Blood Moon (Star Touched: Wolf Born, #1)

 

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Ruby Grace is just an ordinary girl. Or so she thought. 

During a ski trip in the Adirondack Mountains, she discovers just how different she is. One night, she’s chatting with friends when she glances up and sees the moon turn blood red. Suddenly, Ruby shifts into a wolf and takes off, running through the woods like a creature possessed. 

When she’s herself again, she seeks refuge in the house of Connor Ward, the mysterious and devastatingly gorgeous guy whose party she attended the night before.
But Connor offers her more than a place to hide out. He has answers. About her, her powers, and the undeniable attraction between them. 

But discovering she’s a shifter is only the beginning. Despite her ability to shift, she’s unable to use shifter magic, which relegates her to the lowest tier of shifter society. As she tries to adapt to this new world, strange things start happening in Pine Valley. Humans begin disappearing. Ruby’s eyes change color overnight. And a new kind of magic emerges.
With Connor by her side, Ruby digs into the dangerous secrets of Pine Valley. As she delves deeper into this mysterious place—and its even more mysterious residents—Ruby discovers that the biggest mystery of all is her, and her newfound abilities. 

The biggest challenge, however, comes when the mate bond ignites between Ruby and Connor. He’s torn between his loyalty to his girlfriend and his undeniable connection to the new girl in town.
Will he reject his fated mate and keep his promise to his girlfriend?
Or will he risk everything to be with Ruby? 

 

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 I have been reading Michelle Madow since I discovered her book Remembrance back in 2012. I have read most of her books since there, and there hasn’t been a single book I didn’t love. I was excited when I heard she has a new series dealing with wolf shifters. I love books about shapeshifters, especially wolves; it has always been one of my favorite fantasies to read about. I couldn’t wait to read about Ruby’s adventures and felt that it would be a book I would love. Once I started reading Blood Moon, I found myself reading late into the night a few times. I wanted to see what would happen with Ruby next, and most of all, I wanted to see if anything would develop between Connor and Ruby. 

I have read a few books that dealt with shifters through the years, Blood Moon was unlike any other book I have read before, and that’s what I loved about this one. I loved the emotions in this book, they are so vivid, and in each chapter, each character, I find myself feeling everything that the characters are feeling. Autumn, right now, I am not too fond of her; I have a feeling that she’s up to something. I know that Autumn feels threatened by Ruby, and I have a bad feeling about what she is willing to do to get rid of her. Connor is another character that I’m not sure about. There is part of me that knows that he’s conflicted about being royal to his girlfriend, Autumn, but also his responsibility to Ruby. I want to like Connor, but I don’t particularly appreciate how he treats Ruby sometimes. 

I couldn’t get enough of Ruby; s story. The minute I turned the last page, I picked up Shadow Moon , wanting to see what awaits Ruby and her friends next. I love the book covers for all of the author’s books, but from all of her books that I have read, the covers for this series are my favorites. I would highly recommend this series to any fantasy fans. Be ready for a thrilling ride!

Her Father's Daughter.

 

 

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*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review* 

 

4.5 Stars

 

   

 

Twenty-five-year-old Linda Donovan has spent her life working for her father, Anthony, at Donovan and Daughter Exterminators in New York City. On the anniversary of her mother’s death, her father makes his annual visit to his late wife’s grave while Linda heads to a Park Avenue apartment building to work solo.

When she arrives, she finds the body of an elderly resident, partially eaten by rats. The gruesome death not only speaks poorly of the Donovans’ exterminating services—it also points to foul play. When the cops show up, they demand to speak to Linda’s father. But despite her efforts to contact him, Anthony has gone off the radar. 

As he evades a possible murder charge, Linda’s father records in five notebooks—and five damning acts—the story of how he met and fell in love with her mother, a previously untold history of familial abuse, tormented souls, and true love gone terribly wrong.

 

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 Once again, I came across a book where I am at loss with words. I requested this book at Netgalley because I was intrigued by the cover, the title, and the synopsis of the story. I love thrillers, especially the ones that keep you at the edge of your seat until the end. I was hooked when I read the summary of the book, and it was the main reason that I requested the book, I needed to see what was going to happen. I did feel that the beginning had a slow started, and it took me a little to get into story. Once the book picked up, I knew that I was in trouble because I didn’t want to put the book down, staying up late to read, because I wanted to see what was going to happen, how it would end. There was so much happening, that I had trouble finding a place to stop. I finished Her Father’s Daughter last night and yet I still find myself thinking about it, and telling others about the book. 

The descriptions in that book…I found myself feeling everything that they were feeling, and doing everything that the character’s were doing. I loved both Linda’s POV and her father’s notebooks, but the five notebooks was my favorite, the way he described everything, it was unlike anything that I have read before. While reading his notebooks, I was both amazed and terrified. I loved that they were written in acts, as it was part of a play. As I read them, I couldn’t help but wondered what Linda thought when she read them. I couldn’t even begin to imagine discovering something about someone you loved. Her Father’s Daughter is the reason that I love thrillers, the ones that have you asking questions while you are reading the book. 

Her Father’s Daughter is unlike any thriller that I have read before, it’s probably one of the best. I’m amazed that this is the author’s first book, and I already know that T.M Dunn will be an author who I will look forward for the new releases. I’m glad that I got a chance to read an early copy of Her Father’s Daughter , and would highly recommend to any thriller/crime fans. Be prepared for a thrilling ride!

The Golden Doves.

 

 

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 4.5 Stars

 

Two former female spies, bound together by their past, risk everything to hunt down an infamous Nazi doctor in the aftermath of World War II—an extraordinary novel inspired by true events from the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls 

American Josie Anderson and Parisian Arlette LaRue are thrilled to be working in the French resistance, stealing so many Nazi secrets that they become known as the Golden Doves, renowned across France and hunted by the Gestapo. Their courage will cost them everything. When they are finally arrested and taken to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, along with their loved ones, a reclusive Nazi doctor does unspeakable things to Josie’s mother, a celebrated Jewish singer who joined her daughter in Paris when the world seemed bright. And Arlette’s son is stolen from her, never to be seen again. 

A decade later the Doves fall headlong into a dangerous dual mission: Josie is working for U.S. Army intelligence and accepts an assignment to hunt down the infamous doctor, while a mysterious man tells Arlette he may have found her son. The Golden Doves embark on a quest across Europe and ultimately to French Guiana, discovering a web of terrible secrets, and must put themselves in grave danger to finally secure justice and protect the ones they love. 

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Heart Wrenching, Inspirational. 

I discovered Martha Hall Kelly in 2019 when I came across Lilac Girls while at the library. I have heard of her book years before having a chance to read it. I remember the book's impact on me to the point that I read the book twice. I am always looking forward to new releases by Martha Hall Kelly , and when I heard about The Golden Doves , I couldn’t wait to see what adventure awaits me in the story. When I picked up the book, I felt it would be an adventure of a lifetime. I was right; it was one of the most inspirational books I have read. I loved that the book was told in dual storylines; those were always my favorites to read about historical fiction. Both storylines connected so well, especially towards the end of the book. 

  The Golden Doves is not a story that you will forget; it’s a story that will stay with you and that you will be recommending to your friend. I know that this is the book that I will be returning to in the future. The minute that I turned the last page, I wanted to go back to beginning and start all over. I wondered about the title, I wondered about what is the story behind that title. The title and cover would capture any reader, even if you had never read the books by the author before. The title fits the storyline perfectly. I thought about the story, the characters for few days after turning the last page. I think that Martha Hall Kelly became my favorite historical fiction writer from the moment that I read her first book. It’s clear how much research she puts into writing her books, and that makes her books so much more real. 

The relationship between Josie and Arlette, if that’s not real friendship then I don’t know what is. The two of them been through so much together, including being at the concentration camp together. I can’t even imagine the horror of being in that place and losing your mother and your son. The descriptions in the book, I found myself being transported to that horrid place, along with Josie and Arlette. Throughout the book, I hoped that Arlette would be able to reunite with her son after all those years. I loved that there was also mystery in the mix, making the book even harder to put down. Few parts felt they were dragging on, but it didn’t last long. I couldn’t get enough of Josie and Arlette’s stories, and I thought about their stories again while writing the review. I would highly recommend this book to any historical fiction and mysteries fans. The Golden Doves is a story about grief, family, friendship, bravery, and hope, a story that won’t be forgotten.

The Lake.

 

 

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3.5 Stars

 

  Esme and Kayla once were campers at Camp Pine Lake. They're excited to be back this year as CITs (counselors in training). Esme loves the little girls in her cabin and thinks it's funny how scared they are of everything--spiders, the surly head counselor, the dark, boys . . . even swimming in the lake! It reminds her a little of how she and Kayla used to be, once. Before . . . it happened. Because Esme and Kayla did something bad when they were campers. Afterwards, the girls agreed to keep it secret. 

They've moved on--or so they say--and this summer is going to be great. Two months of sun, s'mores, and flirting with the cute boy counselors. But then they get a note. THE LAKE NEVER FORGETS. And the secret they've kept buried for so many years is about to resurface.

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Horror is one of those genres that I’m very picky about. I have read few books by Natasha Preston and I had enjoyed most of the ones that I have read. I had The Lake on my reading list since the book came out, but school schedule prevented me from reading it earlier. I had enjoyed The Lake but not the way that I had enjoyed the previous books. I felt that this book lacked the action that the books I read previously. I felt that this book was more of thriller than horror, and maybe that is just me, but that’s the feeling that I got while reading the book. It took me few chapters to get into this book, it started out a bit slow for me. Once the book picked it, was hard for me to put the book down. I couldn’t help but wonder what happened all those years ago, for Lillian to want a revenge. 

I was little disappointed in the secret, the way that Esme and Kayla was acting, and all the threats that Lillian was giving them, I assumed that the secret would be bigger than it was. Though once the book progressed, the threats became more scary, to the point that I couldn’t stop turning the pages, because I wanted to see what Lillian would come up with next. Would Kayla and Esme be available to stop her in time, before somebody got hurt? I understand that Lillian was upset with what happened, but I think that she went too far in her revenge. 

That ending. It did not feel like an ending, I felt there should been more, an explanation or a follow up book. The ending did not feel complete for me. I did enjoy most of the book, and I am eager to see what Natasha Preston has in store for us next.

Someone Is Always Watching.

 

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*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*   

Blythe and her friends — Gabrielle, and brother and sister Tucker and Tanya — have always been a tight friend group, attending a local high school and falling in and out of love with each other. But an act of violence has caused a rift between Blythe and Tucker . . . and unexpected bursts of aggression and disturbing nightmares have started to become more frequent in their lives. 

The strange happenings culminate in a shocking event at school: Gabrielle is found covered in blood in front of their deceased principal, with no memory of what happened. 

Cracks in their friendship, as well as in their own memories, start appearing, threatening to expose long-forgotten secrets which could change the group’s lives forever. How can Blythe and her friends trust each other when they can’t even trust their own memories? 

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  Haunting. 

I have been a fan of Kelley Armstrong since I read her Darkest Powers series years ago, which I have re-read multiple times. It has been a few years since I read her books, so when I came across Someone Is Always Watching on Netgalley, I immediately requested it. I was excited when I was approved to read the copy. Once I started to read, it reminded me why I love this author. I love mysteries, and I have read many through the years, Someone Is Always Watching is a mystery that has you guessing who’s the killed until almost the end of the book. When I thought I figured out what was happening, another twist had you confused all over again. The one question that kept running through my mind: “Who can you trust?” 

 
When Gabrielle started to break down and then talked about cameras, I felt there was a reason behind it. When she had her first breakdown, I assumed that maybe she was having a mental breakdown until their principal ended up dead. How can you kill someone and then don’t remember doing it? I wonder if it is because she blocked that part of her memory. When Gabrielle had her second breakdown, a girl who had never gotten in trouble before, I knew something was going on. I kept on turning the pages, sometimes late into the night, wanting to find out what was happening with Gabrielle. There was something unnatural happening to all those kids and their memories. 

I loved all of the main characters, and if If asked which is my favorite, I couldn’t pick just one. Each one of them had a story to tell. Every page in this book had you turning the pages and had you wondering what would come next. This was one of the best mysteries that I have read this year. After reading Someone Is Always Watching I wanted to re-read the books that I have read all those years ago. This will keep you on the edge of your seat, making you feel like you are there with everyone else.

The Lost Daughters Of Ukraine.

 

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*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*   

 

 

Summer 1941. War rages in Europe. The Germans march towards Ukraine. Halya, Liliya and Vika are no strangers to sorrow. They lost family during the Holodomor, loved ones in Stalin's purges, and war looms once more on the horizon. 

Vika lives in fear for her children. She and her sister survived the terror famine by leaving their whole family behind. Now, years later, many believe the Germans will free them from the Soviets, but she’s not so sure. Should they stay in Volhynia or flee the approaching Eastern front? 

Liliya has lost too much in her 17 years. As those around her join the resistance, Liliya wonders how she can fight for her friends, family, and country. When the choice is made for her, can she find the will to survive and protect those still with her? 

Twelve-year-old Halya is struggling to discover who she is. But as the war escalates, can her mother Katya’s tactics keep her safe from the Nazi soldiers rounding up slave laborers? How can a child survive the horrors of war on her own? 

These daughters of Ukraine will face devastation and loss as they fight to survive and protect the ones they love. 

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  Moving, heart -wrenching, captivating. 

Some books would stay with you long after you turn the last page. The Lost Daughters Of Ukraine was one of those books for me, and even though I finished it a while back, I can’t seem to get it out of my mind. I got this book a while back from Netgalley, but due to a hectic school schedule didn’t have time to read it until recently. My mom is from Ukraine, and I was born in Ukraine and had family there, so this book was close to my heart. When I picked this book, I knew that The Lost Daughters Of Ukraine would be hard to read, and a few scenes were tough for me to read. I can’t even begin to imagine what they went through during that time, but as I read the book, I felt like I could. The descriptions in The Lost Daughters Of Ukraine were so vivid I could picture everything as I read the book. I teared up a few times while reading the book. 

I loved how most of the characters came together in this story. I loved the friendship that formed between Liliya, Halya and Slavko. Both Liliya and Slavko made it their mission to take care of Halya from the moment that the two of them met her. I’m glad that Halya had Slavko when the two of them got separated from Liliya, and I had feeling that his feelings towards Halya were more than friendship, and I wondered if she picked up on her. I enjoyed reading the story from both Liliya and Halya’s point of view, they are both different but yet the same in few different ways. The three of them had been through so much together, but I am glad that they had each other during such horrific time. 

Vika. She was different from the other two girls, but unique. The similarities between the three women, their bravery. Despite everything that was happening, they kept on going and not giving up hope. I know that one of the hardest things during that time, is hope, not knowing if your loved ones were dead or alive. All through the book I was hoping for the good outcome where all of them would be reunited.

 
The Lost Daughters Of Ukraine was one of the best researched historical fiction books that I have read this year. It was interesting to me that it was based on author’s family history, I can’t begin to imagine how hard that must been to write. I would highly recommend this for any historical fiction fans. Be prepared to be on edge of your seat from the start until the end.

Chain Of Iron (The Last Hours,#2)

 

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Cordelia Carstairs seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming companions, the Merry Thieves. She is about to be reunited with her beloved father. And she bears the sword Cortana, a legendary hero’s blade. 

But the truth is far grimmer. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with the mysterious Grace Blackthorn whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it, while her father has grown bitter and angry. And a serial murderer is targeting the Shadowhunters of London, killing under cover of darkness, then vanishing without a trace. 

Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James, and Lucie must follow the trail of the knife-wielding killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each is keeping a shocking secret: Lucie, that she plans to raise Jesse from the dead; Cordelia, that she has sworn a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power; and James, that he is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself may be the killer they seek.

 

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Haunting. 

Cassandra Clare did it again, and my emotions are everywhere. I don’t think there was a single book of hers that I read that I didn’t enjoy. Something about Chain Of Iron was intriguing that I couldn’t get enough of the story. I read Chain Of Iron a few months ago, but because of school, classes, and homework, I had no time to post the review. I loved Chain Of Gold , but I loved Chain Of Iron even more; I felt like there was more happening in the second book, more action, and this book had my attention from the first page until I turned the last page. I wanted to keep on reading this book, and I was even thinking about reading the book when I was doing homework. I knew that if I had more time, I would have finished it faster than I had. Chain Of Iron is one of those books where there are so many words I could use to describe my love for the book. 

Cordelia. She has been my favorite character since the first book. I love the way that she cares about others, about her friends. I felt as if Cordelia had the most character development since Chain Of Gold , and I believe that she became a powerful character. Cordelia has been through so much, but that didn’t keep her from going; not once did she give up. In the last book, I wondered if James felt the same about Cordelia as she did about him and didn’t have a good feeling. I was curious that maybe in Chain Of Iron , his feelings towards Cordelia would change, especially after they married. I hoped that when he got married, he would genuinely see Cordelia. As the book progressed, I saw hints that he was developing feelings for Cordelia, which made me happy. Those two belong together. 

I loved reading the little passages from the killer’s point of view, and every time it had me wondering: who was it? I couldn’t help and wonder if could be one of them, Matthew possibly? That would put even more twist to the story. I couldn’t get enough of the story. That cover, oh man, even if you haven’t read other books by Cassandra Clare that cover itself would capture your attention. Now that I have read Chain Of Iron , I am eager to pick up the next do, to see what’s adventures awaits for everyone next.

November 9.

 

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Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist. 

Can Ben’s relationship with Fallon—and simultaneously his novel—be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak? 

 

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 Magical. Extraordinary. 

This isn’t a book you will put down; if you do, you will want to pick it up again. When I started this book, I was in PTA school and had 5 classes, and I had to force myself to put it down. I don’t think that there are enough words out there where I can describe how I felt about this book. A friend told me about this book and lent it to me, and I’m so glad she did. Years ago, I read Hopeless and remembered how much I enjoyed the book. November 9 I think that it’s my favorite book of hers so far. Once I started reading the book, I wondered how I had not read it earlier. I have read multiple romance books through the years, but this was the most unique one I picked up. I couldn’t help but wonder how long Ben and Fallon could keep this up until one of them broke a heart, and what would happen to them afterward? 

Throughout the book, I rooted for Ben and Fallon and wanted them to end up together. However, there were times when I wondered, do they belong together? I found it interesting that they picked a specific date to meet every year, though if it was me, I don’t think I would be able to wait a year to see someone I loved that much. Every page and chapter had me wondering what would come for Ben and Fallon next. I could feel the connection between the two of them from the moment that the two of them met, and some of the romantic scenes between the two of them…I have a feeling that November 9 will be one of those books that I will re-read on multiple occasions. The story felt so real, and it made me wish that I was part of the story; there wasn’t anything I didn’t love about this book. 

Ben. You can’t help but fall in love with him. If only every girl could find a guy like him. He and Fallon had their issues, but what couple doesn’t? When the two of them met every year and the way that the two of them reconnected as if they had never been apart. I wanted them to figure out and be together, not meet only once a year. For me, that would be torture. This was one of the most challenging books to put down when I had to. When I turned the last page, I wanted to start all over again and follow Ben and Fallon’s story all over again. I would highly recommend this for any romance fans, but be ready for your emotions to be pulled into different directions.