Damien by L.A. Casey

It's an understatement to say that I'm obsessed with the Slater brothers. I mean, seriously, who wouldn't be? I've mentioned Damien's book here because it's the latest one I read, but for this series to make sense, you should start from the beginning with Dominic's book. The characters, plotlines and relationships are built throughout the series so Damien's story won't make sense if you read it first.

Essentially, this is a series about five brothers including Dominic and Damien who are twins. I won't spoil it too much for you but the boys experience an unusual and tough upbringing which eventually sees them orphaned and working for a bad guy who transplants them from New York to Ireland. Their move to Ireland is really the linchpin to this series because everything else flows from this move - the relationships they end up in, the decisions they make and the people who come after them (for different reasons but mostly revenge related), can all be traced back to the move to Ireland, and the happily ever afters that each of them finds there.

Damien's book is obviously about Damien, but out of all the brothers, he's the one that perhaps lost the most and was left with the most soul searching to do. When the series starts, he and Dominic are in high school as teenagers but whilst Dominic's story flows on directly from there, Damien has to take a break. He has to go away for a while and get his head on straight so his story picks up with him coming back to Ireland and ultimately trying to win the girl he should have been with in the first place, whilst someone from his past forges a close relationship with Alannah unbeknownst to him. Alannah is also an interesting character in this book because she becomes much more real. In the earlier books she is peripheral but she really comes into her own with Damien - possibly because it's their story together, but I think it's partly because both of them had growing up to do before they could become something more.

Don't be fooled, this is not an easy series by any stretch, there are definitely emotional highs and lows but ultimately, the romantic in me was left happy with the way that life works out for each of the boys. Brace yourself and dive headfirst in to this series, you'll love it if you're a fan of hard-hitting YA books.

Death Is Not Enough by Karen Rose

The latest from this master author, Karen Rose has managed to do it yet again, and this time for a couple that I've been rooting for, for a long time. I'm not quite sure how to describe the genre - it's somewhere in the middle of crime thriller, mystery, police procedural and an element of romantic suspense. Karen has built an entire world around her characters and as I've read all of her books, including the spin-off series, it feels like coming home every time I pick up a new book from her.

Once again, I've mentioned Death is not Enough because it's the latest release that I've read but my suggestion would be to start from the top with an in-order reading list. Check out Karen's website for the full list. However, if you were determined, you could probably get through this book first on its own - if you do that, you'll find there are references to certain situations and past happenings that won't make sense but you should be able to get through it regardless. (Having said all that, another book in the series "Monster in the Closet" has a huge story arc and I would suggest reading the books in order so that one makes sense first and then work your way down to this one).

This is ultimately Thorne and Gwen's story, both of whom have been peripheral characters in the earlier books. Apart from a couple of small facts, we don't really know much about them at all. Gwen has a larger role to play in one of the earlier books as she becomes the target of a bad guy who is actually after Lucy, but other than that, we don't really get to know much about her. Thorne's story and background is explained properly for the first time which is wonderful, and I think answers a lot of questions that long-term fans might have had.

As with all of Karen's stories, the leads have to overcome trials and tribulations before they can ultimately be together, but she writes in such a fast-paced and exciting way that you are never left waiting for things to happen because something is always happening. I'd say that this is probably my second favourite book in the series after Monster in the Closet (that one was a tearjerker, you simply must read it!).

Found by B.L. Brunnemer (Books of Stone Volume One)

The Books of Stone series is a spin-off of The Veil Diaries. Both are set in the same paranormal world but Books of Stone is aimed at older readers whilst The Veil Diaries is a YA series. I have to say, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book because I've been so used to TVD but I was pleasantly surprised. The main thing you'll recognise if you've read TVD is the kick-ass heroine that Brunnemer is a fan of writing. I absolutely loved Evelyn and I want to be her best friend. She's been alone for a long time believing she was the last one of her kind when lo and behold, a whole group of similar types turn up wondering why a woman of their race is out in the field on her own. (Because females are rare and require cossetting and protection yadda yadda).

Needless to say, Evelyn isn't having any of it and decides to continue kicking butt albeit happy that she isn't alone. It also turns out that there other threats out there that need investigating and conquering which involves everyone teaming up. I genuinely loved this book, it's an easy read and doesn't require a huge amount of investment but it's fast-paced, it's funny, it's got a heroine I adore and I'm honestly excited to read the next book in this series.

Rock Chick series by Kristen Ashley

I mean, wow. Where do I even start with this? Kristen writes amazingly well and I frankly want to live in her character worlds. Her heroines are awesome because they're badass and don't take sh*t from anyone. Her heroes are just the right amount of arrogant coupled with sensitive in all the right places.

The way this series has been written is interesting however, because Kristen has written herself into the later books and the first time I read it, it confused me. You might be like me and need to read it twice to understand the link but I promise it will make sense in the end. Other than that however, the individual stories are funny, have a little bit of mystery and kicking bad guy butt and really push sisterhood between all the leading ladies. That's a theme that I love and even with their significant others playing their roles, the value and depth of friendship between the women doesn't fade.

You might get the idea that I can't stand a weeping damsel in distress and you'd be entirely right. I fully believe women are awesome and I love books that reflect this. Fortunately, all of Kristen's heroines embody this so if you finish the Rock Chicks, you should try her other books too. My favourite leading lady is Jules just because she's so awesome but honestly, the others are all a very close second. Just wait until you meet Lee Nightingale and his boys - aycaramba!

Meet me back here next time for more happenings in the Book Nook, but until then, let me know what you've been reading and any suggestions you have for me!