Atlantis Quest by Gloria Craw ~ Review

Title: Atlantis Quest (Atlantis Rising #2)
Author: Gloria Craw
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Length: 356 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Source: Purchased
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

After all they'd cost me, I thought I was done with the Truss clan. I was wrong. Nikki Dawning, my mortal enemy, has been kidnapped, and I've been asked to spy on the Truss to find her. The pull between Ian and I has never been stronger, but he can't help me this time. I have to rely on Theron, a bad-tempered cousin I didn't know I had. To make matters worse, the people I trust have been keeping secrets.

I'm starting to feel like a weapon in a war I don't understand. How far am I willing to go to protect the descendants of Atlantis and the common good when I'm not sure what the common good is anymore?

Only one thing is certain. If I'm the next Laurel clan chief, I can't let myself be manipulated…by anyone.

**********

The second book in the Atlantis Rising trilogy shows us a more confident Alison that had come to terms with her abilities and wants nothing to do with being used for anyone's political gain. But life has different plans when she is asked to go spy on the rival dewing clan to see what happened to another dewing that has disappeared.

There are a lot of important little things that happen throughout the book. And there are several characters that don't seem to be such a big deal that turn into something vitally important by the end of the book and into book three.

She also discovers more about her family and her clan from a new "friend," Theron. I really enjoyed Theron. His relationship with Alison wasn't what I had expected at all, and the way they interacted was a bit of a humorous moment at times as they were just both so stubborn and opinionated.

The events of Atlantis Quest leave lots of options open for book three, and I can't wait to see where Alison's life is going to take her next. The dewing society is changing, and whether that change is good or bad is not yet obvious.

**I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book**

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Atlantis Rising by Gloria Craw ~ Review

Title: Atlantis Rising (Atlantis Rising #1)
Author: Gloria Craw
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Source: NetGalley
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

I am different. I have always been different, but no one can know or my life will be in danger. So I hide in plain sight, wearing drab clothes and thick glasses and trying to be invisible. I’m so good at hiding, no one has ever noticed me. Until Ian…the mysterious and oh-so-cute boy I know I need to avoid.

Now I have been seen. And more terrifying still, I am wanted—by those who would protect me and those who would destroy everything and everyone I love. But if they’re all terrified about who I am, wait until they see what I can do…

**********

The Atlantis Rising series was and quick series that caught me up right from the beginning - I just wanted to see more and more. Alison is different from the rest of the world. She has always felt it, but in the first part of the book we find out why she really is. As Alison discovers more about who and what she is, the reader is introduced to the concept of dewings. Magical beings that are each blessed with their own special skill. Alison's skill is one that is highly sought after and easily abused.

Alison is introduced to the society and put under protection so the "bad guys" can't take her and force her to misuse her dewing ability. Along the way, she will have to choose between trying to lead a normal life and putting her "normal" family at risk or walk away to join her new dewing family and helping them bring the diverse and often combative dewing communities together.

There are hints of romance, a lot of political-style intrigues, family drama, and heartache. It was an interesting story with a few slow moments. A lot of build up that sometimes let me down once we got to the end of it all. But there are two more books, and I can't wait to see where the drama is heading. 

**I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book**

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A Snowbound Scandal by Jessica Lemmon ~ Review

Title: A Snowbound Scandal
Author: Jessica Lemmon
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Holiday
Length: 224 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Release Date: August 7, 2018
Source: NetGalley
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

As the snow falls, her touch sets him aflame... "I don't want you to leave." Texas billionaire Chase Ferguson has one regret: leaving Miriam Andrix to protect her from his public life. When a snowstorm strands her in his mountain mansion, their passion reignites, and it's too hot to resist! But reality--and scandal--arrives with the thaw. Chase turned his back on happiness once. Will he fight for what he truly wants this time?

**********

A Snowbound Scandal is a second-chance (we think we're) opposites attract story. Mimi Andrix is an environmentalist that loves the outdoors and teaching kids about what they can do to protect the environment. On the other hand, Chase Ferguson is the son of an oil family and is now deep into politics - but he's one of the good ones.

With a little bit of holiday spirit and a little bit of "I'm going to give you a piece of my mind," Mimi heads to Chase's vacation mansion with a Thanksgiving dinner so he won't be alone eating frozen food for the holiday. Stranded at his house by a snowstorm, Mimi and Chase decide to make the best of the circumstances and, well, this is a romance - so one thing leads to another - but eventually they part ways again. At least for a little while

There were only a few points of the story that I had a hard time with - possibly because I did not read the rest of the series and one of the side stories seemed to carry over from another book. Outside of this one small thing, the story does very well as a standalone holiday romance. I loved Mimi, her desire to do the right thing, and her ability to not really care what anyone else thought. Chase was a bit of a stick in the mud, but in the end I enjoyed seeing a more spontaneous and softer side.

I love that A Snowbound Scandal is more of a winter-theme than a true Christmas theme.  While the holidays (mostly Thanksgiving) are mentioned, it's more about the snowstorm and being snowed in with the one that got away.

*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*

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Her Dark Half by Paige Tyler ~ Review

Title: Her Dark Half (X-Ops #7)
Author: Paige Tyler
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance, Military Romance
Length: 348 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: September 5, 2017
Source: NetGalley
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Trevor Maxwell
Coyote shifter with an attitude
Covert operator
Trusts no one, especially his devastatingly beautiful new partner

Alina Bosch
Former CIA, newest operative on the covert team
Hired to spy on her partner
Motto: "Never be deceived again."

Coyote shifter Trevor Maxwell is teamed up with CIA agent Alina Bosch to catch a killer. But when the mission becomes much more dangerous than they expected, they're going to have to ignore the attraction between them and learn how to trust one another to come out on the other side...

**********

X-Ops is a favorite of mine, and coyote shifter Trevor Maxwell is a great example of why. He's sarcastic, witty, and loyal to his team above all else. Even when he knows that his teammate has been sent to spy on him. Alina was hit and miss for me. I understood her trust issues, but I didn't understand why they weren't universal. She wouldn't trust her teammate because she trusted someone else that said he was bad. But why did she trust that someone else? 

Aside from my hesitation over who Alina chose to trust, she was a really fun character. There are several undercover scenes that were just perfect. The dialog and interactions between Trevor and Alina were hot! And the way they build up the tension.....I wasn't sure if they were going to implode before they got together or not.

There's also a cute dog that the neighbor watches who has an amazing habit of busting in at inopportune times to help lighten the mood. However, it wasn't all fun and laughs. There are some pretty serious things happening in the world of X-Ops. Just when you think the bad guys have been dealt a death blow - they seem to jump right back up with some new back pocket plan and ally. Tons of suspense and I was on the edge of my seat for many reasons throughout Her Dark Half.

*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*

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X-Ops

Her Secret Agent (X-Ops #0.5)

Her Perfect Mate (X-Ops #1)

Her Lone Wolf (X-Ops #2)

Her Wild Hero (X-Ops #3)

Her Special Alpha (X-Ops #3.5)

Her Fierce Warrior (X-Ops #4)

Her Rogue Alpha (X-Ops #5)
Her True match (X-Ops #6)

Review: Collide by Christine Fonseca

Title: Collide (The Solomon Experiments #1)
Author: Christine Fonseca
Source: YA Bound Book Tours
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Release Date: July 7, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

The most dangerous secrets are the ones that kill.

When a surprising mental breakdown draws too much attention from a secret government group call the Order, 17-year-old Dakota discovers that her so-called boring life isn’t so boring after all. Between the lies, secrets and assassins out to kill her family, Dakota discovers there’s more to paranormal activity than ghosts and cheap mind tricks. Now she must uncover the truth before a new breed of terrorism takes everything away – including her life.

Collide was a bit of a mixed bag for me.  There were parts that I really, really liked.  There were also parts that just seemed a bit dull.  The beginning of the story was a little all over the place and the story dragged a lot until about half way through.  By then, I had gotten a little more into the rhythm of the author's writing and the way events were pieced together within the book and within the individual chapters.

There were several points of view - we had Dakota, The Architect, and a doctor's journal.  They all helped slowly piece together the history of five children with special powers.  The history of a grand experiment that went bad - wiping the memories of most of the kids and splitting them in protective custody.  But someone wants them back - for all the wrong reasons.  The story is their fight for freedom and understanding.

There seemed to be a few too many "I learned this just in time to save the day" scenarios.  I would understand a couple, but it seemed every time they got in trouble some really cool thing would help save the day.  There also didn't seem to be too much logical character growth.  While Dakota goes through a remarkable change - I had a hard time believing that it could have happened to her that quickly.

There really was no set ending.  I hope the sequel explains a little more about Dakota's past and the inner workings of her power and mind.  Perhaps it will make me understand her drastic change better.  The premise of the world and story were great - it just needed to be flushed out a little better for me to really get into it.

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