Stop Posting and Publish!!!!

This is one of those what's up with that posts!

Let me start by saying that a lot of Indie authors do not write full time. For some that is a dream but as of right now many work full time jobs. Social media in my opinion has helped many Indie authors spread the word about their books. But sometimes social media can hurt your rather than help you. I completely understand books being delayed and wanting to get the work just right before you publish. Trust me I prefer you put your best work out instead of something to please fans.


My issue is that so many authors are doing all these posts on social media about personal drama and I really want to say, "save that for the book you are supposed to be publishing." Don't get me wrong I know authors are people as well and have lives. But please create a personal page and stop putting all of your personal business on your author page. It honestly turns fans off more than anything. I personally prefer drama in books.



Everyday its a new post about this that and the third but no book in sight for years. Which begs the question at what point do readers get tired of waiting? Especially if they see their favorite authors flooding timelines but when asked about said book it's nearly finished. This is just my opinion as one blogger and avid reader.

Captured (Wolf in Exile Book 1) By: Amber Ella Monroe & Ambrielle Kirk

Forewarning: This is a series book and does end on a cliffhanger.

Area S2 is a futuristic shifter prison. If you have ever read Hunger Games or watched the movie The Net this book is a mixture of both. S2 is beautiful the type of landscape that attracts many but what lies inside is just the opposite. It is survival of the fittest. Shifters, and a few humans are left there to die with no hope of survival. Meals are air lifted and the prison is divided into sections.

Thane: a loaner wolf with no pack, a convicted felon with a dark past he stays to himself in Area S2. He has a rule that he doesn’t get involved with anything and anyone that doesn’t concern him. But some rules are made to be broken…..

        
Kalena: Silex Pharmaceutical’s assistant to the vice president of accounting finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Visiting a friend in another part of the company Kalena stumbles upon some information about the nefarious deeds of the company. What she stumbles upon cannot be unseen and because of her curiosity finds herself in a rather precarious situation. Being dubbed a spy and mistaken for her friend Kalena finds herself in Area S2 without a hope insight. Until…..

Thane has never been compelled to help anyone in Area S2 until he hears her scream and scent. Bargaining with Alpha wannabe Nolan he barters for her life for 72 hours. Kalena sparks something in Thane and their meeting is not by chance. The information she has about Silex Pharmaceutical dealings could very well be the key Thane needs to save his life.

This book was very descriptive in setting the scene for Area S2. The reader almost feels like they are in this futuristic shifter prison. One of the issues I have as a reader is that so much attention was given to setting up the scene that by the time I actually got to the store it ended. Everything was described except the physical features of the characters. I had no idea what anyone looked like except maybe an outline of the character i.e. he was built. I think this story should have been longer or some information should have been omitted. This story was very slow building but by the time you got to the end you wanted more of a story. I think this author is off to a great start and hope she doesn’t keep readers waiting long for the next installment. Please judge this book for yourself and not based on this one review.

A Constant Reminder By: Lolah Lace

A mother’s desperate plea to the parole board. Yes her son was guilty of murder in the second degree and robbery but he served his time he was fully rehabilitated. Adam got himself clean and was ready to transition from prison back to society. But the past always has a way of catching up with you. Some call it karma, fate, payback. Adam called it, “A Constant Reminder.”

Flashback to the past:

Adam: His father just died and like most people in distress we seek comfort in many different ways. Comfort for Adam came in the form of coke, heroin and marijuana. Anything to numb the pain. Rick James said it best, “cocaine is a hell of a drug.” Spiraling out of control Adam and his partner in crime Tony will do anything for their next hit. Adam came from money, prestige, and good breeding. What happens when all the money in the world can’t save you from a destructive lifestyle? Will you change, redeem yourself or just give up? Prison has a way of changing a person and so does love…..

Roxanne: Straight A student, responsible, and living the life with her best friend Erika. Making her mother proud by getting her degree, Roxanne did what was expected of her. What happens when what you know to be safe and comfortable is just ripped away from you? Brutally attacked her world is changed forever. Can Roxanne ever move past what happened to her that horrible not? Love is a funny thing it doesn’t care who you are or what you have done. What happens when the one you love is not what you expected? Do you give up, forgive or deny it ever happened?

Present:

Adam and Roxanne find comfort in each other. He is exactly what she needs someone to talk to, feel safe with, and expects all of her flaws. Unfortunately not everyone is on the love train. Erika, her best friend is straight forward in how she feels Adam is no good for her friend. Although I wouldn’t call Erika much of a friend but more of a hater with an agenda. Because of Roxy’s past she has issues with trust but, she continually deals with someone like Erika who spiels hate towards her every second she gets. They are what I would call frienenemies. Despite Erika’s nastiness Adam doesn’t buy into her games and continues to love Roxy with everything he has in him. But what happens when your relationship is built on lies?

This story is told in the form of layers each character is interconnected with the next and not always in a good way. Dealing with issues like drug abuse, rape, and violence this read is not for the faint at heart. I like that this author stepped outside of the box and told a tale that would get readers to question themselves.

However I did find a few issues as a reader with this story. I didn’t understand the timeline. For instance one second Roxanne was being attacked the next it is three years later. Same for Adam. His mother was writing a letter to the parole board and a few scenes later he was working at an oil shop. Because this story deals with such heavy issues I would have liked to see the author explore the characters emotions behind these issues. It was said this was a story of redemption I didn’t find that to be the case. I was left with more questions. i.e. How did Roxanne every deal with overcoming her attack? Was Adam transition from prison to society a smooth one? How did Adam redeem himself? His prison story was that of someone who is privileged. We didn’t get much of his time in prison or how he even overcame his drug addiction. Because let’s face drugs are in prisons. At one point in the story there is one of many big reveals on Adams part. He confesses something to her about his past life and her reaction really was a non-reaction. I don't know if it's because she had such a secret of her own. The next day they just go along as if nothing has changed. It was mentioned in the story that Roxanne avoids issues but at what point was she going to get her head out of the clouds?

I wanted more of a reaction then avoidance. As a couple they dealt with such an emotional scene and honestly a deal breaker in some relationships and it was glossed over with a sex scene and a Beyoncé song. About 85% in the story we got to the real emotional depth of the story that leads readers to ask some very tough questions. Certain things in the story didn’t make sense as a reader because the timeline just moved so fast. You are dealing with such heavy issues and the emotional depth was just lacking at times. There are a few twists and turns in this story that will leave you angered, and questioning your own beliefs.

I am glad that the author took a chance and told a story such as this. I look forward to reading what else she has in store. Like I always mention judge this story for yourself and not based on this one review.

 

What's Up With That?

In the author/reading world there will always be a what’s up with that question to be asked. I have noticed a trend with authors as of late and I honestly can’t help but ask the question what’s up with that?

Authors who have other authors as their beta readers. What happened with getting a reader as a beta reader? I understand authors are readers as well but because more than likely these people are your friends they will not be very objective in their assessment of your work. Versus say a reader who you are actually selling to. Not to sound rude but aren’t these other authors your competition and lets be real some of them will sabotage you. I am all for uplifting other women but this is a business. For instance you get a focus group (those who are your target audience) to give their honest opinion on the product. You do not go to the competition another company to review your product.

 

Another side-eye moment is the fact that some authors charge for snippets. I noticed a few authors have blogs that they charge readers for to read their work. Who does that? When Amazon samples are free. Seriously you charge your fans for your blog posts on your books. Listen newsletters, blog posts, and snippets are free!!!!! This is pure foolishness. Which brings me to my other issue authors who over share. I love a good sneak peek every now and then but when an author shares 3-4 snippets a day everyday as a reader I feel like I know the story and now will be less likely to one-click. I think it has to be a happy medium share just enough to whet the appetite. I understand you want to keep readers interested and its good marketing but some authors share so much when the book has no release date in sight.

 

 

Keep in mind these posts are not about one author in particular but issues I have seen as one reader and blogger on social media.

Again For The First Time By: Raven St.Pierre & La Kata Kling

It all started off with a question.

Will you marry me?

Lissette: Losing her job and focusing on her “craft” Lissette finds herself in despair. The bills are piling up, her boyfriend has dumped her due to circumstances she can’t control. To top it all off she sees her ex and his new beautiful fiancé and has to lean on them for a ride. Could her life get any worse?

Luke: A man with a few demons of his own and a recurring past relationship has been living his life in limbo for a few years. A mounting debt and a brother who considers himself the next big director, Luke finds himself in a situation that just may change his life.

The Question:

Matt (the brother) has an idea for a social experiment/documentary. Comparing the lives of two married couples one of his douche bag brother Nick and his fiancé Mel who have been engaged over time and are now getting married. And that of a newly engaged couple who don’t know each other but decide to get married almost an arranged marriage of sorts.  

Luke strikes out asking woman after woman this one not so simple question until he meets Lissette. Broken, alone and just tired she say yes much to Luke’s surprise. Fast forward because this is a very long story they get married. The actual wedding was comical and both families dealt with this quickie wedding in their own way. I will say that Lissette family was very involved in her life so much that she seeks their approval a little too much. This story struck me as Y.A. (young adult) both characters just seemed very young and made foolish mistakes. But fools do rush in!

As a reader I thought too much attention was given to Luke and his ex. Cat versus the building relationship with him and his wife. Lissette shared everything with him painful details about her past and condition yet he withheld much from her like his relationship with his ex. Luke seemed very indecisive and a bit weak at times. The hospital scene for me was a deal breaker he constantly put his wife last until she gave him no choice but to put her first. This book was a little slow moving and had too many unnecessary details. Some things should have been explored more than others. For instance the situation between Lissette and Cat could have been explored more instead Lissette draws within herself and the scene is dismissed.

Because of her past Lissette is a little insecure. She ignored a lot of stuff with Luke with the reasoning of, “He’s mine.”  She just wanted to be happy. But you can be happy with someone and still not have joy. This book although slow at times is packed with emotional drama. Everything does eventually become full circle. When the truth finally came out Lissette mentions that she felt like an outsider I would have thought she would have felt betrayed. After all her husband has shared her private details with the very woman who has caused her trauma and untold pain and his only reasoning is that Cat lost so much. I was waiting for Luke to show his love for Lissette and stand up for her. The back and forth with Cat was a little annoying it took up too much of the story but I suppose she plays a major part in this story as the antagonist. I do like that the story is told from dual p.o.v.’s that way the reader gets to see how decisions made in this relationship effect both parties. One of the things I loved about this story was the epilogue. I liked that this story explored the topics of what if’s. I await Matt and Brooklyn’s story next. Please judge this book for yourself and not based on this one review.

 

Obligation By: Aurora Rose Reynolds

Obligation (Underground Kings #2)

 

 

 



Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21063639-obligation?from_search=true

RELEASE DATE: February 12th, 2015

 

 

Blurb

[ob-li-gey-shuh n]

An obligation is a course of action that someone is required to take, whether legal or moral.

 

Myla was sent to a family her father and mother had chosen for her when they knew their time on earth was almost up.

Kai has been watching Myla from afar since he took over the family business from his father and inherited the responsibility of keeping her safe.

When word gets back to Kai that Myla is in danger he immediately jumps into action and does the only thing that can be done at the time by marrying her.

To Kai, Myla is an unwanted obligation, something that has to be done in order to protect the family business. And to Myla, Kai is another man who she believes will let her down. Neither Myla nor Kai would have thought that something that started off as a farce would become the most important thing either of them could've ever done.

 

Assumption (Underground Kings) Book One

 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1onxQI0

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1qaNWJ3

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1pdSccC

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/1olp5C0

 

 

 

Additional Books by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Until Series

 

Until November (Book 1)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1i3ebMV

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1k2XK31

 

Until Trevor (Book 2)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1l8YYfN

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1iWBUQK

 

Until Lily (Book 3)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1mMEJro

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1pzOdYk

 

Until Nico (Book 4)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1m0JaZO

B & N: http://bit.ly/1kZqgpl

 

About the Author:

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who's husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She's married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it's beauty.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire We Make By: Vera Roberts

Vera is back! As you all know she took a little hiatus and now she is back with her new release Fire We Make. This “novella” is a sequel to the story Daddy’s Angel following characters Jackson and Liane.

Jackson now owns a brothel and has made a pretty decent living off of it. Nothing has changed he still is smooth as ever and knows how to talk a lady straight out of her panties.

Liane got lost in his eyes and touch. She is a cop and well Jackson is a pimp. On opposite ends of the law how will their love survive?

Back Story:

In Daddys Angel, Jackson was in love with his “angel” and out of all the girls he favored her the most. Unfortunately for him his angel found another Enzio who promised her what she always wanted freedom. Sending Liane in as an undercover detective she finds this criminal isn’t everything she assumed he was. Although Jackson still loves his angel he is a man who knows when to back a way. Liane has an aura about her nothing he has seen before. A few heated looks later and these two could start a fire one between the sheets of course.

I say this story is a novella because it’s short but it’s honestly a show case of what’s the come from the author. We get a little about the two characters above and the rest of the book are previews for the authors upcoming releases. I like that this author is stepping outside of her comfort zone and writing in different genres. I didn’t understand how Jackson and Liane’s story progressed as fast as it did since in Daddy’s Angel it didn’t seem that serious. As a reader I would have liked to see more development between these two characters. I was left with more questions than answers. For instance: what came of his obsession with Angela? How did everything work out at the station with Liane? More on the characters: Enzio and the other girls because I thought that some of them left in the end.

I always mention that with short reads they always leave you wanting more and often times it’s a fully fleshed out story. I thought this was more of a snippet and a teaser for what readers can expect versus a novella. I know this author has many fans who have missed her work so I know they will be happy that she is back and at it. Please judge this story for yourself and not based on one review.

Spark By: Aliyah Burke

Kendira Bonher is sexy, talented, curvy and sassy. She is the perfect catch, any man would want her. Unfortunately that is the problem a certain man in particular wants her, Joe but she doesn’t want him. Fearing for her life Kendria packs up her belongings and sets to escape. Except she doesn’t get very far. She finds herself in a little town called Cottonwood Falls. How backwoods does this town sound? Getting help from resident biker girl Sarah, Kendria finds herself staring at a real live Adonis by the name of Vance. Despite her injuries and desperate situation Vance ignites something in Kendira and its name is pure LUST.

Vance owns his own repair shop. I guess you can say he is a knight in shining armor in this case a pickup truck. He senses that Kendria is hiding something. No stranger to secrets his self he steps in and tries to help her by pretending they are together.

Sometimes make believe turns into reality. After a few touches and heated looks Kendira and Vance develop a very hot and heavy relationship. The sex scenes are off the charts and enough to whet the appetite. Despite trying to keep her past private it all catches up to her. Until she has no choice but to confront her demons.

Because this is a very short read a lot of the relationship is told to the reader and we don’t get to see the development. There were few inconsistences in the story like Kendira’s past. She is presented as down and out with little to nothing but mid-way through we find out differently. I don’t know if this was to add a little suspense to the story or not. The Joe scenario and how it ended could have been a bit more fleshed out. But like I mentioned earlier this is a very short straightforward read. If you are looking for a short, quick, erotic read with a hint of action this is the story for you. Judge this book for yourself and not based on one review.

 

Incarcerated By: Inger Iversen

It all started with a prison pen pal program or a way to ease her lonely existence but Katie “Kristen” finds more than just a correspondence she finds love. Because her father is the warden Katie enlists the help of her friend Teal who works at the local prison to help conceal her identity. Little does she know “Scott Logan” Logan has deep dark secrets of his own.

The rules of the program were set in place to protect both parties and to make sure no lines were crossed. But what happens when lines get blurred and your heart out rules your head?

Katie is a full time writer and because of a broken heart and the death of her mother has turned into a hermit. She doesn’t like crowds and even though she is surrounded by people who love her she still feels lonely and alone. Bullied because she wasn’t seen as “black” enough or because she talked properly she never seem to fit in with the black or white kids. So she did what people do turn to the people who love and accept her no matter what. Her father is a white European man Jan-Erik who is nonsense and loves his baby girl no matter what. But he treats her like everyone treats her like an incompetent child. Due to the fact that Logan can never see her she reveals her secrets to him as a way to release but finds they have more in common then she thought.

Logan is a white male prisoner who is set to be released early for overpopulation. He has issues with anyone who isn’t white. He was bullied and beat on as a kid by the “blacks” in his neighborhood and his parents never cared so when his friend introduces him to the “brotherhood” it all makes sense. Whites protect their own. You don’t mix with other races and you certainly don’t fall in love with one of them.

Through a series of correspondences Logan and Katie start to develop a foundation for a friendship that later turns into a relationship. But little does Logan know Katie is black. Because the only interactions Logan has had with black people have always been negative he has viewed all black people as such. Katie isn’t what he expected she doesn’t fit the stereotype: ghetto and loud. Logan heart is telling him one thing but experience has taught him something else.

I won’t ruin the story but Katie and Logan go through a bunch of ups and downs and interference from friends and enemies. Will love be enough to fight all these forces?

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was more than just a prison love story this story has a lot of depth and the author doesn’t sugar coat anything. I will say that some of the race situations will make you uncomfortable but needed to be explored. I didn’t understand Katie at times for her to not want to be treated as a child she made childish mistakes. i.e. letting strangers in her house. Her friend Teal was more than annoying and I can’t wait to read her story and how she will be tamed.

Like I mentioned earlier the issues with race weren’t glossed over i.e. the airport scene But I do wish as a reader I would have gotten more detail or confrontation from the racial profiling scene then sex. I think these two have helped each other more than they ever expected. I am glad that Katie grew up and confronted her best friend about her interference. Because this story was heavy in nature Iggy the jail mate provided a great comic relief. As a reader I am glad I got to see Logan through his rehabilitation process but the ending felt a bit rush as did his decision regarding his relationship with Katie. I can’t wait to read what else the author has in store. Like I always mention, “judge this book for yourself and not the opinion of one reviewer.”

Beyond The Consequences By: Aletha Romig

Beyond the Consequences

 

Book #5 of the bestselling Consequences series

From New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig comes more of the suspenseful romantic thriller about secrets and deception, passion and love, choices and consequences.

 

Secrets and deception

 

As the pieces of their puzzle come together, Anthony and Claire Rawlings continue to defy the odds. Together they overcame an incomprehensible beginning. Apart they endured unimaginable heartache. Reunited with family and friends, their journey continues as they navigate a dangerous world where secrets threaten to destroy what they hold the most dear.

 

Passion and love

 

Tony and Claire turn up the heat as sparks fly, passion rages, and love prevails.  With only a dark glance or devilish grin, the fire that sparked in an isolated suite, continues to burn. Though no longer willing to be less than Tony’s equal in life, behind closed doors only one man makes the rules.

 

Choices and consequences

 

The safety of the Rawlings family is not debatable, and only Phillip Roach can assure that they are not disappointed. Learn how he leads old friends and new associates through the dangerous world of delusion and revenge. The choices he makes for both the family and his personal life will have consequences.

 

Beyond the Consequences is a novel that began as the novella, A Peek Beyond the Consequences, in a limited-release anthology, Breathless. Since its publication in 2014, Beyond the Consequences has more than quadrupled in length with more action, heat, and secrets to reveal. Learn once and for all the identity and fate of the sender of the Rawls-Nichols letters as you join the Rawlings for a special surprise!

 

Theirs was a long, complicated story with a monster and a knight. What made their story unique was that these two players were the same person.—Aleatha Romig, CONVICTED

PRESALE LINKS:

Kindle: http://amzn.to/13qXwkz

Amazon Print: http://amzn.to/1xUSN7E

iBooks: http://bit.ly/132FNiF

Kobo: http://bit.ly/141ycBn

 

Aleatha Romig

New York Times and USA Today best selling author 

Consequences Series: Consequences, Truth, Convicted, Revealed: The Missing Years, Beyond the Consequences, (coming January 2015) and the Behind His Eyes companions

and

Tales from the Dark Side: Insidious and Duplicity (coming 2015)

http://www.aleatharomig.blogspot.com

 

 

Run By: Eve Vaughn

First let me say I love the premise of this book. When I read the synopsis I thought this is going to be something similar to the Hunger Games. You know a futuristic place and someone mainly women are chosen if not often forced to participate in a game of survival. Accept in this book Run would be more adult since the ultimate hunt is to use women for sex. And honestly this book is about that and so much more.

We are introduced to Aya the main lead who is highly opinionated, and doesn't think much of herself. She is described as "exotic" i.e. dark features, doe like eyes, and a shaved head. I am thinking maybe having someone of a darker variety is a rarity in this town of a 3:1 ratio of men to women. But I digress. Aya disrespects one of the Elites in town but really is defending herself which leads her into a spiral of why she has to participate in the "Run." I will not give too much of the story a way but I will say that Aya being in the situation she is in doesn't help matters. I understand her being a strong character but there is a difference between strong and silly. Her mouth would get herself into situations and she is presented as so tough and in the same scene she gets misty eyed and wants to cry. This was so frustrating for her to be presented as someone who is unlike others and then seem so basic especially in her decision making processes. Dare the hero and main lead is the man who is the responsible for Aya's world falling apart around her. He is the strong, I don't take "no" for an answer and will destroy you type. But something about Aya pulls on Dare's humanity. Although Aya has no family and is destitute her body still sings the tune Dare plays. Good premise right? And it actually is but this story was so frustrating and inconsistent. Aya was very annoying and with all that happened to her family I don't understand how even though sex is a bodily function could give herself to Dare.

Although Aya did reach her breaking point regarding her family issues and Dare that scene just wrapped up way to quickly and her anger died down as quickly as it came. As I was reading I was wondering how the author would make this a love story? Because let's face it Dare is a pompous jerk. I still didn't get the love aspect although the author did try to offer redemption but it just felt forced. I don't understand how women were a rareity in this book bit are treated as less than, murdered,and abuse. How does this help repopulate the society when the women are killed off or are cast off? There was limited transition from the "run" to the characters themselves. For instance Aya mentions that she doesn't know why she feels for Dare the way she does. As a reader I don't understand why she loves him either. There should have been a better set up for the couple's relationship instead of the old faithful cosmetic pull that characters seem to have on each other. The author does offer so break out characters like Macy and Forrester whose stories I wouldn't mind knowing more about. Although this story had a good premise the execution for me was not there.  Just because this book wasn't my cup of tea doesn't mean that others will not enjoy it. Please judge this book for yourself and not based on this one review.

A Lassiter's Christmas By: Iris Bolling

A Lassiter’s Christmas takes place where Look into My Heart book three of the Heart series leaves off. Because this is a series I recommend that you read all the books in the series before starting this one. This book could be read alone but a lot of characters reappear from her previous books and in order to understand the family dynamic you must go back to the beginning where it all began.

Pearl: the hurt ain’t no good men around sista’ has very strong feelings toward men. Being hurt by her first love at the age of 16 she has hardened her heart to love. Always one to get them before they get her Pearl has made work her love.

Theo: the man for the job with the patience of a saint meets a stranded Pearl and offers his assistance. Pearl being who she is selfish and at times insecure builds up that wall against any man who she feels is a threat. At first being attracted to Pearl’s coke bottle shape, Theo finds that even though her personality is a turn off that there is more than meets the eye to this dark beauty. And Sally Lassiter’s cooking is just enough to seal the deal.

One thing about the Lassiter family is that when you take on one you take on all the gem’s and gent’s. The family has this tradition of doing a Q&A with each new suitor. Because Dr. Prentiss is assertive and the quintessential alpha male he did not waiver on his feelings for Pearl. Throughout the story he always checked Pearl on her selfish attitude although at times he should have been more forward with being put first. For instance this story takes place over a span of six years and in this time Pearl grew but not as much as she should have. Because of her own insecurities about the incident took place when she was 16 her wounds run deep and anyone who gets close is stuck in limbo with her.

Though this book has some heavy moments Phire the younger sisters always knows how to add the comedic relief. She is such a firecracker and I am awaiting her story next and the man she will end up with. This book is the reason I love romance stories it is a true story that love overcomes all.  

As much as I love the Lassiter family and believe me I do I am glad as a reader I got more insight to Theo’s family. I believe this is one of the first stories where the author has a hero who is non-black. Theo is mixed but identifies with being African-American but the author mentions that his father is Caucasian and that his mother and father relationship was considered taboo. You could tell with this story that the author stepped outside her comfort zone with this character and she is new to writing IR couples. For instance throughout the story she mentions that the father is Caucasian. At one point I wanted to say we get it already he is of the Caucasian persuasion. Further into the story after the mother Lenora is introduced it makes sense why the characters color is constantly being mentioned.

Lenora was a bit judgmental towards other blacks considering she was once in a “taboo” relationship. I liked the issues raised between black women who date white men and how some loose a sense of their blackness. Iris doesn't sugar coat the race issues it's very much in your face. Pearl had a lot of growing up and can be selfish in her thinking ironically Cynthia was the one to point it out to her. All in all this is a very great story with dynamic characters I cannot wait to see what else Iris has in store. Please judge this book for yourself and not based on this one review.

Torture To Her Soul (Monster In His Eyes Book 2) By: J.M. Darhower

Torture to her Soul is the much anticipated sequel to the book Monster in His Eyes I suggest reading the first book before you start this story. I was so elated when I got chosen to review this book before it got released.
The story begins with a prologue that gives readers a glimpse into Naz's past and why he is the proverbial Monster. I loved that majority of the story was told from Naz P.O.V. and that we got a better glimpse into the business side of things. As a reader I though this story was way more detailed than the first. We really get to see how Naz really breaks and becomes semi-whole again with the growing love he and Karissa shares. This book begins right where the other book left off. One of the many things I enjoyed is that the author didn't have Karissa immediately forgive Naz she really showed the complexity of destroying trust in a relationship and the hard work it takes to get it back. Because Karissa is so young and naïve she is often a brat in this story but with good reason I her words, "you can't act like you love me then destroy my world the very next." Because she is so hurt and confused by Naz she does everything in her power to avoid him at all costs. Karissa picks up a "cooking" habit which is very funny because the book has some very serious moments. There is a bit of a slow build up and at times I was left waiting for something to happen the anticipation was killing me. Some of the scenes in the book are day to day living with Naz and Karissa. At about 46% the book picks up.
I understand Karrisa being hesitant with her relationship with Naz but she often gives him false hope and it's very frustrating. The back and forth with her emotions annoyed me at times but it was necessary because throughout all of this Karrisa really does build character and presents herself as no longer a scared young girl. We really get to notice the age difference between the two Karrisa is very young but that doesn't mean she can't teach Naz a thing or two. I love that as readers we get to so the inner turmoil and the demons but characters have to battle. One of the highlights for me was dinner with Ray I was shouting finally some drama! Because this book is told primarily from Naz perspective we get introduced to some characters from his past like his family. And with Naz actions speaks louder than words he literally shows Karrisa who he is and it's not all pretty. But that's what love is it won't all be pleasant but you can't help who you love.
Who you think you know and have figured out you don't. I won't give too much of the story away but Naz's inner circle slowly but surely changes and not all for the better. Throughout the book I wondered what did Naz eat. All of the times in the book when they went out he barely ate. How did he sustain himself? I really wanted more from the ending for these two. I know they got closure but I would have liked a glimpse into the future for them. The way the author leaves this story I feel as though there is room for a third story. I was left with some unanswered questions. What happened to Karrisa friend? What has Naz decided for his future? With the little bit of information we were given I am begging the author for a third story. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait to see what else the author has in store. I would definitely recommend this book. Please judge this book for yourselves and not based on this one review.