For books found my house this day, and I even ordered some more this morning, so let the packages come!
Donna Fletcher - Remember the magic
Marjorie M. Liu - A wild night
Anne McCaffrey - All the weyrs of Pern
Lynn Viehl - Dreamveil
donderdag 30 september 2010
woensdag 29 september 2010
New addition to my addiction
dinsdag 28 september 2010
Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough – Powerplay
The third book in the Petaybee series.
At last, the living, breathing sentient world of Petaybee was about to become a recognized and independent planet. Colonel Yana Maddock, now married to Sean Shongili, was bidden to the meeting on Gal Three to give testimony and discuss the future of the miracle snow and ice world where every human, animal and plant lived in harmony with the entity that was Petaybee itself.
But their arch-enemy, Matthew Luzon, who had been humiliated and nearly destroyed when Petaybee took her revenge on him, had still not given up his designs on the rich, varied, and unusual world. He was determined to destroy its chances of autonomy.
And so Petaybee found itself swamped with visitors, hunters eager to kill the wildlife, merchants and scientists ready to strip the land, and religious malcontents wanting to “talk” to the planet. And then Yana, pregnant with her first child, was kidnapped by the infamous and enigmatic pirate, Onidi Louchard – and Yana’s ransom was to be the world of Petaybee itself!
A phenomenal conclusion to this great trilogy. I truly enjoyed reading those books. And I am very glad to already have the first part of the sequel, Changelings, about the children of Yana and Sean on my desk.
To tell the story would spoil the reading pleasure I fear. But all the people I have come to love are playing a big part in this story, and of course, the ending is very well. Petaybee is maturing, those who cannot change their ways of thinking and want to plunder the planet are punished, the others will adapt. Even the dread pirate itself is capable of changing its demeanor.
I sure do hope to read more about Bunny and Diego, what will become of them, what choices do they make?
At last, the living, breathing sentient world of Petaybee was about to become a recognized and independent planet. Colonel Yana Maddock, now married to Sean Shongili, was bidden to the meeting on Gal Three to give testimony and discuss the future of the miracle snow and ice world where every human, animal and plant lived in harmony with the entity that was Petaybee itself.
But their arch-enemy, Matthew Luzon, who had been humiliated and nearly destroyed when Petaybee took her revenge on him, had still not given up his designs on the rich, varied, and unusual world. He was determined to destroy its chances of autonomy.
And so Petaybee found itself swamped with visitors, hunters eager to kill the wildlife, merchants and scientists ready to strip the land, and religious malcontents wanting to “talk” to the planet. And then Yana, pregnant with her first child, was kidnapped by the infamous and enigmatic pirate, Onidi Louchard – and Yana’s ransom was to be the world of Petaybee itself!
A phenomenal conclusion to this great trilogy. I truly enjoyed reading those books. And I am very glad to already have the first part of the sequel, Changelings, about the children of Yana and Sean on my desk.
To tell the story would spoil the reading pleasure I fear. But all the people I have come to love are playing a big part in this story, and of course, the ending is very well. Petaybee is maturing, those who cannot change their ways of thinking and want to plunder the planet are punished, the others will adapt. Even the dread pirate itself is capable of changing its demeanor.
I sure do hope to read more about Bunny and Diego, what will become of them, what choices do they make?
Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough – Power lines
The second book in the Petaybee series.
Yanaba Maddock’s short-lived career as a company spy had ended the moment the planet Petaybee and its people had adopted her as one of their own. Now she was dedicated to keeping Intergal from exploiting and wounding – or even killing – the world she had come to love. For Intergal persisted in denying that Petaybee was sentient, and nothing would stop it from stripping the ore-rich planet – sentient or not.
Only solid evidence would convince the company to leave the planet alone, and for all it’s sentience, Petaybee’s communications were highly subjective; indeed, some outsiders seemed entirely immune to its voice. So Yana and her friends would have to find some other way to prove that the planet was worth more to the company alive than dead…
When Intergal is sending investigators down to find out if the planet is really sentient as dr. Whittaker Fiske claims, or if he just lost his marbles as his son claims, it is time to unite all Petaybeans. The villagers from Killcoole set out for the other villages to unite forces, to prove none of them wants mining, that they all believe the planet is sentient and beneficent for them. They do not want to go to some other planet, worse, it would kill them within a week!
But not everywhere there is consensus. Bunny and Diego find the most horrible thing imaginable! An evil man has taken over a village, lying to the people, and killing the planet bit by bit. They barely manage to escape his clutches, but the villagers are finally seeing the truth. Torkel Fiske doesn’t mind what he has done, he just wants the ore’s to prove the planet’s worth as a mining planet. But the planet protects itself, with a little help from its inhabitants, be they human, animal or plants …
And on the southern hemisphere, there is also an evil man, using his people as he sees fits, but one little girl escapes his clutches. A very special little girl, who finds an unsuspected protector.
Totally loved this book, read all through the night, because I had to finish it! The ending was a nice surprise, so I can’t wait to start reading the third and final book in this series. It was high time I found something so great again to enjoy and totally captivate my waning attention.
Anne and Elizabeth have created a great world, and I like every character in it. And as usual, the animals are very special too, which I love. Especially the various cat and dog species.
So start reading this people, I know it is an old series, and not modern in any way, but it will be a good one for ever!
Yanaba Maddock’s short-lived career as a company spy had ended the moment the planet Petaybee and its people had adopted her as one of their own. Now she was dedicated to keeping Intergal from exploiting and wounding – or even killing – the world she had come to love. For Intergal persisted in denying that Petaybee was sentient, and nothing would stop it from stripping the ore-rich planet – sentient or not.
Only solid evidence would convince the company to leave the planet alone, and for all it’s sentience, Petaybee’s communications were highly subjective; indeed, some outsiders seemed entirely immune to its voice. So Yana and her friends would have to find some other way to prove that the planet was worth more to the company alive than dead…
When Intergal is sending investigators down to find out if the planet is really sentient as dr. Whittaker Fiske claims, or if he just lost his marbles as his son claims, it is time to unite all Petaybeans. The villagers from Killcoole set out for the other villages to unite forces, to prove none of them wants mining, that they all believe the planet is sentient and beneficent for them. They do not want to go to some other planet, worse, it would kill them within a week!
But not everywhere there is consensus. Bunny and Diego find the most horrible thing imaginable! An evil man has taken over a village, lying to the people, and killing the planet bit by bit. They barely manage to escape his clutches, but the villagers are finally seeing the truth. Torkel Fiske doesn’t mind what he has done, he just wants the ore’s to prove the planet’s worth as a mining planet. But the planet protects itself, with a little help from its inhabitants, be they human, animal or plants …
And on the southern hemisphere, there is also an evil man, using his people as he sees fits, but one little girl escapes his clutches. A very special little girl, who finds an unsuspected protector.
Totally loved this book, read all through the night, because I had to finish it! The ending was a nice surprise, so I can’t wait to start reading the third and final book in this series. It was high time I found something so great again to enjoy and totally captivate my waning attention.
Anne and Elizabeth have created a great world, and I like every character in it. And as usual, the animals are very special too, which I love. Especially the various cat and dog species.
So start reading this people, I know it is an old series, and not modern in any way, but it will be a good one for ever!
maandag 27 september 2010
Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough – Powers that be
The first book in the Petaybee series.
Strange things were happening on the icy planet called Petaybee. Unauthorized genetically engineered species had been spotted, while some people were simply disappearing. None of the locals were talking to the company, so the company sent disabled combat veteran Yanaba Maddock to spy. But a strange thing happened. With her relocation to the arctic planet came a return of Yana's health and strength. And the more she got to know the people of Petaybee, the more determined she became to protect her new home....
It’s been awhile since I read a good sf story. A newly made planet, strange new animals and nice people, and the greed of a large company wanting the minerals they could spot from the sky, but now on the land itself. Are the natives really sabotaging the expeditions, killing the scientists, or is it something else completely?
I loved the book. I liked the main characters, and am eager to continue the second book in this series. A sentient planet, adapting the animals, plants and even the people who inhabited her skin to the needs of her harsh and cold climate.
The greedy company people, who cannot believe that which is not scientifically proven to be true. The people must be hallucinating, sabotaging, human errors. But not something this impossible to believe.
Due to a harsh headache, not able to write a good review of this book, but I do recommend it!
Strange things were happening on the icy planet called Petaybee. Unauthorized genetically engineered species had been spotted, while some people were simply disappearing. None of the locals were talking to the company, so the company sent disabled combat veteran Yanaba Maddock to spy. But a strange thing happened. With her relocation to the arctic planet came a return of Yana's health and strength. And the more she got to know the people of Petaybee, the more determined she became to protect her new home....
It’s been awhile since I read a good sf story. A newly made planet, strange new animals and nice people, and the greed of a large company wanting the minerals they could spot from the sky, but now on the land itself. Are the natives really sabotaging the expeditions, killing the scientists, or is it something else completely?
I loved the book. I liked the main characters, and am eager to continue the second book in this series. A sentient planet, adapting the animals, plants and even the people who inhabited her skin to the needs of her harsh and cold climate.
The greedy company people, who cannot believe that which is not scientifically proven to be true. The people must be hallucinating, sabotaging, human errors. But not something this impossible to believe.
Due to a harsh headache, not able to write a good review of this book, but I do recommend it!
zaterdag 25 september 2010
Sherrilyn Kenyon - No Mercy
The 27th novel in the Dark Hunter series.
Live fast, fight hard and if you have to die then take as many of your enemies with you as you can. That is the Amazon credo and it was one Samia lived and died by. Now in contemporary New Orleans, the immortal Amazon warrior is about to learn that there's a worse evil coming to slaughter mankind than she's ever faced before.
Shapeshifter Dev Peltier has stood guard at the front of Sanctuary for almost two hundred years and in that time, he's seen it all. Or so he thought. Now their enemies have discovered a new source of power- one that makes a mockery of anything faced to date.
The war is on and Dev and Sam are guarding ground zero. But in order to win, they will have to break the most cardinal of all rules and pray it doesn't unravel the universe as we know it.
Her powers of telekinesis is preventing Sam from touching people. One touch, and she knows everything about them. But sometimes it comes in handy when she needs to know stuff. Strangely, touching Dev gives her nothing. She cannot read him, and as she is very attracted to the handsome Bear shifter, she invites him into her bed. It has been centuries for her …
Dev is not one to decline a gorgeous woman when she asks, but there is more about Sam. He feels protective of her, which is totally useless as she is one of the fiercest Dark-Hunters around. An ancient Amazon warrior queen, who lives for fighting and killing the Daimons who murdered her husband and children a lifetime ago.
She sold her soul and services to Artemis before the Daimons could eat it, and took her bloody revenge. But it is hard to live alone, even though fighting is her world. And now she gets a second chance at love with Dev. If only it wasn’t forbidden for Dark Hunters to have mates or significant others. How will Artemis react?
Dev has been lonely within his own family for as long as he can remember. Ever since his older brothers died, defending him and their baby sister. His mother despised him for surviving while they didn’t, and in all those years, he never got her approval. So he won’t take the chance of finding his own mate and risk being betrayed by her. He uses human woman, for being mated with a woman has almost never occurred before.
But now Sam. He is attracted to her, wants to be with her, protect her. And now the Daimons are after her. Not to kill her, they want to abduct her. And their purposes can never be good. Since they began drinking demons, they can daywalk. And they can come into her home without an invitation! What else are they planning?
I finished this book in almost one sitting (got some visitors who interrupted my reading time). It is a good story, I love the books with the Were-Hunters in them. Fang had also a large role in it, and I think I missed a book, or have to reread some, as I didn’t know about his powers or boss. Of course there were Acheron and Artemis, Nick, Stryker and a lot of other people I have read about before. A series I never get tired of, even though there are some lesser books of course.
If you like a great paranormal world with gods and demi-gods, demons and Daimons, but also great love stories, fighting and witty bantering, you should give it a try. Of course, with each book the world building is growing more complex too.
Live fast, fight hard and if you have to die then take as many of your enemies with you as you can. That is the Amazon credo and it was one Samia lived and died by. Now in contemporary New Orleans, the immortal Amazon warrior is about to learn that there's a worse evil coming to slaughter mankind than she's ever faced before.
Shapeshifter Dev Peltier has stood guard at the front of Sanctuary for almost two hundred years and in that time, he's seen it all. Or so he thought. Now their enemies have discovered a new source of power- one that makes a mockery of anything faced to date.
The war is on and Dev and Sam are guarding ground zero. But in order to win, they will have to break the most cardinal of all rules and pray it doesn't unravel the universe as we know it.
Her powers of telekinesis is preventing Sam from touching people. One touch, and she knows everything about them. But sometimes it comes in handy when she needs to know stuff. Strangely, touching Dev gives her nothing. She cannot read him, and as she is very attracted to the handsome Bear shifter, she invites him into her bed. It has been centuries for her …
Dev is not one to decline a gorgeous woman when she asks, but there is more about Sam. He feels protective of her, which is totally useless as she is one of the fiercest Dark-Hunters around. An ancient Amazon warrior queen, who lives for fighting and killing the Daimons who murdered her husband and children a lifetime ago.
She sold her soul and services to Artemis before the Daimons could eat it, and took her bloody revenge. But it is hard to live alone, even though fighting is her world. And now she gets a second chance at love with Dev. If only it wasn’t forbidden for Dark Hunters to have mates or significant others. How will Artemis react?
Dev has been lonely within his own family for as long as he can remember. Ever since his older brothers died, defending him and their baby sister. His mother despised him for surviving while they didn’t, and in all those years, he never got her approval. So he won’t take the chance of finding his own mate and risk being betrayed by her. He uses human woman, for being mated with a woman has almost never occurred before.
But now Sam. He is attracted to her, wants to be with her, protect her. And now the Daimons are after her. Not to kill her, they want to abduct her. And their purposes can never be good. Since they began drinking demons, they can daywalk. And they can come into her home without an invitation! What else are they planning?
I finished this book in almost one sitting (got some visitors who interrupted my reading time). It is a good story, I love the books with the Were-Hunters in them. Fang had also a large role in it, and I think I missed a book, or have to reread some, as I didn’t know about his powers or boss. Of course there were Acheron and Artemis, Nick, Stryker and a lot of other people I have read about before. A series I never get tired of, even though there are some lesser books of course.
If you like a great paranormal world with gods and demi-gods, demons and Daimons, but also great love stories, fighting and witty bantering, you should give it a try. Of course, with each book the world building is growing more complex too.
New additions to my addiction
vrijdag 24 september 2010
Renee Bernard - A lady's pleasure
The first book in the Mistress trilogy series.
Seeking revenge, she discovers how delicious a case of mistaken identity can be...
Merriam Everett has always been regarded as a shy, docile creature. But for one night, Merriam the Mouse has become a temptress who will recklessly take her pleasure with the arrogant earl who once slighted her, and then leave him aching with lust. A fine plan, if Merriam had not just seduced the wrong rogue!
Drake Sotherton left England amid dark speculation and has returned to seek vengeance against Julian Clay, the man he believes murdered his wife. Convinced that the masked beauty who seduced him is Julian's pawn, Drake tracks her down and proposes that she become his mistress for the Season. Every sensual desire, every secret longing will be explored...and fulfilled.
But keeping his enemy close is a dangerous game. Merriam is an irresistible mix of innocence and abandon, and each encounter proves more soul-searing than the last. With a passion this wild, this wonderful, one Season will never be enough...
Merriam is a shy widow, who just has enough of being ignored and neglected. When the man she finds so attractive snubs her, calling her a wey-faced widow, she vows revenge. She will become a temptress and seduce him, and then leave him hungry for her. So she learns everything she needs to know from a young brothel keeper.
Then she attends a masked ball, where she know her quarry will come as Merlin. So she will be his familiar, his cat. Dressed scandalously in black and red velvet and silk, Merriam entices her Merlin into lovemaking. But never did she know it could be so delicious. Her late husband never did those things to her, never made her feel this much! So passion carries them both away, until she disappears from the party. Ready to get on with her quiet passionless and boring life.
And the man she seduced, just can’t forget her. So Drake Sotherthon, the Duke of Sussex sets out to learn her identity and find out everything he can about her. The guest list is easily come by, and as she let slip she is a widow, there are not too many woman to choose from. His private investigator will find out the rest he wants to know.
When Drake encounters her, he easily seduces her this time, leaving her without release. He then challenges her to come to his house at midnight, to continue this. And when she does, passion flares, and she agrees to become his mistress for the rest of the season.
But that is not all Drake wants: he wants revenge on his former best friend, Julian Clay, whom he believed betrayed him with his own wife, and then murdered her. As he finds out Julian is interested in Merriam, he decides to use her. He will do everything and sacrifice everything and anyone if necessary to see Julian punished. After all, he spent the last 8 years abroad grieving. And now he wants justice.
This is a book filled to overflowing with love scenes. Very well written love scenes, true. But it starts with the seduction between Merriam and Drake, and I really don’t like plunging into a sex scene the moment I start reading a new book. But I persevered.
The story is well written and the plot was a surprise after all. I came to like Merriam and Drake, but especially Merriam is not easy to understand. How a shy mouse emerges as a mistress. In the beginning, there is just passion between them, they both don’t intend to fall in love, or even believe in it. But in the end, there it is. The realization that they want to be together.
If you skip all the love scenes, I believe there is only half a book left! But nonetheless, this is a story well worth reading. I am also very curious about the next story in this series.
Seeking revenge, she discovers how delicious a case of mistaken identity can be...
Merriam Everett has always been regarded as a shy, docile creature. But for one night, Merriam the Mouse has become a temptress who will recklessly take her pleasure with the arrogant earl who once slighted her, and then leave him aching with lust. A fine plan, if Merriam had not just seduced the wrong rogue!
Drake Sotherton left England amid dark speculation and has returned to seek vengeance against Julian Clay, the man he believes murdered his wife. Convinced that the masked beauty who seduced him is Julian's pawn, Drake tracks her down and proposes that she become his mistress for the Season. Every sensual desire, every secret longing will be explored...and fulfilled.
But keeping his enemy close is a dangerous game. Merriam is an irresistible mix of innocence and abandon, and each encounter proves more soul-searing than the last. With a passion this wild, this wonderful, one Season will never be enough...
Merriam is a shy widow, who just has enough of being ignored and neglected. When the man she finds so attractive snubs her, calling her a wey-faced widow, she vows revenge. She will become a temptress and seduce him, and then leave him hungry for her. So she learns everything she needs to know from a young brothel keeper.
Then she attends a masked ball, where she know her quarry will come as Merlin. So she will be his familiar, his cat. Dressed scandalously in black and red velvet and silk, Merriam entices her Merlin into lovemaking. But never did she know it could be so delicious. Her late husband never did those things to her, never made her feel this much! So passion carries them both away, until she disappears from the party. Ready to get on with her quiet passionless and boring life.
And the man she seduced, just can’t forget her. So Drake Sotherthon, the Duke of Sussex sets out to learn her identity and find out everything he can about her. The guest list is easily come by, and as she let slip she is a widow, there are not too many woman to choose from. His private investigator will find out the rest he wants to know.
When Drake encounters her, he easily seduces her this time, leaving her without release. He then challenges her to come to his house at midnight, to continue this. And when she does, passion flares, and she agrees to become his mistress for the rest of the season.
But that is not all Drake wants: he wants revenge on his former best friend, Julian Clay, whom he believed betrayed him with his own wife, and then murdered her. As he finds out Julian is interested in Merriam, he decides to use her. He will do everything and sacrifice everything and anyone if necessary to see Julian punished. After all, he spent the last 8 years abroad grieving. And now he wants justice.
This is a book filled to overflowing with love scenes. Very well written love scenes, true. But it starts with the seduction between Merriam and Drake, and I really don’t like plunging into a sex scene the moment I start reading a new book. But I persevered.
The story is well written and the plot was a surprise after all. I came to like Merriam and Drake, but especially Merriam is not easy to understand. How a shy mouse emerges as a mistress. In the beginning, there is just passion between them, they both don’t intend to fall in love, or even believe in it. But in the end, there it is. The realization that they want to be together.
If you skip all the love scenes, I believe there is only half a book left! But nonetheless, this is a story well worth reading. I am also very curious about the next story in this series.
dinsdag 21 september 2010
Sabrina Jeffries - Don't bargain with the devil
The fifth book in the School for Heiresses series.
The future of Charlotte Harris’s finishing school is in jeopardy when a charming Spaniard – world-famous magician Diego Montalvo – arrives to turn the bordering estate into a scandalous pleasure garden. Valiantly ignoring his wicked flirtations, outspoken Lucinda Seton vows to derail his plans and save the school, unaware that Diego’s true mission is to spirit the long-lost heiress away to Spain for a handsome reward! But before long Diego’s heart is playing tricks on him, and Lucy is falling under the illusionist’s spell. How can the Master of Mystery go through with his devilish scheme when all he wants is to make het lovely heiress his own?
Lucy Seton has just been spurned by Peter Burnes, the Earl of Hunford. Before he became an Earl, she was good enough for him, being childhood friends as their fathers served in the English army. But now, because she is partly Spanish, she just isn’t good enough for Peter. He needs a real English lady, not a hoyden!
Still hurting from that, and not really happy with the recent marriage of her father with lady Kerr, she has decided to stay at the school where se has been a student since the age of 12, to be a substitute teacher. It is only for a short while, and then she will join her father and his wife for the season.
But then the school gets a new neighbour, a famous magician, who wants to turn the property into a pleasure garden like Vauxhall! That will be the death of the school, so Lucy is determined to stop Diego from doing that. Even succumbing to his blackmail, when he discovers her asleep in his orchard, to showing him the school and be a witness to her drawing lessons. He has to understand the impossibility of the idea!
Diego cannot reveal his true purpose, that he is looking for the abducted heir of the marqùes Don Carlos de Parama. He has been told Lucinda was stolen by her nurse and her English soldier lover when she was four years old. And he can recognize her by a particular birthmark on her thigh…
So after a lot of investigations and false hope, they are looking for one of the students of Mrs. Harris finishing school for young girls. Not knowing that the teacher he finds so attractive is the student he is searching for, Diego kisses her. As the attraction deepens, he keeps hoping she is not the one he is searching for, as he promised the marquès that he would not lay a finger on her. He is not the sort of husband the old man wants for his granddaughter!
When he finally tells Lucy a part of the truth, she doesn’t believe him. She wants to talk to her father first, to find out the truth. But Diego doesn’t want to wait for that, so he abducts her to Spain. He hates all the English, especially the soldiers, like her father is.
But what is the truth, was she abducted, or did her mother elope with her real father?
After a lot of grieve, she finally knows, and now she has to decide if she can forgive all the men in her life their lies and manipulation …
A good story, I liked the originality. Diego is way to hardheaded for my taste, but he does come to his senses in time. And now I am so very curious about the last book in this series! Does the school continue? Or are all the scandals, the elopements, enough to finish it off? Especially now the relationship between mrs. Harris and her cousin Michael has come to an end when he still won’t reveal his identity to her?
The future of Charlotte Harris’s finishing school is in jeopardy when a charming Spaniard – world-famous magician Diego Montalvo – arrives to turn the bordering estate into a scandalous pleasure garden. Valiantly ignoring his wicked flirtations, outspoken Lucinda Seton vows to derail his plans and save the school, unaware that Diego’s true mission is to spirit the long-lost heiress away to Spain for a handsome reward! But before long Diego’s heart is playing tricks on him, and Lucy is falling under the illusionist’s spell. How can the Master of Mystery go through with his devilish scheme when all he wants is to make het lovely heiress his own?
Lucy Seton has just been spurned by Peter Burnes, the Earl of Hunford. Before he became an Earl, she was good enough for him, being childhood friends as their fathers served in the English army. But now, because she is partly Spanish, she just isn’t good enough for Peter. He needs a real English lady, not a hoyden!
Still hurting from that, and not really happy with the recent marriage of her father with lady Kerr, she has decided to stay at the school where se has been a student since the age of 12, to be a substitute teacher. It is only for a short while, and then she will join her father and his wife for the season.
But then the school gets a new neighbour, a famous magician, who wants to turn the property into a pleasure garden like Vauxhall! That will be the death of the school, so Lucy is determined to stop Diego from doing that. Even succumbing to his blackmail, when he discovers her asleep in his orchard, to showing him the school and be a witness to her drawing lessons. He has to understand the impossibility of the idea!
Diego cannot reveal his true purpose, that he is looking for the abducted heir of the marqùes Don Carlos de Parama. He has been told Lucinda was stolen by her nurse and her English soldier lover when she was four years old. And he can recognize her by a particular birthmark on her thigh…
So after a lot of investigations and false hope, they are looking for one of the students of Mrs. Harris finishing school for young girls. Not knowing that the teacher he finds so attractive is the student he is searching for, Diego kisses her. As the attraction deepens, he keeps hoping she is not the one he is searching for, as he promised the marquès that he would not lay a finger on her. He is not the sort of husband the old man wants for his granddaughter!
When he finally tells Lucy a part of the truth, she doesn’t believe him. She wants to talk to her father first, to find out the truth. But Diego doesn’t want to wait for that, so he abducts her to Spain. He hates all the English, especially the soldiers, like her father is.
But what is the truth, was she abducted, or did her mother elope with her real father?
After a lot of grieve, she finally knows, and now she has to decide if she can forgive all the men in her life their lies and manipulation …
A good story, I liked the originality. Diego is way to hardheaded for my taste, but he does come to his senses in time. And now I am so very curious about the last book in this series! Does the school continue? Or are all the scandals, the elopements, enough to finish it off? Especially now the relationship between mrs. Harris and her cousin Michael has come to an end when he still won’t reveal his identity to her?
Joanne Pence - Bell, cook and candle
The 9th book in the Angie Amalfi mystery series.
For once Angie Amalfi’s newest culinary venture, “Comical Cakes”, seems to be a roaring success! There’s nothing funny however, about her homicide detective boyfriend Paavo Smith’s latest case. Paavo’s investigating a series of baffling murders that may be rooted in satanic ritual. And when Angie is called upon to deliver a humorous confection to the mysterious owner of a decadent after-hours goth club, the inquisitive gourmet baker suddenly finds herself up to her neck in the demonc business. It gets harder to focus on pastry alone when strange “accidents” and desecrations to her delectable, fresh-baked creations begin occurring with frightening regularity. And if Angie can’t help Paavo track down a maniacal serial killer with an obsessively unhealthy interest in her, she might end up as devil’s food of a different kind.
Almost accidental, Angie stumbled upon a new business venture. Baking and designing comical cakes for special occasions. At first she has her friend Conny to help her with baking and delivering and serving, but after a fight, she has to find other help.
So when a young woman helps her run off a scary old man who warns her off danger, and tells her she is a pastry chef looking for work, Angie jumps at the opportunity.
Paavo though is not so happy with that. What does she know about this woman? And when a few days later, she also hires a gothic looking young men to help with the deliveries, he is even more worried. So he tries to find out their backgrounds, and doesn’t get anywhere with the mans. He doesn’t exist! But Angie just gets mad at him when the tries to get her to sack them, so he has to give up. Angie is so busy with her new company, and tired at the end of the day, she is not paying much attention to Paavo and his needs to be alone with her. Paavo keeps trying to find a way to propose to Angie, somewhere romantic and memorable. But there is always something spoiling the moment.
He also has no important cases to work on at the moment, to keep him occupied and distracted. His two colleagues are working on some ritual murder, and they think they have caught the culprit, the same man who was aggravating Angie the other day! But somehow Paavo doesn’t believe it. He sounds like a lunatic, talking about evil beings and demons, and that he is the only one capable of fighting them. Warnings about the Dark Queen who will be the next victim gives Paavo the chills? Could he mean Angie?
But when his boss finds out Paavo is messing with the case of his colleagues, he is really angry! That case is solved, and has nothing to do with Paavo. But Paavo just isn’t convinced they caught the killer. Especially when another woman is found murdered the same way …
I liked this book, read it in record time. I did miss the one before this one, which is really a miss, as the happenings in there are mentioned in this one, and I am very curious about that. Finally Angie has found a business that is working and that she is good at. But she doesn’t want it at the loss of her best friend, and not being able to spend time with Paavo! Even when they are together, she is too tired to enjoy it.
A nice book in this series, that is really growing on me.
For once Angie Amalfi’s newest culinary venture, “Comical Cakes”, seems to be a roaring success! There’s nothing funny however, about her homicide detective boyfriend Paavo Smith’s latest case. Paavo’s investigating a series of baffling murders that may be rooted in satanic ritual. And when Angie is called upon to deliver a humorous confection to the mysterious owner of a decadent after-hours goth club, the inquisitive gourmet baker suddenly finds herself up to her neck in the demonc business. It gets harder to focus on pastry alone when strange “accidents” and desecrations to her delectable, fresh-baked creations begin occurring with frightening regularity. And if Angie can’t help Paavo track down a maniacal serial killer with an obsessively unhealthy interest in her, she might end up as devil’s food of a different kind.
Almost accidental, Angie stumbled upon a new business venture. Baking and designing comical cakes for special occasions. At first she has her friend Conny to help her with baking and delivering and serving, but after a fight, she has to find other help.
So when a young woman helps her run off a scary old man who warns her off danger, and tells her she is a pastry chef looking for work, Angie jumps at the opportunity.
Paavo though is not so happy with that. What does she know about this woman? And when a few days later, she also hires a gothic looking young men to help with the deliveries, he is even more worried. So he tries to find out their backgrounds, and doesn’t get anywhere with the mans. He doesn’t exist! But Angie just gets mad at him when the tries to get her to sack them, so he has to give up. Angie is so busy with her new company, and tired at the end of the day, she is not paying much attention to Paavo and his needs to be alone with her. Paavo keeps trying to find a way to propose to Angie, somewhere romantic and memorable. But there is always something spoiling the moment.
He also has no important cases to work on at the moment, to keep him occupied and distracted. His two colleagues are working on some ritual murder, and they think they have caught the culprit, the same man who was aggravating Angie the other day! But somehow Paavo doesn’t believe it. He sounds like a lunatic, talking about evil beings and demons, and that he is the only one capable of fighting them. Warnings about the Dark Queen who will be the next victim gives Paavo the chills? Could he mean Angie?
But when his boss finds out Paavo is messing with the case of his colleagues, he is really angry! That case is solved, and has nothing to do with Paavo. But Paavo just isn’t convinced they caught the killer. Especially when another woman is found murdered the same way …
I liked this book, read it in record time. I did miss the one before this one, which is really a miss, as the happenings in there are mentioned in this one, and I am very curious about that. Finally Angie has found a business that is working and that she is good at. But she doesn’t want it at the loss of her best friend, and not being able to spend time with Paavo! Even when they are together, she is too tired to enjoy it.
A nice book in this series, that is really growing on me.
Lynn Viehl - Shadowlight
The first book in the new Kyndred series. It follows up on the stories about the Darkyn, featuring them as well, so it would be better if you read that series first, for an understanding of their social structure. Their history is explained though.
I never did read the last book in that series, as it features Robin Hood, only different, and I don’t like my favourite historic people changed into vampires and such. But perhaps soon, just to get the last details.
With just one touch, Jessa Bellamy can see anyone’s darkest secrets, thanks to whoever tampered with her genes. Wat she doesn’t know is that a biotech company called GenHance has discovered her talent, and intends to kill her and harvest her priceless DNA. When GenHance is poised to strike, Gaven Matthias is forced to take action. After months of tracking Jessa, he abducts her himself so he can protect her in his underground fortress. Mattias tries to explain what she is and how she can protect others like her, but Jessa has a hard time believing the one man whose secrets she can’t read. She senses he’s hiding a terrible truth, and yet his touch ignites a passion she’s never known. As a monstrous assassin closes in and forces them on the run, Jessa will have to find another way to discover whether Mattias is her greatest ally … or her deadliest enemy.
Jessa has used the last ten years to build up her own company, screening the background of personnel for other companies. She has hired some people nobody wanted to hire, but who were innocent of the accusations against them. Only one touch and she knows their darkest secrets, their biggest shame, or their goodness.
When she discovers a woman tricked by a conman, to rob the next company she is seeking employment with, a conman who murders his accomplishes and starts again, she anonymously calls the FBI. But this time, she is overheard making the call, and the danger begins. GenHance is after now, and they will do everything to capture her. Discredit her, dismantle her firm, seize her bank accounts, so she will have to resurface.
But just when she is about to be snatched, a strange man enters the restaurant and saves her, wounding her would-be captor severely. And that man goes ballistic. Blaming her.
Jessa just can’t believe the wild tales Matthias tells her, Dark Kyn, Vampires? He surely is nuts. She doesn’t know where she is been taken, but she will escape somehow. She is underground, in a large tunnel system. There is 1 other woman there, taking care of the cooking and stuff, who also seems different. Still Jessa keeps denying that she has a power, that she is different. Until she escapes, and Matthias arrives just in time to safe her from the madman who is after her with a vengeance.
A big part in the book is reserved for Sam and Lucan, and they almost meet … After all, Alexandra is still searching for the Kyndred, the children who were experimented on, just like her. They are the future of the Darkyn. But they don’t want to be found, so I am curious if they eventually will come together.
A good first book in a series, that makes me long to read more. I liked Jessa, how she survives on her own, and still tries to help other people. I am curious about Rowan, and hope the next book will be about her. But how much I tried, I could not get a liking for Matthias. At last his origin is explained, but he just doesn’t come out of the pages at me. The romance part was more towards the end of the book, and perhaps I am just used of more romance and love scenes nowadays.
And if Matthias is the very fist Kyn, why doesn’t he drink her blood? How come that big part is missing in this book?
Then the ties with the Roman Empire, the personal history of the owner of GenHance, and how that crosses with Matthias’ life.
So, a lot of questions and things to look forward to. Unfortunately, I have to wait till I can buy the next book, so I can’t go on reading.
I never did read the last book in that series, as it features Robin Hood, only different, and I don’t like my favourite historic people changed into vampires and such. But perhaps soon, just to get the last details.
With just one touch, Jessa Bellamy can see anyone’s darkest secrets, thanks to whoever tampered with her genes. Wat she doesn’t know is that a biotech company called GenHance has discovered her talent, and intends to kill her and harvest her priceless DNA. When GenHance is poised to strike, Gaven Matthias is forced to take action. After months of tracking Jessa, he abducts her himself so he can protect her in his underground fortress. Mattias tries to explain what she is and how she can protect others like her, but Jessa has a hard time believing the one man whose secrets she can’t read. She senses he’s hiding a terrible truth, and yet his touch ignites a passion she’s never known. As a monstrous assassin closes in and forces them on the run, Jessa will have to find another way to discover whether Mattias is her greatest ally … or her deadliest enemy.
Jessa has used the last ten years to build up her own company, screening the background of personnel for other companies. She has hired some people nobody wanted to hire, but who were innocent of the accusations against them. Only one touch and she knows their darkest secrets, their biggest shame, or their goodness.
When she discovers a woman tricked by a conman, to rob the next company she is seeking employment with, a conman who murders his accomplishes and starts again, she anonymously calls the FBI. But this time, she is overheard making the call, and the danger begins. GenHance is after now, and they will do everything to capture her. Discredit her, dismantle her firm, seize her bank accounts, so she will have to resurface.
But just when she is about to be snatched, a strange man enters the restaurant and saves her, wounding her would-be captor severely. And that man goes ballistic. Blaming her.
Jessa just can’t believe the wild tales Matthias tells her, Dark Kyn, Vampires? He surely is nuts. She doesn’t know where she is been taken, but she will escape somehow. She is underground, in a large tunnel system. There is 1 other woman there, taking care of the cooking and stuff, who also seems different. Still Jessa keeps denying that she has a power, that she is different. Until she escapes, and Matthias arrives just in time to safe her from the madman who is after her with a vengeance.
A big part in the book is reserved for Sam and Lucan, and they almost meet … After all, Alexandra is still searching for the Kyndred, the children who were experimented on, just like her. They are the future of the Darkyn. But they don’t want to be found, so I am curious if they eventually will come together.
A good first book in a series, that makes me long to read more. I liked Jessa, how she survives on her own, and still tries to help other people. I am curious about Rowan, and hope the next book will be about her. But how much I tried, I could not get a liking for Matthias. At last his origin is explained, but he just doesn’t come out of the pages at me. The romance part was more towards the end of the book, and perhaps I am just used of more romance and love scenes nowadays.
And if Matthias is the very fist Kyn, why doesn’t he drink her blood? How come that big part is missing in this book?
Then the ties with the Roman Empire, the personal history of the owner of GenHance, and how that crosses with Matthias’ life.
So, a lot of questions and things to look forward to. Unfortunately, I have to wait till I can buy the next book, so I can’t go on reading.
Karen Hawkins - Much ado about marriage
Meeting lovely Fia is all it takes to turn Thomas’ espionage mission in Scotland topsy-turvy. Flirting in the woods with the seductive, infuriating lass leaves him captive in the MacLean castle, but his escape attempt brings worse! Caught in an apparently compromising position with the lady, the English Earl has no chance to make any ado before he finds himself wed. Thomas is on a serious assignment, but Fia’s sharp tongue and saucy wit bring mayhem to his life. How can he concentrate, when just one glance from her makes him burn with desire?
A rewrite of her very first book (not the first one published though). I enjoyed it. It is kind of a prequel to the MacLean curse books, and the new series about the Hurst amulet.
Thomas Wentwoth, the Earl of Rotherwood, is on a spying mission for Walsingham, the righthand man of Queen Elisabeth. He is to search for some letters from Queen Mary, that will be proof enough the imprison her and put her one year old son on the Scottish throne. But just when he was successful, and escaping from MacLean Castle, he is knocked of the second story ledge, when a young woman tries to escape through the same window. She is running away, with some of the Laird’s silver.
Though Thomas is considered the luckiest man in England, his luck is not holding in her presence. Her mangy dog chases his horse away, her horse throws him and then lies down on his leg, and finally they are captured by the Laird. Thomas is very glad to learn Fia is not the laird’s mistress, but his cousin and ward.
The laird has him beaten for his making free with Fia, and almost throws him in the dungeons. Bruised and feverish, it is Fia and her maid Mary who nurse him back to health. Duncan, Laird MacLean is determined to marry Fia off so she will be safe from the coming civil war. But when she is caught in a compromising position with Thomas, those plans are changed. Thomas will have to marry her. Fia doesn’t mind all that much, all she wants to do is go to London and be a playwriter. She just wants a sponsor who will make that happen. And as Thomas is one of the Queen’s favourites, he can help her.
Thomas however is not pleased. His mother ran away with the stable master when he was a little boy, and he grew up trying to please his stern father. To no avail of course. But he has to be in control, and not bring scandal to the family name. What is he to do with such a hoyden of a wife? He wants a cool and well mannered wife, who will give him nice children and never creates a scandal. No, the only course open for him is to get an annulment from the Queen, and for that, Fia has to remain a maiden. Which is easier said than done, as they are both very much attracted to each other.
Fortunately, his best friend is waiting aboard his ship. Robert MacQuarrie, Viscount Montley, also known to the Scots as the Coward of Balmanach. But that is a whole other story.
Fia strikes a deal with him: he is to learn her to behave as an English noblewoman at court, because she doesn’t want an annulment. Of course, she never wanted a husband, but now that she is getting to know Thomas, she wants to stay being his wife. So Robert sets out to teach her to dance, to play cards, the language of the fan, how to dress and everything. And Thomas is getting more and more jealous. Then one night, after a storm, Thomas finds Fia alone in his cabin, and he cannot walk away from her. They spend a night of passion in each others arms, so the annulment is not an option anymore. Is Thomas really falling in love with his lovely wife? Is he capable of recognizing the feeling? After all, he never has been loved before.
Then, back in London, the plot thickens. What was Walsinghams real motive for sending Thomas to Scotland? And is Fia part of the betrayal or not?
Yes, a good story, filled with humor and real characters you just have to like. I want to learn what happens with Duncan and Robert and even some of the servants. Karen Hawkins really knows how to catch a reader in her story. If you haven’t read any of her historical romances yet, this would be a good one to start with if you cannot find the first books in the series.
Clive Cussler - The navigator
The seventh book in the NUMA files – A Kurt Austin adventure.
Years ago, an ancient Phoenician statue known as the Navigator was stolen from a Bagdad Museum, and there are men who would do anything to get their hands on it. Their first victim is a crooked antiquities dealer, murdered in cold blood. Their second is very nearly a UN investigator who, were it not for the timely assistance of Austin and Zavala, would now be at the bottom of a watery grave.
What’s so special about this statue, Austin wonders. The search for answers will take the NUMA team on an astonishing odyssey trough time and space, one that encompasses the lost treasures of King Solomon, a mysterious packet of documents personally encoded by Thomas Jefferson and a top-secret scientific project that could change the world for ever. And that’s before the surprises really begin …
How to write a review about this book is quite beyond me. It is so filled with historic facts and fiction, blended together in today’s world, filled with action and adventure. To name some would surely spoil your reading pleasure. It is really a great book of intrigue and suspense. Ofcourse there is an evil rich person plotting, and Kurt Austin thwarting him as much as possible.
If you like reading about adventure, possibilities, with a hint of the past that could just be true, read Clive Cussler. I am sure you will not regret it!
Years ago, an ancient Phoenician statue known as the Navigator was stolen from a Bagdad Museum, and there are men who would do anything to get their hands on it. Their first victim is a crooked antiquities dealer, murdered in cold blood. Their second is very nearly a UN investigator who, were it not for the timely assistance of Austin and Zavala, would now be at the bottom of a watery grave.
What’s so special about this statue, Austin wonders. The search for answers will take the NUMA team on an astonishing odyssey trough time and space, one that encompasses the lost treasures of King Solomon, a mysterious packet of documents personally encoded by Thomas Jefferson and a top-secret scientific project that could change the world for ever. And that’s before the surprises really begin …
How to write a review about this book is quite beyond me. It is so filled with historic facts and fiction, blended together in today’s world, filled with action and adventure. To name some would surely spoil your reading pleasure. It is really a great book of intrigue and suspense. Ofcourse there is an evil rich person plotting, and Kurt Austin thwarting him as much as possible.
If you like reading about adventure, possibilities, with a hint of the past that could just be true, read Clive Cussler. I am sure you will not regret it!
Kresley Cole - Demon from the Dark
The eight book (10th story) in the Immortals after Dark series. A really good and funny paranormal series.
Demon Malkom Slaine, poisoned with vampire blood, is now an outcast from his community. Tormented by his terrible past and racked by unnatural vampiric hunger, his despair is all-consuming, When he is given the task of guarding young witch Carrow Graie, Malkom’s self-control is pushed to the limit as he clings to his last shred of humanity.
On the surface Carrow seems to be a shallow party girl. But beneath the bright façade lies a grief-filled past. Life seems empty – until she meets Malkom. Although she knows how dangerous he is, Carrow cannot resist the impulse to be near him.
When the two are trapped together, Malkom must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him in order to survive and save Carrow. But when Malkom becomes the nightmare he has always feared, will he be able to protect his soulmate – even from himself?
In the previous book, Pleasure of a Dark Prince, members of al the Lore races were disappearing. No-one could find them, not even the most powerful witches and sorceresses. In this book we find out they are taken captive by the Order, a secret human society, who wants to study the weaknesses of the different immortal races, in order to kill them all.
They have taken Carrow Graie, a powerful witch, killer her cousin Sabine and use her little niece Ruby as leverage, to blackmail her in cooperating with them. The order wants her to go to a specific hell dimension, and bring back with her Malkom Slaine, a demon-vampire, or vemon. They have tried with soldiers before, but he killed them all. So perhaps a woman has more of a chance to seduce him into following her back to her world ..
But as soon as Malkom finds Carrow, being chased by ghouls and lesser demons, he knows she is his. Her scent is like haven. His vampire heart starts beating after more than 400 years, and he is breathing again.
Malkom has had a difficult past. As a child, his whore demon mother sold him as a blood slave to a vampire, who used and abused him at will. At age 14 he was too old, and was kicked into the streets. But Malkom grew strong, and he took his revenge. He killed his old master, and took such pleasure into killing a vampire, he made a job out of it. The demon were fighting the vampires at that time, trying to rid their world of those leeches. The prince got to know Malkom, and took a liking to him, which was not to the taste of the aristocracy. But Malkom grew in the ranks, becoming the most important and best general of the princes armies. Until they were both betrayed. The vampire Viceroy caught them and used the darkest of magic to turn them into demon-vampires, also known as Scârbă. So know they have both the demon hunger for flesh, and the vampire hunger for blood. The prince and Malkom are locked up together, and the one who will drink first, will get free …
After three weeks of bloodthirst and hunger, the prince breaks, and he attacks Malkom. Malkom retaliates and kills the prince. Then the Viceroy tries to break him, force him to drink from demon children, but he refuses, and one day, his anger gets so strong, he breaks free and kills the Viceroy and his followers in a special gruesome manner, making the vampires flee his world for good. But instead of being a hero, he is hunted for the murder of his prince.
Being a vemon makes him much stronger than normal demons, so he is no match for them, and he flees to the mountains, where he settles in some caves, near the watermines of his world, making them his. As water is very scarce on his planet, this makes hum powerful.
He hunts the monsters that live in the mountains, there is plenty of food to be had, and he kills everyone who dares to come near his cave. But the rage at the betrayals he has suffered his entire life never abates. He cannot go back to the demon city to hunt the last one who betrayed him and his prince, and is now the leader of their people himself, because of the vast desert that lays between the mountains and the city. As a vampire he cannot go out in sunlight, and as fast as he is, even he cannot make the whole distance in one night.
Carrow too has not had it easy, yes she pretends to be a partygirl, carefree and footloose. But she suffered neglect from her parents her whole life, until she became part of the coven she was alone. Her powers are fed by happiness, so that is why she goes clubbing and drinking a lot, to be able to suck up the energy happy people give of.
But now she is captured, and the little Ruby reminds her of herself. No one to take care of her, so she decides, as her nearest relative, to adopt her, to build a life for them together. But first she has this little job to do … attract the legendary vemon.
So when they first meet, she is glad to be safed from the monsters, but she is repulsed by this filthy warrior. But as he continues to protect her, provides for her, and is as gentle as he can with her, she is starting to like him. And when he lets her clean him up, even cut his hair, and is so obvious in lust with her, things are changing. He is slowly learning back her language, the same language his vampire masters spoke, and he wants to communicate with her. But mostly, he wants to have sex with her. After all, she is his Mate and his Bride, and he has never had sex with a woman before. He wants to know what it feels like to touch her, everywhere, and have her touch him back. But Carrow is afraid, he is so big and knows his own strength so little, he has already hurt her a few times. How can she survive it?
So after some adventures, they are finally back on her planet, but the Order has lied, nor she nor Ruby will be freed. And Malkom is so very angry with her betrayal of him. He will kill her for it. Until now, he has killed everyone who has ever betrayed him, and he will not stop now. He will torment her first though.
The prison is now filled to overflowing with captured immortals of all races, when an unwanted being arrives: La Dorada, the Queen of Golds, and old crone and a very powerfull sorceress. Her followers are the Wendigo’s and their touch is contagious: one scratch from their claws, and you will be one too. The collar that prevents the immortals from using their power falls of their necks, but only from the evil ones, leaving Carrow and Ruby and their friends still powerless against the evil enemies. Who of course take advantage of it.
Carrow, Lanthe and Ruby escape their prison cell, and just when they find the human who has the necessary fingerprint to unlock their collars, his severed hand is snatched by some sorceresses, who still have a bone to pick with Carrow. So they are left alone, still powerless, against a floodwave of evil and contagious enemies. But Malkom’s collar has dropped to the floor, and when he finds Carrow, who is trying to save Ruby from a collapsed tunnel, he understands why she betrayed him: to save her young!
So in the end, the three of them flee the prison and their enemies, and end up in a little hut at the end of the island. Malkom is happy, he can provide for his wife and her young, there is plenty of water, it is falling from the sky! He even learns how to swim to save Carrow, and he sets traps for their enemies. He doesn’t want to escape the island, to go to New Orleans where Carrow has her life, and she won’t be needing him as she does now!
I really liked this story, read it in two sittings. The role of Nïx is dubious in this book. Is she a betrayer of her own people? But how else could the Order capture so many Immortals, and bring so many pairs together? And what will happen to Regin and Lanthe, and their mates/enemies who captured them? So bring on the next books, and tell me!
I liked Malkom, Carrow and Ruby a lot. They are so great together. Kresley Cole’s writing style is full of humor, emotions, and of course love scenes. But the story itself is very compelling. You just have to know what happens on the next pages. How will they work their issues out. Can Malkom learn to trust Carrow again? And what when he starts to care for Ruby? Who is so alike her aunt?
Yes, a good book, and a good series. I heartily recommend this one.
Demon Malkom Slaine, poisoned with vampire blood, is now an outcast from his community. Tormented by his terrible past and racked by unnatural vampiric hunger, his despair is all-consuming, When he is given the task of guarding young witch Carrow Graie, Malkom’s self-control is pushed to the limit as he clings to his last shred of humanity.
On the surface Carrow seems to be a shallow party girl. But beneath the bright façade lies a grief-filled past. Life seems empty – until she meets Malkom. Although she knows how dangerous he is, Carrow cannot resist the impulse to be near him.
When the two are trapped together, Malkom must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him in order to survive and save Carrow. But when Malkom becomes the nightmare he has always feared, will he be able to protect his soulmate – even from himself?
In the previous book, Pleasure of a Dark Prince, members of al the Lore races were disappearing. No-one could find them, not even the most powerful witches and sorceresses. In this book we find out they are taken captive by the Order, a secret human society, who wants to study the weaknesses of the different immortal races, in order to kill them all.
They have taken Carrow Graie, a powerful witch, killer her cousin Sabine and use her little niece Ruby as leverage, to blackmail her in cooperating with them. The order wants her to go to a specific hell dimension, and bring back with her Malkom Slaine, a demon-vampire, or vemon. They have tried with soldiers before, but he killed them all. So perhaps a woman has more of a chance to seduce him into following her back to her world ..
But as soon as Malkom finds Carrow, being chased by ghouls and lesser demons, he knows she is his. Her scent is like haven. His vampire heart starts beating after more than 400 years, and he is breathing again.
Malkom has had a difficult past. As a child, his whore demon mother sold him as a blood slave to a vampire, who used and abused him at will. At age 14 he was too old, and was kicked into the streets. But Malkom grew strong, and he took his revenge. He killed his old master, and took such pleasure into killing a vampire, he made a job out of it. The demon were fighting the vampires at that time, trying to rid their world of those leeches. The prince got to know Malkom, and took a liking to him, which was not to the taste of the aristocracy. But Malkom grew in the ranks, becoming the most important and best general of the princes armies. Until they were both betrayed. The vampire Viceroy caught them and used the darkest of magic to turn them into demon-vampires, also known as Scârbă. So know they have both the demon hunger for flesh, and the vampire hunger for blood. The prince and Malkom are locked up together, and the one who will drink first, will get free …
After three weeks of bloodthirst and hunger, the prince breaks, and he attacks Malkom. Malkom retaliates and kills the prince. Then the Viceroy tries to break him, force him to drink from demon children, but he refuses, and one day, his anger gets so strong, he breaks free and kills the Viceroy and his followers in a special gruesome manner, making the vampires flee his world for good. But instead of being a hero, he is hunted for the murder of his prince.
Being a vemon makes him much stronger than normal demons, so he is no match for them, and he flees to the mountains, where he settles in some caves, near the watermines of his world, making them his. As water is very scarce on his planet, this makes hum powerful.
He hunts the monsters that live in the mountains, there is plenty of food to be had, and he kills everyone who dares to come near his cave. But the rage at the betrayals he has suffered his entire life never abates. He cannot go back to the demon city to hunt the last one who betrayed him and his prince, and is now the leader of their people himself, because of the vast desert that lays between the mountains and the city. As a vampire he cannot go out in sunlight, and as fast as he is, even he cannot make the whole distance in one night.
Carrow too has not had it easy, yes she pretends to be a partygirl, carefree and footloose. But she suffered neglect from her parents her whole life, until she became part of the coven she was alone. Her powers are fed by happiness, so that is why she goes clubbing and drinking a lot, to be able to suck up the energy happy people give of.
But now she is captured, and the little Ruby reminds her of herself. No one to take care of her, so she decides, as her nearest relative, to adopt her, to build a life for them together. But first she has this little job to do … attract the legendary vemon.
So when they first meet, she is glad to be safed from the monsters, but she is repulsed by this filthy warrior. But as he continues to protect her, provides for her, and is as gentle as he can with her, she is starting to like him. And when he lets her clean him up, even cut his hair, and is so obvious in lust with her, things are changing. He is slowly learning back her language, the same language his vampire masters spoke, and he wants to communicate with her. But mostly, he wants to have sex with her. After all, she is his Mate and his Bride, and he has never had sex with a woman before. He wants to know what it feels like to touch her, everywhere, and have her touch him back. But Carrow is afraid, he is so big and knows his own strength so little, he has already hurt her a few times. How can she survive it?
So after some adventures, they are finally back on her planet, but the Order has lied, nor she nor Ruby will be freed. And Malkom is so very angry with her betrayal of him. He will kill her for it. Until now, he has killed everyone who has ever betrayed him, and he will not stop now. He will torment her first though.
The prison is now filled to overflowing with captured immortals of all races, when an unwanted being arrives: La Dorada, the Queen of Golds, and old crone and a very powerfull sorceress. Her followers are the Wendigo’s and their touch is contagious: one scratch from their claws, and you will be one too. The collar that prevents the immortals from using their power falls of their necks, but only from the evil ones, leaving Carrow and Ruby and their friends still powerless against the evil enemies. Who of course take advantage of it.
Carrow, Lanthe and Ruby escape their prison cell, and just when they find the human who has the necessary fingerprint to unlock their collars, his severed hand is snatched by some sorceresses, who still have a bone to pick with Carrow. So they are left alone, still powerless, against a floodwave of evil and contagious enemies. But Malkom’s collar has dropped to the floor, and when he finds Carrow, who is trying to save Ruby from a collapsed tunnel, he understands why she betrayed him: to save her young!
So in the end, the three of them flee the prison and their enemies, and end up in a little hut at the end of the island. Malkom is happy, he can provide for his wife and her young, there is plenty of water, it is falling from the sky! He even learns how to swim to save Carrow, and he sets traps for their enemies. He doesn’t want to escape the island, to go to New Orleans where Carrow has her life, and she won’t be needing him as she does now!
I really liked this story, read it in two sittings. The role of Nïx is dubious in this book. Is she a betrayer of her own people? But how else could the Order capture so many Immortals, and bring so many pairs together? And what will happen to Regin and Lanthe, and their mates/enemies who captured them? So bring on the next books, and tell me!
I liked Malkom, Carrow and Ruby a lot. They are so great together. Kresley Cole’s writing style is full of humor, emotions, and of course love scenes. But the story itself is very compelling. You just have to know what happens on the next pages. How will they work their issues out. Can Malkom learn to trust Carrow again? And what when he starts to care for Ruby? Who is so alike her aunt?
Yes, a good book, and a good series. I heartily recommend this one.
woensdag 8 september 2010
Alexis Morgan - Dark Warrior Untamed
The third book in the Talions series, and don't you find the cover droolworthy? Mmm I could stare at him for hours!
In Alexis Morgan's electrifying new Talion adventure, a sexy warrior fights to save his headstrong lover from the crossfire of an evil plot to overthrow the Kyth's leader.
He questions everything. No one thought Chief Talion Greyhill Danby would report to work so soon after wrapping up his affairs in London. Then again, he didn't expect to find a beautiful spy with a major attitude in his new office. Clearly the Kyth's Grand Dame doesn't trust him to do his duty - to protect her.
She fears the truth. Piper Ryan isn't keen on the arrangement, either. Matching wits with an ancient warrior isn't in her administrative job description. But sharing space with the red-hot head of security could have unexpectedly tempting benefits . . . if he doesn't dig into her secret past.
Opposites always attract. When threatening e-mails result in danger, the fiery sparks between Piper and Grey grow scorching hot. They must defend the throne from a deadly invisible attacker, but will their raging desire keep them together . . . or will their burning suspicions tear them apart?
Grey was raised on the streets of London and fought his way up in the ranks of the Talions. And now he is head of security, something his acquaintances in London don’t like. They wanted him to spy on the new Dame, to see if she is worthy to rule the Kyth, or not. And they prefer not, especially Harcourt, who envisioned his daughter Adèle the new Dame, and himself the power behind the throne.
Piper is the new administrative assistant of Kerry, the Grand Dame of the Kyth. Working parttime, studying for her masters degree the rest of the time. Then a nasty email arrives in her computer, followed by a package containing a bomb. Grey gets really hurt trying to save the rest from the blast, and Piper stays with him in the hospital, feeding him healing energy even while she doesn’t know what she is doing. Who is behind this assassination attempt? Grey doesn’t believe Harcourt is stupid enough for that, at least not so soon. The emails and threats keep arriving, throwing suspicion on Grey as the sender of them. But with Piper defending him, and of course his being innocent, they soon start the search for the real culprit. Kerry even agrees to letting more Talion warriors come to her home to guard her and those she loves. With the house filling up, there are more and more targets for the bomber to choose.
In between sharing an office, a hospital room, and drives to the university, Piper and Grey fall in love with each other. Even though he suspects her of not being totally truthful, he trusts she will not endanger his Dame. He will wait till she tells him herself.
But it is Kerry she tells her secret to first, as she is her halfsister. She only learned about her heritage, being part Kyth, when her mother died. And the investigator she hired managed to find Kerry. Even though Sandor still hasn’t found out anything about Kerry’s past. So the two woman already liked each other, and now they finally have family again.
Grey is torn in half, his vow his honor demands that he protects Kerry at all cost, but his hart goes to Piper. And when he thinks her murdered by the bomber, his revenge will know no boundaries!
A very good story, and characters I really liked. Quirky Piper, who will stand up against fearsome Grey. Some good love scenes, and some really mad bad people. Great to get more story about the former heroes in the series. Sean is really becoming a Talion, and an asset to all. I will most certainly buy the next book in this compelling series.
I do have some critique though, it was really irritating how many words were missing in the sentences. Just those little ones, but you often had to read the sentence twice to figure it out. So whoever edited this book, really should wake up.
In Alexis Morgan's electrifying new Talion adventure, a sexy warrior fights to save his headstrong lover from the crossfire of an evil plot to overthrow the Kyth's leader.
He questions everything. No one thought Chief Talion Greyhill Danby would report to work so soon after wrapping up his affairs in London. Then again, he didn't expect to find a beautiful spy with a major attitude in his new office. Clearly the Kyth's Grand Dame doesn't trust him to do his duty - to protect her.
She fears the truth. Piper Ryan isn't keen on the arrangement, either. Matching wits with an ancient warrior isn't in her administrative job description. But sharing space with the red-hot head of security could have unexpectedly tempting benefits . . . if he doesn't dig into her secret past.
Opposites always attract. When threatening e-mails result in danger, the fiery sparks between Piper and Grey grow scorching hot. They must defend the throne from a deadly invisible attacker, but will their raging desire keep them together . . . or will their burning suspicions tear them apart?
Grey was raised on the streets of London and fought his way up in the ranks of the Talions. And now he is head of security, something his acquaintances in London don’t like. They wanted him to spy on the new Dame, to see if she is worthy to rule the Kyth, or not. And they prefer not, especially Harcourt, who envisioned his daughter Adèle the new Dame, and himself the power behind the throne.
Piper is the new administrative assistant of Kerry, the Grand Dame of the Kyth. Working parttime, studying for her masters degree the rest of the time. Then a nasty email arrives in her computer, followed by a package containing a bomb. Grey gets really hurt trying to save the rest from the blast, and Piper stays with him in the hospital, feeding him healing energy even while she doesn’t know what she is doing. Who is behind this assassination attempt? Grey doesn’t believe Harcourt is stupid enough for that, at least not so soon. The emails and threats keep arriving, throwing suspicion on Grey as the sender of them. But with Piper defending him, and of course his being innocent, they soon start the search for the real culprit. Kerry even agrees to letting more Talion warriors come to her home to guard her and those she loves. With the house filling up, there are more and more targets for the bomber to choose.
In between sharing an office, a hospital room, and drives to the university, Piper and Grey fall in love with each other. Even though he suspects her of not being totally truthful, he trusts she will not endanger his Dame. He will wait till she tells him herself.
But it is Kerry she tells her secret to first, as she is her halfsister. She only learned about her heritage, being part Kyth, when her mother died. And the investigator she hired managed to find Kerry. Even though Sandor still hasn’t found out anything about Kerry’s past. So the two woman already liked each other, and now they finally have family again.
Grey is torn in half, his vow his honor demands that he protects Kerry at all cost, but his hart goes to Piper. And when he thinks her murdered by the bomber, his revenge will know no boundaries!
A very good story, and characters I really liked. Quirky Piper, who will stand up against fearsome Grey. Some good love scenes, and some really mad bad people. Great to get more story about the former heroes in the series. Sean is really becoming a Talion, and an asset to all. I will most certainly buy the next book in this compelling series.
I do have some critique though, it was really irritating how many words were missing in the sentences. Just those little ones, but you often had to read the sentence twice to figure it out. So whoever edited this book, really should wake up.
dinsdag 7 september 2010
New addition to my addiction
I don't have much reading time at the moment, working way too many hours this week. But next week I am on holliday, so perhaps some more time to read. But, no internet, so no blogs for 9 days.
I did found a new book on my doormat this evening, Donna Fletcher - Bound to a warrior.
I must admit, the covers of her latest books are not to my liking, but the stories will be.
I did found a new book on my doormat this evening, Donna Fletcher - Bound to a warrior.
I must admit, the covers of her latest books are not to my liking, but the stories will be.
zondag 5 september 2010
Christine Feehan – Dark Peril
The 21st book in the Carpathian series. I really love this series, though some books are much better than others. Especially the older ones are irritating sometimes with the caveman attitude. The first book was published in 1999.
In the previous book, Dominic Dragonseeker ingested some infested vampire blood, to be able to infiltrate the enemy camp, kill as many vampires as possible, and find out their plans to destroy the Carpathian people, especially their prince. He is ancient, one of the oldest Carpathians still alive, and living with honor, but even he is feeling the call of the darkness inside of him. He has lost all hope of finding his lifemate in this life, and has set his hopes for his next life.
So now he is wandering the amazon rainforest, getting closer and closer to his target. The parasites in his blood are slowly killing him from inside out, and he knows he has only days to live. But he will take as many vampire masters with him as possible.
Solange Sangria is a jaguar shifter, one of the few females left who can shift, and the only one with royal blood. Her father, the prince of their people, is mad and evil, methodically killing every one he deems not worthy of living. The woman who are capable of shifting are kept prisoner, used for every whim of the males, and forced to breed for them. Any offspring not capable of shifting, is killed. The woman are treated very harshly, killed for no reason. So no wonder their race is dying out. Solange is a great warrior in her own right. When she was eight, her father found her mother who run away from him, killed every man, woman and child in their camp, and tortured her to get her jaguar to appear. But Solange would rather be killed than be his prisoner for the rest of her life. So she held back, but somehow she survived the killing blow. Ever since she has been training with weapons, in shifting, in hiding. Trying to save the women, killing the most brutal of the men. Those following her fathers ways, those who enjoy using woman, hurting them, thinking they are beneath them and exist only for their pleasure.
But she is growing weary of the fight, always alone, never letting anyone close, not even her two nieces. They both found their lifemates in Carpathian men, and enjoy their lives. But that is not meant for Solange. She is solitary, very wary of men, having no idea how to be in a relationship. Only with the man she imagined in her dreams she can be her self, show her feminine side.
But one night, when she is hurt badly, and she is returning to the place where se grew up, to remember why she does what she does, to remember her family who were killed there, she is followed by a great harpy eagle. She is not afraid, even though the eagle is showing strange behaviour. In her jaguar body she is safe, one of the biggest predators of the rainforest.
But as Solange has dreamt about a man, so has Dominic been dreaming of a woman. A warrior to fight next to him, but a real woman when they are alone, a part she only shows to him. Even though he should not be dreaming, or feeling anything, he is curious about this jaguar female. She killed a jaguar man and wounded another one severely.
Later that night, when trying to rest, Solange still in her jaguar form, she is dreaming of her man. As is Dominic of his woman. And when he tells her, his days are numbered, Solange is so upset, she changes back to a woman and cries out into the night: Don’t leave me alone! Dominic hears her for the very first time, and colors explode behind his eyes. His lifemate! Finally. But why now, when it is already to late? He cannot be saved anymore. Who is she? Where is she.
Then he meets another ancient Carpathian, Zacarias De La Cruz, who is searching the forest for a missing relative, and Dominic knows immediately, she is his! His lifemate, his to protect. Together they fight a bunch of vampires, and Solange is helping them from a distance. And for the first time they meet, eye to eye.
They are both determined to kill their enemies, even if it means their own lifes are over too. So they will enjoy what little time they have together. Solange is a great asset to Dominic, she knows a lot of things he needs to know. She has been inside the laboratory more than once, freeing woman, scouting the place. Learning information, not knowing if she’ll ever need it.
It is very difficult for Solange to give her trust up to Dominic, to do as he wants, she is so very unsure about her self, her womanhood. Her body is covered in scars, how can he find her attractive? Even though they know each other so well after all their conversations while thinking they are dreaming. And Dominic keeps pushing her boundaries, to get her to give herself over in his keeping. To be fully his woman instead of warrior.
Even though I did enjoy the story in this book, I am a bit disappointed. First in Solange, who just gives in and gives in again, to anything Dominic wants. He never cuts her any slack, keeps pushing her to do as he wants. However difficult it is for her, she does it. I would want her to show some more spine. To be less shy, and be more sure about herself. Sure, she is a great warrior and in that he treats her as his equal. But when they are together, I keep having the feeling she is his to toy with. The lack of clothes he insists upon.
I would love some more story, more action, and less seduction and love scenes. I got used to learning more about previous couples, and there is too little about the others in this books.
And then the end of the story. The great battle with the vampires. What happens next? Are the ranches of the De La Crux Brothers attacted? What happens with Zacarias and the woman who was attacked? The mages who made those shadow jaguars? The jaguar men after their prince is killed? Will they stop hunting for woman to kidnap? I feel there are too much loose ends to the story. Perhaps those will be explained in the next book, but it still feels unfinished.
I know because of her special blood, Solange will play a large role in some next book or books, and I am curious about that.
So, though it is a good story, I am not satisfied with it. I hope the next one will not be long in being published.
In the previous book, Dominic Dragonseeker ingested some infested vampire blood, to be able to infiltrate the enemy camp, kill as many vampires as possible, and find out their plans to destroy the Carpathian people, especially their prince. He is ancient, one of the oldest Carpathians still alive, and living with honor, but even he is feeling the call of the darkness inside of him. He has lost all hope of finding his lifemate in this life, and has set his hopes for his next life.
So now he is wandering the amazon rainforest, getting closer and closer to his target. The parasites in his blood are slowly killing him from inside out, and he knows he has only days to live. But he will take as many vampire masters with him as possible.
Solange Sangria is a jaguar shifter, one of the few females left who can shift, and the only one with royal blood. Her father, the prince of their people, is mad and evil, methodically killing every one he deems not worthy of living. The woman who are capable of shifting are kept prisoner, used for every whim of the males, and forced to breed for them. Any offspring not capable of shifting, is killed. The woman are treated very harshly, killed for no reason. So no wonder their race is dying out. Solange is a great warrior in her own right. When she was eight, her father found her mother who run away from him, killed every man, woman and child in their camp, and tortured her to get her jaguar to appear. But Solange would rather be killed than be his prisoner for the rest of her life. So she held back, but somehow she survived the killing blow. Ever since she has been training with weapons, in shifting, in hiding. Trying to save the women, killing the most brutal of the men. Those following her fathers ways, those who enjoy using woman, hurting them, thinking they are beneath them and exist only for their pleasure.
But she is growing weary of the fight, always alone, never letting anyone close, not even her two nieces. They both found their lifemates in Carpathian men, and enjoy their lives. But that is not meant for Solange. She is solitary, very wary of men, having no idea how to be in a relationship. Only with the man she imagined in her dreams she can be her self, show her feminine side.
But one night, when she is hurt badly, and she is returning to the place where se grew up, to remember why she does what she does, to remember her family who were killed there, she is followed by a great harpy eagle. She is not afraid, even though the eagle is showing strange behaviour. In her jaguar body she is safe, one of the biggest predators of the rainforest.
But as Solange has dreamt about a man, so has Dominic been dreaming of a woman. A warrior to fight next to him, but a real woman when they are alone, a part she only shows to him. Even though he should not be dreaming, or feeling anything, he is curious about this jaguar female. She killed a jaguar man and wounded another one severely.
Later that night, when trying to rest, Solange still in her jaguar form, she is dreaming of her man. As is Dominic of his woman. And when he tells her, his days are numbered, Solange is so upset, she changes back to a woman and cries out into the night: Don’t leave me alone! Dominic hears her for the very first time, and colors explode behind his eyes. His lifemate! Finally. But why now, when it is already to late? He cannot be saved anymore. Who is she? Where is she.
Then he meets another ancient Carpathian, Zacarias De La Cruz, who is searching the forest for a missing relative, and Dominic knows immediately, she is his! His lifemate, his to protect. Together they fight a bunch of vampires, and Solange is helping them from a distance. And for the first time they meet, eye to eye.
They are both determined to kill their enemies, even if it means their own lifes are over too. So they will enjoy what little time they have together. Solange is a great asset to Dominic, she knows a lot of things he needs to know. She has been inside the laboratory more than once, freeing woman, scouting the place. Learning information, not knowing if she’ll ever need it.
It is very difficult for Solange to give her trust up to Dominic, to do as he wants, she is so very unsure about her self, her womanhood. Her body is covered in scars, how can he find her attractive? Even though they know each other so well after all their conversations while thinking they are dreaming. And Dominic keeps pushing her boundaries, to get her to give herself over in his keeping. To be fully his woman instead of warrior.
Even though I did enjoy the story in this book, I am a bit disappointed. First in Solange, who just gives in and gives in again, to anything Dominic wants. He never cuts her any slack, keeps pushing her to do as he wants. However difficult it is for her, she does it. I would want her to show some more spine. To be less shy, and be more sure about herself. Sure, she is a great warrior and in that he treats her as his equal. But when they are together, I keep having the feeling she is his to toy with. The lack of clothes he insists upon.
I would love some more story, more action, and less seduction and love scenes. I got used to learning more about previous couples, and there is too little about the others in this books.
And then the end of the story. The great battle with the vampires. What happens next? Are the ranches of the De La Crux Brothers attacted? What happens with Zacarias and the woman who was attacked? The mages who made those shadow jaguars? The jaguar men after their prince is killed? Will they stop hunting for woman to kidnap? I feel there are too much loose ends to the story. Perhaps those will be explained in the next book, but it still feels unfinished.
I know because of her special blood, Solange will play a large role in some next book or books, and I am curious about that.
So, though it is a good story, I am not satisfied with it. I hope the next one will not be long in being published.
zaterdag 4 september 2010
New addition to my addiction
Barbara Cartland - The Hell-Cat and the King
Another of the lovely royal romances by Barbara Cartland, published in 1977.
When Zenka’s parents were murdered by an anarchist, she came to live with her father’s best friend, the Duke of Stirling in Scotland, as his Ward. His wife treats her like their own daughter, but when she dies and the Duke remarries, life is not as good anymore to Zenka. The new Duchess is very beautiful, but Zenka is more pretty and the Duchess refuses to play second violin to Zenka, especially as Zenka is a Princess and she only a Duchess, and not even born in the aristocracy. So Zenka will have to go! And Duchess Kathleen sees her chance when at Queen Victoria’s golden jubileum, the Duke is told by the Queen that she has arranged a Royal match for Zenka: King Miklos of Karanya. A little county in the Balkan not far from where her parents lived in Hungary.
Zenka will have nothing to do with this marriage, her parents married for love, and so will she! But the Duchess tells her: it is marriage to the King and be a Queen herself, or the convent! And as she wraps the Duke around her finger, pleading with her Godfather has no use at all. So Zenka is determined: if she is to suffer, so will the King. She will become the Hell-Cat the Duchess finds her.
She has already heard al kinds of gossip about King Miklos, and is certain he will just go on with his mistresses and leave her be. And if not, she has her little pistol, and she knows how to use it.
What Zenka did not realize, was that the King had no more choice about this than she did. To save his country from being annexed by Austria or Turkey, he had to marry an English princess. And so he got her. He doesn’t care for a young schoolgirl, he prefers the company of older women who share his interests!
But the country is beautiful and Zenka soon loves it. It reminds her so much of her home, she is feeling really lonely. After a few days in the capital, they leave for the Castle in the mountains for their honeymoon, and there Zenka can finally read the horses again she missed so much! Then she is being kidnapped by the Zyghes, mountain bandits. That is when she realizes she has fallen in love with the King after all. It was his company that made her happy, not just the beauty of the land, the kindness of its people.
So when she is rescued later by the King himself, she wants him to stay with her, to give her a child to ease her loneliness. And then she finds out, that he saw her a year ago in London, and has asked for her specifically. He fell in love with her, but she was so young then. So he just had to try to make her jealous, to get her attention and her feelings.
A really nice little book, easy to read, perfect for a few hours in the bathtub. No love scenes either, just some kisses.
When Zenka’s parents were murdered by an anarchist, she came to live with her father’s best friend, the Duke of Stirling in Scotland, as his Ward. His wife treats her like their own daughter, but when she dies and the Duke remarries, life is not as good anymore to Zenka. The new Duchess is very beautiful, but Zenka is more pretty and the Duchess refuses to play second violin to Zenka, especially as Zenka is a Princess and she only a Duchess, and not even born in the aristocracy. So Zenka will have to go! And Duchess Kathleen sees her chance when at Queen Victoria’s golden jubileum, the Duke is told by the Queen that she has arranged a Royal match for Zenka: King Miklos of Karanya. A little county in the Balkan not far from where her parents lived in Hungary.
Zenka will have nothing to do with this marriage, her parents married for love, and so will she! But the Duchess tells her: it is marriage to the King and be a Queen herself, or the convent! And as she wraps the Duke around her finger, pleading with her Godfather has no use at all. So Zenka is determined: if she is to suffer, so will the King. She will become the Hell-Cat the Duchess finds her.
She has already heard al kinds of gossip about King Miklos, and is certain he will just go on with his mistresses and leave her be. And if not, she has her little pistol, and she knows how to use it.
What Zenka did not realize, was that the King had no more choice about this than she did. To save his country from being annexed by Austria or Turkey, he had to marry an English princess. And so he got her. He doesn’t care for a young schoolgirl, he prefers the company of older women who share his interests!
But the country is beautiful and Zenka soon loves it. It reminds her so much of her home, she is feeling really lonely. After a few days in the capital, they leave for the Castle in the mountains for their honeymoon, and there Zenka can finally read the horses again she missed so much! Then she is being kidnapped by the Zyghes, mountain bandits. That is when she realizes she has fallen in love with the King after all. It was his company that made her happy, not just the beauty of the land, the kindness of its people.
So when she is rescued later by the King himself, she wants him to stay with her, to give her a child to ease her loneliness. And then she finds out, that he saw her a year ago in London, and has asked for her specifically. He fell in love with her, but she was so young then. So he just had to try to make her jealous, to get her attention and her feelings.
A really nice little book, easy to read, perfect for a few hours in the bathtub. No love scenes either, just some kisses.
vrijdag 3 september 2010
Alexis Morgan - Dark Warrior Unbroken
The second book in the Talions series.
He’s on a mission for justice.
Sandor Kearn is the Talion Enforcer tasked with policing his people, the Kyth. His latest assignment is the new killer stalking the streets of Seattle. But while Sandor is hunting the Kyth renegade, someone else is hunting him.
She’s on a quest for the truth.
When Lena Wilson’s mentor died investigating an arson case and the police ran out of leads, she vowed to find justice herself. Lena – who doesn’t know she is part Kyth – has the ability to see fragmented flashbacks of the crimes she’s investigating through her sense of touch. And when she meets Sandor, she feels suspicion – and desire – like she’s never known.
It’s only a matter of time before they touch…
With dark forces closing in, Sandor must keep Lena from digging deeper and exposing the existence of the Kyth. The only way is to convince her of his innocence. But how can he, when he can’t keep his hands off her?
This second book continues the story of the first one. Dame Kelly is still learning the ropes of being Grand Dame of the Kyth, with her Viking husband at her side. Sandor is now the chief Talion, and he will have to execute the final punishment to this new rogue Kyth. But first he will have to find him.
In the previous book the arson investigator was murdered by the rogue, and Sandor in his turn killed the murderer. Bus as far as normal people think, the murderer of Coop is still at large, and he will commit more arson again. So Lena is determined to use her own investigative skills to find the murderer and bring him to justice.
She visits the main witness, Kelly, and is convinced she is not been told the whole truth. But of course Kelly has to keep their species a secret, and as much as she wants to console Lena, she cannot tell her the murderer has been brought to justice already, Kyth justice. When leaving, she sees Sandor enter the house, and decides to track him down. He just may know something. After all, he fits the profile of the murderer she saw in her vision of the crime.
And while Sandor is searching the streets for the new rogue Kyth, he feels he is being followed. He just can’t figure out who it is till the third day. When he finally spots Lena, he is very happy with this chance to get to know his gorgeous stalker better. A good excuse to keep her by his side, and hunt together.
Only, the next night when they are in bed together, she accidentally touches his tattoo of his Hammer of Thor, and gets a vision of what happened in the last book. How Sandor destroyed the rogue, and how it still plagues him. So now there is no other choice but to tell her the whole truth, and hope for her silence.
Throughout the book, there are little pieces with the new rogue, or perhaps rogues, so you get to know him too. And in the end, it is Lena who prevents Sandor from the execution, and to give them all a second chance. After al, they are only children. Kyth children, who know nothing about their heritage.
I really liked this book. Sandor who struggles with what he has become, Lena trying to cope with her own abilities and her guild about the death of her friend. Kelly and Ranulf learning to be the Grand Dame and her Consort, and everything that includes. They are all a bunch of great characters. Lena who wants justice, who doesn’t want to understand that the human police would never have been able to capture, let alone imprison a rogue Kyth. He would have murdered out the entire policestation. But being around Sandor, seeing what he is capable of, slowly opens her eyes. Falling in love with each other kind of puts an end to her objections. But she will not stand for Sandor to meet out justice again. Not if it is so hard on his soul. And Sandor is willing to stand up for her, protect her, even from his own Dame if necessary.
A new character is being introduced in the end (another gorgeous man and with a British accent!), and doubtless he will be the main character in book three. The good news is, I already have that one on my desk.
He’s on a mission for justice.
Sandor Kearn is the Talion Enforcer tasked with policing his people, the Kyth. His latest assignment is the new killer stalking the streets of Seattle. But while Sandor is hunting the Kyth renegade, someone else is hunting him.
She’s on a quest for the truth.
When Lena Wilson’s mentor died investigating an arson case and the police ran out of leads, she vowed to find justice herself. Lena – who doesn’t know she is part Kyth – has the ability to see fragmented flashbacks of the crimes she’s investigating through her sense of touch. And when she meets Sandor, she feels suspicion – and desire – like she’s never known.
It’s only a matter of time before they touch…
With dark forces closing in, Sandor must keep Lena from digging deeper and exposing the existence of the Kyth. The only way is to convince her of his innocence. But how can he, when he can’t keep his hands off her?
This second book continues the story of the first one. Dame Kelly is still learning the ropes of being Grand Dame of the Kyth, with her Viking husband at her side. Sandor is now the chief Talion, and he will have to execute the final punishment to this new rogue Kyth. But first he will have to find him.
In the previous book the arson investigator was murdered by the rogue, and Sandor in his turn killed the murderer. Bus as far as normal people think, the murderer of Coop is still at large, and he will commit more arson again. So Lena is determined to use her own investigative skills to find the murderer and bring him to justice.
She visits the main witness, Kelly, and is convinced she is not been told the whole truth. But of course Kelly has to keep their species a secret, and as much as she wants to console Lena, she cannot tell her the murderer has been brought to justice already, Kyth justice. When leaving, she sees Sandor enter the house, and decides to track him down. He just may know something. After all, he fits the profile of the murderer she saw in her vision of the crime.
And while Sandor is searching the streets for the new rogue Kyth, he feels he is being followed. He just can’t figure out who it is till the third day. When he finally spots Lena, he is very happy with this chance to get to know his gorgeous stalker better. A good excuse to keep her by his side, and hunt together.
Only, the next night when they are in bed together, she accidentally touches his tattoo of his Hammer of Thor, and gets a vision of what happened in the last book. How Sandor destroyed the rogue, and how it still plagues him. So now there is no other choice but to tell her the whole truth, and hope for her silence.
Throughout the book, there are little pieces with the new rogue, or perhaps rogues, so you get to know him too. And in the end, it is Lena who prevents Sandor from the execution, and to give them all a second chance. After al, they are only children. Kyth children, who know nothing about their heritage.
I really liked this book. Sandor who struggles with what he has become, Lena trying to cope with her own abilities and her guild about the death of her friend. Kelly and Ranulf learning to be the Grand Dame and her Consort, and everything that includes. They are all a bunch of great characters. Lena who wants justice, who doesn’t want to understand that the human police would never have been able to capture, let alone imprison a rogue Kyth. He would have murdered out the entire policestation. But being around Sandor, seeing what he is capable of, slowly opens her eyes. Falling in love with each other kind of puts an end to her objections. But she will not stand for Sandor to meet out justice again. Not if it is so hard on his soul. And Sandor is willing to stand up for her, protect her, even from his own Dame if necessary.
A new character is being introduced in the end (another gorgeous man and with a British accent!), and doubtless he will be the main character in book three. The good news is, I already have that one on my desk.
New addition to my addiction
I had forgotten I had ordered this one: Karen Hawkins - Much ado about marriage. It is a rewrite of the first book she ever wrote, under a different name. So I am looking forward to that.
But the cover, hmm. The outfit is totally great and hot. If only they had put a different actor in it! Someone more warriorlike, more masculine. This one makes me think: dress-up!
Well, judge for your self, what do you think?
But the cover, hmm. The outfit is totally great and hot. If only they had put a different actor in it! Someone more warriorlike, more masculine. This one makes me think: dress-up!
Well, judge for your self, what do you think?
donderdag 2 september 2010
New additions to my addiction
I went to a bookfair this morning with my friend, and I am a bit disappointed at the books I found there. I was hoping for lots and lots! But I got home with those:
Anne McCaffrey - Changelings
Anne McCaffrey - Acorna's Children - First Warning
Michael Jecks - The Death Ship of Dartmouth
Michael Jecks - Dispensation of Death
Michael Jecks - The Malice of Unnatural Death
Janny Wurts - The curse of the Mistwraith
Janny Wurts - The ships of Merior
Janny Wurts - Warhost of Vastmark
Bertrice Small - Besieged
Carol Lea Benjamin - Lady Vanishes
Elizabeth Peters - Guardian of the Horizon
If I will ever read them, no idea, keep reading my blog and perhaps a review will turn up :)
Anne McCaffrey - Changelings
Anne McCaffrey - Acorna's Children - First Warning
Michael Jecks - The Death Ship of Dartmouth
Michael Jecks - Dispensation of Death
Michael Jecks - The Malice of Unnatural Death
Janny Wurts - The curse of the Mistwraith
Janny Wurts - The ships of Merior
Janny Wurts - Warhost of Vastmark
Bertrice Small - Besieged
Carol Lea Benjamin - Lady Vanishes
Elizabeth Peters - Guardian of the Horizon
If I will ever read them, no idea, keep reading my blog and perhaps a review will turn up :)
woensdag 1 september 2010
New books for September 2010
Here are the new books for september I am looking forward to:
Christine Feehan – Dark Peril
Jayne Castle – Midnight Crystal
J.R. Ward – Crave – Fallen Angels 2
Sabrina Jeffries - A hellion in her bed – Hellions 02
Alyssa Day – Atlantis betrayed
Lara Adrian - Taken by midnight
Ilona Andrews – Bayou Moon – Edge 2
Donna Fletcher – Bound to a Warrior
I only read three of the books of August, so that is a very poor score. But working overtime lets me have to little energy to read new books. When I am tired, I tend to reread books I love, and playing computergames.
Christine Feehan – Dark Peril
Jayne Castle – Midnight Crystal
J.R. Ward – Crave – Fallen Angels 2
Sabrina Jeffries - A hellion in her bed – Hellions 02
Alyssa Day – Atlantis betrayed
Lara Adrian - Taken by midnight
Ilona Andrews – Bayou Moon – Edge 2
Donna Fletcher – Bound to a Warrior
I only read three of the books of August, so that is a very poor score. But working overtime lets me have to little energy to read new books. When I am tired, I tend to reread books I love, and playing computergames.
Christine Feehan – Wild Fire
The fourth book in the Leopard People Series. And a great series it is!
Called on a dangerous assignment, leopard shifter Conner Vega returns to the Panama rainforest of his homeland, looking every bit the civilized male. But as a member of the most lethal of the shifter tribes, he doesn’t have a civilized bone in his body. He carries the scent of a wild animal in his prime, he bears the soul-crushing sins of past kills – and he’s branded by the scars of shame inflicted by the woman he betrayed.
Isabeau Chandler is a Borneo shifter who’s never forgiven Conner or forgotten him. The mating urge is still with her, and when she crosses Conner’s path again, passions run like wild fire. But as Conner’s mission draws Isabeau closer, another betrayal lies waiting in the shadows – and it’s the most perilous and intimate one of all.
A year ago Isabeau met Conner when he was on a mission in the rainforest. He used her to get to her father, who was passing information to a group of terrorist. They used this information to abduct and murder people, asking ransoms from their family.
This time Isabeau is gathering medical information about the plants in the rainforest of Panama, when some children of the tribe she is staying with, are kidnapped. Others are killed. A very cruel woman called Imelda Cortez is head of the drugoperations in the area, and she wants to use the tribesman to carry her drugs through the rainforest to the next country. And by holding their children hostage, she won’t even have to pay them! But the tribe’s elder is no pushover. He trains Special Forces in jungle survival skills. So when Isabeau tells him of the dangerous men she met last year, he knows how to find them. And even recognizes Conner from the sketch Isabeau has drawn of him, because Conner grew up near the same village with his mother.
Isabeau knows nothing about the men being shifters, or being one herself. She is coming close to her own first shift, and her cat is getting into heat. So when she meets Conner again, she is as drawn to him as she was then. Even though she is furious with him, for using her to kill her father, she cannot stay mad at him. After all, they are mates, reunited again. He and his team mates learn her about the Leopard life, she shift, and every thing she will have to know.
And even though it will kill something in both of them, they know Conner will have to seduce Imelda to get close to the kids. Especially when he finds out one of them is his own half brother, also a Leopard shifter, but only 5 years of age.
But Conner is not the only leopard shifter around interested in Isabeau. Two of Imelda’s bodyguards are rogue shifters, having betrayed their existence to Imelda, and are recruiting even more Leopards as her guards. So Conner will have to fight them for his right to be Isabeau’s mate. One of them taunts him, beats and claws Isabeau to mark her for himself, driving Conner mad. Isabeau is not a pushover, even though she is fairly innocent. She recovers, and both she and her leopard choose Conner as their mate. They will do anything to aid him.
I really loved this story. Okay, it could do with a little less description of the sexual tension between Conner and Isabeau, and less love scenes, and a bit more action perhaps. A big part of the book is devoted to that. But the rest of the story is so good. The elderly people living in the valley, the tight knitted community, how they arrange Conner and Isabeau’s wedding with joy, just because they knew and loved his mother. Both Conner and Isabeau are great characters, build realistically, bit by bit you get to know them better and care for them. The young Leopard they encounter, and who they take into their midst.
Also great was to read more about the previous characters in this series, and to become curious about who the next book will be about.
As always, Christine Feehan is autobuy for me, I love her books. I even will have to use a second shelf now to hold them all. Yesterday her latest book, Dark Peril, came out. Can’t wait to get my hands on that one too!
Called on a dangerous assignment, leopard shifter Conner Vega returns to the Panama rainforest of his homeland, looking every bit the civilized male. But as a member of the most lethal of the shifter tribes, he doesn’t have a civilized bone in his body. He carries the scent of a wild animal in his prime, he bears the soul-crushing sins of past kills – and he’s branded by the scars of shame inflicted by the woman he betrayed.
Isabeau Chandler is a Borneo shifter who’s never forgiven Conner or forgotten him. The mating urge is still with her, and when she crosses Conner’s path again, passions run like wild fire. But as Conner’s mission draws Isabeau closer, another betrayal lies waiting in the shadows – and it’s the most perilous and intimate one of all.
A year ago Isabeau met Conner when he was on a mission in the rainforest. He used her to get to her father, who was passing information to a group of terrorist. They used this information to abduct and murder people, asking ransoms from their family.
This time Isabeau is gathering medical information about the plants in the rainforest of Panama, when some children of the tribe she is staying with, are kidnapped. Others are killed. A very cruel woman called Imelda Cortez is head of the drugoperations in the area, and she wants to use the tribesman to carry her drugs through the rainforest to the next country. And by holding their children hostage, she won’t even have to pay them! But the tribe’s elder is no pushover. He trains Special Forces in jungle survival skills. So when Isabeau tells him of the dangerous men she met last year, he knows how to find them. And even recognizes Conner from the sketch Isabeau has drawn of him, because Conner grew up near the same village with his mother.
Isabeau knows nothing about the men being shifters, or being one herself. She is coming close to her own first shift, and her cat is getting into heat. So when she meets Conner again, she is as drawn to him as she was then. Even though she is furious with him, for using her to kill her father, she cannot stay mad at him. After all, they are mates, reunited again. He and his team mates learn her about the Leopard life, she shift, and every thing she will have to know.
And even though it will kill something in both of them, they know Conner will have to seduce Imelda to get close to the kids. Especially when he finds out one of them is his own half brother, also a Leopard shifter, but only 5 years of age.
But Conner is not the only leopard shifter around interested in Isabeau. Two of Imelda’s bodyguards are rogue shifters, having betrayed their existence to Imelda, and are recruiting even more Leopards as her guards. So Conner will have to fight them for his right to be Isabeau’s mate. One of them taunts him, beats and claws Isabeau to mark her for himself, driving Conner mad. Isabeau is not a pushover, even though she is fairly innocent. She recovers, and both she and her leopard choose Conner as their mate. They will do anything to aid him.
I really loved this story. Okay, it could do with a little less description of the sexual tension between Conner and Isabeau, and less love scenes, and a bit more action perhaps. A big part of the book is devoted to that. But the rest of the story is so good. The elderly people living in the valley, the tight knitted community, how they arrange Conner and Isabeau’s wedding with joy, just because they knew and loved his mother. Both Conner and Isabeau are great characters, build realistically, bit by bit you get to know them better and care for them. The young Leopard they encounter, and who they take into their midst.
Also great was to read more about the previous characters in this series, and to become curious about who the next book will be about.
As always, Christine Feehan is autobuy for me, I love her books. I even will have to use a second shelf now to hold them all. Yesterday her latest book, Dark Peril, came out. Can’t wait to get my hands on that one too!
Abonneren op:
Posts (Atom)