Review: Spin (Songs of Corruption, Book 1) by CD Reiss

As my Goodreads addiction continued to fuel and this blog happening, I signed up for Netgalley in the hopes of having access to ARCs (Advanced Reading Copy), or in other words, more books, pre-release or not, that I can read and review. I figure, the $0.99 or $3.99 here and there do pile up whether I admit it or not, so why not hope to get some complimentary copies here and there as well (apparently, I don't get enough freebies on Amazon, Kobo, etc, that I have to increase my options even more O.o). Hey, I think it's a win-win for all anyway. I get a complimentary copy and they get a review. Now whether the review is good or not, that's all part and parcel, right?...

RATING: 5 napkins

Mafia capo, Antonio Spinelli blew through my orderly life like a cyclone.

Gorgeous and passionate, with a breathtaking brutality, he put me under his spell the moment he touched me, drawing me into his underworld of risk, violence and betrayal.

And I found, just as this sophisticated savage didn't trust me, I didn't trust myself. Something happened to me. Some alchemy from the heat between us.

I discovered I was a savage, too.

via

*ARC provided by Fido Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for a review*


(Originally posted on Goodreads)

First off, I just wanna say again that I could not have squee'd any harder or longer when I got the email notification that I've been approved for an ARC by the publisher via Netgalley. It was my first approved one (and I'm not talking the 'read-now' option which is pretty much a blanket approval), and to also say that it's a book by one of my most fave authors, I don't know how much more special that could have been. Just saying... 

Secondly, I fell in love with CDR's writing from her SoS series, and to say that I'm a huge CDR fan is an understatement. So going into this one, I already know that I would love Theresa & Spin's story even before I read it. In other words, just letting you know that this review may be more biased than usual.

Just like Monica in the SoS series, here's another strong CDR h in Theresa. Quiet and understated her strength may be, it radiates in her thoughts and actions throughout the book IMO. Smart, passionate, has a good handle on her emotions, a good friend and sister.

And just like Jonathan in the SoS series who will always have one of the top spots in my book bf list, I realize I also have to make room for Spin now too*g* Spin is another CDR swoon-alicious H. Only this time, on the other side of the law, putting it mildly. Can't get any more bada$$ than that, right? He's ruthless and passionate at the same time, talk about an explosive combo! No emotional pansy there, that's for sure. 

At the risk of sounding repetitive, both H&h are equally strong in their own rights which makes for such an interesting dynamic, and layer that with their backgrounds that cannot be any more opposite; therefore, you get quite an engaging read. Add of course, the heat b/w the 2 is just palpable!!! Love the fierceness of their interaction. It's feisty and just oozes with passion... 

With CDR's writing, I always get the like feeling of being in a movie; like I'm right there next to the characters, seeing what they're seeing but with the added bonus of being in their heads as well... So if I were to describe this book like a movie, I'd say this one has action, drama, laughter, suspense and passion... (actually, I think I can pretty much say that with any of CDR's books, again, just saying...)

Cannot. Cannot. Wait. Long enough for the next one in this series!


~ Leftie

(PS. I also have a purchased copy, so call me crazy but that's how enamored I am of CDR's work)

What To Do, What To Do

Hi, Leftie here!

What with work, my ever-exploding To-Be-Read list of books, my own personal blog, and everything else in between, you'd think I have so much spare time that I continue to wonder in what direction I want to take this book blog. Noticed how I said "I"? Oh Rightie doesn't care, trust me. I suppose we both know who has more vested interest in this thing LOL...

I know, I know, all Rightie and I wanted to do, really, in the beginning, was write reviews on books that catch our attention. But the way I see it, if I'm the one here mostly (did you hear that, Rightie?), it just feels repetitive writing only reviews since almost always, they're reviews that I have written on my Goodreads page already (in case you haven't noticed yet, it's practically a cut and paste job). Now where would be the fun in that, eh?

If nothing else, I thought why can't it be like a blog version of Booklikes? Mind you, I'm still getting the hang of that site so not necessarily the best example...

Now, as far as how this blog will look as we move forward, I'm not quite fully sure yet. You may start seeing small changes here and there in time. Or not... We will see... Or should I say, I will see... hehe

(Surprise, Rightie! bwahaha)

Review: Louder Than Love by Jessica Topper

RATING: 4.5 napkins

In this powerful debut novel, a young librarian grieves the loss of her husband...and discovers a love that defies classification.

It's been over three years since a train accident made a widow of Katrina Lewis, sending her and her young daughter Abbey back to the suburban town of her youth...the only place that still makes sense. Lauder Lake is the perfect place to hide and heal.

Recluse rocker Adrian "Digger" Graves survived the implosion of his music career, but his muse has long lain dormant. Until Kat hires him to play at her library—not on the basis of his hard rock credentials but rather, because of the obscure kids' TV jingle he wrote years ago. In a case of mistaken identity, Adrian stumbles into the lives of Kat and her comically lovable daughter.

Using tattoos as a timeline, Adrian unfurls his life for Kat. But as the courtship intensifies, it's unclear whose past looms larger: the widow's or the rocker's. Will their demons ever rest, or will they break these soul mates apart?

via

(Originally posted on Goodreads)

Like I messaged Ms. Topper (I had to *grins*), here is a beautiful story with well-developed characters and written very nicely, to put it succinctly.

It's such a mellow read that packs a lot of emotion, if that makes sense. The H&h's story unfolds nicely as you see Kat first going thru' the loss of her husband, really heartbreaking, then meeting Adrian and their attempt after to build a relationship while saddled with their baggage separately, her with the death of her spouse and him with the aftermath of a music career that took him "to hell and back". I like how the H&h are older, doing their best to handle their situation in a mature way, unlike the usual NA H&h's in their 20's with sometimes OTT drama. The other characters were just as likable, especially Abbey, the daughter. 

If I have a itty-bitty thing to whine about, the pace felt somehow slow at times, and there were a couple of occasions when it felt that things were forgiven quite easily. But in the end, it was a real treat reading it because the writing was exquisite.

- Leftie

Review: Songs of Submission (series) by CD Reiss

Hi there! Leftie here. Long time no write *waves hello* It's been ages, hasn't it? What can I say, life happens, no? I'm quite active on Goodreads where I've been posting all my reviews but I thought it was high time to update things here. The direction of this blog may be slightly(?) changing. Rightie (oh, Rightie, Rightie!) may not be as present here so you'll be stuck with me for the most part *grins*. I figure I'll cover books that really tugged at me or just made me shake my head all over; or not. Also, this most likely will focus on my guilty reads, aka romance, so please consider yourself warned (insert maniacal laugh). So, without further ado...


OVERALL RATING: 5 napkins

(All images via Goodreads and all reviews originally posted on Goodreads)

1.) Beg

via

Strong h, intriguing H, witty interaction, steamy enough... I thought it's a pretty good start for this serialized story, styled like an episodic show like Ms. Reiss said. 

On to series #2!

2.) Tease

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Really liking how this story is unfolding. Love the feisty, honest spirit of the h and the H is totes alpha *swoons* And the heat! *fans self* lol

Trying not to let the episodic style get to me... which is probably the only reason why it's not a 5* read for me. It's finished just when I'm really getting into it. But then again, the feeling of anticipation does add something to the reading experience...

On to #3!

3.) Submit

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I think this may be my fave portion of the story so far, despite a really sad part in it. Now we're really delving into how the H&h is working out their relationship. 

"-And let’s talk about the rest later. Today, you are the goddess my universe revolves around."

I know that sounds cheesy out of context but in the situation it was used, such a sweet tender scene even though it was really short, I totally fell for it, le sigh... It was nice to see the H attending to the h's needs during that sad time. 

I admit Ms. Reiss almost lost me when I started seeing more and more similarities with other known book(s) in the same genre (let's just leave it at that*g*) but the way Ms. Reiss writes, I was able to overlook it. The smart interaction continues. Fleshing out the characters continues so naturally, as far as I'm concerned. Nothing feels cheesy (which could happen easily I find when you chunk out a story in pieces). The story is still flowing smoothly thus far... Yup, still on board with this one:)

4.) Control

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This just keeps getting better and better! I thought Submit was my fave so far but this book just superseded it. Heck, I very well could be saying that again with the next one in the series as I move forward with this story.

First of all, dual POV, yay! The H's POV wasn't as long as the h's but what little there is, I really enjoyed it. He says and thinks the most delicious things*g* The heat b/w the 2 does not dissipate and the relationship unfolds in such a mature manner given their (realistic) struggles. The h continues to be a strong character. 

I know I keep saying things appear to 'continue' because I'm always afraid that the next book in this series will blindside me with something idiotic but I should know better by now, shouldn't I? With Ms. Reiss' writing, I should trust that she won't disappoint at all.

Oh and one last thing, Invictus?! Really, Ms. Reiss? That part alone made me smile, roll my eyes in a took-me-back-in-time good way:p, laugh, and sigh for the imaginative way you wove that into the story. That was too awesome, hot, nerdy, bizarre and sexy all at the same time for words, that's all I'm gonna' say:)

5.) Burn

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So they were hardly together in this part of the series, as a couple, that is. Things are starting to get really interesting now as issues are starting to be dealt with, be it the ex(es), how to move the relationship forward, or even the h's career. 

LOVE the texting interactions as always (most fave so far is while they're on the plane*g*), AND the ice cube scene!!!;) 

And this particular ending felt like the biggest of the cliffhangers so far, or maybe it's just me, hmmm...

6.) Resist

via 

HOLY EFFING CLIFFHANGER!!! Thank god for the warning, CDR:)

Yes, yes, as expected in any NA, the drama that surrounds the H&h just seems to keep going and going. Heck, with the baggage that the H carries with him, it's no wonder, really. But in this case, I'm ok with all of it as not one part felt gratuitous for me. The dual POV continues. Somewhere in the middle, I actually got confused, mistaking the H's voice for the h's. Usually, that's not a good sign for me but I realized shortly after, it's bec they're both such strong characters, they both have this level of self-awareness, and the wit and sense of humor is not limited to just one of them; hence, the momentary lapse in my reading the POV. 

The highlight for me in this book is really the h's attitude, her maturity and confidence. And the heat of course (hehe), but that's consistent throughout the series, so... lol

What can I say? Clearly, I'm hooked to Jonathan and Monica's story. At this point, I'm actually debating if I should jump in right to the next book, the last one in the series. I want to know but I'm not ready to end my time with the story yet. Decision, decision... (hashtag) first world problems... HAH!

7.) Sing

via

Well, I'll be...

To borrow one of my co-worker's 11-yr old son's words, SON OF A BUTTCHEEK!!! In a good way of course, hah!

My feelings about this book are a little bit discombobulated. And to top that, try describing why without spoilers. Waaahh!!

People know by now that this is an 8-part series that turned to just 7-part. "Cry" was supposed to be the 7th and this book is the 8th but Ms. Reiss scrapped the idea and dealt away with Cry. Well! That title could very well have just stayed bec that's pretty much what I did from halfway thru this book to pretty much the end. But I guess that will be too depressing a title for the last one in the series. So yes, just fair warning.

Let's just say this one put me thru the wringer. I love the h's character but the same trait that made me love her made me upset at her at certain parts. Whatever made me fall in love with the H was not just possible to show given the circumstances. The several "imagery" that the h, mostly, created for the H to keep them anchored to each other felt out of place at times, again, given the circumstances. I wondered to myself, seriously? But at the same time, I totally understand. To say that the drama is guaranteed given the 1 event that fueled this book is an understatement. For me, it almost felt like a cheap shot and unnecessary to draw out that long, given how well Ms. Reiss write in the first place. And because of that, I would have loved to see a longer epilogue. BUT despite all that, given the writing, I totally and utterly fell for it. I was with the H&h the whole time and I loved every minute of it!

"Goddess," he said, his breath on my mouth. "Have me, please. I was wrong. You’re not the sea under my sky. You are the sun I revolve around, the stars that mark me, the moon rising through me. I’m lost without you. And if you won’t have me, I’ll break, I swear to God. I know it’s selfish, and I’m sorry. Let me serve you. Have me as yours. Let me live under you."

I think Ms. Reiss took a chance serializing this the way she did but IMO, it worked. It allowed me more time with the characters; Jonathan and Monica are definitely up there in my list of fave romance couples; and Jonathan, definitely up there as well in my list of alpha H/book boyfriend, way up there, just sayin LOL. And considering this trope is like a dime a dozen these days, I think Ms. Reiss managed to put enough flavor to put another spin on it to make it different and her own. Her writing, as far as I'm concerned, is smart, witty, descriptive and lyrical. What more can you ask for, right?

Ms. Reiss is definitely an auto-read for me from now on.

And to accompany this series is a mini-series, Songs of Dominance. Jessica and Sharon, and Rachel are peaks into Jonathan's past and Monica is sorta' an epilogue to their epilogue.

Overall Rating: 4 napkins

If you love romance stories with a bit of edge, I cannot recommend this enough. This is definitely NSFW, but boy oh boy... that's all imma say... HAHAHA

Review: The End Of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

RATING: 4.5 napkins

During her treatment for cancer, Mary Anne Schwalbe and her son Will spent many hours sitting in waiting rooms together. To pass the time, they would talk about the books they were reading. Once, by chance, they read the same book at the same time—and an informal book club of two was born. Through their wide-ranging reading, Will and Mary Anne—and we, their fellow readers—are reminded how books can be comforting, astonishing, and illuminating, changing the way that we feel about and interact with the world around us. A profoundly moving memoir of caregiving, mourning, and love—The End of Your Life Book Club is also about the joy of reading, and the ways that joy is multiplied when we share it with others. (courtesy of theendofyourlifebookclub.com)

(courtesy of Goodreads)

Color me oblivious but I didn't realize this is non-fiction when I first started reading this, even after having read the blurb at the back of the book somewhere. All I remembered was that it was a book club that a son and a mother started, just between the 2 of them, after the mother got seriously ill. Something in my brain must have blocked out the part that it was actually Will and his mother's story. And I purposely didn't read any reviews prior to reading this as I want to know as little as possible about the book to not taint my reading experience. Yes that's how much I was looking forward to it.

So imagine my surprise when I realized it was non-fiction after I started reading it. Yes, yes, I know, crazy! Needless to say, my reading experience took a different turn after. It took me a while to finish this book, not because it was poorly written. It was more like me only being able to take a small dose of it at a time.

For a book lover like myself, I loved the connection between Will and his mother over their love of books. The number of books they covered was varied as they can get; from the classics to literary to spiritual to contemporary. Some of the books they talked about almost felt like it came out of an English lit syllabus that one's professor hands out in the beginning of the term. Because they're both highly educated with varied careers, their choices of books almost felt intimidating at times and can almost make one feel just ignorant, couple that with the fact that one can clearly tell that the Schwalbes inhabit a more privileged strata in our North American society. Nevertheless, every book they touched on are, or at least appeared to be, worth looking into and reading.

I loved how Mary's life story came alive in the book. For all the luxuries afforded her, her entire life, she sounded really down-to-earth, and with all the amazing things she has accomplished, her humanitarian deeds, we all can learn a lesson or 2, or 20, from the way she lived her life. She was a progressive thinker thru and thru, with a gentle soul. I didn't get the feeling that she actually considered herself a feminist, but I think, women, in general, should be thankful for women like her who showed what we are capable of doing if we put our minds to it. Actually, both men and women can learn something from her life.

I also loved how Will got to know her mother more thru their so-called book club, and anyone who's lost a loved one to an illness can certainly appreciate the opportunity that he had to connect with his mother and did something that they both truly enjoyed right to the end.

This is one touching memoir, a loving ode from a child to a parent. I'm pretty sure Mary, where ever she may be, feels that Will did her proud with this story.


-Leftie

Review: The Ocean At The End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman

RATING: 4 napkins

Sussex, England. A middle-aged man returns to his childhood home to attend a funeral. Although the house he lived in is long gone, he is drawn to the farm at the end of the road, where, when he was seven, he encountered a most remarkable girl, Lettie Hempstock, and her mother and grandmother. He hasn't thought of Lettie in decades, and yet as he sits by the pond (a pond that she'd claimed was an ocean) behind the ramshackle old farmhouse, the unremembered past comes flooding back. And it is a past too strange, too frightening, too dangerous to have happened to anyone, let alone a small boy.
Forty years earlier, a man committed suicide in a stolen car at this farm at the end of the road. Like a fuse on a firework, his death lit a touchpaper and resonated in unimaginable ways. The darkness was unleashed, something scary and thoroughly incomprehensible to a little boy. And Lettie—magical, comforting, wise beyond her years—promised to protect him, no matter what.
A groundbreaking work from a master, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is told with a rare understanding of all that makes us human, and shows the power of stories to reveal and shelter us from the darkness inside and out. It is a stirring, terrifying, and elegiac fable as delicate as a butterfly's wing and as menacing as a knife in the dark. (courtesy of Goodreads.com)

(courtesy of Goodreads)

(Originally posted on Goodreads)

My only exposure to Mr. Gaiman's work, embarrassingly enough, is from the 2 movies that were made from his books; Stardust, which as far as I can glean, is only a Disney version of the book but I did end up liking, and Coraline, which I did like as well. Whether it's a good thing that this is a first Gaiman read for me or not, I'm not really sure. All I know is that I enjoyed this a lot for the vivid story-telling. And this may not make complete sense, but I almost likened the experience to watching the movie, Big Fish, a movie I truly enjoyed. 

It's such a simple story, and yet, not really. It's a childhood story from a memory of an older man. It's a mixture of reality and fantasy (or is it?). The viewpoint of the main character's 7-year old self is older for his age in some regards but then again, it's appropriate in some, keeping in mind this coming from the memory of an older version of the main character.

"What you remembered? Probably. More or less. Different people remember things differently, and you'll not get any two people to remember anything the same, whether they were there or not. You stand two of you lot next to each other, and you could be continents away for all it means anything."

I'm not even sure if there were lessons to be learned, if not learned at all, but I don't think that was the point of the story (or is it? hmmm...). All I know is that I was engrossed with the story the whole time...

"Adults follow paths. Children explore..." 


-Leftie

Review: The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher

RATING: 5 napkins

Olivia Kaspen is a sharp tongued manipulator used to always getting what she wants. With just one exception-Caleb Drake, the one she foolishly let slip away. After a chance encounter brings Caleb back into her life, Olivia finds herself wanting a second chance with her first love, and asking herself how far she is willing to go to get him back. Her only problem is a red head named Leah, Caleb’s new love. Olivia must fight for what was once hers, and in the process discover that sometimes love falls short of redemption. (courtesy of tarrynfisher.com)

(courtesy of Goodreads)

(Originally posted on Goodreads... with minor editing:p)

2 words for Ms. Fisher, WELL DONE!!!

After all the reviews I've read about this book, I knew I had to be ready for it, knowing myself. Having read it, I agree, for the most part, with the reviewers who talked about the feelings that this book will evoke out of a reader. It is definitely one heck of a ride! I'm embarrassed (or not) to say it but the ending had me in tears, yes, TEARS. And I don't even like reading about love triangles!

A while back, I told myself that I'm not really that keen on New Adult (NA) books since almost always, drama abounds unnecessarily just for the sake of drama. Well, without me realizing it, my reads have slowly started teeming with them, call me oblivious. Then afterwards, I realized why I'm reading more in this genre now. When well written, I found it does not really feel that NA anymore. It just becomes a well written story, period. And to me, this book is a perfect example. 

The way Ms. Fisher wrote, I got to know Olivia, the heroine, understood her motivation even if I didn't agree with it, went thru whatever she's going thru even though I couldn't fully relate to her, and by the end of it, only wanted the best for her because I think I finally got her. Then there's Caleb, the hero, who in my mind can do no wrong from the beginning, even despite some of the things he did, yes, because, again, the way Ms. Fisher wrote, I understood. It doesn't make it right, but I understood. Not exactly sure what it was, but I just adore him. Now Leah, the 3rd side in their triangle of a mess? I don't like her, but neither do I dislike her completely. She did what she felt she needed to do. Again, in a sad convoluted way, I understood. How about that! 

I know I'm repeating myself, but to me, that's how well written this is, that I was able to sympathize, if not empathize, with the characters, whether I like them or not, whether I can relate to them or not. 

I get it why the other readers couldn't put this book down once they started. You get enmeshed in the story from the beginning, the going back and forth in time flowed smoothly, and you just want to know what happens basically. And funnily enough, because I felt I've given myself sufficient warning about the roller coaster of a ride that this book will take me along, I really thought I was prepared for and ready to shrug off whatever angst it throws at me. But no, I still wasn't. Oh, the emotions, and the twists in the story!!! Maybe it was just me, but I didn't see some of the stuff coming at all! And the ending! I want to say it's almost fitting, given the situation. Such is life, I suppose, fictional or real... sigh...

Wouldn't necessarily jump right in to read the next 2 in this series, just to give my reading emotions a break. Besides, I'm not prepared to read Leah's story, and crazy or not, I'm even thinking of skipping it just because I want to get to Caleb's story right after Olivia's. Ok, no, I won't skip. But I do know that I need to be ready for Caleb's because if Olivia's had me in tears, I can only imagine what it would be like reading Caleb's...

Needless to say, a new Tarryn Fisher fan here indeed!


-Leftie