#FitReaders Check-In: October 30, 2015 and Mia's Scandal

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

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Sat, 1,5 h walk
Sun, 1 h walk
Mon, 8 km bike
Tue, 8 km bike, 1 h workout class
Wed, 4 k bike, 1 h zumba
Thu, 8 km bike, 45 min zumba toning
Fri, 4 km bike, 30 min walk

Billionaire Oscar Balfour’s daughters are the darlings of the tabloid press – so it’s no surprise that the arrival of an illegitimate Balfour girl sends the gossip columns wild! Mia needs to learn the gilt-edged ways of his world fast. Brooding Greek tycoon Nikos takes her on as his personal assistant. Can he come to her rescue?

My thoughts:

The old school captures Mia better. She is a naive, innocent, I might have missed if she was a virgin or not. But it would have fit. Oh and, I can't say that cos it was a spoiler but it was SO harlequin.

Anyway, poor Cinderella, I mean Mia, lived in Tuscany and never had any money. Poor Mia. Then she found out that her dad was RICH! So she went to him. Bad luck though, he was tired of his kids and wanted them to learn things so he sends Mia to a friend of his. A rich greek, who is a playboy and uses them and leaves them. Oh and he is a total ass. 

He bosses her around. She likes him (I guess cos he is hot), he is annoyed by her. They will get it on, there will be drama and they will live happily ever after.

Hmmm, would I read more, no. So I guess it was ok then, but almost good.

ebook, Mills & Boon Special Releases
Published December 1st 2010 by Mills & Boon
The Balfour Brides #1
Contemporary romance
Own

Early Review: Night Moves - Sierra Dean

Holden Chancery has the world in the palm of his hand. He's an editor for GQ, a celebrated photographer is featuring his portrait in a gallery show, and he can have any woman he wants.

Too bad the woman he wants would rather see him dead.

Now Holden has one night to decide if he should help would-be vampire hunter Felicia discover her true calling, or hang her out to dry. It would be easier to decide if she didn't happen to make him feel more alive than he has in two hundred years.

Learn more about the vampire who would come to be a favorite for fans of the Secret McQueen novels. And find out what made him the man Secret fell for. 

My thoughts:

Oh, it was so short. Sadness! I wanted more Holden. Though I do confess I was never Team Holden. I liked him, but there were other teams *wink wink read Secret*

Holden in the 80s, despairing about mullets, LOL. Well they are ugly, I am with you there Holden.

It takes place during one evening. He meets a woman named Felicia. She hunts vampires, he is a vampire. Should he help out?

Holden is hot..oh I should say more? He is kind in his jaded way.

Felicia is out of her league. But who can blame her.

I can not really say more, I will spoil the whole thing then.

Conclusion:

I do want more of Holden. Oh how I miss the gang.

ebook, 47 pages
Expected publication: November 2nd 2015 by Sierra Dean
Holden Chancery, #1
Urban fantasy
For review

Conspiracy of Angels - Michelle Belanger

Zack Westland awakens on the shore of Lake Erie, his memory gone. Assaulted by powerful psychic fragments, he learns that he belongs to a tribe of angels—one of several living on Earth since the Blood Wars. Pursued by cacodaimons intent on killing him—again—he seeks to end war between the tribes.

My thoughts

This was one of those book that I just did not realize how much I had read before  I looked at the page numbers. Suddenly I was on page 100, so obviously I had to read on. But I did stop at page 300,  I mean I had to get something done that evening. So I finished it in the morning instead ;) This book shows lot of promise, I hope it will get better and better.

I do like the amnesia premise. Zach wakes up and knows nothing, so we know nothing. Little by little we learn of different tribes of angels, the wars they have fought, and the conspiracy that Zach tried to get to the bottom of. He is in danger, but he does not know why. There is mystery and suspense thrown into this UF.

Zach, well he does not know much, duh. But he seems nerdy with his pop culture references and love of languages (some things he remembers, we will see why later). But is he good or not? He feels he is, but then he knows nothing. But I liked him. He is a good guy.

Helping him later on he has someone calling himself his brother, I was so unsure about Remy all the way through. And Lilli, who was a breath of fresh air. She never stopped, aye I liked her.

I think the reason why I read it so fast but did not know it, is, oh maybe page 1 was heavy? But the rest just flowed? Anyhow, like I said, it shows promise and was a good start to a new series.

Conclusion:

I look forward to reading more of this  series, everything is good for now, but everything is so not ok in the world. Intriguing.  I need to know how it all plays out.

Cover

Ok

Paperback, 368 pages
Published October 27th 2015 by Titan Books
Shadowside #1
Urban fantasy
For review

An Ancient Peace - Tanya Huff

The first book of a thrilling new military science fiction spin-off of Tanya Huff's Confederation series.

Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr had been the very model of a Confederation Marine. But when she learned the truth about the war the Confederation was fighting, she left the military for good. But Torin couldn’t walk away from preserving and protecting everything the Confederation represented. Instead, she drew together an elite corps of friends and allies to take on covert missions that the Justice Department and the Corps could not—or would not—officially touch. 

Ancient H’san grave goods are showing up on the black market—grave goods from just before the formation of the Confederation, when the H’san gave up war and buried their planet-destroying weapons. Someone is searching for these weapons and they’re very close to finding them. 

Fortunately, only the Corps Intelligence Service has this information. Unfortunately, they can do nothing about it. Though Torin Kerr and her team are no longer a part of the military, the six of them tackling the H’san defenses  are the only chance the Confederation has. The only chance to avoid millions more dead. 

My thoughts:

So yes this is the start of a new series, but be warned, it's also book 6 of her adventures. But new series and all. In that way, yes it could work as a standalone. But you would miss how she fought in their wars, had her adventures, found a conspiracy, and ended up with Craig. But, sure it works like it is.

Torin is ex-marine. She is tough nails and she was so very military. But the previous series threw some punches and now she is out. But when you are out, they pull you back in! She has her crew, they get a job and they take it.

The world may be at peace, but those others are still out there. Some humans are making noise about humans first. Other alien races not touched by the war is all murderers, idiots! When you have Elder races, telling younger races to fight their wars, while middle races sit it out, oh will this confederation really last? And now someone is trying to steal big bad weapons. Peace in space, not an easy thing to have.

This is military scifi. There will be fights, tech, weapons and lots and lots of danger. Those H'San sure knew how to invent stuff. But it's not non stop action all the way. Torin still has time to worry about a teammate, who really needs someone of his own kind (long story, but they really really need others). She is a good woman.

Conclusion

I do wonder where this new business will take them. Lots of space still to explore.

Cover

Cool

Paperback, 400 pages
Published October 6th 2015 by Titan Books
Peacekeeper, #1, Confederation #6
Sci.fi
For revew

What happens under the mistletoe anthology

Stunned by the heat of an unexpected kiss on a cold winter’s eve, two strangers from vastly different worlds turn hotheaded principles into burning passion in Sabrina Jeffries’s delightful yuletide story, The Heiress and the Hothead. In the snowy Scottish countryside, Karen Hawkins’s rakish duke has an unforgettable holiday encounter in Twelve Kisses when the alluring lady he surprises under the mistletoe is not who he expected, but a long-lost love with a score to settle. In By Any Other Name, Edinburgh is aglitter for Christmastime as Candace Camp sends a curious gentleman in hot pursuit of an intriguing lady in disguise—one who refuses to reveal her true identity, though she fears he has already stolen her heart with his kiss. In Sweet Ruin, will the festive spirit of the season sweep Meredith Duran’s feisty heroine beneath the mistletoe—and back into the arms of the dashing rogue whose carelessness soiled her reputation and sent her into exile in London?

My thoughts:

The heiress and the hothead by Sabrina Jeffries

Lord Stephen writes angry news articles about mills. Amanda owns mills. The whole mill thing was not exactly romantic (only North and South can do that.) But they will dance around each other and fall in love.

But that smexy scene, seriously. No, not then and there. Ugh.

Twelve kisses to midnight by Karen Hawkins

I have a problem. I forget short stories SO FAST. Luckily I had written lovers trapped by snow cos I can hardly remembering that the story ended. Just general feelings now by those words.

So yes former lovers meet, are trapped, and realises they still like each other. I'd read more of her books.

By any other name by Candance Camp

A woman in disguise is trying to help her brother. And a man finds her fascinating and tries to find out more about her. And that is the story, he searches, he finds, he searches, he finds

Sweetest regret by Meredith Duran

I liked this one. A couple that used to be in love meet again. They are angry. Something went wrong. Everything happens during a house party. Def the best of the novellas in this anthology. A nice holiday feeling too. 

Conclusion;
An anthology where I actually liked all the stories ;) Yes that does not happen a lot. But to be fair there were only 4, and I do like holiday novellas so that helped. They were cute and nice stories.

Cover

Nice, but heads would be better

Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Expected publication: October 27th 2015 by Pocket Books
Sinful Suitors #1.5
Historical romance
NetGalley

One wild winter's eve - Anne Barton

As the Duke of Huntford's sister, Lady Rose Sherbourne follows the rules of well-bred society. Always chaperoned. Never engaging in unseemly behavior. Well, except for that one summer, years ago. And yet she's never been able to forget that handsome stable master or the stolen moments they shared. She's always wondered what might have happened if he hadn't disappeared without a word... Now she's about to find out. 

Charles Holland never expected to see Lady Rose again. And yet the years haven't lessened his devotion—or his desire—in any way. Despite their differences in class, Charles cannot stop himself from wanting to possess her. But as they uncover one intimate secret after another about her family, they realize that, this time, their love may come at a very dear price... 

My thoughts:

Yes it was different, I do not see this very often. Rose is the sister of a duke. Charles works in the stables. See!

Rose was sweet, a tad bit too naive.

Charles was hardworking and wanted something more from his life.

They are so wrong for each other, and so right.

What I did not like is what I was never clear why her mother did some things...

Oh I am rambling. Rose and Charles meet again. She is no longer mute from shock, and he is now a steward. But she is still out of his reach. She is looking for her mother. He can't help himself, he wants to help out.

So they look for secrets, and can't help themselves ;)

Grrrr, there is this woman in it, no spoilers, but I started to loathe her! You can only imagine that the road to love is not without hurdles.

Conclusion:

I did like the story, but to be honest, her family would never have allowed them to be together. But the family is nice and all (as if).

Cover

nice

Kindle Edition, 300ish?
Expected publication: October 27th 2015 by Forever
Honeycote #4
Historical romance
Netgalley

Carole's Sunday Review: Steering to freedom - Patrick Gabridge

Author: Patrick Gabridge

Title: Steering to Freedom

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: ebook

First Published: May 2015

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

A troubled country, a courageous heart, and the struggle for freedom. 

In May 1862, Robert Smalls, a slave and ship’s pilot in Charleston, South Carolina, crafts a daring plan to steal the steamship Planter and deliver it, along with, the crew and their families to the Union blockade. After risking his life to escape slavery, Robert faces an even more difficult challenge: convincing Abraham Lincoln to enlist black troops. Based on a true story, Steering to Freedom tells the powerful and inspirational story of a young man who becomes the first black captain of a US military ship, while struggling to navigate a path to freedom for himself, his family, and his people. 

I was not aware that this was based off a true story while I was reading this. I guess I stink at reading summaries lately, because this is the third book that has thrown me a loop. Not a bad thing, but I'm getting lazy with the summaries, I just glance at it and start it.

Anyways...

This was good. It was a nice story and I had never heard of Robert Smalls before, but I have limited experience with the water battles with the American Civil War, most of my reading and knowledge relates to the land war, so it was a nice change to this genre. The author did an excellent job with not only bringing the world to life, but the characters to life as well. I felt so bad for Robert, but he was so brave. Kuddos to him for not only stealing a Confederate ship and freeing himself, his family, and others, but for enlisting as the first black captain of a US military ship as well.

There were a few dry spots, but the majority of the time I could barely put down my kindle. Its so hard to write this review, because there is so much I want to say, but I worry about spoilers. Of course I looked up the real story and the man was amazing. I am surprised I had never heard of him in the past.

The ending was good. Since I had no knowledge of the real story, it took me by surprise and I actually really liked it.

In the end, I really liked it. It was good. I recommend it for those that like historical fiction based on truth. I would love to see this turned into a movie or TV show. :D Out of five stars, I stamp this 4 stars. 

#FitReaders Check-In: October 23, 2015

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

Join in :D

Sat 1.15 h walk
Sun, 1 h walk
Mon, 15 km bike
Tue, 8 km bike, 1 h workout class, 1 h yoga
Wed, 4 km bike, 1 h zumba
Thu, 8 km bike, 45 min zumba toning
Fri, 4 km bike

Half a war - Joe Abercrombie

Words are weapons

Princess Skara has seen all she loved made blood and ashes. She is left with only words. But the right words can be as deadly as any blade. She must conquer her fears and sharpen her wits to a lethal edge if she is to reclaim her birthright.

Only half a war is fought with swords

The deep-cunning Father Yarvi has walked a long road from crippled slave to king’s minister. He has made allies of old foes and stitched together an uneasy peace. But now the ruthless Grandmother Wexen has raised the greatest army since the elves made war on God, and put Bright Yilling at its head – a man who worships no god but Death.

Sometimes one must fight evil with evil

Some – like Thorn Bathu and the sword-bearer Raith – are born to fight, perhaps to die. Others – like Brand the smith and Koll the wood-carver – would rather stand in the light. But when Mother War spreads her iron wings, she may cast the whole Shattered Sea into darkness...

My thoughts:

I liked it, but I am also unsure and I felt that certain things...I will try to explain.

I was never a fan of Skara, one of the POVS in this one. She went from what I felt was naive princess to super speaker. Everyone adored her. I do not like people that everyone adores.

Yarvi, dang it, I disliked him at times, many times. And I hated that. He was book 1. Book 1 was the best in this trilogy, and here he is so changed. A fool.

Koll, apprentice POV, a bit meh. Thorn, warrior woman showed up for a few lines. She is cool. Yarvis mum the golden queen is always cool. Gorm the king was an idiot. Rathi's POV, meh.

Oh and this religion sucks ass. All the Mothers as they are called should be put into the ocean without a ship.

So the elves looked like them. Sigh. Fine, post apocalyptic world. But why is it always a Feudal Europe? I get that we would get thrown back when everything fails, but we would still remember and progress would be made.

I still liked it, but it was the weak one of the bunch. And everyone had a unhappy ending in my opninion. I get that he is grim and all, but most everyone be denied something?

I get that war is bad and revenge sucks, but hello, these are warriors and they learn that lesson now. HA, I know it, and I have never been to war.

I just feel like I have more neg things to say than pos one, it's just, the ending sucked...for everyone. 

Good, but with many flaws. Read book 1 and be done.

Cover

God, that fire is ugly

Hardcover, 500 pages
Published July 16th 2015 by Harper Voyager
Shattered Sea #3
Fantasy YA
Library

The Secrets of Drearcliff Grange School - Kim Newman

A week after Mother found her sleeping on the ceiling, Amy Thomsett is delivered to her new school, Drearcliff Grange in Somerset. Although it looks like a regular boarding school, Amy learns that Drearcliff girls are special, the daughters of criminal masterminds, outlaw scientists and master magicians. Several of the pupils also have special gifts like Amy’s, and when one of the girls in her dormitory is abducted by a mysterious group in black hoods, Amy forms a secret, superpowered society called the Moth Club to rescue their friend. They soon discover that the Hooded Conspiracy runs through the School, and it's up to the Moth Club to get to the heart of it. 

My thoughts:

I read a lot a lot of boarding school books when I was young. I always wanted to attend one too, it seemed fun. Giggles, smuggled candy, horse back riding. Very posh, and very British, yes they were all British schools.

This school is not like the others. Yes there are dorms, and different wings. Our heroine Amy ends up in Desdemona and shares a room with 4 other girls. One with quick fingers, one a bandit princess and one a lady. She soon realizes that she is not alone, there are other unusual girls like her there. Ok stop here for a moment.

The unusuals are mentioned a lot. So it does seem like the public are aware of these others and are perfectly jolly fine with it. Some of them are good and helped in WW1, Some turn bad.

But this school is not just for those few. All sorts of strange folks sends their girls there. There are ladies, there are thieves, there are daughters of criminal masterminds.

Let's call it a supernatural suspense. They are soon on their first case, but then things does turn darker. Not scary dark, just eerie. What is going on? The school turns unfriendly (not that is was perfect to begin with with those punishments!). I'd be afraid to walk in those hallways.

And at the end, all is well. The road there is just dark.

Was this YA or Adult? Who knows. It fits both I'd say.

Conclusion:

I enjoyed this book. I'd read more about this school too. But then Newman does have that dark touch. From the 2 books I have read (and 1 novella). He puts an interesting twist on what he does.

Cover

I'd like some color

Paperback, 400 pages
Expected publication: October 23rd 2015 by Titan Books
Supernatural suspense
For review

Eight grave after dark - Darynda Jones

Charley Davidson has enough going on without having to worry about twelve hellhounds hot on her trail. She is, after all, incredibly pregnant and feeling like she could pop at any moment. But, just her luck, twelve deadly beasts from hell have chosen this time to escape onto our plane, and they've made Charley their target. And so she takes refuge at the only place she thinks they can't get to her: the grounds of an abandoned convent. Of course, if hellhounds aren't enough, Charley also has a new case to hold her attention: the decades-old murder of a newly-vowed nun she keeps seeing in the shadows of the convent.

Add to that the still unsolved murder of her father, the strange behavior of her husband, and Charley's tendency to attract the, shall we say, undead, and she has her hands full...but also tied.

My thoughts:

I did like, I did read it fast, but, oh I just wish it would end! I read the blurb for book 9 and it was SUCH a filler. It was more than a filler, it seemed like a book about nothing. But that is book 9, this is book 8.

Charley is very very very preggers, about to burst. They are hiding at a convent since hellhounds are after them.

We have a wedding.

We have angry hellhounds.

We have Reyes sneaking around.

A new arrival.

Searching for her dad's killer

Wondering what the Vatican is up to.

Wondering what Lucifer is up to.

But yes I enjoyed it, but yes I also wish it would end soon. A series that goes on and on, they tend to turn sour. It has not happened yet but I am scared. 

Cover

boring

Paperback, 297 pages
Published October 6th 2015 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Charley Davidson #8
Paranormal suspense
Own

The madness of Cthulhu vol 2

​THE MADNESS GROWS

Recognized as Lovecraft’s masterpiece of terror, At the Mountains of Madness has or decades inspired dread in his readers and sparked the imaginations of the most hallowed practitioners of fantastic fiction. Taking the essence of his horrific vision, these modern masters have crafted new tales of the fantastic... 

My thoughts:

And now an anthology about the one whose name should not be spoken. We get different settings, different names. But those old ones just do not let go.

Here are my thoughts. I will try to make it short.

20 000 years under the sea by KEVIN J. ANDERSON

A captain Nemo story. A mystery island. Nice story.

Tsathoggua's breath by Brian Stableford

Ohh a viking story. I liked that. It was about a settlement on Greenland.

The door beneath by Alan Dean Foster

This time the Russians play with things they should not. Interesting.

Dead man walking by William F.Nolan

A detective story. It felt a bit noir.

A crazy mistake by Nancy Kilpatrick

I liked this one, but then I love mythology. It even made me want to study again.

The anatomy lesson by Cody Goodfellow

This one was pretty weird.

The hollow sky by Jason C.Eckhardt

An Antarctica story. Oh those spogghots (sp?). They are creepy evil SOBs.

The last ones by Mark Howard Jones

A story set in Ireland. Nice story and dark ending.

A footnote in the black budger by Jonathan Mayberry

I really should learn not to stop reading in the middle of short stories. Or maybe I was just not into it.

Deep fracture by Steve Rasnic Tem

A mining town. And a rather evil ending that made me curious.

The dream stone by Donald Tyson

2 friends and a weird stone. Creepy factor in this one, I was all what is going on?!

The blood in my mouth by LAIRD BARRON

A couple meeting falling in love. And again what is going on? More please.

On the shores of destruction by karen Haber

He is everywhere is he not.

Object 00922UU by Eric and Greg Bear

A sci-fi story. Nice change, but not for me.

You know the drill. Some were good. Some were meh. Some made me want more. Some had that thrill factor. They were all different even though they were about the old ones all of them. There are many ways you can go with this it seems.

Conclusion:

Nice for the spooky month. But yes it was not spooky, just a bit..unnerving at times. Like..do we really know what is hidden..do we?

Paperback, 304 pages
Expected publication: October 20th 2015 by Titan Books
Horror
For review

Shopaholic to the stars - Sophie Kinsella

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) has stars in her eyes. She and her daughter, Minnie, have joined husband Luke in LA—city of herbal smoothies, multimillion-dollar yoga retreats, and the lure of celebrity. Luke is there to help manage the career of famous actress Sage Seymour—and Becky is convinced she is destined to be Sage’s personal stylist, and go from there to every A-list celebrity in Hollywood! But things become complicated when Becky joins the team of Sage’s archrival. How will charming and supportive Luke deal with this conflict? Is it possible that what Becky wants most will end up hurting those she loves most?

My thoughts:

Yes I enjoyed it, sadly I only laughed two times. But I enjoyed it, it was light, sort of funny, and I could read it fast. And now I have to tear the book apart.

Omg people! You call yourself friends?! Please some stage a real intervention and pack Becky off to rehab!!! If it was drugs she would be hooking in the streets by now. The poor girl needs help. Not just a stern look or a headshake, silly Becky spent too much money again. Omg the girl needs help!!! And she making her kid like her too, which we saw in an earlier book. This is horrible really.

REHAB!!!!!!!!!

Why Luke stays with her, god only knows. Seriously the stunts she pulls. I would be out of there. She can not change. He "tries" to help, try for real and put her in rehab. Or leave her.

The book were amusing at one point, but these last few, no. There comes a time when I only see the bad things. When the laughs die. Let the series end now, and get the woman some help.

Cover

cute

Paperback, 393 pages
Published September 25th 2014 by Bantam Press
Shopaholic #7
Chiclit
Library

Joint Book Discussion: The Forsaken - Lisa Stasse

This month Carole and I will be reading "The Forsaken" by Lisa Stasse.

Author: Lisa Stasse
Title: The Forsaken (Forsaken #1)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Dystopia, Action/Adventure, & Romance
Pages: 432
First Published: July 2012
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Alenna Shawcross is a sixteen-year-old orphan growing up in a police state formed from the ashes of Canada, the US and Mexico after a global economic meltdown. 

But when she unexpectedly fails ‘the test’ - a government initiative which supposedly identifies teens destined to be criminals - she wakes up alone on a remote island reserved for the criminally insane. 

Terrified and confused, she soon encounters a group of other teen survivors battling to stay alive, including Liam, a boy who will become her love... and her lifeline. Soon Alenna makes the terrifying discovery that there’s more to the island (and her past) than she could ever have guessed... But who can she trust? And can she ever escape? 

C: *waves* Hi!

B: Oh there you are! Let’s get started then.

C: So, what did you think?

B: It did have potential, despite the storylines being stolen from other books. I just felt that it fell apart on the actual writing. It was written by a 14 year old, well felt like that. Sorry kids!

C: Agreed. It had great potential and I actually really did like it. I get it’s YA, but why did it have feel and so overly YA?

B: So YA! The only thing missing was a love triangle. Instead we have the girl who is unnoticed and suddenly everyone likes her. She falls for a boy super fast, and the book was all about dialogue, and silly dramas! Omg people are trying to kill you. Get your lives in order!!

C: I know! Dating or making out with the village hottie would be last one my mind if I was thrown on Island in the middle of war between two “tribes”. ESPECIALLY with the Drones running around. They were INSANE?!  And if you think about it...there was a mini triangle. The friend, Gadya had dated Liam before the main girl got on the Island. I liked Gadya at first, but then I realized she was such a drama Queen.

B: I did not see that as a triangle, a triangle in my head would have been David. Yikes girl, what was with this obsession with David?! Oh and speaking of hotties and the island. The whole you can kiss but not more. HA! They are teenagers, like they would stop there, war and all. It felt so perfect. The whole village was so super sweet and perfect.

C: was oddly hoping that the main girl would end up with David. But yeah she obsessed with him! I mean...yeah...he was the first one she saw and he helped her, but good lord. I wish that they had not been teenagers. I wish they all had been early 20s. Also….there was a plot-hole that has been eating away at me...HOW IN THE WORLD DID 16-18 years old know how to make truth serum, tan boar hides, and so forth?! They come from a world where they would never had learned such “uncivilized”/survival things like that.

B: True. They would not even have been able to get a fire started. To know what to eat. Those kids would die without even being at war. I would have died. Though the hide, don’t they use pee? But hey to even skin that animal...yeah. I’d be dead, probably from thirst since that kills first. But I guess these were super smart special kids. HA!

C: LOL! But yeah...I would survive until I had to kill something or I’d die from eating bad berries. 0_0

B: Dehydration from shitting yourself to death. That is what they all would die from.

C: Yup. Speaking of death...there was a hell of lot of it in this one! This is the one thing that made it a little less YA...so much murdering and suffering!

B: Until the deaths the writing was even MG. But yup, a lot died. And the enemy camp, horrid. I just wish she would have, gods how to put it, made it even darker. If that was life it would be even darker. You have already killed a lot so make it as dark as YA can handle. But wasn’t the heroine lucky since she only had to be there like 2 weeks before they decided to see if anything can be done. Or is that a spoiler?

C: Not really a spoiler, because the whole premise is escaping of that island. ;) I agree...I wish it was darker especially with those psychos. WHICH...no spoilers….what did you think/feel about the reveal of The Monk - the leader of the drones?

B: I was actually expecting someone else, hint hint. But I liked it, I just did not find it very plausible…

C: Honestly, so was I. I liked it...but...ugh I can’t think of a way without giving away spoilers - I just wanted more explanation from The Monk. It seemed like a stretch that it was who it was, but it did totally surprise me.

B: I was surprised too. I was not surprised about how their trying to escape went. Whatever, people had been trying for years. And, well then I was surprised again and wanted more answers

C: Yeah, it was no surprise how the escape plan would end up. SMH. Did they really think it would that easy?

B: Also without spoiling, the revelation, I felt that was weird. That much is not needed for what is needed if you catch my meaning.

C: Oh yeah...I felt it was over -the-top in a way. But I guess it was a way to make us (readers) hate the evil government even more.

B: It only made me question the productivity of the government and oh..well they can’t be so smart since it is said in the beginning that they made smart people disappear. Well that explains a lot ;)

C: hahaha true. It shouldn’t be too hard to overthrow them. xD There are like 2 more books out there and it probably deals with that.

B: I did think the book was good at first, then I realized it was only ok. Why? Cos I am not gonna read more. Instead I read reviews of book 3 and feel happy about that. I am done ;)

C: The beginning was meh for me and it did get better. It was still okay overall. However, I am content with just reading this one; I pretty much can guess what is going to happen next. I am curious, though, how they are going to save everyone that was left behind…

B: Oh I am sure it will be easy. Not like in the real world. Oh, right, I do not really recommend this book. There are better kids stuck on an island, or kids killing each other books out there. Better dystopia books too.

C: I only recommend it to those looking for a quick read. It was quick and entertaining to a point, but yes, there are WAY better dystopia books out there.

B: The end?

C: The end!!! Your turn hehe

B: Hmmmmmmm ;)

#FitReaders Check-in: October 16, 2015 and dnfs

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

Join in :D

Saturday 1 h walk

Sunday too busy :/

Monday 10 km bike, 1 h workout class

Tuesday 8 km bike, 1 h workout class, 1 h yoga

Wednesday 2 h bike

Thursday 30 min walk and 1 h walk

Friday 30 min walk

Monday's workout class was cruel! Omg, so very very cruel. I think I stopped once to drink cos the teacher just kept on going and going and going and going. I think I will stick to the one on Tue instead 0_0

I tried to take some pics of The awesome northern lights we had, but my camera is crap so here is Luci instead

DNF time

Yes that time again, but please, please! do not feel sorry for me! I download several books a week. I have almost 2000 ebooks. I will never read them in my lifetime. Even if I DNF as I do. I am harsh! Only ok, HA, ok is not good enough when there are 2000 more waiting in the wings.

Darcy and Elizabeth by Linda Berdoll
I tried this one years ago and gave up. I give it another go and gave up. It kept jumping in time. I want a story not a blah blah blah

Cody by Kimberly Raye
Another I must have her! book

Colorado Abduction by Cassie Miles
Wow, these shorties are so BOOM BOOM. DNF

The unconventional mistress by Juliet Landon
Yawn, and I gave up. DNf

Bought destitute and defiant by Sarah Morgan
It's so short so everything happened at once and I was all yawn

Wicked rake, defiant mistress by Ann Lethbridge
Really...really?! Dnf

Love me by Bella Andre
Boom, then they were at it. And why could she not date her brother in law. They were both single. Stupid. dnf

The billionaire's ultimate catch by Michelle Monkou
It's not that it was bad, no, the stuff I read was ok. Just...I have like 1000 freebies. To read all the ok ones. Nah. DNF

Caressed by moonlight by Amanda J Greene
It was ok until the I must have her! And the aunt, srsl?

Fatal Destiny
Meh meh meh

Emergency wife
Yawn, what? Dnf

Historical Friday: Unlaced / Duchess of Love

All Lucy Abbington wants is to get through her first London season without losing sight of her true ambition—gaining some informal training in veterinary arts so that she can retire peacefully to the countryside with her beloved horses. Instead, she’s caught up in a whirlwind of balls, marriage proposals, and ton intrigues. Worse, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to her sponsors’ maddening neighbor, Henry Ashton, the Marquess of Mandeville. The handsome, arrogant, sometimes infuriating Mandeville stokes a passionate fire within her that won’t be denied, no matter the consequence.

Deep, emotional scars secretly plague Henry, Lord Mandeville. As a result, he’s avoided romantic entanglements at all costs. Only, now he needs a wife—someone from a wealthy, powerful family to further his political aspirations. Instead, he finds himself all but obsessed with the beautiful but unconventional Lucy Abbington—a woman whose passions and wit stir desires he’d rather ignore. And yet…she might just be the one woman who can heal his wounded heart.

Lucy and Henry’s heads say no, but their hearts say yes. Will they find themselves undone by love? 

My thoughts:

Lucy was different, but a woman of her time..no. Did I believe her family and friends would let her be like that, eh, not really. She dressed in pants, rode like a man, rushed to care for animals. Maybe if we had take 1 of 3 it would have been better ;)

Still, kudos to her for being all, I shall be a vet! And stupid men for not letting her be one.

Right so first we have her struggle to educate herself. Then we have bitches talking behind her back about how strange she is. Oh the pox on you bitches!

Then we have the romance part. The family she is staying with has a mysterious neighbor. Hello love interest. Aye, poor Henry hates his mum, his fiancee left him. He has issues. He wants a woman of the ton, and one with money and connections. Oh no, see, Lucy has none of that. And Henry is a bit of an asshole about the whole thing. Men, aholes.

Conclusion:

They meet, they dance around, people are mean and they live happily ever after. I enjoyed it

Cover

eh

Kindle Edition, 261 pages
Published May 12th 2014 (first published 2004)
Undone by Love #1, Ashton/Rosemoor #1
Historical romance
Own

The day was as hot as the pond was inviting. It’s not as if anyone in Little Huffington was going to happen upon a secluded vale on the Duke of Greycliffe’s lands. And Venus Collingswood didn’t want to get her shift all wet. It was the perfect setting in which to plan her lovely bookworm of a sister’s betrothal to the mysterious new duke arriving seven days hence. If only she had a suitable accomplice…

Andrew Valentine, Duke of Greycliffe, never thought arriving at his own household a week early would cause so much trouble. The housekeeper thinks he’s his own cousin. Actually, the chance to not be the duke for a while is a pleasant opportunity indeed. It might even help him interrogate the delectable little nymph he’s discovered swimming in his pond—if he can manage to get a word in edgewise…

My thoughts:

Venus is the daughter of the local priest, and her entire family are bookworms. A Duke is coming to town. Let the drama and laughs begin.

Venus was fun and carefree. Andrew, the Duke, just wants to be liked for the person he is, and not for the Duke he is. They meet, he likes her, she starts to like him. Her sister meets his cousin. Stupid bimbos show up (Oh pestilence upon ye!).

And they all live happily ever after. It was a cute novella. I'd read more.

Cover

Cute

Kindle Edition, 106 pages
Published April 24th 2012 by Zebra
Duchess of Love 0.5
Historical romance
Own

Steampunk Thursday: The Girl in the Steel Corset / Prudence

This edition: BONUS BOOK INCLUDED, The Strange Case of Finley Jayne 

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne -98 pages

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one... except the "thing" inside her.

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch.

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her and says she's special, says she's one of them . The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets, against the wises of his band of misfits. And Finley thinks she might finally be a part of something, finally fit in-until a criminal mastermind known as Machinist threatens to tear the group apart... 

My thoughts:

This one included the prequel novella The Strange Case of Finley Jayne -98 pages. I liked that one, it gave me a better look at Finley, and it stood well on its own. I actually liked it more than the actual book.

On the strengths and weaknesses of the actual book, I would say that read the prequel. Without I doubt I would have liked Finley like I did. And I do hate that. This novella could have been in the actual book, do not make us read it later or before. I hate that. Cos if you do not know about it you miss out. Not cool.

Finley is a strange girl, we find out why later on. She meets a strange bunch of youngsters and befriends them. They are hunting for someone, she does not join in. She is just around.

And then boom! Love triangle. WHy oh why! The first guy is such a boring loser. The other guy, oh whatever, yes he is a bad boy but he has so much character, while the first has no personality.

But love triangle aside, it was a good book. I did like the novella the most, so that was a shame. I would read more if the library had them, but to buy...one word, love triangle. Recommend...sure, why not. But be warned, love triangle! Really, why did there have to be a love triangle!? I liked it so much until then. I still recommend it to YA steampunk lovers though.

Cover

Nice

Paperback, 476 pages
Published April 17th 2012 by Harlequin Teen
Steampunk Chronicles #1
Steampunk romance YA
Library

When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama (Rue to her friends) is given an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female would under similar circumstances - names it the Spotted Crumpet and floats to India in pursuit of the perfect cup of tea.

But India has more than just tea on offer. Rue stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier's wife, and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis and an embarrassing lack of bloomers, what else is a young lady of good breeding to do but turn metanatural and find out everyone's secrets, even thousand-year-old fuzzy ones? 

My thoughts:

I was thinking of giving this one an ok rating, but, did I think it as ok? Did I like a single thing about it?

Not really.

Every single character was an idiot. So freaking annoying. I would not want to be friends with any of them. I would not even want to be in the room with any of them. I did meet 3 previous characters, but even they had changed.

The book tried WAY too hard. WAAAAAAY! No, that is not funny. No, that is not cute. That is pushing it beyond. It was trying. It was exhausting to read.

There was no plot. Suddenly there was one. And I was all, this makes no sense. I do not like this. I would have DNFed if I had not loved Soulless, but even that series turned sour at the end. 

I do not recommend reading this series.

Cover

The only good thing about the book

Paperback, 343 pages
Published March 19th 2015 by Orbit
The Custard Protocol #1
Steampunk
Own

Contemporary Wednesday:The Sweetest Thing /Forever After

Tully Morgan hasn’t been back to Marietta for more than a few brief visits since the night of the 1996 senior prom eighteen years ago, when the chance exposure of a long-held family secret sent her running to her uncle in California in shock. She stood up her date Ren Fletcher that night, and she hasn’t seen him since. 

Now she’s here for an extended stay, to help take care of her seriously ill mother. It’s an edgy reconciliation, the first time that Tully, Patty and Sugar Morgan have been together since that long ago prom night. Tully has had so much anger toward Sugar… can she ever forgive her? 

And Sugar still has one more secret that needs to be dealt with, one that needs Ren Fletcher’s help. Has he forgiven Tully for leaving him in the lurch on prom night? And is there any chance that he and Tully can rekindle what they might once have had, when he’s still tied to someone else? 

My thoughts:

Tully comes back to her hometown to take care of her mother and sick sister. She is kind, normal, and does seem lonely and only focused a job she does not love.

One part of the book is her reconciling with her sister, and caring for her sister and mother. And the big secret, and it was actually pretty big and it gives an explanation why she did not come back a lot.

The other part is the romance and that had me worried. See Ren is married when the book starts, sure his wife is a bit bitchy and they both seem tired of each other. Sure they do separate, but still...it had me worried. Him being so newly divorced, and only separated at first. It's the whole second woman thing, the whole rebound thing. But as it came together it just made me wish they had been together since that prom they should have had. So sad. She made it work.

But I enjoyed their story, and the town. The whole something sad happened at the prom, eh, not so much, especially not since that is the theme in the rest of the books too. Yes I get it, someone died. You people need a shrink if you dwell this long. 

Conclusion:

Back to base. I'd read more.

Cover

cute

Kindle Edition, 318 pages
Published January 7th 2014 by Tule Publishing
Montana Riverbend #2
Contemporary romance
Own

Wedding bells are in the air, but single mom Gwynneth Jacobs and Hollywood mega star Gareth Connor are finding that the road to matrimony is anything but smooth. Each thinks they’re doing what’s best for the other, but with everything from the paparazzi to an overzealous wedding planner getting in their way, they may have lost touch with what exactly that is. With Gwyn developing decidedly cold feet over the whole event, can they reconnect with what’s truly important in time for their upcoming nuptials? Or will they have to face the possibility their lives may just be too different after all? 

My thoughts:

I read book 1 where Gareth and Gwynneth met and fell in love. This novella is the story about their wedding, and the pressure on her as he is famous.

The novella does stand on its own, but I do say read book 1 first. There you get their lovestory, and that is what we love after all.

But what this story does have is a cliffie. But do not worry, it is not about the wedding! It's about someone else. So now I am curious about book 2.

Kindle Edition, 77 pages
Published February 12th 2015 by Michem Publishing
Ever After #1.5
Contemporary romance
Own

The Duke and Miss Christmas - Amelia Grey

Crispin, the Duke of Hurst, has never met a woman he couldn't handle--until he's hit over the head with a basketful of mistletoe by a young lady who mistakes his intentions. When he gets into a tussle with her--and she can hold her own--Crispin knows he has finally met his match.

Miss Gwen Prim is mortified that she attacked a duke, but even more concerning is the way her resolve melts when she's near him. She's never felt this way about a gentleman in her life. And with the magic of Christmas in the air, she may end up with a proposal she didn't expect...

My thoughts:

I did want more, this should so have been a full length novel. I like her writing and the characters were fun.

Crispin, our Duke, has some woman issues in his past (he was an ass it seems). But since I have not read the previous books I could not be that mad. He seemed nice and reformed.

Gwen, she was nice, she loved her sisters, and she had an incident in her past. Men can be such fools!

They meet, with a BANG! Since it is a novella things does progress fast. But I could see the attraction, even if they acted upon it very fast.

Conclusion:
A nice holiday novella with a HEA.

Kindle Edition, 100ish?
Publication: October 13th 2015 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
The Heirs' Club of Scoundrels Trilogy #2.5
Historical romance
NG