Once Upon a Tower

May 242013
 

Once Upon a Tower: Number 5 in series (Happy Ever After) Gowan Stoughton, Duke of Kinross is used to having everything he wants, and after meeting Lady Edith Gilchrist, he wants her as his duchess. As with everything else in his life it is sorted quickly and efficiently. While they are very compatible outside the bedroom, inside it just isn’t working, cracks start to appear and communications break down culminating in a locked tower and a stormy night.

Another great book from Eloisa James, she always manages to evoke strong emotions in me. I sobbed in parts during this, and my heart was breaking for Gowan and Edie. At other times Gowan made my heart melt, “You’re my lodestone and my North Star”, how perfect is that?

Both Edie and Gowan have issues relating to their upbringing and are both very young and inexperienced. At 19 and 22 respectively, this leads to a number of misconceptions about marriage. Usually all the crossed wires and misunderstandings annoy me, but for some reason with this story, it didn’t as much as usual.

In the historical romances I tend to read it’s very unusual to find the hero under the age of 30 and usually they have years of sexual experience to bring to the marriage. I liked the fact that they were learning together (or should have been!) and Gowan wasn’t the experienced rake about town.

There is another side story here involving Edie’s father’s marriage to her stepmother, Layla.  Their marriage isn’t running smoothly and again it’s the lack of understanding that marriages need to be worked at and love is not always enough on its own. Layla is a great character and has a large part to play in Edie and Gowan’s marriage – not always providing the best advice!

Chapters 39 and 40 in particular rank among the most heart wrenching, emotional, yet romantic chapters I have ever read and I could not tear myself away.

I love how Eloisa James brings the early 19th century to life and has lots of interesting information – for example, did you know that playing the cello was seen as entirely inappropriate for women due to the leg position required?

If you like your romances with murders to solve or a suspenseful element then you will be disappointed with this, but if you are a true romantic at heart you cannot fail to enjoy this and the roller-coaster of emotions it produces.

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Book Information
  • Author: Eloisa James
  • Series: Happy Ever After (5)
    • Buy on Kindle (UK)Buy from Amazon (UK)

The Dragon’s Path

May 222013
 

The Dragon's Path: Book One of The Dagger and the Coin The Dragon’s Path is the first instalment in The Dagger and the Coin epic fantasy series. It’s immensely rich in its own history, with a multitude of races and flawed but wonderful characters.  Just my cup of tea!

I was intrigued from the start, with an introduction to an apostate escaping from an ancient temple with a scary truth.  We don’t know who he is, but as the book progressed I started to have suspicions, but each time I thought I knew the truth I was cleverly deflected by Daniel Abraham.  In most fantasy settings, you often find one or two other races that are ‘typical’ but for this series, Abraham has created twelve and an extremely clever reason behind them (I mentioned the rich history already!)

It’s also a multi-faceted tale about people trying to do the best thing in the worst of circumstances and that means not always doing the right thing.  The major cast were brilliant. Marcus, Yardem, Cithrin and Master Kit were all characters that I really warmed to, even if I didn’t always agree with their choices. Geder, I felt for but wanted to shake and Basrahip… well, I don’t think there is a boot big enough to stomp on him!  Along with them are quite a few other characters, some you love and some you hate but they all felt extremely well fleshed out and very real.  I have to note the friendship and interplay between Marcus and Yardem, the first time they appear, made me laugh out loud and I knew I was hooked.  Daniel Abraham has quite the talent for creating his characters.

The plot can be quite complicated but not too hard to follow.  Explaining it however is another matter and I’m not even going to try.  I shall say instead that it is completely engaging and if you like a good epic fantasy that isn’t going to run to twelve books (I believe there is five in this series) then this will be right up your street.

The pace was good and I never felt it dragged, even when the characters themselves were being put through long journeys.  The action scenes were brutal and a couple of times I was open mouthed in shock but at the end of the day, that is not what the book is about.  The characters are what make it shine.

A great start to an epic fantasy series and I am eager to dive into the second book – The King’s Blood.

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Hunter

May 212013
 

Hunter This can’t be happening to her.  A random break down…an isolated mountain road, a seemingly chance meeting with a hotter-than-hot stranger. Tatyana is a modern gal who can handle any crisis, but before she knows what’s hit her, she’s sensing a hideous threat, not to her but to this man who draws her like a moth to flame. Hunter.

“I know things…I saw it.”

When the attack comes, she is his protection from a diabolical enemy, even as he initiates her into a startling world of magic, sorcery and sensuality. For in a moment of terrifying danger a spark has been struck, and neither can escape the erotic fire to come…

Wow this was hot and steamy but still had a great plot! There is so much going on that the description above doesn’t do it justice. I understand that this is hopefully the first book in a new series but oddly, it read as if there should have been one before and I felt like I was missing the story that set the scene for this one. There were a lot of references to it and in all fairness, I thought that even if there had been a previous book, then I wouldn’t rush to read it because most of it is given away here.

There are a lot of characters all living in a coven together that there is a lot of potential for future books, which I would definitely be eager to read. What little I learned about the secondary characters, I loved.

Hunter – sex on legs, gorgeous and to die for, I think I am in love with him myself.  Tatyana is a very strong character and definitely no shrinking violet when it comes to sex! The banter between the two of them is good and the sex is explosive – it has been a while since I have said this, but get a cold shower ready!

I love the world, the concept and the characters but I do have one criticism in that there was a lot of sex and it did detract a little from the story. While the plot was very good, it did seem to get rushed along a bit; one minute they were talking about what to do and the next it was in progress with no preparation. I would have liked a bit more explanation but want to keep the sex too, so really the book needed to be double the size.

Overall a good book, steamy, sensual and erotic – works for me!

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Book Information
  • Author: Jacquelyn Frank
    • Buy on Kindle (UK)

Our Week in Books – Week 19, 2013

May 132013
 

Hunter Tracey

Having had a very expensive trip to New York with lots of shopping I surprisingly found little time for reading! We were so exhausted from all the walking! So what have I read in the week since getting back?

I started reading Ambersley by Amy Atwell on the plane but couldn’t really get into it – probably just too tired. I left it for a bit and didn’t go back to it until much later in the week, having read other books in between. It started off a bit slow and I struggled with the concept of how I knew the book would ultimately end; that the child and grown man we see interacting together for the first third of the book, then end up together in the girl’s adulthood. I know age gaps in this period of history are not uncommon but it just felt a bit weird, and I think it’s probably another reason why I didnt finish it in one go. Having said that, when I did go back to it and we got past childhood stage, the story picked up pace and I ended up enjoying the romance. We were introduced to various characters who get their own story later on and I will probably look to read them at some point – 3 stars for me.

I was clearly in the mood for some more historical romance and picked up His Wicked Kiss by Gaelen Foley. This is the seventh book in the Knight Miscellany series and brings home the mysterious Lord Jack Knight who in previous books had only been mentioned in passing. It was another enjoyable story in the series and has a good plot and romance, although Eden Farraday did get on my nerves a bit at times. You do not need to have read the series previously to know what is going on but as we get reintroduced to the characters and their partners from those books, it is nice to have the background info. This could definitely stand alone though – 3.5 stars

And yet more historical romance! Slightly Shady by Amanda quick was my next read. A light historical romantic suspense which was a quick easy read. I again found the heroine to be a bit of a pain in the butt at times – I don’t know what is up with me this week! The suspense aspect felt more believable than the romance for me, but overall I enjoyed the story – 3 stars.

A Bite to Remember by Lynsay sands was next and was a return for me to the world of the Argeneau vampires. This book focuses on Vincent and Jackie Morrissey (a mortal PI who knows all about their world). As with all the books in this series this was very good. I always love the Argeneau men and Vincent is no exception. Marguerite, the interfering matriarch of the Argeneau’s, features heavily in this book as well and I love her and her interference. This can easily stand alone if you have not read any of the others but why start with this one – go get the first one and work your way through! – 4 stars

I am currently reading Hunter by Jacquelyn Frank and loving it, in fact I feel the need to get back to it – review to come in the next couple of weeks :)

The Shambling Guide to New York City (The Shambling Guides) Grete

Well my reading rate has been down again but I have a good excuse – I’m in the process of giving up smoking!  It’s a very weird thing but I’m having to learn how to do things without an ever present cigarette in my hand – everything still feels a bit wrong but I’m getting there :)   So lets see what I’ve read over the last two weeks (including while a certain review partner was off gallivanting in NYC!)

I re-read Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson and it was as entertaining as the first time.  Jessica McClain is a great character and I love her starting story!  I went straight into book two, Hot Blooded and actually was a bit disappointed with it.  It was still enjoyable but it seemed to turn into a bit of a slog towards the end.  Full reviews are coming, anyway.

I had to wait my turn to read The City by Stella Gemmell as Tony got there first – he did an excellent review which can be found here.  I thought I might have a slightly different opinion to him as a female reader but actually, I agree with him completely – 4 stars for me too.

I then picked up a recently arrived book which had me intrigued from the moment I first heard about it – The Shambling Guide to New York City by Mur Lafferty.  I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it!  You can read my full review here

My fantasy nose was twitching again so I picked up The Dragon’s Path by Daniel Abraham.  This is a book I’ve been meaning to read for ages and as book three is sitting there looking at me imploringly, it was incentive enough.  Full review is coming but suffice to say it’s a fantasy on an epic scale with the sense of a full world and history behind it.  I’m half way through The King’s Blood which is book two, and is proving a little slower going but still as enjoyable.

And there we are, all up to date!  Same time next week? ;)

Our Week in Books is a regular blog post from Tracey and Grete, catching up on everything they’ve read recently.

The Shambling Guide to New York City

May 092013
 

The Shambling Guide to New York City (The Shambling Guides) Zoe Norris is a successful guide book writer/editor who lost her job due to a dalliance with her boss.  Unfortunately the boss turned out to be married, a fact he’d neglected to tell Zoe until his wife, also the town’s Chief of Police found out and became very unhappy. Conveniently made redundant and strongly encouraged to leave town for her safety, she heads back to her home city of New York.  A job advert pinned up in a very odd old bookshop seemed tailor made for Zoe except that she keeps being told that she wouldn’t be suitable… Being human had never had a downside before.

This is the first book I’ve read by Mur Lafferty and I really enjoyed it.  A travel guide for the non-human visitors and denizens of New York City was a brilliant premise and the author built up a great cast of characters centred around Zoe.

Each chapter is separated with an excerpt from the guide and they make great little informational snippets that helped flesh out the ‘world’ Zoe never knew existed before applying for the job.  Often they relate to a place you’ve recently discovered in the story and it was a really nice touch.

Zoe herself is a really well written character, and I loved her a lot; her sense of humour is very appealing and matched well with my own.  She also has a huge amount of determination and balls of steel to enter into a world where she is at the bottom of the food chain… literally.  Her co-workers and new boss are brought to life (so to speak!) with equal care and attention and made this an extremely well rounded book.

The pace of the book was well measured; slow at the start while Zoe was still trying to come to terms with the massive change in her life and figuring out what her new direction would be.  As she discovered this supernatural half to the city she never knew about, it started to pick up.  As she got to grips with it and the story progressed, it sped up until it was running full tilt at the end.  I was quite breathless!

The plot was equally as measured, and we discovered the new ‘world’ at the same time as Zoe and went through it all with her.  From co-workers who would love to have her for dinner to weird and wonderful establishments catering to the weird and wonderful, it was a great read.  What really made it good though, was the threat hanging over her that someone was out to get her and would stop at nothing to mess with her life.  Who that was, was very well concealed, and I was kept guessing right to the end.  The action scenes were entertaining, sometimes funny and it was a refreshing change to have a heroine who wasn’t suddenly a kick ass fighter with unimaginable power.  She was however organised enough to keep working on the book as her new found life threatened to come crashing down around her!

In summary, this is a great book and highly recommended to fans of Urban Fantasy.  I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Book Information
  • Author: Mur Lafferty
  • Series: The Shambling Guides (1)
    • Buy on Kindle (UK)Buy from Amazon (UK)

Amnesia

May 082013
 

Amnesia Quinn Cortez is a hotshot lawyer and ladies man – when his current lover Lulu is murdered, he wants to find the killer to clear his name, but when ex lovers also turn up dead and he has no alibi, Quinn turns to the best detective agency in the country for help.

Lulu’s cousin Annabelle is desperate to find the murderer and also turns to the Powell detective agency. Forced to work together, Annabelle soon becomes one of the only people to believe in him as the evidence stacks up, and Quinn cannot remember what he was doing at the time of any of the murders.

Wow – this is a fantastic thriller with a superb plot and a strong romance. I’ll be unable to say too much about the plot without giving anything away but suffice to say I did guess the killer, but was never really sure I had the right person until the end – also the reason they were killing was totally unexpected. The story completely sucked me in and took me every which way – every time I thought I had the answer, something else happened to throw me off track!

There was a very strong romance in this book and while the speed in which Quinn and Annabelle got together seemed a bit quick given the circumstances, the way it was written worked for me. Initially Quinn was not my favourite person being a bit of a ‘love them and leave them’ kind of guy, not caring about the broken hearts he leaves in his wake, but as we get beneath his layers we start to see the guy he really is. Annabelle is strong having had to carry the weight of family problems on her shoulders but I did feel she was a bit too trusting.

I have read a few of Ms. Barton’s books and recognized a number of characters particularly Griffin Powell – this is an early one in the Griffin Powell story line and makes you hungry for more information on him. I am missing big gaps of his story and am keen to find out what they are.

Ms Barton is a superb storyteller and this is another great romantic suspense. I started this one and was unable to put it down – there went my housework day again!

NB: This book was also published under the title ‘Killing her Softly’.

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Book Information
  • Author: Beverly Barton
  • Series: Griffin Powell (5)
    • Buy on Kindle (UK)Buy from Amazon (UK)

The City

Apr 292013
 

The City The City is a fantasy tale of intrigue, deceit, hate and revenge, and yet it cloaks all of that beneath a layer of honour, loyalty and love.  The eponymous City is a vast and ancient state.  More than merely a single construct it covers many leagues, and it is at war.  Beneath the City, where the story starts, live the Dwellers, people who make what life they can living in the sewers, and it is here we meet the first characters in the story that is about to unfold.

I am challenged by stories which have many characters, especially when the story is then spread across them.  I prefer a small number of characters on which I can focus and understand in detail.  The City has a dozen or so characters of importance, and early on I struggled with my usual challenge, knowing who to like, who to root for, and who to hate.  Not because it isn’t always obvious what’s going on, but because the story has eight or nine people who could be considered the main protagonists.  The actual tale however is compelling, and that helped me work through my issue and I’m glad I did.  The story moves from character to character, or group to group, each progressing the narrative and revealing a little bit more of the history of The City, or the underlying war and rebellion in which everyone appears to be embroiled.  There are some leaps where things I felt were important happened ‘off page’, and I was sad for that, because Stella’s words are so graceful that I would have preferred to read them first hand, rather than hear them second hand through another character.

Stella’s prose is fluid, interesting and engaging.  Her touch is delicate, and her descriptions are vivid and long lasting.  I am left with a strong visual image of The City in my mind; it’s sprawling landscape and sewer system as much a character in the story as any of the people.  The pace throughout the whole story is even and measured, with only a gentle increase towards the end.  In some ways, I struggled with that, always expecting the story to explode and be driven forward at pace, and always being pulled back.  On reflection, I think it’s intentional, playing back the behaviour of some of the characters, and in particular a game in the story referred to as urquat in which great patience is required.

The City is not a riotous novel of warfare and combat.  There are certainly moments of action, vividly described, but the story is more subtle than that, a deeper reflection of the motivations of the characters, and a slow reveal of the people who inhabit The City and those who wish them toppled.  The characters throughout the story are well rounded, real and solid.  There are touching moments between two specific characters that brought tears to my eyes every time.

Although this is a fantasy novel, there is little magic, and the small amount is revealed slowly over time.  The magic is sinister, and woven in carefully to make sure we know it is powerful, closely guarded and mostly reviled.

Stella’s first solo novel is intelligent, compelling fantasy fiction, with enjoyable characters, and moments of true emotion.  If I could have one thing it would be to have spent longer with some of the characters, to have enjoyed more of the emotional moments with them.  But it is a small desire amongst an otherwise entertaining and enjoyable read.

I find myself left wanting to know more about world, the people, the magic and the Serafim.  The City is like a dance viewed from the outside, where many dancers move in beautiful and unexpected patterns, eventually settling into a final position that is both satisfying and mysterious at the same time.

Caveat emptor: I personally know Stella Gemmell.  My copy of The City was purchased from Amazon.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Book Information
  • Author: Stella Gemmell
    • Buy on Kindle (UK)Buy from Amazon (UK)

The Search

Apr 252013
 

The Search Fiona Bristow has built a new life for herself on Orcas Island, she has a successful dog training school and is happy in the small close knit community. The recently arrived artist Simon Doyle and his dog walk into her life, both in dire need of training and for the first time in a long while she starts to see glimpses of what could be. Then a shadow from her past rises up and threatens to destroy everything once again.

Another great romantic suspense from Nora Roberts! I am constantly amazed at the number of different subjects her novels cover and yet all seem to be well researched, allowing the reader to immerse themselves completely in the story. This one focuses heavily on canine rescue, dog training and interaction. The dogs are fantastic, adding a great dimension to the story -  don’t get me wrong we don’t get speaking from a dog’s perspective but the way the dogs and their behaviours are included in the story is great. I am sure if you have a dog in need of training, you would pick up some useful tips from this book.

Enough about the dogs, onto the characters – as with all books by this author the characters are strong. No flowery words from Simon at all, and as for romance forget it. It suited him though, and the interactions between him and his dog ‘Jaws’ made me laugh out loud. This description made me laugh, especially since he seems the cutest puppy ever, “I got a crate. He ate the crate. Or enough of it to get out. I think he must flatten himself like a snake… I think maybe he is brain damaged or psychotic.”  It would have been nice to have a bit more background on Simon because he really was unusually abrasive – how did he get like that? Fiona has been through a lot in her past but stays strong throughout, being older and wiser when trouble comes knocking she is much more able to deal with it -  no simpering women here. It would have been nice to have a bit more romance but the characters did suit the story and as long as the happy ending arrives I won’t complain too much!

The suspense plot was good and as always I got totally sucked in, reading well into the night to finish it. I would say though that the dogs and romance were a bigger part of the story than the suspense angle.  Unlike with a lot of thrillers we do not get to see much of the police investigation, as Fiona is so physically removed from the situation. So if you like the police investigation aspect of a thriller then this is probably not for you. The dogs are definitely the stars in this book, and if you love animals it is worth a read just for that.

Overall another strong book from Nora Roberts with the added bonus of canine friends; there is humour, a love story, suspense and sex – what more could you want!

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Book Information
  • Author: Nora Roberts
    • Buy on Kindle (UK)Buy from Amazon (UK)

Our Week in Books – Week 16, 2013

Apr 222013
 

Dark Demon: Number 16 in series ('Dark' Carpathian) Tracey

I started the week off with Dark Demon by Christine Feehan. I’d read the first few books in the Carpathian series a while back but had to take a break after those. I really enjoyed Dark Demon in comparison to some of the earlier ones though – this Carpathian male was not as controlling or bullying and it was a much more enjoyable book as a result – 4 stars.

Having been reintroduced to the Carpathians I thought I would try another one that was even later in the series – Dark Predator. Oh dear, what a mistake. Zacarias was brutal, overpowering and a total twat! I felt his behaviour was actually the worst of any of the males in the previous books I had read and I actually felt quite uncomfortable at times. Having said that I did finish it but am now trying to decide whether to keep hold of the books I haven’t read and try them at a later date, or just get rid of them without reading! 1.5 stars – my lowest rating ever!

After that I fancied some good old fashioned sweet romance and picked up Mistletoe and Marriages – a Mills and Boon Regency double bill with stories from Annie Burrows (A Countess by Christmas) and Joanna Maitland (The Earl’s Mistletoe Bride). This definitely hit the spot and was just what I needed. Both books were very romantic with two brooding but very sexy heroes! – 4 stars.

In the historical mood again I picked up another Mills and Boon called “The Captain and the Wallflower” by Lyn Stone which was  another winner. The storyline running alongside the romance was very good and I did not want to put it down (in fact I read it in one sitting!) I love my romance anyway and this was no exception – 4 stars.

The final book of the week was Sacred Sins by Nora Roberts, one of her earlier ones from 1987, and I found it really hard to get past the fact that the hero smoked everywhere and they used a typewriter to type up police reports!!!! Having said that the story was engaging and interesting so 3 stars.

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet: Number 4 in series (Charley Davidson) Grete

I’ve continued my Darynda Jones kick this week and I had all good intentions of pausing between books and writing the reviews.  The trouble is, I loved them so much and Charley is such a fantastic character that I couldn’t stop and ended up reading all four books one after the other *blush*  The reviews are coming though!  I blame Darynda Jones for writing such an amazing series ;)

Next up will be Full Blooded and Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson – I read Full Blooded at the start of the year and didn’t write the review straight after (for which I am now kicking myself) so the first will be a refresher read (and since it was really good, that’s not a hardship!).

Happy Reading!

Our Week in Books is a regular blog post from Tracey and Grete, catching up on everything they’ve read recently.

The Killing Moon

Apr 192013
 

The Killing Moon: Dreamblood: Book 1 Gujaareh is a nation at peace.  The streets are safe, the people ruled fairly and wisely by the un-corrupt.  There is no sickness or poverty and the old die in dignity.  Ehiru brother, a priest of Hananja, is also at peace.  His job is to administer the holy laws that protect the virtues of the great city.

Too good to be true?  Follow Ehiru and his faithful apprentice as they uncover the truth behind Gujaareen power and the hand they unwittingly play in it, and then decide.

In The Killing Moon N.K. Jemisin introduces an intriguing new concept; the art of Narcromancy (not to be confused with necromancy).  Furthermore, she conjures a society based on euthanasia that somehow feels both just and civilised.  This alone makes for a good and interesting tale.

Add to the mix an adequately visualised setting, a clever calendar system and key characters that are both engaging and spinning in emotional turmoil, and you have here a jolly good read.  If I have one small criticism it is that the book lacks that little something in the ending that causes you to mourn its passing and wanting more, more, more.

PS.  The writer provides a glossary at the back of the book.  Why the back?  Best you know that before you start eh!  For me a map (at the front) would have been more useful.  I do so love a good map!

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Book Information
  • Author: N. K. Jemisin
  • Series: Dreamblood (1)
    • Buy on Kindle (UK)Buy from Amazon (UK)

 Older Entries