United We Spy by Ally Carter

This is Cammie and her friends last semester at The Gallagher Academy. Cammie is determined to take down The Circle. Zach's mom is just as determined to take Cammie out. Not knowing who they can trust the girls and Zach go out on their own and off the grid to rescue a friend.

I'm sad to say this is the last Gallagher Girl book in the series! But I'm happy to say it is one of my favorites and kept me on the edge of my seat and biting my nails every step of the way. I'm also happy to say that I managed not to read the end of the book before I got there! Yes, when the tension is running high in a book I am one of "those" people who has to make sure everything turns out alright! But I didn't, and YES, it was very tempting, but YES again it was worth the suspense to wait for the very end. A great ending to the series for sure. If you are a fan of spy novels, strong girl characters, a bit of romance, young adult literature and lots of action then I highly recommend The Gallagher Girl series for you. Looking forward to seeing what's next from this author.

I purchased my copy from Amazon and was not required to give a review. 

Kiss of Revenge by Debbie Viguie

It seems that history is doomed to repeat itself in the last book of the Kiss Trilogy. Wendy has been kidnapped and Susan, Rafael, Gabriel and David frantically search for her. While they search and try to find clues as to where Wendy has been taken Paul lies dying and Richelieu is preparing his army of vampires for a great battle. We are taken on flashbacks through Carissa's diary to ancient Prague and her relationship with Gabriel and her mission of revenge against her husband who condemned her to death.

I found myself enjoying the story more when we were taken back to Carissa and Gabriel's story, but it was also interesting how the characters were all intertwined throughout history. Kiss of Revenge was fast-paced  with epic battles and heart-stirring romantic moments, along with a few amazingly passionate kisses. A great conclusion to the series!



Check out my reviews of the other two books in the Kiss Trilogy:

Kiss of Knight

Kiss of Death

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book plus I had purchased my own copy from Amazon.

William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher

Once again I found myself amused by the Star Wars/William Shakespeare mashup. The Empire Striketh Back was everything that I hoped it to be. Following the entire storyline of the movie The Empire Strikes Back, the book begins on the planet of Hoth. The Shakespearean quotes were a little less obvious to me this time around, but I attribute that to my ignorance of most things Shakespeare. There were still some funny lines that were not Shakespeare as in Han's butchering of the postman's creed when he leaves to go find Luke who is lost out in the snow. That scene made me laugh out loud!  What I really find interesting is how conducive Star Wars is to Shakespeare's writings. The lines seemed to flow so well and they made sense even while using thee's, thy's and wherefore's etc. If you enjoyed the Star Wars movies, and have a bit of interest in Shakespeare then give this mashup a try, but I suggest you start with William Shakespeare's Star Wars as you will want to follow the saga in order. I'm looking forward to third book in the series The Jedi Doth Return. Check out my review of William Shakespeare's Star Wars HERE.

Thanks to the publishers at Quirk books for my copy for review.

I posted this book trailer the other day, but if you didn't get a chance to watch it then check it out now as it amuses me:

Bellflower & Fairy Slippers by Amber Stokes

About the Book

"The Heart's Spring" Short-Story Combo eBook

BELLFLOWER: Short Story Prequel to Forget Me Not

Spring 1880

Annabelle knows only one way of life. Jacob knows only one way to feel secure. When their paths cross in a Western mining town, can they find a way for love to bloom? Discover the story behind two hurting hearts in this short but sweet retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

FAIRY SLIPPERS: Bonus Short Story Companion to Bleeding Heart

Spring 1888

Margaret is fragile. Zachary is tough. Both are lonely. Will a dance in a redwood lumber town bring them together—or drive them apart forever? Discover the continuing story of the cook from Bleeding Heart in this short but sweet retelling of Cinderella.

MY THOUGHTS: 

I am always a fan of reading more about characters that I have enjoyed. Short stories provide an author a way of doing that. In Bellflower, the prequel to Forget Me Not, we are able to find out more about Annabelle and Jacob and how they came to be together. Such sad backgrounds for two people trying to survive in tough times. I love this retelling of Beauty and the Beast! 

In Fairy Slippers we get to read more of Zachary the cook in a logging camp from the book Bleeding Heart. Amber's readers have cried out for more of Zachary and Myghal and Amber didn't disappoint in telling Zachary's story. Even though Zachary may be tough and a man of few words I really enjoyed how he desired to protect Margaret even though he didn't know how. I have to say that I liked the little bit of inspiration in this story and the fact that both characters had a "faith moment," it left the reader feeling hopeful for both of them.

I enjoyed both of these short stories combined into one eBook, they only took me about an hour to read and helped fill in a few gaps on characters that I enjoyed from the other books mentioned. 

About the Author

Amber Stokes has a Bachelor of Science degree in English and a passion for the written word - from blogging to writing poetry, short stories, and novels. After her brief time at college in Oregon, she is now back home among the redwoods of Northern California, living life one day at a time and pursuing her passion for books as a freelance editor/publicist and self-published author.

Purchase Links

·         Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bellflower-Fairy-Slippers-Hearts-Spring-ebook/dp/B00IWN23FW/ref=la_B00E6AMDH8_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394475001&sr=1-4

·         Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/417481
      
       BONUS:

    FORGET ME NOT is being offered for FREE on Kindle March 17th thru March 21st. Get it while you can!

     GIVEAWAY:

In celebration of Fairy Slippers’ first appearance in a published ebook, Amber is giving away a horse & carriage beaded bookmark from Belle on a Budget—so one lucky reader can enjoy a bit of Cinderella charm! The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and you can enter using the Rafflecopter form below:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway