Review and Giveaway: A Disguise to Die For

A Disguise to Die For (Costume Shop Mystery - Book 1) by Diane Vallere

Publication Date: 02/02/2016
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 042527828X
ISBN-13: 978-0425278284

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Diane Vallere on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Excerpt from A Disguise to Die For, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

Someone is dressed to kill in the debut Costume Shop Mystery from the national bestselling author of the Material Witness mysteries.
 
No sooner does former magician’s assistant Margo Tamblyn return home to Proper City, Nevada, to run Disguise DeLimit, her family’s costume shop, than she gets her first big order. Wealthy nuisance Blitz Manners needs forty costumes for a detective-themed birthday bash. As for Blitz himself, his Sherlock Holmes is to die for—literally—when, in the middle of the festivities, Margo’s friend and party planner Ebony Welles is caught brandishing a carving knife over a very dead Blitz. 
 
For Margo, clearing Ebony’s name is anything but elementary, especially after Ebony flees town. Now Margo is left to play real-life detective in a town full of masked motives, cloaked secrets, and veiled vendettas. But as she soon learns, even a killer disguise can’t hide a murderer in plain sight for long.

Thoughts:

Diane Vallere brings readers the first book in a new series. The Costume Shop mystery series begins with A Disguise to Die For. The author gives readers a unique setting and a fun twist on the cozy genre. Vallere makes being in costume seem the norm instead of the weird. The Nevada setting is exotic, yet Proper still has that small town feel to it. It's not Vegas but it provides a great backdrop for some very eclectic characters. Readers looking for something new in a cozy will find this one irresistible.

What I liked:

I love cozy mysteries. It's a fact. But when you read about 15 a month you see a lot of repetition. Whether it be in the type of characters, the setting or the daytime job of the hero or heroine some things get old. I've read tons of books about cats, about food, about books. But Diane Vallere's new book is the first cozy I have read that has a costume shop theme. It's unique and different. It provides a completely uncommon feel to the book. Great atmosphere and characters that are a bit quirky but certainly fit the profile. Vallere excels here.

Margo Tamblyn is the heroine of this series. She's a magicians assistant that returns home to Proper, Nevada to help out her ailing father. That's a plus for her right off the bat. She cares about family, a good trait for someone you want to connect with when you read. She's smart and she's sassy. I like that in a character and in a person. I liked the fact that she was eccentric in her own way, wearing costumes gleaned from the shop everyday and not being afraid to make waves as she investigates the murder of a local big shot. Definitely, a character I want to keep an eye on.

The murder itself was interesting. Blitz Manners is having a birthday party, a costume detective party it seems and Deguise DeLimit, Margo's shop is to provide the costumes. A friend of Margo's, Ebony ones a party planning business and she's providing the food. Unfortunately, when Blitz ends up dead, Ebony also provides the cops with a prime suspect. There was motive galore here. Plenty of people had it in for this guy. Vallere gives reads a mystery that is clouded in intrigue and the whole costume theme of the town just adds to the magic. Such a great idea. I didn't figure this one out until the big reveal at the end. It was well thought out and had plenty of red herrings to through the reader off. 

What I didn't like:

Some readers will find this one a little too over the top. You have a lot of mystery purists out there that think every single book should be completely believable. These are not your readers of paranormal cozies or cozies with talking cats. They want every aspect of the book to be something that would happen in the real world. I think they might have issues with a costume wearing amateur detective, and the whole affluent wealthy town whose inhabitants live for costume events. Hmmm sounds like Hollywood... LOL!

Bottom Line:

You gotta try this one. It's a rare thing to find a good cozy series with a unique theme and premise. This one hit the spot for me. I read to escape and lately I've needed more escape than usual and this book provided that. It's a well written mystery that will keep readers guessing. You don't want to miss it. It's a book 1, a great place to start.

A Disguise to Die For is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

I'm a former fashion buyer turned mystery writer, trading fashion accessories for accessories to murder. I was bit by the mystery bug as a kid reading Trixie Belden, Connie Blair, and The Three Investigators. Now I'm writing four series: the Style & Error, Madison Night, Material Witness, and the new Costume Shop Cozy Mysteries!

The Material Witness mysteries feature Polyester Monroe, who inherits the fabric shop where she was born. Books include SUEDE TO REST and CRUSHED VELVET. The third, SILK STALKINGS, will be out in August 2016.

The Style & Error Series features former fashion buyer turned amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd. Books in that series include DESIGNER DIRTY LAUNDRY; BUYER, BEWARE; THE BRIM REAPER; and SOME LIKE IT HAUTE. (A short story, "Just Kidding," tells the story of how Samantha first met shoe designer Nick Taylor). Book 5, GRAND THEFT RETRO, will be out in 2016.

The Madison Night Mysteries feature a modern day interior decorator who specializes in midcentury design (studying Doris Day movies to get the look right). Books are PILLOW STALK, THAT TOUCH OF INK, and WITH VICS YOU GET EGGROLL. A prequel novella, "Midnight Ice," can be found in OTHER PEOPLE'S BAGGAGE. 

And the Costume Shop mysteries debuted with A DISGUISE TO DIE FOR, which introduces Margo Tamblyn, costume shop owner, who helps solve a murder after one of her clients is found dead at his own costume party (dressed as Sherlock!). MASKING FOR TROUBLE, the second in the series, will be out in October 2016, just in time for Halloween. 

I love to hear from readers! You can connect with me on twitter (@dianevallere) or say hi on Facebook. Telepathy works, too. Sometimes.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of A Disguise to Die For by Diane Vallere.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, February 23rd.

1. Please leave a comment describing your best costume ever.

2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: Unforgiven

Unforgiven (Soulkeepers - Book 3) by Lori Adams

Publication Date: 04/21/2015
Publisher: Random House
Imprint: Flirt
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ASIN: B00K4C4I8Y

(Received for an honest review from Flirt)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, itunes, Kobo

Lori Adams on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Soulkeepers

1. Forbidden
2. Awaken
3. Unforgiven

Coverart: 

Synopsis:

Otherworldly desire and paranormal action reach new heights in the final installment of The Soulkeepers. As Sophia St. James moves Heaven and Hell to claim her destiny, questions are answered, secrets are revealed—and immortal love is tested.

After finally becoming a powerful Spirit Walker, Sophia St. James is shocked to discover that her conjured identical twin, Ka—along with her soul—have been dragged down to Hell by the relentless Demon Knight Dante. Sophia tries to hide the crisis, but there is little hope of keeping any secrets from her red-hot Guardian Angel. Growing suspicious, Michael has been making plans of his own that will bind him and Sophia together forever.

But Sophia is plagued with evil visions through Ka’s experiences in Hell. She is terrified that Dante will discover he has taken the wrong Sophia. Desperate to return to her original state before she withers away and dies, she risks everything to go where Michael can’t follow. To bring back Ka and save her own soul, Sophia must now enter the gates of Hell.

Thoughts:

Lori Adams brings readers the final book in the Soulkeepers series, Unforgiven. Sophia is back at Haven Hurst and in some deep trouble as she tries to figure out how to keep the others from finding out they have a Spirit Walker who's soul is currently residing in Hell with her split personality. Yep... it's a little complicated. Fans of the series will love the final book because it answers all the questions left from the previous books and gives a satisfying outcome to Sophia's love life. Michael or Dante? It's time to choose!

What I liked:

This isn't your typical angel vs. demon story. The Soulkeepers series has been really interesting. The mythology that Adams has created for this series is very detailed and plausible. I liked the fact that Michael as a guardian angel was still able to fall in love with Sophia. I liked the fact that Dante as a demon knight still loves Sophia. Now I'm not necessarily a fan of reincarnation but Dante and Sophia's love from the past was fun to read about and contemplate. The splitting of Sophia's soul and how her twin Ka came into existence took a lot of imagination. These are all details that come out in the first two books of the series, but they lead up to a very chaotic final book in Unforgiven. 

There were a lot of questions to be answered before this series could wrap up in a meaningful way. I thought Adams did a great job of resolving all of those nagging little threads that were still hanging out there. Is this really a story about good vs evil? Heaven vs. Hell? I don't think so. I think at it's very core this is a story about true love overcoming any obstacle including demon knights and angel warriors. I think Adams wanted to turn the whole idea of angels and demons on it's head and she did that in spades. 

Unforgiven sends Sophia into the pits of hell in order to retrieve her twin and her soul. Now that's an interesting premise. In the mean time she is having this secret romance with Michael, which she shouldn't be having because he's an angel. And on top of that she is now going somewhere he can't follow her, and he can't protect her. I was on pins and needles just trying to work through all of the ways this could really, really right or really, really wrong. Dante is a formidable force whether in or out of Hell and I had to wonder if Sophia was up to that challenge. Adams had me going with this one... it was a real roller-coaster ride that ended in a great way. I wasn't sure but she pulled it out!

What I didn't like:

I'm one of those people that loves attention to detail. I like to know every little nook and cranny about what's going on and where it is happening and what it looks like and smells like and all that. I never would have believed I would have detail overload...lol! But that's what happens with this one. Too much about Hell... yep, I said, Hell. I was sitting their scratching my head. Has she been there or what? lol Too much of a good thing I guess.

Bottom Line:

This is a good book. I liked it by itself and as part of the series. It could be read as a stand alone but I don't recommend it. You need the background on this series to make it good. There is so much going on here that might be hard to understand without knowing what has gone on before. Great characters and a great storyline. Loved the mythology created here and the end was quite satisfying. The ultimate good boy vs. bad boy choice. This is a good one. 

Unforgiven is available NOW from your favorite bookseller. 

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Penguin Random House author Lori Adams is originally from Oklahoma and lives in Southern California with her husband and two daughters. She is the author of the Young Adult/New Adult paranormal romance trilogy, THE SOULKEEPERS: FORBIDDEN, AWAKEN, UNFORGIVEN.

Updates are posted on her website LoriAdamsbooks.com or here: https://www.facebook.com/TheSoulkeepersSeries

All books are available wherever eBooks are sold.

Review and Giveaway: Carolina Dreaming

Carolina Dreaming (Dare Island - Book 5) by Virginia Kantra

Publication Date: 02/02/2016
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Sensation
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425269701
ISBN-13: 978-0425269701

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Sensation)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Virginia Kantra on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the series:

Dare Island

1. Carolina Home
2. Carolina Girl
3. Carolina Man
4. Carolina Blues
5. Carolina Dreaming
Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Carolina Dreaming, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

When it comes to love, anything can happen on Dare Island—especially in this latest novel fromNew York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra.   

After escaping a disastrous marriage, bakery owner Jane Clark has convinced herself that she has everything she needs—her precious son, a thriving business, and a roof over her head. But the arrival of a handsome stranger on the island shows her exactly what she’s been missing...   

The only home Gabe Murphy ever had was the Marine Corps. He's working hard to rebuild his life. It will take a special place, and a special woman, to make him want to stay.   

Now Gabe is determined to prove that he's worthy of Jane’s trust—and her love. But when her past reappears, that trust will be tested, and Jane and Gabe will have to fight hard to hold onto their love and make their dreams a reality..

Thoughts:

Virginia Kantra takes readers back to Dare Island for another small town romance that will delight the heart. Carolina Dreaming focuses on a couple who both have some issues to overcome. The past can sometimes hold you back from the future. Kantra does a wonderful job delivering characters who are both realistic and easy to identify with. This is a sweet romance that readers will find satisfying in many ways. A great new book, from a seasoned author!

What I liked:

Virginia Kantra has a way with words. Her style is a lot like the setting of her books. Island living is often at a much slower pace, more simplistic and full of poignant moments and that's certainly what readers get with Kantra's writing. Her words flow effortlessly. The story seems to unfold in a very realistic manner. There is no insta-love here and no I can't live without you symbolism. It's about making real connections and finding your place in the world. Kantra never disappoints and her latest book is just as good as the others in this series.

Carolina Dreaming may be book five in the series but it can be read as a stand alone. I guarantee you will quickly want to go back and read the rest though. The hero in this one, Gabe, is a former Marine who has had some trouble adjusting to life outside the core. His childhood was no picnic and he has some issues with self-confidence and feeling worthy of finding love. He isn't a tortured soul, he is just a man looking for a new start and he finds it in the hometown of a former buddy, Luke, who is the hero of one of the other books in the series. 

Jane is a sweet lady trying to rebuild her life. She's a single mom who had a bad first relationship that has tainted her idea of love. She has some trust issues and who could blame her. She has found success with her business and her son means everything to her, but when she meets Gabe she realizes there is still a missing part. On the outside Gabe looks a lot like the bad boy from her past. But once she takes a deeper look, she sees beyond his past, to the man he really is. This is just such a sweet relationship that goes from friendship to love in a normal easy pace.

Kantra makes the reader fall in love with these two characters both separately and together. I loved Jane's relationship with her father and the wonderful friendship that starts between her son Aidan and Gabe. There were some upheaval's of course. You can't have a truly good romance without some conflict and a lot of soul searching, but this one really hit the spot. A very good read!

What I didn't like:

This is a romance so the reader knows up front that the hero and the heroine will most likely end up together unless it's a Nicholas Sparks novel... lol. Because of that the author has to do something within the novel to draw the reader in, to give them something else to keep their attention. There wasn't a lot of that in this one. But the romance was poignant enough that it was not a big deal. Certainly not a deal breaker. 

Bottom Line:

If you looking for a sweet romance about two people finding themselves and love, this is the one for you. There is a good secondary romance and the relationship between a boy who needs a man in his life and a man who needs a family is definitely emotionally pleasing. Jane and Gabe have a lot to overcome before they can be together and it was nice to watch their love bloom. The setting as usual was amazing and small town coastal life is for me... LOL! A very good offering from Virginia Kantra.

Carolina Dreaming is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra has written over twenty-five books of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. Her deeply emotional stories have won numerous writing awards, including Romance Writers of America's RITA Award and two National Readers' Choice Awards. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of three kids, she is a firm believer in the strength of family, the importance of storytelling, and the power of love. 

Her favorite thing to make for dinner? Reservations.

Giveaway Details

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Carolina Dreaming by Virginia Kantra.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.

~ The deadline to enter this giveaway isMidnight EST, February 22nd.

1. Please leave a comment describing why you think women have a thing for bad boys.

2. Please fill out the FORM.

Update!

Hey, everyone! I just wanted to give you a little update on how things are going. 

Many of you know that I haven't been blogging since last September for several reasons. I posted about that not too long ago. I just wanted to thank-you for your heart felt messages and emails. They meant the world to me. 

Things here are still a bit chaotic and hard to sort out, but slowly I am starting to see a pattern to things again, including blogging. I have been posting one review a day for the last week and I plan to continue that through February. There will be a few giveaways. Certainly not my usual bunch, but a few. I hope that next month I will be able to offer you more. There are so many wonderful books being published right now. Reading is most definitely my happy place and I need that right now.

I will also be posting some reviews that I had drafted from a long time ago. These are books or galleys that I received, read and planned to post but other things got in the way. They are still amazing titles that you need to go back and take a look at. I hope you like these... gives me something else to think about, as well.

Again... thank-you from the bottom of my heart. And I will get back to a normal blog schedule eventually. In the mean time, hang in there with me... I'm still finding my way.

Love you all... 

Deb

Review: The Hunter

The Hunter (Victorian Rebel - Book 2) by Kerrigan Byrne

Publication Date: 02/02/2016
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Imprint: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 432
ISBN-10: 1250076064
ISBN-13: 978-1250076069

(Received for an honest review from St. Martin's Paperbacks)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Kerrigan Byrne on the WEB: Website , Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the series:

Victorian Rebel

1. The Highwayman
2. The Hunter 

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from The Hunter, courtesy of MacMillan Publishers

Synopsis:

They're rebels, scoundrels, and blackguards--dark, dashing men on the wrong side of the law. But for the women who love them, a hint of danger only makes the heart beat faster...

A scandalous proposal...

Christopher Argent lives in the shadows as the empire's most elite assassin. Emotion is something he tossed away years ago, making him one of the most clear-eyed, cold-hearted, wealthiest, and therefore untouchable men in London. But when his latest target turns out to be London's own darling, Millicent LeCour, Christopher's whole world is turned upside down. Overwhelmed by her stunning combination of seduction and innocence, Christopher cannot complete the mission. She has made him feel again. Now, he will do anything to save her life, even if it means risking his own...

A perilous passion...

When Millie learns what Christopher was hired to do, she is torn between the fear in her heart and the fire in her soul. Putting herself in this notorious hunter's arms may be her only path to safety--even if doing so could be the deadliest mistake she's ever made. But how can she resist him? As the heat between her and Christopher burns out of control, danger lurks in the shadows. Is their desire worth the risk? Only the enemy knows what fate has in store...

Thoughts:

Kerrigan Byrne returns with the second book in the Victorian Rebel's series, The Hunter. After receiving many accolades for the first book in the series, some might wonder if the second book can compete. The Hunter is just as action filled and romantic as the The Highwayman. There are many contrasts in the two books that readers will appreciate. This isn't the same story, rehashed or changed a little. It's a completely different tale of love and danger, murder and and redemption. A great new story from and up and coming author!

What I liked:

Oh, where to start! As a reviewer, I read a lot of different books, historical romance to paranormal fantasy and I see a lot of author's who are very talented and others that are so-so. Kerrigan Byrne is one of those exceptions to the rule. One of those authors that throws all of your expectations and ideas of what makes a good romance out the window and makes you redefine what you believe about the genre. 

Byrne's latest book, The Hunter is a novel that will make readers stand up and take notice. They will enjoy her lyrical prose and revel in her attention to detail. The Victorian era will come alive for them. But, there is something more here. Something that will make the reader think, ponder and mull over what makes a man or a woman, evil? Can evil ever be changed to good or at least something better? Is there hope for one who could be considered the villain in more ways than one? This one was thought provoking, eloquent and an enormously satisfying novel. I can already tell you, this will be one of my favorites of the year. 

The hero is a dark one. Christopher is an assassin. He isn't a good guy masquerading as a bad guy, he is the real thing. Cold, calculating, appearing to have no conscience. He doesn't kill for the good of the realm he kills for money. He isn't a white knight and if he bargains with you, it will cost you dearly. Byrne does a fantastic job with this character. She makes you believe in the hero's pain and desperation. But she also makes you believe he can be saved. That love can change even the cruel of people. That it can heal long festered scars and pain. What a great character!

Millie is an actress, a beauty, an independent woman and a mother. How did she become the target of an assassin? It's a long story! Needless to say when she is faced with a man like Christopher Argent, she may be no match for his force and strength,but in every other way she is a worthy counterpart. I liked her passion and fiery nature. When faced with a choice she makes the best decision for herself and her son. I thought she had spunk and determination in spades. Another great heroine!

What I didn't like:

This isn't really something I didn't like. It's just something to keep in mind. In order for Byrne to establish the credibility of Christopher as both an assassin and an all around villainous person, she had to make the reader see his depravity. In doing that, the first chapter of this book is not for the faint of heart. It's graphic. It's vile and painful and it's necessary to the story. I wouldn't have bought Christopher as the hero any other way. I wouldn't have been nearly as invested in him were it written any other way. Well done, but not everyone's cup of tea. Just be apprised of this and don't let it decide the tone of the book for you, because there is sooo much more.

Bottom Line:

If you are a historical romance fan and do not read this book, I would have to say you are crazy. It's just that good. It's intense and passionate and full of surprises. If you haven't tried the genre and this is your first book, it might ruin you for life... LOL! It's just that good. Read it, think about it and fall in love with... I dare ya!

The Hunter is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Kerrigan has done many things to pay the bills, from law enforcement to belly dance instructor. Now she's finally able to have the career she'd decided upon at thirteen when she announced to her very skeptical family that she was going to "grow up to be a romance novelist." Whether she's writing about Celtic Druids, Victorian bad boys, or brash Irish FBI Agents, Kerrigan uses her borderline-obsessive passion for history, her extensive Celtic ancestry, and her love of Shakespeare in almost every story. 

Her Newest release, THE HUNTER, has been named the one of Amazon's best books of the Month for 2016!

She lives at the base of the Rocky Mountains with her handsome husband and three lovely teenage girls, but dreams of settling on the Pacific Coast. 

Kerrigan loves to hear from her readers! 

Review: Greta and the Lost Army

Greta and the Lost Army (Mylena Chronicles - Book 3) by Chloe Jacobs

Publication Date: 02/01/2016
Publisher: Entangled
Imprint: Entangled Teen
Genre: Paranormal Teen
Pages: 338
ISBN-10: 1682811026
ISBN-13: 978-1682811023

(Received from Entangled Teen for an honest review)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, iTunes

Chloe Jacobs on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, goodreads

Books in the series:

Mylena Chronicles

1. Greta and the Goblin King
2. Greta and the Glass Kingdom
3. Greta and the Lost Army

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Synopsis:

After spending the last four years trapped in a place of monsters, demons, and magick, the last thing the fierce teenage bounty hunter Greta expected was to ever be back on Earth. But a rare opportunity gives her and the Goblin King Isaac the opportunity to do just that. Now she's home. With a boy in tow. And her parents have lots of quest ions. Although Greta finally has her heart's deepest wish-to see her family again-every step she takes to reconnect with them drives her further away from Isaac. Greta and Isaac planned for her to return to Mylena and become his queen, but she's not sure if she can go back to that harsh world, though staying on Earth means giving up the boy she loves. But a powerful enemy refuses to let Greta escape. A demon who will stop at nothing to destroy her and everything she loves. Even if it means following her to Earth and forcing her to face a fate as unavoidable as love itself.

Thoughts:

Chloe Jacobs brings readers the conclusion to a great series with the last book in the Mylena Chronicles, Greta and the Lost Army. This series is a combination of paranormal teen fiction with a touch of science fiction and fantasy thrown in. Greta is a strong, young heroine who is faced with a choice of returning to her family on Earth or staying with the boy she loves in a world where danger is around every corner. Readers who like a plethora of paranormal character from goblins to witches, fairies and gnomes, will find this one right up their alley. 

What I liked:

With any title that is remotely paranormal or science fiction related the world building has to be spot on. The author has to be able to create a world or a mythology that speaks to the reader. I think this especially important with teen fiction, because if you screw it up, they aren't afraid to let you know it. The world that Chloe Jacobs has created for the Mylena Chronicles is vivid and somewhat dark. There are both monsters and villains and an air of urgency. The world of the Goblin King is no fairy tale place and Jacobs does a fantastic job with description and attention to detail. You would have to be strong to live in a place like and Greta is certainly that.

Greta has been a great heroine for this series. She is strong and hard headed. Her independence is everything to her and she knows how to handle herself in a dangerous situation. But in her heart, she is still just a young girl, in love with a boy, who misses her family and an easier way of life. I was glad that the author gave Greta a choice in what her life would be. This book is a lot about love but it's also about trust and faith and knowing where you belong. A coming of age story in the guise of adventure tale if ask me! Well done...

Isaac as usual, was my favorite character. Just the lines of dialogue that Jacobs gives him is enough to make readers swoon. He is so eloquent and poised. He reminds me somewhat of Ash from the Iron Fey series. He understands Greta. He gets her and that's so important in any relationship. I love these two together. There is no push and pull with their relationship. There is a lot of mutual respect and understanding of each other abilities and quirks, good and bad. Just a great relationship for a teen novel. 

Since this was the conclusion of the series, I was expecting a lot of unanswered questions to be settled and I was really happy that the author didn't leave too much to chance. But she did leave an opening for more stories from the Mylena world, whether they be short stories or even a novella or two. Don't think I could ever get too much Isaac, what a great leading boy/man. 

What I didn't like:

There were moments of predictability in this one, but they were not overwhelming. I thought there could have been a little more depth in a couple of the side relationships and I was not completely sold on the reaction of Greta's parents to her return after so long. I mean the reunion was nice, but needed a bit more realism. If your daughter was missing and showed up with a lover in tow, who happened to be a Goblin King... that might be a little hard to swallow... LOL!

Bottom Line:

This was great series. I'm sad that it's over but have hope we will still hear from these characters again at some point. Greta and Isaac got the ending I was hoping for and Mylena is still the same place it's always been. There were tons of paranormal characters which can be confusing in some books but not in this one and there was a lot of soul searching and a ton of action... Did I mention the bad guy was phenomenal? Probably had a great demonic laugh going on. A very good conclusion to a great series. Greta and Lost Army may be a teen book, but most of the adults I know would love it!

Greta and Lost Army is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Chloe Jacobs is a native of nowhere and everywhere, having jumped around topographically every Province of Canada before finally settling in Ontario where she has now been living for a respectable number of years. Her husband and son are the two best people in the entire world, but they also make her wish she'd at least gotten a female cat. No such luck. And although the day job keeps her busy, she carves out as much time as possible to write. Bringing new characters to life and finding out what makes them tick and how badly she can make them suffer is one of her greatest pleasures, almost better than chocolate and fuzzy pink bunny slippers.

Review: Highland Spitfire

Highland Spitfire (Highland Weddings - Book 1) by Mary Wine

Publication Date:02/01/2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 1492602566
ISBN-13: 978-1492602569

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, iTunes

Mary Wine on the Web: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, goodreads

Synopsis:

New from Mary Wine, the queen of sizzling, page-turning Scottish Historical romance
Passion flares between enemies

Two hotheaded Highlanders, the offspring of feuding lairds, are tricked by the King's Regent into a desperate choice: marry or die. Bhaic MacPherson is more disposed to lead his clan into battle than stay married to the daughter of his enemy. But perhaps the intensity of his feelings has more to do with desire than hostility.

And the Highlands ignite

Ailis Robertson wanted a husband, not a savage-but when her family was faced with a deadly ultimatum, she had no choice. The union of a MacPherson and a Robertson could end three generations of hostilities between the two families, but can bitter rivals truly become lovers?

Thoughts:

Mary Wine brings readers the first book in her new Highland Weddings series, Highland Spitfire. Wine captivates readers with intriguing characters and a fiery relationship between the hero and heroine. This is a Scottish historical that readers won't soon forget. This one has everything from a shotgun wedding to feuding clans. Wine's extensive knowledge of the period from the food to the clothing makes this one hard to put down. A great new book from a trusted author!

What I liked:

As with any Mary Wine book, there is a lot to like here. Wine is an expert on this time period. Being of Scottish decent myself, this is something that is so important to making it a good read for me. I have read a lot of Scottish historicals and Wine is by far one of my favorites in the genre. Her powers of description are one of things that makes Wine's stories come alive. She describes in great detail the setting, the food, the clothes and every aspect of the Highland way of life. It's all in the details!

Highland Spitfire had a great premise as well. This story is about a three generational feud between the MacPherson clan and the Robertson clan. The son and daughter of the respective lairds are forced to marry under threat of death in order to build a better future for their fighting clans. It was not by choice and certainly couldn't be considered a marriage of convenience because it was anything but convenient. I loved the fact that Wine takes her detail even into the names she chose for her characters. Ailis is of course the Scottish version for Alice and Bhaic means barriers. When the King's Regent forces these two to marry the sparks begin to fly. A great idea for a captivating story.

Let's face it, most people read romance, for the romance. The sexy scenes, the passion and the banter between the hero and the heroine. Well, Mary Wine has a knack for giving the reader just enough heat to get the motor running but not enough to push this into the erotic realm, though she writes those kinds of novels as well. There were tender moments in this one, as well as, hot and spicy moments. The balance was perfect.

What I didn't like:

I loved a lot about this book, from the characters to the exquisite detail, but when I think of Scots, I think of warriors. There was a bit of action in this one, but I wanted more. Bhaic was obviously a very capable warrior, as was his brother and the rest of his clansmen. I guess I just wished we got to see a little more of that side of things in this one.

Bottom Line:

This was a great book from start to finish. Wine does a fantastic job with description and detail. There are not many Scottish historical writers who can top her in that area. I loved the hero and the heroine and wanted to know so much more about them after their shotgun wedding in the beginning of the book. Ailis suffers a great deal in the MacPherson stronghold and Bhaic fights jealousy throughout. When the finally come together both physically and emotionally readers will be jumping up and down. Not quite the most action filled Wine book I've read, but it really didn't make a difference.

Highland Spitfire is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Acclaimed author Mary Wine has written over 30 works of erotic fantasy, romantic suspense, and historical romance. An avid history-buff and historical costumer, she and her family enjoy participating in historical reenactments. Mary lives with her husband and two sons in Yorba Linda, California.