Tag: Patricia Rice

What I’m reading: The California Malcom edition

On By MikaelaIn Book Recommendations

I read Risk of Love and Magic recently, and had a blast. I loved the romance between Nadine and Magnus.  They were both a bit wary to the other, and it was sweet how the wariness first turned into  affection, albeit an baffled one, and then love.

Their search for Nadine’s sister, and later the General was fast paced, and filled with unexpected twists.

Yupp. I had a blast reading about Nadine and Magnus.  So much that I went back to read The Lure of Song and Magic the first book in the series, since it had been more than 6 months since I re-read it.

The romance between Dylan and Pippa was well written,  and I enjoyed it.  It was fascinating to see how Dylan stubbornly coaxed Pippa out of the coccoon she had created around her.  I loved how they slowly realised that finding Donal wasn’t the end of the journey, but rather the beginning.

It was sweet to see how they gradually fell in love. I liked how they were determinded to search for Nadine’s sister and stop the general.

And no, I didn’t re-read Trouble with Air and Magic since I read it in May.

As for what I am reading now…  Wolf Interval by Chrysoula Tzavelas.  It is really, really good.  It is out in November, but I leaped on a chance to read an ARC. *pets the ARC*. Review coming later.

5 good things that happened this week

On By MikaelaIn Book Recommendations, Life, Paranormal Romance, Writing

 

This is in no particular order. :).

– James Hetley released a new Stonefort novel.

This made me so happy. I love his books, and I had almost given up on reading a new Stonefort novel. It was really good. You should buy it from BVC.

Summer arrived.

The weather in June was a bit cold ( to put it mildly). But this week summer arrived with a bang. I am also reminded that I don’t like temps over 25 C. But the sunshine is nice!

– Patricia Rice named a character after me

I was reading Patricia Rice latest California Malcolm novel, when a character named Mikala appeared. I blinked, realised that she named her after me. It was the first time! ( Well, Kari did it once in a short story, but I knew about that before hand.)

The bookplate Nalini Singh sent me arrived

In May, I e-mailed Nalini Singh and asked if she could send me a signed book plate. Which she agreed to do, once she got home. It arrived this week! So now I have a signed copy of Shield of Winter, without having met Nalini person. 🙂

My cover was finalized.

I could finally post the faboulus cover that Skyla Dawn Cameron designed for me. I love it! And yes, I know, you have already seen it . But I’m just so happy. It feel as if things are moving forward. Now I need to get back to the edits…

Must read summer releases

On By MikaelaIn Book Recommendations

This summer is packed full with books that I’m itching to read.

To begin with, there is Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh. Which was the reason I re-read the series now. Mmm.  ( I’ll admit that I’m crossing my fingers that my book store makes the same mistake they did last year. *cough*)

Then in July  Shaman Rises by C.E Murphy releases. *sob* I’m still struggling with the fact that it is the last Walker Paper novel.

Also in July the third book in Patricia Rice California Malcolms trilogy releases. I’m having my fingers crossed that she writes more, though. If not… well… I’ll nag her until she changes her mind. 🙂

And Wen Spencer’s next Elfhome novel releases in July! Perfect for some fun, fastpaced summer read.

Oh! Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews is out  July too.  This book wraps up this series arc, although there will be more books. And Michelle Sagara’s Cast in Flames are out in July.

And in September, Ghost Layer by Robin D Owens is out.  The first book was so good.  But then all Robin’s books are really good. 🙂

So many books. So little time. 🙂 What books are you looking forward to read this summer?

 

 

Review:Mad Maria’s Daughter by Patricia Rice

On By MikaelaIn reviews

The Particulars: Historical Romance, Regency Reads, e-book.
The Source: Fictionwise
The Grade: B+
The Blurb:
Daphne Templeton knows society has stigmatized her because of her mad mother, so she decides to leave London and live with her Aunt Agatha in the country. On the way she’s abducted by a highwayman, whom she insists see her to safety. Meeting neighbor Lord Griffin, Daphne finds him vaguely familiar and wonders at the connection between him and the highwayman. But Lord Griffin’s twin is dead-isn’t he?
The review
This is another book from the unread pile, or in this case folder, that I purchased months ago. It languished unread until a couple of days ago when I suddenly craved a Patricia Rice book. I had two unread historical romances and I decided to read this one.
And I am glad I did.
This book was a hoot, from the open scene to the end.
A big reason was Daphne. She knew that she was one the shelf, and she accepted it. More than that, it allowed her to be blunt, and outspoken. She argued with Evan, and Gordon. I kept wondering who she would pick: the proper Gordon, or Evan that was a rogue.
Mixed in with the romance was a good dose of mystery. The mystery propelled a lot of the plot. From Daphne’s arrival to the end. I giggled when Daphne poked her nose into places a proper lady would have stayed away from. Evan and Gordon got a bit exparated at her, but she had a heart of gold. She coax the truth out of Evan and Gordon. And promptly comes up with a plan to lure out the villain.
And of course everything goes wrong. I loved how all of them got twisted into lies and part truths. There were moments of hilarity, like when Gordon’s grandfather showed up. Not to mention the
arrival of Daphne’s protective father and brother.
The end.. was surprising, and fitting. I felt compassion with Daphne since that must have been her worst nightmare.
So what I didn’t like. Even though I admired Daphne for her courage, it sometimes felt like she stepped over the the thin line between being brave, and being reckless.
Still, I am definitely buying more of Patricia Rice regencies in the future, since this book was a blast.