Monday, May 30

B's Monday Review: The Pages of the Mind by Jeffe Kennedy

Magic has broken free over the Twelve Kingdoms. The population is beset by shapeshifters and portents, landscapes that migrate, uncanny allies who are not quite human…and enemies eager to take advantage of the chaos. 

Dafne Mailloux is no adventurer--she's a librarian. But the High Queen trusts Dafne's ability with languages, her way of winnowing the useful facts from a dusty scroll, and even more important, the subtlety and guile that three decades under the thumb of a tyrant taught her. 

Dafne never thought to need those skills again. But she accepts her duty. Until her journey drops her into the arms of a barbarian king. He speaks no tongue she knows but that of power, yet he recognizes his captive as a valuable pawn. Dafne must submit to a wedding of alliance, becoming a prisoner-queen in a court she does not understand. If she is to save herself and her country, she will have to learn to read the heart of a wild stranger. And there are more secrets written there than even Dafne could suspect…

My thoughts:
It's Lucky for Dafne that she is a smart cookie because she sure needs it here, all alone on an island with strange people and a man making bedroom eyes at her.

Dafne is sent an a diplomatic mission to a chain of islands. But all things are not as they seem, and suddenly she is married, or is she? So hard to figure out what people are saying when you do not speak the language. And the people are strange, their king is strange. An Dafne, well I was all go for it woman! She has never loved, this is a great chance, you know a hot king wants you. But she is all, I have a duty to my queen! Silly woman.

And as I said all is not as it seems. There is magic on this island, and mysteries. Ones that can be solved by a librarian. Woot! Librarian powers to the rescue!

As for their dance, it was quite the dance. He wants her, but he also seems to need her..in another way too. She does find him hot (who wouldn't), but this is so so wrong. So they do their little dance, have difficulties understanding each other, grow closer and insert a bit of drama and hot headed idiots and you have your story.

By the way, the next book is Jepp's and Kral's and I can not wait. She has quite the mouth on her, how he could ever rein her in I do not know.

Back to these lovers. I am intrigued by the secrets revealed and can not wait to learn more.
Again, Ursula and A should totally be able to have babies! That still makes me sad, I hope it changes.

And one again back to the book.
Conclusion;
A lovely fantasy romance. 

Cover
Nice

Paperback, 432 pages
Expected publication: May 31st 2016 by Kensington
The Uncharted Realms #1, The Twelve Kingdoms #4
Fantasy romance
For review

Sunday, May 29

Joint Discussion: Red Rising by Pierce Brown






This month Blodeuedd and I will be discussing "Red Rising" by Pierce Brown



Author: Pierce Brown
Title: Red Rising (Red Rising #1)
Genre: Sci-FI, Fantasy, & YA
Pages: ebook
First Published: January 28th 2014
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.

Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.

But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.

Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.  



B: Ok, let us begin. I can start. First I just HAVE to complain..I mean really have to. See for me the first 100 pages were pure torture. It was such a DNF. I had been trying to read it for days and then came today when we were supposed to do this and I had read...20 pages! Yikes. So skimmed most of those first 100 boring pages. Then half skimmed the next 50, then after 150 it picked up somewhat, like to Grade 2 territory. Then after 200 it started to get semi interesting. Them after 250 I sat down and paid attention and it ended with a bang. But really, if this had been a normal book for a normal day then it would have been a DNF! However got it got to be in the end.  You? ;)

C: I honestly didn’t have a hard time. I actually enjoyed the first 200 pages! I enjoyed the slow journey and then everything exploded once they were forced to battle and all that. Yes, the beginning was slow, but I liked it. However….some things seemed SO ridiculous at times. Like the “Passage”. 

B: I guess the Golds are just fucked up people. But I really do not get how the can function as a society. If I made it through the passage fine, but then, the rest, there were rapes. One would think women would not want to send their daughters their, or fathers their sons. If I made it through I would have just gone killer crazy when I graduated. And no one does? Damn, people would have to pay, in blood!

C: Precisely! They tried to compare themselves to the Spartans, but hell, Spartans still have rules and didn’t have half the crazy notions the Golds do. It just seems….crazy. If I was part of this world I would wanna be a Pink or something. Too much for “power”. 

B: But weren’t all pinks whores? I think I would want to be Green, creativity, at least that would get people off my back. I could never be red. Golds are insane. Green I do not know them, but yikes, what a world.

C: I can’t remember who the Greens really were….I would need to learn more. I know for sure I do not want to be a Red or a Gold. Being a Pink (aka prostitute/whore) would be the best of the three until I learn more about the negatives of the other colors not really discussed. Yeah…..poor Darrow. 

B: I know not all Golds go through that horrible horrible place. But as a parent I would not want my kid there to become some crazy mofo. 
Also, the Reds, I know the upper management makes them marry young, but hello, if you want more kids then the answer is not to marry at 14. Bodies are not really meant for that and if you want like 20 new slaves then like wait a bit. 

C: Yeah. Agreed. My question is…..how did the higher-ups keep the city a secret from the LowReds. How? I don’t get it. There are a lot of people flying around...it just seems impossible. 

B: I could believe if it had been a generation or so, but hundreds of years? And no one spilled the beans? No, I can not believe that. I just can not

C: There were a lot of things I questioned….lots of plot holes for my liking. Maybe some of these will be answered in the next book(s). I think this is my only complaint about this book. The journey was fun, the characters interesting, the storyline addicting, but the plotholes? Too many for me. 

B: My complaint, make that complaints, are of course it was so boring, oh my god, so effing boring in the start. I did not care. I do not even know why he was taken prisoner, I just did not care. I only got into it when the killing started, yes, I am dark. But it went from blergh to interesting when they tried to build their effed up society and some did realise the flaws. Like that matters. And that end, BOOM! Oh yes, that was a good one. That made me want to read the next book, I just hope the beginning will not drag there too, I just can not handle that

C: I think it’s funny we disagree on this. ;) But yeah - the best part was for sure the killing and darker part. I think it’s insane how seriously they all took this “schooling”. WTF? It is like High School on steroids! I can’t even fathom what is going to happen the next. I do want to read the next book, but I am scared it won’t be as good. There are three books. I feel the events in the second one will be bleh, while the last book will be epic. 

B: And that is why we are not Golds..well actually those pixie golds would more be my thing. I’d eat cake and more cake and could not stop. Let the rest kill themselves stupid buggers. 
Let me think, I should say something more. Damn that end was epic, I can not get over it. If the book had been all way through like that then it would have been a 4. Now it’s a mercy 3 because of a boring dnf beginning.

 Oh oh let’s read all 3 together. Mouwhahahahahahahahahaha

C: LOLLLL a pixie gold wouldn’t be a bad fate. I must say kuddos to the author...he took the story to a whole different level and direction!! I expected more politics and etc….not death and war and the like. Major kuddos. YES. The ending was good! Loved it and totally worth the “slower” parts ;). We should read the next one together! I’m game. 

B: Before me go, I have to mention the whole, any book where kids are killed is compared to the hunger games. For me the hunger games was a sweet silly book where kids killed each other to survive..ahem. But this, these kids were sociopaths, I mean wtf! The raping, murdering, butchering, torture, some did it for fun! This was not a Hunger games book, more like Battle Royale.

C: Well - I have not read the Hunger Games books….I have seen the first movie *ducks behind barricade* This really is a Hunger Games meets Mad Max meets 1984. Dark and bloody.

B: Ha, we have most talked about one thing, but that is a discussion for you :) So the end?

C: Well, it's hard to really talk about other things without MAJOR spoilers ya know? LOL. But yes, the end. ^_^

B: Until next time then my lady

C: *Waves* Who’s turn is it next?

B: This was my pick, so you

C: *dives behind barricade again* OH NO!! Wish me luck!

B: Do NOT mess it up!

C: 0_0



**CAROLE'S CONCLUSION:
This was way better than I thought it was going to be. The beginning was a hair slow, but I felt it was necessary and I didn't mind it. Strange! I know. It was a dark world....I have no idea why it was a YA....there was a lot of blood, rape, death, and war. Many compare it to the Hunger Games. I personally feel it is a mixture of the HG plus Mad Max plus 1984 all rolled into one. The ending had me drooling for the next one! In the end, I do recommend this for those that like books like the Hunger Games. Just be warned it is a darker version. I shall stamp this with 4 stars. 






Saturday, May 28

Guest Post: Movie Review - EQUALS


I would all like you to give another warm welcome to my guest here at CRR's! 

Maria is a writer interested in comic books, cycling, and horror films. Her hobbies include cooking, doodling, and finding local shops around the city. She currently lives in Chicago with her two pet turtles, Franklin and Roy. 





******
Equals: A New Type of Sci-Fi?


Equals is the newest cinematic offering from A24 Films and DirecTV that focuses on a star-crossed romance within a utopian society. The world we are exposed to throughout Equals’ is intended to show how an ideal society can be created, as well as the logistical flaws involved in such an endeavor. Equals comes across as a film that does its best to develop a unique identity, separate from other recent dystopian youth films like The Hunger Games and Divergent.

Director Drake Doremus and writer Nathan Parker have created the utopian world of Equals, in which a near-futuristic society reminiscent of The Giver has chemically neutralized emotions in all its citizens. This is referred to as the “Switch On Syndrome” or SOS and anyone showing any form of emotion is shipped off to the Defective Emotional Neuropathy (DEN) center. Lead characters, Silas (Nicholas Hoult) and Nia (Kristen Stewart), meet each other at the DEN center after Silas first manifests SOS. Silas senses a common bond in Nia, who seems to suffer from emotion but is skilled at concealing it.

Casting Stewart in this role seems to fit with the common perception that she has trouble emoting. Her style of acting, coupled with a muted color palette to her wardrobe only helps to emphasize Nia's emotional strain. Although Nia knows that society wants to purge her of her emotions, she's unsure as to why. After Silas and Nia interact with a support group, Jacki Weaver's Bess, another SOS "victim," offers a chance at escaping. Bess states that she once had an encounter with a man who offered her a chance to go to "The Peninsula," a land of total freedom. She turned him down and believes that the man's life was ended.

One quirk of this futuristic world is that any the intrusive eye of big government seems to have cataracts as Nia and Silas rebel with little punishment or obstruction. This may cause some to wonder why such an oppressive system would have so few people leaving the community if it seems like such an optional way of living. For all of Equals' interesting world-building, it only feels like the audience gets the briefest overview of each set piece and element as if large chunks of notes were left within the script's margins. One shining element of this film is that even when Parker's' script fails to make logical sense, it seems to strike hard and effectively at the one thing the audience is told the film's society purges itself of: Emotion.

John Guleserian’s cinematographic focus on a muted, steel-gray color palette and close-up shots helps to bring the audience in touch with the emotional weight of Silas, Nia and their struggles. This is especially poignant during the pair's first attempt at intimacy where Nia finds herself struggling to communicate her thoughts and simply begs Silas to take everything from her as if such an intense emotional surge were best handled like a hot potato.

The film's final set piece may remind some of a Shakespearean drama, in a positive way. The story of Equals is divvied up among several small, emotive segments that ratchet up to an overwhelming finale. The taste that this finale leaves in each viewer's mouth may vary from person to person. In summation, Equals is a science-fiction film that presents a world that tries to survive without emotion. The combination of Drake Doremus and Nathan Parker, as director and scriptwriter respectively, and Kristen Stewart's acting prowess helps to drive home the importance of emotion in any society.


Wednesday, May 25

Book Review: Depravity by MJ Haag


Author: MJ Haag
Titles: Depravity (Beastly Tales #1)
Genre: Retellings, Romance, & Fantasy
Pages: Ebook
First Published: June 10th 2015
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Amazon Freebie)


A classic fairy tale with a new twist, the Beauty and the Beast saga begins with Depravity... 

Sixteen year old Benella is concerned with two things–avoiding the two village boys who torment her and scrounging for food to help feed her family. Unfortunately, the best wild fruit and vegetables are near the walls of the estate, a dark misty place inhabited by an unforgiving beast. 

When her tormentors lock her behind the massive gates, Benella knows her fate is sealed. Yet, the fate isn’t one she expects. Her encounter with the beast starts a bizarre cycle of bargaining for her freedom, a freedom the beast seems determined to see her lose. 

With the police closing in and the blood feud threatening them, Alena and Enre must overcome their pasts to save their packs’ futures.



Well – this certainly was a darker and grittier version of the beloved story of Beauty and the Beast. It took me by surprise, because yes it does say “Adult Romance” in the summary and all that, but it went DARK at points. And I didn’t feel like this was a romance at all. At least not yet.

Benella (aka Belle) is a 16 year old who’s only worried about getting food/money for her family and avoiding two a-hole guys who are out to get her. Once in a while she sneaks into a dark and magical estate to steal food even though everyone knows if she is caught trespassing three times the “beast” will punish them. 

Not much is known about the Beast, but he JUST that…a beast. It’s pretty obvious he was the old lord of the land, who has been turned into a ghastly creature, but the villagers do not know that yet. 

I hated Benella’s family! The two sisters were horrible and her dad did nothing ever….and I mean ever. However, she still loves them and puts her neck-on-the-line to find food/money. In between escaping the pervy Baker’s advances and the pissed off beast at the creepy estates. 

Yes, this story does follow a 16 year old girl, but it is NOT a YA, it even says it in the summary. There are nude scenes, whorehouse scenes, attempted rape scene, sex scenes, and a sex scene that was for sure more rape than sex honestly (poor Sara). How Benella has maintained her virginity thus far is a surprise to me especially with that Baker guy. These sometimes were “WOAH” moments, but I honestly didn’t mind them. I feel it added to the reality to the book and added a certain darkness to it. Many people didn’t like it or think it was necessary. However, people are forgetting that this is a dark time in this world. There is no money and people are struggling to just get food on the table. Dark times = Dark deeds and Dark measures. 

I do agree I wasn’t a huge fan of the whorehouse parts and I didn’t see how it really fit into the story.

OOOOOOOOH the ending. No. No. You cannot end like that. Now I am forced to read the next one. I’m sure what will happen next, but now I need to know. GAH.

In the end, I liked this quite a bit. It was a darker version and I liked it. I hated the family, the townsfolk, and the whorehouse scenes were meh. This is NOT a YA and don’t let the young age of the heroine fool you. This shall be stamped 5 stars. More 4.5, but I rounded. 




















Monday, May 23

B's Monday Review: Wedding Bells, Magic Spells by Lisa Shearin

You would think that after having successfully destroyed the Saghred (aka, a legendary soul-sucking rock) and sending an evil goblin demigod to the Lower Hells that I would get some time off to plan my wedding to my sexy paladin fiancé Mychael Eiliesor, right? Wrong. Not only do I have to brace for meeting Mychael’s parents and cope with my burgeoning new powers, but it seems there may be another calamity brewing.

After the recent change in goblin leadership, the new—thankfully non-psychotic—king is willing to participate in an elf/goblin/human peace treaty. The Isle of Mid is the site of these delicate negotiations, meaning all hands on deck for Mychael and his Conclave Guardians. When the head of elven intelligence (and my wedding guest) Duke Markus Sevelien is nearly assassinated upon his arrival, I suspect my mother-in-law will be the least of my concerns. Sabotaging these talks may be only the first salvo in a treacherous and deadly new apocalyptic plot! 

My thoughts:
It's not the best time to read a book when you are cranky as hell, but at least it took my minds if things...for a few seconds, and then I was cranky again.

Anyway....Raine should be with Taaaam! Team Tam!!!! But no, she is marrying Mychael, always go with the nice elf. Noo, go with the goblin! Alas those days are over, but in my mind she in Tam will have goblin babies one day. I am so bad ;)

But before they can get married she must meet the inlaws *music of doom*
And they must meet her pirate family *music of doom*
She must deal with the after affects of the Sanghred *music of doom*
Someone is trying to kill everyone *music of doom*
And something bigger is coming...no music of doom, just a note to the author to write more books. pretty please.

Conclusion:
It was fun to see Raine and the gang again, and seriously, one more book is so needed. Just one more. 

Cover
Nice

Paperback, 312 pages
Published February 16th 2016 by NLA Digital LLC
Raine Benares #7
Fantasy
Own

Sunday, May 22

Book Review: Cloaked in Secrecy by TF Walsh


Author: TF Walsh
Titles: Cloaked in Secrecy
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: Ebook
First Published: March 2016
Where I Got It: On my shelf (given to me by an author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)


Death has followed Alena Novac’s circus family for years. When the police arrest her brother for a murder he didn’t commit, she has only a week to rescue him before he transforms into his wolf form in prison and exposes their wulfkin existence to the world.

Enre Ulf, a former member of the Varlac, the fearsome ruling wulfkin clan, plans to infiltrate Alena’s circus clan and take out their alpha to save his home in Transylvania. Except he never expected his wolf claiming Alena as his mate, or feeling compelled to save her brother to help protect the secrets of the wulfkin.

With the police closing in and the blood feud threatening them, Alena and Enre must overcome their pasts to save their packs’ futures.



This is the second installment of this series. The first book was amazing and I loved the world. The world continues as they switch to Enre's and Alena's POV. I'm happy to see that Enre does get some sort of happy ending, because he did get kinda screwed in the last one when his ex picked a human over him. Certainly a blow to his furry ego. 

I was really worried at first, because I thought this was going to be a super insta-love story because they made-out within the first couple of chapters. However, it was just lust. Then Alena learned who was related to and was MAD, because she hates the Varlac due to something they did a while back. GOOD. I didn't want an insta-love with these two. Lust, fine. Love? No. Too much drama going on for that nonsense. 

I adored Nic. Gah, I felt bad for him! 

Honestly....I'm not sure if I liked Alena or not. Sure, I'm glad Enre has somebody, because I loved him...but Alena herself? Mmhmmmmm, she annoyed me a lot of the time. 

The story started off fast and there was a lot going on, then it stalled out for a bit. It took a few chapters to get the locomotive moving again and then I was hooked. I finished this in the matter of a couple sessions. I simply love this world! The location is certainly refreshing and enjoyable. 

I can't wait for more from this author and this world! This could be read as a stand alone, but I feel to understand the character, Enre, and the world, the first one should be read. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4 stars. 



















Friday, May 20

Book Review: The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

Author: Mitch Albom
Titles: The Time Keeper
Genre: Fiction, Inspirational, & Fantasy
Pages: Ebook
First Published: September 2012
Where I Got It: Borrowed from friend


In this fable, the first man on earth to count the hours becomes Father Time. 

The inventor of the world's first clock is punished for trying to measure God's greatest gift. He is banished to a cave for centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all who come after him seeking more days, more years. Eventually, with his soul nearly broken, Father Time is granted his freedom, along with a magical hourglass and a mission: a chance to redeem himself by teaching two earthly people the true meaning of time.

He returns to our world - now dominated by the hour-counting he so innocently began - and commences a journey with two unlikely partners: one a teenage girl who is about to give up on life, the other a wealthy old businessman who wants to live forever. To save himself, he must save them both. And stop the world to do so.




"Once we began to chime the hour, we lost the ability to be satisfied."

That…that sentence, I feel, is the whole meaning of this book. With the measurement of time, we have lost of appreciation for every second. Some want more time, some want less, some are not grateful, and some do not take half a moment to smell the roses. Especially with our modern society. I find myself time-watching and begging time to hurry up or slow down (depending on the day). 

Dor is obsessed with counting and measuring things out. He then makes a fatal mistake to count and measure time. This leads the world down a horrible path. He is “punished” to have immortality and be all alone in a cave with the voices of the miserable people begging for more time or less time. Poor guy. However, redemption would come when he is tasked to make two people see the light and make them realize time means nothing and to enjoy what you have. 

There is Sarah…suicidal and heart-broken over a silly boy. 

And then there is Victor….he is dying of cancer and he wants more time. 

These are two souls that Dor needs to save and open their eyes. I felt really bad for Victor. Dying is sucky especially if there if that means leaving behind the one you love and when you feel there is still so much to do. Yeah…I kinda felt bad for Sarah, but not really. Having a broken-heart is crappy, but (even though I’ll sound like an a-hole) I wanted her story to sadder. They went one like one or two dates….c’mon. 

This was really good. Not the best of the author’s books. But it was really good. SUPER quick and easy. I literally flew by in a matter of minutes. I really do love how he explained the creation of marking time. It was certainly creative. 

I went back and forth on how I liked the format of the book. It was different and helped break-up the book easy. There was an obvious shift of POV and time jumps. However, sometimes I felt like it was unnecessary and it cut the story up too much. 

In the end, I really do recommend this if you want a book that makes you think. It did have a couple of moments that made me feel (not as much as some of his other books), but it was a good lesson enforcer. I get being busy….just take a moment to not care about time and smell the roses. Don’t get mad if a friend is late. Just be happy they made it. Don’t beg for the day to end at work (a tough one), because that means you lost LOTS of times to live in the moment and actually try and enjoy yourself. Good book. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4. 



















Wednesday, May 18

Movie Review: Bronson (2008)


Length: 1 hr & 32 min
Released: 2008
Genre:  Action & Biography
Rating: R
Where I Got It: On Netflix

SUMMARY:

A young man who was sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing a post office ends up spending three decades in solitary confinement. During this time, his own personality is supplanted by his alter-ego, Charles Bronson.











TRAILER:



REVIEW:
I certainly do love me some Tom Hardy. He's one of my favorites. He is SUCH an intense actor and I have enjoyed plenty of his works.

Well....this was a weird one. 

Bronson was a super strange, strange man. He loved jail, he loved fighting, he loved jail, he loved the girls, he loved his mama, he loved jail, he wanted to be famous, he loved jail, he was funny, and did I mention he LOVED jail? Jail was an excuse to be bad and fight. Super weird dude. I have heard of him in passing, but I didn't know much at all. So this was enlightening. 

I will admit, I technically watched this twice before this review. The first time I zonked out about halfway through. The second time I managed to make it through. It was boring...just lots of slow parts and some lulls in between his crazy outbursts. Crazy, crazy dude. 

The cast was pretty good, I must admit. Tom Hardy did a fantastic job being that nut. At times I forgot who he was acting! Kuddos on that! The one girl who played one of his girlfriends was annnnooooyyyyying. I wanted to kick her. 

The ending was a meh. 

I did, however, like the format of the story. Bronson is narrating his story, so there are rarely any spoilers. Its a hard format to do right and good, but I felt like it was done well.

In the end, this was okay. It was entertaining even though the first watch I could barely stay away. The second watch was much better and I managed to make to the end. Bronson was cra-cra and Tom Hardy did a good job. The ending...well...was not how I would have ended it myself. I do recommend this for a rainy day. There is comedy, action, a touch of romance, and lots and lots of crazy fighting. Its a compromise movie for a date if you and your date cannot decide on what to watch. Just don't except to be jumping to your feet clapping and wanting more. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 3. 


Tuesday, May 17

Book Review: Just a Kiss Away by Jill Barnett

Author: Jill Barnett
Titles: Just a Kiss Away
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 352
First Published: 1991
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Purchased on Amazon)


Arriving on a lush Pacific island, Eulalie Grace LaRue was soon to be reunited with the father she hadn't seen since childhood. Yet before Lollie's dreamed-of meeting could take place, the lovely Southern belle was caught in the crossfire of a violent revolution -- and thrown into the rugged arms of Sam Forester. On the run in the jungle, the battle-scarred soldier of fortune didn't know what to do with the pampered blonde placed in his care. Survival was his top priority, but he could not resist Lollie's seductive charm...or deny the growing attraction between them. Though Sam thrived on chance and risk, falling in love was the one chance he wasn't willing to take.

Powerless against the desire that consumed them both, Lollie surrendered to his passionate embrace. But when he dismissed her affections, she was determined to fight for him...to prove that in the steamy heat of paradise, two hearts would find the love of a lifetime....




This has been on my TBR list for quite some time now. I finally had a chunk of time to crack it open and read it. Well…..yeah…..I’m rather bummed.

I hated Sam. I wanted to kick him. 

I hated “Lollie” or whatever the heck her name was. 

Her father was an a-hole. 

The brothers are creepily protective over her. I get it…your baby sister and you love her. But 1) kinda creepy and 2) CALM down. 

The bird was HILARIOUS! It certainly entertained me. Certainly a huge boost there, because I loved him/her (not sure if it was a girl or boy). 

The beginning had promise, but it lost me once Sam met Lollie. NOT realistic. He would’ve cut her pretty little neck after speaking with her for two minutes. Sorry. Just not realistic and it lost me from there. Okay – okay – just say he doesn’t kill her, she would have killed herself someway somehow. She was a fool. But yes, there are many haters of Sam and crying out, “LOVE HER DAMMIT!” NO! NO NO NO! Sam run! RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!!! FIND A NICE GIRL WHO ISN’T A BLOOMING RICH IDIOT!

I am one for torture….so I kept reading. Granted I did a lot of skimming. Now, the ending was decent. It was the most realistic aspect of the entire novel. It was actually cute even though it was still sappy as hell.

In the end…the only redeeming quality was the hilarious bird. Loved him/her, I want a parrot! Sam was a jerk, but I don’t blame him. Lollie needed to fall off a cliff. The brothers….creepy. The father was a sorry excuse for a man. The ending was okay too, but the rest? Not so much. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 1 star.


















Monday, May 16

B's Monday Review: Hearts Blood by & The Crown of the Queen by Jeffe Kennedy

A Story of The Twelve Kingdoms
Nix is nothing. The Princess Natilde—her former waiting woman—attacked her on the journey to wed Prince Cavan, stripping her of everything and taking her place. With no serving skills, Nix becomes a goose girl. Perhaps if Nix keeps her promise never to reveal who she really is, Natilde won’t carry out her vile threats. Prince Cavan entered his arranged marriage determined to have a congenial, if not loving relationship with his future queen—for the sake of both their kingdoms. But, his wife repels him more each day and he finds himself absurdly drawn to the lovely Nix.

With broken vows, anguish and dark secrets between them, Cavan and Nix struggle to find the magic to restore what’s gone terribly wrong… if it ever can be. 

My thoughts:
First, I read this in an anthology so this review is short! Cos I had a lot of other books to talk about.

It was really good and all, but I just read another retelling of the goose girl (like last week), so I was never surprised.

But Natilde is a bitch! And go Nyx!

This takes place in the twelve kingdoms world, but has nothing to do with that trilogy.

ebook
Published March 7th 2016 by Brightlynx Publishing
The Twelve Kingdoms #3.5
Fantasy
Own


Dafne Mailloux, librarian and temporary babysitter to the heirs to the High Throne of the Twelve – now Thirteen – Kingdoms, finds it difficult to leave the paradise of Annfwn behind. Particularly that trove of rare books in temptingly unfamiliar languages. But duty calls, and hers is to the crown. It’s not like her heart belongs elsewhere. But how can she crown a queen who hesitates to take the throne? 

My thoughts:
I know this was your story Dafne, but I was all about the rest and the whole omg, will they never be able to marry? No one is having babies!
Saaaaaaaaaaaaaadness! And since the next book is about Dafne, that is just, sad you know. No one gets to share their love, well except for Andi. No one is having babies, except for Ami. Now I am sad. 

Now when I have that off my chest. This is about Ursula having doubts, others having doubts about her taking the High Crown (to me it would be better if everyone took care of their own business and cut the high stuff.) And it's about who will take over after her.

And it is about seers making hints that maybe Dafne has a future too. Yay, I can not wait. Especially since book 4s blurb sure seems interesting. No, it has nothing to do with that premise that I love, fine, yes it has everything to do with that premise.
(edit, reading this later and I have NO idea what I am talking about)

This is mostly a talking and thinking story. Trying to put the kingdom back together. I just want everyone to be happy though.

Kindle Edition
Expected publication: May 31st 2016
The Twelve Kingdoms #3.6
Fantasy
For review