#FitReaders: Weekly Check-in March 31 2017

FitReaders is hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog  and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Join in!

It's fun, it's good for you too :D

My week:

Sat Oh no, I did not make a note of Sat and Sun....maybe 30 min walk?

Sun I think it was 45 min walk?

Mon 30 min walk, 2 km bike

Tue  15 min walk, 4 k bike

Wed  30 min walk, 2 km bike

Thu  30 min walk

Fri  50 walk, 4 km bike

Author Post and Giveaway: Vivien Jackson

Today's post is by Vivien Jackson. There is a giveaway of her new book at the end too.

Welcome!

I’m nervous about this. I’m a--oh dear, how to say it?--a romance writer. In love with science fiction. Deep love, big L. We’ve been seeing each other on the sly for a long time, science fiction and I, and when two grown-up genres love each other very much, sometimes they … oh, hell, I wrote a book. A mixed-genre one. Now I have to introduce my family to his and decide who sits on which side of the aisle, and what do we tell the children?

I’m not worried about his family. I love them almost as much as I love him. They’ve let me hang out at all their family reunions (cons), even the few, back when, where I was the only girl in the room. But I never brought a plus-one from romancelandia to a spec-fic shindig before.

Not because I was ashamed of my roots, mind you. Because whatever folks may or may not know about romance fiction, it’s crammed full of some awesome stuff, even some common ground. So, future in-laws, may I introduce a few romance novels I think you might enjoy?

Because, honestly, even though sci fi and romance don’t have much in common materially, they do have this: both genres, when done properly, reveal the human condition. They’re about characters growing, becoming wiser, about forcing us to see our world and all its ugly, blurry issues through a fresh lens. The chief difference, in my opinion is that romances conclude that all that darkness is going to get better, eventually, if we just have a lot of sex love each other.

1. First Grave on the Right, by Darynda Jones. Speaking of urban fantasy, Darynda Jones’s Charley Davidson books might be shelved with romance, but if you dig UF, grab First Grave and hold on for the ride. If you can get through the shower scene right off without burning up from blushes, you’ll do fine. This series is funny, sassy, edgy, dark and light, win-some lose-some. True to UF, it doesn’t skimp on action scenes or general badassery, but it also includes some lovely nuanced characters and plenty of humor. Oh, and Reyes Farrow. Rowr.

2. Must Love Breeches, by Angela Quarles. This is a time-travel romance. It’s witty, sparkling, and beautifully researched. Steampunk fans will enjoy appearances by historical characters, like Ada Lovelace. The tone here is solidly romance, but the research and care given to the 19th century high-tech crowd will earn respect from folks who enjoy early SFF like Verne and more modern alternative histories, like The Difference Engine.

3. Slave to Sensation, by Nalini Singh. Now on its 19th book, Ms. Singh’s Psy/Changeling series started with this one. In a futuristic world where people are broken into three groups—emotionless almost-robot Psys, preternatural shifter Changelings, and regular old clueless humans—this story pokes at the edges of those differences, illuminating the bits of baked-in humanity that could run amuck in a future of science and magic and science-magic. Sexual tension is off the charts, Sasha’s hack of the psy-net is one of best action scenes involving hacking that I’ve read, and Singh is a magnificent storyteller.

4. Breeder, by Cara Bristol. I won’t lie, this book is steamy. That means a lot of hot sex. And yes, people kiss each other. And profess their love. What? It’s a romance. Know what else it is? An alien society where heterosexual relationships are taboo. Where women are purchased for the purpose of procreation. So right off it echoes some of the things that made us wince in The Handmaid’s Tale. But then Breeder goes on to do this weird thing that specifically romance novels do. It takes characters to the darkest of dark pits…and then brings them all the way back out, into hope, to achieve the requisite happily-ever-after. So basically, Breeder brings a whole bunch of issues we deal with out in to the open and makes us look at them. And then it offers us hope, despite. 

p.s. – NPR put out a list of the best 100 romance novels-- --and I was pleased to see several of my picks here make that list. Check it out, if you wish. It contains some real gems. 

Vivien Jackson writes stories with robots, grenades, pixies, and always,  always  down-home salacious kissery. She's an unrepentant fangirl of many fandoms and would love to discuss your favorite ships  here or here or here.

Thank you!

GIVEAWAY
1 copy of Wanted and Wired

1. US only
2. Ends April 4th
3. Enter by telling us about a romance novel you loved

That's all :)

Title: Wanted and Wired

Author: Vivien Jackson

Series: Tether, #1

ISBN: 9781492648161

Pubdate: April 4, 2017

Genre: Science Fiction Romance

A rip-roarin’ new snarky, sexy sci-fi paranormal romance series with the perfect balance of humor, heat, and heart. Now that Texas has seceded and the world is spiraling into chaos, good guys come in unlikely packages and love ignites in the most inconvenient places…

Rogue scientist • technologically enhanced • deliciously attractive

Heron Farad should be dead. But technology has made him the man he is today. Now he heads a crew of uniquely skilled outsiders who fight to salvage what’s left of humanity: art, artifacts, books, ideas—sometimes even people. People like Mari Vallejo.

Gun for hire • Texan rebel • always hits her mark

Mari has been lusting after her mysterious handler for months. But when a by-the-book hit goes horribly sideways, she and Heron land on the universal most wanted list. Someone set them up. Desperate and on the run, they must trust each other to survive, while hiding devastating secrets. As their explosive chemistry heats up, it’s the perfect storm…

VIVIEN JACKSON is still waiting for her Hogwarts letter. In the meantime, she writes, mostly fantastical or futuristic or kissing-related stories. When she isn’t writing, she’s performing a sacred duty nurturing the next generation of Whovian Browncoat Sindarin Jedi gamers, and their little dogs too. With her similarly geeky partner, she lives in Austin, Texas, and watches a lot of football.

Social Networking Links

Website: http://www.vivienjackson.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VivienJacksonWriter/

Twitter: @Vivien_Jackson

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6517244.Vivien_Jackson

To Buy:

http://www.vivienjackson.com/p/books.html

Once upon a cowboy - Lacy Williams

A princess on-the-run finds sanctuary where she least expects it... After nearly dying in an assassination attempt, Princess Alessandra of Glorvaird escapes to a place no one would ever think to look for her: small town Oklahoma and a ranch staffed by a herd of wooly, uncouth cowboys. One cowboy in particular gets under her skin, until she sees his softer side. She knows this interlude can't last forever, but that doesn't stop her from wishing it might... Former Navy SEAL Gideon Hale might've rescued the princess from freezing to death, but the soldier doesn't trust easily-or at all-especially when his gut tells him Alessandra is keeping secrets. But as Alessandra begins to fit into his life, he discovers another side to the princess-one that he can't help but like. When Alessandra's enemies close in, Gideon must fight to save the woman who has become so much more than a princess... "Once Upon a Cowboy" is a contemporary western retelling of the Snow White fairytale and Book 1 in the Cowboy Fairytales series.

My thoughts:

I could not really see the fairytale aspect to be honest, I had not guessed it was Snow White. But that does not matter. It was a contemporary romance after all.

This was a short audibook, and I did enjoy that. When it comes to audio short is good, and since it takes me ages to listen to it, it never feels too rushed. Even if they fell in love really fast, but since it took me 3 weeks then they fell in love pretty slow ;)

It's the story about a princess who is on the run after someone tried to kill her. Alessandra was pretty adaptable. She was sweet, she baked, I could not find any faults with her.

She ends up on Gideon's farm, and hey he is a really good guy too. He wants to protect her. They are just good people the both of them. And there is no real drama between them either. They fall in love and they will live happily ever after.

Though there is drama, the whole who is trying to kill her, and her family. And that is not resolved since there are more books out.

Conclusion:
A sweet romance.

I totally forgot about the narrator!
She did a good job, it was nice listening to her

Audiobook, 3 hours
Published (first published May 2016)
Cowboy Fairytales #1
Contemporary romance
For review

A small-town bride - Hope Ramsay

Amy Lyndon is tired of being the Poor Little Rich Girl of Shenandoah Falls. In her prominent family, she's the ordinary one - no Ivy League education and no powerful career. But when her father tries to marry her off, she knows it's finally time to stand up for herself, despite the consequences. Now that she's cut off from the family fortune, her first challenge is to fight her attraction to her handsome new boss.

When Amy shows up looking for work with his landscaping crew, Dusty McNeil thinks there's no way such a pampered princess will ever get her hands dirty. But as Amy proves him wrong and gets down to the nitty gritty, Dusty's admiration turns to like, then lust - and then love. But can a high-society woman like Amy ever fall for a man like him? 

My thoughts:
Ha, that blurb is so not telling the truth.  Amy loves spending money, she loves the easy life, but then her father throws her out and tells her to marry her boyfriend. And here the truth of the blurb comes in. Sure she is all wtf!? at first. But she does not go running to her bf cos she decided she wants love and he is not that. And she does not go running to family either. She buckles down, gets a hardworking job and tries to fix her life.

Amy was sure a spoiled princess at first, but she truly changed fast because she had no other choice. And she was angry, she was upset, proud and mostly stubborn. She would not give in, she would show them! I liked that about her. I also felt bad for her cos even her family called her stupid, so she saw herself as no good, not even pretty and not really worth much.

Dusty does not know what to do with this spoiled princess, but he grudgingly starts to appreciate her. And fall for her of course, but it takes a while, he is a player. And he has his own trouble with family.

One thing that I did not care for was the sudden appearance of a side story with her cousin, I was all, who are these people? It stole from the main story. I do not mind a side story, but it was even wrapped up in a happy ending. It could have been in the background and then there would have been a story about them instead in another book.

Conclusion;
Back to this story. It was a cute  story. They fell in love. They found out what they wanted from life and lived happily ever after.

Cover
cute

Kindle Edition, 336 pages
Expected publication: March 28th 2017
Chapel of Love #2
Contemporary romance
NetGalley

Joint Book Discussion: To the Bright Edge of the World

Happy end of March! This month Carole and I read and discussed, "To  the Bright Edge of the World". Blodeuedd  in red and Carole in blue. 

Author: Eowyn Ivey

Title: To the Bright Edgae of the World

Genre: Historical Fiction and Magical Realism

Pages: ebook

First Published: August 2016

Where I Got It: My shelf (Bought on Amazon)

Colonel Allen Forrester receives the commission of a lifetime when he is charged to navigate Alaska's hitherto impassable Wolverine River, with only a small group of men. The Wolverine is the key to opening up Alaska and its huge reserves of gold to the outside world, but previous attempts have ended in tragedy.

For Forrester, the decision to accept this mission is even more difficult, as he is only recently married to Sophie, the wife he had perhaps never expected to find. Sophie is pregnant with their first child, and does not relish the prospect of a year in a military barracks while her husband embarks upon the journey of a lifetime. She has genuine cause to worry about her pregnancy, and it is with deep uncertainty about what their future holds that she and her husband part.

Yay, another Ivey book! I have wanted to read it since we read The Snow Child. It was not as good as the Snow Child, because they were really different.

Yesss! I was so excited when we decided to check this out. I think there is another book. But yes, it was very different.

At first I did not really know cos it was..different! ;) I missed the magical strangeness of the Snow Child, but it just sucked me in. I do like her writing and it had me reading, and reading, and reading. And I can not really explain why, because not a lot happened in a way.

There was a tiny, tiny couple of moments that were surreal, BUT that was because Allen and his company were starving. Hahaha. I agree. Normally I would’ve been bored with the lack of stuff happening, but the author has a way with her writing that keeps you hooked and wanting more.

Exactly, they were starving, can one really trust what they saw. Of course, I did like the surreal stuff and I want to believe it was real and not just the sickness, scurvy and lack of everything that made them think things.

And she really is an amazing writer for getting hooked liked that.

So...how did you like the format of the story? Like with the diary entries, letters, pictures, and jumping POV?

I liked it, it worked for me. I did not need the old guy with the curator, but it did bind the story together. And Sophie’s thoughts worked nice in the way it was done.

I wish she would’ve had the old dude and the curator say their peace at the end like an epilogue of sorts. That part I didn’t like much….BUT I loved Sophie’s thoughts. I really did like how you could tell who was writing/thinking. The format and style changed with each character. Allen didn’t know grammar to save his life tho LOLLL! Typical lazy man. ;D

You could really imagine who was talking, and I liked when that other guy wrote a few pages, now he could not write ;)

Sophie was the better of the writers. LOL. I felt so bad for her ;(

Me too, but I loved her she found her passion with photographs. That suited her.

Gotta do what you gotta do. I loved the added photos and drawings. It really made it feel like a collection of stuff instead of just a novel. Did you do any research after reading? I did! I didn’t realize this was based of real people.

I did not realise that! Now I feel bad for not reading up on them, I just assumed they were fake, and that she had taken her own pics or found some to use. But yes the drawings and photos were such a good bonus.

I like reading reviews after I read a book and someone shared a link to Allen’s journey on the military museum website (that is the only reason I knew). The author took some liberties for sure, but she did well capturing the real essence of the people.

I guess I have to google a bit later then :) I just assumed it was another guy who went on a journey and she used that to base this. But yup, I can guess where she took some liberties. I hope she writes something new soon. Her Alaska settings are really good.

Yes, she does good with bringing the world alive. She has another book out there. Maybe we can check it out one day.

I can only find a 29 page novella.

Maybe that is what I saw. Mhmmmm.

So let’s not. And let us hope instead she writes something more :D

Agreed, agreed. BTW - I must confess something……...I hated the ending and I hated Allen’s POV. D:

Throughout the whole book!? I liked it, it felt real for the army man he was. And no prob with the ending either.

I didn’t start kinda liking it until his return home entries and he was miserable the entire time. I think it was because I wasn’t fond of the character so I didn’t enjoy his POV. The ending just kind of ended. I wish there was more.

He sure was miserable, but I understood. I did not mind, I am glad he shaped up though cos else I would have been disappointed.

He did shape up a bit. IDK I think I was mad because he left Sophie when she really needed him, but I get it...the military-mentality of doing his duty. I just wish they would’ve let her come. THAT doctor she had needed a kick in the romp. Ugh.

He did not have much of a choice. Oh sorry, I can not leave on this important mission cos my wife is preggers, yeah, in that time he would have been without a job then.

For sure. I just wish he kept his promise on letting her come. Maybe they wouldn’t have ran out of food or been as miserable because she seemed like a planner and smart. Those three men did not seem the most prepared...their mission needed a woman’s help. LOLLLL

I Understood it like she would only have come to that place where that guy had that store, not on the entire trip.

I can’t remember. But even that would’ve been okay. At least take her with you part of the way so he could come back to her quicker. I maybe being harsh on Allen because I am biased and I didn’t like him.

I do not think she would have been happy at that village if they had left her there. Poor Allen ;)

Who knows! LOL And yes, poor Allen. Carole is a meanie xD

Done?

Yess, I’m done lol. :D Done?

The end….read the book everyone! ;)

READ BOTH OF THE BOOKS!!!! *throws books in the air*

:)

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging a long while now. The last couple of years the epic duo have been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.

#FitReaders: Weekly Check-In March 24 2017

FitReaders is hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog  and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Join in!

It's fun, it's good for you too :D

My week:

Sun 30 min  walk

Mon 45 min water aerobics, 2,5 jm bike

Tue  25 min walk, 2 k bike

Wed  30 min walk

Thu  15 min walk

Fri  1h walk

Sins of Empire - Brian McClellan

An epic new fantasy series from Brian McClellan, set in the same world as his wildly popular Powder Mage trilogy.

The young nation of Fatrasta is a turbulent place - a frontier destination for criminals, fortune-hunters, brave settlers, and sorcerers seeking relics of the past. Only the iron will of the lady chancellor and her secret police holds the capital city of Landfall together against the unrest of a suppressed population and the machinations of powerful empires.

The insurrection that threatens Landfall must be purged with wile and force, a task which falls on the shoulders of a spy named Michel Bravis, convicted war hero Ben Styke, and Lady Vlora Flint, a mercenary general with a past as turbulent as Landfall's present.

As loyalties are tested, revealed, and destroyed, a grim specter as old as time has been unearthed in this wild land, and the people of Landfall will soon discover that rebellion is the least of their worries. 

My thoughts:

After finishing the last trilogy I knew I had to read more by this author, and I did not have to wait long for this new series. I dove in head first and it's just one of those books you want to finish in a day, not matter length.

This one takes place 10 years later in a new place, with new people, except for Vlora, we saw her in the last series too. But you do not have to read that one to enjoy this one. This is a new country, new people, new conflicts, and when old things are mentioned it just breathes life into the novel. Of course you should totally still read that other series cos it was awesome.

It's a nation ruled by a powerful woman, but there is unrest. The people who lived there before is looked down upon and they want more say in matters. We get to know this world via a Michel, a spy. I always like those to investigate things and try to find out more what is happening so I liked him. Then we have Ben Stryke who has been in a work camp and is trying to get his life together again. He had some secrets. And of course Vlora, a general who with her merchants are paid by the chancellor. She is strong, she is awesome and takes no BS.

Rebels need to be flushed out. Conspiracies to be found and then there are even more secrets. It takes place in this city and everything is just alive. He does political intrigues so well and there is always something happening.

Conclusion:
I am totally looking forward to more. He is a really good writer. I liked his style of fantasy.

Cover
Nice

Paperback, 604 pages
Published March 9th 2017 by Orbit
Gods of Blood and Powder #1
Fantasy
Own

An unwavering trust - LL Diamond

Two strangers with no one to turn to but each other… Fitzwilliam Darcy is in a difficult situation. His father is pressing him to propose marriage to the last woman in the world he would wish to take as his wife. With a fortnight to announce his betrothal, he makes the acquaintance of Elizabeth Bennet, who is in a predicament of her own. Could Darcy be willing to consider Elizabeth as a solution to his problem and to hers? And can Elizabeth ascertain enough of Darcy’s character to trust him upon nothing but a first impression? 

My thoughts:

This was different. It started at an earlier date and well some of the people that used to be nice were asshats. And of course there are some changes in Lizzy's family too, you will see.

Darcy's dad wants him to marry Anne and gives him two weeks. Then he meets Lizzy. And yes yes we all know they will marry cos he does not want to marry Anne. And well just say Lizzy needs to marry too.

So this book was about them getting to know each other. It had some ups and downs. Darcy is still Darcy. But they never had that drama in the beginning so they started off on a different footing. They liked each other and they fell in love.

But there are other kinds of drama. There is always Wickham, that SOB.

Conclusion:
I enjoyed it. 

Cover
meh

Paperback, First Edition, 452 pages
Published May 20th 2015 by Independent Publisher
Pride and Prejudice variation
Own

The Heart of what was lost - Tad Williams

Following directly on from the events of TO GREEN ANGEL TOWER, the Norns and the Storm King Ineluki have been defeated at the Battle for the Hayholt; Seoman and Miriamele, the new king and queen, order their victorious armies to shadow the retreating Norns.

One of the enemy group is escorting the huge funeral cortege of one of their leaders, on their journey they become detached and trapped in the ancient fortress of Tangleroot on the frontier. As well as their dead lord, they carry a great magical artefact, a stone called the Heart of What Was Lost, one of the last relics of their ancient civilization. Soon the fortress is invested, the battle commences, and bloodshed and magic flow.

My thoughts:

I read Memory, Sorrow and Thorn ages ago. I really can't remember anything. Except for like 3 names and the cover of the last book.

This book takes place 6 months after that series ended and is a sort of conclusion to that series, but also a prequel to the new one. 

The bad guys are running back to the mountains and the good guys are chasing them...BUT, damn I rooted for the bad guys! Did I hate them back when? I have no idea. But here he made me sympathise with them. They wanted their land back. They wanted to protect their people. And if the humans won this last siege then everyone woman and child would be killed, raped and left to rot. The humans were angry and no, I did not see it from the perspective. I rooted for the Norns. I really liked how he did that. And I hope that in this new series I can still root for them, but I fear they might turn really bad and mad again.

Conclusion:
I really enjoyed this short book. And I must read the series that comes out this summer. I am def looking forward to it now.

Cover
nice

Hardcover, 210 pages
Published January 5th 2017 by Hodder & Stoughton
The Last King of Osten Ard 0.5, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn #3.5
Fantasy
Library

Carole's Monday Review: The last gods of Indochine - Samuel Ferrer

Author:  Samuel Ferrer

Title: The Last Gods of Indochine

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 439

Published: September 20th 2016

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

Jacquie Mouhot and Paaku the Lotus-Born are divided by six centuries but linked by a common curse. In medieval Cambodia, Paaku is an orphan whose community believes he may be a reluctant incarnation of a god, causing sectarian turmoil for the kingdom's leaders. Meanwhile, in 1921, Jacquie follows the footsteps of her grandfather, a famous explorer, to Indochina, where she becomes immersed in the tragedy of Paaku's history: a story simultaneously unfolding in the intertwined present and past, a story in which she still has a vital role to play.

I can't help but love books like these. Two different story lines, but ultimately connected. The past has a way of really playing a role in the present. Can't get enough of books like this!

But this follows Jacquie and Paaku. Jacquie is the granddaughter of an explorer and she decides to do some traveling. Paaku is a poor kid that is being forced into the world of politics and religion because they think he is the incarnation of a god. There is really a third character mixed in and that is Jacquie's granddad since we get a glimpse from his POV through diary entries. I think the blending of the three stories was done well. 

I felt bad for Paaku.

Jacquie was an interesting character, especially near the end. Did I like her? I don't think so, but she was interesting and complex. I really didn't except the big reveal at the end. 

It took a while for me to really get into the story. The first few chapter were meh, but it got better around halfway. Took a while, but once I was hooked, I was hooked. I finished the second half of the book within one sitting. 

Now..the ending was good, but I'm mad. HOW CAN LEAVE ME LIKE THIS!? I MUST KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT!!!!! GAHHHH! It was a very open-ended ending. I hope there is another book or even a short story that wraps everything up with a nice bow. Too much left unanswered. What is Jacquie going to do next? GAH! *shakes fist* BUT like I said...very good overall.

In the end, this was pretty good. It took me a while to really get into the story. A little longer than I like, but I held on and then at the halfway point I was hooked. The ending left me wanting more. The characters were interesting and complex. I didn't really connect with anyone. But I found them intriguing and that kept me going. I do recommend this for those that like historical fictions and complex situations and people. Out of five stars, I shall give this...mmmm....3 stars. Nearly a four.

About Carole the Reviewer

What is there really to say? I am of course a lover of books, poetry, movies, plays, and music. Nothing is better than enjoying a cup of tea and immersing yourself in another world and forgetting about the world for just a little bit. My cat and chinchillas keep me entertained over here in Michigan (the mitten state of the USA). I'm game for any genre of book or movie. You can find me over at Carole Rae's Random Ramblings.

DNF

I have another batch of dnfs, I did not want to post them all at once. Since January I have been reading many from the bottom of my TBR so the ones I have left are good books. These are mostly those I have taken from the library Take One Leave one table. And back there they gave gone.

Meh, weird.

First of it was boring
Second the heroine was so perfect
Third The hero, the way he was described...yeah
Fourth No

Meh meh meh

Not exactly bad, but for me to read 800 pages it has to be better than ok.
Too many fast pov changes. I need to get to know people to care

I tried, it was ok, but more and more povs showed up. Out of thin air and I never got to know them. I do not mind many povs but I could not remember anyone or care

#FitReaders: Weekly Check-in March 17 2017

FitReaders is hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog  and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Join in!

It's fun, it's good for you too :D

My week:

Sat 1 h walk

Sun 30 min skiiing, 15 min walk

Mon 45 min water aerobics

Tue  40 min walk

Wed  4 km bike, 15 min walk

Thu  2 k bike,  30 min walk

Fri  45 min walk

To tame a dangerous lord - Nicole Jordan

Dangerously sexy nobleman and former spymaster Rayne Kenyon, Earl of Haviland, has no interest in love. He merely desires an heir to carry on his title and therefore must have a wife. Rayne makes a surprising choice of brides by settling on the plain spinster daughter of a fellow spy who once saved his life. But the spirited and witty Madeline Ellis proves much more than Rayne bargained for.

Dazed by Rayne’s smoldering kisses, Madeline knows that she’s at last found love—with a man determined to avoid it. Once wedded, she decides to take fate into her own hands. Maybe, just maybe, she can kindle the fires in Rayne’s heart by turning her plain, ordinary self into a dazzling temptress. With a little help from the Loring sisters, the earl’s artless new wife becomes a beautiful, bold seductress in their marriage bed. But who could imagine that a simple marriage of convenience can suddenly be flooded with danger, desire, and unexpected love?

My thoughts:

I thought this one was much older, not creepy old, but older. It was just something about how he kissed her way too quickly, how she fell so quickly. It was old schoolish.

Riiight, so we have Madeleine who wants a new job.

Rayne who needs a bride so his gran can leave him al0ne.

They meet, soon they marry and she is all he is so awesome, but will never love me! But...he at least seems happy to do you every chance he gets. 

There is some spying, some helping a friend, making new friends, a brother in trouble and of course the most important NO COMMUNICATION. Talk to each other people. TALK!!! That did get annoying.

Conclusion:
But, it was more than ok. Not by much though, too old schoolish, way too much non communication. But still good.

Cover
meh

Mass Market Paperback, 455 pages
Published January 26th 2010 by Ballantine Books (first published December 29th 2009)
Courtship Wars #5
Historical romance
Own

Carole's Wednesday Review: The Ugly teapot - Fred Holmes

Author:  Fred Holmes

Title: The Ugly Teapot (Book One - Hannah)

Genre: YA, Children's book, and Fantasy

Pages: ebook

Expected publication: March 2016

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

Fourteen-year-old Hannah Bradbury loved her father so much that she worried about him constantly. After all, he was a photographer who traveled to the most dangerous places in the world. 

To allay her fears, each time he came home he brought her silly gifts, each one with supposed magical powers: the Seal of Solomon, the Ring of Gyges, even Aladdin’s Lamp. It was that lamp Hannah found the most unbelievable, for it looked like an ugly teapot. Nevertheless, her father assured her it was real, and made her promise to save her three wishes for something very special. 

Then . . . six months later . . . the unthinkable happened. Her father was killed while on assignment to Baghdad. And so on the day of his funeral Hannah did something she never thought she would ever do. 

She took out that teapot and gave it a rub . . .

I was immediately drawn to this book because it is unique. It is different and I needed to read to see what would happen to Hannah and her wishes.

Now, Hannah is a young girl who's father died. Through the convincing of her dog, Griff, (yes they can speak with each other telepathically - which is so cool) she decides to give the teapot/lamp a rub with a single wish in mind...to bring her Father back. Well...things happen and not how Hannah wanted them to. 

This story really does have some good moral lessons mixed in. I liked it, especially since this is intended for a younger audience. It's a good ready even for adults. It is simple and quick to read, but it was good. 

It was a little dark in some places, but not too dark where it would scare kids. It felt like those old school stories my parents would tell me when I was younger. Good stories were not everything is rainbows and kittens, because it is a story to teach you something. I think the best lesson that everyone needs to learn at a young age is that life is not fair and bad things happen. It is all about coping and moving forward.

Hannah was an interesting character. I wanted to learn more about her and her dog. They have some weird ability to communicate telepathically. It was really kinda cool and interesting. I also wanted to learn more about her dad. I did want to kick the mom. How blind can one person be? I get she is mourning her dead husband, but everything could've been avoided if she had been even remotely paying attention. 

The best part of this book was the ending. It was mind-blowing. I did NOT expect it at all. It made me a little sad especially one aspect. WHY!? So sad! 

In the end, this was good. It is a good story for adults and for young adults (I would say between 12+ personally). There are some dark parts, ridiculous parts, funny parts, and heart-felt, but it all complimented each other well and created a good story that teaches some lessons. The ending was insane and sad, but overall well done. I shall stamp this with 4 stars.

The Obelisk Gate - NK Jemisin

The season of endings grows darker as civilization fades into the long cold night. Alabaster Tenring – madman, world-crusher, savior – has returned with a mission: to train his successor, Essun, and thus seal the fate of the Stillness forever.

It continues with a lost daughter, found by the enemy.

It continues with the obelisks, and an ancient mystery converging on answers at last.

The Stillness is the wall which stands against the flow of tradition, the spark of hope long buried under the thickening ashfall. And it will not be broken. 

My thoughts:

By the GODS! This was so freaking boring! It started from page 1. Everything I felt for book 1 was just poof gone! And I do have that problem with her books. That blood moon whatever series, dnfed from start. Her first series, loved book 1 then it just went down. They are not consistent for me.

That woman from book 1 stayed in one place and was boring

Her daughter was in another place and took a bigger place in the book and yawn

Conclusion:
Utter disappointment. I should just have quit.

Cover
meh

Paperback, 448 pages
Published August 18th 2016 by Orbit
The Broken Earth #2
Fantasy
Library

Etched in Bone - Anne Bishop

After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders—a primitive and lethal form of the Others—the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no-man’s-land beyond their borders—and the darkness…

As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery’s shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.

With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end—with her standing beside a grave.

My thoughts:

I am sad to see this series end, I just started to enjoy it! I did have a rocky start with this series and had given up because I found Meg So annoying. But I waited 2,5 years, gave in and read book 2, and slowly it got better and I loved book 4.

So I went into this one rooting for Meg and Simon. I now liked this world and these people (even though so many more humans should die! They never change!!! Die die!)

I was surprised how much of it was focused on just the interactions between Cyrus and the courtyard. That motherf should burn! I hated him with a passion. I wanted him to get thrown out to get his flesh torn from his bones. You do not mess with my people man! But Elders are there watching. Everyone is trying to keep the fragile peace. If one thing go wrong, then what hope does humankind have in this world? And you knew it would get worse and worse and worse. And it does. I kept rushing to the end to see what happened. 

Conclusion:
I am happy with the ending. It felt like a new start. But I am sad to see this series ending. And yes yes I have seen more is coming but that is about other people, and mystery and it does not sound as good. Well that is just cos I like this series now.

Cover
they are all meh

ebook, 416 pages
Expected publication: March 7th 2017 by Roc
The Others #5
UF