WHEN ALEX WAS BAD
Author: Jo Davis
Source: Personal Purchase

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade (August 4, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451227026
ISBN-13: 978-0451227027

SUMMARY:

After fifteen years together, Alexander and Olivia Quinn have become strangers, both in and out of the bedroom-until Olivia suggests a provocative plan to save their marriage. When their handsome neighbor joins the game, all three players will become embroiled in a dangerous and unexpected world of secrets, betrayal, and murder.

MY THOUGHTS:

Where should I begin with this review? The bad, the good or maybe the in between?  First of all this is definitely a book for the 18+ group.  Heck, I am in my 30’s and I was still blushing and uneasy in some parts of the book.  What can you expect in this book? Well, the author touches on many sexual appetites in this story.  As you read the book you will find M/M, M/F/M, BDSM, open marriage, voyeurism and even hot wax thrown in to the mix. Oh  wait, there is some suspense and plot thrown in as well.

Let’s start with what I didn’t like about the book. Alex and Olivia are finding that their marriage is going downhill in the sex department.  They both have successful careers and have put their marriage on the back burner.  When Olivia catches Alex being seduced by one of his sexy employees, Olivia hatches a plan to amp up their sex life.  I am all for finding new ways to spice up a marriage, but the way Olivia goes about it was just wrong.  She basically gives Alex the go ahead in having sex with anyone he chooses as long as he admits it to her and tells her everything about it.  Then he must accept his punishment that she chooses.  Hello? Giving your husband a free pass to go mess around with anyone is suppose to spice up your marriage? I don’t think so.  I still consider that cheating and was a bad excuse for a plot.

The in between for me about this book was the suspense.  I thought the barely existent suspense of a sex ring going bust was kind of lame, but plausible.  I accepted it and tried to enjoy it.  I just wish there would have been more suspense and real action in exchange for some of the sex scenes that weren’t as great.

The good part of the book was that the author took it a step further and also introduced another player in the punishment game.  I like how the author was willing to explore the male/male scenes and make them sexy as hell without going over the top.  I enjoyed the character of Jason.  His personality was great and he actually had some funny dialogue.  Even if the author did stumble in some parts of the book with the plot, I did find myself wanting to finish it just to see if Jason would have a happily ever after as well.

Overall not a horrible book, but not one I will re read anytime soon–if at all.  It was great for a quick and steamy read that you sometimes crave, but not one with enough plot or substance to warrant it a keeper book.

MY RATING:

HEX, A WITCH AND ANGEL TALE
Author: Ramona Wray
Source: Author Submission
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 254 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (January 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1452871574
ISBN-13: 978-1452871578

SUMMARY:

Like most girls at Rosemound High School, seventeen-year-old Lily Crane is acutely aware of Ryder Kingscott. Hands down the cutest guy in school, Ryder is cool, mysterious, and utterly untouchable…especially for Lily. For when she touches someone, Lily instantly learns all about their lives. And while such a skill might seem nifty, in truth it is wrecking Lily’s life. So she is shocked when Ryder asks her out — and even more shocked to discover he has a rival. Lucian Bell is the gorgeous new kid who can’t take his eyes off of Lily. Being pursued by two hotties should make a girl happy, but Lily is skeptical. The boys act as if they’ve met before, hating each other with a passion that could only be rooted in a dark, dangerous past. A past full of terrible secrets. The kind of secrets that could get a girl killed.

MY THOUGHTS:

Are you looking for a fresh new voice in the young adult genre?  I was excited when author Ramona Wray contacted me to review her novel since I was looking for a new author to enjoy in this genre.  Plus, who can resist a cute and cuddly cover like this one? Isn’t the artwork adorable?


Lily has a secret skill that she doesn’t like to use.  She can touch a person and learn about their life.  To some this may seem like a cool thing to do, but not for Lily.  She is trying to have a normal life and this nifty trick makes it hard for her.  Imagine wanting to date a boy and as soon as you touch you get the movie of their life in your head.  Kind of takes the romance out of the relationship rather quickly.  She has had a crush though on Ryder and has been watching him from a distance.  When Ryder actually asks her out though, Lily can’t believe it! Then to top it off, we are introduced to Lucian, who also asks Lily out.  Both boys are hot, and Lily finds herself in a love triangle with suspense and action intertwined with the romance.


The best part of the book–Ryder.  Can it get anymore perfect than him?  Well, you might think so  at first with Lucian, but let me tell you, Ryder was the perfect one in my opinion.  He was sweet, patient, and understanding — something we all want in a boy at that age,  Did I mention he was also hot?  The author did a wonderful job of including the suspense of a hexed curse that Lily discovers and everything flowed beautifully.  Yes, some parts were predictable and the beginning was a little choppy in the writing, but the author quickly recovered and made a book I thoroughly enjoyed. 


MY RATING: