A Night Like This by Julia Quinn

Book Review, , ,
Overview
A Night Like This :HarperCollins Australia

Title: A Night Like This
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Smythe-Smith Quartet #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 11th – 18th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: She saw only him, watching her as if she were the only woman in the world.

Synopsis

ANNE WYNTER MIGHT NOT BE WHO SHE SAYS SHE IS…

But she’s managing quite well as a governess to three highborn young ladies. Her job can be a challenge – in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play that might be a tragedy (or might be a comedy – no one is sure), and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he’s the first man who has truly tempted her, and it’s getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman.

DANIEL SMYTHE-SMITH MIGHT BE IN MORTAL DANGER…

But that’s not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family’s annual musicale, he vows to pursue her, even if that means spending his days with a ten-year-old who thinks she’s a unicorn. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to see him dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril, he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending…

Thoughts

As with all the Julia Quinn books in my shelf. I loved this. Quinn just has such an amazing talent for sweeping you away to a happy, content world that you know everything will turn out well in.

This story reminded me a little of the Benedict Bridgerton story in that it is a man falling for a woman below his station. And he happens to glance at her at a society event, and become instantly infatuated. The similarities do stop here though, for which I I glad.

I love how aware Anne is of how wrong things can go and how she is constantly trying to make Daniel see sense… it works brilliantly well. And it feels a little more realistic. I mean, this is a Regency romance, so it’s not exactly going to be realistic regardless… but it does make it feel a little less far fetched I suppose.

Daniel and Anne are a fun couple, and the villain they have to face in this is a lot more evil and intimidating than any Julia Quinn book so far. This, combined with the constant awkwardness of Harriet and her younger sisters had me smiling throughout. There was a great sense of lightness to match that feeling of horror that the villain lent

A fantastic novel that let me float on a happily ever after for a while. One that I will definitely read again.

<- Just Like HeavenThe Sum of All Kisses ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Charmed by Charlie by Amanda Uhl

Book Review, ,
Overview
Charmed by Charlie by Amanda Uhl

Title: Charmed by Charlie
Author: Amanda Uhl
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 16th – 18th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: ARC, eBook, Novel
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
Year: 2021
5th sentence, 74th page: “What… why?”

Synopsis

PAINT, PROMOTIONS & PERFECTION

Creative genius Charlie Solanger has it all: good looks, money, intelligence, charm. And when he swoops in to save Reynolds Paint Company with a brilliant marketing campaign, he has all the ladies in the office vying for his attention. Everyone except math whiz Valerie Wilson.

Val’s not happy Charlie stole her promotion. Worse, his brand of flirtatious charm is reminiscent of her cheating ex-fiancé. So, how come she can’t get him out of her head? The more she challenges him, the more interested—and interesting—he becomes. What secrets is Charlie hiding, and who or what is behind the sudden mysterious drain on their company’s funds? The only way to find out is to join forces. Then it will be a battle of wills…and a triumph of hearts.

Thoughts

I received this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I seriously enjoyed this office romance. It was such an easy and light read with just enough twists to not leave you feeling a little bored. The fact that not just the lead couple, but all the secondary characters got their happily ever after most definitely left me feeling content at the end of this.

I must admit, I’ve read very few “office romance” stories. And even fewer that involve corporate espionage and the mystery of missing money. I really liked how this twisted throughout the romance to raise the stakes. Plus, the whole office setting was a brilliant backdrop to the while tale.

Val was a fun lead in this story. She was scared to trust (and who hasn’t been there?), brilliantly mathematically inclined and just generally a great narrator voice. It meant that I absolutely adored the first person point of view that was presented and, although you don’t necessarily always agree with her decisions, you can understand her motives.

All in all, I seriously enjoyed this and would most definitely read another Amanda Uhl book. It was such a lovely world in whoch to spend a few hours and left me feeling happy and content. And seriously glad I don’t work in an office…

<- More Amanda UhlMore contemporary romance ->

Image source: Goodreads

In a Wolf’s Embrace by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for beyond the dark angela knight book cover

Title: In a Wolf’s Embrace
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #10.5
In: Beyond the Dark (Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Emma Holly & Diane Whiteside)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 18th May 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: “Has it happened often since you were a child?” he questioned, easing from her, shuddering at the snug grip of her pussy as he slid out.

Synopsis

Lora Leigh does it… in the domain of a strange Breed, part man, part wolf, on the hunt for the woman he craves – and needs – to fulfill a hunger clawing at him from within.

Thoughts

This was a fun and intriguing little novella. One that pulled me all that much further into the Breeds series. Plus, it was also a great way to end the Beyond the Dark anthology. I like that the Breed in this was aware from the very beginning of the story what was going on with him. And how to try not to let this affect his mate’s life.

Although I love how accepting Mathias is of what is going on, and is trying to ease Grace into her new reality, it is the family factor that I truly loved. I mean, being someone who has close ties to her own family, I understand how important it is to put family first and have a partner who is accepted by them. The scene in which Mathias finally realises that he has that acceptance… I started crying then and there. It was so beautiful.

Relationships are always a negotiation and a way to rejig and compromise on what you already do in your life. Both Grace and Mathias are forced to face up to this in a very short time. And, somehow that works brilliantly. It’s a reminder that change isn’t always bad, but sometimes seriously worth pursuing.

<- Aiden’s CharityDawn’s Awakening ->

Image source: Amazon

Edge of the Moon by Rebecca York

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Edge of the Moon (The Moon Series, Book 2): York, Rebecca: 9780425191255: Amazon.com: Books

Title: Edge of the Moon
Author: Rebecca York
Series: Moon #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Werewolves
Dates read: 12th – 16th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: Her lungs burned like fire.

Synopsis

His power grows with every sacrifice. Now he has chosen his final victim. And soon, they will meet in a dreamworld of ecstasy and agony – from which there is no escape…

The first person to disappear was an older woman. Then it was a child… then a teenage boy. When Kathryn Reynolds’s tenant and friend goes missing, she has no idea that her vanishing could be part of a larger, sinister pattern. But the moment she meets Detective Jack Thornton, time seems to stop – literally. The attraction between them is so strong and undeniable, there’s almost something dangerous about it…

Jack Thornton had assumed that this was just a routine missing persons report, but there was nothing routine about his response to Kathryn. He’s never reacted so quickly or so strongly to any woman before, and the erotic dreams they share threaten to overwhelm his control. But the more he investigates her friend’s disappearance, the more uneasy he feels. For he’s starting to sense that he and Kathryn are being manipulated by someone… or something. They seem to be playing cat-and-mouse with an unseen enemy – but what Jack doesn’t realize is that a killer is on the hunt, and he will stop at nothing to attain his goal. And that the killer is convinced that Kathryn is the key to his dreams of unholy power…

Thoughts

It’s been a while since I picked up this series, and I honestly forgot just how good it is. There is just something about it that draws you in from the very beginning. The suspense / crime angle creates a story line that is impossible to put down and has you racing to see just who done it…

Then there’s the great paranormal spin. I mean, it’s not enough that you want to have a happy ending and find out who the dang criminal is, you also have a whole heap of paranormal insanity to go along with it. In the case of Katherine and Jack, it’s a demon messing with them, shifting time about and just generally being a pain.

I like that Jack is a father and widower in this story. It gives an extra layer of maturity to his character and risk to the formation of a relationship. That, and there’s also much more at stake than just Katherine and Jack’s lives. Partnered with a fantastic housekeeper… and its honestly a winning family combination.

Ross and Megan also make a great reappearance in this story that reassures you that they also got their happily ever after. But, they don’t get the chance to steal the show either. All in all, I loved how York continued to expand on this world and just generally draw you in… now to find the next book to add to my reading pile…

<- Killing MoonWitching Moon ->

Image source: Amazon

Aiden’s Charity by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Book cover of Aiden's Charity

Title: Aiden’s Charity
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #10
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 16th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: As he started to stalk from the porch steps, the door to the cabin was flung open.

Synopsis

The forces of survival and destruction swirl in the darkest corners of men’s minds. The nature of the beast cannot be harnessed, and survival is the purest of all instincts. Survival of the species itself goes soul deep.

But can the human heart accept and adapt as easily? Can Charity bestow the love and the acceptance that has always been a part of her, to the man whose very survival depended on the hardening of his heart, of his soul? And can Aiden maintain that cruelty now, in the face of the sacrifice she made? Only time and nature can tell.

Thoughts

I had a bit of concern at the outset of this story… I mean, the ending of Jacob’s Faith, Aiden is told that Charity is his mate and he just… doesn’t seem to be taking it well. I was expecting a whole heap of darkness and horribleness to this story that I wasn’t sure I wanted. I mean, none of the Breeds stories are full of happiness and roses… but I thought this one would be even more difficult to stomach.

Luckily, it wasn’t quite as horrifying as I had expected. Although the beginning and their re-meeting went kind of how I expected… the relationship quickly developed. In a way that didn’t feel contrived and forced, but rather, people just… accepting. I liked how Charity was a bit different from the other women too. She fought Aiden just as much, but in her own unique way.

It was super fun having a story in which the lead female is a scientist. I love how Charity is constantly analysing things and trying to figure out the science behind what’s happening to her. She might be hiding behind her logic, but it was a great contradiction to many of the women so far in this series. Sometimes I find romance writers tend to write similar characters in each of their stories, I love that this isn’t the case with Lora Leigh.

Aiden’s Charity is great. Not just for the two leads and the storyline. But it also brings some of the Coyote Breeds further into this story. That, and it gave an extra layer to the world – the majority of the story revolved around the science of the Breeds and their ability to, well, breed. Rather than the politics and the war that is brewing. It was a great change of pace, one that helped keep drawing me further and further into this world.

<- Jacob’s FaithIn a Wolf’s Embrace ->

Image source: Free Book Library

Jacob’s Faith by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Jacob's Faith: lora leigh: Amazon.com: Books

Title: Jacob’s Faith
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #9
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 1th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: Evidently, the Breeds they’re holding are pretty damned important too, because anyone who could have had information has been killed before I could get to them.

Synopsis

They are a new breed, a new race. Engineered rather than born, trained rather than raised, and their unique genetics have created more than one surprise…

Jacob left Faith six years before, unaware that the mark he left on her also left her in an agony of sexual heat that never dimmed. Now Jacob and Faith are together again, but surprises lurk around every corner and dangers as dark and deadly as their very creation surround them in more ways than one.

Thoughts

One thing that always strikes me about men in romances (and sometimes in real life), they make assumptions and those can be the downfall. Don’t get me wrong, women are just as bad. But I always find the men, such as Jacob to be a bit more frustrating. Maybe because I have to deal with men in my own love life, so I can relate to that frustration all that much better.

In the case of this story, it’s Jacob making some pretty major assumptions about Faith’s feelings that careen them from issue to issue. Instead of just talking things through and finding out what is actually going on, he just keeps… assuming. Which just makes it all that much better when Faith decides to hand his arse to him. Repeatedly.

I know that Jacob’s Faith and Aiden’s Charity were written a little out of order within the Breeds series and by a different publisher (it drives me a little batty when I look at my shelves having these two books). And, honestly, you can kind of pick up on that a little throughout. However, it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of reading yet another of Lora Leigh’s books. I plan on adding them all to my wishlist now… there is just something about them that I can’t get enough of. Even if some of the sexual play is seriously not to my taste.

Jacob’s Faith follows on beautifully from Wolfe’s Hope. It bought the wolf pack into the breed world brilliantly and set up a whole slew of new issues facing the Breeds. The more I read of this fantastic series, the more I can’t get enough. And also feel my heart kind of break… I mean, the battles that they are constantly fighting are truly devastating and terrible. Seriously difficult to read at times. But, then the love and such comes through and everything is right with the world again…

<- Wolfe’s HopeAiden’s Charity ->

Image source: Amazon

Mr Sandman by Sherri Browning Erwin

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance 2 book cover

Title: Mr Sandman
Author: Sherri Browning Erwin
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Greek mythology, Mythology, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 11th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Not just vultures, but also owls and woodpeckers.

Synopsis

After pulling a man from the surf and saving his life, her own life is about to change. Forever. She just has to have the guts to save her sandman.

Thoughts

It became obvious kind of early on that the man in this story was a Greek god. What I didn’t expect was which Greek god it was. And how the whole storyline was likely to play out. This took a serious departure from all of my normal expectations of paranormal romances and stories which feature mythology.

I like that this is kind of a story about rebuilding oneself. About Emma who has said goodbye to all she knows and found a way to start her life completely anew. As a feminist, I’m not completely keen on the fact that she creates her whole new life based around a man. But, as someone who just generally enjoys romances… it was cutesy.

There is something about the beach that seems to highlight new beginnings and hope. Or at least, that’s how it always feels for me. It’s like a recharging station. So it is the perfect setting for this romance, and it is that imagery that I can’t get out of my head as I’m writing this review… not the actual romance in and of itself.

<- The GetawayThe Sin-Eater’s Promise ->

Image source: Amazon

The Mammoth Book of Chess by Graham Burgess

Book Review, ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Chess by Graham Burgess - Books - Hachette Australia

Title: The Mammoth Book of Chess
Author: Graham Burgess
Series: Mammoth Books
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Non-fiction
Dates read: 23rd March – 11th May 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Non-fictional text
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: He found an impressive solution.

Synopsis

A guide to the main opening gambits in chess along with hundreds of test positions for players at various levels. It includes: sections on online chess, computers and openings; courses in tactics and attacking strategy; analysis of some of the greatest games ever played; and, information and advice on club, national, and international tournaments.

Thoughts

I bought this book because I was working with a gentleman who was trying to shove chess knowledge into my brain. I figured that I needed all of the help that I could get. I’m not gonna lie, I don’t actually think reading this book helped me like I had hoped…

Having said that, this was still interesting. And, honestly, if I read this and actually practiced, I’d probably be able to turn myself into some semblance of a good chess player. I haven’t, so I’m not. But it’s nice to know that I now have a text sitting there that could work out well for me.

As far as the Mammoth Books go, this is by far the most dense and intellectually difficult for me. Honestly, it’s probably the most dense and intellectually challenging for me in general. This is just not how my brain thinks, so I didn’t work with it quite as well as I do with other texts.

All in all, this was an intriguing book. One that most definitely fascinated me and intrigued me. And on that I’ll probably flick through again and again over the years out of my own fascination and need to be better at something that I’m just not quite good at…

<- The Mammoth Book of Celtic Myths and LegendsThe Mammoth Book of Classic Chillers ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Queen of All She Surveys by Emma Holly

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for beyond the dark angela knight book cover

Title: Queen of All She Surveys
Author: Emma Holly
Series: Tale of the Demon World #5
In: Beyond the Dark (Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Emma Holly & Diane Whiteside)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Gaslamp, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 11th May 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: It had been a sleepy outpost then, held but not exploited by a king who valued creature comforts above conquest.

Synopsis

Emma Holly does it… in a fantastic world where a powerful queen rules – until she commits the sin of falling in love with the handsome son of her worst enemy.

Thoughts

I love Emma Holly’s writing. I also finally received some of her Tales of the Demon World books. There is just something… fun about the idea of these sexual vampires that come from another world. Set in a regency, steampunk style world. It all weaves together to create a seriously unique reality and world that I’m never quite expecting.

In the case of this story… I was confused throughout. Which I kind of liked. I mean, there’s a gorgeous prince who is known for his god-given sexual gifts. And the woman who is queen who is never quite sated. Of course you know that they are obviously going to fall in love and end up being each other’s perfect sexual partner. But there were so many characters and feeling of back story that I found a little dense. Perfect reason to pick up the rest of the books… that will probably fix the confusion.

The respect that both the monarchs / leads in this story have for one another is kind of brilliant. I’ve been reading a lot of books which feature more domineering personalities. And although there is still respect, I love that there really isn’t a dominant person in this partnership. Rather, both the characters seem to be dominant in their own worlds and arenas, without having to prove themselves any further to their counterpart. That sense of comfort and maturity in themselves was exactly what I wanted. Now I just need more!

<- Caught by the TidesIn a Wolf’s Embrace ->

Image source: Amazon

The Celtic Tarot by Julian De Burgh

Book Review, ,
Overview
The Celtic Tarot: Instruction Book: De Burgh, Julian, Guinan, Mart: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: The Celtic Tarot
Author: Julian De Burgh
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Non-fiction
Dates read: 17th February – 11th May 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Non-fictional text
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2000
5th sentence, 74th page: Positive interaction between these two people secures a solid foundation for the future.

Synopsis

What culture is more steeped in mystery, magic, passion and war, or can more vividly inspire us to use and understand the Tarot, than that of Ireland? There is probably no other culture in the world which stimulates as much interest as that of the Celtic people. By using tales from Celtic mythology we can gain greater depth and insight from Tarot readings, for by interpreting these stories into concrete terms our unconscious minds allow them to become powerful tools for profound inner change and growth.

The Celtic Tarot pack contains everything you need to become an accomplished Tarot reader. Use the cards with sensitivity, follow the instructions and interpretations in the accompanying book with care, and the wisdom of the Tarot can be yours.

Thoughts

This was informative. I loved the layout and structure of this manual.

There really isn’t much to say about this kind of thing, other than it was well laid out and informative. What I liked most about this though is that no matter when I want to go back to it, it will be incredibly easy to find the exact location of the information that I want.

All in all, an intriguing read. One that I will most definitely have to repeat.

<- More CelticMore non-fiction ->

Image source: Amazon