Carole´s Monday: Alice the dagger

Author: Ashley Mcleo

Title: Alice the Dagger

Series: The Wonderland Court #1

Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, Romance 

Format: ebook

Pages: 420

Published: September 1, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

They call me the dagger.

I’m a famed assassin.

It's all I've ever known.

All that I can remember.

So when a white rabbit tells me that loved ones are waiting for me in the Wonderland Court of Faerie, it's surprising. And then, I learn something even more shocking.

The Red Queen stole the crown from my mother—who she murdered. The queen singlehandedly created my reality of death and blood and murder.

While that's devastating, I can handle it. As long as I get revenge.

What I don't know how to handle is Henri Hatter.

He’s a rebel leader loved by everyone. A man who sings in the streets because people ask for aether’s sake. A faerie who knows more about my past than anyone—including me.

A good man who could crush my heart if I let him in. Which I can't do.

Not if I want vengeance against the queen who ruined my life. Despite my claims that I work alone, Hatter and two nosey little pixies insist on sticking with me.

Only one thing is for sure, with them by my side assassinating the Red Queen will be unlike any other job I’ve ever tackled.

Review:

Randomly picked this up when going freebie crazy in Amazon. Wasn't even sure what this was about. The title and the cover drew me in and I threw it with the rest of the freebies. I didn't even read the summary when I started reading this. To my absolute surprise, it is a retelling of 'Alice in Wonderland'!

Here we follow Alice who was raised to be an assassin and a killer. She is only a few days shy of her 18th birthday and her contract is over so she can be free! That is until a white rabbit storms into her life. This white rabbit tells her that she has a family waiting for her in Wonderland, a land of Faes, and she is the only one who can save everyone from the Red Queen.

This was a lot of fun!! I was pleasantly surprised (as I mentioned earlier) that this is a retelling of the classic tale. When the white rabbit appeared...I was all WHAT? So I went and read the summary and realized the truth! How fun!

There is a sprinkle of romance *cough* lust *cough* but it doesn't take over the story. They have enough to deal with. I do hope they explore more in the next book but I'm glad we just saw glimmers here while they get the rebels and Alice ready to take on the Red Queen.

My only issue with this is the pace. The pace of the story felt super rushed in some areas and dragging in others. It was a little jarring. Moments that were building up would just happen and be done.

Other than that, I really did have fun with this. I love the world and the references, but this story is pretty fresh. 

In the end, I'll give this 4 stars. 

Audio: The Governess Game by Tessa Dare

 

By: Tessa Dare

Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells

Series: Girl Meets Duke, Book 2

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Release date: 08-28-18

Publisher: HarperAudio

From: Bookbeat.fi /Historical romance

I really should have written this at once when I still had the feel of things.

I liked this one, it was sweeter somehow than the spindle cove books. Alexandra takes a job as a governess, Chase is a Duke to be with two unruly wards. She does things her way, he just wants to do his thing.

And they fall madly in love and lust. And live happily ever after.

Cute, fun. A really fast listen

Great narration. She does an amazing job

After her livelihood slips through her fingers, Alexandra Mountbatten takes on an impossible post: transforming a pair of wild orphans into proper young ladies. However, the girls don’t need discipline. They need a loving home. Try telling that to their guardian, Chase Reynaud: duke’s heir in the streets and devil in the sheets. The ladies of London have tried—and failed—to make him settle down. Somehow, Alexandra must reach his heart . . . without risking her own.

'

Like any self-respecting libertine, Chase lives by one rule: no attachments. When a stubborn little governess tries to reform him, he decides to give her an education—in pleasure. That should prove he can’t be tamed. But Alexandra is more than he bargained for: clever, perceptive, passionate. She refuses to see him as a lost cause. Soon the walls around Chase’s heart are crumbling . . . and he’s in danger of falling, hard.

Audio: Lord Dashwood missed out by Tessa Dare

By: Tessa Dare

Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky

Series: Spindle Cove, Book 4.5

Length: 2 hrs and 59 mins

Release date: 12-08-15

Publisher: HarperAudio

From storytel.fi/historical romance

A novella, perfect and short!

Nora is on her way to Spindle Cove. Then she meets the man she write a paper on, and one that a lot of people read. Enter, bad weather and thrown together for the night.

It takes place during 24 hours so it is a short one. They will fall in lust, love and have some drama and then live happily ever after.

Short and nice. Saw some familiar faces

Good narration

Miss Elinora Browning grew up yearning for the handsome, intelligent lord-next-door…but he left England without a word of farewell. One night, inspired by a bit too much sherry, Nora poured out her heartbreak on paper. Lord Dashwood Missed Out was a love letter to every young lady who’d been overlooked by gentlemen—and an instant bestseller. Now she’s on her way to speak in Spindle Cove when snowy weather delays her coach. She’s forced to wait out the storm with the worst possible companion: Lord Dashwood himself.

And he finally seems to have noticed her.

George Travers, Lord Dashwood, has traveled the globe as a cartographer. He returned to England with the goal of marrying and creating an heir—only to find his reputation shredded by an audacious, vexingly attractive bluestocking and her poison pen. Lord Dashwood Missed Out, his arse. Since Nora Browning seems to believe he overlooked the passion of a lifetime, Dash challenges her to prove it.

She has one night.

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

9/19/2023 New to me authors: who have you discovered this year?

I have read a few authors I have not tried before, but even if there were some good ones, I do not know if I want to mention any of them. 

9/26/2023 Do you download freebies? Read free preview chapters?

10/3/2023 Do you enjoy multi-author anthologies?

10/10/2023 Zombie Apocalypse: What would you do?

10/17/2023 What is your favorite season? Why?

10/24/2023 What is your favorite supernatural creature?

10/31/2023 What is your favorite thing about Halloween?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Carole´s Monday. Say yes to the Marquess

 

Author: Tessa Dare

Narrator: Carmen Rose
Title: Say Yes to the Marquess

Series: Castles Ever After #2

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: December 30, 2014

Where I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Summary: 

After eight years of waiting for Piers Brandon, the wandering Marquess of Granville, to set a wedding date, Clio Whitmore has had enough. She's inherited a castle, scraped together some pride, and made plans to break her engagement.

Not if Rafe Brandon can help it. A ruthless prizefighter and notorious rake, Rafe is determined that Clio will marry his brother—even if he has to plan the dratted wedding himself.

So how does a hardened fighter cure a reluctant bride's cold feet?

● He starts with flowers. A wedding can't have too many flowers. Or harps. Or cakes.

● He lets her know she'll make a beautiful, desirable bride—and tries not to picture her as his.

● He doesn't kiss her.

● If he kisses her, he definitely doesn't kiss her again.

● When all else fails, he puts her in a stunning gown. And vows not to be nearby when the gown comes off.

● And no matter what—he doesn't fall in disastrous, hopeless love with the one woman he can never call his own.

Review:

I am def on a Tessa Dare kick. I already have another one of these ready to go. Hehehehe

Here we follow Rafe and Clio. Clio has been engaged to Piers, Rafe's brother, for 8 long years. She is told to be patient and keep waiting for him to return home. Now she has inherited her very own castle and now she is done waiting. She plans to end her engagement. Enter Rafe who will not let her break this wedding off even if it means he has to plan it himself. He made a promise to Piers to keep an eye on Clio and his dog. How will a hardened fighter like Rafe cure a bride's cold feet? He has a plan. 

This was so much fun. I loved Rafe and I loved Clio. They are so opposites but they fit together so nicely. They have known each other since they were kids but after she was engaged to his brother, their friendship went stale. Now they are back together and Rafe is trying to make sure Clio's cold feet don't end the wedding. I LOVED watching these two interact. I loved watching them get to know each other as adults. It was beautiful. They actually talked a lot. It was nice.

Whoops. Feelings happen. Kisses happen.....you can't stop love!

There were some mini-dramas here, but nothing over the top. Even when the inevitable happens of the wedding being called off, I liked how that was handled. 

I did want to slap Daphne and their late mother though. Terrible, terrible. So dang mean!!! Who cares if Clio is a little heavier????? Let her eat cake dammit. 

The narrator was fantastic. Loved how easily she flowed with different genders and even different accents. It was lovely here. 

In the end, this was one of my faves of Tessa Dare I think. Cute and fun and a great couple. 5 stars from me. 

 

Challenge(s):

- #37 for Audiobook challenge

Audio: A lady by midnight by Tessa Dare

By: Tessa Dare

Narrated by: Carolyn Morris

Series: Spindle Cove, Book 3

Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins

Release date: 12-17-13

Publisher: HarperAudio

Bookbeat.fi and Storytel.fi/historical romance

So I have been reading a few Dare books, and when I had 2 hours left of this one my subscription was finished. And I could do nothing until October!! I know I know. Obvi I said F it and went to the competition. But that was a week only offer so it is soon finished with Dare for a while.

But before that, Kate teaches piano in Spindle Cove. Corporal Thorne has been giving her the cold shoulder for a year. She wonder about her past, he wants nothing to do with his past.

And then they are thrown together. And they fancy each other, and things happen.

And the past comes knocking!

Omg Thorne, just tell her! Men!

Fun times. I was curious about one person but that person has no book so far...hmmm

Great narration as always

After years of fending for herself, Kate Taylor found friendship and acceptance in Spindle Cove—but she never stopped yearning for love. The very last place she'd look for it is in the arms of Corporal Thorne. The militia commander is as stone cold as he is brutally handsome. But when mysterious strangers come searching for Kate, Thorne steps forward as her fiancé. He claims to have only Kate's safety in mind. So why is there smoldering passion in his kiss?

Long ago, Samuel Thorne devoted his life to guarding Kate's happiness. He wants what's best for her, and he knows it's not marriage to a man like him. To outlast their temporary engagement, he must keep his hands off her tempting body and lock her warm smiles out of his withered heart. It's the toughest battle of this hardened warrior's life . . . and the first he seems destined to lose.

Audio: A night to Surrender by Tessa Dare

By: Tessa Dare

Narrated by: Carolyn Morris

Series: Spindle Cove, Book 1

Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins

Release date: 12-17-13

Publisher: HarperAudio

From: Bookbeat

Historical romance

Spindle Cove is a safe haven. Whether it is to hide from men, hide your flaws, get better from an illness, or find yourself. Spinster cove is the place to be.

Everyone looks up to and asks Susanna for help. And she likes the way this quiet village is.

Until an obnoxious soldier shows up. He is to form a militia, but where are the men?! Then he becomes an Earl too, and takes her castle.

Bram and Susanna butt heads through out the book. Until they start to butt heads in other ways.

I liked the village, the people, and yes I have read books in this series before so I know with whom some of the people end up with.

Their romance was more lusty, they had some drama to get over and then they lived happily ever after

Good narration too

Welcome to Spindle Cove, where the ladies with delicate constitutions come for the sea air, and men in their prime are . . . nowhere to be found.Or are they?

Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of well-bred young ladies: the painfully shy, young wives disenchanted with matrimony, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men; it is a haven for those who live there.

Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn’t belong here. So far as he can tell, there’s nothing in this place but spinsters . . . and sheep. But he has no choice, he has orders to gather a militia. It’s a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna Finch—a woman who is determined to save her personal utopia from the invasion of Bram’s makeshift army.

Susanna has no use for aggravating men; Bram has sworn off interfering women. The scene is set for an epic battle…but who can be named the winner when both have so much to lose?

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

9/12/2023 Libraries: do you prefer to visit in-person or check out on-line?

There is just something to browse in a real library. Going online is not the same thing, and I never check out online cos we have the worst section for English books online. So why would I bother. But what I actually do is I do reserve a lot online and pick it up at the book mobile

9/19/2023 New to me authors: who have you discovered this year?

9/26/2023 Do you download freebies? Read free preview chapters?

10/3/2023 Do you enjoy multi-author anthologies?

10/10/2023 Zombie Apocalypse: What would you do?

10/17/2023 What is your favorite season? Why?

10/24/2023 What is your favorite supernatural creature?

10/31/2023 What is your favorite thing about Halloween?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Carole´s Monday. Fake it till you bake it

Author: Jamie Wesley

Title: Fake It Till You Bake It

Genre: Contemporary, Sports Romance, Chick Lit

Format: ebook

Published: June 21, 2022

Where I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Summary: 

A reality star and a cupcake-baking football player pretend to be a couple in order to save his bakery in this sweet and sexy romance from Jamie Wesley, Fake It Till You Bake It.

Jada Townsend-Matthews is the most reviled woman in America after turning down a proposal on a reality dating show. When she comes home to lick her wounds, Jada finds herself working at San Diego's newest cupcake bakery, Sugar Blitz, alongside the uptight owner and professional football player Donovan Dell.

When a reporter mistakenly believes Jada and Donovan are an item, they realize they can use the misunderstanding to their advantage to help the struggling bakery and rehabilitate Jada's image. Faking a relationship should be simple, but sometimes love is the most unexpected ingredient.

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this while looking for a book with food on the cover (for this reading challenge). It's a fake romance and a sports romance JUST in time for the start of Football season....perfection. 

Here we follow Jada and Donovan. Jada is the most hated woman in America after her stint on a reality show. She turned down the proposal of America's sweetheart and now she is in hiding and nursing her wounds. Her grandmother decides enough is enough and forces Jada to go back into the world and get a job or she will take away Jada's trust fund. Enter in Sugar Blitz. Sugar Blitz is owned by Donovan who is a football player and Donovan owes a lot to Jada's granny so he agrees to take on this employee who doesn't know a lick about working in a bakery. When a reporter mistakenly believes Jada and Donovan are an item, they realize they can use this misunderstanding to their advantage. Help Jada's image AND get more customers for his bakery. Win-win.

This was a lot of fun. Two unlikely people who are SO made for each other. She is a hot mess and chaotic. He is a strict and uptight dude. They even each other out for sure. 

I loved the backdrop of the bakery. It made me want to munch on some cupcakes while reading this!! Seems unlikely a football player would own a bakery because we all know they rarely get to indulge. As unrealistic as this is.....it oddly was fitting after getting to know Donovan. He loves to bake and this allows him to be creative. It's an outlet of sorts.

Now....the ending felt..........off. I didn't agree with Jada's decision. Yes, they get their HEA but Jada HAD to throw in a last-minute dramatic impulsive decision. One would think she would've learned her lesson since all her troubles have been caused by decisions like this. Granted, it all works out in the end, but still. Seemed like an unnecessary moment. 

Other than that, I really did like this book. It had a fun set of characters and a fun bakery. I'm curious to see if we'll get a second book. The ending made it seem one of our sides might be getting their own love story! One can hope! I'll give this 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):

- #22 for Romance Reading Challenge - Food on cover

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

9/5/2023 Overnights, long weekends, a week away: What's your preference for a trip?

My preference is staying at home. I am not relaxed, and just feel tired after being away. But if I had to choose:

Overnight, no, too hurried.

A long weekend, nah

A week away. Now you are talking. Enough time to relax and take your time.

But you know the worst part is coming home, unpacking. See that is why I stay at home lol

9/12/2023 Libraries: do you prefer to visit in-person or check out on-line?

9/19/2023 New to me authors: who have you discovered this year?

9/26/2023 Do you download freebies? Read free preview chapters?

10/3/2023 Do you enjoy multi-author anthologies?

10/10/2023 Zombie Apocalypse: What would you do?

10/17/2023 What is your favorite season? Why?

10/24/2023 What is your favorite supernatural creature?

10/31/2023 What is your favorite thing about Halloween?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Joint discussion: Do you want to start a scandal by Tessa Dare

 

Hello all! We will be discussing "Do You Want to Start a Scandal" by Tessa Dare. Blodeuedd is in red and Carole is in purple.

Author: Tessa Dare
Title: Do You Want to Start a Scandal

Series: Castles Ever After #4

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: September 27, 2016

Pages: 272

Summary:

On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library.

• Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan?

• Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall?

• Perhaps the butler did it.

All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn’t her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers’ true identity, she’ll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she’s ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn’t got a clue.

But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit... and melt a woman’s knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte’s safety is the truth about his dark past.

Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte’s feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who’s sworn to never love?

Discussion:

I have been reading Dare for so many years, and she is always fun 🙂

I’ve read some. She is fun! And I like that I could skip to this one. I think I’m missing a book or two of the series but it did well as a standalone which is always nice. 

I just took a look again, and it is Spindle Cove nr 5, but! Castles nr 4! No wonder it works like a stand alone. And yes I have read some here and there. At the moment I am reading a book where Charlotte is 14

Awwwwww I do plan on backtracking. This was fun and I want to see the others fall in love. 

I am going to do Spindle Cove the missing ones :D I fear September will be a Dare month, but that is good.

I’m beginning to feel that too. I crave more of her books! :D 

I liked this one cos omg that beginning. I had to hide my face in laughter and giggled as I was out walking

This was very funny!!!!! Especially with the aubergine! LOLLLLL

It was just the perfect mix of funny and cute

It really was. The drama was there but it didn’t take too long to fix. I loved this couple. 

I kept trying to solve the mystery too, but I honestly suck at solving mysteries

There wasn’t much given to solve it. I think the author did it on purpose. The solution had me rolling in laughter.

It was a tricky one! 

Cute couple, good times, I even liked her mother. Sure, meddling for sure, but she wanted the best. The one I could not stand was her besties sister, ugh!

Oooh that friend Frances or something another. She can rot for all I care. She was mean and terrible. I GET that she was looking out for her sister, but was she? I think she was just jealous of Charlotte. 

I did like Edmund? Though. Omg honestly all the times he was shouting murderer made me lol

Bless him. That little boy just wanted to solve the murder so bad. A part of me thought maybe he wasn’t wrong. Hahahahaha. 

I think he will solve crimes when he grows up!

Awww I hope so. Maybe we’ll get a book for him ;) Maybe Piers will take the lad under his wings.

I could see that in the future. I really do not have a lot to say about this book cos I was amused all the way through. Def read it, listen to it, and do not give one thought which order it is in.

I’m sure the audio is a lot of fun. I did the ebook and I enjoyed it immensely!! I bet the audio is fun ;) But yes, this was a gem. It was funny, had heart, and a great cast of characters. 

Awesome narration. Nothing to complain about there

Love that! Maybe I’ll try and see if my library has the audio for one of the others of the series. I do plan on reading the others. Maybe, like you said, this might end up being the month of Dare. Darempter. Hehe

I have a mix of things coming up, spindle cover and castle ever after. Good times ;D Oh and one from a series that I loved, but I never read one of the books. Gotta catch them all

Hahahahaha I choose you Dare!

I dare you to Dare

Yessss!!!!! The end?

The end

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging for a long while now. For the last few years the epic duo has been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.

Best of August

Here are our bests of August! 

Best Movie of the Month:

Blodeuedd - You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023)

"I never remember my movies but I watched this one. Fun, and cringe."

Carole - The Super Mario Bros Movie (2023)

"This was SO much better than I expected. Fun!!!!"

Best Book of the Month:

Carole - Last Dragon Standing by Rachel Aaron

"Sad to say goodbye to this series but omg this was amazing."

Blodeuedd - Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare

"I did not read a lot in August, but I did finish some good ones. Best should go to Do you want to start a Scandal cos it was funny and made me giggle."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Heartstoper (s2), Queen Charlotte, & Lincoln Lawyer

"I finally watched Queen Charlotte! But I am bad with long eps these days. Lincoln Lawyer keeps the drama up, and Heartstopper brought all the feels."

Carole - Never Have I Ever (s4)

"Such a great ending to a fun series!! It will make you feel all the feelings."

Best Cover of the Month:

Blodeuedd's - 

Carole's -