Our Book Thoughts - Reviews and Recommendations Jan 26th

💖  OUR BOOK PICKS FOR THE WEEK 💖
📚  01/26/20 📚

🏫 Cruel Intentions by Siobhan Davis
🦋 Venom by Dee Garcia
🐅 Crimson Death by Laurell K. Hamilton
🛣️ Road to Desire by Piper Davenport
❣️ Obsession of the Egoist by Nero Seal
👸 The Royal Bodyguard by Lindsay Emory

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Cruel Intentions by Siobhan Davis

I came across this series by accident
I was in a book slump and though I downloaded it, it still took a couple of weeks before I finally cracked the pages

Holly chit!! I was addicted instantly!
From the first scene to the last I devoured every twisted moment - every cruel act - every deceptive touch
I was there with Abby
Rooting her on Encouraging her not to let them win
Abby - she knew how to play the game.

Drew - Abby's twin brother. He was in some ways a victim of circumstances like Abby but not? I think because he knew it would all be his someday he turned a blind eye to the darker events surrounding his father and Trent

Trent - I hope you get an incurable STD

Cam - royal arse with a vendetta!

There are some major plot twists and character revelations towards the end that I do not want to risk spoiling
This is a fast-paced easy to follow story line that will at times test your will power- no peeking ahead!
There are some scenes of humiliation, violence and overall really evil behavior - But somewhere in between all the darkness there are rays of light, small moments of hope
This ends on a pretty big cliff hanger
Never fear though as the next in series is already available
I'm off to devour that now
Amazon

Venom by Dee Garcia

This is a part of the Sinister Fairy Tales Collection -
Each is a dark retelling of once treasured fairy tales
Each is standalone though they interconnect to an overall story line

Neverland Re-imagined

Garcia sets the stage for the first release in what is a heart-pounding twisted variation of one my childhood favorites

Our sweet little Tink is crushing on Peter ... as it should be.
But her parentage is a bit more corrupted? Dare I say?
In the first half of the book, her "innocence" factor and head over heels "you are my forever" with Pan was a touch nauseating. Never fear though she finds her insanity
I can only reveal all bets are off once she does.
Tink has always been one of my favorite characters and if it is possible I like her even more now.

Hook ... his side of the tale is a bit different than the childhood version.
Still, not a fan of Peter's and still enjoys tormenting his captives.
Hook dominates the pages.
He comes off to others as this dark and dangerous villain but Tink sees past the outer shell.
Have to say he was a bloody delicious main character

I don't want to give spoilers - sooooo I am not going to say much.
This does start a bit slow (IMO) but it seemed a necessary evil -
Once our little Tink finds her wings again -Hold on tight and no peeking!
We are also briefly introduced to some characters that will feature in future releases as well as give an idea of how the lands are laid out. Different kingdoms providing different backdrops but interconnected still. I am excited to read the next in this series.

Just a fantastic read!
OH, before I go I really need to share this thought -
That OMG moment
- the one that changes everything?
OMG!
Amazon  Kobo  Nook 

Crimson Death by Laurell K. Hamilton

Another cosmic collision of metaphysical beauty!
Again Hamilton brought Anita and her world to life as only a true master can do. Our dark queen has come full circle only to find herself facing a new quandary. She is definitely getting better at handling the little things, possibly we can thank therapy for that? Or love?
Characters from the past are back and the future is definitely heading in a direction that proposes a few changes, and possibly a lot of 'give and take'.
But I look forward to them.
The new revelations will bring IMO a new direction for this series. I think Anita is in touch with her more "feminine" side in this episode. She still has her walls up and is antisocial as they come but they are cracking.
In closing I will miss my jealous tiger, he was one of my faves, despite his sometimes overbearing behavior.
Amazon  Kobo  Nook  Google

Road to Desire by Piper Davenport

Sweet journey

This was a perfect balance of humor, romance, and suspense
It had Insta 💘 love - normally not my fave but here -
It worked and almost flawlessly
This is the first in the series and we are introduced to the kick-arse cast and given some foundation for the series direction

I loved Booker's attitude he was the sweet bad boy the one that calls to your inner hussy.
And Dani was just outright hilarious. She is the perfect portrayal of true innocence. Not ditsy or lacking intelligence just more naive? Wait I got it -she is more book smart than street smart!
The story was easy to read and flowed smoothly - it hit a couple of rapids here and there - It wasn't perfect and I have all kinds of questions
But it clicked for me - I fell in love with the cast immediately
I laughed (a lot) - got mad - got the warm fuzzies.
I read this in one sitting
Amazon   Kobo  Nook  Google

Obsession of the Egoist by Nero Seal

Went in a totally different direction than I thought it would
And far exceeded my expectations!
First
Mio... you really need to pull your head out of your backside and what are you thinking? Do you believe that whatever your doing is going to change how Yugo sees you? You are going to hurt the ones you love!
Rick... sit-stay
Yugo ... you're learning! See even old junkyard dogs can be tamed
Kuon... my heart to you. I'm truly not sure how you kept your sanity over the last couple of years. I know you were angry, hurt and confused and what you were doing at the time felt like the only choice left for you but it's time to let go and be happy. Know in my eyes you never failed. You were and still are the hero you always set out to be.

This ends not really on a cliff hanger but with so many questions and possibilities just hanging out there - right beyond our reach.
Betrayals? I'm thinking yes
New allies? You know it
* relationships and bloodlines were revealed in this episode that are game-changers *
Past choices coming back to bite a certain someone in the backside? You know it

I am still in a bit of a tailspin as I write down my thoughts here. Yugo IMO might have placed himself in a dangerous position. He was so obsessed with Kaun and I think angry at himself for the true depth of his feelings for him that he may have missed the signs of betrayal by those who he kept close to him.
Kaun .. You need to give him a break he deserves a bit of happiness (this is directed at the fingers that are crafting his future!). His life went from one void of sound and touch to one that relied on sound and touch - I think his sanity is a bit tattered.
I need to know what happens next!!!
Amazon


The Royal Bodyguard by Lindsay Emory

It is told from Caroline's POV and it is a bit like she is talking to us at times - this is a writing style I tend to enjoy especially with ROM Com's for me it creates a stronger connection with the mc

Caroline seems to have a lot of secrets hiding in her closet and as the story progresses it looks as though if they were to be exposed not only might they be damaging to her personally (royal image and all that jazz) but they also might hurt those she cares about.
Curious it seems by nature and maybe even a bit of nurture (wait till you meet moms- heck grandma even) Caroline tends to waltz right into trouble even when she is trying to be helpful. I did find her various predicaments quite amusing as well as her inner monologues.
I had to remind myself at times she was raised as a princess so her "real world" skills are not quite present? Putting it mildly
Then we have Hugh - Hugh is a cautious man - A man of few words.
A big bear of a man that I would definitely cuddle with on a cold Dresdin evening.... Just saying
I liked that he tried to do what he perceived as the right thing even if he eventually figured out that he didn't have a chance of following the book when it came to his Princess

The story line was pretty solid and kept an entertaining pace for the most part, occasionally there was a bit of a lull or something occurred that pulled me out of the story. The end was a bit abrupt but it did seem to tie up the story line ... for now.

Since I did not read the first in this series I did have to put the pieces together (which was quite easy) regarding Leah and now I am curious about her story.

Amazon  Kobo  Nook  Google


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