Lee Piper's Blog - Posts Tagged "five-star-review"

Kulti by Mariana Zapata

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I had a few issues with Mariana Zapata's, Kulti. Namely, the fact that I ignored my family for a few days, forgot to each lunch ... dinner ... and the occasional breakfast. But I swear, it was with good reason. And hey, I could go all fangirl on your ass and scream in obnoxious capital letters something like, OMG THE FEELS!!! SO MANY FEELS!!! Or maybe, THIS BOOK!!! But I won't. Because Mariana Zapata's writing deserves more than that. It deserves its own standing ovation.

You see, what I appreciate about Zapata's slow burn novel is the evolution of the romance between Sal and Kulti. She brings together two opposing forces which the reader then has the pleasure of watching transform over the course of the book. And it's so captivating because there are a gazilion reasons as to why this relationship would never work. I mean, Kulti is aloof, cold, unhappy, alone; whereas Sal is hardworking, honest, loyal and kind. Want to know what happens when they first meet? Nothing. Sal is nervous, Kulti refuses to meet her gaze. The end.

Only, it's not.

The beauty of Zapata's writing lies in the little things, and it's the little things which turn into something truly exquisite. That first interaction I mentioned? It's the start of one of the most beautiful romances I've ever read. It’s taken me ages to determine why but I think I’ve figured it out. Zapata perfectly places a loaded glance here, a heated gaze there. She inserts a soft touch here and an exhale there. The gradual build-up of sexual tension between the main characters is so effing mesmerizing, there is no way the reader can turn the pages fast enough. In a world where many contemporary novelists have their MC's doing the reverse cowgirl by the thirty percent mark, Kulti reminds us of what it is like to fall in love slowly. Deliberately. Unequivocally.

Now, that’s worth waiting for.

Lee Piper is an Evernight Publishing bestselling author. Rock My World, Book #1 in the Mondez series and Rock My Body, Book #2 are available now. You can find all of this information and more on her website: www.leepiperauthor.com




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Hold My Breath by Ginger Scott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


You know you’re in the presence of an insanely talented author when from the first line, of the first paragraph, of the first page, you. Are. Hooked.

That’s exactly how I felt while reading Ginger Scott’s, Hold My Breath. To be honest, I couldn’t tell you what global events happened over the past forty-eight hours. World records could have been broken, cities could have fallen and I wouldn’t have had a clue. Not one.

Such is the power of Scott’s writing.

Like always, I wanted to know why. Why was it that this craftswoman—because that’s what she is—had me so immersed in her story? What was it about this book which kept my eyeballs glued to my Kindle? And do you wanna know what I think it is? I think it’s her take on love. You see, romance readers are bombarded with what it means to love, to be in love, and to be loved, every day. More often than not, authors entertain us with a highly sexualised take on the emotion **insert, you’re gonna need a spare change of panties when reading this book, quip here** And that’s fine, it totally is. However, Scott teaches us that love, true love, is made up of many parts. It’s courage. It’s truth. It’s determination. It’s exhaustion. It’s fear. It’s triumph. It’s compassion.

It’s selfless.

And it’s the selflessness shown by the main characters which really got me. Both Maddy and Will continuously show the reader that to love is to let go. It’s to willingly drown, knowing the other will save them. Surely, being cherished while vulnerable is one of the strongest indicators of love? Surely, immersing readers in a world based on this concept is an even stronger indicator of literary merit?

Food for thought.

Lee Piper is an Evernight Publishing bestselling author. Rock My World, Book #1 in the Mondez series and Rock My Body, Book #2 are available now. You can find all of this information and more on her website: www.leepiperauthor.com




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A Boy Like You by Ginger Scott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wanna know what my idea of a perfect story is? It’s one where you’re given a kickass heroine. A woman who is by no means perfect but is willing to admit her flaws and draw on superhuman strength when shit gets tough. It’s one where the hero, rather than poison the one he loves, actually strives to help her realise it’s okay to believe in hope. It’s one where you journey so deeply into the story you start living alongside the characters.

Yep, this perfectly encapsulates my experience with Ginger Scott’s novel, A Boy Like You.

I lived and breathed this book. I felt joy when the characters were joyful, I felt sorrow when they were sorrowful. Hell, I freakin’ bled when they hurt. I became them and they became me. It was epic.

No word of a lie, when the story ended I frantically searched Amazon for the follow up book, A Girl Like Me, just so I could exist in this world a little longer. And the strange part was, the world itself wasn’t a nice place. It wasn’t full of cheerful families, fast cars or witty one liners. No. It was real. There was struggle, pain, devastation, loss and hurt. However, what I found most interesting was that from this place of hardship sprung hope, laughter, pleasure, friendship and love. Scott gave voice to those of us who have every reason to be cynical, to those of us who distrust and remain distant. She reaffirms that it is okay to yearn for a better life, to be a better version of ourselves. She personified what it means to be human.

Only a truly talented author, one who is able to pen complex people, places and experiences, can suspend my disbelief to this extent. Ginger Scott not only did this, she owned it. From the very first page to the last,

I. Was. Enthralled.

Lee Piper is an Evernight Publishing bestselling author. Rock My World, Book #1 in the Mondez series and Rock My Body, Book #2 are available now. You can find all of this information and more on her website: www.leepiperauthor.com




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So Good by Nicola Rendell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Delving into Nicola Rendell’s latest novel, So Good, is uncannily similar to eating a butternut cupcake with pink frosting. And sprinkles. Lots and lots of sprinkles. You see, this novel is sweet, moreish and a little bit naughty.

It’s not often when a reader is given a hero who is completely head over heels in love with the heroine from the very first page. And I’m talking, I’m having an epiphany while staring through the skylight at my best friend’s naked body kind of love. I mean, when this normally happens another suitor is introduced or an equally inconvenient woman is thrown into the mix, usually with a healthy side helping of hilariously inappropriate best friend. Yet, none of this occurred in So Good. There was no third wheel, there was no bitter love triangle. There was simply a man who loved a woman more than life itself.

But don’t let the seemingly simplistic storyline fool you. This book is cleverly crafted. It contains flawed yet endearing characters and comments on the social construct of perfectionism. During a time where women are encouraged to be faultless, to wax and sculpt and laugh without a hint of a snort, it’s so refreshing to read a book where the male lead loves everything about his woman, imperfections included. In fact, he cherishes them. Max reveres every coffee stain on Rosie’s nightie, every remnant of tooth paste left on her cheek, every gentle snore while she sleeps.

Now, usually I’m all for books with complex layers. You know, the ones which question what it means to be broken, to be human, yadda, yadda, yadda. But every so often it’s such a relief to sit back and read a tongue in cheek romance. Yep, I found myself smiling over the antics of a vertically challenged canine. I grinned because of an overweight cat with a sodium addiction. Heck, I even belly laughed when a best friend enforced the time-honoured bro code of, what happens in the man cave stays in the man cave. But most of all, I swooned. That’s right people, swooned. Because the romance between Max and Rosie was that damn beautiful.

It was one hell of an enjoyable read.

*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review*

Lee Piper is an Evernight Publishing bestselling author. Rock My World, Book #1 in the Mondez series and Rock My Body, Book #2 are available now. You can find all of this information and more on her website: www.leepiperauthor.com





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Drumline by Stacy Kestwick

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I love it when writers pen ballsy heroines. You know, the ones who face the world head on despite the obstacles thrown their way. I love reading about heroines who, rather than fall at the knees of their male counterparts, stand tall and proud. This doesn’t mean they’re without fear. Hell no. Like their readers, they experience insecurities, uncertainty and pain. However, it is the way she responds to these challenges, the way she demands equally regardless of the circumstance, which earns my unswerving respect.

And I respect the hell out of Stacy Kestwick. After all, she is the mastermind behind Reece Holland, first female debutante in Rodner University’s all-male snare line. I know, right? Awesome plotline right there. Yeah, it’s safe to say, Drumline blew me away. And can we just pause a moment to admire hero, Laird Bronson? Not only is he the perfect mix of alpha and sweetheart, but the guy respects the hell out of his woman because she refuses to accept otherwise. That’s right, he thinks empowerment is sexy. In a world where many leading men belittle their heroines, where they seek pleasure in emotionally tormenting their supposed love, can I just say, halle-freaking-lujah.

Kudos, Stacy Kestwick. You wrote a damn fine book.




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Lee Piper is an Evernight Publishing bestselling author. Rock My World, Book #1 in the Mondez series and Rock My Body, Book #2 are available now. You can find all of this information and more on her website: www.leepiperauthor.com

The Unrequited by Saffron A. Kent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Have you ever seen something so beautiful you need a moment to sit back, blink, and breathe it in? You know, like a sunset, a baby sleeping, or a lover’s smile? And the object of your admiration is so freaking perfect, you can’t get your head around it. It’s as though the phenomenon is too much to comprehend all at once. So you pause, marvel, and shake your head in bewilderment, all the while wondering how on earth it came into being.

Yeah. This was my experience when reading Saffron A Kent’s novel, The Unrequited.

On paper, so much could have gone wrong with this book. I mean, how is the reader supposed to sympathise with a self-confessed stalker? How are we to understand a woman intent on crossing so many social boundaries to fulfil her own physical and emotional needs? Isn’t she narcissistic? Naïve? Immoral? And what about Thomas Abrams? The arrogant, broody, married—you read correctly—professor? Surely, the reader will never empathise with him?

Wrong.

So wrong.

The love between Layla and Thomas is one of the purest I have ever read. It is tortured, sure, but in the same breath also honest, passionate, and real. Only the truly talented can write a novel this brilliant. Only those who have mastered their craft can pen such complex, alluring characters. Saffron A Kent has not only shown her ability to create a world we all want to escape to, she has done it with class, heart, and a plot line you’ll never forget.

One of my top reads for the year. For the love of all things holy get your hands on this book. You can thank me later.




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Gods & Monsters by Saffron A. Kent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is why I read romance. Saffron A Kent's latest novel, Gods & Monsters is intelligent, thought provoking, and a wonderful commentary on the relationship between religion and sexuality. It's so refreshing when an author pushes the boundaries within their chosen genre, when they reference a topical issue outside of the main characters' burgeoning relationship. And boy, is the relationship between Abel and Pixie the stuff of legend.

But I digress.

Gods & Monsters follows the coming of age of Evie, daughter to a puritanical mother and apathetic father. When she meets Abel, her tall, smirking, artistic neighbour, a connection forms which neither can or want to break. But wanting and having are two very different concepts, and choosing love over family does not always end in an immediate happily ever after. It does, however, lead to a sexual awakening which arises from, and despite, faith.

Evie's initial idolatry of Abel is naïve, there's no doubt about it. However, her resolute belief in him, and in his love for her, is what makes this story so freaking gorgeous. After all, when the reader strips back the layers of this novel, they discover three simple truths:
He is just a boy.
She is just a girl.
And they're in love.
It is a unique love, make no mistake, but it is unsullied in spite of the suffocating religious expectations forced upon them since childhood.

Kent's ability to draw the reader into the complex world of sex, religion, and the search for personal identity, is second to none. She has mastered her craft in this book, and shown readers once again why she is a literary force to be reckoned with.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, read this novel.




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