Guest Blog & Review: Embraced by Rebecca Royce

Please welcome back author, Rebecca Royce, who is promoting her book Embraced (The Conditioned #2).

Publisher: Self
Date of publication: November 2011

Benedicte Lavelle is a single father raising two small daughters. When his neighbors put him in charge of handling the haunting that plagues their neighborhood, he has no choice but to use disreputable means in order to bring in a Conditioned ghost hunter to help with their problem. He doesn’t expect to be drawn to the young woman who arrives at his house in chains. He doesn’t expect to have his entire life thrown into upheaval when she is snatched away.

Conditioned prisoner Seven-Two-Four has never had a name. She cannot read, and is scheduled to die as soon as she is returned to the Institution. The Conditioned are not considered human, but Seven can see ghost energy and she can love Ben like no one ever has before.

When fate takes Seven from Ben’s arms, can he move on and find a new purpose in life or will he be forever trapped by the need to rescue those like his lost love?

My take:

Embraced is the second in The Conditioned series by Rebecca Royce.  I reviewed the first in the series, Eye Contact back in November. What I did like about the book was that there was more information about the Conditioned and how things have changed for them since the first book. Madame was intriguing, even if she was evil.  Who doesn't like a good villain? It is interesting the the institutions choose a conditioned person to keep the others in line.  I also liked more of a glimpse into Guy and his cause from the island.

While I did enjoy this one, I'm not sure I felt the connection between Benedicte and Seven.  It wasn't as strong as in the first book.  Mainly the reason is that the characters don't spend much time together and then there is a gap of 5 years before they see each other again.  Also, I liked Seven's character more after the 5 year separation.  I felt like her character fit Benedicte better.  

Embraced is a good addition to the series.  I hope that the next book is Roman's. For a fierce Fury, he is still a sweet guy and needs his own HEA!  Pick up both books, I think they are great.

Rebecca writes:

As I am writing this blog post, I am sitting on the couch next to my husband and Christmas Vacation is on television.  This is one of his favorite movies and it’s become a bit of a tradition in our home to have it on a lot during the cold months of the year.  My children, ages 6, 4, and 2 don’t yet enjoy this film.  I think they’re just a little bit too young to truly enjoy it or maybe they just haven’t had enough really tense holidays yet. (And for that, I’ll give myself credit.)

I can’t help but think of my characters in Embraced who are Conditioned. They don’t get to have traditions.  Their lives are, from the moment they are caught or turned in, are all about service, helping the very people who keep them institutionalized, who deny them their very human rights.

But you cannot deny the power of love and these stories are examples of that.  In this world, love will eventually overthrow tyranny. 

I hope that wherever you are in the world you are warm and happy.  Since the Conditioned came to me, I no longer take it for granted. 

About the author:

As a teenager, I would hide in my room to read my favorite romance novels when I was supposed to be doing my homework.  I hope, these days, that my parents think it was worth it.

I am the mother of three adorable boys and I am fortunate to be married to my best friend.  We live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.

I am in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and try to use all of these elements in my writing.  I've been told I'm a little bloodthirsty so I hope that when you read my work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. I love to write series because I love to see characters develop over time and it always makes me happy to see my favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.

In my world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

I'd love to hear from you!

Website /Facebook / Facebook Fan Page

Buy Link

Guest Blog: The Book of Lost Fragrances by M.J. Rose

Today, we welcome author, M. J. Rose, who is promoting her new book, The Book of Lost Fragrances.  Come back on Friday (2/24/12) to read my review of the book!

Author: M. J. Rose
Publisher: Atria Books
Date of Publication: March 13, 2012

A sweeping and suspenseful tale of secrets, intrigue, and lovers separated by time, all connected through the mystical qualities of a perfume created in the days of Cleopatra—and lost for 2,000 years. 

Jac L’Etoile has always been haunted by the past, her memories infused with the exotic scents that she grew up surrounded by as the heir to a storied French perfume company. In order to flee the pain of those remembrances—and of her mother’s suicide—she moves to America, leaving the company in the hands of her brother Robbie. But when Robbie hints at an earth-shattering discovery in the family archives and then suddenly goes missing—leaving a dead body in his wake—Jac is plunged into a world she thought she’d left behind. 

Back in Paris to investigate her brother’s disappearance, Jac discovers a secret the House of L’Etoile has been hiding since 1799: a scent that unlocks the mysteries of reincarnation. The Book of Lost Fragrances fuses history, passion, and suspense, moving from Cleopatra’s Egypt and the terrors of revolutionary France to Tibet’s battle with China and the glamour of modern-day Paris. Jac’s quest for the ancient perfume someone is willing to kill for becomes the key to understanding her own troubled past.the ancient perfume someone is willing to kill for becomes the key to understanding her own troubled past.


M. J. Writes:

M.J. Rose:  I've been fascinated with lost fragrances since long before I started writing The Book of Lost Fragrances... since I found a bottle of perfume on my great grandmother's dresser that had belonged to her mother in Russia. Here is one of those lost fragrances that stirs the senses and the imagination... (reasearched and described  with the help of the perfume writer  Dimitrios Dimitriadis)

 GUERLAIN - CUIR DE RUSSIE

Created in 1875 by the house of Guerlain, Cuir de Russie is one of the very first olfactory interpretations of Russian Leather - a theme that would be revisited many times by many perfumers in the 20th century. A grey ribbon of smoke meanders up through a bright citrus/floral opening, bringing with it a coal-black parched quality. Birch tar, vetiver and oakmoss lend a bitter facet to this incredibly rare perfume which treads a fine line between being defiantly feminine and devoutly masculine. Guerlain not only succeeded in capturing the essence of true Russian leather in this striking composition, but also memorialized the essence of that age.

About the Author:

M.J. Rose is the international best selling author of eleven novels and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her next novel THE BOOK OF LOST FRAGRANCES (Atria/S&S) will be published in March 2012.  Her fiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews including Oprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio.  Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the '80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors - Authorbuzz.com.  The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose's novels in the Renincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of International Thriller Writers and runs the blog- Buzz, Balls & Hype.  She is also the co-founder of Peroozal.com and BookTrib.com.

Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

For more information on M.J. Rose and her novels, please visit her WEBSITE. You can also find her on Facebook.

For tour details click on the tour button below:

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

by:  Stephanie Perkins
published by:  Dutton Books
publish date:  September 29, 2011

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Prepare to be surprised, because I know I was.  This book was stepping way out of my typical reading zone and I really liked it.  I was at a point where I had enough dark depressing books and I wanted something a little lighter and how could a book about a girl named Lola not be cheerful?

I did have my issues with this book.  Once again the dastardly YA love triangle rears it's ugly head.  There needs to be a anti love triangle logo.  Like a triangle with a with a slash through it.  I'm sure one of you awesome graphic designer would come up with something fantastic.  Lola is also saddled with a kinda gross boyfriend in the beginning.  She started dating him when she was 16 and he was 22...so that's a little pervy right there and he's jealous and possessive. 

I will say I approved of the presence of actual parents in this book.  They are two dads of which I'm sure some will object, but they act like real life, normal parents. 

In the end, I really liked this book.  I thought it was a cute story.  Good lessons learned and all that fun stuff.  There was a little bit of language and a few mild sexual references, but nothing really out of line, so it doesn't really need a big parental warning label on it.

The Postmortal by Drew Magary

Author: Drew Magary
Publisher: Penguin Group
Date of Publication: August 2011

John Farrell is about to get "The Cure."
Old age can never kill him now.
The only problem is, everything else still can . . .


Imagine a near future where a cure for aging is discovered and-after much political and moral debate-made available to people worldwide. Immortality, however, comes with its own unique problems-including evil green people, government euthanasia programs, a disturbing new religious cult, and other horrors. Witty, eerie, and full of humanity, The Postmortal is an unforgettable thriller that envisions a pre-apocalyptic world so real that it is completely terrifying.

When I saw the audio book for The Postmortal on the shelf at my library, I was intrigued. I will admit that I almost gave up on this book halfway through.  I thought I was a bit slow in the beginning. But it eventually picked up.  After a scientist mistakenly discovers the gene for aging, he develops a "cure" that will cause humans to never age.  They can still get sick and die, but they will never get old.  Sounds good, right?

I can say for certain that after reading The Postmortal, I definitely would not want to live forever.  The author has shown us one potential reality of having the human population never age.  Overcrowding, hunger, war, and  lack of natural resources are just a few of the consequences.  I think the most disturbing was the "Peter Pan" kids.  They are children who receive the cure and will never become adults. Just horrifying!

The story takes place over about 60 years as told through blog posts from a man named John Farrell.  His recordings were found in the future and gives a glimpse into the chaos that "the cure" created.  I liked the authors use of news articles and interviews throughout the story to help show the historical progression .  I liked John Farrell because he was real.  He's not a "nice guy".  He doesn't always do the right thing.  That made him more believable to me.

I have really mixed feelings about this book.  I can't decide if I liked it or not. I can say that while it is not a happy story, it is one that makes you really think.

Merciless by Diana Palmer

Author: Diana Palmer

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of Publication: July 2011

Can she convince a man to let down his defenses when he's set on guarding his heart?
"Tall, dark and eligible?"

That's all that matters to the women of Jacobsville when it comes to handsome and aloof FBI agent Jon Blackhawk. But if it were up to him, he would never settle down. Luckily, Jon has the best gatekeeper: his efficient and reliable assistant, Joceline Perry. Without her help, he'd be at the mercy of husband hunters--but the more he comes to rely on her, the more he notices how invaluable she really is... 

While Joceline can't deny that her boss is attractive, as a single mother with responsibilities she's determined to be professional. But when Jon is accosted by a criminal seeking revenge, she comes to his aid--fueling the spark that is growing between them. 

As the attempts on Jon's life increase, Joceline stands by his side. But when the smoke clears, will the man who avoided love realize that all he ever needed was right there all along?


Let me first say to publishers out there, PLEASE start telling us readers when a book is part of a series.  This book was not clearly not a stand alone novel.  There were so many references to books that came before this one that it was hard to follow it at times.  There were also too many characters and it was hard to keep them straight. I didn't even have a hope of figuring out any of the mystery because I felt like I was missing too much back story.  But I digress...

Honestly, I'm not sure why I finished this book.  I have never read a book by this author before, so I thought I would try it out.  When it was finished, all I could think was how bad it was.  I think I rolled my eyes after every chapter. How bad was this book?  Let me count the ways.  The heroine, Joceline, has a son and the father is not in the picture. The book was written in 2011.  After having numerous characters mention that she has a child out of *gasp* wedlock, I had to check back to make sure this wasn't a re-issue.  Really?  Do people really care in this day and age? I was surprised that this was such a huge issue in a book written in this time period. The identity of the father was so obvious from the start that I can't understand why he didn't figure it out along with the rest of the world.  Talk about clueless. The way he figured it out was very giggle worthy because it was so ridiculous.

I really feel like this one could have been a short story.  There were so many unnecessary and boring conversations that they started to feel like filler to make the book longer.  Most of them did nothing to advance the mystery or love story and really should have been edited out. That also includes all of the pop culture references.  Nothing ages a book more than references to popular games or TV shows of the time in which the book is written.  In my opinion, this makes it harder for it to survive the test of time. Also, the characters kept adding in small facts about things during "casual" conversations.  They started to sound like walking encyclopedias.  Who does that?

Let us not forget the characters.  I think Markey (the son who is 4, yet acts and sounds like he is 10) was the only one who really had any personality.  The mother, Cammie, was such a witch.  Her hatred for Joceline was way over the top.  When it is finally revealed why she felt this way toward Joceline, I was puzzled.  I felt the reason should make her more sympathetic and understanding toward Joceline. Also, I had a hard time believing that a federal agent would allow his own mother to verbally abuse his administrative assistant.  Especially when, later in the book, John and Jocelyn have a conversation about bullying. Isn't that just what his mother is doing to her? John was just way too passive for my taste.  He wasn't even a beta male in my eyes. 

I think I should stop my rant now.  Trust me, I could go on and on.  I always try to find something positive in a book.  So, I will say that the twist at the end was a nice touch. Also, some of the banter between the Hero and Heroine was amusing.  It just wasn't enough to save the book for me. Will I read another by her?  Probably, but I think I'll start back at the beginning.  30+ (?) books back! *sigh*

Throwback Thursday: The Target By Catherine Coulter

Author: Catherine Coulter
First Published in 1998 by Putnam


In a secluded cabin high in the Rockies, Ramsey Hunt rescues a small girl unconscious in the forest and is mistaken for a kidnapper by the girl's mother. By the time she finally discovers Ramsey has saved the girl, Ramsey and the mother must flee pursuing strangers with the intent to kill. Facing constant danger, the pair ultimately discovers why they're at the center of the target.




The Target is the third book in the FBI series by Catherine Coulter and the third that I have reviewed for Throwback Thursday thus far.  All I can say is that this series keeps getting better and better!  I loved Ramsey and Molly.  Their fall into love was just too sweet for words. For a big, tough federal judge, he is such a sweet guy and any woman would be crazy not to fall for him. Sometimes I don't like the addition of a child to a romantic suspense, but little Emma just wraps you around her little finger and doesn't let go.  What a great set of characters.

The mystery was great  and kept me guessing. The beginning scenes were gut wrenching at times, but Ms. Coulter did a very good job of handing the subject matter. I also loved the addition of Savich and Sherlock.  Her reaction to hearing the "P " word was too funny! Can't wait to pick up the next one.

The Surrogate by Tania Carter

by:  Tania Carter
published by:  Pegasus Books
publish date:  Sept 12, 2011

A shocking double-murder scene greets Detective Inspector Philip Brennan when he is called to a flat in Colchester. Two women are viciously cut open and lying spread-eagled, one tied to the bed, one on the floor. The woman on the bed has had her stomach cut into and her unborn child is missing. But this is the third time Phil and his team have seen such an atrocity. Two other pregnant women have been killed in this way and their babies taken from them. No one can imagine what sort of person would want to commit such horrible crimes.When psychologist Marina Esposito is brought in, Phil has to put aside his feelings about their shared past and get on with the job. But can they find the killer before another woman is targeted?

Sometimes I wait a little while before writing my review to give myself some time to really think it over. I didn't want to do that in this case. I didn't want to forget how horrifying this book was. This had to be one of the most graphically disturbing books I've read in a long time. Violence to pregnant women is kind of a given from the synopsis. I was prepared for that. But the violence shown at times towards the babies I had a hard time dealing with. Then there was the issu...moreThis had to be one of the most graphically disturbing books I've read in a long time. Violence to pregnant women is kind of a given from the synopsis. I was prepared for that. But the violence shown at times towards the babies I had a hard time dealing with.  There was also a character in the book named Hester that had a bit of a problem with self-mutilation.  That was pretty much icking me out.  My other issue with this book was with Marina. She was kinda loose with her morals. She seemed to be a bit of a bed hopper which is a little strange considering she was pregnant.  It's bizarre to bring up the issue of morals in a slice em dice em murder mystery but it really stood out to me in this book.  I kept wondering what was wrong with her that she couldn't forgive Phil (for something that he didn't do wrong in the first place in my mind) or just get over it and stick with the guy she was with.  In reading into the back story, it sounded like that was her pattern of behavior.  All that said, it was a pretty good mystery/thriller. I would probably pick up another book by Tania Carver.  This is the first in the Marina Esposito series.  Two other books have been released in the UK, but so far they haven't made their way to the US.   I'm curious to see if Marina straightens up once her baby is born.

Guest Blog: Gena Showalter & Jill Monroe

Today, we welcome authors, Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe.  They are promoting their new book, Dating the Undead: Loving the Immortal Man.

Authors: Gena Showalter & Jill Monroe

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of Publication: January 2012

This unique guide to dating the undead is formatted just like your favorite magazine… with a paranormal edge. “Dating the Undead” includes tips for dating an immortal, beauty secrets to look eternally fresh, fun quizzes, recipes (including some killer cocktails), tons of photos, and plenty of other fun (and sometimes humorous) articles. The magazine also features ghoulish ads for brands like Coffin Klein, Vladimir’s Secret, G’Oréal, Rot Pockets, Jimmy Chew, Got Bludd?, and many others. Haven’t heard of these brands? Maybe your undead friends have.

“Dating the Undead” also features an exclusive excerpt from “The Darkest Seduction,” the first novel in Gena Showalter’s “Lord of the Underworld” series

My Thoughts:

I thought this guide was really neat.  Any fan of paranormal romance will want this volume in their collection. It reads just like your favorite woman's magazine without the subscription cards and perfume samples (Thank the gods!).  It's filled with advice on how to handle your undead lover or spouse.  It has fun fashion and beauty tips, a love quiz, and tons of photos of very drool worthy male beings.  I got a kick out of the ads that are littered throughout the book. Who wouldn't want to decorate their house with items from Cave and Coffin?   Gena and Jill have put together a really fun and informative book.  Definitely check it out or consider giving it as a gift to a friend who loves the paranormal!

Gena and Jill stopped by to share some romantic words of wisdom with us:

Admit it.  We’ve all craved a fling with an undead bad boy at some point or another.  And really, the undead have craved a fling with us LG’s (Living Girls)!  So, just how does a sexy vampire … or growl-worthy werewolf … or a naughty demon … or a video-game loving zombie … or a virtuous angel … or a smoking dragon shifter hook up with an LG?  We say: by using your mouth! (No, not THAT way).

Here are “The Hottest” ten phrases/words you can say to any immortal:

1.  You, me … bed?
2.  Let’s get naked!
3.  Please…
4.  Mmmmm…
5.  I’ve never wanted you more.
6.  NOW!
7.  Liiiick (You’ll need to act this one out!)
8.  Taste me…
9.  I’m such a dirty girl…
10. Oh, baby…YES! (What undead or mortal doesn't want to hear this word after taking off his shirt—OR PANTS!?)
 ,
And just in case that hottie immortal in your life is peeking over your shoulder, reading (and agreeing with) this list, here are a few things he can say to you:

1.  You’ve never looked thinner.
2.  Oh, honey, let me do that.
3.  Saw this, thought of you, and knew I had to buy it.
4.  I'll cook.
5.  You're right!

Because these hot words and phrases are sure to garner a little action between the sheets, be sure to check out Lotions and Potions and Scrubs - Oh, My! on page 24 of Dating The Undead for the latest techniques to Unzombifying (it's not what you're thinking!) and keeping your skin monstrously soft.

About the authors:

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the acclaimed “Lords of the Underworld” series and more than thirty other books. She can most often be found walking around talking to the hot otherworldly guys in her head.

http://members.genashowalter.com/

Jill Monroe is the award-winning author of more than eight romance novels. She is convinced that every person she meets is more human, and spends most of her time trying to figure out if they’re werewolf, vampire, zombie – or, in her husband’s case, demon.

http://www.jillmonroe.com/

2 in 1: Humor for adults

Honey Badger Don't Care

Author: Randall

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Date of Publication: January 24, 2012

Sweet Jesus—a riotous wildlife book for adults! The mononymous Randall, narrator of the You Tube sensation (15 MILLION views) "The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger," is the wild new voice of nature. In Honey Badger Don't Care™, Randall presents a dozen crazy, badass animals of the wild kingdom as only Randall could. Don't be stupid—buy this book! 

 To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect when I got this book to review.  I had never seen the You Tube video and didn't realize there was one until I did some investigation. I do like to broaden my literary horizons when I can so I decided to give it a shot.  I thought that this book would be a humorous look at various unlikeable and maybe a little unknown animals. Even though it does have some interesting facts, I didn't really care for the book.  I thought that the author's use of profanity was over done and unnecessary for the most part. It did nothing to add to the humor he was striving for.  This is definitely NOT a book for kids.  I would keep it to adults only.  I know there are some out there who will find this book amusing.  Unfortunately, I am not one of them.

Do you See What I See? A Collection of Photo-Hooliganism

Author: James Sallie

Publisher: Bookmasters

Date of Publication: August 2011

The book is an amalgamation of photography, humor and art. An expression of the creator's perception.  By means of carefully crafted imagery, the book explores precepts and corresponding perceptions; moreover, each image is a projected vision of an alternate reality of what would be normally considered as a natural scene. James refers to his technique of manipulating the original photographs he takes as Morphography, or in his street terms 'Photo-hooliganism.  James is a professional photographer and graphic designer and has blended these skills with a distinctive brand of subtlety, to create a unique twist on everyday situations.  The eclectic works combine to provide a new and interesting take on clichés, the puns and sayings of the titles compliment the images and trap the reader into having a longer, closer look of what each photograph provides. 'The objective of this collection of work is to raise a smile or provoke a deeper thought with the audience, to allow the viewer a moment of escape and to share the vision I had at a particular time.' 'To see what I saw' says James.  There are no boundaries for James and this is what makes the book full of creative genius.

I thought this looked like an interesting book when I read the synopsis.  I like books with funny photos. They can be a nice little break from the stresses of life.  Who doesn't like to have a good laugh, right? The author has taken photos and manipulated them with humorous drawings and images. Sometimes the changes are subtle puns and others are glaring and in your face jokes.  I found myself laughing at many of the pictures.  While it may not be everyone's type of humor, I think this one is worth leafing through.  As the authors warns in the beginning, this isn't for the kiddos as there is some nudity in it.  The preface is also worth reading.

The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice

by:  Anne Rice
published by:  Knopf
publish date:  Feb. 14, 2012

A young reporter on assignment from the San Francisco Observer. . . an older woman, welcoming him into her magnificent, historic family home that he has been sent to write about and that she must sell with some urgency . . . A chance encounter between two unlikely people . . . an idyllic night—shattered by horrific unimaginable violence. . .The young man inexplicably attacked—bitten—by a beast he cannot see in the rural darkness . . . A violent episode that sets in motion a terrifying yet seductive transformation as the young man, caught between ecstasy and horror, between embracing who he is evolving into and fearing who—what—he will become, soon experiences the thrill of the wolf gift.

I was so disappointed in this book that I got about three-quarters of the way through it and I realized I didn't care how it ended.  I didn't bother with finishing it.  There was no redeeming this book in my opinion.

The first thing I didn't like about it was the main character, Reuben.  I hated all the dumb names everyone called him, Little Boy, Baby Boy, Sunshine Boy.  Who calls a grown man names like that?  Plus, I couldn't stand the name he gave himself...The Man Wolf.  Seriously?  That's the best we could come up with?  I understand that a lot of the werewolf names are probably under some kind of trademark or copyright protection, but it just came off as such a lame effort.

The second thing that kept irritating me was the dialog.  It was so unrealistic.  People just don't talk to each other the way the was the characters in this book did.

Third issue I had was the "romance".  Reuben HAS a girlfriend in the beginning of the book.  First he has an affair, but that's ok, because she's completely understanding and she nurses him back to health.  Then, in wolf form he comes across his next woman in her secluded house and without so much as a howdy do they have a little wolfy nookie.  Quicker than you can flip the page they're in love. Of course, because it happens that way all the time.   What the hell happened to the first girlfriend??

There's more, but it starts getting into religion and heavier topics like that and I think I've worn out my rant.


I stopped reading about 2 chapters in.  It was just too dull.  I gave up way before Autumn. I have pretty much had the same issue with Anne Rice's books since she wrote The Violin.  Boring.  I miss her vampires!

Various Positions by Martha Schabas

by:  Martha Schabas
published by:  Farrar, Straus, Giroux
publish date:  Feb 14, 2012

Trapped between the hormone-driven world of her friends and the discontent of her dysfunctional family, fourteen-year-old Georgia is only completely at ease when she's dancing. When she is accepted into Canada's preeminent ballet school, Georgia thinks it is the perfect escape. Artistic Director Roderick Allen singles her out as a star, subjecting her to increasingly intensive training, and Georgia obsesses about becoming the perfect, disciplined student. But as she spends more and more time with Roderick, it's not so clear exactly what their relationship means. Is he her teacher and mentor, or is there something more? These blurred lines will threaten both Roderick's future at the academy and Georgia's ambitions as a ballerina.


This is one of those kinds of books that I think needs a big fat WARNING label on it.  Maybe even some kind of alarm that starts blaring when you open the cover just in case you missed the warning label on the front.  It made me feel really sad for ballerinas.  It made me feel worried for teenage girls.  It made me feel disgusted for actually finishing it. 

Georgia is a FOURTEEN-year-old ballerina, who becomes one of few new students at a prestigious ballet academy.  She goes through a sexual awakening spurred on by the crazy rantings of her mother.  Does she become fixated on boys her age?  No, it's men, like her father's age.  Strange men on the subway.  Her teacher.  She becomes obsessed with her teacher.  There's internet porn and naked pictures.  Her mother buys her lingerie.  How many moms buy their 14 year old daughters lingerie??

Maybe you're thinking Georgia is the only whackadoo in Grade Nine at the ballet school...you'd be sadly mistaken.   They all have their own special brand of crazy.  Is it having that many girls in one place that brings it out?  Is it the pressure of ballet? 

Needless to say, this one needs a parental warning label on it.  It's not appropriate for younger YA at all...maybe not even older YA.