The Somnambulist and the Psychic Thief - Lisa Tuttle

Should you find yourself in need of a discreet investigation into any sort of mystery, crime or puzzling circumstances, think of Jesperson and Lane . . .

Should you find yourself in need of a discreet investigation into any sort of mystery, crime or puzzling circumstances, think of Jesperson and Lane . . .

For several years Miss Lane was companion, amanuensis, collaborator and friend to the lady known to the Psychical Societs only as Miss X - until she discovered that Miss X was actually a fraud.

Now she works with Mr Jasper Jesperson as a consulting detective, but the cases are not as plentiful as they might be and money is getting tight - until a case that reaches across the entirety of London lands in their laps.

It concerns a somnambulist, the disappearance of several mediums, and a cat stuck up a tree . . . the links with the cat are negligible, but there is only one team that can investigate the seemingly supernatural disappearances of the psychics and defy the nefarious purpose behind them.

Jesperson and Lane, at your service. 

My thoughts:

Miss Lane was a clever and practical woman, all good things in a main character. She realised that the woman she worked for was a fraud and left before everything fell apart. Not the most practical thing to do, I confess, but Miss Lane is lucky and found a new job.

Mr Jesperson was more the Sherlock Holmes of the two. He sees things others misses, he is an original to be sure. But also a perfect gentleman, and gives her a chance as his assistant.

They were a perfect mix and completed each other so well. She was the yang to his ying. I also kind of wish now that in future books they will fall madly in love with each other and have cute clever babies, awwww. But hey friendship is good too, just awww!

These two set out to solve their first crimes. A sleep walker, and mediums disappearing. Two cases that proves hard to crack. And it was nice watching them trying to solve these cases and the heat turns up at the end of the book.

Conclusion:
A great story, and I do want to read the next book to see what kind of case they get. Two great main characters and a lovely atmosphere through out the book

cover
meh

Paperback, 416 pages
Published June 16th 2016 by Jo Fletcher Books
The Curious Affair Of #1
Historical mystery
For review

Stormswept - Deborah Martin

The first wedding night that Lady Juliana St. Albans spent with the dark and daring Rhys Vaughan was intoxicating, the heady culmination of her new husband’s driving hunger and her own awakened sensuality. When he mysteriously disappeared the next morning, she waited for him in hope and desperation. And when he was finally proclaimed dead in a shipwreck, she bitterly mourned the loss of her love.

The second wedding night that Juliana spent with Rhys Vaughan was six years later, after he returned to claim her just as she was about to wed another. This Rhys was different—bolder, harder, and convinced that she’d betrayed him. Only their blazing passion remains from their years apart. But is it enough to light their way through the maze of mystery, menace, and mistrust—to the love they once shared and would have to find again? 

My thoughts:

I did want to hit Rhys over the head a few times, oh you know me, I always want to hit book characters over the head!

Rhys and Juliana met and fell in love, in secret of course. And married, in secret of course. They were enemies after all.

Juliana was sweet and naive. And I did not mind, how could she be any other way?

While Rhys wanted to save his Wales, and could not help falling for her. Though he had some issues.

And this book is all about those issues. See he disappears and comes back with one big chip on his shoulder. And I was all Hold up! You are angry? She could be angry too! And I wish she had been mad too. He is all You betrayed me! And he is so nasty about it. I wanted her to stop explaining and just be that mad too. She had every right. But that was not her.

I also had some fears when I realised it was written in the 90s, cos he was so angry. And well at least 80s book can go a bit too far, but it never did. And I am glad it did not. Rhys is mad, just not crazy.

I must mention that her brother is an ass. And I want to hit him, but at the same time I kind of wanted a book with him. So he could redeem himself, but since it was written 20 years ago then that has passed.

Conclusion:
A good book where 2 lovers has to find each other again and find forgiveness and trust.

Cover
I could do with a head

Kindle Edition, 400 pages
Published June 28th 2016 by Pocket Books (first published September 1st 1995)
Wales #1
Historical romance
NG

Hope and Red - Jon Skovron

In a fracturing empire spread across savage seas, two young people from different cultures find common purpose. A nameless girl is the lone survivor when her village is massacred by biomancers, mystical servants of the emperor. Named after her lost village, Bleak Hope is secretly trained by a master Vinchen warrior as an instrument of vengeance. A boy becomes an orphan on the squalid streets of New Laven and is adopted by one of the most notorious women of the criminal underworld, given the name Red, and trained as a thief and con artist. When a ganglord named Deadface Drem strikes a bargain with the biomancers to consolidate and rule all the slums of New Laven, the worlds of Hope and Red come crashing together, and their unlikely alliance takes them further than either could have dreamed possible. 

My thoughts:

Gangs, warriors, pirates and thieves;

First there is Bleak Hope (not her real name, that would be rather depressing), who ends up with a bunch of monks and becomes a warrior. A truly kick ass warrior who is all about honor. So she lives on her island and trains and..well duh, leaves so the stories can become one.

Then there is Red, a thief who lives in a city ruled by gangs, that is the underworld is ruled by them. The Imps patrol the rest and protect the good folk. As for Red, aye I liked him, he had grown up differently and was kinder cos of it. He also had that smile you can not say no to.

Oh and there is some pirating in there too ;)

And creepy magicians called Biomancers and those are really really evil, I did not see a single one one do a good thing. You will see.

Conclusion;
Ass-kicking, pirating, running, danger and an ending that made me all whaat? What next?! More is sure in store for us, and I am curious.

Cover
eh

Paperback, 416 pages
Expected publication: June 28h 2016 by Orbit
Empire of Storms Trilogy #1
Fantasy
NG

Audio Reviews: Code Name Verity, The Jester, Professional Integrity

Oct. 11th, 1943—A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy? 

My thoughts:

There are things in this review I can not tell, things that happen later, but I really can not say anything, so I will focus on the story being told in the beginning.

We have Maddie, who loves flying and working on engines. She is working on getting her license, and she is a woman in a man's world, but she loves it. But then obviously the war starts and she she will join in the only way she can. Ferrying planes. We also see how she meet her best friend Queenie.

But all of this is told in France, when the Gestapo is trying to get out every piece of information. Having her write it on whatever they can find. And the story is told. The crash, life in England, info on planes and such.

And there is also another story told, but hey, I already said I could not speak of it...

It took me almost a year to listen to it. Not that it was bad, but because I first had the book on my old phone, and then I got a new one and sigh, not compatible since I refuse to upgrade to win10 cos that sucks. SO put it in my old mp3 player...and yes it took some time to listen to it. But I was never bored, I think I had a rocky start but can not remember. I even started crying when out walking once cos it got sad, and I am so glad I did not meet anyone on that walk.

Is this YA? I guess so, bloody sad YA if so. With the torture and well war and so on...

Conclusion:
But it was good, and the narrator did a great job.

cover
meh

Audiobook, 10 pages
Published June 6th 2012 by Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
Code Name Verity #1
Historical fiction / YA
OWN
Morven Christie (Narrator), Lucy Gaskell (Narrator)

WHO WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH?
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. A thief, a candlemaker, an ex-mercenary, and a pig farmer walk into a trap…and what happens to them is no joke. When Riyria is hired to retrieve a jester’s treasure, Royce and Hadrian must match wits with a dwarf who proves to be anything but a fool. Difficult choices will need to be made, and in the end those who laugh last do so because they are the only ones to survive.

My thoughts:
A short story with Royce and Hadrian in a tight spot. There is humour, and a good little adventure. I can't say a lot really. They were like stuck in a cave most of the time trying to get out. It was good, and I have missed these guys.

Audible Audio, unabridged Audible download, 33 pages
Published January 17th 2014 by Audible Studios
Riyria #2.5, The Riyria Chronicles
Tim Gerard Reynolds (Narrator)
Fantasy
Own

Several years have passed since the war-weary mercenary Hadrian and cynical ex-assassin Royce joined forces to start their thieves-for-hire organization better known as Riyria. Things have gone well enough for the team as they do "jobs" for various nobles throughout Elan. Usually that means stealing something, but when a young heiress asks them to steal her…well, that's a first for the pair. All is not as it seems, but Royce is determined to get the bottom of what's actually going on. After all, he has his professional integrity at stake.

Originally released in the Blackguards anthology published by Ragnarok Publications, this is a standalone short story of 10,800 words. No prior knowledge of The Riyria Revelations or The Riyria Chronicles is required to enjoy it.

My thoughts:
A great narration.

Hadrian and Royce is an awesome pairing. They do bring out the best and worst in each other ;)

I like Sullivan's dry wit.

And last, a good little story to listen to

Audible Audio, unabridged Aubible download, 1 page
Published June 3rd 2015 by Audible Studios
Riyria #2.6, The Riyria Chronicles
Fantasy
Own

Joint Discussion: Golden Son - Pierce Brown

This month Carole and I will be discussing "Golden Son" by Pierce Brown

Author: Pierce Brown

Title: Golden Son (Red Rising #2)

Genre: Sci-FI, Fantasy, & YA

Pages: ebook

First Published: January 6th 2015

Where I Got It: My shelf (Bought on Amazon)

Golden Son continues the stunning saga of Darrow, a rebel forged by tragedy, battling to lead his oppressed people to freedom from the overlords of a brutal elitist future built on lies. Now fully embedded among the Gold ruling class, Darrow continues his work to bring down Society from within.

A life-or-death tale of vengeance with an unforgettable hero at its heart.

B: I am thinking of this book, and he will totally die at the end of book 3 wont he? Ok let’s start then ;)

‘

C: LOL oh I bet he will in the third. Where shall we start? Maybe the beginning? What did you think?

B: was bored, again! I am sorry, but Brown is not good at beginnings. He does not make me want to read on, but at the same time there is something pulling me to read more, he just does not make it easy. So I read and skimmed a bit, but then at 200ish..again! I started to focus and really liked it.

C: Honestly, I think he tries to hard to have the beginning be gripping and it fails. I was not hooked until the last 50 pages. The whole book went like a blur for me. I….I….just couldn’t care about the characters or what was happening until near the end.

B: OH so this one was much worse for you then! I did like it...after page 200. But then they really started killing each other then, and for some reason he brings out the bloodthirsty monster in me and I am all kill kill kill!!!!!

C: Those were certainly the most entertaining parts! I feel this series does bring out the inner Golds in all of us. ;) I was wondering and hoping for the next battle and fight. Those moments were fun. The storyline and character-building were total mehs for me. I did not care. I just wanted the fun parts!

B: Lol, well the bloody parts are fun :D He is good at that. And…*thinking* eeeeeh, well he is good at that! Hmmm, I really do not care about a lot of other things when I think about it. He makes me a Gold like you say. All for the blood and gore. Those goorydamn Golds are insane. I mean honestly, fucking insane.

C: 0_0 The Golds scare me! They are insane! I do wonder though….how in the hell is this considered a YA????????!!!!!!! SO MUCH GORE AND LANGUAGE! Holy cow.

B: I was thinking the same. First, I mean he is older now. And his age compared to us, he has killed so many so he is not really 20, he feels like 30. I am babbling. Anyway then there is the blood and gore. Sure it is not that explicit, but it also never feels like YA. At least there was not any rapes in this one. I can not get over the rapes in the previous ones. If I have to compare anything to NA (which I still do not get), I’d make this that.

C: No rapes, but a love triangle of sorts. Which was silly and unnecessary to the plot. In real life, Darrow would not be forming any love attachments especially to the gal who is the daughter of the dude that issued the execution of his wife. Makes no sense to me. Silly and not realistic.

B: I would not call it a love triangle. She f’s someone for the sake of her house. She does not love him, he does not love her. BUT, yes I do not get how he likes her, her father killed his wife! But then again, he did not know that when he fell for her. I also feel like the Mustang in the book is gone, the glorious warrior, the one in this book is rather lame. Oh oh! When he dies in book 3, and he totally will, she will take the power and blah blah blah

C: She prolly will. IDK. It just all seemed silly any hint at any romance or crushes. Darrow...you are there to CRUSH the Golds. Gah. But yes...that ending was good. Had me slightly interested in moving forward just to see how he gets out of it.

B: God I know! I will be totally bored, but I HAVE to read the next one. I want to start it at once, cos it was so daaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn good. I was all eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!! Best thing about the book really.

C: LOL so you don’t wanna wait til next month and read this and discuss it? Hehehehe. I’m on the fence on moving forward. I may just to say I did.

B: It depends...what do you think? I can wait. I can brace myself since I know that the first part will bore me, and that I will get mad when he dies...I can so not get over that. Why am I so convinced he will die? I think it was because of secrets spilled.

C: We can totally read it together. I will if you will. ;) With stories like these the hero normally dies and those who he “changed” will take charge and make this a perfect world. Normally how it goes. I’d be damned surprised if he makes it out alive. Maybe we shall be surprised and the beginning will be the best part. LOLLLLL

B: Yes! And the ending will suck when he dies. There is just not a future here for him, he is a conqueror, he will die when his work is done and I will be so damn mad and hate the author forever. You do not kill the main character at the end! Arghh, I already hate him just thinking about it.

But ok, it’s a date. I did have something else to say, I must think about it...you say something …

C: Mhmmmmm. I just hope the next one is better than this. The first was good, but this is not. I am hoping the next one will make reading this one worth it. IDK - I really so no other way to make it possible for Darrow to live. I’m neutral if he lives or dies just as long as the Gold regime is ended. GADS I hate the Golds! They are blood thirsty monsters. Especially the main baddie - the Jackal or whatever he calls himself. Loony.

B: I think this one overall was better, since the beginning was not as boring as book 1. That beginning made me want to DNF it. So for that this one was better. And I remembered what to say! I think my main concern with these books is Darrow, I like the guy. But I do not believe his transformation. He was not a rebel, a warrior, a god in disguise when he was a slave. I just felt like he should have shown more of that character already back then. He went from a nobody that would have died in the mud to a conqueror...eh, I can not believe that. But still, I like him.

C: He’s okay. But like you I believe the transformation is unbelievable. It should have taken him YEARS to be prepared for that world.

B: This should have been an adult book. He could have begun his journey at 16 like here, but he would have been with the Sons for years preparing and then going to the Academy in his 20s.

C: I believe you have to be a certain age to join the Academy, but they could have easily lied about his age or something. He needed more time for me to believe it. Oh well - I guess the author wasn’t thinking too technically on this aspect….he just wanted to get the guy running. LOL

B: This is the fantasy version in my mind, and in my mind they do not send out kids to rape each other. Instead they send out 20 year olds, they can kill each other. They might be better mentally prepared and not so vicious ;)

C: Oh for sure, but the Golds are mental….I’m surprised they didn’t send them out there at the age of 10 with guns and shit.

B: True...I think that would actually have fit the book better. Send out the kids in their tweens to kill each other and the survivors can go forth. I mean they are all insane so why not.

C: Honestly, there wouldn’t have been rape! They are 10-12...so they are old enough to “survive” and kill. LOL speaking of the insanity of the Golds…..if you were forced to pick a color, which one would you pick? I feel this book gave more back story on the other colors.

B: I must say that 10-12 would be better, at that age I was a head taller than the boys so the girl would have fared better. It is not fare sending them out at 16, that is a disaster in the making. I still do not get why not all the girls just assassinate them afterwards.

I would, hmm, Pixie. Just be lazy but still Gold cos Golds to rule and in this world I want to rule. All others are treated like crap.

Oh and I liked the Obsidian backstory.

C: Oh yes! It would make it way more fair….16 the boys at top of their physical strength and I hate to say they are going to be stronger than 90% of the girls. I wasn’t taller than any of the boys at 10 (I’ve always been a short one), but I could take care of myself, but at 16? No way!

I was leaning towards the Pinks, buuuut I read that they kidnap the kids and rape them and make them a Pink. No way for that house. I am leaning toward Pixie myself.

B: Told you, do not want to belong to the Whore Cast. Pixie it is. This world is insane and needs to BURN! At 16 I was still taller than most, but at the same time, not fair.

C: Not fair at all….so anything else to add?

B: Nope, not really. We will continue with this effed up world :)

C: Huzzah! Can’t wait for Darrow and his pals to burn this world!

B: Burn baby burn!

C: LOL the end?

B:The end.

Saturday Scribbling Challenge

This is a fun little writing challenge that Carole and I have come up with! We each challenge each other with the selected theme. 

The second challenge is a mix of a photo and a quote. Of course, feel free to join in and share your own stories with the selected theme of the month! 

This month we chose a theme...classic art. Fun!

First... Carole's challenge to me

Mirror Mirror by Blodeuedd

"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"

"You Snow White, you are the fairest in the land."

She turned away with a bitter smile. She might be fair now, but 10 years of marriage, of child birth and neglect did not maken you more beautiful. She had been so fair back then, young and pretty. Happy to have met her Prince. Her prince who had kissed a seemingly dead woman. She really should have understood that something was wrong with him back then. Instead they had married, and she had suffered through their marriage and cold marriage bed. He did what he said was his duty, but as she was not dead anymore, she held no interest to him. She shivered at the thought, and how he had tried to, now she would not think of those dark times. It still gave her nightmares. It still made her throat ache, the need to take deep breaths filled her lungs and she closed her eyes. Do not think of that. She moved on.

She gave the mirror one last look. It was her curse, and she knew that one day it would say someone else. Another pretty name. And that day the bitter resentment would fill her, and fill her with a need to hunt and kill. She already felt it looking  at the young maidens coming to court. All pretty and young. Even her own daughter promised to be a beauty when growing up. All while Snow would fade. She was only 24, but felt so old, so old compared to the ones her husband favored. She was a matron. An old woman with 6 children.

She closed the door behind her and locked it. This was her chambers, her dirty secret. How she would stare into that mirror for hours.  How the longing would fill her, the longing to stay young and beautiful forever. She knew her wizard was cooking up new potions for her, to make her skin glow, her hair grow longer and darken. Her...she hurried her steps, lost in thought. She had to be fairest of them all.





Now, my challenge to Carole:

Freedom and Green Ribbon by Carole Rae

The snow was melting as Lady Elspeth stared down at the rows and rows of soldiers forming. The sounds of metal and wood clashing disturbed the morning silence and peace. Yells of orders carried on the wind. Lady Elspeth gently placed her hand on the window ledge and the other hand on the side of the window. Her face was stone cold, but if you looked deeply in her eyes you could see the pain and despair.

Today was the day.

Today was the day she may never see her beloved husband again. The day her infant son would be raised with his father. Today was the day the war began.

Her husband’s troops trained and waited all winter for the snow to melt, so they could begin their journey to fight for freedom. Lady Elspeth wanted freedom as much as any other good Scottish woman, but at what cost? Why did freedom have to cost nonstop bloodshed? Why could freedom not be won by words of persuasion? The English King was barbaric, but the right words and the person could influence the King? However, this was a man’s world and the world was full of fighting, pride, and blood. It was a shame. If only this was a woman’s world. Maybe someday.

“Come from that window. You are letting in a chill!” Demanded Lady Elspeth’s mother-in-law, who sat bundled up in furs by the fireplace.

“In a moment, Mother.” She replied. With a sigh, she took in the winter breeze. As she was about to shut the window. A familiar man came into view on his gallant black and white horse. He walked the horse under the window.

With a strong voice he yelled up, “Elspeth! Elspeth my love! Give me your smile!”

Lady Elspeth’s stone face melted away with a glorious smile. She replied, “You are nothing but a charmer dear husband!”

He and many of the men around him laughed.

Lady Elspeth continued, “Dear husband! You best come back in tact! Here,” She took her ribbon from her hair and dropped it down to her husband, “take this piece of me. It’ll remind you to come home!”

Her husband jumped off his horse and fetched the green ribbon that held together the braid from Lady Elspeth’s hair. He inhaled the smell of her hair from it. With a smile up at her, he wrapped the ribbon around the hilt of his sword, “I fight for the freedom of not only Scotland….but of my wife and son! May they live in a world where they can be free!” Without another word, he jumped back up on his horse and led the troops forward.

Lady Elspeth’s smile hardened back to stone. She waved a last goodbye and closed the window. 

Looking For Me - Beth Hoffman and #FitReaders Check-In: June 24, 2016

Teddi Overman found her life’s passion in turning other people’s castoffs into beautifully restored antiques. Leaving her hardscrabble Kentucky childhood behind, Teddi opens her own store in Charleston. She builds a life as unexpected and quirky as her many customers, but nothing alleviates the haunting uncertainty she’s felt since her brother Josh mysteriously disappeared. When signs emerge that Josh might still be alive, Teddi returns to Kentucky, embarking on a journey that could help her come to terms with her shattered family—and find herself. 

My thoughts:

It was good, but I do confess that I expected more. The last book I read by the author had such wonderful charm, and it was that part that was lacking here. I liked that charm in that other one, aye it was lovely.

But this book is about Teddi who loves antiques, she leaves home for a new town just to find a way to work with that. I liked her spirit and her drive. But at the same time, this was all that she loved. She did not feel it, but I felt like she missed out on things.

There is also the story of her brother who went missing long ago. What really happened? And that gives us flashbacks to her childhood and up to him going missing. Her brother was...strange.

Conclusion:
It was a good story, but yes I knew there could have been more, so I missed that.

Cover
The feathers look cool RL

Paperback, 368 pages
Published April 29th 2014 by Penguin Books (first published 2013)
Fiction
Own

----------------------------

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Join in!

Sun 1 h walk

Mon 1 h walk

Tue 1 h walk

Wed 45 min walk

Thu 30 min walk

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Drive you wild - Jennifer Bernard

Kilby Catfish left-fielder Trevor Stark is a ballpark legend. With his good looks, hitting records, and played-for-the-fans arrogance, Trevor makes women lose their minds and men lose their cool. But every time the major league team comes calling, Trevor purposely keeps himself in the tiny Texas town. Why is heart-tuggingly top secret. Until the team owner’s daughter comes to Kilby . . . trying everything up her sexy sleeve to make Trevor talk.

Divorced and disillusioned at twenty-four, Paige Mattingly Austin Taylor is suddenly starting fresh as an intern at Catfish Stadium. She should want nothing to do with the sinfully hot ballplayer her dad warned her to stay away from. But when she discovers what Trevor is hiding from everyone, she realizes there’s much more to him than his face and multi-million-dollar arm. There’s a heart she seriously hopes to win. 

My thoughts:

Ok so I understood why Trevor was the way he was. He needed to stay in the minor league cos else baddies would find him, and kill him. So he gets into trouble, but he loves baseball. Poor man, he just wants to play. But still why play the first place! Or move somewhere else wont ya.

Also baseball is one boring sport...just saying ;) I am so not familiar with it.

Anyway, Abby comes back home after her husband cheated on her. He was an idiot. She starts working for her dad, and meets bad boy Trevor.

But he is bad news.

And she did just get a divorce from her idiot husband.

And there are bad guys after him so he keeps secrets.

But he is so fine, she thinks

And she is so nice, he thinks.

So they date, all while he worries about his past. A past that obviously will come calling to build a bit of suspense.

Conclusion:
There is romance, danger and baseball.

cover
eh

ebook, 384 pages
Expected publication: June 28th 2016 by Avon
Love Between the Bases #3
Contemporary romance
NG

Raining Love and Murder - Edie Ramer

An abandoned dog. A homeless veteran. A woman on the run. Her life in jeopardy. Sisters Dawn and Sunny stood together through the trauma of their childhoods and the fame they gained from Dawn's songwriting and Sunny's magical voice. But when Sunny marries the son of a cult leader, Dawn's life is in jeopardy. Taking on the identity of Raine, she goes to ground in a small Wisconsin town with a handsome innkeeper whose upbeat temperament is the antidote to her pain. Chuck's always been a good-time guy, and now that he's come up with a plan to help the town, no one in Trouble Bay thinks he's up to the hard work. Just as well that he has a new guest to deal with. A woman with secrets. A woman who who makes his heart beat faster. A woman in danger.

My thoughts:

Did I remember Chuck from that previous book I read? Hmm, dunno, BUT, I feel like I did and wanted his story. Lol, I sure hope I did like him if he made a fast appearance earlier then.

Edit!
You do not have to have read the previous books to read this one. It takes place in the same town, but different stories.

Chuck was a sweetie. He had been the easy going flirt, and the town did only see him as that. Which was a shame cos he is trying to change in this one (well not the flirting, but other things.) And even if everyone is protective of him, they were so holding him back.

Raine is on the run. Her sister married an ass, and with ass, I mean he, I just wanted to hit him and his dad. What a bunch of creeps. No wonder Raine, or Dawn as her name was, runs away to this little town. There lies the suspense. Will someone come after her and why? She is also a famous song writer, in the shadow of her singing sister.

There is also a second shorter story that pulled on the heart strings. A veteran called Todd lives on the street and he befriends a dog. It is as much the dog's story and I was so happy that these two met cos they healed each other. Todd needed something to live for, and so did the dog. It all comes together in the end too, the stories do connect.

Conclusion:
It was a romantic story, with bits of suspense and happy endings all around.

Cover
Not a sunny happy cover, and it fits

ebook, 284 pages
Published 2016 by Edie Ramer
Romantic suspense
For review

Where to find it:
Amazon - Amazon UK - AmazonCA - AmazonAU - BN - Google Play - iBooks

Duskfall - Christopher Husberg

Stuck with arrows and close to death, a man is pulled from the icy waters of the Gulf of Nahl. Winter, a seemingly quiet young fisherman’s daughter, harbours a secret addiction that threatens to destroy her. A young priestess, Cinzia, must face a long journey home to protect her church from rebellion. A rebellion sparked by her sister. 

Three characters on different paths will be brought together by fate on one thrilling and perilous adventure. 

My thoughts:

I have trouble thinking of something clever so I will just jump right in;

We have 3 main POVS. The first one is Knot, a stranger found in the ocean and saved by fishermen. He has amnesia, and secrets that wants out, secrets that will kill. And as he does not know who is is, I did not know what to make of him. So I liked him, because he seemed nice ( but oh those secrets that we learn little by little.) I so need to know it all.

Then there is Winter. A young Tiellan woman who marries Knot. First, the Tiellans are those that gets persecuted in this world, and called Elfs (which here is a really bad word). They are not humans. Their numbers are dwindling, and the reality is that if you kill one, then no one will care. We gets bits of pieces from history, but I would love to know more how they ended up like this. Back to Winter, she wants more, and one thing I liked about her story is that she shows how "human" she is. She truly has flaws like everyone.

Then there is Cinzia. I can not say she was my fav, she was a priestess, and religion always sucks. Here they are all We rule, anyone else can suck it. But she is not bad, so I can not dislike her, she sees the flaws in her religion. Her story takes her to her hometown where Heretics are growing stronger.

And in the end all this stories will connect once more. Because something bigger is going on. We can not have good fantasy without a world falling apart, and it will do so with a bang.

And the end, well, yes it does end with a sort of cliffie. You know, all is kind of good for now, but the place is going to hell. So of course you want more then cos you have to know how it all will end.

Conclusion:
It was easy and fast to read. A good and interesting story, and characters I wanted more from. I can't wait to see what happens next



Cover
Hmmm, kind of cool

Paperback, 400 pages
Expected publication: June 21st 2016 by Titan Books
Chaos Queen #1
Fantasy
For review

Early Review: The curse of tenth grave - Darynda Jones

As a Part-time PI and fulltime grim reaper, Charley Davidson has asked a lot of questions throughout her life: Why can I see dead people? Who is the hot supernatural entity following me? How do I get gum out of my sister’s hair before she wakes up? But, “How do I trap not one malevolent god, but three?” was never among them. Until now. And since those gods are on earth to kill her daughter, she has little choice but to track them down, trap them, and cast them from this dimension.

There’s just one problem. One of the three stole her heart a very long time ago. Can the Razer, a god of absolute death and destruction, change his omniscient spots, or will his allegiances lie with his brothers?

Those are just a few of the questions Charley must answer, and quick. Add to that a homeless girl running for her life, an innocent man who’s been charged with murder, and a pendant made from god glass that has the entire supernatural world in an uproar, and Charley has her hands full. If she can manage to take care of the whole world-destroying-gods thing, we’re saved. If not, well… 

My thoughts:

I can write an early review since...well the same things that happened before happened again.

Charley is over her amnesia. She knows things about Reyes...and will learn more. Seriously, it just keeps on getting more and more confusing. Also I would like to see them use those powers they have. Wouldn't that be cool. They are supposedly so powerful..

I lost the thread. Right. Charley is on a case. But there are bigger things happening too, obviously. Everyone is after Beep. And that still breaks me, why oh why? Why can't they all be together!

Reyes is still mmmmm droolworthy, but the book needed more Reyes. I get that Charley is funny, but hey, more Reyes can never go wrong ;)

So yes the usual. A mystery. Some smexy time. A battle between Good and Evil. Blurry lines between Good and Evil. What is good and Evil. The whole Reyes and Charley meant to be becoming one big awww, so meant to be!

Conclusion:
But, I do feel like this series has started to stagnate. Before they got better and better, now they are sliding back again. Even if it is good, there is nothing new. They sell because they sell, and we get more. But..an ending would be good.

cover
meh

Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Expected publication: June 28th 2016 by St. Martin's Griffin
Charley Davidson #10
Urban fantasy romance
NG

Carole's Sunday Review: Forever and one week

Author: Caroline Cairn

Titles: Forever and One Week (Spirits of Saoradh #2)

Genre: Paranormal Romance & Fantasy

Pages: ebook

First Published: April 2016

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

The Spirits of Saoradh, who carry the guilt of a crime they committed when they were alive, now spend their ghostly days in the Void, dark nothingness where time and space are distorted. Until they get bound to a human. As often as needed, that human can call them to the real world, ask them to grant a wish, then send them back to the Void. The Spirits also have to follow strict rules or be punished, unaware that they can earn their redemption through a selfless sacrifice.

Spirit Logan despises the obedience he has to show to his humans, and prefers the enjoyable solitude of the Void. For three years, he has managed to threaten them into severing their bond, thus having his memory wiped of their existence. Except his latest human, an emotionless woman with a secret past, isn’t scared of him. Worse, she doesn’t care about his ability to make wishes come true.

Tessa, a twenty-six-year-old nursery teacher in Fort William, Scotland, doesn’t expect a sullen ghost only she can see and touch to burst through her solid defenses. Both dismayed and intrigued, she offers Logan a deal he can’t refuse: to live with her in the human world for one week, at the end of which she will agree to release him.

Slowly, Tessa braves through the safety of her detachment towards people to show Logan some kindness. But the more her feelings deepen, the more Logan increases his distance…

This is the second book of the series and I couldn't WAIT to get to reading it. It could stand alone decent, however, I would highly recommend that the first one be read first. The first book has more details and background and this book references the events of the last one a couple of times. 

Now, in this one Tessa is bonded to the spirit Logan, who would rather spend all of eternity in the Void. Tessa wouldn't mind being alone either, but a part of her is happy to not be alone anymore. After some events and lots of fights, Tessa makes a deal with Logan: be her friend for a week and at the end she will agree to release him and tell Addy (the lady who gifted Logan to her) to break the bond. Logan agrees. 

These two have a lot, and I mean A LOT, of baggage from their past they are trying to sort through. They both have done things that they regret and are weighing them done. Sad thing for Logan is that he can't remember everything about his past, so it makes it worse that a part of him won't let him remember. 

Now....I did not like Logan. He was a total jerk-o throughout 95% of the book. Yes, yes, he had done something bad and now he is steeped in guilt. He keeps his distance from Tessa, because he fears he may hurt her. I get it, but he was SUCH A BOOTY! I wanted to kick him. Once he got over himself, I was able to like-ish him. 

I loved the character, Tessa. She was a girl who really deserved to have an HEA. I felt so bad for her. But I loved how complex she was. I wanted more of her POV then Logan's. I wanted to know more about her. 

This was a lot of fun and it was a quick read. I feel it was smaller than the first one? Not quite sure, but I'm glad it was shorter. Honestly, I feel it could have been smaller. There were a couple of spots were I had to skim, but the rest of 98% had me absolutely hooked! I hope there are more books to come! I want to learn more about Aedan (spell?) and I hope he gets a HEA; he sooooo lonely and he's so nice. Poor guy...ghost...spirit...ghostly spirit guy.

In the end, this was a fun continuation of the series! I didn't like it nearly as much as the first book, but that is prolly because of the 2% of lull and Logan. Yes, I do feel pity for Logan, but he was not very nice to...anyone. I liked the rest of the cast and I liked the story. Love this world! I can't wait for more by this author. I do highly recommend this book, but I do advise to read the first one. Out of five stars, I shall stamp this with....mmmmmmmmmm, ummmmmmmmmm..........4.