Review by Willow 4 Stars (Written 18.10.2012)
Besieged by memories of a brutal abduction, Claire Nichols wakes in an unfamiliar bedroom, within a luxurious mansion. Her recollections have one common denominator, the man she just met, Anthony Rawlings. Unbeknownst to Claire, for a very long time, she has been within Anthony’s sights. Many of the pivotal events in her life occurred, due to his sinister manipulation. Every action has a consequence, and his actions result in their chance meeting. More than a psychological thriller, Consequences is a vivid story of one woman’s struggle to survive incomprehensible circumstances. Every aspect of her being suddenly depends upon the tall, wealthy, dark haired, dark eyed businessman. Anthony Rawlings is known to the world as prosperous, benevolent, and kind. Claire quickly learns that he can also be a menacing controlling captor. With few options but concession, Claire attempts to earn her freedom, while enduring a hellish existence that truly appears perfect. Persevering tests and trials, she struggles to retain her pure Midwest values and beliefs. Encouraged by memories of a loving upbringing, she gains strength in the simplest of joys: solitude in nature and good in the face of evil. His goal in sight, Anthony’s calculated agenda encounters an unforeseen detour. He becomes captivated by Claire’s beauty, resilience, and determination. The interaction of these two compelling characters instigates strong emotions: fear, anger, love, and lust. Claire and Anthony’s tumultuous journey flows into uncharted waters of intrigue and passion. Utilizing vivid detail, this 167,000-word novel unfolds like a movie, before the eyes of its readers. From the opening criminal abduction, through twists and turns, to the unlikely romantic thrills, the suspense climaxes as Anthony’s motivation becomes evident. Anthony and Claire must decide if they will stay true to one another, or allow preceding actions to result in justifiable Consequences.
It is going to be difficult for me to write this review without giving bits of the story away, so if you haven't read it - you've been warned!!
Ok where to start? Well if I am honest I really don't know how I feel about this book. Claire Nichols meets Anthony Rawlings whilst she is working at a bar. Against her rules she agrees to a drink after her shift. Whilst lightheartedly chatting he (what she assumes is a joke) offers to pay off all her debts if she agrees to work for him. He gets her to sign a napkin - it doesn't mean anything right? Well she doesn't think so until she wakes up in a room and discovers that Anthony believes it does mean something, she has signed a contract. He has paid off her debts, she is to work this off by being "available" to him whenever he wants and she is to have no contact with the outside world....... At first this book intrigued me.
Claire learned that every action has a consequence, if she followed Anthony's rules and was good she was treated better, if she attempted to escape or break the rules she was beaten. I will warn you that a first this book seemed incredibly long and felt like I was making no progress. I kept thinking that I needed to put it down and start something else, but so many people said what a good book it was that I pressed on and they were right this did change.
I started to become very frustrated with Claire. Her first outing why did she not scream at the top of her lungs in a very public place that she needed help? I know she was frightened of Anthony and his consequences, but come on! That would have got people asking questions even if she somehow didn't manage to get away.
Then Claire does something that causes her to have an "accident" - yeah right - Anthony is the accident. During her recovery Anthony is nicer, more attentive, says he cares and can't be without her. WTF? Seriously Anthony? I hated him at this point. Claire though starts to believe this.
He then gives her an out - leave now or Marry me. Yep you heard it - what was she thinking - or no wait she wasn't, she was compartmentalising! That word started to irritate the hell out of me!!
Something then changed and I started to believe, that although I thought that Anthony was a vile creature, that he actually had started to care for Claire. I still thought she was an idiot, but I could understand some of the things she had done.
There were chapters involving a boy called Anton. I picked up on who Anton was straight away and as that story unravelled I started to get that it was a revenge thing but couldn't understand what this had to do with Claire and why she was involved.
My GR friends were all right, the last 20% or so of the book is really shocking - I never suspected Anthony would do that. Kill her by beating her so bad, yes. Her kill herself, yes. But not that. As soon as I realised what he had done I felt sooooo angry. I just couldn't believe it. I knew he was evil but I had honestly believed that he believed he loved her. It was one of those moments in a book that just hits you and you realise you've been reading a very twisted very good book.
The ending - I had been told it was a bad cliff-hanger. I hate cliff-hangers, but actually I didn't really find this one bad. I could deal with it if the story ended there, however I am interested in reading the next book, but one of the reasons I liked this book was the kind of twist at the end, not sure how the second book can replicate this.
Although at first I felt this book slow to get into and it felt long, I realise that this length was so you could build it all up. I hated Anthony, thought Claire was an idiot and wanted to scream sometimes. I felt anxious sometimes. So I sit here writing my review still trying to process and I see all the emotions I have just written down that I had reading this book and I think surely its got to be a good book if it can elicit this reaction from me? So I give this book 4 stars!
19.10.12 - ok so this morning I feel so duped, how could I let him make me believe he cared for her? lol
Truth by By Aleatha Romig
Review by Willow 5 Stars (written 02.11.2012)
Claire Nichols endured the CONSEQUENCES of Anthony Rawlings’ vendetta.
When she first arrived to his home, her goal was survival. Through strength and compartmentalization Claire captivated her captor. Her resilience in the face of his rule threatened Anthony’s well developed plan. Domination became desire and power turned to love.
Their passion and adoration in a world of opulence appeared perfect. Yet, reality was a roller coaster of emotion. Claire’s world teetered on the edge of sanity as Antony monitored her every move. When given the opportunity to flee, Claire drove away. A fateful decision which set a well laid plan into motion.
However, unbeknownst to either of them, there were others who saw past the perfect facade of Anthony Rawlings. There were others who saw the TRUTH. Conspiracy and unfulfilled promises result in an early prison release for Claire. Not just a release – a pardon. According to the law, her crime never happened!
Will it be that easy? Faced with freedom from her past... can Claire seize it? Can she build a new life, mend her broken spirit, become the woman she once was, and seek her own revenge? Or is it all a game? And does the game master have different plans?
How does Sophia Burke fit into the puzzle that is Tony and Claire? Will her presence affect the future of this well esteemed man? Can he dominate twice? Is that his goal?
TRUTH continues the tumultuous saga of CONSEQUENCES, introduces new players, and uncovers more intrigue. Aleatha Romig skillfully weaves past transgressions through current deception to create a fervent world of obsessed desire. In this reality can an all-consuming relationship survive?
When buried sins are discovered they threaten not only Tony and Claire’s future -- but their very lives! Will the TRUTH be revealed in time?
Well apparently I didn't really write a review for this one. I only wrote this:
Better than the first book IMO. I did find myself getting annoyed at Sophia's chapters, but I realize they are essential to the story. Can't wait for the next book, such a long time to wait though :-(
Full review when I've had time to Process!
- Guess I still haven't processed! so here are my Goodreads status updates from when I was reading the book:
| 11/02/2012 | page 468 | 92.0% | "what are you doing Claire - Don't trust them!! Arggghhh" | |
| 11/02/2012 | page 468 | 92.0% | "getting towards the end!!!" | |
| 11/02/2012 | page 381 | 75.0% | "OMG Catherine??" | |
| 11/02/2012 | page 356 | 70.0% | "I saw that coming!" | |
| 11/02/2012 | page 320 | 62.0% | "I need to finish this book today. I'm thinking certain people in Claire's life aren't what they seem!" | |
| 11/01/2012 | page 233 | 45.0% | "Hmmm having to stop reading for a few hours not fair!" | |
| 11/01/2012 | page 163 | 32.0% | "Really Tony? And Claire what were you thinking??" | |
| 11/01/2012 | page 127 | 25.0% | "You go girl!" | |
| 11/01/2012 | page 106 | 20.0% | "That's another question answered! :-)" | |
| 11/01/2012 | page 72 | 14.0% | "Claire??" | |
| 11/01/2012 | page 10 | 2.0% |