Just Finished: S.E.C.R.E.T.

I need to start this review off by saying that S.E.C.R.E.T. by L. Marie Adeline (pseudonym for author Lisa Gabriele) is not like Fifty Shades of Grey. I'll get into why in a bit. What you need to know now is that this novel was entertaining and sexy and I enjoyed reading it. 

Here's the synopsis:

No judgments. No limits. No shame.
Cassie Robichaud’s life is filled with regret and loneliness after the death of her husband. She waits tables at the rundown Café Rose in New Orleans, and every night she heads home to her solitary one-bedroom apartment. But when she discovers a notebook left behind by a mysterious woman at the café, Cassie’s world is forever changed. The notebook’s stunningly explicit confessions shock and fascinate Cassie, and eventually lead her to S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T, an underground society dedicated to helping women realize their wildest, most intimate sexual fantasies. Cassie soon immerses herself in an electrifying journey through a series of ten rapturous fantasies with gorgeous men who awaken and satisfy her like never before. As she is set free from her inhibitions, she discovers a new confidence that transforms her, giving her the courage to live passionately. Equal parts enticing, liberating and emotionally powerful, S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T is a world where fantasy becomes reality.

As I mentioned, this is not just another Fifty Shades knock off. Why's that? There are a few important differences...

• the writing won't make you cringe
• the sex is actually quite normal (or vanilla if you want to call it that) - no whips or chains here - but that doesn't make it any less steamy       
• the heroine is timid at first but is on a journey of self discovery, not aiming to be the plaything of a billionaire
• there's no creepy, controlling, Room of Pain owning man who you're supposed to swoon over         

I did read Fifty Shades so I am doing an honest comparison here. That trilogy didn't do anything for me. Anna was just so irritating and I did not find Christian attractive. All that being said...I don't want to compare the two books. I'm not going to say if you liked Fifty you'll like this because I don't think that's fair to either story. I saw Chapters do that the weekend before this book was released on their Facebook page and I fear that the comparison will turn people off since so many people hated Fifty Shades. Of course, if you did enjoy the erotic elements definitely pick up this book.

S.E.C.R.E.T. is another story. Literally. I was talking to someone about this book and she made a good point about what makes this novel intriguing. You kind of want to be a part of this secret society. You want to know where you can sign up because who doesn't want to have some of their fantasies come true? Between wanting to know what the group's secret is and the (really irritating) cliffhanger, I'm looking forward to seeing what book two will bring.

Cassie was an interesting character. She doesn't think much of herself in the beginning. She's quite boring and keeps to herself instead of going out or flirting with her attractive and interested boss. Agreeing to the first step signifies the first change  in her. She realizes that she needs to change herself and she agrees to go on this seemingly crazy adventure.       

Overall, I was pleasantly surpised by S.E.C.R.E.T. and think many others would also find this to be an enjoyable read. There's a good storyline along with the erotic element. If you're looking for a good weekend read, I suggest picking this one up!

*A copy of this novel was provided by Random House of Canada in exchange for an honest review*                                           

Just Finished: Twelve Months

Every once and awhile I need to remind myself to read outside my usual fare. I like reading the romance filled hilarity of chick lit or the emotional rides of women’s fiction and because I like that I tend to stick with it. I read to be entertained so I stay with what I know will work. Why am I mentioning this? Because I recently read Twelve Months by Steven Manchester and I enjoyed it, even though it wasn’t what I normally tend to pick up.

Here’s the synopsis:

Don DiMarco has a very good life – a family he loves, a comfortable lifestyle, passions and interests that keep him amused. He also thought he had time, but that turned out not to be the case. Faced with news that might have immediately felled most, Don now wonders if he has time enough. Time enough to show his wife the romance he didn’t always lavish on her. Time enough to live out his most ambitious fantasies. Time enough to close the circle on some of his most aching unresolved relationships. Summoning an inner strength he barely realized he possessed, Don sets off to prove that twelve months is time enough to live a life in full.
A glorious celebration of each and every moment that we’re given here on Earth, as well as the eternal bonds that we all share, TWELVE MONTHS is a stirring testament to the power of the human spirit.

Getting cancer is probably high up there on the list of nightmares for a lot of people. It’s not an easy topic to discuss or deal with and I’m sure it wasn’t the easiest thing to write about either. I admit that reading about Don’s journey was hard. I think Manchester did a good job of showing just how devastating cancer can be while also showing what can happen when you have the right attitude. Don is upset when he first learns of his diagnosis, as is his family. Who wouldn’t be? But slowly he understands that approaching the end of life with a positive outlook is the best possible way to go about things. It makes sense. Why be angry for your last few months of your life?

What I liked about this novel was that I felt like I was right beside Don during his whole ordeal. It was like I was just sitting on his shoulder, hanging out while he lived his last few months. This was a great feeling for the most part. Where I struggled with this all knowing feeling was when Manchester described some of the physical symptoms and side effects Don was having. I get that cancer isn’t pretty, I do. But there are only so many times one can read about a character having issues on the toilet. Cutting back on those scenes, and others like it, probably would have helped my enjoyment a little more. I wouldn’t want them out completely because it wouldn’t have been realistic, but a few less detailed scenes could have gone a long way with me.

The relationship between Don and Bella is darn near perfect. They are so ridiculously in love that I couldn’t imagine one without the other. You can really see that love in the excerpt I posted awhile back. I didn’t know how Bella would survive once Don passed. She was a strong woman, though, and a fabulous wife.

Twelve Months was an emotional but good novel. Steven Manchester wrote a story that was both devastating and uplifting at the same time. If stories like these are your usual favourites, definitely read this one. And, hey, even if it’s not, give it a try. I learned that branching out a little can lead to reading great books that make you look at life a little differently – and that’s definitely a good thing.

*A copy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

Rereading Sarah Dessen: Just Listen

As you may know, I'm taking part in the I Eat Words Sarah Dessen Read/Reread Challenge this year. Check out this post that explains the details about the awesomeness that is this challenge. I've decided to do something a little different with my reviews for these books, just for fun. Also, my best friend Sandy will be sharing her thoughts along with me every month. Sandy is an aspiring author and we've been obsessed with Dessen for about as long as we've been BFFs (that would be almost 12 years, for you curious folk). Since she doesn't have her own blog, I thought it'd be great for her to join in on here. I hope you enjoy our thoughts!

Let's start off with the synopsis for Just Listen:

Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything" — at least that's the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf's Department Store.
This year, she's the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong.
Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling. With Owen's help, maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

Now for the different part...I'm going to do a sort of list/stats sheet before giving my thoughts on the book. My actual review won't be too long, unless I have something epic to discuss. Those who have read Dessen before will know why I'm highlighting certain things because there are some similarities in all of her books. As it's been awhile since I've read a lot of these, I'm sure I'll come up with a longer list by the time the year is over!

About the Story
Main  Character: Annabel Green
Age: 16
School Year or Summer?: School Year
Boy: Owen Armstrong
First description of boy: "...he was tall and muscular, with broad shoulders and thick biceps. And he always wore boots with thick rubber soles that made him seem even bigger, his steps heavier. His hair was dark and cut short, spiking up a bit at the top, and I've never once seen him without his iPod and earphones..."
Crushable?: Definitely. He's mysterious with a bit of a bad boy edge.
Big Secret?: Yes. We're not too sure what exactly happened between Annabel and Sophie.
Heavy Storyline?: Yes. Anorexia and sexual assault are both main topics of the novel.
Parents Together?: Yes.
Siblings: Two sisters, both older.
Cameos: At least one - Remy and Dex from This Lullaby show up at a concert Owen and Annabel attend.

About the Book
Released: April 2006
Epigraph?: Yes. "The best way out is always through." - Robert Frost
Format (of my copy): Paperback
Own?: Yes. (My second copy...first went missing when I loaned it to someone...stupid me.)
Signed?: No.
Read or Reread: Reread
Age when first read: 18 (probably...I would have read it as soon as it was released...unless I got it for my 19th birthday the next month).

My Thoughts
Oh, man. This book was a lot heavier than I remembered, which is surprising as I was an older teen when I read it for the first time. My stomach was all twisted in knots as I reread what happened to her and again when she was trying to decide if she should share her story with Owen, her family, and the police. She goes through something that no girl should have to deal with, simply because some guy was an asshole. I hate that she felt like she shouldn't or couldn't tell anyone about what happened. No girl or woman should ever have that feeling.
I think the last time I read it I probably thought of myself as one of her friends but this time around, since I'm almost a decade older than Annabel, I felt more like her big sister. Which was definitely not a bad thing. It sort of gave me a new perspective - both with Annabel's story and the stories of her sisters. I paid more attention to what Whitney and Kirsten were going through and how their lives impacted Annabel's.
I was worried about rereading these books and how I'd feel about the romance aspect of the story. As I mentioned, I'm quite a bit older than Annabel now and the relationship I'm in is vastly different than the crush she has on Owen. I don't know why I was worried. Dessen's main characters are always mature, down to earth, and...well, not annoying (you won't find any of them excited to see a sparkly immortal being watching them sleep in their bedrooms, that's for sure). Dessen's romances are almost never about trying to get the boy. Instead, the boy and girl are thrown together for some reason and feelings grow from there.
Now, I've just read over what Sandy has written and there is no way I can compete with her thoughts. They're awesome. I'll end my mini review here and let you read Sandy's opinion on Just Listen. Enjoy!

Sandy's Thoughts
I want to start off by saying that I love Sarah Dessen’s books. I started reading them in high school on recommendation from Kaley and at 25 I continue to wait anxiously for each new novel she writes. However, in the last ten years I have never reread a single one of them. When Kaley shared this challenge with me I was immediately on board.
Diving into Just Listen this month gave me a different kind of feeling while reading a Sarah Dessen book. Usually the characters and events are unknown to me and unfold gradually with each sentence and chapter. Having already read Just Listen when it first came out I remembered the storyline of Annabel’s assault and Owen coming to her aid, but I had forgotten about Whitney, Clarke, Rolly even Mallory. Reading about Annabel and her family a second time allowed me to focus on the intricate details that sometimes get lost in the rest of the drama. The first time I was interested in the relationship between Annabel and Owen. I have to say that Owen Armstrong is one of my favourite male characters in a Sarah Dessen book. She has a way of writing people that you want to meet. Even minor characters have such life and personality that draw you further into the world she is creating. Owen is a character that I can picture knowing in high school. He’s tall and threatening to see but in the end he is caring and compassionate enough to help a strange girl when she is down. He is the guy that every teenage girl (and every woman they become) wishes would have befriended her in high school because he pays attention, asks about feelings and doesn’t hold his thoughts to himself. All any woman wants is to be understood and accepted; Owen gives that to Annabel.

My focus this time shifted from that bond Owen creates between himself and Annabel and onto the bond within the Greene household. There is an inherent ebb and flow to any relationship that stretches over time. Everyone changes and the people around them, especially family, adapt to that change through acceptance or dismissal. Annabel errs on the side of dismissal when she feels change happening in the case of Clarke and Sophie. When a rift occurs she believes that is the end, there is no going back because change is an ending and not just a transition. Over time an ending is really just a beginning. By the end of the novel the Greene family has started a new beginning with each other.

The Greene’s adapt and change to support Annabel’s mother when her own mother dies then Whitney when her eating disorder is discovered and finally Annabel when she tells them about the assault. The year that passes in the pages of Just Listen sees a family in flux gathering around each member that needs help, love and above all support. Annabel realizes this when she tells the reader that she only has to ask to be brought back in to her family to be safe and immersed again. (Pg 353) I love the message that Sarah Dessen shares with us: family dynamics change but family itself is forever.

There is so much more going on in Just Listen than another teen love story. It is about connections between friends and family that are about honesty and acceptance. It is about being honest, above all, with yourself in order to control life around you. By the end of the book all of the characters have found a new kind of normal. Nothing is exactly the way it was but now everyone feels in control of the life they are living. The good and bad of life passes and the day to day is what we are left with.

Up next month...This Lullaby. My favourite!

Guest Post: Cari Kamm

Today I have the lovely Cari Kamm on the blog with a guest post to celebrate the release of her new novel, For Internal Use Only. I read her first novel, Fake Perfect Me, and really enjoyed it (you can check out the review here) so I'm excited to get the chance to read this one. Have fun with this guest post and stay tuned for my review of this novel!

Chick Lit is more than just a pretty face. This is why I don’t judge a book by its pink cover.  Chick Lit might be a quick read, light-hearted, and simply entertaining. But Chick Lit can spotlight characters with real issues that women face such as heartbreak, addiction, sibling & friend rivalry, negative body image & eating disorders, and even infidelity. In my latest novel, For Internal Use Only, the topic is the desire to find true love. In other words; living your fairy tale.

Life inspires me to create a character. This character leads me to produce the outline of the story I have in mind. Then over several months, I begin to realize where the characters are taking me. When a theme moves me, I sketch out an outline breaking down Act I, II & III and write up descriptions of the characters. Then, I just write. I don’t look back. I don’t reread. I would say it’s a crappy first draft and then I spend months on revising – editing – revising – editing.

Writing isn’t my job. It’s my daily habit. I begin first thing in the morning. I make coffee and hit the keys. Writing is my big morning stretch. I write from anywhere, anytime, and on anything. A notebook, a cocktail napkin, or even taking a photo of a person, place or thing that inspired me. I take a lot of photos to capture details that I want to write about later and add into a scene or character description. I love being surrounded by music, strangers, voices… simply just life. Throughout my own daily life, a moment may capture me and I think, “Wow... my character would eat that, do that, say that, adore that.”

I write a lot in New York City and also on my family’s ranch in West Virginia. Traveling pushes me as a writer in my descriptions. For example, in my first novel, Fake Perfect Me, the scenes in Italy where Isabella Reynolds is enjoying a creamy burratta in Rome... I wrote that scene while doing that exact thing. In my latest novel, For Internal Use Only, I was a passenger in a car on a major interstate in Atlanta writing a similar scene with my protagonist Chloe.

The plot, the characters, and the setting are all inspired from my daily life once I’ve created a character. I don’t go searching for inspiration, I prefer to bump into the unexpected beauty of life. Whether it is spotting a shadow, hearing a whistle, or walking through dog poop on the street because I was distracted with a scene idea (It’s happened!).

In November 2012, I participated in National Novel Writing Month and completed my third book. It’s my first romance novel! While traveling in Costa Rica last year, I had a dream, the theme for this new novel. I woke up at 5:00 a.m. and scribbled every memory of it that I could. I hope to release it later this year.

About the Author

Cari Kamm has worked in the beauty industry for over a decade, building brands, working behind the scenes, and even selling her own skin care line. She has a master’s in clinical nutrition from New York University. Kamm currently works in corporate social media management with clients in the beauty, fashion, and restaurant industries. Living in New York City with her mutt Schmutz, Kamm loves finding inspiration in the most unexpected places, being a novelist, and convincing her fiancé that ordering takeout and making dinner reservations are equal to cooking. More information can be found on her website, CariKamm.com. To check out the book trailer, click here: http://tinyurl.com/bdr7bfn.

Mini Review: The Billionaire's Con

I loved Mackenzie Crowne’s short story That Dating Thing so when I found out she had another story published, The Billionaire’s Con, I jumped at the chance to read it.

Here’s what this short story is all about:

Determined to succeed, Chef Meggy Calhoun realizes her dream with the opening of Boston’s hottest new culinary experience. But will her secret connection to one of New England’s most powerful families poison her recipe for success, and leave her heart flambéed?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved that there was a great mix of intrigue and romance. As the reader, we’re not sure who to trust and we’re not sure what the motive is behind a lot of actions. Slowly the story is unraveled and we find out why everyone’s been deceitful.

Maggy was such a great character. She seems like the type of person that I could be friends with - smart, funny, down to earth. She also has some great friends of her own and it’d be fun to hang out with all of them.

At just over 100 pages, The Billionaire’s Con is pretty much the perfect length for a short story. There’s enough action to keep things interesting and there aren’t any lingering questions, which can sometimes happen with stories that are just too short.

If you’re looking for a quick, romantic read, I definitely recommend The Billionaire’s Con by Mackenzie Crowne.

*A copy of this story was provided by the publisher, Still Moments Publishing, in exchange for an honest review*

Reading Bingo: Winter Wonderland

I picked Winter Wonderland by Belinda Jones for a Reading Bingo square for a very particular reason: its cover. Isn't it lovely?? I won this one from the lovely ladies over at Chick Lit Central (thank you thank you thank you!) and I pretty much only entered because of the pretty cover. Of course, I was interested in the story as well! Happily, the inside of this novel matched the outside. I loved it!

Here’s the synopsis:

Imagine waking up in a snow globe...
That’s how travel journalist Krista feels when she arrives in magical Quebec to report on Canada's glittering Winter Carnival.
Over ten sub-zero days Krista's formerly frozen heart begins to melt as she discovers an enchanting world of ice palaces, husky dog-sledding and maple-syrup treats galore. And then she meets Jacques, a man as handsome and rugged as he is mysterious…
The two share a secret that could bond them forever, but can they find a way to break through the protective layers around their hearts to warm up this winter wonderland?
…let the snow-spangled adventure begin.

One of the other reasons I entered to win a copy of this book (other than the cover) was because it takes place at the Quebec winter carnival. Sometimes it seems like there aren’t any chick lit books set in Canada and I don’t think I've ever read one that takes place somewhere other than…well, Toronto, really. I loved reading about Krista experiencing some very Canadian activities. Some of the things she does had me smiling because they’re just so Canadian that I wouldn't think twice about the fact that someone wouldn't know about them. Some examples: ice skating (I doubt you’d find many adult Canadians who haven’t skated before), learning about Bonhomme (most elementary school kids in the country could tell you who that is), and eating poutine. That was probably the best out of everything she tried. I admit, poutine does sound a little weird – French fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds. But, boy oh boy, is it ever delicious. I was practically yelling at her to try it because I knew she would love it! (Spoiler: she does!)

This book had me laughing out loud right from the beginning. It was actually one of those books that I was almost afraid to read in public because I couldn't contain my giggles. I'm sure my fellow train passengers were wondering what on earth I found so hilarious. I started keeping track of the funny bits but there were just too many!

I'm also a fan of any novel featuring a travel writer. I'm not sure why but I am drawn to those characters and I love reading about them and their travels!

There were so many fabulous characters in this novel. I really liked Krista, of course, but there were some awesome secondary characters as well. Annique, the beautiful tour guide, seems lovely and provided a good girlfriend for Krista while she was in another country. Speaking of girlfriends, Krista's BFF Laurie will be the heroine in an upcoming book, The Traveling Tea Shop, and I'm looking forward to that! Jacques was a great romantic interest - a little mysterious and damaged, but a kind soul is evident. Even with all the characters (there are many more that I did not mention here), it was not confusing and the story flowed well.

I loved Winter Wonderland by Belinda Jones - so much so that I've managed to convince two others to pick this one up, too! This book was just so enjoyable and I can't recommend it enough. This is a particular must read for fellow Canadian chick lit lovers. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to plan my trip to the Winter Carnival for next year since 2013's carnival ended yesterday!

Happy reading :)

Just Finished: Kismetology

I’m not sure what I expected when I picked up Kismetology by Jaimie Admans. I did know that I loved the cover, though. How cute is it? What I ended up getting, aside from the adorable cover, was a fun and amusing novel.

Here’s the synopsis:

Finding the perfect man isn't easy. Especially when it's for your mother...
Mothers. Can't live with them, can't live without them, can't live three doors down the road without them interfering in every aspect of your life.
Mackenzie Atkinson's mother has meddled in her love life once too often and something has to be done. Mackenzie decides to turn the tables and find love for her lonely mother.
Her lonely and very fussy mother.
Surely finding an older gentleman looking for love won't be that hard, right?
Wrong.
If you've ever thought that boys grow up, here's the problem: They don't. Ever.And Mackenzie is about to learn that the hard way.
Faced with a useless boyfriend, dressed up dogs, men who wear welly boots on dates, men who shouldn't be allowed out in public, and men who make reptiles seem like attractive company - will she ever find the perfect man for her neurotic mother?

The thing I loved most about this book was that it was just such a unique idea. While it did remind me of the movie Because I Said So (instead of a mom (Diane Keaton) searching for a date for her daughter (Mandy Moore), this book had a daughter trying to find a man for her mother) I have never read or watched anything with this premise. I honestly couldn’t imagine trying to find a date for my own mom so it was quite hilarious to read about Mackenzie’s adventures.

I did find that the book sort of dragged a bit. There were just too many dates, too many fights, too much of the same thing over and over again. It was all very repetitive and didn’t drive the plot forward at all.

I also found that I needed more with Jenni because I didn’t realize she and Mackenzie were such close friends. I love where they ended up by the time the book finished but I was surprised because they didn’t seem that close. I think just a few more scenes with them (and not ones when they’re at work) to replace some of the date scenes would be a great addition.

I found Dan and Eleanor (aka Mum) quite unlikeable. They both berated and belittled Mackenzie in subtle ways. At the same time, I felt as though Mackenzie needed to grow a spine and stand up to the both of them. I couldn’t understand why she couldn’t just articulate how she felt to the two of them.

This seems like a pretty negative review, doesn’t it? I really did enjoy reading Kistmetology, honest! It had me giggling throughout. Take this line for example,

Mackenzie: “What’s wrong with her fridge?”
Dan: “It’s heating up.”
Mackenzie: “So, what, it’s got personality affective disorder? It thinks it’s a microwave?”

Overall, I had fun reading Kismetology by Jaimie Admans. I had a few issues with it but it was, for the most part, a very amusing read. I'll be on the lookout to see what she comes up with next!

Happy reading :)

*I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review*