Wildthorn

Title: Wildthorn
Author: Jane Eagland
Genre: YA, Historical
Source: E-book from Netgalley.com

This book took me completely by surprise. I had requested it without knowing much about it. I loved the corset on the cover and that imagery combined with my penchant for only hearing about paranormal novels lately, helped me to convince myself that this was a steampunk novel of some sort. I was very wrong! In reality, this is a novel about blossoming sexuality and self awareness. This is a story about a girl living in a time when being individual meant you would likely be convicted as insane. This is a story about a family who just doesn't function. While the material is much more serious than paranormals, it was a good read. I was engrossed in the story the entire way!

Historical Fantasy and Good Storytelling

Title: The White Mare (Book 1 of The Dalriada Trilogy)
Author: Jules Watson
Genre: Historical fantasy
Source: I own this book.

Set during the period when Rome was busy trying to take over the world, including the British isles, this novel leads the reader deep into relationships, magic/pre-Christian faiths, and war. Wars of all definitions are occuring. Battles for place / rank in society, battles for love, battles against love, battles of protection and revenge, battles of hatred and jealousy....all are prominent and intermingled in this engaging novel.

Title: The Dawn Stag (Book 2 of The Dalriada Trilogy)
Author: Jules Watson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: I own this novel.

A continuation of the first novel; some of the battles have been won, some are close to being resolved, while others are just barely coming to a head. This is a very satisfying tale for readers who enjoy their romance mixed with the more gritty side of life...actual war.






Overall: I've enjoyed reading these novels. I've even checked the third out from the library. (I have no idea why I bought one and two but not three) I plan on reading it, but am a bit put off due to the ending of the second book. This is a trilogy, which as far as I know means a continuation of the story. However, the story is completely wrapped up by the end of Dawn Stag. Infact, there is even an epilogue that tells of us how the main characters lived the rest of their lives. That doesn't seem to be leading to another book.....but, we'll see. Ever had a series do something like that to you? How'd it work out?

Such sweetly confused romantics!

Title: A Lady of Persuasion
Author: Tessa Dare
Genre: Historical Romance
Source: borrowed from the library - wish it were mine!


I know Ms. Dare already has two of the three books in her new collection out, but I'm still working on the first trilogy. My book buying budget has been more than a bit tight.....and combine that with the fact these books have huge wait lists at my library means I'm a bit behind the times. Oh, well! This one was worth waiting for.....and makes me think I should fight harder to not have to wait for her other books.

This novel, as well as the others I'm sure, did something I really enjoyed...it is set in the same time/world as Surrender of a Siren, has many characters in common, but is not a sequel or continuation. Some of the characters who were minor or side characters in Siren are now the main characters in this novel.


Summary from author's website:

Only one thing could convince Sir Tobias Aldridge, an incorrigible rake, to profess undying fidelity to a woman he’s just met. Revenge. What better way to get back at his enemy, than by stealing the scoundrel’s sister? Not that Toby finds it a chore, seducing a beguiling, sultry beauty freshly arrived from the West Indies. When the prize is Isabel Grayson, vengeance is doubly rewarding.
Isabel is determined to marry a wealthy, powerful lord and become a lady of influence, using her rank and fortune to fight social injustice. Sir Toby, with his paltry title and infamous reputation, is unsuitable husband material—but he makes her blood race, her heart pound, and her long-buried passions come to the surface. If she can reform the charming devil, she’ll get exactly what she craves: society’s respect. But it’s a dangerous gamble. For if Toby wins this battle of persuasion, Isabel could lose her heart.

I love it! All the characters I'm comfortable with, but new faces, situations, and loves to learn about.  My only complaint is that the two leads, Toby and Isabel, fall into that frustrating trap of trying to read the other's mind but not actually talking about the problems and feelings. Otherwise, this is a sweet love story of two people who seem genuinly surprised when love strikes them.

Also! If you are a fan of Tessa's books, she is running a contest from her web site where you can enter to win a signed copy of one of her new books. You should go enter. I am.

Meh.

Title: Wicked Becomes You
Author: Meredith Duran
Genre: Historical-ish Romance
Source: Sarah Reidy of Pocket Book tours in exchange for an honest review and promotion.

This is it. This is the book I was waiting for. I've been trying to get into it, but something just isn't working. I'm going to have to call this one a DNF. I hate doing that. There seems to be a good story here, and it appears to be descent writing, but I'm struggling to get through it. For whatever reason, I'm just not connecting with the characters and that is making the whole experience somewhat painful. I keep putting the book down. When I do try to read it, it goes right back down after a page.

I'm sure this is a good novel, but unfortunately it fell victim to that bit of me that just isn't happy with historicals.

DNF

Great Scots!

Title: A Highlander's  Temptation
Author: Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Genre: Historical Romance
Source: I believe I won this from someone's book blog, but I can't for the life of me remember which blog. If it was you, I apologize!


This was the book I needed. It's currently spring break and as a teacher I enjoy this week off as much as the students do. I'm three days in and have already caught up with a boat load of reading I wanted to do. Afraid of falling behind in my reading schedule again (it's hard to get away from the slow, leisurely pace that is February) I wanted a quick, easy, feel good read. I found it in this novel.


What I liked:
1. I have a hard time enjoying historical romances as a whole. There is a weird line where too much detail is given and I'm turned from the stories to looking up the details to see if they are accurate...or what really happened. This novel only had one such moment....and it was very small. The story was strong and catching enough to keep my attention. The historical details were a well-crafted part of the story. Together there was a great balance that equalled happy brain-candy in my world. (I did look up birlinn just to see what one looked like, though I was able to guess what it was through context clues.) (It's a type of boat incase you didn't know.)

2. Alpha males. I'm a big fan of Highlanders. They just seem to make the best alpha males around. But then that could be due to the fact they almost always seem willing to show that sensitive side to the females....and sometimes other males....in their lives. The alpha in this novel, Darroc MacConacher, may sometimes get tripped up by his weaknesses, but they are also what spurs him on when he needs to go after his girl.

3. Linnet MacKenzie was just given a brief scene or two in this novel as mother of the heroine, Arabella. I want to read more of her tale. She's a strong woman, she's not bowled over by her alpha male husband, she has a touch of magic about her, and she trusts her daughter. While I enjoyed the rest of the story, I was always happy to see Linnet show up in a scene.


What I didn't like
1. There is a strange side story of a ghost who lives in a tower room of MacConacher keep. Throughout the story there are mentions of magics, scrying, old and new gods........all play a part in the tale. I've still not figured out the reason behind the ghost being there. Unless her story is covered in another book, there seems to be no purpose here. The ghost doesn't bring them together or apart. She doesn't seem to have any ability to influence them at all. Other than adding some magic history to the room, she doesn't seem to have a reason to be.

Overall:  I highly recommend it to historical romance readers...and to anyone looking for a bit of romance novel brain-candy.  This novel is the perfect flavor !

**This novel qualifies as part of my TBR challenge list.**

Giveaway!

The Heretic's Daughter

I love tales about the witch trials and those that were accused. I think this may have started some of my liking of all things paranormal. Witches fall into that category for me.....in most cases. In the spirit of Halloween and all things witchy, I have 5 copies of The Heretic's Daughter to give away!

From the Hachett Website: Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live. Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft. This is the story of Martha's courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived.
Kathleen Kent is a tenth generation descendent of Martha Carrier. She paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England, but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution.

The Details:

These books are offered by the Hachett Book Group. The contest will run from today through October 27th. I'll choose the winner through Random.org. The winners will be sent their books via Hachett. Open to US and Canada only.

How To Enter:

+1 Leave a comment that includes your name and email
+1 Be a follower
+1 Become a follower
+2 Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the contest (include @name and the link to the tweet)
+1 Spread the word however you wish (included links)
+3 What are your favorite witch stories, books, movies?
Please put all of your entries into one comment.....makes it easier on you and me.


Good Luck!

A Lady of Hidden Intent

Title: A Lady of Hidden Intent
Author: Traci Peterson
Genre: Historical Romance

I know, I know. I seem to be deviating from my usual brain candy of paranormals and urban fantasies. After the fabulous time I had reading Tessa Dare's book I just couldn't make myself go back into the worlds of monsters (and the women who love them) easily. I picked this lovely novel up because I liked the cover. That's it. Something about her expression and the strange almost contrasting colors of her gown and mask intrigued me.

This novel is not a regency romance. Actually, most of it takes place in America's early 1900's (or very close there abouts) and while I'm usually not one for stories where the rich girl suddenly finds herself a working class girl, I did really enjoy this one. Also, this novel holds a first for me....well a sort of first. This is a Christian romance. I can honestly say I haven't read very many of them. Even being Christian, the few I have read seem overly preachy or judgemental while giving me a story I wasn't really interested in. That is not the case here. The behaviors of the main characters are (for the most part) recognizable as Christian behaviors only if you are looking for it. Though, both main characters do make mention of going to church, praying, and following Biblical rules. It seems completely appropriate for the story, the characters, and the time period. It was a pleasant surprise to discover this was a Christian novel after I had read it.

Things I liked:
1. The heroine never had any oh-look-at-me-poor-little-rich-girl-has-to-work moments. Sure there were a couple times she did feel sorry for herself, but never in that particular way.

2. She seemed to actually enjoy the work she had chosen to take on - clothing designer and seamstress. So much so it is easy to imagine that she would never settle quietly back into the upper-class women don't work paradigm again......no matter how many times the hero hints at it (and by hint I mean blatantly state it).

3. She keeps her true self hidden. I've whined about this becoming a pet peeve with other books I've read, and I still generally believe it. However, it works for this book. I think that is primarily because the female lead character is set up to have to keep her identity secret. Plus, she doesn't push for honesty and just not disclose. No, when confronted by the idea of having to tell her love who she actually is she runs away. Perfect for anyone who has to keep their identity secret!

4. The hero is great! He just loves her. He would do anything for her including completely ignore silly social taboos of upper class / working class. He willingly and often argues with his own brother and father about the philandering, adulterous ways. A perfect gentleman.

5. This one is completely silly, but I love the fact that the image on the cover is directly from a scene in the book. Usually, there is only a vague resemblance between the characters/ action of the novel and its cover. This one is right on. I actually found myself doing one of those silly double takes where you flip from the pages to the cover and back again several times just to be sure.

Things I didn't like:
1. The hero meddles. First to learn her secrets he sneaks around investigating her. Then when he thinks he may be able to help her father, he does that in secret too. That just rubs me the wrong way. Plus, it smacks of societal privilege...he is able to get things he wants because he has power, fame, and money. Yeah, yeah, that's how the world works....blah blah blah.

2. The driving plot behind our girl's secrecy and new life is solved way too easily. If it was this easy to resolve, it probably was that easy or even easier to clear up when it initially happened.

3. Even though the hero fell in love with her while she was a seamstress, by the end of the novel he is set against her ever working again. He had no care for societal boundaries earlier, but by then end he was willing to throw his power around anywhere. He seem to change a bit for the worse.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel and think you would too....if you like historical romances.

Surrender of a Siren

Title: Surrender of a Siren
Author: Tessa Dare
Genre: Historical Romance

I love this book. There. That's it. I'm kidding that's not it. I have a lot to say about this book. First, this novel is a significant change from the paranormal romances I've been addicted to of late. No ghosts, goblins, fairies, or vampires. There are goats though, if that means anything to you. :) Surrender of a Siren is a Regency romance, but unlike most the regencies I'd read prior to now the characters were believable and had actual human reactions. The female lead isn't a stand-offish, superficial twit only concerned with gaining a husband and making the best appearances at the appropriate "Ton" parties. No, in fact, she's running from the "Ton". She's created a scandal and is doing the thing her family would never expect...hopping the next boat out. Similarly, the male lead is anything but the expected. He's not a complete alpha male equipped with cave man brains. He's also not one of society's fops who is surprised by the concept of love. These two things alone were enough to keep me interested.

Other things I love:
1. Our girl reads dirty books and masturbates. I was trying to come up with a nicer, more polite way of saying that, but then realized that not talking about it or using polite euphemisms is exactly what I dislike about most regency novels. I have this memory of the heroines all being virgins and swept away by lust, love, romance. Perhaps, they had a friend who was scandalous and sexified, but never them. Ms. Dare gave us a girl who is sexually awakened enough to be aware of her wants and her body's responses, but proper enough to not give it up to just anyone.

2. The hero is also given an interesting story. He's actually doing the exact opposite of the heroine by running towards society. He's been on the fringes of society (i.e. pirate) but now wants to become a respectable business man.

3. There are goats. There are lots of goats on the boat. This is hilarious for many reasons, but primarily because my family raised goats for a bit, while I was growing up. They are unruly beasts. I can only guess the chaos that would occur when forcing goats onto a boat.

4. This is number four, but is actually the most important thing to me....bodice ripping. There is an actual, honest to god bodice ripping! I don't think I've ever actually read a novel where her dress was ripped in two. I've jokingly called romance novels - bodice rippers, but primarily because the cover images had a look that suggested that those dresses were just going to be torn off.


Thing(s) I disliked:
1. This is quickly evolving into a pet peeve of mine. I really hate when people don't talk to each other, but seem to expect their partner to know what's going on. I know. I know this is something that happens often in real relationships. It bothers me there, too....extremely. There is a bit of this phenomena in the novel, but it is pretty one-sided. The hero fully discloses. The heroine doesn't give him a single thing..........until the very end. Frustrating!


I'm very glad I was given a chance to read this book. Like I said on Twitter (shortly after I started reading), it's official I adore Tessa Dare. Thank you for signing my book!



Now, I just have to get my hands on the other two books!

Fall Reading

It's that time of year. That time of year when the temperatures drop (unless you're in Arizona -we are nowhere near cool yet), leaves change color, pumpkins get ready to be made into delicious treats (mmmm...pumpkin pie, pumpkin butter....anything pumpkin), and I start slowing down on my reading. It's not intentional. I just do. Reading drops off when I go back to teaching. I just don't have as much time to curl up and enjoy the stories. I can't sit for hours every weekend when I only have two days to get everything done I want done. I'm going to fight it this year. I have two things working for me here: 1. This blog. I started it and plan to keep going with it. Maybe it will even get better as it goes. 2. Katrina over on Callapidder Days is offering a Challenge: Fall Into Reading 09. I've put the link on my side bar.

I'm so doing this! I challenge you to do this.

I'll be making up and posting my list here shortly, but I thought the pile of books already waiting for me would be a good place to start.


This is the stack of books I currently have checked out of the library. Technically, I originally checked them out in August, but thanks to the handy-dandy renewal system I can read them in September for the challenge....especially since I only got to two of them in August....and had to stop both as soon as I realized I'd grabbed books that weren't stand alone and were in the middle of a series. And yes, I realize that is a very long run-on sentence. I abuse ellipsis. Get over it.




These are the two from that stack above that I am most excited for. On the left is Would-Be Witch by Kimberly Frost. I'm excited about this one for a silly reason, which I'm sure I'll mention again. I love the fact that we've had Southern Vampires -i.e. Sookie Stackhouse and now we have Southern Witches. I find this highly entertaining. I can't really explain it. The other, Lords of Desire,is a collection of stories. I grabbed it because one of the author's is someone I've talked to (and I follow) on Twitter - Victoria Dahl. She's entertaining there, so I can only bet / hope that her story will be great.


Plus, I have these four books. Three of which came in the prize pack I won from Charolette. (They also came with a great bag from Harlequin, but I'm a dork and didn't get a picture of it.)

The top three are Young Adult novels. I have a soft spot for YA novels...probably due to my being a high school English teacher. The bottom is a historical romance...which I'm learning to love.

In other words, this should be a busy reading season.

His Lady Mistress

Title: His Lady Mistress
Author: Elizabeth Rolls
Genre: Historical Romance, e-book

This novel was an engaging read...for the most part. Often I was frustrated and grumpy at the main characters. Under the guise of caring for the other person and trying to give them what they would want both characters spoke in half-truths, left information out, and flat out refused to hold whole conversations with each other. I understand, humans (specifically males and females) have troubles communicating. I also understand that miscommunications are a staple of traditional genre romances. This was quite frustrating though. I was specifically frustrated with the hero, Max Blakehurst. He was quite capable of understanding and holding whole conversations where he expressed himself clearly without resorting to angry outbursts. He does this several times with various characters, yet, even when he's on the same page as Verity (heroine) he seems to be incapable of holding any sort of conversation beyond angry outbursts where he calls her a whore. Seeing as the characters were eventually able to actually work their differences out, I'm going to assume that the author meant for the characters' miscommunications to be this frustrating....like a lesson for the reader. See! If you are this frustrated while reading, guess how frustrated these two characters must be!

Worth the read

Field of Blood

Title: Field of Blood (Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy)
Author: Eric Wilson
Genre: Paranormal, Religious, Historical, Fiction

Awesome! I finished reading this book a couple weeks ago and am still excited about it. The author did a lot of historical and biblical research to flesh out this novel. (Pun totally intended.) The monsters are vampires, but they walk the line of zombie-ism by being reanimated dead....as in long dead.....as in putting back together dust and bones. It's hard to give a description of this book without just giving away the plot. It draws on stories and beliefs that built up Jesus and his deciples. It makes references to and draws from the Apocrapha. It spans centuries and continents. It's bloody, engaging, and hard. I put this book down and wanted to start looking for the mark on people's foreheads.

Must Read!