Review of SIEGE AND STORM (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo

(Blurb from Goodreads.com)

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can't outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling's game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

The way I read it ~

So after having a full 8-hour sleep session, I awoke feeling refreshed and ready to review.

I'll start off by proclaiming that I LOVE THIS AUTHOR. You know how you get excited to read a book that you know nothing about, that's written by an author you have never heard of? It's a rare type of excitement because sometimes the 'unknown' factor can be daunting. There's the fear that the story will suck, that you'll totally waste your time by reading it, that it won't fulfill some need to soothe or inspire. You cringe at the mere thought of trying it, just 'to see'. I often have that fear but for 2014 my goal is to be fearless. So I'm on a mission to go beyond the safety of reading what I know, to hone my spidey-book sense and to have fun in reading.

Siege and Storm is a gem!

The story began in Shadow and Bone Alina Starkov lead a mundane life, pining for the affection of her best friend Mal, working as a map maker in the Royal army. She was nothing spectacular but had a spectacular power within her that soon came to light (pun intended), brought out when a dark force called the Fold threatened the one she loved. Discovery of that power elevated her in rank and Alina found herself to be a prized possession; wanted by all. Especially by the Darkling, the handsome and mysterious leader of the Grisha. There was lots of drama, tons of intrigue and various successful attempts at misdirection by Ms Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm continues with unexpected surprises, dynamic new characters and more twists and turns than I could ever have anticipated. 

Alina and Mal are on the run. Two against the world sort of thing. Their relationship in this part, compared to the first, had grown. There was kissing and loving glances. It was sweet. Alina felt torn between what she felt for Mal, what she was beginning to feel about her new power and what she didn't want to feel for the Darkling. I was right there with her in her fears. And the one thing she feared most was the one thing that needed to be done. She needed to go back. It was fate. The consequences of returning to their home and facing the enemy meant that Alina and Mal would have a wedge driven between them. It was agonizing to read her struggle with what was happening.

The ending was definitely worth all the anguish. By time I got to the last chapter I was bouncing in my seat. I was a tangled ball of emotion. I wanted book 3, like pronto! This is what fabulously good writing does. It totally messes with your mind, makes you stay up till 2 am to finish the book, makes you prolong your reading just to let the anticipation have time to fester and build, and build, and build....

At some points I was a mess!



I will absolutely recommend this to anyone who likes adventure and loves being delightfully surprised. 

RATED TOO SWEET: 5 out of 5 Sugar cubes

Reviewed by Leelo

Review of THOUGHTLESS by S. C. Stephens

(Blurb from Goodreads.com)

For almost two years now, Kiera's boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she's ever wanted: loving, tender and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together, Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university, everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the happy couple apart.

Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source—a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he's purely a friend that she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything 

changes...and none of them will ever be the same.

The way I read it ~

This book baffled me. 

I didn't know whether to stop reading or to continue at times. You know there are some books that pull you under so deep that you dive in with the oxygen tank and they make you say "to hell with all else"? Well, this was not that book. I fought between hitting myself over the head with the oxygen tank and actually forgetting to bring it along in hopes I'd suffocate. I will add though that books that seem to rouse such feelings of distaste, angst, confusion and, yes at times boredom, have something going for them.

I will remain baffled and therefore move on.....

RATED BITTER: 2 out of 5 Sugar cubes

Reviewed by Leelo

Review of GOING UNDER by S. Walden

(Blurb from Goodreads.com)

Brooke Wright has only two goals her senior year at Charity Run High School: stay out of trouble and learn to forgive herself for the past. Forgiveness proves elusive, and trouble finds her anyway when she discovers a secret club at school connected to the death of her best friend. She learns that swim team members participate in a “Fantasy Slut League,” scoring points for their sexual acts with unsuspecting girls.

Brooke, wracked with guilt over her friend’s death, decides to infiltrate the league by becoming one of the “unsuspecting girls,” and exact revenge on the boys who stole away her best friend. An unexpected romance complicates her plans, and her dogged pursuit of justice turns her reckless as she underestimates just how far the boys will go to keep their sex club a secret.

(This is a New Adult fiction book with mature themes. It contains graphic sex and language and a description of sexual violence.)

The way I read it ~

An intensely dramatic read.

I felt myself getting so in tune with Brooke's sassy personality that I often would have the same reactions to situations or blurt out loud practically the same responses. What a mouth on that kid!

The book dealt with a very real, and very serious subject and I felt the author's aim was not really to entertain but to educate the reader in a way, by showing a side of rape that most people don't get to realize. That it isn't all black and white. That sometimes there's a murky grey area in there that, while being utterly disgusting and uncomfortable to think about and deal with,  is actually quite enlightening. And real.

It was a good story. Characters were fairly developed, though I did feel like the ending was rushed. So much of the intense drama culminated just when I wanted the pace to kind of slow down a little.

All in all, I think three stars will suffice. And three sugars.

Rated Just right 3 out of 5 Sugar cubes

Reviewed by Leelo

Review of FIND HER, KEEP HER by Z. L. Arkadie

(Blurb from Goodreads.com)

Fate leads a heartbroken travel writer into the arms of her soul mate but will a secret destroy their whirlwind romance? Travel writer, Daisy Blanchard has just discovered the worst news ever. Her boyfriend is now engaged to her best friend! And to add insult to injury, she learned about the blessed event through a Facebook status update. Desperate to escape her life in shambles, Daisy takes a spur-of-the-moment assignment to Martha's Vineyard where she immediately catches the eyes of Belmont Lord, a wealthy businessman and world traveler. Thanks to Belmont's relentless pursuit, they fall hard and fast for each other. However, Belmont has a secret, which is revealed after Daisy receives an unexpected and unwelcomed visit from the last two people in the world she wants to see. Their steamy love affair comes to a grinding halt. It was the hand of fate that led him to find her but will fate also allow him keep her? This real adult contemporary romance novel. WARNING: THE LOVE AFFAIR IS HOT AND STEAMY. This story is not intended for YA readers or those who are prone to clutch their pearls! This is Daisy and Belmont's Love Story and it's racy.

The way I read it ~


Well wasn't this a delightful little story.



Caught me much by surprise I must say.

Daisy's character felt solid to me. She wasn't all 'cotton candy', prim and proper as I first expected her to be. I could relate to her in the sense that yes, she had insecurities (especially after the boyfriend and best friend hook up and suddenly engaged fiasco) but she didn't let it overwhelm her to the point where it began to define her.She was a confident, intelligent and talented woman with a lot going for her. Maybe meeting a charming stranger who wouldn't give up helped her out. It certainly didn't hurt. At first when Belmont was introduced he seemed like he was too good to be true. I mean, cute guy out of the blue invites you to his birthday party and then beguiles you with witty comebacks and flirty innuendos added to being a superb dresser that oozed sex appeal added to being a billionaire of sorts. Prince Charming right? But as it turns out Prince Charming isn't to be confused for Mr. Perfect. Belmont had secrets. I'll admit to snorting with laughter when the deep dark secret was revealed. (I won't spoil it by unveiling it here). I enjoyed the romantic spots. And yes, even when those romantic spots erupted into a blazing hot inferno of untapped passion and new found pleasures. 

I sighed. I guffawed at their brazenness. I got over it.

The supporting cast was refreshing and hilarious. They aided nicely in centering the two main characters of Daisy and Belmont. They provided extra entertainment as if reading Daisy and Belmont battle it out wasn't enough drama. I adored this author's writing style and her grammatical prowess is to be applauded. I loved some of the slap-stick jokes made throughout the story. You'll know them when you find yourself chuckling. 

I think I discovered a gem of a love story here. 

I mean, this is why I love reading. I learn something new with every page. 

I learned that a man shouldn't define you and you don't have to mold yourself to his liking to be truly loved in return. 
Because that still might end in him sleeping with your best friend behind your back. 



I learned that even your best friend can be a skanky whore bitch.
And you shouldn't rely on her to put your friendship over getting laid by your boyfriend. 



I learned that love can happen unexpectedly and you probably should become a travel writer and travel to Martha's Vineyard on assignment, on a whim, to ensure that happens. 
And apparently that's where all the weddings are happening so the odds are with you. 



And I also learned that some women call their breasts 'chee chees'.



(which cracks me up to no end) 


So there! I feel well rounded from this 'falling in love and getting engaged after five days of blissful sex crazed happiness' story.




.....moving on

RATED SWEET 4 out of 5 Sugar cubes

Reviewed by Leelo