Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Double Review Time, Folks!! robgirlbooks' reviews of Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles and Magic Dreams by Ilona Andrews



4-ish STARS! Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles is a hard one to rate. Ashtyn doesn't have an easy life. Her father has completely checked out and she's pretty sure love means running away. There is one thing she truly believes in...football, not watching it, but playing for her high school. Derek is a spoiled arrogant jerk, but he's loyal, introspective, hot, and totally damaged. Love means running away for him too. You can guess their lives crash into each other and not smoothly either. Derek won me over pretty quickly. Ashtyn drove me crazy. She said she's this tough chick, but never once showed me that. She loves football, but we never get the chance to play a game with her. I wanted inside her head. I wanted to smell the grass and dirt, even the locker room. I just wanted her to pull me into her world because it's one I've never known. I had a lot of issues with this book, but I read it in a day. Elkeles also wrote the Perfect Chemistry Series (one of my favorites). I enjoy her writing and look forward to the next installment. I have to say the grandma completely stole the show. She could have her own story and I'd read it for sure.


5 FAT STARS!! Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels 4.5) by Ilona Andrews is so awesome. When I first met Dali I couldn't wait for her to have a novella. She's a rare white tiger. She's nutty. She acts more like a cute insecure petulant teenager than a brilliant shapeshifter. And she has the biggest crush. I love crushes! Shapeshifter Jim, AKA Scary Jim, Asshole Jim, Head of Security Jim is a mystery wrapped in a beautiful man. He makes hard calls and doesn't cry in his beer about it. See where this is going? Well, now Jim's life is at stake and Dali has to save him. Yay! As a total bonus, we get insight into Kate (who I'm pretty sure is still in the dark about what we learn-hehe). Read this novella. If you haven't started the series, come on! 

Thanks for stopping by! In case you  missed it, I just released Shadow Town: Maggie Lane Chronicles #1, my first foray into New Adult Paranormal Romance. You can find Maggie's story on Amazon and Smashwords.

8 comments:

  1. magic dreams sounds great, I love shape shifting stories, I havn't read any of her stories but she has always been on my TBR list I guess now is as good as time as ever. Aussiebookworm

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    1. This is one of those series I wish I could read for the first time again. Of course, I feel that way about all my favorites. When you do take the plunge, I can't wait to read your reviews!

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  2. I've seen Wild Cards around so much and hear it's great, but the fact she never actually plays football would annoy me too. I agree that I want to get into their head and understand why it's so important to them.
    Dali! I haven't read this short story but I love Jim and I want to learn more about him! I will have to read it soon. Great reviews Robyn! :D

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    1. You will love Magic Dreams. You can find it in the anthology Hexed or you can buy it as a separate novella called Magic Dreams. I love Jim too. I can't wait for you to read it. I wish I could push Wild Cards, but there are a couple other sports books I enjoyed much more, Catching Jordan and Dare you to were awesome. Happy reading, Tilly!

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  3. Magic Dreams sounds like something I would read. And since you gave it five fat stars, sounds interesting. :)

    Thanks for sharing, Robyn.

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    1. The Kate Daniels' world is so dark and yet there are these gems in the muck. Kate is so strong and she says "Why me" throughout. I love her humor. This is my favorite novella in the series.

      I hope Damaged is being kind to you.

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  4. I love Elkeles' writing too, Robyn. I haven't picked up Wild Cards yet - I know I will because I love her, but I've read so many mixed reviews. I do like the premise, but I'm with you...I want inside her head. And what is it with these kickass grandmas?!? <3 them!

    I have read Magic Dreams yet either, dammit! It'll be part of my 'series catch up self-challenge' this year. :) I was so happy that Dali and Jim got a novella...no telling how long this has been on my nook. Probably since release day! *ha*

    Great reviews, girl! I hope you've had a fantastic day!!

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    1. Elkeles has a wonderful easy style that I love. Wild Cards is a fast read because of it. I think you'll enjoy it, maybe growl at Ash, but really the grandma and Derek make the book. I'm totally going to read the next one.

      Have you read Ilona Andrews' The Edge Series yet? I got the first 2 books for Christmas and then thought I lost the first book. I looked everywhere. I was so bummed, but it was just hiding. Now I glare it at on the shelf. Putting me through all that grief. You will love Magic Dreams! So good!

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