Literary Marie

February 2, 2014

Series Sunday: Deceptive Innocence, Part One

(Pure Sin #1)

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

Read an installment of a series.
Share your review/recommendation below.
Include the title, author and series name.

"The whole thing is nerve-racking, illicit, intense, agonizing...exquisite." ~ pg. 101

My Series Sunday pick is Deceptive Innocence, Part One in the Pure Sin series by Kyra Davis. What happens when the man you're targeting for revenge is attractive and shares a passion you cannot resist? Bell's mother died while serving time for a murder she didn't commit; Bell is focused on seeking revenge on the ones responsible: the powerful Gables family.

She seduces her way into the bed of the family's youngest son, Lander. Then she lands a job as assistant to the older son, determined to take down the family from the inside. But the sexual chemistry between her and Lander is blurring the lines of vigilante justice and desire.

At just under 200 pages, Deceptive Innocence, Part One is a quick read. The fast introduction to characters made me read even quicker. I was eager to find out how it would play out. If Bell would give in to desire. If Lander would catch Bell's true intention. If the book would end on a cliffhanger, and oh yes it did! Thank goodness I have part two on deck! The Pure Sin trilogy is author Kyra Davis' latest romance/erotica series. So far, so sexy!

DISCLAIMER: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Title: Deceptive Innocence, Part One
Author: Kyra Davis
Published: January 2014
Pages: 189
Edition: Galley
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♡

January 31, 2014

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

Grab your current read(s).
Share the first line(s).
Include the title and author.

"A caterpillar forms a chrysalis around itself and, before long, a lovely butterfly emerges. Is the caterpillar aware at the start of the process that by its end it will have transformed from one of the more loathsome looking larvae into the recipient of often extraordinary beauty?"

~ Hi! My Name is Loco and I am a Racist by Baye McNeil

January 30, 2014

The Migraine Mafia

Author Maia Sepp dedicated The Migraine Mafia to John (Bringer of the ice packs). Likewise, I dedicate this review to my Chickadee (Bringer of the ice packs).

"I was diagnosed with migraine by five, an icepack connoisseur by eight." ~ pg. 12

Viive (pronounced Vee-veh) juggles being a wife and working in a fast-paced technical field all while suffering from a migraine. She has her good days, then not-so-good days. She is close to a promotion until her bosses politely force a leave of absence. Frustrated and from advice of a doctor, she joins a support group called the Migraine Mafia. Viive realizes the room full of strangers may change how she views her chronic illness.

"Of course, one of the very worst things about migraine is that it makes the future a complete unknown." ~ pg. 63

This is my first novel read by author Maia Sepp. As a migraineur, I am very critical and sensitive when it comes to books about this debilitating illness. Unfortunately, I know all too well the restrictions migraines put on a person's life—socially and professionally. Well, Maia Sepp nailed it. I knew from the details of main character Viive's attacks that this was no amateur writer who googled migraine symptoms. No, this author experienced symptoms firsthand. There were so many moments in the book where I literally said aloud, "This is me!" and "Shut the fridge door! Me too!" The mini-migraine rescue drawer, the medication mumbo-jumbo, triggers and triptans were all too familiar and gave the writer credibility. Many kudos for delivering a hilarious, truthful-in-a-fiction-way novel about a small group of migraineurs.

I recommend this novel to my fellow migraineurs. If you are familiar with someone who suffers from a chronic illness or a nervous system disorder, this may give you some light-hearted insight. Keep in mind The Migraine Mafia is a work of fiction and not to be taken as factual medical advice or as a depiction of migraine sufferers as a whole. Regardless, still read it! The Migraine Mafia is only $2.99 for the eBook (less than the price of an icepack). Download now!

Now excuse me while I go search for a migraine support group.

DISCLAIMER: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Title: The Migraine Mafia
Author: Maia Sepp
Published: December 2013
Pages: 187
Edition: Galley
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

January 29, 2014

Biology of Luck

"Men like Larry Bloom don't publish epic novels to literary acclaim." ~ pg. 45

Two men are vying for Starshine's love; one guy is an heir to a beach chair empire and the other guy is one of the last underground members of the Weathermen. How exhausting for a gal! The only break Starshine will get is a dinner date with tour guide Larry Bloom. She has no idea that Larry has a stake in her future too. He has written a novel about a day in Starshine's life in which he appears as the love interest.

It took me three chapters of the book to 'get it.' The Biology of Luck is a novel within a novel. Confused much? So was I in the beginning. Let me explain. The Biology of Luck juxtaposes moments from Larry's guided tour with chapters from the novel he wrote of Starshine's day. Still confused? Just read it and you'll understand. *wink*

This book—Biology of Luck not Larry's novel in the novel—is my first time reading Jacob's work. I must say I am impressed. The imagery and setting was so descriptive it felt like I was strolling the five boroughs with Larry as my New York tour guide. The structure used and open-to-interpretation ending takes talent. Somebody give the man a seven-figure advance so I can read the sequel!

DISCLAIMER: This book was received directly from the publisher/author for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Title: The Biology of Luck
Author: Jacob M. Appel
Published: October 2013
Pages: 235
Edition: eBook
Rating: ♥♥♥♥

January 28, 2014

This is How You Lose Her

"At first you don't register it." ~ pg. 121

Love fades. Love is passionate. Love is obsessive. Love is reckless. Pulitzer Prize-winner Junot Diaz pens a collection of short stories with a central theme: irresistible love.

At the heart of every story is Yunior. Through his memories, readers get a glimpse of his experiences with women. My major gripe is that the series of short stories are not in chronological order. At times, it made the book hard to follow, causing me to pause and figure out when exactly the particular events occurred. Was this relationship before this one? Did he date this girl before or after the last girl? Despite this minor annoyance, Diaz's prose flows into a collection of stories with love at the center. Some of the love affairs fail; some are unresolved. Such is life. However, the author successfully showed that Yunior learned a lesson from every relationship and led him to ultimately realize how he lost her.

For readers that are sticklers for organized chapters, this book may be hard for you to get into. But stick with it; This is How You Lose Her is worth reading. It may spark memories of your own past relationships and will make for good book club discussions.

Title: This is How You Lose Her
Author: Junot Diaz
Published: September 2012
Pages: 131 pages
Edition: eBook
Rating: ♥♥♥♥

January 26, 2014

Series Sunday: The Redhead Plays Her Hand

(Redhead #3)

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

Read an installment of a series.
Share your review/recommendation below.
Include the title, author and series name.

"You're my one and only Ginger." ~ pg. 172

My Series Sunday pick is The Redhead Plays Her Hand, the third book in the Redhead series by Alice Clayton. In Clayton's first novel of the Redhead series, we are introduced to feisty Grace and irresistible Jack. In the second book of the series, Grace and Jack learned how to hide away from the world. In this third installment, the couple is coming into their own independently and together.

The director of Grace's TV series asks Grace to lose fifteen pounds. Curvy Grace speaks up about her struggles with weight and demands of how a Hollywood actress should look. Meanwhile, Jack is voted the Sexiest Man of the Year. But the title means nothing; all Jack wants is to go public with his relationship with Grace. He starts a downward spiral, partying hard and with lots of booze. His actions tempt Grace to set him straight and walk the red carpet with her man.

Alice Clayton's ability to write LOL dialogue and hilarious characters with sexual chemistry is unmatched. It is a treat to readers. Characters Jack and Grace are like the fun couple you love to hang with. I enjoyed this third installment as much as the first two books of the Redhead series. So much so, that I would love to see this couple on the big screen. If you like chick lit, this is a must-read series. Add it to your reading list and be prepared to laugh your curvy butt off.

DISCLAIMER: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Title: The Redhead Plays Her Hand
Author: Alice Clayton
Published: December 2013
Pages: 322
Edition: Galley
Rating: ♥♥♥♡