Donna Woolfolk Cross - The Pope Joan

For a thousand years men have denied her existence--Pope Joan, the woman who disguised herself as a man and rose to rule Christianity for two years. Now this compelling novel animates the legend with a portrait of an unforgettable woman who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept. When her older brother dies in a Viking attack, the brilliant young Joan assumes his identity and enters a Benedictine monastery where, as Brother John Anglicus, she distinguishes herself as a scholar and healer. Eventually drawn to Rome, she soon becomes enmeshed in a dangerous mix of powerful passion and explosive politics that threatens her life even as it elevates her to the highest throne in the Western world.

Comment: This was February's pick in one of my book club's. I didn't have an opinion about it before starting it, I wasn't expecting anything special but I wasn't dreading it either.
The story is about Joan, a young woman that according to some papers was pope for a while although this isn't written in any official text recognized by the Vatican. The author has taken advantage of her studies as an historian to write a fictional story about Joan based on some incongruence she found about Joan's life and that period in History.
The storyline follows Joan throughout her whole life. As a child, Joan wanted to study but was forbidden because she was a girl. Still she always found some way to learn and to be better than many boys. She also falls in love but life didn't always help her and after a terrible thing that happened to the village she was living in during her adolescence, she disguises herself as a man and looks for a life among a masculine religious Order. In there she learns so much more and gains a reputation of someone who helps the ones in need. From there she starts living among the important religious figures of that time and comes the time she is indeed recognized as pope. While this happens she reconnects also with her former beloved and her end comes soon after, when she's past 40.
I liked the story a lot, I've read the whole book in one day because the story moved along and every time I tried to stop something important was happening in Joan's live and I couldn't. The writing obviously took some liberties considering the time it is set but to the fictional part if the book, I don't think there's many flaws. Of course I'd like some things to be different but I didn't find any threatening issues with what I was reading. In the end it's an interesting read, full of facts but made believe enough to entertain. It's actually a very good book in the historical romance genre. I recommend it because it's easy to read and has strong elements that make us eager to see Joan have some victories.

Thea Harrison - The Serpent's Kiss

Recently, Vampire Queen Carling's power has become erratic, forcing her followers to flee. Wyr sentinel Rune is drawn to the ailing Queen and decides to help find a cure for the serpent's kiss-the vampyric disease that's killing her. With their desire for each other escalating they will have to rely on each other if they have any hope of surviving the serpent's kiss...

Comment: After such a disappointing book #2 in this author's series, I wasn't that thrilled to read this one, although in the end of Storm's Heart the couple of this 3rd book seemed promising. I'm glad I decided to insist (not counting the fact I already had the book anyway) because this story was much better. Not to the perfection of the first book, but better than the second, for sure. Carling is a very old vampire and she thinks she is close to dying because her powers are getting erratic and sometimes she looses conscientious thought and gets "lost" in her own mind. Rune is one of Dragos' sentinels and has a pretty much laid back life, but he's very concerned about his friends, so this is why he asked Carling for a favor in the end of the second book. So this 3rd book starts with him going to Carling to pay for it and fully expecting something that will take a long time but after a strange meeting she says the favor is paid. Still, Rune lingers because he is intrigued with Carling's problem and in the path to help her, they fall in love. I think this book was better mainly because the two main characters have chemistry and the actions they take to help Carling make the story move along which means there's less boring moments than in the 2nd book. I confess I was hoping for a different take in their relationship, but due to the storyline itself it couldn't be. I felt it was too straight, too narrow, I think I wish it could've allowed for more fun in their falling in love, the way it is, it doesn't feel like that. Perhaps it's the fact they're both beings with many years on them, but sometimes there could have been more funny moments than the ones that were. I liked seeing them fall in love though and trying to find a cure to Carling's problem. I was happy to see how simple is was after all that time. This means they can be happy sooner. This 3rd book seemed to have a better dialogue too, so things didn't look so boring. In the end the next couple is introduced and I was so eager to read their story right away, thankfully it won't take too long because the book is almost out and I've just read a review saying how amazing it is, yay. About this one, I'm ok with it, there's still some things in there I'd change but well...this happens to all of us while reading a book that isn't perfection, right?

Camilla Lackberg - The Ice Princess

Returning to her hometown of Fjallbacka after the funeral of her parents, writer Erica Falck finds a community on the brink of tragedy. The death of her childhood friend, Alex, is just the beginning. Her wrists slashed, her body frozen in an ice-cold bath, it seems that she has taken her own life. Erica conceives a book about the beautiful but remote Alex, one that will answer questions about their own shared past. While her interest grows into an obsession, local detective Patrik Hedstrom is following his own suspicions about the case. But it is only when they start working together that the truth begins to emerge about a small town with a deeply disturbing past.

Comment: A friend offered this book to me on Christmas. I had already made the decision to buy it, so it was a very nice surprise to get it sooner. The story is a thriller, a elaborated story about the relationships and ties a group of characters has in a city in Sweden.
The story mixes up personal details on the lives of practically every character and if I recall correctly, almost everyone who is important for the story has a POV somewhere in the book. At first I thought this was a bit confusing because it means I had to take notice of many people at once and this gets tiring after a while, but the story is so fast paced that it's done in a subtle way. The characters are interesting and they all have some kind of personal issue that makes the story more alive instead of static. The character I liked the most was Inspector Mellberg, he is such a funny character in a more heavier set that I couldn't help laugh about his antics, he's totally stereotyped but great to read about.
The tone of the book tends to be darker than usual but I don't know if it's instinctive comparison on my part to other authors, but it didn't feel like that to me. I managed to feel a bit distanced from it, in a certain way. I don't think this was a bad thing because the mystery was well done, but it's something I noticed. Then, perhaps, it's the fact it's a trademark of Swedish writers as I felt a bit of the same while I was reading Stieg Larsson's trilogy.
In the end the book was great yes, I want to follow the "adventures" of the main couple, protagonists of the following books. Next month I'll buy them and eventually will read them too.

Kelley Armstrong - Bitten

Elena Michaels seems like the typically strong and sexy modern woman. She lives with her architect boyfriend, writes for a popular newspaper, and works out at the gym. She's also a werewolf. Elena has done all she can to assimilate to the human world, but the man whose bite changed her existence forever, and his legacy, continue to haunt her. Thrown into a desperate war for survival that tests her allegiance to a secret clan of werewolves, Elena must reckon with who, and what, she is in this passionate, page-turning novel.

Comment: I've read this book because it was one of the chosen ones by a book club I participate in. This is the story of Elena, a werewolf bitten against her will. Since it happened she has developped insecurities and after gained some control over her condition she tries to live as human, near humans and looks for peace. One day though, she gets a call from her former alpha and returns to the place where everything happened to help them and perhaps sever ties completely. What Elena didn't count on was the problems and the attacks on the pack members that would follow and her decison would have to be made sooner and faster...

I liked the writing a lot. The author has made a compelling story, a bit different from the usual in werewolves because Elena didn't want to be one and fought this with all her strenght until she had no other option to avoid hurting other people. The pace was also good, in each chapter something was happening and I was curiously intrigued with what was happening. Now, the thing with this story, to me, was the fact I disliked Elena tremendously. And to help with things, the book was told in first person, Elena's POV. Why did I disliked Elena so much? She is one of the most selfish characters I've read about. She acts in a certain way that although I udnerstand, I don't think it's correct. She has issues yes, she still doesn't know what to do with the fact she's a werewolf, she has doubts and fears, I get all that, but she behaves in a certain way and I think it's morally irresponsible. In real life I think things like what she did probably happen more often than not, but in a book I'd have liked her to come to terms about it sooner. And she doesn't.
Apparently in the following book in this series she takes a no-going-back final decision. But this means in this book it's really difficult to see her position and accept it. Well, to me at least. I will read the next book not much because I care for her growing up emotionally (at this point I don't give a d*** about it), but because some characters are promising and I'm eager to know more about some of the secondary ones. I just hope it's better than this one. However, tis won't happen so soon, but according to what some people have said to me, I'll like Elena in the second book...but right now it seems unlikely. I still recommend the book for the writing which is really good; and, perhaps, probably others will see Elena's behaviour differently from what I saw...

Tess Gerritsen - Ice Cold

In Wyoming for a medical conference, Boston medical examiner Maura Isles joins a group of friends on a spur-of-the-moment ski trip. But when their SUV stalls on a snow-choked mountain road, they're stranded with no help in sight.
As night falls, the group seeks refuge from the blizzard in the remote village of Kingdom Come, where twelve eerily identical houses stand dark and abandoned. Something terrible has happened in Kingdom Come: Meals sit untouched on tables, cars are still parked in garages. The town's previous residents seem to have vanished into thin air, but footprints in the snow betray the presence of someone who still lurks in the cold darkness -- someone who is watching Maura and her friends.
Days later, Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli receives the grim news that Maura's charred body has been found in a mountain ravine. Shocked and grieving, Jane is determined to learn what happened to her friend. The investigation plunges Jane into the twisted history of Kingdom Come, where a gruesome discovery lies buried beneath the snow. As horrifying revelations come to light, Jane closes in on an enemy both powerful and merciless -- and the chilling truth about Maura's fate.

Comment: Another book by this author. I think I'm safe to admit that this author is currently my favourite in terms of suspense books. I think she's brilliant and her writing is pure perfection to me! Why? Because like I said before, she doesn't write from the villains' POV, she doesn't make me suffer through their perverted or psycothic minds and still her books are full of darker moments because of those characters. Besides, she writes wonderfully, I don't know if it's mainly her or if the editor's work is huge, but whichever way, the books just seem to flow easily when I'm reading them. I can confess I did read this whole book in one single day. Even with RL work to do!
The story...Maura Isles is away in a conference and as an impulse she decides to go on a trip with new friends but things start going wrong from the beginning. When they're in the middle of nowhere, with snow covering everything everywhere and one of them is deeply hurt with no apparent way of help coming their way, plus with a ghost city around them, things don't seem to be any worse, but they do get worse. And badly.
I'm once again amazed at this author's imagination, at the way she makes us think on a problem from a certain POV and then things change and that awful issue is actually due to a more simpler reason, it's brilliant! I read the book so fast, I just couldn't put it down, the rythmn of her novels, after they get going, it's great, it's fast and unpredictable. I always have a great time reading the books, even when the stories are harder for me to read (as it happened in Vanish), and I always end th book with the feeling it should have been bigger.
I have to thank a friend, she recommended these books to me, if it weren't for her, I wouldn't even know what I'd be missing!
For those who like thrillers, go for it, this author rocks!

Lora Leigh - Lawe's Justice

Mating heat gives him the Heebie Jeebies. It makes his stomach clench. It makes his teeth grind. Not because he wants to avoid it.
Sure as hell not because he's searching for it and can't find it. No, it's the woman he's sensed is his mate, the woman that makes him insane every time they cross paths. The one woman he knows he can never, ever tame. The mercenary sister of Jonas’ mate, Diane Broen. And he doesn’t mean mercenary in the monetary sense. Oh hell no, he couldn’t be that damned lucky. Diane is the commander of a small group of rough and ready male soldiers. A woman living on the edge, and threatening to pull him over with her.

Comment: The latest installment in the Breeds series.
We finally have the story of Lawe Justice, one of the most important enforcers in the breed world. His mate isn't someone he imagined his mate could be, because Diane is a fighter, she doesn't sit at home, she goes out there into the fighting to help and Lawe's instincts tell him she should be safe. But if he forbids her from being who she is, can she be happy like that?
I liked the book a lot, mainly because we have so many details concerning the breed's fight against the scientists who hurt so many of them in the past. We get to know more things about genetics and especially about key characters that might be able to help the breeds. It's all very interesting and I loved seeing so many character's interact in the story.
To be honest, the romance was the thing that interested me the least, not because it was bad, but mostly because it was a bit predictable, so I knew Lawe would eventually accept Diane the way she is. We also see some things about themselves, about those around them and what it means for them to accept their relationship, what it will mean to be a team.
The story also follows the storyline of Amber, Diane's niece. Amber is a baby who shows some breed's patterns, although she is only human. I'm very interested in seeing if Amber can be helped and part of fascination is that this would mean more characters showing up and being a deisive part of future books.
I can't wait for next one, this feels like a soap opera and the only bad part is to wait for so long for next "chapter".

V. B. Kildaire - Hidden Treasure

According to legend, five hundred years ago the country of Connmeera sent an exceptional gift to the country of Ormslea, but the ship was overtaken and the treasure lost. Now proof of the treasure has been found in the vast, daunting country of Jarvoct, and Connmeera and Ormslea mount a joint venture to recover the treasure. Ormslea sends Jaxom Archeron, the son of a noble family, an elite soldier known for his dedication to duty. But the Queen of Connmeera chooses Lord Dorian Pelias, a poor relation who could benefit even if the mission is unsuccessful.
While the two men at first have nothing in common, as they travel, Dorian’s intelligence, optimism, and kindness work their way past the wall of resolve Jaxom long ago constructed around his heart. When a Jarv prince attempts to enslave Dorian for his own purposes, Jaxom comes to his rescue, shaken by how much Dorian has come to mean to him. Recovering the treasure isn’t the only challenge they will face as they search for common ground and a life in disparate countries that may not be so pleased to welcome them home.

Comment: This book tells us the story of Jaxom and Dorian, two nobles from different countries that go together on a mission for their monarchs and while travelling face several a dventures and, obviously, a growing attraction.Jaxom has a family that only wants power but he's different and has honor as well as dedication. He accepts the mission to look for the missing treasure in order to accomplish something, and to get away from his family.
Dorian is the poor relative in the family, he's plain and others mock him behind his back. So, the queen orders him to the mission and thus helping him but not in a pitiful way.
Jaxom is complex, a bit cynical and doesn't look too happy with things, he's only doing his duty. Dorian, despite everything not so well in his life is still friendly, innocent and looks at things always with a bright smile. I couldn't wait to see them clash and react to each other.
The soty is very interesting because it's fantasy, which means many rules we would apply to usual books don't happen here and it's good to see things from a different perspective. the world created is based on a certain hierarchy but it has at the same time many freedom and distance from the usual fantasy stories, that makes it more appealing.
In terms of romance, I was very happy wit it, but I'd like to see some more....I don't know, perhaps more struggle before they embraced their feeling s for each other. Things taht look to easy usually are more boring than when there's some kind of confict, even if it's only internal. I don't mean to say they should despair over those feelings before admiting them, but perhaps a little bit more strenght in the "could we actually be togther" theme would have been nice.
I liked the story a lot, but the only real things I'd change it's the end, in my opinion it was too fast, I was hoping to see more feelings depicted int he end, perhaps even an I love you, which didn't happen, at least not in words.
All in all a great story, one I'd certainly re-read in the future...if I have the time...

Anna Windsor - Captive Soul

Her flame power nearly extinguished in a battle against the dark forces attempting to control Manhattan, fire Sybil Camille Fitzgerald is down but not out. Joining a new squad of warrior witches, she hopes to reclaim her fighting spirit and, with luck, her pyrotechnic mastery. Two problems on that front: a new army of cannibalistic demons and her superheated lust for John Cole, an unholy blend of demon and U.S. Special Forces agent now working undercover for New York’s Occult Crimes Unit.
John knows he can’t be trusted -- hell, he can’t trust himself. His warrior soul has entered a new, supernaturally fit body. Unfortunately, it’s a body belonging to the Sybils’ worst enemy, whose supernasty essence still lingers. But when John’s demon energy seems more alive than dead, it’s Camille whose scorching kiss keeps him human -- for now. All he’s got to do is master his dark side and save Camille and the Sybils from an army of satanic hellboys planning their ultimate destruction.

Comment: Well, this author has a good thing in her favour, she writes well. Her books have emotion and the sentences sound good, both in grammar and in a literay way.
The problem? The story is a little bit boring.
Camille isn't the most talented sybil, at least in the usual powers a sybil has. But she's still chosen by Bela to be part of a squad (the only squad in existence) and learns to cope with her lackings in order to help the team. In the end of the previous book she does a spell somehow and her soul touched the soul of John Cole, the "spirit" that lived in another chaarcter's head (can I say lol?). After that it's like they recognized each other and it's understood they will belong together.
It's not like I have many issues with the book, I don't, but as it is a bit boring, it obviously takes longer to finish it, which makes the book feel...well, not heavier, but more tiresome, so it clouds my judgement a bit. I'm not sure how this book could be better, the feel of it it's not easy banter or funny team work, but it's not high drama either, so...I guess the problem is there's exactly no fun in this. Even the dialogue - that usually provides the easier moments in the story - isn't as easy and funny as it could be, which makes the book too serious and one has to be paying attention all the time, it's like we can't rest from the problems...I can't explain why this feels like this to me, there are other authors who write in this way and I don't share this opinion about them, so...it's the author, I know, but in a way, this one just makes her chaarcters a bit more plain, a bit more boring, if you know what I mean.
Now it looks like I didn't like it, I did. But that's it, I just liked it, not loved it.
The romance is interesting but not super amazing as it should, considering the way things work out. The bad guys...how to not avoid them.. hum, I confess I just read a sentence here and there when they were "on"....yes, shame on me.
I think this books has all the problems of middle books in trilogies, we don't get enough new things and it's still too early to solve most of them. I'm confident the next one, the last of the trilogy, will be much better.
If I were to grade this one, I'd say a C. You read it but it's just a distant memory after a while.

Amanda Quick - Seduction

Townsfolk called him devil. For dark and enigmatic Julian, Earl of Ravenwood, was a man with a legendary temper and a first wife whose mysterious death would not he forgotten. Some said the beautiful Lady Ravenwood had drowned herself in the black, murky waters of Ravenwood Pond. Others whispered of foul play and the devil's wrath. Now country-bred Sophy Dorring is about to become Ravenwood's new bride. Drawn to his masculine strength and the glitter of desire that burned in his emerald eyes, the tawny-haired lass had her own reasons for agreeing to a marriage of convenience. One was vengeance, and in its pursuit she would entangle Julian in a blackmail plot, a duel at dawn, and a dangerous masquerade. The other reason was dearer to her heart, but just as wild a quest. Sophy Dorring intended to teach the devil to love again.

Comment: After asking for recommendations for this challenge I was immediatly eager to read this one as the february theme. For one, I loved all the books I've read so far that the author has written with this pen name, and for other, the story intrigued me.
Sophy refused a marriage proposal because she fears the man who might become her husband wouldn't accept her small demands while entering the marriage. She wants freedom enough to pursue revenge for her sister but it wouldn't be soemthing she could accomplish if her new to be husband would forbid her to be in london.
Julien, the earl, wants to marry her because he thinks, as she's 23 years old, she's more mature and he wouldn't have to worry she might be reckless like his first wife.
After the marriage both think they know what to expect from the other, but feelings start to happen between them and nothing goes as expected.
I liked the book a lot, the story is fluid and as always, the dialogue is witty and full of sarcasm, something I just love in these books. The idea of marriage isn't as easy as they both thought and they have to learn to cope with the challenges the other means to both their lives and hearts. I liekd the tomance a lot, like in most cases in this author's books, the romance storyline is slowly developped, but feels better because of that. It's not only the regency time that stops everythign from happening too fast, it's the whole characterization of the protagonists, I liked reading about them and to learn things, one step at a time,about them.
The story ends up a bit predictable but I knew what to expect and to be honest I wasn't disappointed; I was actually quite happy with it and had a great time reading the book. This wasn't the first book I've read by the author, my favourite so far remains The River Knows, but all the books I've read are fun and interesting to see, so always a good bet for me.
All in all, a good story, a good time and I want to read more in the future, for sure.

Kerrelyn Sparks - Eat Prey Love

WANTED: Bride. Must love children. Mortals need not apply.
Carlos Panterra is looking for a mate, a woman who will love and care for the young orphans he's recently taken under his wing (or paw, as the case may be). When the shape shifter spies the beautiful Caitlyn, it's like sunshine amidst the darkness. At last, he's found the perfect woman, except ...
Caitlyn Whelan is mortal. Worse, her father is the head of a CIA agency bent on hunting the undead. Still, Caitlyn knows that Carlos is the man for her, shape shifter or not. So she jumps at the chance when her sister offers her a job to work with him, determined to show Carlos their attraction is more than just animal magnetism. But danger lurks in the night, and their unleashed, untamed passion might just get them both killed ...

Comment: Another book in the series by this author. The last one I've read wasn't anything special, but this one rocked!
I think it was very well written and the pace was perfect.
Carlos wants a mate to help him with some orphans as well as to continue the species because his kind is almost extinct, but it's not so simple because there are so few were panthers around and he feels time is getting away.
Caitlyn is reunited to her sister Shanna (protagonist of book #1) after a long time and in the same night she makes peace with her, she meets Carlos. The attraction is mutual but Carlos thinks a human mate wouldn't do and tries to get away but after Caitlyn accepts to work for Angus' company, they start working together and caitlyn decides to take the risk and goes after Carlos.
I think the story is very interesting, there was always something happening that made me curious and eager to know what would happen next. We meet new characters and close to the end there's even a feel of suspense and a new villain apparently arrives which means more possible storylines. I must say the plot is very interesting at this point.
The romance convinced me and the end too. I finished the book very happy with the way things were. Carlos accepted that some things aren't as predictable as they should and Caitlyn realised happiness isn't as simple as it she might want. The concessions both have done are believable and this makes the end much more perfect.
I can't wait for next one, if it's good as this one, I'm sure I'll love it.

Lara Adrian - Darker After Midnight

In the dark of night, a blood war escalates within the hidden world of the Breed. After existing in secret for many long centuries, maintaining a fragile peace with the humans who walk beside them unaware, a single act of retaliation has put the entire vampire nation at risk of discovery. It falls to the Order -- a cadre of Breed warriors pledged to protect their own and humankind alike -- to stop Dragos, the power-mad vampire at the center of the conflict, before his push for domination can explode into catastrophe.
At the center of the Order's quest is Sterling Chase, once a morally rigid enforcer of Breed law, now a warrior fallen from grace, whose biggest battle is the one he wages against his own savage nature. With addiction beckoning him toward eternal darkness, Chase's path to redemption has never seemed more out of reach. But when his eyes meet those of Tavia Fairchild, a beautiful witness who identifies him at the scene of a mission gone terribly wrong, Chase finds himself drawn to the woman -- and convinced she is something much more than she seems.
Pulled into a vortex of intrigue and danger she can neither resist nor understand, Tavia is uncertain whom to trust. And while everything sane and logical warns her against getting close to Chase, she cannot deny that the handsome, deeply haunted male stirs something primal and ravenous within her. But even as she surrenders to her cravings, nothing can prepare her for the shattering truth of who -- and what -- she truly is.
As the Order's enemy mobilizes for the battle of the ages, Dragos and his Minions unleashing a hell on Earth like nothing ever seen before, Chase and Tavia are thrust into the heart of the violence. With time running out and the streets running red with the blood of innocent lives, both Breed and human, together Chase and Tavia must find a way to defeat Dragos once and for all -- or die trying.

Comment: All the fans must have been eagerly awaiting for this book, I'm sure. It's the last story in the present arc, the author has said. The next book features more characters but in a different time, I guess. The main protagonist will be someone who's a child in this arc.
Anyway, this book tell us the story of Sterling Chase, he used to be the perfect enforcer in the breed world, but gave that up to join the Order and started to go down on his actions. Everyone seemed to be worried about him and his behaviour.
The there's Tavia, a young woman who's been alone in life, except for her aunt, and who gets in the middle of the Order fight agaisn their enemy, Dragos. But after meeting Chase and identifying him in a police station, things start changing for her and there's nothing else for her to do but ask for Chase's help.
I liked the book so much, I was worried I might not, because final books are always something that can go wrong and leave a bitter taste in an otherwise perfect series but this book is amazing. Loved it!! The author has done everything to make the reader happy and satisfied. The bad guy dies, all the characters have importance and have a highlight somehow, we get more clues about what's to come and about things we believed were something and after all...there's news about the whole conception of the breed world and new things are shocking but in a good way. I think the author has done a great job in order to start the next arc because she has a lot to deal with.
The romance between the Tavia and Chase is good, I think it has chemestry and sweetness, I loved their interactions and how things ended up for them, very believable.

This was really a great book and there's in me a sense of hopelessness because it's the end of something..I know there's more books to come, but these characters we've followed for years are happy, and are, in a way, done and it always leaves something in us after being with them for so long... I guess it's a rather silly thing to feel, considering it's books we're talking about but...books touch us and it is strange to think of their ending even if not completely.

Marquesate - Her Majesty's Men

Her Majesty's Men is the story of two soldiers in the British Forces and of a friendship taking unexpected turns. In the eyes of the Army they are just two mates who are close. But from the revelation of personal secrets, ensuing hatred and aggression, through terror and danger, to loyalty, triumphant strength and courage, grows their own realisation of what they are: comrades first and foremost, but something else too, something more significant. The two Royal Engineers, Sgt Tom Warren and SSgt Alex Turner, learn to understand the real meaning of loyalty and strength. Their fight for survival cuts through all the discipline and rules, to tie them together in a unique bond of companionship and .

Comment: I've had this book to read for ages. I finally decided to try it and considering I loved Special Forces so much, I knew this had to have the same theme - military men - so I knew what to expect. I like stories where one of the protagonists thinks he's got no chance with the other person. It's always such a great trip to see it happen.
In this story Tom is lusting after Alex for a long time but never said anyhting because a) they're in the military and b) he's Alex's best friend and doesn't want to ruin things.
But after so many time, Alex finally realises he's never seen Tom with any girl and keeps asking why until Tom comes clean and says the truth. Alex is astonished and they fight and it seems their friendship has no future. But after a mission things change and both of them have to deal with it.
I liked this story a lot, I think one of the best things in this author's work is the details and how convincing everything seems when she describes them. The characters seem very real and alive because they have human responses, things seem to be more powerful when she describes them. Plus, I like the idea of military men fallling in love, of the fact there's this feeling there and they can't do anyhting about it until it's too much to bear and they have to act on it. I think this was really well done.
The story ended up good, I am aware there's a sequel, and I'll read it one day because these two characters, after overcoming some of their fears, some things in their pasts - especially Alex - they took a step further in their relationship and despite there's still things to deal with, they seemed happy with their decision. I can't wait to read more, but this book aloneis very good.

Deborah Cooke - Flashfire

Master illusionist Lorenzo's dragon nature is his biggest secret. It's also another detail to juggle, like ensuring each of his Las Vegas magic shows is a true spectacle. That is until he feels the burn of his firestorm and his whole world shifts.
Lorenzo wants to satisfy the firestorm and put it behind him. But photographer Cassie Redmond is hard to forget. And when Slayers target the mate he didn't believe he wanted, Lorenzo realizes he'll do anything to keep Cassie safe...

Comment: This is the latest installemnt in the dragon series by the author. I absolutly loved this book! I'm very happy with this because the previous one wasn't the best in the series for me, so I'm not only happy with the book itself but also with the fact I did like it.
The story focuses on Lorenzo, a Pyr who doesn't care much for the Pyrs and is planning a way to disappear from the human radars as well as the Pyrs. He works as a magician and through his art he imagined a way to die without doubts and in a way that will be convincing. However, in mere three days before his final act, he meets his mate and has his firestorm. He's surprised but doesn't beleive in myths and thinks she won't get pregnant if they're together, so he satisfies the firestorm. But of course, things aren't as simple as he might think.
I liked the story a lot. I've read the book almost nonstop and only stopped because of RL demands. The plot was interesting, fluid, easy to follow, like all the pieces were there just waiting to fit. The romance was good too.
Both main characters had doubts in their confidance in relationships but in the end they overcame their fears of commitment and admited to each other - and themselves - that they were happier together. Lorenzo also started to imagine his son and it was so good to see him that way. In the end all the couples were together and it was great to see their companionship. We also see clues about the next stories, and the idea of who might be protagonist too.
This was a great book, I enjyed it immensely. I recommend it to everyone who likes dragons and romance.

Thea Harrison - Storm's Heart

Able to wield thunder and lightning, wyr sentinel Tiago Black Eagle has ruled the skies for centuries. His massive build and thunderous power make him one of the wyr's best weapons. And he's the one sent to protect Tricks, heir to the Dark Fae throne, when she's almost assassinated in Chicago. Soon Tiago and Tricks will fall prey to the stormy hunger that engulfs them-a passion that will shake the very foundation of all the worlds.

Comment: Before reading this book I've read some reviews and most of them (if not all) said that it was strange how fast Tiago and Tricks fall in love considering how long they have met and how it never happened anything between them to indicate attraction much less romantic feelings.
Now that I read the book I must say I agree... it was very strange how suddenly they went from friendly work partners to desperate love...and the fact the author kept saying that and still pushed them together...I just think there's no real chemestry between them, I wasn't convinced of it.
The storyline, I also must say, was pretty boring until page 90 or something. All those doubts Tricks had and Tiago going after her, it was all tiresome to read, it took me too long to go past that. After this, the story seemed to evolve more and the plot gained some interest with more characters showing up.
After such a great 1st book, I was expecting more. One of the things I loved the most was the constant information about all the kinds of beings that existed and in this book we don't get tha same "discovery" sense, but I was curious about some characters and will read the following books because of that.
In this book, the main focus is Tiago and Tricks's fight to accept each other. Like I said, the attraction wasn't convincing therefore everything else was also a bit too tasteless and the end...if you read it you know what I mean, it was just WTF? Once again I didn't think it was that believable and I think if the author had made things differently in terms of placing them in a different place, methaphorically speaking, towards Tricks new position, than perhaps the feeling of distance wouldnt be this strong to me...I'm not sure I'm explaining myself well, but I feel they're too far away from everything else because it sems they're too alone, you know...Anyway, perhaps it's just me.
Like I said, I'm curious about the protagonists of the next book, so I'll keep reading, but I hope it's better than this one.

Agatha Christie - And Then They Were None

Ten strangers are gathered together on an isolated island by a mysterious host. One by one, the guests share the darkest secrets of their wicked pasts. And one by one, they die...

Comment: This was a re-read. I've read this book along time ago, years ago to be more exact.
I've re-read it for both the portuguese book club and the challenge I'm participating in this year as the author is obviously from Europe.
The book tell us the story of ten people, all invited to stay in an island, and somehow they all start showing up dead. There's no connection between them, they don't know any of the others and there's no reason why anyone might want to kill anybody else. It's a mystery full of litle details and all the answers are, as always, in the characters themselves.
This a clever book by the author, one of my favourites by her, a book whose plot is the most amazing onea nd the end is completely unimaginable.
But more than the way everybody dies or why, there's the how on one of the deaths, the last one, that really made me think, even after a second reading. I can't explain it without spoilers, but it's surprising how one's inner guilt can be a powerful weapon.
I recommend this book to everyone. It's a classic of how the psycological can be the main reason to do something instead of only the circunstance.
I don't have many things to say about this without spoilers, but the author is indeed an expert in the human mind and actions leading the motifs. A great book.

Michelle Rowen - The Demon in Me

HELL HATH NO FURY...
Fate has led Eden Riley to become a "psychic consultant" to the police, even though her abilities are unreliable at best. Those paranormal powers are about to get her into a jam she couldn't have predicted: After her hunky police detective partner guns down a serial killer in front of her, Eden realizes that she's quite literally no longer alone. A voice in her head introduces himself as Darrak. He's a demon. But not in a bad way!
...LIKE A WOMAN POSSESSED.
Darrak lost his original body three hundred years ago, thanks to a witch's curse. This is the first time he's ever been able to speak directly to a host, plus there's a bonus: Eden's psychic energy helps him to take form during daylight hours. He wants to use this chance to find a way to break his curse -- finally. Otherwise, Eden's going to have to learn to live with this sexy demon...like it or not.
BUT SHE THINKS SHE MIGHT LIKE IT.

Comment: This book has been in my TBR list since november 2010. I finally decided to try it and I'm surprised to see how amazing it was.
The story follows Eden, a somewhat psychic that ends up being asked to help the police catching up bad guys. The things is, she's not very confidant in her weak abilities so when she gets involved in a case with a serial killer and ends up being possed by the demon who lived in him, she's as shocked as one could coul be.
From then on, she has to learn how to deal with the demon (Darrak) who claims to be a good one. Things wouldn't be as strange if she weren't attracted to him and vice-versa.
I liked the book a lot, especially the fact both Eden and Darrak exist at the same time, I mean, when one is conscient, the other isn't "sleeping". Sometimes Darrak can have a solid form thanks to Eden's psychic level, but they get connected and need to be around the other when this happens. Of course this allows several funny situations.
The dialogue is witty and sometimes sarcastic, very funny, although this isn't a comedy book.
Some secondary characters look like they can have more presence in future books and I can't wait to see more paranormal characters in the stories. I think the way the world works is very well done and all the pieces seemed to work well together.
Of course some things happened that will go to the second book, but I won't tell. The stories aren't continuous, but there's always the part where Darrak and Eden will try to find a way to help Darrak getting free, but until then, they'll have to live as one. There's feelings between them but after meeting the witch who cursed Darrak they understand they can't be together anymore because it means something will happen to Eden...I wish they could overlook this, but aparently they can't and I'm curious to see how they deal with the fact they are so close but can't be closer.
I'll read the next book soon, I hope it's as fascinating as this one.