.#Review #Giveaway Shadowhunters And Downworlders

Shadowhunters and Downworlders:
 A Mortal Instruments Reader (The Mortal Instruments)

by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Holly Black (Goodreads Author), Kate Milford (Goodreads Author), Diana Peterfreund (Goodreads Author), Sara Ryan (Goodreads Author), Scott Tracey (Goodreads Author), Robin Wasserman (Goodreads Author), Kendare Blake (Goodreads Author) , more…Gwenda Bond (Goodreads Author), Sarah Rees Brennan (Goodreads Author), Rachel Caine, Sarah Cross (Goodreads Author), Kami Garcia (Goodreads Author), Michelle Hodkin (Goodreads Author), Kelly Link

Paperback, 256 pages

Published January 29th 2013 by SmartPop

*Received ARC Copy from SmartPop for review
Goodreads

Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, epic urban fantasy set in a richly imagined world of shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves, fairies, and more, has captured the imaginations and loyalty of hundreds of thousands of YA readers. Originally a trilogy (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass), the series has extended to six titles, plus a prequel trilogy, the Infernal Devices, and a planned sequel series, the Dark Artifices. A feature film is planned for 2013.

Shadowhunters and Downworlders, edited by Clare (who provides an introduction to the book and to each piece), is a collection of YA authors writing about the series and its world.

Introduction by Cassandra Clare

Unhomely Places by Kate Milford

The Art of War by Sarah Cross

Sharper Than a Seraph Blade by Diana Peterfreund

When Laws Are Made to Be Broken by Robin Wasserman

Simon Lewis: Jewish, Vampire, Hero by Michelle Hodkin

Why the Best Friend Never Gets the Girl by Kami Garcia

Brotherly Love by Kendare Blake

Asking for a Friend by Gwenda Bond

(Not) for Illustration Purposes Only by Rachel Caine

The Importance of Being Malec by Sara Ryan

Villains, Valentine, and Virtue by Scott Tracey

Immortality and Its Discontents by Kelly Link and Holly Black

What Does That Deviant Wench Think She’s Doing? Or, Shadowhunters Gone Wild The Dirty Side Of Demon Hunting by Sarah Rees Brennan

 

 

 

 



Shadowhunters and Downworlders  is a collection of stories and opinions based on the highly acclaimed Mortal Instruments Series. With over twelve shorts, essays in fact, by YA authors. We get an insight of the Mortal Instruments world and delve deeper into what makes this series successful. Now, I must admit I didn't read the whole book word for word, I read the beginnings of each short and then decided weather or not to finish the rest of the short or go on to the next one. Having said that I'm going to share with you the shorts that I read and will review them below

 

 

Favorite Essay-

 

Why the Best Friend Never Gets the Girl by Kami Garcia

 

Kami delivers to us the age old bff's between male/female and why they never hook-up. Simon and Clary in the S&D series are just that BFF's,

 Her reference to some of John Hughes films are spot on. Being a huge fan of Mr. Hughes films I totally connected with what she penned.

 

Pretty In Pink- Duckie and Andie- Duckie loved Andie, as well as Andie loved Duckie, but it never, ever would cross the line to be more. Duckie, of course doesn't see it that way, as he tries to make Andie jealous, and in reference to the movie Simon does the same to Clary.

 

Other films she delved into, Sixteen Candles, St. Elmo's Fire, The Outsiders, and more.

 

 

 

Other fav. essay's

 

Brotherly Love by Kendare Blake   - Jace and Clary and why we accept and want them together.

 

(Not) For Illustration Purposes Only by Rachel Caine -Tattoo's and the markings and power of the Shadowhunters. 

 

Immortality and its Discontents by Kelly Link and Holly Black -A back and forth interview type bantor between these two authors about Mortal Intruments

 

Sharper Than A Seraph Blade by Diana Peterfreund -Weapons, and the best weapon of them all -Carried by Jace  -humor, and why it works.

 

 

 

 

 Overall a good edition to The Mortal Instruments collection and a must for fans!

 

 

 

 

3/5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

•  I'm giving away my ARC copy of this book.
• Open Int.
• Giveaway 3/7-3/21
• Winner will be notified by e-mail and will have 48hrs. to respond or another winner will be chosen

 

 

 

 

 

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Release Day #.Review: Rush By @maya_banks

Rush (Breathless #1)

by Maya Banks  

Paperback, 416 pages

Expected publication: February 5th 2013 by Berkley

Goodreads
*Sent from Sullivan & Brothers for review

Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she’s ripe for the picking...When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.

Breathless Series

Pick up Rush-- Out today

 

 

 

A rival of Fifty Shades, Miss Banks grips you into the storyline and carries the erotica genre into an oasis of steam and heat.

 

 

 Rush was a total surprise for me. I mean I like erotica, but only if it has a good storyline to go with it, and Rush does not disappoint.

We have three hot business men, Gabe, the in control, wealthy, head of a successful, real estate, partner in HCM Global Resorts and Hotels. He shares responsibility with two other eligible bachelors, Ash and Jace. Three sexy, powerful men who get any woman they want. Tight knit, and friends since high school, they know everything there is to know about one another, except for one secret that Gabe has kept hidden from his best friends, the one secret that is determined to crush there friendship for good, and she comes in the name of Mia. Mia, is not just any regular girl that comes in and out of these playboys lives, hell no! She is none other than Jace's younger sister, fourteen years younger but totally grown at the age of twenty-four, and utterly beautiful. Gabe has had his eyes on her and finds her harder and harder to resist.

 

Mia has always had feelings for Gabe. Having always only been looked at as the baby sister of Jace. She feels that they will never have a chance together, but things quickly change as Gabe offers her a job, and a contract. A contract that will propel them from friends to  sexual partners. See Gabe is weary of relationships, having been burned by his ex wife in the past. He sees any sexual contact as business. Being that he is a smart business man, he draws up a contract of do's/don'ts and more for whomever is his sexual partner at the time. I know, total win in the romance department, huh? Well, this contract is basically a way of covering his a** and showing whomever he's with at the time who is in control, and believe me Gabe is in total control in every aspect of the relationship. From choosing how to have sex, to where, and what his potential mate will go, and what they'll wear. Ironically that aspect didn't creep me out, it had me wondering how far these two would go before they crack.

 Mia does sign the contract, but being she's naïve, she doesn't really know what she's getting into. She just knows she loves Gabe and whatever it takes for them to be together works for her.

 

Now, don't get me wrong Gabe, does have his faults, but he does have a good side when it comes to Mia. He takes care of her, every need, and want. From a job as his assistant, to lavishing her with gifts of new clothes, to taking her out to eat. But, of course Mia must take care of Gabe's every sexual desire, and oh boy does he have a sexual appetite!!! From his office, to his personal car, to his bed. Total dominance and control, Gabe seems to change into a different person when it comes to the sexual aspect of their relationship, your always left wondering if their relationship will advance, and what his true feelings are.

 

After an incident that rocks Gabe to his core, as well as Mia. Things change for these two, and Mia seems to have had enough. Hiding their relationship/contract from everyone proves to be their downfall as well as Gabe's and his need for control, although at this point, everyone knows you can't control your heart.

When things go from bad to worse it seems that everything is slipping through his fingers and he is losing control, and may lose Mia for good.

 

 

 At first, I had a hard time with Mia. Yes, she's young, and clouded by her love for Gabe. She gives into his every whim, and I wanted to slap her awake and tell her to stick her heels in the ground and demand Gabe to throw out that damn contract. And, Gabe sexy, and yes, domineering, you'll want to slap him at times. Especially, over an incident that puts Mia in a compromising position, and is just wrong. Yes, I wanted to kick Gabe's a**, but I wanted to kick Mia's a** as well! Mia does grow, and without spoiling any more. I can say the end was what made me fall for this book, and at that point I knew Miss Banks is an author that not only can write great sex scenes, but she can weave a plot that will have you from the very first chapters. Having never read any of Miss Banks many works, I can now say I am a fan! Continuing on with the series, I'll be starting Fever, next!

   

 

4/5 HOT Steamy Roses 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"She greedily drank in the sight of him, like an addict getting their next high-like she'd gone far too long without that fix. He was a man whose presence filled any room he occupied...."  

 

 

 

"I can't go easy, Mia," he said, his voice strained and edgy. "I want to be inside you more than I want to breathe right now. I have to have you. Now."



 

 

Who could possibly say no to Gabe Hamilton? Apart from the fact that he had more money than God, he had natural charisma that drew women in as well as men alike. They responded to him. Some feared him, others hated him, but everyone respected him.

 

 

She closed her eyes dreamily, swaying along with the music as Gabe held her tightly, his hand roaming her bod. They were practically making love on the floor. Not sex, Not this torrid, all-consuming obsession, that gripped them every time the clothes came off.

 





.Release Day Review: Reflected In You by Sylvia Day

*This book is an adult read -18 over. My review contains no sexual content*

Reflected in You (Crossfire #2)

by Sylvia Day

Paperback, 432 pages

Published: October 2nd 2012 by Penguin Group (USA)

ISBN:0425263916

*ARC copy provided by Publisher*

Gideon Cross. As beautiful and flawless on the outside as he was damaged and tormented on the inside. He was a bright, scorching flame that singed me with the darkest of pleasures. I couldn't stay away. I didn't want to. He was my addiction... my every desire... mine.


My past was as violent as his, and I was just as broken. We’d never work. It was too hard, too painful... except when it was perfect. Those moments when the driving hunger and desperate love were the most exquisite insanity. We were bound by our need. And our passion would take us beyond our limits to the sweetest, sharpest edge of obsession...

My Thoughts

Although, this book is classified as an erotic read it actually is so much more. Emotions are high, and although Eva has stopped running away, it seems these two still have alot(a ton) to work on.



Gideon and Eva are back, right where book one left off.
Their relationship seemed to be taking a better direction, aside from their insecurities and Gideon's attempt to do everything for Eva. He seems to control her throughout most of this book, and I really didn't care for that aspect. The way Gideon seemed to lust, and control after Eva was a bit stalkish. I didn't like the way he knew what and where she was, almost all of the time. Then when she did something that was not "smart" in his eyes, he flew off the handle.

I also had a difficult time with the way Gideon pushes Eva away and pulls her back, like a yo-yo, with no explanations. Eva seemed to be stronger than the way she was portrayed, and we do catch glimpses of her strength, but damn, what Gideon did to her(second half of the book), seemed unexplainable, and I was at loss as to which direction Miss Day was taking. I don't think I could put up with what Eva put up with, #Hell2theno! Although, the ending does unwrap the why's to what Gideon was doing, I still had a hard time with it. I'm not going to spoil it for you, read it and you'll see! Gideon does sacrifice alot for Eva....But, it seems to be as much as a sacrifice for her, also.



What I liked was the way we see a vulnerable side to Gideon, as we rarely get a glimpse of it. I also loved when it was just them together, alone in the beach house.

I also liked the way Eva's past "love", is everything Gideon isn't and how after all the years they were apart, he still held a spark for her. I also loved when Eva finally stood up, and basically said NO MORE!! I loved Eva toward the end when she fought for her relationship and sanity. I also loved how she held out hope, but I'm not sure I could of dealt with what she goes through, in the relationship, overall. It seems like too much work, for these two to actually have a relationship.


Gideon and Eva's relationship felt like a roller coaster. Battered and broken at times with emotions running on high. For me, this book didn't meet the same expectations as Bared To You did. I felt it missed it's mark as far as the thrills, excitement, and overall sex we first saw in Bared. I raced through Bared, but Reflected seemed to be more of a challenge to get through.


Would I recommend it-yes, will I think you will enjoy it? Yes, but be warned it's not nearly as good as Bared
3.5/5 stars