Sheena's Review of "Bad Games"

Bad Games by Jeff Menapace

 

Book Summary

 

PARTICIPATION IS NOT AN OPTION...

 

The Lambert Family is heading to Crescent Lake, a rural cabin community in western Pennsylvania, for an idyllic weekend getaway. Some fishing, some barbecue, some games...

 

The Fannelli brothers are heading to Crescent Lake too. Some stalking, some kidnapping, some murder, definitely some games...though not necessarily the type of games the Lamberts had in mind.

 

But it doesn't matter. The Lamberts are going to play whether they like it or not.

 

An intense psychological thriller, Bad Games has the dark, mind-bending chills of The Bad Seed combined with the fish-out-of-water dread and suspense of Deliverance.

 

So let Jeff Menapace's highly anticipated novel keep you up all night as it delves into the mystery of nature versus nurture when comprehending the evil in man, along with the will and determination an innocent family must summon to fight back against horrific odds.

 

SHEENA'S REVIEW

 

Jeff Menapace has become one of my new, all-time favorite authors (and I don't say that lightly.) Bad Games is a million dollar lottery winner.

 

This man can WRITE. From the very first pages (ok, can we really say a Kindle has pages??) of this book, I was mesmerized.

 

His writing style reminded me of vintage Stephen King  (back in the day when I still loved King) ...when I would read anything he wrote and tune out the world because his words sucked me into another universe...kwim?? That's how awesome this book is.

 

Menapace builds a suspenseful story with believable characters you find yourself completely rooting for and liking.

 

I don't usually write a story synopsis in my reviews, but I will say this book is about a young family - mom, dad and two kids who unwittingly find themselves the focus of two psychopathic brothers (really psychopathic - these dudes are dark and twisted in a million different ways) and their struggle to survive them.

 

I was so into this story that as soon as I finished reading it, I immediately bought the second book, something I rarely do. (And have now bought the third, which came out just after Thanksgiving.)

 

I even transferred the novel to my husband's Kindle when we took a mini vacation with the promise that he would also be captivated - my husband ONLY reads when we go away and he's hanging out on the beach. He read it cover to cover in two days which is a record for him.

 

Awesome story. Awesome writing. I highly recommend Bad Games. Buy it. You won't regret it.

 

 

 

 

 

Sheena's Review of "The Athena Effect"

The Athena Effect by Derrolyn Anderson

Book Summary

Caledonia has been kept a secret her entire life, raised in isolation by two very troubled people. Despite her parent’s disturbing fits, Cal is perfectly content, living at one with the nature that surrounds her, and finding adventure inside the pages of her beloved books. When an awful tragedy tears her away from her remote cabin in the woods, nothing she’s ever read has prepared her for a world that she knows very little about.

Girls and motorcycles are what bad-boy Calvin’s life is all about. Brought up in a raucous party house by his biker brother, he’s free to do as he pleases, going through the motions on his final days of high school. Aimless, Cal stopped thinking about his future a long time ago.

Attacked by a gang of thugs while running an errand for his brother, Cal is in serious trouble until a fierce girl appears out of nowhere to intervene. She chases off three grown men, sparing Cal a brutal beating before disappearing into the night like a spirit. He can’t stop thinking about his mysterious rescuer, and when she turns out to be the weird new girl at school who goes out of her way to avoid him, he can’t contain his curiosity.

He’s never met anyone like her before, and the more he learns about the unusual girl who shares his nickname, the more he wants to know. Cal can’t help falling for Cal, but can he keep her from falling victim to a dangerous enemy from her parent’s tragic past? 

Sheena's Review

 

This is a really well written romance/paranormal YA book. The writing is authentic and the characters are well fleshed out and easy to like. I was hooked from the first page and wanted to solve the mystery behind what made Cali different (I don't want to give any spoilers). I was pleased as the story progressed that I was given little hints, but not all of the answers right away.

 

Even though Cali is "different," she is still someone a reader can identify with and look up to. She's kind and compassionate and doesn't let the ugliness she gets exposed to turn her ugly. Her "bad boy" boyfriend turns out to be a real hero with a heart of gold and really comes through for her.

 

This was a sweet romance and the paranormal aspects added a great twist.

 

As a side note: I also liked the fact that even though there was sex in the book, it was by no means descriptive or inappropriate. If I had a teenaged daughter, I wouldn't feel uncomfortable with her reading this book.

Sheena's Review of "The Gate"

The Gate by KT Grant
***Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author for an honest review***

Book Summary

A chance encounter between a successful author and a billionaire owner of an underground BDSM club, leads to the most pivotal relationship of their lives…

Erika Walsh has carried a torch for Christopher Milton, heir to her father’s publishing empire for years. After one steamy make out session she begins to wonder if it might develop into something more. But when M. L. Crawford, better known as Max, her father’s publishing rival, seeks her out at a society event, she’s drawn to his magnetic charisma and powerful demeanor. Their verbal bantering and innuendo laced overtones stir feelings she never knew existed, and soon Erika is consumed with knowing the real man under Max’s restrained public façade.

Erika’s sweet nature and naivety excites Max to near madness. He wants to train her in the art of seduction and make her succumb to his every wish and command…as his perfect submissive. Yet, Christopher is determined to keep Erika from becoming the latest victim of Max’s sinister sexual hungers. He knows all too well what Max hides in his black soul and will stop at nothing to reveal all of Max’s secrets in order to protect the one thing he holds dear above all else- Erika.

Max’s dark desires scare yet arouse Erika, as he opens her eyes to a new bold world full of passion and ecstasy she never imagined until him. But the biggest question remains: Is Erika’s craving for Max just an illusion that transpires behind the walls of The Gate?

 

 

 

Sheena's Review

This book was raw and edgy. It's definitely NOT a book for someone who is afraid to explore the darker side of BDSM - most of the sex scenes in here are not "pretty" or tied up in neat little bows. The language can be crude, and the situations are definitely very adult. The writing is well done, and the sex can be very erotic, but it is definitely brutal and hard. It's a good exploration of a BDSM Club atmosphere/lifestyle.

At times I found myself getting annoyed with the main character Erika; it was difficult for me to identify with her. She puts up with a lot of crap from her old crush Chris (towards the end of the book she basically allows him to come extremely close to raping her and "likes" it, and then continues to associate with him...huh???)
This definitely kept me from giving this a four star review, and I'm not sure if I will read the sequel because it says that she is torn between a relationship with Chris or Max, and I'm not down with reading about her being interested in a man who tried to rape her.

I just don't get the attraction once she learns who Chris truly is - what adult woman would seriously consider a man who forced himself (not in a planned way) on her? Before that scene I was totally gung ho on the novel, and then I got turned off. Not quite sure why the author chose to take that turn... I'm actually kinda bummed, because I was into the story before the weird ending...

That being said, I DO like the way she writes (her style) and I would definitely check out other books she's written.