Beltane by Erin O'Riordan

Beltane by Erin O'Riordan

Published: 2009
Pages: 188
Sexy romance

Twin sisters Allie and Zen have always shared everything: including an unconventional upbringing at Pagan Spirits Farms. They even fall in love at the same time. Pagan priestess Allie thinks she’s met the man of her dreams in her buttoned-down lawyer fiancé, Paul Phillip. But is he everything he seems? Zen, a witch gifted with the sixth sense, falls for Orlando. But there’s a catch: Orlando is married to someone else.

As the celebration of Beltane nears, the sisters seem destined to be unlucky in love. But the Goddess moves in mysterious ways, and May Day may turn out to be magic for them after all.


This on took me for a trip, first I disliked Zen and Orlando, then I liked them again. Then I got a bit confused when I figured out what had to happen, and I didn't like one of them again. But then I liked that person again. Lol, yes it went up and down. Though I did like Allie and Paul Phillip all the time through out the book. But that is what a book should do, make you love and hate characters. They are only human after all. And I couldn't see the things that were to happen happen. They just sprung on me (even though I figured out one thing, which I loved in the end). You have to read and figure out what I mean.

There was mostly Zen in this book, so perhaps that is why she stirred the most emotions in me. She is a witch and owns a little store. Her sister Allie on the other hand is a pagan priestess and has just married and wants to start a family. But Zen who can sense what others are feeling knows that something is not that right about Paul Phillip. But what? She can't say and he does seem to adore her sister. So they go off into the sunset. While Zen heads back home and later sees a man in a bar, Orlando Parisi is a hunk, but there is a weddings rind on his finger. Could she really do just that? The Goddess says do no harm and breaking up a marriage is not something that is right. That will cause problems. And this all while Allie is having problems of her own.

And then a little excerpt from their first meeting for a feel of the book.

"No boyfriend. And the closest thing I've got to a kid is Gillian. I'm sure I'll get around to having kids one of these days. I've got time, I'm only twenty-three."
"Please don't take this the wrong way, but you seem older," he said. Zen frowned, so he explained. "I don't mean you look older. I mean you seem more mature. Wiser, maybe."
"I don't know about that," Zen replied. Orlando didn't say anything, so she kissed him. She breathed in the soft floral scent of his aftershave.
Orlando was very still at first. Zen wondered if she'd made a mistake, or if he didn't like the way she kissed. She looked into his eyes, looking for some clue.

But for you who thinks this is a book about adultery, it's not. And everything that happens does so for a reason. Before I saw that I did have a problem with the whole thing, then I liked it, then I disliked it, then I saw the light. I can't say anything more.

We get to follow them in their relationships, the ups and downs. The hardship and yes the sex. Because that there are. Not tasteless or too much, not so that it interferes with the story. But woven in so it makes sense. One scene did make me go oh no, oh really, and I couldn't wait to see how it turned out.

Then there is the whole pagan thing which I of course like, I do have the name Blodeuedd for a reason. And now I got to read how these two girls celebrated Beltane, oh yes, it got wild. And Beltane was the perfect way to set everything right in the book. After that it was a smooth ride to the end.

As for the world, it's ours, nothing strange going on here. Though of course the empathy thing does stand out, that is th only thing, and then just some good old normal magic in the end ;)

received a copy for a review

Shopaholic and sister - Sophie Kinsella

Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella

Yes I know how you all were dying to get more chick-lit ;) I finished this one quickly and got the next one yesterday when it came in to the library.

Becky Bloomwood thought being married to Luke Brandon would be one big Tiffany box of happiness. But to be honest, it's not quite as dreamy as she'd hoped. The trouble started on honeymoon, when she told Luke the tiniest little fib, about the teeniest little purchase. Now she's on a strict budget, she doesn't have a job, and, worst of all, her beloved Suze has a new best friend. She's feeling rather blue - when she gets the biggest shock of her life. She has a long-lost sister!

Becky has never been more excited. Finally, a real sister! They'll have so much in common! They can go shopping together. . . choose shoes together. . . have manicures together. . .

Until she meets her - and makes a dreadful discovery. It can't be true. Surely Becky Bloomwood's long-lost sister can't.… hate shopping?

A sister. A soulmate. A skinflint?
(from the book)


Yup no own blurb here cos this is the 4th one, and I have mostly said all there is to say about Becky and Luke. But a lot of things going on in this one. Becky is on a budget cos she bought everything she could find on their 10 month honeymoon. Luke is working too much and she thinks he has changed. And Suze has found a new best friend. So when Becky finds out she has a sister she gets excited and thinks she has found her soul mate. But there is a problem, Jessica hates shopping and can't stand spending.

Hilarious situations as always, and Becky keeps buying fun stuff, and utter crap. She really should join shop-a-holics Anonymous. But I love her, I can't help it. I would love to have her as a buddy, though oh my how much money I would spend then too. Nope the Becky's better stay away from me. It would ruin me.

This 4th book is just as great as the rest, and I wonder why I haven't read these books before. This one might be the 2nd funniest after the 1st one.

Lovers of chick-lit, read this series. Not as great as Bridget Jones, but she was my way in but compared to other chick'lit books out there that can't even make me smile, then this one is good. It made me smile and giggle over all the follish things that girl does.

Short review today, the 5th one will be coming up too. But now back to my weekend.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Anne Burrows

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie society
by
Mary Ann Shaffer and Anne Burrows

First I would like to thank Amy C @ Romance Book wyrm for coming up with this brilliant idea of reading and passing along this book to others. If you want to join us then head over here.

How to do this justice, I am going to use the back blurb to help me along.

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society--born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island--boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.


I started, and I couldn't put it down. The book was delightful, wonderful, and entirely in letters. First I wasn't sure how that could work, and how I would keep track of everyone, but soon enough they become all dear to me. I got to know them just the way Juliet did. And at the end I didn't want to part from them.

Juliet is a writer who gets a letter from a man in Guernsey, and she writes back asking some questions. Soon enough many in the literary circle is writing to her, and more letters are on the way. She finds out how they had it during the occupation, and she becomes more and more intrigued by it all. She wants to write a book, and she wants to see her new and dear friends. Dawsey, Isola (the witch), sweet Kit, and all the rest. I did like them all, but Elizabeth struck a cord in me. And I went trough the same emotions as Juliet did. They had all such wonderful and tragic stories to tell.

This made me want to write long and witty letters to strangers. Not to mention start a book club, why are everyone so bad at reading here *sighs* They made it sound so fun. And I loved that some never really had read, but now they found the love of books in the shape of The Bronte sisters, Charles Lamb etc. To fall in love all over again with books, now that would be a joy.

When we get to hear the whole story, we get even more. The story continues and still with letters. And I just enjoyed it so much that I am lost for words. What more can I say then read this book, you will not regret it.

The Reincarnationist by M.J.Rose

The Reincarnationist by MJ.Rose

"A riveting epic of secrets, history and murder that will challenge the way we think about who we are and who we were"
(back blurb)

Josh Ryder's explodes when he gets caught in the blast of a bomb exploding in Rome. After that nothing is the same for this American photojournalist.

His mind is invaded by memories, but they are not his. They are from a man back in ancient Rome. But he can smell the air, and the longings and feelings have him doubting his sanity. Then there is the intense feeling for a woman called Sabina, and the urge to save her.

He turns to the Phoenix foundation. It's well renowned and it documents the past life experiences in children. He is not their usual subject, but there is something about his experiences. This will lead him to an archaeological dig in Rome where professor Gabriella Chase and professor Rudolfo has found an ancient tomb. A powerful and ancient secret threatens the believes of an entire world.


The tomb found is on of a vestal virgin. And the experiences that Josh is having will explain more of this story. The danger lies in the memory stones that will give the person using them insights in past lifes so that they can change the mistakes they made in past lives. Not something that Christianity would like to hear about, since there are no past lives just the eternal rest of the soul.

Weren't the highest echelons of the Church worried about the magic of the stones? And for good reason. If man discovered that Nirvana was within his reach - if it was in his hands, not in the hands of God- what authority would the Church hold over him?

I have always loved the idea of reincarnation, because sitting on a cloud for eterenity, no. But getting the chance to find your own salvation, yes. So I like that about this books. And I get wondering because it does mention early Christian beliefs of a wandering soul, as with many other religions. Was that true, and believed back then? Or made up? I am intrigued.

Josh Ryder, when I saw the add for the tv-series that is being made then I could picture him. I guess he is likeable, just as Gabriella and Rachel are. Julius and Sabina, yes they are interesting with their secrets. But every passage about them made me ache, because they would die. Which of course is silly of me since we all do. But I feared the worst, and it was evident that the worse would happen to them. Not to mention the passages from those days when Christian soldiers destroyed temples and killed the pagans that they called them, when in truth that would mean all since this was the first days of a new religion. It always makes me sick, why can't all just get along, and believe in whatever they want too?! Yes it made me angry.

There is an intensity to the book, and yes I do like it, but I had that feeling through out the entire book. Maybe I am just a sucker for happy endings, and everything that may not be so makes me ill at ease.

I am confused about this whole book. It was great, and I am sure many will absolutely love it. I thought it was ok, and I am sure I would have liked it more if it hadn't been those feelings that made me so scared for the whole bunch of them. Maybe not my genre.