ARC Review: The Girl with the Windup Heart by Kady Cross

The Girl with the Windup Heart
Author: Kady Cross
Publication: Harlequin Teen (May 27, 2014)

Description: 1897 London, a final showdown is about to begin

London's underworld is no place for a young woman, even one who is strong, smart and part-automaton like Mila. But when master criminal Jack Dandy inadvertently breaks her heart, she takes off, determined to find an independent life, one entirely her own. Her search takes her to the spangled shadows of the West End's most dazzling circus.

Meanwhile, taken captive in the Aether, Griffin King is trapped in an inescapable prison, and at the mercy of his archenemy, The Machinist. If he breaks under the hellish torment, The Machinist will claim his powers and control of the Aether itself, and no one in either world will be safe—especially not Finley Jayne and her misfit band of friends.

Finley plunges headlong into the Aether the only way she knows how, by temporarily dying. But she cannot parry The Machinist's maneuvers for long. To defeat him for good, Griffin will have to confront his greatest fear and finally come face-to-face with the destructive power he wields.

My Thoughts: THE GIRL WITH THE WINDUP HEART was a satisfying conclusion to this steampunk series. I liked the romance between Jack Dandy and Mila. I also liked the way the whole group worked together when the Machinist, Leonardo Garibaldi, kidnapped Griffin into the Aether.

The two parts of this story worked well together as we find the former android Mila learning to be a real girl and trying to convince Jack that she loved him. It was nice to see Jack's good side as he falls in love with Mila too but doesn't think that he is the best man for her.

I love the steampunk details of this series. It was also filled with adventure and excitement as the group comes to a final showdown with the villain who has been haunting them throughout the series.

Begin with THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET and see for yourself what an enjoyable series this is.

Favorite Quote:

"I am. Most girls quite enjoy the romance of Romeo and Juliet."

Her frown grew. She was adorable when she scowled. "I don't find tandem suicide the least bit romantic, Jack. Why didn't they just stand up to their families?"

"Because that just wasn't done."

She snorted. "Ridiculous. If I was in love with someone, I wouldn't let that stop me."

I got this eARC from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: The Girl with the Windup Heart by Kady Cross

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 The Girl with the Windup Heart by Kady Cross. This is the fourth novel in the Steampunk Chronicles. Here is the description of this May 27 release:

1897 London, a final showdown is about to begin

London's underworld is no place for a young woman, even one who is strong, smart and part-automaton like Mila. But when master criminal Jack Dandy inadvertently breaks her heart, she takes off, determined to find an independent life, one entirely her own. Her search takes her to the spangled shadows of the West End's most dazzling circus.

Meanwhile, taken captive in the Aether, Griffin King is trapped in an inescapable prison, and at the mercy of his archenemy, The Machinist. If he breaks under the hellish torment, The Machinist will claim his powers and control of the Aether itself, and no one in either world will be safe—especially not Finley Jayne and her misfit band of friends.

Finley plunges headlong into the Aether the only way she knows how, by temporarily dying. But she cannot parry The Machinist's maneuvers for long. To defeat him for good, Griffin will have to confront his greatest fear and finally come face-to-face with the destructive power he wields.

Beginning:

There was a most villainous killer on the loose. For weeks the nobility of Great Britain had been terrified&mdash:particularly the gentlemen.

Friday 56:

Mila sighed with the gusto of an elephant expelling water from its trunk. She stomped from the drawing room to the stairs.

ARC Review: The Cursed by Heather Graham

The Cursed
Author: Heather Graham
Publication: Harlequin MIRA (May 27, 2014)

Description: A haunted house in Key West 

Hannah O'Brien, who grew up in the house and now runs it as a B and B, has always had a special ability to see a pair of resident ghosts. But when a man is murdered in the alley behind her place, she's dismayed when his spirit appears, too, asking for help.

FBI agent Dallas Samson has a passionate interest in the murder, since the victim's a colleague whose death is connected to the smuggling ring known as Los Lobos—the wolves. Now Dallas is even more committed to chasing them down….

Unaware that Dallas has certain abilities of his own, Hannah calls her cousin Kelsey O'Brien, a member of the FBI's Krewe of Hunters, an elite unit of paranormal investigators. The present-day case is linked to a historical mystery involving salvagers, a curse and a sunken ship. Danger and desire bring Hannah and Dallas together, but to survive, they have to solve the mysteries of the past—and stay alive long enough to solve the crimes of the present!

My Thoughts: Hannah O'Brien runs a B and B in Key West and also conducts ghost tours. It helps that she can actually see ghosts. In fact, her B and B is haunted by two lovers. So, when one of her guests wakes the inn screaming because she had seen a ghost, Hannah soothes her and sends her and the other guests to a non-haunted hotel. She wasn't expecting to find a body when she went into the alley behind her house. Nor was she expecting his ghost to ask for help.

Dallas Samson is the FBI agent who comes to work the case. It turns out the dead man was another agent who was undercover to try to infiltrate Los Lobos - a very secretive gang that deals in smuggling. Now the leader of that gang has turned his interest toward Hannah's B and B. He is convinced that there is wealth hidden there from a sunken ship.

This was an entertaining paranormal romance. It is also the twelfth book in the Krewe of Hunters series. It is the first book in that series that I have read. While I am curious about some of the other characters' stories, this story stands alone quite well. Both Hannah and Dallas are interesting characters and their romance is realistic.

Fans of romantic suspense who like ghosts would be the best audience for this story. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more books in the Krewe of Hunters series.

Favorite Quote:

No, it wouldn't be okay. It would never be okay. A dying man had come into her yard looking for help, then breathed his last in the alley behind her house, and now his ghost had come to her for help.

I got this eARC from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Cursed by Heather Graham

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!

Teaser:

"They thought a real man—mortally injured and bleeding—was a ghost?" Dallas demanded.

"Yes."

"How the hell...?" he muttered.

"I can't read their minds," she said sharply.

My teaser this week comes from The Cursed by Heather Graham. I got this eARC from NetGalley. Here is the description of this May 27 release:

A haunted house in Key West 

Hannah O'Brien, who grew up in the house and now runs it as a B and B, has always had a special ability to see a pair of resident ghosts. But when a man is murdered in the alley behind her place, she's dismayed when his spirit appears, too, asking for help.

FBI agent Dallas Samson has a passionate interest in the murder, since the victim's a colleague whose death is connected to the smuggling ring known as Los Lobos—the wolves. Now Dallas is even more committed to chasing them down….

Unaware that Dallas has certain abilities of his own, Hannah calls her cousin Kelsey O'Brien, a member of the FBI's Krewe of Hunters, an elite unit of paranormal investigators. The present-day case is linked to a historical mystery involving salvagers, a curse and a sunken ship. Danger and desire bring Hannah and Dallas together, but to survive, they have to solve the mysteries of the past—and stay alive long enough to solve the crimes of the present!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (May 19, 2014)

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.

While our weather has still been unseasonably cold, it looks like it is taking a turn for the warmer. I can hardly wait. I had my air conditioner checked out this week and would like to get a chance to use it before I head north for my summer vacation.

Just three weeks of school left and two of them are four day weeks. Things get a little confusing with the various classes all trying to fit in a last field trip before school is out. I have unexpected gaps in my schedule when classes are gone. It is nice to have the extra time to work on projects that I'd like to finish before vacation though.

This coming week sees the end of most of my TV watching too. The Voice's finale is Tuesday evening.

Read Last Week

Honor's Knight by Rachel Bach was the second book in her Paradox trilogy. I thought it was exciting and entertaining. My review will be posted on May 31.

Heaven's Queen by Rachel Back was the final book in the Paradox trilogy. I loved the action, the hero and heroine, and thought the conclusion was very satisfying. My review will be posted on June 5.

Take Me On by Katie McGarry was another intense and emotional contemporary story in her Pushing the Limits series. I devoured it! My review will be posted on May 21. 

Vivian Divine Is Dead by Lauren Sabel was another contemporary story about a young teen actress who runs away to Mexico to get away from death threats and finds danger, secrets, and a new romance. My review will be posted on May 31.

Hexed by Michelle Krys was a contemporary paranormal about a cheerleader who learns that she is a hereditary witch when she gets caught in a war between the witches and the sorcerers. It was an engaging story. My review will be posted on June 5.

Fatal Affair by Marie Force is the first book in her fatal series. It was an excellent romantic suspense title that reminded me in some ways of J.D. Robb's In Death series. After finishing it, I bought the rest of the series for my Kindle and look forward to reading more. My review will be posted on June 7.

Currently

I just started On the Road to Find Out by Rachel Toor. I got this ARC from Macmillan. The book will be released on June 10.

Next Week

The Body in the Woods by April Henry sounds like an engaging thriller. I got the ARC from Macmillan. The book will be released on June 17.

Another June 17 release is The Quick by Lauren Owen. I won this ARC from LibraryThing. It is a mystery with maybe a touch of horror.

Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore was a NetGalley find. I have enjoyed previous books by this author. It is also a June 17 release.

That Night by Chevy Stevens came from Amazon Vine. This thriller is also a June 17 release.

Reviews Posted

• Broken Hearts, Fences and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn
• Mila 2.0: Renegade by Debra Driza
• The Summer Invitation by Charlotte Silver
• Risky Game by Tracy Solheim

That was my week. How was yours?

Book Review: Risky Game by Tracy Solheim

Risky Game
Author: Tracy Solheim
Series: An Out of Bounds Novel (Book 3)
Publication: Berkley (May 6, 2014)

Description: In the next sizzling sports romance from the author of Foolish Games, Brody is at the top of his game… until Shannon changes the rules.

Baltimore Blaze tight end Brody Janik is a natural-born football star. At twenty-seven, his record-breaking athletic performance and his cover-boy good looks have turned him into a household name. But Brody’s hiding a major secret behind his charming public persona: a health condition that may cut his career short.

PhD candidate Shannon “Shay” Everett works multiple jobs to put herself through school—including an unpaid internship with the Blaze training department.  Strapped for cash, Shay answers the call of an NFL gossip blogger to uncover personal details about the Blaze players. Sneaking into the locker room one night, she gets entangled in Brody's secret…and swept up by his charm.

Brody isn't sure what to make of the gawky girl with the whiskey eyes, especially when he discovers she was snooping. His first instinct is to turn her in as a snitch, but she could destroy him by sharing his secret. Instead, he decides to keep her close…perhaps closer than either of them originally intended…

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed RISKY GAME. I liked that the characters were so well drawn that I felt like I could meet them around any corner. It also helped my enjoyment that this was a sports romances. I love romances between professional athletes and the women who are just right for them.

It doesn't seem the NFL star Brody Janik and PHD candidate Shay Everett would have much in common. He's a golden boy from a privileged background leading what seems to be a charmed life. Shay is from a much more difficult background filled with financial worries, a father with a traumatic brain injury, and a grandmother who didn't waste one chance to put her down.

But Shay is very bright. At age twenty-four, she is going for her doctorate in nutrition and interning with Brody's football team. She overhears a conversation between Brody and his trainer that tells her that Brody is having blood sugar problems and that he is keeping them from the team. An accidental comment from Shay lets Brody know that she overheard the conversation prompting Brody to blackmail her to make her keep his secret.

Since there is a blogger exposing all sorts of secrets of NFL players, Brody is certain that Shay will pass the information on despite Shay's assurances that she will not. The lack of trust between them doesn't bode well for a romance. However, they get to know each other better as Brody has Shay preparing his meals to help keep his blood sugar in balance. Shay is okay with this because she can use the data for her PHD thesis. They are mutually using each other and pretending to have a relationship.

Watching the relationship go from pretend to love made for a very engaging story. Fans of sports romances won't want to miss this one.

Favorite Quote:

Shay's eyelids snapped open to see Brody's trademark baby blues inches from her own face, his forehead resting against hers. His pupil's were bright with mischief and that's when it hit her: Brody Janik wasn't kissing her to kiss her. He'd kissed her as part of some sort of male-posturing ego trip; the big steer in the herd asserting his dominance. The flush stinging her cheeks, originally brought on by potent desire, was now fueled by embarrassment. And anger.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: Risky Game by Tracy Solheim

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 Risky Game by Tracy Solheim. This is the third book in the Out of Bounds series and is a sports romance. Here is the description of this May 6 release:

In the next sizzling sports romance from the author of Foolish Games, Brody is at the top of his game… until Shannon changes the rules.

Baltimore Blaze tight end Brody Janik is a natural-born football star. At twenty-seven, his record-breaking athletic performance and his cover-boy good looks have turned him into a household name. But Brody’s hiding a major secret behind his charming public persona: a health condition that may cut his career short.

PhD candidate Shannon “Shay” Everett works multiple jobs to put herself through school—including an unpaid internship with the Blaze training department.  Strapped for cash, Shay answers the call of an NFL gossip blogger to uncover personal details about the Blaze players. Sneaking into the locker room one night, she gets entangled in Brody’s secret…and swept up by his charm.

Brody isn’t sure what to make of the gawky girl with the whiskey eyes, especially when he discovers she was snooping. His first instinct is to turn her in as a snitch, but she could destroy him by sharing his secret. Instead, he decides to keep her close…perhaps closer than either of them originally intended… 

Beginning:

Shannon "Shay" Everett had been in some compromising positions in her life. Many of them even of her own doing.

Friday 56:

"Do I have a choice?"

A flicker of something passed over his face, but it was gone before Shay could identify it. "No. Neither one of us does."