Secrets of a Chalet Girl by Lorraine Wilson

buy on: Amazon, Amazon UK, barnes & noble

"Set in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Verbier, the winter playground of the rich and famous, Secrets of a Chalet Girl is the second book in Lorraine Wilson’s fabulous Ski Season series."

3 stars!

Review:

Since this is a novella (and a short one) I'm going to try to keep this short.

This is a lovely short romance story. The characters have enough depth and chemistry to keep this story believable.

I did find some parts confusing- like they talked about going somewhere in Christmas and all of sudden they were gone for Christmas. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the timing wasn't that clear, and even though the story take place at some skiing resort I didn't feel it that much either, I would have loved to see more ski.

But(!) the way Flora and Zac met was pretty cute, and the whole second chapter is dedicated to a truth, dare or forfeit foreplay game that was kind of hot(*cough* REALLY HOT *cough*). Also, we learn quite fast what happened to Flora with her ex, and then we learn about Zac's family too.

Even though the issue is not addressed as well as I would have liked it be considering that this is a novella it was addressed OK within the time's limits (and it really is hard to address the issue of abuse). It was nice to see how they slowly cared for each other, and how they found comfort and consolation in each other, even though the time spam was really short (but I am in no position to judge that).

All in all I liked it, it is a fun christmas read just that the impression is not ever lasting. 

ARC was kindly provided by HarperImpulse through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

this review can be found on: BookLikes, GoodReads, Amazon UK, Amazon

Bared to You by Sylvia Day book review by Eleni

Author: Silvia Day
Release Date: June 12th 2012
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Series: Crossfire
Pages: 388
Rating: 5 stars
Buy on: Amazon , Barnes and Noble

Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness… 

He was beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I’d never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily…

Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other’s most private wounds…and desires.The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart...

Review:

I have  to say that this is my second romance - erotica novel that i have read and it is phenomenal.
Although, at some points its cheesy the way that Day writes made me turn the pages like crazy.

This book contains strong language and crazy love scenes that i would only recommend to hormone mature people...

I loved the characters and how well are made, how their flaws match with our own and how i was bonded with them. I loved the whole dominant male and Day did a really good job with the sex god Gideon Cross who is now one of my favorite book characters. He is not perfect but he is awesome in his own hot steamy sexy way and i love love love him for that.

Eva on the other side is the broken heroin that saves the broken hero. Its cheesy and classic on this particular genre (but not only) but its made so good that the whole things comes to match the needs of a woman in love. She has her insecurities and her demands and jealousy is something i can totally relate with.

The sex scenes were amazing and the language had nothing to do with 50 Shades...it was a lot more intense and weird at some points but it totally made you feel things.

The books explores the side effects of sexual (and not only) abuse two people suffered and how they did with it in a relationship. How it affects them and what they try to do to make the situations better. So the whole book isn't only about sex but also about healing and understanding and dealing with your past and the wounds it left on you.

I'm totally reading book two and three.

The Trouble With Mojitos by Romy Sommer

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"Turquoise blue waters. Sandy white beaches. Mojitos... Film location scout Kenzie Cole has found herself in paradise. Working in the Caribbean for a week is just what she needs to escape the long line of exes in her closet. Though the last thing she expects is to be picked up at the resort bar by a disgraced former Prince!

Luckily for Kenzie, exile is suiting the man formerly known as Prince Fredrik very well. And it’s not long before his rugged, pirate charm is proving hard to resist.

But Rik’s been spending his time in paradise exorcising demons of his own and he has danger written all over him. If Kenzie was sensible she’d run a mile instead of lose herself to lust - although, they do say sometimes you have to get lost before you can be found...."

4 stars!

Review:

So apparently this is the second book in a series, but fear not, you don't need to read the first book in order to enjoy this one. I say that from experience. 

This story begins with a prolog that tells the story of how the island Tortuga came to be abandoned. A princess came to the island of Los Pajaros to marry it's governor, but once she arrived she met a pirate and the two fell in love and ran away together to Tortuga, the governor chased them but when he failed to retrieve his bride he cast a spell on the island, a curse that says that those that come to Tortuga would suffer from misery and a horrible death.

Now, I don't know what about you, but when I hear Pirates, Curse, Romance and the Caribbean my imagination runs wild (The Pirates of the Caribbean wild).

Even so, I'll have to warn you: This is a nowadays romance story, which means that despite it's very original beginning the Curse and the Pirates play little part here.

But you know what? The Caribbean plays big part here, and was it beautiful! But before I start raving and stop to make sense I think I should go to the beginning.

Kenzie Cole is a thirty-something single, beautiful, talented location scout that needs to find some locations to an upcoming film production. Kenzie has been through a lot in life- really, I thought her problem was some relationships with bad boys go wrong. But I didn't expect what actually happened.  

Rik is a thirty-something exiled prince (exiled on his own decision) after living his entire life in a lie- grooming himself and dedicating himself to his country and position as king he learns something that changes his life forever. Now he spends his time in Los Pajaros drinking himself to oblivion, looking like a pirate and a bad boy and mourning his lost life. His secret is not surprising.

The two meet when both drink in a bar, and strike a deal that Rik would help Kenzie with her locations scouting. The electricity between them is high, and the attraction is almost tantalizing. Soon, a Caribbean romance begins. As in every book, they think it would be only for a short while but they find forever. 

The big question is: what makes this book a 4 stars book? First of all the writing. Sommer's writing is light, funny and well done.  Her descriptions of the Caribbean- the weather, the sun, the sunset, the smell, the wine, the trees and the turtles is so rich you can see it in your mind's eye. I haven't though much of the Caribbean as one of the places I must visit before, and now I do!

The sexual tension and the sex scenes are an added bonus. As well as the fact that some of the usual drama is avoided- there is not even once something like "you want me for me money and my title" and it was so very refreshing.

Closer to the end there's a little drama that shows just how much Kenzie had been through, and you know what? Rik didn't flinch, he chased her, he accepted her, he supported her and he loved her. And what a chasing scene that was! I wish for a flash mob and exotic flowers too! Sommer knows how to write her HEAs perfectly.

Also Sommer surprises with Kenzie's best friend Lee, and each chapter has a tweet. Some are really funny: 

"@KEnzieCole101: in most fairy tales the bad boy turns into a prince. Just once I'd like to kiss a prince and have him turn into a steady dependable guy"

Yes, this book is falling to some tropes of the genre- the love interest is rich, there are secrets, and the immediate attraction as well as the fact that they fall in love within a week's time, even the ever so perfect HEA. But it never claimed to be different, it just promised me a good time and a smile and it delivered that promise.

So, as I already said- if you want to read light romance that would keep a silly smile on your face with exotic setting and likeable characters (don't forget the sex) this is your book! it even had it's funny moments (and tweets!)

An ARC was provided by HarperImpulse through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

Some favourite quotes (because I like to share):

"She was done with men who needed fixing. Besides, her plane ticked was booked for three days from now. That wasn't enough time to fix whatever was broken with Rik My-Name-Doesn't-Matter. Even if she hadn't already had her fill of bad boys"

"Three times she had already got it very, very-wrong, and no one ever said 'fourth time's the charm"

"This morning you said you'd do anything to see me shirtless in public. Your wish is granted."

 *Original pre-review*

and THIS is how you write a HEA (including a wonderful chasing scene)

full review to come soon, but just so you'll know right now: if you want to read light romance with exotic setting and likeable characters (don't forget the sex) this is your book! it even had it's funny moments (and tweets!)


This review alos appears on:BookLikes, GoodReads, Amazon, Amazon UK

Through the Smoke by Brenda Novak

Buy on: The Book Depository, Amazon

"A shocking betrayal…

Riches. Power. An ancient heritage of pride. The Earl of Druridge wanted only for an heir. So when he learned that his wife was carrying another man’s child, he was filled with a thirst for vengeance.

But he wasn’t the one who caused Katherine’s death. Or was he? To his horror, he remembers nothing of that dreadful night, when their last confrontation ended in scorching flame and cold blood.

A forbidden love…

Rachel McTavish, the beautiful daughter of a coal miner, knows something about the fire that took Lady Katherine’s life. In secret, the strong-willed girl strikes a bargain with the desperate earl: he must send his physician to help her dying mother or he may go to the devil—and the scaffold. He agrees, but she is still unsure that her revelation will be enough to save him when so many wish him dead.

Passionately drawn to the nobleman, despite all the doubt and mystery that shrouds him, Rachel wonders if he can really be a murderer. Or if he is the only man who will ever own her heart…"

5  stars!

Review:

Before I start this review I need you to understand something, while reading this book a few things happened to me:

I walked on the street with my nose stuck to me phone (where I read the book), I lost sleep, I got on the right bus but missed the right station to get down on and held to walk all the way back, I was late for class, I missed some classes and I hardly listened in the ones I was in. 

In short, I was so immersed by the book I forgot about the people around me and the things I needed to do, my full attention was on the book (thus all those mistakes I made). 

It has been a long time since I was this caught up in the book- up until now I was sure it was my great discipline and self-control, I was fooling myself to think so. 

Brenda Novak says in the introduction how she wrote this book inspired by the gothic feeling of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. Only time will tell if she accomplished her goal. But your humble servant here thinks she did but she also managed to create something entirely her own!

This historical romance is written so very beautifully, and sometimes it had maintained a gothic feeling, but even when it didn't it was still chilling heart wrenching or heartwarming and completely terrifying, especially the last few chapters that had me so nervous and afraid!

I have to give you a fair warning- unlike Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights or any historical romance that was written at that time, this book, influenced by these day and age, had sex in it. At first I found it somewhat weird, since I thought that if the author aimed at a certain style she would not write such thing. But she did and I'm glad she did, because despite my love for Jane Eyre I found it lacking in sexual tension and I didn’t know that it bothered me until I read the sex scenes in this book, that are wonderfully and tenderly written. 

Both main characters- Rachel and Truman (the earl), might not be likeable at first (though I loved them in first read). They are full of pride, and property and passion. Sometimes they can be found a bit cruel or naïve, full of prejudice. They can appear somewhat cold- but they stay true to themselves and their ideals through the whole story, not wavering even once.

Rachel with her naiveté, pride, stubbornness and honesty- showed her strong will enduring all the hardships in the village. I could not belief the lengths to which she went to keep her brother safe and to provide to him, her actions were truly admirable. 

And Truman, with his determination to find his wife's killer, his will to protect and help Rachel, his love for her and the way he noticed every little change in her.  He was truly a noble man.

The mystery is not that much of a mystery though some of the reasons behind things were surprising, and even when I suspected who the "bad guy" was, Mrs. Novak managed to have me wishing it wouldn't be him. 

This book avoids all the tropes historical romance book are so well known of. The things I usually find annoying in these books- like a lousy excuse for a lady/lord- you won't find here. Both characters are smart and act accordingly. And all the things there is to love about historical romance- like the time and the love in the etiquette- are all presents here. Oh, the time, Mrs. Novak did a wonderful job describing the work in the mines, the poverty in contrast of the high social standing of the earl and all his money. The village life just sprang to life out of the book- with the brothel and how many didn't know how to read, the rumors and the fact the each and every character was more than the sum of her actions and what she seemed to be. Mrs. Tate and Mr. Linley were wonderful side characters and very loyal it was touching. And Geordie (Rachel's brother) was such a sweet kid. 

I enjoyed every minute of reading this book, even when I thought it might break my heart and when I was so afraid, so very afraid of what was to come.

A copy was kindly provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

*Original pre-review*

*Looking around in a haze, damn, I missed my bus station! oh well, at least I finished the book* 

Review to follow shortly, but trust me, you want to read this book.


This review is also posted on:BookLikes, GoodReads, The Book Depository, Amazon

Slash by Slash and Anthony Bozza Book Review by Eleni

Author: Slash and Anthony Bozza
Release Date: Ocotber 30th 2007
Publisher: It books
Pages: 458
Rating: 5 stars
Buy on: Amazon , Barnes And Noble

From one of the greatest rock guitarists of our era comes a memoir that redefines sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll

Here, for the first time ever, Slash tells the tale that has yet to be told from the inside: how the band came together, how they wrote the music that defined an era, how they survived insane, never-ending tours, how they survived themselves, and, ultimately, how it all fell apart. This is a window onto the world of the notoriously private guitarist and a seat on the roller-coaster ride that was one of history's greatest rock 'n' roll machines, always on the edge of self-destruction, even at the pinnacle of its success. This is a candid recollection and reflection of Slash's friendships past and present, from easygoing Izzy to ever-steady Duff to wild-child Steven and complicated Axl.

It is also an intensely personal account of struggle and triumph: as Guns N' Roses journeyed to the top, Slash battled his demons, escaping the overwhelming reality with women, heroin, coke, crack, vodka, and whatever else came along.

He survived it all: lawsuits, rehab, riots, notoriety, debauchery, and destruction, and ultimately found his creative evolution. From Slash's Snakepit to his current band, the massively successful Velvet Revolver,Slash found an even keel by sticking to his guns.

Slash is everything the man, the myth, the legend, inspires: it's funny, honest, inspiring, jaw-dropping . . . and, in a word, excessive.

Review:

I am a huge fan of guns and roses and naturally of Slash. When this books got into my hands I started reading an amazing and hard to believe story of one of the hardest and toughest rock stars on this planet.

Since I am a huge fan I knew some things but I didn't know others. This book took me aback. 
Slash start the book with where he was born and a brief telling of his first years. He then moves on to live in England and how he remembers his parents and of course the big move to L.A. and how that and the fact that he grew up in the seventies changes his life dramatically.

From a very young age drugs, music and excessive alcohol drinking lead his to weird and scary situations. He took those habits with him through the years and he never stopped living on the edge. In comparison to Duff's memoir Slash was tells all about the ugly side of GNR and how each member of the band and what lead them to eventually estrange from each other. It seems that everyone wanted the same thing - to perform and be a great band - but no one stood up when Axl did what he did. I think Axl had a really good ego and took advantage of it when he knew that the alcohol induced band mates wont bat an eye or confront him for his actions. 

From page one of the book you can see that Slash was indeed a very clever man but he didn't always use his brain when he had too part because of the drugs that kept him in a haze...i have to say that in some parts some situations either were the wrong date or he wasnt quite sure about them. Slash himself said that he was using some of his agendas to state a few facts because he wasn't sure if something happened or not.

I would like to know more about the lawsuits for the rights and everything after GNR broke up and a lot more about Axl although Slash tries to do its best to excuse his weird and ego centered behavior by saying that ''I'm sure Axl had his reasons''. Of course as Duff said Axl could be more than a good friend with you if you took him on your good side but overall he was a very unpredictable person.

After the GNR years you can see how difficult it was for Slash to create another band and how everything went to hell after the industry changed in the late 90's. Also you can see that those people were used a lot from the industry because simply they were dollar machines. The book describes the process of the creation of Velvet Revolver and how difficult it was for them to find a singer that fits with the group.

Both Slash and Anthony Bozza did a great job with writing the book and making it ''sound'' like Slash. It was a book of almost 500 big pages and small little letters it drove me crazy to finish it but I loved every bit of it.

I wouldnt recommend this book to a kid under 14 due to strong language and mature situations.

Vampire Diaries Challenge for October by Eleni

I tried to read the Hunters book 1 of the series and i dropped it on chapter 5.

It felt like the characters were not like the ones on the first 4 books . It was really weird and I am really really disappointed because i was looking forward to read them.

So i will cancel the October Challenge and find something else to replace it. Sorry.

Clockwork Princess by Cassadra Clare book review by Eleni

Author: Cassandra Clare
Release Date: March 19th 2013
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
Series: The Infernal Devices
Pages: 565
Rating: 5 stars
Buy on: Amazon , Barnes and Noble

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

Tessa Gray should be happy – aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shaodwhunters of the London Institute. 

A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her. 

Review:
Okay, here we go. It took me two whole days to come up with a review for this...book. This book that tore my heart in two and made me so freaking angry and made me lost it totally..is one of the greatest books I ever read on this genre.

I wont spoil anything at all but what I will say to you is that go buy, download, loan whatever this book right now and start reading. It will drive you crazy and i have to say that you will be pulling your hair with utmost despair.

The characters are all the same and the story starts from where it was left on the Clockwork Prince and then everything goes to hell literally. Tessa is about to marry Jem and the rest of the Shadowhunters try to figure out what to do with the infamous Mortmain. Suddenly, when everything is going bad Will comes up with the news that there is no yin fen for purchase anymore due to the fact that Mortmain bought everything. And the downfall starts.

I really hated the fact that Clare had to totally tear her characters apart in this book and have everyone suffer as much as possible - with the only exception of Will who suffers a lot more than the others. Tessa has found herself in a love triangle again but this time the weight goes towards Will - but wait..she is not sure. I dont know how Clare did this but Tessa gave me the impression (Again) that she was trying to convince herself that she loved Jem, although we all know that she loves Will.

I cant say how much i wanted to cry when Jem was dying and when Will talked to him about some things. How both of them love each other and how each one of them would sacrifice himself for the other. This 10 pages were the most emotional in the whole book. Clare did a good job with words again. She gave a great description of how the bond of a parabatai ends and how it really feels. It was just heartbreaking and amazing.

I want to make a huge spoiler but i cant because i told you i wont but towards the end of the book all of you will get a huge shock. I thought i would die because what happened goes beyond imagination and seriously i think that what happened is a huge slap in the face for Jem...poor, kind Jem but for that part and only i am so glad that i read the book.

In the whole book what i DID NOT LIKE AT ALL IS THE EPILOGUE. Seriously??? 15 pages for 130 years of life????Okay i have to say that some lines made me tear up and think about it after i finished the book and i have to give that to Clare -she can make you cry with just one line. But what really happened in the last 4 pages is what made me so angry. What happens is kinda weird when it comes to honor and respect and also She leaves you with the impression that there's gonna be more but i dont think it will be more. Agh!!!!

Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Princess is one of my favorite books now and i will return to it sometime in the future.