Month: January 2017

Review: Solo by Jill Mansell

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Solo is a mad adventure by two women who have their hearts set on something: for Holly, it’s Max, handsome hotel owner;  for Tessa, it’s being left alone and not being tied to a man. Unfortunately for them both, “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” 

Tessa is involved with Max’s brother Ross in a love triangle of the most unexpected kind. Holly tries too hard. And Ross and Max have their own agendas! Cougar Antonia brings her own melodramatics that turn everyone’s lives into a soap opera. 

I always adore the fun and crazy that Jill Mansell writes, and this is no different. The characters are unique from book to book, Solo’s plot is multilayered, and the dialogue is believable even when it’s over the top. 

Thanks Ms. Mansell for taking me completely out of reality and into the world of fancy hotels, infidelities and karma, and simple girls who live in simple cottages quite happily enough. 

-calliope

Buy SOLO

Review: The Lady of the Lakes by Josi S. Kilpack

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“Love comes from the connection of souls.”

This type of story is probably the most difficult for me to read, in the sense that I know it’s fiction, but it’s based on real life. I’ve heard of Sir Walker Scott, but I really don’t know who he is. Does that make sense? When I sat down I braced myself for heartache. Last year I read another story by Josi and was left completely gutted. I knew she was going to do it again, and I was right.

SYNOPSIS
One is his first love.
The other is his best love.
Which will be Walter’s true love?

Walter Scott has three passions: Scotland, poetry, and Mina Stuart. Though she is young and they are from different stations in society, Walter is certain their love is meant to be. For years, he has courted her through love letters. She is the sunshine of his soul.

Though Mina shares Walter’s love of literature and romantic temperament, it’s hard for her to know if she truly loves him or if she has only been dazzled by his flattery. When she meets the handsome and charming William Forbes, her heart is challenged. Who will she choose?

But as every poet knows, “the course of true love never did run smooth,” and on a windy morning in the lake country, Walter meets Charlotte.

At twenty-six, Charlotte Carpenter believes she will never find love. After all, she is a Catholic-born Frenchwoman living in London with a family history shadowed by scandal. Though quiet, practical, and determined to live a life of independence, her heart longs for someone to love her and a place to call home.

Passion and promises collide as Walter, Mina, and Charlotte must each decide the course for their futures. What are they each willing to risk to find love and be loved in return?

Let me tell you, Walter stole my heart. He was so romantic and normally I’m not into mushy gushy romance, but this made me weep with happiness. And of course, sadness and frustration at times.

Walter fell for Mina so fast it made his head spin. I think she was a bit too young to understand what love really was, so she wasn’t fully prepared to open her heart to him. He wanted to be loved by her but she just frustrated him, and me, if I’m being honest. He deserved better. No one should have their hearts ripped out like she did to his.

He deserved Charlotte. Charlotte was simple. She wanted independence. She wanted love and happiness. When she meets Walter she expected them to be just acquaintances or even friends, but no more. After all, they come from two totally different worlds. In her eyes, she could never marry someone like him, or even be welcomed into his family. Walter may not have a ton of money, but he was willing to do what it took to secure himself and a bride, whenever he found one. And he eventually found one in Charlotte.

Walter needed to find a way past his hurt and open his heart to love. While it wasn’t smooth sailing for this couple, love found a way.

I can’t wait to see what story Josi is going to kill me with next.

~Melpomene

Buy The Lady of the Lakes HERE

Review: Meet Me at Willoughby Close by Kate Hewitt

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A Cotswold Christmas introduced this series, but you can certainly read Willoughby Close as a standalone. Willoughby Close is a little collection of charming cottages on a large estate of a lovely royal-ish elderly lady. I have a feeling a collection of charming people will inhabit them all by the time the series is finished! 

For now, we meet Ellie and her daughter Abby. Ellie has a new job at the University, and Abby is looking forward to making a fresh start where friends are concerned. 

I so love how Hewitt wrote professor Oliver — the guy  Ellie works for. He’s nerdy and introverted and stays true to himself. Hewitt did a phenomenal job developing Ellie, as well. Ellie is a little nervous and quirky, and she’s quite unsure of herself most of the time. That could be annoying, but not here. Hewitt made her real and relatable. I like Ellie’s mom side and her romantic side – she appears to the reader as a whole fleshed out character with different facets – just like a pal in real life!  

I also really like how the new neighbors moved in and they’ll be the focus of the next book in the series. And how the Close’s superintendent is a flirt! This is a fun read that touches on some harrowing issues in just the right way. 

-calliope 

Buy MEET ME AT WILLOUGHBY CLOSE

Review: Commander in Chief by Katy Evans

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The ending of Mr. President had me reeling. I wanted more. I needed more. Thankfully Commander in Chief gave me more.

If you read Mr. President you’ll know that Matt didn’t want to want Charlotte. He saw how his mom was treated, as first lady, and didn’t want to do that to her. But the heart wants what the heart wants and you have to just get on board with it. Matt decides if he can’t date her out in the open, then he’ll bring her inside to him and have her anyways. He decides to make her the acting First Lady so she has a platform to do all the things she wants to do.

You see where this will go, right? Exactly where we hope it does. You can’t work close like that and not have feeling resurface.

I loved Charlotte. She took on the roll perfectly with poise and lots of heart. She loves Matt and if this is a way to be close, then so be it. She knows she shouldn’t want to be with him, but she just can’t help it. The sexual tension was fantastic. The sneaking around was sweet. These two were meant to be together.

This book goes pretty fast, in the sense that a lots happens in between the pages. It spans over a few years, with quite a bit of excitement and a smidgen of angst. I was never bored with this story, like some contemp romances have left me lately. I read so quickly, because I knew their story was going to be perfect. And I was right.

~Melpomene

Buy Commander in Chief HERE
Buy Mr. President HERE

Review: A Perilous Undertaking (Veronica Speedwell, #2) by Deanna Raybourn

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30008834I didn’t just fall in love with this novel like I did the first in the series. However, after finishing it, I think I do appreciate this one much more.

In Veronica we now see someone that has grown a bit since we last saw her. She isn’t nearly as annoying as she was in the first book. She seems to no longer feel the need to let everyone else she knows everything…yes, she still believes she’s more clever than most, but she isn’t determined to prove it in this novel.

Stoker…damn, he was so attractive to me in the first novel…he was no less in this one.

This mystery wasn’t as engaging as the last one was (for me). There also is much less *tension* between Veronica and Stoker. However, what Raybourn has managed to do is simply amazing.

What do I mean by this? Veronica and Stoker are both very independent people. Often authors present us with what they believe independent people, but at the same time, they are actually very dependent. They go out of their way to prove to their independence when all they really want to do is be dependent. It’s what I find most annoying about romantic novels. Women or men that are suppose to be so strong and then overnight become weak and hopeless waiting on someone to rescue them. I’m not trying to be mean here…I’m just giving my viewpoint…

But this? Veronica and Stoker are fast friends and best mates, but they are still independent thinkers. I don’t see that changing. Somehow Raybourn has managed to keep the characters true to themselves. Veronica and Stoker are a united front against the world. We all know that eventually they will be together (YES YES YES) however, I don’t believe they will ever fit in with society’s norm to do so. I don’t believe they will ever find it necessary to become dependent on each other…yes, of course they will depend on each other…they do that now…but you’ll never find one sniveling and hiding in the corner and acting the fool to win the other’s love…they won’t need to…they truly are secure in their own identity…

I know this is probably my worst review EVER!!! But I place all the blame on just how much I love what Raybourn has created in these two characters. Two people that have very checkered pasts, two people that aren’t holding themselves pure and chaste for the perfect love, two people that are self confident enough to not try to manipulate (although they both have no problem doing so to get to the truth of the matter in their investigations) each other…and yet they trust each other 100% and don’t feel a need to give one iota of a care to what anyone else thinks about their relationship. This novel might not be the best…this mystery might not be the best…but this relationship is so refreshing to me that I am just at a loss of words…

Until next time…
Urania xx

ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review

Buy it now A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn

Review: The Cottage at Firefly Lake by Jen Gilroy

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Sometimes you just want some easy reading. Maybe you just finished something heavy, or maybe your life is a little crazy and an effortless read is just what the doctor ordered. The Cottage at Firefly Lake is your medicine, baby. 

After her mother’s death, Charlotte returns to her family’s summer cottage to get it ready for the real estate market. She runs into teenage sweetheart Sean, whose family business is in town – has always been and will forever be. Their past love is now colored by adult responsibilities and expectations… and emotional baggage. 

Though the plot and writing were very simple, I enjoyed the way Gilroy seamlessly wove in the lakeside setting and that vacation-y feeling.  She also did a great job including Charlotte and Sean’s families. Even though the main plot line was about a possible romance between the couple, Gilroy gave the supporting characters meaningful and fun roles. 

I think Gilroy went a little heavy on trite romance novel phrases, but I can forgive that for a first-in-a-series. With a little more originality, Gilroy could have a series that sits up with Robyn Carr’s Virgin River books. I sure hope so! 

-calliope

Buy THE COTTAGE AT FIREFLY LAKE

Review: The Most Dangerous Place on Earth by Lindsey Lee Johnson

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I can’t remember the last time I read a book with such a fitting title.  I mean, when you’re talking about navigating the world of high school as a confused and misguided teenager,  it truly does become the most dangerous place on earth.

The story really begins a few years before.  Something very tragic happened in middle school.  And while certain people were definitely to blame, very few will admit it.  Fast forward to high school.  Same kids, different problems. Switching back and forth between several characters, we hear it all.  Bullying, both face to face and online.  Drug and alcohol use.  Hooking up.  Hooking up with teachers.  Being ignored by parents.  Just because your parents are loaded doesn’t make these problems, and a myriad of others, any less damaging. Some people are resilient and able to move on.  Some people pretend they’re okay but they aren’t really.  Who you are in high school and what you choose to do can determine the rest of your life.

This story is dark. It’s depressing.  And it leaves little hope for the state of the American teenager in today’s world. But it’s also very realistic as much as parents and other adults might want to think otherwise.  The issues presented are happening.  Maybe not all at the same time and in the same school but still.

I must also caution that, although this is described as a young adult book, I would leave it for older and more mature teens only.

~Thalia

Buy It Now:  The Most Dangerous Place on Earth

Review: Rock Chick Reawakening by Kristen Ashley

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Daisy and Marcus are proof that fairytales do come true and princes are real.

When I think of Rock Chicks, most people would think of Indy or Alli, but I think of Daisy. She was the original, even before Rock Chicks were Rock Chicks. Even before we had her story, I knew it was going to be just as emotional and heart squeezing as the others. And I was sooo right.

This will be spoiler free, so no worries.

If you’ve read the Rock Chicks books, you know all about Daisy. The sweet tinkling bell laugh, the Dolly Parton physique and her love of all things sparkly, are the first things you think of. You know some of her past and know that her husband, Marcus, loves her more than life itself, but that’s just the tip of what makes her her.

Daisy hasn’t had a very good life. In fact, I want to cry for what this poor girl lived with. She was a southern princess just waiting for her prince to rescue her. She suffered over and over, just waiting for him, but she eventually gave up. Little did she know that her prince was looking for her as well.

“You’re the dream a girl like me never thought she could dream.”

From the very first moment Marcus laid eyes on Daisy, he was hooked. And not just on her looks. Daisy has a aura about her and he realizes that that’s what’s been missing in his life. The best part is, Daisy disagrees. She’s a stubborn princess. That’s what makes this story so great. He slowly chips away and heals her of all her past hurts and makes her realize that there is nothing wrong with her. She has done everything right in her life and he’s determined to make the rest of her life easier. There will still be heartaches and troubles, but with Marcus by her side, she can get through anything.

“You know every step of your life was leading you right here. You’re the woman for me, which means, darling, I’m the man for you. And you didn’t tell me to leave because you know that just the same as me.”

I loved seeing glimpses of the Hot Bunch before the Rock Chicks came into their lives. I knew they were friends with Marcus before, but I never knew how it happened. They’re complete opposites, but they’re really not. And of course, in true KA fashion, she had me crying as I read that darn epilogue. It’s not as if I wasn’t crying already, but she saves it up and blasts us with full on emotions, right at the very end. Gah! I still get choked up when I think if it. This series was so much fun and anytime KA takes us back to them, I am so there.

~Melpomene

Grab Rock Chick Reawakening HERE.

Read about all the Rock Chicks HERE.

Review: On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins

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Kate and Ainsley are half sisters, but they feel worlds apart most of the time. Kate is reserved, classical, and practical. Ainsley is fashionable, whimsical and fun. But when they each find themselves alone after their respective romantic situations fall apart, their sisterly love shines through righteously. 

Some of this story just broke my heart, and I wasn’t sure I could get through the despair. Then I noticed I was only a quarter of the way through the book, leaving PLENTY of time for redemption, hugs, and gluing hearts back together. 

My most favorite part of this whole book, even more awesome than the sister love (which is pretty awesome, and a big part of the story), even snazzier than the Tiffany ring (big!), and even more heartwarming than the boss finding a soft spot in his heart for an employee (unexpected!), was Daniel the Hot Firefighter. Higgins masterfully wove him in as comic relief and a reliable pal, but he was so much more. Aside from his witty banter and alpha male-ism, Daniel the Hot Firefighter symbolized Hope… hope for a future when the present is bleak, hope for women looking for a good man, hope for children needing a father figure.

I kind of guessed where Daniel the Hot Firefighter would end up at the close of the story, and I was so glad that my guess only scratched the surface. Look for your Hot Firefighter, people. You never know when you’ll need to be rescued, and he will be there with a generous heart… and a smile. 

-calliope

•The first six chapters… FREE!
•Buy the book (preorders until Jan.31)

Review: The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

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69136Wow. John Connolly sure knows how to rewrite fairy-tales! Imagine having dozens of fairy-tales rewritten and woven together to create one magical saga for one lonely young boy. We have 12-year-old David, living in London during the war, who mourning the death of his mum, dives into a new world when he hears his mother calling his name. He soon runs into the “crooked man” and with the help of many others in this imagined land, he manages to survive, werewolves, trolls, witches and much more to help save the kingdom that they reside in. David, soon finds out that the promises that the crooked man makes might not be sincere and the little man has his own motives for trying to help David along the way.

There must be a dozen or more fairy-tales wrapped into this wonderful tale. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Connolly, but hear me now…this really blew me away and I have a newfound respect for this writer! Wow….what an imagination. One might say not, as some of the original fairy-tales have been around for centuries, however, how he changed just enough to make it new, and outrageous, yet still a bit scary and then managed to weave them all together into one story….brilliance! I absolutely loved this one! Well done, Connolly!

Until next time…
Urania xx

Buy it now The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly