I should be so lucky - Judy Astley

Viola hasn't had much luck with men. Her first husband, Marco, companion of her youth and father of her only child, left her when he realised he was gay. Her second, Rhys, ended his high-octane, fame-filled life by driving his Porsche into a wall. No wonder her family always believes she needs Looking After, and her friends think she really shouldn't be allowed out on her own...

Which is why, at the age of thirty-nine, she finds herself shamefully back at home, living with Mum.

Viola knows she has to take charge; she needs to get a life, and fast. With a stroppy teenage daughter, a demanding mother, and siblings who want to control her life for her, where is she going to turn? 

My thoughts:

I have two review to write, now how to make this short...

Heroine: Viola, a 35 year old with two marriages behind her. Marco is still around and such a good guy. Rhys was a complete ahole that cheated on her and then he died. Do not even think about him! She is a klutz and she would like to find love again...maybe.

Hero: A man she meets. Will they meet again? Well duh. There is a slow building friendship that takes the entire book to build. Which was nice. She really does not have the best luck with men.

Romance: Thought about, not really there.

Story. Her starting all over again. Her teenage daughter wanting some fun in her life. And the secret of who Rhys wanted to leave her for. Oh that was so obvi. Made me angry too at him.

Conclusion:

I meant to write like two paragraphs..ok back on track. A nice story about finding love again.

Cover

meh

Paperback, 384 pages
Published January 3rd 2013 by Black Swan (first published July 5th 2012)
Women's fiction
Own

Carole's Sunday Review: The virgin of the wind rose - Glen Cravey

Author: Glen Craney

Title: The Virgin of the Wind Rose

Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Thriller, Mystery, & Action/adventure

Pages: ebook

First Published: 2014

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

While investigating the murder of an American missionary in Ethiopia, rookie State Department lawyer Jaqueline Quartermane becomes obsessed with a magical word square found inside an underground church guarding the tomb of the biblical Adam.

Drawn into a web of esoteric intrigue, she and a roguish antiquities thief named Elymas must race an elusive and taunting mastermind to find the one relic needed to resurrect Solomon's Temple. A trail of cabalistic clues leads them to the catacombs of Rome, the crypt below Chartres Cathedral, a Masonic shaft in Nova Scotia, a Portuguese shipwreck off Sumatra, and the caverns under the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Intertwined with this modern mystery-thriller, a parallel duel is waged:

The year is 1452. One of the most secretive societies in history, Portugal's Order of Christ, is led by a reclusive visionary, Prince Henry the Navigator. He and his medieval version of NASA merged with the CIA scheme to foil their archenemies, the Inquisitor Torquemada and Queen Isabella of Castile, who plan to bring back Christ for the Last Judgment by ridding the world of Jews, heretics, and unbelievers.

Separated by half a millennium, two conspiracies to usher in the Tribulations promised by the Book of Revelation dovetail in this fast-paced thriller to expose the world's most explosive secret: The true identity of Christopher Columbus and the explorer's connection to those now trying to spark the End of Days.

The first four chapters had me really worried. There was so much going on and I was unsure how I felt. The POV jumped around so much and the language was so stiff, that I had a hard time connecting to the story. However, I am one to never give up.

Once things settled down a bit and the language loosened up and I was able to get a grasp of what was going on this was entertaining. I actually really got into the story and was not sure what the outcome was going to be. There were multiple mysteries/conspiracies running around that were all connected somehow. I really wanted to figure out the connection between the past POV in the 1400s/1500s and the present day POV. I had a theory and I was close-ish.

As I mentioned the writing style at first was extremely stiff, but once the action really took off then the writing loosened up. It flowed nicely and it was a quick read. Yes, there is a lot of information pouring out at some points, but due to the language used it was easy to grasp and keep going. I worry about historical mysteries and thriller novels, because it can be overwhelming sometimes and rather boring I'll admit. However, the author kept my attention and kept me hooked to the story. 

UGGGGHHHHHH the ending! Not a fan. Not happy. It's a cliffhanger and I hated the fate of one of the characters. PLEASE FIX IT! I just grew to like that character. :( SO SAD. SO TRAGIC. I cannot say, but UGH the feels.

DO NOT TRUST ANYONE! No one and nothing is as it seems. Messed with my brain! It was good that it kept me on my toes. 

In the end, this had a rough start for me, but it got better. I'm weary of thrillers and mysteries, but the author made it easy to grasp and it flowed nice and quick. I managed to get this done in a matter of a couple days. I HAD TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED NEXT! The ending made me mad and sad, but I am curious to see what happens next. PLEASE, PLEASE FIX IT!! 

Well, I recommend this to those that like historical mysteries mixed with modern espionage. In the end, I shall stamp this with 3 stars. 

#FitReaders: Weekly Check-In August 28 2015

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

Join in :D

Sat, 1 h walk
Sun, 1.15 h walk
Mon, 4 km bike, 50 min walk
Tue, 4 km bike, 1 h walk
Wed, 4 km bike, 35 min walk
Thu, 4 km bike, 30 min walk
Fri, 4 km bike, 30 min walk

Koko Takes a Holiday - Kieran Shea

Five hundred years from now, ex-corporate mercenary Koko Martstellar is swaggering through an early retirement as a brothel owner on The Sixty Islands, a manufactured tropical resort archipelago known for its sex and simulated violence. Surrounded by slang-drooling boywhores and synthetic komodo dragons, the most challenging part of Koko’s day is deciding on her next drink. That is, until her old comrade Portia Delacompte sends a squad of security personnel to murder her. 

My thoughts:

The book takes place  in the future. The world is pretty messed up by now. And one place is sure in the front running. Sixty islands; the place where you can watch a massacre and then take part in an orgy. Brothels and killings. Aww what a wonderful resort!

Our ex mercenary heroine Koko owns one of the brothels. Life is good. But then BOOM! Her former wants her dead. But Koko can kick ass and taking her down wont be easy. She was cool. No nonsense from her.

The book is actionfilled, since people are trying to kill her after all. I liked the glimpses of this futuristic society. The action parts were good. And the light humour hidden there.

Ohh, when I think of it, then this would make a great action movie. Oh that would be so kick-ass! Well they might skip that one scene that was all ewww, no way! When you are killing you can't be delicate ;)

Conclusion:

I enjoyed the fast ride.

Cover

kinda cool

Paperback, 335 pages
Published June 10th 2014 by Titan Books
EBK #1
Sci-fi
For review

Hockey Thursday: Fair Play and See Jane Score

Theresa Falconetti has it all: brains, beauty, a quick wit, and her own PR business. To the Deep disappointment of her large family, she never dates Italians, men from her old Brooklyn neighborhood, or professional athletes. Especially not athletes...

Michael Dante, popular hometown hero and winger for the Stanley Cup champion New York Blades is all three—and he is head over heels for her.

For Michael, Theresa's NO HOCKEY PLAYERS rule is a check to the heart. Nothing he does seems to melt her resolve. His stubborn refusal to give up on this wisecracking brunette, who—he knows—is hiding from her roots, is driving them both nuts. And whe he hires her to publicize his family's restaurant, more than the kitchen heats up. Then Theresa finds herself an Upper East Side kind of guy and Micheal is forced to take his game to the next level.

My thoughts:

Truth be told, I would have given up on Theresa. I did not like how when she was out of opinions decided that finally she wants him. Not cool.

Theresa had something happen to her 2 years ago. I get, that is rough. Still, she did not want to date Michael cos he was Italian, and a hockeyplayer. But mostly cos he was Italian like her.

Michael was so sweet!!! He was so smitten with her. He so wanted at least one date. He sent her desserts! All he wanted was a chance. Awww, I loved him.

But she was all. "Past! No. No. No. I would rather date a rich cultural wasp." At first I was all, ok I understand. At the end I was all, make her chase you!

Conclusion:
A romance where the guy really works at getting the girl. Still, cute.

Cover

eh

Paperback, 368 pages
Published February 3rd 2004 by Berkley
New York Blades #2
Contemporary romance
Own

A little subdued. A little stubborn. A little tired of going out on blind dates with men who drive vans with sofas in the back, Jane Alcott is living the Single Girl existence in the big city. She is also leading a double life. By day, she's a reporter covering the raucous Seattle Chinooks hockey team—especially their notorious goalie Luc Martineau. By night, she's a writer, secretly creating the scandalous adventures of "Honey Pie"...the magazine series that has all the men talking.

Luc has made his feelings about parasite reporters—and Jane—perfectly clear. But if he thinks he's going to make her life a misery, he'd better think again.

For as long as he can remember, Luc has been single minded about his career. The last thing he needs is a smart mouthed, pain in the backside, reporter digging into his past and getting in his way. But once the little reporter shed her black and gray clothes in favor of a sexy red dress, Luc sees that there is more to Jane than originally meets the eye.

Maybe it's time to take a risk. Maybe it's time to live out fantasies. Maybe it's time to....

My thoughts:

The second hockey book in 2 days...well summer did finally come so a bit of ice time was nice.

Jane writes a single girl in the city column, and a smutty secret column on the side. But now she has to follow a hockey team! And she knows nothing about the sport. She is a smart girl, learns and wont let anyone put her down. She is a good reporter, and will let them know that. I liked her. 

Luc is a goalie. He was kind of, well not an ass, but not that nice. All he saw was a plain face, small boobs, a short badly dressed woman. That's nice man. So shallow of you. But yes yes he falls for her, they do it, a tiny bit of drama and they live happily ever after.

Conclusion:
A bit of romance, a lot of hockey and HEA. 

Cover

Boring

Paperback, 384 pages
Published January 28th 2003 by Avon
Chinooks Hockey Team #2
Contemporary romance
Own

Single white vampire - Lynsay Sands

Roundhouse Publishing editor Kate C. Leever's first letter to her new author was meant to impress upon him the growing demand for vampire romances. And even though he'd expressed little-to-no desire for any publicity, book tours, or similar, it was clear this was an author just waiting to be broken out - despite himself, if necessary.

When she suggested attending a romance convention his response - unusually quick to arrive - was succinct: 'No.'

But Kate was adamant: Mr Lucern Argeneau was going to attend a romance convention and meet his fans. By hook or by crook, despite his reclusive nature and odd sleep patterns, the surly yet handsome author would attend. And she was sure that, once there, he would reveal himself to be a true charmer.

Of course, that was before she realised that his 'romances' were more like biographies, and it's literally her neck on the line...

My thoughts:

I have reached that conclusion before, but funny pnr still works for me! Why? Well it doesn't take itself so seriously. You know the epic. "OMG we are soulmates, but alas I am betrothed to the evil witch queen of Agrabad and you are only a human. But we shall be together, and do it like 100 times a day. This I promise thee my tasty human." So, this was not that. There was no instalove. She found him So annoying. He just thought she might be tasty to drink. There wasn't even any instamating. Sure, he could not hear her thoughts, but that does not mean she was the only person in the world this would be true for.

The story is about Luc, a "vampire" (ok so he is not really a vamp, he is Atlantian and the nanos inside him makes him live longer, heal fast, and he needs blood for them to work.) He is a romance writer (he wrote biographies ;). His editor Kate is hounding him to go to anything really to meet his fans. So he will. And they will fall in love and live happily ever after.

Conclusion:

I did like the humour. It made me giggle. 

Cover

Eh

Paperback, 369 pages
Published February 25th 2010 by Gollancz (first published September 1st 2003)
Argeneau #3
Paranormal romance
Own

You're the Earl I want - Kelly Bowen

For businessman Heath Hextall, inheriting an earldom has been a damnable nuisance. The answer: find a well-bred, biddable woman to keep his life in order and observe the required social niceties. But it's always been clear that Lady Josephine Somerhall is not that woman. Once a shy slip of a girl, Joss is now brilliant, beautiful chaos in a ball gown. 

In her heart, Joss has always loved Heath, the one person she's always been able to count on. That doesn't mean she wants to marry him though. Without a husband, Joss can do as she pleases—and now, it pleases her to solve the mystery of an encoded file given to Heath by a dying man. It's put Heath in peril once, and Joss won't let that happen again. She'll do what she must to ensure the earl's safety. And to remind him that what she lacks in convention, she makes up for in passion. 

My thoughts:

I do like a heroine that is different. Joss was no shrinking violet. She has been all over the world. She speaks a lot of languages. She loves math and books. She says what she wants to, even when she really should not.

Heath is a proper gentleman, who wants to marry a proper lady who can raise his family and if she is easy to talk to then that is a good thing. He may be an earl, but he comes from trade. And you know how low that is.

Heath is best friends with her brother, so that is how they meet again when Heath is wife hunting. He finds her bothersome, she is in love with him. There is great chemistry, and he is such a fool for not seeing how perfect she is for him.

There is also the story of some strange papers, a dead runner, and a conspiracy that they are suddenly in the middle of. At first that was fun, but omg what a conspiracy. It was good, but a bit too big.

Conclusion:

A nice couple. A bit of danger and romance. 

Cover

Nice

Kindle Edition, 384 pages
Expected publication: August 25th 2015 by Forever
The Lords of Worth #3
Historical romance
NetGalley

When a Scot ties the knot - Tessa Dare

On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shyly pretty and talented with a drawing pencil, but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen. She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart. So Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done: she invented a sweetheart.

A Scottish sweetheart. One who was handsome and honorable and devoted to her, but conveniently never around. Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter … and by pretending to be devastated when he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures of London society entirely.

Until years later, when this kilted Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh. The real Captain Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep—handsome as anything, but not entirely honorable. He’s wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters… and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep. 

MY thoughts:

This one was amusing. I enjoyed the letters she wrote her fake sweetheart. And to think the family went along with it...for years! I guess they were happy she was happy, which makes them a good family.

So yes, Madeline invented a fake fiance at 16 so she would not have to attend balls. Her family grew to love him. And she could focus on her passion, drawing. All is well, but alas, he dies...and she is of age and can live happily and free ever after.

BUT. See, someone did get the letters. Some with the same name as her fake true love. Someone who read those letters. Someone who is tired after years spent fighting in Europe. In comes Logan McKenzie, one hot highlander.

And now the dancing around starts. He wants to marry, she is all "damn!". They dance around. They start to fall in love. They both have their agendas. And then they live happily ever after.

Conclusion:

It was cute :)

Cover

Cute

ebook, 384 pages
Expected publication: August 25th 2015 by Avon
Castles Ever After #3
Historical romance
NetGalley

Joint Discussion: House of Shadows - Rachel Neumeier

This month Carole and I will be reading "House of Shadows" by Rachel Neumeier

Author: Rachel Neumeier

Title: House of Shadows

Genre: Fantasy, YA, Fiction, & Sci-Fi

Pages: July 10th, 2012

First Published: 352

Where I Got It: My shelf (Dollar Tree)

Orphaned, two sisters are left to find their own fortunes. 

Sweet and proper, Karah's future seems secure at a glamorous Flower House. She could be pampered for the rest of her life... if she agrees to play their game.

Nemienne, neither sweet nor proper, has fewer choices. Left with no alternative, she accepts a mysterious mage's offer of an apprenticeship. Agreeing means a home and survival, but can Nemienne trust the mage? 

With the arrival of a foreign bard into the quiet city, dangerous secrets are unearthed, and both sisters find themselves at the center of a plot that threatens not only to upset their newly found lives, but also to destroy their kingdom.

B: Yay! First, thank you for picking a great book! I think this has been the best so far, at least for me

C: It was a random find and it sounded interesting and different. LOL Thank my local Dollar Tree!

B: So, did you enjoy it as much as I? I thought it was great, though the end was lacking a bit.

C: I did like it a lot! I was bummed that there were was a lot of POV changing and the ending was lacking a bit. I want to know what happens neeeeeeeeeext!

B: Yes. I would have liked it better with more focus only on the girl, I felt like one of the POVS took over. So make it about her instead then. And at the end I did want more. I felt like it was not finished. But there is no more *sobs*

C: I did like Leilis, but I really wanted to focus more on the two sisters. I know! I want more of a solid end. I know the author prolly wanted to leave it up to the reader to decide what happens next. It was left as “open ended”, but I hate those type of endings. I like solid and concrete endings. BUT this was certainly good. Maybe a short story or another novel would make me happppppy!

B: I did. O Leilis too, her end, I can see that. She lives happily ever after with her guy. But I want to know!! Karah’s end, I do not like her ending. Seriously! How can she ever be happy!? Her daughter’s growing up like her. Her always second to his wife, kids. Good that we got no ending there. But Nem, I can not see her ending….she becomes a great magician. But I want to read about that journey, and maybe she meets a guy too *whistles*.

C: I feel bad for Karah, because I do not think she will be happy in the future. And I agree….what about Nem? What is going to become of her? *sighs* Hopefully she gets a HEA! I have a question….if you had the choice what would you choose? A mage or a keiso/dasia flower?

B: To become? A mage. I could not become a keiso. Yes yes, they are geishas, but that is just a fancy word. In the end they do sell themselves to a man. Sure they can get a house and stuff for their kids. But they will never be a true wife. And I certainly did not like that daughter’s followed in their mother’s footsteps. Mage it is.

C: I will be honest…I was undecided until I realized that the guy keeps the sons and the daughters become keisos like their mom. I was not happy with this, so mage it is for me as well. At least I can travel and do what I will. I may be poor, but I will be happy. 

B: Yes good choice. And if I want to become a rich man’s mistress I still can, but then I can also leave him and marry someone if I want to ;) 

But we both agree that the daughter thing was...creepy in a way. They are a bit brainwashed in my opinion.

C: It was kinda creepy!! It was like a cult! BTW I hated that Lily girl. I wanted to punch her! She was a snot and malicious. >___> Where is the “sisterly” love and all that?

B: Aye, that sister thing was a joke at times! And Lily was a bitch, grrrrr. *hits her* Now I got so mad at her that I forgot what I meant to say next ;)

C: Hahaha sorry.. ;) But yes she was an evil little thing. Did you expect the twist that happened? The true bad guy? I did not and I was certainly bummed! I was hoping he would change his mind and be good again. :/

B: I missed that too. But then the end came upon us so suddenly and everything got thrown out of the window. I was all what, oh, what, oh no. I wanted more explanations. We got some yes, but just...more.

And I remembered what I meant to say! So I gotta say it now ;)  This book was YA. Yes I saw it in the language and more. But what kind of YA has sisters selling their own sisters into sexual slavery? Not cool.

C: Yeaaaah a very strange YA. They seemed to glorify that women should be “perfect” to be able to sell themselves. I do not think I would have liked this book as much as I did if Nem’s story wasn’t there. She choose the less glamorous life and she (so far) is happy. It seemed strange that this was considered a YA. I wish it wasn’t in that genre. hahahaha

B: I do think it would have done better as an adult book. The grim side of the lesser flower houses. Some action and so forth. As YA now it is what you say. And with Nem it would just have been pretty and happy Karah who is happy even though she is sold into prostitution and must make a lot of money to get out. But by then she will be so brainwashed that she will not want to.

C: Agreed. Having it be an adult book would have been better. More explicit scenes and what not. hahaha. BUT what did you think of the world? I liked it. I am glad we slowly got to learn about the world and not have it ALL thrown in our faces at the beginning like some stories do.

B: To me it was a bit eh, I love good worldbuilding. I want more and more and more. BUT I liked what we got here. I did not need more cos I liked the story. So it was enough for now. But she should totally write Nem’s story and give me more world ;)

C: Another book needs to be written! It was a good opening and now we need a book or two now! 

B: Agreed. A Nem trilogy! She can travel and meet old friends, and we can see what becomes of the rest of her sisters. Listen up, more please :)

Hmmm, I do not have a lot more to say. I really enjoyed this book.

C: Nothing more on my end. I liked it. It was a good random find! :D I mainly picked it because the cover caught my eye and knew we needed a change up in our joint reading!

B: Oh no, my turn next *bites nails* Will I pick another fail? *scared*

On another note, BF is telling me to wrap it up, dinner is ready

C: Hehehehe go eat dinner!!!! I will go back to studying. Thank goodness BF is at work today (poor guy), but I have soooooooo much to do! And heck...I’ve had a few bad choices ;) I have faith you’ll get a good one!!!!!!!!!!!

I will let ya know!

THE END

#FitReaders: Weekly Check-in August 21 2015 and Yours to Explore bundle

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

Join in :D

Sat, 19 km bike
Sun, 41 km bike
Mon, 9 km bike, 30 min walk
Tue, 10 km bike, 40 min walk
Wed, 4 km bike, 30 min walk
Thu, 9 km bike
Fri, 4 km bike, 30 min walk

I biked a lot....

........................................

It's 2202 and three ships are on their way to start a new colony, but the twelve-month trip on Earth Ship Siren is filled with its own dangers ... and desires.

Rita Songworth escaped the dying Earth by earning her place on the ES Siren as part of the hard-assed infantry. But her relationship with the malicious lieutenant Zane was doomed almost before it began, unlike her attraction to the gorgeous and highly forbidden prisoner, Tristan MacFallan.

Alex Tariel knew his only chance to get a place on ES Siren was as a prisoner, so he stole water rations. Instead of keeping his head down, he gets coerced into fighting in the rounds. Getting patched up by Sienna makes it worthwhile. Corporal Sienna Jade never expected to see with the man who tried to kill her again. Now Lieutenant Zane has her and Alex in his sights. While Sienna tries to keep control of her feelings for Alex, Alex would do anything to protect her, if only she'd let him.

When Lily Kwan does a dirty deal with the disgusting Andrew Zane, she shoots straight to the top of Master Sergeant Connor Madison's hit list of drug runners – and no one's tougher than the Siren's hard-eyed quartermaster. Nothing can save the geeky doctor now, not her family's money, nor her brilliant mind. Not even the smile in her eyes.

My thoughts:

The first story is about Rita, a prison guard who falls for a prisoner. Also while having an affair with an ahole. Zane was a real piece of work. And then Rita and Tristan lived happily ever after..well for now, they are in space after all.

So yes 3 ships are making their way to a new planet because earth is going to hell. Ships filled with soldiers, prisoners to do the work, and rich people. The sci.fi, yeah, not a lot of sci-fi. Except for a few things mentioned like the cuffs worn, or how meds work fast. This is romance through and through. Romance and smexy times. And they are all under 100 pages.

The next story is about Alex, another prisoner and Sienna, the doctor in training who finds him hot and decides to do him. Seriously, this is happening a lot, I find it rather creepy. He is a prisoner, and even if he wants to it is wrong. There should be limits on this ship but I guess not. I mean, if she wants it, he would say yes even if he did not want it. The female prisoners are all selling themselves. Anyway....And then they lived happily ever after, and evil Zane is on this one too. I hope he dies soon.

The last one was about Lily who also got in trouble with Zane. Seriously women, stay away from that a-hole. She was the one I liked the most. Her man, hmmm, well at least he was not a prisoner!

Conclusion;

I would love to see them all on their new planet. That would be interesting. This was just a bunch of couple falling in love quickly and doing it.

Still good. Even if I did not always approve of their partners (guilty or not.)

Kindle Edition, 300ish?
Published February 12th 2015 by Momentum
Sci fi romance
Own

The Bone Palace and Kingdoms of Dust - Amanda Downum

Death is no stranger in the city of Erisín-- but some deaths attract more attention than others.

When a prostitute dies carrying a royal signet, Isyllt Iskaldur, necromancer and agent of the Crown, is called to investigate. Her search leads to desecrated tombs below the palace, and the lightless vaults of the vampiric vrykoloi deep beneath the city. But worse things than vampires are plotting in Erisín...

As a sorcerous plague sweeps the city and demons stalk the streets, Isyllt must decide who she's prepared to betray, before the city built on bones falls into blood and fire. 

My thoughts:

Book 1 was meh, I would not have read more if I hadn't had book 2 (and 3). And good thing cos book 2 was nothing like book 1. Book 1 was all confusing, characters getting thrown in, not knowing who was talking ,while here everything fell into place.

I guess first that I should applaud that she had females in male parts, captain of the guard, royal investigator. A woman born into the body of a man and treated as a woman. Eh whatever. I know I am supposed to be all, good! And it is good!! But I care about the story, you can do a thousand fun things if you want but it the story is no good then I do not care. Of course here the story was good. So for those who wants the whole revolution then read this.

Ok back to the story. Issylt is investigating the death of a prostitute. We get to see vampires, more ghosts and a conspiracy. I did not care for cent for her in book 1, here I cared, and wanted her to make it.

The other big Pov is that of the androgynous X (I forget the name and is to lazy to check, Sevadra..Vedra? She is the official mistress the the prince. He would totally marry her too, but you know, she can not bear children. Her reproductive organs are all male. Anyway, she likes his wife (aye she was cool). And Vedra does some investigating of her own when lives are threaten.

Conclusion:

Such a different book than book 1. Good characters, an interesting story. An interesting town. I look forward to book 3 all the sudden.

Cover

nice

Paperback, 469 pages
Published December 1st 2010 by Orbit
The Necromancer Chronicles #2
Fantasy
own

With her master dead and her oaths foresworn, necromancer and spy Isyllt Iskaldur finds herself in exile. Hounded by assassins, she seeks asylum in Assar, the empire she so recently worked to undermine.

Warlords threaten the empire's fragile peace, and the empress is beset by enemies within the court. Even worse, darkness stirs in the deep desert. Ancient spirits long held captive are waking - spirits that can destroy Assar faster than any army.

Accompanied by an outcast jinn, Isyllt must travel into the heart of the desert to lay the darkness there to rest once more. But her sympathies are torn between the captive spirits and the order of mages sworn to bind them. And whichever choice she makes could raze the empire to dust. 

My thoughts:

Book 3 and the last one. Quite a shame really. Because yes there was en ending, life goes on. But there was no Ending. Instead it was left that there can be more adventures. 

In this book Isyllt is in exile. Someone is trying to kill her, and she meets up with old friends. There is also a new adventure. Something old and dark is trying to get loose. Ohhh I liked that part. The more explanations I got the more I liked it. I also liked that we got to know more about this world. It seems that everyone used to live in peace. Jinni, humans, ghouls. So cool. I would love to know even more! So there could totally be another book.

Conclusion:

There are dangers, friendship, and all in all an easy good read.

Cover

Good

Paperback, 371 pages
Published March 1st 2012 by Orbit
The Necromancer Chronicles #3
Fantasy
Own

Alone with Mr Darcy - Abigail Reynolds and A winter Wrong - Elizabeth Ann West

Elizabeth Bennet can’t imagine anything worse than being stranded by a blizzard in a tiny cottage with proud and unpleasant Mr. Darcy. But being trapped there for days – and nights - with an injured and confused Mr. Darcy who keeps saying the oddest things about her is even worse. At least he possesses the useful ability of lighting a fire to keep them from freezing to death. But when he puts his arms around her, she discovers the hearth isn't the only place he knows how to build a fire. And the little half-frozen kitten he finds in a woodpile isn't proving to be much of a chaperone. 

She doesn’t really believe his promises to marry her if anyone finds out they spent two nights alone together, especially after learning he was betrayed by another woman in the past. When her worst fears are realized and her reputation is in tatters, she isn’t surprised to discover Mr. Darcy has vanished into thin air, leaving her no choice but to find a husband as soon as possible before her whole family is ruined. Any husband will have to do, no matter how much she dislikes him. Even if she can’t stop thinking of Mr. Darcy…. 

My thoughts:

I was actually really worried in this book, and even resented Darcy for a while (foolish me!).

Lizzy and Darcy gets stranded together in a cottage during a snowstorm. Awww he was so sweet, they really started to like each other. That cottage was awesome for them, BUT, Lizzy knows she is ruined. Ok break, seriously people of that time! They did nothing wrong, but she would be cast out. So unfair! Anyway, Darcy says they should marry. She says no, no one will find out.

But we will know gossip builds for the smallest thing. And here is where I started to worry. Would they find each other again! Would they marry! What if this is an evil re-telling?! *scared*

Conclusion;
So it is quite different. Things happen. Other things are left untold. I liked how things worked out. I enjoyed it, but it sure had me worried.

Kindle Edition, 378 pages
Published April 15th 2015 by White Soup Press
Pride and Prejudice variation
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When Jane Bennet's illness at Netherfield ends up not being just a trifling cold, but an epidemic that sweeps through Hertfordshire, the lives at Longbourn are turned upside down. Elizabeth Bennet finds herself lost without a cherished loved one and the interferences of one Fitzwilliam Darcy most aggravating. Combating the bombastic behavior of Mr. Collins, Elizabeth runs to London for the protection of her aunt and uncle. But acquaintances and introductions bring Mr. Darcy back into her life and Elizabeth discovers he might just mend her broken heart. 

My thoughts:

Oh Mr Collins, I am gonna kick you in a very special place. Arghh, the nerve of that man!

Illness takes the life of many, including Mr Bennet. So you can see why I hate Mr Collins more than usual. An arrogant little idiot. *kicks him* She did well there, making me loathe him more than usual.

This all takes place when Jane falls ill at Netherfield, so lots of things change. I liked how Darcy and Lizzy came together. I liked what happened later on. I liked how Miss Bingley was cut, I giggled then.

But this was a novella. So it was short, and it's a series so there is actually no wedding a all. Lizzy and Darcy will fall in love, duh. But there are 3 more novellas, so that was kind of sad. I would have liked some conclusion to it all.

Kindle Edition, 177 pages
Published July 22nd 2014 by Pemberley Possibilities
Seasons of Serendipity #1
Pride and Prejudice variation
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Fable: Blood of Heroes - Jim C.Hines

Deep in Albion’s darkest age, long before once upon a time . . . Heroes are thought to be gone from the land. So why have the bards begun singing of them once more? For Fable newcomers and dedicated fans alike, Blood of Heroes delves into a never-before-glimpsed era, telling the tale of a band of adventurers who come together to defend a kingdom in desperate need.

The city of Brightlodge is awash with Heroes from every corner of Albion, all eager for their next quest. When someone tries to burn down the Cock and Bard inn, four Heroes find themselves hastily thrown together, chasing outlaws through sewers, storming a riverboat full of smugglers, and placing their trust in a most unlikely ally. As the beginnings of a deadly plot are revealed, it becomes clear that Heroes have truly arrived—and so have villains.

What connects the recent events in Brightlodge with rumors about a malicious ghost and a spate of unsolved deaths in the nearby mining town of Grayrock? Unless Albion’s new Heroes can find the answer, the dawn of a new age could be extinguished before it even begins. 

My thoughts:

I have always meant to read a Hines book. This was not his world though. Instead it was based in a game called Fable. Truth be told I have not heard of that game, I am not a gamer (though I do like games) so I cannot say a lot about that. What I do know is that he obviously brings the humour I have heard so much into this story. I so need to read his original works too. Oh and a note, it works perfectly like this, I did not need to know the game to read the book. But those who know it would sure like it too.

Right. So this is country called Albion, the king is a ghost. The new king is young, and rather foolish. Heroes are not even remembered in legend, but they are back! Yes some folks seem to be born heroes. And they all come to the king's city.

First we have 4 heroes trying to find out why a tavern was set on fire, then they hunt smugglers and redcaps.

4 other heroes goes to a mining town where a witch is killing people. Are these things connected? What is going on in Albion?

Female heroes! Just as kick-ass as the male ones. And no on looks twice at them, I loved that. Winter, Glory, they were all cool. As for the males, well I liked Leach cos he was a freaky thing that liked to dissect things.

These are heroes that are weird, who thinks only of saving people, who is not all that nice underneath. All heroes saving the world their way.

Conclusion:

The humour was the best thing. It was always there, it was never in your face. A funny fantasy book. 

Cover

Nice

Paperback, 336 pages
Published August 4th 2015 by Titan Books
Fantasy
For review

Only the animals - Ceridwen Dovey

Ten tales are told by the souls of animals killed in human conflicts in the past century or so, from a camel in colonial Australia to a cat in the trenches in World War I, from a bear starved to death during the siege of Sarajevo to a mussel that died in Pearl Harbour. Each narrator also pays homage to an author who has written imaginatively about animals during much the same time span: Henry Lawson, Colette, Kafka, Virginia Woolf, Tolstoy, Günter Grass, Julian Barnes, and others.

These stories are brilliantly plotted, exquisitely written, inevitably poignant but also playful and witty. They ask us to consider profound questions. Why do animals shock us into feeling things we can't seem to feel for other humans? Why do animals allow authors to say the unsayable? Why do we sometimes treat humans as animals, and animals as humans? Can fiction help us find moral meaning in a disillusioned world?

Ceridwen Dovey is a prodigiously gifted storyteller, an insightful thinker, and a prose writer of great range. Each of the storylines is an opening to a new way of considering the nature of violence and the relationship between human and animal experiences of the world. Only The Animals will ask you to believe again, just for a moment, in the redemptive power of reading and writing fiction.

My thoughts:

This is a book about animals. And they all get a chapter of their own.

The first one about a camel, well ...not a lot happened there.

The second one about a cat was better, and sad! A cat at the Western front. Meeting another cat, thinking about the owner, all while surviving. 

Then we had such a creepy tale about a chimpanzee writing letter to the wife of the man who trained him to act human. I mean it was really good, but creepy.

The next story was about a dog, whose owner was into Hinduism, Buddhism, and the dog started to think about karma. Interesting.

Then came the beatnick mussel on the road. Well written.

After that a sad tortoise who met interesting people before going into space.

Then an elephant story, they are just so sad you know. They try to live their lives while people are at war.

The bear story was not any happier. It took place in Sarajevo. The bear starved while another bear told a story about a prince.

The next one was about dolphins trained for war. All stories start with the death date of the animal, so they are not happy.

And last, about a parrot. The end hit me there, why oh why.

Conclusion:

Animals forgotten while people are at war. Animals trained for war. Animals just trying to live. I liked these stories. They are sad, thoughtful and quite wonderful. And they worked as short glimpses into a life of an animal.  Good book.

Paperback, 256 pages....Expected publication: August 18th 2015 by Atlantic Books ....Fiction.....For review

The Drowning City and The Wayfarer Redemption reviews

Symir -- the Drowning City. home to exiles and expatriates, pirates and smugglers. And violent revolutionaries who will stop at nothing to overthrow the corrupt Imperial government.

For Isyllt Iskaldur, necromancer and spy, the brewing revolution is a chance to prove herself to her crown. All she has to do is find and finance the revolutionaries, and help topple the palaces of Symir. But she is torn between her new friends and her duties, and the longer she stays in this monsoon-drenched city, the more intrigue she uncovers -- even the dead are plotting. 

As the waters rise and the dams crack, Isyllt must choose between her mission and the city she came to save. 

My thoughts:

I do not really know how to review this one, how to rate this one. My problem was that I neither liked or disliked this book. I felt that it was rather forgettable.

What was my issue? See I did not care bout anyone. I got confused way too much. Suddenly someone new was talking. Suddenly someone was dead. And I was all, when did that happen? I also found myself not even knowing what I was reading at the moment. So I did not really care bout the story either.

But it had promise, I still plan to read book 2 as I have it. But, that but again, I just feel meh about it.

As for the story, she was there to cause rebellion. Did not feel she did so. She had some guy who worked for her (meh), some woman (meh). They met someone in the city (meh.) Seriously the only interesting person was this weird man who investigated stuff.

Conclusion:

So I say, meh.

Cover

Cool

Paperback, 351 pages
Published September 1st 2009 by Orbit
The Necromancer Chronicles #1
Fantasy
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A millennia-old prophecy was given when the Forbidden Ones were driven from Achar. And now, the Acharites witness its manifestation: Achar is under attack by an evil lord from the North, Gorgreal-his ice demons strike from the sky and kill hundreds of brave warriors in the blink of an eye.

All Acharites believe the end is near.

One young woman, Faraday, betrothed of Duke Borneheld, learns that all she has been told about her people's history is untrue. While fleeing to safety from the dangerous land, Faraday, rides with Axis, legendary leader of the Axe-Wielders-and hated half-brother of Borneheld-and a man Faraday secretly loves although it would be death to admit it. She embarks on a journey, which will change her life forever, in search of the true nature of her people.

This grand and heroic story tells the tale of one woman's plight to learn the truth of her people and change their hearts and their minds forever. She fights against oppressive forces to share this reality and will not desist until everyone knows. . . . . The truth of the Star Gate 

My thoughts:

Sigh. This is not the way you want to book 1 to end. With a feeling that I will not read more. Not even if the library had it!

The first 300 pages has promise. Even with the instalove. Seriously why are those two in love?!?! They did not really talk for a long time, they just are. Whatever.

The world was interesting. Humans pushed out two other races and forgot about them. Because humans are stupid. They all lived in harmony once. And now darkness is coming, and humans are still stupid. Seriously two other races, leave and let the humans rot.

The hero was...confused most of the time.

The heroine was a Mary Sue. Chosen, beautiful *eyeroll*

Then I started to get bored, then I started to skim. 

So for that ok first half it gets an ok. After that it just got boring and ridiculous . I would not recommend it.

Conclusion:

So I did what anyone would do, read reviews of the other 5 books so that I wont have to think about. It seems this is a trilogy that continues with another trilogy 40 years later. And that one sounded effed up, incest and all kind of weird stuff. Not to mention that this trilogy spirals out of control too 

Cover

Cool, but no one looked like that

Mass Market Paperback, 629 pages
Published September 17th 2001 by TOR Fantasy (first published July 5th 1995)
The Axis Trilogy #1
Fantasy
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