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

Book Review: The Conjurers by David Waid

Author: David Waid
Titles: The Conjurers
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Pages: ebook
First Published: June 2016
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Given to me by the author/publish for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Orphaned in the year 1380, Eamon and Caitlin flee their home in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland. The siblings can pacify savage wolves and control forces of nature, but only the murderers hunting them know why. 

As Eamon and Caitlin fight for survival, Teresa de Borjas, the spirited daughter of a Genovese nobleman, develops an inexplicable ability to move objects with her mind. When her brother is murdered and her father imprisoned through machinations of the reclusive alchemist, Maestro Lodovicetti, her sheltered life changes forever. 

Journeys of discovery and the pursuit of blood vendetta bring Eamon, Caitlin and Teresa together across the stunning backdrop of medieval Europe. The three must master their powers and defeat a cabal of the world’s greatest magi or be killed as the Age of Kings comes to an end and a tyranny of sorcerers begins. 

Ooooh poor kids. I feel bad for them. :/ Eamon, Caitlin, and Teresa randomly have gained gifts that have put them on some major hit lists. Not only have they gained these gifts, but their families have fallen to shambles. Through many events come together to get survive and get revenge.

I go back and forth on which POV I liked the best. I think I liked Teresa's the best. It was a super bummer about her poor brother though....

That Maestro Lodovicetti was certainly an evil, evil dude. He made me angry. The baddies were certainly baddies, but they were entertaining. They certainly made the story really good. Sometimes I was more interested in them then the kids. 

There was certainly a lot going on. Sometimes it was overwhelming and I had to take a breather. Lots of information going on. Granted it is the first book of the series, so this is the groundwork. There were some lulls in the middle, because there were times when there was too much information being spit out. 

The beginning had me hooked from the first sentence. The middle was a lull....and then the ending had me hooked again. What an ending! It was good.

However, it was a fun journey overall! I can't wait for book 2 to come out! Its bound to be good. 

In the end, there were some lulls and there was a lot of information being spit out, so it made it overwhelming at times. But I am excited for the prospect of the next book. The characters were fun and the adventure was entertaining. The ending has me wanting more. I shall stamp this with...ummmmm....3 stars.

Saturday Scribbling Challenge #3

This is a fun little writing challenge that Blodeuedd and I have come up with! We each challenge each other with the selected theme. 

The second challenge is a mix of a photo and a quote. Of course, feel free to join in and share your own stories with the selected theme of the month! 

First....my challenge to Blodeuedd:

The Ones who Walked Before by Blodeuedd

The gate was falling apart, one last remnant of those who walked before, but these days everyone worshiped the one god. The god brought over by the conquerors. The god who thrived on blood sacrifices and mindless killings. But that it was happened when everyone just fell to their knees and gave up. Gave up in the face of adversity and forgot who they were. And now they kissed the feet of the Mighty Elkins, and worshiped to the sounds of screams in the temples of Akatan.

Ronan could see  smoke in the distance and wondered if this time it would be different. The last rebellion had failed, but this time one of the ones who walked before had risen to lead the rebellion. Not the one whose temple gate Ronan guarded, but another one. The one who gave shelter from the rain, and fed your hunger. All while Ronan stood guard over the one who hugged you close and embraced you in your final hour. But then he did not want to be there, he was no coward, but this was his sacred duty as a Knight of Old. Protect the one who walked before until death. He could not leave, he would not leave.

A dragon roared in the distance, and he knew that rebellion would be crushed. One did not win over the Fire beasts. It was just not done. More of the ones who walked before would have to wake up to win this time. He leaned his head against his staff and sighed. No one came here anymore, they were afraid. They were forgetting and the old ones would never wake. They would remain slaves and the one god would spread his rule of blood worship.

He was the last one. 

He would remain the last one.





Now, Blodeuedd's challenge to me:

The Shadows of Justice by Carole Rae

All his life he dreamed of being a somebody. He dreamed of the crowds calling his name and women swooning at his mere presence. All he wanted was to be loved and wanted. The very thought of it made his heart beat and swell. However, it could never be. He could never be anybody, but a shadow in the night. No one could ever know the powers he possessed. This was not some Marvel or DC comic. This was the real and dark world. People with powers or who thought they had power are ridiculed, mocked, locked away, or simply vanished. Heroes do not exist and are not worshiped like Superman or Batman. Its a fairy-tale. 

Donning his black cloak, he hid in the shadows and made his contribution to the betterment of this world this way. No adoring crowds, just the gurgle of blood and pleading eyes of the evil-doers who harmed the innocent. 

He has no name like the fake heroes of the comics. He is just the shadow of justice that cleans up those who fall through the cracks of Lady Justice's scales. 

A light breeze jostled his cloak as he stood motionless on one of the decaying roofs over this once luminous town. A grim look sat on his face. There were so many bad and evil things in this world and no matter how much he tried he couldn't save everyone and those he did save never gave him a thank you. He wish he could say that no thanks were needed.....but his heart deemed that a lie. All he ever wanted was to be loved and rewarded for his kind gifts to humanity. Would it be easier to just do nothing like everyone else? Ignore the pain and the suffering? It would be, but even though he was a just a shadow and no one knew what he did night after night, he made an oath and a promise to do good and rid the world of darkness.

B's Monday Review: Sufficient Encourgement by Rose Fairbanks

Some say a lady’s imagination is very rapid. Such is the case when Elizabeth Bennet overhears that Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy admires her eyes. She thinks nothing for herself, but immediately considers her dearest sister’s growing attachment to Mr. Darcy’s friend. If Elizabeth spurns such a wealthy—and proud—gentleman, he might do everything in his power to separate his friend from her sister. 

Raised in a world of expectations and pedigree, Darcy knows Elizabeth Bennet can offer him nothing of material value. As his attraction for her grows, he becomes increasingly convinced his feelings are nonsensical. Still, he might forsake it all if only he had true encouragement. 

Misunderstandings lead to betrayals, and the couple soon learns falling in love takes courage but staying in love requires forgiveness. Traversing from the groves of Hertfordshire to the drawing rooms of London to the complexity and danger of Luddite revolts in Yorkshire, Sufficient Encouragement follows Darcy and Elizabeth’s journey of love and forgiveness. 

My thoughts:

I liked this premise, because Lizzy knows that if she spurns Darcy then Jane might not get Bingley. Of course this is before The Proposal. They are still at Netherfield and Lizzy is led to believe that Darcy fancies her. Which leads to other things, they actually talking. Talking is good! And her falling for him, which I liked. She tries her best to be nice and it changes things

It also has a really wicked Wickham, and then I do not mean ohh he is so wicked. No, he should be shot.

I also did not like Mr Bennet, not cool man, not cool!

And *gasp* I understood Mrs Bennet.

Bingley had balls for once.

And *gasps* I understood Caroline, oh do not get me wrong, she was a total bitch, but she saw her faults. And she changed.

I also liked Mary. She is a rock.

What a strange book for making me like everyone else that has smaller roles.

Conclusion:
It was a good variation and it was one road I had not traveled before. 

Kindle Edition
Published April 16th 2016 by Rose Fairbanks
When Love Blooms #1
PP variation
For review