Fifty Shades Darker by E. L. James

Back of book:

"Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life."

So if you haven't read the first book, SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Just like the first book, this book is steamy and intense. This book picks up almost immediately where the first left off after the painful split between Ana and Christian. Ana finally realized that she couldn't take the lifestyle Christian wanted and left him. It was painful and I simply couldn't believe it!

However, it isn't long before Christian contacts her again and it's obvious the chemistry is still there. When they start to talk about the relationship, he has a new proposal for her. Remember that submissive contract he wanted Ana to sign? Well he doesn't want that any more. If it means that she'll stay with him, for the first time he's willing to try more. I practically melted after reading that. After how alpha male and dominated Chritian was in the first book, even after he started to ease up, it was just one of the sweetest things I'd ever read.

While there are still some scenes that are not quite so vanilla in the book, the growth that you see in the characters learning to overcome their pasts (especially Christian) is really stunning. There are some extremely deep and emotional scenes that had me absolutely addicted and in love with these characters.

One thing I really liked is the thought process that Ana goes through in both this book and the first book. Christian is definitely not an easy person to date with all of his personal issues he is trying to overcome (and trust me they are well founded) and despite Ana being absolutely in love with him, it doesn't make her blind to all of the issues. She has doubts and fears and issues of her own that she has to overcome in the relationship. There are moments where I find her to be over reacting to a couple situations however, however I loved that she actually had to sort through and face these issues. These issues really make me feel closer to the characters and sympathetic to what they were feeling.

This book had me hooked. I was reading constantly and in every spare second. It was just as addicting as the first book and just as intense and deep, even after getting to know the mysterious Christian more. It's another must read if you are looking for an intense and steamy romance.



Other Books in the Series:
1. Fifty Shades of Grey
2. Fifty Shades Darker
3. Fifty Shades Freed

Spin offs:
Fifty Shades of Grey From Christian's Perspective
1. Meet Fifty Shades Continued - Fifty Shades of Grey by G. E. Griffin
2. Meet Fifty Shades Continued - Fifty Shades Darker by G. E. Griffin
3. Meet Fifty Shades Continued - Fifty Shades Freed by G. E. Griffin

Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

Back of book:

"When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires."

To be honest I didn't know a whole lot about this book when I decided to pick it up. I heard vague discriptions from friends as an older man who seduced a younger woman and I simply got curious one day after seeing a movie poster. Well, my first idea about it was quite off.

Anastasia Steele is an average girl, twenty-one year old girl finishing off college, who isn't big in the dating department of her life. By this I mean she never had a serious boyfriend and no one had really caught her attention, until now. Christian Grey is a twenty-seven (not middle aged like I had believed) extremely successful, drop dead gorgeous, business man.

Ana meets Mr. Grey after agreeing to interview him for her sick best friend and is taken off gaurd by just how young and attractive he is. Along with stunning with the looks of a Greek god, she finds him serious, mysterious, intimidating, and a little bit cold.

The tension and electricity between the two characters is instant. Everytime the two are in the same room I was eagar to see what would happen. There is always that air of mystery when it comes to Christian's character in that you always knew there was some other meaning behind something he said or his actions, which just made it all the more exciting and sexy.

I have to admit that I found Ana - at least through the first half or so of the book - painfully awkward. The things she would say or do, especially around Christian, I felt shy for her. However, I chalk this up to the fact that she is supposed to be extremely inexperienced when it comes to men and the dating scene.

After the initial interview with Christian, she thinks she's done with him and decides that despite he is the first man that has actually caught her attention, he is far out of her league, however, he just doesn't seem to be able to stay away.

For awhile, despite him never passing up the chance to see her, and displaying a few stalker tendencies, i.e. showing up at her place of work, tracking her phone, and finding her address, he does seem to resist actually making any sort of move on somenoe he seems to realize is fairly inocent. This only makes the suspence build since the romance always seems just so close!

After an almost date, Christian confesses to Ana that he doesn't think he is the man for her and that he couldn't give her "hearts and flowers." Eventually he is broken down when she finially tells him she doesn't want him to stay away and she wants to know what his lifestyle is. Christian reveals that he doesn't do the regular dating thing but is in fact a dominant who enjoys having a submissive woman.
While I wont get too into the dirty details here, I was totally surprised by this turn in the book, especially since I hadn't had a clue and was under the impression that the book was turning into more of a romance novel. I have to admit, some of the book is a little shocking at times, but the relationship between Ana and Christian is intense and while there are definitely some S&M kind of themes, the book is more about the two people growing and learning to trust each other. In fact most of the scenes, while graphic, are no more shocking that other romance novels with a little bit more kinkiness thrown in.

Despite the rather surprising lifestyle Christian leads, I absolutely loved him, and I think most girls would. Putting the darker scenes aside, there are some really sweet and fun moments. The book is rather simply written, and one that I couldn't put down. For a book I only had a mild curiousity about, I think it will be on my favorites list, and one of the most memorable I have ever read. In fact, after reading this book I feel that I'd be much more inclined to read others in the genre. I think it is another must read, especially if you are looking for an intense story. The characters really grow and evolve throughout the story and there aren't many other books where I find such an intense chemistry between the characters.

A definite 5 out of 5!



Other books in the Series:
1. Fifty Shades of Grey
2. Fifty Shades Darker
3. Fifty Shades Freed

Spin offs:
Fifty Shades of Grey from Christian's Perspective
1. Meet Fifty Shades Continued - Fifty Shades of Grey by G. E. Griffin
2. Meet Fifty Shades Continued - Fifty Shades Darker by G. E. Griffin
3. Meet Fifty Shades Continued - Fifty Shades Freed by G. E. Griffin

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay is the third and last book in the Hunger Gamer trilogy by Suzanne Collins.
Back of the book:

"Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans--except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost."

Just like the first two books in the series, this book was well written and hard to put down. I was dying to know what happened next and with every free moment of my time I found myself reading it.

However, I found this book to have a very different feel compared to the first two. While the first two books took place in the arena with Katniss fighting to stay alive against other tributes, this book, while still quite action packed and intense, had a very different kind of fight. This had the feeling of almost war, which well, is what is happening amongst all of districts and against the capital.

The districts are in rebellion, the capital is bombing areas, and Katniss is in training in order to take down President Snow. While I still loved this book, I did like the first two a bit better - simply because this book was just so different.

Throughout the story, you can really feel the toll the games and war is taking on the characters, both on Katniss and her companions such as Gale and Finnick. I feel that their personalities really shine through with all of the hardship and violence they have gone through and you can really see the change that the characters have undergone.

I was cheering for the good guys, and truly sad as characters that I ended up growing quite fond of died. The ending - while I wont give anything away - was absolutely shocking, and for me, was totally unexpected. I also love the wrap up that is at the end of the book, that makes me really feel that the series is over and while I loved the books, didn't make me feel like anything was left unsaid.


The series as a whole is a definite must read. While I was a little reluctant to read it at first, I have to admit this series really wowed me. I fell in love with it!

Other Books in Series:
1. The Hunger Games
2. Catching Fire
3. Mockingjay

The Highlander Series Order

Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning Reading Order:

1. Beyond the Highland Mist
2. To Tame a Highland Warrior
3. The Highlander's Touch
4. The Dark Highlander
5. The Immortal Highlander
6. Spell of the Highlander
7. Into the Dreaming

Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Moning

Beyond the Highland Mist is the first book in the Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning. In all honesty, this isn't usually a book I would have picked up, but after reading a couple of dazzling reviews on the series, I decided to give it a shot.

Back of Book:

"He would sell his warrior soul to possess her. . . . 

An alluring laird..

He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart—until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length—but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

A prisoner in time...She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side. . . ."

This book is very much romance driven with many pretty heated scenes, however I wouldn't say any of the scenes got out of hand or got too vulgar, but were very well written. There is a bit of a love triangle and of course the two men are both big, strong, and gorgeous.

Hawk has quite the reputation across the lands of being a not only gorgeous but also a big reputation of sleeping around with the most beautiful women he comes into contact with. However, the king has ordered him to marry a supposed woman who isn't exactly sane nor beautiful. While he agrees to marry her for the sake of his family and clan's lives, he doesn't even bother to show up for the wedding.

In fact it isn't until he actually meets the girl that he has any interest in being near her. Once he meets Adrienne, he not realizes only is she gorgeous but seems just as sane as anyone else. The only problem is Adrienne is not the woman Hawk thinks she is, but a woman who had been seemingly teleported from her home in the 1990s, back to the 1500s. Not only that, but she has also sworn off beautiful men.

While Hawk tries to woe her, she is trying her best to reject him. Hawk is extremely seductive, and smooth, which leads to some really steamy scenes, which may even be a little too much for some people, but beautifully written. While it definitely is more romance centered than I usually go for, but I don't regret picking it up. I thought it was very well written and definitively recommend it, especially if you are a fan of historical type romances.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins is the second book in The Hunger Games Trilogy. Here is the back of the book:

"Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge."

I found this book to be just as addicting as the first book. It was well written with amazing visuals and written in a way that you can really see the world through Katniss's eyes. You can really understand her feelings and suspicions towards every other character in the book, and really sympathize with her. This book really connects you to the main character.

For anyone who has seen the movie, it actually is very close to what actually happens in the book, though there are still a few scenes that the movie did leave out and the book does give a lot more insight on the characters and what is going on.

Personally, I definitely think it's a must read, even if you've already seen the movie.

Other Books in the Series:

1. The Hunger Games

2. Catching Fire

3. Mockingjay

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Back of the book:

"In a dark vision of the near future, a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed.

When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature."

While I'm sure most of you have seen the movie if nothing else, the books revolves around Katniss and her journey while trying to survive not only the harsh world she lives in, but the games she volunteered for in order to save her sister.

In this kind of post apocolyptic world, the United States is now ruled by one city called Panem and the rest of the population has been split up into 12 different districts, all of which are in charge of producing a different resource and is completely gated off so no one can leave or enter, unless they have been selected for the games.

The Hunger Games are a games to remind the districts of the war there was years ago in which the districts had rebelled against the capitol. Each year a male and female tribute between the ages of 12 and 18 are selected from each district (making 24 tributes in all) and are forced to fight to the death in the games.

While this book definitely revolves around survival as Katniss not only goes to the games, but comes from a very poor district (many districts are poor) where people have very little money and very little to live off of, but there is also a little bit of romance that drives the story between Katniss and the male tribute from her district Peeta.

I actually saw the movie long before I started reading the book, and was actually a little hesitant to start the book. I very much enjoyed the movie and really expected a lot from the book and didn't want to be let down. I actually happened to start this book while getting ready for a little bit of a road trip and it happened to be the only audiobook I had available at the moment, so I decided to give it a shot. Even after I was at my destination, I found the spot that I left off at in the audiobook, and then found it in my ebook version and kept reading.

The book itself is written beautifully. I could practically see the woods that were described and you really develop an understanding of where the main character Katniss is feeling and where she's coming from. The book gave the characters a lot more depth than the movie did. While in the movie I have more indifference towards Peeta, in the book he is far more likable because you hear so much more about him and you really see a lot more of his personality.

You also feel for the characters and their loved ones as tributes die in the games, especially ones that Katniss befriends. Though I knew the basic storyline of the book from the movie, there is definitely a lot more in the book that still keeps you on edge and interested about what might happen next. I finished the book in record time because I simply couldn't put it down. I definitely recommend the book to anyone.

Other Books in the series:
1. The Hunger Games
2. Catching Fire
3. Mockingjay