Book Review: The Winner's Curse

*I received a copy from my public library and chose to review of my own free will*

The Winner's Curse
ebook, 

355 pagesPublished: March 4th 2014
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

They were never meant to be together. 

As a general's daughter, seventeen-year-old Kestrel enjoys an extravagant and privileged life. Arin has nothing but the clothes on his back. Then Kestrel makes an impulsive decision that binds Arin to her. Though they try to fight it, they can't help but fall in love. In order to be together, they must betray their people . . . but to be loyal to their country, they must betray each other.
Set in a new world, The Winner's Curse is a story of rebellion, duels, ballroom dances, wicked rumors, dirty secrets, and games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love

My Review

I tried very hard to stay away from this book. I had read some review on Goodreads that made the book out to be one sided. If you don’t know, this book is about slavery, revolution, and a girl falling in love with the wrong man.

Slavery does not sit well with me, expecially not books who glamorize slavery. This book made slavery out to not be as bad as it actually is. the slaves had privileges and were taken care of...but in reality, slavery is a harsh life. You need permission to just go out and by food or shoes for your children. And in this book the slaves are a once free people enslaved because they valued beauty over war.

The young female MC, whose point of view we follow through out the book, has lead a privileged life. She is wealthy, well-educated, taught in the art of fighting, and has a love of piano. She feels a comelling urge to buy a young man at the slavery block and befriends him, only t later learn of his betrayal.

Her life is turned upside down just as the native’s lives were flipped when they were first invaded. Her people are slaughtered and driven out of the country while she is taken hostage, presumably for her own safety by the young man she once bought and fell in love with.

The book des a fairly good job and showing how people who grow up with slavery as a normal part of every day life really have no idea of the darkside of slavery. The MC wonders wh slaves are fighting against it when they are provided homes, food, clothing, and jobs, while at the same time seeing slaves punished for the slightest infraction and believeing them to be deserved.

The slaves on the other hand see only the people they once were, forced out of their homes and made to do for others, instead for themselves. We see a little of the young man’s point of view, what he does to get the upper hand.

Throughout the book we see these two people from two very different worlds grow closer, to the point where they forget who the other person actually is. Even in the end, despite the betrayals committed against each other, the MC fights for both of her people...her own countrymen and the natives she once called slaves. she has grown to care for these people, see them as people not just slaves.

I really liked the execution of the Winner’s Curse. The story was well told and well developed. It was traditionally published so you know it is well put together.

I am looking forward to reading the econd book in the series.

4 stars

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The Forgotten Heiress Book Review partnered w/ Xpresso Book Tours

*I received a free e-book copy in return for a fair and honest review*

The Forgotten Heiress
Susie Warren
(The Bolles Dynasty, #1)
Publication date: June 28th 2014
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

A BARGAIN IS ARRANGED…

Fionn Lynch is a self-made Irish billionaire, sought after for his striking appearance, razor sharp intellect and ability to thrive in volatile markets. When his mentor dies unexpectedly in a tragic accident, leaving his business and family in turmoil, Fionn steps in and takes charge. He seeks out estranged heiress Olivia Grey to help squash the unpleasant rumors. When the details of her secret past are leaked to the media, she must decide if she is willing to trust Fionn and allow herself to be drawn into her estranged family. Sparks fly between the two when he persuades her to accompany him to New York to salvage her family’s crumbling financial empire.

A shy clothing designer who was raised by a guardian in an attempt to save the Bolles family from shame, Olivia proves that she has the strength and determination to survive. She has to fight her way through relentless media scrutiny, memories of her father, and the expectations of the elite New York social world–all while trying to keep Fionn at arm’s length, for she refuses to settle for an emotionally distant relationship ever again.

It proves impossible to deny her attraction to Fionn. Is their growing bond enough to overcome all the obstacles thrown into their path?

***The Forgotten Heiress is the first book in a six book series. Each book is a stand-alone category romance and tells the story of one of the Bolles family members.

Goodreads / Amazon

My Review 

The bad; I really feel like this book needs another edit. The grammar was bad, misspellings and forgotten words were abundant. Also, repetition and detail that didn’t match-up, such as near the end where one moment the man is standing outside and the next he’s suddenly in the kitchen. I was thrown multiple times by inconsistencies like this.

The good: I’m just going to say it, this felt like a much better frorm of Fifty Shades of Grey, without the controlling love interest and bdsm (If you can even call it at).

The Forgoten Heiress is a breath of fresh air when it comes to romances. We have the billionaire: hot, stong, independent, and the female MC: strong, icy, and a love of fashion. One had a harsh background, the other a mentally abusive background (Although it is never stated that way in the book). These two characters have been molded into who they are based on their past and this guides them through all of their choices.

To the heart of it, fear is the guiding principle in every character. The background charcters, the Bolles family mostly, have a more spiritual influence, as in their presence makes the MC afraid and judgemental, even though she does not know much of what really happened and can only go off of what people tell her. The stepmother exists as the conflict, spreading poison wherever she goes because she hates not being the center of attention.

The romance felt real, the clashing of the two independent characters was a train wreck I wanted to see crash. The impending explosion was rushed, and of course cliched (What love story isn’t?) and I loved it.

It is a short read, a very good book to read while languising in a lavender bubble bath.

Huzzah! 4 stars
Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway, link below!!!!

Author Bio:
Amazon bestselling author Susie Warren writes heartfelt and passionate contemporary romance with tempting, larger than life heroes and smart, sassy heroines. The stories are set in elite and glamorous worlds and appeal to readers looking for an escape from everyday life by offering jet-set lifestyles and sophisticated plots. Her category length series, The Rosa Legacy and the Bolles Dynasty, feature remarkable, stylish women and the sinfully tempting heroes that challenge them to reveal their secrets, their strengths and their deepest emotions. Susie lives in New York with her inventor husband and their three lively teenagers.
Connect with her online at susiewarren.com and sign-up for her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/bGYl_5.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!

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No Review This Week

The past two weeks have been a scamble. A lot of changes have been made, and now I'm trying to piece everything back together.

I've been looking for a job, cleaning my dad's house, and tending to Lil Miss. Things are coming together, slowly but surely, but it's come at a price. I'm not the oly one paying it, and I absolutely hate the pain this has all caused.

But emotions aren't like a light switch. They can't be turned on or off at a person's will. There's not much I can do in that department, but I'm still here. Pushing forward.

Tody was supposed to be review day. Obviously, that's not happening this week. But it will happen, I promise. Next week, I swear. I have a few books waiting on my TBR list waiting to be reviewed.

Also, I'm going to start writing again. I want to bget back to Crystallised and Legacy. I also have a few other books I want to start writing. I'm still fleshing out the plans for those, but I'll keep you posted.

That's it for today. I'll be back Friday, if not then next Monday. Promise.

Happy Wednesday, lovelies.

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Lola's Blog Tours: Book Review: Secret Baby Scandal

*I received a free copy in return for a fair and honest review. Thank you to Lola's Blog Tours and Joanna Rock for the opportunity.*

Secret Baby Scandal (Bayou Billionaires #4)
by Joanne Rock
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: May 10, 2016

Blurb:
His proposition: pretend they’re a couple to end a scandal. But she has secrets of her own…

Tatiana Doucet has dealt with sexy, arrogant athletes most of her life. But Jean-Pierre Reynaud is a whole different animal—in bed and on the field. Unbeknownst to him, their one amazing night produced a son. Now her family’s biggest football rival is back, offering a seductive wager she can’t refuse.

Jean-Pierre despises the media. When rumors fly, he knows a fake relationship is the perfect diversion for the tabloids—and Tatiana’s unbridled passion is the perfect diversion for Jean-Pierre. But when she drops a baby bombshell, the scandal will rock them both!

My Review:

First off, yes, this is a romance book. BUT I would not classify this as smut. There was literally 3 pages of a scene, skirting around the act and mentions throughout the book. 

When you see movies with wives laying in bed reading a book...this is the type of book those women are reading. It's relaxing, it's calming, it's a book I would read to escape the realism that is my life. 

Now, typical of a Harlequin, we have the rich male MC, the down to earth female MC, and a scandal that really shouldn't even be a scandal. Then again, it is set in Louisiana and as a southern girl myself, I understand why people would see it as a scandal. But whatever, it's your own cup of tea. 

The cover is the stuff typical romance novels, the *loving gaze* *hot and sexy* characters. All fluff. But it was well made, and gives you a little treasure hunt of where in the book the cover scene takes place. 

The fact that this book stars a football elite really has no bearing, which was good for me because I don't like sports. There was a taste of the lifestyle and training, those such things, but that wasn't the main focus or even secondary focus of the book.

The writing was excellent. Ms. Rock executes the story flawlessly. Her writing follows the norms, the story is well researched (it better be with her background),  But I was completely unsatisfied with the ending. It just ended. Yeah. I'm wondering what happens to baby? What's next? Am I going to get all my answers through background characters in the next book? Not happy with that part. And I really wish that the baby was shown more. 

In the last 2 chapters there is a lot going on and it leaves you very unsatisfied. The questions are too big to just let slide to another book. And I was expecting this huge climax, a scandal, a blow-up. Just...something. But I was disappointed.

So my final judgement is 3 stars. I liked it for the de-stressing factor, but the ending, especially the last 2 chapters left a bad taste in my mouth. It's worth the price for the escapism alone, but you're going to want to read the rest of the series and the next books to get all of your answers.

Overall, 3 stars. And that's a neutral. The writing style, the cover, and the contemporary were well portrayed. But the plot left something to be desired. IF you want a light read to over you during a car ride, or at the end of the night, then this is definitely for you. I might end up reading the rest of the series out of curiosity. And that my friends, is enough for me to pick up the other books. 

For buying options and about the author, keep reading. 




You can find Secret Baby Scandal on Goodreads

You can buy Secret Baby Scandal here:
- Amazon
- Amazon Print
- Barnes & Noble
- Barnes & Noble Print
- Kobo
- iBooks

Bayou Billionaires series - Secrets and scandal are a Cajun family legacy for the Reynauds...
- Book 1: His Pregnant Princess Bride by Catherine Mann
- Book 2: His Secretary's Surprise Fiance by Joanne Rock
- Book 3: Reunited with the Rebel Billionaire by Catherine Mann
- Book 4: Secret Baby Scandal by Joanne Rock
Books can be read as standalones or in order.

About the Author:
Three-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn't like. The author of over seventy books enjoys writing contemporary romance and medieval historicals alike. An optimist by nature and perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance fits her life outlook perfectly--love is worth fighting for. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville but credits her fiction writing skills to her intensive study with fellow author and friend Catherine Mann. When she's not writing, Joanne enjoys travel, especially to see her favorite sports teams play with her former sports editor husband and three athletic-minded sons. http://joannerock.com

You can find and contact Joanne here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Pinterest
- Tumblr

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Book Review: Henrietta The Dragon Slayer

I received a free copy from the author for a fair and honest review.

Henrietta The Dragon Slayer

Author: Beth Barany
Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: The Five Kingdoms
Publisher: Firewolf Books
Pages: 225
Format: Paperback
Source: Author

Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

My Rating:

Henrietta, the legendary Dragon Slayer of the Kingdom of Bleuve, can't stomach the thought of one more kill. Yet, in order to save her dying mentor, she must go on one last quest. But will misfit companions, seasickness, and an ego maniacal king derail the quest for the healing stone? And will she be able to cut past her conscience and kill the dragon?

********

The cover gives just enough info to let me know the MC is a kick-ass girl, a win in my book. The book description poses a lot of questions that I want answered, but I mostly wanted to read the book based on the last sentence of the description. Can she? Will she?

I was intrigued when I read the book description, and I was not disappointed. 

We are introduced to Henrietta, the main character from page one. By the end of the third chapter we are introduced to the main group of characters, the problem, and have enough questions to keep me reading. 

The pacing was just right, and matched each scene to a T. The fight scenes adrenalized me and the riding horseback was calming. Through twist and turns, my questions were answered and more were posed. 

What Barany did in this book that is unique, is she made the character's own conscious the villain. Henrietta plays with a lot of back and forth on what she should do, what she can do, how others perceive her, and the struggles she experiences being a female dragon slayer. This world is definitely run by men, and Henrietta gives a good kick to the male-dominated world. The question of "What is the right way?" is in many of her thoughts and actions, as well as presented by the other characters.

Each character learns and grows as the book progresses. Henrietta and Franc grow, I think, the most and I can't wait to see how that relationship grows in the next book. 

The characters were all well developed, each one with their own personality. Jaxter was perhaps my favorite character, as his background was mostly hidden even though he was the most open. There was humor and sorrow, anger, and annoyances (Franc!) and I felt connected with each one.

The book definitely ended on a good note, what book doesn't? And I am salivating for the next one. 

AND this one will be joing Number The Stars in my daughter's future library, I can guarantee that one. 

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Just a Regular Day in the Life

I've been online now, officially, for a little while now, just a few weeks, months. I've shared with you my day to day life, even though it's mundane, and my writing adventures, no matter how singular they may seem.

But what I haven't told you is what I really want to do. I want to write. (Duh)

I want to write books, I want to get them published and share my stories with the world. And how do I do that? How can you do that?


Write. Write. Write.

You can find it everywhere: advice on how to write, what to do & what not to do, tips and tricks. "Write what you know." "The hardest part of writing is the first sentence."

Trust me, I've seen it, done it, dove head first into it. I'm going to be swimming in this business for the rest of my life as it changes everyday. And I am so happy to be doing it.

The best way to learn how to write IS to write. And I will be writing what I know. I'll be working on my projects. I'll be writing these blog posts so you can follow along with me. And I'll be doing something I've been doing in my head for years: book reviewing.

Sure, there are hundreds of reviewers all over the world. Genre specialists, the eclectic reader, etc., etc. I would be categorized as the eclectic reader. I'll read anything from Patricia C. Wrede's Dealing with Dragons to JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Seriously, my library is filled with books I read and loved in the sixth grade to books I've read picked up for free through Bookperk.

I've read books to enjoy them and get out of my own head, I've read books because they are everywhere on my Tumblr feed. I've read books because no one has heard of them or because everyone has heard of them. There are a few I could only skim, and even less that I couldn't even finish, but I have always, always read books and shared them with friends and family. And they usually trust my opinions.

So to help with my writing, as well as to keep up with my writing, I will be doing book reviews, whether published or unpublished, I don't care. I want you, my readers to see what I like. Maybe I can persuade you to read a book you never thought you'd like, but will give it a chance based on what I have to say.

That's how it's done, right? You like a book and tell a friend, then they share it with a friend, and so on & so on.

If you like what I have to say, maybe you'll keep coming back?

So, we have a new schedule. Same days, different posts.

Based on this, I see there will be a book review, my very first official, this Wednesday. Come on back for my take on Beth Barany's Henrietta The Dragon Slayer.

What do you think? What are your thoughts? I really want to know, so comment below or email me!
If you have a book you would like for me to review, shoot me an email through
the contact form on your right.

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