Wednesday, July 31

Audiobook Review: In My Wildest Fantasies by Julianne MacLean

In My Wildest Fantasies (Pembroke Palace, #1)
Author: Julianne MacLean
Narrator: Rosalyn Landor 
Title: In My Wildest Fantasies
(Pembroke Palace #1)
Genre:Historical Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published: January 15th 2013
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Julianne MacLean's thrilling Pembroke Palace Series begins when a young and innocent aristocratic lady is rescued from a runaway coach by a heroic stranger on a horse-who appears like a phantom out of the mist in a fog-shrouded forest.
Lady Rebecca Newland cannot forget the captivating nobleman who saved her life, and she sets out to meet him again when she is of an age to be courted. Unbeknownst to her, her timing is impeccable, for Devon Sinclair, the future Duke of Pembroke, has just been informed by his mad father that he must take a wife before Christmas in order to thwart a family curse and preserve his inheritance.
Lady Rebecca is everything Devon could want in a wife - she is beautiful, charming, and she desires him openly. But can a marriage built on fantasy succeed, or will the lovers be forever entangled in the seductive web of their mutual passion for what occurs each night the marriage bed?

 I had picked this up because I randomly read/listened to the short story. I wanted to check out more by the author in hopes maybe one of her full novels would be better. 

The story follows Lady Rebecca and the future Duke Devon. The two had met years previous when Devon saved Rebecca from a getaway carriage. Years have passed and she still loved him. When her father picks out a terrible man to be her husband she decides she is going to throw a Hail Mary and try and marry her hero. Lucky for her Devon is needs of a wife to save his and his brothers' inheritance. Fancy that, eh ;) Bonus points it is insta-lust for both of them. 

This a unique way to tell a common HR story. It was refreshing and I was curious how it was all going to end especially when Devon has zero interest in love because of something terrible that happened. Poor guy. I felt so bad. 

Now...I didn't really the whole diary thing. It was different for sure to have Lady Rebecca have some knowledge on love and smexy stuff because of this random diary she found. It was nice to not have the heroine be super naive. But it felt like a young lady of the time wouldn't put THAT much descriptive detail in it and if someone did a proper young lady wouldn't keep reading. Maybe I'm looking too much into it. 

Devon annoyed me. I wanted to like him a lot but he annoyed me. I felt bad for him yes. That terrible thing was indeed terrible, but I wanted to kick him especially when he gave Rebecca crap for having a motive to wanting to marry him. UMMMM jerkface...so did you. >_> Ugh. 

There was insta-lust. Rebecca loved the idea of him but didn't love HIM. And I liked that. It worked and made sense. It took forever and day and I am happy. 

Should I even say anything about the narration???? SHE IS ALWAYS AMAZING!!! Love her.

Overall, I did like this. Some issues, but still enjoyable. I am curious for book 2, but I'm not at the same time mainly because I'm not a fan of the next brother. He's even more of a jerkface then Devon. Anyways....I'll give this 3 stars. 













Tuesday, July 30

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Favorite Blogs

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Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 



  
Let’s make new friends: Share some of your favorite blogs.

There are sooo many blogs I adore. I will try and name my tops. If I forget someone I am sorry!! So many blogs, so little time!! BTW there is no order to my list. ^_^

Carole's Chatter  
            




Delighted Reader

Monday, July 29

B's Monday Review: His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik



Mass Market Paperback, 353 pages
Published March 28th 2006 by Del Rey
Series: Temeraire #1
Alternative history / fantasy
Library

I read this one years ago and enjoyed it. This time around, well, no, not as good as I remember it being. But then it was like I did not remember anything, but when I read the words I remembered everything, and some books are just not as fun the second time around.

I also see that I only read 5 and I did not like the 5th, hmm, the library did not get any more.

But ok, these are fun. What if the worlds had dragons and used them in battle? Hornblower meets dragon riders!

I like Lawrence, I like Temeraire. And now I do wonder how it all played out, I really have to check if the library ever got more.

So yes do give them a go.

Aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors ride mighty fighting dragons, bred for size or speed. When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes the precious cargo, an unhatched dragon egg, fate sweeps Captain Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future – and an unexpected kinship with a most extraordinary creature. Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as master of the dragon Temeraire, he will face a crash course in the daring tactics of airborne battle. For as France’s own dragon-borne forces rally to breach British soil in Bonaparte’s boldest gambit, Laurence and Temeraire must soar into their own baptism of fire

Sunday, July 28

Joint Review: Written in Red by Anne Bishop






Hello all! Blodeuedd and I will be discussing "Written in Red" by Anne Bishop. We had a little fun with this one. I read the ebook version and Blodeuedd did the audio version. Blodeuedd is in red and I am in purple. 






Written in Red (The Others, #1)
Author: Anne Bishop
Narrator: Alexandra Harris
Title: Written in Red
(The Others #1)
Genre: Paranormal, UF, Fantasy, & romance
Published: March 1st 2013
Pages: ebook & audiobook (Blodeuedd listened to the audio)


As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others. 

Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow


Amaaaaaazing!!!!! I was not the biggest fan of this book when I read it, but audio, oh wow, audio!

Too funny! I read the ebook of it and I am meh overall. Still curious about book 2, but it took me sooooo long to really get sucked into the story and the world. I’ll have to do audio for book 2 ;)

I am really curious if you will get sucked into the book thanks to audio. So very curious. Because for me it was so much better. All those things that had bothered me when reading did not bother me now.

I am curious. Maybe someday I’ll backtrack and listen to the audio version of this. We’ll see how I feel about the next books ;) I hope Meg gets better. I was not a huge fan of her. She annoyed me. 

When I read my first review I read between the lines that I felt she was a Mary Sue and I did not like her But audio, Alexandra Harris made her so likable, I felt like she was a lost puppy and I needed to care for her.

Yess she was sooo Mary Sue but super whiney at times. Like calm down. I get that she had a rough past, but still. So annoying. She did get better at the end there. So I have hope for her in the next book. 

I was worried, but I did not have that feeling at all now. Meg was awesome.

Awwww I hope I fall for her in the next one! I was neutral on Simon. Didn’t hate or like him. 


And again, do I love them because I did fall madly in love with book 4 or is it audio? I say audio! Simon was omg srsly, you have to listen to him. He was all growly throughout the entire book, he had the perfect voice. Which made me like him.

Maybe I’d like him if I heard a different voice. In my head, he sounds like a grumpy school teacher and she sounds whiney. Hahaha. Sometimes audios can help change one think of a character differently either in a good way or bad way ;) But yes, Carole brain was not kind to what I thought they sounded like. 

He was growly and rather scary, and well bloody perfect. She does voices so well, the vamps, perfect, the crows, perfect, that Kowalski cop, perfect voice lol.

I am so excited to listen to  the next book. I hope it changes my opinions on these characters because I adored the world. It is dark and scary and fun. I loved the world and I want to see more and learn more. 

And I can’t wait to see if you like her voice too. I listened to her at first with the spinoff series and yeah, she is so good! 
But this world is great too, that I liked when I was not overly impressed. Dark and omg doesn’t it make you hate humans!?

Ugh humans!!!! I wanted to kick them!!!! Always horrible. Always a pain. And yessss I keep hearing about her voice. I read a couple reviews on her and she sounds like I’ll like her. I am giddy for book 2. The last couple chapters had me hooked and reading fast!!!

You will continue to hate them until you wish there were none left. Love it! Hehe. Oh yes those last chapters, so many hours of me sitting biting my nails even though I knew what would happen.

It was a nail-biter for sure!! I had no idea how it was going to end! Kuddos to the author there. Had me hooked even though I wanted to hiss at Meg and yawn at Simon with all his grow-ly ways. 


Lol, like I said, none of that for me. Just really hating Asia, damn her to hell!

Totally forgot about my hatred of Asia. LOLLL. Darn her!!!! *shakes fist*


I had forgotten that I hated her, ugh, haaaaate! So much hate.

Yesss grrr! She drove me insane. Especially with the long paragraphs of infodumps. Like no one wants to hear you or listen to you. Go away. 

Anything else? I obvi loved it, hehe. I can’t wait to re.listen to book 2.

Mmmmm nothing else. I loved the world and the writing. But I was annoyed by Meg and was neutral towards Simon. Asia and the humans make me hiss. BUT the last couple of chapters really did excite me for book 2. I will listen to the audio though. I hope it makes me like it more. *fingers crossed*


I really hope so! I want you to fall in love with this world too. As for Simon, hmm, I have to check an old review, wait…..hmm, I still do not know, but I do not think it was love at first sight for me. It took a while. Anyhow, audio next :D

I want to love him. But alas my heart is bored and neutral of him so far. We shall see ;) And I hope so too. The last handful of chapters gave me hope. I nearly had to say no way to book 2. But the ending and the world building saved the story for me. Yayy. 


Let’s hope for that. Fingers crossed!

Fingers crossed for sure!!!! 
The end?

End



About the Authors
Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging a long while now. The last couple of years the epic duo have been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.





Thursday, July 25

Audiobook Review: Miss Darcy Decides by Reina M Williams

Miss Darcy Decides (Love at Pemberley, #2)
Author: Reina M. Williams 
Narrator: Kate Sample
Title: Miss Darcy Decides
(Love at Pemberley #2)
Genre: Romance, Historical Romance, Short Story, Novella, PP variation
Pages: Audiobook
Published:  January 22nd 2014
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



While visiting a young woman—who was not so fortunate as Miss Georgiana Darcy in escaping the persuasions of a rogue—Georgiana meets Sir Camden Sutton, whose reputation causes Georgiana to wonder as to his motives. Her wondering soon turns to a different feeling when Sir Camden comes to stay at Pemberley, showing himself to be a very different man than was rumored. While Sir Camden struggles with his past and his commitment to his future, as well as the ill intentions of haughty Caroline Bingley, Miss Darcy must decide whether to listen to others, or the words written on her heart. 

I've had my eye on this little gem for a while. So glad I was able to finally check it out! And audio? Even better ;) 

The story follows Georgiana Darcy who is the younger sister of Mr. Darcy. Everyone seems to be getting married and having babies. She is not crazy about all these changes. Sure she is happy for everyone, but she is just getting over her fiasco from eons ago with Mr. Wickham. In strolls Sir Camden. He had a rocky past due to grief and now he's trying to be the man of honor he knows he is. Will they be able to find love?

This was a lot of fun and I'm so happy to see Georgiana get a book. I feel like she is always forgotten in these PP or they just toss her someone and go on with the story of one of the Bennet sisters. I liked Sir Camden. I felt they went together well. They both did things in the past that they regret but now they have each other. Super sweet. 

I had no issues with the story. I liked it and it all fit well. I do want to read book 1**

**EDIT - I did read book 1...how do I NOT remember this????? Must re-read I guess. 

Luckily with these type of stories, you can read them in any order. 

My only issue is with the cover. I liked it at first...but then the girl on the cover doesn't match the girl described in the book. So annoying. 

The narrator took a bit to get used too. I felt she tried to hard to be posh British. But I think she calmed down or I just got used to it after a bit. 

Overall, I enjoyed this. It fixed my need for PP!! Loved Georgiana and Camden. They were sweet. The cover annoys me now, but it still is cute. Overall, I'll give this 4 stars. 





Wednesday, July 24

Audiobook Review: Hope Ignites by Jaci Burton

Hope Ignites (Hope, #2)Author: Jaci Burton  
Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld
Title: Hope Ignites
(Hope #2)
Genre:Contemporary Romance, Western
Pages: Audiobook
Published: March 25th 2014 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Logan McCormack likes his isolated life on the ranch, until a movie crew starts filming there. When actress Desiree Jenkins blows into his life, she wrecks it harder than the Oklahoma winds with her brutal honesty and soft touch. Des knows this is a temporary stay, but she loves the open freedom of the land, and for the first time in her life, Des feels like she might have found a place she can call home, with a man she might be falling in love with. But Logan’s heart is tougher than the soil beneath them—can she convince him that they belong together?


Book 2 in the series. I was super excited this one, because I had liked Logan in the last book. 

Logan is rancher who only loves his family and his ranch and his dogs. He accepts a contract with a movie crew to film their movie on part of his land. Why not? Extra cash! He then meets Desiree/Des Jenkins who is an actress. There is lust and maybe a hope of love? 

Logan was a snotball, but I get why. His parents had a crappy marriage because his mom did not want the rancher life. She just wanted to be in the city and be glamorous...sooo a hot actress breezing into town? Lots of flags there. But after a point c'mon man. Get that stubborn head out of your butt. She loves you. You love her. She loves the town. She loves the ranch. She loves the animals. IT IS PERFECT! Sure she may do some movies here and there but you guys can make it work. 

Des was okay. I didn't get a lot of her motives...but I liked her. 

LOVED Colt. He stole my little heart. His relationship with Tony was cute. I would love a little short story for those too. I want more Colt/Tony. 

Now...I did have issues with the length and how long they took to be together. Sure lots of smexy times and lots of hanging out and being couple-y. But it took until the last 10 mins for them to realize they love each other. So frustrating. I would've loved to see them make the commitment and see a touch of their arrangement or something. Just something. It got....a bit boring. Sighs. They kept going on how they don't BS each other and they are honest with their feelings...but they refuse to talk about the elephant in the room. Gah.

The narrator was awesome too....as per normal. She is so fun! 

All-in-all I did like this. I wish there had been some more to see the dynamic once they realized they loved each other. I liked them together, but it was an easy fix and they dragged it out too long. Not as good as the first book. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 





Pet/Animal on the cover


Tuesday, July 23

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Interesting Things About Me

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Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 



  
Fun Post: Share interesting things about yourself.

Oh lord. I am so bad at these. We had to do these in every single college class and sometimes work likes to take interest in us, the workers, and we have to make a PowerPoint or say something in a meeting. 

- I developed a recent love of painting. Never used to be good, but I did a work outing where we went to Painting with a Twist. It sparked a love in me. I've painted on my own and gone to Painting with a Twist three times now. .


Most recent one I did at Painting with a Twist



- I was born in San Diego, CA. After my parents divorce when I was 3, we moved to Michigan. 

No photo description available.

- Recently I just added two more tattoos to my collection so that brings it to a total of 7 now (does mental counting) Yes, 7 I believe?

Image may contain: one or more people and closeup
Two most recent ones in memory of my friend who passed


- I started off in college going for a Surgical Tech degree...changed to a History Teacher degree with a minor in English...and I ended up with Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. 


Image may contain: Carole Rae, smiling


- My two favorite animals are blue jays and camels. 

Image result for blue jay  Image result for camels


I think that is it. 







Monday, July 22

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Ordinary Girls by Blair Thornburgh


Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-04-19
Language: English
Publisher: HarperAudio
Fiction YA


So nothing really happens, and a lot of fancy words are used, but, it was just so lovely to read a YA book where ok so there was some drama, but it was real drama. It was calm, and then a storm might come, but they weathered it.

Patience, aka Plum and Ginny lives with their mum in a crumbling house. Too big, too old, plumbing that goes out, not enough money to care for it.

Their mum only works part-time at the uni, her paintings does not sell. Money is a problem.

Ginny is a dramaqueen in the old sense, I mean 19th century way. All those Austen and Bronte heroes, or wait, Anne, yes totally Anne. Ginny is really smart, but worries constantly how to get into College, and then pay for it.

Plum is the calm, normal one, she is the narrator as she worries about their home, about her sister who is always in the spotlight, and then she gets a secret of her own. And I liked that, something just for her, all so very calm and by accident.

The prose is very flowery, and yes all those fancy words that P likes to use might not be to everyone's taste. But it works so well

It is very sweet, upbeat, and even when they struggle they push forward, at least Plum does. I enjoyed it.

Narrator
Oh she nailed Ginny when she was despairing at the world at times, so drama. She gave  Plum a great voice too. I liked it and made the story flow.

It was my first time with this narrator and I would listen to her again

For siblings as different as Plum and Ginny, getting on each other’s nerves is par for the course. But when the family’s finances hit a snag, sending chaos through the house in a way only characters from a Jane Austen novel could understand, a distance grows between them like never before.

Plum, a self-described social outcast, finally has something in her life that doesn’t revolve around her dramatic older sister. But what if coming into her own means Plum isn’t there for Ginny when she, struggling with a hard secret of her own, needs her most?

I received this audiobook free of charge in exchange for an honest review

Sunday, July 21

Book Review: The Book of Lost Souls by Michelle Scott


The Book of Lost SoulsAuthor: Michelle Scott 
Title: The Book of Lost Souls
Genre: UF, Paranormal Romance
Pages: ebook
Published:  May 18th 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author or publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



You don’t have to be in love to fight demons. But it helps.

Ever since demons first made their appearance on Earth, the Protectorate has been working hard to send them back to hell. It’s a dirty war between good and evil, and it gets even tougher when a demonic prophet named Hezbah threatens to smash the gates of hades and release every demon inside.

Unfortunately, the only two people who can stop Hezbah aren’t speaking to each other.

Kia Saunders takes her job as a Protectorate agent very seriously. She thought her partner, Levi, did as well. But after Lev’s disregard for the rules almost gets her killed, she questions everything she knows about the demons…and Levi.

Fearless, swaggering Levi Asche is the best Protectorate demon hunter in Detroit. Or at least he was until he made a mistake that cost him his job, his home, and his partner.

Now, as Lev and Kia work together to stop Hezbah, two things remains clear: Hezbah’s powers are greater than anyone guessed. And even when they’re arguing, Kia and Lev have never been better together.


I couldn't resist this book because of the summary and the book cover. Isn't that one badass cover? 

The story follows Kia and Lev who are Protectorate agents. Their job is to send the demons back to where they came from. A demon prophet named Hezbah threatens to smash the gates and release all the demons back to Earth.

I really enjoyed this. I was able to get this done in 3 sittings. It took a couple of chapters really to get hooked, but once I was hooked I sped through this. A quick but fun read. 

Kia was fun and she kicked butt. I was meh about Lev at first. By the end I did like him...but I am still not the biggest fan of him. I get he does what he does and he gets results, but he breaks too many rules that almost got Kia killed. SMH. Calm down cowboy! lol. But yes, I did like him but I still will keep a close on him in the future. 

The baddie was scary! I wasn't sure how everything was going to turn out. 

I believe there is a 1st book? I would like to read it if is there. There seemed to be some backstory I felt like I was missing. Overall the book did okay as a standalone but I do feel like I was missing some things though. 

I want more of this world though! I want to learn more. It is a fun concept and world. Demons are scary! And I said it already but that baddie was scary but a good baddie!

Now that ending!? SO good. I am itching to see what is next! 

Overall, I really liked this book. The cool cover drew me in and then the story had me hooked. There were some references I felt like I missed, but it still worked out. Kia was awesome, but I am still going to keep an eye on that Lev fella. ;). OooooOOo that ending was really good. Curious to see what is next! I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 





  




Thursday, July 18

Book Review: Nolander by Becca Mills


Nolander (Emanations #1)Author: Becca Mills
Title: Nolander
(Emanations #1)
Genre: Paranormal, UF, YA, & Fantasy
Pages: ebook 
Published:  April 2nd 2012)
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)



Nice girls don't believe in monsters. They're wrong. 

Amateur photographer Beth Ryder is in trouble. She's taking pictures of things she can't see, things that aren't human. Beth has her own dreams, but people like her don't get to go free. She's seized by a dangerous organization dedicated to keeping Earth's shadow world -- and its frightening inhabitants -- a secret. Forced into otherworldly politics and uncertain whom to trust, Beth must come to terms with a radically altered future -- one in which her own humanity seems to be draining away.


This has been burning a hole in my ebook collection and I needed something fresh and different. 

The story follows Beth Ryder who is just a nice girl in a small town. She is a little odd and has anxiety issues. She picked up a camera and decided to become a photographer. Well...she starts taking these pictures and weird things are popping up in the photo that wasn't there when she took the photo. Strange! She is dragged into an organization dedicated to keeping the shadow world a secret. 

Gah! Poor Beth. She just wants a normal life and a happy life. 

But yes - this started out pretty good. I was hooked...and then I started realizing how much everyone in this world sucks. Beth (and the kids of course) are the only ones who don't suck. I wouldn't want a part of any of those people. Screw them. They are jerks. Super jerks. Who do you trust? NONE OF THEM. Grr. At one point I did wanna shake Beth and kick her. But she is a bug stuck in a web. Poor thing. 

The story itself was okay. The world is interesting and it is different and fresh, but I had a hard time getting through the last 50% of the story because it felt forced at one point. It's hard to care about anyone or anything when everyone is terrible. Especially Graham and Williams. They are both crappy. 

Overall, this started strong and ended meh. I liked Beth and you can't hate the kids because they are sweet. But everyone else? BLEH. They are horrible and mean and terrible. No thank you. The world was interesting and it was refreshing from the other PNR/UFs out there. I'll give this a 2.