Return of the Ascendant (Ascendant #1) by Raine Thomas

If you only buy one book this week/month/year Return of the Ascendant should be it.
I am a huge Raine Thomas fan and none of her books have ever disappointed me and the Ascendant series does not let me down, I love the character building and the world building the romance and the hot guys (It would not be a Raine Thomas book with out hot guys)

Expecting to enjoy another typical college night at a frat party with friends, Kyra Vaughn’s plans derail when she’s almost killed…twice. Her savior, a tall, sexy stranger who calls himself TaeDane, claims that he’s the personal bodyguard for the Ascendant of Alametria. She’s convinced he’s crazy.

Especially when he insists that she’s the Ascendant.

With dark enemies hunting her down, Kyra has no choice but to trust her supposed bodyguard. Ty vows to help her remember her past and return her safely to Alametria, but someone seems intent on interfering, challenging his abilities at every turn.

As Kyra’s memories emerge, she remembers that Ty is more to her than he’s let on…much more than he’s allowed to be. She’ll also discover that there are many things about her planet and herself that she’d rather forget. In the end, she’ll have to make a choice: cling to the life she knows, or risk it all to become the person she’s destined to be.

Now go buy it!!!!!!

Amazon – http://amzn.to/1fZ6NCV
Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/1mYlDeh
Barnes and Noble – http://bit.ly/1qgzhJK
iBooks – http://bit.ly/1lWxCvz
Kobo - http://bit.ly/1e6ah81

Review; The Space Between By Kristie Cook

New Adult Paranormal Romance by bestselling author Kristie Cook ** Mature Content ** Recommended for ages 16+ due to sexual situations and language

First installment of the Book of Phoenix series. Consistently rated in the top 25 New Adult & College Romance books on Amazon.com!

When Life Falls to Pieces, Answers Lie in the Space Between

Leni Drago can't make a smart decision on her own, according to her mother anyway--the few times she's tried resulted in disaster. When her uncle sends her on a dance tour in Italy to find her real self, she returns to an empty home and any evidence of his existence wiped out. Then things get even stranger, like the mysterious appearances of Jeric Winters--inked, pierced and a hit-'em-and-quit-'em type. He's one decision that should be easy for Leni. Or is he?

Jeric doesn't do girlfriends. Unless they're someone else's. He left the fighting cage and modeling for a reason, and girls who want more than a night of fun are distractions he doesn't need. Especially when they come with as much baggage as Leni carries. But he can't shake the gut feeling that he needs to know her. All of her.

To discover the truth behind their connection and their ties to a journal from 1989, they must face painful secrets from their pasts. And they must do so quickly because their own existences are falling to pieces.

Two love stories, one mystery and a paranormal twist that readers call "mind blowing." This first part of The Book of Phoenix takes you on a heart-wrenching ride as you discover the answers that lie in The Space Between

My thoughts

I read this book as part of the Curses Fates and soul Mates series and I am so glad I did, I have never read a Kristie Cook book before but I devoured every word and having read this one book she is already classed amongst my favourite authors.

Kristie effortless tells the story of two sets of soul mates one in the present another in the past but both connected far more than Leni and Jeric realise.

Jeric is certainly not the type of guy Leni would usually go for, she is not too big on the one night stand types yet she is undeniable drawn to him despite her best efforts. Jeric too cant shake the feeling of wanting to be with and protect Leni, together they set off on the journey to learn more about why they have being pulled together.

I loved trying to piece together the puzzle and was pleasantly surprised that it was not at all predictable I was kept guess right up to the very end. 

I don't want to say too much and give away any details/spoilers you will have to read it yourself but I will say the twists and turns and the whirlwind of emotions make this book a must read. I will most definitely be reading the rest of this series.

Review; Fissure (Chronicles of the Interred #2) by Marilyn Almodóvar

Baxter Jacobs just survived the worst Sweet Sixteen in history: buried in a coffin, hunted down by assassins, and losing almost everything that mattered to her. She’s ready for some normalcy, but “normal” won’t play any part of this Time Bender’s future.
Now that the immediate threat is over, Baxter learns just how much the English Council expects of the newest Interred. The pressure has her seriously considering her uncle’s offer to take her to New York, especially since she thinks it will keep her Healer, Jack, from overusing his abilities. Knowing the New York Council’s ranks are filled with beings using dark powers, however, makes her hesitate.

Before she can choose, the decision is wrenched from her. Fissures in Time result in a new battle with an old enemy. Someone she thought she’d lost reenters her life, and she’ll discover a web of lies woven into the fabric of Time…lies only she can unravel. Baxter will have to use her growing abilities to try and reveal the truth, even if it forever changes the reality she knows.


There are lies in the fabric of Time only she can unravel...

My thoughts
after Interred I was eager to get my hands on this book and as I never doubted Lyn did not let me down, it amazes me how she can write a book crossing many timelines and not get lost in what she as wrote not only that the but myself as a reader doesn't get lost either, and that says a lot as I have no sense of direction.

Baxter is back and is as snarky as ever and I love her for it, I hope she never changes. we also have the swoony and hunky Jack, he is another of my book boyfriends.

Baxter's journey in this book really as her questioning everything she thought she knew about the people she trusted. her boundaries are pushed and she will do things she can never be proud of and deeply regrets but self preservation is at the utmost of her mind if she wants to protect those she loves.

New characters are introduced in this book and I don't want to give anything away but it throws Baxter for a loop and not much can do that. We also have some of the same beloved (or not) characters from the first book and as Baxter evolve so do their, I think the way Lyn builds characters is amazing you really do feel like you know them... until you don't, they may not make a lot of sense but instead of reading my ramblings you could read the book yourself and find out what I mean.

As in the first book, I still love David, not in the swoony way because he is an elderly gent and that would be just weird, lol but I love him because he is Yorkshire like yours truly ;-)

I could quite literally scream at Lyn for the ending in fact I may have wrote he strongly worded email, however I cannot wait for the third book and hope I don't have to long to wait.

To find out more and to connect with Lyn click the following links
Goodreads
Blog
Twitter

Review; Return of the Ascendant (Ascendant #1) by Raine Thomas

Expecting to enjoy another typical college night at a frat party with friends, Kyra Vaughn’s plans derail when she’s almost killed…twice. Her savior, a tall, sexy stranger who calls himself TaeDane, claims that he’s the personal bodyguard for the Ascendant of Alametria. She’s convinced he’s crazy.

Especially when he insists that she’s the Ascendant.

With dark enemies hunting her down, Kyra has no choice but to trust her supposed bodyguard. Ty vows to help her remember her past and return her safely to Alametria, but someone seems intent on interfering, challenging his abilities at every turn.

As Kyra’s memories emerge, she remembers that Ty is more to her than he’s let on…much more than he’s allowed to be. She’ll also discover that there are many things about her planet and herself that she’d rather forget. In the end, she’ll have to make a choice: cling to the life she knows, or risk it all to become the person she’s destined to be.


My thoughts

As far as I am concerned Raine cannot write a bad book,I know for a fact if I see a book wrote by Raine I am going to buy it no matter the genre. I have loved everything she as written so far and Return of the Ascendant is no exception. 

Kyra is just like any other girl going to college and hanging with her friends, or so she believes, until one night everything she thought she knew is turned on its head and she learns not only is she from a planet called Alamertri but she is also the Ascendant or in our terms someone who will bring peace to the planet.

We also have the totally swoon worthy TaeDane known also as Ty, Raine is is unbelievable good at writing swoon worthy guys into her stories and Ty is up there in my top 10. I am actually thinking of writing a post dedicated to Raine's gorgeous hunks but lets leave that for another day.

As Kyra regains her memories and re learns who she was before she located to earth she discovers she doesn't like the person who she was and is determined to be the change she is sure her planet needs. Not everyone is thrilled by the new Kyra though.

I love the characters in this story Kyra and obviously Ty as you might have guessed is my favourite but even the secondary characters have depth and the world building as always is amazing. Then there is the villain who I absolutely loved to hate, I was reminded on more than one occasion by my fiancé that I needed to be careful or I would break my kindle but when I am in the reading zone and reading a book as well wrote as this it is so easy to forget your not part of the story and I actually forgot that I couldn't really wring his neck. lol thankfully my kindle is intact and I cant wait to make a start on the next book in the series Rout of the Dem-Shyr which as already being downloaded onto my kindle.

This book is NA but any steamy scenes are done tactfully and not at all seedy.

Also as an end note I would like to offer an apology to Raine for taking so long with the review, as I read this book quite a while ago. I touched on my reasons as to why I had neglected my blog in my last post however I feel that is quiet a pitiful excuse (even if  I include the many trips to hospital with one boy or the other) so Raine, I am so very sorry for my delay in this post and if I can make it up to you in anyway I will.


To learn more about Raine and her books click the following links
Raine's Blog
Goodreads
Twitter

M.I.A

Wow. it as been so long since I have spent time on my blog, I have been terribly neglectful and I am so sorry for being missing in action for so long. I would like to especially apologise to a few of my favourite authors who's book I have read but I haven't reviewed.

Marilyn Almodover
Raine Thomas
Lynn Rush
Kristie Cook
Annabell Cadiz (Michael is at the top of my to be read list)
Elle A Rose
to name but a few, I can only apologise. I hope you can all agree I do have a reasonable good excuse

The above picture is my newborn baby holding hands with his big brother.

Although my newborn is actually now a bouncy 10 month old. he keeps me on my toes that's for sure, so here is my story to catch you all up. sorry if this bores you and if you are not into babies and children I urge you to read no further.

Ten months ago I gave birth to my yummy scrummy second son, I am truly blessed to have two gorgeous boys. I am also extremely tired.
My oldest boy is now five and I am so proud of him. I was worried in the beginning how he would react to having a new baby in the house, he as being our world for four years of his life, in the beginning I took comfort from the poem "Loving Two" the Author is unknown but the words really struck a cord with me as every word is true, I could have written it myself, if only I had the time. ha. My oldest is such a brilliant big brother though he loves to cuddle and play with his baby brother, sure he sometimes gets fed up but hey he is five but I see the love in his eyes when he plays with his brother and I see how the baby always looks for his brother when he hears his voice.

My oldest started school just before our baby was born, I love the one on one time I get with like I did with my eldest but wow I never expected him to be such a handful. I was obviously naive thinking that he would be as easy going as his brother, boy was I wrong. lol
even though he isn't yet crawling (Although he does push himself around backwards) he still gets into all sorts of mischief.
His favourite snack is my mail, preferably brown envelopes they appear to be the tastiest, his favourite hobby is to constantly bash his walker into the table legs ( He as succeeded in loosening them off so far) and despite his many toys my mobile phone is his favourite and if that isn't available pulling my hair is another firm favourite.

My day consists of 5.30am start (even on the days I don't go to work, baby has yet to get the concept of a lie in)
then I either go to work which now a days is also called "me time" or I keep baby entertained until its time to get oldest (who takes after mummy and enjoys sleeping) up for school. breakfast is given, boys are dressed, usually after a debate with oldest over weather he will wear summer uniform or winter uniform, we then spend the next few minutes making sure we have homework, reading books etc. before stepping out the door,usually with a dash back in to get his water bottle, which he wont actually drink but I insist he takes it full every day anyway, if nothing else than to make more needless work for me.
once dropped off at school/finished work I head to baby groups where  I can actually drink a cup of tea... while it is still hot and chat to other sleep deprived mummies.
On the way home baby usually as his second nap of the day, keeping mummy awake all night is apparently hard work.
once home its dinner time where he as fun covering the floor in food and water and laughs while mummy cleans up the mess, before I know it, it is time to do the school run again were baby will have the third nap of the day, but this gives me chance to go through homework, reading and words with my pldest before I make tea. Then begins the bedtime routine, my partner is usually home in time to say goodnight to out baby and while I put him to bed he will get the oldest ready, then finally it's bath time for mummy and if i am really lucky I manage a whole bath and sometimes even tea before baby wakes for his first fed of the night. just like having a lie in he as yet to master sleeping through the night.

Do you want to no a secret (it's not really a secret) I wouldn't change my boys for the world, life is hard, buts its never dull.

My boys taught me the meaning of love at first sight, they taught me to believe in true love and they taught me what it really means to love someone more than you love yourself.
they taught me how strong I really am, there is nothing I wouldn't do for my boys, they are my world.

Sorry I rambled a bit there, I don't often get adult conversation. Ha. The point is my boys keep me busy and reviewing and writing slipped down my priority list, even once they are both asleep I just couldn't bring myself to pull out the laptop, I just wanted to ear chocolate and drink tea before finally it was an acceptable time for me to go to bed myself..

It as taken ten months but I finally feel as though I have found a balance, I think returning to work as awful as that is as helped, I am only there a few hours a day but I think it is what I needed to find me again. Being a mum is all encompassing and it is honestly the best thing I have ever done. Twice.

I am now in a place where I am able to get back to reviewing and writing. I will be starting with the review of Return of the ascendant by the lovely Raine Thomas.

I apologise for rambling and well done for if you made it this far I promise not all my posts will be like this. I will leave you with the Poem "Loving Two" that I mentioned earlier on.

Loving Two

As I walk along holding your 4-year-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited. And I wonder: How could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then she is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you've never shared me before. I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me" And I hear myself telling you in mine,"I can't," knowing, in fact, that I never can again.

You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty. I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying her -- as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine. The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast. But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two.

There are new times -- only now, we are three. I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other. I watch how she adores you -- as I have for so long. I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments.

And I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you, I've given something to you. I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you. I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong.

And my question is finally answered, to my amazement. Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you -- only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you'll never share my love. There's enough of that for both of you -- you each have your own supply.

I love you -- both. And I thank you both for blessing my life.