Twisted by Lola Smirnova

I read this book several months ago and planned to write this review but after reading it, I had to decompress, get my thoughts together before attempting this review. I may have never gotten around to it but, I got an email today as to my interest in reading and reviewing Craved, the second book in this trilogy.
I am not certain what I expected when I started reading Twisted, an erotic novel, an erotic suspense thriller or what. What I got was a frank, gritty dark novel about the European sex trade. While set in Europe, what goes on could be any spot on the globe. Ms. Smirnova has pulled the curtain back revealing the seedy, many times sick, dangerous  and profitable sex trade. I had read this was based on true incidents and I have to believe it because it exposes the dreams, too few realized and most times shattered of those seeking a better income and therefore a better life. What they too often get is bittersweet. This could only have been written with the frankness and the honesty that it is by someone who either lived it or was close to those who did live the life.
The book in my opinion is not sexy or erotic. It is often times funny and at times hard to read. At the center of the story are three sisters Natalia, Lena and Julia who looking for a better life, join the sex trade. All three sisters are developed and likable characters. I found myself wanting a "Pretty Woman" scene for each of them but sadly I am still waiting (maybe in Craved).
While not for everyone, it is a book that will stay with you long after you have read the last page. It will make you think. It will disturb you. It will make you laugh and if like me, make you want to continue on with the next two books to see if the ambitions are realized or if they are the avenue of broken dreams.

Holly Seddon's Terrific Debut Thriller, Try Not To Breathe - Will steal your breath away! - Ballantine Books

With the success of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train, new suspense novels are often mentioned alongside these very good, very successful books. While many are good reads few come close to the comparisons. That said, Holly Sedon's debut thriller Try Not To Breathe is well worth your time.
Amy Stevenson abducted in her teens and brutally assaulted lies in a coma throughout much of the book. Unable to communicate for fifteen years, she is helpless to bring those responsible to justice. That is until Alex Dale discovers the helpless state and story of Amy. Alex a recovering alcoholic is trying to get her life back together after the addiction ruined her successful journalistic career and her marriage. Alex finds redemption and purpose as she visits Amy sitting with her determined to piece together the answers to the mystery. That of course is not an easy thing to do when there is no verbal communication. Told in alternating chapters by Amy, Alex and Jacob, Amy's old boyfriend. Like Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train these voices keep you reading and guessing and wondering which voice is reliable.
I enjoyed the book maybe not as much as the two mentioned but Try Not To Breathe promises a bright future for Holly Seddon

Life or Death by Michael Robotham- Mulholland Books

My wife and I have just returned from vacationing in New Zealand. We have been blessed to travel to forty-two countries and while we are visiting other places, I always look to discover new writers. I hit the jackpot in New Zealand.
I was browsing the books in a New Zealand bookstore called Whitcoulls and had mentally selected several books to buy from authors I was not familiar with. One was Life or Death by Michael Robotham. I asked the young lady working in the store which local writers she liked. She immediately took me to Life or Death by Michael Robotham and told me she loved all his books. She informed me he lived in Australia and that if I liked Michael Connelly and David Baldacci, I would love Michael Robotham.
I bought Life or Death and was blown away.
Audie Palmer is a man serving a ten year sentence who escapes the day before he is to be released. His actions don't make a lot of sense but as we travel Audie's road one step in front of the police and others who seem to want to harm him, I was caught up in the suspense Mr Robotham was creating. The book is filled with twists, emotions and fully developed characters.
Mr Robotham writes very visually and I can see this being made into a film. It is that good.
Stephen King says, "Life or Death is a nerve-shredding thriller" and boy is he right.
I have purchased several more of Mr Robotham's other books and am currently reading "Watching You" which is downright creepy and suspenseful and does not disappoint..
I am looking forward to Mr Robotham's new book which is to be released in March 2016. It is titled Close Your Eyes.
If you are a fan of Michael Connelly's or David Baldacci's, do yourself a favor and discover Michael Robotham. You may have a new favorite as well.