The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey

Goodreads:

Melanie is a very special girl. Dr. Caldwell calls her "our little genius."

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointed at her while two of his people strap her into her wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh. 

Melanie loves school. She loves learning about spelling and sums and the world outside of the classroom and the children's cells. She tells her favorite teacher all the things she'll do when she grows up. Melanie doesn't know why this makes Miss Justineau look sad. 

Review:

Melanie has the mind of a normal girl. She is inquisitive and smart. She enjoys being around other kids her age and she loves school. But Melanie is anything but normal, although she is not aware of it. 

Her life is very regimented, not by choice, but by design. This is how it has always been, so she doesn't know the difference. She knows what to expect on what days. She deals with discomfort and accepts the reality of what is. 

Like every child, she has plenty of questions about the way that things are, but she is mindful of what she says and to whom. Her favorite teacher, Miss Justineau, gives her a glimpse of the outside world, and Melanie cannot wait to experience it for herself. But for some reason, unbeknownst to Melanie, this saddens Miss Justineau. It won't be long before Melanie discovers why.

The Girl with All The Gifts is nothing short of phenomenal. I saw this book on the shelf at my local Target, but rather than buying it I did what I often do... I borrowed it from the library. 

I was not at all familiar with M.R. Carey before reading this book, but I do believe I found another favorite author! The story is constructed very well. It builds slowly, but interestingly. I liked Melanie immediately! I loved her mind, the way she moved through her world, and her level of awareness. 

This was one of those books that I simply could not put down, because I had to know what was going to happen. There are not very many characters in the book, but they are all layered and complex. Their personal histories inform their decisions and interactions, you either love them or not, but even more than that you understand them. 

This novel is thought provoking and superbly written. A definite MUST read. If you enjoy your dystopia with main course of human experience... put this book on your TBR pronto!

I give this book:

The film adaptation of this novel is currently in post-production. I have not yet decided how I feel about that... but I'm definitely curious. 

This is not a paid post. I borrowed this book from my local library for my reading pleasure. The views expressed are my honest opinions.

Hold Me Close by Megan Hart

Goodreads: 

"Effie and Heath are famous. Not for anything they did, but for what happened to them as teenagers. Abducted and abused by the same man, they turned to each other for comfort until they were finally able to make their escape.

Now adults, there relationship is fraught with guilt and despair. Whether fighting or making love, their passion is strong enough to destroy them both - and Effie's not about to let that happen. She knows it's time for her to have a 'normal' relationship, and Heath is nothing but a constant reminder of the dark past they share. Heath, on the other hand, knows Effie is the only woman he can ever love. She may want to forget what happened, but he's convinced that they must face their past together in order to move forward. So while Effie continues to bring new men into her life, Heath becomes obsessed with proving he's the one she needs.  

Then a new crisis arises and Effie begins to lose every scrap of self-control she ever had. As she struggles against her desire to return to the one man who understands here, she discovers that sometimes the only safety you find is with the person who is the most dangerous for you."

Review: 

Effie is messed up. She was held captive for years in the basement of a house, mere blocks from her childhood home. The only thing that kept her sane was her connection with Heath, a teen who was abducted before her. 

It's been years since they were rescued, but the scars from the experience are still visible and painful. Effie and Heath love one another, but their love is built on a shaky foundation of pain and suffering. They do not know now to be normal, with or without each other. But Effie is determined to obtain a level of normalcy, even if that means letting go of the only man who has ever truly loved her. 

As I have said in the past, I am a HUGE Megan Hart fan. I jump at the chance to read what she writes, because I love the way she strings sentences together, particularly sentences of the erotic variety. 

Hold Me Close was unlike anything I have ever read by Megan. It was darker, much darker. The characters were complex... to put it bluntly they were fucked up. Of course they had endured a tragic ordeal, so they had to be. Their connection was hot as lava, but it was tangled and borderline unhealthy, but their love was real and their feelings for one another were palpable. 

Whenever you go through something it changes you on a cellular level, and the more painful it is, the harder it is to recover. Effie and Heath may never recover to the point of normal, and there are only two people who truly get it - each other. 

At the start, I did not enjoy this book as much as I have enjoyed other books by Megan Hart, simply because I had preconceived notions about how and what she should be writing about. But once I let go of my expectations, I really enjoyed it. There is definitely something to be said about adaptability, which is in essence what this book is really about. The resilience of the human spirit, the different colors of love, and how experience shapes and informs our entire lives. 

If you are interested in reading an erotic novel with a heaping helping of substance, this this book is for you.

I give this book:

This is not a paid post. I received a free eBook copy of this book from NetGalley which helped to facilitate this review. However, all views expressed are my honest opinion. 

The Girl He Knows by Kristi Rose

The Girl He Knows by Kristi Rose

Goodreads:

Waking up naked next to a good looking man is not a bad way to start the day. Especially since Paisley missed all those opportunities in college, when she was busy supporting her no good thankfully now, ex-husband. The problem? This hottie is Hang, her best friend's older brother, a guy she's known her entire life.

Stopping after one night is the right thing to do. Being with him clearly breaks the best friend code, and from his career as a Naval officer to his Boy Scout reputation, everything about him screams monogamy and commitment. Two things Paisley has had enough of.

When Hank presents a "no strings attached" offer, it's too good to be true. She can enjoy him while embracing being single. But, poor choices force her to confront old fears of love and loss, and Paisley has to decide if Hank is worth the risk. The alternative is never experiencing the real deal. Or far worse, settling for less.

Review:

Paisley has been hurt - bad. She's already gone through a horrific divorce and she's just not ready to be attached right now. When she wakes up next to Hank, her best friend's brother, she's mortified. She knows that she enjoyed sleeping with him, but she doesn't want to fall back into the same pattern. For the first time ever, Paisley is ready to sow her oats, and hooking up with Hank could ruin that. But when Hank proposes an FWB situation, Paisley feels like she can have the best of both worlds - great sex with a guy she can trust and the freedom to let her hair down.

The Girl He Knows is sweet, endearing and totally relatable. Paisley is a very likable character who lands in a precarious position. We've all been hurt before and when it's all over the first thing you want to do is protect your heart. But it's kinda hard to feel nothing when you're just not wired that way. Hank is a genuinely nice guy, coupled with the fact that they've known each other forever, that makes the situation murky from the start. Can you truly have a friends with benefits situation with someone who knows almost as well as you know yourself?

While I really enjoyed this book; however, I thought it was pretty predictable. So I give it:

This is not a paid post. I received a free eBook copy of this book through NetGalley. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

The Wolf by Lorenzo Carcaterrra

The Wolf by Lorenzo Carcaterra

Goodreads:

My name is Vincent Marelli, though most people call me The Wolf. You've never met me, and if you're lucky you never will. But in more ways than you could think of, I own you.

I run the biggest criminal operation in the world. We're invisible but we're everywhere. Wherever you go, whatever you do, however it is you spend your money, a piece of it lands in our pockets.

You would think that with that kind of power I would be invincible. You would be wrong. I made a mistake, one that a guy like me can never afford to make. I let my guard down. And because I did, my wife and daughters are gone. Murdered by terrorists with a lethal ax to grind.

That was my mistake.

But it was also theirs.

I wasn't looking for a war with them. No one in my group was. But they've left me with nothing but a desire for revenge - so a war is what they'll get. The full strength of international organized crime against every known terrorist group working today. Crime versus chaos.

We will protect our interests, and I will protect my son. We won't get them all, but I will get my revenge, or I will die trying. 

They will know my name.

They will fear The Wolf.

Review:

Vincent Marelli (a.k.a. The Wolf) is a crime boss, he's got connections all over the world. He runs his life and his business dealings with precision. He makes sure that everything is covered all the time. He never relaxes and he trusts no one. His guard is always up... until it wasn't. The one time he let his guard down, against his better judgement, the unthinkable happened - his wife and daughters were killed by terrorists.

Vincent "The Wolf" Marelli will not stop until he gets revenge. The loss of his wife and daughters was devastating, not just for him, but for his son also. Now he is hell bent on finding who did it and keeping his son safe.

The Wolf is a PAGE TURNER! I read until my eyes needed toothpicks to stay open and then I got up the next morning to finish. The writing is excellent, so detailed that the images are embossed in my brain. Would make an incredible movie, if it's done right, of course.

The characters are layered and flawed. So realistic. Granted, I don't know any mob guys personally, but these characters could scare the bejeezus out of someone. In order to be a mob boss (or in the mob period), you have to have a strong presence... and the author was able to capture that essence perfectly!

If you enjoy thrillers and want to read something that will keep your attention from cover to cover... this book is for you!

I give this book:

This is not a paid post. I received a free ARC through NetGalley in exchanged for my honest review. The views expressed are my own.

No Regrets by Claire Kent

No Regrets by Claire Kent

Goodreads:
On my last birthday, I made one vow for the year. Live with no regrets. Eleven months have passed, though, and nothing has changed. I still sleep alone, spend my life working, and never move out of my comfort zone.

Then the loss of my dog throws my whole life out of orbit, and I end up in bed with a very hot and slightly-too-young veterinarian, who has recently made a vow of his own. Life with no strings. Josh is more than happy to help me with the things I've been afraid to try. Semi-public sex. Spanking. Anal Sex. He's a willing partner for everything I've wondered about, as long as I don't demand more.

He's serious about his no-strings philosophy. As serious as I am about living with no regrets. I can't help but fall for him, even though I know better. So my biggest regret might be a broken heart.

Review:

Leslie arrives at the veterinary office with her beloved dog, knowing that she was in bad shape. When the new vet, Dr. Josh Bennett, comes to her aid, she's too distraught to notice how hot he is.  When the two inadvertently bump into one another later, the chemistry is obvious and it's not long before the sparks fly and they create a little friction together.

Leslie decided that she would live with no regrets on her last birthday, with that in mind she doesn't want to miss out on a chance to experience pleasure with someone as attractive and charming as Josh. She didn't count on falling for him, in fact she tried her very best not to. Josh made it clear from the very beginning that he was only looking to be FWB. For Leslie, that's easier said than done.

No Regrets was a short + sweet read. Although it was pretty predictable from the start (the-girl-falls-for-the-unavailable guy is a pretty easy to spot formula), I was completely enthralled throughout the entire book. Both characters are extremely likable, which I didn't expect. So often guys who are only looking to hook up are painted as jerks, which is certainly not always true, so I was relieved that I actually liked Josh as a person. Leslie was sweet and slightly innocent, which is typical, but not at all annoying.

I really enjoyed this book... read it in a single night! I give it:

No Regrets had a scheduled release date for late July... but I'm not sure if that still stands. When or if it becomes available I'll try to post the link info.

For more information about Claire Kent, visit her website at www.clairekent.com 

This is not a paid post. A free eBook copy of the book was received through NetGalley. All views expressed are the honest opinion of the Reviewer/Blogger. 

This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas

This Man 
by Jodi Ellen Malpas

From Goodreads:

Young interior designer Ava O'Shea has an appointment for a first consultation at The Manor with the owner, Mr. Jesse Ward. She is expecting nothing more than an overweight, cravat wearing, well-to-do countryman, and on arrival, nothing would suggest otherwise. How wrong could she be? This Man is devastatingly handsome, charming and confident. He is also a conceited, hedonistic playboy, who knows no boundaries. Ava desperately does not want to be attracted to him, but she can't control the overwhelming affect he has on her. Every instinct is telling her to run, so she does, but Jesse Ward is not so willing to let her go. He wants her and is determined to have her. She knows she is heading for heartbreak, but how can she run when he won't let her?

Review: 

Ava O'Shea is a pretty regular girl. She loves her job as an interior designer, and she's damn good at it too. She's just coming out of a long term relationship, so she's bunking up with her best girlfriend, but otherwise her life is pretty status quo. Until she goes out to meet with the owner of The Manor for a prospective job.

Jesse Ward is used to getting what he wants. Once he sets his sight on something, it's a done deal. Ava O'Shea is no exception. He has decided that he wants her and that's all there is to it. He doesn't do well with boundaries or the word no. In Jesse's world, everything goes his way.

When Ava and Jesse come together the sparks fly almost immediately. Their attraction is palpable. But it's not just chemical, it's pretty clear that there are a lot of emotions for both. It's also pretty clear that their connection is anything but healthy. He's super controlling, I mean he's downright ridiculous. Everywhere she goes, he's there, invited or not. He's like the superhero you never want to see coming! Jesse takes possessiveness to a whole different level - seriously.

While I enjoyed most of the book, the nature of the relationship was difficult to bear. At the same time I couldn't put it down. I would get tired, stop reading for the night and then pick it up with the same fervor the next night... it was kinda sick!

I give this book:

Of course this is a trilogy... unhealthy relationship books tend to come in three's, why is that? I'll be posting the review for book two shortly... stay tuned!

You can purchase This Man on Amazon and wherever books are sold... even the red store (that's Target if you didn't know).

I received a free eBook copy of this book from NetGalley which helped to facilitate this review. 

However, all views expressed are my honest opinion. 

Exotic Music of the Belly Dancer - by Brian Sweany

Exotic Music of the Belly Dancer
by Brian Sweany

From the Writer's Coffe Shop:

Hank Fitzpatrick's life is what you might expect from a man-child stumbling his way through and beyond adolescence in the late 1980's in small town Indiana: hypersexual, drunk, stoned, prone to fits of spontaneous masturbation, occasionally Catholic, and accidentally well-intentioned. His life is in perpetual conflict as he confuses sex for love, heartache for passion, desperation for honesty, and abuse for affection.

Caught in a crossfire of raging hormones, bad decisions and family tragedy, Hank is just a boy not yet ready to be a man. And like many boys growing up, Hank is desperate to impress his father. The impossibly perfect patriarch of the family, John Fitzpatrick decides at age forty-two he wants to have a vasectomy reversal. Is Hank ready to be a brother again at age seventeen? What about his mother's narcotics and gimlet-soaked uterus? A child will come of this, but not without consequences.

Laura is Hank's first true love. From their stolen nights together as high-school sweethearts to their final encounter as twentysomething adults, they never figure out how to stop hurting one another. Beth, the girl who loves Hank unconditionally, can only wait for so long before longing turns to regret. But everything will be okay as long as Hank's best friend Hatch is there to help him exorcise his demons with a half-gallon of bourbon and a bottle of cough syrup.

Exotic Music of the Belly Dancer is more than just a tribute to the last uninhibited pre-9/11, pre-Facebook generation. It's a comedy. It's a tragedy. It's a love story. It's a subversive yet empathetic, wart-and-all portrait rooted in real-life that kids will read behind their parents' backs. And if somewhere along the way we can all share in the redemptive power of a belly dancer's love... well, that's okay too.

Review:

Hank Fitzpatrick is a typical male teen: confused, selfish, and horny. He's annoyed by the fact that his parents are trying desperately to have another child, at the same time he's completely preoccupied with his own sexuality. He's kinda Catholic, even thought it's mostly his parents idea. But mostly Hank is just trying to get the hang of this whole life thing.

Hank is an extremely likable character, a really good guy. He loves with his whole heart. He's suffered and triumphed, fallen down and gotten back up. He's the underdog, but not a victim.

Exotic Music of the Belly Dancer is entertaining. The story flows like an 80's flick. I could totally see this on the silver screen, starring none other than Anthony Michael Hall as Hank (of course). Brian Sweany did a great job of making the story true to its era.

I give this book:

Exotic Music of the Belly Dancer can be purchased at the Writer's Coffee Shop.

Be sure to visit Brian Sweany's official website for news on the upcoming sequel, Making out with Blowfish.

Visit the other stops on the tour:

April 24 - Sandi Layne
April 25 - Outnumbered 3-1
April 26 - My Reading Lounge
April 27 - Fantasy-link
April 28 - Writer on the Verge
April 29 - Fresh Fiction
April 30 - NK Smith Writes
May 1 - Sherri Hays
May 2 - Michelle Birbeck
May 3 - Sydney Logan

I received a free eBook copy of this book in exchange for this review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

The Unfinished Life of Elizabeth D.

The Unfinished Life of Elizabeth D.
by Nicole Bernier

Goodreads:

Before there were blogs, there were journals. And in them we'd write as we really were, not as we wanted to appear. But there comes a day when journals outlive us. And with them, our secrets.

Summer vacation on Great Rock Island was supposed to be a restorative time for Kate, who'd lost her close friend Elizabeth in a sudden accident. But when she inherits a trunk of Elizabeth's journals, they reveal a woman far different than the cheerful wife and mother Kate thought she knew.

The complicated portrait of Elizabeth makes Kate question not just their friendship, but her own deepest beliefs about loyalty and honesty at a period of uncertainty in her own marriage - as well as her own choices as a wife, mother, and professional, and the legacy she herself would want to leave behind.

When an unfamiliar man's name appears in the pages, Kate realizes the extent of what she didn't know about her friend, including where she was really going on the day she died.

Review:

Kate is a worrywart, but who isn't in post 911 America? Losing her close friend, Elizabeth, in a sudden accident just added to the list of things for Kate to fret about. To make matters worse, Kate has been bequeathed Elizabeth's trunk of journals. Why would Elizabeth want her to read them? What did she want her to know? Kate has a million questions and Elizabeth isn't there to answer them. She has no choice but to read.

Kate soon discovers that she didn't really know Elizabeth at all. There was another part of her that she kept hidden from the world all those years. Can you ever really know someone? Or only what they want you to see? The person in the journals is a complete stranger to Kate in so many ways. Will she meet her friend for the very first time? Or are the journals meant to introduce her to herself?

It took me months to finish this book. It pulled at my heartstrings on so many levels that I had to digest it in chunks. It's brilliant! I couldn't help but think about all the pages of my own journals that expose the deepest parts of myself. What will happen to them when I die? Who will read them? What will they think about me? 

When I connect with a book on an emotional level, that's when I know that it's good. When I have to close it up just so that I can contemplate the characters thoughts and ideas and how they relate to mine, that's when you know it's more than good. The Unfinished Life of Elizabeth D. is more than good!

Thought provoking. 
Emotional. 
Real. 

This is a MUST read!

I give this book:

The Unfinished Life of Elizabeth D. was released in paperback on March 12th, pick up a copy online where books are sold! 

Visit Nicole Bernier's official website, follow her tweets, become a fan on Facebook.

I received a free copy of this book. All views expressed are my honest opinion. 

Just One Night Part 1: The Stranger by Kyra Davis

Just One Night, Part 1: The Stranger
by Kyra Davis

Goodreads:

You should sleep with a stranger,  her best friend whispers in her ear as they take to Vegas for one last pre-wedding fling. Despite her best intentions, when Kate Fitzgerald enters the casino and sees him, a man whose tailored clothes belied a powerful, even dangerous, presence, she loses herself to the moment. Maybe it's the dress, much shorter than she'd ever normally wear, or the Scotch, but something makes her give herself over to him more completely than she's ever done with a man before.

It was supposed to be just one night. But right as she's thinking she wants more, he shows up in her office with an agenda. As the billionaire CEO of a company that's engaged her PR firm, his demands just became her reality... and he desires so much more than just some attention in the boardroom.

Review:

Kasie has played it safe, even when it's uncomfortable. When she goes to Vegas for the weekend with her best friend, she could never have imagined how much her life would change. She happens upon a man, who she may have never noticed before, and she gives herself permission to be free. 

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," except when it doesn't. To Kasie's dismay, her one-night-stand, Robert Dade, is the CEO of a company who just became her client. This venture is no accident, he wants more than one night, much more.

I enjoyed Just One Night, all the way until it left me hanging at the end (part 2 coming soon). One of the things I appreciated most was Kasie's struggle. The battle between what felt good to her and what made sense, was real. We all face that sort of struggle over and over again in our lives. Most of the time we do what makes sense, but who said that everything is supposed to make sense? 

I won't tell you what Kasie decided. In fact, I couldn't if I tried because the answer will be uncovered in Part 2!  I will tell you this, Just One Night is a great read. I enjoyed the story very much (which also included several tasteful, yet sex-filled, scenes).

I give this book:

Just One Night Part 1: The Stranger is available for purchase on Amazon and Simon & Schuster for $1.99.  Just One Night, Part 2: Exposed will be released on March 18, 2013.

Visit the Kyra Davis official website. You can also follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley. No compensation was received. All views expressed are my honest opinion. 

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Bastard
by Christina Lauren

Goodreads:

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling. Discover the story that garnered more than two million reads online.

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He’s exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family’s massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who’d been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he’s never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe’s so tempting he’s willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they’re willing to lose in order to win each other.

Review:

Chloe Mills is ambitious. She works full time, while working hard on her MBA. Her job would be perfect, she loves the company, except for one major detail - her boss. Bennett Ryan is gorgeous, smart, and world traveled; but for Chloe he's the boss from hell.

Bennette never expected to be attracted to Chloe, but he finds her irresistable. Chloe thought Bennette was hot, but completely unbearable. Neither of them thought they could stand eachother long enough to "get it on."

Beautiful Bastard is a beautiful read. I was completely engrossed in this novel. I stayed up until 3am reading it and was completely annoyed with my body for needing sleep! I enjoyed the characters equally, but I loved the fact that Chloe stood up for herself.  All too often women are portrayed as  victims to powerful men, but Chloe was anything but a victim. She was determined and strong, sexy and passionate, and very intelligent. This girl could hold her own with no problem.

Beautiful Bastard was originally a fan fic... more like a fan favorite, read over 2 million times online. I know I'm a fan! I expect to see more from Christina and Lauren (yes they are two).

I give this book:

Beautiful Bastard will drop on February 12, 2013... just in time for Lovers Day. You can pre-order your copy today on Amazon and other fine retailers.

Check out the website, folow Christina on Twitter, follow Lauren on Twitter, and like Beautiful Bastard on Facebook!

This is not a paid post. A free ebook copy was received through Netgalley. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Release Me by J. Kenner

Release Me
by J. Kenner

Goodreads:

He was the one man I couldn't avoid. And the one man I couldn't resist.

Damien Stark could have his way with any woman. He was sexy, confident, and commanding: Anything he wanted, he got. And what he wanted was me.

Our attraction was unmistakable, almost beyond control, but as much as I ached to be his, I feared the pressures of his demands. Submitting to Damien meant I had to bare the darkest truth about my past - risk breaking us apart.

But Damien was haunted, too. And as our passion came to obsess us both, his secrets threatened to destroy him-and us-forever.

Review:

Nikki has just landed a new job in So. Cal. Her first task is to charm Damien Stark, the star client her boss is trying to woo.  This is not Nikki's first encounter with Damien Stark, the first time they met she was really young, but even then the attraction was electrifying. Young Nikki could never have predicted the intensity that adult Nikki would feel when she connected with Damien Stark for real.

Damien Stark is used to getting what he wants. Women fall all over themselves just to be in the same room with him, but he has never been taken by a woman the way he is with Nikki Fairchild.

Neither of them expects to fall, but it was inevitable. The question is... will their pasts get in the way? She's got a secret that prevents her from being vulnerable and so does he.

To say I enjoyed Release Me would be a complete understatement. I read the majority of the book in one night, reading into the wee hours of the morning (5:30 am to be exact). I didn't want to stop until I knew what happened. I love when a book captures my attention like that.

This is an erotic novel, but it's written in very good taste. The intense connection of the characters is palpable, I could feel the steam coming right off the pages. J. Kenner is a wonderful storyteller, capturing the readers attention and drawing them right into the folds.

I give this book:

Release Me goes on sale on January 1, 2013 (on Amazon, B&N, Random House and more) . J. Kenner is currently on a virtual Book Tour, check out this schedule for reviews, guest posts, and giveaways!

Visit J. Kenner's official website, follow her on Twitter and Pinterest, you can also become her fan on Facebook!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed are my honest opinion.

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

Wife 22
by Melanie Gideon

Goodreads:

Maybe it was those extra five pounds I'd gained. Maybe it was because I was about to turn the same age my mother was when I lost her. Maybe it was because after almost twenty years of marriage my husband and I seemed to be running out of things to say to each other.

But when the anonymous online study called "Marriage in the 21st Century" showed up in my inbox, I had no idea how profoundly it would change my life. It wasn't long before I was assigned both a pseudonym (Wife 22) and a caseworker (Researcher 101).

And, just like that, I found myself answering questions.

7. Sometimes I tell him he's snoring when he's not snoring so he'll sleep in the guest room and I can have the bed all to myself.
61. Chet Baker on the tape player. He was cutting peppers for the salad. I looked at those hands and thought, I am going to have this man's children.
67. To not want what you don't have. What you can't have. What you shouldn't have.
32. That if we weren't careful, it was possible to forget one another. 

Before the study, my life was an endless blur of school lunches and doctor's appointments, family dinners, budgets, and trying to discern the fastest-moving line at the grocery store. I was Alice Buckle: spouse of William and mother to Zoe and Peter, drama teacher and Facebook chatter, downloader of memories and Googler of solutions.

But these days, I'm also Wife 22. And somehow, my anonymous correspondence with Researcher 101 has taken an unexpectedly personal turn. Soon, I have to make a decision - one that will affect my family, my marriage, my whole life. But at the moment, I'm too busy answering questions. 

As it turns out, confession can be a very powerful aphrodisiac. 

Review:

Alice Buckle's life didn't quite turn out the way she planned. She has a handsome husband, two beautiful children, and a dog. That's what every woman wants right? Except her husband's charm has lost its shine, her daughter is annoyed at the very thought of her, and she is 99% sure that her son is gay (but she's totally cool with that). When Alice receives an email invitation to take part in a marriage study, she all but jumps at the chance, getting way more than she could have ever bargained for. 

Wife 22 snuck up on me. Don't get me wrong, I was intrigued from the beginning, but it was much more layered than I expected, as an added bonus it had a twist! I found Alice Buckle downright annoying. I was constantly talking to her out loud (since this was an audiobook there was a part of me that half expected her to respond, didn't happen). Even though she got on my very last nerve, I found her completely relatable. It is so very easy to get lost in your own life, tied up in responsibility, and simply become complacent, happens all the time. By the time you realize where you've landed, you're in the middle of your life. That's exactly what happened to dear Alice.

Whether you are married, thinking about it, or perpetually single, you will relate to Wife 22.  There is a little Alice Buckle in all of us. 

I give this book:

Wife 22 is available on Amazon in hardback, audio, and Kindle editions. You can also find it at Barnes and Noble and other fine book sellers.

I borrowed the audio version of this book from the County of Los Angeles Public Library. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

At First Sight by Stephen J. Cannell

At First Sight
by Stephen J. Cannell

Goodreads:
 
Meet Chick Best—a middle-aged, selfabsorbed, disaffected, California dot.com millionaire. Other than his house and high-priced foreign cars, Chick’s most expensive possession is his trophy wife, Evelyn. Evelyn is good at spending Chick’ money, money that has pretty much run out. Another problem is his drug-addled sixteen-year-old daughter, Melissa. Though concerned about his life and family, Chick has resigned himself to a miserable state of acceptance. That is, until he, Evelyn, and Melissa take a Christmas vacation in Maui. With this, Chick’s life changes…

Chick experiences unrequited love at first sight when he observes Paige Ellis emerging from the hotel swimming pool. His obsession, exceeded only by his need to possess her, isn’t diminished when he learns that she is happily married. Instead, he befriends Paige and her near-perfect husband, Chandler. A short time later, back from Hawaii, Chick’s obsession compels him to drive to Paige’s house, where he runs down and kills Chandler in a drugstore parking lot. But this is just the beginning of Chick’s nightmare as his life spirals homicidally out of control, resulting in the destruction of everything he holds dear. Will Paige learn the truth about Chick before it’s too late?

Review:

Chick Best is a loser, even though he tries very hard not to look or act like one. He became a millionaire during the dot.com boom and he has a trophy wife, fast car, and mini-mansion to prove it. What he doesn't have is the respect of his family or of himself for that matter, which makes him certifiable.

While on their annual family vacation in Maui, Chick falls instantly in love with Paige Ellis. He has never felt this way before and he'll do anything for five minutes of her time, including but not limited to making a complete fool of himself (in front of her Ken-doll husband). When business takes him cross country, Chick finds himself parked in front of Paige's home. After running Chandler (the husband) down in a parking lot, Chick decides he might have a chance with the woman of his dreams after all.

At First Site is a riot! Chick Best is by far one of the most annoying characters I've ever read, but that's precisely why I loved him! His personality was absolutely wretched, but it was so well written that I couldn't stop listening (audio book). I imagine that we have all felt inadequate in our lives at some time or another, so I guess I felt sorry for Chick.  He's such a kook that you can't help but feel for him.

Great story! I give it:

I was saddened when I discovered that Stephen J. Connell passed away a few years ago. I regret that I didn't discover his awesome-ness sooner.

Check out his website for more info about his life and his impressive library of work.

I borrowed this audiobook from the Los Angeles County Library. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

The Prophet by Amanda Stevens

The Prophet (The Graveyard Queen) 
by Amanda Stevens

Barnes and Noble:
My name is Amelia Gray.

I am the Graveyard Queen, a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. My father passed down four rules to keep me safe and I've broken every last one. A door has opened and evil wants me back.
In order to protect myself, I've vowed to return to those rules. But the ghost of a murdered cop needs my help to find his killer. The clues lead me to the dark side of Charleston—where witchcraft, root doctors and black magic still flourish—and back to John Devlin, a haunted police detective I should only love from afar.

Now I'm faced with a terrible choice: follow the rules or follow my heart.

Review:

   

Amelia Gray can see dead people. While living by the rules established by her father, she'd been able to create a pretty normal life, considering. After allowing detective John Devlin into her heart, the rules no longer protected her from the things that go "bump in the night."

When the ghost of a murdered cop solicits her help, Amelia has no choice but to delve deeper into the world that she has silently feared her entire life.  She soon discovers that danger lurks all around her, she isn't safe anywhere, even hallowed ground cannot protect her. 

The Prophet is the third book in The Graveyard Queen series and my absolute favorite! While I enjoyed the first two books (and the prequel), there was something especially juicy about this one. I felt like Amelia's eyes were finally open in this one, there was revelation after revelation, but most importantly she really uncovered her true self.  Amelia is feminine, but not hyper-feminine, she struggles with vulnerability, but she doesn't allow fear to paralyze her. I really appreciate the fact that she wasn't a chronic victim (that can really annoy me about some female characters).

I can't praise Amanda Stevens enough for her writing style. The characters are multi-faceted, the story is complex and interesting, and there was just enough romance and edge-of-your-seat suspense. 

I give this book:

Be sure to read my reviews of The Abandoned, The Restorer, and The Kingdom.

I encourage you to read all four books in The Graveyard Queen series:

 


Follow Amanda Stevens on Twitter, become her newest fan on Facebook, and you won't be disappointed when you read her blog either. Amanda Stevens is AWESOME!

I received a free eBook version of this book through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are my own. 

The Innocent by Taylor Stevens

The Innocent: A Vanessa Michael Munroe Novel
by Taylor Stevens

Goodreads:
With The Innocent, Taylor Stevens, the bestselling author of The Informationist, returns with another blockbuster thriller featuring the fearless Vanessa Michael Munroe.

Eight years ago, a man walked five-year-old Hannah out the front doors of her school and spirited her over the Mexican border, taking her into the world of a cult known as The Chosen. For eight years, followers of The Prophet have hidden the child, moving her from country to country, shielding the man who stole her. Now, those who’ve searched the longest know where to find her. They are childhood survivors of The Chosen, thirty-somethings born and raised inside the cult who’ve managed to make lives for themselves on the outside. They understand the mindset, the culture within that world, and turn to Vanessa Michael Munroe for help, knowing that the only possibility of stealing Hannah back and getting her safely out of Argentina is to trust someone who doesn’t trust them, and get Munroe on the inside.

Review:

Vanessa Michael Munroe can track down anything, from information to people; if it's missing she will find it. When her best friend comes to her with a job that only she can do, she accepts the challenge (albeit with understandable reservation).

A little girl named Hannah disappeared into a cult called The Chosen, eight years ago. It's Michael's job to infiltrate the cult and get Hannah back. There are plenty of obstacles in the way, both inside and outside of The Chosen, but the word failure is not in Michael's vocabulary.

After reading The Informationist (click here for my review) I was rather excited to read The Innocent. I was even more thrilled when I discovered that I could check out the audio version from my local library! The story was just as intense as the first.  Vanessa Michael Munroe is incredibly intense, she operates from a very dark place, often finding herself conflicted by her own abilities. She's unsuspecting, often misjudged by the people around her. A chameleon who can blend into the background or hide in plain sight. In other words she's bad ass!

If you like strong female characters that are feminine but can kick butt too, Vanessa Michael Munroe is someone you should get to know!

I give this book:

I've heard that the third installment of the Vanessa Michael Munroe series, The Doll, is slated for release in 2013. That means that there is plenty of time for you to read the first two books (The Informationist and The Innocent). Pick up your copies today!

Visit Taylor Stevens official website, she's a very fascinating author!  You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

I borrowed this audiobook from the County of Los Angeles Public Library. I was not required to write a positive review. The views and opinions expressed are my own.