Sunday, 15 March 2015

Joint Discussion: The rest falls away - Colleen Gleason

Author: Colleen Gleason
Title: The Rest Falls Away (The Gardella Vampire Hunters #1) 
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Historical Fiction, and action/adventure
Pages: ebook
First Published: 2014
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon/Freebie)

Beneath the glitter of dazzling nineteenth century London Society lurks a bloodthirsty evil…

Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long ago taken control of the world.

In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake. But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous moonlit streets, Victoria’s heart is torn between London’s most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her dark, dangerous duty.

And when she comes face-to-face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make a choice between duty and love.




Another joint review with Carole! :D This month we are giving 'The Rest Falls Away' a chance. :)



B: We will start with a simple one, how did you like Victoria?

C: At first I did not like her, I’ll be honest. I was worried she was going to be a “perfect” character, but as the story went along I liked her more and more. I think she’ll be even better in the next book. She seems like a badass in the making.

B: I can’t say I am overly fond of her. She was ok, a woman growing into becoming a vampire hunter. But I did feel she had a few TSTL moments, and I did not like how everyone just seemed to secretly lust after her.

C: I totally agree. It is annoying when every male wants her. However, I don’t think Max is that much in love...yet. I imagine he sees her as more as an annoying little sister. The ending...I think there was a shift. I think he is starting to lust over her now….which meh.

B: I agree, after that ending he will suddenly lust after her. And what do we have then? A nice little triangle, I am so over them!!!

C: Ugh me too. However, I think it worked okay-ish...because she really only had eyes for Phillip for the majority of time...

B: Haha, ok there it was, yes majority of time. When she did lust after the other guy ;)

C: WHICH I thought Sebastian was a total creep! I do wonder if we’ll learn more about him….I am curious more so, because I didn’t like him.

B: You didn’t? I did ;) But then he was a bad boy so there’s that. I like them. he was a creep but I liked him. Philip was so dull, Max was so in your face I am awesome at hunting vamps and you can only dance at balls.

C: HAHA agreed. Honestly...I wouldn’t have picked any of them if I were Victoria. Maybe she’ll get a new love interest in the next book. *fingers crossed*

B: Gods, I hope not! But ok away with ye men. Let’s talk about how I felt it was YA? Was it yA? I do not know!

C: Technically it wasn’t a “ya”, but I can totally see it falling into that category. I think the only reason it isn’t is because of the naughty scenes. 

B: Yeah, that is what made me think ok this can’t be YA. But it so did not help with the whole love triangle, ok more than love triangle thing. And everything else felt sort of..nice too. More blood and gore please.

C: Agreed. When I have some vamp/paranormal action I want gore and blood everywhere! I think the author was trying to add a little spice of 19th century-ness too it, ya kno? 

B: I did like the whole 19th aspect. I liked how she danced at balls, was courted, etc etc and then went out and fought vamps..as a woman! And she wore pants a couple of time!” Ohhhhhhh

C: PANTS! haha, but yeah. I thought it was a fun concept! It’s like...19th century Buffy the Vampire Slayer. WHICH I wanted to talk about the plot. I totally see the lack of information presented by the author. I wish she gave more about the “family tree”, what I assuming is that they have a few kids and one is chosen to be the hunter.

B: I did feel that was plot hole land as I told you. Cos ok sure one chooses to hunt, one doesn’t. BUT Vic is told she can NEVER take a lover or marry..right. isn’t she the last Gardella? I did feel that it did not work. There should have never been any kids at all. And what if they have 10 kids and everyone wants to fight? Cos we are told they all can, if they wanna…

C: Hmmmm. Good point. However, there is the human element like Vic’s mom...she fell in love. GASP! Which is silly that she can’t do both. Well, she could but it prolly would end badly…*cough*

B: *coughs* I do think they could have both. Just marry another Venator. Stay at home while you are preggers and then fight again. Women can do BOTH! ;)

C: Yes, however, I think the gang is worried that the spouse will try and prevent or try and help (which could lead to death or worse) which will compromise the mission. I totally get it...but c’mon. Just make it a rule you can only marry a fellow hunter or something. OR the spouse HAS to be trained. Something, because if you don’t reproduce then you will not have a future generation to fight! (I almost rambled about the fall of Sparta...haha)

B: Sparta stays!
But yes that would make sense! And considering she is the LAST Gardella, then she must have kids or kill EVERY vampire on earth….

C: Which that would be a headache and a long, long list. So...ending? What did you think?

B: Ok so without SPOILERS, I liked the ending, it was..evil. BUT I did NOT like how TSTL it made her. I was very very very very VERY angry at her. ALL CAPS ANGRY.

C: It is SO hard not give away spoilers for this one...because I liked the ending. It was indeed evil….and I really didn’t expect it. I was expecting………….something else. YES! GAH! I was angry at her too. 

B: Your last thoughts then? I felt that it was good, ok at times, but I do not want to read more. I felt like one was enough for me this time. Even if the rest might actually be better.

C: I wouldn’t mind one more, but only if it is a freebie or I borrow it from the library ;) I would love to see the main baddie have a fight with Vic’s auntie. That would be fun! But overall, it was okay and a fun ride.

B: Let’s hope the last book in the series is a freebie one day and then we will read it and see ;)

C: Agreed! Good job! I am out of cookies since i am on major diet ATM, so here are some carrots in celebration *hands plate of carrots*.

B: Mmm rabbit food ;)
Go us :)

C: WOOT WOOT!

B: PP in April then :) Looking forward to it


Saturday, 14 March 2015

#FitReaders: Weekly Check-In March 13 2015 and DNFs

#FitReaders hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog  and That’s What I’m Talking About.


Sun, 2.5 h walk
Mon, 8 km bike, 45 zumba toning
Tue 30 min walk, 4 km bike, 1 hour yoga
Wed 20 min walk + 30 min walk
Thu 1 hour zumba, 8 km bike
Fri 1 hour yoga, 30 min walk, 4 km bike
Sat, 1.50 h walk

Good week :)



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

DNF TIME

What, again? Yes again. See, I got 1500 kindle freebies. I am NOT gonna read all of those if they are just ok. So I will dnf it if it does not catch  my attention. As I only read ebooks at work they need to be good enough that I remember them the next day, after a weekend, or even after a longer holiday.


A little death
I read a few pages, I think there was an angel there, or not. Whatever. DNF

A kiss of Venom
I felt a bit lost, and I have read books in this series. Oh well. That was not even why I gave up.
DNF

A bit of Bite
I can't remember why I gave up, and it was like 5 hours ago.DNF.



Bound by  blood
I was all, I can read this, then they like jump each other after a few pages and they have known each other a minute..DNF

Mr Darcy's Diary
This book was not bad, it was good. It's just, this was the second time trying it and I am very meh about it. I like my variations but this is not that. This is the exact same events from his POV..meh

Heart of the wolf
This one actually had promise! And it was a pnr! But, I was not in the mood for a just ok book. I wanted more, so dnf






Friday, 13 March 2015

Author Interview and Giveaway: Sally Malcolm

Welcome to today's interview and giveaway with Sally Malcolm!

1. Who is Sally Malcolm?
Hello! Thanks for having me on your blog today.   
Who am I? Basically I’m a huge geek. I’m a fan of sci-fi and history (not as different as you might think), and I love to write about both. I live in London with my husband and two children, and am lucky enough to split my writing time between romantic fiction and licensed novels based on the sci-fi TV shows Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis.

I write at a small desk in my bedroom, crammed between the wardrobe, the window, and a chest of drawer s. Its cosy, but I like it. When I’m not writing, I love dragging the kids to museums and castles, or going along to sci-fi conventions to geek out with fellow Stargate fans and readers of my books.  Sometimes I even do a panel discussion or Q&A session - even though I find them totally terrifying! 

(edit Blodeuedd: Omg I love Stargate!)

2. Tell me about your new book, The legend of the Gypsy hawk? 
I’d love to; I had so much fun writing it! The Legend of the Gypsy Hawk is a fast-paced romantic adventure set in the golden age of piracy – think Pirates of the Caribean for grown ups. No skeletons or ghosts, but a wily and seductive pirate captain and a fierce, determined heroine who will do whatever it takes to protect her people.

When Captain Zach Hazard returns to the pirate colony of Ile Sainte Anne, to warn them about the gathering clouds of war, he doesn’t count on falling under the spell of Amelia Dauphin, the beautiful daughter of the island’s leader. Captivated by her adventuresome spirit, Zach finds it impossible to leave Amelia to the fate she’s chosen – even when his rival, the privateer captain, Luc Géroux, appears to have claimed her for his own.

As the crisis overtakes them, Zach finds himself at the eye of the storm. And then Amelia makes a choice that tears everything apart and Zach must decide whether his love for her will destroy him – or redeem them both in the end.

3. What was the inspiration behind the book?
The short answer is Zach. I love heroes with unexpected shadows, the ones who appear to be all glitter and gold on the surface but who, deep down, hide passions, doubts and hurt that only the heroine can uncover. The character of Zach Hazard came to me almost fully formed and I fell in love with him right away. 

So the inspiration for the book was to tell Zach’s story, to peel back the layers of his complex personality. To do that, I needed to put him in an impossible position – enter Amelia, stage left.  Zach’s powerful feelings for Amelia, feelings he can’t overcome, challenge everything he believes about himself and the world. They put him in a place where he’s forced to confront the extravagant persona he’s adopted, where he has to decide what it is he really wants and values, and, ultimately, where he has to decide what it means to be a good man.

4.  Do you think you would make a good pirate? (I would be such a bad pirate ;)
I love the sea. It makes me feel alive in a way nothing else does and I could sit on a beach or a clifftop watching the waves forever. But I’d make a terrible pirate, not least because I get horribly seasick!  I can’t even sit on a garden swing without feeling queezy.  And I’m not too fond of grog or weevils in my ship’s biscuits either. I definitely prefer a cup of tea and a chocolate digestive. But that’s the great thing about being a writer; I can play at being a pirate from my comfy corner behind the wardrobe. Avast!

5. Are you working on something right now?
Yes, I’m currently working on a couple of projects. I’ve almost finished the first draft of my latest Stargate novel, which I’m working on with my writing partner Laura Harper. It’s called Stargate SG-1: Exile and is the second in the Stargate SG-1 Apocalypse trilogy. It’s due out in summer 2015.

In terms of romantic fiction, I’m working on a new historical novel called The Thief Taker, about a streetwise heroine called Lena Hartstone. After her brother’s murder, Lena works as a thief taker under the patronage of the Dowager Duchess Lady Stowbridge, tracking down highwaymen and bringing them to justice. But to unmask the most notorious highwayman of all, the man she blames for her brother’s death, Lena will have to enter a dangerous and unknown world – London’s high society.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog today; it was fun answering your questions!

Giveaway:
E-copy of The Legend of the Gypsy Hawk

1. Open to everyone in the world
2. Ends  March 18
3. Comment and you are in. 

PS. Remember to make sure there is a way to contact you
(profile, email, twitter)

Blurb: 
The Legend of the Gypsy Hawk – Sally Malcolm
‘Come then, and I’ll tell you the tale of the Gypsy Hawk and her wily captain – the infamous Zachary Hazard …’ 

To Amelia Dauphin, freedom is her most prized possession and she will stop at nothing to keep it. Daughter of a Pirate King and the youngest captain in her father’s fleet, she lives on the island of Ile Saint Anne, where pirates roam free and liberty reigns.

Zachary Hazard, captain of the  Gypsy Hawk, hasn’t been seen on Ile Saint Anne for six years but his reputation precedes him. To Zach, liberty is the open water and he has little time for the land-bound pirate island.

But when he hears that Amelia’s people could be in danger, he has no choice but to return. And what begins then is a desperate fight for freedom and a legend in the making …

A swashbuckling pirate adventure. Pirates of the Caribbean for adults with a sizzling romance at the heart!

Set among the freebooting pirates of the early eighteenth century, The Legend of the Gypsy Hawk is a tale of romance and adventure, but ultimately it’s a story of love and its power to redeem even the most broken of souls.  It moves from the exotic shores of Ile Sainte Anne to the frozen streets of a London winter and at its heart lies one question: how much would you sacrifice for duty?  Your life, your freedom – or the one you love?  

Buying links:



Thursday, 12 March 2015

Magic Breaks - Ilona Andrews

As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, but she must now deal with the affairs of the Pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel, ancient being with godlike powers.

As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend a gathering of leaders from Atlanta’s supernatural factions. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered by a shapeshifter, Kate is given less than twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war that could destroy everything she holds dear… 

My thoughts:
Of course it was good, but was it as good as previous books? Not exactly. Close, but not close enough. Not the same squeee-ness of it all. Not the same I must finish this in a second.

Still, I love Kate, she is so kick-ass.
Curran is so grrrrrrr alpha yum!
The gang is still awesome.
I totally love Roland..what? I do! He is so I WILL DESTROY THE WORLD AND BUILD TOWERS! I mean the note at the end, awesome.
And there is non-stop action. Danger. Vampires. Creepy towers. And finally finally a meeting. i have waited for that for aaaages.

Still, not as good. Good enough. But, it's the whole, this series will surely go on forever. But I rather prefer an ending and not 100 books if there is to be a decline. However tiny.

I am still gonna give it a 4, even if it was more like..3.75. Close, but yes you heard it already.

Cover
I do like how she finally looks like herself

Mass Market Paperback, 357 pages
Published March 3rd 2015 by Ace (first published July 29th 2014)
Kate Daniels #7
UF
Own

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