Friday, October 30, 2015

Review: ASKING FOR IT by Lilah Pace

Release Date: June 2nd, 2015

Type: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Erotica, New Adult, 18+, Adult Themes, Playing Out Your Fantasies..

About the Book: Graduate student Vivienne Charles is afraid of her own desires—ashamed to admit that she fantasizes about being taken by force, by a man who will claim her completely and without mercy. When the magnetic, mysterious Jonah Marks learns her secret, he makes an offer that stuns her: they will remain near-strangers to each other, and meet in secret so that he can fulfill her fantasy.

Their arrangement is twisted. The sex is incredible. And—despite their attempts to stay apart—soon their emotions are bound together as tightly as the rope around Vivienne’s wrists. But the secrets in their pasts threaten to turn their affair even darker...
Reader Advisory: Asking for It deals explicitly with fantasies of non-consensual sex. Readers sensitive to portrayals of non-consensual sex should be advised. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: So when I saw this book reviewed in a magazine, I was fascinated. Really? An erotic novel featuring a girl acting out her rape fantasies? To be honest, I jumped at the chance to review it because I wanted to read something so controversial. But you know what? This was done incredibly well. Not only are the characters well developed and easy to fall in love with, but the tough topic itself - rape - is handled incredibly well. Vivienne is in therapy, and even discusses her budding relationship with the therapist. They talk about what is and isn't safe. Vivienne leaves fail safes for herself in case something goes wrong, and they work through their issues together. And the biggest thing that stuck out to me - aftercare. Even after a rough "play session" (as they call it), Jonah is kind to her and makes sure she is well taken care of - something missing from a lot of erotic novels I've seen.

I didn't know what to think of this book at first, but about 20% in, I realized I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to see how events would play out. I was worried the book would focus too much on the rape aspect, but author Lilah Pace writes a genuinely good story outside of what's going on in their sexual relationship. Thank goodness I have the second book because I need it after finishing "Asking For It."

This book isn't for the casual erotica reader. And it definitely comes with some major trigger warnings. But I honestly feel parts of this book might help people come to terms with their own fantasies, or maybe even their own sexual history.

Cover Lovin': It both looks odd, and looks perfect. I don't know what to think.

Recommendation: Definitely for 18+, and not for the faint of heart. But all the same, it deals with Vivienne's fantasies and needs in a healthy way.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5)! So intense, so good, so... whoa!

Get your copy of "Asking For It" from Amazon.com today! Also check out the recently release sequel, "Begging For It."
 Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for review. Thanks, Netgalley!

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Review: SWORD OF THE GLADIATRIX by Faith L. Justice!

This is the second book I've read and reviewed by Faith L. Justice - see my five star review of "Selene of Alexandria" HERE. Also, check out an excerpt of "Sword of the Gladiatrix" HERE.

Release Date: April 27, 2015

Type: Historical Fiction, Fiction with Romantic Elements, Gladiators, Roman Empire, Slavery, LGBT, "lesbian gladiator novel"

About the Book: An action-packed tale that exposes the brutal underside of Imperial Rome, "Sword of the Gladiatrix" brings to life unforgettable characters and exotic settings. From the far edges of the Empire, two women come to battle on the hot sands of the arena in Nero's Rome: Afra, scout and beast master to the Queen of Kush; and Cinnia, warrior-bard and companion to Queen Boudica of the British Iceni. Enslaved, forced to fight for their lives and the Romans' pleasure; they seek to replace lost friendship, love, and family in each other's arms. But the Roman arena offers only two futures: the Gate of Life for the victors or the Gate of Death for the losers. [From Goodreads.com]

My Review: First off, let me say that this author has definitely done her homework. I love ancient cultures and history - in fact, I have a degree in it. And Faith L. Justice has written an amazingly wonderful historical novel. Even if you read this and end up not liking the romantic element, or even the story - you'll at least love the vivid, historical setting.

At the very beginning of the novel, we see Cinnia and Afra at their end (or is it?) - then we flash back to the very beginning of the long road that is their lives to that point. Just knowing how it was possibly going to end had me desperately reading as fast as possible so I could see what happened. Both characters are strong in their own right, and have fascinating backstories and lives. Every time I had to put the book down, I angsted over what would happen to them next. Afra and Cinnia are easy to love.

And speaking of love, this novel does feature two women that love one anther. But I wouldn't say this book is a romance. It's more a historical novel with a romantic element. If romance isn't your thing - there is still so much in this book that would work for you.

Faith L. Justice is one of those authors that I cannot understand why she hasn't gotten more press. More people need to read her books and see how much detail and story weaving went into the book. Even though it was years and years ago, I still remember how good "Selene of Alexandria" was, and how much I enjoyed reading it. And that is high praise indeed.

Cover Lovin': This cover is definitely simple, but there is definitely beauty in the simplicity. Thumbs up.

Recommendation: For fans of Historical Fiction, certainly.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5)!

Visit the author's website HERE.
Available at:

·        Amazon.com (USUKCanada)
·        Barnes and Noble
·        CreateSpace
·        iBooks
·        Kobo
·        Smashwords

Get your copy of Sword of the Gladiatrix and Selene of Alexandria today!


Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Monday, October 26, 2015

Excerpt: THE VICTIM by Eric Matheny!

Today we have an excerpt from Eric Matheny's book "The Victim"! If you're looking for a good suspense/thriller novel - be sure to check this one out!

EXCERPT:
Chapter 1

March 16, 2003

Payson, Arizona

He thought he was dead.

Steam hissed from the crumpled front end of the RV that had folded accordion-style against the guardrail. His face stung from the punch of the airbag. His lungs burned from that awful talcum powder that drifted through the cabin as the bag deflated. The chemical dust, suspended in the air, seemed to be frozen in time.

His nose was numb and swollen. He tasted blood trickling down the back of his throat like a cocaine drip. He peered through the cracked windshield, his eyes adjusting to the reddish glow of a desert sunrise. The crushed-in hood had jarred upward. The chassis was off balance. The whole vehicle wobbled as he shifted his weight in his seat.

Oh my God.

He cranked the door handle and heaved his shoulder into it to pop it off the jamb. He hopped down onto the highway. The winds were heavy and dry, rustling the sage and scrub oaks that dotted the rugged landscape along the Beeline Highway. A sliver of fiery light barely illuminated the peaks of the Mazatal Mountains, which rose and fell against the horizon. Giant saguaros stood like sentries.

The back half of a red two-door sedan lay beneath the shredded front tires of the RV. Flattened like an aluminum can. On impact the RV must have bucked forward, rolling up onto the rear bumper of the smaller car, coming to rest on its roof. The significant weight of the RV crushed the sedan into something you might see stacked in a junkyard.

The highway was quiet. Just the rush of hot wind crackling the delicate spines of the sagebrush. He got his bearings quickly, the initial shock of the crash having passed. A sobering experience. Literally. Half a handle of Jack Daniels coursing through his veins had been replaced by something stronger.

Panic.

He saw long hair, a young female’s. How he could tell her age by the back of her head, he would never know. Maybe by its length and sheen—bright, yellow-blond. Slick with blood. Her forehead propped on the steering wheel. The driver-side window blown out. The windshield was a shattered web.

The man beside her—or boy, he was arguably young—was out cold, his body positioned in the passenger’s seat in a gimpy, off-kilter fashion. The passenger side had been thrust into the guardrail, which molded itself to the frame of the car. His head lolled against the door. Blood leaked from his ear and ran down his neck.

“Are you okay?” he screamed, although he knew he would get no reply. His voice resonated throughout the valley. “Hello?”

He braced himself against the ruined front end of the RV. He felt a surge of bile and whiskey come up in the back of his throat. He heaved forward but held it in. He was lightheaded.

Oh God, please let this be a dream. Oh God, please...this can’t be happening, this can’t be happening. This isn’t happening. This isn’t happening...  


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eric Matheny is a criminal defense attorney who enjoys writing crime fiction, drawing from his experience working in the legal system. He has handled everything from DUI to murder. His latest novel The Victim was released on August 13, 2015, published by Zharmae. 

If you are a fan of John Grisham, David Baldacci, and Harlan Coben, The Victim may be your kind of novel. 

The Victim is a tense, fast-paced, legal thriller/psychological suspense novel that centers around a young defense attorney whose horrifying misdeed from his college days comes back to haunt him.

Synopsis:

Anton Mackey is a man with everything. At least, he seems to be on the surface. He has a rising career as a private attorney, a lovely wife, a beautiful daughter; he and his family live in an idyllic neighborhood that most people dream about. Sure, there are troubles that plague this family, the same as any other, but all in all things are looking up. Life is good, and the future is better. 

Except Anton has a past, too, and something has been looming, bearing down on him from that history, just waiting for the chance to strike. Soon, everything will change, and the life he’s struggled so hard to build will come crashing down around him. 

And the worst part of it all: Anton Mackey has no one to blame but himself.

Praise for The Victim:

“The Victim by Eric Matheny has a fast moving pace and a skillfully conceived plot with quite a few twists and turns… A page turner, this legal thriller has all the elements to hold reader interest from the first page to the last.” - Reviewed by ReadersFavorite.com

“An astounding legal thriller that is full of surprise, mystery and moral dilemma. Matheny may well be the next Scott Turow.” – Reviewed by BestThrillers.com

About the Author:

Eric Matheny was born in Los Angeles, California, where he lived until he went away to college at Arizona State University. At ASU he was president of Theta Chi Fraternity. He graduated with a degree in political science and moved to Miami, Florida, to attend law school at St. Thomas University. During his third year of law school, he interned for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, where he worked as a prosecutor upon graduation. In 2009, he went into private practice as a criminal defense attorney. He is a solo practitioner representing clients in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and Broward County, Florida. He has handled everything from DUI to murder.

In his free time, Eric enjoys writing crime fiction, drawing from his experience working in the legal system. He published his debut novel Home in 2004, which centers around a successful drug dealer catering to the rich in Orange County. His second novel Lockdown, published in 2005, follows a law student trying to prove that an inmate serving a life sentence in one of California’s toughest prisons might actually be innocent. Eric’s latest novel The Victim, is a tense, fast-paced, legal thriller/psychological suspense novel that centers around a young defense attorney whose horrifying misdeed from his college days comes back to haunt him. It was published by Zharmae in August 2015 and is available for sale on Amazon.

Eric lives outside of Fort Lauderdale with his wife and two young sons.

Readers can connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

To learn more, go to http://www.ericmathenybooks.com/

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~