Dust and Moonlight by Keta Diablo

A tale of love that knows no bounds, good versus evil, endearing characters and vivid imagery set in an extraordinary world.

When gutsy psychological profiler Kira Barton, on the trail of a serial killer, is thrust from our current time to the mystical Locke Cress, I felt like I was transported with her. A kingdom of magic, where evil lurks & sorcerers, warriors & beasties abound.

Keta Diablo brings characters to life, the extremely sexy Light-Prince Balion, Kira, named after the sun, Sirene the ethereal sorceress, loyal Jarlock & sweet Ainsley. Umargo, The Story Mage, Garrick & Gwenyth are portrayed and unveiled with the malevolence they're due.

The sexual tension between Kira & Balion was palpable, I couldn't read fast enough to reach the inevitable outcome, which by the way was sizzling. Kira's amusing banter had me giggling and the suspenseful plot was a nice surprise.

I did however remove half a star for a couple of reasons, the first one being, reading an e-book on my computer did not rate high on my list of enjoyable experiences, I much prefer the old fashioned paper read LOL. My only other criticism is the first chapter or 2 seemed a little disjointed & I did find the overabundance of cliches and similes a little irritating. These small criticisms did detract a little from my overall enjoyment of the novel.

On a positive note Keta's beautiful descriptions transported this reader to a magical place, (this was just one of many) a magical refuge, "a maze of rambling arbors and flowering vines, a virtual flotilla of deep scarlet and rich purple, reminiscent of the wisteria and clematis at home. Haunting aromas, a mixture of candied spices and rose attar acted like a soothing balm to her troubled soul."

An enchanting love story which has me awaiting the sequel Dust & Starlight with much anticipation

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The Love Knot by Elizabeth Chadwick

Published: 1999
Pages: 480

What a fantastic book! I loved this book so much that I can see myself reading it again. It is one of the most beautiful love stories I've ever read set in an amazing time in history. The way in which Chadwick brings this period in history to life is remarkable. I especially loved that the heroin was a midwife and healer.

Summer in the year 1140, Oliver and Catrin are drawn together through the horrors of civil war; their love grows but is threatened. Oliver is taken prisoner and Catrin returns to the husband she mistakenly thought had died in battle. Torn between love and loyalty this is a story that will have you turning the pages quickly wanting to find out what happens next.

Whilst the love story between Oliver and Catrin is in itself captivating, equally so is the history going on in the background. This is the time just prior to the Plantagenet’s coming to the throne in England. Henry is a boy and as a secondary character we are given insight into his personality.

This is a great read that I recommend to all lovers of historical fiction.

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Land of Falling Stars by Keta Diablo

Romance novels are sometimes referred to as female smut or pornography. Furthermore, a romance novel must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending."Land of Falling Stars is neither smut nor pornography but it definitely has an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending. Now I must admit it has been a while since I’ve read one of these novels, they are apparently referred to now as ‘erotic’ fiction. What I discovered is that while the genre has a different name they are still the same books that have been around since I was a child. I have very fond memories of my neighbours passing boxes of these books over the fence. A number of the local stay at home Mum’s would share them. When I was old enough to read them myself I felt as though I’d been let into a ‘secret’ woman’s club.

This is the story of two people, Sophia and Gavin who have loved each other since childhood. It is set in America during the Civil War, a very challenging and frightening time. It is a passionate story that even managed to have a few surprises in it. It even reminded me of Gone with the Wind in parts. I felt well connected to the characters and I was rooting for Gavin. Luckily for me when you read one of these books you are guaranteed the happy ending. This is a book that’s great for a quick read.

Now there are just a couple of things I need to add. Firstly, this was the first time I've read an e-book and I can't say I enjoyed it. I found my eyes got tired from reading a computer screen and it is more difficult to get comfortable or read in my favourite place. Also, the pages of the book weren't numbered like a normal book or document nor where the pages justified, yeah I know I'm being picky, but it really annoyed me! Last but not least we have a saying in Australia called 'plumbers crack', it is when you can see a man's butt crack because his pants are too low. Australian women find it a huge turn off and 'all' our men know it. Hence the 'butt crack' would NEVER appear on an Australian book. YUK! But apart from that it is a beautiful cover and we are Royal Reviews love a beautifully covered book.

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Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh

Published: 2007
Pages: 346

I found Visions of Heat, the 2nd book in the Psy-Changeling series less intense than Slave to Sensation, like the contrast between a roller coaster ride and a spin on the ferris wheel.

Faith Nightstar, an F-Psy is a powerful, carefully protected & constantly monitored foreseer. She has been isolated from the age of 3, predicting with such uncanny accuracy that her forecasts are worth millions. Jaguar changeling Vaughn D'Angelo is a sentinel in the DarkRiver leopard pack & offsider to pack Alpha Lucas Duncan. Vaughn is a solitary character and his animal is very close to the surface.

When Faith starts having visions of darkness, blood and murder she seeks out Sascha, mate to Lucas and an E-Psy who defected from the PsyNet. Faith's relationship with Vaughn and her progress as she breaks conditioning is the main focus in this story, the attempt to identify the murderer is more of a background sub-plot.

While Faith & Vaughn's coupling did sizzle, I was a little disappointed I didn't feel the same connection to these characters, I didn't become immersed in their story as I did with Lucas & Sascha.

Sascha's quick bond with Lucas seemed far more plausible, being an E-Psy who dealt with hiding her emotions for a long time, where as Faith has been completely isolated for the majority of her life and manages to proceed from seizures to an intimate response at Vaughn's touch within days.

I loved the introduction & descriptions of NetMind, the NetMind 'feels' giving a sense of hope to the Psy who have defected. Faith communicates with NetMind in images and I found this a beautiful concept, sunshine, bouquets of flowers, rain. I thoroughly enjoyed Singh's continued building of the Psy-Changeling world and the direction she is taking with the series. Obviously we are going to see some changes with the protocol 'Silence' & the corrupt Psy Council & PsyNet.

Overall enjoyable but not as captivating as Slave to Sensation.

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A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer

This is the first time that I've read a Georgette Heyer novel and I loved it. It was like stepping back in time to live with real people. The way Heyer supplied so many small details that give you such a complete picture of what life must have been like in the Regency period in England.

The romantic plot centres on a Viscount who reluctantly enters into a marriage of convenience with a wealthy commoner's daughter due to his father's death and substantial family debt he has inherited.

For much of the novel Adam is in love with Julia, and Jenny his loving and long-suffering wife waits with patience and kindness. Adam is a quiet man of the gentry who is constantly at odds with his father-in-law who is very wealthy and wants to shower Adam and his daughter with generous gifts, most unwanted.

I couldn’t help comparing Georgette Heyer to Jane Austen. I certainly enjoyed her writing as much as I do Jane Austen, perhaps even a little more because of the wonderful details.

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Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning

These books are written for pure escapism and this one will not disappoint. It's a fun time travel historical romance, the first in a series of eight called the Highland Series.

The Fairy Queen upsets men in her court by praising the gorgeous mortal Hawk, a Scottish lord. The Queen's jester wants to show that he's more desirable than Hawk, so he transports Adrienne, from the 20th century because she hates beautiful men, back in time to the 1600's and makes her Hawk's bride. She doesn't trust him and always pushes him away, and Adam (Queen's jester) and Hawk have to compete for her love.

Karen Marie Moning did a wonderful job in providing entertaining and well developed secondary characters as well. Hawks mother Lydia was especially endearing and had a fun-loving relationship with her daughter-in-law.

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Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

This book seriously blew me away - a paranormal suspense/romance with a kick-butt edge to it (and if you could possibly want more, a serial killer) - my recipe for a perfect book.

Nalini Singh has come up with an innovative plot, creative & complex without being complicated. I loved getting to know the fascinating psy/changeling world. The Psy population have supposedly been conditioned to feel no emotion, through the use of a program called 'Silence', however this does not prove to be true for all Psy. With powers including telepathy, telekinesis & foresight the Psy consider themselves far superior to Changelings. The PsyNet is the network that connects all Psy, provides Psy feedback and ensures their survival. The changelings are both animal & human with traits of both and in 'Slave to Sensation' leopard packs & wolf packs are the predominant changelings.

The characters are marvellously developed, Sascha Duncan is a powerful Psy cardinal and Lucas Hunter is panther Changeling, the Alpha of the DarkRiver leopard pack. The relationship between these two develops around the hunt for a serial killer; a Psy murderer who is slaying Changeling women. Sascha is drawn to the warmth & affection of the pack and truly believes that not only is she flawed but because she is 'feeling' her slide into insanity is escalating. The chemistry between Sascha and Lucas is sizzling and this reader certainly appreciated the HOT scenes and the HOT male characters.

I want my very own panther with 'skin privileges' but I guess I'll just have to settle for reading the next in Nalini Singh's series 'Visions of Heat'

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Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

For the first 100 pages of this novel I was laughing out loud, shaking my head in disbelief and cringing at Becky's antics. By page 300 I was still laughing, shaking my head and cringing but with much less enthusiasm. It's just after a while, this character can get a little tedious.

The scary part is that as much as I hate shopping for clothes, I can see a little of myself in Becky. I certainly have the book-buying compulsion! That is part of the charm of this character though, in her craziness, in her extremities, she is still relatable to some degree. Although we don't want to BE Becky, we can admit quietly that we can sometimes be LIKE Becky.

Like me, you might spend a great deal of the book hoping for some miraculous cure to Becky's addiction. All I can say is, don't hold your breath. Shopping is seriously like crack to this woman!

This isn't the best book I've ever read but it was a lot of fun. I am really looking forward to the movie...I'm hoping it'll be a great chick-flicks to enjoy with friends.

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Poison Study by Maria V Snyder

Poison Study is the first in a series so I'm presuming it is setting the scenes for the other books and I often find in fantasy novels that first books are a little slower. However this is not a criticism as I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Yelena and Valek were wonderful characters with many complicated motives for what was often strange behaviour. I enjoyed the way the story evolved, built up to the crescendo at the end and clearly set the scene for the next book. The story is about a young woman, Yelena, who is given a reprieve from being hanged for murder to become the commander’s food taster. This has traditionally been a job you don’t have for long. In this story Yelena overcomes obstacles to fight for her life and existence.

I would have liked to have more knowledge of the setting and even where it was. It was also disappointing that the love story was so vague and just seemed to appear towards the end of the book. With that said, it is still a very enjoyable book that is well worth reading and I look forward to seeing further character and story development in the second book.

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Four Queens by Nancy Goldstone

The four beautiful, cultured and clever daughters of the Count and Countess of Provence where used at very young ages to advance their family. Marguerite accompanied her husband, King Louis IX of France, on his disastrous first crusade to the Holy Land, where straight from childbirth she ransomed him from the Mamluks. With her sister Eleanor, Queen of England, Marguerite engineered a sturdy peace between France and England.

Ambitious Eleanor walked a narrow line while she struggled to build her own power base without alienating her cowardly husband, Henry III. Beatrice's coronation as Queen of Sicily was the culmination of her long, hard-fought campaign to earn respect from her world-famous, mightily accomplished older siblings. Sanchia wed one of the richest men in Europe, but her reign as Queen of Germany, brought her only misery. This compelling work of history reminds us that women could have a great deal of power even in tumultuous times.

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Royal Read - On A Highland Shore by Kathleen Givens

The Empress gets to take the credit for finding this Royal Read. She discovered this gem on Amazon and suckered the other two of us in by mentioning just two words: Scotland and romance. Although, all she really would've had to do to perk our serious interest is show us the cover. Evocative, isn't it? What a landscape!

If you're in the mood for a well-researched and full historical romance than this would be a great read. You won't find it as hot and heavy as a Stephanie Laurens but believe us when we tell you it is equally as satisfying.

All three of us gave this a hearty Five Crowns.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Let's get one thing straight...Sookie Stackhouse is no Bella Swan. You may have read the myriad reviews that list the similarities between Charlaine Harris's novels and the Twilight Saga and I can assure you that most of them are true. Harris refers to her vampires 'glowing', Bill drinks synthetic blood, Sookie can read minds...the list goes on and on.

But after finishing this book, what I can assure you is that in so many ways these books are so completely different that they bear no comparison. The Sookie Stackhouse novels are fun and action-packed where Twilight is contemplative with a more restrained plot. Neither one is better...they're just different.

What I enjoyed so much about Dead Until Dark is the incredible, break-neck pace the plot moved along at. This was like watching a blockbuster movie and truly didn't take much more time than that to read. Harris threads the hooks of the story expertly. When you get to the end of a chapter, she'll write something to stop your heart dead in your chest. You literally HAVE to turn the page to find out more.

The other major strength of this novel is Sookie. She is one of the most fun characters. She's kooky, she's kick-ass and I loved being able to step right into her mind. I would've taken tough-stuff Sookie over Bella any day.

But Bill is not comparable to Edward. He's HOT and he oozes that sexy bad-guy image but I just don't know if I 100% believe he loves Sookie. I know his character is supposed to be stiff and uncommunicative but I did find it a challenge to warm to him as much as I have done with other romantic heroes. He doesn't really have the 'swoon factor' Edward does.

I will absolutely continue to read this series with great pleasure. I do want to know what happens with Sookie...I secretly hopes she shacks up with Sam. Is that too much to ask?

Readers should be warned that this novel is quite violent. It also discusses issues that some could find disturbing and upsetting (incest etc). For more conservative readers, please be aware there are multiple explicit love scenes.

I would certainly recommend this book to Twilight fans looking for an enjoyable vampire series. Want more Sookie Stackhouse? Keep an eye out for True Blood on Showcase Australia and HBO America.

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Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

I don't know how to write this review without seriously gushing all over the page. This may be the best book I've ever read and that is a 'big' statement. If you love Science Fiction, Suspense, Romance and Paranormal then this book is for you! It's got a hot and steamy love story, a serial killer and a Psychic network that I couldn't dream up but loved. If you are a fan of Werewolves then you will love this book. This book is the ultimate in female science fiction! It reminded me of 'Damia' by Anne McCaffrey and the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer just to name a few. I did warn you of my overwhelming need to gush.

There are five books in the series with the sixth book, Branded by Fire to be released in July 2009 so there is plenty to keep you going.

Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series and therefore teaches you about the world of the Psy and the Changeling. The main characters Sascha (Psy) and Lucas (Changeling) end up coming together to fight a serial killer. What fascinated me the most was the Psy network and the way it works. They are a race of people who have been trained to experience or express no emotion whatsoever. The network in which every Psy mind is linked to and dependent on for their survival is described to be like the Internet but with minds instead of computers. This is truly a fascinating concept to me!

The Changelings are people who morph into various animals. In this book they are Leopards, Jaguars and Wolves and they function as a family/pack unit. They of course have all the human traits that are appealing including loyalty, working for the greater good and fierce protectiveness. Being a that this book is also a romance they have very attractive males in their group and if that doesn't get you wait until you read about their 'mating' for life rituals!

This is an action packed fast paced novel that I would recommend to anyone who likes Science Fiction. If you are an adult searching for something to read after Twilight then go no further, this book will more than satisfy your needs.

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To Dance with Kings by Rosalind Laker

This is an intricately told tale set during the reigns of Louis XIV, XV & XVI with a backdrop of the splendours of the French court, culminating with the turbulence & horror of the French Revolution. This sweeping saga chronicles the rise and fall of Versialles, spanning four generations of women from the one family, Marguerite, Jasmin, Violette and Rose, all of whose destinies are entwined with those of their monarchs.

Rosalind Laker's superb imagery and historical accuracy bring 17th & 18th century France to life. From the architectural detail of the Palace of Versailles, the rich colour of changing court fashion, the art of fan-making, the persecution of the Heugenots (Protestants) & the lavishness of court in direct contrast to the plight of the peasants.

In 1664 hundreds of nobles descend on the village of Versailles to pay court to the sun king, King Louis XIV. Augustine Roussier witnesses the birth of a peasant fan maker's daughter and christens her Marguerite promising the mother that he will return for Marguerite on her seventeenth birthday ...and so the story begins.
"Marguerite becomes part of the royal court of the Sun King, but her fairytale existence is torn out from under her by a change of political winds. Jasmin, Marguerite’s daughter, is born to the life of privilege her grandmother dreamed of, but tempts fate by daring to catch the eye of the king. Violette, Marguerite’s granddaughter, is drawn to the nefarious side of life among the nobles at Versailles. And Rose, Violette’s daughter, becomes a lady-in-waiting and confidante to Marie Antoinette."

My small criticism of 'To Dance with Kings'- this is quite a lengthy book & Laker devotes very little time to Violette's character which I found a little disappointing considering her attention to detail with the other characters. However I loved her most sympathetic & to me, more honest portrayal of Marie Antoinette. I was completely enthralled & touched by the Queen's intelligence, courage & love & appalled at the use of her initial extravagant & carefree behaviour as a scapegoat for the King's failings. Don't expect this to be a quick read, it is however well worth the time.

This beautiful story is a definite keeper for my historical fiction shelf.

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Duchess by Susan Holloway Scott

The novel is set in the late 1600's and the early 1700's, it is the story of Sarah Churchill and it is eloquently told in the first person. Unfortunately this is the 2nd novel that I've read of Susan Holloway Scott's and it lacked the passion and emotional connection of 'The Royal Harlot'. The novel is again set in the bawdy court of Charles II but Sarah is certainly not the normal 'Lady of the Bedchamber'. Through great personal risk Sarah helps to bring Princess Anne and her husband to the throne of England. Sarah is an intelligent woman with high moral standards, very unusual for someone in her position, but she holds firm to her standards and eventually gets everything that she wants.

This book is certainly interesting if you like this time period but I found it quite slow at times. There wasn't enough interaction with other historical figures to make the book exciting. It is certainly not a page turner. I really was disappointed as her other books seemed to be much better reads.

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The Host by Stephanie Meyer

Good golly Miss Molly! With this novel, Stephanie Meyer has cemented herself as one of my all-time favourite authors. Now I loved the Twilight saga but this book takes Meyer's writing to a whole other level. This book is EPIC. It has all the things you loved about Twilight with a tighter plot and a fascinating heroinne.

Personally, I was obsessed with the Twilight saga but still found myself skimming in quite a few places and wanting things to hurry up. No such problems with The Host. Like a blockbuster movie, it hits the ground running and things don't ease up until you've finished it. Bravo to Meyer for keeping me thoroughly entertained through 619 pages!

As with most Meyer novels, the best part of this story is love. Two souls inhabiting the same body, deeply in love with the same man, Jared. It makes for one of the best love triangles you'll ever read. Especially when Jared doesn't believe his human lover is still alive inside her body. I challenge you NOT to feel anything when Melanie is desperately trying to let her lover know she is still alive. I challenge you NOT to feel anything when Wanda experiences what it is to be in love for the first time in 9 lifetimes...only to disgust the object of her affection for what she is and what she has done to him. And I haven't even mentioned the family relationships she explores between brother and sister.

The most frequently asked question I get on my blog is...What should I read after Twilight??? My answer will now be, without a doubt: The Host!

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The Bride by Julia Garwood

Maybe I was just in the mood for a really good romance but I loved this book. It reminded me of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew which is my favourite Shakespeare. The characters where interesting and the book had a twist to it that added an element of mystery to the story. Over the years my favourite historical romance books have all reminded me of Taming of the Shrew so I guess it's fair to say that I like the heroins to be strong and stubborn and I like my heroes to have a certain amount of resistance and strength about them. Julie Garwood wrote larger than life males in this book that sounded more like Greek gods, but that is not me complaining. This is a book that has you laughing out loud and getting teary with the heroin. If you enjoy your historicals set in Scottish highlands around the 1100's then this is a book for you.

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