Released On: February 10, 2014
Twist Me
by Anna Zaires
Book 1 of Twist Me Series
3.5 ~ 4 stars
I am honestly conflicted about this book. A part of me is not happy with a lot of things that happened in the story. This is a dark erotic novel, and for someone who thrives in rainbows and sweet, love stories, TWIST ME
is quite out of my comfort zone. In defense of the book and the author, readers are informed beforehand that it is not a traditional romance and that it centers around Stockholm syndrome, among other things. I should have taken it seriously, lol!
is quite out of my comfort zone. In defense of the book and the author, readers are informed beforehand that it is not a traditional romance and that it centers around Stockholm syndrome, among other things. I should have taken it seriously, lol!
There were definitely certain things that made me cringe--often in disgust. But then again, this is a story about a woman experiencing Stockholm syndrome. Nora was kidnapped by Julian, a man she sees in a club where she and her best friend partied in celebration of their coming graduation. She's taken to a private island somewhere in the Pacific, and there her psyche is fucked up by his manipulations. It didn't help that Nora was naturally attracted to Julian during that brief moment that they locked eyes in the club. Who would have thought this handsome man would turn out to be a kidnapper with a twisted concept of dating?
The island she is trapped in is a paradise--an absolute paradox of the sick and twisted situation she truly is in. Spoiler alert, I'm sorry I just can't help myself: [She was basically raped by the Julian and robbed of her virginity. I understand the principles of Stockholm, and I had to keep reminding myself about it, but I just... ughhh, it was just disgusting.] My mouth was almost constantly pursed and twisted in distaste. I appreciate the writing of Anna Zaires and her interpretation of what women like Nora go through: their thoughts, their emotions, their impulsive decisions, and their animal response to strike back and protect themselves to the extent of killing another human being. Unfortunately, that also meant she wrote about how women like Nora slowly become attached and attracted to their kidnappers.
As a dark romance, I think this book is actually good. BUT, Julian is one book hero whom I definitely will not be swooning over. I don't agree with Nora's decisions especially at the end of this story, but who can really reason with a woman with Stockholm syndrome? The person to blame is always the kidnapper. The person to blame is Julian. He kept Nora on the island without regard for her ambitions, her dreams, the life she was forced to leave behind. He had no qualms hurting people to get what he wants. I really don't like him, and I hated that Nora succumbed to his manipulations.
So why am I contemplating giving it 4 stars in spite of my dislike for the characters? Because perversely enough, I couldn't stop reading it. I wanted to know if Nora would ever escape Julian. I dearly hoped that she would come to her senses and realize that the love she felt for him is not right. That it's not healthy, and it's not her fault.
TWIST ME ends in a mild cliffhanger. Readers will have to find out if Nora and Julian will continue on the path they are on. At the moment it is defined by anger and revenge (none of it is directed to Julian though...). I have to say though, the last 1/3 of the book is very exciting and thrilling. Even I wanted Julian to arrive and save the day!
It seems to me that they are going to trek an very, very dangerous road in book 2. Will I want to read it? Yes, I think so, because surprisingly enough I also want Julian to accomplish the revenge he is planning. It's the least he could do, in my opinion. I'm not too invested in their love story though. But who knows, Anna Zaires might be able to convince be otherwise if ever I get to read the sequel.
This is a well-written dark romance that may not be for every reader. But if you like the genre, TWIST ME
is a story that you'll want to see through till the last book in the series.
is a story that you'll want to see through till the last book in the series. 
Buy Links: Amazon US
| Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble
| Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble
Synopsis:
Kidnapped. Taken to a private island.
I never thought this could happen to me. I never imagined one chance meeting on the eve of my eighteenth birthday could change my life so completely.
Now I belong to him. To Julian. To a man who is as ruthless as he is beautiful – a man whose touch makes me burn. A man whose tenderness I find more devastating than his cruelty.
My captor is an enigma. I don’t know who he is or why he took me. There is a darkness inside him – a darkness that scares me even as it draws me in.
My name is Nora Leston, and this is my story.
WARNING: This is NOT a traditional romance. It contains disturbing subject matter, including themes of questionable consent and Stockholm Syndrome, as well as graphic sexual content. This is a work of fiction intended for a mature, 18+ audience only. The author neither endorses nor condones this type of behavior.
Excerpt:
On my way back, I ask the bartender for a glass of water. I am thirsty after all the dancing.
He gives it to me, and I greedily gulp it down. When I’m done, I put down the glass and look up.
Straight into a pair of piercing blue eyes.
He’s sitting on the other side of the bar, about ten feet away. And he’s staring at me.
I stare back. I can’t help it. He’s probably the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.
His hair is dark and curls slightly. His face is hard and masculine, each feature perfectly symmetrical. Straight dark eyebrows over those strikingly pale eyes. A mouth that could belong to a fallen angel.
I suddenly feel warm as I imagine that mouth touching my skin, my lips. If I were prone to blushing, I would’ve been beet-red.
He gets up and walks toward me, still holding me with his gaze. He walks leisurely. Calmly. He’s completely sure of himself. And why not? He’s gorgeous, and he knows it.
As he approaches, I realize that he’s a large man. Tall and well built. I don’t know how old he is, but I’m guessing he’s closer to thirty than twenty. A man, not a boy.
He stands next to me, and I have to remember to breathe.
“What’s your name?” he asks softly. His voice somehow carries above the music, its deeper notes audible even in this noisy environment.
“Nora,” I say quietly, looking up at him. I am absolutely mesmerized, and I’m pretty sure he knows it.
He smiles. His sensuous lips part, revealing even white teeth. “Nora. I like that.”
He doesn’t introduce himself, so I gather my courage and ask, “What’s your name?”
“You can call me Julian,” he says, and I watch his lips moving. I’ve never been so fascinated by a man’s mouth before.
“How old are you, Nora?” he asks next.
I blink. “Twenty-one.”
His expression darkens. “Don’t lie to me.”
“Almost eighteen,” I admit reluctantly. I hope he doesn’t tell the bartender and get me kicked out of here.
He nods, like I confirmed his suspicions. And then he raises his hand and touches my face. Lightly, gently. His thumb rubs against my lower lip, as though he’s curious about its texture.
I’m so shocked that I just stand there. Nobody has ever done that before, touched me so casually, so possessively. I feel hot and cold at the same time, and a tendril of fear snakes down my spine. There is no hesitation in his actions. No asking for permission, no pausing to see if I would let him touch me.
He just touches me. Like he has the right to do so. Like I belong to him.
I draw in a shaky breath and back away. “I have to go,” I whisper, and he nods again, watching me with an inscrutable expression on his beautiful face.
I know he’s letting me go, and I feel pathetically grateful—because something deep inside me senses that he could’ve easily gone further, that he doesn’t play by the normal rules.
That he’s probably the most dangerous creature I’ve ever met.
I turn and make my way through the crowd. My hands are trembling, and my heart is pounding in my throat.
I need to leave, so I grab Leah and make her drive me home.
As we’re walking out of the club, I look back and I see him again. He’s still staring at me.
There is a dark promise in his gaze—something that makes me shiver.
Copyright Anna Zaires 2014
He gives it to me, and I greedily gulp it down. When I’m done, I put down the glass and look up.
Straight into a pair of piercing blue eyes.
He’s sitting on the other side of the bar, about ten feet away. And he’s staring at me.
I stare back. I can’t help it. He’s probably the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.
His hair is dark and curls slightly. His face is hard and masculine, each feature perfectly symmetrical. Straight dark eyebrows over those strikingly pale eyes. A mouth that could belong to a fallen angel.
I suddenly feel warm as I imagine that mouth touching my skin, my lips. If I were prone to blushing, I would’ve been beet-red.
He gets up and walks toward me, still holding me with his gaze. He walks leisurely. Calmly. He’s completely sure of himself. And why not? He’s gorgeous, and he knows it.
As he approaches, I realize that he’s a large man. Tall and well built. I don’t know how old he is, but I’m guessing he’s closer to thirty than twenty. A man, not a boy.
He stands next to me, and I have to remember to breathe.
“What’s your name?” he asks softly. His voice somehow carries above the music, its deeper notes audible even in this noisy environment.
“Nora,” I say quietly, looking up at him. I am absolutely mesmerized, and I’m pretty sure he knows it.
He smiles. His sensuous lips part, revealing even white teeth. “Nora. I like that.”
He doesn’t introduce himself, so I gather my courage and ask, “What’s your name?”
“You can call me Julian,” he says, and I watch his lips moving. I’ve never been so fascinated by a man’s mouth before.
“How old are you, Nora?” he asks next.
I blink. “Twenty-one.”
His expression darkens. “Don’t lie to me.”
“Almost eighteen,” I admit reluctantly. I hope he doesn’t tell the bartender and get me kicked out of here.
He nods, like I confirmed his suspicions. And then he raises his hand and touches my face. Lightly, gently. His thumb rubs against my lower lip, as though he’s curious about its texture.
I’m so shocked that I just stand there. Nobody has ever done that before, touched me so casually, so possessively. I feel hot and cold at the same time, and a tendril of fear snakes down my spine. There is no hesitation in his actions. No asking for permission, no pausing to see if I would let him touch me.
He just touches me. Like he has the right to do so. Like I belong to him.
I draw in a shaky breath and back away. “I have to go,” I whisper, and he nods again, watching me with an inscrutable expression on his beautiful face.
I know he’s letting me go, and I feel pathetically grateful—because something deep inside me senses that he could’ve easily gone further, that he doesn’t play by the normal rules.
That he’s probably the most dangerous creature I’ve ever met.
I turn and make my way through the crowd. My hands are trembling, and my heart is pounding in my throat.
I need to leave, so I grab Leah and make her drive me home.
As we’re walking out of the club, I look back and I see him again. He’s still staring at me.
There is a dark promise in his gaze—something that makes me shiver.
Copyright Anna Zaires 2014
After graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics, Anna spent eight years on Wall Street analyzing stocks and writing research reports. In 2013, she became a full-time author, pursuing her lifelong dream of writing romance novels.
Dima Zales is the love of her life and a huge inspiration in all aspects of her writing. Every book Anna writes is a product of their unique collaborative process.
In addition to reading and writing, Anna enjoys drinking tea (coconut oolong, anyone?), watching addictive TV shows, and discussing book ideas during long walks with her amazing husband.
She loves hearing from her readers, so please don't hesitate to contact her through her website or connect with her on Facebook, where she hangs out way too often. Also, please visit her husband and collaborator, Dima Zales, at www.dimazales.com and check out their fantasy & science fiction books.
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Every body have there own opinions how they fantasize and respect your opinion but for me it was best book ..... suspense thriller all was in it ... and frankly i like this kind of romance or erotic novels :D
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