2020 Reading Challenge

2020 Reading Challenge
Ang -PNR Book Lover Reviews has read 0 books toward her goal of 150 books.
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Thursday, February 28, 2019

A Darkness Absolute by Kelley Armstrong Review




Hey, Hello, Hi *waves*


Welcome friends, to My little nook of the reading world.



 I am here today to tell you about  A Darkness Absolute by Kelley Armstrong book two in the Rockton, Casey Duncan Novels.



Blurb from Amazon
When experienced homicide detective Casey Duncan first moved to the secret town of Rockton, she expected a safe haven for people like her, people running from their past misdeeds and past lives. She knew living in Rockton meant living off-the-grid completely: no cell phones, no Internet, no mail, very little electricity, and no way of getting in or out without the town council’s approval. What she didn’t expect is that Rockton comes with its own set of secrets and dangers.
Now, in A Darkness Absolute, Casey and her fellow Rockton sheriff’s deputy Will chase a cabin-fevered resident into the woods, where they are stranded in a blizzard. Taking shelter in a cave, they discover a former resident who’s been held captive for over a year. When the bodies of two other women turn up, Casey and her colleagues must find out if it’s an outsider behind the killings or if the answer is more complicated than that...before another victim goes missing.
Casey Duncan returns in another heart-racing thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.



REVIEW & THOUGHTS
CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Kelley Armstrong has managed to nail it again, I loved this book just as much as the first one. I loved the audio, and even if I had read this in PB form, I would have loved that way as well. There is just something about this series that has me hooked,the writing, the characters, the romance, the mystery, its all so fucking good.

At the beginning of this story, Casey gets stuck in a snow storm, and the last thing she expects to find while taking shelter, is a women stuck in a hole. Nicole. Nicole has been stuck in this hole, rapped and tortured for 15 months. But as they look into it more, Casey find's another 2 dead bodies! Not all thew time same time,but over a few days or so.

This next adventure, brings us kidnapping, murders, the hostiles... settlers, lies, twist and turns and the cutest little puppy named Storm!

Straight away I was emerged in this town, and it was everything, Kelley had me pulled in and I didn't want to leave. I am obsessed with this series. Rockton a village filled with secrets in the remote wilderness somewhere in Canada.

I was on the edge of my seat, I couldn't pick the killer.I went from one person to another and still didn't pick it. I did not see some of the secrets come to light. I adore some, well ,most of the characters. What I really love is Casey and Eric, the sheriff. Their relationship is just getting stronger and I am here for it. I love that they are already established as a couple now, and there relationship doesn't get in the way of the jobs they have to do.

I want more of Jacob! I feel like there is more to him. I want to know more about him and Eric growing up. I loved that we got some information on there history.It was so GOOD!I really want to see him through out the series involved with one of the ladies in town...

I really like that we get a little bit of everyone in this tale, Yes it is creepy and yes I have no clue who I am, I just really love Suspense Mystery.If you like a creepy thrill, this is so perfect for you.

Casey unfolds another crime, and when you find out how it all happened and who the killer is, you will be surprised. Like I was, I am still kicking myself with that ending.

I love that we read to escape and to experience something new and different to be able to do that through audio is phenomenal.

The council is hiding a lot of secrets!
ROCKTON is hiding a lot of secrets too.

It still leaves me wondering why that this town needs a committee, to run the town, specifically when we have our favourite sheriff.

What I do wonder and ask, is where does Kelley come up with these crazy scary ideas for stories.

Hostiles, are savages... but how did they become this way, or are they really hostiles?

Diana, is still Diana! She is just as nasty.

Matthias, he is one creepy SOB!Not seriously I don't know weather to like him or not.

Eric, buys a puppy for Casey. She is adorable, I really love Eric.

Jen, is still a bitch.

Val, I am not sure on her. But what we do reveal will shake you. Seriously with the secrets.

Sutherland !!! WTF

Will Ander's and Casey's friendship is fantastic.

& Is it Isabel, I am really digging some of these ladies and men, shit i giggled at some parts.

Like I have said before. ''Rockton is ONE crazy town! I really enjoyed being submerged in the who, why and when of everything, I was really drawn into this story. I loved going along with Casey trying to figure out who the killer was, the town is filled with ex convicts lol So it literally could be anyone!'' 



Murder, Mayhem and a Puppy!

I had an awesome time with this instalment and I can not wait to dive into book 3.


I found it so funny at times, I was laughing out loud and gasping along with the unfolding's.The LAST 2-3 hours were intense, I really was on the edge of my chair.

IT WAS BLEEP ! 

OMG I can not even, I was speechless!


Go and give this series a go.

5/5 Stars.


Sunday, February 24, 2019

Nora Roberts Book of the Month, Reading group.





Hey, Hello, Hi *waves*


Welcome friends, to My little nook of the reading world. I am here to tell you about 

 Nora Roberts Book of the Month!

So who here loves reading Nora Roberts? If you didn’t know by now, lol I do!  #noraroberts books are literally amazing. I’m getting somewhere with this post. I promise!
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So I have decided that each month I’ll be reading a new Nora Roberts book, I now have a massive collection that I’ve been dabbling in lately. But I don’t want it to take over my reading goals, and challenges. Cos knowing me, it really can. I would just end up binge reading all the books, and then I would be behind in everything I commit to and I really do not want that to happen. Promise this going somewhere!
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Starting in the month of March I’m going to be reading






 If you would like to join me on my Nora book of month please email me or even comment below. You now join the good reads group I have created.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/894792-nora-roberts-book-of-the-month
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 Reading roughly 110 pages a week over the course of the 4 weeks of March. The Obsession is 453 pages long.I will break it all down below.

Once we have finished we can discuss our thoughts and chit chat over a cup of caffeine going LIVE on Instagram if there is enough Intrest.
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 Please if you want to join me each month reading a Nora Roberts classic, and her newer titles find me here.

https://www.instagram.com/pnrbookloverreviews/

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/894792-nora-roberts-book-of-the-month

 I have in the past few months been Reading a lot of her suspense romance and damn you guys,they are so flipping good. I am hooked, even if this doesn't become a thing, I am happy to go it alone. Obviously posting a review here still with the book of the month.
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With so many books to pick from and genre, I honestly believe this would be so much fun!
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March breakdown.
Week 1.
Friday 1st March- 8th
Read pages 1-110 or Chapter ONE to EIGHT

Week 2.
Friday March 8th- 15th
Read pages 111-202 or Chapter EIGHT to FOURTEEN

Week 3.
Friday March 15th- 22nd
203-290 or Chapter FOURTEEN TO TWENTY

Week 4.
Friday March 22nd- 29th
290-453 or Chapter TWENTY to the END
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You will have the 30th and 31st to catch up on what ever you haven't been able to read during the weeks. You could take the last couple days to read the last couple of chapters. How ever you see fit to do it.




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On the 1st of April we can discuss it,in our online chat group https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/894792-nora-roberts-book-of-the-month we can can throw a party in there or LIVE on Instagram. It's literally up to where everyone is comfortable chatting. At the moment it is just me putting this together.
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I will announce the April Nora book of the month here in case you would like to join that month instead. Please have in mind that I wont post the break down until March the 14th.

APRIL Nora Roberts Book of the Month

The Villa

If you are in AUSTRALIA and wanting to join along, I have an extra copy of this book I am happy to send you for free if you like. Just email me pnrbookloverreviews@gmail.com title it The Villa April reading group. Or again hit me up on Insta! I have a different edition of this book, you can also find it at your local library too.



Ang











Wednesday, February 20, 2019

City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong (audio)




Hi!! *waving*!! 

City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong Review



Casey Duncan is a homicide detective with a secret: when she was in college, she killed a man. She was never caught, but he was the grandson of a mobster and she knows that someday this crime will catch up to her. Casey's best friend, Diana, is on the run from a violent, abusive ex-husband. When Diana's husband finds her, and Casey herself is attacked shortly after, Casey knows it's time for the two of them to disappear again.
Diana has heard of a town made for people like her, a town that takes in people on the run who want to shed their old lives. You must apply to live in Rockton and if you're accepted, it means walking away entirely from your old life, and living off the grid in the wilds of Canada: no cell phones, no Internet, no mail, no computers, very little electricity, and no way of getting in or out without the town council's approval. As a murderer, Casey isn't a good candidate, but she has something they want: She's a homicide detective, and Rockton has just had its first real murder. She and Diana are in. However, soon after arriving, Casey realizes that the identity of a murderer isn't the only secret Rockton is hiding—in fact, she starts to wonder if she and Diana might be in even more danger in Rockton than they were in their old lives.
An edgy, gripping crime novel from bestselling urban fantasy writer Kelley Armstrong, City of the Lost boldly announces a major new player in the crime fiction world.




WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!


Casey Duncan a homicide detective with a massive  secret ! She really did kill a man, but its not what you think. She was never caught, but her past finds her. Her best friend Diana, who I HATE, she is a bitch, its all about her self, anyways she had an abusive husband that cant stay away from her even though they are not longer together, catches up with her. One night Casey and her some times hook up bartender get attacked and on the same night Diana gets attacked by her crazy ex husband, they have both had enough, and apply to move to this town called Rockton, where people go to disappear go of the grid. NO Phones, NO Internet, NO Mail,  NO anything! You MUST apply to live in this town, if you are accepted you must really leave everything behind you and start over in the wild somewhere located in Canada.

As soon as Casey arrives she knows shes here for a different reason than going of the grid, because she is a detective, a very good one and the town needs someone to solve the murder that has happened, she is only aloud to be here for 6 months. I hope she gets to stay put. I listened to this in audio, I really liked the voices of all the characters. It would have been awesome if it was a full cast. But even with the one chick narrative its enjoyable.

Diana, was aloud to arrive earlier then Casey, and while they were apart Diana got really into partying and drinking, and sleeping around. She is legit a bitch and really jealous of Casey. 

In the beginning I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this novel, but as time went by I was so invested in everything and everyone.All the characters are unique, quirky and the politics had me really interested. I really enjoy Kelley's writing, and this was such a great story, nothing like I have read before by the author.

Rockton is ONE crazy town! I really enjoyed being submerged in the who, why and when of everything, I was really drawn into this story. I loved going along with Casey trying to figure out who the killer was, the town is filled with ex convicts lol So it literally could be anyone! 

I was hoping for more of a romance, but you knew what was going to happen, a nice enjoyable SLOW burn romance, between Casey and the towns Sheriff Eric Dalton, who has been born and raised in Rockton.

I found it so funny at times, I was laughing out loud and gasping along with the unfolding's.

Will is attracted to Casey, and Casey is .. NOT!  That's another reason why Diana is such a bitch, she likes Will. Don't worry there isn't love triangle or anything like that.

 I love how the author makes you have a sense of the wilderness, the isolation of the town. The interaction between Casey and Eric is really enjoyable, He doesn't get a lot of pop culture references and the friendship they begin to have while solving this murder case. At some points I was yelling out, OMG he such a Ass-hole, or goodness hes a douche! To be honest, most the time he really was!

Some of the discoveries were slightly gruesome, and I was like Eww no way a lot of the times.
I would really recommend this if you like a mystery murder with a lot of twists and turns, lovable characters even though they are strange. and GORE... with a dash of romance!

We had a WHAT THE FUDGE moment when they go into the burning shed, and they find Diana, I was shook, Mick was found dead. And then Diana ... I am speechless. I was on the edge of my seat, like shit, what was that. When writing this review I literally only had 4 hours left on audio.

 So many twist and turns, Its such a fantastic book. At this stage we have 5 people dead and NO clue who the creeper is!

Wait!!!

 and WHAT we thought of Diana, with her trouble with her abusive ex was all a fudging LIE!

Holy, Christ guys.

These turns of events was insanely good, legit right out the left field of twists. And that she hired some one to hurt Casey! 

The LAST 2-3 hours were intense, I really was on the pace and edge of the chair.

 When Eric and Casey finally kiss, against the tree (y'all know i like me some up against the wall, tree, building sexy times) I was so damn excited. But then it stopped, and then JACOB happened! 

JESUS I am just speechless. Is he crazy? 
Because there are hostels, and savages living in the wild. This little town called Rockton was is not what you think it is. Its so strange to know people live in the forest.

It was like watching a tennis match, but when we find out what actually happened to Eric when he was younger! I did not see that happening!

Again,  what an awesome story you guys need to check this one out. I am so happy that the romance in this one was so good, I loved it all. Overall the writing was fantastic and the story flowed so well and I can not wait for more.

There is so much more I want to say, like for example Will our sexy AF deputy,  he was actual put there in the town to spy on Dalton! 
WTF!!!  That was a moment.

Seriously the last 1 hour of this was so intense, the chemistry between the two was so flipping hot. When they finally, finally get to the good stuff, it was good fade to black sex lol  They are literally too cute together. Still Eric is douche sometimes, but he means well.

IT WAS BLEEP ! 
OMG I can not even, I was speechless!


Go and give this book a read.

5/5 Stars.












Friday, February 15, 2019

Sadie by Courtney Summers (audio review)



HOLY SHIT!

THIS BOOK IS NOT A ROMANCE!



Blurb (from Good Reads)

A missing girl on a journey of revenge. A Serial―like podcast following the clues she's left behind. And an ending you won't be able to stop talking about.

Sadie hasn't had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she's been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister's killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.

When West McCray―a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America―overhears Sadie's story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie's journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it's too late.

Courtney Summers has written the breakout book of her career. Sadie is propulsive and harrowing and will keep you riveted until the last page


Let's start with this!

Sexual assault, paedophilia, substance abuse!

WARNING: This book will break you!

Sadie was a shock of a book, I didn't even know what I was getting into when I started this audio. I am scared of true crimes, and I did not know this was going to be similar to that. The dual perspectives running together was really interesting, we had the podcast  in real time and then we had Sadie in flashbacks. I do NOT have the words to describe how I feel right now. 

This story is RAW, I recommend this book to everyone in audio-book format because it is literally the best thing since I listened to in ages. It has a full cast, and when you get to Sadie's pov it will shake you, It will ruin you.  I felt like I was part of this story, watching and listening. I really had no idea what I was going to hear next. Seriously, Listening to  what was true or what was not was very emotional and the author did an amazing job at putting this story together.

Sadie is really worth the praise and hype you have herd about. I had no idea I would like this book, I truly, truly recommend this book to everyone. I will never forget this story, or Sadie.

This book is filled with trigger warnings, Paedophilia, loss of a loved one, assault, sexual assault, murder, death, abandonment and drug use and also underage drinking.

While we get small hints from Sadie, we watch her travel to get revenge for her sister. And with the podcast running, At times I was confused, I was on the edge of my seat the last hour/hour and a half of the audio.

Seriously if there was one Audio book you had to pick to listen to, make sure you do this one.

This book will ruin you.
I was left with all these questions and all the emotions.

Ang







Divine Evil by Nora Roberts




Hey friends *waves*
this past week I have been participating in the 
contemporary-athon


We are here to chat Divine Evil by Nora Roberts.please be cautious I will have spoilers.




Blurb (from amazon)

In this gripping novel of small-town scandal and sizzling passion, New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts tells the story of a renowned artist who confronts a mystery from her past—and finds that her family secrets have not been laid to rest.
 

Famed sculptor Clare Kimball has commanded the attention of the New York art world, but troubling memories from childhood have drawn her home to Maryland, to the town where she grew up and where her father died so long ago in circumstances never really explained. Nothing much has changed in Emmitsboro—except Cameron Rafferty, the onetime high-school bad boy turned town sheriff. The only hint of Cam’s wild nature is the light in his eyes when he looks at Clare. In Cam’s strong arms Clare is seduced into falling in love—and into believing that her small-town world is safe.

But within the dark woods of Emmitsboro, something evil is spreading its poisonous power. Now Clare must pay the price for digging up the secrets of the past . . . and confront an evil that may be unstoppable—because those who practice it believe it is divine.



WHAT a BOOK! 
WHAT a DAMN Book! 
I can't even, because for the last day I have been thinking about it, thinking what now though..

This was the paperback edition that I read, It was a big chunky one and took me a few days to conquer.
I have to say from here on this will be a spoilery review, Devine Evil was not a lighthearted story. When I started this story I had no clue what I was getting myself into. Clare Kimball a successful artist returns home, as does Cameron Rafferty a few years prior, hes now the small town of Emmitsbro's sheriff.

Until there is a murder and people start disappearing, there is a very bad evil lurking in the woods.

When reading this story, I found it really hard to pick out who the bad guys were, because literally there were so many of them. (Ill get back to that in a minute)

When we meet Clare she was having a nightmare and what we come to find out is that dream was real.

This was one of the most creepiest, fucked up story I have read in such a long time, to be honest. The Rape, killings and sacrifices were full on, but without them I don't think the book would have worked. I think it needed that *HOLY Shit* moments for all the feelings that you would experience, if that makes sense. This book was rough and when reading you realise there is more then one crazy in this town, there is a group of 13 men in a devil worshipping cult. Its been around for decades, with some of the men founding the cult. But  WHAT you come to find out that the big ring leader is not who you would expect. I was like OMG NO WAY! Right to the last page, the last WORD I was shook, SHOOK you guys. I could not believe who it was.

The romance between Clare and Cam, I loved how they meet again and the way that they both were slowly falling in love with each other. I adored when Clare's brother comes to town, he is Cam's best friend. I think overall this had some of the best characters, I did find it odd that her BFF was named Angie.

Yes, there are some negative reviews for this book, and they are all aloud to have there opinions, though some did surprise me, but I do sort of understand. Divine Evil is rather descriptive, and quite gruesome to say, the Satanic cult that tortures young girls/women and Nora can tell a really good story. personally if you are squeamish don't pick this one up.

The chemistry though between our main characters was lit, you knew when these too eventually hooked up it was going to be HOT. As I am writing this review, the one thing that annoyed me was the ending not because of who it was, but I wanted a bit more with Cam and Clare. I wanted to see what happened after he saves her and discovering the cult.

I am giving this one a 4 - 4.5 stars.

Why? you ask, It is really good book with a lot of suspense, surprises and mystery obviously the romance I really loved, I just wanted that extra bit at the end with Clare and Cam.  I was just left with with questions I wanted answered. What happened to the men, how did they not see it was Min the mayors wife that was the ring leader, YES!  I know I was shocked too, That part with her clasping her pentagram, whispering master gave me chills. 

This was not a pretty read but it was worth it.


If you are interested in watching my reading Vlog on IGTV



Thursday, February 7, 2019

Review: Blood & Thunder

Blood & Thunder Blood & Thunder by Charlie Cochet
My rating: 4 of 5 stars








This book, holy cow batman.!

This was good, it feels legit like a shifter version of cut and run series ! A smidgen of angst, a dash of action, and a hella lot of the feels, and lets not forget about all them flippy sexy hot times! My FAV character is Dex, he is everything!

Blood & Thunder continues from book one, with the bad guy Issac. I love the bonds and romances between all the team, all the jokes and so many relationships forming I am here for them. I don't even know what to say about this one, that hasn't already been said. All in all, this book was enjoyable, it was fun and filled with a little too much drama, misunderstanding and inter monologue woo me was a little much.

Though I cant wait to read the next one, I wont wait another 5 years to pick the next one up. I really enjoy the authors writing style, they are kinda chunky and i did at time skims some of the boring nonsense! Overall its times like these where I wish we had the in between star button .like it wasn't quite 4 stars but it was more then 3.5...

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Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Review: Untouchable

Untouchable Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars








Holy Smokes, this was so satisfying to read. Its the final in the suspense romance trilogy.

Jack, I love Jack he like his brothers has a traumatising past. I really enjoy how Jack thinks, I've never read a book that I can remember that has lucid dreaming, and how solves issues through the dreaming.

Winter who was uniquely written was really interesting to read about. Winters history was defiantly a tragic one to read, my goodness my heart!

This can be read as a standalone, I do recommend to read the series on order to appreciate the situation and understanding of what is happening and why its so critical.

The story is slow building and is the relationship. The action and suspense is here, and i did enjoy it all.

Overall i thought the plot was well written and it moved OK, I adore Krentz work, all that i have read. What was missing for me was the romance. Yes there is romance, but not as much as I have experienced from previous books i have read by the author.



View all my reviews

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Review: Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic Relations Diplomatic Relations by J.L. Langley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars








YOU GUYS!

We have waited a long 7 years for this book, and Diplomatic Relations by J.L. Langley is finally here.
The 4th book in the Sci Regency series, this one is about our special forces Dalton and politician Blaise. They are so opposite from each other, but they say that's what attracts us. Dalton is home after being away, and he becomes a guard to Blaise. They eventually warm up to each other. With scandal, and threats, family drama and romance this one was filled with it all.

I am not going to lie, I found it really hard to enjoy this one, it started out really interesting, then it plummeted and then it got interesting again, then plummeted and then the last 30% was phenomenal. I went from 2 stars to 3!

With the seven year gap between books, it was hard to get back into this world, I did a little recap for myself and I did remember, a lot of the characters, that's what I loved the most all the family interactions. I loved Daltons family.

Blaise took a little while to warm up to, I liked his brother Bannon (which he is getting his own book) I think if you were to pick this up maybe re read the other ones first.

Arc was given for a honest review.
2.75 almost 3 stars.

PNR Book Lover Reviews




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