Book Review: The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig

Author: Lauren Willig

Title: The Masque of the Black Tulip

Series: Pink Carnation #2

Genre: Historical Romance, Mystery, Chick Lit 

Format: paperback

Pages: 464

Published: December 1, 2005

Where I got It: My shelf (Some sort of bookstore - it's been so long)

Summary: 

Modern-day graduate student Eloise achieved the academic coup of the century when she unmasked one of history's greatest spies, the Pink Carnation, who saved England from Napoleon. But now she has a million questions about the Carnation's deadly French nemesis, the Black Tulip. And she's pretty sure that her handsome on-again, off-again crush, Colin Selwick, has the answers somewhere in his archives. When she finally comes across an old codebook, Eloise discovers something juicier than she ever imagined: an unlikely pair who were hot on the trail of the Black Tulip and had every intention of stopping him from killing the Pink Carnation and bringing down England. But what they didn't know was that while they were trying to find the Tulip--and stumbling upon something like love--the Black Tulip was watching them....

Review:

It's been YEARS since I read this little gem. I've been struck with the need to re-read this whole series so I'll be chipping away at this over the next few...whatever it takes. I'm so excited. 

We are back at it with Eloise digging for the truth. She unmasked the Pink Carnation and now she has a million questions about the Carnation's deadly French nemesis....the Black Tulip. Colin surely has the answers in his archives. While digging, she uncovers an unlikely pair who were hot on the trail of the Black Tulip. Miles and Henrietta have known each other since childhood. Miles is her brother's best friend and spy partner. She wants to help! But Miles wants her to stay home and out of danger.

Awww Hen and Miles. I adore this couple soooo much. I forgot how much I loved watching them go from friends to lovers. The chemistry was always there, but they never took that step. Mainly in loyalty to Richard, Hen's brother. 

I do like Eloise and Colin's story and POV, but I much prefer our heroes in history. I'm a sucker for historical romance and historical intrigue. Love old school spies. 

This book held up to the test of time! I loved it just as much as I did when I stumbled upon this series in High School! I remember checking this out from the library. I picked up this and the first book and sped through it. Honestly, I think this cemented my love for historical romances AND spy novels. Eeee!

But yes, still fun. A nice mystery. The Black Tulip and Pink Carnation are amazing foes. 

Miles is a hunk. 

Hen is a spitfire. 

You need to read this series. 

5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Hen

Least Favorite Character(s): Mary (I know - I know - but I hate this young version of her. I kept telling myself, "She gets better someday") 

Book Review: Wicked Mafia Prince by Annika Martin

Author: Annika Martin

Title: Wicked Mafia Prince

Series: Dangerous Royals #2

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, 

Format: ebook

Pages: 317

Published: July 26, 2016

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Who is the nun who never shows her face?

Ever since killing the love of his life, the beautiful and fierce mafia assassin named Tanechka, Viktor has lived in utter torment.

Now, years later, he comes upon a nun who will never show her face.

Viktor is sure this is Tanechka herself — that she has improbably, impossibly survived. Is it obsession? A figment of a guilty conscience? Or is this their second chance?

Review:

Read book 1 a long time ago and I remember really liking it. I honestly forgot about this series. Life man....always getting in the way and my old lady brain just forgets. 

Here we have Viktor and Tanechka. They were in love and happy, but Viktor had to do the unthinkable when it came out that she was an assassin and traitor. After killing her, he lived his life in misery until years later,  there is a nun who never shows her face. Is this her? It has to be so he will do what he can to get her back and help her remember who she is. 

I struggled with this especially with the amnesia parts and Viktor trying to make her turn away from her religion. Plus I couldn't forgive him for trying to kill her years ago. I don't think, if I was Tanechka, would trust him again. I can get he did what he did, but as her....no. Sorry. If there is a seed of doubt again would you try and kill me again?

Nah fam. 

This one just wasn't for me. I didn't buy the romance at all. 

The mystery and suspense was fun. But yeah. No. 

I'll give this 2 stars. Like I said there were a couple of bits that were good. 

Favorite Character(s): no one

Least Favorite Character(s): Viktor and our main baddie

 Challenge(s):

- Cloak & Dagger #24

Blodeuedd's Tuesday Review: Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson

Series: The Stormlight Archive (#5), The Cosmere (#26)

Format: 1344 pages, Hardcover

Published: December 6, 2024 by Tor Books

Fantasy/own

I do not think I can even write a review. The Book was HUGE. And heavy. But read an ebook, no, that would make it even longer.

It really could have been two books, just saying.

Ok...I mean how!? So many people, so much happening. The world is doomed. The dark gathering power.

It is book 5, but every book is a mammoth, so yeah this is not a series to jump blindly into. The epicness is overwhelming.

I can not even write a review. I need a Cosmere map too. Obviously need to be read in order.

Dalinar Kholin challenged the evil god Odium to a contest of champions with the future of Roshar on the line. The Knights Radiant have only ten days to prepare―and the sudden ascension of the crafty and ruthless Taravangian to take Odium’s place has thrown everything into disarray.

Desperate fighting continues simultaneously worldwide―Adolin in Azimir, Sigzil and Venli at the Shattered Plains, and Jasnah at Thaylen City. The former assassin, Szeth, must cleanse his homeland of Shinovar from the dark influence of the Unmade. He is accompanied by Kaladin, who faces a new battle helping Szeth fight his own demons . . . and who must do the same for the insane Herald of the Almighty, Ishar.

At the same time, Shallan, Renarin, and Rlain work to unravel the mystery behind the Unmade Ba-Ado-Mishram and her involvement in the enslavement of the singer race and in the ancient Knights Radiants killing their spren. And Dalinar and Navani seek an edge against Odium’s champion that can be found only in the Spiritual Realm, where memory and possibility combine in chaos. The fate of the entire Cosmere hangs in the balance.

DNF: Co-Wrecker by Meghan Quinn

 

Author: Meghan Quinn

Narrator: Dan Stevens

Title: Co-Wrecker 

Series: Binghamton #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Comedy

Format: Audiobook 

Published: March 17, 2017

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

 What do ice cream and Sadie Montgomery have in common? They're both ice cold, but one taste is never enough.

I wanted to be friends — I would have even settled for her seeing me as anything but a nerd — but there was no getting through. So just like any hard-headed, red-blooded man out there, I made up my mind.

I’d make my coworker fall for me.

I’d like to say it was simple, but like every other epic love story, all it took was one drunken night and a lot of naked courage to get the girl. For a moment, at least.

Love with a coworker is never simple, especially since Sadie’s trying to keep us on the low. Not to mention her persistent ex-boyfriend who won’t leave her alone. But I’ve never been good at giving up, and I don’t plan to start now.

The whole thing is a recipe for a rocky road, but I plan to eat the whole gallon, no matter how bad the brain freeze.

Review:

Picked this up because a member of my Twitch community had redeemed a "Pick what Carole reads next" and they said to pick any Meghan Quinn book. I've read one Xmas book in the past (I think it was a short story) so I didn't mind trying another one. I randomly found this on Audible so why not? Free is free babbyyyyyy!

Sadly....I will need to pick a different Meghan Quinn book. There is potential in her writing! It's there I can feel it! However, this was NOT the one for me. 

DNF at about 25% of the book. I just couldn't do it anymore. 

*looks at other reviews on Goodreads* I think I might be in the minority here. Whoops. 

Sadie is a jerk. 

Andrew is a weirdo. 

The scene that really was the downfall for my enjoyment, was the scene when Sadie was training Andrew. RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM, Sadie was all "Yeah I have to train this annoying guy." Like...it wasn't that Andrew just overheard or walked in at an awkward moment. She said it RIGHT in front of him and not even whispering it. WOW. F off Sadie. 

Andrew fell and like motor boated her. Creepy weirdo. 

No thanks. 

Nothing about their behaviors were cute or funny. She needs therapy. He needs to realize he isn't funny or charming. 

DNF for me. 

I will try a different Meghan Quinn book. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #38