Review: Leveled (Saints of Denver #0.5) by Jay Crownover

Leveled (Saints of Denver #0.5) by Jay Crownover

Publication Date: November 2, 2015
Page Count:224
Published by: William Morrow
Source: Kindle Purchase

Synopsis from Goodreads:

We all need a hero...let the Saints of Denver begin

Orlando Frederick knows what it is to be leveled by pain. Instead of focusing on his own, he’s made it his mission to help others: sports stars, wounded war vets, survivors of all kinds. But when Dom, a rugged, damaged, sinfully attractive cop, makes his way into Lando’s physical therapy practice, he might be the biggest challenge yet. Lando loved one stubborn man before and barely survived the fallout. He’s not sure he can do it again.

Dominic Voss is a protector. The police badge he wears is not only his job, it’s his identity, so when he’s sidelined because of an injury, the only thing he cares about is getting back on the force. He expects Lando to mend his body, he just doesn’t realize the trainer will also have him working toward a hell of a lot more. As attraction simmers and flares, Dom sees that Lando needs repair of his own...if only the man will let him close enough to mend what's broken.

Leveled is the first book in the new Saints of Denver series, and many of the characters from the Marked Men series make an appearance here. I didn't enjoy reading Leveled as much as I hoped I would. I've only read one of the books in the original series, and I'm interested in starting the Saints of Denver series when it comes out. So I thought I would give this a chance because it's a transition from one series to the next. And that's pretty much all it is. A lot of backstory and updates on the characters, and those same characters in new scenes with Dom and Lando. This was long for a novella, but I still needed more of Dom and Lando's story. I kept waiting for that hard, emotional impact that would make me really fall for the characters, but it never came.

Although I usually love books told in dual POV, I don't think it worked this time because the voices weren't distinguishable enough. I had to look at the top of each chapter to see who's POV it was. I even got confused a few times while reading and had to go back to find out who's chapter it was. Oops.

I'm not an expert at M/M romance (although I've read plenty) but I thought the scenes were awkward and weird. I don't think the author was comfortable with that aspect of the story. That makes me sad because the characters didn't have any spark or sizzle, and I wasn't feeling any chemistry between them. They were just 2 really nice guys trying to sort their crap out and be happy together.

Overall, I thought Leveled was just alright, but not too memorable. I liked Dom and Lando well enough, but I didn't love them.

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: Real (Real, Raw & Ripped #1) by Katy Evans

Series Saturday (5) and Review

Today on Series Saturday I am featuring a review of Real by Katy Evans. This is the first book in the Real, Raw & Ripped series. There will be 4 more books in this series: Mine, Remy, Raw, & Ripped.

Real (Real, Raw & Ripped #1) by Katy Evans

Publication Date: September 3, 2013
Page Count: 320
Published by: Gallery Books
Source: eArc provided in exchange for an honest review


New Adult Contemporary Romance **Mature Content**
Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language.

Synopsis From Goodreads:

HOT. SEXY. POWERFUL. PAINFUL. REAL. The scorching international bestseller that strips away everything you’ve ever believed about passion . . . .

Remington Tate has a bad-boy rep in and out of the ring, a granite-hard body, and a raw, animal power that sends his female fans into a frenzy. But from the moment their eyes lock, the only woman he wants is Brooke Dumas. His desire is pure, all-consuming, and REAL.

Hired to keep his perfect body working like a machine, Brooke finally has the lucrative sports therapy job she’s been dreaming of. But as she tours the dangerous underground fighting circuit with Remy and his team, Brooke’s own body becomes alive with the most primal of hungers. If what happens between Brooke and Remy is ever as light as a flirtation, it quickly becomes an erotic obsession for them both, and promises so much more.

But their white-hot lust has a dark side—and when Remy’s deepest secret comes to light and Brooke’s familial duties demand action, will the pair be able to hang on, or will everything that once seemed so real suddenly fade away like an illusion?

You know what? Honestly, this was not a terrible book by my standards. However, the use - sorry, I meant to say OVER use - of certain words, phrases, and actions caused me to rate this book down.

The repetition in this book was beyond ridiculous. The clenching! Everything clenched, all the time, and several times a page. There was too much licking. Like all the time licking. It was just too much for me. Oh, the scenting. They didn't smell each other, they scented. I don't even know WTF that means exactly, but it was worrisome for me. Also, Brooke had a condition... I'll just stop here and simplify things. She was horny. Perpetually horny. And her inner dialogue was really forthcoming about her constant wet state. That's not something I wanted or needed to know.

Needless to say, I didn't like Brooke at all. I couldn't understood her way of thinking and acting, so I never really connected with her.

I really didn't get to know Remy very well, but for some unknown reason, I really liked him. He was troubled, yet I found him intriguing, and I wanted to know more about him. That doesn't mean that I agree with the way he handled things. I really wanted Remy to man up and own his problem, and be proactive in doing something about it. Instead, he hired people to 'handle' him when his problem got out of hand. I would have preferred Remy facing things head on and taking the responsibility for it himself.

I really didn't get Brooke and Remy's attraction, other than they were hot for each other. I honestly can't even tell you if they were good for each other or not. And I don't know if either one of them brought anything worthwhile to the relationship. It really had disaster written all over it!

Halfway through the book I was desperate for conversations between Brooke and Remy. Was it really that difficult to write real conversations between the two of them? They barely speak to each other! The whole music thing was alright, but I would have preferred actual dialogue.

Surprisingly, I found Real to be an addictive read. One that I couldn't put down until I finished it. Just be aware that there are tons of issues with this book. There was some really bad writing at times, too much repetition, and immature actions and inner dialogue. What I really enjoyed was the boxing/fighting aspect. I do think that Real had the potential to be really great, but it fell short for me.

I am contemplating reading the next installment titled Mine. I just don't want to suffer through more of Brooke's POV! The 3rd book, Remy, will be from Remy's POV, which I think I will enjoy because I AM interested in learning more about Remy.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Series Saturday (4)

Series: Woodcutter Sisters

Enchanted (Woodcutter Sisters #1) by Alethea Kontis

I loved Enchanted so much! I thought it was a fantastic story. It was sweet and charming, cute and complicated, quirky, beautiful, and romantic. Kontis was so clever with the way she effortlessly weaved familiar fairytales with original aspects to make a truly interesting story. I loved all of the wonderful characters because each had a unique personality and played an important part in the story.

I really loved the unconventional romance between Rumbold and Sunday. Rumbold begins this tale as a frog, but he somehow manages to make Sunday fall in love with him despite this. Later, as a man, Rumbold attempts to make Sunday fall in love with him all over again.

I can't wait to continue reading this magical and romantic series with the next book, Hero, which will be released on October 1, and will feature Sunday's sister, Saturday, and a pirate ship! The third book in this series Beloved, features Friday and will be released in 2014.

Have you started reading this series yet? Does this sound like something you would enjoy reading as much as I did?

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Series Saturday (3)

So, this week I want to talk about the Fallen series by Lauren Kate. I will admit up front that I have not read all 4 books. I just....no way. I couldn't force myself to go beyond the first 2 books.

Oh, I was all up on that bandwagon when Fallen came out. So I read Fallen, like a lot of other people, and I really couldn't say whether or not I liked it. I had no idea if I didn't 'get it' because it was awesome, or if I didn't 'get it' because it was so bad. And I had absolutely no idea what just went down. What was with the past lives and the fires and the disappearing after kissing? I'm getting old, and my mind is failing me, so I can't recall many details of this series. At the time I thought that I would just wait for Torment to come out, read it, and figure it out then. Like I would actually get a freaking clue and more info from Torment and understand what the frick happened in Fallen.

If you have read this series, then you know that didn't happen. Not even close. After I read Torment I was more confused than ever. I just didn't get it. It didn't make sense then. I doesn't make sense now. And I've thought about it. Lots.

So wait. Check this out. I came up with a brilliant idea. I would read Fallen again! Because THAT made sense to me. Seriously. I thought that if I just read Fallen again, all those secrets and hints and creepy killer kisses and mysterious past lives other weird things I didn't understand would all come together and I would have an "Aha" moment. Yeah right. I was more confused than ever!

This series has ended, and no one talks about it anymore, so I don't know if I am the only one still scratching my head over the first 2 books. Is it really just me? I certainly hope not. I like to think that I am fairly intelligent, but this shit has me thinking I'm cray-cray.

It's frustrating!

I can't possibly continue with this series when I'm constantly thinking WTF just happened? And getting NO answers. And wait - why do Luce and Daniel love each other? And WHY did this 'trilogy' become 4 books?

Is Torment an appropriate name for this book? Let me know what you think of this series!

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Series Saturday (2)

This week I want to talk about the Curse Workers series by Holly Black. No spoilers are included here, so please keep comments spoiler free also.

I was a little late in getting around to reading the Curse Workers series. I read the first 2 books back to back, then had to wait a few months for the 3rd book. No matter, I enjoyed all 3 books tremendously, and I can't believe it's over. I almost wish there were more books because I didn't want to say goodbye to this series.

I found the whole concept of curse workers to be awesome! These books have such a cool vibe going on. It almost makes me want to be a part of this alternate reality where curses, cons, and crimes are an everyday occurrence. Secrets, blackmail, and danger abound. And I can't leave out the intrigue, romance, mafia, and family drama. This series has it all!

I absolutely loved Cassel! He was such a flawed and tortured character. He had a strong and compelling voice, and I loved reading this series from his POV. I was constantly entertained by Cassel and his totally messed up family. They put the 'fun' in dysfunctional.

Black created a unique world and a twisted plot that kept me captivated right up to the end. This series is fresh, original, and different enough to be very memorable, and it ended in the best possible way. It's super spectacular and awesome and definitely worth reading! Go. Read it. NOW.

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Series Saturday

I have a love-hate relationship with series (I much prefer stand alones.) I have a tendency to really like the first book in a series, but by the time the sequel is released, I've moved on to something else. I don't mean to do it, and I am attempting to stop this behavior. Really, I am! Today I am sharing my experiences with the Mara Dyer series by Michelle Hodkin.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #1) by Michelle Hodkin

The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin

The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #3) by Michelle Hodkin

When Unbecoming was released (way back in Sept. 2011) it was one of my most anticipated reads. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it, and it did not disappoint. One thing I really liked was that after I finished Unbecoming, I had absolutely no idea what the heck I just read! It was frustrating and confusing, but I still loved it! The mystery and the creepiness and WOAH that ending! I was all hyped up about the series, and I started looking forward to the release of Evolution (even though it was over a year away!)

BUT.... October 2012 came and went, Evolution was released, and I couldn't get my interest up enough to read it. There was just so much time between books that my interest waned. Now I find myself interested again because the release of the third book in the series is on the horizon. Retribution will be out in October, so I think I'll start back at the beginning and read Unbecoming again (just to refresh my memory.) Then I can read Evolution and Retribution at my leisure. I think that will make reading this series more enjoyable.

What about you? Have you started this series? What do you think about it?

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