#Monday - Sidekick Returns by Auralee Wallace (Fantasy)

Series: Sidekick in the City # 2
Format: E-Galley, 272 pages
Release Date: December 8, 2015
Publisher: Escape Publishing
Source: Publisher via NetGalley 
Genre: Fantasy

Bremy St James is back in a brand new adventure, mixing chaos, humor, sex, and superheroes in this fresh, funny, flirty series. It’s the superhero romance you didn’t know you needed…

Fresh off thwarting the crime of the century, Bremy St. James is back and more determined than ever to fight by the side of the city’s top superhero, Dark Ryder. There’s just one problem: Dark Ryder’s disappeared.

To make matters worse, Bremy’s evil billionaire father, Atticus, is taking her lack of family loyalty very personally, and Bremy’s last tie to her old life, her reason behind her choices—her sister—is distancing herself as well.

Sidekick Returns is the second installment in the Sidekick in the City series by author Auralee Wallace. Protagonist Bremy St. James, aka the Sidekick, is a former socialite who was cut off by her billionaire father Atticus St James all because she knows a secret about what happened to her mother. It's not easy being Bremy St. James. She's fallen from the ranks of the rich and spoiled (think Kardashian) and now lives the life of an every day person who struggles to pay bills, or put food on their table. 

She works at a strip club for a pimp and pretty much hates everyone there. But, since she owes him money and rents from a Russian Mobster who thinks she's funny, a girl has to do what a girl has to do. At night, Bremy walks the streets hoping to stop crimes from happening while proving that she is worthy of being Dark Ryder's Sidekick. But, as she is doing so, more times than not, it turns into a hilarious episode of the Keystone Cops. Until things start happening that once again point to her father.

It has nearly a month since Bremy helped Dark Ryder stop him from committing the crime of the century, and now, her mentor is missing from action. He, in turn, hasn't given up on making her pay for what he sees as Bremy's betrayal of gravitating towards Ryder, vs coming home like her sister Jenny. The same secretive twin sister who can suddenly walk, and appears to be trying to be what Remy dreams about the most; a superhero. Then there is Ryder who turns her back on Bremy, and starts acting as though she's lost her last marble. Will Bremy be able to stop her father, save her mentor, and find out why her sister is up to?

Sidekick Returns starts out like an episode the Keystone Cops, and finishes with so many questions that I dare say I am hopeful for a third installment sooner, rather than later. Bremy still hasn't caught on to being a sidekick to a superhero, but thankfully she doesn't just give up. Hilarity is always on the horizon when it comes to Bremy, her friends Pierce Stricklin (reporter) Bart, the MIT drop-out, and Queenie the rather abrupt next door neighbor who always sees to come through for Bremy when she needs something to wear. Finally, Choden, Ryder's uncle and mentor who has taken a shine to Bremy. 

Thankfully, it's not all fun and games and there is a bit of a cliffhanger ending to bring the book to an end. Kind of strange not seeing any real romance in this book. But, Bremy does have her hands full with a whole lot of challenges. I am all for books that run the gambit from being fun, suspenseful, mysterious, and dark.  

**I received this book for free from (Publisher) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

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#Saturday Review - The Secret Fire by C.J. Daugherty (YA, Paranormal)

Series: The Alchemist Chronicles # 1
Format: E-Galley, 424 pages
Release Date: September 3, 2015
Publisher: Atom/Bookouture
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

French teen Sacha Winters can't die. He can throw himself off a roof, be stabbed, even shot, and he will always survive. Until the day when history and ancient enmities dictate that he must die. Worse still, his death will trigger something awful. Something deadly. And that day is closing in.

Taylor Montclair is a normal English girl, hanging out with her friends and studying for exams, until she starts shorting out the lights with her brain. She’s also the only person on earth who can save Sacha.

There’s only one problem: the two of them have never met. They live hundreds of miles apart and powerful forces will stop at nothing to keep them apart.

They have eight weeks to find each other.

Will they survive long enough to save the world? 

The Secret Fire is the first installment in The Alchemist Chronicles

by author C.J. Daugherty. Daugherty recently wrapped up her Night School series with Endgame, and now enters a whole new world. A world where thanks to a curse, French teenager Sacha Winters can't die. He can throw himself off a roof, be stabbed, even shot, and he will survive. That is until he reaches his Eighteenth birthday.

Sacha has pretty much walked away from school, his friends, and life. He's turned instead to doing dangerous stunts, and tempting criminals with his escapes. His mother knows about the prophecy, but tries hard not to think, or worry about it since she lost her husband to it. His Aunt knows about the curse, but she can only help so much. Sacha knows that with his death, not only will the curse end, but something horrible will be triggered.

Daugherty actually has two main characters, and alternates narratives between the two. The second and probably most important character in the story is Taylor Montclair from England. She has a goal of getting into Oxford where her Grandfather teaches. She's got a full plate which includes stellar grades, and tutoring opportunities that come her way. One of those tutoring opportunities leads her to Sacha Winters. A boy who is supposed to be taught English, but speaks the language fluently.

While Sacha is searching for answers to his own mortality, Taylor is suddenly having massive headaches, being following by creatures called Bringers, and apparently has some abilities that can't be explained. Taylor is nothing like Sacha. She is perhaps a bit too perfect at time but grows on you once she learns about how powerful she really is. But, the question still remains as to why she was "forced" into tutoring Sacha by her French teacher? Why did her own grandfather wait so long to explain to her about why she has the powers she has, and why when she connects with Sacha, they are a force to be reckoned with?

One of my favorite secondary characters is Louisa. She is a spark plug, and is an assistant to Taylor's Grandfather. She starts Taylor's training into her abilities, and becomes an important ally for Taylor entrance into the Alchemist world. Funny how Daugherty once again offers a school as a backdrop. This doesn't come into play until much later in the book, but apparently readers will once again find themselves in a school environment where the students face evil like they've never seen before.

Overall: There is action, but it takes awhile to get going. The creepy factor is definitely in play. The Bringers are nearly indestructible until they meet Taylor. There is apparently another powerful villain which Daugherty hasn't introduced yet. I dare say I kept thinking about the villain from her Night School series when the hints came in to who this person could be. I would say that the romance is meek in comparison to the Night School series. Then again, these two teenagers are thrown together in order to save the world and romance isn't high on their to do list. 

**I received this book for free from (Publisher) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

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#Stacking the Shelves / Weekly Recap* 12/05/2015

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course eBooks!

Thanks for Stopping by!

I'm back! It really felt nice shutting down for a few days. Everyone needs a break now and again to stay from getting burned out. I didn't travel to NY, which kind of sucked. But, I did get plenty of TV time which I almost never do. I caught up on episodes of Jessica Jones, Homeland, Blacklist, Ash vs the Evil Dead, and Orange is the New Black. Watched a whole slew of programs that I recorded via my DVR. I have a "few" books this week, so, I do hope you find something you like!

~Shelley~

The Week in Reviews:

Monday - Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (YA, Fantasy)

Tuesday - Alien in Chief by Gini Koch (Science Fiction)

Wednesday - Enticing Violence by Theresa M. Jones (YA, Paranormal)

Thursday - Find Me If You Dare by Vicki Leigh (YA, Paranormal)

Friday - Nexis by A.L. Davroe (YA, Cyberpunk, SyFy)

Saturday - The Secret Fire by C.J. Daugherty (YA, Paranormal)

Coming Next Week: 

Monday - Sidekick Returns by Auralee Wallace (Fantasy)

Tuesday - Nightwish by Sydney Bristow (Paranormal)

Wednesday - All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Young Adult)

Thursday- Hexomancy by Michael R. Underwood (Fantasy)

Friday - Mind Magic by Eileen Wilks (Paranormal)

Saturday - Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin (Young Adult)

*Library*

  

*Received via NetGalley or Edelweiss*

  

 

#Friday Review - Nexis by A.L. Davroe (Young Adult, Cyberpunk, Science Fiction)

Series: Tricksters # 1
Format: E-Galley, 304 pages
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Genre: Young Adult, Cyberpunk, SyFy

In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it’s been waiting for Ella. 

Nexis is the first installment in A.L. Davroe's Tricksters series. The story is set 231 years Post-America, which was destroyed by a Bio-Nuclear War and the subsequent fall-out that left the best and brightest survivors living in Domes. Nexis takes place in a domed city called Evanescence. Here there is a definite disconnect between what are called Aristocrats (Elites) who use modifications and alternations to change their appearances (not unlike Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series), and the Disfavored who are exposed to a very unhealthy environment. 

One could also relate this story to the Hunger Games (I.E. the Capitol) since they go to extremes to look different from the rest of their peers. Protagonist Ellani Drexel's father Warren has risen through the ranks from a programmer to an Elite. When the story begins, he is receiving an award for creating a highly popular game called Nexis. Nexis is a virtual reality game that allows players to go on individual quests and gain teammates to help them complete their quest.

Ellani's world comes crashing down upon her when she and her father are in an accident that takes his life, and her legs. Upon waking up, she finds that she is a virtual prisoner under the control of a guardian. Everyone now believes that she is dead. Once she gets past the shocking loss of her father and the reality of her situation, she begins her journey into Nexis and learns that the game has chosen a name (Anasi's Child) and a quest. It is here that she makes an alliance with the mysterious Guster who guides her through the game, and captures her affections.

Ellani is highly unusual in that she is a Natural. She hasn't had any modifications, or alterations and that is mostly due to her mother's request that she remain who she is and not jump into the deep end of the pool with the rest of the sharks who jump at the first chance to alter their appearances so much, they can no longer recognize themselves in the mirror. Ellani has been portrayed as a highly intelligent programmer and designer. But there is so much more about her I can't share.

I have to stop here for a moment and say that Nexis is one of those books where not overthinking things is a very good thing. The more you over-think who is responsible for Ellani's situation and why, or why a character hasn't caught onto what is happening around her, the more frustrating you can get, and miss important clues. You need to learn to flow with the story as Ellani discovers a whole new world and devious secrets that can change her entire world.

Ellani's journey into the game is really entertaining. I love how detailed the game really is. I love that she finds new allies, and someone who finds a way to break through to her heart. I don't mind flawed characters as long as they grow along with the series. I don't mind that smart characters act confused at times as long as they prove that they have the moxie to carry the series. I have faith that Ellani will do just that and make hard choices in the sequel. 

The final part of this book is highly entertaining and left me with several very important questions about why Guster showed so much attention towards Ellani, and who he really is.  One of the things you MUST pay attention to is the various time lines that the author creates. This story actually takes place over a period of 1 full year, rather than subsequent days. I am a fan of stories that actually move forward in time, and are not told in the span of 24 hours. 

**I received this book for free from (Publisher) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

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#Thursday Review - Find Me If You Can by Vicki Leigh (Young Adult, Paranormal)

Series: Dreamcatchers # 2
Format: E-Galley, 255 pages
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Publisher: Curiosity Quill Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

They may have won the first battle, but the Apocalypse has just begun.

Five weeks have passed since the battle that left Rome and Columbus in ruins. Sheltered in the hidden city of Caelum, Daniel and Kayla train alongside over one hundred Magus and Protectors, hoping that their unified ranks will be enough to take down their greatest threat yet: Richard, his followers, and his horde of Nightmares. Then a fallen comrade is returned to Caelum with a message carved into his chest and a note referencing the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and Daniel knows their time for training is over.

Finally understanding Richard’s plans for Kayla and the three other Magus born on Halloween, Daniel and the rest of Caelum’s volunteers scout the U.S. in a desperate attempt to stop their enemy before he can unleash his first Horseman. But when massive attacks claim thousands of lives, people all over the world begin to fall ill—including those Daniel and Kayla care about the most.

With the Horseman of Pestilence released, Daniel knows it’s time to step aside and let Kayla take the lead. Only she has the power to rival her father’s. But when Richard’s plot turns out to be darker than they imagined, their fight is met with more death and destruction—and an enemy who might be unbeatable, after all.

Find Me If You Dare is the second installment in Vicki Leigh's Dreamcatcher series. This story is dark, bloody, and there is no one who isn't put into harm's way, including our hero. It is action packed, suspenseful, well plotted, and a very nicely paced read that anyone who likes dark fantasy can sink their teeth into. The main protagonist of this story is Daniel Graham, a Dreamcatcher & Protector who has been battling Nightmares for 200 years.

It has been five weeks since the battle for Rome and Columbus left the Protectors aligned with Witches and Warlocks under the leadership of Trishna. Daniel's allies find themselves sheltered in a city called Caelum while they look for clues on how to stop Richard, and bring in more allies to help stop the Apocalypse. Caelum is a city that was built from the ground up by Trishna's coven. Daniel must become a leader now that his organization has been tore up by betrayal and devastating losses.

Even though Daniel is the main protagonist and everything rides on his leadership and ability to keep his allies from abandoning ship, it is Kayla Bartlett who may be the secret weapon in the war against her father and his nightmares. Nightmares who have red eyes and claws that can easily rip a person apart. Kayla has come a very long way from the first book. She's gaining more and more confidence by the minute in learning how to her abilities that come from her father. 

If I have any regret in this entire novel, it was that we didn't get a chance to see the world through Kayla's eyes. That sounds strange coming from me, but yes I would have liked alternating narratives. We don't know the emotions she's really feeling since Leigh spends most of the time in Daniel's world. We don't really get how emotional this entire situation is for her knowing that her father is a bleeding megalomaniac who wants to destroy the world and her mother might be dead. 

Find Me If You Can is the perfect name for this story. It is a bit of a taunt by Richard Bartlett to Daniel and his allies Kayla, Seth, Ivan, Samantha, Tabbi, Lian, Bartholomew, and Nolan to fine him and stop him if they can. Richard is an evil, evil man who has no real redeeming qualities that I can figure out. He unleashes hell on earth, and truly believes nobody can stop him. That is totally fine with me. Sometimes a villain has to be dark as they come in order to make a story that much better.

Leigh has an interesting way of ending things, which, no, I will never spoil for anyone. Definitely hoping that means a third book is in the works. I loved that Nolan becomes more than a bit character this time around. Loved seeing that Kayla finally has accepted the truth about her powers and has the ability to use them to save the world. Shed more than a few tears this time around. Leigh is brutal when it comes to her secondary characters. I would think I would learn by now not to get attached to anyone for fear they won't make it to the ending.  

**I received this book for free from (Publisher) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

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#Wednesday Review - Enticing Violence by Theresa M. Jones (Young Adult, Fantasy)

Series: Empyrean Chronicles # 2
Format: Mobi, 400 pages
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Publisher: Luftmensch Press
Source: Author
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Lily and Alec are only pawns in a war much larger than they'd imagined. 

Lily still wants to complete her mission: Avenge her parents. But when Lynn- the leader of the Rebels in Muircadia- is captured, and Rita- daughter to the evil Lord Nettles- is sentenced to death, it's up to Lily, Alec, and the very select few Fae they trust, to try to save them all before it's too late.

When all you do is fight for your life, how do you find time to live? How do you love when hope is always slipping away?

Enticing Violence is the second installment in the Empyrean Chronicles. It has been several months since Lilkaleena (Lily) Volante found her parents murdered in their home, and fled Kansas with Sylph Realm Guard Alec for the Fae realm of Empyrean. Over the past several months, Lily has learned that she was kept hidden for a reason. Her parents were the former King and Queen of the realm and that she is the real ruler of the realm. 

Lily and Alec have since joined with a group of rebels lead by Lynn in an attempt to overthrow King Mastikh. But, the King and his allies won't just lay down without a whole lot of bloodshed first. Lynn has done a remarkable job of bringing Fae of all walks of life together in order to rally behind Lily. It also helps that there is a prophecy about Lily that brings the Fae together, and that powerful beings are ready to offer assistance whenever she asks.

From the start of this series, Lily's primary mission has been about getting revenge on those who tore her world apart and sent her to a place where she's never been. But, when a mission to Muircadia goes horribly wrong, and Lynn is captured and sent to Vesuvius, Lily and her allies must pull itself together if they are going to have any chance of defeating the Lords and Ladies of the Realm. They also must help rescue Lady Rita Minor, an important ally, from being hanged by her father.

Now that Lily's powers have "awakened" and she has wings and the ability to use fire, she's become a force to be reckoned with. To me that's a good thing since she now knows how to wield her father’s sword. She knows how to fight without relying heavily on others to save her time and time again. And, when she is training on how to use her new found Pixie powers, it gives me hope that she will eventually have the means to defeat the King.

For me, the only minor squabble I have with this story is the time spent between Lily and Alec and the angst. I don't mind the romance. I do mind when there is too much of it when they are trying to put together a coalition of the willing and we haven't even met the rest of the evil spawn supporting the King. I also refuse to accept that Alec would stand aside and let anyone else be with Lily especially since they have an established relationship and trust each other. 

Next in series: Enthralling Retribution (February 2016)   

#Tuesday Review - Alien in Chief by Gini Koch (Science Fiction)

Series: Katherine "Kitty" Katt # 12
Format: Paperback, 540 pages
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Publisher: DAW
Source: Publisher
Genre: Science Fiction

The Mastermind has upped his game . . .

As Kitty can tell you, it's not easy being the wife of the vice president - especially not when he's an alien from the Alpha Centauri system. And being a parent of preternaturally talented children, don't even go there. But she and her A-C husband, Jeff, have learned how to roll with whatever life and the bad guys throw at them - they think.

Kitty & Company have been savoring a few months of quiet since they got back from Beta Eight. But suddenly their peace is shattered by the arrival of a mysterious female assassin - who might be Jeff's missing niece, Stephanie. And that's just the beginning of the fun.

When the Alpha Centauri Planetary Council requests a visit with the president and vice president, things look politically dicey. When the most dangerous prisoners in the most secure supermax prison escape with ease, things look bad. But when the Mastermind releases a virus that kills people in a week, things go to Defcon Worse fast.

Now it's up to Kitty to save everyone important in the U.S. government - including her mother, her husband, and herself - before the virus spreads through the rest of the country, and then the world. Plus she's facing invisible attackers, crazed assassins, a teenager in hiding, the most dangerous train ride ever, the disappearance of her beloved flyboys, and a mysterious alien who could be an enemy or the ally she needs.

and this time, the Mastermind's made it very personal. Either he's going down . . . or Kitty is. 

Alien in Chief is the Twelfth installment in Gini Koch's Katherine "Kitty" Katt series. This is the episode I have been waiting patiently for since the unmasking of the Mastermind in the previous installment called Alien Separation. For Kitty and her allies, it is hard to keep a secret knowing that your nemesis is close to your inner circle. What's worse is that the mastermind is as devious and nasty as he is brilliant to the point where he is always one step ahead of Kitty and her allies. 

In the six years since Kitty was exposed to the reality that aliens from the Alpha Centauri system live on this planet, she has become an alien busting kick ass heroine with plenty of snark and the ability to take on anything that comes her way while listening to a plethora of songs. Kitty is so underrated that even her allies sometimes are confused by the things she comes up with to thwart the members of the league of villains. 

Alien in Chief is a fun ride that pushes the series into the next chapter. For readers who may be hesitant about reading this series, let me calm your fears. If you are a reader looking for plenty of action, you have it. If you are looking for sexy romance, you have it. If you are looking for a variety of villains, unexpected guests from the Planetary Council, a virus that leaves the government in disarray, a fight scene that takes place on a train, invisible enemies, covers that are so awesome that they bring out the best scene of the book, and a heroine who refuses to leave anyone behind, you have it. Need I say more?

I love that this book actually takes place a few months after Alien Separation. To me, it's more realistic to give the characters a bit of down time before jumping back into the fire. I love that Koch adds yet another fun character in Elizabeth "Lizzie" Jackson who has her hands full with her own troubles. I'm a bit nervous about the friends and colleagues that went missing or were killed over the course of the story. These characters are/were too important to be disregarded or ignored. I am a bit curious as to how the story will continue from here now that the truth is out in the world and Jeff and Kitty have moved into a new "house."

Guess we shall see in May when Camp Alien releases.

**I received this book for free from (Publisher) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

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