Of Dukes and Peasants by Lena C.

Of Dukes and Peasants by Lenah. C

Summary Provided by the Author:

On the summer of 1861, six year old Serena Fallows suffered humiliation in the hands of the Duke of Norton. So what's she supposed to do when they meet years after? Why, throw a shoe at one of the most respected gentlemen in English society of course!

W.S.'s Reviewing:

Fresh and well articulated, "Of Dukes and Peasants" is the new P&P with spunk and a more dynamic supporting cast. Lenah C. creates a smooth transition from hate to love in 38 short chapters of this novella. Although not as historically correct as one would hope, it is the closest I've seen an author come to Jane Austen's authentic works. I have a hard time imagining people having the names Derek, Serena, and Alvin. However, I feel like the balance of the characters' personalities are well done, although I would have liked to see more of the antagonists. Some side plots felt unfinished, especially with the handsomely evil Daniel's womanizing acts that causes unwanted changes in the situations between Derek and Serena. Also, there could have been more appearances of secondary characters. Serena seems like a 21st century girl, but as the story progresses and she learns more of the society she is born into, she becomes refined and a less whiny character. As for Derek, he is the stereotypical male hero who hates the girl and finally falls for her. However, Lenah C.'s choice for him to court Victoria (the polar opposite of Serena) was brilliant, steering him into the path of "she's not my 'type' but I'm still in love with her." I would have wished for more plot twists and more historical fluff, but "Of Dukes and Peasants" is worthy of a nice relaxing afternoon and a cup of British tea.

The Story You Shouldn't Know by Bingo

The Story You Shouldn't Know by Bingo

Summary Provided by the Author:

"Perfection does not make allowances. Perfection doesn't weaken. And Anna would." Anna's life was pleasant enough ... until the moment she met Josh. Because Josh might be a lot of things, but mainly, he's the Devil.

W.S.'s Reviewing:

Not your average fantasy romance novel, The Story You Shouldn't Know ventures beyond the opposite forces dilemma, and analyzes not just evil and good, but also human nature. An emotional read, one is expected to cry, groan, and smile through the story. Bingo creates a future fictionpress classic with this story, weaving the fate of the world into the ending. The Story You Shouldn't Know makes you think who exactly is the good guy, and who cannot be trusted. Causing suspicion on all characters, the psychological thriller questions the balance we have in life between disasters and miracles. Although the story had the potential to go deeper into the whole anthropological mess of war and conflict versus utopia and perfection, Bingo leaves it clean and perfectly cut with the right amount of details, and the right amount of cheese in the intense story. The supporting characters, Hussein, Mary, and the Wolf makes us wonder about if our actions truly corresponds with our emotions. The sexy but devilish Josh makes us think about what is the line beyond acceptance and losing of own character. We question his love for Anna, but his affection and recognition of his own feelings makes us realize that there really are two sides to one person (or devil in this case). Because of Anna's birth status, we are able to explore what we all want to be, and what we actually are in this world. A crazy roller coaster ride, parental secrets are revealed and the world... will be either saved, destructed, or something else-ed. More than a romance, The Story You Shouldn't Know is definitely a "story you should read."

To Feel the Sun by Aurette

To Feel the Sun by Aurette

Summary Provided by the Author:

When the love of her life marries someone else, Gracie has to accept reality and move on. With devastatingly attractive lawyers and cute cellists who won't go away, love shows that if it's one thing, it's unpredictable.

W.S.'s Reviewing:

With flair and charm. Aurette captures readers with not only the three guys who create a mess of a love square, but also with the very realistic main character, Gracie. She begins a self-conscious and troubled character, who we can all relate to, and eventually grows to become someone who is less passive and more confident (as shown in her stealing of a certain someone's bathrobe). To Feel the Sun is more than one love story; it is three with, the charming Colin, spontaneous Simon, and the quiet Jonah. While a normal love life of an average girl usually has one guy at a time, Gracie has to juggle three different men at once. With her long love Colin, it's the well played "Is she ever going to get over him? Will he ever notice her?" dilemma that is explored until the very end. A twisty path between Gracie and Colin, she tried to keep her conscience, befriending his new wife. A classic friend-maybe-turned-lover is born. Simple Simon's social status is certainly down played compared to Gracie's rich family, Colin's heir status, and Jonah's hot-shot position as a rising defense lawyer. However, I do have a thing for cellists like Simon. The romance between Simon and Gracie is sparked by the matchmaking Sarah (Gracie's glorious twin sister). Getting off from the wrong foot at Colin's wedding, the two meet again with more class and better attitudes. Simon is the tramp, as Gracie is the lady, but a tramp may always be a tramp. A storm of fights and acceptance comes between the chemistry of Simon and Gracie, which leaves readers wondering about the end. At last, but not least, the mysterious and quiet Jonah is a lawyer working at Gracie's father's firm. Gracie is working as the secretary/receptionist at the law firm, and I'll say that the relationship between Gracie and Jonah is not exactly like the famous Jim/Pam pairing of the Office. Jonah's silent pining over Gracie is obvious since he is introduced (Aurette has a one-shot featuring Jonah's attraction to his boss's daughter). A steady under-beat of the story crescendos throughout the story. When a misunderstanding arises between Gracie and her twin sister, and a guy finally makes a move (whether it's a right one or a wrong one will be obvious to you when you read it), who will stay by Gracie's side, and who will she choose? The friendly Colin, the realistic Simon, or the serious Jonah? Read to find out what the fate of Gracie's love life will be!

"The Champagne Gang" by punkturnedwriter

The Champagne Gang by punkturnedwriter

Summary Provided by the Author:
"Does that kiss have anything to do with why we're on a train to New York in the middle of the night?"

W.S.'s Reviewing:
Sometimes, when something looks sweet, it's actually bitter in the inside. Life in Thorton Academy represents the richest in America. They're hot. They're beautiful. And they're all liars and cheaters. So how is Summer Ward going to know who to trust and who to love? When you have a large, dysfunctional family after an accident, the best way to cope is to move, right? So when Summer's life is already smashed up in pieces after her brother's death, Thorton is ready to shatter it even more. The queen of the school recruits her friend to destroy her. The king of the school is in love with her, which isn't as fun as it sounds. So how does Zach Gellar play in? When you have parties over-seas and girls liking you because of your boyfriends, life pretty much sucks. It's a beautifully written piece, lacking some originality, but the dynamic characters with rounded personalities make up for the loss. Punkturnedwriter has captured the whole net of romantic feelings into one bunch. I would suggest you to read the Champagne Gang, if you're looking for the whole upper-class teens who drink champagne. It's hot. It's beautiful. And it's a whole web of lies, cheating, and the faint glow of hope Summer is able to find in the whole mess.

"Aelyn's Story" by timpanigirl

Aelyn's Story by timpanigirl

Summary Provided by the Author:
Aelyn has been trained as a soldier her whole life, but when she is captured by the enemy army, survival takes a whole new twist.

W.S.'s Reviewing:
Takn place in a whole different world with different countries, "Aelyn's Story" is a beautiful semi-fairy tale fiction. The author creates two nations, enemies after a misunderstanding, and in them, resides Aelyn. Aelyn is a special girl (and someone beyond the reader's knowledge until the end) who loves her family dearly. In the first chapter, we can see she is a soldier and loves her late twin brother deeply. Once she is captured she must understand the new culture she is pulled into. There, she meets people unlike the civilians of her home country. However, the warm feelings of friendship and romance are still there too. We see a very understandable culture shock she experiences in Dramaria. There, things get intense as she forms a surprising friendship with the soldier who captured her, and the Dramarian king's sister. How is she able to fulfill the profit of saving her country, when she is in love with the enemy king? This is definitely worth the read and brings readers into "once upon a time" with a twist.