The Grimoire of the Lamb by Kevin Hearne

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: CelticMagic, 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

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 romanceRegency 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

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 romanceRegency 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

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn

Overview
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever | Julia Quinn

Title: The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bevelstoke #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romanceRegency romance
Dates read: 5th – 6th July 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: That is neither here nor there.

Synopsis

2 March 1810…
Today, I fell in love.

At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her – until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart. And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever.

But the years that followed were as cruel to Turner as they were kind to Miranda. She is as intriguing as the viscount boldly predicted on that memorable day – while he is a lonely, bitter man, crushed by a devastating loss. But Miranda has never forgotten the truth she set down on paper all those years earlier – and she will not allow the love that is her destiny to slip lightly through her fingers…

Thoughts

I have been reading a lot lately, and I really wanted and needed something that was just pleasantly, easily light and fluffy. Which is exactly what this is. After all, that is exactly what I love about Julia Quinn. You know there will be a happy ending. You enjoy the journey. And everything is just… generally, good and easy. Perfect for a nice night when you just want to sink into a good book with a nice, big glass of wine.

Miranda is predictably sweet. I love that at the beginning she feels a little like a wallflower. Until she is crossed, and in this case, I would be completely on her side. Then she is a bit of a hellcat. The imagery of her trying to beat a man with her bag is ingrained into my mind. And still has me giggling mercilessly. I would probably want to do the exact same thing in her shoes… it helped that when Turner begins to see her for who she is… he actually acknowledges that fire and spirit and states that his own brother would not be a good match for it. It just made the relationship all the more sweet… he recognised her less than desirable (at that time) qualities and adored them about her, didn’t dismiss her.

Where Miranda is predictably sweet, Turner is kind of a moron throughout much of this story. I kind of love him because he’s a wonderful character. But he’s just so damn stubborn. And even after that moment when he and Miranda finally decide to show their love for one another… he continues to be a moron. And stubborn. And just too damn scared to do or say anything that is against what he believes to be his truth… even when it’s damn obvious that he’s wrong, wrong, wrong.

Although the middle point where there is a great problem and milestone to overcome is kind of great. It’s also kind of frustrating. Because Turner is a fool. And, even as the story reaches its conclusion, you still want to smack some sense into the boy. Luckily though, at the point when you are just starting to get truly, and deeply fed up… things are solved and the horrors are mitigated. It’s a great story. A great ending and just all round cute. The perfect happy, peaceful and bubbly story to spend a night with.

<- More Julia QuinnWhat Happens In London ->

Image source: Julia Quinn

Be the Good

Duration: 1st August – 31st August 2020
Number of books: 3
Hosted by: Bookworm Bitches

August 2020: Be the Good
Duration: 8/1/2020-8/31/2020

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.

August- altruism
1. Read a book where a character does something good for another – Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden
2. Read a book that makes you want to do something good for another (donate money, volunteer, visit someone, etc.) – Neanderthal Marries Human by Penny Reid (unconditional love)
3. Read a book that involves charity or civic organizations (a character volunteering or working for one, a fundraiser event, etc.) – Rock Wedding by Nalini Singh (both donate to many, many charities)

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.

Admit You’re Happy – Spell Challenge

Duration: 1st August – 31st August 2020
Number of books: 7
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection

August 2020 SPELL – Admit You’re Happy
Timeframe: 8/1/20 to 8/31/20

To go along with Barb’s Admit You’re Happy challenge, choose one or more of these words to spell out in August. 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).

FFriends Without Benefits by Penny Reid
RRock Wedding by Nalini Singh
I
EEverything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
NNeanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid
D
SSourcery by Terry Pratchett

happy
family
friends
good food
cooking
career
puppies
kittens
opposites
beautiful
sunny
outdoors
nature
music
musician
group
author
series
favorite

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

Admit You’re Happy – Scavenger Challenge

Duration: 1st August – 31st August 2020
Number of books: 8
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection

August is Admit You’re Happy Month, so here is a challenge based on the things that make most people happy … at least most of the time 😊

CHALLENGE RULES :
See this thread for more detailed rules for all CCC challenges.

♦ If you want to participate in this challenge, 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 above for rules regarding graphic novels. Please remember that ONLY graphic novels can be combined.) 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. You must read at least half of the book AFTER the challenge begins in order to count it for this challenge.

♦ For each book you read, please post a link to the title, and indicate the author and the date you finished reading it. If a challenge task gives several options, please make it clear which option you’ve chosen. If the task calls for an item on the cover or specific author initials or name/s, you must include a link to the book cover and/or author’s name, respectively. To avoid spoiling a book for other readers, please use spoiler tags, if necessary, when explaining your book choices.*
    * For help with posting spoiler tags, see this post: Spoiler tags
    * 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 copy and paste your entire list as a new message at the end of the challenge thread. If you do this while you still have the Edit window open, it will copy all of your links and formatting. If you don’t repost your list, with appropriate links, your name will not be added to the list of those who have completed the challenge. Please do NOT simply post a link back to your original post.

THE TASKS: :

1 – FAMILY
Read a book that features a family (family should be the main focus of the book, not just a side story) OR a book with FAMILY on the first page of the book’s “top shelves”Neanderthal Marries Human by Penny Reid
This link might help: Books tagged Family

2 – FRIENDS
Read a book about a group of friends (at least three people) OR a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in FRIENDS; post a link to the author’s GR pageNeanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid

3 – GOOD FOOD
Read a book with a main character who earns his/her living in some sort of cooking-related career (chef, baker, etc.); tell us who and the career OR a book that includes recipes (NOT a cookbook)

4 – PUPPIES AND KITTENS
Read a book with a dog or cat shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book whose title contains two words that are opposites (up/down, in/out, etc.)

5 – A BEAUTIFUL DAY
Read a book with a sunny outdoor scene (preferably a nature scene) shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BEAUTIFUL DAY (ALL words count; 2-word minimum); you can only use a letter as many times as it appears in the phrase

6 – MUSIC
Read a non-fiction book about a musician or musical group OR a book with a character who earns his/her living in a music-related field; tell us the character and the field – Rock Wedding by Nalini Singh (Abe is a keyboardist in a band)

7 – A FAVORITE AUTHOR OR SERIES
Read a book by one of your favorite authors; post a link to the author’s GR page and tell us how many of his/her books you have read OR a book from one of your favorite series; tell us the series – 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs (Temperance Brennan series)

8 – SOMETHING ELSE?
Tell us something else that makes you happy and read a book related to that. Be sure to tell us how the book fits! – Friends Without Benefits by Penny Reid (knitting, friends and romance)
NOTE : If you choose this task, you may skip ONE of the above tasks.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Duration: 1st August – 31st August 2020
Number of books: 11
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

☀️ Duration
Starts: August 1st
Ends: August 31st

• How It Works
Ten books each month is a lot, so there will be 5 different levels. So pick which level you want to do and that’s how many items you will need to check off.

• Levels :
Transitional – 2 books
Fledgling – 4 books
Vampire – 6 books
Master – 8 books
Vampire King or Queen – 10 books

1. Colorful
We live in such a vibrant world of color! This month let’s read a book with a cover that matches one of the original seven colors of the rainbow, or one of the many beautiful shades. – Neanderthal Marries Human by Penny Reid

2. Dine with a Duke, Darling!
Let’s go back in time and read a regency romance book! Or if that doesn’t suit your fancy, then any other historical fiction novel. – Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

3. Well Read
It’s time to bust out a classic that you have always wanted to read and finally check it off your list. Any classic novel will do! – The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

4. Indulgence
Considering it’s August, it’s most likely miserably hot outside, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy something decadent! Read a book while snacking on your favorite indulgence, or read a book with said treat on the cover.Misery by Stephen King (chocolate)

5. Blood Banker Buddy
Many of you ladies do the Blood Banker challenge each and every month. Well to complete this challenge, just read one of your Blood Banker books! Or if you are not doing that challenge, then read any book that starts with B. – Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid

6. Hobbies
That’s right my little chickadee’s it’s time for some hobbies! This month, read any book that pertains to a hobby you have always wanted to start. That could be bird watching, knowledge of plants/flowers, knitting, crocheting, cooking, baking, etc. – Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid (knitting)

7. Fairy Tale
We all have that one fairy tale from childhood that has stuck with us over the years that still continues to bring us joy. Well my dears, it’s time to read it again! You can either read the original story or a more adult retelling. The choice is yours.

8. It was a Hot and Sweaty Night
This happens a lot in the summertime. Some nights it’s just too hot to sleep! On one of those nights, read a book that takes place in a cold setting, real or fictitious. Or, you could always read a book that’s just too hot to handle! – Rock Wedding by Nalini Singh

9. Faraway Lands
Wanderlust occasionally strikes and sometimes a reader wishes they could visit and live inside some of the fantastical worlds created in books. Read such a book that you wish you could live in, or perhaps reread a book that you feel homesick for.- Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

10. Puppies, kitties and bunnies oh my!
Most people would agree that pets and fluffy critters are just the best. And nearly all of us have a best friend that walks on four legs. This month, read a book that has the same species of your fluffy friend, or that has your favorite animal on the cover.

11. – BONUS BOOK: August
Since this is a bonus let’s keep it simple! Read any book that begins with any letter in the word ‘August’ or that was published in the month August.Sourcery by Terry Pratchett

How To Train Your Dragon

Duration: 1st August – 31st August 2020
Number of books: 6
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

description

Duration
August 1st – 31st

Rules
Complete at least 2 tasks to get the vampire heart
All genres welcome
Rereads welcome
No minimum page count
You must read a different book for each task

description

Catch your dragon
Read a book with a winged creature or monster in it
Befriend your dragon
Read a book with a character that has a best friend – Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid
Run the obstacle course with your dragon
Read a book that is book 1/2/3/4/5 in a series – Friends Without Benefits by Penny Reid
Get a harness for your dragon
Read a book with fire or something hot in the title – Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid (I think mustaches are HOT)
Learn to fly your dragon
Read a book with a being that can fly – Sourcery by Terry Pratchett (magic carpet and apocalypse horses)
Protect the village with your dragon
Read a book set in a village or small town – Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

Dracula’s Beauties – August 2020

Duration: 1st August – 31st August 2020
Number of books: 6
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

description

Collect a Dracula Beauty each month by completing at least 2 tasks out of a set of 6.
A new set of tasks with a new doll will be posted each month.

The dolls you collect will be in your Vampire Heart thread. Don’t have a thread? You can still do the challenge if you want 🙂

Rules
One book per task.
No minimum page count.
Complete at least two tasks to get the doll.

1. Read a book with a fiery or feisty character. – Friends Without Benefits by Penny Reid
2. Read a book with a character who has red hair. – Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid
3. Read a book with a main character who is a shapeshifter.
4. Read a book with a weapon on the cover.
5. Read a book with an Alpha character. – Love Hacked by Penny Reid (both Sandra & Alex)
6. Read a book with a battle or war in the story. – Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden