________________________ Spreading the Love of Reading One Book at a Time _______________________
This blog is for anyone whoever picked up a book and couldn't put it down. It's for anyone who loves to read and reads often. It's for anyone like me who's been seduced by a book and can't wait to discuss it.
'Eleven years ago the partials tried to destroy us, and they did a pretty d*mn good job. We built them to be stronger than us, faster than us, to fight for us in the Isolation War. They won that war handily and when they turned against us five years later, it didn't take them long to wipe us off the face of the earth, especially after they released RM. Those of us who survived came to this island with nothing--broken, fragmented, lost in despair--but we survived. We rebuilt. We set up a defensive perimeter. We found food and shelter, we created energy and government and civilization. When we discovered that RM would not stop killing children we passed the Hope Act to maximize our chance of giving birth to a new generation of humans with RM resistance. Thanks to the act and our tireless medical force, we grow closer to realizing that dream every day.'
Almost the entire human race has been wiped off the face of the planet. Those that survived, converged on Long Island. RM, a virus, has been wiping out newborns, and since it was released, not one baby has survived for longer than 56 hours. The Hope Act was implemented in an attempt to study and devise a way to cure or prevent newborns from catching the fatal disease. It also held out hope that at least one newborn would be immune and survive. After eleven years of research and tests it has become obvious to Kira that something different has to be done or all will be lost including hope. She has been working as a medical student in the maternity ward, and when she finds out her best friend is pregnant, she decides it's time for her to go into research. She's determined to find a cure so her friend's baby will survive. She thinks the solution lies within the Partials, who are the only ones unaffected by RM. Her plan is to capture one and study it. A hunting she will go.
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This was a very fun read. I enjoyed the the idea of Partials. I don't think we were shown the whole picture of how Partials were made or what they are. The book trailer suggests they have artificial intelligence, but while reading the book it seemed more likely they were biologically altered humans engineered to be stronger, faster and smarter. The book flaps calls them engineered biological beings while Haru said, "they're machines--biological machines, but machines nonetheless." Does this imply they are part machine or was it Haru's way of saying they aren't human? They reminded me a little of main character in 'The Terminator' in regards to their strength and ability to survive things the average human couldn't. They are also said to be perfect and indistinguishable from a regular human to the eye. I found I wanted to learn more about them.
Kira, who is a medical intern, reminded me a little of Doogie Howser and a toned down and sweeter teenage version of House as she seems smarter than her age would imply. When she first suggests she's going to find a cure or a vaccine, Marcus states, "You know that I think you're brilliant, and you got better grades in virology than...anyone. Ever. How do you expect to suddenly solve the biggest medical mystery in history? I mean there's an entire research team at the hospital that's been trying to figure out RM for a decade, and now a medical intern is going to step in and just...cure it? Just like that?" Her response, "I know it sounds like the most arrogant thing in the whole world, but I--...I know I can help, at the very least."
Kira's group of friends are very loyal and interesting. Of the group Haru is my least favorite for reasons you'll need to read about. Nandita, her psuedo parent was the most interesting. She seemed a bit mysterious and reminded me of a tiny bit of Mr. Miyagi from the 'Karate Kid' with her words of wisdom like, "Each life has a different purpose, and some people can find their purpose more easily than others. The key,... the most important thing you can every know, is that whatever your purpose is, that's now your only choice...No matter why you're here, no matter why any of us are here, you're never tied down to fate. You're never locked in. You make your own choices, Kira, And you can't let anyone ever take that away from you."
While I think Mr. Wells did a great job with his world building, I did have some questions like what was the ratio of adults to children of the survivors 11 years ago? Is that the reason teens are being accepted into the professional work force at such at such a young age? Were there not enough adults to do so or did they want as much knowledge as possible to be passed on before those who were thought to be experts died? Additionally, what the heck does RM stand for? I looked and looked and couldn't find an answer. Gah! Maybe this holds some significance and that is the reason the author conveniently didn't say?
Overall I really enjoyed this book. The characters were all likable. The story line gripped me and didn't let go. We read this in my Goodreads group and it was difficult to stick to the day's reading assignment when all I wanted to do is read more to find out what happens next. I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. I can't wait to read the sequel.
Once upon a time there was a young heiress and young Earl who were best friends. They could tell the other anything and everything. Their parents had been best friends, as well, and when Theo's father passed, James' father took Theo and her mother in. They were raised as brother and sister living under the same roof. Then one day James' father, the Duke of Ashbrook, did something that would change everything....
“You’ll have to marry her. I don’t care if you think of her as a sister: from now on, she’s the Golden Fleece to you.”
James Ryburn, Earl of Islay, and heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook, opened his mouth to say something, but a mixture of fury and disbelief choked the words.
His father turned and walked toward the far wall of the library, acting as if he’d said nothing particularly out of the ordinary. “We need her fortune to repair the Staffordshire estate and pay a few debts, or we’re going to lose it all, this townhouse included.” “What have you done?” James spat the words. A terrible feeling of dread was spreading through his limbs.
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They say secrets have a way of revealing themselves at the most inconvenient moments and that is what James was afraid of when he decided to go through with his father's plans to marry Daisy (aka Theo). So as you can guess that's precisely what happened. But this secret wasn't revealed in a normal way. It was revealed in such an embarrassing and humiliating way that it could scar a person. It also left James and his father packing and Theo's heart breaking in its wake.
James truly cared for Theo and would never wish to do anything to hurt her. At first he refused to give in to his father's plan, but once he realized the extent of what his father had done, he reluctantly gave in. He'd planned to disclose all to Theo eventually, but sometimes things don't work out as planned. Additionally, Theodora Saxby didn't live up to the standard mitigated by the ton for beauty--her face was too angular, her chin too strong and her nose too long. It was for those reasons that shortly after their marriage, the papers declared her 'The Ugly Duchess'. So two days into her marriage she felt betrayed, used, humiliated, ugly and abandoned as she lost not only her husband, but her best friend as well.
This was a great story, but I kept wishing the time between the couple splitting and being reunited was shorter. Seven years is a long time. Additionally, some people may take issue with the fact that while married but separated, one of the two has an affair.
I liked how Theodora and James reinvented themselves during their separation, each growing up a little. Theo became a woman to be admired while James became a pirate and gained a better sense of himself and what he wanted. I believe it was his pirate nature as along with other events that finally made him decide to invade Theo's world and try to plunder the bounty of her heart. Let me just say I loved the way he went about it.
I loved the chemistry between Theo and James. It sizzled and scorched the pages as passion encapsulated the two. Hmm...perhaps I should have used a different metaphor that tied in the pirate theme? How about James shivered Theo's timbers. *smirk* I must say the man had me swooning.
While pirates have been around for a long time in romances I can't help but wonder if this marks the beginning of a new invasion of them into our romances? This is the second or third romance I've recently read with a pirate hero. I'm definitely crossing my fingers.
Overall I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. The book had me hooked from start to finish and left me smiling in its wake. I loved the way Ms. James tied the Ugly Duckling story into this book and made it her own. I loved both James and Theo and wanted to throttle James' father. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.
Order of the series (reading in order not required) :
A serial killer is on the loose killing Changeling females. The only thing known about the killer is that he is a Psy. The Changelings have a very acute sense of smell and the only scent left on the victims is the distinct odor of a Psy. Lucas Hunter, a Changeling and pack leader, is determined to hunt down the killer before the next victim is killed. To do so he negotiates a business deal in an attempt to get close to a Psy, preferably one with connections to the Council, and gain information as to who is doing the killing. The problem is that the Psy are known as cold and uncaring. Convincing one to help will be next to impossible.
Sascha Duncan was put in charge of managing the business deal between the Psy and the Dark River Changeling Pack. She was sent in to see if she could gain any new information on how the Changelings function and gain a better understanding of them. Sascha, however, is not like other Psy. She has a secret she's afraid to reveal because, "Psy don't allow broken creatures to live."
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The Psy and Changelings are about as different as two races can be. The Psy are described as being a cold, emotionless people who are loyal only to their own, and then, only so far. The Changelings on the other hand are a touchy-feely bunch who openly display their feelings. They are a very sociable and touchy feely group that hug, kiss, and rub against each other. Just think of how cats act toward one another and you'll get the idea. Changelings, if you haven't guessed, are shape-shifters and can change into one particular animal.
Psy are Psychics with the ability to communicate with and are linked to each other via their minds. If a Psy is split from the PsyNet they will die. Each Psy also possesses abilities which vary from person to person. Some can manipulate people's will while others can read minds. I'm sure will learn about other powers as the series progresses. They are lead by the Council and years ago a program was set in place in an attempt to curb the amount of insanity and serial killing within the populace. This program was called the Silence. Basically the Psy were stripped of their emotions.
I found Sascha to be a very interesting character. She's grown up thinking she's defective and broken, and doesn't realize her true powers or come into her own, until she removes herself from the cold environment of the Psy. I like how bit by bit Lucas and the Dark River pack chip away at her cold exterior and melt her into a compassionate and caring individual.
Lucas, what can I say about him? I loved how he dealt with Sascha and how he reigned in his Alpha tendencies when he needed to. I also liked how he wouldn't let Sascha give up on herself and not to be afraid of what she was feeling.
The romance was hot, and I liked how by the end she was acting like a cat. It was as though Lucas had unleashed her inner kitten and she roared to life. By the end he had her purring, and I loved how Nalini added some cat related descriptions of her own when she wrote, "He lapped at her like a bowl of milk..." A very clever tie in to the cat theme. Additionally, I liked how the relationship seemed doomed at the very beginning of the story. I love it when an author does something like this and you wonder to yourself, "How the heck are they going to pull a HEA out of this one?" I believe any author can appear to paint themselves into a corner and back themselves up against a wall, but only the very talented can pick up their pen and write themselves right back out again leaving you with your jaw dropping and mind whirling. I think Nalini would have no problem with that.
The mystery of who the serial killer was was also interesting. I like how we gained a better understanding of how the Psy function as Sascha got deeper and deeper into her investigations. I can't wait to see how the things Sascha uncovered will play out in the rest of the series.
Why is the book called Slave to Sensation? I believe because of this line: 'Unused to sensation, she was close to becoming a slave to it, the fantasies she'd indulged in during sleep leeching into her waking life.'
I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. I adore Nalini's books they're dark seductive and oh so addictive. They have a lot of depth with many layers underlying the story. You can tell she thinks through practically every aspect of the story and could answer any question you'd throw at her. I loved the descriptions of the PsyNet and PsyMind. The Psy reminded me a little of the Vulcans from Star Trek. It'd be interesting to know if they perhaps inspired Nalini's Psy creation. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one scores a SHOWER rating--a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol
So a lot of the giveaways and author interviews I've conducted over the past year have been sponsored by the folks at Forever Romance, a part of Grand Central Pulishing. They have been awesome and as a thank you to them and to all of you I decided to personally throw a giveaway. If you win you may choose an Forever Romance or another Grand Central Publishing book with a value of up to $8.00 US Dollars.
Anytime I say I'm personally giving away a book or books it means I'm not being compensated in any way for the giveaway. So with that said, here are some of the wonderful and talented authors at Forever Romance (part of Grand Central Publishing which is a division of Hatchette Book Group) employs and whose books you can pick from if you win this giveaway:
Amanda Scott
Anna Campbell
Annie Solomon
Bella Riley
Cara Elliott
Caridad Piñeiro
Carly Phillips
Carolyn Jewel
Christie Craig
Cynthia Eden
Cynthia Garner
Dee Davis
Eileen Dreyer
Elizabeth Hoyt
Hope Ramsay
Isobel Carr
Jami Alden
Jane Graves
Jennifer Delamere
Jennifer Haymore
Jill Shalvis
Kate Brady
Kate Perry
Katie Lane
Kendra Leigh Castle
Kira Morgan
Kristen Callihan
Larissa Ione
Laurel McKee
Lilli Feisty
Lori Wilde
Margaret Mallory
Molly Cannon
Nina Rowan
Paula Quinn
R.C. Ryan
Rita Herron
Robyn DeHart
Robin Wells
Rochelle Alers
Roxanne St. Claire
Sherrill Bodine
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Sophie Gunn
Stella Cameron
Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Susan Crandall
Susan Kearney
Vicky Dreiling
Here are some of my favorite books from Forever Romance out right now:
Here are some upcoming releases:
Sorry for not listing all the authors from Grand Central publishing. It took me quite a while to find this list alone, but check out their facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/GrandCentralPub
This giveaway is a blatant attempt to gain more blog followers and all of you benefit. We're starting this one out at $10.00 (US Dollars), but it has the potential to grow to up to $50.00 (US Dollars). With every 50 new blog followers (via GFC or NB) the value of the Amazon gift card increases by $5.00 until either $50.00 is hit or the deadline of midnight August 14th is reached. Additionally, if you refer a friend to my blog and they join, you can increase your chances of winning because with each new friend who joins you earn 5 extra chances to win. I believe you can add one new friend a day throughout the giveaway. So we're going to start off with the amount of followers as of Monday, July 9th, when I announced I'd be doing this giveaway which was:
GFC (Google Friend Connect) followers: 448
Networked Blogs (NB) followers : 19
Help me increase my followers and increase everyone's chances of winning a more hefty prize. If this brings in a lot of followers I'll be tempted to do this again.
2. Please leave either your email address or a link to your Goodreads profile so I may get in contact with you to get your mailing address. No P.O. Boxes, please.
3. Become a follower of my blog, if you aren't already.
FYI, if you opt to get the gift card value in books from the Book Depository, then you may choose books that get you as close to the gift card amount as possible, but not over. Winner will be randomly chosen. Giveaway ends August 14th, midnight eastern time. Winner will be posted on my blog and notified by email or message posted to them via Goodreads. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected. Good Luck!
