The Inn at Eagle Point by Sherryl Woods

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Inn At Eagle Point :HarperCollins Australia

Title: The Inn at Eagle Point
Author: Sherryl Woods
Series: Chesapeake Shores #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 15th – 17th July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Mira
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: If she had, Abby would have stayed far, far away from the bank.

Synopsis

It’s been years since Abby O’Brien Winters set foot in Chesapeake Shores. The Maryland town her father built has too many sad memories and Abby too few spare moments, thanks to her demanding Wall Street career, the crumbling of her marriage and energetic daughters. Then one panicked phone call from her youngest sister brings her racing back home to protect Jess’s dream of renovating the charming Inn at Eagle Point.

But saving the inn from foreclosure means dealing not only with her own fractured family, but also with Trace Riley, the man Abby left ten years ago. Trace can be a roadblock to her plans… or proof that second chances happen in the most unexpected ways.

Thoughts

What a beautiful start to a beautiful series. It’s cute, it’s quaint and it’s everything that I love in a good contemporary romance series. Particularly since I seem to be drawn to the series which feature older adults now. And second chance love stories. And people with a ridiculous amount of history that makes you go yup… we all have a bit of a tough time in life… but there’s hope!

I really liked that there was this slow realisation in Abby throughout this story that divorce is a two-way street and that it’s not all her own fault. That even though Wes doesn’t seem like a totally terrible guy… he’s still kind of a dick all the way throughout. He was one of those villains that I really didn’t like… but I also didn’t completely hate. I just thought he was a bit of a petulant child. And I loved that Abby also came to this same realisation… it highlighted the idea of second chances and understanding not only other people again, but yourself.

The driver for the beginning of this series is all about sisterly love. It’s strong, it’s annoying and it’s complex. I know. I have an annoying little sister. One that I love dearly, don’t get me wrong… but still annoying at times. I loved how Woods was realistic about the annoyance of siblings and how intertwined we all are in each others’ lives. It just made the whole story more fun and, honestly, cute. Again, Wes’ silliness also highlighted that you should really never get between sisters… you’ll always loose.

This isn’t just a romance. It’s a great tale about family, children, and second chances. Not only is it about Abby and Trace finding a second chance and a life and love that suits them. But it’s also about healing wounds in family and taking a second chance on them. Even as the next generation grows to make their own bull headed mistakes…

<- More Sherryl WoodsFlowers on Main ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Questions to Ask Straight Relatives by Benjamin Law

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for kindred 12 queer book cover

Title: Questions to Ask Straight Relatives
Author: Benjamin Law
In: Kindred (Michael Earp)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Contemporary, LGBTQI
Dates read: 17th July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Walker Books
Year: 2019
5th sentence, 74th page: “Why?”

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Synopsis

Those questions that we all like to ask people who are a little bit “different”. Well, what if they start questioning things you think are normal? Maybe it isn’t as simple and normal as you thought it was…

Thoughts

I picked this up at a fantastic time. It was a short story that I read as I was reading my psych textbook – a chapter about gender and the assumptions that we make. So reading a short story which was more like an essay and focused on the assumptions we make about “normalcy”… it was just fantastic, karmic, worldly timing. That I thoroughly enjoyed.

Not only does Law’s writing force you to think about assumptions around gender and sexuality. But there are also many issues of race and culture that are bought up too. In a way that makes it completely obvious that Law himself is constantly battling these multitudes of identity throughout his life. It left me questioning all of the assumptions that I make. Well, about everything…

Not only am I completely in love with this short story. But it also rounded out the Kindred collection perfectly. The whole journey in this collection was about making you think more deeply about others, or at least, it was to me. But after reading this, it also made me question many of the assumptions in my own life…

<- StormlinesKindred ->

Image source: Bookdepository

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
A Clash of Kings :HarperCollins Australia

Title: A Clash of Kings
Author: George R.R. Martin
Series: A Song of Ice and Fire #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Grimdark, Medieval fantasy
Dates read: 14th June – 16th July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Year: 1998
5th sentence, 74th page: Fools!

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Synopsis

Throughout Westeros, the cold winds are rising.

From the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding lands of Winterfell, chaos reigns as pretenders to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms stake their claims through tempest, turmoil and war.

As a prophecy of doom cuts across the sky – a comet the colour of blood and flame – five factions struggle for control of a divided land. Brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night.

Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, the price of glory is measured in blood.

Thoughts

And again, Martin does it. There is something amazing about his books that just completely draws me in. For such an intimidating sized book, this is ridiculously impossible to put down. I get why this is such a well-loved series. There is something completely unforgettable and intriguing about his words. Something that I know many of the other long-style fantasy books I read are kind of lacking. Not many draw me in like this.

Normally when I read a story that has some really horrible brutality in it, I either feel physically ill or end up putting the book away. There is just something about Martin’s writing though that makes it less… horrifying. It’s the first time ever that I haven’t thrown a book in the DNF pile because of such intense brutality. Maybe part of that is because quite often the perpetrators of such horribleness are killed off in the next hundred pages or so.

There really weren’t many deaths in this book. Knowing the reputation of the series, I was expecting far more. And when I say not many deaths – to my count, only one major character died in this novel. A bit like the first, A Game of Thrones. And he was a major character that I seriously didn’t like, so I was completely okay with his death if I’m being honest. Turns out that Martin’s writing really brings out the bloodthirsty aspect of my nature…

One of my favourite things about these books, that I’m sure I mentioned in my A Game of Thrones review is the fact that Martin can jump between multiple characters… and I DON’T get confused. Most of the time, I like jumping between two or three characters and POVs. But once it gets greater than that, I keep forgetting who and what we’re talking about in that moment. That’s seriously not the case in these books… I don’t even know how many different POVs, characters and sub-plots I read in this. And I don’t care. Because I followed them all. And loved them all…

<- A Game of ThronesA Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

When You Carry the Star by Ernest Haycox

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: When You Carry the Star
Author: Ernest Haycox
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 16th July 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: The leagues rolled away to the distance, southwesterly into a horizon unbroken, northwesterly to a lien of hills even now beginning to fade behind an autumn haze.

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Synopsis

When Linza’s friend begins to go off the beaten track it’s up to him, as the Sheriff, to hunt him down. But that’s what you do when you carry the Star.

Thoughts

This is a short story that features a friend hunting a friend. A man who is forced to do the distasteful in the name of justice and honour. It’s a little sad to be honest. I can’t imagine having to man hunt a friend, but it’s also got that quintessential feeling of a western – one that focuses on good guys and bad guys and where things are just plain right and wrong. Black and white.

I like the descriptions of Denton going “mad”. How he suddenly flipped his lid and went against everything and every code that he honoured. It was a little bit tragic and harsh. But I did like how the description of something that could have been heat stroke was described.

This story really focuses on the honour and power of a lawman. It highlights how the men of the law were focused upon protecting and upholding the law. Even if it means hunting down and killing ones friend. Which, admittedly was a little bit of a tragic ending…

<- The Wind and the Snow of WinterThe Young Warrior ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

A Quick Bite by Lynsay Sands

Book Review, , ,
Overview
A Quick Bite (Argeneau #1) by Lynsay Sands

Title: A Quick Bite
Author: Lynsay Sands
Series: Argeneau #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 10th – 14th July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: Lissianna knew she should be grateful for the gift, but she’d really rather had had him for dinner.

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Synopsis

That hot guy tied to Lissianna Argeneau’s bed? He’s not dessert – he’s the main course!

Lissianna has been spending her centuries pining for Mr. Right, not just a quick snack, and this sexy guy she finds in her bed looks like he might be a candidate. but there’s another, more pressing issue: her tendency to faint at the sight of blood… an especially annoying quirk for a vampire. Of course it doesn’t hurt thtat this man has a delicious-looking neck. What kind of cold-blooded vampire woman could resist a bite of that?

Dr. Gregory Hewitt recovers from the shock of waking up in a stranger’s bedroom pretty quickly – once he sees a gorgeous woman about to treat him to a wild night of passion. But is it possible for the good doctor to find true love with a vampire vixen, or will he be just a good meal? That’s a question Dr. Greg might be willing to sink his teeth into… if he can just get Lissianna to bite.

Thoughts

This was everything that I enjoy in a good paranormal romance and a Lynsay Sands book – it was quick, fun and easy. Light-hearted and a little titillating. And just generally a great way to spend a nice portion of time immersed in another world. It wasn’t one of those books that will necessarily linger with me long after I’ve turned the final page. But it’s one that I will probably pick up again down the line with a sense of enjoyment.

I really enjoyed Sands’ take on vampires and vampire lore in this story. For starters, it uses nanos and advanced technology to talk about the advent of vampirism. Secondly, there is the fact that the lead vampire in this story – Lissiana, has a blood phobia. It actually left me laughing out loud. Who would have thought that such a thing would be in a vampire romance novel? I can’t imagine ever fainting at the sight of blood… the fact that it’s a vampire… well, I was actually laughing out loud throughout.

There is a scene in this book in which Greg describes his past relationship and why he ended it. And the focus of this is the fact that what he wants more than anything is a partner. Just like Lissi. There is a total focus on being partners, not enslaved to one another. That no one has greater power over the other. But rather, they just help each other out. I think that its such a beautiful sentiment and one that I would love to see more of in a lot of the romances that I read. It’s just… this is, to me, what a relationship is all about – partnership.

I never thought I would use the phrase “pleasantly titillating” in a book review. But I’m going to use it here. There was just something that was a little fun about those moments in which Greg and Lissi are caught in the more compromising positions. It adds a good level of humour and amusement to the story. It also gives a bit of a cringe-factor to some of the moments… definitely something that I found pleasant and fun in this story. I’m not quite sure how Sands managed to walk that line… but I really, really enjoyed it.

<- More Lynsay SandsLove Bites ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising, #1) by Kiersten White

Title: The Guinevere Deception
Author: Kiersten White
Series: Camelot Rising #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Camelot, Magic, Young adult
Dates read: 18th May – 10th July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Year: 2019
5th sentence, 74th page: “He might not be human.”

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Synopsis

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom’s borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution: send in Guinevere to be Arthur’s wife… and his protector from those who want to see the young king’s idyllic city fail.

The catch? Guinevere’s real name – and her true identity – is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.

To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old – including Arthur’s own family – demand that things continue as they have been, and the new – those drawn by the dream of Camelot – fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur’s knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.

Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long, knotted black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?

Thoughts

I had thought that this would be a fairly easy read. One that I would just whisk through and enjoy without being totally floored. I was wrong. So completely and totally wrong. This story had surprise after surprise after surprise after… every page bought something new to light that I just wasn’t expecting. White managed to turn everything on its head. Repeatedly. Nothing was what I expected. And everything pulled me further into the world that White has so lovingly crafted as her own.

At first I loved the fact that Guinevere is the tough, powerful, magical being in this story. That she’s the one who is to protect Arthur and Camelot. As the story unfolded and things steadily got turned more and more on their head… I started to feel really, really sorry for her. There were so many revelations, difficulties and tragic moments throughout that my heart almost hurt at the end of this novel.

I love that there are a number of strong, independent women in this novel. And those who don’t fit that mould are barely mentioned. It’s nice to read a historical fiction / story of Camelot that doesn’t have women who, although strong are just falling in love and blindly following their menfolk. Rather, there are hints of love and companionship throughout, but nothing that deters Guinevere and her cohort from their chosen path. And, ultimately, when Guinevere is in trouble… it’s the women who ride to her rescue. Doesn’t exactly make me like Arthur all that much… but I’m hoping that in the next novel, he will redeem himself…

The men in this novel kind of drive me nuts. They’re stupid and tend to disregard the women who are by them. In particular, I found Arthur a little too quick to disregard Guinevere’s warnings and power. There may be a few reasons why that are revealed towards the end of the novel… but I still found him annoyingly high-handed and difficult.

<- More Kiersten WhiteUntitled ->

Image source: Goodreads

Clan Rathskeller by Kevin Hearne

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Overview
Clan Rathskeller by Kevin Hearne

Title: Clan Rathskeller
Author: Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Magic, Mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 10th July 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Free online short story
Publisher: Kevin Hearne
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Or me, if you want to get fussy with the definition.

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Synopsis

This is short story that takes place ten months before the events of “Hounded”, the first book in the Iron Druid Chronicles, coming 2011 from Del Rey.

Thoughts

This is a fun short story. One that had me laughing and giggling all throughout. Particularly the fact that it’s gnomes pretending to be humans pretending to be elves. Or something along those lines. A little bizarre. A little unique. And just generally enjoyable and funny.

While I was reading this, I did read a lot of the sentences out to my partner. He was confused about what I was reading, but even my little titbits made him laugh. There is just something very satirical and fun about Hearne’s writing that makes me itch to dig out Hounded.

This was a great short story. One which helped to not only whet my appetite for the Iron Druid Chronicles series. It also introduced some of the characters that I’m sure are likely to be a major part of the series (such as the lead character and his trusty sidekick). And now… now I just have to finish a few books before I start a new one…

<- The Grimoire of the LambHounded ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Grimoire of the Lamb by Kevin Hearne

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
The Grimoire of the Lamb by Kevin Hearne

Title: Grimoire of the Lamb
Author: Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #0.4
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Magic, Mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 13th July 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: I backed out of the cage and left the door open, speaking to him from freedom.

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Synopsis

There’s nothing like an impromptu holiday to explore the birthplace of modern civilisation, but when Atticus and Oberon pursue a book-stealing Egyptian wizard – with a penchant for lamb – to the land of the pharaohs, they find themselves in hot, crocodile-infested water.

The trip takes an even nastier turn when they discover the true nature of the nefarious plot they’ve been drawn into. On the wrong side of the vengeful cat goddess Bast and chased by an unfathomable number of her yowling four-legged disciples, Atticus must find a way to appease or defeat Egypt’s deadliest gods – before his grimoire-grabbing quarry uses them to turn him into mincemeat.

Thoughts

As with the other two Iron Druid Chronicles short stories that I’ve read. This was humorous, funny and something that I really enjoyed. Partly, Oberon managed to carry a lot of this. I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a scene in a story as much as his outrage at running from Bast’s cat minions. There was something ironic, funny and a little bit witty about such a moment. Which perfectly sums up this entire short story.

I love that Atticus has a rare books bookshop. And that in this bookshop, there are a series of grimoires that have a lot of potential to really screw things up for the world. The fact that the grimoire that takes centre stage in this short story was thought to be just a series of lamb recipes… like I said, I found this a very humorous book. One that had me giggling throughout.

There was a great mix of mythologies in this. There was Atticus’ Druid nature and ties to the earth. Then there were all of the Egyptian deities running around helping to cause havoc. Definitely a pantheon that I found a little intimidating. Particularly with Hearne’s focus on the more bloodthirsty aspects of this mythology… now I am actually going to start reading Hounded…

<- More Kevin HearneClan Rathskeller ->

Image source: Goodreads

Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn

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Overview
Ten Things I Love About You | Julia Quinn

Title: Ten Things I Love About You
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bevelstoke #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 12th July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Because she was.

Synopsis

Ten Things You Should Know About This Book

  1. Sebastian Grey is a devilishly handsome rogue with a secret.
  2. Annabel Winslow’s family voted her The Winslow Most Likely to Speak Her Mind AND The Winslow Most Likely to Fall Asleep in Church.
  3. Sebastian’s uncle is the Earl of Newbury, and if he dies without siring an heir, Sebastian inherits everything.
  4. Lord Newbury detests Sebastian and will stop at nothing to prevent this from happening.
  5. Lord Newbury has decided that Annabel is the answer to all of his problems.
  6. Annabel does not want to marry Lord Newbury, especially when she finds out he once romanced her grandmother.
  7. is shocking,
  8. is delicious, and
  9. is downright wicked, all of which lead the way to
  10. Happily. Ever. After.
Thoughts

This was the final book in the Bevelstoke series. And, for me, I think it might have been the best. Although, now that I think about the other two… I also loved them. There was just something about Annabel’s situation that drew me in and plucked at my heart strings far more strongly than the other heroines in this series.

I had planned to just read a little of this book, and then go to sleep. I was kind of exhausted. But, that certainly didn’t happen. Again, Annabel’s plight and difficulties just completely drew me in. And every time I thought that there was a natural pause in this story coming up… a new challenge reared its ugly head and pulled me right back in again. It was an adventure that I was just swept away in. And next thing I knew… I’d stayed up WAY past my bedtime…

My only real moment of ow, that’s not the way it should be was when there just wasn’t quite enough comeuppance at the ending of this story. I think that the ending Quinn went with was absolutely wonderful and kind of perfect. But I’m of the vindictive persuasion… so I wanted the horrifying and somewhat evil Newbury to suffer. And suffer. And suffer. And, well, you get my vindictive little drift…

Sebastian most certainly drew my attention with his actions in Chapter Seventeen of What Happens in London. Which meant that I just couldn’t wait to find out who he would end up with. And Annabel just wasn’t what I pictured – but everything that I needed. Partner that with the fact that he’s a writer, an insomniac and just all round enjoyable and witty in his characterisation… I thought that he was the mot perfect of the three heroes in this series…

<- What Happens In LondonMore Julia Quinn ->

Image source: Julia Quinn

What Happens In London by Julia Quinn

Book Review, , ,
Overview
What Happens in London :HarperCollins Australia

Title: What Happens in London
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bevelstoke #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 10th – 11th July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “I thought you’d stopped counting.”

Synopsis

Rumors and Gossip…
The lifeblood of London…

When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his finacee, she doesn’t believe it for a second, but, still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curatins, watches, and waits… and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something.

Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He’s not a spy, but he’s had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she’s nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself…

Thoughts

From her first appearance in The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever, I fell a little in love with Olivia. There is just something humorous, witty and intriguing about the beautiful girl who can’t keep her impulses to herself. So when I realised that the next novel in this trilogy was about her, and started with her spying on her neighbour… I was completely swept away. And intrigued. And just generally in my happy place…

I was kind of floored by the “bad guy” in this story at the end. In fact, as I’m reading more and more Julia Quinn stories, I was surprised that there truly was a “bad guy”. Normally the people who get in the way of a good happily ever after moment in her stories (the ones that I’ve read thus far anyway) are the two romantic leads themselves. So when someone else gets in Olivia’s way… I was pleasantly surprised. I love when an author I’ve been reading a lot of is able to completely surprise me. There is just something all that much more exciting about such an act.

One of my favourite aspects of this novel was the spy angle. The war with the French and Napoleon are mentioned frequently in many of Quinn’s regency romances – but I’ve never read one that features spying and Russian. I also just loved the Russian spin and the fact that the lead male, Harry, is in love with the language. It made me weirdly keen to go out and learn Russian of all languages. That extra bit of subterfuge made this all that much more difficult to put down…. Especially when I was curled up with a nice cup of tea in my onesie whilst reading this…

Even Miranda managed to make an appearance in this book. Although, not enough of one to truly make me happy in this. She is mentioned frequently, and it makes me imagine a reality in which Turner, Miranda, Olivia and Harry all continue to live happily and a little less than conservatively… it definitely meant that I finished this book on a huge, happy smile.

<- The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda CheeverTen Things I Love About You ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia