Thursday, October 16, 2014

Twisted Book Review

Twisted
Lola Smirnova
Publisher: Quickfox Publishing
Publication Date: January 26, 2014

 

 

Book Description

Back in the 90’s, the corrupt post-Soviet Ukraine with its faltering economy, is thrown into a devastating depression. Times are hard.

Three naïve young sisters – Natalia, Lena and Julia - dream of a better life, and weigh their options: do they stay and struggle like their parents, or join scores of their compatriots in the sex trade in glittering western European cities, who earn in a night what they’d take several months to earn at home?

For sensible, resilient and calculating Lena and Natalia, the transition to the underworld of Luxembourg’s deceptive champagne bars is eye-opening, but smooth. But for fragile, brittle Julia, haunted by a childhood assault, the change is more than just vocational. Struggling to adapt, she turns to alcohol and drugs, exposing herself to increasing danger and depravity; and, ultimately, betrayal, when a deceitful client, who claims to love her, drugs her and cleans her out.

Despite her sisters’ best efforts to intervene, she finds herself in Istanbul – culturally a world apart – in an attempt to make back the money and self-respect she’s lost. Vulnerable without the protection of Luxembourg’s champagne bars, she descends into a hell of drugs and high-risk sex until, at the novel’s terrible climax, a kidnapping, brutal assault and one-sided justice system lead to her imprisonment and a threat of deportation.

How will Natalia and Lena save Julia?

Based on factual events, Twisted is a pacy and gritty story of vulnerability, courage and the art of making a living in the sex trade.

My Thoughts
 

‘Twisted’ was definitely a fitting title for this book. ‘Twisted’ is also based on real life events. To begin my review I wasn’t to say I am terribly sorry that anyone has to go through these twisted events. I am glad that someone decided to share their story.

I think ‘Twisted’ was well written, it gave a lot of information in a short period of time so for me it was a fast read. I think the dialogue could use some polishing and just a tad bit more character development was needed. However that didn’t ruin anything in the book for me.

I will say this book is not for the faint of heart. There are explicit sex scenes and drug use. So if you cannot handle that, then this book is not for you. I believe this book was done very well and I found it very interesting. It’s definitely a book out of the norm; that might be why I liked it even more. ‘Twisted’ is a fast paced, captivating read. It is an interesting read and an eye opener. I hope to see more work from Lola, I am most definitely a fan.

 

 
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive compensation for this review.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

The War Within Book Review

The War Within
Tye Shirelle
Publisher: Self
Publishing Date: August 2, 2014

 

 

Book Description
 

Faced with a heinous betrayal by the person she loves the most, Kira's illness spirals out of control. Lack of treatment surrenders her to reckless behavior and uncontrolled actions. Can she ever forgive Avery for her treachery? Will Avery be able to get passed Kira’s reaction and love her enough to fight to repair the damage their relationship endured? Can they keep their family together?

Mature Readers Only**
Graphic and Explicit Content**

 

My Thoughts

 

‘The War Within’ was an intriguing, touching story about love and heartache. Kira, one of the main characters suffers from bi-polar disorder. This story follows Kira during some of her best times. Kira’s mother suffered from bi-polar disorder, which caused a very rocky childhood for Kira. This was a story of love, loss, hardships, betrayal, and suffering.

I thought the book was well written and told a very touching story. I thought Avery and Kira were both interesting characters. However I thought some of the dialogue could use a little work. Some things the characters said were a bit immature and didn’t sound right coming from grown women. Aside from that I thought it was a good story, it had a lot of dynamics when it comes to the characters and how the story moves along.

Kira is ultimately a woman who doesn’t feel like she belongs at all, even though she is surrounded by three people who love her and she had two beautiful children. Kira struggles with her disorder and the daily struggles of life.
Not only was this a good story but it brought awareness to bi-polar disorder. Which is always good, it is always good to be educated about struggles our fellow Americans are going through and to discuss the pre conceived notions about disorders such as this.


*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive compensation for this review.

Her Final Sleep Book Review

Her Final Sleep
Joe DiCicco
Publisher: Vamptasy Publishing
Publishing Date: September 21, 2014

 

 
Book Description

The hard rock band Her Final Sleep are not only beautiful, they are incredibly talented. They have the small town of Pine Lake completely enamored, but some say they hide something evil in their old house just outside of town. Kyle Van Velt and his friends are about to have a run in with Her Final Sleep, with disastrous consequences.


My Thoughts

‘Her Final Sleep’ was a very well written, tantalizing, paranormal thriller. I really enjoyed the way ‘Her Final Sleep’ was written. There were a lot of different characters in this book but to me they all played a key part in the story. This is a very difficult thing to accomplish, when you have so many characters.

I would have liked to see a bit more of an explanation of where this bad ‘thing’ came from and what it ultimately wants.

I did think it was a fresh take on paranormal mysteries. It was a very entertaining story and I liked the characters and the way the story unfolded. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
 
 
 
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive compensation for this review.