Abigail Roux - Ball & Chain

Home from their unexpected deployment, the former members of Marine Force Recon team Sidewinder rejoin their loved ones and try to pick up the pieces of the lives they were forced to leave behind. Ty Grady comes home to Zane Garrett, only to find that everything around him has changed—even the men he went to war with. He barely has time to adjust before his brother, Deuce, asks Ty to be his best man. But that isn’t all Deuce asks Ty to do, and Ty must call for backup to deal with the business issues of Deuce’s future father-in-law.
Nick O’Flaherty and Kelly Abbott join Ty and Zane at the wedding on an island in Scotland, thinking they’re there to assuage Deuce’s paranoia. But when bodies start dropping and boats start sinking, the four men get more involved with the festivities than they’d ever planned to.
With the clock ticking and the killer just as stuck on the isolated island as they are, Ty and Zane must navigate a veritable minefield of family, friends, and foes to stop the whole island from being destroyed.

Comment: As a fan of this series, I couldn't not read this book as well. It's a series that brings together two elements key to my love for a book, romance and good characters. Since the first book I've been hooked and eagerly await each new book until it arrives.

In this installment, Ty and Zane are invited to the wedding of Ty's brother, in Scotland. Apparently the bride's family has been receiving some threats and Deuce, Ty's brother, asks him to bring extra security, so Ty invites Nick who, in turn, brings a partner too, in order to help with the security of the island where the wedding is taking place.
But things can't be this normal and soon is clear something is happening, and when the first body is discovered, a race against time starts because no one knows who the killer might be...

This story features heavily on the murder investigation and looking for a killer, something we saw in the fist book but which I never paid much attention in the other installments where the investigations were happening because I always looked more to the romance part o things and was much more invested in Ty and Zane's relationship and everything else was secondary for me.
That doesn't happen in the story, the focus is quite big in the action behind the romance and even this is almost secondary to Ty's friendship with Nick and what it meant throughout the years.
So, three things happening here: There's the romance between Zane and Ty, which is always my favorite part, then the murder investigation concerning the plot, and finally the relationship between Ty and Nick hits a rocky moment but they talk and everything is sort of solved. I say solved because in the end we have clues on how things might be addressed more, specially in the spin off of the series, Nick and Kelly's Sidewinder stories, to be released soon.

Of the three things, Ty and Zane are in a place in their romance where things have been talked, and there's this amazing love declaration in the end...it was amazing, I love how they worked hard to have a balanced and solid relationship and those scenes with them are pretty much perfect. Of course, the negative part is how they don't seem to be the focus in this book, but personally I feel it was subtle enough. In the end we get the murder's reasons and it's a surprise alright.

The murder investigation, in fact, is quite lengthy and shadier than we might think at first. I wasn't very pleased with so many people dying and all the twists, all the negative feelings in the middle of things, the selfishness of some motives...I get the plot reasons, but it brought a darker tone to the story that I thought was too obvious and intentional to feel right, but in the end, despite thinking it was over the top, I still managed to overlook some of it to pay more attention to the romance.

As for Nick and Ty's fight and the conversation that follows...I think it was more to serve the purpose of Nick's spin off later than to the character's growing, but this can be only my perspective playing. I think, from the emotional POV, it was well done because talking can explain a lot of things but if they were such good friends, this felt a bit like creating problems where they didn't exist for plot purposes and not real need.

In the end, I liked this anyway, I feel faithful to these beloved characters and despite this book not having the focus or the perfect, deep emotional link to the main couple I wanted to see, I enjoyed their parts, the place where they are at and the loving details in their relationship. It's not enough for the book, but I still liked it, so...a good grade nonetheless.
Plus, I love these guys, it's wonderful to read a story with characters you know you'll love reading about.
Grade: 7/10

TBR Challenge: Patricia Gaffney - Forever and Ever

Connor Pendarvis has a bitter past and a driving ambition—exposing the harsh working conditions in Miss Sophie Deene's copper mine is only the beginning.
Sophie Deene is her father's daughter—proud, fiercely independent...and bound by convention. She might hire a handsome, insolent Cornishman to work in the mine, but she wouldn't fall in love with him. Impossible, unthinkable. What would people say?
But she swallows her pride for love, defying everyone, never thinking Connor could betray her. And he risks everything he thought he wanted for a love that will last...

Comment: This month, the theme for the challenge is more than one book by this author, meaning, a book by an author whose books pile up here and there in your house. Math done, I must have around 10 more books by this author to read. The biggest problem of collecting, as you all surely know yourselves. Anyway, I've decided to read the author's most known trilogy and this is the third book. I think it also fits the theme, so here is was.

This is the story of Sophie Deene, a character that briefly appeared in the other books (or just the previous one, I can't remember properly) ans she is a lady, focused on her work and her responsibilities. She wants what's best for those who work in her mine and also for herself, as a person in whom others trust and admire.
Connor Pendarvis works for a group wanting to reform the working class system, in particular the conditions in the mines and how that affects workers. He meets Sophie not knowing she is the person he came to investigate but even after that he can't seem to forget her and neither can she. But when the truth comes off, what will happen?

The previous two books in this trilogy were good enough. Not as amazing as I imagined considering the hype they have in the romancelandia, namely the second one. I wasn't expecting this to be super amazing either and my expectations were met. This was very good, but not past the expected.

The story focuses on the two man characters and what they want out of life and are they behaving like others expect them to? This is a thought that follows many of us, so it wasn't something that unbelievable to imagine. Sophie has a position in the society scale and she likes to be respected although her attitude isn't vain or superior. I thought her character to be realistic and positive and I must admit I felt much empathy towards her and her deepest hopes. She is a very likable person and from her confident start, to her troubles and her winnings I felt she was a strong and solid character.

Connor was a more complex character, I felt. He seemed to be realistic too and indeed, his biggest fault was pride, but all things considered, I can't fault him for his worst words or attitudes in the novel. One can say better communication between them would have solved many things before the conflict arose but I thin it's quite humane to let things go, to let them build up to the point where is very hard to bridge and to talk again. We do this in our daily lives, so I thought that, as with all the major communication issues in the story, this wasn't badly done, quite the opposite. Of course, it's frustrating because we want everything well right away, but it's just the plot device at work.

Sophie and Connor don't have the best start and it was hard to seem at odds in the beginning, because we knew what their backgrounds were and why they acted like that, but for the purposes of plot development, it was important for them to take their time, to be antagonists so when their relationship changed tunes, it would be like a crescendo before reaching the point where we just new things couldn't work out right then. Still, it was good to see them deal with both their hopes for what was happening between them, to act a united front when needed..I loved the moments where they took the step to work things out. I don't think the conflicts were that difficult, but considering the time of action, the period, the society rules of the time and the natural flow of the story, it wasn't that bad and at times it also made me emotional, especially if thinking about being in their shoes.

I loved the scenes where we could see the main characters from the previous books happy. It was that special touch to prove to the reader the suffering was worthy the HEA and it also gave hope to this story, although I would have liked a more confirmed idea instead of the possibility that it's left in the air. Things end up well, yes, but this is a romantic story, I wanted a bit more romance.

Overall, I was glad with this one. There are many parts I'd have liked to see different, but I can't say they didn't worked out. Still, there's this feeling that there could have existed a better expression of feelings between them besides the obvious, some things did feel a bit forced to make other things work, but in the end, it was a good story for me and I didn't want to put it down. Comparing to the previous ones, I have to say I liked it better, if not because for most of the time, it looked like the main couple was ore balanced in their individual positions which meant a stronger relationship in the end. At least, it looks like it at the moment.
A solid read, for sure.
Grade: 8/10

Eresse - Heartstrings

Scions of the most powerful House in Ylandre, Ashrian Mithani and Eiren Sarvan were more than just cousins. Lovers of long standing, theirs was a bond that would have been the envy of all were it not for one glaring flaw—Ashrian’s inability to commit himself wholeheartedly to Eiren. Despite the dismay of some and the derision of others, Eiren bore his inconstancy, displaying a loyalty Ashrian seemed incapable of returning. That is, until Ashrian crossed a line and the transgression proved one Eiren could not forgive.
In the wake of grief and remorse, Ashrian seeks to make amends and win Eiren back. But something stands in his way. Or rather someone. And the irony of it all is that Ashrian can neither hate nor help befriending the Deir who is his rival for the heart of Ylandre’s most beloved physician.

Comment: This is another installment in the Chronicles of Ylandre series. This is a world where there are only men and the species has evolved, and all men are hermaphrodites. The stories focus a lot in the romances between the main couple as well as some minor society dealings.

This is the story of Ash and Eiren, they've been together forever although Ash hasn't been faithful all that time. After one argument, Ash leaves Eiren angry and betrays him again, but this time his choice of a partner is someone Eiren can't forgive him for. They separate, Eiren goes abroad to work and when he returns, he's married.
Ash regrets his actions terribly but he can't hate Eiren's new husband. In fact they become friends. Then he finds out something he didn't foresee but Eiren is there to help and to be the person he always wanted to have...

I liked this story. Despite the not as appealing theme of cheating, I kind of liked how Ash turned his ways and admitted he did wrong and that Eiren didn't deserved what he did to him.
This story is more focused on the main character's lives than on the society or other plot lines. In a way, it's good, because it provides a bigger look into each one of the guys and what they are feeling and thinking, but it also feels the story is as a specific zoom on them and everything else is just setting, which I don't like as much. But I can't say it's a bad thing, just a different focus.

Eiren and Ash have been in love for a long time, but they never said it with words and their roles were pretty much decided from the beginning. Eiren is a healer, he's special and very dedicated. His fault is maybe he doesn't realize what Ash was really feeling, but one can say Ash didn't came forward with what was on his mind and heart, so how could Eiren guess? Their relationship was based on assumptions and attraction but it changed. What the guys didn't see was how their feelings evolved too..but in a way the feelings and the minds didn't went at the same pace.
Ash was always led back, assuming his life would follow a certain path and he didn't accepted to himself why he felt so dissatisfied and why he cheated. When he finally does, he's too late and Eiren has gone to another stage of his life.

The biggest part of this story is the time and the things needed for the guys to deal with their feelings, with the disappointments from the past and the hope for what might be in their path. Several things change, mostly in terms of expectations for the future, the meaning of each other's roles in their relationship and in life...but it was good to see them admitting what was real then and how they could work things out to have a future together and also shared.
This book is an interesting study of emotions, of expectations and changes of heart, of forgiveness and love and it offers good lessons in how to care for what others think, feel and deserve.
I liked it even despite the slightly less good things here and there.
Grade: 7/10

Sandy Williams - The Sharpest Blade

McKenzie Lewis’s ability to read the shadows has put her—and …those she loves—in harm’s way again and again. The violence must end, but will the cost of peace be more devastating than anyone ever imagined?
After ten years of turmoil, the life McKenzie has always longed for may finally be within her grasp. No one is swinging a sword at her head or asking her to track the fae, and she finally has a regular—albeit boring—job. But when a ruthless enemy strikes against her friends, McKenzie abandons her attempt at normalcy and rushes back to the Realm.
With the fae she loves and the fae she’s tied to pulling her in different directions, McKenzie must uncover the truth behind the war and accept the painful sacrifices that must be made to end it. Armed with dangerous secrets and with powerful allies at her side, her actions will either rip the Realm apart—or save it.

Comment: This book was released last year, in December, and I had it pre ordered but only now I picked it up to read. I think one of the worst things of long time between releases is how you loose a bit of that drive when you are reading an installment and you like it. Time passed and this one was set for next month and then the next and so on until five months were gone. After that time I just grabbed and went with it.

The Sharpest Blade starts with Mackenzie living the life she wanted, at peace and without fae rushing her to places or putting her in danger. But she can't stop thinking about Aren or everyone she cares about in the Realm, so her life is divided between what she thinks she wants and the feelings telling what she is leaving behind and what she could be doing to help. Then she makes a decision one day and her fate is sealed from that on.

This is the third and last installment in the shadow reader trilogy by Sandy Williams. After a heartbreaking finale in the previous book, with something so unexpected, I was very curious to see how the author would lead the characters towards a HEA.
In a way, things ended well, because there is a HEA happening in the end, but honestly, I don't know if it was the author intention from the start or just needs due to conclude the trilogy and that was it, because it was really annoying how the death numbers pilled all the time. Too many people died here (and in all the trilogy) for this to be a world I feel like going back to. Yes, it's UF, and we should be glad there's even a HEA, but personally I think the violence results were over the top.

Mackenzie faces quite the dilemma but in the end, of course she follows her heart. This isn't a surprise. I felt invested in some characters and was thinking how will the author turn things around in a way that everyone could find happiness, or at least a satisfying ending...well, whether by killing them or just leaving them alone, things ended in quite the grey area... I'll try not to tell spoilers, but the most difficult problem, the one thing readers certainly wanted to see solved the most...well, that was left the way it was, and the characters have to life and deal with it, because, hey, life is unfair at times.
Then the whole royalty issue about the fae throne, well that was achieved more happily, in my opinion, but not before an epic battle and of course, the death of some innocent people and possible important characters to the future.

I think part of the fun of the end of a book is how the reader can be left alone to imagine future scenes, possibilities, it's a world of thoughts about what was read, about what could or should happen, it's dreaming about the after. In this case, I found that hard, or should I say, I found it hard to picture any happy things because I'd remember who died and how things wouldn't help someone and how unfair to the other and so on...tricky and not what I thought we'd get in the final story. I think closure is what's missing here.

The first book didn't seduced as much but I kept going. The second was better despite the end. And now I expected solutions, tricks to change what was in need of changing, but it didn't happen. Oh well...

In a way I'm glad this is over but at the same time I feel a bit bad it wasn't the kind of story we should have gotten. Maybe it's me that feels this way and other loved it, for sure. But I wanted things to be done more decisively and in a way that spoke of ore certainty to readers. I feel like I should be happier with this, but I'm afraid the story just didn't work for me as well as I wanted it to.
Grade: 5/10

Jodi Thomas - The Texan's Wager

Thrown off a wagon train with two other women and trying to avoid jail for a murder they committed, Bailee Moore agrees to enter a "wife lottery"--a ploy concocted by the Cedar Point sheriff to secure wives for the men in the small Texas town.
For the sensible Bailee, however, marrying Carter McKoy is like exchanging one life sentence for another--especially since her new husband hasn't even seen fit to utter a single word in her presence. But still, she can't help thinking that something about this strong, silent farmer could be the key to leaving her troubled past behind...and making a worthy wager with her heart.

Comment: This book was a gift I won in Christine's blog. I got it last year but, as usual, it's hard to read books right the moment they arrive, with some exceptions, of course. Anyway, this one has been in the pile until now but I'm very glad to have chosen it because it was a good read.

This is the story of Bailee and two friends she met on a train before they got expelled because one of them was sick and another was accused of being a witch. After a random meeting with a man who tried to rob them of the only transportation they were left with, the girls defend themselves and the man doesn't move and the girls think they killed him. After confessing to the sheriff in the nearest town, the girls accept to be part of a wife lottery where their future husbands pay their fine from jail and take responsibility for them. Bailee is the last woman to pick a name from the hat where all the possible husband's put a paper in and Carter McKoy is hers. Then Bailee marries Carter and they go to his ranch where their life begins...

I was very pleased with this story. I think it developed well and provided many enjoyable moments. I thin there were things that could have been better, namely the passion between the main couple could have been more obvious and in the final part, where Carter goes after someone, that was a bit boring and despite being quick in terms of plot, I still would dismiss it somehow.

The plot was interesting, full of unlikely possibilities, but based on history enough to be credible at times. I was fond of the girls right away and wanted them to be happy. I thought the whole lottery idea was funny and the start for interesting relationships to develop further. Bailee and Carter were strangers but their communication was slow to start, mostly because of Carter's behavior. But I was immediately captivated by them and their interactions and what they thought of each other. It was both cute and wrenching to see but I was glad everything worked out in the end and that they found someone, purely by chance, that understood and saw what was in their minds and hearts. Their relationship was well done, for the most part. Like I said, it wouldn't be bad to have more scenes where we could see how they felt about each other.

Bailee and Carter both had pasts that shaped their actions in the present. Bailee was accused of something and not only did she live with that notion over her head, but she also saw how someone she cared for forgot all about her making her feel unworthy in a way.
Carter saw his family die and from that moment on his whole existence was dedicated to silence, quietness and to create a safe heaven, in more ways than we can't think of, in order to make him feel protected.
Neither thought much of the lottery, Bailee saw it as a duty, Carter as well and he was about to quit, but after things were set in motion, they started dealing with their new arrangement and their relationship developed step by step. In the meantime they dealt with other people, expectations, things out of their control, but always acting in a way that showed the other how their hearts were and how worthy they were of the other.

I think the author took this story in a good direction, it showed the strong points of two characters who didn't feel life had much to give them unless duty and time, but after all the best things come from where we least expect them.
I was engrossed in this since the beginning and now I feel very curious over the next three stories in the series. Can't wait to read more. So far, the author, new to me, seems to be a good bet.
Grade: 8/10

Sharon Lynn Fisher - Ghost Planet

Psychologist Elizabeth Cole prepared for the worst when she accepted a job on a newly discovered world - a world where every colonist is tethered to an alien who manifests in the form of a dead loved one. But she never expected she'd struggle with the requirement to shun these “ghosts.” She never expected to be so attracted to the charming Irishman assigned as her supervisor. And she certainly never expected to discover she died in a transport crash en route to the planet.
Reincarnated as a ghost, Elizabeth is symbiotically linked to her supervisor, Murphy - creator of the Ghost Protocol, which forbids him to acknowledge or interact with her. Confused and alone - oppressed by her ghost status and tormented by forbidden love - Elizabeth works to unlock the secrets of her own existence.
But her quest for answers lands her in a tug-of-war between powerful interests, and she soon finds herself a pawn in the struggle for control of the planet…a struggle that could separate her forever from the man she loves.

Comment: I've decided I wanted to read this book when I saw this review at Phyl's blog. I really liked what she said about it and added it to my lists. I bought it and this month I just had to read it. I have to say, it was as thrilling and imaginative as I expected!

This sci fi story presents a world where Earth went so much toxic that when a new planet was found out and mimicked almost to perfection the conditions necessary for human life, colonists arrived and started living and studying the planet's resources and functioning. One thing they didn't realize, the aliens inhabiting the planet. Even more confusing was how the aliens tethered themselves to a human colonist and they took the appearance of a loved one, a loved dead one. Although intriguing, it was also psychologically troublesome to deal with so there's this program, Ghost Protocol that forbids interaction between ghosts and humans. Apparently everything was smooth, until Elizabeth's arrival at the planet.

Elizabeth Cole is a psychologist who accepted an invitation to work in the planet and when she arrives she finds it so odd how the ghosts have to follow their hosts everywhere and even more how weak and depressed they all seem. Even more shocking is how Elizabeth herself learns she's died in the transportation to the planet and she is now a ghost too.

I really liked this story! I couldn't put it down and I was amazed by all the details that shaped the world the author imagined. There are many rules and particularities that turn this world into something both appealing and troublesome. It was very interesting to see how the ghost were linked to the plant itself and how they came to exist. I still think there are many things to know about the planet and even a short story with an epilogue would do, in case the author doesn't plan to write follow ups. But an epilogue would be fun, because I'm curious about what happens to many of the characters.

Of course the society interactions is the huge and most interesting point in this world. Ghosts and humans are forbidden to interact, but Elizabeth's death didn't stop her new ghost status to keep her thoughts, her emotions and memories. This is fascinating, because it isn't Elizabeth anymore, but everything that made her who she is was there...quite the dilemma and it was well explored in the book, I think. I specially liked how we saw what she was thinking and feeling as the story moved along. Nothing was as simple as we might think.

The romance is cute and I rooted for them all the time. I think that, in spite of the circumstances, it wasn't rushed. I thought it believable and romantic. Their relationship went through many stages and it was discoveries after discoveries.

There's something bigger in all that behind the ghost's existence and the protocols and how things work in the planet. I was very happy to see the author didn't turn this into a war and managed to keep peace and possibilities, good ones, to provide hope and imagination to the readers' minds. I've finished the book imagining all kinds of things about the planet and the character's futures..quite the investment.
It was also interesting to see how so many human emotions and fears were set in the new planet. The ghost's attitudes reflected those of the people they took the identity of, but there's tricks to change that, it was refreshing to see how the ghost's were made out to be.

I was really impressed by this story and still read some passages here and there. I'm recommending this to all sci fi romance readers I have as friends. It is really special. Thanks to Phyl for the idea.
I'll try the author's other book someday too.
Grade: 9/10

Robyn Carr - Sunrise Point

Former Marine Tom Cavanaugh’s come home to Virgin River, ready to take over his family’s apple orchard and settle down. He knows just what the perfect woman will be like: sweet, decent, maybe a little naive. The marrying kind.
Nothing like Nora Crane. So why can’t he keep his eyes off the striking single mother?
Nora may not have a formal education, but she graduated with honors from the school of hard knocks. She’s been through tough times and she’ll do whatever it takes to support her family, including helping with harvest time at the Cavanaugh’s orchard. She’s always kept a single-minded focus on staying afloat...but suddenly her thoughts keep drifting back to rugged, opinionated Tom Cavanaugh.
Both Nora and Tom have their own ideas of what family means. But they’re about to prove each other completely wrong...

Comment: This is one of the last installments of the Virgin River series. There's only one  left after this one. This series has been with me since January of last year, when I decided to embark in the journey to this small town. As it happens with most series, I have my favorites and my least enjoyable installments. I'm glad this one belongs to the first category.

This is the story of Nora Crane, we've met her in previous books and she's a struggling young single mother of two, she's had disappointments in her life but now she's trying to build a new life and be respected by her actions and protection of her children. She wants to work by picking apples in the Cavanaugh orchards but Tom Cavanaugh doesn't seem to think she would be up to the task, because it is a hard job. The two seem to clash at first but with time comes understanding, respect and something more...but will they listen to what they're both thinking?

I had high expectations for this one. I can't say it's the most wonderful book in the series but it wasn't bad either. Still, I hoped for a more passionate story, not as politically correct, I wanted the protagonists to be overwhelmed by their feelings but everything was dealt with time and polite comebacks. I had the feeling, when the book was finished, that they didn't show passion in that entrancing way I wanted. It was more polite than super amazing, as I wanted. So, it wasn't bad, but not amazing either.

The story focuses on the protagonists quite a lot. We learn how Nora's life was, her relationship with her mother and how she thought her father left..it's good to see Nora crossing the bridge when she finds out her father looked for her. Of course, much of Nora's scenes are about her dedication to the work, to her children, to her developing friendships, Tom's among that, and she is a good young woman. I think that despite her past experiences, she was too polished in the story, I wanted some hard edges to balance her more friendly manner. She had reasons to be unhappy with some aspects of her life and it would have been more believable if she were to talk or act more angry, at least in the beginning or something. She was too polished, again, the word in my head about her.

As for Tom, his scenes are very much around his grandmother, who is a lovely character, and Darla, a widow of one of his buddies from the war. When he returned from the war, he dedicated himself to the orchard but he kept contact with Darla because her husband talked about her and Tom wanted to check if she was alright. They start to date, sort of..but while Tom wants to deepen his feelings for her Nora is always in the back of his mind. Throughout the book we learn how Darla really is and why they don't match. Ok, I didn't have much empathy towards Darla but she was more like a tool to compare to Nora and turn obvious Tom's choice in the end.

In the end, the story was fulfilling but I think it lacked those special things to make it memorable. Still, it was much better than some of the other installments.
Grade: 7/10

Susanna Kearsley - Season of Storms

In the early 1900s, in the elegant, isolated villa Il Piacere, the playwright Galeazzo D'Ascanio lived for Celia Sands. She was his muse and his mistress and the inspiration for his most stunning and original play. But the night before she was to take the stage in the leading role, Celia disappeared.
Now, decades later, in a theatre on the grounds of Il Piacere, Alessandro D'Ascanio is preparing to stage the first performance of his grandfather's masterpiece. A promising young actress--who shares Celia Sands' name, but not her blood--has agreed to star. She is instantly drawn to the mysteries surrounding the play--and to her compelling, compassionate employer.
And even though she knows she should let the past go, in the dark--in her dreams--it comes back.

Comment: This was the last book by this author I had to read. I know she has a couple more stories from the beginning of her career but those aren't as easily found as the most recent ones..maybe one day. Anyway, this was the last book and I'm glad I waited because it's truly beautiful and has all the plot elements in the correct doses to be remarkable.

This is the story of Celia Sands, she is a young actress, doing minor roles here and there, trying to make ends meet. She just lost her roommate, she doesn't know how to pay the rent in the future and her only consolation are her two dads, because her mother never cared for her unless it was a good part to play, so Celia was educated and raised by the gay couple that took care of her. One of her dads wants to retire and somehow Celia is told to accept an invitation to be in a play written decades ago by an Italian author who made the play to his mistress, actually named Celia Sands as well. This is part of the reason why Celia was invited but she proves her talent once there.
In the meantime, many characters are introduced, other actors and the grandson of the play writer, someone reserved but that draws Celia's eye from the start. But Celia is in to discover many things, not only about the play and the disappearance of the first Celia, but mainly about her own life.

Like I said, I was really happy with this novel. I think it was one of the author most successful ones, at least to the way I see things. I thought it had all the right amounts of elements to make this a good story. It has the intrigue, the mystery, the main story line, the drama, the incredible news and the romance. Whereas in some of her other books the romance was too short or too subtle that it didn't even seem important, in this case it's more along the lines of my favorite book of hers, where e do see a bit more romance developing. I loved this and I thought Celia's relationship with Alex was wonderful, still innocent and based on looks at first, but quite real in the end, and most certainly powerful in the epilogue.

The plot focuses around the play, many say it wasn't the same author who wrote this and other darker works, but throughout the book we see pieces of history saying it was indeed by D'Ascanio. The story starts from the arrival of the actors in Italy until the play is finished. There's some mystery in the middle, concerning the disappearance of Celia the first and what could have been her fate and also about the dealings of the D'Ascanio grandson and his selling of the palazzo where they are. I think there are many intrigue scenes and settings to fulfill the plot lovers. Of course, some personal questions are targeted here as well, and we learn a lot about the characters.
There are sad moments, beautiful moments and many things to be found out. I really loved every moment, except a little thing.

I'm really happy with this one, I think it's one of the author's best works, somehow, everything fit in place for me and the story worked pretty well. It's one of those books you can open any time and there are countless scenes to be marveled at.
Overall, an amazing book, I only hope future stories by this author will be as great!
Grade: 9/10

*
Note: Now that I've read all her published (and available) books, here is the list by order of my preferences:
The Shadowy Horses - not commented here
Season of Storms
Mariana
Splendour Falls
Every Secret Thing
The Rose Garden
Named of the Dragon
The Firebird
Sophia's Secret

Lynn Flewelling - Shards of Time

The governor of the sacred island of Korous and his mistress have been killed inside a locked and guarded room. The sole witnesses to the crime—guards who broke down the doors, hearing the screams from within—have gone mad with terror, babbling about ghosts . . . and things worse than ghosts. 
Dispatched to Korous by the queen, master spies Alec and Seregil find all the excitement and danger they could want—and more. For an ancient evil has been awakened there, a great power that will not rest until it has escaped its otherworldly prison and taken revenge on all that lives. And only those like Alec—who have died and returned to life—can step between the worlds and confront the killer . . . even if it means a second and all too permanent death.

Comment: This book was recently released and I was very curious to read it because I've been a fan since I found out about it, years ago. The author has said this would be the last full length story in this Nightrunner series but I have hopes one day she might get back to this world, it's really wonderful.

This latest adventure sees Seregil and Alec going to the Kouros island, now conquered by Skala and away from the Plenimarans. They are on a mission for the queen and apparently only to sole the mysterious death of the governor and his mistress. But what they find on the island is so much more than death, it's a tale that lasted centuries and is back to life once more.

I loved this story. Even the little detail I'd change isn't something so harsh that makes this story ruined for me. I'm always amazed by the way this world just draws me in every time. You know, that kind of book that you now will be good but still surprises you by the intensity of the appreciation you feel towards it. The true beauty of a book magic, that's what happens with me and these books. I already now there are elements that will be enjoyable to read but still, there's an extra something that turns this into almost perfection.

The plot is the author's trademark, lots of adventure, but with a main story that shapes all the other things and starts the happenings from the beginning. I was amazed by several little details of the truth behind the occurrences and the explanation for why things are the way they are. The story seems simple enough, but as it happened with former installments, things are more serious and bigger than we might think at first.

The characters are, obviously, the main strength of this. Alec and Seregil keep united and amazing and we see their relationship is as solid as we might ever want and there's a special kind of reassurance in that, to know with time they will still be together. Then there are some surprises with other characters we like, I for one was really happy with this little detail in Klia's life and one of the reasons the book was so good was to see her in a role I never imagined but in which she is amazing too.

The mystery has some macabre levels. It's hard to imagine such destiny, such deviousness, but it does get solved and I was glad to know the god triumphed over evil again and that the good guys have managed to achieve their goals.
I also liked how Seregil played his part and helped so many people.
It was also good to see the interesting details of the life in Kouros.

The author, like I said, has told her readers by the end of the book, this would be the last Nightrunner story for now. It's been years living with these characters but she's stopping for now. I accept her reasons, after all she's the creative mind behind all this, it's her prerogative, but as a reader of course I'm a bit sad. I hope it won't take decades or something to have a new story. On the other hand, things are well and up right now. I'd hate to see a irrevocable end...therefore, I'll keep faith for new stores with these characters that have made my reading life so much better. Until the next time, then. And like the guys would say...luck in the shadows.
Grade: 9/10

Robin McKinley - Deerskin

As Princess Lissar reaches womanhood, it is clear to all the kingdom that in her breathtaking beauty she is the mirror image of her mother, the queen. But this seeming blessing forces her to flee for safety from her father's wrath. With her loyal dog Ash at her side, Lissar unlocks a door to a world of magic, where she finds the key to her survival - and an adventure beyond her wildest dreams...

Comment: I had my eye on this one for a long time before deciding to buy it. I got it this past january but only last month got to it at last. I got it mostly because it was a retelling of a fairy tale. I don't look for these taht much but if they come my way I read them. This book in particular crossed my path after more than one book and I always kept this one in the back of my mind, but never went for it. Now I took a chance to see if it was as good as it promised.

This is a retelling/retake of the donkeyskin story, this time with the author's POV of the events that shaped the story from the beginning. Lissar suffers an attack and flees, living as deerskin, a woman many think magical, when in reality she's just a princess running from something shameful. She thinks herself unworthy until she falls in love and knows someone close to her beloved will marry a man she knows is evil, her won father. This story combines fantasy and the power of love as the main keys to happiness.

Well, I can't say this was as wonderful as I imagined. The story itself was interesting and it has strong enough moments to be truly special. But I couldn't dismiss the writing, which was too elaborated and fairy tale alike to be edible for a long time. It was a very whimsical and ethereal writing style and it was hard to follow throughout the whole book. It got better when things became more objective, more about the action on sight, but there were parts where things were so aloof and dreamy, in a very fantasy tale way, which can be the goal here, but as a full length story it can be difficult to maintain.

The story follows Lissar and her growing up, the expectations around her because she's the daughter of the most beautiful woman in the world. Then something bad happens and she flees and finds love in another place. There is a sort of mid part between these two different focus on Lissar's path and the ending, so three formal parts withing the story and my own fourth part between parts 1 and 2. Of course this serves to explain Lissar's growing up mentally and physically, but also to explain why things happen the way they do.
I think most readers agree, the best part is the second when Lissar is learning to see her value and it's also cute to see her fall in love with Ossin, which is a prince but not handsome and perfect like in most fairy tales. I liked this part. When he tells her he loves her is such a beautiful speech....

I think the story didn't end as well as it could. The same moody tone keeps up and it's really hard to go past the writng style. I really thought this would be told in a contemporary vibe or mode but it wasn't so. Not just because the story is magical and fantastic enough to ask for a different style. I just had an idea of how this would go and everything is so... distant in terms of reader connection. It's one of those cases where the author could have told this from a contemporary perspective or if she still wanted to keep this style, at least the writing could have been more modern because this way can be a negative point for some, like me.
Anyway, this are the way they are. The story focuses only on Lissar, which is great, but I'd have liked to see Ossin's POV more too. Lissar leans a lot during her life, she has to deal with memories and disappointments that shape her way of being with other people, but her path is full of interesting mantras and in a way, there are lessons to learn with. Still, her transition from one identity to another wasn't as objective as that and I'd have liked to see her more confidant and through a different POV as well.
Of course, Lissar suffers a crime and that shapes her. I won't tell spoilers, of course it's a part of the story with huge impact in everything, it was subdued enough but once more, the story was too whimsical to have a bigger impact on the reader, I think. I keep saying, it should have been told with a different style.
Plus, I thin some key ideas from the original story, such as was the skin she used weren't as well used as that, it was almost a down play...I didn't expect that to be as unimportant as it was.

All in all, a good enough idea but the execution wasn't to my taste. I fully expected a different writing and wasn't aware of the author's style before, although I knew it would be adult fantasy. Everything together didn't put this on the level of best books for me, but the idea and some scenes and thoughts were enough to keep this in the positive. Still, I don't thin I'll be curious about more retelling from the author so soon.
Grade: 5/10

Caris Roane - Born of Ashes

For years, she was kept as a human slave—one of seven unwilling “blood donors” for the death vampires who thirst for absolute power. Now, Fiona is a free woman, haunted by her memories of being strapped to a gurney, drained of blood, then revived at the last moment. She lives to avenge her captors—but only one warrior can help her...
Jean-Pierre has lived and fought for over two-hundred years. He knows the triumph of slaying a death vampire, but has never known anything like the feelings that arise when he becomes Fiona’s guardian. Her beauty, her pain, her passion—and her growing power—consume his senses. Now the warrior must draw his sword once more…and fight the gates of hell itself—for love.

Comment: Here's another installment of the Guardians of Ascension series. this time it's Jean Pierre and Fiona's story. As it has happened in every book, in the previous story we had the start of the relationship between these two. 
One of the funnier things in this series is how each mate smells their mate by one distinctive scent, something only he or she can smell. Fiona smells like pastries to Jean Pierre and he has the scent of coffee to her. I find this really cool and of course this smell intensifies in heated moments...the idea isn't original, but I like the mark the author has given to this with the different smells and different range of what can be. It's always fun to imagine what each one might smell like.

So, this is the story of Jean Pierre and Fiona. Fiona was rescued in the previous book from a life of slavery, her blood was used over a century and she was killed each time and brought back in the extreme to provide more dying blood, the ambrosia of death vampires. She isn't ready for a love life even if many other things in her life are getting shaped the way she wants.
Jean Pierre lived a terrible existence during the French revolution and he was marked by his first wife's treachery...but Fiona he can't resist and not only because she is his mate...

This is the 4th book and, so far, I have to say this is the weakest for me. I think this story didn't explore the best way the relationship between the main couple. Besides, I didn't like how weak the chemistry between them was. Yes there are plenty of sex scenes and moments where each one of them - or both - think how much they are falling for the other, but I wasn't convinced. Despite the lengthy pages of these books, in this case I wasn't fully convinced they were really in love.

Two things bothered me and were the reason this book was weaker than the previous ones. First what I've said, the main couple's relationship didn't feel well done, too many pages explaining things that, honestly, weren't as well explored as that and in the end I felt their romance weaker and very superficial.
The second was the heroine for the next story. Apparently she is a nymphomaniac. Ok....I'll be honest again, these types of heroines/people have my respect for their affliction but I usually don't feel very sympathetic towards them..I don't know how the author will deal with this in her own story, but since she shows up in this book and it's part of it, I have to use it as part of my reading experience too. And I didn't like it because although her actions can be explained as a result of her issue and even her mental process too, I still think she was a bit too unconcerned how that would feel like to the person who loves her and always wanted to help. I can't really judge, after all she has been secluded and in a sort of arrest for a long time, obviously her take on life is freedom and independence now, but being this a romance I had access to both parties and now I feel sorry for her guy...

I won't even mention the bad guy's parts, I skipped most of them. Yes, I know, shame on me skipping parts, but really I have no patience for so many pages of bad guy's intentions and acts and whatever, I pass them along.
As for the sex scenes themselves...the same old. Everything is amazing...the main couple was a bit reluctant to take that step for Fiona's sake mostly after all she didn't feel ready, but they went past that pretty fast after a good amount of pages and since then it was bring it baby. Ok, it's how things are in this series, this world...but sometimes a bit more of seduction and more sexual tension instead of explicit sex all the time would be sexier I think.

Still, this is a world I feel used to by now and despite the many flaws I find, I still feel curious enough to keep reading. I already bought the next two stories and will read them when I can. Sure I'd change things, but I do have to appreciate the author's efforts into creating this world, the species, the interactions, the rules...the effort to publish and respect readers. So far, only my personal taste finds faults here, so... let's see what's coming next.
Grade: 6/10

Lynn Lorenz - Bayou Dreams

Sheriff Scott Dupree’s got more problems than he can handle. He’s alpha of his small werewolf pack and coming up for re-election as sheriff in a year. On top of this, his mother is casting love spells to find Scott a mate. It’s all Scott can do to keep the town and pack under control, let alone his urges to mate.
Ted Canedo is openly gay, a disgraced ex-cop from New Orleans. His patrol partner was killed on duty and Ted took the blame for taking protection money from the store owner to save his partner’s wife and kids grief. No one knew Ted was in love with his partner, not even his partner. Having him die in Ted’s arms killed something inside Ted too.
When the moon is full and Scott’s momma works her magic, Ted’s erotic dreams and his work as a PI bring him to St. Jerome and sexy, straight Scott. Scott’s stunned to learn his wolf is gay and wants to mate with Ted. Ted refuses to become involved with a straight man, much less a werewolf, terrified to risk his heart again.
Especially if it he has to watch Scott fight to the death for his right to claim Ted as his mate.

Comment: I had my eye on this story for ages before I managed to get it. While I waited I kind of build a certain level of expectations about the book which, added to quite the few positive reviews I've read since I knew about it, have made me really eager to read and be dazzled by this shape shifter story.

This book is the first in a trilogy about the shape shifter wolves in New Orleans. It's one of those classic stories of GFY - gay for you - where at least one of the main characters isn't gay but can't help fall for that special guy. In here, the mate issue is an extra. 
Scott never imagined his mate might be a gay man and he puts all the blame on his mother's voodoo attempts to marry him off. He's determined to stay way from Ted but he does admit the pheromones and the attraction are there.
Ted is a proud gay man who lost his career for love, for the memory of the straight man he loved. However, he is in a mission for his work as PI and the last thing on his mind are wolves, mates and love. But he finds all that...doesn't he?

Well, after so much time of waiting I have to say this wasn't exactly as I imagined. I had the idea this would be a great romance, I've read the author's work before and I was ready to be amazed but that didn't happen. Te situations in the book didn't grab my attention as they are meant to I suppose, and neither the characters were strong enough enough to cover for the sort of useless plot.

The story is a bit lame, I think. There's this whole feel of how gays wouldn't be welcome but in the end they are, by example. This is a good thing after all, but the path towards that it weird in a way. Also, why pointing out that fact so often? I think it was just meant to prove a point, mates are welcome no matter their gender. I was left with the feeling that was why gays could be welcomed.

The the main plot revolves around Ted's work and his cover to be near the woman he's spying on is to be an artist. Of course he battles his urges to have sex with two different men. but after smelling Scott that isn't available anymore. I thought the plot to be a bit stupid. This could still be the main point of interest, could still be used but if done in a different way... I guess in the end I just wasn't very fond of the whole world created. It wasn't addictive or that special to be in.

The two main characters weren't the best ones either. I had the feeling both were lacking in several aspects, their personalities had many flaws and although one can say it's just part of their characterization, I wasn't interested in them alone, much less together. I thought there wasn't real feelings between them, apart from the strong pheromones and the addiction they brought. I wasn't particularly amazed by them as two people in love. Too much denial and physical appearances instincts only. I wasn't convinced they were in love or that destined to be together. In the end, it was a bit disappointment to finish the book with the feeling the main couple didn't feel right, in love or dedicated to each other, no matter the pretty words. I think the author failed in this one. the story just doesn't feel strong enough in any level. Of course, this is me, many others loved it...
I guess the fact this is a shape shifter story and has some shifter elements still grabbed my attention and was the savior of the book to keep it average positive, but still..it was close.

I left this story with a sad feeling of disappointment after so much time thinking this could be it, in terms of a good shape shifter gay story, but it wasn't so. The second story line was started but one of the characters doesn't appeal to me and I foresee more of the same lacking of this one in the lot department, so...I leave it here with this one.
Grade: 5/10

Patricia Gaffney - To Have and To Hold

Suave, cynical, and too handsome for his own good, Sebastian Verlaine never expects to become a magistrate judging the petty crimes of his tenants and neighbors. Nor can the new Viscount D’Aubrey foresee that, when a fallen woman appears before him, he’ll find himself beguiled against all reason to alter her terrible fate....
Rachel Wade has served time in prison for her husband’s violent death, but she soon discovers that freedom has its own price. For no one will offer her a second chance but a jaded viscount who needs a housekeeper. Scorned by the townspeople of Wyckerley as D’Aubrey’s mistress, tempted beyond her will by the devilish lord, Rachel risks all she had to claim a life of her own...and a love that will last for all time.

Comment: One of the reads of last month. (I am behind on this, work is the cause). I picked it because I had read the previous one in the trilogy and I was also curious to see if it would be as amazing as many readers seemed to consider it, within the romance genre.

This is the story of Rachel Wade, she has been out of prison but can't find a job. Her life is close to finality she dreads but she has thought about the solution. Suddenly, she is rescued by the new viscount D’Aubrey, who is looking for a housekeeper. Could her life go back to any semblance of normalcy? Rachel's hopes are met with disillusionment when she realizes what the job entails.
Sebastien Verlaine is bored out of his mind, his life is a play of boredom and ennui and he sees in Rachel a new, different challenge. While he believes amusement will follow their progressing relationship, he isn't prepared to accept the differences in his own mind and spirit.

I have to say I don't like Sebastien. I don't care he changed, that he looked into his heart or that he reached the conclusion of what makes a decent human being. What he did, what he allowed to be done to Rachel out of boredom and personal games was too awful and stupid and horrifying to be redeemed with pretty words and gestures!
Probably many of you have read this book and know what I'm talking about, but in case you don't I mean what happened after Sebastien's friends paid him a visit. Another previous scene wasn't positive to remember either but I tell myself romances in those days weren't smiles from the start. But then..really, it's too harsh. 

I ended up giving this story a good grade because Rachel seemed happy int he end and I loved her character, I loved her personality and her attitudes even after everything that happened to her and her awful experiences. Rachel is the true soul of this story. I could attempt to put myself in her shoes and it was painful. I can only begin to imagine what it must have been like for countless women in those days, wrongly injusticed and forced to live that way. I'm sure the author researched female prisons in those times. Rachel's tale is so sad and I so wanted her to find happiness, to be wowed and surprised with life has to offer!

Then Sebastien comes along. I never liked him, not even when Rachel did. I get the author's intention of creating a really hateful person, whose aim in life is to amuse himself at the expense of others. I found good that he changed his mind about his position in life, about what he was doing and why and all the good changes he had until the end. But the things he did before were awful and it's too painful to think about. Two or three scenes made me cry and feel so much sorry for Rachel...

I see why many readers consider this good, Sebastien eventually changes and tries to show Rachel happiness is possible, but honestly I never thought his feelings for her were that strong...their relationship was filled with extremes and too many power plays to be accepted as romantic in the end. I don't consider the last scenes enough to put this in the successfully developed romance category. I wanted more emotion from Sebastian, a more thoughtful change of mind, of attitude. Their relationship feels unbalanced to me, and I think it could have been presented differently, namely the turnabout of things.

In the end, too many conflicting emotions. I have hopes to see this couple still happy in the following book because their love didn't seem strong enough or, should I say, detailed and described enough to convinced me it was bigger than the universe. Too many bad things put a shadow in this, I think.
Grade: 7/10

self publishing and the size looking of shelves

So, I should be writing about the books I've read recently because things are running late here as I've had too much to do at work and can't find the time to be online...but I just discovered Deborah Cooke is going into self publish.
I have nothing against self publish and I've read some posts by authors who do it about it and their reasons and I understand the whys and how difficult it can be for several reasons, like Elisabeth Naughton told at her blog.

I don't intend with this post to present a study about self publishing, but I feel like ranting a bit. I know most authors do it for the "right" reasons, let's call them this, it's often a matter of being able to publish and to keep respecting their readers. I applaud them that. I just can't help feeling annoyed at the ways it works..it's the way of things and thankfully ms Cooke is a friendly and attentive author and she explained things to me, when she could have just send a link or something. I get it it's all business and the way for indie authors to be able to keep writing. 

I guess I wasn't aware of all the issues around self publishing. I always thought it as mostly because publishers wouldn't publish that anymore or in a lucrative way to the author. Isn't everything a matter of money in the world? I can't believe I was so naive about this, but well.

My personal rant is obviously abut my own POV about this and how it affects me..selfishness is in all of us. I like my shelves aligned by size. Of course I prefer to keep books by same authors together. Different formats don't allow this and it gets on y nerves. It's not something I'm obsessed with but it's still in the back of my mind... 

I wish it was possible to keep the same formats... things would be so simple and I'm sure many

readers agree.

Well, I'm not giving up on some of those new self published authors nor do I stop buying favorite series in print, despite prices. But I have the right as a paying costumer to rant on my own, right? I mean, I hope I'm not offending anyone, it's the way of the world, unfortunately I can't change things and I don't want to stop authors from publishing. I would rather have a perfect world but it's just not reality. But it would be so nice for authors to be able to publish the usual formats anyway...

These were just things in my head. It's just that I really would love to see my shelves the way I envisioned them... reality checking necessary.
At least I hope all the authors who can and want to self publish have success because it means readers are reading and finding what they love.

(here and here)

Molly Harper - The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf

Generations of werewolves have been secretly residing in a secluded valley a stone's throw from Grundy, Alaska. So when a snooping Outsider comes to Grundy to investigate rumors of lycanthropic shenanigans in the area, the valley's pack alpha, Maggie Graham, resolves to chase him away, even if doing so takes a quick bite on the butt. What a pity that researcher Nick Thatcher turns out to be so drool-worthy, and that his kisses make Maggie want to sit up and beg. Maggie just can't seem to convince Nick to leave . . . and even worse, she can't convince "herself "to stay away from "him. "Cross-species dating is problem enough for a harried alpha female, but on top of that, a rival group of werewolves is trying to move into the valley. With interpack war threatening, Maggie can't afford to be distracted. Combining romance and a career can be tough for anyone; for a werewolf in love with a human, it may be disastrous. . .

Comment: After five months I could finally return to this world created by ms Harper. I love shape shifter stories and the first one in this werewolf trilogy was brilliant and I didn't have to think hard about reading more.

This is the story of Maggie Graham, Cooper's sister. She feels pretty good now that she is pack alpha and it's even better to have Cooper supporting her and her beloved pack happy enough. So, when a scientist shows up trying to prove werewolves existence, she is eager to send him home but isn't prepared to accept he might be her mate. But he is attractive and does smell good...
Nick is doing his work but after meeting Maggie and the community in Alaska, his feelings develop for Maggie quite fast. Things move in a direction he didn't expect, but he's very accepting and resourceful. Can they be what the other wants?

I think the previous book was better. It had a better balance between the romance and the plot, I think. In this story's case, the romance felt a bit rushed and not as polished as the other one. I think Nick and Maggie had a very fast change of heart for the type of commitment on the line. Maggie is a wonderful heroine and she expressed her feelings on the subject quite well but I had the feeling she went pretty fast from trying to send Nick away to having him near. I know, this is just part of the romance formula, but it would have worked out better if we could see Nick's behavior more. The story is told from Maggie's POV so, of course we can't see everything the other characters are doing or thinking and in this story's case, I think it wasn't done the best way. I mean, it's not that bad, but I sure felt the need to balance Maggie's attitudes and actions with Nick's. Nick certainly feels something and knowing things from his conversations wasn't enough, in my opinion. This is the thing I would change, I wish we could have Nick's POV also.

As for the plot, it also had many romance tricks, like the wrong misunderstandings and the bad guy revealed on the last scene, which seemed just like a way to end things, but overall, it was OK.
Once more, I liked the interactions between Maggie and Nick and with all the secondary characters. It was fun to see things progressed between books and that the author doesn't focus only on the main couple, although they are center of course. 
It was also good to see some interesting subjects, like the disease in old age, the concept of helping others in a close community, the fondness and love within family...it was good and it added strength to the plot and the story.

The best thing to me was Maggie's personality. I really loved her voice and her way of behaving, her irony and sarcasm and also her love for the family and those she felt protective of. Maggie is a good heroine although her hero didn't have the same focus on.

All things considered, this wasn't a bad story, it was actually a good second installment, but I think it could have used more solid points here and there. I'm still eager to read the third, so my enjoyment wasn't lost even with the less than stellar parts.
Grade: 7/10