ARC Review: Feel the Heat by Kate Meader

Feel the Heat by Kate Meader




Publisher: Forever
Series: Hot in the Kitchen #1
Pages: 416 Pages
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Summary:
IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT . . .

Photographer Lili DeLuca spends all her time working at her family's Italian restaurant, instead of following her dream of getting an MFA. When famous British chef Jack Kilroy unexpectedly challenges her father to a cook-off, Lili decides she's tired of playing it safe and vows to seduce the tempting Brit. But once a video of her and Jack kissing goes viral and her luscious (if voluptuous) butt starts trending on Twitter, Lili fears she's cooked up a recipe for disaster . . . 

Jack Kilroy's celebrity has left him feeling used and used up. While Lili's oh-so-sexy moans when she tastes his delicious creations turn him on, he's even more aroused by how this beautiful, funny woman is unimpressed by his fame. He knows they could be amazing together, if she could only see past his rabid, bitch-fork-wielding fan base. Now as he's about to start a new prime time TV cooking show, can Jack convince Lili to realize her own ambitions-and turn up the heat in his kitchen?

Rating: 

Review:

Funny enough I read the second one of this series a couple of months back... when I requested this on Netgalley I thought this was the third book and thought I give this series another try, but this is a re-release. So I kinda by accident ended up reading the first one. And boy am I glad. Because I like this one better.
The series is can be read as standalone by the way. And while there was a wee bit of spoilers in the second one,  it was very minimal. I still would advice you, to read it in order, just because...

The plot is actually quite fun. In some ways it's your typical contemporary romance- but there is the foodie bits added to it. And we all know how much I adore good food novel. And to be honest, the story line kinda became second in this one, because this is definitely character driven. And we all know how much I love good character driven novels... I liked this one so much that I didn't mind the big 'confessions' at the end- at all. No I was a gooey grinning mush by that time anyway. There are several really cute and unique details Meader added to the couple which makes them unique - spoiler -  and I really appreciated those!

The novel is written from Lili and Jack POV in 3rd person. Meader made their POV's quite distinctive.
I connected to both of them really well and totally adored them by the end of the novel.
Jack is totally my dream man! I mean green eyes, yummy body and a passion for food and cooking? What else can a girl want?! I call dibs by the way - so back of my darling reading buddies! *insert sneaky giggle*
But as much as this started as a lust thing, as their feelings grew, one slowly got to know them, saw their fears and their strengths - and they both changed and grew through this, struggling with their past and overcoming difficulties. Which is what made this in my opinion a good book. I felt for them- no that's not quite right- I felt with them! I was moved, excited, sad, worried, happy and exhilarated. I identified with them and as I said, I ended up really caring for them.
All of the support cast were just enough cliché to make it fun but not over the top to become a caricature. I really like Tad (who will star in the third novel) and Laurent! I hope Mead will write a novel with him? Though he is New York most of the time....
The support cast is what made this fun. They were all totally unique and despite there being a huge amount of them, one got to know them surprisingly well.

If I had to describe Mead's prose the words sensual and straight forward come to mind. She has a way to bring through a good sense of humor, doesn't unnecessary flourish things but her food writing is beautiful. I love food and having worked as a chef I totally get the drive Jack and Il Duce have. Also love how she describes the foods. I seriously felt like cooking after reading this. Oh and then there is Lili's passion for photography! I would buy her pieces, by way Mead described things.
The smut is good- but let me warn you, there is a hell of allot of getting hot and bothered before you get to it!

A fun mix of cute and fluff, some serious character building, great humor and delicious food writing. I can't wait to read Tad story!


ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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ARC Challenge Week

Lexie @Fastidious Reader and I had come to the conclusion that we need to get a grip on our ARC load last week and decided that we will read two ARC and review them each week until the end of the year. Lexie decided her challenge will be at least one. I've been trying to stick for the two. The reviewing part is a bigger challenge for me than the reading.
This is the last Review Challenge Week and I am seriously grateful Lexie joined me in this venture. While I was not that great at in some ways, I have taken on the writing a review quite immediate approach with ARCs. See my problem is I like to think over books before I write a review and I got a really good memory so I can think on it for a while... but then I get caught up in RL. And that review gets onto my procrastinating list. I got quite a list of reviews I got to catch up with actually and I will do so in the new year hopefully. But I am planning to keep this reviewing - the latest on the next day practice. It works best!

This weeks ARCs:

If you wanna join us leave the links for your ARC reviews of this week here!

Finishing this challenge kinda left me wondering if I should just go on next year? And then Lexie came up with a bunch of challenges for 2014 she signed up on... And I decided to join her, with all of them. LOL! I will let you know which ones in a few days.

THANK YOU Lexie for being my Challenge Buddy!! I am looking forward to many more of these in the future

 

ARC Review: Sun & Moon by Lee Strauss

Sun & Moon by Lee Strauss




Publisher: ESB Publishing
Series: Minstrel Series #1
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: January 26, 2014
Summary:
She has a past. He has a secret.

Katja’s a risk-taking singer-songwriter hoping to make it in the indie music scene in Dresden, Germany. Micah’s a brooding uptown banker on a quest.

There’s an undeniable attraction between them, a gravitational pull they both struggle to resist. Katja knows she mustn’t fall in love with this handsome enigma. There’s something dark lurking beneath the surface. He could be dangerous. 

And even if her life isn’t on the line, 
her heart most definitely is.



Includes MP3 links to original music performed by Canadian Folk artist Kim McMechan

Rating: 

Review:

A sweet story about love, overcoming the past and finding your place in life.

Principally I liked the idea behind this, but my main issue with it: the writing style.  To be frank I don't like it, it's too simplistic in a way. Then I had issues with the whole germane phrases and words in the middle of it and while at other times Strauss decided to use english phrases that not used in german, so made no sense. I never like the use of foreign language phrases packed into a novel. Either we pretend this is set there or we don't.If they supposedly speak in German, and it's written in English just write the whole thing in English. Well at least that's my view on it. I got to admit I'm probably the worst kinda critic in this scenario, I was brought up in Switzerland, so am German speaking, but lived for more than a decade in English speaking countries. Hence I know both languages and cultures really well. In fact I wondered if Strauss had written this in German first... but apparently she hasn't.

The character building was alright. I would have preferred if Strauss would have dug deeper. Like about the whole writing process. I guess it's always way harder to make a connection if it's written in the third person- but I couldn't connect very well with the characters in general.
The biggest issue I had with the character building is that they were all so polarized. They all felt black and white- no grey zone. To be frank in my opinion there are only grey zones in life. Most people aren't just good or bad.
But I did like Katja and I really liked Micah. In fact Micah was my favorite, right from the start. He was definitely mysterious and interesting, but in some ways I feel I know very little about him. He stayed an enigma. Which is a shame.
Katja struck me as childish at times and even more often as selfish and self involved. Then again so are most people at her age. I found her need to run- or her threat of it- totally annoying, then I remembered that I was kinda the same at her age. In many ways Strauss captured her age and her state very well. But I wish that I could have connected with her more. I did feel her pain, her happiness to a degree, but it was like I was watching it from afar, rather than living it, like one does in a really really good book. I am not sure if this is due to the fact that I didn't like the writing style.  After reading this, I just felt kinda sad, because I felt like the character building had lots of potential and lots of thought was put in, but it didn't come through.
Katja did do plenty of growing up through the novel and I love how she took on responsibility and how she found a way to pursue her passion.

The story line was my favorite part of the novel. Definitely a fun and unique idea. I didn't see the first twist, well I knew it was coming but hadn't guessed right. I did however see all the other ones from a mile ahead. They were an obvious must for this genre, but I really enjoyed it non the less.
I love how Strauss brought in the indie music scene. A scene that has been close to my heart since my teens, which is the reason I was interested in the book in the first place. The idea of adding soundtracks at the end is fabulous and I loved the songs. I can imagine being a big fan of Katja myself. (In my head she sounds fabulous similar to Julia Stone actually)

A book that has huge potential but fell a bit short in the execution.

ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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ARC Review: Witch Finder by Ruth Warburton

Witch Finder by Ruth Warburton




Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Series: Witch Finder #1
Pages: 374 Pages (Paperback)
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: January 2, 2014
Summary:
London. 1880. In the slums of Spitalfields apprentice blacksmith Luke is facing initiation into the Malleus Maleficorum, the fearsome brotherhood dedicated to hunting and killing witches.

Luke’s final test is to pick a name at random from the Book of Witches, a name he must track down and kill within a month, or face death himself. Luke knows that tonight will change his life forever. But when he picks out sixteen-year-old Rosa Greenwood, Luke has no idea that his task will be harder than he could ever imagine

Rating: 

Review:

  
This sounded so good. I was really looking forward to this, Really I was.
But within 10pages or so I could have told where this is going. Seriously I kid you not. It's that predictable. Which kinda made this incredibly boring. But while I found it slightly disappointing, I had still some hope. See the plot was A to B to C, but Warburton's writing style is really enjoyable and I felt that maybe she will exceed in Character building. I wrote this off as a girly fantasy, thinking that I prefer the more epic fantasies, but that lots of female readers would so enjoy it. Just look at the cover. It is definitely gear for the girls. And the cover slut in me was drawn to book partly because it is a pretty cover after all. So I had hope. Surely Warburton, who obviously can write, will add something that will compel me. Character building will be ok. Something will be ok...as I said I had hope.
Well, at least for the first half of the book.Then it all went to the pits. There was insta-love, beyond predictable drama and still no character building.

While Warburton took care to describe a Victorian London and added some magic elements to it. I wasn't overly impressed by the world building. I would have preferred if she would have strayed more from the reality that the social classes presented in victorian England and added more fantasy to it. Looking at this as a historical novel, this is well researched. But somehow it doesn't work as social criticism. It's to cliche romance for that. And maybe if the character building would have been better, I would have felt more intrigued by the idea behind the world building. But as it is. It's real world just add some witches and magic- and that's the world of Witch Finder.

The character building is practically non-existent. As I said I had high hope here. But Warburton didn't come through on this part for me. I don't dislike Luke or Rosa. But I couldn't connect to either of them. Their connection to each other? A big question mark at best. I simply didn't buy it. I would have understood that Luke couldn't go through. But the sudden change of their relationship and their declarations?! UGH!! It ruined the book for me. If this wouldn't have been an ARC I would have stopped reading right there and then. And I felt like giving this 1Star at that point.
But I did finish, sadly I got no surprise even to the end. I am not quite sure where Warburton is going with this in her next book, but I got a pretty good idea. And sadly I have no interest in reading it.
Honestly if Warburton writing style wouldn't be that good I wouldn't have had hope and probably just excepted that it was a girly predictable light weight novel. BUT she can write, really well, and I feel let down. I think that this could have been better, way better.
Look while the main idea isn't new, the romance predictable there is potential here and Warburton should have dug deeper and somehow made it more.

This is a book for girls that feel like a light historical romance with some magical elements. If you like me have read countless fantasies- a witch book being one of your first books you read - you might, just like me, be left disappointed.

ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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ARC Review: Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder

Taste of Darkenss by Maria V. Snyder




Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Series: Healer #3
Pages: 464Pages (Paperback)
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: December 31, 2013
Summary:
She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision

Rating: 

Review:

If I had to describe Taste of Darkness with one word, I would probably choose lacklustre.
Sadly so, and with great regret because Touch of Power was one of my favorite reads in 2012, not only that, one of my favorite fantasy book. I adored Avery and her boys. Loved the storyline and world building, but my favorite part was the character building. And we all know I am a sucker for great character driven novels.  Scent of Magic was more plot driven. And one of the disappointing sequels of 2013- i chalked it up to second book syndrome. But sadly Taste of Darkness wasn't better, it was worse in my opinion.

Look if I am honest, if Touch of Power wasn't so awesome, I would have had less expectation. So I all fairness I rounded the 2,5Stars up.

Snyder writes really well. I love her writing style. But this time around the great dialogues felt a bit flat. They were way more fun the first time around. She definitely know her craft extremely, and this come through in this novel as well.

The character building was mainly made in the first book, there are some new developments. Flea is the biggest change, I actually loved how he grew and changed and took on the change of things. Kerrick was less stoic in this book, one of the things I found a bit annoying in Scent of Magic about him. But I found his desperation for Avery a bit grating, let's not even talk about his jealousy. Annoying deluxe. Avery was same old same old, and while her stubbornness was fun and cute in the first couple of novels- well let's just say the fun and cute factor wore off. A lot.
But in general it was fun to revisit the group- and the group has become quite a number of people. And I knew who they were despite my rather nonexistent name memory, which speaks for Snyders writing skills. And while I am being super critical about the characters, I should mention, that the character building is still pretty awesome.

The story line was well - a mash between first and the second book somewhat. Be prepared for a million and one rescue ops. I don't find them quite as enticing as I did in the first book. Then there was the "big"showdown. Which was not that big after all. And the end, while it was satisfying at some level, it was kinda well underwhelming. If I would have to describe the plot in a few words this would be it: rescue operations (like a million of it), research, arguing, friendship, fighting, discoveries and tidbits of lovey-dove- the end. In my opinion the story line was a bit all over the place, it felt like there were some event just added up and then at 90% the show down happened. By that point I was actually wondering if Snyder is planning to finish the story or writing another book. Which quite frankly I probably wouldn't have read. But then it did happen, a rather underwhelming and lacklustre experience actually. The finishing bits were actually rather nice and left me pleased. Still it took me 4days!! to work through this. Because it felt mechanic and to a degree tedious.

Which leads me to the question that plagued me from about 20% into Taste of Darkness. Why did Snyder write 3 Books?! Why not do a standalone? Why pull this over more than a 1000pages? Ok maybe two books I would understand, but three? It makes no sense, because not much is gained reading this third book. So sadly a totally underwhelming finish to a series. Though it does give you closure

A book for the fans of the author and the series. Still be warned it will take you one a ridiculous amount of rescue ops and there will be plenty of not so cute arguing.


ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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ARC Challenge Week 5

Lexie @Fastidious Reader and I had decided that we need to get a grip on our ARC load last week and decided that we will read two ARC and review them each week until the end of the year. Lexie decided her challenge will be at least one. I will try to go for the two. The reviewing part is a bigger challenge for me than the reading.
Are you int the same boat as Lex and I?  Join us!

While I have been reading, quite a few ARCs actually, I've been not very good at the review front due to hectic work schedules. So I am only posting now after missing two ARC-Challenge posts.

ARC Challenge Week 3-5
Books I've read and reviewed

 

I'm planning on reading Wicked after Midnight and The Almost Girl for the coming week.
If you wanna join us leave the links for your ARC reviews of this week here!

 

Review: Forged in Dreams and Magick by Kat Bastion

Forged in Dreams and Magick by Kat Bastion




Publisher: Kat Bastion 
Series: Highland Legends #1
Pages: 338 Pages (Hardcover)
Genre: Paranormal
Release Date: September 23, 2013
Summary:
The award-winning debut in the Highland Legend Series:

Isobel MacInnes wakes up in present-day California, lunches in medieval Scotland, and by ten days’ end, falls in love with a man and his country, only to lose them in a heart-wrenching twist of fate . . .

Found in the arms of her second soul mate . . .

Forced to balance the delicate strands of time between two millennia . . .

Shocked by revelations rewriting the very foundations of history . . . of everything.

Isobel, a rising-star archaeology student, is dropped into two ancient worlds without warning . . . or her permission. Her fiery spirit resists the dependency thrust upon her. Amid frustration at her lack of control, she helplessly falls in love. Twice.


She struggles to adjust to the unimaginable demands of two leaders of men—a laird in the thirteenth-century Highlands and a Pict chieftain in a more ancient Scotland. Isobel transforms from an academic, hell-bent on obtaining archaeological recognition, to a woman striving to care for those she loves, and ultimately . . . into a fearless warrior risking everything to protect them

Rating: 

Review:

I got this from the Author as a proper Hardcopy!

So this does count for my ARC Challenge though strictly speaking its not an ARC...
(Lex agrees ;))


This is kind of a mix between the Time Traveler, the Highlander series and Outlander. So definitely something I would enjoy.
The story line slowly unfolded the new world and new revelations were given at each chapter. I enjoyed the way the novel is paced. It's well thought through and leaves one interested but still time to ponder things.
My biggest issue the love triangle. And this has a major one. I mean a HUGE one. It made me seriously crinch. And I wasn't that impressed with how it was solved. Though I liked the result, don't misunderstand me, it ended exactly how I wanted it, it felt a bit too convenient.  The only positive thing I can say about the dread triangle is that there was always utter honesty. I just could not relate to it at all. And I think without it I would have given this 4stars rather than 3...

The world building was awesome! I love how Bastion travelled time, the Wall and the magic behind it all. It was really well done. I love the idea of time traveling, and Bastion took this to another level. Again, its reminiscent to the three novels I mentioned above, but it's also unique and has a fresh take to it.  My only question I have, do these authors think that Scotland had better weather a few hundred years ago? Because honestly I lived there, and the constant sunshine and warm weather they portray, well it doesn't really feature very often these days...or maybe their characters just don't feel the cold?


The character building is again done really well. Especially the ones of Clan Brodie. I really grew to like them, cared for them and felt like I knew the clan, it's difficulties, their loyalties and little quirkiness. I wasn't a fan of Valloc. But equally I was not that taken by the Pict area. Though I was intrigued by how Bastion worked in some Highland sagas so cleverly.
Isobel was an interesting character- from somewhat timid brilliant archeologist she grew to a feisty and kickass woman.  Though at times I found her rebelliousness a bit pointless.
Ian had my heart from the get go- I mean a hot dude with a brogue? But he also is gentle, loyal, strong and kind. The way he handled everything was really amazing. He was my favorite Character until Scorpius made an appearance... I loved his banter with Isobel! It's the BEST part of the book. And I am looking forward to the next book in the series, since he will take center stage!

I love Bastion's writing style. Despite finding myself annoyed with MC , I simply couldn't put the book down, neither was I able to not be completely enchanted. My favorite bits were definitely the ones  set in the thirteenth-century.

At the end of this I was left with quite a lot of questions. One of them; what happened to Fin?!
Others are to do with the world building. So I am hoping that all my questions will be clarified in the next book. Which brings me to another question? When will it be published?!


I am looking forward to reading  the next installment of the series. In fact I have already read the holiday novella "Bound by Wish and Mistletoe", which I loved as well!

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