Fateful by Claudia Gray
930127
I love all things that have to do with the Titanic. The story and the heartbreaking ending and the possibility of what could have been. It's one of the saddest and most intriguing parts of history and I will devour any fiction book that deals with this subject. Perhaps that is why I was so interested in Fateful. The unexpected twist that Claudia Gray weaved into Fateful made me even more fascinated by it. Werewolves on the Titanic! How cool does that sound?

Y'all, Fateful is a book full of mystery and danger and romance and drama, which are the basic ingredients to an awesome story. From the moment the book beings, there is some sort of danger or a feeling in the air of danger. Tess is never really safe and is constantly looking over her shoulder. Though she is scared, she's fierce too. She doesn't want to die; she wants a life in America. Fateful was an engrossing roller coaster ride. Just when it seems that danger has been averted, it will sneak up on you. Plus, where can you go in the middle of the ocean? There's minimal background for the cast of characters and it's not an overload of info, which is good. The plot is fast paced and even though it's a stand alone, the ending was a bit too pitch perfect for me. Oh well. Might as well enjoy it!

Tess was my kind of girl: not a damsel in distress but willing to ask for help when she knows she can't handle what's happening around it. I mean, not only is she a servant, she's got some wacko guy after her! I'd be scared too. I liked Alec a lot too. He was sweet but not a wuss and he really did care for Tess. Plus, he didn't mind hanging out with a girl who was below his social standing!

I loved the inclusion of the story of the Titanic. It really put a somber mood to the whole book and kind of gave it an eerie feel. Plus, you know the ending to the story. You know what's going to happen. But even then, you don't want it to. Your heart breaks when the accident happen and everything you know about the Titanic makes that aspect of the story break you heart.

But all that said, I did have an issue. Emotions. When it comes to a book like this, I wanted a lot of emotions. I just didn't feel that this book had that. There should have been plenty of emotions: sadness, fear, happiness. It was, for me, not there. It was as if she was scared about something but...it was just on paper. I was simply reading it and not feeling it. Even when all the chaos of the sinking was going on, I felt nothing. I've seen my fair share of Titanic movies and gone to exhibitions so I knew how harrowing it all would have been. I just didn't get that from Fateful.

Overall, I really enjoyed Fateful. I haven't read anything else by Claudia Gray but I plan on it! Her writing was wonderful; she had that British/1912 lingo going on but it wasn't completely heavy and unrealistic. The ending made me smile like a goofball and the events leading up to it made me stay up late at night.
4316836
A good example of Ms Krentz' early romance stories; a lot of romance, and a little suspense. While there really isn't anything original in this romance, it is well written, interesting, and a good read.
The hero and heroine are fully fleshed and believable; the dialog is natural and the story flows well.
I was captivated by Gray, and really liked Amber. They were both honorable, mature and likeable people. I really enjoyed the interaction between the two of them, and personally found Gray to be one of the sexiest heroes from her earlier novels!
The secondary characters were also well written, and added depth as well as realism to the storyline.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and if you like a good romance with a little suspense thrown in, I bet you will too!
4125910
I really enjoyed this book. I got it because it was on sale, but I do that a lot and find that not all the books I get draw me in. This one hooked me and wouldn't let go, I devoured it in a day. I seriously want my own Caston, almost more than I want my own Gideon or Christian. Anyone that has read the Fifty Shades of Grey or Crossfire series' will be just as hooked. Very well written and I cannot wait for April 18th to get my hands on the second book.
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Lady Aileana Kameron is leading a double life in 1844 Edinburgh. By day she is a sheltered aristocrat who is on the marriage market but whose reputation is tarnished by the possibility that she had something to do with her mother's brutal death. By night, she is fighting and killing the faeries who are stealing energy from humans but whom most humans can not see. She is searching for the faery who killed her mother.

Aileana is being trained by Kiaran MacKay who is one very powerful faery who wasn't imprisoned beneath Edinburgh after an epic battle that occurred 2000 years before. Aileana's relationship with Kiaran is a difficult one as she moves between liking him and trusting him and realizing that he is not at all human and that he is alson one of her enemies.

However, unfortunately for Aileana, the 2000 year old seal is weakening and is scheduled to fail within days if she can't do something to reinforce it. It was made by a number of falconers working together but Aileana is the only remaining falconer and has had just a year of training.

I loved the steampunk aspects of this story as Aileana is an engineer who has made a number of weapons that will let her defeat the faeries. I loved her ornithopter and the locomotive that she made along with her lightning gun and sonic cannon. The bomb that she used on the Red Caps was particularly effective and destructive too.

Aileana was an intriguing character whose life changed immeasurably when her mother was killed. She is haunted by the memory of her mother's death and by her need for vengeance. Kiaran is also an intriguing character who is very mysterious. Aileana's pixie protector Derrick adds some much needed lightness to this very intense story.

I can't wait to see what is going to happen next in this trilogy.
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Read this book and discover the journey of Lilyth, a grey eyed silvery haired woman. Watch as comfortable seeming surroundings shatter into oblivion as she flees and is set to uncover forgotten truths, loves and lies. This book is beautifully written and I loved the intrigue. The characters are dynamic and very expressive. This book didn't end as I thought it would, it was better.
I give it Four stars!-I was furnished with a copy for a free review-
3662147
"The Color of Forever" by Julianne MacLean.  Wow!  Ms. MacLean sure knows how to write.  While I have not read all the books in this series (The Color of Heaven Series), I have read a few and honestly, cannot say which is my favorite.  I've enjoyed all of them to that degree.  In "The Color of Forever", Ms. MacLean has penned a beautiful tale of the journey of love, a touch of magic and a sense of being that I don't often find in other books.  In this story, we have Katelyn.  She is a reporter that has a life altering event that leads her on a path of self discovery.  As she travels with her best friend Bailey, she meets others that all have an impact on her life.  I so enjoyed this journey - it's deep and thought provoking yet leaves the reader with a sense of wonder and awe.  Ms. MacLean has proven to me yet again that she is a talented and truly gifted artist that brings her characters and story to life through words.  Her descriptions are detailed yet not overdone.  As the reader, I believed and could envision each and every scene.  The feelings portrayed by the characters I felt in my heart.  I felt as if I was a spirit myself, traveling this journey with Katelyn, overlooking her shoulder the entire time.  While this is Book 10 of the series, it can easily be read as a standalone.  Although, if the other books in the series are as enchanting as the three I've read already, I will gladly read the remainder and recommend that as well.
4768709
With the waning days of summer upon us, I highly recommend that you put Nina Romanos breathtaking Wayfarer Trilogy at the top of your list for your fall/winter reading pleasure.  Romano has written three beautiful and inspiring novels, each featuring strong female protagonists who embody the strength of character to prevail and rise to the challenges of adversity and even great misfortune during the historical times in which they lived.

As you curl up with the award-winning first book, The Secret Language of Women, youll be transported to China on the cusp of the Boxer Rebellion and swept away in the story of star-crossed lovers--Lian, a Eurasian healer and Giacomo Scimenti, an Italian sailor.  Their love story is one for the ages and will tug at your heartstrings long after youve finished the book.

Then, when youve caught your breath and wiped your eyes, settle down with Lemon Blossoms, the second novel in the trilogy.  Set against the lush backdrop of Sicily at the end of the 19th century, Romanos beautifully rendered story of a young woman ready to make choices that could change the course of her life, and those around her, propels the reader to a time and place steeped in family tradition, honor and lives altered by fate.

In America, the concluding novel of the Trilogy, Romano gracefully weaves together the lives and stories of richly drawn characters from her first two novels.  We are also introduced to a new generation of young women and men who are coming of age in the melting pot neighborhood of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.  Family secrets, loyalty, love and the struggle for survival are at the forefront of this stunning and satisfying tale.  Romano's vivid depiction of Depression Era New York heightens the senses to life during this particularly eventful time in America's history.

I was sad to finish In America knowing that it was time to say goodbye to the characters Id spent so much time with, embraced, laughed and cried with and about, but even more so because Id miss Romanos beautiful and elegant prose.

Nina Romanos novels won't disappoint!

Im looking forward to Romanos next work and hoping that maybe there will be a follow up to the Wayfarer Trilogy in the not too distant future.
3952777
After reading Falquens Nest, I knew I absolutely had to go straight for Gray Forresters story and Im sure glad I did. This book did not disappoint in any way shape or form.
Although some would turn away from Grays over-the-top persona, and dramatic antics, I actually enjoyed every second of his lovable nature. I mean, whats not to like about him? Hed caught my interest in Falquens Nest, but he won me over in Bleed Out Your Heart.
There were several aspects of his life I did not see coming. For example, his day job. But these random twists really served to put the story together and shape it into the amazing love story that it turned into. I rather enjoyed the fact that he was so forward, but at the same time sweet and gentle. I delighted in how he liked to call attention to himself, and be the center of attention, but had his insecurities as well. It made him more believable as a whole.
Not to be outdone, we are soon introduced to Marly, our broken heroine whos trying to get her life back on track after ending a disastrous relationship with an abusive ex-boyfriend. In comes Gray, who she meets through mutual friends, and from then on its one incredible, page turning event after another.
As Gray begins to work his magic on Marly, we can see how she starts to open up more and spread her wings. Gray, through the art of his mystic touch, slowly but surely gives Marly the confidence to be herself. These two are perfect for each other as different as they are, and you can feel the love they have for one another throughout every chapter.
These characters are easily ones who will stick with me for a while, and I positively loved the ending. Kudos for Maria!
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originally posted here: [...]

I first heard about Hopes Decree from Laura Thalassa, an author I really love. When I learned that it was based off of Greek mythologys Pandora, I knew that I wanted to read it. And Im so glad that I finally found the time to do so, because I easily fell in love with this book.

Trinity Whitebone has been haunted by nightmares of darkness trying to consume her and her inner light. She also has the ability to sense the emotions of people around her. Little did she know that there was so much more to it. She will find out that myth may not be myth, and that there are beings fighting for the light or the darkness. And she may be the most important piece in this war.

I personally really liked Trinity. Shes not always the best, and I got annoyed by her stubbornness sometimes. But I think that makes her who she is. She has her vulnerabilities, thinking that she cant do what she needs to and that her loved ones are potentially in danger. But I like her attitude of not wanting to be a damsel in distress. She demands the information she needs and she wants to be able to defend herself and to develop her powers. I do think she needs to rely on Blain though, especially since she has a lot more to learn. But I like how she stands up to him and tells him off for undermining her.

I think Blain is a more complicated character with how hes hot and cold towards Trinity. He keeps on pulling away from her. I wish he wasn't like that, but I like how it moved the story and their relationship. It allowed for development. I also began to love Morpheus after a while. But I think a character that I really loved is Trinitys mom because shes just really cool with giving Trinity some freedom. Id love to have her as a mum.

I think that the book was pretty predictable in terms of who the bad people are, but it was very interesting to see how the characters would react to the news, especially Trinity and Blain. It was also interesting to see the history behind the darkness and evil. I also felt that the story moved at the right pace, and it made me want to just keep on flipping the pages.

Im glad that there was no huge cliffhanger in the ending. Yes, it implies that theres a lot more to come, but it was very satisfying. I do wonder how this series would go though.

**************************************************

OVERALL, Hopes Decree is a compelling, action-packed fun read. I loved the characters, and I loved learning more about Pandora and how Angela McPherson used that story to create the supernatural elements in this book. I think that the book can be a little predictable, but I found it too engrossing to mind that much. I think that the pacing was really great, and I liked seeing the character development. Ill definitely pick up the next book.
3476205
I love how Gray weaves several character's lives into a story. In this book Darla Kurtz's father passes in a terrible accident that claims several other lives. The whole town is still mourning and often taking it out on Darla even though it has been several months. Darla takes the world on her own shoulders and has no one to count on. She is strong and independent but is missing out because she keeps all her troubles to herself.  Enter long time friend Lukas who burst back into her life at possibly the best moment. He manages to save the day and gain her trust.
This book has an adorable love story of childhood sweethearts but it also deals with death, abuse, coping and healing from loss. The physical abuse story line added an interesting twist to the overall story. Seeing how the Amish community would handle that sort of situation was different than us 'Englishers'.

*I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.*
1819189
The bewilderment, sadness, and devastation of the Lost Generation is beautifully evoked in Marguerite Kayes dual novellas in her A Time for Scandal series: The Undoing of Daisy Edwards and The Awakening of Poppy Edwards. Like Lets Misbehave by Rae Summers (which I reviewed last year), both of these stories have a dark and melancholy tone yet, since they are romances, there are hopeful and happy endings.
In The Undoing of Daisy Edwards, Daisy and Dominic are merely going through the motions of life, both simply trying to cope day by day with the aftermath of loss and grief from the Great War. Daisy is a widow and a stage actress who loses herself in drinking and partying while Dominic, an aviator, is the second son and heir to a neglected and unwanted title. When they meet, they are two terribly lonely hearts whose passion ignites into an explosive affair. And both are content for just that; it helps them forget their mutual pain in mindless pleasure.
Of course, it develops into much more and its interesting that its Dominic who initiates the emotional part of their relationship while Daisy fights it all the way. Their conversations are lovely to read and are written from both characters points of view, in the uncommon first person voice, a unique and effective device here. I feel it makes the story all the more compelling, especially since it is essentially a short story (only seven chapters long).
Marguerite Kayes style is direct, concise, and very powerful. The tone is quiet and reflective throughout and I really felt Daisy and Dominics pain at the same time there is a joy and hope in their newfound relationship.
The Awakening of Poppy Edwards is Daisys sisters story. Poppy escaped London and the pain of the wars devastation for a career in the exciting and new motion picture industry in sunny Los Angeles. She couldn't bear to witness Daisys pain and so she escapes into moviemaking, creating a financially successful (but emotionally empty) life for herself.
Lewis Cartsdyke is a confident and handsome producer who has his eye on Poppys stardom and is hoping to make her a star in the upcoming talkies. When he first meets her, in her guise as Vera, a singer in a nightclub, dressed a la Marlene Dietrich in a mans suit, he knows who she is and is captivated by her. He breaks his own rule about mixing business with pleasure and a one night stand turns into something more. When she learns the truth behind his career motives for her, Poppy is reluctant to engage in an affair, but she cant stay away from Lewis.
Lewis holds his own pain deep inside; he was an ambulance driver in the Great War who, like Ernest Hemingway, saw great horror and death. But he is determined to survive and move on with his life. Poppy just wants a business arrangement with sex on the side. Until Lewis pushes her for more, much like Dominic in the first story. I like that it is the men in both of these stories who want more from the women in their lives.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of Poppys beautiful house, especially her kitchen, plants, and poolit creates a very nice domestic feel or normalcy to an otherwise somber story, an apt analogy of her calm and orderly home life devoid of emotional feeling.
The complicated and loving relationship between the two sisters is told from their respective points of view in each story, but its spare detail (and the satisfying ending in the second novella) is a beautiful footnote toward healing.
Two graceful stories (that should be read together) by an author Id love to read more of.
A modified version of this review first appeared on Romantic Historical Reviews.
3893541
Julia Quinn continues to amaze, delight and write emotional stories that draw a reader into feeling as though they are part of the story. This is the second in the series but is also a stand alone. This is the story of Cecelia Harcourt, a woman who does some wrong things for the right reasons and has to find a way to correct the fallout from her actions. Edward Rokesby is a gentleman, a wounded soldier and the best friend of Cecelia's brother. Their relationship begins with lies but as they work together to find Cecelia's missing brother, truths come to light, feelings begin to grow and they have to decide if their love is strong enough to survive.
3635704
I loved this book. The author does a great job with character depth. Not only do you learn their personalities but also the backstories of how they became who they are. Grey and Sophia balanced each other well in strengths and weaknesses.

The mystery is quick to start which is nice and had me guessing what was going to be the outcome. I won't give away any spoilers but it was not what I expected.

I had a hard time putting this book down and enjoyed how well written it was. It is part of a series but it reads just as well as a stand alone. I was gifted this book and can't wait to go back and read the rest of the series.
2134144
This is a beautifully written story about two people that find each other when they most need each other.  I believe strongly in fate and this book is all about fate and destiny.

Thank you Sable for another beautiful tale of love and lust!
2050440
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Shay Brennan is feeling a little bit lost. After losing her parents very close together, and two failed engagements due to the men being more interested in her money than in her, Shay needs a new start. Finding herself in South Dakota, with the newly purchased historical Buckhorn Saloon under her belt, Shay's life is about to get more change than she expected.

The Buckhorn has been home to tragedy in the past, as Shay is finding out when a female ghost beseeches her for help, and a male ghost seems intent on her destruction. What is even stranger is the connection Shay finds to these ghosts, once she begins researching the history of her new home. Help from the skeptical realtor she purchased the saloon from, Colt Morgan, makes Shay start to wonder... Did A Haunted Twist of Fate bring them together, or will it spell the end of Shay's life?

Things get even more complicated when Shay finds herself, however reluctantly at first, in a romantic relationship with Colt. He doubts her insistence that there are multiple ghosts in her home, some of which who mean her harm. Though Colt questions the existence of supernatural entities, he finds himself a partner, in more ways than one, to Shay as she continues her quest to get answers and solve the mystery of the Buckhorn Saloon.

The story of tragic events unfolding over 100 years ago dominates the tale we find in A Haunted Twist of Fate. However, the darkness is tempered by the romance brewing between Shay and Colt, as they grow closer, even while danger increases. An intriguing cast of secondary characters adds depth to the story, bringing in more opportunities for emotional development throughout the story.

Stacey Coverstone drew me in to A Haunted Twist of Fate from the very first page. That spooky beginning sets the tone for what we can come to expect throughout the rest of the novel. The mystery is carried throughout the whole book as we try to figure out who the ghosts are, what they want, and more importantly, why they are so strongly drawn to Shay. The twists brought about by revelations into all the players of this saga, will initially surprise readers, before making us wonder why we didn't figure it out sooner.

 Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2012. All rights reserved.
4198997
I was immediately drawn to this book when I read the summary on the back cover. The narrative voice drove me to buy this book and I just knew I had to read it. It was a choice I never regretted and after I read the first one I went on and brought the others in the series. I'm still reading the last one and I can't get enough. I get exited with every turn of the page. Claudia is such an amazing writer and she has become another author I look up to and aspire to be. Thank you
253687
Author Traci Sanders noted in her bio that she wants to make her readers feel something. She has succeeded with Unsevered. This is a character-driven novel, and the main character, Jewel, is a thoughtful, yet vibrant young woman. When she meets Harley, she knows that he is the one. They marry and move to a lovely ocean home. Harley is in the military and is killed on a mission. Jewel is wrenched from her beautiful, loving life, into despair. People say they would give anything to have just one more moment with a loved one lost. Thats not good enough for me. I want it all back. As the story progresses, Jewel is surprised by some life-changing experiences that give meaning to the word unsevered. Jewel finds her inner strength and develops a new life, unsevered from the joy she still carries with her. Readers will be drawn to the beauty of Jewel and her desires, and the authors clear and eloquent writing style will give readers a satisfying emotional experience. I eagerly read this book and I know that readers will be as engaged and interested in the story as I was. The universe is done with me, but it isn't done with you yet, baby. You haven't fulfilled your destiny.