Book Review: Slave by Sherri Hayes (+18)

Author: Sherri Hayes
Series: Finding Anna #1
My Rating: 4 cups
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House
Publishing Date: July 28th 2011
Blurb: (from Goodreads)

Stephan has lived the lifestyle of a Dominant for five years. After several rebellious teenage years, it gave him the stability and control he had been seeking after his parent’s death.

As president of a not-for-profit foundation, he knows what his future holds and what he wants out of life. All that changes when a simple lunch with his college friend and Mentor, Darren, leads him to buying a slave.

Thrust into a situation he never thought he’d be in, Stephan can’t walk away. He is compelled to help this girl in the only way he knows how.

Brianna knows only one thing, she is a slave. She has nothing. She is nothing.

Can Stephan help Brianna realize that she is much more than just a Slave?

You know how sometimes you read a book that manages to have this unique hold on you, both mentally and physically, that you feel drained after reading it? That's how I feel right now after reading Slave. It's not the bad kind of draining, it's just a testament to how much I loved the story. Maybe that's why I find it a bit hard to review it. 

The one thing that I'm completely grateful of is that we get both Stephan's and Brianna's views in this story. I think I would've been a mess had one of those be missing. Another thing that I found really surprising, in a pleasant way, was that this was one of those books that make you want to read each and every word carefully.

The emotional journey you take while reading this story is also pretty amazing. I know I felt anger each time Stephan discovered more and more about Brianna's traumatic experiences, or I felt such a tenderness towards her that I wanted to be able to help her in some way. I also wanted to cry a few times. And I like the fact that by the end of the book we get to see an improved Brianna. She's not done recovering, that's for sure, and I am also sure of the fact that it won't be an easy period, but she was a little better than when the book started.

I loved both Stephan and Brianna and I cannot describe to you how much I need to read the next book and find out what happens to them. I have the sneaky suspicion the second book, Need, is going to be even more interesting and emotionally engaging. And I'm ready for a certain someone to receive what they deserve. Well, actually several someones.

Cover Love (22)

This feature is hosted by Carmel @ Rabid Reads. The rules are very simple. Choose a cover (or two, or three), preferably new-ish, and share what you like about it. Grab the graphic or don't just so long as you link back.


My picks this week:

 I didn't have time to read Infamous unfortunately, but I know for sure I'll like it. Also, the blurb for Inferno sounds great. So I can't wait to read this one. OH, why I liked it? The firey background. Though fire scares me, I love the way it looks from faaar, faaaaar away. So it's safe to ogle at the flames in a picture :D


Inferno - Sherrilen Kenyon

 Do I have to say why I love this cover? Well, first of all, the background ('cause that's the first thing I noticed, not the hot, almost naked guy *giggles*) makes me feel a little chilly. And given the hot weather in my neck of the woods, I need some cool air. (really, it's like living in a very hot oven. It's not fun!). Then there's the hot, almost naked guy :P Which I'm convinced is Paul Marron. And nothing you say can convince me he's not. :D


Thrown by a Curve - Jaci Burton

I haven't read any of the books in this series, but I do admire their covers. I think this is the prettiest one, actually. I like the light coming out of the book, like a secret passageway has been opened. And her dress is pretty too.



Clockwork Princess - Cassandra Clare











What are your picks this week?

Book Review: Alison Wonderland by Helen Smith

Author: Helen Smith
My Rating: 4 cups
Publisher:  Tyger Books
Publishing date: May 1st 2010
Blurb: (from Goodreads)

After her husband leaves her for another woman, twentysomething Londoner Alison Temple impulsively applies for a job at the very P.I. firm she hired to trap her philandering ex. She hopes it will be the change of scene she so desperately needs to move on with her shattered life. At the all-female Fitzgerald’s Bureau of Investigation, she spends her days tracking lost objects and her nights shadowing unfaithful husbands. But no matter what the case, none of her clients can compare to the fascinating characters in her personal life. There’s her boss, the estimable and tidy Mrs. Fitzgerald; Taron, Alison’s eccentric best friend, who claims her mother is a witch; Jeff, her love-struck, poetry-writing neighbour; and—last but not least—her psychic postman. Her relationships with them all become entangled when she joins Taron for a road trip to the seaside and stumbles into a misadventure of epic proportions! Clever, quirky, and infused with just a hint of magic, this humorous literary novel introduces a memorable heroine struggling with the everyday complexities of modern life.

One of the first things that came into my head after reading this book is "What a brilliant opening!" Seriously, you have to love a heroine saying this:

"I'm waiting for Mr. Wonderland and when I find him I'll get married. Until, then I'm staying single."

It's such a smart answer to anyone bothering you about your personal life, right?

Then there's the cover. I love the red, black and white and how they look together. It's like a mystery, making me wonder how colorful London - and the world in general - would look like if I looked at it from Alison's POV. And I can honestly say Alison's view of the world is quite unique. Afraid of letting her guard down with another man, due to her cheating ex husband, she'd rather live in a pseudo-relationship than trying to see if a real relationship would actually work. She's afraid of rejection, though I can hardly blame her. Her job isn't helping either. As a female P.I, she's mostly hired to prove an estranged husband or boyfriend is a cheater. At some point she gets a "secret mission" to check out some company dealing with genetically altered vegetables.

Besides Alison, we get to meet some interesting characters. We have Taron, Alison's friend, who is one of those unique friends. Taron is the kind of person who will either drive you mad or make you a happier person. She thinks her mother is a witch and she believes in horoscopes, witchcraft and things like that. I do believe she's the type who can make a really sad person to smile. Then there's Mrs. Fitzgerald, Alison's boss. She seemed like the motherly type. For some reason, she left me thinking that she cared for each and every woman she met through her agency, be they employees or women hiring her for different reasons. And many other characters that I won't talk about, because then I'll probably give some unwanted spoilers :P

There are some funny moments in this book too. I actually laughed out loud a few times.

I felt as though the ending wasn't exactly the way I had hoped it would be. There was some suspense regarding Alison's job and one of her marks and I was waiting for something more spectacular to happen. Then again, maybe it was the right ending for Alison, proving that not always you need a big "boom" at the end of a frightening experience. Though I did see Alison grow up as the story progressed.

Anyway, if you love chick lit, you might want to check this out. I know I really enjoyed reading this book!

Book Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks (YA)

Author: Anna Banks

Series: Of Poseidon #1

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publishing Date: May 22nd 2012
My Rating: 3.5 cups
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

First of all, let me tell you how much I love the cover! It's just gorgeous, though I would have wanted to see Galen represented there as well. Though the fact that the girl has bubbles around her and (I'm assuming) she's swimming is the number one reason why I wanted desperately to read this book. Okay, now that I got that out of the way, I can go on with my review :P

The book starts in a pretty sad way. I was almost in tears after the first few pages. Thank God there was Galen to help get me out of that mood LOL! While I like a book that doesn't stall too much in the beginning, I felt as though the first chapters were a little too sad.

Speaking of Galen. He's a hottie. And a prince :D He's also a sort of ambassador between Syrenas and humans. Though for someone with his role, I felt as though Galen lacked a certain level of people skills. His knowledge about humans and their culture was at times too low for my tastes. But he makes up for that by being hot and cute. Oh, and really considerate at times. And patient with Emma, patience that I feel I couldn't have had with her.

Emma doesn't know about her being a Syrena. She thinks she's just a normal girl, that went through a rough summer. What struck me as completely odd was her relationship with her mother. At times I felt as though they were more like friends than mother and daughter. It wasn't that they were friends the fact that sort of bothered me, but the fact that Emma's mom acted more like a teenager sometimes. And other times I could really feel that she was a good mother and that she loved Emma and wanted to be the best mother for her, so maybe acting like a teenager was a way for her to keep Emma close I guess.

There were some funny scenes in this book. Very funny and they made me laugh a lot. I loved Emma's snarky remarks. Galen had a few of those funny moments. I also liked the mythology of this world. It was really interesting and seeing how both Triton and Poseidon are part of this world and explaining the difference and all that.

The ending blew me away. There was a moment when I thought that that could be the ending, but then I thought "nah, it can't be". So in a way it took me by surprise. And the ending is more abrupt and forceful than I expected. It sort of stays true to the beginning of the book. And it was teasing enough to make me want to read the next one. I'm curious about the next book in the series. Will we be getting Galen's POV this time, or continue with Emma's? I'd love to have a series with alternating POV. I felt like we were in Emma's head too much, I'd like to see most of the action told with Galen's words and feelings. Also, I want to see the cover :D

Cover Love (21)

This feature is hosted by Carmel @ Rabid Reads. The rules are very simple. Choose a cover (or two, or three), preferably new-ish, and share what you like about it. Grab the graphic or don't just so long as you link back.


My picks this week:

I like the background colors a lot! Also, she has sparkles in her hair! That's cool. Oh, and the font used for the title is so pretty! I wonder if the heroine is anything like the girl in the picture though...



Innocent Darkness - Suzanne Lazear

 This is such a simple cover. Maybe that's why I like it. Although I'm not particularly fond of the pinkish-violet glasses, I love the angel-devil sides on the lenses. Though I'm not exactly sure about the mustache. But I do like the cover :D

Hollywierd - Terri Clark

What are your picks for this week?

Book Review: Haunted by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Series: Women of the Otherworld #5
My Rating: 4.5 cups
Publisher: Orbit
Publication Date: May 26, 2005
Blurb: (from Goodreads)

THE CONTINUING ADVENTURES OF THE SMART, SEXY -- SUPERNATURAL -- WOMEN OF THE OTHERWORLD
Eve Levine -- half-demon, black witch and devoted mother -- has been dead for three years. She has a great house, an interesting love life and can't be killed again -- which comes in handy when you've made as many enemies as Eve. Yes, the afterlife isn't too bad -- all she needs to do is find a way to communicate with her daughter, Savannah, and she'll be happy.
But fate -- or more exactly, the Fates -- have other plans. Eve owes them a favor, and they've just called it in. An evil spirit called the Nix has escaped from hell. She feeds on chaos and death, and is very good at persuading people to kill for her. The Fates want Eve to hunt her down before she does any more damage, but the Nix is a dangerous enemy -- previous hunters have been driven insane in the process. As if that's not problem enough, the only way to stop her is with an angel's sword. And Eve is no angel. . . .

Oh Eve! You broke my heart. I actually didn't expect that. I thought I'd see a somewhat cool demon-witch-ghost that was scary as hell, with a heart as black as night and a major bitch. Yes, I had misconceptions and yes, I'm ashamed of that.

From the second book of the series, Stolen, we know Eve was a "bad witch", one that used black magic to get whatever she wanted and she used her powers to help the wrong people, the ones that payed the highest price for her services. We also know that she's Savannah's mother. What that book and the other 2 following books don't show you is that Eve is capable of love, she knows what's right or wrong, she is capable of suffering and she would do anything for her daughter. Also, she is an honorable woman, even though she is kind of bad *grin* - once she makes a promise, she keeps it no matter what. She's also vulnerable. Now, don't think she isn't bad-ass, because she is and she can kick major ass. She's just very, very complex. And not what I expected.

I loved that we get to see her getting a second chance at love. And with the love of her life, Savannah's dad. Kris was also surprising. Though I was expecting him to be more...Cabal-ish? Mean? Different from the other sorcerer and Cabal relative, Lucas Cortez.

There's one thing that made me too sad and the reason I can't give this book the highest rating: the ending. It didn't feel like a happy ending. I know, I know, the bad guy is captured and punished, Kris and Eve get back together, nobody dies and Eve gets to redeem herself. But I felt it was bittersweet. The very last scene left me kind of raw and on the verge of tears actually. And it wasn't in a good, "oh, I so understand what this character is going through" kind of tears, it was more along the lines of "crap, this is so unfair! *sniff*sniff*". That's basically the only thing that I wished was different. Other than that, I loved it and I hope there's another Eve/Kris story in the next books/short stories.

Now I'm off to read Broken. (I wanted to wait, read one book per month, for the entire duration of the Women Of The Otherworld reading challenge BUT: 1. I can't wait a month to read the next one, I love this series so much and 2. I'm ready for a certain someone and a certain hot male to get together, which I hope will happen in Thirteen. )