The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

Overview
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende - Penguin Books Australia

Title: The House of the Spirits
Author: Isabel Allende
Rating Out of 5: 1.5 (Couldn’t get past the first chapter)
My Bookshelves: Classics
Dates read: 27th April – 4th May 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Vintage Books
Year: 1982
5th sentence, 74th page: She was doubled over beneath the weight of a sheaf of hawthorn for the kitchen hearth, barefoot, her head bowed.

Synopsis

As a girl, Clara del Valle can read fortunes, make objects move as if they had lives of their own and predict the future. Following the mysterious death of her sister, Rosa the Beautiful, Clara is mute for nine years. When she breaks her silence, it is to announce that she will be married soon to the stern and volatile landowner Esteban Trueba.

Set in an unnamed Latin American country over three generations, The House of the Spirits is a magnificent tale of a proud and passionate family, secret loves and violent revolution.

Thoughts

I really, really, really wanted to like this… but I just couldn’t. I ended up skim reading the whole story and just feeling really “eh” about the writing. To the point I actually looked up the synopsis to see if I’d missed anything. I hadn’t. I was just “eh”.

I love the premise of this story. And I’m going to keep my copy of the book because I really want to like this. But I’m just not confident in that fact. I don’t know why though. There is nothing seriously wrong with the writing, the story, anything. I just could not get excited.

I’m going to try this book again in a few years time and see if I can get a bit more excited about this… because I really want to!

<- More Isabel AllendeMore classics ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Dragon Dance by Angela Knight

Overview
Image result for beyond the dark angela knight book cover

Title: Dragon Dance
Author: Angela Knight
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: Aliens, Paranormal romance, Science fiction
Dates read: 4th May 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: No, I’ll just… I’ll just…

Synopsis

Angela Knight does it… in the psychic realm of a woman attuned to the touch of strangers – and the powerful temptations of a seductive and mysterious protector.

Thoughts

I really, really loved this concept – that random people get powers and are called hypers. And that the source of these powers is aliens… I love how Knight’s novellas are able to take a concept that you kind of expect… and change it into a really unique SciFi spin!

Arial and Josiah are a great couple. I thought that they were seriously cute from the very beginning. And I definitely was routing for them from the very beginning. I also love the way that Josiah is trying to keep celibate (and the reasons for why). And how Arial just steadily and happily makes him give it all up… it’s a fun storyline. Or at least, my happy little brain finds it fun.

But, mostly I love how these characters with superpowers have managed to find a way to coexist and find their happily ever afters. I can completely imagine Arial and Josiah and Psych running off into the future fighting more bad guys and making more sense of the incredibly unique world that Knight has managed to create.

<- Beyond the DarkCaught by the Tides ->

Image source: Amazon

Wolfe’s Hope by Lora Leigh

Overview
Primal Heat : Sherri L King : 9781843607403

Title: Wolfe’s Hope
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #8.5
In: Primal Heat (Sherri L. King, Lorie O’Clare, Jaci Burton & Lora Leigh)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: EroticaParanormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 4th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: She shivered around the hard protrusion once again.

Synopsis

Hope believed Wolfe was dead, but he was only waiting for the right time to claim her. He is a man whose DNA was altered, infused with the genetic code of the wolf. His unique genetic makeup has created a male unlike any other and will make itself known in the most surprising ways. Now Hope must convince her mate she hasn’t betrayed him, and they must defeat the plans of a scientist gone mad.

Thoughts

This set up the next little patch of Breeds stories really well. The wolf breeds and how they escaped the horrifying and evil labs in which they were created. The fact that it also features an evil scientists daughter… well, that worked quite happily for me. Overall, it was a pretty simple novella that didn’t necessarily have a lot going on adventure wise, but most certainly set up a new Breeds “family”.

I love how some of the Breeds novels have in their name both of the lead characters names. It helps you pick up who you’re routing for from the very beginning. And it just generally creates a fun naming system that I wasn’t quite expecting. But it was most certainly something that I very much enjoyed.

Wolfe is honestly kind of a dick in this story. He’s a bit painful to read for most of it to be honest. But when he has that sense of realisation about just how deeply he messed up… he’s still a dick. But at least he understood just how. And you know, at the end of the story, there was a bit of redemption in the evil bitch getting killed…

<- Tanner’s SchemeJacob’s Faith ->

Image source: BookDepository

Tanner’s Scheme by Lora Leigh

Overview
Tanner's Scheme : Lora Leigh : 9780425216613

Title: Tanner’s Scheme
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #8
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: EroticaParanormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 28th April – 2nd May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: And it wasn’t a comforting sight.

Synopsis

The author of Megan’s Mark and Harmony’s Way delivers a new novel set in an alternate world where genetically altered Breeds and the humans who created them sometimes come together in the fiercest of passions…

A one-time high-ranking member of the Genetics Council, Sceme Tallant’s father will stop at nothing to see the Feline Breeds eradicated. Even if it means killing his own daughter…

After the Breeds’ main base is attacked, Tanner Reynolds desires revenge – and knows just how to get it. In a bold move, he kidnaps Scheme Tallant and takes her deep into the Kentucky mountains. Yet when Tanner discovers that Scheme herself is a target of her father’s ruthless mission, his vengeance must take a backseat to saving the life of the woman he hopes to claim as his mate. But can Scheme trust Tanner – or is she just a pawn of his passion and ploys?

Thoughts

Every time I pick up a Breeds novel, I remember why I love this series so much. Don’t get me wrong, in some moments I’m a bit like… nope. I’m not really into that level of dominance in the bedroom. But it’s definitely fun to read about. The fact that the series has continued to develop into a much greater, more intense storyline… that just makes it even more difficult to put down.

Tanner is a great lead. He is kind of humorous and definitely intriguing from the very beginning. The fact that he kidnaps his mate and doesn’t even realise that he’s managed to find her… that kind of had me grinning multiple times throughout. I mean, some people can be a little dense, but this just takes the cake.

Scheme’s backstory was actually, surprisingly more tragic than that of Tanner. Normally it’s the Breed with the tragic backstory. But that most certainly wasn’t the case in this story. Scheme suffers in a way that made my heart ache and break a little bit throughout. It made me want to reach through the pages and give her a huge hug (although, honestly, when don’t I want to do this for my favourite characters?).

All in all, I seriously enjoyed this story. It was a great look into the politics that are boiling in the Breeds world and the things that are at stake. I love that this romantic suspense series has prejudice and a silent war, but also spies and double agents. That there is so much going on in every moment that you just can’t look away and forget about what is going on! Completely amazing, and a lot of fun.

<- Harmony’s WayWolfe’s Hope ->

Image source: Bookdepository

Summer Time

Duration: 1st June – 30th June 2021
Number of books: 3
Hosted by: Bookworm Bitches

June 2021: Summer Time
Duration: 6/1/2021-6/30/2021

There are 3 tasks, you only need to read three books to finish this challenge. Or pick one task and read 3 books for that one task.

1. Read a book outside OR a book featuring the outside – Say Everything by Langley Gray
2. Read a book with a green cover – A Southern Girl’s Guide to Plant Based Eating by Cametria Hill
3. Read a book where a character has a big change (graduating, marriage, moving, etc. OR has a change of perspective, large character development, etc.) – Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

Rules
~Books must be read during the selected time period.
~Post the date you finished the book.
~All books read for challenges can be used for more than one challenge.
~Books can be either Fiction or Non Fiction. Your choice.
~At the end of the challenge, it will be closed for commenting and moved to the archives folder
~Use the add book/author tool to tag your book within your challenge.

Copy & paste the blank template below to begin your own challenge.

June 2021: Summer Time
Duration: 6/1/2021-6/30/2021

0/3 Completed

1. Read a book outside OR a book featuring the outside
2. Read a book with a green cover
3. Read a book where a character has a big change (graduating, marriage, moving, etc. OR has a change of perspective, large character development, etc.)

Fathers in Literature Spell Challenge

Duration: 1st June – 30th June 2021
Number of books: 7
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection

E
MMarriage of Inconvenience by Penny Reid
PWitch Wife by Kiki Petrosino
A
T
HHappily Ever Ninja by Penny Reid
Y

JUNE 2021 SPELL – Fathers in Literature
Timeframe: 6/1/21 to 6/30/21

To go along with Suzanne’s Fathers in Literature challenge, choose one or more of these words to spell out in June. You may use the first letter of the first word in the book’s title (excluding A, An and The) OR the author’s first or last initial (middle names or initials can NOT be used).

Atticus
Austen
Bennett
Carlo
Charles
Collodi

Dickens
Emerson
Empathy
Extremely
Father
Finch

Forgive
Forster
Gargery
Generous
Geppetto
Great

Harper Lee
Honesty
Incredibly
Integrity
Jonathon

Les Miserables
Mockingbird
Pinocchio
Positive
Prejudice
Pride

Schell
Social Norms
Thomas
Valjean
Victor

CHALLENGE RULES:
♦ Please sign up by posting at least a partial list of the challenge requirements. This gives us a post to link you to, which you can use to update your books as the challenge progresses.

♦ Unless otherwise noted, books must be at least 150 pages long. (See the link here for rules regarding graphic novels.) Books may only be used for one task in this challenge, but cross-challenge posting is encouraged 🙂 Re-reads are allowed, as long as you read the entire book and not simply skim through it.

♦ For each book you read, please post a link to the title, and indicate the author and the date you finished reading it.
* If you don’t know how to post a link to the book title, cover or author, see the instructions here:
Add a link to the book title, book cover and/or author

♦ When you complete the challenge, please post your entire list as a new message to make it easier for everyone to see what you’ve read 🙂 If you don’t repost your list, your name will not be added to the list of those who have completed the challenge.

Fathers in Literature Scavenger Challenge

Duration: 1st June – 30th June 2021
Number of books: 7
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection

JUNE 2021 SCAVENGER CHALLENGE : BELOVED FATHERS IN LITERATURE
June 1 – June 30, 2021

0/7 Complete

1) Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A character based on Harper Lee’s own father, Atticus Finch has all the makings of an incredible man. He is honest, kind, and meritorious, but what makes him excel at fatherhood is his empathy. Atticus’ ability to do what he believes is the righteous thing to do regardless of the sway of the crowd makes him a role model and his ability to convey a lesson to his kids despite the turmoil in their community makes him arguably the best father in literature.
👔 Read a book that takes place in the Deep South (Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama) OR read a book that contains a courtroom scene OR (re-)read To Kill a Mockingbird.Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

2) Mr. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Seemingly unaffected and disinterested in his daughters’ lives compared to their mother, Mr. Bennet takes a different approach to fatherhood as well as married life. Where Mrs. Bennet is focused on finding wealthy husbands for her daughter, Mr. Bennet is determined that they marry someone they love. He provides a comedic reprieve to the earnest “mothering” of Mrs. Bennet.
👔 Read a book labelled HUMOR on its main GR page OR read a book where the main family has at least four daughters; tell us their names OR (re-)read Pride and Prejudice.

3) Jean Valjean from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Jean Valjean had come a long way from being Prisoner 24601 when he adopted Cosette. While Cosette’s mother, Fantine, was sick in the hospital, Jean Valjean promised to get Cosette away from the innkeepers that were abusing her. By the time he had successfully rescued Cosette, Fantine had already passed away. He cares for Cosette like she is his own daughter and sets an example of compassion, generosity, and fatherly love.
👔 Read a book whose total page count contains two of the following numbers – 2, 4, 6, 0, or 1; tell us how many pages OR read a book that takes place anywhere in France OR (re-)read Les Miserables.The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay (464 pp.)

4) Thomas Schell from Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
In Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Oskar’s father Thomas Schell left behind a legacy of curiosity and determination. Although Thomas Schell had already passed away before the book starts, Oskar’s memory of his father’s adventurous games and caring heart are what stay with him throughout his life.
👔 Read a book in which a manmade disaster occurs; tell us what OR read a book that takes place in New York City OR (re-read) Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.

5) Mr. Emerson from A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
Though he receives a chilly reception from other people for his refusal to follow social convention at the turn of the 20th century, Mr. Emerson believes in the power of being true to yourself. He also believes in women’s equality, and encourages Lucy Honeychurch to follow her heart rather than society’s expectations of her.
👔 Read a book in which a character is being raised primarily by their father or father-figure OR read a book in which a couple become engaged or one character breaks an engagement OR (re-)read A Room with a View.Dating-ish by Penny Reid

6) Joe Gargery from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Pip lost his parents when he was young, so he was left to be raised by his sister and her husband Joe Gargery. While Pip’s sister was resentful of having Pip as a responsibility, Joe often took the brunt of her anger to protect Pip. Even when Pip went to the city and tried to shed his commoner background, Joe Gargery continued to love him and remain a positive influence in Pip’s life especially when Pip was acting less than honorable.
👔 Read a book in which the author’s first name or one the MC’s first names is only 3 letters (tell us the character if using that option) OR read a book with “GREAT” in its title (minor variations acceptable – i.e. greater, greatest) OR (re-)read Great Expectations.

7) Geppetto from Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
Geppetto was a lonely wood carver who received a block of wood without knowing it was magical. He then created a puppet out of that block of wood and before he knew it, the puppet had come alive! Doing the best he could with the responsibility of raising a boy, Geppetto raised Pinocchio as he would his own son. Throughout the book Geppetto tries to raise Pinocchio to make the right decisions and to get an education, but Pinocchio continues to find himself in troubling and morally-compromising positions. Geppetto, being the good father that he is forgives Pinocchio and leads him back to the honest path.
👔 Read any book that has been made into a movie; tell us the name of the movie if the connection isn’t obvious OR read a book in which a character continuously finds themselves in trouble OR (re-)read Pinocchio.Happily Ever Ninja by Penny Reid

Death and the Maiden

Duration: 1st June – 20th June 2021
Number of books: 6
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

death-and-the-maiden

Death and the Maiden is a popular motif throughout art history. Traditionally, one character is death personified – dark, broken, winter, and maybe even literally the bringer of death. The other character is the opposite – light, rebirth, spring.
In Greek mythology, we have the story of Hades and Persephone: the god of the underworld paired with the maiden of spring.
In historical romances, we have the rakes and pirates falling in love with the members of the ton.
In contemporary romances, we’ve got mafia bosses and motorcycle clubs paired with virgins or single parents.
For more about the Death and the Maiden trope check out this blog post

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Rules
Complete at least 2 tasks to get the heart
All genres welcome
Rereads welcome
No minimum page count

Read a book with a personification of Death
Read a book with a maiden type character – Be Mine Tonight by Kathryn Smith
Read a book with an enemies-to-lovers OR forbidden-love romance
Read a book tagged fantasy or paranormal – The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu
Read a book with a skull OR bones on the cover
Read a book with a pirate OR a rake OR a mafia-type character

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Monthly Challenge June 2021

Duration: 1st June – 20th June 2021
Number of books: 11
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

♥ Duration:
Starts: June 1st
Ends: June 30st

♥ How It Works:
Max is 10 books each month. But there are 5 different levels. Select which level you want and that’s how many items you will need to check off.

♥ Levels:
Transitional – 2 books
Baby Vamp – 4 books
Vampire minion – 6 books
Master – 8 books
Vampire King or Queen – 10 books or more

1. Dragon Boat Races
Let that competitive spirit shine!
Read a book that features a dragon OR
Read a book with a boat or a body of water on the cover

Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

2. June 5: National Moonshine Day
How can you not love this day!? Cheers!
Read a book where the characters have a drink OR
Read a book with a moon shining on the cover

Dating-ish by Penny Reid

3. June 8 ~ National Best Friends Day
Hang out with your bestie!!
Read a book with best friends as Main characters OR
Read a book with a MC who you’d love to be besties with

Happily Ever Ninja by Penny Reid

4. June 8 ~ World Naked Bike Ride, London
Seriously…..Ouch!!
Read a book with where someone gets naked OR
Read a book with a sports type character

Marriage of Inconvenience by Penny Reid

5. Chicago Blues Festival
Let the good times roll!
Read a book with a blue cover OR
Read a book set in Chicago

The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu

6. June 18: National Splurge Day
Every day is a splurge day for book lovers
Read a book that you splurged on (it wasn’t free) OR
Read a book with the word “Splurge” in the text

A Southern Girl’s Guide to Plant Based Eating by Cametria Hill

7. June 21: Stonehenge Summer Solstice Festival
Gather to watch the sunrise
Read a book where the title begins with “S” OR
Read a book where at least 3 words in title begin with the same letter

Say Everything by Langley Gray

8. June 23: National Pink Day
Pink is so not my color…lol
Read a book with something pink on the cover OR
Read a book with nothing pink about it; not even “pink” in the text!!

Neanderthal Seeks (Extra) Yarns by Penny Reid

9. June 26: Tropical Cocktail Day
This sounds like the perfect summer day.
Read a book while you enjoy a beverage of your choice OR
Read a book with the author’s initials in “Tropical Cocktail”

Be Mine Tonight by Kathryn Smith

10. June 30: National Meteor Watch Day
Look to the sky….
Read a book with a beautiful sky on the cover OR
Read a book with a space/alien theme

Bonus. June 13: International Axe Throwing Day
Lol ~ I got nothing!!
Read any book you want!!
The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay

Moonlight Serenade – June 2021

Duration: 1st June – 20th June 2021
Number of books: 6
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

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Moonlight Serenade

Duration: June 1 – 30

Rules
Complete at least two tasks to get the vampire heart
All genres welcome
Rereads welcome
No minimum page count

M

1. June 4th is National Donut Day: Listen to an audio book where a character eats a donut or works in law enforcement
2. June 20th is Father’s Day: Listen to an audio book where a father plays an important roll in the book – Happily Ever Ninja by Penny Reid
3. June 21st is National Seashell Day: Listen to an audio book that has a body of water on the cover or the word seashell in the textSea Swept by Nora Roberts
4. June 24th is International Fairy Day: Listen to an audio book with an MC who is Fae
5. June 26th is Tropical Cocktail Day: Listen to an audio book with a cocktail on the cover, in the title or set in a tropical location
6. June 29th is Hug Holiday Day: Listen to an audio book where the MC hugs another character – Dating-ish by Penny Reid