Book Review: X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts

Author: Victoria Roberts
Titles: X Marks the Scot (Bad Boys of the Highlands #2)
Genre: Historical Romance & Action
Pages: 352
First Published: Janurary 2013
Where I Got It: On my shelf (B&N)

He was a Highland rogue—
wicked with a bow and just as wicked with the ladies.

Declan MacGregor hadn’t a care in the world beyond finding a soft bed and willing woman…until he had to escort Lady Liadain Campbell to the English court. The woman needles him at every turn, but he can’t just abandon her to that vipers’ nest without protection.

She never asked for a bodyguard…

Liadain wasn’t thrilled to be left in the care of her clan’s arch-rival. It was as if the man never had a lady tell him no before! And yet as whispers of treason swirl through the court and the threat of danger grows ever sharper, her bitter enemy soon becomes the only one she can trust…

Been a LOOOONG time since I read book 1. Like four years? I think I had just started really getting into blogging then. Not sure why I pushed this series to the back-burner for so long...but I say this book on sale at B&N and I had a gift card, so eh I went ahead and got it.

Lucky for me this does a-okay as a standalone, because I scarcely remember the first book and Ciaran (Declan's eldest bro) and Rosalie and this book touches base on what you need to know to move the story forward.

Declan you rogue! He is good looking Scot who loves wenches, drinking, and shooting his bow. Liadain is a kind-hearted woman who loves helping those who are ill. They come from two clans who hate each other. However, Liadain had assisted with saving his kin against her evil brother. Now that her brother is dead is needs a bodyguard while she is a ward of the King. Through some politics and twists and turns, they are forced to marry. 

They share lust and a hint of respect, but it took a while for the love to come. It was realistic, but it still frustrated me how much of a jerk-face Declan was!! Liadain did NOT deserve his a-hole attitude and disrespect! I wanted to kick him in the face! BLEURGH.

The side drama was decent and enjoyable, but I wish there had been a bit more build-up to it. Maybe a hair more of the story being told in the baddies' POV. I didn't feel worried about how the drama would be fixed, so the side-plot was a bummer ultimately.

However, the love story was okay...a few lulls tho. 

I want to read more about James and I hope he gets a POV someday (maybe a short story??;-D). The next book is not about him....which is a bummer. :/ Sighs oh well.

Overall, this was fun and it was nice to see Declan get his POV...even tho he was a jerk-face! I liked Liadain quite a bit. I'm glad the love took a while for them. There were some lulls and the side drama was decent, but I wanted more out of it. I do enjoy this author quite a bit and I can't wait to read whats next. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 3 stars. 

Book Review: The Gift - The Chronicles of Tucker Littlefield by Tegon Maus

Author: Tegon Maus
Titles: The Gift - The Chronicles of Tucker Littlefield
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: Ebook
First Published: September 2012
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Given to me for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Transformed by a primitive magic beyond a civilized man's understanding, I was given a horrible gift that no man should possess... It held me, twisted me, turning me at its bidding. I was enslaved by its power, compelled to devour the souls of the dead until I became the monster of my fears. I have seen things I wish never to see again. I have done things of which I wish never to speak. Yet I must if I am to find the answers to fulfill my hope. I have walked upon blue ribbons of molten stone to peer into the depth of a man's soul. I watched as a promise made at birth brought my friend Enon to sacrifice everything to become whole again - all in an effort to save the life of his child. I have cried without shame for the loss of all I hold dear and for fear that the future will hold more than I can bear. I am Tucker Littlefield. Know all that I say now is true-spoken.

Ooooh Tucker Littlefield....you certainly confused me. At some points I liked him and at other points I wanted to give him a firm kick in the romp. However, it was certainly entertaining reading his tale of an adventure he really wanted nothing to do with.

Poor Enon. :/

The dog was creepy, but I liked him. 

The governess annoyed me. Like I get it...but calm down m'am.

There was a lot of humor mixed in with the fantasy and adventure and I enjoyed that a lot! However, there was dark moments. For being a fantasy and filled with magic, it did have a touch of realism....it was a refreshing read for sure!

I do wish there was a wee bit more world-building; I really wanted to know more about the world and the people/groups in it. There was some, but there should have been more (I could be biased since I adore world-building and backstory). 

BUT alas, the story itself was still fun and an easy read. It was a quick read and even though there was a lot going on it was easy to follow. There were only a couple of times I had to go back and reread to make sure I wasn't missing something. 

The writing style was wonderfully done and I really enjoyed this book more than I had thought I would. The characters were interesting. I hope Tucker has more adventures so I can learn more about this world! I do recommend this for those need a good and quick fantasy. It was certainly a fun, refreshing, and creative ride! Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4. 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: CAPTAIN AMERICA - CIVIL WAR (2016)

After another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps, one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark's surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.

Genres: Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Runtime: 147 min

Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Writers: Christopher Markus (screenplay), Stephen McFeely (screenplay) 

Stars: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson 

I am so not good at writing movie reviews...

It did feel a bit too long, at least when you watch it at the movie. Else I would not have been bothered.

Big ass explosions! All the time! YAAAY explosions!!! 

See! I told you I can not review movies.

Seriously, not stop action. That was great.

The people then. Oh I am all Team Iron Man. Captain America can suck it, I never liked him anyway, he is too perfect, I just wanted to punch him in the face.

Black Widow, nope, she is just not a superhero. Boriiing. Same with hawk eye, *yawn*

Scarlet witch is promising.

I do not get falcon..anyone could be falcon.

Vision, for a guy who is totally powerful he was very powerless.

Antman for the win!!

Same with spidey!

Those two really brought in the humour.

The Winter Soldier was being all mopey, but I liked him, even if he is not a superhero.

Black Panther..totally confused about that country.

I do not get why the world would be afraid of the Avengers, take away the toys and most are nothing....

Team Iron man!

I had to say it again.

And that made it the best Captain America movie so far since it was not just about Captain America, who by the way is lame ass goody twoshoes. It was really more an Avengers movie.

Good, with LOTS of explosions.

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.