The Samantha Project Series Review.

Today I have a little something special.  I was graciously given a copy of the Series "The Samantha Project" for my honest review.

I started reading The Samantha Project and turned the pages so quickly that in just a matter of a few hours I had finished the book.  I immediately grabbed book 2 to find out what would happen next.  Now I'll give you a bit about the books.  Both what I liked and didn't like.

The Samantha Project (The Samantha Project Series #1)

The very first thing I have to say is I loved the way the author wrote the dialogue!  I enjoyed the characters even though at first I felt Samantha was a little too perfect a student/child.  But then when things started happening I understood why she was the way she was.  I loved Colin her boyfriend. I also liked how the time period was one we could relate to, it was in the now.  Not years from now on some odd planet.  And with all the genetic manipulation going on in today's world I could actually see this being true.  This book has a lot of twists and turns and will keep you wondering what's going to happen next.  There are also many horrible things that happen in this book and I must say that it is not a book for younger kids.  For instance I wouldn't want my 10 year old to read it but I would let my 16 year old read it without a problem.

All in all book was for me was a successfully written story that captivated my attention and had me flipping pages and on the edge of my seat enough for me to immediately grab book 2.

The Golden Couple (The Samantha Project Series, # 2)

Book 2 picks up exactly where book one left off.  Samantha and Eric are trying to find a way to stop the ticking time bomb which is inside them.  I won't give too much away because there are things you will already know by this point that you discover in book 1.  Suffice it to say this was again a well written and suspenseful story.  This book deals with some more mature issues in regards to teens.  There were references to sex in this book that were missing from the first book.  But it was done in a manner that was definitely tasteful and also quite realistically necessary to the plot.  I think the entire genetic manipulation aspect of things remind me of a few of the TV shows I enjoyed and maybe that is why my attention is grabbed with this book.  I have to say that the characters show quite a bit of growth in this book.  Once again the author has successfully created a world that is both dangerous and yet realistic to our modern day world.  I have to say I finished this book in about 4 hours and grabbed book 3. Yes I spent an entire day and half the night reading this series.

A Chosen Destiny (The Samantha Project Series #3)

Now last but not least is the final book.  This book once again picks up exactly where we left off in book 2.  The story has become much more complex.  Luckily the author actually went into details about genetic manipulation and the entire scientific aspect was made simple for even the most unscientific.  So references made in this book are quite easy to understand.

This series was one giant jigsaw puzzle.  I figured out a few things long before the end of the book.  This book WILL keep you on the edge of your seat.  The growth of the characters is wonderfully done.  Erik, Brittany, Colin all change and mature as they handle the different situations thrown at them.  Even the adults show some growth which I liked.  Now what I didn't like is that in parts of this series it seems that Samantha just doesn't show the same growth that the other characters show.  For someone who is supposedly so genetically enhanced she seems very weak willed and wishy-washy at times.  At other times she seems to be highly sexually oriented and mature.  It's a very strange mix.  She does finally show growth and she does finally seem to come into her own.  Which is a good thing.  Now in my personal opinion if this is the final book it feels unfinished.  I'm not exactly sure why, it just seemed after everything we went through that the ending felt anti-climactic for me.  

Now I did enjoy this series, and if I had to give a rating on the entire series I would give it a 4.  Book 1 and 2 I enjoyed more than book 3.  There is a LOT of scientific details in all three books.  Information regarding Genetics, DNA, and other science is thrown around quite a lot.  If you don't like books where you actually can learn something then this series is not for you.  I however didn't find it too distracting to have small information dumps about something that I actually knew something about and enjoyed the thought that if we could just change a few things in a person's DNA we could create super humans.  Although at the same time I am totally against that due in part to playing God, and in part to the simple fact that just because we can do something doesn't mean we should do it.

I give this series a very series 4 stars total and suggest to anyone who enjoys science fiction or even romance stories that this series is a good solid read.  Again this is not a book for younger than 16 due to some of the graphic dialogues in the books.

Slow Hand Quickens

I had the honor of reading Allie Mathews first book "Slow Hand Quickens".  No from the title you would have no clue about what this story is about. By a quick look I actually thought it might have something to do with poker.  I know I'm lame, what can I say.  Then I read the blurb and went, wow, this is totally not what I expected. And from there the book grabbed me and sucked me in.  Here is the "Official" blurb of the book and you will see just why it grabbed my attention.

Genre:

New Adult Contemporary

Synopsis:

Growing up in an apathetic household with an abusive family friend, Kristen Weatherly doesn't know life can be better or that she even deserves it. When all your life you're told to be grateful for what little you have, no matter how awful, how do you know that your life can be more fulfilling?

Kristen's perspective begins to change her senior year in high school when she's befriended by Mila, a girl who shows Kristen that there are people in the world who care without expecting anything in return. Then comes Chris, a boy she's dubbed Mystery Eyes. She soon discovers that Chris' life is similar to her own in ways she never could have imagined.

Can the two get past their shocking and dreadful family histories together, or will their pasts come between them when it matters most?

This novel contains dark themes, sensitive issues and is intended for mature audiences only.

Pretty intense stuff there huh?  Just makes your brain go okay now what in the heck is going on, where is the author going with this story, and oh god I just have to read it.

So read it is exactly what I did!  And let me tell you, this book is NOT for the faint of heart.  I do not think it is appropriate for younger children but since it is in the New Adult Category the author recognizes this and labelled it accordingly.  This book addresses some fundamental issues for children in abusive situations.  And as the author states it does contain very sensitive issues and ones which sadly for our girls many of them may face at one time or another in their life.  1 in 3 women will be sexually molested in their lifetime.  That is a sad statement of the men of today in my humble opinion.  

This story is deeply moving coming of age-story.  The focus of the book is abuse, love and friendship. And the author did a wonderful job of combining the three.  Your heart will break for Kristen and Chris, and even for Mila.  The author touches upon such terrible subjects in a well crafted story.

The author has created characters that are rich and very much alive.  Kristen is a young girl who has suffered at the hands of the people she trusted the most.  She is approaching her 18th year on earth, and has lived with the circumstances for many years.  She has like most abused children been brainwashed into believing it is all her fault and that she is somehow bad.

I LOVED the growth the author wrote into this young woman.  I loved how she changed right before my eyes.  I especially liked the forming of her first real friendship with her best friend Mila.  And how much that one single friend changed how she started to see herself.  And I love how I am so not going to tell you anymore so you just have to go out and grab a copy for yourself!

Yes I know I'm evil.  

Now lets just talk about the young man in the book, Chris.  I loved him from the second I read about him.  I won't tell you a thing about him, except to say that I wish more young men were like him.

And Mila is a doll.  She happens to be rich, have the perfect life, and yet for reasons unknown to anyone she has taken to Kristen.  And she really is such a wonderful young girl.  She makes me think of my own daughters, and how they never judged a person by how much money they had, or how they looked and I thought how wonderful Mila's mother must be, and sure enough when you read about her, you will just have to agree that she is a wonderful role model for all us mom's to mimic.

I totally hate spoilers, and if I spill anymore, I just know I'm bound to slip up and say things. So here is where my review will just have to end.  There are characters in this book you will LOVE, and there are characters in this book you will HATE! 

***I just have to say this one thing...  

ANY MAN who cannot take NO for an answer isn't a man.  Any man who treats a woman with disrespect deserves the worst thing that I can think of to happen.  Rape is not about sex, it is all about controlling another person, and any man who rapes a woman should have ALL control taken from him permanently!  Can you tell this is something I feel strongly about?  Well I do because I am one of the one in three.  I survived!  And as a survivor, I can say that a woman is so much more than men think they are.  We are far stronger than most people believe, and we have strong minds which help us to overcome the most horrendous of happenings.  Men tend to blame women for wearing certain clothing or acting a certain way, but it is their own weakness and insecurities which cause them to act the way they do. Blame us for all the ills, but the truth is, only a woman can bring a new life into this fabulous world of ours!

And here is where my review seriously ends.  You should go and get this book.  You won't regret it!  I recommend this book to ages 16 and up.  I say 16 because girls are having to face these sorts of issues at a young age.  Here is a link to go buy the book.  Trust me, you won't go wrong reading this book and Kristens growth during the book is precisely the hope we need for these kids! I have to praise the Author Allie Mathews for a well written and inspiring story for all ages.

Slow Hand Quickens

Disclaimer: Review copy was provided for an honest and fair review.  This free copy held NO determination on my final review.

Allie lives in North Carolina and works at a university bookstore. She reads and writes in her spare time, including lunch breaks. When she's not reading or writing she's usually watching something on television, whether a good show or movie; or she's hanging out with friends...also perhaps drinking. A small amount. Usually rum. She likes rum. Oh, chocolate! She also enjoys eating things chocolate-y. She's always open to book recommendations. She listens to music while she cooks, usually throwing in a few dance moves. Allie thinks random things at random times and writes them down, even when they don't seem to be in any sort of order. She is a work in progress.