Top Ten Tuesday: Vivid Worlds

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by our friends and the awesome bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list for us to review and then compile our own.

This week's topic:  Top Ten Most Vivid Worlds/Settings in Books

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Mine?

1.  Neverwhere - Neil Giaman
     Set in the UK, but an underground world with doors...

2.  Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
     The burrow, Smegal's cave, the whole damn thing. Gorgeous!

3.  Harry Potter - JR Rowling
     No explanation needed. :)

4.  Black Jewels Trilogy - Anne Bishop
     3 realms of the world:  Kaeleer, Terreille & Hell.

5.  Game of Thrones - George RR. Martin
     Dark, gritty, too real - Westeros

6.  The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern
     Join the circus... very magical

7.  Cinder - Marissa Meyer
     I just thought the futuristic setting was awesome, especially the moon race.

8.  Fever Series - Karen Marie Moning
     Dublin & Farie, very cool how the world changes.

9.  Outlander - Diana Gabeldon
     Beautiful and harrowing descriptions of 18th century Scotland.

10.  Ahh - one more? can't do it.....

What are your top ten?

-Rita

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Teaser Tuesday: Captive in the Dark

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

The rules of the meme:
1.  Grab your current read and open to a random page.
2.  Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page. NO SPOILERS!

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My Current Read:
Captive in the Dark by CJ Roberts 

"'Act like a whore and you'll get treated like one Livvie.' That's all she had to say to me." I cried for a while after I repeated my mother's words.

Pg 220 of 253

-Rita

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Gone Social!

I never went the Social Media route for my reviews and blogging, as I barely have time to write reviews, much less complete status updates and bounce around 4 different sites catching up. However, I came to realize the power of these sites and the necessity of putting myself out there.

I now have Twitter, Goodreads and Facebook!  And the past few days have been fun. I have no friends... but I still enjoy talking to myself. ;)

Take pity on me!  I know this is shameless, but what the hey. If you have the desire check me out on FB and Twitter - follow, me friend me, like me - whatever! I will do my best to provide updates and info frequently.

And if you are feeling really nice... click the stumble link below to help others happen across my blog.

Thank you!!

-Rita

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Ruth Cardello: Maid for the Billionaire

Maid for the Billionaire
Ruth Cardello
Published November 19, 2011 by CreateSpace
ISBN: 1466398167
220 Pages



Synopsis
Abigail Dartley is not really a maid, she just stepped in for her sister while she was sick, to prevent her from losing her job.  Lil (Abby’s sister) can be a little irresponsible, and since their parents’ death, Abby has played the role of mom – much to the sacrifice of her social life.

While cleaning the big vacant brownstone, the owner, Dominic Corisi - billionaire businessman, comes home. He is angry over the death of his father, and needs something to take his mind off the emotions running through him. Abby seems like a good distraction. However business beckons, and an important deal requires flying to China. It takes more persuading than he was prepared for, but he really wants to take Abby with him. She agrees knowing he’s not looking for anything more than sex, but she senses she can help him, and wants to live a little herself.

Musings
This was a random pick.  Book 3 is in the lists and all of the books had such good ratings, so I decided to try it out. It really was a quality romance novel. It never felt juvenile or whimsical, had a plot, and the motivation for the characters was well built. The steam was good, the romance & humor were there too. I liked the main characters – the good girl cutting lose, the overbearing man being challenged. Plus, billionaire!

Once again, the only thing that bothered me was the ending. The story built, grew, climaxed, dove, and was interesting the whole way – but the last section of the book just happened way to fast, and worked out way to well. Felt a little scooby-do-ish.  I don’t want to ruin it, but practically everything was wrapped up in a pretty bow when it didn’t have to be, especially since this was the first part of a three-parter. It rushed to resolution.

 MAJOR  SPOILER!!

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Abby and Dom make up, step out of the house, and magically there are two helicopters landing on the lawn delivering all the people and answers they want.  Seemed WAY too convenient. 

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I would recommend it to romance aficionados. It was pretty good. 3.5 Stars.

-Rita

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AL Jackson: Pulled

Pulled
A. L. Jackson
Published: April 5, 2012 by Sapphire Star
ISBN: 1938404009
350 Pages

Synopsis
Melanie and Daniel met in high-school and, from that moment, they knew they were all there would ever be for each other. Two halves of the same soul. The tragic loss of their daughter separated them at a young age, but they never stopped craving or loving each other.  They stayed apart, thinking it was what the other wanted. Nine years pass, and through fate or kismet, they are brought back together – but circumstances are not favorable for a reunion. She’s in a loveless marriage, and he is going through his own troubles with another woman, and has poured himself into a meaningless existence at work. They can only hope that love conquers all and will help them, not only get out of their present situations, but get over the tragic past that separated them - so they can finally be together.


Musings
To get into this book you have to be able to accept that the following is real:

               1) True love
               2) Fate/Destiny/Kismet
               3) Soul mates
               4) Intangible connection between people, allowing them to sense each other/share feelings.

Sounds romantic, right?  This book is filled with angst, forgiveness, acceptance, stupidity, emotion… Ahhh!!! The list goes on. This is one of the most emotional books I’ve read in a while. The strangest (and yes, romantic – if you like that) part was this connection between Melanie and Daniel. You know how there are stories of twins that can just sense each other?  They can feel when the other is happy or sad, and communicate without words?  Or loved ones who can tell across great distances when the other has died or been hurt? Well, the connection between our lovers is much stronger, almost verging on paranormal.

I liked that the characters were developed – real fears, real insecurities, and real hardship. The way the story was laid out was really cool. We are in the present, following the current timeline as events unfold, but are given tidbits to build the past through the characters’ memories. By the mid-point of the book, we finally have the whole picture and are able to plunge deeper into the story.

The swapping from Melanie’s to Daniel’s point of view was great for the advancement of the story, but was occasionally sloppy. A couple of times I had to go back a page to figure out whose thoughts I was reading.  Also, some of their angst, reasons for separating, and assumptions were a little weak – verging on non-believable. But then, I can’t put myself into the headspace to understand the emotions Melanie was feeling after losing her daughter.

The conflict in the story was great, and it had some truth and sadness to it about abuse people inflict on themselves and each other. It enforces the importance of communication and forgiveness. It was also not all bubbles and clouds, “we broke up and now we’re back together.” It was real life pushing them apart. Experiences, misfortune, family…

I enjoyed the intenseness of their romance. Sappy love yes, but physical love was just as important -that rough need to touch, taste, own, brand. This book had it all. The only thing it lacked was a logical beginning to their relationship. It was love at first sight, devotion at first meeting, and forever ever after. Once you get past that it was pretty awesome.

3.5 Stars. I really liked it, and will recommend it to those interested in the genre.

-Rita

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Rita Herron: Marry Me, Maddie

Marry Me, Maddie
Rita Herron
Published August 1, 2001 by Love Spell
ISBN: 0505524333
363 Pages

Synopsis
A down home Southern romance between a fiery redhead and a reformed bad boy; both pursuing their careers, neither looking for what they found.

Chase, Lance and Reid are blood brothers who made a pact to remain bachelors forever. Chase, the only not literal brother, takes this very seriously as he considers Lance and Reid his only family. Maddie, their sister, he remembers at the knobby-kneed girl with pigtails that used to follow them around everywhere.  Boy, has she grown up.

After a public break-up with longtime boyfriend Jeff, Maddie is back on the market, and looking for some fun. Can Chase keep his hands off her when all he wants to do is the opposite? 


Musings
Ick. I won’t give it a terrible rating, since it’s not bad for what it is, but I don’t think I will pursue many others by this author. The plot lines don’t twist, there is no depth or mystery, and the characters seem to fall into silly situations. So if you are looking for a quick, flirty, summer read – this book is for you.

I didn’t like the split attention between two possible couples, and the depth could have easily been there with a little more attention (the mystery of Maddie’s parents, the sabotage, and Chase’s history). The author just needed to dig a little deeper and quit repeating the same thing over and over…

It started out strong, but quickly got weak and stayed there. The sex wasn’t even that riveting (or believable). I had to force myself to finish the book.

2.5 – Caution: Read only if you are into cheesy harlequin romance.

-Rita

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Teaser Tuesday: Marry Me, Maddie

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

The rules of the meme:

1. Grab your current read and open to a random page.
2. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page. NO SPOILERS!

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My Current Read:
Marry Me, Maddie by Rita Herron

"Maddie rolled her eyes and studied the other furnsihings, expecting to see a blow-up doll pop from the ceiling any minute with sexy music and strobe lights accompaning it, but footsteps sounded on the staircase." "Maddie crossed her legs again, anger brewing, her bladder aching."

-Rita

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Top Ten Tuesday: If you liked Fifty Shades....

 

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by our friends and the awesome bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list for us to review and then compile our own. 

 

 

This week's topic:  Books For People Who Like 'X' Book

Since it has been such a huge hit, and I have found myself spiraling down the 'what to read next' rabbit hole. I choose Fifty Shades of Grey (overdone, I know).

Top Ten Books For People Who Like Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James. 

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Mine?

  

1. Twilight: Stephanie Myers
It's gotta be said. This was the inspiration for Fifty Shades!

2. Bared To You: A Crossfire Novel: Sylvia Day 
This is an exact likeness with a twist. Day stamped out this replica to give her readers a fix of something popular.

  

3. Slammed: Colleen Hoover
A must read for all YA, contemporary Romance fans. Nowhere near as dark as Fifty, but just as addicting, and possibly even more powerful.

  

4. Gaberiel's Inferno: Sylvia Day
Hmmm.. more forbidden love, intense relationships, and sacrifice. This is a keeper that forces you to pay attention! (or you'll catch pneumonia and die).

  

     5. The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty: Anne Rice
     Sex slaves, erotica, submission - with a plot!

  

6. Seven Day Loan: Tiffany Reisz
Short, sexy, and sweet. A much closer truth to the Dom/Sub lifestyle.

  

7. Beautiful Disaster: Jamie McGuire
It's not about BDSM or even really erotica, but it is about a twisted-up man changing for a woman - and needing her more than anything else in the world.

  

8. Easy: Tammara Webber
Guy with a tortured past, romance, suspense.  I think most readers will enjoy it.

  

9. A Kiss of Shadows: Laurell K. Hamilton
Okay, I admit this is a far cry. This book really isn't anything like Fifty, but for some reason when I finished Fifty Shades, I wanted to re-read the Merry Gentry series. It builds as the series progresses, but Merry and her men are always up for steamy sex, court intrigue, and even love. And yes - there are plenty of tortured pasts and dark turns to keep you interested. (If you like this one - go for the Anita Blake series. Way more along the lines of risque sex, but you have to get several books in before you reach it).

  

 


10. Shadowfever: Karen Marie Moning
Again, not a rubber stamp of Fifty Shades, but if you liked that book, I would recommend this one to you. It's an action fantasy with a love story woven in. Shadowfever is the last in the series, but has the most of what you are looking for. If you have the time - start at  the beginning of the Fever series.

What are your top recommendations for people who enjoyed Fifty Shades?

  

-Rita

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Jessica Park: Flat Out Love

Flat Out Love
Jessica Park
Published April 11, 2011 (Self-Published eBook)
A SIN: B004W9BYR8
400 Pages

Synopsis
Craigslist is not a trustworthy place to find a living situation - especially if you are a little naive and send first last and security deposit - sight unseen. Julie Seagle realizes her mistake when she finds herself homeless sitting outside of a burrito place wondering where she is going to live for her first semester of college. Luckily her mom's best friend from years past lives in the area, and can put her up while she finds a place. Julie finds herself in a different world. There is something definitely 'off' in the Watkins household, and she does her best to help everyone around her without crossing a line. Celeste, the young daughter in the family has some odd habits, and Julie desperately wants to help her; I suppose because she sees a little of herself in the girl. Matt the middle brother is a nerd who is always studying, but does his best to take care of the family since the parents are very busy and are almost always out. The oldest brother, Finn, is away traveling, and through Julie's conversations with him online - she starts to see the truth about the family, and a dark moment in their past.

Musings
It’s cute and laugh-out-loud funny, but there is no steam here – so don’t jump in expecting a hot and intense romance. I don’t want to do the book a disservice. It was exceptionally good. The use of social networking, IM, and email enhanced the story and let you get a better glimpse into the characters. The story was elaborate and paced. There were no gotcha’s or screw-ups, and I didn’t notice a single typo. The story was very well thought out. Everything connects and keeps you interested and engaged, but it rushed at the end.

Long, interesting story, with a few twists...
                                  -BOOM- big reveal!
                                                -BOOM- HEA!
                                                              -BOOM- over, the end!
                                                                            don’t pass go, don’t collect $200!
                                      Don’t see them interact in an actual relationship.

It’s like it stopped where the story should have started(especially if you want to consider this a romance). And as for that big reveal, it IS exactly what you are thinking from the beginning. And if you are thinking it, it never allows you to enjoy the ride.  In fact it kinda sours the whole thing.
I don’t regret reading it. It really was good for the story it was. But it wasn’t what I was looking for.

3.5 Stars – I’ll recommend it to those that are looking for it.

-Rita

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Tammara Webber: Easy

Easy
Tammara Webber
Published May 24, 2012 (self-published eBook)
A SIN: B0085ZHMA8
304 Pages

Synopsis
Jacqueline (don’t call her Jackie), followed her high school boyfriend to college. She is musical and very talented, but she chose to follow love over logic. Kennedy is her first boyfriend.  He’s political, handsome, and a bit selfish.  When Kennedy breaks up with her to ‘sew his oats’ in college, Jacqueline is heartbroken.  But then, her eyes open…

Lucas is the broody, artsy, bad boy in her class, who she finds actually has a sweet, dedicated and hardworking demeanor. Landen is the smart econ tutor; he’s engaging, funny, and truly interested in Jacqueline, but she’s never met him in person.  All their communication has been via email. Buck is the jerk, Benji the friend.  With all these men swirling around her – Jacqueline has a lot to figure out.


Musings
Easy was a smooth ‘easy’ read (I know, overdone puns are awful, right?).

After just coming off a couple of roller coaster plot lines – this book was a relaxing switch. It wasn’t slow, but the dramatic and shattering ups and downs were softened.  A boy with a troubled past, innocent girl, attraction, secrets… all makes for a good story. This one was sweet and calm, and where I am so used to the dishonesty being the reason the relationship screws up – these characters were crazy honest with each other and worked through things with logic and realism.

The tragedy in Lucas’ history was shocking, and I was surprised to find it at the root of a romance novel, but the author handled it well.  This book has a definite message – one powerful and exceedingly important to women everywhere.  Don’t dismiss it.

I would recommend this book to all my girlfriends. It was really good. 3.5 Stars

-Rita

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Jamie McGuire: Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster
Jamie McGuire
Published May 26, 2011 (Self-Published eBook)
A SIN: B0052VUNHC
361 Pages



Synopsis
Abby Abernathy has a past she is trying to bury, so she moves to a new town with her best friend in tow, adopts a cardigan, attends college, and swears off trouble. Travis Maddox is trouble on legs. He is a womanizer, a fighter, and an anger management needing head case.  When they meet, they challenge each other in weird ways and there is an immediate friendship. A lost bet forces them to share a living space for a month and in the course of that time their friendship is cemented beyond their expectations. Then come the challenges of other people, underground fighting rings, a dangerous stint in Vegas, and a couple brushes with death. This story is a roller coaster ride of ups, downs, I love you, I hate you, I need you, breakups, makeups, and savage intensity.


Musings
I gotta say I had mixed feelings about this one. As is the trend with most successful, self-published works lately– the story was freaking awesome, but the flow, editing, and general organization left something to be desired.

I liked that the book didn’t gloss over how couples fight, how they can love each other to death – but simultaneously hate each other. The characters were emotional, the reactions believable, and the writer actually put time into building a connection between the two main characters!!!  Yes – interaction, budding relationship, a lasting connection observed over time!  It may have been destined, and they had the same instant earth shattering connection as other fictional couples – but like real people, they weren’t declaring their undying love by day 2. I really appreciated that, and it in no way took away from how powerful their relationship was.

However – this tale was a bit creepy. I think the roommate sums it up exceptionally well…

“Do you know what co-dependency is, Abby? Your boyfriend is a prime example, which is creepy considering he went from having no respect for women at all to thinking he needs you to breathe…It’s dangerous to need someone that much. You’re trying to save him and he’s hoping you can. You two are a disaster.”  - Kara, pg. 232.

The hero(?) is Travis Maddox, a overprotective, violent, moody, intense, manic, crazy person. Oh and did I mention codependent?  He fights in an underground fighting ring, over-reacts to every threat to disturb his precious girlfriend’s peace, and should have been arrested on assault charges at least 3 times in the course of the book. I’m a little worried about how this will make young readers feel/act. I can sense that it is honest. These people could be real, their pasts make them what they are and allow them to accept each other – but in no way should the general population think irrational violence is in any way good or romantic. A younger reader may romanticize the fights, but a jaded person can recognize that sometimes crazy needs crazy to be happy – but that doesn’t make them any less crazy.

The Vegas/Mob bit was interesting, but felt out of place with the entirety of the story – probably not necessary. The writer could have found other ways to motivate the characters and give them back story without mucking up the roller coaster ride that is this book.

I really enjoyed it, and might recommend it to others who like similar stuff - 3.5 stars.

-Rita

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Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Habits

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by our friends and the awesome bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list for us to review and then compile our own. 

This week's topic: Freebie Week! (Bookish Bad Habits)

What are your top ten wacky reading habits ?

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Mine? 

1. I dog-ear books. Yes this shames me, but I do it anyway.
2. If I consider a book a 'keeper' I have to buy it (and it's mathcing compaions) in hardback to display on my shelves, even if I already have a copy, or multiple copies.
3. When a book makes me anxious, I like to skip ahead to random parts and read a page or two before continuing the story, just so I know what I am getting into.
4. I sometimes read up to 4-5 books at the same time. I have one by my bed, one in the bathroom, one at work, one in my car... the list goes on.
5. I love to re-read books, even if I literally just finished them. Some of my favorites I have read 10 + times, others I make a point to re-read every year.
6. Once I commit to an author, I keep reading their stuff, even if it sucks, and I know it is going to continue sucking.
7. I always make a point to watch the film, if there is one based on the book.
8. I have to have access to a book to read, whenever, wherever I go - even if I know I won't have the opportunity to read it. (Thank you Kindle for iPhone for not making me continue to be that weirdo with a paperback sticking out of my back pocket).
9. I fall alseep reading more often than I fall asleep watching TV, or any other activity. (I've aquired the ability to sleep with all the lights on).
10. I over organize my books: read, TBR, by author, by series... my bookshelves are very intimidating to others.

What are your top ten wacky reading habits?

-Rita

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Colleen Hoover: Slammed

Slammed
Colleen Hoover
Published January 1, 2012 (eBook)
ISBN: 2940014187602
314 Pages

Synopsis
Layken was named in a compromise between her very loving parents. Her mom wanted to name her Layla, her dad wanted Kennedy, so they took the first three letters of each and mashed them together. He mom calls her Lake. Lake is 18 and a senior in high school when her father dies in a car accident. She, her mother, and her 9 year old brother Kel are forced to move from their big ranch home in Texas to a small rental house in Michigan. She is quickly losing spirit when her new, attractive 21-year old neighbor enters the picture. There is an instant connection, but life quickly rears it's head, and there are some major obstacles keeping them apart. 

Musings
One night I woke up about 2am and I could not go back to sleep. I wanted to read something new, and found this in the Amazon top 100 romance (at #9 this week). It sounded good, but I was a little apprehensive because it's YA fiction. I asked myself, how good a romance could it be without falling into the cheesy category?  Then I read a handful of reviews and found out some tid-bits.  Call me interested.  This is Colleen Hoover's first work, and she wrote the bulk of it in a month (my guess, NaNoWrMo, considering her slam poem in book 2). Reviewers were gossiping that some of her feedback was faked, and her 5 star rating wasn't legit.  I decided this was the book to read that restless night, just to see who was right. I started in around 2:15am and finished it that same morning, setting it down only once to go pee.

First: the high rating, the quick climb, the hype - all deserved. It gets some leeway for being Young Adult Fiction, but even then, it's well written. The first person PoV takes some getting used to, and could be a little stronger, but once you sink in, you can easily get past it. The characters are awesome too. I want Lake's mom's insight, Will's patience, Eddie's confidence, and Caulder & Kel's imagination. These people are so rich, you very quickly become attached.

The story is what makes this exemplary. It didn't feel like a repeat. So often (especially right now) the new hot books are re-writes of previous success. I was starting to get the feeling I was reading the same books over and over again.  Not with this story. It has a couple of unique twists that almost catch you off-guard.  And yes - it totally made me cry. It was happy, sad, romantic, inspiring, all the default things you want a good book to be. But it was also different. The poetry aspect bothered me at first, but this isn't stuffy old Keats.  This poetry is modern day, powerful, and highly emotional - not to mention easy to understand and relate to.

This is definitely one of my must-reads. All ages, all walks of life, everyone can get something out of this series.  Highly recommended 4.5 Stars.

-Rita

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