On McPig's Radar - The Fiery Crown

Did I already read the Advance Reader Copy multiple times? Why, yes I did! Will I still buy a finished copy of this book? Most definitely!


The Fiery Crown (Forgotten Empires #2)
by Jeffe Kennedy

A desperate alliance. . A struggle for survival. And a marriage of convenience with an epic twist of fate. . .

WILL THEIR LOVE STAND THE TEST OF TIME

Queen Euthalia has reigned over her island kingdom of Calanthe with determination, grace, and her magical, undying orchid ring. After she defied an empire to wed Conrí, the former Crown Prince of Oriel—a man of disgraced origins with vengeance in his heart—Lia expected the wizard’s prophecy to come true: Claim the hand that wears the ring and the empire falls. But Lia’s dangerous bid to save her realm doesn’t lead to immediate victory. Instead, destiny hurls her and Conrí towards a future neither could predict…

OR TEAR THEIR WHOLE WORLD APART?

Con has never healed after the death of his family and destruction of his kingdom—he’s been carefully plotting his revenge against his greatest enemy, Emperor Anure, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. When Lia’s spies gather intelligence suggesting that Anure is planning an attack against Calanthe, Con faces an agonizing choice: Can he sacrifice Lia and all she holds dear to destroy the empire? Or does his true loyalty exist in the arms of his beguiling, passionate wife—’til death do they part?



Expected publication: May 26th 2020 by St. Martin's Press
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A Caribbean Mystery - Book Review

A Caribbean Mystery (Miss Marple #10)
by Agatha Christie

What is it about:
As Jane Marple sat basking in the Caribbean sunshine she felt mildly discontented with life. True, the warmth eased her rheumatism, but here in paradise nothing ever happened.

Eventually, her interest was aroused by an old soldier's yarn about a strange coincidence. Infuriatingly, just as he was about to show her an astonishing photograph, the Major's attention wandered. He never did finished the story...

What did I think of it:
We were rewatching the Marple seasons with Geraldine McEwan (my favorite Miss Marple) and that made me want to reread some of the Marple books that haven't been used in those three glorious seasons.

This is a very enjoyable read. Miss Marple is on holiday and isn't really paying attention to a story she is being told until the man who told her the story ends up dead the next day. From thereon she starts digging as only Miss Marple can: using her innocent old lady act to fret out secrets.

This book has everything I love about the Miss Marple books: lots of secrets, sneaky murders, misdirection, and Miss Marple on the hunt. I like how she seeks help when needed, but also isn't afraid to step into danger if it means solving the case. It's stories like this one that make me think McEwan's portrayal is perfect and why she will always be my Marple.

I can advice the Miss Marple books to anyone who loves a (cozy) mystery.

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable murder mystery.


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Teaser Tuesdays - Wicked As You Wish

"Con," Ken said. "I hate pro-con lists. The more difficult you tell me something is, the more I wanna do it."


(page 75, Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco)


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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!

Heiress for Hire - Releasing Tomorrow! (review repost)

Heiress for Hire (Duke's Heiress #1)
by Madeline Hunter

What is it about:
In this stunning series debut from New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter, a duke's mysterious bequest brings fortune—and passion—to three young women...

Minerva Hepplewhite has learned the hard way how to take care of herself. When an intruder breaks into her home, she doesn't swoon or simper. Instead, she wallops the rogue over the head and ties him up—only to realize he is Chase Radnor, the man who nearly got her convicted of her late husband's murder. Now, he's insisting that Minerva has inherited a fortune from his uncle, a wealthy Duke. Only one thing could surprise her more: her sudden attraction to this exasperating man...

Chase can't decide whether Minerva is a wronged woman or a femme fatale. Either way, he's intrigued. Since the scandal surrounding her husband's death, she has set up a discreet detective business to rival Chase's own. She may be the perfect person to help him uncover the truth about his uncle's demise. But as proximity gives way to mutual seduction, Chase realizes he craves a much deeper alliance...

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This sounded like a really fun Historical Romance, so I was very happy when I won an Advance Reader Copy, and even more happy when it turned out it is indeed a very enjoyable read.

Minerva is a delightful heroine. She has learned to take charge of her own life and does it well. When she inherits a fortune, but discovers that Chase Radnor suspects her of murder, she decides to not sit around and wait, but to investigate the sudden death of the duke herself as well.

I loved Minerva's courage and clever thinking. She is not afraid to do the work needed, but also doesn't hesitate to let others help. I very much enjoyed getting to know her and her closest friends.

Chase is an intriguing character as well. He has a haunted past which made him wary, seeing betrayal everywhere. I liked seeing him falling for Minerva.

Both the Romance and the action storyline were very enjoyable and fun to read. I really liked seeing Minerva and Chase try to one-up each other. Even when working together sparks fly. I was completely invested in the two of them solving their problems and getting together.

All in all a deliciously fun Historical Romance. I will keep an eye out for the other books in this series for sure!

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable and fun Historical Romance


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Expected publication: April 28th 2020

The Empress of Salt and Fortune - Book Review

The Empress of Salt and Fortune
by Nghi Vo

What is it about:
With the heart of an Atwood tale and the visuals of a classic Asian period drama The Empress of Salt and Fortune is a tightly and lushly written narrative about empire, storytelling, and the anger of women.

A young royal from the far north is sent south for a political marriage. Alone and sometimes reviled, she has only her servants on her side. This evocative debut chronicles her rise to power through the eyes of her handmaiden, at once feminist high fantasy and a thrilling indictment of monarchy.

What did I think of it:
This novella was mentioned a lot on my social media feeds, so I finally got so curious I had to get my trotters on it.

And what a beautiful bittersweet story.

The story starts with a cleric who visits the house where the Empress of Salt and Fortune was once exiled to. They're there as a historian to catalog the house, but once they arrive they encounter Rabbit, an old woman who once was a servant to the Empress. From there on out the story switches between the 'Now' and the past as Rabbit tells about her years with the exiled Empress.

I was hooked from the start and more than curious to find out more about Rabbit and the foreign Empress she served. Slowly Rabbit reveals more about their unusual relationship and about the years they spend in exile. It was beautifully told and atmospheric, while also heartbreaking and bittersweet. I couldn't put this book down, I wanted to see if there was even a little bit of a happiness for both women.

All in all a wonderful read that I'll treasure while invstigating what more Nghi Vo has written.

Why should you read it:
It's a magical and beautiful Fantasy novella.


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On McPig's Radar - Rest in Pieces

A Vampire Hunter named Barbie?! If the paperback was a bit cheaper I'd give this a try. It sounds so wonderfully wrong!


Rest in Pieces (Barbie: The Vampire Hunter #1)
by Lucinda Dark

Ashes to Ashes. Dust to Dust. If vampires kill your entire family, vengeance is a must.

I can’t say my parents never warned me about vampires. I just never believed them. Not—that is—until six months ago when vampires broke into my home and killed my family. Thanks to all the skills my parents taught me, I managed to escape but I couldn’t save them.

Two vampires down and the rest of the world to go.

My bid for revenge is going to have to wait, though, because until I turn 18, I’m being placed in the loving care of Elizabeth and Jonathan McKnight—godparents I didn’t even know existed. The clock is ticking until I can get back to my goal of eradicating the vampire race. But something is amiss at my new high school. According to my parents, vampires can’t walk in daylight. So, why then, does Torin Priest? If he’s not a vampire, then what is he? Because unlike the obnoxious asshole, Maverick McKnight, who sees me as some sort of bloodsucking leech on his wealthy family, Torin Priest is most certainly not human.

To stake or not to stake, that is the question.


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Firelight - Book Review

Firelight (Firelight #1)
by Sophie Jordan

What is it about:
A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki, a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away;if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

What did I think of it:
A nice enough read.

Maybe I should have acknowledged at the 25% point that this book wasn't interesting enough to continue, but Voodoo Bride loved Jordan's New Adult book Foreplay, so I read on in hope the really good part was still to come. It never did come though, and as nice as this read is, it didn't really make me curious to read the next book.

Not that it's bad. It just didn't catch my attention enough to get invested in the characters. Jacinda and her mother and sister all seemed selfish in their own way, and I couldn't really like them. The only interesting characters were Will and Jacinda's new friend at school.

All in all nice enough to finish, but I won't be continuing this series.

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


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