For all the Books I've Loved so far...

3/26/2019 0 Comments

Review for The Rule of One by Ashley Saunders and Leslie Saunders

The Rule of One by Ashley Saunders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As the daughter of a twin who shouldn't have been born

I usually do much lengthier reviews, and I'll end up coming back and adding more to this, BUT... let me just say, that my mom and her twin sister were both born in China during WWII. In a small village in Manchuria, twins were still uncommon. Their mother was called every manner of insults, most notably animal names that denoted the kinds that bear litters. Women in their village did not have twins. If multiple pregnancies were suspected, the mothers took measures to have only one baby. Meaning, my mom, the second born, wasn't supposed to be here. But, my grandmother's love and tenacity put the wheels in motion that eventually brought me here. My mother has told me stories of walking to school when she was older and they'd moved to Hong Kong, and seeing orphaned children in the streets, and worse, dead babies thrown away in dumpsters... products of China's One Child Law. The reality and terror these two brilliant authors captured was mesmerizing and had me blow through this book in a couple hours. From the beginning the story that alternates between Ava and Mira's POV, moves fast and doesn't stop. These ladies took the idea of making your characters really go through it, to heart. While some slight details of the future are iffy, they are completely plausible seeing where we are already heading technology, government, fertility laws-wise, etc... And only near the last quarter did I feel the timeline might have a small error; but that doesn't affect the overall story, IMO. I absolutely lived this story, I only put it down to potty twice and take the dogs out, twice. I couldn't wait to jump back in. As a sister, I'm so thankful that these ladies didn't sugarcoat the deep seeded loathing that we sisters go through for one another. I felt their emotions... the resentment, the love, the guilt... this story resonated on so many levels for me, I just wanna say thank you, to the Saunders Sisters for an excellent read!

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2/26/2019 0 Comments

Review for Marked (Servants of Fate, Book#1) by Sara Fine

Marked by Sarah Fine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love futuristic, dystopian America novels. I think it’s just the abundance of coverage we see in our modern times, where global disaster appears to be imminent that makes me devour stories in this genre, like crazy. “Marked” is a wonderful addition to this brooding obsession of mine.

Plot: Based in Boston, many years into the future, after economic collapse and global changes that have turned Boston into a Venetian waterway; sprinkled with ancient Greek mythological veins, this story follows the Ferry Family- escorts to the afterlife, in a clever, fast-paced, detail-rich, action, romance, mystery- adventure. Whew, super run-on sentence, I know! But this book has it all. Ms. Fine has done a remarkable job combining so much of what I love to read. I like to escape my life and get swept into a story that engages my senses with a bit of intrigue; let me read about someone else’s family burdens, sexual tensions, and impending doom for a while, so I forget mine- ya know?

Characters: That’s what was accompanied with “Marked”. If you’ve ever read Sherrilyn Kenyon’s “League Series” (maybe her others do as well, but I haven’t read them yet), the books at the beginning of that series (I haven’t read past book #5) have a romantic subplot, mixed in nicely with the main conflict, and you have to get quite a ways into the story before the sexual tension that is almost unbearable, is consummated. Well, that sums up Cacy and Eli’s relationship (the two MCs), nicely. Both characters had developed backstories, and the supporting characters were given proper roles and purposes that made sense.

The Writing: The writing was flawless. There was no waste of space describing too much detail. “Marked” is told in 3rd person POV, alternating from Cacy and Eli’s viewpoint mostly, and then some of the minor characters.
In case you wanted to know: Yes, there are detailed sex scenes, some violence, but not nearly enough to be problematic. Again, think of S.K.’s League novels, and that’s about right where this novel lands. Violence too, but in the realm of supernatural creatures and events… so I’m not sure how that would be classified.

Overall: I chose “Marked” back in December 2014 as my 1st Reads choice. It’s been sitting in my Kindle since. The design of the cover had me assume it was a YA novel, which is fine, but I just was never in the mood to read it; based off of the synopsis. I am so glad I changed my mind and just read it anyways.

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1/29/2019 0 Comments

Review for The Selection (The Selection Series Book #1) by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maybe it’s the raving reviews and the hype that put my expectations higher than necessary? Maybe I’m just too old to appreciate it with 5 stars? I mean, Dystopian America? Heck yeah… sign me up! I LOVE Dystopian Novels, YA ones included. But throw in some Cinderella-esque themes into it and uh, nope. Not for me.

This was a nice little mash-up of Hunger Games (i.e. the televised competition; remnants of society such as technology, left over in a Dystopian America; the class systems of the well-off/well-fed vs. the destitute & starving; the girl with an “I don’t wanna” & “I’ma go against the rules” & “I’m only doing it for my sibling” attitude… all while on her way to becoming the hero) and Cinderella/Beauty & the Beast (where a somewhat middle-class girl just “be’s herself” around the Prince and thereby ends up winning his favor).

Still, it was a pleasure to read. It read smoothly and I got through it quickly. I just feel from this book 1 of the series, that the tone set for the rest of the story will remain ultimately, light. I could be COMPLETELY WRONG. I have not gone on to read the synopsis for the rest of the series, other than figuring out the obvious which is the girl gets the guy. Maybe it gets darker and more struggles that are aligned with what ‘appears’ COULD happen, do in fact, happen. Again, I don’t know.

The “threats” in the book were not nearly as menacing (or didn’t feel like they were, at least) as I’d imagine them to be… meaning, I wasn’t at all scared or anxious for the main characters. I’m assuming calling this a “Dystopian Fairytale” would be fair; a good book, just not for me. I need my characters to go through a bit more hell and heartache, especially when they’re living in a world where the world we know now, doesn’t exist and the rules have (mostly) all been rewritten.

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12/31/2016 0 Comments

Cover Reveal for New Dystopian Romance--In Blood We Trust by Elodie Colt--Releasing April 2017!!

Title: In Blood We Trust

Author: Elodie Colt

Genre: Suspenseful Dystopian Romance

Release Date: April 2017

2078. The Future, as it was once called. A better time you imagine? Most would say yes. Jordan would say they’d switched one evil for another… Ever since the SDCT—the Scientific Department for Cancer Treatment—made a scientific breakthrough, creating a cure for cancer and therefore saving billions of lives from the cruel disease over the last few decades, the world seems to be a better place. But the Cure came with a side effect. The Recipients need to consume human blood along with it, and as Jordan has the rarest blood type, she needs to donate every week. To keep a tight legal structure between Recipients and the rest of the population, the FDR—Federal Division for Recipients—was created, making her job as Sergeant at the NYPD hell on earth. The real trouble, though, begins the day she becomes burdened with a case that will force her to extend the law to its limits. Worse still—the new Lieutenant, Aiden Davis, has set an eye on Jordan, and it doesn’t help that he is an unrelenting, too-hot-to-be-allowed ex-marine and more intense than she can bear. But her past makes it impossible to get involved with anyone without resurfacing memories of the one fateful night she desperately wants to forget. And when the one man she’d never wanted to lay eyes upon again—the man who had inflicted pain on her worse than anyone could ever imagine, the man who had drained her until there was nothing left—shows up once again, her growing attraction toward the new Lieutenant seems to be the least of her problems…

I took a gulp of air, bracing myself for what was about to come. Sheryl knocked on the door and I ran my hands over my dress in an attempt to smooth out the fabric. My need for food nearly made me sick. I hoped my stomach stayed quiet.

Patrick and Davis lifted their heads simultaneously as we entered.

"Patrick," Sheryl greeted him, her voice growing even sweeter as she addressed the newcomer. "Lieutenant Davis."

I stood next to Sheryl but deliberately stopped a foot behind her. Davis looked at Sheryl, but to my surprise, his gaze never went lower than her face despite the amazing view she provided at chest height. He gave her a short nod in greeting, neither overly friendly nor unfriendly. I bit my lower lip. He didn't seem like a social kind of guy. Was that a good thing or not?

"Ah, yes," Patrick said, adjusting the knot of his tie before standing up. "Lieutenant Davis, let me introduce you to my best."

Davis raised his eyebrows, appearing surprised that Patrick was referring to two women, and it was only then that his gaze finally fell upon me.

His eyes zoomed in on my face, his stare penetrating me. I automatically held my breath. Then, he raked my body head to toe with one quick but thorough glance. Fast. So fast, I nearly missed it.

My heart did a crazy little jump. Was he checking me out? Why would he do that when a sexy goddess like Sheryl was standing next to me? I suddenly felt very naked, as though he'd just stripped me down to nothing but my underwear with his intense, unwavering stare.

Davis elegantly rose from his chair. He was so intimidating—respect and power pouring from him in waves—I had the urge to avert my eyes, but they appeared to be glued to his. My headache from before was suddenly forgotten.

He stepped around the desk, closing the distance between us in a few strides. He towered over me when he stood that close, claiming my comfort zone, his strong neck on my eye level. I refused the urge to step back. Or was it an impulse to step forward? Confusing.

"Sergeant Jordan Lively," Patrick introduced me, oblivious to the wordless conversation that the Lieutenant and I were having, although I wasn't sure what exactly our silent exchange was about. Standing that close, I could make out the color of his eyes that continued to bore into me. Deep blue with shades of turquoise that reminded me of the sea's hue. I remembered seeing that color printed on the old postcards of a tropical island paradise, that had been swallowed by a tsunami decades ago. I think it had been called “Hawaii” or something exotic like that.

Simply stunning. Beautiful, drown-worthy, and absolutely unique.

His eyes flitted back and forth between mine, until resting on a particular spot. I could see the question on his face. Everyone asked the same when they met me the first time: Why was there a misshaped little speck of gray next to my left pupil whereas the rest of the eye was a regular green like the right one? I usually gave my standard excuse: Genetic. No one knew the real truth besides me.

As if on cue, Davis' gaze landed on my scarf, most likely wondering why I was even wearing one. Understandable. It was far too hot in here. I was probably the only person in this part of the country who even owned scarves.

"A pleasure to meet you." His voice skimmed my senses, an underlying tone I couldn't quiet decipher swinging with it. The way the word "pleasure" left his mouth sent funny vibrations through my belly. It took me a second to realize that he'd extended his hand to shake mine. I grasped his, and I swear I felt a thumb softly caress my skin before he pulled away.

"It's an honor," I managed to say before lifting my chin a little higher. I didn't want him to think he'd intimidated me. He stepped sideways to greet Sheryl long before his slicing gaze left mine.

"And Detective Sheryl Frayman," Patrick informed.

"Welcome, Lieutenant Davis," Sheryl greeted him in a strong voice, emanating way more confidence.

"Thanks. Nice to meet you."

Polite. Nothing more. Was I imagining it? I threw a sideways glance at Sheryl, expecting to find disappointment on her face, but instead she smiled after Davis' eyes found mine again.

My heart rate increased, pounding through my eardrums. Damn, it was hot in here. The air conditioning must have conked out again.

"What are you specialized in?" Davis asked, perching on the office desk, and crossing his ankles. Sheryl folded her hands in front of her but didn't answer. Apparently, the question was meant for me.

"Murder and rape," I answered. No point in sugar-coating that. I swear I saw his nostrils flare a tiny bit. Yeah. The question wasn't exactly one people used to reply with "Really? What a great thing to do!".

"Why?" he asked. That was a question I couldn't possibly answer honestly. It would be a, let's say, extremely heavy topic to discuss during an initial meeting.

"Because it's so much fun," I blurted sarcastically, raising an eyebrow. I regretted my words as soon as they were out of my mouth. What had gotten into me? Must have been the low blood sugar. Sheryl's head shot in my direction and I could feel her what-the-fuck-are-you-doing glare on me. I glared back, shrugging. What was an appropriate answer here?

"Jordan!" Patrick exclaimed in shock, but Davis didn't seem to bother. His expression hadn't changed in the slightest, still deeply lost in analyzing me. His stare made the air around me even more stifling.

He smacked his lips, the movement attracting my attention. "You're one of the best in what you're doing. That only comes with a proper amount of devotion," he stated, continuing to study me carefully.

We were getting in dangerous terrain. I needed a way out, so I prompted, "You mean the satisfaction I feel when I finally put the bastard behind bars?" In all honesty, I felt immense satisfaction when I took one of them down during an exchange of fire. It was exhilarating. But that wouldn't be the appropriate thing to say if I wanted to stay professional. I always tried to hide my dark side as best as I could.

"Sergeant Lively apprehended over thirty criminals on her own last year," Patrick threw in, doing his best to cast a positive light on me.

Davis nodded in acknowledgment, though he seemed distracted. I transferred my weight to my other foot. God, my heels were killing me. And you couldn't even open a window when you were stuck on the hundredth-something floor!

Elodie lives in the outskirts of Vienna, Austria, with her longtime boyfriend. She is not a native English speaker, but that doesn’t keep her from putting her fantasies on paper in that beautiful language. Never trained as a professional writer, she started writing as a hobby, which quickly grew into an obsession.

Elodie has an unhealthy addiction to chocolate cookies – which is why she forces herself to go to the gym twice a week – has a weakness for electronic music, and in her spare time she can be found exploring movie databases for the latest DVD releases.

Additionally, she’s busy with reading and writing and gets easily lost in Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Erotica. In her own works, she likes to create rich dystopian stories which consist of bold heroines, sexy guys, and hot romances.

Her biggest idol is the British author, Stephanie Hudson, author of the epic saga “Afterlife”. Elodie secretly hopes to get the chance to meet with Stephanie one day, and talk to her about how she created the greatest story ever written.

The only thing she hates about writing is that she loses all the precious time she could spend reading the hundreds of books that are still on her to-read list.

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