Leanne Crabtree's Blog, page 18

The Dark Duet Books

I know how behind I am reading this but better late than never, right?

I finished reading the first, Captive in the Dark, last night and wowza, what a tale! I cant help wondering how someone can come up with such a story, one that makes you want to hate a character but finding yourself unable to? It’s brilliant and I devoured the book in about 6 hours. It might be rather dark but it’s enthralling.

At 80% and as captivated with the tale as I was I downloaded Seduced in the Dark, the second book, just so I could find out what happened with Livvie/Kitten and Caleb. It’s amazing how one minute you want to kiss him and then the next strangle him for what he’s doing to the poor girl. As I’ve said before it’s enthralling and though you feel for Caleb you also want him to do what’s right.

And I’m almost certain I’ll download Epilogue too

Have you read them?

What did you think?

Book Review – Grime and Punishment

Name: Grime and Punishment

Author: Z.A. Maxfield

Genre: MM Romance

Release Date: 7th May 2013

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So this tells the story of Jack, the owner of a crime scene clean-up business, who hears that his first love, Nick, has committed suicide via his on/off Detective lover. Jack goes to the crime scene, wanting to see for himself and also to bid for the clean-up. What he doesn’t expect is his first loves cousin, Ryan, whose house it happened in, to look so much like him. Both Jack and Ryan want closure after what Nick put them through when he was alive and agree to clean the scene together with Ryan being a nurse and knowing the dangers of blood and other body matter. Jack cant help but be attracted to Ryan and the feeling is entirely mutual. Jack gives Ryan something to look forward to, and Ryan gives Jack a reason to stop looking back.

I’m rather picky about my MM Romances. I don’t know why, but I am. Josh Lanyon really started me on genre when I got book 4 in his Adrian English series for free one Christmas through All Romance E-Books. As soon as I read it I went and bought book 5 to see how it was all going to work out and I loved it. The only problem with that is the fact that I’ve probably been spoilt for most other MM books now.

That’s not to say it was bad or anything it just didn’t really do it for me, though I’m not entirely sure why. I liked the fact it was based around something different i.e. crime scene clearance, and it was interesting to read about the depth they go to to clean them.

The romance between the two main characters was quite sweet and progressed over time, which I liked much better than some others which just go straight into the hot and heavy. The two were likable in their own ways and when they finally kissed I was cheering them on.

I also really liked Gabe and Dave, they were always just looking out for Jack and trying to help him do the right thing, even if it didn’t always seem like it.

If you’re a fan of MM Romance’s then I’m sure you’ll like this.

Next review(s): Shadow Embraced

Things

Well this is just a little update.

First, it looks like we finally decided on the name Lucca for my Italian character in my backpacking story, with four votes out of seven. Like I mentioned in the post it may not go anywhere, but at the same time it just might ;P

Second, I’m editing Natalie’s second book in The Patroness series, The Hunt Is On, and that will be taking up a fair bit of my time over the next week or so. You should check out the books, they’re good if you like urban fantasy with a bit of romance and mystery.

Third, I’ve come up with something to add to Wolf Claimed that will require another story, which I think will be 0.5–slight change to what it was going to be about–and that will be finished after Wolf Claimed. Not going to spoil it, though I’m not sure if I haven’t mentioned it in a previous post :/

Wolf Claimed’s current word count is: 5,926

Ciao for now

Book Review – Escaping Reality

Name: Escaping Reality (The Secret Life of Amy Bensen

Author: Lisa Renee Jones

Genre: New Adult, Intrigue

Release Date: 22nd July 2013

Rating: 3½ out of 5 stars

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hmm…

Well this tells the story of Amy, who is on the run for some unknown reason, and at the start of the book she is told by her handler that she has been found and that she must leave for Denver, that she has a new identity and apartment waiting for her there. While at the airport waiting for her flight she meets the eyes of Liam Stone, a sexy architect, and they find themselves equally attracted to each other. Liam sees an opportunity to spend more time getting to know her when he sees her waiting for a taxi and takes her to her apartment himself and manages to infiltrate himself into her new life. Amy tries to resist him but finds him almost irresistible and before she knows it, they are in a passionate relationship. But not everything is as it seems…

I felt slightly disappointed after reading this, and that was knowing that it was going to be in two parts. I think it was the fact that we never actually learnt anything of importance about Amy. We see flashbacks of what made her run in the first place but it’s not enough to make us understand why and the bigger: what happened.

I must say I was seduced by one Liam Stone almost from the first encounter. Girls, he is hot! He just had this way about him that was incredibly sexy, a lot of the time in the bedroom, but sometimes outside of it too. At this point I think I should warn you, it contains quite a lot of sex.

Then there’s the mystery of Jared. Where does he fit into it all? He’s another hot one girls! We don’t see as much of him as we do Liam but there’s something about him too, that I like. Some mystery surrounding him, too.

There’s a lot of mystery and intrigue in this story and it gets worse (can’t think of a better word choice) throughout when things don’t work out how you expect and you are constantly wondering how it’s all going to come together.

The only real let down for me was not finding more out about Amy’s past but I’m sure it will be covered in the second, Infinite Possibilities, due out later this year.

Next review(s): Undecided

Onto one of those…

…stages where I just type odd bits that I want to see in future chapters like fights and sex scenes. I then work the rest of the story around it until it all fits together. It’s a weird way or working I know, but it works fairly well for me.

With all the added bits the current work count is: 5541.

We’re getting there slowly

 

P.S. Anyone else want to vote on my poll about an Italian name for my male character in another story? Had five votes so far and it seems we cant decide :/

It’s just a little further down my page on the “Which one?” post. Thanks again

Book Review – Elite

Name: Elite

Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: 14th April 2013

Rating: 4½ out of 5 stars

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

OMG! I’ve just read the excerpt from the next in the series, Elect, and WHAT!?!?

I suppose I should explain this one before I get carried away wanting the second one, huh?

So this tells the story of Tracey aka Trace who gets accepted into Eagle Elite school after winning a prize draw–something that happens once a year to let the less fortunate get a taste of the high life–and immediately meets members of the Elite. There are rules and key-cards for everything from lunch to elevators and Trace rebels against it all, much to the annoyance of Nixon, one of the Elite. Sparks fly between them and with the help of her roommate, also Nixon’s sister, she is drawn into their circle. What follows is the discovery that she isn’t who she thought she was and she may be in more danger than she thought possible.

I loved this book! It’s my first ever one by Rachel Van Dyken. though I have The Bet on my kindle, and I cant help wondering why I haven’t read it yet!

I was quickly sucked into this story though I was a bit put off by Nixon’s behaviour in the beginning but I have to admit by the end I was well on my way to being in love with him. But then we have Chase too. I generally urge the girl to go with the first guy but then that would make it Chase and not Nixon. Both are great guys so I have no idea what Trace is going to do in the second book and that excerpt! Jeez! Got me worrying a little.

As you can probably tell I loved this book; it drew me in and kept me guessing. Cant wait for the next one!

Next review(s): Escaping Reality

Which one?

So I’ve just had a story come to me out of the blue, like they normally do, and I’m stuck for what name to call my male character. Bear in mind it may not get very far, but I feel I should include you on the decision in case it does.

The story is about a group of 3 friends, all girls, travelling around Europe during their gap year at Uni. They meet my (as yet unnamed) Italian and he joins their little group on their travels. (Re)Becca, the main character, starts off wary of him but they get close and start a relationship and then I’m not sure what’s going to happen…something good hopefully.

All I’m asking is what you think his name should be? I have two names I like, Dante and Lucca, but if you like something else feel free to add it under “Other” and leave a comment.

Thanks!

Take Our Poll

Book Review – Acid

Name: Acid

Author: Emma Pass

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian/Futuristic

Release Date: 25th April 2013

Rating: 3½ out of 5 stars

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A lot of things happen in this book so I’m going to copy the synopsis from GoodReads:

2113. In Jenna Strong’s world, ACID – the most brutal, controlling police force in history – rule supreme. No throwaway comment or muttered dissent goes unnoticed – or unpunished. And it was ACID agents who locked Jenna away for life, for a bloody crime she struggles to remember.

The only female inmate in a violent high-security prison, Jenna has learned to survive by any means necessary. And when a mysterious rebel group breaks her out, she must use her strength, speed and skill to stay one step ahead of ACID – and to uncover the truth about what really happened on that dark night two years ago.

This was a long book and therefore I had to break it up with others but it didn’t take away my intrigue with the book. A lot happened in it and it kept me coming back, if only to read a few pages at a time.

I’ll admit for the first 15% or so I was really interested but then it got a little slow (which was when I started breaking it up with other books) and it was only when I got to around the 50% mark that I got really into it again and quite literally devoured it in a few hours.

The plot was different to anything I’ve ever read and I think it was for that reason that I was so intrigued. How England is being run by an agency that doesn’t allow you to go abroad at all or to leave the city without a valid c-card (I.D). If this is what’s going to happen in the future then God help us…though in another hundred years I think I’ll be long past dead and wont particularly care.

That’s something else I like about this book, the fact it’s set in England (which doesn’t seem to happen so often in the books I read) and we travel from London to Manchester and a few other places

Jenna is a strong, kick-ass, character and I found myself willing her on whether in prison or out in London and the other areas they visit. I also liked her relationship with Max.

If you like something young adult, dystopian and intriguing then you will love this. It’s certainly different.

Next review(s): Charming or Shadow Embraced

Wolf Claimed – Word Count (09:27)

So I wrote nearly a thousands words yesterday, which I’m quite pleased with. I’ve now nearly written chapter 3 and know what to put in chapter 4, I think.

Book Review – A Terrible Love

Name: A Terrible Love

Author: Marata Eros

Genre: New Adult, Romance

Release Date: 11th February 2013

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I received this copy in exchange for an honest review.

So this tells the story of Jess aka Jewell, a girl on the run from her rather scary step-brother and family. She attends college far from home, wanting to forget the past and her family and to live a normal life. Her best friend Carlie gets her to audition at a prominent ballet audition and she meets Mitch, a fellow student who takes an interest in her. Also there is a dark handsome stranger who also happens to be a fellow student. For some reason Jess is drawn to Devin and they cant deny their attraction but her best friend tells her he’s trouble, so she tries to have a relationship with Mitch despite being drawn to Devin. What follows is a emotional ride for Jess as she tries to decide which one she wants and what she wants.

I was quickly captivated by this story and the characters and quickly devoured this book.

The story has some dark aspects but they are to be expected in most New Adult books. This one is slightly darker than others and focuses on abuse and violence.

I’ll start by mentioning Devin Castile, I think I fell for him pretty early on or he at least got me a little hot and bothered. Wowzer! Well done for creating such a hot character

Mitch on the other hand seemed sweet and kind but their wasn’t really a spark there. He seemed too much of a gentleman (but some women like that).

I also really liked Brad and Carlie, they were fun characters and I enjoyed the banter they shared with Jess.

Although dark, this is a well written book and having looked on GoodReads I’ve seen their is going to be a second book, A Brutal Tenderness, which sounds like it will tell the story from Devin’s POV. I’ll tell you now I will definitely be interested in seeing things from his view and I’ve marked it as “to-read”.

I really enjoyed it and recommend it to those who like New Adult books and those who like their books a little grittier.

Next review(s): The Princess or Acid