Thursday, May 31, 2012

Fifty Shades Freed: Book Three by E L James


****4 stars After chewing through all three books at a rapid pace and enjoying them here is what I have to offer. I really liked them. I have heard a lot of different things about these books, everyone has an opinion. I wasn't blushed or outraged by the relations between the characters and really liked that there was so many other layers of intensity outside the red room :) I do have to say as a huge fan of Twilight BOOKS! that if you are a fan you probably would enjoy these as well. There were some similarities for me, not just location, adoption, but also the characters behaviors, all the way to the parents. With that being said the plot was very different and although there is a little of everything in these books as well,at times felt that I was reading a grown up Twilight Series. Don't get me wrong I loved every minute of it. I am sincerely hooked to trilogies because you are able to see characters grow and where the author takes them over time. I now have ignored my family for four days solid and burned through a kindle, it is ok though cause Amazon has another one on the way;) But it's back to reality for me. I do know these books will probably be on my mind for a while :)

Book Jacket Summary: When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees. Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past. Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality.

Fifty Shades Darker: Book Two by E L James


*** 3 stars As I said in my previous post that I dived right in to book 2 after reading the first. I truly don't think you could pick up book two and read it without reading the first book, there are so many different details that make the intimacy of this book. I also did feel it got a bit repetitive at times, but as with the first book found myself in grossed and unable to put the book down. I really liked that the intensity was still there and able to be maintained, and I am not talking about the "**ckery". You truly feel a connection between the characters and find yourself routing them both on.

Book Jacket Summary: Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades. While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

50 Shades of Grey:Book Ones by E L James


****4 stars I picked this up because of all the hype it was getting. I usually tend not to read erotic romance. I have often said that the reason I love my British authors is the intensity without having everything fully laid out by chapter 3 :) With that being said there was an intensity to this book, that wasn't just because of the explicit scenes. You really truly begin to get into the characters and find yourself wondering what will happen next. I will give you one heads up when reading this book, have book number 2 standing by as you will immediately want to dive in ;)

Book Jacket Summary: When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms. Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues by Trisha Ashley


**** 4 stars Another solid read by Trisha Ashley. I really enjoyed the characters as well as the many Cinderella references. I also like how it updated us a bit with the characters from her previous books. If you haven't read them you won't be lost in that aspect but those of you that are an Ashley fan will enjoy hearing the updates and the sense of community you get with these books. I look forward to her next book.

Book Jacket Summary: When Tansy Poole inherits a run-down shoe shop tucked away in the village of Sticklepond, ‘Cinderella’s Slippers’ is born – providing the footwear to make any fairytale wedding come true… Carrying everything a bride would want to walk down the aisle in, Tansy’s shop soon expands to carry shoe-themed wedding favours, bridesmaid gifts and even delicious chocolate shoes. It’s the dream destination for any shoe-lover! If only everything in her personal life could be as heavenly – but with a fiancĂ© trying to make her fit into a size 8 wedding dress, not to mention the recent discovery of disturbing family revelations, Tansy takes refuge in the shop’s success. But one man isn’t thrilled by the stream of customers hot-footing it to Cinderella’s Slippers… Actor Ivo Hawksley, resident of the cottage next to the shop, is troubled by a dark secret in his past and has come to Sticklepond to nurse his own broken heart. However, Ivo realises that he and Tansy have a link in their past and soon, they both find out how secrets shared can make a very strong bond indeed…

Friday, May 18, 2012

One Perfect Summer by Paige Toon


*****5 stars One Perfect day well spent reading :) I chewed through this book in a day. I absolutely adore Paige Toon's books, my only problem is she doesn't churn them out fast enough for me to go through. I have actually finished a book of hers and gone back and reread it not two weeks later, because I missed the characters and book so much. I really enjoyed the storyline and liked the characters. There were a couple times I actually found myself talking back to the book out loud. I am sorry it ended so quickly. This book will be kept on my kindle, for I am sure that I will find my way back to it again.

Book Jacket Summary: 'Do you still love him?' Every second of every minute of every hour of every day...Alice is18 and about to start university while Joe's life is seemingly going nowhere. A Dorset summer, a chance meeting, and the two of them fall into step as if they have known each other forever. But their idyll is shattered, suddenly, unexpectedly. Alice heads off to Cambridge and slowly picks up the pieces of her broken heart. Joe is gone; she cannot find him. When she catches the attention of Lukas - gorgeous, gifted, rich boy Lukas - she is carried along by his charm, swept up in his ambitious plans for a future together. Then Joe is there, once more, but out of reach in a way that Alice could never have imagined. Life has moved on, the divide between them is now so great. Surely it is far too late to relive those perfect summer days of long ago?

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Recipe for Love by Katie Fforde


*****5 stars As always Fforde delivers. I have been in a reading slump lately and have lacked the motivation to read. I saw that Fforde's most recent book came out and I immediately downloaded it to my kindle. I was wrapped up in it and feel that it has restored my reading juices. I love all of Katie Fforde's books. This one was simply delectable.

Book Jacket Summary: Take one aspiring cook, one judge, and a spoonful of romance... When Zoe Harper wins a coveted place in a televised cookery competition she's thrilled. It's a chance to cook her way to fame and fortune and the little delicatessen she's set her heart on. The first task has hardly begun when she finds herself with rather too much on her plate. Not only has she got to contend with the fiercely competitive and downright devious Cher, but she's fast developing an inconvenient crush on one of the judges - the truly delicious Gideon Irving. All too soon there's more than canapés, cupcakes and cordon bleu at stake. Will Zoe win the competition or is Gideon one temptation too far? And is Zoe really prepared to risk it all for love?