Book Review: Crimson Ash

You may live as a soldier or face death. Choose wisely.

Solanine Lucille wants her little sister back. Eight years ago, the government kidnapped her sister Ember, stole her memories, and transformed her into a soldier. But Solanine refuses to give up. Now that she and her fiancé have located the leader of a rebel group, she believes she can finally bring Ember home. But then the soldiers raid the rebels, killing her fiancé and leaving Solanine alone with her demons and all the weapons needed for revenge.

After raiding a rebel camp, sixteen-year-old Ember doesn’t understand why killing some boy bothers her. She’s a soldier—she has killed hundreds of people without remorse. But after she fails a mission, the rebels hold her hostage and restore her memories. Ember recognizes her sister among the rebels and realizes the boy she killed was Solanine’s fiancé.

Ember knows she can’t hide the truth forever, but Solanine has secrets too.

As their worlds clash, the two sisters must decide if their relationship is worth fighting for. And one wrong move could destroy everything—and everyone—in their path.

* * * * *

Books set in the dystopian genre are rather hit or miss with me.  I have read some truly spectacular ones and have found others that bore me to tears.  I have found that it all boils down to whether I can relate to the characters.   

CRIMSON ASH started off rather slowly for me and I was starting to think that this was going to be one of  those misses.  However I found that Solanine had snuck up and became a character that I cared about.  I started to cheer her on as she would get back up after a defeat.  And I really liked one of the secondary characters, Kane, who tended to stay in background but was always there.  

This really is a coming of age story.  Both Solanine and Ember have some growing up before they even have a chance to rebuild their relationship and possibly the world.  

I wouldn't say that CRIMSON ASH was one of those spectacular reads but I found that I enjoyed the story.  The characters grow on you and the some of the plot twists surprised me.  The pacing however was slower than I really prefer.  Also it felt as though the finale was rushed once you finally reach it almost as though the author had reached a word limit.

I really don't know if I would recommend this book.  Some of my readers might really enjoy it.  Others might find the slow pace irritating.  This book does contain a lot of violence but no explicit sex.

***I received  this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions are my own and not influenced by the publisher or author. 

Book Review: Whisky Sharp Torn

Sometimes what you find isn’t what you were searching for...

Beau Petty has been searching his whole life. Searching for a place that fills all the empty spaces in him. Searching for a way to tame the restlessness. Searching for answers to the secret he’s never stopped trying to solve. What he wasn’t searching for was a woman to claim all of him, but when Cora Silvera walks back into his life, he’s ready to search out all the ways he can make her his.

Cora has spent her life as the family nurturer, taking care of others. But now she’s ready to pass that job on to someone else. It’s time to make some changes and live for herself. It’s in that moment that her former teenage crush reappears and the draw and the heat of their instant connection is like nothing either of them has experienced. He craves being around her. She accepts him, dark corners and all.

Beau thinks Cora’s had enough drama in her life. He wants to protect her from the secrets of his past, even if it means holding back the last pieces of himself. But Cora is no pushover and she means to claim all those pieces.

* * * * *

I am totally in love with this series!  It is based in Seattle which is local to me so picking up a book in this series is similar to slipping on a comfy pair of jeans before heading off to hang out with your best friends.  Now Cora hadn't been a character that I was familiar with but I looked forward to getting to know her simply because she was friends with Maybe and the rest of the gang.  And getting to know her and Beau was a real pleasure.  

Ms. Dane has penned another winner with TORN.  Characters that quickly become as old friends, witty dialogue and really hot sex.  Beau and Cora seem to be made for each other but they both have enough baggage from their pasts to keep both their lives and the story interesting.  I was actually sad when I finished the book and had to tell them goodbye.  

I do recommend WHISKEY SHARP TORN to my readers who enjoy a contemporary romance with a lot of heat.  There is explicit sex in the story but it follows as part of the plot rather then being the plot.  TORN does stand nicely on its own but reading the previous books will enrich the story as you will then have the backstory on a lot of the secondary characters.

WHISKEY SHARP UNRAVELED

WHISKEY SHARP JAGGED

***I received  this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions are my own and not influenced by the publisher or author. 

When a dog isn't...well a dog.

The other day,  I was sitting in traffic after my massage therapy and noticed that the truck in front of me was a Great Dane!  Now to me, a dog is a furry four legged being that usually enjoys being petted and speaks in a series of barks, grunts, whines and grumbles.

So I decided to start paying attention and noticing these 'alternative' dogs that are running about the world.  When I can, I am getting pics of them and sharing on Instagram with the hashtag #dog2.0.