Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Carole´s Review: Apprentice to the Villain
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
TMST
Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 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. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.
11/19/2024 Have you ever met someone famous? Tell us!
Nope, no one famous at all. Not even someone semi famous. Not even someone Finnish famous
11/26/2024 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Winter? (Dec-Feb)
12/3/2024 What is your favorite breakfast food?
12/10/2024 What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2024?
12/17/2024 Do you enjoy reading holiday-themed books at the holidays or year-round?
12/24/2024 Taking a break (no question)
12/31/2024 How do you celebrate New Year's Eve/the new year?
Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 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. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.
If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. Participation is optional and never required.
Sunday, 17 November 2024
Gods of Jade and Shadow
Published: July 23, 2019 by Del Rey
Historical fantasy/own
I am having conflicting feelings. I always enjoyed the book while reading, but the minute I put it down I forgot about it, I started something else. So it took me 2 months to finish. And I do not know why.
The story was interesting, Cassiopeia lives with her crappy family and then she goes on an adventure with a Mayan god of death who is a prisoner. Maybe that was the problem. Things works out so well. No true blood sweat and tears. I feel his evil brother could have worked a little harder. The book was soft. Which is not a bad thing, but then Casiopeia and the God starts having feelings too. And I like nice books, I do not needs violence and blood...but, being Mayan Gods and all. Maybe a bit more
It was good. Do not get me wrong. But I struggled too. Nothing bad happens
The Jazz Age is in full swing, but Casiopea Tun is too busy cleaning the floors of her wealthy grandfather’s house to listen to any fast tunes. Nevertheless, she dreams of a life far from her dusty small town in southern Mexico. A life she can call her own.
Yet this new life seems as distant as the stars, until the day she finds a curious wooden box in her grandfather’s room. She opens it—and accidentally frees the spirit of the Mayan god of death, who requests her help in recovering his throne from his treacherous brother. Failure will mean Casiopea’s demise, but success could make her dreams come true.
In the company of the strangely alluring god and armed with her wits, Casiopea begins an adventure that will take her on a cross-country odyssey from the jungles of Yucatán to the bright lights of Mexico City—and deep into the darkness of the Mayan underworld.
Thursday, 14 November 2024
This fallen prey by Kelley Armstrong
Series: Rockton/Casey Duncan (#3)
Format: 359 pages, Hardcover
Published: February 6, 2018 by Minotaur Book
Crime mystery thriller /own
Omg, like can this town get any worse? YES it can.
The stupid council that loves money sends a serial killer to Rockton. His family has enough money to pay. And all they say is try to keep him contained. This place is not working.
And again, outside the town is wilderness with dangerous animals, dangerous hostiles, and settlers that can be pretty crazy too. Remind me never to go to Canada.
But what a thrill. Is the guy actually guilty? And then he escapes and all hell breaks loose. And I kept guessing. Did he do it. I am sure he did. Then I was maybe not. Then I was hell yes. Shoot him. And then...well she sure kept me guessing. No one is so be trusted here.
And that end. Brutal.
I need more. I have more :D
Casey Duncan is about to face her toughest job as police detective in Rockton yet. When Casey first arrived at the off-the-grid town, an isolated community built as a haven for people running from their pasts, she had no idea what to expect, with no cell phones, no internet, no mail, and no way of getting in or out without the town councils approval. She certainly didn't expect to be the homicide detective on two separate cases or to begin a romantic relationship with her boss. But the very last thing she expected was for the council to drop a dangerous criminal into their midst without a plan to keep him imprisoned and to keep others safe. Of course, Oliver Brady claims he's being set up. But the longer Brady stays in town, the more things start to go wrong. When evidence comes to light that someone inside Rockton might be working as his accomplice, helping him to escape, Casey races to figure out who exactly Brady is and what crimes he's truly responsible for committing. In the next page-turning entry in Kelley Armstrong's gripping series, life in Rockton is about to get even more dangerous.
Tuesday, 12 November 2024
TMST
Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 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. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.
11/12/2024 Which types of reviews help you decide what books to read?
Not 5 stars one if I am honest. I saw these posts on threads where people talked about how 4 star reviews are bad and negative and I was all wtf?! Sure I read 5 star ones, but I do not buy books from them. Some people are real, but then there are those fake 5s.
4s are great. They tell it. 2s are also great. Oh you did not like that? Well good for me, I love that. I really need the full spectrum. I could never get a book if it only had glowing reviews. I need the bad too. I need everything.
11/19/2024 Have you ever met someone famous? Tell us!
11/26/2024 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Winter? (Dec-Feb)
12/3/2024 What is your favorite breakfast food?
12/10/2024 What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2024?
12/17/2024 Do you enjoy reading holiday-themed books at the holidays or year-round?
12/24/2024 Taking a break (no question)
12/31/2024 How do you celebrate New Year's Eve/the new year?
Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 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. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.
If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. Participation is optional and never required.
Monday, 11 November 2024
Carole´s Monday: Daisy Jones and the Six
Saturday, 9 November 2024
The bastard king by Donna Grant
By: Donna Grant
Narrated by: Antony Ferguson
Series: The Bastard Duology, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
Release date: 10-15-24 by Tantor Audio
Paranormal romance/to review
It took me way too long to realise that this is part of a series. I thought it was a new book, but it is a new series, within a series. Ooops. So yes sadly I felt throughout that I did not understand this world at all. Like why was he saying he had a Scottish accent when they were in a fantasy world?? Oh, cos there are a lot of dragon books that came before. This is an old fight.
So in this fantasy world we meet Kora who wants to kill someone called Villette because she has slaughtered all of Kora´s kin. Kora then meets Derek, together they travel to the city and has their fair of issues. Oh and he does not tell her that he is a dragon and serves Vilette. Ohhh drama!!
The underlines in the story I missed. Like why are things as they are. But then some other books seems to be set in Scotland so I have actually no idea about other Sora books if there are any. I could still follow along, it was first when there was more dragon talk that I felt I was missing something. I can not say more as Derek thinks all other dragons are prisoners.
There is passion, lots of danger and even more intrigues. Who can be trusted?
I like the narrator as I have listened to lots of historical romance books by him. Aye, all set in Scotland too
I am fire and death. My very presence brings terror and panic. For most, I am the last thing they will ever see. For there is only one thing I live for — freeing my kin.nEvery action, every battle brings me a step closer. Nothing distracts me from my purpose.nUntil she crosses my path.
Brave and fearless, she holds me utterly enthralled. I have to know her. Her past and her future. But especially the secrets she keeps closely guarded.
One taste of her lips, and I’m caught. Trapped. Seized. The more I’m with her, the harder it is to leave. But I have sworn allegiance to another who promises to free the dragons.
Her or my kin. It was once an easy choice.
Before my heart got involved.
Thursday, 7 November 2024
Audio: Mail order minotaur by Lilith Stone
Narrated by: Rachel Leblang
Series: Motham City Monsters, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 10-22-24 by Tantor Audio
Paranormal romance/to review
This turned out to be a fun and sweet, but smexy too. Ivy works as a tour guide in the monster city of Motham when she sees a hunky minotaur. Boom, she is smitten
Bryn owns an escort service and he used to sell his services too. But yeah it is boom for him too when he sees an innocent tour guide in trouble.
She is human from a posh town. He is a minotaur from a poor town. Their beginning is him helping her branch out in town. But they soon realise that that thing between them can¨t be stopped.
And as the book promised low angst it really was. Yes there is some drama, but it works out so well. And they will live happily ever after.
Sweet, smexy, and lots of monsters around
Good narration. I am not sure I have listened to this narrator before and she did a great job and she kept me entertained
A shy human. A minotaur sex worker. A powerful chemistry neither can deny.
Tour guide Ivy has always secretly fantasized about minotaurs. So when a Beast Hunters tour to Motham City goes horribly wrong, she’s thrilled to be rescued by wickedly handsome minotaur, Bryn. Until she finds out that he runs a male escort agency with the sole purpose of pleasuring humans.
And Ivy just isn’t that sort of girl…
Bryn isn’t looking for love. He sells it. Besides he’s too busy caring for his disabled mom and four brothers and sisters to have time for romance. But when a sweet and innocent human literally catapults into his life, Bryn might just have to change his mind about love…
Mail Order Minotaur is the first in The Motham City Monsters series. It’s a low angst sweet monster romance with plenty of spice and a guaranteed HEA, set in Motham City, a place where humans and monsters meet… and fall in love. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
TMST
Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 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. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.
11/5/2024 What are five things that make you happy?
Well it used to be chocolate, but then I had a bloody kidney stone and chocolate is evil so no longer does it make me happy. Small amounts, blergh.
Right, happy things:
The woods. Alone. Just being
Books
Weekends
A perfect summerday
Something really good to eat, that just wows you
And that was my random list for today
11/12/2024 Which types of reviews help you decide what books to read?
11/19/2024 Have you ever met someone famous? Tell us!
11/26/2024 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Winter? (Dec-Feb)
12/3/2024 What is your favorite breakfast food?
12/10/2024 What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2024?
12/17/2024 Do you enjoy reading holiday-themed books at the holidays or year-round?
12/24/2024 Taking a break (no question)
12/31/2024 How do you celebrate New Year's Eve/the new year?
Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 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. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.
If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. Participation is optional and never required.
Monday, 4 November 2024
Best of October
Best TV show of the Month:
Blodeuedd - Love is Blind (S7) , Our Flag Means Death , & The Rookie (S6)
Saturday, 2 November 2024
A darkness absolute by Kelley Armstrong
Format: 445 pages, Paperback
Published: March 1, 2017 by Sphere
Crime/library
Book 2 was impossible to get. It was out of stock, and ebook, eh, no I did not want that. So I checked and only 2 libraries in the entire country had this book. And an interlibrary loan was actually really cheap. So I got it! Phew. Oh and I have already ordered books 3 to 6 from a bookstore ;)
So this place is still rather hellish. I have no idea who thought this was a good idea. Sure on paper a place where you can go if you are in danger is good. But that is the thing, people with money can also get it. People who have done terrible terrible things. And now innocent people and killers live in the same town. And outside is bad too. In the woods there are settlers (who can be bad), and hostiles (who are effed up and will kill you.)
Casey and the town sheriff found each other in book 1. At least she has some peace there. In this book they find a woman who has been held in a cave for a year. (because yes this place is bad.)
Who is the man? Someone from town? Outside town? Feelings run hot and I had no idea who did it because everyone is bad.
A thrilling book that makes you never want to visit this place.
When experienced homicide detective Casey Duncan first moved to the secret town of Rockton, she expected a safe haven for people like her, people running from their past misdeeds and past lives. She knew living in Rockton meant living off-the-grid completely: no cell phones, no Internet, no mail, very little electricity, and no way of getting in or out without the town council’s approval. What she didn’t expect is that Rockton comes with its own set of secrets and dangers.
Now, in A Darkness Absolute, Casey and her fellow Rockton sheriff’s deputy Will chase a cabin-fevered resident into the woods, where they are stranded in a blizzard. Taking shelter in a cave, they discover a former resident who’s been held captive for over a year. When the bodies of two other women turn up, Casey and her colleagues must find out if it’s an outsider behind the killings or if the answer is more complicated than that...before another victim goes missing.
Thursday, 31 October 2024
Audio. The Duke´s Christmas Bride by Anna Bradley
By: Anna Bradley
Narrated by: Gabrielle Baker
Series: Drop Dead Dukes, Book 3
Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 09-24-24
Historical romance/to review
It starts with a bang. A mansion that is falling apart, and Rose waking up and then realising someone is in the house. Bang. Damn it was a Duke!
Max hated her dad because he thinks he got the mansion by trickery. Rose and a servant are the only ones left in this crappy house that both she and Max now owns.
He wants the house. She wants to live in her house that is falling apart. They grow closer, but he is a wicked Duke and he has plans to get rid of her and get the house. Though no murder in involved.
Then there is a houseparty too, and xmas around the corner. The perfect time to fall in love. And to have a little drama at the end before a HEA.
Good narration. She has a good voice for this story. I always enjoy her narrations
Alarmed by the sound of an intruder, Rose St. Claire fetches her pistol. She’s shocked to discover that the trespasser is a handsome gentleman—one who states that the house, which Rose recently inherited from her late benefactor, was stolen from his father decades ago. He claims it is now his. And it is—but not entirely. As it turns out, Hammond Court has been left to them both—and neither can evict the other without forfeiting their right to the property . . .
Wealthy and ruthless, Maxwell Burke, Duke of Grantham, has spent years regaining the many properties his father lost to bad wagers. Only Hammond Court remains. But Rose has no intention of leaving. In fact, as Christmas draws near, circumstances force Max to plan a holiday party, and Rose is all too happy to help. Max despises such merriment—until he sees it as an opportunity . . .
Max will forgive the debt of another young duke’s family if the attractive gentleman woos Rose at the party, ultimately marries her—and returns her share of the estate to Max. It’s foolproof. Except that Rose’s spirited joy is seductive, recalling within Max long ago feelings of happiness—and awakening a deep attraction. Has Max cooked his own Christmas goose—or is there a chance love will prevail? . . .
Tuesday, 29 October 2024
TMST
Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 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. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.
10/29/2024 How do you like to be scared? Horror or thriller?
No thriller. Those do not scare me as a good horror. But I do not need blood or gore. I want the unknown, the not shown. Like with Birdbox. Damn that book was scary. And this book I read long ago where not much happens, but something is outside the window...something.
Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 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. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.
If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. Participation is optional and never required.
Monday, 28 October 2024
Carole´s review The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Delta
Saturday, 26 October 2024
Hell for hire by Rachel Aaron
By: Rachel Aaron
Narrated by: Nicholas Cain
Series: Tear Down Heaven, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins
Release date: 05-22-24
Urban fantasy/bookbeat.fi
It took me a while. I did not get into it, and then like 2 weeks after I tried again. It took a while but then I got into it.
I also felt the world maybe needed some more explaining.
Anyway, Bex is a demon who gets hired to protect Adrian who is a witch. He likes being a witch, but the powers that be wants him to be a nasty warlock and he is all f that! And he will hurt anyone trying.
So the book is building up for that final showdown when they are coming for him, and then slowly it turns out Bex is in trouble too.
In the end I did like it, but for a Rachel Aaron book is sure took time for me to enjoy it.
The narrator was good, but who knows, maybe I needed someone else
The Crew
A hulked-out wrath demon who eats gamer rage and loves cats, a shapeshifting lust demon who enjoys their food a bit too much, and a void demon who doesn’t see the point of any of this. They’re not the sort of mercenaries you'd hire on purpose, but Bex wouldn’t trust her life to anyone else.
Ever since the ancient Mesopotamian king Gilgamesh decided death wasn’t for him, killed the gods, and conquered the afterlife, times have been rough for a free demon. But the denizens of the Nine Hells aren’t the quitting sort, and Bex and her team have been choking a living out of the Eternal King’s lackeys for years. It’s not honest work, but when Heaven itself declares you a non-person, you smash-and-grab what you can get.
This next gig looks like more of the same…until Bex meets the client.
The Job
Adrian Blackwood is a witch with a problem. His family has skirted the edges of King Gilgamesh’s ire for centuries, but thanks to a decision he made as a child, Adrian is personally responsible for putting his entire coven in Heaven’s crosshairs.
Determined to set things right, Adrian drags his broom, caldron, and talking cat thousands of miles across the country to Seattle where he can fight the Eternal King’s warlocks without bringing the rest of his family into the fray. But witchcraft--like all crafts--takes time, and if the warlocks catch him before his spells are ready, he’s dead. So Adrian does what any professional witch would do and hires a team of mercenaries to keep the warlocks off his back. He didn’t expect to get demons, but when you’re already on the killing-edge of Heaven’s bad side, what’s a bit more fuel on the fire?
Sometimes you get more than you paid for.
Neither Adrian nor Bex knew what to expect when they signed their contract, but witch-plus-demon turns out to be a match made in the Hells. With this much chaos at their fingertips, even impossible dreams can come back into reach, because Bex wasn’t always a mercenary. She used to be the Eternal King's biggest nightmare, and now that she’s got a witch in her corner, it’s time to put the old magics back on the field and show Adrian Blackwood just how much Hell he’s hired.