One Year Anniversary Celebration!

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

It all started with an idea. Why not make a place where we can bring authors, bloggers, publishers, and reviewers together all in one place?

 

 December 2012 marked the one-year anniversary of the Making Connections group. Since then, we have grown beyond our imagination. Not only have we listed almost 850 books in the original Making Connections group for review, we have also branched off and made a Making Connections - YA Edition group with 200 books listed for review.

Thank you for being part of this group and for helping us celebrate our one-year anniversary! We look forward to see where 2013 will take us.

 These groups would not exist without all of the wonderful bloggers, authors, and reviewers who make Making Connections possible. You guys are the BEST!





To say thank you, we are hosting a HUGE giveaway! 

Plus, stop by each blog on the hop to see exactly what makes Making Connections so great, plus more giveaways and fun! See the complete list below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Feb.1 - Sheri www.makingconnectionsgroup.blogspot.ca/

Feb.1 - Tana www.tana-someofmyfavoritebooks.blogspot.ca/

Feb.2 - (A) Eva Pohler http://www.evapohler.com

Feb.3 – (B) Sailon http://tometender.blogspot.com

Feb.4 – (C) Mari Arden www.mariarden.blogspot.com

Feb.5 - (D) Milda http://www.writergirlinla.com/

Feb.6 – (E) Mallory http://archiestandwoodsreviewsandwritngs.blogspot.com/

Feb.7 – (F) Natasha http://writesbymoonlight.wordpress.com

Feb.8 – (G) Midu www.passionatebookdivas.com/

Feb.9 – (H) Jonel Boyko http://purejonel.blogspot.ca/

Feb.10 – (I) Kit 0127 http://darkerpassions.net/

Feb.11 – (J) Flora http://fromthebootheelcottonpatch.blogspot.com/
Feb.12 – (K) Tmonique http://tmoniquestephens.com/

Feb.13 – (L) Wynne Channing http://wynnechanning.wordpress.com/

Feb.14 – (M) Meredith Bond http://meredithbond.com/blog/posts/

Feb.15 – (N) Donna www.donnagalanti.com
Feb.16 – (O) Samantha http://bookloverscozycafe.blogspot.com

Feb.17 – (P) Stephanie Http://stephsbookretreat.wordpress.com

Feb.18 – (Q) Alana http://darkobsessionchronicles.blogspot.com/

Feb.19 – (R) Cody Kennedy www.CKennedyAuthor.blogspot.com

Feb.20 – (S) SantaFlash http://santaflash.wordpress.com/

Feb.21 – (T) Think Books http://thinksbooks.blogspot.com

Feb.22 – (U) Maghon http://magluvsya03.wordpress.com

Feb.23 – (V) Debbie http://amethysteyesauthor.blogspot.ca/

Feb.24 – (W) Pragya http://reviewingshelf.wordpress.com

Feb.25 – (X) Ellie http://elliewrites2.wordpress.com
Feb.26 – (Y) Terri Bruce http://www.terribruce.net

Feb.27 – (Z) J.A. Beard www.riftwatcher.blogspot.com

Feb.28 - Tana www.tana-someofmyfavoritebooks.blogspot.ca/

Feb.28 - Sheri www.makingconnectionsgroup.blogspot.ca/

Crimson Darkness by Amos Cassidy

Crimson Darkness by Amos Cassidy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have been looking forward to Crimson Darkness ever since reading Crimson Midnight. The second book in the series is packed full of action, adventure, and danger. After London was plunged into darkness, everybody left is fighting to save themselves and the world as they knew it. All of our favorite characters are back, and there are some new players who I am very interested in reading more about. Rose is struggling with some decisions she has had to make and some new information she has to deal with about herself.

Crimson Darkness was much darker and more sinister than the first book. You can see the definitive shift from the old world to the new one and the toll the stress of fighting every moment for life has taken on the characters. Tension is high and everyone knows that likely disaster is imminent.

Once again the storyline was unpredictable and exciting. I love being surprised every step of the way. And, oh my God do the authors know how to write a cliffhanger! I will not be able to get my hands on the next book to find out what happens soon enough!!


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Sunset by Arshad Ahsanuddin

Sunset by Arshad Ahsanuddin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Daywalkers, Nightwalkers, and Sentinels. They are out there.

This was a great book. It was fast paced and well written. The world building was amazingly complex and detailed. The author was able to put his thoughts and ideas into words in such a way that helped to create this stunning portrait for his readers.

The inner structure of the different races was incredibly intricate. It was a bit confusing at times trying to understand the hierarchy within each group and the alliances and rivalries between the vampire species, but it was well thought out and written well.

The characters were great. Nick, the protagonist, was easily likable. All of the characters were complex with deep backgrounds and painful pasts, though I found emotional attachments to the characters difficult, which is one of the only things I found lacking in the book. When I am reading I want to be able to feel for the characters, and it just did not happen here. There were also times throughout the story where it seemed to jump time without warning, and that a bit confusing as well.

Overall, this was an entertaining story.

Interview with author Arshad Ahsanuddin:
Making Connections Blog





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Forbidden Fantasies by Jodie Griffin

Forbidden Fantasies by Jodie Griffin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This story was sexy and sweet. Married for fifteen years, Jessica and Alex are comfortable with their lives, but it is not terribly exciting. Jessica wants to bring some spice into their relationship like the types of things she reads about in her romance novels. She has reservations bringing these things up to her husband, afraid of what he will think of her ideas. I like that the author chose to write about a married couple with a long history. This was not some fly by night romance. The couple has an almost perfect life; all it is missing is some excitement. The author did a good job getting both Jessica's and Alex's emotions into the story as they began to communicate inside the bedroom and began to really learn what the other wanted and needed.

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The Surrogate by Leonard Foglia

The Surrogate, the Sudarium Trilogy - Book One by Leonard Foglia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am not exactly sure what I was expecting when I started this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. The authors' use of simple language rather than flashy prose helped make Hannah more believable. She was a simple girl from a small town, maybe a tab bit too naive. She had dreams of doing something important and meaningful with her life but had to get out of the rut she was stuck in. Answering an ad in the local newspaper seemed to be the answer to all of her problems.

The world as Hannah knows it is perfect and sweet. She is innocent and trusting. The story as reality knows it is dark and dangerous. People lie, steal, and cheat, and sometimes they do worse.

A few chapters in I was worried that this book was going to drag too slow. While it is true there was not a lot of action until close to the end, the time seemed to speed by quickly. I enjoyed the side story of Jimmy and really liked how his character came out in the end. The authors did a wonderful job of weaving fact into fiction and combining religion into this story without it stealing the show.


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Mr. Bear by Midu Hadi

Mr. Bear by Midu Hadi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mr. Bear is an enjoyable short story with alluring characters and an entertaining and effortless story line.
I like the bear shifter – different from the usual.


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Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was told going into this one (my many people) to have the Kleenex handy. I did, and I needed them. I wonder if anyone has thought to tell authors it is hard to read their books with tears in your eyes.

I loved this story so much. It was not your usual high school drama boy meets girl love story – it was so much more. The characters are hard not to fall in love with. Echo's life was seemingly perfect once. Now all she wants is to be "normal." It was heartbreaking watching her go through her days trying not to be noticed, trying to hide herself, and doing things she did not want to do just so she could maybe feel normal again, if only for a little while. I really enjoyed Echo's transformation throughout the story. You can actually see her grow emotionally with each turn of the page.

Noah is a girl-using stoner boy and jacket-loaning savior. But, there is so much more to Noah than what you see on the outside. He has the tough bad-boy image going on, but inside he is so full of love and strength. He is not afraid to fight for what he believes in. I thought Echo's and Noah's relationship was done well. The author took them on a journey of ups and downs, joy, fear, pain, and self-discovery before she finally brought them together. Because of the things they had to go through, it made the end result that much sweeter. Katie McGarry is definitely a new favorite author of mine. I cannot wait for Beth's story to find out more about her and see where her life goes.


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The Art of Domination by Ella Dominguez

The Art of Domination by Ella Dominguez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once again I find myself conflicted here. I had originally given this 3 stars but after writing my review moved it up to 4. The story is fun and steamy, a continuation starting five months after the first. In the interim, Isa and Dylan have been getting to know each other and building their relationship. I loved the chemistry between them. Plus there was quite a bit of action (ha ha, besides just the hot sex) and suspense. I enjoyed having the different points of views, much better done in this book than the first. The technical issues with the first book (quotations, dialogue) were fixed in this one, as well, so that is a definite plus. This book delved much deeper into the world of BDSM as well.

My biggest issue with this book was Dylan himself. I absolutely loved Dylan in book 1. He was not perfect by any means, he made mistakes, but he was a great guy. In this book, he is too domineering, too controlling. He wants to control Isa 24/7, not allowing her a say in anything…which, if they were in a typical D/s relationship would not be such a big deal and actually I could have respected that. However, they are now married; she is his wife, not just his sub, and although he obviously cared for her, he had absolutely no respect for her. At times I even thought his behavior as borderline abusive rather than hot and sexy like it was supposed to be. Isa herself was a bit too wishy-washy, although she had that issue in the first book as well. She would start to stand up for herself but then back down with the promise of great sex (and it was great!). At times it almost seemed that she did not feel safe and was afraid of what her Dom was going to do. I would love to have seen her stick to one of her decisions…to make Dylan realize that her feelings are important too.

I did like that we got to see more into Dylan's past. Overall, I enjoyed the story and look forward to more.


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Starkiller by Eric Edstrom

Starkiller by Eric Edstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great end to a great series. Not to be outdone by the first two Undermountain books, Starkiller is full of action, adventure, mystery, and suspense from the very first chapter to the very last. While some of the bigfeet are planning on revealing themselves to the people of earth, it is up to our heroes and heroines to save the earth from certain destruction at the hands of the tangoga.

Not only do Danny and his friends have to stop the end of the world, they have many conflicts along the way, including Breyona's struggle with her new abilities, the loss of loved ones, and, though it would not seem like a conflict, the Oath. "How does peace prevail," Shiv asked, "if those who are peaceful are all dead?"

As an overview of the whole series, the books are wonderfully written with incredible attention to detail. The world Eric Edstrom created is positively unique and surprisingly complex. Throw in some very likeable characters, some humor, and a lot of adventure, and you have an amazing story.


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Half Black Soul by H.D. Gordon

Half Black Soul by H.D. Gordon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in the Alexa Montgomery series picks up right where the first one left off. In this book we get to see Alexa grow into her role as a Sun Warrior. It is a difficult struggle for her, though, to embrace her destiny and accept what she sees as a monster inside of her. We also got to see her grow as a person as she searches out her feelings for Kayden.

I loved that we got Nelly's POV in this book. She is a great character and you can see, though she did not play a big role in book one, she is quickly becoming crucial to the plot of the story. I liked the fact that we got to know her a little bit better and were able to invest ourselves in her more.

The world the author created for this book was wonderful. She has a way of painting a picture with her words that flow right off the page. This series is fast becoming a favorite for me.


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The Alexa Montgomery Series by H.D. Gordon

Blood Warrior by H.D. Gordon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blood Warrior is the story of Alexa, a 17-year-old girl struggling to fit into her life. She has a seemingly crazy mother, a sister she would kill for, and a best friend who she knows will always be there for her.

Alexa’s life takes a crazy turn the night her home is attacked and she’s forced to run with her sister and friend Jackson, leaving her mother behind. Along the many twists and turns, Alexa comes to the realization that nothing is as it seems, even herself. Through this book we watch her inner struggle with herself as she comes to term with who she really is, as well as the outer struggles among the people who are supposed to be allies.

Blood Warrior is a captivating book. The characters are so well drawn, you cannot help but want to be happy for them, cry for them, and be upset when they are wronged. Alexa is a teenage girl who has always been a loner, never seeming to fit in, and she ends up with more attention then she ever wanted. Watching her character struggle throughout this book is heart wrenching. You cannot help but lover her and cheer her on. Nelly is such a sweet sister, and the strong bond between Alexa and Nelly is evident. Jackson…well, I love Jackson! He wears his heart on his sleeve and is so good to Alexa you cannot help but love him, too. As for Kayden…there is definitely a strong bond between Alexa and Kayden, but at this point she’s not sure she can trust him.

This book is the best .99 I have ever spent! I would have gladly paid more for it and felt it worth the money. I love the author’s writing easy writing style, the plot, and the characters. Blood Warrior was a page turner that left me wanting more. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to see where it takes Alexa and her friends. 


Half Black Soul by H.D. Gordon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in the Alexa Montgomery series picks up right where the first one left off. In this book we get to see Alexa grow into her role as a Sun Warrior. It is a difficult struggle for her, though, to embrace her destiny and accept what she sees as a monster inside of her. We also got to see her grow as a person as she searches out her feelings for Kayden.

I loved that we got Nelly's POV in this book. She is a great character and you can see, though she did not play a big role in book one, she is quickly becoming crucial to the plot of the story. I liked the fact that we got to know her a little bit better and were able to invest ourselves in her more.

The world the author created for this book was wonderful. She has a way of painting a picture with her words that flow right off the page. This series is fast becoming a favorite for me.


The Rise by H.D. Gordon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The third installment of the Alexa Montgomery series is amazing in that the author took the word "twist" to a whole new level. No way could anyone have seen that coming. The story continues right where book 2 left off but plunges into a dark abyss that will be difficult to climb out of. The book is action packed with never a dull moment. There is a lot of love in this story, as well as loss, pain, hope, fear, emotion, emotion, emotion, and the author did it all quite well.

Through the whole story, even still at the end, Alexa is conflicted with what and who she is. She knows her fate and never questions it, though she does wonder, why her? What makes her so special that she should be able to do what is being asked of her? Though I love Alexa and her badass self, her whole crappy attitude did get on my nerves a bit in this book (is it really necessary to be so freaking rude to EVERYBODY? I'm sure she has some niceness in her somewhere…I hope it does come out eventually. It would be a nice change for her…maybe at least to be nice to Kayden).

And Jackson, oh my true love, Jackson. What could I possibly say about you? I cannot possibly leave you out of my review of this book; however, I'll just leave it at that. I love you. Enough said.

On top of all of that, the books are incredibly well written. The author really has a way with words, painting almost whimsical pictures with her poetic-like words. I would definitely recommend this series as a must-read to everyone!


Redemption by H.D. Gordon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Writing this review is bittersweet. I absolutely fell in love with this series and the characters therein, but it came to a necessary end. You have to love a book that can punch you in the gut in the last chapter. It was not at all what I was expecting, but then, why read a book if you know exactly what's coming?

As I have said in all my reviews for this series, I love H.D. Gordon's writing. She has a way with words and is able to take this complex storyline with so much going on and make it smooth and beautiful. She has quite an imagination and brings it out well with her words.

It was difficult to watch Alexa go through this book. She was so very young and innocent in so many ways, yet had the weight of the world on her shoulders. Everyone looked to her to fix their problems, knowing what the outcome would be, while she struggled with her own inner turmoil. I loved Kayden all the more for being her rock and sticking with her even though he knew the most probable outcome.

The story overall is rather dark. It tells a tale of life and love and loss and asks the question, how much are you willing to sacrifice? For some, the answer is everything.


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Redemption by H.D. gordon

Redemption by H.D. Gordon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Writing this review is bittersweet. I absolutely fell in love with this series and the characters therein, but it came to a necessary end. You have to love a book that can punch you in the gut in the last chapter. It was not at all what I was expecting, but then, why read a book if you know exactly what's coming?

As I have said in all my reviews for this series, I love H.D. Gordon's writing. She has a way with words and is able to take this complex storyline with so much going on and make it smooth and beautiful. She has quite an imagination and brings it out well with her words.

It was difficult to watch Alexa go through this book. She was so very young and innocent in so many ways, yet had the weight of the world on her shoulders. Everyone looked to her to fix their problems, knowing what the outcome would be, while she struggled with her own inner turmoil. I loved Kayden all the more for being her rock and sticking with her even though he knew the most probable outcome.

The story overall is rather dark. It tells a tale of life and love and loss and asks the question, how much are you willing to sacrifice? For some, the answer is everything.


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Edge of Disaster by A.M. Hargrove

Edge of Disaster by A.M. Hargrove
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have a new boyfriend. His name is Pearce. Don't tell my other boyfriends – they get jealous.

So…what I love about this book (besides that cover!)-
I love Alexia. Though a bit too immature for her age at times, she was a fun character. She's been through some tough times and let them get her down, but ultimately, with the help of a great friend and great guy (my boyfriend) is able to begin to pick herself back up and get her act together again.

I love Pearce. Yummy, sexy, rich, sweet, romantic…oh my God, why even go on? He's perfect. He is able to see something good in Alexia and goes after it despite the fact that they come from completely different worlds. He holds onto her when she tries to let go. I love him.

I love that although Alexia and Pearce are attracted to each other instantly, their relationship is slow going. Pearce is a little crazy for Alexia, but she needed some time to sort her life out before she can for forward with it, and he was willing to give that to her.

I think what I love most about this book, though, is how it shows how diverse A.M. Hargrove is. She has a young adult series with a spinoff adult series. Both of these are in the fantasy/sci-fi genre, and now she throws this one out, which is contemporary adult, completely different, and is just as good as her previous books. I think sometimes it is hard for an author to break the genre barriers successfully, but she has done it.

So...here's what I didn't like-
Alexia and Pearce together…he is supposed to be mine!

This story is sexy and sweet. I knew where it was heading long before the end, but knowing the outcome did not ruin the journey; instead, it made it more delightful to be reading on to see which path the author would take us on to get there. As they say, the journey is half the fun.


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Under His Command by Kristine Cayne

Under His Command by Kristine Cayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love how Kristine Cayne is able to make her characters come to life on her pages. She is able to create such depth and emotion in them that you feel invested in their story and cannot help but hope for a HEA for them.

Jamie and Erica have been separated for a while and are trying to fix their failing marriage. Jamie is a firefighter, a dom, and is used to taking charge in every way. Erica is fighting her past and is scared of what it would mean to give up control. Ultimately, both Jamie and Erica have made mistakes in their marriage and now they have the challenge of correcting those mistakes if they want to stay together. It will not be an easy road for them, but if their Hawaii honeymoon is any indication, they are definitely off to a good start! Through the story we get to watch them grow both as individuals and as a couple. Jamie learns that he cannot be a good husband when he is pretending to be something he is not, and Erica learns that giving up control can be a good thing…sometimes a very good thing.

I have been waiting for this book for a while, and it did not disappoint. The story was sweet and incredibly sexy, a great start to a new series.


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