Review : The Devil's Bones by Jefferson Bass

Title : The Devil's Bones Author : Jefferson Bass Reading Dates : 3 Nov - 8 Nov 2012 Total Pages :309
The Body Farm Carved in Bone Flesh and Bone The Devil's Bones Bones of Betrayal The Bone Thief The Bone Yard The Inquisitor's Key
From Amazon : A woman's charred body has been found inside a burned car atop a hill in Knoxville. Forensic anthropologist Bill Brockton is on the case, torching bodies to research how fire consumes flesh and bone. Days later, he receives a mysterious package - a set of cremated remains that seems entirely unreal. As Brockton investigates, he uncovers a truth too horrifying to believe Meanwhile, disgraced medical examiner, and Brockton's nemesis, Garland Hamilton, has escaped from custody. A deadly game of cat and mouse begins, with Brockton's life at stake. Finally running Hamilton to ground, Brockton finds only the incinerated remains of his enemy, or does he? Before he finds the truth, Brockton will face his ultimate test.

Book Review of The Devil's Bones.

Of the 3 Body Farm mysteries by Jefferson Bass that I’ve read, The Devil’s Bones is probably my favorite. Which is not saying much, considering the reason I prefer it to the others. Its not so much the story or characters which I like, as the description of Miranda’s reconstruction of a skull that I enjoy.

Watching a skull reconstruction on television isn’t as satisfying as reading about it. At least, this was the feeling I got while reading The Devil’s Bones. On television, its like watching a jigsaw puzzle coming together. While you know its more than that, the knowledge is something more on the periphery. Reading about it though, the expertise and skill involved is inescapable.

Apart from that though, the story wasn’t much to talk about. In fact, I have complaints regarding the storyline and pacing. The plot seems to meander quite a number of times. This is most likely due to the fact that Dr. Bill Brockton is investigating more than 1 case at once and the author can’t seem to decide which should be the focus of the story. Then, there are moments when the characters actions seem to contradict each other. One moment, we have people running crazily to escort Bill Brockton to safety when an enemy of his escapes incarceration. The next, we have him going happily off on his own without anyone showing more than a modicum of concern for his safety.

All in all, I think this ends my experiment with The Body Farm thriller series.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Not really.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? No.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? No.
• Who would I recommend this too? Thriller or mystery readers.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it.

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Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review : A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Title : A Game of Thrones Author : George R.R. Martin Reading Dates : 23 Oct - 3 Nov 2012 Total Pages : 835
A Song of Ice and Fire A Game of Thrones A Clash of Kings A Storm of Swords A Feast of Crows A Dance with Dragons
From Amazon : Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

Book Review of A Game of Thrones.

I picked up Game of Thrones after I had caught bits and pieces of a few episodes of the series on television. It looked like it might be interesting and a part of me is glad I picked it up.The other part of me though is afraid that I’ll come to regret it later on.

The Game of Thrones is well written. The book isn’t fast paced but there is plenty of tension, intrigues and twists to keep me on tenterhooks. Boredom is the least of my worries. I can’t quite figure out what is going to happen next and why.

The characters are complex and varied too. The fact that I can keep track of who’s who is a credit to George R.R. Martin. There are characters I’d love to hate but can’t help but admire for their resourceful sneakiness. Then, there are some I love for their determination to always behave with honour but also recognize that those are the very reasons for their own downfall. And also a few that should have my sympathies but just leaves me annoyed and angry at their foolish naivete. Oh yes, I’m having a wonderful time getting closer to the Starks, the Lannisters and all their enemies and allies.

But here comes the kicker. The book and the story has me afraid, terribly afraid that the good guys (or at least the ones I consider to be the good guys), aren’t going to have a good end. How can they when even I agree with the Lannister thinking when it comes to gaining and keeping power? I don’t see how anyone can win the Game of Thrones without sacrificing at least a few of their scruples. And since I prefer happy endings, well …

So, right now, I’m in 2 minds. I want to know what happens next but I don’t want anything bad to happen to the characters I’m rooting for. In the end, I’m definitely going to pick up the books. But I’m just going to postpone it a while, get used to the fact that there is likely to be no happy ever afters here.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Yes.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes.
• Who would I recommend this too? All fantasy readers.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? I can't say yet. It would depend on how the rest of the books in the series go.

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Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; 2012 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge

Review : Area 7 by Matthew Reilly

Title : Area 7 Author : Matthew Reilly Reading Dates : 20 Oct - 22 Oct 2012 Total Pages : 565
Shane Schofield Ice Station Area 7 Scarecrow Hell Island Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves Scarecrow Returns
From Amazon : From the bestselling author of Ice Station, another dizzyingly fast-paced adventure thriller featuring Shane Schofield. It is America's most secret base, hidden deep in the Utah desert, an Air Force installation known only as Area 7. And today it has a visitor: the President of the United States. He has come to inspect Area 7, to examine its secrets for himself. But he's going to get more than he bargained for on this trip. Because hostile forces are waiting inside...Among the President's helicopter crew, however, is a young Marine. He is quiet, enigmatic, and he hides his eyes behind a pair of silver sunglasses. His name is Schofield. Call-sign: Scarecrow. Rumour has it, he's a good man in a storm. Judging by what the President has just walked into, he'd better be...

Book Review of Area 7.

Suffice to say that whatever I have to say about Area 7, I’ve already said in my review of Ice Station.

Area 7, like Ice Station, pales in comparison to Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves. As far as recycled plotlines are concerned, Area 7 does one worst than Ice Station. There’s even 1 scene that is nearly identical to that in Army of Thieves. I’m not sure to be amused or not, considering the fact that Army of Thieves came later in the Schane Schofield series.

As for the little boy Kevin, if he’s supposed to provide the cute factor, he fails woefully. He hardly appears in the book, and comes off as spooky when he does appear.

To sum up, this is the end of my adventures with the Scarecrow. I should have stopped while I was ahead.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? No.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? No.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? No.
• Who would I recommend this too? Not recommended.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it.

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Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review : Ice Station by Matthew Reilly

Title : Ice Station Author : Matthew Reilly Reading Dates : 14 Oct - 19 Oct 2012 Total Pages : 690
Shane Schofield Ice Station Area 7 Scarecrow Hell Island Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves Scarecrow Returns
From Amazon : Anarctica is the last unconquered continent, a murderous expanse of howling winds, blinding whiteouts and deadly crevasses. On one edge of Antarctica is Wilkes Station. Beneath Wilkes Station is the gate to hell itself... A team of U.S. divers, exploring three thousand feet beneath the ice shelf has vanished. Sending out an SOS, Wilkes draws a rapid deployment team of Marines-and someone else... First comes a horrific firefight. Then comes a plunge into a drowning pool filled with killer whales. Next comes the hard part, as a handful of survivors begin an electrifying, red-hot, non-stop battle of survival across the continent and against wave after wave of elite military assassins-who've all come for one thing: a secret buried deep beneath the ice...

Book Review of Ice Station.

Ice Station would have been a better read with more distance and time from Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves.

About a quarter through through Ice Station, I realized that the plot and a number of the character were nearly identical to those in Army of Thieves. I had expected the fast paced and improbable action sequences appearing in Army of Thieves but not for some of the plotline to be almost a duplicate of the book.

In Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves, we had Bertie the robot supplying the mandatory cuteness factor as well as some much needed assistance. Here, we have the duo of Kirsty and her pet seal, Wendy. Unfortunately, they’re not as cute nor as reliable as Bertie. Kirsty is more annoying than cute while Wendy isn’t as helpful in fighting off predators of the human variety.

Then, there’s the obligatory traitor within their ranks. A theme similarly recurring in Army of Thieves. If their own leaders are involved , I don’t see that ending happening. Its too pat and I would have expected further damage.

No, Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves was a better rendition of Schane Schofield’s story.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? No.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Only because I already have it.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? No.
• Who would I recommend this too? Not really.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it.

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Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review : The Bone Thief by Jefferson Bass

Title : The Bone Thief Author : Jefferson Bass Reading Dates : 30 Sep - 5 Oct 2012 Total Pages :385
The Body Farm Carved in Bone Flesh and Bone The Devil's Bones Bones of Betrayal The Bone Thief The Bone Yard The Inquisitor's Key
From Amazon : Dr. Bill Brockton has been called in on a seemingly routine case, to exhume a body and obtain a bone sample for a DNA paternity test. But when the coffin is opened, Brockton and his colleagues, including his graduate assistant Miranda Lovelady, are stunned to see that the corpse has been horribly violated. Brockton’s initial shock gives way to astonishment as he uncovers a flourishing and lucrative black market in body parts. At the center of this ghoulish empire is a daring and prosperous grave robber. Soon Brockton finds himself drawn into the dangerous enterprise when the FBI recruits him to bring down the postmortem chop shop—using corpses from the Body Farm as bait in an undercover sting operation. As Brockton struggles to play the unscrupulous role the FBI asks of him, his friend and colleague medical examiner Eddie Garcia faces a devastating injury that could end his career. Exposed to a near-lethal dose of radioactivity, Dr. Garcia has lost most of his right hand and his entire left hand. Out of options, he embarks on a desperate quest: both of his ravaged hands will be severed at the wrist and replaced with those from a cadaver. But unless suitable ones are found soon, the opportunity will be lost. As Brockton delves deep into the clandestine trade, he is faced with an agonizing choice: Is he willing to risk an FBI investigation—and his own principles—to help his friend? Will he be able to live with himself if he crosses that line? Will he be able to live with himself if he doesn’t? And as the criminal case and the medical crisis converge, a pair of simpler questions arise: Will Dr. Garcia survive—and will Brockton?

Book Review of The Bone Thief.

The Bone Thief was a better read than the Bones of Betrayal. While what Dr. Bill Brockton does most of the time still doesn’t jibe with what I had thought the job of a forensic anthropologist to be, these seemed more incidental than intentional.

While it strikes me as strange that all these people want to involve the protagonist in what should be their job, at least this seems more plausible than what happened in Bones of Betrayal. It is still too coincidental for my tastes but I suppose it is within the realm of possibility that he would be consulted in anything with a scientific bent or the handling of bodies.

Bill Brockton also seems to have grown on me although I find him too straight-laced at times. There are limits to being nice. Wrongly handled, and characters can come off as boring. More than once, I was irritated by his reaction to the situations he finds himself in, a situation he should have expected in the first place.

What I had a hard time swallowing was his relationship with his assistant, Miranda. When she learns that she had misunderstood his earlier actions, there doesn’t seem to be any bitterness on his part. Even if he had knowingly caused the situation, I find it impossible to believe that he didn’t feel even the slightest bit of hurt or angered that she could so easily believe him to be a criminal. I would have expected some recriminations. Not a lot, but at least something.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? No.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Not really, not unless I could get the books on discounted prices.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? No.
• Who would I recommend this too? Crime fiction readers.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it.

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Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review : Bones of Betrayal by Jefferson Bass

Title : Bones of Betrayal Author : Jefferson Bass Reading Dates : 24 Sep - 30 Sep 2012 Total Pages :319
The Body Farm Carved in Bone Flesh and Bone The Devil's Bones Bones of Betrayal The Bone Thief The Bone Yard The Inquisitor's Key
From Amazon : Dr. Bill Brockton is in the middle of a nuclear-terrorism disaster drill when he receives an urgent call from the nearby town of Oak Ridge—better known as Atomic City, home of the Bomb, and the key site for the Manhattan Project during World War II. Although more than sixty years have passed, could repercussions from that dangerous time still be felt today? With his graduate assistant Miranda Lovelady, Brockton hastens to the death scene, where they find a body frozen facedown in a swimming pool behind a historic, crumbling hotel. The forensic detectives identify the victim as Dr. Leonard Novak, a renowned physicist and designer of a plutonium reactor integral to the Manhattan Project. They also discover that he didn't drown: he died from a searing dose of radioactivity. As that same peril threatens the medical examiner and even Miranda, Brockton enlists the help of a beautiful, enigmatic librarian to peel back the layers of Novak's life to the secret at its core. The physicist's house and personal life yield few clues beyond a faded roll of undeveloped film, but everything changes when Brockton chances upon Novak's ninety-year-old ex-wife, Beatrice. Charming and utterly unreliable, she takes him on a trip back into Oak Ridge's wartime past, deep into the shadows of the nuclear race where things were not quite as they seemed. As Beatrice drifts between lucidity and dementia, Brockton wonders if her stories are fact or fancy, history or myth. But he knows one thing—that she holds the key to a mystery that is becoming increasingly labyrinthine. For as the radiation count steadily rises, and the race to find the truth intensifies, the old woman's tales hint at something far darker and more complex than the forensic anthropologist himself could have ever imagined.

Book Review of Bones of Betrayal.

I picked up Bones of Betrayal and The Bone Thief both because I needed to fulfill one of my reading challenges and also because the books came at a discount. I’d like to say I was pleasantly surprised by Bones of Betrayal but the book just left me confused as to what a forensic anthropologist does.

I had the idea that it would be something akin to what Dr. Temperance Bones of the Bones series does but without the more exciting bits. Bones of Betrayal though had me wondering when would the science begin because it seemed that Dr. Bill Brockton’s job has more in common with that of police detectives. More than once, I was left wondering why is he the one doing the investigating and being approached by those with information to offer. And when would he start doing more than talk to other people.

Story-wise, the crime seems to solve itself with the victims and perpetrators conveniently offering up evidence as the tale unfolds. Except for some parts at the beginning and end, there didn’t seem to be much scientific work involved.

So, while I didn’t dislike the story, I didn’t like it either. Bones of Betrayal simply leaves me confused and wondering as to what the protagonist’s role is supposed to be.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? No.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Maybe.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? No.
• Who would I recommend this too? Crime fiction readers.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it.

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Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; Eclectic Reader Challenge 2012

Review : Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves

Title : Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves Author : Matthew Reilly Reading Dates : 16 Sep - 20 Sep 2012 Total Pages : 453
Shane Schofield Ice Station Area 7 Scarecrow Hell Island Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves Scarecrow Returns
From Amazon : At an abandoned Soviet base in the Arctic, the battle to save the world has begun… THE SECRET BASE. It is a top-secret base known only as Dragon Island. A long-forgotten relic of the Cold War, it houses a weapon of terrible destructive force, a weapon that has just been re-activated… A RENEGADE ARMY. When Dragon Island is seized by a brutal terrorist force calling itself the Army of Thieves, the fate of the world hangs in the balance, and there are no crack units close enough to get there in time to stop the Army setting off the weapon. ONE SMALL TEAM. Except, that is, for a small equipment-testing team up in the Arctic led by a Marine captain named Schofield, call-sign SCARECROW. It’s not a strike force; just a handful of Marines and civilians. It’s not equipped to attack a fortified island held by a vicious army.But Scarecrow will lead the team in anyway, because someone has to. THE ULTIMATE HERO IS BACK, FACING THE ULTIMATE ARMY OF VILLAINS

Book Review of Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves.

Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves was an experiment for me. I’d never read Matthew Reilly’s books before and picked it up out of curiosity. I was nicely surprised.

Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves was an exciting read. A few hours of mindless violence mixed in with improbable situations with amazing special effects. It reminds me of the kind of action thrillers I like to catch on the big screen occasionally.. Not the kind of book I’d recommend but one I can’t help liking.

What I loved most about it though was Bertie, the little robot that follows one of Scarecrow’s team members around. I couldn’t stop imagining him as a combination of Wall-E and the spirit of The Little Engine That Could combined. I’d pick up the next book in the series just so I could read about Bertie again.

A fun read. One that I wouldn’t mind repeating even if I find it a bit embarrassing that I actually liked it.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Maybe, but just because I want to read about Bertie again.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Maybe.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Not really. It was fun but not a book I love.
• Who would I recommend this too? Action thriller fans.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it.

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Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review : The President's Vampire by Christopher Farnsworth

Title : The President's Vampire Author : Christopher Farnsworth Reading Dates : 14 Sep - 16 Sep 2012 Total Pages : 335
The President's Vampire Blood Oath The President's Vampire Red, White and Blood
From Amazon : The ultimate secret. The ultimate agent. Nathaniel Cade returns. For 140 years, Nathaniel Cade has been the President's Vampire, sworn to protect and serve his country. Cade's existence is the most closely guarded of White House secrets: a superhuman covert agent who is the last line of defense against nightmare scenarios that ordinary citizens only dream of. When a new outbreak of an ancient evil-one that he has seen before- comes to light, Cade and his human handler, Zach Barrows, must track down its source. To "protect and serve" often means settling old scores and confronting new betrayals . . . as only a centuries-old predator can.

Book Review of The President's Vampire.

Once again, I had fun with Christopher Farnsworth’s The President’s Vampire series.

Nathaniel Cade and Zach Barrows’ story remains as exciting and fast-paced as ever. The only disappointing bit was Zach’s development as a character. After the incidents in Blood Oath, I had thought that Zach had matured but this doesn’t seem to be the case. While he seems to have grasped the importance of his role, he doesn’t seem ready yet to shoulder the responsibilities and sacrifices that comes with it. Quite often in The President’s Vampire, Zach behaves like a petulant teenager, unwilling to listen to Cade’s advice when it involved personal sacrifices.

The other intriguing bit to the second book was how Cade’s oath here becomes a disadvantage. Early on, I had already wondered what would happen if the wrong person got control of the vampire since he is compelled to obey the orders from the President and his representatives. While the events that transpire here don’t get that far, it does give us a taste of what could happen. And Cade’s nemesis, The Shadow Company seems to have even considered the possibility of gaining control of him themselves.

All in all, an exciting and fun read. I especially love the ending when Cade manages to find a way around his oath.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Definitely.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the next book.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes.
• Who would I recommend this too? Paranormal, horror or thriller fans.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it. Definitely a keeper.

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Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; Eclectic Reader Challenge 2012

Review : The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Title : The Kite Runner Author : Khaled Hosseini Reading Dates : 07 Sep - 11 Sep 2012 Total Pages : 340

From Amazon : The timely and critically acclaimed debut novel that's becoming a word-of-mouth phenomenon. An epic tale of fathers and sons, of friendship and betrayal, that takes us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the atrocities of the present. The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father's servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption, and it is also about the power of fathers over sons-their love, their sacrifices, their lies. The first Afghan novel to be written in English, The Kite Runner tells a sweeping story of family, love, and friendship against a backdrop of history that has not been told in fiction before, bringing to mind the large canvases of the Russian writers of the nineteenth century. But just as it is old-fashioned in its narration, it is contemporary in its subject-the devastating history of Afghanistan over the last thirty years. As emotionally gripping as it is tender, The Kite Runner is an unusual and powerful debut.

Book Review of The Kite Runner.

The Kite Runner was another enjoyable and unexpectedly emotional read.

I should have disliked the protagonist for the betrayal he perpetrates on his supposed best friend. Yet, I couldn’t help sympathizing with his dilemma. What he does is undoubtedly wrong and just one of the many terrible mistakes he makes. But Khaled Hosseini makes Amir so real and human that it is difficult to judge him harshly. Its hard to condemn someone when you find yourself wondering if you would find the courage Amir couldn’t.

Amir’s redemption when it comes was most unexpected. And the irony doesn’t escape me that what his father failed to instill in him while he remained a hero in Amir’s eyes, he did when his human failings were revealed to Amir. The thought that something good can result from bad deeds is not something I’d like to contemplate. Still, I suppose that’s what second chances are about.

The ending for The Kite Runner was great too. Not a happy ending nor a sad one. Just enough to make me hope that the main characters in the tale find a measure of happiness in the future.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ?Yes.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series if there were one? Possibly.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Not really. These aren't my typical reads.
• Who would I recommend this too? Fiction readers looking for something with an emotional punch.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? I'd say borrow it first. This book isn't for all readers.

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Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; What's In a Name 5 Reading Challenge; Eclectic Reader Challenge 2012

Review : Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer

Title : Only Time Will Tell Author : Jeffrey Archer Reading Dates : 25 Aug - 31 Aug 2012 Total Pages : 450
The Clifton Chronicles Only Time Will Tell The Sins of the Father
From Amazon : From the internationally bestselling author of Kane and Abel and A Prisoner of Birth comes Only Time Will Tell, the first in an ambitious new series that tells the story of one family across generations, across oceans, from heartbreak to triumph. The epic tale of Harry Clifton’s life begins in 1920, with the words “I was told that my father was killed in the war.” A dock worker in Bristol, Harry never knew his father, but he learns about life on the docks from his uncle, who expects Harry to join him at the shipyard once he’s left school. But then an unexpected gift wins him a scholarship to an exclusive boys’ school, and his life will never be the same again. As he enters into adulthood, Harry finally learns how his father really died, but the awful truth only leads him to question, was he even his father? Is he the son of Arthur Clifton, a stevedore who spent his whole life on the docks, or the firstborn son of a scion of West Country society, whose family owns a shipping line? This introductory novel in Archer’s ambitious series The Clifton Chronicles includes a cast of colorful characters and takes us from the ravages of the Great War to the outbreak of the Second World War, when Harry must decide whether to take up a place at Oxford or join the navy and go to war with Hitler’s Germany. From the docks of working-class England to the bustling streets of 1940 New York City, Only Time Will Tell takes readers on a journey through to future volumes, which will bring to life one hundred years of recent history to reveal a family story that neither the reader nor Harry Clifton himself could ever have imagined.

Book Review of Only Time Will Tell.

I enjoyed Only Time Will Tell. It reminded me a lot of my favourite book by Jeffrey Archer, Kane and Abel. While it isn’t as good, it does come close.

What I enjoyed about Only Time Will Tell is the characters that populate the story and how Jeffrey Archer sets about entwining their lives together. The characters in Only Time Will Tell aren’t saints but they make it easy to believe that goodness in itself puts them in a class of their own regardless of their station in life. I couldn’t help liking Harry and his extended family, all of whom never hesitate in making hard choices in order to give their loved ones a brighter future than they had.

The other interesting part about Only Time Will Tell is how the author reveals the facts surrounding Harry Clifton’s father’s death. By telling the story from the different characters viewpoints, only we the reader become privy to the entire tale. And even then, I get the feeling that there’s more to the story to come. After all, they each have a part of the puzzle and not all of them have had a chance to tell it yet.

Even so, while I enjoyed Only Time Will Tell and there is a cliffhanger ending, I didn’t end the story with a burning desire to read the next book. I supposed it is because the first book in The Clifton Chronicles gives off the vibe that nothing truly bad could ever happen to the good guys. That no matter what adversity Harry may face, he and his loved ones will triumph in the end.

A lovely read to pass the time.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Yes.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes, but I can wait.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Probably not.
• Who would I recommend this too? Fiction readers looking for a feel good read.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it.

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Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; Eclectic Reader Challenge 2012

Review : The Rogue by Trudi Canavan

Title : The Rogue Author : Trudi Canavan Reading Dates : 16 Aug - 24 Aug 2012 Total Pages : 523
The Traitor Spy Trilogy The Ambassador's Mission The Rogue Traitor Queen
From Amazon : Discover the magic of Trudi Canavan with her brand new novel in the Traitor Spy Trilogy... Living among the Sachakan rebels, Lorkin does his best to learn about their unique magic. But the Traitors are reluctant to trade their secrets for the Healing they so desperately want. Meanwhile, Sonea searches for the rogue, knowing that Cery cannot avoid assassination forever --- but the rogue's influence over the city's underworld, however, is far greater than she feared. And in the University, two female novices are about to remind the Guild that sometimes their greatest enemy is found within...

Book Review of The Rogue.

The Rogue was an improvement on The Ambassador’s Mission. I’m certainly intrigued by the results of Dannyl’s research and the glimpses of the Traitors we’ve been given. I’ve no doubt that I’ll be reading the last book in the trilogy in hopes of getting answers to my questions.

As in the first book of The Traitor Spy trilogy, there are a few plot lines going on. What interests me the most are the Traitors’ future. In the time that Lorkin spends with the Traitors, we learn of the growing unrest within the Traitors as well as their lack of a future if things go on as they did now. Without a drastic change in their current way of life, it is inevitable that the Traitors will cease to exist at some point in time. How they choose to approach this is something I hope to find out in the next book, The Traitor Queen.

The other part which interests me in The Rogue was the knowledge that Lorkin and Dannyl discover respectively. There’s no doubt that their discoveries are a harbinger of change, but for the Guild of Magicians. It will certainly be interesting to see if the magicians are capable of adapting to what was once considered taboo..

On the other hand, I find that character-wise, none of characters introduced in The Traitor Spy trilogy are as appealing as Sonea and Akkarin. They simply aren’t as likable or as charismatic.

Overall, my interest in The Traitor Spy is simply to revisit old characters and get to know the world Trudi Canavan has built, better.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Maybe, but not frequently.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? No.
• Who would I recommend this too? Fantasy readers.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it

On My Wish List

In My Mailbox

Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review : The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory

Title : The Lady of the Rivers Author : Philippa Gregory Reading Dates : 02 Jul - 07 Jul 2012 Total Pages : 630
The Cousins' War The White Queen The Red Queen The Lady of the Rivers The Kingmaker's Daughter
From Amazon : A story rich in passion and legend, The Lady of the Rivers is the story of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, a woman who navigated a treacherous path through the battle lines in the Wars of the Roses. When Jacquetta is married to the Duke of Bedford, English regent of France, he introduces her to a mysterious world of learning and alchemy. Her only friend in the great household is the duke’s squire Richard Woodville, who is at her side when the duke’s death leaves her a wealthy young widow. The two become lovers and marry in secret, returning to England to serve at the court of the young King Henry VI, where Jacquetta becomes a close and loyal friend to his new queen. The Woodvilles soon achieve a place at the very heart of the Lancaster court, though Jacquetta can sense the growing threat from the people of England and the danger of their royal York rivals. As Jacquetta fights for her king and her queen, she can see an extraordinary and unexpected future for her daughter Elizabeth: a change of fortune, the throne of England, and the white rose of York. . . .

Book Review of The Lady of the Rivers.

I loved The Lady of the Rivers for many reasons.

The first was the language. The novel is beautifully written, especially when the heroine describes her family’s legacy from Melusina or when she and her husband share tender moments together. The mystery of Jacquetta’s gifts and the passion she shares with her second husband really comes through. All of which leads me to the second reason I loved the story.

Philippa Gregory really brought Jacquetta to live with all her strengths and weaknesses. While Jacquetta is ambitious, she is also loving and kind. Obviously she wants her family to get ahead in the world, but more than that she wishes for their happiness. And never, never does she intend to use her powers for harm, even against her enemies. Jacquetta was a strong and likable heroine, one I really enjoyed rooting for.

In a way, I’m glad the book ended the way it did, at the height of her family’s power. Reading Philippa Gregory’s books, I can’t help wondering why I used to think that history was boring. I’ll be eagerly anticipating her next book in the series.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Yes.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes.
• Who would I recommend this too? Historical fiction fans.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it. This is a keeper.

On My Wish List

In My Mailbox

Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; What's In a Name 5 Reading Challenge

Review : Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward

Title : Lover Unleashed Author : J.R. Ward Reading Dates : 30 Jun - 02 Jul 2012 Total Pages : 537
The Black Dagger Brotherhood Dark Lover Lover Eternal Lover Awakened Lover Revealed Lover Unbound Lover Enshrined Lover Avenged Lover Mine Lover Unleashed Lover Reborn
From Amazon : Payne, twin sister of the Black Dagger Brother Vishous, suffers a devastating injury, and brilliant human surgeon Manuel Manello is called in to save her. Their attraction is instant, and as powerful as it is dangerous. But as human and vampire worlds collide, a centuries- old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in jeopardy.

Book Review of Lover Unleashed.

I enjoyed Lover Unleashed more than I had expected, but then the story didn’t go as I expected it to.

This was supposed to be Payne and Manny’s story but instead it seemed more a continuation of Vishous and Jane’s tale, with Vishous’s twin sister’s tale being a mere catalyst for what happens. I never quite liked Lover Unbound before because I simply couldn’t feel the connection between Jane and V. Here, it finally makes sense. Although personally, I still think that Butch and V make a better couple.

Anyway, the reason I enjoyed Lover Unleashed is because it completes Vishous and Jane’s story. But it is strange to have the supposed main protagonists taking the back seat in the book. The parts which made up Payne’s story wouldn’t have even made up a quarter of the entire book.

On the other hand, I’d love to have more of Quinn, Blaylock and Zsadist. Catching up with my favourite characters and seeing Quinn and Blaylock’s relationship progress is something I’d have looked forward to. And even if it is unfair to Saxton and Layla, I can’t help wishing for the best friends to end up together.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Yes.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes, but only because I want to know how things end for Quinn and Blaylock.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes, as part of the series.
• Who would I recommend this too? Only to fans of the series.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it.

On My Wish List

In My Mailbox

Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review : Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Title : Retribution Author : Sherrilyn Kenyon Reading Dates : 15 Jun - 17 Jun 2012 Total Pages : 416
Dark-Hunter, Were-Hunter, Dream-Hunter, Hellchaser series Fantasy Lover Dragonswan Night Pleasures Night Embrace Phantom Lover A Dark-Hunter Christmas Dance with the Devil Kiss of the Night Night Play Seize the Night Sins of the Night Second Chances Unleash the Night Dark Side of the Moon A Hard Day's Night Searcher Until Death Do We Part The Dream Hunter Fear the Darkness Devil May Cry Upon the Midnight Clear Dream Chaser Acheron Where Angels Fear to Tread Shadow of the Moon One Silent Night Dream Warrior Bad Moon Rising No Mercy Retribution The Guardian Time Untime Dark Bites
From Amazon : Hired gunslinger William Jessup Brady lived his life with one foot in the grave - until the day he finally found a reason to live. In one single act of brutal betrayal, he lost everything, including his life. Brought back by a Greek goddess to be one of her Dark-Hunters, he gave his immortal soul for vengeance and swore he'd spend eternity protecting the humans he'd once considered prey. Orphaned as a toddler, Abigail Yager was taken in by a family of vampires and raised with one belief: Dark-Hunters are the evil who prey on both their people and mankind, and they must all be destroyed. Brought together by an angry god and chased by ancient enemies out to kill them both, William and Abigail must find a way to overcome their mutual hatred or watch as one of the darkest of powers rises and kills both the races they've sworn to protect.

Book Review of Retribution.

It is a bad sign when I think the best part of a book is the bonus scene at the end. And one which has no relevance to the story being told at all.

Retribution was a poorly executed recycling of past plots in the Dark-Hunter series. Like some of the characters in the story, it appears I’ve been through one apocalypse too many. No wondering at the lack of panic shown by the powers that be, be they of the supernatural or ordinary kind. Really why bother sending in the cavalry for a couple of plagues. Why none of the characters thinks to look up one of their many omnipotent allies to stop the end of the world is beyond me. Surely, they can’t all be expectant fathers, can they ? And forgiveness being divine and all that, why should the heroine be punished much less chastised for causing the death of untold hundreds right ? “Oops, I killed the wrong people. And now I’m causing hundreds of innocents to die. I’m really sorry”. “Don’t worry about it. We all make mistakes. The important thing is to move on.” Maybe I’ being vindictive here, but there are some things which should not be so easily forgiven. What do you think ? Am I being too harsh or are the justifications given too simplified ?

But I digress. The plot and the characters are poor imitations of the earlier books in the series. I kept wondering where have I read that before every time the main protagonists start to describe their thoughts on each other. Even the relationship between Sundown and his squire felt like it was copied from a standard protocol of how a Dark-Hunter and his squire’s relationship should be. The jokes made by the main characters felt tired and used. The only laughs came from Sasha who barely played a part here.

As a fan of the Dark-Hunter series who has invested a lot of time and money, I can only say what I’m feeling right now is despair. I definitely need a break from the series or to revisit my favourite books in the series. Just to remind me of the reasons I fell in love with the Dark-Hunter series in the first place.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Not for a very, very long time.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? I'm not sure. I don't want to give up on the series yes, but this book makes me want to just toss it.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Only because its part of the series.
• Who would I recommend this too? Not really.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it.

On My Wish List

In My Mailbox

Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review : Lover Mine by J.R. Ward

Title : Lover Mine Author : J.R. Ward Reading Dates : 07 Jun - 10 Jun 2012 Total Pages : 653
The Black Dagger Brotherhood Dark Lover Lover Eternal Lover Awakened Lover Revealed Lover Unbound Lover Enshrined Lover Avenged Lover Mine Lover Unleashed Lover Reborn
From Amazon : In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - vampire warriors, defenders of their race ...John Matthew has been through his vampire transition and taken to the life of the Brotherhood with a vengeance, but he still can't shake the nightmare of his past and is unsure of his future as a warrior hero. He's made a promise to honour the Brotherhood and their fight with the slayers at all costs, until the love of his life is kidnapped and he is forced to make a choice that could change his life and the Brotherhood's forever ...

Book Review of Lover Mine.

Lover Mine has been on my wish list for some time now. If you’ve read my reviews on the previous books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, you’ll know that aside from Zsadist’s story, the reason I’m following the series is because of John Matthew. Unfortunately, J.M. and Xhex’s story was a disappointment for me.

Looking back, I shouldn’t be surprised at all. After all, my interest in J.M.’s tale was because I enjoyed the revelations regarding his past, the relationships he was building with his newly discovered family and friends and a desperate wish for things to end well for him. And so while I can’t sense any chemistry between him and Xhex, I did enjoy the new revelations regarding his past as well as the relationship he has forged with his new family. These were infinitely more moving that the ongoing drama between him and Xhex.

On the other hand, I’ve found another reason to continue reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. The addition of Saxton has spiced up the supposedly non-existent romance between Blaylock and Quinn. Prior to that I had thought all the passion on one side, but Lover Mine proved me wrong. The only question now is whether it is too late for either of them.

Then again, this might just be an excuse I’m giving myself for continuing my addiction.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Yes, but not so much because of John & Xhex's story as what's happening around them.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes, because I'd like to know what happens with Quinn and Blay.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Only because it makes up a part of a series.
• Who would I recommend this too? Only to fans of the series. Not one of the better works in the series.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it.

On My Wish List

In My Mailbox

Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review : House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Title : House Rules Author : Jodi Picoult Reading Dates : 01 Jun - 07 Jun 2012 Total Pages : 657
From Amazon : When your son can’t look you in the eye . . . does that mean he’s guilty? Jacob Hunt is a teen with Asperger’s syndrome. He’s hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, though he is brilliant in many ways. But he has a special focus on one subject—forensic analysis. A police scanner in his room clues him in to crime scenes, and he’s always showing up and telling the cops what to do. And he’s usually right. But when Jacob’s small hometown is rocked by a terrible murder, law enforcement comes to him. Jacob’s behaviors are hallmark Asperger’s, but they look a lot like guilt to the local police. Suddenly the Hunt family, who only want to fit in, are directly in the spotlight. For Jacob’s mother, Emma, it’s a brutal reminder of the intolerance and misunderstanding that always threaten her family. For his brother, Theo, it’s another indication why nothing is normal because of Jacob. And over this small family, the soul-searing question looms: Did Jacob commit murder?

Book Review of House Rules.

House Rules was the first Jodi Picoult book I’ve read but it definitely will not be the last. I wasn’t half way into the book before I was considering which book of hers I was going to pick up next.

What I loved about House Rules was also what I found disorientating in the beginning. The tale is told from many different perspectives and because of that Jodi Picoult humanises them all. There are no real bad guys here, just plenty of misconceptions and misunderstandings. Everyone has their own reasons whether it is the police carrying out their duty or the single mother doing the best she can for her children. It is these shades of gray portrayed so realistically which makes House Rules such an intriguing read.

The other reason I liked was the educational aspects. House Rules shows me my ignorance without being preachy about it and it’s a fun way to learn. Most important, it emphasizes how badly things can go wrong by being uninformed.

However, while the story has made me more aware of the plight of those with Asperger’s, I confess that I’m not yet motivated enough to do much about it. While it reminds me to consider things from more than my own viewpoint, I’m not yet ready to rise above my own self-interests.

In any case, House Rules was an interesting introduction to Jodi Picoult’s works and I’ll be looking to read more of her works after this.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Yes.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series if there were one? Yes.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes.
• Who would I recommend this too? Just about anyone.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it.

In My Mailbox

Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review : The Famous Heroine / The Plumed Bonnet by Mary Balogh

Title : The Famous Heroine / The Plumed Bonnet Author : Mary Balogh Reading Dates : 29 May - 01 Jun 2012 Total Pages : 495
From Amazon : THE FAMOUS HEROINE Cora Downes has beauty, spirit, and money, but no breeding. Yet when she gains renown for a daring rescue, she finds herself thrust into high society. Innocent and adrift in a world of beautiful banquets, bejeweled gowns, and snobbish standards, Cora is quickly compromised into a marriage—to a frivolous lord whose interests seem to lie elsewhere. But could piercingly blue-eyed and well-mannered Francis Kneller turn out to be the most unexpected love of her life? THE PLUMED BONNET Alistair Munro, the Duke of Bridgwater, is looking for love outside the bounds of polite society. And that’s what he expects to receive when he rescues a seemingly disreputable girl in a colorful bonnet off the side of the road. Yet Stephanie Gray, a former governess, has recently come into money and is eager for a proper match with a well-born man. Sure that he’s sullied her name, Alistair offers marriage to make amends. And in this unlikely union, Stephanie and Alistair make a welcome discovery—that sometimes it’s possible to marry first, then fall in love.

Book Review of The Famous Heroine / The Plumed Bonnet.

Both the romances in the book encounter some difficulties revolving around misconceptions regarding appearances. However, while I loved The Famous Heroine, The Plumed Bonnet was merely passable.

Cora Downes and Francis Kneller are a lovely couple. Their courtship was hilarious and sweet because they’re both very kind people with a great sense of humor, capable of laughing at themselves. They very easily wound up on my list of favorite romance couples.

Cora and Francis’s story was wonderful. Without any melodrama, their slow slide into love was as natural as breathing. They both realized their feelings after becoming each other’s best friends. Best of all, I had great fun laughing along with them as they enjoyed their season and the ton.

On the other hand, I only liked The Plumed Bonnet because the Knellers and their family makes an appearance here. They’re also the only reason I’m thinking of looking for Mary Balogh’s related books.

Alistair Munro strikes me as being typical of wounded romance heroes while Stephanie Gray was utterly spineless. The explanation that she behaved the way she did out of gratitude and duty just doesn’t wash with me.

Read separately from The Famous Heroine, I might have enjoyed The Plumed Bonnet more but put together with the other, the tale doesn’t measure up. There was nothing to lift it out of the ordinary. And the main couple doesn’t interest me at all.

The book however is a keeper because of The Famous Heroine.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Yes
• Would I want to read the next book in the series if there were one? Yes, I'd like to see more of the Knellers.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes.
• Who would I recommend this too? Romance readers.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it.

In My Mailbox

Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review : The Guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Title : The Guardian Author : Sherrilyn Kenyon Reading Dates : 06 Apr - 07 Apr 2012 Total Pages : 345
The Dream-Hunter series. The Dream Hunter Upon the Midnight Clear Dream Chaser Dream Warrior The Guardian Dark Bites
From Amazon : Dream-Hunter Lydia has been charged with the most sacred and dangerous of missions: To descend into the Nether Realm and find the missing god of dreams before he betrays the secrets that could kill her and her kind. What she never expects is to be taken prisoner by the Realm’s most vicious guardian… Seth’s time is running out. If he can’t hand over the entrance to Olympus, his own life and those of his people will be forfeit. No matter the torture, Seth hasn’t been able to break the god in his custody. Then there’s the beautiful Dream-Hunter Lydia: She isn’t just guarding the gates of Olympus—she’s holding back one of the world’s darkest powers. If she fails, an ancient curse will haunt the earth once more and no one will be safe. But evil is always seductive...

Book Review of The Guardian.

The Guardian left me feeling as if the author had lost the direction of the story. I might be missing something here, but I just couldn’t determine how The Guardian fit in with the rest of the Dark-Hunter and Dream-Hunter series. With the previous books, I’ve always had the feeling that the story was building up to something, leading to further revelations regarding the Dark-Hunter universe. With The Guardian, this feeling was sadly lacking.

The story focused on Seth’s past while ignoring what was happening in the present. We might have learned what makes Seth tick and why he’s the way he is, but it doesn’t help much with building up his and Lydia’s relationship. As far as I could tell, Lydia mistakes pity for love and that is not what I’m looking for in reading romances.

Besides which, there are the little things that don’t make sense to me. I would have expected more drama at the return of what Lydia had lost for centuries. Instead it barely makes a dent in her psyche. Then, there’s Jaden’s behaviour which is the total opposite of how he usually is in the earlier books. Most irritating of all, I can’t help wondering how many all powerful beings there can be in 1 universe. At the rate things are going, I’m surprised they don’t stumble over one another every time they turn around..

Unless the story in the Dark-Hunter and Dream-Hunter world moves on soon, I’m afraid I’m going to lose interest. Worst still, is the loss of momentum from the earlier books. Nothing frustrates me more than having a favourite series fail to meet expectations. I’m still not giving up on the series yet though.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Probably, but only because it is a part of the series.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes, but only to complete my collection.
• Who would I recommend this too? Paranormal romance fans.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it only if you're a fan of the Dream-Hunter or Dark-Hunter series.

On My Wish List

In My Mailbox

Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; Eclectic Reader Challenge 2012

Review : Forbidden by Jo Beverley

Title : Forbidden Author : Jo Beverley Reading Dates : 4 Dec - 9 Dec 2011
The Company of Rogues An Arranged Marriage An Unwilling Bride Christmas Angel Forbidden Dangerous Joy The Dragon's Bride Skylark The Rogue's Return To Rescue a Rogue
From Amazon : Finally freed from a cruel, depraved husband, Serena Riverton wants nothing more to do with men or marriage. Fate and her brothers give her no choice except to flee - into a storm, and into the arms of a stranger. Without friend or fortune, Serena seduces the handsome lord. But just one night together will start a sequence of events that threatens to destroy them both. Francis, Lord Middlethorpe's life is planned and orderly, including marriage to Lady Anne Peckworth, a rich and suitable lady. But now he is haunted by memories of one passionate night with Serena, the wicked siren who tempted him with pleasures he had never known. Caught between duty and desire, he must choose between his reputation and a love like no other.

Book Review of Forbidden.

I’ve always enjoyed Forbidden for 2 reasons. The first is because I enjoy the idea of The Company of Rogues and the other is the hero, Francis Haile.

The Company of Rogues has always seemed such a wonderful group to me. A group of men and women comprising of both commoners and nobles, formed initially in childhood for the sole purpose of protection and evolving into a family one can depend on always. This group of assorted men and women with their different skills always seem to have the right mix to attend to the complex problems they encounter and I just enjoy watching them put their personal strengths to use.

The other reason I enjoy Forbidden is the main character, Francis Haile. Francis is a breath of fresh air because I’ve rarely had historical romances portray a hero as being gentle without seeming weak.

The only complain I have against Forbidden is the writing. There are times when the exchanges seem a bit abrupt. And while this doesn’t lessen my appreciation for the story, it does usually gives me pause as I need to reorder my thinking.

Despite that minor complain though, this is another old favourite

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Yes, this is one of my favorite historical romances.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes, but I Forbidden remains my favorite within the series.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes.
• Who would I recommend this too? Romance readers.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it.

Challenges : 100+ Reading Challenge

Review : Slightly Scadalous by Mary Balogh

Title : Slightly Scandalous Author : Mary Balogh Reading Dates : 3 Dec - 3 Dec 2011
Slightly Slightly Married Slightly Wicked Slightly Scandalous Slightly Tempted Slightly Sinful Slightly Dangerous
From Amazon : Meet the Bedwyns…six brothers and sisters—men and women of passion and privilege, daring and sensuality. Enter their dazzling world of high society and breathtaking seduction…where each will seek love, fight temptation, and court scandal…and where Freyja Bedwyn, the wild-hearted daughter, meets her match in a man as passionate, reckless, and scandalous as she. Growing up with four unruly brothers has made Freyja Bedwyn far bolder than most society ladies. From feisty manner to long, tumbling hair, Lady Freyja is pure fire, a woman who seeks both adventure and freedom. Adventure soon finds her on a visit to Bath, when a handsome stranger bursts into Freyja's room and entreats her to hide him. His name is Joshua Moore, Marquess of Hallmere, a man with a hell-raising reputation of his own who is quickly intrigued by the independent beauty. So intrigued, in fact, that he makes her a surprising request: to pose as his fiancée and help thwart his family's matchmaking schemes. For two people determined to be free, it's the perfect plan…until passion blindsides them both. For as Joshua sets out to achieve his complete seduction of Freyja, a woman who has sworn off love is in danger of losing the one thing she never expected to give again: her heart…

Book Review of Slightly Scandalous.

I’ve read all but the last book in the series and this one remains my favourite in the series. Besides, Slightly Scandalous also has one of my favourite romance couples.

The main reason I love it though are the 2 main characters. They truly are perfect for each other. Both of them are very honest about their feelings for each other. Neither will let the other get away with anything whether in life or play. Joshua would never think to give in to Freyja because of his feelings for her or because she’s a lady. And Freyja would punish him if he tried. I also love how Joshua manages to see the fun in everything and how Freyja challenges her fears head on. It’s always a joy to follow them as get to know each other and fall in love.

The other is the theme of family and friendship. Whether it is the Bedwyns or the friends Joshua has made. It was really fun and moving how they stood up for each other without needing to be asked. It was the reason I picked up the other books in the series, even if the other books don’t quite live up to my expectations.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Definitely. I've already re-read it a few times.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? If I hadn't read it, I'd probably plan to.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes.
• Who would I recommend this too? Historical romance readers.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it. This one is a keeper and it can be read as a standalone.

Books alluded to :

Challenges : 100+ Reading Challenge