Saturday, March 30, 2013

Happy 2nd Indie Birthday to Tamara!!!


Yayayaya!!! Tamara's Indie Bday is this month! To celebrate she is giving away the entire Savage Series Signed!!! What?!?!?! Yep. Awesomesauce!!!


***clicking on the books in the widget will take you to amazon to purchase them via my amazon associates account. If you purchase the books, I get a small kick back, however, the product will cost you the same.

Friday, March 29, 2013

Review: Daughter of Smoke & Bone

Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)
Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #1)
by Laini Taylor
Published September 27th 2011 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Synopsis from Goodreads


I am becoming notorious for not reading good books until everyone else has made it impossible to avoid. When do you think I will learn? I don't know if it was the cover that turned me off, or just that fact that absolutely every single person I ever met was jumping on the DoSaB love train. Whatever the reason, I finally broke down and read it for the sake of my book club. I will freely admit, however, that I should have read it long before now. Have I learned my lesson? Doubtful. 

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Interview Kamy Chetty


Dr Death in Paradise Falls. Sophie Richmond claims innocence, but evidence states otherwise. Does the expunged juvenile record tell the truth...’

Damon Watson was happy to let the hospital investigators deal with the case of ‘Dr Death’, he didn’t need reminders of the past. The mother of the Montgomery baby was his first love. So he was not on their most-liked list. So when the tabloids see fit to crucify Sophie Richmond, Damon intervenes.
Deeply hurt by the past Sophie trusts no one and keeps to herself. Unfortunately her solitude makes people suspect her of malevolence, forcing her to flee and prove her innocence.
With nowhere to go and no one to trust she is forced to put her faith in Damon, the sheriff of Paradise Falls (fictional town). A man she always thought was too cute for his own damn good and too flippant to be useful. Their attraction burns hotter than the heat wave sweeping the State of Georgia, and they’re both forced into situations testing them in the most arduous way.
Despite having his own agenda, Damon continues to help Sophie hoping to reveal a few skeletons in the Montgomery’s cupboards. The time he spends with Sophie makes him realise the past doesn’t seem as important anymore but if Sophie knows the whole truth about his relationship with the prominent Georgia family, she will never trust him. When Sophie gets her chance to prove her innocence in a sting operation, she learns to trust again falling for Damon. Together they find their happily ever after.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Interview with Author J.L. Vallance + Giveaways

Revelations of the Soul Blog Tour. Hosted by Parajunkee Tours!




Blurb:
“Evangeline had prayed Spiro would be able to protect Vivienne, prayed that he’d keep her safe. The truth was, no one would be able to protect her from what was coming, and Evangeline knew that now. She knew that Vivienne was going to have to fight if she wanted to survive.”
Aedan, Lord of the Daemonium, has claimed Vivienne Drake as his prize and will stop at nothing to keep her. As his captive, Vivienne is forced to spend her days interacting with the monster that’s haunted her dreams for the past fourteen years.
Truths of her mother’s past continue to surface, bringing to light the reality of who Vivienne Drake truly is. All the while, Vivienne can do nothing but watch as the façade of the carefully constructed life her mother fashioned crumbles around her; leaving devastation in its wake.
Will secrets and lies be her ruination, or can Vivienne overcome her pain in order to become the salvation The Guild and Humanity needs?

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Review: Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

Shades of Earth (Across the Universe, #3)
Shades of Earth (Across the Universe #3)
by Beth Revis
Published January 15th 2013 by Razorbill

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.

But this new Earth isn't the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed's former passengers aren't alone on this planet. And if they're going to stay, they'll have to fight.

Amy and Elder must race to discover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been for nothing.

FUELED BY LIES.
RULED BY CHAOS.
ALMOST HOME.
Synopsis from Goodreads




 I have loved this series from book one, page one. I have waited, none too patiently, for books two and three, and I even read the all-too-brief prequel, As They Slip Away.  I was on the waiting list for Shades of Earth from my library for MONTHS! And now that it's over, I'm more sad than satisfied. Not because it wasn't a great book (because it was), but because I wanted more. I will always be left wanting more.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Various Graphic Novels

If anyone hasn't noticed, I like graphic novels. I mostly started reading them to help bring up my book reading goals, but my casual interest has now moved on into the realm of obsession. Despite my love, they are almost impossible to review in any extensive way, since there are usually few words, and the illustrations are usually consistent throughout. So I can pretty much sum up my thoughts in a matter of a sentence or two. I thought it might be easier, then, if I just mentioned a few of them all at once, so you guys don't have to slog through a bunch of my reviews. Plus, it makes it a whole heck of a lot easier for me to post.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Book Spenders Vlog

Review: The Dark Crystal - Part 2

The Dark Crystal: Volume 2: Creation Myths
Dark Crystal: Creation Myths Vol. 2




Part two of a three-part graphic novel prequel series delving into the origins of the Skeksis, Mystics, Gelflings, the world of Thra and the Dark Crystal itself. Spanning a time period from thousands of years ago to right up to the start of the original film, this graphic novel epic will tell the definitive origin of Dark Crystal, under the supervision of The Jim Henson Company and The Dark Crystal concept designer Brian Froud.

In this volume, readers will see the story behind the cracking of the crystal.

Synopsis from Goodreads 



Jim Henson was a genius, plain and simple. He played a huge role in my childhood, and it means a lot to me to see that his legacy is living on.  Even though he didn't actually write these graphic novels, or have a say in their creation in any way, I know that he would have been proud. Anyone who grew up watching Sesame Street, The Muppet Show or Labyrinth, should definitely read these, to relive just a piece of Jim Henson's vision.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Read Along! In Darkness We Must Abide

READ ALONG!
In Darkness We Must Abide by Rhiannon Frater
Episode #1 Death Comes Home
ebook format
Published March 2013


Death Comes Home (In Darkness We Must Abide, #1)In Darkness We Must Abide is the epic saga of one young woman caught in the dangerous world of the creatures of the night.

Already living in the shadows due to her albinism, Vanora is just a little girl when her older brother inadvertently unleashes a terrible evil from the family crypt that changes their lives forever.

As she grows up in a world where beautiful deadly beings hunt by night, one captures her eye and her heart. Yet, can she trust the mysterious Armando? For there is a powerful entity plotting to claim her when she reaches adulthood in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy, and her enemy has enveloped her in a web of deceit, casting doubt on all she believes to be true. Soon, she will have to fight not only to save those she loves, but also for her very soul.
Each episode will be between 10,000 and 20,000 words with new installments being published every 2 to 3 weeks.

Episode 1: Death Comes Home
Roman Socoli inadvertently releases a terrible evil when he has his Romanian ancestors entombed on his estate in Houston, Texas.
 
 Synopsis from Goodreads



It's no secret that we here at Contagious Reads love Rhiannon Frater. She is creative and mysterious, and everything she writes is ultimately epic. So, when I have the chance to be a part of a read along? Damn skippy! Yes, please!

Giveaway Signed Paperback of A Terrible Love by Marata Eros




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Monday, March 18, 2013

Book Borrowers VLOG

Book Borrowers: Reading on a budget
Episode 3
Books mentioned:
Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
Angelfall by Susan Ee
Last Bastion of the Living by Rhiannon Frater


Books I read this week:
(finished) Storm of Swords - source: used book sale   cost: $2.50
In Darkness We Must Abide - source: author promotion   cost: $0
Dark Crystal: Creation Myths vol. 1 - source: sat my butt in the bookstore   cost: $0


Sunday, March 17, 2013

Review: The Dark Crystal - PART 1

Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths, Volume 1
The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths Volume 1
Brian Holguin, Lisa Henson, Alex Sheikman, Brian Froud
first published November 15th 2011
Archaia Entertainment  

Part one of a three-part graphic novel series delving into the origins of the Skeksis, Mystics, Gelflings, the world of Thra and the Dark Crystal itself. Spanning a time period from thousands of years ago to right up to the start of the original film, this graphic novel epic will tell the definitive origin of Dark Crystal, under the supervision of The Jim Henson Company and The Dark Crystal concept designer Brian Froud.


Synopsis from Goodreads


I admit it. I'm guilty of sitting in Chapters to read this book. I've always felt like it was somehow cheating to do this, but I thought I should try it at least once. And it was great (once I got past the feeling that everyone was silently judging me)! I highly recommend trying it.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Pretty When They Collide Cover Reveal

Pretty When They Collide Cover Reveal

Cover by the Amazing Phatpuppy!

Pretty When They Collide by Rhiannon Frater
Series: Pretty When She... Novella
Publication date:  March 15th 2013
Genre: Adult Horror

Synopsis:
An exciting new novella set in the world of Pretty When She Dies...

Cassandra is a dhamphir-the offspring of a vampire and mortal woman-and a thief of occult relics.

Aimee is a full-blood witch that is bound to a powerful vampire who traffics in the slavery of supernatural beings.

Both are powerful, lonely, and trapped in the dangerous world of the vampires.

When Cassandra steals a relic from Aimee’s vampire master, he targets her as his next acquisition. What he doesn’t realize is that a chance encounter between Cassandra and Aimee ignited a spark between them that they cannot deny.

To survive, the women must find a way to band together and fight against the ruthless evil that conspires to enslave them forever

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Review: Suicide Note by Teresa Mummert



Title: Suicide Note
Author: Teresa Mummert

Source: ARC provided by Author

Release Date: March 15th, 2013

Genre: Adult/Contemporary Romance

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Blurb: **Disclaimer: This book contains no acts of suicide and it does have a 'Happily Ever After'** A soldier returning for mid-tour leave decides to stay with a cousin in Maine, after his fiancé leaves him for someone else while he is away at war. His cousin is going through his own devastation and is struggling to pick up the pieces and move on with his family. As they try to help each other through the pain, Shane's path crosses Jenn's and he soon learns that everything happens for a reason.


Lori's thoughts:

 Shane is a solider coming home for his leave. Only he has nothing to come home to. His girlfriend left him while he was in Iraq. She took his home and his dog. So instead of going home to North Carolina he travels up to Maine to visit his only family. In a chance encounter he meets Jenn. The two quickly grow attached, only for Shane to have to go back to Iraq leaving Shane wondering if Jenn will leave him too. 


Mummert's growth as a writes is the one thing that really struck me throughout reading this. I liked her erotica series but was not in love with it. White Trash Beautiful rocked my freakin' face off. Literally, my face just came right off. :D Suicide Note is another great one from Ms. Mummert. A story that I fell in love with and poured myself into. 

Jenn and Shane both have painful pasts which I think most readers can relate too. That's the thing about Mummert she really gets humans. She writes complexity into her characters. When I first started this book I thought it was one of those romance novels that would quickly evolve into more erotica. It's not. There is real romance here. And I loved it. 

The world that this book takes place in is the life of a military relationship and the toll that takes on a couple. I'm not a military wife but Mummert seems to get it. She pours emotion into the worries and fears that this couple faces because Shane chooses to serve his country. It's not a relationship that I envy, even though they clearly feel deeply for each other. 

So where does the Suicide Note come from, and which character wrote it? Well telling that detail would be an epic spoiler. But the story truly is a HEA. And ok, so I may be a horror girl, and sometimes endings like this are too sweet for me. But I did enjoy this one very much. 


Overall I recommend this book for people who like stories such as On Dublin Street. It's a little less intense sexually but emotionally deep. I was given an unedited ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.This review is 100% my own and written by me.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Review: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares


Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
Genre: Contemporary
Published: October 2012
Harlequin Books
“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

Synopsis from Goodreads



This was my first experience with David Levithan and Rachel Cohn. How have I not read any of their books before?! I can assure you that I will be remedying this immediately.

This is an insanely sweet love story, where the L-word is mysteriously absent. There is no insta-love here! (Unless you count me falling in love with the authors within mere pages) The authors took a unique approach to writing the story, alternating scenes, without planning the plot. This allows the story to take a natural path, the characters actions responding to each other in a real way. What grabbed me was the choice of words, which mirrors a kind of perfection that I rarely see.

Random Giveaway!!! Signed Copy of Taking on the Dead!

Win a signed copy of Taking on the Dead by Annie Walls. Plus some SWAG!!!


Rules: Please do all of the required things on the Rafflecopter. 

Open to US and Canadian Residents only. 

Please know, that it will take me at least a week if not three to mail the prize. I just suck like that!


Good luck!!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, March 11, 2013

Book Spenders Vlog #2

Book Spenders. Learn how to be broke and surrounded by books!

the musical?

Wounded Book Blitz


*cover by PhatPuppy Art: http://phatpuppyart.com/*

Book Details:

Wounded by Jasinda Wilder


P
ubli
shed
12/16/2012
 



War has taken everything from me. My family. My home. My innocence. In a country blasted by war and wracked by economic hardship, a young orphan girl like me has very few options when it comes to survival. Thus, I do what I must to live, to eat, and I try very hard to not consider the cost to my soul. My heart is empty, and my existence brutal. 

The one impossibility in my life is love.

And then I meet HIM.

War is hell. It takes a chunk out of a man's very soul to do the kinds of things war demands of you. You live with fear, you live with guilt, and you live with nightmares. If you haven't been through it, there's no understanding it. War leaves no room for love, no room for tenderness or softness. You gotta be hard, closed off, and ready to fight every moment of every day. Lose focus for a split second, and you're dead.

Now the only thing that can save me is HER.

Goodreads link:

Author Bio:
Jasinda Wilder is a Michigan native with a penchant for titillating tales about sexy men and strong women. When she's not writing, she's probably shopping, baking, or reading.


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Book Borrowers: How to read on a budget VLOG!!

Book Borrowers: How to read on a budget
Episode 2: Used books and how to embrace them (but not in a dirty way)


Check out Lori's Book Spender's vlog here.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/


Books read this week:
A Terrible Love by Marata Eros    Source: Amazon   Cost: $0.98
Echo by J.K. Accinni    Source: Author promotion   Cost: $0
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn  Source: Netgalley   Cost: $0

Currently Reading:
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin    Source: Used book sale   Cost: $2.50
Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa    Source: Netgalley   Cost: $0




Saturday, March 9, 2013

Review: Reached by Ally Condie

Reached (Matched, #3)
Reached (Matched #3)
by Ally Condie

After leaving Society to desperately seek The Rising, and each other, Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again. Cassia is assigned undercover in Central city, Ky outside the borders, an airship pilot with Indie. Xander is a medic, with a secret. All too soon, everything shifts again.

 Synopsis from Goodreads


I am a horrible person. I try not to judge a book before I read it, and even then I try to be fair. But shortly after starting this book it became obvious to me that I was suffering from a severe case of book discrimination. I had convinced myself ahead of time that I was going to hate this book.  And I tried! Really, I did! In the end, however, the book won.

As I was reading this, a friend asks, "How have you enjoyed this series so far? Is it worth it?!" I didn't know what to say. I really wanted to say YES! because it was obvious the series was trying to redeem itself, finishing strong. But it is so hard to forget the train wreck that was Crossed. Anyone who knows me, knows how I am physically incapable of letting go of a grudge. This is one of those times. 

Condie did her best to fix my biggest grudge: the fact that the characters inner voices are all the same. This became even more complex with the third installment, as there are now three different characters, as the story bounces back and forth between Cassia, Ky and Xander. I was mostly able to keep them straight, so Condie earned some points there. And, as complex as the plot was, she did a great job wrapping up all the loose ends, left dangling since Matched

The world building was decent, but I feel like it was relying on all the hard work from Matched. I am still able to remember most of what I imagined way back in book 1, and I think a lot of the setting is counting on that. 

So, would I recommend the series? It depends on who I'm talking to. But if you're like me, and you've already invested a part of your time in the first two books, definitely donate a little more to reading book 3. 



Matched (Matched, #1)Crossed (Matched, #2)



 

Friday, March 8, 2013

Book Spenders Vlog!

Book Addiction You Have a Problem. Watch Lindsay's Book Borrowers Vlog!



This is what a crazy book lady looks like!!!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

In Darkness We Must Abide Episode 1 Cover Reveal

Episode 1: Death Comes Home Roman Socoli inadvertently releases a terrible evil when he has his Romanian ancestors entombed on his estate in Houston, Texas.


In Darkness We Must Abide is the epic saga of one young woman caught in the dangerous world of the creatures of the night.

Already living in the shadows due to her albinism, Vanora is just a little girl when her older brother inadvertently unleashes a terrible evil from the family crypt that changes their lives forever.

As she grows up in a world where beautiful deadly beings hunt by night, one captures her eye and her heart. Yet, can she trust the mysterious Armando? For there is a powerful entity plotting to claim her when she reaches adulthood in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy, and her enemy has enveloped her in a web of deceit, casting doubt on all she believes to be true. Soon, she will have to fight not only to save those she loves, but also for her very soul.

Rhiannon Frater delivers a chilling adventure once again with this multi-part epic serial with a dynamic cast, old school vampires, bloody action, a smoldering forbidden love, and a terrifying villain set against the backdrop of a modern day vampire war.

Each episode will be between 10,000 and 20,000 words with new installments being published every 2 to 3 weeks.

FREE HERE


.99 cents on Amazon

Sign up for the Read Along: 




Review: A Terrible Love

A Terrible Love: The new amazing bestseller from Tamara Rose Blodgett!

is a dark and gritty romance. A fast paced read that is steamy in the right places, and amazing everywhere else.
Title: A Terrible Love
Author: Tamara Rose Blodgett/Marata Eros
Published: Feb. 11th, 2013
Genre: NA/Romance
Rating: 5 EPIC Stars
Buy this book: A Terrible Love
Blurb:Jess Mackey is living a meticulously fabricated lie of necessity. She's left the secret tragedy of her past behind along with who she was and is forging ahead with a clean slate. Jess soon discovers that passion can't be left behind; her own and that of the one man that sees who she really is. Whose presence caresses her soul in a way that may breach the peaceful life Jess has made for herself.
Devin Castile sees a young woman that is the missing puzzle piece to his existence and who is also the victim to a heinous crime. Devin convinces himself that he can remain emotionally distant even while indulging his physical desire for her. When the lies that Jess has made crumble before their attraction and the truth is revealed, one of them might pay with their life... or their very being.
(Due to sexual content and language, this book is recommended for 17+ - Adult Contemporary Women's - New Adult Fiction) 
Lori's thoughts:
Jess Mackey had a brutal life. She does the only thing she can do to save herself. She runs and hides. Determined to never be found she tries to close herself off. However, soon cracks start to break through her shell and slowly and surely people start finding ways in. But only a little. Until Cas comes along and completely blows her shell to smithereens. 

So you're a horror fan who secretly adores some hot NA/YA contemp romances. (Ok, so maybe it's not really a secret anymore). Then this is the contemp romance for you! Oh my GAWD I have never seen so much brutal gore plaster the walls of a romance! Ever. I'm like in slasher/steamy almost erotic heaven here. And I don't want to come down. Really, if you would allow me to, without like down voting my review and stuff, this review would just be like: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am that excited about this book. So awesome. *Deep Breathes* Back the over- excited- soul train- up. Parking it. Now onto some reviewing. BEEP BEEP. 
I love Tamara/Marata/Super Goddess's writing. I love it so much. I always thought she could pull off this genre and when she told me she had I instantly swam my way through my flu induced murk and bought a copy. Tamara has a very unique writing style. I sometimes see it blasted by reviewers because it's not conventional. Nothing about her is. It's not daisy farts and straight forward sentences. She very much has this sort of skat, rat-a-tat, jazzy improvisational writing style. I love it. I think it gives her whole entire work real character. It's how people speak. It's very real, and gritty. And it really shines in this dark romance. It gives the work that extra raw flair that a lot of other writers are trying give heroines in their works. Only Jess, really does have a very dark and damaged past. It's not just dead parents, or estranged parents, or a bad break up. No this is some real heavy stuff. 
Honestly, I have been thinking about writing my own contemporary romance that has a bloody dark twist for a while. Sometimes those sugary sweet HEA's get to me. I mean I cut my teeth on horror movies and random weird nerdy things as a child. So conventional is boring to me. But now I don't have to. Marata wrote one for me and it is beyond anything that I could ever accomplish. 
The first pages of this book tells you this is going to be different. The opening scene is absolutely terrifying and gruesome. 

"Faith was in the wrong place at the exactly the wrong time.
Her arguing got Thaddeus to notice her. However, Faith will never submit.
Her pleas go unheeded. I bear witness in a dark locked closet; shamed, terrified and soaking in my own sweat and tears, I hear what he does and I can't stop it.
Faith saved me, and my apathy murdered her."

The next chapter picks up two years later and we find Jewell, is now Jess. I love the dynamic and the real struggle that she has finding her way and staying under the radar. She fails miserably, but the fact that she was able to survive two more years in safety away from her psycho step brother (Thad) is amazing. 
Cas. The guy who blows Jess's well meaning plans to hell. Once he enters the book. It's like a swoony, fanning roller coaster. He is so HOT and then so cool. It drives Jess, and me insane. And, may I mention here, I have yet another book boyfriend. Sigh. It's not cheating, they totally live in different books. 
The ending was the most satisfying HEA I have read in a long time. Marata really earned her ending with this book. Also the copious amounts of gore in the last few chapters didn't hurt, not a bit. Yes, it is all so sad and heartbreaking. I felt like crying, I did cry, but I was also a gleeful horror nerd. 

"He turns at the waist, scooping up a round implement, covered by a blanket. My favorite quilt. I watch the jagged pattern of squares rise and fall on ________. I can't make out the design for the blood, as it is raised over and over again above _____'s head like an evil baton, the white becoming red.

And when the hero comes in and makes the HEA happen. 

Then all hell breaks loose as Ben's head explodes like a watermelon beside me, littering fragments of his sickened brains all over myself and everything around me.

Exploding baddie brains FTW. 
Right, I think I may have waved my freak flag a little too highly on this review. Anyway. This is an excellent, well written, engaging and DARK romance book. It's gritty and rough and I think people are really going to eat it up. Just like I did. 






Okay, so I know that I will never be able to say it as well as Lori did, but I'm totally going to hijack her review anyway, so I can get my 2cents worth of gushing in.

This book was a little out of my comfort zone, but I was in the mood to try something new. And Marata Eros, aka Tamara Rose Blodgett, was a great place to start. Although this was a far cry from her usual paranormal genre, she did an amazing job with this contemporary romance. It had some serious sizzle, and I am definitely excited for the rumored companion novel!

WARNING! This book contains mature subject matter and sexual content. NOT for younger readers! That being said, I highly recommend this for the mature audience. It's not often that I find the time to sit down and read a whole book in a day, but for this, I made the time! It has the perfect balance of sex, violence and intrigue. Well.... I guess I could've gone for a little more sex... 'cuz baby, baby! Cas is so smokin' I'm gonna need a cold shower!

I just want to make a note of this. While I find the concept of the alpha male incredibly sexy, there is no way I would ever date the guys in this book. I will not allow any man to tell me how to be. And yes, the sex scenes are uber steamy, but, in real life, I like to drive. ;)