YA, Chocolate and Durian

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YA Mafia. I never heard of it until yesterday when I happened to visit Dear Author websites. If you are not sure what is YA Mafia, it sort of a group of YA Author who may I quote from Holly Black blog “a cabal of writers who give one other blurbs, do events with one another, and like each other’s books. Also if you cross them they can ruin your career”

It looks like a threat that is directed more to those reviewers that reviewed their works. I’m not sure whether this group really existed but if they do, it is not healthy at all. The reviews by these independent reviewers are meant for us, the readers. Since we going to spend our money on these books shouldn't we get unbiased reviewed? If the review is bad and they don't like it, they should work harder to produce a better book and not alienate the reviewers. I will feel cheated if I read a review that is based on the friendship and association.

You might be wondering how I choose my book. I normally frequented the following websites, All About Romance, The Romance Reader, Dear Author and few other websites to get the review and the rating. In fact I have been to All About Romance websites since the early 2000s and they have never disappointed me in their reviews and I hardly read reviews on the Amazon.com nor from Goodreads to influence me in my buying. I really hope that the YA Mafia is only rumours.

There is also another "mafia" group that was just established on Sunday Malaysian time. It is known as Chocolate Mafia and the leader is Carolyn Jewel, who called her hero in My Immortal Assassin, Durian. Not Durian the King of fruits but a dangerously sexy demon fiend. I haven’t read this but it is in my TBR pile of books that is still packed in the box in my store room. I will let you know whether the My Immortal Assassin's Durian is as tasty as our King of fruits, Durian once I get the chance to read it. Oh! She also has a cat by the name of Abu.

 

Heh! I’m not sure how you can join this gang but from what I know you just need to love chocolate and also Durian. But I might be wrong!  Okay, gotta go...Salam....

Smooth Talking Stranger

Smooth Talking Baby is Lisa Kleypas third contemporary romance book. This book is about Ella Varner who was dumped with a responsibilities to take care of her sister, Tara, baby. The baby was left with Ella's mother, who was very selfish, and demanded that Ella took the baby away from her. Since her mother didn't want the baby and her sister was missing, Ella was left with no choice but to take care of Luke eventhough she knows nothing about babies. Furthermore her boyfriend, Dane, didn't want the baby.

Ella was informed that Jack Travis can be one of the potential father for the baby and since she was determined to help secure for her sister and Luke future, Ella demanded Jack to take paternity test. Jack denied it as he never slept with Tara but he agreed to take the test. Actually, Jack was intrigued by Ella. Before the test can take place, Ella was informed of her sister's whereabout and who sponsored her sister treatment.

Since Dane didn't want the baby, Ella has to look for new place to stay and when Jack heard about this, he offered Ella to stay at his building. Jack helped and supported Ella in her quest to get Tara and Luke financial support. Jack has also been very upfront with Ella and told Ella that he liked and wanted Ella. It was interesting how Jack slowly wins Ella's heart and how Ella changed her mind on marriage. It is also interesting how Ella who never know about babies, fall in love with Luke and how she developed the motherly instinct.

Eventhough, there is some flaw in the book, but I would say that it is still a good book to read and is also hot. So what is the rating for this book? I would rate the book as excellent and and a keeper.