Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout ☆☆☆☆

Wow. Just wow. So much happened in this book. Which is weird because the reviews I came across said nothing happened in this book and it was so boring. Did they read the same book? Seriously.

1. I didn't really like the way the first one ended because I thought Daemon was getting out of character with his feelings. I still kind of felt that way in this one too. He seemed to lose too much of his arrogance and snark, at least around her. And it was one of the things I loved about him, and even about them together. Though...reading the scenes from his point-of-view from Obsidian in the back of that book did help to piece together his seeming character change. [It also made me hate him slightly less after that cafeteria fiasco.]

2. So so so much sexual tension. They end up making out every where, no matter how many times she tells him it shouldn't happen because they don't feel anything for each other. None of the make out sessions are quite like the one he walked away from in the first book, but they still created tension. And it's hilarious that she keeps denying their feelings for each other. A large part of her denial is that she's upset with how he treated her in the first book, and hurt by it, so I'm screaming at him to tell her everything that was in his point-of-view from the back of the first book. Tell her what really happened at lunch!! Though he did have some incredible will power in the end.

3. Things get twisted. If their growing sexual tensions and denials of such weren't drama enough, throw in some extra super powers, a new kid in town that's suspicious, and huge connection to Dawson and Bethany's story and you have more drama than one person can deal with. Plus, we learn that there is more to the DOD than can be expected. While I didn't have as many suspicions about Blake as everyone else did, I still screamed at her to walk away when he was becoming too dangerous. She should have listened. It was more than Daemon being jealous and hurt and she knew it. But I had major suspicions about who turned in Dawson and Bethany which proved to be true, but was surprising in that I didn't realize he had already made an appearance in the story. Somehow I thought he was older the first time around.

4. While there are a lot of things unanswered (such as Bethany), and rightfully so to leave more to be discovered in he next novel, there were also things that were painful. I wished so so much that Blake wasn't as horrible as he was. It was beyond what I could handle in the end. I'm still really sad about it all. I was also shocked with and for Daemon with the people he crossed to protect Katy. And most especially, I realized that Katy was incredibly strong and incredibly stupid. She should have learned to trust her instincts, but she let emotional connections prevail every time. And I would have given up in her situation in the end when she kept fighting.

It did lose a star. And it was a very important star to lose with me. While I love the characters and the story, the passage of time was awkward and felt forced. "This happened and then this happened." One of my biggest fears as a writer is that kind of story telling. I've always been a short story writer and writing a novel made me nervous in that I wasn't sure how to fill in gaps in time without going through the motions of this then that then this. It's fine to do that in a rough draft, but it should be fleshed out at final draft. So it lost a star in delivery.

Although ending on a cliffhanger, this was the perfect cliffhanger to end on. It's enough that I'm satisfied where this one ended and also excited to read the next. The first book had a cliffhanger that seemed to end mid-scene so I had to keep reading the books to figure out what was happening. This one ended perfectly, that while I really want to read the next one, I can also stop and go read some other things I need to read first. Still a great series!

Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Shadows (Lux #0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout ☆☆☆☆☆

So, apparently I thought Obsidian came first and that this was a prequel novel for it. But looking at the published dates, apparently this one came first. Regardless, I'm glad I read this one second. Some of the things that Daemon said in this one had me rolling with laughter because I knew what was going to happen and how far away from his promises to himself that he was going to go.
 
One thing I have to say is that I'm a little over the insta-love thing in stories overall. Especially when the characters are sixteen. I consider it highly naive. Not just because I was married right out of high school and it didn't last, but also because the kind of love-at-sight that's presented here was highly unrealistic. But I was still sucked in and completely pleased for it.


I really loved meeting Dawson and he was a great guy. There were so many differences between him and Daemon, but their love for each other was completely evident. They had a strong family bond. And I have to say my favorite part of this was the family, even though it centered around Bethany and was mostly from her point-of-view. I loved the arguments Dawson and Daemon were having telepathically, showing just how snarky they could both be. I love that they were both man-whores, but refused to let Dee even think of doing anything, telling her she'll be a virgin for life if they have any say. And most especially, I loved how Dee was too involved in anything. They're constantly stopping her in the middle of a sentence and telling her not to finish that sentence because it's too much information between family members. It made me love all of them that much more. And it made me highlight large portions of this book.

The Arrangement 10 by H.M. Ward

The Arrangement 10 (Arrangement series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆

And it has arrived! I'd been waiting on this one. Sadly, my wait was in vain as this was pretty disappointing. Not disappointing in that I'd give it 3 stars though. In fact, I apparently had given in 5 stars on Goodreads until I started writing this review and then went back and changed it to 4 stars.

1. For an erotica series, nothing really happened in this segment. Sure, there was a lot of sexual tension, but that was it. Tension. She keeps denying what she wants and making excuses while he...is doing his own thing.

2. This is where the segment should have dropped to 3 stars or even maybe less... This series has been built entirely on the sexual tension and the drama. I've already said it was lacking in the first. These segments have always ended with major cliffhangers that leave you dying to read more. The reason is the amount of drama. Just when something starts to tie up, everything goes to hell and Avery is thrown into more shit than she knows what to do with. This has been a given. And plenty of things were on the table for this segment to start that I was looking forward to it. But it all wrapped up way too easily, tied in a pretty bow. Amber just gives in? The videos are just handled? Everything goes beautifully? And Black doesn't even appear...yet. The drama was gone.

3. The characters were already changing way too much in the last one, slipping from their originally set up characters. In this one, it's even more so. Not only is Avery still changing, but Sean seems like a completely different character, and not in the cathartic moment sense of the phrase. He just is someone else entirely. This of course leads to the inevitable cliff hanger ending, which wasn't really a cliffhanger. The book says tune in to see what Sean says next, but it's beyond obvious. I'm not as excited to read the next, but I will because I'm emotionally invested in figuring out where this is going to go.

Although these reasons seem like more than enough to drop it more than one star, I didn't because it did have several really good scenes. And where a lot of things pulled me away from the story, there were still a lot of things I highlighted because I loved. And in the end, when I was complaining to my best friend that nothing happened, she kept reminding me, "There's still tension. You've said that. And that's what you really read it for. Not the erotica and not the drama. You read it for the sexual tension." And I guess she knows me well enough that I had to agree :)

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout ☆☆☆☆☆

Welcome back to my life, Jennifer! I had heard so much about Daemon and his snark, and I was already reading her other works so I finally gave in. Technically, I had given in and grabbed a copy far earlier, but I was putting it off because it was about aliens.

So, of course, I read it because I need an arrogant, snarky jerk. That's always my favorite love interest no matter what I read. And a synopsis of a hot boy next door that's great until he opens his mouth was a great way to lure me in. Add to that everyone talking about it and I couldn't resist.

Yes, I did put it off because of the alien thing. The only other alien series I've read is the Lorien Legacies. I'm not a huge alien fan. And in YA books as a romantic interest I was not anticipating the best. I was sorely mistaken. The most ironic part of this is that Katy is a huge reader and blogger and makes a comment that she really doesn't do alien books because they're not that interesting to her. Oh, the irony. Now if only my hot alien full of arrogance and snark would show up and prove me wrong too.

As I told my best friend when recommending this to her: "Daemon is the epic bad boy. The bad boy that puts all our favorite bad boys to shame. Jace, Will, anyone else you can think of...yeah, his snark is greater than them all."

I also love that Katy's a heavy reader as well as a blogger. It really ties in that side of us bloggers that isn't usually seen. It's even better in how serious she is about blogging. She does every In My Mailbox and Waiting of Wednesday. Things that drew me in to the blogs I was following. I sadly don't have the time for those. I barely keep up with this as is. I do miss my Top-Ten Tuesdays though. One day I'll have more time to put into my blog and can join in on all of those. Anyway, back on topic. It really made Katy a real character for so many of us, if not those that are blogging, but those that follow blog religiously as well. And I can totally relate to her in having books all over the house to read. She's a character that is one of us and so we root for her above all. Even when's she being an idiot and denying the undeniable.

....yep, my own personal Daemon has still not shown up to prove me wrong. Oh well...

The Transfer by Veronica Roth

The Transfer (Divergent #0.1) by Veronica Roth ☆☆☆☆☆

I've been looking forward to reading this since I heard it was coming out. Hell, since it was rumored that it was coming out. Four has always been my favorite, not only in this series, but over all. This series changed the way I look at writing and really inspired me. I was immediately jealous that someone so much younger than me could hit is so big with such a great book. And that jealousy has pushed me to keep going.

I love reading things from Four's point-of-view. Reading the knife scene in Free Four was really amazing. What made this ebook most interesting was the subject matter. We weren't looking at a scene we already saw from a different perspective. Instead we were seeing what Four's life was like growing up, the kind of monster his dad was behind closed doors (behind what we could see in his fear landscape). We also got to see the movements in his head that lead to his decisions for faction, how he was unaware of what he was going to choose up until he chose it. And we got to see what initiation was like for him, how it changed him and how he got his name. Most especially we got to see what initiation was like before it changed to what initiation became when it was Tris's turn.

I am so excited there are three more of these coming! I'm extremely excited that Allegiant is almost here! And most especially excited for the movie coming out for my birthday! So much love for this series :D

Faulkner and Poetry

Faulker and Poetry: Yep, you read that right.

For some reason, I don't usually add the books I read to my list of books read for the year. Maybe it's because I don't always finish the books required for school. This semester I'm really trying to put in more effort, so I'm able to add them to my list. However, I am not going to review them. For one, it's already enough that I'm writing responses for them in class. But mostly, with Faulkner being so classic and the poetry being so independent, I don't have much to say on them for everyone to go by. I did, however, give them star ratings on Goodreads, but that's about it.

The Why:
Full-time grad school is three classes. Because I'm in my thesis year, I only take two regular classes, my thesis making up my third class. This semester, as my last semester of regular classes, I'm taking two studies in form class, a fiction class and a poetry. For fiction I am taking a class studying form in relation to Faulkner. That means we'll be reading many Faulkner novels this semester, so they'll appear on my list. For poetry I am taking a class on investigative poetry. I'm not going into explanation of that. Our professors has required books from small independent publishers to help the poetry community. These books only make up the first half of the semester though as the last half is workshopping our own investigative poetry. I'm doing my project on secrets :)

And back to my regular reading schedule.....
[Where hopefully I won't fall behind on blogging again where I have to alter the date for the post to pop up where it should have if I blogged regularly.......]

Flat-Out Matt by Jessica Park

Flat-Out Matt (Flat-Out Love #1.5) by Jessica Park ☆☆☆☆

This isn't exactly a novel. It's more of a companion piece. This book tells several of the scenes in Matt's point-of-view rather than in Julie's. It gives an interesting character sketch of him. We get a pretty good sense of him before, but seeing his motivations and his guilt really made him so much better in my mind. As did listening to him break rather than watching him break. The poor boy.

Not only does it have scenes told from his point-of-view, but two of the scenes are more graphic in nature. She originally wrote this companion piece for fans and this bit gives those fans more sexual tension, which is always a plus. There was just a slight bit with Julie, but even more with Matt.

And most of all, this book finishes the last. The previous book left the ending very wide open so that we can imagine how it's going to go and feel content in the ending. This book continues from that point and gives more to the ending. We get to see what happens instead of just imagining it. And the bickering between them is forever great, especially when they turn into the parents of a road trip in regards to Celeste. My favorite part is their innuendo bickering over cathedrals in the end, when Celeste isn't as naive as they think. Great innuendo :)

Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park

Flat-Out Love (Flat-Out Love #1) by Jessica Park ☆☆☆☆

I started reading this book as inspiration for my thesis. Since my thesis novel takes place during a road trip, the road trip feel of Finn's travels were what I was looking for to help me. Instead, it was the way a secret was revealed that helped.

I will admit I almost put this book down and refused to read another word. That was because I figured out the ending in the third chapter. While I like discovering things before I'm supposed to (because it makes me feel incredibly clever and I give props to the author for well hidden clues), discovering an ending that soon just didn't feel great. However, I trudged on, and ended up falling in love with it. This is one of my favorite books read so far.

I realized by the end that I didn't know as much as I did. Yes, I totally called the ending, but I realized that I was supposed to. As a reader, the journey was in her discovery of the secret, not our discovery. We had a sense of things that she wasn't seeing, and in he end she had to admit that she felt it, but wouldn't admit it to herself, which is what we saw. That's the part that helps my thesis, because my main character has a secret he doesn't even know, and I realized that it doesn't have to be a surprise for the reader, only a surprise for him. And that's really more help than I expected.

I really loved the characterizations in this book. There were some incredible characters here. The mom that is so unaware that she mistakes a MOM plaque as saying "WOW" instead. The hot, adventurous brother that's away traveling. The geeky brother that is the epitome of geekdom and somehow wins our hearts as readers. And the little sister that is so odd she's unforgettable. A good character always has to have some quirk and loads. And then there's Julie, the main character, and she's wonderful in that she just goes with everything. She doesn't let anything get her down and she's intent on making sure that everyone is as well adjusted as she tries to be. That's admirable.

I highly recommend this book. It's a free check-out on the Kindle Lending Library. But it's also very cheap as an ebook. I bought it immediately after reading it through the Lending Library. I'm looking forward to re-reading it one day.

Christmas Kisses by H.M. Ward

Christmas Kisses by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆

It is extremely rare for me to ever give lower than 4 stars to anything, but that's what this one earns, despite the very lovely cover.

I originally decided to read this because the synopsis sounded a lot like Frigid, that I did a review on awhile back. It was nothing like it. Sure, it had the sexual tension and the alternating point-of-view that shows how each person is completely oblivious to how the other feels, but that's about the only similarities it has.

Ryan just isn't an interesting character to me. He seems too wrapped up in her and that doesn't usually happen. When a guy is wrapped up in a girl to the point that his friends are bugging him about it, then he is either already dating her and she has him whipped or he's in major friend zone and never coming out of it. So for Ryan to be this caught up in her was too much for me. And the ending was a little far-fetched too. It was a nice idea, but too "perfect" in tying everything in a big happy ending bow.

This book also mainly takes place over two days! She shows up from coming home from college swearing she won't run into him and if she does she wants her friend to keep him away. Instead the friend purposefully throws them together. Sexual tension surrounds everything. But things just seem to be answered to easily and happen to easily. Once they're finally together they can't get enough of each other. It literally says they spend a week together with him inside of her. Yes, a week of time is just passed off in a sentence, maybe a paragraph if you include some of the other descriptions. So all the focus is on the first two days. That and the fact that they go at it on her parents couch twice when her parents are sleeping, right after her internal monologue says she doesn't want to wake them up. It was overall too irritating of a read and I wish I wouldn't have even attempted it. It says it's part of a series, but I won't be reading the others.

Secrets 5 by H.M. Ward

Secrets 5 (Secrets series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆

 87 pages. Yep. These 5 parts could definitely have been 1-2 full novels. Still not why it lost a star though. But I am glad it's over.

There were a lot of issues I had with this. At one place I even made a note wondering if he suddenly had three hands because of how something was worded.

Mostly I was screaming (and writing notes) with irritation at the characters. "Who do you think it is?" and "There was no way for you to know. I didn't know. No one knew." I was screaming "I know! I knew!" the whole time. But the wrap up from all the stalker stuff was very very intense, going to places I didn't expect.

I did, however, also expect and call the way things ended. I knew exactly who Emma would end up with. And I knew what was going to happen with Cole in the end and what he was going to change (that's all I'll say about it). I didn't like how Anna left things with graduate school though and thought that what Cole changed was a little contrived, but I still thought the story wrapped well and am now just glad it's all over. I'll miss reading about Cole, but I have other books to go through now.

Secrets 4 by H.M. Ward

Secrets 4 (Secrets series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆

I am not liking the guy on the cover at all. Not only does he not fit my mental image of Cole, he just doesn't present the role of a wealthy businessman. He looks like a guy with a garage band and no real goals. But that's just me. We're also back to another short installment of 75 pages. If I was having to wait between installments for the next to be published, or was paying versus borrowing, I would be beyond upset. But, eh...

This segment was full of emotion, drama, and sexual tension. All a plus.

It's painful to be with Anna's emotions when Cole completely turns on her. She spent so much time with him and he still can't trust that she's not against him, not feeling the same weight of the things that are happening. Their both victims and he just makes it that much worse for her. Add that to the fact her stalker (who I'm still certain of) is getting bolder and really getting to her and I'm waiting for her to just snap. Though I'm still calling stupidity on the whole stalking thing, because with what happened before that, she was just asking for the next step in creepy-dom. She really should be more aware of the people around her.

I'm still loving Jesse and still feeling sorry for him at the same time. And though the date may not have ended well for him, I'm happy with the overall result of everything. As to be expected. The interactions with Cole at the bar great. And him shirtless is always a plus as well. But my favorite scene revolves around Emma in the beginning, when she's trying to knit and instead begins stabbing the yarn, saying "Die, beanie hat, die! I hate you!" That was a great scene. Add that to her "You two whack-jobs are perfect for each other" rant and I'm sold on her. Love her completely. Especially when she can complain about Cole in front of Cole.

While it's hot, steamy, snarky, and fun equally in this segment, it did lose a star. And that star was lost in language. The problem I have with erotica seems to always be the language used. A lot of it irks me and takes me out of the story because I'm mentally trying to correct it. There was also an unreasonable amount of childish begging and overuse of "please" in this that made me want to strangle Anna. But it still won me over.

Secrets 3 by H.M. Ward

Secrets 3 (Secrets series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆☆

Oh, 60 pages. This should have just been added to the other parts. For a series that only has 5 parts as is barely over 350 pages so far, this really could have been published as one big book, or at least two, rather than five. This is exactly the reason that people gave up on buying the Arrangement series. The sections were too short to be charging readers so much so many different times. Again, I'm glad I'm borrowing these, otherwise, I don't think I could justify the investment, no matter how much I love it.

That being said, I'm still very much in love with this series. This one in particular, although short, had me screaming at the characters like I do so love to do.

1. Sottero is a bitch. She wants control over everything, including suing Cole for everything he's worth. So I scream at her character like she can hear me tell her off. Though on the contrast, Jesse is an amazing character and I'm growing to love him even more. Anna is going to break his heart though.

2. Anna is so clueless. I know...know...who is stalking her and who ratted her out to the Dean. It seems so obvious. And I'm not sure if she really doesn't know, is really that clueless about it all, or if she subconsciously just doesn't want to believe it so she won't accept that she knows.

3. There is only one paragraph that I highlighted in this segment. I highlighted because I love the way it is written out for the scene itself, and also because just imagining the way Cole say it is great. For anyone that reads this segment of the series, it's where Anna admits to Cole that the vanilla-kinky analogy she told him previously was actually the other way around and he nearly loses control with the idea. Great moment in Cole history.

Secrets 2 by H.M. Ward

Secrets 2 (Secrets series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆☆

I really wish Ward would give these books actual titles. It would make reviewing them so much easier. Regardless, I do enjoy that this part surpassed the previous part's 97 pages with a total of 200 pages. Still short, but still loving it.

A broken A/C created a perfect situation in this segment of the series. Everything became acutely charged and the tension was incredible. It was going great places in my imagination. And then the repair guy arrives. I was equally upset and glad. While I would have loved to see the scene continue, it's also much better when the tension is dragged out.

Cole alternates fluidly between the boss and mentor to something much more electric that both know shouldn't be there. As much as they try to just work and to focus on the job and internship, that electricity is always hanging in the air between them. When she chooses to model for a sense of the model's role in her own photography, things just take control.

Cole really tries to be a good guy. It's clear he's damaged and there is something else entirely going on, but he does try. I sometimes wondered how she could be so confused by his actions, especially when she knows the consequences. Her character itself is all over the place though so it works. And with Cole's final words in this, I know I have to go directly into the next segment.

Secrets by H.M. Ward

Secrets (Secrets series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆☆

97 short pages. That's it. But I loved it.

I read a lot of YA lit, as evidenced by this blog alone, so being single, I tend to be more attracted to younger guys. This story though, reminded me that older guys are well worth the look too. Anna is in her 20s and Cole is near 40. One thing I hate about this story though is that she keeps telling him he's so old and thinking there couldn't be anything there. I'm less than a year away from 30 and that just becomes so aggravating as I'm reading this.

One really cool thing about reading this is that I learn a lot about photography. It's always been something I've loved, but I never got into it past an amateur level, so I know absolutely nothing about cameras, shutter speeds, and textures. I take pictures with my smart phone and have fun in an editing program to tweak colors and shading, that's it. But it was nice seeing that other angle to it all.

I really loved Cole in this. He's the cocky jerk that I fall for in every story. And it's full of sexual tension, both imagined and real between them. There is no doubt that I wanted him to be real so I could meet him. He has an amazing take on photography and the description of the things he can do with it made me want to watch and not just imagine from a description.

As much as I love May-December relationships, I was putting off reading this one. Something about the description just wasn't drawing me in immediately. But I gave it a shot and blew through it, loving every minute. Going to pick up the next part now.

The Arrangement 9 by H.M. Ward

The Arrangement 9 (Arrangement series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆

As sexy as these covers have been, I've realized that none of them have anything to do with what is in each segment. Not a single one matches any scene. And honestly, the guy doesn't even resemble how Sean is described. Still nice to look at on my Kindle carousel though.

I've also come to the conclusion that if I wasn't borrowing these then I would have given up on them long ago. I've noticed from several Goodreads reviews that most people gave it up early because of the cost. These segments are only 121 pages each and cost as much as a full length ebook. Not worth the cost. Especially when each ends with a major cliffhanger! This one was no exception, but now I actually have to wait for the next one to come out before I can borrow it.

So one thing to notice is that this segment dropped a star compared to the rest. I'll admit that this series doesn't have the best writing, but it sucks me in. And usually it's that alone that attributes to my star count. I can look over writing problems when I can adequately lose myself in the story and the characters. This segment halted me though. I just couldn't get over what was happening in this one.

As much as I loved Mel in the jewelry store, their reason for being their irked me. I'm all for women's equality, but...it just seemed to forced to me. And regarding after that...Avery is effing stupid. I mean, she's always been, but I think she topped herself in levels of stupidity. I still love this story and will continue borrowing the segments as they come out, but my love of it is waning a little with these characters altering their norm too much. I guess I'll have to wait awhile for the next one to come out now. Sucks when you catch up in a series and have to play the waiting game.

The Arrangement 8 by H.M. Ward

The Arrangement 8 (Arrangement series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆☆

Immediately reading this, I found a discontinuity with the scene presented and the one presented in Damaged 2. That is, trying to figure out who said, "Do whatever you want." In Damaged 2 it seemed like Avery said it, but this segment begins with her ranting over Sean saying it. That was immediate confusion for me.

I'm wondering with this series how many times I can say "Oh, Sean." Men are so thick-headed. Aside from that, I don't know that I would have given into to that. I would have held my anger and walked away. Guess everyone is different. And sometimes I forget that it's what the character wants, not what we want. Even if we're the ones writing the character.

I love Gabe even more in this one. He's one BAMF when he needs to be and sticks up for his girl. Never imagined things would go that way though. Girl can't catch a break.

When did Peter get so cocky? I know he had some witty snark with Sidney in the Damaged series, but that boy definitely knows how to get what he wants. A true Ferro. And I'm surprised he'd even find her after Sean tried to buy off Sidney and lying to him. Hmmm...

Damn these cliffhangers! Where did he get the money?!

Glad 9 is already out, but going to dread its inevitable cliffhanger...

The Arrangement 7 by H.M. Ward

The Arrangement 7 (Arrangement series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆☆

Sometimes I think this series reminds me a lot of my past. No, I was never a hooker. It's just some of the things Avery says. She's really naive and I will say that repeatedly because sometimes it pisses me off, but at the same time I can't always blame her.

I get the position Avery was in at the beginning of the segment. I think I once even told an ex that I would stay even if he had killed someone. I regret that now. But for some reason I'm proud of Avery and agree with her. Maybe it's because they're fictional characters so there is no real investment. Maybe it's because I see Sean as a redeemable character, and that just doesn't happen in real life.

This segment was scary and exciting, horrifying and hot. In the middle of the action I had a good idea what was going on before he revealed it. Bastard taking away trust in herself. I don't know I'd agree with him at the end. I'd probably say no and climb in the shower to sit there before he explained it himself. I wouldn't watch.

I effing hate Ms. Black. I couldn't blame her position previously, but now I totally can. I wish Avery would just tell Sean before it gets even worse. I get her wanting to make her own money, but her situation just got worse.

I was waiting until we caught back up with Damaged 2. It was great seeing a different perspective in how the scene started. Hate where it ended, but I get it. After quickly checking the first lines of segment 8, I knew I had to go back and read that entire scene in Damaged 2 first. So glad I did. Onward segment 8...

The Arrangement 6 by H.M. Ward

The Arrangement 6 (Arrangement series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆☆

So many feels with this segment! I cried, smiled, was shocked, and even yelled at characters. That's how I know when the characters have really won me over: When I think yelling at them will do any good. It's like yelling at the girl in a horror movie not to go upstairs.

-  I cried with Avery when she broke down. I totally would have done the same (and I think I have at some point).
-  Sean's staircase trick was awesome!
-  If Marty would stop ignoring the gay jokes maybe they'd all catch on. Even if the obviousness they're clueless. But if being thought of as gay gets you in a lingerie dressing room...
-  Oh, Avery, way to kill a mood. And oh, Sean, way to make it worse.

Onward with this addictive drug! Next...

The Arrangement 5 by H.M. Ward

The Arrangement 5 (Arrangement series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆☆

So before, I was reading them so fast I could only do the 2 at a time reviews because honestly, it's one big book broken down. But I'm reviewing this one now, and writing notes as I read them to make sure I know which is which.

1. What the hell, Sean?!
There is so much push and pull in this segment. He's hot and cold equally. He wants to be "besties," but apparently doesn't know there's a line to not cross. Oh, Sean, I love you and hate you equally.

2. Glad Black only things he's stalking Avery. But I'm also curious of her knowing that much.

3. I really love Gabe. He's one hell of a guy. Avery needs someone to look out for her, especially with her friends flipping out.

4. Henry is so darn cute with his shyness. I don't think I'd be able to resist his accent though.

5. Marty at the hospital, how did she not get that? He tensed at her moan. Seriously?!

After the way this segment ended I'm jumping into the next immediately too! These short books/segments are addictive!

The Arrangement [3-4] by H.M. Ward

The Arrangement [3-4] (Arrangement series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆☆

You know these books/segments are short when I read both of these in one day.

First and foremost, I hate Ms. Black. That's all I need to say about her. Hate. I get her position, I just don't like her. She has no time for being nice. At the same time, Avery can be so stupid. She didn't have to admit what she did with the money as long as she admitted where the money was, but she didn't do that.

So in these two parts, we're back to Sean not knowing what the hell is going through his head. And Avery going through an emotional whiplash between dealing with him and dealing with her own. She's rattled and rightfully so, but everyone warned her.
 

Sean pushes her away, but when he sees her again he can't help but draw her back. It's like he never realizes what he's missing until she walks off. Which completely explains their interactions in Damaged 2 when he met Peter and Sidney in the restaurant with Avery there. At least there Avery is a little more carefree though. In this segments she's still desperately trying to find that part of herself.

The only problem I have with these sections are problems with point-of-view. This series is in the point-of-view of Avery, yet it says things like "I didn't see the look in his eye." Well then how did she know it was there? She couldn't have. And then it's also set in present tense, so when a chapter ends with, "I didn't know how wrong I was," I get confused and forget it's in present tense suddenly. Not to mention, it's unnecessary, first because it sets up what's going to happen before you can even get there and be surprised, and second because I already suspect without that reminder. As big as New York is they're drawn to each other like freaking magnets. I think Mel was right when she said there are some days she wonders about fate.

And lastly, I'm just going to add that when my mom saw the covers of this series in the carousel of my Kindle she stole it away to ogle them and said she'd read them too if she had the time and a Kindle. Oh, my poor mom.

The Arrangement [1-2] by H.M. Ward

The Arrangement [1-2] (Arrangement series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆☆

So here's the thing you need to know if you read this series: Don't spend your money. These aren't necessarily books, but more like one big book split into mini books. Each "book" or segment flows straight into the next. While this is great while reading, the problem becomes the purchase. Each of these less than 20,000 word segments costs $2.99. So again, I got my copies for free. But it was well worth reading.

So in terms of these first two parts of the Sean Ferro story... 5 stars to both.

I really love reading about Avery. At first I was a little upset that I couldn't see inside Sean's head and see his point-of-view, but it is well worth not seeing it. It's nice seeing only that one side, feeling that one side. She can still see the changes in mood that flash through his eyes, cold or haunted or warm with joy. Sean has all sides to him.

He is a great guy from the first time she meets him thanks to her crappy car. And when life throws her a loop and puts her in a situation she never believed she do in her desperation, she thinks Sean will be the savior she needs. Not so much.

These two have too many issues going on with them. And it creates a push and pull of it's own between the two. Much different that the push and pull between Sidney and Peter in the first Ferro brothers series. Avery is trying to deal with the two sides of Sean that she knows, while Sean is trying to deal with the two sides of himself on his own and failing miserably. I see this toppling down for everyone.

Frigid by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Frigid (Frigid #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout (J. Lynn) ☆☆☆☆☆

Another hit by Armentrout! After loving the Gamble Brothers series so much I decided to try out another one of her books. I loved this one even more, as evidenced by the 5 star rating.

This book has the classic best friends not admitting their love to themselves or each other, found in the Gamble Brothers series, but it also has some great things. For one, there are a little less typos and a lot less use of the erotica words I can't stand, as mentioned in my Tempting the Best Man post. But most especially, this is the first time in reading all these books back to back that the male character doesn't have stunning blue eyes. He's got warm brown eyes. Swoon. Blue eyes get a little repetitive and unrealistic after awhile.

I really liked the idea of getting stuck in a cabin in a freak snowstorm. Not only does it force them to be together, but it reinforces the title of the book. Syd frequently mentions that a guy once called her frigid and now they're stuck in frigid temperatures. Even more interesting is that this book has a mystery plot going on, someone is attacking their cabin and making their lives hell.

I have some great things highlighted and bookmarked in this book. One being how he woke her up in the morning by the fireplace. You'll have to read the book. And the other most hilarious part is Syd walking into a mailbox while drunk and blaming the mailbox. This was especially funny because her "I'm watching you" chastising of the mailbox reflects the one my best friend and I had while playing pool and getting in an argument with the 7 ball because it refused to go in for either of us.

Great book! I wish my bestie could read it, but she doesn't have a Kindle....yet.

Damaged 2 by H.M. Ward

Damaged 2 (Damaged series) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆☆

So I had to read the sequel. Again, glad I got a free copy. While it didn't have as many typos and writing issues as the first, I still was wary of spending money on a copy.

Extremely glad I read this one and finished out the series between Sidney and Peter. Their story really needed to continue. While we already learned Sidney's past that she's trying to overcome in the first book, we didn't nearly touch on Peter's enough. In the second book, we find that Peter is hiding SO much more than Sidney or anyone else could bargain for.

I loved the push and pull interaction between the two. One minute he wants her and she doesn't and the next minute she wants him and he doesn't. The dynamics were just great. They were great characters to get to know.

I had some issues with the ending and didn't necessarily like it after all the hard work Sidney put in (no spoilers), but I was happy that their story ended. Extremely looking forward to continuing over to his brother's series and finding out just what goes on inside evil Sean's head.

Damaged by H.M. Ward

Damaged (Damaged #1) by H.M. Ward ☆☆☆

The sample of this book automatically popped up on the Kindle app of my phone. They thought is was a great suggestion for me to read. After reading the sample, I definitely wanted to read more despite the plethora of typos, but Amazon reviews warned me against it. So seeing as how I still wanted to finish it, I got a hold of a free copy.

Why it gets three stars? The same reasons that Amazon reviews will give you. Ward apparently couldn't remember the spelling of her own main character's name through the first couple chapters (Sidney or Sydney). There was also a page where Sidney was wearing a shirt at the beginning of the page, but by the end of the same page she was slipping off a dress. And as another example there is a page toward the end of the book where she starts a sentence, but never ends it. This doesn't even count the numerous amount of typos.

However, I really liked the characters. This was by no means erotica although being labeled as such. There were some make out scenes, but that was about it. It really was just about two characters who are damaged in their own ways and I really like how they developed and attempted to come to terms with those parts of themselves.

What's really interesting to me is the concept. Sidney is a TA in the English department, in Texas no less. As I am, however, she's the undergrad kind of TA that helps the professors grade work. In my Texas University though, our English classes never get big enough to need an undergraduate TA, and the TA's we do have (such as myself) actually serve as instructors, teaching their own classes, for rhetoric and composition, i.e. English 101 and 102. So I found a lot of things in this book that I identified with. Though I promise I'm not sleeping with any of my bosses or instructors ;)

There were some hilarious points as well. "Are you sniffing my couch?" was one of them haha. He always seemed to walk in on the worst possible times with her. But also striking with me is when he gave Sidney chocolate because it totally reminded me of Remus Lupin giving Harry Potter a chocolate bar. And in all, I like the way Ward described a lot of things, like the bear on a pink string that weighs on Sidney's chest.

So if you count all the things I love about the book it'd probably get a 5 star rating. But as a composition instructor AND as a writer myself, I just can't get past the glaring typos and writing issues. Didn't stop me from enjoying the book though, just made me glad I got a free copy instead.

Tempting the Player by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Tempting the Player (Gamble Brothers #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout (J. Lynn) ☆☆☆☆

What can I say? I had to read the sequel to Tempting the Best Man as soon as I saw it pop up on Kindle suggestions. And I definitely wasn't disappointed.

I loved seeing Bridget again and getting more of a sense of her. And I loved seeing Chad's growth as a character and his internal issues with emotions. I have quickly fallen in love with these books where neither one will admit their feelings until it all blows up, and once they do admit their feelings it all blows up again. Bravo!

I honestly think my favorite part of this novel was Chase's face at the very end, but you'll have to read this book and it's predecessor to understand why. It was great!

While the characters weren't over exaggerated as they were in the previous book, they still had some exaggeration of their own. It was missing just a tad bit of realism which is where it lost a start obviously. That and the weight thing. Bridget keeps talking about her weight and curves being an issue and it's one of her worries about Chad when he's always with supermodels. My issue is that it never says exactly where she's at on that scale. Hell, a size 2 could be considered gigantic next to a supermodel, so that hesitation is the other reason it lost that star.

Regardless, totally love it and can't wait to read the next one!

Tempting the Best Man by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Tempting the Best Man by Jennifer L. Armentrout (J. Lynn) ☆☆☆☆

First and foremost, a warning. This book turned out to be erotica (surprised, but not displeased on my part). That being said, my review is probably NSFW because I will bring it up.

With that out of the way, this was an unexpected read for me. Seeing as how I'm already reading three books and once, I would have never thought of starting a fourth. Thing is, I got this book for my Kindle probably over a year ago and just came across it on my cloud last night so I thought I'd give it a try as light reading before bed.

Told myself I'd just read one chapter and that's it because I had to be up early. Next thing I know it's sunrise and I'm already at 51%, so a small nap, errand ran, and I got back to finish the rest as quickly as possible.

As a writer, I know that the first sentence, first paragraph, first page is the most crucial. That's what teaches your reader how to read the book (third person focalized, past tense in this case), but also what catches the readers attention. To tell the truth, I just about gave up after the first page. It seemed a little all over the place and the protagonist, Madison, seemed over dramatic and whiny. However, by the last sentence of the first chapter I was sold. I was a little lost when the next chapter started with a focalization on Chase's point-of-view, but once I got the hang of it, it was really perfect.

I liked the characters a lost, especially the mishaps between them. It's like a game of tag and they each keep missing the other, completely out of sync. Great story line. But I also had a lot of things I didn't like. I still felt Madison was a little over dramatic, but I mean, by the end I was kind of feeling the same way with the events. Most specifically though I had a problem with language.

I already addressed language as a stopper for why I almost didn't finish the first page, but it's more than that even. Towards the end there is also an uneven use of father/dad and mother/mom. It sounds really strange. Calling him Dad and then calling him Father just throws me out of the story. Father is much to formal in a story like this. But that's just a few problems I have.

It wasn't just the flow of the words and story, this book actually included a lot of my idiosyncrasies that drive me nuts. This isn't the first erotica I've read, but so help me if I have to read "her sex" or "his sex" ever again I'll strangle someone. Body parts have names! And "sex" is not it. Sex is an event not a noun. This is especially true, when "erection" is pointed out several times, but then later called "his sex" which drove me nuts. Just get on with the story, we get the idea, no hand holding necessary. That use of language takes me out. Let's also go with the use of "rear" used often in this book when "ass" is also used regularly. Just stick with "ass," the characters are in their twenties and "rear" is very old fashioned and prude. It's the word my grandmother uses.

I really would have liked to see a better ending. Like an explanation of why their signals crossed toward the end. It seemed like it all went out the window and forgot half the climax of the ending (no pun intended). The miscommunication was a big part of the story for the last several chapters and it is glossed over completely in the end. And I kind of want to know what happens after, not just imagine it. I want to see the characters more. Who knows though, Chase's brothers are getting their own books too, so maybe I'll see more of Chase after with those sequels.

Overall, 5 stars for storyline, very pleasurable (again no pun intended) light reading, but a lot taken off for use of language. If you can get past the poor use of language, you'll love this.

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead ☆☆☆☆☆

Oh, Adrian. Richelle Mead definitely knows how to write her boys. I was madly in love with Dimitri in Vampire Academy and couldn't imagine a better guy to love. Especially in comparison to Adrian in that series. But within this series, Adrian is the only one to love. He is snarky like so many of the male characters I love to read, but his snark is good-intentioned and funny. He never seeks out to make anyone feel bad. And as Sydney says in the book, he's the only one that never asks for anything in the form of a demand. He's all heart. And it's part of his artistic side.

I wish I had the never to highlight my books (it's one of my favorite things about a Kindle), because I would have highlighted so many sections of this book. Lines I wanted to remember forever I transcribed into a notebook by my bed. But there were several places that weren't about lines, places that were about emotion or inside jokes. On my second night of reading there were several places that I busted out laughing, loud in my little apartment. At least two of those sections I was laughing so hard I had to catch my breath to keep on reading.

The end came much too soon and I was craving more and more Adrian (especially after the table and silverware, not explaining why). I can't wait to read the next book. I need more Adrian. Oh, how I wish these boys were real!

My only complaint with this book, aside from the ending coming too soon, was that you forgot they were vampires because they never fed. Throughout the entire book there was no mention of the Moroi going over to Clarence's to feed. Very strange. I think that reminder would have been helpful.

Alex by Lauren Oliver

Alex (Delirium #3.5) by Lauren Oliver ☆☆☆☆☆

This short story published at the end of Requiem was a welcome surprise. It only slightly took the sting out of the ending of the book.

This short story explores what Alex went through in the Crypts, things he never spoke out loud. It also explores the journey that brought him to the warehouse at the end of Pandemonium.

I've always been a big supporter of Alex. He's been my favorite since the beginning. He's the reason I cried the entire way through Pandemonium. So seeing his point-of-view and how he thought was a treasure. But it was also a great experience to see how those thoughts carried him through the events of his life.

I love that boy. Forever.

Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver ☆☆☆☆

Anger. Anger. Anger. That the first thing that comes to mind with this final installment of the Delirium series.

First of all, I was obviously way behind on finishing this series so I had been struggling against all costs to avoid spoilers where I could. I did catch one though that said no reader could possibly like the ending. I had that in mind, but a friend of mine read it before me and told me it wasn't as bad as others said. I had the consolation that Lauren Oliver said the ending was meant to allow a choice, not just for the characters, but for the reader. But ahhhh, my friend lied. The ending was way worse than I expected and she admitted she lied so she wouldn't give it away.

I'm not going to give spoilers either and say exactly what happened in the ending. However, I will say why I'm angry overall. I'm okay with open endings in books. Sometimes it's necessary so that we know the characters are moving on from the book and because sometimes we need to know that not all stories end with big bow of strings wrapped up and happy endings for all. I'm not naive to happy endings, I knew a war was going to break out. I made peace with that. What I didn't make peace with was a WIDE OPEN ending! There seemed to be no closer to the novel (or series) at all. I can't handle that, as a reader or as a writer. It killed me.

And even though I'm starting to move past my anger, it's still there gnawing at me in the back of my mind. There's nothing to do but carry on to the next book, the next series, after all. The ending is also the only reason I dropped a star on this book, because other than the ending I loved every minute of the book. And really, what can I expect when the one thing I hated about her other book, Before I Fall, was the way that one ended as well.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare ☆☆☆☆☆

I can't believe I put this book off for so long! I had read the first two chapters before my Spring semester started and because of school I put it down. I should have found a way to squeeze it in. I forgot just how much I missed Jace.

Jace is so turmoiled in this book that it can't help but break your heart. Simon has his own problems, but he really steps up and grows into himself despite his romantic struggles. And there was no way not to be happy for Joclyn and Luke!

It was nice seeing how her Infernal Devices series inspired her to add three more books to the Mortal Instruments series rather than end it at three. Magnus Bane already had his role in Infernal Devices, but Camille finally had her own role in Mortal Instruments and we're able to see her in unexpected predicaments as well.

This novel seemed mostly set within romantic strain. Clary and Jace. Simon and Isabelle. Simon and Maia. Maia and [spoiler]. Magnus and Alec. And even in a way Maryse and her husband. Despite the theme, the stories were connected very well and really set the story overall.

I can't wait to read the next one. But I'll have to. I have a big TBR list to get through and a couple other books are before it.

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R. R. Martin ☆☆☆☆☆

With heavy encouragement from several of my friends and the Kindle version finally available from my library I gave it a shot. I never anticipated that it would take me nearly two months to finish this book. It has put me extremely behind on my reading list for the summer vacation (including working on my MFA thesis). But in the end, if I could give it more than five stars I would. Honestly, if I gave it five stars for each of the character point-of-views it would be well over what I wish I could give it.

I'm not a big fan of fantasy. The extent of my experience in it is problem reading Pierce's Alana books that my middle school teacher encouraged on our class. I have a hard time being set in a new place with things that don't exist. Don't get me wrong, I love dragons and the supernatural. But seasons that last for years? That was a hard suspension of disbelief for me. When I read to be set in a new place it's either a dystopian apocalypse of Earth, or a space ship because Earth was described. However, I really loved this exploration into fantasy. I have always liked the Middle Ages and those hints of it were appreciated (as well as he dragons). I was also watching the Merlin series shortly before reading this book so that put me in the mindset as well (since I always loved the Arthur tales).

I started watching the HBO series at the same time. When I was about half way through the book I started the first four episodes. I really loved them as well. I fell deeply in love with Jon Snow (which makes it difficult to keep reading when he's only 14 in the book haha). I also loved the see a lot of the things that happen behind the scenes in the book and none of the point-of-views that we see show, such as the talks between Petyr and Varys. My favorite scenes of course involved Renly, who I initially thought was not portrayed handsome enough from the book, but who had some of the most intriguing back stories of all.

I'm a Stark. (One of the friends that got me to read the book claims herself a Lannister, but bah!)
And I definitely want my own direwolf pup! :)

Raven by Lauren Oliver

Raven (Delirium #2.5) by Lauren Oliver ☆☆☆☆☆

It was really interesting to see Raven's point of view on the Julian rescue situation. Above all though it was shocking to learn about secrets Raven was hiding from everyone. That really changed to way I went into reading Requiem and made the events of that last novel have a strong impact on me. While I would have liked for Raven's secret to be revealed to at least one of the other characters, maybe it is better than none of them knew. It's still a twist I'm not sure I can accept overall, based on emotion. I don't want to believe it. But I guess the same could be said about the ending of the Hana short. I didn't want to believe it, but it was right there. At least Hana's secret became exposed in Requiem, especially for those that don't read the shorts.

Annabel by Lauren Oliver

Annabel (Delirium #1.2) by Lauren Oliver ☆☆☆☆☆

I was desperately looking forward to this short. Even more so when I was able to buy Delirium Stories to share with my friend (as she complained about borrowing my Kindle to read Hana with me). It was more than I could have hoped for. I expected a short tale of what Annabel has done since the end of Pandemonium, yet instead it is a telling of when she was a teenager and met Lena's dad as well as her time in the Crypts and what it took to finally escape. We're able to see sides of Annabel we would never see otherwise. Loved it!