Cover Art Revealed: Dreamer's Pool

It looks like publishers are releasing cover art left and right these days! Here's a gorgeous reveal for one of my absolute FAVORITE authors of all time, Juliet Mariller. Her newest book won't be out until later this year, but this gives us something to build the excitement.

 

 Pretty! Pretty! This strikes me as a potential scene from the story itself, so it looks like this new young adult fantasy series will be somewhat dark and have a strong adventure/danger element. Before we even dig into the synopsis we begin to pick apart the cover art and wonder who this young woman is and what has happened to her. See? Already drawn into the story ... mission of the cover art accomplished! :-)

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR DREAMER'S POOL, BOOK #1 IN THE ALL-NEW BLACKTHORN AND GRIM SERIES BY JULIET MARILLIER, AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 4th, 2014!

Oh, Have Mercy!

Still-my-heart werewolves, romantically tragic vampires, and dastardly Fae … OH MY!

There’s a lot going on in this world that mere mortals remain blissfully unaware of. That is, until a rogue vamp drains a neighborhood dry, a lone wolf challenges the local Alpha and starts a minor war, or the Grey Lords of the Fae pull the strings and magical mayhem breaks loose downtown! For the most part the supernatural population of the Tri-Cities area manage to keep things quiet, and the mundane community can go about their daily lives with almost no interaction or interference from things that go bump in the night. Mercedes Thompson doesn’t have that luxury … but then, Mercy isn’t all that mundane herself.

Mercy is an auto mechanic. She can take a broken down piece of dump yard

trash and fix it up bright and shiny. Her garage is a go-to place for those in need of anything from a quick repair to an outright miracle. If you can drag it over to her, Mercy can fix it. She’s not exactly a pillar of the community, but she likes to think that she does her bit to make life a little easier for her fellow citizens. She studies martial arts – the I am about to rip your spine out through you face kind – she has a degree in history that she tries to use at least twice a year, and batches of cookies pour out of her oven whenever she needs to do some serious thinking.

And she can change into a coyote whenever she feels like it.

Something special, Mercy has found that while she doesn’t exactly fit in with the other supernatural groups around her she can certainly hold her own. It’s a good thing because when she gets sucked into a disagreement between the Columbia Basin pack and an unknown hunter on the eve of werewolves coming out to the general public as something that can no longer be considered a myth, there is no turning back. Before she knows it, Mercy finds herself at odds with the local vampire Queen, at cross purposes with the officials of the Fae reservation, and kicking up all kinds of trouble with the werewolf who lives next door – the Alpha himself who just so happens to declare her is mate and lands her right in the frying pan! 

It’s a lot for one little skinwalker to cope with, but Mercy is a tough cookie and doesn’t go in for

self-pity. With her gold lamb necklace around her neck – crucifixes just aren’t her style – and a wealth of snarky retorts in her arsenal, she never backs down when those she cares for are threatened. Full of action, humor, intriguing plot twists, steamy romance, and a fascinating new take on all things supernatural, the Mercy Thompson series is a pleasure – one you can be guilty about or not!

~~~

Don't miss Night Broken, Book 8 in the Mercy Thompson series!

~ Available Now ~

The Collector of Dying Breaths

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!

~ Available Now ~

Cover Art Revealed : The Mime Order

Fetch a glance, ladies and gents! We have cover art for the October release of Samantha Shannon's continuation of The Bone Season series...

Not terribly profound or revealing, but it follows up the previous book's artwork perfectly. The red is an alarming color, so we have to wonder what is in store for Paige Mahoney as the established order of Scion's iron fist & the Rephaim's manipulations has been thrown into chaos. On the run, unsure of whom to trust, and never knowing what a new day will bring ... Paige had it rough at Sheol I, but her time there will certainly be nothing compared to the trouble and strife lurking along the road ahead!

Not the Weak Link

Whereas A Clash of Kings improved on A Game of Thrones, and A Storm of Swords blew both completely out of the water, A Feast for Crows fell short. It is an excellent book and maintains Martin's reputation for strong fantasy drama played out amongst political schemers, warriors, and outlaws. It just wasn't up to par with its predecessors. Storm is probably one of the best fantasy novels I have ever read, so I was expecting this fourth book in the series to be just as spectacular if not - dare I have hoped?! - even better. It's sad to call it a let-down since it really is well-written and full of everything that makes Martin's novels as epic as they are. It suffered from the painful re-writing that Martin felt was needed, though. I missed the characters who were cut out and couldn't really take as much of an interest in the new POV characters this time around. And Sansa and Arya, who have been two of the most vital main characters until now, were given only a few opportunities to give us an idea of what is happening to them and how they feel about it all. (I'll admit to being a die-hard SanSan fan by this point, so I was heartbroken to read so little of Sansa herself, knowing that she will not have a POV in A Dance with Dragons)

I greatly approved of the deeper exploration of Brienne and Jaime's personalities that we get in this book, as well as the inclusion of Cersei's perspective. The first is a character who I bleed and cry for in a similar way to Tyrion, and it is fascinating to see how the greatest swordsman in Westeros deals with his maiming. As for the golden queen we all love to loathe, she provides us with an insider's look at a woman struggling to assert herself in a male-dominated society - something which would normally appeal to modern readers if the character wasn't such a ... well ... witch with a CAPITAL B.

I know that some readers find the repetition of certain phrases annoying, but I find it intriguing. Martin is big into providing clues about his characters in place of having them explain themselves at times. He's used objects in the past such as the Hound's bloodied white cloak which Sansa wraps herself in, or symbolic names such as The Viper to give us a hint about Oberyn's fighting style. These repetitive phrases are, I believe, being used in the same way. Brienne is searching for Sansa and the description provided by Catelyn is all she has to go by. It comes not only to symbolize her quest, but also her need to prove herself, repay a debt, and restore the honor of the Kingslayer. Likewise, the mantra of the Imp's parting shot regarding Cersei's faithlessness comes to dominate Jaime's thinking. He learns to mistrust her and the bond they have shared all of their lives - the bond which defined his very existence.

As with the previous books we see the evolution of certain key characters, following their trials and tragedies as they progress through the world and the story. No, it wasn't as good as the previous three books, but A Feast for Crows is still an example of the fantasy genre at its best. Bravo!

~~~

 Who can't wait? The premier is almooooooooost here!

1 DAY...

Better and Better!

And here we have the bloodiest A Song of Ice and Fire novel thus far in the series. Murder, assassination, mass slaughter, trial by battle ... and two weddings soaked in red (though only one will be named for it). Martin does not pull his punches, even with the main characters, the "good guys," the ones we have come to love and root for. It's true: Valar Morghulis. All men must die...

The brilliance of Martin's skill at characterization has only deepened in this third installment. We continue to witness the growth and development of the various personalities whose POVs we hear the story from as they age, are involved in the unfolding events of a nation at war, and experience their own personal trials and sufferings. Each voice has become undeniably stronger, and the challenges they face draw the reader into the story more totally than the majority of other fictional novels I have read.

A Storm of Swords is not only the bloodiest book so far, it is also the strongest. It has the most to offer and shows the promise of each of the characters to the fullest. As long as it is, this book just flies by. Martin has undoubtedly achieved something well-nigh incomparable in this work. Bravo!

~~~

It's getting close!!!

 

2 DAYS...

A Worthy Successor

After writing such a smashingly successful beginning to a series such as A Game of Thrones was, many authors would have had difficulty in meeting the expectations of the rabid fandom for a sequel. Happily, though, Martin is too good an author to drop the ball on us as A Song of Ice and Fire continues. This second book in the saga is every bit as good as the first ... better even!

The dynamic use of multiple narrative perspectives ranging from the youthful voices to the older, more world-weary continues. New POV characters such as Davos are introduced while fast favorites like Arya and Jon from the previous story return. Not only do we have more people to hear from, but they are moving further afield from one another, expanding the influence of the story to demonstrate how the wars of lions, direwolves and dragons reach to all corners of the world. It is a staggeringly broad story with a vast list of characters and factions, but Martin's deft writing keeps the reader on-track. If there is confusion it is likely that it is caused by intentional misdirection on the author's part in order to work through an important story arc ... sit tight and let it work itself out rather than getting frustrated. It's worth it!

I came to take more of an interest in Catelyn's narrative this time around, but still couldn't warm to Danaerys. Arya and Sansa continued to be absorbing in their different ways, and Jon was (of course) arresting as always. I must confess, though, that Tyrion's is my favorite POV to read because of his humor and ability to find and use his own personal strengths despite all of the humiliation and cruelty he suffers at the hands of those who should love and value him. Each character is significant both individually and as part of the whole. They have their personal quirks and vices, but their unique outlooks can allow a view which presents the good in some of the least-loved characters, and the darkness in the ones we love the most.

Again, a wonderful trip through Westeros. Bravo!

~~~

Are you all joining me in my countdown to Sunday's season premier?

3 DAYS...

 

A World Not Unlike Our Own

This book is undeniably one of the most impressive and astute historical fiction novels out there. Yes, it is shelved in the Sci Fi/Fantasy Section, it takes place in a made-up world, there are dragons and other supernatural beasties wandering around, and it has fantasy written all over it ... but it is, nonetheless, a story of our world and humanity. Martin has intertwined the fundamentals of society - politics, family values, social mores, economics, warfare, etc. - and thrown in valid examples of human history to create a world which is fantastical, and yet completely realistic and recognizable at the same time. As a history fanatic I LOVE it, and as a human being I am both fascinated and appalled.

The way Martin has set up the story so that each chapter takes place in a different part of the world and is told by a different character has been criticized. It can be difficult to wrench yourself away from a character whose thoughts and impressions have drawn you in to move onto another point-of-view. There were times when I got frustrated because I wanted to keep going with Arya's perspective or enjoy more of Tyrion's impudent one-liners, but the format allowed the story to encompass all of the interested parties, rather than focusing on a single character and the limitations of their knowledge and bias. It keeps the pace swift and forces us to stay on our toes knowing that what our favorite character may think is the truth may well be false due to the limitations of their circumstances, age, gender, outlook, etc. I really enjoyed going from Ned's honorable grimness to Sansa's dreamy naivete, and from Arya's brashness to Jon's lonely quest to find his place in the world. I admit that I wasn't fond of either Catelyn or Daenerys, but their perspectives were vital to the progress of the story.

The world, the characters, the drama and passion of Martin's work is truly astounding. We meet people who would have identified with the Borgias, experience a political and militant atmosphere reminiscent of Medieval and Early-Modern Europe, and fall in or out of love with characters who come right out of the annals of our own world's history. It is a hard story, often brutal, but so rich and eloquently described that the pages practically turn themselves. Bravo!

~~~

For fans of the HBO show Game of Thrones, let the countdown to the season premier begin!

4 DAYS...

Just What the Doctor Ordered

With Anatomy of Death Young proved that she could compose a well-researched and utterly absorbing historical suspense novel that holds the promise of a series worth reading. This, her second in the Dr. Dody McCleland series, has affirmed that the promise of this author's first success is more than capable of carrying itself through. Antidote to Murder continues with the realistic tone of its predecessor and draws us into the social mores of Edwardian London once more. Again, a serious aspect of the time period is brought forth for examination: the difficult - and sometimes impossible - choice of women who faced an unwanted pregnancy, families that became too expensively large, and the life-threatening options available to the desperate.

Dody's career and life are both at stake as a botched illegal abortion outrages society and anonymous letters point the incriminating finger at her. An easy and vulnerable target, Dody refuses to throw in the towel and allow a murderer to get away with this bloody business ... especially as more unwanted pregnancies lead young women to unwittingly seek his assistance. As the body count rises so does the tension as our leading lady struggles to prove her innocence to the unforgiving and unbelieving masculine superiors to whom she has been working to prove her capability in the "beastly science." Simultaneously, the dashing Chief Inspector Pike works to uncover a German spy operating under the cover of a risque theater troupe. (We all get to appreciate the cameo appearance of none other than the infamous historical figure of Mata Hari ... though the makings of her fame do not actually take place in this book, but later on in history) While Dody and Pike begin the story fighting their separate battles the clues eventually lead them together once more, finding a common foe in the one leaving the bodies of reluctant mothers-to-be behind.

Once again, Young has delved into the murkier waters of this particular period of English history and spun us a fascinating tale. The main characters continue to be presented as strong and realistic individuals living in a time of great change, and the supporting cast (particularly the wonderful Florence!) are a treat. The blossoming relationship between Dody and Pike is well crafted and sweet. I can't wait to see what Young pulls out of the hat next. Bravo!

The Doctor is In

What is better than a work of historical fiction in which the history is well-researched and powerfully presented? .... Nothing, I tell you! Young's first mystery novel about Dr. Dorothy McCleland and Chief Inspector Matthew Pike is a gem.

Dody is not an entirely original leading lady as far as personality and moral fiber goes, but Young has managed to present her as a heroine we can both enjoy hearing from and admire. Her quick mind and capable demeanor give us the strength we like to see from female sleuths in historical mysteries during time periods of male supremacy. She offers a surprise, though, in that while she stands for women's rights, she is not subject to the fervor of her fellow suffragettes (her sister for example). While the story revolves around an incident involving women's suffrage, it is not driven by any sort of personal vendetta on Dody's part. Her concern is establishing herself as a doctor and keeping her more demonstratively-minded sister out of prison. It is only because of an accident of circumstance that she becomes involved in the case of a suspiciously dead suffragette at all. Dody's an interesting woman in a time when history generally cataloged women as either radical protestors or "properly-minded" housewives. Her intelligence and levelheadedness makes her an ideal partner for the emotionally scarred, traditionalist Chief Inspector Pike. Each works to open the others eyes on issues important to them and they eventually develop a rapport which serves to allow them to put their heads together and work out the tangle of clues.

The history behind this story is a volatile topic and leads to some tense moments. I would warn those considering picking this book up for reading that there are a few scenes which may be considered disturbing. Due to Dody's career as a doctor of forensic science it shouldn't be much of a surprise that she performs autopsies, however, some of the description might be considered mildly to moderately graphic by some. In addition, there is a scene in which forced feeding is described - a political response to incarcerated suffragettes who went on hunger strike. Nothing in this book really crosses any lines as far as I'm concerned, but it is not for the faint-hearted. The inclusion of these activities and historical details add both accuracy and power.

Although it has the occasional editorial mishap as far as word order or grammar goes, the writing is fluid - eloquent when needed and at all times coherent. Young has successfully drawn me into Dody and Pike's story and I look forward to continuing the series. Bravo!

~~~

 

BE SURE TO CATCH THE SCENT OF MURDER, BOOK THREE IN THE DR. DODY MCCLELAND MYSTERY SERIES NOW AVAILABLE!

Cover Art Revealed: The Last Queen of India

I just love the BIG REVEAL moment when a book you are anxiously awaiting the publication date for gets it's cover art presented to the public! It's like the sneak preview that you catch in between commercials and makes you sit up and go all tingly. Well, I had one of those moments this morning when I spotted the newly released cover art for Michelle Moran's latest historical novel, The Last Queen of India. We still have to wait until July for the story itself, but the cover art is a lovely morsel to feed this book addict's soul...

Honestly, it's not what I expected, and it's a little bit of a disappointment. When I think of a title like The Last Queen of India I expect something a little more exciting and profound than a blue shawl and some heavy eye shadow. It doesn't really say "Sovereign of the East - Defender of an Empire" to me. Just what are we setting this character and her story up for here with a cover that doesn't seem to say what the title and catch phrase are trying to prepare us for?

Regardless, I am delighted to have a cover for this book now, and am happily counting down until July!

LOOK FOR THE LAST QUEEN OF INDIA, AVAILABLE JULY 3rd, 2014!

A Woman of Strength in a Time of Change

This was an intriguing take on Mary Stewart's reign, focusing not on the high drama of her last years, but on the very beginning of her rule. Scotland was a tempestuous nation, with political maneuvering and clan feuds upsetting the court Mary of Guise left behind amidst a growing fear that the queen who would step into her place was unprepared to face the traitorous humors of the warring factions. Through a fictional minor noblewoman we bear witness to the infamous monarch's first unbalanced steps along the unreliable path of royal dominance in a country torn not only by the political and cultural rivalries, but by the fiery religious debate between Catholics and Protestantism. While the book isn't directly about Mary, Queen of Scots, this catalytic period of her life and rule serves as a tense backdrop for Rinette Leslie's story. The details and niceties described serve to immerse us into the developing plot, creating an atmosphere that allows us to more effectively understand the choices and trials our leading lady is subjected to.

Rinette is not your typical Tudor Period hic-fic heroine! She's prickly and opinionated, her roots are firmly set away from the glamor of court life, and while romance plays a major role in her story she remains doggedly focused on the driving passion born of a tragic act of greed by one who would do anything to see the Queen's downfall: revenge. She is made to suffer time and again by her "betters" and endures humiliation and abasement. Rinette is one of the most resilient characters I've ever read about (she would probably prove a powerful force if she were ever to find herself in Westeros ... but I digress). It is the love for her children and determination to see justice done which endlessly inspires her to pick herself up and carry on each time her enemies -- and even those who should be her allies -- cast her down. It is easy to admire her, and I found myself rooting for Rinette throughout the book.

The one failing of this book is that the writing fell prey to melodrama towards the end, but it rallied and concluded with a sweet elegance. After reading "The Second Duchess," I was eager to see what Loupas could come up with next and while this is not quite as good as its predecessor I genuinely enjoyed Rinette's story. Bravo!

Wise Words

 

"Sometimes, making the wrong choice is better than making no choice.

You have the courage to move forward, that is rare.

A person who stands at the fork, unable to pick, will never get anywhere."

 

WIZARD'S FIRST RULE

by

Terry Goodkind

The "Finally!" Book

This series just gets better and better! What Angels Fear was a masterful introduction to the best sleuth of contemporary fiction. While something always felt odd about Sebastian's relationship with Kat, the way they worked together was engrossing, and those first few books were the perfect blend of dark malevolence, twisty intrigue and high-flying action. What followed were those in-between books where Kat steps out of center stage and Hero wanders part-way into the picture. They developed his character and demonstrated the depth and strength of personality required to endure the revelations and machinations thrown into a life nowhere near as simple as was once believed. Finally, we have the current phase of Sebastian's career as a noble sleuth, where he has finally convinced Hero to marry him and they are beginning to hesitantly form a formidable partnership. Why Kings Confess is the end of a tensely drawn-out plot line from which new developments and characters weave themselves into the growing saga.

The Mystery...
Not original, but entirely Harris! The rumors surrounding the little Dauphin and his possible escape from captivity create a fertile source of inspiration for authors to mine. I'm not very surprised to see it crop up in a Sebastian St. Cyr mystery, but to me it meant there was just that much more at stake. Whereas many other authors take historical curiosities and blow them all out of proportion, creating tall tales and taking all the bite out of the historical in their fiction, Harris has proven time and again that she does not go in for cheap tricks and easy melodrama to progress her stories. She tries to allow what facts there are to speak for themselves and create the background to her stories for her, rather than molding the history to fit the story. As before, she has paid a respectfully eloquent tribute to the historical record in this case. It's easy to take the bygone gossips at their word and say the Lost Dauphin escaped and survived, but not so easy to create a credible epilogue to his tale. I think Harris made a wise choice by presenting a believable scenario, but ultimately left it up to her audience to judge for ourselves.

The Characters...
If there is one aspect of this addition to the series that falls somewhat short it is in the characterization. There aren't really any major development points with anybody ... unless you count the sudden need of Gibson's to experience a woman's love. That seemed a little contrived to me, honestly. It could have used some subtle roots in previous books, culminating in this new relationship with his French counterpart. Until now, his internal wound has been his pain and a weakness for opium, but all of a sudden he has this desperate need to be seen as a man by the fairer sex? A little shaky there, Harris! 
There is one out-standing psychological breakthrough for Sebastian dealing with a traumatic altercation during his service, thus leading him to sell his commission and shoulder a moral burden that haunts him to this day. Through Hero the oppression on his spirit is dealt with to a certain extent, though Sebastian isn't the sort of man who would ever release his own conscience from perceived responsibility. That's who he is, though, and his personal demons are one of the reasons he is such an engaging personality. Still no news on his mother, his true paternity, the rough and tough Mr. Knox, or any of the other long-ranging story arcs, but this was something that had been an outstanding hole in Sebastian's story, and it was satisfying to have it filled in.

The Shifting Balance...
As stated, the series has undergone a major evolution as Sebastian's character, relationships, and role have altered and grown. With that and the change in his personal responsibilities to his wife and the family they oh-so-accidentally started, the overall balance of brain-bending crime-solving and thriller-style action has shifted. Where the earlier books had Sebastian running down back alleys and into abandoned warehouses chasing after gun- or dagger-wielding crooks every few chapters, the emphasis now is more on the intellectual puzzle of the crimes. Oh, don't get me wrong! There is still plenty of derring-do on our dashing hero's part, but it doesn't dominate the pages anymore. Whether this was a deliberate choice on Harris' part or entirely incidental, I think it reflects the re-balancing of his life that has come with marriage to Hero and approaching fatherhood.

Hero, Love & A Baby...
FINALLY!!! Finally, in so many ways! First and foremost, Sebastian finally manages to bring himself to say the words he has kept inside, but have been so plain until now. Does that count as a spoiler? Deal with it! And, of course, we have the other FINALLY moment: Hero finally gets to have the baby she has been pregnant with for five books. It may be nine months either way, but that's a high page-count pregnancy! I was really starting to feel bad when we got through What Darkness Brings and she still hadn't popped. And, in true Harris fashion, there was nothing easy about it for either Sebastian or Hero. The threat of the loss of the wife he had only recently come to love and their child colored the entire book. The ending was pitch-perfect and so emotionally-charged, ending this chapter of their relationship and opening the way for the next part of the unlikeliest of romances.

It was hard to wait a year for it, but Harris always makes it well worth our patience. Understandably, Hero couldn't play much of a role in the mystery itself in this one -- she was a little preoccupied -- but here's hoping that she'll become the well-matched partner she has shown the promise of being previously. An excellent addition to a an additively wonderful series. Bravo!

Shortie but a Cutie

This is a very short trip into the life of Georgie, our beloved royal, at the very beginning of the Depression and before the events of the Her Royal Spyness series. She's living in London with Binky and the venomous Fig, and her unsuccessful debutante season has come to a close. In typical manipulative fashion, HM attempts to set Georgie up with a Prussian prince by sending her off to a Halloween masked ball where she not only confronts a house-full of guests expecting her to do the done thing, but meets the sharp Mrs. Simpson for the first time. Desperate for a way to escape being conned into marriage with a European royal whispered to be mad, Georgie finds herself dancing in the strong arms of a rather dashing man in a devil's costume. A smoldering lip-lock, a bomb, and a tantalizing letter of farewell later, and we have Georgie's first encounter with the Honourable Mr. Darcy O'Mara. It's obvious from the get-go who he is to the reader, but it answers the lingering question of why Georgie never remembered having Darcy as a dancing partner in Book #1. Really, that's all this short story was meant to achieve.

Quick and cute ... Bravo!

A Little Something Fun

This was a shortie, but a goody! We got to spend some time with India and French on one of their missions for the crown, matching wits with the dastardly Russians and filling the Parisian night air with the barking of their respective Bulldog and Boxer (if you are lost by why that would be at all relevant or, indeed, interesting, I refer you to the full "Madam of Espionage" series). Sadly, Vincent did not make an appearance, and he is sure to burst a blood vessel over being left behind when the unlikely partnership returns to London!

A fun ride with India's cynical repartee and the dashing Major French. Nothing deep, no real tension or development of the chemistry between them, and a simple plot quickly wrapped up with their usual flair. Perfect for a lazy afternoon. Bravo!

What's Your Guilty Pleasure?

We've all read it. That book we just absolutely adore, but would die of embarrassment if anyone found out we were reading it. A trashy romance, a sappy YA novel, a nerdy space opera -- bend back that cover and angle it so that no one can possibly read the title over your shoulder! Ah, the mortification of it all. But we wouldn't give it up for the world, would we?

My all-time favorite "guilty pleasure" book would have to be Because You're Mine by Lisa Kleypas. I first read it in high school, and have happily -- and stealthily -- revisited the romance of Logan and Madeline every now and then since. It's sweet, it's hot stuff, and it just gives you that delightfully warm-fuzzy feeling. I was never actually caught reading it, but I had a few close calls!

So, what are your guilty pleasure reads? Did anyone ever discover your secret addiction?

A Belated Announcement

My apologies, my dear friends! I realize that I should have posted this announcement yesterday, but better late then never, yes?

NIGHT BROKEN

by

Patricia Briggs

NOW AVAILABLE!

A Fascinating Time for Murder

This was a quick, interesting read that centered around a young chambermaid in service to a London magistrate during the chaos of the Restoration period. The mystery was enjoyably twisty, but was occasionally overshadowed by either Lucy's personal storyline or the background events of the time period which Calkins highlighted. It was a bit like reading two distinct stories developing side by side - a murder mystery and a work of historical fiction with romantic elements. While I was interested in both, they were not blended as well as they could have been. I find that authors tend to learn from what awkwardness might appear in their first works and improve in successive efforts, so I have high hopes for the further exploits of Lucy Campion.

The historical detail that Calkins wove throughout the story was immaculate - barring the inconsistencies she herself pointed out as deliberate in the Historical Note at the end - and served to create an easily visualized London caught up in the social and political change which the return of Charles II ignited. It was a really fascinating era during which to set a murder mystery! Lucy, our main character, is ideally placed in English society for this particular time period because the blurring of social lines will be all the more apparently illustrated by her ascension from lowly chambermaid to whatever role she is able to rise to. It took me a moment to digest the seemingly cheesy fairytale ending of the story and realize that although it seems fanciful that a girl born into the servant class could come to be something of an equal in her master's household and go so far as to entertain thoughts of marriage to a magistrate's son and employment amongst educated men, it was not entirely impossible that such a case could have occurred. I wouldn't go so far as to say Lucy could have had all of this, but the personal barriers that were all but erased when servants tended their masters during the ravages of the plague did in fact lead to certain societal barriers collapsing as well. Such occurred to a lesser extent during the outbreak of the Black Death in the Middle Ages. So, could a girl like Lucy Campion have lived and experienced these self-same new opportunities? Yes ... but again, I think Calkins was a little overenthusiastic in making it seem as though every single obstacle had been obliterated.

This story had difficulty with the duality of its genre, but all in all it was a great read. I look forward to reading more books starring Lucy and following her rising star. Bravo!

~~~

 WATCH OUT FOR FROM THE CHARRED REMAINS, BOOK #2 IN THE LUCY CAMPION MYSTERY SERIES

Available April 22nd!

A Whole New Beat

Bronze Gods is the first steampunk novel that I have read and it blew me away! The husband-wife author team did a fantastic job of weaving fantasy, mild historical flavor, suspense and romantic tension together to create this excellent first installment in their new series. Their individual writing strengths of world-building and characterization really shone through and combined to produce a real treat.

The setting of Hy Breasil is both recognizable and alien, presenting a hypothetical world in which humanity invaded the fey (Ferisher) territory and interbred. The technologies work like those of an industrialized human world, but function because of more supernatural energies: elementals fuel lighting and transportation, and "mirror stations" stand in place of the telephone system. It all creates a surreal but utterly believable atmosphere that the reader can become immersed in without difficulty.

The dynamic cast of characters allows for a wide range of emotions, biases, and motives to collide head-on and create the chaos our crime-solving duo rise to the challenge of sorting out. Celeste Ritsuko and Janus Mikani are a delicious case of opposites complimenting one another to form a formidable cohort of justice. Their personal lives - which become ever more entangled as the story goes on - play out along side the unfolding horror of a vicious agenda and ever rising stakes. While the majority of the book is told from the alternating perspectives of Ritsuko and Mikani, the voice of Aurelia Wright breaks in from time to time in order to provide another illuminating account of what is happening and why. Together the three POVs allow the reader to get a broad view of the progress of events, providing telling incidental clues, though not overtly revealing everything until the climax.

A richly enjoyable read, I highly reccomend Bronze Gods to both veteran readers of the genre and newcomers. Bravo!

~~~

LOOK FOR SILVER MIRRORS, BOOK #2 OF THE APPARATUS INFERNUM

AVAILABLE APRIL 29th!

Fantasy: George's Take

When I was a junior in high school I wrote my final paper on fantasy. We had been asked to pick a handful of books within a genre and explore the heights and depths that can be reached within it. I had been thinking, "Hey now, fantasy is pretty much perfect for that!" and gathered together the Swords of Truth & Shannara, and called on Belgarath & Polgara to dig into this paper. My teacher was not amused. Fantasy isn't a real literary genre, she scoffed. Say WHAT?! So, I duly ignored her disappointing attitude and did it anyway. Was she happy with me? No, not really. Did I get an A? Yes, yes I did.

Setting aside the fact that there are apparently some individuals in this world who just don't get fantasy, the question is asked again and again just what fantasy is. What does it bring to the table? How does it take the mores and subtle nuances of human nature, culture, and belief and weave them through the loom of its own intrinsic system of devices? Does it really connect with the heart and soul of the human condition? My answer to that last, as you might have guessed, is ABSOLUTELY! George R. R. Martin puts it a little more eloquently, though, and I wanted to share this quote which I ran across this morning. I found it remarkably apt in explaining the genre of books that I love, and so delightfully simple...

“The best fantasy is written in the language of dreams. It is alive as dreams are alive, more real than real ... for a moment at least ... that long magic moment before we wake.

Fantasy is silver and scarlet, indigo and azure, obsidian veined with gold and lapis lazuli. Reality is plywood and plastic, done up in mud brown and olive drab. Fantasy tastes of habaneros and honey, cinnamon and cloves, rare red meat and wines as sweet as summer. Reality is beans and tofu, and ashes at the end. Reality is the strip malls of Burbank, the smokestacks of Cleveland, a parking garage in Newark. Fantasy is the towers of Minas Tirith, the ancient stones of Gormenghast, the halls of Camelot. Fantasy flies on the wings of Icarus, reality on Southwest Airlines. Why do our dreams become so much smaller when they finally come true?

We read fantasy to find the colors again, I think. To taste strong spices and hear the songs the sirens sang. There is something old and true in fantasy that speaks to something deep within us, to the child who dreamt that one day he would hunt the forests of the night, and feast beneath the hollow hills, and find a love to last forever somewhere south of Oz and north of Shangri-La.

They can keep their heaven. When I die, I'd sooner go to middle Earth.” 

(Quote Source: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=The+Last+Summer&commit=Search)

I adore A Song of Ice & Fire, and I'm fully supportive of authors taking their time to produce their books in order to make sure what they deliver to their fans is as accurate, delightful & perfect as possible. Do I wish The Winds of Winter would be released tomorrow? With all my heart! But he is welcome to take his time to make it as wonderful as the rest of the series. In all good fun, though, here's the joke at George's expense which has become a fan classic:

Break My Heart

Wow, what an unexpected disappointment! I love Deanna Raybourn, and her book A Spear of Summer Grass has become one of my all-time favorites, so I had very high hopes for this new romantic adventure. Especially after reading Whisper of Jasmine, which introduces these characters, I had expected to fall in love with this story. Nope.

Damascus is the fabled "city of jasmine," and that is an on-going theme throughout the book, true, but with Evie's arrival it would have been more appropriately nicknamed the city of ranting. She didn't shut up! I'm all for a good let-loose where the leading lady gives her man what for, establishing herself and validating her position. Shout at the top of your lungs, Evie. Give him a piece of your mind and vent your heart out all over his miserable two-timing head ... but then stop. One good rant is sufficient, but she was stuck on repeat through the majority of the book. They'd meet clandestinely to discuss the artifact and she'd let loose at him. They'd trod about in the desert for awhile, and then Evie would bite his head off again. Capture by Bedouins, followed up by a hissy fit. Escape, and another round. Come on, Evie, we're sick of it now! Yes, you have a valid position, and yes, Gabriel deserves the rough edge of your tongue (until he gets the truth out), but the whole song and dance got very old very quickly. That part of the plot really could have been constructed better, in my opinion.

The Evie and Gabriel we first met in Whisper of Jasmine and the Evie and Gabriel who take over in City of Jasmine: Two. Different. Sets. Of people. They were completely unrecognizable! Yes, I understand that Evie "grew-up" -- pfft! -- and changed her outlook on life after Shanghai, and Gabriel is being all cloak-and-dagger here, but I really could not relate the people I had met in the prequel to the ones I was following through the desert. I was rather heartbroken about that.

As for Aunt Dove? Ehh... I felt she was the strongest and most dynamic character here, but she didn't really seem to fit. Like that one puzzle piece that just won't slip into the space you know it's meant to fill, she had the right feel for the story, but felt out of place somehow. Yet again, a let down for me after reading the prequel.

*Sigh* I'm sorry, ladies and gents! I just couldn't wrap my heart around this one. I gave it an honest effort, but it came up desperately short for me. I still love Deanna Raybourn, but this one will not be on my Read Again list.

A Doozy

Hello there! Happy Day-Before-Friday, and all that. :-) So, today I pulled a review for the fourth book in Kristen Britain's Green Rider fantasy series, which I have a long-time love affair with. I'm talking full-blown, passionate romance here! I read the first book while in middle school and have kept pace with the series through high school, between exams in college, and this year the fifth book in the series is due to be released. Wait!, you say? If you do the little math exercise there you may notice that I've been reading a grand total of four books for more than 15 years ... how long does it take this author to write books, exactly? The answer: a long time. In the agonizing tradition of George R. R. Martin, Kristen Britain tends to not release a new book very often. For her devoted fans (ahem!) this is a devastatingly confounding habit of hers that she just won't break. While some -- well, many -- members of the Green Rider fandom spend their time shaking their fists and screaming for the next release, I've decided it's just not worth the frustration. The books are good, and if it takes five years for Kristen to write one, then so be it. I wouldn't want her to spiff things up if it would mean her quality level would tank. Now that we're getting close to Release Day, though, I'm working up a hype! Here's a little something to get your excitement meter revved:

~~~

Okay, so Kristen Britain is getting a lot of grief over a certain scene in "Blackveil" that has the K/Z Fandom outraged (no spoilers, I promise!). Let's admit it, it's a doozy whether or not you're rooting for Karigan! Some are enraged, some disgusted, some pleased, some confused ... that's the point! A good author will throw curve balls at her readers in order to generate a reaction - any reaction. Whether it's positive or negative, it tends to have the effect of baiting the audience into sticking around for the next book. It also gives us a romance that isn't just sugar and sunshine (a strong literary relationship needs some speed bumps to shake things up and keep things interesting). P.S. I'm a K/Z Fan too, so stick with me here.

As for the length of time we have to wait in between books: yes, I agree that it is AGONIZING!! It won't stop me from continuing to buy the books or suggesting them to friends, though. So long as Kristen comes up with another great read, I think it's worth the wait.

Finally, the CLIFFHANGER. Yes, like that certain scene I mentioned already its a doozy (it deserves to be referred to in capital letters). In proper die-hard, can't-put-it-down fan fashion I promptly screeched at the top of my lungs when I found that there were no more pages after that last sentence. It killed me. I wanted to rip the book to shreds and track down Kristen so that I could kick her. I cried ... but what an ending, ladies and gentlemen! Let's face it, "Blackveil" is a middle-of-the-series book. It isn't going to let us off the hook or feel satisfied. Someday (hopefully) Kristen will publish the last book in the Green Rider series and all those fascinating, irritating, nail-biting plot lines will converge and we will be able to let out a collective (and long-held) sigh of relief.

Stick with it, everyone! If the future books are comparable in quality to what we've gotten out of her so far, Kristen will make it worth it.

~~~

  KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MIRROR SIGHT, BOOK #5 IN THE GREEN RIDER SERIES,

AVAILABLE MAY 6th, 2014!

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!

HUZZAH! HURRAH! HUZZAH! HURRAH! HUZZAH! HURRAH! HUZZAH! HURRAH!

Why Kings Confess

by

C. S. Harris

If you've been keeping up with me you know that I am a slave to certain author's release dates. I live to hit that "DOWNLOAD" button on my tablet when the book I preordered finally comes out. Is there anything more satisfying in the world? .......there probably is, but I refuse to think of it now, today, on release day for the newest addition to Sebastian and Hero's story (dare I say, legend?). 

Grab a copy -- or hit that download button on your own preorder -- and then let me know what you think!

Cheers!

A Romance Unbound by Time

We all have our favorite love stories... Romeo & Juliet, Mr. Darcy & Lizzie Bennett, Westley & Buttercup. The warmth and reinforcement of the power and strength of love is at the heart of many of our greatest stories. This one, brought to us through the creative mind of Michelle Moran, is a romance directly out of the annals of history. Like Cleopatra VII had her Antony, Ramesses the Great had his Nefertari.

Nefertari is the daughter born to the tragic queen, Mutnodjmet. Reviled as the niece of the heretic Nefertiti, the infant princess was accepted at the Egyptian court only grudgingly. She was raised alongside the new royal family's crown prince and together they played, learned, and shared their childhood hopes and secrets. Now Ramesses is a man and entrusted with the reigns of power, but Nefertari is balancing on the dangerous line between a chance to remain by his side and being banished from all she has ever known. Her only hope lies in persuading Ramesses to make her his Chief Wife, but her rival is the woman already married to the young pharaoh -- the woman who is in league with the powers of the court intent on destroying the last vestige of the former royal line: Nefertari herself.

As with the preceding book, Nefertiti, there are weaknesses in the writing. Events and ideas which would have deepened the story weren't capitalized on, and some things seemed rushed. As much as I love Moran's storytelling, there is a sense of disappointment in this area.

If ever there was a story of empowerment it is this tale of how a young woman hated by the very people she wished to become queen of fights for the love of the one man who can raise her above the tainted waters of her family's history. The love they shared is immortalized in countless monuments, reliefs, and temples throughout Egypt. Although there is sex in it, this book is not trashy and the characters infuse it with a richness that leaves a lasting impression. Bravo!

Just Not Georgie

 **THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS**

I had mixed feelings as I read this addition to the irresistibly cute Her Royal Spyness mystery series. The story was interesting and the resolution had a twist that was at once disturbing and yet ballsy of Bowen at the same time. Not many authors are willing to go there, especially with a cozy. Not that children never cause someone's death, but most people like to believe in the "incorruptible innocence" of the child. In a way the children here are innocent, but it was still their little experiment gone wrong which led to their uncle's death. I say good for Bowen that she was willing to take that step. On the other hand, though, it just didn't feel like a Georgie book.

Things started going wrong when Georgie went out with Belinda her last night in London. The setting was classic for our leading lady: dinner and dancing, high society men, and evening shoes. Fans have come to recognize this mixture as a disaster in the making, but the whole thing resolved itself in a quick sentence or two in which we learned that Georgie went out, danced with a rich American, had a wonderful time ... AND DIDN'T HAVE A SINGLE CLUTZY MOMENT!!! What?! That's not Georgie! Sure she'd already disgraced herself earlier by squirting eclair cream down her front during tea with HM, but that was tame compared to what generally befalls her when she's attempting to be graceful while dancing with a rich man. And this seemed to set the theme for the remainder of the book. Georgie didn't crash into any priceless vases, get lost and walk in on an embarrassing encounter, drop her earrings in the soup tureen, etc etc etc ... she just wasn't her usual "not-again-Georgie!" self. It's what makes her character really sparkle and not having her on her game was a disappointment.

Another sadness I had with this book was Darcy. HE WASN'T HELPFUL AT ALL!!! He showed up in typical, out-of-the-blue, oh-my-girlish-heart fashion and set himself up in a position to provide us with humor, insightful comments, and blushes. He wasn't as smart with his wit as he usually is and he really didn't contribute anything at all to the investigation. Okay, he helped Georgie discover the secret passage in the folly, but that was it. Usually he's all tail up, nose down, sniffing out the culprit, but this time around he seemed to spend his time telling Georgie to stay out of it (SAY WHAT?!?!) in between their lip-locks. He didn't have any heroic scenes of nabbing the murderer, chasing someone in a Bently, or catching Georgie before she plummets off the edge of some high place. Nothing. Nada. Zip.

Okay, I've stopped my ranting, promise. Setting all that aside, Heirs and Graces really is a good little cozy fueled by one of the best brain-benders Bowen has come up with yet. True, our leading lady and her still-my-heart Irish beau were off their game characterization-wise, but the plot carries you along effortlessly. Bravo!

Roses & Thorns

I specifically chose a high page-count book to lower the money I spend monthly on e-books, thinking it would slow me down ... HA! Donnelly's writing doesn't let you go long enough to take your time with her story; it grips you right from the first pages and whips you through at lightning speed. The story is intricate but utterly engrossing, the style is smooth, and the characters demand your undivided attention. Despite the great amount of description that this book has, it doesn't plod along!

The period detail adds depth to the story, illustrating a London clutched in a season of terror and uncertainty, as well as a New York that bustles and thrives on progress and the new biggest thing. The setting and the characters who populate it gives Fiona, our bright and stubborn heroine, the tools with which she may seek out revenge against "the dark man," he who decimated her near-idyllic youth and washed her world in blood and horror. I saw a review which called this story "The Countess of Monte Cristo" -- SO TRUE!

I gave a 4/5 star rating despite the fact that I was itching to give it the full 5. There was one detail which forced me to deduct that last star, though. There are inventions and innovations which are, in this book, credited to the story's characters when in real life they were the work of others. This struck me as somewhat unethical for an author of historical fiction, and disappointed me. Credit where credit is due.

Setting that one draw-back aside, The Tea Rose is an exceptional book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the pain and suffering Fiona, Joe, and Nick were forced to endure. I genuinely fell in love with these characters and felt for them, hoping and silently supporting their personal endeavors. Donnelly has proven herself as a writer of great prowess and elegance. Bravo!

A Deadly Flop

 **THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS**

While the general storyline is interesting and the writing clear and entertaining, this beginning to a new historical mystery series just didn't quite hit the mark. The story seemed disjointed and suffered from too much melodrama. The characters - even Alec, the main character - seemed to be made up of their individual ideals and motivations rather than actual human feeling and whimsy. The ingredients for a really good book were there, but something went wrong when Brant threw them all in together.

The character of Ned is one of my biggest issues. He is a vile, amoral, brutal philanderer who will sink as low as necessary to ruin Alec's life and happiness. He is capable of deceiving a too-sweet, air-headed innocent into believing he loves her, thus railroading his brother's hopes of marrying her himself, and then blackmailing said innocent when she listens to reason and tries to put distance between them. He takes a whip to his brother and attempts to have a wrongful charge of murder leveled against him. Add to all this his lust for darling Selina (again, a woman whom Alec loves) and his apparent incapability of keeping his breeches closed whenever he's in private. His hatred of his brother is his one defining quality and there is little else. He's not human! And there are plenty of others like him in this book. Even the good guys are extremely one-dimensional. Plantagenet Halsey showed promise in becoming the most interesting character, but even he doesn't quite manage to be much more than the principles Brant has assigned to him. Characterization is very important to me, and it was one of this story's greatest weaknesses.

In terms of historical detail, the accuracy wobbled here and there throughout the book. On the whole, though, it is clear that Brant has a passion for the Georgian era, and her descriptions set the stage very dramatically. It was refreshing to read a story that doesn't take place during the Regency or Victorian eras.

I cannot say Deadly Engagement was a great book, but don't want to give the impression it isn't worth reading. Its write-up suggested it as perfect for fans of C.S. Harris' Sebastian St. Cyr historical thrillers, and though I don't personally feel that this quite compares, it is a decent read.

No Mercy on a Monday

Mercy's back and as feisty as ever! The pack's in turmoil, her mate bond with Adam is more tenuous than ever, someone's sending television bounty hunters after werewolves, and Mercy finds out just how much trouble you get into when you forget to return a book!

Just as much fun as all the others in the series, this book re-focuses on the fae element of the Mercy-verse. The trusty walking stick continues to tag along and the book Phin lent to Mercy turns out to be more than it seems ... and more than her life is worth if it's left up to a certain fairy queen! The one problem I had with the plot was how simply the issue with Samuel worked itself out. It was the single most unbelievable and slip-shod resolution Briggs has presented to date. Apart from that, however, the story is one of the best yet. Buckle up and dive into the humor and wit that we have come to know these stories to be. Bravo!

Title & Release Date Posted!

WOO HOO!!

The sequel to The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon has been on the radar for a while, but with no details revealed. None. I mean, absolutely zero. Zip. Nada...

UNTIL NOW! Write it on your calendars, everyone:

THE MIME ORDER

October 21st, 2014

Something There, Maybe

Sorry about being MIA yesterday, guys! To make it up to you let's change things up a bit and take a gander at a book that didn't score high marks with me. I am a huge fan of Foyle's War and I wrote my senior thesis on the British home front during World War II, so I was hugely excited to find Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Elia MacNeal and see the strong reviews it received. As you may have guessed, I was disappointed. The upswing is that I think MacNeal has something here that she could make really fabulous if she polishes it up enough in coming sequels. My suggestion: give this a try and maybe you'll see the glimmer of something special too...

~~~

I really wanted to like this book, but the story just couldn't raise the bar high enough for me to find real enjoyment in it. The main characters were all very flat, lacking dimension and any real originality. Even the romance lacked sparkle. The mystery wasn't really much of a mystery and the resolution was something that Maggie more or less tripped over and fumbled through. The vital components of plot and characterization were sadly weak, unfortunately, though I think MacNeal is working with a good concept here. I'm willing to hold out hope for better in later additions to the series.

Little nit-pick here: I don't really have much fun reading about how Maggie's armpits "get damp" every time something big happens. Sweaty palms or forehead are kosher, but the mention of damp armpits just kind of takes the punch out of it...

If there is one thing that MacNeal well and truly scores big on in Mr. Churchill's Secretary it is her excellent historical research and attention to detail. She reconstructed the British home front during its greatest and bloodiest test during WWII, and did it almost flawlessly. I loved the little details that she included, such as the "Hope"/"Holmes" mix-up!

KPO, Ms. MacNeal! There's something good here, and I want it to really come into its own in the coming sequels.

~~~

LOOK FOR BOOK #4: THE PRIME MINISTER'S SECRET AGENT 

AVAILABLE JULY 1st!

:-)

The Hunger for the Game

What would you do if you were an adolescent who found yourself confined in an arena with eleven other teens surrounding a pile of weapons and told that only one of you could walk out alive...?

I'll admit it. I saw the movie first. I know! I know! Shame on me. No worries, though, as I still think the book is much better. As with most books we were tuned into the leading lady's thoughts and reactions, and Katniss is a fascinating character to tap into on that level. She doesn't exactly fall into any of the set "Heroine" categories. Tough and embittered, there is still enough whimsy in her to twirl about in a pretty dress on camera. She possesses a rigid moral compass, but she is self-sacrificing only to a point. Katniss is imperfect, but not in the physical or social ways in which we have come to expect. In a rare stroke of brutal and shamefaced honesty Collins has written a genuine human being with all of the dark nooks and shades of gray that truly make up our souls. It is the most riveting aspect of the story.

The rest of the cast is very much made up of standards and this is glaringly obvious when they are set next to Katniss. It is not a failing, however. The story needs us to melt for the sweet little Rue and dither over the uncertainty of Peeta's behavior. President Snow's the big baddie and angelic Prim is the little sister worth fighting for. They're a great supporting cast that really forces Katniss to stand alone amidst them all. By circumstance and the other characters' choices to either accept or object to the Capital's dictates she is presented with all of the options available to her, and an understanding of the varying fates they all would lead to.

Fast-paced and action-packed, "The Hunger Games" is definitely one of the most powerful stories out there. With themes that draw from classics such as "The Lottery" and "1984," this leads us to question what humanity is capable of and how strong the spirit needs to be to withstand the corruption that Panem fell against. I can't wait to see what chaos Katniss stirs up in the other two books! Bravo!

Christmas with Georgie

LOVED IT!! This is Bowen at the top of her game and showing the best that this series can be. In the world of cozies, this one really manages to stand out as something special. Not only is Georgie as fabulously adorable and klutzy as ever, but the mystery really has definite substance to it. Twelve days leading up to the New Year, mysterious violent deaths, escaped convicts, a house party of mismatched guests, and our favorite member of the royal family with Grandad, Mummy and dreamy Irish peer in tow are the ingredients for this fiendishly clever conundrum.

The cast was broader and more varied than what we've seen heretofore. There are the guests of the house party, Georgie's loved ones, the pertinent villagers, the village idiot and wild woman. And never forget the bumbling local representatives of the police force -- man, Bowen doesn't seem to have a high opinion of British law enforcement. The many characters are not difficult to keep track of however, and it makes for a delightful mix of social class, prejudice and hilarity.

Something that really endears this book to me is the time that Bowen sets aside for the relationships. The interactions between Georgie and her mother really set a different tone than what we have seen in their exchanges in previous books. There has always been a sense of deep hurt in Georgie whenever she's around Claire, but in this there seems to be a closeness that is reassuring. The big relationship is, of course, the romantic one. Darcy really shapes up in this and demonstrates that his feelings for Georgie are genuine - and that he has come to believe it for himself. It is very satisfying, though Bowen is clearly not done with them yet ... the road to happily ever after will continue to present challenges and pitfalls for them.

As always, this is a quick read ideal for a sleepless night, rainy day, or just because. Bravo!

A Captive Queen

She is the daughter of the infamous queen who dared challenge Roman supremacy, she grew up in the most sumptuous court of the ancient world where she was worshiped as the child of living deities, she was crowned a queen in her own right at the age of eight ... and her world has just been torn apart.

Kleopatra Selene and her twin brother Alexander Helios are the prizes of war for a victorious Octavian. Paraded through the streets of Rome adorned in chains they are the symbolic representation of Egypt's eclipse. They are told to forget their heritage and embrace Roman culture ... to do otherwise would almost certainly cost them their lives. But Selene never surrenders, always remembering who she rightly is and where she belongs. From her perspective we witness the revolutionary changes the new Caesar makes to Roman society as he masterfully manipulates the political rivalries of the Senate and brings ever more domains under his rule. Is there a place in this Roman world for the daughter of a rebellious queen maligned as a whore and a tyrant? Knowing that her only chance of one day returning to Egypt is to do just that, Selene sets about learning to play the cutthroat game of empire, illusion, and survival.

Personally, I found Selene to be a little too perfect. She is, however, a fascinating personality and the events and aspects of Roman life she describes are illuminating. Moran has done a wonderful job researching -- bringing this character and the time she lived in to life (but then she always does). She has also grown as an author, as many of the weaknesses I found in her previous books are either improved on or completely absent in this work. As we have come to expect there is a lovely romance central to the plot, and (happily) it is true to the historical record. I always find it nice to read about a world-class romance that really happened! Bravo!

Twice a Queen

When the King of England's consort dies in childbirth the hunt for a new bride begins. Before the grave is even dug both king and court start to weigh the fortunes and potential dangers of candidates for the royal bedchamber, leading to instant rivalries and the spark of what would prove to be a volatile and deadly resentment. Finally, however, a maiden is chosen and the contract signed and sealed ... but the lady will come at a price King Æthelred will only grudgingly pay: a crown.

Emma of Normandy was the darling of her father's court and enjoys favor only slightly dimmed by the chilliness of her sister-in-law. But when her elder sister is passed over and she is affianced to the King of England her mother warns her that while the honor of being an anointed queen will bring her power and influence beyond measure, the position will demand a strength of will that few would find within themselves. Emma will hold the title of Queen, true, but the power that comes with it will only be hers if she bears the king a son.

Political scheming, forbidden love, the threat of invasion, and a foreign queen's fight for acceptance within a hostile court weave a fascinating tale. Emma is a character we can instantly fall in love with, and those around her build a diverse and ever-changing challenge which she ultimately rises to in a bid to master the treacherous game of scepters and swords.

This was an extremely enjoyable read about a lesser-known figure from the darker nooks of England's history. The development of Emma's character in these few years of her first marriage was also very satisfying and not cloyingly cliche (at the end she made decisions that proved her maturation through the trials she had suffered, and set up an expectation that she will be a potent player on the political stage in the coming sequels). I can't wait to see how Bracewell interprets the rest of Emma's career as a queen twice over. Bravo!

A Quote to Remember

A sentence or two can say so much and have an impact beyond the actual words which make them up, and literary gurus have been working magic with their phrases since before ink first met paper. You can become rich and famous for some fancy word-work and live through the ages as a shining light of literary greatness. Shakespeare, the most quoted author of all time, could attest -- were he not six feet under today -- to the immortality of a thought well-worded.

This got me thinking about some of the books on my shelf that contain some beautifully crafted phrases, but aren't eternally famous (yet). Let's give these books and their authors a smidge of glory here!

~~~

This is a many-layered story, but the most vitally passionate part of it for me is the vulnerable heart of a young man who has spent his life viewed as an object, a possession, rather than as a person. In this line he bares his wounded soul and makes a devastatingly profound statement that rings true for all those who have endured the belittlement of those around them...

"A human being! A person, just like you, with dreams and terrors - just like you. I fear, I hope, I hurt, and yes, I love ... Please listen, and hear me as you have never heard me before."

Pratchett is easily the most delightful contemporary satirist out there. His gift for humorously bludgeoning culture, politics, religion, science, and society for the flaws and outright gaffs inherent to humanity is never lacking for entertainment value. In Jingo, though, there is a moment where he completely steps his dialogue beyond his standard snarkiness to issue a bald statement regarding war...

"Men marched away, Vimes. And men marched back. How glorious the battles would have been that they never had to fight!"

One of the most elegant fairytale re-tellings out there, this book is full to the brim with beautiful prose. Between the subject matter, the setting and time period, and the natural richness of Marillier's writing style this story has a flow that is pure and effortless. Like all good legends, there is a moral to the story...

"But there is one thing you must remember, if you forget all else. There is no good or evil, save in the way you see the world. There is no dark or light save in your own vision. All changes in the blink of an eyelid; yet all remains the same."

Deanna Raybourn started out as an author of romanticized historical mystery novels about a lady sleuth in Victorian England. While they are fun books, they cannot compare to the depth and articulate sense of human nature which is the core of her stand-alone, A Spear of Summer Grass. Writing at the top of her game, Raybourn clearly has taken her own quote as the standard...

"Because if we're on the road to Hell, then we'll dance the whole damn way and give them something to talk about when we're gone."

If Terry Pratchett is the best satirist currently in the game, then Brandon Sanderson certainly claims the same role in fantasy. Elantris was his first published novel, and established his prowess as a crafter of the written word right from the get-go. His eloquent understanding of the human soul is profound and infuses every part of his work...

"Physically inevitable or not, truth stands above all things. It is independent of who has the best army, who can deliver the longest sermons, or even who has the most priests. It can be pushed down, but it will always surface. Truth is the one thing you can never intimidate."

What quotations from your favorite books mean the most to you? What words strike a note in your soul, in your mind, in infinity? Language is the lifeline of human interaction, and when it is communicated well and with style the echoes throughout time are limitless.