REVIEW BLOG TOUR - Locks: Rapunzel Unhinged by Sarah J. Pepper

Title: Locks: Rapunzel Unhinged

Author: Sarah J. Pepper

Release Date: 30 June 2014

Series or Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Fantasy; Fairy Tales

SYNOPSIS:
Rapunzel isn’t the stereotypical Damsel in Distress. Her Bad-Boy Prince Charming is a renowned mercenary, and their Happy Ending plays out like a bad movie. However, she is determined to breakout from her tower prison—love be damned—and do it in a fabulous pair of heels. *** Gunned down by the Mercenary, the deadliest assassin in The Badass Archives, isn’t exactly Rapunzel’s end-game. Falling for him isn’t either, but his Rated-R demeanor is strangely charming. Even though most girls wouldn’t fall for their captors, Rapunzel isn’t like most dames. Her major girl-boner for the Mercenary is so pathetic it verges on cliché. Yet, in spite of his appeal, Rapunzel must escape before she’s locked away in the Château de Immortelle’s highest tower—forever.

EXCERPT:

Mr. Tall, Dark and Deadly beckoned me like he was a manifestation ripped from my fantasies. A girl in my position shouldn’t have appreciated the ripped stature of his torso, the curvatures of his arms or how his black shirt stretched over his broad chest. The way he filled out his pants surely teased everyone who had an x-chromosome. R-rated thoughts played over and over in my mind. If he hadn’t been sent to kill me, I might have made a move.

Nevertheless, after a solid minute of not blinking, our provocative staring contest started to freak me out. His gaze was hypnotic yet startling. His intelligence was glaringly obvious, but so was his noxious disposition. It was damn unsettling and the standoff had to end sometime. Therefore, I faced my impending doom by walking into the glow of the street light. As soon as the light hit my face, the wind picked up. I shivered. Taryn’s presence swirled around me like she was an element of the sky instead of a sorceress who could control it. Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself she was miles away.

I cleared my throat so that my voice wouldn’t crack. “I’d rather die than be her prisoner.”

He smirked. The smile almost reached his eyes. “That’s your choice, Rapunzel,” he said, just before he pulled the trigger.

PURCHASE:

B&N Paperback | B&N eBook | Amazon US | Smashwords | Lulu

AUTHOR INFO

www.sarahjpepper.com

@sarahjpepper

www.facebook.com/sarahjpepper.author

I specialize in dark, paranormal romance - think "happy ever after" but with a twisted, dark chocolate center. Real-life romance isn't only filled with hugs, kisses, bunnies, and rainbows. True-love can be more thoroughly described in times of darkness and tribulation. It's in those harsh moments where you see what a person is truly capable of - both the good and bad. Sometimes prince-charming isn't always on time, and the glass slipper is a little snug. However, it doesn't mean Charming is not Mr. Right, and who says every shoe is the perfect fit?

REVIEW:
It took me a while to actually get into this story, probably because it felt like the beginning of this book was a recap of a previous story, but it's really not (or maybe it is and I just couldn't find any other book with these characters in it). The way some characters were brought into the book seemed like the reader should already know who each person is, and though a bit of information was given on the characters, I found it hard to actually visualize a few of the characters.

The first 30% or so of the book seems to be repetitive with Rapunzel attempting to escape and being captured each time by the Mercenary (Flynn, which may or may not be his actual name). But exactly whose side is Flynn really on? On the whole, Rapunzel isn't your typical damsel in distress and she sure ain't waiting for no Prince Charming to come rescue her. But too bad for her that she has zero skills when it comes to planning and fighting, hence the reason she's caught by Flynn eleventeen times at the start of the book. The story really starts to pick up once Rapunzel is visited by Kinsley and learns of a bombshell that no one could have predicted. 

The sexual tension between Rapunzel and Flynn is awesome, and I enjoyed the changing dynamics of their time together. I will say that the ending wasn't quite what I expected, for all of that training that went on, the battle ended way to quickly. But still, this was a very enjoyable story and I'm glad I got a chance to read this.

RATING

Book provided in exchange for honest review.