Title: Devoted (Elixir #2)
Author: Hilary Duff
Published: September, 2011 by Simon & Schuster
Thanks: Simon & Schuster, AU
Pages: 350
Rating:  
Purchase: The Book Depository

Since Sage was kidnapped, Clea has no way of knowing if he is alive or dead. And even though she has only just discovered they were soulmates, she feels like a part of her is lost forever. What’s worse, she can’t even turn to her best friend Ben—because every time she looks at him, all she sees is his betrayal.

But waiting for something to happen is not an option, so Clea is ready for action. Suffering through dreams of seeing Sage with another woman, she makes an uneasy alliance with Sage’s enemies and sets out to be reunited with Sage…in this life or the next.

Final Thoughts:
I probably could have written five different reviews if I’d chosen to write it while I was still reading this. Devoted had me intrigued, impressed, shocked, frustrated, and downright ready to throw the book away. Not necessarily in that order. A lot of new ground is covered in its second outing. The feel of the first book is still there, but we’re left with an air of tension throughout the majority of this one. While Devoted does focus predominantly on Clea and Sage, and their struggles, I found the ancillary characters actually held a lot more depth.

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren, which allows bloggers to share what books they’ve received in the past week. They can be from stores, contests, tours or publishers!

• Dead Kiss by Daniel Waters (purchased)
• Daughter Of Smoke And Bone by Laini Taylor (purchased)
• Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington (purchased)
• Department 19 by Will Hill (purchased)
• Dark Angel by Eden Maguire (purchased)
• Blood Rights by Kristen Painter (purchased)

I stopped in to Kmart on Friday to see if they had Angel Arias in a few days early. No such luck. I did however end up walking out with six books I hadn’t intended on buying. I didn’t particularly like this Daughter of Smoke and Bone cover when I’d seen stock photos online, but it looks a lot better in person. The shinyness won me over. Department 19 had been discounted to $4, so I grabbed it. It’s about some type of government conspiracy involving vampires. It’s going in my some day pile. I still need to start Jessica Shirvington’s series, since Emblaze is book three. I bought it thinking it might push me into making a move on those soon.

Here are my latest reviews if you want to check them out:
Faegen, Trinity The Mephisto Covenant #1, The Mephisto Covenant
Wignall, K.J. Mercian Trilogy #1, Blood

Link up to your mailbox and I’ll be sure to check it out!

Title: The Mephisto Covenant (The Mephisto Covenant #1)
Author: Trinity Faegen
Published: September, 2011 by EgmontUSA
Thanks: EgmontUSA via NetGalley
Pages: 439
Rating:  
Purchase: The Book Depository

Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx looming, Jax has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

Final Thoughts:
After spending my weekend stumbling through a not-so-great book, I was rewarded with the delight that was The Mephisto Covenant. It’s fast paced, always moving through more and more tribulations. Plus, a romance that actually takes it’s time to build, with lots of will-they-won’t-they. Switching back and forth between the two main characters, Sasha and Jax, we get to see the inner struggles of each. Both POVs are fun, witty, strong and believable. And for once, I enjoyed the high school aspect of the book.

Title: Blood (Mercian Trilogy #1)
Author: K.J. Wignall
Published: September, 2011 by EgmontUSA
Thanks: EgmontUSA via NetGalley
Pages: 272
Rating:  
Purchase: The Book Depository

“I do not remember being bitten. I wish I did, for then I would know the creature who did this to me and I would have a purpose, to track him down and repay him for the poisoned gift he gave me.”

Back in the 13th Century, Will was destined to be Earl of Mercia. He never lived to inherit his title, struck down by a strange illness and buried beneath the city walls. But Will was not dead, and only now, seven lonely centuries later, does he begin to understand that there was a reason for all of this, that he has a destiny. To find it though, he will need help, and as ever, he will need blood.

Final Thoughts:
Slightly too slow paced with the romance, but fast paced in terms of plot. Here a previously hibernating vampire is thrust into an unexpected destiny. Full of culture shock and lots of sword action. I enjoyed the different take on the lore and was relieved to have found a vampire unopposed to drinking blood, but unfortunately wasn’t thrilled with the level of coincidence used to bridge the plot together.

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren, which allows bloggers to share what books they’ve received in the past week. They can be from stores, contests, tours or publishers!

• Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James (won – thanks Braiden @ Book Probe)
• The Riddle Of The Sands by Geoffrey Knight (purchased)
• Devoted by Hilary Duff (thanks to publishers)
• After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel (won – thanks K @ The Lady Critic’s Library)

It’s been two weeks since I’ve done my mailbox post. I only received one book last week so I thought I’d hold off until I had a couple more to show. I haven’t gotten a lot since then, but that’s not a bad thing. It might help get through some that I’ve got waiting. Plus it’s giving my bank balance a breather. I plan on reading Devoted at the end of this week, which I’m looking forward to. I enjoyed Elixir back at the start of the year, even though some others weren’t too thrilled with it.

Here are my latest reviews if you want to check them out:
de Pierres, Marianne Night Creatures #1, Burn Bright
Oliver, Jana The Demon Trappers #1, Forsaken

Link up to your mailbox and I’ll be sure to check it out!

Title: Forsaken (The Demon Trappers #1)
Author: Jana Oliver
Published: February, 2011 by Pan Macmillan
Pages: 422
Rating:  
Purchase: The Book Depository

Riley has always wanted to be a Demon Trapper like her father, and she’s already following in his footsteps as one of the best. But it’s tough being the only girl in an all-guy world, especially when three of those guys start making her life more complicated:

Simon, the angelic apprentice who has heaven on his side; Beck, the tough trapper who thinks he’s God’s gift, and Ori, the strikingly sexy stranger who keeps turning up to save her life.

One thing’s for sure – if she doesn’t keep her wits about her there’ll be hell to pay…

Final Thoughts:
Demon hunting in a slightly dystopian world. Took a while to connect with, but stick with it as Forsaken is full of personal struggles, financial struggles and power struggles. There are many potential romances circling the main character which leave you wondering who Riley’s going to end up with, if she’ll make it as a trapper in an all-guys world and if she’s going to be able to save that world from the demonic invasion.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read and share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.

I’m half way through this one. It’s starting growing on me. It’s just taken me a while to click with Riley. Beck is a more interesting character, so I’m glad this book is told through dual POV’s.

The reaction was immediate. Riley’s shriek nearly deafened him as she shot straight up off the mattress. He forced her down as she screamed and cried, her fingernails digging into the flesh on both his arms. He winced at the rush of pain as she forced his healing wounds. No matter how bad it hurt, it was nothing compared to what she was feeling. Come on, girl, pass out, will ya?

– Forsaken by Jana Oliver, page 186.
Published in February, 2011 by Pan Macmillan.