Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Smart Smut

Seduction & Scandal by Charlotte Featherstone
 
Mystery, Drama, Romance and SEX.... Hot, angsty sex.

Can't ask for anything more. To be honest this is the first Featherstone book that I really enjoyed.

Although, I didn't NOT like her other novels, they just seemed lacking something for me. This was the first Featherstone I felt connected to.

It was paranormal without screaming it out loud.

Overall, an enjoyable getaway.

Happy Reading

A Little Bit of Genius

Lady of Hay


I had been told my droves of people to read this book.... The size, and synopses was one that threw me off... I am not one for anything in current times... When I read a book, especially one of this quantity I need for it to sweep me away to another time, another place, another world.
Barbara Erskine achieved this with style, and an amazing ability to capture this readers attention and hold on till the end.

Happy Reading

Wickedly Awesome

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years, #1)

LOVED THIS ENTIRE CONCEPT... What a great read. Elphaba was a little peice of everyone, and my heart broke at how misunderstood she was. Very human, and realistic approach to a classic fairy tale proving to us all that there is ALWAYS two sides to every story.

Obviously Forgettable

The Taker


Okay... So this is a first for me.
It dawned on me that I have been slacking in a major way on my reviews, so I thought I would go through my list and catch up on my 'read' list...
I read this book less than a month ago, and I rated it 4 stars... I remember liking it. I found the premise, (which I must admit I only recalled when re-reading the synopsis) original and intriguing.
Problem is, I don't remember much more about it. This literally never happens to me...
I must have liked it enough to give it the 4 stars however... just wished I could remember what posessed me to do so.
Happy Reading

Midwife Fell Flat

Midwife of the Blue Ridge


It started out great... Had all the elements I look for in a book. History, Struggle, Friendship, Loyalty, and Love.
An awesome beginning, a wee Scottish lass full of spunk and brains signs up as an indentured servant, heading for the New World to escape the hardships of Scotland after Culloden. Authentic Scottish prose, Hilarious and Charming banter, and an overall feeling of possibility and hope.
Its beginninf was reminiscent to some of my favorites stories, and was succesful in grabbing my attention, and tugging on my heart string, however it tapered off at the end. I am not able to pinpoint where the disconnection happened, it was quite sudden really. One moment I was loving it, the next moment I was yawning. It was a strange transition.
Over all, a sweet story, decent writing and fairly engaging love story. Could have used more detail into Tom and Maggie though... There love seemed as abrubt as my loss of interest.
Happy Reading.

A Discovery of Something Rad

A Discovery of Witches

This book had it all... Witches, Vampires, Daemons, all in keeping paranormal interest alive. Mystery combined with awesome historical elements to intrigue the inner budding historian, while dashed with a perfect amount of love story to appeal to the hopeless romantic, without dominating.
In short... I LOVED This book, sharing a likeness with many of my favorite stories, while maintaining an originality all of its own.
I refuse to say anymore on the basis that everyone should pick it up and get lost within its pages as much as I did and can do so without getting any spoilers from me. 
Simply can not wait for the next installment... Summer 2012 can not come soon enough.
Please Ms Harkness, if you would be so kind as to kick your publishers a** in gear, and get it to us sooner~ it would be much appreciated.
Happy Reading~

CREEPY GALORE

The Restorer (Graveyard Queen #1)


HOLY MOLY I LOVED THIS BOOK.....
Creepy Galore, with Rad sexual tension, a smart mystery and original Paranormal plot... Love, LOved, LOVED IT...
Amelia Sees Dead People... Literally... and no, not of the sexy vampire variety... like the real deal, Sixth Sense sorta dead people...
2 rules for someone who can see the dead,... Never EVER, let them know you can see them... and Stay clear from the Haunted...
Amelia, meet Devlin... Devlin is a cop... and Hot... and brooding... and possibly dangerous. Oh and lets not forget the fact that he is HAUNTED.  And did I mention HOT????
Too Bad Devlin exudes sexy from his pores...Makes it a tad bit tricky to follow rule number 2....
What is Amelia going to do??? Well we have 3 awesome books to this series, and I for one can not WAIT for November when the next is released....
Happy Reading

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Another Series Winner

I was just saying to my reading buddy, Rhonda, that I was tiring of the typical.. 'Privelaged girl meets Privelaged boy, having to endure the constant snear of society, all the while trying to (and always failing) to maintain ones virtue' stories.

Don't get me wrong, I love those books as much as the next guy..er.. uhm girl. It's just that lately I have been craving something 'more'. More angst, More struggle, (beyond what color of dress to wear to the society ball), more 'REAL'.

I definatly found that in 'The Tea Rose'. A magnificent story, of love and loss, struggle and survival, and the determination to be more than what life has handed you. A beautiful 'life and love' story, that felt very real for me. Nothing fairy tale-ish about it, just a handful of people willing to work there butts of to make it in a cruel world.. and the people along the way, some who hindered, many who loved unconditionally and helped ease the way.

I adored this book.. Can't wait for The Winter Rose (The Tea Rose, #2)

Beautiful~ Soul Shattering

Quite possibly, THE MOST heart wrenching novel I have read to date.

Cleverly written, with the perfect mixture of fact and fiction, and a level of reality that reminds us all that at times it does in fact, Bite.

Cathy Buchanan has more than succeeded in creating some enduring, and incredibly lovable characters, so much so that the events you live through with them, are all the more real, and all the more soul shattering.

My only critisicm, which I mean as constructive.. Is I would have liked more insight to Bess and Tom.. More details of their love, their life. The History of the Niagara Falls (as amazing as it was) seemed to overshadow them too much. I wanted to adore Tom, like I have Jamie (Outlander), and Alexander (The Bronze Horseman).. And I believe he is a character that potentially could've held his own among them as company, if only the Author developed him, and his relationship with Bess a little more.

I really, really liked this book.. But it will be one I won't be able to read again.. It bruised too much...

Hmmm~ Not so much


Repetitive~ This is the word that comes to mind when attempting to review this book. 'Easy Read' is another term best to describe~
While it was entertaining~ In its sexually charged atmosphere, tipping the scales of the steam meter with it's hard core porn feel (Erotica is it's genre after all)

Outside of the incredibly hot, sometimes over the top sex scenes, I found the story lacking~ In fact I found the characters extremely annoying at times and not in the least believable.

Now~ Allow me to explain~ I LOVE a dark, troubled, brooding hero as much as the next gal~ However, I have discovered there is a definative fine line between sexy and just plain rude. This dude pissed me off~ He was just raunchy~ Which left very little to endure himeself to me. I certainly didn't find him 'sexy'~ UNTIL the last 80ish pages~ But this is where the true crux of my issues with this book lie~

Where the hell did the demeaning, overtly egotistical maniac go? Seriously~ He was there, literally dominating the pages with his pure and utter selfishness and then 'Poof' just like magic~ He disapeared replaced in an instant by a 'truly, madly, deeply' love struck 'gentleman'~ I don't get it~ I feel it was poorly executed and written with an almost amateur tone.

Now that I laid out all my negatives~ On to the positive~ For it's genre this book does deliver~ It is super hot~ With very detailed sex scenes~It does manage to make you feel tingly all over which is one of its main purposes after all.

And~ I did manage to finish it in its entirety, without skipping pages or skimming the words~ Which several other novels in this genre have not been able to accomplish with this jaded erotica reader~ So for it's ability to keep my interest in spite of my many bones picked~ This book definatly deserved the 3 stars for keeping my attention, and managing to entertain me regardless

For anyone who enjoys an intelligent read, with romance and Scottish heroes

This was one of the most engaging and clever books I have ever had the honor of reading.

From the characters development, the incredible storyline, to the heartwrenching conclusion, this book had my heart racing, and my brain running on overtime.

Intelligent, funny, mysterious, inspiring, nail biting, heart warming.. this book simply had it all.. I loved it..

One of those rare books that clenches the heart and becomes a part of you.

If GR had a higher scale this would have been a 10* read for me, without a doubt..

Happy Reading...
 

Mystery meets Smut meets History~ Perfect~

AMAZING.....BLOODY HILARIOUS.....SMART....WITH THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF SMUT, MAKING THIS BOOK A DEFINATE KEEPER...

I ADORED this book... The author had me sold on the rest of the series and any of her future contributions to the book addict cause, within the few pages of the prologue..

A combination of Julia Quinn's wit, and C.S. Harris and Deanna Raybourn's sleuth story talent all rolled up with what is obviously, and originally 100% Lauren Willig...

The characters we're real, perfectly flawed and relatable as well as genuinely lovable. The story was well written and fast moving. The 'who-dunnit' theme... or in this case the 'who-is it' theme managed to keep me guessing atleast till the half way point.. (Which I must add, is not often accomplished)..

It's a light hearted, fun loving, easy read with the feel of a more epic story. In other words its the perfect combination of mystery, romance, and witty dialouge for any historical romance fan who craves a little more length to their reads.

Happy Reading...

Pleasant Surprise and a New addictive Series

 
 
This book totally surprised me, to be perfectly honest. I was expecting a lame Twilight (and every other Paranormal bandwagon hopping) copycat...

I have been staying away from this genre for the above reasons, having tried a few others and found they were NOT my thang.. However Clay and Elena had me at hello...

In spite of the heavily laced supernatural element.. This book was so real for me. Dare I say this one came very close to tying for The Twilight spot in my crazy book loving brain, In fact after reading the first 3 or 4 chapters, I ran out to my book store and picked up the rest of the series~ Which I might add was NOT a cheap Venture.. because there is alot of them.

Oh well... such as life for the book addict..

 

A Definate 5 stars...with 5 more....

A Definate 5 stars...with 5 more....

I love Susanna Kearsley, her writing is intense, smart and almost poetic in style. The way she is able to weave the past within the present is nothing short of brilliant. Her characters are wholy loveable while remaining genuine with flaws.

This is the second book of Kearlsey's I have read, and loved it just as much (if not more) than the first.. So much so that I made quick work of ordering every book of hers in print to grace my ever growing libraries 'for keeps' shelves.

This book had me wishing, praying and hoping all while managing to keep me wondering. I thought I knew what was happening but I didn't.... Oh wait.. Yup I totally have this book pegged..... Oh? Uhm, maybe not... And then BAM!! Before you know it the ending has come and your still realing days later.

I literally had to let the full extent of the story and its affect on me work its way in to the crevaces of my wee brain before I could even attempt to articulate a review.

Ladies- No Sex... Which while getting to know these characters is a real bummer... However the story didn't need it.. Although I wouldn't have complained if there had been atleast one peek into their bedroom.. But I digress...

Amazing story.... Beautifully written....Brilliantly portrayed

Thursday, January 20, 2011

After a lenghty absence~

I have spent the last few months~ And when I say monthes I mean atleast 6~ Pouting and feeling rather sorry for myself. My dream of becoming a succesful and witty blogger~ drawing avid readers into my world of my reviews was crushed~ And when I say crushed~ I mean I am a silly, silly girl who allowed a total of 6 weeks to go by before I left with my tail between my legs and a HUGE sense of 'boo hoo' because no body stumbled upon my blog~

Imagine my surprise when I signed in today to see I have 3 people following me~ YAY!!! And believe me although the prior contents of this post is riddled in my usual sarcasm, I can assure you my excitement for you 3 is not feigned. I am stoked.

Thank-you to Honour~ A fellow review blogger (whose writing BTW is spectacular~ and you can find her blog here,~ http://fantasiesandfairytales.blogspot.com/ ), for informing me she was following my blog, causing me to sign in today to discover my pleasant surprise~ In turn motivating me to start up again.

I will be adding more reviews today~ Thank you for checking me out and feeling my blog worthy of following,

You guys rock!

Monday, August 16, 2010

A little bit of Ancient Rome indulgence, if you will.

 
 
 

Bloody Fantastic Book.

Bursting with amazing characters, some you will fall madly in love with, while others you will just love to despise.

Corruption, Jeolousy, Murder, Conspiracy, Heartbreak, Adultry, Passion, and above all Love detail this courageous and brilliant first novel of the amazing Kate Quinn.

Fast paced, and jaw clenching, this is a story for the masses. A definate page turner, with a guarantee to keep you up all night, ignore the family, and sneak as many reading breaks from work as possible.

I simply couldn't put this book down. 



Happy Reading.... 

Mona Lisa Series, By Sunny



I frakkin loved this book.
It was jammed packed with guilty pleasure. Holy Man!

Warning, those faint at heart, or easily offended, do not venture into the Monere territory.

But for those of you like me, whom every once In a while like to channel their inner freak... Read On!

This was so disturbing, and fantastical, it bordered on outrageous for me! I simply couldn't put this one down, in fact the only time I did, was to run to my local book store to order the rest of the series.

Happy Reading....

Beyond The Highland Mist, by Karen Marie Moning



I just couldn't do it, I simply could not finish this book. I tried, I wanted to like it. Highlanders, History, God's, and Time Travel, it sounds intriguing. Right? I managed 283 pages of 375.

At moments it was almost... well, good... I guess. Then it would taper off, and become the epitome of erotic cheese.

And what was with the all the cliches? Can you actually picture a buff, beautiful scot, from the 16th century saying phrases like 'Tit for Tat', and 'What's good for the goose, is good for the gander'.. Bah! Please. I aslo can't fail to mention the deplorable vocabulary. Throwing in the odd, 'och' and 'wee' or 'lass', does not make for authentic Scottish prose.

This book attempts wit, and failed more than suceeded. It attempts originality, but became silly instead. At moments it bordered entertaining, then completely lost my interest. Eventually I had to concede, this was not a book for me.

Happy Reading... 

The Sins of Lord Easterbrook, by Madeline Hunter


I have just recently discovered Madeline Hunter, after experiencing a rather, drawn out, and annoying bout of 'reader's block'

I picked this book up at my local bookstore, thinking it would be an easy read, to help me out of my slump. Let me tell you what I have discovered, about Ms Hunter...

In my opinion, her writing is amazingly clever, devastatingly sexy, and with just the right amount of mystery to keep the pages turning.

In short, I have definatly found myself another favorite author.

Do not make the same mistake I did, however, and start with this book. After starting it I realized it was book four, in a series. (Hate it when that happens), but this book had me so enthralled by its opening paragraph, I simply could not put it down. Causing me, to go against my golden rule of, 'Never read a series out of order'.

Oh well, it was worth it.

Happy Reading.... 

The Wildest Heart, by Rosemary Rogers

A tome of Historical Romance, compulsively readable!

This was an amazing story, though not for the the faint at heart.
I was drawn to this massive book, by it's size, and genre.

This novel surprised me in so many ways. It was not what I was expecting, it surprised, and horrifed me, both in equal measures. The pages kept turning, almost on their own accord, as my blood pressure raised, and my fingernails suffered.

Rowena Dangerfield, the unwanted only daughter, of a selfish opportunist mother, and an escaped outlaw father, was raised by her grandfather, in the wilds of India. After his death, Rowena is shipped back to England, to live with her Mother, and Step-father.

This is where her story begins....

Rowena is an outrageously determined survivor, in a land among men, whom all seek to possess and own her. In an age, where woman were without freedom of choice, Rowena learns how to shut one's emotions off from others, in an attempt to endure what was chosen for her. Refusing to be a victim to her circumstances, she is dubbed 'The Marble Goddess.'

Discovering her father is still alive and a rich ranch owner in New Mexico, she ventures forth to meet the man she has never known, but she learned had always loved her.

And this is where her life begins...

This novel, although a love story, is a story of one woman's survival, and the trials she endures, while in search of herself.

It's unpredictabilty was refreshing.

It confuses you, it maddens you, it consumes you. The only thing it doesn't do, is bore you.


Happy Reading...