Book Review: Behind Shields by Kolina Topel

Behind Shields by Kolina Topel, paperback edition book cover

Behind Shields

by Kolina Topel

Genre: Paranormal, romance

Editions available: Paperback, Kindle

Publisher: Createspace

Date published: March 27, 2012

Source: Goodreads group: We <3 YA Book! (ARR)

Rating:

Summary (Goodreads):

I used to have a perfect life. A life that any girl would kill for. I recently graduated college with my nursing degree. I have the greatest family and the best friend I could have ever asked for. I also just married the man of my dreams. My soldier. My Andrew. 
Everything was perfect until that deployment. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. And that’s where everything went to hell. That’s where everything changed.
See…I have to make a choice. I have to save one of their lives. Andrew, my husband. Or Audrey, my best friend.
How do you choose something like that? How could I choose between them?
I forgot to mention one other thing…about Andrew. He’s kind of a vampire. And the same vampire that tried to kill him was now after me. 
And you thought you had problems.







My Thoughts:



This book started great and I loved it immediately. I love the way the author got the inspiration of writing this book from the man she knew. How he was special to her and his family. How he was a good guy.


Behind Shields was like contemporary meets paranormal. Usually, we'll call it paranormal right away. But this book, from start up to the middle, was full contemporary--that's why when I reached the huge twist and highlight of this book, it's like it's hard for me to sink in. It felt like a dream.


The characters are great and it hold their own personality til the end of the book. I really liked Andrew and if I ever got a chance to be friends with him (the real one), I'd be lucky too. I also liked Audrey, her best friend Natalie, and the antagonist and other vamps, although their identity and intention needs more clarification.


I liked it and would liked it more only if there'd be answers to the questions even the female protagonist, Audrey, hadn't have a clue of. It's kind of frustating for the book to end with no answers and with unfinished business. I can see how great this would turn out if only it had been complete til the end. I wonder how will the story in movie will come out. Will there be answers? Will there be proper ending?


What I'm not sure of, though, if this was supposed to be a series? Would there be a sequel? If there'll be, I'd be glad to change my rating into 4 hearts. :)


Recommendations:


Paranormal, romance, contemporary readers. The characters of this book aren't teens. They're actually college--recently graduated--aged, but YA readers will enjoy this also.


Book cover comment/s:


Cool! I've never read a book with a soldier in the cover. At first look, you would think that this is an adult fiction, when it's with a twist of paranormal and can be liked by YA readers.

Book Review: Effortless by S.C Stephens

Thoughtless by S.C Stephens, ebook edition book cover

Effortless

by S.C Stephens

Series: Thoughtless #2

Genre: Romance

Editions available: Ebook, Kindle, paperback

Source: own

Rating:

Summary (Goodreads):

A continuation of the novel, Thoughtless...


A lot can happen in a year. You grow, you change, you learn from your mistakes. And Kiera had made a lot of mistakes to learn from. But she had learned, and she was determined to never cause a man pain again, especially the amazing man who currently held her heart. But life offers new challenges for every relationship, and when Kiera’s love is put to the ultimate test, will it come out the other side unscathed?


Love is easy…trust is hard.



My Thoughts:


You think The End has written in Thoughtless because finally, Kellan and Kiera are together? No. Effortless is the continuation--or should I say, start--of their bizarre love story.


Here in book two, Kiera became the Rockstar's Girlfriend. Her patience, understanding, trust and love was tested for being one. Like we're all most aware of, it must be hard being the girlfriend--especially if your boyfriend was not just popular, but also hot.


I liked this better than the first book, I guess. The first book is quite painful because of the affair. Kellan and Kiera tried to stay honest to each other while Kellan was away for the tour. But even as much as they tried, there're still some issues they can't seem to tell each other.


It almost break my heart and made me pissed again with all these secrets and issues but when I reached the 'revealing' part, I was more like, understood their situations. The ending was wonderful, and yes, swoon-worthy.


Reading this book, I also understand the role/s of a popular guy's (more like artist/actor) girlfriend. She have to trust and be proud of her guy. She must not get the girl fans under her skin--because when you really love each other and know that you're both faithful, any story lies or amount of girls would never rip you apart. On/off spotlight, it will all come down into just both of you.




Recommendations:


Thoughtless (book one) fans! *Adult content!




Book cover comment/s:


Now that's better than the cover of Thoughtless.


Alternate cover:

Cover for Kindle and paperback editions--Kellan playing the guitar!

Book Review: Thoughtless by S.C Stephens

Thoughtless by S.C Stepehens, ebook version book cover

Thoughtless

by S.C Stephens

Genre: Romance

Editions available: Paperback, ebook, Kindle

Publisher: S.C Stephens

Source: own

Rating: ^^^^^

Summary (Goodreads):

For almost two years now, Kiera's boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she's ever wanted: loving, tender and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together, Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university, everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the happy couple apart.


Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source – a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he's purely a friend that she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes...and none of them will ever be the same.

My Thoughts:


Kiera, the girl who's torn between two guys that she love and love her, I think she's kind of selfish to keep both guys for long. So long that three hearts broken big-time. Denny, as Kiera described him and reminisce about all they've been through, I liked him. He's a good guy with dreams for the future and oh-so faithful to Kiera--he doesn't deserve to be broken. Kellan, the hot guy rockstar who Kiera eventually fell for was well, definitely hot. Although there's his 'habit' that's well.. Anyway, he has past that explained his 'habit', and he turned out to be a deep person. I liked both guys and if I were Kiera, I wouldn't know who to stay with. But I guess she ended up with the right person for her heart in the end.

I both hate and love the story because it's heartbreaking and romantic and sticks out to reality. I'm so ready for the book two (Effortless)!




Recommendations:


For romance book seekers/lovers/readers. College romance. Love triangle. Drama. Music.
Adult content!

-       Michelle

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