Recommendations from Peggy for October 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 Peggy from Belgium.

Peggy:

I have read 10 novels in the past month, and the 3 books I enjoyed the most are:

1. The mighty storm – Samantha Towle



2. Bad things – R.K. Lilley



3. Ivan – Roxie Rivera



The one I can recommend to all Aurian’s readers is:

Samantha Towle – The mighty storm



It's been twelve years since Tru Bennett last saw Jake Wethers, her former best friend and boy she once loved.
Jake Wethers, sexy, tattooed and deliciously bad lead singer, and brains behind The Mighty Storm, one of biggest bands in the world, left Tru with a broken heart when he moved from England to America with his family when they were both fourteen.
Sent to interview Jake for her music column by the magazine she works for, they are both unprepared for the sparks that fly the instant they reconnect. Only, there's a complication to their instant feelings for one another - Will, Tru's boyfriend of two years.
Then Jake makes Tru a job offer she can't refuse - travelling the world with him and his band. But taking the job means leaving Will behind, and being on the road with the band means spending an inordinate amount of time with Jake.
Is Tru strong enough to resist the delectable bad boy who once held her heart so completely, or will she willingly risk it all for one night with the worlds most notorious womanizer?


If I have to describe the books that I have read since my last review in one sentence I would say….‘hot, tattooed bad boy/man with a sexy body that A - can sing or B - has a very sexy Russian accent’. The only problem after reading that many books about bad, sexy men is…. what do you read after that?! So I just pick another book about a hot, tattooed bad man… I just can’t seem to get enough of them.

From the first moment I read about this book, I was intrigued by the story (and I love the cover). I really wanted to read this book and I wasn’t disappointed. The only regret I have is that I left it so long on my to read pile. That I waited so long to read it!! But so many books to read and so little time.

This book is about Tru Bennett and Jake Wethers. They met when little Tru and her parents moved next door from little Jake and his parents. They became best friends and one of their passions they shared was music. They loved music, love talking about it, listening to it and even playing it. Jake played the guitar and Try the piano. But then when Jake is fourteen years old, his stepfather gets a great job offer, the only problem with this offer is, is that the job is in America. That means that Jake and his family are moving from England to America and that’s when the heartache begins. Tru and Jake lose contact with each other. Twelve years pass and Tru now lives in London, she works for a magazine as a music journalist. She lives together with her best friend Simone and has a wonderful relationship with her boyfriend Will. But then for her job she has to interview Jake. Jake, who is now the lead singer of The Mighty Storm, one of the biggest bands in the world.

After meeting her again after so many years, Jake knows that he can’t let her go a second time so he finds a way to spend time together. He does it by giving her a chance to write his biography. Something that could give her career a big boost. But that means that she has to go on tour with Jake and his band, leaving her boyfriend behind. But what are a few weeks in a lifetime, right?! The more time Tru and Jake spent together, the more they remember what they once had. But Tru has a boyfriend back home, who loves her very much. It’s a very hard time for Tru. Who does she choose? Will or Jake? One thing is for sure, if she chooses for Jake, she chooses a life that will be very hard, because how do you live a life where everything you do is public knowledge and where all the women in the world want to sleep with your ‘boyfriend’. Yet, can she say goodbye for a second time?

After finishing this book I couldn’t wait to read the next book in this series, the second book in this series continues with the story of Tru and …... and I even felt more in love with this series. I couldn’t stop reading. I loved it even more that the first one. The second book was even more emotional than the first book.

Aurian: Thanks for the recommendation Peggy! This book sure has a lickable cover. Does it have a love triangle, sort of thing, or makes Tru a decision before she sleeps with bad boy number 2?

Is there anyone intrigued enough by this recommendation to want to read the book/series?

© 2014 Reviews by Aurian

Allison Kingsley – Mind over murder

The first book in the Raven's Nest Bookstore series, published April 20, 2012
Genre: cozy mystery with just a touch of psychic power
Cover: nice



Cousins and best friends, Clara and Stephanie Quinn run The Raven's Nest Bookstore, where people go to find their most coveted reads. But they have no idea it's the psychically-gifted Clara who's reading them...
The bookstore has made an enemy of the town crier, Ana Jordon, who claims that the store's occult collection is "poisoning" the town's youth. Meanwhile, the store's number-one employee, Molly, has made no secret of her anger over Ana's antics. So when Ana is found dead, killed by the bust of Edgar Allen Poe sculpted by Molly, the evidence is stacked against her. And Clara must rely on her gift to make sense of this senseless murder...


I have bought this series after reading a review on a blog I like. Diana and I share a very similar taste in cozies. Unfortunately, I was not blown away by this first book in the series. Clara Quinn and Stephanie Quinn grew up not only as cousins, but as best friends. In their family runs a certain psychic “power”, the Quinn sense. As young children, Stephanie dreamed of having it, but Clara was reluctant. She went along with her harebrained cousin’s schemes, and of course she is the cousin that got the Quinn Sense. And she doesn’t want it. It is unreliable and never around when she really needs it. Clara describes it as voices in her head, whispering to her. Really, I would not want that either. Stephanie really does not understand her cousins reluctance, she would have loved having it. She keeps pushing Clara to use it, to try to figure out who killed their neighbour in her bookstore’s storeroom. She just knows her assistant Molly did not kill Ana.

There are a lot of unlikable and even creepy secondary characters in this book, and every one of them could be the killer. Stephanie keeps pushing Clara to investigate and interrogate these persons, never once giving her some real help or solid ideas on how to do it. She thinks the Quinn Sense will work flawlessly and find the killer without any danger to themselves.

I did not like Stephanie very much, for not being more sensitive or understanding of her cousin’s reluctance. Stephanie is happily married with children, she owns and runs her own bookstore, but secretly she wishes for more adventure and now she thinks that she can have that by using Clara. She also keeps pushing Clara to go out on a date with one of the possible suspects, while Clara has been badly burned by a man back in New York city, and is not looking for a relationship, or ready for dating just yet. So, pushy Stephanie and Clara who gives in as she loves her cousin.

I do own the other books in this series, and will of course read them some day, but for now, this is not looking to be one of my favourite series. I like a little bit more humor in my cozies, and a heroine who wants to investigate just because she is curious/nosy/stumbles upon clues and dead bodies, and now someone who gets pushed into it reluctantly.

Of course, as a reader, I like the setting of a bookshop, and I do like paranormal cozies, but this one just did not cut it for me. Too little paranormal, and I have nothing at all with Edgar Allen Poe or horror or occult books.

6 stars.

© 2014 Reviews by Aurian

New additions to my addiction

My 16th new additions post for 2014. I’ve bought a few new books, and more shiny new ones are on their way home. I hope to post those in 10 days time. On the bright side, reading some amazing books is helping me battle my addiction to Hay Day, as reading wins out over playing.

From Bookdepository:
Erin McCarthy – Close up. From every angle
Theresa Romain – Season for Desire

Secondhand books:
Debbie Macomber – 1225 Christmas Tree Lane
Dawn Cook (= Kim Harrison) – First Truth
Liz Evans – Who killed Marilyn Monroe
Liz Evans – Don’t mess with Mrs. In-Between
Liz Evans – Barking!
Liz Evans – JFK is missing
Liz Evans – Cue the Easter bunny
Liz Evans – Sick as a parrot (is that a saying in America?)

© 2014 Reviews by Aurian

Bella Andre – If you were mine

The fifth book in the Sullivans series, published May 9, 2012
Genre: contemporary romance
Cover: sweet but generic, my book has the white cover




Can two people who have both sworn off love find forever in each other's arms? Find out in IF YOU WERE MINE, the fifth book in Bella Andre's bestselling Sullivan family contemporary romance series.

The last thing Zach Sullivan wants is to take care of his brother's new puppy for two weeks. Until he meets the dog trainer, that is. Heather is bright, beautiful, and he can't stop thinking about her. Unfortunately, she just might be the only woman on earth who wants nothing to do with him. Heather Linsey can't believe she's stuck working with one of the city's top dogs, auto-shop tycoon Zach Sullivan. Especially when his focus is clear from the start - not only to learn how to deal with his temporary puppy...but also to make her his. Having sworn off love at seventeen when she realized it was nothing more than a pack of lies, Heather has stuck to her vow never to fall for a charming man. But as Heather's determination to push Zach away only fuels his determination to get closer - and the sensual and emotional connection between them grows more and more undeniable - will the biggest Sullivan bad boy of all tempt her into believing in love again?


To summarize, Bella Andre writes lovely hot contemporary romance, where two beautiful people are matched together and find their HEA in the end. Of course you can say that of almost all contemporary romances out there. Bella Andre just adds that little extra to the journey they take, to the characters and to the story that makes me want to read her books, and not others. The amazing Sullivan family perhaps, or in this story, the addition of two dogs that have fallen in love as well. The enormous Atlas, who is Heather’s dog, and the tiny puppy Cuddles, the dog Zach is saddled up with.

Cuddles needs training, and Heather is recommended to Zach as the perfect person for that job. Heather doesn’t trust men at all, thanks to her father, and a charmer like Zach who yells at his puppy, won’t do at all. But Zach won’t leave her alone. So many women are chasing him, and of course he wants the one that does not seem to want or even like him. A woman who hides her body instead of showing it off like everybody else. Who doesn’t mind getting muddy and who genuinely loves dogs.

In the end, Zach gains Heather’s trust, but he does not give her his own. And as Heather is strong enough to walk away from him and a chance at real love, Zach is not strong enough to let her go when he thinks it is for the best. After all, his whole live he has heard he is the spitting image of his father. The father who died so young and left his wife with 8 children to raise on her own. Isn’t he destined to do the same?

It is nice to witness the Sullivan’s family gatherings, and see the siblings and their spouses interact, and get caught up a little on the previous couples. Still, I did put this book away halfway through for a couple of weeks, as I was not all that interested anymore. They become friends, and friends with benefits, and promise not to fall in love, and of course you know they are doomed from the start. Add in Heather’s family coming over for a visit, and it became too predictable for me. Not even the dogs made me want to continue reading. But after some time I picked the book up again, was immediately back in the story, and now I am happy that I finished it. Heather did have more backbone than I gave her credit for, and the ending was really nice and well written.

So, give me the next book please, and the next gorgeous brother who will fall so very hard.

7 stars.

© 2014 Reviews by Aurian

Riley Adams – Finger Lickin’ Dead

The second book in the Memphis Barbeque Mystery series, published June 7, 2011.
Genre: cozy mystery with recipes
Cover: inviting



Welcome to Aunt Pat’s barbeque restaurant – family run and located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee. Named in honor of Lulu Taylor’s great-aunt, the restaurant on Beale Street is famous for its ribs and spicy corn bread, but sometimes, Southern comfort food can come with a side of murder...
When an anonymous food critic blasts several local restaurants – including Aunt Pat’s – with bad reviews, Lulu and her most loyal customers are burning mad, especially when they discover that Eppie Currian is the pen name of their friend Evelyn’s cheating boyfriend. When “Eppie” gets his own fatal review, the list of suspects is long: two fuming ex-wives, an irate former restaurant owner, and even someone from Aunt Pat’s own kitchen. Now, to catch the real killer, Lulu is going to have to put down her barbeque tongs – before her loved ones get sentenced to a strict diet of prison food.


It was fun and really nice to visit Aunt Pat’s in Memphis again. To catch up with her family and friends, join them while eating the best barbeque in town, and catching a killer. It felt like I read the previous book yesterday instead of weeks ago. I so want to visit Memphis and eat some of the dishes described in this book. And if you love to cook, there are some awesome and short recipes in the back of it.

The mystery was very well written, there were so many suspects, and the one I suspected, did not do it after all. It sure was suspenseful till the end. I love being surprised in my books. The whole cast of characters is delightful in their eccentricity. I love their, to my Dutch eyes, very strange sayings and dishes. It is also refreshing not to have a younger sleuth and a possible love interest to deal with. Lulu is a grandmother, who cares for her restaurant, her son and daughter in law, and their twin girls. Coco is a future beauty queen, but Ella Beth wants to be a detective and is helping her grandmother with her sleuthing. And she is good at it!

All in all, a delightful read and one that makes you hungry. Love the setting of Memphis, and of course Elvis’ estate Graceland is visited. I enjoy all the repeating characters, and I will read book 3 soonish.

8 stars.

© 2014 Reviews by Aurian

Thea Harrison – Night’s Honor

The seventh book in the Elder Races series, published September 2, 2014.
Genre: paranormal romance
Cover: meh, the heroine is human so the cover doesn’t fit. My book has the smaller cover, which I prefer. He sure has nice abs ...




In the latest novel of the Elder Races, a woman finds herself in need of protection – and seduced by honor...

On the run from her former employer, Tess knows that she’s vulnerable on her own amongst the Elder Races. That’s why she decides to audition to become the human attendant of a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind demesne. But while her position affords her the safety she seeks, her protector turns out to be more than she bargained for.
The right-hand of the Nightkind King, Xavier del Torro is both terrifying and alluring. While his true nature frightens Tess, she can’t ignore the appeal of his innate sense of integrity and self-restraint. Thrown into Xavier’s world, Tess must quickly learn to navigate the dangers both to her life and to her heart. But the biggest threat comes from her own past ...


I was intrigued by Tess from the start. She needed protection from one of the world’s most powerful predators, so she sought out the help from an even bigger predator. She was scared to death of Vampyres, but she also knew she would be safe from bigger harm once the contracted was signed. All she had to do was donate some blood; she could do that, right? So when the second most powerful Vampyre took an interest in her, she had to take the opportunity. She was sleeping in her car, afraid to use her own apartment or bank accounts; she needed to disappear for a while. It was bad enough that her former boss send her nightmares.

Tess claims to be an accountant, and also a great hacker, and Xavier sure can use those skills. So after hiring her for a year, she will train to be one of his personal attendants. Xavier doesn’t have as many attendants as some vampires do, nor does he abuse them as he pleases. To Tess’ surprise, she is trained in combat daily. Running, fighting, building her strenght and condition. But until she offers Xavier her own blood in a ritual, she will not be bonded to him, nor profit from the healing powers that bond will offer her.

First Xavier will get her to fear him less, as she is rousing the predator in him. Let alone if she encounters other vampires who love the smell of fear in their prey. He will have some business to attend in the city, but after that, he will personally take a hand in her training. Whatever is thrown at her, Tess is stubborn, she will persevere. After a hard life as a foster child, going in and out of homes, the one worse than the other, she was determined to make something of herself. So she got herself through college, and got a good paying career. Until she stumbled upon her boss’s machinations, and put a stop to that. So she had to leave her good life behind, and keep running just to stay alive. Being a Vampyre attendant was the only solution she saw.

Maybe Xavier is not the monster she thinks he is. Of course she heard the stories about him, and he himself acknowledges them as true. Still, he keeps his word and his distance, and does not force her to do anything. Can a monster be a monster when he has so much honor? And dancing together slowly turns into something magical ...
But Xavier has enemies, enemies who would love to see him dead, permanently...


I really enjoyed this book, and I did stay up way past my bedtime to read this one (thanks for the t-shirt again Maia!). Each installment in this series enriches the world, and I loved to learn more about the vampires. I did love Carling’s book, but this one gives a peek into the King as well, and perhaps I can dislike him a little less now. He sure has his own problems, with his Courth, and with the woman he probably loves but doesn’t know that he does.

The book does end on a slight cliffhanger, but it is only just to wet your appetite for the next book. I hope Thea Harrison will write many more books in this series, as I love it. And perhaps, there is a tiny chance that she is coming to the Love Letter Convention in Berlin, Germany, next year ... I sure hope so!

9 stars.

© 2014 Reviews by Aurian

New books to look forward to for October 2014

This is the list of new releases for the month of October 2014 I am looking forward to:

Bertrice Small – Serena – Silk Merchant’s Daughters 4
Jennifer Ashley – Rules for a Proper Governess – Mackenzies 7
Lara Adrian – Tempted by midnight
Theresa Romain – Season for Desire – Season 4
Elizabeth Lowell – Night Diver
Bella Andre – Kissing under the Mistletoe – Sullivans 10
Clive Cussler – Havana Storm – Dirk Pitt 23
Darynda Jones – Seventh Grave and No Body – Charley Davidson 7 HC
Erin McCarthy – Final Lap – Fast Track 8
Faith Hunter – Broken Soul – Jane Yellowrock 8
Gal Carriger – Waistcoats and Weaponry – Finishing School 3
Heather Blake – One potion in the grave – Magic Potion Mystery 02
Ilona Andrews – Burn for me – Hidden Legacy 01
J.R. Ward – Immortal – Fallen Angels 5 HC
Jude Deveraux – Change of Heart – Edilean
Laura Childs – Gossamer Ghost – Scrapbooking Mysteries 12 HC
Laura Childs – Gilt Trip – Scrapbooking Mysteries 11 PB
Nalini Singh – Archangel’s Shadows – Guild Hunter 7 PB
Nora Roberts – Blood Magick – Cousins O’Dwyer 3
Stephanie Laurens – By Winter’s Light – Cynster HC
Theresa Romain – Season for Desire – Season 4

I have read only 7 books this month. It is not much, but I think my addiction to Hay Day is getting less intense. I have even written some reviews this past weekend. I am reading some blog posts, and am even browsing my Facebook timeline a bit each evening.

Did I match my reading solutions for last month? Of course not. I promise myself to do better this month. And I will have to order some new books from this month, and the next ones! I am so behind! I need to update my lists ...

I have read 1 cozy mystery:
- Allison Kingsley – Mind over Murder

1 book longer than 1 year on my shelf:
- Jim Butcher – Storm Front

1 book I have won / been gifted / given for review:
- Patricia Briggs – Shifting Shadows

and for my Kindle freebie/Nora Roberts challenge:
nothing.

© 2014 Reviews by Aurian