin Blanco, owner of Ashland’s best barbecue joint. To my friends, I’m the Spider, retired assassin. I still do favors on the side. Like ridding a vampire friend of her oversized stalker—Mab’s right-hand goon who almost got me dead with his massive fists.

At least irresistible Owen Grayson is on my side. The man knows too much about me, but I’ll take my chances. Then there’s Detective Bria Coolidge, one of Ashland’s finest. Until recently, I thought my baby sister was dead. She probably thinks the same about me. Little does she know, I’m a cold-blooded killer . . . who is about to save her life.

My rating: ★★★★★
Our retired assassin known as the Spider sets out to help a friend with a problem.

Review: Winging It! (Confessions of an Angel-In-Training #1) by Shel Delisle

Title: Winging It!

Series: Confessions of an Angel-In-Training #1

Author: Shel Delisle

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: April 2012

Published by: Something Else Publishing

Source: Own e-book

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Buy it: Amazon (Freebie! But double check the price.)

Synopsis:

She Just Wants to Fly.

Ever decided to do something that seemed like a good idea and in the second before there’s no turning back think, I musta been totally mental when I came up with this? And, then, Oh, well, here goes.

That’s how Angel inTraining Grace Lightbourne felt right before she asked the Big Kahuna to go straight to Earth on a mission as a Guardian Angel. The problem? She never was a great student and now she won’t even finish her last three years of school. To make matters worse, Archangel Michael isn’t happy about her special assignment, but Grace is convinced she’s on a fast track to her wings. Besides, how hard can it be? She’s working with humans, after all.

My rating: ★★★★☆
Winging It! was light and fun and exactly what I needed! Before starting this, I had finished reading a particularly frustrating book, so this was a nice change!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (#63)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey.

[Images take you to books' Goodreads page!]

Sunday Post #75: New Hobby?

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week! Let's get started!

Review: Web of Lies (Elemental Assassin #2) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Web of Lies

Series: Elemental Assassin #2

Previous book in this series: Spider's Bite

Short stories in this series: Poison (#0.1) | Web of Deceit (#0.2) | Spider's Bargain (#0.5) | Web of Death (#1.5)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: May 2010

Published by: Pocket Books

Source: Library book

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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

Curiosity is definitely going to get me dead one of these days. Probably real soon.

I'm Gin Blanco.

You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I’m retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren’t aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox. Ever since I agreed to help Violet and her grandfather protect their property from an evil coalmining tycoon, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m really retired. So is Detective Donovan Caine. The only honest cop in Ashland is having a real hard time reconciling his attraction to me with his Boy Scout mentality. And I can barely keep my hands off his sexy body. What can I say? I’m a Stone elemental with a little Ice magic thrown in, but my heart isn’t made of solid rock. Luckily, Gin Blanco always gets her man... dead or alive.

My rating: ★★★★☆
In Web of Lies, our retired assassin Gin Blanco decides to take on another assignment, completely free of pay. You see, Gin was just working at her restaurant one day when all of a sudden it gets shot at. She of course thinks that it was meant for her, Gin being the Spider, and all. But whoever shot up her restaurant wasn't aiming at Gin, they were actually aiming at one of her customers, Violet Fox. It turns out that this guy--a bully, really--wants the land that Violet's grandfather owns to expand his mining business. And he wants it bad. Gin helps Violet and her grandfather take out this a-hole with a little help of the goody-goody known as Detective Donovan Cain.

Monthly Wrap-Up: June 2015

Hey guys! Can you believe it's July already? Wow!