Thursday, October 31, 2013

ARC Review: Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach

Fortune's Pawn
Author: Rachel Bach
Publication: Orbit (November 5, 2013)

Description: Devi Morris isn't your average mercenary. She has plans. Big ones. And a ton of ambition. It's a combination that's going to get her killed one day - but not just yet.

That is, until she just gets a job on a tiny trade ship with a nasty reputation for surprises. The Glorious Fool isn't misnamed: it likes to get into trouble, so much so that one year of security work under its captain is equal to five years everywhere else. With odds like that, Devi knows she's found the perfect way to get the jump on the next part of her Plan. But the Fool doesn't give up its secrets without a fight, and one year on this ship might be more than even Devi can handle.

My Thoughts: FORTUNE'S PAWN was a great space opera novel. The main character - Devi Morris - is a larger-than-life, kick ass mercenary soldier who, nonetheless, seems very real and well-rounded. Devi is ambitious. She wants to overcome her peasant roots and become on the god-king's elite warriors - the Devastators. Unfortunately, you have to be asked to join and you have to be at least 10 years older than Devi is. To, hopefully, shortcut her path, Devi applies for a job on the spaceship The Glorious Fool because she has heard that one successful year there is like five anywhere else. The captain has also promised to recommend her to the Devastators if she does a good job for him.

The ship has a very interesting crew. Among them are two aliens including one representative of a race that thinks humans make great food and is currently serving as the ship's doctor. The captain is very mysterious and has an even stranger daughter. But the character that most intrigues Devi is Rupert Charkov who is the ship's cook. Devi is intrigued by him and decides to hit on him. He is wonderfully polite but manages to dodge her increasingly blatant hits. She thought she had read him wrong when she finds him holding a gun to the captain's head one day. However, when she shot him without hesitation, she learned that it had all been a test to see if she could kill a friend who had gone bad.

They do manage to get over their bad start and have a romance. However, the captain says that they can't and plays on Devi's ambition to get her to break off the relationship. Rupert is also constantly telling her that he is dangerous. That doesn't deter Devi much. After all, mercs aren't know for being danger-averse.

Devi has lots of questions about Rupert and about the ship and is determined to satisfy her curiosity. But questions can be as dangerous as the alien Xith'cal and too many questions could get a girl killed.

I enjoyed the world building in this story. I also really liked the characters. I can't wait to read the next book in this series to find out more and to get some of my many questions answered. The only bad part about reading an ARC is that it seems so much longer until the next book in the series is ready to be read. Hurry up, Rachel! I need to know what happens next.

Favorite Quote:
As the scalding steam rolled over me, I peeled off my wet dress, balled it in my fists, put it to my mouth, and screamed into it until I was reasonably sure I wouldn't shoot something. Needless to say, I screamed for a long time.
I got this eARC at NetGalley from Orbit. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Audio-Book Review: Darkness Dawns by Dianne Duvall

Darkness Dawns
Author: Dianne Duvall
Read by: Kirsten Potter
Publication: Tantor Media; Unabridged,Unabridged CD edition (July 25, 2011)

Description: Once, Sarah Bingham's biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she's landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control...

In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible-when it means forfeiting the world she's always known, and the life he would do anything to protect.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed listening to this urban fantasy novel. Sarah is minding her own business - working in her garden - when she finds herself too near a fight between vampires and their minions and one lone immortal. She finds this immortal - Roland Warbrook - being guarded by two minions. She attacks them with a shovel and manages to free Roland before the sun can rise and kill him.

However, Roland's enemy isn't going to give up which leaves Sarah in danger. Despite being the reclusive type, Roland is determined to protect this courageous young woman who put herself at risk for him. Sarah quickly gets swept up in a world she didn't know existed and falls in love with Roland. Roland love her too but is very aware of the problems of an immortal falling in love with a human. Besides which, until his enemy can be vanquished, neither one has the luxury of time to explore their relationship.

The story was fast-paced and the romance was hot. I thought Kirsten Potter did a very good job distinguishing between the characters and was very easy to listen to. The only negative to listening to this story is that I immediately want to listen to or read the next books in the series.

****
I listened to the unabridged audiobook on CD. I bought it from Tantor Media's bargain bin for only $6.99.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week my teaser comes from an impulse pick at NetGalley. I chose Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach because I was in the mood to read some science fiction. Here is the description of this Nov. 5 release:
Devi Morris isn't your average mercenary. She has plans. Big ones. And a ton of ambition. It's a combination that's going to get her killed one day - but not just yet.

That is, until she just gets a job on a tiny trade ship with a nasty reputation for surprises. The Glorious Fool isn't misnamed: it likes to get into trouble, so much so that one year of security work under its captain is equal to five years everywhere else. With odds like that, Devi knows she's found the perfect way to get the jump on the next part of her Plan. But the Fool doesn't give up its secrets without a fight, and one year on this ship might be more than even Devi can handle.
Teaser:
"Well," I said at last, putting my glass down with a clink. "I guess if Caldswell hasn't fire me yet, he's not going to." 

Sunday, October 27, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Oct. 28, 2013)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

On the Personal Front:

I began this week at an inservice that got teachers from seven area school districts together to talk about Professional Learning Communities. It was sort of a wasted day for me because I am not on a PLC at my district. The elementary arranges their PLCs by grade level and the high school arranges theirs by departments. As a media specialist I am rather left out in both cases. It was nice to meet with the Media Specialists at the area schools to find out what they are doing though.

The rest of the week was a quiet, normal school week. Fall weather is in full swing with cold nights and slightly warmer days. This coming week should be busier as Halloween is coming which excites both elementary and high school students and the end of the quarter is Friday which means that I will have to do my first grades for my media classes. I ended this week by making the specialists' report card as a Google Doc because our usual supplier won't have it ready this quarter and won't ever have it ready for students in grades K through 3. Some of the decisions about the report card were just made this week and our supplier needed the information last May.

Last week I got a couple of questions about my brother's favorite pie - French Silk. So I thought I would provide a picture and a link to a recipe.

Last Week:
I finished listening to Darkness Dawns by Dianne Duvall. I enjoyed this paranormal romance and really enjoyed listening to this narrator. My review will be posted on Oct. 30.

I finished reading Altered by Gennifer Albin which is the second book in the Crewel World trilogy. This one was not a favorite of mine. I found the pacing very slow. I also felt that I had forgotten too much about the characters since I read the first book quite a while ago. My review is here.
I really enjoyed Elysian Fields by Suzanne Johnson which is the third book in the Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series. I like the main character and enjoyed watching as she got herself into and out of trouble. My review will be posted on Nov. 2.

Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger is the second book in her Finishing School series. This story was a lovely combination of steampunk and paranormal fiction with a healthy dose of Victorian manners. Sophronia is a great character. My review will be posted on Nov. 7.
I also won a copy of Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween by Melanie Watt. This Elementary title had great advice for kids getting ready for Halloween from the viewpoint of Scaredy Squirrel. I reviewed it on Amazon, LibraryThing and GoodReads but won't be doing a longer review on my blog. 

Currently:

Nothing but The Isis Collar is next on my stack.

Next Week:

I get to pull a couple of my adult TBR mountain this week before going back to review books. My YA books are all still from my review stack.
The Isis Collar by Cat Adams
The Whole Golden World by Kristina Riggle (Review)
Twinmaker by Sean Williams (Review)
Extracted by Sherry Ficklin (Review)
Uncrashable Dakota by Andy Marino (Review)

Reviews Last Week:

That was my week. How was yours?

Stacking the Shelves (Oct. 27, 2013)

Tynga of Team Tynga's Reviews has a meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Visit her site to check out the linky and see what everyone gets. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow.

This week two more of my Joelle Charbonneau mysteries arrived.
Skating on the Edge is the third in the Rebecca Robbins series.

End Me a Tenor is the second in the Glee Club Mystery series.

I am still waiting for the first books in each of those series. I am determined to read each series in order. 

That is what I got this past week. What did you add to your stack?

Saturday, October 26, 2013

ARC Review: Foreplay by Sophie Jordan

Foreplay
Author: Sophie Jordan
Publication: William Morrow Paperbacks (November 5, 2013)

Description: Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend's brother, Hunter, for, like, ever. He's the key to everything she's always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she's kissed exactly one guy, she has the perfect plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom: take a few pointers from someone who knows what he's doing.

Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he's beyond gorgeous, but he's also dangerous and deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as a lesson in attraction is turning both their worlds upside down, and showing them just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what's real. . . .

My Thoughts: FOREPLAY is a novel that fits nicely into the New Adult genre. Pepper has had a goal for years to win the affections of her best friend's older brother Hunter. Hunter represents everything she has always wanted in her life - a close, happy family; a handsome, polite man. Her own family was pretty dysfunctional. She was dragged from place to place by her drug-addicted mother until she was eleven. She spent a lot of time hidden in closets and bathrooms while her mother "entertained" various men. When one of the men came near to abusing her at age eleven, her mother decided she couldn't protect her any more and dropped her off to live with her grandmother. She was raised by her grandmother in an old people's home. It seems natural that she would fall in love with Hunter and Hunter's family.

Pepper has moved on to college - the same college Hunter is attending - and, now that Hunter has broken up with his long-term girlfriend, she has decided to take her opportunity to make him see her as something other than his sister's best friend. That is where Reese comes in. Her roommates have been telling her about this hot bartender at a local joint. Pepper decides to ask him to teach her how to be with a man. After all, she has been waiting for Hunter all her life and has only kissed one guy.

Reese isn't quite what Pepper thought. He is certainly hot. But he is also kind and caring and protective. His childhood was almost as dysfunctional as hers. His mother died of a medicine overdose when he was eight, leaving him with a foul-mouthed, verbally abusive father and a younger brother to raise. After the father has an accident that leaves him a paraplegic, Reese drops out of college to run the bar which has been in the family for 50 years. 

Reese and Pepper have a great relationship but it takes way too long for pepper to realize that what she is doing with Reese is love not practice. 

This was a quick read. I enjoyed the characters and the romance but wished that Pepper would have had her realization about which man was right for her faster. I think she hurt Reese way more than she needed to and more than most men would tolerate.

Favorite Quote:
"Hey." He reached across the table and covered my hand with his own. "It's going to work out. You'll see. You'll get your guy."

My heart clenched a little at his words. Suddenly I wasn't so sure who that guy was anymore.
I got this ARC through Amazon Vine. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Friday Memes: Foreplay by Sophie Jordan

Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

This week I am spotlighting Foreplay by Sophie Jordan. I got this ARC through Amazon Vine and chose it on the strength of the author's name. Here is the description of this Nov. 5 release:
Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend's brother, Hunter, for, like, ever. He's the key to everything she's always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she's kissed exactly one guy, she has the perfect plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom: take a few pointers from someone who knows what he's doing.

Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he's beyond gorgeous, but he's also dangerous and deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as a lesson in attraction is turning both their worlds upside down, and showing them just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what's real. . . .
It sounds like I am going to be reading my first New Adult book.

Beginning:
All my life I knew what I wanted. Or rather, what I didn't want.
Friday 56:
When we got to Mulvaney's we walked in through the back door, past the food counter. My stomach growled and I remembered I hadn't eaten since lunch. 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

ARC Review: The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins

The Perfect Match
Author: Kristan Higgins
Publication: Harlequin HQN (October 29, 2013)

Description: What if the perfect match is a perfect surprise? 

Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now—a mere three weeks later—Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out there…or she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn't easier said than done.

Charming, handsome British professor Tom Barlow just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson, Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States—and leave Charlie behind.

In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience—and make her ex jealous in the process. But juggling a fiancé, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn't easy. And as sparks start to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love….


My Thoughts: Honor Holland has always been the steady, sensible one. She isn't like her battling grandparents or her older sister whose relationship with her husband is graphically embarassing to Honor. She has had a long-term relationship with Brogan that he sees as friends with benefits. When she proposes to him, he shoots her down. Even worse, her best friend - now former best friend - is there to pick up the pieces and she and Brogan quickly become engaged.

Meanwhile, Tom Brogan is trying to keep up a relationship with his almost stepson Charlie. His fiance died before they could be married and Charlie has blamed Tom. Charlie is living with his grandparents who are very reluctant guardians. But Tom is British and his work visa is going to expire. A marriage to an American citizen would let him stay. 

Honor needs a relationship to salvage her pride and Tom needs a marriage to stay near the boy he loves. The only problem is that neither one is able to deal with that kind of relationship. Honor falls in love with him but Tom doesn't want to fall in love. His mother abandoned him when he was a child, his fiance was having an affair on the side with her ex-husband, and Charlie seems to hate him. Tom is afraid that opening himself up to loving Honor will only give him one more chance to fail at relationships. 

I really liked this story because of the strong relationships between all the Hollands. And I liked the open-heartedness that welcomed Tom and Charlie into their family. The characters are nicely quirky and engaging. The romance between Tom and Honor was a very realistic one about two people who start out with different goals and manage to form a strong relationship anyway.

This was a very nice romance. I recommend it. 

Favorite Quote:
She wanted to be special to someone. She wanted a man's face to light up when he saw her. She wanted a man to kiss her like his heart would stop if she didn't.
I got this eARC from a publicist who sent me the NetGalley link. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Book Review: Getting Rowdy by Lori Foster

Getting Rowdy
Author: Lori Foster
Publication: Harlequin HQN (September 24, 2013)

Description: An alpha hero's attraction to the one woman he can't have could draw him into a killer's snare in the sizzling new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster 

Charismatic bar owner Rowdy Yates isn't the kind of man women say no to. So when he approaches waitress Avery Mullins, he fully expects to get her number. However, the elusive beauty has her reasons for keeping her distance—including a past that might come back to haunt them both.

Avery spends her nights working for tips…and trying to forget the secret Rowdy is determined to unearth. But when history threatens to repeat itself, Avery grows to rely on Rowdy's protective presence. As the sparks between them ignite, she will be forced to choose between the security she's finally found…and the passion she's always wanted.


My Thoughts: Avery Mullins, on the run for personal reasons that might be catching up with her, is working as a bartender in Rowdy Yates' new bar. Rowdy is handsome, sexy, and every bit of a bad boy. He has been hitting on her ever since he saw her but she is determined not to be the next one-night stand in Rowdy's life. 

Rowdy has reasons of his own to keep his relationships to one-night stands. He had a tough childhood and lives a dangerous life. He grew up taking care of his younger sister Pepper and keeping both of them out of trouble. Now Pepper has found her own love (Run the Risk) and doesn't need the same level of care. Rowdy has bought the bar but still doesn't see himself as settling down and changing his lifestyle.

When Avery's trouble catches up with her, she doesn't want to just bring out Rowdy's protective streak. She wants to handle her own problems and not put him in danger. Rowdy wants to be her protector and lover - and one night is no where near long enough to be with her. 

I liked that both characters in this romance were strong people. Avery has gone from sheltered young woman to someone who was assertive and able to make it on her own. I also liked that she was confident enough to share her feelings with Rowdy without demanding that he reciprocate them. I also liked that both characters were vulnerable. Rowdy is exploring new territory because he has never had a relationship with a woman that lasted more than a day. It takes a while for Rowdy to realize that his desire to protect Avery and keep her safe from any danger was love.

I also liked getting a chance to catch up with some of the secondary characters who had been main characters in earlier books in the Lovers Undercover series. The book also introduces new characters - especially Cannon - who need their stories told too. It looks like Dash's story is coming next but I am also really curious about Cannon's.

This was a wonderful romantic suspense story. It had enough sexy romance to satisfy the most romantic and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. 

Have you seen the trailer?


Favorite Quote:
Anger darkened her blue eyes and lowered her voice to a rasp. "I can't imagine why you're telling me this."

Because what you think of me matters. Rowdy slid his hand to the back of her neck, keeping her near. "I get the feeling you saw me with her and you took it personally."
I got this finished copy from Meryl Moss Media Relations for review. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week my teaser comes from the eARC of The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins. I was in the mood for a romance and this book was on my review stack.

Teaser:
The day Honor Grace Holland turned thirty-five, she did what she always did on her birthday.

She got a Pap smear.
Book Description:
What if the perfect match is a perfect surprise? 

Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now—a mere three weeks later—Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out there…or she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn't easier said than done. 

Charming, handsome British professor Tom Barlow just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson, Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States—and leave Charlie behind. 

In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience—and make her ex jealous in the process. But juggling a fiancé, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn't easy. And as sparks start to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love…. 

Sunday, October 20, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Oct. 21, 2013)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

On the Personal Front:

I had a very nice break from school. The weather was great on the drive up to Duluth. I got a chance to eat at Texas Roadhouse that evening. I did lots of reading and visiting and game playing. The drive back on Sunday wasn't quite as pleasant. I had either snow or rain for 2/3 of the trip back. I am glad to be back and eager to get back to work.

Just a few more weeks and then it will be time for our Thanksgiving break. Next time I promised to bring a pie home with me. My brother is a big fan of French Silk which has become our new Thanksgiving dessert tradition.

Last Week:
The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa was an excellent fantasy novel. It does end with a cliffhanger that makes me very eager to read the final book in this trilogy. My review will be posted on Oct. 31.

Foreplay: The Ivy Chronicles by Sophie Jordan was an entertaining romance. It was a familiar trope - girl asks for lessons to seduce the man of her dreams and falls for her teacher - but it was well done with interesting characters. My review will be posted on Oct. 26.
Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach was an entertaining science fiction novel with a well-written "kick ass" female lead. My review will be posted on Oct. 31.

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes was a very good mystery. The teenage characters were interesting. The mystery was exciting. The pace was fast. My review will be posted on Nov. 2.
The Widow File by S. G. Redling was a very fast-paced thriller. I liked the main character who was a young woman who was out of her element when she went on the run being chased by killers but who found hidden strength. The only part that was a negative for me was that I still don't know who the bad guys were. My review won't be posted on my blog until Dec. 26 but you can read my review at Amazon, LibraryThing, and GoodReads now.

Currently:
Darkness Dawns by Dianne Duvall is an audiobook that I listened to in the car on my trip to and from Duluth. I have been listening to the last disk while writing this post. It is a great urban fantasy story.

Altered by Jennifer Albin is the sequel to Crewel. I am finding this one a little confusing as it has been so long since I read Crewel. I really could have used an "info-dump" to catch me up an the relationships. 

Next Week:
Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy
The Isis Collar by Cat Adams
Elysian Fields by Suzanne Johnson
Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
Uncrashable Dakota by Andy Marino
Extracted by Sherry Ficklin

Reviewed Last Week:

Ms. Martin Teaches Media
Teardrop by Lauren Kate
The Cutting Room Floor by Dawn Klehr

Inside of a Dog
The Stranger You Know by Andrea Kane
Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Bella Andre 
A Study in Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway

Stacking the Shelves (Oct. 20, 2013)

Tynga of Team Tynga's Reviews has a meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Visit her site to check out the linky and see what everyone gets. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow.

After two weeks of empty mailboxes, this week more than made up for it.

Audiobooks

Tantor Media has some great audiobook deals - $6.99 for on unabridged book on CD - and I went a little crazy with their great selection. I bought:
I started listening to Darkness Dawns since I was traveling and am really enjoying the story. My round trip isn't quite long enough to complete the book. Looks like I may have to drive around for a while before I go home on Sunday.

Review Books


I received Wild Justice by Kelley Armstrong this week. I won it as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. The computer must have hiccuped because I got two copies. I am eager to read this addition to the Nadia Stafford series. This book will be released on Nov. 26.


I also got a copy of Alone by Kendra Elliot. She had emailed me to ask if I would like to read this addition to the Bone Secrets series and I was delighted to accept. This book won't be released until Jan. 7, 2014. I look forward to reading it during my Christmas Break this year.






Purchased


When I learned the Joelle Charbonneau had written adult mysteries in addition to her YA dystopia trilogy, I decided that I wanted to see what they are like. I went to Amazon Marketplace to see if I could find discounted copies of those mysteries. Skating Over the Line which is the second in the Rebecca Robbins series arrived this week. I need to wait until they all trickle in because I really like to read books in series order.

I also got Disenchanted & Co., Part 2: His Lordship Possessed by Lynn Viehl for my Kindle. Part 1 has been waiting since publication. Now I can read them both.

What did you add to your stack this week?

Saturday, October 19, 2013

ARC Review: A Study in Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway

A Study in Darkness
Author: Emma Jane Holloway
Publication: Del Rey (October 29, 2013)

Description: When a bomb goes off at 221B Baker Street, Evelina Cooper is thrown into her uncle Sherlock’s world of mystery and murder. But just when she thought it was safe to return to the ballroom, old, new, and even dead enemies are clamoring for a place on her dance card.

Before Evelina’s even unpacked her gowns for a country house party, an indiscretion puts her in the power of the ruthless Gold King, who recruits her as his spy. He knows her disreputable past and exiles her to the rank alleyways of Whitechapel with orders to unmask his foe.

As danger mounts, Evelina struggles between hiding her illegal magic and succumbing to the darker aspects of her power. One path keeps her secure; the other keeps her alive. For rebellion is brewing, a sorcerer wants her soul, and no one can protect her in the hunting grounds of Jack the Ripper.


My Thoughts: This second volume in the Baskerville Affair trilogy has all the complexity, steampunk details, plots within plots, magic, intrigue and romance of the first book and adds even more wonderful detail and character development. I almost felt like a needed a flowchart to keep track of who knew what and how all the characters were connected in this tightly plotted novel. 

I loved spending time with these well-rounded and well-written characters. With the possible exception of Dr. Magnus, even the villains had both strengths and weaknesses. That doesn't mean that I liked Jasper Keating, the Gold King, or Lord Bancroft but I could understand why they were making the decisions they were making. They were both so busy plotting and trying to outwit each other that the people around them suffered the consequences.

Lord Bancroft's children Tobias and Imogen are his pawns. Tobias is pressured into a marriage with the Gold King's daughter though he had been busy courting Evelina Cooper. Imogen is being pushed at another of the steam barons instead of being allowed to marry the wealthy but socially inferior Bucky Penner.

Evelina falls under the sway of the Gold King when she is caught kissing Tobias who is engaged to his daughter. Evelina finds herself in a very poor part of London spying for the Gold King and trying to find the Blue King's maker. Imagine her surprise when she runs into Dr. Magnus. Everyone thought the sorcerer had been killed but somehow he survived and is still plotting his revenge both against the Gold King and the other steam barons. Evelina is very tempted by Dr. Magnus because she has magic and he can teach her more about it. Lack of knowledge about her magic had forced her apart from her childhood sweetheart Niccolo because he has a different, incompatible magic. He ran off to become an air pirate in order to become wealthy and more worthy of her. Now their paths cross again. But both Keating and Magnus want the ancient device that he stole when he ran away to be a pirate and nowhere is safe for them. 

I have so many questions that I can hardly wait until December when the final book in the trilogy - A STUDY IN ASHES - will be released. Who is this mysterious Schoolmaster who is guiding the rebellion? Do Evelina and Niccolo find a way to be together? What happens to Imogen? Are the steam barons and Dr. Magnus finally defeated? December can not come soon enough. 

Favorite Quote:
"You want me to spy for you?" she asked incredulously. 

Holmes made an innocent face. "Ladies don't spy. They gossip. Copiously. Bring me something useful about Keating's activities."
I got this eARC at NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Friday Memes: A Study in Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway

Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

This week I am spotlighting A Study in Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway which is an eARC that I recently got from NetGalley. It is the sequel to A Study in Silks which I had for review from Amazon Vine. Here is the description of this steampunk mystery:
When a bomb goes off at 221B Baker Street, Evelina Cooper is thrown into her uncle Sherlock’s world of mystery and murder. But just when she thought it was safe to return to the ballroom, old, new, and even dead enemies are clamoring for a place on her dance card.

Before Evelina’s even unpacked her gowns for a country house party, an indiscretion puts her in the power of the ruthless Gold King, who recruits her as his spy. He knows her disreputable past and exiles her to the rank alleyways of Whitechapel with orders to unmask his foe.

As danger mounts, Evelina struggles between hiding her illegal magic and succumbing to the darker aspects of her power. One path keeps her secure; the other keeps her alive. For rebellion is brewing, a sorcerer wants her soul, and no one can protect her in the hunting grounds of Jack the Ripper.
Beginning:
What if the skies never cleared and his quarry slipped past, swathed in cloud like a bride beneath her veil?
Friday 56:
Silently balanced on the balls of her feet, Evelina eased into the room. She saw a minute tightening of her uncle's mouth, but he gave no other indication that he saw her.