Book Review: Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

Author: Maya Banks

Title: Never Seduce a Scot

Series: The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 418

Published: September 25, 2012

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her “touched.” Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn’t speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Content with her life of seclusion, Eveline has taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft. But when an arranged marriage into a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, Eveline accepts her duty—unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful that his new bride can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled that he stirs her deepest passions.

Graeme is intrigued by the mysterious Eveline, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation and whose bright, intelligent eyes can see into his soul. As intimacy deepens, he learns her secret. But when clan rivalries and dark deeds threaten the wife he has only begun to cherish, the Scottish warrior will move heaven and earth to save the woman who has awakened his heart to the beautiful song of a rare and magical love.

Review:

I picked this up for two reasons. One being that it fits into a couple reading challenges and two, one of the mains has a disability and I love inclusion like that in stories. Plus I can't remember the last time I read a HR in Scotland. It was time!!

Eveline and Graeme are our mains here. Eveline is fiercely loved and protected by her clan, but outsiders consider her "touched". She hasn't spoken since her accident. She doesn't speak to anyone including her family. After her accident she lost the ability to hear, but she can read lips, but she is allowing everyone to think her daft so she can avoid marrying a bad man. However, she is forced into a different marriage with Graeme. This is an arranged marriage to try and end war and the clan rivalry. She is intrigued because she can sort of hear his extremely deep voice. 

This took me forever to read. I was moving at a snail's pace. Why? Not sure. The story was interesting enough and I liked the characters. Maybe it was just me? It just felt like it was dragging forever in some spots. 

The love was a little too insta for my liking and some plot points/issues were resolved extremely quickly. However, I did enjoy the simplicity of their romance. Yes, they are being forced to wed, but they are both good people and they are obviously meant for each other. It was sweet. 

Ugh Ian. That is all. 

Screw all the McHughs. Hopefully their actions will fully unite Montgomerys and Armstrongs. 

I am curious about the next book. I believe it is Graeme's brother. Oooooo!

All-in-all, I did like this one. It was very sweet overall even with the issues I had. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Okay

Challenge(s):

- Library Love #26

- Romance Reading Challenge #25 (Arranged marriage/Marriage of convenience)

Audiobook Review: Viking's Prize by Tanya Anne Crosby

Author: Tanya Anne Crosby 
Narrator: Braden Wright

Title: Viking's Prize

(Medieval Heroes #2)
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published:  August 29th 2006
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Betrothed to a count after spending most of her young life in a French priory, the beautiful Elienor is kidnapped by a golden-haired Viking warrior whose touch awakens her innermost passions.

"YOU'RE MINE"
In a fury of bloodlust and retribution, the Norse warriors storm Brouillard castle and take their vengeance as their leader claims his prize -- the breathtakingly beautiful Elienor. Carried onto the high seas by Alarik, her golden-haired captor, Elienor is shocked and humiliated as she trembles not from fear, but from the desire his brazen touch awakens in her.

"ALL MINE"
Yet even in the land where he rules with an iron hand, Alarik is held mesmerized by ethereal violet eyes that see into his very soul -- and beyond. Beguiled and bewildered by her strange dreams and her fiery spirit he can barely control the passions she arouses in him. But tempted as he is to claim her and savor the pleasures of his fair prize, it is her heart he has sworn to possess and cherish forever....

I was craving a Viking story. It's been eons since I read one I think. Goodness...I can't even think of the last one I read. 

Elienor is betrothed to a French count, but after a Viking attack she is kidnapped by Alarik and his warriors. There is insta lust between the two, but they hate each other. It takes a while but the lust becomes love. And when I say it takes a while....it takes FOREVER. While they get to know each other, there is a betrayal beyond the horizon. 

I did not like either the hero or heroine of the story right away. It took me a while to warm-up to them. He was too harsh and I was mad when he killed a certain character. Grr! Elienor annoyed me. Soon I did warm up to them. 

The love took eons but it worked because they both hate each other for multiple reasons and yes...he did kidnap her...so it would be super Stockholm-y if it was insta love. There was a lot of trust and getting to know each other first. 

There was something that did really, really bug me. It was assumed that Elienor told him her big secret, but we didn't get to see it. I think that level of trust would've been really nice to see and experience. I really think that scene was needed to really cement their love. 

The ending battle was excited! So good, so good. Not 100% pleased with the decision with one character. He didn't deserve to be forgiven. SMH. Will not say, but I was annoyed.

The narrator was fantastic. Loved his voice!!! Sooooooooooooooooooooo good. And it was smexy for sure ;)

Overall, I did like this story. It was refreshing. This was slow-building but it worked. There was something missing and a scene I would've really liked to help cement their love. BUT oh well. Still good without it. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Changing up my star stamp since the other one is acting up. This may not be my forever new one, but it'll do ;) 

Medieval set

Book Review: Daughter of a Thousand Years by Amalia Carosella

Author: Amalia Carosella
Title: Daughter of a Thousand Years
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fiction, & Romance
Pages: ebook
Expected publication: February 21st 2017
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Given to me by the publisher/author for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Greenland, AD 1000

More than her fiery hair marks Freydís as the daughter of Erik the Red; her hot temper and fierce pride are as formidable as her Viking father’s. And so, too, is her devotion to the great god Thor, which puts her at odds with those in power—including her own brother, the zealous Leif Eriksson. Determined to forge her own path, she defies her family’s fury and clings to her dream of sailing away to live on her own terms, with or without the support of her husband.

New Hampshire, 2016

Like her Icelandic ancestors, history professor Emma Moretti is a passionate defender of Norse mythology. But in a small town steeped in traditional values, her cultural beliefs could jeopardize both her academic career and her congressman father’s reelection. Torn between public expectation and personal identity, family and faith, she must choose which to honor and which to abandon.

In a dramatic, sweeping dual narrative that spans a millennium, two women struggle against communities determined to silence them, but neither Freydís nor Emma intends to give up without a fight.


Holy drama! This was steeped in drama. Also, this also showed how times have not changed from 1000 AD to today. Religion is a huge issue that society is still dealing with. Which it really shouldn't an issue in my opinion. 

The story follows Emma is a modern girl who was raised Catholic, but it has never felt right. Things happen and her secret of being a "pagan"/"heathen" because she worships Thor and the other Norse gods is brought out to light at the worse time. She has to deal if she wants to continue living a lie or not. At the same time, in 1000 AD Freydis is hanging onto the old ways while Christianity is spreading like wildfire throughout her world. 

Honestly? I really liked Emma's story better. Strange, right!? But yes, modern Emma and her modern issues. I felt so bad for her because her ex was a jerk, her family is super Catholic, the whole community is super Catholic, she has to deal with a bitchy student, and trying to balance what she wants and what would be easy. Poor Emma. But yes, I really liked her and her story. 

Freydis was annoying. I get her issues too, but she was overly hot-headed for my liking. There times it was not really necessary. BUT it was really not her fault...her dad was bad too, plus everything is changing and she felt betrayed. Still...there were some times and situations that did not warrant her to explode. Okay...I did like her love story better than Emma's. I just might be biased because Freydis' lover is a hot Viking while Emma's lover is a PR guy....so yeah Freydis' lover is way better. ;D 

All-in-all, I really liked this book. I could hardly put it down. The two stories were really different, but very similar and it has the same morals. The two stories mixed well together. The writing was done well and I was sucked into both stories. I finished the book in a couple of sittings. 

In the end, I highly recommend this. This shall be stamped with 5 stars.

Book Review: The Romance of Tristan and Iseult

Author: Joseph Bedier
Title: The Romance of Tristan and Iseult
Genre: Classic, Romance, Tragedy, & fantasy
Pages: 96
First Published: 1900
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

A tale of chivalry and doomed, transcendent love, The Romance of Tristan and Iseult is one of the most resonant works of Western literature, as well as the basis for our enduring idea of romance. The story of the Cornish knight and the Irish princess who meet by deception, fall in love by magic, and pursue that love in defiance of heavenly and earthly law

I do love my tragic romances and this has been one of my favorites since I first read it at 12 years old. Ah yes...I started my romances at a young age. The story of Tristan and Iseult is considered the inspiration of some of the most well-known romances like 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'Lancelot and Guinevere'. I do like the tale of Lancelot and Guinevere (even tho I root for Arthur to win), but I have never liked 'Romeo & Juliet'. 

"Why? It's tragic like Tristan and Iseult!" They ask.

NO! It is not...it is two little kids who knew each other for a couple weeks and decide kill themselves. I believe that a deep love comes from more then a pretty face and just wanting to "be together". While Tristan and Iseult know each other for years - try to deny their love, try to be good so they don't destroy their love's life, but their love will sooner or later destroy them. NOW THAT is tragic! 

I really love this romance and the retelling of the poetry is nice, however, I am not a fan of the "love potion" part. I feel it takes away from the element of love...because I feel like they felt love the moment Iseult saved Tristan the first time. Could be wrong, but they didn't need the potion. Maybe it made it the love more intense. 

Other then that, I do love the fantasy aspect of the story - like the dragon. I loved that scene. 

Oooooh, I am such a sap...my heart melted again for this book. I do love Tristan. But I also felt bad for King Mark...yes when he finds out that he is being betrayed by his wife and nephew he does snap, but he does make up for it later. Honestly, everything would have been fine if they didn't force King Mark to marry...he was fine with leaving Tristan is heir, but NOOOO the damn Councillors didn't like Tristan, so they forced a wife on King Mark to make an heir. Why can't anyone leave well enough alone?!

UGH!

But yes...I highly recommend this to those that like some tragic classics in their lives. I must actually finish the movie from beginning to end now. I wish that this left out the "love potion", but alas...with or without it they were doomed to love each other. Other then that, I am still in love with the story and the characters. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 5 stars; more like 4.5, but alas, I rounded.


Favorite Character(s): King Mark (even tho he loses his cool at one point), Tristan, & Iseult
Not-so Favorite Character(s): The Councillors & the dwarf (>___>)  
 Favorite Quote(s): "Love pressed them hard, as thirst presses the dying stag to the stream; love dropped upon them from high heaven, as a hawk slipped after long hunger falls right upon the bird. And love will not be hidden...But in every hour and place every man could see Love terrible, that rode them, and could see in these lovers their every sense overflowing like new wine working in the vat."

Book Review: The Forever Queen

Author: Helen Hollick
Title: The Forever Queen (Saxon Series #1)
Genre: Drama, Action, Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
First Published: August 2004
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Amazon)

"Aged only thirteen, Emma, daughter of the Duke of Normandy, is married in a strategic alliance to King Aethelred of England. Inept and arrogant, Aethelred is loathed by his young wife, whom he punishes for his many failings as a ruler. Their first son, Edward, is born through an act of violence that is little more than rape. England is invaded by the Viking King Swein Forkbeard and his son Cnut. After a bitter struggle, Aethelred loses his kingdom and his wife. Emma, now dowager queen, holds London against the invader Cnut. When he demands she surrender or suffer the consequences, Emma stakes everything on a dangerous gamble, but troubles and tragedy still await the indomitable queen as she struggles for power and for survival... "

My goodness! This too FOREVER for me to read...gah!!!! Not because it was a horrid book or anything, it was rather long, but that's no excuse either. I had so many other books and things on my plate that would arrive and I would have to put this book on the backburner and get those done. Especially when school came into the picture. I'm taking two classes that involve reading like a crazy person. Sighs.

Anyways....

This was a great book! I never heard of Queen Emma before and now I'm ashamed of this fact, because she certainly is the epitome of a strong woman. Her life was rather tragic at places, but through it all she arose and conquered all. She never lost her spirit even when her first husband, Aethelred, abused her and raped her many times, because he could. He was a crappy king and since she was weaker, physically, he could put all his frustrations on her. 

I'm so glad that Cnut came into the picture and conquered England. That's SO horrible to say, but England needed a strong force to dominate. So with Emma at his side, England could have the strength they needed to build a strong country. If the vikings never conquered, I bet England wouldn't be what they are today. The earls acted like children and the kings were weak-minded and didn't care for the peasants. So yes, I'm glad Cnut took the reigns. I also really hope that Emma and Cnut had a true love, because she really deserved to be loved. One can only assume, because true love back then didn't matter and it was never recorded. 

I have a couple issues with this book. One, there were SO many POVS! It was hard to follow sometimes on who was talking/thinking, that I would have to go back a little bit and re-read. Again, I would love to have some sort of mention on when the POV was changing. Second, I skimmed a wee bit. Some parts were just dragging so much, that I skimmed. 

Other then those two things I really adored this book. The story was fun and the plot was interesting. I really enjoyed how Helen Hollick could suck me into the story. I felt like I was there and that is really needed when you read a Historical Fiction. You need to feel like you are there. See the world, smell the world, taste the world (weird, but you know what I mean), and feel the world. Helen Hollick did a great job with this. I would recommend this to those that love Historical Fiction or just a good story. I shall stamp this with 4 stars. 

 Favorite Character(s): Emma (of course), Pallig, Cnut (even though he was a snot at the beginning), and Thorkell
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Aethelred and Swein Forkbeard (meh)

Book Review: Knight of Fire

Author: Shannon Drake
Title: Knight of Fire
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, adventure, intrigue
Pages: 440
First Published: December, 1993
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Library book sale)


"He conquered her realm...and her heart.

With gentle words and senusous kisses, the steel-eyed Norman invader, Bret D'Anlou, vanquishes beautiful, defiant Princess Allora of the Far Isle. But one love must ultimatley be sacrificed in the treacherous tides of war - either the kingdom noble Allora cherishes...or the magnificent enemy whose touches sets fire her passions aflame."

The moment I opened the book, I was hooked. The story of Allora and Bret was so intriguing and addicting! Their relationship was a love-hate type relationship and I simply adored it! I had no idea on how they would get together in end (well, of course they get together! It's a historical, smutty romance...duh ^.^). They were just both so stubborn and refused to give an inch...especially Bret. He was a pig-headed Norman, who refused to listen.

I felt so bad for Allora, because she kept finding herself in awkward situations that made her look like traitorous wench. Half the time it wasn't her fault and Bret wouldn't listen to the facts. He would just call her liar and slam the door like a five year-old. However, he kept "forgiving" her and that annoyed me more, because he just didn't get it and I wanted to go into the book and kick Bret in the ass and scream at him. Gah. Sorry, but Bret annoyed the heck out of me.

Shannon Drake did a wonderful job developing the characters and the story. I mean, yes, some parts were very cheesy and not realistic, but the majority of the book seemed to come to life. The story flowed very well and I feel that Shannon Drake did an amazing job intertwining facts with the fiction. Even though I found many parts and fights annoying and irritating, I enjoyed every single one.

Besides for my irritation with the male hero, there wasn't much I could complain about. Even the large amount of sexual situations didn't bug me, because it didn't interfere with the story or seem unnecessary. Yes, the "love making" did get a little old at some points, but hey, Shannon Drake would make up for it in the next paragraph or the next chapter and it seemed to always balance itself out.

All-in-all, I really liked this book. It was a fun read and I simply adored Allora's and Bret's story. I even enjoyed the side characters romance. I can't say WHO, because it's suppose to be a big shocker and I don't want to ruin that for those who want to read this. Out of five stars, I grant this one 4 stars. I would recommend this to historical fiction/romance lovers and those who would like a nice and fun read.

Favorite Character(s): David (he was such a good guy) and Allora (I felt so bad for her and I could relate to her in some aspects)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Bret (gah, a pig-headed Norman) and Robert (-.-)

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<3CaroleRae