Starkissed Lizzy Ford

Starkissed by Lizzy Ford - 3 STARS

Synopsis- 
When Mandy loses her job, she thinks she’s hit rock bottom – until her plane is swallowed by a strange storm that sends her and everyone else on board 10,000 years into the future. At first, she thinks the scary world is nothing more than a bad dream. The war-torn Earth is unrecognizable. Black fog blocks the sun, and the oceans are dry. Even worse: the planet is inhabited by half-human, half-alien creatures dying from a mysterious disease. Horrified at the thought of spending her life here, she clings to the knowledge that there’s one man who can open the star gate to send her home. 
As the Naki prince who controls the star gate, Akkadi gets first choice of any human female that makes her way through the star gate. Only by breeding with purebred humans from the past can his race hope to remain immune to the disease and hopefully, develop an eventual cure. With shrinking resources and a raging battle for the human planet, dutiful, commanding Akkadi is less than thrilled at the idea of trying to figure out Mandy, a woman he views as wild with neither discipline nor respect for someone in his position. He’s ready to write her off, when she offers him something too tempting to resist: her body for the chance to convince him by any means possible to send her home. Neither intends for the arrangement to be permanent or to fall for the other. Only when Mandy learns Akkadi’s secret and walks away does he realize he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her – even if it means losing his war.


Overall- Im not sure where to begin with this one.  I REALLY liked this book overall. In fact, I read it in one day. I was drawn into the book by mere intrigue. The plot is so very different from anything Ive ever read. It had dystopian elements, lots of love, lots of angst, lots of sci-fi, and some action and adventure. A lot of great elements right?! And frankly I dont think the author did anything "wrong" it ended perfectly, there was enough of every aspect for me. What I didnt like was that I felt very confused about the world that the characters lived in throughout the book. By the end, I got it, and I was there. But it took me a while before I figured out the world building. This book in general though was extremely interesting with lots of twists. When I finished, I was very satisfied, the ending was perfect. I admit, I was not expecting certain aspects of this book. For one, there are sex scenes and sexual content through out. And there is also discussion regarding to race. (I put this in because I think readers should be aware of what they're getting into, while I do not see this book as a racial book in any way, one should be aware that the book may make references to a race being the best, but I do not in any way thing this was intentional or its purpose, this book reminds me more of the movie Avatar.)

Cover- pretty
Rating: R
Overall: An interesting angsty sci-fi SA read!
Characters:  Mandy, Akkadi
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? No
Book Boyfriend: None?
Genre: New Adult Science Fiction 
Sex Scenes: Yes
Setting- Outer Space 

Plot-This book threw me for a loop. I was not expecting any of this! It was quite the pleasant surprise. Confusing at times, but overall pretty good! I think what needed more work was the world building, I was not quite sold on the where. The planet and space ship settings were confusing, and I couldn't tell sometimes where the characters were. At times I also felt confused as to who was who when I probably shouldn't have been confused. There were a lot of things I liked. I liked that the author made it easy to follow along with the plot (which seems counter to what I say above, however I disagree, the plot/story line differ from the setting, I found the setting confusing not the plot). The pacing and style was really great, never a dull moment. I also really liked the dual point of view, and I think that Akkadi's perspective was dead on for a guy. His thought process and word choice even felt more male like. I liked that I was able to see the different characters develop and grow throughout the novel. 

Characters-
Mandy--Poor Mandy. When the book first starts I saw her as weak, annoying, and naive, somewhat princess like (in that she always gets what she wants when she whines kind of way, and used to having things handed to her). And she was. And in a weird way, I liked that she was getting what she deserved. Okay maybe not that far. But still. I was intrigued. Through the course of the book though I found myself really liking her. She stood up for what she believed and wanted, no matter the consequences. She was passionate and loving. She didn't allow fear to get in the way of her strength. I found her to be quite the character and I was most definitely rooting for her by the end of the book! 

Akkadi--In the beginning I wasn't sure what to think about him. I was in his head but didn't really understand his ways or his reasons. Which was kind of the point. And it worked. And I liked it. He was so interesting! I loved reading his POV because I always got answers! He was so shielded that the only way to understand was to be in his head, and once I was I felt as though I could really understand his ways and his reasons. I like that at first he is level headed with a one track mind, ruling his "kingdom" and that over the course of the book he learns to open his eyes and his heart. He goes from a man people feared to a man people look up to, and I like that characterization much better! Watching his development though was really fun and interesting. 

Salvation

Salvation by Noelle Adams 4 STARS

Synopsis--You get to the point where you can just say it. There was never anything special about me, except my father is rich and important. That's why it happened.
It was just a normal Tuesday afternoon. I was twenty-three and thinking about my new designer boots. They kidnapped me for ransom. They raped me before I was rescued. My therapist says that talking about it means I'm starting to heal.
I don't really think I am.
It's even harder to talk about Gideon. He couldn’t save me when it really mattered, so he keeps trying to save me now. He refuses to give up on me, and I can’t make him understand. There are some things you just can’t be saved from.
Warning: Salvation is a love story that follows a difficult path of healing after sexual assault. It is a true contemporary romance, but it addresses very hard issues, including rape and attempted suicide. Please consider whether this book is for you.

* Netgalley provided a copy in exchange for a review.

Overall: Pretty and Alluring
Characters: Diana and Gideon
Page Turner: Not in the action packed way 
Series Cont.? No
Recommend if You Like…Almost, Going Under, 
Book Boyfriend: Gideon
Genre: New Adult 
Sex Scenes: Yes

Shawn Ashmore as Gideon

Overall- 

This book was really very interesting and quite a different take on the genre, which I can appreciate. Salvation was a quick read, but not an easy one. Diana has a very heavy heart, and the way she deals with her rape and kidnapping is nothing idyllic. Instead this book shows us the very raw, genuine and real emotional and physical effects that rape has on someone. Someone once normal, and no one "special." This story though, told from Diana's point of view is more than just the aftermath of a rape. Its about a woman coming back from it, finding herself, learning not to live with what happened but to move past it and possibly find love again. 

The book focuses primarily on Diana and her relationship with Gideon as she begins to deal with her rape. Perhaps "deal" is not the right word though. She does not deal very well, and begins a downward spiral once released from the hospital. Her savior is really Gideon, the FBI agent who was with her when she was raped. Even though Gideon feels guilty for not being able to stop what happened, I believe he is actually what saved her in the end (in more than one way). His advice to her may have been what helped her. Gideon and Diana's relationship starts off slowly, but it builds deeply throughout the book. This relationship saves them both in different ways but both lead them back to each other time and time again. At times I have to wonder if their relationship is unhealthy or the best thing to happen to either one of them. But love has many ways of showing itself. The love Gideon has for Diana is truly unbelievable and very heart warming. 

Christa B Allen as Diana

One of the things I appreciated about this book, is that it is not erotica, it doesn't depict the sexual assault in a graphic manner or describe it much at all for that matter.  The event is mentioned, and briefly described but not in any sort of sexual manner. This book focuses instead on the after events. Truly showcasing the struggles that a woman can go through. Unfortunately most do not have their hero, as Diana had here, Gideon. Someone who unconditionally loves and is willing to do anything to help the woman whom he went through a drastic event with. 

What I didn't like: 

The writing sometimes which seemed like it was a little more like a diary and less of a story. 
The story was TOO focused on just Gideon and Diana, it seemed like they were the only aspect of the story. Not much about her family was provided and her friends were barely in the story. 
Lastly, I struggled throughout the book as to whether I liked Gideon, was he doing this because he felt guilty, or out of obligation, or did he really care for her? And Diana, I found her downward spiral to be weird and awkward at times. Not to mention the relationship was not conventional, and Im surprised that her therapist never once mentioned this. I also disliked Gideon's strong dislike for Diana's father and his money. It was weird that it was brought up in pieces and then never discussed that much. 

In the end though I liked the book and feel that its a real gem. I look forward to reading more from this author. 

Altered

Altered by Jennifer Rush- 4.5 STARS 

Synopsis When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?
Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them. 
Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.
Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.
Overall
I absolutely without a shadow of doubt LOVED this book. I REALLY cannot tell you how much I fell in love with this book and its characters. It is now one of my favorite books of all time. This book has it all, mystery, action, adventure, romance, twists and turns, surprises.This was a well written science fiction romance story.

The story starts off a little slow, introducing us to the different characters, and their relationship with one another, as well as the underlying plot of the book. Its easy to tell that something is "off" about this story, (I mean who doesnt think its weird to keep 4 young men locked in glass cages?!) but its easy to get sucked into this story too. Anna's narrative was beautifully written, Its not only her story, but her thoughts, which feel so natural and genuine. It was easy to see why she loves Sam too. He is protective of those he cares about, loyal, and understanding. His connection with Anna and the boys in intriguing and the more pieces that I learned the more I had to keep reading, to find out the truth, the ending, the purpose.


The overall plot was really woven together quite nicely. The minute details that the author leaves as clues throughout the book were done with such care, and yet inexplicably they fall together perfectly, if one werent paying close attention you may not notice those so important details. The author captured the science fiction, mystery adventure and romance genre- in the young adult field, beautifully and perfectly in my opinion.
I simply could not wait to delve in to the next book.


This  story seems simple, but the pieces of the mystery that we have to unfold, bit by bit are so intriguing, that I was sucked in completely. I couldnt stop reading until I knew the truth. I was consumed and fascinated with this story.

Britt Robertson as Anna

Im amazed at Jennifer Rush's ability to construct such a beautiful story with so many pieces, and twists throughout, without losing your character or your reader along the way.

Anna is a quite the protagonist. She is shy, yet strong, and above all else, she believes that her perseverance and her love for Sam will prevail in the end. She is thrown into an unbelievable situation (on many levels) yet her character is easy to relate to, and through the course of her journey with these four boys, its clear that her character develops. Not only does Anna generate relationships with these boys, but she comes to understand them and relate to them on a level all of her own.

I loved the different boys, Sam, Cas, Nick and Trev, all for different reasons. Jennifer Rush managed to create individual personalities for each of them without losing their voice or confusing them (or the reader) the were each individuals and yet a group which was really interesting to watch unfold. The way the group worked together, was the most intriguing. The whole time I felt like this could be such a great TV series or movie.

Cas- Chris Zylka

Henry Cavill

Sean O'Pry

Trev- Chase Crawford 

I docked this book 1/2 a star mainly because there were a few loose ends that I felt were not wrapped up, or were strange. Specifically, what stands out the most is the betrayal, which should have been explicitly clear when the last clue was figured out, and yet somehow it was missed completely until the moment it was upon them. Their ignorance at this and a few other betrayal clues, which seemed obvious by this last one, were out of character for Anna and the group, and I think the story could have continued without it occurring later, and would have been better with figuring it out at the time I did. However, I think the fact that the author managed to capture so many small plot points, clues and different personality and characters into such a fantastic novel is an amazing feat all itself.

This one is DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED!!!