Review: Shredded by Tracy Wolff

Title: Shredded
Series: Extreme Risk
Author: Tracy Wolff
Pages: 304
Publisher: Random House
Source: Netgalley
Amazon | Goodreads |
Rating:

In this intense and exhilarating New Adult series debut, a hotshot snowboarder and a vulnerable rebel with a cause try to let go of the past—and find a future in each other.

Twenty-one-year-old professional snowboarder Z Michaels is the bad boy of Park City, Utah. He’s always had his pick of any girl in town—and on the competition circuit. But underneath his cool exterior is a young man in turmoil, trying to take the edge off tragedy by overindulging in sex and shredding the slopes. In fact, Z’s reckless behavior is a thinly veiled attempt to blunt his emotional suffering with physical pain.

Ophelia Richardson isn’t like any girl Z has ever met. Though she’s from New Orleans high society, she’s no Southern belle—and she’s not shy about being miserable in frozen, godforsaken Park City. But laying low is her only option after her ex, a rich boy who couldn’t take no for an answer, nearly killed her in a jealous rage. Following that terrifying encounter, the last thing Ophelia needs is a boyfriend—especially one as rich and arrogant as Z. But Ophelia soon discovers that he isn’t what he seems. If anything, Z may be even more damaged than she is.

Tormented by their pasts and feeling alone in the world, Z and Ophelia find a connection unlike any they’ve ever known. But with Ophelia hiding the details of her life in Louisiana and Z’s death wish reaching terrifying new heights, their relationship seems to be going downhill before it even begins—unless they can find the strength in each other to trust, grow, and love again

Pro snowboarder Z Michaels has everything. Money, looks and a loyal set of friends he can count on. The problem is he is still haunted by his traumatic past with his family. His father has abandoned him and left him with a huge trust fund. He goes around snowboarding and banging snowbunnies. He also is a huge adrenaline junkie and his affliction to pain isn't helping that.
He stumbles upon Ophelia, a barista at the local lodge where Z and his friends practice. She is the only woman to stand up to him and not fall for his charm, which then leads him to find her very enchanting. Little does he know she is the only one who can help him deal with his issues, his past and accept what has happened and move on.

Shredded was an awesome read! I absolutely loved it. Tracy Wolff reels you in with hot guys, adrenaline junkies, and a lotta powder! I am not a snowboarding fan but this book was so well written I started studying up on it and actually searching the tricks she mentions just to get a feel of what was going on in the book. I can't wait for the third installment which I'm hoping will be Cam and Luc's story.

Review: The Prince's Ex by Nadene Seiters (Warning Spoilers!)

Title: The Prince's Ex
Author: Nadene Seiters
Pages: 200
Publisher: Createspace
Source: Kindle / Author
Amazon | Goodreads | 

Rating:

Amelia Radley thought she had it all when she met a man in a bar and he ended up being royalty. Their love affair was anything but boring, and yet he dumped her almost exactly a year after asking her out to their first dinner date. While the wound was deep and fresh thirty days after their separation, she picked up the morning paper only to see that the man she thought she loved had already become engaged to another woman.

Her best friend, Tina, suggests the only thing she knows would make her feel better. Amelia should start dating any man she meets that she likes so that she can get over her ex. The idea is ludicrous, and yet Amelia agrees to a date with a man she has never met before. All the while, she considers herself nothing more than the prince’s ex, a woman who could not hold the affections of every woman’s dream.

When she finds love in an unexpected place, it’s challenged by the past and the future looks rocky. Amelia’s insecurities might get in the way of her finding true love, in more ways than one.

I was given a copy of this book directly from the author for an honest review.  So here goes...

Story starts outs with meeting the main character Amelia who as the title entails is "Prince's Ex", Malaysian prince that is. Anyway, the story starts out with a coffee conversation between Amelia and her best friend Tina, who is basically a slut (there's no word for it). Amelia is trying to recover from her one sided breakup with Simon, Prince of Malaysia (?) she is then persuaded by Tina to go on various dates with various guys from Tina's phone book. First few dates are an absolute disaster. But then Peter, their regular coffee barista ends up asking her out for a cup of joe (not from his coffee shop) and the two hit it off. After which Amelia ends up ditching him for someone else and the two do not see each other after a few weeks where Peter saves her from a fight with her ex, Simon. The two then reconcile and ends up dating....

But Amelia isn't the only one with issues. Peter has a secret that will break or save their relationship. And from then on the story goes as their adventure to win a happily ever after together.

Now, what I thought about this book. Honestly, it just wasn't for me. I gave it 3 cupcakes but honestly I would give it a 2.5 if even possible on my rating system.

At the start of the book yes, there were parts that were funny and I found myself totally engrossed with the events of Amelia trying to get over her breakup with Simon. Those dates she went on c/o of Tina were freakin' hilarious. BUT after I guess a few chapters in I started disliking Amelia so much I just wanted it to end. I found her character very selfish, self-centered and vain. She seems too obsessed with the political and social status of the peers around her especially guys she will date. At the start of the story you notice her many times putting Peter down or not giving him a chance in the world because she thinks he is just a barista but when she finds out the truth thats when she gives him a chance?!  When she mentions Peter calling her a gold digger, I wanted to scream, Yes, yes, you kind of are. There were parts throughout the story I just wanted to smack her!  I'm sorry. But yes, there are redeeming qualities to her character escpecially how protective she was of Olivia. :)
Peter, I absolutely loved Peter's character. Sweet, charming and loving fellow that he is. 
The character I liked most of all was Tina! I wish she had a story coming up for her it would be very interesting seeing her fall in love. :) 
I also found the story very dragging and basically towards the end it felt like just going through the pages just to get the story done. So few times do you come by a book you think needs a prologue novella and The Prince's Ex is one I would most definitely recommend a novella prologue to be written just to get a better feel of HOW she became the Prince's Ex.
 I feel that the book has so much potential but it just needs to go through a better editor (?) maybe, maybe not. Oh well. I recommend it though for you all! 

Review: Nero (Made Men #1) by Sarah Brianne

Title: Nero
Series: Made Men
Author: Sarah Brianne
Pages:
Publisher: Young Ink Press
Edition: Kindle
Goodreads | Amazon |

Rating:

Nero is the king of Legacy Prep, living a life of power.
Elle is the school’s punching bag, living a life of fear.
The only good girls Nero knows jump in his bed when he tells them to.
The closest Elle has come to a bad boy like him is in the cafeteria line.
The mob boss gave him orders to find out what she knows.
Her mouth is sealed.

I just want to be a fu**ing made man.
I’m just a fu**ing waitress

This book isn’t for everyone I will say that, but, I am really happy I took a chance on it. I absolutely loved it! I stayed up all night just trying to read and found myself actually reading more slowly because I didn’t want the story to end too fast.  A lot people might find this book very juvenile and with it’s over the top situation of Nero being a high school senior son of a mob boss with contacts to hell and high over, being able to do whatever the hell he wants and to whoever the hell he wants without consequence. 

In this book we meet Elle Buchanan; she is basically the punching bag of Legacy Prep High along with her best friend Chloe. She is loyal to a fault and puts herself in harm’s way to protect her best friend from all the bullies in school. Their scenario of bullying is way beyond any I have heard of, to the point that they are scared to even walk the halls of school, choose their food depending on who are in the line to avoid physical abuse from their fellow school mates. One late night shift she ends up witnessing something she wasn’t supposed to and the boss sends his son, Nero, to find out if Elle knows anything else and will rat them out to the feds. The Plan back fired and Nero, ends up falling for the one girl he would have never even bat an eyelash to.

Nero is the Prince of Legacy Prep along with his loyal crew of friends, Amo, Vincent and Leo (who I love!) They end up guarding Elle and Chloe through school and learn how bad things really are for the two. Sometimes even comical, they are three alpha males who will do anything to protect who they love and care about.  No one messes with them. They are tough and rough on the outside but so very much sweet and caring when it comes to Chloe and Elle. 

This is my favorite scene from Nero:

When they reached the lunchroom, Amo stopped to wait for them. Once they were in one, big group, Nero spoke.

   “So, what do you girls want to eat?”

   Elle dropped her hand from Nero’s when Chloe and her eyes met. They didn’t know how to respond.

   “It’s either pizza or the same line that’s always been here of chicken patties and hamburgers.” Elle and Chloe both turned their heads to stare at Nero. They had never gotten to pick on taste.

   “I don’t care,” Elle got out.

   “Yeah, uh, me either.” Chloe looked at the floor.

   “Jesus, pick already. I’m fucking starving.” Amo, on the other hand, was still grouchy and tired.

   Elle looked at the two lines. Hardly anyone was in the chicken and hamburger line. “Chicken patties sound fine.”

   “Who the hell doesn’t choose pizza?” Vincent obviously wasn’t happy with their choice.

   “Elle, do you like pizza?” She looked at Nero, remembering what he had told her about lying. She had already made him mad once today, and she’d learned she didn’t like it when he was mad at her.

   Elle silently said, “Yes.”

   “Chloe, do you eat pizza?” Amo asked that time.

   Chloe looked over at Elle, and Elle hoped she understood to tell the truth. She nodded.

   “So, why the hell can’t I have pizza?” Vincent clearly wanted some pizza.

   “Elle, why did you pick that line?” She looked up at Nero and bit her lip. She really didn’t want to lie to him. Therefore, the only thing she could possibly do was evade the question, and by the looks of their three faces, they weren’t going to let her off.

   She decided not to look at their eyes. “We always pick the line that doesn’t have anyone in it.”

   “And what happens if the lines are about the same?” She really wished Nero would quit asking her questions.

   She felt all their eyes on her, waiting for her answer, except Chloe’s. She was looking at the ground, wringing her hands. She didn’t want them to know anymore than Elle did. 

   “Hey, guys, what’s up?” Leo had found them and joined in, giving her hope she might not have to answer.

   “Shut up, Leo. Answer the fucking question, Elle.” Elle was shocked Amo had been the one to say that. All hope is lost. 

   Elle decided to take a page from Chloe’s book—she looked at the floor. “If the lines are even, then we pick the line that has the least scary people in it.”

   “Jesus Christ.” Elle heard Nero say.

   “For fuck’s sake,” Amo chimed in.

   “Motherfuckers,” Vincent added.

   “Does that mean they don’t want piz—” 

   “Shut up, Leo!” Nero, Amo, and Vincent all said it at the same time, making Elle and Chloe jump.

From now on, you fucking eat what you want to. Do you both understand?” Elle nodded her head at Nero. Chloe still didn’t reply.

   “Chloe, if you want fucking pizza, you eat fucking pizza, got it?” Amo yelled at her. Chloe didn’t waste any time to nod in understanding

I know it’s real sad they were bullied to this point but jeez, I laughed so hard after this scene! HAHAHAHA!!

 

Review: Back To Buckhorn by Lori Foster

Title: Back to Buckhorn
Series: Buckhorn Brothers
Author: Lori Foster
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Pages: 88
Edition: Kindle
Amazon | Goodreads |

Rating:

From New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster comes a sizzling new Buckhorn Brothers novella...

For odd-girl-out Zoey Hodge, the best thing about Buckhorn, Kentucky, was leaving it behind. And now she’s back—at least until she can nurse her mother back to health and hightail it out of there anew. But there’s one person she doesn’t mind seeing again. Garrett Hudson was one of the few who was always kind to her. Now he’s a firefighter—still one of the good guys, but with a sexy alpha charm that’s tempting her inner bad girl.

In school, Zoey was smart, witty and unafraid to be herself. Garrett fell hard back then, and he’s falling even faster now. As far as he’s concerned, there are all kinds of reasons Zoey should stick around. Her pet grooming business. Her mom. And the chance for him to prove that he can be her real-life hero in every way that matters…

 

 

Ack! Okay, I gotta be honest here. I was a bit disappointed with this one... I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the Buckhorn Brothers series by Lori Foster but well, I guess this one just wasn't for me. One, I was disappointed it was a novella I thought we'd get a full on story but I'm hoping she's saving that for Amber's love.  I expected laughs and banter, which I did get with Amber's matchmaking schemes which she did for Shohn back in Animal Attraction and Morgan showing up and grilling his son about meeting Zoey. (hehe) But all in all, it was good quick read. I just didn't get all giddy or that tinkly happy feeling with this book as I did with the previous ones. Oh well. I do suggest you read it if you're up to date with the Buckhorn series. :-) Even though, I didn't quite fancy this one I am still very much excited for the next installment into the series. :)

Typhoon Glenda aftermath

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own any of the aftermath images! These were taken from news websites! :) 

from megacities-go-services.com

from: paulbade.com

So, I posted a coupla' days ago that I would be uploading a few reviews. Sadly, that didn't pull through because 30 minutes after that post, the typhoon hit and all the lines and electricity went dead. It's been almost three days and a lot of places are still experiencing blackouts, no water, and no electricity. Thankfully we only experienced a day of blackouts and phone lines were restored today.  If you have time and the resources to help out and donate please do.... ---> DONATE NOW! 

Now, for the readers, please be patient. I am trying to catch up on all the promised reviews. I already have them drafted and am putting the finishing touches on them. (be warned I totally finished Aurora Reyolds Until series...) Yes, I'm addicted to the Mayson boys. 

While the storm was going on I was able to read about 10 books in total so keep watch because it'll be a load of reviews coming your way! :) Just let me finish up with a little touch ups on the reviews ;) 

And thank you for all the book review requests I keep receiving via email and twitter! :-) 

Keep safe, 

Carrie

I'm back kiddies!

I'm back kiddies! Watch out for reviews on the following books! I'll be posting them up in a couple of hours/minutes! :) 

Sad and at the same time happy day. Bye, Remi

So things have not been going very well over here. I have been really busy stressed with studying for boards, helping my mom out with her business and also trying to keep up with my crazy labernard puppy, Remi. Well, it came down to it is that I had to decide to put my boards first and re-home him. I was lucky enough to meet the ever so animal loving and understanding Manlongat family through my bestfriend Bea Jison.

I don't know how to express my gratitude to these people! I was stressing so bad that I wouldn't find a loving home for my baby. But I was so happy when we introduced him to them. He immediately made friends with their little shihtzu and chihuahuas :))

So, thank you for everything! And I hope you will enjoy and love your time with Remi as much as I have. :)

Also, thank you to my sister, Avril and her BF Esdi for supporting me throughout this whole sad ordeal. :D And also to the wonderful Joy Uy! of Pawsitive Education, who helped, gave me advice and taught me so much throughout this whole thing! :D