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Showing posts with label Crossfire series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crossfire series. Show all posts
Monday, June 17, 2013
Review: Entwined With You by Sylvia Day
Entwined With You
Author: Sylvia Day
Release Date: June 6, 2013
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Crossfire series #3
ISBN: 978-0425263921
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (368 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publicist
About the book:
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From the moment I first met Gideon Cross, I recognized something in him that I needed. Something I couldn't resist. I saw the dangerous and damaged soul inside--so much like my own. I was drawn to it. I needed him as surely as I needed my heart to beat.
No one knows how much he risked for me. How much I'd been threatened, or just how dark and desperate the shadow of our pasts would become.
Entwined by our secrets, we tried to defy the odds. We made our own rules and surrendered completely to the exquisite power of possession...
What VampBard’s talking about:
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I want to go on record saying that I was glad to see Gideon and Eva again. I absolutely adore them as a couple, and I have no doubt that they make the perfect couple. I see that. I feel that. Stuff happens in the lives of every person out there, and they manage. Why should we be surprised that a couple as perfect for one another as Gideon and Eva are managing? We shouldn't. Marriage and commitment has become something that appears disposable in today's society. It's not.
With that said, I had some issues with Ms. Day's latest offering in her Crossfire series, which has increased from three to five titles. I do adore the characters, but I feel:
- Gideon was a hot mess in this book. A wuss.
- Eva...Brett... grr.
- Conflict was unnecessarily increased. No couple should have to endure this much crap.
- Eva seems like she drank the Kool Aid. She normalizes thinking errors.
- Eva pushes past 'NO' and 'Stop'. Which pissed me off.
- Why add in the Cary drama? Oh... wait... I see now. Nevermind.
- Don't leave me hangin' about Megumi. I like the sassy receptionist.
- San Francisco. Foreshadowing book 4. That is all.
- Deanna. No one flips from ticked to helpful in 30 seconds flat. Over a glass of wine. Once scorned.
- Spying. Not attractive.
So, while there's a list of things that annoyed the crap out of me, I have to say that this was sweet sexy compared to the intense and smokin' hot encounters between Gideon and Eva in the first two titles. Entwined With You seems to be a transitional piece, and as 'that' book, I think it works. I liked the fact that Eva stopped worrying about what everyone else thought, and that she did something for her. For her heart and soul. It's no spoiler that Gideon and Eva end up together. A love like theirs is intense. It's a burning that draws in anyone observing, including readers. The slow simmer of their heat is undeniable. I don't know how many other euphemisms I can use to describe them. You get the idea. What I liked about the journey of this title was watching them basically tell the rest of the world to bugger off and seeing to their own happiness. There's several specific things that I really liked, but no spoilers!
Sure, we're left with stuff unresolved. There's 2 more books to work out the rest of the kinks, after all. I suppose I'm rather annoyed that I have to wait for 2 more books to see how the ultimate HEA plays out. As far as I'm concerned, we have a HEA now, but there's still some conflicts to resolve. Not quite sure why it's going to take two more books, though. It's obvious that Gideon and Eva can weather any storm. I'm interested to see how Ms. Day finishes up the series, but I don't know whether I'm interested enough to read the next two tiles in the series.
VampBard’s Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
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Saturday, June 8, 2013
Saturday Conversations 06/08/2013
I love to read romance stories. While I prefer the paranormal sub-genre, I also enjoy historical, erotic, contemporary, and GLBT romances. The one thing they all have in common - and the primary reason I read romance - the HEA... the "happily ever after" or even the HFN: happy for now. In general, romance stories tend to focus on one or two primary couples, who, by the end of the book are together and there is a sense of HEA/HFN. Even books in long-running romance genre series tend to be "stand alone" when it comes to the romance part. This is why I read these books - I love the sense of closure and happiness at the conclusion. While things may be rough during the book, I can get through it because I know in the end, things will be worked out.
What is with romance books that to not have an HEA/HFN at the end of the book? This does not sit well with me.
Books such as those in Ms. Day's Crossfire series are examples of what I call the "non-HEA romance." These are books in a series that focus on one or two couples; however, they do not get an HEA/HFN at the end of the book. Things are left open and incomplete. The couples are not fully together, and we have to wait until the next title to see if they do, in fact, make it. Another widely popular example of this is the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy.
Why is this happening? What happened to romance? I want to be swept off my feet and know that when I'm done with a book, my new favorite couple will be riding off into the sunset. I don't want to worry whether or not they will have their happiness.
What are your thoughts? Do you like a couple's story to be at an HEA/HFN by the end of one book? (Note, I am talking about romance genre only - NOT urban fantasy) Why do you think authors are extending romance novels over the course of three or more books and not giving the readers an HEA/HFN? Is this a growing trend?
Thanks for stopping to chat!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Review: Reflected in You by Sylvia Day
Reflected in You
Author: Sylvia Day
Release Date: Oct. 23, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Crossfire Book #2
ISBN: 978-0425263916
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Suspense
Format(s): Paperback (432 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/NetGalley
About the book:
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Gideon Cross. As beautiful and flawless on the outside as he was damaged and tormented on the inside. He was a bright, scorching flame that singed me with the darkest of pleasures. I couldn’t stay away. I didn’t want to. He was my addiction… my every desire… mine.
My past was as violent as his, and I was just as broken. We’d never work. It was too hard, too painful… except when it was perfect. Those moments when the driving hunger and desperate love were the most exquisite insanity.
We were bound by our need. And our passion would take us beyond our limits to the sweetest, sharpest edge of obsession…
What VampBard’s talking about:
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I'm not going to lie. Reflected in You felt a LOT like New Moon to me...except for one thing: Eva is a survivor. Don't look for my review of this title to be sugar-coated or fan-girlish. You won't get that here. I “hated” New Moon. However, Reflected in You gave me an entirely new perspective on the genre of romantic suspense. I didn't even know there was a mystery brewing...
I simply adored Sylvia Day's plot arc in this title. You definitely must read the first title in the Crossfire series, Bared to You, before reading Reflected in You. It's important to know how Gideon and Eva came to be a couple, where they've been, and the hurdles they've overcome to be together. Granted, they have more mountains to climb before their HEA, if there is to be one, but the delicious bite of heartache makes the reunion so much stronger for both the character and the reader.
The way Gideon and Eva grew as a couple during Reflected in You was some seriously awesome plotting. Kudos to Ms. Day for allowing the reader to be **right there** with Gideon and Eva as their relationship hit highs, lows, and rock-bottom. This title isn't for the weak; be ready to go on a wooden roller-coaster ride. Emotions get knocked around, and those that get into their books may feel as though you were put through a wood chipper before things resolve in this title.
It's difficult to discuss much about Reflected in You without giving away some of the delicious plot. We do see more of Mark, Eva's boss and his partner, Steven. I think they're integral characters, as it seems that they have a healthy relationship. They also provide Eva with non-Gideon companionship – especially once Steven's sister becomes slightly more prominent as a character. I think we'll see more of her.
Cary plays a large part in the second Crossfire novel. His medical state moves a chunk of the setting back to his and Eva's apartment. I was intrigued by the relationship between Eva's parents. I sense more there, but I'm not sure anything will come of it.
In reality, I can't discuss one of Sylvia Day's Crossfire titles without mentioning the sizzling physical relationship Eva and Gideon have. Take. Me. To. The. Beach. **fans self** The transportation fetish continues. Make-up sex is phenomenal. I love the fact that Eva initiates as often as Gideon. I love the fact that the make-up sex seems to be more about making a connection with the one you love than the act itself. Some people need the emotional connection with their partner. Some need the physical connection. Some need both. I think both Eva and Gideon fit the last category.
Lastly, we see a resolution to a story arc from Bared to You. It's a MAJOR deal for Eva, and more so, I think, for Gideon. I'm really interested to find out how that all works out in the third Crossfire novel.
Reflected in You was a title that I think I needed to read. Sometimes, as we read through so many titles in the romance genre, we see couples hook up, have a problem, resolve it, and live HEA. Even in series, there's generally multiple characters that have their HEA (one per book). I can really appreciate the way Ms. Day has shown the more realistic side of relationships in this day and age. More people get into relationships carrying baggage. I think Gideon and Eva (thus far) are the poster kids for fighting for what you want, and what is GOOD for you. Don't get me wrong – I'm not advocating co-dependency (even though I'm a little co-dependent on Mr. VampBard). I see the way Eva communicates with Gideon...how she allows him to open up in his own time...and how she is able to let go of some of her baggage, knowing that Gideon will be there to catch her if something goes awry. The major lesson learned from this title: if you truly trust someone, everything else will work out.
I will rather (im)patiently await May 7, 2013. Entwined with You has a tentative release date (I think Mr. VampBard will let me read on our anniversary, don't you?). The final book of the Crossfire trilogy will be a title I'm sure to want to have ready to read ASAP. I MUST know what happens to my friends, Gideon and Eva!
VampBard’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Review: Bared to You by Sylvia Day
Bared to You
Author: Sylvia Day
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Crossfire Book #1
ISBN: 978-0425263907
Genre: Contemporary Romance, erotic
Format(s): Paperback (352 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness...
He was beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily...
Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private worlds...and desires.
The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart...
What VampBard’s talking about:
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When I finished reading Bared to You by Sylvia Day, I felt as though I was left a bit … raw. While it feels a bit reminiscent of the 50 Shades books, I felt it was written much better, and the characters were so realistic – they could have been someone I knew. Eva seems like one of my friends that I knew in college. Gideon? Well, he's that unattainable, terribly attractive guy that we never saw with a girl no matter when we ran across him. Bared to You brings together realism and fantasy in a compelling, emotion-wrought read.
I had a lot of commentary for this title. As I was reading, there were many, many times I'd simply tell myself that I needed a good friend to read the book with me so we could discuss. THAT is how compelled I felt while reading.
Bared to You, while a sensual and compelling title, tempers what could be difficult content with realistic humor that lightens the mood a bit:
"Sex that's planned like a business transaction is a turnoff for me."
"Establishing parameters in the beginning makes it less likely that there'll be exaggerated expectations and disappointment at the conclusion."
"Are you kidding?" I scowled. "Listen to yourself. Why even call it a fxxk? Why not be clear and call it a seminal emission in a preapproved orifice?" (p. 42)
We're not reading some simple fluff fiction with this title. Carefully crafted to respect the reader, Ms. Day breathed life into her characters, making them realistic and believable. They're like those close friends with which you'd attend Happy Hour every Friday. The same friends that would be invited to all the important events in your life. The friends that would be there for you, and you'd want to be there for them as well.
I'm going to start with Cary, Eva's best friend and roommate. It seems as though Cary is the one with the true demons that need to be tamed. He's not through sowing his wild oats, and definitely isn't ready for an adult relationship. We all know this guy (or gal). What I really like about Cary is that he's brutally honest with Eva. About everything. Even when she's not ready to be honest with herself. Cary also provides us with some no-phreakin'-way moments. I wanted to (figuratively) slap him upside the head a couple times because that's what I'd do to a good friend that was screwing up.
Ms. Day started with some phenomenal description of Gideon Cross, our hero:
“As he stared back, he altered . . . as if a shield slid away from his eyes, revealing a scorching force of will that sucked the air from my lungs. The intense magnetism he exuded grew in strength, becoming a near-tangible impression of vibrant unrelenting power. (p. 5)”
This was the most powerful part of his initial description for me. Ms. Day not only gives the reader an in-depth physical description, we are rewarded with impressions of his emotional grid. While it seems as thought Gideon is plagued with his own demons, he's doing an awesome job of mitigating the damage from his past in his relationship with Eva. Most of the time.
Eva, the lucky one that gets to sleep with Gideon Cross, is totally a girl after my own heart. She's not afraid to call it like she sees it. She is, however, a little hesitant to outright stake a claim on Gideon. Initially, she is smitten with him. She's drawn to Gideon, like a moth to a porch light left on after dark. Even though Eva has a messed up past, she seems to have come out ok on the other side, courtesy of a bunch of therapy and an over-protective mom. She still, however, seems to have a few demons to exorcise.
The plot of Bared to You felt complex; an intricately woven panel within a larger work. The end of the first book of the Crossfire series did bring a smidge of resolution. However, I'm ecstatic that next in my TBR pile is book 2 of the series, Reflected in You. I am anxious to read about how Eva and Gideon handle the crap Cary handed them at the end of this title and how they, as a couple, grow (hopefully) together to overcome pasts that have the potential to permanently hobble even the most introspective person.
VampBard’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
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