Frodo’s Frisky Friday: The Photographer’s Muse
The Photographer’s Muse by Dominic Rod
Summary From Goodreads: 
Nick lives a solitary existence in NYC. Invisible. Alone. Until a photographer walks up to him in the park one day and asks to take his picture.
Esteban lives in a world of art, sex, and domination. Nick is introduced to this world and he falls in love with it…and Esteban.
This is an 8,500 word short story. It contains graphic scenes of gay sex, rough sex, masochism and BDSM. It is intended for mature readers only.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
The Photographer’s Muse is a M/M BDSM erotica story, so if that’s not for you I understand, maybe skip this one. However, if any of that sounds like your cup of tea, and if you want well written and deliciously descriptive sex scenes, then I’d recommend giving this a try.
The Photographer’s Muse is another solid entry from one of my favorite erotica sources, Luna Erotica, and it came with the writing level that I expect from them. The pacing is a bit quick, and the MC Nick does a serious 180 in terms of how he sees himself, but that doesn’t stop it from being an exciting journey of sexual discovery, as well of that of the self. I imagine that for some people The Photographer’s Muse would accurately depict how they came to find out whatever sexual preference they really had, or at least their first sexual experience in the new-found territory; slow realization, then incredible desire all at once.
The BDSM in The Photographer’s Muse is a bit tame compared to much of that sub-genre, almost done in a gentle way while still maintaining the control of it, but it is enjoyable. Also, if you have ever felt so average as to be invisible, something I can understand completely, then this might be the fantasy for you. Thanks as always for reading, and happy Friday!
Mini Review Monday: The Dream Thieves
The Dream Thieves
Summary From Goodreads: 
Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same.
Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life.
Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after…
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews on Mini Review Monday! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
I’ve been waiting to read The Dream Thieves until Blue Lily, Lily Blue came out, but I managed to get a copy on Netgalley that I’ll be reviewing later, so I decided to dive in a little early. If you really enjoyed The Raven Boys then I’m sure you love or will love The Dream Thieves because the tempo, majority of the characters, and the feel of the book are very similar to the first one. However, if you had issues with the previous book in the series you might enjoy this one anyway, it’s more polished, the characters even more fleshed out (especially Ronan), and the magical bits that started in The Raven Boys take an even greater focus in The Dream Thieves.
Ronan is a fascinating character. He’s broken, constantly putting himself down and questioning himself (though mostly in his head), but he’s also a badass, and he pulls off that semi-facade masterfully. His powers of retrieving items from dreams are shown in detail in The Dream Thieves, and by the end they are flat-out amazing.
While Ronan is somewhat of the focus in book two (kind of like Adam was in book one), that didn’t detract from the rest of the cast of characters, a group that has become one of my favorites. Blue is still quirky and hilarious, Noah is an oddball of a ghost, Adam is conflicted and broody (but crazy levels of determined), and Gansey is well…Gansey. The dialogue and banter in this series makes for some of the most entertaining reading I’ve had recently, and I haven’t ever come across a series quite like this before, it’s fantastic.
The plot takes a ton of interesting twists and turns, there are a few new characters that are introduced or that get fleshed out a bit more outside of the main group, and the ending will blow your mind. I felt like The Dream Thieves was everything I wanted The Raven Boys to be, like a fully realized version, and I can only hope that Blue Lily, Lily Blue will continue the upward trend. Thanks as always for reading. ^.^
Mini Review Monday: As Long As You Love Me
As Long As You Love Me by Ann Aguirre
Summary From Goodreads: 
Most people dream about getting out of Sharon, Nebraska, but after three years away, Lauren Barrett is coming home. She has her reasons; missing her family, losing her college scholarship. But then there’s the reason Lauren can’t admit to anyone: Rob Conrad, her best friend’s older brother.
Football prowess and jaw-dropping good looks made Rob a star in high school. Out in the real world, his job and his relationships are going nowhere. He’s the guy who women love and leave, not the one who makes them think of forever; until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her.
Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews on Mini Review Monday! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
I received a copy of As Long As You Love Me on NetGalley along with book one, I Want It That Way which I reviewed earlier if you’d like some context. I enjoyed book one of the series quite a bit, so I couldn’t help myself and read book two already, even though it doesn’t come out until the 30th of this month. ALAYLM was a solid NA read with some good humor and plenty of sexy fun time, just like IWITW, but this time more serious issues were tackled, something that was greatly appreciated as it gave needed depth to the book.
Lauren, the MC and best friend from IWITW, takes center stage in ALAYLM as she adjusts to life back at home, a new job and online university, and an old flame. She’s not quite as funny as I found Nadia to be, but she is probably more realistic than Nadia, having some serious issues to work through that people can identify with. She has major anxiety issues, dealing with a lot of people (especially new ones) is not her strong suit, and she’s just starting to return to her usual self, unlike the fake version she forced out that was seen in book one. All of that is made more complicated when Rob comes back into her life, and she has to deal with past feelings (and new ones) coming to light.
Then there is the love interest, Rob, who is having a rough go of it in life from work (construction that he barely scrapes by on) to his relationships (a bad one with Avery). Having Lauren come back completely alters his life, from new potential financial avenues, to a potential relationship that might actually be good for him. However, Rob has his own issues, from incredibly strong self-doubt (stemming from how his parents treat him) to his troubles with opening up to people and believing them when they seem to genuinely care. He doesn’t have as much personality as you might expect from a secondary main character, but (especially those from small towns) he is extremely easy to identify with.
The rest of the cast brings up plenty of issues of their own. There are long distance relationships (and pregnancy to go with it), sexual abuse, and physical disabilities that are all brought up by various people throughout the book, and there is a wide variety of ways that all of them are dealt with which I found pretty interesting. The tone of the book is certainly more somber than IWITW, though there are still plenty of truly happy and exciting moments, but it is something to keep in mind. This isn’t your purely light and fluffy contemporary read.
Though ALAYLM was more serious, something I appreciated in some ways, I did enjoy the majority of what I read. However, there were a few negatives I should mention. The beginning of the book was a bit of a struggle as a lot of the dialogue felt repetitious and the first quarter of the book or so felt pretty rushed, not enough to be jarring, but certainly noticeable. Also, while I know that there is a lot of history between them, it felt like Aguirre might have used that as an excuse to move things forward pretty quickly in the beginning, and that was unfortunate. The story ended up getting to more of a normal pace, but if you liked book one, and book two intrigues you, I would say not to give up if you notice those same issues at the start.
Wow, this got a little longer than I planned for a Mini Review Monday post, but I guess that’s because ALAYLM covers so much ground, especially on different serious topics. Would I recommend it? It’s a good read, but there were some issues with it, and some of the sexual acts as well (the first one in particular) that didn’t sit well, but overall yes, it’s worth your time. If you want a New Adult read that isn’t all about getting your freak on and going crazy over a guy/girl, then this is for you. Thanks as always for reading.
Mini Review Monday: The Iron Trial
The Iron Trial by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare
Summary From Goodreads: 
From NEW YORK TIMES bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a riveting new series that defies what you think you know about the world of magic.
From two bestselling superstars, a dazzling and magical middle-grade collaboration centering on the students of the Magisterium, an academy for those with a propensity toward magic. In this first book, a new student comes to the Magisterium against his will — is it because he is destined to be a powerful magician, or is the truth more twisted than that?
It’s a journey that will thrill you, surprise you, and make you wonder about the clear-cut distinction usually made between good and evil.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews on Mini Review Monday! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
I received a copy of The Iron Trial via NetGalley, which I was thrilled about because I love Holly Black’s work, had never had the pleasure of reading Cassandra Clare’s, and needed some more MG in my life. The Iron Trial was a highly enjoyable fantasy MG read, filled with magic of all kinds, not just of the elements on which it is focused. There is also the magic of the bonds you make, the wonder of a new world, and the thrill of facing your biggest fears and conquering them.
With the book being by Black and Clare, it is no surprise that the writing style was fantastic, and that I easily read The Iron Trial in one sitting. The pacing is excellent, the world has been fleshed out really nicely, and the Magisterium is a fascinating place to explore. Plus, how can anyone resist elemental powers and all of the cool ways you can use them? I know I couldn’t!
The cast of characters is one of the biggest highlight of the book. Black and Clare really took their time in developing each one, not giving away too much about any one character early on, including the MC. Call (short for Callum) is not your typical main character, being more moody and reserved than a standard hero, and the way his mind works is something quite fresh and interesting, though difficult to describe. Without giving too much away, he does open up after a while, which isn’t too surprising given that the supporting cast is stellar. I can’t wait to see how they develop going forward!
Comparisons to Harry Potter have been made, and while I can see how that might be, I would argue that The Iron Trial is darker in its undertones, and with significantly better (and more interesting) twists. Also, the Magisterium is nothing like Hogwarts, of that I can assure you! If I had to give any criticism to the book it would be that (even for 12yr olds) the characters are a tad slow on the uptake for certain things, and seem a little to clueless at times, but that’s a small issue. If you are looking for a MG fantasy story in the vein of Harry Potter, but with a unique personality and tone, then I’d recommend giving this one a try. Thanks as always for reading.
Frodo’s Frisky Friday: Bathhouse Nights
Bathhouse Nights by Cameron D. James
Summary From Goodreads: 
In the bathhouse, anything is possible, especially at night when all the studs come out to play.
For cheerleader Daniel, his dream-come-true is a football jock named Justin, but no one in the bathhouse measures up, no matter how hard he tries to play pretend.
Justin is straight, of course. Aren’t they all? There’s no reason for Daniel to expect he’ll score with him…until the night he spots him in the hot tub.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
Bathhouse Nights is something a bit different than my usual “naughty” read. I tend to gravitate toward novellas or short stories that at least have a decent amount of compelling story involved, and while I understand that is somewhat niche, it is also what separates them from being flat out written porn. James walks that fine line, but includes just enough decent plot to make it work.
There are a few issues brought up in Bathhouse Nights that are briefly examined and discussed, such as that of fixation, domination, bullying, and especially that of someone who thought they were straight having to come to grips with their reality. The transition isn’t the same for anyone, and while I can’t go into too much detail without spoiling the ending (given it’s a short story), I will say that this was a different perspective then what I’ve come across in the past.
I enjoyed that feeling of uniqueness, at least in terms of literary story if not in real life. As for the sexier moments, there were plenty of those, so if that’s what you’re into… well I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself fully. It’s all M/M, which is still somewhat rare, and the sex scenes are written out quite nicely, though they are often pretty short.
If I had to make any complaints about Bathhouse Nights it would be that its transition from Then to Now points of view were a bit to frequent, and a tad rough. This might have been better had it been a glimpse of the present, then a bulk amount of the past, before a full scene back in present time, but oh well. It’s a good piece, and I think most M/M enthusiasts will find something in it for them, as there is a decent variety of sex styles. Thanks as always for reading. ^.^
Mini Review Monday: I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre
I Want It That Way (2B Trilogy #1)
Summary From Goodreads: 
Nadia Conrad has big dreams, and she’s determined to make them come true—for her parents’ sake as well as her own. But between maintaining her college scholarship and working at the local day care to support herself, she barely has time to think, let alone date. Then she moves into a new apartment and meets the taciturn yet irresistible guy in 1B….
Daniel Tyler has grown up too fast. Becoming a single dad at twenty turned his life upside down—and brought him heartache he can’t risk again. Now, as he raises his four-year-old son while balancing a full-time construction management job and night classes, a social life is out of the question. The last thing he wants is for four noisy students to move into the apartment upstairs. But one night, Nadia’s and Ty’s paths cross, and soon they can’t stay away from each other.
The timing is all wrong—but love happens when it happens. And you can’t know what you truly need until you stand to lose it.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews on Mini Review Monday! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
I received a copy of I Want It That Way from Netgalley, which I was really excited to get into since it is by one of my favorite authors, Ann Aguirre. This also gave me a reason to try some New Adult, something I’ve read hardly any of, and see what I thought of it. After reading it, my first thought is that I should give this new-ish age range/type of books a shot. My second was that I’m really happy that I was able to enjoy Aguirre’s work outside of my favorite series by her, the dystopian Razorland trilogy.
That being said, I will warn potential readers that there is some insta-love involved, something I’ve been open to saying I’m not a fan of. However, it’s not quite as fast as what I’ve encountered in the past, and Aguirre made it feel as real and understandable as something like that could be. Sometimes there is that instant attraction, and once you get to know the person a bit more, and understand who they are outside of just a great set of abs or pretty face, you just connect on a deep level faster than average.
Outside of the quick love connection, the romance is very touching, sometimes steamy (in a fantastic way), and it is tested in all the right (highly believable) scenarios. The MC Nadia has a great voice, is incredibly caring and sweet, but determined when it matters. Ty is a great guy, but reserved for reasons that are incredibly obvious, and not the standard bad-boy type that plagues this type of book, something I was really thankful for.
The banter in the book is great, humor is interspersed with the serious areas to keep the reader engaged, and the supporting cast is very strong, and completely fleshed out. Some of the scenes are a bit corny or predictable, but not in a bad way, just what you’d expect from college life. I’m looking forward to reading book two soon!
If you are looking for a NA contemporary read, especially if (like me) you are a college student yourself, then this is a solid book for you to try. It comes out tomorrow, so take a look if you’re interested! Thanks as always for reading. ^.^
Frodo’s Frisky Friday: He Needs Discipline
He Needs Discipline by Dominic Rod
Summary From Goodreads: 
Their relationship never felt normal. Jake and Dorian never quite bonded the way they were supposed to.
It made things a lot easier when little twenty-two year old Jake came to older Dorian for help with his out of control lifestyle, and Dorian’s solution was…taboo at best.Jake needs discipline. Dorian is more than happy to dish it out.
M/M erotica. 18+ Contains BDSM, and taboo situations.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
He Needs Discipline is another great find that I discovered over at Luna Erotica. Luna has become one of my go to sites when I am looking for something of the naughty variety, but also want something really well written, and it has yet to fail me.
Containing somewhat incestuous as well as fully BDSM scenes, He Needs Discipline is certainly not going to be for just anyone. However, if you aren’t bothered by that, and certainly if that is your thing, then I highly recommend giving it a read. There is even a sequel already released that you can get here, just in case your desire isn’t completely… satiated.
There is plenty of M/F, and even F/F pairings in the world of erotica writing, but M/M is a bit harder to find. While this is short, as are most of the works from Luna, it will put you in just the right mood, and you don’t have to worry about it sounding like a fifth grader wrote it, something that happens far too often with this type of work.
The banter between the brothers is well done, the sex scenes and what might be considered foreplay is certainly exciting, and the stimulating aftermath isn’t shabby either. I’d definitely recommend giving it a shot, and if you like it check out what else LE has to offer. Thanks for reading and enjoy. 😉
Book of the Week: Rogue
Every Saturday I will talk about my favorite book that I read during the week, whether it be a review or a spotlight, or maybe having the author over to talk about it. Who doesn’t want more happy bookish goodness? ^.^
This week I’m gushing about: Rogue by Gina Damico
Summary from Goodreads: 
Lex is a teenage Grim Reaper with the power to Damn souls, and it’s getting out of control. She’s a fugitive, on the run from the maniacal new mayor of Croak and the townspeople who want to see her pay the price for her misdeeds. Uncle Mort rounds up the Junior Grims to flee Croak once again, but this time they’re joined by Grotton, the most powerful Grim of all time. Their new mission is clear: Fix his mistakes, or the Afterlife will cease to exist, along with all the souls in it.
The gang heads for Necropolis, the labyrinth-like capital city of the Grimsphere. There, they discover that the Grimsphere needs a reboot. To do that, the portals to the Afterlife must be destroyed…but even that may not be enough to fix the damage. Things go from bad to worse, and when at last the fate of the Afterlife and all the souls of the Damned hang in the balance, it falls to Lex and her friends to make one final, impossible choice.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
Normally for a Book of the Week choice I would avoid doing a mini review because I want to give it as much praise as I possibly can and explain why I love the book so much. The problem with Rogue in this case is twofold; I had so many emotions after I finished the book that I was (and still am) a bit in shell shock, and it’s the third book in a series and I don’t want to spoil too much for any readers that haven’t started it yet. So that’s why I’ll be brief, keeping it short and sweet and to the point.
Rogue was one of the best endings to a series that I have ever come across. The ending was absolutely perfect in every way, something I had been worried about, and what had kept me from reading this book for so long despite how much I enjoyed the first two. The writing in this series, and in Rogue in particular, is bar none, just flat out some of the best I’ve ever read. Rogue is equally devastating and heartrending as it is hilarious and sweet. It is filled with equal parts of love and despair.
Every single character in the Croak series is amazing, and in Rogue they are so fully developed and I was so emotionally invested in every one that their experiences really felt like my own. At minimum I felt like I was right alongside them, and that is so incredibly rare to feel for me while reading. Uncle Mort is so much more than he appears, Lex becomes everything I could have ever hoped for and more, and her friends do some amazing things, but Damico makes those acts feel so believable and right that I never questioned them.
The banter and wit displayed in the series is the best I’ve ever seen, and I can’t praise Damico enough for that. She made me near tears on one page and busting out laughing the next. The story was perfectly paced, gripping, and desperate, but wonderfully so. If I had infinite sums of money (which I sadly don’t) this would be one of the first sets of books I’d give to teen readers, especially those that aren’t that into reading, because I swear it could change that in an instant. I can’t recommend them enough, just read it if you haven’t already. Thanks as always for reading.
Frodo’s Frisky Friday: The Wicked Ever After
The Wicked Ever After by Kelly Apple
Summary From Goodreads: 
With the help of her monstrous friends, Ari has saved her beloved from the mating contract that nearly killed him. As he recovers, she tries to figure out how to juggle her relationship with him—and her unwillingness to leave his side—with her family and outside life.
As it turns out, her former lovers might have a solution. If they play their cards right, it would give her a chance to be with her Liath Mor mate while remaining part of the human world.
Ari’s proven to be adventurous and willing to think outside the box. This wicked nymph isn’t one to let opportunities pass her by, especially when it means getting everything she desires.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
The Wicked Ever After is the final book in the Monstrous Tales series by Kelly Apple. I enjoyed this crazy romp through monster sexlevania (my made up term, not Apple’s) more than I ever expected to. There was an incredible variety of monster types, more sex scenes then you’ll know what to do with, and excellent writing throughout it all.
The Wicked Ever After takes after book nine, The Wicked Lovers, in that it focuses more on the new family of creatures as a whole rather than the sex scenes and naughtiness that dominated the earlier entries. There is certainly sexiness to be had, this is erotica after all, but it’s short and sweet, and full of many other emotions.
It’s clear how much Ari has evolved as a person, going from a sex-crazed whiner, always moping about one thing or another and being a pretty bad friend to boot, to a caring person devoted to the people she loves. What makes this even better is that there has been hinting that some of the characters, though I don’t know which ones, might be making appearances in Kelly Apple’s work in the future. I’d be thrilled to see them again and to have their stories really be fleshed out, something not possible in a series like this where so much else was going on.
The writing is so strong in The Wicked Ever After, the banter perfectly placed and balanced with tender moments, that I would recommend it to anyone looking for a little naughty fun in their day. These stories are short, and easy to breeze through, but worth every second you spend on them. I can’t wait to see what the author will share with us next! Thanks as always for reading.
Killing My Kindle: Elusive Memories
For 2014 I am tackling my Kindle app in an effort to make a dent in the large library of often forgotten eBooks. Every week I will talk about an eBook I read, be it good or bad, so that I can stay motivated and share some of it with you.
This week I took a stab at: Elusive Memories by Amanda Shofner
Released On: June 13th, 2014
Summary From Goodreads: 
The Northern Alliance Betterment Society, better known as the Hunters, has persecuted the Gifted for years. When Sam Benson is taken and her memory stolen, she certainly isn’t their first victim. But she’s determined to use her family’s influence as memory-bringer elders to make sure she’s one of the last.
As soon as she escapes the Hunters’ compound, anyway.
Two Hunter guards claim to be working to get Sam free, but only one has her best interests at heart—and holds the key to mounting an offense against the Hunters. With her memory fractured and the Hunters set against her, can she choose the right person to trust?
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
Elusive Memories is designed to throw you off track at every possible moment and in ways you never stop to consider before it’s too late. In that it succeeds. One of the types of powers in this series is that of illusionists, able to disguise all sorts of things, and the book seems to work as if the reader is under one powerful illusion, altering their perception so they don’t really see what is in front of them. For that I give Shofner major credit, it is not something easily done.
However, my main issue with the book is that it takes a long time to build up into anything really interesting. Now, I’m a fan of authors like Stephen King, and most of us know how much setup he uses, so I’m used to that, but he does it with purpose. He also manages to enthrall you even while just giving you a layout of the world or slowly working you into knowing certain characters.
With Elusive Memories there is no gripping effect, the main character is so broken, lost, and hollow that there is no connection to be made there, and while we find out about the different abilities pretty early they aren’t made fascinating until around the middle of the book. There’s no big draw to lure the reader in and keep them there.
Why So Hollow?
Despite that, I decided to keep on reading, figuring that the buildup had to lead to something pretty crazy, and it did. New powers, a struggle between regular humans and gifted, experiments on the latter, and some needed action and suspense. There was even a bit of potential romance thrown in. I’d say there is enough there in the second half of the book to warrant being patient through the first.
I still didn’t really connect with Sam, even though I understand her motivations. She seems to much of a shell, someone being forced to go through the motions that the author needs while not having much of a sense of self, and while losing some of her memories explains a bit of that away it doesn’t excuse it. I’m intrigued enough by the concept of the gifts to read further, and I’m hopeful that new characters will make the series more interesting, and that I might find a connection with them. Thanks as always for reading.
Mini Review Monday: The Cutting Room Floor
The Cutting Room Floor by Dawn Klehr
Summary From Goodreads: 
Behind-the-scenes secrets could turn deadly for Desmond and Riley
Life in the Heights has never been easy for seventeen-year-old Riley Frost, but when she’s publicly dumped and outed at the same time, she becomes an immediate social outcast at her high school. So Riley swears off romance and throws herself into solving the shocking murder of her favorite teacher, Ms. Dunn.
Riley turns to her best friend, budding filmmaker Desmond Brandt, for help. What she doesn’t know is that Dez has been secretly directing her life, blackmailing her friends, and hoping his manipulations will make her love him. When his schemes go too far, Dez’s web of lies threatens to destroy both of their lives.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews on Mini Review Monday! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
The Cutting Room Floor first and foremost is addicting. With the distractions of Twitter, video games, more Twitter, sports, and Twitter, I often find myself pausing every so often when I’m reading a book, rarely do I devour it in one go. This was an exception to that, but honestly I’m not sure exactly why.
My first guess is that it has to do with the pacing of the book, that the sheer amount of action kept me going. The devious plotting, revenge, the insane amount of relationships that will make your head spin, and the transformation of the main characters many times over keep the book moving rapidly. The Cutting Room Floor is never dull, but all that action does mean some arcs are underdeveloped, and others aren’t even explored. The characters tend to do a 180 whenever Klehr needed them to, not necessarily when it fits the person they seem to be or even the way the plot was going. It’s a bit disconcerting, but I got caught up in the whirlwind of it nonetheless.
I can’t say that there is a love triangle, or anything really close to it in this book, because it feels more like a love scatter plot with no correlation. Sure there is the main “romance” arc between Dez and Riley, but there seem to be a bunch of other ones that come and go randomly. There is no logic to the progression, if it can even be called that, and the reader finds out about random flings for no apparent reason at times when it has little to no impact on the main storyline. Ugh.
The characters themselves are compelling, and the dual point of view works in this case because Klehr manages to keep the voices of Dez and Riley very separate and unique. Dez is cunning, devoted to Riley and his filmmaking, and incredibly focused on getting what he wants. He is willing to do whatever he deems necessary to win Riley over, regardless of if it is dirty or reckless, and can often be cold to others if they aren’t helping him at the moment. Riley, however, is warm, sweet, and quick to love. She’s unsure of herself, and while she does some questionable things it is because she wants to do good, not out of any malicious feelings. She just wants to figure out who she is and what the best way is for her to be happy.
The bouncing between regular writing and script style can be a little jarring, but it’s not too terribly hard to get used to. High school students that participate in theater or acting of any kind will likely enjoy the many acting scenes and discussions on the craft, as well as the scenes done in script format. I feel like The Cutting Room Floor might have been better as a duology or trilogy, that way the arcs could have been more developed, the characters better understood, and the pacing slowed down a bit so the readers don’t get whiplash. It’s a good book, but it could have been a lot more. Thanks as always for reading.
Frodo’s Frisky Friday: The Wicked Lovers
The Wicked Lovers by Kelly Apple
Summary From Goodreads: 
Ari’s chance to free her beloved is here. With her allies standing beside her, she must face down two territorial females and save her imprisoned love. All while trying to keep the human world blissfully ignorant of the monsters moving among them.
Her monstrous friends might be willing to fight on her side, but having that many alpha males in one place could be a recipe for disaster. And that’s before her mom schedules some family time, her best friend shows up heartbroken, and her mysterious bloodline tempts her to give into her urges.
What’s a girl who loves monsters to do when love and lust get tangled? Her wicked lovers are about to find out.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
The Wicked Lovers continues the journey of monster-loving fun that is sadly nearing its end. However, it looks like Kelly Apple has been saving the best for last as this was my favorite entry into the series thus far. Ari’s character is fleshed out, stronger than when she began, and genuinely devoted to the monsters she has encountered on her way back to her love.
For me The Wicked Lovers was a breath of fresh air for the series, blending in a bit of sexual tension and a scene or two of naughtiness, but focusing on the new family she has become a part of. Every character is special, it feels like they’ve each given Ari something that has made her the woman she has become. As someone who has read the entire series to this point I can definitely say that every “monster” has their own unique voice, something that has impressed me from the beginning, and Kelly Apple made me be invested in each of their problems and situations.
Simply put, I want more. There is only one more entry into Monstrous Tales left, and even though there has been hinting of some of these characters coming back in other works in the future, I do feel like something special is coming to an end. I’d guess that’s pretty rare when it comes to erotica, so kudos to the author.
The writing is exquisite as always, the naughty bits just as steamy as ever, and the ending incredibly sweet. The only complaint if I had to make one is that the best friend accepts this new monster-filled reality without hesitation, but when there’s a werewolf and a dragon in your face it would be hard not to be convinced. I highly recommend checking out the series if you haven’t already, and make sure to read this one if you’ve started the series but aren’t caught up! Book 10 can’t come soon enough.
Killing My Kindle: Pieces by Michael Crane
For 2014 I am tackling my Kindle app in an effort to make a dent in the large library of often forgotten eBooks. Every week I will talk about an eBook I read, be it good or bad, so that I can stay motivated and share some of it with you.
This week I took a stab at: Pieces by Michael Crane
Released On: May 13th, 2014
Summary From Goodreads: 
When a little girl’s body is found in the woods, a once quiet town is shaken to its core as it deals with the aftermath in this short story collection.
A man desperately tries to make a living but finds it difficult when the company van scares potential customers away. A parent fails to see when being protective of her only child transforms into an unhealthy obsession. A man decides he no longer wants children after hearing about the dead little girl, but is there something else factoring into the sudden decision? And in the final story, a child shuts down almost completely and has no idea if she can go on without her best friend.
In these twelve stories connected by a terrible tragedy, grown-ups and children alike try put the pieces back together again without any easy answers.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
Pieces wasn’t quite what I had expected when I picked it up. I’m very familiar with Crane’s writing and his style, and usually his books (especially the Morbid Drabble series) have a consistent theme or tone to them. Pieces doesn’t quite fit that goofy or twisted vibe that I was used to, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t good.
The twelve stories all center around the young girl that was killed and display different ways that humans might grieve after hearing about that kind of news. It doesn’t matter if they were close to her or not, all that had to happen was it being in close proximity for their lives to change in some way. Some coped with drinking, others with isolation, some become obsessed, others just try to go about as if nothing had changed.
Pieces does a solid job at showcasing how the human psyche can be affected by tragedies such as this under a wide variety of circumstances. However, in terms of just enjoying the writing, it missed the mark a bit. A few of the stories didn’t seem to have much point beyond that general scope, and it felt like they were plugged in just to show variety. Other stories were stronger and had a lot of meaning and power to them, such as the best friend at the end or the lady obsessed with the news even though she didn’t know the girl.
For me it was the inconsistency and how some of the stories were rather mundane that put me off a little. Overall I’d say Pieces does what it is supposed to, but knowing Crane’s skill as a writer, it was unfortunate that it didn’t feel like it was as strong as it could have been. Some people wouldn’t be as affected as others, but that doesn’t mean that those stories need to be lacking in purpose.
If you want to read about the many different ways humans react to a singular event then Pieces is probably for you. If you’re a fan of Crane and want his usual brand of twisted humor, then maybe pass on this one. It’s a good piece, just not a great one. Thanks as always for reading.
The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes: Frodo’s Review
The Art of Lainey
Summary From Goodreads: 
Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.
And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they’re sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few “dates”, it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.
What’s a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you’re meant to be with if you’re still figuring out the person you’re meant to be?
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
The Art of Lainey is a book that I’ve been very excited to read simply because of how amazing the author is. Luckily for me, not only did I finally get my hands on a copy of the book, but I got to hear the author’s thoughts on it at the first stop of the MMBB YA Tour (for more info on that click here). Paula Stokes gave her reasoning for why she went with this kind of character, one more preppy and a bit shallow, instead of the standard quiet bookish type. She said she wanted to prove that even the popular girls aren’t all that different from the rest, and in that she succeeded.
Lainey is a tad shallow, pushy, and is certifiably boy-crazy, or at least Jason-crazy. However, I will say that much of how I discovered what she was like was not from how she acted during the story, but from her friends telling her how she used to act, or her comparisons to another diva-type. When you come down to it, Lainey just seemed a bit lost, not as self-centered as I was led to believe, so her “transformation” wasn’t quite as effective as it could have been.
As for the plot, well it felt very much like a lighter version of Easy A. For those who don’t know that movie (you should watch it) it’s about a girl who gets paid (in a variety of ways) to fake dates and sexual encounters with guys from her school. Eventually she wants a real relationship but her persona gets in the way until the end when she winds up with the good guy. The Art of Lainey doesn’t get as sexual, but the fake dates are here too, and the strategizing is similar too. With that movie in mind the arc was pretty obvious from the get go, she’d fall for the bad boy who turns out to not be so bad after all (Micah in this case), and well…you can guess the rest.
Despite a few cliches, The Art of Lainey is a well written, light-hearted, and plain fun book to read. Whether you know the outcome or not, it doesn’t make the journey any less fun to take part in. There are some hilarious scenes on some of the dates and they are worth the read by themselves. If you want a nice fluffy contemporary this is a solid option for you. You might even enjoy it more than I did since I had some preconceived notions going into it from the bookish event. Thanks as always for reading. ^.^
Frodo’s Frisky Friday: The Price to be Paid
The Price to be Paid (A Fairy Tale Romance) by Leigh Wilder
Summary From Goodreads: 
Dairymaid Kay’s life is one trial after another, mostly caused by her father’s drinking. When he drunkenly brags of her ability to spin straw into gold (she can’t even spin wool) he attracts the attention of the cruel king. She has two options. Spin the straw into gold…or off with her head.
Fortunately she has some help…but is the price to save her life too high? This is an adult fairy tale and contains sexual situations. Short.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
The Price to be Paid is a naughty version of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale and is written by Leigh Wilder, one of my favorite authors. However, I can’t say that this short story is very similar to her other works because the sexual scenes aren’t nearly as descriptive and are brief even if they are frequent enough. Normally Wilder offers some new twist or spin on the fairy tale and then gives depth to the naughtier bits by making the scenes vivid and entrancing. I can’t say that was the case for this.
The Price to be Paid does give a bit of backstory that many who are familiar with the Rumpelstiltskin tale will recognize as pretty close to the original, or some of the modern adaptations (such as Once Upon a Time), but it is much of the same really. There is more of a sexual twist and that theme carries through to the end of the story, but there doesn’t feel like much weight is behind it.
The “help” she has is an odd, lustful creature, that is mischievous and only in it for their own sake. While there is nothing wrong with that, they are the only real innovation of the tale, where as the MC is more of a shell that exists because the story requires it. So when, at the end, the odd creature doesn’t change in personality or intention, the MC just goes along for the ride, and the rest of the world is the same as the original I was left disappointed.
There is nothing specifically wrong with The Price to be Paid. The writing is still solid, the plot flows smoothly, and if you just want to experience a sexier Rumpelstiltskin story than this could work for you. As for me, I think I’m just too spoiled with Wilder’s usual level of expertise, so this didn’t do it for me. It was fine, just not special. Thanks as always for reading.
Mini Review Monday: Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Crank
Summary From Goodreads: 
In Crank, Ellen Hopkins chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the “monster,” the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or “crank.” Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne’er-do-well father.
While under the influence of the monster, Kristina discovers her sexy alter-ego, Bree: “there is no perfect daughter, / no gifted high school junior, / no Kristina Georgia Snow. / There is only Bree.” Bree will do all the things good girl Kristina won’t, including attracting the attention of dangerous boys who can provide her with a steady flow of crank.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews on Mini Review Monday! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
I know that I’m not breaking any new ground by talking about Crank, one of the more “popular” books that I have read during my time blogging, so I won’t be doing a traditional review so to speak. I’m just going to share a few thoughts I had on the book, okie? ^.^
Crank is far more than the meager description it is given. It is a warning to the entire spectrum of potential readers, from people who would never touch drugs to hardcore users, about the dangers of using heavily and with the strongest methods. However, the book is written entirely in verse, speaking a bit to the deranged mindset of a crank addict, but also softening some of the harder blows with freestyle. It leaves some of the detail out, though not much, and lets the reader imagine the rest. Sometimes you might wish it hadn’t.
Much of the book (the parts not trying to depress the crap out of you) sound like a ton of fun if I am to be honest. No, I’m not going to go out and do any of these drugs, but the dance party of ecstasy, the NASCAR type speed of crank, and the mellow groove of pot sound intriguing in their own ways. My guess is that is likely the point, Hopkins knows that people do this for a variety of reasons, but one of the main ones is that it generally feels really great while you are on your drug of choice.
The characters in the book were the weakest point for me. Most of them were cliche-ridden, one boyfriend an “I’ll love you forever” type despite them having only been together a few weeks (then turning on her in a blink), another with a more violent side (you know or can guess), and the knight in shining armor.
The main character is more of the same, and while she was likely very realistic in the mind of Hopkins for obvious reasons and cliches exist for reasons as well, watching the same old “girl with low self-esteem, bouncing from boy to boy, experimenting until she loses control” type of MC was a tad disappointing. Outside of the dual personality of sorts there wasn’t much that made her unique, and that was unfortunate.
Overall, though, I did enjoy Crank quite a bit. If there is someone reading this that somehow hasn’t read the book I would say that it does take a while to get used to reading in the verse style Hopkins employs, but that once you grow accustomed to it you will enjoy the book quite a bit. I don’t know that I’ll read the other books in the series, but we shall see. Thanks as always for reading. ^.^
Complicit by Stephanie Kuehn: Frodo’s Review
Complicit
Summary From Goodreads: 
Two years ago, fifteen-year-old Jamie Henry breathed a sigh of relief when a judge sentenced his older sister to juvenile detention for burning down their neighbor’s fancy horse barn. The whole town did. Because Crazy Cate Henry used to be a nice girl. Until she did a lot of bad things. Like drinking. And stealing. And lying. Like playing weird mind games in the woods with other children. Like making sure she always got her way. Or else.
But today Cate got out. And now she’s coming back for Jamie.
Because more than anything, Cate Henry needs her little brother to know this one simple truth: she’s not the crazy one and never has been. He is.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
Complicit, to me, can only be described one way: it’s a mind-fuck book. The story is told from the point of view of Jamie who has a variety of mental health issues, many of which are present from the beginning of the story. This makes his character’s “voice” a bit muddled, as confused and unsure as he is at times, and often appear untrustworthy. However, what it does more than all of that is come off as genuine, it felt real. The detail Kuehn went into in terms of Jamie’s issues was excellent and made his various conditions come to life for me in a way that few books have.
The sheer amount of twists and turns in Complicit will make your head spin. Any hunches that I had during the first half of the book were proven completely incorrect. The way Kuehn shapes and molds the story around Jamie’s neuroses definitely kept me from being able to guess what would happen next at any point, but it didn’t make things so confusing that the story was too difficult to follow. That balance is so hard to do with mental illness main characters and I was really impressed.
It is hard to describe the other characters because they are seen through the untrustworthy eyes of Jamie, so how they actually are often proves much different then his reality. His sister is seen as wild, crazy, and deranged even, but there are motives behind her actions.
The ending is worth the read by itself. It blew my mind in the best way and really made the book come together perfectly. Overall the book is fast paced, has a wonderful if slightly scary way of portraying mental illness, and will keep you guessing. I definitely recommend it to all lovers of mind-fuck books. Thanks for reading! ^.^
Mini Review Monday: Into the Icebound by Larry Kollar
Into the Icebound
Summary From Goodreads: 
In the fourth “Accidental Sorcerers” story, Sura, Mik, and Bailar set sail for the Northern Reach, with Lord Darin in pursuit. Their journey is anything but smooth, with storms, raiders, and the prince of Westmarch standing in the way.
Joining an expedition to the ruins of Isenbund, Bailar disappears in the night. Now, Mik and Sura must help rescue their mentor from a legendary foe thought long extinct.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews on Mini Review Monday! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
Into the Icebound, the fourth book in the Accidental Sorcerers series, is a fun and easy YA read that could even appeal to MG audiences. This continuation of the exciting fantasy series that I have come to enjoy incorporates a few more classic elements, including goblins and northerners that might as well be cut-outs of vikings or Norse mythology.
Another enjoyable change from previous entries in the series is that it has far more action in it and doesn’t focus as much on the romance. While I like the pairing of Mik and Sura just fine, Into the Icebound is certainly the most entertaining read because of that change.
Displays of magic are plentiful, adventures are undertaken, and history is told in a grand fashion, but in such a way that even younger readers will enjoy. What makes Into the Icebound stand apart the most, however, is that the danger factor is cranked up a few notches. Where as in the first books in the series it felt like the characters were invincible, here this is not nearly the case as many of them encounter real threats to their lives. It isn’t that I want to see Mik or Sura hurt, but having godlike main characters isn’t desirable either, and Kollar manages to balance that aspect the best in this entry to the series.
If you enjoy sorcery, young love (in moderate doses and not graphic), great adventures, and/or great MG/YA style storytelling then this series, and this book especially, is one I’d recommend. You can pick it up on Amazon for a mere dollar here, it’s well worth your time and a fast read to boot. Thanks as always for reading.
Frodo’s Frisky Friday: Another Full Moon
Another Full Moon: Deadly Liaisons SCD #1 (Werewolf Detective Story)
Summary From Amazon: 
This is a 7,000 word SHORT story.
Detective Julie Nova’s life was ruined three years ago when she was bitten by a werewolf. Now she’s the lead detective in New Franklin, Pennsylvania’s Supernatural Crimes Division.
A vamp tramp (someone who enjoys being bitten by vampires) is found ripped to pieces after a full moon. It’s up to an exhausted Julie Nova to fight her urges for a snack and a nap, and bring the wolfish killer to justice.
This is a companion story to the Deadly Liaisons paranormal romance series. It can be read as a stand alone story.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
While Another Full Moon may be set in the same world as the Deadly Liaisons main series, this first entry into the Werewolf Detective Story arc is far from the same kind of content. I would definitely consider this a mature read still, but because of a violent and graphic nature to some of the story, not anything sexual. There are some sexual tones that might lead to something later on in this new short story series, but it isn’t really the case here.
Another Full Moon, unsurprisingly, brings the focus to the werewolves as opposed to the vampire one of the Deadly Liaisons main series, and that brings a refreshing change of pace. Wilder’s werewolves aren’t like others you might have encountered though, with a darker, harsher side being unveiled that I urge you to take a look at. These aren’t Jacob clones, nor are they the somewhat over-sexualized ones of series like Jessica McClain, but hardier folk that have to go through some hardships because of their way of life.
This story, while it may be short, is well worth the read, and Wilder’s talent shines through as they often do with her vibrant characters and vivid, unique worlds. Click the link or cover above to get a copy on Amazon, it’s only a dollar, and if you like what you find check out the main series, it’s naughtier but just as exquisitely told. Thanks as always for reading.
Frodo’s Frisky Friday: Taken By the Satyr
Taken By the Satyr by Celestia Dew
Summary From Goodreads:
Anthea the nymph’s purpose in life is to give pleasure to the young people who visit her. Still, she is unfulfilled, until a satyr catches her unawares while bathing. She conquers her fear of him and finds animalistic pleasure in his arms. Contains m/m/f, m/f, multiple explicit scenes, rough sex, size. An 18+ erotic fantasy sure to titillate.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
Taken By the Satyr is another naughty short story by the lovely people at Luna Erotica, and it (as is pretty obvious) has a fantasy theme to it just like many of the books I’ve featured here. Unlike many of the others that I’ve read, however, Taken By the Satyr is less comical and more about showing what these mythological creatures would have gone through if they were (or are) real.
Both Anthea and Phanocles (the satyr) were characters to be pitied, or at least sympathized with. Anthea’s life seems to be perfect and filled with love (or at minimum lust) yet she feels empty and unfulfilled. Phanocles takes what he wants and does as he pleases which seems very freeing, and he has the might to do so, but he appears sad at times and lonely. This depth of character in a story so short is what sets the Luna writers apart from the rest and makes these not only worth reading, but re-reading as well.
For those looking for some naughty fantasy creature time, no worries, that is here too. The sex scenes aren’t entirely my taste, but they are well done and enjoyable nonetheless. It’s easy to recommend this, especially if you have enjoyed any of this subgenre before. Thanks as always for reading, and have a great weekend! ^.^
Goodreads 2014 Reading Challenge #80/365; 2014 Ebook Reading Challenge #26/75
Mini Review Monday: The Poison Eaters by Holly Black
The Poison Eaters
Summary From Goodreads: 
Pick your poison: Vampires, devils, werewolves, faeries, or . . . ? Find them all here in Holly Black’s amazing first collection.
In her debut collection, New York Times best-selling author Holly Black returns to the world of Tithe in two darkly exquisite new tales. Then Black takes readers on a tour of a faerie market and introduces a girl poisonous to the touch and another who challenges the devil to a competitive eating match. Some of these stories have been published in anthologies such as 21 Proms, The Faery Reel, and The Restless Dead, and many have been reprinted in many “Best of” anthologies.
The Poison Eaters is Holly Black’s much-anticipated first collection, and her ability to stare into the void—and to find humanity and humor there—will speak to young adult and adult readers alike.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews on Mini Review Monday! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
I have enjoyed Holly Black’s work in the past, most notably Doll Bones which I read last year and loved, so I was pretty excited to see what creepy things were in store in this collection. The Poison Eaters left me feeling one of the worst emotions that I could have toward a book, I was apathetic.
Some of the stories were pretty enjoyable, with a bit of a creepy/dark feel to them, and Black’s signature writing style which I do enjoy. However, too many of them felt like the skeletons of stories, a bit of bare bones that needed more flesh to them, more depth. Others were dragged on to long, to the point where any shock factor was either forgotten if it was in the beginning, or seemingly devoid of point if it was at the end.
As harsh as that last bit sounds, the stories were fine, they just weren’t up to the standard I was accustomed to with her writing. I wanted more of the haunting elements and less of the tedious filler that I found. I enjoyed enough of the stories (around 40-50%) to give it a positive rating, but I can’t recommend it. Hopefully the next book by her that I read will be at the level of Doll Bones. Thanks as always for reading! ^.^
Goodreads 2014 Reading Challenge #77/365; Mount TBR Challenge #56/200; 2014 TBR Pile #56/50
Frodo’s Frisky Friday: Gabriel’s Mate
Gabriel’s Mate
Summary From Goodreads: 
After Maya is turned into a vampire against her will, vampire and Scanguards bodyguard Gabriel is charged with protecting her and finding her attacker.
Gabriel has never guarded a body as perfect as Maya’s. But while the sexual tension between them rises and the rogue vampire closes in on them, Gabriel can’t allow himself to give into the desire he feels for Maya. He fears to fully show himself to her despite the intimacies they share – afraid she will react like all other women when she discovers the horror he hides.
Will she run from him when she discovers his secret, calling him a monster, a freak, a creature not worthy of her love?
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
As is the case with the first two books in the series, Gabriel’s Mate is filled with danger, vampires, murder mystery, and a bunch of steamy sex scenes that are sure to get you in the right mood. The Scanguards Vampires series is easily my favorite full-length erotica books, and one of the few that I own in print (thanks to a giveaway ages ago). The series combines plot that you will actually care to read with some of the better naughty scenes that I have come across, both passionate and sometimes risque making for a lovely combo. There is also enough witty banter to keep you engaged and laughing along the way, enough to tone down the more serious parts.
Gabriel’s Mate is the most touching book as well as being potentially the most frustrating. Gabriel is dealing with multiple physical deformities that prevent him from being able to drop his guard and pursue love, not to even mention the lack of sex. However, while his plight is something to sympathize with, the other MC, Maya, buys into it WAY to easily. She barely bats an eye when she discovers his deformities, readily accepts whatever he story he tells her (being true doesn’t matter, trust me), and is all over him almost immediately. She’s way too trusting to be believable.
While the murder mystery and the sex in this one is just as great as the books that preceded it, and though I will probably continue the series sometime in the future, this one lacked some cohesiveness and Maya’s lack of hesitation pretty much anywhere in the story bothered me quite a bit. It wasn’t my favorite, but it was alright. The steamy bits will be enough for most readers I’m sure. Thanks as always for reading!
Goodreads 2014 Reading Challenge #75/365; Mount TBR Challenge #54/200; 2014 TBR Pile #54/50
Mini Review Monday: Mind Games by Kiersten White
Storm
Summary From Goodreads: 
Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.
Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.
In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews on Mini Review Monday! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
I wanted to like this book so much. Cool mind powers in a ninja/forced boarding school/asylum-like setting, a quirky MC and her blind sister who has a story just as interesting, all wrapped up in deceit and mystery. How could this possibly go wrong?
It is pretty simple. Take the story and all of its potential, jumble it up by bouncing back and forth between different times in the past and the present while also changing POV every so often, none of which has any regularity to it. Then make the MC try to act tough and pull off that persona when in reality she just whines and complains constantly. Follow it up with all of the potentially cool action scenes being messed up by mixing real-time action with a weird inner monologue that ruins any possible fluidity. Finally, make the romantic whatever-the-heck-that-was forced and awkward and the rest of the cast be bland and have no backstory to speak of.
That right there is what will result in a DNF for me. I made it through about 150 pages which is over halfway before giving up, refusing to read 100 more. Maybe my brain just wasn’t ready for all of the “mind games” that were going on, but it never felt cohesive or smooth and just no. Not for me. Plenty of people did enjoy this one, so I’m not going to say DO NOT READ or anything so drastic, but I certainly won’t recommend it. Blah. Thanks as always for reading!
Goodreads 2014 Reading Challenge #71/365; Mount TBR Challenge #51/200; 2014 TBR Pile #51/50; New Author Challenge #29/50
Frodo’s Frisky Friday: The Wicked Merman by Kelly Apple
The Wicked Merman
Summary From Goodreads: 
When her friend drags her off to the lake for some much needed R&R, Ari thought she’d be getting away from supernaturals for a few days. Sunning and swimming sound divine and it might help her shake off the funk of being parted from her beloved Guardian.
But when a girl who loves monsters ends up at a lake housing a merman, she’s going to end up doing a lot more than swimming.
Ari can’t resist trying to find the answer to the age-old question: How do mermen have sex?
This wicked merman is more than happy to give her some hands-on experience.
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It’s time for another edition of Frodo’s Hobbit Sized Reviews! Short and sweet just like 2nd breakfast!
I have come to the conclusion that the Monstrous Tales series is going to be exactly what most erotica enthusiasts are looking for, at least if they enjoy the fantasy variety. It is a solid dose of “monster” and human coupling, an underlying story of isolated creatures that are pretty lonely, and a small bit of “regular life” drama thrown in. If that is what you are after then you will be more than satisfied as this is some of the best writing I’ve come across in terms of the sex scenes. Kelly Apple is innovative, she answers questions that come across perverse minds like ours such as “how do mermen have sex?” while giving a bit of a reality check when it comes to the day-to-day lives of these creatures, it isn’t all fantastical in fantasy land.
If you follow the blog, and this feature in particular, then you know that I’ve featured three of the four tales in this series making it somewhat of a staple akin to Leigh Wilder and the writers at Luna Erotica. The difference between this series and some of Wilder’s similar work is the MC in Monstrous Tales, Ari, is someone I can barely tolerate, where even the frustrating ones in Wilder’s stories have some redeeming qualities. The sex scenes, monsters, and story around her is excellent, but she is whiny, self-centered, and quite frankly bitchy when she’s not screwing something. Even then she isn’t satisfied and wants her Guardian, which is fine to a point, but it is stressed too much for me.
I’m going to keep reading this series and trying to tune out the MC’s whiny tendencies and frustrating lack of compassion toward anyone but the Guardian. The rest of what is going on is definitely worth it, but if you are looking for a character you can get behind (pardon the pun) this is not it. I still recommend the series, but just keep it in mind. Thanks as always for reading and have a great (and maybe a bit naughty) weekend! ^.^
Goodreads 2014 Reading Challenge #72/365; 2014 Ebook Reading Challenge #25/75; Seriously Series Reading Challenge #24/75
Frodo's Blog of Randomness 