REVIEW: And Then Run by Eric Hublot

Source: Netgalley
Publish Date: August 21, 2013
Publisher: Roland Media Distribution
ASIN/ISBN: 9780980144666
Format: ebook
Genre: Adult, Mental Health
Pages: 427
Date Read: January 4, 2014

Description
And Then Run follows the life of anti-hero Jerome Esterson. Jerome has everything - looks, money, women, friends. And yet he seems to be fighting a losing battle with reality.

The novel takes place in two time periods. One, when Jerome is a 25 year old maverick entrepreneur, with limitless passion and rockstar charisma. In the second time period, Jerome is a blunted 39 year old lobbyist, who also happens to be a blunted serial killer.

Parental Advisory: This is an X rated novel, with heavily objectionable content, including sex, violence, a psychopathic lack of morality.

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Review
On the one hand, the book is thought provoking and sometimes I actually have to pause and reflect on what I've just read. and it's funny sometimes. On the other hand, it's overly vulgar and disturbing. The discussions. The dialogue. The main character himself. Most of the other characters are flat and don't seem to be important.

After a while, all the talk about Sisyphus, challenging the norm, polygamy and all that shit gets really old and annoying.

I can't seem to understand what point the author is trying to make. A lot of things are happened but I don't get the end.

Towards the last few pages, I was really confused and I still don't get the point of any of the characters. Including Jerome (main character).

The language is strong and may be offensive to some people. Most of the topics that are touched in the book are[can be] unsavoury and it sounds obnoxious.

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Author Links
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Rating
3 Stars

Recommended
It makes for an interesting read. A lot of points that could be brought up in a discussion group (book club).

REVIEW: Book Lovers: Sexy Stories from Under the Covers by Shawna Kenney

Source: Netgalley
Publish Date: March 25, 2014
Publisher: Seal Press
ASIN/ISBN: 9781580055291
Format: ebook
Genre: Adult, Anthology
Pages: 256
Date Read: January 2, 2014

Description
Forget poorly written prose and clichéd love scenes: Book Lovers answers the call for sexy literature with substance. This collection of toe-curling tales written by and for word-worshippers offers well-crafted fiction and creative nonfiction that connects literature to libido. From a Vonnegut-inspired tryst to an imaginary ménage à trois with Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, the book encompasses a veritable buffet of literary fantasies.

Whether they’re conjuring Junot Díaz between the sheets or dreaming of a modern-day enactment of Wuthering Heights —this time refusing Edgar in favor of lusty, bodice-ripping nights with Heathcliff—the stories in Book Lovers are designed for readers’ brains and bodies.

Includes contributions from Izabella St. James, Slash Coleman, Trina Calderón, Cara Bruce, and Stephanie Auteri.

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Review
This is an interesting anthology. There are about 23 short stories but only 4 really stick out in my mind.

All are well-written. Some are hot [ A to Z by Kristina Wright , some are disturbing [An Ode to Ass-Lick Park by Assia Fengari ], a few left me confused [The Wolf by Amy Halloran and Marcoby Laurie Stone], and the rest just didn't do anything for me.

There's love, lust, long lost love, reminiscing, longing, fantasies, cheating. There's bittersweet stories, surprising stories, weird stories and hot stories. The thing that all the stories have in common is books.

I skimmed over a few because I couldn't get into it and some I reread.

Most of it isn't explicit which is good in my opinion.

My favourites are Ana Maria by Michelle Cruz Gonales, Whom by Jeremy Edwards and Smut by Jay Xuret.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read

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Like the title suggests, those one is for book lovers especially if you like a little bit (or a lot of smut)

3 Stars

Goodreads

REVIEW: Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi

Source: Borrowed

Publish Date: March 5th 2013

Publisher: Penguin Press HC

ASIN/ISBN: 9781594204494

Format: ebook

Genre: Adult, Literature

Pages: 310

Date Read: December 22, 2013

Description

Kweku Sai is dead. A renowned surgeon and failed husband, he succumbs suddenly at dawn outside his home in suburban Accra. The news of Kweku’s death sends a ripple around the world, bringing together the family he abandoned years before.

Ghana Must Go is their story. Electric, exhilarating, beautifully crafted, Ghana Must Go is a testament to the transformative power of unconditional love, from a debut novelist of extraordinary talent.

Moving with great elegance through time and place, Ghana Must Go charts the Sais’ circuitous journey to one another. In the wake of Kweku’s death, his children gather in Ghana at their enigmatic mother’s new home. The eldest son and his wife; the mysterious, beautiful twins; the baby sister, now a young woman: each carries secrets of his own. What is revealed in their coming together is the story of how they came apart: the hearts broken, the lies told, the crimes committed in the name of love. Splintered, alone, each navigates his pain, believing that what has been lost can never be recovered—until, in Ghana, a new way forward, a new family, begins to emerge.

Ghana Must Go is at once a portrait of a modern family, and an exploration of the importance of where we come from to who we are. In a sweeping narrative that takes us from Accra to Lagos to London to New York, Ghana Must Go teaches that the truths we speak can heal the wounds we hid

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Review

For all the hype, Ghana Must Go is terribly underwhelming.

It is not "electric" or "exhilarating". The narrative is not "sweeping".

There are interesting moments, heart warming words and great use of words but they're easily forgettable in the midst of all the "poetic" stuff.

The technique is terrible and leaves you confused for the most part.It's a great idea but it didn't work. It felt disorganised sometimes.The first part of the book is tedious and difficult to follow. I had to reread pages several times to get the point.It got better after half of the second part.

It's a great story, there are some nice characters (Olu & Kehinde are my favourites) but for all the hype, I expected more.

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Rating

3 stars

Recommended

to no one really. If you think you can get past all the "poetic" nonsense

REVIEW: Sapphire Blue by Gene Doucette

Source: Netgalley
Publish Date: February 27th 2014
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop
ASIN/ISBN: 9781612132167
Format: ebook
Genre: Adult, Erotica
Pages: 268
Date Read: December 20, 2013

Description
Mara Cantor’s life is boring and uncomplicated, and she likes it that way. She has her internship at the museum—a job she shares with her roommate, Davis —and while it is low-paying and occasionally mind-numbing, it gives her all the free time she needs to finish her thesis. And that is just fine.

But when Argent Leeds, the internationally famous playboy and raconteur, visits Mara’s museum, he brings with him the most exciting archeological discovery in decades: the Pazuzu gemstones. Long assumed to be nothing more than a myth by most scholars, the gemstones are rumored to possess mystical powers.

Between Argent, his gemstones, and Davis, Mara’s boring life has suddenly gotten very complicated. Now she is caught up in a sexual adventure that is either the most exciting time of her life . . . or the most terrifying.

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Review
This book will make you uncomfortable especially towards the end. I was on edge for the last couple of chapters.
The story is quite disturbing, but it's also entertaining, funny, hot, mystical, suspenseful and interesting.
The archeology parts of the book could have sent me to sleep but the author didn't drag out unnecessary details.

It reads kind of like Fifty Shades. Poor girl, rich intriguing guy etc etc but it's also different from it. There's a stronger plot and better characters.

Argent is creepy. Very very creepy. I didn't like him from the beginning. Mara is adorable but annoying sometimes.
It is well written and properly thought out.

There's a lot of interesting twists especially at the end.

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Book Links
Goodreads

Author Link
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Rating
3 stars

Recommend
It's a great read and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes erotica.

REVIEW: The Wicked Confessions of Lady Cecelia Stanton by Viveka Portman

Source: Netgalley
Publish Date: December 1st 2013
Publisher: Escape Publishing
ASIN/ISBN: 9780857991096
Format: ebook
Genre: Erotica, Humor
Pages: 72
Date Read: December 21, 2013

Description
When faced with a rakish, lusty husband, what is a proper English wife to do but educate herself in the art of bedplay?
"Marriages are strange things, none stranger perhaps than this betwixt me and my lord husband.”
Lady Cecelia is married to the dashing and philandering Lord William Stanton, a situation that would distress even the most composed and refined gently-born lady. However, Cecelia has a secret balm to her dissatisfaction: her maid, Bess Miller.

Cecelia’s inexperience and William’s insatiable appetites fuel her desire to learn, and Bess is a willing teacher. Then, when Cecelia blossoms into pregnancy and can no longer accommodate William’s needs, he distances himself, and Bess becomes her only solace and comfort — and the channel for her most intimate desires.
As Cecelia struggles to understand her own feelings, gossip begins to spread. William starts asking questions, and wicked confessions must be made...

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Review
I loved this book. It's funny. It's hot. It's entertaining. And have I mentioned hot?
This is not a glamorous regency/historical romance of elegant London town houses or high society debutante ball.

The author did a really good job of conveying the tone and feel of the time period in which the book is set considering how short it is.
It's a very well developed story with interesting characters.

I was ready to not like William by the way the way he was described in the sypnosis, but he was endearing and charming. A man-whore nonetheless.
I'd definitely like to read more from this author

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Book Links
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Author Links
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Rating
4 stars

Recommended
It's a great quick and interesting read. If you like erotica, humor and historical/recency "romance", go for it.

REVIEW: Chances by Jackie Collins

Source: Bought
Publish Date: August 6, 1982
Publisher: Warner Bros Inc
ASIN/ISBN: 9780446322492
Format: Paperback
Genre: Adult, Thriller
Pages: 800+
Date Read: November 24, 2013
Description
The book that made Collins one of America's favorite authors sweeps readers from the sophisticated playgrounds of Europe to the glittering gambling palaces of Las Vegas, plunging into the world of the Santangelo crime family. The book introduces street kid Gino Santangelo, who makes it all the way to the top, and his beautiful and daring daughter, Lucky.

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I love love love Jackie Collins and I love this book.

Jackie Collins is an amazing writer. She creates these amazing connections between her characters and you're just wowed.

I loved the characters. The ones I didn't even like.
She doesn't just add characters and throw them away. Every character that appears has a role to play in the story.

Some people will say her books are trashy. I'd say to them: "This is well written, enjoyable and interesting trash".

800+ pages of action, amazement, sitting-on-edge suspense.

I'd recommend this to anyone who is not averse to strong language

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Rating
4 stars

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REVIEW: Shades Of Honor by Wendy Lindstrom

Source: Free copy from Author
Release Date: August 21, 2013
Publisher: Rustic Studio Publishing
ASIN/ISBN: B00ED0FETK
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Romance
Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
Finished: October 26, 2013

Description Former Union soldier Radford Grayson returns to his small hometown, looking for a stable and comforting place to raise his young, motherless daughter. Despite his troubled past, his hopes are to reconcile with his family and put his dark secrets behind him. But he doesn't count on falling in love with Evelyn--his brother's financee...

When Evelyn Tucker accepted her childhood friend Kyle Grayson's marriage proposal, she thought it was the best way to make her ailing father happy. But after Radford arrives home, the fiery and independent Evelyn realizes that the comfort and friendship Kyle gives her will never hold a candle to the instant, undeniable passion she feels for Radford. Now their forbidden desire threatens to shatter family ties and destroy newfound dreams--unless their love has the power to overcome all obstacles...

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Review

This was my first audiobook.

The narrator (Julia Motyka) was a bit too slow for my taste. I also feel like she was overly dramatic in some parts.

The storyline is clichéd. But this one was overly sugar-coated, which made it slightly boring sometimes. The book was too long. It could have been shorter if they'd taken out some unnecessary parts and had too much (and unnecessary) foul language.

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Rating
3 stars

REVIEW: Goodbye Nothing by Beck Sherman

Source: Free copy from Author
Publish Date: Feb 01, 2014
Publisher: Beck Sherman
ASIN/ISBN: 9780385342049
Format: ebook
Genre: New Adult, Horror
Pages: 309
Date Read: October 22, 2013

Description Since the night of the accident, Cain Emmerick has felt different. Empty. What was important to him—family, friends, his job—doesn't matter anymore. His new life revolves around that Nothing inside of him and the extraordinary highs he gets from committing random acts of violence.

Seventeen-year-old Joey Morgan is blind, but that doesn't stop her from seeing. Something bad is about to happen. Something that could tear her world apart.
For Joey, college life isn't quite turning out like she planned, because before good grades, fitting in, and love, comes survival

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Review

Cain is fascinating and amusing. His story is heartbreaking because he was loveable before "The Nothing".
Joey is endearing. Her greatest quality is her perseverance. You can't help but root for her and her.

Cain thought he probably took away more of the car dealer than was left in the office. He wondered if he should have confiscated the head. Used it as an HOV lane passenger, as company at the breakfast table, as compost for tomato plants, as a ventriloquist dummy, as a hat and sunglasses holder, as a Terence-o’ lantern, as a stamp and envelope licker, or as a place to stash his valuables, because how many people would venture near a severed head? Cain guessed maybe three out of ten people who knew full-well it was real. Some people were messed up.

Some parts of this book are so disgusting and vile it’s unimaginable. The author doesn’t spare you from visualizing anything.
It's certainly horrific and gory. Shocking and jaw dropping. For most of the book, I was like: but in a good way

I loved it from the beginning. It got a bit slow towards the middle but picked up later.
All in all a great read.

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Rating
4 stars

Recommendation
If you like Stephen King (but with a happy ending) or Dean Koontz, this is for you

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On a totally different note.

I love NA but I'm tired of reading contemporary and paranormal. Most of them romance. Please please please we need horror, suspense and so forth in NA

Blog Tour: From Rum To Roots by Lloyd G Francis [Review & Giveaway]

In 1937 near Portland Cottage, in southern Jamaica, on a huge sugar estate, Linton McMann, the illegitimate son of the owner of the plantation, works making rum.
Meanwhile in Kingston, Daisy, helps her mother managing an ice business and dreams of joining her elder sister (Iris) in New York.
Seeking opportunity, Linton leaves the deep Jamaican countryside for New York and the collapse of the ice business and family crises force Daisy to leave Kingston, seeking a new start in the United States.
They encounter a vibrant Jamaican-American community in New York, where they meet at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem. Becoming American citizens, they marry, and start a family. Ambition drives them to start a business and Linton capitalizes on a skill he learned as a young man in Jamaica, making a drink known in Jamaica as “Roots.” It proves wildly popular and the company, Family Roots, prospers beyond Linton’s and Daisy’s wildest dreams.
By 1986, the drink is a sensation. Money flows in, but something is missing. Happiness is as scarce as freshwater in the middle of the sea.
Wrestling with their past while living in a land of plenty, Linton and Daisy discover that truth is the only avenue to happiness.
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Edition: First Edition Format: eBook and Paperback Publication Date: August 6, 2013 Publisher: Marway Publishing ISBN13: 9780989216104

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Review
I'm not using my usual review format for this book.
I don't know what exactly I was expecting but this book is better than anything I could expect.
Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.
This is an emotional and deep story of the longing for a better life.
The book is mostly in English with most of the dialogue in Patois (Jamaican dialect). At first, the Patios slows you down but you get used to it and it becomes easier to understand.
It is very well written. No plot holes. No unnecessary details. It's perfection
The book pulls you in and you feel like you're a one of the cast.
Every character is well developed and adds to the story. Each scene comes to life.
The novel, although enjoyable and interesting, isn't for light reading.
You should take away the lesson on the importance and value of life, hope, forgiveness and most of all; family.
“Linton,” he said, “yuh will not know happiness without forgiveness. Yuh can’t make dem scars on yuh back disappear, but you can make these scars, in here––” he thumped his chest with his fist,”–– dem can heal. Dat’s forgiveness.

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Author Bio
Lloyd was born in Oakland in 1961, a first-generation American child to Jamaican parents. As a child his trips to Jamaica in the 60's and 70's shaped who he became.
Growing up in Hayward California he was steeped in the island tradition of reggae, Jamaican cuisine, and patois.

After studying engineering, Lloyd became a staff photographer for the San Jose Mercury News. He left newspapers to work for Yahoo Financial News Network and returned to journalism after 9-11. In 2001 Lloyd reported from Iraq for Newsweek Magazine, and went on to cover the war in Afghanistan. In 2004 he accepted a job with the Army Times Publishing Company and worked in Iraq intermittently for two years.
Examples of his work can be found here and here .

Lloyd returned to San Francisco in 2006. He lives with his wife, Leanne, his two sons, Marley and Waylon, a yellow nape Amazon parrot named Aquila and a rambunctious Red Lored Amazon parrot named Cosmo. He frequently takes long walks around San Francisco and Golden Gate Park, looking for great Instagram photographs.
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Book Blog Tour: Living Again by L.L. Collins [Excerpt & Giveaway]

The Book
Kayley Carson thought she had it all... married to the love of her life, a great job, and a baby on the way. Then one day, her life changes forever when she loses her husband in a tragic accident.
No longer sure how to navigate life after her enormous loss, Kayley clings to her newborn baby, her family, and her friends to keep herself living.
When she meets someone that challenges her belief that she's better off alone, she has to decide if she is capable of letting him in after. swearing she was never going to love anyone the same way again.
She's not the only one with a painful past. He is struggling with trust issues after a previous relationship went horribly wrong. After a terrible misunderstanding brings out both of their insecurities, will the painful memories of the past keep them both from living again?
Book 1 in the Living Again series.
Edition: First Edition
Format: eBook and Paperback
Publication Date: October 4, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
ISBN13: 9781490984797
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This story, while emotional, tear-jerking, and romantic, does contain adult language and content. It is not meant for young readers.

Excerpt
Kayley took a deep breath and pushed open the door, not ready for what she was about to see but needing to see with her own eyes that her Alex was not there, not coming back. She pushed the door shut behind her, not allowing her eyes to travel the room to find him. She could see the bed out of the corner of her eye and knew he was there, but she wasn’t ready to look. She leaned against the door, breathing heavily. What was she thinking? She couldn’t see him like this.
Just like that, she felt him. She felt Alex near her, and her knees almost buckled. She couldn’t explain why she felt that way, could never tell anyone why she thought he was there, but she felt his presence like she felt her own. He was part of her soul; maybe that is why she thought she could feel him here, in this room. She slid down the door and sat on the floor, her chin resting on her knees. She now could see the end of the bed and Alex’s feet sticking up under the covers. She stared at them for what seemed like an eternity, trying to get the courage to stand up and see him for the last time.
Finally, she slowly got up off of the floor. Still averting her eyes, she headed towards the bed that held the love of her life. Her breath came in shallow spurts as she tried to will herself to look at him. Her peripheral vision told her that he was laying there with his arms to his sides and the blanket pulled up to his broad chest. Kayley closed her eyes and stepped closer to the bed, reaching her hands out to grip the railing of the bed so she didn’t run into it. When her hands made contact with the cold metal rails, she sucked her breath in. Open your eyes, she willed herself. Kayley knew that opening them and looking at Alex was a life altering moment. She would never again be the same. She cracked her eyes open, his face coming into view. She willed herself to open her eyes the rest of the way, and when she finally did, she locked her eyes on Alex’s handsome face. He looked- perfect. Peaceful. There was bruising and scrapes on his face, neck, and collarbone, and his head was wrapped in gauze from his surgery, but it was him. Alex. He was laying here just like he was sleeping. His full lips were red, his dark eyelashes fanned across his cheeks. She scanned his broad shoulders and muscular chest and stomach, covered by the blanket but she knew his body like her own. She reached her hand out and touched his hand, briefly, then pulled back, shocked. How could he feel like her Alex, but not be there anymore? She stared at his left hand where the imprint was there of his wedding band, but the jewelry itself wasn’t there anymore. A sob escaped her lips as she realized why- they wouldn’t leave a wedding ring on someone who wasn’t alive anymore.
Author Bio
L.L. Collins is a 30-something teacher from Florida.  She is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.  Her love of writing found a home in the self publishing world in 2013.  Her debut novel, a contemporary romance called Living Again, released as an eBook and paperback on October 4, 2013. She has been writing since she was old enough to write. Always a story in her head, she finally decided to let the characters out and start writing.
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Author Interview: Diamond Drake, Author of Imagined Love

Day 3 and our second author interview.

We have Diamond Drake, author of Imagined Love

Willa Caldwell jumps in and out of her volatile and sometimes violent marriage seemingly unaware of the affects her actions have on daughter Jade. Lonely and insecure, Jade often falls prey to those eager to take advantage of her desperate need for love and acceptance. And both she and Willa endure heartache at the hands of those who claim to love them most.
As a young adult Jade decides toleave her hometown of Gary, IN, as well as the pain of her past to start anew in sunny California. Sadly, things don't go ashoped and she's left wondering if she'll ever experience real love or if it will always be... Imagined Love.
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My Review

Tell us about yourself
I'm Diamond Drake, the author of three chick-lit novels; Imagined Love, For the Love of Jade (sequel), and Love's Fool. I was born and raised in Gary, IN but I now reside in northern California with my husband of seventeen years, two teenaged daughters, and two dogs.

One thing about you that's not in your bio
Diamond Drake is my pen name.

Have you always aspired to publish a novel? Which writers inspire/influence you?
Yes, I've ALWAYS wanted to publish novels! In the first grade I vowed to my granny that I would do it and I talked about it every day!

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
The toughest criticism I ever received came from one of my editors. She basically told me I "talk" too much and needed to learn how to get to the point.
The best compliment came from a group of readers who told me they changed their lives because of something one of my characters did. I still cry when I think about that.

If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be? Why?
If I could have dinner with anyone it would probably be Nicholas Sparks. I'd love to know the secret to having so many of his novels made into major movies. That has to be an amazing feeling!

What book(s) are you reading at present?
I'm currently reading Football Widows by Pat Tucker and my own novel, Love's Fool. I'm gearing up to write the sequel and need to get re-acquainted with the characters.

For the Love of Jade won the 2013 International Book Award Winner for the African American category? How was that experience for you?
Winning the 2013 International Book Award has been a great experience. It's validating in a lot of ways. And I find that readers respond differently to me as well. They're more willing to give my work a chance.

Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
I think the cover plays a huge role in whether a reader will buy your book or not. As much we say don't judge a book by its cover, we often do.

Which of your characters do you relate to the most? Are any of them based on people you know?
The character I relate to most is definitely Jade from Imagined Love. That book was heavily based on my own life so I have a special connection with her.

What’s next for you? Any works in the making that readers should know about?
Currently, I'm working on my fourth and fifth novesl. One is the sequel to my last book and the other, Love's Choice, will introduce readers to a whole new cast of crazy characters! I love Dwight and Robin Haughton! haha

Random
Favorite season - fall.
Favorite dessert - cake!
Favorite book by another author - The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
Favorite book that I wrote - Hmmm ... that's hard to answer. I love them all for different reasons.
Random fact - Let's see... oh, I'm absolutely terrified of opening a can of biscuits! I hate when it pops so I have my husband or daughter do it for me!

Author

Diamond Drake, the author of For the Love of Jade, is known for her emotionally gripping tales. Born and raised in Gary, IN, she currently resides in Stockton, CA with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs.
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REVIEW: Etoile by Olivia Besse

The Book

Source: free copy courtesy of author

Publish Date: July 25, 2013

Publisher: Wunderland Press

ASIN/ISBN: B00E4OH7PO

Format: ebook (mobi)

Pages: 244

Date Read: September 17, 2013

Note: Alternate/new cover edition (re issue under different name).

Description

From afar, Elodie Marais is just a typical 19-year old girl roughing it in Manhattan. She hates her job, her love life sucks and she's totally getting ripped off by her landlord. Like most of her starry-eyed peers, she'll do anything for the Triple P's—Prada, a Promotion and the elusive Perfect Boyfriend. But Elodie and her friends aren't your average new adults who are bored to tears by their uninspiring lives—they're fashion models.

So what's a girl to do when her life is turned upside down as two irresistible bachelors vie for her doe-eyed attention, just as she's starting to make waves in the modelling world? Will she go with charming and sensitive James, a handsome financier, or reckless and unpredictable Tyler, the stunning male model du jour?

Follow Elodie's adventures from Manhattan to Paris as she navigates the terrifying worlds that are the modeling industry and her love life, one effortlessly chic outfit at a time

Book 1 in the Mannequin Series

The Mannequin series is an exciting erotic romance journey that gives readers an intimate look into the not-so-glamorous sides of the fashion and modelling industries

My Review

The Cover

4 stars for the cover. I love it.

It's really simple and nice. And I love the pop of colour with the red font.

The Characters

There are a lot of characters. The major ones are Elodie, Tyler & James [Love triangle]

I like Elodie. She's brutally honest. Tyler is hoooot. I love his character. He's cocky but not in a get-over-yourself-you-d*ck way. He has a smart mouth and is funny. And James. Oh sweet, loveable, charming James.

Other character's are Tatiana, a funny, party loving girl from Belarus; Heddi, a more reserved beauty from Denmark and Jelena, whom we don't know much about other than she's Russian. These 3 girls are her friends and roommates

It's so hard to pick who I want Elodie to be with. I love both James & Tyler and they do different things for her.

I think we didn't really get to meet James. His character isn't really developed.

The dynamic of Elodie & James' relationship reminds me of Joshua & Melina's in Won't Last Long

The Story

I love the story. I love how it starts. It was like watching a movie.

I love that there are no billionaires or BDSM dungeons or tatted rock stars like we see in a lot of NA books lately.

I didn't like the unnecessary constant descriptions, a lot of modelling references that didn't need to be there, too much alcohol, too little food. Too much talk about food(or lack of it).

Cliffhanger. When I got to the end, I couldn't believe it. I thought I didn't download the book fully. It definitely left me wanting more. Looking forward to the next one in the series.

I love the writing style. Olivia Besse is amazing. She writes almost effortlessly. Her writing is edgy and gritty. This is a great debut by the author

The dialogue was snappy and funny and brought the characters to life

Generally

Sometimes, I forgot I was reading about a 19 year old. I loved a lot about the book. The author's writing style reminds me of Jackie Collins.

This book contains explicit content and is not intended for younger readers!

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Recommended To

If you love Jackie Collins, fashion, modelling and romance, this book is for you!

Rating

3.5 stars

In The News: Fifty Shades of Grey Cast

Except you live under a rock, you'll know that there's an FSOG movie in the works and everyone has been giving predictions on who would play Ana and Christian.

I personally don't believe that Fifty Shades of Grey is movie worthy but if they are going to do a movie, the should do it right.

At this point, we know that Fifty Shades Of Grey movie will be released in theaters on August 1, 2014 and will be directed by British director, Sam Taylor-Johnson.And that Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam have been cast as Ana & Christian.

I was shocked about the casting to be honest. When I first heard that there was going to be a movie, the first two people who popped into my head were Henry Cavalli and Mila Kunis. Then Rachel Bilson, Emma Watson or Emma Stone for Ana Ian Somerhalder or Matt Bomer for Christian.

Trivia

Emma Watson, Lauren Watson, Shailene Woodley, Elizabeth Olsen, Imogen Poots, Alicia Vikander and Felicity Jones were considered to play Anastasia Steele before Dakota Johnson was finally cast.

Garrett Hedlund, Ryan Gosling and Chris Hemsworth turned down the role of Christian Grey, while Christian Cooke and Dominic Cooper auditioned. Charlie Hunnam was cast.

Sources

IMDB

The Wrap

In The News: New Addition To Gone Girl Movie Cast

Cast Addition
Emily Ratajkowski, model and actress, who appeared nearly nude in Robin Thicke’s controversial “Blurred Lines” music video is reportedly closing a deal to play Andie, the college-age mistress to Nick (Ben Affleck), in the movie, “Gone Girl.” Andie is a mysterious girl who is revealed to have an important role in the disappearance of Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike).

This would be the first major movie role for Ratajkowski, who has also. had parts on TV’s “New Girl” and “iCarly” and has modeled for
Nordstrom.

Location
The film's producer, Cean Chaffin, told the Southeast Missourian in Wednesday's edition that about half of the movie will be filmed in the southeast Missouri town.
Filming is scheduled to start Sunday and last about five weeks.
Chaffin said several locations inside and outside of Missouri were considered before Cape Girardeau was chosen.
"It's turned out to be exactly what we needed," Chaffin said. "We are shooting here more days than we
planned on because it's working so well."
He also said local residents will be hired as extras and some graduates of Southeast Missouri State University will work on the production.

Fun Fact
Reese Witherspoon, Charlize Theron, Natalie Portman, Emily Blunt, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Abbie Cornish and Julianne Hough were considered for the lead female role before Rosamund Pike was cast.

View the list of expected cast members at IMDB
**expected to be released in 2015

Sources
KansasCity
Variety
IMDB
MTv

REVIEW: Hussy by Selena Kitt

The Book
Source: free copy courtesy of author
Published: August 29, 2013
Publisher: Excessica Publishing
ASIN/ISBN: B00EVD3ZPE
Format: ebook (mobi)
Pages: 138
Other information: previously released as “Falling Down.”

Description
The Eskimos may have over a hundred words for snow, but that doesn’t even come close to how many words the English language has for “slut”—and Lindsey has been called them all. “Hussy” is Lindsey’s personal favorite, given to her by her own grandmother, who likes to pat her on the hand and whisper, “Don’t worry, dear—a hussy is just a woman with the morals of a man.”
But Lindsey’s not ashamed of her reputation. She knows she’s earned it—and she’s proud of it. After all, you only live once, right? In fact, she goes out of her way to make it known to every guy she comes in contact with, she’s available for the taking—the rougher, the better.
That is until Lindsey meets Lieutenant Zachary Davis, a man who refuses to treat her like the trash she believes she really is.
But can Lindsey change her impulsive ways and learn to value herself the way the Zach does?

My Review
The Cover
The cover is basic. It's very suggestive and bright.

The Characters
There are a few characters. Lindsay and Zach being the major ones.
Other characters that add to the story are Billy, Lindsay's mum and her stepfather.

In the beginning, we don't know much about Lindsay except that she likes sex and has a bad rep. Zach is the nice, kind guy who patiently helps Lindsay with her problems.

I'm indifferent to the characters. I don't like them and I don't dislike them.

The Story
It didn't grab me. I was actually bored for like the first 30 pages of the book. I had to flip through.
I didn't find it hot or steamy. It was annoying even.

I liked the romance between Zach and Lindsay. It was sweet. The proposals were my best scenes.

Generally
I've heard good things about the author so I had high expectations. The book was a bit disappointing.
It's a short read. Nothing fascinating.

This book contains sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive

Find The Author
SelenaKitt.com
Facebook
Goodreads

Find The Book
Amazon
BN.com
Goodreads

Recommended To
I'll recommend this book to people who already read dark, heavy stuff or who can handle it.

Rating
3 stars

By the way, what do you think about my new review format.