Weekly Reading Update: 3/18 - 3/24/16!

Here we go again - another weekly reading update!

This week, I read a fascinating graphic novel called “Bernie” by Ted Rall. The beginning of the book discusses a brief history of the Democratic party in the 20th and 21st centuries, and then goes on to talk about Bernie Sanders’ policies and how they differ from the modern Leftist beliefs. Along with Bernie’s personal history, it talks about his efforts throughout his life to better his community and the world around him. Great read!

I also read “Gotham Academy Volume 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy” by Becky Cloonan. The only reason I picked this up was because I read an article talking about an upcoming Gotham Academy and Lumberjanes cross over. But now that I’ve read this, I plan to continue with the series. It was a fun read, though I can see it appealing more to those that like DC and Batman, rather than the typical Lumberjanes crowd.

I also read “Love Struck” by Laurelin McGee, to review for Romance Reviews Today. It definitely has a modern day You’ve Got Mail feel to it, since they met on an anonymous forum and know each other only by their usernames - or do they?! This is a cute one. It’s book two in a series, but I hadn’t read book one and still got along fine. Though it makes me want to read the first book, “Miss Match.”

My next goal is to continue to tackle the nonfiction book “The Confidence Game: Why We Fall For It… Every Time” by Maria Konnikova. Anyone that follows my Goodreads page will know my obsession with thieves and con-men - it even has its own shelf! This book talks about just why we fall for cons, and it’s pretty fascinating thus far. But I’ll admit, I’m a slow reader when it comes to nonfiction - it just takes me longer to process actual facts rather than fiction. But it doesn’t mean I enjoy it any less.

Happy Reading
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: With The Band by Natasha Preston!

Release Date: February 28th, 2016

Type: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Series Maybe? Rock Stars New and Old

About the book:Texas Knight is daughter of the word’s biggest rock star, Mark Knight.

Kitt Daniels is lead singer in the hottest up-and-coming band, Filthy Sound.

Mark has mentored Filthy Sound from the beginning, seeing their potential, and now he’s supporting them on their first worldwide tour.

She’s off-limits.He can’t help himself. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I get a kick out of this kind of thing - falling in love with a rock star? Sign me up! Sure, the whole idea of constantly being in the public eye is a bit of a nuisance, but having a rock star all to myself? Worth it! So of course, I greatly enjoyed reading this book. Kitt is a delicious hero, and Texas can hold her own when faced with the ridiculous situations the band members get themselves into. If you like your books to be filled with hilarious character interactions, then this is definitely the book for you.

While a lot of this book worked for me, the overall tone just felt a little.. like it had some growing up to do. The writing itself came off as immature. The story and drama are definitely there, I just think this book might have needed a bit more polishing. Some of the convenient plot twists required more than a little suspension of belief. There's contemporary fiction, and then there's "well, that's not likely to ever happen.."

But that doesn't mean this book wasn't fun. I enjoyed it a great deal, and it's a fast-paced read. This book has a lot going for it - the romance is a perfect mix of hot and sweet, the family-like dynamic between the bands is charming, and the characters themselves are the type I'd want to keep visiting. So if you need your rock star fix, look no further than Natasha Preston's With The Band! And keep your fingers crossed that Milo and Cooper will get their own books! Trust me, you'll be begging for it by the end.

Cover Lovin': Well heck, this cover certainly got me interested! Whew. *Fans self*

Recommendation: For anyone that is on a rock-star kick and needs a fun, fast read.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5)! This was a fun read, but the book itself felt a little immature. I'm hopeful there are more Filthy Sound books coming in the future! I think Milo and Cooper definitely need their own stories.

Make sure to get your copy of With The Band by Natasha Preston today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for a review as part of Natasha Preston's blog tour.

REVIEW: Dragon Storm by Katie MacAlister!

Release Date: November 24, 2015

Type: Series, Book 2, Spin-off series, Paranormal Romance, Dragons, Mates, sex toys?

About the Book: TURN ON THE CHARM

According to some (including himself), Constantine is one of the greatest heroes of dragonkin who ever lived. Too bad he's now lonelier than ever and his biggest adventure involves a blow-up sheep—until he has an opportunity to save his kind once again. All Constantine has to do is break into a demon's dungeon, steal an ancient artifact, and reverse a deadly curse. The plan certainly does not involve rescuing a woman...

TURN UP THE HEAT

Bee isn't sure whether to be infuriated or relieved when Constantine pops up in her prison. The broody, brawny shifter lights her fire in a way no one ever has before, yet how far can she really trust him? Their chemistry may be off the charts, but when push comes to shove, Constantine will have to make a crucial choice: to save the dragons or the woman he's grown to love with fierce intensity. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: Okay, I’ve been a fan of Katie MacAlister for years, and I’ve been reading the Dragon series since it started. So really, I wasn’t sure she could go much further in this world. Hadn’t she done everything already?

Well no, actually, she hadn’t. She found a whole new curve to throw at everyone with the Black Dragons series. Though, not-so-spoiler alert, Constantine isn’t really a Black dragon. Or alive.

I’ll be honest with you, I wasn’t sure I would like this book. Constantine showed up several books ago, and he was a rather annoying side character. Entertaining, yes, but he could get old real fast. So I was worried his own book would be too much to handle, if not outright bad. But I shouldn’t have doubted Katie, because she made sure Constantine maintained his previous characteristics and yet still filled that hero role like it was made for him. It turns out, I didn’t dislike Constantine after all - in fact, now he might be one of my favorites.

And his relationship with Bee is perfect. Bee is just similar yet opposite enough to mesh with Constantine’s overbearing personality. They clearly go together, as their sense of humors match. And that’s why I love this author so much, she writes strong  but quirky heroines that I could seriously see myself being friends with. She also does a great job writing hilarious sidekicks - such as Gary the talking head in this volume.

There’s no specific reason why this book isn’t getting five stars. There’s not a list of issues or whatever else. I’m giving it four stars because it just doesn’t feel like a “perfect” book. There’s always room for improvement, though in my eyes, Katie MacAlister is pretty darn close. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, Dragon Soul!

Cover Lovin’: Uhh yeah! I definitely love this cover. And it fits in perfectly with the rest of the books in this series.

Recommendation: This would be a tough book to jump into with no prior knowledge of the rest of the series. So it’s best to start with at least the beginning of the Black Dragons series (Dragon Fall, see the link below!), if not all the way to You Slay Me!

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE (⅘) stars! Loved this. Constantine is a perfectly imperfect hero, with a great sense of humor. And now I can’t wait for the next book!

Make sure to check out the previous book in this series, Dragon Fall, and see where it all began in You Slay Me!

You Slay Me
Dragon Fall
Dragon Storm

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for a review.