Slave (Finding Anna) by Sherri Hayes

Slave is a rather unique novel (or, I imagine it is, since I haven't read many books in this genera).  There is no sex, it actually deals with the the phycological being and how one person can destroy a person's mind and how much time, energy and compassion it takes to help that person overcome years of pain and torture.

Stephen purchases, Brianna, with the intentions to save her life. He has no idea how shattered she is and what it's going to take to help her regain some semblance of normalcy. What transpires is intriguing.

Expect a fast, emotional read. You will be moved by the compassion, Stephen has and what he will do to protect, Brianna.

Grade: A

FYI: This book is in the erotica, BDSM genera. Do not read if you find the subject matter unfitting.

Derailed - Memoirs of a Botched Hysterectomy: A Story of Undiagnosed Endometriosis by Jaimi Taylor

Derailed will be published on, July 11, 2012

Jaimi went in for a "routine hysterectomy" --- but it became anything but routine. It turned into a series of colossal mistakes by the medical community. 


She was first diagnosed with fibroids and cysts and as she got older the pain became more intense but doctors told her she was just premenopausal. When she went under the knife for her hysterectomy --- the real culprit was found. She had the worst case of endometriosis her doctor's had ever seen.


From here on out things got progressively worst. A, series of mistakes were made --- mistakes that resulted in an 18 day hospital stay, 4 surgeries and over $ 400,000 in medical bills. Jamie died on the table, was revived and had other near death experiences. She was a wreck... and so were some of her doctor's and nurses. She had a mix of good and bad and the bad were very bad....


She does an excellent job at telling her story. The writing is clean and well thought out. She adds notes on the procedure done to her, explaining what they are and why they are done.


I feel more educated in the subject matter and more women should read this book because it just might save their lives. 


The only negative thing I have to say is that at time you will find yourself not liking the author, despite this you want the best outcome for her. 


Grade: A

Wife 22: A Novel by Melanie Gideon

Alice Buckel has been married for 20 years. Her marriage doesn't have the passion it use to. It is lackluster. Her children are growing up and distancing themselves from her. She is a bit obsessed with facebook. Upon opening her email one day, she finds an invite to participate in a marriage survey. 


Before she knows it, she finds herself flirting with "Researcher 101" -- and then falling for him. She begins to question her marriage and so does Researcher 101. 


Wife 22 is engaging, entertaining and a bit predictable. I strongly suggest that you use the index in the back while reading Alice's answers. I wasn't aware of it until I finished the book and had I used it as I read the book, I would have gotten a different perspective on things.


This is a perfect summer read.

Grade: A

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

A great post-apocalyptic book. A major catastrophic event occurs and causes a series of chain reaction events that cripple the Unites States ( perhaps the world?).  Think, major earthquakes, tsunamis, erratic weather conditions, toxic spills, etc...

Large hail falls from the sky, in Monument, Co, causing major damage and a group of school age children to seek refuge inside of a Greenway (Walmart) store. 14 kids, ranging from ages 4-17 are left to their own devices. They are cut off from the world and need to formulate a plan to survive.

The cast of characters is large --- however, Laybourne manages to give them each distinct voices. There is absolutely no way you can confuse the characters. There is quite a bit of chaos and struggle for power. There is a lot of action packed into this book but no ending. Yeah -- you know what that means --- a sequel. I can't wait!

Expect a degree of violence, blood and profanity.

Grade: A

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

The Hunt, came highly recommended by a few of my favorite authors, so I figured it would be amazing. It wasn't. I was extremely disappointed. I debated on whether or not to blog about it but I've always been  honest in my reviews so --- here it goes.

I was bored. Yea, bored! The premise was great, it started strong and then it just fell all to sh*t.

Gene was the only character worth liking. He has lived his entire life among vampires, acting like one, pretending to be one so that he won't be devoured in seconds. His blood, non-vampire blood is rare and unique. There aren't very many of his kind left.

Living among the vampires is hard enough but then he is selected to participate in the Heper Hunt. A hunt to track and kill others like him in a controlled environment. Gene needs to blend in better than ever and he doesn't seem to be doing as well of a job as he would hope.

It all sounds wonderful and entertaining but it just drags and there is little to no background on the state of the country. How it got to where it is and why --- not even an inkling, which leaves you in a state of wonder, frustration and confusion.

Things are not believable --- I mean seriously. Gene eats blood, raw meat and never, ever gets sick? Armpit sex? It's all undeveloped and meh....

Skip this and read another book.

Grade: F

The First Husband: A Novel by Laura Dave

The First Husband is a delightful read. The character's are realistic, they story is entertaining and unique.

If you are looking for a light read that is not easily predictable this is one for you. A lot of things happen and since it is nothing like I expected --- I don't plan on giving too much away, as I don't want to ruin the book for you.

Annie Adams has spent her entire adult life traveling for work. She writes a travel column and finds herself on the road more than at home. Life seems to be going pretty well until her long term relationship with, Nick ends. Nick wants to see another woman and leaves, Annie is in disrepair until her best friend ( Who is also, Nick's sister) encourages her go out.

Annie, meets Griffin and they hit it off. It's a whirl world romance. They marry soon after and move to Griffin's hometown --- where problems arise that test their relationship.  Then, Nick shows up and wants, Annie back. Annie has some choices to make, who will it be, Nick or Griffin?

Grade: A

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Thirty-five girls are given the chance of a lifetime. The chance to marry the prince. American Singer is selected despite her reservations to compete for a chance to marry Prince Maxon.


She leaves behind her family, home and secret love for a chance that she isnt' sure she wants --- a chance,  that will raise her status in the caste system and give her family much needed money.


The Selection doesn't really add anything new or original to the dystopian genre but it holds its own. It is an exciting, fun, entertaining read. The storyline is interesting, the character development is fantastic and the book is well paced. There isn't one boring moment!


This is setting up to get an excellent trilogy. (Love, LOVE, love the cover!)

Grade: A

Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel by Sylvia

Bare to You is a completely new genera for me. I haven't read erotica before and when, I was given the opportunity to read this book for free (Thanks, NetGalley!), I figured I would give it a try.

It turned out to be a lot more interesting that I would have suspected. There has been a lot of hype about 50 Shades of Grey. Which I have yet to get my hands on, simply because I don't want to buy the book or check it out from the library. Not became I am embarrassed (okay, maybe a little bit) but because I work at a library and I'd rather my co-workers not know every single thing I read and as far as purchasing goes -- my book money is set aside for a few sequel books, I can't wait to read. So, what I am saying is -- dear reader don't expect a 50 shades review anytime soon!

Okay, back to reviewing ---

Bare to you is rather interesting. It is about two individuals with dysfunctional pasts and families trying to make their relationship work. The sex scene's are steamy and hot but the perfect bodied, exceptionally good looking character part  gets to be a bit of a cliche (oh, yeah and lets not forget the super rich part, either!). Of course no one really wants to read about unattractive people having sex but do the character's have to be so good looking you get a complex?

and --- if that wasn't annoying enough. When the characters' fight, they storm out, make assumptions and then make up. I get it, people get into arguments but do they always have to run away and then make up and have passionate, mind blowing sex without really solving the problem?

Despite these challenges in the storyline and writing the actual book is pretty good. Good enough that I am really fond of the character's and  care about what happens to them. I am anxious to know the secrets they have yet to reveal about themselves and see if they can make this relationship work.  I will be reading the next two books due out this year and next. You should pick this one up and give it a go.

Grade: B

I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern

Justin Halpern isn't just funny --- he is hilarious and beyond cute.

Halpern is an excellent storyteller. He brings you into the moment and you see it clearly though his eyes. This is Halpern's second book, his first being the outrageously funny, Sh*t My Dad Says.

Justin's father makes many, many appearances in this book and gives his off handed advice on subjects ranging from kissing to marriage. You get to read about, Justin's youth, awk-ward teen years and early adulthood.

The very best part of this book is, Justin's relationship with his father. It is clearly a close one, mingled in with lots of love shown in variety of harsh, honesty words.

Grade: A

Stay Close by Harlan Co

Another great book by Coben.

Megan is a stay at home mom living the "perfect" suburban life but things are not always what they seem to be.  She hasn't her past with her husband.  A past full of abuse, a wild lifestyle,  a lover and murder.

Ray is stuck in a dead end job posing as a paparazzo photographer. He can't get over his ex and he has a photo that might break open a murder case or implicate him.

Jack is a detective -- who just can't seem to let go of an cold case file. He visits the victims wife and children every year and continues to search for the murderer. Then, a new murder occurs in the same location as his previous cold case and Jack has to rethink his entire strategy in order to solve both cases.

These three seemingly different lives find that, the  past has a way of resurfacing and crashing down on them.

The writing is intense, the story has so many twists and turns you'll need a road map to find your way out and just when you think you've figured it out ---- Coben tosses something new into the mix and your previous suspicions are wrong, wrong and wrong!

This is page turner. It is gritty, chilling and beyond entertaining.

Grade: A

Dead Rules by Randy Russell

Russell puts a new and unique spin on life after death but it lacks in other departments. The book is disjointed and all over the place. The character's lack development and the plot isn't that engaging.

I dont' really care enough about this book to go into much more detail. It basically follows around a teen girl by the name of, Jana who dies and finds herself in a dead school in which she has to learn rules. Jana can't remember exactly how she died or where she is from but she remembers her boyfriend and wants to see him again.

She meets other teens in dead school and they each tell their own story about there death, which is probably the best and most interesting part of the book. If you have some time to waste and no other books on you reading list pick this one up, otherwise skip it and go on to more pressing matters.

P.s. The cover is great!

Grade: C-

Little Night: A Novel by Luanne Rice

Little Night, is Rice's newest book. It was published, June 5, of this year.


It is well written, with strong characters and a serious storyline. Clare's life was shattered on the day she attempted to protect her sister, Anne from her abusive husband. Anne betrayed her sister by taking the stand and lying under oath. This lie put, Clare behind bars and resulted in a terminated relationship between, Anne, her husband and their children. Clare also pushed away her fiance, leaving her alone and lonely.


Nearly 20 years later, Grit, Anne's daughter shows up on, Clare's doorstep. Grit is mysterious and withdrawn and as her story unravels you learn about the years of abuse Grit, her brother and mother have sustained under their brutal hands of her father. Current time is mixed in with the past in a flawless and flowing manner.


The story also takes you back in time, to a period when Anne and Clare had a strong sisterly bond and how it slowly dissolved when Anne's became involved with, Frederik. 


This is a story about complex family relationships, forgiveness and love. A must read book.


Grade: A

Jeneration X: One Reluctant Adult's Attempt to Unarrest Her Arrested Development; Or, Why It's Never Too Late for Her Dumb Ass to Learn Why Froot Loops Are Not for Dinner by Jen Lancaster

Jen Lancaster is fabulous and her newest memoir is hilarious. I woke my husband and chihuahua more than once with my laugh and snorts (yes, she makes me laugh so hard, I snort!).

First and foremost. I love the cover of her book and I relate to her on so many levels. She is snarky, funny and bitchy (I totally adore, her bitchy attitude)!  She loves animals and has many fur kids of her own. What's not to love about someone who loves animals as much as she does?!

Now --- for the actually book review, part.

If you have read Jen's previous books, read her blog or follow her on facebook some of the stories will be the same but that doesn't mean they don't have added content or aren't funny. Jen is sharp, witty and amusing. She is brutally honest and that is what makes reading her books fun.

This memoir is about a more "grown up", Jen, who learns life lessons, in her own, funny, Jen worthy way.  Buy it asap and read it now!

Grade: A+

Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl is by Gillian Flynn goes on sale, June 5, 2012! 

If you haven't read anything by Flynn you are missing out on a great author! This book is an excellent introduction to her work, she knows how to weave a tale and keep you entertained. 

I really don't want to give away too much so this is going to be rather brief. The reason, I don't want to reveal much is because this is the first book in ages that has surprised me. I didn't expect the twists and turns. You think you have it figured out until,  Flynn tosses something new at you. 

On the fifth anniversary of their wedding, Nick comes home to find that his wife, Amy is missing.  The scene suggests foul play but the police investigation along with clues point at, Nick.  Nick is under scrutiny and the press is turning the world against him.

The person Amy is, is revealed through her diaries. Everything is not as it seems. Their marriage is crumbling and both have their share of secrets that are slowly revealed to the audience. The story is told in alternating chapters from character's points of view, so you get to fully experience what they are going through. 

I'm not giving any more away. This is just the tip of the iceberg, so you're going to have go and get this book as soon as possible.

This book is ama-zing and I expect that you too will read it, in under 24 hours.

Grade: A+