Showing posts with label debut. Show all posts
Showing posts with label debut. Show all posts

She tells all - Judah Lee Davis

Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Title - She tells all
Author - Judah Lee Davis
Genre -Chick lit
Date published - July 9th 2010
Publisher - Createspace
Format - Paperback
Pages - 230
Rating - 4 out of 5

Madison's life is just a series of failures! She's 29, soon to be 30 and a single mother to a three year old, but her life is a total mess! All she does is constantly changing partners (wonder if she ever heard of AIDS??) and seems she's always attracted to the wrong ones, guys that will just use her and dump her.

Madison is probably the craziest book character I've read about ever! What you're about to read in this book are not just her confessions and mistakes (and boy, she makes many mistakes in life), but her battle to finally overcome some things that keep bringing her at the very bottom. Life was definitely not easy for her, and though you will probably be amazed (or disgusted) by her slutty behavior in the beginning, she will grow on you, if you just give her a chance (at least that happened to me while reading the book).

By leading you in her past, the author will reveal the reasons for Madison's behavior and all the nasty things that damaged her personalty.
All Madison really wants is to be loved, simple as that. She needs attention and affection, don't we all? And though I really didn't approve her behavior and choices throughout the book, I must say I was cheering for her and hoping she will really make something out of her life.

This is a story of a girl who's in desperate need to reinvent herself, story about all the crazy stuff she did, all the pain she's to overcome. I did have few laughs and must say this is really an entertaining read, but though the primary intention of it may be to entertain us, maybe we should look for the message behind it. It's been few weeks now that I read the book, and I really needed to "digest" everything, however I will never forget Madison.
She's one of these book characters you either love or hate. Ok, if love and hate are strong words for you, better to say Madison is someone you will either like or dislike. In my case, it turned out I really like her, but not cause of her wild spirit, or the fact she seems she doesn't care what everyone thinks of her. No, I liked her because I felt the fragile, caring Madison who will unselfishly give everything to those she loves.

I know I'm not supposed to reveal a lot about the plot, especially the ending, but I will just say..GOD, the ending brought tears to my eyes! This is really an entertaining read, but also an emotional one (at least it was for me). I read it in just couple of hours, cover to cover, and definitely recommend it to all chick lit fans. However, there are some phrases and mentions of the "F bomb", so I wouldn't recommend it to readers under the age of 18. 

My rating

Polls Apart - Clare Stephen - Johnston

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
 Title - Polls Apart
Author - Clare Stephen - Johnston
Genre - Thriller
Date published -   September 1st 2011
Publisher -  Thames River Press
Format - Paperback
Pages - 200
Rating - 5 out of 5

Is this book really a debut? *goes to get the book from the shelf. Checks the cover. Doesn't believe her eyes!*
OH-MY-GOD! this is really a debut! Clare Stephen-Johnston began writing fiction in 2008, and Polls Apart is her first novel - says the cover. But trust me, when you read it you gonna be as surprised as I am, because you will have the feeling this is the 10th book the author has written!

World of show business and politics... within these worlds there is no reality, only illusions.

Politics, affairs, sex scandals, intrigue... this book has it all! Anna Lloyd is a 37 year old actress married to Richard Williams, the leader of Social Democratic Party (SDP). Richard is running for a Prime Minister, but things gonna get really nasty as newspapers start revealing some very unpleasant news about his wife's life. Anna really had a tough childhood, growing up with a mother who was alcoholic and being left by her dad when she was only 8. As if this isn't already a tragedy, her stepfather is staring to sexually abuse her and her sister Libby. Life seems a real hell for Anna and her sister, abused everyday and no sign of their mother to help. What a B**** their mother! The girls are forced to defend themselves and one day they kill their stepfather. They spend 2 years in Juvenile Center, but this is actually first time in many years they finally feel free. Now, many years later, all of this is back to haunt her because of her husband's elections and the political enemies who are trying to make him resign and quit the elections.

Is power more important than love? Is politics gonna end up a happy marriage and destroy two people that love each other and share the same dream?

This is a fantastic political thriller, fast paced and absolutely intriguing. I thoroughly enjoyed it and think Clare Stephen-Johnston is amazingly talented author with a unique writing style. I never liked politics, and this book just prove to me what I already knew - There's nothing more important in life than love and family. What I admired the most is the fact the author puts so much life into her characters (especially in Anna's character). It's really easy to relate to her, to feel her pain, and I have to admit, while reading the parts about the abuse, I had tears in my eyes. It's just so so sad and frustrating to think there are many women out there who experience the hell she's going through. In the beginning, Anna seemed wild, rebellious, free , but as you get to know her history you will start seeing her in a completely new light. She's not a survivor you want to pity, she's a FIGHTER!

This book is a real page turner and without any doubt I recommend it to everyone! I really hope Clare will surprise us soon with another fantastic, gripping book.  I sure can't wait!

My rating


Watch Over Me - Daniela Sacerdoti

Thursday, November 24, 2011
Title -Watch Over Me
Author - Daniela Sacerdoti
Genre - Paranormal, Romance
Date published  -   November 15th 2011
Publisher -  Black & White Publishing
Format -Paperback
Pages - 256
Rating - 5 out of 5

"If you have something precious and fragile and you keep it locked away like a little plant trying to grow into the darkness, well, it'll die and your secret will turn into regret. Love needs to be in the light of day. A secret love will eat itself and die, or eat your heart and kill you."

This is a story of a 35 year old woman, Eilidh, who's life is torn to pieces. After many attempts to have a baby, she and her husband Tom finally succeeded. She waited for so long to feel that joy, to feel those little kicks of the new life that is growing inside of her. Yet, she was not destined to have that baby. Shortly after the miscarriage, she finds out that her husband Tom is cheating on her, and that's when she decides..she needs a new life! A new life away of the painful memories, away from the failures.
She is off to Glen Avich, this little place in Scotland she used to live when her mom and dad had marriage problems. There, she is reconnected with Jamie, once a friend..but could it be she is starting to grow feelings for him?
Both Jamie and Eilidh have been very unfortunate in their love life, and they have both lost faith in love. But Destiny has plans for them, plans they are both not even aware of.
Even when it seems everything is lost, help can come from the most extraordinary places!

Oh, I don't think I will ever be able to express with words how much I enjoyed this book! Maybe if you were able to see the river of tears I cried while reading it, you could understand me. Eilidh is such a loveable character, so unfortunate, yet so strong.
I could be Eilidh..
Every woman could be Eilidh!
It was really easy to relate to her, and to feel the pain she is going through. But oh no..you won't be sorry for her, you will admire her! She is a fighter, someone you would love to be your best friend or a relative. I look up to her, for her strength to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and head towards a new life.
For even when the womb is empty and the heart is broken, hope is the last to leave. Make sure you never let it go, because When you let go off hope, you have nothing!

"Watch over me" is a debut novel by fantastic Daniela Sacerdoti. Funny, but while reading it, I didn't have the impression this is the FIRST book Daniela has written. I absolutely enjoyed every single page of it! By all means Daniela is a talented storyteller and someone that will surely conquer your hearts!
Finally I would like to thank Daniela and her publisher for sending me a copy of this book. It surely is a diamond I am going to keep forever!

 My rating



Watch the trailer of this AMAZING book. I love it!