Lost Truth (Truth, #4) by Dawn Cook

Lost Truth by Dawn Cook

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff

This is the final book in nationally bestselling author Dawn Cook's magical ''Truth Series''. One last lesson. Alissa is steadily advancing in her magical studies with the last surviving Master at the legendary Hold. But she's haunted by dreams--dreams revealing that other Masters have survived. Alissa's dreams lead her to a distant island where she and a rescue party discover countless Masters, alive and part of a flourishing magical society. But instead of being welcomed, Alissa finds that she herself may need to be rescued. The Masters' leader, Keribdis, believes that she should be Alissa's teacher, whether Alissa likes it or not. When Alissa rebels, she endangers not only her magic but also her life.



The final book was my favorite! We have a love triangle throughout this book. This was action packed and a perfect ending to the series. I don't want to give anything away so I will just say keep reading until you get to the end, it is well worth it.

**NOT RECOMMENDED** Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5)

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: HOT (NOT Recommended)


Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . .



Disclaimer: Once again, the cursing in this book is atrocious. While it is "cleaner" than the last 4 books in the series, the cursing was so distracting for me that it slowed me down on reading this book. There was 1 detailed sex scene and 2 implied.



In this adventure of Kate Daniels we get to see a lot more tender moments between Kate and Curran, the beast lord, and her mate. The emotional connections displayed were much needed to carry out this series. I am not planning on reading anymore of this series due to the graphic language. I hoped that the author was using it to draw in followers and would tapper off but it appears not. I was happy with the ending of this book and feel like Kate still has a long journey ahead of her.

Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6) by Richelle Mead

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated-Hot


Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules.

She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?



**Strong Language - multiple "GD" and "F" words**



We start of with the shock that ended the last book. Rose has murdered the Queen... Or at least that's what it looks like. This book has many different trails to follow before we get to the end. While we end up with a HEA, the journey is rough. There were multiple times while reading that I couldn't help but question "Why is he doing that?" "Why would he say that?" "How are they going to get out of this?"


There was a sex scene with no details and had the language been better I would have given this a 5 star rating! It's a shame

Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5) by Richelle Mead

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated - Barely Hot


Salvation has its price.

The words stunned Adrian for a moment, but he kept going. "You're lying. What you're describing is impossible. There's no way to save a Strigoi. When they're gone, they're gone. They're dead. Undead. Forever."

Robert's next words weren't directed at Adrian. They were spoken to me. "That which is dead doesn't always stay dead...."

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s — and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

But Rose can't forget what she learned on her journey—whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose's prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what—and who—matters most to her. In the end, is true love really worth the price?

Fall in love with Rose and Dimitri all over again in Spirit Bound, the eagerly awaited fifth novel in Richelle Mead's enthralling Vampire Academy series.



**Strong Language- multiple GD's and F words**



The 5th installment of the Vampire Academy Series was quite a roller coaster. While things were accomplished in this installment that you hoped for there was heartbreak around the corner. When beginning this series I was hoping that the foul language would diminish with the story becoming more popular, unfortunately that was not the case. There was an almost sex scene that was not overly detailed with an unexpected ending.......

Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4) by Richelle Mead

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff - Heated


How far will Rose go to keep her promise?

The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir’s Academy was the deadliest ever in the school’s history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them. . . including Dimitri.

He’d rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?



** 2 uses of "GD" and 2 "F" words **

 
         Rose gets into a lot in this book. She travels half way around the world set on a mission. There were so many up and downs in this book and I couldn't help but think "How will she be able to get through this mission" ... It was heartbreaking but at the same time I could see there was no way she could leave without completing it... Hold on to your seats because the last 2 chapters have some big twists!

          While the cursing was improved I was disappointed with the cursing because once again it was completely unnecessary. I felt like the author did a great job on avoiding too much intimacy but enough to break with Rose...

Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3) by Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated


Rose Hathaway knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa-the last Dragomir princess-must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri, some rules are meant to be broken...

But since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling right. Something dark has begun to grow in her mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. And now that Lissa and Rose's sworn enemy, Victor Dashkov, is on trial for his freedom, tensions in the Moroi world are higher than ever.

Lying to Lissa about Dimitri is one thing but suddenly there's way more than friendship at stake. The immortal undead are on the prowl, and they want vengeance for the lives that Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmare, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most..but will her choice mean that only one can survive?

***Mild Language- This book was MUCH improved on the cursing compared to previous books in the series and that makes me happy! There was one sex scene but it didn't go into details other than to say they had sex.

Book 3 did not disappoint. I was shocked with the ending and must start book 4 ASAP. The relationship between Rose and Lissa is becoming more and more strained as they are growing up and making more decisions without the other considered. I felt like Lissa was a bit selfish in the last two books and I can see that Rose really isn't as much of a best friend as she claims. WHY wouldn't Rose tell her about the feelings she has for Dimitri? That's what best friends do...

*There was one sex scene but it didn't go into details other than to say they had sex and that is why it is 3 stars.

This book did not end in a HEA but I have been assured that it gets better so I will continue the series.

Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) by Richelle Mead

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality: Heated


Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…
 
It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians—including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks… This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…



**The unfortunate part is that this is a YA novel but the language is rated R and the sexual content is between PG-13.


The second in the series did not disappoint. While Rose is continually trying to cope with her feelings for Dimitri.. While Rose is dealing with the possibility that a happy ending may not be possible for her, learning all she can to protect Lissa and deal with her issues and trying to move on, you are pulled in for a gripping story. The language was major for YA novel and would have earned itself 5 stars had it not been in there. The sex scene was minor and not needed but didn't take away or add to the story.

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1) by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated


St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school—it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's—the very place where they're most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.



**Adult language in a YA Novel!



The beginning of the Vampire Academy series sets a stage with two runaway high school students being dragged back to boarding school. As the reasons for their departure unfold I had to refer back to others in the series to be sure I was reading the 1st book. Rest assured that all is explained eventually and you end up in a world filled with Royal events and a love that appears doomed from the start. What will happen next? I can't wait to find out.

There was an ALMOST sex scene that was brought through a charm but the characters stopped before anything MAJOR happened. Throughout the book there were innuendos.

River Marked by Patricia Briggs

River Marked by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff - Heated (somewhere in between)

Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. She's never known any others of her kind. Until now.



An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River-one that her father's people may know something about. And to have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need their help...



Another great installment in the Mercedes Thompson Series. River Marked had everything I enjoy in a book and couldn't have been better! There was great growth in Mercy and Adam's relationship and while the original supporting characters were almost non existence, we learned much more about Mercy's Indian relations and had some new characters introduced. I look forward to the next book!!!

Wolfsbane by Patricia Briggs

Wolfsbane (Aralorn, #2)(Sianim, #4) by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated


Shape shifting mercenary Aralorn leads a dangerous existence. Now she must return home for her noble father, the Lyon of Lambshold, has passed away. But when Aralorn and her companion Wolf arrive, they find he's not dead, but ensorcelled by the ae'Magi, using him as a conduit to destroy Aralorn and Wolf. She must overcome this mysterious mist or fall to the blackest of magic.


Love Briggs!


       This continues the story of Aralorn the mercenary and her Wolf. This is not your typical romance by any means. The romance is very much side story.

      When Aralorn travels to Lambshold for a funeral she is alone and upset with the death of her father. Without giving anything away, she is prepared to say her goodbyes when an unexpected "miracle" is brought to her attention.

       Wolfsbane is action packed. It is a little more violent then I prefer to go but in no way explicit just revealed afterward. I was able to get over the violence for the fact that it was a very important part of the story and didn't last very long. I recommend this book to Brigg's lovers and fans of The Host by Stephenie Meyers.

Masques by Patricia Briggs

Masques (Aralorne, #1)  by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Minimal Kissing



Said to be heavily rewritten from the original story of 1993.

After an upbringing of proper behavior and oppressive expectations, Aralorn fled her noble birthright for a life of adventure as a mercenary spy.Her latest mission involves spying on the increasingly powerful sorcerer Geoffrey ae'Magi.But in a war against an enemy armed with the powers of illusion, how do you know who the true enemy is-or where he will strike next?



I truly enjoyed this book. It was SUPER creative and left me happy and feeling like I had just watched a new movie! I am continually impressed with Ms. Briggs writing and can almost promise to continue to be a long time follower. If you enjoy other Briggs' book then this one is NO EXCEPTION!!

*Some War Type Violence

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .



Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.



When I saw all the great ratings on this books I went online right away and bought the audible version. I listened to this book in a day and while I thought it was a very good story I was hoping for so much more. ( keep telling myself not to read series that are not already finished being written but I never stay with my own rule.) Honestly I read this book in hopes of finding the next "Twilight"! There really is no comparison with the two. The romance that was needed to draw you in was really skipped over. Sadly, we started off with one hero and then half way through the book the original hero goes away and a new hero moves in. Then at the end of the book the original hero return but there was really no connection with him to make the reader care. When i finished Unearthly I did not sigh with satisfaction but disappointment. SO MUCH was left open!

I would recommend this book but only once the series is complete to prevent the frustration of waiting. I will probably have to reread the book since the next book does not come out until 2012.

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega, #2)  by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff

Mated to werewolf Charles Cornick, the son -and enforcer -of the leader of the North American werewolves, Anna Latham now knows how dangerous being a werewolf is, especially when a werewolf opposes Charles and his father is struck down. Charles's reputation makes him the prime suspect, and the penalty for the crime is execution. Now Anna and Charles must combine their talents to hunt down the real killer -or Charles will take the fall.

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated


When mechanic and shape shifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down. It seems the book contains secret knowledge-and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side-leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit. All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live...



A great book!! I would have to compare these with the Twilight Series because I loved them so. It's like a more adult version but with Fae. At the same time not too adult that there is sex through the whole book... I am truly impressed with Briggs.

Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated


By day, Mercy is a car mechanic in the sprawling Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington. By night, she explores her preternatural side. As a shapeshifter with some unique talents, Mercy has often found herself having to maintain a tenuous harmony between the human and the not so human. This time she may get more than she bargained for.

Marsilia, the local Vampire Queen, has learned that Mercy crossed her by slaying a member of her clan—and she's out for blood. But since Mercy is protected from direct reprisal by the werewolf pack (and her close relationship with its sexy Alpha), it won't be Mercy's blood Marsilia is after.

It'll be her friends'.

****Hints at Spoilers****

Once again, an excellent book! I LOVE the walking stick... it's just a very creative object Briggs added and I can't help but enjoy it's presence.

I must admit that I am starting to feel quite worried about Mercy because she keep getting in trouble and it's always when she is cut off from everyone that can help her! It's frustrating that Adam can never truly be her knight in shining armor because he has so many other responsibilities and she is so resourceful.

Mild Language
Some Disturbing Violence

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating:Fluff


When you loved the one who was killing you, it left you no options. How could you run, how could you fight, when doing so would hurt that beloved one? If your life was all you had to give, how could you not give it? If it was someone you truly loved?

To be irrevocably in love with a vampire is both fantasy and nightmare woven into a dangerously heightened reality for Bella Swan. Pulled in one direction by her intense passion for Edward Cullen, and in another by her profound connection to werewolf Jacob Black, a tumultuous year of temptation, loss, and strife have led her to the ultimate turning point. Her imminent choice to either join the dark but seductive world of immortals or to pursue a fully human life has become the thread from which the fates of two tribes hangs.

Now that Bella has made her decision, a startling chain of unprecedented events is about to unfold with potentially devastating, and unfathomable, consequences. Just when the frayed strands of Bella's life—first discovered in Twilight, then scattered and torn in New Moon and Eclipse—seem ready to heal and knit together, could they be destroyed... forever?

The astonishing, breathlessly anticipated conclusion to the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions.

If you have only seen the movies and liked them even a little, you MUST MUST read the series.



This book was great! It was an easy ready with so many twists! I Love the Twilight series and read them all in a little over a week! I thought Stephenie Meyer wrote clearly and it took little thinking to understand her points!

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff


Readers captivated by Twilight and New Moon will eagerly devour Eclipse, the much anticipated third book in Stephenie Meyer's riveting vampire love saga. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob —- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?





If you have only seen the movies and liked them even a little, you MUST MUST read the series.



The third book in the Twilight Series was bittersweet. Jacob continues to pursue Bella even though she is with Edward. I felt Bella strings him along throughout the book and then finally has to address the issue when her time to pick is upon her.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet


I FELT LIKE I WAS TRAPPED IN ONE OF THOSE TERRIFYING NIGHTMARES…

For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella ever could have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realize their troubles may be just beginning. . . .

Legions of readers entranced by the New York Times bestseller Twilight are hungry for the continuing story of star-crossed lovers Bella and Edward. In New Moon, Stephenie Meyer delivers another irresistible combination of romance and suspense with a supernatural spin. Passionate, riveting, and full of surprising twists and turns, this vampire love saga is well on its way to literary immortality.



If you have only seen the movies and liked them even a little, you MUST MUST read the series.



The second book in the Twilight Saga was hard for me to read due to the heart-wrenching breakup at the beginning of the book. This was the beginning of my personal dislike for Jacob because I was already all the way Team Edward. Thankfully Edward returned and I was no longer distraught.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet


Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife—between desire and danger. Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.



This book was the start to my adult reading habit! I absolutely LOVED this book. I have read it 4 times and can still say I will read it again. I loved the devotion and sweetness to Edward and Bella's relationship. It goes back to the age old saying "Love Conquers All"

This is a MUST READ!

Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff



When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to shape shifting car mechanic Mercy Thompson to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not. And she'll have to choose between the two werewolves in her life-whether she wants to or not.



Wow!! This was a rougher book but SO GOOD!!! The flow of the book is very easy to read and the world that Briggs has created is so realistic it makes it hard to remember that it is a fiction book!!! This is the best series I have read in 2010!!

Mild/Harsh Language
Mild Violence