Review of OZ by Eden Elgabri and Heather Peters
Published: November 1, 2010
4 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Lionel and Crow and Tim, oh my!
Can Dorothea Gale escape the clutches of foreclosure by making a deal to have sex with three handsome men?
Dorothea Gale is a victim of a bad economy. After losing her job, Thea asks Tim Woodman, the man of her dreams and the contractor who built her home, to help her sell it. He leads her to the powerful William Ozarak, a voyeur, who offers her a deal - sexual submission for one month in exchange for two years worth of mortgage payments. Can she barter her body to prove 'there's no place like home'? Or will she lose her soul in the process?
Tim Woodman, who is in the middle of a divorce, isn't looking for entanglements. Yet he can't help be drawn to the sexy Thea. If he helps her will he lose his heart? Or did he even have one to begin with?”
OZ by Eden Elgabri and Heather Peters is one of the most unique versions of The Wizard of Oz out there to date. OZ retold the story of Dorothea and her adventures to save her home. OZ brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “off to see the wizard.”
Things to Love about OZ:
The portrayals of the Tin Man, Lion, Scarecrow, Flying Monkeys, Evil Witch, and The Wizard himself
The ruby red slippers or rather stilettos
The very open minded contract between all the characters
Tin Man finding his heart
Lion finding the courage to finally say who he is
Scarecrow, going from drunken frat boy to determined college student
Flying Monkeys being toxic
The kinky Evil Witch
And the wizard and his manipulative ways
OZ by Eden Elgabri and Heather Peters was a fun-open minded fast read, that will leave you wishing the two main characters could really just get back home or at least to their normal lives. I gave OZ by Eden Elgabri and Heather Peters 4 smirks because it was progressive, fun witted and kinky read which left you a new image of what The Wizard of Oz is and can be.
Review of The Lovers by Eden Bradley
Published: November 1, 2010
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “It seemed ideal —two months at a charming writers’ retreat, surrounded by kindred souls. But Bettina Boothe wasn’t prepared for just how long eight weeks truly was. Or that in the process, she would have to open up and reveal the most secret places in her body and soul.
Fortunately, her fellow authors do not share Bettina’s self-consciousness and begin to draw her out of her self-imposed shell. One in particular—Audrey LeClaire— seems to ooze confidence and self-assuredness. Dark and petite, Audrey’s potent sensuality draws the men and women in the workshop to her like flies to honey. Bettina is just as vulnerable, finding herself overwhelmed by a very unexpected attraction to Audrey who makes Bettina her special project.
But when Jack Curran arrives at the retreat, everything changes. Jack is tall, beautiful, masculine. A writer of dark thrillers, he is as mysterious and alluring as his books. He and Audrey are obviously an item, but they eagerly welcome Bettina into their bed. Suddenly Bettina finds herself swept up in a maelstrom of lust, obsession and jealousy, torn between her need for two very different people in a love triangle where she will either be cherished…or consumed.”
I’ve never been in love or felt love lost or even felt heart break, the only time I feel these emotions is when I am reading a very good book. The Lovers by Eden Bradley is a story that starts out erotic and goes more towards finding who you are and how love can blossom into your life without you ever realizing it. I thought The Lovers was a fast pace story about three characters who are so different from each other that come together and allow love to be the outcome for at least two of them.
Bettina and Jack are two complex, sex-driven characters who share more than they originally think with each other. Initially it was Audrey, Bettina, and Jack coming together with sexually charged energy but whether Audrey fell away herself or whether she would have been pushed away, Bettina and Jack are a more perfect fit. The Lovers was an interesting take on writer’s, retreats, sex, lust, and love that I found heart stopping, gut clenching, and heart breaking all at once. I gave The Lovers by Eden Bradley 5 smirks because when Bettina felt something I felt it right alongside her so much so that my heart physically hurt at one point. The Lovers is definitely a book I would recommend because it is what it is, which is honest.
Review of Once Upon A Holiday
Published: October 1, 2010
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Holiday Heat by Beverly Jenkins
For Eve Clark, winter usually means long cold nights spent alone, until she’s persuaded to attend a masked ball. Abandoning her inhibitions, she shares a blissful tryst with a mysterious partner. Though she runs from their hotel room the next morning, Leyton Palmer is determined to track Eve down and show her that the night neither can forget was only the start of something sensational.…
Candy Christmas by Adrianne Byrd
Peace on earth and goodwill to all men? Not if the man in question is drop-dead-sexy Montel Starks, Candy Lahane’s competitor since he started at their ad agency a year ago. But on a business trip to Europe, rivalry gives way to a red-hot, explosive affair that makes Candy realize that what she really wants for Christmas is right in front of her, just waiting to be unwrapped…
Chocolate Truffles by Kimberly Kaye Terry
It started as an innocent drink with a stranger to celebrate her promotion. It turned into the most erotic night of Camille Jackson’s life. But the man she was sure she’d never see again is now her instructor in a two-week managerial workshop, and Gideon Taber is making it clear that he’d love to relive every delicious detail of their encounter, again and again…”
Holiday Heat by Beverly Jenkins
Holiday Heat by Beverly Jenkins was a sexy, action pack, astounding story about how a one stand can change your entire life. The aspect I really loved about this story was that Eve and Leyton both want to help people by protecting them in the careers they have chosen. It was great to see these two characters get everything they want out of life and most importantly out of each other. 5 smirks.
Candy Christmas by Adrianne Byrd
Candy Christmas by Adrianne Byrd was a delightful, sensual story about trusting in yourself. I really enjoyed Candy and Monty’s witty banter and heated arguments (at least on her side of things). I loved how everything in the office they worked in had a pool going for everything involving Candy and Monty themselves. 5 smirks.
Chocolate Truffles by Kimberly Kaye Terry
Chocolate Truffles by Kimberly Kaye Terry was a story about how just because you aren’t looking for love doesn’t mean love won’t find you. Cami and Gideon are two characters who obviously know exactly what they wanted out of their lives, which for the most part was their careers until they found each other. I loved the fact Cami and Gideon fell for each other because they weren’t looking to fall for each other and I think it’s a great lesson that just because your focus is elsewhere doesn’t mean you won’t find the person you are suppose to spend the rest of your life with. 5 smirks.
Review of Summer Brides
Published: July 27, 2010
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “The Borrowed Bride by Susan Wiggs
During her own bridal shower, Isabel Wharton is whisked away by past love Dan Black Horse to his retreat in the Cascade range. But returning to her Native roots, and Dan's loving arms, is harder than she ever imagined.
A Bridge to Dreams by Sherryl Woods
With her vacation plans foiled, Karyn Chambers realizes that her long-awaited escape must give way to staying at home in San Francisco. Little does she know her Prince Charming is right in her own backyard.
Sister of the Bride by Susan Mallery
When Katie McCormick finds out that her sister is marrying her ex, she finally agrees to a setup for the big day. To her surprise, Jackson is a catch. But when wedding catastrophe ensues, will their sparks fizzle or ignite into flames?”
For this review, since I absolutely loved this collection of short but very enticing stories, I am going to just do one sentence for each story. And of course, remind you that 5 smirks from me is a must buy/read over and over again.
The Borrowed Bride by Susan Wiggs
Reminds us that just because the past might haunt us, does not mean that it can’t also be seductive, tempting and ultimately what we have been searching for.
A Bridge to Dreams by Sherryl Woods
Takes the need for adventure out of a person and opens their eyes to the adventures already taking place in their lives, even in the form of a very attractive, charming, maybe out of my league but totally worth it man.
Sister of the Bride by Susan Mallery
(Of course you all know I am a huge fan of all her books I could get my hands on, so this story is no exception)
Ah, Fool’s Gold…A story of two extraordinaire individuals who are always seen differently in the eyes of those around them, but make a witty, fun loving pair who make it difficult not to fall for their chemistry.
Review of Whatever You Like by Maureen Smith
Published: November 1, 2010
4 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Desire burns deepest after dark...
By day, Lena Morrison is an ambitious grant writer. By night, she’s an escort to some of Chicago’s most successful men. Sex isn’t on the menu—Lena’s job is to provide her elite clients with companionship and sparkling conversation. She enjoys the extra income, but even more, Lena loves the empowering feeling of being appreciated for her beauty and her brains.
When tycoon Roderick Brand hires Lena as his date for a private party, their electric attraction leads to the most erotic night of her life. Incredible as the experience is, she vows not to mix work and pleasure again. But Roderick is relentless. His irresistible proposal: two weeks fulfilling all his fantasies, in exchange for a multimillion-dollar grant that will guarantee Lena a major promotion.
Lena can play that game. She’ll give him the hottest, wildest sex he’s ever had, then she’ll walk away, leaving him aching for more. But when it comes to desire, rules—and hearts— are easily broken. And the best-laid plans have a way of working out in ways neither could expect…”
Whatever You Like by Maureen Smith was a story about sparking chemistry and fighting for the person you are meant to be with. I gave Whatever You Like by Maureen Smith 4 smirks because it is a book that draws readers in during the first chapter with the storyline of a professional escort (Lena) and a rich, stubborn man (Roderick) who immediately cannot seem to get enough of each other.
Things I Love About Whatever You Like by Maureen Smith:
Lena and her devotion to her family
Roderick’s over the top ways to get what he wants
Grant Writer by day and professional escort by night
The connection between Lena and Roderick
Witty, heated arguing/bantering
Roderick’s yacht with its own boutique
Hope, fear, frustration, and loss that both main characters go through
And of course, the playful intimacy that Lena and Roderick share together
Whatever You Like by Maureen Smith is a book that will draw you in with the sparks that fly with Lena and Roderick making you not want to put it down until you find out exactly how it ends.
Hey guys! Sorry I have been MIA for such a long time. I have scheduled postings of reviews through November and have been so busy I could not log on for awhile. I’m in a class right now in which the professor considers every student is only taking his class and therefore we have endless amounts of time to dedicate to his course….the sad part is I am totally serious and it sucks. Needless to say, that class topped with my other class and a case of family illness I have been unable to log on much and add more reviews to come in the future. However, the reason for my sudden and glorious reappearance is I was able to hide away these past couple of weekends and read! It was amazing! I have not been able to do that since classes started up in August.
I do not have full reviews for you all, but I do have my smirk system which I believe to be best next to nothing.
Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers was an absolute thrill to read, I loved the banter of the main characters and how it seemed magical in its delivery. 5 smirks
Halo by Alexandra Adornetto another angel book which I was suspect of considering of how young the author is (17!). However even though it was close to 500 pages I found myself in rapture with every detail of the story and how very well written it was. It also made me laugh which is one of my major criteria for reading a book. 5 smirks
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs surprised me in ways I still did not think was possible for a supernatural based book. I loved that the story focused on the main character and who she is rather than getting too much into the love triangle which I suspect will be more explored in the second book of this series. (We all know how much I love a love triangle, I can’t wait!) 5 smirks
Torment by Lauren Kate which I’m not sure if most of you know is my favorite book series so far. With only two books currently out, Fallen and Torment, I fell completely into rapture with them. Fallen, I was addicted to and couldn’t wait until Torment came out and if you look back Fallen was actually my very first post on this blog. Torment by Lauren Kate was an absolute thrilling book to read. I did love it more than Fallen (but I will always love Fallen). I felt that with Luce and Daniel, both of them had more of a connection with the reader in this book. It was a beautifully written book and I find that I don't have many words for it because everything Luce felt at the end is what I feel right now. Easily 6 smirks.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins is the last book in my favorite trilogy, The Hunger Games. I was really worried about the way Suzanne Collins was going to end The Hunger Games Trilogy, because I am/was so in tuned with everything about the world she built that a part of me felt like I was experiencing everything the characters were in the books. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins wrapped up everything so Capitol style it was hard not to show surprise with every twist and turn that was thrown at you. It was everything that clicked that really showed you this beautiful world underneath the grim of war, terror, and nightmares. A very moving Trilogy that will never compare. And this is the first time I have ever done this for a book but what the hell, 10 smirks.
Review of The Oracle Rebounds by Allison Van Diepen
To Be Released: November 1, 2010
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “As the “oracle of dating,” Kayla is supposed to have all the answers about love and relationships. She’s supposed to have the perfect relationship. But now that Jared is “taking a step back,” Kayla feels like a total fraud.
So the expert on dating starts taking her own rebound advice—and some from her friends—and stops moping around. Yeah, there are other possibilities out there—including the beyond-cute French foreign exchange student she’s showing around town. But when controversy erupts about the Oracle’s advice, Kayla is sent reeling once again. Will anything work out for her this year? Yet when her friends start seriously needing the Oracle, Kayla begins to focus on what really matters: Viv, Sharese, Amy and Ryan, her trueblue buds. And suddenly, everything starts making sense again…”
The Oracle Rebounds by Allison Van Diepen continues the story of Kayla and her friends as she continues to find herself as a person. The Oracle Of Dating showed readers how complicated and messy liking someone can be if both party’s aren’t communicating very well. And in the end we as readers get to see Kayla and Jared happy together and The Oracle of Dating website booming again. The Oracle Rebounds starts off with Jared breaking up with Kayla and her having her heart broken to the point she isn’t sure what she is suppose to do. Lucky for her, she turns to herself from the past by getting her own advice through her own website.
Things I Loved About The Oracle Rebounds by Allison Van Diepen:
Readers get to see more of the characters they love
More drama and more understanding
Emotional connection to characters/story
Jared finally realizing what he wants out of life
Kayla’s determination to see herself moving on with her life
Kayla’s determination to becoming a bigger successive as The Oracle
Real advice that can help get readers through rough spots in their lives
I gave The Oracle Rebounds by Allison Van Diepen 5 smirks because it is such a touching story about how to pick yourself up when you hit a wall. Allison Van Diepen is a fantastic writer who knows how to bring real emotion to readers and get them invested in the story’s outcome. I highly recommend reading The Oracle Of Dating and of course, The Oracle Rebounds because each book can make you feel better about life in general (even if you don’t have an problems, these books can give you positive aspects to look at if you ever find yourself in an impossible situation).
