Carole's Sunday Review: Gold Digger - Rebecca Rosenberg

Author: Rebecca Rosenberg 

Title: Gold Digger

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: ebook

Expected publication: May 28th 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

One look at Baby Doe and you know she was meant to be a legend! She was just twenty years old when she came to Colorado to work a gold mine with her new husband. Little did she expect that she’d be abandoned and pregnant and left to manage the gold mine alone. But that didn’t stop her!

She moved to Leadville and fell in love with a married prospector, twice her age. Horace Tabor struck the biggest silver vein in history, divorced his wife and married Baby Doe. Though his new wife was known for her beauty, her fashion, and even her philanthropy, she was never welcomed in polite society.

Discover how the Tabors navigated the worlds of wealth, power, politics, and scandal in the wild days of western mining.

I was instantly drawn in by the cover and then the summary. That is a lovely cover and the story sounds sooooooo good. 

The story follows Baby Doe,  born Elizabeth McCourt, who would become a legend of Colorado! Things do not start off so great. She thinks she finds her true love but is abandoned pregnant and no money. However, she kept pushing. Things happen and she meets Tabor who would move the Earth for her. 

I felt so bad for Baby Doe. She was treated like crap by that jerkface! Ugh. He didn't deserve her. I'm glad Baby Doe realized this and got a divorce even though it went against her religion and society. But he didn't love her and she deserved better for sure. 

Honestly? I wasn't a huge Tabor fan at first. It took eons for me to really warm up to him. Maybe it is because I didn't trust him? I'm not sure but I was constantly worried that he was going to hurt her. She really deserved happiness! I adored her. She was not only beautiful, but she was smart and strong. 

I liked Billy at first, but grrrr he was a snot. 

The writing was beautiful! I had enjoyed a previous novel by the author a while back and adored the writing style. This was the same. Simply lovely. It really hooks you into the story and characters. 

The ending was cliff-hanger-ish...but not at the same time. I liked how it ended. You can leave as is or move forward. It was very nice, but it did make me sad at the same time. Oooo the feels. 

I had no major issues at all. I really enjoyed the story. I highly recommend it for historical fiction lovers. I'll stamp this with 5 stars. 

Audio: In another time - Jillian Cantor

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld, George Newbern

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 03-05-19

Language: English

Publisher: HarperAudio

Historical fiction

Thank you Harper for this review copy

My Thoughts

Going into this one I guessed it could be sad, and because of that I did not want to put it down. I needed to know what would happen to Max and Hanna!

It starts in 1931 where Max meets Hanna. He is a Christian (even if he does not care about religion), and she is Jewish. But most of all, this is Germany. This is bad and I kept bracing myself.

Because then suddenly it is 1946 and Hanna wakes up without any memories. What happened during the war? Where is Max...WHERE IS MAX!? Did Max get her out?

I did have my suspicions since Max seemed to know things, but the worst thing is that Hanna goes on with her life and what we get is 1932..1933...1936. 

I just wanted these two to be together. They loved each other so much. Stupid nazis! Stupid Laws!

Ok so I did not cry, but my heart did break.  Poor Hanna, poor Max.

And yes there is a secret in this book, I liked that aspect. It was different and tragic too.

Final thought

I could not put it down. All I knew was, what happened t Max?

Narration

I ave listened to Saskia before and I like her narrative style. She does it well

George was new to me, but he did Max well. They took their own chapters.

Blurb

A sweeping historical novel that spans Germany, England, and the United States and follows a young couple torn apart by circumstance leading up to World War II-and the family secret that may prove to be the means for survival.

Love brought them together. But only time can save them...

1931, Germany. Bookshop owner Max Beissinger meets Hanna Ginsberg, a budding concert violinist, and immediately he feels a powerful chemistry between them. It isn't long before they fall in love and begin making plans for the future. As their love affair unfolds over the next five years, the climate drastically changes in Germany as Hitler comes to power. Their love is tested with the new landscape and the realities of war, not the least of which is that Hanna is Jewish and Max is not. But unbeknownst to Hanna is the fact that Max has a secret, which causes him to leave for months at a time—a secret that Max is convinced will help him save Hanna if Germany becomes too dangerous for her because of her religion.

In 1946, Hanna Ginsberg awakens in a field outside of Berlin. Disoriented and afraid, she has no memory of the past ten years and no idea what has happened to Max. With no information as to Max's whereabouts—or if he is even still alive—she decides to move to London to live with her sister while she gets her bearings. Even without an orchestra to play in, she throws herself completely into her music to keep alive her lifelong dream of becoming a concert violinist. But the music also serves as a balm to heal her deeply wounded heart and she eventually gets the opening she long hoped for. Even so, as the days, months, and years pass, taking her from London to Paris to Vienna to America, she continues to be haunted by her forgotten past, and the fate of the only man she has ever loved and cannot forget.

Told in alternating viewpoints—Max in the years leading up to WWII, and Hanna in the ten years after—In Another Time is a beautiful novel about love and survival, passion and music, across time and continents. 

Shattermoon - Dominic Dulley

Paperback, 368 pages

Published June 14th 2018 by Jo Fletcher Books

Series: The Long Game #1

Sci.fi

Thank you Jo Fletcher for this review copy

My Thoughts

I must say, I think this one would work so well in audio (yes yes you all know I love audio these days ;) But seriously, the action kept coming so I am sure I would have enjoyed it a lot in audio for that reason.  But back to the actual book now!

Space, new worlds. One ruler, and some aliens on the fringe. Orry is a con artist together with her dad and brother. She is smart and good at it.

Also there are some secrets we learn at the end that made me go all whaaat! Intriguing.

But before that she has to go on the run when accused of a crime. There is a mysterious pendant that many want and will kill to get. Which takes us to other planets, space and the underbelly of society.

Other characters are Mender, this old grumpy captain. And you know what I shall say no more. There are good guys, bad guys. People I want to hit in the face and people that step up.

The book has an ending, yay. More books are to come, but I was happy where I left her at the moment. Of course things are about to get bad, for sure, but for now all is good.

I shall read more and see what she gets up to. I want her to confront X...

Nice beginning.

Blurb

An inexperienced grifter. An obsolete spaceship. And against them, the might of the Grand Fleet. Orry might just be in over her head.

Orry's father is the best conman in the quadrant, targeting the decadent ruling families of the Ascendancy, running elaborate heists with Orry and her brother Ethan before disappearing without a trace. This time should be no different.

But then Orry goes off-script and everything falls apart. Less than an hour later the Count's spoiled grandson is dead and Orry's on the run, accused of a murder she didn't commit.

Turns out, the pendant Orry stole was crafted by the Departed, the ancient civilisation who left this universe aeons ago, taking most of their secrets with them. But she's not the only one who wants it. It doesn't take ruthless space pirate Morven Dyas long to track her down, or to threaten her with her worst fear, and when she's unexpectedly rescued by loner Jurgen Mender and his ageing spaceship, the Dainty Jane, Orry knows there's only one thing left to do.

It will take all of Orry's powers of persuasion to get Mender to agree to her plan, especially when even she can see the madness of pitting an inexperienced young grifter, a space-dog long past his best and an obsolete spaceship against the Imperial Fleet, the worst of the space-pirates - and the alien Kadiran, who are getting bored with the long, uneasy truce with humankind . . .

But what other choice does she have? 

Audio: Band Sinister - KJ Charles

Narrated by: Cornell Collins

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 03-19-19

Language: English

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Historical romance

For review

My Thoughts

The author said something about going Full Heyer, well, that is if there was wicked debauchery going on in Heyer ;)

Sir Philip and his friends are notorious, and you just have to look at them to be ruined. And that is why poor Guy freaks out when his sister has broken her leg and been taken care of by Sir Philip. Scandal! SO he rushes to her sickbed.

Also omg the standards back then, she has a broken leg and is in a really bad way, who has time to seduce her! He is not that much of a monster. But I guess that is what people think.

Right, Guy, awww he really was a sweetie. Unsure and yet so protective of his sister. All my feels to him. And he will protect her virtue at all costs!

Of course he soon realises that it is not his virtue that is to be taken, nope, better watch out Guy, it is not a woman Philip wants.

I think there could have been more of a Gothic feel thrown in, but then that would have worked if it was Amanda's pov, and Guy is too reasonable. 

And maybe more interactions between more people. More houseparty feel when the house really is filled with people.

I had a really good point about something, but that is gone now....

Right. An amusing tale and romance to be had too. I liked seeing Guy fall for his bitter enemy (long story). I wish we could have had more Amanda cos she sounded fun too.

Oh and great ending. Since this was a sin and a crime back then, but the author made it work.

Narrator

His voice did fit the era, but it was really soft so I had to concentrate more than usual. That means I could not multitask ;)

Blurb

Sir Philip Rookwood is the disgrace of the county. He’s a rake and an atheist, and the rumours about his hellfire club, the Murder, can only be spoken in whispers. (Orgies. It’s orgies.)

Guy Frisby and his sister Amanda live in rural seclusion after a family scandal. But when Amanda breaks her leg in a riding accident, she’s forced to recuperate at Rookwood Hall, where Sir Philip is hosting the Murder. 

Guy rushes to protect her, but the Murder aren’t what he expects. They’re educated, fascinating people, and the notorious Sir Philip turns out to be charming, kind—and dangerously attractive. 

In this private space where anything goes, the longings Guy has stifled all his life are impossible to resist...and so is Philip. But all too soon the rural rumour mill threatens both Guy and Amanda. The innocent country gentleman has lost his heart to the bastard baronet—but does he dare lose his reputation too?

TMST

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

March 26th: What are things that make you steer clear of a book?

Hmmm, I do not know. I mean a lot of different things, I just need to think of some....

• BS from the author. Some are on my no list cos of that.
• I recently read about some Hitler romance something and was all hell no. So things that fit that.
• Books that just seems wrong, another one I came to think of is one where the girl takes constant abuse from her bF, and this is a romance...no. I do not need romance like that!
• Oh oh, books that are romance but do not give a HEA. That is not romance, please do not label it that. I can read that, but do not call it romance
• Honestly this is hard!

Audio: Cursed - Keri Arthur

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Series: Kingdoms of Earth & Air Series, Book 2

Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 03-12-19

Language: English

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Fantasy

Thank you Tantor for this copy

My Thoughts

Books seldom make me want to pick the author's brain, but I just have so many questions! In a good way

These books feel so sci.fi. Like people went to a planet, forgot and started anew. It is fantasy with big guns. Now when I have read two books I have started to wonder, do they put all their energy and time into military tech (since they have no phones or well tv ;) They are constantly under attack and have been so for hundreds of years. Of course all they do then is military tech. See, I so want to ask the author these things.

Plus there is magic so why bother making things with tech  when you can use magic.

Such a fascinating world. I at once had to check if there is a blurb for book 3, nope, but a cool cover. See all these books takes place on different continents, but what they have in common are freaky things trying to kill and eat them.

I ave not even started with the story! Right, princess Nix, her family are aholes and should die die die! She is given away to a foreign lord and this is the best thing that could happen, cos like I said, her father and brother needs to burn burn BURN! Poor Nix, she bore her scars well.

Donal, the highlander was awesome too. He was witty, and flirty, without coming on too strong, or making her uncomfortable. 

This is military fantasy so there is a lot of fighting and trying to find the baddies.

Last thoughts

A really great and fun series! I can not wait for more. I do enjoy these. I also really liked the end of this one, it was so fitting.

Narration

The awesome Justine Eyre! I do love everything she does

Her voice for Earth is so fitting. I also like her other voices and as I am well aware of she does a great highlander brogue. 

She brings everything to a narration and it makes for a great listen.

Blurb

Whomsoever draws the sword from the ancient seat of this land shall rule it, and they shall bring peace and prosperity to its people.

For nearly a thousand years, the first-born son of every Cannamore King has drawn the sword, and the land and her people have indeed prospered.

Princess Nyx Bel-Hannon is neither male nor first-born, but it is her hand that draws the sword rather than her twin brother’s. As a reward, she is given a prison rather than a throne.

But a deep darkness now spreads across the Kingdom, and her borders are threatened by creatures capable of magic powerful enough to destroy mountains or split the land asunder. Without the true heir to wield the sword, Cannamore risks annihilation. The King and crown prince want nothing more than to be permanently rid of Nyx, but cannot afford her blood on their hands. Instead, they give her to a highland warlord in the hope he will do what they dare not. 

Nyx has no intention of letting the highlander get in the way of her thirst for revenge or the need to reclaim her throne. But it’s a quest that may well destroy the kingdom she loves.

Because Nyx has been cursed by the god of war. It is her destiny to save Cannamore.

Or utterly destroy it. 

Joint Discussion: The Cruel Prince

Hello all! C and I will be discussing "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black. I a, in brown and Carole in blue. 

Author: Holly Black 

Title: The Cruel Prince

(The Folk of the Air #1)

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Pages: ebook

Published: January 2nd 2018

Where I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

After Maas *shudders* I wanted to try a YA Fae fantasy again, so we gave it a go ;) And I was pleasantly surprised! It was by no means amazing, but I’d say it was good enough.

It was a million times better! I actually didn’t do a lick of skimming like the other one ;).

Lol, no skimming from my part either! It was a light easy read with lots of darkness, but the writing flowed and she is a good author, I will give her that.

It was a light, easy read. Very dark though and I liked it. I’m glad she didn’t chicken out on that and make it fluffy. Faes are jerks and she really made sure we knew it. I liked her writing style a lot. Great world-building and the dialogue was good too.

Very interesting world, with lots of different Fae. And they are cruel and it shows. I liked the darkness. No fluff, I mean Maas was dark, but it was so DAMN fluffy in its darkness. Here it was more darker somehow.

It was a more honest and realistic darkness. No dark to just be dark.

Yes! Exactly, not dark just to be dark. You nailed it.

Ugh speaking of realistic-ness….I hate the majority of the characters. But I liked hating them. They were jerks! Jude was okay...but she was naive.

Haha, yes. Jude was ok, but I was not all I want to be her friends. Nah, she was too much of an idiot. Our dear cruel prince is an ahole by the biggest means. But I liked hating him and I understood him more at the end. Her twin, blergh, I hated her most of all. She puts women to shame. My favorite was Madoc, it’s just something about a man who kills his former wife and lover and takes care of their kids. Messed up

I have hope Jude will be better in the next. She is young and is messed up in the head. Hated the Prince. I do not want them to end up together. It does not compute in my brain! He is horrible and tried hurting her really bad. She would be a dummy to fall for that! And he hates humans. SOOO? Sighs. Ugh her twin “sister” was horrible. Madoc was fun. He was such a complex character and I adored it. Murdering, but loving. He was fun. I’m curious to see what is next for him.

It was my biggest fear. And I am sure it will happen, I hope it will make sense it does happen cos now, damn woman, are you stupid! WTF, stay away from him, do not even think it. DO NOT EVEN!

I was looking on Goodreads and there are so many fans that want them together to at least bang. NO!!!! Run woman run! I can’t see any scenario where he can justify all the terrible, horrible things he did and said. That is abuse and Madoc should’ve kicked his royal butt!

Ugh, ok so if it does happen, I hope she like sees the light and kills him or something.

Me too. Or maybe he’ll get knocked outside the head and become a different person? HAHAHA. That would be hilarious and karma-rific.

I like that, I guess even aholes can be forgiven if they grovel enough and if they ever say one aholey thing then let them hang

I suppose. But still. Bleh. And how will he forgive HER at the end there. No spoilers...but that is tough.

He is Fae, he should have striven to it. But yes let them not get together. But they so will, how could it else end? Arghhh I actually really need to know this! That is a good, the book made me want more. I bow to you Holly Black. I hate most of the characters and the main character is meh but I am still curious

Me too. That really does take a good storyteller. Not liking the characters, but still intrigued and wanting more. Kuddos there! I also really want to explore more of the world. There is so much more! I didn’t expect so many other kingdoms and whatnot. That was fun.

Then we shall read more! Please no stupid angst, pleeeeeease

Yess I beg. The summary looks promising….but. You never know! I want Jude to be a cool, cruel gal. I want her to be like Madoc. A soft-spot for family, but no one else.

Yes I am intrigued, I do wonder what will happen. ...anything else?

That is the problem with these books when they are so good! You don’t want to spoil anything! Ummmm….I was hooked from page one. There was a lull for a couple of chapters before the tournament, but after that I was hooked again. Beware the lull and push through! Totally worth it!

The lol for me is a certain romance part, no thanks to that. But yes a good book, I read it fast. I hope it keeps on improving and not fall into second book syndrome

Oooo that would be bad. *fingers crossed*

The end? :D

The end! :D Quick discussion today!

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging a long while now. The last couple of years the epic duo have been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.

Audio: California Girls - Susan Mallery

• Narrated by: Tanya Eby
• Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
• Unabridged Audiobook
• Release date: 02-26-19
• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin Audio
• Womens fiction
• Thank you harper for this copy!

MY THOUGHTS

This is the story of 3 sisters who all get dumped on the same day.

Ali was my favorite of the sisters. She gets dumped 2 months before her wedding and her fiance does not even do it himself. The more I heard of him I was all, you should have dumped him long ago.

And his brother Daniel, omg, what a man! He was everything her sucky fiance should have been. So yes obvi something will start to grow there

Finola was somewhat cold. She was just so career oriented. Of course that did not give her husband  the right to cheat, talk people! I also feel that she clung to his memory too long.

Zennie, well I do understand why her family and friends felt like she rushed into things. I felt like she rushed into things. Her friends wanted a baby, she said yes to being their surrogate. But even though it was her egg she never thought more of it. I mean that is your baby! That is not their baby, that is half their baby and half yours! Yes, awesome thing to do, but still your baby.

They all deal with their own things as the story progresses, and with their mum getting rid of their old place.

It was a more, oh I can not find the right word, not slow, just peaceful (still not the right word). The only real drama being when Finola found out the truth.

A good book

Narrator
I felt she did justice to all the sisters. They had their own voices. She got the mood of the book too
I feel like I have listened to her before, and if not, then she has a voice that makes you feel at home

Blurb

Finola, a popular LA morning show host, is famously upbeat until she’s blindsided on live TV by news that her husband is sleeping with a young pop sensation who has set their affair to music. While avoiding the tabloids and pretending she’s just fine, she’s crumbling inside, desperate for him to come to his senses and for life to go back to normal.

Zennie’s breakup is no big loss. Although the world insists she pair up, she’d rather be surfing. So agreeing to be the surrogate for her best friend is a no-brainer—after all, she has an available womb and no other attachments to worry about. Except…when everyone else, including her big sister, thinks she’s making a huge mistake, being pregnant is a lot lonelier—and more complicated—than she imagined.

Never the tallest, thinnest or prettiest sister, Ali is used to being overlooked, but when her fiancé sends his disapproving brother to call off the wedding, it’s a new low. And yet Daniel continues to turn up “for support,” making Ali wonder if maybe—for once—someone sees her in a way no one ever has.

Lonen's reign - Jeffe Kennedy

Kindle Edition, 151 pages

Expected publication: March 20th 2019 by Brightlynx

Series: Sorcerous Moons #6

Fantasy romance

for review

My Thoughts

And then the end came. I do feel that this could have been a trilogy, but hey it works. Novellas are at least very fast to read.

Lonen and Oria are to be married. Lonen's ass of a brother has been take care of, but all is not as it seems. Oria has control of her powers and Chuffta is suddenly a very big dragon. All is well.

Except for evil sorcerers and Oria's evil brother destroying Lonen's people. You know what that means, waaaaar! Huh, I must say, that was not a long war. But it worked really well when I though about it. A fitting way to do it.

I mean this is a novella, I can not really say a lot. Wedding and war. Getting things on, getting things done.

A nice end to this series. This one felt very light in a way. It also made me even more curious about those evil Trom.

The end

Blurb

The sorceress Oria has finally come into her own—able to wield the power of her birthright and secure in the marriage she once believed would bring her only misery. But the past she escaped still chases her, and the certainty of war promises to destroy everything she’s fought to have.

An Impossible War

Once before Lonen led an army in a desperate attempt to stop the powerfully murderous sorcerers of Bára—and he nearly lost everything. Now he must return to the battlefield that took the lives of so many of his people. Only this time he has more to risk than ever.

The Final Conflict

With guile, determination—and unexpected allies—Oria and Lonen return to the place where it all began… and only hope that it won’t also be the end of them.

Audio: Devil's Daughter - Lisa Kleypas

Audible Audio, Unabridged, 9h

Published February 19th 2019 by HarperAudio

Series: The Ravenels #5

Mary Jane Wells, narrator

Historical romance

Thank you Harper for this review copy!

My Thoughts

Oh this one was really delightful! There is banter and then there is banter. These two just made each other laugh. It was flirting, it was fun, it was great.

Phoebe is a young widow with two boys. Such sweet fun boys too, and I loved her interactions with them.

West was, omg, ok so there are rakes and then there is West. He used to be a potbellied drunk who peed in fountains. To go near him is to court scandal. Now he is fit, hardworking and loving the job he does. But yes his rep will not go away.

They meet, they get under each other's skin, she gets mad, he wonders why. Honestly, delightful. There talks were amusing.

And, yes I loved how he played with her kids. He was such a freaking good guy!

I have not read the Wallflower series, but I am a bit in love with Phoebe's dad, rawr!

I kept waiting for them to get their act together. Him with his she is above me, and hers, I promised my dead hubbie to marry this boring guy!

Conclusion:

A cute tale with lots of passion too. Two people under the same roof. Love, shenanigans, and a cat.

Narration

I loved her voice for him! It was utterly perfection!

I also liked her voice for the rest too. Phoebe sounded fun and everyone had a distinct nice voice. It also made me wonder about a gentleman we met, I do want a book about him.

Great fun narration

Blurb

Although beautiful young widow Phoebe, Lady Clare, has never met West Ravenel, she knows one thing for certain: he's a mean, rotten bully. Back in boarding school, he made her late husband's life a misery, and she'll never forgive him for it. But when Phoebe attends a family wedding, she encounters a dashing and impossibly charming stranger who sends a fire-and-ice jolt of attraction through her. And then he introduces himself...as none other than West Ravenel.

West is a man with a tarnished past. No apologies, no excuses. However, from the moment he meets Phoebe, West is consumed by irresistible desire...not to mention the bitter awareness that a woman like her is far out of his reach. What West doesn't bargain on is that Phoebe is no straitlaced aristocratic lady. She's the daughter of a strong-willed wallflower who long ago eloped with Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent—the most devilishly wicked rake in England.

Before long, Phoebe sets out to seduce the man who has awakened her fiery nature and shown her unimaginable pleasure. Will their overwhelming passion be enough to overcome the obstacles of the past?

Only the devil's daughter knows... 

TMST

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

March 19th: What personality traits do you love/hate in a character? (Courtesy of Roberta@ Offbeat YA)

Why am I always so bad at these?! I always read other answers and go all wow! Well said, well said

Also bloody hell. March 19th!?!?! When did that happen?

I do love a kick-ass woman, but that is a fine line. Let's take one kick-ass woman, who at the same time is beyond stupid and rush into things. Omg, please, kick-ass plus a brain.

Whiny characters, no please.

Characters who think they are awkward and ugly and still have 2 hot guys lusting after them

I like normal characters! No extremes. Nerdy, shy, funny, they can e whatever they want, but it also has to fit them. I hate when a character is great on paper, but still does things that goes against their own personality. Why make such a character? You can't say they are all that, and then have them act like a whiny, stupid brat.

To be honest, most personality traits that makes me go grrr I find in YA. They are always the ones that makes no sense. Authors want cool characters and forget to actually follow what they preach.

Oh oh alphaholes. Please, I get that you are dark, cool and tormented, but please, do not be an ahole too.

Just give me a wellwritten character that is what he or she is.

Oria's Enchantment - Jeffe Kennedy

Kindle Edition, 166 pages

Published January 25th 2019 by Brightlynx

Series: Sorcerous Moons #5

Fantasy romance

for review

My thoughts

Has it been like 2 years? I had honestly forgotten everything :/ After a year my mind starts to let things go. I could not even remember why they could not have smex! But the thing is, it did not matter that I did not remember things. The book worked great anyway. Of course I did wonder why they could not do the deed, which lead to more thoughts, lol.

It is a novella, so it is a fast read. It is book 5 and in this one Lonen, our handsome barbarian king, is with Oria, his beautiful witchy wife. His asshat of a brother has thrown down the gauntlet and they need to take their kingdom back. Ugh Nolan, I do not remember you, and I still do not like you, asshat you.

There is also a magic mirror that causes problems. Oria's magic is different.

Not a lot happens, and still a lot happens. Things move forward quickly, and everything I say from now can be a spoiler....

I like that it was a fast read and that I did not have to remember everything clearly. I could just go with the flow.

Blurb

No longer a princess and not yet a queen, the sorceress Oria welcomes the rush of power the ancient mask brings her—though the obsessive connection to it frightens her and alarms her barbarian husband, Lonen. But retreat is not an option. She must wrestle the magic to prevent an annihilating war, even if she must make the ultimate sacrifice.

A World in Flames

If Lonen wants to reclaim his throne—and save his people from destruction—he must return by sunset on the seventh day. What he thought would be a short and simple journey, however, leads them deeper into the mountains—and Oria deeper into the thrall of foul magic. Until he must choose between two terrible paths.

A Heart-Wrenching Choice

Struggling with conflicting loyalties, Oria and Lonen fight to find a way to be together… lest they be separated forever, and their realms go down in flames with them.

Carole's Sunday Review: The Blood of princes - Derek Birks

Author: Derek Birks 

Title: The Blood of Princes

(The Craft of Kings #2)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: ebook

Published:  February 9th 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)

A savage tale of love, treason and betrayal.

A bloody struggle for power at the heart of the royal court.

In April 1483, the sudden death of King Edward IV brings his 12 year old son to the throne.

Restless young lord and ex-mercenary John Elder is newly-appointed to the service of Edward, Prince of Wales, and charged with the boy’s safety. His first task, escorting the new king to London for his coronation, seems a simple one but the accession of a boy king raises concerns among the leading noblemen of the land. 

As old jealousies and feuds are rekindled, the new king’s uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, seizes control and plunges the kingdom into crisis. But is Gloucester young Edward’s enemy, or saviour? 

While John, outlawed and trapped, must wait to see how events unfold, other members of the battle-scarred Elder family are drawn, one by one, into his conspiracy. Soon they are mired so deep in the murky underbelly of London society, that there seems no hope of escape from the tangle of intrigue and murder.

In the end, all lives will hang upon the outcome of a daring incursion into the Tower of London itself.

This one took me a while to finish because I had to keep pushing this back on the back-burner. Finally completed!

The story takes places after King Edward IV dies and has left his 12-year-old son is now up for the throne. John Edler is newly-appointed to be in charge of the new King's safety. As we all know, the boy's uncle, Richard, takes over and plunges England into crisis. Now, John is outlawed. As events unfold, his family members are drawn into his conspiracy.

*wipes sweat from brow* There was a lot going on in this story. Lots of conspiracies, lots of back-stabbing, lots of drama. I wasn't sure what was going to happen. The only thing I know for sure is that everything was a lost cause for the boys in the Tower. Not a spoiler since we all know they were lost. Did Richard kill them? Toss them to the side? Did they run off? Did someone else murder them? We'll never truly know. And for me...that's sad and tragic. 

I did like John Elder and he really did get screwed over because of Richard and his take-over. Poor guy.

There is some backstory I feel I missed since this is book 2. However, I could overlook it, but I do have some questions. I did feel like I missed some references and character building. I recommend reading book 1 first to avoid this. 

I was worried about John and his family. 

The romance was bleh. Not a fan. THAT IS YOUR COUSIN GOOD SIR/MADAM! I know it was commonplace back yonder, but even they had an issue with it and how "wrong" it felt, but they still did it and felt how they felt. They kept bringing it up so it was at the forefront of my mind. Plus, I didn't feel their chemistry at all either so it made it more awkward. 

I also wished we had more POV from Richard. There was some, but I wanted more. Not that I didn't like John and his crew...but I wanted to see more from the inside. 

Overall, I did enjoy the story. Stinks that I had to keep putting it to the side to read things that were due, but I finally got a chance to finish it and it was good. I wasn't a fan of the romance aspect and I wanted more of that slimy Richard. I'll stamp this with 3 stars.