Review: Crowned by Hate

Tuesday 10 October 2017 No comments
Crowned by Hate Crowned by Hate by Amo Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Crazy & Unique!

There are not many books that leave me questioning what I’ve just read but Crowned by Hate was definitely part of that outlandish group. The ending was so unusual and completely unexpected I had to re-read the last few chapters in case I’d inadvertently been transported into an alternate reality without my knowledge.

As expected by the author, this, as with her other books, really does leave you wondering which way is up. What starts out as a romance, albeit stemming from an unusual set of circumstances, it quickly becomes apparent that past exploits are feeding present-day reality. Forget the whole President’s daughter falls in love with a wealthy and powerful businessman expectation. This story has depth beyond depth as you slowly but surely unpeel and reveal the many layers that lead you towards some semblance of understanding Isa’s life.

Whilst clearly created by a wrongdoing, Isa and Bryant’s relationship is strangely heartwarming. Despite his hatred of Isa, Bryant is also weirdly protective of her. I really liked Bryant’s character and whilst at first, you think you understand why he wants to marry Isa, by the end of the story you are left questioning just why he’s determined to have her in his life. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of Bryant’s sister, Jessica, into the storyline and I can’t wait to witness more of her antics. Devon starts out as the sweet friend but in the ends morphs into something inexplicable which I guess we'll have to wait to see who or what he really is.

As others have mentioned, this story does end of a cliff-hanger and I suspect a re-read will be in order before tackling the next instalment. There’s only so much insanity my brain can retain!

This ebook was kindly provided by the author prior to release date in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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Review: Charade

Charade Charade by Jade C. Jamison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this story and its concept. It was refreshingly different and drew me in straight away with the whole law firm storyline.

Whilst it irked me somewhat that the female character had to pretend to be engaged in order to get the job she was already qualified to do, I did enjoy the power struggle as both characters set about achieving their ultimate target: one, the right to take over from his father when he retired (Brock), and two, to become a practicing lawyer and no longer a researcher (Erica).

Both characters were easy to enjoy especially when Brock realised that Erica wasn’t someone to be trifled with. Whilst agreeing, in principle, to Brock’s “proposal”, Erica still had reservations but determined to acquire the job that she had worked tirelessly for, she put her morals aside and set about assisting Brock with his subterfuge. Erica wasn’t about to sleep her way into her dream job though and made it clear to Brock that this was a hands-off agreement. Brock, on the other hand, is also singularly determined to get what he wants and to do that, he needs to make his engagement as realistic as possible in front of his retiring father, and his brothers. Whilst a casual arm across the shoulders and a kiss on the cheek may seem innocent enough, it’s beyond what Erica signed up for as she repeatedly tells Brock. The only problem is that her body is starting to respond to Brock’s closeness and whilst her mind is determined to keep him at a distance, she starts to enjoy the odd moment of closeness.

As expected, and despite Erica’s best intentions, she soon starts to see the man behind the business suit and when away from work, Erica realises that Brock is a man she could, and does, fall for. Despite her softening towards Brock, Erica managed to maintain her feisty determination and no-nonsense attitude, which I really appreciated.

This was a really enjoyable story and one which held my interest throughout. The characters were endearing and the storyline rewarding. It was lighthearted but intriguing, especially the legal/law firm side to the story.

This ebook was kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
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Review: Scorched

Scorched Scorched by Jade C. Jamison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“We’ve always got the music, man…and music always makes everything better. Music would always be the cure.”


This was a thoroughly enjoyable story of young and forbidden love as Sam Archer falls for his young next door neighbour.

After breaking up with his girlfriend, Sam heads in search of solitude but finds himself living next door to a girl who simply takes his breath away.

Fighting to remember that Gracelyn Ward is much younger than him, and with a beguiling innocence, Sam struggles to keep his distance from Grace but with all good romance stories, Sam’s efforts are in vain as both he and Grace become enamoured with each other.

What starts out as a simple, and unexpected, friendship eventually becomes more as Sam and Grace take tentative steps towards love. Sam, having had multiple partners, is conscious of Grace’s innocence but doesn’t realise the full extent of it until their fate is sealed. Sam tries to be open and honest with Grace and is keen to extend the same courtesy to her parents, but Grace is hesitant and their relationship becomes clandestine and you can’t help but await the inevitable fallout.

Whilst I loved the way Sam and Grace fell for each other, I struggled to come to terms with the age difference. Whilst she is 19 years old and clearly an adult, the way she has been protected by her parents and their religious beliefs, makes her come across much younger. I don’t know if that was the intention or just the way Grace appears to readers but her lack of sexual experience means she is the polar opposite of the groupies of the same age that Sam faces regularly. That said, what feels like an almost seemingly impossible romance becomes a reality as Sam falls in love with Grace.

I didn’t think anyone could rival Clay/Jet but Sam Archer managed to turn me upside down with his sweet, caring and tender ways. Gone was the hardcore rocker and in its place, we get to see the real man behind the showman. I loved the way he tried to protect Grace from the problems that their relationship would inevitably bring and when he realised that she was it for him, he comes back to her doing what he does best.

As expected with Jade C Jamison, this was a well-written story and not without the usual band references that she is known and loved for.
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4 Stars: Ideal Image (Snapshot, #2) by Freya Barker

Friday 6 October 2017 No comments
Ideal Image (Snapshot, #2)Ideal Image by Freya Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An altogether more rounded story in this series which I really enjoyed, and appreciated!

This is the second instalment in the Snapshot series. Having loved the prequel, and being slightly disappointed with the first full instalment, Freeze Frame, I found Ideal Image to be a really rewarding and enjoyable story.

Right from the start I connected with the characters and loved spending yet more time with Ben, Isla and good ‘ole Al as well as the main protagonists in this story: Nick and Stacie, and Stacie’s daughter Mak.

Reviews: Are We True To Ourselves And The Authors?

Thursday 5 October 2017 No comments


I got to thinking yesterday after reading a rather brilliant but blunt review of a well-known and popular book.  When reading a book, do we get swept away by popular consensus or are we true to ourselves?

The book in question has so many mixed reviews that I have been forced to reconsider my rating and my thoughts of the story.  I loved the book and gave it 5* and I must admit to having read it more than once but after reading the contrasting opinions of another blogger I was forced to question my interpretation of the story.  Was the story glossed over in my own mind?  Did I really not see the violence and poor behaviour for what it was or did my mind just romanticise and create the story I wanted it to be?