Born of Betrayal

Born of Betrayal by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Born of betrayal by Sherrilynn Kenyon

4✨ stars

This book in the series is Fain Hauk's story. He played a minor part in several of the earlier books but it was usually him helping out his brother Dancer. I was really glad to see Fain was getting his own story. Although I really enjoyed this book it isn't one of my favorite books in the series. It was much less action oriented that most of the earlier books. The story was well written and I didn't see any editing errors.
I wish I knew exactly why I didn't like this one as well as many of the others. For me it just seemed to be missing that intangible it factor. It still needs at least 4 stars just based on the story and writing. I am very much a fan of Sherrilyn and her writing. I've read most of all four of her series. She always seems to write the story that I really want to see.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves sci-fi and romance. The heat factor is fairly low. This book is more about resolving the past than having hot sex every other page. This book focuses on lost trust and rebuilding it and regaining emotional intimacy.

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Been busy reading, and living life. Have 10 reviews to write. Don't think I will do it today. Is getting late and I need to relax so I fall asleep at a reasonable hour. One of the fun things that goes along with head injuries is developing sleep disorders. Most people are lucky enough to get just one. I have both insomnia and h so I either don't sleep or sleep all the time. Can't really treat either because the treatment could push me into the other.
I actually also sleepwalk, talk, sing and have my entire life.

clean scrubbed NYC

Defective by B. Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Defective by B. Austin
5✨ stars

Talk about an interesting dichotomy, the setting of this book is utopian to the majority of the people but to the Outcasts it is dystopian. This is the first book in this series with the main characters being Outcasts. The creep factor is high in this version of the world. The descriptions of the city; its streets, buildings, people and those watching and enforcing the rules make my skin crawl.
This entire world is divided in many ways. Though everyone is supposed to be equal, except the Outcasts, NYC is divided with each of the Burroughs ranked by wealth or poverty of those living within. This book is both dystopian and sci-fi.
The author did a fantastic job at creating this world and the people who live in it. There is much mystery about everything that isn't quite right in this world. This book doesn't end with a cliffhanger but the questions left unanswered will make you want to read the next book. What information is learned just leads to more questions.
I would highly recommend this book. Even when it was creeping me out I was drawn into the story deeply enough to keep reading. This book could be triggering to anyone with PTSD thanks to flashbacks experienced by the main character and other Outcasts.
I received a free copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review from the publisher on netgalley.com

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The Company We Keep

The Company We Keep by Kay Simone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Company We Keep by Kay Simone
5 stars

Kay Simone doesn't disappoint in this latest release. In this thriller she takes us on a journey to an alternate version of the U.S.A. and California. She creates a force that rivals the FBI and an organized crime group that functions as a family. The two men who are her main characters begin as one who is asexual and the other primarily straight with no recent partners.
This book explores the fluidity of gender and sexuality in the setting of a created family. Kay does a great job on exploring this family made up of people who chose to be family. She uses the past to show how they got to where they are now.
Things are not always as appear from the outside and the reader is kept guessing about what is truth and what is not through the book. But through all the action this is at its base a love story. The love between the two men and the love they have for the rest of the company. The acting scenes keep the reader turning pages to see what happen next. I read this in one sitting not taking a break for anything.
I received this book free from the author in return for a fair and honest review.

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Out of Order by Casey Lawrence
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Out of order by Casey Lawrence
4.5 stars
This my first book by Casey Lawrence but it won't be my last. The author did a fantastic job of witing stream of consciousness for the main character. As she tells the story the reader is treated to learning her past life in jumping memories. As the reader follows her memories they learn what lead to what happened to bring her to this point. The memories are labelled by date so it gives the reader some grounding in where in the past or present this section is. Through her memories the reader gets to know her three best friends though they are already dead as the book starts. It was a bit confusing when I began reading since it jumped from date to date giving pieces of memory. I figured out the who and what fairly quickly but being confused at the beginning made me aware some ya readers might have trouble getting into it. Once they get into it they will discovery it is an unique way to hop into the past.
I would recommend this book to teens and YA as well as New Adult. This book is well written and by the time you reach the final chapters you will know and love her best friends.
I received this book free for an honest and fair review from the publisher on netgalley.com

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The Night Screams by Devon McCormack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Night Screams by Devon McCormack
5 stars
This an intense story that is acceptable for older teens and young adults. The author does a great job of handling the negative or less than positive reactions gay teens may receive when coming out or being outed. Both main characters have had bad life experiences but one escaped that when he went to live with his aunt and uncle. He remains a very black and white thinker through much of the book. The other MC is more able to see the shades of gray that make up life. This allows the the author to demonstrate hte willingness of some to learn to be more acccepting an openminded.
Though it is not graphic in discussing the violence that Cal survives the author is able to paint a word picture that makes the reader feel the fear. This book has a very astute handing of the messages. These two young men are survivors. I would be a bit hesitant about recommending this book to younger teens just because of the many bad things that happen both before and during this book. There is very lttle bad language . This is more than just a coming of age story it is a coming to life story.
I received this book for free in return for an honest and fair review from the publisher at netgalley.com.

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