Interview: Carolyn Brown + Hell, Yeah giveaway

Today I am having  author Carolyn Brown over for an interview, and thanks to Sourcebooks I have 2 copies of Hell, Yeah to give away. More about that later in this post.

Welcome to Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Carolyn!

It's great to be here! And thank you for that wonderful review on Hell, Yeah! And I love your comment about OCD readers! I have a few like that who have asked me to list my books by order on my web page so they won't get out of order when they are reading them.

Tell me something about yourself, so we get a better understanding about the woman behind the author.

I'm a wife, mother and grandmother. My husband is one of those rare men who realizes living with a writer is a great BIG challenge and is a sweetheart for all his support. I was born in Texas and grew up in southern Oklahoma and writing has been a dream of mine since I was big enough to realize those squiggly things on the book pages told beautiful stories. I also love reading, sitting in my fabulous back yard and listening to concerts put on by the birds, crickets and locusts, and cooking for my enormous family. Life is good in southern Oklahoma!

Your newest book is called Hell, Yeah; can you tell me what it is about?

Yes, ma'am and thank you for asking. I can talk about Hell, Yeah all day and half the night. Cathy has put down roots in the Honky Tonk and has no intentions of ever leaving. Travis is only in the little bitty down of Mingus for a few weeks at most and then his boss, Amos Lambert, who plays a part in all four books, will let him go to his dream job in Alaska. So he has wings and Cathy has roots and never the twain shall meet. Right? Her roots get shaken. His wings don't want to fly. And suddenly they are fighting against what is right in front of their eyes. Throw in a whole honky tonk full of quirky characters who can see that they are right for each other and stir well. You'll laugh, cry and get so mad you could chew up railroad ties and spit out Tinker Toys.

How come you started to write western romances?

It's been said that folks write best about what they know. I could never write a thriller because my brain doesn't work that way. But westerns have been a love of mine since Big Valley, Bonanza and High Chaparral. Oops, I think I just dated myself! In my defense, I was very young and very impressionable. Cowboys are so, so hunky and sexy. They walk tall, speak slow and listen to every word a woman has to say.

I am curious, do you love country music, and as a total newbie, who would you recommend to me?
I cut my teeth on the old artists songs ... Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, etc. Then I grew up and married a man who played the guitar and sang country music. We still have family gatherings when Husband plays the guitar and we two-step with the grandkids in the living room. Who would I recommend for you as a newbie? Wow! How much room do we have here? You might like Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Josh Turner or maybe Garth Brooks, Toby Keith (who is one of my all time favorites), Alan Jackson, Gretchen Wilson. Better yet, go to the country music radio on your computer and just listen to the songs they offer before you rush out and buy CD's. I betcha you'll be two-steppin' in no time.

Who is your favorite hero or heroine from your books? What makes them so special?

I'm not sure I can answer this one ... but usually it's whatever book and characters I'm working with at the time. I loved watching Travis and Cathy fall in love in Hell, Yeah! They were so much fun to work with even if they did get sassy at times and want things done just to their specifications. Yes, ma'am, I did change a few things when they wouldn't stop sitting on my shoulder and bugging me. But to choose an absolute favorite among the now more than fifty books I've sold, would be impossible.

Are you working on something new and exciting right now?

Oh, yes, I am. I'm working on the Spikes & Spurs series for 2011. First one should debut the series in May with two more following in the fall. I'm very excited about them. It's the stories of three women who traded their high heeled shoes for cowboy boots; their power suits for tight fittin' jeans but kept their whoop-ass independence. And the three sexy cowboys that strutted into their lives wearing ten gallon hats, boots and spurs and found out that taming a sassy woman was tougher than breaking a wild bronc.

Any advice for wannabe writers?

WRITE! You can whine or write. Whining doesn't produce much. Writing does. You'll never sell what you haven't written ... so write. Preservere and keep writing when you get rejection slips and you will get them. I have almost enough to wall paper the inside of the Pentagon. The White House was papered in them years ago. Give yourself exactly 60 seconds to whine when someone rejects your labor of love and then go write another story.

And last, if you could pick one book to take with you to a desert island, which book would it be and why.

How long am I going to be on this island? If it's just one day I'd take Laurie Brown's What Would Jane Austen Do? because I haven't read it yet and I'm dying to do so. But if I'm going to be there two or three days then I'd need a longer one so I'd reread Gone With The Wind. And if I was going to be there indefinitely I'd have to take one that I'd love to reread over and over again and I'd have to check my bookcase for my very favorite LaVyrle Spencer book.

Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for letting me stop and catch my breath on this blog tour. It's been fun visiting here. Tell me, what do you readers think of the cover for Hell, Yeah?

CONTEST

Now to the giveaway, and I have 2 copies of Hell, Yeah to give away to you.

1. Ends September 6th.

2. Open to US and Canada.

3. Answer Carolyn's question about her cover, or ask her a question :) Or just comment.

4. If your email is not in your profile then please put it in your comment, or you can email me, Blodeuedd

For those who can play along in the contest please stop by, ask a question or comment you too :)

HELL, YEAH BY CAROLYN BROWN – IN STORES AUGUST 2010

She’s finally found a place that feels like home…
When Cathy O’Dell buys the Honky Tonk, the nights of cowboys and country tunes come together to create the home she’s always wanted. Then in walks a ruggedly handsome oil man who tempts her to trade in the happiness she’s found at the Honky Tonk for a life on the road with him…

He lives the good life…
Gorgeous and rich, Travis Henry travels the country unearthing oil wells and then moving on. Then the beautiful blue-eyed new owner of the Honky Tonk beer joint becomes his best friend and so much more. When his job is done in Texas, how is he ever going to hit the road without her?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carolyn Brown, an award-winning author who has published 36 romance novels for the library market, credits her eclectic family for her humor and writing ideas. She was born in Texas but grew up in southern Oklahoma where she and her husband, Charles, a retired English teacher, now make their home in the town of Davis, Oklahoma. They have three grown children and enough grandchildren to keep them young. http://carolynlbrown.com/ 


Blodeuedd: And now for something from me since I could not help myself, I know certain readers will enjoy this, lol. Here you go ;)

Review: Beyond the Shadows - Brent Weeks + KT Grant winner

Night Angel, book 3

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 608
Published: 2008

Logan Gyre is king of Cenaria, a country under siege, with a threadbare army and little hope. He has one chance - a desperate gamble, but one that could destroy his kingdom.

In the north, the new Godking has a plan. If it comes to fruition, no one will have the power to stop him.

Kylar Stern has no choice. To save his friends-and perhaps his enemies-he must accomplish the impossible: assassinate a goddess. 

This is the third and last book. The two first were good and heart wrenching, I was always sick to my stomach for fear of the main characters life, and for the horrible things happening. In this one that feeling wasn't around, it was "lighter".

In this book Kylar wants Logan to take the throne, and he is willing to to whatever it takes to make that happen. Even if it means killing the queen and loosing his own life. Cenaria has enemies surrounding them, and as always the north is stirring.

Kylar was great as always, only he can die over and over again and still be surprised. I was never relaly a fan of Elene but after this book, she was remarkable. Love really is all conquering. Logan, well he is sure to become a great king. Dorian, the Godkings son is heading north and searching for the woman he dreamed about, Jeni. I felt sorry for him in thsi one, he really wanted to change the country but fell into every trap. Vi Sovari still swears and I have a new appreciation for her. All in all this book has a great cast of interesting characters.

Khali, oh I have been curious about her for a while. Could she really be a goddess and all that, since no other gods are around. And the strange Wolf that gives Kylar life again. It is truly a strange and magical world.

This is epic fantasy. Kingdoms fall, wars are fought, people die and are massacred. It is a dark fantasy series but with truth in it. Like I have said in previous reviews. War is a bitch, people suffer, people die, and civilians pay the consequences. That is shown here.

My only negative thing is the end. It was good and all, but I kind of wanted to know what happens next with Kylar. All stories in the book are getting an ending but it still leaves room for something more, perhaps 20 years later. I sure hope he gets back to this world because I can see a lot of more things happening.

Cover Corner: I do like fantasy and men in hoods.

Reason for reading: Own copy

Final thoughts: Good fantasy

The winner of For the Love of Mollie is 

Cecile

Congrats!!!

Review: Dragon Haven - Robin Hobb + another tradition post

 The Rain Wilds Chronicles, book 2

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 576
Published: March 2010

 The dragon keepers and the fledgling dragons are forging a passage up the treacherous Rain Wild River. They are in search of the mythical Elderling city of Kelsingra, and are accompanied by the liveship Tarman, its captain, Leftrin, and a group of hunters who must search the forests for game with which to keep the dragons fed. With them are Alise, who wants to continue her study of dragons, and  Bingtown dandy, Sedric. Rivalries and romances are already threatening to disrupt the band of explorers: but external forces may prove to be even more dangerous. Chalcedean merchants are keen to lay hands on dragon blood and organs to turn them to medicines and profit.. And then there are the Rain Wilds themselves: mysterious, unstable and ever perilous, its mighty river running with acid, its jungle impenetrable and its waterways uncharted. 

This one was, I don't know, I prefer her Fitz books more, I didn't care for the liveship books, the first Rain Wilds book was nice, but now this second one, it was just that not that much happened.

It starts where the first book ended. They continue their travels down the river. Alise has feelings for Leftrin, but what can she do when she is married to Hest? Sedric wants to steal dragon parts to be rich and run away with Hest. The dragons complain about the hard journey. The dragon keepers have internal conflicts. People are starting to wants partners even though it is forbidden for the heavy touched by the Rain Wilds to mate. Thymara has issues with loosing her independence just cos their "leader" says so. And the Rain Wilds are as dangerous as ever.

The book was ok and I read on, it's just that yes not that much happened. Sure a lot of personal problems, and some dangerous Rain Wilds things happening. But other than that it was more about the journey and the journey was just in this one place. My other problem with the book is the ending. Happy, nice, but abrupt and it left me with this big "and then what?" Nothing was resolved in a way. I did hear she was writing on another book about the Rain Wilds so perhaps we can get some questions there, I sure hope so at least.

The good things are that Hobb is a remarkable writer and her worlds are great. She is truly talented, even if I prefer Fitz ;) Also she sure loves to make her heroes or heroines suffer but here, not so much. Nothing made me sick to my stomach of worry or sadness.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: I do not like these covers

Reason for reading: From that awesome library, kind of makes me wish I lived there

Final thoughts: Perhaps not a Hobb series a newbie should start with. Cos things that happen here comes to play after events in her previous books.

End of Summer Tradition

This is something that only happens in a few places in Finland. And it's called different things, we call it "summarcottage conclusion" ok weird translation there. Anyway on the last Saturday of August the summer is finished. People go to their summerhomes to celebrate the summer one last time. This is the time when you also kind of clean up there to leave the place ready for winter. Cos sure you can go there in the winter too, but we never did.

Fireworks is the big and kind of only thing. So yesteryday I watched a nice display of fireworks coming from everywhere corner around the sky, and ate some yummy grilled sausages.

Review: Sweet Anger - Erin St Claire

 aka Sandra Brown

Genre: Romance
Pages: 250
Published: 1985

Television newscaster Kari Wynne blamed her shattered life on one man--D.A. Hunter McKee. He hadn't directly caused her husband's death, but he had destroyed his reputation. Still, the desire that exploded every time they met was almost overwhelming.

Oh yes old school romance, I do confess to have rolled my eyes once... or ten times.

Kari looses her husband and then the DA Hunter Mckee opens a case against some of her husbands associates, and he is also blamed there. She is upset and starts slandering him on tv where she works, he falls in love and will they ever be together...

Ok she the first time they meet he yells at her, while watching how pretty she is and when she leaves he realises that he is in love with her, ok buddy it's called lust. Then one time when she had fainted and opens her blouse and sure spends some time looking at her bra and thinking how pretty she is. This after really going after her in court.

I can't say I liked Hunter, his sudden love for her was a bit, maybe it was the 80's love. And she, well she hates and hates, and then she suddenly loves him.

Also I did spend some time time giggling at the sexscenes too, like when she was thinking that she wanted intercourse. The sex and making out wasn't that hot. But then things to evolve in 20 years.

All in all it was an ok book, and I am blaming some things on the 80's because I have sure read books like this one before.

The book had romance, drama, and one angry couple.

Cover: Lol

Reason for reading: I actually won this in Good Reads First program, never thought I'd win.

Final thoughts: Sandra Brown has written some great books, later.

Review: The Tapestry of Love - Rosy Thornton

Genre: Contemporary fiction
Pages: 352
Published: July 2010 (US December 2010?)

A warm and uplifting story of how a woman falls in love with a place and its people: a landscape, a community and a fragile way of life.

A rural idyll: that's what Catherine is seeking when she sells her house in England and moves to a tiny hamlet in the Cévennes mountains. With her divorce in the past and her children grown, she is free to make a new start, and her dream is to set up in business as a seamstress. But this is a harsh and lonely place when you're no longer just here on holiday. There is French bureaucracy to contend with, not to mention the mountain weather, and the reserve of her neighbours, including the intriguing Patrick Castagnol. And that's before the arrival of Catherine's sister, Bryony.

This book was a pleasant read. I think I am gonna go in for a description now. It was like sitting on the porch, drinking wine (well juice for me), seeing the sun set on a warm summer evening, perhaps reading a book. Everything very pleasant and relaxing. That is what this book is to me.

It's the story about Catherine, a woman of 49 who leaves England. Her kids have grown up, she is divorced and she wants something else. So she buys a cottage in France, and wants to make a living there. But French bureaucracy is not that kind to her, but at least she makes some good friends among her neighbours. But then her sister shows up, and then there is this man...

I liked Catherine, to just leave everything behind and start anew, I could not do it. All alone up on a mountain. But she makes it work.

There neighbours are good secondary characters. The elderly woman whom Catherine drives to places, the couple further down the road, and then there is Patrick. The woodsman not far from her. There is this quite chemistry between them. They become good friends, but no one makes a move. I am not going to give anything away though. Some things needs time. You can't rush love.

Sure, not much happen, but at the same time so much happen. There is her dealings with her children, the neighbour, getting to know Patrick, and quite drama when her pretty sister shows up. There is the dealings with wanting to set up a business in a protected area, and seeing a village living on the edge. Kids don't want to become farmers, and how can then rural areas prosper?

It was a good story that kept me reading, there was a lightness to it, and humour between the lines. It's a book that make you smile.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: I like it, and it fits the story and the mood.

Reason for reading: From the author

Final thoughts: I liked this book,it was yes pleasant, I honestly can't come up with something else to describe reading it.

Graphic Novels: Bayou + 1001 Nights of Snowfall

Bayou, vol 1 by Jeremy Love

Pages: 160
Published: 2009

This was a great graphic novel. It starts with 2 girls playing, one white, one black, in a time when they shouldn't be playing. Soon the white girl disappears in the bayou and the black girls dad gets blamed.

The bayou is a scary place with real monsters in it, but our heroine braves it all. She is a truly brave little girl.

The injustice here kills me, but that's how it was. He creates a good story, and with the magical bayou elements. After having finished it I do want more.

Fables: 1001 Night of Snowfall by Bill Willingham

Pages: 144

Published: 2008

This was a another great graphic novel. There were a bunch of artists so the different stories all looked different, but it was fun to see. Especially since it was such a wide range of stories. The narrator is Snow White who is a prisoner in a harem and tells 1001 stories.

And this was sure not happy fairy tales, horrible things happened in them, and just showed that there is no such thing as a always HEA. But there was truth and reality (coughs, well if we lived in a fairytale, and there were evil armies).

Recommend for graphic novel fans, and those who like it was fantasy in them. Not to mention those who want to have a look at known fairytales in a different perespective.

This was my fav story and artist:

Snow White on the run

Guestpost: KT Grant + For the Love of Mollie giveaway CLOSED

Today I welcome KT Grant, the author of For the Love of Mollie to my blog. And stay tuned cos at the end I am giving away this e-book.

Welcome to Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell :)

One of the reasons I love reading romance is because of the too good to be true hero. I just can't get enough of that drop dead gorgeous, rich, tall, has a nice smile and a body that would make most woman swoon at his feet man. So I guess it makes sense I would try my hand at writing my own too good to be true hero. That's where Conner Bean from my latest release, For the Love of Mollie comes into play.

Coming up with a hero like Conner was somewhat hard. It's one thing to make him this god among men (and women), but I also wanted to give him enough dimension. This is a guy you'd want to sit down and talk to and perhaps welcome him as your new friend. Also an important part when writing a character like Conner, is to give him enough depth so he's not too ho-hum on the page. The first person that came into my mind when writing Conner is the actor Ryan Reynolds.

I adore Ryan and have since he was a teenage on the Nickelodeon show Fifteen back in 1990. I watched Ryan come into his own as an actor and as a very attractive man. The moment I came up with the idea of Conner and For the Love of Mollie, I wanted Conner to have those same attributes that I find so pleasing in Ryan.

In regards to my heroine Mollie McGree, the main star of For the Love of Mollie, I wanted to write her with a few self imposed faults. If Mollie was this near perfect heroine, then there would be no story. Mollie, like most women, including myself, have issues with their weight. I constantly think I need to lose another ten pounds. Mollie feels she needs to lose more so she can catch the eye of her friend, JC, who cares for her only as a friend because he loves someone else. JC is not attractive to Mollie sexually, not because she may have too many curves, but his feelings are elsewhere. Mollie's opinion about herself is the catalyst that moves along the story. In my mind, I think of Mollie as an attractive woman who needs to embrace who she is, curves and all. The one woman who is so very self-assured and has an amazing body is Kate Winslet. To me, Kate is one of the most ideal women I've ever watched in movies. I wrote Mollie with Kate in mind. Mollie even says at one point, while she's arguing with Conner, that people have said she looks like Kate Winslet. That's the moment where Mollie has her realization that she is beautiful and should be proud to look the way she does. Conner certainly thinks so.

Choosing Ryan for Conner, and Kate for Mollie is my thank you to them for helping my create characters that readers many enjoy and remember.

B: Thanks for coming by! And mmm Ryan, good choice

You can purchase For the Love of Mollie at ´Decadent Publishing

Bio: KT Grant is a self-proclaimed eccentric redhead who not only loves to read a wide variety of romances, but also loves writing it. Under her alter-ego, she is a well known book reviewer and blogger who doesn't shy away from voicing her opinion. A proud native of New Jersey, KT is multi-published and known for writing "out of the box" romances. KT has been quoted in such publications as the Romance Writers Associations’ Romance Writers Report and Night Owl Reviews. She has also been mentioned in the Guardian.UK, Publisher's Weekly's Beyond the Book and at Bookseller.com.

You can visit KT Grant at her website: http://ktgrant.com/
Her Personal blog at Babbling About Books, and More! http://kbgbabbles.blogspot.com/
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/katiebabs
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/kate.garrabrant

GIVEAWAY

To win this e-copy of For the love of Mollie all you have to do is comment :)

Of course I always appreciate a little more, ask KT a question, comment on the post, the book, more is always fun.

1. Open to ALL, as long as you have an email so the book can be sent to you.
2. Ends August 30th

3. Please, if your email is not in your profile then do leave it here so I can contact you. You have 5 days to respond.

CLOSED

Review: For the love of Mollie - KT Grant

Yes, I read another e-book ;) The reason, well I wanted to see how the famous katiebabs wrote, I am a very curious woman. And this one was short, cos when it comes to e-books, short is good. For now.

Genre: Borderline erotic contemporary romance
Pages: 115
Published: August2010

Mollie McGree is on a mission to seduce her best friend, the sexy masseuse Juan-Carlos. But she wants to lose a few extra pounds first. She joins a gym run by self-made millionaire and personal trailer, Conner Bean. Conner thinks Mollie doesn't need to lose any weight, and is perfect the way she is. He plans to seduce the curvy Mollie by giving her his own special training sessions in passion and desire.

Soon Mollie is enjoying a no-holds-barred love affair with the vibrant and skilled Conner. But self-esteem issues on her part, as well as her unresolved feelings for Juan-Carlos, cause her to second guess Conner's motives. Conner will stop at nothing until he claims Mollie's heart for his own.

I like this one because of the story. Mollie is not some skinny little thing, but a real woman with curves and a few pounds too many. But Conner sees her and thinks she is gorgeous, cos like he says a few times. He is not into stick figures with fake boobs. He wants and needs real curves. He is in lust, but she is insecure cos of her weight, oh and not to mention that Conner is sex on a stick.

Mollie is sweet, sure she is insecure, but who could blame her, and then who wouldn't be confused when Mr Handsome is all over you. It's up to him to show her that she is one gorgeous woman. And I love him, aww, he loves her just like she is, now that made me melt, what a man. He is her total opposite, a gym owner, fit and sexy, and the first time he sees her she is in baggy old sweats but he doesn't care. And he does not give up either.

It was a short story but there was time for these two to meet, fall into bed, fall into bed some more, and deal with a bit of drama. Those happy endings are not always that easy and she has some issues to deal with, not to mention that she used to be in love with this other guy.

I liked that she wrote about a real woman who had low self esteem, and didn't think she was all that. It was truthful and the more fun when those wild sexy scenes came around. Some very passion filled scenes, that is not to be missed.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Well I wish she had been more Mollie

Reason for reading: KT sent me this one.

Final thoughts: A hot little book.

Stay tuned cos KT will be coming over tomorrow and she will give away a e-copy of For the love of Mollie, so yay international.

Review: The news where you are - Catherine O'flynn

Genre: Fiction
Pages: 240
Published: July 2010 Holt paperbacks

From the bestselling author of What Was Lost comes a spirited literary mystery about a television anchorman's search for the truth about the disappearances that surround him

Frank Allcroft, a television news anchor in his hometown (where he reports on hard-hitting events, like the opening of canine gyms for overweight pets), is on the verge of a mid-life crisis. Beneath his famously corny on-screen persona, Frank is haunted by loss: the mysterious hit-and-run that killed his predecessor and friend, Phil, and the ongoing demolition of his architect father's monumental postwar buildings. And then there are the things he can't seem to lose, no matter how hard he tries: his home, for one, on the market for years; and the nagging sense that he will never quite be the son his mother—newly ensconced in an assisted-living center—wanted.

As Frank uncovers the shocking truth behind Phil's death, and comes to terms with his domineering father's legacy, it is his beloved young daughter, Mo, who points him toward the future.

Catherine O'Flynn is a great writer, she transforms small things into a good piece of fiction. Nothing major happened, but there was great writing, and I do like great writing.

This is the story about Frank, a news anchor who has been in the business for 20 years. He likes where he is and never wanted to be bigger. He is also a joke, a man famous for bad one-liners. Something that he inherited from his mentor and friend, but he never did get them right. Now Phil is dead, in a strange accident. And Frank is left with his strange hobby as his wife calls is, going to funerals of people who had no one else coming.

Frank is a good guy, he likes his job (ok not the crap jokes), but he is a solid guy. He loves his wife and cute little daughter. And he searches for lost relatives for those people who have died without any family showing up. His mum seems constantly depressed, but he visits her. But there is something sad over him, perhaps cos if his search through out the book. But that will change too.

The book uses flashbacks to show some clues, Michaels past (the guy whose relatives he is trying to find), some moments from Phil's past, before his death and earlier, and lastly Frank's past. His dad who was always working and his mum who had good and bad days.

Life in general, and a search for that which is lost is what this book is about.  From people gone, to his dad's buildings being torn down to make new for new ones. And the last sentence of the book tells you everything:

"Our absence is what remains of us."

It's beautiful and sad at the same time.

She has a way of telling is straight, but there is also a subtle humour in this book. A strange book, and a completely normal book at the same time. What I am left with is that she writes great fiction, easy fiction, and fiction that should be noticed.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Ok boring, but then a book like this should have something like that as a cover.

Reason for reading: From the publisher.

Final thoughts: I do like my genres, and sometimes I need an author who can write beautiful prose, saying a lot, or saying nothing, and she is good. I sometimes like books cos of the story, sometimes for the written word, and this time it was the latter.

Final grade: 4

Review: The Last Celtic Witch - Lyn Armstrong

 *Previously posted over at Royal Reviews*

Release Date: 2007
Pages: 150
Genre: Historicalparanormal

Young Adele MacAye has seen her own death, she is the last Celtic Witch and she does not that legacy to end with her. That would end all the good magic in the world, and lead the path for darkness. So she does what any good witch would do, she created a fertility spell and lets that lead her to the man who can sire a child.

Laird Phillip Roberts is a warrior and lives a rough life fighting a bloody battle against a neighbouring clan. One way to end this would be to marry and make an alliance. But after meeting a fairy like creature in the woods he is not sure of anything anymore.

I do feel that this book could have been better. It had a very interesting story about a woman trying to escape the fate she has seen, and not letting good magic die. She did not think she fall for the man fate chooses. And then there is the Laird who wants to save his people but is losing his heart to an alluring witch. He does not want to marry another. And there we have the villain, an evil, sorceress who plays black magic and wants to crush the good witch, and gain more power, not to mention more land.

That had the premise to be a great story, and it was good and short when it played out. And then there was the times when the author put in those spicy scenes, but that is of course to be expected. But what I mean in the end is that didn’t always feel like a part of the story, just something to use of the sensual aspect of it all. These two didn’t always mix as well as they could have, and either mix it, or cut it out.

But for people who wants some spice with their historical, and some paranormal then this might be it. In that way it sure has it all.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Liking it, but not the guy

Reason for reading: My won copy

Final thoughts: Some are gonna like this for sure

Review: The Red Queen - Philippa Gregory

The Cousins War, book 2

Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: August 19th 2010 Simon and Schuster UK
Pages: 432

The second book in Philippa's stunning new trilogy, The Cousins War, brings to life the story of Margaret Beaufort, a shadowy and mysterious character in the first book of the series - The White Queen - but who now takes centre stage in the bitter struggle of The War of the Roses. The Red Queen tells the story of the child-bride of Edmund Tudor, who, although widowed in her early teens, uses her determination of character and wily plotting to infiltrate the house of York under the guise of loyal friend and servant, undermine the support for Richard III and ultimately ensure that her only son, Henry Tudor, triumphs as King of England. Through collaboration with the dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret agrees a betrothal between Henry and Elizabeth's daughter, thereby uniting the families and resolving the Cousins War once and for all by founding of the Tudor dynasty.

First, I seriously disliked this woman, That Beaufort woman as I called her in my head. Secondly, this was another great story by Gregory. She sure has an easy way of writing.

Margaret is pious, and as a child she is thrilled to have Saint's knees from kneeling so much. She wants to be like Joan of Arc, and lead her country to victory, she wants to be a nun and go to a convent. And she believes god put her on this earth to be queen. If anyone is hungry for power it is her. She longs to sign her name as Margaret R, for Regina, that is queen. How this goes together for her dream of becoming a nun I do not know. She is a power hungry woman who will kill children if they stand in her way. 

Even though I liked the book this was my problem. Her faith, she saw it that God wanted a Lancaster on the throne, she saw fault in all the Yorks cos of this. She saw fault in her own husband when he didn't want to fight for Lancaster and she called him a coward. Even though her beloved Jasper Tudor fled the country like a coward and left her and his nephew behind. But he was never a coward. She was cold, and I finished this book by a disliking her..a lot!

That being said, this was a good novel. The pages just flew by cos Gregory has this easy way of writing. Things move along (most of the time), and no concern for any dry facts. It's light fiction, and after reading The White Queen is was interesting to see the war of the roses from the Lancaster side.

And now to make my point clear, I may be over 500 years too late, but I do believe I find myself to be a Yorkist, lol. And to my horror, I doesn't dislike Richard III any more, he was barely in this book and still, yes I am a Yorkist. I even made my mind up as to who killed the princes in the tower.

This book had some good side characters, I liked Henry Stafford, her 2nd husband, but felt so sorry for him for being hazzled by her. Jasper Tudor, I want to read a book about him, and last Lord Stanley who she met her match in. He followed his path, and that was the winning path.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Quite the different from the white queen and this suits her.

Reason for reading: From the publisher.

Final thoughts: I guess I am looking forward to Elizabeth of York's story then.
Grade: 3,5, would have given more if I hadn't disliked Margaret so much

Review: To Conquer Mr Darcy - Abigail Reynolds

Genre: Historical Romance/Jane Austen variation
Pages: 416
Published: August 2010 Sourcebooks Casablanca

In the Pride and Prejudice Variations series, Abigail Reynolds explores the roads not taken in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, imagining lively plot twists and ecstatically happy endings. Here the story picks up from a pivotal point in Pride and Prejudice—Mr. Darcy's infamously botched proposal of marriage. What if, instead of disappearing from her life after Elizabeth Bennet refuses his awkward marriage proposal, Mr. Darcy took the initiative and tried to change her mind? In Conquering Mr. Darcy, Darcy follows Elizabeth back to her home in Hertfordshire and sets about making himself so irresistible her impulses win out over her sense of propriety until, madly in love and mutually on fire, their passion anticipates their wedding.

I have been wanting to read this book for some time, not just because I like all sorts of Jane Austen sequels and variations, but because I like the what if question. Also this book is more the To conquer Miss Bennet kind of book. Darcy is a force to be reckoned with.

This book takes another route, after Lizzy has returned from that awful proposal Mr Darcy shows up with Mr Bingley. This time he will not take no for an answer and decided to court her, gain her friendship and all of her. And that he sure gets too. 

I am weird when it comes to HR sometimes, and I end up thinking "no one buys the cow if the milk is free". Here it worked, because in the end, who wouldn't be seduced by Mr Darcy. Stolen kisses, embraces and I am seduced by it all too. But I guess the point here is that he wants her, and he is not going to tire of her just because something happened. Mr Darcy is the true gentleman. if I wasn't already in love with him I would fall for him in this book. He makes an effort to be a better man, a man she deserves, he pursues her, makes her laugh, makes her want him. And all while I am delighted and grinning. Jane Austen would be shocked for sure.

The romance is lovely to watch, she melts, and like I already wrote, Mr Darcy is worth reading this book for. I have never seen him like this, and I am loving it. We also meet Bingley and Jane of course and they get their HEA, and do not forgot Lydia's mistake. The book follows the general storyline and that is here too.

But I did miss one thing, and it had to to with Lady de Burgh, but then again who needs her.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Cute

Reason for reading: From the publisher

Final thoughts: Sweet, and Mr Darcy is quite the seducer.
Grace: 3,5

Review: Hell, Yeah - Carolyn Brown

Genre: Contemporary romance/Western
Pages: 384
Published: August 2010 Sourcebooks Casablanca

She's finally found a place that feels like home...

When Cathy O'Dell buys the Honky Tonk, the nights of cowboys and country tunes come together to create the home she's always wanted. Then in walks a ruggedly handsome oil man who tempts her to trade in the happiness she's found at the Honky Tonk for a life on the road with him...

He lives the good life...

Gorgeous and rich, Travis Henry travels the country unearthing oil wells and then moving on. Then the beautiful blue-eyed new owner of the Honky Tonk beer joint becomes his best friend and so much more. When his job is done in Texas, how is he ever going to hit the road without her?

Finally read a western and I enjoyed the ride. I had forgotten how much I enjoy contemporary romance.

This one is part of the Honky Tonk series, but they can be read as stand alone novels. So fear not people with OCD reading out of order issues. I did fine it was a new couple, a new start, but the same bar. But this is book 2, and there is a new owner of the Honky Tonk bar.

Cathy is running the place when handsome Travis Henry walks in. Sparks fly, but he is only there for a short period of time before moving on. She is not ready to fall for a guy, but who can say no to the electricity in the air.

Cathy was strong, and she had no trouble speaking her mind. She was a redneck woman and proud of it, and she loved her bar. She had also been hurt bad by a guy, and has trust issues. But she does lust after Travis. Oh yes Travis, handsome as the devil, but a total nerd who loves rock and wears glasses, oh and he is a cowboy too of course. Be still my heart. He wanted her, and he kept coming back.

This was a sweet romance book with a passion building up between these two. They didn't jump right on it, but it took some time. First they become friends, then something more. There is also a bunch of other characters, all with charm, and the next heroine is being introduced, and I am sure she is gonna have one good book too.

I may not have known any of the songs mentioned, or anything about oil, or line dancing, but who cares, cos this book was sweet, and it made me want to walk into a western bar and have a look for myself what the deal was.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Nice looking cowboy there

Reason for reading: From sourcebooks

Final thoughts; Yes, I'd read more.

Grade: 3,5

Review: The King's Bastard - Rowena Cory Daniells

Book One of The Chronicles of Kind Rolen's Kin

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 640
Published: July 2010

Cloaked in silent winter snow the Kingdom of Rolencia sleeps as rumours spread of new Affinity Seeps, places where untamed power wells up. Meanwhile, King Rolen plans his jubilee unaware of the growing threat to those he loves. Even though Byren Kingson is only seven minutes younger than his twin, Lence, who is the king's heir, Byren has never hungered for the Rolencian throne. When a Seer predicts that he will kill Lence, he laughs. But Lence Kingsheir sees Byren’s growing popularity and resents it. Enduring loyalty could be Byren’s greatest failing.

Fiercely loyal, thirteen year-old Piro is horrified to discover she is also cursed with unwanted Affinity. It broke their mother’s heart to send Fyn away, so she hides her affliction. But, when Fyn confesses his troubles, Piro risks exposure to help him.

This book is the reason why I love fantasy. It swept me away, it had me biting my nails and when I tried to do other things I couldn't stop thinking about it. Yes, it has been all I have been thinking about for the last few days.

Byren is the main character, a young prince who loves his family and country. But his brother doesn't care for his company any more, and is listening to bad advice. And when Byren is seen as a hero after killing a beast the anger grows in Lence. The other main characters are Piro, the youngest member of the family and she is hiding her magic so she will not be sent away since all those with affinity becomes nuns or monks, or are killed. Then there is Fyn, with little affinity he has served long, and no when it's time to become a monk for real he is not sure which path to take.

There is political intrigues and treachery around. Illien, the son of the late king's bastard has come to court and has soon charmed the king and Lence. He is spreading lies, and what his agenda is, I can only imagine. Oh how I loathe him from the start with his slick ways.

With Illien at court trouble start. There is also the subject of Lence not wanting to marry a foreign princess, a country that might just attack, trying to keep the peace along the warlords.

This is a book filled with adventure. Things seems to get worse and worse, and they have many personal battles in front of them. And beasts to killed. I was pulled into the story at once, Byren is a young hero that you just have to like. Piro is a little spitfire, Lence and Illien I disliked, and Fyn, well I am still unsure about him. He is nice, but I feel so sorry for him for having to become a monk just cos he is born in Rolencia. 

The book had me reading fast to see what happened next, and aching when things didn't turn out good. Lies can hurt more than mortal wounds. This is a story that you can't put down, and when it ended I knew that I have to read more. There are two more books in this trilogy that is being published this year. Because in the end if was a fantastic start to a fantasy series and one of the best fantasy books I have read in years. It suited me perfectly.

Politics, magic, intrigues, love, and friendship is mixed in this amazing tale. And I need more books.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Dunno really, I mean very fantasy, but he looks like a zombie.

Reason for reading: Asked by the author, and for that I am truly happy now.

Final thoughts: Hey, why are you still sitting there? Go and read this book now. For you fantasy fans I recommend it. For the rest of you, if you want something good, look no further.

Final grade: 4,5 cos I fell in love

Review: Emma and the Vampires - Wayne Josephson and Jane Austen

Genre: Fiction, historical, paranormal, Classic
Pages: 304
Published: August 2010 Sourcebooks Landmark

What better place than pale England to hide a secret society of gentlemen vampires?

In this hilarious retelling of Jane Austen's Emma, screenwriter Wayne Josephson casts Mr. Knightley as one of the most handsome and noble of the gentlemen village vampires. Blithely unaware of their presence, Emma, who imagines she has a special gift for matchmaking, attempts to arrange the affairs of her social circle with delightfully disastrous results. 

I know that some do not like these mash-ups, but I think they are so funny. The things I love the most are the things I like to see changed or made fun of.  This totally works for me. And you all know I love things Austen by now.

Most of you surely know Emma, the pretty spoiled lady who suddenly realizes that she is a great matchmaker, and of course she isn't and that leads to a string of fun misunderstandings. And this book follows that plot, it follows Emma as it should, with a few exceptions...

There are vampires around and in Highbury there are a few gentlemen vampires. The rest seems to be blissfully aware even though these men have black eyes, red eyes, never eat or sleeps and are really pale. Mr Knightley is one of these gentlemen, as is Mr Elton and Mr Weston. But there are also wild vampires around, and Emma who carries a stake is not a bad vampire-killer when attacked. Mr Knightley is also very handy with a sabre, cos yes he and the rest chops a few heads when attacked. A real gentlemen does not attack a lady without being asked.

Vampires works so well here because he keeps it witty and a comedy of manners. The book is hilarious and sure Emma may not be the best heroine but she does have a good heart and means well. Harriett is a vampiremagnet with her heaving bosom and slender neck, Mr Knightley as knightley as ever, Emma's dad just as he always is, and Frank Churchill, a coward, for a vampire.

For readers who wants to read something nice, I would recommend this. For readers who love mash-ups, don't forget this one, and for those that haven't try one, just plunge in, and don't be horrified that Austen's works are being turned into something else. I am pretty sure she would have gotten a few laughs from it too.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner:  Well that looks gross.

Reason for reading: From the publisher.

Final thoughts: The only thing I didn't like was the end, it left me a bit, what, and then? 

4

Being a gentleman, he would never consider roaming about at night attacking young ladies to whom he had not been properly introduced.

- Emma and the vampires

Review: Turning the tide - Christine Stovell

Genre: Fiction
Pages: 336
Published: June 2010 Choc Lit

All's fair in love and war? Depends on who's making the rules. Harry Watling has spent the past five years keeping her father's boat yard afloat, des...more All's fair in love and war? Depends on who's making the rules. Harry Watling has spent the past five years keeping her father's boat yard afloat, despite its dying clientele. Now all she wants to do is enjoy the peace and quiet of her sleepy backwater. So when property developer Matthew Corrigan wants to turn the boat yard into an upmarket housing complex for his exotic new restaurant, it's like declaring war. And the odds seem to be stacked in Matthew's favour. He's got the colourful locals on board, his hard-to-please girlfriend is warming to the idea and he has the means to force Harry's hand. Meanwhile, Harry has to fight not just his plans but also her feelings for the man himself. Then a family secret from the past creates heartbreak for Harry, and neither of them is prepared for what happens next.

This one was another lovely story, and it had this kind of calm pace that fitted it. Things happened and all that (arson for instance), but there was a nice lingering feeling over it all. It was like you were there in this run-down town where people struggled to go on and there was no hope for the town. But then something started to build, and build.

The story is about Harriet, aka Harry who took over her father's boatyard when he died. It's not easy, and the bills are piling up. In waltzes Matthew Corrigan with big plans. He has bought a place nearby and is turning it into a fancy restaurant and now he wants her land to build luxury houses. She is not happy since this is all she has left and Matthew seems to be turning the whole town around to his way of thinking. But she is standing her ground, even when all falls apart around her.

Harry was one tough woman, she works day and night trying to keep the place alive, her only help is George, an old buddy of her dads. This place is everything to her, and later she does seem that Matthew is bringing life to town, but her land, she wants to keep it, and have it to be a seafront for everyone, not just a chosen few. She is stubborn, and underneath it all she is really vulnerable, but I come to understand her.

Matthew is all money and ideas. At times he charms me, at times I growl at him. But he really thinks this is best for all. He has a good heart in the end. And he is also fighting this odd attraction for the angry girl at the shipyard. They have such a hate love thing going on. Hating each other, but at the same time the attraction is there.

There is also the family secret in the book, and without saying anything more. It made sense, and there was finally peace.

There is a varied cast of characters in this book. The young woman who wants something more from life, the guy couple who owns the florists, and of course George, who wants the best for Harry.

It was a warm community and it was lovely to see it start to blossom again. As for romance, oh that was not an easy part, and Stovell really made them work for it, I mean really. But that was great cos like they were, all cat and dog, it had to be hard for them to see each other in a more romantic light.

The place is a character in itself, and in the end I am happy to see it survive, and wish it the best.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Lovely and true to the book

Reason for reading: From the publisher

Final thoughts: A lovely book about a seaside town, a woman fighting to keep what is hers, and a man slowly loosing his heart.

PS. Milka over @ ReadReadRead is giving away this book. Open until September

3

Review: His for the taking - Sarah Parr

Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 320
Published: July 2010

On a mission to investigate treason, Privateer Marquis Warrick Barry believes he'll have no trouble getting the information he seeks from Karly Bane - the dark-haired beauty the Crown has ordered him to marry. But none of Warrick's tactics work. Unable to deny the hunger the fiery temptress elicits in him, Warrick realizes he must use seduction to persuade his new wife to trust him - both in and out of the bedroom. As the daughter of a pirate, Karly knows she has nothing in common with the aristocratic Warrick - except an overwhelming mutual attraction. And though Warrick's intentions appear honourable, Karly cannot bring herself to reveal her closely guarded secrets. But when danger threatens to tear them apart, she must decide if she can share herself fully with the man who is now her husband - and if she wants a love that can last forever.

I liked this book, Warrick's parents was in a previous book, but that time I wasn't too thrilled about some choices his mum made. But now it all worked for me. And I do give that it was fun to see his parents again and see that they had gotten children, and that there was happiness.

Pirates! Ok, no, but sort of later on, a few. Re-wind.
Warrick Barry is investigating smugglers and pirates. To gain some information he marries Karly Bane, the daughter of a pirate. But a stronger reason for this is that her uncle sold her to be a mistress to this bad guy, and buy marrying her Warrick saves her. Then it's time to uncover a plot regarding Bermuda, and trying to keep Karly alive. And yes then some pirates show up when they head on over there.

I liked Warrick, he was so protective of her, and wanted to save her, and yes he wanted her in other ways too. But he was such a gentleman, he needed her trust. I did find myself liking him a lot. He is also very forgiving, and doesn't give a damn about what others think.

Karly, I understood her completely. She was the daughter of a pirate, she had lived among them, she had been in prison, she had a bad reputation, and had secrets that could make her end up in jail again. She understood that marriage to her was a bad thing, it would tarnish his reputation. So she wanted out, that is before she started to fall in love, and I started to think, what the hell, who need the blessing of the ton. Of course I knew there was to be a HEA, but how would she deal was the question. And in the end she is such a good innocent girl.

Two people married without knowing each other, falling in love, trust issues, and secrets. There was some sweet loving there too.

Then there is the other aspect of the book. The adventure and thrill part, the hunt for smugglers, pirates, spies and finding out what is going on with Bermuda. A girl needs some action too. As for Bermuda, yes I might have pictured everything from Pirates of the C, but it fitted, and it was etched into my mind.

At the end of this book I did some counting, if they have some kids, then that would be a regency novel, now wouldn't that be lovely ;) I'd read that.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Not a fan of the floating heads, but they are better than half-heads or no heads. Also, he is handsome. But that ship in the bay at the bottom is truly lovely.

Reason for reading: From the author.

Final thoughts: Some nice romance, good characters and the hunt for a truth that could kill them all. Sounds like an adventure.

3

Review: Sizzling Sixteen - Janet Evanovich

 Book 16

Genre: Chick-lit mystery something

Pages: 400

Published: 2010

Trenton, New Jersey, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has inherited a “lucky” bottle from her Uncle Pip. Problem is, Uncle Pip didn’t specify if the bottle brought good luck or bad luck. . . .
Vinnie, of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds, has run up a gambling debt of $786,000 with mobster Bobby Sunflower and is being held until the cash can be produced. Nobody else will pay to get Vinnie back, leaving it up to Stephanie, office manager Connie, and file clerk Lula to raise the money if they want to save their jobs.

I am doing a quickie since I read it a week ago.

Plot: 

They need to save Vinnie cos else they will have no jobs. So Steph looses a car again, Lula shoots at people again and they have to pick up grandma from the funeral parlour again. And attend Hobbit con.

Characters:

I do love Stephanie, she is always funny. But I am getting tired of the same old story. I am tired of Ranger saying babe, tired of seeing Joe and Steph break up and make up. Tired of Lula and her gun. But they are still all funny.

Love:

No real loving since they were on a break again and it never gets anywhere with Ranger.

Bad things:

I want something to happen. This is the exact same story as in the previous 15 books. I need her to pick a man, or get pregnant or anything.

Good things:

I still finished it in a day and smiled all along and couldn't put it down. I might be irritated by it all but I still love love this series.

Final thoughts:

Please, a change! I don't wanna read book 20 and find that still nothing has happened. Cos if I stop laughing, then it will be a sad day. I love my Plum novels.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Boring

Reason for reading: Library

Review: All that Mullarkey - Sue Moorcroft

Genre: Women's fiction
Pages: 336
Published: June 2010 Choc Lit


Revenge and love: it's a thin line...

The writing's on the wall for Cleo and Gav. The bedroom wall, to be precise. And it says 'This marriage is over.' Wounded and furious, Cleo embarks on a night out with the girls, which turns into a glorious one night stand with... Justin, centrefold material and irrepressibly irresponsible. He loves a little wildness in a woman and he's in the right place at the right time to enjoy Cleo's. But it s Cleo who has to pick up the pieces of a marriage based on a lie and the lasting repercussions of that night. Torn between laid-back Justin and control freak Gav, she s a free spirit that life is trying to tie down. But the rewards are worth it.

Moorcroft did again and delivered another honest and lovely book. And she also gives us another ass who breaks it off in such an evil way. This time our heroine comes home and in the bedroom her ass of a husband has written on the bedroom wall, the marriage is over.

That is how the book starts, and Cleo goes out. There she meets hottie Justin who takes her home, and she is loving it. But as the dust settles the next day she goes home to find a husband who regrets his outburst. She tries to save her marriage, but in the end, is it worth saving?

Let me start with saying that Gav was an ass, not just cos of his little message, but because of so many other things. He controls her, and as I read on I come to realise just as she does that this marriage is not as perfect as everyone thought.

Cleo is great, she tries to work things out with Gav. And she finds her own strength. She is honest. And then there is hottie Justin, such a hottie and he has it bad for her. He was a great guy, and I am sure most women will think so too.

An honest book about a real marriage that has cracks under the surface. A book about people making mistakes, people trying their best, and falling in love. And no 2 week romances here, no, they take their time to fall in love, and when they do you just lean back and smile, and think, this is the real deal.

There is a lovely romantic story evolving in this book, and they are so meant for each other, even if the road there is long. An honest, romantic story about a woman torn between two men. I liked it, and I especially like the second half cos there is gets kind of exciting, and it kept me wondering how that would end.

It's always nice to read about real people because it does make me think, what would I do?

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Nice and simple

Reason for reading: From choc lit

Final thoughts: Ratty was in this book, yay :D

3

Review: Entwined - Elisabeth Naughton

Eternal Guardians, book 2

Genre: paranormal romance
Pages: 336
Published: July 2010 Dorchester Publishing

ZANDER — The most feared of all the Eternal Guardians. It’s rumored he can’t be killed, and he always fights like he has nothing to lose. But as a descendant of the famed hero Achilles, he’s got to have a vulnerability… somewhere.

Forces of daemons are gathering and have broken through the barriers of the Underworld. Now more than ever the Eternal Guardians are needed to protect both their own realm and the humans’. Zander can’t afford to think about what might have been with the bewitching physician he once regarded as his soul mate. But with eternity stretching before him, he also can’t fathom spending his life without the one woman who makes him feel most alive. Perhaps he’s found his weakness, after all.

Zander has lived for a very long time, and fears that he will never die. He is a great guardian protecting a hidden world and half-breeds out in the human world. But he also feels that he has nothing to live for after his soul mate left. He is hurt deeply. And now demons are hunting in the human world and the half-breed colonies are under attack as the goddess Atalanta is trying to take over. And she wants the guardians dead, together with the rest. But then he meets his soul mate again.

I liked the mythology in this one. Atalanta has taken twisted humans that turns into demons out of Hades. She attacks half-breeds, one parent human, the other Argolean who lived in this closed off realm. For protection they have the guardians who all are descended from the Argonauts. There is magic there and they live for a long time. And of course the Greek gods are all true. Now that I like.

Zander who is descendant from Achilles has lived for over 800 years and he is tired of it. He is protective, strong, and he loves deeply someone who turned away. Here we learn why. She, Callia is a healer, also very protective and strong. And I wonder what happened, but just gotta read on. They obviously want each other.

There is also a sidestory with a kid, Maximus who is in Atalanta's grip. 

There is some ass-kicking, they do want to kick those demon butts back to the underworld. And then there is the troubled love affair between two people who love each other and are so angry at each other at the same time.

I shall not forget the court intrigues since the king is having trouble from the council and wants the princess to marry an Argonaut, and there again I wonder who it will be. It looks to be an interesting book 3, I assume she will be the heroine, and as for the man, well read on.

Cool side characters too, like what's the deal with Orpheus? He seems interesting, but do I trust him? In the end, an interesting paranormal romance.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Nice

Reason for reading: From the publisher

Final thoughts: Greek mythology, sexy heroes and a hidden world, I can't say no to that.

3

Review: Branded by Fire - Nalini Singh

Psy-changelings 6

Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 345
Published: 2009

When a brilliant changeling researcher is kidnapped, DarkRiver sentinel Mercy, a cat, and SnowDancer lieutenant Riley, a wolf, must work together to track the young man-before his shadowy captors decide he's no longer useful. Along the way, the two dominants may find that submitting to one another uncovers not just a deadly conspiracy, but a passion so raw that it'll leave them both branded by fire.

This was my fav book so far, I think it has to do with the fact that this time it was a changeling couple. They had great chemistry and no one was ice-cold or without feelings, instead the feelings were overflowing.

Mercy is a sentinel for the DarkRiver pack, and Riley has the same status over at the SnowDancer wolves. Here they are working together to bring the packs together. Mercy is going crazy since all the dominant cats are mated and she is left alone and she needs a man who is not weaker than her, but the doesn't want someone stronger either. And then there is Riley who pushes all the wrong buttons, or should we say right buttons. But wolves and cats do not play nice together.

This book worked for me cos of the feelings between these two, the book was warmer. Mercy was cool, even if she did have a lot of trouble with what she wanted. Riley got used to the whole situation faster and knew what he wanted. He was strong, and oh yes I liked him. I also learnt that wolves and cat can play really nice together.

To sum it up, this one was hot.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Meh

Reason for reading: Borrowed

Final thoughts: The best one of the series so far.