THE POSSESSIONS - DELICIOUSLY CREEPY DEBUT

The Possessions by Sara Flannery Murphy

Published by: Harper

Genre: Mystery Thriller Fiction

Release date: February 7th 2017

      
         

In this electrifying literary debut, a young woman who channels the dead for a living crosses a dangerous line when she falls in love with one of her clients, whose wife died under mysterious circumstances

In an unnamed city, Eurydice works for the Elysian Society, a private service that allows grieving clients to reconnect with lost loved ones. She and her fellow workers, known as “bodies“, wear the discarded belongings of the dead and swallow pills called lotuses to summon their spirits—numbing their own minds and losing themselves in the process. Edie has been a body at the Elysian Society for five years, an unusual record. Her success is the result of careful detachment: she seeks refuge in the lotuses’ anesthetic effects and distances herself from making personal connections with her clients.

But when Edie channels Sylvia, the dead wife of recent widower Patrick Braddock, she becomes obsessed with the glamorous couple. Despite the murky circumstances surrounding Sylvia’s drowning, Edie breaks her own rules and pursues Patrick, moving deeper into his life and summoning Sylvia outside the Elysian Society’s walls.

After years of hiding beneath the lotuses’ dulling effect, Edie discovers that the lines between her own desires and those of Sylvia have begun to blur, and takes increasing risks to keep Patrick within her grasp. Suddenly, she finds her quiet life unraveling as she grapples not only with Sylvia’s growing influence and the questions surrounding her death, but with her own long-buried secrets.

A tale of desire and obsession, deceit and dark secrets that defies easy categorization, The Possessions is a seductive, absorbing page-turner that builds to a shattering, unforgettable conclusion. 

EARLY REVIEW: THE GEEK'S GUIDE TO UNREQUITED LOVE

The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love 

Written by: Sarvenaz Tash

Published by: Simon & Schuster BfYR

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Release date: June 14th 2016

Source: ARC Edelweiss

     
        

John Hughes meets Comic Con in this hilarious, unabashedly romantic, coming-of-age novel about a teenager who is trying to get his best friend to fall in love with him from the author of Three Day Summer.

Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy...
Archie and Veronica...
Althena and Noth...
...Graham and Roxy?

Graham met his best friend, Roxana, when he moved into her neighborhood eight years ago, and she asked him which Hogwarts house he’d be sorted into. Graham has been in love with her ever since.

But now they’re sixteen, still neighbors, still best friends. And Graham and Roxy share more than ever—moving on from their Harry Potter obsession to a serious love of comic books.

When Graham learns that the creator of their favorite comic, The Chronicles of Althena, is making a rare appearance at this year’s New York Comic Con, he knows he must score tickets. And the event inspires Graham to come up with the perfect plan to tell Roxy how he really feels about her. He’s got three days to woo his best friend at the coolest, kookiest con full of superheroes and supervillains. But no one at a comic book convention is who they appear to be...even Roxy. And Graham is starting to realize fictional love stories are way less complicated than real-life ones. 

TWO QUICK REVIEWS: TEACHER/STUDENT ROMANCE

Today's theme of my Two Quick Reviews is forbidden teacher/student romance.

GUEST REVIEW: True Love Way by Mary Elizabeth

True Love Way by Mary Elizabeth
Purchase: Amazon/Kobo/Smashwords

Genre: YA/NA Contemporary Romance

     

       

Some days are brighter than others, but Penelope Finnel has been taught she can be invisible behind the colored lenses of her heart-shaped sunglasses.

Her mind is her worst enemy, and simply waking up in the morning is risky. For a kid like her, staying in bed is easier, especially when the day has come to start school in a new town with new kids who don’t understand that the clouds are not the only reason everything is so gloomy.

Dillon Decker is a typical boy from a typical small town who radiates light and happiness. Under the hovering glare from her father, Dillon leads Penelope around on his bicycle’s handlebars, hoping he is the cure to her madness.

But when friend turns to lover, and lover turns to caretaker, how much can either of them tolerate before they’re swallowed whole?

A story about moving trucks and rollerblades, candy for smiles, and notes across lawns.

First loves and the struggle to keep it sane.

The true love way.

TWO QUICK REVIEWS: YA CONTEMPORARY FICTION

After falling in love with YA contemporary fiction (thanks to Heather Demetrios), I decided to give a chance to other YA fiction stories and picked two novels that peaked my interest. One was world-wide bestseller, the other was ARC I received from publisher. Unfortunately, neither was able to impress me.

REVIEW: Broken Chords by Carrie Elks

Broken Chords by Carrie Elks

(Love in London #2)
Purchase: Amazon US / Kobo

Genre: Contemporary Romance

     

      

Lara knows she should feel lucky. Married to the man of her dreams, with a gorgeous new baby, she should be enjoying her happy-ever-after. But she never expected motherhood to be so difficult, or for her life to change so dramatically.

Alex has it all: hot, tattooed looks, a beautiful wife, and a band that's finally getting noticed. A lucrative offer of a US tour should be the icing on the cake. But as he leaves the country, distance isn't the only thing that starts to pull their relationship apart.

With half a world dividing them, Alex and Lara have to battle for a marriage they once took for granted.

Author Note: Broken Chords is the second story in the Love in London series but can be read completely as a stand-alone.

Two Quick "YA ROMANCE" Reviews

Last week I was in mood for YA standalones and managed to read two distinct romance novels. One was fantasy story that I added to my TBR recently - Princess of Thorns. The other one was contemporary tale that I was very excited to read and started it as soon as it was released - I'll Meet You There. Here are my thoughts on both books.

REVIEW: The Morbid and Sultry Tales of Genevieve Clare

The Morbid and Sultry Tales of Genevieve Clare

Written by: J.B. Hartnett

Release date: October 30th 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Purchase: Amazon / B&N / Kobo

REVIEW: Made by J.M. Darhower

Made (Forever #0.4)

Written by J.M. Darhower

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Purchase: Amazon / B&N

NEW RELEASE REVIEW: Coming Down by Carrie Elks

Coming Down by Carrie Elks

Genre: Romantic Fiction

Purchase: Amazon UK / Amazon US / B&N

Synopsis:

Twenty-eight-year-old Beth Lawrence finally has her life back on track. A job she loves, a wealthy husband and a beautiful home are a far cry from the tragedy that struck when she was nineteen. But now that her past seems firmly behind her, an old flame walks back into her life. Bringing back painful memories of a time she's worked hard to forget, reviving a passion she tried to bury years before.

Niall Joseph is an up-and-coming artist, recently returned from success in America. Volunteering to teach in an inner-city drug clinic, the last person he expects to see is the girl who broke his heart nine years earlier. Working closely together allows their old wounds to heal, forging a deeper connection between them. One that slowly starts to burn.

As she becomes tangled up with a neglected child and her drug-addict mother, Beth finds herself drawn to Niall. But neither of them can anticipate how hard it is to tread the thin line between friendship and desire.

My Beth and Niall: 

My * 5 STARS * Review:

"I lost everything that summer. Including myself."

Beth was lost and broken. Until she met Simon. Older kind man who became her husband and helped her to get her life in order. Her life may lack a passion now, but it's better than chaos, right? But than Beth's former love interest comes back, bringing up painful memories and chaos back to her life... 

If you are fed up with contemporary novels which deal with over-the-top drama and would rather read intense and realistic story focusing on everyday's human's troubles, Coming Down is right for you. In this novel you will find everything. There is romance, steam and emotions. But most importantly, Coming Down is a touching journey of 28-years old woman who is trying to find her true self and meaning of her life.

"How terrible to not know where you belong."

Coming Down is not the cheeriest story. But with topics of drugs and addiction, it is to be expected. Author never simplified harsh difficult reality. She laid it all out there and I loved it. I slowly, but strongly, fell in love with this beautifully bittersweet story and complex characters of Beth and Niall!

And a question time at the end. What makes a really great book stand out among other good books? In my opinion, it is all about small details and in depth depicted characters. Coming Down has it all. If my above words haven't persuaded you to pick this book up, I hope following reasons would.

➤ I loved that story wasn't too angsty. Yes, it was sad and bittersweet but Beth wasn't overly broken or damaged. It was all real. Nothing over the top like so many characters in books these days.

➤ I loved flashbacks to the past which gradually revealed what had happened all those years ago when Beth's life changed in a radical way. They had poetic quality into them and I found them utterly fascinating.

➤ Intimacy has a real meaning in this novel. In the world of quick pleasures and books full of doms, stories by Carrie Elks are lovely refreshing change. Plus this author can write anticipation like none other!

REVIEW: The Blue Amaryllis by Sonia De Leon

The Blue Amaryllis by Sonia De Leon

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Purchase: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Synopsis:

**This is a suggestive romance and contains no explicit sex scenes**

Upon the death of her mother, 26 year old Leia York is left bereft and grief stricken. An old college professor extends her an invitation to join him in one of the most beautiful, yet most dangerous, places on earth – the Amazon rainforest. She embarks on an impulsive journey, hoping to forget the sadness of her life in Chicago.

Shortly after arriving in the village, Leia is among those chosen to go on a quest that is vital to the survival of the natives. The six week quest is fraught with danger, adventure, and unexpectedly: love. A love which is strictly forbidden. Will Leia respect an indigenous law that prevents her from pursuing the only love she has ever known?

The Blue Amaryllis is a unique story that blends romance and adventure, while exploring the very real ecological issues threatening the Amazon rainforest and tribes within. It is a story of a proud people whose unique way of life faces extinction, and the passionate love that develops between one of their own and an outsider.

My Leia and Tanun:

* 4.5 STARS * Review:

"This story seeks to shed light on a way of life no longer lived in many parts of the earth; a way of life that is being threatened even today. And what is life without a little bit of love?"

This book shows us that true love knows no boundaries.

It shows us that it is more than worth it to slowly discover what true passion is.

And most importantly, this book shows us how to find joy and hapiness in the simplest everyday things.

The Blue Amaryllis is beautifully crafted story following life-changing adventure of young woman who finds her true self in the middle of Amazon rainforest. I was truly impressed with this debut novel and I am glad I could experience Leia's and Tanun's beautiful journey alongside them!

When it comes to romance in the books, I like it unconventional. I like it unique and original. Modern woman falling for native man while discovering greatness of simple life among Amazon tribes definitely fits this criteria. I was fascinated by the premise from early pages and my love for this book and characters only grew as the story progressed.

But what kind of romance story it would be without a dose of complications? In Matis tribe, mating between native person and outsider is strictly forbidden. It was bittersweet to watch Leia struggling with her feelings towards Tanun. What will prevail? Selfish love when Leia can have Tanun all for herself? Or selfless love when Tanun can stay with his people where he is needed the most?

Tanun was such an untraditional character, yet I couldn't help but fall head over heels in love with him. He won me over with his kindness. I was mesmerized by his playful persona. His generosity and honesty astounded me. Tanun is definitely kind of character I will always remember and this book is worth of reading just so you can meet him.

And one last observation. Even though this book has some signs of so called insta-love, it never bothered me. It wasn't some juvenile irrational crush and events that Leia had to go through, immediatelly and irrevocably changed her, making her quick connection to Tanun quite believable in my eyes. So do not hesitate to give this book a chance!

REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: Six of Hearts by L.H. Cosway

Six of Hearts by L.H. Cosway

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Purchase: Amazon US / Amazon UK / B&N

Synopsis:

Step right up and meet Jay Fields: Illusionist. Mentalist. Trickster.

I think in triangles. You think in straight lines.

I show you a table and make you believe it’s a chair.

Smoke and mirrors, sleight of hand, misdirection. I trick and deceive.

But most of all, I put on a good show.

The world thinks I killed a man, but I didn’t. Bear with me. It’s all a part of the plan.

Revenge is what I want. I want it for me and I want it for her.
I want it for all six of us.

She doesn’t remember me, but she’s the reason for everything. She’ll be my prize at the end of all this – if I can hold onto my willpower, that is. Maybe I’ll slip up a little, have a taste, just a small one.

So go ahead and pick a card. Come inside and see the show. Look at my hands, look so closely that you can’t see what’s happening while you’re so focused on looking. I’ll be destroying your world from right here in the spotlight.

You’ll never see me coming until it’s too late.

I’ve only got one heart, and after I’ve pulled off my grand deception I’ll hand it right to her.
So, sit back, relax, and let my girl tell you our story. You’re in for one hell of a ride.

My Matilda and Jay:

* 5 STARS * Review:

"Why not live with the magic? Be a kid again and believe in the fantastical. Life is more fun with a little smoke and mirrors."

Wow. Talk about being creative and innovative. The stuff L.H. Cosway comes up with in her novels is downright brilliant. Her characters and their lives are always so unique and colorful that I can guarantee you that you haven’t read anything similar before. And Six of Hearts definitely proves that.

"Never try to out-trick a trickster."

This is a story about true magic of life and possibility of finding your very own epic love. This is a story about stolen childhood and getting your revenge. Six of Hearts is a book that will absorb you with its electric and all-consuming atmosphere. You need to know nothing more about this novel. Just read the blurb (which serves as great intro) and dive into the book so you can experience this amazing story yourself!

I absolutely adored the friendly-entertaining "voice" of narrator in this book. Matilda is an ordinary girl, with her fair share of insecurities, adventurous and curious spirit, plenty of romantic ideals and the most funniest and sarcastic inner dialogue ever. She is exactly a girl for my liking and a kind of girl I would love to have for a friend. L.H. Cosway is a master in creating the best and most lovable female characters.

"Better to disillusion the illusionist from the get-go."

L.H. Cosway also writes the most unique and swoonworthy male characters ever. Jay Fields is no exception. Charming but cheeky illusionist, mysterious and intimidating man, intriguing in his own special way. It took me a long time to truly figure him out and I absolutely love when author is able to keep me on my toes when it comes to characters.

I enjoyed this book immensely and I already cannot wait to see with what will L.H. Cosway come up next. Her contemporary romances always tend to surprise me and I am left completely mesmerized after finishing them. So do not hesitate to pick this book up as soon as possible!

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L.H. COSWAY CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES

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