Book Review: Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

When Elspeth Noblin dies she leaves her beautiful flat overlooking Highgate Cemetery to her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina Poole, on the condition that their mother is never allowed to cross the threshold. But until the solicitor's letter fall through the door of their suburban American home, neither Julia nor Valentina knew their aunt existed. The Twins hope that in London their own, separate, lives can finally begin but they have no idea that they have been summoned into a tangle of fraying lives, from the obsessive-compulsive crossword setter who lives above them to their aunt's mysterious and elusive lover, who lives below them and works in the cemetery itself.


As the twins unravel the secrets of their aunt, who doesn't seem quite ready to leave her flat, even after death, Niffenegger weaves together a delicious and deadly ghost story about love, loss and identity.(Goodreads)

~~~

My Thought 

In 2010 I read The Time Traveler's Wife. I really liked it. What most of my friends said about that book are not a hype. I was little bit regret why it took three years for me to read it. The movie was not disappointing as well. Not only awed me, The Time Traveler's Wife also made me want to read another book that was written by Audrey Niffenegger. I was so happy when Her Fearful Symmetry was on my desk.

In the beginning, its ghost story bound me with mystery. It started with Elspeth Noblin with her last will. What the heck happened in the past? Why Elspeth did not allow Edie, her twin sister, to step into her flat? Such questions crossed my mind.

It needs more than half of book to finally find out the answers. Although it kept me waiting, no complaint about that. In its few first chapters, Her Fearful Symmetry has told me that all things inside occurred in a slow pace. So let me warn you, this is not a kind of book for anyone who fond of quick plot. The readers need to wait a little bit longer till they reveal everything.

Boring? Not really. Each chapter had something that kept attract my attentions. I also got no problem with the point of view that changed each chapters. So why I only give this book three stars? It's all because of the characters. I barely feel waves of emotions. Neither Elspeth - Edie, Julia - Valentina nor Robert-Martin-Marijke.  The most annoying one was Elspeth. She was a greedy woman. How could she do that nasty things. Especially to the Little Kitten of Death and her own "niece".  She might not feel enough with what she had before. She became so blind.  I felt so bad. It was just not fair. Something weird was no objection at all.

One thing that also bugged me was all chapters which brought me to Martin and Marijke, the twin's neighbor. I liked all their parts. But everything was still in the track even they were not there. I think Ms Niffenegger should make another book about them.

Another character that made me scowl was Robert ,Elspeth's lover. I just did not get why he had to hide from Valentina and Julia. I also did not like when deeper relationship was built between Robert and one of the twins. He supposed to be their uncle. Not the one who offered the romance stuff. But I was glad with what he did in the end.

About the twins, I felt sorry for them. They did not get any role the twins should have. No tight bonds like what another twins had. They were not a normal twins. Julia got all my sympathy. Because she had to face all those lies and rejection. For Valentina, all I could say is HAH!.

Final words, Reading Her Fearful Symmetry makes me wonder where Audrey Niffenegger who has written The Time Traveller's Wife. It seems none of her magical touches left.

Cover 

I found many kind of cover for this book. The Vintage version is one of my favorite. I liked the colors

Her Fearful Symmetry
Author: Audrey Niffenegger
Publisher: Vintage, 2010
Paperback: 488 pahes
ISBN: 0099524171
Language: English

~~~

PS: Although I do not put this book into my favorite list, I'd love to say many thanks to Annisa Anggiana, my secret santa. She was the one who sent me the book. I am so grateful. She helps a lot in killing one of my curiosities. *big hugs*

Review: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.

Jacob was there because his luck had run out - orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive 'ship of fools'. It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act - in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.(Goodreads)

~~~

My Thought

Water for Elephants was one of books in my wishlist. I was so excited when this historical fiction book finally arrived. Big thanks to Bukumoo Satu Dua Tiga. Since I saw the rating and read many good things about it, I could not wait any longer to read it on my own. Most of my friends said that Water for Elephants was one of the best book ever. Unfortunately, same words did not come out of my mouth.

To my surprise, it was not as great as I thought. I was little bit disappointed with what I got. I think I expect too much.  There was nothing wrong with the book actually. It was well written. But It was hard for me to find the ties with the plot, setting nor the characters. All of them were flat for me.

Jacob Jankowski is the main character and narrator. In his nineties, he stayed in nursing home. He could barely remember things. But when it was about  circus, he was able to summon it into mind with its details. Jacob was just twenty three when he left final exams in Cornell University and joined Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. In this place, the new chapter of his life began.

I liked the old Jacob. He became one reason why I finished reading its last page. From all the chapters, my favorite was his part. Althought he was not a nice old man, but he got his own charm.  I liked the way he talked and communicated to Rosemary,the nurse who took care of him. I enjoyed all their chit chats. Unfortunately, there was only few of them.

About the young Jacob and other characters, there was almost no emotional bond. Although Jacob in circus was lovely and kind-hearted, but I could not get him. His relationship with Marlene was not interesting enough to hook me. The antagonist character such August and Uncle Al also did not leave any impression. Even when I have given more chances by reading it till the last pages, I felt nothing for them.

Before reading Water for Elephants, I have read some books which took circus as its setting. But through Jacob's eyes, I found many new things about circus life in the past. All those things make me wonder which one that really happened in the past and the one that was just added by Sara Gruen, the author. I was also curios about the "red-lighted" and stampede.

Cover
I am not really interested with that kind of cover. I like the color choice. 

3/5

Author: Sara Gruen
Paperback: 355 pages
Publisher: Algonquin Books (April 9, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1565125606
ISBN-13: 978-1565125605
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches

Review: Size 12 Is Not Fat - Meg Cabot

Heather Wells, mantan penyanyi pop idola remaja, telah sampai pada titik jenuh: bosan menyanyikan lirik lagu ciptaan orang lain, tapi produsernya tidak mau menandatangani kontrak baru untuk lagu-lagu ciptaannya sendiri. Keadaannya diperparah dengan ayahnya dipenjara, ibunya kabur ke Buenos Aires bersama seluruh isi tabungan putri satu-satunya itu, dan Heather tampaknya tidak bisa berhenti membenamkan diri dalam kesedihannya dengan melahap cokelat KitKat. Puncaknya, tunangannya Jordan Cartwright telah menggesernya---dari tangga lagu maupun dari ranjangnya---dan menggantikannya dengan bintang pop nomor satu terbaru Amerika, Tania Trace.

Heather lalu mendapatkan pekerjaan di asrama New York College---tak jauh dari tempat tinggal sementaranya di rumah Copper---temannya sekaligus kakak mantan tunangannya yang sangat baik kepadanya. Kelihatannya keadaan mulai membaik... setidaknya sampai gadis-gadis di asrama tewas satu per satu dalam waktu berdekatan. Selancar lift merupakan penjelasan resmi dari administrasi kampus mengenai penyebab kematian para gadis itu, tapi Heather punya kecurigaan lain. Dengan bantuan setengah hati dari Cooper, Heather berusaha menyelidiki kematian-kematian tersebut, tanpa menyadari itu bukan hanya sekadar untuk menjawab rasa ingin tahunya, melainkan mungkin akan menjadi pekerjaannya seumur hidup.~Sinopsis dari Goodreads~

~~~

Ketika pertama kali melihatnya di deretan buku baru, saya sungguh tak menyangka karya Meg Cabot ini bercerita tentang misteri pembunuhan. Dari judulnya, saya mengira buku ini akan berkisah tentang kehidupan seorang wanita yang bermasalah dengan berat badan. Sempat terbersit pertanyaan segemuk apa wanita yang berukuran 12, sebelum akhirnya mendapatkan jawabannya melalui mesin pencari.

Heather Wells, wanita yang menjadi karakter utama di buku ini. Butuh waktu untuk mengumpulkan keping demi keping yang berkaitan dengan dirinya dan menyusunnya menjadi sosok yang utuh. Dari perubahan postur tubuh karena kebiasaan makan yang tidak teratur dan rambutnya yang pirang. Sampai  akhirnya pilihan jatuh pada sosok Britney Spears. Sehingga tidak ada kesulitan untuk membayangkan masa lalu Heathers sebagai penyanyi pop yang menjadi idola banyak gadis remaja.

Banyak hal yang membuat saya menyukai Heather. Bukan hanya caranya menuturkan cerita yang kadang membuat saya tergelak, tetapi juga karena Heather adalah sosok wanita yang kuat. Ia tak pernah benar-benar peduli akan perkataan orang lain akan masa lalunya. Bahkan ketika mereka menjadikannya lelucon. Ia memang tak menyangkal, banyak bagian dari masa lalunya yang tidak menyenangkan, namun hal tersebut tidak serta merta membuatnya dendam. Bahkan di luar dugaan, ia memaafkan ibu kandung yang kabur meninggalkannya begitu saja dengan semua uang tabungan yang dihasilkannnya sebagai penyanyi. Meg Cabot memang tidak pernah gagal menciptakan dan membuat karakter utama yang menarik dan menjadinya benar-benar hidup. Selain Heather, saya juga menyukai Sarah dan Magda, yang menjadi rekan kerja Heather di New York College. Sangat disayangkan, tidak ada yang istimewa dari karakter Cooper ataupun Jordan.

Berbicara mengenai dua insiden yang terjadi di asrama, saya tak dapat menahan untuk tidak mengeryitkan alis. Sebagai penggemar serial CSI dan cerita detektif, saya merasa banyak hal aneh. Pertama, tidak ditutupnya lift yang menjadi tempat kejadian perkara. Semua penghuni asrama bisa kembali menggunakan lift begitu mayat disingkirkan. Padahal dua kecelakaan yang sama terjadi dalam waktu yang berdekatan. Kedua kasus yang membuat Heather khawatir ini juga sepertinya tidak mendapat porsi penyelidikan yang lebih dari pihak kepolisian. Kemungkinan besar wawancara mendalam juga tidak dilakukan terhadap orang-orang tertentu. Bahkan ketika tidak ditemukannya alasan kuat bagi kedua mahasiswi tersebut untuk melakukan bunuh diri, sama sekali tidak ada penetapan tersangka. Lebih anehnya lagi, tim investigasi sama sekali tidak memeriksa kamar dan barang-barang korban. Saya menjadi sangar gusar karenanya. Sepertinya hal-hal demikian luput dari riset Meg Cabot. Bahkan ketika ia bermaksud untuk menulis sebuah cerita misteri yang ringan dan sederhana sekalipun.

Terlepas dari semua hal ganjil di atas, saya tetap dibuat penasaran siapa yang menjadi dalang atas dua kejadian tragis tersebut. Ini juga yang menjadi alasan mengapa saya mampu melahap buku ini hingga halaman terakhir. Menjadi sangat menyenangkan ketika menemukan sang pelaku kejahatan tidak terdapat dalam daftar tersangka beserta motif yang saya buat.

Walau tidak begitu terkesan dengan buku ini, saya akan tetap membaca Size 14 is Not Fat Either. Saya ingin tahu apakah Heather berhasil menyanyikan lagu ciptaannya sendiri.

Cover

Sampul depan menjadi salah satu alasan mengapa saya membeli buku ini.


Size 12 is not Fat
Judul Indonesia: Ukuran 12 Tidak Gemuk
Penulis: Meg Cabot
Penerjemah: Barokah Ruziati
Editor: Widi Lugina
Penerbit: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Cetakan: I, Agustus 2011
Tebal: 416 hlm

Review: Riversong by Tess Hardwick

Author Tess Hardwick assembles a colorful cast of endearing small-town characters and takes you on a journey that will make you believe in the possibilities of life - even in the face of overwhelming adversity and unimaginable grief.

Lee Tucker is the kind of woman you find yourself rooting for long after the last page is read. When her husband commits suicide,he leaves her pregnant and one million dollars in debt to a loan shark. Out of options, she escapes to her deceased mother's dilapidated house located in a small Oregon town that, like her, is financially ruined, heartbroken and in desperate need of a fresh tart. Lee's resilience leads to a plan for a destination restaurant named Riversong, to new chances for passion and love, and to danger from her dead husband's debt as her business blooms.


A surprising mix of romance, humor, friendship, intrigue and gourmet food, Riversong entertains while reminding you of life's greatest gifts.

My Thought
River Song is touching book. It is a story about Lee Tucker. A woman who tried to live her life after misery things happened to her. It was not easy to her to build everything. Her past was always behind her.

In the beginning, her miserable life was revealed. Her childhood was unhappy. She spent those days with her pathetic mother. Even after leaving her behind, the bad luck kept haunting her. Few years later, when she thought everything was fine, a phone call rang and told that her husband committed suicide. He left her nothing but a big debt. Then a debt collector ran after and threatened to hurt her. In the middle of the messiness, she caught herself pregnant.One thing in her womb became another thing to think of.

i liked this book. I got no problem with the plot. I could easily follow the story from the first till the last chapter. The ending was nice.

Lee Tucker was a fragile woman. The past and what had just happened made her built a thick wall. She became too afraid to run new life. She almost lost the faith in herself. All her sadness was easily felt. I could get her emotions when she remembered all bad memories in her childhood.

My favorite character was Ellen, Lee’s neighbor who helped her a lot. I love the bond between Ellen and Lee. Once, my eyes were teary because of their conversation. Ellen has such a big heart. She was the one who kept encouraging Lee. She was not tired doing so. Tommy was also a sweet character. The romance between Lee and him was written naturally. Everything between them flowed in a good way. One character that made me smiled with his presence was Linus. I found him witty. I wish I could read more about him.

For a debut book with adult and fiction genre, River Song is a nice reading.

Cover
It was not a kind of cover that I like. But if they wanted to show the grief, I think they have designed it well.

4/5

Source: Ebook from the author

Paperback: 278 pages
Publisher: Booktrope Editions (March 30, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935961144
ISBN-13: 978-1935961147
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
Buy Riversong at Amazon

~~~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Review: Incredible Dreams by Sandra Edwards

Incredible Dreams is the story of a modern-day ghost whisperer who travels through time to save the life of a WWII fighter pilot and ends up jeopardizing her own existence. Izzy Miller prefers to call herself a spiritual therapist because she thinks it makes her sound more professional than plain old ghost-whisperer. She expects her latest project to be quick and easy because exorcising military personnel is pretty routine. But there's nothing easy or routine about Captain Jack Baker-he's a rather forgetful spirit and somewhat mischievous. And even though he's intrigued by the US Government's latest attempt to remove him from the only place he can ever remember being...he has no intentions of going anywhere. Plans to exorcise Jack are quickly sidelined when Izzy discovers a portal into the past inside her dreams and sets out to change his fate. Trouble is...when she gets back there, she can't remember anything but her name. She still sees ghosts, but is far less accepting of her gift. And, to make matters worse, a demonic force pretending to be the forgetful heroine's sister has her own plans-to steal Izzy's soul

My Thought
Izzy Miller had unsual ability. She could sense and see ghost, apparition, or spirit. She had helped many lost souls and convinced them to cross over to the next life. She did not have spells like Wicca or used high tech equipments. Spiritual therapist, that’s what she called herself. She was very capable in this field. So no need to wonder why, the United States Military used her service. A big fat bonus was offered for her but it was the challenges which became the main reason why she used her talent and answered all her clients’ demands.

One day, she was asked to “cleaned” one hangar. She could sense many creatures inside. In few minutes, all sprited and fairies moved away. But there was one soul left, a spirit of Air Force flyer with his unfinished stuff. Jack Baker never knew the way he died.What written in his files about the accident around the world war did not make him satisfied. It looked like there was a mist that block his memory. That made Izzy had to think harder to find a way out. Because she never met a forgotful spirit. Besides none of them were as old as Jack. Another problem appeared when she realized there was a passion toward him.

Incredible dreams was not the first book that told me about a character with a talent for ghost whispering. I have read some. So I was not that impressed much when her ability revealed. But I did wonder how she would solve the case. The more I read, the more I got surprised. I never thought that Sandra, the authors would bring Izzy and me to such adventure. The plot ran smoothly. The ending was also nice. Nothing that made me confused.

The bond between Izzy and Jack was written very well. I liked all chapters about them. Compared to Izzy, I prefered Jack. Not only because he was so charming but also smarter . Yeah, Izzy’s ignorance became something that bugging me. I thought she had lost her mind when she let Jennie, another character that you’ll find in this book, controled the way she moved.She should have done some checking in the first place. I wish I could shout at her. I know I might too emotional. Just cant help it. The appearance of her family was also awkward for me.

Although I found some holes inside, over all I enjoyed this light paranormal book.

Cover

However it does not belong to my favorite cover. I like the black car in the cover. It tells the book setting very well.

3/5

Author: Sandra Edwards | Website

Source: From Author for an honest review

Format: eBook: 267 Pages; Paperback: 230 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace (September 1, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1453780874

ISBN-13: 978-1453780879

Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches

Buy Incredible Dreams at :

• Amazon
• Smashwords
• BN
  

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Review: Stolen Dreams by Stacey Kennedy

Tess Jennings has the ability to see and talk to spirits. On a daily basis, they harass and annoy her to save their souls. Sometimes she helps, other times she ignores them, but one ghost will give her no choice. Kipp McGowan, a cop with the Memphis Police Department, uses his ghostly charms to gain her attention and forces her to expose herself to his partner.

As she’s pulled into the five year old cold case of Hannah Reid she wants no part of, she finds herself in more than one precarious situation. But that’s the least of her worries―Tess begins to have a serious problem on her hands. Kipp might be dead, but he’s drop-dead gorgeous and she’s beginning to forget that he’s a ghost.

Murder and corruption has brought Tess and Kipp together. But as her feelings for Kipp deepen, she suspects she just signed herself up for a one-way ticket to the nut house, and can only hope, straitjackets come in a size four.

My Thought
Before writing this review, I did not read its synopsis. So I have no idea what Stolen Dreams told about. I just wanted to discover the story myself. I did not wish for something good since the cover has made me disappointed in the first place. Then what I got? This is one book that reminded me not to judge the book by its cover. I did not have to read many pages to jump to the story. Tess, Kipp and their story grabbed my attention only in a short time.

It was so easy to like Tess.Not only her unusual ability, even all those silly things she did pleased me. Kipp himself also become my favorite character. It was not because of the description of his physical appearance that Tess kept saying in some chapters. It is more about the way he treated Tess. From the first time they met, the way she attract Tess, teased her and when he confessed everything. No need to be genius with all Tess reactions. I did enjoy all the conversations between them. Especially in few last chapters. some of them almost made me cry.

The relationship between Tess and Kipp is not the only one thing that made me reading this book till the last pages, the murder case also become interesting part in this book. When the investigation was started again, I kept wondering how Tess would help this Police Department find the murderer. The plot was great. It brought me something really good from the beginning till end.

I think I have to put Stacey Kennedy into the list of my favorite authors. Out of the adult scene that she mixed with the story inside, she written everything very well. I do want to read another books of hers especially with Tess and Kipp inside.

Cover
I think it is not fair for Tess, Kipp and all the characters inside for this kind of cover. They deserved a better picture. I have noticed that Stacey has written many book and printed it in good cover but this one. All I can say ,forget about the cover, the story inside was too good to left behind.

4/5

Ebook: 260 pages
Publisher: Stacey Kennedy (February 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0986593141
ISBN-13: 978-0986593147
Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.9 inches
Buy Stolen Dreams (The Lingering Spirit Book One) at Amazon

~~~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Review: Fallen From Disgrace by Mindy Mackay

Rosella Cartwright wakes up in the hospital after a yearlong coma with no recollection of who she used to be. Her only clue is that everyone around her despises and avoids her. Then, she discovers the truth: before she was hospitalized, she was the most wanted maniac of New York's criminal underbelly.

Disgusted by reports of her own heinous crimes, she attempts to reform herself, but her efforts are in vain as society continues to cast her out in hatred and fear. All the world seems against her until she is offered a job by Daniel Ryan, a rising executive and self-made success who hides a lifetime of inner turmoil behind a façade of cool indifference. Drawn to his mystery as he is by her irrepressible darkness, Rosella starts falling for Daniel, but love can't save her from her past. A former victim of hers wants revenge, and will stop at nothing to get it. Her partners in crime want her back by their side, though she wants nothing more to do with them. And a sinister plot of her own design, buried beneath her amnesia, is, unbeknownst to her, still very much in progress. These are the monsters she will have to fight off alone, and if she doesn't watch her step, she might not make it out alive.

My Thought
When I saw the cover of this book and reading all words written on it, I was little bit worried that I would not enjoy the whole story. Because I am totally new with this kind of genre. But AGAIN!!!, what I kept in my mind about this book was completely wrong. I think I should stop doing such preconception since the story, the characters and the plot grabbed my attentions in the first place. The more I read, the more I wanted to know what happen next.

In the beginning they have told me that Rosella Cartwright was up to no good. I did understand why all people gave jeer, mockery, or gibe to her. I couldn't help myself but kept my sympathy for her. I thought it was just unfair. She lost her memory. She did not deserve such cold shoulders.

After Rose, her sister, Euphemia was the second character that I liked. I awed the way she treated Rose. She got a huge heart. She did not have kept any grudge despite she has known what Rose kept for years. However many times I got annoyed with this. She was just too innocent. Another character that took my attention was Daniel. He was not only smart, he also got a great instinct. That almost closed my eyes.

Unfortunately, what I expected from last chapter did not happen at all. I was so disappointed. In my opinion, Rose and all the characters deserved better ending. In the last few pages, I lost my interest. I felt that it brought me back to the beginning.

Out of the ending, I enjoyed this book. I liked all the friction and clashes especially when Zoey was there. I did expect Mindy wrote more about Gregoire. I think I'd love to read another book of Mindy Mackay

Cover
I think they should have not put Erotic word in the cover. Because I think this book does not really belong to that genre. About the model, Rose in my mind was much better than her. :D

3.5/5

Author: Mindy Mackay | Website | Facebook | Blog
Format: ebook, 182
Published December 20th 2010 by Noble Romance Publishing, LLC
Buy Fallen From Disgrace at:

• Noble
• Amazon

~~~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Review: "Honeytrapped" by Justine Elyot

It's her job to snare him, but this trap might be more complicated than she thought.

When Tilly went into business as a private detective, she thought it would be all brilliant deductive reasoning and car chases. She was not prepared for the deluge of calls from suspicious lovers hiring her to entrap their love rat partners, but when times are hard, you take what's on offer - which is how, despite two left feet, she came to find herself learning the Argentine tango.

But is the tango teaching lothario all he seems to be? And when he makes his hot Latin moves on her, will she really be able to stay professional and resist them?

Tilly finds herself tangled up in the tango, hot on the tail of a mystery. She even manages to fit in a car chase, though the brilliant deductive reasoning doesn't work out so well. But where her brain might miss out, her body certainly doesn't. They don't call sex the horizontal tango for nothing, it seems.

I never thought this book would only gave me 38 pages. When I found it out, I wondered what story it brought. It was just too short, my mind said. I was afraid that I was not into the characters well which I considered as important stuff from a book. Yeah, I always made too many prejudices for this kind of story. And again, I was wrong. It need only first few pages to know what kind of woman Tilly was. She is just too innocent. She entertained me with all her words and thoughts. It was a quick reading.


I wish I know the movement of tango. Because every step in this dance have a role. It was not easy for me to figure it out when she was in her dance class


3/5


Author: Justiner Elyot

Format: ebook

Published March 21st 2011 by Total-E-Bound Publishing

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Review: Kissed From Beyond by Keta Diablo, Amber Scott, Elise Hepner, Stacey Kennedy

One antique shop, four women experienced different exceptional and not to be forgotten moment.

I am not a big fan of novella. I have read many of them and end up with disappointment. Not only because they left me with unfinished things but also because some of them just did not let me get a bond with its characters. I felt they were in such a hurry. So when I received and started read this ebook, I did not put many expectation.

One remarkable thing from this anthology was each story connected with one red line, an antique shop. Each character met Mrs. Higgins and from one thing in her shop, they were brought to something peculiar. I found this unique.

I could not found appropriate words to revealed how the stories surprised me. My ignorance held the responsibility for this. Because the authors have warned me in advance about the genre. Still, It left me open-mouthed. I never expect for those kind of scenes. It is just too hot for me. But at least after reading this ebook, I finally understand what they called as paranormal-erotica.

From all of the stories, CRADLE OF DREAMS is my favorite. The ending was better.

For anyone of you who love romance, erotica, paranormal stories, you should read this book.

Cover
The reasons why I joined the tour and read this Anthology was the cover. It's lovely.

3/5

Authors: Keta Diablo, Amber Scott, Elise Hepner, Stacey Kennedy

ebook, 149 pages

Published March 16th 2011 by Goodnight Publishing

Buy the ebook at Smashwords

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Synopsis

CRADLE OF DREAMS
Keta Diablo

With visions of battle still fresh in his mind, Roane Bradfield returns home to find the woman he loves betrothed to another. He corners Kendrick Moreland at Dowager Huggins’ Grand Ball and whisks her into the secluded library. One way or the other, he will know the reason the duplicitous beauty cut him from her life when she promised to wait forever.

Kendrick can’t believe her eyes when Roane suddenly appears at the ball. Has he truly risen from the dead? Amid wagging tongues and hushed murmurs, the fantasy of her every dream whisks her from the ballroom. And the expression on his face is anything but loving. Revenge, danger and powerful love collide in the Cradle of Dreams.

A LOVE SOUL DEEP
Amber Scott

If only Sara had known no man would ever make her feel like Crew did, she would have let him love her. A regret that can never be undone. His death haunts her dreams, and her wishful thinking only reminds her of everything she has lost.
Years later, a visit to an antique store in sultry Savannah changes everything and makes her deepest wish come true. Her beloved returns to her. Her every fantasy gets the chance to be fulfilled. But she wants more than one night. She wants a lifetime and wonders what magic will let her keep A Love Soul Deep.


ONE RUB MORE
Elise Hepner

Flynn has been cursed for over a century for a social slight he never committed. A voodoo priestess hexed him and forced him into a teapot where he could be summoned by the rub of a woman’s palm. Once free, he grants these women three sexual favors—and cuts off his own emotions in the process. Unable to break free from an invisible cage of lust and sex to fall in love again he’s resigned to being a sex object and nothing more.

Helena has been house sitting far, far away from her complicated past in England— including her former childhood sweetheart, who wasn’t satisfied when Helena didn’t want to be barefoot and pregnant. She’s resigned to leave behind the complications of men and sex. She hopes logic will win out over her unreliable emotions—but she’s put to the test when she accidentally summons Flynn from his teapot prison.

‘TILL WE MEET AGAIN
Stacey Kennedy

Ethan Thomas has spent years alone―forever trapped between worlds. Once a soldier in the Civil War, he’s now a ghost bound to a chaise lounge that once belonged to him. He’s spent centuries lingering in Savannah, Georgia, waiting to be saved…

Cassandra Cole is an interior designer hired to restore an old Victorian home. As she begins to furnish the house, strange happenings erupt around her. She suspects the house is haunted. Determined to find out, Cassie sets out to discover who the ghost is, why she feels a connection to him, and what she has to do to free him. The answers will surprise her in ways she never imagined.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches E-book Tours and a copy was provided by the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obligated to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Review: Monster Story By McCarty Griffin

Synopsis From GoodreadsChristy McCauley has returned to West Virginia at last, but her homecoming quickly turns into a surreal nightmare. In the deep hollows and woods of rural Augusta County, something unspeakable is slaughtering people in the dark of night. Authorities don't know if its human or animal, or how to stop it. Christy and her friends only know they must hunt it and destroy it, before it kills again

My Thought
I did enjoy this book. Unfortunately when I was in the first page of the book, I found it difficult to get what the author try to say. The word choice that I got in the first few pages were difficult enough. Actually this book was written well. it described thing in a nice way. Let's blame it to my limited vocabulary. I was little bit afraid that I was not able to read till the last page. But I did not know why I just could not leave it.

I started to focus when the story brought me to the first scene when the slaughter took place. I kept searching for the next chapter which told me the same thing. Fortunately, there were a lot. Even when I felt enough with bloody scene. It was getting frightening. The creature that finally revealed as werewolf was so creepy. I could easily got the pictures of everything he did. Those dreadful chapters were so real. It looks like watching horror movie. I kept asking who would be the next victims and who would stay till the end. Another big question that haunted me, how to kill this monster.

Talk about the characters, I think the author wrote too many of them. I was annoyed by some of their appearance. From all of them I liked Graeme. I loved all his jokes. I caught myself giggling each time he said something. But I liked the relationship between them. Tess, I also adored her. Because from all of the characters, the only emotion that I could really feel were hers. Especially when she was so scared.

I have not read lots of book about werewolf. It made me wonder if all the werewolves out there were as vicious as the creature in this book.

Cover
I think it is fit enough with what the reader will find inside. The darkness is revealed just by looking at those red eyes.

4/5

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Author: McCarthy Griffin; Check her Facebook, Twitter, and Website

ebook, 315 pages

Published November 4th 2010 by McCarty Griffin, via Smashwords

You can buy Monster Story at

Barnes and Noble

Smashword,

Sony Ebookstore,

Diesel

Apple

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches E-book Tours and a copy was provided by the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obligated to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

In My Mailbox #7

Another week without books from bookstore. YEY!!!

I hope my March resolution will work well till the end of the month.

But I still received some ebooks for review.

Synopsis From Goodreads

Etienne, son of a lord in the kingdom of Armorique, goes to train as a knight with Geraint of Lucanne. Geraint is brave and kind, a good teacher and master - but he has a secret that he has kept from his family. He is bisclavret, a born werewolf. When Geraint is betrayed, Etienne must ally with the local wise-woman and her daughter, themselves bisclavret, to save his lord. But time is running out. If Geraint's enemies have their way, Geraint will soon be trapped in his wolf form.

And Etienne has his own secret. The decisions he makes will change his life forever . . .

Inspired by a medieval romance, this engaging novel forces us to question everything we thought we knew about werewolves

I got Wolfborn from Ida. I am not really into its cover.But  I hope the story inside is interesting.

 

Synopsis from Goodreads
Meet Dani McKinley: A typical teen whose world is rocked when she finds out that her father is a famous Hollywood Action star. Now meet Mark Ocean: A self-serving actor with a floundering career who sees that a daughter is just what he needs to reinvent himself as a family man and get back on track. When the two decide to spend the summer together, they must not only wrangle their own love lives, but try to figure out who they really are to themselves and to each other.

Now armed with credit cards, club memberships, and a new wardrobe, Dani learns that what Mark has in wealth, he sorely lacks in parenting skills. Trying to show Mark that parenting is about more than loading her up with Prada bags and taking her to movie premieres is challenging enough, but she's also got her hands full with her new friends. Oh, and the boys... Dani meets Jason, a gorgeous young personal trainer who is easy on the eyes and wildly flirtatious. But is this smug hottie the one for her? Or will she ignore her friends eye-rolling and go for the goofy but sweet surfer?

While juggling her own complicated love life, Dani tries to set her father up with someone less likely to appear on a VH1 reality show, and someone more... well, normal. And age-appropriate. And dressed in anything but a thong bikini. But whether Mark is able to heal old wounds and move forward with anything more than a meaningless fling remains to be seen.

Can Dani fit in with this new, fast-moving California crowd without losing herself? With the world at her fingertips and hot boys now after her, staying grounded gets tough. And can Mark drop his egocentric approach to life and learn to appreciate how truly wonderful his daughter is? As driven as he is to get that A-list acting role, he's willing to do whatever it takes to get there, even if it means using his daughter. Or is he...? Mark and Dani's relationship hits a few highs, but the question becomes whether the lows are too much

What a long  synopsis. XD

I really want to read this book since this book got a good rating from some of my friends. Thanks to Jessica Park.

Synopsis from Goodreads

An Ex-Con on the straight and narrow is pulled into a twisted game of Russian Roulette in Las Vegas to save his wife. 666. Six Contestants, six chambers in a revolver and six sides of a die.

Riley Toback is at a crossroads. After serving a four year prison sentence for Armed Robbery, he's determined to make a fresh start in Atlantic City.

Until his brother-in-law, drowning in gambling debt, convinces him to pull a heist at a Jersey Shore nightclub.

In the aftermath of the botched robbery, Karim Rashid, a vicious Indian gangster, tracks them down. And he makes Riley an offer.

Triple Six, a game that's played once a year in Las Vegas. One round is loaded into a revolver and the chamber is spun. The Contestant rolls a die, with the face value dictating how many times the weapon is fired.

If you can survive three rounds, you win.

With his wife and life on the line, Riley takes the deal.

And finnaly thanks to Sean Bridges for the ebook. I like the cover.

So what you got for this week? 

Feel free to leave the link of your post. 

I will visit you back.

Anyone But You

Synopsis From Goodreads
Jennifer Crusie's many fans will be delighted to discover (or rediscover) her wonderful debut novel. It's an exuberant, romantic, and occasionally goofy comedy, with two unlikely love stories. The first is between 40-year-old Nina, happily divorced and looking for a puppy companion, and Fred, an overweight, grumpy basset/beagle spending his last day in the shelter. It's fortunate for everyone that Nina adopts him, since Fred ends up playing unwitting Cupid, introducing Nina to ER doctor Alex Moore, her handsome 30-year-old neighbor. That's where the second love story comes in, but it's not easy. Nina rules out any man 10 years younger, but she's happy to watch old movies with Alex -- night after night after night.

There are a lot of characters to love here, including Nina's best friend, who has a black thumb when it comes to romance, and her 75-year-old neighbor, who's got a very different attitude. As Alex and Nina inch toward romance, neither is willing to make the first move until they discover some basic home truths about the power of unconditional love

My Review
When I received this book, without reading any words on the front and back cover, I thought it would tell me about a great life of one dog. But when I found out that this book was romance, I doubt that I could finish this book. I am not that into this kind of genre. once I left one romance book because I can not stand with the drama inside. But this book is out of line. I could easily read it. Not only because it is light and fun but also the phrases inside did not trouble me much. It is a quick reading. I found many humor inside.

Talk about Nina, I felt pity for her loneliness. But that risk that she has to cope with. Divorce was her decision, ready or not. For Alex, she might be everything. But not for me. She was kind, a good friend, but I just could not find something interesting in her. She seems so weak and lack of confidence. Alex, himself, was actully loveable. But in it took many chapter till finally fell for him. I loved the development of his character. It worked better than Nina. Overall I like the relation between them. How they spent their time with movies, shared stories even the Oreo.

But actually I liked Charity the most, the secondary character, rather than the those two characters above. I enjoyed all of her dialogues. I found myself searched what happened next. She was one of the reason why I could finish this book. And Fred, the dog, who started everything between Nina dan Alex, I wish I could read more about him.

I think I am going to give another chance for a romance book like this

Cover
I wish Fred was a cute dog and found another background color.

3/5

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Author: Jennifer Cruise
Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (December 1, 2006)
Language: English
Source: Bought with cheaper prize