Welcome to my stop on The Hidden Library blog tour hosted by InkSlingerPR!

Today I am excited to share my review, Heather's Dream Cast, and a giveaway with you all!

The Hidden Library (The Collectors' Society #2)
   by: Heather Lyons

Publication Date: Feb. 26, 2015
Publisher: Cerulean Books
Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via the author and InkSlingerPR in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 255 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
My Rating: 5/5 stars

Sometimes, the rabbit hole is deeper than expected . . .

Alice Reeve and Finn Van Brunt have tumbled into a life of secrets. Some secrets they share, such as their employment by the clandestine organization known as The Collectors’ Society. Other secrets they carry within them, fighting to keep buried the things that could change everything they think they know.

On the hunt for an elusive villain who is hell-bent on destroying legacies, Alice, Finn, and the rest of the Society are desperate to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. But the farther they spiral down this rabbit hole, the deeper they fall into secrets that will test their loyalties and pit them against enemies both new and old.

Secrets, they come to find, can reveal the deadliest of truths.

 

 

"The thing is," Finn continues quietly, "the Queen of Diamonds doesn't require me to fight her battles. She's more than capable of fighting them herself."

 

I am so deeply immersed in this series, it's not even funny you guys. Upon finishing The Collectors' Society, I instantly wanted the next book in my hands so I could embark on the next adventure. Now, after finishing The Hidden Library I ALSO want the next book in my hands, because this time there's a cliffhanger. And lives are hanging in the balance and I JUST CAN'T. I absolutely adore the premise behind this series and I love that we are thrown once more down the rabbit hole in this one. We have some new players, as well as new enemies that threaten The Collectors' Society and what they have worked so hard to accomplish.

 

I love that Lyons has made this dual-POV too. We get an even deeper connection to Finn this way and I loved getting inside his head, seeing how much he cares for Alice, his friends, his family, and how seriously he takes his job. I liked Finn well enough in the first book, but I really fell for him in this one. He is really a good match for Alice and I love that he doesn't falter at having a strong, independent girl by his side. They are partners in every sense of the word and I really appreciated seeing that dynamic between them. We also get a lot more of Finn's backstory in this one, which I enjoyed, as heartbreaking as it was. Confronting his past is not easy for him to do and yet he does so anyway, knowing the pain, anger, and regret he would feel.

 

Alice and Finn's romance is also a bright spot for me. I love their moments together and that Lyons weaves romance into a plot that is focused on finding answers and who is behind the deletion of timelines. I also love that they still get sexy times amidst all of this. In addition to Finn and Alice, I do love Victor and Mary too. I wish we would have gotten a bit more on the romantic spectrum with them though.

 

For those of you who loved going to Wonderland in the first book (*points at self*), you are in for another treat! We do get to see some of our Wonderlandian favorites and I think that particular arc was my favorite. Some of it could be rather bittersweet and I found my heart once again torn in half over the injustice of fate and destiny.

 

I am beyond intrigued by the events that have played out in this one. I couldn't help but be taken by surprise by seeing some of those allied together and I am eager to find out how it will all unfold. The last 1/4 of the book is a flurry of action and my eyes were wide upon reading and I couldn't make myself read fast enough to discover what in the world was going on. I am incredibly suspicious of one character in particular, as I have never fully trusted them, so I am definitely curious as to whether or not my gut instinct is correct.

 

Overall, I found this to be an excellent sequel. The first half of the book does not read as fast as the second half does, but Lyons' use of foreshadowing is key and I believe the details to be a necessity to understanding what is happening later on in the book, as well as in the next one. I am so anxious to get my hands on the next book because holy ending full of action, suspense, and anticipation!

 

"True love does not have limits or restrictions. True love allows a person to love deeply and unconditionally. True love does not ask you to let go of life. True love encourages you to love even more, Princess. True love encourages you to live."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After years in Wonderland, Alice has returned to England as an adult, desperate to reclaim sanity and control over her life. An enigmatic gentleman with an intriguing job offer too tempting to resist changes her plans for a calm existence, though. Soon, she’s whisked to New York and initiated into the Collectors’ Society, a secret organization whose members confirm that famous stories are anything but straightforward and that what she knows about the world is only a fraction of the truth.

It’s there she discovers villains are afoot—ones who want to shelve the lives of countless beings. Assigned to work with the mysterious and alluring Finn, Alice and the rest of the Collectors’ Society race against a doomsday clock in order to prevent further destruction . . . but will they make it before all their endings are erased?

 

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | My 5* Review

 

 

Heather Lyons writes epic, heartfelt love stories and has always had a thing for words. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. She and her husband and children live in sunny Southern California and are currently working their way through every cupcakery she can find.

 

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Welcome to my stop on the Best Kind of Broken blog tour hosted by InkSlingerPR!

Today I am excited to share my review, Chelsea's dream cast, as well as a giveaway with you all!

Best Kind of Broken (Finding Fate #1)
   by: Chelsea Fine

Publication Date: March 4, 2014
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by InkSlingerPR and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 336 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

SOMETIMES MOVING ON MEANS MOVING IN

Pixie Marshall wishes every day she could turn back time and fix the past. But she can't. And the damage is done. She's hoping that a summer of free room and board working with her aunt at the Willow Inn will help her forget. Except there's a problem: the resident handyman is none other than Levi Andrews. The handsome quarterback was once her friend-and maybe more--until everything changed in a life-shattering instant. She was hoping to avoid him, possibly forever. Now he's right down the hall and stirring up feelings Pixie thought she'd long buried . . .

Levi can't believe he's living with the one person who holds all his painful memories. More than anything he wants to make things right, but a simple "sorry" won't suffice--not when the tragedy that scarred them was his fault. Levi knows Pixie's better off without him, but every part of him screams to touch her, protect her, wrap her in his arms, and kiss away the pain. Yet even though she's so close, Pixie's heart seems more unreachable than ever. Seeing those stunning green eyes again has made one thing perfectly clear--he can't live without her.

"By turns humorous and heartbreaking, Best Kind Of Broken has become one of my favorites!"

--- CORA CARMACK, New York Times bestselling author of Losing It.

"You'll fall for Pixie and Levi, just like I did!"

--- JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT (J. Lynn), #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wait For You

"Tangled with friendship, history and heartbreak--not to mention a huge dose of

humor--Chelsea Fine's New Adult novel is not to be missed! Beyond an

incredibly HOT read, Pixie and Levi's longing for each other will have

you rooting for them till the very end."

--- JAY CROWNOVER, New York Times bestselling author of Rule

"This book destroyed me. Tore me into little tiny pieces. But somehow with

lots of laughs and some very steamy times, Chelsea put me back together

again! Chelsea Fine's style is witty, visceral and fresh. All I wanted

to do was crawl inside this book and live with the characters. And now

all I want is MORE."

--- CHELSEA M. CAMERON, New York Times bestselling author of My Favorite Mistake

"Sandwiched between laugh out loud moments and some serious heat, Best Kind of Broken is an unforgettable story of loss and forgiveness that will leave your heart aching."

--- LISA DESROCHERS, USA Today bestselling author of A Little Too Far

Best Kind of Broken is one of those stories that you read holding your breath. The whole 'will they or won't they' is enough to keep you engaged and will leave you hanging on to every word. Chelsea Fine does an excellent job of slowly unraveling Pixie and Levi's past, only giving bits and pieces at a time, until finally the truth comes out. I liked the anticipation of finding out why these two were so at odds with one another and why they were both so charged with sexual tension. This is definitely an emotional read, as we have two characters who are so filled with such sadness and longing, all while the crushing weight of grief hangs over their heads.

I really liked Pixie and Levi together. They will do anything to piss the other off and while it started off humorous, we quickly realize there is a deeply rooted story there that is filled with pain and heartache. It's easier to hate and express anger, rather than let themselves feel what they have been hiding and holding back which is why we constantly see them at each other's throats. Their relationship is very slow building, as the two have some really heavy issues to work through and a friendship to repair first and foremost. But once their resolve wavers, all bets are off and these two are explosive together.

I felt for Pixie. She has lived a difficult life. Levi's family was her own growing up, and she felt a closeness to them that her relationship with her own mother could even compare. Pixie's mother is a piece of work. Having gotten pregnant at too young of an age, she really resents Pixie and doesn't raise her as a loving, nurturing mother should. Instead, Pixie's mother constantly picks at and puts her down over and over again. She tears Pixie down to make herself feel superior, but even through all of that Pixie turned out ok, because she had Levi's family to love and care for her. After the incident, Pixie is completely lost and hurting because the family that held her together, has come apart at the seams.

Watching Levi battle his own desire and emotions over Pixie really hurt my heart. He cares for her so much, but the incident has changed him and made him hollow inside. He is trapped and suffocated by his own guilt and cannot face Pixie for fear he has done irreparable damage to her. He doesn't realize just how much she needs him to talk to her about what happened or the damage he's doing to her by NOT talking it out.

I really loved Pixie's aunt Ellen. She's a great role model for Pixie and Levi as well. I love that she gives it to them straight and both of them have such respect for her. They are staying with her and working for her in the hotel she runs, for the summer. I also really enjoyed Pixie's friend Jenna. Jenna is one of those friends you just need in your life. She can see through Pixie's crap and isn't afraid to call her on it. She pushes just enough not to break her, but instead gives her someone to trust in.

Finally, I can't NOT talk about Daren, as the next book in the series involves him. Daren has known Pixie and Levi since high school and there is some history between them. Daren comes across as a cocky, self-assured jerk but I actually liked him. With the exception of one scene in particular, that is. Still, he manages to give Levi a push in the right direction when it comes to Pixie and I think that finally resonated with Levi. In fact, Daren reminded me of Garth from Nicole Williams' Lost and Found series!

Overall, I really enjoyed Best Kind of Broken and I feel Fine really did a great job breaking onto the NA contemporary scene and I am looking forward to reading more from her in the future!

Chelsea lives in Phoenix, Arizona where she spends most of her time writing stories, painting murals, and avoiding housework at all costs. She’s ridiculously bad at doing dishes and claims to be allergic to laundry. Her obsessions include: superheroes, coffee, sleeping-in, and crazy socks. She lives with her husband and two children, who graciously tolerate her inability to resist teenage drama on TV and her complete lack of skill in the kitchen.

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Welcome to my stop on the A Matter of Truth blog tour hosted by InkSlingerPR!

I am so excited to share my 5 star review, Heather's dream cast, and a giveaway with you today!

A Matter of Truth (Fate #3)
   by: Heather Lyons

Publication Date: Nov. 5, 2013
Publisher: Cerulean Books
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received from InkSlingerPR and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 316 pages
Order Links: Amazon
My Rating: 5/5 stars

Not long ago, Chloe Lilywhite seemingly had it all: a prized spot on the Magicals’ Council as lead Creator, a loving fiancé and Connection, and a wealth of good friends. But the poised young woman she projected was nothing more than a façade. Her parents all but disowned her. Power plays and accusations of murder within the Council rocked her confidence. And most difficult of all, her secret, a secondary Connection to Jonah’s twin brother, Kellan, became painfully impossible to resist. Desperate to gain control over her rapidly unraveling existence, Chloe did the unthinkable: she ran away.

Now living and working in Alaska under an alias, Chloe is slowly discovering who she is and, more importantly, who she wants to be. But the more she tries to leave the Magical world behind, the harder it becomes to stay hidden. The Elders are back with a vengeance, and the stakes have never been higher. Chloe finally has to make a choice: embrace her pre-ordained Fate or pave her own way in the worlds. One thing’s for sure, though—she’s finally up for the challenge.

*This is a New Adult title, suitable for readers 18+.

 

My Review:

 

"I know my truth. And I've learned the hard way that a person has to be true to themselves if they want a chance at happiness in life."

 

I don't even know how to start this review. I am still overcome by all the emotions that Heather has once again managed to evoke in me. I got this one for review quite awhile ago and to be quite honest- I was terrified to read it. The first two books in this series opened the floodgates to my emotions and my heart wasn't ready to FEEL so much yet. I have never in my life read a series where I have been more emotionally invested in its characters as I have this one. Every feeling, every smile, every tear, every heartbreak the main character Chloe feels, I feel too. My heart has been so torn over this love triangle and I swear to you- it's the best one I've ever read. The series is about so much more than the romance though. It's about discovering your true self- what you can live with and what you can't live without, as well as a beautiful story of growing up.

 

A Matter of Truth is the third book in the Fate series and it picks up right after the previous book, A Matter of Heart, has left off. Chloe has been traveling a difficult road and it has come to the point where everything has completely spiraled out of control. This is a story of her reclaiming that control and making the decision to not let Fate dictate her life anymore.

 

"Connections are all about whom you belong with. But I'm tired of Fate thinking it can dictate that to me. If I belong to someone, and that person, in turn, belongs to me, it's going to be because we choose to give ourselves like that, not because some nebulous universal concept deems it so."

 

Fate has dealt her a crappy hand by giving her not one, but TWO Connections (which are essentially soulmates). Those Connections come in the form of twin brothers, Jonah and Kellan Whitecomb. Jonah and Kellan have always been close, as they have their own connection to one another. They are both Emotionals and can communicate without words. Their sibling bond has always been a strong one. Chloe witnesses firsthand that bond deteriorating and she is devastated that she is hurting so many others and believes perhaps they would be better off if she were not in the picture.

 

This book is all about Chloe's journey to self-discovery and we really see her develop and grow as a character. Chloe irritated me a bit in the previous books because she could be selfish and immature, but by the end of this book I viewed Chloe in such a different light. I am so proud of the girl she's become and I love that she is finally taking responsibility and making her own choices. Not everyone is happy with those choices, but I personally respect that she's making them once and for all.

 

"People are wrong about Connections. Connections don't define you. Having a partner doesn't define you. Love doesn't define you. You have to do that yourself. You have to decide who you are, what you want, and where you want to go. But when you do find somebody you want to share your life with, it needs to be for the right reasons." 

 

We are introduced to some very important characters in A Matter of Truth. I was hesitant to meet them, but wow. They are probably two of my very favorites! We have Will Dane, who has become Chloe's confidant, her rock, and a very dear friend to her. They have such a special friendship- both of them are hurting and they really lean on and take solace in one another. She loves that she found Will on her own and that Fate had no say in it whatsoever. Chloe has been keeping who she is a secret from Will- she wants to let him in, but talking about her past is so painful for her. He doesn't force her to open up, but once she does- he asks her the hard questions- he forces her to examine her choices and perspective and I had so much respect for him. Will plays a large role in this storyline and his world is completely rocked to the core. I feel it's going to work out in his favor, but wow. I didn't see some of those twists coming!

 

We also meet Will's dad, Cameron. I absolutely fell in love with him also. Cameron is the father figure Chloe never had. He believes in her, wants the best for her, and treats her as his own daughter. Will and Cameron are 100% there for Chloe and they welcome them into their family and with open arms with ZERO hesitation and there were a few scenes I got teary-eyed at how beautiful that was. Chloe's own parents have never been nurturing, loving parents and she is so overwhelmed at how quickly and willingly they accept her as their own.

 

Chloe also has developed friendships with a steady group of people she works with who really care about her.

 

Yet, as wonderful as these new people are, Chloe only has fleeting moments of happiness with them. Her heart has been ravaged by the past and she can never let those feelings of utter pain and heartbreak go. Jonah and Kellan are never far from her mind and she especially can't stop dreaming about one in particular. Losing them both has made her so desperate for even the smallest hint of how they are and even though she wants them to be happy, she is completely wrecked.

 

To add insult to injury, the Elders are back- but this time Chloe must defeat them without the help of the Guard or the Counsel. We find out some very interesting things about the Elders and what Chloe can do in relation to them. I cannot wait to see what happens on that front next! Not only are the Elders back, but Jens Belladonna and Sophie Greenfield make appearances that really leave you left bereft and wondering what their angles are.

 

Jonah and Kellan. Oh boy. Where do I start? I love both of these guys so so much and I hate everything they have gone through. Both have so much love for Chloe and not being with her absolutely destroys them both. Both handle that very differently. Kellan is used to being without Chloe and he tends to wear his pain more on his sleeve that Jonah does. Jonah internalizes everything and lets it build to the point where he forgets to take care of himself. Losing Chloe shatters him and he does not handle it well at all. I am not surprised by some of the decisions he makes in regards to his and Chloe's relationship in this book at all.

 

"You tore me apart," he continues, "but you absolutely gutted my brother."

 

I am completely satisfied with the turn of events in this book in regards to the romance. I felt it was time for Chloe to make her choice and when she did I honestly felt it was the right one. I hate that one has to endure the pain of losing her, but I have hope Heather is going to take care of this in the right way and I look forward to seeing how she resolves everything in the final book. I am definitely still afraid, as ANYTHING can happen, but I completely trust Heather to stay true to her heart, as well as her characters, about which direction this story should go.

 

However, my heart is STILL a-flutter over the last 1/4 of the book and I thought it would burst with emotion.

 

"You're more to me than just my Connection. You're the person I'd want to be with even if there were no Connection."

 

"I actually do wish I had the power to break our Connection so I could show you that, even without it and Fate and everything else out there, I would still choose you,---------. You're who I want. You're who I need."

 

I just don't know how to convey to you all how much you need to read this series. Heather is such a talented author- her writing is beautiful and you are immediately drawn in to this fantastical world and its beautiful, poignant characters. An emotionally charged read that opens your heart to so many varying emotions,  A Matter of Truth is an excellent addition to the Fate series and I cannot wait to see where the journey will lead us next!

 

 

 

 

 

Heather's Dream Cast:

 

A Matter of Truth introduces a lot of new characters to the Fate universe, so I’m thrilled to share my dream cast with you all today!

Since early on, I’ve always seen Imogene Poots as Chloe Lilywhite, the heroine of the Fate series:

 

Chloe’s got her hands full with two guys. Give a younger Ben Barnes blue eyes and a tan and he makes the perfect Jonah and Kellan Whitecomb.

 

Here’s Jonah . . .

 

 

And here’s Kellan . . .

 

 

A Matter of Truth introduces us to Will Dane. Trevor Donovan makes a really good Will:

 

 

Will’s dad, Cameron Dane, looks a lot like Brad Pitt to me:

In Alaska, Chloe works at the Moose on the Loose diner with Will. She also works with Paul (ignore the baby, or not, because it’s cute) . . .

 

And his on-again-off-again girlfriend, Frieda . . .

 

And Ginny . . .

 

She also meets Erik, who looks a lot like Benjamin Bratt to me:

 

I’d love to hear who readers think fit these characters!

 

Giveaway:

 

 

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About Heather Lyons:

 

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Website  Goodreads  Twitter  Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

A Matter of Fate: Amazon | B&N | My Review

Beyond Fate: Amazon | B&N| My Review

A Matter of Heart: Amazon | B&N| My Review

 

The first two books and Jonah's novella in the Fate series are currently $.99! GO GO GO!!!!! I also added links to my reviews to prove to you how awesome these books are. :D