Twist Me

By: Anna Zaires, Dima Zales

Narrated by: Shirl Rae

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

~USA TODAY BESTSELLER~

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.

©2014 Anna Zaires (P)2014 Anna Zaires

5 "Darkly Titillating" Stars!

Any additional comments?

5 "Darkly Titillating" Stars for the story and narration!

What a dark and forbidden, and yet intoxicating and addictive listen! I could not put my earbuds down--and listened to this entire book in less than 12 hours! Twist Me elicited such an intriguing mix of emotions constantly causing me to experience a push and pull between excitement, joy, sadness, and fear; not too mention anxiety as to what might happen next. Moreover, this book had me constantly questioning how notwithstanding the dark and taboo subject, I just could not get enough of this story. Even now, after finishing book 1, I find myself craving book 2, Keep Me. Moreover, if you're an audiobook lover, like me, then Shirl Rae's talented narration, makes this a natural choice to experience in audiobook format.

Before going further, a few warnings are in order. Please note that this is a dark romance that centers around a kidnapping. There are also elements of BDSM, and dubious or lack of consent scenes. Therefore this book may not be appropriate for all romance audiences. However, if you enjoy dark romances, then this is definitely a series not to miss. Please also note that to get the full story you will need to commit to read or listen to the entire trilogy.

The heroine, Nora Leston, is just about to graduate high school, when she meets a dark and mysterious and yet strangely alluring older man named Julian at a nightclub. Though she manages to flee that night, she couldn't help but be both attracted and scared of him. So imagine her surprise and apprehension when Julian continues to randomly appear in other places where Nora visits. Until that one fateful day, when Julian completely and irrevocably changes her life, by kidnapping Nora. Just what does Julian want and why Nora? Moreover, can their possibly be any happiness in Nora's life as a captive?

Shirl Rae does a fabulous job of narrating Twist Me. From Julian's strangely hypnotic and yet somewhat psychopathic voice, to the dichotomy that is the fragile and yet strangely brave Nora, Ms. Rae's renditions for each character helps the listener conjure up visual images of the characters that the authors have penned. Ms. Rae's timing is also perfectly suited for maximum enjoyment of the particular mood of the scene being enacted. This was my first experience with Ms. Rae as narrator, but I will definitely be looking for more of her works in the future.

All in all, this was a fascinating listen. The hero managed to draw me in notwithstanding his nontraditional ways. There was just something about his alpha, protective and strangely vulnerable human nature that draws the reader/listener in. Moreover, the writing is so well put together that you almost feel as if you're experiencing the heroine's constant mix of emotions personally. I highly recommend Twist Me to dark romance lovers who have not yet read or listened to it.

Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVE THIS AUTHOR

I LOVE THIS AUTHOR'S BOOKS BUT GIVEN THE WARNINGS I WAS EXPECTING SOMETHING MUCH DARKER. I LIKE DARK SO I WAS ANTICIPATING THE RELEASE OF THIS BOOK AND I WAS EXPECTING SOMETHING THAT SURPASSED THE "CJ ROBERTS" CATEGORY OF "DARK" BUT IT FELL A LITTLE SHORT. IT WAS STILL A GREAT STORY AS WITH ALL OF HER BOOKS. HER STORIES ARE ALWAYS INTERESTING AND GO BEYOND THE NORM. THEY ALWAYS CAPTURE YOUR ATTENTION RIGHT AWAY AND HAVE SEXY DETAILED LOVE SCENES THAT THAT MAKE YOU PANT! I BUY HER BOOKS AS SOON AS THEY ARE RELEASED AND ALWAYS WITH ANTICIPATION OF WHERE HER IMAGINATION IS GOING TO TAKE ME!

Even a guy could like Julian .. sort of. Excellent

Well, let's see ... while this might be "dark" there are a lot of darker 'non-consent' books out there. This is just about as dark as I want, given that abuse & women should never come in contact with one another. No doubt about the fact that Nora is not a willing kidnappee. Julian physically abuses totally innocent people to get what he wants. He punishes Nora.

When I read a book that purports to be a romance, I'd like to see something in the guy that I'd like to see in myself. None of the above is the fantasy me. However, his loyalty and his insight into Nora's heart and mind ... are dishes I'd enjoy sampling more often.

I have little doubt that most men could include a Nora in their fantasy ... unless those men enjoy frigid women and missionary sex. Any of you reading this want that? If so, don't buy this book.

Some reviewers do not enjoy the Shirl Rae narration. I thought it spot on.

I always include a disclaimer: I bought the book, I'd never heard of the author or narrator before, no one asked me to review it. Jon

TWISTED INDEED

This story is warped and I feel equally so considering I loved it. Not what I expected can't wait to read the next book.

2.5 stars.This Book Was Tough To Listen Too!

If, I hadn't read that little teaser for the next book I wouldn't be torn. I would have, straight out, not liked this book because Julian did really ugly things to Nora and she was just wide open accepting and enjoying everything (with one or two half-hearted rebellion attempts). I was never convinced that he had any feelings for her as an individual person, it was all about him and his dead friend. He successfully moulded her into his pet and that was what he called. She looked like someone he had loved and he made her into his sexual plaything, moulded her entire identity, sexual and otherwise. She wasn't the least bit concerned about her parents or anything else afterwards.

But with the teaser, the author does allude to the fact that Julian is well aware of what he has done to this malleable girl, she believes she loves him. I was torn between 2 or 4 stars, but it's a romance book, so I don't think the really dark potential of the story will be realised.

There wasn't a lot of dialogue, so in my opinion you don't get to see the relationship building, which in this case you really, really needed it. You as the listener are left asking who Nora is anyway, we never actually knew her to start off with.

Nora (h) has just turned 18 years old. A few days after her high school graduation, Julian (H), a 29 year old man, kidnaps Nora and takes her to his private island. Julian keeps Nora captive on his island for approximately 15 months. In those months Nora is repeatedly raped, spanked, whipped, kept isolated, controlled, and psychologically and sexually conditioned. I really found her age and the lack of consent really disturbing.

Shirl Rae was, IMHO flat, monotone and lacked any emotion with the delivery of the story.

Dark and Absorbing!!!!

Where does Twist Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Twist Me is by far one of the best audiobooks I've listened to. Get ready to push play and block out the real world for a while. This story will have you unwilling to push pause for trivial interruptions.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Julian Esguerra not your typical book bad boy. Julian is mysterious, dark and dangerous he doesn't deny who he is, nor does he apologize for his actions. Unlike most sexy domineering men portrayed in dark romances he is flawed but not broken. He wants possession of Nora not healing from her touch.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was Nora's realization after the presentation of her birthday cake, and slight meltdown that not only had she been Julian's prisoner for a year she no longer wanted freedom. During a rough impromptu romp on the dining table she finally verbalizes her feelings for her captor.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I did want to listen to this book in one sitting. Found myself listening for hours at a time before reluctantly putting it away.

Couldn’t turn it off!!!

My new favorite book series very fast-paced I can wait to see what happens

Nice story line.

This was a good book, wish it was series because it left you wanting more of the story.

Not what I expected. But good.

This book was nothing what I expected but really enjoyed it. Many people complain about her being so young but I wouldn't buy it if she wasn't 18ish. 4 stars. A fun book.

Love💗

I was very unsure about this book when I bought it, but I can say for sure I am very glad I did. Such a great book with beautiful characters. I went from dislike to love with Beth and will miss her. As for Julian, such an interesting character and I cannot wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds!