Review: Sugar Daddy - Lisa Kleypas

Liberty Jones has dreams and determination that will take her far away from Welcome, Texas---if she can keep her wild heart from ruling her mind. Hardy Cates sees Liberty as completely off-limits. His own ambitions are bigger than Welcome, and Liberty Jones is a complication he doesn't need. But something magical and potent draws them to each other, in a dangerous attraction that is stronger than both of them. 

When Hardy leaves town to pursue his plans, Liberty finds herself alone with a young sister to raise. Soon Liberty finds herself under the spell of a billionaire tycoon---a Sugar Daddy, one might say. But the relationship goes deeper than people think, and Liberty begins to discover secrets about her own family's past. 

Two men. One woman. A choice that can make her or break her. A woman you'll root for every step of the way. A love story you'll never forget.

My thoughts:

I usually know that yes everything will be all right, but here I was unsure. I knew there would be a HEA, but would I get what I wanted? I just did not know.

The beginning was slow. Yes I know we had to see her grow up in the trailer park, meet first crush Hardy who she can't forget, and get a new sister. But the whole start was moving slowly and then I realized this was more a book about her whole life..to a certain point. Also the title seems misleading, there is no real sugar daddy. Disappointing.

It's more a story about Liberty who is a strong young woman and who wants to make it on her own. She is protective of her sister, has a major crush on Hardy (which I never really got, no sparks there), and we see her grow up and start a life. Also seeing her sometimes unlucky in love, not a lot of romance in this one. Which makes me unsure what to make of the genre, it can't be contemporary romance when there is no romance.

Conclusion:

But when it picked up it picked up and I kept wishing the best for her and when the end came around I was happy.

Cover

Eh

Travis Family #1
Contemporary romance
Hardcover, 371 pages
Published March 6th 2007 by St. Martin's Press
Own

Review: Red-headed stepchild - Jaye Wells

In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she's on. She's never brought her work home with her---until now. 

This time, it's personal.

My thoughts:

Oh no, I fell for another series. Great now I gotta catch up on my 100th series ;) Lol, no, it's all good, I do love finding a new UF series and especially one already out cos now I do not have to wait ages for more. There are already more out.

Sabina was a kick-ass assassin, a halfblood vampire, second class citizen, even though her grandma is a hotshot. But then her gran was an ass. And the whole concept builds learning who to trust. And that is not easy.

In comes a cool side-kick, thumbs up for him. A stalking mage that sounded cute, a dark cult leader who makes, oh I am not gonna say. And a conspiracy to bring everything down.

It was a nice world too with vamps, demons, mages and fairies. And I so need to know more about Sabina, because things are hidden in the shadows and I am curious.

Conclusion:

A nice start to this UF series.

Cover

Ok

Sabina Kane #1
urban fantasy
Paperback, 325 pages
Published April 1st 2009 by Orbit
own

PS: I got the keys to our new home today :D

Review: Notorious Nineteen - Janet Evanovich

New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is certain of three truths: People don’t just vanish into thin air. Never anger old people. And don’t do what Tiki tells you to do. 

(minus 18 other lines in one epic blurb that was longer than my review)

My thoughts:

What can I say that I have not said before? Nothing, yes that's right nothing!

- Ranger said babe a lot, yawn

- Morelli said cupcake a lot, yawn

- A car blew up on page 5...surprise! More cars blew up, surprise!

- Lola said funny things and was hungry

- Grandma was a hoot

- Steph's parents sighed cos she is hopeless

- Her skips got away *headdesk*

- Someone failed to kill her more than once

- She lusts after Ranger and dates Morelli

Do any of these things sound familiar? Oh yes that is right, that is cos all 19 books have practically been the same book.

Conclusion:

Why do I read them? Well I am clearly an idiot. There was a time when I giggled and laugh. This time around my mouth did not even twitch for a second

Stephanie Plum #19
Chick-lit mystery
Hardcover, 302 pages
Published November 20th 2012 by Headline Book Publishing
Library

Review: The Prisoner of Heaven - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Barcelona, 1957. It is Christmas, and Daniel Sempere and his wife, Bea, have much to celebrate. They have a beautiful new baby son named Julián, and their close friend Fermín Romero de Torres is about to be wed. But their joy is eclipsed when a mysterious stranger visits the Sempere bookshop and threatens to divulge a terrible secret that has been buried for two decades in the city’s dark past.

His appearance plunges Fermín and Daniel into a dangerous adventure that will take them back to the 1940s and the early days of Franco’s dictatorship. The terrifying events of that time launch them on a search for the truth that will put into peril everything they love, and will ultimately transform their lives.

My thoughts:

It was not as good as Shadow, but then how could any book we as good as shadow? That book was a masterpiece.

This book just gave me questions and I should read book 1 and 2 again. First when something was mentioned, then I remembered that book 2 was about this guy Fermin meets in prison. Ok so I have obviously forgotten most things. The book can still be read as a stand alone, it's just that I know these people, and all the mysteries! It's one big evil puzzle. There are always new things throw at you, here we hear things about Daniel's mother Isabella, we meet David Martin again and most of all it's Fermin's story about the time he spent in prison. If I had the time I would re-read the books for sure. Because at the end, omg that evil ending, hints about more to come. So not cool. More things to come, which is good, and bad, cos that will take some time.

Conclusion:

The language was not as poetic, but in the end it was still a good haunting book filled with mysteries.

Cover

Ok

El cementerio de los libros olvidados #3
Fiction
Paperback, 288 pages
Published March 12th 2013 by Harper Perennial (first published January 1st 2011)
My own

Review: Midnight Blue-Light Special - Seanan McGuire

The Price family has spent generations studying the monsters of the world, working to protect them from humanity--and humanity from them. Enter Verity Price. Despite being trained from birth as a cryptozoologist, she'd rather dance a tango than tangle with a demon, and when her work with the cryptid community took her to Manhattan, she thought she would finally be free to pursue competition-level dance in earnest. It didn't quite work out that way...

But now, with the snake cult that was killing virgins all over Manhattan finally taken care of, Verity is ready to settle down for some serious ballroom dancing—until her on-again, off-again, semi-boyfriend Dominic De Luca, a member of the monster-hunting Covenant of St. George, informs her that the Covenant is on their way to assess the city's readiness for a cryptid purge. With everything and everyone she loves on the line, there's no way Verity can take that lying down.

My thoughts:

I will always just compare these with the Toby books, cos they are just not as good. They are still good, just not AS good.

Here Verity fights the wicked Covenant, Sarah has her own POV for a time, lots of cool cryptids, Dominic has to make up his mind where he belongs and the MICE! Yes I adore the talking Mice.

So there is action, a bit of romance/drama and just life in general for a woman saving good guys and hunting baddies.

I was a bit disappointed at the end, not cos of the book, but because I read that book 3 will be about Alex. Who we have only heard about so far. So no more Verity, I guess this was goodbye. I only hope he has some mice too ;)

Cover:

Ok

InCryptid #2
Urban fantasy
Mass Market Paperback, 328 pagesPublished March 5th 2013 by DAW
Own

Review: Legacy of Kings - Celia Friedman

The young peasant woman Kamala has proven strong and determined enough to claim the most powerful Magister sorcery for herself-but now the Magisters hunt her for killing one of their own. Her only hope of survival lies in the northern Protectorates, where spells are warped by a curse called the Wrath that even the Magisters fear. Originally intended to protect the lands of men from creatures known only as souleaters, the Wrath appears to be weakening-and the threat of this ancient enemy is once more falling across the land.

My thoughts:

I fiiiiinally learnt what Colivar had been hiding. Thanks a lot Colivar, you could have told us before...haha, I love him.

Right, the beginning was a bit confusing and jumpy but then it got better. Colivar is thinking about saving the world. Salvatore is the same religious ass as always, queen Gwen kicks some serious butt, Kalima is conspiring with Colivar and the witch queen is being a real witch.

The whole book is leading up to the final battle and the whole what are magisters thing. There will be battles, revelations and oh who cares, I just wanted to read about Colivar. Ever since they killed A in book 1 Colivar was all I cared for ;)

Conclusion:

A good end to this series.

Cover

Looks good, but boring

The Magister trilogy #3
Fantasy
Paperback, 624 pages
Published October 4th 2012 by Orbit (first published September 6th 2011)
Library

Interview and Giveaway: Grace Burrowes and Darius

Today's guest is Grace Burrowes and she is here to talk about her new book Darius.

1. Could you tell me 3 fun things about yourself?

Grace Burrowes: I used to manage horseshows. I published a column in Runner’s World magazine about what I learned coming in last (EVERYBODY cheers for you). I started baking brownies when I was seven years old.

2. What can we expect in your new book, Darius?

Grace Burrowes: A bit of the unexpected. Darius is the most heartsore, lost hero I’ve written, at least at the beginning of the book, but it means his happily ever after is one of the sweetest.

3. What was the inspiration that lead to this series?

Grace Burrowes: Well, the previous series. As I wrote about the eight Windham siblings and their parents, the Duke and Duchess of Moreland, various secondary characters kept trying to steal scenes, and then steal entire books. When a character has that much of a gravitational field, he gets his own book.

4. And what will come next in this series?

Grace Burrowes: Darius is the flagship hero for a long string of loosely connected Regency romances, the next three of which feature Nicholas Haddonfield (who marries Darius’ sister), and Nick’s two brothers, Ethan and Beckman. Other books in the series spin off from those books, then from those books….  Sometimes I think of these not so much as series books as the literary equivalent of spider plants. Always, a new shoot…

5. I need to know, if this was a movie, who would play the leading couple?

Grace Burrowes: That’s a tough one. For Darius we need lots of schmoulder… Maybe Michael Fassbender doing a slightly darker-haired Mr. Rochester, and for Vivian… maybe Anne Hathaway. This may be a question the readers are better equipped to answer than I am, because I’m movie-avoidant.

6. If you for some reason could not write historical romance, is there any other genre you’d love to try?

Grace Burrowes: A travelogue of Scotland would sure be fun!

Giveaway:

1 copy of Darius

1. Open to Everyone! Everywhere in the world

2. Ends May 5th

3. Just enter :)

DARIUS BY GRACE BURROWES – IN STORES APRIL 2013

A story that breaks all the rules...

Darius is a remarkable and romantic tale of desperation, devotion, and redemption from award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes. Her gorgeous writing and lush Regency world will stay with you long after you turn the final page…

With his beloved sister tainted by scandal, his widowed brother shattered by grief, and his funds cut off, Darius Lindsey sees no option but to trade his company for coin, all but selling his favors. Until the day he encounters lovely, beguiling Lady Vivian Longstreet, whose tenderness and understanding wrap his soul in a grace he knows he’ll never deserve…

Praise for Darius:

“Burrowes brings to life a deeply moving romance that’s sure to be remembered and treasured.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick

“This rising author handles powerful romance and complicated family life with skill in romances with great appeal.” —Booklist

“Burrowes creates her usual intelligent characters, exciting chemistry, and flowing dialogue...” —Publishers Weekly

“Very compelling... Likable characters with enough angst to keep the story moving along.” —Night Owl Reviews, 4.5 stars, Reviewer Top Pick

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes’ bestsellers include The Heir, The Soldier, Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal, Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish and Lady Eve's Indiscretion. The Heir was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2010, The Soldier was a PW Best Spring Romance of 2011, Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish won Best Historical Romance of the Year in 2011 from RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight was a Library Journal Best Book of 2012, and The Bridegroom Wore Plaid was a PW Best Book of 2012. Her Regency romances have received extensive praise, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Grace is branching out into short stories and Scotland-set Victorian romance with Sourcebooks. She is a practicing family law attorney and lives in rural Maryland. For more information, please visit www.graceburrowes.com.

To purchase Darius:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books-a-Million

IndieBound

Indigo/Chapters

Discover a New Love

Sourcebooks

Lady Scoundrels' review Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovich

Lady Scoundrels are back, and on Friday :) Today we review:

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovich

If you have to sum this novel up in no more than three words what would you say?

Ram: And don’t you dare to use “Harry” and “Potter.” (<- My contribution) i.e. Not Harry Potter.

Blod: Lol, I would never think it. This was nothing like that weird little kid

Ana: It was exactly like that weird little kid but slightly older and in a uniform ;p.

Blod: Behave ;)

Ana: Let me rephrase it: Little Adult Wizard. Satisfied?

Do you think it is a good idea to mix magic and contemporary technology/science?

Ram: Of course it is. I want to see authors trying to work out where the limits go. What was magic to people from a few centuries ago is technology for us, what’s magic to us...

Blod: Yes I do.

Ana: Magic is indeed like a more advanced technology. Just smarter ;p.

There are some Latin quotes in this novel and magicians’ spells are also spoken in that language. Did it disturb you? Why, in your opinion, literary magicians love Latin so much?

Blod: Nope, why would it?  But yes why use Latin. I mean come one, was there no magic before that?

Ana: It seems like Latin was magical per se whereas it is just another dead language. Why not Greek or Hebrew? It bothers me a bit and it makes me laugh sometimes too.

Ram: It didn’t bother me, but I sort of wish they didn’t use it either. I generally dislike all spells that are not spoken in the language that the characters use. I dislike all spells spoken out loud.

Rivers of London (the UK) vs Midnight Riot (the US)- why do you think  the US editor felt the need to change the original title?

Blod: Oh this bothered me, the US title is just so much more US. And the cover does not fit the feel at all.

Ana: Midnight Riot left me with one big ‘WTF’ in my head. It is rather condescending to think that the American readers can’t deal with the original title i.e. understand it properly.

Ram: I just think that when Americans start changing things they never change them for the better. 

Ana: Different not always means better, unfortunately.

Blod: Just think about when they tried to make a British show American, does not work

Who is your favourite character? What do you think of the dynamics between Peter, Lesley and Beverly?

Ram: I didn’t like the triangle set-up but I liked the characters individually. 

Blod: Yes what was up with the triangle that wasn’t a triangle. That felt a bit male. But anyway, I liked them all, but if I have to choose...Nightingale, I wanna know more

Ram: I fear the triangle will be picked up later again in the series, but I haven’t had time to find out. I’ve only read the first chapter of book two. Nightingale, I want to know more but not too much.

Ana: I skipped book two (bad Ana, I know, very very bad) and progressed to the third part but I don’t want to spoil anybody. I didn’t like Beverly, I tolerate Peter and I am fond of Lesley, especially after her little accident which made her...more interesting. The fact that the author didn’t jettison her after that appearance-changing accident is a huge advantage in my view.

Ram: I know...

Would you like to continue the series (there are two more books available and the third is being written)? Why/why not?

Blod: Oh ..must  I answer? Ok then, the answer is no. Sure it was good, just not good enough.

Ram: Yes I would and I am.

Ana: I understand ‘not good enough’ but I am curious and you know what curiosity makes me do...different strange things. So yes, I will read on. However I might skip the second part - I’ve already started the third :p

Which scenes unsettled you the most and why? 

Blod: Nothing unsettled me. Horrible really. But I have been watching the tv show Utopia, ‘nuff said.

Ram: Personally, I wasn’t disturbed but I noticed a couple of things I’d warn my friends about, things I’d put in my review for those who want to know to avoid. Like <spoiler>the baby incident and mutilated corpses.</spoiler>

Ana: I suppose the possession was the ugliest moment but no, it wasn’t ugly enough to make me uncomfortable. I’ve seen and read much worse. Babies...well, I am not a fan of them and the one in the book was just a prop, like that child from the Punch and Judy show. That’s why there are no specific warnings in my review.

Who would you recommend this book to and why?

Blod: I would recommend it, because it felt different, it was well written and there is just something about the Brits. To all UF fans who want more.

Ana: I would recommend it to Harry Dresden fans and people who like London because there’s plenty of London in this series.

Ram: To anyone who asks, really.

Ana: Look, she will be proposing soon ;p.

Note to discussioners: Don’t try to impose word limits. It won’t work.

Note to readers: Until we meet again.

Review: Shadow Walker - Allyson James

Racing her motorcycle down a lonely winter highway, Stormwalker Janet Begay feels the ground collapse beneath her feet. After tumbling two hundred feet into an underground cavern, she manages to escape with help from her sexy dragon-shifter boyfriend, Mick—but not before they disturb some dark forces.

As Janet contends with a hotel inspector intent on putting her out of business, as well as her grandmother, who's taken up residence, Mick's behavior becomes strange and erratic, until he is a clear danger to Janet and her friends. Janet's drag-queen, attitude-ridden magic mirror insists that Mick has been touched by shadows, and the Stormwalker realizes that someone is out to enslave her dragon. Now she must free Mick before he kills her.

My thoughts;

Sometimes I hate a series..why? Well cos I do not have the next book read when I finish! Haha, yes the book ended and I cursed myself for not having the next one. Not that it ended in a cliffie, but cos I just wanted more.

Janet is cool as always. Here she tries to deal with her dragon boyfriend Mick who acts all weird. The hotel is not doing so well and there is always something going on. It's a thrilling ride and a race against the clock. I even liked Nash, I know! He has been such an ass, he still is in the beginning, but he is slowly getting that Janet is good..and weird. I just hated him hounding her all the time.

Everyone else in the cast is good as always and now we see more of her grandmother, who is a very cool old lady.

I never know where to place this series. UF no, Pnr, no, a mix, yes so UFR it is. Cos I do not want to put it in just one genre. Sure there is smexing, but a gal needs smexing too while kicking some series ass.

Conclusion:

I like this series.

Cover

Cool

Stormwalker #3
UFR
Mass Market Paperback, 282 pages
Published June 7th 2011 by Berkley Sensation
Own

Review: Empress - Karen Miller

Her name is Hekat--

And she will be slave to no man.

In a family torn apart by poverty and violence, Hekat is no more than an unwanted mouth to feed, worth only a few coins from a passing slave trader.

But Hekat was not born to be a slave. For her, a different path has been chosen. It is a path that will take her from stinking back alleys to the house of her god, from blood-drenched battlefields to the glittering palaces of Mijak.

My thoughts:

Wow, this book has no heroine, instead it has a cold insane bloodthirsty bitch. She would cut you down for just looking at her. She puts the B in bitch. If I had read this book from another POV I would have hated her and hoped scorpions would feast on her heart, but as it was ..it worked. She was strong, ruthless, and the end, I mean omg, what a fucking bitch! A true anti-heroine. I hope she dies.

The world is harsh, women are less than dirt in some places and priest rule and cast down sinners. Warlords rule districts and the land is cold and bloody. The religion is God and Demons and I do wonder sometimes who is talking to Hekat, demons or God? Because someone sure is. And it's not making her any saner.

The book is also bloody and raw. She is sold as a slave and soon learns a lesson, which seems to make her even more insane. But then she did grow up without a name, often chained to the wall, never spoken too and only referred to as a she-brat. As girls in her part of the worlds were nothing. Also I never get that, the same is true about our crazy world. What are they thinking? You are just gonna end up with men and no women, yeah real clever thinking there.

At the end I want more. Because this world is going to hell. War is tearing the world apart, blood is flowing like rivers and no one is spared. Kids are killed, women are killed, everyone is killed. I must know how it all will end. And I do hope Hekat gets what is coming to her. Because even if she is interesting to read about the final straw did come and I hope God will smite her wicked soul.

Conclusion:

A dark and interesting start to this series.

Cover

Creepy

Godspeaker trilogy #1
Fantasy
Paperback, 717 pages
Published April 1st 2008 by Orbit (first published June 1st 2007)
Own

Review: Unsticky - Sarra Manning

STATE OF GRACE

Money makes the world go round - that's what twenty-something Grace Reeves is learning. Stuck in a grind where everyone's ahead apart from her, she's partied out, disillusioned, and massively in debt. If she's dumped by another rock-band wannabe, squashed by anyone else at her cut-throat fashion job, or chased by any more bailiffs, Grace suspects she'll fall apart...

GRACE UNDER PRESSURE

So when older, sexy and above all, wealthy art-dealer Vaughn appears, she's intrigued against her will. Could she handle being a sugar daddy's arm-candy?

SAVING GRACE

Soon Grace is thrown into a world of money and privilege, at Vaughn's beck and call in return for thousands of pounds in luxurious gifts, priceless clothes - and cash. She's out of her depth. Where's the line between acting the trophy girlfriend, and selling yourself for money? And, more importantly, whatever happened to love?

My thoughts:

What a sticky situation. What to even call this book? Kind of fancy prostitution and self delusion. 

Ok to the start then. Grace meets Vaughn, Vaughn suggests something, they sign the contract. The contract being she will sleep with him, he will pay her to be his mistress. Yes what to call that? I do wonder. But that is what I liked about this book. The grey areas. Because she does start to like him. It does feel like something else. But at the same it's not. He owns her. He shows this too and at times he is a complete ass towards her. That is where the book has dark areas, cos damn, I like him, I do not want too, but I slowly fall and it feels so wrong. I get that she has issues (so many!), but I should know better. At the end we learn more about him too and things do become clearer.

Grey and black. The book is not always pretty. She has her issues, he is demanding. She is in a new world of art, and rich people. But mostly I am just fascinated by this f*ed up "relationship" and wonder how it all will end.

Conclusion:

Interesting to say the least.

Cover

Eh

Contemporary romance / Chick-lit
Paperback, 576 pages
Published August 2nd 2012 by Corgi
Own

Review: Grave Memory - Kalayna Price

As a Grave Witch, Alex solves murders by raising the dead—an ability that comes at a cost, and after her last few cases, that cost is compounding. But her magic isn’t the only thing causing havoc in her life. While she’s always been on friendly terms with Death himself, things have recently become a whole lot more close and personal. Then there’s her sometime partner, agent Falin Andrews, who is under the glamour of the Winter Queen. To top everything off, her best friend has been forever changed by her time spent captive in Faerie.

But the personal takes a backseat to the professional when a mysterious suicide occurs in Nekros City and Alex is hired to investigate. The shade she raises has no memory of the days leading up to his brutal ending, so despite the very public apparent suicide, this is murder. But what kind of magic can overcome the human will to survive? And why does the shade lack the memory of his death? Searching for the answer might mean Alex won’t have a life to remember at all…

My thoughts:

Just because I have a crush on Death this is how I am gonna start:

'O, Death. O, Death.

Won't you spare me over 'til another year?

Well, what is this that I can't see

With ice cold hands takin' hold of me

Well I am death, none can excel

I'll open the door to heaven or hell'

-traditional

Yes he is one of those big crushes cos he is always just there, staring. While Falin is a stupid pretty boy Fae. I am team Death in this one.

Anyway, Alex has a new case. The ghosts are being all weird. So she is investigating. Trying to keep a check on Faerie, and spending some time with her friends. Oh and then there is the whole Falin and Death thing.

I do wonder what she will do about her Fae heritage, which court she will choose, will she find happiness? All questions I really want answers too. But the author is not making it easy for her. Not at all.

Conclusion:

As the next book is not out yet I will sit here waiting cos I want more.

Cover
Nice

Alex Craft #3
Urban Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback, 1st Edition, 373 pages
Published July 3rd 2012 by Roc
Own

Review: The tale of raw head and bloody bones - Jack Wolf

This is a story about Tristan Hart, set in the 1700’s England. But in this story, there are not only humans, but also gypsies, goblins and things like that. He grows up, living with his father, his little sister Jane and spends his days with his best friend Nathaniel Ravenscroft. Tristan is a brilliant young man who, when he becomes a young man, spends a lot of time reading books about philosophy and other subjects. His father gets him private tutors. 

Other people look at Tristan and see a young man with a troubled mind. They think he is mad. Tristan hears very loud drumming in his head, something the others can’t hear. They give him medicine and orders him to rest. He has several epidodes where he tries to attack people.

Tristan has a passion for the human body. He wants to understand how the body works, what mind and soul really is. He is also fascinated about pain, what causes it and how to remove the pain.  And he is obsessed with causing pain to others. In his own little laboratory he studies dead animals, cuts them open and carefully document what he is looking at. He preserves them in special liquids and has a large collection of dead animals in jars.

He gets a chance to travel to London to study to become a doctor. Dr. Hunter is his teacher and he has several other students who he teaches. Hunter even let them perform authopsies on real human bodies and later Tristan assists Hunter in a surgery to remove a cancer tumor. 

Tristan works very hard and he is stressed. He spends time on a whorehouse, where he beats up girls, fascinated about the scars he create. He also tries to understand why he can not remember his mother at all. And where did his friend Nathaniel go? Tristan also spends time wondering what Raw Head and Bloody Bones actually means. Both he and his little sister Jane end up getting married. Once he sees a baby with little wings on his back and Tristan can’t help wondering whether that baby is his own. 

It’s a very interesting story. I do recommend it to other people. The only thing I was bothered about, was the language. As it is set in the 1700´s the author uses old school English, with certain words that I could not understand. He also uses a different kind of spelling for many of the words (for example Sunne, which is the sun), and chooses to begin lots of words, inside sentences, with a capital letter. So he writes about searching the ”Keys to the wine Cellar” and ”emerging with a Bottle of port Wine in each Hand”, just to give a few examples. It took a while to get used to the capital letters.  

I give the novel, which is the author’s first novel, a strong 3,5 out of 5. What brought the marks down was the language that I described earlier. 

Paperback, 560 pages
Published March 26th 2013 by Penguin Books (first published January 1st 2013)
Historical fiction, thriller
For review

Review: Second Glances - Alexa Adams

A year has passed since the conclusion of First Impressions, and the marriages made by the three eldest Bennet ladies are prospering. Expectations are high for the two youngest sisters to do equally well. Kitty, having excelled in school, receives an invitation to join Georgiana Darcy in her first London season, leaving Lydia to bear the burden of the classroom alone. Will the most forward Bennet tolerate such inequity?

Kitty arrives in London prepared to be happy, but her delight is marred when she finds a most unwelcome gentleman on intimate terms with her hosts. She has met the reckless Sir James Stratton before and would like nothing more than to never encounter him again, but his acquaintance she is forced to endure. Struggling for firm footing amidst the whirlwind of London society, will Kitty be allowed to follow her heart, or will her family force her hand? Join the reimagined cast of Pride and Prejudice as they pursue happiness amidst the ongoing obstacles of life, love, and interfering relations.

My thoughts:

Awwwwwwww, can I just let my review be that, awwww :)

Ok ok I will say something more. I just got the same feelings as I did with her other book. It was just so sweet and wonderful. It's a book that will make you happy. Sure there is some drama and doubt, but most of all it's just sweet in the most perfect way. Sweet that will make you smile and hope for the best for these young lovers.

This is then Kitty's book, and she meets a very eligible bachelor by mistake and wants nothing to do with him. Sir James is smitten and the dance these two dance. Kitty is rather like Lizzy and he will be the wiser. I really like how she portrays Kitty, it's the way I wanted to see Kitty, who was always in Lydia's shadow.

It's truly a perfect PP variation. I started reading it and did not put it down before I finished it. I could see Austen writing a sequel like this.

Conclusion:
Utterly charming.

 

Cover: Cute

Pride and Prejudice sequel

Paperback, 172 pages

Published February 25th 2013 by Outskirts Press

For review

Review: Darius - Grace Burrowes

Desperate, penniless, and shunned by his wealthy father, Darius Lindsey begins offering himself secretly to jaded society ladies. He hangs onto his last shreds of honor, but he's losing ground financially each month.

That is until the aging Lord William Longstreet makes Darius an offer he can't refuse: get the Lord's pretty young wife-of-convenience, Lady Vivian, pregnant discreetly, and he will earn enough money to never want again. But problems lie ahead when the stunning Vivian captures his heart, and his clients refuse to let him go. Can Darius untangle himself without scandal and offer himself to Vivian heart and soul?

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this one,  a whore falls in love, awww true love. But they sure gotta work for it.

Right, the whore, ok escort, cos there are certain things he just wont do. Until the right price. Darius must knock up Lady Vivian, cos her nice husband pays for it. Drama!

Lady Vivian is so sweet, so kind, a bit clueless, not seeing what she is worth and I liked her. Because she is just so innocent. She will also do whatever her husband tells her (to save the title when he dies).

Darius is an escort *coughs whore*. He is kind too and he does want to do right by her. But the situation he is in, sticky. I felt sorry for him. Poor guy. Sometimes you just do too much.

This book is, well I do not want to say too much. She needs to get pregnant. She is married. This is a month only thing and then they will part. Darius has his own problems. There is an ass waiting in the shadows (isn't there always). And there will be more drama, heartache and happiness promised.

Conclusion:

A very sweet story about longing.

Lonely Lords #1
Historical romance
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Published April 2nd 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
For review

Review: Kitty and the Midnight Hour - Carrie Vaughn

Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station - and a werewolf in the closet. Her new late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged is a raging success, but it's Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew?

My thoughts:

Talk about coming to the party late. And then I looked at how many books are out and went all nooooooo! Yes there are A LOT of Kitty books out. I know that should make me dance around in lala land but it just makes me scared. I liked this one, but will I still like book 9, eh, I doubt it. Most books just seem to get worse with time. But I will still give it a go cos I am intrigued.

The whole premise is a bit, well Kitty Kitty, you are exposing everyone? One would think everyone would be out to get her. Still it was a cool way for her to have her show. I also liked her because she is learning to be kick-ass, but she is still a whimpering wolf when it comes to some in the pack. It was good to see her learn to stand on her own. Because she is both treated bad and good.

Sidekicks then, a cool werewolf hunter, pack members, a vampire friend (though these two races mostly hate each other). Everyone giving a bit of color to this book.

Conclusion:

And then it ended and I wanted more. I am curious about Kitty and what this will turn into.

Kitty Norville #1
Mass Market Paperback, 259 pages
Published November 1st 2005 by Grand Central Publishing
My own

urban fantasy

Review: Thrill Ride - Julie Ann Walker

He's Gone Rogue

Ex-Navy SEAL Rock Babineaux’s job is to get information, and he’s one of the best in the business. Until something goes horribly wrong and he’s being hunted by his own government. Even his best friends at the covert special-ops organization Black Knights Inc. aren’t sure they can trust him. He thinks he can outrun them all, but his former partner—a curvy bombshell who knows just how to drive him wild—refuses to cut him loose.

She Won't Back Down

Vanessa Cordova hasn’t been the team’s communication specialist

very long, but she knows how to read people—no way is Rock guilty of murder. And she’ll go to hell and back to help him prove it. Sure, the sexy Cajun has his secrets, but there’s no one in the world she’d rather have by her side in a tight spot. Which is good, because they’re about to get very tight…

My thoughts:

This is a book about running, running for your life and making out in the jungle a bit ;)

Rock is a member of the Black Knights and made a few mistakes. Now he is running. He also have some issues from the past that makes him not wanna love again. You can see where I am going with this.

Vanessa is also a member of the Black Knights, just not the shooting and fighting kind of Knight. No, she is smart, and knows her languages. She also likes Rock a lot, and jumps at the chance to find him as the Knights and the CIA are trying to catch him. We all know she is gonna find him so I am just gonna tell you she does. There is running, hiding, bad guys gunning for them and the whole conspiracy why he is on the run is slowly emerging. And of course there is the "romance", that is she wants to, he does not.

Conclusion:

A thrilling book about a man not ready for love, and one woman sure ready to give him the world.

Cover

Eh

Black Knights Inc #4
Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Published April 2nd 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
For review

Review: The Magicians' Guild - Trudi Canavan + new blog look

This year, like every other, the magicians of Imardin gather to purge the city of undesirables. Cloaked in the

protection of their sorcery, they move with no fear of the vagrants and miscreants who despise them and their work—until one enraged girl, barely more than a child, hurls a stone at the hated invaders... and effortlessly penetrates their magical shield.

What the Magicians' Guild has long dreaded has finally come to pass. There is someone outside their ranks who possesses a raw power beyond imagining, an untrained mage who must be found and schooled before she destroys herself and her city with a force she cannot yet control.

My thoughts:

 I am not gonna say much, I have a fever (at the time when I wrote this, not now)  and I still want to finish this review.

It was a nice fantasy tale about a young girl on the run as she is discovered to be a magician. She is scared they will kill her. We do get to see the conflicts in society that way. Not all is well, actually some have it really crappy.

So we have a story about running for your life. I liked the main characters and after I finished I did want more. It seemed like a nice world and I wonder how it will turn out for Sonea.

cover

eh

The Black magican trilogy #1
Paperback, 467 pages
Published January 31st 2004 by Orbit (first published October 24th 2001)
Source: own

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You notice anything different? Take a look around, yes new blog look :D I have wanted a change for a while now but honestly I suuuuuuck at this kind of stuff, so I reached out to the angel who helped me in the beginning and several times afterwards and she listened to my ideas that were all over the place. So thank you Blog angel :)

lol

Review: The Summer He Came Home - Juliana Stone

Sometimes the best place to find love is right back where you started…

Falling asleep in a different bed every night has made it easy for Cain Black to forget his past. It’s been ten years since he packed his guitar and left Crystal Lake to chase his dreams. Now tragedy has forced him home again. And though Cain relishes the freedom of the road, one stolen moment with Maggie O’Rourke makes him wonder if he’s missing out on something bigger than fame.

For Maggie—single mother and newly settled in Crystal Lake—love is a luxury she just can’t afford. Sure, she appreciates the tall, dark and handsome looks of prodigal son Cain Black. But how long can she expect the notorious hellion to stay?

The last thing either of them wants is something complicated. But sometimes love has its own plans.

My thoughts:

Sexy bad boy rocker meets hardworking single mum. What is there not to like?

Cain was not the bad boy everything thinks he is, ok somewhat, but mostly he is kind, loves his friends and is also a hurt cos of what his ex did. I had to like him at once.

Then there is Maggie, she works as a cleaning lady, she loves her son and she certainly knows not to fall for Cain. She is also a bit of a mystery which brought some tension into the drama.

I love a book where the man does the chasing. Cain falls for her, he wants her. But then he is a rocker with a bad rep. Of course anyone would be careful, even if I some times just wanted to shout let go to her, cos come on, he is a hottie ;)

Conclusion:

A romantic drama that brings in suspense too at the ending. But mostly it's about life, love and friendship. A sweet story with heart.

Series: Bad boys of Crystal Lake #1
Genre: Contemporary romance
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Published April 2nd 2013 by Sourcebooks
Source: For review

Review: A Conspiracy of Alchemists - Liesel Schwarz

Eleanor “Elle” Chance is a high-flying dirigible pilot with a taste for adventure. It is 1903, and the world is divided between light and shadow. On the side of light is a wondrous science that has transformed everyday life by harnessing magical energies to ingenious new technologies. But each advance of science has come at the expense of shadow—the traditional realm of the supernatural.

Now two ancient powers are preparing to strike back. Blood-sucking immortal Nightwalkers and their spellcasting Alchemist allies have a plan to cover the whole world in shadow. 

But when they come after Elle, they get more than they bargained for. This enterprising young woman, the daughter of a scientific genius, has reserves of bravery and determination that even she scarcely suspects. Now she is about to meet her match in more ways than one: a handsome yet infuriating Warlock named Hugh Marsh, whose agenda is as suspect as his charms are annoyingly irresistible.

My thoughts

I have actually never read a steampunk that takes place in the early 1900s, so that was different. Because new things were already on the move, but then this book also mixes magic and tech. The world is divided into Light and Shadow. Magic and new inventions. And things have gone wrong in the past when one side has grown too strong.

Elle our heroine was strong and a woman pilot. She went for what she wanted and got it. The hero, Marsh is mysterious and someone she comes into contact with when she is hired to bring a parcel to England. He is a warlock, she does not believe in that nonsense. He has secrets, she is annoyed by that. He wants to tell her something, she starts to fall. Yes you see my point, they are quite the pair.

These two will have quite the adventure as..things happens. Again I will leave it at that. There will be magic, bad guys, vampires, an absinthe fairy and flying.

I enjoyed the story. It was light and the story always moved forward with a good pace, and threw a few surprises too.

Conclusion:

The end was good too as it was a solid ending that I could live with. It did not end with a horrid cliffhanger, but still left a big danger still to come.

Cover

Cool

Series: The Chronicles of Light and Shadow #1
Genre: Steampunk
Pages: 375
Published: Feb 2013 by Del Rey UK
Source: for review

Review: Osiris - E.J.Swift

Osiris is a lost city. She has lost the world and the world has lost her. 

Adelaide Rechnov, wealthy socialite and granddaughter of the Architect, spends her time in pointless luxury, rebelling against her family in a series of jaded social extravagances and scandals until her twin brother disappears in mysterious circumstances. 

Vikram Bai lives in the Western Quarter, home to the poor decedents of storm refugees and effectively quarantined from the wealthy elite. His people live with cold and starvation, but the brutal winter coming promises civil unrest, and a return to the riots of previous years. 

Brought together by circumstance and fate, these two very different people attempt to bridge the divide lurking at the heart of Osiris, but who is using whom, and what secrets will they uncover?

My thoughts:

Osiris was a dream that turned to dust, but then what kind of dystopia post-apocalyptic book would we have if everything did not go to hell?

In this world storms and well everything really turned the world to a wasteland and Osiris was a refuge for some. The rest of the world is dead..or is it? (no really is it? I wanna know!! I guess I have to wait until book 2 for that). But this Oasis is not a happy place. There are citizens who have it all, and then refuges behind a wall who has nothing and freeze to death. The perfect setting to cause some conflict. Especially since our heroine is a spoiled rich girl and the hero a poor Westerner.

The premise is interesting. A city eating itself, but some being to close-minded to see it. A world where I wonder if anyone is alive in the world? Because the rich have secrets.

The characters are not exactly lovable. Adelaide is rich and spoiled, and obsessed with finding her lost brother. Vikram on the other hand is nice, but maybe a bit naive. Sometimes you just have to storm the barricades. But they grow on you.

Conclusion:

Osiris has a pace of it's own, it moves slowly, like a dream but always forward and never slowing down that it would get boring. And when it ends I do wonder, what's next? I enjoyed it.

Cover:

Ok

Series; The Osiris project #1
Genre: Post-apocalyptic, dystopia
Pages: 448
Published: February 2013 by Del Rey UK
Source for review

Interview and Giveaway: Julie Ann Walker

Today I have Julie Ann Walker over for an interview :) And there is a giveaway at the end.

1. Could you tell me 3 fun things about yourself?

Julie Ann Walker: Fun?  Who has time for fun?  My evil editor tries to keep me on a strict deadline.  *wink, wink*  No, but seriously, I do try to have fun when I can.  For instance, I love to cook.  LOVE IT!  I cook almost every day.  I find everything about the process soothing: the chopping, the sautéing, the basting, the sounds, the smells, the tastes.  It's my way to unwind.  And then, of course, when I combine what I've cooked with a nice glass of Cabernet or Chardonnay I really unwind.  ;-)   

I also love to ride my bicycle.  And when the weather is nice in Chicago - which only happens about six months out of the year; the other six months are winter - I can be found out on the bike trail almost every day.  The sunshine glints off of the cerulean blue of Lake Michigan.  The other riders are always smiling.  The warm wind blows through my hair.  I work off some of the calories from my dinner and wine.  Ahhhh.  *happy sigh*  

And lastly, I love to travel.  My husband and I have a bucket list that includes visiting one hundred countries before we die.  Currently we're sitting at around the forty-two mark, which means we've seen a lot, but it also means we have a long way to go yet.  (This photo shows me hiking The Great Wall of China with my guide.)

2. What can we expect in your new book, Thrill Ride?

Julie Ann Walker: Oh, you know… the usual.  Thrills, chills, flying bullets, a shadowy villain, motorcycle chases, and hot sex.  LOL!  Seriously though, you can expect a race through a Costa Rican jungle, a mysterious antagonist who's pulling… no, more like yanking… the strings, and hot sex.  <- I always have to throw in a little of that.  :-D  

3. Now for the weird question, if Rock was candy (or anything sweet, yummy) what would he be?

Julie Ann Walker: Well, that's easy.  He'd be rock candy, of course!  LOL!  He's a little bit tough to take at first.  But once you get past his rough exterior?  He's sweet and delicious and guaranteed to melt in your mouth!  Yum-my!   

4. Will there be more Black Knights books? If not, then what is your next project?

Julie Ann Walker: Absolutely there will be more Black Knights books to come.  I recently signed another three-book deal with my publisher, which will put the total number of contracted books at eight.  But I envision continuing to write the series until every Black Knight gets his/her happily-ever-after. *fingers crossed*  

5. It's hard to choose, but who is your favorite Knight? The one you would want?

Julie Ann Walker: I must admit, Ozzie is my favorite.  I always say that all of the Black Knights are modeled,

in some small way, after my own sweet, supportive husband.  But Ozzie - with his love of Star Trek and 80's music, with his wry sense of humor and the fact that he's a combination of techno geek and warrior - is a very close approximation to Mr. Walker himself.  (This is a photo of Mr. Walker.  And those are Star Trek cuff links.  Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock respectively.  LOL!)

  

6. I need to know, if this was a movie, who would play the leading couple?

Oooh, I love this question.  Well, I'd have to choose Ethan Hawke to play Rock.  He's got the right hair color, body type, etc.  Plus, I've heard Ethan speak French, which would go a loooong way in lending authenticity to Rock's Cajun-French heritage.  As for Vanessa Cordero, I'd go with Catalina Sandino Moreno.  She's not well known… yet.  But she's a wonderful actress, and I think she epitomizes Vanessa's overall look and bearing.  

Thanks!

Giveaway:

1 copy of Rev it up

1. US and Canada only

2. Ends April 13th

3. Just comment and enter :)

And be free to ask questions.

THRILL RIDE BY JULIE ANN WALKER – IN STORES APRIL 2013

He’s Gone Rogue… 

Ex-navy SEAL Rock Babineaux is as Cajun as they come—spicy, sexy, and more than a bit wicked. But would he actually betray his country? Even his best friends on the special-ops Black Knights team aren't sure they can trust him. Now the target of a massive manhunt, Rock knows the only way to protect the team—especially his partner, Vanessa—is to run...

She Won’t Back Down… 

Rock might think he can outmaneuver them all, but he hasn't counted on how stubborn Vanessa Cordero can be. And she refuses to cut him loose. Sure, her partner has his secrets, but there's no one in the world she'd rather have by her side in a tight spot. Which is good because she and Rock are about to get very tight...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Ann Walker is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Black Knights Inc. romantic suspense series. She is prone to spouting movie quotes and song lyrics. She'll never say no to sharing a glass of wine or going for a long walk. She prefers impromptu travel over the scheduled kind, and she takes her coffee with milk. You can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission. Look for the first four books in her fast-paced series: Hell On Wheels (August 2012) In Rides Trouble (September 2012) Rev It Up (October 2012) and Thrill Ride (April 2013). For more information, please visit www.julieannwalker.com or follow her on Facebook www.facebook.com/jawalkerauthor and/or Twitter @JAWalkerAuthor.

To Purchase Thrill Ride

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books-a-Million

IndieBound

Target

Sourcebooks

Discover a New Love

Review. The Kingdom of Gods - N.K. Jemisin

For two thousand years the Arameri family has ruled the world by enslaving the very gods that created mortalkind. Now the gods are free, and the Arameri's ruthless grip is slipping. Yet they are all that stands between peace and world-spanning, unending war. 

Shahar, last scion of the family, must choose her loyalties. She yearns to trust Sieh, the godling she loves. Yet her duty as Arameri heir is to uphold the family's interests, even if that means using and destroying everyone she cares for.

As long-suppressed rage and terrible new magics consume the world, the Maelstrom -- which even gods fear -- is summoned forth. Shahar and Sieh: mortal and god, lovers and enemies. Can they stand together against the chaos that threatens?

My thoughts:

I really should write a review the minute I finish the book, even if I am just a day late I feel all meh. Anyway...

This is the last book in this trilogy and it's about Sieh, the kid, the trickster, the lonely one. He is, yes how to describe him? Like I said, a trickster. He can play one minute, rip people to pieces the next if they anger him. Godlings do what they want.

Then he meats Sharar and Deka. Siblings, one heir to the world. I can't say more here cos the consequences echoes through out the whole book, they are the whole book. They are two proud kids cos they are after all Arameri. But they can also be loving, jealous and I will say no more.

There is also a shadow player in this book. A story I liked as everything looked so dark.

The book was better than the last, but then the last disappointed me to no end. But it still was not as good as the first, but then the first blew me away with it's language. This one instead is a joy to read because of a good story, complex characters and a world that is old and well done, and a world that needs to change.

Conclusion:

So I would say, good ending to this series. And yes the end, I really liked the end.

Cover
meh

Series: The Inheritance cycle #3
Genre. Fantasy
Pages: 613
Published: 2011 by Orbit
Source. Own

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I did well in the TBR challenge and I am happy :D

Rivers of London by Ben Aronovich

The Emperor's soul by Brandon Sanderson

The kingdom by Amanda Stevens

The prophet by Amanda Stevens

Fair Game by Patricia Briggs

Dark Haven by Gail Z Martin

Black Howl by Christina Henry

Left hand magic by Nancy A Collins

Road trip of the living dead by Mark Henry

The Magician's guild by Trudi Canavan

Kitty and the Midnight hour by Carrie Vaughn

Grave Memory by Kalayna Price

The kingdom of Gods by NK Jemisin

Osiris by Ej Swift

(2013 books but still counting)

A red sun also rises by Mark Hodder 

A conspiracy of alchemists by Liesl Schwarz

Etiquette and espionage by Gail Carriger