The Texicans - Nina Vida

When cholera strikes San Antonio in 1843, Aurelia Ruiz discovers that she might have the power to heal—and also to curse. Meanwhile, Joseph Kimmel, a schoolteacher in Missouri and the son of a Polish Jew, learns of his brother’s death in San Antonio and sets off for Texas. On his way, a runaway slave steals his horse. After being rescued by Henry Castro, a man who is importing immigrants to populate his planned city, Castroville, Joseph agrees to marry a young Alsatian girl to save her from a Comanche chief who has demanded her. Then Joseph encounters Aurelia and becomes enamored with her. 

Comanches, Tonkaways, Mexican vaqueros, immigrant farmers, and runaway slaves all play a part in Joseph’s rebirth as a rancher, but when a renegade band of Texas Rangers descends upon the ranch, everything changes. 

My thoughts:

This book was just sort of depressing, yup a real downer. No one was made really likable either, yes yes it is good that people have flaws, but can't just one person be happy for like a minute?!

The story was, well it could have been good, but it really did not live up to its potential. It did not flow, it just came out in short bits.

I did sort of like Aurelia, but she is never really there, and you never get under her skin. You never get under anyone's skin.

Why did I keep on reading, eh, I wished for more, it was hot and I was too lazy to move from the lawn.

Paperback, 295 pages
Published October 1st 2007 by Soho Press
Historical fiction
Own

Of Bone and Thunder - Chris Evans

Apocalypse Now meets The Lord of the Rings in a bold new fantasy from acclaimed writer, Chris Evans. In a daring new approach to the traditional world of sword and sorcery , it thrusts us into a maelstrom of racial animus, drug use, rebellion, and an unending, unwinnable,war. In this thrilling epic, right and wrong, country and honour, freedom and sacrifice are all put to the ultimate test in the heart of a dark, bloody, otherworldly jungle. 

My thoughts:

I really liked his other military fantasy series, but this one was haaaaaaard to like. After having read half of it I so wanted to throw in the towel, but then I already spent one day reading and was all aaaaaargh! So I read 50 more pages, and then just started skimming.

Do not ask me to tell you about the characters, I can not remember anyone's name. I do not remember anything about anyone. This was Vietnam, except it wasn't, except it totally was American solderers talking, crawling through the jungle, shooting civilians, realizing they will never win this stupid war, flying dragons instead of helicopters. Any real combat was scare, next to nothing. I knew about about the rash on a soldier's crutch than actual fighting.

I was bored, I need to know names, but all soldiers blended into each other, except for that spy guy Rickets and Jawn the magician. See I know two from dozens.

So not for me, a pain to read, and it's a stand alone, of course the war was not over, think of the actual war, they will just continue to go around that jungle until they give up and are shipped home.

Paperback, 528 pages
Published February 6th 2015 by Titan Books (first published October 14th 2014)
Fantasy
Own

Who's that girl - Mhairi McFarlane

What’s the one thing you DON’T do at a wedding?

When Edie is caught in a compromising position at her colleagues’ wedding, all the blame falls on her – turns out that personal popularity in the office is not that different from your schooldays. Shamed online and ostracised by everyone she knows, her boss suggests an extended sabbatical – ghostwriting an autobiography for hot new acting talent, Elliot Owen. Easy, right?

Wrong. Banished back to her home town of Nottingham, Edie is not only dealing with a man who probably hasn’t heard the word ‘no’ in a decade, but also suffering an excruciating regression to her teenage years as she moves back in with her widowed father and judgey, layabout sister.

When the world is asking who you are, it’s hard not to question yourself. Who’s that girl? Edie is ready to find out. 

My thoughts:

Edie is the happy funny one, but as I read along I find that much of that is a facade. But she will find her way too.

Sure it has humour, but it's not a funny book.

A bit of romance will show up in the last 50 pages, but before Edie knows herself how can she love someone else?

What the book does have is family that she argues with and has drifted away from.

Coworkers and friends that turn out not to be friends at all.

Social media that has turned into a hell.

Being more or less exiled from work to write the auto biography of a hot tvstar.

Getting over someone and yes learning a few truths along the way.

Conclusion:
It was good, and well people can be such assholes, I mean really, arghh, aholes! (

Paperback, 544 pages
Published April 7th 2016 by HarperCollins (first published November 19th 2015)
Women's fiction, Chic lit
Library

Carole's Sunday Review: Samuel Pepys and the Stolen Diary - MJ Lee

Author: MJ Lee

Title: Samuel Pepys and the Stolen Diary

Genre: Historical Fiction & Mystery

Pages: ebook

First Published: January 29th 2016

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

England, 17th century.

Samuel Pepys has been keeping a diary for many years; a diary that tells of all the political shenanigans he is witness to at the court of King Charles Stuart. And of all his own marital indiscretions as well.

And now it has been stolen, along with his wife’s favourite locket. Samuel must get it back, or he might lose his head in the Tower. He will certainly lose his wife, who thinks he’s given her locket to his latest mistress. 

I have been reading a lot of historical mysteries lately! Not usually my top 10, but I have been utterly addicted of late. 

Now, this story follows Samuel Pepys and his pal Will, after his diary and his wife's locket was stolen. Yes, Mr. Pepys was a real fellow and his diary was real as well. Was it ever stolen? Perhaps! The contents surly were steal-worthy from what I have heard. I have never read it, but now that I did some research on the real man (like I normally do ;D), I am curious to see what he has written and his view points on the times. 

Anyways...

This was a fun and exciting mystery. I thought I had the mystery solved, but then the ending through me for a loop. I mean the culprit had been suspicious, but a little overly so, so I paid it no mind. Kuddos to the author for getting me in the end! I was worried the King would not believe him since there was not an over amount of evidence.

I like Samuel even though he was a cheating bastard at times, but he was a man in 17th century England, so what is to be expected? 

I loved Will. Poor guy! I did some research, because I wanted to know if he was a real dude and he was. A part of me wanted Elizabeth to leave Samuel for him, which never happened, but a girl could hope! ;D Hopefully Samuel did turn around his cheating ways to be faithful to her. But I think Will would've been a better husband. 

My one and only compliant was the pacing of the book and length of some dialogue. There were moments of extreme slowness and moments of quickness that forced me to reread the section to fully grasp what happened. I think what dragged things out at times were the lengthy dialogue. Yes, it was important, but sometimes I wanted more directness and to have the story move on. 

In the end, this was a fun and exciting ride! I couldn't put it down, because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. The characters were fun. I loved Will and I want him to have his story shared next! I liked Samuel even though he was a cheating butthole, hopefully he keeps his promise to his wife *fingers crossed*, because Elizabeth was cute and deserved a loving husband *cough* like Will would've been *cough*. I do recommend this to those that like a good mystery. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4 stars.