Worlds of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley

Format; 342 pages, Hardcover

Published: January 5, 2016 by HarperCollins Canada

YA Historical fiction

Own

The Bronte kids juvenilia did feel juvenile. It was a good read for the moment, fast and easy, but at the same time I was not impressed.

The Bronte siblings writes stories, and then actually visit that world.

And fall in love with characters, and mourn lost siblings, and well we never really see anything except their one room and their world that is not fleshed out.

But hey, fast read, I like that. Good for the moment. Though not something I would recommend. I know, weirdly conflicting

Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne. The Brontë siblings have always been inseparable. After all, nothing can bond four siblings quite like life in an isolated parsonage out on the moors. Their vivid imaginations lend them escape from their strict upbringing, actually transporting them into their created worlds: the glittering Verdopolis and the romantic and melancholy Gondal. But at what price? As Branwell begins to slip into madness and the sisters feel their real lives slipping away, they must weigh the cost of their powerful imaginations, even as their characters—the brooding Rogue and dashing Duke of Zamorna—refuse to let them go.

Audio: The Devil's own Duke by Lenora Bell

Narrated by: Beverley A. Crick

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Release date: 09-28-21

Publisher: HarperAudio

Historical romance

To review

Henrietta loves her vineyard, she wants to show everyone how good English wine can be. She is 24, on the shelf (who needs a man when you have wine!)

Ash is a gambler, and he has the biggest con of his life played. Become a Duke!

They fancy each other at once. What, he is to become her father's heir? Heck no! Enemies! So she tries to take him down, but oh how they fancy each other.

I liked Henrietta, cos she was just so wine crazy. Ash on the other hand, well he does play that con, and yes he does start to fall for her (but he still thinks nobility is evil), and it he does have memories so maybe he really is a distant distant distant relation (nothing creepy). But he grew on me, everyone can change.

Nice one, they both knew what they wanted.

A good narrator. Distinct female and male voices. She keeps the banter and emotions going.

Lady Henrietta Prince is far too busy for romance. She’s dedicated her life to turning her family vineyards into a profitable wine venture. But when she shares a kiss at midnight with a handsome stranger, she’s captivated…until he claims to be the distant heir to her father’s earldom.

Ash Ellis is a gambler who lives life on the edge. Now he’s locked his sights on a glittering prize and nothing will stand in his way.

When Henrietta is forced to marry the wickedly seductive scoundrel to keep her beloved vineyards, she vows that Ash will never have her trust, or her love. Even if his kisses are more intoxicating than the finest of wines.

His new bride is certainly beautiful, but biddable? Not so much. Ash will settle for nothing less than Henrietta’s total surrender…but is he the one in danger of losing his heart?

Audio: A lot like Adios by Alexis Daria

 

Narrated by: Seraphine Valentine

Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins

Release date: 09-14-21

Publisher: HarperAudio

Contemporary romance

To review

Two former besties who never fully got to explore if they could have been more meet again. And they are both idiots.

Gabriel left and never talked again. Internet people! You can be friends while living far away, especially considering how close they were. But then he ditched his family after a fight too.But I get that, his father had been really hard on him,I thought he forgave too easily.

Michelle then, well she was an idiot too. She got mad at him cos he wanted to leave. He has to follow his own dreams! Not just stay cos you are best friends, and maybe more. But they had been best friends since they were 6, I wish I had friends like that, I would not dump them then.

They meet again, they realise they have the hots for each other. Better scratch that itch. But his life is in LA, and she,well why couldn't she leave? Cos of family? I guess the book teaches, never leave family, they are more important than love. I over analyze. But yes, Michelle does seem rooted in place.

It was a fun one, they deserved their second chance, but they had to work for it.

The narrator was really good. I could feel I was there with them. She was excellent at voices and feeling.

After burning out in her corporate marketing career, Michelle Amato has built a thriving freelance business as a graphic designer. So what if her love life is nonexistent? She’s perfectly fine being the black sheep of her marriage-obsessed Puerto Rican-Italian family. Besides, the only guy who ever made her want happily-ever-after disappeared thirteen years ago.

Gabriel Aguilar left the Bronx at eighteen to escape his parents’ demanding expectations, but it also meant saying goodbye to Michelle, his best friend and longtime crush. Now, he’s the successful co-owner of LA’s hottest celebrity gym, with an investor who insists on opening a New York City location. It’s the last place in the world Gabe wants to go, but when Michelle is unexpectedly brought on board to spearhead the new branding campaign, everything Gabe’s been running from catches up with him.

Michelle is torn between holding Gabe at arm’s length or picking up right where they left off—in her bed. As old feelings resurface while they work to make the new gym location a reality, their reunion takes a sexy turn. Facing mounting pressure from their families—who think they’re dating—and growing uncertainty about their futures, can they resolve their past mistakes, or is it only a matter of time before Gabe says adios again?

TMST

 

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Have you ever bought a book just because you fell in love with the cover? And did such book live up to it?

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9/28/2021 Do you read 1 book at a time? or multiple?