Audiobook Review: Into the Dreaming by Karen Marie Moning

Author: Karen Marie Moning
Narrator: Phil Gigante
Title: Into the Dreaming
(Highlander #8)
Genre: Historical Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, SciFi
Pages: Audiobook
Published:  August 29th 2006
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Free him from his ice-borne hell . . .

Stolen from his beloved home in the Highlands of Scotland, imprisoned in the Unseelie king’s dark, frosty kingdom, Aedan MacKinnon endured centuries of torture before becoming the icy, emotionless Vengeance, the dark king’s dispatcher of death and destruction in the mortal realm.

And in his century you both may dwell . . .

Aspiring romance novelist Jane Sillee has always believed that she was born in the wrong century, but she’s managed to make a decent enough life for herself—if only she could stop having those recurring dreams about a man too perfect to exist.

In the Dreaming you have loved him . . .

Haunted every night of her life by a devastatingly sexy Highlander who comes to her while she sleeps, Jane tries to write him out of her head and heart. As a child he protected her, as a woman he loves her.

Now in the Waking you must save him . . .

Number 8 of the series! This has been one I've been curious about for a couple of books now. This is a novella more so. It is shorter than the rest...but not short enough to be a short story. 

The story follows Jane and Vengeance/Aedan. Jane is a modern woman who has dreamed of Aedan her whole life. He was a friend to her as a child and then it became more when she became a woman. Aedan was tricked into being the prisoner of the Unseelie king. He is twisted and tortured to the point he doesn't remember who he is and is now a warrior for the king. The light queen of the Fae has deemed he needs to be saved and the only way to do this is by true love. 

I adored Jane and I adored Aedan. Poor guy was super tricked! Darn that evil, dark king!!!!

The story was sweet but it had its darkness too. Aedan went through a lot and it will take a lot to unfreeze his memories of who he really is. Jane was much more patient and cunning than I would be. 

The ending was nice. However, it has raised more questions for me! WHAT IS NEXT? This is the last book in the series. WHAT??? Does it continue elsewhere? I must know more. More questions have been added. What is next for the light queen and her court? Will, she beat the Unseelie king? Will she turn away from being dark and return him to light? UGH! Maybe I'll read her other series. We shall see. 

I wanted this to be longer! Maybe it is my own greediness since I know this was the ending of a fantastic series.

But yes. This was a good one! I liked the narrator. He was good. His voice was perfect for all the characters even Jane and the queen. 

In the end, I am so sad to see this series go. It was so fun. I want moreeee. I feel like there is more stories to tell! Ugh SO many questions! Maybe someday she'll return and add more. Sighs. A good end to a good series. I'll stamp this with 5. Short, but good. 

Audiobook Review: Spell of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning

Author: Karen Marie Moning 
Narrator: Phil Gigante
Title: Spell of the Highlander
(Highlander #7)
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, SciFi, Contemporary
Pages: Audiobook
Published: August 30th 2005
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



It's taken him eleven centuries to find the right woman. He's not about to lose her now.

Jessi St. James has GOT to get a life. Too many hours studying ancient artifacts has given the archaeology student a bad case of sex on the brain. So she figures she must be dreaming when she spies a gorgeous half-naked man staring out at her from inside the glass of an ancient mirror. But when a split-second decision saves her from a terrifying attempt on her life, Jessi suddenly finds herself confronting six and a half feet of smoldering INSATIABLE alpha male.

Heir to the arcane magic of his Druid ancestors, Cian MacKeltar was trapped inside the Dark Glass eleven centuries ago. And when the Dark Glass is stolen, an ancient enemy will stop at nothing to reclaim it. For Jessi, the sex god in the mirror is not only tantalizingly real, he's offering his protection—from exactly what, Jessi doesn't know. And all he wants in exchange is the exquisite pleasure of sharing her bed.... 

Been meaning to read this for a while. I honestly forgot about the series until this popped up when I was looking for an Audio to buy with my free credit. Why not? I've been delaying reading the rest of the series for a bit now. 

The story follows Cian who was tricked and trapped inside of the Dark Glass for eleven centuries. Eee gags. Finally, the glass is stolen and pretty much dropped on Jessi's lap. His only hope. Jessi is working herself to the bone to graduate and really has zero life. Well...a whole bunch of life is landed in her lap and she has to help Cian or she might die. Oh dear. 

Now, I would for sure read the three before this. There are some major references here that would be a touch confusing. You would be fine after a while, but I can see some head-scratching especially near the end when some old characters come and join the story. 

At first, I liked the cover a lot. But then it annoyed me because the girl looks nothing like the main character Jessi. Jessi has short, black hair. This chick on the cover has long and light hair. Grrr. 

Now...the story was exciting. I had zero idea of how this was going to end. WELL. I know they were to have an HEA....but HOW and WHEN? It seemed so impossible. I felt so bad for Cian. I can't imagine the hellish existence. Sure he is able to come out of the mirror for little bouts of time IF someone summons him. And sure he can see outside the mirror. But gah! I am surprised the man didn't go insane. Jessi for realz needed a life. I get wanting to graduate and etc...but lord 4 hours a sleep a day and that is on a good day???? 

The characters were okay. They did get better at the end there, but at first, they were soooo boring and didn't really have a personality. By the end, I adored them. But it was a rough road at first. I especially got SO annoyed with Jessi. WE GET IT! YOU HAVE BIG BOOBS! Stop mentioning it! GAH! *grumbles* And Cian? Be more of a horny monster you big oaf! Yes, yes, I get you haven't done the deed in eleven centuries and you haven't been in polite society in a while. But the first words are you trying to mind control Jessi to take off her top? SMH. Men. Barbaric oaf. BUUUUT like I said...I grew to adore him when he was able to calm down and realize he can't be like that. 

ooooOOOoooo that ending was SOOOO good. I am SO curious to see what the Fae Queen has up her sleeves next. ^_^

The narrator was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved the sound effects. I loved his accents and voice changes especially when Cian was behind the mirror. So cool. He was neat and I want to listen to more by him. 

In the end, I did like this. Cian and Jessi were rough to love at first, but I grew to like them. The narrator was fantastic!!!! Darn that cover though! I wish it actually looked like Jessi. I'll give this 3 stars. 

 

Book Review: The Immortal Highlander by Karen Marie Moning

Author: Karen Marie Moning
Titles: The Immortal Highlander (Highlander #6)
Genre: Paranormal Romance & Fantasy
Pages: 348
First Published: January 1st 2004
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Purchased at B&N)

With his long, black hair and dark, mesmerizing eyes, Adam Black is Trouble with a capital T. Immortal, arrogant, and intensely sensual, he is free to roam across time and continents in pursuit of his insatiable desires. That is, until a curse strips him of his immortality and makes him invisible, a cruel fate for so irresistible a man. Now Adam's only hope for survival is in the hands of the one woman who can actually see him.

Enter law student Gabrielle O'Callaghan. For Gabrielle, cursed with the ability to see both worlds, Mortal and Faery, it is the beginning of a long, dangerous seduction. But as Adam's quest to regain his immortality plunges them into a world of timeless magic, the price of surrender could be their very lives. Unless they can thwart the conspiracy that threatens both Mortal and Faery realms...and give them a shot at a destiny few mortals ever know: glorious, wondrous, endless love... 

Now, this is the 6th installment in the series. I do recommend reading book 4 and book 5 before diving into this book. There is some history in those two books that are needed to truly understand Adam Black and how we got to this point. 


This has been the story I've been waiting for since book 1! The faery rogue named Adam Black has met his match with Gabby during his punishment by the faery Queen. I have a love-hate relationship with him since book 1. He is a selfish jerk sometimes, but other times he has a heart of gold. Having him be invisible and stripping 99% of his powers was indeed the best punishment for him. However...he was punished for doing a non-selfish thing. I felt bad, but it was karma for all the bad things he had done in the past. Damn lovable rogue. 

I felt bad for Gabby. All she wanted was a normal life, but she and her family have been cursed with being able to see faeries, but having to conceal it and hide their powers or the faeries will kill them. She is also forced to hide it from the humans because they will call her a nut. Tough life. 

The story was fun. It was fun seeing a woman not fall head-over-heels with Adam Black. He had to actually earn her and her love. Good. It humbled him a bit. 

My only issue with the book was the lulls in between the action. There was lots and lots of talking. Yes, some bits were boring which I am not accustomed to with this author!! I had to do some skimming. There was a potential for lots of action, but I was denied it. Especially at the climax. The major action was skipped over and I felt denied. I'm really bummed. 

Also, I have mixed feelings about the ending. I liked it, but then I didn't. I'm really on the fence. 

In the end, this was okay. It was nice to finally see Adam Black find his HEA and also be humbled at the same time. I liked Gabby and they were a good fit. The story was rather slow for my liking in this series. Sadly, this wasn't my favorite like I was thinking it might be. Still good, not my favorite. Hopefully this isn't a foreshadow to the demise of the series. There are still two books left that I need to read. *fingers crossed* I do recommend this series to those that like a mixture of fantasy, romance, time travel, history, and paranormal! Its a good series. I can't wait to read the next one. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 3.

Second Opinion - Blodeuedd Reviews: Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning

Blurb:
He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart—until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length—but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side... 

My thoughts:
I wanted to knock these two over the head and lock them in a room, until they gave in and did it. Cos really! Omg, he has issues, she has issues.

Hawk is loved by all women, and a women scorned is not to be played with.

Adrienne is from the future and falls into 1513. Of course she is all WTF!!?! Luckily she can speak with a brogue, gods, wasn't that lucky for her! She also hates pretty men cos her last boyfriend was an ass.

They are married. She refuse him, he is all you are mine! She is all, I have seen prettier! He is all mine wench! But never to extremes, except for later on when I was ...that is the way you wanna play it? You'd lose me there. Still he is kind and she is stubborn. Why he fell in love, hmmm, cos she was stubborn?

It was amusing to see their dance of wills. 



Mass Market Paperback, 375 pages
Published May 29th 2007 by Dell (first published March 9th 1999)
Highlander #1
Historical romance
Own

Favorites of 2012

Happy Saturday! The time has now come to announce the favorites of the year! Woot woot!


CATEGORY 1 - MUSIC:
Favorite song of the year.....
'Wide Awake' by Katy Perry.

Favorite solo artist of the year......
Katy Perry

Favorite Band/Group of the year..........

Paper Route

CATEGORY 2 - MOVIES

Female character of the year......

Fat Amy from Pitch Perfect played by Rebel Wilson

Male character of the year.......

Leo from The Vow played by Channing Tatum

Movie of the year.......

Braveheart featuring Mel Gibson 

CATEGORY 3 - BOOKS

Female Character of the year.................

Chloe from 'The Dark Highlander' by Karen Marie Moning

Male Character of the year...............

Li Tao from 'The Dragon and the Pearl' by Jeannie Lin 

Author of the year......................

Karen Marie Moning. Author of the Highlander series and Fever series

And now the biggie...it was so hard to just pick one*drumroll*....

My Favorite book of the year.......*drumroll*....

'The Taker' by Alma Katsu 

That's that. What were your favorites of 2012? 

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<3CaroleRae

Book Review: The Dark Highlander

Author: Karen Marie Moning

Title: The Dark Highlander (Highlander #5)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Paranormal Romance, Historical Romance
Pages: 370

First Published: October 1st, 2002
Where I Got It: Borrowed from Library

"Journey to a world of ancient magic, breathtaking sensuality, thrilling time-travel.... Journey to the world of The Dark Highlander. Crisscrossing the continents and the centuries, here is a novel as gripping as it is sensual—an electrifying adventure that will leave you breathless....

I am Dageus MacKeltar, a man with one good conscience and thirteen bad ones, driven to sate my darkest desires…From his penthouse lair high above Manhattan, Dageus looks out over a glittering city that calls to the darkness within him. A sixteenth-century Scot trapped between worlds, he is fighting a losing battle with the thirteen Druids who possess his soul, dooming him to an eternity of sexual pursuit. When Chloe Zanders, student of antiquities, is drawn into his world, she finds the insatiable alpha male an irresistible lure.Before long, she is caught up in an ancient prophecy that will sweep her back into time to medieval Scotland. Plunged into a world of timeless magic and dark seduction, she will soon face the challenge of a lifetime: fighting thirteen evil spirits for the heart of one irresistible man...."


This is my fifth book of the Highlander series I have read. Normally each book can be read as a stand alone (so far), but I would advise to read #4 before venturing into this one.


Not only is this a romance, but it has so much more at play. There is action, drama, antiquities, ancient prophecies, fairies, time travel, magic, and 13 Ancient Evils that are being all evil and whatnot. I bow down to Karen Marie Moning for her being able to fill this book with some much going on with such ease. She made it easy to follow, I never once was confused.   

Poor Daegus. He is the epitome of a tortured hero. He is being possessed by 13 evil Ancient Druids who are fighting him for his soul. I applaud Daegus for fighting back them and the want of power they have. A normal person would easily succumb to the temptation of unlimited power and magic. I find it funny that having loads of sex temporarily gives him a break the constant battle. I found it really funny.

I really liked Chloe too...she was a great heroine because she reminds me of, well, me. Not only personality-wise, but some of her appearance was similar. She's short, dark hair, Scottish features, thicker, and a complete and utter nerd. Huzzah for the smart girl getting the sexy man! Huzzah! The only thing that really bugged me was that Karen Marie Moning didn't really dive into her feelings about her parents dying tragically when she was four. Whenever she made mention of thought of her parents, she didn't seem to emotionally connected. Perhaps that was on purpose, but it seemed odd. Mhmmm.

Besides for Chloe seeming to not care her parents died tragically, there was not a lot I can complain about. I also disliked the many shifts of POVs. Yes, Karen Marie Moning did a wonderful job with the transitions, but the POV shifted WAY to much for my liking. There was Chloe, Daegus, a chick named Catherine, Adam Black, Silvan, Nellie, two baddies who are worshipers of the Evil Ancients, Gwen, Drustan, and the Fairy Queen even had a small moment. Yes, it was nice to see the story from different angles, but......gah. It annoyed me. Personally (no blame to authors), but I get confused sometimes. If the POV shift happens in the middle of a chapter, then I get confused and have to re-read. My brain reads too fast and I get too into the story to see the transition happening. I do not blame the author, because different POVs is good, but please...please wait until a new chapter or give symbols like "~*~" or "*". JUST SOMETHING!

Sorry for my ranting and raving up above. ^.^

In the end, I adored this book. Daegus and Chloe were wonderful. Daegus was a great guy, but a tortured hero. Chloe was a short, thick, nerdy girl who have issues hiding her emotions (like me). The cast was also amazing. The side characters really made the story bloom. The story and plot was very original and very well done. *applauds* However, the over-abundance of POVs annoyed me and confused me. I would recommend this to those that love historical romances with a fantasy twist. Also for those that have read Karen Marie Moning in the past, should check this series out. In the end, I stamp this with 5 stars. In all reality, it would be a 4.5, but I rounded.

Favorite Character(s): Daegus, Chloe (my new twin), Gwen, Drustan, Silvan, Nellie, Adam Black (starting to like him, can't say why....but you'll agree), and The Fairy Queen (she's pretty epic)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): The 13 Ancient Evils and Simon

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<3CaroleRae

Who, What, Where?

This meme was created by Melissa over at My World in Words and Pages. This meme is a way to share where you are, who you are with, and what is going on in your book. Make sure to not give away any major spoilers. 

All I can say is...................THANK GOD THE ELECTIONS ARE OVER! Now let us move on with our lives PLEAAASEEE! GAH! I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE! ALL THE "I'm moving to Canada" talk is DRIVING ME UP THE WALL! I RATHER HAVE THE ANNOYING COMMERCIALS! GAH!

Okay *wipes sweat from brow* my little freak-out is over. 

I am with Chloe and Dageus in 16th century Scotland. They have just come back in the past to find a way to help Dageus get rid of the evil 13 Ancients that are inside him. They are racing against the clock, because slowly, but surely the Ancient 13 are taking over his soul. 

What about you guys?

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<3CaroleRae

Thursday Book Teaser

HAPPY DAY AFTER HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know it is the day after Halloween, but I shall still use this image. ^.^ 

How was everyone's Halloween? Mine was alright...I had work, but afterwards my co-workers threw a mini-party. It was fun. At work I dressed as the demon who cursed the Detroit Lions. I wore a Lions hoodie and blue devil horns. I looked cute and people thought it was funny. No pictures though because I'm feeling kruddy and I simply forgot.

This week I'm sharing an excerpt of The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning. It's an excerpt from the author, so random is the theme for this week. 

"Each day was a battle to accomplish three things: use only what magic was absolutely necessary; despite the ever-growing temptation, toop hard and fast and frequently, and continue collecting and searching the tomes wherein might he the answer to his all-consuming question.

Was there a way to get rid of the dark ones?

If not... well, if not...

He raked a hand through his hair and blew out a deep breath. Eyes narrowed, he watched the lights flickering beyond the park, while behind him, on the couch, the lass slept the dreamless sleep of the utterly exhausted. On the morrow, dark circles would mar the delicate hollows beneath her eyes, etching her features with beguiling fragility. His bed play took a toll on a woman.

Two nights past, Katie had wet her lips and oh-so-casually remarked that he seemed to be waiting for something.

He'd smiled and rolled her onto her stomach. Kissed her sweet, warm, and willing body from head to toe. Dragged his tongue over every inch, then taken her, ridden her, and when he'd finished with her she'd been crying with pleasure.

She'd either forgotten her question or had thought better of it. Katie O'Malley was not a fool. She knew there was more to him than she really wanted to know. She wanted him for sex, nothing more. Which was well and fine, because he was incapable of more.

I wait for my brother; lass, he hadn't said. I wait for the day Drustan wearies of my refusal to return to Scotland. For the day his wife is not so pregnant that he fears to leave her side. For the day he finally acknowledges what he already knows in his heart, though he so desperately clings to my lies: that I am dark as the night sky with but a few starlike flickers of light left within me.

0ch, aye, he was waiting for the day his twin brother would cross the ocean and come for him.

See him for the animal he was

If he permitted that day to arrive, he knew one of them would die."

Cast that Book: Kiss of the Highlander

~'Cast That Book' is a weekly meme created by moi. This is just something I came up with, to share everyone who I would cast if a certain book became a movie. I got the idea from storycasting.com, so check them out! My secret dream is to be a casting director and this allows me to live it for just an hour or two. Anyone can join! You don't have to pick thebook I picked. Any book, any genre! However, I would LOVE to check out who you casted, so share the linkie to your post down below.~

Happy Saturday! How was your week? Mine was better, things are starting to fall into place and become easier to juggle. I even had time to do a cast this week. Huzzah! 

Now for this week I'm going to post the last book I've read by Karen Marie Moning which is Kiss of the Highlander. ^.^ Hope you like my "cast"! 

CAST

Drustan MacKelter - Gerard Butler (not 100% on this one even though I'm a Gerard stalker. hmmm)

Gwen Cassidy - Odette Yustman

Daegus - Gerard Butler

Nevin - Jim Sturgess

Nevin's Mother - Shirley Henderson (probably a grey hair or hair with grey mixed in)

Nell - Kathy Baker (dark, dark brown eye contacts of course and light brown hair)

Silvan MacKelter - Harrison Ford 

Who would you cast?

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<3CaroleRae

 

Cast That Book: The Highlander's Touch

~'Cast That Book' is a weekly meme created by moi. This is just something I came up with, to share everyone who I would cast if a certain book became a movie. I got the idea from storycasting.com, so check them out! My secret dream is to be a casting director and this allows me to live it for just an hour or two. Anyone can join! You don't have to pick thebook I picked. Any book, any genre! However, I would LOVE to check out who you casted, so share the linkie to your post down below.~

Happy Saturday. Yet again I have finished a "cast" for one of Karen Marie Moning's books. Click THIS to be transported to my review of this book. 

Anyways, sorry for the lack of posting this week. School and work and other random life things have limited my free-time to blog and read. *sighs* Once I get everything better balanced and sorted out, I promise I'll be more active. Hope your week was better then mine. Hope you like my "cast" for The Highlander's Touch.

  

CAST

Lisa - Emma Stone

Circen Brody - Chris Hemsworth (*fans self off*)

Adam Black - Jamie Dornan

Robert the Bruce - Clive Owen

Catherine - Susan Sarandon

Morganna Brody - Reese Witherspoon

The Fairy Queen - Deborah Ann Woll

last minute add, but I love this picture of her! It is SO what the Fairy Queen would wear

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<3CaroleRae