The Bone Bed by Patricia Cornwell

Another chapter in the Scarpetta life story, and yet again, a riveting one. This story takes us through abduction, identity theft, untrustworthy employee's, dangerous temptation and of course, murder. 

After Scarpetta receives an email containing the only evidence to a missing person's case in Canada her concerns are raised as to why was it sent to her? When Lucy discovers that the email was sent using the iPhone of the paleontologist that went missing 9 months ago from as close to her own location as the local airport Scarpetta gets a familiar sense of dread. With no definitive leads to follow Scarpetta is forced to concentrate on what lies ahead, a court appearance she deems ridiculous and unnecessary and a call in of a body that has been found attached to an endangered turtle caught up in fishing ropes in the harbor. As the next few days unfold Scarpetta discovers that maybe all these seemingly unconnected cases have a common link after all, and can she find out the truth in time to save anyone else?  Meanwhile Benton has to come clean about another woman when Scarpetta comes face to face with her and Marino has some dangerous secrets of his own.

This is once again full of personal drama and the twisted plot of a cruel killer all combined into one spectacular story! 

Bones Are Forever by Kathy Reichs

I am an avid fan Kathy Reich's Temp Brennan series and therefore possibly a little biased in opinion when I say that once again, Kathy Reich's does not disappoint. Temp's latest case takes her on an emotional journey after  infant corpse's are found stuffed in closets and cupboards of a young woman's home after the hospital report of an Amy Roberts discharging herself showing sign's of having recently given birth. To discover the truth of this woman's motives Temp and Detective Andrew Ryan must follow the evidence, and this takes them into tight knit native american territory where there lies a dark secret in among the drugs and prostitution they encounter there; where they find who they believe are their prime suspects and have to work alongside Sergeant Ollie Hasty of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who much to Ryan's distaste is something of an attractive old fling from Temp's past. All the while their personal lives and worries are colliding when Temp gets a call from Katy and Ryan confides in Temp about his own daughter's latest troubles.   

This is a great read, keeps you guessing at every turn and pulls on your emotions as you make the discoveries along with Temp. It also has that undeniable simmering chemistry between Temp and Ryan where the reader is just dying for something to pull them close once again. With it's plot turn's and surprising twists and connections it's another novel that proves Reich's is still on top of her game. I'm still hooked, can't wait for the next one. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

SPOILER! I have read them all and I will blurt, so if you have yet to read them do not continue past this point!

Firstly, I saw the movie before I read the books, and I even dragged my feet about that in the 'not fussed' kind of way. After seeing the film (when I got around to it) it became a case "WHY HAVE I NOT SEEN THIS BEFORE!" and therefore I got hold of the books (eventually) and I began to read.... 

Now I loved the movie, but the book, unsurprisingly  blows it out of the water. The in depth first person account is just unreachable in terms of visualization, and the sheer horror, gruesomeness and heartbreak just hasn't been pulled out of the hat in the film. Her relationship with Peeta and Gale is much more complex and they just haven't touched on this enough, it's almost become a Twilight's Jacob vs Edward, which it isn't in the novels. They have glossed over the psychological torment of the mutt dogs in the arena and just haven't given the terror and hopelessness enough gusto. This is a horrendous, gut wrenching, miserable situation to be put in by a president so warped and despicable that it's beyond comprehension. A ruler through the sheer terror, fear, and extreme lengths he'll go to to create misery. I am disappointed that they haven't made a bigger deal of the Avox slaves that Katniss and Peeta encounter while in the Capitol, as later in the series they are quite a big part of the action, and probably most confusing and disappointing of all is the fact that Katniss gets her Mockingjay pin from The Hob in the movie and yet it is given to her as a gift from her friend Madge - the mayors daughter - in the book, which again, later in the series becomes something of huge significance.

If you aren't familiar with the plot, it's set in futuristic existence, where although the human race has advanced it's knowledge of technology, medicine and beauty, it has also digressed to the point of executions and lashings being the norm in poorer districts as punishment for breaking laws that have been introduced by a power hungry tyrant. People all over the districts starve to death or die from minor injuries due to a lack of money and medicine that can only be obtained by the wealthy in the Capitol - The main city where a population of blissfully misinformed 'Rich' live their lives in excess of everything, having no insight into a world beyond their cities walls. Due to a rebellion 74 years ago, a law was in-forced as a 'reminder' to all of those who surged against the Capitol, that each year two children between the ages of 12 and 18 will be chosen at random from each District, (1 - 12) and will be entered into a live televised fight to the death in a man made arena filled with booby traps, genetic mutations and each other. Imagine 'I'm a Celebrity' with a very nasty twist. Our leading lady Katniss Everdeen is thrown into this after she volunteers herself to take the place of Prim, her 12 year old sister who is chosen at the official reaping. 

This trilogy is utterly heartbreaking, you can't not get dragged into this with all your emotions hammering you full force as you read; but along with the stomach churning, breath holding and the anger, there are some brilliant comedy moments throughout as relationships blossom and friendships between unlikely allies sparkle through. There are moments I think my heart stopped, and there have been times I have had to physically force myself to put the book down at the end of a chapter. I began Mockingjay at 2.30pm one afternoon and read right through to 11pm when I finally ripped the book from my own hands in a bid to get some sleep. It keeps you ticking over throughout your day. It has been literally all I have thought about for the entire 4 days I've been reading them. 

There are so many favorite parts of the story to chose from, I love the ending (pre-epilogue) - it's spot on. I love some the personal snapshots with Finnick and my heart broke during her several intimate moments with Peeta. I love the blossoming relationship they have with Hamitch, despite all his faults and lies. The most distressing thing for me, is a moment, or rather, the panicky seconds where the group of rebels are inside the underground sewer of the capitol and she can hear the mutts whispering "Katniss" in what I imagined to be a sadistic sing song voice, and she suddenly realizes that Peeta is next to her joining in with them after his torture at the hands of President Snow. I think my own heart was in my throat. It has played on my mind since, that eerie horrid realization of being in a dark hole next to someone you care about who has been programmed against you and realizing he has started whispering your name along with the mutts descending upon you. Urgh!
Believe me this is one to read, I am literally Obsessed with it! *****

The Dark Garden by Eden Bradley

This is another BDSM novel but unlike it's counterparts it is more about the individuals and the lifestyle and not naive girl meets wealthy businessman. At first I struggled with it, mainly due to her overuse of the word 'soaked' early on in the story, which I find such an off putting description. However the story line itself is quite good and at least gives the reader and accurate and erotic version of the lifestyle in which some of us know little about. It does pull on the 'damaged' individual chain again though very much like 50 Shades, the past demons affecting the choices in the present, which I found a little irritating as again, it almost attempts to make the connection that people with difficult or damaged sexual backgrounds are the 'type' that gravitate towards the BDSM lifestyle, which is wholly inaccurate. The story does have a good plot line though and instead of the reader only following one relationship we follow two with this, which is a refreshing change, and once the author thought of some more words for describing female arousal it was a good read. 

Fire Bed & Bone by Henrietta Branford

I came across this book on amazon and thought it sounded intriguing. It is set in 1381 and has been written from the dogs perspective as a revolt is rolling over the country. We witness the outcome first hand through her eyes and follow her as she leads us through the punishments and hardships of the time. It's a lovely little read and something a bit different form the norm, which I really feel makes it special and worth while picking up for a bed time read during the winter. 

Blood Games by Faye Kellerman

Excellent crime thriller with a gritty and brutal plot line, This is worth a read. 

Detective Peter Decker opens a case after the mother of apparent suicide victim, fifteen year old Gregory Hesse, tells him she doesn't believe her son would take his own life. Although dubious and assuming it is denial after such an unforeseen loss, Decker agree's to take a look at the case file and poke around. He soon discovers that there are some dirty little secrets to uncover, and this intensifies when the body of another suicide victim is discovered - a teenage girl from the same school. Soon the detectives are grasping at straws for evidence while Decker is oblivious to his foster son's connection with the school and his prime suspects. 

Breaking Dawn Part 2

I hope everyone is as excited as I am about the latest movie. I read the books of course, and although not particularly impressed with Stephanie Meyers style I was hooked on the plot. Unlike her writing for Host, the Twilight Saga was terribly written and very childish - It's a rarity, but I actually think the film adaptations have a much more adult and realistic format, from their speech to the the way they think and their actions. The movie's have been very well put together and modified, when usually the opposite is true. They have of course made plot changes for the movie adaptations that I was disappointed with, for instance, the birth scene for Part 1, I much preferred the book,  where Carlisle was present and not off out hunting like the movie portrayed, I feel they made the movie a little too graphic compared to the book in the sense of Edward biting Bella open and all the unnecessary sound effects that accompanied it. I felt the book was much more tasteful but far more powerful and I thought more disturbing. 

I am really looking forward to Breaking Dawn Part 2 and am saddened that I cannot attend the Thursday  midnight  showing or experience the movie marathon back to back of the previous 4 installments. Unfortunately I cannot take the Friday off of work, and I start at 5.30am, so don't really fancy surviving an 8 hour day on 3 hours sleep. I have instead arranged to do a back to back movie marathon at my house with my friends on the Friday eve and go to the Cinema Saturday for Part 2. Bring on Bella The Vampire. 

Dead Lovely by Helen Fitzgerald

This book is so wildly unexpected it's amazing. The plot twists and mayhem are just fabulous, but most of all the humor in this really makes it something special. It is outrageously funny! It's also extremely well written, shocking and punchy. Most highly recommended! 

Krissie is the wild, unruly, social worker best friend of Sarah, the married to a doctor, settled down, starting a family type of woman. When Krissie discovers she is pregnant after a steamy encounter in a Tenerife bathroom while on holiday, their friendship begins to show cracks. Sarah has been trying to conceive for years and Krissie's unexpected announcement after a casual fling is an earth shattering blow. Things deteriorate quickly during a walking holiday in the Highland's with Sarah's husband Kyle - Krissie's friend from college. Soon things unravel and become a nightmare of guilt, murder and forgotten secrets with catastrophic consequence. 

The Quickie by James Patterson

We follow Lauren's story through this book after she see's her husband with another woman and decides to get even, however, what was supposed to be a way for her to even the score goes pear shaped when things take an unexpected turn and Lauren is thrown into a whirlwind of hurt, lies and deceit after witnessing the most unbelievable crime. Now Lauren is trying to cover her tracks and find out the truth, to save her life and career in a bid not to lose everything. 

This has a sharp plot, it's got great twists and turns and is a bit of a roller coaster ride with an epic ending! It's totally unpredictable and keeps you surprised the whole way through. One of the best Patterson books I've read to date. 

Not For Sale by Sandra Marton

This little book takes on a romantic, heartbreaking journey through the plot of Caroline Hamilton. After she is hired by the elusive and most sought after bachelor in New York - Lucas Vieira. He needs a translator and someone to pose as his girlfriend to close an important business deal with a Russian client who's not so subtle wife keeps making advances. Caroline hears of the job through a friend and jumps at the chance to earn some extra cash, but when wires get crossed and emotions get involved the plan goes a little bit awry. 

This is a little gem, as short stories go this is a beauty. It has everything! Romance, laughter, suspense... Worth getting your hands on for a quick read. 

Scandalous by Tilly Bagshawe

Jumping from past to present the plot unfolds the story of Sasha, a student with an ambition, but after she falls for her sexy but married Professor Theo Dexter at Cambridge. she is forced to depart in a scandal and with a lost dream, Sasha is a woman scorned. 

Theo meanwhile, becomes an international TV sensation, the world adores him and he is worth millions, however his wife Theresa begins to learn he is not all she thought he was and soon finds herself alone, divorced and heartbroken. 

Years later Sasha and Theresa reunite and hatch a plan to make Theo regret the day he entered both their lives. 

This is brilliant story, it covers both the UK, LA and New York, it has a great depth and plot, and the characters are ones you can believe in. It's full of action romance and heart stopping suspense. It's most definitely one to pick up!

Breaking Point by Pamela Clare

Book 5
This is yet another excellent installment from the I-Team series. It gets strait to the point within the first chapter, throwing us into an action packed thrill of a ride. It's a brilliant page turner.

It's set with Natalie and Joaquin, on a tour bus for a journalism conference and tour when the bus gets hijacked in Juarez Mexico. All the Mexican journalists are slaughtered on the bus, while American journalists hide and pray. Natalie is kidnapped after throwing herself in front of Joaquin trying to save him, finding herself the prisoner of a powerful and vicious cartel in the middle of Mexico. Believing Joaquin was killed on the bus and now fearing the worst for her own safety, Natalie must fight her past demons to save herself in the present. 

After suffering days of torture, Zach is horrified to realize that he is no longer the cartels only prisoner, and  finds that he now has more worth saving than his own life, and in order to protect her he is forced to deceive her and risk not earning her trust and co-operation, but together, he and Natalie must join forces and attempt an escape. 

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This book is special. It's beautifully written and heartwarming. I had many laugh out loud moments and others made me incredibly sad. This is a wonderful story written from a young child's perspective set in the 1930's. An era teetering on the brink of change. This book is so glorious that it is a must read.

The Charge Of The Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

The Charge of the Light Brigade was a charge of British cavalry led by Lord Cardigan against Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854 in the Crimean War.

Half a league, half a league,

  Half a league onward,

All in the valley of Death

  Rode the six hundred.

'Forward, the Light Brigade!

Charge for the guns' he said:

Into the valley of Death

  Rode the six hundred.

 

'Forward, the Light Brigade!'

Was there a man dismay'd?

Not tho' the soldiers knew

  Some one had blunder'd:

Theirs not to make reply,

Theirs not to reason why,

Theirs but to do and die:

Into the valley of Death

  Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,

Cannon to left of them,

Cannon in front of them

  Volley'd and thunder'd;

Storm'd at with shot and shell,

Boldly they rode and well,

Into the jaws of Death,

Into the mouth of Hell

  Rode the six hundred.

Flash'd all their sabres bare,

Flash'd as they turned in air

Sabring the gunners there,

Charging an army while

  All the world wonder'd:

Plunged in the battery-smoke

Right thro' the line they broke;

Cossack and Russian

Reel'd from the sabre-stroke

Shatter'd and sunder'd.

Then they rode back, but not

Not the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,

Cannon to left of them,

Cannon behind them

  Volley'd and thunder'd;

Storm'd at with shot and shell,

While horse and hero fell,

They that had fought so well

Came thro' the jaws of Death,

Back from the mouth of Hell,

All that was left of them,

  Left of six hundred.

When can their glory fade?

O the wild charge they made!

  All the world wonder'd.

Honour the charge they made!

Honour the Light Brigade,

  Noble six hundred!

—Alfred, Lord Tennyson

The Raven - Edgar Allan Poe

Published 1845

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. `'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door - Only this, and nothing more.' Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore - For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore - Nameless here for evermore. And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before; So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating `'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door - Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; - This it is, and nothing more,' Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, `Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore; But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping, And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; - Darkness there, and nothing more. Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before; But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token, And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!' This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!' Merely this and nothing more. Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before. `Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice; Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore - Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; - 'Tis the wind and nothing more!' Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore. Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he; But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door - Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door - Perched, and sat, and nothing more. Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore, `Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven. Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore - Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly, Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore; For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door - Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door, With such name as `Nevermore.' But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only, That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour. Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered - Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before - On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.' Then the bird said, `Nevermore.' Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken, `Doubtless,' said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store, Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore - Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore Of "Never-nevermore."' But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling, Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door; Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore - What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore Meant in croaking `Nevermore.' This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core; This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er, But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er, She shall press, ah, nevermore! Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor. `Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee Respite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore! Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' `Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! - Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore, Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted - On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore - Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' `Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore - Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn, It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore - Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Lenore?' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' `Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!' I shrieked upstarting - `Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore! Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken! Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust above my door! Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted - nevermore!

One's to Read

Among my vast collection of books, there are some that are hard to forget, one of these being 'The Bone Collector' by Jeffery Deaver. Also a major motion picture from 1999 starring Denzel Washington, Queen Latifah and a young Angelina Jolie. It's brilliantly written and disturbing to the point of being ingrained on your memory. This story is so brilliant they haven't even adapted it very much for the movie, although you get far more detail and back story with the book of course. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145681/ 

Another favorite is a series of books by Karin Slaughter, The Will Trent Series and the Grant County series, however, these intermingle with one another and I have read them as a series of their own. They are all fast paced crime fiction following Sara Linton a pediatrician and coroner, and Will Trent, a special agent with the Criminal Apprehension Team and his partner Faith Mitchell. Each one is totally compelling and completely different from the last, but as a series they have great sub-plots going on alongside the main action that can be shocking and devastatingly sad. These are most certainly worth a read, but attempt to read them in order, as they do follow a sub-plot timeline of events in the characters lives. Begin with the Grant County series book one 'Blindsighted'.  
Reading list in order is as follows, though please note the years, Triptych is between Faithless and Skin Privilege.

The Grant County series
Blindsighted, (2001)
Kisscut, (2002)
A Faint Cold Fear, (2003)
Indelible, (2004)
Faithless, (2005)
Skin Privilege, (2007 UK title), Beyond Reach (US title)

The Will Trent/Atlanta series
Triptych, (2006)
Fractured, (2008)

The Georgia series (combining Grant County and Atlanta)

Undone, (2009), Genesis (UK title)
Broken, (2010)
Fallen, (2011)
Criminal, (2012)

Paperback Out November 1st 2012 - UK

Available for pre-order from Amazon.co.uk

Naked Edge by Pamela Clare

Kat James is a native American who is hauled out of an inipi ceremony by her hair when an apparent complaint is made by locals and the Boulder police take it upon themselves to break it up instead of calling upon the park rangers. This incident not only reunites her with the handsome Ranger Gabe, who rescued her when she fell from a cliff a few months before, but also makes Kat determined to find out the truth behind what she believes are false claims of disturbance reports about the inipi ceremony, and promptly begins a news campaign about the native people and the importance of their beliefs and ceremonies. However, soon things take a very sinister turn and Kat finds herself the target of a malicious and determined killer. 

This one is very well researched but I felt the native american twist had a more personal element as well, an understanding, that really made this story great. Kat is a very different character from the others in the series, although each character has their individuality, Kat is  a spiritual person who cares deeply about and practices native tribal traditions. She's unlike anyone else, and that makes her very real for the reader. 

Hard Evidence by Pamela Clare

I-Team Series Book 2

Tessa Novak is buying bad coffee in a gas station when a young Latino woman runs in screaming for help, seconds later under a hail of glass and bullets Tessa is shocked to discover that the girl has been killed in a sudden drive by shooting, and she herself has narrowly escaped. As a witness and an investigative reporter, Tessa takes it upon herself to discover the truth behind the seemingly senseless murder, pointing the finger at a man she saw in the crowd. Soon she finds herself the target of interest by the same killers, and caught in a web far greater than she had dreamed possible. 

This is brilliant, and apart from Unlawful Contact is my favourite so far. It has a relentless speed that gallops through the plot line and keeps the pages turning. The research behind this one is superior and really shines a light on the depravity of the sex industry where nothing is what it seems. 

Each story is so different from the next and yet they remain brilliantly descriptive and informative, offering something new every time. 

*****

Extreme Exposure By Pamela Clare

I-Team Series Book 1. 

Investigative reporter Kara is on the case of a local mining company after a whistle-blower gives her reason to believe they are breaking environmental laws, but when her friend Holly drags her on a night out and then ditches her with the handsome and irresistible state senator Reece Sheridan, everything becomes a bit more complicated. Soon both their relationship and their lives could be in danger. 

It took less than 24 hours to complete this cover to cover, it is the first book in the I-Team series and is a very strong introduction. It contains great detail of environmental laws and the committee's that function for each purpose within the state, and has been thoroughly researched for this plot line. It's snappy and gripping and picks up the pace immediately, launching us into the story and the steamy love affair alike. Again the erotic detail is realistic and always throwing in something hot and new for each encounter. 

This author is definitely on the top of my reading pile! 

*****

Unlawful Contact By Pamela Clare

I-team series Book 3.

I found this novel browsing through erotic novels on amazon. After reading the teaser chapter I was distraught that I couldn't read more! It brings my two favorite genre's together - crime fiction and erotica and does them both justice. 

It has a solid plot line about Sophie, a successful journalist covering the story of a missing young mother recently paroled, and Hunt, a convicted murderer, who find each other again rather unconventionally 12 years after he took her virginity and then enlisted in the army, causing them to lose all contact. They embark upon a harrowing and terrifying course trying to find Hunts sister Megan and her baby before her pursuer finds her or Sophie first!

This gripped me from the beginning with it's fast paced, edgy and compelling plot, I literally couldn't put it down, it grasps hold of you, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. It's detailed, realistic, well thought out and each chapter just rolls into the next to keep you reading for hours! 

What I really enjoyed was the story alongside the sexual scenes, it is so much more than girl meets rich boy like many others! It's gritty, intriguing, and keeps you guessing the whole way through. Now I can't wait to get my hands on the other I-team books in this series.  

*****

Bared To You By Sylvia Day

This is another tale of young woman falls head over heels for handsome powerful ridiculously wealthy business man, and guess what? He falls for her too. 

This story is the first in the Crossfire Trilogy, about Eva - a 21 year old college graduate who has just moved to New York with her gorgeous male model best friend Cary, and Gideon - a multi-billionaire who owns half the property of New York city and just happens to own and work in the building that Eva now works in as an assistant. 

However, as typical as it seems, the first installment does not disappoint. Being similar to fifty shades in many ways but with a much stronger heroine and a more realistic plot line when it comes to relationship difficulties. This is much more believable and the eroticism is well described and not repetitious. You really root for the female character as she is very easy to relate to,  and this story is very modern in it's speech, which I find many books lack. She's a strong, independent woman that you really grow fond of for the way she handles herself, situations and what she will & won't tolerate. This character is no pushover.
But we all love an impossible romance don't we? The same way we love to watch Dirty Dancing and Pretty Woman - This story has that factor, only with a bit more bedroom activity. 

The following titles are not yet released however you can find them on amazon for pre-order. Look for Reflected in You (book 2) followed by Entwined with You. 

The Host By Stephanie Meyer

This is the only other novel by Stephanie Meyer (Twilight Saga). I read an entry of it in the back of Twilight and decided it sounded pretty intriguing, and as luck should have it I spotted it in a box at a car boot sale. For those who have read her previous novels and had the same thoughts on her writing style as I did, this book is much better written than the Twilight novels, which is something I was anxious about.

This is a dramatically realistic story of an alien invasion upon planet earth by a species of great stealth and success, and they do not just invade, they silently take our place and live among us, gradually wiping us out right under our noses. The story begins when very few humans remain and those that do are in hiding, rebels, trying desperately to hold onto what is left of their planet and their race. 

This took me a several chapters to get into, I think because it begins quite confusingly and vague and as the reader we have no idea what is going on. However, once I got my teeth sunk into it I was completely hooked.

It has suspense, confusion, and enough inner turmoil that I found myself battling over who's side I'm on and getting deeply involved into each scene as it unfolded.  This story pulls at your emotions, I spent moments holding my breath, laughing out loud and in more than one incident crying my eyes out. It is exhilarating, exciting, and at times heartrendingly sad. If the movie is as great as the novel it is going to be spectacular! A definite one to watch out for. 

*****

Book Signing

Little Tid-Bit of Knowledge.

E.L.James - 50 Shades Author will be at the Waterstone's in London's Piccadilly on Thursday September 6th at 6.30pm.

Click here for more information - http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayDetailEvent.do?searchType=1&author=E%20L|James

Am just a tad excited about this I have to say. Now just have to see if I can get the time off.

Coming Soon...

Waiting for delivery of Bared To You by Sylvia Day which the first in a trilogy of erotic novels that look quite intriguing, however the sequels are not yet released!

I have also bought Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare, who has written several erotic love stories. One called Hard Evidence which is also crime fiction, blending my favorite genre's together, so I will get that one soon and give you a good review on them. 

The Host

This is the only other novel by Stephanie Meyer (Twilight Saga). I read an entry of it in the back of Twilight and decided it sounded pretty intriguing, and as luck should have it I spotted it in a box at a car boot sale on the weekend. It's quite a large book, so I've only got a few chapters in, but so far so good, it's got suspense, confusion, and enough inner turmoil to make you doubt who's side your on. So far it's also much better written than the Twilight novels, which is the only thing I was anxious about.

I'll keep reading and update you when I'm further/finished. 

It's also being made into a movie that comes out next year! This should be epic! The book is already fascinating! 

Ninety Days of Genevieve

This is a short novel by Lucinda Carrington, similar to the 50 Shades books in plot, but unfortunately with a lot less depth. It is a good read but I was constantly longing for more information as not much is provided. Even the description for the intimate erotic scene's is vague and basic, which is a shame beings those scene's are what we read it for. I found some of the erotic scenario's a little far fetched too, and that makes it lose it's effect really, we don't  want complete fantasy, we want real, passion filled eroticism. 
This is not to say it is a bad book, it's well written and has a great plot line, but it could have been made into a much more detailed novel with more soul rather than just a short story where not a lot happens. 
It baffled me a little bit as so many people have such a poor view of the 50 trilogy and say there are better works out there - Well I can certainly say that Ninety Days isn't one of them. If you fancy a quick fling it's perfect, but I prefer more juice to my stories. 

**

50 Shades of Grey

Now I was on holiday when the hype over these books started, so I was a bit delayed in getting my hands on them. If I'm honest I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about! There are varied opinions I have noticed, the majority love them, but then there is a smattering of '50 Shades of Suck' and other lame and colourful variations. 

Having now read the trilogy myself, I can say I am in the majority vote of love. I think they are incredibly well described, with intricately detailed scene's - and intimately descriptive where it really matters.  It is easy to associate yourself with Ana's character so well, she is a quirky awkward shy person who has a crazy inner monologue going on behind the seemingly cool exterior, and being able to relate to a character just makes it all the more real for me. What really hooked me is the brilliant plot line, it has a deep underlying story with plenty of action that you can sink into & get lost in.

This is not to say that I didn't find any flaws, there is a lot of repetition throughout in the use of words, phrases and some description which gives the impression that E.L.James ran out of ideas to tell us what's happening. It is also a bit insulting to those who are into the reality of dom-sub relationships or S&M in general as it almost portrays that you must be carrying some emotional baggage or have been abused mentally or otherwise in the past, or that you need to be a virgin to accept someone who has this sexual ideal, which of course is ridiculous.
In another unrealistic sense Ana can also go like a train, which did grate on me after a while, I don't know any women who can keep going several times a day every single day - I mean life (and getting uncomfortable) tend to get in the way usually. 
The only other criticism I have is that again each book is immaculately thought out and detailed of all the events and moments that occur, until 50 Shades  Freed, where as I opened it, I was anticipating the biggest event of the trilogy by some standards, but no. The third installment reads a bit like the author was in a rush to wrap things up, and some big events and moments that are hinted at are either vaguely described in flashbacks, glossed over, or missed completely due to forward jumps in time. This disappointed me as I almost felt short changed, I think E.L.James could have have easily dragged it out, gone into detail about the big events that happen in which we would have liked to have had more involvement, and also of Christian's ability to come to terms  and cope with these changes and moments in the third installment and produced a forth novel.  I would have been hooked just like I was the other three. 

****

However, I cannot wait for 'rumored' movie! I have been discussing with friends over the casting choices and have my own personal list that I'll share with you below., and explain why I chose them.

Ana Steele - Emma Watson - She is first and foremost beautiful and the right age, but she has that innocent, possibly naive, look about her that could give the character the right quality performance, but she can also transform to sexy siren as well. 

Christian Grey - Ryan Gosling - The book description of Christian is of dark copper coloured hair, a fit physique and grey eyes. I believe gosling has all these external points! He looks very dapper and sophisticated in a suit, perfect for the CEO side of Christian, but also makes you melt when he's topless in cargo pants. Can also rock the 'just fucked' look.  

Kate Kavanagh - Blake Lively - She's young gorgeous and strawberry blonde. Enough said

                            - Amanda Heard - Again young blonde and attractive, does look like she could have the Kavanagh attitude to match. Though I prefer Blake for Kate looks wise.

< Blake                                                     Amanda >

Elliot Grey -  Chris Hemsworth - Elliot is described as tall, and wide-shouldered with curly-blonde hair and light eyes. Which basically describes Heath Ledger unfortunately, however Chris Hemsworth is gorgeous and tall and muscular and would look great alongside Blake. He's also a great actor and could easily pull off the casual, cheeky, 'laters baby' attitude of Elliot. 

Mia Grey - Ashley Greene - Excitable, bubbly, tall, gorgeous, brunette. Ashley Greene is the whole package. 

José Rodriguez - Tyler Posey - A relative unknown, although he was little boy who played Jenifer Lopez's son in Maid in Manhattan, he's also known for Teen Wolf . He's very young and fit, oh and Hispanic, so he could easily portray the young Uni student José. 

Carrick Grey - Mark Harmon or Viggo Mortensen

I prefer Mark for this, he has that older man sexyness about him but he's a brilliant actor, Viggo also the right look though. 

< Mark                                            Viggo >

Grace Trevelyan-Grey - Helen Mirren does it for me, sandy coloured hair, older but gorgeous, can play the loving mother caring wife perfectly. 

Elena Lincoln - Michelle Pfieffer 

Fabulous attractive older woman who has that can be evil look about her. Established actress, she'll do the role justice. 

Jason Taylor - Jeremy Renner Plays the lead in Hurt Locker and is Hawk Eye in the Avengers Assemble. He's in his 30's, handsome, tough, can definitely pull off the bodyguard thing. He just needs to be given a quick buzz cut. Sorted. 

Ray Steele - Robert De Niro - He has that quiet brooding look, you can imagine him as the fly fishing, watching a ball game type, but he's got that caring defensive side. He'd be great as Ana's step dad. 

Jack Hyde - Zack Ward - he has the right colour hair and look, he can look really sleezy and creepy but at the same time he isn't bad looking. If he grows the hair like he did for 'Billy the Kid' he'd be perfect. 

  

Ethan Kavanagh - William levy - He's hot and would look great alongside Blake and Ashley he's also fitting of the description. 

Currently I am stuck on the good Dr Flynn, but I think the other characters for the movie I wouldn't really notice if they were wrong from the descriptions, but the above ones are my personal choices for I'd pick.