Eva Márquez - Sweetest Taboo

Publisher: Terra Mia Press

 

ISBN: 9781478136811

 

My rating: 2/5

 

Isabel Cruz was fifteen years old when she met Tom Stevens. She was 15 when they started dating, and 16 when she lost her virginity to him. By the time she turned 18 and went to college, everything had fallen apart.

This hadn’t been an ordinary love, though. Not a love between two dear friends, or even high school sweethearts. This had been the most taboo sort of love there was: a relationship between a student and her teacher. Isabel started her high school career as a normal student, but set her sights on Tom Stevens as soon as she met him, and pursued him with an intense – and sometimes reckless – fascination. When he finally approached her after swim practice and told her that he shared her feelings, it was the start of a forbidden and dangerous relationship.

Join Isabel as she makes her way through this dark love story, hiding from teachers, lying to her parents, and defying the authorities to make a life with the man she loves. Watch as she discovers the wonders of love and romance, and the terrible betrayal of jealous friends. And cry with her when she learns the hard truth about life and the people in her world.

Sweetest Taboo is inspired by the true and tragic stories of students who fall in love with their teachers, and live with the hard truths of forbidden romances. In a world full of after-school specials on sexual predators, this touching book seeks a different path, casting both student and teacher in a gentle light, and showing that true love may lie at the base of even the most illicit romance. (goodreads.com)

 

 

My thoughts

 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

 

I'm really sorry, but I didn't like the story. And having said that, it's got little to do with the subject, more the whole package. I'm actually a bit surprised that it did so well at the Amazon Breakthrough Award.

 

Anyway, I thought it was boring, nothing really happens over the almost 300 pages, except the love story of a young 15-year-old student and her teacher. Well written and I won't even go into the subject of student/teacher relationship, but nothing else.

 

I wanted to give it 3 stars, but there were a few issues I had:

 

*There was a lot of assumption on the girl's side re the teacher's feelings, but we never found out why, out of all students, she was the one he was so attracted to.

 

*What happened to the girl who reported the whole affair to the police. Did I miss something or was she never mentioned again?

 

*What was the significance of the parking ticket?

 

*Why did she go out the guy from the department store? To figure out what?  For me, she came across double cheap, not only did she have an affair with a married man, no, she went out with a guy who was about to get married.

 

*And the teacher's excuse that he didn't love his wife, he was drunk and on drugs when he proposed to her seemed wayyyyy to convenient to be believable.

 

 

I wish Eva Marquez all the best for the launch of this book, and thanks again for giving me the opportunity to read it.

NEW RELEASE by Ressa Empbra - Caught in the Dragon Cove

 

 

~The Dragon Dimension~

Caught in the Dragon Cove

 

 

Blurb:

Working for a covert government agency, Iax travels the world—and beyond. She also journeys out of this world to other Realms in various Dimensions, of which only a privileged few know. Her job: Putting a halt to imminent battles and wars—before it’s too late. Finding herself in a heated battle in the Dragon Cove Realm of the Dragon Dimension, Iax assumes the usual; get in, get the job done, get out. Easy-peasy. This mission is like no other, however, as it will change her life in ways she never could have imagined. Get Caught in the Dragon Cove where secrets and tempting passions lurking just out of sight, will be revealed.

 

Genre classification: Fiction, Science Fantasy.

Title: The Dragon Dimension

Sub-title: Caught in the Dragon Cove

Word Count (includes all front and back matter): 149,806

Format: Kindle only for now.

Warning: There is adult situations and profanity in this book. The Author suggests you be (18) years or older, to read it.

 

 

One-sentence quotes from reviews and links to verify:

Review by author Elizabeth: (On Amazon)

“Caught in the Dragon Cove is a wonderful ride from beginning to end, and I cannot wait for the second installment of this fabulous story!”

http://tinyurl.com/9j4net3

 

Review by author J.P. Grider: (On her website)

Ms. Empbra makes the impossible seem possible, and in an ever-increasing market for the paranormal, I see her rising to the top with her characters emerging as the next TV series/movie franchise ensemble.

http://tinyurl.com/9ek9b6w

 

Review by Jody Cooley: (On Amazon; not by an author, but I still luv it!)

“This story made me laugh, made me cry, and even made me say "oooh girl!!!" a time or two.”

http://tinyurl.com/9t7nmet

 

 

 

Release details:

Caught in the Dragon Cove is scheduled to release on September 29, 2012.

It was written by Ressa Empbra, and published by Theressa M. Branham. It’s available exclusively on Amazon, for now.

Purchase link:

http://tinyurl.com/8wsdlhe

 

 

Contact info—links:

Facebook Author: http://tinyurl.com/9o6w4l5

Facebook Fan Page: http://tinyurl.com/9zathzx

Facebook Group Page: http://tinyurl.com/9fh79nl

Goodreads Book Page with Excerpt: http://tinyurl.com/962dlms

Goodreads Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/9k643vs

Amazon Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/8u2xhjp

Amazon Book Page: http://tinyurl.com/8wsdlhe

Google +: http://tinyurl.com/9trygd6

Blog: http://tinyurl.com/9uqsoa6

Twitter: http://tinyurl.com/chsaq44

Email: ressaempbra@yahoo.com

Stephanie Taylor - The Picture

Publisher: Astraea Press

ISBN: 978-1463512477

My rating: 4.5/5

Sophie lives her life as a hospice nurse running from her past and over-compensating for her sins. She wants nothing more than to help others the way someone once helped her. But she never expected to get so attached to one of her patients.  Nicholas is suddenly looking for more meaning in his life than money, fast women and flashing lights. Life as a rocker has left him empty. Only Emily filled the gaping hole in his heart and with her death, his soul is broken into pieces. When two lives collide, Sophie and Nicholas know they’ll never be the same. Together, they try to figure out a message Emily has left behind. Can they succeed before the realities of life tear them apart?  (astraeapress.com)

My thoughts
 

This is a sloooow book. It's the desert for book readers - you indulge into every word and treasure every page you turn. You cry and you sigh, and deep inside you feel really good! Why 4.5 - well, actually, the start was a tiny bit slow :-)

Sophie and Nicholas meet at his party after his concert. He is drawn to her straight away, but Sophie holds back, because she's only come to give him "a picture".

But "fate" has it and they both spend some days in Sophie's apartment. They get to know each other and fall in love. Yet, they know they have to let go of the past for them to be a future together.

If you persist past the first three - four pages you will love this book. It's packed with love, loss and grief and the challenges along the way. It's full of sexual tension, yet clean. You will love little Emily who takes on the battle with cancer like a little trooper, and the way her backstory was woven into the main plot was well done!

If you're looking for a love story with depth and honesty - this one is for you!

Lee Child - Persuader (Reacher #7)

Publisher: Bantam UK

ISBN: 9780553815856

My rating: 3/5


The ultimate loner. An elite ex-military cop who left the service years ago, he’s moved from place to place … without family … without possessions … without commitments. And without fear. Which is good, because trouble—big, violent, complicated trouble—finds Reacher wherever he goes. And when trouble finds him, Reacher does not quit, not once, not ever. But some unfinished business has now found Reacher. And Reacher is a man who hates unfinished business. Ten years ago, a key investigation went sour and Francis Xavier Quinn got away with murder. Now a chance encounter outside Boston’s Symphony Hall brings it all back. Now Reacher sees his one last shot. Some would call it vengeance. Some would call it redemption. Reacher would call it justice. (LeeChild.com)



My thoughts

I can without a doubt say that Lee Child is one of my favourite authors, and I look forward to yet another Reacher Novel. Yet, this one was a bit disappointing I have to admit.

First of all, it's written in the "first person" and that threw me a bit. Secondly, the book starts straight with the action of a shooting ... and it took me a while to understand the storyline.

Reacher goes undercover for the police to get to Francis Xavier Quinn - but it's more about revenge for him then helping out.

It was a rather confusing story and I had a hard time to follow, especially with the backstory in between. Love Reacher, but that wasn't one of my favourites.

Lindsay Downs - A Collie Rescue & Interview!

Publisher: Astraea Press

ISBN:

My rating: 4/5



Former Army Sergeant Sandi Charleston, diagnosed with PTSD and homeless barely survives day to day. By a miracle of fate, she meets Taz, a uniquely special collie, who helps turn her life around. It's only through him she finds the courage to go head to head with her worst enemy-terrorists bent on mass destruction.

Bound by a special love to help and protect each other, side by side these two unlikely partners willingly march forward into battle. A fight to the death neither is sure can be won, but fighting as one, they will try.

Kidnapped and forced to reveal what she knows, Sandi realizes there is only one individual who can save her. It's not the government, but her new best buddy. Together they defeat the enemy proving once again that battle buddies come in all shapes and breeds. (www.astraeapress.com)


My thoughts

Dakota's slowly becoming part of my must-read routine, like Rex is to my must-watch TV program - Yet, there's no Dakota in this one ! Very disappointed :-)

Anyway, the good news is, that instead of four or five short stories, Lindsay Downs delivered one novel length story and it's just as fast paced as all of the previous ones. The story is interesting and believable. The dialogue feels real, and the friendship amongst the characters makes you want to be part of it!

Well done. I can't wait for the next one ... in hope Dakota will return ;-)


For all the Dakota fans out there, the beautiful Collie was kind enough to give me a spare 5 mins to answer some of my questions. Thanks Dakota!

Hey, Dakota ... I’ve missed you in this story! What happened?
Dakota: Sorry you missed me, I was back home at Fort Del Gue with Emily. We had a big case to work on and I couldn’t get away.

Will you be back in the next book?
Dakota: Yes I will, along with the gang: Jackie, Wallie, Sven, and Brett. Patches and Mary will also be in the book.

I like it that some of the proceeds will go to the Pet Fund ... are you able to tell us a bit about it?
Dakota: I asked my good friend Opal Campbell to answer this question.
Opal: www.thepetfund.com Basically what they do is take donations to help companion animals who are in need of veterinary care but their owners are having trouble paying for it.

Sandra Brown - Tomorrow's Promise

Publisher(s): Mira Books 1993, 2000, 2008; Harlequin 1983

ISBN of current print edition: 978-0778327202

My rating: 2/5


It happened the way attraction happens best: suddenly, passionately, uncontrollably and unforgettably.Thousands of feet above the ground on a crowded flight to Washington, D.C., radio personality Keely Williams felt the irresistible pull of handsome congressman Dax Devereaux. They were speaking at the same congressional hearing about Vietnam soldiers listed as MIA. Tragically, Keely’s husband was among the missing soldiers. He had been her childhood sweetheart, her future, her love—:and then the unanswered question Keely dedicated her life to solving.Until there was Dax. And the possibility of a new future. But could Keely allow herself to love again, and still honor the man of her past?   (www.amazon.com)


My thoughts

This story, if I may call it that, was just going on and on and on ... without anything really happening. And then something came up that made me check the blurb on the back cover and found out the book is almost thirty years old!

I've got to admit I didn't like the story. I think even placed into the "now" time, it'd be boring and at places close to unbelievable with so many coincidences.

Keely's soldier-husband has been missing in action for twelve years. She doesn't know whether he's dead or alive. On her way to Washington she meets Dex and falls in love with him, but her conscious doesn't allow for her to "live" her feelings - and he's such a wonderful hero! And she isn't. I just couldn't warm up to Keely, to the point when Dex and Nicole (her best friend) in a moment of rage told her what they thought of her, I went like "yeah!".

Glad I finally finished it, it was a real struggle!

Cassandra Clare - City of Bones

 

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

 

ISBN13: 9781416914280

 

My rating: n.a.

 

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.
Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon.
But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know.... (www.shadowhunter.com)

 

 

My thoughts

 

My friend recommended this book, so I happily read it. You see that I haven't rated it - it was not my kind of book and it wouldn't be fair to drop the average rating just because I picked up a book which isn't my cup-of-tea!

 

It's all about Clary Fray finding out she's a Shadowhunter (warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons - I mean, really?) ... anyway, she finds out after meeting Jace, Isabelle and Alec. From this moment on, her life changes; a search for her mum leads to finding out so many more things about her family and her past.

 

This is a YA books, so I was obviously not the "target audience" when it was written, but lordy help me if young kids read something like this.

 

What I did like was Clare's writing style ... I loved her imaginary description, though at times a tad too much.