Split by J.B. Salsbury

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He's not like other guys...

He’s not like other guys…

After her career goes sour, Shyann finds herself jobless, penniless, and packing for her hometown–where unwanted memories await.

Lucas needs the quiet life. And that’s exactly what he’s found in Payson, Arizona. For the first time in his life, he finally feels like his mind is in check. Lucas has suffered from blackouts since he was a child. He knows he’s not like other guys.

But when Lucas meets his boss’s daughter, her probing eyes and personal questions pick away at his barriers. Shyann is everything he should never have…everything he wants. And soon the blackouts return. The last thing he wants is to expose how dangerous he can be–but he’s helpless, and it could cost him Shyann.

 

Man oh man.

This is one of those books where you really want to rate it higher because it was “reading crack”, but you also had some problems with it to lower it down. Since I am having a hard time with the rating, I am going to give it a middle score of 3 with a list of pro’s and con’s.

PRO-Lucas/Gage
CON- Shyann

PRO- first story I have read with a main character and multiple POV with this disorder.
CON- sometimes the two personalities were too Good vs. Evil

PRO- it kept my interest until the end with the “reading crack”. I HAD to know what happened.
CON- A little predictable, but the downfalls of the story is what made it so addicting!

PRO- The epilogue
CON- The constant reminder and career whining Shyann puts the reader through.

PRO- The cover
CON- Dustin and Trevor (technically that is two cons, but whatever.)

GOODREADS / AMAZON

Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens

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Eleven years ago, Lindsey Nash escaped into the night with her young daughter and left an abusive relationship.Her ex-husband was sent to jail and she started over with a new life. Now, Lindsey is older and wiser, with a teenage daughter who needs her more than ever. When her ex-husband is finally released, Lindsey believes she’s cut all ties. But she gets the sense that someone is watching her. Her new boyfriend is threatened. Her home is invaded, and her daughter is shadowed. Lindsey is convinced it’s her ex-husband, even though he claims he’s a different person. But can he really change? Is the one who wants her dead closer to home than she thought?

Chevy Stevens targets her readership with a novel that hits all the notes they come to expect from her—and ratchets up the stakes even more in a novel that explores the darkest heart of love and obsession.

 

Never Let You Go is written as a flashback style chapters between past and present time.  It is also a two part book dividing the story between past a present. Confusing? Yeah, it could be at times. I wasn’t a fan of the flashback chapters and alternating point of view.  I would have been happy with the different POVs, but mixing in the different time lines made it a little confusing some times.

Part one of the book was the best part of the story in my opinion.  You gradually see how Andrew changes and starts to lose control of his emotions. The writing was well done and let the reader feel like they were part of the story.  Part two was a little weak for me. The characters were off and felt a little “off” compared to the first half.  I felt that the story went off in another direction, but still an okay path that had me continuing the read.

Overall, it was an okay book. It wasn’t my favorite book this year, but it wasn’t the worst. I can honestly say that I would try another book by this author though.

GOODREADS / AMAZON

Raine by J.C. Valentine

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Raine

 

RAINE
by J.C. Valentine

Warning: RAINE contains adult situations some readers may find offensive. This is a deeply emotional story that contains violence, explicit sex, strong language, and is not considered suitable for readers under 18.

Shy.
Intelligent.
Naive.
Statistic.

Raine Forester was an average girl leading an average life. She slipped beneath everyone’s radar, until Camron Moss, the most popular guy in school, took interest in her and changed everything.

Some acts are unforgivable.

Raine thought she’d been accepted. She thought she was one of them. She thought she was in love… until one moment made her realize she’d trusted the wrong person. Lies are told, hearts get broken, secrets are revealed, and sometimes, true love is found in the least likely places.

Have you ever started reading a book and thinking to yourself that you aren’t sure if this is going to be a book that keeps your interest?  I admit that after the first few chapters, I was wavering between putting the book down or going for the whole she-bang.  It does touch on some sensitive subject including rape.

I wasn’t a fan of a few characters in the book. The boys’ parents were horrible.  I hated the fact that they had no substance to their roles except to be the money holders that are cliche.  I also took a bit to warm up to Raine. She is suppose to be some ordinary girl dating this wonderful and popular boy, but within a chapter he turns into this completely different character at the other end of the spectrum.

Then we have Jarret, who is Camrons little brother.  He is older and the black sheep of the family. He swoops in to save the day and the woman in distress.  While I did like his character and was rooting for him to succeed in being the man his brother could not be, I would have preferred him to have stood up a little sooner to his family.

Overall the story was a pretty decent read for a new to me author.  I could see myself reading more books by author J.C. Valentine in the future.

[sc:rate3 ]

AMAZON / AUTHOR WEBSITE / GOODREADS

 

The Twinkies Cookbook by Hostess, 85th Anniversary Edition

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twinkie cookbook

 

Ah. Twinkies.

The sugar filled (and cream filled) cakes we would scream with joy to see packed in our lunchbox growing up. The dessert was one that children would trade anything in their lunch for in the cafeteria. Then came the scare of Twinkies never being around again. Thankfully they are back on the shelves and now Hostess is celebrating with an 85th anniversary Edition cookbook for Twinkie lovers.

Looking through the photos and the names of the recipes, I admit to drooling and craving a Twinkie. I might have ate one or two (or three) while also devouring the pages of this cookbook.  I learned new ways to include the Twinkie in several dessert dishes  I wouldn’t have really thought about. A few of the recipes were generic and with not much thought really, but it is including Twinkies! How are they suppose to improve on something that is already perfect?

There were a few flaws with the electronic version I received. The recipes were split up weird with half the recipe on one page, and the rest on the next. Pictures were also cut in half and split up the same way.  In my opinion, this would be better as a print book than as an electronic edition.

[sc:rate3 ]

GOODREADS / AMAZON

Quickie Reviews For You: The R.L. Mathewson Edition (8)

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A short post featuring a few quick reviews. Short, sweet and all in one post.

Taken from my list of books read and ready to be reviewed, we are featuring books that are from The Neighbor From Hell series by author R.L. Mathewson.

 

playing for keeps1Playing For Keeps
by: R.L. Mathewson
Neighbor From Hell #1
4 Stars
GOODREADS / AMAZON (Currently FREE)
Can I just say that those Bradford men are sexy! I want one. Seriously. Send one to me R.L. Mathewson (and several hundred dollars to feed him each month). Jason was hysterical. I laughed so many times when reading this book. I did think it had many repetitive scenes, but the characters made up for this. Not only do Bradford men have an unbelievable appetite, but they have very large egos. Haley wasn’t my favorite character, but she did seem to balance well with Jason.

 

perfection2Perfection
by: R.L. Mathewson
Neighbor From Hell #2
5 Stars
GOODREADS / AMAZON (Currently $0.99)
Oh.Em.Gee. LOVED this book in the series! Trevor was the ice cream, cake, icing and a cherry on top in this book. I loved him from the beginning, all the way through the epilogue. The naughty scenes had me fanning the blush away on my face several times. Again, the Bradford ego and appetite is in abundance, but who cares when we get dirty and swoon worthy. Zoe was one lucky girl in this book. (And ladies…he likes himself some curves!)

 

checkmate3Checkmate
by: R.L. Mathewson
Neighbor From Hell #3
3 Stars
GOODREADS / AMAZON (Currently $0.99)
Huh?…What happened? While Conner definitely was another hot male in this series, I wasn’t a fan of Rory or the story. Two rivaling companies, coming together for one project, living next door to each other, and hating each other from childhood. Oh, and throw in some sex, egos, and tons of side characters.  There was plenty of plot, but lots of repetitive dialogue that made it drag. I wanted to throttle Rory more than embrace her.  The side characters — along with Conner’s sarcastic commentary –is what made this book bearable for me. Even though I didn’t like it as much as the first two, I definitely want to read more in the series to keep up with the Bradford family and friends.