Out of the Dark (Grey Wolves #4) by Quinn Loftis

Darkness has descended on the Transylvanian Alps.
Four packs of the powerful Grey wolves – in a rare show of cooperation – had joined together here in an effort to help their pack members find true mates. Then they were betrayed by one of their own – an Alpha hell-bent on becoming the most powerful of the Canis lupis. And though the wolf's assassination attempt on the currently-reigning Romanian Alpha failed, his plans to get Decebel, the Romanian Beta, out of the picture were coming together even as his treachery was discovered. The wolf fled, leaving destruction, death, and a missing mate behind him.

Unbeknownst to the other packs, the wolf has employed a witch to finish the deadly job and help him gain another tool to increase his power. A curse of devastating proportions will cripple Decebel in a way that may dissolve his fragile bond with Jennifer. Meanwhile, injured and alone, Jen has been fighting for her life. She had come to terms with her fate, accepting that she would not share a life with Decebel, until help came in the most unexpected form...

Vasile will have to use all his resources – including Sally, the new gypsy healer of the Romanian pack – to discover a way in which to destroy the witch, lift the curse from Decebel and reunite him with the one woman who makes him whole, and solve a mystery that's been surrounding the Romanian pack for 300 years.

Where to find more info:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13489518-out-of-the-dark

Quinn Loftis: http://quinnloftisbooks.com/  

Kathryn's Review 
ARC courtesy of author 
 

So, this is book 4 and if you have noticed... I LOVE this series... And now that Out of the Dark has graced my kindle, I have died and gone to heaven... But, as eager as I was to get this book... I am now sad, because I have finished and am already experiencing withdrawals of my favorite wolf pack...
When Just One Drop ended... We were in such turmoil in what was going to be the outcome for Jen and Dec... So, Out of the Dark picks up right where it ended and BAM... Action packed, heart wrenching events take place that leave you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails, nervous for the outcome of these characters that you instantly connect with.
And OMG.. Quinn does not tip toe through her books... She allows her characters to experience every depth of turmoil and emotional conflict that you can fathom... And is there an HEA(happily ever after)??? Well, I can't tell you that.. But, let's just say... Out of the Dark...took me on a magical, suspenseful, exhilarating, roller coaster ride... with death-defying drops that leave you gasping for breath because you can't believe this has just happened then to those crazy twists and turns that blow your mind with excitement...
Like every book so far, having  Fane, Jacque, Jen, Dec, Sally, Costin, Vasile, Alina, and now some new, interesting characters....Out of the Dark allows your heart to be captured, wrapped up....making you fall for the Grey Wolves...providing heart-stopping, gut-wrenching, passion, romance, friendship, all while diving deep in to the mystical world of our Grey Wolves...
HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES!!!! 

 

 =SCORCHER

Ok...NOW, on to some great news and goodies...Out of the Dark comes out on June 7th and I have some fabulous prizes to giveaway!!  So, what is the fabulous goodies??  Here they are:

  OOTD tshirt and keychain

OOTD autographed journal

 Autographed copy of Prince of Wolves

(book 1 in Grey Wolves series)

So, fill out the Rafflecopter below and at midnight EST on June 6th, 3 winners will be chosen for these great prizes!!  So, GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Ella James

Ella James Blog Tour

Hi everyone! Welcome back to TSK TSK! Today we are thrilled to bring you another up and coming author we've fallen for, Ella James, and she is here to give us a little insight into her writers mind and have a little fun.
Grab a beverage, sit back and settle in for a few and get to know the amazing author right along with us... 


Kathryn~ Hi, Ella! Thanks so much for indulging us today! We'll just jump right in...

1. What book are you reading now?
I just finished Touch by Jus Accardo. I don't know how 'big' that series is, but it should be REALLY big if you ask me. :) Very good. Heroine was totally kick-ass.  I go through spurts with reading and writing, so now that I've gotten my reading fix, I'm back to writing, and not reading anything.
Kathryn & Shelley- "SQUEE!" And slap hands! "That's good for we readers!"

2. Do you have a playlist that goes along with your books?
Yes! One day, I'll release all the playlists for the books in an orderly manner that makes sense to someone other than me, but as it is right now, there are a bunch of random songs I listen to for each book - and some songs that I listen to while working on all my books. Florence and the Machine's Heavy in Your Arms is a big one for the Stained Series... and getting more appropriate as the series goes on. I listened to Bon Iver's Holocene a lot while I was working on Stolen; the lyrics don't make sense with it, but I'm not a very sensible person, and the sound of the song is perfect for where Julia is emotionally at the Compound. Both of those songs will definitely appear on the Stolen soundtrack. I listened to Katy Perry's ET a lot for HERE, mainly because of the tempo. I was so stuck on it, I listened to it for a while after I started on Stolen, too. Right now my obsession is a cover of Whatever You Like by Anya Marina. Totally wicked song... and oddly, being used to inspire a very chaste kind of book.
Kathryn- Cool! A few faves for sure!
Shelley- Hey, Anya's a fellow Oregonian!
Kathryn- *shakes head*You and your Northwest connections.
Shelley- *shrugs* It's like the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

*Ella chuckles*


3. Do you ever experience writer's block? 
Honestly, I don't anymore. Not really. Over the years I've gotten good at 'un-blocking' myself... to the point that now if I can't write it's generally because something else in my life is taking up too much of my headspace, or because something is wrong with the story structure. That's usually my best clue that something is wrong with the layout of the story. If I don't want to write a scene, 90 percent of the time it's because it's the wrong scene.

4. Which comes first? 
The character's story or the idea for the novel? For me, the characters are almost always first. Before You Go, which is part one of a larger book called Over The Moon, started with a reclusive astronaut I knew nothing about... except that a girl from his past was still in love with him and was worried about him. And he'd experienced something bad. HERE started with an image of a high school girl finding a guy in her backyard, which was a field. He needed her help, and he had a BIG secret. And Stained started with Julia having no idea where to go... literally and figuratively.
5. How do you pick your characters names? 
I try to come up with names I haven't seen two million times already, and I try to make them fit the character. Sometimes I'll throw in something sentimental - like Milo's father's name, in HERE, is based on my favorite place in the world, an isolated island off the southern tip of Ireland called Dursey Island. So his name was Faulkner Dursey Mitchell. (Faulkner was not my sentimentality; Milo's grandfather, her dad's dad, was an English teacher). It only appeared on a tombstone, but I was excited I got to stick Dursey in somewhere. When I originally released Before You Go I wasn't planning to release Over The Moon, the larger book; I was still planning to send it to agents. So I changed the characters' original names to Margo and Logan. Now that I AM going to release Over The Moon, I'm not sure if I should leave them Margo and Logan because that's how you guys know them, or change them back to the names I actually chose for them. The fact that they currently have the 'wrong' names is driving me nuts. =/
Kathryn and Shelley- "LOVE IT!"

6. What was the hardest part to write in the book(s)? 
I tend to get tripped up on things that are emotionally nebulous. Or I used to. I guess I really don't anymore. After 6 years writing fiction and 10 years of writing nonfiction for day jobs, everything has gotten a lot easier. Stained had no hard parts. That book was just easy to write. Stolen was the exact opposite, one of the most unpleasant writing experiences I've ever had. The whole dang book was hard. I guess I could say that generally the detailed parts of any book are hard, but really they're just annoying. Like when the characters get to a new place... coming up with what it looks like, how the buildings are laid out, what everyone looks like and acts like - that is NOT my favorite part. It takes a lot of mental energy. In an ideal world I'd write the dialogue for my favorite scenes, then write a little about how the characters feel at pivotal moments, and a magical genie would fill in the rest of the book for me. ;) 
Shelley- "That would be extremely cool or completely frightening."

7. If you could have dinner with one person whether dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Wow - I've never had this question before. Have you granted me my magical genie?
Seriously, though, I have a real inability to answer this kind of question simply. My mind just runs wild. Like, do I want to solve a mystery? How did Jeff Buckley really die? Can I pull a Time Traveler's Wife and hop out of the soup of time a year or two after I've been dead and visit my surviving relatives? I would be visiting people who were alive, but I would be dead. I also can't help but think that if I had dinner with a recently dead president, like say Reagan, maybe in death the details of life would seem less important, so he might be willing to give up some state secrets. ;) Or can I save my dinner for whatever relative of mine's death is the most unbearable for me, and have dinner with them a little while after their death occurs? Since I have a 9-month-old son, I'd love to have dinner tonight with his 18-year-old self. Is that a possibility? 
Kathryn- "Well, since you brought up a magical genie, here is our next question..."

8. If you were granted 3 wishes, what would you wish for?
Selfish mood or selfless mood?
Selfish. Or maybe I can pull a hybrid:
1) Enough money to be able to write and travel all the time without having to worry about money; also, this would satisfy a more selfless wish of giving to the needy. So I'm wildly wealthy, able to live like a vagabond (who feeds her children organic fruits and veggies and doesn't have fleas), and I can donate to all my favorite charities.
2) Eternal physical fitness and health, with the ability to die whenever I decide it's time. (God complex? Who? Me?) Actually I think I'd like to expand this one to eternal physical fitness and health for EVERYONE. And maybe also the ability to bring back the dead? (God complex? Who???? ME?!).
3) Julia's ability, but an expanded version. I'd like to be able to eliminate people's pain - both physical and mental. In which case, I'd probably take that puppy on a never-ending world-wide tour and totally forget about my writing and my fitness. ;)

9. And an easy one...Salty or Sweet??
SWEET!



Wow, Ella! Such fun, highly entertaining answers with some great advice thrown in! Thank you so much for stopping by and letting us all get to know you a bit better. S-Yeah, I feel like I know what makes ya tick now. Coolness.
Ella-* chuckles again* It's been my pleasure
Kathryn-*turns to Shelley* You're so eloquent.
Shelley- I have my moments.
*Kathryn slugs Shelley's shoulder* Ow!
Anyway...we had a blast visiting with Ella. We hope you enjoyed the interview and are now RUNNING to get your copies of ALL of her books! Check Ella out on goodreads and WHEN you finish reading any or all of her marvelous stories, be sure to leave a kind review.
As always, thanks for joining us and HAPPY READING!!!
~Kathryn and Shelley

A little bit of info about Ella:

Ella James is the author of Stained and Stolen, books one and two in the Stained Series; HERE, book one in an unusual sci-fi romance trilogy; and Before You Go, a one-shot YA romance beach read that tells the first meeting of Logan and Margo, who will be featured in her upcoming adult release, Over The Moon. She has a YA paranormal romance release scheduled for almost every month of 2012, including Chosen (Stained Book Three) in June and the second HERE book in July. Ella is inviting readers to help her write an adult romance shapeshifter novel, which is plotted via polls and questions on her blog and her Facebook page. Ella lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her wonderful husband, opinionated baby, and mopey dog. You can visit her blog at www.ellajamesbooks.blogspot.com, or friend her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ellajamesbooks. 

For a list of her award-winning YA romances, visit her Amazon page at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_tc_2_0?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3AElla+James&keywords=Ella+James&ie=UTF8&qid=1336677919&sr=8-2-ent&field-contributor_id=B005OED2DE 

To see her in person, get your ticket to UtopYA Con, in Nashville July 6-8: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2821742909?ref=ebtnebregn

Make sure you take a look at her books NOW and get your copies!!

STAINED:
After a fire destroys seventeen-year-old Julia's home and kills her foster parents, she chases the half-demon responsible across the country and back, determined to avenge her family and discover why a host of celestial baddies want her dead. With Julia is enigmatic hottie Cayne, who has his own score to settle with the half-demon, and who might be just as dangerous as the creature he and Julia hunt.
Listed as one of the Top 10 Books of 2011, Cayne voted one of 2011's Top 10 Book Boyfriends. Recipient of the Flamingnet Top Choice Award.

HERE:
Milo Mitchell's life used to be charmed, but that was before her family dissolved, she went a little crazy, and her best friends started acting more like strangers. Spending Saturday morning in a treehouse with a stun gun for company and a herd of deer for friends is the only exciting thing in her life...until she shoots a fawn and finds her dart stuck in a guy.

Her gorgeous victim is dressed in a Brioni tux and armed with a hanky. He has no idea who or where he is. Afraid her dart caused his amnesia, Milo takes him in, names him Nick, and vows to help him solve his mystery. Soon the pair find Nick's face in a newspaper obituary, and Nick begins to have strange, ethereal memories of Milo--who is sure she's never met him. Suddenly Nick knows things he shouldn't know and is doing things he shouldn't do. When the Department of Defense shows up, Nick and Milo run--toward a shocking conclusion that could destroy both their worlds.

BEFORE YOU GO:

Margo Ford just became an heiress. Not the Paris Hilton kind. Her billions came after her father died and her insanely wealthy, insanely absent mother officially claimed her. Unfortunately, some terrorists noticed, and they hatched a plot to kidnap her. After a news report goes awry, reporting that Margo *has* been kidnapped, and her mother offers the humiliating sum of $500,000 for her return, Margo doesn't want anything to do with her *#$!@ of an egg donor. Then she is sentenced to a summer of "protection" on her mother's private island. Not the Oprah Winfrey kind. This one has an astronomical observatory filled with scientists, including Logan Greer, a super hot, super infuriating planet-hunter. Hiding out from kidnappers has never been so boring... until suddenly it isn't anymore.

Here by Ella James

Milo Mitchell's life used to be charmed, but that was before her family dissolved, she went a little crazy, and her best friends started acting more like strangers. Spending Saturday morning in a treehouse with a stun gun for company and a herd of deer for friends is the only exciting thing in her life...until she shoots a fawn and finds her dart stuck in a guy.

Her gorgeous victim is dressed in a Brioni tux and armed with a hanky. He has no idea who or where he is. Afraid her dart caused his amnesia, Milo takes him in, names him Nick, and vows to help him solve his mystery. Soon the pair find Nick's face in a newspaper obituary, and Nick beings to have strange, ethereal memories of Milo--who is sure she's never met him. Suddenly Nick knows things he shouldn't know and is doing things he shouldn't do. When the Department of Defense shows up, Nick and Milo run--toward a shocking conclusion that could destroy both their worlds.


Where to find more info:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13490992-here
Ella James: http://ellajamesbooks.blogspot.com/

Kathryn's Review
I am going to start this review by saying I was blown away!!  I LOVED it...I didn't want to put it down(although there were a few moments that I had to...UGH!!)...Totally mesmerized by it....Ella James has done a fantastic job creating a unique urban fantasy that everyone can jump in to and find themselves completely wrapped up in Milo and Nick!
Here is a book in which you have to read to find out what all the intrigue and suspense is all about.  It is short with only 182 pages, but there is so much that when I finally reached the end, I was sooo sad!! I am dying for the next installment and to be able to follow Milo and Nick more.  Here only wet my appetite and now I am salivating waiting for the next one.  
So, are you curious as to what is so different about this book and has me shouting it's praises?  I really can't tell you much because that would be a little too spoilery...so, instead, let me say this....Here is captivating.  It draws you in with the mystery of who Nick causing you to make as many as guesses as you can and then when it is revealed...WOW!!!  And let's not forget our heroine, Milo.  She is such a great protagonist.  You automatically connect with her and feel each of her emotions as she journeys through this twisted, unique story!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!  LOVE LOVE IT!! 


Shelley's Review

What an imaginative and unexpected story. Talk about being drawn in...I really loved Here. Milo is a quirky, fun and interesting character. She gets under your skin immediately. And Nick? Wow! He's the type of character you "have to know", yet he remains an exotic mystery for a good portion of the book.
Once things get moving, your mind starts racing and calculating, just like Milo's, trying to find your footing and getting to the root of what was happening. I had a few ideas right away, but Ella is clever clever and even though some of my thoughts were correct, I never quite imagined what she had in store for us and our unlikely pair.
I was so stuck on finding out who/what Nick/Gabe was, I was shocked, even though I had the page numbers right in front me, when it abruptly ended with...OMG!...the biggest cliffhanger...EVER! I am dying for the sequel!
Ella has created characters that grab you from the get-go, shock and surprise you and have you rooting for them against the odds. Her side characters are unintentionally hilarious and speak volumes about our society and who we as humans believe we really are...the Superpower. HA! It's all at once sweet, light hearted, maddening, frightening (as we jump often into the unknown with Milo), and exhilarating. My heart was double pumping until the end...well, it still is, in anticipation of what happens next!  An excellent start to what I think will be a great sci-fi series. It's a quick and satisfying read, yet it will leave you wanting more. I say...GRAB IT NOW!


We both gave Here... 

=SCORCHER

Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

I don't do dangerous.  Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back. Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me.... NIGHTWATCHERS When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

Where to find more info:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13060609-dark-kiss

Michelle Rowen:  http://www.michellerowen.com/ 

Kathryn's Review

ARC from Netgalley 

OH WOW!!  Just when you think everything has been written about angels and demons, Michelle Rowen walks in and puts a twist on it that has blown me away!!  

First, the cover of this book is very enticing, and I love the simplicity yet darkness cast about it.  But, that doesn't describe the inside of it at all!  This book is filled with so much juiciness that I am still drooling over all that has happened.  

So, what has happened that has made me salivate like crazy?  Well, for starters, we are introduced to a young lady named Samantha.  She is your typical teenage girl that makes good grades and crushes on that unattainable guy that every girl wants.  But, when she gets a chance to kiss her crush...BAM...her life is turned upside down and that is when we are thrust in to the journey that Samantha is on.  And what a journey she takes.  Samantha gets to meet some intriguing, fascinating, characters that play such an important role throughout her journey.  And one of these guys is Bishop.  Bishop is one of those guys that is reserved, yet has so much passion that you immediately fall for him.  So, how does he fit in to Samantha's journey?  I am definitely not going to tell you...You will have to read Dark Kiss for yourself. 

When I started Dark Kiss, I didn't really expect the way it was going to turn out.  I like being surprised and I loved how a concept that has been written countless times has been refreshed through Michelle Rowen.  She has provided us a new and unique world, where  intriguing characters are caught up in all kinds of twists and turns, causing you to be glued to each page, mesmerized, wanting more!! 

 

 =SCORCHER

 

Protecting Truth by Michelle Warren

COVER REVEAL

Protecting Truth, book 2 after Wander Dust of The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy

Release Date and summary will be coming soon....

With this wonderful cover reveal, Right now...A special deal is happening....Look below to see what it is....

Click one of the links below to take you to either Amazon or B&N to get your copy today!!

Wander Dust at Amazon

Wander Dust at B&N

For more info about The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy or Michelle Warren the author, check out these sites below:

Website:

http://wanderdusttrilogy.com/

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Warren-YA-Author-of-Wander-Dust/124362290972713

Goodreads:

Wander Dust

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11250674-wander-dust

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/MMichelleWarren

Wander Dust Book Trailer - You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/user/MichelleWarrenAuthor/videos

Forget Me Not (Mystic Wolves #2) by Belinda Boring

Only a fool would think they could steal from a werewolf …

Anticipating a quiet night alone with the man she loves, Darcy’s world is sent into a spin with the arrival of someone from the past—Mason’s. She is further shocked by the intruder’s claim she may not even be the true mate of the Mystic Wolves Alpha. Accusations start to fly, leading to her new enemy being granted asylum, and this is just the beginning of trouble.

Relying on the reassurances of Mason and the support of her friends and Pack, Darcy soon falls under attack. Suspicions are raised, and with no other choice, she must flee with Devlin to safety where hopefully they can untangle the lies hidden behind the use of magic. Time is quickly ticking away, leading to a showdown where everything is on the line.

They need to uncover the truth before it’s too late, or once again, Darcy will need to fight to hold onto her dreams.


Where to find more info:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13127675-forget-me-not
Belinda Boring: http://belindaboring.blogspot.com/

Kathryn's Review 
Oh, I have missed Mason and Darcy and with the way Belinda left us at the end of Mystic Wolves, I could not wait to get Forget Me Not.  So, when it released, I snatched it up and dove right in.  
Forget Me Not starts right where Mystic Wolves leaves off and we are thrown in to the lives and turmoil that surrounds our beloved couple of Mason and Darcy.  I was so shocked to see the events transpire and so I buried myself emotionally in order to feel everything that Darcy was going through. The deceit and lies escalate throughout this book, yet the loyalty of friendships proves to conquer even the worst of malicious intentions.  
We find out new and interesting details about our favorite wolves and vampires, we discover new truths and just when you think that nothing else could happen, lo and behold, chaos ensues again....
So, I now find myself biting my nails, waiting for the next installment, dying over another cliffhanger Belinda has left us with....A DEFINITE MUST READ!!

=SCORCHER

My Soul to Steal (Soul Screamers #4) by Rachel Vincent

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can't just pretend nothing happened. But "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn't just an ordinary girl. She's a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people's fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn't above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

Where to find more info:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8487363-my-soul-to-steal

Rachel Vincent: http://rachelvincent.com/

Shelley's Review

Ugh! This is such a difficult review to write. I started My Soul to Steal while right in the middle of a very adult series. Very adult issues and emotions. Very soul shaking. Stepping back in to the Soul Screamers felt kind of, well, juvenile. Rachel keeps things moving with her usual flair, but I really struggled with this book. With liking my favorite characters and the direction they were going. With accepting new characters and how they influenced or interacted with said favorite characters. As well as with the situations they all find themselves in...There is no end to the chaos in Kaylee's world...she is constantly in danger, constantly in conflict with Nash and her feelings for him, constantly at odds with an enemy or supposed rival...constantly second guessing EVERYTHING and constantly WHINING! Double UGH! Ok, ok...I'm fine. Really. *wipes brow*
Kaylee shows us in this one how much of a teenager she really is. Sometimes annoyingly so. She is full to the brim with angst, insecurity and fear. FEAR is what drives My Soul to Steal...fear of the past, the unknown, the unexpected, of loss and failure, of losing yourself and never belonging. Fear of your deepest fear and NIGHTMARES. Rachel introduces an interesting and trying new character in Sabine. She drops in like a tornado and sends Kaylee into a tail spin with her "gift" and manipulations. I like a lot of things about Sabine's character. She has the makings of great "bad" girl. Just what she is, is a very cool concept and brings so many possibilities. For me though, she falls short with her petty teenage exploits in an atmosphere that is obviously already volatile. Knowing what she knows, she should've been aware of what she was walking in to. UGH!
Kaylee continues to struggle with Nash. Can she ever forgive him? Does she love him enough? So much of what she feels is what any girl who is hurt and feels betrayed would feel, but she rehashes things so many times I began to lose my sympathy for her and her situations. Many of which she created herself. Yep, another UGH! She has high and unrealistic expectations of everyone. I relate to that, I do...but for me in this story...it just translated to poor little Kaylee. Her focus on controlling everyone and everything really took away from what I love about her character. She's still strong, resourceful and insightful, yet she manages to come off self centered and insecure.
WHAT AM I TRYING TO SAY??
Well, here it is...I struggled just as much as Kaylee, but for very different reasons. Kaylee's angst over everything Nash overrides the real dangers master manipulator Avari and the Netherworld. She sees so much and yet misses everything. Reading this was much like watching a B horror movie. You know what's coming next and you're helpless to save the poor fool before you.
With Kaylee so focused on what's wrong in her personal life, it was difficult to get caught up in the havoc so carefully crafted by our favorite hellion. Perhaps it was all part of his grand scheme...creating so much doubt and mistrust among Kaylee, her family and friends. It should have made me feel for her. It should have made me want to steer her back to hope and possibility. Mostly, it made me pull away from her...and Nash. I love Nash. He's been a great hero. He's sacrificed and loved Kaylee, no questions asked. He's suffered greatly for her, and still does. But he has also lied to (neglected to disclose) and manipulated her. How do you love someone so...beautiful and flawed? Is loving them enough?
I think that may be the whole point here. You make a choice to accept people for who they are...mistakes and all. You have to forgive and/or forget and move on. Or...you walk away. And walking away is rarely easy.
As much as i struggled with giving Kaylee and Nash my undying devotion, I found several things I did love in this installment; another secondary character plays a cool role, Avari is frightening as ever, Alex gets more interesting and Tod...well, well, well...I think our favorite Reaper may have something no so much "hiding up his sleeve".
I'm really interested to see where Rachel takes us all from here. So much still to discover. So much to resolve. So far to go.

=FLAMING HOT

Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James

When unworldly student Ana Steele first encountered the driven, damaged young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and ultimately repelled by Christian’s singular sexual tastes, Ana demanded a deeper commitment; determined to keep her, Christian agreed.
Now, together, they have more – love, passion, intimacy, and a world of infinite possibilities. But Ana always knew that loving her Fifty Shades would not be easy, and being together poses challenges neither of them ever anticipated. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own integrity, identity or independence; Christian must somehow overcome his compulsion to control, and lay to rest the horrors that blighted his past and haunt his present.
Just when it seems that together their love can conquer any obstacle, misfortune, malice and fate combine to make Ana’s worst nightmares come true. Alone and desperate, she must face down the poisoned legacy of Christian’s past. 


Where to find more info:
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12881778-fifty-shades-freed
E.L. James:  http://www.eljamesauthor.com/

Shelley's Review
Anger, jealousy, loss and pain are the feelings that will consume, ruin or kill you, if you give them the  chance...and not only your own feelings can destroy you. After all of their struggles through the first two books, you'd think Ana and Christian would have it all and then some. Well, they do...but there are still others that want what they have and seek to shatter the bubble they've created. Others are bent on revenge. So close and yet so far...Despite Christian's need to control and protect Ana, the lovers find themselves separated and at odds with one another as Christian's former life continues to rear it's ugly head and all hell breaks loose around them. More secrets are revealed, alliances are broken and terror comes from an unexpected source. Lives are threatened as well as Ana and Christian's fragile coexistence. Can Ana accept Christian for who he is...can he move on from his past and trust his heart...can they survive unknown threats and the many attempts to keep them apart?
Not alone...not without each other...not without perfect love and perfect trust.
This final(?) installment has both Ana and Christian questioning everything they've come to know. The road to redemption and healing is a hard and bumpy ride. Emotions go from high to low and earth shattering despair in the blink of an eye...if you can read any of these books without a few tears, well, I might think you're not human. Everyone knows I get emotionally attached to my favorite characters...I feel their fears, pain, and their triumphs right along with them. Let me just say, I haven't been this emotionally wrought over a story in a very long time. Without giving anything away, I hope, Ms. James does give us a HEA...AFTER putting us threw the ringer and teaching us a few lessons on life, love, forgiveness and self acceptance. I was a wreck for two solid days after finishing the trilogy...ok, I was a mess the whole time I was reading Ana and Christian's tale. But despite their outcome, I bawled and bawled feeling like I'd gone through every relationship I've ever had at lightning speed and come out feeling a loss for not having what they'd finally found. It was profound, earth shaking and mind blowing.
This is not as many would believe a story based solely on the erotic...it is a study in emotions, the human psyche; what we truly believe of others and ourselves and how our choices made from those beliefs effect not only our lives but those around us. If it doesn't make you think or question what you thought you knew about love and trust...well, you need to step out of yourself...and read it again.
Seriously, Fifty Shades as a whole, blew me away. I sincerely hope it's amazing creator feels the need to indulge us with more of this fascinating world. I myself, never want to leave it. I am obsessed with Christian Grey. O.B.E.S.E.S.S.E.D. That is all.


Kathryn's Review
So, I have now finished book 3 and I am already experiencing withdrawals.  I have had a privilege of reading some awesome books in the past few years...And this series ranks right up there with those great ones!
Fifty Shades is one of those series that will always plague your mind, heart and soul.  From the first page of book 1, you are drawn in and the next thing you know, you are drowning, gasping for air, at how powerful, emotional, and sensual these books are.  As a reader, I found myself relating to Ana, yet there are times I am so blown away in how naive she is, but seeing her grow and become a strong beautiful woman...WONDERFUL!  There are still times in Freed that I felt she was just plain stupid with her decision making process, but that is who she is and obviously we wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for her odd judgment calls.  
Now, on to the reason I LOVE this series as a whole...Christian.  I will begin by saying...he would piss me off so much, but when I saw the changes he made and how he faced his demons head on...GAWD....the strength in this man is so enthralling and the next thing you know, you have fallen in love with him.  I completely understand how Ana feels when she is around him.  He possesses your thoughts and you find yourself wanting to know more and more!! Truthfully, words can't even truly encompass all that is Christian.  
So, do I LOVE this series?  Of course!!  It has definitely made my favorites shelf!
If you are wanting a book/series in which is sexy, romantic, intriguing, mind-blowing that will overwhelm you emotionally, then get this series!!  HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!


We both give Fifty Shades Freed:

=SCORCHER

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

Daunted by the singular sexual tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.
But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.
While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

Where to find more info:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11857408-fifty-shades-darker
E.L. James:  http://www.eljamesauthor.com/

Shelley's Review
Wow! Just wow! I fell for Christian in the first book, pretty hard...I am now obsessed with this beautiful, broken, and emotionally unavailable man. Gorgeous, wanted by everyone, smart, beyond wealthy...and completely detached, despite his obvious obsession for Ana. To see into the world of someone who on the surface has everything, and seeing they really have nothing at all, is a sobering observation. Seeing it through Ana and her innocent eyes and heart is at times too much to bear. I thought Fifty Shades was gut wrenching, but Darker jumped off the rail and sent me flying head first in to the agony and despair that both of these characters find themselves so enveloped in.
It is a testament to Ms. James writing ability that I find myself so wrapped up in these two. It speaks volumes, that I've devoured these 2 books in as many days..at 500 plus pages each, this is not light reading or a light hearted subject matter. Despite the unlikely circumstance that brought them together, I am consumed by the humanity and real life struggles they face. I could not love these two more. Obviously, I fell for Christian...almost immediately, but Ana is refreshing as a young, naive but incredibly strong woman...and yes, at times, she's a bit aggravating with her over thinking...rationalizing, but without a doubt she loves her Fifty, and it is love that ultimately drives this story. Once again, my mind is blown.




Kathryn's Review
Could this series get any better?  This book put me through so much...OH....MY....GOODNESS!!  The changes that happened in this book were so instrumental in the development of the characters.  I mean, watching Ana grow and become a stronger woman while all the while, Christian deals with his demons and learns to trust Ana completely.  And could I love Christian any more than I already did?  After this book, YES!!!  I kept saying, "I want me a Christian..."  Ha!! A man that loves you this much is incredible!  Now, it is not all hearts and flowers...there are things that Christian does that really get under my skin and as an independent woman, I would be telling him to take a hike, but again, this is a dreamworld and as a reader, I love to fall in to my worlds and see exactly where they take me.  And with this book, I fell madly in love with Christian and his world!


We both give Fifty Shades Darker:

=SCORCHER