Sunday 19 February 2017

Betrayal (Sea Assassins Trilogy Book 1) by Danielle Hardgrave (2017)



Publisher's Information

On a calm November evening, a ship disappears off the coast of Washington without a trace...

When Darcy Davies finds a handsome man washed up on the beach, he’s three things: injured, naked, and rude. And he’s got a few demands. Somewhere safe. No hospital.

Tell no one.

While Darcy takes him in, she’s no fool. She knows he was involved in whatever happened at sea that night. But is he a victim or a villain? One thing’s for certain—even if he’s not a danger to her person, this sexy stranger is a danger to her heart.

Gabriel Barnes can’t tell which is more of a pain in his side—the curvy brunette who plucked him off the beach, or the literal pain in his side.

Gabriel's secret will be hard to keep in such close quarters, especially with injuries that are healing much too fast. But he's got bigger problems.

It wasn't an accident that brought him here.

It was a betrayal.
 


Review 

A good start to a promising new series.

Betrayal is a short, sweet story with some suspense towards the end. 

The story started out well, grabbed my attention and held it for the first half of the book but it got a little bit slow in the middle.
The time that Gabe and Darcy spent playing house and getting to know each other was cute but it slowed the pace of the story down a lot. I would have liked something else to be happening to break up the monotony of their days. I kept waiting for them to give in to their attraction to each other so the story could finally move forward. I'm not a huge fan of sex scenes as I don't think they are necessary to the enjoyment of a good story but the author did a good job of building up the sexual tension so their relationship didn't feel rushed. 
The final third of the book was more to my liking when there was tension, suspense and action when Nate catches up to Gabe.  Nate has a very cold, creepy kind of persona which made him appear very threatening in his interactions with Darcy. I found him to be a very interesting character.

I wasn't expecting the epilogue to end with that little twist so now I can't wait to read what happens next!

Buy Link Amazon

Sunday 12 February 2017

Wild Atlantic Words by MEAS Writers (2016)


Publisher's Information

A pocket watch frees a young girl from an unhappy vocation. Something strange frequents the dance halls of the fifties. A motorist catches a glimpse of giants on a journey through Barnesmore Gap.


In this collection you will discover tales as diverse as the rugged Donegal landscape that has shaped its people over the centuries. Seven authors have crafted themes of emigration, love, loss, friendship, and the supernatural to reflect life hard up against the Wild Atlantic coastline.


These stories provide a unique insight into a part of Ireland where people once gathered around turf fires to indulge in their love of storytelling, a craft which lives on through Meas Writers today.

Review 

A refreshing and lovely collection of short stories. The perfect kind of book to have sitting on your coffee table for dipping in and out of.  It's not often you hear the Donegal accent in modern fiction and I liked how it was represented here. I enjoyed reading about the quirky way ordinary folk get on with ordinary events like buying new furniture. I found the stories like Bees Knees that much more charming because I could relate to so many of the characters depicted.


What I enjoyed most about this collection was its multi author and genre aspect.  It had everything- humour, romance, paranormal. It ticked all the boxes for me. 
Each of the stories were well written and very enjoyable but a few of my favourite stories in the collection include Bees Knees by Malachy Sweeney, Dark Heart by Marie Hannigan, Of Vegetable and Men by Charlie Garratt, Rosie by Ann Garratt and Ruby Red Soldiers by Darren Gallagher.

Buy Links Amazon and Book Depository

The Duke (Victorian Rebels #4) by Kerrigan Byrne (2017)

He is noble, notorious, and takes no prisoners...

Strong as a Viking. Handsome as Adonis. Rich as Midas. Collin "Cole" Talmage, Duke of Trewyth, is the stuff that legends are made of. He's the English Empire's golden son--until fate has its way with him. Cole's family is killed and his closest comrade betrays him on the battlefield, leaving him gravely injured. But Cole is not one to dwell on misfortune. He is a man of duty, honor--and desire. And now he's ready for the fight of his lifetime...

Imogen Pritchard is a beautiful lass who works in a hospital by day and as a serving maid at night. Years ago, when she was young and penniless, she ended up spending a scandalous night with Cole, whose tormented soul was matched only by his earth-shattering passion. Imogen entered a marriage of convenience―one that left her a wealthy widow―but she never forgot Cole. Now that her long-lost lover has turned up in her hospital, injured and with no memory of her, Imogen is torn: Is it a blessing or a curse that their past remains a secret to Cole, even as his new passion for her leaves him wanting to protect and possess her...at all costs, in The Duke, the next Victorian Rebels novel by Kerrigan Byrne.


Review

The Duke is a little bit darker than most of the historical romances I've read lately but it made superb reading. I curled up for most of a day reading this book and I enjoyed every moment of it. The story, packed with emotional angst and longing, romance and suspense, kept me turning the pages to the end. 

Although book four in a series it reads perfectly as a stand alone novel but I will definitely be going back for books 1-3 when I get the chance.

This book was just brilliant and I recommend it to all historical romance fans out there.

Buy Links 


Saturday 11 February 2017

My Lord the Spy - A Regency Romance (The Spy Series Book 1) Audrey Harrison (2016) Narrated by Melanie Fraser (2017)




Publisher's Information

England is under threat from Napoleon, but it doesn’t affect those in high society, or does it?


Charles Baker, the young Baron Glazebrook has happily fallen under the spell of a man of dubious character. He is rampaging over London, enjoying everything that a young man with a fortune could wish for.


Clara Baker is compelled to try and protect her brother, no matter what the cost is to herself or her reputation. She made a promise to her dying mother and nothing is going to divert her from her mission.


Edmund Ainscough, Earl of Chertsey is a man with a reputation. His welcome in the seedier side of society makes him the perfect target for those in authority who want to know who is loyal to the King.


Three people thrown together find their worlds, values and feelings can all be changed in an instant. All will face their deepest fears in this novel of love and betrayal.


Review 

My Lord the Spy is a charming, traditional regency romance. It has a real feel good feeling which made it a perfect reading choice to cosy up with on a cold, dreary day.
The story has everything that I associate with the genre; lighthearted banter, spies and smugglers, humour and romance. Best of all, it had a little bit of suspense which made it an exciting read as well. I was happy to spend all day listening to this book.

I was also happy to note that this is a clean regency romance; they are in short supply. And I am delighted to have found a new author to recommend to a much loved aunt.

I have listened to many of Melanie Fraser's performances. I've enjoyed them all and as a favourite narrator I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed with her performance of a regency romance. 
I think this is one of my favourites, probably because I love the genre and her narration of My Lord the Spy complemented it so well. Her polished accent and lovely diction really enhanced the story as her narration adds an air of authenticity to the characters and the time period they live in. This is something that narrators who perform with an American or regional accent just can't offer.  


There were quite a few different male and female characters to perform in this book and they were each done incredibly well. Each voice seemed to match them perfectly. Clara's voice in particular reflected her youth and sweet nature. Edmund's was suitably masculine and older than Clara's brother, Charles.

I enjoyed the sprinkling of sound effects. They added to the ambience of the scenes without being a distraction. My favourite was the background sounds on the beach during the smuggling activity and the scenes in the cave.

I'm itching to read Henry and Millie's story in the next book!

Buy Links 


 Kindle 



Friday 10 February 2017

Dream State: The Sleeping Detective Series Book One by Charles R. Hinckley (2016)


Publisher's Information

August Chase is an ordinary man plagued by extraordinary precognitive dreams. When he foresees the brutal murder of a young woman, he tracks her down to warn her. His warnings go unheeded, and the dreamed murder becomes a reality. The victim’s sister, frustrated by slow police work, enlists August’s help, and he is launched into his first case as a private investigator. Delving deep into the victim’s life, he soon discovers a common thread in the shadowy world that may have claimed her. This is book One of the August Chase Mystery Series.


My review

A fast paced mystery with supernatural elements, Dream State is a great introduction to the Sleeping Detective series.

The whole concept of August Chase trying to prevent the deaths of people he sees in his dreams is quite thrilling. It's a race against time, firstly to find out the identity of the person, and then to convince them that their life is in danger. This leads to a lot of suspicion, fear and confrontation between August and the people he is trying to help. 
I loved the sub plot running through the novel. Chase sets up his own psychic detective business and his first client proves to be a challenge. Chase's abilities are tested as he tries to help a client find out what happened to his sister. This aspect of the novel was a source of humour but also nerve tingling and creepy! 
I can't wait to read more of the Sleeping Detective series.



I was provided a review copy via Word Slinger Publicity.