Unexpected Choices by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for urban enemies book cover

Title: Unexpected Choices
Author: Diana Pharaoh Francis
Series: Horngate Witches #4.5
In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Witches
Dates read: 13th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze.

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Synopsis

She’s banished him to purgatory for the past three and a half years. But now she brings him back to protect her from a greater evil. Will they survive or will he turn on this powerful witch?

Thoughts

So far in the collection of Urban Enemies, this is the most coherent story. All the other stories, you definitely have to read the rest of the series, or at least some of it, to understand the characters. To the point that I’ve almost given up… almost. And then you get a story like this… which makes sense completely on its own. I still feel like I need to read the series attached to this. But because it was such a great story, not because I finished it and sat there wondering “huh”?

You can tell that this short story takes place at a critical turning point in the series timeline. It is the turning of the world – from our current reality, to one in which magic is commonplace and there are greater battles going on. See how much I can get out of a well written short story? Actually, the entire turning of reality seriously intrigued me and now I want to know how that happened, why and what’s going to happen next… pity there’s such a thing as a budget, hey?

I like that this seems to be an enemies to friends kind of story. I don’t really read many of them, but the consensus I got was that the Big Bad Wolf (or angel, whatever) is starting to question his reality and motives. And, in doing so, understanding that of the “good witch”. It’ll be interesting to see how this change in perspectives changes the rest of the series narrative.

 <- Chase the Fire ReviewReel Life Review ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster

The Princess and the Peas by Alyssa Day

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

Title: The Princess and the Peas
Author: Alyssa Day
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 13th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Rhys’ niece gasped.

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Synopsis

A spoilt princess is about to run a test on the visiting fae… one that could potentially cost her life and the existence of a treaty.

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this take on The Princess and the Pea. I have no idea where the original story is from, but I might actually prefer this version of the fairy tale. It’s a little bit more gutsy, and considering the fact that I tend to find princesses in fairy tales mostly tedious, I loved that the spoilt princess in this completely got her comeuppance in the end.

One of the parts of this story that I enjoyed the most was the fact that it incorporated the fae into the storyline. I’m always a fan of any story involving the fae. Especially when it sticks to the more traditional ideas of them being incredibly dangerous and quite difficult to deal with. Partner this with a Lady’s Maid who has independence, strength and a moral compass of her own… well, of course I fell in love. This does tend to be a fairly typical trend with Day’s writings though.

The main message in this story – karma’s a bitch. And if you’re a bitch, karma is definitely going to get you. If you’re good, then you’ll get a good ending. Especially if you somehow have a tie to the fae courts…

 <- Blood Song ReviewAt Second Bite Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for book cover committed elizabeth gilbert

Title: Committed: A Love Story
Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Marriage, Memoirs, Non-fiction
Dates read: 10th – 12th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: xx
5th sentence, 74th page: Anyhow, to be perfectly honest, I find it a bit crazy that social conservatives are fighting so hard against this at all, considering that it’s quite a positive thing for society in general when as many intact families as possible live under the estate of matrimony.

Synopsis

At the end of Eat, Pray, Love Elizabeth Gilbert fell in love with Felipe, a Brazilian-born Australian citizen. Resettling in America, they swore eternal fidelity, but also (each a survivor of a divorce. Enough said) swore never, ever, to get married. But when providence intervened in the form of the US government, they faced a stark choice: either marry, or Felipe could never return to the US. Effectively sentenced to wed, Gilbert delves into the subject of marriage and, debunking myths, unthreading fears, celebrating love, suggests that sometimes even the most romantic of souls must trade in amorous fantasies for the humbling responsibility of adulthood.

Thoughts

This is one of the best memoirs I’ve read in a long time! It’s realistic, honest, and most of the flaws that Gilbert highlights in herself are the ones that I see in myself. And this is the most realistic approach to marriage, love and happily ever afters that I have ever read. There isn’t this party line that just because you love you should get married and everything will work out perfectly… rather, it’s a commitment that you make and a discussion that you constantly have.

I love that rather than wanting to be married, Gilbert spends the entire time within this story finding her reason to tie the knot for the second time. Rather than just trying to fit her ideals into the more traditional outlook of marriage. I’m at a point in my life myself that I’m not sure what I want out of it. How I want to fit in with the ideas surrounding family, career and womanhood. And reading a novel with a woman who is juggling similar issues (although coming at it from a different point of view) actually helped to make me feel far more settled than I have been in a long time.

For someone like me who is in a forever relationship, but not actually married, I loved how Gilbert was able to make the distinction between this. That just because you want to be with someone for the rest of your life, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are married – or that you have to get married. At least, that’s what I get out of this – marriage is a pathway you can choose to take, but if you don’t, that’s also okay.

I would suggest this book for anyone who wants to get married. It is the most realistic and insightful take I have ever read on the institution. It is filled completely with love, but also a great dose of realism. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll love that it’s not about the sugar-coated sweet, happily ever after version. But more so about finding a way to have a marriage that will last.

<- City of GirlsThe Gap ->

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Signed Confession by Martin Feekins

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: Signed Confession
Author: Martin Feekins
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Gender, Historical fiction
Dates read: 12th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: In the interests of equal rights, I am going home and you can finish the work here, work that can be done equally well by a man as by a woman.

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Synopsis

Twenty-two years have passed since the last Jack the Ripper murder and change is in the air. But when one woman’s walk home quickly turns sinister, she discovers that the darkness might not have completely left her city.

Thoughts

This short story takes place twenty-two years after the final canon Ripper murder. Unlike all of the other stories in this collection which take place in either modern-day society or at the time of the murders. It was nice to have a story that not only left you with an idea of some of the scars left on the city, but also with a bit of an ending to the Ripper tale.

Jack the Ripper is the most famous of serial killers. He’s the one that is known across the world in almost every household. Even if you don’t even know what he did, you know the name. Which meant that it was kind of beautifully poetic that throughout this story… it’s kind of about him not having that immortality. There is a chance that his true identity will be revealed. But rather than allowing that, the lead female decides that it’s better if some things are kept secret.

This story also highlights that turning of women’s rights. The beginning stirrings of fighting for a right to vote, a right to exist, and a right to be. It’s only touched upon, but it’s enough of a story line that you don’t want to forget about it.

 <- Bluebeard’s Wife ReviewAutumn of Terror Review ->
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Daddy Longlegs of the Evening by Jeffrey Ford

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: Daddy Longlegs of the Evening
Author: Jeffrey Ford
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Horror, Insects, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 11th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: He’d traded a pair of official police handcuffs, with key, for the pack it came from.

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Synopsis

A daddy long legs found its way into their son’s ear and made a little nest for itself in his brain… what comes next is definitely the things that nightmares are made of.

Thoughts

I should start this review by saying that I actually really, really love spiders. I keep trying to convince my partner to let me have a pet one… and I specifically love Daddy Long Legs because they are super safe and really cool looking. One of the least creepy spiders in the kingdom. Having said all of that, I wasn’t so keen on this story. It was actually quite creepy and I sat there looking around my room for spiders when I was finished… I didn’t want to turn into Daddy!

I do love that this story works on peoples’ sometimes irrational fears of spiders and them crawling into your brain. I’m not even sure if that’s something that tends to happen… but it’s still something that a lot of people tend to fear. I love stories that take these fears and make them into something that is a little comic, but still quite creepy. Which seems to be a bit of a theme within Ford’s short stories.

Even though I found Daddy in this seriously creepy… I was still seriously happy that he got away in the end. It means that he was probably out killing a whole other town. But I was still really happy that he did… if I don’t think about it too hard. My brain is a really weird place.

 <- Noble Rot ReviewThe Skinny Girl Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

The Hunt by Susan Sizemore

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the hunt susan sizemore

Title: The Hunt
Author: Susan Sizemore
Series: Laws of the Blood #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 1st – 9th December 2019
Pace: Slo
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace
Year: 1999
5th sentence, 74th page: Siri lived and worked in a stately old house in Pasadena.

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Synopsis

They are Enforcers. An elite group of vampires who must serve and protect their secret community – and uphold the…
LAWS OF THE BLOOD

In Los Angeles, the Enforcer Selim has been called upon to approve a hunt. Much time has passed since the vampires of the city have last tasted fresh blood, and they are clamouring for the kill. It’s Selim’s job to keep them under control – and there are those who resent his authority.

He must not waver or show weakness when he gives the Law – his life and the life of his mortal love, Siri, depend on his strength. But a whispered rumour is distracting him, a rumour of betrayal, of a violation of the most sacred of the Laws: II Never reveal the truth about your own kind…

Thoughts

It took me a lot longer to get into this “romance” than most of the others on my list. Normally I get completely drawn into a paranormal romance and only take a while to read it because I’ve been busy. This, I kept picking up and then dropping back down again. It just took a little longer to really understand what was going on. And the romance was much lighter than most of the other books I have on the same shelf. Having said that, once I hit the halfway point and understood a little more of how things were interrelated… then I just absorbed it like no tomorrow.

This novel felt more like a setup to a greater battle. It was a great story by itself, but something about it felt like there was a conspiracy, battle and eventual future that was going to be far more enthralling as the series develops. Kind of like a beginning novel that helps to create the world and the future challenges that are going to come up for this vampire race.

Have most definitely decided that Selim might be one of the stupidest men ever in a romance novel. Like, epically stupid. He’s married to the damn woman! Yet, he constantly pushes her away because she’ll eventually turn and become untouchable… like seriously dude? Time is short, no matter what the end point is. So stop being a freaking moron and find a way to enjoy the time you have with your love! I actually yelled at him, out loud, a few times as I was reading this.

I’m still a little hazy on the “laws” which are touted throughout this book. Yet, there is enough of an introduction that I’m intrigued and can’t wait to find out more. Especially since the winds of change seem to be on the go.

 <- Blood 2 Blood ReviewPartners Review ->

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Bluebeard’s Wife by Catherine Lundoff

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: Bluebeard’s Wife
Author: Catherine Lundoff
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Gender
Dates read: 9th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: He would have to brew another tonic for her and try again.

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Synopsis

He’s just trying to teach his wife and maids a lesson… luckily they find a way to teach him one too.

Thoughts

This short story seriously highlights the archaic and incredibly disturbed ideas that some people have about women. Or at least, the leading theory of the day in which Jack the Ripper was stalking the streets of Whitechapel. And somehow, reading a voice that found a way to completely justify his actions… far more terrifying than a mad man. A mad man is sick. The Ripper in this version just thought he was doing his husbandly duties… so many levels of not okay.

I actually really struggled to get through this short story. it focused on the idea that female flesh is corrupted and serves to corrupt. It’s not the first time I’ve come across this theory and attitude. But it doesn’t get any more palatable no matter how many times I read it… there is just something extra disturbed about such an idea.

Having said all of that, I would still recommend that people read this. Because the ending to this story is brilliant. And it made me feel so much better about all the horrible thoughts and feelings I was going through as the story unfolded.

 <- The Monster’s Leather ReviewSigned Confession Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Fresh Meat by Alan Gordon

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for wolfsbane and mistletoe book cover

Title: Fresh Meat
Author: Alan Gordon
In: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 9th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Sam Lehrmann,’ he said, shaking it.

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Synopsis

Sam is the breeder of guard dogs. But he has a secret, and it takes a surprise visit on Christmas Eve for him to finally tell the woman he loves what it is…

Thoughts

The title of this short story was implying a much more, seriously disturbed short story. I knew it had something to do with werewolves and Christmas (because that’s what every book in this collection is about)… but that was the extent of my knowledge. And, the title seemed kind of sinister.

I do love that this story is about a werewolf who is a guard dog trainer. A completely novel idea, but one that I’m surprised I didn’t get a chance to read before… after all, werewolves and dogs would be the perfect companions around each other. Actually, dogs are just the perfect companions in general… or at least my two faithful hounds (one is currently sitting on either side of me) are.

Although this story is about Christmas, family, being around loved ones and just generally being a werewolf and surviving… I feel like the dogs actually took centre stage. Which is exactly what I wanted. There is nothing like a dog taking centre stage to make me love a story with a little bit too  much passion.

 <- The Werewolf Before Christmas ReviewIl Est Ne Review ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Red Phoenix by Kylie Chan

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover red phoenix

Title: Red Phoenix
Author: Kylie Chan
Series: Dark Heavens Trilogy #2, Dark Heavens #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Chinese mythology, Demons, Gods
Dates read: 3rd – 9th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: We moved the Wudang Academy from the Mountain to here in Hong Kong.

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Synopsis

IMMORTALS, MARTIAL ARTS, GODS AND DEMONS

The intrigue deepens as the demon threat closes around mortals and gods alike…

When Emma Donahoe took the position of nanny to John Chen’s daughter Simone, she never expected to be caring for the child of a Chinese god, and she didn’t expect that demons would want him dead. Nor has moving from nanny to partner in his heavenly realm made Emma’s life any easier.

Now a powerful race of demons has been created to hunt her and her family from Hong Kong to Europe. And she and Simone have become targets – pawns to be used in a deadly celestial power play.

Thoughts

It’s been a long time since I read this. And now I’m remembering why Dark Heavens is one of my all time favourite series. I think that come the new year (since my TBR starts again at the turn of the year) this will be the first series I sink my teeth into. There is just an amazing style, writing and storyline to this story. It is intense, fast-paced and filled with a great sense of humour. Which, since Chan is an Australian author, it’s the kind of humour that I love and recognise.

I picked this up in the week that I was not only feeling a little sad, but I was also feeling really, really sick. Normally I read a booka  day, plus get all of my work and housework sorted. Yet, I’ve barely been able to pick up a book. So sinking myself into the world of Emma, John, Simone and their incredibly off-centre family was the perfect anecdote for my horrible week. There’s nothing like a well-loved story to help pick you up.

I knew it from White Tiger, but Red Phoenix highlights how truly insane Emma is. I’m all for doing anything in the name of love… but what she does and gives up in the name of her love… I actually can’t fathom that. Which of course, makes this a brilliant book because it takes me to places that I would never willingly go myself (even though it’s actually not possible… but you get my drift). I also love that she is so loyal. Everything she does is in honour of the people she treasures. That part I can actually completely understand.

This is the book in which Michael first joins the family. He’s such a great addition to the storyline, and, if memory serves me (it’s been a long time since I’ve read the books), he becomes a really powerful character within the storyline. The web of family, relations and loyalties is getting more and more complex, and this is exactly why I love this series so much. The connections between the modern world and the mythical. And the relationships between father and son, father and daughter, so on and so forth.

 <- White Tiger ReviewBlue Dragon Review ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Blood Magic by Eileen Wilks

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover blood magic eileen wilks

Title: Blood Magic
Author: Eileen Wilks
Series: World of the Lupi #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 25th November – 8th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Cullen makes people mad all the time, but mad enough to stick a knife in him at his baby party…

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Synopsis

As they plan their wedding, Lily Yu and Rule Turner, a prince of the lup, are facing a great deal of tension from both their families. Not everyone can accept their mixed marriage: she’s Chinese; he’s a werewolf. Even Lily’s grandmother is acting strangely distant, though Lily and Rule are about to discover that her behavior has nothing to do with thier upcoming nuptials.

A powerful, undying nemesis has come to San Diego to exact vengeance on Lily’s family – and turn the city into a feeding ground. it’s up to Lily and Rule to stop her, in spite of ancient treaties and an inheritance passed down through the blood. Otherwise San Diego could go up in flames, and they won’t live to make it to the altar…

Thoughts

It’s been a while since I’ve visited the World of the Lupi. And, after reading this, I’m kind of wondering why it’s actually taken me this long. Now I can’t wait to get into Blood Challenge. Especially since we finally find out a little bit more about Lily’s heritage… after battling all of the demons in Rule’s world, it’s nice to battle those in Lily’s world.

I absolutely adore Lily’s grandmother. She is hilariously in control of her family, and a total enigma. Definitely the kind of character that I seriously enjoy. Finding out more about not only her past, but where she got some of her insane powers from was really fun. it gave her so much more depth. But then again, it’s always fun to find out a little bit more about the history of a favourite character. It was like reading two stories at once!

The sixth book in this series finally helps to answer a few questions. It ties up some loose ends in, in particularly Lily and her family’s history. But it also raises so many more mysteries! Which of course, makes me want to start Blood Challenge all that much more. However, I want to finish the currently reading books before the end of the year… not continue to add to the list.

As with all of the World of the Lupi books, this was a seriously awesome and intense story. The kind that I will love reading again and again. There is a reason that this is one of my top series… there is a bit of romance, a lot of action and a really strong, independent woman at the helm. All the ingredients for my favourite kind of story.

<- Human NatureBlood Challenge ->

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