In The Heat Of The Bite by Lydia Dare

Title: In The Heat Of The Bite
Author: Lydia Dare
ISBN: 978-1-4022-4510-7
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Format: Mass Market Paperback
$7.99 £4.99
Pages: 384
Release Date: July 2011
How I Read It: Mass Market Arc
Rating: 5 Crowns A ROYAL READ

CHEVERLY IS FAR FROM UNDEAD….

Matthew Halkett, Earl of Blodswell, is one of the few men in the ton who can claim to be a knight in shining armor--because that is precisely what he was before being turned into a vampyre. When he spies a damsel in distress in the midst of a storm in Hyde Park, his natural instinct is to rush to her aid…


BUT NOT EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO BE RESCUED….

Weather-controlling witch Rhiannon Sinclair isn’t caught in a storm--she’s the cause of it. She’s mortified to have been caught making trouble by the imposing earl, but she doesn’t need any man--never has, and is sure she never will…

But when Rhiannon encounters Matthew again, her powers go awry and is supernatural abilities run amok. Between the two of them, the ton is thrown into an uproar. There’s never been a more tempestuous scandal…




My Thoughts:

A Short Summary:

Weather-controlling witch, Rhiannon Sinclair finds herself caught in a storm of her own making right in the middle of Hyde Park. Now, she seems unable to shake free of the man who caught her.

Outraged over her Aunt Greer refusing to allow her to see her younger sister, Rhiannon storms off to Hyde Park to create a bit of havoc that only a weather-controlling witch can stir up. She never imagined that she would get caught, much less rescued by an Englishman of the undead variety. When her powers go awry at a ball, Sir Matthew Halkett, Earl of Blodswell, is left to deal with the fallout.


The Characters

Matthew Halkett, Earl of Blodswell:
Found dying on a battlefield during the Crusades, he was both saved and condemned by his maker, Callista. Content to roam the earth as a vampyre, he is reconciled to his fate. Yet, when he spots a young woman caught in the midst of a storm he finds himself yearning to be more of a man.

The Earl of Blodswell is a gentleman in every sense of the word and even though he is a vampyre his chivalry is still his top priority. I liked Matthew, I found him to be one of my favorite characters thus far and I wanted to see him find love.
Rhiannon Sinclair-
As the Coig’s weather-controlling witch, Rhiannon has a bit of a hard time concealing her emotions from other. Although she not a battle-born witch like Blaire, she can and has been taking care of herself and her younger sister since the death of their mother. Rhiannon was an easy character to like.

Secondary Characters Of Note:

The Hadley brothers- If you have previously read THE TAMING OF THE WOLF, then you will be somewhat familiarized with the Hadley brothers. In this book, we meet the brother’s up-close and personal and I do have to say that they were a fun bunch to get to know. I simply cannot wait to read their stories when they are published.

Alec MacQuarrie- He has become somewhat of a fixture in Lydia Dare’s previous books, and I have enjoyed Alec from the start. I am not going say much about him because I believe that new readers should get to know him on their own.


The Plot:


We first meet the Earl of Blodswell in chapter 20 of THE TAMING OF THE WOLF (book four in Lydia Dare’s Lycan Series). Caitrin Macleod, the Coig’s seer, describes Blodswell as ‘one of the most strikingly handsome men she’d ever seen.”

She also tells him: “Ye will ken enough about my kind in time, sir.” “Enjoy the fine weather my lord, while ye still can.”

I could not wait to read Blodswell story and I have to say that I was not disappointed. He quickly became my favorite hero. I feel that I must apologize to Simon, although he is still my favorite Lycan, but Blodswell has captured my heart. And I must say “IN THE HEAT OF THE BITE” was my favorite Lydia Dare book thus far.

I highly recommend this book.

Overall: Simply Brilliant! When reading Lydia Dare’s novels I fall in love with reading all over again.

Would I read it again: Most Definitely! In fact I have read the complete series at least three times.

One a side note: While all of Lydia Dare’s books can be read alone, I highly recommend that you start at the beginning with “A CERTAIN WOLFISH CHARM” to achieve the full effect of these novels.




Visit Angela Renne @ Renee's Reads

The Mistress of Nothing by Kate Pullinger

Title: The Mistress of Nothing
Author: Kate Pullinger
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Profile Books, 2010
ISBN: 978184668711
272p

A lushly evocative period novel.


Synopsis: Lady Duff Gordon is the toast of Victorian London until her debilitating tuberculosis means exile to warmer, drier climes , and she and her devoted lady's maid, Sally , set sail for Egypt.

 It is Sally who describes, with a mixture of wonder and trepidation, the odd menage marshalled by the resourceful Omar, which travels down the Nile to a new life in Luxor. As Lady Duff Gordon undoes her stays and takes to native dress, throwing herself into weekly salons, language lessons and excursions to the tombs, Sally too adapts to a new world, affording her heady and heartfelt freedoms never known before. 

But freedom is a luxury that a maid can ill-afford, and when Sally grasps more than her status entitles her to, she is brutally reminded that she is mistress of nothing.

My thoughts:. I liked the wonderful way the author describes Egypt and she obviously is very familiar with the
country. The heat, the river journey from Cairo to Luxor, the people and the culture, the historical issues and changes that were happening at the time make a superb background to the central story. Although I've read many books about Ancient Egypt I was woefully ignorant of 19th century events and I found the history most interesting.

Lady Duff Gordon was certainly not the usual stereotype of a Victorian upper class woman and initially I loved the way she allowed herself to cast off the rules and restrictions of the society she knew as easily as she shed her corset . Nor did she create a little English 'home away from home' but took every opportunity to become a part of Egyptian life.She encourages Sally to follow her lead and gradually the strict lady/servant barriers dissolve, as do those of gender and race between the two woman and Omar. Eventually the three develop a relationship that is more a friendship between equals.

Until, in her mistress's eyes, Sally goes one step too far and discovers that beneath the surface nothing has changed at all.  

I would like to have seen the author's notes at the front of the book rather than the back as I think there will be readers who , like me, will not realize the three main characters did actually exist. The book is based on Lady Duff Gordon's "Letters from Egypt" - it's part fact, part fiction and it's not always easy to tell where one ends and the other begins.  

Overall it's a book I really enjoyed - well-written historical fiction which is a nice mix of history, romance and social commentary.

Visit Cat @ Tell Me a Story

King and Goddess by Judith Tarr

Title: King and Goddess

Author: Judith Tarr

ISBN: 0812550846

Publisher: Tor

Format: Mass Market Paperback

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 407

How I Read It: from my own personal library

Rating: 3.5 Crowns

 Identified as a gifted scribe, Senenmut is sent to the palace to serve the girl Queen Hatshepsut.  Haughty but highly intelligent, the two soon develop a grudging respect for each other.  Loathing her brother-husband Thutmose II, Hatshepsut does her queenly duty which produces a daughter instead of a son.  When a subsequent failed pregnancy leaves her unable to have more children, the King produces an heir by his chief concubine Isis.  Hatshepsut's daughter Neferure and her half brother Thutmose III are fated to marry and rule together but when tragedy strikes Hatshepsut assumes the role of regent.  Knowing that she was destined for greatness, the Queen dares to do what no woman has done before her-take the two crowns of Egypt for herself and rule as King.

 I have read plenty of  books on Cleopatra but never one on Queen Hatshepsut.  Tarr paints a vivid portrait of this Queen who went from a spoiled girl- though one who was wise beyond her years- to one of the greatest pharaohs in Egypt's history. This was definitely a lady who could rule as well as any man. This book has a great cast of supporting characters that really carry the story.  There is Senenmut who is quite arrogant when we first meet him but he soon gains the Queen's trust and as time goes on becomes closer to her than anyone.  Also in her inner circle are Nehsi, her Nubian bodyguard who is always at her side and Hapuseneb, her chief priest, all of whom are fiercely loyal to her and would do absolutely anything to see her secure on her throne. I thought the author did a great job of painting Egypt as it might have been at the time.  She goes into great detail describing the land, the royal progresses, the hierarchy of the court, the dealings with foreign nations and the Gods and Goddesses worshiped.  I really learned a lot about ancient Egypt that I didn't know.

There were a few slow parts through out that made for slow reading at times.  The author details things like a trip to a foreign land to open trade with them and several building projects that I thought didn't really add much to the story.  Also I constantly kept stumbling over the names and kept thinking some sort of pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book would have been helpful.  Except for those two things I liked this book quite a bit and think it would be a good starting place for anyone wanting to read about this Queen. 

Visit Holly @ Bippity Boppity Book

A Distinction of Blood by Hannah March

Title: A Distinction of Blood
Author: Hannah March
Genre: Historical Mystery
Publisher: Penguin 
ISBN: 9780451211880
272pp
Rating: 4 crowns







Synopsis:
"Asked to investigate the marriage of his employer's beautiful daughter, Charlotte Mortlock, Robert Fairfax discovers evidence of gambling debts, love affairs, and secrets. But suspicion turns to shock when Charlotte's husband is found murdered in his bed with Charlotte holding court in the next room. Now Fairfax must get to the heart of this elegant facade of lies-in order to unmask a killer...."


My Review:
I picked up this novel on a random visit to the local used bookstore, and it definitely turned out to be one lucky find! A Distinction of Blood is a quick and twisting adventure through Georgian England that will have you in delightful puzzlement the entire time. Following the witty and sharp minded Fairfax as he unravels secrets and tangled conspiracies in hope of solving the shocking murder of Charlotte Mortlock's husband, the reader is given not only a consuming story but also a vivid look into Georgian England's culture and vitality. Having a page count of only 272 pages, A Distinction of Blood is an easy and entertaining read, one that is perfect for a relaxing summer day. 

Visit Svea @The Muse in the Fog Book Review

See Jane Die by Erica Spindler

Title: See Jane Die
Author: Erica Spindler
Genre: Suspense/Thriller/Mystery
Publisher: Mira
ISBN: 0-7783-2169-X
397p
Rating: 4.5 Crowns

Synopsis:

Jane Killian has everything to live for: marriage to the man of her dreams, a career she adores and a baby on the way. Her happiness is shattered when her husband becomes the prime suspect in the brutal murders of two women. Determined to prove him innocent, she digs into his past. But each new corner she turns points not to her husband's innocence--but his guilt. Alone, alienated from those she loves, a new terror presents itself--a madman who seems to know her every fear and anticipate her every move. One who wants nothing more than to finally... See Jane Die.

My Thoughts:

When it comes to suspense that not only leaves your pulse pounding, but robs you of your breath, Spindler is the gal to do it. I have been a “Spindlette” ever since I read Bone Cold in 2001… Wow, I’m having a bit of a tough time digesting that it’s been ten years since picking it up, too. I read EVERYTHING the gifted visionary creates. I often reread my favorites when I am missing my favorite characters and when I need a dose of Spindler.

See Jane Die is a delicious stay up all night thrill ride that is as exhilarating as plunging from the Eiffel tower with a parachute that doesn’t open until 33 seconds before you are expected to hit the asphalt.

Spindler’s See Jane Die is the first in the Stacy Killian series and one of my favorites… Bone Cold and See Jane Die are the ones I return to when I need a sense of comfort – they are my Spindler touchstones.

See Jane Die starts off with a gripping premise that shifts fluently into gear and doesn’t falter once… not even for a split second throughout Spindler’s high octane tale. See Jane Die is finely orchestrated and Spindler brilliantly illustrated the scenes when Jane is run over by a motor boat and is left disfigured by the frightening accident. While Jane undergoes extensive surgery to salvage her face, she is still plagued by nightmares of that catastrophic occurrence.

While this storyline can seem a bit generic, Spindler’s writing is anything but and her spin on this often over used plot leaves you absolutely transfixed. You find yourself whipping through the pages at lightning speed all the while holding your breath and as each page is turned a shiver akin to an ice cube sliding down your back blankets you.

Spindler’s character’s are well-fleshed, engaging and not always what they appear to be upon your first introduction – like a trapdoor there is always a surprise. The stalker is heart-stopping, alarming and impressively compelling! The notes he sends to Jane are disturbing, “I did it on purpose. To hear your screams”, but Spindler’s addictive narrative keeps you mesmerized until you find yourself reading straight through.


With the skill of a racecar driver, Spindler delivers a story rich with twists and turns, suspense that manipulates your pulse and a plot that smoothly unfolds to showcase what an inimitable scribe she truly is!






Visit Diane @The Book Resort

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

Title: What Alice Forgot
Author: Liane Moriarty
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Pan Macmillan, 2009
ISBN: 9781405038577
416p

Rating: 4.5 Crowns

Can you imagine..............waking up from a strange dream and finding yourself lying injured on the floor of a gym? That's what happened to Alice Love and her first concern is for her unborn child followed by a desperate need to see her beloved husband, Nick.

But Alice isn't pregnant. And Nick is in the process of divorcing her. Alice has lost ten years of her life.

When Alice returns home from the hospital everything in her life is unrecognizable and during the days that follow and small bubbles of the past start to surface she begins to realize that it's not only her her home , her family and friends that are unfamiliar . She struggles to find herself in the person she has become and even worse , to like that woman.

My thoughts:  Surprise, surprise! A book of which I had no great expectations turned out to be one of the most compelling and thought-provoking reads of this year. I think it's a great pity that What Alice Forgot is constantly being  labelled as chicklit because it has a depth and intensity that books of that genre don't usually have.

It's a book about life and the changes that time brings to ourselves and our relationships. Not the big earth-shattering events but the small, everyday, inevitable occurrences we're barely aware of. Liane Moriarty has created wonderful characters encompassing all ages - the happy and optimistic young Alice, her children and Nick, her sister Elizabeth battling infertility problems, her once mousy Mum turned salsa dancer and Frannie, the honorary 'grandmother' who blogs from the retirement home. Their individual stories draw the reader right in at the emotional level but the true brilliance of the book lies in it's ability to make you look at and think about your own life . Which is why I think What Alice Forgot will be enjoyed by younger readers but older readers will truly connect and appreciate it more.

"She had always thought that exquisitely happy time at the beginning of her relationship with Nick was the ultimate, the feeling they's always be trying to replicate, to get back, but now she realised she was wrong. That was like comparing sparkling mineral water to champagne. Early love is exciting and exhilarating. It's light and bubbly. Anyone can love like that. But love after three children, after a separation and a near divorce, after you've hurt one another and forgiven each other, bored each other and surprised each other, after you've seen the worst and the best - well, that sort of love is ineffable. It deserves its own word."

I loved it! It's filled with all the drama of life and I laughed and I cried - for Alice and myself!
Highly recommended!

Visit Cat @ Tell Me A Story

A Weekend With Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly

Title: A Weekend With Mr. Darcy
Author: Victoria Connelly
ISBN: 978-1-4022-5132-0
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Format: Trade Paperback
$14.99
Release Date: July 2011
How I Read It: Trade Paperback ARC from the publishers
Rating: 5 Crowns Royal Reviews

OF COURSE SHE’S OBSESSED WITH JANE AUSTEN…

Surrounded by appalling exes and fawning students, the only thing keeping professor Katherine Roberts sane is Jane Austen, and her secret love for racy Regency romance novels. She thinks the Jane Austen Addicts weekend will be the perfect getaway. Maybe she’ll even meet her own personal Mr. Darcy…
(from the back of the ARC)

My Review:

Katherine Roberts is in need of some time away from her everyday life, far away from her disastrous ex-boyfriend David and those who look down their noses at the sexy Regency romances she loves to read. Her escape comes in the form of a Jane Austen Conference hosted by Dame Pamela. Invited as a guest speaker, Katherine cannot wait to escape into the world of Jane Austen. Although things do not quite go as planned when a suitcase assaults her.

Lawton Warwick never imagined that his first encounter with Katherine Roberts would involve running over her foot with a suitcase, yet that is indeed what happened. So much for first impressions. Now he is trying desperately to make amends and succeeding. Yet he is harboring a secret that could destroy everything he has work to gain.

Robyn Love is hopeless romantic, but then again, what would you expect from someone with a name such as hers? Obsessed with Jane Austen, she cannot wait to see what this weekend holds, and she was hoping for a bit of space from her boyfriend, Jace. Although things do not go as planned, instead of breaking up with him, he ends up accompanying her to the conference. While Jace has promised to stay at the B&B, he ends up becoming bored and--um, shall I call it ‘visiting’ Robyn at Purley Hall. Making a nuisance of himself and embarrassing Robyn tremendously.

Then we have Dan, the man who tends to the stables at Purley Hall and has captured Robyn’s attention. Now Robyn finds herself drawn to him, while still in a relationship with Jace.

So, what are they to do?

My review:

By far the best book I have read this year. This is the book all Janites should own. Comprised of eventful love stories, unbelievable twists, and numerous bits of Jane Austen facts, A Weekend With Mr. Darcy, is breezy novel that you will simply devour.

The characters are charming as well as relatable and the plot is fantastic, offering two stories, Katherine’s and Robyn’s, in one book. Once you have read this book you will want to tell others about it.

I cannot wait to read what comes next in this new series!


Visit Angela Renee @ Renee's Reads

Pillow Talk by Freya North review/giveaway

This week on Royal Reviews it’s Reviews Choice, so stop by and see what caught our Reviewers fancy. Who knows, maybe you will find your next addition to your TBR pile!



Title: Pillow Talk
Author: Freya North
ISBN: 978-1-4022-5446-8
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Release Date: July 2011
Format: Trade Paperback
$14.99 US
Pages: 464
How I read it: Mass Market Paperback Arc from the Publishers
Rating: 5 Crowns A ROYAL READ

By day Petra Flint is a talented jeweler working in a lively London studio. By night, she’s a sleepwalker trouble by a past she can’t put to bed and a present that leaves her clinging to an unsuitable boyfriend.

Arlo Savidge was once a budding heartthrob musician. Then tragedy struck and he chose to forsake stardom and all future affairs of the heart for a quite life in the countryside as a music teacher.

Peter and Arlo haven’t seen each other since they were teenagers--when their feelings ran deep but the timing wasn’t right. Now, seventeen years later, they run into each other once more. Might first love get a second chance--or will what keeps them up at night keep them apart forever?
(from the back of the arc)


My Thoughts:

A young love that was never approached now gets a second chance in Freya North’s new novel, PILLOW TALK. I loved the concept of this book; it is one of those topics most of us can relate to. Almost everyone has that one person who they let slip away, the one your thoughts randomly drift to. Although very few have that person walk back into their lives. In PILLOW TALK that is exactly what happens, although they now have to contend with what happened in those seventeen years that they were apart.

The Characters:

Petra Flint- I liked Petra from the start. She comes across as a likable character, and one that you want to know more about. She was also a relatable character, although that could be for the fact that I too am a sleepwalker. Nothing as horrid as Petra’s sleeping walking fiascos mind you, but I do some odd things indeed.

She seems to be trapped in a troubled relationship with Robe. While he may be a big shot businessman, the only word I find suitable to describe Rob would have to be tosser. He made my skin crawl and I desperately wanted Petra to kick him to the curb. Thankfully, her eyes are opened early on. In the midst of Petra and Rob’s relationship problems, she hears a song on the radio that makes her heart flutter. While the voice is not that of Arlo, the song was his and the memories come flooding back of a teenage Arlo singing just to her. After an encounter with Rob, Petra borrows a friend’s cottage in Yorkshire. It never crossed her mind that she would encounter Arlo.
.

Arlo Savidge- Arlo seems to be living the life of a monk, paying penance for something that happened in his past. Having set aside his music, he now teaches at Roseberry Hall, a private school nestled in Yorkshire moors. While he seems content in the countryside, he seems to just be existing rather than living. And it seems he too is thinking about that young girl he sang to all those years ago. Yet he is troubled, and that has led him to become an insomniac.


Both Petra and Arlo have an air of silent misery about them and it seems that fate is desperately trying to put the two in the same path. And I have to say thank goodness for that chocolate bunny. Maybe Cupid was masquerading as the Easter Bunny giving the two a bit of a nudge. Unfortunately, their road to happiness is a bit bumpy and it will take a bit of navigation to guide them safely to the other side.


I also liked Mrs. McNeil, when Petra’s home life became unstable, she was there as a sort of a mother/grandmother figure when she needed her the most.

The Plot:

The plot was brilliant. Well paced and well developed, I loved the way they used flashback scenes to round out the story. The only problem I had with the novel was that I wanted more. I want to know what happens after that last chapter, then again, that is what a good book does, and it draws you and makes you crave more.

Overall: While this book is deemed chick lit, it’s not all bunnies and bows. It has depth and meaning laced with light and laughter. A truly enjoyable read that will leave you thinking about the characters long after the last word has been read.

GIVEAWAY!

As my book club selected “PILLOW TALK” as its book for August, I picked up and extra copy for a Royal Giveaway.

To enter please leave your name and a valid email address.
Contest ends August 16, 2011






Visit Angela Renne @ Renee's Reads

The Blood Confession by Alisa M. Libby

All Things Weird & Wonderful Saturday!


Each Saturday Royal Reviews will be posting a review about a book that is both Weird & Wonderful. A book that has that extra special quality that makes you want to tell random people about its Weird and Wonderful ways. So please join us as we take a look at All Things Weird & Wonderful!

This weeks Weird & Wonderful book is Blood Confession by Alisa M. Libby

Title: The Blood Confession
Author: Alisa M. Libby
ISBN: 9780525477327
Publisher: Dutton Books
Format: Hardback
$18.99
How I read it: Hardback from the author:
Rating: 4.5 Crowns

Erzebet Bizecka lives in a remote castle in the Carpathian mountains, the only child of the Count and Countess Bizecka. Born under the omen of a falling star, Erzebet is a child of prophecy: the predictions of a scryer tell of a child whose days will end quickly, or whose days will have no end. As a teenager, Erzebet strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young village girl, Marianna, but even her dearest friend can not understand her overwhelming fears of growing older and losing her beauty. The only one who does understand her is Sinestra, the beautiful, mysterious stranger who visits Erzebet and assures her that there are ways to determine her own destiny. With the Biblical passage “The life of the flesh is in the blood” he successfully lures her into a dark world of blood rituals in order to preserve her youth and beauty for eternity. But will the blood treatments—exacted from willing servant girls—be enough to keep her safe forever? How far will Erzebet be willing to go to sever her life from the predestined path God has chosen for her?
(from the author’s website)

Read an excerpt from The Blood Confession. My Review:

Taking place in 16th century Hungary, The Blood Confession tells the story of a young noblewoman, Erzebet Bizecka. She has everything that a young woman could want. Although the one thing she cannot change is the fact that she is was born under a falling star, an omen that will haunt her until the day she dies. Not to mention that she has mother who is certifiable and father who would rather chase the chambermaids than pay attention to his wife or daughter.

Feeling alone she makes friends with a local village girl, Marianna. This is where is madness begins, we see that Erzebet is jealous of the beauty Marianna possess and begins to look for spells to maintain her own. Prompted by Sinestra, after the death of her father, Erzebet makes a startling realization that blood is the key to staying young. Thus she embarks upon a bloody quest to achieve eternal youth which involves draining her pretty young servants dry of their lifeblood.

Although things begin to go awry when the local villagers discovers that their daughters are never seen again once placed in the care of the Countess.

My thoughts:

I have had this book for a while sitting in my tbr pile. The author had sent it to me after reviewing The King’s Rose and I was waiting for the right mood to strike to read it. Then my Mother came over talking about the most fabulous book she just read. When I asked her what is was, she pulled The Blood Confessions out of her handbag. So, immediately I was intrigued and had to read the book.

The Blood Confession is a fictional account inspired by the Countess Bathory, who bathed in the blood of her young servants believing that would allow her to stay young. While I knew that this book was inspired by actual events, I had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that someone was actually deranged enough to commit the acts that she committed.

For some this book may be a bit disturbing, although it is a YA read, so I would caution readers that the content is a bit graphic in some parts. With that being said, I enjoyed reading this book, it was highly intriguing to see the catalyst that drove her to murder. The plot was fast paced which allows the reader to continuously turn the page.

I will say one thing, I would definitely not want to go to her castle for tea.


Visit Angela @ Renee's Reads

Forever By Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Forever
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
ISBN: 0545259088
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication date: July 12, 2011
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Paranormal
Pages: 386
Rating: 4.5 Crowns


Synopsis:

then.

When Sam met Grace, he was a wolf and she was a girl. Eventually he found a way to become a boy, and their love moved from a curious distance to the intense closeness of shared lives.

now.

That should have been the end of their story. But Grace was not meant to stay human. Now she is the wolf. And the wolves of Mercy Falls are about to be killed in one final, spectacular hunt.

forever.

Sam would do anything for Grace. But can one boy and one love really change a hostile, predatory world? The past, the present, and the future are about to collide in one pure moment - a moment of death or life, farewell or forever.


My Thoughts:

Absolutely mesmerizing! Stiefvater’s operatic final installment in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, Forever, is utterly alluring.

Forever is a richly penned multi-layered tale brimming with pulse-pounding action, a heart wrenching narrative and not one but two breathtaking love stories. Sam & Grace are without a doubt one of literary history’s most enchanting couples, yet it is Stiefvater’s spellbinding Cole and Isabel who sparkle & shine like sea glass.

Cole is absolutely mesmerizing. Forever is Cole’s book – he owns it and rockets off the page with such electricity, your fingertips are left blistering with singe marks. Cole stealthily pilfers the spotlight from all of Stiefvater’s well fleshed players and subtly steals your breath… leaving you clamoring for more… Cole that is. Stiefvater would be remiss if she didn’t capture the mesmerizing Cole in a spin-off series… if a lengthy run is not in the cards for Stiefvater, a trilogy would extinguish some of the blaze this lilting character has created.

Stiefvater has infused Forever with intriguing twists that are brilliantly woven into the captivating lupine sphere of Mercy Falls. The characters are engaging, powerful and each mellifluous voice is heard without losing sight of a single peerless note. It is apparent the ingenious Stiefvater does the footwork when it comes to research because every scene, fact, sentence, nuance and word is luminously strung together rhythmically.

Sadly, Stiefvater’s unparalleled third volume marks the end of an era.

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Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV by Karleen Koen review & giveaway

Title: Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV
Author: Karleen Koen
ISBN: 978-0-307-71657-6
Publisher: Crown
Format: Hardback
Pages: 400
$26.00/$31.00
How I Read It? Trade Paperback ARC from TLC Tours
Rating: 5 Crowns A ROYAL READ

Louis XIV is perhaps one of the best known and most glamorous monarch ever to grace the French throne. But what was he like as a young man--the man before Versailles? Bestselling author Karleen Koen takes us back to a place and time where the decisive king was just beginning to establish the strength and wealth of his kingdom--despite the many forces pushing against him.

After the death of his prime minister, Cardinal Mazarin, twenty-two-year-old Louis steps into governing France. He’s still a young man, but one who as king, willfully takes everything he can get--including his brother’s wife. While the love affair between Louis and Princess Henrietta burns, his brother’s jealousy coupled with his mother’s rage at Louis’s lack of self-control, sets the kingdom on the road toward unmistakable scandal. Every woman wants him. He must face what he is willing to sacrifice for love.

But there are other problems lurking outside the chateau of Fontainebleau: a boy in an iron mask has been seen in the woods, and the king’s finance minister, Nicolas Fouquet, has proven more powerful than Louis ever thought--a man who make a great ally or become a dangerous foe…
(from the arc)

My Thoughts:

Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV offers the readers a four-month glimpse into the life of the young king who would become forever known as The Sun King.



The prologue states:

Intelligent, virile, handsome, a man who made himself master of all her surveyed, Louis XIV was the foremost figure of his age. He was its prize, its comet, its star. His drive, cunning, and absolute determination to forge France into the premier kingdom of it’s time awed and frightened fellow kings. None of them could match him…

From birth, war was his backdrop, and the nobility surrounding him as he grew to manhood was as proud as Lucifer himself and as trustworthy. The ambitions of others were always faintly in the distance, or up close, naked, fangs gleaming. Louis possessed a consummate skill in turning those ambitions to his own advantage, and before he was thirty, he had become the hard, graceful, prowling lion of all of Europe.

There was a moment in his young life when he deliberately chose to grasp power. It was a moment when tenderness was still his--before time and pride closed him--a moment when his heart, like many a man’s, yearned for something true. It happened in his forest palace of Fontainebleau. Perhaps it went something like this…This excerpt was taken from the arc)

After reading the prologue, I was hooked. The powerful, graceful writing continues throughout the novel offering the reader a beautiful story of a young Louis XIV. Love, lust, desire, passion, politics, mystery, and intrigue are brought to life in a setting like no other, and each element allows the reader to be drawn into to the French court.


This novel shows the beginning of the young man who became known as one of the greatest kings in Europe. It shows the young man who, after the death of his prime minister, Cardinal Mazarin, began to seek out the limits of his title, only to find that he had none, which led to the absolute power he ultimately held.

The characters were brilliant, I found that they stayed with me after finishing and I found myself thinking of them every now and then. I believe that was attributed the fact that Karleen Koen’s characters were well rounded and well portrayed. The plot was also a gem, and while she did rely on the facts history provided, she added a freshness to the story.

Overall, this is one of my favorite books featuring Louis XIV and hope that a sequel follows.

Would I read it again: Most Definitely!

Who would I recommend this book to? Lovers of historical fictions. Readers of Louis XIV. I would also recommend this book to those who follow the reign of Charles II.

I have one copy of Before Versailles to giveaway.
US/Canada residents only.
To enter please leave your name and a valid email address.
Giveaway ends: July 31



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Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
ISBN:9780062024022
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: May 3, 2011
Genre: YA dystopian fiction
Pages: 487
Rating: 4.5 Crowns




Synopsis:

Sixteen year old Beatrice Prior is about to make the biggest decision of her life so far-which faction she will belong to. In futuristic Chicago, the city is divided into five factions that value a single virtue: Abnegation (selflessness), Erudite (knowledge), Candor (truth), Amity (peace), and Dauntless (courage). The factions were created in an attempt to prevent future wars. A test determines the factions that the initiates can choose from. Beatrice's family belongs to the Abnegation faction and her dad is one of its leaders. It should be easy for her to make her choice but it isn't. She has never felt selfless enough to belong there but if she doesn't pick Abnegation, she'll have to leave her family for good. Her choice is only the beginning-there is a difficult initiation to get through and those that don't make it into the top ten will be Factionless, cut apart from society. The day of her test brings complications that could prove dangerous for Tris. On top of that, there is animosity building between some of the factions and war may be on the horizon.

My thoughts:

What makes Divergent stand out from the crowd of YA dystopian fiction is the conflicted heroine Tris. Veronica Roth could have easily made her a super strong character like Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games but instead Tris is not very strong physically and quite realistically unsure of herself and the decision she makes. She is torn between what is expected of her as Abegnation and the kind of person she is on the inside. Tris has a lot to learn about the world she lives in and what she is capable of. I think Tris's weaknesses and struggles make her a more relatable character.

Tris's Chicago is divided into factions because it is supposed to be better for society, a way to eliminate what causes people to harm each other. The system has been in place for years and people thought it worked but Tris can see the cracks in the infrastructure. This is the kind of dystopian world seen in The Giver or Matched-people have accepted a certain way of life and its rules and regulations because they buy into the belief that it is what is best for them. The factions were created with a noble intent but greed, corruption, and complacency have caused people to lose sight of the original aims. Dauntless used to be about bravery and protecting people but now it has become a faction of cruelty. Erudite's search for knowledge and desire for intelligence has been turned into a hunger for power. Even Abnegation which is supposed to be all about selflessness and helping others has become a Puritanical group which controls its members with guilt. 

There are deeper themes that are explored in the novel but Divergent is also filled with action and violence. There is a bit of romance as well between Tris and her mentor Four but I was glad it didn't overshadow the plot and there was no love triangle. For all its many positive attributes, I had some minor issues with the book. I didn't quite buy the reasoning behind why people went along with dividing into factions or believed that members of Candor wouldn't lie for example (they can lie just like members of Abnegation can be selfish). It just seems really naive of that society. I had some questions that went unanswered and I think the back story of why the factions exist could have been more developed but perhaps that will come in the sequel, Insurgent. Overall I thought Divergent was a well written page turner that would please fans of The Hunger Games trilogy and Delirium by Lauren Oliver. It is certainly my favorite book of 2011 so far.

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Settling Giveaway

GIVEAWAY:

Shelley has very kindly offered a signed copy of Settling for giveaway. We'd like to thank Shelley once again for participating on Royals this week!

To enter:

Please leave your name and a valid email address. Winner will be generated via random.org and contacted via email.
Giveaway is open Internationally.
Giveaway closes July 23.

Shelley is also having another giveaway throughout the month of July, so please check it out for a chance to win Solid as well!

Shelley Workinger Guest Post & Review

Shelley Workinger is the fabulous author of the YA series Solid, who grew up in Maine and has had the fortune of living in other areas around the country, including New Orleans and New Jersey. One of my favorite things about Shelley is that she uses her locations in her books, which gives them a very real feel to the reader, especially when I haven't been to any of the places in the books!

In addition to providing me with ARCs for the first two books in her series, Solid and Settling, she was up for providing me with a very interesting list of some of her favorite music. Music plays a serious part in Settling, making this a coincidentally appropriate post - I requested the list out of curiosity before I received my copy of the book and read it!

A big thanks to Shelley for participating on Royal Reviews like this! And for anyone who is interested in following her work, please visit the Facebook page for the series :)

Without further delay, take it away Shelley:

I think songwriters are the most under-appreciated artists; they tell a story you can sing, speaking to an audience on multiple levels and making it feel effortless. I recently heard John Rich – whose songs, I’m embarrassed to say, I didn’t know before he went on Celebrity Apprentice, but I will now be queuing up – talking about the difficulty of expressing a huge idea in just a few words. I don’t think it’s until you actually attempt it yourself that you see how gifted are the writers who’ve perfected it. Darius Rucker whittles down the evolution of a father’s love for his daughter over a lifetime to just a couple dozen lines and, in 2 minutes, makes me cry as hard as Steel Magnolias did. Conversely, I had 50,000 words to tell my “Solid” story, and I couldn’t wrap it up; I can barely keep it at 3 books, and it only covers 1 summer!

Obviously, I love and appreciate music…which is why I instantly regretted offering to do a Top 10 Song list. It is truly an impossible task. I eventually managed to narrow it down by choosing based solely on lyrics, but it still took me longer to do than any other post on this tour. So much so that I had to tack on a music-based Top 10 to illustrate my point about how vital lyrics can be. (You’ll see how very different the two lists are.)

Looking at my lyrics list, you may see a large number of bye-now-and-I-hope-the-door-does-hit-you-good-and-hard-on-the-way-out songs and think that means I must be bitter over a bad breakup. While that couldn’t be further from the truth (I’ve been happily married for almost 9 years), I can clearly remember the pain/hurt/anger of one, and I never could’ve polished those raw emotions into tender songs! Here, the real stand-out of those anthems is “The Letter,” which caused me to do a double-take and stop mid-manic final draft of “Settling” to play it again. And again. Henry O’Neill is a Carnegie Mellon-trained singer and musician and his song opens with some beautiful piano work…then takes an entirely different direction that I never saw coming. To say more would be a spoiler alert – who knew there could be such a thing in a song? – but my hat goes off to him for it, and to all of these other brilliant writers who make me laugh, cry, and sing along at the top of my lungs.

TOP 10 SONGS (By Lyrics)

“Ticks” – Brad Paisley

“Belief” – Gavin DeGraw

“Stuck With Me” – Joe Cameron

“Broken Road” – Rascal Flatts

“Love of My Life” – Cowboy Mouth

“Mean” – Taylor Swift

“Take A Bow” – Rihanna

“Lizzie and the Rainman” – Tanya Tucker

“It Won’t Be Like This For Long” – Darius Rucker

“The Letter” – Henry O’Neill *

*This is an adult song – do not play in front of children

TOP 10 SONGS (By Music)

“Water’s Edge” – Seven Mary Three

“I Alone” – Live

“Better Man” – Pearl Jam

“Ants Marching” – Dave Matthews Band

“Never Think” – Robert Pattinson

“City of New Orleans” – Arlo Guthrie

“Fins” – Jimmy Buffett

“They All Ask For You” – The Meters

“The Second Line” ** “The Star Spangled Banner” **

**Bottom 2 by any performer

*****

As a music reviewer myself, I can echo Shelley's comment about top ten lists being a lot harder than you think. I dare you to try one yourself!

Title: Settling

Author: Shelley Workinger

Publisher: CreateSpace

ISBN: 9781460981726

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 242

Rating: 4 Crowns

Synopsis: At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren’t ordinary kids…

Soon after learning they were the products of a secret genetic experiment, the teens began developing super-abilities ranging from bounding lightness to blocking heaviness; blinding brilliance and the ability to vanish. These same gifts made them targets of a psychopath in officer’s clothing, and they found themselves fighting for their lives.

Picking up where “Solid” left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill.

Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them…

My Review: What a fabulous follow up to Solid! This novel picks up pretty much where Solid left off, which is great since these kids have had a whirlwind of a month and you almost *need* to see them right away. It's like a reunion with some old friends! After the end of the last book, the kids opt to stay on campus and continue learning more about their abilities and each other, but they quickly learn things aren't as safe as they would have thought...

This is a fast paced, interesting read that does a great job of furthering the story, yet leaving you with more questions that will likely be answered in the third installment, due out next year. And just like the last book, I wish there could have been more pages because I was so wrapped up in the story, I just didn't want it to end. I'm sure you'll feel the same!

After spending this time with Clio and her friends, I do wish these were actual kids I could know and work with. Wouldn't it be cool to be a councelor or something for a group of kids with rare abilities? Plus, I'd have a fabulous time talking music with all of them, I have a feeling Jack could put me onto a few bands I'd love and just haven't heard of yet.

Since Settling builds on the foundation set in Solid, I'd definitely say you should read the series in order, but I highly recommend picking it up as soon as you can, because you're going to really love this one!

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Lagan Love by Peter Murphy

Title: Lagan Love
Author: Peter Murphy
ISBN: 978-1-193655812-4
Publisher: Fiction Studio Books
$16.95
Format: Trade Paper back
Rating: 4 Crowns


If you know something about passion, and desire, and giving everything to live your dreams then leave your world behind for a while. Come with Janice to Dublin, in the mid nineteen-eighties when a better future beckoned and the past was restless, whispering in the shadows for the Old Ways.

Janice has grown tired of her sheltered existence in Toronto and when Aidan leads her through the veils of the Celtic Twilight, she doesn’t hesitate. In their love, Aidan, Dublin’s rising poet, sees a chance for redemption and Janice sees a chance for recognition.

Sinead tells her that it is all nonsense as she keeps her head down and her eyes fixed on her own prize – a place in Ireland’s prospering future. She used to go out with Aidan, before he met Janice, so there is little she can say. And besides, she has enough to do as her parents are torn apart by the rumours of church scandals.

But after a few nights in Grogan’s, where Dublin’s bohemians gather, or a day in Clonmacnoise among the ruins of Celtic Crosses, it won’t matter as the ghosts of Aidan’s mythologies take form and prey on the friends until everything is at risk. Lagan Love is a sensuous story of Love, Lust and Loss that will bring into question the cost we pay for our dreams.
(from Goodreads)


My Thoughts:

Peter Murphy spins a story of Irish lore and love in his debut novel, Lagan Love. Taking you into the heart of Ireland and into the mythos associated with the region as well as an unstable political climate Lagan Love makes for an interesting read.

While the characters were brilliant to read, the plot could be viewed as a slow start by some. And while the plot never gains a steady pace, it is the characters and lore that is the heartbeat of the novel. I have to say that I love novels set against tumultuous backdrops, and while it is not necessary to have extensive knowledge of the political climate of Ireland during the 1900’s, although if you want the novel to take hold I do recommend you know a bit of the history of Ireland.

On a side-note: “Lagan Love” was inspired by the 15th Century traditional Irish song that was found in Donegal, Ireland called, “My Lagan Love”. When the song was wrote it was done so during a time when it was forbidden to write or speak openly about their love for their country. Thus, “My Lagan Love” is a poetic song to a beloved woman, although truly it is their love from Ireland. It was believed to be translated from the original Gaelic by Joseph Campbell.

The Lagan is a rive that runs through Belfast.

Defiant by Kris Kennedy

Title: Defiant 
Author: Kris Kennedy
ISBN: 9781439195901
Publisher: Pocket Books
Release Date: April 26th
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 384
How I read it: Mass Market Paperback Arc from the Publisher
Rating: 4.5 Crowns







Synopsis: 

"A rogue knight and an enchanting renegade join forces to right old wrongs in award-winning author Kris Kennedy’s sizzling new medieval romance.A warrior with questionable intentions . . .Jamie Lost is the king’s most renowned commander, a fearless lieutenant ordered to kidnap an exiled priest before rebel forces close in. The mission is simple—until he meets a mysterious thief who will steal his quarry and then his heart.

A lady of remarkable courage . . .Beautiful Eva is also seeking Father Peter, but she intends to protect him from a secret that could cost him his life. She senses that she, too, should fear Jamie—not just for his wickedly sharp sword and dangerously muscular body, but for the powerful longing he ignites within her.
A secret that could overthrow the king.When a band of mercenaries abducts the priest, Jamie and Eva must form a volatile alliance. As civil war unfolds around them, they embark on an epic journey that betrays the truth about their hidden identities, their unexpected loyalties, and the simmering attraction that could seal their fates forever."

My Review:

Set during the turbulent time when King John reigned over England, Kris Kennedy brings us a novel full of political intrigue, scandal and treasonous acts in her latest novel, Defiant.

The novel opens with our two main characters, Eve and Jamie, set in a battle of wills and quick wit, letting the reader know that they are in for one cleaver and fast paced romp through medieval England. Despite their instant conflict with one another, they soon learn that they both share a common mission: to take custody of a priest named Peter... but their motives could not be further apart. Caught in a game of cat and mouse, these two operatives are taken by surprise when their quarry goes missing. Thrown together by fate and repelled by opposite passions, can these two hot heads learn to put their differences behind them and work together in order to save England from utter chaos?

It is not often I read a full-fledged historical romance novel, but I can definitely say it is one like this that will bring me back to the genre once again! I loved how high the tension was throughout the novel, which allowed for the pace of the book to be quick and compelling. The romantic aspect was also well done. While it was not all romance all the time, the emotions built at a steady rate, taunting and teasing until the climactic moment unfolded. If you are looking for an entertaining read that will have you engaged until the very end, Defiant is the one fore you.

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Just One Season in London by Leigh Michaels

Title: Just One Season in London
Author: Leigh Michaels
ISBN: 978-1-4022-4420-9
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: July 2011
Format: Mass Market Paperback
$7.99
Pages: 384
How I read it: Mass Market Paperback Arc from the Publishers
Rating: 4.5 Crowns


HE WOULD SACRIFICE HIS OWN HAPPINESS IN A HEARTBEAT…

Viscount Ryecroft’s lovely sister Sophie is the family’s only hope for climbing out of financial ruin--but Rye has to scrape up the funds to take her to London for the Season, so she can capture a wealthy husband and save them all…

IF ONLY THEY WOULD LET HIM…

Their mother, Lady Miranda, will do anything for the sake of her children--even taking up again with a man she knew and loved long ago…

With so much riding on their one and only Season in London, Rye, Sophie, and Miranda can’t help but get hopelessly entangled with all the wrong people…
(from the back of the arc)

My Thoughts:

In JUST ONE SEASON IN LONDON, we meet the Ryecroft family. The family is comprised of a mother, Miranda, a son Rye, and a daughter Sophie. After the death of their father, the three are left financially ruined and it one of them takes it upon themselves to marry wealthy or in Miranda’s case, rekindle an old flame. They only problem in their plans is that they need to accumulate the funds to stay in London for Just one Season. When Rye receives an invitation from Lady Stone, it is an offer that he cannot refuse.

The Characters:

I also enjoyed the characters; they were three-dimensional and highly likable. They made you wish to see them succeed. Each one of them is determined to succeed for the other, and you get a true sense of family loyalty.

The Plot:

Well paced and well composed the story breezed by weaving a light tale filled with depth. I found myself constantly turning the page eager to see what happened next.

Overall: This was an outstanding novel that pulled me in and did not release me until the last page.

Would I read it again? Definitely!

*I do have to say that this is the second novel in Leigh Michaels’ Regency Romance trilogy and while it does stand on its own, I highly recommend that you read THE MISTRESS’ HOUSE first.


GIVEAWAY:

I purchased copies of JUST ONE SEASON IN LONDON & THE MISTRESS’ HOUSE for my book club and I also picked up and extra set for a giveaway.

To enter please leave your name and a valid email address.
Giveaway is open Internationally.
Giveaway closes July 30



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What A Goddess Wants by Stephanie Julian

All Things Weird & Wonderful Saturday!


Each Saturday Royal Reviews will be posting a review about a book that is both Weird & Wonderful. A book that has that extra special quality that makes you want to tell random people about its Weird and Wonderful ways. So please join us as we take a look at All Things Weird & Wonderful!

This weeks Weird & Wonderful book is WHAT A GODDESS WANTS by Stephanie Julian


Title: What A Goddess Wants
Author: Stephanie Julian
ISBN: 978-1-4022-5147-4
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Format: Trade Paperback
$14.99
How I Read it: Trade Paperback ARC from Publishers
Release Date: July 2011
Rating:



IN HIS ARMS, HER MAGIC POWERS ARE ON THE RISE…

Tessa, Etruscan Goddess of the Dawn, is losing her powers, and now there’s a mean Underworld god determined to run her down. She needs a hero and fast, because only sexual energy can give her power. So she seeks out Caligo, whose sexual prowess is legendary…

AND SHE’S THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN BRING HIM INTO THE LIGHT…

Caligo is a fabled Cimmerian warrior determined to stay away spoiled goddesses who trample hearts after they’ve had their fun. But there’s something irresistibly hot and inviting about Tessa, and he knows he’s her only chance to escape the encroaching darkness…


My Thoughts:

WHAT A GODDESS WANTS is the first book in Stephanie Julian’s Forgotten Goddesses series and I have to say she has started off with a bang.

In WHAT A GODDESS WANTS, we meet the Etruscan Goddess of Dawn, Tessa. She was once a rather notorious goddess, but now finds that her notoriety and her powers have slipped ever since she was replaced by Aurora. Not only does she have limited powers, she is being hunted by Charun, god of the Underworld. With her life at risk, her friend Sal, sends her to find Caligo, a fabled Cimmerian warrior.

Although Caligo, or Cal as he is referred to, may be a noted warrior, he has also learned the results of dabbling with goddesses thanks to Venus. After his last mishap he vows to stay away from greedy goddesses who only want a bit of fun and quick goodbye. Yet, all that is about to change when he discovers a woman asleep in his home.

After a passionate and a bit of a rescue, Cal decides that he wants the warmth only Tessa can offer even if that means dying to get it.

I have to say that is book was a quick read, I read it in about an hour. Fast paced, and highly intriguing the pages seem to fly by before and before you know it your half way through the book. This was the first paranormal book that I have read pertaining to gods/goddesses and the like, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I must say that Stephanie Julian has created a brilliant world that the reader gets lost in.

I do have to say that this is a very, very steamy read, I am a bit surprised that the pages were not scorched. This is for mature readers only.








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