Lacey Reah

Fireflies by Lacey Reah starts of fast paced and just goes from there. The book is a little more erotic than I normally read, but not so over the top that it was impossible to read. Though I wouldn't recommend reading it around kids or at work:) My 9 year old grabbed it out of my purse and asked some awkward questions after reading two sentences.
Linda is the main character and this story is told entirely in her point of view, while this works for most books, I was left wondering what was going on with other characters in the book ( Pierre, Natasha, and even Jesse), even though Natasha and Pierre are brought up towards the end of the book, I feel that more could have been done with them.
The fast pace of the book can at times be confusing but the imagery that Lacey paints with her words is wonderful. At times I felt as if I was seeing what Linda was seeing and feeling what the other minor characters of the book were feeling. There is a lot of sexual acts in the book, but not so many that it takes away from anything in the book, a lot of the more graphic parts are really skipped over which is a great thing ( makes you imagine what you think is happening). The wording of the sexual scenes aren't graphic and Lacey uses so many different words to describe the anatomy instead of the more common words used, which makes for a safer read in my opinion.
The issues that Linda faces after she is turned into a Nymphomite, not knowing exactly what she is or how to really survive; not having money and having to scavenge for clothes from her victims, and in the end falling for Jesse only to have her turn against her; I could see her humanity slipping and then watching her gain it back after meeting Jesse was amazing.
Fireflies is a very quick read at only 95 pages, but it will leave you wanting more!!… (más)

I find the subject of cults fascinating. Why do some people join them, and why do these people go against their own instinct for self preservation? I appreciate that the author attempts to get into the head of these people, especially Maggi, and show how one can be seduced by a cult. Even after leaving the group, the cult still has a strong hold on its former members.

I wasn't real happy about the ending of the book. I don't feel Maggi had grown enough from her experiences, although she was making progress. I liked her friend JC, and how he stuck by Maggi. Overall, this was an interesting read.… (más)

Please note: I edited this New Adult novel for the author. I do not receive remuneration based upon sales.

Genre: Literary fiction
Trigger Warnings: domestic violence, authority figures taking sexual advantage of those under their authority, brainwashing, cults
Reading Level: New Adult

My Thoughts: This was a very difficult book to read, and that's a compliment. The reason I say that is because this stirred up strong emotional reactions while I was editing it, and for me, a writer that can create strong, visceral reactions is a good writer. It will not be an easy book for anyone to read, because it deals with heavy issues, but it's a very worthwhile one. Go check it out.

Synopsis: When Maggi turns eighteen and realizes that she has nothing to show for it, she looks for meaning by joining a church of people called “Enlightened Ones,” led by the enigmatic John Cronus. As she is pulled deeper into this organization, the stories of its people are unveiled, revealing how they all joined the church seeking their own form of fulfillment. The followers give up all their worldly possessions to start a commune on a distant island paradise. Will they find the utopia they seek, or will they be pulled into a menace that is even darker than the lives they left behind?… (más)