Teaser Tuesdays - Contagion

So far this book is really cool and suspenseful.


Thea could see the rover just ahead, its form glinting as lightning clapped. But as the others reached the vehicle, Thea was propelled right past it, her hands flailing wildly for a door latch but coming up short.

(page 148, Contagion by Erin Bowman)


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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Second Grave on the Left - Book Review

Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson #2)
by Darynda Jones

What is it about:
If you hang around with dead people, life can get pretty complicated. Take it from Charley Davidson, part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper. Complicated is her middle name. The deceased find her very sparkly. Demons find her irresistible. And one entity in particular wants to seduce her in every way possible.

When Charley and Cookie (her best friend/receptionist) have to track down a missing woman, the case is not quite as open and shut as they anticipate. Cookie's friend Mimi disappeared five days earlier. Mimi then sends Cookie a cryptic message telling Cookie to meet her at an nearby coffee shop. The coffee is brewing, but Mimi's still missing. There is, however, a clue Mimi left on the bathroom wall: a woman's name. Mimi's husband explains to them that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old high school friend had been murdered. The same woman whose name Mimi had scribbled on the bathroom wall.

Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He's left his body because he's being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can't let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they'll have a portal to heaven...well, let's just say it wouldn't be pretty.

Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Can she keep those she loves out of harm's way? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel her as she does?

What did I think of it:
I have several books in this series in my TBR pile, but totally out of order. So I decided to get book three to continue reading this series. Only to discover I never reviewed book two after reading it a few years go. So I decided to first reread book two and finally give it the review it deserves.

And this is such a fun and action-packed read.

This book starts out with a great scene that immediately gets you in the right mood. A friend of Cookie went missing and a reluctant Charley gets dragged into the case by Cookie (Charley's friend and receptionist). I absolutely adore Cookie, so I loved that she plays a big role in this book.

Charley and Cookie are not the only ones trying to find Mimi and soon they're in the middle of danger. And if that isn't enough Reyes is in danger as well, but he won't let Charley help him. Reason for Charley to try and find him.

There isn't a dull moment in this book. Charley is a great heroine, she is resourceful and not afraid to get herself into danger to help those she cares for. There is also lots of fun snark and humor in the story as well.

The bonds Charley has with her family get a bit more defined in this book and made more sense to me than in book one. I also loved discovering more about Reyes and about the things Charley can do as Grim Reaper.

All in all a fast, fun, and suspenseful read. You bet I'll get my trotters on the whole series.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun and action-packed UF read.


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Podcast - Space Zombies

Like Never and Always - Book Review

Like Never and Always
by Ann Aguirre

What is it about:
Liv Burnham thinks nobody knows Morgan Frost like she does, but a terrible accident pushes her down the rabbit hole where Morgan's secrets hide and she'll be lucky to make it out alive....

On a hot summer night, Liv, Morgan, Clay and Nathan are on the way home from a party in Clay's convertible. Best friends dating brothers? It doesn't get better than that. But the joyride ends in sudden impact, a screech of brakes, and shattering glass. On that lonely country road, four lives change forever.

Liv wakes in the hospital. At first she's confused when they call her Morgan, but she assumes it's a case of mistaken identity. Yet when the bandages come off, it's not her face inthe mirror anymore. It's Morgan's.

Morgan always seemed to have the perfect life. But as Liv tries to fit herself into Morgan's world, she discovers endlessly disturbing secrets of the criminal and murderous variety and a dark task to finish...if she doesn't lose her mind first.

Forced to confront the disturbing truths that Morgan kept hidden in life, Liv must navigate a world of long-buried murder, a dangerous love affair--and a romance that feels like a betrayal.

What did I think of it:
When I heard about this book I immediately pre-ordered it.

I must say I had expected the story to be mostly about Liv trying to find out what happened and how she ended up as Morgan. Instead it focuses more on how Liv is trying to fit into Morgan's life. I liked how it is made very believable why Liv doesn't just tell people there's been a switch, and I loved reading how she tries to cope and to discover what her best friend has been up to.

As Liv tries to settle into Morgan's life there are some nasty surprises. Morgan had secrets, and if Liv doesn't find out what they were, she might be in a lot of trouble. She also has to find a way to be Morgan without losing herself. As she blunders around there is one person she feels she can rely on, but what about her boyfriend from when she still was only Liv? I can tell you this book contains the sort of love triangle I can get on board with.

All in all a very suspenseful, emotional, and beautiful read. You bet I'll put this book on my keeper shelves and reread it.

Why should you read it:
It's a beautiful YA read about identity and how well you know the people around you.


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Nil Remembered - Book Review

Nil Remembered (Nil 0.5)
by Lynne Matson

What is it about:
My name is Scott Bracken, and this is my journal.

Scott Bracken has been home for 28 days, but nothing is the same. A month ago, he escaped from Nil, an island of wonder, beauty, and incredible danger. Now, back in his old life, no one believes Scott's story. To deal with his present, Scott must relive his past—whether he wants to or not.

Introduced to readers in Nil Unlocked, here, for the first time, is Scott's journal in its entirety. Delve deeper into the world of Nil—before Charley and Thad, before Skye and Rives—and discover the truth. Nil Remembered expands the action of Lynne Matson's astonishing Nil Trilogy.

What did I think of it:
This free novella was a nice way to say goodbye to NIL after finishing the trilogy.

Some of the journal entries already appeared in NIL Unlocked, but others were new. Drawings were added and gave a nice extra touch.

A short, enjoyable read for everyone who loved the trilogy.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun little extra to the NIL trilogy.


Get it on Amazon

FairyLoot Unboxing

Teasing on a Wednesday - Vampire Kisses

"It's a dare. My friends think the place is haunted, and I'm supposed to sneak inside and get a souvenir."
"Like an old couch?"

(page 29, Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber)


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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

A Madness So Discreet - Book Review

A Madness So Discreet
by Mindy McGinnis

What is it about:
Grace Mae knows madness.

She keeps it locked away, along with her voice, trapped deep inside a brilliant mind that cannot forget horrific family secrets. Those secrets, along with the bulge in her belly, land her in a Boston insane asylum.

When her voice returns in a burst of violence, Grace is banished to the dark cellars, where her mind is discovered by a visiting doctor who dabbles in the new study of criminal psychology. With her keen eyes and sharp memory, Grace will make the perfect assistant at crime scenes. Escaping from Boston to the safety of an ethical Ohio asylum, Grace finds friendship and hope, hints of a life she should have had. But gruesome nights bring Grace and the doctor into the circle of a killer who stalks young women. Grace, continuing to operate under the cloak of madness, must hunt a murderer while she confronts the demons in her own past.

In this beautifully twisted historical thriller, Mindy McGinnis, acclaimed author of Not a Drop to Drink and In a Handful of Dust, explores the fine line between sanity and insanity, good and evil—and the madness that exists in all of us.

What did I think of it:
This blurb sounded a lot like what I heard about Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood: a girl named Grace in an Asylum, a doctor who shows interest. Further examination showed that it stops there though, and that the stories are hugely different otherwise.

That being said: I picked the book up because I enjoyed Not a Drop to Drink. This book is very different and even better than Not a Drop to Drink. I was hooked from the start. Grace is an intriguing character and so are the people who surround her. She might be unlucky with how she ended up in the asylum, but from there on out she meets people who make her life better.

I liked how McGinnis shows how the line between sane and insane is a small one. Some of the inmates seem more sane and more put together than those on the outside.

Next to the work Grace and the doctor do together, the story focuses on how Grace handles the Asylum and her past. Near the end there is a twist I didn't see coming and which brought new suspense to the story. All in all a gripping and emotional read. I will get my trotters on other books by McGinnis for sure.

Why should you read it:
It's a suspenseful and emotional read.


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The Captured Spy - Release Day Alert

This series is so cool!
Go get this book!


The Captured Spy (The Immortal Spy #3)
by K A Krantz

Sometimes the Fates give you a do-over.

Ten years ago, Bix and her team of Dark Ops agents had a mission to rescue one of their own. The mission went pear-shaped; her team died, she was exiled, and the package was never retrieved. The guilt for that failure is a weight Bix can't shake...until she receives news that the agent is still alive and in possession of technology that could destroy the Mid Worlds. All Bix has to do is break the captured spy out of a top-secret supermax facility and destroy the tech before enemy forces beat her to the punch.

Unfortunately, a prison built of potent magic to contain the Mids' worst deviants isn't on any map or radar. To get the necessary intel, Bix will resurrect a menacing identity and reach deep into the criminal underbelly where her legacy is far from forgotten. Old enemies lurk in the shadows, swift to strike. Even the darkness can betray her. As her allies fall, Bix will have to rely on the aid of adversaries to complete her mission. But supermax does strange things to the mind, and some things cannot be undone.

Gods will perish when madness descends upon a captured spy.



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What's the Piggy Reading

NIL on Fire - Book Review

Nil on Fire (Nil #3)
by Lynne Matson

What is it about:
Despite Rives and Skye’s attempt to destroy Nil, the island remains. And back in this world, Nil won’t let Skye go. Haunted by a darkness she can’t ignore, Skye wrestles with Nil nightmares that worsen by the day and threaten to tear her apart. As Skye fights to keep her mind intact, she realizes that to finally break free of Nil, she must end Nil’s vicious cycle once and for all—and she can’t do it alone.

Who are Nil’s new arrivals? Who will return to the island? And who will survive in the end? In this final installment of the Nil series, the stakes have never been higher.

Losing isn’t an option, but winning will cost Skye everything.

What did I think of it:
A great ending to a very cool series.

In the first book NIL is a total mystery and only a few small secrets are discovered about the strange island. In NIL Unlocked more things gat revealed about NIL's purpose and its secrets. In this final book NIL doesn't stay on the background as a mysterious entity, but is taking the stage in a last attempt to get its way.

I was hooked from the start and eager to find out if and how Skye would manage to escape NIL's grasp. Characters from previous books return, new characters are introduced and NIL is ready for them. There is once again lots of drama, action, death, and secrets to solve. Time is running out for Skye and her friends.

I loved discovering what NIL is about, to read about the new people trapped on NIL, and about Skye's attempts to once and for all deal with NIL. This book is a worthy end to the the trilogy, and you bet this whole trilogy will go on my reread shelves.

All in all a very cool and entertaining read. You bet I'll keep an eye out for more books by Matson.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and action-packed YA read.


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On McPig's Radar - Frenchman Street

I'm eagerly awaiting the release of this book next week, so I can get my greedy trotters on a print version.


Frenchman Street (Sentinels of New Orleans #6)
by Suzanne Johnson

The uneasy truce between the preternatural species of New Orleans has shattered, with wizards and elves, shifters and vampires—not to mention the historical undead—struggling for ultimate control of the city, including the humans who still think they’re atop the food chain.

They aren’t, however—and the Summer Prince of Faerie wants them to know it.

Stuck in the middle? One unemployed wizard sentinel. For DJ Jaco, war makes for strange bedfellows as she finally embraces her wizard-elven heritage and strikes a deal with the devil so she and her ragtag band of allies can return to defend her hometown. After all, when the undead French pirate Jean Lafitte has been hired by the mayor as a consultant, things could go horribly wrong.

War is coming to New Orleans just in time for Mardi Gras, with the elves and wizards lined up on opposite sides, the shifters without a leader, the vampires promising loyalty to the highest bidder, and the soul of the Crescent City resting on the outcome of the civil war going on in Faerie between the rival princes of summer and winter.

Mardi Gras Day is approaching fast, the much-anticipated new Krewe of Enyo is not what it seems, and the line between friends and enemies grows thin as DJ tries to stave off open warfare between faeries on the St. Charles Avenue parade route.

Laissez les bons temps rouler…but be careful, or the good times might roll too close for comfort.



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We Started a Podcast

I've been listening to Jeffe Kennedy's podcasts: First Cup of Coffee and thought it would be fun to try a podcast myself as well. And it will be good for my owner to practice her English.

Listen to my owner's first try here:

Americanized - Book Review

Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card
by Sara Saedi

What is it about:
At thirteen, bright-eyed, straight-A student Sara Saedi uncovered a terrible family secret: she was breaking the law simply by living in the United States. Only two years old when her parents fled Iran, she didn’t learn of her undocumented status until her older sister wanted to apply for an after-school job, but couldn’t because she didn’t have a Social Security number.

Fear of deportation kept Sara up at night, but it didn’t keep her from being a teenager. She desperately wanted a green card, along with clear skin, her own car, and a boyfriend.

Americanized follows Sara’s progress toward getting her green card, but that’s only a portion of her experiences as an Iranian-“American” teenager. From discovering that her parents secretly divorced to facilitate her mother’s green card application to learning how to tame her unibrow, Sara pivots from the terrifying prospect that she might be kicked out of the country at any time to the almost-as-terrifying possibility that she might be the only one of her friends without a date to the prom.

What did I think of it:
I will confess I do not know much about the difficulties illegal immigrants face. I am aware of lots of refugees coming to the Netherlands and other countries, escaping horrors I can't even imagine, and I know not all of them come legally, but that's about it. So when I saw this book I decided to pick it up and get some understanding of what it's like to be an illegal immigrant.

Sara's story is really interesting and funny. The struggles of her parents to get legalized, her own fears (both about being deported and those that are universal for teenagers), her love for her family: everything is told with humor and wit. In between telling about her own youth, her families history, and problems with getting a green card, she answers some much asked questions about Iranians, and tackles some misconceptions.

All in all I very much enjoyed this book. Next to giving me a view on how life as an illegal immigrant can be, it is heartwarming to read how close-knit Sara's family is.

Why should you read it:
It's an interesting and enjoyable read.


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Teaser Tuesdays - Blue Bloods

"To Barneys," she replied, putting on her sunglasses. "I have nothing to wear to the funeral."

(page 42, Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz)


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---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Nil Unlocked - Book Review

Nil Unlocked (Nil #2)
by Lynne Matson

What is it about:
On the island of Nil, the rules are set. You have exactly 365 days to escape—or you die. Rives is now the undisputed Leader of Nil City, but keeping the City united is tougher than ever.

Raiders have grown bolder, supplies are dwindling, and non-human inhabitants have taken a turn toward the deadly. New arrivals cause rifts within the City, putting the Search system at risk, and calling everything Rives knows into question. Desperate for answers, he teams up with the only other person searching for them: Skye, a new arrival with a mysterious past of her own. Soon the duo find themselves locked in a desperate race to save all the residents of Nil—and possibly destroy the island forever. But at what cost? And who will pay the price?

What did i think of it:
I read NIL, the first book in this series, in 2014 when it released. The next year NIL Unlocked released, but managed to fly under my radar, as did the last book, NIL on Fire. When I came across NIL when rearranging my bookshelves not long ago, I decided it was time to continue with this series. Amazon had the other two books in hardcover for a very decent price, so I got both of them at once.

And NIL Unlocked is even better than NIL in my opinion.

NIL is a dangerous and mysterious place, but in this book Skye is hunting for answers and she takes some risky chances in her search for the truth about NIL. I loved Skye and rooted for her to find the answers she seeks.

Rives is also a great character. He is trying to be a good leader for the teens on NIL, but that is difficult at times. He takes risks as well, some that might cost him his future if he's not careful.

There were some really interesting and cool other characters as well, and I was eager to find out if NIL would give up its secrets. There were some deaths, secrets, possible betrayals, and angry, angry hippos. I had a great time with book.

The end is satisfying, but also throws out some last surprises that made me very glad i already had the last book in the series as well. Because I need to know what will happen next.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and exciting YA read.


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NIL - Book Review (repost)

NIL
by Lynne Matson

What is it about:
On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have one year. Exactly 365 days--to escape, or you die.

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s lying naked in an empty rock field.

Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that to save their future, Charley must first save him. And on an island rife with dangers, their greatest threat is time.

What did I think of it:
This is a cool read.

I will confess the premise of this book sounded so cool I boughtit even though it was priced over 10 Euro, and I usually only buy books that are priced below 10 Euro (unless it's by an autobuy author).

And even though there's less action than I expected, I very much enjoyed this story. I liked Charley and how she deals with what happens with her. Most of the other characters were interesting as well, although some were a bit flat, but seeing there were lots of characters, that's only to be expected.

The story is compelling and I was invested in the lead characters and their closest friends from the start. There are lots of unknowns and I liked how both the characters and the reader are left hanging. There are answers to be found, but Matson makes her characters work for it. I also liked that there are actual character deaths, and not just the flat characters either. It certainly gave the feeling no one is safe.

Overall this is a really intense and cool island adventure Young Adult romance. I will certainly keep an eye out for what else Matson may write.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and entertaining YA read.


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On McPig's Radar - Phoenix Falling

You bet I have this pearl on pre-order!


Phoenix Falling (Wildlands #5)
by Laura Bickle

Laura Bickle, the critically acclaimed author of Nine of Stars and Witch Creek, returns with a fiery new chapter in her celebrated Wildlands series.

In the Yellowstone backcountry, a merciless source of evil carries a torch for the past...

Petra Dee and her immortal husband, Gabe, have been trying to gain a toehold in what passes for ordinary life in Temperance, Wyoming-

a wickedly enchanted land founded generations ago by the alchemist, Lascaris. Petra may be adept when it comes to the uncanny, but as a reasoned geologist, Petra still can't fathom the wildfires suddenly engulfing Yellowstone National Park, or why Gabe claims to have seen the sky explode in flames. The answers could lie in the past.

It was a dreadful night in 1862 when Lascaris went harvesting for souls, only to be set upon by townsfolk determined to eliminate the root of all evil in a trial by fire. Petra can't help fearing that Lascaris has crawled out of the ashes of history to wreak vengeance-and to complete his mission by claiming every vulnerable soul in Temperance.

With the help of Gabe and her coyote sidekick, Sig, Petra must now venture into Lascaris's shadow before he turns her world into an inferno burning out of control.


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Heroine's Journey - Book Review

Heroine's Journey (Heroine Complex #3)
by Sarah Kuhn

What is it about:
The final book in the smart, snarky, and action-packed Heroine series completes the "Heroic Trio" as Bea Tanaka joins her sister, Evie, and diva Aveda Jupiter in their quest to free San Francisco from its demon portal problem

If there's one thing Beatrice Tanaka never wanted to be, it's normal. But somehow, her life has unfolded as a series of "should haves." Her powers of emotional projection should have made her one of the most formidable superheroes of all time. And she should have been allowed to join her older sister Evie as a full-fledged protector of San Francisco, pulverizing the city's plethora of demon threats.

But Evie and her superheroing partner, Aveda Jupiter, insist on seeing Bea as the impulsive, tempestuous teenager she used to be--even though she's now a responsible adult. And that means Bea is currently living a thoroughly normal life. She works as a bookstore lackey, hangs out with best friends Sam Fujikawa and Leah Kim, and calms her workplace's more difficult customers. Sure, she's not technically supposed to be playing with people's mental states. But given the mundanity of her existence, who can blame her?

When a mysterious being starts communicating with Bea, hinting at an evil that's about to overtake the city, she seizes the opportunity, hoping to turn her "should haves" into the fabulous heroic life she's always wanted. But gaining that life may mean sacrificing everything--and everyone--she holds dear...

What did I think of it:
I loved the other two books in this trilogy so got my trotters on this one as soon as it released.

And what a cool read.

I will confess I didn't expect to love Bea as much as I did. She was a complete brat in Heroine Complex, and although she shaped up a bit in Heroine Worship, I had my doubts. I shouldn't have feared. Just like Aveda won my heart in Heroine Worship after a rocky start in Heroine Complex, Bea won my heart as well. I even wanted to kick Evie for being a typical older sibling, and Evie has been my favorite so far.

I also loved Sam, Leah, and Leah's dog Pancake. Especially Sam was fun and a true friend. I loved that he called Bea out when she made mistakes and let her know when she went too far. Leah tried to do this as well, but seemed to be less confident.

The story was full of action, mystery and emotion. There were some things I could puzzle out, but other things took me by surprise. I loved seeing how things came together. If I hadn't been forced to stop reading for such things as dinner and social commitments I'd have easily finished this book in one sitting.

All in all a great read. I'll most definitely keep my eyes out for more books by Kuhn.

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome super heroine read.


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Teaser Tuesdays - NIL Unlocked

The game Hungry, Hungry Hippos was wrong; it should've been called Angry, Angry Hippos. Hippos were big, pissed-off creatures.


(page 89, NIL Unlocked by Lynne Matson)


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---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Jane Bites Back - Book Review

Jane Bites Back (Jane Fairfax #1)
by Michael Thomas Ford

What is it about:
Two hundred years after her death, Jane Austen is still surrounded by the literature she loves—but now it's because she's the owner of Flyleaf Books in a sleepy college town in Upstate New York. Every day she watches her novels fly off the shelves—along with dozens of unauthorized sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations. Jane may be undead, but her books have taken on a life of their own.

To make matters worse, the manuscript she finished just before being turned into a vampire has been rejected by publishers—116 times. Jane longs to let the world know who she is, but when a sudden twist of fate thrusts her back into the spotlight, she must hide her real identity—and fend off a dark man from her past while juggling two modern suitors. Will the inimitable Jane Austen be able to keep her cool in this comedy of manners, or will she show everyone what a woman with a sharp wit and an even sharper set of fangs can do?

What did I think of it:
This is a nice read.

I will confess I had hoped for more. The vampires in this book are not the kind I enjoy very much. Yes: they have to drink blood once in a while, but they can walk around in daylight, seem to have no vampiric vulnerabilities, and can even eat food.

Then there is the story itself. It's entertaining, but again without real bite (pun intented). Jane has some insecurities, but mostly even when things gets dicey she sails through without too much trouble. I will confess I really liked her employee Lucy, and her publisher Kelly. Especially Lucy is a character I would have loved to see in the lead role of a book instead as the quirky sidekick.

All grumbling aside this is a nice enough read if you're looking for something light and easy. I might read more books in this series if I come across them in a sale.

Why should you read it:
It's about Vampire Jane Austen


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An Affair with a Spare - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

An Affair with a Spare (The Survivors #3)
by Shana Galen

What is it about:
Rafe Beaumont, fifth son of an earl, uses his irresistible charm with the ladies to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the ultimate test: capturing an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem? She's entirely immune to Rafe's flattery.

Never before has Collette Fortier met a man as attractive as Rafe. But her father's life is at stake, and succumbing to Rafe would be disastrous. But when Rafe turns the tables on her, offering support and friendship instead of a fleeting affair, Collette finds herself tempted in ways she never could have imagined...

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This book sounded fun, so even though I haven't read the previous books I decided to give it a try. And luckily as with most Historical Romances it can be read as a standalone.

I really liked Collette and wanted her to succeed. She is surrounded by strangers and on a secret mission, her only ally is more of a jailer than someone she can trust. Rafe seems to be a bit shallow at first, he is so used to women falling at his feet, that he says some really vapid things. When he has to change tactics when Collette doesn't swoon like he expects, he starts to get more likeable and he actually goes through a bit of a change as a person.

Once the two begin to give in to their attraction they will have to decide if they trust each other and will share their secrets. This leads to a more adventurous storyline that had me worry about how things would end for both of them.

All in all this is a very enjoyable and fun read, just like the other books by Galen I've read. I most certainly will read more of her books when I'm in the mood for Historical Romance.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun Historical Romance.


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On McPig's Radar - The Caged Queen

I loved The Last Namsara, so you bet I pre-ordered this book.


The Caged Queen (Iskari #2)
by Kristen Ciccarelli

Lavish, romantic, and dotted with magic, The Caged Queen is a new story in the world of The Last Namsara—one that fans of the first book will flock to.

Once there were two sisters born with a bond so strong that it forged them together forever. When they were angry, mirrors shattered, and when they were happy, flowers bloomed. It was a magic they cherished—until the day a terrible accident took Essie’s life and trapped her soul in this world.

Dax—the heir to Firgaard’s throne—was responsible for the accident. Roa swore to hate him forever. But eight years later he returned, begging for her help. He was determined to dethrone his cruel father, under whose oppressive reign Roa’s people had suffered. Roa made him a deal: she’d give him the army he needed if he made her queen.

Together with Dax and his sister, Asha, Roa and her people waged war and deposed a tyrant. But now Asha is on the run, hiding from the price on her head. And Roa is an outlander queen, far from home and married to her enemy. Worst of all: Dax’s promises go unfulfilled. Roa’s people continue to suffer.

Then a chance to right every wrong arises—an opportunity for Roa to rid herself of this enemy king and rescue her beloved sister. During the Reliquishing, when the spirits of the dead are said to return, Roa can reclaim her sister for good.

All she has to do is kill the king.


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Dumplin' - Book Review

Dumplin' (Dumplin' #1)
by Julie Murphy

What is it about:
Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.

Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.

With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine—Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.

What did I think of it:
I'd wish this book had a different lead character.

Seriously: there are lots of fun things about this story, but Will isn't one of them. I thought she was selfish and mean to her friends. She keeps secrets from her best friend and then blames that best friend for the growing distance between them. And don't get me started on how she treated my favorite male character in this book.

So I really would have enjoyed this book more if one of her new friends - Millie or Hannah - had been the lead character.

That being said the overall story was fun enough to keep reading. I was really invested in how the other girls would do in the pageant, and if Will would see how selfish and unreasonable she is.

The ending was nice, even if one event felt a bit like a cop-out. All in all a nice, entertaining read. I borrowed this book from a friend and might borrow the next book if she buys it.

Why should you read it:
It's a nice read.


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TBR Orphan Update - June

I only read one orphaned book in June: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier, but I liked it so much that I bought the other books in the trilogy and read those as well.

Ruby Red had been on my shelves since July 2015.

How did you do on your challenges?


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Dark Days - Book Review

Dark Days
by Kate Ormand

What is it about:
The future world has been divided into sectors--each the same as the other. Surrounded by thick steel fences, there is no way in and no way out. Yet a cyborg army penetrates each sector, picking off its citizens one by one, until no one is left. Behind the sectors' thick walls, the citizens wait to die. Few will be chosen to survive what's coming; the rest will be left behind to suffer. A new world has been created, and its rulers are incredibly selective on who will become a citizen. They want only those with important roles in society to help create a more perfect future.

Sixteen-year-old Sia lives in one of the sectors as part of a family that is far too ordinary to be picked to live. According to the digital clock that towers high above her sector, she has only fifteen days to live. Sia has seen the reports and knows a horrific death is in store for her, but she is determined to make the most of her final days. Sia refuses to mourn her short life, instead promising herself that she'll stay strong, despite being suffocated by her depressed mother and her frightened best friend. Just when Sia feels more alone than ever, she meets Mace, a mysterious boy. There is something that draws Sia to him, despite his dangerousness, and together, they join a group of rebels and embark on an epic journey to destroy the new world and its machines, and to put an end to the slaughter of innocent people.

What did I think of it:
I expected a lot more cyborgs than I got.

Not that this is a bad read, but when you expect a book full of killer cyborgs and the first cyborg sighting is in the second half of the book, it is a bit of a disappointment.

The first half of the book has a slow pace. Sia is wandering around town trying to decide what to do with her last days alive. She is set on accepting her fate and only when she meets a cute boy she starts to think differently. I thought her transformation from someone resigned to her fate to someone taking crazy risks to survive a bit unbelievable, but went along with it, because once she is set on victory over the New World the pace and story picked up.

Once the cyborgs are finally in the picture there is excitement, drama and wild action. The climax and conclusion felt a bit far fetched, but was fun enough not to grumble about it.

All in all a nice enough read, but not what I had hoped for.

Why should you read it:
It's a nice Dystopian read.


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