Month: March 2012

Steampunk Challenge: Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized


The Particulars: Steampunk, Berkley, available in print and as e-book
The Source: Purchased at Kobo
The Grade : A
The blurb:
Note: This blurb is the official one, but it  contain spoilers for Iron Duke.

As the mercenary captain of the Lady Corsair, Yasmeen has learned to keep her heart as cold as steel, her only loyalty bound to her ship and her crew. So when a man who once tried to seize her airship returns from the dead, Yasmeen will be damned if she gives him another opportunity to take control.
Treasure-hunter Archimedes Fox isn’t interested in the Lady Corsair — he wants her coldhearted captain and the valuable da Vinci sketch she stole from him. To reclaim it, Archimedes is determined to seduce the stubborn woman who once tossed him to a ravenous pack of zombies, but she’s no easy conquest.
When da Vinci’s sketch attracts a dangerous amount of attention, Yasmeen and Archimedes journey to Horde-occupied Morocco — and straight into their enemy’s hands. But as they fight to save themselves and a city on the brink of rebellion, the greatest peril Yasmeen faces is from the man who seeks to melt her icy heart…


The Review:
This is the second book in the Iron Seas series. I read The Iron Duke and enjoyed it. This one? Was better. Set in the same world, filled with zombies, bugs, and the Horde. I am not sure why I liked it better? Maybe it because it lacks the save the world mentality? The stakes is still high, for all of them but it is in’t on save the world level.
I enjoyed the fast paced adventure, the way it started with a bang and never slowed down. Or at least it felt like that. I am sure it was a slow paragraph here and there.
I loved the way everything felt connected, and that both Yasmeen and Archimedes had things at stakes.
But what I really loved with this book was the characters. The snarky banter between Archimedes and Yasmine. The sensual tension between them.
I also loved that there was so many different kinds of characters. From jackasses, to traitors, to rough brawlers, to smart women, and curious boys.
Most of all there goes a thread of loyalty through the book. In so many ways.
I loved this book in so many ways, and I regret that I waited so long with purchasing it. The only thing that bugged me were in the beginning Archimedes said intended to fall in love with her. I could have accepted seduce, since it would have fit better. On the other hand, after finishing the book, I can understand why he intended to do that, but it still bugged me. 

On My “To check out in the future list”: Indie authors, part one

On By MikaelaIn Book Recommendations

If I had written this post a year ago, it would have been much longer.  I am not Amazon’s greatest fan, but I must thank them for their   KDP Selection program, since it have allowed me to decimate my list.   . Right now, I have Suzanne Tyrpak’s Historical Mysteries, and Blake Crouch’s Run, not to mention an almost complete set of Scott Nicholson’s books, and a book by Zoe Sharp. And they were free ( never underestimate the power of free). ( And yes, I know, some of you are grumbling: But I don’t have a Kindle. You don’t need a Kindle. All you need is K4PC 1.8X ( NOT 1.9), Calibre, and certain tools. )

But there are still enough authors left to fill a blogpost.
First up,  Cate Rowan’s  Kismet Kiss:

In the desert realm of Kad, a deadly epidemic strikes the palace of Sultan Kuramos. Only a magical healer from an enemy land has the skill to save his royal household, but Kuramos never imagined the healer would be a woman.
Healer Varene finds her own surprises in Kad. She expects the sultan’s arrogance, but not his courage or his selfless care of the ill—or the possibility that the epidemic is the curse of a vengeful goddess.
Kuramos’s culture condemns Varene’s mystical talents. Her presence triggers an insurrection, yet as he and the healer toil for a cure, he loses his heart to her. She falls for him as well, but how can she relinquish her homeland and her principles—especially when he already has a harem and his family may be cursed?

I love this blurb. It might be because I love stories set in deserts. Add in a dose of romance and mix in Fantasy? Definitely up my alley.

Next up on my list is Maria Schneider. I am not sure which one I would go for first, UnderWitch Moon the first novel in her Urban Fantay series:

Adriel should have known that with a werewolf, it never stopped with just one body. She would have gone to the police after witnessing Dolores’ death, but she wasn’t certain the killer she saw was responsible for the other murders. Besides, the police didn’t believe in werewolves, and they weren’t going to believe she was a witch either so what could she tell them?

She kept her eyes and ears open while she tried to help her latest client escape the clutches of a voodoo witch, but things went from bad to worse when more bodies turned up. She was greatly relieved when she met White Feather, an undercover cop. Unfortunately, he wasn’t convinced she was innocent of all wrong-doing.

It was going to take every spell she knew and a few she hadn’t tried to solve the murders and stay alive.

Or should I get Catch a honest thief?

An Indiana Jones-style caper across the desert of New Mexico; high-tech gadgets, a mystery and a romance.

Alexia is trying to protect the crystals that power the city of Haven. Going undercover and stealing the crystals seemed like a great idea–until a real thief showed up. Bait and switch is suddenly cat and mouse–but who is the real thief? And why is the new security chief spending so much time looking into her background?

Confessing her secret plans to protect the crystals might help the security chief narrow in on the real culprit, but it would cost Alexia her job, her freedom, and her status. Of course, if she keeps standing in the way of the real thief, it will cost her a whole lot more.

They are very different, but both of them sounds like my cup of tea.

There is more authors on my to check out list, but I decided to end this post here. 
The next post will feature steampunk novels, and Urban Fantasy 🙂
* To get the Smashwords editions: Click on the covers.

This and that

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

Robin D Owens is posting snippets from Enchanted Again, following the time line of the book.

Lisa Shearin have started Monday snippets, part of her build up to the release of All Spell break loose in May.  The first one is here, the second here.

It is Read an ebook week, with loads of discounted titles on Smashwords. ( For help navigating, I recommend Mobilereads Deals forum.)  One author I recommend you check out if you like Science Fiction or Fantasy is Lazette Gifford.  Normally her books cost 2.99, but right now she is offering a 50% off coupon.And she have been wise enough to release her newest this week. Check it out.

A tip: If you are interested in fantasy with a large dose of adventure,  pick up  Silky 1, 2 and 3. 

ARC review: Hunter’s Prey by Moira Rogers

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The Particulars: 
The Grade: A
The Source: ARC requested from the author’s homepage
The Blurb:
Ophelia retired from life as a prostitute, but her new position is even more complicated. Managing the bloodhound manor in Iron Creek is difficult and time-consuming, a job she enjoys less with each passing day. Then there’s her inconvenient attraction to Hunter. The newly turned hound seems eager to enjoy her company, but wary of anything more intimate.

Having survived the violence of his first full moon out of a cage, Hunter isn’t looking forward to his first new moon. Ophelia offers to be the woman who sates his needs during the three long days of sexual fury, but he can’t abide the thought of hurting her in a state of mindless lust. Especially since she longs to settle into a respectable life, and his needs are anything but respectable.

Their mutual goal is simple: avoid entanglements. It’s a solid plan, at least until a vampire drug lord and a couple of nosy Guild representatives force them to work together to defend their friends and everything they hold dear–including each other.

The review:
I normally don’t request ARC’s but I decided to make an exception, since I love The Bloodhound series by Moira Rogers.  And this one didn’t disappoint.  It was dirty, gritty, and steaming.  Just like a Bloodhound story should be.  Ok, a part of me wish it was a bit longer but that is the greedy reader in me.
I loved that both the bad and good sides are shown.  The bad sides with the Bloodhounds need for violence during the full moon. Their snarliness ( is that a word?) during the rest of the month when it comes to their mates.  Their need for  sex during the new  moon. 

Hunter’s and Ophelia’s relationship is sizzling, but  to Hunter’s defense he is trying to court her.  ( And gets snarly when someone comes close to her. )   It isn’t just sex, though.  There were a couple of scenes that made me go aaw.   In a lot of ways, they need to trust each other.  Hunter need to trust himself that he didn’t hurt Ophelia, during the new moon, and that he will not in the future.  Ophelia need to trust herself when it comes to hers and Satira’s friendship. 
   

Even though this is about Hunter’s and Ophelia’s relationship, it is also about the impacts the events in Wilder’s Mate had.  From the fact that suddenly there is three Bloodhounds in Iron Creek, to the appearance of Guild representatives.    And the guild representatives cause problems. Especially they shows up just when Wilder and Archer is out chasing the vampire lord.

So what I didn’t like. The only thing I didn’t like was the title.  Yes, Hunter’s Prey fits in a way, but I bristle, since Ophelia is anything but weak.

Also note: This review does not fully reflect the awesomeness that is Moira Roger’s Hunter’s Prey.  The only way to experience that is to buy it.

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What makes a book successful?

On By MikaelaIn musings

Reading about the success of 50 Shades Of Grey made think about what makes a book wildly popular. 

I have read a lot of books, that have had  engaging characters, fast paced plots, and fascinating settings.  Yet  they aren’t up and fighting on the bestseller lists. So why is they plodding along? I think part of it is that they are missing that  extra”something.” The something that keeps the reader coming back again and again.
Let’s take Amanda Hocking.  She is wildly successful, at least  when  she was an indie author ( I have no idea how her print books sell).  I picked up Hollowland awhile ago. Even though I never finished, which was more because of me than the book,  I could see why she was so popular.  Her author’s voice had that something.  

SB Sarah points out that some authors are just cracktastic.  I can see that. I have some authors that I love, despite a part of me whispering I shouldn’t.  Grace Burrowes are one of them.  I love, love her books.  Despite the fact that her books borders on viginettes. Yet there is something with her books that makes me gobble them up.  ( But I still got huffy when I realised that Lady Sophia’s Christmas Wish were released before The Virtuso, but chronologically took place after.) 
Thea Harrison is another. I gobble down her books, despite the fact that the headhopping drives me insane.  I cannot help myself. I have buy her books.

Then there is the authors I love, but who release books with 3-4 years gaps.   Lorna Freeman is one of them. I love her books.  The problem is that since there are so long gaps between books, her earlier books are starting go out of print, and isn’t available as e-books.   Even though I am annoyed, I’ll still buy the next book.  Wen Spencer is another author. I love, love her books.  It is a mix of fantasy, science fiction with a dash of romance that just works for me.   Still, her last book was out in 2009 I think.   But, just like with Lorna Freeman I’ll buy it when it is out in July.

All right. This might have gotten a bit rambling.  Let’s see if I can tie it together.
What makes a book  successful is having that ”something” and reader loyality.  The problem is in today’s publishing that most authors don’t have the time to get the reader loyality, unless their books are successful from the start.  

So, which authors do you want to soar onto the bestseller lists? 

New winners!

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Since it turns out that some of the winners don’t have an ARe account or an Amazon account, I have decided to pick new winners.

(The two Crystals have received their books. I hope)

The new winner of  One More Summer is Mary Reiss.
The new winner of Demon Baits is kimmy_l.

Congratulations!

Review: Agents under fire by Dana Marton

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The Particulars: Romantic Suspense, Amazon, ebook
The source:  Freebie from Amazon.
The Grade:D

Blurb:
Book 1: Guardian Agent

When Gabe Cannon’s commando team is tasked with bringing down a rogue soldier, he doesn’t expect to come face-to-face with the target’s sister at the showdown instead of the man himself.

Jasmine is trying to lead the team away from her injured brother. Recognizing one of the hunters as her teenage crush is definitely a shock to her system. To save her family, she must convince Gabe that her brother was framed. But can she stop from falling in love with him all over again?

A fast-paced, heart-pounding romantic suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Book 2: Avenging Agent

An undercover agent on a deadly mission, the last thing Jake needs is a troublesome beauty distracting him from his investigation. But something about Allison makes it impossible for him to leave her to her fate, surrounded by danger in a war-torn country.

They couldn’t be more different, but soon they must rely on each other to stay alive, uncovering a diabolical plot that shakes even Jake’s battle-hardened heart. Attraction grows between them as they form a tight team against their enemies. But to act on that attraction, first they have to stay alive.

Book 3: Warrior Agent

Troy Hill has been tirelessly working for months to bring down a corrupt congressman. When the man’s goons capture him and lock him up, he knows they can’t afford to leave him alive. His only chance at escape is the congressman’s new security guard, Claire Montgomery. He expects he’ll have to either manipulate her into setting him free or kill her. He doesn’t expect to fall in love with her

Review:
I picked up this when it was free on Amazon recently. My original plan was to do 3 seperate reviews, but I changed my mind  after reading it. 
I can see why Dana Marton opted to release a bundle.  The three stories are tightly interlinked.  To get out most of the stories,  you have to read them back to back. 

There were parts of this bundle that I liked, but then there were parts that I didn’t like.
All the stories were filled with action, and showed the shady side of the War against Terror.   It was a refreshing change that the bad guys were American. There were no terrorist in sight.  
The plots felt solid, and well researched.  They are filled with unexpected twists, and, unfortunately, some expected.  I am sure that something similar to events mentioned in the story have happened. Which makes me so depressed, in fact.  But I will not say anything more. 
Just like the plots, the settings felt well researched. From Venice with its tourists and decaying houses.   
To Lahedeh ( I am spelling this one wrong) and the locals attitude towards Americans. Especially American women.
I must admit, that the setting I liked the least was the one in Washington. It felt dull, compared to the other settings.  I am sure that it was well described, from the Congressmans house to the river.
The heroines are have backbone of steel. They are loyal and independent.   The heroes are heroes. Macho, strong ex soldiers.

There were several things that annyoed me.  Even though the plots were packed with action, it became predictable at times, especially in the last book.   I think that I had the most trouble with the last book, since it required much more  suspension of disbelief than the other books.
I might have been able to live with the predictability, but I could not live with the romance.   To me the romance subplots felt like they were swallowed by the action.  I missed the standard  patterns  when it comes to romance: Meeting, denial of the attraction and accepetance. 
I think a lot of the annoyance stemmed from the fact that the book was 136 pages long, in total. ( At least my Calibre converted copy was).  
I would have been much happier if each book had been say, 120 pages long, since that would have allowed for more depth.

 

Buna Unleeshed auction

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

Maya Banks is raising money for her daughters softball team to go to Florida ( I think) and participate in a large tournament.   She is doing that buy auctioning off a lot of signed books, Arcs and meetings with authors  on ebay. Honestly, if I wasn’t so broke I would bid on several things, especially ARCs.

Indie bargains

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I reviewed Book of Shadows earlier this year,  and loved it.  If  you haven’t read it, now you have your chance.  It is available for free for non US readers on Kindle, for a limited time.  So go and get it.
Alexandra Sokoloff also offers her YA novel Spaces in between for free. Worldwide.
Doesn’t that cover make you want to pick it up? While you are over at Kindle, also pick up Killer instinct by Zoe Sharp. This is one of the books that have been on my To check out list for awhile, but I avoid buying from Amazon if I can. Which means I am happy right now :).

That is the crime novels. Next up is the romance novels.
Christie Craig offers Divorced Desperate and Delicious for free on both Amazon and Smashwords. 
 Julie Ortolon offers Falling for You for free at Amazon and Smashwords. I enjoyed Almost Perfect, and Dear Cupid is in my TBR pile. ( If an e-reader can have a tbr pile).

  And a couple of traditional publishing bargains. Harlequin have discounted For Love or Money to 0.99 at all major stores. This is a bundle containing three books by Sarah Morgan, Jane Porter and Trish Morey. I haven’t read it, but at that price I am willing to take a gamble. Especially since Dear Author recommend Sarah Morgan.

And last, but not the least: This month’s free read from Samhain is Private Protection by Leah Braemel. Available at Amazon, BN and Sony.