Tag: C+

Review: Pursuit of Pleasure by Elizabeth Essex:

On By MikaelaIn Book Recommendations


The Particulars:  Historical Romance, Kensington, available in print and e-book
The Source:  Freebie from Sony
The Grade: C
The blurb:

Lizzie Paxton’s dream in life is to be a widow–if only she could skip the wedding and the husband. When her childhood friend Captain James Marlowe proposes a marriage in name only, she accepts, knowing she’ll have the independence she craves once he sets sail. Though James is the only man Lizzie trusts, she doesn’t trust the scintillating desire he evokes in her.
James knows he shouldn’t get involved with anyone, especially with his uncertain future. But he just can’t help himself when he overhears Lizzie’s declaration. Though he’s promised her a marriage of convenience, he wastes no time in seducing her and taking her over the precipice of desire. Yet not even his beautiful wife can deter him from his cause.
But when Lizzie discovers her husband has deceived her, James must choose between devotion to duty and loyalty to the woman he cannot live without. . .

The Review:
I downloaded this when Kensington offered it as a freebie, last year I think.  But for a number of reasons, I didn’t read it until now.

This, unlike most historical romances I read, is set in Dartmouth.  And I loved how the setting was used, and how it influenced the plot. I could almost hear the waves crashing against the steep cliffs, and the winds blowing over the moor.I could taste the dust in the air as Lizzie visited The Glass House.  But most of all, I loved the Glass House. I loved how isolated it was, and how many secrets it house. But, most of all I liked how Lizzie gradually turned it into a home.  

It took awhile before the plot hooked me, but once it did I couldn’t stop reading. I had to find out wheter or not Lizzie would forgive Marlowe, or not. ( I wouldn’t have, honestly.)  It was fastpaced, and  filled with plot twists that kept on surprising me. I had a hunch who the villain was, but… well, let’s just say I was wrong.  

My favorite character is this book was Lizzie. She suffered a lot in the book, but she never gave up. Yes, she grieved for Jamie, but she didn’t let it run her life. She was determined to keep on living her life.
But, if Lizzie was my favorite character I had a lot of trouble with Jamie and the deceptions that surrounded his “death.” But what redeems him to me is the fact that he hated  lying to Lizzie.   

I felt for the Tuppers, being caught between Jamie’s orders, and Lizzie’s determinations. But, they were good people.

That said, I had one other problem with this book: the romance.  Maybe it was because they had been friends for so long, but I never felt that they were in love. They felt more like friends that got married and had sex.

Review: Devlin’s team: File One: Dancer by Lazette Gifford:

On By MikaelaIn Book Recommendations

The Particulars: Science Fiction, ACOA, available as e-book.
The Source: Smashwords
The Grade: C+
The Blurb:
Devlin is a top agent for the Inner Worlds Council Security force — a spy in common terms — and she’s not very happy with an assignment to the backwater world of Forest. Settled by the Work for Man fanatics, the government has restricted not only the use of tech equipment but also regulate nearly every aspect of life for the small population. The settlement is boring and the people don’t like outsiders.

There is one anomaly, though: The brutal show known as bear dancing pits a human against a native life form. Devlin’s work is to learn about the show and report what she can about the bears themselves because there is suddenly outside interest.

The people involved in the bear dance are secretive. She’s gathered all the information she thinks she can, and she’s ready to move on. However, when a top-ranking scientist arrives on world, Devlin thinks she might be able to pick up a little bit more information.

And that’s something the locals fear.

The Review:
After reading Singer and St Jude I wanted to read more of Lazette Gifford’s science fiction, so I decided to make use of the Smashwords sale, and purchase this one. I am glad I did. Once again Lazette Gifford delivered.
.
The planet Forest felt refreshing. The worldbuilding felt solid, yet innovative. From the treedogs who preyed on the unwary, to the Bears that lived in the forest surrounding the settlements.
More than the world, the culture in the settlement fascinated me. I haven’t read many science fiction books were the rulers strives too keep the planet as primitive as possible. I’ll admit that fascinated me.
The plot was intriguing. I liked reading about Devlin and Cha’s search for the truth. I’ll admit that I was as fooled as they were, thinking that Forest is a backwater world, with no secrets. Nothing could be more wrong. I enjoyed how the sense of danger gradually increased until the end.
I liked the characters. I liked how there was a clear conflict between Devlin, Cha and Dancer who wanted things put to right, and the leaders of the Bear camp who wanted to keep things as they were.
What pulled down the grade from a solid B to a C was the typos.  There wasn’t a lot of typos, but the ones that were was enough to annoy me. I suspect that I will fix them, if I have the time and energy later. I know that no book is perfect, but to me this book showed the importance of a proof reader.

Review: High Noon by Nora Roberts:

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

The particulars:  Romantic Suspense,  Putnam, available in print and e-book 
The Source: The Bookshelf
The Grade: C+
The Blurb:

 Police Lieutenant Phoebe MacNamara found her calling at an early age when an unstable man broke into her family’s home, trapping and terrorizing them for hours. Now she’s Savannah’s top hostage negotiator, defusing powderkeg situations with a talent for knowing when to give in-andwhen to jump in and take action. It’s satisfying work-and sometimes those skills come in handy at home dealing with her agoraphobic mother, still traumatized by the break-in after all these years, and her precocious seven-year-old, Carly.

It’s exactly that heady combination of steely courage and sensitivity that first attracts Duncan Swift to Phoebe. After observing her coax one of his employees down from a roof ledge, he is committed to keeping this intriguing, take-charge woman in his life. She’s used to working solo, but Phoebe’s discovering that no amount of negotiation can keep Duncan at arm’s length.

And when she’s grabbed by a man who throws a hood over her head and brutally assaults her-in her own precinct house-Phoebe can’t help but be deeply shaken. Then threatening messages show up on her doorstep, and she’s not just alarmed but frustrated. How do you go face-to-face with an opponent who refuses to look you in the eye?

Now, with Duncan backing her up every step of the way, she must establish contact with the faceless tormentor who is determined to make her a hostage to fear . . . before she becomes the final showdown.



The Review:

Nora Roberts is one of the most bestselling Romance authors in the world, and after reading this book I can understand why.

This is another book that I picked up at my mom’s and decided to read, although I think I was the one that purchased it.

The characters and what happened to the felt believable. From Phoebe, and her battle with arrogant cops and malicious gossip. I admired her for her strength, and her skill at coaxing people away from the edge.
Then there was Duncan. He was a bit more laid back, but I loved his attitude. He managed to be charming, yet he wasn’t a jerk. I liked his loyal streak to his friends, and the love he felt for Ma Bee.
It was heartwarming to follow their romance, from their first meeting to their HEA. Another reason I liked Duncan was the fact that he was always there for Phoebe when she felt insecure.

The plot was wellwritten, and the gradually increased. I thought I knew who the killer was, but at the end I discovered I was wrong. The suspense plot and romance plot was cleverly interconnected in a way that I loved.

Despite all this, I felt that there was some spark missing that push it from good to great. It might be because I read it in Swedish, and that I am not used to read Romantic Suspense in Swedish, or something was lost in the translation.

Review: The Last Gospel by David Gibbins

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized1 Comment

The particulars: Action Adventure, Headline, available in print and e-book

The Source: The bookshelf ( Swedish translation)
The Grade: C+
The blurb:
Jack Howard is about to discover a secret. Perhaps the greatest secret ever kept.

What if one of the Ancient World’s greatest libraries was buried in volcanic ash and then re-discovered two thousand years later? What if what was found there was a document that could shatter the very foundations of the Western World? What if you were the one who discovered this secret? And were then forced to confront terrifying enemies determined to destroy you to ensure it goes no further?

This is the story of one last Gospel, left behind in the age of the New Testament, in the greatest days of the Roman Empire, and of its extraordinary secret, one that has lain concealed for years. Follow Jack Howard as he discovers the secret and must prevent others from doing the same.(


The Review:
I like David Gibbins books. They are action packed, well researched, and filled with intriguing plot twists.
This was not exception. I enjoyed following Jack and Costas search for the Last Gospel. From the first dive outside Sicily, to the end outside Nasaret. As they searched they dodged the mafia, corrupted churchmen, and cops. Most of all, there was a feeling of visiting all those places. Diving outside Sicily, cloak crawling in Rome, walking in a rainy London.
And I loved that mix action and historical sense.
That said, I had one big problem and a couple of minor ones, with this book: David Gibbins need to explain the historical aspects. Yes, I understand that he is an archeologist, and that he knows a lot of things, but I felt that it bogged down the pacing.
Also, I had trouble with how Jack sometimes just happened to have done exactly what they needed 20 years earlier. It felt like the author was taking the easiest way out. 
Note: Since I read the Swedish translation, I opted for the UK cover and title. In the US this book is called the Lost Tomb.  

Review: Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard:

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

The Particulars: Historical Fantasy, Angry Robot, available as e-book and in print.
The Source: Purchased at Robot Trading
The Grade: C+
The Blurb:
IT IS THE YEAR ONE-KNIFE IN TENOCHTITLAN – THE CAPITAL OF THE AZTECS. The end of the world is kept at bay only by the magic of human sacrifice. A Priestess disappears from an empty roomdrenched in blood. 
Acatl, High Priest of the Dead must find her, or break the boundaries between the worlds of th living and the dead. But how do you find someone, living or dead, in a worldwhere blood sacrifices are an everyday occurrence and the very gods stalk the streets?
The Review:
I purchased this one when Angry Robot had its 50% off sale, mainly since the fact that it was set in Mexico during the Aztec Empire intrigued me.
I am glad that I purchased it. The setting felt vividly alive. From the heat, to the temples in the Sacred District. The existence of Calemacs ( probably spells it wrong) intrigued me, since I had no idea they existed. It was interesting to find out more about the temples.
The plot was well paced. It was interesting to follow Acatl search for clues, and how he hit dead ends sometimes. I also liked the fact that the plot was propelled forward by things he found out, and realised their importance. In some novels it feels like they discover things purely by look. Not here, here they discovered everything through determination.
The characters were an intriguing mix. From Acatl, who struggled with his past and his position as High priest, to his brother, the proud Jaguar Knight. Then there is Huei, his brother’s wife.
What I liked with this book was how the characters and the plot affected each other, in both good and bad ways.
So what I didn’t like. It took over 50 pages before the book hooked me . In fact, I read 50 pages, and put it down. It could easily have turned into a DNF for me. That said, I am glad I decided to pick it up again.

Review: Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase

On By MikaelaIn Paranormal Romance

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, Sourcebooks, available in print and as e-book.
The Source: Purchased at Allromance
The Grade: C+
The Blurb:

He’s looking for peace, quiet, and a little romance…
There’s never a dull moment when hunky all-star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco invests in an old Boston brownstone apartment building full of supernatural creatures. But when Merry MacKenzie moves into the ground floor apartment, the playboy pitcher decides he might just be done playing the field…
A girl just wants to have fun…
Sexy Jason seems like the perfect fling, but newly independent nurse Merry’s not sure she’s ready to trust him with her heart…especially when the tabloids start trumpeting his playboy lifestyle.
Then pandemonium breaks loose and Merry and Jason will never get it together without a little help from the vampire who lives in the basement and the werewolf from upstairs…

The Review:

This is another unread book that I decided to read on a whim. I am glad I did. This wasn’t a perfect romance, far from it, but it made me laugh and smile.
  In many ways, this book felt like I was dropped into the house, and could follow Merry’s life there. From the moment she met Jason, to the first tentiative steps through their romance.  Their arguments, their first kiss. Her interactions with the odd neighbors.  Dealing with what it meant to be dating a celebrity.    
Merry wasn’t the only one struggling. Jason had his own reasons to worry.  He knew that if she reacted badly, he would be in a lot of trouble.

And then there are the neighbors. I loved the neighbors.  From the snarky ghost, to the phone sex actress witches, the vampire squatting in the cellar.  Oh, and did I mention the Werewolf in the cellar? 

One important subplot in the book was the search for the ghost’s murderer. I loved how all the tenants tried to help and solve it, in the best way they could.

The biggest problem I had with this book was ironically enough with the romance.   I never doubted their HEA, no matter what life tossed at them.  And it tossed a lot of them.  Jason’s secrets, nosy paparazzis, nosy family.  And honestly, a part of a good romance is the feeling of satisfaction, that despite everything they end up together.

Review: Lady Sophia’s Christmas Wish by Grace Burrrowes

On By MikaelaIn reviews

The Particulars:  Historical Romance, Sourcebooks,  available as print and in e-books 
The Source: Purchased at Booksonboard

The Grade: C+
The blurb:

All Sophie Windham wants is peace, quiet and the novelty of a little solitude in the Duke of Moreland’s London mansion before she joins her family for Christmas at the family seat in Kent. In the middle of a very inconvenient London snowstorm, Sophie finds herself stuck with an abandoned baby, and only the assistance of handsome stranger Vim Charpentier standing between her and complete disaster…
Vim Charpentier‘s worst memories are of Christmases spent with family in Kent, so when he has an excuse to tarry for a few days in London, he willingly lends a hand helping Sophie and her new little charge become acquainted. The growing attraction he shares with Sophie warms both their spirits, but when Sophie’s three brothers arrive (from the East) to whisk her away, Vim has to decide between facing his memories, or letting the Christmas gift of a lifetime slip through his fingers.

The Review:
I love Grace Burrowes books, yet for a number of reasons this book remained unread, or more properly halfread, before I picked it up.
This is a sweet tale that hooked me from the start. I could almost feel the cold, winds blowing. It was fascinating to read about Sophia’s adaptation to taking care of a baby boy. She was a newbie, and she admitted it. Through Vim’s gentle guidance she learns how to. But, she also falls in love. With Kit, which she admits. And with Vim. Which she doesn’t admit to herself.
I fell in love with the characters.  Sophia’s generous heart, the way she picked up strays.  Both animals, and humans. 
Vim was everything a man should be. Generous, charming, handsome. I loved the way their romance blossomed through small touches. I also appreciated the fact that since they were alone for a big part of the book, they didn’t have to hide behind facades.  
There were heart wrenching parts.  I could almost touch Sophia’s loneliness, despite the fact that she have a large family.  I understands it.  When you reach a certain age, you need time to be alone.   Then there is Vim.  He really, really, doesn’t want to go down to Kent.   Not just because he doesn’t want to leave Sophia, but for a number of reasons. 
His upcoming departure hang between them.   And causes some heartwrenching moments.  Then there is Kit. Sophia knows she has to do the right thing, and foster Kit.  And she really doesn’t want to. 
They have to fight to get their HEA. Oh, not literally, but they have to fight misunderstandings, and old wounds. And not to mention their families worry to do the right things.  
Let’s just say there are not just one, but two meddling Lords in this book. 

But their HEA left me with a satisfying feeling. Which is the way a romance novel should make you feel.

So, what I didn’t like. First, the setup felt… unrealistic. What likelihood is it that an duke’s daughter would have been allowed to remain unchaperoned, without even a maid?
Second, this tale bordered slightly too close to being an 100 000 words viginette. I think one reason is that the conflict only comes from internal conflict, and to some degree misunderstanings. 
Except for this, I enjoyed the story. But it will never be one of my favorite Windham books. 

Review: Maid for Love by Marie Force

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, indie, ebook.
The Source: Purchased at Smashwords
The Grade: C+
The blurb:
Maddie Chester is determined to leave her hometown of Gansett Island, a place that has brought her only bad memories and ugly rumors. Then she’s knocked off her bike on the way to her housekeeping job at McCarthy’s Resort Hotel by Gansett’s “favorite son,” Mac McCarthy. He’s back in town to help his father with preparations to sell the family resort and has no intention of staying long. When Mac accidentally sends Maddie flying over the handlebars, badly injuring her, he moves in to nurse her back to health and help care for her young son. He soon realizes his plans for a hit-and-run visit to the island are in serious jeopardy, and he just may be “maid” for love.
The Review:
This book had been on my TBR list ever since I bought it, but reading a guest blog by Marie Force spurred me into reading it. And I am glad I did.
Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. There were so many things that I liked about it. From the small town setting to the characters. I loved the nuance picture she painted of the life in the town. From the way Maggie has to scrape together money to get by, to the McCarthy’s lifestyle. I also liked the whispers and stares that arose when Mac stayed over with Maddie.
But what made the book for me was Mac and Maddie. Maddie for her scarred past and her stubborn independence. Mac for his determination to make Maddie’s life better in every way he can. The attraction between them were strong from the start. I also liked that they didn’t jump into bed immediately.
I also loved how Maddie’s past and Mac’s family caused obstacles between them, making the path rocky.
So what I didn’t like. I had two issues with this novel. First, I didn’t like the way that Mac tried to fix everything that had gone wrong for Maddie in the past. In the beginning it was touching, but after awhile it got annoying.
The more worrisome issue was the fact that I had trouble with feeling connections to some of the characters. I just didn’t care about them. Despite it’s short comings I am glad I bought it, and read it.  Since I did like the main characters, and I did like the setting.    
Will I buy the rest of the books? Probably, but I am not in a hurry.

Review :Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized


The Particulars:  Science Fiction, Ace,  available in print and as e-book.
Source:  Library book
The Grade:  C+
The Blurb:
By all accounts, Sirantha Jax should have burned out years ago…

As the carrier of a rare gene, Jax has the ability to jump ships through grimspace—a talent which cuts into her life expectancy, but makes her a highly prized navigator for the Corp. But then the ship she’s navigating crash-lands, and she’s accused of killing everyone on board. It’s hard for Jax to defend herself: she has no memory of the crash.

Now imprisoned and the subject of a ruthless interrogation, Jax is on the verge of madness. Then a mysterious man breaks into her cell, offering her freedom—for a price. March needs Jax to help his small band of rogue fighters break the Corp monopoly on interstellar travel—and establish a new breed of jumper.

Jax is only good at one thing—grimspace—and it will eventually kill her. So she may as well have some fun in the meantime…

The Review:
What I liked: 
I had heard a lot of good things about Ann Aguirre, but I had never read any of her books.  When I discovered that the library had it, I decided to take a chance.   I rarely read Science Fiction, but the book hooked me.   It was a mix between a compelling plot, and a rich worldbuilding that made me like it.  The plot starts with a bang, and it doesn’t slow down.  I liked how Jax had second thoughts several times, and that the others accepted it, and didn’t push her.  During the novel Jax grows a lot, and I must admit that I like the woman she is at the end better than the woman she is at the beginning of the novel.  I also liked how all the characters had flaws and scars that they struggled with.  
Over the whole story was a layer of desperation, which had several sources. From Jax fear that she was close to burning out to the need to escape the bad guys, this enchanced the story for me.
What I didn’t like:

Even though the story had a lot of things that I liked, there were a few things I didn’t like.  I didn’t like March, he felt cold too me.  The reasons were explained in the books, but I didn’t like him.  Also, I didn’t like the romantic subplot between Jax and March.  I do understand that Jumpers crave touch, but  the whole subplot felt tacked on.

Review: Heart Search by Robin D.Owens

On By MikaelaIn reviews1 Comment

Heart Search (Celta's Heartmates #10)Heart Search by Robin D. Owens

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Particulars: Futuristic Romance, Berkley, available in print and as e-book

The blurb:
Latest in the long-running series from the award-winning author of Heart Journey.

Noble Laev T’Hawthorne must rebuild his life after marrying a woman he believed was his HeartMate, only to fall victim to her greed.

Abandoned at fifteen, Camellia Darjeeling values her independence above all-even as her father and uncle emotionally scourge her and extort money. For Camellia, trusting men, even her HeartMate, is too risky.

When Laev and Camellia meet, they refuse to acknowledge that they are true HeartMates. But their destiny cannot be avoided…

My impressions:
This is the 10th novel in the Heart Series. It is set 15 years after Heart Journey, and features the next generation. The hero is Laev Hawtorn and the heroine is Camellia Darjeeling. Like all Robin D Owens books, the characters are flawed. Both Laev and Camellia struggles with their past. They have both been scarred, and both are wary of love.

Camellia is a strong, indepenent woman, that’s carving out her own niche in the Society. A bit more about the history of the world was revealed. Camellia’s logic made sense to me. It is a sign how multifaceted the world is that Robin D Owens managed to add another facet to it. ( Which is a feat after ten books).

The plot was good, with a lot of twists and turns but it felt like the first half missed a layer of internal conflict. It wasn’t until 100 pages in that I felt that tug at my heart that all good Robin D Owens novels have.

And that’s the reason it doesn’t get a four.But it was a good read, and I do recommend it.

View all my reviews