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Blakely Bennett's Books & Favorites
Learn all about my novels and the books I love.
Although I love this author, I can't recommend this one...
I absolutely loved Ugly Love and Maybe Someday and found them both inspiring. Colleen Hoover's writing is excellent. However, I found this book incredibly irritating and the ending so contrary to the book title. I love the confessions and artwork but the rest fell flat to me.
So unique! I loved it.
This is one of the most interesting stories of read of late. I highly recommend it if you like your stories a little bit dark. Must read.
Bittersweet Deceit
This is definitely my favorite story to date. I guess it's good to think that of your latest completed project. I fell in love with Stayman while writing this novel. I think he's the perfect albeit flawed man. He is definitely his own person but with so much kindness and compassion.
I continue to enjoy getting to know this group of friends and look forward to delving into Blue's love life next.
Thanks to all my readers who continue to support me. <3
Wonder
This book was not only fabulous but one of a kind. I'm still too emotional to write a review. It's really one the best books I have ever read.
1
The Last Letter from Your Lover
A married woman falls in love with man and then people and fate keep them apart for most of their lives.I love this book two thirds the way through and then I struggled to finish the last third. I truly believe this could have been a wonderful work of art, had the author introduced the characters from the last third of the book sooner. When they arrived, I had no interest in learning about them and just wanted to find out what happened to the main characters in the story.
I also recommended this book to people BEFORE I finished it and won't make that mistake again.
Dream Lake. by Lisa Kleypas (Friday Harbor)
I'm a fan of Lisa Kleypas and until I read this book had preferred her historical romances. This contemporary romance with a ghost drew me in right off the bat and held onto me until I finished. I had already read two other books from her Friday Harbor series and enjoyed them but this one I loved.I love Alex who was a complicated alcoholic going through a loveless divorce. His feelings were so shut off that Zoe had to cook and prey her way into his heart.
I enjoyed the quirky relationship between Alex and the ghost and the mystery that surrounded it.
Lisa Kleypas is really great at sexual tension and yummy sex scene.
A definitely five star book.
 - Lisa Kleypas)
Brie Learns the Art of Submission: Submissive Training Center
WARNING: You are about to embark on a very dichotomous review, but I promise to explain myself along the way.Brie works in a smoke shop and one day a very striking, mysterious man comes in and they experience an immediate connection. He leaves his card for her, which is for a submissive school he owns. Brie enters the program and the sexathon begins.
What I loved about the story:
First off, I think Red’s style of writing is excellent and she can craft a sex scene like no one else (I’m rather envious) and I loved the story line.
What didn’t work for me:
Having read the Brie series as a novel, and not in installments as it was originally intended, was a huge mistake. I don’t recommend it. In small doses I think I might have liked it better, however, I still think my critique has merit. Being an erotic writer myself, I can’t believe I am even saying this but there was just way too much sex in the book. Like over the top sex scene, after sex scene, after sex scene. And just when I think I’m getting a break, Brie has a sex dream or a sex fantasy. It was too much for me. (But if you like that sort of thing, every single scene was amazing and different.)
My other main issue is that the story lacked depth of any kind. We don’t get to know about the characters at all except as it pertains to sex and pushing their boundaries. The character we learn the most about and has the most facets (a side character) is another student going through the sub training with Brie.
I would rate it 3.5 stars but since Goodreads and Amazon don’t allow half a star, I give it 4 stars. Red’s writing was inspiring even though it lacked depth.
As an author, I believe any half star you would like to give should be bumped up to the next star. Readers, be kind to your authors. :D
Mind Games: A Diana Racine Psychic Suspense - Book 1
Mind Games is about Diana Racine’s relationship with her gift as a psychic, with her parents, the media and her fans. I loved all the complex relationships and Polly Iyer’s excellent ability in writing voices and behaviors that made each character very distinctive. That’s definitely a fine art. The two most important relationships that Diana has to contend with are the budding romance between her and Detective Lucier and the dangerous man with an equally powerful psychic ability who is hell bent on proving, in the most destructive ways, that he is superior. I read this 390 page novel quickly and felt very satisfied with the end. I was rooting for Diana the whole way.Those of you who follow me know I don’t review on my blog often. Truthfully, I’m very picky about what I love to read. Every now and then, I find an author that has the perfect amount of conversation, description, action, and narration. I have found that in Polly Iyer and plan to devour her collection of books.
The other thing I have realized is that I need some suspense in the novels that I read so the story compels me to want to know what happens next. Overdone narration, description, and back story just put me to sleep, literally.
When I read, I want to be taken on a journey to somewhere I would never actually experience myself and Ms. Iyer brought me into the heart of New Orleans, showed me the world of psychic entertainment and crime investigation. I also enjoy watching characters change and evolve through circumstances and Ms. Iyer didn’t disappoint. I’m excited to read the next in the series and find out what’s next for Diana.
I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting Ms. Iyer on Facebook, after I started her novel, and she is a real gem of a lady. She was very open to talking to me about the craft of writing and effective marketing. I always enjoy connecting with my readers and other authors and it was great to find another author, a great one, so receptive to sharing her expertise.
A big five stars for Mind Games (A Diana Racine Psychic Suspense) by Polly Iyer. Pick up the book, I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
Stuck in Between
I really love this group of friends and look forward to delving into all the characters through the series. Jacqs, Red, and Bond have a very interesting dynamic in Stuck in Between that changes and evolves through the subsequent novels. I found it interesting and exciting that my readers fell so hard for Red. Many have said he is the perfect man. I tend to create my characters with flaws but I guess one well-adjusted character works. ;)
I personally LOVE Bond and he has plenty of room to grow yet.
Wait until you read Bittersweet Deceit! I'm totally in love with Stay and bet you will be too.
Crystal Cove
I enjoyed the story and I really liked Jason, the love interest. I do prefer her historical romances though.
The Silent Wife
I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. I like the story but at times I found myself skimming through all the heavily laden detail. I also struggle with how much of the story was told in narrative. I really enjoyed how the book was told from two different perspectives and found A.S.A.'s descriptions to be very vivid. Overall I thought it was a really good book.
Geared to the Present, Jones Whitman Time Traveler Series
My husband wrote this novel and I'm completely in love with the story. I love the contrast in time periods between 1891 and 2012. I love all the interesting characters and the love story. You sci-fi buffs will not be disappointed.
Rainshadow Road
I really like the story overall. I did have a hard time getting into it at the beginning but soon fell in love with Sam. If you like romance, this is a good one.
Why I Married A Murderer and How I Survived the Divorce
I found this memoir to be hilarious and highly upsetting at times. It was very hard to put down and a very fast read. I highly recommend it if you, like me, love to experience an extraordinary life journey. I sure hope she has better luck with men in the future and that she keeps on writing. Great read.
