Book Review Friday - Fifty Shades Freed by EL James #bookreview #50shadesofgrey

Book Review for: Fifty Shades Freed

Written by: EL James

Vintage Books

ISBN: 978-0-345-80350-4

Avail: print and ebook

3.5 Stars

James pens an engaging story that proves happiness is something to fight for with "Fifty Shades Freed." Anastasia marries Christian, but immediately finds his lifestyle uncomfortable. Complicating matters is Jack Hyde's pursuit to ruin Christian's life. Despite mounting problems, can Ana and Christian stay together, or will they be torn apart for good?

The story starts with Ana and Christian on their honeymoon. Security is heightened due to Jack Hyde being free. When the couple comes home, they face increasing challenges – Ana's wanting to retain her sense of individuality and worth, Hyde's capture then escape, and Ray's accident. As the challenges mount, will the stress tear the couple apart?

James' style is easy to read, though the novel is written in the first person, present tense. While I'm used to the style now, there are times when it slows down the storytelling.

James' strength is character development. Christian's journey will tug on the reader's heartstrings as he struggles with self-worth and insecurity. Ana is steadfast and the one constant in his life that offers hope.

While several events occur that are meant to be challenges to the characters' change of relationship, they felt contrived and forced, including the events surrounding Jack. The plot isn't as fluid as in previous books, but the character growth proved compelling and worth the read.

The novel is intended for mature readers with sexually charged erotic scenes. Overall, "Fifty Shades Freed" is a satisfying conclusion to the series. 

Author EL James' Website: http://www.eljamesauthor.com

Book Review for: 50 Shades Darker

Book Review for: 50 Shades Darker

Written by: EL James

Vintage Books

ISBN: 978-0-345-80349-8

4 Stars

James pens a suspenseful erotic tale with "Fifty Shades Darker." Businessman Christian Grey falls to pieces when Ana leaves him. Can he earn her love despite his past?

The novel opens with Anastasia committed to her choice of leaving Christian, but soon she challenges herself. Despite Christian's dark background, the attraction between them is undeniable. Dare Anastasia give him her heart once she learns his all-consuming dark past?

James delves into the depths of Christian's demons and splays them before Ana for her to accept or reject. James' writing is easy to read, but her style can be jarring at times as the story is told in the present tense through Ana's perspective. The characterization is the best part of the novel. Christian bares his dark, haunted soul to Ana. The story challenges the reader to hope like Ana, that Christian can let his demons go.

50 Shades Darker is an erotic romance. The sexual scenes are intense, and intended  for a mature audience. While intimacy grows the trust between Christian and Ana, the sexual scenes feel excessive at times. This book is not for those readers who would easily be offended by the graphic sexual content.

Overall, the novel strips away barriers and challenges readers to go outside their comfort zone with Ana and Christian. "50 Shades Darker" will leave you breathless and on the edge of your seat, daring the reader to believe that the seeds of love can bloom in darkness. 

Book Review for: 50 Shades of Grey

Book Review for: Fifty Shades of Grey
Written by: E.L. James
978-0-345-80348-1
Avail: as a print book
4 Stars

James pens a character driven romance full of inner conflict and nail-biting tension with "Fifty Shades of Grey." Christian Grey is a successful businessman determined to dominate in all things. Enter Anastasia Steele. She challenges him at every turn. Dare he give his heart to her?

Set in contemporary Seattle, Anastasia is a grad student who interviews Christian for her friend, Kate. Ana and Christian can't deny there's a charge of attraction between them. Later, Christian finds Ana and they have a coffee date. Christian would like her to enter into a relationship with him. For Ana, Christian's proposal is shocking, but she's game to try. However, when she wants "more," is Christian willing to meet her in the middle?

James uses a strong character voice that easily pulls the reader into Ana's world. The story is written in the first person, present tense. At times, I found the present tense a bit disconcerting, but the characterization is so strong, I enjoyed the novel very much.

What makes the novel resonate is the characterization. Christian is forceful, bossy, dominant even, but he reveals to Ana another side of himself that he hasn't before. Ana is strong, made of "steele." She may be willing to try Christian's suggestions, but she speaks her mind all things.

The novel explores darker topics and erotic themes in a mature way. Can the light of love break through the secrets which have hardened Christian's heart? "Fifty Shades of Grey" is more than an exploration of the erotic – it dares to peer into the dark parts of our souls to see just how much the human spirit can endure, as in Christian's case. Due to the erotic/intimate scenes I would recommend this book for mature readers. "Fifty Shades of Grey" will leave you breathless and wanting to read the sequel.

Welcome Jeanne St. James & the Steelers to the Football Blog Tour Stop!

STEPH: Welcome to the football blog stop! Who's your favorite football team? How long have you been a fan?

JEANNE: I’m a huge Steelers fan! I became a fan back in 2001. Never watched football before that.

STEPH: Who's your favorite player "playing" right now? Why?

JEANNE: I’d say Hines Ward. I always love his smile. He’s a very versatile player and no matter how hard he’s hit it’s rare he doesn’t come up without a smile! I’m glad he won DWTS though I refuse to watch that show.

STEPH: Who's your favorite all time Steelers player?

JEANNE: Jerome “The Bus” Bettis. Awesome guy!


STEPH: Who's the Steeler's "evil" nemesis?

JEANNE: I’d have to say the Eagles. I know the Bengals and Browns are nemeses also being so close to Pittsburgh. But we HATE the Eagles. I won’t go into the reasons. ☺

STEPH: Ever been to a football game? What's it like?

JEANNE: Yes, I’ve been to quite a few games as well as Playoffs and a Championship game. All at Heinz Field. It’s usually COLD! I wear lots of layers. You can usually only see my eyes during the game since I’m so bundled up. Though the last game I was at it was warm and I was sweating. The fans are great and you really get caught up in the excitement of the crowd.

STEPH: Do you own a jersey?

JEANNE: I own 3 jerseys and want to get a couple more (a Bradshaw and a Lambert jersey). My French bulldogs also have jerseys!

STEPH: What's your favorite food to eat during the game?

JEANNE: I never eat at the games. I always eat before or after. I usually hit Primanti Bros. for one of their famous sandwiches!


What could be better than waking up next to a hot guy? Waking up sandwiched between two of them.

Quinn Preston, a financial analyst, is not happy when her friends dare her to pick up a handsome stranger at a wedding reception. What better reason to give up men when her previous long-term relationship had not only been lackluster in the bedroom but he had cheated.

Logan Reed, a successful business owner, can’t believe that he’s attracted to the woman in the ugly, Pepto-Bismol colored bridesmaid dress. And to boot, she’s more than tipsy. After turning down her invitation for a one-night stand, he finds her in the parking lot too impaired to drive. He rescues her and takes her home. His home.

The next morning Quinn’s conservative life turns on its ear when Logan introduces her to pleasures she never even considered before. And to make things more complicated, Logan already has a lover…

Tyson White, ex-pro football player, is completely in love with Logan. He has mixed emotions when Logan brings home Quinn. But the dares keep coming and things heat up with the three of them. Nevertheless Ty wonders: will adding Quinn to the mix end up enhancing or destroying Logan’s and his relationship?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme & content, male/male sexual practices, ménage (m/m/f).

BUY LINK: http://www.loose-id.com/Double-Dare.aspx

WEBSITE:
http://www.jeannestjames.com/

Excerpt:
Quinn Preston almost choked on her Alabama slammer when her friend elbowed her in the ribs. "Ooof."

She saved her drink before it could spill all over her ugly bridesmaid dress. Yeah, that would have been a shame: to ruin such a nice, frumpy, pukey pink taffeta dress. One the bride had said she would be able to wear in the future. Like to a cocktail party. Or maybe her own funeral. Yeah, right. No one in their right mind would want to get caught dead in this thing.

Ruining the dress wouldn't have been a loss, but losing her drink would have. She was drinking slammers for a reason -- to get good and drunk.

Lana nudged her again. "You see that?" She nodded her head toward the back of the room.

"What?" Quinn really didn't care what Lana was excited about. She just wanted to get this day over with. She was tired of watching the happy couple. She was tired of pasting on a plastic smile for the photographer. And she was really tired of listening to the sappy congratulations. All things she might never have -- the wedding, the husband, the bridal bliss. And something her parents never failed to remind her. Especially now that she was in her early thirties. And single. Again.