ARC Review: The stolen Crown - Susan Higginbotham

The Stolen Crown by Susan Higginbotham

The Secret Marriage That Forever Changed the Fate of England

Genre: Historical fiction
Pages: 400
Publication date: March 1st 2010

Trapped in the Wars of the Roses, one woman finds herself sister to the queen...and traitor to the crown

When six-year-old Kate Woodville’s beautiful sister Elizabeth makes a shocking—and secret—marriage to King Edward IV, Kate and her large family are whisked to the king’s court. Soon a bedazzled Kate becomes one of the greatest ladies in the land when she marries young Harry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. But Kate’s fairy-tale existence as a duchess is shattered when the ongoing conflict between the houses of Lancaster and York engulfs the Woodville family.

As Edward IV fights to keep his crown, Harry’s relatives become hopelessly divided between Lancaster and York. Forced constantly to struggle with his own allegiances, Harry faces his defining moment when his dear friend Richard, Duke of Gloucester, determines to seize the throne for himself as Richard III. With lives in jeopardy and nothing less than a dynasty at stake, Harry’s loyalties—and his conscience—will be put to the ultimate test.

Ever since I read a review of Hugh and Bess I have wanted to read Higginbotham, so when I got the chance I jumped at it. And I am happy to say that I did the right thing.

First of all I must say that she sure did an excellent job keeping all the different Edwards and Henrys  and so on apart. I went in after having studied the long lists of names in the beginning and wondered how this would turn out. But she kept track of them all and she made sure that I as the reader could keep track of them all. Cos oh yes the War of the Roses was a messy time, and then I am not only talking about all the people. The twist and turns, the constant backstabbing, I am amazed that any nobleman got through all that without loosing his head, one way or another. And of course this book made me google, yes I could just not sit and read, I had to go google everyone so I would know things before they happened. Things that had happened long ago, trace lineages, oh this book was a treat for the history addict that I am. You know what, I will go google again after this. I want to know more, because even if I knew things (evil Richard screaming my kingdom for a horse), that was pretty much it.

This book takes place at the center stage but at the same time not on it. It is the story about Katherine Woodville. Her sister married king Edward IV and that shook the country. They thought she was too lowborn, which in a way does not make much sense, except for on her fathers side. But certain people had other plans for the king. Then he married away her siblings and Katherine became Duchess of Buckingham. Fast forward a bit, fighting with the Neville family, fighting with his brother the duke of Clarence, fighting with the French, fighting with the old king and his entourage, and then he died. Which leads to the princes in the Tower, Richard III, and England's savior Henry Tudor. Then finally the civil war could end and York and Lancaster was reunited. This all the reader experiences through Kate's and Harry's eyes.

Higginbotham managed to bring forth a troubled time in England's history and make it come alive. I love an author that can do that, and she did an excellent job. She made me want to know more, and history felt so real. 

I really liked Kate, and I felt kind of sorry for her because some historian hasn't really had nice things to say about her, they made her marriage sound awful, and of course there are tons of rumors about her family. Witchcraft and so on. But after the way Richard III seized the throne no wonder. And she kept her hope up even after loosing so many of her kin. I truly liked the way she was shown. Same goes with Harry, even if he made some foolish choices. And it was nice to follow them from when they were kids. And they have such a nice life together, I liked their lovestory. In the end no one can tell what really happened in their marriage, but I do believe this story.

Higginbotham stayed true to the era with everything. She has done her research and it shows. She managed to incorporate the rumors for what they were, rumors about "famous" people.

I am happy to have read this book, and after such a great historical book I really feel that I must read her previous novel, Hugh and Bess. This is a book that history fans will enjoy a great deal.

For the rest of you, well this story has romance, betrayal, war, backstabbing, political intrigue, wicked rumors and all those other things that any reader loves to read about. This book is for everyone in that aspect. Oh and you learn a lot!

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: It feels like the genre

Reason for reading: A copy from the publisher

Final thoughts: I recommend it

Review: Release - Beth Kery

   

Release by Beth Kery 

Pages: 320

Published: February 2010

His need for her was so absolute, he agreed to share her with another man in order to possess her.

Genny loved her husband Max, but something was missing—a sexual charge that was instead ignited by his business partner, Sean. He was ruggedly handsome, with a heart-stopping smile and a slow, sexy New Orleans drawl that made Genny weak. The more time they spent together, the stronger the attraction between them became and when her husband offered to share her with Sean for one intoxicating night, both Genny and Sean were too tempted to refuse.

That night in the company penthouse, Max and Sean showed Genny the heights of ecstasy. But it was Sean who scored her very spirit, and one-on-one, they were red hot. But as Genny learns, there’s a price to pay for such impulsive pleasure. What began as a night of forbidden desire spirals into a whirlpool of murder, sensual submission, secrets, and a scorching passion that threatens to consume everyone it touches.

Blogger isn't agreeing with me today so it have to look like this.

Ok, first fire warning! Be prepared to burn your fingers off while reading this book. Kery know how to write an explosive book.

Some of the events in this book is told in flashbacks, by the way I love that it is not in italics. The events three ago when Max shared his wife Ginny with Sean is still etched in Ginny's mind. But  that night led to murder, and she has not seen Sean since then. In present time her house burns down and she goes back to the flat where she spent thay fatal night 3 years ago.

Oh yes one hot night 3 years ago, but one night shared for all the wrong reasons. And the consequences were high. And now when Ginny and Sean rekindled their relationship they do not know if they can trust each other.

The murder story is a big part of this part. Someone killed her husband, but they still do not know who? And now someone seems to be out after Ginny. The suspense keeps building up page after page and close to the end, I really want to know who did it, and what on earth is going on.

Kery keeps my attention up, while delivering some hot sex scenes in between. Some very very hot ones, there was one with a window, oh, shall not say more. I like to tease. But what I can say is that some menage (well of course, just read the blurb), bondage and a bit of spanking is in store for the reader.

The writing flowed easily, and I enjoyed this even more than my first Kery book. Which is strange really cos I am not a suspense kind of girl. But then again the who did it question always drives me insane, and I always want to try to be clever and figure it out.

I liked this story cos they both think the other person is a murderer, but they still spend that time together cos they are obviously in love with each other. Sean is all alpha, and Ginny is sweet. A cute couple I wish could get that HEA in the end. But there is always a struggle on the way there.

So if you are looking for a hot read, look no farther, this one will work this cold winter.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: I kind of want that negligée ;)

Reason for Reading: Won this book.

Final thoughts: I think readers that are looking for soemthing hot wont be disappointed by this read.

The thing is that I got 2 copies of this book by mistake. So I did what any other girl would do, I emailed Lea first (cos she loves Kery books) and then I emailed Beth Kery for an interview.

Come back on March 4th for the interview and then I will also hold a contest.

Review: Vampire Romance 2 Love Bites

The mammoth book of Vampire Romance 2: Love Bites 

edited by Trisha Telep

Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 512
Published: 2009

This exciting follow-up to the wildly successful Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance contains sveral short stories of hot blood, midnight pleasures, and inhuman passions. Containing the best names in the field, such as Eileen Wilks, Caitlin Kittredge, Jennifer Ashley, Dawn Cook, and Diane Whiteside, this compilation is sure to arouse attention.

1. Jordan Summers - "Paris After Dark" - I can't remember, did i enjoy this, or was I just bored by it?

2. Deborah Cooke - "Coven of Mercy" - I was a bit bored at first but the the tone changed and it became interesting.

3. Karen MacInerney - "Le Cirque de la Nuit" Nah, wasn't that into it.

4. Caitlin Kittredge - "Perdition" Not for me either.

5. Dina James - "Deliver Us From Evil" - Ok

6. Camille Bacon-Smith - "Blood and Thyme" - Nah.

7. Rosemary Laurey - "Into the Mist For Ever" - Liked it. A Roman soldier in England falls for a mysterious woman.

8. Patti O'shea - "Blood Feud" - Ok

9. Angie Fox - "Love Bites" Haha, good one! A vampire princess wants out of the castle and participates in a dating show.

10. Caitlin R Kiernan -"Flotsam"Strange story, but she is a good writer. A vampire sleeping at the bottom of the ocean comes up to feed.

11. Jamie Leigh Hansen - "The Murder King's Woman" - This one was good. A vampire is held hostage and the girl he rescued who is now a woman saves his life.

12. Carole Nelson Douglas - "Butterfly Kiss" -- This one had promise.

13. Diane Whiteside - "Crimson Kisses"A woman has a lover but her father refuses to let her marry. I liked this one.

14. Jaye Wells -"Vampsploitation" -- Can't remember anything.

 15. Stacia Kane - "Trust Me" - A woman falls for a guy she thinks is Jack the Ripper, it was steamy too.

16. Jennifer Ashley - "The Scotsman and the Vamp" -- Cute, and a bit funny.

17. Justine Musk - "I need More You" - Didn't get it.

 18. Jennifer St Giles -"Point of No Return" - This one I liked, a woman who falls for a statue and the vampire watching in the shadows.

19. Dawn Cook (aka Kim Harrison) - "With Friends Like These" - Ok.

20. Nancy Holder - "Blood Gothic" reprinted story - Freaky story, I liked it.A woman wants a vampire lover, but does she get one?

21. Larissa Ione - "Eternity Embraced" - a Demonica short - Ok.

22. Jeanne C Stein - "The Ghost of Leadville" - Another western about Doc Holliday, no didn't care this time around either.

23. Tiffany Trent - "The Vampire, the Witch and the Yenko" - Ok I guess.

24. Ann Aguirre - "Circle Unbroken" - Not impressed at first but then it got to me.

25. Devon Monk - "Skein of Sunlight" -I do not remember anything from this one.


Some had promise, some were fun, some ok, and some I can't even remember anymore. I do think there were too many vampires, too many stories. This anthology is for vampire lovers, I liked the mammoth book of PR more since that one had all sorts of creatures.
 

Not to mention that I honestly am not a huge short story fan.

 From this I could think of reading more by Rosemary laurey, Diane Whiteside Stacia Kane ,Jennifer Ashley, Jennifer St Giles, Nancy Holderand and Jamie Leigh Hansen. They are all nwe to me.


Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: I like it.
Reason for Reading: Library book
Final thoughts: For you vampire lovers.

Review: Lover Avenged - JR Ward + The insider's Guide

Lover Avenged by J.R.Ward

The Black Dagger Brotherhood 7

Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 544
Published: 2009

Now, as the vampire warriors defend their race against their slayers, one male's loyalty to the Brotherhood will be tested-and his dangerous mixed blood revealed...

Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood-even though his sister is married to a member, for he harbors a deadly secret that could make him a huge liability in their war against the lessers. As plots within and outside of the Brotherhood threaten to reveal the truth about Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in his darkening world, Ehlena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him-and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

To be honest, ok the first 4 were nice, and I loved book 3. But then came V's book, and the love there felt clinical, and the ending still sucks. Phury and Cormia were the dullest pair ever, and I more or less slept through that book. Then comes this book and she got my attention again..at least half of it.

Perhaps I am just sick and tired of vampires, but I am gonna go in to negative mode, don't get me wrong, cos I did enjoy this book.

My friend complained that none of the women likes to wear make-up, Ward goes on and on how they are plain but still pretty to the brothers. Yes that annoys me now too. They dress dull too..why? I like pretty things. I am also rather tired of hearing that they are big like houses, honestly that does not turn me on. I don't want a guy who could crush me if he fell on me.

Ok, this book, loved the Rhev part, mmm, Rhev is nice. Even if it is totally gross what he is doing with the sympath princess!! Yes I feel bad for me for being nothing less than a male whore for 25 years. It is that saving instinct that comes up. Ehlena, well she was ok, I am glad he found someone nice. Even if it felt rather abrupt.

The boring parts, there was something about lessers, I can't tell since I skimmed it. Jumped many of the Wrath parts too, he took up half the book. Not enough Z, Phury is still with those boring Chosen, some of freaky Jane and V, ok their sexlife, do not wanna know. For some reason I started to like Rhage and Marissa. Thor is back, JM is still hang up on Xhex and I like it. Lass, well he seemed interesting first but dunno any more. Saw that prostitute that is in Covet.

What is it about then? Lessers and Lash are being naughty. Some vamps wants Wrath dead. Rhev have to hide his sympath side and falls for a nice girl The princess is unhappy, and Wrath is blind. Yup that sums it up.

It sounds like I hated it right? I didn't. I really enjoyed the Rhev parts, but only those.

Oh and I read that some complained that there wasn't enough sex, and it was actually less sex that usual. I am not complaining, I want some kick-assing anyway, which there wasn't much of either.

Almost forgot, Ward writing things like niiiiiiiice and stuff like that...annnnnnnnoying.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner. You can see the color of his eyes on the cover :)

Reason for Reading: Borrowed it

Final thoughts: For the fans yes, for the rest, read book 1 and start there.

The Black dagger Brotherhood by Jr Ward

An insiders guide

Published: 2009

Pages: 496

This is a book no Black Dagger Brotherhood fan should miss—an insider’s guide that will seduce readers as powerfully as the sexy band of Brothers and the world they live in. And also included is an original short story about stars Zsadist and Bella!

This comprehensive guide features insider information on the Brotherhood, their dossiers, stats, and special gifts. Readers will savor interviews with their favorite characters, deleted scenes, exciting material from the J.R. Ward message board and the answers to their burning questions. They’ll learn what it’s like for J.R. Ward to write each installment of the series, and in a fascinating twist, read an interview with the author—conducted by the Brothers. Plus readers will get a sneak peek at the much anticipated next book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Avenged. 

Ok, this was not that interesting. I guess hardcore fans will enjoy interviews with the brothers, but I guess I am not that hardcore and I honestly feel this is just a way to get more money out of this.

Why was it worth reading then? Cos of the 100 page short story about Z after Nalla has been born. The rest I skimmed.

Review: A marquis to marry - Amelia Grey

A Marquis to Marry by Amelia Grey

The Rogues' dynasty, book 2

Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 384
Published:October 2009

Alexander Mitchell Raceworth, the dashing fourth Marquis of Raceworth, is shocked when the alluring young Duchess of Brookfield accuses him of stealing priceless pearls belonging to her family. Susannah Brookfield is the most beautiful, enchanting woman he has ever met, but despite his attraction, he's not about to hand over the pearls.

Though suspicion and mistrust drive them apart when the pearls are stolen, Race suggests they pool their resources to recover them. If they do find them, will they finally be able to give in to love, or will the truth of the elusive necklace tear them apart once and for all?

Another sweet book by Grey. Light, but still with some suspense in it. This one is about Alexander, known as Race, the marquis of the 3 cousins. You don't have to read the first book to be able to read this since the cousins are finding love one by one. But of course the first couple is in this and I do prefer to read in order.

Race is like he always have been. Flirting and having fun. Then a woman shows up, a dowager duchess in his own age and she accuses him of being the owner of stolen pearls. Of course the refuses to listen. But Susannah wants those pearls and she does not give up. Then they are stolen.

Race, oh I like Race better than the duke in the last book. Yes so I have already forgotten his name, hehe. Nah he was good too, but Race was nice. Perhaps I will like the last cousin even better. Susannah was sweet and I liked her. She did not give up. But I did have one problem with her and that was with her marriage, is she was so ruined, then how could they get a duke to marry her? Well that is just my own thoughts, like the thoughts I have regarding sex in these kinds of books. But here I didn't have a problem with it, I mean she wasn't a virgin, she could have a fling. What else I like about her, was that she was 30. She had been married, she wasn't feeling all icky about sex and stuff. Even though her husband had been much older and it had been only a duty. But she isn't feeling bad about it. It is just like it happened to be. And now of course she wants some passion.

Yes of course these two start to fall for each other, we don't have to be brain surgeons to figure that out. But oh no, rocky start. Race being an idiot, Susannah being something. And I am wondering about that HEA. How is she gonna pull it off? Well, don't look at me, I am not telling you. You have to read to find out.

The "suspense" part comes from the hunt for the pearls, first on their own and then together. And she surprises me. I do like that.

This was a light and nice book. Some romance, some pearl hunting, fun characters. Like meeting Lord Snellingly again. And by now I feel bad for the bad poet. I kind of wish he would get a book if his own and meet a nice girl. There is a pirate, and some other shady figures. And of course Gibby, who is getting in trouble again. Oh I hope he finds a woman too.

I liked this one better than book 1, I enjoyed book one, but yes Race, duh. I like the quotes that start each chapter, and that they refer to him all the time. As for their dead grandmother, I wish I could read about her too.

A review of book 3 will come early April. I am also having Amelia Grey over then so that will be fun.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner. I like this, but then I do like to see faces.

Reason for reading: My own copy.

Final thoughts: Nice historical romance.

Review: Nice girls don't have fangs - Molly Harper

Nice girls don't have fangs by Molly Harper

Jane Jameson, book 1

Genre: Paranormal romance

Pages: 2009

Published: 355

Maybe it was the Shenanigans gift certificate that put her over the edge. When children's librarian and self-professed nice girl Jane Jameson is fired by her beastly boss and handed twenty-five dollars in potato skins instead of a severance check, she goes on a bender that's sure to become Half Moon Hollow legend. On her way home, she's mistaken for a deer, shot, and left for dead. And thanks to the mysterious stranger she met while chugging neon-colored cocktails, she wakes up with a decidedly unladylike thirst for blood.

Jane is now the latest recipient of a gift basket from the Newly Undead Welcoming Committee, and her life-after-lifestyle is taking some getting used to. Her recently deceased favorite aunt is now her ghostly roommate. She has to fake breathing and endure daytime hours to avoid coming out of the coffin to her family. She's forced to forgo her favorite down-home Southern cooking for bags of O negative. Her relationship with her sexy, mercurial vampire sire keeps running hot and cold. And if all that wasn't enough, it looks like someone in Half Moon Hollow is trying to frame her for a series of vampire murders. What's a nice undead girl to do?

Funny paranormal romance, yes please. I have wanted to read this book ever since I saw the first cute and funny cover, and then I heard some great things about the book.

The vampires have come out in this book, and they are sort of welcomed. Sure some people accidentally stake vampires, or set them on fire. But at least they can be themselves.

Jane is a nice girl who gets fired from the library she is working out, and she has a bit too much to drink. Then she gets shot. Luckily she impressed someone at the bar who makes her into a vampire, and our story can start. What to tell the parents? Her best friend, and is blood icky? She does get a giftbasket from the vampire committee in the area, but can a lost little vampire find everything there? And what to do when you get framed for murder?

Ok, first thing, mistaken for a deer and shot. I just have to love that, who could I not, it does show that she can get into situations. Like when people start thinking she is putting other vampires on fire. But that is the humour in this book, she may have been thought as plain and boring, but oh that girl can get into trouble.

Then there is the sexy guy who made her into a vampire, hunky Gabriel, him I like, just as I like her. How could I not like her, and she loves book. She named her dog after Mr Darcy, my kind of girl. So of course I had to love her, and mysterious Gabriel. Her best fiend is fun too, nerdy Zeb. I shall not mention what happened, but the scene where he finds out she is a vamp, oh my, there I laughed.

She has got some issues with her perfect sister and mother, and grandmother too. But at least her dad is ok, not to mention the ghost she finds in the house when she becomes a vampire. I love crazy old women.

This is a funny book, some laughs promised. It has romance, (and angry sex). I also learn that there are more creatures out there, and I can't wait to see what else she brings in.

There is something for many in this book, and I do think that funny paranormal romance is a subgenre I would like to explore more.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner. I wanted to read the book cos of the cover, that should sum it up.

Reason for Reading: My own copy.

Final thoughts: Funny and cute.

Review: Flawless - Kimber Chin

Flawless by Kimber Chin

Genre: Contemporary suspense romance
Pages: 222
Published: February 2010

Is love worth killing for?

Grace Williams has a list of things she wants to do before she dies: walk a tightrope, dye her hair purple, skinny dip in the ocean, kiss the scarred stranger sent to kill her…

Yeah, Tavos Santos is a killer but f— it if he’s going to be Grace’s killer. There are other relationships he’d rather have with the gloved beauty. None of them requiring knives.

It takes a killer to catch a killer. Now Tavos must decide… Is love worth killing for?

Meant to post this earlier, but hectic week, and then an early night so I could get up at 5 AM on Saturday. But here we are, at the end of the week, and I bring Flawless.

I usually say this every time, and I have to say it yet again. This is my fav Kimber Chin so far. I guess she does get better and better.

This story is about Tavos Santos, who sure need a bit of media training, and this Grace can give him. of course that is not the whole story. Grace is hiding because someone wants to kill her, and Tavos is not a stranger around death.

Tavos does say a certain word too much, but this he knows, and that is the point. What a potty mouth on that guy *shakes head*. Still I am drawn to him, he has this magnetic personality, raw. And I fall for him, hard. He is beyond alpha male.

Grace is sweet and totally weird. But then she is counting the hours she has left and she wants it live. I can respect that, and I love the way he falls for her.

Oh oh, gotta give you some quotes:

“Until he’s dead, I can’t ever live, can’t ever love.” A lover, a friend, even a pet, it was too risky. He would destroy anything she cared for. “What’s life without love?”

With that in the prologue the tone was set and I could not wait to see what happened.

This was a nice love story, she fell for him, and he thought she was too good for him. Btw loved the end, very sweet, the epilogue was my fav part I think. There is also the suspense element, and it does get pretty intense there for a moment.

There is also a bunch of people from previous books and stories that we get to meet again. I always enjoy that.

Ok love him, sighs, he was so grrr, Grace was such a loony sweetheart. I enjoyed reading about Marie and Carlos. It has the love, passion, and the suspense. I do think Kimber Chin has done it again, with creating this lovely novel.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Very lovely, I read that the couple in the back is Marie and Carlos who has a thing going on in this book. I like the blue

Reason for Reading: The author sent this to me.

Final thoughts: Do you wanna see how many times f##k is used in a book, read this one ;)

HAPPY VALENTINE*S DAY 

Review: The Knife of Never letting Go - Patrick Ness

The Knife of never Letting Go

Chaos Walking, book 1

Genre: YA, futuristic, sci-fi, dystopian
Pages: 496
Published: 2008

Todd Hewitt is the last boy in Prentisstown.

But Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in a constant, overwhelming, never-ending Noise. There is no privacy. There are no secrets. Or are there?

Just one month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd unexpectedly stumbles upon a spot of complete silence. Which is impossible. Prentisstown has been lying to him. And now he's going to have to run...

Oh, oh, oh, ok I have found the kind of YA I like and it has to do with freaky futures! This is what I should stick with when it comes to YA.

Todd lives in Prentisstown with his two guardians. All the women died after the aliens on teh planet released something that made the men hear everything. Every thought, and I mean every. Trees, dogs, flowers. There is a never ending noise. Todd lives in this, but then one day he finds something, a place of nothing. Soon he is running for his life, for in this book nothing is what it seems. I can't tell you anything more because this book sure hides its secrets well. But of course first they killed all the aliens, and Todd is the last boy since there are no women anymore. That I can tell.

I read this book and never put it down, I could not stop, because the way he writes. He guards those secrets well and in the end I just read faster and faster. I can't say anything more, but wow. I do like scary worlds. And I would not want to live on this planet.

This book has got some violence, not much, but some things did make me cringe. Just because it was YA, but then again it was not graphic, and it was needed to show the horror.

It is not sci-fi either, I learn they got there by ship, but it was religious people fleeing the old crowded planet, so now they are simple farmers. No technology at all. 

It is also a strange book, sometimes he writes the noise, an entire page with nose. But it gives you an idea what it is like, and there are not many. I do like his style, and I can't wait to get my hands on book 2 because the end, again, he knows how to keep a girl on edge.

What can I say, if you liked the Hunger Games then I am sure you will like this one too. Anyone can read and and enjoy it. And it sure has some suspense, and the secrets, oh the secrets. For fans of dystopian like fiction, read this.

This will be one of the best books I have read this year. This sure did not disappoint me, Ness knows how to twist a tale.

Book 2, The Ask and the Answer, is already out, and book 3 Monsters of Men comes out in the fall. The perfect time to start this book then.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Sure, not pretty, but eye-catching and scary.

Reason for Reading: Library Book

Final thoughts: Read it!

Review: Twenties Girl - Sophie Kinsella

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Genre: Chick-lit
Pages: 448
Published: 2009

Lara has always had an overactive imagination. Now she wonders if she is losing her mind. Normal twenty-something girls just don't get visited by ghosts! But inexplicably, the spirit of Lara's great aunt Sadie - in the form of a bold, demanding Charleston-dancing girl - has appeared to make one last request: Lara must track down a missing necklace Sadie simply can't rest without. Lara's got enough problems of her own. Her start-up company is floundering, her best friend and business partner has run off to Goa, and she's just been dumped by the love of her life. But as Lara spends time with Sadie, life becomes more glamorous and their treasure hunt turns into something intriguing and romantic. Could Sadie's ghost be the answer to Lara's problems and can two girls from different times end up learning something special from each other?

Oh no, feeling a lack of wanting to write a review coming up. No inspiration at all. This will be short.

Ok, so Lara has some stalker problems, that is she is pretty obsessed over her ex-boyfriend. But then at her great aunts funeral she hears something, and she can see her great aunt Sadie's ghost.  A ghost who keeps complaining about her lost necklace. She wants Lara to find it. As if Lara didn't have enough problem with work that is falling apart. Soon Sadie is making changes cos she wants to have fun.

Poor Lara, Sadie sure knew how to mix it up and trust me, she puts Lara in some pretty embarrassing circumstances. Sometimes I just put the book away and smiled a bit, while feeling embarrassed for her. But that is chick-lit, embarrassing moments is a must.

But there is also romance, and not just cos she is half stalking her ex. No, she is being pushed somewhere else, even if she does not want it. But with all her faults, and good sides, Lara is a pretty nice person. The poor guy that comes in her and Sadi'es way is pretty nice too. Sadie is, well dunno about her, she is so happy and, well good at least for Lara. Who needs to find her groove again.

I do like the shopaholic books more, sure I read this really fast, smiled a bit, but perhaps something was lacking to making it into great chick-lit. But as it was now it still was good, and made me happy.

Can I really end here, I just started, but yes lack of inspiration today.

Hm, also a bit of mystery when it comes for the hunt for the necklace, finding out about Sadie's past, meeting Lara's rich uncle, who is not so nice. Dealing with her family who only wants the best for her, struggling with a job she does not know how to do. And with a sprinkle of love and you haev teh book.

But it also something more, about family.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Such nice colors, and makes me wanna pick it up.

Reason for Reading: Library book

Final thoughts: If you are looking for something light, but with some meaning still.

Review: Sins of the Flesh - Caridad Pineiro

Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Pineiro

Genre: Paranormal romance Suspense
Pages: 336
Published: October 2009

Caterina Shaw’s days are numbered. Her only chance for survival is a highly experimental gene treatment – a risk she willingly takes. But now Caterina barely recognizes herself. She has new, terrifying powers, an exotic, arresting body — and she’s been accused of a savage murder, sending her on the run.

Mick Carrera is a mercenary and an expert at capturing elusive, clever prey. Yet the woman he’s hunting down is far from the vicious killer he’s been told to expect: Caterina is wounded, vulnerable, and a startling mystery of medical science. Even more, she’s a beautiful woman whose innocent sensuality tempts Mick to show her exactly how thrilling pleasure can be. The heat that builds between them is irresistible, but surrendering to it could kill them both . . . for a dangerous group is plotting its next move using Caterina as its deadly pawn.

This was a great book, at first I did not know what it would be about, I mean he is kissing her underwear, would it be a smexy ride? Actually it was not as PR as some in the genre. This was more like UF is sometimes, and I liked it a lot. Edit: Just found that they call it suspense too, and yes that makes sense.

Caterina Shaw was dying from cancer ad she was offered something new, but that turned out to be a nightmare as they used her as a labrat in a gene experiment. Her body is strange and she is stronger than before, but also lost and vulnerable. She did it all for her music, which she loves.

Mick is sent to find her, but he has doubt that she will be a savaged killer. He is ex army, hot, and very protective. Yes very alpha. He finds her, and then he wants the truth, but he can't just hand her over.

Instead of saying it is paranormal romance, I would make it contemporary sci-fi romance, you get my point. It was about the science, and her powers comes from that (if not something new shows up in the next book). And there is romance, oh yes it is building up between those two, and I am glad it takes some time for things to heat up because she is so vulnerable and lost. And when it finally happens it makes total sense. During all that time he does play the tough guy, but anyone can see that wants to protect, and I like him a lot.Cat is nice, but since she is pretty lost, and I wonder if she is a murderess, well I just had to get to know her and trust her like he did.

What to say, the book is not as sexy as it looks, so go on give it a try, it was a nice one, and to those who likes it sexy, well you will get what you want too later on.

I really liked how these two got to know and trust each other, and I enjoyed the sidestory with his sister Liliana and her ass of a boyfriend. I hope we get to hear more about her...in the middle of this review I went on over to Caridad's site, and oh yes book 2 will be about Liliana. I am very happy to hear that. She deserves a nice guy.

There is the strangeness of the gene treatment, and evil scientist, the hunters after Cat, the budding romance between her and sexy Mike. Liliana's story and involvement since she is a doctor and wants to help. The hunt getting closer and closer as they want their experiment back. A story with a bit of everything. A story that managed to grab me as the characters came to life. I'd say, read it.

PS. I do not know how to make the thingy over N in Pineiro.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: It does look more sexy than it is, but it is pretty and I love the backcover, have to show you it.

Reason for Reading. Copy from the author in change for an honest review.

Final thoughts: I liked it a lot, and it managed to surprise me, I did judge the book by its cover.