The Fifty Shades Series by E. L. James

Synopsis:

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY: When college student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating.  The unworldly Ana realizes she wants this man, and Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian’s secrets and explores her own desires.

FIFTY SHADES DARKER: Daunted by Christian’s dark secrets and singular tastes, Ana has broken off their relationship to start a new career. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and while Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Ana is forced to make the most important decision of her life.

FIFTY SHADES FREED: Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to turn Ana’s deepest fears into reality.

This book is intended for mature audiences.

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I was very skeptical when I first heard of the Fifty Shades of Grey. I thought to myself, hmm. YA erotica. How? WHY WASN'T THIS AROUND WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL! Haha. I would have ate this shit up! I am by no means a prude, or a whore. I like to think of myself as the exception. I like to read about fairytales and love stories, but I also like the rawness of such stories. I truly believe The Fifty Shades series succesfully achieved what I am looking for in books. The sex could have a bit much, I mean, let a girl catch her barrings! I had to put it down and find my boyfriend a few times to cool off! Not that he was complaining much!

"Fuck the paperwork"

I had a few problems with Christian's attitude and a few of his actions. At one point in the second book I had to throw the book across the room and throw stuff to show just how upset I was with him and his actions. That, for me, would have the "make it0or break it" clause. I would have thrown in the towel and told him to go screw himself. If you read Fifty Shades Darker, you will understand why I am so upset. Of coarse, you cannot stay mad at Christain for too long, that's impossible! After a few heated words at the book, I picked it back up, apologized and continued reading. I blew through the first two like it was nothing and my boyfriend, Jay was surprised I could go through books like I did! I astounded him! These books are very raw and they show reality along with fantasy. Mostly fantasy because there is no way in a hell a man can produce that much, if you know what I mean!

I was surprised that I enjoyed these books, and I don't even give a shit that it was fan fic. If I wouldn't have been told this, I would have had no idea. These characters worked together and tested each other through out all three books. It is worth the sex and the drama, because the end is truly happy. The happiest I ever felt towards characters.

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Synopsis:

by Kelly Creagh (Goodreads Author)

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

****

Nevermore was amazing! You do not find many GREAT books that also deal with Edgar Allan Poe. I think I can die happy now, knowing someone out there has the same fascination of Poe as I do.

Bravo Kelly Creagh! Thank you so much for not being another author who down plays Poe's crazy, insane brilliance! I loved the back story of Poe, not to mention an amazing characters. I loved Isobel, and Varen. Isobel the cheerleader who only cares about (at the time) Nationals and hoping to win. Varen, that one weird, dark, handsome, don't-you-even-dare guy that sits in the back of the room, minding his own business. It was awesome watching Isobel grow from that blonde cheerleader, to let's kick some freakin' tail! Brilliant.

This is an orginal story and a breath of fresh air. It has everything in it! It really captures the time frame. It was a matter of weeks and Creagh made it seem like an enternity with how all of the amazing overwhelming events that transpired! While other authors speed up the process within two sentences, and never really captures the true feelings of the story. It had me wanting more! The ending is a cliff hanger and I am definitely holding my breath for the next installment!

Will she ever find Varen again! Let's hope so!!!!

Overall: Amazing read and every Edgar Allan Poe fan should read this! :)

Blood Like Poison: For the Love of a Vampire by M. Leighton

Synopsis:
Like most seventeen year olds, Ridley Heller thought she had her future all planned out. What she wanted most in life was to get out of small town Harker. Her only goal was to keep her mouth shut and her grades high so she could win a cheerleading scholarship to Stanford. But that was before she met Bo.

In Ridley's wildest dreams, she could never have planned for someone like Bo, for a love so intense it left her breathless. No human girl could.

A haunting stranger that watched her from afar, Bo stole Ridley's heart from the moment she laid eyes on him. But he has secrets. Bo's a vampire. Both his past and his present are a danger to Ridley, but the biggest threat is not her blood; it's her heart. He's feeding a thirst for revenge that will cost him his life, and it may already be too late.

The more darkness Ridley uncovers, the more she realizes that her life will never be the same-with or without Bo. Can she sacrifice her future and her heart for someone who has a death wish?

****

Blood Like Poison is a trilogy series that centers the around Ridley, a oridinary seventeen year old girl. She puts up with a horny boyfriend, bitchy cheerleader "friends", and trying to figure out the new mysterious creepy stalker guy, Bo. When Bo finally decides to open up, Ridley learns some secrets that just may be life-altering! Bo, is in fact a vampire! Yikes! (In a good way!)

M. Leighton really wowed me and made me wish I was Ridley over and over again! I mean come on! Bo is to DIE for. ;) Bo was a well put together character, even though fictional, he was believable! Ridley was as well, even though a little whinney at times, I understood why she was like that. (I would have lay down and died if I went through what she went through! And to see how she found out about Bo being a vampire and all was just like WHAT! RUN! No, wait, stay. NO! RUN! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! Wait, this is hot Bo we are talking about. It was quite comical how I was feeling about Bo in this scene and what was running through me silly little mind.

Overall this was an amazing read and I loved the adventure the amazing M. Leighton took me on! She as an eceptional writer and after reading this whole series in a couple of sittings (I had to catch up on laundry, House, Glee, and FOOD!) I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next! I very much consider you picking up this book and devouring it much like I had! It will not dissapoing you! :)

-Cassandra