Review: The Governess Affair - Courtney Milan

She will not give up…

Three months ago, governess Serena Barton was let go from her position. Unable to find new work, she’s demanding compensation from the man who got her sacked: a petty, selfish, swinish duke. But it’s not the duke she fears. It’s his merciless man of business—the man known as the Wolf of Clermont. The formidable former pugilist has a black reputation for handling all the duke’s dirty business, and when the duke turns her case over to him, she doesn’t stand a chance. But she can’t stop trying—not with her entire future at stake.

He cannot give in…

Hugo Marshall is a man of ruthless ambition—a characteristic that has served him well, elevating the coal miner’s son to the right hand man of a duke. When his employer orders him to get rid of the pestering governess by fair means or foul, it’s just another day at the office. Unfortunately, fair means don’t work on Serena, and as he comes to know her, he discovers that he can’t bear to use foul ones. But everything he has worked for depends upon seeing her gone. He’ll have to choose between the life that he needs, and the woman he is coming to love…

Series: Brothers Sinister #0,5, Pages: 101, Published: April 2012, Genre: Historical romance, Source. Gift from Anachronist

My thoughts:

I kept looking at Goodreads where everyone wrote such long posts..is it just me that can't write anything long about a novella? Honestly I find it so hard, it's like my mind wants to make it shorter just cos it is a short story.

Anyway, this story takes place 20 years before the next book that will start a new series. After reading the ending I did get interested in seeing how it all turns out. Especially for one character.

But this book then. Hugh has such a bad reputation and for a reason, but he still is so kind and sweet, well after a while, and only to Serena. What was there not to like. She made him soften up. And Serena is so brave for not backing down, she wants that asshole Duke to pay. She had quite the backbone.

Since this is a short story it's all about her not giving up and him trying to break her. But the second half is different, it is a romance after all so it will all end happily.

Conclusion:

A nice short story.

Review: Magic Slays - Ilona Andrews

Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . 

Series: Kate Daniels #5, Genre: urban Fantasy, Pages: 308, Published: 2011 by ACE, Source: Own

My thoughts:

And again I face the same problem as before, how to review the 5th book in a series. I have said everything already.

Kate kicks ass, duh, no surprise there because she is cool and yet vulnerable too. I like her origin and I keep wondering about the big show-down when she meets daddy dearest. I like how she even fights with Curran, because they are not a couple who should sit and stare lovingly into each others eyes.

Curran then, well he is the beast lord and I do like his jealous side. He must go a bit weird sometimes and as I said before they fit so well together.

Great evil guys, I hated them so much. I wish I could have gone there myself to kick some ass.

The world is great, this I knew from the beginning. A world turned upside down when magic comes back and eats technology.

A great book 5 and I want more. Which means Andrea's book and then one day the 6th Kate book. I can't wait. What I also like is that there are no cliffies. Yes bad things will come, but that is one day and for now everything is good.

Conclusion:

Recommended!

Cover:

No no no, french manicure? Boobjob? NO

Flash Fiction Friday again on Saturday

Every Monday Dottie over at Tink's Place posts a picture and then on Friday (Flash Fiction Friday) we post a story to go along with the picture. The story has to be about 350 words, give or take. 

(pic has been removed: throne, woman and ravens)

Daughter of Shadows

by Blodeuedd

Where you doomed from birth? Did you carry the sins of your parents? Did their actions shape you? Did they make you cruel and evil? If you were born of Darkness, did you become darkness?


As the beloved daughter of Pestilence and the Dark God of Shadows (ok beloved was a bit too much, they were there, she was there, that was it), but as this Azariela had pondered over this several times in her life. Was the evil? Her father was the God everyone feared, the God other Gods fought, the God who young heroes tried to take down. He was Darkness itself, he was cruel and unforgiving. Her mother was not evil, she was more a tool of her father’s, but she could still be held in line by others and by prayers. Azariela had no title, she was young and she was her father’s only child. It was not like prophets screamed out in the streets, the Heir of Shadows has been born, but she knew they knew about her. She knew other Gods plotted her demise. But did that make her evil? She had her moments, but she had never killed anyone, maimed anyone or even truly hurt someone. But still she was feared by her father’s lackeys, still she wore black and raven’s flocked to her. Maybe she was evil after all.


She did not really spend a lot of time looking at the outside world. Her mother fled back to her fellow Godlings and was taken in. Pestilence was the subject of the God of Death after all. And Azariela did not see how her father grew more and angrier, how the Demons and monsters prepared for war. How the prophets heralded a new era. How a farmer with a heart of gold would take down Evil and purge the earth. Now she mostly sat in her chambers reading about the world, and trying to decide what to be Goddess of.


But as it always happen the young farmer did kill the God of Shadows and the Gods and humankind rejoiced. And Azariela was brought out in the Big Hall by her father’s lackeys. They placed her on his dark throne and swore allegiance to her. So she sighed and said Let it Be. Her first order was for the farmer to be killed and all his kin slaughtered. 


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


I seems to have been a bit philosophical today with my flash. Not much happened really.

Review: Kiss of the Goblin Prince - Shona Husk

Trapped for centuries in the bleak Shadowlands, Dai clings to his humanity with a thirst for knowledge. But now he's free of the goblin curse, and some would say he knows too much—he can make nature bend to his will, influence the minds of others, and command magic. Yet love eludes him. Then he meets Amanda, a single mother with a sick daughter whom he feels compelled to protect. But could she possibly place her trust in the kiss of a goblin prince?

Series: Shadowlands #2, Pages: 352, Genre: Paranormal romance, Published: May 1st 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca, Source: For review

My thoughts:

I liked book 1 because it was a bit different, a goblin hero..and they ain't pretty, I'll tell you that. But in this book the curse is broken and we have a new hero, Dai. He may be human again but life is not easy.

Oh Dai, I wanted his story already in book 1 and here I got it. He is all things I want my hero to be, that's right, tortured and hurting. He feels that he can't let go of his horrid past and all the things done to him. He is suffering and he is just the kind of man you want to hug and tell that everything will be ok. Because he is also loyal, kind and good with kids. He is not that alpha when I think about it, he always shadowed his brother. He is the magician, the scholar, the beta, and I really liked that.

The story is a lot about he trying to come to terms with things, being human, the magic he can now use, and falling for a woman, Amanda.The lovestory is not rushed at all, another thing I liked as you do not need to jump in bed at once. Like I said, he has suffered and Amanda is a widow. They dance around each other for a while and think about if they want to pursue this. Yes, things should take time.

We also meet the hero of book 3 briefly in this book and I do want his story too, especially if the book is as good as this one was. At times I could not put it down because I felt for Dai and there are things going on too, that I cannot mention. All making it exciting at times.

Conclusion:

Who knew a former Goblin could be a hottie?! I liked the book and the series should keep on getting better and better.

Cover:

I am not a fan of headless covers, but the darkness before him and the tattoo just makes it hot