"Grey - Fifty Shades of Grey as told by Christian" by E L James

The cover taken from my tab

Grey...few years back, it was a simple boring colour (though i did like that particular color - still remembered a skirt that i owned during that time...n after thinking hard, i still like the color now). But these few years back, grey is much associated with the well-written series by E L James. I have to admit, i thought the author was a man, but to my surprise, it is a woman (i enjoy reading but i don't really pay a lot of attention to the author). It was a separate world - between the world in the book and the real life of the author and i like to keep both separated. Anyway, i just finished the 4th book...i woke up around 2.30am this morning and read thru till 5am. I bought it few days ago, after searching high and low on almost every bookstores here, i even checked out the one in the airport to vain. I was contemplating to get a copy from Amazon, but considering the price and the pain (i can't wait for 1month delivery plus custom stuff), i finally settled for the Google playbooks version (i still prefer the old-fashioned paperback though). Since i am still tight up with my project, i could only read several pages at night and it made me desperate...yes, i am very impatient...but you hardly can blame me ^.^

So back to the controversial Grey (btw i still havent watched the movie - it was banned here)...some people love it...some loathe it...some doesn't even wanna read it...some like it but afraid or ashamed to admit. While me...i like it sooo very much ^.^  Ok, don't get me wrong...i like the book but about the BDSM...ehm...i don't think i am cut for it (i avoid pain as much as i could - otherwise i would have had lots of tattoo on my skin by now wkwkwk). But the book-lover-freak inside me is screaming for joy when i read Grey series. I love the first 3books (Grey, Darker and Freed )which tell the stories from Ana's point of view but i found this Grey book, Grey's point of view - astonishing. Maybe because it is rare to read a fiction from male lead' point of view. I read a bit of Edward Cullen from incomplete and unofficial Midnight Sun, i like the witty story of Evan in Tangled series (by Emma Chase), and this Grey book is an mind-opener.

It is refreshing to get 'into' Christian Grey's head...to know what ticks him, which button moves him and how his mind works. It really fascinates me to get a glimpse of what was going on in a men' head, especially a fifty-shades-f*cked-up-guy-like-Grey. Well, at least Grey had successfully occupied my nights *winking*

 
PS. Pls bear with me - i know there are lot of typo here - since i'm blogging using my mobile, but i am just too lazy (and sleepy) to cross every t and dot every i   :-)

My pick from my library (^.^)

Hello everyone...how is your weekend started off? For me...i just woken up ha ha ha (yes - I'm not a morning person but I’m not that lazy as well). It was all due to my very late night...or should I say a very early dawn since I slept at 3.30am this morning. As you have all probably guessed, I blamed it on a manga series that I picked up few hours ago. Well I was a bit high-strung and desperately wanted a short escape…somewhere for the weekend. But my oldest daughter had (and just completed) her weekend classes, then Yamaha exam came along with school exam in tow…phewww. We haven’t been anywhere these last 3 whole months. So I find my escape on books and mangas and the one that I picked last night was a work of Miyagi Riko, titled Love Monster

I just browsed along the manga collection on one of the online manga web, looking for something light with good artistic…and Love Monster gave me that. I love the story plot, it was light with interesting twist and surprises here and there, enough to spice up the story. It was cheeky too in a sweet and cute way, not overtly…really perfect to lighten up my mood. The drawing was cute and clean, with cute pretty girl named Hiyo who was engaged to a very handsome and strong tengu monster of Kurou (on another perspective, the main storyline was a bit similar to Black Bird of Sakurakouji Kanoko). These 82 chapters (completed - including 2 extras) were able to put my sleepiness at bay. So if you are looking for something to read to fill your weekend…something that falls right with the Halloween season, then I would highly recommend this  (>.<)

However, if you are looking for something different (but still fit with the coming Halloween), then how about the final book of Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan? The Blood of Olympus just been released for few weeks and although the storyline was predictable (if you are a keen reader of Rick Riodan) but this book still offers excitement and surprises. Or you could try The Staff of Serapis, a very short book by the same author which Annabeth met Sadie of Kane Chronicles for the first time.
Anyway, whichever books or mangas that you choose for this weekend (yes – I realized that maybe the lot of you choose other thing), I wish you a great time. Happy weekend!    

Merry Christmas everyone and happy holiday :-)

Hello…it’s me again :-) I’ve been neglecting my blog for sometimes but no worry, it’s holiday and holiday means lots of story to tell  :-)  We are in our second week of holiday here…so you guys probably can guess the reason behind me-missing-in-action. So, what is your plan for this holiday? Me? I have plenty to do during this holiday.

Since today is Christmas’ eve and Christmas wont feel like Christmas at all without a gleaming tree. So the very first thing that we did on this holiday was creating a Christmas tree (yes…making a tree instead of decorating it). Basically, we simply wrapped the art wire around a cone (you could make one from thick paper) and glue the decoration and ornaments onto it. See…simple…cheap yet stunning  (^.^)

Next on my list was to finish several romance fictions in paperback (I salvaged those from a second hand book shop) and my ebook collection as well. I have spent days just reading the fiction…on the beach…on my flight…anywhere. This time, my choice fell upon romance stories around Christmas like Harlequin Holiday Collection as well as historical romance fictions. Dont you think that Christmas is a perfect time to be swayed by white-knight-riding-a-horse-kind-of-story   *winking

And during this holiday, we went to my third hometown, Bali yay (>.<)  It’s been 4 years since our last visit…quite a long time and Bali in a way had changed a lot. I will tell you bout our trip to Bali on my next post so stay tuned.

Happy holiday everyone and have a miraculous Christmas…hohoho   

xoxo

(^ * ^)

PS. Since I have problem with my inet connection (I couldnt seem to upload any pics thru my laptop), so I am using the mobile version. Too bad, it didnt allow me to arrange the pics like on the web version (T_T)

Google Playbook

Hi...(シ_ _)シ ハハァーѕσяяу I haven't gotten time to write more. I have new business which takes up half of my free time (don't get me wrong...I enjoy doing it...a lot). I will tell you more bout this later (when I have free time which I don't spend on my manga or books). Talking bout books, few weeks ago, Google launched books on its Google Playstore (I use android gadget). So as a book lover, I bought all those free books. Yes, it was free but still I had to provide my cc data for some verification...that was why I said...I bought it for free :-) Currently I have some numbers already in my library and I would like to share it with you some of them which I had read already (the arrangement was based on the book which I read first).

Waking Up Married by Mira Lyn Kelly
I like the book, though it was a bit slower and not as witty as the last book that I read, but I enjoyed reading this book...a lot until I burned my midnite oil *widely grinning. I like how the author finely switched between the female to the male perspective and vice versa. I like how the author managed to wrap the common plot with some surprises. Though the intimate romance wasn't steamy (it's a romance book so of course I have certain expectation 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】) but again...I still liked it...the story was light and easy to read.

The Italian's Inexperienced Mistress by Lynne Graham
Ah, the author must be Italian since almost all of the books written by her (I assume the author is woman but who knows) were all about Italian or some dessert rough. As usual, the story has similarity with other books, in term of the character as well as the plot. Though on this one, the author was trying to explore more on the darker part of the character but I just felt it was the same as others. It is good just for passing time when you practically have nothing to do.

The inconvenient Duchess by Christine Merrill
^_- ♡Ҡ ...I liked the setting. I always prefer medieval setting than the current age, somehow it gives me a glimpse of what life was all about in that era. The basic idea was pretty much common (yes...I have read some with similar plot as well). However, the story moved so slow...one step after another. No action whatsoever...which made me kinda sleepy reading it. But this one was definitely better than the second one (unless you are after steamy sex)

The Other Side of Us by Sarah Mayberry
My 4th book within a week. It started ^_- ♡Ҡ ...about 2 opposite genders with heavy baggage and incidentally ended up as neighbour. I like how the author put some 'break' between the story. Though the main idea was quite heavy...bout how we viewed our life but the way the story unfold was light with easy bantering. I liked it though my fav was still the first book :-)

Enjoy reading :-)

The Mortal Instrument - City of Bones - the movie

Image taken from www.imdb.com

Finally...last night we managed to catch upon the The Mortal Instruments - City of Bones. We got a glimpse of this movie trailer when we had our share of Elysium and my hubby said...we gotta watch this one. As I was aware, this movie was an adaptation from the fiction (with the same title), however I haven't read any of the series. Well...there are hundreds of books with similar plot (either vampire, warlock, or any mystical creatures...apparently they are on demand nowadays)...so at that time, I wasn't interested much with it. But now, I am eager to wait for the shopping mall to open and rush to get my copy :-)

City of Bones retold a story of shadowhunter (half angel - half human), a legacy left behind by angel to protect human from demons. The story focused on the cup (ehm...I wonder why cup is often told to possess certain magnifying attribute...is it the same cup with the holy grail?) which was lost or hidden by Jocelyn (Clary' mom). As the descendant of shadowhunter, Jodie asked the high-level warlock, Magnus Bane, to block Clary's power as well as her memory that had any relation with shadowhunter. Until a day, when the blocking spell worn off little by little, Clary could see Jace, a shadowhunter which was invinsible to others, killing a demon.

Suddenly Clary's life changed drastically. Her mom was missing, what she believed was a lie...what she thought mystic was so true. Then she, Jace and Simon (her best friend) were set to find the cup, save her mom and discover the horrible truth of all of this.

From the trailer, I didn't expect the movie would be this scary and violent (yes...lots of people or demons in disguise got kicked viciously). I flinched a lot during the fighting scenes...too brutal for my taste though I knew it was just an action. Blurred fighting or running scenes with rapid switching from one scene to another brought a headache to me...especially seeing it on an Imax screen. However I loved the effect, like when the vicious dog suddenly turned into a demon...that was an awesome transformation. When the after-torched-remaining-demon were transformed again...that was gross (well...it was supposed to be that way though). I also liked the scene when Clary put all demons to stop/freeze with her unknown spell. Well, there were still lots of amazing effect on this movie...but I would let you watch it by yourself.

See you at the downworld :-)

Tangled by Emma Chase

See...what i mean with perfect book to read on bed *grinning ear to ear

It was during the Ied Fitr holiday (about a week), when one of my former coworker suddenly dropped me a line and sent me, what she said as recommended fiction that I might like. It turned out to be an ebook (in epub format) which made me quickly downloaded my epub reader on android. Yes, I normally read ebook in pdf format. She also told me an url which I can browse hundreds of fictions' title...‎​‎​⊙.◎ ‎​‎​w(°ｏ°)w ⊙.◎ *practically droll dripping 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】

Anyway, since it was holiday, I didn't have time to read it as the soonest as I can. But fortunately (or unfortunately?) as I caught terrible flu (probably too tired during the vacation) which kept pounding my head...sneezing...caughing...running nose and I had to stay on bed, finally I can read it. It was a surprice...in a nice way right from the very first page. Tell you why...I was wondering (before reading this book)...why I had never read a single fiction with male's perspective. Almost all fictions (especially the romance ones) features the female. I thought probably because most of the author is female. However, Emma Chase, the author of this book is definitely a female yet she can write a fiction with male' brain...the way the story unfolds...the wording...the terms...the male ego...it's totally male (in capital letter). If I didn't know, I would probably have guessed that the author was male as well.

It tells about a single, handsome, successful, and apparently rich bachelor in town (ehm...sounds yummy rite) but has zero attitude especially toward the opposite sex. Until Drew meets Kate, which is smart and sexy newcomer in the office. Unfortunately Kate is engaged and Drew tries all tricks on his sleeves to get Kate on his bed (literally). When finally Kate breaks her engagement and is on Drew's bed, how does Drew react when he find out that he has fallen so hard for Kate?

Well, I am not going to spoil your reading but tell you this, this is definitely a great book to read while you are spending all day on bed This book let you take a peek on what is going on inside every man' head...not much...just a glimpse but it is useful anyway. Terrific :-)

Thanks to my friend who sent me this *hugs

Inferno by Dan Brown

This time, Dan Brown (DB) features the famous Harvard symbiologist Robert Langdon (RL) again. However, instead of unwrapping hidden meaning between symbols, RL was supposed to uncover events happened before he lost his memory due to bullet's graze over his head (ehm...reminded me of similar situation of Bourne *winking). Pairing up with genius and prodigy Sienna Brooks (SB), an illegal doctor who saved him, they solved the puzzle on why RL was targetted and how to prevent the threathen deathly plaque. Once again, RL's vast knowledge was being tested and he was torn between the real friends among foes, who should be trusted and who shouldn't. But as predicted from DB, he twisted the plot in an unexpected way on the last few chapters. I was jaw-dropped!

And as usual, DB writes with such descriptive details of places and buildings. However, it was too jaded (imho) and put me yawning all the time (just like the beautiful description on The Swan Thief - the only unfinished book). On some chapters, I was confused whether the info that I read was the real data or something twisted by DB. And honestly, it isn't worth for me to go all the way checking the validity of the info contained here. So I just accepted whatever I read here.

While reading this, I thought the whole idea of this book was based on the single book (geez...a single book could be developed into something great as this). It was some sort of in-depth analysis on the famous (though I just knew it recently) work of Dante, known The Divine Comedy. The Divine Comedy (it was epic poet instead of funny satire) is divided into 3parts, Inferno (the most-read one), Purgatorio, and Paradiso (praise Google yay). It tells the journey of Dante through the hell, going thru purgatory and finally arrives in paradise. In short, it was assumed that to reach the paradise, human being had to go through the hell first. Explanation on Dante's Inferno made me feel like being in the RL's world history class at Harvard. It was beyond imagination, how the life and inheritance of Dante could be transformed into world's crisis with page-turning chasing.

In a way, it was a tough book to read with lotsa difficult words and terms that I kept my mobile close. I had to consult with Google and Wiki since my knowledge of Europe, medieval art and history were limited. Instead of globe trotting like on the previous adventure of RL, the main events this time took place only in Florence (sounds like a very beautiful city - ehm...wondering when I could visit this city along with other European famous cities as well), a little bit of puzzle solving in Venice and finale closing in Turkey.
But again, DB proved himself, that he could write something interesting (well interesting was the understatement) and blend it well with the real fact. This book brought the ordinary (in term of art, history and the major issues of our world for commoner like me) into the extraordinary fiction that left me deep in thinking.

Another well-written fiction!

The Host - book and movie

Image taken from www.imdb.com

Another fiction-adapted-movie, The Host is written by the famous Stephenie Meyer. I read the book almost 2years ago, right after the final book of Twilight saga. I expected the storyline to be somewhat similar with Twilight (heart-wrenching romance with intense action and good looking characters) but it isn't. The Host falls into sci-fi genre, with a mixture of romance in it...very much of drama (that I dislike at most of time but I like this one). Unlike any other imaginary stories (like by Neil Gaiman which his imaginary worlds are pretty hard to grab), Stephenie Meyer used the present (the world that we know) as the setting. However, The Host happens in the far future

The book cover (Indonesian version)

It is about the utopian world where people lives in harmony. No more war...famine...death due to sickness...violence...simply a perfect world to live in...with a price of your life (or probably your consciousness). It is told that the earth has been invaded by alien parasites called soul (which is depicted in bright sparkling sort of 'leech' with lots of tentacles). Soul is kinda immortal (centuries-long-life will be the correct term since soul can be killed as well). Soul can be transplanted into any other body (not necessarily human - can be animal or any living organism). So in case a body has outgrown its age and die, soul can be moved to another living body and retain whatever memory and knowledge obtained. Once the soul invaded the body, it takes over everything...the memory...the knowledge...the feeling...basically the whole lot of your body and you-yourself (your soul/consciousness) would be disappeared (so now you know why the title is The Host). The host (distinguished by silvery circle on the eyes) will continue living as the person before and bring peace and harmony in life. However, apparently not every human welcomes the soul. These few humans fight back...and now, the only war happened is between the host and human resistance.

The Host retell the story of a soul called The Wanderer (Wanda in short) which was put inside Melanie (being caught while she is searching for her family). However, instead of disappeared, Melanie insisted to fight Wanda. So both minds...both souls were living in a single body. Wanda was supposed to help finding the remaining human resistance, however, after few months, Wanda was more overwhelmed by Melanie's feeling toward her brother - Jamie and her lover - Jared. Torn in between Wanda's loyalty to the society and Melanie's love, Wanda began the journey to find Melanie's family...not to report them to the official seeker but to be with them.

Upon her verge of death in the desert, the human resistance captured her. The human didn't believe her story and tried to kill her, however, upon some time, Wanda succeed in getting trust from the human resistance. The only problem was Jared, her lover wanted Melanie back...without Wanda inside her. Meanwhile, Wanda fell in love with Ian (which definitely despised the thought of sharing their intimacy with Melanie). At the end, Wanda finally resigned, to give back the body to the rightfull owner and help human resistance in freeing the hosts without killing the souls.

It is a beautiful story about love, loyalty, about how you live your own life. I admitted, it would be pretty hard to understand if you didn't read the book (my hubby kept asking me questions why was this and that). It was a challenge to interpret 770pages of story into 2hour movie. Anyway, I could say that the movie leans on the fiction and it was something that I've expected before watching.

The Whisperers by John Connolly

Synopsis

The border between Maine and Canada is porous. Anything can be smuggled across it: drugs, cash, weapons, people.

Now a group of disenchanted ex-soldier has begun its own smuggling operation, and their cargo is stranger and more terrifying than anyone can imagine.

Anyone, that is, except private detective Charlie Parker, who has his own intimate knowledge of the darkness in men' hearts. Brought in to investigate an apparent suicide, Parker discovers an epidemic of death among the former combatants.

Somebody - or something - is driving men to take their own lives. And to defeat it, Parker must form an uneasy alliance with a man he fears more than any other...

I say...

Ehm...after reading the synopsis...I almost put the book down on the shelf. I'm not a big fan of horror or spooky things but since the genre is thriller...I give it a try :-)

1001 Arabian Nights - romance fictions

I didn't know what was gotten into me...suddenly I was into romance fictions (yes...the kind that gives easy reading for two hours...enough to take my mind elsewhere). Anyway, it wasn't an ordinary week but I had a specific theme for it...1001 Arabian Night stories. Again...not the ordinary stories that you normally read for your children on bedside...since there wasn't Aladin nor magic lamp but still suitable to be read at nite...on the bed (just as the way I read these)

Since it was Arabian Nights theme, so almost all of the stories have similar plot and character. They have hot...steaming desert with Prince or Sheikh or Sultan to rule. Most of them were categorized as DnD (dark and dangerous), handsome with mountains of wealth, as well as a mountain size of ego in the package. Due to their royal blood, most of them always get whatever they wanted (especially women who were so willing to do his bidding) and everything they said become rules. Then meet the women, all were headstrong, who were not used to bend under anyone's command especially from an arrogant ruler.

The following were the titles that I read (in alphabetical order), and I put stars to measure how much I enjoy it (1 star is worst - 5 stars is the best imho). I liked Heather's story a lot since it offered something different compared to the others...it was about time traveller however I hated the ending. It was an anticlimax after such a good story. Anyway...I welcome you to try the titles below and let the Arabian's magic work on you too...sim sala bim ^^

• Emma Darcy - Traded To The Sheikh **
• Kim Lawrence - The Sheikh's Impatient Virgin **
• Lynne Graham - The Desert Sheikh's Captive Wife ***
• Mardi Ballou - Heather and the Harem scroll ***
• Penny Jordan - Prince of the Desert **
• Sandra Marton - The Sheikh's Convenient Bride **
• Trish Morey - The Sheikh's Last Gamble ***

Home Free by Fern Michaels

The Sisterhood series

Synopsis

United by a desire to overcome their personal misfortunes', seven very different women formed an indelible bond and vowed to right wrongs wherever they found them. They've succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. After years known as the Vigilantes, Myra, Annie, Kathryn, Alexis, Yoko, Nikki, and Isabelle are enjoying their hard-won freedom and the chance at a normal life

As it turns out, once you're a part of the Sisterhood, normal is a relative term. President Martine Connor, their long-time ally, has announced the formation of a top-secret organization. Officially, the CIC won't exist. Unofficially, they'll report directly to the president and tackle the jobs no one else can handle. For the Sisterhood, it's the end of an era - and the beginning of a whole new adventure...

I say...

It was quite hard to follow the first few chapter since this was the first book that I read on Sisterhood. However, finally I could enjoy this book after half of it. You don't need to read the previous book...it was kinda stories of Famous Five fictions (the ones that I read during my childhood which can be read from any titles...unlike Fifty Shades or Twilight series).

But the plot was slow. The real action only took small portion with bigger portion on the daily life (romance sides). Anyway, I still enjoyed reading it during a lazy weekend

The Crime Code by Michael Cordy

Synopsis

When the ultimate solution becomes the ultimate crime...

Violent crime has become a global epidemic, nowhere more so than in the United States. Everything from the death penalty to liberal reforms has failed. Nothing has been effective...until now.

Project Conscience promise to be the solution. It is a bold attempt by a powerful group of scientists, politicians and senior law-enforcement personnel to use gen therapy to treat criminals and cure violent crime. But among their number are those with a more sinister agenda, who would go further and turn the dream of Project Conscience into the nightmare of Crime Zero.

It is up to Luke Decker, a criminal psychologist dissillusioned with the growing dependence on genetic science and Dr Kathy Kerr, his one-time lover and ideological adversary, to fight this deadly new scheme, a scheme so ruthless in intent and so vast in scope that it will irrevocably change the evolution of mankind itself...

I say...

First book of him and I found out that almost all of his book are sci-fi genre. This is about an ambitious desire of FBI Director who intends to reform all living male into less-agressive male. Working together with Dr Alice, they create a viral-vector that can change the male' DNA (ok, pls google bout viral vector. It has lengthy explanation here on the book...in fact...I felt like reading a science book instead of fiction).

Anyway, even though the book has lots of techy terms but it is still interesting to read. The plot is well built with unexpected twist here and there...enough to keep you turning page. The characters are lovable as well. Too bad...I kinda able to guess the ending, but it is still a good book

Fifty Shades Freed – by E L James

Synopsis

When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey, it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intriqued, and ultimately repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.

Now, Ana and Christian have it all – love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.

Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality.

I say…

Finally, the final book of Fifty Shades (my hubby was pretty much relieved – seeing me finished this book LoL. He often glanced worriedly to me when I was so engrossed in this book). The intensity of the sexual activities are less than the previous books but those still burn you inside out   J  Here, EL James more focuses on the root problem between Grey and Ana, about their deepest fear of losing one of them, about the uncertainty of the future, and about the dark shade that always overshadowing their relationship.

All those problems faced by them, are bringing both of them more closely instead of tearing them apart. Another thumbs up for EL James for creating such emotionally wrenching and sensual story and ending it all in a way that make me wanna re-read the trilogy again. 

Though Fifty Shades is completed now (wonder whether EL James would write the 4th book *crossing my fingers*) and yet you still haven't quenched your desire of this kind of genre fiction, no worry, as I see there are several titles released with a hint of BDSM too. You could check the Sylvia Day's Crossfire series (Bared to You - wait for my review soon and Reflected to you), Haven of Obedience,  or The Diary of a Submissive, to name few of them. Even the old erotic fiction of Anna Rice's Sleeping Beauty and The Beauty's Punishment are being reprinted. It seems Fifty Shades has set a path which was no author in the past (only selected one) neither had courage nor knowledge to explore and write this kind of story. Again...bravo :-)

Bared To You – by Sylvia Day

Synopsis

Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness…

He was beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I’d never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily.

Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other’s most private wounds…and desires. The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn’t tear us apart…

I say…

I read this based on my friend’s recommendation. She said, this book was pretty similar with Fifty Shades (which I just completed at that time). And after reading it, I think this book is not on par with Fifty Shades, in term of the plot and intensity of the problem. Perhaps, if I had read this book before I read Fifty Shades, then my opinion would change…probably   J

Bared to You can be considered the first book in Crossfire series (I don’t know whether it is a trilogy or saga but the second book was released with title of Reflected in You – which I haven’t gotten a copy yet). The characters are well-defined, 2 childhood sexual abuse survivors with their own secret in the closet, threading a thin line of ‘normal’ romantic relationship. On this book, Eva bares almost all her dark past, her nightmare while I guessed, Gideon will have his turn on the second book. Beside their dark past, both of them – especially Eva, still have to deal with Gideon’s exes and possesiveness.

Since this is my first book of Sylvia Day, I am not sure whether she specialized in erotic romance or not. The sexual scenes are quite hot but not in a surprising way like 50 shades (sorry…if I always compare these books – it is hard not to do so when the paperback cover and even the synopsis sounds the same) but Sylvia Day is good in twisting and describing the emotion of the characters. Overall, this book is pretty good when you need a steamy night   *winking*

Fifty Shades of Grey – by E L James

Holiday is over and for some people, they have resumed their daily routine sometime in last week. My girls start their school tomorrow and finally, I can have all morning to myself again *thinking of my swimsuit and art-box and books and...heaven*

While some of you brood over the monday...catching yourself searching the calendar for the coming holiday, let me cheer your Monday up with this tasty book that I read a while ago during the holiday.

Be ready and buckle up...this book will take you on an unexpected rollercoaster :-)

Synopsis

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 mand 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 business, 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 secret and explores her own dard desires.

I say…

Whoah!!! *let me take some deep breath*

It is disturbing yet piqued my curiousity

Unexpected and mean but still sexy and sassy

It is simply an amazing book   

I’ve never heard of E L James, including this title until my friend kept nagging me bout this book. He said, this was a good book and I should read it. So, when I found this trilogy (Fifty Shades Trilogy) on 30% discount, I quickly bought a set. Even, after I bought it…I left it on my desk for few weeks before I started to read. I didn't bother to check the review as well...*my fault*

At first few chapters, it felt like a normal romance fiction and since I liked the characters a lot and the complicated plot…I kept on reading until…the part of Red Room of Pain (quoting from Ana’s term). I quickly turned back the cover and found there in big caption with smaller font size, that this book is categorized into erotic romance genre. Well, that explains the steamy scorching sexual activities that kept me going on and on (I burned a week worth of my midnight oil for this trilogy LOL). Even though I wondered…does Grey (or Mrs Jones in this case) always put minimum 2 condoms inside all of his pants’ pocket in his closet…apparently he never run out of those foil packages and magically, whenever he wants and wherever he is…he always has it *geez*

The revelation about the Red Room of Pain was quite a shock to me. I’ve never read any BDSM fiction nor seen a movie before, yes – I heard that term before but reading it in a descriptive way was far way beyond my imagination (please google it for more info). Google, wiki and dictionary were my best buddy during my reading time, I consulted them a lot, especially for BDSM terms and tools, I even searched for the picture LOL (well, I didn’t know what flogger was…but now I do). I felt like Ana, stepped into another 'dark' world with no point of return…trapped by this book purely because of my curiosity (yes – I was pretty curious bout this BDSM).

Overall, I loved it…I loved how the author build the emotion and bonding between reader with the characters on the book (right from the early chapter). I loved the plot with intense physical contacts. I simply loved it (but that doesn’t mean that I love BDSM though). Can’t wait to write my review for the second book   

Warning: this book contains explicit sexual so this book is not meant for the faint-hearted   one *grinning*  I think this book should come with an age and health restriction LOL