Welcome to our blog!
Amy and Jennifer ARE Seduced by Books. We’re both in our 30’s, moms, close friends, work together, and share many of the same interests including our love of reading. Amy grew up in Maryland and has been obsessed with Vampires for as long as she can remember. Jenn grew up in Florida and loves the furry, the fey, and the fangs, in that order. Currently we are both in Orlando, FL. When we can be pulled away from books, Amy loves to bake and Jenn loves to take pictures and scrap.
We decided to create a place where we could direct friends, and acquaintances for, book suggestions/recommendations (Jenn’s been known to talk to strangers on the train while traveling in NYC). Once we started out with a simple page, we evolved from there. Now we are sharing our book reviews, fun comments, recipes, and giveaways. We try to give reviews on new releases, pre-releases, and oldies but goodies that we read, or are reading. We’re going to be adding author interviews for established and up and coming authors soon.
Showing posts with label wicked lovely. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wicked lovely. Show all posts

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Graveminder by Melissa Marr

GraveminderThe New York Times bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series delivers her first novel for adults, a story about the living, the dead, and a curse that binds them.
Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the tender attention her grandmother, Maylene, bestowed upon the dead of Claysville, the town where Bek spent her adolescence. There wasn't a funeral that Maylene didn't attend, and at each Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual: three sips from a small silver flask followed by the words "Sleep well, and stay where I put you."
Now Maylene is dead and Bek must go back to the place--and the man--she left a decade ago. But what she soon discovers is that Maylene was murdered and that there was good reason for her odd traditions. It turns out that in placid Claysville, the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected. Beneath the town lies a shadowy, lawless land ruled by the enigmatic Charles, aka Mr. D--a place from which the dead will return if their graves are not properly minded. Only the Graveminder, a Barrow woman, and the current Undertaker, Byron, can set things to right once the dead begin to walk.(courtesy of Amazon)


Melissa Marr started out with a YA series (Wicked Lovely) that is – OFF THE CHAIN.  So when I saw she is giving us an adult series, I couldn’t get the book fast enough.  Whoo – Marr has set up an interesting, to say the least, town with a history that defines unique.  It’s truly necessary to mind your graves in this cemetery – and once you’re born here, you just don’t want to leave. 
Marr seems to love destiny as well as romance in her books.  This book had quite a bit going on as we’re setting up what I hope is a series.  I couldn’t get enough of the blend of goodness going on in this book – crossing over after you pass, what happens if you don’t mind the grave, the mysterious deaths….there’s not a piece I can find lacking in one of Marr’s books.  The chemistry climaxes right where and when you need it.  I wanted only one thing from our leading lady – to relinquish a little bit of her stubbornness – but that only was selfish on my part as I was driven by my desire for a specific outcome :) and Marr knew exactly how to do it!








Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovely)The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.
Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.
Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.(courtesy of Amazon)

Can not believe this series is over, truly wanted longer with this wonderful cast that Marr created...but I'm thrilled Melissa Marr, got in, charged us up, got it done, and wrapped it in a snaztastic package!

Darkest Mercy is the finale to the Wicked Lovely series.  At 5 books and a couple shorts, I was wow'd for sure.  (check the blog for the reviews of the other books in the series)  Marr opened up the young adult genre and shows us that it's not just about high school teens.  These characters stay static over the series, bringing in new twists and turns, and have you falling in love with them like your own friends.  

Torn between two loves, Ash has tough decisions to make, and her guys don't make it easy on her...Seth and Keenan retch emotions from her heart and push her up against the wall, trying to stand her ground she has choices on top of choices to make.  Niall is torn between his court and his two loves...how can you live if you have nothing?  

As the story concludes the series, true tests are given and some will pass and some will fail.  Marr takes it out of the park with this book.  I was shocked several times at some of the choices and couldn't believe the turns.  

5 Slices








Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr

Radiant Shadows (Wicked Lovely)Hunger for nourishment. Hunger for touch. Hunger to belong.
Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers. Those same cravings also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies—including Devlin, the assassin who is brother to the faeries' High Queen. Ani and Devlin are drawn together, but as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other?(Courtesy of Amazon)
Book 4 in the Wicked Lovely series


Hands Down I have to say this is the best in the series so far.  Marr has done it again and again in just 4 books.  As Marr branches out into two characters that have been slowly coming into play, one would think they might be 'bored' with the series not being about the 'main' characters.  Ani and Devlin's story is just what the book/series needed to give it the edge.  The twists Marr is throwing into the series only give you that butterfly stomach feeling you get from the roller coaster.  We see more action in this book; more tension; more suspense.  

Ani is struggling with finding her place and thus just going through the motions of doing her duty to the court.  She's special so she has to, but doesn't being special give her the niche she needs to fit it?  Or will it put her at risk?  
Devlin has been living in shadows of his sister his whole life...is it time for him to do something else?

I'm hoping Darkest Mercy is on my door step when I get home, but I'm already devastated that it is the last in the series...

5 Slices




Monday, March 14, 2011

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

Fragile Eternity (Wicked Lovely, Book 3)Seth wants to be with Aislinn forever. Forever takes on new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.
Keenan stole Aislinn's mortality to make her a monarch. Now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she'd ever imagined.
In Melissa Marr's third mesmerizing tale of Faerie, Seth and Aislinn struggle to stay true to themselves and to each other in a milieu of shadowy rules and shifting allegiances, where old friends become new enemies and one wrong move could plunge the Earth into chaos.(courtesy of Amazon)

Book 3 in the Wicked Lovely series

Coming of Books 1 and 2, I was rolling from the stimulative thrills...I had a little sputter as the book started.  I adore Seth and Keenan in the series, and I know the tension that is their relationship with Aislinn...so I was so said as it seemed Seth was a little whiny.  But as the story unfolds - WOW - I was once again enthralled...


We've met Summer, Winter and the Dark - to meet the one and only and to see the gifts given in this story.  I'm still itchy wondering where it's going. Seth is ready to fight will he ever be on equal ground?  I realized, the book had to start the way it did in order for it to end the way it does - LOL - to truly get the tension and suspense you can only see it the way Marr has penned it.


***Two Shorts available fit in right here***
Stopping Time Part 1 & 2 (Old Habits)


Here Marr gives you a view into more of Leslie, Irial and Niall


3 Slices






Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

Ink Exchange (Wicked Lovely (Quality))Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.
Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.
The tattoo does bring changes—not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .(courtesy of Amazon)
Book 2 in the Wicked Lovely series

So Marr does it again - bringing in more of the 'controversial' aspects of young adults (tattoos, piercings-which by the way I have and support) but I still love that she's keeping it real.  I love how much she researched her writing.  And I LOVE the artwork for the tattoo.  Ok, so let's talk about the book...

Leslie's trials couldn't possibly be harder for her to overcome.  When she wants change, she never knew this would be her outcome.  The darkness that is the Dark Court.  Amazing where it pulls the situation with Irial and twists the plot. And could Marr be any more real in her story?  Oh yea, what an interesting inference she brings into this book with a special relationship Irial has...Marr CONGRATS on the chances you've taken and how well you've done them!!! 
KUDOS, BRAVO - TOAST to you.  Will Leslie ever be free of the darkness?  Who will be there when she needs someone?

5 Slices




Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely (Quality))Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.
Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.
Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.
Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.(courtesy of Amazon)



I picked up this book with no pre-knowledge of the series, it just sounded and looked good!  Well, I was not disappointed.  Once again, I say - Young Adult has been and needs to be REDEFINED!  While young adult and our lead is in high school, I actually felt that she was an adult and didn’t feel like it was “twilightesque”. I enjoyed twilight, but as an author in a very busy genre, I was thrilled Marr set her bar way above and gave this book her own style.  

The story base starts out strong and is riveting all the way to the last page. 
Marr’s writing style is amazingly, effortless to read.  Instantly you are in the world with the characters because she has made it so life like.  Giving our ‘teens’ real issues many of them deal with every day.  Adding the historical ‘fae’ to modern times can be a delicate action, Marr masters it.  I couldn't wait to get the rest in the series as soon as I turned the last page.  

Emotions and suspense at the best.  Aislinn could never have expected to choose this path for her life.  How can the story unfold, the action and magic of it all.  I love the extreme's the characters have - Seth and piercings - HELL YEAH! But then, those are the things that I'm thrilled Marr put into her writing.  Give it the real twist a good book needs!  Oh Keenan - what will happen as it goes on??

5 slices