Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman



Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman
Release Date - April 22, 2014
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 416 pages
My Rating - 4.5/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.

Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.

And Gretchen follows his every command.

Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews.

As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?

From debut author Anne Blankman comes this harrowing and evocative story about an ordinary girl faced with the extraordinary decision to give up everything she's ever believed . . . and to trust her own heart instead.
After reading the synopsis I knew I had to read Prisoner of Night and Fog. It has all the element that immediately would pique my interest - a historical setting, a mystery, and a forbidden romance. Combine this with the inclusion of Adolf Hitler being a close family friend, and I was sold. I was thrilled to discover that Anne Blankman captured all of this, and so much more in her debut novel.

The sense of foreboding, and dread is inescapable from the moment you start reading.We are shown the crippling fear that many people must have felt during this time all too clearly. You know where history dictates this ends, and as a result character safety is never guaranteed. As Gretchen becomes more determined to find out the truth, and grows closer to Daniel, that feeling only intensifies. Being on edge for an entire novel isn't something I've experienced before. It was excruciating but I found myself pulled under this book's spell as a result.

This forbidden romance was painted it quite a different way than I expected. The stark reality of what being together could cost them is realistically dealt with. The risk is taken, but not lightly. The kindness that Daniel shows Gretchen, and her willingness to accept that kindness draws them together in a way that felt authentic, and romantic. This couple immediately invoke sympathy. You wish for them to make it. You want it be easier for them. It was perfectly balanced between the romance of falling in love, and the incredible danger doing so presented.

Physical reactions to books happen to me routinely. Normally I am a crying mess if the book is sad. This book however, had me shaking in anger while sobbing. A brutal, rage inducing scene that left little doubt as to the terror that was to come. The notion that some of Hilter's followers were violent, cold hearted men should surprise nobody, but this scene will stay with me for a long for both the rage, and chill it left in it's wake.

Hilter himself is an imposing, dominating presence throughout the entire book. Even if he is not directly present his influence is felt in every scene. He is shown to be both charismatic, and unstable. Caring and ruthless. We get a sense of the man who was able to persuade and command and see just how volatile he was. It read like the research had been done, and care was taken to capture the essence of what he might have been like. His character is certainly commanding, and larger than the pages of this story.

These little moments where attention to detail is evident are peppered throughout the novel's pages. The author surrounds her characters with factual details, and people. Having this firmly grounds the story to a particular timeline, and helped me immerse myself into the story.

The mystery itself is pretty straight forward, and the outcome is easy to determine. However, what makes this particular mystery work is the surrounding tension. We know what comes next. We know how this ends. Gretchen, and Daniel's safety is not guaranteed, and so by investigating the murder, they are taking steps that will put them in danger. This is what the focus is, rather than figuring out the mystery, and Anne Blankman pulled it off impressively.

Prisoner of Night and Fog combines a thrilling murder mystery with historical events. It captures the starkness of a forbidden love, and the crushing realization that sometimes people are not as you see them to be. Fans of historical novels will devour this and immediately look for the sequel.


Monday, April 14, 2014

The Lonesome Young by Lucy Connors



The Lonesome Young by Lucy Connors
Release Date - April 8, 2014
Publisher Website - Razorbill/Penguin
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 3.5/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
Get swept away in the first book of the sensational romantic drama that is Romeo and Juliet meets Justified.

WHAT HAPPENS when the teenage heirs of two bitterly FEUDING FAMILIES can’t stay away from each other?

The Rhodales and the Whitfields have been sworn enemies for close on a hundred years, with a whole slew of adulterous affairs, financial backstabbing, and blackmailing that’s escalated the rivalry to its current state of tense ceasefire.

IT’S TIME TO LIGHT THE FUSE . . .

And now a meth lab explosion in rural Whitfield County is set to reignite the feud more viciously than ever before. Especially when the toxic fire that results throws together two unlikely spectators—proper good girl Victoria Whitfield, exiled from boarding school after her father’s real estate business melts down in disgrace, and town motorcycle rebel Mickey Rhodale, too late as always to thwart his older brothers’ dangerous drug deals.

Victoria and Mickey are about to find out the most passionate romances are the forbidden ones.

. . . ON A POWDER KEG FULL OF PENT-UP DESIRE, risk-taking daredevilry, and the desperate actions that erupt when a generation of teens inherits nothing but hate.
The Lonesome Young has a great setting, a deliciously tense feud, and some fantastically high stakes. It's a story of romance, betrayal, and learning to stand up for yourself. I immediately loved certain aspects of the story, but there was one aspect that didn't quite work for me.

The characters ended up endearing themselves to me rather quickly. Victoria is an intelligent, observant young woman. Her love for her sister was something I could understand and relate to. Mickey is determined to be looked at as more than just a Rhodale. He wants to rise above the stigma, and be better than his brothers. His short fuse temper adds a little bit of danger to him, but he melted my heart with how much he cares for his sister and mother.

The feud between the two families serves to create an interesting dynamic and tension. It offers high stakes that the author follows through on. We see the casualties, and the risks this type of feud can cause. The inclusion of drugs (and everything that comes with it) only increases the danger. It's this aspect of the story that held my interest, and urged me to keep reading. The romance could have almost been left out of it, except for the potential bridge between the families it creates, and the extra drama it causes. I don't think I was prepared for it to get this tense, this early. The pacing of the plot is quick, and is like a chain reaction that just keeps building.

The only aspect that didn't quite work for me was the, for me, slightly rushed romance. There was hardly any build up from the intense attraction, to them being in love. This is supposed to be a 'defy everything' type of love, and I wished it had been explored more. As mentioned, the characters themselves are great, and there is some promise in the romance. The scenes between them are filled with chemistry and tension. It would have worked better, for me, if it had been a slower build. There are only a few times where they are alone together and can actually talk, and it seems to happen in such a short span of time. The pacing of the plot perhaps creates this illusion as it seems everything is happening within days (it's actually longer than that). Lucy Connors history with writing romance is evident, and she certainly makes their attraction scorch off the pages. I fully bought into the lust, and attraction they had for each other, and that it had the potential to turn into something deeper. It's only saving grace is that situations like this help to increase feelings.

The Lonesome Young has interesting characters, a dynamite feud, and enough tension to ignite a fire. While the romance itself lacked, there was more than enough chemistry between the characters to satisfy. 

Saturday, April 12, 2014

TV Talk With Kelly - Bates Motel




As you may know Kelly, from Kellyvision, and I are doing TV recaps. We recapped American Horror Story: Coven on her blog, and now we're recapping Bates Motel (season 2) on mine. Please note, this is more our reactions/thoughts than a true recap, and obviously there will be SPOILERS!

Kelly is everything in blue, and I am the other colour (is it brown? Whatever it is).

**********************************************************************************************************

BATES MOTEL - Season 2, episode 5 - The Escape Artist

Norman completely blacks out during these fugue states and for longer than I expected. He doesn’t seem to remember anything. Norman is concerned that people told his mother. He also flat out lied that this has never happened before. Can’t say I agree with Cody’s not telling anyone though. I think Norman needs help and people keep ignoring it.

I also don’t think I believe that she won’t tell anyone.  I really, REALLY don’t trust that girl.  (Norman DOES know about his fugue states, right?  I mean, obviously he knows about the one with the teacher the night she died, but he knows they happened before, too, right?)

‘I am trying to be unconscious. Why are you throwing water on me?’ Oh, Dylan. I feel so bad for him. Drinking yourself to oblivion is not going to help though.

It’ll help short term. ;)  Clearly he just needs it to work short term.

So this fire at Agent Romero’s house is going to be a major problem for Dylan, huh?. *please don’t die*

I’m very concerned for Dylan.  We know he isn’t in Psycho (or even mentioned) so that means he’s pretty expendable.  Although maybe he’ll just have a huge, horrible fight with them and leave town.  *crosses fingers*

Did Norma just put egg shells into the bowl? She’s obviously stressed out due to Norman’s questioning about why Dylan moved out, and if they should help.  

I think she did!  I wonder if that was in the script or if Vera Farmiga just improvised it.  (Have I mentioned lately how much I love this show?)

Agent Romero is checking into the hotel because someone burnt down his house. It’s kind of funny (especially that his request is privacy).

I loved that!  He’s trying so hard to be left alone and Norma’s like, “What can I do?”

Norma has back up against the by-pass highway but, is it just me, or is it a little sketchy that he wants to meet at his boat? Maybe it’s just because it’s this show.

I agree.  I think it’s definitely just the show, but yes.  It’s like every single thing is like, “Oh, is this going to lead to something bad?” And usually it does.

Emma and Norman are so cute. She’s also equally cute with the new guy. I just like Emma. She’s awkward and sweet. I don’t think Norman is happy about Emma’s date though. Too bad, Norman. You had your chance and you hooked up with Bradley. ‘He sells pot’ ‘Nobody’s perfect’. You’re one to talk Norman. Bradley was awful and you liked her.

I think he loves Emma and he doesn’t know it yet.  I hope so.  

Norma is not going to like Cody. I am actually laughing at the thought of Norma going off on her. It’ll be awesome, and you know it’s going to happen (sooner than I think, apparently). Cody is rude. Rude is not even a strong enough word.

I HATE CODY.  I can’t wait for Norma to go off on her because I agree, it’s totally coming.

Oh, Cody. Rule number one of being friends with Norman is to never insult his mother. She was trying to get Norman to pay for things right? Not just me.

Not just you.  (Prediction: Norman will end up killing her.)

Awww. I forgot Emma didn’t have anyone to talk to about these things. I am glad that Norma was kind to Emma and didn’t shatter her ‘dream’.

I loved that scene.  I thought it was super sweet and just poignant.

Cody comes from an abusive home. I feel sorry for her a bit. I have a feeling she’ll actually run away eventually.

I do but I don’t.  I think she’s awful, even if there’s a reason for it.

This is not what I pictured when he said boat. That is a yacht. I am still not clear on WHY this guy doesn’t want to by-pass. He also has a lot of money. I wonder what he’s involved in, and how much this is actually going to cost Norma. I am pretty sure this guy has plans of his own.

I don’t trust him.  I don’t trust anyone.

Haha. This plan is actually kind of awesome, because it’ll totally stall things. Again though, what does this guy get out of it?

Romero is a badass. Totally sure cops are not allowed to do that though. I would be pissed about my house though too.

Same.  I’m not sure how this is going to play out.  (Only five episodes left, right?  I hate that these seasons are so short.)

Norman is way too nice for Cody. Date Emma, Norman. DO IT! So Norman told her the truth. He is confiding about his fugue states. How long until ‘Norma’ takes over because Norman is about to have sexytimes? I still think Cody is no good for Norman.

I think that’s exactly what’s going to happen.  I think that Cody is going to meet Mother.

Oh, I hope this date goes well for Emma. She deserves it. I am laughing that this boy wants to have a weed farm of his very own. They are all kinds of cute together.


I hope this goes well for Emma.  I just want her to be happy.

I love this ‘friendship’ developing between Romero and Norma. I also love that she washed his clothes. Haha. It’s so Norma. ‘You smiled. I thought your face was paralyzed’. HAHA. Norma can be funny.

Norma is really funny; I wish we saw more of that.  And yes, I love their friendship.

Huh, so guy with the boat is involved with the drug business… big shock.

I am pretty sure everyone in town is involved with drugs.  Or human trafficking.  Or both.

Dylan’s line of work is going to get him killed. Do not like. Plus he seems to have a death wish. WHAT THE HELL DYLAN?!

Norma is such a mom here. I like it. Norman is also such a teenager here. I love these scenes as I’ve mentioned, because it makes the later stuff more heartbreaking. Norman is totally just going to do the teenager thing and sneak around with Cody.

I loved that scene, too.

Oh, Norma. You’ve got yourself involved with some shady people (must be a day that ends in Y).

I just hope that she will survive long enough for Norman to kill her.  

New girlfriend for Dylan? Maybe not since she’s his boss.

She looks so familiar! How do we know her? (UPDATE: I looked it up and she was on the original Beverly Hills 90210.)

The preview for next week looks stellar (as usual). I LOVE this show.

CANNOT WAIT.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Weekly Obsessions


The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week. Super short and sweet this week but pretty much everything else is eclipsed by the casting news!

BOOK

Beyond The Pale Motel by Francesca Lia Block



I stumbled across the cover for this and while I like it enough, it was this synopsis that made me quickly add it to my 'to be read' list
Maternal, sexy Catt and her beautiful, daring best friend Bree are hairdressers at an L.A. salon called Head Hunter, and work out at a gym called Body Farm. They have over a decade of sobriety behind them and are getting close to living the lives they've always wanted.

But when Catt's husband, Dash, leaves her, and then her neighbor is brutally murdered, possibly by a man being called the Hollywood Serial Killer, Catt's world begins to come crashing down. The murdered victims all seem to bear a chilling resemblance to Bree. Catt suspects that Bree is the next target of the Hollywood Serial Killer...is she losing touch with reality or simply coming to terms with the truth?

In this terrifying and intensely erotic novel, Francesca Lia Block explores the dangers of modern living, loving and dying with lyrical edge and sensational attitude.
You can add it to your Goodreads account and pine away like I am because its not released until September 16th.

OTHER

Ryan Kwanten cast in Stolen

As per Lucy Christopher's Facebook...



I am flailing over this news. I've wanted Ryan Kwanten to be cast as Ty since I read Stolen. He's going to be PERFECT. Stolen is still one of my all time favourite YA novels, and I was worried about it being made into a movie. The fact that Lucy is writing the screenplay and that they cast my perfect Ty makes me hope this will be a fantastic adaptation. I can't wait for more news about this movie, and for the eventual movie posters, trailer, etc.

*I also confirmed with Lucy via Twitter that Ryan is indeed Ty in the movie*

David's Tea Frequent Steeper Program

I have a slight obsession with tea, especially David's Tea. They have an amazing variety, and I love discovering a new favourite. They recently launched a frequent steeper program that allows you to accumulate points towards free tea. This is basically heaven for me. I have already signed up. Oh, and the May tea of the month? Chocolate Macaroon... as if I didn't want it to be May badly enough.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Great by Sara Benincasa



Great by Sara Benincasa
Release Date - April 8, 2014
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader
Pages - 272 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
In Sara Benincasa's contemporary retelling of The Great Gatsby, a teenage girl becomes entangled in the drama of a Hamptons social circle, only to be implicated in a tragedy that shakes the summer community.

Everyone loves a good scandal.

Naomi Rye usually dreads spending the summer with her socialite mother in East Hampton. This year is no different. She sticks out like a sore thumb among the teenagers who have been summering (a verb only the very rich use) together for years. But Naomi finds herself captivated by her mysterious next-door neighbor, Jacinta. Jacinta has her own reason for drawing close to Naomi-to meet the beautiful and untouchable Delilah Fairweather. But Jacinta's carefully constructed world is hiding something huge, a secret that could undo everything. And Naomi must decide how far she is willing to be pulled into this web of lies and deception before she is unable to escape.

Based on a beloved classic and steeped in Sara Benincasa's darkly comic voice, Great has all the drama, glitz, and romance with a terrific modern (and scandalous) twist to enthrall readers.
Putting your own twist on a classic story must be incredibly daunting. Sara Benincasa's modernized, and gender bent, take on The Great Gatsby makes it look effortless. Her passion for the source material comes thorough to create a nostalgic, but still surprising read.

The Great Gatsby, in my experience, is a very polarizing novel. My experience has been that people either love it, or dislike it with a great passion. I think how one reacts to Great may depend on which grouping you fall into. If you loved The Great Gatsby there are plenty of moments that will delight and thrill. The characters and reminiscent, the setting, the themes all pay a little nod to the source. However, I think there are enough surprises, and that Sara has tweaked it just enough, that she makes it her own.

The writing is a perfect blend of humour, and insight. There is a flair needed to capture the essence of the melodramatic nature of The Great Gatsby without it becoming eye roll worthy and Sara Benincasa manages it. Her previous writing has obviously sharpened her skills, and as a result, Great is a tightly paced read.

The lavish parties, the glitz, the glamour that is Gatsby is here is spades. Fashion takes centre stage and it's an excellent fit for this story. The decadent parties, ferris wheel, and fancy restaurants all offer a stark contrast to the rapidly spiraling events of the novel.

Lies and masks are a huge part of what drives this story. Jacinta has carefully created an air of mystery that is meant to hide her true secrets. Plenty of characters are hiding secrets and are covering them with lies. As each one snowballs into the next, and the novel rushes to it's tragic conclusion, you're left wondering how well you really knew any of the characters. This does make talking about the characters incredibly difficult, because unraveling their secrets is part of this novel's fun.

The gender switch was an intriguing twist to the story. It added an extra layer to the novel's themes. Having the roles reversed added a nuance that you wouldn't recognized unless you had read The Great Gatsby. The female characters in this felt much more layered, and complex than the original. I've always felt the men in The Great Gatsby got most of the attention. It really shone a light on how the female characters are given a power they didn't have in the original.

The bright spotlight put on the rich upper class is harsh and unforgiving in this novel. We see the darker side to 'having it all' laid out in these pages. Dating someone because their 'suitable', entitlement, desperation to main appearances, ostracizing others are just some of the scandalous behaviours demonstrated during the novel. I appreciated how it was done without going overboard. Everything, even the most grandiose, felt plausible within this world.

The story is told from Naomi's perspective and as a result everything is filtered through her eyes. She's the only character whose motivations, feelings and desires are fully known to the reader. Her awakening to the world around her, and how she reacts to it, is a fascinating perspective to follow. She acts as a reader surrogate in a lot of ways as she journeys through this tumultuous summer.

Sara does a fantastic job with the other characters as well, so much in fact that I wanted to get inside many of their heads. Delilah and Jacinta, specifically. Each of them was alluring and captivating for their own reasons. Deliah mainly because she's the least developed. We know very little about her, never mind what drew Jacinta to her. Jacinta because her thought process, particularly towards the end of the novel, would have been engrossing as a reader. The fact that I wonder about them, and want more of them just shows that did what they were supposed to do as characters.

Fans of The Great Gatsby will find much to delight over, and there is still plenty to please those who haven't read the source material. It's a scandalous, voyeuristic look at a life changing summer in the Hamptons and will be a perfect addition to your beach bag this summer.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Once Upon A Time - It's Not Easy Being Green



I am still angry. Upset. I can not believe that the reason for the entire show was killed off last week. Rumple had Regina cast the curse so he could find Baelfire. Bae is the catalyst for EVERYTHING. Also, the poor kid (and eventually man) sacrificed and sacrificed and doesn't get a happy ending? Is this a show about hope or not? because right now...it seems like it's not. It seems like being a good person gets you nothing, and being a villain gets you everything. *rage*

On with this week's show were apparently Neal gets a funeral that is interrupted by the Wicked Witch. Can't wait *eye roll*

FLASHBACK - Oz

So we quickly see that Zelena is not originally from Oz (at least it very much appears she just appeared there). A nice couple took her in, and baby Zelena showed her magic capabilities by knocking over a tree. After the husband expresses his concerns about a baby that can do magic, the wife insists they keep her. They name her Zelena (so Cora didn't even name her? Ouch) and head off down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City. Oh, and Zelena wasn't green as a baby! What happened to turn her green?!

PRESENT - Storybrooke

I can't watch this. *cries all the tears* Sigh... I am not even going to snark on the fact that Hook gets to put the first shovel of dirt into the grave because this is too sad. It should have been Henry, Rumple, or Emma. Rumple isn't even able to be there!! GRRRR. Seriously, THE REASON FOR THE SHOW, PEOPLE! THE WHOLE REASON FOR THE SHOW. Emma looks devastated and grabs the swan necklace. Love this so much.

Rumple is crying and broken. My heart. I can't. Zelena comes to pour salt into the wound, asking Rumple if Baelfire was worth all the trouble since he died anyways. Rumple replies that Bae was worth every bit of it. This feels incredibly final. The shot of Emma with the shovel, Rumple here. It just feels like there won't be a magic fix this time, no matter how much I want one. I also, sadly, think that's the most we're going to get...*sigh* It's not like Baelfire isn't important or anything.

FLASHBACK - Oz

So the father Zelena told Rumple about is the 'adoptive' father. He isn't very kind to her. He doesn't like her magic, and calls her wicked. He claims that she drove him to drink. He's awful to her and she tells him that if she caused him that much trouble, she'll leave. She is going to see the Wizard of Oz to get him to provide her with a family that cares about her.

PRESENT - Storybrooke

Emma is pissed. She's throwing those darts like she means it. Hook has to come over and tell her that there are better was to grieve Baelfire, like rum. Emma says no thanks, she likes anger. She wants to get Zelena, for Henry especially. Emma thinks that if she says anything good about Neal to Henry it'll just come across like she's trying to make Henry feel better. Hook immediately offers to talk to Henry about Neal. THE GUY WHO HANDED HIM OVER TO PAN. Seriously, writers? Hook, of course, leaves that part out. Emma looks so grateful that Hook will talk to Henry. I can't. I seriously...just no. They might as well be screaming "HOOK AND EMMA FOREVER". They just barely buried Neal. Sigh.

Oh Tink! Yay! She comes and wants to talk to Regina about Robin. Robin comes over and wants to make sure Regina isn't upset with him. She assures him that he's not. As Robin leaves, Tinkerbell snarks at Regina that she should have talked to him the first time she saw him. She tells Regina that if she had life might have been very different. Tink is frustrated because Regina is still closed off, and storms off. I love Tink.

Charming asks Emma how she is. She's obviously not well. Zelena shows up and wants to make a speech to honour Baelfire, since she is responsible for his death (can she die now?!) and Emma wants to attack. Snow tells her no, that too many people will be hurt. Charming tells Zelena to stay away from them, and protectively puts his hand over Snow's stomach. Zelena sneers that she's not there for the baby...today anyways. Why does she want Snow's kid?! Regina wants to know why Zelena is there. Zelena tells her that since her cover is blown, she wanted to come see her little sister. I forgot that Regina wouldn't remember finding that out. Regina says she's an only child. Zelena tells her that Cora lied, they're half sisters. Zelena says that she brought Regina a gift. This sad day. She wants Regina to use it to dig into their past and find out the truth. She wants Regina to meet her in the town square for a showdown. Regina snaps that this isn't the 'wild west' and Zelena says 'no, dearie, it's the wicked west'. Zelena invites everyone to come see Regina lose and leaves taunting Regina with 'see you tonight, sis'.

Everyone immediately starts to question Regina about Zelena and if it could be true. Regina insists she's never met Zelena before. Granny quickly reminds them that anything could have happened during that missing year, so perhaps Regina pissed off Zelena during that. Regina gets huffy and walks out determined to find out what happened.

Henry and Hook are going on a boat. Doesn't look like the Jolly Rodger. He tells Henry that he knew Neal before either of them met Emma.

FLASHBACK - Oz

Zelena goes to the palace to meet the Wizard. ARE WE GOING TO GET TO SEE THE WIZARD?! I am excited. He knows that she wants to find her family. He shows her what she wants to see in a portal/looking glass on the floor. The wizard tells her that Cora gave birth to her in another land, and a cyclone struck and carried her to Oz. Zelena wanted to know why her mother abandoned her. The Wizard says it was because having a baby would have prevented Cora from becoming royalty. The Wizard also shows Zelena that she has a sister. He says that Regina became Queen and gave Cora what she wanted. Zelena sees Rumple in the portal/looking glass and demands to know who he is. The Wizard tells her that Rumple is a powerful wizard. The Wizard tells her that Regina has magic too, but hasn't been able to develop it. Zelena is shocked to hear that magic is a gift. She's immediately jealous, and says that Rumple should be teaching her, not Regina. She wants to go where they are. The Wizard gives her some silver shoes and tells her to click her heels together three times and they'll take her where she wants to go. He wants her to bring him something that belongs to Rumple in exchange for the shoes. He also warns her that she needs to be careful. It's one thing to want to know about your past, but don't become envious of things you cannot have.

She clicks her heels and ends up in Rumple's castle. She performs magic as Rumple walks into the room. He wants to know who she is. She explains that she's Cora's daughter. He yanks out a piece of her hair and proves with a potion that she is in fact Cora's daughter. I was hoping there was a twist to this but it seems that Zelena isn't lying.

PRESENT - Storybrooke

Snow, Emma, and Regina are at Regina's vault. Snow and Emma ask if Regina's found anything. Emma mentions that Charming has blocked off the town square in case the 'show down' actually happens. Regina finds a letter and declares that Zelena's not lying and rushes out.

Emma and Snow go find Charming, Tink and Belle. They are making plans to help Regina. Emma says that they can't interfere because of the fact that Zelena controls Rumple. They discuss the fact that Regina took off, and it appears that Zelena is in fact Regina's sister. Emma says that they need to take Rumple out of the equation to give Regina a fighting chance. They need to get back his dagger. Belle says it might be possible for her to get through to Rumple without the dagger. Emma says that it's worth a try.

Regina is by herself reading the mysterious letter. Robin comes and quips that they need to stop meeting like this. She immediately wants to know if Emma, Charming and etc sent him. He says no. He was patrolling the woods as a precaution after Zelena's threats. He asks her what is in the letter. He actually pick pocketed it from Regina. I LOVE it. She quips that he's lucky she's saving her strength for the witch. Robin tells her that she wants to talk about the letter. Regina relents and even lets him read it. It's a letter from Rumple, I think. He was telling Cora that her 'first born' is stunning, powerful with magic (even more powerful than Cora) and it's quite complimentary. Robin asks what the issue is. Regina admits that she turned to that letter for comfort in her dark moments. She thought it was about her. Robin asks her why she cares what 'that imp' thinks. Regina says if Rumple thinks Zelena is stronger than Regina can't win. Rumple taught her everything, and would know. I love how vulnerable Regina is letting herself be with Robin. It's sweet.
 

FLASHBACK - Oz

Rumple and Zelena are walking together. He tells her about the curse, and how he's seen that Cora's daughter would be the one to cast it (again, THE REASON FOR THE ENTIRE SHOW PEOPLE!). He thought it was Regina, but now he's not so sure. He tests Zelena's magic with a blindfolded game of hide and seek. He tells her to use her emotions to tap into it. It's successful when Zelena starts to use the hurt and anger at being given up, Regina getting everything, etc and she catches him. He is trying to get Zelena to balance the anger with happiness. She wants to know what happy memory Rumple uses. He tells her about the spinsters who took him in, and it's a rather sweet story. Zelena tells him after that her moment is when he agreed to train her. It made her feel wanted for the first time.

PRESENT - Storybrooke

Emma, Belle and others go to the farm house. Emma gives Belle the all clear to go into the cellar and talk to Rumple. Belle runs down to free him. He tells her to leave as he doesn't want to be ordered to hurt her. Belle beseeches him to try to fight it. She doesn't believe that he'd hurt her. She coaxes him closer and they almost share a moment before Zelena shows up. She teases that she was enjoying the show. Rumple tells Belle to run, and she does. She tells everyone outside it was a trick. Rumple comes out of the cellar doors and tells them that if they interfere again that he will kill them.

Hook and Henry are having a campfire. Henry wants to talk about Neal. Hook shows Henry a sextant and explains how it works. Henry wants to know what that has to do with his father. Hook tells him that he taught Neal to use it to navigate just like he'll teach Henry. Henry asks if they were in the Navy or something together. Hook says that Neal was just a boy when he taught him. Henry is all "But you guys were the same age". Way to go, Hook. Henry says that the more they tell him, the more confusing things get. He doesn't want to learn to navigate, he just wants to hear something about his father. Something that doesn't make Neal sound made up. Henry is having a hard time with his father being gone (me too, Henry. Me too). Hook tells Henry that he taught Neal to navigate because he had just lost his father. He thought the sea would help Neal deal with that. Henry immediately latches on to the fact that his father lost his father as well. Hook is trying to tell Henry the truth without right out telling him. Tells Henry that Neal lost his father to something dark and evil when he was around Henry's age. He tells Henry that he is a lot like Neal. This gets a nice smile out of Henry. WHY CAN'T NEAL COME BACK?! THAT BOY DESERVES TO KNOW HIS FATHER.

We cut to Zelena getting ready for her fight with Regina.


FLASHBACK - Oz

Zelena makes a meat pie for Rumple. He says he can't stay. He has to go give Regina a magic lesson. Zelena gets upset, and starts yelling. Rumple tells her to take her father's advice and 'put on a good face' because her inside's are starting to show. She's literally turning green from jealousy.

PRESENT - Storybrooke

Charming is trying to clear the town square when Zelena arrives. She tells him that nobody is going anywhere. Zelena has Rumple in tow. She demands to know where Regina is. Claims Regina is a coward and that she has 5 minutes or Zelena will turn the Dark One loose on them. Poor Belle. She looks so sad.

Zelena says Regina's time is up. Emma offers to fight Zelena herself. Zelena scoffs and says she doesn't deal with amateurs. Emma is like "Hello, saviour here". Zelena tells Emma that she has an inflated sense of self worth and sends her flying. Zelena asks if anyone wants to be next. Regina says she does and walks into the town square. They snark at each other and Regina wants to know what she ever did to Zelena. Zelena's reply is basically that Regina was born (because Regina can really help that) and it earns her a punch in the mouth from Regina (that draws blood). Zelena sneers that Rumple can't save her this time.

FLASHBACK - Oz

Zelena sneaks up behind Regina in her bedroom and tells her that Rumple is wasting his time by teaching her. She ends up stabbing Regina in the neck, but Rumple reveals it was actually himself disguised as Regina. Zelena is upset that Rumple tricked her. She says that just wanted to show him that she was more powerful. He tells her that it was test, and one that she failed. He says that she disqualified herself, because the curse requires the person who is casting it to sacrifice the person they love most. Zelena says that she can totally do that. Rumple says that HE is what she loves most, so that is not going to work. Zelena laughs at the notion that she might love him. Rumple tells her it's okay, he creates that reaction in women. He tells her that Regina has the job. Her green spot grows larger and Rumples teases that she might want to get it checked out. She tells Rumple to forget the curse, she will figure out another way to get him what he wants. He says that unless she can take him to a land without magic, it's not possible. She says that she can (the silver shoes). Zelena is mad now though and she won't let Rumple use the shoes. She says that he chose Regina. She tells Rumple that he'll have to kill her to get the shoes. He goes to, and she flies off. Leaving him with a sneer of 'next time we meet you will choose me'.


PRESENT - Storybrooke

Zelena tells Rumple that he should have chosen her. Regina laughs and is pretty much like 'you're jealous of me? That's what this is about?!' I hear you, Regina. They have a fantastic fight filled with Zelena complaining that Regina had everything Zelena ever wanted. Zelena eventually throws Regina and she crashes through the clock tower window. Zelena magics herself up and taunts Regina some more. Regina tells her to go ahead and kill her. Zelena says she doesn't want to kill Regina, just destroy her. She tells Regina she needs her heart to do that. She tries to take it from Regina, but it's not there. Regina tells her that their mother taught Regina one thing - never bring your heart to a witch fight. I bet Robin is keeping it safe for her (*swoons*). Zelena gets mad, and yells that she will get Regina's heart, and everything Regina ever had. Sigh. I am already over her jealousy shtick. Zelena flies off on her broom. Emma's totally worried about Regina. I like them being friends.

Regina tells them that Zelena wanted her heart. They muse on why. Regina points out that she has Charming's courage, and wanted her heart. She says they are ingredients. Emma wants to know if they are ingredients to a curse. Snow points out that they are already in Storybrooke, and that they already lost their memories, so what else could Zelena do. Lots, Snow, lots.

Regina runs to find Robin. He is in fact guarding her heart. Regina gets it back, and tells Robin that Zelena is right about one thing. She doesn't always see what she has until it's too late. She didn't always appreciate things. She gives him her heart for safe keeping. He asks her if she would really trust something so valuable to a common thief. She tells him that he can't steal something that's been given to him. She literally just gave him her heart. I love this relationship. Too bad I am still pissed at the way they handled Neal's death because I would be all about Robin and Regina together. Robin reminds her that they still have to have a drink together, and Regina smiles.

Henry and Hook come back. Henry seems glad to have gone, and wants to go again. After Emma gets Henry inside, she talks with Hook. She thanks him for taking Henry. He tells Emma that Henry has to know about his father, and remember everything. She just thanks him again, and walks inside.

Zelena is with Rumple. She tells him Regina is smart, but she is going to find Regina's heart. Rumple tells her that all of this isn't going to change anything. He'd still pick Regina if he had to do it again. She taunts him by saying that they'll just have to wait and see. She tells him that she isn't casting a curse, but a second chance.

FLASHBACK - Oz

Zelena goes to the Wizard again. She tells him to send her to the moment where her mother abandoned her. She wants to prevent it from happening. The Wizard laughs and tells her that it is impossible. She throws something at the screen, and it comes crashing down. It reveals that the Wizard is Walsh (yup, monkey Walsh). He doesn't have magic. He is originally from Kansas. She tells him that she has no use for him in that case. She wants someone to obey her, and turns him into a monkey. I bet that Emma will help Walsh break this curse. Zelena really wants to change the past. She sees that Rumple is telling Regina that she is the best pupil that he ever had. She turns fully green and sneers that when she done Regina won't have even been born.

So, she basically wants to make it so that Regina never existed right? If she succeeds that means everything changes. Can Neal come back in that case? Please.





Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Four Seconds To Lose by K.A. Tucker



Four Seconds To Lose by K.A. Tucker
Release Date - April 1, 2014
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 400 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
When a gorgeous young dancer walks through his door, a strip club owner must decide whether to follow his rules or his heart in the third novel by the author of One Tiny Lie and Ten Tiny Breaths.

Owning a strip club isn’t the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine-year-old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that.

Twenty-two-year-old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting and dancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn’t really exist—and the girl pretending to be her can't get distracted by romance.

Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, and that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.
For a New Adult novel to really captivate me it has to balance everything just right. It has to give me great characters, a plot that is not just about the sexytimes, and something that pulls me in. Four Seconds To Lose has all of that....and it also has Cain.

While I still think Livvie is my favourite female character from these companion novels, Cain immediately became my favourite male character. A dash of bad boy, with a marshmallow heart under those rock hard muscles. His walls are put up with good reason, and it is heartbreaking to see how crushing his past was. As much as he keeps people at a distance, he would do anything to help someone else in trouble. Getting inside his head is something that, as a reader, I've been looking forward to since he graced the pages of Ten Tiny Breaths, and I was not disappointed.

Charlie is an expert at hiding everything, including her emotions. She has to be. Getting to know Charlie was excruciatingly difficult because she's hiding everything. This is true for both the characters and the readers. As her story is revealed I couldn't help but sympathize with her and the trouble she's found herself in. She's in a dangerous situation and it creates a tense, electric atmosphere that wasn't present the previous novels.

This novel focused more on the plot, and Cain and Charlie's pasts than the previous novels. I felt the sensual moments almost faded into the background allowing the plot to dictate the pacing and story. There is enough spicy moments to keep fans of that from the previous novels happy. I found myself liking the little games Cain and Charlie would play, as they were much more sensual than anything else in the book.

The romance in this novel may be my favourite out of this series so far. These two broken people with unthinkable pasts that come together and quiet each other's pain. They bring out the best in each other, and accept the broken parts in each other fully. Following their journey to come together is both heartbreaking and healing. They can't fix each other, but they can ease each other's pain. It's beautiful, and hopeful.

K.A. Tucker's novels are intense, and sexy, but it's the characters that will stay with you. Getting to see the ones we've met and loved in previous novels is the best part of companion series and this is no exception. There are plenty of cameos that will have you grinning in delight if you've read the previous novels. It's a nice to way to check in with characters who feel like they've become friends.

K.A. Tucker once again shows why she's a must read in the New Adult genre. She expertly mixes a thrilling plot with scorchingly sexy scenes. If you haven't started this series, do so immediately.

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