{Mini Review} Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

The Syrena Legacy #1

Publication Date: May 22, 2012
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Synopsis:

Galen, a Syrena prince, searches land for a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. It’s while Emma is on vacation at the beach that she meets Galen. Although their connection is immediate and powerful, Galen's not fully convinced that Emma's the one he's been looking for. That is, until a deadly encounter with a shark proves  that Emma and her Gift may be the only thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help--no matter what the risk.

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RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

What I Felt

Oh, what a book! I think I smiled and laughed way too much while reading this book. I never thought of getting the book until I read the first chapter in the bookshop and I'm totally sold. The blurb didn't do much justice to its contents and I'm so glad to have picked up the book!

The book started out with Emma and Chole (Emma's best friend) and how Emma smacked into Galen's chest. You should read the thoughts running through her mind. It's freaking hilarious. I adore her witty thoughts and remarks and they're really worth reading. But a turn of events caused Chole's death... It's pretty sad... I felt bad for Emma for what she had to go through...

Galen... He's such a sweet guy and he brought out the best moments when he's around Emma. They're so cute together! Anna Banks has a great cast of characters, put them all together and you'll get a fun and enjoyable Mermaid book. I'll definitely be re-reading this one again!

Conclusion

Great plot, great characters and totally a page turner! Don't miss it if you are into Mermaid book! 

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{Mini Review} At Any Price by Brenna Aubrey

At Any Price by Brenna Aubrey

Gaming the System #1

Publication Date: December 9, 2013
Genre: New Adult

Synopsis:

Achievement Unlocked: Geek Virgin

When Mia Strong, proud geek-girl and popular gaming blogger, auctions off her virginity online, she knows she'll make waves. But what she will not be making is a love connection. Her rules are set in stone: One night. No further contact.

It's a desperate step, but it's the only way she can go to medical school and pay her mother's mounting hospital bills.

Difficulty Level: Millionaire CEO

Adam Drake, the enigmatic auction winner, is a software prodigy who made his first million at seventeen. Now, in his mid-twenties, he's sexy, driven and--as CEO of his own gaming company--he's used to making the rules. Before Mia knows what's happening, he's found the loophole in the rules of her auction. Every stipulation she's made to protect her heart gets tossed by the wayside.

She can't tell if he's playing her...or if he's playing for keeps.

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RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

What I Felt

*Giggles at the blurb* Okay, so the blurb appeals to the (ex-)gamer me with all that achievement and difficulty level thing. One word to summarize the whole book--FABULOUS. Love how the author manage to put two troubled people together. I can connect to Mia easily and Adam is a HOTTIE. *blush* I also appreciate how the author slowly reveals both characters' past and we get to understand what actually made them what they were. Really a good book! And a hot one. 

Conclusion

Definitely not suitable to young readers, considering that this is a New Adult book. Although the book ended with a satisfactory ending, there's going to be books 2 and 3! Can't wait for Mar'14 to come! I'm definitely going to grab them once they are out. 

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{Mini Review} Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood

Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood

Buchanan-Renard #10

Publication Date: August 7, 2012
Genre: Adult Contemporary

Synopsis:

Attorney and IRS agent Olivia Mackenzie is the kind of tough, wise-cracking, powerful woman fans expect from a Garwood protagonist—but this time she has outdone herself. Olivia is not just any woman, she is every woman; flawed in the familiar ways so many of us are. 

On the trail of an elaborate Ponzi scheme, one that threatens to ruin the lives of naïve and unsuspecting victims, Olivia suddenly finds her own life is in danger after she asks questions of the wrong people. She is accustomed to fighting for the underdog, but being vulnerable herself is a very different story. Smart enough to know when enough is enough, Olivia calls for reinforcements. 

When she meets FBI Agent Grayson Kincaid there is an immediate and obvious attraction, palpable on both sides. Together they make an excellent team to fight corruption but Olivia is also fighting the immediate and intense attraction she feels for Agent Kincaid, and that may be a battle she is bound to lose.

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RATING: 3 out of 5 Stars

What I Felt

I seriously didn't know that this was the 10th book in the series. Anyway, that doesn't affect my reading experience as Sweet Talk do give some background information at the beginning. I enjoy reading Julie Garwood's books, especially her historical romance books but not so much for her contemporary ones. I'm trying to rectify the issue, hence Sweet Talk would be a start since I found it in the bookstore.

Characters are likable, except for Olivia's family. But they do serve their purpose in the book. I enjoy reading the interactions between the Olivia and Grayson and how Grayson became so protective of Olivia due to the dangerous situation she was in. He's such a darling! However, I do feel that there isn't much suspense in the book even though the book is still an enjoyable read.

Conclusion

An enjoyable read, but I'd prefer reading  her historical romance. Still, Sweet Talk is worth a read.

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{Mini Review} The Stone Prince by Gena Showalter

The Stone Prince
Series: Imperia #1
Author: Gena Showalter
ebook, 257 pages
Published (first published September 1st 2004)
Source: Borrowed
Buy: Amazon, Kindle, Kobobooks, Book Depository 

A love as bright as the stars and enduring as stone...

Katie James is unlucky in love---so unlucky she's been reduced to kissing the marble statue in her own garden. But her luck changes when the statue warms to life in her arms---and turns out to be a hunk straight out of any woman's fantasy! Well, almost...Jorlan en Sarr hails from a distant planet and like all the other men Katie's known, he comes with a lot of baggage.

A cursed warrior with a lover's magic touch...

Entombed in his stony skin for centuries, Jorlan has been waiting for a maiden fair to break the spell. Yet this statuesque beauty with the will of an Amazon and kisses like flame is a far cry from the obedient damsels of Imperia. And though Jorlan is tempted to abandon all for the sake of Katie, unless he can convince her to give him her heart in two weeks' time, he'll be turned back to stone. And she'll be lost to him forever.

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

What I Felt

I grabbed the book immediately after reading the summary, thinking that this would be a fun read with all the warrior from long, long time ago in present context. And yep, this is indeed a fun read with lots of witty banter going on that will make you laugh! Who would imagine a stone statue coming to life? However, I think the villain wasn't villain enough and everyone gets a happy ending. Well, that counts for something, right?

Conclusion

A fun read with nicely done character developments. I'll definitely read other books by Showalter after reading The Stone Prince.

Recommendation

Read only if you don't mind a not-so-villain villain. You have been warned.

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{Mini Review} Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott

Shadows on the Moon
Author: Zoe Marriott
Paperback, 464 pages
Published July 7th 2011 by Walker Books Ltd
Source: Borrowed
Buy: Amazon, Book Depository, Kinokuniya SG

On my fourteenth birthday when the sakura was in full bloom, the men came to kill us. We saw them come, Aimi and me. We were excited, because we did not know how to be frightened. We had never seen soldiers before.

Suzume is a shadow-weaver. She can create mantles of darkness and light, walk unseen in the middle of the day, change her face. She can be anyone she wants to be. Except herself.

Suzume died officially the day the Prince's men accused her father of treason. Now even she is no longer sure of her true identity.

Is she the girl of noble birth living under the tyranny of her mother’s new husband, Lord Terayama? A lowly drudge scraping a living in the ashes of Terayama’s kitchens? Or Yue, the most beautiful courtesan in the Moonlit Lands?

Everyone knows Yue is destined to capture the heart of a prince. Only she knows that she is determined to use his power to destroy Terayama.

And nothing will stop her. Not even love.

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

What I Felt

I love books with Japanese theme and I am totally satisfied with this book. I really feel for Suzume for what she has gone through and the sufferings she had. What is interesting in this book was the number of identity that Suzume took while she was on the run and seeking revenge. Each of them is slightly different and unique.

Conclusion

This book is filled with secrets that slowly revealed as the book progresses that just pushes you to read on to find out what will happen in the end. Will Suzume get her revenge? Will she capture the heart of a prince? You'll have to find out on your own!

Recommendation

Readers who likes Japanese culture will enjoy this fantasy read.

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