Speed Date with Emily: THE GIRL WITH THE IRON TOUCH by Kady Cross

THE GIRL WITH THE IRON TOUCH (Steampunk Chronicles #3) by Kady Cross
YA Steampunk
384 pages, hardcover
Available May 28, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin TEEN
Review copy provided by publisher for honest review

In 1897 London, something not quite human is about to awaken...

When mechanical genius Emily is kidnapped by rogue automatons, Finley Jayne and her fellow misfits fear the worst. What's left of their archenemy, The Machinist, hungers to be resurrected, and Emily must transplant his consciousness into one of his automatons—or forfeit her friends' lives.

With Griffin being mysteriously tormented by the Aether, the young duke's sanity is close to the breaking point. Seeking help, Finley turns to Jack Dandy, but trusting the master criminal is as dangerous as controlling her dark side. When Jack kisses her, Finley must finally confront her true feelings for him...and for Griffin.

Meanwhile, Sam is searching everywhere for Emily, from Whitechapel's desolate alleyways to Mayfair's elegant mansions. He would walk into hell for her, but the choice she must make will test them more than they could imagine.

To save those she cares about, Emily must confront The Machinist's ultimate creation—an automaton more human than machine. And if she's to have any chance at triumphing, she must summon a strength even she doesn't know she has....

First Date: Oh, Emily, you're totally charming me with your brilliance. I love that you've created all these fantastic little mechanical creatures and that you're able to whip up communicators and aether disrupters and whatever else your group might need. But, can I ask a silly question? Why do you call that adorable boy of yours (Sam) "lad"? It makes you sound like a crotchety old Scottish lady rather than the gorgeous wee lass that you are. At least Sam doesn't seem to mind. 

Second Date: What is up with this new character (I think I like her!)? She's an automaton who's got organites that are growing skin, creating organs and developing her brain...she's becoming a "real" person with thoughts of her own yet she's a prisoner who's scheduled to die so someone else (someone REALLY BAD -- ooh, I don't like this baddie!!) can live. *insert evil cackle* There's an awful lot going on in this third installment and, even though it's probably doable, I don't suggest starting with this book. All of our favorite characters are present, with their own little dramas (GRIFFIN!! WTH is going on with you?!? Finley really needs to kick your butt into shape.), but they come together to rescue Emily and solve the mysteries swirling around.

Third Date: Emily, you certainly keep everyone -- including Sam -- on their toes. You're smart and kind, brave and fiercely protective of the ones you love. If you were a guy, I'd marry you. As it is, I'll be throwing rice and cheering when you and Sam finally get married.

Available for pre-order on Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes and Noble

Oh! And check out the sidebar tomorrow -- I've been neglectful of announcing my winners but I'll have those up tomorrow. Thanks for your patience and be on the lookout for several upcoming giveaways -- I've got a ton of books to share!

Speed Date with Shawn: ONE FOR THE WICKED by Karina Cooper

ONE FOR THE WICKED (Dark Mission #5) by Karina Cooper
Paranormal Romance
384 pages, paperback
Available now (April 2013)
Publisher: Avon
Review copy provided by publisher for honest review

Dr. Kayleigh Lauderdale possesses the only cure for what's killing the city's witches. Desperate to acquire it, the resistance sends their best agent, but Shawn Lowe has his own agenda, and it doesn't include saving anyone—least of all, the daughter of his sworn enemy. He has to ignore the blistering attraction he feels the instant they meet, because he can't give in until he gets what he wants. He just never counted on wanting her…

Kayleigh can't believe how out of control Shawn makes her feel. He lies to her with one breath and excites her beyond reason the next. A reckless encounter could steal her heart, while the danger hovering over the city may prove too much for either of them to handle. When the world turns upside down, it will take everything Kayleigh and Shawn have to hold on…to life, to hope, to each other.

First Date: Shawn, Shawn, Shawn. Seriously, dude. You could use some anger management courses or something. You're just so filled with hatred and rage, all out to get that dastardly Laurence Lauderdale. But why do you think that Dr. Kayleigh is to blame for all that? Sure, she's his daughter and working in the labs but maybe she's a good person. Does she really deserve to be kidnapped? (Hey, a bonus orgasm for her thrown in! It's like a kidnapping gone wild!)

Second Date: Oh, wow. Certainly didn't expect that little needle in the neck, did you? Kayleigh really got you, didn't she? Poor guy. Maybe it was because you were needy and emotionally strained at the time (you just found out about some pretty big betrayals and are worried about seriously injured comrades and friends, after all) but Kayleigh seriously got you, buddy! All these betrayals are fracturing my trust in you. Remember, sex doesn't solve everything. 

Third Date: The trust is slow in coming but we're finally getting somewhere. There's just so much going on right now with the earthquakes, the witches, the whole Eve Sequence and the church that it's hard to trust. I get that. Which is why I'm so proud of you when you finally step up to the plate. I wish we had more time to spend together but, as this is your finale, at least you went out with a bang. (I do like when a date ends on a high note, don't you?)

Available on Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes and Noble

Waiting On...THE DREAM THIEVES by Maggie Steifvater

THE RAVEN BOYS was an unexpected read for me. I mean, I enjoy Maggie Stiefvater's writing -- including her blog (currently populated by fainting goats! I mean, how can you go wrong?) -- but this concept seemed like a bit of a departure from her Shiver series (which, can I admit, I read only two of the three books. I've gotten terrible about reading the third book in a series! Why? *shrugs* I guess I just don't get to it and then there's the new shiny and I'm drawn to that like a magpie to a piece of tinfoil.). 

The cover's pretty cool, too. I love this shade of blue and the raven in shades of red (at least I think it's a raven...a bit stylistic, I suppose). The title's a little hard to find, down there in the corner but I like the straightforward font to go along with an artistic cover. I don't love-love it but that might change when I see it in the wild. 

THE DREAM THIEVES (The Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Steifvater

YA Paranormal

416 pages, hardcover

Expected Publication: September 17, 2013

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

Waiting on is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Top Off Tuesday and Speed Date with Ricky Lee: WOLF WITH BENEFITS by Shelly Laurenston

Started by Felicia, Christi and Amanda, Top Off Tuesday is where a bunch of us share hot-hot-hot book covers (some we've read, some we've just drooled on). Head over to Felicia's blog to share your ToT link and see what everyone else is swooning over.

WHERE ARE THIS MAN'S NIPPLES?!? Despite the nip hide-and-seek, I'm highly enjoying those nice shoulders and the bit 'o stubble shading that hard jawline. Nice.


WOLF WITH BENEFITS (pride #8) by Shelly Laurenston
Paranormal Romance
421 pages, paperback
Available now (March 2013)
Publisher: Kensington Brava
Review copy provided by publisher for honest review

Ricky Lee has no plans of getting serious about anyone, but he will protect Toni Jean-Louis Parker. Not just because he’s been hired to do so, but because it’s the right thing to do. And if that means traveling around the country with one complicated She-jackal, dealing with chocolate-eating wild dogs, instigating trouble between his brothers, and having the most amazing sex he’s ever had…well, who said his job didn’t have perks?

Toni doesn’t know how she keeps getting herself into these situations. But even she has to admit there’s something about Ricky Lee Reed that she finds kind of interesting…and downright sexy. Now they just have to survive long enough to figure out if what they have is worth fighting for…

First Date: I felt like I was in the middle of a backwoods barn party when I first met Ricky Lee (I've been to many so I know what I'm talking about). He's hanging out, minding his own business when he's suddenly surrounded with a passel of younguns (that aren't his) being herded around by a smart-mouthed gal, Toni, being all sassy-like. Besides Toni's massive family (she's one of ELEVEN in this particular shifter family), there are a zillion names of people I don't know or care about flying around and, well, my attention span just couldn't take it. *puts book down*

Second Date: After a few weeks off and after reading several very positive reviews, I decided to give it another go with Ricky Lee (truly, I do hate DNFing books, especially when others have enjoyed them. I feel like I'm missing out on something.). This time, despite the plethora of names (many starting with the same letter...almost too much for  my little brain to deal with), the story grabbed me and dragged me along for the ride. The banter between Ricky Lee and Toni is non-stop and pretty darned funny. I'm glad I gave Ricky Lee a second chance.

Third Date: With his big heart and big...job, Ricky Lee's a pretty darned good time. Not marriage material, in my opinion, but sometimes, I just want to go out and have a good time with a big, handsome manly man, you know? So, while some gals might be ready to settle in for the long term with Ricky Lee and have lots of little kits, I enjoyed our steamy times and then gave the wolf a little kiss goodbye (with tongue, of course).

Available on Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes and Noble

Speed Date with Luke: THE CURSED by Alyssa Day

I'm crazy-busy at work (you'd think things would slow down at the end of the school year but that's a negatory) so I thought I'd do a fun Speed Date week.

THE CURSED (League of the Black Swan #1) by Alyssa Day

Paranormal Romance

304 pages, paperback

Available now (May 2013)

Publisher: Berkley 

Review copy purchased

Bordertown private investigator Luke Oliver’s beat is the dimensional fold in Manhattan between the human and supernatural realms. But now a secret from his past—the League of the Black Swan—has surfaced. Because Luke isn’t any ordinary P.I. He’s the Dark Wizard of Bordertown, and he never backs down from a fight.

But this time the fight threatens his life and his heart. Rio Jones, the only woman he loved, needs his help against a deadly menace. Luke pushed her away once before, so she’d never fall prey to the curse that threatens to destroy him. He swore he’d never let her go again.

Luke and Rio, with the help of the newly reformed League, must keep evil forces from taking over Bordertown—all the while battling a passion on the razor’s edge between danger and desire. And going to take everything they have just to stay alive.

First Date: I fell for this cranky lawman immediately. Luke Oliver doesn't hold back, except when it comes to his love life and Rio Jones. He's cursed (which makes him all the hotter, in my mind. I'm a sick, sick girl.) and if he does anything bad, he's destined for eternal torment of the very worst kind. To counterbalance his naughty impulses, he's become the penultimate good guy (even though he doesn't really want to...like the whole running for Sheriff, which all of Bordertown wants and he's avoiding like the plague).

Second Date: Even though she's being chased by trolls, stalked by demons and tormented by Fae for no reason she can figure out (though it has something to do with her 25th birthday...), I'd trade places with Rio any day. The interplay between Luke and her as they fight their feelings and desires is scorching, and their comfortable banter adds a dash of humor amongst all the evil battling and question answering.

Third Date: This may be a forever thing, Luke. Oh, I know, I know. Rio's your gal but, now that you know her secret, isn't she more trouble than she's worth? Sure the sex is good (okay, mind-blowing. Whatever.) but I'd do you right. Come on over, baybee, and I'll show you a good time...

Available on Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes and Noble