All posts by skyebjenner

The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce

August 26, 2020Book ReviewCircle Reforged, Easy Reading, Emelan, Fantasy, Mages, Tamora Pierceskyebjenner

The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce

Title: The Will of the Empress
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Circle Reforged #1, Emelan #9
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Mages
Dates read: 29th – 30th July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: Tris made not a sound, her eyes on the hill as Chime behind her.

Long-awaited…
Highly anticipated…
The Circle Reforged

Four mages. One destiny. No turning back.

This sweeping saga is the final in the Circle series. The four young mages, Tris, Sandry, Briar and Daja, are now young adults ad are back together after their years of independence.

I forgot how damn good this novel is. It’s been a long time since I picked it up. And a while since I reread the first few Emelan books. Now I want to pick them all up and read them again and again… I seem to pick them up every few years anyway. There is just something amazing about Pierce’s writing and this is the first of her books that really branches towards a more adult view. After all, it is about four adults reconnecting with childhood friends.

For anyone else who has read the rest of the Emelan books (and you should), in the beginning of this, you just want to smack the four’s heads together. They’re kind of silly and irritating in so many ways. Mostly though, they are just stubborn and proud. A feeling that I can completely understand. Get past those first few chapters where you just want to smack them, and it begins to just get that much better.

I love that this story has the typical spunk of the four… they’re just a little bit more difficult and attitudinal, considering they’re now adults and on their own war path. I loved that this was a full circle story. It not only bought the four back together, it also showed that the people you grow up with can change and alter, but you can all grow together. It just takes a little work to find your way back together.

Reflecting back on this, this is the first book I ever read that introduced an LGBTQI+ character. Funnily enough, throughout the entire series there is a f-f couple who feature heavily in the children’s lives. But, like the children in this story, I really didn’t pay it much heed. It’s not until it is outright mentioned that I really noticed. But that was, you know, when I was a child. I do love how seamlessly Pierce does this though. It’s a great way to show inclusion without making much of a fuss. Now I just hope that there’s another story in the future that shows each of the four finding their happily ever after person…

<- Shatterglass

Melting Stones ->

Image source: Goodreads

Hot in Handcuffs by Sylvia Day, Shayla Black & Shiloh Walker

August 25, 2020Book ReviewErotica, Hot in Handcuffs, Romantic Suspense, Shayla Black, Shiloh Walker, Short Story Collections, Sylvia Dayskyebjenner

Hot in Handcuffs - Bookshelf • Best Selling Books by #1 New York ...

Title: Hot in Handcuffs
Author: Sylvia Day, Shayla Black & Shiloh Walker
In: Hot in Handcuffs (Sylvia Day, Shayla Black & Shiloh Walker)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Romantic suspense, Short story collections
Dates read: 16th June – 29th July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: When he rubbed his fingertips along the bottom, the disturbance of the smooth surface made him frown.

Allow yourself to imagine the man behind the dark sunglasses. Hear the purr of his zipper as he lowers it, then reaches for the shiny metal hanging from his black leather belt. It’s futile to resist arrest. Give yourself up to the fantasy. Besides, he thinks you’re so hot in handcuffs…

Arresting Desire – Shayla Black
FBI Agent Jon Bocelli never stopped wanting beautiful professor Lucia DiStefano. She’s interested in taking her first lover, and he intends to be that man. When her past puts her life in danger, Jon risks everything to save her and prove this fling is forever.

On Fire – Sylvia Day
When Deputy Marshal Jared Cameron investigates a series of arson attacks in a seaside town, the biggest blast of heat comes from sexy fire inspector Darcy Michaels—until their scorching after-hours affair is compromised by a secret from Darcy’s past.

The Unwilling – Shayla Black
Mica Greer and her former lover, ex-FBI agent Colby Mathis, once shared an intimate past and a powerful psychic gift. Now, they’ve been reunited by a bizarre series of murders—and an electrifying passion that could put them both in jeopardy.

I quite enjoyed this collection. I bought it because for one of my yearly reading challenges, I needed a book with handcuffs on the cover. And I was happily, presently surprised by how much I enjoyed this. A good dose of erotica, and a great many romantic suspense stories left me in my happy place.

It’s been a little while since I read much romantic suspense. In fact, it’s an area of romance that I’m starting to get more and more into. It was nice to find three more authors and two more series to add to that section on my shelves.

Some aspects in these three novellas are pretty intensely erotic and sexual. But, there are also moments of pure sweetness that help to balance this. It creates a fantastic balance that draws you in and keeps you turning that pages.

<- The Unwilling

Arresting Desire ->

Image source: Sylvia Day

Lowstone by Anton Strout

August 24, 2020Book ReviewCyborgs, Weird Western, Westward Weird, Zombiesskyebjenner

Image result for westward weird book cover

Title: Lowstone
Author: Anton Strout
In: Westward Weird (Martin H. Greenberg & Kerrie Hughes)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Cyborgs, Weird westerns, Zombies
Dates read: 28th July 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Daw Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: The gunslinger looked at Alice.

This small mining town is about to have a gunslinging visitor. She’s not what they’d normally expect or want in their little town. But she might just be their saviour.

I love that this story is a final stand… Wild West Style. The fact that it involves zombies and cyborgs just makes it so, so, so much better. And more enjoyable. And just all-round amusing.

This short story had both a great, happy ending. And a kind of tragic one. In one part, there were survivors and hope for a future. But, in the other. It was seriously a story of a last stand. One which almost had that comfort and bitter sweetness of death featured. In a way that makes you wonder if death wasn’t actually the worst thing.

One of my favourite things about this short story though, aside from the great writing and the fun storyline… it was the fact that somehow Strout was able to mix cyborgs and zombies in with a story of the wild west. And gunslingers. And just, in general, a great and slightly unexpected journey.

<- The Last Master of Aeronautical Winters

The Flower of Arizona ->

Image source: Amazon

A Slice of Heaven by Sherryl Woods

August 23, 2020Book ReviewContemporary, Contemporary romance, Sherryl Woods, The Sweet Magnoliasskyebjenner

Title: A Slice of Heaven
Author: Sherryl Woods
Series: The Sweet Magnolias #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 27th – 28th July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Mira
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: “Call him,” Maddie urged.

Return to the world of the Sweet Magnolias, where friends are closer than family, and fun and scandal are always part of the mix. Now a Netflix original series!

Ever since she discovered her ex-husband’s affair, Dana Sue Sullivan decided to put down new roots and create the best restaurant in Serenity, South Carolina. After years of hard labor, her dream has become a reality. Sullivan’s provides more than just Southern comfort food – it’s become a haven for the whole town – and Dana Sue knows better than anyone that relying on friendship can get you through the toughest times.

But when her teenage daughter, Annie, develops an eating disorder that lands her in hospital, Dana Sue’s perfect life comes crumbling down. On top of it all, her own health starts to deteriorate. Dana Sue knows she needs to change habits now to help them both get better – even if that means letting Ronnie Sullivan back into their lives.

And who knows, his return might end up being a recipe for a new beginning…

Oh. I just absolutely adore Dana Sue. Not only from the first Sweet Magnolias book, Stealing Home, but also from the TV show. There is this great feeling of strength and independence to her that I just fell completely in love with. Partnered with the fact that she’s a chef and I love food… it worked perfectly in my happy little brain. Then there’s Annie… she’s got such amazing spunk for a teenage character.

This novel deals with some very serious issues surrounding body image, women and food. Not only in Annie’s anorexia (which is hinted at at the end of Stealing Home). But also in the ways in which Dana Sue requires food for comfort. And the fact that she is at risk for diabetes. Both issues with food and body image, but both at different ends of the scale. Partner that with the usage of the gym and the deal which the Sweet Magnolias make… I loved how Woods was able to focus on such big issues that are frequently around in our daily lives.

One of the major themes I’m picking up so far in this series is the whole idea of cheating – first it’s Maddie’s husband and then it’s Dana Sue’s. In this story, cheating is eventually forgiven, or at least moved on from. I don’t think that it’s something that I could ever do. Yet, it shows this admirable love and commitment. And a great reminder that we all make mistakes in relationships, so there always needs to be some level of forgiveness…

Not only was this novel a great romance. One that I absolutely adored. It was also a great way to highlight some of the physical, and body image issues that many women face. As someone who is currently on her own health kick, it was nice to read about other women having the exact same issues. Definitely one of those books that I’m going to read again and again and again.

<- Stealing Home

Feels Like Family ->

Image source: Booktopia

Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods

August 23, 2020Book ReviewContemporary, Contemporary romance, Sherryl Woods, The Sweet Magnoliasskyebjenner

Stealing Home (Sweet Magnolias, book 1) by Sherryl Woods

Title: Stealing Home
Author: Sherryl Woods
Series: The Sweet Magnolias #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 23rd – 26th July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Mira
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Now all of that was at risk.

For the Sweet Magnolias, now a Netflix original series, friendship lasts a lifetime…

Maddie Townsend might live in a town called Serenity and have the best friends a woman could ask for, but her life is overturned when her husband leaves her for a younger woman. With her three children heartbroken from the change, Maddie has a lot to contend with. On top of it all, after years outside the workforce, she must dust off her business skills to take charge of her best friends’ newest project – planning the town’s only fitness spa for women.

When her son’s developing anger issues begin to affect his passion for baseball, Maddie knows she must step in to help. She didn’t expect to develop feelings for her son’s coach, the handsome Cal Maddox, and to learn he has feelings for her, too. But gossip travels quickly in a small town, and Maddie and Cal’s relationship may threaten both their reputations and careers.

Then again, he could be the one man in all of South Carolina who can help her find serenity after all.

I managed to start two Sherryl Woods series pretty close to one another. Mainly because more of the Chesapeake Shores books aren’t yet on my shelves. And although I love the Sweet Magnolias, I did find that I didn’t find it as much of a great beginning to a series as The Inn at Eagle Point. Having said that. This still gets five stars from me. It’s still fun, cute, amazing and a great way to spend an evening.

This novel perfectly encapsulates the way it feels to live in a small town. It highlights the gossip-tree that spreads throughout. And the ways in which gossip can cause havoc in a person’s life. It actually reminded me a little of the ways in which I hate small towns, even as I love them. Poor Cal and Maddie have to deal with such nonsense throughout this novel. Nonsense that makes you want to smack around the silly people who thought that they could be involved in somebody else’s love life.

The gossip, and the difference in the communities’ reactions to Bill and Maddie were great at highlighting the double standards that women face every day. Maddie is actually innocent in the creation of her relationship (where Bill certainly isn’t). Yet, it is Maddie that has a constant threat hanging over her head due to social pressure. I love that Woods not only highlights this in her story – but it is something that is actually discussed amongst the characters in this novel as well. We definitely need more stories which shine a light on this issue.

There is something about the setting of Serenity that is completely beautiful, peaceful and loving. Gossip crazy members aside, I would love to live in such a beautiful and peaceful town. One in which you can open a Corner Spa with your friends and start a new life surrounded by people who love you. It’s everything that you imagine a small town to be, and I loved that Serenity was almost its own character. One that I look forward to meeting again and again throughout this series.

<- More Sherryl Woods

A Slice of Heaven ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

The Unwilling by Shiloh Walker

August 22, 2020Book ReviewHot in Handcuffs, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense, Shiloh Walker, The FBI Psychics Seriesskyebjenner

Title: The Unwilling
Author: Shiloh Walker
Series: The FBI Psychics Series #3.25
In: Hot in Handcuffs (Sylvia Day, Shayla Black & Shiloh Walker)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Mystery, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 29th July 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Sometimes this is like shooting in the dark.

Mica Greer and her former lover, ex-FBI agent Colby Mathis, once shared an intimate past and a powerful psychic gift. Now, they’ve been reunited by a bizarre series of murders—and an electrifying passion that could put them both in jeopardy.

I absolutely adored this crime novella. Not only was it a great romantic suspense, but it had a fantastic layer of paranormal moments throughout. I’m completely intrigued to see what the rest of this series will be like – psychics who are in the FBI and run around solving crimes? Plus sex? Yes please. This is exactly the kind of series that I love.

One of the things that I loved about this novella was that it was all about love loved and lost. I didn’t like that fifteen years had been and gone for these two characters since they had last “connected”. But at least they finally made their way back to one another. That was a nice little, pleasant surprise. Even if the history still hurt my heart a little bit.

One of my favourite things to do when reading a mystery of any kind is to try and guess who the culprit is. Sometimes I love being able to guess the culprit, sometimes I hate it. In the case of this novella, I was able to guess who the culprit was about halfway through. Yet, that still left me with that unforgettable, spine tingling, uncomfortable moment that I think all good mysteries and suspense stories should have.

<- On Fire

Hot in Handcuffs ->

Image source: Sylvia Day

Stingers and Strangers by Seanan McGuire

August 21, 2020Book ReviewDead Man's Hand, InCryptid, Paranormal Fantasy, Seanan McGuire, Strong Women, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Image result for dead man's hand book cover

Title: Stingers and Strangers
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: InCryptid #0.04
In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 23rd July 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Eleanor had just admitted she wasn’t human; he wasn’t going to make her cope with the idea of unmarried couples sharing a bed beneath her roof.

Fran and Johnny are out hunting monsters. But, it’s the wild wild west and just certain things are expected… will they be able to win the day and finally recognize their feelings for one another?

This is yet another great InCryptid short story. It has the action, the humour and the wit that I have come to expect from this series. It deals with Verity’s grandparents (or is it great-grandparents?) and their own hunting journey into the West.

I love that Fran and Johnny are arguing and bickering throughout most of this story. From the very outset you recognise that they have feelings for each other. And although it takes a while for either one of them to actually admit it… that bickering and wit in their interactions helps to keep that feeling alive and well.

This had a beautiful gunslinging, wild west, cowboy feeling to this story. The fact that it also works to introduce Cuckoos to the Cryptid hunters just works even better. Now I need to read the rest of the short stories which make up this mini series within a series…

<- No Place Like Home

Married in Green ->

Image source: Amazon

The Young Warrior by Oliver La Farge

August 20, 2020Book ReviewOliver La Farge, The Mammoth Book of Westerns, Westernsskyebjenner

Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: The Young Warrior
Author: Oliver La Farge
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 23rd July 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: His power would be destroyed, his eyes dimmed, his medicine would not protect him.

The young warrior of the plains is about to face a battle… wil he win?

This was an easy, light and pleasant read. It was a nice break within my reading of bigger, more complex books. The journey is fun, it’s easy to understand what is happening and just a generally well-written diversion. I didn’t find the story line intense and unforgettable (hence the lower star rating). But I did find the whole adventure very fun.

This is quick, sharp and shiny. Perfectly enjoyable and fantastically written. Something that I love in a good short story. You’re thrown into the action from the very beginning and pulled through the young warriors battle and journey. It’s a little open ended and in conclusive. Which is something that I do enjoy in a good short story.

You can imagine at the end of this story that the warriors continue on to battle yet another fight. Another day on the plains. Another moment in which they have to fight for a better future.

<- When You Carry the Star

The Big Sky ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Human Acts by Han Kang

August 19, 2020Book ReviewAsia, Han Kang, Historical fiction, Warskyebjenner

Title: Human Acts
Author: Han Kang
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Asia, Historical fiction, War
Dates read: 22nd – 23rd July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Portobello
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: How can that be possible?

Gwangju, South Korea, 1980. In the wake of a viciously suppressed student uprising, a boy searches for his friend’s corpse, a consciousness searches for its abandoned body, and a brutalised country searches for a voice. In a sequence of interconnected chapters the victims and the bereaved encounter censorship, denial, forgiveness and the echoing agony of the original trauma.

Human Acts is a universal book, utterly modern and profoundly timeless. Already a controversial bestseller and award-winning book in Korea, it confirms Han Kang as a writer of immense importance.

This was nothing like what I expected. Although, to be fair. I really didn’t know what to expect – after all, this is my first piece of Korean Literature. And my first novel that has been translated from this language. It was a great story. And I loved the ways in which some of the idiosyncrasies of another language worked their way into this story.

Effectively, this story works as six separate tales. That are all interrelated. They tell the stories of people whose lives were interconnected when their world came crashing down in war. I loved the set up – it showed so many different perspectives to the same events. And at different points. Some were in the present day, some in the past.

At the end of this novel. My heart just. Hurt. Seriously. Hurt. It was such a tragic tale. And. Just. Wow. So much heart pain. I sat there, staring at all of the happy books on my shelves that had far happier stories in it…

Some of the war stories that I’ve read have a bit of a positive light and spin. This is not one of those stories. There is such a feeling of tragedy. This is just all about the atrocities of humanity. And the horrible things that we do to one another. It is completely obvious why this is an award-winning novel. Definitely one that I would like to return to in the future…

<- More Asia reviews

More War reviews ->

Image source: Bookdepository

Blood on the Wall by Heather Graham

August 18, 2020Book ReviewHeather Graham, Home Improvement, Paranormal Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Vampires, Werewolvesskyebjenner

Image result for home improvement undead edition book cover

Title: Blood on the Wall
Author: Heather Graham
In: Home Improvement (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Vampires, Werewolves
Dates read: 23rd July 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: And, of course, because DeFeo’s ancestor, Antoine Montville, had been suspected of Satanism, but something like it.

A young man just wants to build up his own cult and reputation. But when a werewolf comes to town, things are turned on their head and he finally realises that maybe he’s not been making the best decisions…

I really didn’t expect all of the twists and turns that reared their ugly heads throughout this short story. Every time I thought that I could predict what was going on, something else reared its head and surprised me. It was incredibly fun and welcome. I love when a story like this completely takes me by surprise.

One of the things that I love about this story is that the cultist in this story isn’t paranormal. And the one that you think is kind of normal? Not so much. It literally turns everything on its head throughout this story. In the best way possible.

This is a fantastic short story – it involves vampires, werewolves, crimes and cults. It kind of has everything that I love in a short story. Even if it is slightly, unexpectedly off-kilter to what I am used to. And all of those surprises… I’ll definitely be reading this one again!

<- Squatter’s Rights

The Mansion of Imperatives ->