Red Palace (White Hart #2) by Sarah Dalton - Review by Kimmy

Hi folks,

I'm so excited to share the following review with you all:

Red Palace (White Hart #2)

by Sarah Dalton

Released: 19th September 2014

Rating:

**Disclaimer - I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Summary:

I am here when you run from me,

You cannot touch me, but I make you cold.

I am there in the faint of heart,

But rarely with the daring, and bold.
One by one the members of court fall, cursed into a deep sleep. Silence spreads through the castle, and only Mae Waylander stands.

To break the curse, Mae must face a formidable opponent. She is the only one with a chance to restore order to the Red Palace, but she is unprepared for the trials that await her. She is brave at heart, but is her bravery enough?

In this thrilling follow up to White Hart, Mae faces her toughest challenge yet. With temptation, fear, and evil in her path, can she complete her task? And what will she lose in doing so?

Book two in the White Hart series.

Review:

Yay, its finally here.  I have been counting down the days until this book was available.  The lovely Sarah Dalton contacted me asking if I would be interesting in reading and reviewing an arc copy of Red Palace.  I almost bit her hand off at the opportunity lol.

For those of you who are new to the White Hart series, you can read my review of the first book by clicking here.  This is one series you want to get your hands on!

The first book left us hanging with a major cliffhanger.  It sucked having to wait, but it was so worth it.  Immediately drawn back into Mae's world, we continue on her journey as craft-born.  Mae has grown into a brave young woman, her life dramatically changed since we first met her and unfortunately for Mae, its just the tip of the iceberg.  Her newest challenge is to face fear itself, supported by two great characters, Mae takes us on another epic adventure!

Red Palace is an amazing fantasy story full of magic, feels and much much more.  Sarah Dalton has a gift in being able to pull her readers into the book and leave you addicted and wanting more.  Again the ending of the second book.....why do you do this to me woman!?!?! lol I need the 3rd book like now!!! 

So what are you waiting for, get this book added to your Goodreads shelf, spread the word to your fellow readers and go get it.  This is an amazing series!

Feeling lucky? Head over to Goodreads and enter the competition for your chance to win a signed paperback.  Good luck!

Congratulations to Sarah Dalton, may you have many future successes!

Useful Links

Goodreads Page

Sarah Dalton Website

Goodreads Competition
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble

The King by J.R Ward Review by Rinny

****Disclaimer ***** - I was provided with a free paperback copy from  LITTLE, BROWN BOOK GROUP in return for an honest review.

THIS BOOK IS THE 12TH IN THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD SERIES (ADULT PARANORMAL ROMANCE). I WILL DO MY BEST TO KEEP THIS REVIEW SPOILER FREE. The series focuses on a society (the "Black Dagger Brotherhood") of vampire warriors who live together and defend their race against de-souled humans called Lessers. 

Goodreads

Blurb

J.R. Ward's # 1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood continues as a royal bloodline is compromised by a grave threat to the throne.

Long live the King…

After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle--with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything--and everyone--at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she’s unprepared for Wrath’s response--or the distance it creates between them.

The question is, will true love win out... or tortured legacy take over?

Intro

Hey everyone, I finished this book a couple of days and have had to take a few days just to collect myself before reviewing. Even now as I type looking at my notes I just can’t figure out what to write. So before I start a detailed review (hopefully spoiler free). I have to say if you close a book tears streaming down your face and see this

You know you have read a good book LOL. Sticky page tabs are my little treasure chests of my book loving obsession. So now on to the review.  

Review

You know that feeling when you slip into clean bedding? No? What about the feeling when after a long hard day you slip into a nice warm bubbly bath? No? Okay I'm sure you'll get this one ... You know when you curl up with a cup of tea, chocolate (beverage and snacks of your choice) and a new book full of possibilities? YES!! Well that is the comfy, cozy heavenly familiar feeling I get when I know I'm going to dip into the Black Dagger Brotherhood series again. When I sat down this book I was full of anticipation and a little doubt at the same time. A couple of the books in the series I've had a rough time with but yet again J.R Ward sucked me in and sucker punched me with a whole load of in your face awesomeness.

As you can see from the blurb above. We are not only returning to Caldwell and the brothers, (which if you’re like me and have been following them from the beginning adore) we are revisiting/continuing with Wrath and Beth as the main characters in this book. As normal not only do we have our main twosome, the other brothers (although not as a focus and more like guest appearances) we have our side characters and plots. In this book we continue Xcor/Layla, Assail/Sola, Trez/Selena/ his arranged mating, John Matthew/his blackouts, IAm and we also gain an insight into Wrath's parents. There is also a few how to put it bench characters that we see again in this book such as Saxton, Lassiter and new character S'Ex.

J.R Ward's writing style for me is hard to describe. To me it is beautiful, familiar and enjoyable. She is one of the wittiest author's I know. Her books never fail to have at least a bucket of chuckles and a couple of handfuls of side splitting laughter. This book was not an exception especially when it came to IAm and Boo still smiling now thinking of that pair. She is also an author that I find hard to review not because I find her books bad. She does so many good things and makes me feel so many feels I struggle not to include spoilers. I always by the time I close the cover have went through a range of emotions, have a handle of favourite scenes and many favourite quotes. This book did not disappoint me even with the high expectation I have when reading her work. One minute I was laughing the next I was crying like a little baby or wanting to punch my pillow lol. The pop culture references worked for me especially Miley Cyrus and Doctor Who i was chuckling like the Cheshire cat.

Some people might dislike a series with so many characters but I don't. I like how that we have so many new and old people to get to know things do not get boring. Although it’s a bad thing at times especially if you have one particular favourite brother mine being Rhage you don't see a lot of them or any of them sometimes which can suck. However that leaves you to attach yourselves to other new/old characters and bam your attachment to this wondrous world is cemented even more.

As much as I enjoy the multiple POV'S and branches of different stories it can be a struggle at times. I just could not bring myself to care or feel like I wanted to be in-vested in Assail and Sola the only reason their parts in the book did not make me want to punch stuff was Sola's grandmother. She was a breath of fresh air. I also hate myself but Xcor and Layla meh! Again I found myself reading faster and faster just to get by them. However Trez and Selena oh my days I did not see that coming (I am beyond glad it did/is), I am invested and Trez you little devil!! Rhage has company on his pedestal lol. Getting to know Wrath's parents and into their heads was a delight. Overall the many plots as always done beautifully even if you are not invested in each one they tie in and J.R Ward guides us through seamlessly in her own way. As always our main couple's story is played out with twists and turns, highs and lows. Our side plots and the general foundation of the series leave us with just enough questions and intrigue to have us wanting more. Even with the odd sub plot you might not be fully interested in. Some of the Beth/Wrath plot really hit close to my heart and that made it even more emotional for me. In a strange way it also gave me a sense of peace and renewed faith. Very Bizarre but there you go.

The one thing I find J.R Ward achieves higher than most is that even side or bit part characters are well rounded. I mean that you are not just getting some half fleshed character in the book. They could step out and take the mantel as a fully-fledged character. Even Saxton's god awful father did not just seem like ink on a sheet of pa-per too me. I could see him as clear as day, even if I did not like what I saw.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I have had an up and down relationship with the series of late. This book even with its mild cons for me has put it back at the top of my best series list. The only issues I had with this book are: Where are the Lessors? Where is the big fight scenes? There was not enough action in regards to the lessors and the brothers for me. There was not a real villain this time the "bad guys" felt a little washed out. Assail and Sola i just can't jump on that train and care about either. Slightly predictable at times. I would and have recommended this series over and over again till I have been blue in the face. I would continue to do so with this book. If you haven't tried this series before please PLEASE do try it and if you have but gave up it is WRATH and BETH part two what are you waiting for?

So i think I have done pretty well with not having too much spoiler content? So as a reward I am going to include my favourite (one of many) quote from this book.

"Well, too bad, boys ---- life wasn't an epi of Doctor Who. And you know what? The idea that pair ___ as well as every other male in the house ---- would always defer to Wrath made her even more pissed off. "  (Beth page 78)

My Rating :   

Useful Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US
Author's Website
Author's Facebook
Author's Goodreads

Are you a fan of the black dagger brotherhood? Have you never tried the series but think you might like too? Who's your fave brother or shellan? Anything to say comment below :) We love to hear from you.

Treasure Chest #4 by Rinny

Hey all,

Welcome this weeks Treasure Chest Thursday.  Each Thursday we will share with you some free and discounted books that we believe is worth reading.  

This week, we bring to you some awesome looking freebies (at the time of posting).   Let's take a look and see what is in this weeks Treasure Chest!

All of these wonderful books have been added to my kindle/kobo (ever growing) library this week.

1. A book with murder, romance and ghosts! 

Goodreads

Amazon

2.  It is said fans of twilight will like this. (I am) and i also heard a rumour about angels?

Goodreads

Amazon

Kobo

3.  The first in a trilogy about Sorcerers.

Goodreads

Amazon

Kobo

4.  A magical adventure book for children or fans of Harry Potter.

Goodreads

Amazon

5.  A YA  paranormal Alice in Wonderland.

Goodreads

Amazon

Kobo

6. Part One is part one of six in a serial novel. I'm thinking shape shifting and when i even have a slight possibility of that i am like give me it now lol.

Goodreads

Amazon

These books may also be purchasable with iBooks and Barnes & Noble.

Check with your devices website for more information.

I hope we have found you something worthwhile.  If you have enjoyed any of these or have any awesome bargains yourself to recommend, comment below!

*** Cover Reveal *** The Underworld by Lizzy Ford

EEKK Today is Cover Reveal Day For Lizzie Ford's The Underworld  !!

Are You ready? I know I am ..........

Good Reads

Don't you just love this cover? I do!! The Underworld is book four in the Rhyn Eternal series. Expected Release: July 19th 2014


Lizzy Ford is having a midsummer sale at the moment and you can pick up the Rhyn trilogy book (the ones that started it all before the Rhyn Eternal series) for really cheap at the moment. What you waiting for??

Amazon UK

Amazon US (.com)

Don't miss out.

Lizzy is also having a "The Underworld" Midsummer Fling party on Facebook, starting on July the 19th at 13.00 ending 05.00 on the 21st of July. What you waiting for it is going to be fun fun FUN ..... Click going already. There is going to be other authors attending and donating Goodies.

The Underworld BLURB (SPOILERS if you have not read the previous books.)

The time has come for Gabriel to claim his underworld. Accompanied by the deceptive Dark One, he risks everything to find his mate and take his place as the deity Death.  Between him and the only woman he’s ever loved: a handful of rebelling death dealers, the deity Karma and the Dark One’s mate, a human-turned-demon who holds his soul in the palm of her hand.

Time is running out, and Gabriel has one chance to make things right, even if it means letting go of the last part of him that’s human.

     Lizzie Ford Useful Links

Website
Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter

Rinny's Rambling Strikes again. (#4)

Hi everyone :) So it's been awhile since i had a little ramble and Kimmy's beat me to Treasure Chest post this week. So I have decided just to chat a little bit. Its been all go in my house the past few months between Mini cupcake coming to the end of her first high school year, her forthcoming Little shop of Horrors production she is part of for the school, puppy Storm and the normal day to day dramas that life throws at you. Haven't been getting as much reading time as I would like but that's starting to improve again if only my health would too.

We have had alot going on at opinionated cupcakes and it is all exciting. We are finally starting to gain more followers here,twitter and Facebook. So thank you to you all :) Hopefully we can get you all interacting with us a bit more. We love comments as much as we love cupcakes, it shows us what you like and don't like. We have been added to a couple of publishers lists which is mega exciting meaning that we will have more arcs to read and review for you guys and gals.

Although of course some things never change like our love for books and my ever growing TBR and too be bought lists LOL. I'm still a little behind on reviews for books i have read and i am so sorry things are just crazy. Hopefully over the weekend into next week this will be fixed as finally my dying pc is now healed YAY. 

I am thinking about doing a ten facts about us post so you can get to know me and kimmy a little bit better. Is there anything you would like to know? I also have some exciting new blog post ideas. I haven't seen this type of thing around in my travels. So it will be unique and enjoyable. So watch this space.

As I said Kimmy beat me to treasure chest, this week. But i did want to take the time to share a book that has been recommended to me by a friend.  Chapters of life by Tina .K. Burton

Blurb: 
Following a premonition before reading Clare’s tarot cards, Jo takes a risk and decides to go into business with her. Eventually, they open the doors to Clare’s dream: Merrilies, a bookshop situated in a small English Cotswold town. Soon, Merrilies becomes the home from home for some of the locals.

Seven-year old Annie visits each day after school, and worms her way into the hearts of everyone she meets, including the five members of the reading group.

Graham takes a shine to Mollie, and wonders if he’ll find romance after years of being alone; single mum Tessa struggles with her teenage daughter; and Michael confronts a bully at work. Will Felicity – who’s dropped out of law school – ever grow up and stop scrounging off her parents?

This diverse group of people, brought together by their love of reading, forge lasting friendships and make some unexpected discoveries about themselves and each other. 

Find it here AMAZON

Also wanted to mention Lizzie Ford 's The Rhyn Trilogy If you follow our Facebook or Twitter you have probably seen it already but it is an amazing bargain. I will hopefully be reading it this weekend if all goes to plans fingers crossed.

Blurb: 
I do not want to put spoilers as it is a trilogy. So link to goodreads is above if you are interested.

Find it here : AMAZON

Is there anything you would like to see more of? What do you like about our blog? What are you reading at the moment?