Steal the Dragon / When Demons Walk - Patricia Briggs

A former slave girl gambles with her freedom to return to the land of her bondage--a world of deadly magic and deception.

My thoughts:

I am slowly going through Brigg's backlist and I am almost done now. This one is part of a series, but at the same time it's a stand alone. It's about a former slave called Rialla, she was a dancer, she ran away. She trained horses and now she has to spy.

When I started the book I thought the next book would be about her too, but now, this is a one deal book. Rialla has to figure out and protect someone who wants to end slavery. It will be dangerous as she has to pretend to be a slave again. She has help (I liked her help). And then in the end they will have figured it all out and everyone has a sort of happy ending. Everyone is happy, it's, something is still growing.

Conclusion:

A really light fantasy, short, quick and enjoyable

Cover

Works, she pretends to be a slave dancer after all

Mass Market Paperback, 288 pages
Published by Ace (first published November 1995)
Sianim #2
Fantasy
Own

Sham had spent most of her young life as a sorceress and thief, stealing from Southwood's nobility to survive. Now she must face the greatest test of her skills...

A killer has struck Southwood, claiming the lives of nobles. Lord Kerim, Reeve of Southwood, turns to Sham for help. Posing as his mistress, she delves behind castle walls to find the killer. But this murderer is no mortal--and Sham must use all of her magical wisdom to send the demon away. Because the city of Southwood has nowhere to hide--and no time to run...

My thoughts:

This one was fun, light, and made me wish it there were more books. This one is a stand alone too. Yes it connects to Dragon, but it takes place years after it. In another part of the world and with other characters.

Sham is a thief who gets asked to help when people are dying left and right. She is also a sorceress and knows a demon is loose. Her country has been taken over by invaders and now she must help them. Tricky. Not to mention I kept hoping she and Kerim would hook up. 

She pretends to be a mistress (quite good at it),  and she hunts for a demon. We get the understand a bit what has happened and then it ends. Sad sad day. Yes the story ends, no loose threads. But what happens then to everyone? I feel like Briggs needs to finish the UF books I love, and then write another Sianim story too.

Conclusion:

Light fantasy

Cover

She wears something like that so it works

Mass Market Paperback, Reissue, 272 pages
Published by Ace (first published January 1st 1998)
Sianim #3
Fantasy
Own

The Novice / The High Lord - Trudi Canavan

Alone among all the novices in the Magicians' Guild, only Sonea comes from lowly beginnings. Yet she has won powerful allies—including Lord Dannyl, newly promoted to Guild Ambassador. But Dannyl must now depart for the Elyne court, leaving Sonea at the mercy of the lies and malicious rumors her enemies are busy spreading. .. until the High Lord Akkarin steps in. The price of Akkarin's support is dear, however, because Sonea, in turn, must protect his mysteries—and a secret that could lead a young novice mage deep into the darkness. Meanwhile, Dannyl's first order to resume High Lord Akkarin's long-abandoned research into ancient magical knowledge is setting him on an extraordinary journey fraught with unanticipated peril—as he moves ever-closer to a future both wondrous . .. and terrible.

My thoughts:

This book dealt with bullying and it was horrible reading at times. My heart really went out to Sonea. Kids can be so cruel! Taunting, physical abuse, they never stopped it just got worse. Oh how I wished she had thrown them off a roof. But anything she would have done would not have worked. Others believed the bully first. I hope he dies a fiery death.

Yes so the first year at the university for magic is hard. Not to mention that she must avoid the High Lord as she knows he likes black magic. Things will not be easy for her. 

Another character goes on a journey to look for hidden clues about the dark one, and here the book also addresses homosexuality. One country firmly opposed it, one country was not against it, but not for it either and a third he visits do not mind it. It was different. She sure brought forth some issues in this one.

Conclusion:

Still it was a light book that I could read fast.

Cover

Pretty sure that is a man, one would think Sonea could be on the cover

Paperback, 577 pages
Published July 1st 2004 by Orbit (first published 2002)
The Black Magician Trilogy #2
Fantasy
own

Sonea has learned much since she was but a penniless urchin possessing an awesome untapped ability. She has earned the grudging respect of her fellow novices and a place in the Magicians' Guild. But there is much she wishes she had never learned—what she witnessed, for example, in the underground chamber of the mysterious High Lord Akkarin . . . and the knowledge that the Guild is being observed closely by an ancient fearsome enemy.

Still, she dares not ignore the terrifying truths the High Lord would share with her, even though she fears it may be base trickery, a scheme to use her astonishing powers to accomplish his dark aims. For Sonea knows her future is in his hands—and that only in the shadows will she achieve true greatness . . . if she survives.

My thoughts:

How much can I say without spoiling it all? In this book we learn something big about Akkarin, Sonea's master. And something I did not see coming happened. I was all what?! Huh, ok I can deal with this. This is actually pretty good. Yes I went through some emotions here. And the end, that was the one part I did not like. It only made me sad.

Ok I am supposed to say anything? Something big happens...this is really hard. I can't say anything. Oh forget it all. I will try something else instead.

Characters: Sonea is good. I got surprised cos I started to like Akkarin.

Story. Like I said, big things are happening and there is quite the showdown.

Conclusion: I saw that there is another series about Sonea taking part like 20 years after this or something. I do want to read that one too. I'd like to see how Sonea fares :)

Conclusion

Good, light fantasy

Cover

In this one Sonea gets to be on the cover, but she is dressed like some kind of courtesan

Paperback, 531 pages
Published August 31st 2004 by Harper Voyager (first published December 18th 2002)
The Black Magician Trilogy #3
Fantasy
Own

The Major's Daughter - J.P.Francis

April, 1944.  The quiet rural village of Stark, New Hampshire is irrevocably changed by the arrival of 150 German prisoners of war.  And one family, unexpectedly divided, must choose between love and country.

Camp Stark is under the command of Major John Brennan, whose beautiful daughter, Collie, will serve as translator. Educated at Smith and devoted to her widowed father, Collie is immediately drawn to Private August Wahrlich, a peaceful poet jaded by war. As international conflict looms on the home front, their passion blinds them to the inevitable dangers ahead.

Inspired by the little-known existence of a real World War II POW camp, The Major’s Daughter is a fresh take on the timeless theme of forbidden love.

My thoughts:

Forbidden love that never can really bloom, what can be more heartbreaking? This is the story of a POW camp in New Hampshire, where German soldiers are put to work in the woods. I had no idea that there were POW camps in the States. I did know about imprisoning their own citizens though, but dragging the Germans from France, nope, new to me.

Collie is as the title says the major's daughter and she is going to work at Camp Stark as a camp translator. And when the prisoners come one catches her eye. It's a story of stolen glances, a few words here and there, longer talks until they realize that this is is love. But Collie knows she should not do this, and someone else is also courting her. A safe and nice man.

The book is not only about them, her friend Estelle has her own romance that cannot be. I liked how the author made Estelle think longer into the book. I can't really say much, but it says a lot about how women were made to think. Not in a good way.

The war ravages Europe, and there are conflicts at Camp Stark too. Conflicts between the prisoners, as all are  of course not nazis. Some are just men having to fight for their country. But there are also those that do not want them here, and there is one scene that broke me. People can be such idiots.

The book got sad too. Tear worthy sad. I was shocked. But it can't really be a dance on roses as this is about war after all.

Conclusion:

An interesting look at a POW camp. Romance and just trying to do what is best for you, even if that is in the end the wrong choice

Cover

nice

Paperback, 400 pages
Published July 29th 2014 by Plume
Historical fiction
For review

Sins of the Demon - Diana Rowland

Louisiana homicide detective Kara Gillian is doing her best to cope with everything that's happened to her over the past year, all while s continuing to hone her skills as a demon summoner. But lately she's beginning to wonder if there's a little too much demon in her world. She has a demon for a roommate, the demonic lord Rhyzkahl is still interested in her for reasons she can't fathom, and now someone in the demon realm is trying to summon her. And there's no way that can end well.

Meanwhile, people who've hurt Kara in the past are dropping dead. Kara is desperate to find the reasons for the deaths to clear her own name, but when she realizes there's an arcane pattern to the deaths, she knows that both the human and the demon worlds may be at risk unless she finds out who's behind it all. She's in a race against the clock and in a battle for her life that just may take her to hell and back.

My thoughts:

Omg, omg, omg, omg, omg! There I said it...I have to say more? But I already said it, omg!!! I raced through the whole book and then the end. I kicked myself for not having the next book, and then I ordered it at once. Now I have to wait DAYS!  DAYS I tell you for it to arrive. I am dying here. I am dying for that ending was brutal. BRUTAL. If I was not a fangirl of Rowland I certainly became one now. And Kara Gillian turned into one of my fav UF series around.

Ok here is where I tell you something about the story line. But I have not really gotten over the ending yet. Now that was a cliffhanger, pure evil and good. It made me want the next book like crazy, it made me love the series. It made me come to some conclusions (I do not know if I am right but if, eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!)

Story *thinks about the end again*. I can't, the end! Ok, pull it together girl! People are dying and the only connection is Kara. She needs to figure it out. We learn things. Someone is after Kara. There *thinks about the ending again*.

Conclusion:

Ok just READ this book. Start this series now.

Cover

good

Mass Market Paperback, 311 pages
Published January 3rd 2012 by DAW
Kara Gillian #4
Urban fantasy
own

The Scribe / The Singer - Elizabeth Hunter

Hidden at the crossroads of the world, an ancient race battles to protect humanity, even as it dies from within.

Ava Matheson came to Istanbul looking for answers, but others came looking for her. A reckless warrior guards her steps, but will Malachi’s own past blind him to the truth of who Ava might be? While ancient forces gather around them, both Ava and Malachi search for answers. 

Whispering voices. Deadly touch. Their passion should be impossible... or it could be the only thing that will keep them alive.

My thoughts:

I really should find some kind of short review format, you know, for when you want it short, when you are out of time, or when you should be doing something else ;) But for some reason it never is as short as I want.

Ok let's see.

Story:

There is a world unknown to us. Where strangers lurk in the shadows. Who are they, what are they? Ok so it's the old boy meets girl, boy saves girl, girl falls for boy but something bigger is going on story. And I sure wanted to know what.

World.

Interesting build-up, a bit more info each time. I like the world.

Hero:

Your usual kind of hero, Malachi is strong, a bit brooding, protective and wants his woman.

Heroine:

She, well ok one thing bugged me but I got over it. It does make sense. Anyway. She has issues. But she tries to be strong and independent. 

End:

Holy F how evil. Luckily I read the prologue for the next book at once.

Conclusion:

Interesting concept. But sad in a way, cos of the whole how their world are.

ebook, 306 pages
Published October 15th 2013 by E. Hunter
Irin Chronicles #1
Paranormal romance
Own

When you've lost everything you love, how do you fight the darkness?

Ava left Istanbul with a new identity, new name, and new magic she could barely control. Laid low by Malachi's sacrifice, she searches for help from the fabled Irina. But will the secretive women of the Irin race welcome or shun her? Ava's origins are still a mystery, and her powers are darker than any they've encountered before.

The Irin world hangs in the balance. And as the children of angels battle their own demons, ancient rivalries among the Fallen threaten to wreak havoc on earth.

Thousand of miles away, a warrior wakes with no memory of his identity or his people. Stumbling though the dark and twisted schemes of fallen angels, ravenous Grigori, and even his own leaders, he must find a way back to the one thing he remembers. A single voice calls him. Malachi has one mission.

"Come back to me."

My thoughts:

I did like book 1 a bit more because of where the story took place and because of the build up. Also because Ava annoyed me in this one :/

So Mal is dead, no he is not. He is back and has amnesia. Being all good and well good as always. And trying to find Ava. All while Ava is in Norway missing him. No annoyance there yet, that comes when they meet. I mean honestly girl! I am gonna smack you over the head! You do not deserve him. At that point I wish he had left her.

The story stagnates a bit as it gets repetitive when they all wonder over and over who her parents are. Ok I get it, we do not know. Now I just freaking wanna know. The end gives a clue. Intriguing.

I like the angels, those guys are bad. Hehe, they are my favorites. 

cover

Both good

Ebook, 336 pages
Published May 6th 2014 by CreateSpace
Irin Chronicles #2
Paranormal romance
Own

Book Blog Walkers Weekly Check-in July 25 2014

This challenge is organized by Felicia over at the Geeky Blogger's Book Blog.

Saturday 1,5 hour bike
Sunday - 30 min walk
Monday - 1,5 hour walk
Tuesday - 30 min walk
Wednesday -5 km bike 
Thursday - 25 km bike 
Friday 30 min walk

A rather slow week, but it has been so hot! We have been out in the evenings, when it's a bit cooler. Not so much, but a bit.

Saturday

Thursday

Cursed by Destiny - Cecy Robson

Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls—with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, weird…...

Celia’s a girl in trouble.  Her heart is bound to Aric, but he is a pureblood were who must deny her or risk condemning his species to extinction.  And that’s just her love life. She’s also been called to take down a group of demon terrorists looking to overthrow the paranormal world. (No pressure.)

In order to bring them down, Celia must ally herself to Misha, the master vampire who has made no secret of his desire for her. And if that weren’t enough misfortune for one girl, a clairvoyant’s prediction could destroy Celia and Aric’s love for good. The only way to protect the world from unbridled supernatural terrorism is for Celia to bind herself to her destined mate. And that doesn’t appear to be Aric….

My thoughts:

I was angry at Aric for a great deal of this book. He is supposed to marry someone else (cos the wolf leaders are assholes). But he kept coming to Celia, wanting her comfort and I was all hell no! You stay away! Aric was hurting, Celia was hurting. It was painful to read about. I just wanted him to go away, he made it so much worse. I so want to go and kick that one wolf elder in the butt, dang him!

But the book was about other things too ;) I liked Misha for awhile (I still do), I just do not think they should be, sadly no. So Celia is staying there, as everyone else is at the Den, and she is not allowed. Damn assholes.

And then there is the whole plot of course. Someone is after Celia. Lots of different attempts to get her. Demons running around and just all kind of bad guys around.

And the end, first something being said by someone arghhhh. And then something Celia says. Omg, omg! I remembered finishing book 2 and not knowing if there would be a book 4. Now I know, and I am glad I waited a bit longer to read this one cos I really want book 4 now.

Conclusion:

Good series.

Cover

nice

Paperback, 368 pages
Published January 7th 2014 by Signet
Weird Girls #3
Urban fantasy romance
Own

Blood Song - Anthony Ryan

"The Sixth Order wields the sword of justice and smites the enemies of the Faith and the Realm."

 Vaelin Al Sorna was only a child of ten when his father left him at the iron gate of the Sixth Order—a caste devoted to battle. Vaelin will be trained and hardened to the austere, celibate and dangerous life of a warrior of the Faith. He has no family now save the Order.

Vaelin’s father was Battle Lord to King Janus, ruler of the Unified Realm—and Vaelin’s rage at being deprived of his birthright knows no bounds. Even his cherished memories of his mother are soon challenged by what he learns within the Order.

But one truth overpowers all the rest: Vaelin Al Sorna is destined for a future he has yet to comprehend. A future that will alter not only the Realm, but the world.

My thoughts:

This book had me thinking about ratings, expectations and hype. Yes I expected a lot more. The book was good, but the problem was, it stayed at that, it was good, it never crossed over to really good. I do want to read book 2 one day to see if it gets to that awesome territory, and to see what happens. But, I am in no hurry to do so.

This book has one hell of a rating, and often when that's the case I think ok not for me, but yes I can see why others really enjoyed it. Now, I did enjoy the book, but I sure could not tell why so many others though it was freaking awesome. Good, yes, awesome, nah. It was a solid fantasy book that never really surprised me. It never had me loving anyone, or hating anyone, it just sailed through.

After the beginning I was scared, then it was just ok, and I was all -this is not good, and after it had turned better I still hoped it would throw that punch, but nothing. What made it so? Who knows.

Vaelin, an ok guy. See, I can't get excited over anything. He was just so good at everything and even things he was not good at...he was still good at them. Mary Stu? People either loved or hated him. He got famous over nothing. Put in charge, and I was all...ok, why? Show me why. He is not the smartest, but he can fight. I guess I wanted more from him. Oh and he was such a saint too, snooze. I am good, I like fighting, oh no I killed someone, whatever man. Get a grip.

The side characters were there, and then I have nothing more to say about them. Maybe this is why it never went to awesome. The characters are all one sided. 

Right, so there is this plot too, but now when I think back I remember going to the academy to learn to fight, fighting in campaigns, going to war. And in the between we learn that magic comes from darkness so those are hunted down. And you if you need God, or Gods, then you are hunted down. I could have done with more worldbuilding too.

I am so picky. Remember, the book was good. Why does no one ever believe me? Lol. I nit-ipck cos I expected more, I wanted awesome, I got good.

PS. He is called Hope-Killer many times as he is narrating this and then finally, at the end I learn why. Omg, what? Lame.

Conclusion
Wanted more

Cover
ok

Mass Market Paperback, 624 pages
Published June 24th 2014 by Ace (first published 2011)
Raven's Shadow #1
Fantasy
own

Audio review: Cinder - Marissa Meyer

A wicked mash-up of fairy tale and Terminator—set in a Star Wars kind of world—Marissa Meyer's Cinder is a fresh and fiercely ingenious futuristic retelling of Cinderella

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

My thoughts:

This was actually really cool and the narrator did a splendid job. Now this was an audio I could listen too without drifting off. I really should stay with YA it seems.

Anyway, do not ask me to spell any names right, it's audio. I have no idea.

What do we have? A good story featuring a cyborg. And they are second class citizens so poor Cinder does not have it easy at home. But outside, well there they do not know. She meets a prince, there is a ball in the future, oh does it sound familiar? Ha, it wasn't really. A plague is killing people left and right, a Queen sits on the Moon throne and wants to take over. The prince's father is dying from the plague. Cinder is a mechanic and this was a futuristic re-telling that had the real story there far in but much more around it.

So yes I do want to read more, well listen to more, but I can't, I would have to read more. That actually makes me sad.

Cover
ok

Edit. Omg, I wrote this in February. I was LATE with this one.

Audio CD, 10 pages
Published January 3rd 2012 by Macmillan Young Listeners
The Lunar Chronicles #1
Sci-fi /fairytale re-telling, /YA
Library

The Good House - Ann Leary

Hildy Good is hiding a secret from her town, her family - and even herself. 

Hildy Good has reached that dangerous time in a woman's life - middle-aged and divorced, she is an oddity in her small but privileged town. But Hildy isn't one for self-pity and instead meets the world with a wry smile, a dark wit and a glass or two of Pinot Noir. When her two earnest grown-up children stage an 'intervention' and pack Hildy off to an addiction centre, she thinks all this fuss is ridiculous. After all, why shouldn't she enjoy a drink now and then?

But we start to see another side to Hildy Good, and to her life's greatest passion. Soon, a cluster of secrets become dangerously entwined, with devastating consequences...

My thoughts:

I had no idea if Hildy was an alcoholic or not. She was so much in denial and kept saying it was nothing. And that is the thing, I the reader know nothing, but little by little we learn more about Hildy. So is she an alcoholic? You will find out.

The book was not just told about her day after day life. There were lots of little episodes where she told about houses she had sold. But it all came together as you later will see. And that was her life, selling houses, and being a bit lonely. Her husband has left, her children live elsewhere and Hildy, ah yes Hildy. I liked her, but the more I got to know her, less I wanted to like her.

There is also a bit of drama later in the book, I am not going into details. But something happens as she is trying to go on with life.

It was well done, I really was in her head, believing what she believed and it also made me realise how alcohol can be different to everyone. Every alcoholic is not the same.

Conclusion.

A good, and quiet book in a way.

Cover

Simple, it works

Paperback, 304 pages
Published July 3rd 2014 by Corvus (first published January 15th 2013)
Fiction
For review

Secrets of the Demon - Diana Rowland

Homicide detective Kara Gillian has a special talent: she can sense the "arcane" in our world, and there's quite a bit of it, even in Beaulac, Louisiana. She's also a summoner of demons, and works on a task force that deals with supernatural crimes. Her partners are attractive and smart FBI agents, but they're not summoners, and they're not telling Kara why they are on this special force with her.

To complicate things even more, Kara has pledged herself to one of the most powerful of demons—Demon Lord Rhyzkahl—who helped save her partner's life, but now expects things in return. Meanwhile, she's trying to solve a string of murders that are somehow tied together by money, sex, rock music and...mud. But how can she concentrate on the case when she's not even sure who—or what—her partners are? 

 My thoughts:

Yay, I am so glad this series continues to be good. It was good all way through and then at the end, it was not a cliffie. BUT, she made me go all NEED book 4! I do have book 4, so that is a relief, I am just afraid book 4 will make me feel the same way and then I do not have book 5, drama.

Kara is cool. She is good at her job, she is witty, she has mindblowing sex with a demon lord. Awww yes he is, yum. But I do wonder what he has planned. Then there is Jill (cool too), Zach (we get to know stuff about him, yay), and of course Ryan. Ryan Ryan, what is he hiding? I get closer to those secrets and then the book ends and I need to know. I am way too curious. Ryan has also truly grown on me.

In this book she has to solve why a few musicians are being targeted. And it's never simple when it comes to her cases. And then something else starts happening too, intriguing.

Conclusion:

Like I said, I need book 4 now!

Recommended series.

Cover

ok

Paperback, 310 pages
Published January 4th 2011 by DAW (first published November 11th 2010)
Kara Gillian #3
Urban fantasy
Own

I am over at Melliane's blog today with a review of The Wurms of Bleurmouth. Stop by :D

Author Post: Kathryn Freeman

Do Opposites Attract?: The scenes that nearly didn’t happen… 

Thanks so much for having me on Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell!

Having a great editor can make so much difference to the final product. Do Opposites Attract? is my second novel and my first paperback, so working with an editor is a relatively new experience for me – and I love it. Obviously when I first submitted the manuscript to my publisher I believed it was the best that it could be. But then my editor took a look. One of the phrases that came back on my first round of edits – the substantive edits – really made me smile. She wanted to make my heroine ‘suffer more’.  Instantly I knew what she meant, though. Brianna is rich and beautiful – a combination that made her character hard for readers to empathise with. It also totally put my hero’s back up. Mitch McBride was brought up on the wrong side of the tracks and his life has been full of hardship. Now a doctor with a medical charity, he’s out trying to save lives in a tornado stricken part of South America. The last thing he needs is a visit from the patron’s daughter. But the more she tries to help out at the refugee camp, the more he finds himself drawn to her and the more, hopefully, the readers will warm to her, too. Especially when her efforts aren’t always well received, because though she means well, she’s pretty clueless.

Below is an example of a scene that wasn’t in the original novel I submitted, but which I later included to make Brianna suffer more. To get her out of his hair for a while, Mitch has sent her out to help teach children in a temporary school. He’s given her explicit instructions not to drink any water other than the sealed bottle he’s given her. 

I hope you enjoy it. Remember, my editor made me do it, honest.

..

A couple of hours later he heard a groan from his bed and turned to find her trying to sit up. Her hair was a mess and her face washed out, yet her very vulnerability tugged at him. ‘Welcome back,’ he told her gruffly.

She held out the arm with the drip in it. ‘What’s this doing here? I’m not ill.’

‘It’s replacing the fluids you splattered over my shirt.’

Instantly she clasped her other hand to her mouth in horror. ‘Shit, now I remember. I’m so sorry.’ She hung her head. ‘I can’t believe I puked up all over you. God, and it would have to be you, wouldn’t it?’

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘I mean, you’re ... well ... you’re you.’ She bit her lip. ‘You already think I’m a total moron. Now I’ve thrown up all over you, you’ll hate me even more.’

What the blazes was she going on about? ‘Number one, I don’t hate you, don’t be so ridiculous. Number two, do I look like the type of man who’s bothered by a bit of sick?’

It stopped her in her tracks. At least long enough to study him. He tried not to squirm. ‘No, I guess not. But I expect you are bothered by the fact that I forgot to do as you told me.’ She shook her head. ‘No, that’s not true. I didn’t forget. It’s just the girl who offered me the drink looked so adorable, and I didn’t want to disappoint her.’ He was about to say something, but she wasn’t finished. ‘Instead I disappointed you.’

‘Jesus, Brianna, I’m not disappointed in you.’

‘Then why are you so cross with me?’

‘Cross?’

‘Yes. When I got out of the jeep, you called me a fool. And just now, when I woke up, you looked almost angry.’ 

He was angry, but not with her. With himself, for being so bloody attracted to her. Hell, when Dan had offered to go with her today, he’d been hard pressed not to punch the guy. ‘I’m not cross,’ he told her shortly. ‘I was worried. Do you have any idea how many diseases you can pick up from contaminated water?’

She shook her head, and he sighed and went to feel her forehead. It felt normal. If soft, silk-like skin could be called normal. ‘I think you’ll be fine. Dan went back to the school and the water they used was originally from a bottle, though it wasn’t fresh. I think whatever upset you has probably been flushed out by now.’

‘All over your shirt.’

She sounded so flat, as if she’d had the stuffing knocked out of her, that he almost smiled. He should enjoy this subdued version of Brianna while he could. She was a lot easier to handle. ‘I’ll take the drip out and you can go and rest a while in your own bed.’

He quickly removed the line and helped her to her feet. She looked a little shaky. Like a newborn foal, all large eyes and cute. Yeah, definitely cute. Hastily he dropped his hand to his side. ‘Are you okay to make your own way back?’

She eased her feet into her boots, holding onto his bed to steady herself. ‘Yes, thanks. I’ve caused you enough trouble.’

Okay, now this almost chastened version was beginning to frustrate him. ‘It’s no trouble. Looking after sick people is what I do.’

He received a small smile for that. ‘I know. And you’re pretty good at it.’ Her smile grew wider. ‘Though your bedside manner could do with softening up a bit.’

....

Thank you so much for having me. If you want to find out more about the story, it’s available here: http://amzn.to/1miDL04

Too Charming http://amzn.to/Vqs1TH

Visit my website, tweet me at @KathrynFreeman1 and find me on Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!  

Kathryn Freeman

Kathryn was born in Wallingford, England but has spent most of her life living in a village near Windsor. After studying pharmacy in Brighton she began her working life as a retail pharmacist. She quickly realised that trying to decipher doctors’ handwriting wasn’t for her and left to join the pharmaceutical industry where she spent twenty happy years working in medical communications. In 2011, she left the world of pharmaceutical science to begin life as a self-employed writer, juggling the two disciplines of medical writing and romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero…

With two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to bother buying a card again this year (yes, he does) the romance in her life is all in her head. Then again, her husband’s unstinting support of her career change goes to prove that love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes can come in many disguises.

Kathryn’s debut digital novel Too Charming was released under Choc Lit Lite and was shortlisted for the 2014 Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Joan Hessayon Award.

Do Opposites attract? 

There’s no such thing as a class divide – until you’re on separate sides. 

Brianna Worthington has beauty, privilege and a very healthy trust fund. The only hardship she’s ever witnessed has been on the television. Yet when she’s invited to see how her mother’s charity, Medic SOS, is dealing with the aftermath of a tornado in South America, even Brianna is surprised when she accepts. 

Mitch McBride, Chief Medical Officer, doesn’t need the patron’s daughter disrupting his work. He’s from the wrong side of the tracks and has led life on the edge, but he’s not about to risk losing his job for a pretty face. 

Poles apart, dynamite together, but can Brianna and Mitch ever bridge the gap separating them?

Book Blog Walkers Weekly Check-in July 18 2014

This challenge is organized by Felicia over at the Geeky Blogger's Book Blog.

Saturday 4 km bike and 15 min walk
Sunday - 1,5 hour walk
Monday - 30 min walk
Tuesday - 1,5 hour walk
Wednesday -5 km bike and 30 min walk
Thursday - 6 km bike and 30 min walk
Friday 45 min walk

This has been a lazy week.

Tuesday's walk

I have been experiencing lower back pain and after my face felt like it would explode one day, I have been doing this 30 min routine every morning. Different back exercises.  It's easy when I am vacation, I hope to keep it up.

Author Interview and giveaway: Elizabeth Michels

Today I interview Elisabeth Michels, and there is a giveaway of her new book :)

Welcome!

1.If you have to pick a heroine that you are most like from your books, who would that be?

Oh my goodness, that’s a hard question.  There are little pieces of me in all of my characters, but I’m probably most like Sue Green from DESPERATELY SEEKING SUZANNA.  I tend to talk too much and get myself into trouble and so does she.  Of course, I share a similar family background to Lily from MUST LOVE DUKES, as well as her interest in gardening.  And, then there’s Katie from my latest release, HOW TO LOSE A LORD IN 10 DAYS OR LESS...She is probably the exact opposite of me in every way possible except for her hatred of itchy lace on dresses—that we have in common. 

2. Tell me about your new book How to lose a Lord in 10 days or less...

I’m so excited about this book! It’s the 3rd book in the Tricks of the Ton series and follows one of my favorite misguided characters from MUST LOVE DUKES, Andrew Clifton, Lord Amberstall.  He literally crashes into Katie Moore’s quiet life when his horse jumps the hedgerow of her property and almost lands on her.  Now, with an injured horse, he’s forced to stay on her estate until he’s able to journey south and what a stay it will be! The two are opposed on every subject imaginable except the ones that matter—those deep under the surface. The more time they spend together, the deeper their friendship grows until it grows into something more.  But, the danger that nipped at Andrew’s heels on the road, grows closer.  When it arrives, will they face failure in life again or choose to save each other?

3. We have met Andrew before, and I can't say I fell for him then (too much in love with horses ;) But he is changed now. Was it hard to make him change?

It was difficult.  When we last saw Andrew in book 1 of the series, he was obsessed with his horse breeding career, to a ridiculous degree.  But, then, his life took an unfortunate turn and when we catch up with him, he has spent the past 2 years in Scotland, trying to escape talk in town and scrape together the pieces of his personal life.  In those 2 years, he’s changed.  He begins this book on the road back to England and his home, unsure of what awaits him there.  Although he’s had time to simmer a bit in Scotland, he starts this story still pretty rough around the edges.  He is one of the more difficult caracters I’ve written so far, simply because he is trying to find his place in life after all the carefully constructed pieces were assembled, and then torn apart.  If you’ve ever seen a head strong alpha male fall, it takes some effort to put them back together.  And, to do it in 10 days or less?  Well, that’s even more difficult. LOL

4. And we have also met Katie before. When did you want to make her your heroine?

Katie was always meant for Andrew. The inspiration for her character came from my grandmother.  She lost her mother when she was young and was forced to figure out everything of a femanine nature by herself.  In my grandmother’s case this meant that her cooking wasn’t something she was known for, but for Katie, her mother’s disappearance had a far greater impact on her life.  She’s driven away by her father’s rage to live in a cottage on her property estranged from her family.  Because of this, she has a wild quality to her personality that grates on Andrew’s need for organization and perfection.  I knew when I first thought of Andrew that he needed a lady in his life who was the opposite of everything he placed on a pedistal.  And so, Katie was born—breeches wearing, swearing, freckle cheeked, wild red headed, bagpipe playing Katie.  And, I adore them together.

5. What is coming next from you?

I’m currently writing Roselyn Grey’s story.  She’s the younger sister to the Duke of Thornwood.  Her story fits into the gap in time between the books in the Tricks of the Ton series and she is referenced in HOW TO LOSE A LORD IN 10 DAYS OR LESS.  With this story, we begin on Katie Moore’s, (and her older brother, Ethan’s) estate and travel back to London where we find Evangeline Green and Isabelle and Victoria Fairlyn. I’m having a great time with these characters and I can’t wait to share them with you!  

Thanks!

Thank you so much for hosting me today on Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell! I hope you enjoy HOW TO LOSE A LORD IN 10 DAYS OR LESS. Have any other questions for me? Let’s chat! 

Giveaway

1 copy of How to Lose a Lord in 10 days or less.

1 Open to US and Canada

2. Ends July 26

3. To enter, please ask a question, or tell me what you think of the book :)

Good luck!

And if you want the book at once:

Buy links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/VTHThF

BAM: http://bit.ly/1zu2l84

B&N: http://bit.ly/1qrD1cS

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/1kdVJ3L

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1rehIwM

Terra's World - Mitch Benn

Terra , which Neil Gaiman said reminded him of Douglas Adams,Terry Pratchett and Roald Dahl, launched the novel writing career of stand-up comedian and BBC Radio 4 Now Show regular Mitch Benn.

Now Terra is a couple of years older and back on earth. She's in hiding. And in Terra's World we find out why. But none of this is known to Billy Dolphin. He's just annoyed that since Terra returned to Earth Science Fiction has died a death. How wrong could a teenage boy be?

Terra may be back on Earth but the powers of the universe are not finished with her. Her old home faces a terrible threat which possibly only Terra can overcome. Just what is the black planet? To find out first Terra must learn how to survive as there is an alien bounty hunter on her trail. And only Billy Dolphin to help her.

My thoughts:

The fun continues, I do like sci-fi with humour in it. And in this one Terra is in hiding as someone is after her. And it's also the story of Billy who is sad cos ever since people found aliens are real, sci-fi has died. Cancelled shows, fewer books. It's a shame. But then Terra and Billy meet, and he gets that adventure he wants.

Told with a smile, this is a book that made me giggle. It's both real and silly fun at times. But it's also serious as things are not good on Terra's former home planet, it's really bad, and about to get worse. And who is after her by the way?

I liked Terra, but Billy was almost more fun. He was the side-kick after all, the comic relief. The one who was only there cos of her. He was not really a hero but he could be.

Conclusion:

Humour, science-fiction and danger on the horizon. A short fun book that you can read in a day.

Cover

eh

Hardcover, 320 pages
Published July 17th 2014 by Gollancz
Terra #2
Sci.fi / YA
For review

Author Interview and giveaway: Michele Summers

Today I am interviewing Michele Summers about her new book, Find my way home.

Welcome!

1. Tell me about yourself. 

I’m an interior designer by day and writer by night. And in between all that, I take care of my great son and daughter, cook meals for my family and clients and whenever I get the chance, play tennis for fun, release and exercise. I’m a professional multi-tasker and OCD list maker. (I make lists for my lists). I enjoy reading (of course), needlepointing, knitting and watching movies and sometimes do them all together. (note: multi-tasker above) I irritate friends and family alike, because my idea of relaxation is not very relaxing. I hate mornings, but get up early anyway and I love to sleep but hardly ever get enough. I love to travel whenever the opportunity arises. And I love creating fun characters and writing about a world I’d like to live in. 

2. Tell me about your new book, Find my way home...

Find My Way Home is the first in the Harmony Homecomings series. Bertie Anderson, wants nothing more than to move away from her small hometown and make it big as an interior designer. She’s three weeks away from reaching her goal when she’s given the challenge of redesigning the old Victorian in town she’s always dreamed about. But there’s a catch: she must finish in three months with a big bonus as her reward. Piece of cake, right? It would be if her client wasn’t bad boy Keith Morgan, retired tennis pro and single-dad-on-the-edge. 

Keith has moved to Harmony with a huge chip on his shoulder (along with a ton of guilt) to make a better life for himself and his ten-year old daughter. What he’s not prepared for is small town quirkiness, his aunt’s ultimatum to get married in three months, and his uncontrollable attraction to his maddening designer, Bertie. Sparks aplenty! And lots of laughs.

3. What inspired you to write the Harmony homecoming series?

 I worked as an interior designer in Miami for many years and always wondered what my career would’ve been like in a small town, where there’s not a lot of action (or any showrooms, for that matter). Frustrating, no doubt. But each of my heroes and heroines make their mark while enjoying a simpler, calmer small town way of life. They make it look fun and easy!

4. I have to ask, in the book we meet a couple and I was all, I would love their book! And now I saw that you are writing something about Marabelle. So this will happen? 

Oh yes, my friend. I’m so glad you picked up on delicious Nick and Marabelle. Their story will be the fourth in the series, but it was actually the first book I ever wrote! So, it holds a very special place in my heart. Nick is truly every girls’ dream and Marabelle is a spunky, smack-talking kindergarten teacher who also happens to be a tennis coach. Can’t wait for you to read all about them.

5. Back to Harmony. What is it that makes a small town so charming? 

For me, it’s the ”everybody knows your name” syndrome. Wherever you go, somebody not only knows you, but cares about you. Even though some of Harmony’s residents are nosy and obnoxious, they’re also lovable and well-meaning. Small towns are more personal and make the H & H feel at home. You’ll meet more of Harmony’s nosy-bodies in the next books in the series and they’ll make you laugh at their antics. 

6. What is coming next from you? 

Funny you should ask. ;-))) Not So New in Town is second in the series about Lucy Doolan who comes home to Harmony to help her step-sister on bed rest and thinks her life can’t suck anymore, until she runs into Brogan Reese, Harmony High’s football star, Homecoming King, Lucy’s mad crush and...her step-sister’s ex-boyfriend. 

Third in the series is about Katie McKnight, a location scout from California, who stumbles upon Harmony and spies the perfect house for the next teenage-horror-mini-series. Getting the homeowner, bad boy, Vance Kerner and best-selling author to agree poses problems. Lots of laughter, love and small town fun in these next two books.

And then there’s Marabelle and Nick’s story which I mentioned earlier and involves a bachelor’s auction with some really hot football players! It’s a good one! 

Thanks! Thank you for having me. This was such fun!

Thanks!

Giveaway

1 copy of Find my way home

1. US and Canada only

2. Ends July 26th

3. Just tell me if you are entering and you are in.
Also, be free to ask questions if you want :)

You can find Michele at:

www.michelesummers.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michele-Summers/549145438478629

Twitter: https://twitter.com/michele_summers

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7274198.Michele_Summers

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/michelesummers5/

Find my way home - Michele Summers

Everyone knows that money can't buy happiness. The promise of money is even worse. Especially for a small town designer with big dreams. Bertie Anderson is finding out anticipation only buys trouble. When the offer of $150,000 is dropped into her lap for designing one house, she dumps her dreams of leaving town and gets to work. If only she wasn't so distracted by her hubbalicious client. Why would an ex-pro tennis player move to tiny Harmony, NC?

Keith Morgan is wondering the same thing. Sure, he needs a safe place to raise his daughter, away from the party lifestyle of his past. But does it have to be in a crazy, little town where everyone knows his business? What's worse is his aunt has given him an ultimatum: get married in three months or risk losing his little girl. Finding a woman is no problem. Parades of them show up at his house like the paparazzi. The problem is he only has eyes for Bertie, his quirky, curvy, maddening designer. And he couldn't marry her, because this go round he needs to play it safe...and Bertie is anything but safe!

My thoughts:

This is a  cute romance set in a small town where you can't hide anything.

Bertie is full of life, and has way too many things to do. I liked her as she was fun, loved her job and  shewas nice.

Keith, oh Keith, I mean he was nice and all but I so wanted to kick him in the balls. Not cos he was evil or anything but just cos he was stupid. See his aunt has told him to get marry in 3 months. So what does he do? He goes after the safe girl who he feels nothing for. The woman he would be tired of after a week. But it's the woman who bakes, is happy and safe. Oh men! While Bertie has too big boobs, dances and sings too much. *kicks him*. But we all know they will get together in the end. Just the way there is long as he does not see that what is before him is perfect.

The way there is fun though, everyone except him and Bertie can see they should be together. There are misunderstandings, passion and a fun town to read about,

Conclusion:

Fun!

Cover

her proportions do not look right

Paperback, 352 pages
Published July 1st 2014 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Harmony Homecomings #1
Contemporary romance
For review

Book Giveaway of The Bride Prize

Sandra Schwab started writing her first novel when she was seven years old. Twenty-odd years later, telling stories is still her greatest passion, even though by now she has exchanged her pink heart-dotted fountain pen for a computer keyboard (black, no hearts). She lives in a suburb of Frankfurt on the Main, Germany, with a cat, a duck, a sewing maching, and altogether too many books.

Who is ready for a giveaway????!!!!!!!

For this giveaway the lovely Sandra Schwab (talked about above) will be giving away TWO hard copies of her new book The Bride Prize. You have two chances to win! I will be randomly picking a winner and so will Carole over at her blog. Make sure to slip on over there to enter!

"It's 1839, and Lord Eglinton's tournament in Scotland is the most anticipated event of the year: he and some of his noble friends will don medieval armor and joust like knights of old.

Does this mean a revival of true chivalry? Miss Florence Marsh thinks it might.

Or is the tournament mere tomfoolery and the greatest folly of the century? Mr. Robert Beaton thinks it is."

How To Enter:
1. Post a comment below saying you want to enter.
2. Opened to everyone
3.  Enter before July 28th

Make sure to head over to Carole's blog (I will post the direct link when it goes up later today) for a second chance at winning!

Sandra Schwab is also giving away free ebooks of the third book in the series! (They all stand well as stand alones).  

"Lawrence Pelham works as a comic artist for the magazine Allan's Miscellany. A chance meeting with a young woman dressed in mourning changes Pel's whole life, and without his even knowing, he is thrown into a world of mystery and intrigue, where nothing is as it seems to be - especially not the woman he has given his heart to.

Her whole life Sarah Browne has been told how plain she is, how nondescript, destined to become an old maid. For years she has been her family's dutiful nursing maid, but now a secret inheritance and an encounter with the charming Mr. Pelham seem to offer her a chance to break out of her life of duty and drudgery - if she dares to take it. Yet how could such an interesting, witty man be possibly interested in her boring self?

And so, Sarah soon find herself entangled in a web of lies and deceit, which might cost her the love of her life."

Kobo.com is giving away this book for free until the end of the week. Make sure to fly on over there.