Book Review: A Beastly Scandal by Shereen Vedam

3 stars

Genres: Romance, Fairy Tale, Fantasy

Format: ebook

216 pages

Published by ImaJinn Books

Published on March 22nd 2013

ISBN13: 9781610261241

Where to Buy: Amazon

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Synopsis:
A BELLE OF THE BALL…
Lady Annabelle Marchant was a belle of the ball in London until she used her psychical senses to save a man’s life. She failed miserably, leaving him dead and her disgraced. All she wants now is a chance to comfort his widow by cleansing the woman’s home of her husband’s restless spirit. But the widow’s son, the beastly Lord of the Manor, accuses her of coming to the wilds of Cheshire to snag him as a husband. Thoroughly disgusted, she is bent on proving him wrong.

…BECOMES PERSONA NON-GRATA…
Lord Rufus Marlesbury, the Earl of Terrance, is suspected of murdering his father. He has come home to clear his name by finding the real killer before the new year or the king has promised that Rufus will be called in front of the House of Lords to answer for the crime. He does not have time to waste fending off a marriage-minded miss who has inveigled an invitation to his home by playing on his grief-stricken mother’s worst fears.

…WHEN A MURDERER IS ON THE RAMPAGE
With an unruly manor ghost terrorizing the occupants and corpses piling up in the village, Belle must find a way to see the man beneath the beast and Rufus must learn to believe in the love of a woman who has no reason to trust him. Only by working together can they stop a vengeful ghost before it torments the guests or before the killer strikes again.

My Review:

This book is a nice short read.  Annabelle brings out the passion and ability to get ahead and make it on her own.  Despite the original plan Rufus, the magnetic hero, denies what he thinks and teams up with Annabelle to solve a murder.  I would have liked to see a little bit more out of the characters, some more personality and complexity. 

Note: I received this book via Netgalley.

Book Review: The Convict's Bounty Bride by Lena Dowling

2 stars

Genres: Historical, Romance

Format: ebook

59 pages

Published by Harlequin Enterprises Australia

Published March 1st 2013

ISBN13: 9780857990327

Where to Buy: Amazon

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Synopsis:

Life as a convict in an Australian penal colony was brutal, but James Hunter had the advantages of raw physical strength and courage on his side. He survived, and now he is back; a self‐made man of means, determined to take the bride he was promised.
Lady Thea Willers knows nothing of the bargain her father made to save her brother, nor does she have any interest in marriage. It might be a radical idea, but what Thea wants is a career.

The revelation that her brother’s liberty depends on her marrying James Hunter is devastating. But nothing, it seems, has the power to shake Thea’s world upside down like James himself, or the way he makes her feel.

My Review:

The highlight of this book was definitely the characters.  They had their own time of personalities, although they also appeared flat at times.  Being a novella I think a whole book as a whole would have made the characters pop.  Everything about this story was rushed.  I didn't feel like I had time to really get into the story at all and everything just flew on by.  There was no build up to the romance it kind of just happened.  I was left feeling like I had a lot of questions with no answers

Note: I received this book via Netgalley.

Book Review: Noir[ish] by Evan Guilford-Blake

4 stars

Format: Kindle Edition

159 pages

Published by Dutton Guilt Edged Mysteries

Published on September 18th 2012

ISBN13: B0095ZP0ZG

Where to Buy: Amazon

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Synopsis:

It’s Los Angeles. June, 1947. In the wake of mobster Bugsy Siegel’s violent murder, Private Investigator Robert Grahame is confronted with a case unlike anything he’s ever faced before. Lizabeth Duryea, a stunning yet peculiar young woman, hires Grahame to find her brother, Dan Scott, and leaves him with a small, mysterious package for safekeeping. But Grahame’s investigation becomes much more complicated when another mob big shot gets an anonymous tip that Grahame killed Siegel and hid the evidence in his office.

With the help of LAPD’s only female detective, Lauren Stanwyck, Grahame tries to discern the truth behind his mysterious client’s improbable story and find out who really killed Bugsy Siegel—haunted by his lost love at every step. As he stares into the face of his own cloudy past and the face of the fantastic, Grahame--in the classic noir tradition--is tempted by a femme fatale, followed by a shadowy figure, beaten up, accused of murder, and threatened. Ultimately, he uncovers a most unexpected plot, one which jeopardizes his way of life and puts him in mortal danger.

My Review:

This is a fresh and upcoming take on a classic murder novel.  I loved how the characters interacted with each other and the suspense and mystery kept me entertained throughout the whole novel.  The storyline was compelling and interesting especially for someone who didn't grow up in the era of the time.  This was a great read and an enjoyable story.

Note: I received this book via Netgalley.

Book Review: Fractured Soul (Fractured Light #2) by Rachel McClellan

4 stars

Genres: fantasy, romance, young adult

Format: ebook

336 pages

Published by Cedar Fort

Published on February 12th 2013 (first published February 2013)

ISBN: 1462111807

ISBN13: 9781462111800

Where to Buy: Amazon

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Synopsis:

Llona will do whatever it takes to protect her new found friends and home, but the dark plot that is threatening Lucent Academy, a school that’s supposed to be a safe place for Auras, may be too powerful for even Llona to defeat. This fast-paced tale of love, loyalty, and overcoming the darkness will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page!

My Review:

This is the second book in the Fractured Light series. What I found to be most delightful about this book was the fact that the reader did not actually have to read the first book in the series to be able to understand this one. The descriptions of Auras and Furies were enough to be able to affectively follow what was going on. Although I would like to go back and read the first book just for the story, I do not find that to be necessary. This is an extremely enjoyable and fast paced read with interesting characters and action packed events.

The ending was simply amazing and I cannot wait to get my hand on the third book!

Note: I received this book via Netgalley. All thoughts are my honest opinion!

Book Review: How Beauty Met the Beast (Tales of the Underlight #1) by Jax Garren

3 stars

Format: ebook

152 pages

Published by Carina Press

Published on November 19th 2012

ISBN: 1356194360

ISBN13: 9781426894664

Where to Buy: Amazon (audio book)

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Synopsis:

The Beast

Scarred. Damaged. Living with a terrible secret. Agent of the Underlight Wesley "Hauk" Haukon has nothing left but the fight for liberty against the oppressive Order of Ananke. He's starting to lose hope…and then he sees her.

The Beauty

Despite her night job as a burlesque dancer, grad student Jolie Benoit has always played the mostly good girl. That all changes following a scorching sexual encounter with a stranger whose face she doesn't see. After she's kidnapped by thugs and rescued by a man with a very familiar voice, Jolie becomes a pawn in a struggle she never knew existed.

Hauk knows he cannot have her, and resolves to protect his heart and his secrets. But as they work together and grow closer, he finds new reason to keep fighting. Dare he risk hope in a new life, one where Jolie can see past his ravaged face and where their friendship can grow into something more?

My Review:

One of my favorite things to read is a good retelling about a fairytale, this book did not entirely disappoint. The premise of the story was intriguing. I have to say I found the single sex scene seriously lacking, it just did not seem plausible. The book lacks a creative world building that would strive to develop the plot and characters more; it seemed to be presented in the middle instead of acting like the first book in a series.

Note: I received this book from Carina Press via Netgalley.

Book Review: The Dreamer by May Nicole Abbey

3 stars

Series: The Fall

Book: One

Genres: Romance, Time travel

Format: Kindle Edition

Published by River Valley Publishing

Published November 26th 2012

Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

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Synopsis from Goodreads:

A dream in the night. A leap of faith. A quest for truth and treasure.

From term papers and instant coffee to blood-thirsty pirates and buried treasure, Rachel Madera, a gifted university professor, finds herself travelling through time on a journey of discovery and danger, all because of a simple dream. Despite the threat, Rachel is undaunted, certain she holds the keys to unlock the mystery of a Pharaoh’s treasure … and alter the course of history.

The only thing that stands between her and peril is Captain Mallory Tucker, a man with a tragic past and intractable moral code. Born of the sea, he is among the leading mariners of 18th century Europe. But the derelicts who make up his crew and the capriciousness of the ocean have taken their toll, and Captain Tucker is tired and jaded. The last thing he needs is a precocious young woman dropping onto his ship and creating havoc. But he’ll fight to the death for her honor, her beliefs…and her love.

My Review:

The story overall was intriguing and an interesting fast paced read.  The relationships between the different characters was sparked with romance.  I loved the Captain; he was my favorite character in the book.  The Captain protected Rachel and was just a lovable hard ass outward but sweet inward guy character. 

I found the start of the book to be confusing; I did not understand Rachel’s reasoning or characterization in why she was doing what she was.  It just kind of started and there was no build up to the beginning; I felt more explanation would have been appreciated.  The character of Rachel as a whole was confusing.  She had done so much research on everything yet when it came to life experience she was making the stupidest mistakes that anyone would know not to do. 

Overall, I would recommend this book.  Getting through the beginning onto the real story created a great read. 

Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Caroline Gregory and Shawnette Nielson are a sister writing team who, despite the incongruity of their very different characters, always seem to be on the same page when it comes to their passion for reading and writing. The difference in their personalities create a well rounded vision of what life should be; stable yet chaotic. College, construction, motherhood, wrestling, management experience, or traveling the world as a nanny, all fall under the experiences of this pair.

Author’s website: http://www.maynicoleabbey.com

Instinct by J.A. Garland

4 stars
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance
Format: ebook
Published by Burst
Published on September 4th 2012 (first published September 1st 2012)

more details...ISBN13: 9781927454442

Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble
View on Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Lone wolf, Rory Archer, never failed a single mission. Now the hunted instead of the hunter, Rory unwinds a twisted trail leading back to Amber Arlington, a spirited Halfling tied to a world of Shadows. Bound to vows initially forged out of necessity, Rory and Amber's relationship surges into more than either of them bargained for, tangling them in a web of passion. Scrambling to identify their attacker before joining the casualty list, Rory is faced with doing the unthinkable, or watching Amber turned into a slave for his species.

In the battle against Shadows, demons and all variety of monsters come out to fight. Can one wolf learn to trust in time to save them all?

My Review:

In this fast paced story readers will immediately enjoy the mystery that surrounds Rory Archer and his tragic past. A likeable character, he has just the right touch of moodiness to ignite a flame. His interactions with Amber are entertaining and believable with mistrust and pure lust stirring just beneath the surface. She arrives with a spunky, tough-girl attitude that integrates flawlessly with her sexy appearance. This entertaining plot will keep you interested to the end as you discover the real intentions behind the Organization’s betrayal of Rory to the Shadows.

I was provided a copy of the book by BTS eMag for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review – all conclusions are my own responsibility.

About the Author:

J.A. is a full time firefighter in the state of California, an addicted trail runner, a connoisseur of all things cheese puff, and an author for BURST Books. When she isn't slogging through the obstacles at a mud run, you can find her hunched over her computer unleashing demons, vampires, and werewolves upon the world.