Review: Alloy of Law - Brandon Sanderson

In the three hundred years since the events of the Mistborn trilogy, science and technology have marched on. Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads, electric lighting, and even the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.

Yet even with these advances, the magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for those attempting to establish order and justice.

One is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax must now put away his guns and assume the duties incumbent upon the head of a noble house—until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.

My thoughts:

I do like Sanderson's works, but please focus on one thing! He has a crazy amount of books going on. This one, that is a stand alone continuation of the Mistborn series will have a follow up in 2014. Or whenever. And will it be a real follow up? I do not know, but I hope so as things sure were left unfinished.

Still it was a good, if weird fantasy novel. As it takes place after the Mistborn apocalypse (or whatever we should call it). The world has turned to steam and guns. It's a western world. And it certainly is nothing I have come across. I am sure some would talk about steaampunk too, but nah, would not say that it's that. Just normal progress,

Into this returns Lawkeeper Wax to become Lord of his House. A pretty cool guy. A nice sidekick turns up too. Wax tries to be a good Lord, and he also tries to marry to get some money into the house. All while things and people are stolen in the city and he is soon on the case.

Conclusion:

So we are left with a western fantasy mystery. An easy read that I enjoyed. Still maybe to new for me. I like my fantasy old. I also wanted more and I do hope I get come closure.

Cover Cool

Series: Mistborn #4
Genre: Fantasy, mystery, "fantasy mystery western"
Pages: 392
Published: 2012 by TOR
Source. own

Review: Texas Pride - Leigh Greenwood

Series: Night Riders #1

Genre: Historical romance/western

Pages: 384

Published: Mach 2012

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Source: For review

A PRINCE AMONG MEN
Carla Reece had never met anyone more infuriating in her life. The blond giant who swaggered up to her door had no right to take over half her ranch - no matter how stupid her brother had been gambling it away in a high-stakes poker game. Her new foreman claimed to be some foreign royalty who promised to leave in a year. Still, a year was way too long to spend with a man who made her madder than a wet hen and weak in the knees all at the same time. 


A HELLION AMONG WOMEN 
Ivan may have charmed everyone in town into thinking he was the perfect gentleman, but Carla knew better. There had to be a chink in his armor-a red-hot passion under that calm, cool gaze. But once she finds it, she may be in for more than she ever bargained for...

My thoughts:

A cowboy prince, now that is something new for me and I liked it. Not to mention most books I have read about cowboys have been modern ones, but here we got real cowboys. And I do love cowboys. 

Carla loves her ranch. She is outspoken and is being courted by two men, cos she is pretty and the farm is big. But she wants something else. I did like that she was no weak miss who could do nothing. She was a real woman in a hard era. 

Ivan is a Polish prince who came to America to make a fortune (or at least get some money). He is a cowboy, he fought in the war, and he is a true gentleman. He is stylish and his tongue is golden. Anyone would melt when he was sweet to them, well all except Carla. And I do like a couple who banter. 

At the back of my head I had heard that voice tell me that it could not work, and he sure could not take her back to Poland. And as always I wondered how this love story would work out. 

But the book wasn't just about the love story. No we got cattle thieves, Carla dealing with her brother who gambled away half the ranch, and everyday dealings in town. And of course trying to deal with Ivan who shows up and tells her he will take care of the other half of the ranch. 

Conclusion:

It was a good love story, and I sure liked this cowboy prince. He is not average cowboy and she is not your average Texas woman.

Review: Deacon's Ark - A.E.Stanton

Series: The New West #2
Genre: Western, Apocalyptic wasteland
Pages: 64, ebook
Published: December 8th, 2011
Publisher; Musa Publishing
Source. For review

Josie and Deacon have left Horsetown and are back in search of The City. Joined by Josie’s youngest sister, Sadie, they decide to travel on the riverboat The Green Goddess to save travel time.

My thoughts:

Josie, Deacon and Sadie are looking for a mystical city. Most of the book takes ship in a ship and they will face some pretty bad things. And since this is a short one I will not say what those bad things are. I want to leave something as a surprise even if you get an idea from the longer blurb that can be found. 

This land is sure going to hell, I have a hard time seeing a future for them. Well it does not take many to start anew but still, as long as they survive what is coming. It's a nice apocalyptic western series. Hope is not something you find here (well except when talking to Josie and Deacon), and I do like that it is dark.

The book ends with somewhat of a cliffie. I fear what they will see next, and I am hoping for some good news.

Review: Love Drunk Cowboy - Carolyn Brown

Series: Spikes and spurs 1
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pages: 384
Published: May 1st 2011 Sourcebooks Casablanca

All Austin Lanier wants is to sell her inherited watermelon farm, slip on her stilettos and run back to corporate America. Until the drop dead sexy cowboy next door, Rye O'Donnell, decides he'll only take the farm if he can get the fiery woman who owns it as part of the deal...

My thoughts:

This book was just sweeter than watermelonpie (now I have never tasted that, but it fits the language in the book. And I also totally made it up, lol.)

Austin is a city girl who inherits her granny's watermelon farm, and she falls in love with the life. She used to come there every summer as a kid. She is nice and I have nothing bad to say about her. Then we have Rye, her sexy bull riding neighbour. There is chemistry there at once and he wants her so much. My heart went all awww there because he truly falls in love with her at first sight, and I love a man like that.


The book was so sweet and nice, and they took is slow which I loved too. They formed a friendship, they went out on dates, sure it was all during a short period of time but it still felt slow. Above all this book is a sweet love story about a couple that is nothing alike. A city slicker meets a cowboy. But then the city slicker is pretty country after all. A fancy career and nothing else is not perhaps the best thing to have. You also need love and a family of your own. At least this is what Austin will find out; oh and that actually doing some farming is good for the soul.

I liked their courtship dance; I liked the country language thrown in here and there. Maybe because it felt “exotic” to me. I liked the sweetness of the story and that there was no big drama, just these two falling in love, and making decisions. Will she stay?

Conclusion:
I want a cowboy of my own! This book was easy to read and it left me with a smile on my face. Since this is a series I do wonder who she will write about next. There are some good candidates, and I will definitely read that book.  Until then I recommened this book to you all. 

Sweet and nice with a hunky cowboy on top.

Rating.
Yes sweet :D

Cover:

ok

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

Short message.

I hope my Legend of M post comes back, if not then I have the comments that were posted saved, I also have the Vlad comments saved. So no need to comment again on that one.

And I hope blogger doesn't steal this post.

And here is my Flash Fiction post for the week

Review: Cowboy Fever - Joanne Kennedy

Genre: Contemporary romance

Pages: 416

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca April 1st 2011

Source: From the publisher

Miss Rodeo Wyoming Jodie Bryce is back from the big city to find that her childhood friend Teague Treadwell's rugged cowboy charm never looked better. But Teague thinks Jodie's success lifted her out of his reach, and now he's got to shed his bad boy image to be worthy of the girl next door.

My thoughts:

I liked this one, it was sweet, it had a cowboy and a also a crazy westernbarbie cowboy lover to stir up trouble. Lol, I will tell you all about it.

Jodie was a normal tomboy who loved riding, but then she put on makeup, fancy clothes and became Miss Rodeo and did some modeling before going away to school. She left behind the town's bad boy, Teague. They had been friends since they were little but there had also always been something between them. So while she has been away he has tried to shed his bad boy persona and making some money, while she has cast of her Rodeo Queen ways. But when she comes back he still thinks she is too good for him.

I liked Jodie, she was so down to earth and all she wanted was to help kids with disabilities. She never saw herself as better than Teague who had been poor and lived in a trailer when young. Teague then, oh, hunky cowboy alert! All he wants is to take care of his brother, who has Down syndrome, and to build something and not end up like his dad, the wifebeater. And he has also always been in love with Jodie. All I ever wanted while reading was for these two to get that HEA.

So I mentioned a Barbie, oh yes, the annoying rich girl who dresses more like Western Hooker Barbie, and who is constantly following Teague around cos he is a cowboy and badboy. Her I just wanted to push into a ditch. So let's call her the bad guy of the story, the one that will cause drama.

There is romance, some hot passion, an annoying woman who does not understand the word no, and friendship. Later things will turn bad and we get a bit of suspense.

Conclusion:

I liked it, I read it just like that because it was all sweet and quick to read. A good western with a likeable couple. I would recommend it, and I would read more westerns by this author. Oh and did I mention the hunky cowboy ;)

Rating:

Quick and easy

Cover
Ok



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Pssst:
If you are looking for my Flash Fiction story for the week then you can find it here. I am back at my old blog again

The Winner of A Race to Splendor

Jenny Girl

Did I ever post the Edie ramer winners?

Anyway here they are, and they all got their books already

thebookishsnob
killie81
carolsnotebook

Review: Hell, Yeah - Carolyn Brown

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

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

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

He lives the good life...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Nice looking cowboy there

Reason for reading: From sourcebooks

Final thoughts; Yes, I'd read more.

Grade: 3,5

Review: To stand with Angels - Caitlynn C Gabriel

To Stand With Angels by Caitlynn C Gabriel

Genre: Paranormal western
Pages: 348
Published: May 2010 Eternal Press (PB and e.book)

For seven years she's fought her demons, but now a stranger has arrived and the real battle is about to begin... In the wild Wyoming Territory, controlled by an evil cattle baron and his outlaw's guns, one woman is hiding from her horrific crime and one man is seeking revenge. But when a deadly stranger comes to town, Evil takes on a terrifying new face. Now hiding is no longer an option and a revolver cannot kill the supernatural presence that is waiting in the dark city to claim the souls of those foolish enough to stand against it. 

What is this, I reading an e-book, yes crazy right, but I do make exceptions. This time because of the way the author asked me, I liked kind of humour she had in the way of asking, and because she was so nice at a review that was good, but not you know, loving it. This books deserves a good try I thought, and went in, with the horrible job, reading at a PC. *shakes fist against the sky, get an e-reader to my country.. stat, why do we suddenly live at the backwater of civilization.*

Ok after my sometimes going on about things not really about the review thing I will now move on. Oh first I must mention something, I have been watching this Hallmark or whatever Western series movies, and the are sweet, fluffy and the music hits major drama mode when a baby chick is in trouble. You get the general idea. Anyway, Western, so was totally in mood and it helped me see things (and yes I might have pictured the guy as one of the hunks from that said series.)

Rian is living god knows where (Wyoming) and she never sees a living soul. She used to have her brother Jackson with her but he was killed so now it is only her and her nephew Kendall. She is scared, and she is hiding from the terrible thing she has done in the past. She is plagued by horrible nightmares. Then one day a man shows up, but he is wounded and she helps him. But he is hunted and heaven is soon falling down upon her. Especially since there are evil around that will not be stopped.

It has been ages, I mean ages since I read anything set in the 19th century, and I do like cowboys. All that shooting, brothels, saloons, and a certain chivalry. 

Here we have your typical western, a badly wounded man, bad men after him, and a damsel in distress. She patches him up and soon realises, that oh yes he sure is hunky after all. They might just need each other but both are hurting badly. There is shootings, and there is saving.

But the book does not end there, nope, there are demons loose, bad demons bent on corrupting men. Bradyn is not a nice man, no he has done his fair share of mistakes, and the devil wouldn't mind getting his hand on his soul. Around the middle the book changes from it's Western face and takes on this paranormal face and it looks bad for all. There is one scary demon around, and soon there will be more, and angels.

I liked that it was set in the wild wild west, it was pretty cool to find a demon there, and it fits very well with the era. But the way she ended it, I mean it was happy and all but it had this ominous feel to it. There are more stories to tell.

Blodeuedd's Cover Thoughts: I can't dis it cos I like green.

Reason for reading: Author sent me an e-book

Final thoughts: If you like your western with a slice of paranormal then this one might be for you.....3

Review: Golden Opportunity - Donna Marie Rogers

Golden Opportunity by Donna Marie Rogers

Genre: Contemporary romance
Pages: 94
Published: 2008

James McMillan is a third generation owner of the most prosperous horse ranch in Golden, Colorado. When a gorgeous little filly shows up at his door waving what she says is the deed to half his ranch, James is unconvinced. But the document is authentic, according to his lawyer - James' brother Reese sold her his half of the Double M during a poker game in Atlantic City. So not only must James find a way to get back those shares, he needs to fight his growing attraction for his luscious new business partner, who turns out to be a lot more than just a pretty face.


Having been on her own since she was a teenager, Angela Roberts has never wanted nothing more than the security of a real home. Her dreams come true when the chance to own half of a Colorado horse ranch falls into her lap. If Reese McMillan is too blind to appreciate what he has, that's his loss. Only she hadn't counted on  the hostile reception she receives from his brother. Surly as a bear, James McMillan is also much to handsome for her peace of mind. Refusing to be intimidated, Angela sets out to win him over by proving she has what it takes to help him run the ranch - and ends up losing her heart to both.

This was a short story, not so good at reviewing those. Hm where to start, well James did something that made me want to kick him, what an ass. Then again he barely knew her, so I guess he could be an ass. It is hard just to trust anyone like that.

Anyway Angela was a sweet and naive thing, James very hot, one big cowboy. They were both looking for something, and then they ran into each other since she showed up and said she owed half the ranch. What starts of as two upset people evolved into a love story with some steamy sex. Yes that it sure was. But it was a nice little romance.

Not much more I can say without giving the whole thing away.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Now why can't I meet a cowboy, yup the cover looks sweet.

Reason 4 Reading: Gift from the author.

Final thoughts: Sweet little story.