5.5 Review of Lion Heart by AC Gaughen

  

The Scarlet Series:  Scarlet, Lady Thief & Lion Heart
by AC Gaughen

I loved Scarlet and gave it 4.5 Stars.  I have looked, but I can't find that I reviewed Lady Thief, but I'm not surprised. The story was cut off in a horrible place and I was left sort of mid-gasp, unable to release thoughts to write a review. Even though I ought to have as a "thank you" for the author's visit to Colorimetry. Yeah... AC Gaughen's awesome.

My intro to the legend of Robin Hood was one of those old, old books in the library my dad got me when I was 10 and we lived in London. It's called Robin Hood and His Merrie Men, a Regency Classic printed by The Thames Publishing Co. There is no author listed or date of publishing. I assumed it was "the" story, like the actual history of Robin Hood.  Lol.  I enjoyed Disney's version when it came out since it had the same flavor of facing injustice with humor and getting rewarded for it.

But I much prefer AC Gaughen's version and it is now "the real story" in my world. I prefer grit and real danger, now, not to mention a great romance that grows up and around the story.

The romance in this series requires all three books to happen. In Scarlet there's the awakening, a realization and recognition. The characters are so real and full of chasms of flaws that the romance and the story both might never happen if left to their own devices.  My review of Scarlet is here on Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/240650184

In Lady Thief, the romance gets complicated and then impossible and then... the impossibility is removed leaving the romance hanging, like a minor note that lingers in the air long after the song stops. The action is so intense that the romance has to step back, but that was where I was looking at the end of the book, for Rob.  There are so many stories that throw caution and standards to the wind in order to live in the moment.  Scar and Rob don't throw anything anywhere. They stick to their decisions like they're cutting off their own limbs to accomplish it. I felt frustrated and cheated and at the same time, honorable. Stubborn. Too, too risky.

I got an early review copy of Lion Heart and now I'm a puddle of melted forever-fan.  I was a fan before, obviously, I just wasn't sure where Gaughen was going to take us especially after Lady Thief and I have my sanity to think of, you know. I don't just read books, I climb inside them and live them. And... potentially die in them and it's hard to live through that.

I do most of my reading on public transit these days and I lost track of where we were more than a few times, I was so sucked into Scar's life. I had to wipe away tears more than a few times, too. (Public be darned.) I had to get used to the language that Scar talks in and then pull out of it again after I was immersed. I had to read quickly... I had to know if everyone survived this realistic version and I just wasn't sure if they would at any point of the story. (I recommend one sitting if you can clear your schedule for it.)

And I'm not telling whether they do or don't.  Live.

I will say, though, that I felt justified and satisfied and I love Scar and Rob, even if (because) they do get picked on a LOT and can't miraculously get out of trouble like the cartoon or kids' history version I read when I was 10 years old.  In fact, this is so much more realistic and I believe in Scar or people like her (just as AC Gaugen says in the afterward/acknowledgment, which I read all of) and I love being her.

I'll definitely get this entire series for my library.  The final book brings the entire series up to 5.5 Stars, instant re-read, for me. It pulls everything together. Perfectly. Nail-bitingly. Must-read-it-again-ily.

4.5 Stars for Victoria Alexander's What Happens at Christmas

What Happens at Christmas
by Victoria Alexander
Hardcover, 396 pages
Published November 2012 by Kensington
I found this bit o' treasure on BookBub for a great deal last December.  The cover is very innocent-looking compared to the rest of this adult romance series. My excuse for diving into the ENTIRE SERIES is this innocent cover, so look good and hard at the snow-globe setting and accept my innocence.  If you follow my blog, you know I don't "do" adult romance. My love scenes take place in my own bedroom with my own hero and I'm pretty stubborn about that.

I did read another book by Victoria Alexander, which I may review, and it was more of what I consider a "standard adult romance" with lots of innuendo and scenes and stuff. This series is unique, I like to tell myself, because the adult scene is (pretty much) contained to one chapter. There's adult situations, etc, don't misunderstand my meaning, but as an adult (who is married and "grown up" to some extent) who primarily reads Young Adult because of content level (not because I want to read about high school, no), but prefers "clean" romance, I have ADORED this entire series.

What Happens At Christmas introduces a hilarious family connected to Millworth Manor. Camille is the main character. She is a twin sister to a proper lady who is known for being scandalous in proper 1800's England. Her sister probably has a story somewhere... she's too detailed NOT to have a story, but I'm not sure I'm grown up enough to read it.

Camille is a widow, so we can toss the idea of "first time" out the window, which helped my sensibilities, anyway. She is known for getting into awkward situations from schemes gone awry. I did not at first like her character much, to be honest. Her morals are a bit upside down.

The hilariousness of this story happens when she decides it would be nice to marry a prince and snag him with a "perfect" English Christmas. Her family is far from perfect, so she hires actors to portray everyone. The concept sucked me in. The writing style had me laughing out loud. I was sold on the series, however, when NOTHING WORKED OUT.

The prince is not as romantic as he first appeared. An old friend drops in out of nowhere unexpectedly and turns every emotion upside down (yay, Grayson!) Actors get confused and "perfect" is left far behind... and then real family members drop in.  The more I read, the more I loved everyone, including Camille. Her family is outrageously fun and all proper behavior is abandoned to a mere, brittle shell of what it's supposed to be.

I loved it.

I'm giving this book 4.5 stars to leave room for others in the series I loved even more. If I could have warned myself I would have said, "when you reach the chapter where the clothes come off, just skip to the end of it and you'll have a clean read without missing too much story line."  The adult romance is quite explicit as would be expected from a bestselling romance author.

The high rating also takes into account how the characters remain through-out the series. Camille & Grayson are not my favorites, but I love that I know them.  I love that I met them first.

After the Fog by Kathleen Shoop - #BookReview #BeckValleyBooks

A Nurse’s Obligation
A Town’s Demise
A Mother’s Regret
A Son’s Calling
A Daughter’s Mistake
A Time to Forgive

For every woman who thinks she left her past behind…Historic, environmental drama wrapped in a love story...

It's 1948 in the steel town of Donora, Pennsylvania, site of the infamous “killing smog.” Public health nurse, Rose Pavlesic, has risen above her orphaned upbringing and created a life that reflects everything she missed as a child. She’s even managed to keep her painful secrets hidden from her doting husband, loving children, and large extended family.

When a stagnant weather pattern traps poisonous mill gasses in the valley, neighbors grow sicker and Rose’s nursing obligations thrust her into conflict she never could have fathomed. Consequences from her past collide with her present life, making her once clear decisions as gray as the suffocating smog. As pressure mounts, Rose finds she’s not the only one harboring lies. When the deadly fog finally clears, the loss of trust and faith leaves the Pavlesic family—and the whole town—splintered and shocked. With her new perspective, can Rose finally forgive herself and let her family’s healing begin?

***2013 Eric Hoffer Award Finalist*** 

***Independent Publisher Awards: 2012 Silver, Best Regional Fiction–Mid-Atlantic*** 

***National Indie Excellence Awards: 2012 WINNER-- Literary Fiction***

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“Shoop masterfully details familial struggles, secrets, and consequences that keep the reader riveted til the end.” - Melissa Foster

 “A great and satisfying read. Rose’s triumph over adversity touched me deeply. Ms. Shoop truly knows how to tug the heartstrings. S. K. McClafferty, author of The Ghost and Devlin Muir.” - S. K. McClafferty, author of The Ghost and Devlin Muir

 “This is a well-written story set authentically in a historic place and time, around an intricate plot which includes most of the elements that provide for a good “soap opera,” or a book that would be accepted by Oprah Winfrey.” -Historical Novel Society

Guest Book Review by Afrikan Girl Answers

After the Fog is a story with a very strong female Lead character.It's set in 1948, in the steel town of Donora, Pennsylvania, site of the infamous “killing smog.” 

Public health nurse, Rose Pavlesic, has risen above her orphaned upbringing and created a life that reflects everything she missed as a child. She’s even managed to keep her painful secrets hidden from her doting husband, loving children, and large extended family. 

This book is extremely awakening. The more I read Rose's tale, I found myself completely engrossed in another time, with people very different from me. Kathleen (the author) does a great job of portraying a real woman, with her insecurities, her problems, her strengths. It was just so raw and I craved for more, down till the last page.  Another thing she did well was to explain the pollution so vividly, that I sometimes felt as if I wanted to cough, when I was reading it.

The author did a superb job with the use of language and expression. I must say I could picture every scene by just reading. This is phenomenal. You have got to read this!

About the Author

After the Fog is the second novel by bestselling Kindle author Kathleen Shoop.  Her debut novel, The Last Letter, garnered multiple awards in 2011.  A Language Arts Coach with a Ph.D. in Reading Education, Kathleen lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

Kathleen has also written award winning Love and Other Subjects and her stories have also appeared in several of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!

THREE Lucky Winners will each receive a $15 Amazon Giftcard,

courtesy of After the Fog author, Kathleen Shoop

Ending on Sunday 9th November at 11.59pm EST

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Review: The Last Letter by Kathleen Shoop #BeckValleyBooks

A Father’s Deceit
A Husband’s Betrayal
A Loved One’s Death
A Mother’s Choice
A Daughter’s Resentment
A Time to Forgive

For every daughter who thinks she knows her mother’s story…

Katherine wouldn’t have believed it if she hadn’t found the last letter…

Katherine Arthur’s dying mother arrives on her doorstep, forcing her to relive a past she wanted to forget. When Katherine was young, the Arthur family had been affluent city dwellers until shame sent them running for the prairie, into the unknown. Taking her family, including young Katherine, to live off the land was the last thing Jeanie Arthur had wanted, but she would do her best to make a go of it. For Jeanie’s husband Frank it had been a world of opportunity. Dreaming, lazy Frank. But, it was a society of uncertainty — a domain of natural disasters, temptation, hatred, even death.

Ten-year-old Katherine had loved her mother fiercely, put her trust in her completely, but when there was no other choice, and Jeanie resorted to extreme measures on the prairie to save her family, she tore Katherine’s world apart. Now, seventeen years later, Katherine has found the truth — she has discovered the last letter. After years of anger, can Katherine find it in her heart to understand why her mother made the decisions that changed them all? Can she forgive and finally begin to heal before it’s too late?

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Guest Book Review from ACaffeine Addict's Books

I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review - beautiful cover isn't it?

I'm having a bit of an issue deciding whether I loved the book or hated it. Or both. The characters were excellently written with depth and likability, however both mother and daughter suffered so incredibly much it was almost TOO much. They didn't seem to enjoy any part of their life, especially Jeanie. It was heartbreaking! Yet on another plus side, the characters were likable as well as believable.

The plot was also wonderfully devised and yet I completely hated the ending! Gah! Now this is what has me stuck in circles, wondering 'do I like this book or hate it?' The story was inspired by Kathleen Shoop's own great-great grandparents letters and the incredibly accurate portrayal of the time period by tons of research (and it shows) made this story great. Now if only the ending.... *sigh*

I'm not sure here. However, I could not put the book down and it was excellently done, except that I felt that there could have been one or two more happy moments somewhere for them before the book just "wham - ending!"

However, because of how well written, devised, and believable this book was - plus it actually made me cry - I'm giving it 4 stars. If you love historical fiction, I do recommend this book! Just be prepared to want to toss the book or ereader across the room.


About the Author
A Language Arts Coach with a Ph.D. in Reading Education, Kathleen lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

Kathleen's debut novel, The Last Letter was garnered multiple awards in 2011.  Her second novel, After the Fog (Silver IPPY), was a category finalist in the 2013 Eric Hoffer Book Awards. Her third novel, Love and Other Subjects, earned a Silver medal in the Independent Publisher Book Awards and received an Honorable Mention from the San Francisco Book Festival. Recently, Kathleen has released the her first romance novella, Home Again (Book One). Book Two, a novel-length work in the Endless Love series called Return to Love, will be released in May, 2014. Books Two and Three in the historical fiction series that started with The Last Letter are nearly complete and should be released by fall, 2014.

Kathleen has been featured in USA Today and the Writer’s Guide to 2013. Her work has appeared in The Tribune-Review, four Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and Pittsburgh Parent magazine. She lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

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This post was rec'd through Beck Valley Books Book Tours.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!

THREE Lucky Winners will each receive a $15 Amazon Giftcard,

courtesy of author of The Last Letter, Kathleen Shoop

Ending on Sunday 3rd August at 11.59pm EST

Open Worldwide

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Review - Highlander's Hope by Collette Cameron

Highlander's Hope
by Collette Cameron
ebook, 430 pages
Published May 21, 2013 by Soul Mate Publishing

Premise:

Regency propriety and Scottish boldness clash in this Regency romantic suspense flavored with a liberal dose of humor and a dash of inspiration.

Not a day has gone by that Ewan McTavish, the Viscount Sethwick, hasn't dreamed of the beauty he danced with two years ago. He's determined to win her heart and make her his own. Heiress, Yvette Stapleton, is certain of one thing; marriage is risky and, therefore, to be avoided. At first, she doesn't recognize the dangerously handsome man who rescues her from assailants on London's docks, but Lord Sethwick's passionate kisses soon have her reconsidering her cynical views on matrimony. On a mission to stop a War Office traitor, Ewan draws Yvette into deadly international intrigue. To protect her, he exploits Scottish law, declaring her his lawful wife—without benefit of a ceremony. Yvette is furious upon discovering the irregular marriage is legally binding, though she never said, "I do." Will Ewan's manipulation cost him her newfound love?

Get your copy for $2.99

My Review

*chuckle* What a fun ride!

Evvy is a sweet character full of spunk. It is fun to read the story from her POV. She has heart and hope and is delightfully opinionated. She is rescued on occasion, but she’s not just a hopeless heiress in pretty dresses! She wields a knife with deadly precision!

Ewan is intelligent and quick. Having half the story from his POV really takes everything to another deeper level. He is hot, which is important, coming from a handsome family (I love why's!) His character is revealed in pieces, so I wasn't sure of all his good qualities at once. Also great.

The writing style is fun, very fun, starting with the first startling rescue which had me laughing outloud. Cameron writes from exciting moment to awkward moment, so the story skips along quickly. Fun.

What I enjoyed best was the light, skipping feel of reading. The passion between these two is delightful and full of memorable moments. The awkward, fumbling moments are hilarious… the passionate moments are bone melting. They are perfect for each other. I like how they have history. I love how circumstances keep trapping them. I don’t think I’ve read a story where wishes come true TOO fast so that the main characters are confronted with resisting their own heart’s desires. Well played!!

The down-side for me was the neatness of some resolutions, a side effect of so many tangles. Evvy is irritated with passion overwhelming sense, herself, but until mid-way, she kept up her own suspicions.

The ending demanded that I remember characters from the beginning… characters who initially seemed like major characters, but slipped out of the story early on. Yes, everything is resolved, but I find myself committed more deeply to these minor characters and unwilling to accept things without the details.

Ah… and one more tiny fuss. There is more HEART in the earlier romantic scenes. This leads me to give two ratings for this book:

My Rating:

4.5 – I enjoyed the first half of this book hugely. I couldn’t put it down. Love the characters, love the pace. The war room details were a different pace, but I don’t mind strategic planning.

3 – Second half is a tad too “cute” in resolutions and tender moments. The upside of this is that the book is complete on itself. This could easily have grown into two books, which might satisfy my hopes for the story, but there’s a lot to be said for completing a wonderfully complicated story in one book!

3.75 for me overall. 

A life-long Oregonian, Collette Cameron was born and raised in a small town along the northern Oregon coast. Today she makes her home in a rural community, 30 minutes west of Portland.

Her Victorian farmhouse sits on a one-acre certified wildlife habit, interspersed with a plethora of gardens: English, rose, butterfly, rock, water, and of course, vegetable.

A voracious reader of romance since her teens, she even named her daughter after a heroine in her favorite romance novel. An enthusiast of times gone by, and anything related to romance, she writes Historical Romance, with a dash of inspiration, a pinch of humor, and a liberal portion of suspense.

Having dabbled in interior decorating in her youth, Collette returned to school, graduating summa cum laude from Oregon State University, and went on to obtain her Master's Degree in Teaching. She is member of Romance Writers of America, Rose City Romance Writers, The Beau Monde, and Love Faith and Hope, Inc., and a whole slew of other author/writer groups. 

Some of Collette's favorite things include unique blends of coffees and teas, trivia, Cadbury Milk Chocolate, inspirational quotes, and scented candles. Her Christian faith, husband, three adult children, and five miniature dachshunds round out her life quite nicely!

When she's not teaching or writing, she is a content and copy/line editor for an Ebook publisher, enjoys amateur photography, bird watching, gardening, interior decorating, rock-hunting, boating or fishing on the Columbia River, and reading of course. 

Goodreads * Website * Facebook * Twitter * LinkedIn * Google+ * Pinterest

I especially love Collette's bio because she's raving about MY home town!!  :-D  This is one of those wonderful moments where literal and real world intersect and authors know relatives. I don't recommend it for "every day", but on occasion, it is a TREAT!  :-)

Yes... this is an ADULT BOOK with ADULT CONTENT!!!  No, I don't read and review many adult titles. It is possible I am old enough and married enough, but it's rare to find the fun-loving youthful spirit I enjoy on the adult bookshelf. This is a fun exception. I'm glad I found Collette Cameron and I look forward to reading more of her books!!

Review - V is for Virgin by Kelly Oram

Huge thanks to Literally Jen for turning me on to this awesome book!! Check out her review HERE.


V Is For Virgin
by Kelly Oram
ebook, 360 pages
Published December 11, 2012 by Bluefields

When Val Jensen gets dumped for her decision to stay a virgin until marriage, the nasty breakup goes viral on YouTube, making her the latest internet sensation. 

After days of ridicule from her peers, Val starts a school-wide campaign to rally support for her cause. She meant to make a statement, but she never dreamed the entire nation would get caught up in the controversy. 

As if becoming nationally recognized as “Virgin Val” isn’t enough, Val’s already hectic life starts to spin wildly out of control when bad boy Kyle Hamilton, lead singer for the hit rock band Tralse, decides to take her abstinence as a personal challenge.

How can a girl stay true to herself when this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is doing everything in his power to win her over?

Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble 

My Review: 

Ha! This book is one Laugh Out Loud ride!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Val is a fun character. This story is primarily a situation comedy – how someone gets caught in a really crazy situation and how circumstances explode as a result. But Val makes it all that much better with her attitude of going for it, taking it all the way, past “cool” to meaningful.

Of course, the entire episode would peeter out if it weren’t for bad boy Kyle Hamilton! So he gets at least half the credit. As the lead singer of a rock band, he’s used to public display and has lost his sense of values. When he gets together with Val… the sparks fly!!  It is all the more deliciously unattainable due to afore-mentioned circumstances and aforementioned attitude of going for it.

One impossibility tumbles right into another. The romantic tension is beautiful.

This book reminded me of Easy A – how society reacted to someone losing her virginity – and The Scarlet Letter. The entire concept of society opinion and the power of popularity is explored from the standpoint of being a publicly known virgin. Things are quickly blown out of proportion and it is a fun ride.

There really aren’t enough people standing up to say it’s ok to be a virgin in today’s society. Heck, that it’s PREFERRED to be a virgin, to have standards that are maintained.  To actually PLAN AHEAD for that sort of thing. (What a concept!) This contemporary comedy points a light finger at thought-provoking concepts. Totally love it.

My Rating: 4.5  - It's too fast and fun to be rated lower. The story slows momentum as any such explosion must. Things don't work out as quickly as I want them to, but that's also as it must. I love, LOVE the blatant concept and the hilarious writing.

Cover - Totally works. Great reflection of the book!


Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.

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Check out the awesome INTERVIEW with Kelly!!  :-D  Coming June 30th - review of Chameleon and tour-wide giveaway.

Review - The Emperor's Conspiracy by Michelle Diener

Available TODAY!!

The Emperor's Conspiracy
by Michelle Diener
Paperback, 336 pages
Expected publication: November 27th by Gallery Books

Premise:

From nineteenth-century London’s elegant ballrooms to its darkest slums, a spirited young woman and a nobleman investigating for the Crown unmask a plot by Napoleon to bleed England of its gold.

Chance led to Charlotte Raven’s transformation from chimney sweep to wealthy, educated noblewoman, but she still walks a delicate tightrope between two worlds, unable to turn her back on the ruthless crime lord who was once her childhood protector.

When Lord Edward Durnham is tapped to solve the mystery of England’s rapidly disappearing gold, his search leads him to the stews of London, and Charlotte becomes his intriguing guide to the city’s dark, forbidding underworld. But as her involvement brings Charlotte to the attention of men who have no qualms about who they hurt, and as Edward forges a grudging alliance with the dangerous ghosts of Charlotte’s former life, she faces a choice: to continue living in limbo, or to close the door on the past and risk her heart and her happiness on an unpredictable future

My Review:

*Huge sigh of satisfaction* This is THAT book, the one where history melts into the background, the writing disappears and players emerge spitting character and bold love so that... I sigh.

Charlotte - Charlie - is a great character. She's headstrong and intelligent. Her guardian/savior is the sweetest, smartest lady. It's a household of two great brains with different kinds of strength and I loved seeing the strong women.

Charlie's childhood friend, the crime lord, is so dark and mysterious and powerful. I loved the dirty grit of the streets and the society that pulsed beneath the city. There's no fluffy cuteness about it... it's as real as poverty. 

Edward Durnham really doesn't have much of a chance of participating in Charlie's life or in this story, but he's stubborn and persistent and won't take "stay away" as an answer. He causes more trouble than he helps, sometimes, blundering where he doesn't belong. But his heart has been awoken and he understands Charlie in ways no one else can. I love his view of her and their romance is delicate and fresh.

I could hug the pacing... this book is hard to put down. It flies by. I might have been frustrated only because it ended and I could have continued reading their story for a long time.

My Rating: 5 - I need this book in my library so I can reread it often!!  (I rec'd my ARC from Edelweiss.) I love a story that doesn't center around romance, but yet has some... a story that has so much tangible history, but doesn't clobber me with it... a mystery that I can't second-guess and is not overbearing. This is one of my favorite books this year.

Like this, Like that...  I was reminded a little of Soulless, Alanna, & Crown Duel. There's a bit of mystery and smart players, a great thief and underworld, but also a play-acting society where appearances rule. I loved the smart new combination of some of my favorite elements!

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About the Author:

Michelle Diener writes historical fiction. Her Susanna Horenbout and John Parker series starts with IN A TREACHEROUS COURT. Set in the court of Henry VIII, it features the real historical figures of artist Susanna Horenbout and Henry’s Keeper of the Palace of Westminster and Yeoman of the King’s Robes, John Parker. It was followed by KEEPER OF THE KING'S SECRETS, also featuring Susanna Horenbout and John Parker, and DANGEROUS SANCTUARY, a short story with the same characters, set between the two books, is currently available as an ebook only.

A new historical novel, set during the Napoleonic Wars in London in 1811, THE EMPEROR'S CONSPIRACY, is set for a November 27th, 2012 release.

Michelle also contributed a short paranormal story to the ENTANGLED entitled BREAKING OUT. All the proceeds of the sale of ENTANGLED go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Michelle grew up in South Africa, and now lives in Australia with her husband and two children

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Review - Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Blood Promise
by Richelle Mead
Hardcover, 503 pages
Published August 25th 2009 by Razorbill

***WARNING***
Premise contains SPOILERS!!!
If you have not read the VA series, skip to my Review Summary!!

Premise:

Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same. 

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved? 

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

My Review:

**Spoiler-FREE Summary**

This book felt like two treadmills to me sandwiching the most amazing tension-filled romantic scene in fiction. You gotta get through the first half to get to it… and then you have to get through the last half to get away from it, but that Oreo-filled middle is worth it.

My Rating: 3.695.  My Breakdown – The filling (& romance) in this book sandwich is a 5.5. Wow. The treadmill leading up to the filling is an exciting 4. The exhausting horror after the filling was a frustrating 2.5 for me with a redeeming crescendo. The dreams and Lissa updates were a 3 for me. 

**SPOILER-FILLED Review**

Now let's have a little fun, shall we?

I thoroughly enjoyed a trip to Russia in Blood Promise. I love the cultural setting and the visuals of the night clubs and alleyways. Plus... we got to meet our first Alchemist with the blood tattoo and feel the full force of their distaste for all things non-human. I loved how the Alchemists viewed damphirs in the same class as strigoi. It was a strong shift in perspective that prepared me for seeing Dimitri and Rose's hesitation.

Rose quickly grows into super-awesome-kick-butt-strigoi-killer. Seen through the alchemists' attitude of irritation, we skip the feeling of awe and dive right into "been there, done that". Strigoi are still a challenge, but I have real hope that Rose will take Dimitri out, like she needs to.

Meeting Dimitri's family is wonderful. It felt like a sidetrack, but lots of important things happened out there, in the middle of nowhere. Each member of the family become real and create this negative space of how awesome Dimitri was. Rose gets a chance to mourn his death, like she hasn't, yet. And it feels good. She meets other spirit users and her understanding expands as well as her grasp of the Moroi world politics. Then she even gets a glimpse of the dark side of "blood whores" and how wonderful people end up in that situation... and how close she comes to the danger of it.

I really enjoyed Abe, right from his entrance. He is soooo creepy in a mobster-type way. I love his mysterious power. He was one of my favorite surprises of the book. In the last battle (to skip ahead) he faded into a wallpaper, which totally irritated me. The Abe I knew would not sit around and ask vague questions while being content with no answers. Just sayin'.

Then we run into Dimitri... or he finds Rose, more precisely, as she draws him in. What a great scene!!!  He is still Dimitri, and yet not, too. I love Rose's warring emotions. I love the ghost of emotions hiding deep in Dimitri. Maybe I was looking too hard, but in some ways... he's even better than ever.

I mean... in the first books, Dimitri is unapproachable, right? His sense of duty keeps him aloof and Rose's heart is almost cultivated into this strong, waiting, loving force. But then he gives into his feelings. Like a dam breaking, it's amazing. So, take that barrier of impossibility and times it by a bazillion... and we have Dimitri-the-strigoi. He's impossible, unreachable and yet soooo much more bad-guy than he ever could have been before. Really, really BAD. Bad.

I really, really like that. Lol.

Those scenes where the two of them were dancing around killing each other, drawn to each other and yet repelled simultaneously... just, WOW!!  They are some of my favorite anywhere ever. Amazing.

But then... you know what happens. He bites her. She becomes a druggy. I think I got depressed. So much for two awesome people and an amazing kill-love dance. Now we have patient, sick, twisted bad guy and mega-sick, twisted, weak wet noodle. Yuck. I was sooooooo ready for Rose to overcome that sludgy feeling. That entire section slowed down to drowning in caramel syrup for me. Thick, slow, too sweet, a slow death.

The final escape was satisfying, but not exhilarating. Rose finds herself and even eeks out a response from Dimitri... she's even wonderfully kick-butt again, but she's so weak, it's exhausting - mentally & physically. Plus, I think I'm still in denial about Dimitri. He can't possibly have lost all of himself.

The final spirit-battle was creative, wasn't it?  I liked the power struggle and all the extra insight into how the spirit magic works - both good and bad. There's lots of possibilities hiding there, you know? Plus Rose and Lissa got some stuff straightened out.

Speaking of Lissa... What did you think of the dreams and slippin' into Lissa's head? I liked getting a glimpse of the action back at the academy, but that was tedious. It really added to the treadmill feel. I did not catch on to why Lissa was acting so out of character and it really drove me nuts. This is, like, the book where the two friends are attacked mentally and really should see a psychiatrist afterwards. 

I did not understand enough about Lissa's situation to care how things were going. Rose couldn't do anything about it which made me feel helpless, too. I can see why Rose cared, but I could have got a summary from her afterwards. As for the way Rose treated Adrian? I can't believe he gives her the time of day - or any attention - after that. She was really rude. Even if he's amazing, I want to see more grounds for continued friendship.

About the Amazing Author:

Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time: Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, and Vampire Academy.

A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. 

More on her BIO page.

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Review - Legend by Marie Lu

Legend 

by Marie Lu

Hardcover, 305 pages

Published November 29th 2011 by Putnam Juvenile

Premise: Ganked from Goodreads:

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. 

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias' death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. 

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills. 

My Review:

Yes!!

This book is TOTALLY AWESOME!! 

Have you ever seen that movie from 1998, Out of Sight, with Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney?! This book reminded me of what I wished that movie had been.

There’s the smokin’ hot girl who kicks butt for a living and she’s the best at it.

Then there’s the rebel guy, also smokin’ hot, so good at being bad, he’s become a legend.

The girl hunts down the guy and they have this connection where they see each other and almost see themselves in a mirror, each recognizing that if they had switched places, they would be where the other is. *sigh* Exactly.

I love, love, LOVE this!!!  I love the way she is sooooo good and he is sooooo good and neither of them need to have a crack in their armor to be together!!  YES!!! 

I love the sheer impossibility of it!!  Lu dares each of them to be true to themselves and still overcome the huge obstacles in their way – she dares them!! And then lets them carry it out, exactly what they would do, exactly how they would do it.

June is hard, unbendable, almost icy cold intimidating. I can see why some people have connected with her (reading other reviews that didn't rave as much as mine!) But I enjoyed her. There was background for every action she took and youth to be trusting of her superiors and friends. Her character made sense to me, although she might have some emotional issues to deal with later!!  :-)

Day has more heart and soul than the entire Republic combined. He is kind, self-sacrificing, devoted to his family, braving old injuries... and still accomplishes the impossible repeatedly. He's gotta be one of the All-Time Best Rebels.

The city of Los Angeles was great, so run down in some sections, so flashy rich in others. The Republic vs. the Colonies is downright creepy. There’s a description of the rebel flag with 13 red stripes and 50 white dots that totally hit me sideways… like seeing the American flag through a stranger’s eyes.

I loved the way I did not know what was going to happen. I had wishes and hopes, but I wasn’t sure. I pieced the puzzle pieces together only right before June did, which brought on that wonderful TaDa!! as I connected all the hints with her. I loved the way I was left in the dark so long, loved the puzzle.

But mostly I love the connectedness between June and Day. They fit together so well, very mutually respectful of each other. This is a book I will want to reread just to climb the buildings so skillfully!!

I pulled these pictures of Marie Lu's website, where she has games, design your own character - all around Legend, which sounds like it was some time in the making!!

My Rating: 5 - Love it!!

The Amazing Author:


Marie Lu - 

I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. I like food, fighter jets, afternoon tea, happy people, electronics, the interwebz, cupcakes, pianos, bright colors, rain, Christmas lights, sketches, animation, dogs, farmers' markets, video games, and of course, books. I suck at working out. I also get lost very easily, but am a halfway decent driver for an Asian girl. At least, I like to think so. :) 

I was born near Shanghai, but settled down in Texas until I went off to college at the University of Southern California. California weather sweet-talked me into sticking around, so I'm currently in Pasadena with my boyfriend, two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and a chihuahua mix. 

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Review - Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Firelight
by Sophie Jordan
Hardcover, 323 pgs
Published September 7th 2010 by HarperTeen

Cathee at Forever Lost in Books turned me onto this book.

Premise: Ganked from Goodreads:

A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love. 

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form. 

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy. 

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

My Review:

Where’s the next book?!  The third isn’t coming out ‘til September?!?!  AAACK!!

This book is refreshingly fast. I have a “thing” for flying, for turning into a dragon and taking off in the air. It’s exhilarating!!  Getting chased by hunters, makes my blood run fast.

Right near the beginning, we get a taste of the best part of being a Draki… and the worst. The two extremes leap from the first 25 pages. And we’ve also encountered Will, and he has done something amazing, something completely un-hunter-ish, something confusing, fascinating, intriguing.

Jacinda is a fun character. I love how she loves and honors her family and her clan even when she disagrees with them. It gives her more character to care especially when it’s physically painful to honor them… both.

The romantic attraction is all Draki-blood hormones. (My terminology.) There is very little to base relationship on, although the overwhelming physical attraction brings characters close enough to interact and start building relationship. There is lots of kissing, frantic, heat-soaring, crazy-wild kissing. The Draki blood intensifies the experience for Jacinda, drawing out her inner Draki.

Cassian is a great protagonist. He’s powerful, sexy, the up-n-coming leader of the draki clan and he has moments of kindheartedness. I never knew which part of him was real, the calculating leader or the kind man. I’m too suspicious of his motives to wait and see if he’s really kind. Run away!!!

Will is a fun mystery, dark-but-not-really, brooding, unapproachable, tall and super-strong, intense… and somehow detects Jacinda before he sees her. *shiver* Because of their initial encounter, Jacinda is more inclined to trust his intentions than his description suggests she should. There’s always a tension between something mysterious and his strong attraction to Jacinda.

I never know if the attraction is all based on that iridescent purple blood, though. In part, I feel very sorry for Jacinda because no matter how much she wants to make her own decisions, even those decisions are instinctual. Nothing about her is free from what she is, which makes her twin sister the wisest of everyone, since she sees this and still loves her sister while resenting all this wild instinct stuff. It’s ironic, actually, that Jacinda is trying so darn hard to create a bubble of free will about herself, while only pitting vying instincts against each other.

That said… the kissing is very hot. The attraction is strong and dramatic. I love the action:  the panic attacks, the fights. There’s an intense girl cat fight in the bathroom that’s just brutally fun – ouch!!

Sophie Jordan writes adult romance novels, which I think is important to note. Her writing is skillful, if repetitive in a sprinkled through-out sort of way, and she handles the action really well, especially that kissing. I don’t really think two sophomores should be making out that intensely, in retrospect, but ages don’t seem important, for reasons eventually uncovered. It worked for me, even though I was blushing while reading.  The best part, for me,  was how fast of a read this book is. I set Firelight aside for some family time, but other than that,  I finished  it in one sitting.  This was a much-appreciated boost to my current reading slump.

Oh… one warning… there is one line that I wish didn’t exist in this book at all. It killed the storyline for me temporarily and wasn’t even necessary to the story:  Catherine, new friend, says of Will, “He doesn’t date high school girls. He hardly talks to any of us.”  All I could think was, “Edward”.  Since the perspective changes so quickly and Will’s character and that of those around him explain him well, this entire conversation was pretty unnecessary. Will is more like Mr. Darcy, really, than Edward, if I was to compare:  Reserved, mysterious, bad relatives, amazing in his own right.  When you get to that scene, skim quickly to the other side!!!!  (And resist the urge to chuck the book!! The comparison is gone as quickly as it comes up!) (You shouldn’t be throwing books, anyway. It’s not a good practice and definitely a horrible habit. Just say “no” to chucking.)

My Rating: 4 - Pretty Darn Good-n-Fun!

About the Author:


Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History. 

A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing. 

In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.


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