Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

Saturday Snapshot and Ebook freebie

2012-01-28T21:27:00.000+02:00

Saturday snapshot is hosted by Alyce @Home with books

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky below. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

I took this one today at my grandparents. I like it cos it is simple, it feels Finnish and it feels like home :)

And this was my first Saturday snapshot *waves*

Ebook freebie time

Lori Brighton's book The Mind Readers is free on Amazon, but only today! So hurry on over and get it

Cameron Winters is a freak. Fortunately, no one but her family knows the truth …that Cameron can read minds. For years Cameron has hidden behind a facade of normalcy, warned that there are those who would do her harm. When gorgeous and mysterious Lewis Douglas arrives he destroys everything Cameron has ever believed and tempts her with possibilities of freedom. Determined to embrace her hidden talents, Cameron heads to a secret haven with Lewis; a place where she meets others like her, Mind Readers.

But as Cameron soon finds out some things are too good to be true. When the Mind Readers realize the extent of Cameron’s abilities, they want to use her powers for their own needs. Cameron suddenly finds herself involved in a war in which her idea of what is right and wrong is greatly tested. In the end she’ll be forced to make a choice that will not only threaten her relationship with Lewis, but her very life.

Interview and Contest: Victoria Connelly - Dreaming of Mr.Darcy

2012-01-27T15:03:00.001+02:00

Today I have Victoria Connelly over for an interview and there is a chance to win her book, Dreaming of Mr. Darcy.

1. Could you tell me a little bit about yourself?

- I’ve written all my life and I’m so happy when at my desk thinking about characters falling in love! My favourite books and films are all romantic comedies and I grew up on a diet of Doris Day and Marilyn Monroe films. I also adore animals and have a rescue spaniel and several ex-battery hens. I love spending time with them.

2. Your new book is called Dreaming of Mr.Darcy, could you tell my readers a bit about it?

- Dreaming of Mr Darcy is the second book in my Jane Austen addicts’ trilogy. It’s set in beautiful Lyme Regis where a new adaptation of Persuasion is being filmed and my heroine falls in love with the actor playing Captain Wentworth. But is he really the hero for her?

3. From where do you get your inspiration for these modern Jane Austen stories?

- I’d been visiting lots of Jane Austen locations including her home in Chawton, Hampshire and I kept thinking how beautiful these places were and how much fun it would be to write about them and the idea for a trilogy happened very quickly. It would be three separate books about three sets of Austen addicts and each would be set in a different Austen location: Hampshire, Lyme Regis and Bath.

I also wanted to explore what it was like to be an Austen fan in the twenty-first century and how so many of us use Austen to escape from the stresses and strains of the modern world.

4. Considering what you write, which is your favorite Jane Austen book and couple?

- It has to be Elizabeth and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice because they just spark against each other and it’s so much fun to watch their mistrust turn to love. But I also have a soft spot for Catherine and Henry Tilney from Northanger Abbey. I love the way he teases her!

5. I kept seeing a certain actor when reading the character Oli Wade Owen, but now I am more interested in knowing who you might see as Adam Craig?

It has to be said that I rather fell in love with Mr Rupert Penry Jones as Captain Wentworth in the recent adaptation of Persuasion and I was highly inspired by him when writing my own hero, Oli Wade Owen. Who would I like to play Adam? I adore Henry Cavill and can just imagine him wearing Adam’s cute little glasses!

6. What’s next up from you?

The third book in my Austen addicts’ trilogy – Mr Darcy Forever – is out in April in the US. This is about two estranged sisters who meet once again during the Jane Austen festival in Bath.

I’m also just finishing a new romantic comedy called The Runaway Actress about a film star who swaps Hollywood for the Highlands of Scotland. It’s due out in the UK in April 2012 and I hope US publication will follow.

And watch out for Christmas with Mr Darcy – a novella sequel to my Austen addicts’ trilogy which will be released on Kindle in time for Christmas!

Thanks!

Giveaway

1 copy of Dreaming of Mr.Darcy

1. Open to US and Canada

2.Ends Feb 3

3. Go ahead and enter, that is all :)

Or comment, ask something or tell me if you like Persuasion...

Dreaming of Mr.Darcy -OUT NOW
Fledgling illustrator and Darcy fanatic Kay Ashton settles in the seaside town of Lyme to finish her book, The Illustrated Mr. Darcy, when a film company arrives to make a new adaptation of Persuasion. Kay is soon falling for the handsome bad boy actor playing Captain Wentworth, but it's the quiet screenwriter Adam Craig who has more in common with her beloved Mr. Darcy. Though still healing from a broken heart, Adam finds himself unexpectedly in love with Kay, but it will take more than good intentions to convince her that her real happy ending is with him.

Author's website

--------------------------

My flash fic for this week

Review: Her Ladyship's companion - Evangeline Collins

2012-01-26T17:36:00.003+02:00

Genre: Historical romance

Pages: 330

Published: 2009

Publisher: Berkley

Source: Bought

In the Scottish countryside of Selkirk, Lady Isabella Stirling resides at Bowhill Park, serving penance for a sin that nearly ruined her family. For five years she has been condemned to a loveless marriage and confined to the estate where she does little more than tend her rose garden. With her husband absent for months at a time and few visitors, Bella lives a lonely existence, denying the passions that burn within her very soul.
Then her cousin comes for a visit and makes an outrageous suggestion: what Bella needs is a lover. A hired lover. Despite her need, Bella says no. But soon Mr. Gideon Rosedale arrives-and he is at her service for two weeks. Indulging in what she intends to be a harmless flirtation, Bella is overcome by Gideon's intoxicating presence. And when she at last permits him to satisfy her desires, she discovers she's done the unthinkable-she's fallen in love.

My thoughts:

I read another book by her and liked it, even though I didn't think I would. So of course then I had to get this book. At least now I was used to the prostitutes ;)

Isabella is married to a man who is never around. She is lonely, sad and there is passion in her that never gets to come out. When she finally gets to live she is a tad bit immature, but that is because she wants and wants. Kind of like me in a bookstore. The hero, oh yes, he is a male prostitute hired by her cousin. Now this is a romance so of course they fall in love, but can they be? She is married and he is nothing.

I can't say what it is about her books that make me like them so much. There is just so much passion, angst, and love around. And there is that big elephant in the room, how on earth could this possibly work? The road there is long and it has me wondering. Because I want them and need these two to be happy. She is so deserving and he, well he sure deserves better too.

Conclusion:

I truly enjoyed this one and I recommend it. I really like her voice.

Cover:

Something is wrong with his body

---------------------

I am also now a permanent member of the gang over at Alternative-read.com and today I am reviewing Black Wings by Christina Henry.

As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It's a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package.

Maddy's position may come with magical powers and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with.

Things start looking up, though, when tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.

Powers that place her directly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell.

Review: A Brush of Darkness - Allison Pang

2012-01-25T21:32:00.001+02:00

Series. Abby Sinclair #1

Genre: UFPNR

Pages: 343

Published: 2011

Publisher: Pocket

Source: Bought

The man of her dreams might be the cause of her nightmares.

Six months ago, Abby Sinclair was struggling to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Now, she has an enchanted iPod, a miniature unicorn living in her underwear drawer, and a magical marketplace to manage. But despite her growing knowledge of the OtherWorld, Abby isn’t at all prepared for Brystion, the dark, mysterious, and sexy-as- sin incubus searching for his sister, convinced Abby has the key to the succubus’s whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invade her dreams to get information. But when her Faery boss and some of her friends vanish, as well, Abby and Brystion must form an uneasy alliance. As she is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, Abby realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart—and there’s no one she can trust to save her.

My thoughts:

I thought it would be UF but considering the sexual tension and the smexing I am proclaiming this to be...UFPNR.

I came into a world as confused as Abby was, but she just put up a better front and slowly I understood what she was involved in. But I will not tell you that, since that will spoil the plot. She is tough, snarky and damaged. But I like her and anyone who can put up with a horny little unicorn is good to me.

Then we have the love interest, Brystion who oozes sex, well duh, he is an incubus. He will ride those dreams until you beg for more. What can I say, I am a sucker for dark and sexy. Together these two are sizzling.

As for the story there is the hunt for his sister, Abby's boss and figuring out what the heck is going on in town. All while dealing with your friendly neighborhood incubus and having wet dreams about said demon.

Conclusion:

It was a fun ride and I think I liked the end the best, why..well beats me. There was just a lot of tension and I sure like that.

Cover:
Awesome

Review: The Man who Rained - Ali Shaw

2012-01-24T17:11:00.001+02:00

Genre: Fiction/Fable

Pages: 304

Published: January 2012

Publisher: Atlantic Books

Source: For review

When Elsa's father is killed in a tornado, all she wants is to escape — from New York, her job, her boyfriend — to somewhere new, anonymous, set apart. For some years she has been haunted by a sight once seen from an aeroplane: a tiny, isolated settlement called Thunderstown.

Thunderstown has received many a pilgrim, and young Elsa becomes its latest — drawn to this weather-ravaged backwater, this place rendered otherworldly by the superstitions of its denizens. In Thunderstown, they say, the weather can come to life and when Elsa meets Finn Munro, an outcast living in the mountains above the town, she wonders whether she has witnessed just that.

For Finn has an incredible secret: he has a thunderstorm inside of him. Not everyone in town wants happiness for Elsa and Finn. As events turn against them, can they weather the tempest - can they survive at all?

The Man Who Rained is a work of lyrical, mercurial magic and imagination, a modern-day fable about the elements of love.

My thoughts:

I read this first book, The Girl with glass feet and was smitten. He made me believe it all could be real. That in some parts of the world there was still magic that was not truly magic, it was just life. It's not like paranormal books where you just read it but do not believe. Here, here it is different. Perhaps men can rain, and perhaps rain can come to life.

His prose is lyrical and it sucks you in, it holds on to you and it also made me feel scared. This is a town filled with superstitious people who kill that of rain and thunder. While on the mountain there lives a strange man called Finn, who is our man who rained. I feared for him.

The story is about Elsa who comes to Thundertown to start a new life. She is nice and curious and meets Finn. Who is mysterious and sweet. He shows her a world that seems to exist only in these mountains. It's a book filled with magical realism and feelings of longing, love but also hate of the unknown. And here it truly shows. That which you do not know you fear and think is dangerous. Only some give it a chance and find that we are all alike in the end.

The book is great, the writing, the story, the people in it and the world he creates. It's a place were sunbeams come to life.

Conclusion:

It's a book I recommend because it is so real and still so magical. I can't wait for his next book and see what he comes up with then. It was simply enchanting, heartbreaking and lovely.

Cover:

Pretty

Review: The Waters rising - Sheri S.Tepper

2012-01-23T18:37:00.002+02:00

Series: A plague of Angels #2
Genre: Futuristic fantasy sci-fi
Pages: 512
Published: Dec 2011
Publisher: Gollancz
Source: For review

The long-awaited and much-demanded sequel to A PLAGUE OF ANGELS, continuing the story of Abasio, once a farmboy, now, so Blue, his talking horse, is happy to inform people, a man who goes hither and thither helping orphans in this world where renascent mythical beasts and fairy tale 'archetypes' now live. When he comes across little Xulai from Tingawan, one of the Ten Thousand Islands, far across the western Sea, she informs him that she too is an orphan, and implores his help carrying out the last request of the Princess Xu-i-lok, who has been dying since the day she married Duke Justinian, who refused the royal order to marry Alicia, the Prince's sister. Xulai is Princess Xu-i-lok's Soul Carrier, and the task she must complete means visiting the scary forest in the dead of night - but it is the only thing that will bring the princess a measure of peace. Abasio, helper of orphans, promises though she must do this alone, he will be near, to aid her if necessary and it is, for there are dark things abroad. Xulai's job is not yet done, for with the princess now dead, the grieving Duke is left a widower - and Alicia, Duchess Altamont, still wishes to marry him. It's not just the man she wants, but his lands too and her plans do not bode well for anyone except her .

My thoughts:

This book was strange, but wondrous strange. But then all Tepper books I have read have been like that, she takes in things and turns into something utterly amazing and weird.

First, yes it is book two, but book 1 does not have to be read to understand this book. The only person from book 1 around is the hero Abasio. But here is he is all new and a bit different. I do not know how much time has gone by, and it takes place in a new land. It is a new book and it was published almost 20 years after book 1.

I thought book 1 gave me answers what might have happened to our earth, but here I finally found out what The Big Kill, and the Time when no one moved around was. This our earth, which we destroyed and in its wake technology was no more. Which makes this a futuristic sci-fi book in a fantasy world. She explains it well at one time, how people when they do not understand something makes it into magic. There are a few things left over from the old times, and some do know things. Like when the baddie, Alicia curses someone. Some say it is magic, some know better. She took the pattern of that person and sent a cloud. Yes DNA and virus. The mix works so well, because what would happen if 99% died out? If machines were destroyed?

And like that was not enough, now the waters are rising and even the highest mountain will be under water. Can humankind be saved? And do we deserve to be saved?

It's a book to read slowly because now and then something new comes along and everything slowly dawns on me. It's a good book, it is a strange story and I can't believe that this used to be earth. There are talking animals, the Kraken, a lovestory, and wicked witches. There is also a child's journey and the question why she is so important?

Conclusion:

Tepper needs to be read to be understand. I do not think I can make her world justice. But when you step in to her world you will be enchanted with it.

Cover:

Now I get it ;=)

Review: Contingency Plan - Anita Ensal

2012-01-22T19:41:00.002+02:00

Series: The Neighborhood #1
Genre: Contemporary fairytale
Pages: 29
Published: Dec 2011
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Source: For review

Sharon’s running out of time and money. She’s got a plan for how to save herself and her two children after their deadbeat dad and the rest of their family have deserted them. But what will her contingency plan do to her soul and the souls of her children?

Mr. Mann carries burdens most couldn’t -- the visible, odd arrangement of connected boxes on his back, and the hidden guilt for deeds done long, long ago. The end may be in sight, but not a happy one if Sharon chooses the wrong path. Someone’s contingency plan will be put into effect, but whether it leads to a happily ever after or dark despair will require intricate maneuverings by the white witches of the Neighborhood. But even they can’t stop a good woman from going wrong.

My thoughts:

I meant to review another book today, but I got a few pages left, and well then it was perfect to take on this short story. And who can say no to a Gini Koch book in the first place, since that is her hiding behind that name.

This was a short tale about Sharon who is down on her luck, she got nothing except for her kids. But the is kind, and she tries. They meet the strange Mr Mann and their luck is beginning to change. But the question is, will she pick the right way or will things to dark again? And that is what it is about.

There is also a bit of romance at the end, because every fairytale needs a HEA.

I do not want to say too much since it is short and I would just spoil it all, but it was a nice little tale. Even when there are struggles, there might be something good lurking behind the horizon.

Review: Miss Bannerman and the Duke - Fenella J.Miller

2012-01-21T11:46:00.000+02:00

Genre: Historical romance

Pages: Ebook...

Published: Sep 2011

Publisher: Musa Publishing

Review by Anachronist

Synopsis:

Two young sisters are climbing a tree when their older brother brings some male friends home. Each of those guests catches one girl helping them to descent. Later on they marry. Oh, in-between there are some balls to be attended and different outfits to be described and ruined. And jewellery. You can dance a waltz only with your betrothed in order not to scandalize the ladies of the ton. Isn’t this rule rather silly?

Good girl review:

It was a sweet read, more a longer novella than a short novel, about twin girls who get exactly those husbands they dream of. Amelia is a golden-haired angel and she is paired with a more flashy but poorer guy; still she fancies him a lot. Rosamond is a bit of a tomboy and an original so she scores higher – the Duke of Essex, no less, a fine gent in his prime who understands her like no other and is filthy rich. Have I mentioned their mutual understanding yet? Awwww…and horses, do not let me forget their horses…you know it is a match made in heaven when your horse falls for the horse of your partner, right? Pour some pink champagne and say it with me in unison: awww…

Bad girl review:

Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” would be a perfect soundtrack here, perhaps with a dash of Behemoth. No story. There was simple no story - just balls and dresses and every Jill gets her Jack as soon as possible or even sooner without major complications or problems. Insta-love is rampant and I haven ‘t found any significant character development whatsoever. Apart from the horses, mentioned above, the book also features a homeless puppy found in the park – vermin- infested but what are those servants for, right? My inner Punk yawned and swore, my inner Goth went out looking for a vampire to share a pint of blood. Without the Magic Flute of Mr. Mozart (more precisely the Queen of Night aria “Der Hölle Rache”) I wouldn’t be able to finish it. Fortunately it was short. Just ten repetitions and I was almost at the end. Still…”Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen; Tod und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her!...”

The quote that sums it all:

“The Duke of Essex was no longer proud and disdainful and Rose Bannerman was no longer prejudiced and wild. True love, as it always does, had changed them both.”

My foot! Even Miss Jane Austen would give a very polite snort.

Final verdict:

Bad girl wins - I didn’t enjoy this one but I love Mozart.

Review: Undead and Unwed - MaryJanice Davidson

2012-01-20T17:47:00.003+02:00

Series: Undead #1
Genre: Paranormal romance (humour)
Pages: 288 (PB)
Published: 2004
Publisher: Berkley
Source: My own

Waking up in a tacky coffin, and wearing off-brand shoes, Betsy Taylor can't believe the horrible turn her life has taken–then she discovers she's a vampire. Soon, Betsy becomes a participant in a power struggle between the forces of darkness. With only her friend Jessica and the hunky vampire Sinclair to help her, this new "Queen of Vampires" will have a tough time getting her afterlife straight.

My thoughts:

Now this was light humorous paranormal romance and I do like that. Betsy did not take herself seriously and I enjoyed that. But then the cover does give it all away, light and fun.

Betsy is not normal kind of heroine, she loves shoes, loves loves them! And of course is should be designer shoes. She is funny, snarky, sweet and nice. Of course I had to like Betsy, especially when she brings out the snark. She also got sidekicks who are just perfect for her. The hero, well we know it from the first time she sets her eyes on him. Sink Lair, and I got Ethan vibes. Especially from one of the first times she sees him around. Nah, I did not care for him. He is full of himself and even if he changes his ways...ok I can't make a prophecy, I might actually like him then. But the first impression is just the same that she got, jerk.

The story is all about her waking up from the dead, coming to terms with that, meeting vamps, wondering why they call her queen and all in a lighthearted fashion.

Did I fall for it as much as my friend who read it first did? No, but I enjoyed it none the less. And since she liked it so much that she bought more,...yes I will read more then too.

Conclusion:

Fluffy and fun.

Cover

Cute

----------------

My flash fiction for this week

Review: A Woman Worth Ten Coppers - Morgan Howell

2012-01-19T16:26:00.002+02:00

Series: Shadowed Path #1
Genre: Fantasy(romance)
Pages: 324
Published: 2008
Publisher: Del Rey
Source: My own

Seer, healer, goddess, slave–she is all these things and more.
Yim is a young woman suddenly cast into slavery, a gifted seer with a shocking secret–and a great destiny. Honus is a Sarf, a warrior dedicated to the service of the compassionate goddess Karm. A Sarf’s sole purpose is to serve a holy person called a Bearer. But Honus’ s Bearer has been killed by the minions of an evil god known only as the Devourer. Masterless and needing someone to bear his pack, Honus purchases Yim for the price of ten coppers–and their fates are forever entwined.

My thoughts:

The book had a strange feeling to it, it was not epic fantasy, it felt like fantasy romance, without the romance. Just these hints of romance and feelings.

Yim is chosen by the Goddess and she does her best to follow her path. Though she does have these TSTL moments. They travel to a dark and desolate landscape and even though she already was in a jam earlier she still gets in trouble and needs to be rescued. I still like her because she is not truly TSTL, she just seem way too innocent and naive. I would thought she had learnt her lesson. Anyway, she ends up being a slave to Honus. Now he is good man who served a holy guy, still one would think he would be nicer to his slave, or at least tell her he would free her later or something. Instead he eyes her with lust, not very nice then now is he. But in the end Honus is a good man, his ego just seem to be a bit too big.

Yes you guessed it, these two will obviously get feelings for each other. You know it all the time. Under the mean time they travel through a dark world, a world which I liked because it was truly creepy and dark. A dark god is gaining powers and the world is going to hell.

And then there is the big secret. She has a secret. He is going to where she should go as he also serve the Goddess. Does she tell him? No. One would think it would get her out of slavery and make her more comfortable so that she does not need to fear rape and getting sold. But yes yes Goddess, secrets and all that jazz.

Conclusion:

Enjoyable. I just wish I had not read the blurb for the 2nd book cos there I figured something out and then I checked book 3. Yeesh, depressing.

Cover:

Lovely

Review: Dreams of a Dark Warrior - Kresley Cole

2012-01-18T17:48:00.001+02:00

Genre: Immortals after dark #11
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 515
Published: 2011
Publisher: Simon and Schuster UK
Source: Bought
He vowed he’d come for her...

Murdered before he could wed Regin the Radiant, warlord Aidan the Fierce seeks his beloved through eternity, reborn again and again into new identities, yet with no memories of his past lives-only an endless yearning.

She awaits his return...

When Regin encounters Declan Chase, a brutal Celtic soldier, she recognizes her proud warlord reincarnated. But Declan takes her captive, intending retribution against all immortals, unaware that he belongs to their world. To sate a desire more powerful than death...

Yet every reincarnation comes with a price, for Aidan is doomed to die when he remembers his past. To save herself from Declan’s torments, will Regin rekindle the memories of the passion they once shared-even if it means once again losing the only man she could ever love?

My thoughts:

I liked the book, since it is Kresley Cole after all, I just did not like the actual story in a way. Let me explain:

First of all it takes place in a prison where all the immortals taken are being dissected and experimented upon by humans who are idiots. I already disliked this in Stolen by Kelley Armstrong. So not a fan of prison stories.

But in the end the thing that was that made me frown a bit was not that. It was the love story. If I was Regin I would just have cut of his balls and fed them to him, or let someone else do just that. We all know they end up together so that is not a spoiler, we all know they live happily ever after so then why does everyone forgive for the moment just cos she loves him? I'd still rip out his intestines and then staple them back together inside of him. Because this is what he watched everyday. He looked upon and approved of torture that was not even torture. Now, it was just too horrible to even think about. There should be a new name for it. Because immortals do not die easily therefore they are alive while people play with their rib cages and pull out everything inside. So you get the picture, the "hero" is a bad bad bad bad man. He is the kind of man who watched a little girl's mother get killed and then throw the child in a prison. And would surely look when they dissect her later too. Which is why I just could not like him as a hero, and thought that an ending where Regin kills him would have been much better. Aww, now that would have been a happy ending. And then Regin could have waited 100 more years for him to be reborn as someone nicer.

These immortals forgive too easily. I fear if they are that nice then the bad side would really win.

Conclusion:

But I still bloody like the book cos it is Kresley Cole. Just in my mind, they smexed and he died. HEA for me. The end.

Cover:

Review: Warbreaker - Brandon Sanderson

2012-01-17T19:01:00.001+02:00

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 600
Published: Dec 2011 (2009)
Publisher: Gollancz
Source: For review

Warbreaker is the story of two sisters, who happen to be princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, the lesser god who doesn’t like his job, and the immortal who’s still trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago.

Their world is one in which those who die in glory return as gods to live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren’s capital city and where a power known as BioChromatic magic is based on an essence known as breath that can only be collected one unit at a time from individual people.

By using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be accomplished. It will take considerable quantities of each to resolve all the challenges facing Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris; Susebron the God King; Lightsong, reluctant god of bravery, and mysterious Vasher, the Warbreaker.

My thoughts:

Brandon Sanderson is a master world builder, but here it is the magic system that he builds with thought and precision. The world is of course still well built, but the magic, oh the magic just blows you away. I will not even try to explain it, he does it much better. But to simplify, everyone has got breaths, if you got more then you can use those for magic. There is also this thing about colors and how some have returned to life. But yes just read the book. Or else I will spend the rest of this review on the magical system in this world.

It's a world where the Returned and the Godking with his priests rules the kingdom we see most of. They are terrible and worships people who have come back to life. At least that is what our heroines from Idris think. Siri, is young and out of control, but in any other country she would just be filled with life. I liked her because she was real, human. While her sister Vivienne is collected and does her duty well. One of them will marry the terrible Godking to save their country from war.

The story is about these two sisters who are trying to survive and do what is best. It's also about a mysterious stranger called Vasher whom I do not know if I should trust or not when he is skulking about. And it is about Lifesong, one of the Returned. He died, he came back, and he is a God with doubts. My favorite character was Siri because just of the way her story went, which I will tell you no more about. I also liked the Lifesong bits since the whole concept about these Gods was so interesting. But then Viv's story took me for a few surprises too. All in all making all the characters so much more than I would have thought. It is a book about changes, freedom, doubt, misconceptions and more.

This book is it, yes there are no trilogy or 10 books to wait for. You will get a conclusion in it so that is a big plus for me. It's nice with a one book fantasy "series" once in a while.

Conclusion:

It was good and the magic, oh he creates it so well. Where does he come up with these ideas? I do love Brandon Sanderson's books.

Cover:

Not a big fan of the cover

Author Interview and Contest: Leigh Morgan

2012-01-16T16:03:00.002+02:00

Today I am having Leigh Morgan over for an interview. Since Lis has read two of her books, and will read the next one, I asked Lis to ask the questions.

And at the end of this interview you will have the chance to win one of her books. Open to all. Leigh will be stopping by so go ahead and ask questions :)

About me & what made me start writing:

My real name is Morganne MacDonald. I’ve been a practicing attorney for the past 20yrs working as a child and elder advocate mostly. I also do mediation and help families settle cases. I have been an avid reader and creator of stories since I was little. My second year of law school I picked up my first romance, Johanna Lindsey’s DEFY NOT THE HEART and that was it for me. I can honestly say I would have shot my in-laws and one or more of my law professors had I not devoured every romance I could find. J After graduation, law practice stressed me in the extreme so I started martial arts training after my first week out. I’m now a 4th degree black belt in Okinawan Shorin Ryu. I have a 4th degree black belt in weapons (Kobudo) as well. I started writing novels because I thought I could do it as well as anyone <big laugh> ignorance is truly the voice of inexperience. I joined RWA and quickly learned I didn’t even know what “voice” meant. Two children and years later here I am.

In both Sparring Partners and Second Chances you write strong, independent female leads. Is that something that is important to you in romance?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Not only do I write them, I love them. Maybe that comes from the fact that all the women I know are strong. I’m sure I’ve met some who are not, but they don’t register on my radar. One of the sweetest, soft-spoken, go-with-the-flow women I know lost her husband who was also her best friend after decades of marriage. She picked herself up changed her area of practice to one she didn’t know at all and now she’s supporting herself, her sons and dating again. That’s strength and it’s in us all, no matter how deep. Plus, I’m kind of a pain in the a** so I appreciate women who also carry this trait in their DNA. Women are strong creatures and men and romance should add to their lives --- make them more whole --- not be the end-all-be-all. Plus, romance makes us vulnerable and I love playing around with that on the page.

Where do you find your inspiration for your stories? And do events from real life influence your stories?

What a great question. Most days I don’t find it by looking, it just comes when I don’t close any doors in my heart or in my mind. I know that sounds all kinds of Zenny, so I’ll try to be more specific. SECOND CHANCES began from a song I heard on the radio. The singer’s voice made my toes curl and the back of my neck tingle. Images of champagne, silk and lot’s of naked man flashed through my ‘I-gotta-get-a-room’ brain and voila the seeds of a story were born: Older, well-educated, straight-laced woman seeking herself and her new sexual freedom and a somewhat younger, vastly more experienced sensually knowing man who needed meaning and sincerity and just gets a kick out of her. I love Ram and Rhia and I still love that song.

Sparring partners is part of a series. Can you give us an insight into the series? What are your plans for the series?

SPARRING PARTNERS is book one in the Dojo Chronicles, a series of stand alone books that have martial arts training and philosophy as a common feature. The next book in the series is FIGHTING FATE. It features Reed’s adoptive son, Jesse, now in his late twenties and the daughter she gave up for adoption when she was 16, Taryn. The exterior plot deals with finding a mysterious artifact on the Glastonbury plain in England’s pagan spirituality center. This book, like all my books, is really about what family means and finding our own identities and meaning through our relationships with those we love, grow to love, and those we can’t just make swim with the fishes because to do so would piss off someone we love. <big grin> FIGHTING FATE is in the last phases of completion and should be up in Spring 2012. My dojo is so filled with weird, wonderful, interesting odd-balls that I will continue to write these fun, light stories as long as I can. I will be starting Scottish historicals too, featuring the same family ties (MacDonald & Campbell) as are in the contemporary series. I can wait to start weaving these together!

We all love a hunky, sexy, sweet, romantic man in romance. What does your 'perfect' man in romance look like?

He looks as imperfect as the real thing to me, then I mess with him a bit and see how he will rise and be his own best self. Again a little Zenny <heavy sigh>. I love strong, kind men who have a sense of purpose or a quest. Men for me must live by a code and be honorable. I don’t have to agree with their code, and often don’t, which is what makes it fun, but they have to be true to it. My heroes all have to love deeply as well and be willing to sacrifice for the higher good when necessary and have fun not sacrificing when it’s not. They all love their mamas – or some female they identify with as mother, sister, aunt etc. I say this with a grin, but I can’t or won’t write a hero I can’t love and so they need to respect women; no misogynists need apply.

How important is a good book cover for you?

VERY. I love my covers. My husband and I created them, at least all the ones up now. Vince is attaching photos of my covers, including the new one for FIGHTING FATE. My husband is an architect and knows many graphic artists. We commissioned one to do a cover for SPARRING PARTNERS. The setting in SPARRING PARTNERS is integral to the story. It’s almost a character for me. That first cover captured the setting perfectly for me and I love it! So much in fact I have the original framed on my wall in its full 11x17 glory. Readers hated it. And by hate I mean refused to read the book. And as much as it pains me to say it, the READERS were RIGHT. The cover simply didn’t fit the feel of the story which is hot, sensual, sexy and fun. So, with that in mind we tried to make the covers for the Dojo Chronicle books reflect the sensuality of the stories. We’re very interested in what your readers think! Thank you so much for your blog…you and your readers changed my cover theme and in no small part have been instrumental in if not changing my life, nudging it forward with a shove!

You recently released Second Chances, what is next on the agenda book-wise?

Finishing, polishing and publishing FIGHTING FATE by Spring. Then I’m going to outline the 3rd Dojo Chronicles book, set it aside, and jump into my first Scottish historical. I’m a Highland girl and very active in Scottish events here in Wisconsin so I’m looking forward to this and welcoming it with open arms. I can’t wait to start fighting with some of the Highland weaponry…I mean research J. I’ll keep you posted.

Thank You again for this wonderful opportunity to share my love of writing and romance with your readers.

Leigh Morgan

GIVEAWAY:
2 winners will each win e-copies of Sparring Partners and Second Chances
(gifted from Amazon)

1. Open to all in the universe
2. Ends Jan 27th
3. Leigh is stopping by today so be free to ask her questions, comment on anything or just tell me if you are entering :)

Have fun!

You and your readers can reach me at:

leighmorgan@bardintraining.com

You can also get me at:

mlmacdonald@wi.rr.com

My website address is:

www.leighmorganauthor.com or
www.bardintraining.com

Review: No rest for the wicked - Kresley Cole

2012-01-15T17:17:00.001+02:00

Series: Immortals after dark #3
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 384
Published: 2011 (2006)
Publisher: Simon and Schuster UK
Source: Bought

A vampire warrior who yearns for death...Three hundred years ago, Sebastian Wroth's brothers forced him to become a vampire-a nightmare in his mind. Shamed and alone for ages, he longs to die. Until an exquisite creature comes to kill him, inadvertently saving him instead. A beautiful assassin dispatched to destroy him...When Kaderin the Cold Hearted lost her two beloved sisters long ago, a benevolent force deadened her sorrow-accidentally extinguishing all of her emotions. Yet whenever she encounters the vampire with his grave eyes, her feelings-particularly lust-emerge multiplied. For the first time, she's unable to complete a kill. The prize is a key powerful enough to resurrect her sisters. Not understanding the key's import, Sebastian hinders her against other opponents by using her new feelings to seduce her and earn her love. But when Kaderin is forced to choose between finally killing Sebastian and reuniting her family, how can she live without either...?

My thoughts:

I did not like it as much as a certain book called A demon from the dark, but then that book was just delicious. Don't get me wrong, this book was also good, just not as good. You know the story.

Sebastian Wroth is our worthy hero, who hates being a vampire. And he is a smart, now who does not like a warrior nerd? It sure works for me. Then we got Kaderin, sure I liked her but not that much since she is cold, which is totally stupid to say cos she is Kaderin the coldhearted. But then thing is she melts, but she still feels cold for me. But then who would not fight against falling for a vampires? Point taken.

And I liked the whole fated for life thing because that does not mean they are in love like with other books. He knew she was her Bride and went to hunt her down. But he did not love her, so no instalove, passion yes but then he is a hunk and she is not that shabby herself.

Conclusion:

We got a wild hunt for treasures, sweet loving (ok not sweet ;), and a insight into this very fascinating world. And it does make it my favorite paranormal series.

Cover:

Not a fan since they all look alike, but on its own, well he looks hot, the little I see of him

On My Wishlist

2012-01-14T12:55:00.001+02:00

I haven't done a meme like this in ages so why not. This one is hosted by Book Chick City.

Shadows before the sun by Kelly Gay

TBA Summer 2012

I saw the cover for the first time today, I can't wait!!!

Unsticky by Sarra Manning

Headline review

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

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

Soon Grace is thrown into a world of money and privilege, at Vaughn’s beck and call in return for thousands of pounds in luxurious gifts, priceless clothes – and cash. Where’s the line between acting the trophy girlfriend, and selling yourself for money?

And, more importantly: whatever happened to love?

I saw this one on two blog, and I am very curious. They sure made me want it.

The Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot

March 2012 Nal Trade

Like most sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor were rivals.

They were also queens.

Raised together at the 13th Century court of their father, Raymond Berenger, Count of Provence, Marguerite and Eleanor are separated by royal marriages—but never truly parted.

Patient, perfect, reticent, and used to being first, Marguerite becomes Queen of France. Her husband, Louis IX, is considered the greatest monarch of his age. But he is also a religious zealot who denies himself all pleasure—including the love and companionship his wife so desperately craves. Can Marguerite find enough of her sister’s boldness to grasp her chance for happiness in the guise of forbidden love?

Passionate, strong-willed, and stubborn, Eleanor becomes Queen of England. Her husband, Henry III, is neither as young nor as dashing as Marguerite’s. But she quickly discovers he is a very good man…and a very bad king. His failures are bitter disappointments for Eleanor, who has worked to best her elder sister since childhood. Can Eleanor stop competing with her sister and value what she has, or will she let it slip away?

I want this one :D

What is on your wishlist?

--------------------
Update:
I changed back to normal comments, which means fullpage view since some of you could not see or respond when I had on embedded comments. A problem I had noticed myself too on some blogs.

Flash Fiction friday

2012-01-13T14:10:00.001+02:00

Welcome to another flash fiction Friday, hosted by the lovely Dottie @Tink's Place. Every Monday we get a new picture, and we write a 350ish word story on Friday. Be free to join us

The Elf and the Panther

by Blodeuedd

She was a thing of beauty. He had followed her for days but she kept on slipping through his grasp. She was the night stalker, the creature of nightmares, a Goddess of Death and destruction. She was perfect. At night when he had to stop for a few hours sleep he could hear her in the distance. He did not want to sleep but he knew he would never catch her if he did not rest. He could hunt the next day, though she was not prey. She was something else. Call it fate, call it knowing, damn it all, call it love.

He was deep in the Ryarian Mountains when she cornered him. He had not meant it to happen. He had thought she was further along the path. He stood still and stared into her golden eyes as she growled deep in her throat. She came closer and he held his breath as her tail touched his leg. One move and she would rip his throat off.

“Nice kitty,” he whispered and she stood still. He could see the disbelief in her eyes and he knew he has won this battle, but he has lost the war. As she ran away he did not follow. Instead he went homewards. Weeks of tracking were over. He went home to his village, he talked to his kin and they all told him he had done the right thing.

Kaerin split the log in two and wiped the sweat of his brow. He had been home for weeks now and he feared that his decision has been the wrong one. He should have continued, even though the panther had looked him in the eye and told him to back off. And he had, because he knew that if she did not come then she certainly would not if he continued. But he missed her, he missed the hunt.

He looked up and was startled at once. Before him stood a beautiful woman, dressed only in a black pelt. He had not heard her sneak up on him, then she smiled and winked at him and he knew that he had finally won. You do not force love, you let it come to you. And he smiled back.

-----------------

Huh, what is wrong with me? Happiness and stuff ;)

Review: Dreaming of Mr.Darcy - Victoria Connelly

2012-01-12T16:06:00.004+02:00

Genre: Contemporary romance/ Austenesque
Pages: 352
Published: Jan 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Source: For review

Fledgling illustrator and Darcy fanatic Kay Ashton settles in the seaside town of Lyme to finish her book, The Illustrated Mr. Darcy, when a film company arrives to make a new adaptation of Persuasion. Kay is soon falling for the handsome bad boy actor playing Captain Wentworth, but it's the quiet screenwriter Adam Craig who has more in common with her beloved Mr. Darcy. Though still healing from a broken heart, Adam finds himself unexpectedly in love with Kay, but it will take more than good intentions to convince her that her real happy ending is with him.

My thoughts:

This was a bit different from my usual JA stuff, but it still deals with the love of Austen. Kay, our heroine, truly loves Jane Austen. Truly loves is the word. But then our hero loves JA too, talk about a match made in heaven...or not.

This was a bit of an Emma novel. Kay is clueless (but in a good way) that Adam likes her. Because she is oogling hottie actor Oli who is playing Captain Wentworth. And this is where the Emma story comes in. She is smitten by someone who is just playing with her. And she is trying to hook up a friend with Adam. Not a good matchmaker, and neither was Emma. But it does make for a delightful story. She is dreaming about her actor, and poor poor Adam can't do anything about it.

I liked Kay, cos she was not clueless in a bad way. Come one, if Colin Firth hang around my house then of course I would stare at him and not the shy nerd who tries to talk to me. So it was understandable that she did not notice. I also liked who silly she was and how her mind went to babies and weddings at once. She was such a daydreamer. While our hero was a lovely shy guy who, aww, hugs. I do like a good shy guy.

Conclusion:

It was a cute story about not seeing that which is right in front of you. But true love always wins.

Cover:

--------------

Btw. Blogger has awesome threaded comments now, yay. But do tell me if you do not like the pink box which the comments are in...though I can't seem to fix the color.

Review: Vicious Circle - Linda Robertson

2012-01-11T16:47:00.001+02:00

Series: Persephone Alcmedi #1

Genre: Urban fantasy

Pages: 384

Published: 2009

Publisher: Pocket

Source: My bookshelf

A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do....

Being a witch doesn't pay the bills, but Persephone Alcmedi gets by between reading Tarot cards, writing her syndicated newspaper column, and kenneling werewolves in the basement when the moon is full -- even if witches aren't supposed to mingle with wolves. She really reaches the end of her leash, though, when her grandmother gets kicked out of the nursing home and Seph finds herself in the doghouse about some things she's written. Then her werewolf friend Lorrie is murdered...and the high priestess of an important coven offers Seph big money to destroy the killer, a powerful vampire named Goliath Kline. Seph is a tough girl, but this time she bites off more than she can chew. She needs a little help from her friends -- werewolf friends. One of those friends, Johnny, the motorcycle-riding lead singer for the techno-metal-Goth band Lycanthropia, has a crush on her. And while Seph has always been on edge around this 6'2" leather-clad hunk, she's starting to realize that although their attraction may be dangerous, nothing could be as lethal as the showdown that awaits them.

My thoughts:

Oh no, it happened again. An UF book that failed to grab my attention, I can't seem to muster up my reviewing powers either. Instead I am pondering the sudden death of potatoes in my fridge. Well, they were old and had been there some time. Those poor things. I so planned to make them into a soup today. I did not just leave them there so I would not have to make fishsoup...or did I?

But ok the book then. I just do not know, it was the same old story. The heroine failed to make me care for her. Sure I liked her, but I did not care. I did not care for the hunky love interest either. The one thing that did make me care was when the wicked bad vampire showed up, oh he was fine and evil. I would have liked to see more of his dark seductive powers.

Therefore I can't say what made me find this book just ok. The story was fine. Assassination, weres in the basement, a hunky guy who she should go for even if he is bad boy. So it must be the people. A story can be wonderful but if I do not care, I do not like. A story can be bad, but if I still like the people, I like the book.

Conclusion:

Just not for me at this time-

Cover:

I do like the cover

Review: The Heretic Queen - Michelle Moran

2012-01-10T17:07:00.001+02:00

Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 404
Published: 2008
Publisher: Crown
Source: My own

In ancient Egypt, a forgotten princess must overcome her family’s past and remake history.

The winds of change are blowing through Thebes. A devastating palace fire has killed the Eighteenth Dynasty’s royal family–with the exception of Nefertari, the niece of the reviled former queen, Nefertiti. The girl’s deceased family has been branded as heretical, and no one in Egypt will speak their names. Nefertari is pushed aside, an unimportant princess left to run wild in the palace. But this changes when she is taken under the wing of the Pharaoh’s aunt, then brought to the Temple of Hathor, where she is educated in a manner befitting a future queen.

Soon Nefertari catches the eye of the Crown Prince, and despite her family’s history, they fall in love and wish to marry. Yet all of Egypt opposes this union between the rising star of a new dynasty and the fading star of an old, heretical one. While political adversity sets the country on edge, Nefertari becomes the wife of Ramesses the Great. Destined to be the most powerful Pharaoh in Egypt.

My thoughts:

I could gush a lot since this was a good book but I will try to keep it simple.

Michelle Moran is good at was this does. She manages to bring history to life and she writes about the most fascinating women. In this book we meet Nefertari, the favorite wife of Ramsesses the great. Moran mentions that since so little is known she takes liberties, but she does it well. I could see these things happen. People have always liked power and playing with other lives.

It's a good book that tells the story of how she married the pharaoh and how she tries to keep one step ahead of his other wife, Iset. There are political intrigues, dangers, but also love. It's an interesting story that kept me hooked even though I knew the story and have read book about Ramses before. But every story is unique and brings something new into play.

As for the title, that is not about Nefertari, but about Nefertiti and oh you will see.

Conclusion:

What else can I say, it was a good historical book and I am sure fans of this genre would love this book. And now I will wait for her next book to publish since I have read all that she has written.

I will end with an inscription on her burial wall that truly sums of his love for her:

"My Love is unique and none can rival her....Just by passing, she has stolen away my heart."

Now that just breaks my heart. So beautiful.

Cover:

Lovely

Interview and Contest: Mia Marlowe - Sins of the Highlander

2012-01-09T15:46:00.000+02:00

Today I have Mia Marlowe over for an interview and at the end you can win her new book, Sins of the Highlander.

Welcome!

1. Could you tell me a little about yourself?

MM: I’m a travel nut. My bags are always half-packed. If my DH has to take a business trip to an interesting place, I’m tagging along to play tourist. When I’m not writing, I’m playing with my neurotic terrier, Mack the Wonderdog, and Prince Harry, my rescue wire-haired dachshund.

2. Your newest book is called Sins for the Highlander? What it is about?

MM: Sins of the Highlander is about a man’s plan to take revenge for the death of his beloved wife by kidnapping his enemy’s bride right from the altar. However, things don’t go as “Mad Rob” MacLaren planned. Elspeth Stewart is not one to go quietly. We had a wonderful time writing the twists and turns of their turbulent relationship.

3. You have written this book together with Connie Mason. Is it hard to write with someone else?

MM: I think it might be hard if I wasn’t working with such a gracious lady. Connie Mason is a romance legend. I grew up reading her books. Imagine what a thrill it is for me to actually work with her now! I’m pleased to share that in addition to Sins of the Highlander, we have another release coming this summer called Lord of Fire and ICe. We’re currently working on our new Regency series called The Royal Rakes.

4. Why do you think Highlander romance novels are so popular?

MM: I think it’s the accent. I’m such a sucker for a fabulous male voice. Forget Sean Connery’s age. Is there anything better than his deep whisky timbre? If a guy calls me “lass,” that’ll do!

When I read a Highlander story, I hear the hero’s voice in my mind. Of course, an accent is tough to convey in written form. I avoid odd spellings and try to convey the sense of Rob MacLaren’s voice with syntax and word choices.

5. Could you give me 3 reasons why “Mad Rob” is the man to fall in love with? ;)

MM: First, he already knows how to love deeply. He adored Fiona, his first wife. Two years after her death, he’s still crazed with grief. Second, he’s blessed with an abundance of physical courage. Check out this excerpt on my blog where he faces down a wolf pack: http://miamarlowe.com/blog/2011/12/exclusive-excerpt-from-sins-of-the-highlander/ Third, Rob MacLaren really does justice to a kilt. ‘Nuff said.

6. What’s next up for you?

MM: Touch of a Rogue, the 2nd book in my Touch of Seduction series, will come out on February 28th. My hero in this story, Jacob Preston, has the “gift of touch.” When he touches anything metal, he receives psychic information about the item’s owner. It comes in handy when he’s conducting one of his private investigations, but is a bit of a hazard at a dinner party. Silverware is so very chatty. Here’s a taste of this story: http://miamarlowe.com/books/rogue.php

7. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers out there?

MM: Join your local RWA (Romance Writers of America) Chapter. If you’re serious about writing, this organization can help you learn the nuts and bolts of the craft, as well as offer insight into the change sea of publishing today.

I’d like to invite aspiring writers to volunteer for my Red Pencil Thursday. When I have a volunteer, I host an online critique group on my blog for the first 500 words of a story. My queue of victims . . . er, I mean volunteers . . . dried up over the holidays, but I’d like to start up the feature again. The point of this gentle critique is to offer construction suggestions. No snark is allowed. I’ve had writers from every end of the career spectrum in my hotseat, from total newbies to New York Times Bestsellers. More than one of my Red Pencil Thursday volunteers have gone on to be published. If anyone would like to take part in the program, please check out the details here: http://miamarlowe.com/blog/red-pencil-thursday/

And while you’re at my website, please be sure to enter my contest! The Grand Prize is a new KINDLE! http://miamarlowe.com/contest.php

Thanks so much for having me here Book Girl!

Giveaway:

Sourcebooks is offering 2 chances to win a copy of SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER. (USA/Canada only.) To be entered, simply leave Mia a comment or question. To get the conversation started, how about sharing your favorite Scottish surname? Mia calls dibs on MacLaren!

Thanks for visiting with us today!

Ends: Jan 19th

SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER BY CONNIE MASON & MIA MARLOWE – IN STORES JANUARY 2012

Abduction...

Never had Elspeth Stewart imagined her wedding would be interrupted by a dark-haired stranger charging in on a black stallion, scooping her into his arms, and carrying her off across the wild Scottish highlands. Pressed against his hard chest and nestled between his trong thighs, she ought to have feared for her life. But her captor silenced all protests with a soul-searing kiss, giving Elspeth a glimpse of the pain behind his passion—a pain only she could ease.

Obsession...

“Mad Rob” MacLaren thought stealing his rival’s bride-to-be was the prefect revenge. But Rob never reckoned that this beautiful, innocent lass would awaken the part of him he thought dead and buried with his wife. Against all reason, he longed to introduce the luscious Elspeth to the pleasures of the flesh, to make her his, and only his, forever.

With two clans against them burning for battle, they must find a way to join together—body, breath and soul. Or both will be made to pay for the Sins of the Highlander.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Connie Mason is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 novels. She was named Storyteller of the Year in 1990 and received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews in 1994. She currently lives in Florida. Mia Marlowe is a highly acclaimed new voice in romance whose debut novel, Touch of a Thief, released in Spring 2011 from Kensington. She lives in Boston, MA. Together, they are working on a new Regency romance series for Sourcebooks Casablanca, the first of which will be in stores in Fall 2012. For more information, please visit http://www.conniemason.com/, http://miamarlowe.com/ and follow Mia on Twitter @Mia_Marlowe.

Review: The Broken Kingdoms - N.K.Jemisin

2012-01-08T21:50:00.001+02:00

Series: The Inheritance Trilogy #2
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 411
Published; 2011
Publisher: Orbit
Source: My own

In the city of Shadow, beneath the World Tree, alleyways shimmer with magic and godlings live hidden among mortalkind. Oree Shoth, a blind artist, takes in a strange homeless man on an impulse. This act of kindness engulfs Oree in a nightmarish conspiracy. Someone, somehow, is murdering godlings, leaving their desecrated bodies all over the city. And Oree's guest is at the heart of it.

My thoughts:

I will try to make this short. Book 1 was filled with what I felt was magical prose and seductive dark sentences. This book sadly was not. It was still a good book, but yes not as good as book 1. I did not root for the characters like I did with book 1 either, neither did I feel the deep ache I felt while reading book 1. I will still give book 3 a go because I hope the magic will come back. It was just so wonderful.

The thing that did not make this book as good was that the beautiful prose was gone for me. It was still a rich and wonderful world. Where godlings now lived among humans, and where so much had changed since the "emergence" of two new gods. She is still such a good storyteller. But for me, well sure I liked Oree, but I did not always care for Oree. And Shiny, no, sadly not for him either. The only person I did really like was the godling Madding.

So for me it is the case of 2nd book blues, still good, just not as great.

Conclusion:

I will try book 3, but only because I loved book 1 so much. Still this was a good book.

Review: Stormwalker - Allyson James

2012-01-07T18:52:00.001+02:00

Series: Stormwalker #1
Genre: I felt it was more a PNR/UF hybrid
Pages: 330
Published: 2010
Publisher: Berkley
Source: My own

Half-Navajo Janet Begay possesses extraordinary power which is tied to the storms that waft across the desert. The only person who can control her when she's caught in the storm's evocative power is Mick, a dark-haired, blue-eyed biker Janet can't seem to touch with her powers. He can wield fire and not get burned, and Janet's never sure where he goes when they're not together.

Together they investigate mysterious disappearances, which Janet fears are tied to her mother's people, the mythical gods from below the earth. They are helped along the way by Coyote and Crow, but these shapeshifting gods have their own agendas.

My thoughts:

I read a short story in the anthology Hexed and knew I wanted more, and this does no happen often. So I bought book 1 in this series and what I felt in that short story rang true. It was a good book.

It does say it is pnr, but I do not know, it feels like more. These days I think they are so many pnr/uf hybrids out there and I would even want to make this one more UF in a way. At least that is how it feels for me. She is out there kicking ass, but yes there is romance too. But is not that in your face as it can be (not that that is a bad thing, it is just I want a story more than romance with these sorts of books.)

To the book then, I really liked Janet, she was pretty kick-ass with a cool power and one bad momma, scary as hell is the word. The love interest is Mike, who is all mystery, which made me crazy curious and I am so glad we found out what is going on with him. They have a long history and I am very unsure what to think oh him. He kind of comes and goes.

Then we have a bunch of side characters, Nash (whom I hate hate hate), he is so unfair that it drives me insane. *mutters something about evil cops*. A talking magic mirror (oh love him ;), Coyte (gotta love a trickster.) And more to get to know.

The story is filled with action, questions, a bit of smexing and good detective work. I liked what she has used and especially the mythology on how we came to be. And who are still beneath. That I do like.

Conclusion:

A good start to this series and I sure want more. Recommended.

Cover:

Cool

Review: The Lady Most Likely - a novel in three parts

2012-01-06T14:08:00.000+02:00

Authors: Julia Quinn, Connie Brookway, Eloisa James
Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 372
Published: 2010
Publisher: Avon
Source: My shelf

Hugh Dunne, the Earl of Briarly, needs a wife—so his sister hands him a list of the very best young ladies on the market. And then, because he refuses to tear himself away from the stables where he trains Arabian racehorses, she invites all those ladies to a house party, along with some other bachelors, of course. So who will Hugh choose? The Botticelli-esque, enchanting Gwendolyn? The outspoken, delightful Katherine? If he doesn't work fast, he'll lose those ladies to his closest friends, and then where will he look for a wife? Perhaps, just perhaps, toward a lady who's not on a market at all, and would require a great deal of persuading.

My thoughts:

This is not an anthology and that is perhaps why it worked so well for me. But it is still a book written by three authors. Each one takes on a couple and let them fall in love, but it is a flowing novel since it all happens during a house party and each author writes about everyone really.

To start this: I liked Julia Quinn's story the best. It was a sudden romance and she always writes such sweet stories I am not gonna say who it is about but it was lovely.

The second story by Brockway was about good too, and I liked how much the man knew what he wanted.

The third story was the one I wanted to like the most, but turned to be the one I liked the least. Though it was still good. It was the story I knew would come from page one, still, maybe it was because there was no courtship at all.

Between each stories we Hugh's sister who is trying to fix him up and the whole book is just cute and funny. It worked truly well to write a story like this and it flows well. It never stops.

But I must mention a thing, I have noticed it before and then it came here too. A man is kissing his virginal interest for the first time, and then he at once goes for the breasts and nipple kissing...really? If I guy did that the first time I kissed him I would have been rather shocked. Not to mention it most often takes place where someone could find them too. I mean mouth and then suddenly boob. Especially if I had been an unkissed virginal Miss from a century where I barely had seen myself naked before.

Conclusion:

Sweet and lovely are the words. I enjoyed this one

Cover
Lovely.

--------------

My flash fiction for this week

Review: The Summoner - Gail Z.Martin

2012-01-05T16:09:00.002+02:00

Series: Chronicles of the Necromancer #1
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 637
Published: 2007
Publisher: Solaris
Source: Bought

The comfortable world of Martris Drayke, second son of King Bricen of Margolan, is shattered when his older half-brother, Jared, and Jared's dark mage, Foor Arontala, kill the king and seize the throne. Tris is the only surviving member of the royal family aside from Jared the traitor. Tris flees with three friends: Soterius, captain of the guard; Carroway, the court's master bard; and Harrtuck, a member of the royal guard. Tris harbors a deep secret. In a land where spirits walk openly and influence the affairs of the living, he suspects he may be the mage heir to the power of his grandmother, Bava K'aa, once the greatest sorceress of her age. Such magic would make Tris a Summoner, the rarest of magic gifts, capable of arbitrating between the living and the dead.

My thoughts:

Another good fantasy book, but then I knew that from the start. It was the kind that I enjoy, a good adventure, friends on the run and wicked bad guys.

I do like this kind of fantasy where the young man (or woman) is on the run or something like that. He dodges bad guys and tries to come to terms with his power. And there are always a good set of side characters. I can't say who my favorite here is cos they all have different things to offer, but I do think I want more of the young captain of the guard. There is magic and new things to discover, and this book has vampires, yes I liked that too. I also liked the aspects of the Goddess that they worship. A good new world, a nice hero, and a world to root for.

And then we have the bad guy, oh bad guy, you silly thing. The bad guy in this one, Jared, thinks he is so big and bad. Little does he know that he is just a puppet. But he is a bad guy, so evil and sadistic. A true creep, and the evil guy behind him. Him I would look out for. Those guys, well stay away from them.

The pages just flew by, it was such an easy book to read. And I know many of you fear books as long as this one but honestly it did not feel that long cos I could read it fast. Some books are just that easy.

Conclusion:

A good start to this series and I do want more. The ending was not a cliffie either so that I am grateful for. Everyone is happy...for now *insert music of doom*

Cover:

It looks a bit better when you see it for real

----------------------

Yes, another guestpost ;) What can I say, I like doing them. And yesterday I was over at At home with books and talked about the worst and best of Janet Evanovich

Interview and Contest: Patricia Rice with The lure of song and magic

2012-01-04T16:05:00.002+02:00

Today I have Patricia Rice over for an interview and at the end you can win her new book The Lure of Song and Magic. The contest is open to both US and International readers.

1. Could you tell me a little about yourself?

PR: I’m half Irish. Storytelling is in my blood. Which means anything I tell you is suspect. I’ve been reading and writing pretty much since I was able to put two letters together. But the only possible career I could see using those abilities was journalism. (I am sooooo not patient enough to be a teacher!) And as an introvert, I sucked at journalism. But I’d been using my math skills since I was a kid in various jobs, so I majored in accounting, figuring I didn’t need to talk to people in that profession. And lo and behold, I got my first accounting job the same week I sold my first book! As soon as my books started selling, I said bye-bye math and shifted full time to my true love and haven’t looked back. Oh well, maybe I still do my own taxes.

2. Your newest book is called The Lure of Song and Magic? What it is about?

PR: Short version? TV producer Dylan Ives (Oz) Oswin believes former singing sensation Pippa Syrene Malcolm holds the clue to finding his kidnapped son. Abandoned as a child, Syrene cares about the missing boy despite obnoxious Oz’s refusal to take no for an answer. But she refuses to unleash her dangerous siren's voice, even for a man who is impossible to deny... She’s already driven a man to his death with her voice once, she can’t bear to do so again. The story tells how Oz lures Pippa from her hermit life into the real world again, teaching her that passion isn’t always bad, and her strange gift can help as well as hurt.

3. Where did the inspiration for The Lure of Song and Magic come from?

PR: Several places, actually. My original idea developed from the desire to see what happens to the descendants of my Magic series. In those books, the Ives were logical, scientific men and the Malcolms were fey psychic witches. (Sourcebooks is reissuing this series. Merely Magic already available and Must Be Magic will be out this spring) What kind of kid comes from a combination like these? But contractually, I wasn’t allowed to write another historical about these characters.

And then I heard the Anonymous Four and their haunting siren voices and I wondered what would happen to a heroine whose voice was so passionate that she could lure men to their death, and voila, the brew was begun.

4. Poor Dylan (Oz) and Philippa (Pippa) have not had it easy in some aspects. Is this the common ground they can build something from?

PR: Interesting question. I think their common ground lies in their strength and determination and passion, all of which probably did develop from their circumstances. Of course, those characteristics meant they hit head on at first, but once they had a common goal... It was just a matter of battling over how to reach it! By the end of the book, once they understand each other, it’s easy to see how they can blend their passions into one terrific whole that will protect their loved ones against the tragedies they’d experienced.

5. What makes Oz a great hero to fall for?

PR: Doesn’t everyone want a rich, handsome man who lives in Santa Monica and has a stable full of cool cars? But if I tell you Oz’s real strength, I’ll give away a plot point. So let’s just say this man pays attention. We can all appreciate that!

6. Why do you think small town settings works so wonderfully in romance novels?

PR: There are probably hundreds of reasons but one of the most important is that it’s so much easier to develop close relationships with the people around the characters—the grocer, the baker, the next door neighbor. For adults, friends are as important as families, and in romance, it’s good to know that the characters are capable of strong relationships. As a reader, we walk away knowing this couple can make it and they have a wonderful support system in place to guide them.

7. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers out there?

PR: I know no one wants to hear this again, but my strongest recommendation is perseverance. Writing is not a career you choose, it chooses you. Writers have to write. But they don’t have to sell. That part takes iron guts and a hard head and a never-give-up attitude.

Thanks for visiting with us today! :)

PR: Thank you so much for having me! I can see your readers enjoy the paranormal in their romance. May I ask why? Is it the lure of power or something more cosmic? And I’d love to have readers read the excerpts at my website http://patriciarice.com or stop by and check out my booklist on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/PatriciaRiceBooks or join me on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/Patricia_Rice

CONTEST

2 copies of The Lure of Song and Magic

1 copy to a US/Canada winner / 1 copy to an international winner

1. Open to everyone in the world

2. Ends Jan 12

3. Just enter :)

Or if you want to please be free to answer Patrica's question, or ask her something

THE LURE OF SONG AND MAGIC BY PATRICIA RICE – IN STORES JANUARY 2012

Her voice was a curse…

When Dylan “Oz” Oswin’s son is kidnapped, the high-powered producer will do anything to get him back. Desperately following an anonymous tip, he seeks help from a former child singing sensation called Syrene, only to find she’s vowed never to sing again. Immune to her voice but not her charm, Oz is convinced she holds the key to his son’s disappearance—and he’ll stop at nothing to make her break her vow.

Only he can make her sing…

She knows the devastation her talent can bring. There’s more than a child’s life at stake, but Syrene cannot unleash her dangerous siren’s voice upon the world, even for a man who is impossible to deny…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With five million books in print and New York Times and USA Today’s bestseller lists under her belt, Patricia Rice’s emotionally-charged contemporary and historical romances have won RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice and Career Achievement Awards and have been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories. A former CPA, Patricia Rice currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri. For more information, please visit http://www.patriciarice.com/ or follow her on Twitter, @Patricia_Rice.

Review: Seven Princes - John R. Fultz

2012-01-03T17:19:00.000+02:00

Series: Books of the shaper #1

Genre: fantasy

Pages: 600

Published: January 3, 2012

Publisher: Orbit

Source: netgalley

It is an Age of Legends. Under the watchful eye of the Giants, the kingdoms of Men rose to power. Now, the Giant-King has slain the last of the Serpents and ushered in an era of untold peace and prosperity. Where a fire-blackened desert once stood, golden cities flourish in verdant fields. It is an Age of Heroes. But the realms of Man face a new threat-- an ancient sorcerer slaughters the rightful King of Yaskatha before the unbelieving eyes of his son, young Prince D'zan. With the Giant-King lost to a mysterious doom, it seems that no one has the power to stop the coming storm.

It is an Age of War. The fugitive Prince seeks allies across the realms of Men and Giants to liberate his father's stolen kingdom. Six foreign Princes are tied to his fate. Only one thing is certain: War is coming. SEVEN PRINCES. Some will seek glory. Some will seek vengeance. All will be legends.

My thoughts:

When I read this book I kept thinking that this book will get a conclusion, cool. And it did. Everything ended all nicely, but then, oh yes then there was that one loose thread and I realized that this is a series. But is felt like a different sort of series since it did have an ending. No cliffie at all (sort of.)

The story also felt kind of old school, and I love old school fantasy. A prince flees as an evil sorcerer kills everyone he holds dear. On his trip north he meets more princes and together they will fight this evil. D’Zan who we meet first is the hero on the run, a scared prince who grows. I liked him, because who would not be a bit scared? Then we got lots more and I will not name them all, since this is a many POV book. We got the two princes from Udur, I think this was my fav characters and kingdom. It is made up from giants and men and these princes are both. A very fascinating history. Their sister also plays a roll, and their elder brother he is not nice at all. Then we got their cousin and lastly 2 twin princes from the south. One a scholar and one a warrior. Together these princes forms bounds with each other and fight the coming battle. Then we got something called the Old Breed, I will not spoil anything. An evil witch from the south, a mysterious maiden a prince meets and I will leave it there. It might seem like a lot, but it is all connected and many of these spend most of the time together. A do like a good cast and the author is not very nice, he will make them suffer.

The story is rich in history and its setting. There is a good mythology behind it all and good questions to be asked. These people do not know it all after all.

Conclusion:

A nice beginning to a series, but by the excerpt at the back I still do not know if the people around in this book will be around in the next one. It will be interesting to see.

Cover:

At least they look tough

Review: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt - Beth Hoffman

2012-01-02T15:15:00.000+02:00

Genre: Fiction
Pages: 306
Published: 2010
Publisher: Penguin
Source: My bookshelf

Twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt is in trouble. For years, she has been the caretaker of her psychotic mother, Camille-the tiara-toting, lipstick-smeared laughingstock of an entire town-a woman trapped in her long-ago moment of glory as the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen. But when Camille is hit by a truck and killed, CeeCee is left to fend for herself. To the rescue comes her previously unknown great-aunt, Tootie Caldwell.

In her vintage Packard convertible, Tootie whisks CeeCee away to Savannah's perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricity, a world that seems to be run entirely by women. From the exotic Miz Thelma Rae Goodpepper, who bathes in her backyard bathtub and uses garden slugs as her secret weapons, to Tootie's all-knowing housekeeper, Oletta Jones, to Violene Hobbs, who entertains a local police officer in her canary-yellow peignoir, the women of Gaston Street keep CeeCee entertained and enthralled for an entire summer.

My thoughts:

After my last two disappointments I knew I needed something to good, but what? I had heard such good things about this one and sometimes lit fiction is just the thing to get you out of that rut. And I was right.

This book was just plain charming, sweet, up-lifting and filled with wisdom and friendship. It was just the kind of book I needed. And all those things I had heard were true, Hoffman has a good voice and she weaves a magical story in a way. A delightful book that still deals with some heavy things.

Poor CeeCee, her mum is crazy and her dad is always away. The kids at school laugh at her cos of her mum, and even the grown-ups stay away. I just felt so sorry for that poor child, at least this did have one friend in an elderly woman, but life was hard for her. She had to take care of everything. And her mum's death left her with big scars, but that is what this book deals with. Coming to terms with those scars and finding friends. Never have I been happier to see someone make friends in this book because she was so deserving.

The writing is wonderful, there is always something warm over the whole book and at the end I smiled. All was well and it left that same warm feeling inside of me that was found in the book.

Conclusion:

A great book that I recommend warmly and I have my fellow booklovers to thank for reading it.

Cover:

Fitting

How the first review of 2012 did not become a review at all

2012-01-01T14:26:00.003+02:00

I do fear that this new year did not start well at all, I was about to give up on Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin yesterday with I did not want to end with a DNF. But I was very close, so I kept on reading, which turned to skimming. And I skimmed the rest.

For some reason this book did not work for me on any level. I did not connect to the characters, I did not like the characters, I did not care for the story. I honestly did not like anything at all about this book. I fear it turned out to be the biggest UF disappointment so far.

Anyway, I forgot all about my stats from 2011:

STATS for 2011

245 books read, 244 of those were fiction and one was non-fiction.

I also read 6 graphic novels/picture books

I listened to one audio picture book.

And I read 23 short stories. So a lot of those.

And together all that makes, oh something since I do not count short stories since some of them have been 9 pages short.

It was a great year, but I since was unemployed for the most of it I had to read, which I loved.

I also reviewed all those books, wohoo. Here, and also on Alternative-read.com, Book Lovers Inc, Ex Libris, Serendipity reviews

So thank you all for having me over :)

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

And for something more: Books I look forward to in 2012
(oh and I am so bad at putting pics together, sheesh, bad!) And there are also lots more, some sadly without covers so far. But these are some of the books that are a must have

Review: Twice Bitten - Chloe Neill

2011-12-31T14:40:00.000+02:00

Series: Chicagoland vampires #3

Genre: It does not feel like UF anymore so UFR

Pages: 355

Published: 2010

Publisher: Gollancz

Source: Library

Merit, Chicago’s newest vampire, is learning how to play well with others. Other supernaturals, that is. Shapeshifters from across the country are convening in the Windy City, and as a gesture of peace, Master Vampire Ethan Sullivan has offered their leader a very special bodyguard: Merit. Merit is supposed to protect the Alpha, Gabriel Keene—and to spy for the vamps while she’s at it. Oh, and luckily Ethan’s offering some steamy, one-on-one combat training sessions to help her prepare for the mission.

Merit must accept the assignment, even though she knows that she’ll probably regret it. And she’s not wrong. Someone is gunning for Gabriel Keene, and Merit soon finds herself in the line of fire. She’ll need all the help she can get to track down the would-be assassin, but everywhere she turns, there are rising tensions between supernaturals—not least between her and a certain green-eyed, centuries old master vampire.

My thoughts:

I am going to make this short because everything I hoped this series would be fell apart in this book and right now I am just annoyed for having read it.

I am annoyed at Ethan because he is an arrogant jerk and I can't see why Merit likes him, cos he is hot? Aye, but he is a jerk and I want to kick him in the crutch. I am annoyed at Merit because she no longer felt kick-ass, she felt weak and she should have known better. I am annoyed at them together because I honestly could not feel the attraction. They like each other a lot..yes but I no longer feel it.

I am annoyed at the tone too, I should be not be. I like it light, but right now it felt like her saying it is a vampire frat house just is too true. No one is acting like adults anymore, they are kids in one big house. It even felt a bit too YA.

As you can see I was not that happy about this book, and still the writing was so much better than other books that have gotten a higher grade from me. But the difference is that I enjoyed those books, while here the word for the day is annoyed and I am sad. If I can't respect the characters I got nothing left.

Conclusion:

*sad reader*

---------------------------------

My flash fiction for this week

Happy New YEAR I wish you all a great new year and many more good books to read. I am also grateful for all the new bloggers I have met this year, and the old ones that have gotten to know better. My blog would be nothing without you all :D

Best Books of 2011 + my life according to the books I have read

2011-12-30T17:29:00.003+02:00

Honestly, I can't make a top 10 list. It is too hard and I love different books differently. And I can't pick a best book in a genre either so as usual I am making up a bunch of categories so that I can talk about the best books this year.

Best book that brought me back to my roots: Theft of Swords by Michael J Sullivan

Best 1 book fantasy: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Best comic: Lenore by Roman Dirge

Best short story: Unlocked by Courtney Milan

Best EVIL cliffie: Double Cross by Carolyn Crane

Best OMG moment: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Best steampunk: Cold Magic by Kate Elliott

Best new to me historical romance author: Kate Noble

Best language: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K.Jemisin

Best book I thought I would not like: Seven nights to forever by Evangeline Collins

Best Urban Fantasy: Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

Best paranormal romance: Succubi like it Hot by Jill Myles

Best goddamn vampire book: The Bride of Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

Best start to a series: Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire

Best Dystopia: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Best historical fiction: Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

Best new to me series: Spellcrackers by Suzanne McLeod

Best YA fantasy. Fire by Kristen Cashore

Best fiction: Room by Emma Donaghue

Best book boyfriend crush: Martini!! Yes read the Gini Koch books

Best cover: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

YAY for 2011! I read so many awesome books that I did not even mention here. Fantasy and Urban Fantasy were the winners this year.

And now for something else. This meme is hosted by The Happily ever after

My Life According to the books I have read in 2011

Describe yourself: Wild and steamy by Meljean Brook, Jill Myles, Carolyn Crane

How do you feel: Slave to her desires by Jill Myles

Describe where you currently live: Nights of Villjamur by Mark Charan Newton

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: The hundred thousand kingdoms by NK Jemisin

Your favorite form of transportation: Love drunk cowboy by Carolyn Brown

Your best friend is: Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Abigail Reynolds

You and your friends are: Moonstruck madness by Laurie McBain

What's the weather like: Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

What is life to you: Breaking the governess's rules by Michelle Styles

Favorite time of day: Nightfall by Ellen Connor

Your fear: The cold kiss of death by Suzanne McLeod

What is the best advice you have to give: To seduce an earl by Lori Brighton

Thought for the day: Can't hurry love by Christie Ridgway

How I would like to die: Mr. Darcy's Bite by Mary Lydon Simonsen

My soul's present condition: Revealed by Kate Noble

Review: Rise of Empire - Michael J.Sullivan

2011-12-29T17:29:00.001+02:00

Series: The Riyria Revelations #2 (3 and 4)
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 656
Published: Dec 2011
Publisher: Orbit
Source: Xmas pressie :)

The adventure continues as Royce and Hadrian aid the struggling kingdom of Melengar as it alone stands in defiance against the newly formed empire. War approaches and a desperate gamble behind enemy lines is their only chance at forming an alliance with the Nationalists to the south.

But Royce has plans of his own as he uses this opportunity to discover if an ancient wizard is using Riyria as pawns in his own bid for power. To find the truth, Royce must unravel Hadrian's hidden past. What he discovers will lead them to the end of the known world on a journey rife with treachery and intrigue.

My thoughts:

Here is where you hear me swearing because I do not have book 3 ready *insert curse*. I seriously need more, and this coming from someone who has done pretty much nothing else than read for 2 days straight. Sp sorry if nothing I say make sense in this review.

Ok where to start? That is always the question, I am still high on good book, I do love fantasy, I just love to read without stopping and just feel that I am getting lost in another world, that nothing else exists anymore. And that is what this book manages to do for me, it is old school fantasy, and I adore old school fantasy. The adventure, the intrigues, the fact that I just feel so at home in whatever world is created. It feels like coming home.

Hadrian and Royce are the best, to have friends like that, now that would be something. I do admit to liking Royce a bit more, but that is cos of his origin, I have always had a soft spot for his kind. And Hadrian is so sweet, I do hope he finds the girl I want him to find.

As for the rest, Arista has grown a lot. Poor Empress, her I fear for, the baddies, omg, the baddies are so evil! Just like they should be. I truly hate them because they are so set in they ways. I really want more info about the elves. And then there are a bunch of others we meet in this story, all good to love or hate.

I am rambling again, why do I always ramble? I kind of wanted to hug this book when it ended cos I was happy. There is nothing better than a book that leaves you happy. And with this I mean it was a good bool because the end, yes bad things are going to happen in the next book if people are not stopped.

If you have not noticed by now I liked this book, and i can't wait to read book 3. It is pre-ordered and it should arrive in a month or so. And I really need my pretty print copy cos this is one big bool.

Conclusion:

Well duh, yes of course I recommend it. Just let yourself be swept away by this fantasy adventure

Cover:

Something is going on in those pants, seriously check on a bigger pic, it looks weird.

Review: The Summer of You - Kate Noble

2011-12-28T17:25:00.001+02:00

Series: The Blue Raven #2

Genre: Historical romance

Pages: 352

Published: 2010

Publisher: Berkley

Source: My own

Lady Jane Cummings is certain that her summer is ruined when she is forced to reside at isolated Merrymere Lake with her reckless brother and ailing father. Her fast-paced London society is replaced with a small town grapevine. But one bit of gossip catches Jane's attention- rumors that the lake's brooding new resident is also an elusive highwayman.

Jane must face the much discussed mysterioso after he saves her brother from a pub brawl. She immediately recognizes him from London: Byrne Worth, war hero and apparent hermit-whom she finds strangely charming. The two build a fast friendship, and soon nothing can keep this Lady away from Merrymere's most wanted. Convinced of his innocence, Jane is determined to clear Byrne's name-and maybe have a little fun this summer after all.

My thoughts:

I did not like it as good as book 1, or book 3 for that matter, but it was still a very good book. And I truly loved the hero. I can't put my finger on what made it slightly not as good since the couple was great, the village quaint, the plot good, and, oh it is a mystery.

To the story then. The couple met briefly in book 1, but do not worry, this one can be read wonderfully on its own, and I must also say that I like that I read book 3 before this one. Because Jason was sure a child at the beginning of this one, not yet grown up mentally to take over the estate, even if he is 24. Anyway, it is not his story, it is Jane's. Jane who I did not like that much in book 1, and now suddenly, yes I liked her. She has a lot to think about, with her father being ill, and her mourning her mother, and she has also grown up. I also liked that she has a streak of rebellion in her. Cos I sure would not want to find a highwayman and put him behind bars.

The hero, oh, yes I loved him. Byrne is broken, and I do like a broken hero. He is the village hermit who scowls at everyone. He does not want company, he does not want pity and he is in pain after the war. To see him smile as she brought out the best in him was the best in this novel.

And then we have the whole village who does not like Byrne. A young Miss who thinks she is in love with Jason, Jason who just want to have fun (and not meet the village ladies), and a nice look at the daily life of them all. Together it brings out the best in everyone, and the worst.

Conclusion:

The sweetness, it is the sweetness that I like about these, and the fact that they wait and not jump each other at once.

Cover:

Cute, but a want a face and the colors are a bit...

Interview and contest; Phillipa Ashley - Carrie goes off the map

2011-12-27T18:32:00.000+02:00

Today I have Phillipa Ashley over for an interview and at the end of it there will be a giveaway of her new book, Carrie goes off the map.

Welcome!

1. Now who is Phillipa Ashley?
My PR blurb reads:
Phillipa Ashley loves writing lively, sexy, funny romantic fiction. After studying English Language and Literature at Oxford University, she worked as a copywriter and journalist. Her first novel, Decent Exposure – titled DATING MR DECEMBER for the US – won the Romantic Novelists Association New Writers Award. In 2009, it was filmed as a Lifetime TV movie called 12 Men of Christmas starring Kristin Chenoweth and Josh Hopkins. She lives in an English village with her husband and daughter.
It’s true I do love writing sexy, funny emotional stories but I also love escaping to the great outdoors, swimming, hiking and body boarding. Unfortuinately, I also love biscuits, crisps and wine so you would never know I like to keep active to look at me!

2. Could you tell me about your new book Carrie goes off the map?
Carrie Brownhill, recently dumped by her fiancé, is determined to get away from men forever. Yet she finds herself stuck in a VW camper van careening through the English countryside with the intriguing Matt Landor, MD, and he seems to be just what the doctor ordered for a broken heart...

3. What give you the inspiration to write this road story book?
The idea came time one morning when I was working with the radio on. The DJ played the old Yvonne Fair song, It Should Have Been Me – that’s the song about a jilted woman who stands up and objects in the church at her ex’s wedding. In fact, the book was called It Should Have Been Me in the UK and the story is partly about the characters regrets about what might have happened if events had taken a different turn –and how they can move forward to a new life. I thought a road trip would be the perfect vehicle to get the characters up close and personal – and help them work out their new paths in life.

4. Give me three reasons why readers will fall for your book.
1. Matt – referred to as ‘a Dirty Mr. Darcy’ by one of the characters. He’s gorgeous and infuriating, funny and very very sexy.
2. Carrie – she’s a bit of a drama queen anyway and losing her fiancé, home and livelihood in one fell swoop almost tips her over the edge. I hope her journey back from a very unhappy place will make readers laugh and cry.
3. Dolly. The bright orange vintage campervan which Carrie and Matt use for their road trip. We hired a vintage van (called Bill) for research and let me tell you, they are fun but very quirky vehicles…

5. Who would play Rowena and Matt if a movie was being made?
Do you mean Carrie? She’s feisty, funny and a bit of a firecracker so I think she’d have to be played by an actress who can do comedy and poignancy – someone like Sophie Winkleman (who is married to a minor royal called Lord Frederick Windsor!) As for Matt, as he was inspired by a photo of Richard Armitage that appeared in the Sunday Times magazine, so I can only say that Richard has to be Matt! I know who’d be perfect for Rowena, Carrie’s best friend – a very funny English comedy actress called Katherine Parkinson.

6. Could you tell me a bit about your other books too since you have published a few?
I’ve had five books published so far. Four of them were previously published in the UK and are now being released by Sourcebooks, including Carrie Goes off the Map. I think the best way of summing up my books is to use a quote from my Sourcebooks editor, Deb Werksman, who sends every one of her authors a Happy Holidays greeting via the Casablanca blog. My greeting read:
“Phillipa Ashley - just the right amount of fun, poignancy, snark and British wit”
That makes me smile whenever I see it!

7. Last question, any advice to writers out there?
There is so much conflicting advice that I hesitate to add my own in case I’m sending someone down the wrong path. That’s the whole crux about writing, you have to find your own way in terms of your voice, your genre and creative process. However, it’s a given that you should try to be true to your own personality when you write and work hard at honing your craft. Oh, and never give up (and most writers, even multi-published ones feel like giving up at some point, even if they’d never let on!)

Thanks for inviting me onto your blog and Happy Holidays to you and all of your readers!

GIVEAWAY:
1 copy of Carrie goes off the map

1. Open to US and Canada
2. Ends Jan 5
3. Just enter :) There is nothing more to it than that

Good luck!

Carrie Brownhill, recently dumped by her fiancé, is determined to get away from men forever. Yet she finds herself stuck in a VW camper van careening through the English countryside with the intriguing Matt Landor, MD, and he seems to be just what the doctor ordered for a broken heart...

Review: Wanderlust - Ann Aguirre

2011-12-26T17:53:00.001+02:00

1.) Reasons you chose this book

I read book 1, perhaps 2 years ago and enjoyed it.

2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book

I disliked it for the stupid reason that it was just too long ago I read it. I remembered what had happened but who and what everyone did was another thing. And I felt kind of confused. Because if this I can't say if it was only that or if there was something else that bothered me too.

I also felt that the Jax I remembered from book 1 was not around, and I did not like March either in this one.

I liked it because it felt different, sci-fi, a bit of romance, evil aliens, and new things for our Heroine to do.

3.) Reasons you are recommending this book

Even if I did not have the best of times with it I would still recommened it to Aguirre fans and readers who want to try sci-fi that aren't that sci.fi. I mean it is girly sci-fi with romance in it.

Blurb:

Sirantha Jax doesn’t take chances…she jumps at them…

Sirantha Jax is a “Jumper,” a woman who possesses the unique genetic makeup needed to navigate faster than light ships through grimspace. Jax has worked for the Farwan Corporation her entire career. But now the word’s out that the Corp deliberately crashed a passenger ship, and their stranglehold on intergalactic commerce has crumbled—which means that Jax is out of a job.

She’s also broke, due to being declared dead a little prematurely. So when the government asks her to head up a vital diplomatic mission, Jax takes it. Her mandate: journey to the planet Ithiss-Tor and convince them to join the Conglomerate.

But Jax’s payday is light years away. First, she’ll have to contend with Syndicate criminals, a stormy relationship with her pilot, man-eating aliens, and her own grimspace-weakened body. She’ll be lucky just to make it to Ithiss-Tor alive

Pages: 312

Published: 2008

Publisher: Ace

Source: My own

Genre. Sci-fi, romance

Series: Sirantha Jax #2

2012 TBR Pile Challenge and War Through the Generation’s 2012 reading challenge

2011-12-25T22:56:00.002+02:00

Hosted by Bookish

Challenge guidelines:

This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012.

As we would like to see quality reviews linked up to our monthly wrap-ups, only bloggers can enter. Sorry about that!

Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Only books released in 2011 and earlier! NO ARCs and 2012 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!

You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge (You need to include the info + host list + challenge button. You can also grab the button code and add it to your sidebar!)

You can move up levels, but no moving down.

Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

At the end of each month one of the hosts will post a wrap-up. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. For participating in the mini-challenge you will get +1 entry.

If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;)

December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a HUGE giveaway - 12 books, 12 winners, INTERNATIONAL.

You don't have to follow all the hosts to join the challenge, but you do have to follow all of us to be entered in giveaways!

Levels:

1-10 - A Firm Handshake

11-20 - A Friendly Hug

21-30 - A Sweet Kiss

31-40 - Love At First Sight

41-50 - Married With Children

Hosts:
Evie from Bookish - http://www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com @SeoEvie
Nicole from All I Ever Read - http://www.nicoleabouttown.com/ @Nicoleabouttown
Bonnie from Hands and Home - http://www.handsandhome.ca/ @HandsHomeBlog
Donna from Book Passion For Life - http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/ @BookPforLife
Caitlin from WatchYA Reading - http://whatchyareading.net @caitlingss
Rie from Mission To Read - http://missiontoread.com/ @missiontoread
Vicky from Books, Biscuits & Tea -http://booksbiscuitsandtea.blogspot.com/ @alouetteuette
Christa from Hooked On Books - http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com @ChristasBooks
Jenna from Fans Of Fiction - http://fansoffiction.blogspot.com/ @fansoffiction
Angel from Mermaids Vision - http://mermaidvision.wordpress.com @mermaidvisions

Wrap-up POST Schedule:

January - Donna (Theme: Let It Snow + Book Cover Challenge)
February - Nicole (Theme: Un-requited Love/Love Gone Wrong + Advice Column Challenge)
March - Rie (Theme: Green or Pinched + Green Cover Challenge)
April - Bonnie (Theme: Easter + Mini Challenge)
May - Christa (Theme: MayDay - Disaster Books! + Cover Disaster Challenge)
June - Jenna ( Theme: Camping + Sentence Challenge)
July - Rie (Theme: International Day + Cover Comparison Challenge)
August - Angel (Theme: Summer Memories + Send Your Fav Character On Vacation Challenge)
September - Nicole (Theme: Life Changing Books + Mini Challenge)
October - Caitlin (Theme: Thanksgiving Theme + Share-A-Book Challenge)
November - Vicky (Theme: Spooky Halloween + Book Puzzle Challenge)
December - Evie (Theme: Xmas Bliss + Book Bachelor Challenge)

I am starting with a friendly hug 11-20, I can always move up later :) And I am gonna try to put a dent in my TBR pile. The books I will read, well we will see. I do got lots of 2011 books but I would sure like to go older too.

This next one I had to enter because I have been waiting for them to have one about WWI, and I have no idea what book (books) I should read, but I will hopefully find something great. Hosted By Anna and Serena

War Through the Generation’s 2012 reading challenge will be World War I. The challenge will run from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012.

Rules:
This year you have options when reading your fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, etc. with the WWI as the primary or secondary theme.
Books can take place before, during, or after the war, so long as the conflicts that led to the war or the war itself are important to the story. Books from other challenges count so long as they meet the above criteria.

Dip: Read 1-3 books in any genre with WWI as a primary or secondary theme.
Wade: Read 4-10 books in any genre with WWI as a primary or secondary theme.
Swim: Read 11 or more books in any genre with WWI as a primary or secondary theme.
Additionally, we’ve decided that since there are so many great movies out there about WWI, you can substitute or add a movie or two to your list this year and have it count toward your totals.

You can decide which books you’d like to read right away, or you can choose them during the course of the challenge. Check out theRecommended Reading: WWI page for suggestions.

***Attention Participants***

We wanted to try something a little different this year, and we thought that it would be fun to do a group review here on War Through the Generations midway through the challenge.

The 2012 book for the read-a-long will be A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway.

How to sign up:

Leave a comment on this page with your reading goal. Please spread the word about the challenge on your blogs. Feel free to do a sign up post and leave a link to your post here.

Everyone who signs up will be listed on the WWI Reading Challenge Participants page.

Sign-ups will be ongoing.

More info.

I will start with Dip, and I do think I will try to watch a movie too since it says I can ;) And I got the best one for next xmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and Jane Austen challenge post

2011-12-24T11:00:00.000+02:00

Happy Holidays to all my blogging buddies. Today we celebrate Christmas so I better write this post now since tonight I will be busy opening presents and eating dinner :)

GOD JUL!

I found this one over at TOR and well I had to have someone from a book ;)

And two fun ones ;)

And last this is the "santa" I believed in when I was little

And a challenge for 2012, I'll post another two tomorrow. This one I blame on Diary of an Eccentric, I just could not say no.

The Explore the Many Genres of Jane Austen Challenge requires you to read 8 books, 1 each in the following categories of Austen/Austenesque novels: Variation, Sequel, Jane Austen as a Fictional Character, Paranormal, Modern Adaptation, Mystery, Supporting Characters, and Books by Jane Austen.

The challenge is hosted by Shanna from Existing’s Tricky and even has a Goodreads group

I am thinking whatever variation and sequel I find next year, and Sense and sensibility and seamonsters and then I am dreading that I will not finish cos the mystery one scares me.

Friday Fiction Flash

2011-12-23T13:31:00.001+02:00

I usually post these over at my LJ account but since it is close to xmas and I got nothing else for you all today I will post it here :)

Dottie over at Tink's Place has come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take.

The Eve before Christmas

by Blodeuedd

Miranda shivered as more snow fell this dark winter night. It was the Eve before Christmas and she was alone and tired. But mostly she was cold, so very cold that it felt like her skin was solid ice. Her nose was redder than Rudolph’s, and she no longer felt her toes. But still she stood still in the deserted park. When she was about to give up she heard the crunch of snow beneath shoes and she looked out from behind her lamppost. A man dressed in black slowly came out from the woods. He was not dressed for winter, instead he wore a suit that would have worked just as well on a cool summer night. His dark hair flowed in the wind and small snowflakes made it glisten in the moonlight. His face, no, she could not even describe it.

“Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas little one.” The man her said and she looked at him with hungry eyes.
“Do you have it?” she asked and came closer. His beauty made her skin even colder but she braved it and now stood before him. The Winter Prince himself.
“Of course.” He gave her his wrist and she no longer knew reason or fear. She grabbed it with cold fingers and sunk her teeth in it. She struggled as always as her teeth would not break the skin but she got there. And she drank the sweet nectar of the Gods.
The prince laughed and petted her head.” Oh ye silly humans, “ he murmured while she drank greedily. The he took his wrist away and she whimpered.
“More,” she begged and fell to her knees.” Please my lord.”
But he just shook his head.” Only if you give me something in return.”
Now she started to cry and he gave her his wrist again. Just a few drops more and she knew she would make it through another year. The strength of the fairies would flow in her veins and nothing could stop her. She would be beautiful and powerful, and not the empty husk that she always turned into in December.
“My price.”
She nodded and hurried to the bench nearby.
“Hush hush,” she whispered and took out the child hidden underneath it. She then gave it to the prince whose eyes showed what the child would be for. But she closed her mind from the truth.
“Freely given of your own blood is feely taken,” he said and walked back into the shadows.
Miranda stood still in the snow for a while before heading back home. Blood of the gods always came with a heavy price.

_________________

yes I told Dottie I would go dark again, and dark I went, mouwahahahah

Review: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe anthology

2011-12-22T19:00:00.001+02:00

Genre: Urban fantasy
Pages: 384
Published: 2010
Publisher: Penguin
Source: I won it :)

The holidays can bring out the beast in anyone- particularly lycanthropes. Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner have harvested the scariest, funniest, saddest werewolf tales by an outstanding pack of authors, best read by the light of a full moon with a silver bullet close at hand.

Whether wolfing down a holiday feast (use your imagination) or craving some hair of the dog on New Year's morning, the werewolves in these frighteningly original stories will surprise, delight, amuse, and scare the pants off readers who love a little wolfsbane with their mistletoe.

Giftwrap
Sookie finds a wounded shifter in the forest, it's Christmas and she is all alone and takes him home. This one had a little heat in it, a tiny bit. But it was a good and surprising story.
Edit: I read this one last year actually in another anthology

The Haire of the Beast by Donna Andrews
This was a short one (but then they all are short) and I liked what the heroine did...and I am not telling you ;)

Lucy, at Christmastime by Simon R. Green
Not much happened in this one except for a surprise that was thrown in, and which made me like it.

The Night Things Changed by Dana Cameron
I am not sure about this one. A vampire sister and brother tracks down a baddie, but I was just not that interested.

The Werewolf Before Christmas by Kat Richardson
Poor reindeer, lol. A werewolf starts munching on them and Santa is not happy. Good enough.

Fresh Meat by Alan Gordon
I liked this one and mostly because at first I did not know what to make of it.

Il Est Ne by Carrie Vaughn
Would this one make me read the Kitty books...ok perhaps not, but still ok.

The Perfect Gift by Dana Stabenow
I was a bit confused but this one, it should be fleshed out more.

Christmas Past by Keri Arthur
Eh, boring.

SA by J.A. Konrath
This one was freaky, and you know I like freaky...it also got poop in it..yup, poop.

The Star of David by Patricia Briggs
Perhaps cos I always expect so much I got disappointed.

You’d Better Not Pyout by Nancy Pickard
I had not guessed that about Santa, I liked the twist and yes I could see it ;)

Rogue Elements by Karen Chance
I'd read a book by her, enough said.

Milk and Cookies by Rob Thurman
At first I was not sure but the end, oh that messed up ending was the best. Christmas joy.

Keeping Watch Over His Flock by Toni L.P. Kelner
And I can't remember a single thing about this one...

Some good ones, some not so good ones. But that is me and anthologies, I never like all the stories. Because in the end I want long stories and things are never really fleshed out in these and it is hard to connect. But as an xmas anthology it works well.

Review: Christmas in Lucky Harbor - Jill Shalvis

2011-12-21T21:50:00.003+02:00

Series: Lucky Harbor 1 and 2

Genre: Contemporary romance

Pages: 684, print

Published: Nov 1, 2011

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Source: netgalley

Simply Irresistible

After losing her boyfriend and her job, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim her inheritance-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. She sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if she can give the inn the makeover it needs. Enter Jax, a tall, handsome contractor who knows exactly what Maddie needs...

The Sweetest Thing

Helping her sister set up the family inn is just the thing to make Tara forget her ex-husband and focus on her new life. Until she meets a sexy, green-eyed sailor determined to keep her hot, bothered, and in his bed. When her ex reappears, Tara must confront her past and decide what she really wants.

If the sisters are lucky, they might just find that everything their hearts desire is right here in Lucky Harbor.

My thoughts:

Simply Irresistible

Two books in one, now who can say no to that. Therefore I will also try to make this a bit shorter.

Maddie comes to Lucky Harbor to take over an Inn. She meets her sisters again too. Together they are the Steel magnolia, the wild child and the Mouse. And yes poor Maddie is the mouse. She has taken some crap in her life and it was nice to see her learning to stand up for herself in this one. She grew stronger.

In comes Jax, the hottie on a motorcycle. Oh yes sparks fly there at once, but Maddie has been hurt and always takes a step back. Which makes sense, but I also liked how Jax did not give up. He took his small steps forward and showed her that he wanted more. I do like a man who knows what he wants.

The chemistry between these two are sizzling and there is a lot of smexing going on in this book that is so sweet. The chemistry between the sisters also works well, and I do want to read their stories next.

I liked the book and it was just sweet you know (and hot). I closed it with a smile.

The Sweetest Thing

In the second book time has passed and it is now summer. Tara is trying to make the inn work, she is bonding with her sisters and avoiding local hottie Ford. I knew at once why there was tension between these two in book 2 so the answer sure did not come as a surprise. But I guess not everything needs to be a secret.

Tara is the uptight one, but she is not nearly as uptight at people think. She felt normal. She worried, she was human. The love interested, Ford, is a nice guy who really wants her. And it was nice seeing these two struggle to make it work. It was not easy considering.

But I think what I liked the most was the local gossip who had a facebook page and the news about Tara and Ford was all over it. It had such a warm small town feeling that you just wanted to visit and never leave.

The triangle, oh that I did not see at all. Her ex comes to town and wants her back. Not that I never felt he even tried, and that I would have liked to see. So there really is none, this is about Ford and Tara and there lovestory, and the hot passion that burns between them. Yes they do get around.

Sweet is the word, I really can'y say much more than that. Sweet :) A feel-good book.

Cover:

Cute

*happy* I can't wait!

Review: Touch of Power - Maria V.Snyder

2011-12-20T15:35:00.001+02:00

Series: Healer #1
Genre: YA fantasy
Pages: 394
Published: Dec 20, 2011
Publisher: Mira
Source: Netgalley

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life….

My thoughts:

I liked Poison Study, though not the two books that followed. But then I heard that this one was good and I wanted to give it a go. And it was a good, YA fantasy where everything is nice and sweet, even if there is war and death around.

I liked the idea of a bad bad plague sweeping through the land, killing most people and now people are struggling to survive while a few leaders are trying to conquer and bring peace in their own way. And I also liked that healers have been killed to extinction, to not get me wrong, it is awful. But it sure brings drama to the book.

And the heroine Avry, is one of those healers and she is running for her life. I must say that the more I learnt about healers the more I thought their job seriously sucked. I have no idea how she did it.

Out merry bang of soldiers then, they were a good cast. And of course I knew at once who would become a love interest even though it took a long time.

Now on to the negative things. Honestly, how is this woman still alive?! She was sarcastic, snarky and bitchy towards the wrong people. She should have been lying in a puddle of blood, every bone in her body broken. How am I am supposed to take the baddies seriously when they let her get away with things like that? And then there was the baddy who stole kisses from her, oh please, he is a baddie, you all know what would happen. But this is YA, and that is what I meant at the beginning that everything is so sweet and nice. Then some bad things are thrown in and am I supposed to be shocked? No way, I was still waiting for someone to beat the crap out of Avry.

And the baddies then. Yeah, was I supposed to think that Tohon was evil? Sure he was. But Estrid persecuted people cos of religious views and kidnapped people. And the king that Kerrick wants her to save is just as bad as the rest of them. I can't like him them. Either be bad, or not. And I liked Tohon, actually the best of all the characters in this book.

The world is also different, so very medieval, and then not. Suddenly modern things are thrown in. It works because of the way they are used. I guess some people there just hide technology better. Or, I do not know.

Conclusion:

In the end this was a good book, even if a bit too nice, considering events. There was no major cliffie and I do want to know what happens to this world.

Cover:

it works

Review: Unclaimed - Courtney Milan

2011-12-19T15:53:00.002+02:00

Series: Turner #2
Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 425 (ebook)
Published: October 2011
Publisher: HQN books
Source: netgalley

Her only hope for survival…

Handsome, wealthy and respected, Sir Mark Turner is the most sought-after bachelor in all of London—and he's known far and wide for his irreproachable character. But behind his virtuous reputation lies a passionate nature he keeps carefully in check...until he meets the beautiful Jessica Farleigh, the woman he's waited for all his life.

Is to ruin the man she loves…

But Jessica is a courtesan, not the genteel lady Sir Mark believes. Desperate to be free of a life she despises, she seizes her chance when Mark's enemies make her an offer she can't refuse: seduce Mark and tarnish his good name, and a princely sum will be hers. Yet as she comes to know the man she's sworn to destroy, Jessica will be forced to choose between the future she needs…and the love she knows is impossible.

My thoughts:
This is book 2, but do not worry I could easily read this book without having read the one where the hero's brother found love first.

A hero who is a virgin, yes I do like that. So refreshing from all those rakes who are running around and surely have an STD or two by now. Instead I get a hero, Mark, who is a virgin, he has got a few issues, and at the moment he is sick of the praise put upon him. He may be a virgin, but he sure still is a man.

The heroine on the other hand is a courtesan, so she has gotten around. And sure she has got her reasons, but to try to seduce poor Mark and ruin him, so not cool. But as we learn she does have her reasons, and I do understand those reasons and why she does feel like she does not have a choice.

Thrown together it becomes a nice little tale, ok I should not call it nice. It's a tale about lies, feelings, and a woman who feels broken inside.

Of course I disliked Jessica at times, who could not, she would ruin and break his heart. But it was obvious she was falling so I had to like her. And their situation was also so hopeless. A courtesan and London's most famous virgin? Not gonna happen! But of course we all know it will happen and I am was happy when it did.

Conclusion:

It was a different sort of romance. You know there is trickery at the start, you want them to still be together, but Milan sure makes them work for it. And in the end everyone lives happily ever after.

'Cover:

I like the yellow

Review: Deacon's Ark - A.E.Stanton

2011-12-18T12:24:00.002+02:00

Series: The New West #2
Genre: Western, Apocalyptic wasteland
Pages: 64, ebook
Published: December 8th, 2011
Publisher; Musa Publishing
Source. For review

Josie and Deacon have left Horsetown and are back in search of The City. Joined by Josie’s youngest sister, Sadie, they decide to travel on the riverboat The Green Goddess to save travel time.

My thoughts:

Josie, Deacon and Sadie are looking for a mystical city. Most of the book takes ship in a ship and they will face some pretty bad things. And since this is a short one I will not say what those bad things are. I want to leave something as a surprise even if you get an idea from the longer blurb that can be found.

This land is sure going to hell, I have a hard time seeing a future for them. Well it does not take many to start anew but still, as long as they survive what is coming. It's a nice apocalyptic western series. Hope is not something you find here (well except when talking to Josie and Deacon), and I do like that it is dark.

The book ends with somewhat of a cliffie. I fear what they will see next, and I am hoping for some good news.

Review: Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, The Last man in the world - Abigail Reynolds

2011-12-17T14:33:00.001+02:00

Genre: JA variation
Pages: 288
Published 2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Source: My own

What if-The last man in the world she could be prevailed upon to marry-is her husband?In Jane Austen-s Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet tells the proud Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy that she wouldn-t marry him if he were the last man in the world.But what if she never said the words? What if circumstances conspired to make her accept Darcy the first time he proposes?In this installment of Abigail Reynolds-s acclaimed Pride and Prejudice Variations, Elizabeth agrees to marry Darcy against her better judgment, setting off a chain of events that nearly brings disaster to them both-What readers are saying-A highly original story, immensely satisfying.--Anyone who loves the story of Darcy and Elizabeth will love this variation.--I was hooked from page one.--A refreshing new look at what might have happened if---Another good book to curl up with- I never wanted to put it down.

My thoughts:

I think I never posted this one...so it works well in a Saturday

I have a weak spot of Jane Austen sequels, variations and just about anything. I never get tired of the story, and I do love the What if’s. I have read some wonderful ones, some strange ones, and they are always witty and amusing.

This one was actually rather heartbreaking in a way. Lizzy and Darcy got married because she never turned him down after that first awful proposal. Colonel Fitzwilliam showed up and saw Darcy kissing her, and they were married. Mr Darcy is in love with her and thinks she loves him too, but here comes the heartbreaking part, she doesn’t. She is not happy in their marriage and tries to do her duty. And to see him so in love and clueless just tugs on my heartstrings when she doesn’t share his feelings. It’s horrible to read.

That is the beginning of this novel, but the author would never leave us with a mess like that. The truth will come out and hearts will break. But there will also be a chance for them to build something new, something lasting and fitting the love they are supposed to share. As for old characters, this is mostly Lizzy’s and Darcy’s book, but we do meet Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, Wickham, and Bingley shows up too and he wants his Jane back.

The thing I liked best about this story was actually this great twist just because it brought so many feelings into the mix. And it gave me as the reader a chance to really root for them, and hoping that they somehow could truly fall in love as equals. Because this twist meant that Darcy still was awfully pride and looked down at her family and Lizzy also had prejudices against his sister, whom she thought of as proud. And then there is the whole Wickham angle, yes she still thought of him as the good guy.

Conclusion:

There are many JA variations around and this one was one of the more interesting ones that I have read. I would happily recommend it to fans of variations, or anyone with a love for Jane Austen. If you haven’t tried one by now then take a chance on them. They are fun to read, and it does not make the original any less of a book.

Cover:

Review: Phoenix Rising - Philippa Ballantine and Tee Morris

2011-12-16T15:26:00.000+02:00

Series: Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences #1
Genre: Steampunk
Pages: 402
Published; 2011
Publisher: EOS
Source: My own

Evil is most assuredly afoot—and Britain’s fate rests in the hands of an alluring renegade . . . and a librarian.

These are dark days indeed in Victoria’s England. Londoners are vanishing, then reappearing, washing up as corpses on the banks of the Thames, drained of blood and bone. Yet the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences—the Crown’s clandestine organization whose bailiwick is the strange and unsettling—will not allow its agents to investigate. Fearless and exceedingly lovely Eliza D. Braun, however, with her bulletproof corset and a disturbing fondness for dynamite, refuses to let the matter rest . . . and she’s prepared to drag her timorous new partner, Wellington Books, along with her into the perilous fray.

For a malevolent brotherhood is operating in the deepening London shadows, intent upon the enslavement of all Britons. And Books and Braun—he with his encyclopedic brain and she with her remarkable devices—must get to the twisted roots of a most nefarious plot . . . or see England fall to the Phoenix!

My thoughts:

I had hoped to like this one more, sure it was good and all, but you know, those hopes ones have. First it looks so cool and it sounds so good too.

Eliza was a good kick-ass heroine who liked explosives and sometimes acted a bit too soon. While her new partner in crime, Books was a the nerdy guy from the cellar who does not act and who would rather read books. Oh yes what a couple. He is also upper class, while she is from the colonies (though he is a decent fellow). Together they made a good miss matched couple.

There is action, mystery and strange things going on. The steampunk angle was there, though in a different way. She had her guns, there was talk about machines, but it was never really out there. Perhaps I had wanted a bit more.

Conclusion:

It did fail to catch my attention a few times, and I just do not know why. I liked them, I liked the banter, I liked the sparkle of true English phrases, but it never got my heart. Still it was a nice addition to the genre.

Cover:

I do wonder why she is dressed like that on the cover though, she prefers pants and not looking like a streetwalker

-------------

My flash fiction for this week

Review: Cry Wolf - Patricia Briggs

2011-12-15T16:17:00.000+02:00

Series: Alpha & Omega #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 294
Published: 2008
Publisher: Ace
Source: Bought

Anna never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack... and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she'd learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer- and son- of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.

Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna's inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf- a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack.

My thoughts:

I am giving it a 4, but is is not a full 4. Mostly because I did not love it as much as the Mercy books, but I still really enjoyed it.

The funny thing was that it was not Charles and Anna I liked the most. Sure they were ok, poor Anna all scarred from her horrible time in an evil pack, and Charles being a good little assassin. Together they tried to find a way to be together since she had lots to work through. But here it comes, when Bran showed up now and then I forgot all about these two. I was totally crushing on the Marrok in this book. And I demand he gets a series of his own and a good woman so that he is happy and so that she is happy, cos like it is now it is just sad.

So what have we learnt then, I love Bran, oh right about the book. Well it was a nice little mystery about who is going around killing in the mountains. I liked Asil, the old wolf who longs for death and there was a nice backstory.

And yes do read the short story before reading this one.

Conclusion:

I will continue this series of course, Briggs rocks and Bran, now look there I go again, major crush alert.

Cover:

Nice

Review: Carrie Goes off the Map - Phillipa Ashley

2011-12-14T15:57:00.001+02:00

Genre: Contemporary romance/Chic-lit
Pages: 304
Published: Dec 1 2011 (2009 It Should have been Me)
Publisher: Sourcebooks

Carrie Brownhill lets her best friend talk her into a scenic European road trip as the perfect getaway from a nasty breakup with her fiancé. Unexpectedly along for the ride is the gorgeous and intriguing Matt Landor, MD, who sorely tests Carrie’s determination to give up men altogether. Careening through the English countryside in a VW camper van, these two mismatched but perfectly attuned lonely hearts find themselves in hot pursuit of adventure and in uncharted territory altogether.

My thoughts:

I do love the English, all those words I do not hear that often when I read so many American novels. But here I get them all and I bloody love it.

Carrie is dumped by her fiancé (who I thought was an utter ass, but later I did change my mind. He was just a man after all.) Poor Carrie is hurt and angry and I like her, and I like her even more when she has a little revenge. Her new leading man is Matt, but things move slowly along and that is a good thing. I really like how it works out in the end. Nothing fast and furious here. As for Matt, oh, he is a doctor out in the jungle, and to top it off, he is hot. She also calls him a dirty Mr-Darcy and that sure caught my attention. Sometimes I liked him, sometimes I wondered about the woman he was seeing. But all in all I liked him and I thought these two should hook up.

Much of the book is about the roadtrip. Carrie needs to get over Huw, Matt has his own issues why he is in England. So there will be sun, sand, kisses, arguing between them and realizations.

Conclusion:

I liked this one because it was sweet, but it was not too sweet since Carrie made her fair share of mistakes. It's life. Cute, happy and a page-turner.

------------------------

And a message from Sourcebooks:

Jane Austen’s birthday is on Friday December 16th so we are once again going to be celebrating in a big way!

We will be running an eBook promotion called A Darcy for Everyone! There are 14 Austen inspired books that will be a part of the promotion (listed below) that will be $1.99 from Tuesday December 13th – Friday December 30th

*************************************************************************

A Darcy for Everyone! Sourcebooks Celebrates Jane Austen’s Birthday!

From Tuesday December 13th – Friday December 30th the following eBooks will be priced at $1.99 at all online e-tailers. Whether you like Darcy as a tortured vampire, a modern day rock star, a Texas rancher or anything and everything in between! There truly is a Darcy for everyone!

A Darcy Christmas – Carolyn Eberhart, Sharon Lathan and Amanda Grange

Darcys & the Bingleys – Marsha Altman

Darcy’s Voyage – Kara Louise

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star – Heather Lynn Rigaud

The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice – Abigail Reynolds

Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One – Sharon Lathan

Mr. Darcy Goes Overboard – Belinda Roberts

Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife – Linda Berdoll

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre – Amanda Grange

Pemberley Chronicles – Rebecca Ann Collins

Pemberley Ranch – Jack Caldwell

Searching for Pemberley – Mary Lydon Simonsen

Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy – Sara Angelini

Darcy and Fitzwilliam – Karen V. Wasylowski

You can find all of the titles and information here:

http://www.sourcebooks.com/readers/browse-our-lists/ebook-specials/1884-a-darcy-for-everyone.html

Review: Rosemary and Rue - Seanan McGuire

2011-12-13T17:02:00.002+02:00

Series: October Daye #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 346
Published: 2009
Publisher: DAW
Source: Bought

October "Toby" Daye, a changeling who is half human and half fae, has been an outsider from birth. After getting burned by both sides of her heritage, Toby has denied the Faerie world, retreating to a "normal" life. Unfortunately for her, the Faerie world has other ideas...

The murder of Countess Evening Winterrose pulls Toby back into the fae world. Unable to resist Evening's dying curse, which binds her to investigate, Toby must resume her former position as knight errant and renew old alliances. As she steps back into fae society, dealing with a cast of characters not entirely good or evil, she realizes that more than her own life will be forfeited if she cannot find Evening's killer.

My thoughts:

It was one of those books I couldn't put it down books and suddenly I have yet another series to read.

It was my kind of UF, a rich setting, lots of fairy history and a heroine I liked from the start. And what a beginning, poor Toby. About Toby, I liked how she is getting caught up in the fairy world again, and these are fairies as they should be. Some nice (if you can call it that), and many nasty ones. Everyone wants something in this world. A favour for a favour. So yes I like this broken heroine.

It was a nice mystery too about who killed the Countess and Toby has a lot of detective work to do if she will find the killer, before she is killed herself. Action, treachery, something is rotten in fairyland.

I am not going to mention it now, but something broke me a bit and I hope Toby can sort that out. She has lost so much.

A nice bunch of side characters too in this one. Devin, who I would not trust because of the way he used her when she was younger. But she has feelings since he saved her. Tybalt, oh I loved him, but then i really like cats and he is the king of cats shifters. Old friends, new friends, and the question of whom to trust.

And of course me wondering who might be the romance interest *fingers crossed for my guy*.

Conclusion:

Yes I want book 2, so this is another series I recommend. Dark Uf like it should be.

Cover:

Her face looks a bit weird

Review: First Grave on the Right - Darynda Jones

2011-12-12T15:27:00.000+02:00

Series: Charley Davidson #1
Genre: I would like to call it.. UFR
Pages: 310
Published: 2010
Publisher: St:Martin's Griffin
Source: Won

Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.

My thoughts:

Oh no! what? you all think, is it bad? The opposite actually, the oh no comes from that I now have another series to read, luckily I do not have much to catch up on.

I liked the sense of humour, I liked the heroine, I certainly liked the hunky dreamlover she had, and I liked the plot. I had actually judged it a bit harshly from the cover, it looks so chick-lit, no what is wrong with that? Nothing, I adore chick-lit, but here it felt strange. Luckily I do not always listen to my brain and went for it.

Charley is a great heroine, she takes chances, and she wants the best for the dead around her (well almost for all). I liked her from the start. The plot is fast paced as she has a bunch of dead people around her and she is trying to figure out who killed them. She is also dreaming about a hunky guy who seduces her, and she is seeing something big and bad in the shadows. All is not well in her reaper world.

And then there are the questions and the thing that made me go all "wicked"! Haha, yes I loved that part, sadly I can't tell you anything about it, but it was good. So freaking good!

Conclusion:

So yes recommended and I need book 2.

Cover:

I do like it, but yes chick-litish

Review: Nights of Villjamur - Mark Charan Newton

2011-12-11T17:30:00.001+02:00

Series: Legends of the red sun #1
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 497
Published: 2009
Publisher: TOR
Source: Bought

Beneath a dying red sun sits the proud and ancient city of Villjamur, capital of a mighty empire that now sits powerless against an encroaching ice age. As throngs of refugees gather outside the city gates, a fierce debate rages within the walls about the fate of these desperate souls. Then tragedy strikes—and the Emperor’s elder daughter, Jamur Rika, is summoned to serve as queen. Joined by her younger sister, Jamur Eir, the queen comes to sympathize with the hardships of the common people, thanks in part to her dashing teacher Randur Estevu, a man who is not what he seems.

Meanwhile, the grisly murder of a councillor draws the attention of Inspector Rumex Jeryd. Jeryd is a rumel, a species of nonhuman that can live for hundreds of years and shares the city with humans, birdlike garuda, and the eerie banshees whose forlorn cries herald death. Jeryd’s investigation will lead him into a web of corruption—and to an obscene conspiracy that threatens the lives of Rika and Eir, and the future of Villjamur itself.

But in the far north, where the drawn-out winter has already begun, an even greater threat appears, against which all the empire’s military and magical power may well prove useless—a threat from another world.

I am gonna do this in the 3 reasons review format because honestly I got nothing to say at all. (well nothing nice at least).

1.) Reasons you chose this book
It sounded good. An ice age is coming, the dead are walking, intrigues and an interesting sounding world.

2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book
*I disliked it because I could not connect with anyone, I did not care if they lived or died.

*It bored me, it had so much potential but for some reason it never sucked me in. I noticed it already on page 20 but I soldiered on. I am a sucker for punishment and well I had a free evening when I was home alone. So I finished the book, but I do admit to skimming a lot.

*There was romance too, now that was really bad. One who had a relationship he hid, one couple who suddenly fell in love, no no no, please. And one guy who lusted after his ex-wife. He could have left the tension but the rest should have been skipped. It was not very well done.

*I feel so sad now cos I can't say anything good about it, but when you do not connect it is not easy.

*The only reason I did like the book somewhat was that it had potential and that the end was a bit interesting. So I can give it an ok since I did skim on, it was not truly bad thanks to the hidden gems.

3.) Reasons you are recommending this book
Sadly I can't since I was bored by it, but if it sounds interesting then get it from the library and have a go at it.

Review: Chill Run - Russell Brooks

2011-12-10T15:44:00.001+02:00

Review by Anna

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 242

Published: December 2011

Eddie Barrow wants to be an author, but has problems finding a publisher who is willing to publish Eddie’s books. So he must sell them online himself, but doesn’t make a lot of money on that. He is the black sheep of his family, the only one who failed. He has a perfect sister and even his parents doesn’t hesitate to tell him how much he has failed in everything.

He thinks that he need a publicity stunt, so the publisher will know his name. It doesn’t matter what kind of publicity stunt it is. He is willing to do anything. So with the help of his friends Corey and Jordyn, he gets himself a little work that is sure to give him publicity.

Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned, and Eddie soon finds out he is wanted for murder, all over Canada. His friend Corey is supposedly his partner-in-crime. What’s even worse, Eddie and Corey is accused of kidnapping Jordyn.

”Chill Run” is a good thriller, pretty short, but intense. I liked the book, although it did have some elements that I didn’t quite like. One of them being the language. The characters in the thriller use quite a foul language. Also, some of the characters speak with a very heavy French-Canadian accent. Just a little example. ”I want to see your hidee”. It took a while before I understood that the word ”hidee” means ID (identification card). In several places of the book, some characters speak French. I can not understand many word of French, so it was difficult to read those parts. The author did, however, translate the French sentences to English, which was good.

But, as I wrote earlier, it’s a good thriller and well worth reading.

Review: Heart of Steel - Meljean Brook

2011-12-09T15:01:00.002+02:00

Series: Iron Seas #2
Genre: Steampunk romance
Pages: 311
Published: Nov 2011
Publisher: Berkley
Source. Shelf

Growing up in the dangerous world of the Iron Seas, the mercenary captain of the airship Lady Corsair, Yasmeen, has learned to keep her heart hard as steel. Ruthless and cunning, her only loyalty is to her ship and her crew-until one man comes along and changes everything...Treasurehunter Archimedes Fox isn't interested in the Lady Corsair-just the captain and the valuable da Vinci sketch she stole from him. When it attracts a dangerous amount of attention, Yasmeen and Archimedes journey to Horde-occupied Morocco- and straight into enemy hands.

My thoughts:

I liked it, I just did not like it as much as book 1. In that aspect I felt rather disappointed.

I still liked the steampunk angle, the zombies and the adventure. But this time I felt the romance was lacking, I actually never felt that Yasmeen and Archimedes liked each other. I felt no sexual tension, it was more that he said how much he wanted her but I did not feel it. What I did feel was her heart of steel and how she did not want or need a man in her life. That I got. And when she did fall, yes I am saying it again, I did not see it.

The book was still good, do not get me wrong. Steampunk rocks, Yasmeen was cool in her tough shell, Archimedes is a true adventurer and hey it has zombies. One has to like that.

Conclusion:

But in the end I just wish I had liked it as much as I liked book 1. I hope book 3 will be better because I'd like to read more.

Cover:

Eh, he looks, thin

----------------

My flash fiction for this week

Review: My Fair Succubi - Jill Myles

2011-12-08T15:49:00.001+02:00

Series: Succubus Diaries #3
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 340
Published: 2010
Publisher: Pocket
Source: my own shelf

IT SUCKS TO BE HER...

Living as a succubus has a bit of a learning curve, but with sexy fallen angel Noah to scratch her sensual Itch, Jackie Brighton is finally starting to feel ahead of the game. She almost doesn’t miss her gorgeous vampire master Zane – or his sinful, teasing mouth. She’s trying to convince herself of that, anyway.

But Jackie’s past mistakes catch up with her, spinning her life out of control once more. Just as her friend Remy’s inner demon comes out to play, Noah and Jackie are arrested by the angelic Serim Council. When Jackie seizes the chance to escape, she falls right into Zane’s waiting arms. As she’s pulled into a game of cat and mouse between vampires and angels, she finds she must also finally choose between the two men in her life. Can she decide between Noah and Zane, or will she lose everything she’s ever wanted? Because there’s more at stake than just her heart..

My thoughts:

This is how I like my PNR, funny. It is the perfect mix for me when you also put in lots of passion and a love triangle that truly works. And I am all about team Zane since Noah bores me.

Anyway this book starts with Noah and Jackie at a dig. Noah sure likes her, but Jackie, oh Jackie, we both know the vampire is a better match. How I missed Zane. Still the book is good with its drama and Zane will show up again. While Noah is a nice little boyscout, Zane is just so very mmm yummy. And I will not tell you how it end or how or if my feelings change after the big reveal that I have been waiting for. Why she was made.

As for the story, we got evil Joachim popping up again, Jackie gets a new sidekick named Ethan (I did like him), and can she get the halo before the Serim get her? The race is on and I am never bored, especially not when you throw in an itch or two here and there.

The book left me happy, but there is more to come. Sadly no deal for another book but Myles is selfpublishing and I just read the blurb for book 4, thrilling.

Conclusion:

I do want more, I like this word and I like the vibe in it. Here is one pnr series that I can recommend

Cover
hot!

Review: Theft of Swords - Michael J.Sullivan

2011-12-07T16:12:00.000+02:00

Series: The Riyria Revelations #1 (1 and 2)
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 704
Published: Nov 2011
Publisher: Orbit
Source: Shelf

Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles—until they are hired to pilfer a famed sword. What appears to be just a simple job finds them framed for the murder of the king and trapped in a conspiracy that uncovers a plot far greater than the mere overthrow of a tiny kingdom.

Can a self-serving thief and an idealistic swordsman survive long enough to unravel the first part of an ancient mystery that has toppled kings and destroyed empires in order to keep a secret too terrible for the world to know? And so begins the first tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend.

My thoughts:

I think I would like to start with a damn, damn that I do not have book 2 ready. It was not like it ended with a cliffie, now, it was just that I need to freaking know!It is just the kind of fantasy I like. Quests, kingdoms, baddies and a great cast.

Our “heroes” are Royce, a thief and Hadrian, a mercenary. Together they form the band Riyria, and steal their way through life. The chemistry between these two is just great; you can feel that they have been friends for a very long time. They are also so funny together, one wanting one thing, the other one another thing, but they are friends and the trust each other (even if the other one has a stupid plan for instance.) That is truly what is good about this book Royce and Hadrian.

And once more, I just do not feel I can do it justice. It started off ok, then it got better, then it got even better, and I was hooked, and even though I was nowhere near the end I lamented the fact that I did not have book 2 ready (getting it for xmas). The books grabs hold of you and won’t let go. And you do not want it to let go either.

I could say a lot of things, of the banter between them, of the two quests they had, of Myron the monk they met, but I will just say that it had a solid plot. It was originally a 6 book series, and now it is a 3 book series. So this book is about 2 things, but they are connected since everything will lead up to one thing in the end. The world is looking for someone, and then we have an evil church too (they always make good baddies.)

Conclusion:
So yes just read it. I am SO glad Melissa got me to read this book because it was well worth it. My review may not amount to much since my mind is all “want book2!”. But in the end that is all you need to know, it made me want book 2, and I that book is as good as ordered already. I can’t wait to read more.

Cover:
Now this is my kind of hunk ;)

Review: Alien Proliferation - Gini Koch

2011-12-06T15:21:00.000+02:00

Series: Katherine "Kitty" Katt #4
Genre: Sci-fi romance
Pages: 448
Published: December 6, 2011
Publisher: DAW
Source: Won :D

Alien Super-Being Exterminator Kitty Katt is expecting her first baby. But the alien attacks are getting more dangerous, and now Kitty and her Alpha Centaurion husband, Jeff, have to find out who's behind the conspiracy to kill Kitty's secret agent mom and what caused Kitty's transformation into a superhuman-and they've got to do it all before the baby shower...

My thoughts:

These books are insane. I think Gini took everything she liked, mixed it together, went a bit crazy, wrote it down and made a freaking marvelous books. I think all authors should just run with it like she does. But then I am sure if someone else did it, I would think "come one, please", but here, here it works.

What to say then, I am a bit lost for words. Ok, I will try to put my kind back together. Kitty is awesome as always, I really need her as my bff. She kicks ass and saves the day. Martini, her hubby, is to die for. I really need a Martini for my own. Even his jealousy is adorable. Together they are meant to be. A true power couple, and one that gets a baby in this book.

The rest, well I love Christoper, I still do not like Chuck *shifty eyes* (trying to steal Jeff's woman!), the poofs are wonderful, I really liked the pontifax in this one, James is great, ACE is cool, and you know the rest. You have to love these people.

The action is nonstop, from her giving birth, to trying to understand who is behind it all. There is a big conspiracy underfoot, and just when you think it is solved you see that there is lots of pages left, aha, more things to come. It's not as easy as it looks.

Conclusion:
In the end what more can I say than that it's a series that I recommend. It even had me dreaming about aliens :)

Cover:
Awesome as always

Review: The Quantum Thief - Hannu Rajaniemi

2011-12-05T18:51:00.003+02:00

Series: The Quantum thief trilogy #1
Genre: Sci-fi
Pages: 336
Published: Nov 2011 (2010)
Publisher: Gollancz

Jean le Flambeur is a post-human criminal, mind burglar, confidence artist and trickster. His origins are shrouded in mystery, but his exploits are known throughout the Heterarchy - from breaking into the vast Zeusbrains of the Inner System to steal their thoughts, to stealing rare Earth antiques from the aristocrats of the Moving Cities of Mars. Except that Jean made one mistake. Now he is condemned to play endless variations of a game-theoretic riddle in the vast virtual jail of the Axelrod Archons - the Dilemma Prison - against countless copies of himself. Jean's routine of death, defection and cooperation is upset by the arrival of Mieli and her spidership, Perhonen. She offers him a chance to win back his freedom and the powers of his old self - in exchange for finishing the one heist he never quite managed .

My thoughts:

The author is Finnish so of course I had to read it, he has also got a Phd in mathematical physics, which shows. I was truly confused by this book at times, but do not get me wrong, it is a well-written book and it shows that it is written by someone who masters the genre. It is wondrous.

I truly do not know where to begin. It was made up from words, and I was lost at times. I felt like I was trapped in a surreal dream. And still it was one of the best sci-fi books I have read, because of the way he wrote. It is a masterful novel and if he continues to write like he does then he will be remembered.

Later I found the things I had been missing on wikipedia, a glossary of all those terms I had no idea about. Yes he sure made up a lot of things and I did not always understand what they were. Since they were knew and he did not always spell it out. So an advice would be, check wikipedia. It will help a bit. Rajaniemi knew his world, and better than I did for sure. But if you just go with the flow you will be alright.

But do not ask me what the book is about, there are twists and turns, Mieli who has kidnapped our thief does not explain what she needs either. So we are thrown into a world and Jean needs to find his memories from before so he can figure things out. And just as he is confused what is going on, so are we. And at the end things starts coming together and secrets are brought out in the open, and I was surprised.

I also liked that he used a few Finnish words as names, and more. Yes, I truly liked that. Not to mention that it gave me more insight since they had a meaning too.

Conclusion:

I have confused you all now haven't I? Just let me say that this is a sci-fi book to read, the world is pieced together masterfully and you get a detective/adventure story all in one. It would make one kicking movie.

Cover;

Review: The Hermetica of Elysium - Annmarie Banks

2011-12-04T15:06:00.001+02:00

Synopsis (starting with a quote):

“Other shining, untarnished minds have come before us, lighting this path to understanding. But the sword of fear and ignorance has cut down their mortal forms, dissolving them as time does to all of us, to dust. Yet, their minds remain on paper. Their thoughts come to us in ink and parchment, packaged in tiny receptacles of light and wisdom.”

Spain, the dark years of Inquisition led by Torquemada. Nadira, a young Muslim slave girl and her owner, Sofir, a rich Spanish converso (so a Jew who conversed to Christianity) are one night accosted by some sailors (or rather pirates). These men ask specifically for Nadira; they brought with them a dying young man, which had been beaten by them to almost death. They think he doesn’t understand Spanish so they make Nadira speak her native Arabic to make him divulge his secret – the location of a certain book. The man is obstinate and doesn’t tell them anything so, after more beating, they leave him with Sofir, thinking he is dead. And he indeed dies after one more day but he also reveals to Nadira that a man named Henry has the book. He implores the girl to tell that to his little brother, Robin. Why was that book, any book in fact, worth such a sacrifice, though? Where is that Robin? One of these questions is solved very quickly.

Robert Longmoor, Baron Montrose of Scotland visits Sofir to collect the body of his elder brother, tortured to death. As he can’t read , he takes Nadira with him by force - she is fluent in several languages and he must find his brother’s book and read his letters. Although the girl remains a captive, her new master treats her with kindness and dignity. Because of him Nadira gets involved in a chain of adventures that exceeds her all expectations…she becomes important to many curious, rich and ruthless people. Will she find a worthy place in the world or remain the plaything of the powers that be? Will her strengths prevail over her weaknesses? What will she learn? Will Robert survive?

What I liked:

- The subject matter - it is about a hermetical book for heavens’ sake!!! A very old book from Egypt, written in several languages, most probably an ancient text, coveted by many alchemists! How not to adore such a premise? It reminded me of The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, one of my all time favourites! In fact I suppose the idea of an edible book was taken straight from that novel! Still I didn’t mind – not at all!

- The narration was quick-paced and lively as I like. The book managed to keep me interested till the very end.

- Plenty of knights in their prime, one pretty girl and no insta-love! No insta-lust either! A love triangle? Absent again! Well done and, as you see, it can be done!

- A kick-ass heroine who is not only of Arab descent but also a very educated woman who knows what's good for her; despite being a slave, doesn’t want to follow her mother’s fate and remain despondent all her life; she takes difficult decisions but never ones which would be too stupid for her to live. By the way usually in such books it is a Saracen master and a Christian slave; here we have an Arab girl, a Jewish master and a Scotsman…not a bad mixture you must admit!

What I didn’t like:

- In short small inconsistencies. The main heroine, Nadira, once states that she wants to return home to Morocco and then she says she would like to go to Marrakech. Well, last time I checked these were two different countries and I am not sure whether they were known by their contemporary names in the 15th century. Oh well, you know me…incurably anal…

- It is not a flaw but it bugged me: Richard Longmoor was a kind of prominent scholar while his younger brother, Robert, couldn’t read an write at all…correct me if I am mistaken but if you were a Scottish laird who decided to spend some hard-earned coin on exclusive education, hiring a private tutor in the shape of a monk, you would make sure both of your precious sons got some necessary schooling… I would understand if Robert knew ‘only’ Latin or ‘only’ Old French/Norman but the fact that he could barely sign his own name left me perplexed…what did he do when Richard had his lessons? Chased skirts? Shot crows? How come his father didn’t intervene?

- I would like more three-dimensional baddies...

Final verdict:

Despite some quibbles I did enjoy this book and I would love to read the second part of this series. Alchemy gives me always a powerful tug and this book was based on some alchemical texts...

Publisher: Knox Robinson Publishing

Pages: 400

To Be published: December 8 2011

Review by Anachronist

Sent by the publisher in return for an honest review

Review: The Last Queen - C.W.Gortner

2011-12-03T15:04:00.001+02:00

Genre: Historical fiction
Pages: 400
Published: 2009
Publisher: Ballantine
Source: I made the library get it

In this stunning novel, C. W. Gortner brings to life Juana of Castile, the third child of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand of Spain, who would become the last queen of Spanish blood to inherit her country’s throne. Along the way, Gortner takes the reader from the somber majesty of Spain to the glittering and lethal courts of Flanders, France, and Tudor England.

Born amid her parents’ ruthless struggle to unify and strengthen their kingdom, Juana, at the age of sixteen, is sent to wed Philip, heir to the Habsburg Empire. Juana finds unexpected love and passion with her dashing young husband, and at first she is content with her children and her married life. But when tragedy strikes and she becomes heir to the Spanish throne, Juana finds herself plunged into a battle for power against her husband that grows to involve the major monarchs of Europe. Besieged by foes on all sides, Juana vows to secure her crown and save Spain from ruin, even if it costs her everything.

My thoughts;

It's hard to grade this one, for my personal enjoyment it gets a lesser grade cos I felt so sad, but as for the writing and story it gets a higher grade. Because it was really good in the end.

Juana la Loca as she is known as did not have an easy life. Married at 16 to a handsome prince she was happy, for a while. But that love turned as he wanted her kingdom. He treated her badly, and declared her insane. Well if my man gave all my things to his whore then I would jump her too. If she was insane is the question, sure they had it in the family, but the way she was treated could only have made it worse. And it is also said at the end that it really showed long after when her last child was taken from her and she was left all alone. So no she did not have a happy life, first screwed over by her husband and then by her father. The book ends with her being locked away. She was a woman ruled by men.

It did make me think a bit, her mother was strong and ruled her kingdom, she went to war and knew her mind. Perhaps poor Juana was not as strong, because I do not think her mother would have tolerated being handled like that.

Still it is a fascinating story, Juana's life, for a few years, and the quest of who will rule what is Spain. Being heir to kingdoms was certainly not easy. And Gortner writes the story so well, I really feel for Juana, and the things that did happen he explains so well. What she might have thought right then.

Conclusion:

Because of this it is a book I recommend, and I do confess that plenty of times while reading I thought to myself how much men suck. Bastards!

Cover:

pretty

--------------------

My flash, a day late, have mercy M