Book Review: Sage's Eyes by V.C. Andrews

Sage's Eyes 

by 

V.C. Andrews

Published January 26th 2016 

by Pocket Books 

Summary
From V.C. Andrews, bestselling author of Flowers in the Attic (the first in a series of Lifetime movie events about the Dollanganger family), comes the tale of a young girl kept under the watchful eye of her adoptive parents, as if they fear who-or what-she'll become...

Sixteen-year-old Sage is a lonely child. Her adoptive parents watch her obsessively, as if studying her for warning signs of...something. And maybe they're right to-even she can't make sense of the strange things she sees and hears. She possesses knowledge that other teenagers don't, that her parents and teachers-no adult-could possibly have. So when Sage finally makes a friend who understands her alarming gift, he becomes her confidant, a precarious link to the truth about who she really is. For Sage and the alluring new boy at school share many things in common. Perhaps, they'll learn, far too many things.

Instincts Call From Within 

Okay so I saw V.C. Andrews and pulled the trigger. Then I did some digging and for the purposes of full disclosure I must say Mrs. Andrews is passed away. Suddenly I was even more intrigued by this book. I read this in about 3 sittings throughout two days it was a great read. There was a lot of mystery sometimes I felt like there was too much mystery. The only problem with too much mystery is once the mystery is finally revealed it seems anticlimactic. I kind of knew what was going on as I’m sure every reader will but there was always something just outside of my grasp. The “mystery” wasn’t as jaw dropping as I’d hoped but none the less the author certainly packs quite the punch towards the end.

The Story, a little girl is adopted and is odd. Her adoptive parents aren’t very nice to her and she is just a peach. I could not understand why her adoptive mother was so cold. Even when everything is revealed I still had a tough time reconciling the reasoning with her actions. I’m still scratching my head over it. Later once Sage becomes older and more assertive my heart broke for her all the more. Once she finds someone whom she can relate to she is let down again and again. Sage begins to piece things together and very soon all the cards will be drawn.

The Characters, Sage was my favorite along with her uncle and her adoptive father. I felt like Sage was always under attack which I didn’t understand because she was a wonderful daughter. I wish her family had been more open and forward with her. The relationship she had with her uncle was my favorite he was always looking out for her and trying to take care of her even from far away. The ugly people she went to school with were vile and could not appreciate what a gift they had. Sage’s character definitely stood above the rest.

The End, okay so I mentioned a bit of an anticlimactic revelation towards the end. Well that just has to deal with all of the family secrets. I felt as though they really weren’t that serious to where Sage could not know the truth. I wish her family would have trusted her more. Okay…So that punch the author packs at the end is like a punch in the face! I did not see that coming so I did enjoy the jaw dropping twist and I especially enjoyed the way Sage handled the situation. I’m happy I picked this one up it was quite enjoyable. I wish the author would have given us more details about all of the secrets but hey that’s okay it was still a good read. I do love the very, very end Sage gets the one thing she has wanted for a very long time. I was happy to see her finally blossom into the bright beautiful girl that was in hiding all along.

My Rating
3.5 Eerie, Mysterious, and sometimes disturbing, I wish the ending was more detailed Stars

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About the Author 

Virginia Cleo Andrews (born Cleo Virginia Andrews) was born June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, Virginia. The youngest child and the only daughter of William Henry Andrews, a career navy man who opened a tool-and-die business after retirement, and Lillian Lilnora Parker Andrews, a telephone operator. She spent her happy childhood years in Portsmouth, Virginia, living briefly in Rochester, New York. The Andrews family returned to Portsmouth while Virginia was in high school. While a teenager, Virginia suffered a tragic accident, falling down the stairs at her school and incurred severe back injuries. Arthritis and a failed spinal surgical procedure forced her to spend most of her life on crutches or in a wheelchair. Virginia excelled in school and, at fifteen, won a scholarship for writing a parody of Tennyson's Idylls of the King. She proudly earned her diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth. After graduation, she nurtured her artistic talent by completing a four-year correspondence art course while living at home with her family. After William Andrews died in the late 1960s, Virginia helped to support herself and her mother through her extremely successful career as a commercial artist, portrait painter, and fashion illustrator. Frustrated with the lack of creative satisfaction that her work provided, Virginia sought creative release through writing, which she did in secret. In 1972, she completed her first novel, The Gods of the Green Mountain [sic], a science-fantasy story. It was never published. Between 1972 and 1979, she wrote nine novels and twenty short stories, of which only one was published. "I Slept with My Uncle on My Wedding Night", a short fiction piece, was published in a pulp confession magazine.

Book Review: Playing With Fire (Hot in Chicago #2) by Kate Meader

Playing With Fire
Hot in Chicago

By:
Kate Meader

Release Date:
Sept. 29, 2015

Publisher:
Pocket Books

Add to
Goodreads

Source:
eARC from publisher in exchange for a honest review

GR's Summary:

From popular romance author Kate Meader comes the second novel in Hot in Chicago, a brand-new, sizzling series that follows a group of firefighting foster siblings and their blazing hot love interests! 

As the only female firefighter at Engine Co. 6, Alexandra Dempsey gets it from all sides: the male coworkers who think she can’t do the job, the wives and girlfriends who see her as a threat to their firefighter men, and her overprotective foster brothers who want to shelter their baby sister at all costs. So when she single-handedly saves the life of Eli Cooper, Chicago’s devastatingly handsome mayor, she assumes the respect she’s longed for will finally come her way. But it seems Mr. Mayor has other ideas… 

Eli Cooper’s mayoral ratings are plummeting, his chances at reelection dead in the water. When a sexy, curvaceous firefighter gives him the kiss of life, she does more than bring him back to the land of the living—she also breathes vitality into his campaign. Riding the wave of their feel-good story might prop up Eli’s flagging political fortunes, but the sizzling attraction between them can go nowhere; he’s her boss, and there are rules that must be obeyed. But you know what they say about rules: they’re made to be broken… 

Hot in Chicago Series:
My Review of Flirting With Fire Here
My Review of Melting Point Here

*Add this Series to Goodreads Here

My Thoughts:

The Hot in Chicago series by Kate Meader has been a blast and a half.  I'm in love with the Dempsey family and their love and loyalty for one another.  Each member of this family, has made quite an impression on me with the passionate way that they lead their lives.  The Dempsey's are foster and adoptive siblings, who each joined the Chicago Fire Department after their father and brother died heroically. 

Playing with Fire is Alex Dempsey's story, and this woman is a trail blazer.  She is a female firefighter that demands respect, and doesn't put up with chauvinism or misogyny.  She met the delicious mayor, Eli Cooper, in Flirting with Fire.  While these two shared a scorching chemistry; they also pushed each other's buttons like crazy.  In this installment, Eli convinces Alex to "pretend" they are in a relationship, to help him get re-elected for mayor because Alex is known as "America's sweetheart."  With her support, he hopes to get the blue collar vote.  Alex isn't quick to agree, but Eli puts her in a position where she feels like she cannot refuse.  

Alex and Eli give us a very entertaining story.  Alex's feistiness and sass were one of my favorite things.  Eli loves this about her, and enjoyed bringing it out in her time and time again!  Eli had some secrets that added a level of suspense to the story, and I was biting my nails anticipating how all would be revealed to Alex.  These two had raw chemistry, and were already two very passionate individuals, but when they came together, "Kaboom!!!"  

Of course I loved how all of the characters from previous installments in the series had a role to play.  Next, we will be getting Alex's brother, Wyatt's story, and from the teaser excerpt I got, it's sure to be as good as all of the other books in this series! 

My Rating:

I give, Playing With Fire, by Kate Meader, 4 "It's getting Hot in Here" Saucy, Sexy, and Thrilling Stars! 

Book Teasers:

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About Kate Meader:

Originally from Ireland, Kate cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Mills & Boon thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook  | Twitter

Book Review: Flirting with Fire (Hot in Chicago #1) by Kate Meader

Flirting with Fire

Hot in Chicago #1

By: 
Kate Meader

Published:
March 24, 2015

Publisher:
Pocket Books

Source: 
ARC from publisher for a honest review

Add to 
Goodreads

GR's Summary:

The first installment in Hot in Chicago, a brand-new, sizzling series from Kate Meader that follows a group of firefighting foster siblings and their blazing hot love interests! 

Savvy PR guru Kinsey Taylor has always defined herself by her career, not her gender. That is, until she moved from San Francisco to Chicago to be with her fiancé who thought she wasn’t taking her “job” of supporting him in his high-powered career seriously enough—and promptly dumped her for a more supportive and “feminine” nurse. Now, as the new assistant press secretary to Chicago’s dynamic mayor, she’s determined to keep her eye on the prize: no time to feel inferior because she’s a strong, kick-ass woman, and certainly no time for men.

But that all changes when she meets Luke Almeida, a firefighter as searingly sexy as he is quick-tempered. He’s also the second oldest of the Firefightin’ Dempseys, a family of foster siblings who have committed their lives to the service—if Luke’s antics don’t get him fired first. When Luke goes one step too far and gets into a bar brawl with the Chicago Police Department, Kinsey marches into Luke’s firehouse and lays down the law on orders from the mayor. But at Engine Co. 6, Luke Almeida is the law. And he’s not about to let Kinsey make the rules. 

My Thoughts:

I read Kate Meader's short story, Rekindle the Flame, in the Baby It's Cold Outside Anthology, as well as Hot and Bothered.  I enjoyed both stories immensely, and have been excited to read more of Ms. Meader's writing.  Flirting with Fire was a stunning new beginning to the Hot in Chicago Series that is going to focus on the Dempsey's, who are foster siblings that are all part of the fire department in Chicago.

In Flirting with Fire, we get Luke Almeida and Kinsey Taylor's story.  Luke got into a bar brawl and it was caught on YouTube resulting in bad P.R.  The mayor, Eli Cooper, is up for re-election, and brings in Kinsey Taylor, P.R. Specialist to revamp his image.  While at first Luke and Kinsey bump heads, there is no denying the sexual chemistry that sizzles between them.  As Kinsey begins to spend more time with Luke and the rest of the Dempsey's, they begin to bond, and feelings grow.  Unfortunately, Kinsey is put into a difficult position in which she will have to choose between her boss, and the Dempsey's, and each choice has a different set of repercussions.

Someone is going to need a fire extinguisher to put out the soaring and all encompassing flames between Luke and Kinsey!  The flirtatious banter, intense chemistry, and passion between these two made for a great dynamic.  I loved Ms. Meader's character's humorous dialogue, her witty writing style, and the imagery that she created with her words.  I could easily imagine the Hunky Firefighting Dempsey Foster Brothers, Luke, Beck, Gage, and Wyatt, and the Gorgeous Firefighting Foster Sister, Alex.  They all made for an extremely entertaining cast of characters.

We also get two side plots shared in this story.  One is between Gage, and his love interest, Brady, as well as Alex and the mayor locking horns but also sharing a sizzling attraction.  I am looking forward to getting both of these Dempsey's stories.        

My Rating:

I give, Flirting with Fire, 4 Ravishing, Witty, Hot Fireman Filled Stars!  If you are looking for a fun, witty, humorous, and romantic story, this one is an excellent pick!    

Book Teasers:

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

About Kate Meader:

Originally from Ireland, Kate cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Mills & Boon thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook 
 Twitter | Pinterest

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Book Review: Falling For Jillian (Love Under the Big Sky #3) by Kristen Proby

Falling For Jillian

Love Under the Big Sky #3

By: 
Kristen Proby

Published:
January 27, 2015

Publisher:
Pocket Books

Source: 
Publisher

Add to Goodreads Here

GR's Summary:

From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes the third romance in the Love Under the Big Sky series, featuring a veteran struggling with PTSD and the one woman who can help him recover—and learn to love again. 

Jillian thought she was a city girl through and through; the fast cars, high fashion, and glamour—she loves it all. But when her ex tells her he’s having a baby with his new wife (after Jillian struggled for years to get pregnant), she hightails it back to Montana to cry on the shoulder of her best friend, Cara. 

But in truth, Jillian would rather be comforted by someone else…specifically Zach, Cara’s brother-in-law. Zach is a veteran of the Iraq War who came back to the family ranch to raise his preteen son after the boy’s mother took off. He’s struggling to re-establish a relationship with his son, and warding off the demons of PTSD, which still haunt him. The last thing he needs is bold, brassy Jillian…but why can’t he keep his hands off her?

Love Under the Big Sky Series:

My Review of Loving Cara Here

My Review of Seducing Lauren Here

*Add this Series to Goodreads Here

My Thoughts:

I have enjoyed reading the Love Under the Big Sky Series, and getting to know this warm-hearted cast of characters.  Each book in this series is better than the previous one, with my ultimate favorite being, Falling For Jillian.  I was ready to go back to Cunningham Falls, Montana.  This is a small town where the community is close-knit, mother nature is beautiful, and family means everything.

In Falling For Jillian, we get Zack (Josh's twin brother), and Jillian's story.  Jillian lived in L.A. with her husband for several years.  She struggled to get pregnant, which put a strain on their marriage.  When Jillian, caught him in bed with his secretary, she filed for divorce, and decided to return to Cunningham Falls to be close to her best friend, Cara, and brother, Ty.  

Zack is finally home from Iraq, and raising his son Seth, after Seth's mother Kensie abandoned him.  Zack can't get Jillian off of his mind.  They had a one night stand months ago, and he decides to pursue her.  Things are going great with Jillian and Zack.  He is falling in love with Jillian and adores the fact that she loves his son too.  When an unexpected event challenges their relationship, they will both have to decide what they want.

Falling For Jillian was a romance that had me fully invested.  I adored Jillian and Zack.  They were adorable together, and had a great relationship.  They could be sweet, sexy, and goofy with one another.  Zack's son Seth has grown and matured a lot in this installment.  My heart broke when him and Jillian bonded over their dysfunctional and abusive childhood's.

It was wonderful to reunite with Cara and Josh, Tyler and Lo, and Jeff and Nancy as well.  There were many heartfelt moments shared among this group of friends and family.  My favorite moments included their Christmas together, and the end of the story, which had me smiling from ear to ear.  It was the perfect way to wrap up the, Love Under the Big Sky Series!

My Rating:

I give, Falling For Jillian, 4.5 Magical Christmas Memories,  Sexy Love, Heartfelt Romance, and Happily Ever After Filled Stars!

Book Teasers:

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

About Kristen Proby:

Kristen is the author of the Amazon and USA Today bestselling With Me In Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway:

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Promo Post & Review : Baby, It's Cold Outside by Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kristen Proby, Melody Anne and Kate Meader

Outside it may be frosty, so turn the heat way up with these stories of desire! 

Baby, It's Cold Outside
by 
Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kristen Proby, Melody Anne and
Kate Meader

Release Date:
October 28th, 2014

Publisher:
Pocket Books

Add to Goodreads

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling indie authors Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kristen Proby, Melody Anne, and debut author Kate Meader come together to write a sizzling romance anthology. 

Can a determined woman executive and a playboy billionaire survive being stranded together in a snowstorm? Jennifer Probst depicts an encounter almost too hot to handle... 

Drew and Kate play an encore to Tangled in this sexy take on a "Christmas Carol" by Emma Chase. When a Christmas Eve argument condemns Drew to a troubled night, three dream women teach him that no gift could be more tantalizing than Kate... 

With Kristen Proby, ski slopes are quite delightful. Grace Douglas is sure she'll never learn to ski, but instructor Jacob Baxter could teach her lessons of a different kind... 

Can a southern California transplant survive Montana's deep snows? Melody Anne, author of the bestselling Andersons series, melts the icy drifts completely away with the heat between sexy Hawk Winchester and brand-new teacher Natalie Duncan... 

What could be hotter than a firefighter? 
Kate Meader shows how, as Brett Farraday and heiress-turned-tattoo-artist Lucy Cochrane discover, nothing ignites holiday flames like rekindling a lost love...

Pre-order:

Amazon|BAM|B&N

IndieBound|iTunes|Simon&Schuster

My Thoughts:

Baby, It's Cold Outside was a great romantic anthology that will get you in the mood for the holiday season.  When I got the opportunity to review this book, I was impressed by the list of authors.  Jennifer Probst, and Emma Chase are two of my absolute favorites!  I've read every single book both of these authors have ever written, and can never get enough of their story telling skills.  I've read two books by Kristen Proby and enjoyed them.  However, I had never read anything by Melody Anne, and Kate Meander and was curious about them, from the simple fact that they were paired with such great authors.

This anthology was so fun, entertaining, romantic, and sexy.  I enjoyed all five of the stories that were told.  I also count myself lucky to have discovered two new to me authors, that did an amazing job!  Themes that were common in these stories, included rekindling of an old flame, taking chances, new beginnings, and learning from past mistakes.   All of these stories were very sexy, steamy, and romantic!

I give Baby, It's Cold Outside, 4 Warm, Cozy, Happy, Holiday Cheer Filled Stars!  This is the perfect book to read sitting by the fire place with a cup of cocoa or coffee, while it's raining or snowing outside.  Even though many of the stories are novella's based on a series, they can be read as stand alones and you will not feel lost.  If anything, the two novella's in which I had never heard of the series' were so great, that I found myself looking up the books that went with them in the kindle bookstore.  That's how good they are!!!  The ones that were based off of series' that I already love, were like the cherry on top of an already amazing ice cream sunday.  

This anthology is perfect if you want to read one story per sitting, or the book the whole way through.  For an anthology, the stories were perfect in length; not too short and not too long!  I would highly recommend, Baby, It's Cold Outside, if you love romance, the holidays, great stories, and an awesome sampling of a variety of talented authors.

   

Blog Tour: Chained By Night (MoonBound Clan Vampire #2) by Larissa Ione

Chained by Night
MoonBound Clan #2
By: Larissa Ione
Published: Sept. 30, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Books
Source: Publisher
Add to Goodreads

GR's Summary:

THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE 
Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction—or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation.To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader’s daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans.

THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL 
But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress’s identical twin sister?

MoonBound Clan Vampire Series:

My Review of Bound by Night Here

My Thoughts:

Larissa Ione sure can write Urban Fantasy!  The MoonBound Series just keeps getting better and better.  If you are like me and love the Native American culture, and folklore, as well as vampire stories; you will love this series!  All of the characters are three-dimensional, unique, realistic, and very memorable.  In Bound By Night, we got Riker and Nicole's story, and while I loved their story, Chained By Night was even more amazing!!!

In Chained By Night, we get the sexy, handsome, protective, and loyal MoonBound Chief, Hunter's story.  He is to be wed to Rasha, the Shadowspawn tribe's chief's daughter.  The only reason he is marrying her is to bring peace between the two clans.  However, when he meets Rasha's identical twin sister, Aylin, sparks fly.  Rasha and Aylin are as opposite as night and day.  Rasha is selfish, blood thirsty, controlling, and an egomaniac.  She is also manipulative, and has no scruples.  Aylin is caring, compassionate, lovable, sweet, and yet strong and courageous.  Aylin is loved by everyone.  When Hunter is tasked with entering trials in order to not lose his first born child to a demon, Rasha refuses to go with him.  Aylin jumps in and offers to accompany's him in Rasha's place.  At the same time poachers are becoming a huge problem as they kill or send vampire's in to slavery for large sums of money.  As Hunter and Aylin are thrown in to peril at every turn, they get to know each other on a deep level, bond, and fall in love.  However, if Hunter takes Aylin over Rasha, he risks war with Shadowspawn (Aylin and Rasha's tribe,) as well as Nightshade, where the chief is promised to Aylin.  What will hunter do; lose the love of his live or risk his clan members?

If you can't tell; I loved Chained by Night!!!  The story was extremely fast-paced, suspenseful, addictive, and I couldn't put it down.  The chemistry between Aylin and Hunter built and built until it was palpable!  I would love to get more of the character's stories, and am hoping we get Myne's next.  He is a character that has pulled on my heartstrings.  He's been through so much pain, and I would love to see him find a worthy mate, and his "happily ever after."

My Rating:

I give, Chained by Night, by Larissa Ione, 5 Heart Pounding, Pulse Skipping, Sensual, Seductive, and Addictive Stars!!!  If you love Urban Fantasy, Vampire's, and Native American Folklore, the MounBound Clan Vampire Series is sure to become one of your favorites!

Purchase At:

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About Larissa Ione:

Air Force veteran Larissa Ione traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion of writing. She has since published dozens of books, hit several bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today, and has been nominated for a RITA award. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.

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