Looks what out Today "Once Upon a Tower" by Eloisa James

 This is the most beautiful cover I've seen in a while!  Not to mention it sounds so cute :)

To win her love. . .

As an extremely wealthy laird, Gowan Stoughton, Duke of Kinross, can have any of the maidens at the ball he attends. The only problem is they are all English and Gowan is not so certain they are suitable. He is accustomed to the hard-working lasses from his Highlands, not these dainty noblewomen who spend their days drinking tea or some other such nonsense. But then he makes the acquaintance of Lady Edith Gilchrist. Utterly bewitched by the emerald-eyed beauty with lush golden locks, he knows he must have her.

He must free her from her tower. . .

"Edie" had the misfortune of being dreadfully ill at her debut ball and barely remembers what Gowan looks like. Even worse, she accepted his proposal the following day. Edie's only true passion is playing music—until Gowan writes a scandalous letter and stirs the most irresistible desire. Yet when they marry, Edie realizes her husband needs a lesson and locks herself in a tower. Somehow Gowan must find a way to enter the tower and convince his new bride that she belongs in his arms.

Meet the Author

A New York Times bestselling author, Eloisa James is a professor of English literature who lives with her family in New York, but who can sometimes be found in Paris or Italy. (Her husband is an honest-to-goodness Italian knight!) Eloisa's website offers short stories, extra chapters, and even a guide to shopping in Florence.

Review of God Save the Queen by Kate Locke

God Save the Queen
Publisher: Orbit ( July 2012 )
Genre: UF/Steampunk
Format: PB (351 pages)
Source: Purchased
Series: The Immortal Empire #1
 
Rating 5/5

Queen Victoria rules with an immortal fist.

The undead matriarch of a Britain where the Aristocracy is made up of werewolves and vampires, where goblins live underground and mothers know better than to let their children out after dark. A world where being nobility means being infected with the Plague (side-effects include undeath), Hysteria is the popular affliction of the day, and leeches are considered a delicacy. And a world where technology lives side by side with magic. The year is 2012 and Pax Britannia still reigns.

Xandra Vardan is a member of the elite Royal Guard, and it is her duty to protect the Aristocracy. But when her sister goes missing, Xandra will set out on a path that undermines everything she believed in and uncover a conspiracy that threatens to topple the empire. And she is the key-the prize in a very dangerous struggle.

Review



Bloody good Book!

Vampires, Were's, Goblins, Halvies. Where could you go wrong?  Kate Locke has the Corsets and Tinkering objects down pat.  GSTQ is refreshingly charming and fang worthy all in the same breath.

Never a dull moment in Pax Britannia, where Goblins are feared in the underbelly of London, Vampire's reign supreme and certain Were Alpha's are setting the less then beating hearts aflame. 

Xandra is a worthy heroine and you root for her the whole way.  While her Alpha love interest will have a silly, girly grin on your face.  These two are one hot couple, though this is a UF and light on the romance, there's enough to satisfy. 

Throw in some good secondary characters and this book is speeding along at a fun and fast pace.  The world building is very fab, I'll have some tea and crumpets with that.  Nothing to overwhelm or have you moaning in history buff distress. It's the small details that are great about this book. 

I can't wait to read "The Queen is Dead"!

Review of Storm Born by Richelle Mead

Storm Born
Publisher: Zebra ( August  2008 )
Genre: UF
Format: PB (361 pages)
Source: Purchased
Series: Dark Swan #1
 
Rating 4.5/5

 Just typical. No love life to speak of for months, then all at once, every horny creature in the Otherworld wants to get in your pants. . . 

Eugenie Markham is a powerful shaman who does a brisk trade banishing spirits and fey who cross into the mortal world. Mercenary, yes, but a girl's got to eat. Her most recent case, however, is enough to ruin her appetite. Hired to find a teenager who has been taken to the Otherworld, Eugenie comes face to face with a startling prophecy—one that uncovers dark secrets about her past and claims that Eugenie's first-born will threaten the future of the world as she knows it. 

Now Eugenie is a hot target for every ambitious demon and Otherworldy ne'er-do-well, and the ones who don't want to knock her up want her dead. Eugenie handles a Glock as smoothly as she wields a wand, but she needs some formidable allies for a job like this. She finds them in Dorian, a seductive fairy king with a taste for bondage, and Kiyo, a gorgeous shape-shifter who redefines animal attraction. But with enemies growing bolder and time running out, Eugenie realizes that the greatest danger is yet to come, and it lies in the dark powers that are stirring to life within her...

Review 

I have to applaud Rachelle Mead for her unique and original writing style. Her words flow smoothly and with barely Hiccup to spare.  Mead really put a great spin to her world and she owned it! She took an existing fairytale, an element that we recognize, and made it into something with superior depth.

Eugenie, though overly sexed in this book, is a true kick-ass character. I love her "I don't take crap" attitude. You can tell that Mead took the time to develop her character and truly give her a voice.  I loved her strength and courage.  There was also plenty of growth for Eugenie.  Her development over the course of the book was realistic.  She looked at her own hypocrisy and prejudice and slowly changed.  Though not so much that you couldn't believe it.

The secondary characters we're equally given their own voice. I especially liked how Dorian grew on me. He's one of those characters that you're not really sure if you're going to like him but in the end you just can't help it. Kiyo, is all animal magnetism, I was drawn to him at first but towards the end I'm still not sure whose team I'm on.

Can a girl have both? I guess I'll have to wait and see and read the next book.


Quip from the book

Still enchanted by human stuff, he wanted us to take him into the city and show him entertaining things-particularly the aforementioned woman with low inhibitions.

I worked hard to keep my face as blank as a new canvas.  You could have painted a picture on it.

After a few bullets and knife wounds, I obliterated him and sent hem on to the world of death.  God, I swear I'm not getting paid enough for this crap, you know?  Cue polite laughter.

 Xoxoxoxo

Review of Nightwalker by Jocelynn Drake

Nightwalker
Publisher: Harper Voyager   (July 2008 )
Genre: UF
Format: e-book (370 pages)
Source: Purchased
Series: Dark Day's #1
 
Rating 5/5


For centuries Mira has been a nightwalker--an unstoppable enforcer for a mysterious organization that manipulates earth-shaking events from the darkest shadows. But elemental mastery over fire sets her apart from others of her night-prowling breed . . . and may be all that prevents her doom.
The foe she now faces is human: the vampire hunter called Danaus, who has already destroyed so many undead. For Mira, the time has come to hunt . . . or be hunted.

Review

Finally, a paranormal character that loves who and what she is! Mira Mira on the wall who's the baddest vampire of them all!

I have to give kudos for the world building. Ancient Egypt And modern Egypt is coming along for me. The descriptions are rich and subtle enough that you're not overwhelmed with Too much information.

Okay she threw me a curveball I was not expecting that ending. What a Well Written and Wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed it I even had a dream about it. To say the least I can barely wait to read a Dayhunter!

This one kept me glued to my nook. Mistress Drake has some major talent. I'm just sad it took me this long to find her.

Xoxoxoxo

Favorite moment in the book

Pushing him back out the door, I rolled my eyes toward the ceiling.  "I'm a vampire, James, not a self-cleaning oven," I said.  

Review of The Host by Stephenie Meyer

The Host

Publisher:  Little Brown and Company (May 2008 )
Genre:  Sci-Fi Romance
Format: PB (619 pages)
Source: Purchased

Rating 5/5

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.


Review

This is one of my favorite books all time. I have to admit the only reason I read it was because I wanted to see the movie and it looked good.

The Host was completely opposite of what I Thought it was going to be. Okay so here I was I was thinking this is the run of the mill alien book; it takes over girl, girl kicks aliens butt. Get lots of action, the end. How far from the truth I was. 

This was about finding humanity. What it means to be human. The good, the bad and the ugly.

I thought that I would hate Wanda. But I ended up falling in love with her and rooting for her. On One hand I hated what she was but On the Other I loved who she was. I think that you get the same feeling from Melanie's character as well. 

The best part of the book was the ending. Not that that's the only good part, but for me with the most emotionally charged part of the book. I actually cried at the end of this book.

 That’s what I love so much about this book. I became emotionally attached to Wanda and Melanie. It was conflicting, confusing and a different way of looking at things. 

This is a beautiful, emotional rollercoaster ride and I didn’t want it to end.

Xoxoxo

Favorite moment in the book

“I held you in my hands, Wanderer, and you were beautiful.” 

“It's not the face, but the expressions on it. It's not the voice, but what you say. It's not how you look in that body, but the thing you do with it. You are beautiful.”

“I, the soul called Wanderer, love you, human Ian. And that will never change, no matter what I might become.”

Look whats out today Mystic by Alyson Noel

I have yet to start reading this series but the buzz is good.  Not to mention the cover is gorgeous!  

Since arriving in the dusty desert town of Enchantment, everything in Daire Santos life has changed...and not always for the better. While she's come to accept and embrace her new powers as a Soul Seeker, Daire struggles with the responsibility she holds navigating between the worlds of the living and the dead--and her mission to defeat the evil Cade Richter.  But Cade's soul is inextricably entwined with that of her boyfriend Dace, putting their love to the ultimate test.  How can she can't defeat Cade if it means destroying Dace too?  And is their love strong enough to survive death—and what lies beyond?

MYSTIC is the third book in The Soul Seekers, a magnificent new series about a girl who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead, by #1 New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noël.

 This girl reminds me of Selena Gomez

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Immortals, Alyson Noël, comes Fated—a breathtaking new saga brimming with magic, mystery, and an intoxicating love story that will steal your heart away. Meet The Soul Seekers.

Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter’s sanity, Daire’s mother sends her to live with the grandmother she’s never met. A woman who recognizes the visions for what they truly are—the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker—one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead.

There on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico, Daire sets out to harness her mystical powers. But it’s when she meets Dace, the boy from her dreams, that her whole world is shaken to its core. Now Daire is forced to discover if Dace is the one guy she's meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

 ALYSON NOËL is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Immortals series, the Riley Bloom series, and seven previous novels for St. Martin’s Press. She lives in Laguna Beach, California, where she is at work on her next book.

Review of A Soldier's Duty by Jean Johnson

A Soldier's Duty
Publisher: Ace (July 2011)
Genre: Military Science Fiction
Format: PB (432 pages)
Source: Purchased
Series: Theirs not to reason why #1
 
Rating 4.5/5

Ia is a precog, tormented by visions of the future where her home galaxy has been devastated. To prevent this vision from coming true, Ia enlists in the Terran United Planets military with a plan to become a soldier who will inspire generations for the next three hundred years-a soldier history will call Bloody Mary.

Review 

If the world is going to go hell and you need saving, you need, no WANT Ia on your side.  

To those that start this book and groan over the massive descriptions of guns and basic training, don't worry that's just basic and the action when it starts is amazing!

Ia's talents are revealed in small snippets and tantalizing teases thought out the book.  When the action does start it is exciting and really got my blood pumping.  Let's just say when Ia goes surfing, she does it precog style.

When it comes to world building, I think that Jean Johnson must have been born in the future and came back in a time machine.  I'm mean talk about impressive people.  The detail that she put into it is mind blowing and the reader will fall into that world and absorb it, hey where is my mechsuit?  

Ia, pronounced e-yee, is so well written she is walking off the pages.  Damn good first book in a series!

Quip from the book... 

"Corporal, you are currently bare-asteroid naked!" D'kora argued.

Review of Wounded by Jasinda Wilder

Wounded

Publisher:  (December 2012 )
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Format: e-book (277 pages)
Source: Purchased


Rating 3.5/5

War has taken everything from me. My family. My home. My innocence. In a country blasted by war and wracked by economic hardship, a young orphan girl like me has very few options when it comes to survival. Thus, I do what I must to live, to eat, and I try very hard to not consider the cost to my soul. My heart is empty, and my existence brutal.

The one impossibility in my life is love.

And then I meet HIM.

War is hell. It takes a chunk out of a man's very soul to do the kinds of things war demands of you. You live with fear, you live with guilt, and you live with nightmares. If you haven't been through it, there's no understanding it. War leaves no room for love, no room for tenderness or softness. You gotta be hard, closed off, and ready to fight every moment of every day. Lose focus for a split second, and you're dead.

Now the only thing that can save me is HER. 

Review 

This is a hard review.  Because on one hand it is a beautiful love story, on the other hand maybe not so believable.  The writing is quite good and the story flows seamlessly and without problems.  For me, I had a hard time believing that anyone could fall in love the way that Rania and Hunter did.  Not that they couldn't fall in love just the way it unfolded.  

You spent a lot of time with the two H/H  being unable to communicate.  She speaks Arabic and him not so much.  Spending so much time on Rania's Job and going into detail was a little much for me.  

I would have liked to have seen more of these two state side and falling in love rather then in Iraq falling in love.  Getting to know each other outside of war and the stress that not only Rania was going through but also Hunter.  

It was still very well written.   It did touch me in ways that made me sniffle a few times.   I'll read more from this author.  She addressed several, very ugly issues and still turned out a nicely done novel.  

 

BTSeMag May 2013 Issue #10

BTSeMag May 2013

Issue #10

New York Times bestselling author Angela Knight presents Unbound.  Take a peek inside this sizzling new wrap up to her phenomenal sci-fi fantasy adventure series.  This book also includes 3 new authors with stories aimed to fill that before bedtime reading attack.

Authors also featured inside:

Sandra Bunino

Jane Toombs

Lynn Hardy

Nora Weston

Jennifer Synder

Seraphina Donavan...and more

Columns

Read all about the newest book trends with Sandra's column: Chic Trends in Romance

Answer all those techy questions with Lynn's Writing Types.

Discover Movie Flashbacks, the latest on the horror scene, and authors can see if their sites measure up!!

Join us!

http://issuu.com/btsemag/docs/may_2013