PT read: Augusto Cury

Quick comment: I saw recently this book at the library. I've thought about reading it a few years ago but never got to it but after seeing it at the library I decided to try it. This book was written by a Brazilian author and can be loosely translated to "The
Saga of a Thinker".
The author writes books of self help but mostly stories where he develops theories and presents strategies to live a better life by understanding the other people's POVs.

This story is fiction but in it we follow a medicine student and his growing understanding of what being a doctor means, not only to heal patients but mainly to talk to them, to be a supporting person and not to treat them as a business to be dealt with.

The author is very intelligent and uses many philosophical theories by great thinkers to add up to his thoughts about several issues in nowadays' society. There's also an interesting debate between psychology and psychiatry and how the two of them should be linked together an not as opposites in the medicine spectrum.

I didn't find any edition in English but it's unfortunate because the author, being a doctor and a psychiatrist himself is very knowledgeable of what he says about the current state of medicine and everything that surrounds the care for patients. There are several radical ideas about how things could be better for everyone involved, especially if doctors were to embrace a more positive approach and not to rely as much in pills or drugs and more on the psychotherapy of things.

The story is fiction, therefore has a very happy end feel and a very positive message to smile more and where things can be worked out for the best. I think it's a beautiful story where we can see through the sadder things to reach a ore steady take on life and that it's ok to fall if only we find th will to get up again and how to do it. 

The book features a lot of the prejudice against the mental patients too and how we, as a society, are numb to understand what other's are feeling, especially if they aren't like the so called norm. I think the story offered a good lesson about this as well.

This story was well thought, many interesting ideas to think about and quite easy to read and cheer for. I'll look for to read more about this author.
Grade: 8/10

Linnea Sinclair - Hope's Folly

Admiral Philip Guthrie is in an unprecedented position: on the wrong end of the law, leading a ragtag band of rebels against the oppressive Imperial forces. Or would be if he can get his command ship-the derelict cruiser called Hope's Folly-functioning. Not much can rattle Philip's legendary cool-but the woman who helps him foil an assassination attempt on Kirro Station will. She's the daughter of his best friend and first commander-a man who died while under Philip's command and whose death is on Philip's conscience.
Rya Bennton has been in love with Philip Guthrie since she was a girl. But can her childhood fantasies survive an encounter with the hardened man, and newly minted rebel leader, once she learns the truth about her father's death? Or will her passion for revenge put not only their hearts but their lives at risk? It's an impossible mission: A man who feels he can't love. A woman who believes she's unlovable. And an enemy who will stop at nothing to crush them both.

Comment: I'm aware many people loved this book, in particular people I know. I liked the author's books so far and despite the last book's end being a bit of a lesson on how to see a HEA not end up as perfectly as that, I was curious enough to keep reading stories about this series and which way things would go.

This is Phillip's story, he's been a recurrent character in the series and has now his chance to play a more important role.
Phillip comes from a very rich family and at 45 he's disappointed the Fleet has reached the point where things are. Phillip feels his duty is to bring peace to the galaxy again and the way he sees things, his plan is to become a rebel admiral. He takes command of the Hope's Folly but one thing after the other keeps delaying the ship's functionality and Phillip, along with his crew must solve things before the Imperial Fleet destroys the ship.
But hen there is Rya Bennton, she's the daughter of one of his friends, now deceased because of the war within the galaxy. But Phillips's reaction to Rya isn't that of an uncle and despite the sixteen years between them it's hard to avoid Rya or what she makes him feel...

This book follows the action sequences after the second book in this Dock Five series which was Shades of Dark. Now we see Phillip trying to have the command of a new ship and the difficulties of having an honest and trustworthy crew.

I guess one can say this book features two important subjects. Phillip and Rya's relationship and Philip's attempts to fight the Imperial forces.
As for the latter, the action scenes are very particular and detailed, which adds drama and seriousness to the plot, the whole story. But in reality I couldn't seem to go past the idea nothing really happens in this book in terms of action. The plot is how to bring the ship to work and to uncover a spy's actions to bring the ship's personal to prison or to to capture. I also have to give the deserved congratulations to the author because she managed to add enough credibility and emotion to the story that the fact things are pretty much static isn't almost unaware to the reader.
Still, I was entertained enough to read the story quite fast and there was always a will to carry on, to keep reading. Although I couldn't avoid the fact things were always the same, I still liked the ship's details, the little things about the ship's workings and how everyone there acted.

Now, the characters.
Phillip is an honorable person and has always done everything to his power to be respected and to work honestly. He's feeling the Fleet has done a disservice to everyone who always honored its name and goals. He plans to help restore the Fleet's honor any way he can and that means at the moment to fight against those in power. His moral and values are the key stones to his character. I liked how honest he was and how he defended the right things. He's a very likable character and in this book we see a softer side to him too, something we figured might exist but wasn't ever exploited in the other books where he was.
Of course there's his feelings about the age difference to Rya. I thought this would be a stronger point of content, or maybe the reason for a more dramatic story line but in fact Phillip seemed to act with a wise knowledge of his own honesty. He knew he was attracted and he knew he should leave her alone but he even knew more that she was important to him.
I appreciate his honest feelings although this subject could have been dealt with a different POV, I don't mean it should be more angsty or anything, but perhaps with a different take...

Then there's Rya. She obviously doesn't care about the age difference and she always liked Phillip since a child when he was with her late father. But I didn't like Rya that much, and I think some aspects of her personality and fears weren't addressed the best way. She has some self esteem issues, not about her work or her value as a person, but about her image, her take on personal relationships. All things to consider because everyone's different and worthy and flawed at their own merits, value and worth. But I thought things were talked about too subtly and with too much easiness. Like the possibilities were more intense than th resolution.
Then there was her take on sexual connections before Phillip and her developing love for him. I get it, but I don't really appreciate characters who act their fears and whatever issues through several sexual encounters without meaning and just for fun. This made me not like her as much as I think many other readers do, but as always, it's a matter of personal preference.

All in all, a good enough book, I was motivated to read and even despite the things I didn't like as much, I was still captivated by the book and the writing to want to read more in the future.
Grade: 7/10

Courtney Milan - The Heiress Effect

Miss Jane Fairfield can't do anything right. When she's in company, she always says the wrong thing--and rather too much of it. No matter how costly they are, her gowns fall on the unfortunate side of fashion. Even her immense dowry can't save her from being an object of derision. And that's precisely what she wants. She'll do anything, even risk humiliation, if it means she can stay unmarried and keep her sister safe. Mr. Oliver Marshall has to do everything right. He's the bastard son of a duke, raised in humble circumstances--and he intends to give voice and power to the common people. If he makes one false step, he'll never get the chance to accomplish anything. He doesn't need to come to the rescue of the wrong woman. He certainly doesn't need to fall in love with her. But there's something about the lovely, courageous Jane that he can't resist...even though it could mean the ruin of them both.

Comment: This is the second full length book in the Brothers Sinisters series by Courtney Milan. After the novella Governess Affair which I liked, and the first book The Duchess War which was one of my favorites of last year, here it is the second book.

In this story we have as protagonist Oliver, the half brother to the hero of the first book. He's the son of the governess from the novella. Oliver has set his sights on politics. He wants to be the voice of those who can't speak for themselves and he wants to give some power to those who have none. To do so he has to play his cards well and marry well too, because the perfect wife might be the best accessory to reach his aims.
Jane Fairfield wants to avoid marriage and her tactic is to be as exaggerated and silly as possible to make all men want to be as far away from her as possible. But in this game, she didn't cont on Oliver, someone who is an unexpected friend and ally. Will they see how perfect they are suited after all, despite the idea they might not?

I have to confess this book wasn't as great as The Duchess War, which I thought pretty much perfect. I think what lacked in this story was a better romance story. I thought the romantic relationship between the two protagonists was a bit lacking in passion and strength. I saw how the epilogue proved the HEA happened for real and the path they took towards their love was both sweet and challenging. But I wanted a bit more desperation to the romance story, I wanted to see something a bit more!
I understand how the loe scenes were subtle because it suits the tone of the story and the author's writing style but I wanted a bit more desperation, let's call it that, at the end, where it was too important to keep things to themselves. I liked how Oliver went after Jane after all but his actions were too contained, I guess I'd have liked to see more action at that stage.

The story itself is quite unique. Jane Has a goal, which is to help her sister and not leaving her alone with their uncle because Emily has fits and the uncle is a somewhat mindless person and wants to cure her even if not really aware of what might be done to her. Scars on Emily's arm prove the lack of awareness on his part. So Jane wants to hold on until Emily is of age to marry but until then she tries to be still a gentlewoman but not seriously considered to marry. I liked this idea of Jane's character but of course this demands a lot from her, even if it's amusing at times. But I had the feeling it was more difficult than what she admitted to be the target of jokes and conversation. Still, it's an admirable trait to be willing to sacrifice a part of her identity to help her sister.

I think this is the author's strongest point, how to mold the characters' personality, to give them all the little details of behavior a living person has. Because everyone is shaped differently and acts differently and usually characters are this or that and despite her protagonists being good people, they all have the countless different traits to pt them together, like a normal living person. I found this fascinating because those characters could easily be alive.

Oliver is another proof of this, he is a good person but his thoughts and what he feels isn't just a way to characterize him. I especially found interesting how he says at some point he feels he doesn't belong and why. It's like someone would say it in a conversation, it feels real and pertinent. I think there's much of the author's talent in how the reader sees these things because all authors could make a character say this and not all would manage to portray the same message or the same level of importance to that idea.

I liked the secondary plots and characters too. I liked Freddie a lot, and her fear to leave her house and the solution she found. I think it's brilliant how the author picks all these little things that shape a human being and uses them cleverly to turn her characters into believable people on the page.
I liked all the elements in the novel that gave it depth, like the prejudice against Indians, the way we treat people without knowing we might be rude and inconsiderate, the idea of treating things well too, because what it important to others should be respected as well... many things with apparent no importance but which are key to build up someone's character.

I really like this author's work, liked this story a lot, despite my wishes about the romance and will read more in the future, for sure.
Grade: 8/10

Juliet Marillier - Seer of Sevenwaters

The young seer Sibeal is visiting an island of elite warriors, prior to making her final pledge as a druid. It's there she finds Felix, a survivor of a Viking shipwreck, who's lost his memory. The scholarly Felix and Sibeal form a natural bond. He could even be her soul mate, but Sibeal's vocation is her true calling, and her heart must answer.
As Felix fully regains his memory, Sibeal has a runic divination showing her that Felix must go on a perilous mission-and that she will join him. The rough waters and the sea creatures they will face are no match for Sibeal's own inner turmoil. She must choose between the two things that tug at her soul-her spirituality and a chance at love...

Comment: This is the fifth installment in the Sevenwaters series. It started to be a trilogy but years after that one, the author kept the story lines going and this is another of those books, which I begun to read last month and will finish the next.

This is Sibeal's story, she's the seer in the family and she has known her vocation since she was a child. In the following years she has been educated and getting ready to become a druid. Now, her mentor and uncle Ciáran sent her to Inis Eala to spend the summer with her sisters and to get ready for her final pledge as a druid.
But when a shipwreck happens and only three people survive and are rescued, a series of strange things start to develop and everyone on the island is involved in what happens. And that is something so surprising, so different from everything they know, that Sibeal plays a vital part to help solve things. But what's the cost for her vocation..and her heart?

I've seen out there some sentences by readers who didn't enjoy this book much. I didn't read their reviews, just the first words in the book's page at GR and people complain about the lack of plot and how this was disappointing. 
I guess for the fans of the Sevenwaters world how it can be so because the scenes only happen at the island where Johnny has the warriors and their families. But I wouldn't say this was disappointing because this book has a story that grabbed me until the end and shows the author's imagination and how it seems to have no bounds. I was really impressed with the magical details about the beings we see in this book and about the kind of courage Sibeal and other characters showed.

The book is pretty much revolved around the shipwreck's survivors and their tale. From the start we see things that don't match up and lots of mystery as the plot moves forwards and we see more and more details about the 3 survivors and their personal behavior. 
Felix at first doesn't have his memory but he's a key part of the whole thing and it's from him we see what really happened. I have to say, I think this is pure fantasy at its best.

The characters we know are still their honest, wise beings. We see how their lives are being fulfilled, we see the fears still there, but also happiness. Clodagh, Cathal, Muirrin and Evan for instance have new things in their married lives and despite not always perfect, there's a certain satisfaction to know good always wins. 
Another interesting fact is Johnny's love life. I wish the author could write him a novella or something because he has been such a key element in all this and his fate is set and I'd really love to see more of him.

As for the main characters, Sibeal and Felix, of course there are setbacks, of course there are difficulties ahead and for the most time, their relationship is severely modest and full of doubts because each has a path they think they must follow and it's not always easy to accept there must be something else for them, it's not easy to take a risk, to follow one's heart..I got both their struggles, mostly inner ones, but all that helps shape their personalities and to give them the strength to keep going. I applaud their decision and the honesty with which they do things.

Did I wish for s different end for them...in a way, yes. Because if there's one thing this author seems to be totally keen on is never to give a HEA where the couple's lives are easy and ready. There's setbacks before the HEA and even that comes with a price..as all the HEAs in the series before. I get it's part of mystic energy the author imprints on her novels, and it's pretty consistent with the fantasy feel of the novels, but for a romance reader it can also be frustrating that all the happy endings come with a "but". Oh well...

This book was full of adventure and bravery and imagination and I had a great time reading, it were enjoyable moments for sure. I'd change some aspects but overall, it wasn't bad for me.
Grade: 7/10

Eresse - Cross Purposes

One of Ylandre’s most prominent nobles, Keosqe Deilen may have had it all in terms of wealth, power and social rank. But in matters of the heart, he was impoverished. Such was the consequence of falling in unrequited love. Though he hides that love and his sorrow well, a few inevitably see through his masquerade.
Young Tristen Marante is quick to discern Keosqe’s pain. His blunt sympathy is a balm to Keosqe’s wounded heart as much as his beauty is an effective distraction from the noble’s hopeless yearning. But Tristen is a skittish would-be lover, whose reluctance to express his affection is as much an impediment as the lack of reciprocation from Keosqe’s first love had been. Whereas Keosqe seeks intimacy, Tristen shies from it, suspicious of the motives behind his pursuit and unwilling to yield his heart so easily or soon.
With such different perspectives toward lust and love, is it any wonder their path to a common goal is strewn with stumbling blocks and paved with false impressions?

Comment: This is another book in the Chronicles of Ylandre series. The most recent one was recently released and I'm eager to read it despite this one not being as amazing as the previous ones. Some things seemed weaker and it wasn't as enjoyable either.

This is Keosqe's story, he's another of the many cousins to the king and a close friend too to pretty much all the characters we've met so far.
Keosqe has been in love with his best friend since they were young and they were even intimate. Now his friend, who never returned his deep feelings, married and asked Keosqe to help his younger brother by letting him live with him while he went about his studies. But Keosqe gets closer to Tristen not realizing his feelings are changing too.
Tristen doesn't like to be someone else's trouble and doesn't like to be in debt. But the time with Keosqe teaches him many things among them the value of patience and waiting.

Well, these stories are heavily set in the workings of a hermaphrodite society but much of the details are obviously similar to those old Victorian ideals of innocence and power plays between older and younger people, namely the older should take care for the youngest and wait until they are of age before sexual activity and other more adult ways of acting. Despite nothing out of place happens here, it's a bit too much on the limit how Keosqe, so many times said as just and patient, sort of pressures Tristen for sex. It's not aggressively done, actually it' quite subtle, but there nonetheless. I think it wasn't the best way to carry on things. There's a fine line almost crossed here that I feel it's unnecessary because the tone of the books so far has been more focused on the romance and the balance in it, the emotions and in this case it missed the mark because the way things were done, I felt it wasn't as good as we were used to.

I also had the feeling this story had a more boring tone than any other. I don't know exactly how to explain, perhaps because I've never warmed up to Keosqe and reading his story was more of a task than I imagined. I just didn't feel as eager to read and not even the most emotional parts, which in the previous book always made me shed a tear here and there, weren't as polished and to the point as before. Tristan and Keosqe had their obstacles but I wasn't as motivated to read as that.

The plot follows the usual patterns, some sort of mutual interests at some point, seduction, caring, betrayal and making up, of course with different details for each story. In this book's case it was so but it just wasn't as thrilling or well shaped, I thought it was more of the same and I felt the difference in writing, it felt weaker somehow. Still, I enjoyed seeing beloved characters, some details here and there and the overall plot details.
The romance felt lacking strength and beauty and romantic things. It was more like a task to be done so I wasn't even overjoyed with the HEA.
Not the author's best, I think.

I really hope the next one keeps up with the goodness and isn't like this one. Still, it's interesting enough, if not for more than just to keep up with the series.
Grade: 5/10

Molly Harper - How to Run With a Naked Werewolf

Anna Moder has just witnessed a shooting, seen her car pulverized, and rescued a wounded stranger only to discover he's really a werewolf. And by her recent standards, things are actually looking up. Lycanthropes don't faze Anna. Doctoring a wolf pack outside Grundy, Alaska, is the closest thing to home life she's known in years. But hitching a ride to Anchorage with long-absent pack member Caleb Graham that's a risk. Part of her itches to whack his nose with a newspaper. The rest is trying unsuccessfully to keep her own paws off every delicious inch of him.
The problem is, Caleb employs his lupine tracking abilities as a notquite-legal bounty hunter, and Anna is suspicious of both him and his profession. On the run from her past, with old problems closing in, she'd like to stay far, far away from anybody with connections to the law. Caleb, however, seems determined to keep her close. Are his intentions noble, or is he working a more predatory angle?
Anna's been dreaming of returning to a semi-normal life, but now she's experiencing a strange new urge . . . to join Caleb in running with the wolves.

Comment: After having read and enjoyed the previous two stories in this trilogy, of course I had to read this one as well, even though the second book wasn't as great as the first one. Now that I have read the three books, I consider the trilogy successful and with more than enough elements to suit my taste.

This is Anna Moder's story. We've know her as the pack's doctor and now it's her turn to tell her story. Anna is on the run because someone is after her and she wants to get away as fast as she can and start new someplace else. But she helps a stranger after he's attacked and finding out he's part of the pack she just left and even more, he's a werewolf too, is too much for Anna an she ends up traveling with him to reach Anchorage and leave for good. But neither she nor Caleb the werewolf were expecting the trip to be as enlightening about their fates or as vital for the two of them because their bond could be stronger the more time they spend together...

I liked the story. I liked that it followed the same patterns we saw in previous books and even more important, that it maintained the same feel as the other novels had. I have to say this book looked to be at the same level as the previous one, Maggie's story. It was cute and full of amazing scenes and a good structure but it didn't have the punch of perfection the first book had, at least not for the way I saw this. Still, this book was more than satisfying in terms of plot and HEA.

I liked Anna and her way of thinking, her so called "voice". She is a woman unafraid of the unexpected, thus proved by her work with the pack, and her efforts to help strangers, even though she had all the reasons to avoid others. But through her trials she kept her helpful manner and her courage and she only run away because she felt it was her duty to keep the troubles away from those she came to care about. She is the kind of heroine I like, with many strong and valid points of interest about her personality but with a sense of vulnerability too  that makes her more humane. I think the author showed this quite well.

Caleb also explained his reasons to be away for so long and in a way, his reasoning is understandable. But I also think it was the suitable explanation for the plot needed for this story to develop and somehow it felt set up, which ruined the mood a bit. Still, I can't say it was such a bad thing because overall I enjoyed reading the story and following the adventures Caleb and Anna had.
Caleb seemed too distanced emotionally at first but by the end of the story, we see him with family and with people who support him and he changes too, from someone who's been away to someone who always belonged. The change can look a bit too perfect but once again, it felt good enough. 

The romance was interesting, a bit fast but the author managed to give hints about time passing, about important thoughts by the main characters to help them deal with what was happening, which, in turn, allowed for a better time frame to be set and the reader can enjoy the romance developing without the strain of too much too fast which usually might be found in these cases. I can understand why some readers find this book to be weak but for me, most of it worked out well.

In the end, I liked how Anna and Caleb dealt with their pasts and fears and even expectations and found new dreams to help them and to care about. I liked seeing the community welcome them and be, once more, one of the strongest points in the story.
Grade: 8/10

TBR Challenge: Lisa Kleypas - Dreaming of You

In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Feilding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe haven—and into Derek Craven's dangerous world.
A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from poverty to become lord of London's most exclusive gambling house—a struggle that has left Derek Craven fabulously wealthy, but hardened and suspicious. And now duty demands he allow Sara Fielding into his world—with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But here, in a perilous shadow-realm of ever-shifting fortunes, even a proper "mouse" can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress—and a world-weary gambler can be shaken to his cynical core by the power of passion...and the promise of love.

Comment: This month, the theme for the challenge is romance classics. I picked this one  not only because I had read the first one back in May but also because I thought it suited the theme, as this book has been part of any list of the best historicals ever and many already consider it a classic type of story and it's one of the books many compare others to.
I was very eager to read it, especially because of its fame but also, like the first one, it had been in the pile for about four years...

This is Sara Fielding story and how she wants to do research for her next book, for she is quite the successful writer and she doesn't want to disappoint her readers. By chance she saves Derek Craven and helps him home. From then on, Sara is allowed to be in the gambling house to do some research because the servants all like her.
Derek is annoyed at first but after keeping an eye on Sara he starts to see someone different, someone who makes an impression on him. With time his feelings, always so well guarded, start to change too and their relationship also starts to be different, more serious and sensual...

Well, I have to say I wasn't as impressed with this story as so many readers seem to be and not as much as I was over the first one, which was truly magical and enjoyable to me. This one isn't bad, it just didn't strike me as so powerful and with such a wonderful romance as the first was. Of course, it's all a matter of perspective and in the way each person sees the little details and the intentions of what's on the page, but looking at the two stories, the other one felt more romantic and the characters more intense in their relationship than this one.
So many people have wonderful thing to say about Dreaming of You that I think any new reader kind of creates this expectation of perfection that I felt a bit disappointed because to me it was good, but not the special read I was looking for.

Like I said, the book isn't bad and I read it as fast as I could because I wanted to know what was going to happen but the reading experience isn't only about the book itself, it's our hopes and state of mind while reading too and in this case, I thought it would be so much better. Still, I felt happy when the main characters had their HEA and it was amazing to see the characters from the previous book and even better it was the epilogue, with such a wonderful scene of peace and happiness and the idea that in the end, love will be the best thing to have a good life.

Derek is a fascinating character. He was poor and did things to survive, to be someone that most people dislike and disapprove but they still gamble at his place. However, he hides a honorable soul and that's his best trait, how after such poverty and bad deeds, he keeps an innocent part of himself and develops that to help others somehow too. The dichotomy in his character is very interesting but I thought it would be more obvious in this book and it wasn't so. Although, in a way, it suited me, because if he were an awful rake, it would be even more unbelievable to see his turn of path. I also thought his speech, something pointed out in the previous book as one aspect of his life he wanted to change was barely mentioned here and not even Sara, a writer was seen to help him, or something. I just thought the way he speaks would be a element to explore here.
I still like him a lot, but he's not Alex, an even more amazing hero for me.

Sara was a bit the opposite of Lily. She was sweet and helpful and presented a quiet manner but deep down she wanted passion and love and seduction too. I liked that she never changed her perspective but I prefer heroines like Lily, who seem to be something a bit reckless and after all are quieter underneath what they show others. But I liked how Sara didn't gave up on Derek and on what she felt he deserved and needed and how she had fears and wishes but would settle at some point, just to keep a good life. Not everyone has to be adventurous. I enjoyed her path and her inner struggle between what was safe and the chance of love and was really pleased with the end, but if her choice had been different at first, like it seemed to be, I couldn't really blame her either.

In the end, the romance was achieved, the protagonists well suited after all and even the elements to create opposing forces, like the exes that offered the difference to the main romance's balanced love, were good enough, had enough presence to keep the story line going but weren't too strong to make this a circus. 
I think the author created here a well structured story line, since the first book and had a great ending with this one.

I'll keep reading books by the author because even in the things I think could be better, she has more talent than many and the atmosphere in her books is generally captivating enough to keep reading.
This one was good indeed.
Grade: 8/10

Virna dePaul - Chosen By Sin

The longest life isn’t always the happiest one…
For now, werebeast Dex Hunt serves on the Para-Ops team, but his true purpose is to kill the werewolf leader he blames for his mother’s death. Biding his time, Dex keeps his emotional distance from his team members and anyone else he might care for, including a mysterious vampire he met in L.A.
As a doctor, vampire Jesmina Martin has dedicated her immortal life to healing others. As a scientific researcher, she’s trying to prolong life spans, in particular those of her adoptive dragon-shifter family and the werewolf who saved her as a child. Her greatest hope lies with Dex, a werebeast she believes can gift immortality to others.
Only Dex knows nothing about his gift or the fact Jesmina wants to harness it. After a passionate night together neither expects to see the other again. Weeks later, they are reunited in France and forced to acknowledge a fragile miracle—a new life struggling to survive. At the same time, they must stop a group of rebel shape-shifters hoping to unleash every demon in hell. But before Dex and Jesmina can save their child or the world, they must relinquish their secrets, face their fears, and open themselves to love.

Comment: This is the last installment in the Para Ops trilogy by ms dePaul. My enjoyment of the books has been decreasing, so I wasn't very confidant in this one, although we always hope it's good. But in this case I'm afraid my suspicion was met.

This book tells the story of Dex Hunter, one of the members of the Para Ops team and how he is sent to France to look for clues about a case they're investigating and at the same time he gets involved with Jesmina, a vampire.
Jes is a doctor and wants to find a cure to help the race that raised her because they have a very short life span. Knowing about a prophecy and meeting Dex will give her hope and will to go after him but the attraction and the surprises after they meet just make everything different than what he imagined.

First of all, this story was boring. I didn't pay attention to everything, especially when it was about the mission, because I knew it would be solved and it wasn't that amazing. Honestly, this part was really annoying. They keep talking about a mission but it was more like random things while the characters dealt with their romances. This isn't like one of these tv shows where teams investigate and solve things. I was really disappointed by how that wasn't captivating enough because it's the base for the whole plot. This part of the book felt more like something that was there so let's add some scenes about it to make it look more serious than what, in fact, it was. 
Then there were scenes here and there with other characters, things related to the main plot ad the mission that were an attempt to explain some further actions and why something was happening that way. At least I think it was this. It made the story feel very disjointed and focused on things that in the end didn't have any kind of closure.

This last thing was also a bit annoying. There are several course of actions taken throughout the book, things about other characters not the protagonists, that when the book ends, aren't explained or solved and pretty much left hanging. Was it on purpose, to make the reader think or was it lack of focus because sometimes things just take time to be done? Who knows.
One of the team's members doesn't even have a end to her personal story.
By the end of the book there isn't even a team, in fact they only worked ALL together in the first book. Really disappointing.

The romance was the best part and even so, not the very best ever done. Dex and Jesmina start being together because of attraction but then something happens, Jesmina thinks Dex is the cure for her problems and eventually they deal with the obstacles in their way and get their HEA.
I kind of enjoyed some parts in their story but I can't really say I was surprised to see so many things without real balance between them. It just didn't feel believable when they said they were in love.

In the end, I graded this with the minimum positive, almost didn't make it, simply because overall the idea was good, some parts here and there were too and this is the final book. But too many things annoyed me to make me want to read more by the author.
Grade: 5/10

Elizabeth Grayson - Moon in the Water

Ann Rossiter is no man’s idea of the perfect wife, yet she has a chance—a single chance—to insure her future. To protect her unborn child, Ann agrees to marry a common riverboat pilot. In exchange, he’ll gain command of her stepfather’s magnificent new steamer—the Andromeda. But as they ply the western rivers together, Ann is drawn to her new husband, to his quiet strength and smoldering magnetism. Still, she dares not yield her heart for fear he will discover her most terrifying secret.
As the Andromeda steams toward the wilds of the Montana Territory, Chase Hardesty finds himself falling in love with his new bride. But when Ann’s past comes back with a vengeance, will their marriage of convenience end in tragedy—or in love forever?

Comment: I've got the book back in 2010 or 2011 and it was sent to me via bookmooch by one of the friends I have there. I wanted to read it because the story looked promising and romantic.

This is the story of Ann Rossiter, she's the daughter of a rich man, and she is pregnant and unmarried. Her father decides to change her situation by marrying her off to one of the pilots in his company, a mere riverboat pilot.
Chase is more than eager to pilot the new steamer. He has the skills and the knowledge to do so and it's his biggest dream. At first he doesn't accept the bargain but after a calculated move on the owner's son, Chase feels envious and accepts to marry, just to be able to pilot the steamer.
During the following months Chase and Ann start to come to terms to their situation and the feelings developing between them...

I found this story good enough. In the end I have to confess I wanted a bit more something, but the word that comes to mind is safe. The story followed a safe path and nothing too special, nothing that could have turned this into the spectacular level has happened. so in the end, the story delivered what was expected and it was enough, but not special.

The plot was interesting and provided several details pertaining the way of living in the late 19th century in that area. I think the scenery and the historical elements were added in the right amount to turn this into a believable story but not too much to make it boring. As for the romance parts, of course it's weird for a contemporary person but in the realm of imagination anything is possible and there are braver and more unlikely plots out there.

I liked Ann's story and her fears. Her character seemed something at first but as time goes by we learn a lot more about her and even the expected things about her past added some layers to her and helped the reader to have an opinion even if too obvious at times. 
Chase was a working man, he's honest and his character has many traits we like in a hero. I liked he never truly changed his character and he wanted what all of us do, respect and recognition by those he loves.
Chase and Ann's relationship doesn't star the best way, but I enjoyed seeing the subtle change in them towards the other and how they saw new things to like and to respect after a while.
The romance was ok but not as beautiful as I hoped for, because their change of minds wasn't as emotional or well presented as I imagined it could be. It lacked something.

In the end, a good enough story, interesting details all around, many good secondary characters but the romance didn't quite got there and that is why the grade isn't higher. It's a good romance, but it could have been amazing and the possibilities are so obvious and it's a pity it wasn't more.
Grade: 7/10

Jess Granger - Beyond the Rain

After five years behind enemy lines, Captain Cyani has to complete one final mission before she can return to Azra-a planet ruled by a sisterhood of celibate warriors. Along the way she finds a prisoner, chained and beaten-but radiating feral power and an unbroken spirit.
For years Soren has endured torture as his captors leeched his very essence, a unique hormone then sold as a sexual narcotic in the shadow trade. Now he has been freed from slavery by a beautiful warrior woman with radiant blue eyes.
After years in bondage, Soren's hormones are so unbalanced that he will die if he does not mate with a woman. Can Cyani be the woman he needs to survive, or will this forbidden bond destroy them?

Comment: I got this book I don't remember when or why but after looking at the blurb again, suddenly it seemed promising and I added it to this month's reading list.

This book tells the story of distant alien worlds and in particular Cyani's story. Cyani is a warrior paying a debt by doing missions for her home planet. There's only one mission left before a life of solitude and silence awaits her as a celibate member of a sisterhood. During her last mission, she rescues a slave and she recognizes his species as intensely sensual.
Soren is finally rescued after years as a slave, and his captors have been stealing his essence, his hormones to sell in the black markets. After his rescue, it takes time to recover and his hormones aren't balanced so his attraction for Cyani is understandable...but after some time it becomes more than that and even his life is on the line.

I really enjoyed this story. I only thin the romance could have been a bit more passionate or intense but that can be explained by the protagonists themselves.
The world the author created is fascinating there are many planets, each one with different inhabitants and cultures and ways of living and acting. 

Cyani was born in a world ruled by a sisterhood that dismissed anyone who isn't highborn, something we understand much better during the book. Cyani is a warrior and she is close to go home and be alone. Deep down she doesn't want that but she feels is her duty and her penitence, also things we know more about as the story moves along. She is a brave woman and with a sense of honor very great. I think she was a little bit too pragmatic at times and I could see why it was difficult to empathize with her some times but overall, she was sweet and memorable.

Soren has been a slave for reasons we only dcover by the end of the book. He only wants to go home, in his planet people have personal gardens which are an extension of themselves, sort of. He thinks if nothing else he wants to die in his garden. His species are very peculiar and he needs to form a life bond with a mate. Only Cyani is available at first and he would like to keep her, but if there's one thing he understands is the power of choice, since his was stolen for so long. I found him intriguing and surprising and wanted to know more about him and his species and his way of life. His thoughts and actions show a man who respects and cherishes people and things and his character is the best. I think he could have been a bit more assertive in his behavior, usually women are portrayed more alike this, so in a way despite being pleased with his sweet and cute nature I also wanted a bit more decision making too.
The two of them were cute together and in the end I liked how their HEA happened and how everything turned out because if there's one thing we learn, their personalities mesh very well and are suited.

We learn quite a few things about the world, the other planets, the workings of things...it's refreshing and imaginative and I have to say I'm curious to read the second book, hopefully I will get it soon.
I think anyone who liked sci fi romance will appreciate this book for the tenderness, the novelty, the imagination and scenarios created and the clash of cultures when we balancing duty and love.
Grade: 8/10

Sam B Morgan - Slow Burn

Detective Douglas Brody has only ever known the life of a cop. Raised strict but fair by his police chief father, he joined the academy right out of school, climbed the ranks hard and fast, and now works homicide for the City of Charleston. The job is his entire life. For years it’s kept him happy enough to minimize the side of him that craves what he believes is wrong. An accident on the job puts him on medical leave and everything in Brody’s world changes. He has to prove himself once more to be best cop in the department, all while dealing with Zack – his persistent, sexy, and out of the closet physical therapist.
Zack is tan skin, big grins, floppy hair and tackles his job with the same full-blown enthusiasm he does everything else. When the “patient from hell” is thrown his way by another PT who can’t handle him, Zack is committed to achieving the impossible. His new patient is a head strong and hot as hell homicide detective, who oozes as much resentment as he does sex appeal. Any involvement with a patient, especially a man who is so deep in the closet he can’t see light, is something Zack swore he’d never do. But Brody slowly proves too much to resist…

Comment: I got this book after seeing some good reviews in a couple of blogs. I go interested enough to get the book but only months later did I pick it up to be read.
This is the first story I read by this author.

The book tells the story of detective Douglas Brody and how he gets injured while pursuing a suspect. Then, he has to endure physical therapy on his knee to get back to work. But his PT is a very gorgeous guy and very professional. Brody feels attracted but is deep in the closet.
Zach is used to difficult patients but he never felt as attracted to anyone as he is to Brody. Trying to keep things professional is difficult but what about after that?

What got me hooked was the blurb. It seemed this would be an interesting voyage through healthy therapy to make Brody's knee better while he would go through an emotional journey as well. In a way, it was so, but I also got the idea things would be slower and more emotional. Although we see a lot of inner battles both in Brody and Zach over their hang ups concerning relationships, I didn't think it was enough when it involved the two of them.
Sure, the sexual tension was good enough and the sex was appealing too as was some of the conversations they had. But I can't say I wasn't expecting more, because I was. This story, these characters had everything to create the perfect environment for a great developed story line with two different people trying to be together but in the end, after all things considered, it felt a bit flat.

Brody has fears, he is a workaholic and he is intensely worried about the case he's been working on. He has an aggressive nature most times and deep down he hides his wishes and desires like a defense mechanism. We understand he wants to be different but his childhood and his father's behavior and influence has left its mark and he fears ridicule and antagonism if people new he was gay. He feels attracted to Zach since the beginning but tries to deny it. I think his character is interesting, sort of well balanced in terms of possibilities to develop but his evolution seemed too fast, although I think the problem is the length of the novel itself.

Zach is a laid back person but professional when it's time for that. Brody admires this in him and so did I, no playing on the job which should be a rule everywhere..anyway, after the job is finished they continue their relationship even though disguised as "training", and we get to know more about Zach. He has a heartbroken past because of a man like Brody, someone in the closet. I would have liked to see more of Zach and his past, his state of mind...once again, I thin this wasn't as explored as it could have been, again, probably page limit or something.

The guys' path towards happiness isn't easy but by the way things are presented, it felt like a bit rushed when parts pf the story weren't, so it's a mixed feeling that ends up being my overall opinion. I expected more, I recognized the interesting possibilities but the results weren't as well done, or should I say, weren't as appealing to me after all. It looked like the author was creating a very good environment and path to finish but somehow it didn't quite got there.
I'll try something else by the author one day...
Grade: 6/10

Tessa Dare - A Week to be Wicked

Minerva Highwood, one of Spindle Cove's confirmed spinsters, needs to be in Scotland.
Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, a rake of the first order, needs to be...anywhere but Spindle Cove.
These unlikely partners have one week to

• fake an elopement
• convince family and friends they're in "love"
• outrun armed robbers
• survive their worst nightmares
• travel four hundred miles without killing each other

All while sharing a very small carriage by day and an even smaller bed by night.
What they don't have time for is their growing attraction. Much less wild passion. And heaven forbid they spend precious hours baring their hearts and souls.
Suddenly one week seems like exactly enough time to find a world of trouble. And maybe...just maybe...love.

Comment: Since I've read the first book in the Spindle Cove series and became aware many people loved the second one even more, I was immediately curious to read it myself. Therefore, here it is and I have to say I did love it quite a lot!

This story features Minerva Highwood and Colin Sandhurst. From book #1 we've seen they couldn't be more different and unsuitable for each other, but Minerva wants to rescue her older sister from a marriage she thinks Colin will propose eventually, so she talks him into a business deal, she will pay him a certain sum if he goes with her to Scotland for a symposium and doesn't care about her reputation.
Colin is known as a rake and reckless man. But he never ruined an innocent and isn't willing to start now. However, circumstances force him to go with Minerva mostly to help her, or so he tells himself. But as the week of travel moves along, Min and Colin have more fun and more deep conversations they ever imagined and even best, the other might be exactly what they most wanted in life...

I really enjoyed Minerva and Colin's story. It was both funny and sentimental but not in a exaggerated way, I think the tone was perfect for the story and the purpose. None of the main characters were supposed to be dummies or conceited. I think they worked out well together and even in the aspects they clashed, it wasn't in such a way the reader would feel any lack of balance between them, in fact, the opposite happened, the characteristics of each other suited the other well, and I finished the book with the feeling that couple was perfect together. The only thing I thought was a bit too much was the sugary in the end, but considering everything ended so well, I can't really complain too much.

Colin is a fascinating character. He has a reputation but deep down he is has as much fears as anyone else. He tries to present a side of him that others won't look too deep into and he likes his life is what everyone sees, but he hides fears and wishes like everyone, just doesn't think he is good enough to chase dreams or to be what everyone around him wants him to be. I think his slow path towards redemption, let's call it that is highly influenced by Min and how she sees the world. In a way she helped him to dream and to realize he could be as happy as he wanted.

Minerva is very protective of her sisters and she knows that, not being a beauty of an accomplished society girl, her aims have to go elsewhere. She thinks about geology and how to impress those who deal with it. She made a huge discovery but can't travel to Scotland alone so she tries to blackmail Colin but he has honor after all. Min has an amazing evolution, she has so much to give to others and she proves to Colin over and over she could be as funny as him if he only accepted he was worthy of being loved.

The relationship between the two of them is unique and full of new things for both. There's lessons learned about who they are and what they can achieve if they trust one another and themselves. I liked how the author made them change for better in each other's company and how they faced their wishes and dreams together, it was sweet.
The book has many deep scenes where we learn more about their minds and thoughts and there are lighter moments to give the deep moments an even more special meaning.

I think this story was very romantic and well balanced in all parts. I really can't wait to read more in the series and I hope the following ones are as good for me as this one.
Grade: 9/10

Nicholas Sparks - The Longest Ride

Ninety-one year old Ira Levinson is in trouble. Struggling to stay conscious after a car crash, an image of his long-dead wife Ruth appears. Urging him to hang on, she lovingly recounts the joys and sorrows of their life together.
Recovering from a break-up, college student Sophia Danko meets the young, rugged Luke and is thrown into a world far removed from her privileged school life. Sophia sees a new and tantalising future for herself, but Luke has a secret which threatens to break it all apart.

Comment: It has been quite a while since I've read a book by Nicholas Sparks. I'm very fond of his first books but some of the most recent weren't as appealing and the four before this one I didn't even read yet along with a couple more. I found this one at the library, so obviously I've read the translation and it reminded me of starry nights, of a great love story. I'm not sorry to have picked it up.

This book tells two stories that eventually cross over near the end.
There's Luke and Sophia, a young couple that meets by chance one night and from there they become almost inseparable even among the hardships and the doubts.
There's Ira, he suffered an accident and while waiting fro someone to help him, he remembers his life and the love of his life, his wife, whose image he also sees in the car where he is trapped and that helps him hold on.
A coincidence - or not - sees these three together and shows that love is, indeed, the biggest journey of  lifetime.

I enjoyed this story quite much. I read the book non stop and it was hard to put down. In my eyes, this is part of the success, this need to keep reading.
The story is divided between Ira's story and Luke and Sophia's. There are chapters, each told from one of their perspectives, although nothing is first person narrator. We just see things through their POVs.

Ira had a very interesting life, we follow his memories from his childhood to his love Ruth, to the challenges in his life, namely the war, and his marriage years. We see the path he and Ruth took and the joys and the tears. Theirs was a happy life nonetheless, but the way things are told is the real magic, because it's emotional and deep and it makes you think about what it would be like to live a love like that and that there is hope for everyone to have such a romance. It was beautiful and I liked Ira's parts a lot.

Sophia and Luke's story is told between the two of them. It starts easily, innocent and develops to love in such a sweet way, at some point it doesn't seem anything could go wrong. In fact, there's nothing tragic in their story, only a bit angsty because Luke has responsibilities and feels really guilty over some issues and tries to help the only way available to him. But this isn't easy nor safe and that worries his mother and later, Sophia. Although we understand why Luke does what he does, it takes a while for the reader to truly see what could happen and the author makes a point when he portrays someone doing actions that sometimes are more harmful than heroic. But there's a fine line between those and in the end, it's a matter of making the right choice, of seeing what matters the most.
I'm happy to say everything ends well, but it's rocky for a while.
The romance is sweet and slow paced and I loved them together.

The end is a little bit unbelievable, highly unlikely to ever happen but I prefer to think this is one of those dream like possibilities that give hope to people, that allow us to dream a bit about what would be like. The end is happy and slightly magical, but the message it's there, the real treasure of someone's life is who we have with us, the people we really love. 
In a way I liked the simplicity of the story and I was surprised by how much I liked reading it even if it's not a favorite author. Good book, this one.
Grade: 7/10

Robyn Carr - My Kind of Christmas

The Riordan brothers may have a reputation for being rough-and tumble, but Patrick has always been the gentle, sweet-natured one. These days, his easygoing manner is being tested by his high-octane career as a navy pilot. But for the Riordan brothers, when the going gets tough…the tough find the love of a good woman. Except the woman who has caught Patrick’s attention is Jack Sheridan’s very attractive niece.
Angie LeCroix comes to Virgin River to spend Christmas relaxing, away from her well-intentioned but hovering mother. Yet instead of freedom, she gets Jack Sheridan. If her uncle had his way, she’d never go out again. And certainly not with rugged, handsome Patrick Riordan. But Angie has her own idea of the kind of Christmas she wants—and the kind of man!
Patrick and Angie thought they wanted to be left alone this Christmas—until they meet each other. Then they want to be left alone together. But the Sheridan and Riordan families have different plans for Patrick and Angie—and for Christmas, Virgin River–style!

Comment: After a year and a half I finally got to the last book in the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr.
This series has been a good company and provided long hours of entertainment. There are better and less favorite books but overall, the series was a success and one I'll feel rather sad to be leaving. Any reader knows there's always re-reads but nothing will ever feel like meeting a story for the first time. Still, only good things to say because the good stories are many more than the ones I didn't like as much. What a fascinating group of characters to have met!

As for this final book, it's Patrick Riordan's story, he's the youngest brother of a clan we've met during the series. He's recovering from the death of his best friend and feels conflicted and guilty and wants to help his friend's widow. In Virgin River he hopes to come to terms and decide what's going to happen in the future. He meets Angie, she's Jack's niece, who suffered an accident and wants to be on her own for a while to think things over as well. Their goals are similar and the path they take too because in Virgin River people get closer than they ever imagined...

This story was good, cute. I don't think it was totally wonderful because to my way of thinking, the romance happened so fast and Angie being so young. I guess in my head I'll think about this more the beginning of the romance and not a HEA set in stone. Still, the main characters, Paddy and Angie were good together when they interacted and the things they had to deal with not easy or superfluous. I admire people who have doubts but think and come up with solutions and new goals too, new tactics to solve their problems. Also, both Paddy and Angie were considering radical changes to their lives and for someone like me, who enjoy my routine and and the simplicity of things, I also admire those who act differently and think so far ahead. Paddy and Angie seemed very brave and I admired that. Of course there would be challenges for them but just the courage was quite the trait to see in them. At the same time, it seemed, like so often in these novels, that solutions were easy to figure out for everyone. Not to accomplish, but to consider, to imagine. I think real life surely isn't that easy and although the character's situations are hard and often difficult, eventually the solution is easier and that feels a bit like too fairy tale, in a certain way.

Angie is young and the way she acted was many times like someone more mature. I don't mean to say all 21 year olds are childish because they aren't but the fact she acted so mature most times wasn't as believable as that. Of course, this was just my impression, a personal take.
Paddy had some issues to deal with and he thought of Angie as someone to be with for a while because they hit if off from the start. But their relationship soon got more intense and often moments between them were beautiful and with meaning. It was romantic in the most part.

Almost all Virgin River characters are mentioned in this book, at least the most important ones. It's always nice to see them, because that is the true sense of community, the way people interact and are part of something. I'd like to see an epilogue of them all, who knows in a short story one day...

In the end, I felt a bit sad because it was ending even though it's not the book that will be in my mind the most. Still, a very cute and emotional as always finish to a great series.
Grade: 7/10

* * *

Now the series is completed, here is my top 5 of the Virgin River books:
5) Sunrise Point -> Loved the starting plot, and the heroine's hardships made her so much worthier of happiness.
4) Moonlight Road -> Good story, great characters and a cute HEA too.
3) Virgin River -> Liked the story, the characters and the development. Great start.
2) Virgin River Christmas -> So emotional, it made me cry but loved it!
1) Forbidden Falls -> A great story, the couple I loved the most and was happier to see together. The one I'll re-read the soonest. Wonderful!!

Larissa Ione - Bound by Night

Nicole Martin was only eight years old when the vampire slaves rose up in rebellion and killed her family. Now she devotes her life to finding a vaccine against vampirism, hoping to wipe out her memories—along with every bloodsucker on the planet. But there’s one thing she cannot destroy: her searing, undeniable attraction for the one man she should hate and fear the most . . .
A member of the renegade vampire MoonBound Clan, Riker is haunted by demons of his own. When he recognizes Nicole and remembers how her family enslaved his loved ones, his heart burns for vengeance. But when he kidnaps Nicole and holds her in a secret lair, his mortal enemy becomes his soul obsession, his greatest temptation, and, perhaps, his only salvation—a hot-blooded lover who could heal him with her touch . . . or bury him forever. 

Comment: I've bought this book not long after its release but as usual, always got busy with other things and it kind of was left forgotten for a while. I knew some friends liked it so I finally picked it and started reading.

This story is about a different world, where vampires exist and they have been slaves to humans for a long time until several rebellions happened. Nowadays humans and vampires are enemies for the most part, and in particular a company is the vampire's biggest enemy because it uses and kills vampires for science when it hides profitable and inhuman conditions and treatment of vampires.
Nicole Martin is the company's new director but she doesn't agree with the way things are done although she hates vampires for what they did to her family. One day she is kidnapped and that is starting point for her to see how things are in the vampires' side and how that will change her own life.

After years reading this author's successful and funny Demonica series, it was very difficult not to compare the style and the tone of the two worlds. I know it's different, there's no connection between them, but when one has so many pages read it's very hard not to compare, especially after finishing reading.
Of course, taste is personal and so is the way we see each story and how things happen in it, but after years of reading Demonica it was rather obvious this new world is darker, more serious and it has a certain vibe that leaves you in a different mood and creates another feeling after reading. I wouldn't say this is bad or good or whatever when comparing to Demonica, because what we can compare is the writing style and the success of the reading experience as the most obvious things. But in a way, by saying what we think about one or the other and making that relationship, is another way to talk about what we intend. So, in this case, for those who read Demonica, this new world takes more time to take us in and although still sexy, I don't think it had the same level of intensity about the intimacy the other series has, or at least it didn't look like it. I had the feeling things are more seriously done here or maybe is the way the characters were that gave that idea, there isn't much play or easy living in the story and that tone shapes things too.

The main characters seemed ok together, but obviously they had many obstacles to overcome, namely the way their pasts made them who and how they were. Their story was interesting enough because neither was silly or too much of a cliché. Of course there were things about them I'd have liked to change or to have been done differently, but overall, I liked the pace of their romance and how what they feared, how their experiences made them act like that but weren't a stop to happiness or for them to simply understand what they thought were weaknesses and tragedies could be tools to give them strength to be together eventually. The personal side of things was good, I think.

There are several secondary elements to give interest to this story. I felt everything was thought, structured even if cliché at some points. I'm curious to see what happens next to some characters although I must confess I'm not crazy with eagerness to read...with time it will be enough. 
I felt the goal was different here and the author wanted to show the same genre written by her could be understood differently by her readers and in that, she did it. Of course, one can say it's not fair to compare books or series, but despite being so, it's too easy to let it happen so...

As for this series I liked it, didn't loved it to pieces but will read more...eventually.
Grade: 6/10