Beguiled (Enlightenment #2)

Beguiled by Joanna Chambers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Beguiled picks up two years after Provoked leaves off. David is preparing for the Kings visit and runs into Lord Balfour at the tailor. The feelings between them are like two years have never passes. David has done a bit of growing up over these two years however, and his reaction to Lord Balfour are not as filled with self loathing as they were previously.

Filled with romance and a great storyline, this one will grab you from the beginning and keep you interested til the very end. Its not all about the romance tho, there is a bit of intrigue and a damsel in distress that needs saving. We also are filled in on what's been going on during the two years they've been apart as well as more of David's background.

Overall, a great read and some very hot scenes but no so many as to take away from the story. I loved the ending and can't wait to continue with the next part.



View all my reviews

Provoked

Provoked by Joanna Chambers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a great historical fiction. Set in a time when it was not in any way acceptable to be gay and it was also a crime. David is an honorable man that was brought up to believe that his inclinations for other men were shameful and unnatural. He meets Lord Balfour one night and has an encounter he can't forget. Balfour is a man that accepts who he is and is determined to have everything out of life that is possible, including a family. However, he can't seem to move past their chance meeting as well.

There's more to this great read besides that very hot encounters between David and Balfour. There's also a great plot complete with spies, intrigue, and assassination attempts. The inner turmoil that David deals with is also a big part of this book and you feel for this character as he deals with these issues.

Overall, I loved this one and can't wait to continue with the next in this series. It is one for those over 18 as the scenes between David and Balfour definitely heat things up. If you enjoy M/M and historical romance you should give this series a try.



View all my reviews

Queen of the Summer Stars

Queen of the Summer Stars by Persia Woolley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the second book in Persia Woolley's Guinevere series and I have enjoyed it every bit as much as the first. The world that Woolley has created feels very much like the world of Author and Guinevere would have been and it feels so alive its easy to get lost in.

In this second installment we find a much more mature Guinevere. She wants to move on to the next stage of her relationship with Author and start a family. Things do go as she always expected them to and she is dealing with the heartache of infertility. There is intrigue and treachery at court as Author's sister, Morgan, works against her at every turn. And later, when she learns Author's secret, there is even more heartache.

I love the relationships that have grown between the characters. Guinevere and Lancelot are both torn between the love of each other and the love for Author and their country. Relationships between other characters and complicated as well and all contribute well to the story. You find yourself immersed in the feelings of these characters and you want to know what's happening to these side stories.

Overall, its a great read full of great characters and woven in a way that draws you in and makes it hard to put down. If you enjoy tales of the round table or even just a good historical fiction than you should pick up this series.



View all my reviews

Child of the Northern Spring

Child of the Northern Spring by Persia Woolley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a re-telling of the story of King Author and Guinevere told through the eyes of Guinevere. We meet Guinevere on the eve of her marriage to Author. She is a young girl who is unsure about the arranged marriage but with the urging of her father she decides to fulfill her duties instead of running from them. On the way, she reminisces about her childhood and when she first sees author.

I loved this book. I love that we are introduced to Guinevere as a young girl. We see sketches of her life as she grows up as well as wonderful descriptions of the country and way of life around her. So often in book of Authurian legend the focus is only on Author and that makes this a wonderful change of perspective. Without Guinevere the story of Author would not be complete. He would not be who he was without her.

The characters surrounding Guinevere were great as well. All of the major characters from the legend were included such as Merlin, Gwain, Morgan Le Fey, Morgause, and Nemue. All were wonderfully brought to life as well as Guinevere.

Don't begin this one thinking its a quick read as it is rather long. But it is well worth the time. If you enjoy historical fiction, Authurian legends in particular, this is one to pick up. I look forward to starting the next part.



View all my reviews

Bastian

Bastian by Elizabeth Amber

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is by far my favorite in the Lords of Satyr series. Silvia and Machaela are ephemerals that were once part of the vestals that served the goddess Vesta. Pledge to service when they were young girls, they became more than best friends. When the temple was overran they were changed from mortals to the eternal ephemerals with the ability to take hosts from those that are dying. Machaela gives up her immortality for the man she loves, believing that she can make him love her in time.

Silvia is a strong female character, even though she isn't always female. She has a vested interest in the work of Lord Bastian Satyr and is determined not to let her feeling get in the way of her quest. I loved Silvia's character and how Bastian relates to her. He is a great character, and that he has a flaw makes him that much more alive and relatable to. The chemistry between them and the story that unfolds around them is wonderful. The erotic nature of the story doesn't overwhelm and overtake the storyline instead it very much enhances it.

Pontifex is the bad guy in this story. And while his is wonderfully evil, he stays put in his evil lair and his downfall fell a bit short of the rest of the story. The ending as well was tied up rather quickly and it wasn't really explained how things actually happened. But otherwise this was a great story.

Overall, this was my favorite of the series so far. I would recommend it for anyone over 18 that loves a good erotica, although the fantasy side of this series may not be for everyone. These are all stand alone stories, but once you start you'll be hooked. Loved, loved, loved!!!



View all my reviews

Clockwork Princess

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Out of all the books that I have read by this author this one is by far my favorite. There is so much character development you tend to forget the main plot of the Infernal Devices being the war with Mortmain. But you are never allowed to completely forget, its still there in the background, however the drama with the characters is so good you don't care.

We already knew that Tessa is preparing to wed Jem and she is dealing with her feelings for Will. But now we are facing the reality of Jem's mortality. It is heart wrenching seeing them all have to say good bye along with the guilt that Will and Tessa feel over their feelings for each other.

We also get to know the other characters so much more. The Lightwood brothers as well as Sophie and Will's sister Cecily are much more developed. There are new love interests and we learn just how complicated these characters are. Gideon and Gabriel are so much more than I realized in other books and they are both great characters both similar and different from each other as brothers usually are.

I loved the way all the loose ends were tied up and nearly all the questions explained. We learn more about what Tessa actually is and how she came to be. We learn her true identity and that is certainly a surprise. And I certainly never expected how the love triangle with Her and Jem and Will would be but it was a great ending to a great love story.

Overall, it was a great final book full of love and loss, tears and joy, endings and beginnings. If you enjoyed the other books in the Infernal Devices series you won't want to miss this one. Loved it! Awesome end to a great trilogy.



View all my reviews

Lords of Satyr: Dominic

Dominic by Elizabeth Amber

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the continuation of the Lords of Satyr novels. If you have read any of the first three of this series, this is more of the same. If you have not, be warned that these are not for everyone.

This book is split between two novellas: Dominic and then Vincent. There is a tie between the two being the coin of Bacchus that is lost in the first and found in the second.

In Dominic, he is a full Satyr that comes to Earth world to pass on his gift of the demonhand to Jane's sister. Her husband is injured and Dominic must help with the birth of their daughter. The demonhand is a soldier that is often scorned for what he is but is necessary in the war against demonkind. He has no choice in what he is but instead of being given respect for his part in keeping them safe he is scorned. Many of our own soldiers go through this when coming back from wars that are unpopular. Dominic is a sad character in many ways because of this and its nice to see when he finds true love.

Vincent continues the story due to the finding of the coin that was lost in the first novella. He conjures a shimmerskin too many times and causes her to come to life. Many reviewers have indicated that Dominic is the better of the two, but I enjoyed both stories very much. Vincent, Cara, and Landon have an unconventional relationship that was very much filled with love.

Overall, I loved both of these books, and for anyone that enjoyed the first in this series I suggest you continue on with this one. If you haven't read any of this series, be aware that its definitely for those over 18.



View all my reviews

Maggie's Journey

Maggie's Journey by Lena Nelson Dooley

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a free kindle read and it wasn't horrible but just not my kind of read. I gave it three stars because I felt like those who enjoy Christian fiction would like this one thereby it has potential.

Not only a Christian fiction, this read is also a historical fiction. Maggie is born, one of triplets, on a wagon train headed to Oregon. Her mother dies in childbirth and her father, unable to care for three babies gives her and one sibling up for adoption. Her parents hide the truth from her and this leads to all kinds of issues.

The characters do tend to be a bit two dimensional but not off-putting. The time period that this is set in is certainly interesting and of course there is a bit of a love triangle thrown in for good measure. What I liked most about this read was the aspect of the adoption. The issues involved and the decisions that go along with it transcend generations. They are the same then as now and likely to be so in the future.

I didn't like that it tended to be a bit preachy. I know that its Christian fiction but I think it went a bit overboard. But maybe I feel that way because I'm not a big fan of the genre.

I think this would be a good read for anyone that does like Christian fiction, or very clean romance.



View all my reviews

Jael's Story

Women of the Bible: Jael's Story: A Novel by Ann Burton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a wonderful story. This is the story of Jael who is briefly mentioned in the bible. She was married to Heber who was a blacksmith. Her family believed that he would provide for her and treat her well because of his wealth and social standing. Jael soon came to learn this wasn't the case. When she becomes part of his household as second wife she quickly learns how he treats his wives and concubines. And being women they have no protection against his abuse.

I loved seeing a glimpse of life during this time. And how even though life was difficult for women they found ways to be strong and cope. Jael was just a girl when she married Heber but with life experience she grew to become a strong woman. Its easy to see why Levi loved her.

I've read other books in the Women of the Bible series and I've not read them in order. They work just fine as stand alone novels and I recommend these to anyone who loves a clean romance or historical romance. I loved it and look forward to the last one in the series that I have yet to read.



View all my reviews

Veetu Industries Giveaway

Looking back on 2012, I saw that my reviews for this series had more views than any other. And after conferring with the author, she has agreed to give away one set of ebooks in your choice of formats. I really enjoyed reading both of these books and am looking forward to next one in this series. This is an international giveaway but due to explicit content this giveaway is restricted to those over 18.

 

 



This is the first book in this series and you can find my review here

This is the second book and is every bit as good as the first one. And my review for it can be found here. You can also check out my interview with author Rae Gee and find out further information about this series.

Both of these wonderful books will be given away to one lucky reader!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Year-God's Daughter

The Year-God's Daughter by Rebecca Lochlann

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was an awesome read that I actually wanted to stretch to more than 4 stars but not quite 5. Set in ancient Greece, taking place mostly on the isle of Crete, we are drawn into this world as if we were there. Here, they worship the goddess Athene and is a matriarchal society. Every year a bull king is chosen and at the end of that year his blood sacrifice causes their prosperity to continue.

Mars On the Rise

Mars on the Rise by Rae Gee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this for review.

This is certainly not a read for everybody, but I really liked it. This is the first steampunk novel that I have read and I found it very different than what I am used to. Its a completely different world set in Victorian times, full of fantastical machines.

Lyon: Lords of Satyr #3

Lyon by Elizabeth Amber

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book, being third in the Lords of Satyr series, certainly fits in nicely with it. This series is certainly addicting.

In The Mailbox

Here are some new reads that I have received this week. Both of these are author requested reviews.



Synopsis
A collection of seven short stories spanning a wide gamut of styles and genres, from ghost stories to historical fantasies to surrealist horror to contemporary fantasies.

Raine -- The Lords of Satyr #2

Raine by Elizabeth Amber

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the second book in the Lords of Satyr series and it is just as good or better than the first one, Nicholas. As with the first one, this one is definitely not for just anyone. If you don't enjoy the strange and unusual then I suggest you look elsewhere. Personally, I love the strange and unusual and therefore I loved this one.

Nicholas: Lords of Satyr

Nicholas by Elizabeth Amber

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Let me start by saying that this book is far from being for everyone. Definitely not for those under 18. But absolutely something I loved, but I've always enjoyed the strange and unusual.

This is the story of 3 satyr men that have been given the task of finding three Farie women and marrying them to give them protection from evil. Usually the satyr appear completely human except during the Calling at the full moon when they have furry legs and 2 phallus and an insatiable sex drive.