Review - (WIN) Degrees of Wrong by Anna Scarlett

Degrees of Wrong 

by Anna Scarlett
ebook, 212 pages
Expected publication August 28th by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Adult Romance. E-copy from Anna.

Premise:

This time, the straight-and-narrow path could be the road to ruin. 

Dr. Elyse Morgan’s mission: find the cure to the HTN4 virus. The compensation, courtesy of the United Nations: a lab stocked with hi-tech goodies, limitless resources and enough chocolate to make her rear look like a cellulite farm. Bonus: she gets to live. 

Rescued (kidnapped) and secreted (imprisoned) on an undersea warship, Elyse adjusts to her assumed identity as a cadet with the finesse of a toeless ballerina. Her sulfuric temper and blatant insubordination capture the unwanted attention of the ship’s captain, the gorgeous, infuriating, engaged Nicoli Marek. 

Elyse would rather perform her own autopsy than become the other woman, but Nicoli—who’s as full of himself as he is of secrets—regards his impending marriage as a mere political transaction. And Elyse as fair game. 

As Elyse’s suspicions about the UN’s true agenda mount along with her attraction to the relentless, chronically shirtless captain, she must choose between the murky path to everything she’s ever wanted, or the squeaky-clean path of self-sacrifice—which could mean taking the secrets of the virus with her to the grave. 

Warning: Features a strong, chocolate-loving heroine who takes no prisoners on the way to saving the world from an epidemic and winning a captain’s heart.

My Review:

What a refreshing surprise!

Chapter 1 starts with a big bang. Dr. Elyse Morgan is stitching up a nicked artery on a gorgeous soldier. She is witty, intelligent and keeps to her high code of ethics, rebuffing the advances of the gorgeous blue-eyed soldier. (This is not a spoiler... this is page 1!)

The title of the book is so perfect. This story is based on Elyse's sense of Right and Wrong... and how she excuses the gray areas she finds herself in as Acceptable or Unacceptable Degrees of Wrong. I could not help loving her wild attempts to do the right thing as situations just get stickier and romantically hotter.

Elyse is wonderful. If I could look her up and invite her over for tea, I totally would. She's such a complete, complicated, flawed, well-meaning character. I think I'd have to kidnap her, stuffing her in a windowless van to do it, but bribing with chocolate does seem to have some effect.

Seen through her eyes, 2053 AD is easy to swallow in all it's sci-fi glory. She is researching an antidote for the virus that killed her parents. Since she is not following any political drama, herself, it is fun to discover the world through her eyes. The most fascinating aspect is how the oceans are being explored and guarded by the United Nations. I loved traveling on the pods to get to this huge underwater military ship. I fit seamlessly in (or rather, NOT) right along with Elyse.

I thoroughly enjoyed the supporting cast - Nicoli is HOT, smart, complicated... amazing. He's such a great leader, I was in awe with all the crew!!  Lt Horan is so startling in his military aggressiveness. I just wanna strangle him until pg 127, which I quote below. Lol. Elyse's friend - the friend of her mother - wow. Such a great support. Honestly, I don't know how Elyse could've survived the sub without her... and yet, she's so full of surprises, too!!

Obviously from the premise, there is a very steamy romance going on here and it only grows in intensity as Elyse back-peddles as fast as she can. Exhilarating!!  No worries about live triangles here. Oh, no. The chemistry is absolutely perfect.

The writing is too, too fun. I had a difficult time not highlighting every other sentence on my Nook. Here’s some of my favorites:

“He seems happy enough with you now,” Ebony teased. Under the table, I tried to reach her with my foot. Success.“Ouch!” Stanley grunted. “What’d you do that for?” But he grinned.
“Sorry.” I offered a sheepish smile. Ebony laughed, knowing she was my intended target. I refrained – with great effort – from looking under the table. I would sit closer to her tomorrow. - Pg 68 

"I-I-" Must be dreaming. Must not have even woke up this morning. Pg. 127 

Someday, somewhere across the world, some anonymous woman had damn well better appreciate the great lengths I took to resist the advances of her irresistible fiance. And the way I would suffer on her behalf when I had to leave him behind. - Pg 208 

The two most attractive men on the planet were teaming up against me. I wasn't sure if I was going to be a happy drunk or a mean one, but I took another sip before I answered.
"I don't know who you think you're talking to in the tone, Ryon ****," I snapped. "But unless you can provide me with some new, alternative definition for hte word doctor, I would think it would be perfectly clear why I headed twoard the gunfire. I would think that you, of all people, would be grateful for it."
A mean one, then. I took another sip. - Pg 257

Premise commentary:  I know Of Poseidon is light and fun and full of humor. K? And this premise hints at similarities from the same author. So this is important - there is delicious wit through-out the writing, but none of the lightness from her YA series and only a little slapstick fun. If you loved Of Poseidon, you're going to fall off your chair like I did over Degrees of Wrong. If you aren't into humor, dive into this one, anyway. Despite all the chocolate references. Lol. The romance and the world building and the character development are DELICIOUS!!

Cover commentary: I love this cover, absolutely, but I have no idea how it relates to the story. Lol. Yea, there's a sub in the water, but the ship in the picture doesn't look like the huge hulking thing in my head. (Maybe I'm way off?!) And the girl in the water is gorgeous, but Elyse can't swim, so this would be dangerous if it were her. Lol.

My rating: 4.5 - I seriously love this book. I can't wait to read everything by this author. (Don't let it go to your head, Anna!!)

About the Author:

Anna's first published work was a letter to the editor of her local newspaper complaining about stingy tippers-she was a 17 year old waitress. The letter got her a free dinner at the restaurant where she worked, and dirty looks from all the stingy tippers. Now that her mother has passed away, Anna feels it's safe to reveal that she also wrote other students' term papers for prom money in high school. Her favorite pastimes include reading, writing, drinking wine, and reading and writing while drinking wine. She can shoot a sling shot, speak with a southern accent, and take a nap in the middle of the day, any day of the week-at a moment's notice, no less. She cannot rollerblade, apply liquid eyeliner, or find her keys. Ever.

Anna lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, and the fictional characters in her head. Feel free to drop her a line at byannascarlett@gmail.com, or chat her up on Twitter: @byannascarlett.

You can also get chummy with her on Goodreads. She loves fan mail and gift certificates to Panera Bread.

Find & Follow:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Get your copy!!

Samhain Publishing
Barnes & Noble
Amazon:

Breaking News:

Degrees of Wrong comes out TOMORROW!!!  August 28th!!  :-D  Yay!!!

Catch my hilarious interview with Anna Scarlett for the Tour!!

Catch the Tour hosted by Lynn Marie @ Bringing on the Epic and all the great posts and giveaways and reviews and interviews!!

 

Giveaway:

This giveaway is connected with the tour and exclusive to Colorimetry. It is open internationally for anyone over 13 who can download the winning e-book. I'm pretty sure I'm also choosing a winner for some ohmysweetgoodness swag and chocolate, too. Best thing is just to enter and see what happens. You can find my real rules under About Me.

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Tour Interview and GIVEAWAY with Anna Scarlett, author of Degrees of Wrong

Degrees of Wrong 

by Anna Scarlett
ebook, 212 pages
Expected publication August 28th by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Adult Romance. E-copy from Anna.

Premise: Ganked from Goodreads:

This time, the straight-and-narrow path could be the road to ruin. 

Dr. Elyse Morgan’s mission: find the cure to the HTN4 virus. The compensation, courtesy of the United Nations: a lab stocked with hi-tech goodies, limitless resources and enough chocolate to make her rear look like a cellulite farm. Bonus: she gets to live. 

Rescued (kidnapped) and secreted (imprisoned) on an undersea warship, Elyse adjusts to her assumed identity as a cadet with the finesse of a toeless ballerina. Her sulfuric temper and blatant insubordination capture the unwanted attention of the ship’s captain, the gorgeous, infuriating, engaged Nicoli Marek. 

Elyse would rather perform her own autopsy than become the other woman, but Nicoli—who’s as full of himself as he is of secrets—regards his impending marriage as a mere political transaction. And Elyse as fair game. 

As Elyse’s suspicions about the UN’s true agenda mount along with her attraction to the relentless, chronically shirtless captain, she must choose between the murky path to everything she’s ever wanted, or the squeaky-clean path of self-sacrifice—which could mean taking the secrets of the virus with her to the grave. 

Warning: Features a strong, chocolate-loving heroine who takes no prisoners on the way to saving the world from an epidemic and winning a captain’s heart.

Anna and I have a wee bit of history. I questioned her sanity, she sent me a coconut bikini, I treasure the signed coconuts in my Swag Treasure Box. (No, everyone, I haven't tried them on. They're signed!! Swag treasure, people!!)  

Every time I write her, I try to be funny, which most often comes out sounding... weird. You know, like I'm trying too hard. What can I say? Those posts were some of the funnest ever.

Well.... Anna has really put the pressure on with Degrees of Wrong. 'Cause I found myself turning into one of those stalking, fan-girling types, which makes it much, much harder to be cool & swanky & ask nonchalant interview questions. *ahem*  As if being approachable wasn't enough already, she had to go and write this MEGA-GREAT book. Seriously, what's a fan to do?  All I can say is please excuse my interview questions and notice the wit I had to deal with. 

Please welcome Anna Banks Scarlett back to Colorimetry - this time, legitimately...

What inspired you to create Elyse? She is such a spit-fire character without having to beat everyone up. She's so REAL... I really do want her over for tea!!!  (Even if I had to clobber her to get her here. I guess.)

Hmmm…I’ve never looked at it that way, of being inspired to write her. I just started writing, and her personality came through immediately. Not sure where she gets it from, ya know? ;)

Actually, the idea of writing a frail heroine is about as appealing as using a fat stripper’s sweaty thong to floss my teeth. Ain’t happening.

*spews coffee all over laptop* Wha-?!  I don't know what to say to that. I don't like frail heroines, either? More tea?

What is your favorite scene in Degrees of Wrong?  :-D

Ahhh, this question sucks! (You know, in a good way.) I don’t want to be too spoilery, but I do enjoy re-reading the scene where Elyse has to explain to Nicoli how she accidentally assaulted one Lt. Horan. I also quite enjoy (freaking love) the “pod scene” where Nicoli’s and Elyse’s relationship takes an entertaining turn for the immoral.

Oh my gosh graceness... I totally loved that scene, TOO!!! That whole thing with Lt. Horan is hilarious. Any time Nicoli and Elyse are together, the sparks fly!  (We're like, TWINS or something!)

Wait.

Did you just criticize my question?!

The chocolate - Is it a truffle? Chocolate kisses?  What are these pounds of deliciousness, exactly, 'cause they sound soooo yummy!!

Part truffle. Part cocaine. Clearly.

Since I'm coordinating WITH THE TOUR I hope you can answer some interview questions to help me whoop up this awesome book you wrote. *begging on knees with hands clasped*

Thanks for actually interviewing me this time, instead of taking my (especially absurd) quotes out of context and using them to answer your (especially insane) counterfeit questions like last time.

That reminds me, my attorney will be contacting you…

*crickets*

More tea?

About the Author:

Anna's first published work was a letter to the editor of her local newspaper complaining about stingy tippers-she was a 17 year old waitress. The letter got her a free dinner at the restaurant where she worked, and dirty looks from all the stingy tippers. Now that her mother has passed away, Anna feels it's safe to reveal that she also wrote other students' term papers for prom money in high school. Her favorite pastimes include reading, writing, drinking wine, and reading and writing while drinking wine. She can shoot a sling shot, speak with a southern accent, and take a nap in the middle of the day, any day of the week-at a moment's notice, no less. She cannot rollerblade, apply liquid eyeliner, or find her keys. Ever.

Anna lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, and the fictional characters in her head. Feel free to drop her a line at byannascarlett@gmail.com, or chat her up on Twitter: @byannascarlett.

You can also get chummy with her on Goodreads. She loves fan mail and gift certificates to Panera Bread.

Find & Follow:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Get your copy!!

Samhain Publishing
Barnes & Noble
Amazon:

Breaking News:

My review of Degrees of Wrong will be posted momentarily. Hey... that's news!!

Catch the Tour hosted by Lynn Marie @ Bringing on the Epic and all the great posts and giveaways and reviews and interviews!!

Giveaway:

This giveaway is open internationally for anyone over 13 who can download the winning e-book. I'm pretty sure I'm also choosing a winner for some ohmysweetgoodness swag and chocolate, too. Best thing is just to enter and see what happens. You can find my real rules under About Me.

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Crazy Anna Banks and Of Poseidon SWAG!

I received this box from Anna Banks. It's sort of a "thank you" for posting twice about Of Poseidon, I think, in a snarky sort of way. (I might be pretending again, in my own little reality.)

The box was full of goodies. Most importantly... the coconut boobs that she wore to our pretend interview a couple weeks ago, remember those? Well, she sent 'em to me. Signed. 

I can't tell if that means I'm supposed to wear them to our next non-interview?  Does she think I'll display them on my wall?!  I've just never received signed coconut wear to know what to do with them!

She also sent me lemon heads & drew a detailed to-scale picture of a shark chasing a tiny fish. My name is on the shark.  Based on the handwritten note, it seems I took some liberties sharing how she snorted coconut slushy all over her footlong hotdog.

I'm totally innocent, I tell ya, and not remotely shark-like!!  If someone is going to share an address to send FRIED CHICKEN to, well, they're going to get goofy questions like "did you notice your book is not finished?" Right?!  And if that same, TOTALLY GOOFY author is going to snort coconut slushies and tell a blogger about it, I mean, why would I not mention something like that?  Or the coconut attire?!  Obviously, I am the innocent fishy in this scenario!!

I don't know why I'm getting all hung up on the hidden-meaning psychotic stuff. She also send me some SIGNED BOOKMARKS & MAGNETS!!

In celebration of the RELEASE of... Of Poseidon on May 22nd & to thank Anna for being so very thoughtful, I thought I'd make it super-easy to tweet her a message while also entering to win delicious swag. Rafflecopter is soooo handy, isn't it?!  You can change your tweet up a bit, but I'd like to stay as clean & deep fat fried as possible.

Personally, I'm grateful for the swag, you know?  And the lemon heads are tasty. But what am I supposed to do with the coconut wear?!

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Mailbox Musings

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf for the month of May.

I rec'd Insurgent on Saturday - an early-bird Mother's Day gift, so I could start reading the night before. Soooo thoughtful of my Cool, Man!!!  :-)  He also gave me flowers, which are beautiful, too. Almost as beautiful as the cover of Insurgent!!  :-D

Here's the stack of books I had with me at last week's book signin'. I got extra copies of Shatter Me and Under the Never Sky to share with Colorimetry readers - signed copies!!  So exciting!!  The giveaway for Shatter Me is already posted with my review. Later this week, I'll give away the signed copy of Under the Never Sky. Ssssoooo exciting!!!  I'm excited.  I have copies of Eve & Hallowed on my Nook, so these are to share, too... but no tellin' when.

Earlier this week Anna Banks sent me the picture of the box I posted last night - the one that's missing my address. The actual box arrived Saturday and I found a wealth of treasure inside!!

Here's a tiny sneak peek:

I really have to post about this separately... so, um, stay tuned!!


Musing Monday is posted by MizB of Should be Reading:

This week's musing asks...

Do you tend to read to the end of a chapter or can you stop anywhere?

Hey! So this question is REALLY IMPORTANT!!!

Whatya do when Tris has a gun pointed to her head so that "it forms a cold circle on (her) skin." [Pg 188 Insurgent] and your wonderful 8 year old asks for a popsicle. DO YOU GIVE HIM THE "NOT NOW!" FINGER?!

Stopping anywhere is an essential skill to learn to be a long-time proficient reader. I prefer to stop when the action or tension lulls, whether that's at the end of a chapter or somewhere in the middle. When the main character gets a chance to take a deep breath and contemplate things, I often do the same, pause and contemplate.

But I use the word "prefer" very lightly... 'cause people are more important than stories. The story will wait, right where I left it, whereas people change all the time. Relationships are fragile, irreplaceable treasures!

I didn't leap out of my chair to get my 8 year old his popsicle, but I did make eye contact with him (without thinking "knife-knife-knife!") and smile and say, "no dear, you've already had five."  Jajajajaja  I mean, I nodded, being incapable of speech.

Maybe some readers can schedule in quiet moments of uninterrupted reading. Personally, I don't think "quiet" is essential for reading, nor perfect location. I read all over the place. And when the Post Office Clerk says "next!" I close the book, wherever I'm at, happy to have slipped away to another world for a few more moments.  Totally worth it!!

Memorable Whatya Reading?

Memorable Monday is hosted by Escape in a Book... a chance to share a very particularly meaningful quote. I rec'd Insurgent this weekend (thx, Honey!) and I've teared up often.

Tris has some difficult struggles in this book, which don't really surprise me. Divergent ended in such a rush of action, there had to be consequences, but Veronica Roth delivers them like blows.

"I lean against the wall, my eyes on the floor. The tiles in the Merciless Mart are always black and white, and here they are in a checkered pattern. If I unfocus my eyes, I see exactly what the Candor don't believe in - gray. Maybe Tobias and I don't believe in it either. Not really.  

I weigh too much, more than my frame can support, so much I should fall right through the floor." Pg 212

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Book Journey.

And I'm so glad you asked!!!  :-D

I had just started Shadow on the Wall on my Nook to review... and I gotta tell ya, it's really great writing, very gritty and full of mystery & pain & seriously bad guys right from the very beginning!!

I had just finished The Lure of Shapinsay, which is another wonderful review surprise. I didn't know anything about Selkies or the folktales of a romantic Lure and beautiful people inside seal skins. Krista delivers this tale... well, I'll have to review it soon, won't I?!

So... when I rec'd Insurgent from my honey - Cool, Man - for Mother's Day, I thought I'd just have the very smallest peek on the first page, you know, just to see what I'd be looking forward to. Just the tiniest, very littlest of peeks!!  So, I'm totally innocent that I fell right inside the book. I mean, I never get to read on the weekends (hardly) so getting so much sunshine and reading time was LUXURIOUS and suddenly I find I fell right in and I find myself on Pg 321. Oops?

And next up is Becoming a Butterfly, Eve & Changeless. I think I figured out how to review Changeless... it's gonna be different than my usual. Sort of like my review of Immortal Rules is going to be different. Only... uh, different.  I've got a couple of great giveaways comin' up this week, too. So I have lots of posting to do. How fun!!!



I'm going to have to post separately for Monday Mailbox 'cause I got THE WEIRDEST box in the mail from Anna Banks. You're just not going to believe it. She is NUTS!!

No really. She's crazy.  And I'm going to share!!!!

:-D

Fairy Tale Hop, The Little Mermaid, and Anna Banks

Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop 

is hosted by 

vvb32reads 

& 

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

The following interview did not happen. It is a figment of the blogger’s imagination from pieces of real correspondence (yes, I refer to myself in 3rd person on occasion). In the interest of being painfully honest, the following color-coding will clarify… black is the blogger, and reality vs. imagination is nearly impossible to differentiate. Actual quotes from Anna Banks will be in blue. Spurts of Oddness will be in red. Don’t believe anything in red.


As soon as I realized this was a very specific Giveaway with specific detailed rules, I wanted to interview Anna Banks. Not just because she snorts coconut slushies, although, that has great appeal, but because she wrote a story with mermaids. And The Little Mermaid is my favorite fairytale.

This may date me, but my first experience with mermaids was not Disney. It was (*gasp*) Hans Christian Anderson, whose mermaid turns into foam having failed to win the prince’s love. (What does that mean that I prefer a sad ending?!) (Wait... you're thinking that I was born in the 1800's now, aren't you?  I just mean pre-Disney's version. Sheesh!)

Anna kindly dressed up in a mermaid outfit with a pair of coconut boobs and came over to my house, where we discussed cool release party ideas. (That was a test... are you following my color-coding?! See above!!) And had the following conversation:

I think you were very brave to write a Young Adult book with… well, they aren’t “mermaids”, what do you call them?

Syrena - it's the Polish word for mermaid. Don't tell Galen.


Ok. Next time you come over, do bring him so I can try not to tell him!!  So... where did you get the idea  for writing about them, anyway?

I got the idea to write about mermaids from an article I read which outlined how they'd discovered that the colossal squid--that ginormous thing you see with its tentacles wrapped around ships in old drawings--actually does exist. All this time, as late as 2005, they thought the colossal squid was just fishermen's lore.  I thought, What ELSE could be out there? Mermaids? Sasquatch? (I believe in Sasquatch, BTW).

Wait... NO WAY!!  I believe in the Sasquatch, TOO!!! We're like, twins or something!!

What?! Sasquatch is real. I watch Finding Bigfoot. He's effing out there.

Seriously!!  I know!  (My husband's seen him, I think.)

I really enjoyed reading your book, Of Poseidon, and I was wondering what's next 'cause it got pretty exciting right at the end, where the story suddenly stops.

There will be a sequel, tentatively called Of Triton. Unfortunately, Galen dies. Or does he???? Mwahahahahaha! (Payback for my chili dog! I mean, it was a foot long!).

Hahahaha  Wait! You like foot long chili dogs?!  (This makes more sense if you see Snorting Slushies.)

Usually, it's salad and fat free dressing, mkay? And you know, sliced strawberries or something.

Oh, ok.  That's what I normally eat, too. Yea.

You really must bring Galen next time. Does he have any say about what happens in this book?!

Galen's visiting Danny @ Bewitched Bookworms with Toraf right now. On the real Tour.

Oh. Well. Okidoki!!

I'd like to give away a pre-order copy of... of... Of Poseidon... Hey, do you ever get hung up on the Of's?!

Yes, I stumble over all the "of"s. I can't tweet anything with the title in it until I've had coffee. Next time, no prepositions in the title. (Well, there's Of Triton, but none after that).


I think everyone should pause for coffee before tweeting. Definitely. Of Triton sounds so cool... when does that come out?!

*crickets*

Um... Anna?  We're having an interview, aren't we?

An interview like, today?  I can't! I have no less than 26 interviews to get done as of this second. And not with you!!

So... what was all this?  Seriously, where am I?!?!  And what just happened?!

Um.

So, I have a vivid imagination!!  So, what?!

Hey, you want some swag for a giveaway? I got bookmarks and Ohmysweetgoodness magnets....:)

Really?!  YAY!!    I mean yes!  YES-YES-YES!!  Thank you!!

Available to win for this giveaway:

A pre-order of... Of Poseidon or another book with mermaids and swag from Anna Banks!!!

See all my giveaway rules under About Me which include "must be 13", "no one's liable" and fun stuff like that.

Wow - Review and Author Email - Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Welcome Waiting on Wednesday-ers and Colorimetry Readers... today I give you the long-awaited email from Anna Banks that nearly rolled me off the couch (had I been less wedged, I would've fallen off.)

Wow is hosted by Breaking the Spine...


Of Poseidon

by Anna Banks
Hardcover, 324 pages
Expected publication: May 22nd, 2012 by Feiwel & Friends
NetGalley e-copy for review on my Nook


Premise: Ganked from Goodreads

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .  

Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

I have been in love with this cover since the first time I saw it and posted it on Waiting on Wednesday back in November.  That means I can claim it as my own, right?

What do I like about it?!?!  The color, the fogginess, the way the girl is swimming fully dressed in the dark?!  I'm not sure.  I tell you what, though... this cover has NO HINT of Author-Snarkiness!!  To find that, you gotta read the very first paragraph in the book:

"I SMACK into him as if shoved from behind. He doesn't budge, not an inch. Just holds my shoulders and waits. Maybe he's waiting for me to find my balance. Maybe he's waiting for me to gather my pride. I hope he's got all day."

I had just slipped into bed and cracked the book open (figuratively speaking) to see if I wanted to read it next (in my compulsive way of avoiding my "to do" review list.)

And instantly I was cracking up. When I thought I was done laughing, I was laughing again. And then I wanted to cry... and then laugh... and my husband thought there was a problem with me and there was... I was getting a loaded dose of Anna Banks.

I would like to say it's only this book that's the problem, that the author had a moment of confusion where snarky humor overtook her writing, that she settled down after a chapter or two. No such luck. Check out her picture below... innocent right?  But then read her email to me. Uh-huh!!

So what did I think of the book?

My Review:

I didn’t mean to read the entire book in one day. *ahem*  Really.  I didn’t have the time, and I really wanted a book I could wander through slowly on my Nook, so Of Poseidon was very inconvenient.

It's light & fun… if death and survival-of-the-species is “light & fun”. The author’s humor leaks out everywhere, from the exclamations, to the slapstick situations that got reactions out of me (yes, I think tripping is funny. I’ve done my fair share of it.) 

I saw in other reviews that procreation was criticized as a goal. In answer, my reply is, "it was explained". I am all about WHY’S!!  There is plenty reason behind the procreation focus, not to mention the characters complaining about it themselves and I didn't feel any one person, like Emma, was more put out than anyone else. It made plenty of sense, although, I agree the system stinks. Who wouldn't?!  You'll have to read it to see what I mean.

Emma is a fun character. She has deep, strong relationships and a good grasp on her own feelings. Garen is excessively handsome, which borderlines cliché, alrighty, especially with the hormonal-type romantic attraction firin’ up every scene. (Think Firelight or Twilight wolves.)

The story is told very interestingly. Emma’s point of view is in first person, whereas Garen’s is in omniscient third. I was jolted out of the story a few times settling into the pov over and over. The overall effect is understanding the situation from both sides, while feeling as if I am Emma.

So, what did I like best? The world-building. The irreverent humor. The Syrena were believable. Their history and general life are explained a little, enough to answer some initial questions. There is plenty more that is not explained, but the story is not complete in this volume. (Semi-cliff-hanger, anyone?!) And the humor caught me by surprise too many times to count.

I would so love to discuss deeper plot stuff... like...

When did I catch on to who was who?  What's up with Grom's love life?!  What in the world is Garen going to do with the pickle he's gotten himself into?!  And can we see more of Toraf and Rayna PLEASE?!  I love 'em!!

My Rating: 4 - Good!!  This is a snarky light read with a well-developed concept.

Now for the good stuff.

I saw all the humor on Anna's website. I mean, she says stuff like " If you put chocolate in front of me, you must not have wanted it in the first place." So I wrote her an email asking if she hadn't noticed that her story didn't end when the book did?  'Cause I kept trying to flip to the next page on my Nook when I was out of pages!!

I know... irreverent of me.  But she replied with this (I am justified!!) (Bolding mine):

Hey Laura!
    I'm so very mad at you right now. I was eating dinner with my family at THE fanciest Sonic in town when I read your email and I promptly snorted coconut slushy right out of my nose and onto my chili dog. I paid good money for that chili dog! So, please know that wherever you are right now at this moment, I am giving you the stank eye.

   LOL!  As for the plans on wrapping up that story, there will be a sequel, tentatively called Of Triton. Unfortunately, Galen dies. Or does he???? Mwahahahahaha! (Payback for my chili dog! I mean, it was a foot long!).

   As for your questions, Syrena is the Polish word for mermaid. Don't tell Galen.

I got the idea to write about mermaids from an article I read which outlined how they'd discovered that the colossal squid--that ginormous thing you see with its tentacles wrapped around ships in old drawings--actually does exist. All this time, as late as 2005, they thought the colossal squid was just fishermen's lore.  I thought, What ELSE could be out there? Mermaids? Sasquatch? (I believe in Sasquatch, BTW).  And so it began.

I collect signed books, Gone With The Wind stuff (seriously) and cellulite, which I store below my waist. My favorite color is red. I'm from Niceville Florida. The people in Niceville are not always nice. In fact, whoever named it Niceville might have been using sarcasm...

I'm glad you like the cover. They were actually thinking about changing it at one point, so I wake up each day thankful that plan was thwarted because I lub my cover! :)

I'll let my publicist know that you very obviously had pages missing from the ARC you downloaded, because I certainly DID finish up the story, AND I started a new one. All in the last sentence of the last page. Alas, I know this ending is going to get me a black eye when I go on tour this summer.... =D

Thanks again for the laugh (snort),
Anna

I rec'd her email when I was sitting on the couch with my abundant family watching some show about fixing up cool hotrods (if you must know, Anna Banks) and I started laughing outloud, of course, and had trouble staying upright despite being squished in place tightly.

I did not email back... 'cause obviously she's got the upper hand with snortin' slushies and who knows what irreverent thing I would say next. Better to stop while I'm ahead and just publicly post her email to share with everyone. Don't you think?

We got some good news here...  a sequel in the works, and Galen's possible imminent death, and a word in Polish!!  Plus some touring comin' up!!

Ganked from her blog:

Oh hecktotheyes! I'm going on book tour this summer with three fellow Macmillan (and undeniably awesome) YA authors: Jennifer Bosworth (STRUCK), Emmy Laybourne (MONUMENT 14), and Leah Bardugo (SHADOW & BONE). We shall be called FIERCE READS. Check out our Facebook page here, and be sure to like us, at least a little. :)  

For a complete schedule of tour stops, check out the "Appearances" tab at the top of my blog.  

Also, if you can make one of the stops, be sure to ask me "Boxers or briefs?" because I'm DYING to say, "Saran Wrap!" =D

If anyone makes the tour, can you pleeeese ask her "Boxers or Briefs?"?!?!  (I just dare ya to come to Portland, Oregon, Anna!!!)

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