Showing posts with label Beatrix. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beatrix. Show all posts

Sep 25, 2017

Spotlight: THE BOYS NEXT DOOR by Miranda Silver

 
Title: The Boys Next Door: An MFM Menage Romance
Author: Miranda Silver
Date of Publication: June 23, 2017
Genre: MFM Menage Romance
goodreads
Synopsis
Diana Cooper is 18, eager to graduate and go to Yale, and too shy to really look a boy in the eye. No one suspects the sexy lingerie hiding under her vintage dresses. No one suspects the dirty fantasies running through her mind. Brendan and Ian O'Brian, the hot twins next door, are home from UConn for the summer: gorgeous, athletic, basking in popularity. Brendan, the "good twin," attracts everyone with his easygoing friendliness. Ian, the "bad twin," leaves a mess of pranks, collisions, girls, and attitude behind. As kids, the O'Brian twins were practically Diana's brothers. But a year away changed everything. Now, Di can barely handle a hello to Brendan. And Ian — well, it’s easier to look the other way and pretend she doesn’t see his smirk. Right before graduation, Brendan breaks the silence to invite Di for a swim. She figures she’ll test the waters, but that night pulls her into the steamiest deep end imaginable. And it’s just the beginning. Can she dive in and live out her fantasies? Can she let the past go and learn to trust? And when no one’s who they seem — good twin, bad twin, or shy honors student — will her heart tell a different story? She’d never admit it. But she might be over her head.  
Purchase your copy today!
Excerpt
“Are you okay?” Brendan’s voice came through the door. “Fine,” she croaked. “Can I come in?” “Uh—“ Diana blinked as the door opened. Brendan’s broad grin turned her prickling skin into liquid heat. Too startled to look away, she stared into his hazel eyes. “You look great. Let’s go.” “I— I can’t.” She shook her head. “What do you mean?” He crossed to her and put a hand on her bare shoulder. Oh God, why did he have to do that? His palm was so warm, his hand big and masculine. She could smell his male scent, cologne or deodorant or something else, salty and fresh. He didn’t even seem to notice that he was touching her, but she could barely breathe. “You’re all ready. You don’t have anything else important to do.” He cocked his head teasingly toward the pile of books and papers on her desk next to her laptop. “Come have fun.” Diana’s head swam. Brendan stood close enough to feel the heat coming off his body. Holy fuck, her underwear drawer stood open and spilling over with lingerie, her pack of pills was all too obvious on the dresser, and her dildo lay in plain sight on her pillow. She prayed Brendan wouldn’t notice. He seemed to be keeping his eyes on her face. “You don’t understand.” She hated the way her voice dropped to a whisper. Dammit, when would she get past this insane shyness? When would she just be able to express herself like a normal person, as easy and comfortable as Brendan was right now? “I don’t do parties. I don’t hang out with people I don’t know.” Brendan looked surprised, but he didn’t take his hand off her shoulder. “You need to get past that. You’re going to college soon. Everyone you meet will be a person you don’t know, and the parties—“ “I’m scared.” Jesus, had she really just admitted that? And was Brendan moving closer and putting his arm around her? He couldn’t be. Yes, he was. He was standing next to her, right up close, with his arm around her shoulders. And all she could think was that she was in her swimsuit, with her skin more exposed than covered, and he was almost naked too, and tall and muscular and very male, and she was hot and cold— “What are you scared of?” he murmured. “People,” she muttered. “Guys especially.” “Tell me,” he said softly. “Why guys?” Oh. My. God. He was rubbing her back, gently, and she felt like her body was on fire. Her crotch, especially. Her pussy was going to explode. “I— had some bad experiences awhile back. I’ve never told anyone. Nothing really bad,” she said quickly, “but enough to scare me. I don’t trust guys. And I don’t know what to do with them.” She looked up from the floor. Brendan’s head was cocked toward her, listening. His hand still stroked her back. “I’ve never…I’ve never kissed anyone. I’ve never even let a guy touch me the way you are, since—“ She broke off. She’d said way too much. Any minute now, Brendan would flee her house, repelled by her complete uncoolness. He definitely wouldn’t be leaning toward her the way he was right now, turning his head and lifting her chin with his fingers as he— Lips brushed hers in a light kiss. She stared at him, shocked, as he pulled back. Smiling hazel eyes met hers. “Now you have,” he said softly. “Not so bad, right?” It was a second before she found her voice. “That was a peck,” she said hoarsely. “That wasn’t a real kiss.” Brendan’s eyebrows shot up. Before she could backtrack, he cupped her neck, twining his fingers in her hair, and pulled her close. No. Yes. He was kissing her, his lips soft and alive, the beer on his breath sexier than she could have expected, and — oh God, that really was his tongue snaking into her mouth, hot and wet, touching her tongue, even licking it. Her nipples were achingly hard, her whole body quivering. Her hands were pressed against Brendan’s chest — yes, his bare chest, feeling thick hair and hot skin. Her bikini bottoms were completely soaked with excitement. His other hand still toyed with her back, sending shivers down her spine and straight to her pussy. Her mouth opened eagerly to his as he sucked on her lower lip. All too soon, he let go. “Come over,” he said softly. “We’ll take care of you.”  
About The Author
Miranda Silver has always loved getting lost in a book and living where the story is. After years of daydreaming through classes and meetings, she realized she could create her own stories. She adores drama (on the page), a dash of mind games, good intentions, and open-ended happy endings. Miranda is relieved — at long last — to be putting her English degree to use.  

Sep 8, 2017

Cover Reveal: STILL by Kennedy Ryan

   
“I love [Grip] in a way I haven't loved a character in such a long time. He's just seriously everything I could want in a hero. EVERYTHING. And then more.”
--Adriana Locke, USA Today Bestselling Author 

STILL, the all-new emotional and sexy addition to the GRIP series,
is coming September 25th!
Enter the Release Day Giveaway!
$25 “Winner’s Choice” Gift Card
   
   
Title: STILL
Author: Kennedy Ryan
Publication Date: September 25th, 2017
Cover Designer: Maripili Studio

I'll be there.
Through thick and thin.
Ride or die.
You can count on me.
The promises people make. The vows we take.
Assumptions of the heart.
Emotion tells us how we feel, but life...life has a way of plunging us in boiling water, burning away our illusions, testing our faith, trying our convictions.
Love floating is a butterfly, but love tested is an anchor.
For Grip and Bristol,
Love started at the top of the world
On a Ferris wheel under the stars
But when that love is tested, will they fly or fall?
 
Receive an email AS SOON as STILL is LIVE: http://bit.ly/GRIPAlerts
 
Add STILL to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2vBiUWN
   
   
FLOW, the FREE prequel, MUST BE READ before GRIP!
WATTPAD ➜ http://w.tt/2kUo8Yk
 
Read GRIP Today!
(Free in Kindle Unlimited)
Amazon US ➜ http://amzn.to/2gsx1mB
Amazon UK ➜ http://amzn.to/2gz387W
Amazon CA ➜ http://amzn.to/2vADPJn
Amazon AU ➜ http://amzn.to/2gsH3Em
Add to GoodReads ➜ http://bit.ly/2k1T1rL
 
Find the GRIP Series On Audio!
 
Join the GRIP Discussion Group:
 
Order Signed GRIP Series Paperbacks:
   
   
About Kennedy:
Kennedy Ryan is a Southern girl gone Southern California. A Top 100 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy writes romance about remarkable women who find a way to thrive even in tough times, the love they find, and the men who cherish them.
She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Georgia families living with Autism, Kennedy has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other outlets as a voice for families living with autism.
 
Connect with Kennedy:



Jul 10, 2017

REVIEW: Torn (Devil's Wolves #1) by Carian Cole




Buy from Amazon

SUMMARY:

He’s loved me since the day I was born.
He’s taken care of me.
He’s awakened me.

Tor. My father’s best friend.
Fifteen years older than me, he’s always been my protector.
The one I should never, ever want.
But I was born to be his.

She’s always loved me.
She’s shattered me.
She’s healed me.

Kenzi. My best friend’s daughter.
I held her the day she was born, and I never let go.
She’s forbidden to me. But she’s the only one that really gets me.
We’re slowly being torn apart by everything we love.
Everything we want.
Everything we desire.

And now I want the one thing I can’t have... I want her.

** Please note: There is no underage sex in this book. This is a romance. **

MY RATING:


MY REVIEW:
Taboo romance lovers, behold!

So, in the morning I was browsing this list ’11 taboo books you should read’ or something like that and this one was on it. By that evening, I was already reading this. Never mind that I have 100 other books to read. Taboo books are my weakness.

As Drake would say:


Anyhow, this was unexpectedly good. A lot of books try to sell themselves as taboo, but you don’t feel that forbidden factor. Here I felt it all. There is the age difference of 15 years between Tor and Kenzie, plus he’s her father’s best friend and he helped raise her. So you can see how it’s all very tricky.

I think all relationships start with an invisible line, and even though we can’t see it, we all know it’s there because we can feel it. We respect that line because it keeps the bounds of the relationship intact. The line guides us within our relationships and dictates who is our friend, who is our family, who is our lover, who is someone we can or can’t trust.

But I loved how everything was handled; there is a slow transition from family to friends to lovers. They don’t get together too fast and I love that. They struggle with their feelings and attraction towards each other.

Ah, the sexual tension, the angst, it was all so very hot and emotional.

I feel sick.
I feel twisted.
I feel unhinged with want for her.

So yeah, this book will make you uncomfortable, but if you’re like me, and like these books that dance on the edge of appropriate, you’ll like this.





xoxo,
Beatrix



May 29, 2017

ARC REVIEW: The Red by Tiffany Reisz


Genre: Erotic fantasy
Publication date: July 11th 2017

Connect with the author:
 Website 

Book Summary:

Never make a promise you don’t intend to keep…

Mona Lisa St. James made a deathbed promise that she would do anything to save her mother's art gallery. Unfortunately, not only is The Red painted red, but it's in the red. She soon realizes she has no choice but to sell it.

Just as she realizes she has no choice but to sell it, a mysterious man comes in after closing time and makes her an offer: He will save The Red if she agrees to submit to him for the period of one year.

The man is handsome, English, and terribly tempting...but surely her mother didn't mean for Mona to sell herself to a stranger. Then again, she did promise to do anything to save The Red...

The Red is a standalone novel of erotic fantasy from Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author of The Bourbon Thief and the Original Sinners series. 


Beatrix's review:



Tiffany Reisz is among my top 5 favorite authors, and there’s a reason for that.

Just when I think she couldn’t possibly surprise me – she does. Gosh, the way this woman writes… it’s so smooth, seemingly effortless, but also so intricate, little disturbing, and very kinky.

I wanted to read this book ever since I read The Queen, where Søren says to Nora, “So this is the scene I inspired.” (or something like that) Hah! Now I know which scene he had in mind! Anyhow, The Red is the story Nora Sutherlin wrote, who is the main character of the Original Sinners series. But it’s completely unrelated to that. Actually even if you’ve never read anything by Reisz, this could be a good place to start, to give you a taste of how she writes erotica.

Because, mind you, there is a difference between smut and erotica. Erotica is art. And I think even if Reisz tried to write regular old smut, she couldn’t. Sure this is dirty, at times perverted, and twisted, but it’s So. Well. Written!

Art & sex are two words that best describe this novel. Each chapter bears the title of a certain famous painting and brings you a sizzling hot erotic fantasy. My favorite chapter is chapter 8, because we see Mona accepting who she became, refusing to be shamed for loving sex. Women are so often shamed, labeled, seen as ‘whores’. Here, Mona takes that label and wears it proudly.


Art should be dangerous, you know. It should say something to society that society doesn’t want to hear. Do you know what opposite of art is? Propaganda. There’s too much of that in the world. Not enough art.

Danija's review:


In my favorite fictional world of the Original Sinners, Nora Sutherlin is well-known as a Dominatrix and an author. Her books were described as "delicious works of erotica, each one more popular with readers than the last", and I've wanted to read all of them. I didn't think I'd ever be able to do that, but lately it seems like Ms. Reisz hears my book wishes, and makes them come true. She gifted us with a free Kingsley novella, then wrote a short novel about him (still impatiently waiting for the news on when it will be published), and The Red, one of Nora's works mentioned in the OS series.

The Red certainly is a delicious work of erotica, and it tells the story of Mona Lisa St. James, a hopelessly indebted owner of an art gallery and Malcolm, a dangerous, devastatingly handsome, mysterious man who promised to get her out of her troubles, and the handful of nights they spent together over the span of one year. As per their agreement during those nights Mona submitted to Malcolm in any way he wished. He played games with her, and was very good at the games he played. He was so good at it, Mona often wondered if what happened was a dream or a hallucination, but neither explanation fit the bill. One thing was for sure, those nights were a heady combination of art and erotica, each scene more interesting than the last. They were quite imaginative. Oh, and Malcolm reminded me of Kingsley, so that was another plus.

As time went by, feelings grew, and for Mona a year became too little time to have with Malcolm. Saying goodbye to him after their year was up seemed like a horrible prospect, but time stops for no woman in love. Then, in the last chapter, all was revealed about the mysterious Malcolm. It was a big twist, one that could have left me feeling sad had it not been for a certain someone. I finished reading the book with a smile on my face thinking: "Nicely done, Ms. Reisz. Nicely done."

I was stoked to get this ARC. It's a book by one of my favorite authors loosely tied to my favorite series, and I was kinda in the mood to read something the author described as -- and I'm paraphrasing here -- porn, porn, and more porn. She was totally underselling it, in my opinion. It was a fine erotic fantasy, which made me think, and gave me feels. What more could I ask for? Oh, I know! That Ms. Reisz writes another Nora's book. Yes, please!


*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.* 

xoxo,
Danija & Beatrix



May 25, 2017

Review: Tampa by Alissa Nutting




 Add on Goodreads
Buy on Amazon


Book summary:

In Alissa Nutting’s novel Tampa, Celeste Price, a smoldering 26-year-old middle-school teacher in Florida, unrepentantly recounts her elaborate and sociopathically determined seduction of a 14-year-old student.

Celeste has chosen and lured the charmingly modest Jack Patrick into her web. Jack is enthralled and in awe of his eighth-grade teacher, and, most importantly, willing to accept Celeste’s terms for a secret relationship—car rides after dark, rendezvous at Jack’s house while his single father works the late shift, and body-slamming erotic encounters in Celeste’s empty classroom. In slaking her sexual thirst, Celeste Price is remorseless and deviously free of hesitation, a monstress of pure motivation. She deceives everyone, is close to no one, and cares little for anything but her pleasure.

Tampa is a sexually explicit, virtuosically satirical, American Psycho–esque rendering of a monstrously misplaced but undeterrable desire. Laced with black humor and crackling sexualized prose, Alissa Nutting’s Tampa is a grand, seriocomic examination of the want behind student / teacher affairs and a scorching literary debut.

MY REVIEW:

Rating: 


What a story!

Tampa is the story of Celeste Price, female sexual predator. I’ll admit I was actually nervous to read this book. I’ve had Tampa on my radar for years now, but I always hesitated to pick it up. Now, I’m so glad I decided to read this book!

It’s an important book, boys can and are being molested by their female teachers, and in a way Tampa educates us. It also touches upon the subject of looks. Celeste is stunningly beautiful. She says: “People who look like me don’t go to jail.” And it illuminates the issue of how young and beautiful people, because they are young and beautiful are somehow less guilty, in the eyes of the public.

I’ve never read a book quite like this one, where the author went so in-depth, in trying to give us accurate portrayal of the perverted mind of the pedophile. All the while reading this, you’re in Celeste’s mind – and her thoughts are constantly focused on 14-year old boys. Her mind was not a nice place to be in.

While reading reviews, one of them stated that the book was inspired by the case of Debra Lafave. I’m not sure if that’s true, but there are similarities. Google her, but only after you read the book, otherwise it spoils the book.

There is one other book that evoked similar reaction in me, repulsion but at the same time morbid fascination; and it’s Taming the Beast , which was written from victim’s POV and the molester was a male teacher. Tampa was not as dark as Taming the Beast, it was uncomfortable to read because it described all the sexual acts in details, but Nutting’s writing has an almost parodic quality to it, you want to laugh at how absurd Celeste is being, but then you realize what she’s doing, sober up and shudder with horror. 


xoxo,
Beatrix

May 22, 2017

Cover Reveal: Atheists Who Kneel and Pray by Tarryn Fisher


Title:  Atheists Who Kneel and Pray
Release Date:  TBD
Add on Goodreads
Cover Design:  Ellie McLove of Love N. Books

Synopsis: 
Yara Phillips is a wandering muse.
She dates men who need her, but always moves on to something new, never staying in one place for very long.

David Lisey is in need of a muse. 
A talented musician lacking lyrical inspiration. When he first sees her, he knows he's found what he's been looking for. 

Yara believes she can give David exactly what he needs to reach his full potential: A broken heart.
David's religion is love.
Yara's religion is heartache.
Neither is willing to surrender, but religion always requires sacrifice.  



xoxo,
Beatrix

Dec 10, 2016

REVIEW: The Bourbon Thief by Tiffany Reisz


Buy links:

Author's links:


BOOK SUMMARY

From the internationally celebrated author of the Original Sinners series comes a brand-new tale of betrayal, revenge and a family scandal that bore a 150-year-old mystery

When Cooper McQueen wakes up from a night with a beautiful stranger, it's to discover he's been robbed. The only item stolen—a million-dollar bottle of bourbon. The thief, a mysterious woman named Paris, claims the bottle is rightfully hers. After all, the label itself says it's property of the Maddox family who owned and operated Red Thread Bourbon distillery since the last days of the Civil War until the company went out of business for reasons no one knows… No one except Paris.

In the small hours of a Louisville morning, Paris unspools the lurid tale of Tamara Maddox, heiress to the distillery that became an empire. But the family tree is rooted in tainted soil and has borne rotten fruit. Theirs is a legacy of wealth and power, but also of lies, secrets and sins of omission. The Maddoxes have bourbon in their blood—and blood in their bourbon. Why Paris wants the bottle of Red Thread remains a secret until the truth of her identity is at last revealed, and the century-old vengeance Tamara vowed against her family can finally be completed.
 
**Add on Goodreads**

MY REVIEW


You can’t sell people.
A story was born when a girl with a red thread in her hair was raped and sold. 

Storytelling is most definitely Tiffany Reisz’s strongest suit. I was completely captivated with the story. The first chapter was nothing special honestly (exactly what the blurb says), but then the story of Tamara Maddox begins and you are under its spell. Around 20% mark was the big shock, I was honestly stunned, but then I remembered - this is Tiffany Reisz after all, you should expect something twisted. 

Her body was his body. His body was hers. He saw himself through her eyes—older, bigger, beautiful to her in that strange way girls found men beautiful, and knowing things she wanted to know. She envied him his freedom, that he was a man and could do anything he wanted to anyone he wanted, while she had to marry him to escape the prison of her life and the prison of the world’s expectations.

The story is a times heavy and tragic, but there are these comic moments which prevent it from being too dark. And there is of course the hot, passionate and forbidden love story between Tamara and Levi. (*swoon*)

The story itself had me turning pages like crazy… but at the same time, there is this undertone of, I don’t know how to put it.. Nostalgia, maybe? Like you’re reminiscing about that amazing Summer you had 5 years ago and can never have back. That’s how I felt about Tamara & Levi, I loved them, I was drinking up every minute of their story, but all the while thinking it can’t last, I feel like something is going to happen... Now, of course I’m not going to reveal anything, that’s just the feeling I had, and I loved the way Reisz structured the story. I like when I don’t know if the story would end happily or not. 

Furthermore, if you’re already a fan of Tiffany Reisz you know you can expect that she’ll rip out your heart a little, mesmerize you with the story, shock, disturb, and make you question. And if you’re not, well then you have some idea as to what to expect.

In conclusion, The Bourbon Thief is the story of revenge, passionate love and one cursed family and it’s definitely one of my favorite books of 2016!

One of these days you’re going to get what you want and it’ll be the last thing you want.


xoxo,
Beatrix

Nov 21, 2016

Review: FALL (Rock Solid #2) by Karina Bliss


Buy the book:

Connect with Karina Bliss:

BOOK SUMMARY:

Keep Rage together at all costs...

Powerhouse PA Dimity Graham is off her game. Her career is everything to her and she never lets anything personal mess that up. So how can she explain getting busy between the sheets with Rage's nice-guy drummer Seth Curran? She's supposed to be keeping this band out of trouble, not getting into it.
But before she can put everything back where it belongs, Seth needs her help.

Faking a relationship seemed like a good idea that night, right before they fell into bed together. But standing on New Zealand soil, facing the people he disappointed to pursue his dream, Seth doubts he and Dimity will convince anyone they're hot and crazy for each other. To his surprise, Dimity is working her magic on everyone and they're all convinced this is the real deal. The problem is, he's almost convinced, too.


MY RATING:

***MY REVIEW*** 
 
 Fall is the second book in the Rock Solid series, however it has different main characters than the first book. Nevertheless, I highly recommend Rise as well, simply because it really is such a great novel! Rise was about the rock god Zander, and Fall is about his PA Dimity and band’s drummer, Seth.



On the surface, Dimity and Seth couldn’t be more different. She’s the ice-queen, he’s the nice guy.
This is Dimity:
She shook her head, unable to answer him, unable to imagine anyone loving her enough to make the offer. She wasn’t the kind of woman who inspired forever. It was hard enough living with herself sometimes.
And this is Seth:
Everyone loved Seth. He could transition from playing pool with roadies to discussing economics with financiers – he even loved kids. Dimity had even seen him kiss a dog once.
But their differences are precisely the reason why the fit together so well. Dimity was an amazing protagonist, she’s complex, seemingly cold, focus-driven, ambitious, and sharp-tongued – overall a strong woman and we need more characters like Dimity in contemporary romance novels. Dimity hides her vulnerabilities behind her tough exterior and Seth is the only one who sees the fragile woman underneath. On the other hand – Seth. Oh Seth. Where do I sign up for to get a Seth of my own? He’s the nice guy, with a wild, pagan side which only occasionally gets released, he’s not intimidated by Dimity in the slightest. He teases her mercilessly, he simply gets her. 

The book has friends-to-lovers theme, plus they’re faking a relationship in order to help Seth get his ex back. Yet, the book is not all about relationships drama, which I appreciated, other topics are explored (e.g. Seth’s complicated relationship with his father) and other characters get to share the spotlight as well. For example, Zander has an important role in the novel. He’s Dimity’s boss, but he’s also so much more, he’s her mentor, her constant in life. He too was once, like Dimity is now, married to his career, and now that’s he is moving on in his life, pursuing other interests, Dimity feels lost, doesn’t know to whom to look up to anymore. She’s thrown off her game. Therefore, Dimity’s relationship with herself if also given attention, she realizes which things matter most in life. 

The reason why I love Karina Bliss’s books so much is because of her writing. It’s what distinguishes her from other authors of this genre. She structures her novels well, pays attention to the words she chooses, sentences flow perfectly together. After reading just one chapter, you can tell – this woman can write! And it’s a pure pleasure reading when someone writes this good. Her characters are relatable – even though they’re rock stars! You get the heartache, yet they don’t take themselves too seriously. You get sweet, and you get sexy. I immensely enjoyed Seth and Dimity’s story and I can’t wait to see what Karina Bliss prepares us next!

 *ARC copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**


Check out book #1 on Goodreads: Rise 
Read my review of Book # 1: Link


xoxo,
Beatrix 

Sep 22, 2016

Cover Reveal: Bad Mommy by Tarryn Fisher

Bad Mommy
Release: TBD

Goodreads Link:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31415712-bad-mommy

Synopsis:

Almost every day is a very bad day when you’re thirty, your tits are starting to sag, there are lines creeping in around your eyes, and you realize that no one would like you if they actually knew who you really were. Fig Coxbury is fed up with her life: her cheating ex-husband, the excess fat around her waist, and most of all, her loneliness. 

When Fig chances upon Jolene Avery, the embodiment of everything she’s ever wanted to be, Fig befriends her out of curiosity. 

Fig soon begins to emulate all aspects of Jolene's life, because when you find someone who knows exactly who they are, you can't help but want to be just like them. 

Or in Fig's case... become them.





Feb 5, 2016

REVIEW: He Will Be My Ruin by K.A. Tucker











Buy links:

Author links:













*** Summary ***

A woman who almost had it all . . .

On the surface, Celine Gonzalez had everything a twenty-eight-year-old woman could want: a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a job that (mostly) paid the bills, and an acceptance letter to the prestigious Hollingsworth Institute of Art, where she would finally live out her dream of becoming an antiques appraiser for a major auction house. All she had worked so hard to achieve was finally within her reach. So why would she kill herself?

A man who was supposed to be her salvation . . .

Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a lethal cocktail of pills and vodka, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers a scandalous photograph in a lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man Celine believed would change her life.

Until he became her ruin. 

On the hunt for evidence that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer. A killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered. 

*** Add on Goodreads ***

My Rating:



MY REVIEW

Money, sex, and murder in New York City. – if I had to make a tagline for this book, I’d use that. 

He Will Be My Ruin is my first book by K.A. Tucker (I DNFed Ten Tiny Breaths), however it sure won’t be my last. Tucker has plenty of books under her belt and it shows, her writing is phenomenal, I really can’t a find a fault with it. 

Moreover, if I’m not mistaken, Tucker is a NA writer, however this book is pure adult mystery and a very good one, in my humble opinion. 


The story follows Maggie Sparkes, heiress to Sparkes Energy empire, however she refuses to follow that career path and instead she does humanitarian work in Africa, having created her own nonprofit organization Villages United. I personally loved Maggie as a protagonist, she’s strong, independent, relentless, yet also vulnerable and a complete failure at espionage.  She comes to NYC and starts investigating her friend Celine’s suicide/murder, and she hires a PI – Doug, who quickly became one of my favorite characters. Soon, however, she discovers that Celine had an entirely different, hidden life and she begins to question everything and everyone!

The story is told through Maggie’s POV but there are some chapters told in Celine’s POV (as well as her diary entries) that lead us back to the past and illuminate certain events. I liked the pacing, there were also many twists and turns to the story – the story starts moving in one direction, then something happens and you no longer suspect that person, your attention is diverted elsewhere, but then all of a sudden you don’t know whom to trust anymore. 



There are actually only two suspects (at least only I suspected two persons), but still Tucker manages to keep you in suspense and in the dark. When I found out who the killer is, I literally had chills! 


Therefore, I don’t want to keep this review longer than it already is. With mystery books, I feel it best not to discuss anything too much. The novel was well-structured, the story and the characters felt real to me, it managed to surprise me and I’m looking forward to more from KA Tucker!

PS: sorry for all Jessica Jones gifs



xoxo, 
Beatrix

Feb 2, 2016

YA Thrillers Month: Follow Me Down by Tanya Byrne


Buy links:

Author links:


*Book Summary*

The sensationally good Tanya Byrne returns with her new novel - a dark, compulsive tale of obsession and betrayal.

When sixteen-year-old Adamma Okomma, a Nigerian diplomat's daughter, arrives at exclusive Crofton College in Wiltshire, she is immediately drawn to beautiful, tempestuous, unpredictable Scarlett Chiltern. Adamma and Scarlett become inseparable - until they fall for the same guy. Soon the battle lines are drawn and Adamma is shunned by Scarlett and her privileged peers. But then Scarlett goes missing and everything takes a darker turn. Adamma always knew that Scarlett had her secrets, but some secrets are too big to keep and this one will change all of their lives for ever.

Add on Goodreads


*My rating*


MY REVIEW

My first thought upon finishing this was: How am I going to review this? It’s so good, people. And whenever I love a book, I find it difficult to summon the right words to express my admiration. 

When it comes to Follow me Down, I thought the writing was solid, characters felt real, the plot and the mystery kept me intrigued. Trust me, this novel has it all, it’s definitely one of my favorite YA thrillers!

The story takes us to Crofton College in Wiltshire, Adamma’s new boarding school. The author truly captured the atmosphere of a small English village. I felt like I really knew those characters, Adamma’s peers and teachers, you get a sense of the community. There are plenty of characters, but you can easily differentiate them all.

There Adamma meets Scarlet, her new BFF – for whom I didn’t care at all. Her character was a little bit of a pixie dream girl type, however by the end we see she too is just lost.


Adamma, on the other hand, was an awesome protagonist. Strong, intelligent, fierce, she doesn’t take no for an answer. 




Moreover, I loved the fact that she’s Nigerian and there are lots of cultural elements in the novel, I felt I learned something new by reading this book, and that’s always a good thing.
 
The story is told through Before and After chapters, we see Scarlet and Adamma becoming friends, but then they fall apart, all because of a boy. Or so it seems.



There are two mysteries in the novel: first one concerns the attacker/rapist on campus, and second deals with the boy Adamma is seeing.  I loved how his identity is withheld till the very end; first you think it’s obvious, but then you notice how his name is actually never mentioned. Ha! The book kept me on my toes the whole time, I was second-guessing things the whole time, what is Scarlet hiding, who is he, who is the bloody killer?! I had my suspicions but every now and then, the author would throw in something that’d make me doubt myself.



I’m a fan of Tanya Byrne, I’d previously read and loved Heart-Shaped Bruise. The two novels are completely different which just speaks about the author’s amazing artistic abilities. I’ll be reading more from Tanya Byrne that’s for sure!

I can feel it sometimes, at night, when I can’t sleep and I try to remember what it was like to be the girl who thought she could do anything. But then the morning comes and I tell a lie, then another and another. One more and I’ll never feel that light again.


To conclude, Follow Me Down is a gripping story with well-structured plot, believable characters, and the ending which is so fitting and will leave you like this:



xoxo, 
Beatrix

Jan 27, 2016

YA Thrillers Month: Delicate Monsters by Stephanie Kuehn


Buy links:

Author links:

Add on Goodreads

SUMMARY

From the Morris-Award winning author of Charm & Strange, comes a twisted and haunting tale about three teens uncovering dark secrets and even darker truths about themselves.

When nearly killing a classmate gets seventeen-year-old Sadie Su kicked out of her third boarding school in four years, she returns to her family’s California vineyard estate. Here, she’s meant to stay out of trouble. Here, she’s meant to do a lot of things. But it’s hard. She’s bored. And when Sadie’s bored, the only thing she likes is trouble.

Emerson Tate’s a poor boy living in a rich town, with his widowed mother and strange, haunted little brother. All he wants his senior year is to play basketball and make something happen with the girl of his dreams. That’s why Emerson’s not happy Sadie’s back. An old childhood friend, she knows his worst secrets. The things he longs to forget. The things she won’t ever let him.

Haunted is a good word for fifteen-year-old Miles Tate. Miles can see the future, after all. And he knows his vision of tragic violence at his school will come true, because his visions always do. That’s what he tells the new girl in town. The one who listens to him. The one who recognizes the darkness in his past. 

But can Miles stop the violence? Or has the future already been written? Maybe tragedy is his destiny. Maybe it’s all of theirs.

My rating:

REVIEW

The things that we love tell us what we are. – St. Thomas Aquinas
This book is weird as fuck. There’s no other way of putting it. Psychological thriller at its finest. Honestly, I’m not even sure what is this that I’d read, how to categorize it. It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure. Is it for teens? Honestly, I don’t know. Just because characters are teens, does not make a book YA. Yes, sure things are not that graphically described, but sometimes that vagueness makes it even more eerie. 
But there are some people who find comfort in discomfort. In knocking people out of their hamster wheels and setting them free onto the four-lane highway of reality. Look at Sartre. Look at Kierkegaard. Remember what he said? ‘The crowd is untruth.’ Kierkegaard knew. And people like that, like us, we’re the ones the hamsters should fear. Because other people’s fear, it kind of gets us off. 
The title says Delicate Monsters, but trust me, there’s nothing delicate about this book. Characters are the exact opposite of delicate. They’re flawed, disturbed, and utterly fascinating. We have Sadie, who was expelled from boarding school because she tried to kill her classmate. You can see right away, we’re working with crazy here. Then there’s Emerson, who seems pretty normal at first, but boy is he gonna prove you wrong. And finally, we have Miles, Emerson’s younger brother, who always seems to be getting sick. Makes you wonder, what’s wrong with him?! Well, by the end you find out, and it ain’t pretty. 
There was only so much ruin the mind could rationalize. There was only so much badness that could be suppressed for so long. His guilt, on its own, was utterly meaningless - just a showy type of magic that changed nothing because changing nothing was the endgame all along. 
The novel is incredibly well-written; it’s really short, but the story moves slowly, and everything sort of creeps up on you. When I started reading, things seemed normal, and I thought well, this is okay, nothing that disturbing thus far. But, really soon, characters begin to show their true colors. And whether or not you enjoy their ‘colors’ remains the biggest question. 
Sometimes to end things, you had to go back to the beginning. 

xoxo,
Beatrix

Jan 23, 2016

YA Thrillers Month!

HI GUYS!

I've decided that in February I want to read more young adult thrillers. I've choosen the following 4 books (maybe 5, I'll see how it goes). Therefore, you can expect reviews of them during the month. I don't know in which order I'll be reading, it will probably be random.

So here they are!

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly

Jo Montfort is beautiful and rich, and soon—like all the girls in her class—she’ll graduate from finishing school and be married off to a wealthy bachelor. Which is the last thing she wants. Jo secretly dreams of becoming a writer—a newspaper reporter like the trailblazing Nellie Bly.

Wild aspirations aside, Jo’s life seems perfect until tragedy strikes: her father is found dead. Charles Montfort accidentally shot himself while cleaning his revolver. One of New York City’s wealthiest men, he owned a newspaper and was partner in a massive shipping firm, and Jo knows he was far too smart to clean a loaded gun.

The more Jo uncovers about her father’s death, the more her suspicions grow. There are too many secrets. And they all seem to be buried in plain sight. Then she meets Eddie—a young, brash, infuriatingly handsome reporter at her father’s newspaper—and it becomes all too clear how much she stands to lose if she keeps searching for the truth. Only now it might be too late to stop.


The past never stays buried forever. Life is dirtier than Jo Montfort could ever have imagined, and the truth is the dirtiest part of all.
Goodreads link



Follow Me Down by Tanya Byrne 


When sixteen-year-old Adamma Okomma, a Nigerian diplomat's daughter, arrives at exclusive Crofton College in Wiltshire, she is immediately drawn to beautiful, tempestuous, unpredictable Scarlett Chiltern. Adamma and Scarlett become inseparable - until they fall for the same guy. Soon the battle lines are drawn and Adamma is shunned by Scarlett and her privileged peers. But then Scarlett goes missing and everything takes a darker turn. Adamma always knew that Scarlett had her secrets, but some secrets are too big to keep and this one will change all of their lives for ever.

Goodreads link







Cruel Summer by James Dawson



A year after Janey’s suicide, her friends reunite at a remote Spanish villa, desperate to put the past behind them. However, an unwelcome guest arrives claiming to have evidence that Janey was murdered. When she is found floating in the pool, it becomes clear one of them is a killer. Only one thing is for certain, surviving this holiday is going to be murder…

Goodreads link











Delicate Monsters by Stephanie Kuehn

When nearly killing a classmate gets seventeen-year-old Sadie Su kicked out of her third boarding school in four years, she returns to her family’s California vineyard estate. Here, she’s meant to stay out of trouble. Here, she’s meant to do a lot of things. But it’s hard. She’s bored. And when Sadie’s bored, the only thing she likes is trouble.

Emerson Tate’s a poor boy living in a rich town, with his widowed mother and strange, haunted little brother. All he wants his senior year is to play basketball and make something happen with the girl of his dreams. That’s why Emerson’s not happy Sadie’s back. An old childhood friend, she knows his worst secrets. The things he longs to forget. The things she won’t ever let him.

Haunted is a good word for fifteen-year-old Miles Tate. Miles can see the future, after all. And he knows his vision of tragic violence at his school will come true, because his visions always do. That’s what he tells the new girl in town. The one who listens to him. The one who recognizes the darkness in his past.

But can Miles stop the violence? Or has the future already been written? Maybe tragedy is his destiny. Maybe it’s all of theirs.

Goodreads link



xoxo,
Beatrix
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...