Review: Only Forever by Cristin Harber

Only Forever

Author: Cristin Harber
Publisher: Mill Creek Press
Series: Only #4
Pages: Kindle, 89 Pages
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: May 18th 2015

Summary:

The fourth and final installment of the Only series. Must be read in order.

There comes a time when Emma must face the secret she kept from Grayson. But she never thought it would be while she stood on stage at Emerald’s. The seconds she has to convey that her life is in danger are lost in the devastation that she sees rip through him.

She pinches her eyes closed. “Don’t leave me. No matter how mad you are, please, please don’t leave me here alone.”

But there’s more on the line than just Emma’s safety. There’s the danger that brought Titan’s Delta team in to the strip club in the first place. A threat that’s too close to home, too close to the family, the daughter and woman Grayson plans to claim.

I push away the sudden spring of fear. Life’s too unknown, with hidden enemies and unseen terrors. The idea that I could lose her again… it’s unbearable.

A love story like Grayson and Emma needs a forever love, and somehow they’ll find their way to her fairytale.

Released May 18, 2015

Review:

*sigh*

What a fitting ending.
An ending that left me all happy and fuzzy. - and wanting more of Harber's kickass hotties.

The last instalment of the Only Series picks up right where Only for Us left off, a rather gruelling but very expected cliffy.
But Harber managed to absolutely surprise me. Because I would have bet anything there is drama coming. I so thought I knew where the plot is going, then BAM.. and I was in the deep end again. I didn't expect THAT.
So the plot of this one; surprising for the first bit, swoon worthy and filled with closure for the rest.
There is plenty of action, some sizzles and a huge helping of uber-cute in this instalment.
Mostly though I am just surprised. I didn't expect that Harber will give me the cute & fluffy with a twist. I got my HEA, but not as sugary as I expected, I got drama but totally not the kind I was expecting. And for me this is the best part of Only Forever.

Now that I finished this epic journey with Gray and Em, it is nearly impossible to not compare the serials and look at the story as a whole.
And my first thought of it: A job well done. Harber nailed the serial thingy. Each part is unique and fabulous. Each part managed to surprise me, each part made me expect more and each of them delivered. And each part, retrospectively makes sense. I mean each part is somewhat a finished chapter in the story. Seriously it's very well done and I hope Harber will be doing another one.

I have on several occasions mentioned that I love Harber's writing. Only Forever was no exception. It's a well crafted novella. But more so after I finished it, I realised that while I would not describe myself as a suspense romance reader- Harber kinda just made me one.
She has just the right balance between the gooey happy bits, the action and the sizzles, and all that is wrapped up in some good character building.

I love all the guys. I really really do. First they are totally swoon worthy. BUT more importantly, they all unique. I feel like I know them, I know their quirks and what haunts them... Same goes for the gals. Harber created some great characters, each one unique and likeable, but also totally human and with their fair share of flaws.
I mean Grayson...

(Or any of the other hotties)
Am I the only one hoping there will be a book for Ryan? Sure not...*hint hint*

A satisfying ending to a well crafted and entertaining serial. A must read for lovers of the genre.
And if you not one for serials? Only Forever will be released this Tuesday (5/18/15) - so read the entire series then ;)

Oh and guess what I will be reading soon? Yep, I shall finish the Titan series. I've been waiting for more Audiobook releases of the Titan series... but oh well, I'll just have to imagine Jeffrey Kafer's voice reading it to me.

Rating: 

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Review: Only For Us by Cristin Harber

Only For Us

Author: Cristin Harber
Publisher: Mill Creek Press
Series: Only #3
Pages: Kindle Edition, 76 pages
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: April 14th 2015

Summary:

The third installment of the Only series. Must be read in order.

Grayson and Emma. First love. True love. And... they have a daughter. Abandonment is his curse. He left his woman, survived his team, and missed the moment most precious to a father. Until now.

"I didn't know you were killing yourself with work. I didn't know you're raising our daughter. So help me God, had I known, there is no military force on earth that would've kept me from you."

Love needs to heal all, or they won't survive the collision of their separate lives. Emma must reach deep into her heart that is barely hanging on and find forgiveness. Grayson, wrecked with PTSD-filled nightmares, must prove that he's here to stay and able to rebuild his family against all odds.

"I need to say I love you. But what I mean is I love you--in a way that defies definition and exists only in a world that you and I are in."

Only for Us is the third installment in the Only series. All novellas will release Spring 2015.

Review:

Another great instalment! And another one that ends with a cliffy. Though I did see that one coming from a mile. I just new thats how Only for Us will end.
But does that ease my need to get my hands on the next serial? Nope, not at all.
So the plot was not very surprising. But I enjoyed every single minute spent reading this one. It's a pleasure to absorb Harber's writing. Seriously. I utterly enjoyed this instalment, due to how well it was written.

"Damn. He looks like an old man rotting away from the inside out who just suffered through a barroom brawl. His wrinkled skin is checked with gray stubble. His sunken eyes are black, and scratches color his skin. His split lip is yellow and nicotine stained as is the hand wrapped around the generic-looking beer can."

This quote kinda outlines for me why I like reading Harber's books. And it struck me while I was reading the quote, that I kinda knew there wouldn't be loads of surprises, and while loads of the character building had been done in the previous instalment, I adore this instalment, because I simply enjoy Harber's unfolding of the story, the entire ride of it. Just love how talented Harber is in her craft.
Oh and don't get me wrong, there are so many epic moments in this.The MCs to grow and overcome small and big hurdles. And again, I was awestruck with Harber's talent. She does push the emotions, gets real, tugs on your heart strings but not too much, not too little just enough. Just the right amount.
For me this instalment proved page after page, why Harber is one of my favorite authors in her genre.

Just one more instalment and I can't wait to get my HEA!

Rating: 

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Review: Only For Her by Cristin Harber

Only For Her

Author: Cristin Harber
Publisher: Mill Creek Press
Series: Only #2
Pages: Kindle Edition, 82 pages
Genre: Romance
Release Date: March 17th 2015

Summary:

The second installment in the Only series. Must read book one first!!

First loves never die but Grayson Ford comes close. Bleeding out in a war zone, he barters with God. Bring him back alive, and he'll make it right with his girl.

All I want is Emma. I need her, and I fight for her memory. A story. A smile. Anything. But it's all blank .

Emma is not his girl anymore. Time has skipped by and life's been hard. She strips to pay the bills, waitresses to fill the hours between classes and her third job. All while working to be the best mama she can be to the little girl who will never know her daddy. Even though Grayson abandoned her, she mourned his death. Until he calls, and everything she knew was wrong.

It's him. The him that ruined my life. That made my life. That confused my mind to the point that I can't figure out if I've been destroyed or set free. The him that... is... dead.

He's back with one objective--Emma Kingsley--and she never sees it coming.

Only for Her, Only #2
The novella series will release in its entirety this spring.

Review:

"Our path isn't pretty, and maybe we're still hovering near the starting point, but I'm the man you're supposed to be with."

Ever since I read Only For Her - which is over two weeks ago - I've been trying to write a review rather than a bunch of fangirling statements... And even after two weeks, I seem unable to do so.
So let's just look at this and be honest. I still stand with my initial reaction. And the fact that even after all this time and quite a few books I still feel like it, is a huge credit to the serial.

If you would have told me a couple of years ago that I shall be a teetering mess about a contemporary romance involving an alpha action hottie, I would have snorted - and doubted your sanity. This is me, I find a lot of contemporary romances a bit, well too romantic? Too much? Too been there done that... but Harber for some reason manages to write heroes I melt for. Storylines I adore, and smut... well.. smut that I can't resist. I think she could totally make me into a smut reader. Remember this is coming from someone who complains about too much smut in many romance novels....I don't read erotica, well it defo has too much smexy times in there... BUT Harber weeeellll.....she gets it just right.  And with the Only Series she definitely is officially one of my favorite romance authors.

Okay. I warned you. I am trying really hard not to fangirl here. It's difficult. Give me a minute.


So just like in the first instalment, I wanted to throw my kindle after finishing, it's frustrating to wait for the next release to say the least. But I still would read it on it's released day rather than waiting for all of them to be released and read them in one go.
Only For Her has answered many of the questions that I was left with. Not only that, I got so much more. I mean Grayson was cute before. Now. Now, he is absolutely and utterly hot.
Harber did not only an amazing job at bridging the gap that one was left with, but also did a fantastic job with the characters. We speaking several years later after all. These aren't kids anymore, a lot has happened for both of them, they have both changed. Harber made both MCs and where they are at, what happened all of that believable and also I totally could identify with both of their reasons.

In these last few days, I tried hard to take a step back from my personal response to Grayson and co, and just look objectively on the story line.  For me this it totally character driven.  Hence the fangirling. The character building being fabulously done and the great writing makes this a winner for me. So when I thought just about the story line? Well, it's a romance novel. It you star crossed lover situation, the best friends who became more, big misunderstandings...  and a couple of rather real life twists. A good story line, but nothing completely new. And to be frank, given the amazing characters and the writing- I don't really care, at all. That it is well paced, has some surprising twists and a connection to Harber's previous novels makes this all the more a great series to read.

Again, I can only recommend this to lovers of the genre and fans of the author. And as I said after reading Only For Him- if you not a fan of serials- wait until all the parts are released and read it in one go.

I am desperately waiting to get my hands on the next instalment. Because well, GRAYSON and all that, but also this has been left with a cliffy .... a minor one, on one level.. BUT  I need to know what happens next. Like RIGHT NOW.
Looks at her diary, takes a deep breath.
Just a few more days until the 14th.



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Review: Only For Him by Cristin Harber

Only For Him

Author: Cristin Harber
Publisher: Mill Creek Press
Series: Only #1
Pages: ebook, 70 pages
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: February 24th 2015

Summary:

Grayson Ford and Emma Kinglsey—close since they were kids, opposites in every way. He’s the stuff high school crushes are made of, Mister Popular, and captain of every team. She’s artsy, cute, and not in his league, though fully aware of Summerland’s "I Dream of Dating Grayson Ford" support group.

I can’t say no. The girl’s had my heart since before I knew it went missing.

He hides a life of hell. His father hates him, his mother’s gone. Emma is his only savior, yet she doesn’t know her power over him. She’s the only girl he wants, the only one he could ever tell—though he won’t.

I’m stronger, bigger, more of a man than he’ll ever be, but because I ruined his life, I’ve taken his crap, his attacks, the vulgar nature of his existence.

Until she discovers Gray’s embarrassment, his humiliation. Emma fights for him, for a chance. Theirs is a Cinderella story that she believes impossible. But as the layers peel back, it’s just a guy who needs a girl in order to keep breathing.

My mind is already doodling Mrs. Grayson Ford in imaginary notebooks. He has no clue where my head is at… But, given that I didn’t see what just happened coming, maybe I have no clue where his head is at either.
______

* ONLY FOR HIM is the first book in the Only series, all of which will release in Spring 2015.

Review:

First off if you not into serials this is not for you. Just thought I'll mention that.
Because Harber decided to publish this in a novella serial, four of them to be exact. I personally quite love them. Well at least I like the idea of it, until I realise I am gonna have to wait nearly two month to get the next crumb. And that's what this felt like a crumb. I was given a tiny taster. The amazing thing? I am hooked.

In this short amount of time Harber made me care for Grayson and Emma. I am invested in them, their story. Even if the beginning was a wee bit melodramatic at time. Then again, they are in their late teens. It comes with the territory. The group of friends are sweet, the relations ship between Grayson and Emma adorable. I love their chemistry, the smut is delectable...
It's your usual teen cute & fluffy. Until it suddenly isn't anymore. There is a huge twist at the end. One I didn't really see coming. Well, at least Emma's part of it. And the mega cliffy left me hanging in the air. Literally.
I have no idea what happened. I am totally shell shocked.

And I just want more.Correction. I need more.

Which is in my opinion the best reference I could give Harber actually.
The plot is short, sweet and with a wicked twist, the character building while a bit cliche, is well done and the writing style is great, just as expected from Harber

What I can say is that I see Harber's MO when it comes to Grayson. Emma, I can just not even fathom, let's just not go there, I just can't. It's brilliant master stroke on Harbers side. That garanties that I shall be reading the next 3... whenever I manage to get my hands on them that is. Did I mention TWO months?!!

Which brings me back to the beginning, if you have issues with serials, this might not be your kinda thing. Well, actually, wait until the last is published and read them all in one go.
A must for fans of the genre and the author.


Rating: 

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Serial Thursday

The Kraken King Part V

Author: Meljean Brook
Publisher: InterMix
Series: Iron Seas #5.5
Genre: Steampunk
Release Date: May 13, 2014

Summary:

Experience the incredible adventure and heart-stopping romance of the Iron Seas in this thrilling steampunk tale from New York Times bestselling author Meljean Brook.

The Kraken King, Part V
The Kraken King and the Iron Heart

With their lives and the fate of an empire at stake, Ariq is forced to leave Zenobia behind. Held captive by their enemies, Zenobia can only pray that Ariq keeps his promise to come for her—until a terrible loss prods her to action.

Ariq has no intention of handing over the Skybreaker to the two men responsible for the marauders’ attacks against Krakentown—but without a ransom to give them, Ariq must risk everything to rescue Zenobia and stop the swarming forces bent on destruction…

Includes a bonus excerpt of Meljean Brook’s Riveted.

Review:

And she did it AGAIN!

"I intend to brand myself so deep into you that you could write a thousand stories but still not picture a life without me. That is my purpose."

The first third of this serial, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. I was feeling a bit irritated by Zenobia's insecurities, was wondering if Brook is going to do another back and forth, felt upset about the separation...and then BAM! *insert a turn in the story* And I was all over this shit!
I was eating out of Brook's hand, was gobbling up each word, was feeling gooey, was impressed, awed and well; another pile of mush on the floor, wishing it was Tuesday.
So as you might gather out of my rumblings, the story lines was rather satisfying.

The world building. Should I repeat myself? Oh well, I am going to. If you don't wanna hear AGAIN how amazeballs it is.. go ahead and skip this. But seriously, this has probably the least world building of all the installments so far. But even then Brook added new exciting elements to the ever growing world of Iron Seas. Her descriptions had me mentally gasping. She painted beautiful moments with her words, added another surprising element to it all and well, it. well.. left me moved by the beauty she described and kinda speechless.

This installment is heavy on character building. It left me officially and certified in love with Ariq. I could fangirl for hours on end. But I shall just say: Loyal, strong, caring and hot! *Fans herself*
Zenobia was a tad annoying about certain things, too insecure too doubting. And coming from miss commitment issues over here that says a lot. But then again it does fit her character, it is understanding given her history.
In fact in this installment I connect most with the two MC's, it felt like I got to become friends with someone I kinda knew.
The best part: their dialogues, especially their banter! *swoon*

I am swamped with work- so Serial Thursday ended up being the following Monday post. I think this might have been one of the few times I was glad that I only had time to read on Sunday night... less wait till Tuesday. Cause I am waiting here with baited breath! Less the 48 hours to the next installment! *looks at her kindle in anticipation* soon! *grins*

On a different note:
As I said before, I like the idea of Serials. For sentimental reasons mainly, but also I enjoy the whole getting tidbit here and there, waiting, the anticipation, the waking-up to a new serial on my kindle... all of it is fun. Though I had my doubts after the third serial- I am loving the process and enjoying the whole event.
My biggest issue though about it is the price, quite frankly I refuse to pay more than $11 for ebooks- with very few exceptions- I then rather will spend money on a hardcopy. So paying $1.99 per serial... makes this nearly a $16 book. SO frankly I have been wondering if I should have just waited and bought a paperpack. There have been lots of discussion about that issue and this week Brook sent out a mail explaining why she does a serial:

First of all, the answer is a flat-out NO. I would never do that. I know that not all of my readers like the serial format (or the price tag) but I didn't release the book like this to bilk as much money as possible from those who are willing to pay. Quite simply, the serial was the only way I could get the book to you before this upcoming winter. If you don't like the format, please be aware that the full book is still coming later this year, which is when it would have been released, anyway. The serial just offers an option to those readers who would like to get it before the regular release date later this year. (If you would like a longer explanation, I talk about this more on my blog here.)

And with that Brook has won me over on the price tag as well. Because honestly, I spend more than $2 on coffee each day. After all I am enjoying my Serial Thursdays and with that I am actually happy to pay that price.
So this week Brook won me over on many many levels and reconfirmed her place among my favorite authors.

Rating: 

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Serial: The Kraken King IV

The Kraken King Part IV

Author: Meljean Brook
Publisher: InterMix
Series: Iron Seas #4.4
Genre: Steampunk
Release Date: May 6, 2014

Summary:

The Kraken King has declared that Zenobia Fox is under his protection—and with her identity revealed, she needs that protection more than ever. But it comes with a price when Ariq demands that Zenobia reveal her secrets in return.

Ariq wants nothing more than for Zenobia to trust him, and he knows exactly which sensual tricks will breach her defenses. But although she urgently desires the powerful governor, Zenobia isn’t a woman who will be easily won with a few passionate kisses.

When his ambush goes awry, Ariq discovers just how deeply he can hurt her—but the real danger to Zenobia is one that he never expected…

Review:

After the last serial I was kinda iffy, annoyed and definitely divided. Don't misunderstand me, I did pre-order this one, I was left wanting more, but also wondered if I can take any more of the on and off in the romance. I needed some sort of solution.
Which admittedly is a bit silly, since I don't need to read the end to know where the romance is going.

I guess that speaks for Brooks character building. It's as always pretty good. It's subtle yet solid. And more importantly it leaves me invested. I care about Zenobia and Ariq.
And in this one I really really grew fond of both of them. As much as I wanted to shank them both in Kraken King Part 3- this, changed my perception of everything that came before. Lots of things suddenly fell into place. Not just for the two of them but also details that irritated me, previous behavior I found a bit (in some cases a lot) frustrating, suddenly made sense. I fell in love with both of the MCs.
Damn I even care about the support cast- so many of them left behind by now. I found myself wondering how Taka is doing, and if Brook is possibly going to write a book about him... yep. I know, he was in what all of one or two chapters? And Helen, though she is annoying as hell, dizzy the only kind comment I can muster. I want to know how she will fair. And Mara and Cooper... Ah, but I am getting distracted.
Back to part four:

The world building is again, beyond superb. Each serial Brook just blows my mind away. All of Zenobia's traveling brings them into unchartered territory, every single place being described with amazing detail. I know I have said that about each and every single serial. And I am sorry to tell you, that I probably will gush about each and every following one as well. If you read Brook before, you will understand. Her world building is spectacular. ALWAYS. The world she built in Iron Seas is clever, imaginative and never ceases to impress or astound. And in the Kraken King she put it a notch up. Each serial brings an entire new surrounding, delves deeper into the mechanisms of the politics and ties it cleverly, yet subtly to the previously described world and happenings. I could gush for hours! But I shall not bore you anymore.

As you guessed. The plot of the romance is more satisfying so no more ranting, sadly I can't say much more other than I was swooning and sighing. More than half is all about the romance all about the feelings and insecurities, the two of them trying to sass each other out, but also both of them being brave and opening their hearts.
Oh and how could I forget there are a couple of twists as well... *evil snicker*
And with those Brook warranted my full attention and I am looking forward to next weeks serial.

An absolute treat to read that left me a gushing fan girling googey ... something.


Rating: 

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