Tinkering here and there...

I haven't noticed until now that my sidebar is not right. The Goodreads scripts I installed are not updating! I think it has something to do with some editing I did with the code so I will just have to do it all over again in order for it to update every time I mark a book in Goodreads.

So, I am asking for your patience as I tinker some more in this blog.

Happy Friday, fellow bookworms!

:)

Review: Blood Beyond Darkness

This is the fourth and last book in the Darkness Book Series by Stacey Marie Brown. You can read my reviews of the first three books: Darkness of Light, Fire in the Darkness, and Dwellers of Darkness.

Title: Blood Beyond Darkness
Author: Stacey Marie Brown
Publisher: Twisted Fairy Publishing
Release Date: August 28th 2014
Genre: New Adult | Urban Fantasy | Paranormal Romance
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Kindle Edition
Rating:

Blurb from Goodreads...

After months of searching, Ember and her friends have finally located the Sword of Light, the only weapon capable of destroying Queen Aneira and ending her rule. This is Ember’s destiny. Or so she thought. Now a pact to save the man she loves changes everything.

In this final installment in the Darkness Series, when the truth comes to light, Ember will learn some things are better left in the dark as her world is ripped even further apart. It is no longer a rabbit hole, but a never-ending black void full of endless lies, betrayals, and secrets.

The fight for Earth has begun, and Ember will have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save millions of innocent lives and those she loves.

But this price may be too high—even for her.

My Thoughts...

The Darkness Book Series by Stacey Marie Brown had me wrapped up in a happy bubble for a couple of days. Four books, all unputdownable. The whole series written beautifully, every character essential to the overall story. I fell in love not only with Eli and Ember but also with Mark, Cole, Owen, Cooper, Gabby, West, Lars, and most especially with Cal and Simmons, the pixies. Humor was interjected in every other scene. There's drama as well. Of course, since it's part romance, there were intimate moments which made me love the main characters even more!

I was not too fond of Kennedy's character towards the end. I felt for her struggles especially on the last part but I also felt that she could have been more firm on her decision with regards to Jared. And what's the deal with her and Lorcan? I was happy Lorcan somehow changed for the better because of her but were they together? Was there love between them? Will there be a Book 5 of the Darkness series, Miss Brown? Perhaps, a novella in Lorcan's POV? :) Because I feel there's a need to clarify what's the deal between Kennedy and Lorcan.

Overall, this series exceeded my expectations. It actually went waaaay beyond what I hoped it would be. I dived into the first book not knowing what to expect. I am embarrassed to say that I didn't know Stacey Marie Brown before I was offered to review the books but now I can proudly say that she's become one of my favorite paranormal romance authors!

I am recommending this whole series to everyone who loves a good paranormal romance story. I must admit that this was what I felt while I was fangirling over Twilight, the first book in the saga by Stephenie Meyer. My love for that particular saga dwindled on the second and third book, and sparked a bit for the last one. With the Darkness Series, I am telling you, guys, never have I lost my interest in the story. I couldn't put it down! I picked up one book after another and when I was nearing the end, I felt so sad I didn't want to say goodbye to the gang.

Note: Let me point out that the Darkness Series is totally different from the Twilight Saga. I was talking about what I felt while fangirling for both.

I couldn't be happier I was given the opportunity to read the review the books! Thank you, Rachel Marks and Stacey Marie Brown!

DISCLAIMER: My reviews of all four books of the Darkness Series by Stacey Marie Brown were in no way affected by the fact the e-books were given to me free of charge. Every review I did, the ratings I gave each book, are unbiased and absolutely independent of the author and her publicist.

Review: Dwellers of Darkness

This is the third book in the Darkness Book Series by Stacey Marie Brown. I already posted the reviews for the first two books, Darkness of Light and Fire in the Darkness.

Title: Dwellers of Darkness
Author: Stacey Marie Brown
Publisher: Twisted Fairy Publishing
Release Date: February 27th 2014
Genre: New Adult | Urban Fantasy | Paranormal Romance
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Kindle Edition
Rating:

Blurb from Goodreads...

Some days feel like years, but in Ember Brycin’s case just the opposite is true. Em would be 22 now—if she were human. She’s not. She is a Dae—part Demon and part Fay—with a little Dark Dweller thrown in to make her more of a freak.

Life has become further complicated for Ember since returning from the Otherworld. Besides being continuously hunted by the Seelie Queen, Ember is at the top of the Unseelie King’s list, after breaking her oath with him. No one breaks a vow with the Unseelie King without extreme consequences.

Adding to Ember’s problems is a certain Dark Dweller whose mood has become violent and cruel. As much as she’d like to deny it, there is an undeniable connection between them. Eli is sexy, gorgeous, and frustrating as hell. She also knows he is holding something back, something that could change their relationship forever.

But her problems go way past him. As the tension for war mounts between the Seelie and Unseelie (Light and Dark), the tension at the Dark Dweller’s compound escalates even more as they prepare to obtain the Sword of Light—the only weapon able to kill the Queen.

But is Ember the answer to the location of the sword? Is she the one to fulfill the prophecy? As usual nothing is ever what it seems.

My Thoughts...

Stacey Marie Brown is one kick-ass author! She doesn't disappoint. I love how sizzling the sexual chemistry is between Ember and Eli. I love how independent and brave yet still a girl deep down Ember is. I love how dark and badass Eli is but is always vulnerable when it comes to Ember. The tension between the two, the banters, every charged scene when they are together... totally worth every minute I spent reading this third book in the Darkness series.

I can't stress enough just how addicted I am to this series. I TOTALLY LOVE IT!!!

I've said this in my Fire in the Darkness review, I truly wish these books be made into a TV series. Sooo good!

Review: Fire in the Darkness

This is the second book in the Darkness Book Series by Stacey Marie Brown. I already posted the review for the first book, Darkness of Light.

Title: Fire in the Darkness
Author: Stacey Marie Brown
Publisher: Twisted Fairy Publishing
Release Date: August 31st 2013
Genre: New Adult | Urban Fantasy | Paranormal Romance
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Kindle Edition
Rating:

Blurb from Goodreads...

It's been four weeks since Ember Brycin witnessed what her powers are capable of. The Electrical Current Storm has turned Seattle, Washington into a natural disaster zone. The death toll is in the thousands with countless others homeless and hungry.

And Ember is the one who caused it. Something she will have to live with every day.

Those people who were unable to escape either turned quickly into gangs or live in shelters. Ember, on the other hand, can’t do either. With a price on her head and a Dark Dweller on her ass, she is constantly on the move. Both Light and Dark are hunting her for their own purpose to use her as a weapon or a pawn in the war between the Unseelie King of the Dark and the Seelie Queen of the Light.

Em needs help but doesn’t know who to trust: Lars, the mystery man Torin told her to find? Torin, the Seelie Queen’s personal knight, who has sworn to keep Em safe? Or Eli, who wants to turn her over to the Unseelie King, but whom she has an undeniable, intense connection with?

No matter what she chooses she will probably lose—her life or everything and everyone she loves.

My Thoughts...

Ember is the queen of all kick-ass heroines! In the second book of the Darkness series, Ember is now aware of how extraordinary she is. Part Fae, part Demon. And then something happens in the book that will make Ember even more unique. As what she said, a freak among the freaks! Ha-ha! I just love how sassy Ember is!

The series is really getting to me. I am crazy addicted to it! Eli is such a wet fantasy. Those steamy encounters with Ember are enough to make me want to read more and more. My mind is blown away by how good the flow of the story is. It is crazy good!

I wish someone will make a TV series out of these books. It is so much better than the ones airing right now.

***

Read this book right after I finished Darkness in Light on March 3rd.

Review: Darkness of Light

I was approached and asked if I wanted to review the Darkness Book Series by Stacey Marie Brown. I honestly haven't heard about this book series and even the author herself before I was approached from someone on her team about the offer to read the books for free and review it. As soon as I saw the cover of the first book in Goodreads and, then, read the blurb, I said yes.

Below is the review of the first book in the series.

Title: Darkness of Light
Author: Stacey Marie Brown
Publisher: Twisted Fairy Publishing
Release Date: February 13th 2013
Genre: New Adult | Urban Fantasy | Paranormal Romance
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Kindle Edition
Rating:

Blurb from Goodreads...

Freak. Witch. Crazy. Schizo.

Ember Brycin has been called them all. She’s always known she’s different. No one has ever called her normal, even under the best circumstances. Bizarre and inexplicable things continually happen to her, and having two different colored eyes, strange hair, and an unusual tattoo only contributes to the gossip about her.

When the latest school explosion lands her in a facility for troubled teens, she meets Eli Dragen, who’s hot as hell and darkly mysterious. Their connection is full of passion, danger, and secrets. Secrets that will not only change her life, but what and who she is—leading her down a path she never imagined possible.

Between Light and Dark, Ember finds a world where truth and knowledge are power and no one can be trusted. But her survival depends on finding out the truth about herself. In her pursuit, she is forced between love and destiny and good and evil, even when the differences between them aren’t always clear. At worst, she will incite a war that could destroy both worlds. At best, she will not only lose her heart but her life and everyone she loves. Once the truth is out, however, there will be no going back. And she’ll definitely wish she could.

My Thoughts...

Let me start this with the kiss ass book cover... those eyes of the cover model? Totally captivating! That cover alone captured my interest right away.

Darkness of Light by Stacey Marie Brown is a book which immediately captured my attention from page one. It was a really, really good story! It is about Ember Brycin, a high school student who felt she was going insane seeing things that shouldn't be there, and making things happen supposedly impossible to happen. Because of these things, she was asked to temporarily leave her school and was sent to Silverwood, a facility for troubled teens, where she met Eli Dragen, the bad boy rider. Upon meeting each other, things start to happen to Ember again and it seemed there was a connection between her and Eli.

Eli Dragen. Sigh. Eli. Now that is a male lead character to die for! Dark, mysterious, tall and handsome, with a to-die-for body. Rides a Harley. Totally bad boy! Sex on stick, as described in the book. Ha-ha! Ember, on the other hand, is a female lead character who is totally adorable. She kicks ass and is someone who can stand for herself. Not so much in the beginning of the book but as the story progresses, her strong personality comes through. I totally love both leads!

Then, there's Mark, Ember's stepfather who loves her unconditionally. Ryan and Kennedy, Ember's best friends. The Dark Dwellers Cole, Owen, Cooper, Jared and Gabby, just as interesting as Eli. I slowly fell in love with all of them in every turn of the page.

You need to read this series. At least, start with this book and I am telling you, every minute you spend reading Darkness of Light will make you smile. It will bring you to your happy place. It is a perfect escape to those like me who feel so much better in the world created in books than in the real one.

***

I was given the books last February 25th and only able to start reading it on March 2nd.

Review: Before I Go To Sleep

Title: Before I Go To Sleep
Author: S.J. Watson
Publisher: Harper Collins | Doubleday
Release Date: April 28th 2011
Genre: Mystery-Thriller (Psychological Thriller) | Suspense Fiction | Crime
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Kindle Edition
Rating: (4.5 STARS)

Blurb from Goodreads...

Christine wakes up every morning in an unfamiliar bed with an unfamiliar man. She looks in the mirror and sees an unfamiliar, middle- aged face. And every morning, the man she has woken up with must explain that he is Ben, he is her husband, she is forty-seven years old, and a terrible accident two decades earlier decimated her ability to form new memories.

But it’s the phone call from a Dr. Nash, a neurologist who claims to be working with Christine without her husband’s knowledge, that directs her to her journal, hidden in the back of her closet. For the past few weeks, Christine has been recording her daily activities—tearful mornings with Ben, sessions with Dr. Nash, flashes of scenes from her former life—and rereading past entries, relearning the facts of her life as retold by the husband she is completely dependent upon. As the entries build up, Christine asks many questions. What was life like before the accident? Why did she and Ben never have a child? What has happened to Christine’s best friend? And what exactly was the horrific accident that caused such a profound loss of memory?

Every day, Christine must begin again the reconstruction of her past. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more unbelievable it seems.

My Thoughts...

I have read some other stories where the main character suffers from amnesia, but not one where the memory is wiped clean every morning after a night's sleep. I loved the sense of impending doom on every chapter. It would make you turn the page again and again until you find out what really happened to Christine.

I can't imagine a life wherein every waking moment you will ask yourself where you are, who you're with, what you do. Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson gives us a great perspective if and when that kind of existence happens to anyone of us. It is scary, confusing, frustrating, maddening. I think if I am the one in Christine's place, I will go totally insane!

I would have given this book 5 stars but there were some lapses I would have loved addressed. Like how come nobody was looking for Christine and why her son Adam kept sending letters and pictures to the last facility she was in when their records should have shown Christine was with her husband Ben, Adam's very own father. Another instance was why nobody checked with the cafe when she was attacked, why no one came forward to volunteer information that she was seeing someone there before the incident happened. And some other instances in the story I believe needed some explanation of some sort.

But, all in all, the story is so captivating you will breeze through it.

***

Started reading on March 1st and ended on the 2nd.