Kathryne Kennedy – Everlasting Enchantment

The fourth book in the Relics of Merlin series, published December 3, 2013.
Genre: paranormal historical romance / fantasy romance
Cover: nice



Powerful magic is afoot.
Millicent Pantere has lived her entire life in the notorious London Underground. She cares nothing for the problems of the crown or the intrigues of society. But the ladies of the realm are acting strangely, and Millicent is coerced into tracking down the rumors of a mysterious man – a magic man who comes in the night and disappears at dawn.

And so the hunt begins.
Millicent’s search leads her to one of Merlin’s legendary relics and the seductive knight whose fate is bound up with it. Centuries ago, Sir Gareth Solimere made the mistake of seducing the wrong woman, and he has been trapped ever since by a diabolical curse. He’s looking for the one who can break the enchantment – but in this world, there is no love without betrayal…


Imagine a Victorian London where magic never died. The stronger the mage, the higher his or her title. Birth is no longer the most important thing in society, magical power is. If the younger sibling is stronger than the oldest, the younger will inherit. If the children are weak in magical power, they will loose their title and estate and status completely to a stranger who will get it all.
Merlin’s offspring is numerous, and the not so white wizards have been experimenting on man and beasts and plants, creating horrors and wonders alike. Only the horrors are kept below London, in the Underground. The shapeshifters are looked down upon, but they have one big advantage over the normal humans: they are immune to magic, and can look through the most elaborate illusions the nobles create.

Millicent Pantere is a panter shapeshifter, living in the Underground. She has had to look after herself from a young age and is quite capable of protecting herself. She doesn’t need friends or family, although she does have one good friend, an old firebird shifter called Nell. And now the evil Duke of Ghoulston has captured Nell to make Millicent do his bidding. She is to go out in Society as a real Lady, and steal one of the Relics of Merlin for him. Millicent is not so sure this will work, a few months of tutoring does not make a streetcat into a lady, but she has no choice if she wants to safe her friend.

To her own surprise, blending in as the Duke’s country cousin is easy, except of course the Baronets (shapeshifters) immediately smell what she is. One of the young ladies quickly befriends her, and takes her to Lady Chatterly, the current owner of the Relic. Apparently, the relic comes with a secret: a cursed Knight of the Round Table who is looking for his one true love to break the curse. He will come out at midnight to the lady whom is wearing the enchanted bracelet, and seduces the lady in question, hoping she will be the one who will set him free. He will return into the bracelet at sunrise. Millicent doesn’t expect to end up wearing the blasted thing herself, but until the knight has seduced her, it won’t come off. Not for the Duke, nor for the Baronets who are chasing after her, following her from the Duke’s underground castle all through the Underground.

Millicent refuses to give in to the Knight’s seductive manners just to possibly end the curse, she treasures her virginity and won’t be swayed so easily. But spending a few nights together, on the run, Millicent and Sir Gareth get to know each other, and Millicent is falling for him. She admires his sense of honor, and how he genuinely seems to care for both her and Nell. But what if they do make love, and the curse is not broken, that means she will never see him again, as the bracelet only chooses a lady once. Sir Gareth has fallen in love with the fierce Millicent, even though she warns him she is incapable of loving anyone so deeply. He thinks differently, and to safe her he will gladly give up his own life…


It has been 4 years since the previous book in this series was published, and I was really looking forward to this one. I enjoyed the first books very much. Unfortunately, I am a bit disappointed in this one.

The story is entertaining enough, but I just don’t like the trope where the couple has to have sex because of the magic. So I did admire Millicent for refusing Sir Gareth time and again, but well, the man has been having sex with a different woman each night for centuries! Of course he went about it all wrong, how can you fall in love with a woman when you immediately on seeing her, set out to seduce her? Those things are completely different. And sleeping with married ladies, why would they fall in love with you in just a few hours?

It is also never explained how the Duke got a hold of Nell, and why he wanted or even found Millicent in the Underground and picked her for his dirty work. She was just working in a tavern as a kind of bouncer and barmaid. He was already employing a very willing and beautiful were-bat named Selena.

I did like the descriptions of the Underground, and the different kinds of creatures. Not the scary ones though. I liked Lady Yardley and how she immediately liked Millicent, but was still so very young and naïve. Queen Victoria was a good secondary character as well, and I loved how she fought the evil Duke when he had her under his spell. The ending of the book was good too, how Sir Gareth handled himself after the curse was broken. And the little hobgoblin in his new house sounds like fun.

I will certainly read more books in this series, but I hope for a story with more body like the previous ones.

6 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Recommendations from Maia for January 2014.

In order to bring some more variety to my blog, I have asked some of my bookish friends to tell about the books they have in the past month, and to give us a recommendation. Today’s post is made by my Dutch friend Maia.

Maia:

Last month I've read ten books and short stories by:
Ilona Andrews, Jennifer Ashley, Jayne Anne Krentz/ Jayne Taylor, Anne March, Judith Nelson, Nora Roberts, Nalini Singh (reread) and Shiloh Walker.


And the 3 books I enjoyed the most are:

1. Ilona Andrews – Clean sweep



2. Nora Roberts – Vision in white



3. Shiloh Walker – Beautiful girl



The one I can recommend to all Aurian's readers is: Shiloh Walker – Beautiful girl



Sometimes getting to heaven requires a trip through hell. Twelve years ago, it looked like Del Prescott had it all. The wealthy family, the car, the looks and charm, and the perfect boyfriend. Then, mysteriously, she disappeared to "study abroad." Now she's back, and it's not merely to attend a high school reunion. She's here to face her demons-and Blake, the man she has never stopped loving. Blake Mitchell is a changed man, thanks to surviving twelve long years of difficulties that began after Del dropped out of his life. Now she's back, and she's nothing like the polished, stylish world traveler he imagined she'd be. There's a darkness about her, and a grim expression in her eyes that says she's prepared for fight or flight. Blake's concern for her breaks down the walls Del has built around her heart and she finally begins to heal from the abuse she suffered at the hands of her own family. But the betrayal goes deeper than either of them ever imagined-and it's about to come back to haunt them


This is an emotional read. The heroine of the story was abused by her stepfather and her mother wouldn’t believe her. After twelve years she returns to her hometown and her childhood sweetheart. He never knew what happened, he was away at the time, and he still carries a torch for her. It’s a good story about love, standing together and getting over the past. I liked it very much.

Aurian: Thanks for the recommendation Maia! Shiloh Walker is a bit too hot for me, but perhaps my readers will enjoy it. I did love Clean Sweep and Vision in White very much though.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Heather Webber – A hoe lot of trouble

The first book in the Nina Quinn series, published July 1, 2004.
Genre: cozy mystery
Cover: fun



Meet Nina Quinn, garden landscaper extraordinaire and very amateur sleuth, in this charming cosy series that is perfect for fans of Carolyn Hart.

Nina Quinn has had enough of her cheating cop husband. His affair with his partner has driven her close to the edge--and him out of their home. Nina, the owner of Taken By Surprise, a landscaping business that specializes in surprise garden makeovers, already has too much on her plate--her delinquent stepson has let his pet snake loose in the house, and her nosy mother won't stop pestering her to get her bridesmaid's dress fitted for her sister's upcoming nuptials. But it's the strange disappearance of gardening tools--including a very expensive set of hoes--that really throws a wrench in things. And when she gets a call that her oldest friend's father-in-law, a beloved old man who introduced her to landscaping, has been murdered, Nina knows that it's time to start digging for clues to the frustrating, mysterious, and downright evil things that have disturbed her peaceful Ohio hometown.


I love all of Heather Webber/Heather Blake’s cozy series I have read so far, so it was high time I picked up the first book in the first series. As it is out of print, I had to settle for the ebook though.

Nina Quinn has a very successful landscaping business and she loves her work. But her private life is going downhill, fast. She just discovered her police detective husband has been cheating on her with his new partner, and she has kicked him out of the house. Her 15 year old stepson regards her as the evil stepmother, and is giving her a really hard time. His schoolwork is going from bad to worse, and he is skipping classes and hanging with the wrong crowd. Her ex doesn’t think it bad just yet, and refuses to step in. And now his pet snake is loose in the house, and Nina is terrified of snakes.

And then there is her nosy older neighbour, who loves to poke his nose in his neighbours affairs. Why does he suddenly need her help with his garden?

Then her best friend Bridget wants to meet with her, so she can pour out her heart. Bad things are happening at her in-laws, and her husband doesn’t want to involve the police. Nina is a very curious young woman, and of course she promises to meet with her for lunch. She also has to investigate the theft of tools at her own business, and as she has the habit of employing people with a shady past, there are enough potential bad guys to investigate.

Bridget tells a horrible story though. Apparently her father in law did not die of natural causes because he had cancer in an advanced state, but he was murdered. And someone is harassing them as they want to buy the house and land that has been in the family for generations. And her in-laws keep refusing to sell. The sheep were poisoned, things get destroyed, and now their dog has been shot. Even the local governor wants them to sell, as he will benefit from the new highway through the property. Nina promises to look into things, with all her contacts, she is bound to find some leads.

Bridget’s family is not happy with this, and want her to stop nosing around at once. But Nina loved her old man, he gave her her love of gardening, and she owes it to him to find out the truth. And of course, this way she can one-up her husband …


I really enjoyed this first book in the series. Nina truly is a nosy woman, but her heart is in the right place. She does her best for her stepson, even goes to early morning detention with him to ensure his presence. She gives people a second chance by employing them, and they all appreciate her for it. Nina is a good friend, and only 29. I don’t think she will get back with her husband Kevin though, as he says himself, he is an honourable cop, but a lousy husband. What kind of father he really is, remains to be seen.

The mystery was a good one, and it truly shocked me. I did not see that coming, at all. I am glad I have some of the rest of the series on my shelves already and hope to read them soon.

8 stars.





The paper book is sadly out of print, but you can buy the ebook
here

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Christina Skye – Bridge of Dreams

The fifth book in the Draycott Abbey series, published May 1995.
Genre: paranormal romantic suspense
Cover: bland

Behind the walls of a beautiful English Abbey, Cathlin O’Neill is forced to confront deepest sorrow and the ghosts of an ancient love as she and rugged bodyguard Dominic Montserrat, haunted by his own shadowed past, race against time to solve a centuries-old mystery…. and free a forgotten passion that burns anew.


During some renovations at Draycott Abbey’s wine cellars, a skeleton is found behind a wall, and with him his last will and testament and a case of priceless wine. The Draytons are tasked with fulfilling this last will, and Nicholas Drayton, the current Viscount, surely intends to. Especially as it involved the skeleton of the Earl of Ashton, who disappeared a long time ago. The current tenth Earl of Ashton, Dominic Montserrat, is a friend and collegue of Nicholas, so contacting him is easy. Contacting the other person involved in this mess, is not so easy.

Cathlin O’Neill has no intention of answering his phone calls, as her mother died at the Abbey when she was ten years old. Dominic could really use the money the wine will make him to pour into his new vineyard, and so he takes it upon himself to get Cathlin to agree to the terms of the will. If she keeps refusing, the wine will have to be poured into the moat … and Nicholas fully intends to honor this wish.

Cathlin is still young, but she is one of the worlds leading authorities on old wine. She loves her job and she is very good with it. It took her best friend Serita a long time to get Cathlin to come to London and start a new business together, but now they are doing well. And when Lord Ashton keeps pestering her at the important wine auction Cathlin is attending, she is totally not interested in anything he wants to tell her. (Of course, he goes all wrong about getting her attention in my opinion). Serita takes pity on Nicholas though, and tells him where Cathlin lives, so he can follow her.

But danger seems to follow Nicholas to Cathlin’s house. And Cathlin also has no intention at all at inviting him in, but relents after all when he promises her to take a look at her leaking roof. Cathlin has recently inherited her family home and it is almost in ruins, but she loves it and wants to restore it. It just takes a lot more money than she has or will make in the near future. And so she decides to listen to Nicholas proposition. Still, going back to Draycott Abbey is not something she is looking forward to, even if it might give her some closure. No one ever found out what happened to her mother that night, but she does not believe it was suicide.

Nicholas did not tell Dominic all the rules to gaining his inheritance though … Cathlin and Dominic will have to stay at the Abbey for a whole week … being married. Having come so far, Cathlin agrees to the plan, in the understanding they will get a divorce as soon as that week is over. Dominic has other plans though, he has recognized Cathlin as his, and he will get her into his bed and into his life forever. There is a reason his mad Uncle Gabriel made that will, and he will discover what happened in the past, and try to rectify what went wrong then, in the present.

Of course other less scrupulous parties are after the expensive wine as well, and they don’t care how they will obtain it. So Dominic will have to update the security of the Abbey first and ask for additional help from his friends. And Cathlin will have to authenticate the wine, before they can sell it. And when the Royals express their interest in it, the stakes get even higher.


I think these old books are getting too old for me to enjoy, as I was irritated with Dominic and his alpha tendencies a lot. He showed so little common sense in dealing with Cathlin, wanting to take over her life and have her obey his every order. For her own safety of course. And in my opinion, being attracted to someone is very much different from being in love with him or her. They did not even know each other. The flashbacks to their former lives are very intriguing and I almost preferred that storyline to the current one.

Cathlin has made a good career for herself, and I admire her for that. Of course I don’t know anything about wine at all, except that I don’t like it. Which makes me wonder how a centuries old wine can still be drinkable after all that time, even as the conditions where it has been stored were perfect. I liked Cathlin and her refusal to come to heel, I totally understand her and agree with her.
Dominic is keeping his own life a secret from her, he doesn’t tell her anything about himself. Not his past as a bodyguard, nor his present as a vineyard owner in France. Yes, Cathlin has a prejudice against his work as it has taken her father from her as well, playing spy games until the one job he did not return from. But still, just tell her before she finds out otherwise.

The danger was very real, the mystery very well written and it kept me reading. But I will take a break from these old books for a while, so I will be able to enjoy the next one more. I did pick it up for my own reading challenge, of reading a book longer than a year on my shelves.

If you like romantic suspense, with ghosts and past lives, you really should pick up this series, especially if you like your heroes to be pushy and alpha.

7 stars.



The paperback is sadly out of print, but you can buy it expensively on Amazon, or as ebook on Amazon, here

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Christina Skye - Enchantment

The first story in the Draycott Abbey series, published in 1991.
Genre: paranormal romantic suspense
Cover: warm



The search for a priceless painting drew Kacey Mallory to Draycott Abbey--the lure of white-hot passion holds her there. Could enigmatic Lord Draycott guard the key to her past...and the promise of her future?


Twohundred years ago, two Draycott brothers fought over the same woman, and she was torn between them. She tried to run away, but one of them followed her, and they both died when a part of the cliffs collapsed. Now Adrian, Viscount Draycott, is still haunting and guarding his beloved Abbey still. When the bell tolls thirteen times instead of twelve, he will be wandering the battlements with his gray cat Gideon at his side …

Nicholas Draycott, the current Viscount, will have a chance to right the things that went wrong in the past, and in his own childhood when his brother died, but only one chance! Nicholas has escaped captivity and torture in Thailand by one of the worst criminals ever, and now his henchman are convinced he stole something valuable from him, and are after Nicholas again. He is getting threats on the phone, and two valuable paintings have been stolen from the gate house. And now a possible unknown Whistler has been discovered in the attic, it needs to be authenticated. But when the art appraiser shows up, Nicholas thinks she is just another nosy journalist and intends to teach her a lesson, by acting as if she is the escort he ordered …

His plan backfires though, and he will have to eat some crow to have Kasey agree to stay and work on his painting. He knows she will be in danger from the thugs while she is staying, but thinks he can protect her.

Kasey has never felt about a building before, like she is feeling for Draycott Abbey, she feels like she is finally come home. Everything is kind of familiar, and she gets visions of living her before, of danger and heartache. Just like Nicholas is having, he knows Kasey, and he won’t let her walk out of his life again… Neither will the Ghost, and if these two stubborn people need some help to acknowledge their feelings for each other, so be it …


I enjoyed this first story in the series, and was at first disappointed that Nicholas would have such a short one. After all, the Abbey and its inhabitants are the focus for the whole series. But I was satisfied in the end, and happy with their romance. Although I don’t always like it that they are destined to fall in love as they messed up in the past and meet again, reincarnated.

Kasey is not a pushover, and she gives Nicholas a very hard time on what he did. But she does want to authenticate the Whistler, it is her area of expertise and she is very exited about it. So if she has to put up with this blasted Lord for a while, so be it. She is an independent American, and the best at what she does. So he will have to deal with her on her terms. Nicholas is a real tortured hero, he dislikes being hounded by the press for what happened during his months of captivity, and he wants out of his life as a government agent. Of course he doesn’t want to tell them all about what happened there either. But he does need their help now the thugs are after him again. And to keep his woman safe, he will do whatever it takes.

I liked them together, but I do grow tired of the instant attraction trope a bit. Why should history repeat itself?

There is a lot of danger and intrigue in this series, but for me, the Ghost just steals the show.

7 stars.



The paperback is sadly out of print, but you can buy it expensively on Amazon, or as ebook on Amazon, here

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Julie Hyzy – Affairs of Steak

The fifth book in the White House Chef Mystery series, published January 3, 2012.
Genre: cozy mystery with recipes
Cover: delicious!



White House chef Olivia Paras and her arch nemesis, White House Sensitivity Director Peter Everett Sargeant, must work together to solve the double murder of one of the First Lady's assistants and the Chief of Staff-before they become the next victims of a merciless assassin with a secret agenda.


The new First Lady, Mrs. Hyden, wants to throw a lavish birthday party for Secretary of State Gerald Quinones. It can’t be held in the White House, and the new assistant, Patty Woodruff, wants Olivia Paras, the Executive Chef, and Peter Everett Sargeant, the Sensitivity Director, to check out the possible venues personally. As Olivia and Peter really dislike each other, that it is not fun for them to work together. But what the First Lady wants, the First Lady gets.

While walking to the fourth and last possible venue, Lexington Place, which is also the most likely venue, they run into Sargeant’s cousin Milton. Sargeant clearly doesn’t like the man, but Ollie tries to be nice to him. When they arrive at the Lexington a bit later, they are in for a nasty surprise, when Patty, the assistant who was supposed to be waiting for them inside, is nowhere to be found. Until Ollie opens a closed tilt-skillet in the kitchen …
And it is not the only body in there either; the police finds another body, that of the Chief of Staff. It is not the first body Ollie has found, but it certainly does not make it any easier on her. And Peter Sargeant is completely falling apart.

Back at the White House kitchen, Bucky and Cyan understand Ollie, and why she can’t talk about what happened, but her nemesis Virgil is giving her a hard time. He really keeps pestering Ollie as he wants to be executive chef, undermining her orders whenever he can.

That night, leaving for home, Ollie feels very comfortable when a man keeps talking to her and following her to the metro. Why is her cellphone almost empty right now, when she would have called for help? Stepping into the metro she still feels followed, something is just not right. And what is with the old man who falls asleep? Should she wake him up and help him get to his destination? A skirmish follows with the old man who is confused and unfriendly, and the other stranger who wants to know who she is and stuff. When Ollie finally calls the police to help with the confused old man, he runs off.

As it happens, the old man has been missing all day, and is Secretary of State Gerald Quinones father-in-law. The Quinones are very happy that Ollie has found him. As her ex-boyfriend Secret Service Agent Tom MacKenzie shows up and finally takes her home, Ollie is exhausted. What a day. And Tom is exasperated with her, again, which is one of the reasons they broke up, he just doesn’t trust her, and is tired of her always getting involved in his cases. Luckily, Ollie’s new boyfriend Gavin understands her better, and he is waiting for her at her place when Tom drops her off. She will have Secret Service escort service from now on, until they find out who did it.

The next day is a busy one for Ollie and her kitchen staff, and is about to get even more busy. With Patty, the assistant, murdered, it is expected of Ollie and Peter Sargeant to start organise the party until a new assistant can take over. So they will have to keep working together. Of course, the Lexington place is now off the list for good, and they will have to start working with the new venue asap. To help them, one of the social aides will be assigned to them. As it so happens, it is a man Peter thoroughly despises, and after a little time in his company, Ollie has to agree with him. The man just doesn’t shut up at all, and thinks very highly of himself, which is totally undeserved as he walks away from problems instead of solving them.

Peter’s cousin Milton has deduced that they are the ones who found the bodies, and he really, really wants to get a job at the White House themselves. So if they don’t help him, he will tell the press what he knows … and he also has a line on the killer and will investigate for them. Peter doesn’t like it, but Ollie doesn’t really believe him but tries to stay friendly. She doesn’t need new headlines in the press!

Then Sargeant gets into trouble when someone has messed with his computer and made it look like he crossed a very important couple of the guest list. Ollie should be rejoicing in this, Sargeant never lets an opportunity go by to blacken her name and get her in trouble, but she just can’t help herself. She will investigate this matter and find out who is messing with Peter Sargeant.


Two intriguing mysteries for Ollie to solve this time, and she gets in some really dangerous situations as well. I have to admit, I did have my suspicions about both of those cases, but to find out the why and how was very interesting and exiting.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself reading this book, and it kept me up way past my bedtime. I like how Ollie’s personal life gets attention throughout the story. Gavin will have to step up to the plate and make a commitment here, or Ollie will have to end it all. She deserves more, and I agree with that.

I hope that chef Virgil is slowly learning his lesson now, and will get his act together and work with Ollie instead of against her. And if not, I hope she shows him the way out. I don’t trust him one little bit, the gloryhound.

I will read the next book, Fonduing Fathers, soon as the new one is almost there as well. I have fallen in love more with each new book, and do recommend it to everyone who loves cozy mysteries. Especially if you like recipes in your books.

9 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

New books to look forward to for January 2014

This is the list of new releases for the month of January 2014 I am looking forward to, and it is ginormous!:

Ellery Adams – Pecan Pies and Homicides – Charmed Pie Shoppe 3
J.J. Cook – Playing with Fire – Sweet pepper fire brigade 2
Jacquelyn Frank – Forsaken – World of the Nightwalkers 3
Jayne Ann Krentz – Dream Eyes – Dark Legacy 02
Jayne Ann Krentz – River Road HC
Jayne Castle – Desperate and Deceptive – Guinevere Jones 1
Jenn Bennett – Bitter Spirits – Bitter Spirits 01
Jennifer Ashley – Wild Wolf – Shifters Unbound 6
Karen Marie Moning – Burned – Dani O’Malley 02 HC
Laura Childs – Eggs in a Casket – Cackleberry Club 5 HC
Sherrilyn Kenyon – Dark Bites – Dark Hunter 24 HC
Alexis Morgan – More than a Touch – Snowberry Creek 2
Catherine Coulter – Second Shot – FBI PB
Cecy Robson – Cursed by Destiny – Weird Girls 3
Christine Feehan – Dark Wolf – Dark 25 HC
Debbie Macomber – A man’s heart
Erin McCarthy - Believe – True 3
Faith Hunter – Black Arts – Jane Yellowrock 7 PB
Jeaniene Johnson – Up from the Grave – Night Huntress 7
Julie Hyzy – Home of the Braised – White House Chef Mystery 7
Lori Austin – The Lone Warrior – Once upon a time in the west 3
Lynn Kurland – River of Dreams – Novel of the nine kingdoms 8
Lynn Viehl – Disenchanted & Co
Maya Banks – After the Storm – Kelly/KGI 8
Michelle Sagara – Touch – Queen of the Dead 2 HC
Pamela Palmer – Wulfe Untamed – Feral Warriors 8
Sabrina Jeffries – When the Rogue returns – Duke’s men 2
Yasmine Galenorn – Crimson Veil – Otherworld 15

I have read a total of 20 books and 3 short stories this month and a total of 268 books and 17 short stories in 2013.

Did I match my reading solutions for last month? Yes I succeeded again.

I have read 4 cozy mysteries:
- Lorna Barrett – Murder on the Half Shelf
- Julie Hyzy – Buffalo West Wing
- Julie Hyzy – Affairs of Steak
- Heather Webber – A hoe lot of trouble

2 books longer than 1 year on my shelf:
- Christina Skye – Enchantment
- Christina Skye – Bridge of dreams

and 1 book I have won:
- Susannah Sandlin – Storm Force

I am thinking of adding a new challenge to my reading solutions, to read at least one Kindle freebie a month, or one Nora Roberts book. I have so many of both of those.

I hope you all have a great 2014, filled with happiness, health, good friends and amazing new books to fall in love with.

© 2014 Reviews by Aurian