Scarlett Cole - The Strongest Steel

Harper Connelly never expected to find herself outside of a tattoo parlor at one in the morning. The scars that decorate her back are just one more reminder of things she'd rather forget, the past she wants to leave far behind her, but before she can move on, she needs him.
Trent Andrews has his own reasons for specializing in inking over scars. And there's no way in hell he's going to turn Harper away. Not when a swirling mix of tenderness and desire slams into him every time her sees her. Being with Harper is like going ten rounds in the ring—exhilarating, powerful, and dangerous. She stirs feelings in him he thought were long gone... if he can only get past her carefully constructed defenses.
Running was the only thing that saved Harper last time, but each session at Second Circle Tattoos brings her closer and closer to Trent. His lingering touches seduce her, making her believe in a life without fear, where she can be happy, whole, in love. But when cryptic messages start appearing on Harper's phone, strange deliveries arrive at her door, and Second Circle is vandalized, Harper is convinced that her ex-boyfriend has tracked her down, and worse, that he knows about Trent. She ran from her past once before; this time will she have the strength to fight back?

Comment: I got interested in this book because it would portray a supposed fragile heroine who decides to do a tattoo and I admit there's some catnip in this scenario for me, to imagine someone who wants a tattoo and by forging a relationship with the guy who tattoos her discover they have a lot in common, especially the tattoo artist has tattoos himself, there's an interesting dichotomy between what people usually think of two supposed opposed people being together.

In this story we meet Harper Connelly, a young woman who works in a coffee house and lives with the scars of an attack by her ex, now in prison. The story begins with her approach to Trent Andrews, a tattoo artist known for some work he has done with scars. At first, it takes some time for her to trust Trent but as their professional relationship develops so does her enjoyment of talking with him and just spending time. Their feelings develop and it gets to a point where it seems they are much into one another.

The problem is that the scars are only the visible part of Harper's terrible experience and when hidden threats start to arrive her way, can she trust the new friends and the new man in her life with what happened to her?

I'm quite glad this didn't end up being one of those classic cases where the hero comes as the knight in shining armor to save the heroine. She saves herself by trusting and sharing things with those around her but nothing is ever perfect and this only happens after a few stumbles on the way.

Nevertheless, if the purpose was to write a story where the main idea is to present a person who has all reasons to hide and be afraid, renovate herself, improve and makes choices, then it was achieved.

Harper is an interesting character in the sense she does have reasons to be afraid but she is still out there, trying do something, even if away from her family. Throughout the book we know why and often I felt had I been in her shoes, I might not have been as brave.

To be honest, part of why I didn't give this a higher grade is precisely the apparent ease in how the heroine went from afraid to trust the hero. I felt we didn't have enough scenes with her indecision or convincing herself it might be a good idea. I suppose this would be too boring for many readers but the moment she acts on her wishes, it seems things develop too easily.

The romance is sweet enough and I liked the hero not only because he was a great guy with many tattoos, something still not always accepted by many people, who add tattoos with a certain style or label. I liked how great Trent was and I liked knowing about his thoughts and family and why he decided to be a tattoo artist.

His group of friends was cute and supportive enough and I do wish the author could have spent a few more scenes giving them a stronger personality instead of, for instance, adding up to the supposed chemistry between hero and heroine which already was a given.

The way abuse and the outcome of it was portrayed was well enough. The time is more spent on how the heroine has lived with what has happened and not her remembering or reviving each detail. I liked that this information was only the necessary for us to understand the impact it had on her and was not really exploitative.

The overall effect is that this story has many good details, but something in the way the characters so quickly and so easily go from mildly aware of one another to trusting to be in love didn't feel as fluid as it could have been. I'm probably picky but this could have been a more engaging story if the main couple had had more scenes interacting in different levels instead of just "romance". I wouldn't go as far as to say this should be a slow burn type of romance but slower could have been the key to make it even better.

Grade: 7/10

Sandra Brown - Sting

When Jordie Bennet and Shaw Kinnard lock eyes across a disreputable backwater bar, something definitely sparks. Shaw gives off a dangerous vibe that makes men wary and inspires women to sit up and take notice. None feel that undercurrent more strongly than savvy businesswoman Jordie, who doesn't belong in a seedy dive on the banks of a bayou. But here she is . . . and Shaw Kinnard is here to kill her.
As Shaw and his partner take aim, Jordie is certain her time has come. But Shaw has other plans and abducts Jordie, hoping to get his hands on the $30 million her brother has stolen and, presumably, hidden. However, Shaw is not the only one looking for the fortune. Her brother's ruthless boss and the FBI are after it as well. Now on the run from the feds and a notorious criminal, Jordie and Shaw must rely on their wits-and each other-to stay alive.
Miles away from civilization and surrounded by swampland, the two play each other against their common enemies. Jordie's only chance of survival is to outwit Shaw, but it soon becomes clear to Shaw that Jordie isn't entirely trustworthy, either. Was she in on her brother's scam, or is she an innocent pawn in a deadly vendetta? And just how valuable is her life to Shaw, her remorseless and manipulative captor? Burning for answers-and for each other-this unlikely pair ultimately make a desperate move that could be their last.

Comment: Sandra Brown is probably one of the authors with long backlists that I have dedicated myself to more often. At a time I was devouring romance, this was one of my favorite authors to read and I practically have all her books in my shelves. I've been savoring her latest releases to space reading them and this month I picked Sting.

In this book we meet Shaw Kinnard, a mercenary who partners up with another man to do a job. However, things don't work that well and Shaw ends up kidnapping Jordan Bennet instead. The two of them seem to have a weird chemistry, considering the situation but Jordan wants her freedom more than anything. The issue is her brother, who got himself in a complicated situation with a very wealthy but uncompromising man. Jordan wants to help but there isn't a lot she can do if her brother doesn't help himself.

When things get to an unbearable point, Jordan discovers something that changes the way she thought about what happened until then. Can she actually trust Shaw? Has he been using her to get to her brother?

I confess the blurb of this book didn't make me that eager to read the book. I don't tend to like heroes or heroines that are on a grey line when it comes to fair/unfair or doubtful morals, such as a hit man, for instance. I was a little reluctant to read about a man who might only reform himself for love or something but then, I should have thought about the fact it could be likely that this scenario would be possible or, also, that he might not be who we assume. 

This shouldn't be such a surprise, after all mrs Brown takes chances in how her characters are defined but usually they are all naturally good, although sometimes the shades of grey can be questionable.

It also took me some time to get into the story. I usually just go all speed into one of her novels, because I'm used to the style of her writing but this time  just didn't seem to find eagerness to read. The story reminded me of another one which I cannot place now, whether by her or another author, whose story line was quite similar. I think I only really got into the flow of it from around half way.

I'm actually glad the villain wasn't as sadistic or morally doubtful on the page. I mean, the villain was always bad from the start and not one of those you can't really trust because he also has a good side. I think this helped me to move on; if he had had a "double agent" type of behavior I think it would be too annoying.

The secondary characters played their part, they certainly didn't steal the show from the protagonists but at the same time I wish hey could have had a bit more development, they didn't seem to have been that fleshed out. I can understand it's just not possible to put everything on the page but the characters in this book were under developed in my point of view.

The romance had its moments and if there's one thing the author is excellent at is how she portrays sexual tension. Even if the characters aren't very likable, they do seem to have chemistry. This happened in this book and a fan can easily recognize the tactics to convince the reader how in sync the main couple is. I think it can be pretty obvious how they are connected and how they can be a team but I always wonder how their lives would be if their HEA holds. Usually the characters meet in situations filled with adrenaline or stress and that does exacerbate people's reactions and behavior. In a steady or slower mode, could the same people be that balanced?

Still, of course I liked how their relationship evolved and how they were able to trust each other after the conversation that solved how they felt about one another.

In terms of personality, a friend commented Jordan's wasn't that complex and in a way I agree. Shaw has more to him than what we initially assume but it is a pity we don't really get to connect with these characters in a more emotional level.

The plot is solved rather easily, the final twist wasn't that surprising for me although I admit for a while there I thought about an idea... not a good one but I guess I let myself be mislead by the way the information about secondary characters was given.

All in all, a good enough story but I've read better by the author.

Grade: 7/10

TBR Challenge: Kate Noble - The Game and the Governess

Three friends. One Wager. Winner takes all.
The Earl—‘Lucky Ned’ Ashby. Pompous, preening, certain that he is beloved by everyone.
The Miller—John Turner. Proud, forced to work as the Earl’s secretary, their relationship growing ever more strained.
The Doctor—Rhys Gray. Practical, peace-loving, but caught in the middle of two warring friends.
Their wager is simple: By trading places with John Turner and convincing someone to fall in love with him, Ned plans to prove it’s him the world adores, not his money. Turner plans to prove him wrong.
But no one planned on Phoebe Baker, the unassuming governess who would fall into their trap, and turn everything on its head…
Three best friends make a life-changing bet in the first book in a witty, sexy new Regency trilogy from acclaimed author Kate Noble.

Comment: I have had this book in the pile for about two years but since this month the TBR Challenge theme is Historical, I decided to go with it, although, to be fair, there was quite a lot to choose from. This is the first book of a trilogy and I got it because it featured a governess and a lord and I tend to like different class tropes in historicals and I figured, if I ended up liking this one, there were potentially two more to add...

In this story we meet "lucky Ned", the earl of Ashby, a man who has grown up with a poor mother but ended up inheriting the earldom at a very young age and that has affected his personality so now he is known to be careless, funny and optimistic and a little cocky everyone else likes him.

To prove this against his much more serious and reserved friend John Turner, they agree on a wager to determine if Ned will be able to make a lady fall in love with him without the back up of his title. 

The wager isn't completely innocent for the two friends but they go into it with the disguise of a lark and they trade places during the time it will take to deal with a business meeting that the earl is supposed to attend in the country, near the place where he grew up but where he hasn't been since then.

However, things don't go as smoothly as Ned and his friend intended and, in the end, which one of them could be more surprised by how the wager is settled?

Obviously, this being a romance, the focus isn't only on Ned and the wager with his friend from the war but also on the romance with Phoebe, the governess in the house where they are staying for there wasn't any proper place for a lord to stay except in the house of the most distinguished/important man near the property they would be discussing.

I'm saying this because it's not until 30 or 35% of the story that the main couple meets properly and starts interacting. I confess I found this amount of pages to be weird. I suppose the author wanted to establish the situation, prepare things for the plot to develop in a believable manner but I'm certain there would have been ways for them to be aware of one another sooner, especially since Ned was playing the part of the secretary.

This sort of delay helped to explain several things but then it made the romance feel a little too quick from a certain point on. Since it took time for them to trust one another, I would say the end was a bit rushed in how they dealt with one another.

Despite this, I was satisfied enough with the way the relationship progressed although, to me, the way Ned and his friend were "discovered" by the others was not as dramatic or emotional as I envisioned thinking on the way things were, romantically and how it would affect what the heroine felt about him.

The story is much more serious than what the development implies. There are some secondary characters which are used mostly to diffuse the main plot. They can be both a comedy relief and a means to crate a situation. This situation often felt so obvious that I couldn't help but think of them as props.

I also would imagine they would be a good way for Ned to be aware of what it's like to be invisible as often servants are but apart from the notion he wasn't as considered by the others as he would have had he been in his own skin, this wasn't as stressed out as I imagined. After all, the biggest hurdle in the different class trope is precisely how one element is perceived by everyone else. I thought this wasn't as exploited as it could have but then again, with so much already on going...

The main characters, Ned and Phoebe, were well developed in my opinion. If they worked out as well as a couple I'm not certain, but individually I liked who they were quite well.

Ned comes across as a little flaky, a bit arrogant, unaware of others might feel but I liked to understand he actually has deep thoughts and feelings but his attitude as a careless man is all but a role he plays, a mask he wears. Throughout the novel we get to see why he avoids seemingly serious issues and conversations or disguises them with comedy and his often "brilliant, marvelous" comment. I think the author could have gone even further with his character and, in the end, I don't feel his redemption was as well achieved as it should.

Phoebe was an amazing heroine. She was practically perfect because she has learned what it was to be on top and come down quickly after her father's demise. I can understand her anger and her hopelessness in the beginning. Also her resignation when the plot really starts. I especially liked how she reacted to Ned's first attempt at seduction and how steady she was in defending her position as the vulnerable side of the pair in case things went wrong, I really liked how aware she was of her position and how she wasn't silly just because she liked Ned. Therefore, when they finally admit their feelings, I expected a different decision from her regarding being intimate with Ned and I can only imagined the author wanted to increase the drama.

I would say this story works in several details. I liked the main character's personalities and how they evolved and I think some relationships were quite intricate (like Ned and his friend John) and offered interesting things to think about. I liked the pace from the moment the protagonist start interacting.

However, for most of the plot, a few of the characters seem to be in a constant state of manipulating someone, even if one can accept they had good reasons, and that made the story a little unfair to me as well as it brought down the end a bit. The classic situation of having enjoyed some parts and not others.

I'm debating if I want to rad the other books. I feel curious about trying another story, just to see how the writing style continues but it would also be true that I don't consider this to be a priority. Perhaps later on the year or next year...

Grade: 7/10

Grace Burrowes - The Virtuoso

Gifted pianist Valentine Windham, youngest son of the Duke of Moreland, has little interest in his father's obsession to see his sons married, and instead pours passion into his music. But when Val loses his music, he flees to the country, alone and tormented by what has been robbed from him.
Grieving Ellen Markham has hidden herself away, looking for safety in solitude. Her curious new neighbor offers a kindred lonely soul whose desperation is matched only by his desire, but Ellen's devastating secret could be the one thing that destroys them both.
Together they'll find there's no rescue from the past, but sometimes losing everything can help you find what you need most.

Comment: This is the third book in the Windham series by author Grace Burrowes.I can see there is a continuation of this series (which seems was supposed to have been a trilogy) but at this point I'm not certain if I want to keep going; I only wanted to read this one and "finish" the main character's stories.

In this story we have Valentine's story, he's the younger son of the three sons of the duke of Moreland and a recurrent character in the other books. Valentine is known for his talent and career as a pianist but when this story begins, he is still feeling very poorly for the doctor told him if he didn't rest his hands, especially his left one, he might not be able to play again as he was used to.

In order to rest, or attempt to, he decides to go to his recently acquired estate, to restore the house and find some purpose. He also meets again Ellen, a widow he had met and kissed once in the past and that he finds out he didn't completely forgot. 

The problem is that the previous owner of the estate wasn't as indifferent to have lost it and there's also the fact he has a connection to Ellen. 

Are they too many coincidences? Can Valentine sort things out and find a new goal for his life?

I won't go too much into this as the book felt like average for me, despite the grade I chose to give it. This was good enough in the average mark but there's certainly something about the author's style that makes her books well structured but also a little too plain... I'm not certain if I can fully explain but the book lacks some allure despite its execution.

I think the strengths of the author - and how they reflect on this book - are basically centered on the details. The plot happens, but there is a lot of explaining what is going on, there are situations that seem unimportant but that end up being so. Of course there are also scenes that are redundant but nothing is fully perfect.

I really like how the characters interact with each other, especially Valentine and his brothers and friends. The reason why some secondary characters are here can be a little forced but it still works and I felt very happy to see how that helped with the story.

I'd say the language used is what probably people in the 19th century would use? I cannot really say so but it does feel very proper and serious and formal and perhaps this is one reason why this author's books can also feel dull. As if characters couldn't be this rigid, even when discussing intimacy. It's not that bad overall and I could abstract myself from it but sometimes it does feel too much on our face.

Positively, there is the fact the main couple actually discuss things makes the usual conflicts useless and it was indeed nice that they talked to one another.

Thinking of the romance, though, despite its positive aspects like what I mentioned, I have to say the majority of it was very boring. I can respect the author's style but her romances have all the potential for the right amount of angst and tension but none happens and I suppose that is a let down.

Both Valentine and Ellen had the same type of personality so they didn't clash, they didn't feel like complements, they suited each other just by their words alone. They were, pretty much, a boring couple. 

I think what they said was cause for separation - mostly on Ellen's side - was easily solved and, added to the solution of the villain's fate, made for a very frustrating conclusion.

Sure, I' happy they found each other but I think a bit more sexiness and passion (not sex scenes!) would have certainly lifted this to an ever higher note.

Because it delivered on a lot of details, I think this is a positive graded book, but as a whole, it was a bit too much on the boring side.

Grade: 7/10

Tessa Dare - Say Yes to the Marquess

After eight years of waiting for Piers Brandon, the wandering Marquess of Granville, to set a wedding date, Clio Whitmore has had enough. She's inherited a castle, scraped together some pride, and made plans to break her engagement.
Not if Rafe Brandon can help it. A ruthless prizefighter and notorious rake, Rafe is determined that Clio will marry his brother—even if he has to plan the dratted wedding himself.
So how does a hardened fighter cure a reluctant bride's cold feet? 
He starts with flowers. A wedding can't have too many flowers. Or harps. Or cakes.
He lets her know she'll make a beautiful, desirable bride—and tries not to picture her as his.
He doesn't kiss her.If he kisses her, he definitely doesn't kiss her again.
When all else fails, he puts her in a stunning gown. And vows not to be nearby when the gown comes off.
And no matter what—he doesn't fall in disastrous, hopeless love with the one woman he can never call his own.

Comment: This is the second book in the Castles Ever After by Tessa Dare. I liked the first book in the series so of course I'd try this one as well. It's also interesting that the hero is the brother of the hero of another book (Do You Want to Start a Scandal) with crosses over two of the series by the author, Castles Ever After and Spindle Cove. 

I had already read Do You Want to Start a Scandal which should have been read after this one but, of course, I wasn't aware of it at the time. Nevertheless, this plot is pretty much independent from the other book so no spoilers besides who's protagonist if readers get to these books out of order.

In this story we meet Clio Whitmore, a young woman who has been the fiancée of the marquess of Granville for eight years but it seems the marriage won't ever happen and the to is already mocking Clio for all her wait. She then decides enough is enough when she inherits a castle and no longer needs to rely on a marriage to have a steady life.

The problem is that she needs to annul the engagement and cancel the wedding and for that a formal signature is required. Since her fiancé is in the continent, she searches for his brother, Lord Rafe Granville, for him to do so...

Rafe is a prize fighter and has gained a famous reputation despite his late father's disapproval. He feels he wouldn't ever achieve much so he fought for his money and life. He has always been attracted to Clio but she is promised to his brother. Feeling he can't fail at this too, he tries his best to convince Clio to marry his brother but in the meantime, can he resist her?

This was, unsurprisingly, a very romantic story with a lot of feelings and sweetness involved. The author is known for her sweet and funny style (without getting to silliness) while the protagonists slowly realize they are perfect for each other.

Her stories being historical, there are some rules but this is not the best author for those looking for historical accuracy. Precisely that is what makes her stories engaging and easy to read.

Thinking on this novel from a general point of view, I'd say this was a great story but there were a few details that, for me personally, weren't as well achieved and in the bigger scheme of things, I'd say this book felt it was one little step beneath the previous one in the series.

I liked most of the plot and several parts of it but it was difficult to not wish the situation about the wedding were solved more quickly or that the protagonist didn't have to doubt their potential happy future over some detail after they acknowledged their feelings. Not that these things couldn't be realistic considering what was going on but with such frankness and complicity between them, it felt like the final "conflict" before the HEA was very staged.

The best part of the story (and of the author's writing style?) is obviously how much attention she dedicates to the small things between the main couple. How much we see them interacting, how many scenes we have with them doing things together or in some way related to the other. It makes it look as if they have to be together and they are the perfect match.

I also liked Phoebe, one of Clio's sister and a character I hope might get a story one day. The other characters played their part but none seemed that impressive.

The romance between Clio and Rafe is filled with all the modern devices couple are suppsoed to face nowadays: mutual respect, lengthy conversations, exchange of confidences, trust and many other little things that it's difficult to imagine people back in the 19th century would feel inclind to share or acting in a unlikely behavior. Yes, this puts some readers off, but I think I can abstract myself from that and simply enjoy the story. I do think Clio was quite brave in trying to be happy when she had the means to do so but some of the stories she mentioned regarding how her mother saw her body figure seem a little too convenient for the story.

Rafe was an almost perfect hero, especially by how he thought of the heroine but that second guessing at a certain point, closer to the end, was really dispensable...oh well.

Everything considered, this was a cute story, not as strong for me as others by the author but what a great experience to just spend time reading something sweet and lacking weird or complex mysteries. It could have been better but it was not bad at all.

Grade: 7/10

Z.A. Maxfield - St Nacho's

Cooper has spent the last three years running from a painful past. He's currently moving from town to town, working in restaurant kitchens, and playing his violin for tips. As soon as he starts to feel comfortable anywhere—with anyone—he moves on. He's aware that music may be the only human language he still knows. Ironically, the one man he's wanted to communicate with in all that time is deaf.
Shawn is part of a deaf theater group at the nearby college. Shawn wants Cooper as soon as they meet and he begins a determined flirtation. Cooper is comfortable with down and dirty sex, just not people. As far as Shawn is concerned, dirty sex is win-win, but he wants Cooper to let him into the rest of his life as well.
Cooper needs time to heal and put his past away for good. Shawn needs to help Cooper forgive himself and accept that he can be loved. Both men find out that when it comes to the kind of healing love can bring, the sleepy beachside town of Santo Ignacio, “St. Nacho's” as the locals call it, may just be the very best place to start.

Comment: I got this book a long time ago, when I started getting interested in m/m stories. When I say "a long time ago" I mean around 2009 or 2010 which doesn't sound to be much but since it's now 2019, that's practically ten years already!

In this story we have as protagonist Cooper Wyatt, a young man who is running from his past by not staying too long in any place nor creating lasting bonds with other people. Cooper and a friend were drunk and caused a death and his friend was considered guilty of murder and went to prison. Cooper didn't but went to rehab because of alcohol and a dangerous abuse of substances. He feels he has wasted his talent with the violin for a useless life and now he badly deals with his guilt and sorrow.

The story starts with him arriving at St Nachos, a Californian beach area where he enters a (gay) bar and finds a place to stay and work for a while. He connects with Shawn, a deaf young man he's very much attracted to but doesn't want to have close.

When problems from the past get a hold on him again, can he atone and improve or will he be caught again in the same negative feelings of before?

Now that I have read some stories by this author (admittedly years ago too) and many others in the m/m side of romance, I must say this story felt a little dated. Not in content nor style but in how the story is presented. It feels like primarily m/m romances these days are a lot more detailed and long than this story felt like. 

It feels like the author wanted to include a lot in the same amount of pages as a longer book would have so there's a lot of quick jumps from situation to situation, too many elements compacted and not as much personal development I'm used to see. 

Or perhaps it's my impression because this felt more like a "telling" type of story instead of a "showing" one.

I would say this story had a lot going on. Not that a story shouldn't rely on complexity and when well done, it can add layers that make the story even stronger but here I think the great amount of issues to deal with and the small page count, the amount of telling made this story feel a little too impersonal, as if the struggles weren't as emotional because we didn't have such a good transition from situation to situation or scene to scene.

Cooper is a great guy and he is clearly on a path to redemption, mostly personal which can certainly be more difficult than having those around you cheering so even if some people around Cooper defend him or cheer him on, if he doesn't feel he is worthy of that, he wouldn't ver improve. I liked how he started thinking he is deserving of good things, that he has paid for how wrong his choices were but there is a lot he is dealing with. This could have been a great romance alone if it was just about the connection Cooper has with Shawn and his own view of things.

For me, the problem is that by mixing things with Cooper's "partner in crime" was too much. Too much drama and angst that i didn't think were well dealt with. I can now see the purpose was to create the base for the friend's romance in the sequel but... it was a little too much.

Shawn is deaf which, I thought, would be a great opportunity to see equality in romance and I liked how Shawn is portrayed as nor being shy nor as fragile as we tend to imagine those with some physical impairment. But, again, just this and Cooper's issues could have been enough.

The romance itself was cute and I accepted the fact things felt very impersonal between them at first, after all Cooper was defensive. But as things evolved and we were told their connection was getting stronger, I don't think there were enough scenes where that was happening.

When Cooper decides to deal with his past they are apart for a bit and that didn't help me either in recognizing the strength of their relationship. 

This was a good enough romance but it could have been so much better.

I still liked some of the emotional content, even if for me it not as exploited as I wished. It made me think of several things, it made me wonder how much of out lives is dedicated to regret, in a never ending game of "what if" and "I shouldn't have" that both makes you sad and angry but repetition starts to turn that into something redundant. People are complicated in real life but in romances I could have wished for a bit more confidence in solving things.

Grade: 7/10

Anita Notaro - No Ordinary Love

Louisa is fed up with every aspect of her life. Boyfriend, job, flat - all these need an instant and radical makeover. And so she decides to change it all in favour of a carefree existence, exchanging her house for a trailer, her car for a motorbike, and her smart clothes for leisure wear. And, most of all, she starts a new business, as a dog counsellor. With her best friends Maddy and Clodagh she embarks on a new regime - to meet different people, discover new places and find a fabulous new man. Her business brings her immediate and extraordinary rewards, as she meets the owners of dogs whose problems often seem to echo those of their owners. But whatever the stresses of her new life, Louisa has the support of her two friends. If only that could last forever...

Comment: I plan my monthly reads beforehand so that I can feel like I'm organizing my time and I tend to be pretty dedicated to that goal but once in a while I also pick books at the library that I don't have in my TBR but something about them catches my eye. That is why I got this one, it was available in the "highlights" shelf they have at the entrance and that I often check for inspiration.

In this book we met Louisa, an Irish young woman who feels tired of her life despite the good material things she owns because of her job. One day she decides to change everything, to stop being a psychologist always hearing bout other people's problems and she decides to become a sort of "dog whisperer" and creating a service for those who can't control or manage their dogs. While entering this fascinating new world Lou learns a lot about herself because she can't just stop being a helper and the more clients she has, the more she sees herself in their owners lives instead of just teaching them how to calm down. But with new experiences come new emotions and there's life... can Lou find stability at last?

By the cover and summary on the back, I expected this to be a chic-lit story. I confess the protagonist's decision to leave everything to a life of the unknown didn't feel as much as freedom but more craziness but I can see the appeal and why it would be a good start. It was interesting she would be focusing on something different, that's for certain.

When the story begins, Lou seems to be a very whiny person and, to be honest, the first chapter was a real turn off, so annoying Lou seemed to be.

I can't tell if the author just wanted to stress that and from chapter 2 Lou seems to change radically or if she wrote chapter 1 one day, out it aside for years and when she started again, her vision was a new one...the reality is that chapter 1 feels like part of a book, the rest of another.

This is the first book I try by this author so I can't compare but the beginning of the story is pretty much on the wave of lightness and comedy and silliness. It was turning out to be everything I imagined and I could see myself just turning the pages without being really connected to the plot.

However, as the chapters advanced, I could tell the tone of becoming different and it felt more like fiction instead of silly chick lit. I actually liked how the story evolved and the "serious" situations the characters were facing even though that wasn't as obviously developed by the author as I would expect.

I confess I was enjoying myself at this point. I was eager to read, the story has flaws but I could ignore that because it was easy to turn the pages and the characters were interesting, even when they went out at night and got drunk. (Thankfully, not often)

Lou is a fascinating protagonist, it's obvious she has issues regarding her childhood and her mother and we see that in how she so honestly advises others, how professional she is while still admitting she should think more of her own behavior. I liked that she was a professional but not an infallible human being.

The secondary characters were key to make this work and some were really special. There's a subtle romance developing but that only gets more obvious at a certain point; I don't think I would have been shocked if nothing had been said between Lou and her love interest since my focus was on her personal development and not that of her romantic life.

Again, I was surprised by how much I was enjoying things. 

Then, the author does three things I don't think were as well done because, considering the tone until then (mildly woman's fiction, a bit chick lit in between), I don't understand the need for drama. There are two events that I felt were used just to shock because there was no advance in the plot; only to show us how emotional Lou really was but that wasn't that difficult to see or expect! Then, another situation regarding one of her clients was also out of nowhere. Could it be someone advised the author to add something for the final pages as a twist? If so, I would say it was a serious miss.

Everything considered, this was a surprisingly positive book for the most part. Yes, I disliked some elements or some choices made by the author but the majority of the time I actually had a good time reading. I don't know if I'll read other things by the author but this was an average good read which I liked a little extra for the surprise I got by this not being as silly as I imagined.

Grade: 7/10

Mini-Comments

-> This post serves to summarize two of my latest reads. 

These two books have in common the fact they came from my local library the last time I stopped there. They are also both small books not even reaching the 200 pages. One author is new to me (Conrad), the other I knew what I'd get (Sampaio) but both books I read in Portuguese. The Portuguese author's book isn't translated into english.

Com 78 anos de idade, o narrador e personagem principal deste novo livro de Daniel Sampaio é um dia confrontado com uma situação comum a muitos homens da sua idade - o casamento de um neto. Convidado para a festa, feliz por não ter sido esquecido, parte para uma longa viagem mental nas profundidades da sua memória. Começa por esse neto, Afonso, que o fez sentir velho pela primeira vez, aos 60 anos; aqui recupera a memória de Luísa, a colega na escola onde ambos ensinavam e partilhavam projectos e sonhos profissionais; recua até aos 40 anos, à figura de Mariana, sua mulher e companheira de sempre, mas que por esta altura da vida o confronta com a fragilidade das relações humanas, a começar pelo amor; e enfim, chega aos 20 anos, à adolescência e à juventude, onde tudo começa, para o bem e para o mal.

Memórias do Futuro (literally means "memories of the future") is another book by psychiatrist/writer Daniel Sampaio. In this book he shows us the portrayal of a family, narrated by the grandfather, and how life is for him now that he is close to be 80. 

There are three main chapters besides the first one in which he goes back into his youth years (his 80s and then his 60s, his 40s, his 20s) and in a beautiful prose we are told what his feelings have been like and how he turned out to be the man he is now, when his grandson is about to start his "adult" life with a girlfriend.

My favorite things about this author is that he often picks realistic or real life situations and he writes about those people - often cases he treats or wants to exemplify- in a way that makes the reader access their emotions. The writing isn't clinical nor impersonal, just the opposite.

I liked this book despite the theme not being as shocking nor relatable as others (I haven't lived 80s years yet) but the way so many sentences seem to fit what other older people have said about themselves as well... 

This author's books are always little pearls of everyday situations and to imagine so many people who never think about them nor feel like they should talk about it but how freeing it could be... not my favorite book by him but it was easy to keep reading.

Grade: 7/10

***

Written in 1915, The Shadow-Line is based upon events and experiences from twenty-seven years earlier to which Conrad returned obsessively in his fiction. A young sea captain's first command brings with it a succession of crises: his sea is becalmed, the crew laid low by fever, and his deranged first mate is convinced that the ship is haunted by the malignant spirit of a previous captain.

The Shadow Line is my first attempt to read something by known author Joseph Conrad. This is not his most famous work but since it was a small book I figured it would be a good way to get a notion of his style.

Basically, this is a story in which the narrator shares his experience commanding a ship and facing a very adverse situation and that signals for him he is no longer a child nor a young man but an adult with all the responsibilities that are supposed to come from it.

I can certainly see why the author felt like writing this (it helps my edition has a note where he says this) but to be honest, I don't really see the huge impact of the story. I didn't feel the narrator was that impressive in his behavior or thoughts and since the whole story is set in a ship while most characters are sick, I must confess to have failed to appreciate the underlines themes. To be totally honest, this was simply boring. Perhaps one day (much later) I might re-read...there are some elements like the sense that something will happen and the subtle subtext of how the characters interacted that seemed interesting but it was a task to do and not very pleasurable.

Grade: 4/10

Holly Bush - Romancing Olive

In 1891, spinster librarian, Olive Wilkins, is shocked to learn of her brother’s violent death at a saloon gaming table and her sister-in-law’s subsequent murder, traveling far from her staid life to rescue her niece and nephew, now orphans. She arrives to find the circumstances of her brother’s life deplorable and her long held beliefs of family and tradition, shaken.
Accustomed to the sophistication of Philadelphia, Olive arrives in Spencer, Ohio, a rough and tumble world she is not familiar with, facing two traumatized children. Her niece and nephew, Mary and John, have been living with a neighboring farmer, widower Jacob Butler, the father of three young children of his own and a man still in pain from the recent loss of his wife.
Real danger threatens Olive and Mary and John while Jacob and his own brood battle the day-to-day struggles for survival. Will Olive and Jacob find the strength to fight their battles alone or together? Will love conquer the bitterness of loss and broken dreams?

Comment: I got interested in this book because it would be a western and I think I don't read many of these despite liking them for the most part. I was also captivated by the prospect of having a librarian protagonist but this was actually not such a big deal in the story...

In this book we meet Olive Wilkins, a 30-something year old woman who got the news of her brother and sister-in-law's deaths and came from Philadelphia to Ohio to get her nephew and niece back home with here. In the meantime, the children have been taken by Jacob Butler, a widowed farmer, but Olive is quite surprised to discover the situation she has always believed in is far from the truth and her brother didn't have such a good reputation.

The children, however, are wary of a change after such a trauma and of a person they had never met before, so Olive agrees to stay at Jacob's farm to get to know them better while they also get to know here and eventually they will return to Olive's steadier life.

Things get more complicated because the more time Olive spends with the children, with Jacob and his own kids, the more she falls in love with them all and the more difficult her decision will be. Or will something happen to allow her to chose differently?

This was a cute book. There are some less than positive situations and some violence towards children and Olive at some point but I wouldn't say it's impeditive of enjoying what can be described as, for me, a sweet slow burn romance with caring for children at the same time.

The slow burn side of things happens because this book can be labeled clean, I guess, but that isn't such an important part of things. Well, not for the plot itself or how obvious the main characters' feelings for each other are but after a whole book expecting the final step between them to happen, not really having it happen on page is quite a let down due to all the little sighs, the little looks, the little but strong development of feelings between them but...oh well.

The story isn't complicated and just like in any more formulaic romances, of course the HEA is a given and the conflicts are easily solved.

I was more interested in seeing how the characters, used to a certain way of behaving and living, would adjust to someone different, to someone they don't immediately trust in. I think this part of the romance was well done because being it slow, it allowed for them to go at a believable pace and for the reader to feel they were taking the necessary time to bond.

The relationship between Olive and Jacob had some obstacles but those were mostly in their heads.

Olive is an independent woman of 34 or 35 and she is used to a certain lifestyle. I mean, she is not vain but she is used to spending time alone reading and looking after books in the library she works in so it was cute to see her struggle a little to go with the flow of the life in Ohio, where most people - especially those she interacts with more - are simpler people, dedicated to more hard labor than fine arts activities. Her evolution was interesting to see and I liked how she was not afraid to ask for help when she needed, or to learn to do something.

Jacob is prouder but I got the sense it was so because he struggled more financially and he felt Olive might challenge that. He is younger too, around 25 if I remember right, and although for the romance this didn't matter for each had their own vulnerabilities going into a relationship, we do have situations where the age gap is mentioned and I do confess I prefer it the other way around. Ok, Olive isn't as used to certain aspects of life as younger Jacob was so in terms of matching emotionally and maturely, they weren't that wrong for each other. But down the line, their life would certainly be a little different eventually and I wish the age gap, having to exist, weren't as high as ten.

As I've said, the conflicts are easily solved as the story goes by and I suppose this could be one of the negative aspects. Things do happen very quickly after Olive makes a decision and that propelled the action to move even quicker after that. Without more obvious romantic situations happening, it just felt like the author had sued all the ideas and wanted to wrap things nicely. This did happen but I noticed and couldn't stop thinking about it. 

In the end, this was a good, entertaining romance, made me savor a western without outlaws everywhere, that's for certain, but it could have been much better with some editing and extra content.

Grade: 7/10

TBR Challenge: Sarina Bowen - The Year We Fell Down

She expected to start Harkness College as a varsity ice hockey player. But a serious accident means that Corey Callahan will start school in a wheelchair instead.
Across the hall, in the other handicapped-accessible dorm room, lives the too-delicious-to-be real Adam Hartley, another would-be hockey star with his leg broken in two places. He’s way out of Corey’s league.
Also, he’s taken.
Nevertheless, an unlikely alliance blooms between Corey and Hartley in the “gimp ghetto” of McHerrin Hall. Over tequila, perilously balanced dining hall trays, and video games, the two cope with disappointments that nobody else understands.
They’re just friends, of course, until one night when things fall apart. Or fall together. All Corey knows is that she’s falling. Hard.
But will Hartley set aside his trophy girl to love someone as broken as Corey? If he won’t, she will need to find the courage to make a life for herself at Harkness — one which does not revolve around the sport she can no longer play, or the brown-eyed boy who’s afraid to love her back.

Comment: Time does fly and it's time for another monthly TBR Challenge post. For May the theme chosen is Backlist Glom, meaning something by an author with more than one book in your TBR. I could have certainly have chosen countless authors, that's a given because like many of you there is a lot I haven't yet read and in some author's case I have series to go through.

I picked Sarina Bowen because I've counted 5 books by her in the pile and I thought contemporary would be a good choice since I like to alternate the genre of the books I read so I don't get stuck with one specific genre for long.

In this first book of the Ivy Years series, the author has gone on an interesting journey with a couple not often seen in romance: the girl is in a wheelchair and he has to wear crutches.

Corey is about to start college but she imagined she would be a hockey player and not a wheelchair user. An accident has made her injured and although she can eventually get the use of her legs again, she won't be able to play the game anymore. However, she had the goal to attend the same university as her older brother and she won't let her handicap stop her.

Adam Hartley is a hockey player but he has a broken leg and is recovering by having the use of the handicapped room in front of Corey's. The two connect over the difficulties of managing the campus when everyone else rushes and climbs stairs so easily. 

The two seem to get along perfectly but Hartley has a girlfriend and Corey wouldn't want to have others take pity on her. Still, they do spend a lot of time together and some things can be inevitable.

We are told things alternately between Corey and Hartley's POVs. I'm actually glad this is so because so often in the new adult genre the girl has the most attention and what a loss that can be for the reader if the narrator isn't likable.

This is not the first book I read by this author so I kind of expected the writing to be a certain way. Overall, I liked reading this but it does make me think sometimes how really mature these characters can be. They are in the age gap between 18-25 (that's new adult for me at least) and probably what makes this author a good one is that the characters act this age but in a thoughtful manner. They aren't just silly people doing nothing, they do act somewhat maturely for the life experiences they are supposed to have lived.

The plot isn't complicated. Basically we follow what happens between Corey and Hartley as they get to know each other and we see the characters surrounding them interact as well.

Seen like this, there wouldn't be a lot to be interested in, i suppose, butt he magic is on the details, on how we get to follow each character in their daily routines, in how we follow their thoughts as well and they aren't too perfect nor too unlikely to be real. 

I liked the often over exposition of contrary details, which I imagine are there to give depth to the characters' personalities: the almost perfection of their looks (both are obviously good looking, if not the most gorgeous ever) vs the self doubt in some aspects of their lives, namely if they are going to do what they aim for.

What probably makes me cringe a little is the intimacy side. It is positive that the author has chosen to add some sexual tension to their interactions but I can't help thinking it was so... obvious. 

I mean, of course the reader would expect that outcome, this is a romance after all, but Corey and Hartley themselves think about each other like that, even before acting on it. I'm not saying it's a bad detail, in fact it's quite normal to be attracted to someone else from the start and the emotion comes more slowly. I just think it's so repetitive to keep having scenes in which they (Corey more often) think about the other person for so long, with such determination and focus, with so much time being occupied with those thoughts. I can understand the point is to let the reader be aware of where things are but it sure can be a little annoying to have that so often. I already got the idea, no need to say/think/inner monologue that again!

This means that the cute part of the story (the setting and actions done by the characters) seems to always be placed in second stage behind the sexual aspects. Even in a romance that can be annoying because often the sex thoughts wouldn't really move the plot forward. The more innocent stuff, on the other hand, could show empathy and connection between two people. I'd say more little clues on sexual tension seen in the page would have been better than plain on thinking on it.

The physical limitations the characters face weren't as seriously developed as I imagined. The premise they had obstacles was a good one but the truth is that they do solve those issues later on, or get on that path. They don't have a permanent handicap, and that changes things too, it makes them easier too, of course.

I liked the relationships they had with their parents.

I liked the feel of college living with some details here and there, especially in interacting with some secondary characters.

Overall, I think this was an enjoyable read, the idea is a great one but the NA label and the public target certainly influenced the reason why some scenes were used and why some details felt like they were too easily solved or mentioned. I suppose it wouldn't be believable new adults would forge stronger or steadier relationships emotionally so quickly and at such a young age but in romance they always seem to be able to.

I do plan on reading the other books, to see where this is going.

Grade: 7/10

Rebecca Zanetti - Storm Gathering

Even before surviving the Scorpius bacterium, Greyson Storm was a lone wolf navigating minefields. As a kid, he learned to take a hit and find safety. As an adult, he joined the military and quickly learned how to protect and defend. When the world ended, he created a mercenary camp with military precision, no entanglements, and a promise to avenge a fallen friend. As part of that vow, he kidnapped Maureen Shadow, but now that he has let her go, her blue eyes and intriguing mind keep haunting him…
As possibly the only Biotechnology Engineer still living, Maureen Shadow might be humanity’s one hope to survive the aftermath of Scorpius, making her frighteningly valuable to both allies and enemies. Even after sexual tension explodes between her and Greyson, she’s not sure which camp he belongs to—friend or foe? Worse yet, survival may mean thwarting his prime mission, putting her in even more peril. When danger and seduction collide, there is no safety in this new world.

Comment: This is the fourth installment in the Scorpius Syndrome series by author Rebecca Zanetti. This is a post apocalyptic world where the characters still maintain their humanity and help each others in small groups, in order to ensure their survival and, hopefully, peace once the world starts to get back to normal...

In this fourth story, the author keeps up with the situation between the two groups familiar to the readers, the Vanguard and the Mercenaries as the elements from both sides have slowly started to get acquainted and even some friendships seemed to have started. An interesting situation is the one between Greyson, the leader of the Mercenaries and Maureen, sister to one of the top lieutenants of the Vanguard. Before Maureen was reunited with her brother she was kidnapped by the Mercenaries and stayed with them for a while and something happened between her and Greyson.

Now that things have changed and the two groups are getting closer to work together, can Maureen accept to go back to help with something important for all regarding her work and still face what she and Greyson seem to have together?

This is a series about a complicated hypothetical situation concerning the possible fate of humankind. However, unlike some other books/worlds, the author isn't stressing out the negative without positive aspects and I like the series precisely because despite the fact things are dire the characters don't stop being human, don't stop having hope and still hold on to the interactions and affection that people usually depend on to fully function.

The romance in this story wouldn't have been difficult to guess because it was understood by several clues in previous books there is something between Maureen and Greyson. In terms of personality there's really nothing in each one that would make them such amazing characters.

Greyson is one of those apparent lone wolf types but who actually hides a softer and caring side, especially regarding those he loves or feels responsible for. He's the personification of the expected hero. There is some interesting facts about his past, not too detailed but enough to let the reader know he is a natural leader but not mean or forced.

Maureen is more difficult to "read" because she isn't such a remarkable character nor does her personality strike that much. She is a heroine who is worth more by her connection with the others than by her own person. I mean, it's good she's part of the group and all but she's not that memorable.

Considering this, of course the author had to increase the intensity of the relationship by introducing a situation not yet seen between the main characters in the other books and although it offered some interesting scenarios and possibilities, it wasn't as decisive as I imagined.

The majority of the story really focused on the plot and that is good on one hand but on the other, the interactions between Maureen and Greyson weren't as romantic or such deal breakers as I hoped for. I just think their relationship was a little too predictable, even with the novelty of their circumstances.

The plot really seemed to have center stage here. I liked some of the new information gained by the main characters and I hope that what is happening will be as significant as it is implied for the future. I must say I see where this is possibly going but it's interesting to imagine how it might not too. I'm just waiting to see how the author will solve other issues without making it too easy even though, at the same time, some of the problems the groups face are taking a little too long to be solved. This is somewhat paradoxical: if the problems were to be solved too quickly it would sound silly but this way it can be a little frustrating. Not that the balance is wrong but... I always notice it anyway.

All things considered, this is a good installment but I'd say it works better if one thinks about those readers who have been following the main story line. Some things just aren't that easy to follow if one starts here. Ok, we can say this isn't a difficult stroy anyway but there's something to be gained by knowing who's who and where the major players are at. I do hope things change quickly because it can also be easily get stagnated and I hope it won't.

Grade: 7/10

Elizabeth Hoyt - Once Upon a Maiden Lane

Miss Mary Whitsun is far too intelligent to fall for the rakish charms of a handsome aristocrat. But when the gentleman in question approaches her in a bookshop, mistaking her for his fiancée, Lady Johanna Albright, the flirtatious encounter only raises more questions. Could Mary, a servant raised in a St Giles orphanage, actually be Lady Joanna's long-lost twin sister? If so, Mary has been betrothed since birth—to the rakishly handsome artistocrat himself.
Henry Collins, Viscount Blackwell, is far too intrigued by Mary to let her go so easily. He's drawn to her sharp mind, indomitable spirit, and the fiery way in which she dismisses him—ladies simply don't dismiss Lord Blackwell. But as Mary makes her first hesitant steps into society, she can't help but wonder if she truly has a place in Henry's world—or in his heart.

Comment: The Maiden Lane series by author Elizabeth Hoyt is probably one of the historical romance series with more success among readers and it has extended to 12 books. The author also kindly wrote two extra novellas, to tidy up some character's fates and to allow the faithful reader some time to say goodbye. This novella is one of them and it is centered on Mary Whitsun, one of the girls raised at the orphanage that was the uniting element in several of the stories.

In this novella, we follow Mary Whitsun, who we know works for Lady Caire, heroine from book #1, and how she feels content with her lot in life. She is a servant but she is well treated, respected and is taken into consideration by her employers, a fact not many other young servants could count on.

When the story begins, she is at a book shop trying to decided if she is indeed buying a book and if so, which one it could be, since she needs to save in order to buy one and she wants to be careful with her choice. Suddenly, a man approaches and starts talking to her, something Mary doesn't want to allow because she knows how and why men talk to women like her, meaning servants, but what he says makes her think he is a lunatic. That she could be a lady or a lady's lost twin sister is quite a fantasy to make conversation. She escapes but doesn't know he has her followed and that is only the beginning...

The reality is that the idea for this story is slightly silly even though not totally impossible, especially in historical scenarios without the extra help of DNA analysis.

Mary Whitsun embodying someone lost at birth (sort of) and growing up as a servant while the rest of her family is well off could be the start of an interesting full length plot and I do think this idea had the possibilities to work because the author has two twists or huge plot moves (depending on how one sees it) in all this and I feel the end of the book wasn't as well structured as the idea merited.

The situation created by having Henry, viscount Blackwell finding Mary does seem a little too contrived. However, I wouldn't have minded if it weren't for the detail he is actually Mary's intended. Well, the intended of the lady Mary is supposed to be. I can understand why this ruse is used to explain Henry's presence in the picture and the reasons why are developed through the story but they still feel too weird. Of course this also means the romance is too quick and too superficial in my point of view. Especially since Mary had that opinion of male aristocrats regarding servants.

As for Mary's situation... well, this is obviously the center of the plot and the driving force behind the conflict. Can Mary cope with her new status? Can she let go of a life being a servant to now being a lady? What a pity this novel is so short because this had great possibilities to be developed and at the end I just felt Mary's acceptance of things was too quick. The way she slowly develops relationships with the rest of her "family" and those they interact with could have been a great way to make the comparison between both lifestyles. This is something rarely seen in serious romances or if it is, it's not always focused on the details I'd like to see, for instance Mary's lengthy consideration of her new role, of the things she doesn't know to do, the confidence she can't have, the likely backing into what she knows, perhaps a heavier bout of shyness...because Mary isn't a gold digger, I mean. She is sensitive and all a romantic lead is supposed to be like.

It was still good to see how she related well to her former employer and other female characters who have been protagonists in other books but I think the author did exploit the romance too much for sensual reasons and I think that shouldn't have mattered so much as creating the perfect environment for their relationship to be a gradual but believable one.

Of course this was I thought almost to the end of the story when a huge plot twist happens. And I was like, what? I didn't see it coming.

This made it possible for a fascinating emotional situation to arise, for some inner conflict to be developed but since there was a page limit, what a disappointment I was left with because the whole thing was practically brushed aside! 

Then, the end comes and, again!, another unusual situation happens, totally unlike what I predicted and I'm still not certain if I should feel amazed the author chose to end things like that or even more upset because I do like the fairy tale illusion in romances.

Whatever is it I can just say this story did make me think but what a terrible waste the author only got to novella size!! So much (unused) potential...

Grade: 7/10

Shana Abé - The Smoke Thief

Dubbed the Smoke Thief, a daring jewel thief is confounding the London police. His wealthy victims claim the master burglar can walk through walls and vanish into thin air. But Christoff, the charismatic Marquess of Langford, knows the truth: the thief is no ordinary human but a "runner" who's fled Darkfrith without permission. As Alpha leader of the drákon, it's Kit's duty to capture the fugitive before the secrets of the tribe are revealed to mortals. But not even Kit suspects that the Smoke Thief could be a woman.
Clarissa Rue Hawthorne knew her dangerous exploits would attract the attention of the drákon. But she didn't expect Christoff himself to come to London, dangling the tribe's most valuable jewel—the Langford Diamond—as bait. For as long as she could remember, Rue had lived the life of a halfling—half drákon, half mortal—and an outcast in both worlds. She'd always loved the handsome and willful Kit from the only place it was safe: from afar. But now she was no longer the shy, timid girl she'd once been. She was the first woman capable of making the Turn in four generations. So why did she still feel the same dizzying sense of vulnerability whenever he was near?
From the moment he saw her, Kit knew that the alluring and powerful beauty was every bit his Alpha equal and destined to be his bride. And by the harsh laws of the drákon, Rue knew that she was the property of the marquess. But they will risk banishment and worse for a chance at something greater. For now Rue is his prisoner, the diamond has disappeared, and she's made the kind of dangerous proposition a man like Kit cannot resist.

Comment: This is another book I added to my TBR years ago, during my phase of devouring PNR. It's been in the pile for ten years or so. Since I had finished all the books I had planned for the month of April, I managed to add this one as my last read of that month.

In this historical fantasy, we meet the Drakon, a species of dragon shape shifters who must protect their own very seriously if they want to prevent humans from finding them and discovering their secrets. The problems escalate when the alpha of the group decides to travel to London after a series of jewel thieving for he believes the thief is a running member of the drakon.

What he didn't count on was finding Rue, a woman of the race, considering they are being fewer and fewer, as the responsible one for all the hassle. After catching her, he makes a deal, with the secret intent of bringing her back to Darkfrith, the area where the group lives. 

On her side, Rue knows she can't hide anymore but she still wants to try anyway. Love, though, gets in the way of both of their plans...

I liked this book. Again, I feel if I had read it a few years back, I might have been perfectly dazzled by it, especially because it's an historical combined with PNR and I find those a lot more difficult to accept than when the stories have contemporary settings.

The author has a great imagination and the world created is fascinating, how the drakon can turn into dragons (only a few can really change shape) and even smoke, which turns out to be quite handy. This story is mostly a romance but I think the bodybuilding and the thought went into create so many details was well accomplished. If I could complain about anything regarding the world created in this series is that is does feel a little isolating. I didn't get the feel the group of drakons was very united, as solid as I'd preferred. I can see why an historical setting sort of explains this: it's easier to explain why everyone lives close to one another in a certain area of England, why the estate is large and owned by the main families and so on.

The glimpses we get from some character interaction among the drakons, though, does reflect a quite fractured society where those with influence/prestige and money obviously get more attention than the ones at the bottom of the hierarchy. I can see why this can work in terms of how most societies back in the 18th and 19th centuries would work but I do miss the sense of camaraderie and union a more contemporary setting could have in terms of just accepting uniqueness in their individual members.

The drakon abilities and "powers" are interesting and I think the sort of whimsical writing provides an almost dreamlike appearance to what happens in the novel. Many thinks are alluded, are read between the lines among the characters so the reader gets the impression everything can be magical or ethereal and this can be a smart tactic to explain the lack of development on the character's actions and explanations for this and that. The action taking place is obvious but I still found myself conveniently detached from things, the emotion I had came solely from seeing the characters reactions even though sometimes that felt a little too easy, as if a piece of the puzzle had to fit precisely like that.

The main couple has some history and that explains their quick connection, I get it why they were suitable to fall in love but the motivations of each weren't always clearly romantic and I wish I could have seen more "domestic" or casual interactions between them and also more situations where they had to deal with other drakons (not those in charge of going after the thief). In the end I felt the couple had to suit but there is a lot between them that was only hinted at or left there for the reader to fill in the gaps and expectations.

Despite the details I wish could have been done better, this story has enough detail and world building to be fascinating and I must say it was a very good surprise I had waiting. If only all books languishing in out TBR lists were as easy to read and enjoy. It wasn't perfect for me, but all elements combined, it was an imaginative and clever enough story. I might read more by the author one day!

Grade: 7/10