Courtney Milan - The Countess Conspiracy

Sebastian Malheur is the most dangerous sort of rake: an educated one. When he’s not scandalizing ladies in the bedchamber, he’s outraging proper society with his scientific theories. He’s desired, reviled, acclaimed, and despised—and he laughs through it all.
Violet Waterfield, the widowed Countess of Cambury, on the other hand, is entirely respectable, and she’d like to stay that way. But Violet has a secret that is beyond ruinous, one that ties her irrevocably to England’s most infamous scoundrel: Sebastian’s theories aren’t his. They’re hers.
So when Sebastian threatens to dissolve their years-long conspiracy, she’ll do anything to save their partnership...even if it means opening her vulnerable heart to the rake who could destroy it for good.

Comment: Being new to this author and having liked the two previous books in this Brothers Sinisters series so far, I had blind hopes for this one and didn't have much contact with anything about this story beforehand. I wanted to be surprised by the author's style once more...but unfortunately it wasn't so.

This is Violet and Sebastien's story, they're characters we recognize from the previous books, and how their story is full of discoveries everywhere.
Violet thinks herself a rock of ice and she only cares about her plants and the studies she does.
Sebastien is a well known scientist, applauded by some, criticized by others due to the nature of his research and the themes of his studies, reproduction and genetic traits.
Sebastien and Violet have a deal in which Sebastien took the praise of her work because she was a woman and had more to loose. But now things change because Sebastien is tired and wants to stop..oh and he loves her too. What could happen with so many secrets coming out everywhere?

This story, I have to admit, has many things uncovered during its length. From the protagonists to those closer to them, if there's one thing this book delivers is news, is th feeling of "aha then that was it" and I have to say one of the findings we do is actually well thought and wonderful and such a good surprise I felt it was the book's moment.

However, despite the interesting scenes and little comments about the characters we saw as protagonists in the other stories, I felt the protagonists of this one weren't as successful or interesting.
First of all, I didn't feel much empathy towards them as individuals and I liked them even less as a couple. I guess it's one of those cases, potato, potahto or whatever. Some people might see them as perfect for each other for their common story, for the traits that made them close to each other, the interests they share...but for me it didn't work that well and I never felt a vibe of their connection even when they were saying lovely things to one another...well, more Sebastien than Violet, anyway.

Violet has had some dreadful experiences as a married woman and she feels she won't ever feel anything anymore, she is afraid of what it might mean for her because she was ill often during her marriage. I understand her reasons and in real life I surely would defend and applaud her and probably react like her, but she came out as too stoic and rigid and her thoughts were so science oriented I never really felt a connection towards her.
Sebastien is likable and many see that a laziness and boredom and they believe him to be a rake but deep down he's quite responsible and trustworthy but the person he most admires always puts him down and although we see why towards the end of the story, I still think he was a ill used character, his potential was so great in my eyes, it was really a shame he couldn't have another heroine.

Then their relationship...they're long time friends, they grew up in houses next to each other, so this makes them friends to lovers and this was one of the reasons why I didn't enjoy their romance much, they have known each other forever and now finally something happened...I know it's not impossible but I don't appreciate this theme and despite trying to put it aside, I still had trouble to focus on them and get reading. I really didn't buy the relationship...

In the end we find out interesting things about both their lives and happenings in their past but honestly the way they got together didn't suit my taste at ll and for that reason mainly I didn't enjoy this as much as I wanted. I have hopes for the next one. The author's style is likable yes, but in this book not even that made the book more than just readable for me.
Grade: 6/10

Juliet Marillier - Flame of Sevenwaters

Maeve, daughter of Lord Sean of Sevenwaters, was badly burned as a child and carries the legacy of that fire in her crippled hands. After ten years, she’s returning home, having grown into a courageous, forthright woman with a special gift for gentling difficult animals. But while her body’s scars have healed, her spirit remains fragile, fearing the shadows of her past. Sevenwaters is in turmoil. The fey prince Mac Dara has become desperate to see his only son, married to Maeve’s sister, return to the Otherworld. To force Lord Sean’s hand, Mac Dara has caused a party of innocent travelers on the Sevenwaters border to vanish--only to allow their murdered bodies to be found, one by one. When Maeve finds the body of one of the missing men in a remote part of the woods, she and her brother Finbar embark on a journey that may bring about the end of Mac Dara’s reign, or lead to a hideous death. If she is successful, Maeve may open the door to a future she has not dared to believe possible...

Comment: Here it is, the sixth installment of he Sevenwaters series by well known author Juliet Marillier. Well, here it is for me, at least, I know it was released way before.

This is the story of Maeve, sister to the heroines of the previous two books. Those who have read the books know she is the sister who was hurt over an accident with fire, and that Maeve was sent to her aunt Liadan where she has been living for the last ten years in order to heal her injuries.
Now Maeve has to return with a task her uncle Bran requested of her. This will prove if Maeve has what it takes to take her life back and if she dares to be happy in the place where she was hurt the most. Despite her appearance, can Maeve be loved and cherished too?

Well, this story was as powerful and as full of details as all the others. In a way, I think it was a level more intense in terms of story development than the others, it was as emotional but I'm afraid the romance was a bit more lacking and I'm sure, again, that anyone who read knows why. I won't be going into spoilers but let me just say that it's hard to develop a solid romance as we imagine a love story to be if one of the elements isn't very available to... be rational about it. (I'm laughing like I know a secret right now)
All aspects considered the book was a true trademark of the author, with all the expected elements to work both as fiction and as fantasy. The best part of things is how any character has such human emotions and traits, it's difficult not to imagine ourselves in their positions.

In this book, Maeve has to be brave and be part of her family again, although most of the book is full with her thoughts of not being pretty or likable enough and how she wished she could be someone a man could love. But at the same time she mocks the feelings she has, the idea that she should be different because she accepts her injuries and her physical aspect as part of herself and of what she is. I had some trouble trying to figure out if I felt empathy towards Maeve for her feelings of inadequacy or a bit anger for her rude behavior at times even if more than earned.
Of course Maeve is the key protagonist of the book and the book is mostly about her journey and how that matches the overall storyline for we finally have the end of an enemy who wanted to reach a goal not caring about anything or anyone else.
I liked the story and all the little details that once linked made it possible for the end to be reached the way it was.

Of course, this wouldn't be a Juliet Marillier's story if we didn't have some heartbreak. I'll be honest, it wasn't so about Maeve's hardships or knowing some beloved characters' fate and lives...it was really about the end, the last page, where we see a scene that almost broke my heart. It's really complicated to deal with those emotions of seeing yourself doing the sacrifices, even for good and noble reasons. It was hard and it's still surprising to me that, after so many years reading fiction and romance, how easily I can feel touched by what I read and how much talent a writer has to write things that drive readers to test their own emotions. Is it good? Is it normal? Can't really answer but I hope this feedback won't disappear ever...Prepare to feel emotion with this book, for sure.

There's a surprise I didn't see coming by the end of the book. I think the outcome was a bit rushed and not very believable but I'll put that into the fantasy side of the story and that's it.
I liked the importance given to small things, to special details and traditions. The author tries to honor the rituals and the knowledge of those times, of an era and a place divided between old faiths and the rise of Christianism. Although faith and religion aren't a part of the books we still see its influence in the story's development.

I think the author is very, very talented and so far her books have charmed and delighted me, even though they make me cry a bit too.
This story is one of her best, even with the not so good elements, in my opinion.
But overall, it's good and for me, winning reading.
Grade: 8/10

Laura Florand - The Chocolate Temptation

She hated him.
Patrick Chevalier. The charming, laid-back, golden second-in-command of the Paris pastry kitchen where Sarah worked as intern, who made everything she failed at seem so easy, and who could have every woman he winked at falling for him without even trying. She hated him, but she’d risked too much for this dream to give up on it and walk out just so he wouldn’t break her heart.
But he didn’t hate her.
Sarah Lin. Patrick’s serious, dark-haired American intern, who looked at him as if she could see right through him and wasn’t so impressed with what she saw. As her boss, he knew he should leave her alone. The same way he knew better than to risk his heart and gamble on love.
But he was never good at not going after what – or who – he wanted.
He could make magic out of sugar. But could he mold hate into love?

Comment: This is most recent installment in the Chocolate and Amour series by author Laura Florand. This book wasn't long in the pile because the author surprised me a lot in her first books and despite the title before this one was a let down, I still had hopes for this one!

This is Patrick and Sarah's story. Readers who read the previous book, The Chocolate Heart, will recognize them, as they work with and for the chef from that book. In fact, Patrick could be already at his own restaurant but he's with Luc still, and Sarah is one of the interns.
Apparently, there's only a professional relationship between Saran and Patrick, but is it? Despite the indifference Sarah shows, are her feelings deeper? Despite the friendly manner of Patrick's behavior, does he have stronger feelings for Sarah?

Based on the relationship I saw in the other book about these two, I had such high hopes for their story and I thought it would be amazing to watch. However, it wasn't as brilliant as that and when the author's style surprised and enticed me at first, now I find myself a bit bored with it because it's too "out there" and doesn't let me focus on the story itself.
I'll explain.
This author has a writing style very peculiar, the reader has access to all the characters' thoughts and inner struggles. This sounds refreshing at first, but after five books, I kind of wanted things to spread over the character's actions and surroundings, for instance, more about their work, about their lives, instead of so much narration about what they feel and went through and even more, not as much voice about what the other must think they really are.
I know this is a valid way of storytelling and like I said, in the first books is so new and different from what I used to read, I found the stories marvelous. But now it seems there's too much narration and not as much story development, even when they do things. Maybe it's the story itself that "demands" this bolder style which doesn't please me as much, or maybe it's me alone, and that can't be solved.

The relationship between Sarah and Patrick is the complete focus of this novel, with interesting points about their family history and how some family members influenced them.
Sarah is a fascinating character, she has done some things that went against her more cautious side, namely coming to Paris to study pastry and she has a dream about food. I think she is the kind of person we all wished we could be, letting almost everything to pursue a dream, no matter for which reason.
Patrick has a more exuberant behavior in a way. He is the type to make jokes and make everyone comfortable and at ease. He has dreams too but we only discover the reality of those in the end of the story and I confess it was a surprise.
Their romance is based on little moments at first until they become intimate. After that, it's practically only one scene after another of indecisions, of fear of saying the bad thing, they both lack some confidence in the what is becoming between them which can be seen as annoying because despite being real in real life for sure, and who knows in some books as well, but in this case it felt a bit suffocating.

In the end, there's a HEA but I wasn't totally sold on the love between them nor was I convinced it was true love, everything just seemed unappealing. I'm afraid my opinion of the series has been decreasing with each book, although the first three being quite good, in particular the first. This didn't have a supporting environment as interesting or polished, I think.
Grade: 6/10

Song # 19

This artist, The Legendary Tigerman, is the pseudonym of Paulo Furtado, a Portuguese singer and song writer that is called the "one man show" because he does pretty much all of the instrumental work in any of his albums.
One of his albums was Femina, a sort of ode to the female voice and he invited many female artists and singers to participate in the album. This is one of my favorite songs from that album, a duet with actress/singer Asia Argentio.
Enjoy!

Karen Marie Moning - Iced

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.
Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux. 
When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.
Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.

Comment: I got this book because I ended up liking the Fever series a lot and after knowing this would be a sort of spin off of that series and that it would keep up the happenings from the Fever world, I decided I had to read it. I got the book back in March but only this month I went into it.

This story follows the action right after the end of Shadowfever, the last installment in the Fever series. Now, the protagonist is teenager Dani O'Malley. Dani is a naive but brave young girl who only wants to restore Dublin to its time before the walls between our world and the fae have gone down. She has her powers and the help of unique characters, but she is a girl without the control of a supposed grown up, so she is reckless too. Will Dani be able to help the city and its human inhabitants before the fae rule it all?

I have to be honest. When I knew this would be about Dani I had hoped it would be an adult Dani. I purposely stayed away from reviews and any reference to this book because I wanted to see how Dani would be as a grown up and how her relationship with everyone else would be like. The only thing I really remember about this book was something the author said before the book was finished! She said no way would Dani have a romance as a teenager. I think the point was to calm the readers who thought she would insert sexual tension while Dani was still a child which would be disgusting. Ms Moning settled people's minds and said no, she would only have a romance when she was an adult. I didn't read anything else, ever, so I expected tis series about Dani to be with an older version of her but obviously the author has other ideas and Dani is still a child. I don't have any particular love towards teenage books but this one, despite a teenager voice as a narrator, isn't for young people.

Still, after finishing the book and despite understanding why the author decided to build up her story like that and why she presented the possibilities to come, meaning, we can easily see why some things happen, namely how the romance will develop in the future and why is it being told the way it is.
Of course one has to focus on the romance side of things because in terms of action everything is pretty basic, there's a mystery, an unknown evil part using ice as a weapon and the heroes of this novel will have to save the day, in particular Dani and her special abilities. But nothing is black and white here, there are lots of actions in shades of grey and not always we understand exactly what might happen when related to personal situations because, like I said, in terms of plot I think this book is simple. But what might happen to every character, what each little apparent unimportant action means to each person's future...there's a lot to wonder about.

The characters...
Obviously Dani is the key character here and we learn a lot about her personality, her childish way of seeing the world despite having done things too heavy for her consciousness. I guess it can be tricky to accept her not so good actions but if we consider her age and her innocence in seeing the world and why some people act the way they do, we can set apart that side of hers from the one that grew up too fast. My opinion is she is still innocent in everything, she is a clueless teenager. Even the killing and the violence in her life wasn't rooted on her being, on her decision making. She is a kid in every word, she acts and thinks like a child and I can't put that aside, even to not judge her reactions to things that an adult would see through. In fact, I kind of agreed with many of her reactions. Why do grown ups have to make such stupid things sometimes? I know she wasn't right, but I agree with her reasons..tricky situation and very much the author's intention, after all we all were teenagers even if many readers wanted to catalog Dani's actions and childish attitudes as a grown up. It's not the same thing and this was the main reason why I gave the book a better mark.

The other characters...we see their role by Dani's POV in the most part, so we have to read between the lines and this surely bothers many readers. But although I could understand the other characters' actions, it still annoyed me how different Christian is, and how Ryodan acts like such an arrogant at times and how Jo and Kat took unwise decisions. Sometime you just want to make them act smart.

In the end, this book was positive to me, because I kind of read it seeing what would mean to the future of the series. Was it done right? I can't tell but apparently many readers thought it was wrong in its execution. I really could separate all the "icky" potential but it's still difficult if we think of this as a possibility for romance, which this isn't. I think this is one of those cases that the whole picture would feel better than just these snapshots one at a time...
For me, it worked, but it's not that I feel eager to repeat nor do I feel crazy waiting for the next one...
Grade: 7/10

Catherine Anderson - Walking on Air

Random, Colorado, is just another stop on the road for solitary gunslinger Gabriel Valance. Known for his drinking, gambling, and womanizing, he prefers to remain a stranger to anyone who crosses his path. But when an upstart gunslinger catches Gabe off guard and shoots him down, he regrets his empty, lonely life with his dying breath....
Golden-haired beauty Nancy Hoffman settled in Random after fleeing an abusive past. Caring for her younger sister and working in a hat shop help her to forge ahead, though she remains fearful and mistrustful of men—and marriage....
Their paths will cross when Gabe gets a second chance at life and a divine mission: to sweep Nancy off her feet, gain her trust, and convince her to believe in his love. And in doing so, the once-hardened cowboy may save himself....   

Comment: This is the most recent book by ms Anderson, released in the beginning of the year. Usually a book by this author is certified to be enjoyable and that it was why I pre ordered but only this month I was able to get to it. How that happens is always a mystery to me...

This story features new characters, apparently the start of a new series. Gabriel Valance is a gunslinger and gets killed but two angels tell them how his soul can be saved if only he accomplishes a certain task by helping another person.
Nancy Hoffman run away from a past she feels guilty about and that drives her away from what she knew as a home, along with her younger sister, who she looks after. But despite Nancy's success with her hat shop, she is still a shy and reserved person, afraid of taking a chance on life. Gabriel Valance doesn't seem the kind of man she should trust but some things are a better surprise than anyone can imagine and Nancy will see it for herself.

Well, so far I've enjoyed a lot of the books I've read so far by the author. Only one or two seemed a bit weaker than those I like the most. Therefore, I was very curious over a new series but I have to say I ended up feeling this was only a meh story for me. I saw many readers loved it and gave it 5 starts and in a way I can understand why, but the thing I love the most in the author's writing wasn't here, at least not in a way that made me feel amazed by how good it was.

My favorite thing in ms Anderson's novels is how she deals with intimacy between the main characters. Her heroes and heroines usually have gone through very difficult experiences and they have some trouble dealing with their intimacy, mostly the women. I think it's already a trademark of this author how the heroines have to trust and accept the love of the man they fall for before intimacy - and sex - start to become more than a duty or a expectation. I love how usually romantic things happen until the couple's more in sync with each other.

In this book this wasn't so. Or, should I say, it wasn't as romantic and amazing as I imagined it would and despite Nancy having to trust Gabriel and he did wait for her and the relationship was slow and step by step, I still think this felt more like an automatic stage before the end. I didn't think this was as romantic as it could be, considering the details and the way the story took shape. It felt like something that had to happen, the path towards intimacy, not the sex itself which as bland, by the way, and it made the book feel a bit like a task done and not a romantic story developing.

Of course this is all me, obviously everyone things differently...
As for the rest of the elements in the book, everything seemed rather so so, from the characters which weren't as interesting as they looked in the beginning, going a bit plain and usual to the end. Even the secondary ones filled their roles well but weren't surprising as that.

Then there's the slightly tones paranormal element with the angels playing a part. I think their role could be achieved with a simple dream, sort of, or the story could have had a different take from the start because I wasn't convinced about the angels and the mission they had for Gabriel. The lesson is cute to learn, we should do our best in everything because our time is short in life, but the overall impression wasn't as special as that to me.

In the end, it was relatively good story, good elements not explored in their best outcome, in my opinion. Still, an average mark for an average story, with possibilities to be better but apparently the goal is as it was.
Grade: 6/10

TBR Challenge: Susan Elizabeth Phillips - It Had To Be You

What if a woman who knows nothing about sports inherits a professional football team? The Windy City definitely isn't ready for Phoebe Somerville, the outrageous York knockout who’s taking over their home town team. And Phoebe is definitely not prepared for the Stars' head coach Dan Calebow, a sexist jock taskmaster with a one-track mind. This is the book that began it all. The Chicago Stars are about to take the field... and they’re not the only ones playing for keeps.

Comment: Here's the challenge read of July. The theme was something RITA related, whether a winner or a nominee. I've picked this book by SEP not only because it fit the theme because it won a RITA in the 90s but also because it has been on my TBR for a lot of time, so one down.
Unfortunately I liked it very much and now I want to buy the other 6 books, which will add up to said TBR list even more. But is it really a loss? Only a reader would answer that as a no.

This is a book so many readers have read but I never got to it before no reason why, it just was there. It's Phoebe Somerville's story and how she went from a reluctant football team owner to a successful woman to be respected. The story is developed mainly while Phoebe has to follow her father's will to own the team and she will only keep it if they win at the end. Phoebe is unique and presents a glamorous facade but deep down she's lovely and quieter than people think.
Dan is the coach of the team and he thinks she's a bimbo set on getting on his nerves. As time goes by he gets to know her and to understand sometimes what you see isn't what really matters.

As I said, I liked this story a lot, mainly because Phoebe had awful experiences a child and she tried to cope and to be better anyway. Reading about her childhood was sad and even more about her days of depression and self hate. Although this was told in a very loose way, I still felt a bit emotional. But it also help the reader to move forward quicker, I mean, Phoebe's life experiences until the place where she is now aren't so extensive this turns into a soap opera or a drama, but it's enough to the reader to feel sympathy towards her.

This brings me to the author's writing style, considering this is my first book by her, I was expectant about how I'd enjoy the book, and I liked how the pace seemed to move forward but not in a boring or redundant way. It was nice to savor the story without having the feeling the author herself was bored. I can't explain it, it's only a personal feeling I've had with some authors here and there. Ms Phillips wrote her story and despite the change in POV in the middle of a chapter without any graphic hint, I still liked it although that hint could have been useful even if it was over very small POV changes.

Dan was an interesting character, he seemed rude and overbearing often but he had a softer side that made him more realistic. My main dislike about him was how he was divided at some point for two women and despite we know how he was just deceiving himself it still bears a note.
I liked how he understood Phoebe when it mattered and how he was there for her in the crucial times, especially when she needed to tell her story. The epilogue was very sweet.

Overall, the book was intriguing and full of very special characters, for all the reasons they were on the page. But this is also about football and people have said the author was very realistic in her football descriptions..I'll take their word for it because I still was left in the dark and I guess for any reader not familiar with football it was the same. In a way the explanations weren't enough for me to follow the football references but I have to confess more of that and it would be boring. We don't have this kind of football in my country nor is it something we see much on tv, so I was even more in the dark than Phoebe. However, this didn't ruin my enjoyment of the story and I could see it was important to the characters, which made it easier to read about.

In the end, a great romance, very interesting topics and even better, a couple with little things enough to match and to suit. The bad guys had their fate, the good guys learned their lessons and the HEA was perfect. The cover though...I think there would be better ways to give the sports and glamor idea..I don't like this cover but it was the one I got... not that it matters to the plot or the book itself, but it's a bit annoying.
I really had a good time with this one and sometimes you don't have to analyze it all to make it a good book, sometimes you just enjoy.
Can't wait to read the others now, I'll have to buy them soon.
Grade: 8/10

Tessa Dare - A Lady by Midnight

After years of fending for herself, Kate Taylor found friendship and acceptance in Spindle Cove—but she never stopped yearning for love. The very last place she'd look for it is in the arms of Corporal Thorne. The militia commander is as stone cold as he is brutally handsome. But when mysterious strangers come searching for Kate, Thorne steps forward as her fiancé. He claims to have only Kate's safety in mind. So why is there smoldering passion in his kiss?
Long ago, Samuel Thorne devoted his life to guarding Kate's happiness. He wants what's best for her, and he knows it's not marriage to a man like him. To outlast their temporary engagement, he must keep his hands off her tempting body and lock her warm smiles out of his withered heart. It's the toughest battle of this hardened warrior's life . . . and the first he seems destined to lose.

Comment: Here's another story in the Spindle Cove series by the author. This time it's Kate Taylor on the spotlight. I was quite curious to know her story considering the hero was someone so reserved...but I wasn't as impressed as that in the end.

Kate is an orphan and she doesn't remember her childhood before going to the orphanage but she always wanted to now about her parents and why they abandoned her.
Corporal Thorne is part of the militia that arrived with Bram, the hero from book #1, and he only wants peace and quiet. He recognized Kate by her birthmark and knows exactly where she comes from. When a family from the aristocracy finds Kate and tells her she's their lost cousin, Thorne believes they're lying but the truth is deeper than they all think...

I was a bit disappointed with the story. Although it followed all the elements a story like this should have and after a wonderful beginning where I felt for Kate's fate and her thoughts of being unwanted and miserable while seeing she had lost the last transport home, I couldn't help but feeling a bit bored with the way things progressed from there.
The plot had its positive aspects but I was less and less surprised as time went by and the romance didn't help because at first it was slow paced and beautiful and then it went to a point where Thorne, despite his reasonable motivations, kept saying he wasn't for her but at the same time he faked a betrothal to her...it was all so confusing that not even the author's style, which had my applause in the first two books, was enough to save this one.

Kate and Thorne seemed perfect for each other at first and they were wonderful together in the end. What happens in between didn't seem as well accomplished as that, though. The intimacy between them wasn't the problem, I just think it didn't seem as romantic at times and it was all mixed with Kate's past and everyone's expectations of what become of her. Their romance kept developing but there times where I wasn't sure about them and worse, I wasn't really that interested. Thankfully it all got solved.

The plot's main issue was Kate's past and if she was really a lady. The explanations weren't that much convincing to me, or maybe the problem was how we were told about what happened since ate was left an orphan. I just didn't see the beauty of the writing on those pages and those justifications. It didn't seem well explained somehow.

In the end, the story was ok, it had some positive things, I was curious about seeing everyone again, but there's this vibe about this novel that left me a bit disappointed and after two amazing books, I can't help thinking this one was a let down.
Grade: 6/10

Nalini Singh - Shield of Winter

Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he's done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch - if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life.
For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake . . .
Having rebuilt her life after medical 'treatment' that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she'll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption.
But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy's fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness . . .

Comment: I've started reading this book as soon as the mail man gave me the package where it was in. It's one of those series I just can't put on hold. I started that same day and once more I was taken to this amazing world with lager than life characters.

This is Vasic and Ivy Jane's story. Vasic has been a recurrent character, he's  a psy known for his special abilities and his heavy Silence.
Ivy Jane is a new character who is given protagonism after the things that happened in the previous book with the fall of Silence. These two are put together with a mission to study the impact of a new discovery to the psy race and the hope they won't die of the infection that seems to be killing more and more psy everywhere...

I liked the story. I liked the tone in particular, which is always a positive for me with this author. Even the stories which I don't like as much are still well structured and told in a way that feels very familiar and well paced, we know what to expect, there isn't sudden changes of the author's "voice". It's noted how consistent the author is since the beginning and that must be part of the series' success.

Some fans may say the author is repeating herself but for me it doesn't feel so because each book features different characters, with different takes on how to behave and even within the psy race, people with severe control on emotions and attitudes, there still are differences and personalities totally unique under the mask they wear. This story has two psy protagonists and their challenges and takes on how t approach life where shaped by different things and those things affected them in a way very opposite the way other psy characters faced their own trials. So, there is always something new, different although the core idea is the same, meaning psy have to learn how to deal with emotions and feelings..

Vasic and Ivy seem to be a good couple, again, author's talent in presenting and developing them. They learn a lot together and each personal challenge and trouble is faced with a new light because they are together. This is the perfect base for a solid romance, where the couple becomes better together because each one has something to add, to offer, to learn. I liked them.

I also liked the presence of known characters and the small tidbits about previous couples. It's always so nice to see love does conquer it all. Being the abundance of scenes with previous characters one of the negative things in the previous stories, I think it wasn't so with this one and it was quite balanced. Oh and the clues about next characters to have a story are tantalizing.

The plot is following an interesting path. Silence is over but anarchy isn't the solution. I'm curious to see where this is going and what will happen with all the others considering who's in line for a book...but this one is full of interesting ideas and concepts about the waking up after Silence and what could happen. I was happy with the way things were done.
Of course there's always things that could have been improved, but overall, a wonderful effort and delivery.
Grade: 8/10

Kat Murray / Hurri Cosmo

Prince Joron of Blade Rain was kissed by a man he had no idea was King Aric of Claymoor Doom. Of

course King Aric had no idea the one he kissed was even a man since Joron was dressed as a woman. Disguised in order to escape the newly crowned king of Blade Rain who just happens to be Joron's brother, Joron is swept off his feet by Aric when he is rescued by him from an assault. Aric is also swept off his feet by the beauty of the "woman" and that one amazing kiss. Aric, who is led to believe the beautiful woman he kissed is actually the princess, immediately goes to the king of Blade Rain and offers for the princess’s hand in marriage and his offer is accepted. Unfortunately, King Aric is now betrothed to Liarta, Joron’s sister. But an emergency has King Aric racing home without finding out the mistake he has made and now Joron must ride to Claymoor Doom to renegotiate the offer since Liarta is in love with someone else and does not want to marry King Aric.
Imagine Aric’s surprise when he discovers the Prince is the one he thought was the Princess! So Aric does the only thing he can think of. He will release Liarta from her obligation of marriage, but only if Joron takes her place... in the marriage bed.
But there are other forces at work as well and those forces are out for Joron’s life. At the death of his father, the former king of Blade Rain, Joron is suddenly the powerful new owner of the Ice Dragon Pass, the only safe route through the Norborne Mountains. There are those who would kill for that kind of power. And they have killed for it before…

Comment: This story was really a disappointment. I lied the idea of misunderstood identities but I didn't like any of the characters all that much and their motivations didn't alway add up to their actions which I think was meant to be the opposite. The protagonists didn't seem to suit that well, one being too domineering and treating the other like a possession and the youngest one so smart and dedicated for one thing and TSTL when it came to his personal relationship. It was also annoying practically everyone felt lust for the younger guy, come on. I think the world had promise and could be interesting to explore but things didn't work for me so I won't read more. There's a cliffhanger which many people hated but to me it's pointless to be annoyed because so many things before seemed worse for me. Taste is different for everyone and this story didn't work that much for me.
Grade: 4/10

*  *  *

Trace Muldoon can handle anything...As long as it has four legs, a mane wild as the wind, and a penchant for chewing hay. But when life tries to throw him off, that's when the rodeo star is at his best. 
Jo Tallen knows what she wants... And it's not a picket fence. She had a hard childhood, but now she's the boss of the town's best watering hole, she's got her friends and her neighbors, and there are plenty of eager ranchers around. She might have a thing for Trace--but there are too many complications. And the most dangerous is that whenever the hot cowboy bellies up to her bar, she just can't keep her hands to herself...

Comment: This is the second book in the Roped and Wrangled series. I liked Tracy in the previous book and I was hoping for a really romantic story for him. While the plot was interesting and mostly addictive to read, I still think the romance between the main characters was a bit lacking. Their relationship started slow but the change to something more serious didn't seem to go through a believable stage. Also the way the book ended was a bit more realistic if one thinks about real life, but in terms of romantic environments, I think it was a bit of a let down. I liked the protagonists' personal traits and how they tried to build something for themselves and how they valued certain things, like family and work. The story was good, the foundations too, I just would change the execution on the romance.
Grade: 7/10

CE Murphy - Shaman Rises

For over a year, Joanne has been fighting the Master—the world's most abiding evil entity. She's sacrificed family, friendships, even watched potential futures fade away…and now the Master is bringing the final battle to Joanne's beloved Seattle.
Lives will be lost as the repercussions of all Joanne's final transformation into her full Shamanic abilities come to her doorstep. Before the end, she'll mourn, rejoice—and surrender everything for the hope of the world's survival. She'll be a warrior and a healer. Because she is finally a Shaman Rising. 

Comment: Here it is the final installment of the Walker Papers series which I have been reading for years. At first I wasn't very motivated but ket going and a couple of books were really special and addictive. The plot was riveting even if the execution sometimes left me thinking of what could be different. Anyway, I kept going, had a wonderful time with some books and a more boring one with others. Unfortunately, with this last book I was a bit more bored than surprised.

Joanne has reached the end of her self discovery as shaman. She knows what's she's doing most of the time now but she still has the Master to defeat, the enemy that has making things bad for her and her friends since the beginning. Joanne starts the ultimate fight on the day after her fried Gary telling something that should be impossible, but with Joanne nothing is truly impossible. But will Joanne accomplish her win without losses?

Like I said, I was bored with this book and I wasn't expecting that for the last installment of the series. Throughout all the books this aspect has been evident because the author made Joanne the first person narrator so we have to always follow what she's doing and thinking and when she is fighting in other plans or having doubts or even self learning we have to go with her every time. The same thing happens here, and maybe it's my way of seeing things but I had the feeling it was a bit more than in some of the other books. 
Joanne is fighting a bad being so there's lots of fighting, not physically all the time, mostly in the  shaman planes but it's action and it's like the reader can't stop to breathe. Joanne is always on the move and if not fighting, doing something else, or helping or talking or thinking. There's no time out unless something bad really happens, in which case we have to suffer her loss or her disappointment.

I can't say it's only negative things, after all I've been following the series for quite a while, but this last book was boring, I had a hard time concentrating on the words and in not putting the book aside.And even the little good scenes, or more easy ones seemed to be less, probably because of the huge task Joanne had to achieve. But in terms of reading, it was tiring to keep with action all the time.

Then there's the negative things, like death. I suppose it would have been too much to ask for Joanne to keep her friends with her and everyone who mattered. At least Morrison is still on the picture a is Gary. But there's death and disappointments and the final scene with it's hopeful vibe wasn't enough for me.
I guess I can't complain because it's the way the author writes and has always presented a book at least in this series, but personally I hoped for more than all the challenges to overcome and the unhappy solutions to some of those problems.
Still, a positive mark because it's solid. But I hoped for better.
Grade: 6/10

Alissa Johnson - Practically Wicked

As the illegitimate daughter of a scandalous woman, Miss Anna Rees is almost as well known for having been raised in the hedonistic demimonde as she is for her quiet nature. Anna longs to leave behind her mother’s world of courtesans…until she unexpectedly meets the handsome, charming and decidedly wicked Lord Dane.  If only she could convince him to join her in search of respectability. . .
Viscount Maximilian Dane is perfectly content being a rake. After years of obeying the dictates of proper society--with disastrous results--he stopped following the ton’s ridiculous rules, and he sees no reason to begin courting respectability anew. Except that it may be the only way for him to win the lovely and fascinating Miss Anna Rees—if only he could convince her that the grass is greener on the wicked side of the fence. . . 

Comment: I've had this book to read since last year and at the time I bought it I wasn't aware it was the third in a series!! Now that I have read and enjoyed this one, the debate is should I read the previous ones or to jump straight to the author's other works? Decisions, decisions.

This is Anna Rees' story, she is a shy, sheltered lady, practically closed in her mother's house for quite selfish purposes, but Anna has found joy in books and in learning. One night, by chance, she started talking to a guest of one of her mother's scandalous parties and she and a slightly drunk Max Dane seemed to get along quite well. He promised to call on her but he never did.
Four years past and now Anna is in possession of the identity of her father, something her mother never told her. Anna takes a chance on a dream away from her mother's house and influence but on the way she has to deal with meeting Max again, and this time they do have time to know each other very well...

I liked this story a lot. It's told from a very simple but straightforward POV and without any artifices or the current sexual content which I think it's very over the top in some cases where the books aren't erotica. Anyway, this book has a story to tell, it tells it and that's it. The reader doesn't feel like it's a soap opera or just chapters crafter together. Te plot has a meaning, the characters have simple but powerful drives and motivations and their interactions are meant to be purposeful and there didn't seem to have any scenes just to set thing or to fill up space. I was very impressed by how "clean" the story is. Editor's work or author's neatness, whichever or both of them, it worked.

I liked Anna's character and her troubles while growing up despite never having lack of anything except love and caring from her mother. But Anna is a sensible woman, she isn't exaggerated in her actions or her actions. I liked her so much because she is quiet and has a good sense of herself, she has simple dreams and just wants a bit of independence without stepping over others. One of my favorite historical heroines ever, probably.

Max was intriguing and more than meets the eye, at least we get to know more of him and step by step we learn to like and respect him. His relationship with Anna has a very dramatic start but the way they talk about what happened and how -by talking! - solve their issues, it's a romance wonder in fact, and from then their paths cross because there's attraction but there's empathy and things in common and a certain acceptance of what the other needs and wishes to be heard and understood. I liked how they were good together and liked how their romance slowly but strongly developed.

I was really pleased by how much I liked this, the author did a wonderful job with the characterization, the plot sequences, the way things were organized and how everything seemed to go from an apparent simple feeling or action but the way the reader saw it happen, it got to be much more important and intense, but still subtle. I do think this is much of an author's talent showing.
The only thing I'd change was how the sexual side of things worked out, I thought it could have been more romantic, considering the character's story until that point.
I look forward to read more wonderfully written stories by ms Johnson.
Grade: 8/10

Kendall Mckenna - Strength of the Mate

Adam Madison is in Iraq, driving supply trucks for the Marines, but he still can't outrun his personal ghosts. Outside the wire, insurgents are a relentless threat. Inside, renegade werewolves are a constant danger.
Dawson Rivers is on a mission for the True Alpha---bring the rampaging shifters under control. Adam proves to be invaluable to his task. Their intense mutual attraction explodes into a powerful physical, and emotional connection.
Their future together is in peril, when Adam's convoy is ambushed.Can they learn to rely on the strength of their bond? Adam staying alive long enough for Dawson to find him depends on it.

Comment: Here it is another installment of this series which I've been enjoying so much. I'm so glad this new book was recently released and of course, I had to devour it straight away.

 In this new story, we have as protagonists, Adam, the younger brother to Tim from the previous book, and Dawson, the omega to the True Alpha. 
Adam is driving trucks in Iraq for the military, through an international company. He doesn't have many shifter friends, only acquaintances although his brother is such an important member of the shifter hierarchy.
Dawson comes to the Iraq city where the base is to help with some shifter problems and he meets Adam again. At first things were weird but as soon as Dawson realizes Adam is attracted to him, there's nothing to stop from going after Adam.

Once again, I really loved the story. I think there's an interesting clash between the shifter side of things and the military. I also believe I've said before it's very good the way the author uses both these aspects together without one seem to overpower the other, which makes the story flow and feel very easy to read and to follow. Despite this, it's very obvious how the slight paranormal side of things is used but it doesn't remove any feel of seriousness from the overall plot. In the end I thought the last scenes were a little bit over the top, but I'm not complaining because I've become very fond of this "world" and hopefully there are ore stories to come.

Te main romance was ok, especially those first chapters where there was a lot of sexual tension. I really like how the author uses this method to develop the main characters' story and slow start of relationship. As soon as they became intimate I had the feeling things started to decrease a bit in intensity, but on the other hand, it was clever of the author to make Adam rather clueless about certain shifter things, which allowed for an extended period of doubts and "getting to know what's happening" moments. Still, it is expected that, by now, most people related to shifters would be more knowledgeable...but well, part of the fun is to see how thy react to knowing what certain things actually mean to shifters.

The two main characters were good to know, I guess. 
Dawson still remains a bit of a mystery despite this book. I think the main issues were covered, namely he's honorable and important to that base ad the pack there and we know he plays an important role in Noah's hierarchy but not much more than that.
Adam we got to know better, mainly because the story is told from his POV (but not 1st person) and throughout the novel we got to understand his issues, his fears and his feelings of not being understood or loved and his immense guilt which shaped his behavior too. He was slow to make friends but of course, shifters don't give up easily and even more so after Dawson arrives. 
Obviously, after their relationship develops, both of them get better people, in a way.

In the end, this story was very enjoyable to me, I keep rooting for them and I'm still so curious to see more, to know more about the shifters and their lives.
It's so good to know there's a shape shifters world out there that delivers and fulfills all my expectations of a shifter world! I hope the author keeps the good work!
Grade: 8/10

Susan Carrol - The Dark Queen

From Brittany's misty shores to the decadent splendor of Paris's royal court, one woman must fulfill her destiny while facing the treacherous designs of Catherine de Medici, the dark queen. She is Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle, one of the Cheney sisters, renowned for their mystical skills and for keeping the isle secure and prosperous. But this is a time when women of ability are deemed sorceresses, when Renaissance France is torn by ruthless political intrigues, and all are held in thrall to the sinister ambitions of Queen Catherine de Medici. Then a wounded stranger arrives on Faire Isle, bearing a secret the Dark Queen will do everything in her power to possess. The only person Ariane can turn to is the comte de Renard, a nobleman with fiery determination and a past as mysterious as his own unusual gifts.
Riveting, vibrant, and breathtaking, The Dark Queen follows Ariane and Renard as they risk everything to prevent the fulfillment of a dreadful prophecy even if they must tempt fate and their own passions.

Comment: This book first got into my radar because a Portuguese publisher translated them and they recently started to get released. I got curious and decided to try the first one, although books mostly centered in real life characters, especially the historical ones, isn't my preferred read because knowing how their lives ended or developed for real gets on my nerves if the book takes too much artistic license.
This story is exactly that, but this isn't a conventional romance and the real life characters aren't the focus of the romance so I could just hold on to my historical knowledge and enjoy the story.

This is the story of Ariane, she's the Lady of Faire Isle, apparently an island which isn't really an island because there's a small thread of land connecting the majority of the island to the continent, and all the firstborns in her family have been wise women and took on the well being of the island and their inhabitants. The island belongs to the kingdom of France and the story starts at the time Catherine of Medicis was the dowager queen and right before ST Bartholomew's Eve, known for the bloodbath between catholics and protestants until today.
Ariane's mother was a sort of friend to the queen but when she saved the queen's husband mistress, the queen got a revenge which means there's a story between them. But Ariane could be the only one to stop the queen of getting away with murder again, although the task is more difficult than Ariane expected.

This book has all the expected elements in an historical book pertaining real History facts and allusions. Then there's the imagined parts which the author thought of and from where she started her plot. I understand the way the author tried to mix the two things and how she wanted to use a myth of History, from a time where witches and witchcraft were real issues and easily believable by the people to create a fictional story where those exact elements were the key to develop the plot. It was said Catherine of Medicis had to be a witch to accomplish many of the things attributed to her and this was the starting point for the author to work with.

The plot is heavily supported by real History events but all from a fictional POV. 
The main characters are Ariane and Renard, the count with a special personal story and who wants to marry Ariane. Their romance is slow to happen and I confess I wasn't very pleased with it at first because it seemed too boring and going towards a path I didn't think would be enjoyable to read. But the author proved me wrong and in the end, there were enough sweet moments to show the affection between them.

Ariane and Renard present their interesting characterization in the story but I never felt they were much past two dimensional. I guess they served a certain purpose and that was it. But the plot was more than enough to cover any flaws they might have.
The secondary characters are used in the best way to enhance the plot and what will happen and of course, to make the reader eager to read.

The plot is full of intrigue and little battles which we want out favorites to win. Many scenes powerful enough to sustain even the weakest parts of the book, such as were the scenes from the queen's POV which I thought redundant. Still, there were many chapters where I wanted to read really fast and others where I thought time would never pass by.
I have mixed feelings about this, but in the end I gave a positive grade because of the environment and the will this gave me to read Queen Margot by Dumas, a book I'll have to read before I die!

Despite everything, I think the good things surpass the more lacking ones and therefore, I will keep tis series one day, hopefully when some of my TBR is lower in size.
By the way, what a gorgeous cover that one...!
Grade: 7/10

So true...