The Jazzy World of E's Bookshelf

Saturday, January 3, 2015

E's Favorite Books of 2014: #1 Surviving Goodbye by Morgan Parker

Synopsis

In the final hours of her life, Elliot Fitch’s wife confesses that he is not the biological father to their 16-year old daughter.

Surviving Goodbye follows Elliot’s collision course with Fate as he embarks on a journey to locate his daughter’s real father. When Elena, now seventeen years old, announces her unplanned pregnancy and the father’s unwillingness to play a role in their child’s upbringing, Elliot faces an ironic dilemma about the true meaning of parenthood and the roles we play in the lives of others, particularly those we love and who love us in return.

Mini Review

Surviving Goodbye is my favorite book of the year and another book I added to my all-time favorite list. The story of Elliot, a man who finds out before his wife passes away that he's not the biological of their daughter is a remarkable book. Morgan Parker delivers a superb story as Elliot sets out to find the truth. Surviving Goodbye is one book you'll want to read.

Friday, January 2, 2015

E's Favorite Books of 2014: #2 The Coolest Way to Kill Yourself by Nicholas Tanek

Synopsis

Okay. So no one actually kills themselves in this book.

The Coolest Way to Kill Yourself pulls you into the early 90's New York City rave scene, in all its chaotic, psychedelic glory. The narrator grabs you by your wrist and drags you behind two teenage lovers from New Jersey as they tumble through a whirlwind of reckless hedonism that eventually spirals into a dark, devastating world of drug addiction and heartbreak.

As a teenager, Lynn cried, "No one is ever going to write something for me." Nearly two decades later, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Nicholas did just that. The gesture came too late for our unlikely heroine, but his heart was in the right place. A broken heart... but a true love. Reunited after years apart, Lynn and Nicholas embraced their love and sexuality, and embraced each other, despite troubled pasts, despite illness, despite all of their imperfections and mistakes. They shared the kind of honest and shameless connection that few have had the honor of knowing, and most would never understand.

"We're not hurting anyone. We're just living life without caring what anyone thinks about us."

"It's the coolest way to kill ourselves," Lynn said.

So turn the page, and pull the trigger.

Mini Review

There are not enough words to express how much I loved The Coolest Way To Kill Yourself. It is not only one of my favorite books of the year, it is now one of my all-time favorite books. It is a beautiful unconventional love story written for the love of Nicholas' life Lynn. He takes you on their journey from teenage lovers to their second chance of love. It is a honest, raw, heartbreaking story that shows what true pure love is.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

E's Favorite Book of 2014: #4 The Photographer Series by Sarah Robinson

The Photographer Series

by Sarah Robinson

He takes a picture of every woman he kills.

She takes nothing from anyone.

Kate Jackson is a woman haunted by her past with no direction in life, and surviving only on her close relationship with her sister, Annie. Until she meets charming lawyer, Derrick Kane. Despite having a painful past of his own, he gives Kate everything she could have ever wanted in a lover.

Just when she thinks she might have found the key to learning how to live again, maybe even how to love, The Photographer rips it all away from her with one click of his camera.

Somehow she survived, determined to rise above the trauma life has dealt her. Yet, she doesn't get away that easy, The Photographer isn't done with her yet.

The infamous serial killer begins dropping menacing hints at every turn.

Reminding Kate that he owns her. That he broke her body.

The small, quiet life that Kate had built for herself with Derrick is over. Pulverized by the twisted workings of the notorious serial killer and the agony of being betrayed by the one man she had trusted her heart to. Trust had never come easily to her, yet she had given it to Derrick. And he destroyed her with it.

Kate is a fighter and refusing to allow a sadistic killer to take everything from her yet again, she delves into the police investigation targeting The Photographer and finally revealing his true identity. Kate is fighting for justice while fighting to reclaim the man she loves, and somehow learn to trust him again.

But when an innocent life is on the line, the cost of justice could be more than love can afford. Kate quickly learns that finding the face behind the mask, doesn't make you safe.

Monsters are only uglier in the light of day.

Mini Review

Sarah Robinson's Photographer Trilogy is one series that is a definite must read. Each book gets better as you read it. The last book, Untainted is my favorite because of the emotional ringer it puts you through. I can't recommend this series enough. Sarah Robinson hits it out of the park with this romantic crime thriller.

E's Favorite Books of 2014: #5 Storm Series by M. Stratton

Storm Series

by M. Stratton

After the Storm
Book One of The Storm Series
Alexia “Lexi” Hanson moved across the country to rebuild her life after the attack that almost destroyed her. She enjoys the simple things in her beach cottage. Life is finally complete.

Noah Matthews is Rock & Roll’s hottest star and on top of the world. After years without a break he finds the solitude he craves at his beach house. Enjoying his early morning coffee, Noah is surprised to see his neighbor sneak into his garden and crawl around.

They never saw that fateful morning coming. Someone was watching them. Someone who thought Lexi belonged to him and would stop at nothing to have her.

Lives are changed forever when they meet amongst the blooms in his garden. Even when things seem darkest, there is always light After the Storm.

Eye of the Storm
Book Two in The Storm Series
Evie Taylor loves her life in Boston, running her bookstore and café, but an accident has made it so she needs to return home to take care of her grandmother. With extra time on her hands, she decides to start looking for the monster that haunts her best friend’s nightmares. A chain of events starts no one could see coming.

When the last person she ever expects shows up and rings her grandmother’s doorbell she finds herself in the middle of danger. Bound together in a common mission, they’ll search the world looking for answers. But can they find them in time or will they end up paying the ultimate price?

As the storm rages around them, they find each other, and the calm in the Eye of the Storm.

Caught in the Storm
Book Three in The Storm Series
What happens when the hunter becomes the hunted?

Kat Snyder has spent years chasing after the man who attacked her and left her for dead. It is her one obsession and she won’t let anyone stand in her way. Now that they are getting closer to finding him she begins to doubt herself and her need for revenge.

Jackson “Jack” Taylor lost the only woman he truly loved. Now that he’s found her again he’s not letting go and will do everything in his power to make her see they can have a life together.Together they search for the monster who has hurt so many women.

The closer they get, the closer they become, until they are both Caught in the Storm.

Mini Review

The Storm Series by is another dark, suspenseful story that had me gripped from beginning to end. The antagonist in this story is one seriously twisted character. As you find out more, you'll be shocked a few times. It's not all dark, there are more than a few funny moments that will leave you laughing out loud. M. Stratton delivers with the Storm Series.

E's Favorite Books of 2014: #6 Corrupted & Warped (Book 1 & 2 in The Manipulation Triology) by Alicia Taylor and Natalie Townson

Corrupted & Warped (Book 1 & 2 in The Manipulation Trilogy) by Alicia Taylor and Natalie Townson

Corrupted

I am going to marry a monster.

He is my everything.
He manipulates people for fun. He takes over their lives, consuming them. He dominates and crushes, ruling them, claiming their souls. No one can survive the games of Damon Hunt.

Before now. Before me.

I am Ella Knight. I am corrupted. My sister was a victim of Damon's games. It’s my turn to play now.

Damon Hunt has been my sole focus, my everything for three years, since my sister’s death. I'll manipulate him. I'll take over his life, consuming and crushing him. I am going to take away his soul. Damon Hunt will not survive my games. I will win.

I hope.

Warped

I won’t be caught off guard again. I won’t let them win. They played the first round and won. Now it’s time for me to even the score. Damon and Leona will pay for their twisted games. Leona is first.

His touch repulses me.
His fake affection disgusts me.
He sickens me.

I need to get my head in the game. I need to be smart and break their bond to more easily crush them. Damon is clever. He knows what he’s doing. He’s been playing the game long enough.

He’s twisted.
I’m warped.

It’s time to finally end this.
Time to finally win.

Mini Review

I instantly loved the story in the Manipulation Trilogy. Ella Knight is a woman on a mission. She wants to get revenge on Damon Hunt, the man she blames for her sister's death. What's happens from there is a puzzle unfolding as you learn more. Along with some surprises that keeps you hooked. Reading Corrupted and Warped was like watching a movie you didn't want to end. I'm looking forward to reading the final book when it's released.

E's Favorite Books of 2014: #3 The Syrian Virgin by Zack Love

Synopsis

nissa is traumatized by the most brutal conflict of the 21st Century: the Syrian Civil War. In 2012, Islamists in Homs terrorize a Syrian-Christian community and destroy everything that a young woman holds dear. Narrowly escaping death, Anissa restarts her devastated life as a college student in NY. She is bewildered and lost -- a virgin in every sense.

But despite her inexperience with men and life in the United States, Anissa is quickly drawn to two powerful individuals: Michael Kassab, the Syrian-American leader working to found the first Mideast Christian state, and Julien Morales, her Columbia University professor who runs a $20 billion hedge fund.

Complicating matters, Michael is still attached to his ex-girlfriend and Julien is the most sought after bachelor in Manhattan (and has hidden demons even his therapist can't extract). Anissa's heart and her communal ties pull her in different directions, as she seeks hope and renewal in a dark world.

Mini Review

The Syrian Virgin by Zack Love is a book that is going to stay with me. It is a brilliantly written contemporary romance set against the Syrian War, a subject you wouldn't normally find in a book. He takes you on Anissa's journey from tragedy to the promise of hope as she enters college. She meets two men who will change her life. What I love about this story is that it has great characters that you can't help but get invested in. The Syrian Virgin is a fantastic story that is a must read. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series and see what's next for Anissa.

Release Blitz: The Photographer Trilogy Box Set by Sarah Robinson

◆◇◆◇ New Box Set Release! ◆◇◆◇

The Photographer Trilogy by Sarah Robinson

NOW LIVE!

SYNOPSIS:

He takes a picture of every woman he kills.

She takes nothing from anyone.

Kate Jackson is a woman haunted by her past with no direction in life, and surviving only on her close relationship with her sister, Annie. Until she meets charming lawyer, Derrick Kane.

Just when she thinks she might have found the key to learning how to live again, maybe even how to love, The Photographer rips it all away from her with one click of his camera.

Somehow she survived, determined to rise above the trauma life has dealt her. Yet, she doesn't get away that easy, The Photographer isn't done with her yet.

The infamous serial killer begins dropping menacing hints at every turn.

Reminding Kate that he owns her. That he broke her body.

The small, quiet life that Kate Jackson had built for herself is over. Pulverized by the twisted workings of the notorious serial killer and the agony of being betrayed by the one man she had trusted her heart to. Trust had never come easily to her, yet she had given it to Derrick. And he destroyed her with it.

Kate is a fighter and refusing to allow a sadistic killer to take everything from her yet again, she delves into the police investigation targeting The Photographer and finally revealing his true identity. Kate is fighting for justice while fighting to reclaim the man she loves, and somehow learn to trust him again.

But when an innocent life is on the line, the cost of justice could be more than love can afford. Kate quickly learns that finding the face behind the mask, doesn't make you safe.

Monsters are only uglier in the light of day.

**Please note that there is no cliffhanger at the end of this series and everything is fully wrapped up. This box set also includes a never before read, deleted scene about The Photographer's childhood.

DISCLAIMER: Due to violent and dark subject matter, this story is intended for readers over the age of 18 years old.

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◆◇◆◇ Purchase Links! ◆◇◆◇

*Book 3 Paperback includes bonus scene. All ebooks for box set include bonus scene too.

The Photographer Trilogy Box Set (Tainted Series Books 1-3)

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All About Sarah Robinson

Sarah Robinson is the four-time Amazon Bestselling Romance and Crime Thriller Author of the contemporary Rockstar romance series Sand & Clay, as well as the very popular romantic suspense trilogy, The Photographer Trilogy. All of her novels have reached Amazon’s Bestseller Rank in Crime, Crime, Thriller, Contemporary Romance, and/or Romantic Suspense.

In regards to future publications, she is with the Seymour Literary Agency and has recently been contracted by Loveswept, a Random House Penguin imprint, to begin a new contemporary romance series in late 2015 about an Irish family living in the Bronx of alpha male, MMA fighters who own a gym called Legends.

Sarah Robinson is a native of the Washington, DC area and has both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in criminal psychology. She is newly married to a local police officer, Justin, who is just as much of an animal rescue enthusiasts as she is. Together, they own a zoo of rescues, as well as volunteering and fostering for multiple animal shelters.