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Shamed #2
Possess
Ella Patton and Liam Stone return in the breathtaking conclusion to the steamy, contentious love affair that began in Control.
Will you marry me? Those four little words should be a dream come true. But for Ella Patton, they’re the start of a waking nightmare. For despite the insatiable desire she feels for Liam Stone, marriage is out of the question—divorcing her abusive husband, Blaine, would be too dangerous to even contemplate. Besides, Ella couldn’t ask for anything more than the life she and Liam a scalding hot passion that’s totally outside the bounds of “I do.”
Liam has hit a brick wall. His fortune can’t buy Ella’s freedom from the oppressive monster the law recognizes as her husband. Blaine will take any opportunity to bring Ella back under his authority, no doubt exacting a terrible revenge as punishment for nearly slipping away. But Liam has a force greater than money and influence on his Ella’s love. She sparks his most unstoppable determination—and ignites pleasures that no man should be able to possess.
Advance praise for Possess
“Emotional, passionate, engaging . . . Liam and Ella are a couple to root for. Readers who loved Control will devour Possess in one sitting!”—Stacey Kennedy, USA Today bestselling author of Desired
Praise for Control
“Touching, sad, sweet, and sexy, Control will have you cheering for Ella and Liam right up to the end. Then you’ll start counting the days until we get to find out how their story really ends. Or begins.”—Laura Drewry, USA Today bestselling author of Prima Donna
“I really like the connection between Liam and Ella as well as the struggle that they go through, because life is messy and sometimes you have to have the pain to get to the solution, just like the book describes. This is a book about hope and love.”—Sportochick’s Musings
“Wow, do sparks fly! . . . [Control] is very well written [with] a great storyline. . . . I really love how Ella explains her feelings for Liam.”—Hines and Bigham’s Literary Tryst
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
Will you marry me? Those four little words should be a dream come true. But for Ella Patton, they’re the start of a waking nightmare. For despite the insatiable desire she feels for Liam Stone, marriage is out of the question—divorcing her abusive husband, Blaine, would be too dangerous to even contemplate. Besides, Ella couldn’t ask for anything more than the life she and Liam a scalding hot passion that’s totally outside the bounds of “I do.”
Liam has hit a brick wall. His fortune can’t buy Ella’s freedom from the oppressive monster the law recognizes as her husband. Blaine will take any opportunity to bring Ella back under his authority, no doubt exacting a terrible revenge as punishment for nearly slipping away. But Liam has a force greater than money and influence on his Ella’s love. She sparks his most unstoppable determination—and ignites pleasures that no man should be able to possess.
Advance praise for Possess
“Emotional, passionate, engaging . . . Liam and Ella are a couple to root for. Readers who loved Control will devour Possess in one sitting!”—Stacey Kennedy, USA Today bestselling author of Desired
Praise for Control
“Touching, sad, sweet, and sexy, Control will have you cheering for Ella and Liam right up to the end. Then you’ll start counting the days until we get to find out how their story really ends. Or begins.”—Laura Drewry, USA Today bestselling author of Prima Donna
“I really like the connection between Liam and Ella as well as the struggle that they go through, because life is messy and sometimes you have to have the pain to get to the solution, just like the book describes. This is a book about hope and love.”—Sportochick’s Musings
“Wow, do sparks fly! . . . [Control] is very well written [with] a great storyline. . . . I really love how Ella explains her feelings for Liam.”—Hines and Bigham’s Literary Tryst
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2014
17 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
Laura Marie Altom
164 books241 followersAfter college, Laura Marie Altom did a brief stint as an interior designer before becoming a stay-at- home mom to boy/girl twins. Always an avid romance reader, when she found herself replotting the afternoon soaps, she knew it was time to try her hand at writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
April 14, 2015
Possess is the conclusion to Control and begins at the same location that Control ended with Ella’s shocking confession to Liam but as the reader we already knew this was coming.
The story continues in both Liam’s and Ella’s POV like the first book, the story did have it high points and low points.
I must admit I struggled with this for me as the reader I found to much internal thoughts what Liam was thinking or what Ella was thinking and they both could be annoying and childish. After 30% I skimmed a lot of it and only read the dialouge and it still took me 3 days to read.
I did not want to DNF as I wanted to know two outcome's would Liam and Ella get their HEA and what would happened between Ella and Blaine.
I would suggest if you want to read these read them together as I read Conrol nearly 5 months ago and I only remember the basic plot.
ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.
The story continues in both Liam’s and Ella’s POV like the first book, the story did have it high points and low points.
I must admit I struggled with this for me as the reader I found to much internal thoughts what Liam was thinking or what Ella was thinking and they both could be annoying and childish. After 30% I skimmed a lot of it and only read the dialouge and it still took me 3 days to read.
I did not want to DNF as I wanted to know two outcome's would Liam and Ella get their HEA and what would happened between Ella and Blaine.
I would suggest if you want to read these read them together as I read Conrol nearly 5 months ago and I only remember the basic plot.
ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.
September 18, 2015
I'll start by recommending Control, Book 1 of this series, as a must read before beginning this one. I didn't read it but will now that I've read Book 2.
Liam and Ella/Julie's relationship is painfully complicated, and I wondered if their love was enough to survive the upheaval they experienced through most of this story. Her ex is an abusive, sadistic bastard who found great pleasure in the power he wielded over her. Liam is her knight in shining armor who desperately wants to give her what she has lacked in her marriage: pure, unconditional, selfless love.
Ella is a beautifully tormented soul. Beneath the battered and worn facade is a woman who comes into her own. I get the feeling that the strength she displayed in this story wasn't as obvious in the first book, but I might be wrong there. There was one shining moment that really defined how the years of abuse she'd endured had no place in her new life, and that she was allowed to be happy for the first time in a long time.
The bad in one's life can have the power to make one blind to the happiness that they deserve. They feel like they haven't earned it, like their former life is reason enough to shun the goodness they come into. The mentality is understandable so I don't fault Ella her thinking at all. What makes it easier to accept is someone who puts their love for you into action, taking the time to build your confidence in yourself and your confidence in them and their love for you. Ella had that with Liam. He wasn't just her knight in shining armor come to save the day. He was the embodiment of what love was supposed to be, what it could be, what it would be, if she let him.
Did she? Yes. Best decision ever? Yes. She gained so much simply by choosing him, trusting him, loving him.
Liam was an interesting character. His love and devotion to Ella was unmistakable, but it sometimes edged too close to obsessive for me. Sometimes I questioned the validity of his love because his attitude toward Ella was very possessive. Most of the time, I was glad for it. It turned him from doting lover to fierce protector. Those moments when that side of him showed up made so happy he was on Ella's side, and proved how much he wanted and needed her. It also revealed that she wasn't just an obsession to him; she was his everything. His world revolved around her. She completed him, made him a better man.
I wasn't going to address him (because he isn't worthy of the airtime he already had) but Blaine. Sadistic, manipulative, obsessive in a very bad way, possessive in an equally bad way. There was nothing nice about this man. I'll put it this way. Ever meet someone who just creeps the shit out of you from that first "hello"? That's him. He had no soul, no conscience. Ella was a playground for his twisted needs, a body he delighted using for his own sick pleasures. He broke her long ago, stole what confidence she'd had when they first got together, abused her into submission because he felt he could.
But he got his comeuppance. His ending was too swift for my liking. After all he'd inflicted on Ella, I would've loved to see him suffer slowly. He deserved no less.
I enjoyed this book. The story is complex and multi-faceted, overwhelming and consuming. The synopsis doesn't do it justice as there really is so much more than meets the eye in this novel. It is pretty angsty for a non new adult book. It's also very, very dark. The light at the end of the tunnel seemed like a tiny, insignificant pinpoint for a vast majority of this story, like Liam and Ella were never going to reach it. They did though, and it was a heart-stopping, sigh-evoking moment when they stood in the full light of a future that was bright with promise.
Well-written and detailed with characters you aren't likely to forget, Possess was a terrific story that took me from the highs of undeniable love to the lows of human depravity to the richness and rightness of what life can be for characters desperately needing a happily ever after.
4.5*
(NetGalley via Tasty Book Tours)
Liam and Ella/Julie's relationship is painfully complicated, and I wondered if their love was enough to survive the upheaval they experienced through most of this story. Her ex is an abusive, sadistic bastard who found great pleasure in the power he wielded over her. Liam is her knight in shining armor who desperately wants to give her what she has lacked in her marriage: pure, unconditional, selfless love.
Ella is a beautifully tormented soul. Beneath the battered and worn facade is a woman who comes into her own. I get the feeling that the strength she displayed in this story wasn't as obvious in the first book, but I might be wrong there. There was one shining moment that really defined how the years of abuse she'd endured had no place in her new life, and that she was allowed to be happy for the first time in a long time.
"Give yourself permission to enjoy every second of your engagement and the wedding and then, your life. You've earned your smile. Don't let anyone take it away--especially yourself."
The bad in one's life can have the power to make one blind to the happiness that they deserve. They feel like they haven't earned it, like their former life is reason enough to shun the goodness they come into. The mentality is understandable so I don't fault Ella her thinking at all. What makes it easier to accept is someone who puts their love for you into action, taking the time to build your confidence in yourself and your confidence in them and their love for you. Ella had that with Liam. He wasn't just her knight in shining armor come to save the day. He was the embodiment of what love was supposed to be, what it could be, what it would be, if she let him.
Did she? Yes. Best decision ever? Yes. She gained so much simply by choosing him, trusting him, loving him.
Liam was an interesting character. His love and devotion to Ella was unmistakable, but it sometimes edged too close to obsessive for me. Sometimes I questioned the validity of his love because his attitude toward Ella was very possessive. Most of the time, I was glad for it. It turned him from doting lover to fierce protector. Those moments when that side of him showed up made so happy he was on Ella's side, and proved how much he wanted and needed her. It also revealed that she wasn't just an obsession to him; she was his everything. His world revolved around her. She completed him, made him a better man.
I wasn't going to address him (because he isn't worthy of the airtime he already had) but Blaine. Sadistic, manipulative, obsessive in a very bad way, possessive in an equally bad way. There was nothing nice about this man. I'll put it this way. Ever meet someone who just creeps the shit out of you from that first "hello"? That's him. He had no soul, no conscience. Ella was a playground for his twisted needs, a body he delighted using for his own sick pleasures. He broke her long ago, stole what confidence she'd had when they first got together, abused her into submission because he felt he could.
But he got his comeuppance. His ending was too swift for my liking. After all he'd inflicted on Ella, I would've loved to see him suffer slowly. He deserved no less.
I enjoyed this book. The story is complex and multi-faceted, overwhelming and consuming. The synopsis doesn't do it justice as there really is so much more than meets the eye in this novel. It is pretty angsty for a non new adult book. It's also very, very dark. The light at the end of the tunnel seemed like a tiny, insignificant pinpoint for a vast majority of this story, like Liam and Ella were never going to reach it. They did though, and it was a heart-stopping, sigh-evoking moment when they stood in the full light of a future that was bright with promise.
Well-written and detailed with characters you aren't likely to forget, Possess was a terrific story that took me from the highs of undeniable love to the lows of human depravity to the richness and rightness of what life can be for characters desperately needing a happily ever after.
4.5*
(NetGalley via Tasty Book Tours)
January 8, 2015
4.25 Stars!
Wow! What a ride this book took me on. I will be honest and say that book one did make much of an impact on me but I wanted to read book two to find out answers and see how the story would play out... and let me tell you I am so glad I did. This book... SO much better! This author really packed a punch with this book. This book is not a standalone as book one should be read prior to reading this book.
This is the continuation of Ella and Liam's story. If you read Control, you were left with a WTF with answers needed ASAP. This book picks up where book one left off and flows well into this book. Big secrets were revealed that were total game changers. And with secrets and lies always come consequences. No one's life will be the same. Ella and Liam will be put through hell and back before a happy ending is possible for these two. Can these two survive the road ahead? Their story was full of twists, turns, suspense and angst!
You will get answers I promise though it may seem impossible at times. This book will take you on a roller coaster. This author really stepped up her game with this sequel. I connected with both Ella and Liam. I felt their pain. And Ella... she pulled at my heartstrings at time. And their ending was perfect. It was left open and I wouldn't mind someone else getting a book or two! :)
I recommend this book!
Book Tour---> http://reneeentress.blogspot.com/2015...
Wow! What a ride this book took me on. I will be honest and say that book one did make much of an impact on me but I wanted to read book two to find out answers and see how the story would play out... and let me tell you I am so glad I did. This book... SO much better! This author really packed a punch with this book. This book is not a standalone as book one should be read prior to reading this book.
This is the continuation of Ella and Liam's story. If you read Control, you were left with a WTF with answers needed ASAP. This book picks up where book one left off and flows well into this book. Big secrets were revealed that were total game changers. And with secrets and lies always come consequences. No one's life will be the same. Ella and Liam will be put through hell and back before a happy ending is possible for these two. Can these two survive the road ahead? Their story was full of twists, turns, suspense and angst!
You will get answers I promise though it may seem impossible at times. This book will take you on a roller coaster. This author really stepped up her game with this sequel. I connected with both Ella and Liam. I felt their pain. And Ella... she pulled at my heartstrings at time. And their ending was perfect. It was left open and I wouldn't mind someone else getting a book or two! :)
I recommend this book!
Book Tour---> http://reneeentress.blogspot.com/2015...
September 1, 2014
Received an ARC for review
This book picked up right where the first one left off. If it's possible there was more angst in this book than the first, but I still loved it. Great conclusion to a wonderful story. But she lists two more titles in this series, Rebound and Redeemed. Now I'm guessing the first in Nathan, but the second maybe Carol or Garrett. I would really like Garrett to get his own girl.
This book picked up right where the first one left off. If it's possible there was more angst in this book than the first, but I still loved it. Great conclusion to a wonderful story. But she lists two more titles in this series, Rebound and Redeemed. Now I'm guessing the first in Nathan, but the second maybe Carol or Garrett. I would really like Garrett to get his own girl.
December 27, 2014
Wow, what a ride this book was; it picks up exactly were the first book lets off and the angst just seems to be ratcheted up even more so than the very first book. You would think a proposal from the man you love would be a dream come true and a happy ending and not the beginning of a journey filled with more challenges and questions . Ella wants to accept his proposal but she has one small terrifying problem, her husband and he will never let her go! Liam pushed Ella into taking his ring insisting he will get her a divorce all she needs to do is concentrate on planning the perfect wedding.
Liam sets his lawyer to working on divorce papers and his staff on digging up dirt on Ella's husband Blaine. To ensure he will sign them; but before he can get everything in place her husband finds her and kidnaps her with the aid of a doctor. Liam's focus changes I that instant and he has to bide his time to find we're Ella has been taken then rescuing her wondering the whole time what the sick bastard is doing to her now !
Liam's love and dedication to Ella has him infiltrating a elite psychiatric facility undercover to get to Ella, but she is not the women who was taken from him, but that does not stop him from going all out to gather out if there.
B this point I was captured their was no way I could out this book down, the book read like a run a way train and I was on it for the ride and what ride!
In the end Liam turns out to be Ella's white knight and even her BFF Nathaniel is encouraging her to seal the deal!
Loved this series , great conclusion!
Book provided by Loveswept via Netgalley for an honest review!
Liam sets his lawyer to working on divorce papers and his staff on digging up dirt on Ella's husband Blaine. To ensure he will sign them; but before he can get everything in place her husband finds her and kidnaps her with the aid of a doctor. Liam's focus changes I that instant and he has to bide his time to find we're Ella has been taken then rescuing her wondering the whole time what the sick bastard is doing to her now !
Liam's love and dedication to Ella has him infiltrating a elite psychiatric facility undercover to get to Ella, but she is not the women who was taken from him, but that does not stop him from going all out to gather out if there.
B this point I was captured their was no way I could out this book down, the book read like a run a way train and I was on it for the ride and what ride!
In the end Liam turns out to be Ella's white knight and even her BFF Nathaniel is encouraging her to seal the deal!
Loved this series , great conclusion!
Book provided by Loveswept via Netgalley for an honest review!
September 26, 2014
Ella is trying to put her life together, running from an abusive marriage and delusional parents. She tried to tell them what a monster her husband Blaine really was but neither would hear of it. They thought her crazy and helped Blaine rather than believe their own daughter.
Ella ran as far and quick as she could taking on a whole new identity.
She meets Liam Stone, a powerful sexy billionaire who instantly falls hard for her. Ella and Liam just click, they are meant to be. When Liam proposes to Ella on New Year’s eve she tells him she’s already married. This news is devastating to Liam, but he doesn’t let that stop him. He promises Ella a new life with no worries. Liam thinks that his money can solve the issue but they quickly find out how wrong that is.
Ella and Liam go through hell trying to get a divorce from Blaine. Her parents are no help what so ever. Liam cannot buy his way out of this. They need to get a plan to make Blaine Ella’s past once and for all.
This book was dark and emotional and filled with so much love! The things that happened, the things Ella had to overcome, hell the things Liam did for her. It was a really good book. I couldn’t want more, it had it all.
Ella ran as far and quick as she could taking on a whole new identity.
She meets Liam Stone, a powerful sexy billionaire who instantly falls hard for her. Ella and Liam just click, they are meant to be. When Liam proposes to Ella on New Year’s eve she tells him she’s already married. This news is devastating to Liam, but he doesn’t let that stop him. He promises Ella a new life with no worries. Liam thinks that his money can solve the issue but they quickly find out how wrong that is.
Ella and Liam go through hell trying to get a divorce from Blaine. Her parents are no help what so ever. Liam cannot buy his way out of this. They need to get a plan to make Blaine Ella’s past once and for all.
This book was dark and emotional and filled with so much love! The things that happened, the things Ella had to overcome, hell the things Liam did for her. It was a really good book. I couldn’t want more, it had it all.
December 18, 2014
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads Review Team~
This is the second book in the Shamed series; you really need to read book one before this book. Picking up right after the end of the first book we see what happens after Ella drops the big bomb on Liam. This book has drama and angst but still at times I couldn’t connect with the characters and then at other times I could, I am not sure why I have this problem with this series. Liam at times acts like a spoiled brat and I just want to slap him. Blaine is a jerk and has everyone fooled. Ella’s parents are brainwashed. Nathan, ugh, I don’t know what to think about him. Overall it was an ok book with an overall ending to the story but it seems like there will be two more books.
Characters: The characters were well written
Sex: yes
Religious: no
Would I recommend to others: yes
More than one book in the series: yes
Genre: Romance
Would I read more by this author: yes
~Wicked Reads Review Team~
This is the second book in the Shamed series; you really need to read book one before this book. Picking up right after the end of the first book we see what happens after Ella drops the big bomb on Liam. This book has drama and angst but still at times I couldn’t connect with the characters and then at other times I could, I am not sure why I have this problem with this series. Liam at times acts like a spoiled brat and I just want to slap him. Blaine is a jerk and has everyone fooled. Ella’s parents are brainwashed. Nathan, ugh, I don’t know what to think about him. Overall it was an ok book with an overall ending to the story but it seems like there will be two more books.
Characters: The characters were well written
Sex: yes
Religious: no
Would I recommend to others: yes
More than one book in the series: yes
Genre: Romance
Would I read more by this author: yes
~Wicked Reads Review Team~
October 8, 2014
As with the first book this one didn't seem to be any different from the it.
My review for book one......
Not much changes and in actuality I found the characters to be a bit childish in this one. We have a rich billionaire who has a team of lawyers and tons of money yet he can't get them to help him with getting his fiancé back. I felt like Liam was a child and not a man, and definitely not a powerful man. That's what you want to see in a rich billionaire, how he is commanding and precise not at all how Liam is in this book.
Again thank you to the author and publisher for letting me read and review an ARC of this book but for now I think it still needs work the story has great potentially but I cannot recommend it to anyone right now.
~~Arc provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.~~
My review for book one......
Not much changes and in actuality I found the characters to be a bit childish in this one. We have a rich billionaire who has a team of lawyers and tons of money yet he can't get them to help him with getting his fiancé back. I felt like Liam was a child and not a man, and definitely not a powerful man. That's what you want to see in a rich billionaire, how he is commanding and precise not at all how Liam is in this book.
Again thank you to the author and publisher for letting me read and review an ARC of this book but for now I think it still needs work the story has great potentially but I cannot recommend it to anyone right now.
~~Arc provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.~~
December 28, 2014
"I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads."
This follows on from Shamed, which I reviewed earlier in the year.
I found this to be a better book, possibly because the leads were more focussed on each other. The ancillary characters still played a part, but the plot and the drama was definitely about Liam and Ella. They are still annoying at times, and make terrible decisions, but that's what makes the story! The relationship between them is much more believable and stronger. It is well written, and I stormed through it, so that I could find out whether Blaine got his dues ...
This follows on from Shamed, which I reviewed earlier in the year.
I found this to be a better book, possibly because the leads were more focussed on each other. The ancillary characters still played a part, but the plot and the drama was definitely about Liam and Ella. They are still annoying at times, and make terrible decisions, but that's what makes the story! The relationship between them is much more believable and stronger. It is well written, and I stormed through it, so that I could find out whether Blaine got his dues ...
March 16, 2016
My goodness!! This book gave me a lot of bang for my buck. Although I was extremely curious about how the conflict named Blaine would get resolved, I in no way could have predicted what Liam and Ella had to go through to get their HFN. A zombified Ella was not pretty and my heart broke for these two. But I respected the heck out of Liam's character throughout all the hard times. He was so badass. His love, loyalty, dedication, determination, his fight... He was truly amazing. I really wanted to give this book 5 stars, but unfortunately Ella had one too many TSTL moments and I just couldn't. Her character was simply dumb in some instances. Too dumb under the circumstances. But overall, I'm very happy with the way this book was written. If you enjoy feels and chaos, read this series!!
July 27, 2017
I liked Liam's role in the story and how it ended, but I had issues with the shallowness of her parents and also how she even ended up in a mental hospital. I thought the abduction, the transportation and the forced stay in the mental hospital was a bit too far fetched. I know you have to create conflict in order to have an interesting story, but the psychiatrist's reaction and everything associated with it was a little to unbelievable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 11, 2024I had to read this one because the last one ended on a cliffhanger. What a waste of my life. Terrible. Poorly written, plot makes little sense, characters are empty husks, I could go on. Don’t read this nonsense, it’s bad.
February 1, 2021
Smut: 1/5
Plot: 1/5
Main characters are 2 dimensional which is fine if you can write in some really good smut. Didn’t have anything that I would recommend reading.
Plot: 1/5
Main characters are 2 dimensional which is fine if you can write in some really good smut. Didn’t have anything that I would recommend reading.
May 11, 2015
Possess by Laura Marie Altom
Book #2: A Shamed Novel
Source: Netgally
My Rating: 2-3 stars
My Review:
**SPOILERS and a rant for book one and book two!!**
For those of you who follow me regularly, you may be wondering how I could possibly be reviewing book two in this series after the review I left for Control just yesterday. Again I offer you the easy answer, I really, really hate DNFing a book that Netgalley has been kind enough to gift me. So, without further ado, here’s the review for Possess.
Picking up where Control left off, Possess begins with Liam and Ella still reeling from the latest revelation, Ella is still married to her abusive ex and therefore can’t legally marry Liam. Typical of Liam and his inflated ego, he assures Ella everything will fine, they will get married and her ex will not be a problem. Though Ella wants to believe everything Liam is telling her, she knows her ex better than anyone else and assures Liam the divorce won’t be easy to come by. Sure that his money and swagger can overcome anything, Liam barrels ahead intent on a happily ever after. Unwilling to actually listen to Ella, Liam is totally blindsided when Blaine shows up at his home with the police and takes Ella.
As a judge, Blaine is well-versed in the law and knows that as Ella’s legal husband and with her history of being institutionalized, Liam doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Even more damning, Liam rages and lashes out in an effort to get Ella back and lands himself in a world of hurt and jail. Before Liam can get sprung from jail, Ella is across the country, heavily drugged and institutionalized once again. Though Ella fights as best she can, the drugs are fierce and before long she is a zombie. True to form, Liam needs to play the hero and finds a way to spring Ella from Hell. Though Ella is once again being put through a horrifying nightmare, the bulk of her past comes to light while she is inside.
As if the ride hasn’t been long enough already, once Liam springs Ella he once again refuses to listen to her when she tries to tell him Blaine isn’t done. Once again, Ella thinks her plan is better than everyone else’s and so, she traipses off to try and fix everything but ends up making things far, far worse, yet again. In fact, by the time all is said and done, Blaine snaps the tether, takes a hostage and ends up going down in a hail of gunfire.
The Bottom Line: Once again, I cannot realistically complain about the book from purely technical perspective. The author is clearly a skilled writer but this is where the praise ends for me. Liam simply doesn’t learn and his actions and attitude become even more ridiculous in this read. He is a jealous, angry individual who throws money at every problem assuming the problem will just go away for a price. Liam always knows better than anyone else and often refuses to listen to anyone or to actual reason. Ella is little better and though I absolutely applaud the strength it took for her to escape hell, her actions and attitude are often rash and ill-conceived. She and Liam are damn-near toxic and I found myself quite literally hoping they would go their separate ways. As with Control, Possess has a great deal of extraneous stuff including characters and situations. In all honesty, if Control and Possess were stripped of all the extraneous situations and characters and combined into a single read it might make the reads more enjoyable. Might is as far as I am willing to go and now that my commitment to Netgalley has been fulfilled, I can reasonably and without guilt say I am done with this series.
Book #2: A Shamed Novel
Source: Netgally
My Rating: 2-3 stars
My Review:
**SPOILERS and a rant for book one and book two!!**
For those of you who follow me regularly, you may be wondering how I could possibly be reviewing book two in this series after the review I left for Control just yesterday. Again I offer you the easy answer, I really, really hate DNFing a book that Netgalley has been kind enough to gift me. So, without further ado, here’s the review for Possess.
Picking up where Control left off, Possess begins with Liam and Ella still reeling from the latest revelation, Ella is still married to her abusive ex and therefore can’t legally marry Liam. Typical of Liam and his inflated ego, he assures Ella everything will fine, they will get married and her ex will not be a problem. Though Ella wants to believe everything Liam is telling her, she knows her ex better than anyone else and assures Liam the divorce won’t be easy to come by. Sure that his money and swagger can overcome anything, Liam barrels ahead intent on a happily ever after. Unwilling to actually listen to Ella, Liam is totally blindsided when Blaine shows up at his home with the police and takes Ella.
As a judge, Blaine is well-versed in the law and knows that as Ella’s legal husband and with her history of being institutionalized, Liam doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Even more damning, Liam rages and lashes out in an effort to get Ella back and lands himself in a world of hurt and jail. Before Liam can get sprung from jail, Ella is across the country, heavily drugged and institutionalized once again. Though Ella fights as best she can, the drugs are fierce and before long she is a zombie. True to form, Liam needs to play the hero and finds a way to spring Ella from Hell. Though Ella is once again being put through a horrifying nightmare, the bulk of her past comes to light while she is inside.
As if the ride hasn’t been long enough already, once Liam springs Ella he once again refuses to listen to her when she tries to tell him Blaine isn’t done. Once again, Ella thinks her plan is better than everyone else’s and so, she traipses off to try and fix everything but ends up making things far, far worse, yet again. In fact, by the time all is said and done, Blaine snaps the tether, takes a hostage and ends up going down in a hail of gunfire.
The Bottom Line: Once again, I cannot realistically complain about the book from purely technical perspective. The author is clearly a skilled writer but this is where the praise ends for me. Liam simply doesn’t learn and his actions and attitude become even more ridiculous in this read. He is a jealous, angry individual who throws money at every problem assuming the problem will just go away for a price. Liam always knows better than anyone else and often refuses to listen to anyone or to actual reason. Ella is little better and though I absolutely applaud the strength it took for her to escape hell, her actions and attitude are often rash and ill-conceived. She and Liam are damn-near toxic and I found myself quite literally hoping they would go their separate ways. As with Control, Possess has a great deal of extraneous stuff including characters and situations. In all honesty, if Control and Possess were stripped of all the extraneous situations and characters and combined into a single read it might make the reads more enjoyable. Might is as far as I am willing to go and now that my commitment to Netgalley has been fulfilled, I can reasonably and without guilt say I am done with this series.
November 24, 2014
The past comes back with dark memories that haunt her when she is taken from the man she loves.
Wow, what a great conclusion to a love story where two characters who were in love just starting a great relationship end up being torn apart just when they were planning for a future. I love that this series is not stopping with these two characters and continuing with hopefully Nathan and Carol. I have to say that I loved Liam and Ella they had so much to overcome, there where moments in which I was truly moved. There were times when I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and then there were those times that I just closed my eyes and wished that Ella hadn’t suffered so much.
Liam and Ella were still in the stage of getting to know each other but when he asks her to marry him the last thing he thought to hear was that she was still married to a psycho. I have to say that I loved that Liam thought that her divorce was going to be easy and she would be divorced in a matter of months. Now as for Ella she knew that there was no way that her husband would give her the divorce that easy. Then of course there is her only friend Nathan that keeps professing his love to her and actually kisses her. Come on than she loves you but is not in love with you, hopefully Ms. Altom will find someone that will love him like he deserves.
Just when things are going great something happens to Ella. They were enjoying time by themselves when her husband shows up with a doctor. He portrays her as this insane wife that is being help against her will and of course Liam is not able to do anything. This is the part that totally scares me because they don’t believe her and believe her insane husband. Ella is in a really dark place and they have her drugged up and Liam is not able to get to her. I am so frightened for her because she starts taking like she is going crazy, she talks about Julia being with Liam and how Ella will find a way to escape again. But what scares me the most is that there are times that she thinks that Liam left her as hard time thinking about Liam and why he hasn’t saved her. She has no idea that and can’t help her but soon he is released and her husband better watch out. Ella needs to hold on just for a bit longer and her prince charming is going to save her.
Possess was a great read in which I lost myself in. The emotions that I felt while reading this story were so many, I know that there were heavy issues in this read. I know that I was not prepared for the amount of pain that Ella suffered but not only that in the end what he did not to her but to a little girl was horrible. I knew that when I started reading the second part to their story that there were going to be more bumps on the road but there was something enlightening and that was that Nathan finally got it through his thick skull that Ella and Liam were meant to be together. Ms. Altom’s has done it again with her superb writing skills; this story was descriptive, vivid and enthralling. The pace of this story was perfect. The chemistry that they had was explosive. The passion was evident from the moment that they are together.
I can’t wait for more in this series.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Hones Review
Wow, what a great conclusion to a love story where two characters who were in love just starting a great relationship end up being torn apart just when they were planning for a future. I love that this series is not stopping with these two characters and continuing with hopefully Nathan and Carol. I have to say that I loved Liam and Ella they had so much to overcome, there where moments in which I was truly moved. There were times when I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and then there were those times that I just closed my eyes and wished that Ella hadn’t suffered so much.
Liam and Ella were still in the stage of getting to know each other but when he asks her to marry him the last thing he thought to hear was that she was still married to a psycho. I have to say that I loved that Liam thought that her divorce was going to be easy and she would be divorced in a matter of months. Now as for Ella she knew that there was no way that her husband would give her the divorce that easy. Then of course there is her only friend Nathan that keeps professing his love to her and actually kisses her. Come on than she loves you but is not in love with you, hopefully Ms. Altom will find someone that will love him like he deserves.
Just when things are going great something happens to Ella. They were enjoying time by themselves when her husband shows up with a doctor. He portrays her as this insane wife that is being help against her will and of course Liam is not able to do anything. This is the part that totally scares me because they don’t believe her and believe her insane husband. Ella is in a really dark place and they have her drugged up and Liam is not able to get to her. I am so frightened for her because she starts taking like she is going crazy, she talks about Julia being with Liam and how Ella will find a way to escape again. But what scares me the most is that there are times that she thinks that Liam left her as hard time thinking about Liam and why he hasn’t saved her. She has no idea that and can’t help her but soon he is released and her husband better watch out. Ella needs to hold on just for a bit longer and her prince charming is going to save her.
Possess was a great read in which I lost myself in. The emotions that I felt while reading this story were so many, I know that there were heavy issues in this read. I know that I was not prepared for the amount of pain that Ella suffered but not only that in the end what he did not to her but to a little girl was horrible. I knew that when I started reading the second part to their story that there were going to be more bumps on the road but there was something enlightening and that was that Nathan finally got it through his thick skull that Ella and Liam were meant to be together. Ms. Altom’s has done it again with her superb writing skills; this story was descriptive, vivid and enthralling. The pace of this story was perfect. The chemistry that they had was explosive. The passion was evident from the moment that they are together.
I can’t wait for more in this series.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Hones Review
October 1, 2014
Check out more of my reviews on my blog www.gemmareadstoomuchforittomenormal....
Possess is book #2 in the Shame series I LOVED book #1 Control here is a link to my review, I literally harassed Laura Marie Altom until she arranged for me to get an ARC of Possess so here is my honest review....
Ok so Possess kicked off right where Control finishes and within 30 seconds I was completely back into Ella and Liam’s world. This is the type of book that makes you lose hours on end, trust me when I say your dinner will burn and your husband will complain because you won’t be able to put this book down until it’s finished!!!
In the first book Ella/Julie was broken down and defeated but trying to regain her life and to find her inner strength. Well Possess has given her a new sense of purpose her character feels stronger, I imagined her walking taller and holding her head high. I love Ella she has depth and even though her life with Blaine was hell on earth she hasn’t lost her heart or her ability to love.
Liam, Liam, Liam in places in this book I really wanted to slap him!!! At times he was selfish and immature but then he kicked into alpha male mode and god he was seriously sexy. Liam was absolutely obsessed with Ella, its borderline unhealthy but somehow it managed to be beautiful and consuming and idyllic.
We never met Blaine in the first book but just Ella’s retelling of her life with him and the abuse and torture she endured was chilling and he came across as an absolute psycho. Well in Possess we meet him and I’ve got to admit he genuinely scared the crap out of me. Blaine is the pure evil that lurks behind respectability, everyone likes him, he’s a charmer and he honestly gave me goosebumps (like when you see the evil killer pop up in a horror film).
I fully expected Blaine to make his grand entrance in this book so I spent the entire book on tenterhooks. This book kind of stressed me out, I knew something was going to happen and I was just cringing waiting for it.
I don’t want to add any spoilers so I’m going to be vague and say that Blaine is scary clever and manipulative, what he does to Ella is truly horrifying. I honestly felt whilst reading it that it was almost worse than physical abuse. The way he manipulates Ella and her family is just psychological torture and how he makes her question herself was devastating.
We learn more about the way Blaine treated Ella in this book and although I know they are fictional characters I felt for Ella like she was a real person!!
I loved knight in shining armour Liam when he rescued Ella I swooned!!
I had assumed that this would be the last book but listed at the back of this book are two more books!!! Laura Marie Altom I need them pretty please!!!
This book grabbed hold of me and refused to let go, I lived Ella and Liam’s life, I felt the pain and loss and love. I loved the first book but amazingly this book was better an easy 5 stars from me.
Possess is book #2 in the Shame series I LOVED book #1 Control here is a link to my review, I literally harassed Laura Marie Altom until she arranged for me to get an ARC of Possess so here is my honest review....
Ok so Possess kicked off right where Control finishes and within 30 seconds I was completely back into Ella and Liam’s world. This is the type of book that makes you lose hours on end, trust me when I say your dinner will burn and your husband will complain because you won’t be able to put this book down until it’s finished!!!
In the first book Ella/Julie was broken down and defeated but trying to regain her life and to find her inner strength. Well Possess has given her a new sense of purpose her character feels stronger, I imagined her walking taller and holding her head high. I love Ella she has depth and even though her life with Blaine was hell on earth she hasn’t lost her heart or her ability to love.
Liam, Liam, Liam in places in this book I really wanted to slap him!!! At times he was selfish and immature but then he kicked into alpha male mode and god he was seriously sexy. Liam was absolutely obsessed with Ella, its borderline unhealthy but somehow it managed to be beautiful and consuming and idyllic.
We never met Blaine in the first book but just Ella’s retelling of her life with him and the abuse and torture she endured was chilling and he came across as an absolute psycho. Well in Possess we meet him and I’ve got to admit he genuinely scared the crap out of me. Blaine is the pure evil that lurks behind respectability, everyone likes him, he’s a charmer and he honestly gave me goosebumps (like when you see the evil killer pop up in a horror film).
I fully expected Blaine to make his grand entrance in this book so I spent the entire book on tenterhooks. This book kind of stressed me out, I knew something was going to happen and I was just cringing waiting for it.
I don’t want to add any spoilers so I’m going to be vague and say that Blaine is scary clever and manipulative, what he does to Ella is truly horrifying. I honestly felt whilst reading it that it was almost worse than physical abuse. The way he manipulates Ella and her family is just psychological torture and how he makes her question herself was devastating.
We learn more about the way Blaine treated Ella in this book and although I know they are fictional characters I felt for Ella like she was a real person!!
I loved knight in shining armour Liam when he rescued Ella I swooned!!
I had assumed that this would be the last book but listed at the back of this book are two more books!!! Laura Marie Altom I need them pretty please!!!
This book grabbed hold of me and refused to let go, I lived Ella and Liam’s life, I felt the pain and loss and love. I loved the first book but amazingly this book was better an easy 5 stars from me.
Read
November 11, 2015Ella is finally moving forward in life. She wants her new relationship with Liam to work but her past want to ensure she never gets her happy ending. She wants to be strong but she keeps finding herself defenseless and is having a hard time finding the strength to fight the looming battle. She wants to believe in a happily ever after but she is afraid to have hope only for it to be taken away. Liam has always kept her safe but is this a battle he can't win?
Liam never believed he would ever be this happy but Ella sets his heart ablaze in a way he never would have expected. He loves her beyond a doubt and will do anything to protect her if only she would believe it. He will go to extreme measures and break the law to ensure they get a happily ever after.
I was not a fan of Ella in this book. She would say she wanted something and then do something that went against that. I found it to be really annoying especially because it caused a lot of conflict with Liam. Liam was literally doing everything he could to keep her happy and safe and she argued with him about almost everything and undermined his decisions. She was constantly saying she was doing things for him and it can be interpreted that way but I believe her many of her actions to be poorly thought out and selfish.
Liam is the character that really makes you love this book. He is sweet, charming, and protective. You could tell how much he would sacrifice for Ella and it was truly beautiful to see how much love he had for her. He would do things that would hurt him or make him uncomfortable just because it made her happy. That is one of the purest forms of love. He is just an enjoyable character that I think most readers will like.
I have mixed feelings about this book because one minute I will like it the next I won't. It just depends on the type of reader you are. The book had many appealing parts and surprises the characters would never expect, and there were moments that I would be in absolute shock over what occurred. I feel like there are some aspects of this book that could have been better but overall it was a good read.
Liam never believed he would ever be this happy but Ella sets his heart ablaze in a way he never would have expected. He loves her beyond a doubt and will do anything to protect her if only she would believe it. He will go to extreme measures and break the law to ensure they get a happily ever after.
I was not a fan of Ella in this book. She would say she wanted something and then do something that went against that. I found it to be really annoying especially because it caused a lot of conflict with Liam. Liam was literally doing everything he could to keep her happy and safe and she argued with him about almost everything and undermined his decisions. She was constantly saying she was doing things for him and it can be interpreted that way but I believe her many of her actions to be poorly thought out and selfish.
Liam is the character that really makes you love this book. He is sweet, charming, and protective. You could tell how much he would sacrifice for Ella and it was truly beautiful to see how much love he had for her. He would do things that would hurt him or make him uncomfortable just because it made her happy. That is one of the purest forms of love. He is just an enjoyable character that I think most readers will like.
I have mixed feelings about this book because one minute I will like it the next I won't. It just depends on the type of reader you are. The book had many appealing parts and surprises the characters would never expect, and there were moments that I would be in absolute shock over what occurred. I feel like there are some aspects of this book that could have been better but overall it was a good read.
January 14, 2015
Please note this review contains spoilers!
In the beginning, Ella (aka:Julie) was running from a life that she didn't want.
Liam wasn't running, but he had things that needed to be just so so in his life.
And so the two shall meet. They did in the explosive first novel:Control.
In Possess Liam and Ella try to right a wrong. Only to find that there are still things and people and feelings and hang -ups, that interfere with their lives and the happy ending they both know they can have.
Nathan is still a huge block for Liam and Blaire; Ella's not ex-husband is still very much a problem.
But there is a moment when Ella is feeling very vulnerable and a little scared and she shuts down not only physically, but she shuts Liam down too. But in the special way Liam has, he tells Ella just how he feels.
Que the spoiler:
"Okay, whoa." He bolted upright. " Let's get one thing straight. I will never be okay with what that monster did, but that doesn't affect how I feel about you. Don't you get it? You're beautiful to me.-All of you. Even your scars. Hell-especially your scars, because the fact that you allowed me close enough to see them is important. How many other guys have you let that close?"
"None."
"Exactly." He tucked his hand beneath my chin urging me to meet his emerald gaze. "That's my point. What happened to you, as life changing as it was, that's in the past. If your scars make you uncomfortable, then fine. I'll make love to you all day with you wearing your shirt. But please know that's YOUR hang-up and not mine. I think you're the most gorgeous, exotic, wondrous woman in the world. To me....You're Perfect. Possess is just as wonderful and captivating as the first in this series was.
Ms. Altom has a way of weaving words and spinning scenes that brings the books she writes to life.
The stunning and action packed conclusion to Possess will make you sigh and wish for just a little more.
I am looking forward to more from this author.
In the beginning, Ella (aka:Julie) was running from a life that she didn't want.
Liam wasn't running, but he had things that needed to be just so so in his life.
And so the two shall meet. They did in the explosive first novel:Control.
In Possess Liam and Ella try to right a wrong. Only to find that there are still things and people and feelings and hang -ups, that interfere with their lives and the happy ending they both know they can have.
Nathan is still a huge block for Liam and Blaire; Ella's not ex-husband is still very much a problem.
But there is a moment when Ella is feeling very vulnerable and a little scared and she shuts down not only physically, but she shuts Liam down too. But in the special way Liam has, he tells Ella just how he feels.
Que the spoiler:
"Okay, whoa." He bolted upright. " Let's get one thing straight. I will never be okay with what that monster did, but that doesn't affect how I feel about you. Don't you get it? You're beautiful to me.-All of you. Even your scars. Hell-especially your scars, because the fact that you allowed me close enough to see them is important. How many other guys have you let that close?"
"None."
"Exactly." He tucked his hand beneath my chin urging me to meet his emerald gaze. "That's my point. What happened to you, as life changing as it was, that's in the past. If your scars make you uncomfortable, then fine. I'll make love to you all day with you wearing your shirt. But please know that's YOUR hang-up and not mine. I think you're the most gorgeous, exotic, wondrous woman in the world. To me....You're Perfect. Possess is just as wonderful and captivating as the first in this series was.
Ms. Altom has a way of weaving words and spinning scenes that brings the books she writes to life.
The stunning and action packed conclusion to Possess will make you sigh and wish for just a little more.
I am looking forward to more from this author.
December 23, 2014
*I received an ARC of this book free from NetGalley on behalf of Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept in exchange for an honest review*
This book picks up right where Control left off. Ella is a lot stronger in the second book than she was in Control. On the other hand Liam is a bit softer, but he just wants his woman to be happy.
Ella Patton is completely in love with Liam Stone and has agreed to marry him. She definitely dropped the bomb that she is technically still married and Liam will do anything to make her marriage go away so they can be together and she can forget about her abusive past once and for all.
When Ella’s husband finds her, kidnaps, and hides her away under the care of a doctor that keeps her doped up on meds she starts to question if her past actions are real or if she is the one that is crazy and harmed herself. Liam will stop at nothing to get Ella back and prove that her husband really is abusive. With the help of Garrett he knows exactly how to get her back and hide her from anyone that want s to do her harm including her parents. Blaine finally shows his true colors when he has no choice but to kidnap a little girl just to get Ella’s attention.
This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. The abuse that Blaine has put Ella through is very detailed and graphic at times. With that being said, I really liked it. The writing is great, the storyline works. I enjoyed reading this a little more than I did Control as this is a little faster paced and not a lot of focusing on the detail since we already know the characters.
The author does give more titles to the series in this book and I am excited to see where this story goes. I would love to see Garrett get his own book and for Nathan to find a love of his own.
My Favorite Character: I have really grown to love Liam and it is great when the love of your life can rescue you and make you feel safe.
My Favorite Moment: WOW! Love the description of Ella’s ring.
This book picks up right where Control left off. Ella is a lot stronger in the second book than she was in Control. On the other hand Liam is a bit softer, but he just wants his woman to be happy.
Ella Patton is completely in love with Liam Stone and has agreed to marry him. She definitely dropped the bomb that she is technically still married and Liam will do anything to make her marriage go away so they can be together and she can forget about her abusive past once and for all.
When Ella’s husband finds her, kidnaps, and hides her away under the care of a doctor that keeps her doped up on meds she starts to question if her past actions are real or if she is the one that is crazy and harmed herself. Liam will stop at nothing to get Ella back and prove that her husband really is abusive. With the help of Garrett he knows exactly how to get her back and hide her from anyone that want s to do her harm including her parents. Blaine finally shows his true colors when he has no choice but to kidnap a little girl just to get Ella’s attention.
This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. The abuse that Blaine has put Ella through is very detailed and graphic at times. With that being said, I really liked it. The writing is great, the storyline works. I enjoyed reading this a little more than I did Control as this is a little faster paced and not a lot of focusing on the detail since we already know the characters.
The author does give more titles to the series in this book and I am excited to see where this story goes. I would love to see Garrett get his own book and for Nathan to find a love of his own.
My Favorite Character: I have really grown to love Liam and it is great when the love of your life can rescue you and make you feel safe.
My Favorite Moment: WOW! Love the description of Ella’s ring.
December 17, 2014
Liam has asked the girl of his dreams to marry him. Only problem is she is already married to someone else who also happens to be a sadist abuser. Can Liam convince Ella he can protect her from her husband Blaine at all costs? Will Ella risk everything in an effort to save Liam from Blaine’s violence? Can their love help push them through to the bright future they have both dreamed of.
Book two in the Shamed series by Laura Marie Altom is the conclusion of Liam and Ella’s story. When we last left them, they were beginning to be blissfully happy. Ella was starting to believe Liam could move mountains, he would get her a divorce from her crazy husband and they could live happily ever after. Until Blaine steps in and shatters their perfect little fantasy life. I thought this second part was actually much better than the first. I found it to be deeper on an emotional level. The author’s approach to the abuse that Ella suffers in the past as well as the present was spot on. When Ella goes into an institution, I could feel her confusion and desperation to escape. Her relationship with her parents goes to hell by their refusal to believe their own daughter truly tragic. I feel that Liam was a stronger character in this second part; he loved Ella with everything he had and would move heaven and earth to save her. Their friends are back in this book and I enjoyed the relationships they shared with them. Carol and Liam he a real bond as friends and it shows. Garrett uses his law expertise to help Liam and Ella get their happily ever after. At times Ella did annoy me a little as the female lead, she acted a bit naive thinking she could reason with a lunatic. Nevertheless, in the end, I was happy with how it all turned out. This is a great series so far it has romance, steamy sex and a little bit of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. I look forward to the next one.
Received ARC in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.
Book two in the Shamed series by Laura Marie Altom is the conclusion of Liam and Ella’s story. When we last left them, they were beginning to be blissfully happy. Ella was starting to believe Liam could move mountains, he would get her a divorce from her crazy husband and they could live happily ever after. Until Blaine steps in and shatters their perfect little fantasy life. I thought this second part was actually much better than the first. I found it to be deeper on an emotional level. The author’s approach to the abuse that Ella suffers in the past as well as the present was spot on. When Ella goes into an institution, I could feel her confusion and desperation to escape. Her relationship with her parents goes to hell by their refusal to believe their own daughter truly tragic. I feel that Liam was a stronger character in this second part; he loved Ella with everything he had and would move heaven and earth to save her. Their friends are back in this book and I enjoyed the relationships they shared with them. Carol and Liam he a real bond as friends and it shows. Garrett uses his law expertise to help Liam and Ella get their happily ever after. At times Ella did annoy me a little as the female lead, she acted a bit naive thinking she could reason with a lunatic. Nevertheless, in the end, I was happy with how it all turned out. This is a great series so far it has romance, steamy sex and a little bit of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. I look forward to the next one.
Received ARC in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.
December 5, 2014
4.5 Stars
Whew! I’m worn out from reading this book! I don’t even know where to begin.
POSSESS picks up where CONTROL leaves off. Be sure you have read CONTROL before you start this book. It is not a stand-alone. Assuming that’s the case, I will not rehash the story. Words I would use to describe this book: hot, steamy, angst-ridden, frustrating, exciting…the list could go on and on.
I was glad to see more character development in this book. Liam and Ella both seem to have matured – both personally and in their relationship. There were definitely a lot of “edge of your seat” moments involving Ella’s ex, Blaine. What is really scary is that there really are people out there like him. The book almost seems far-fetched at times – until you turn on the news and are hit in the face with crazies that are worse than he was. It makes you think. Elle could have been your daughter – or mine. That puts things in perspective. I would hope to be more supportive of my daughter than her parents were of her. I just wanted to smack both of them! What happened to Ella at the mental facility was plausible and thought-provoking. Something similar happened to a friend of mine, so I know it’s possible – and getting someone out of one is nearly impossible. I understand why Liam had to take the measures that he took. The suspense was tangible. You could reach out and touch it.
The secondary characters are still a great group of people that I want to be friends with. I hope to get to know them better in future books. We know there will be two more books in this series. I can’t wait!
The ending was fabulous! I am impatiently waiting to see what Laura Marie Altom comes up with next. She is an amazing author and is now on my “must read” list.
*An advance reading copy was generously provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Whew! I’m worn out from reading this book! I don’t even know where to begin.
POSSESS picks up where CONTROL leaves off. Be sure you have read CONTROL before you start this book. It is not a stand-alone. Assuming that’s the case, I will not rehash the story. Words I would use to describe this book: hot, steamy, angst-ridden, frustrating, exciting…the list could go on and on.
I was glad to see more character development in this book. Liam and Ella both seem to have matured – both personally and in their relationship. There were definitely a lot of “edge of your seat” moments involving Ella’s ex, Blaine. What is really scary is that there really are people out there like him. The book almost seems far-fetched at times – until you turn on the news and are hit in the face with crazies that are worse than he was. It makes you think. Elle could have been your daughter – or mine. That puts things in perspective. I would hope to be more supportive of my daughter than her parents were of her. I just wanted to smack both of them! What happened to Ella at the mental facility was plausible and thought-provoking. Something similar happened to a friend of mine, so I know it’s possible – and getting someone out of one is nearly impossible. I understand why Liam had to take the measures that he took. The suspense was tangible. You could reach out and touch it.
The secondary characters are still a great group of people that I want to be friends with. I hope to get to know them better in future books. We know there will be two more books in this series. I can’t wait!
The ending was fabulous! I am impatiently waiting to see what Laura Marie Altom comes up with next. She is an amazing author and is now on my “must read” list.
*An advance reading copy was generously provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2015
Possess by Laura Marie Altom is the second book in her Shamed series.
Picking up right where the first book, Control, left off, the story builds up speed heading towards an inevitable showdown between the happy new couple (Ella and Liam) and Ella's hopefully soon-to-be-ex husband.
The pivotal, dramatic point in the story is so well-written I was practically fuming at my e-reader. Blaine is the worst kind of person and the hopelessness that Ella felt, I felt.
A romance that has bound you so tightly to the main characters that you can't help getting absorbed in every page to the detriment of life outside the pages.
I am very eager to read more in this series.
Kirstin's Review:
Possess by Laura Marie Altom 5 out of 5 stars
Finally some closure!
If you read Control, which was the beginning of Liam and Ella's story, then you've been just as anxious as me to find out how their story continued. (I hate a cliffhanger! Especially in a 5 star worthy book! Urgh!)
In Possess,, Liam and Ella are trying to obtain a divorce from Ella"s abusive husband so they can finally get married. Of course, even with Liam's millions, it's not as easy as he thinks to deal with a psychopath.... que the dramatic twists and turns! Oh, and Nathan, Ella's best friend is still in the middle of their emotional rollercoaster trying to drive a wedge between the two of them in order to win her heart for himself.
So, without giving anything away to spoil the suspense, strap on your seatbelt and enjoy the conclusion of Liam and Ella's drama! Enjoy!
Picking up right where the first book, Control, left off, the story builds up speed heading towards an inevitable showdown between the happy new couple (Ella and Liam) and Ella's hopefully soon-to-be-ex husband.
The pivotal, dramatic point in the story is so well-written I was practically fuming at my e-reader. Blaine is the worst kind of person and the hopelessness that Ella felt, I felt.
A romance that has bound you so tightly to the main characters that you can't help getting absorbed in every page to the detriment of life outside the pages.
I am very eager to read more in this series.
Kirstin's Review:
Possess by Laura Marie Altom 5 out of 5 stars
Finally some closure!
If you read Control, which was the beginning of Liam and Ella's story, then you've been just as anxious as me to find out how their story continued. (I hate a cliffhanger! Especially in a 5 star worthy book! Urgh!)
In Possess,, Liam and Ella are trying to obtain a divorce from Ella"s abusive husband so they can finally get married. Of course, even with Liam's millions, it's not as easy as he thinks to deal with a psychopath.... que the dramatic twists and turns! Oh, and Nathan, Ella's best friend is still in the middle of their emotional rollercoaster trying to drive a wedge between the two of them in order to win her heart for himself.
So, without giving anything away to spoil the suspense, strap on your seatbelt and enjoy the conclusion of Liam and Ella's drama! Enjoy!
October 15, 2014
This story picks up where the first book (Control) left off. Liam proposed to Elle but she confesses to him she is still married to Blaine. As with the first book, I did enjoy this story. However it seemed to start off a little slow but it did pick up about half-way through. Since I read a number of books, I forgot some of the story line from the first book. Who knows that is probably old age sinking in. As I read more of the story it did finally come back. Perhaps a little synopsis (1-2 pages) of the first book in the beginning would help. So I would recommend you read Control first. The characters definitely have matured a bit more. In some spots I found the storyline was a little unrealistic. I know they explained it by saying Blaine had power of attorney but no one is going to be hauled off to a psychiatric ward if you have not been declared incompetent. It was frustrating that everyone believed what Blaine was telling them, especially Elle’s parents. During the time Elle was in the psychiatric ward you could just feel Elle’s turmoil. The author did a great job getting into her head and portraying her as someone who was overmedicated and was just surviving. Also I just couldn’t believe Liam, despite being out on bail, would risk everything and leave the state. But I guess people will do just about anything for true love. When Blaine comes in the picture the story line became more exciting. Ms. Altom was able to build up the suspense. You could feel that something else was coming. The ending wasn’t your usual ending. It was a little different, but good. And it was realistic. It showed you how crazy Blaine really was. Although the characters seemed to have little confidence at times and both were filled with a lot of inner turmoil they were still likeable. Overall I would recommend.
January 6, 2015
I usually don’t have an issue jumping into series, but this book does not work well if you haven’t read the first. In short, Ella had a bad relationship and is still not quite ready for a new one, but along came Liam. Billionaire, utterly in love with her, and completely out of the question.
What I can do is comment to this particular story, and what I read, despite feeling as if I had gaping holes in my ability to understand the backstory.
Ella was, for me, not as well-developed as she should have been. She was very immature and prone to over-dramatizing everything, I think this was an attempt to show trepidation and fear about her abusive husband. I couldn’t find a way to connect with her at all, even with applying full understanding of her history of abuse. Adding in yet another secret was coals to Newcastle for me – too much, and not necessary: there was enough tension and ‘what next’ from the situation as it stood.
Liam – I seriously do not understand this “billionaire’ craze in romance, it’s tired and overplayed, and just because someone has money doesn’t mean they have anything else to offer. And I found nothing in Liam to like, he was also immature, childish and so far from powerful and strong that he felt more like a caricature to me than a character.
I was curious about just how much would be added, and while I didn’t feel compelled to get an answer, the journey was okay – not great, not horrible, but certainly not feeling as solidly built as it should have been. There are those who can’t live without the billionaire / damsel in distress stories, and they would be sure to like this.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Loveswept for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
What I can do is comment to this particular story, and what I read, despite feeling as if I had gaping holes in my ability to understand the backstory.
Ella was, for me, not as well-developed as she should have been. She was very immature and prone to over-dramatizing everything, I think this was an attempt to show trepidation and fear about her abusive husband. I couldn’t find a way to connect with her at all, even with applying full understanding of her history of abuse. Adding in yet another secret was coals to Newcastle for me – too much, and not necessary: there was enough tension and ‘what next’ from the situation as it stood.
Liam – I seriously do not understand this “billionaire’ craze in romance, it’s tired and overplayed, and just because someone has money doesn’t mean they have anything else to offer. And I found nothing in Liam to like, he was also immature, childish and so far from powerful and strong that he felt more like a caricature to me than a character.
I was curious about just how much would be added, and while I didn’t feel compelled to get an answer, the journey was okay – not great, not horrible, but certainly not feeling as solidly built as it should have been. There are those who can’t live without the billionaire / damsel in distress stories, and they would be sure to like this.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Loveswept for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
January 8, 2015
I was excited to get my teeth in to Possess, I had heard that it was an emotional and gritty book; but I honestly had no idea just how emotional it was.
This story is about to abused people, who fall in love and then their world explodes around them. You see Liam proposes to Ella; and while Ella is delighted that Liam wants to marry her; she can’t as she is already married to a monster. Liam, who was originally devastated that Ella is married (although on some level he knew); picks himself up and chargers in to freeing Ella from her nightmare…and there I am going to leave it as I don’t want to give too much of the story away.
I think I literally started to cry from half way through the first chapter, all the way until the end. There are some parts where I had such a huge visceral response, that I had to walk away from the book. It is truly not for the faint of heart and if you are looking for the sweet Happily Ever After without any real emotion…yeah this book is not for you! The writing is smooth and from what I could see, the author had well researched the domestic and child abuse themes.
So on to my feelings on the book. I have to say that I really appreciate the format, it is written where both of the main characters POV (which I have to say I LOVED). Liam’s character goes first, and to be honest, by the end of that first chapter I was set to absolutely detest Ella (female lead), and my heart completely bled for Liam. But after a few chapters, I began to like her and by the end, she is truly one of my favorite heroines. There were many other supporting characters’ that I enjoyed, but none who truly stood out for me as a show stopper.
Possess was a fantastic book to read, but not a light hearted in anyway. This book earned 8 out of 10 from me. But one word of warning though! You WILL become addicted to this book!
This story is about to abused people, who fall in love and then their world explodes around them. You see Liam proposes to Ella; and while Ella is delighted that Liam wants to marry her; she can’t as she is already married to a monster. Liam, who was originally devastated that Ella is married (although on some level he knew); picks himself up and chargers in to freeing Ella from her nightmare…and there I am going to leave it as I don’t want to give too much of the story away.
I think I literally started to cry from half way through the first chapter, all the way until the end. There are some parts where I had such a huge visceral response, that I had to walk away from the book. It is truly not for the faint of heart and if you are looking for the sweet Happily Ever After without any real emotion…yeah this book is not for you! The writing is smooth and from what I could see, the author had well researched the domestic and child abuse themes.
So on to my feelings on the book. I have to say that I really appreciate the format, it is written where both of the main characters POV (which I have to say I LOVED). Liam’s character goes first, and to be honest, by the end of that first chapter I was set to absolutely detest Ella (female lead), and my heart completely bled for Liam. But after a few chapters, I began to like her and by the end, she is truly one of my favorite heroines. There were many other supporting characters’ that I enjoyed, but none who truly stood out for me as a show stopper.
Possess was a fantastic book to read, but not a light hearted in anyway. This book earned 8 out of 10 from me. But one word of warning though! You WILL become addicted to this book!
December 30, 2014
ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.
SO I thought the beginning of Liam and Ella's story in Control (book #1) was CRAZY twisty, hot and angsty all at the same time ... like phenomenal. Yea, well, Possess took their love story to a whole new level. This book picked up right where the first one left off and it doesn't miss a beat. I am amazed at how well one story flowed right into the next. I read them months apart and yet I felt like I was reading them back to back. That is all on Laura Marie Altom's writing style! She is fast becoming one of my favorite writers to 'go to'.
In this volume of Liam and Ella's road to HEA, the gist is that Liam asks Ella to marry him so she has to tell him no because she is already married. And bless Liam's heart, the boy thinks it's just gonna take a quickie divorce and done. Yeah, not so much. Cue, drama to the millionth degree! I gotta warn ya'll .... Ella not only goes thru some SERIOUS drama, but she COMES from serious drama. I haven't cried or felt this much for a character since I read Archer's Voice!
I cant give you details, because then why buy the book, but I will tell you that Ms Alton has some MAD writing skills; this story was descriptive, vivid and positively enthralling. The pace was perfect. The chemistry was explosive and the passion was evident from the moment Liam and Ella are together.
This was a roller-coaster of a read, but what a ride! Ella and Liam do finally come together but Ms Alton not only leaves it open for the possibility of MORE from Ella and Liam in future books but she definitely leaves it open for Ella's BFF Nathan! ~ and that boy is either gonna have to get a girl or a puppy! Just sayin .... lol
SO I thought the beginning of Liam and Ella's story in Control (book #1) was CRAZY twisty, hot and angsty all at the same time ... like phenomenal. Yea, well, Possess took their love story to a whole new level. This book picked up right where the first one left off and it doesn't miss a beat. I am amazed at how well one story flowed right into the next. I read them months apart and yet I felt like I was reading them back to back. That is all on Laura Marie Altom's writing style! She is fast becoming one of my favorite writers to 'go to'.
In this volume of Liam and Ella's road to HEA, the gist is that Liam asks Ella to marry him so she has to tell him no because she is already married. And bless Liam's heart, the boy thinks it's just gonna take a quickie divorce and done. Yeah, not so much. Cue, drama to the millionth degree! I gotta warn ya'll .... Ella not only goes thru some SERIOUS drama, but she COMES from serious drama. I haven't cried or felt this much for a character since I read Archer's Voice!
I cant give you details, because then why buy the book, but I will tell you that Ms Alton has some MAD writing skills; this story was descriptive, vivid and positively enthralling. The pace was perfect. The chemistry was explosive and the passion was evident from the moment Liam and Ella are together.
This was a roller-coaster of a read, but what a ride! Ella and Liam do finally come together but Ms Alton not only leaves it open for the possibility of MORE from Ella and Liam in future books but she definitely leaves it open for Ella's BFF Nathan! ~ and that boy is either gonna have to get a girl or a puppy! Just sayin .... lol
October 12, 2014
**Received complimentary copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Wow, this book -- more like this series was just ..... I can't even explain. I was hooked with the first book and Ms. Altom sure didn't disappoint with how this book ended. It was just fantastic.
Poor Ella has accepted to marry Liam (that's how it ended in the first book) but then she drops a bomb on him telling him that she's married.
Liam isn't thrilled when she tells him this. But he will do whatever it takes to get her divorced by this monster of a husband she has. Ella feels like she's playing with fire because she knows that her husband will come back looking for her if he finds her and that's the last thing she needs or wants. She doesn't think he's going to just sign the papers and let her go. No, she knows he's going to put up a fight and take her back home to Tennessee.
Well when we least expect it, her husband shows up at Liam's with a doctor and wisks her away to a psychiatric ward. He has a way to manipulate people and tell them that Ella hurt herself instead of admitting that he's the a$$hat that has caused her her wounds and scars inside and out.
Once you get to this point in the book, you just can't seem to put it down because it feels like you're watching a movie and you're right at the interesting point of the movie. Liam goes out of his way to get his Ella back, come hell or high water. He has all the money in the world and will do whatever it takes to get the love of his life back.
This is definitely a series that you don't want to miss out on. I give this book 5 stars. Ms. Altom sure kept the story right on track, wonderful job!!
I can't wait to see what she has planned next!!
Wow, this book -- more like this series was just ..... I can't even explain. I was hooked with the first book and Ms. Altom sure didn't disappoint with how this book ended. It was just fantastic.
Poor Ella has accepted to marry Liam (that's how it ended in the first book) but then she drops a bomb on him telling him that she's married.
Liam isn't thrilled when she tells him this. But he will do whatever it takes to get her divorced by this monster of a husband she has. Ella feels like she's playing with fire because she knows that her husband will come back looking for her if he finds her and that's the last thing she needs or wants. She doesn't think he's going to just sign the papers and let her go. No, she knows he's going to put up a fight and take her back home to Tennessee.
Well when we least expect it, her husband shows up at Liam's with a doctor and wisks her away to a psychiatric ward. He has a way to manipulate people and tell them that Ella hurt herself instead of admitting that he's the a$$hat that has caused her her wounds and scars inside and out.
Once you get to this point in the book, you just can't seem to put it down because it feels like you're watching a movie and you're right at the interesting point of the movie. Liam goes out of his way to get his Ella back, come hell or high water. He has all the money in the world and will do whatever it takes to get the love of his life back.
This is definitely a series that you don't want to miss out on. I give this book 5 stars. Ms. Altom sure kept the story right on track, wonderful job!!
I can't wait to see what she has planned next!!
January 14, 2015
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
I give Possess 4.5 stars!!
I loved this book! The author had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I, like Ella, knew there was going to be more, but I really wanted to believe Liam could handle everything without any recourse.
I was anxious for this book because I had to know what was going to happen after the proposal in Control. I knew there would be trouble. And Laura Marie Altom didn't let me down. There were times when I thought the issue was being drawn out, but then I would read Ella's POV and totally agree with her that more was coming. He wouldn't stop. He wasn't like that.
This book had me rooting for Liam to be the knight in shining armor at the same time I wanted Ella to open up some whoop ass for everything she's been through.
This book brought both the knight in shining armor and the whoop ass! I couldn't put it down, it was that awesome!
There wasn't anything I didn't like about this book. Well, except that I wanted more Ella and Liam when it was all over! I'm greedy like that. I can't wait to see what book three Rebound will bring.
I give Possess 4.5 stars!!
I loved this book! The author had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I, like Ella, knew there was going to be more, but I really wanted to believe Liam could handle everything without any recourse.
I was anxious for this book because I had to know what was going to happen after the proposal in Control. I knew there would be trouble. And Laura Marie Altom didn't let me down. There were times when I thought the issue was being drawn out, but then I would read Ella's POV and totally agree with her that more was coming. He wouldn't stop. He wasn't like that.
This book had me rooting for Liam to be the knight in shining armor at the same time I wanted Ella to open up some whoop ass for everything she's been through.
This book brought both the knight in shining armor and the whoop ass! I couldn't put it down, it was that awesome!
There wasn't anything I didn't like about this book. Well, except that I wanted more Ella and Liam when it was all over! I'm greedy like that. I can't wait to see what book three Rebound will bring.
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