Review: Twist Me by Anna Zaires

 Twist Me

by Anna Zaires

New Adult Dark Erotic Romance 

Kidnapped. Taken to a private island. 

I never thought this could happen to me. I never imagined one chance meeting on the eve of my eighteenth birthday could change my life so completely.

Now I belong to him. To Julian. To a man who is as ruthless as he is beautiful—a man whose touch makes me burn. A man whose tenderness I find more devastating than his cruelty.

My captor is an enigma. I don’t know who he is or why he took me. There is a darkness inside him—a darkness that scares me even as it draws me in.

My name is Nora Leston, and this is my story.



Cover by Eden Crane Designs

WARNING:  This is NOT a traditional romance. It contains disturbing subject matter, including themes of questionable consent and Stockholm Syndrome, as well as graphic sexual content. This is a work of fiction intended for a mature, 18+ audience only. The author neither endorses nor condones this type of behavior.

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I gotta say I really enjoyed this book. For those that want to dip their toes into Dark Romance I'd say this is book is a great place to start. It's not too dark so strictly dark romance fans might find it a little light, but I think she stays in the middle of the grey that makes up the Dark Romance spectrum. Regardless of which end of the spectrum you are on regarding Dark Romances the story and characters are stellar!

We start out meeting Nora, a bright young girl looking forward to what ever the future holds. She gets bored and goes out with a friend in celebration of her soon to be 18th birthday, only to run into a guy at a night club that she finds both attractive and frighting. To me the very start of the book was slow right up until she mets Julian in that club. However, I think the book needs that set up so we get to know Nora a little bit before she is kidnapped. It had a very good purpose, but just wasn't interesting until Julian comes into play. We don't have to wait too long to meet him.

Once Nora gets kidnapped the book takes off. Right off the bat I hated Julian, was intrigued by him, and loved having a character to hate. I was routing for Nora even when Nora started to waiver. The whole time Nora used her head to try get her freedom back.  I found her to be pretty smart even though she was mostly unsuccessful in everything she tried.  

With all kidnappings you always want to know WHY?  Slowly parts of the answer get revealed as  bits of who he is and his past get revealed. Those bits made my feelings towards him change slightly. Than, his temperament would change and I'd dislike him all over again.  Okay, so he needs a women to kick  his arse for a change, but he wasn't totally a horrible guy. We all love the bad guy that we wish would/could change a few things because the love he has for his women is that strong. So far I don't think Julian is there, but there story doesn't end with book one. Both characters grow/change so with that and with the way the story made my feelings go back and forth I found the book really engaging and enjoying.

If you like Dark Romances I think you'll be pleased with the kidnapping, mind games, coerced consent, BDSM (its on the lighter end, at least to me), Stockholm Syndrome, sexual slavery, romance, action, suspense, and even some funny moments.I know I can't wait to read the next book!

Review: He said She said: Cinder Ella by Sophie Starr

 

Welcome to our first He said / She said book review! 

Every now and again I'll go on about a book and it will actually catch my husband's interest. 

Now it doesn't happen too often, but it does happen. 

This particular book he decided to give me his opinion on the book and I get to share it with all of you! 

Cinder Ella (Adult Fairy Tales)

by Sophie Starr

Dark Erotic Romance

Once upon a time, in a land far far away there was a tale about a girl named Cinderella. 
She sang and danced and fell in loved after only one kiss. 
This isn't exactly her story . . . 
This is the story of Ella. 
There wasn't much to sing about in her life and she didn't have the energy to dance. 
She was an orphan being sold into a marriage of convenience by her wicked stepmother. 
But Ella was given a wish. 
She used it to wish to be free to marry the man she loved. 
Of course she loved the prince she met at the ball that she snuck into. 
But like I said, this isn't exactly the story you remember. 
This is a version of the story you will not have heard of before. 
18+ 

Sophie Starr is the naughty side of Tara Brown

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A guys perspective on Cinder Ella. 

For the length of this read, I have to say I was pleasantly happy. The story had enough surrounding scenes outside of the straight rough sex scenes to keep me interested in what was taking place during the story. During the sex scenes, the only part that I had trouble with was the repetitious use of the word "cunny". I get that it's a period piece but there has to be some variation to describe the lady's intimate parts. The oral sex scenes performed by Ella was well written and has a good perspective on the male view of dominance and power associated with the act. Overall it was a well written read and I will definitely read a couple times more. I would give it a 4.25/5 for the "heat" factor and a 3.75 for the sexiness/plot. The only real drawback, (I can accept the use of the word "cunny") was the repetitious nature of describing Ella's internal battle for good/evil. I get it. She likes rough sex and being dominated. How many times does she have to run away to accept her inner naughtiness? 

Ever read a book where parts of it disgusted you, but you can't put it down or skip ahead because you enjoy being disgusted? Thats the part I LOVE about Dark Romances. It's naughty, but it captures your senses and you just can't help yourself. It takes a special type of author to write them. Regardless, if it's horror or in any other genre sometimes "keeping it real" means diving into those dark moments that make us learn a little bit about who we are. That's what you get with Sophie Starr. She doesn't pull back and keeps it real, mesmerizing us with her stories. She does this regardless if she is writing as Sophie Starr or as Tara Brown. 

Ella is a strong young lady and knows life isn't fair or what you expect. She's spontaneous, always trying to make the best of the bad and holding on to what she thinks is right. Even when she thinks she has it all figured out, she doesn't.

This book will not be for everyone. If you can't handle the dark do everyone a favor and stay in the light. Some scenes (not many) are disgusting on purpose so you fully get an understanding what Ella's life is like.

However, I love the growth in Ella as she finds who she really is and what she wants. More importantly what she needs. Even the dark moments are captivating and some leave you holding your breath in anticipation of what may come next. 

I love the surprises and twists she adds in there, mixed in with all the spicy scenes. This isn't your normal tale of Cinder Ella.