Bared To You by Sylvia Day

Title: Bared To You

Author: Sylvia Day

Published: April 2012

Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness - beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily… 

Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds… and desires. 

The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart…

Rating: 5 Stars

So I realised that I hadn't ever really read any erotic fiction and since everyone has been on such a fifty shades hype I figured it was finally time to find out what all the fuss is about. However I didn't want to just jump on the bandwagon so I decided  to instead read this book first on the recommendation of a friend. 

I'm extremely glad that I picked this up as I have been kept thoroughly entertained over the past day. The scenes between Eva and Gideon were perfectly steamy and the chemistry between the two of them is undeniable. 

My only downside was that despite Gideon being a trouble character which only increases his attractiveness, was that he screwed up way too often. 

Would I recommend this book? Oh yes definitely. This was a brilliant sexy read. 

The Unseen by Katherine Webb

Title: The Unseen

Author: Katherine Webb

Published: May 2012

England, 1911. When a free-spirited young woman arrives in a sleepy Berkshire village to work as a maid in the household of The Reverend and Mrs Canning, she sets in motion a chain of events which changes all their lives. For Cat has a past - a past her new mistress is willing to overlook, but will never understand . . .

This is not all Hester Canning has to cope with. When her husband invites a young man into their home, he brings with him a dangerous obsession...

During the long, oppressive summer, the rectory becomes charged with ambition, love and jealousy - with the most devastating consequences.

Rating: 4 Stars

What I really loved about The Unseen is that it is two different stories set in different time periods that tie together to create one story. In 1911 we follow the vicar's household in Cold Ash Holt, and in 2011 we follow Leah trying to identify a dead soldier. However Leah is set to discover a lot more than the soldier's identity. 

I think that the characters were very well constructed, both the present day and the past ones. Cat is a breath of fresh air as she doesn't really fit in, as she herself says she is neither gentlewoman nor servant. Hester on the other hand is the sweet, docile and very innocent wife of the vicar, so innocent in fact that she remains a virgin. She is a very good natured character who means well, but doesn't always understand what is going on around her. In fact her innocence leads me to believe that her dear Bertie is gay. And Ryan ... Well he's just a smarmy creep. 

The story in itself is good with secrets being slowly teased out of the woodwork including Cat's identity. However to me it just felt like there was a little something missing. 

Would I recommend this book? Oh yes this was an excellent book and I can't wait to read more of Webb's work.