Review: The Val Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods #4) by Melissa de la Cruz
Publication date: October 6th, 2009
Publisher: Hyperion
Number of pages: 371
Format: Hardcover
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository
Description: With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry; love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Schuyler has made her choice. She has forsaken Jack for Oliver, choosing human over vampire. But old loves die hard.... And even coldhearted Mimi seems to suffer from the ties that bind.

April's review: 

The forth installment of Melissa de la Cruz's Blue Blood series picks up a year after Revelations ends. We've learned that the Concave doesn't believe Sky's story of Leviathan's escape from his prison, and believes that Sky was the one to murder her grandfather. Realizing this, her and Oliver decides to go on the run. It seems to the reader at first that she has made her choice between Oliver and Jack. Seems that the out of sight, out of mind works for Sky's feelings for Jack. But when he is thrown back in her life, will her choice still be Oliver? Back in NYC, the stock market is crashing. Blue Bloods have lost millions of dollars in investments. The Visitor has completely taken over Bliss's body and she has lost a year of her life. And Mimi has shock us all and has joined Kingsley team of ventors, and have been traveling the world looking for The Watcher.

This is probably one of my favorite books of the series. And this is the point where I've actually started to like Mimi. I couldn't stand her before. We see more compassion in her. And she cares more about shopping and how she looks. Bliss plays an important part, especially near the end of the book. Cruz never disappoints me in keeping me on my toes and delivering an excellent story.

Rating: 4/5

Jen's review:

I'd say it was this book where a new ARC for this story started to form. With the tragic events that enfolded in the previous novel, Sky and Oliver find themselves on the run as they try to seek refuge and discover more about what her grandfather had told her about.
But after a year, they are both exhausted and time seems to be running out. There is only so much one person, or in this case, two can do until you run out of options.

After her past, which she thought she had put behind her, catches up to her in Paris, Sky suddenly realizes the truth of her own feelings, even if she denies them to herself. The thing about Sky is, when she commits to someone, that is how it will be. She won't or can't hurt someone on purpose, only of course if she feels it is in their best interests to do so, see Jack in 'Revelations'.
Mimi and Jack seem to be on two separate paths right now. While Jack is working with Charles in stopping the enemy, Mimi has joined the Venetators, and is being forced to work with Kingsley as they try to figure out who took and where Jordan, aka Sophia is, who was seemly kidnapped a year prior.

Bliss's Arc in this book is quite important, and it is one you don't see coming. I felt it was an interesting way to mix things up, as she discovers that she is on a bigger course of destiny, but for that to happen she has to make a personal sacrifice and do the one thing none of her past lives counterpart was able to fully accomplish.

This was actually the first book I really liked Mimi. Up until now she was just a jealous, petty and prissy rich girl who to me, stood in the way of Jack and Sky. LOL  I felt having her own mature storyline by herself changed her a bit, and the relationship for forms with Kingsley is what really sets her apart. It makes her more interesting and relatable than what I thought beforehand.

This book takes us on a journey of personal sacrifice from each of the characters, as they explore what they want and need, and what they should do. Discovering that part of you that says.. Hell with this... I can make up my own mind on what I want, rather being told  what to do.

Rating: 5 out  of 5

Cover reveal: Shadow of the Mark

Leigh Fallon's "Shadow of the Mark" is a book I have been waiting for ages, ever since I read the first book, back in 2010.. I have been waiting for the sequel to be released.
Finally, we now have a cover for the upcoming sequel in 2013.

This is gorgeous. Not only does it have my favourite in it, but the design goes along with Carrier of the Mark.

ICED book trailer by Karen Marie Moning

October 30th marks the release of ICED, the next book in the FEVER series, but this time, it's Dani's journey.
Check out the book trailer. ARE YOU READY FOR ICED?

Cover reveal:: Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington (US)

I have been wondering when the US cover for Emblaze would be released, and here we have it. This is the 3rd book in Violet Eden Chapters saga. It'll be released in  March 1st, 2013

Once again Violet Eden faces an impossible choice ... and the consequences are unimaginable.

Violet has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was.

Now Violet has something Phoenix - the exiled angel who betrayed her - will do anything for, and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem is that he has something she needs too.

Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the prophecy together, it doesn't take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell.

With the help of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to...

ICED excerpt by Karen Marie Moning

Karen has released an excerpt from ICED, the first 27 pages. And I can't help but spread the word. There isn't much I don't love about this series, or its characters and author. Who else is excited for ICED? It's Dani's story which I look forward to, and see how she deals with everything that happens, as she grows up.

What do you think about this story starting with 14 yr old Dani? And while we know this is not a YA series, and she will age to 17 by the end of the third book. Can you see or accept a sexual relationship eventually by any one in the series? If so, then whom?
Karen has said time and time again, this is not YA. Dani just happens to be a teen in an adult world. I think I am going to like this series just fine. I liked her in the Fever series, even though some things annoyed me, but I think we'll see her mature as the series goes forward.

Okay. Go read...

Btw, if you haven't read the FEVER series, then go on.. get to it. You would not regret it!


Iced: A Dani O'Malley Novel (Fever Series) by Karen Marie Moning

Review: Serpent's Kiss (The Beauchamp Family #2) by Melissa de la Cruz

Serpent's Kiss (The Beauchamp Family #2) by Melissa de la Cruz
Publication date: June 12st, 2012
Publisher: Sphere
Number of pages: tha
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add to Goodreads
Description: Everything ought to be perfect in the magical Long Island town of North Hampton now that Freya Beauchamp's twin brother, Freddie, is back. But their mother, Joanna, has always favoured son Freddie, and his assertion — that Freya's fiancé Killian Gardiner (Baldur) was the one who set up his downfall — threatens to fracture the delicate family dynamics as the Beauchamps are forced to take sides against each other.

Freddie spends his days either on the couch sleeping, or sleeping around. When their father Norman helps him find a job on a fishing vessel, Freddie's uncontrollable magic causes mayhem aboard the ship and lands him in even more hot water.

Level-headed sister Ingrid attempts to maintain the peace between the warring twins, but she has problems of her own: her human boyfriend, detective Matt Noble, becomes entangled in a complicated investigation, and when the magical creatures at the heart of it come to Ingrid for help, she has to choose between helping her kind and staying loyal to her love.

Freya and Killian plan their wedding only to discover an ancient rivalry that could keep them apart for ever. Things come to a head when the culprit behind Freddie's imprisonment is finally revealed, but it may be too late to staunch the poison that's been released in the family and the town

The sequel to Witches of East End is quite as thrilling, if not even more so than the first book. 
We deal with the return of not just one, but two characters from the past. 
Not only do we and Freya discover that whom she thought was her love, Balder, she was mistaken and it turns out to be the guy who she felt an undeniable connection to all along. Now the truth is out in the open, Bran's true colours start to show and there is no doubt who he really is.

With the return of Freya's twin brother, Freddie, he holds a secret that threatens to tear Killian and Freya apart forever if it turns out to be the truth. Everyone has a secret, but the question on whether or not all the facts are in the open remains to be seen.

Killian and Freya's relationship is stronger now the truth about Bran has been revealed, but there is still something keeping them apart, even if they don't know it.
Bran is also on the loose, and nobody is quite sure where he is, or what he is planning. When it comes to the trickster, nothing is ever certain. 

Ingrid and their mother, Joanna also have relationship issues, but that's the least of their worries. Not only do they have to worry about whether or not any punishment will fall on them once the council gets wind they have been using their powers, but also to the fact there is something brewing in town and beyond that could destroy everything.

When all said and done, the question they'll be after is... "What do we do now?"

This book has everything the first had and more. It introduces some new characters. There is surprising reveals, villians and things you don't see coming. There are things you might see coming, but didn't know how they might be played out.

The way this book ends makes you yearn for the next book. I wonder... is this a 3 book series? As it feels like everything is setting up for a conclusion in 'Winds of Salem'. I wouldn't mind, because its a great series and not sure how long this can go on, but then again, I wouldn't say no if she chose to write a few more.

Review: Witches of East End ( The Beauchamp Family #1) by Melissa de la Cruz

Witches of East End ( The Beauchamp Family #1) by Melissa de la Cruz
Publication date: June 21st, 2011
Publisher: Little Brown
Number of pages: 288
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add to Goodreads
Description: The three Beauchamp women—Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid—live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret—they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there's Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache,

For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it's time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them.

From the bestselling author, Melissa de la Cruz comes a brand new series, but instead of vampires, we have a family of witches. 
We're introduced to the Beauchamp Family. Joanna, and her two daughters, Freya and Ingrid. Each woman has their own share of powers, and problems that come with it.
After Freya gets engaged to Bran and then meets his dashing, sexy brother, Killan, she forms a striking connection with him she can't seem to shake.
Her sister, Ingrid seems to have her own share of love problems when it comes to local cop, Matt Noble, his interest in her is obvious to everyone but Ingrid and she just might push him away before she even realize her own feelings for him.

Amongst all the love problems going on with the girls love lives, Joanna discovers there is a dark and evil presence lurking in their town and she is the only one who will be able to stop it.
After being tired of being restricted in not being able to use their powers, the girls get to the point where they don''t care what happens to them, using their abilities is who they are and they will not be stopped in doing something that feels natural.

Mystery, love and magic makes this book a great story that will make you believe anything is possible. 

I really loved Freya, Ingrid and Killian. The villian in the story I didn't expect, but almost felt like a relief in some way. Things from the beginning made sense as you got to the end and the puzzle begun to piece back together.
Joanna is also a good mother to the girls. She has lost her husband and son to unknown situations, so she feels she has to protect the ones she has left.
And of course a cliffhanger to die for and makes you itching for book 2.