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Title: Chocolate Kisses
Author: Judith Arnold
Format: Kindle Edition, 75 pages
Pub. Date: July 14th 2012
Source: Amazon freebie
★★★★
Four frosting-coated stars.
An up and coming (more coming than up) caterer, Claudia needs this Valentine's Day cotillion gig to go seamlessly. Before her work can even really begin, she wrecks the food while avoiding some moronic bike rider- a bike rider that happens to be the brother of the rich woman who hired her. For reasons she can't quite explain or understand, she finds herself drawn to him, and a little confused when he offers to help her in the kitchen. Between the pink frosting, the rich homemade chocolate kisses, and the heat of the kitchen, there's more than sweets being served up behind closed doors.
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I saw this sitting on my Kindle, and I have no recollection of getting it. I assume I snagged it while it was free on Amazon, at some point. Though the cover leaves a lot to be desired, I'm really glad I took the time to read this novella instead of just moving it off of my ereader.
+The sexual tension in this book is ridiculous, and I mean that in the best way possible. Never before have I found neon pink frosting, chocolate, and even champagne-boiled shrimp so desirable in my life. And I mentioned this, while reading, to my girlfriend. So, thanks for that idea Judith.
+I like that despite her feelings, Claudia fought temptation as hard as she could. Because let's be honest, if a gorgeous, rich, smooth man wanted you to lick frosting off of his finger, most of us would do it without hesitation. Or, at least I would. Maybe that's just me! Though, I wouldn't mind a bit more spice to this book.
-My major fault with this story is the rushed happy ever ending aspect. I know, I know, it's a novella. And that's what novellas do. But it irks me, because to be honest I would LOVE to read this if it were lengthened into a full length book with more character development and a longer simmering time.
-There were also a few grammatical/spelling errors in this novel, but I didn't find that they took away from the story.
If you're looking for vulgar, erotic romance, than this story isn't for you. However, if you like your short stories with happy endings and almost agonizing teasing, then give this novella a try. Maybe it'll satiate your appetite. I feel that fans of Lauren Dane's Tart and other foodie romances would also enjoy this.
Title: Makai Queen
Author: Tara Fairfield
Format: Paperback, 207 pages
Pub. Date: February 7th 2013
Source: Diane Estrella's blog
★★★
Three indifferent stars.
Tessa is a girl who doesn't really have a proper place on Earth anymore, in a life changed after her parents' death. Contemplating her life and what's happened in it while walking along the beaches of Lanai, she is kidnapped by a man she had intended to save from drowning. He drags her into a new world, Moku-ola, a place beneath the sea that serves to protect all of the ocean's creatures. But life under the sea is torn as brothers feud, and when Tessa is called upon to be the new queen, she must decide if she wants the life the Creator has chosen for her, and who she wants to be.
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First, and I cannot stress this enough: I am not the intended demographic for this book. I did not realize that this book was Christian fiction when I picked it up. That is my fault, and I'm not going to rip this book to pieces because I don't follow the same spiritual path. That being said, this review is going to be very short and to the point.
+The scenery/setting of this book is beautiful. I want to be on these beaches or under the waves, looking at all of the sea creatures and eating all of the ripe fruits that Hawaii has to offer. Tara Fairfield successfully created a world that I wouldn't mind seeing, and has made me decide that I definitely need to visit Hawaii before I die.
+The cover reflects this landscape. It's bright, aquatic, and the bright flower above the title is rather striking.
+I really like the idea of an oceanic shifter. The fact that Kupua can change forms into a seahorse, an octopus, or even a whale is a really refreshing change from bats, werewolves and cats that have been trending lately, especially in young adult literature.
+- I really liked the integration of Hawaiian language in this book. There's even a Pidgen glossary in the back. However, I would have liked a glossary for the italicized words too. If you're going to stress that they're non-English, than they should be elaborated by more than context clues.
-Instant connection/love. It doesn't matter what genre or age bracket, nine times out of ten it will make me have a disconnect from the story line. This novel is one of those nine.
-I found the sentences to be a bit short and choppy, making the narrative hard to get into. Similarly, I had issues with the pacing. I don't know if it's supposed to be the draw of the Creator/God figure that inspires this, but Tessa comes to terms with this new world awful quickly. She doesn't put up much of a fight, and she admits to being weak and unworthy. Now I know that this humility is good and such, but I just found her kind of whiny, and I didn't really care if she found her place.
At the end of the day, it's simple: Other people will enjoy this more than I did. This book is an adequately written piece of fantasy with strong Christian themes. It's clean with romance, adventure, and really cool "gifts" from the Creator like shifting or communicating with animals. It also includes a few discussion/book club questions at the end. I strongly recommend this to Christian young adults. If you, like me, roll your eyes at Christian fiction, pass it up.
Thank you to both Tara Fairfield and Diane Estrella for my autographed copy.
Title: City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Format: Paperback, 485 pages
Pub. Date: April 14th 2009
Source: Purchased
★★★★
Four befuddled stars.
Clary never suspects that when she goes out to the club with her best friend Simon that she will see a murder- let alone a murder that only she could see. Clary finds herself in a whirlwind of paranormal creatures such as vampires, demons, and werewolves, deceptions, betrayals, and shocking revelations as to who she really is, and what she's really capable of. Together with Simon, and the sexy murderer/Shadowhunter named Jace, she must decide what side she's on, and what she will fight for.
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This review is going to contain a few spoilers. If that bothers you, scroll on.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, but it came with its fair share of annoyances and plot issues.
+Jace and Simon are very vividly described characters. Each boy is loveable for different reasons, but along with the rest of the cast of this story, are narrated perfectly.
+The imagery that this book conjures is gorgeous. Cities that look like glass, flowers that glow into bloom only at midnight... This book is full of scenery that will make any fantasy lover swoon.
But in my very humble opinion, I feel like City of Bones is a patchwork of things that I've already read or watched. Don't get me wrong, I know that all books are inspired by something, and that several books will contain similar story lines. That being said, it still irritates me when the similarities are so strong that it deters me from the book at hand.
-A very certain character has a light up saber. He realizes that his father is the bad guy after being lied to. He falls in love with a beautiful girl. A beautiful girl who also realizes that her father is Darth Vader the bad guy. Luke and Leia much?
-There's also a pale haired guy named Voldemort who after experiencing a hardship starts a cult-like following called Death Eaters The Circle. He needs to find horcrux Mortal Cup to achieve his master plan. Of course, there are three deathly hallows Mortal Instruments, but only one is known to exist. Some of these Death Eaters Circle members turned away from Voldemort Valentine and now leave the reader unsure if they side with him, or Dumbledore the good.
With that little rant out of the way.... I enjoy both StarWars and Harry Potter, so I still somehow managed to like this book beyond all logic. I intend on reading the rest of the series and look forward to seeing this portrayed on screen coming soon.
Fans of Harry Potter and werewolf/vampire fiction will like this book. If YA fantasy is passe to you, skip it.
Hello faithful followers and accidental viewers. This blog post is going to be brief, and written with the heavy heart of a nerd who doesn't like outside social interaction or communication: My laptop is sick. It's currently in the (hopefully) very capable hands of the SalukiTech workers. In theory, they just have to reinstall Windows and back up my data. They tell me it should be ready in 2-3 business days, which means Bitches 'n Prose will be quiet for a little while.
But, there's a plus to this.
Since I am suddenly whisked back in time to having no technology (....Well I have an iPhone. Details.), this means I will be cooped up in my dorm room reading the books that I've been meaning to get to, but haven't thanks to the ever-distracting interwebs. As of now, I'm almost done with my current book and will hopefully get at least one more read. So, when I come back, I'll have some reviews to post.
I hope your week is going better than mine is, and try not to work too hard, you beautiful people you.
ad meliora,
Jillyn
Title: Blink Twice
Author: Anna Piaff
Format: Paperback, 156 pages
Pub. Date: January 7th 2013 by Hipso Media
Source: Hipso Media
★★★★
Four warm caramel filled chocolate stars.
Katharine Pearce doesn't know who she is anymore after going through a rather jagged break up with the man that she once intended on marrying. She moves into a London flat, and meets a mysterious, alluring cast of people that make her nights more interesting. There's the man that she can see in the flat across from her, stirring new fantasies within her searching soul. There's the painting come to life, a beautiful woman who works at a perfumery. Each character pieces together Katharine in a new, bolder, more sexually daring way, and by the time that she returns to the United States, she'll have only a ghostly memory of the tame woman she had once been.
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I am very impressed with this book, my first piece that I've read by the pseudonym-ed "Anna Piaff." I hope that this won't be the last thing I read from her.
+The thing that I love most about this book is the gorgeous attention to detail. Things from paintings on the wall to the displays on store shelves are described in such precision that one could lose themselves in the setting completely. Nothing was overly described, nor was such accuracy and imagery boring. It was almost hypnotizing.
+Part of that hypnotism stems from the seductive tones that follow Katharine's journey from the start of the first page to the very last word. Blink Twice reads like a sexy dessert- tempting, sweet, drizzling, and so warm that you cannot help but to be lured in.
+Blink Twice is written to a man in particular, almost in a letter-like format. I haven't read many books narrated in this format before, and I've got to say that in this particular book, it really worked well with the story that the main character wanted to get across.
The only real critique that I have for this book is that I like my heat a bit more spicy. The erotic scenes within these pages are very tastefully done, but I found them a little too tasteful. It left a lot to the imagination, playing into the mystery motif that underscores the book and highlights the choice of a mask on the cover. But for me personally, I enjoy my erotic rendezvous to be more blunt.
I would recommend this book to fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and the various other BDSM romances that FSG inspired. Be warned, this book contains scenes of bondage, voyeurism, and LGBT nature. If any of the aforementioned bother you, or if you don't enjoy slowly sizzling romance, than this may not be for you.
Thank you to the author, Anna Piaff, and Daniel Cohen of Hipso Media for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Title: Stung
Author: Bethany Wiggins
Format: ARC
Pub. Date: April 2nd 2013
Source: WinterHaven Books blog
★★
A very difficult 2.5, rounded down.
Fiona wakes up to a world that's different from the world she fell asleep in. She's alone in her dirtied, abandoned room with a tattoo on her wrist- an oval with five lines on either side. She knows she should keep it hidden as she walks out into the barren wasteland that, before the bees, was once her home. She must find out the meaning behind her tattoo, why she has been left alone, and why everyone who sees her mark wants her dead.
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I'm honestly torn here on a rating. I'm going to say a 2.5. It had some really strong points, but too many negatives for me to give it a three.
First, the positives:
+I love the concept. Bees are important, and most of us don't think about the impact that they have on the Earth on a daily basis. It was cool to see how honey became a luxury good, and just how much the world could be in danger if they were simply to disappear (or be modified by the government.....).
+In true dystopian style, I like the conflicting levels in society. The Fecs, who live in the sewers, the beasts, who are dangerous, the criminal raiders, and those who are allowed inside the wall. Each were affected differently by the change, and none of them are an ideal place to be in.
+I love a good fight to the death. A bit like the Hunger Games, those with the tattoo are pitted against each other in fights until only one is standing. There's something morbidly fascinating about children/young adults trying to kill each other, and I liked that addition to this story.
+I love the cover design. It does represent the major plot of the story in a cool if simplistic way.
But for me, that's where the positives end.
-Instant love. Why is that such a recurring theme for the books I read lately? What happened to learning to love someone, or even the old cliche of enemies becoming loves? I found the main couple in this book to be almost nonsensical and a bit over the top, especially considering all of the danger and threats surrounding them.
-The beasts (those injected with the vaccine in the "change") went from being sci-fi creations to being odd fantasy mixtures. Strong, crazy, violent.... With healing saliva? No thanks.
-Arrin/Arris is one of the most insufferable characters I've ever come across. I don't care what gender they are, or what point in the book it is, they're mean and little and always popping up a bit too conveniently. I was very excited at the end of the book when they got what was coming to them.
-It really fell apart for me in the end. I feel like it was somehow both rushed, and yet, didn't answer anything. At the end of soap operas, when they some up all of the crazy shenanigans about twins and comas and alien babies.... Well, that's how this ending felt for me.... But I was left with questions.
*Why am I supposed to hate the government so much? I understand it's supposed to be evil, but there wasn't enough background information for me to feel passionately about their downfall.
*Where were the bees? The book is called Stung. There's a bee on the cover. But really, they weren't discussed very much. I would have liked to learn more about them, or the change, or something.
*Why is there a fairy tale style happy ending at the end of a dystopian novel? Everything was somehow patched up at the end.... I'm not sure if shit's about to go down in a sequel, or if that really is just a very very very wishful thinking type end scenario, but I feel like I was left out of part of the story.
-To be honest, I didn't find the writing itself to be all that well structured or thought out. The characters felt very shallow and underdeveloped- I didn't really care who lived or died throughout most of the novel. The characters keep referring to the incident that changed America as "before everything changed." I feel like it needed a name, Bee Day or something. Admittedly, whenever I read that line, I actually read "everything changed when the fire nation attacked". The villains were talked up as being super dangerous and rape-y, but the protagonists didn't really seem to have much of a challenge. A quote from the book that sums up the writing in my eyes: “Three minutes,” the doctor says over his shoulder, sounding just like a … doctor." ....Really? All in all I was disappointed with this book. I thought it was going to be a four star read, until the last quarter or so just fell apart for me. I cannot stress this enough I love the concept for this book, and I want to like it. Unfortunately, it fell short. I wouldn't really recommend this, but if you're a fan of books like The Hunger Games or Matched, you may like this. If you didn't like The Hunger Games, I wouldn't recommend getting this book.
Thank you to WinterHaven Books blog for my ARC copy.
