Showing posts with label Book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book review. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Mirror Image by Sandra Brown - Review


Mirror Image by Sandra Brown 


Plot:

A jet crash handed Avery Daniels a golden opportunity. Mistaken for Carole Rutledge, the badly injured Avery has found that plastic surgery has given her Carole's face, the famous senatorial candidate for a husband, and a powerful Texas dynasty for in-laws. She makes the shattering discovery that someone close to the senator plans to assassinate him. Now to save the life of the man she loves, Avery must live another woman's life-and risk her own.


Grandma Lydia and Katerina's Spoilers

 err... an argument actually!

Let me introduce you folks to my loving Grandma. Well she's not my Lola technically. But she's someone I grew up with. She is my book buddy. I was take after her I think. I grew up sneaking on her personal library. That part of the house is actually our sanctuary. 

Well, as I grew, bantering about books has become our everyday ritual. 

Here's one of our memorable debate about Sandra Brown's masterpiece. I was recording my review and plan to post it on youtube. So I start narrating...

Catey: ahm... first of all... the story's actually lacking of realism-- 

Lola  Lydia : Huh? It is fiction, Catey! It not real. Why expect realism on it?   

Catey: I know, I know... (with my sour look) Will you hear me out first? I want you to stop reading literotica stuff from the internet. I want your full attention.

'Kay, I was ignored by my loving Grandma. She still continue reading from her Ipad. So I decided to keep going. 

I know my Lola, she's a multi tasker. She can play Clash of Clans and read at the same time while her Television is on. 

Catey: Lola, don't close my app, okay? I'm still updating it!

Lola Lydia: Yeah, yeah whateverrr...   (then she went busy again) 

Catey: Where are we? (I looked at the camera again.) Okay when i say lacking of realism? Let me tell you.

- how can a plane crash victim survive when 80% of her body was burned and damaged? More than likely, she'll die in an infection. Or suffer some serious complications.

The book was outdated, which is okay.  

Even with the present technology, there's no breakthrough yet on restoring the face of a burn patient. What more back then?

And she healed within 3 to 6 months? 

Healing process takes years. Plus numerous therapies and all that. 

On the story she was aware that she wasn't Carole. but she played along because of her inability to speak. 

But in fairness, when you became drawn to Ms. Brown's writings, you tend to forget the loopholes on it. I think she can get away with it since she's more focus on in depth feelings of her character more than superficiality and bling -blings.

Though the book was published during the early eighties, but I don't feel like I am more than two decades behind. She never pinpoint car models, hair style, or clothing. When she talks about it, she only mention few details. 

She mentioned some designer brand stuff, but never go in depth on material things. 

Unlike the other authors i have read. Where authors always mention the monetary value of things in her story. 

Some authors write unnecessary details to the point that she would tell you if the condom is made in china.
    
Lola Lydia : Condoms!? (she peeked though her eye glasses as she looked at me.)

Catey :    Lola, you pick that up loud and clear? 

Lola Lydia : Oh of course! I hate condoms. It's giving me an itch.

Catey:    (my jaw dropped) 'La! the camera's rolling, you know!

Lola Lydia :  Just edit it then! 

Catey:    You are already menopause even before Grandpa dies!

(Nah ah. She ignored me. She looked too absorbed on what she was reading.)

Anyway... Tate (the husband) was clueless that the woman he called Carole was somebody else.

He hated his wife Carole (soon to be ex because they were in a process of separation before the plane crash happened.) 

 He seemed to be confused of the new Carole he is facing now. How come that she became a devoted wife and loving mother after the crash?

Life and death experience is no excuse. Carole was an adulterer, mean to their daughter, estranged to his family. 

Okay let me skip a little bit. Because you already knew what happened, right? Just like we watched on movies or soap. Fairly predictable.

Well... if I am Avery, I would have impostor-ed Carole too. Ooh lala!! His bed prowess amazed me!!! He can make love with different emotions.

- when he's angry
- when he's confused
- when he felt free to express it all!

Okay baby, you can be rough on me. Bring it on!

Lola Lydia : Huuu! what a flirt! (she rolled her eyes then resume playing Fishdom)

Catey : (ignore mode) Ooh! The ending was superb. 

"When you look at me, whom did you see?"

"I saw the woman who saved my life. The woman I love. the woman who carries my child." 

"What I mean is--"

"I know what you mean..." he leaned over to the couch and kissed her lovingly " I see Avery."

Eeekkk!!! Tate, hayyy... (Kilig mode)

Lola Lydia: Hoy! You're already late for the Guild Fight!

Catey: OMGeee!  (I ran upstairs to get my tablet and I forgot to turn off the video camera)



Viking by Connie Mason - Book Review




Synopsis and summary:

Thorne the Relentless spots Fiona the Learned in a pool naked on the Isle of Man after he feels a compulsion to go to the island. Immediately he is enchanted and has to have her. He is scared off but returns a year later after suffering a whole year dreaming about her and obsessing about her until he is sure he is bewitched. He is sent to kill the 'witch' on the Isle of Man. He soon finds he can't kill her, he'd rather stop breathing for he feels completely under her siren spell and must have her.

Fiona is no witch, she is a healer. Since she was small, her friend and teacher Brann, has told her she will be captured by her future soulmate, a Viking, on a raid. She is appalled and aghast. She isn't sure Brann is correct, but when Thorne shows up and takes her to his homeland. She soons realizes she is indeed his soulmate and can't understand how Thorne will accept this since he firmly believes she is a witch and has cast a spell on him.

Spoilers and review:

I thought I wouldn't be interested in Viking theme, until I had a glimpse of the movie Pathfinder.

Though the movie is another thing to discuss.

Well according to King Arthur's history, they were vicious, savage, notorious and mean! They not just plunder and steal, but they raped women... They want the women to carry their blood.

On this book, Thorne was strolling at the beach called Isle of Man (that's in Ireland by the way). He was called by the siren's voice.

Lured, hooked and seduced by the clan's princess named Fiona. She was approached by the stranger and 'seduced' her.

Okay, in the modern day, we have an apt word for it. It's called sexual assault.

She was about to compromise her virtue, but she kicked him hard and ran away.

Okay nice move, Fiona. But next time, don't bathe naked in the river!

The Viking hero possess arrogance and pride. He won't stop until he got what he wants. Oh well, an arrogant brat. He is a prince, and that's an  excuse I think.

Blaming the witch he saw at the island for not a 'raising his flag' back home.

Then the king told him: "Return to the island and bring the woman's head! That way you'll be free of her witch spells!"

Alright, we understand that this is the old days. People are were too wrapped up with superstitions. But nobody ever figure out that he just liked the girl. Period!

Maybe heads will roll if they figure it out for him then.

So he attacked the island, came and conquer.

Yeah, violence and sex. But it'll spoil the whole romantic thing going on if Mason elaborate it further.
  
But oh! Here's the catch. He came to kill her because she bewitched him. (eyes rolling)

Then he couldn't thrust the sword on her neck up to the last minute because he claimed to be under the witch craft spell!

Okay, don't u get it dude!? Obviously it was love at first sight!

Then he changed his mind of killing her. He kept her as a slave instead...

And here goes the cheesy dialogues

"give me your virginity! I will have you now!'

"marry me before you claim my body..."

"Are you mad? Why would I marry you!? You're my slave. I can bed you whenever I please!"

"If you bed me against my wishes, I'll put your family under my spell too!"
    
I sometimes wanna scream in frustration as I go further.  Dude, you're in love with the girl! Get it!?

The book has a lot of sex. I lost count already.

Expect it from Mason. When she writes, expect oozing hot sex. She knew how to arouse the readers thoughts. If you're a romance novel fan, this writer actually had the formula you were looking for. Sensual, sexy, hot.

She's good in characterization. You can easily relate to the characters personality. Though her characters made foolish decisions or poor judgement sometimes. Rationality is always at stake.

That's frustrating.


Plot:                    2 and half stars - Somewhat Entertaining.
Sex:                     Is there any higher than 5 stars?
Story overall:      3 stars.