Reviews

Review: A Case of Possession by K.J. Charles

March 19, 2020 sophrilreads1 Comment

Book Review

A Case of Possession by K.J. Charles
(A Charm of Magpies #2)
Historical Fantasy, Romance
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Synopsis
Magic in the blood. Danger in the streets.

Lord Crane has never had a lover quite as elusive as Stephen Day. He knows Stephen’s job as justiciar requires secrecy, but the magician is doing his disappearing act more than seems reasonable—especially since Crane will soon return to his home in China. When a blackmailer threatens to expose their illicit relationship, there’s only one thing stopping Crane from leaving the country he loathes: Stephen.

Stephen has problems of his own. As he investigates a plague of giant rats sweeping London, his sudden increase in power, boosted by his blood-and-sex bond with Crane, is rousing suspicion that he’s turned warlock. With all eyes on him, the threat of exposure grows. Stephen could lose his friends, his job and his liberty over his relationship with Crane. He’s not sure if he can take that risk much longer. Crane isn’t sure if he can ask him to.

The rats are closing in, and something has to give…

What I thought
I said that I was going to let my library decide if I was going to read this book, It all depended if they were going to get a copy.

After reading the first book in this series I went into this one with low expectations. I think I just expected way too much from the first book and I really didn’t like Lord Crane very much. And being a character-driven person that really matters to me. So going into this one knowing that I was not going to like him, I enjoyed this book so much more.

I liked how you got to see more of Stephen’s job and how his team works together. I really liked how you can see how much his partner really cares about him. I also liked how Crane evolved and wasn’t as big of a selfish arse as he was previously. Don’t get me wrong he was still an arse just not as bad.

In the end, I am glad that I gave this book a chance.

My Rating: /5 4 Stars

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New Releases

Waiting On Wednesday: Deadly Curious by Cindy Anstey

February 19, 2020January 26, 2020 sophrilreads3 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday was a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. Each Wednesday you got to highlight a book that you were really looking forward to. Unfortunately, the original creator is no longer able to host the meme and it has now linked up with Can’t Wait Wednesday over at Wishful Endings.

This week I’ve chosen: Deadly Curious by Cindy Anstey

Deadly Curious by Cindy Anstey
Young Adult, Historical

1834. Sophia Thompson wants nothing more than to be one of the famed Bow Street Runners, London’s most elite corps of detectives. Never mind that a woman has never before joined their ranks–and certainly never mind that her reclusive family has forbidden her from pursuing such an unladylike goal.

She gets the chance to prove her capabilities when an urgent letter arrives from her frantic cousin Daphne, begging Sophia to come look into the suspicious death of Daphne’s brother.

As Sophia begins to unravel the tangled threads of the case–with the help of a charming young policeman–she soon realizes that the murderer may be even closer to her family than she ever suspected.

Expected publication: April 14, 2020

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Reviews

Review: Lusus Naturae: A Lord Carlston Story by Alison Goodman

January 23, 2020January 19, 2020 sophrilreads4 Comments

Book Review

Lusus Naturae: A Lord Carlston Story by Alison Goodman
(Lady Helen #1.5)
Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical, Regency
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Synopsis
This novella is from Lord Carlston’s perspective and starts at the point in The Dark Days Club when he and Lady Helen meet for the first time.

What I thought
I didn’t know this existed until I was looking up my list of series I want to work on this year. I was so excited to find it and even better, it was free. This novella is from Lord Carlston’s perspective and starts at the point in The Dark Days Club when he and Lady Helen meet for the first time. I really enjoyed seeing the same interaction from his point of view.

Reading this short story reminded me how much I enjoyed the first book and now I really need to pick up the next one.

My Rating: /5

5 Stars

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Waiting On Wednesday: Blood Countess by Lana Popović

December 18, 2019January 26, 2020 sophrilreads1 Comment

Waiting on Wednesday

This week I’ve chosen: Blood Countess by Lana Popović

Blood Countess by Lana Popović
Young Adult, Historical, Horror

In 17th century Hungary, Anna Darvulia has just begun working as a scullery maid for the young and glamorous Countess Elizabeth Báthory. When Elizabeth takes a liking to Anna, she’s vaulted to the dream role of chambermaid, a far cry from the filthy servants’ quarters below. She receives wages generous enough to provide for her family, and the Countess begins to groom Anna as her friend and confidante. It’s not long before Anna falls completely under the Countess’s spell—and the Countess takes full advantage. Isolated from her former friends, family, and fiancé, Anna realizes she’s not a friend but a prisoner of the increasingly cruel Elizabeth. Then come the murders, and Anna knows it’s only a matter of time before the Blood Countess turns on her, too.

Expected publication: January 28, 2020

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Reviews

Review: How to Marry a Werewolf by Gail Carriger

November 28, 2019January 26, 2020 sophrilreads4 Comments

Book Review

How To Marry A Werewolf by Gail Carriger
(Claw & Courtship #1)
Steampunk, Fantasy, Romance, Historical
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Synopsis
Guilty of an indiscretion? Time to marry a werewolf.

WEREWOLVES

The monsters left Faith ruined in the eyes of society, so now they’re her only option. Rejected by her family, Faith crosses the Atlantic, looking for a marriage of convenience and revenge.

But things are done differently in London. Werewolves are civilized. At least they pretend to be.

AMERICANS

Backward heathens with no culture, Major Channing has never had time for any of them. But there’s something special about Faith. Channing finds himself fighting to prove himself and defend his species. But this werewolf has good reason not to trust human women.

Even if they learn to love, can either of them forgive?

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Parasol Protectorate series comes a stand alone romance set in the same universe. Look out for appearances from favorite characters and the serious consequences of unwarranted geology.

A Note On Chronology
The Claw & Courtship novellas can be read in any order. This book can be enjoyed without having read any of Gail’s other works. Set in the spring of 1895 this story occurs after events chronicled in Romancing the Werewolf.

More?
This story is contemporaneous with events at the beginning of Reticence (final Custard Protocol book). Channing is first introduced to readers in the second Parasol Protectorate book, Changeless. He also appears briefly in Romancing the Inventor

What I thought
This is the first book in the Claw & Courtship Novella series. In chronological order, this one falls during the same time as Reticence the final Custard Protocol book. This book can be read as a standalone! I have to say that Gail has really upped her game with this one. I didn’t realize how much I truly liked Channing until this book, or how much I wanted him to be happy. From the time he has been introduced he has been moody and you never knew that led him to be that way. In this book, you learn some of Channing’s back story before he became a werewolf and why he is generally untrusting and why he seems to hate vampires so much. I know it seems like a lot of information for such a small book but I am here to tell you that it is so beautifully written that you feel as if you are getting a full novel. When we first meet Channing is when he goes toe to toe with Alexia but she was an Alpha so the last thing that he expects is a little American girl going toe to toe with him at the docks in London.

As much as this is a story for Channing it is also the story of Faith, who has been sent to London to make a match with a werewolf. To London society, this is not shocking but for an American it is. In America, Werewolves are not excepted in society and they then to be more savage. So why would her mother send her to make this match?

Watching this story play out I felt a whole range of emotions. I was angry, sad and so very happy. Since this book can be read as a standalone I highly suggest picking it up. No after writing this I want to go back and give it another read.

My Rating: /5 5 Stars Follow me on other platforms:
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Reviews

Review: Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey

October 22, 2019January 26, 2020 sophrilreads6 Comments

Book Review

Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey
Historical, Mystery, Young Adult, Romance
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Synopsis
Shy aspiring artist Imogene Chively has just had a successful Season in London, complete with a suitor of her father’s approval. Imogene is ambivalent about the young gentleman until he comes to visit her at the Chively estate with his younger brother in tow. When her interest is piqued, however, it is for the wrong brother.

Charming Ben Steeple has a secret: despite being an architectural apprentice, he has no drawing aptitude. When Imogene offers to teach him, Ben is soon smitten by the young lady he considers his brother’s intended.

But hiding their true feelings becomes the least of their problems when, after a series of “accidents,” it becomes apparent that someone means Ben harm. And as their affection for each other grows—despite their efforts to remain just friends—so does the danger. . .

What I thought
I read this book as a buddy read with the wonderful Brittany from Perfectly Tolerable. If you have not checked, her out you really should. She also reviewed this book and you can find her review here. Brittany is wonderful and more on the ball than I am lol she posted her review right after we read the book unlike me who let my reviews pile up.

I really enjoyed this book. Imogene who was given one season for only one reason, to find a suitor, and did she ever with Earnest he is everything that her father had in mind, the firstborn of an influential family. Due to the constant criticism from her parents, she is an anxious person. (Brittany touches more on this in her review) Okay her parents are just downright mean, just to be mean, I really felt for Imogene there was no reason they picked on her the way they did. After the season was over Earnest comes to call and brings his brother Ben along for support. Once Ben sees Imogene’s drawings, he is impressed with her ability to render art. With that common interest, Ben begins bringing Imogene out of her shell and it is such a cute story to watch unfold even if they don’t realize there could be a future for them. Ben and Imogene are at constant war with their feelings since it is Earnest that wants/is supposed to ask for Imogene’s hand. And they do not realize that they have feeling for each other even though it is obvious to everyone else.

I only had one issue with this story and Brittany had the same issue too. Imogene leads Earnest on for far too long. Imogene wants to tell him but is asked not to because her friend is trying to impress Ben and they know that if Earnest leaves then Ben will too. I can’t be too mad about it all since Imogene acknowledges that it isn’t right, so the story does not support that issue but recognizes that it is wrong.

If you enjoy clean Regency Romance/Mystery novels than you should really give this one a chance.

My Rating: /5 4 Stars Follow me on other platforms:
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Reviews

Review: Duels & Deception by Cindy Anstey

October 16, 2019January 26, 2020 sophrilreads1 Comment

Book Review

Duels & Deception by Cindy Anstey
Historical, Mystery, Young Adult, Romance
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Synopsis
Miss Lydia Whitfield, heiress to the family fortune, has her future entirely planned out. She will run the family estate until she marries the man of her late father’s choosing, and then she will spend the rest of her days as a devoted wife. Confident in those arrangements, Lydia has tasked her young law clerk, Mr. Robert Newton, to begin drawing up the marriage contracts. Everything is going according to plan.

Until Lydia—and Robert along with her—is kidnapped. Someone is after her fortune and won’t hesitate to destroy her reputation to get it. With Robert’s help, Lydia strives to keep her family’s good name intact and expose whoever is behind the devious plot. But as their investigation delves deeper and their affections for each other grow, Lydia starts to wonder whether her carefully planned future is in fact what she truly wants…

Before Lydia’s father passed, he arranged for her to marry their neighbor, Lord Aldershot. Lydia has accepted this and is willing to marry him because it was what her father wanted. When issues arise with the estate Lydia and her uncle do not agree about the crops they should be planting. Her father’s lawyer sends Mr. Robert Newton, his clerk, to handle the issue. After they resolve the crop issue Lydia asks him to begin the process of drawing up the marriage contracts. Lydia is a business-oriented person and you see she has resigned herself to a marriage of tolerance rather than love.

When Lynda goes to sign the marriage contract she is kidnapped and subsequently so is Mr. Newton Since the kidnappers only need her they through Robert out and hold Lydia in a barn for no other purpose than ruining her. Luckily for Lydia, her friends step up and she is saved from being ruined. But the question remains who would do this?

I have the same issue she had with this story the amount of “wool-gathering” aka daydreaming that happens. I mean yes it happens but not mid-conversation. As much as it happens in this story. Other than that, it was a good story that I really enjoyed.

My Rating: /5 4.5 stars Follow me on other platforms:
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