tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72629296848304605022024-03-05T04:41:55.645-06:00....Burns through her bookshelfRandom and not so random book reviews.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-75207998491981677042016-05-31T10:45:00.000-05:002015-05-31T13:30:45.172-05:00Website Migration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I haven't been precisely happy with a few things on blogger so I figured I'd bow to peer pressure and make the switch. All scheduled posts will be posted both here and on the new blog. Here's to hoping my readers will migrate with me.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-67290302706704995832015-08-03T07:30:00.000-05:002015-08-03T07:30:02.404-05:00Advance Review - The Pilots of Borealis by David Nabham<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23129991-the-pilots-of-borealis">The Pilots of Borealis</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">By David Nabham</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Edelweiss, this does not affect my opinion or the contents of this review.</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><em>Top Gun</em> heads to outer space in this throwback to the classic science fiction of Asimov, Clarke, and Heinlein.</strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Strapped in to artificial wings spanning twenty-five feet across, your arms push a tenth of your body weight with each pump as you propel yourself at frightening speeds through the air. Inside a pressurized dome on the Moon, subject to one-sixth Earth’s gravity, there are swarms of chiseled, fearless, superbly trained flyers all around you, jostling for air space like peregrine falcons racing for the prize. This was the sport of piloting, and after Helium-3, piloting was one of the first things that entered anyone’s mind when Borealis was mentioned.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">It was Helium-3 that powered humanity’s far-flung civilization expansion, feeding fusion reactors from the Alliances on Earth to the Terran Ring, Mars, the Jovian colonies, and all the way out to distant Titan. The supply, taken from the surface of the Moon, had once seemed endless. But that was long ago. Borealis, the glittering, fabulously rich city stretched out across the lunar North Pole, had amassed centuries of unimaginable wealth harvesting it, and as such was the first to realize that its supplies were running out.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">The distant memories of the horrific planetwide devastation spawned by the petroleum wars were not enough to quell the rising energy and political crises. A new war to rival no other appeared imminent, but the solar system’s competing powers would discover something more powerful than Helium-3: the indomitable spirit of an Earth-born, war-weary mercenary and pilot extraordinaire.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />I am not entirely sure what to say about this book. The writing is transcendently lush, so lush in fact it took me a couple of chapters to determine I had no clue what it was actually saying. So I went back and started over, realizing that the chapters were alternating between present and past. Or at least sometimes it alternated that way. It wasn’t always easy to tell which time stream we were visiting.<br /><br />The crux of the narrative is the current ramping up of hostilities between the Terran Ring and the lunar settlement Borealis. As Borealis is responsible for the mining of Helium-3, the substance that powers virtually everything in the way that petroleum does in our time, and as the Terran Ring took over everything after the last great Earth war, sucking up resources just as greedily as the mother planet did, hostilities were inevitable. The other part of the story is Clinton Rittener’s history which lead him to acquiring honorary citizenship on Borealis and to take part in the sport of piloting. And tucked all in between were byzantine intrigues that fractured into a dizzying kaleidoscope. And it all coalesced back into something recognizable by the midpoint of the story, and then it sort of fractured off again, but perhaps not so unclearly, as if you could see the picture if only you looked through the corner of your eye.<br /><br />This is a plot driven rather than a character driven story. But you got just enough hint of the main protagonist (I’ll not call Clinton a hero, because nothing could be further from the truth) to want to know more, and then with one final, heartbreaking thought, that was the last we see of him, and the wrap up of the story seem to be the final, and inevitable, conclusion.<br /><br />There are no happy endings here. It is quite simply a social commentary on the nature of humanity and the consequences of that nature pushed to its horrible and logical conclusion. Or maybe it isn’t so horrible, I suppose that just depends on your perspective.<br /><br />So, what do I say about this story? Did I like it? I enjoyed the journey. I enjoyed the two main characters, Clinton especially, and enjoyed what character arc I could see. I even enjoyed the plot, again, what there was of it. But I will say categorically, it wasn’t enough. The best and most compelling stories are about people and how they shape and are shaped by the events around them, and not so much the events themselves. This read like a condensed version of what could, and should, have been an epic. And I easily would have read more. I also hated the ending, but I’m not certain any other outcome was possible once events were set in motion. But I am not going to rate it based on the ending, because when the blurb harkens to Asimov, Clarke, and Heinlein you can’t exactly expect a fairy tale ending.<br /><br />Final verdict, 4 stars, because I’m in no way disappointed to have read it, but it isn’t something I’ll be recommending to all and sundry. And when I do recommend it, I'll also say the last sentence of the blurb is somewhat misleading.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-55599955194972843772015-06-08T07:30:00.000-05:002015-06-08T07:30:03.125-05:00ARC Review - MIdnight Secrets by Lisa Marie Rice<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24946666-midnight-secrets">Midnight Secrets</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">by Lisa Marie Rice</span><br />
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Former Navy SEAL Joe Harris nearly died—twice—on a medevac helo after being blown up by an IED. He’s not moving too great these days, but if there was ever a woman designed to jump start a man’s hormones, it would be his new neighbor.<br />
Meeting Isabel—loving Isabel—brought Joe back to life.<br />
Isabel Delvaux came from one of America’s foremost political dynasties, until the greatest terrorist attack since 9/11 killed her entire family. She barely survived the Washington Massacre, only to become prey for rabid reporters. Fleeing to Portland and changing her name was a way out, a way to start over. The only way.<br />
She knows she’s safe with Joe Harris. Not just because he's big and strong, not just because he's part of a security team that obliterates threats on the regular, but because he’s been to the abyss and back.<br />
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But as they help each other heal--through talk, through touch, through spectacular sex—the past comes back to play. When Isabel’s memory starts to return and a mysterious stranger sends Joe emails indicating she’s in imminent danger, he'll do anything to help her uncover the truth. Even if that truth is the most terrifying thing of all…</blockquote>
<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley; this does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of my review.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am just like an excited puppy when it comes to Lisa Marie Rice's Midnight series, and the excitement has not died down as I stare at book 6. Just picture the excited little puppy having a full body shake and wriggle over a milk bone. Yeah, that is me when it comes to this series. There is a repeatable format that just works for me. Damaged (in some way or another) hero who is totally sweet and protectively alpha. Damaged (in some way or another) heroine with a heart of gold. Some mystery or Machiavellian scheme that needs solving and/or thwarting where they save each other or at least each save the day, and then happily ever after. Honestly, with as much serious trauma and drama as these former Special Forces security consultants have in their personal lives, it is just amazing they can be so successful financially.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It seems repetitive, and I suppose if you read them back to back, it would be. However, the characters and the plots are all just different enough to make it fun, and it is just so energetically done, that you cannot help liking them. Plus, you have this really tight knit group of men who are like family, and they fold the women into their group seamlessly. Everybody just loves everybody, and it is happy and idyllic. Is it realistic? Absolutely not. But this is my happy time, so I suck it right up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And oh, Isabel and Joe kept me all happy wriggly in the very best ways. Yeah Isabel is mentally/emotionally damaged, but despite the quickness it happens, you do see her healing arc. And Joe is physically damaged, but already getting better. So you see them as human, but it isn't all about the angst. It is often about longing, fun, and sexy times. And food, all the delicious food. There is also the aforementioned Machiavellian plot, but honestly, that was so ridiculously over the top I couldn't really take it seriously. It was just part and parcel of the whole over the top world we have here. Suspense without the angst or nerves, if you see what I mean. And even Isobel gets to kick butt. The only real niggle I have is the whole fetishization of going condom-less. It is idiotic and irks the hell out of me, and I would completely love more condom positivity from Ms. Rice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Overall, 4 stars because it embraces what it is, and I enjoy the ride.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This blog is migrating to <a href="https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.wordpress.com/">WordPress</a>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-10340753781328712342015-06-01T16:30:00.000-05:002015-06-01T16:30:01.632-05:00ARC Review Spiraled by Kendra Elliot<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24378010-spiraled">Spiraled</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">by Kendra Elliot</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.</b><br /><br />This is third in the <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/02/arc-review-bridged.html">Mason Callahan series</a>, and thus far, I've really enjoyed reading about the lives of adults, and I really like her monsters (of the human variety).<br /><br />This book though, I am really struggling on how to rate it. I enjoyed it, I really couldn't put it down, but it did frustrate the beejesus out of me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The story starts out with a bang, literally. Agent Ava McLane is on vacation and with a friend at the mall when a mass shooting breaks out. The reader is dragged head first into the drama and suspense. And poor Mason is stuck outside waiting to find out if Ava is safe. It was an exciting start to say the least.<br /><br />But then it slowed back down to the more contemplative pace that I have come to expect from Kendra Elliot, which threw me out of the story. It took me a minute to dial back down to it, but once I had, I was back into enjoyment mode. There is quite a bit of headspace time for both Ava and Mason, and the suspense was more cerebral than action oriented. And despite Ava's vacationer status, she was very much on scene for most of the procedural parts. Following the cops and the FBI as they tracked through the clues was interesting, and I didn't initially guess the villain, though I knew something was going on. It was pretty tricky, in a good way. And then it all blew to hell in a way I am not entirely sure I was expecting. Family is the damnedest thing isn't it?<br /><br />And then the denouement went right back to being action packed and explosive. It was a hell of an ending for the monster. But we were left with a remarkably broken Ava.<br /><br />I think that may be what bothered me the most about this book. While Bridged felt like a complete book, this one feels very much like we need another book to have any sort of resolution for Ava and Mason, despite the relatively high note.<br /><br />3.5 stars and somewhat reluctantly recommending it until the next book comes out.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.6400012969971px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-37481747208185762752015-06-01T08:00:00.001-05:002015-06-01T08:00:02.405-05:00Blog Tour - A Sorceress of His Own by Dianne Duvall Excerpt and Giveaway<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>This blog is migrating to <a href="https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.wordpress.com/?p=17">WordPress</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">OK, this is a little strange for me, but I jumped on this blog tour strictly due to the blurb, which kind of captivated me. I haven't read this yet, but it is absolutely on my TBR list. Take a look at the blurb, then hit up the giveaway rafflecopter, and then head on to the excerpt which has cemented my interest. I think any fans of fantasy romance will see why I find it intriguing.</span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 18.39px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">About A SORCERESS OF HIS OWN:</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><em><strong>From the New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Immortal Guardians series comes an enchanting new series full of romance, danger, and loyalty: The Gifted Ones</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Since the day Lord Dillon earned his spurs, rumors of his savagery on the battlefield have preceded him into every room, stilling tongues and sparking fear. Weary of battle, he wishes only to find a woman he can wed who will approach him not with fear, but with the tenderness that has been absent from his life for so long. Yet only the wisewoman seems invariably at ease in his presence. Perhaps because she garners the same fear in others that he does himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">For seven years, Alyssa has been by Lord Dillon's side, counseling him from the shadows, healing him with her hands, and staving off the worst of his loneliness while his fearsome reputation keeps others at bay. Blessed—or cursed—with gifts that label her a sorceress, she is forced to conceal her youth and the love she harbors for him beneath umbral robes that lead Dillon and his people to believe she is the same aged wisewoman who served his father.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">All is revealed, however, and passions flare when an enemy threatens Dillon's life and Alyssa sacrifices everything to save him. When Dillon discovers that the wisewoman is far from elderly, he is instantly entranced. And, as he and Alyssa work together to defeat an enemy bent on destroying them both, Dillon will risk anything—even the wrath of his king—to be with her.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">A Sorceress of His Own</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Gifted Ones Book 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Prologue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">England, 1191<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Where
is Father?” Alyssa asked, unable to bear the leaden silence a moment longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Outside.” Kneeling in the rushes that covered the
earthen floor of the modest hut in which Alyssa had been raised, her mother
completed one last stitch, then bit off the end of the dangling thread.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Alyssa
glanced through the window, but did not spy him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A
brisk, cool breeze wafted in, accompanied by morning sunshine. Leaves the color of
a golden sunset had just begun to fall in preparation for winter and painted
the forest around the isolated dwelling with bright color.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Is
he angry?” she asked hesitantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“He
is worried,” her mother corrected, “as we all are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Alyssa’s
second cousin, Meghan, slumped in a chair by the hearth, brow furrowed, teeth
nibbling her lower lip. The two were of
a similar age and had been the best of friends in their youth until Meg’s parents had been slain when Alyssa was
ten. Meghan had gone to live with her
grandsire then, far enough away to limit the time the two could see each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Rising,
her mother crossed to the table in the corner and tucked her needle away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Matthew,
Alyssa’s father, may be blind, but he had lost none of his carpentry
skills. He had lovingly created every
table, chair, stool, and chest in their small home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Alyssa
gave the folds of the long black robe she wore a little shake and checked the
length. Perfect. Her grandmother was a couple of inches taller
than Alyssa, so all of the robes had needed to be shortened. “Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
fear and sadness that shadowed her mother’s features when she returned
tightened Alyssa’s chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Please
reconsider this, daughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Swallowing
hard, she shook her head. “This is what
I want. I have made my decision.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Male voices erupted outside, one soft and low, the other angry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa’s brother, Geoffrey, yanked open the door and stomped
inside. His lips tightened when they
fell upon her, garbed in her grandmother’s black robe. “I did not wish to believe Mother when I
received her missive. What have you
done?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa raised her chin.
“What I have long wished to do. I
have taken steps to replace Grandmother as Westcott’s wisewoman.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">He swore foully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Geoffrey!” her mother reprimanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Well, ’tis madness!” he raged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa held on to her own temper, knowing his was fired by concern
for her. “’Tis <i>not</i> madness. Grandmother grows weaker and more frail every
year. She cannot continue to serve as
Westcott’s wisewoman.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Then Westcott can do without one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I see no reason why they should when, shielded by these robes, I
can take her place with none being the wiser.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“They <i>should</i>,” her brother hissed, “because the path you
have chosen will invariably lead to either heartbreak or death.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her mother’s and Meg’s expressions betrayed their agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I know not why it should,” Alyssa countered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">He took a step forward.
“Think you I know naught of your feelings for him, for the valiant Earl
of Westcott? Or the <i>monstrous</i>
Earl of Westcott, if the rumors are true.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">She bristled. “A victim of
rumor yourself, you know people are always eager to believe the worst of
others. The false rumors told of
mother’s supposed witchcraft nigh resulted in her death. Yet you would place your faith in the lies
told of Lord Dillon?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Violence follows him wherever he goes. Can you deny that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You would condemn him for defending his king? <i>Our</i> king?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">He clamped his lips shut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Meg ventured to speak. “Do
you not fear him, Alyssa? The rest of
England does.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“With good reason,” Geoffrey muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Nay, I do not. You are all
well aware the rumors hold no truth. I
have seen with mine own eyes the kindness of which Lord Dillon is capable. And Grandmother has said naught but good
things of him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Too <i>many</i> good things.
She has filled your head with foolish fancy.” Geoffrey paced away a few steps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa caught her mother’s eye.
“Know you where Grandmother is?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I think she is fetching her paints. I shall see why she tarries.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa waited for her mother to leave, then turned to her
brother. “Ask me again why I do this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Why must you do this?” he asked helplessly as he returned to her
side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Because I am tired of hiding.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">He motioned to the midnight material that covered her. “<i>This</i> is not hiding?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Do not play the half-wit,” she snapped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I love Mother,” she interrupted, keeping her voice low so it
would not carry. “But I do not want the
life she has chosen. I do not wish to
live in total isolation, in constant fear for my life. You know I have always wished to use my gifts
the way they were meant to be used. I
wish to help others. <i>Heal</i>
others. Guide them whenever I can. And serving as Lord Dillon’s wisewoman will
allow me to do that without risking my life.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her brother snorted. “You
will risk your life the very night you begin to serve him. You intend to help Lord Dillon take
Brimshire, do you not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">She nodded. “Are you
certain you can gain us entry?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Aye. Mother sent me there
ere the siege began, saying only that I would be needed. They think me one of them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“She must have had a vision.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Aye. And, had she seen the
<i>reason</i> I would be needed, I would have refused.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Geoffrey—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You will die in his service,” Geoffrey predicted, his face full
of torment. “Violence <i>does</i> follow
him wherever he goes. And your love will
drive you to heal every wound he incurs, fatal or nay.” He shook his head. “I do not wish to lose you and, again, ask
you to reconsider this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">She swallowed hard. “I have
made my decision.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">He stared at her a long moment.
“And ’tis yours to make. I shall
await you outside.” He left without
another word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa looked to Meg. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ever her friend and supporter, Meg made no attempt to sway her
from the path she had chosen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa’s mother and grandmother entered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her grandmother crossed to Alyssa and offered her a cloth
bag. “The paints for your hands. Show me again you know how to use them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa obediently took them and, seating herself at the table,
applied them the way her grandmother had instructed. When she finished, her youthful hands bore
the appearance of an old woman’s, the skin appearing thin and spotted with age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her grandmother nodded her approval.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You taught me well,” Alyssa said.
“Thank you, Grandmother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tucking the paints back in the bag, Alyssa rose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her grandmother clasped her hands and stared at her a long
moment. “I understand why you do this,”
she said softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">And Alyssa could see in her world-weary eyes that she did. She understood <i>all </i>of the reasons that
had driven Alyssa to take her place as Westcott’s wisewoman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa’s mother took a step toward them. “Mother, do not—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Beatrice,” her grandmother countered sharply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her mother quieted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Perhaps I <i>did</i> speak too fondly of Lord Dillon,” her
grandmother mused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa shook her head. “You
only spoke the truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sadness softened her grandmother’s voice. “He will never love you, Alyssa.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">She knew her grandmother did not say it to hurt her, but it did,
nonetheless. “I am well aware of
that. He will think me the same aged
wisewoman who served his sire and his grandsire. He will think me <i>you</i>. And will continue to believe such as long as
I wear these robes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alarm lit her mother’s face.
“You do not intend to remove them, do you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Nay,” Alysaa assured her.
“Grandmother made me vow I would not, for my own safety.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her grandmother squeezed her hands. “You are so innocent, Alyssa. You know not what ’tis like to love one who
cannot love you in return. What ’tis
like to love one who will never be<i> free</i> to love you in return. The pain that accompanies the pleasure of
being in his presence every day. You
know not the misery that awaits you when you inevitably watch the one you covet
turn to another.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I know it well,” she insisted, and thought it worth the price she
would pay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her grandmother sighed.
“Nay, you do not. But I fear you
soon will.” She released Alyssa’s hands
and crossed to the hearth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa’s mother stepped forward, tears glistening in her
eyes. “We have sheltered you all your
life from the hate directed at those who bear gifts such as ours. I fear we sheltered you so much that you do
not understand the true danger you will face once you leave here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“How can I <i>not</i> understand it, knowing your past and
Grandmother’s?” Alyssa asked her. The
hate and fear of aught different had nipped at her grandmother’s heels all her
life. The same hate had led a man of the
cloth to set Alyssa’s mother afire in an attempt to <i>purify her of the
devil’s taint</i> when her mother was but a girl. And a similar hate had driven men to hunt and
slay Meg’s parents, who also had been <i>gifted ones</i>. “But I will be safe at Westcott, Mother. <i>No one</i> will chance earning the fierce
Earl of Westcott’s wrath by attempting to burn his wisewoman at the stake. All fear him too much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">When her grandmother returned, she bore several wineskins. “Are you certain you wish to begin your
service to Lord Dillon with such a grand endeavor?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Aye. If I succeed in
taking Brimshire for him, he will be too distracted to notice any peculiarities
that will arise during my transition.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the first time, her grandmother’s lips twitched with a faint
smile. “’Tis bold. And clever.
You shall serve Lord Dillon well.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Smiling with just a hint of nerves, Alyssa lifted her robe and
secured the skins to her waist with a rope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You must be diligent, Alyssa,” her grandmother advised. “And
maintain your guise at all times. Never
leave your chamber without the robes and cowl.
Never allow anyone more than the briefest glimpse of your hands. And never slip and speak in your own voice.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa adopted the elderly rasp she had been practicing for
months. “I shall be most diligent
indeed, Grandmother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Meg’s face lit with awe.
“She sounds just like you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa grinned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her grandmother grimaced.
“Surely I do not sound as old as that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Of course not,” Alyssa lied, returning to her own voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her grandmother’s wrinkled features reflected her disbelief as she
helped Alyssa straighten her robe.
“Should anyone at Westcott seek to harm you, all you need do is duck out
of sight and doff these robes. None will
know a young woman resides beneath them.
When they find the robe, they will search for a doddering old woman, not
one who blooms with youth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her grandmother forced a smile and embraced Alyssa with frail
arms. “’Tis time.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Thank
you, Grandmother,” Alyssa whispered past the lump that rose in her throat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Prove
them wrong,” her grandmother whispered.
“Do not let your love for Lord Dillon cost you your life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">When her grandmother stepped back, Meg rose and embraced
Alyssa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then Beatrice stepped forward and hugged her close. “Be safe, daughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa nodded, unable to speak as tears burned the backs of her
eyes and thickened her throat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">As her mother, grandmother, and cousin watched, Alyssa
straightened her shoulders and raised the black cowl that would conceal her
features from that day forth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alyssa shivered beneath her dark robe as she and Geoffrey stole
through the Stygian forest. The light of
a full moon dappled the foliage around them, enabling the two to negotiate the
forest’s maze without the benefit of a torch.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Though brittle leaves carpeted the forest floor, a light rain had
softened them, permitting silent footsteps that enabled the two to elude the
army encamped outside Brimshire’s walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Geoffrey touched her arm, bringing her to a halt. Leaning down, he pointed and whispered in her
ear, “The postern gate lies through there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You are certain you can gain us entry?” she asked again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">He nodded. “They think me
one of them. And, should any seek to
prevent our entry, I shall use my gifts to attain it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I must speak with Lord Dillon first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Geoffrey’s hand tightened on her arm. “There is still time to change your mind,
Alyssa. You do not have to do this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">She patted his hand, then gently removed it. “I shall return anon.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Leaving Geoffrey, she once more crept through the forest until she
reached the main camp. Simple structures
had been erected over the long months to protect the men from arrows should any
be let loose by the guards atop the castle walls. They also provided the men with shelter to
stave off the illness that could be spawned by poor conditions arising from
long sieges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The light of the fires grew brighter as she approached the break
in the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her heart began to pound when she located the Earl of Westcott.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">He sat before a fire with a number of his men. Armor encased his broad shoulders. A sword, nigh as long as Alyssa was tall, lay
at the ready beside him. Flickering
flames sent golden light dancing across his handsome features, providing a
pleasing contrast to the dark stubble that coated his strong jaw and chin. The scowl that creased his brow and made
others tremble sparked no fear in Alyssa.
She was far too nervous and excited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tonight she would begin her service as Lord Dillon’s wisewoman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frustration beat at Dillon.
Months had passed and the lord of Brimshire seemed no closer to
surrender than he had been when the siege began.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Do you think they are as well-fortified with provisions as Lord
Edward would have us believe?” Sir Simon asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Several dead cows had been launched over the walls today. At first, Dillon and his men had feared they
were diseased. ’Twas a common tactic in
sieges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">But the cows had instead been meant to convey a simple
message: Those besieging the castle
would starve long before the inhabitants of the keep would. They had food aplenty inside the stout walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dillon shook his head. “I
know not… and have reached the end of my patience. Tomorrow we will begin constructing siege
towers.” He had hoped to take the
castle—one King Richard had granted him when Dillon had saved his life—without
violence. Without death. Without destroying walls and structures he
would then have to rebuild once Brimshire became his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Do you wish to send for the trebuchet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ready to be done with it, Dillon nodded and started to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">A twig snapped in the forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every man present leapt to his feet and drew his sword.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">A small, black-robed figure stepped into the firelight, seeming to
manifest directly from the darkness itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Several knights hastened to cross themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dillon motioned for all to stand down and waited for them to relax
before the fire once more. Sheathing his
own weapon, he crossed to the wisewoman’s side.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“My lord,” she greeted him in her raspy voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dillon guided her away from his men. “What do you here, Wise One? ’Tis not safe.” How had she traveled such a distance? He saw none of his men with her. Had she come alone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“My gifts told me you have need of my services,” she
whispered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">He could remember a time in his youth when her voice had been
stronger. But age had gradually weakened
it, first cracking it then reducing it to this faint relic of its former self.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">None knew the wisewoman’s true age. The more superstitious of his people, those
who crossed themselves whenever she passed them, believed she possessed the
powers of immortality and could claim centuries to her past. Others placed her age nigh that of the
elders, who all swore she had served the Westcott lords for as long as the
oldest amongst them had walked the earth.
All Dillon knew with any certainty was that she had seen at least
two-score and ten years, for she had advised his father throughout Dillon’s
youth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">He recalled his intense curiosity as a boy. She had stood straighter then, had seemed
taller, almost grandiose to a precocious child who would not see his final
height of a few inches above six feet for many years. A floor-length black robe with long sleeves
that fell beneath her fingertips and a cowl that shielded every feature and
defied even the strongest gust of wind had been and still was her constant
companion. As Dillon understood it, none
had ever looked upon her unmasked. Not
even his grandfather, beside whom the elders insisted she had first stood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since acquiring the title, Dillon had had little chance to speak
with this mysterious woman who had served his family for so many years. He had spent most of his time quashing a
cousin’s rebellion, then attempting to claim Brimshire. And, though he had known her peripherally all
of his life, he had not yet decided how he felt about her coming to him as his
advisor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“All goes well here, Seer,” he told her. ’Twas not a lie. There had been no losses on his side. No sickness.
As far as sieges went, this had been an uneventful one. “Tomorrow we will begin constructing siege
towers—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Such will not be necessary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">He stared at her, shocked that she had interrupted him. Everyone else feared him too much to risk the
fury they all believed would erupt if they did so. “I know not—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Rest easy, my lord,” she whispered, interrupting him <i>again</i>. “Brimshire will be yours by sunrise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">So saying, she backed away and let the forest swallow her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nonplussed, Dillon heard no sound of movement but knew without
grabbing a torch and thrusting it forward that she was gone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">He turned to face his men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Judging by their uneasy expressions, most had overheard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What do you suppose she meant by that?” Simon asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dillon knew not and, retaking his place before the fire, decided
to forgo sleep until she returned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hours later, as the sun rose and painted the land around them with
a rosy dawn, a loud clanking sound disrupted the silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dillon stood and faced the castle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The drawbridge began to lower.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Waking his men with a single command, he mounted his destrier and
drew his sword.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Squires fetched mounts.
Knights climbed into saddles and drew weapons that glimmered in the
strengthening sunlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The heavy outer portcullis slowly rose as Dillon and his men took
up a position some distance from the end of the drawbridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">A charged silence followed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The inner portcullis rose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">All waited in tense anticipation for men to pour forth with a
battle cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Minutes passed as bird song serenaded them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then a small black-robed figure emerged, face hidden by her
cowl. Striding boldly across the
drawbridge, she halted when she reached Dillon’s side. “As I said, my lord, siege towers will not be
necessary. Brimshire is yours.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dillon stared down at her in astonishment as his men all crossed
themselves in a flurry of motion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">She had accomplished in one night what a six-month siege had not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just
how far did her gifts extend?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-55360264083491751032015-05-30T16:08:00.000-05:002015-05-31T13:29:13.227-05:00Review - Cat's Lair by Christine Feehan<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22151672-cat-s-lair">Cat's Lair</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">by Christine Feehan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>This blog is migrating to <a href="https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.wordpress.com/">WordPress</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">The #1 <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author of Leopard’s Prey returns to the feral underworld of her astonishing Leopard novels in an arousing new romance of forbidden animal instincts…</strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">Cat Benoit has finally escaped the past—and the man who was the source of her nightmares. She’s off the grid, underground but watchful, and creating a new life for herself in Texas, far from the torrid dangers of her native New Orleans. She’s safe. He’ll never find her this time. Cat has to believe that. It’s the only thing keeping her sane.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">Yet she can’t escape the attention of Ridley Cromer, the instructor at the martial arts dojo where Cat takes lessons. She arouses the animal in Ridley—and something feral comes to life when their body heat rises. Cat is in no position to let her guard down with anyone, especially someone who could be endangered by her past. But Ridley has secrets of his own—secrets only Cat would understand. If she dares to trust him..</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />Do you hear that shriek? That's the sound of being completely irked because you want to quit a series, but you're still waiting for one particular character's story.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Honestly, why do I do this to myself? It is usually not a good sign when you almost dread starting a book and when you keep putting that book off. But I really did enjoy Wild Rain, Burning Wild and Savage Nature, so I figured (hoped) I'd settle in after I started reading.<br /><br />Maybe my reticence in reading this one, and my opinion of this book was colored by my opinion of <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/02/review-viper-game.html">Viper Game</a>? Maybe it was that the character wasn't the one I was anticipating? (Small spoiler, it isn't Elijah Lospostos.) Whatever it was, I couldn't really get into this story. Were previous heroines as insipid and fawning as Catarina? I don't think they were, but now I fear going back and rereading them and not enjoying them anymore.<br /><br />This book was literally more than half navel gazing on the parts of both Cat and Eli. Both before she found out he betrayed her and she didn't know who he really was, and afterward. And what wasn't naval gazing was some serious control freak stuff. Feehan has always edged into non-con, but this particular story wasn't just excessive dominance, it seemed more coercive and controlling to the point of being abusive. Cat never had her own foundation to stand on, and Eli did very little, except teaching her self-defense, to help her with that. It felt very Stockholm like, and I think the issue here is that this series has slid way over to the Twilight/50 Shades side when it comes to characterization and storytelling. Did E.L James work on this? I couldn't respect Cat, I could only pity her. She went from the hands of one sociopathic controlling monster, to one who merely wasn't a sociopath. But she was still a fairly blank slate and he trained and groomed her to be whom and what he wanted her to be. I mean that quite specifically, Eli literally thinks how lucky he is that no man has ever had her and that he can mold her into what he wants and needs. I found Eli fairly monstrous and nothing about his interactions did anything to make me see him in a different light. Part of the problem was the aforementioned navel gazing. Since there wasn't actually any plot, there wasn't anything for us to really see. Being in his head thinking how much he loved and needed her didn't help. This was all tell, no show, and irritating. It was very irritating. We never even really saw her training in self-defense, we were just told she did so.<br /><br />What little development we saw of her as a person at the start was completely eclipsed by Eli when he first kidnapped her. She thinks of nothing but him. Not her friends, not her future. It is just the now and how Eli is shaping her.<br /><br />I can sum this book up with a few simple words:<br /><br />Coffee<br />Food<br />Mine<br />Tattoo<br />SexSexSexSexSexSexSex<br />Guilt/Shame<br />Control<br />Boots<br />Skirts<br /><br />Sadly, this had the bones to be a fairly decent book. The first few chapters (asides from a bit too much naval gazing), a few interspersed spots in the middle, and then the last couple of chapters were fairly good. But either about 200 pages needed to be cut out, or completely rewritten to make it tolerable. I am assuming Feehan is chasing the 50 Shades crowd, which isn't surprising since she has always trended that direction. But for me at least, in doing so, she has lost the things that made me enjoy her works.<br /><br />Really, at this point I have to ask myself more seriously, why do I keep doing this to myself? I have an enormous TBR shelf of things that don't fill me with dread. There innumerable books out there that I am sure to enjoy. I don't enjoy reading things I dislike. I don't enjoy leaving negative reviews. My goal isn't to excoriate anyone or anything. I don't enjoy wasting my time or my money as those are scarce resources. Probably the only reasonable answer is that I am a sucker and I am not a quitter and I have significant difficulty dealing with lack of closure. I don't hold out much hope for Elijah's book, but I'll likely read that too, hoping I can finally let go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this review please consider "liking" it o <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R32YIEQUBSE2AO">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1293437355?book_show_action=false">Goodreads</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-85797100672487607712015-05-29T19:24:00.000-05:002015-05-31T13:29:35.224-05:00Review - Never More by Dana Marie Bell<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24661629-never-more">Never More</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">by Dana Marie Bell</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I enjoy the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/49872-the-gray-court">Gray Court series</a>. Bell takes familiar Seelie characters, and then spins them a bit. Leprechauns, fairies, Oberon, Tatiana, and The Hob all have their roles, and within this world she incorporates vampires as a type of Sidhe, sirens, and dragon shifters. And somehow with all that mish mash, she makes it work and weaves it into something really cohesive and interesting. They have action, a story arc that ties it all together, lovely romances, and since these are from Samhain, a rather high steam rating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Never More is the 6th story in this series and is not remotely a standalone. Honestly, this is the LEAST capable of being a standalone because it is one of those books that serves to bring the entire main cast back together to serve the overall arc, while still giving us a satisfying new romance. But it is a series I recommend to Fae and paranormal romance lovers. It is also a hard one to recommend because I think this series started out a little shaky and then really hit its stride around book 3. Unfortunately this a series that must be read in order. The first two books are by no means bad, I just don't think they adequately show how good this series gets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As for this story, it features Raven Goodfellow (yes, related to THAT Goodfellow) and Amanda Pierson. Amanda played a pivotal role in the first book but has only been mentioned since then. She is a fire cracker with a penchant for dares and a smart mouthed attitude that I enjoyed tremendously. And in this story we get to see the sweetheart behind the bad-boy image Raven has previously presented to the world. There has been more than one heartbreaking incident in his past, and consider this your trigger warning, because Bell goes to a trope that is only rarely used on male characters. It is neither graphic nor gratuitous, but it is definitely a significant element of this story because it impacts what Raven does. With all the wedding shenanigans and appearances of other characters, the romance is a bit shoehorned in, but lovely nevertheless. I was so glad to see Raven get his happily ever after. And the thing I enjoyed most about this particular story, is how very playful the tone is. Raven has had a hard life but when given the chance and the freedom to play by Amanda, he goes full tilt toward it. This results in a barrage of goofy, groan inducing puns. If you are like me and adore some good groan worthy puns, you'll get a big kick out of it. If you don't you might just find this story "hawkward".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">4 stars</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We have a Winner for the Kit Rocha <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/05/arc-review-giveaways-beyond-innocence.html?m=1">Beyond Bundle</a>!</span><br />
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<b>Wendy Vickers Black</b>, you're a WINNER!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-70234592982881856972015-05-25T20:24:00.001-05:002015-05-31T13:30:05.742-05:00OpenLibrary Review - Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/116012.Carolina_Moon">Carolina Moon</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">By Nora Roberts</span><br />
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<span id="freeText15796087860349267675" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts—an utterly spellbinding tale about a woman who, though battered in both body and spirit, can never lose Hope…</span><span id="freeText15796087860349267675" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Tory Bodeen grew up in South Carolina, in a small run-down house, where her father ruled with an iron fist and a leather belt—and where her dreams and talents had no room to flourish. But she had Hope, who lived in the big house just a short skip away and whose friendship allowed Tory to be something she wasn’t allowed to be at home: a child. </span><span id="freeText15796087860349267675" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span><span id="freeText15796087860349267675" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">After young Hope’s brutal murder, unsolved to this day, Tory’s life began to fall apart. And now, as she returns to her hometown, with plans to settle in and open a stylish home-design shop, she is determined to find a measure of peace and free herself from the haunting visions of the past. As she forges a new bond with Cade Lavelle—Hope’s older brother and the heir to the family fortune—she isn’t sure whether the tragic loss they share will unite them or drive them apart. But she is willing to open her heart, just a little, and try. </span><span id="freeText15796087860349267675" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span><span id="freeText15796087860349267675" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Living so close to those unhappy memories will be more difficult and frightening than Tory could ever have expected, however. Because Hope’s murderer is nearby as well…</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"> </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/open-library-borrow-books-for-free.html">I love OpenLibrary</a>, and as far as I am concerned it is one of the best and most novel approaches to book lending we've seen. Small disclaimer though, always checkout the PDF version (unless you are fortunate enough to have access to one of the <a href="https://openlinrary.org/libraries">partner libraries</a> in which case I don't know exactly what is available), because OCR text recognition isn't great with scanned older books. But they do have a wealth of books available.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Today's feature is <a href="https://openlibrary.org/books/OL18138505M/Carolina_moon">Carolina Moon</a>. I'd consider this one to be one of Roberts' quasi paranormals, i.e. the whole world is contemporary as are all the characters except the heroine who has a bit of a twist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Victoria Bodeen is one of those heroines where you just can't quite understand why or how she keeps geting up from the hits life has dealt her. Cade Lavelle is one of those poor little rich boy heroes. He's overbearing, and arrogant, and proprietary when he doesn't really have that right. So I'm not sure quite why I like him, I can just tell you that I do. And I found their romance and their relationship very satisfying. There's also a secondary romance that I found very enjoyable as well. You put those romances together with friendships and familial bonds woven into a very tricky mystery, and you have yourself a highly satisfying read. And considering the bargain price of free, it is more than worth the read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As has often been said about Nora Roberts' books, they tend to be a bit formulaic. This one however is a bit more involved and trickier than usual. 4 stars</span></div>
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This movie left me breathless. Literally breathless. I can’t remember ever being this sucked into a movie since reaching adulthood. I’ll grant you, I went in predisposed to like it due to the <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/20/8620229/mad-max-fury-road-anti-feminist-mens-rights-boycott">awesome</a>, <a href="http://www.zimbio.com/Beyond+the+Box+Office/articles/QBrSxRuPQRt/Breaking+Down+Unexpected+Feminist+Debate+Mad">awesome</a>, <a href="http://jezebel.com/the-new-mad-max-film-is-so-feminist-my-scrotum-killed-i-1705273679">reviews</a>. But I wasn’t prepared to be enthralled. I don’t know how long I stared entranced until the action slowed down a bit, all I know is a kept leaning forward, gripping the hand rests as though they were the only things keeping me grounded, my heart pounding in my chest, breathless. When the first chase scene ended the theater was filled with one whooshing out gasp. I think the entire theater was breathless alongside me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />Furiosa’s calm assumption of power right from the start was just shiver inducing. And then we really meet her, meet the wives, meet Max and Nux. Everyone is a person, no one is a thing. And all of these characterizations come about with incredibly stripped down dialogue. Few people had more than a handful of lines, and yet they were real. It was, in my opinion, masterful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />Some things were ridiculous. The wives are quite the McGuffin. And for a world so bare of water they seemed incredibly wasteful. And the whole mother’s milk thing strained credulity because of the sheer amount of calories needed to produce it. And looking back, the symbolism with the seeds is kind of eye rolling. None of that registered while I was in that seat. It was all action, and character growth, and emotions. And it hit me right in the feels. I am not ashamed to admit there were times I teared up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />So the question everyone seems to want to talk about, is this a feminist movie? That is going to depend very heavily on how a person defines feminism. I am falling on the side of yes, this is strongly feminist. We have a strong female warrior in Furiosa, one who made difficult choices in order to survive, and who risked everything for redemption. We have strong capable female nurturers. Splendid Angharad, Capable, Toast the Knowing, Cheedo the Fragile, and The Dag. Victims who decide to take a better path for themselves. No unnecessary killing, protect the children, work together, and defend when necessary and however they are capable. They are capable and have agency without being improbable warriors. Hell, even the Milk Mothers in the end have their agency. We have a man who neither oppresses nor cossets women. Max fights Furiosa just as he did the men, he assumes capability from all the women and acts accordingly. And Nux, a young man who learns, inescapably, how he is just as much a slave to this oppressive system as the women are, and remakes himself accordingly. Nux was a heartbreaking stand in for all the War Boys. And the thing that detractors of the feminist images point to most, Furiosa acceding to Max’s plan instead of her own, was to me a powerful feminist statement. Because feminism isn’t about subjugating either gender, it is about equality, and equality includes using your best allocation of resources and not relegating one person’s ideas or contributions to the backburner simply because of gender. A tribe of warrior women could have been made into a caricature with them relegating the supposed oppressing male to the inferior position. That didn’t happen, instead they listened, discussed, and decided. THAT is powerful, and I can’t see any way it is anti-feminist. He didn’t drag them by the hair, or decide for their own good, he didn’t tell them. He presented what he thought and knew, and THEY decided.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />So that is a really long manifesto on feminism and a movie. And for all intents and purposes, it is useless. Because very little of that is WHY I loved this movie. It is just why I was able to start from a place of not disliking it or being frustrated enough to just want to quit. I loved this movie because I love high octane action movies. Guess what? I love the Die Hard franchise and the Fast and Furious franchise. And this absolutely works on that level, so long as you don’t mind badass women. I loved it because it was a wonderful blend of cinematically gorgeous and pseudo gritty that was a feast for my eyes. I loved it because of a music score that plucked my emotional and physiologic strings like a master harpist, leaving me at times breathless, heart wrenched, despairing, and euphoric. I don’t think I could say it was “good” music, but it absolutely worked. And I loved it for the dozen different individual stories that were SHOWN to me instead of told to me. I loved it for being a movie that just dropped me into the story and expected me to figure it out rather than guiding me through it, telling me all about it, and then monologueing me to death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />In short, this is the kind of movie that took me out of myself for the allotted time, made my heart pound and race, made me breathless, and made my cheap ass forget to eat my overpriced movie snacks. I am probably one of the cheapest people you will ever meet, and not only do I not regret the ticket price (as I so often do), I am perfectly willing to pay and see it in theater a second time. This is the must see movie of the 2015 summer, and I would hazard it is the must see of the entire year, if not the decade. Yes, if you like action, it was just that good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-69364762796358012412015-05-20T07:30:00.000-05:002015-05-31T20:08:35.284-05:00ARC Review & Giveaways - Beyond Innocence by Kit Rocha<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18392419-beyond-innocence">Beyond Innocence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">By Kit Rocha</span><br />
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For years, Jared has existed on the fringes of both Eden
society and Dallas O'Kane's Sector Four gang. He travels between these worlds,
protected by his money and power--money he earned selling his body, and power
that comes from knowing secrets. He's untouchable—until he starts a new life
gathering intelligence for the O'Kanes.<br />
Lili Fleming walked out of Sector Five with a gun, the
bloodstained clothes on her back, and an icy determination to survive. She
finds herself in a world where people live hard and love harder, and nothing's
more terrifying than how much the O'Kanes wake her up, make her feel—especially
Jared.<br />
Emotion is a risk he can't afford, and a complication she
doesn't need. But neither can resist the lust simmering between them, and the
sparks that could either melt the ice around both their hearts…or get them
killed. Because the only thing more dangerous than loving an O'Kane is loving a
spy.</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is book 6 in Kit Rocha's sexy post apocalytic series. Previous books I've reviewed in this series include <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/kit-rocha-beyond-series.html">Beyond Shame, Beyond Control, Beyond Pain, Beyond Temptation, Beyond Jealousy, Beyond Solitude</a>, <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/10/arc-review-beyond-addiction.html">Beyond Addiction</a>, and <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/11/arc-review-beyond-possession.html">Beyond Possession</a>. Needless to say, once I found them, I inhaled them. We've got a couple of giveaways here, and then my review.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">From the author:</span>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="5d1a5e7e30" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5d1a5e7e30/" id="rcwidget_a91gtm2z" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And from me, via the author(s), </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This giveaway is open internationally for anyone who is 18 and over and you can enter using the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway ends on the 28th of May and the winner will be announced soon afterwards. The prize will be sent out directly by Kit Rocha or her assistant so by entering you are giving me permission to share your email address.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> Feel free to enter both:</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">I received an ARC of this book from the author, this does not affect my opinion of this book or the contents of my review.</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />I really adore this series. For what is most certainly erotica, Kit Rocha has developed a richly nuanced post-apocalyptic dystopian world, somewhat reminiscent of the Hunger Games only with no grand games, and adults instead of children. And while the world is rather detailed, and the politics are interesting, it is the people who are the heart of these stories. And while old favorite characters are scattered throughout and take up prominent portions of the story, it is because they are integral to the story, it is because the O’Kane’s individually and as a whole ARE the story. The characters wouldn't be the people they are without the relationships. It never feels as though they’ve been thrown in to keep fans happy seeing beloved characters, as happens too often in series.<br /><br />Lili and Jared are probably the most damaged and interesting characters yet. And somehow, Lilli is the most out of place heroine as well. But she changes and grows, and makes a spot for herself that is uniquely her own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lili’s world tilted oddly, then settled while her mind continued to spin. Every time she was convinced she’d mapped out the boundaries of what her new life could be, an offhand comment shoved them outward again. Women could distill liquor and brew beer. Women could run businesses and have trades. Women could fight for money.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> She didn’t know if she wanted to do any of those things… But now she knew she could.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />This whole world is eye opening for her, like nothing she’d ever imagined. And I don’t know if this aspect is just increasing, or it has always been in this series and I am just really noting it because of <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/05/arc-review-hot-alphas-by-lora-leigh.html">the last book I read</a>, but THIS is how you mix feminism, erotica, and BDSM. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t highly politicized, but it is definitely a theme. And I think Lili is a perfect foil for it, and Jared was surprisingly (to me) tender, and wile not perfect, he was perfect for her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> “The first time you kissed me, I felt like the desert, and you were the rain. So much rain, I thought you’d wash me away. But, I’m not the desert, I’m the flowers.”</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />Of course this wouldn’t be a book about the sectors and the O’Kane’s without drama and intrigue, and Jared provides this in spades. The political machinations are really speeding up toward a large confrontation. And Lili provides a giant piece of the puzzle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She wasn’t the desert or the flowers. She was a g------m diamond, formed under terrible pressure, as hard as the rock Logan had put on her finger.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> And she’d cut the f—k out of anyone who didn’t get out of her way.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />Beyond Innocence was sweet, tender, and raunchy, everything I’ve come to expect from this series. So now we’re set up for some real conflict in the next books, and a possible endgame is in sight. The next book should be coming out this winter and I can hardly wait. 4.5 stars<br /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.contestheat.com/">Contestheat</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-67777129594368696492015-05-19T07:30:00.000-05:002015-05-31T20:08:58.392-05:00Review - Let it Ride by Vivian Arend<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21214313-let-it-ride">Let it Ride</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">by Vivian Arend</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 17.6000003814697px; line-height: 24.6400012969971px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.</span></b><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">He’s her rock in the midst of the storm</strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">When Maggie Ward’s world is torn apart by sudden tragedy, the only thing that makes her days bearable is Clay Thompson’s unwavering presence. He’s protective, caring, and everything she could ask for in a friend. But when she finds herself longing for more than friendship, it will take a little seduction to convince the stubborn mechanic she’s ready to start living again.</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">She’s his heart, whether he knows it or not</strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">Clay Thompson’s got the taking-care-of-others business down pat, only he’s never faced this particular challenge before—the one woman he’s always wanted is unexpectedly his to care for. Suddenly it’s not just responsibility driving him, but a wild desire to make Maggie truly his. But following his heart might mean sacrificing the family he’s held together for years.</span></blockquote>
<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.6400012969971px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is book 3 of the <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/06/review-one-sexy-ride.html">Thompson & Sons</a> series, which is actually a spin-off from the <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/six-pack-ranch-series.html">Six Pack Ranch Series</a>. You can read the Thompson & Sons series without having read the 6 Six Pack Ranch series, but I highly recommend both series because it paints a picture of the community life and the familial bonds when you put it all together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let it Ride has elements of second chance romance and friends to lovers. It is a good story, there just really wasn't enough of it. Maggie and Clay were friends in high school and possibly headed toward more, but when his life imploded with the death of his mother, and he stepped up to keep his family together, they drifted apart. Years later Maggie is back in town when tragedy strikes, and Clay being the big brother and stand up guy, he is there for her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There are just some really lovely parts to their story, and some undeniable conflicts. The one in particular with his father was heart wrenching. It was believable that a man who hasn't stopped mourning his wife might feel some negative emotions toward someone who is willing to live and love again after tragedy. That part was believable. Some people might find the speed of Maggie and Clay's relationship problematic, but honestly I didn't. Where it broke down for me was in the speed of the resolution. It was a small let down though in what was otherwise an enjoyable book with characters I rooted for. 3.5 stars</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-71214622932305850032015-05-18T07:30:00.000-05:002015-05-31T20:09:20.042-05:00ARC Review - Hot Alphas by Lora Leigh, Laurelin McGee, Shiloh Walker, Kate Douglas<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23014762-hot-alphas">Hot Alphas</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">by Lora Leigh, Laurelin McGee, Shiloh Walker, Kate Douglas</span><br />
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<i>In Erin’s Kiss</i> by Lora Leigh, ex-Marine Turk has become Erin’s sworn protector. The consistent target of her CIA-operative brother’s deadly foes, Turk is the only port Erin has to cling to in a storm. He promised her brother long ago never to touch her—but how can he resist a woman who aches to be with him as much as he burns for her?<br />
<i>In misTaken</i> by Laurelin McGee, Jaylene Kim is a strong independent woman whose feminist values run deep. Even though attractive men are her weakness the last thing she wants is one telling her what to do. Until she meets her mysterious new neighbor. He makes her realize that you can still be strong and relinquish control . . . in the bedroom. But as their passion consumes them both Jaylene isn't so sure he is who he says he is.<br />
<i>In Burn for Me</i> by Shiloh Walker, Tate longs to spend his nights with Ali, a woman he’s loved for years. But while Ali’s heart pines to be with Tate, her head has reservations. Ali knows that Tate has never forgiven his father for the fight he had with his mother right before she left the house—and was never heard from again. Tate's unresolved anger is a force to be reckoned with . . . but the heat that blazes between them is undeniable. Now both Tate and Ali are left to wonder: Can love really conquer all?<br />
<i>In Tangled </i>by Kate Douglas, Nate shows up to work at Tangled Vineyards ready to do all the things he loves best—work with his hands, grow the grapes, and craft award-winning, full-bodied wines. But when something better comes along in the form of Cassie, the winemaker and former owner of the vineyard, Nate becomes completely love-drunk. Getting involved with Tangled’s number-one mixologist is a bad way to start off a new job, but with Cassie as a constant temptation, Nate doesn’t stand a chance…</blockquote>
<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, this does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of my review.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />Erin’s Kiss-Once upon a time I had a love affair with Lora Leigh, I devoured everything she ever wrote, then devoured it all over again. I even remember the other Wounded Warriors stories, and I remember really enjoying them. Especially Cooper’s Fall. So after reading Erin’s Kiss, I went back and reread that one. And I still really enjoyed it, it’s sexy and over the top, and it kind of owns it. Even Sheila’s Passion was pretty good. Erin’s Kiss just fell flat for me, it was kind of bland. Even the overriding story arc in this series was bland. You could probably read this as a standalone because the connection to the series seems fairly superficial, but you’re definitely going to know it is part, of a series.<br /><br />misTaken, is an awkward blend of feminist diatribe and feminist apologetic. Noah was cute and socially awkward and not at all an alpha. I rather enjoyed this character, but he didn’t seem to fit the Hot Alpha theme. Perhaps Jaylene was meant to be the hot alpha? Then we get the diatribe by her about how worthless romance novels are, fairy tales for “Basic B----es” and the total dismissal and disgust of anyone of anything that doesn’t fit her notion of feminism, yeah, that’s going to endear me. I get that it is likely meant to be tongue in cheek and aggressively to one side of the position to show a dramatic change, but it is highly irritating, and foreshadowing much? Yeah, I saw that plot twist coming from a mile away. The whole thing was like a social parody or essay even, and it took me completely out of the story and the characters. Presumably Jay’s two friends will also be getting their own stories, but nothing about this one made me want to keep an eye out for them.<br /><br />Burn for Me-While I don’t exactly understand a woman that lets a relationship she isn’t happy with just coast for three years, I really got into this story, I dig couples who communicate. The couple was sweet, the mystery was interesting, and the cozy feel of the town and characters all made me want to read more. With this short format, maybe I don’t entirely buy the sea change in the hero’s emotional outlook, but I enjoyed it all anyway. I’ll be checking out the other books in the series.<br /><br /><br />Tangled-This story has sort of a sad start, then Cassie and Nate sit talking like old friends and hop right into bed. I wasn’t expecting to like this, with that sort of start and the co-workers angle, but Kate Douglas has a way about her. So instead of a strict workplace romance conundrum, we ended up with quite a mystery for such a short story. The relationship was obviously almost ridiculously rushed, but I enjoyed it anyway.<br /><br /><br />This is not the strongest anthology I’ve read in a while, but on the relative strengths of Burn for Me and Tangled, I’m giving it 3 stars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-87037179422469513442015-05-12T17:23:00.004-05:002015-05-31T20:09:52.108-05:00Making room in my budget for books: Part 2<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Reading, especially if you are voracious, can be a remarkably expensive hobby. I wouldn't trade it for anything, but I am perfectly willing to find ways to make the cost less onerous, or to squeeze money out of other parts of my budget. So here's a run down of most of the things I have included in my day to day habits to help finagle my finances.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/open-library-borrow-books-for-free.html">OpenLibrary</a> is a free online library open to quite literally anyone with an internet connection and the ability to use AdobeDRM. Handy tip: never get the epub, always stick with the PDF. The selection is bizarre, but there are some true out of print gems in there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've also finally renewed my library card and am using <a href="https://www.overdrive.com/">Overdrive</a>. My library's selection is hit or miss, but a book I don't have to pay for is a different book I can purchase some other time. And an online library is a library that doesn't require pants, which is always a bonus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I also started using <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/02/making-room-in-my-budget-for-books.html">apps and online printable coupons</a>. There were quite a few on that last post, but I have added a couple more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For Texas specific residents who shop at HEB, there is now an <a href="https://www.heb.com/mobile">app</a>, and there are digital coupons. A few key things to remember, when you buy something that you have a digital coupon for, if you also give them a paper coupon they will ALWAYS default to the paper coupon, even if it is worth less. Also, this means no doubling of store and manufacturer's coupons. However, and this is key, HEB does some really cool things with their coupons, like $2 off an $8 purchase of produce, or meat, or seafood. There are even coupons for things like bread and milk. So there are coupons for things you almost always buy but almost never get coupons for. Pairing the app/digital coupons with the email newsletter ones has resulted in some pretty incredible shopping deals. I have to eat, but at least now I don't have to spend quite as much. Plus, it has a grocery list feature and lets you add things to your list from the sale ads. It doesn't let you add things to your grocery list from the coupons list yet, nor does it take you to the coupons directly (grocery IQ is better for this), but if you add an item that does have a coupon it will highlight it to let you know you can go "clip" that coupon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The other new app I have added is <a href="http://get.shopkick.com/platinum53049">Shopkick</a> (disclaimer: that will link to my referral code). This is an odd app and I had been resistant to getting it. Basically, you get points for walking into stores that offer "kicks", for scanning specific items, and for linking your credit card and purchasing from specific stores (this last one I have not done). There is not an amazon giftcard option or a cash option, so you can't directly buy books with your savings, but it is a relatively painless way to earn giftcards for stores like Macy's, Starbucks, or a variety of other places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So this is where I'm at in the budget finagling. Anyone else have any suggestions?</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-85884398224422940842015-05-04T11:37:00.000-05:002015-05-31T20:10:10.594-05:00Advance Review - Day Shift by Charlaine Harris<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23281944-day-shift">Day Shift</a><br />by Charlaine Harris</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>This blog is migrating to <a href="https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.wordpress.com/">WordPress</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br /><b>I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, this does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of my review.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>There is no such thing as bad publicity, except in Midnight, Texas, where the residents like to keep to themselves. Even in a town full of secretive people, Olivia Charity is an enigma. She lives with the vampire Lemuel, but no one knows what she does; they only know that she’s beautiful and dangerous.<br />Psychic Manfred Bernardo finds out just how dangerous when he goes on a working weekend to Dallas and sees Olivia there with a couple who are both found dead the next day. To make matters worse, one of Manfred’s regular—and very wealthy—clients dies during a reading.<br />Manfred returns from Dallas embroiled in scandal and hounded by the press. He turns to Olivia for help; somehow he knows that the mysterious Olivia can get things back to normal. As normal as things get in Midnight…</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the second book in Charlaine Harris' Midnight, Texas Series. I enjoyed <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-midnight-crossroad.html">Midnight Crossroad</a>, but had some concerns at the aims for the series.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And I think I was right to be concerned with the aims. While there were flashes of brilliance, and elements that I enjoyed in this book, great big old chunks of it seemed like nothing more than backlist baiting. We have one very popular character of a former series who has shown up with what appears to be a retconned back-story and completely stripped of any of his former personality. (As an aside, due to events in this story it is apparent Harris has decided that the <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/12/review-dead-but-not-forgotten-stories.html">Dead But Not Forgotten</a> book of stories is not canonical-which I find insanely frustrating.) And a second character from that series also made an appearance but it seemed contrived and not anything that couldn't better have been handled with someone in this series.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I enjoyed seeing more of Manfred, and I definitely enjoyed getting to know Olivia (she's so delightfully morally ambivalent). And Fiji, Chuy, Joe, and the Rev were very integral to the story and we were able to see more of their character's hidden facets. Bobo was more of a side character this time, as was Lemuel, and that is okay because trying to make everyone take center stage would have made this book even more scattered than it turned out to be. I think Ms. Harris might be struggling with a series that doesn't just have one or two main characters. And Manfred's mystery was overall very entertaining as was the side plot involving the new business in town. There were some "what were you thinking?/why aren't you thinking?" type moments with Manfred and Olivia, but they usually acknowledged those and corrected. But a third shoehorned in mystery was just too much and done for no real purpose that I can see at this time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Finally, the book just sort of ended. Only one thing was resolved, and the rest was just left hanging. I suppose it is to set up for the next book, but really it felt abrupt and unfinished and I kept paging back and forth looking for the rest of it. I'll probably try to catch this at the library to make sure there isn't something that was fixed for the publication from the ARC.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Overall, I am rating this 3 stars, but bottom line-get it from the library, wait for paperback pricing, or cost share with a friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you enjoyed this review, please consider "liking" it on </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1067116655" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Goodreads</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A25WX22UZJSPUU/ref=pdp_new_read_full_review_link?ie=UTF8&page=1&sort_by=MostRecentReview#RS8RJR2AI94WR">Amazon</a>.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-80779369375641152442015-05-02T19:58:00.000-05:002015-05-31T20:10:35.709-05:00Because no one should be harried and bankrupted for having an effing opinion.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Right now in Nevada, legislation is on the table that would effectively strip anti-SLAPP protections, which is one of the few things that stand in the way of honest people being punished unfairly for having a dissenting opinion. This affects every aspect of our public lives, whether you're doing the reviewing (even on something as basic and ubiquitous as Amazon) or trying to find reviews on something you're considering purchasing. Reliance on the public review process is already fraught enough with the surge of paid for positive reviews, and stifling negative reviews even further can only be a detriment to the consumer. So even if you never write reviews yourself, stop and think about how many reviews you've read and how they've affected your purchasing. There are plenty of other aspects that would be affected besides reviewing, but it's the aspect that's closest to me. And, I could probably pontificate for a while on this, but plenty of people have already done it better.</span><br />
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<a href="https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2015/05/02/anti-slapp-legislation/">Her Hands, My Hands</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://randazza.wordpress.com/2015/04/19/nevada-anti-slapp-law-under-attack/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Marc Randazza</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/04/22/why-is-steve-wynn-trying-to-gut-nevadas">Jacob Sullum</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://popehat.com/2015/04/17/why-are-nevada-state-senators-trying-to-eviscerate-the-states-anti-slapp-statute/">Ken White at</a> PopeHat</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.crimeandfederalism.com/2015/04/if-you-care-about-free-speech-stop-sb-444.html">Mike Cernovich</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you like free speech and the free market, this should concern you. Not all states yet have anti-SLAPP legislation, and rolling back one of the stronger examples isn't going to help matters any, so even if you don't live in Nevada, this affects you too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-57703120053852439252015-05-01T08:57:00.001-05:002015-05-31T20:11:06.390-05:002nd Shelly Laurenston Sale<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>This blog is migrating to <a href="https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.wordpress.com/">WordPress</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A week or so ago books <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/04/sale-shelly-laurenston.html">2-4 of Shelly Laurenston's Pride Series were on sale</a>. Now, fortunately for the weeken, books 6-9 are on sale as well for $1.99 each in the USA. Happy Reading!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Bad-Beast-Pride-Book-ebook/dp/B00FAHS2S0/ref=la_B001IGUWWQ_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430486787&sr=1-2">Amazon</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Meets-Girl-Pride-Book-ebook/dp/B0063KB25S/ref=la_B001IGUWWQ_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430486787&sr=1-5">Amazon</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-91931390473434703622015-04-30T17:44:00.002-05:002015-04-30T17:44:31.247-05:00Ilona Andrews Magic Shifts Excerpt..or why I really need a time machine.<span style="font-size: large;">This is almost too much for my heart to bear. Magic Shifts <a href="http://www.ilona-andrews.com/magic-shifts-excerpt/">chapters 1 & 2</a> have been posted. It starts with a bang and ends with an explosion. I don't know how I am going the be able to wait until it is finally released August 4, 2015. I'm telling you, I really need a time machine so I can go to the future and read ALL the books.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-89577803046605728472015-04-22T12:34:00.001-05:002015-04-22T12:34:35.881-05:00Review - Garden of Lies by Amanda Quick<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24358781-garden-of-lies"><b>Garden of Lies</b></a></span><br />
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<strong style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;"><span style="color: #666666;">The <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author of <em>Otherwise Engaged</em>and <em>The Mystery Woman</em> presents an all-new novel of intrigue and murder set against the backdrop of Victorian London…</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">The Kern Secretarial Agency provides reliable professional services to its wealthy clientele, and Anne Clifton was one of the finest women in Ursula Kern’s employ. But Miss Clifton has met an untimely end—and Ursula is convinced it was not due to natural causes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">Archaeologist and adventurer Slater Roxton thinks Mrs. Kern is off her head to meddle in such dangerous business. Nevertheless, he seems sensible enough to Ursula, though she does find herself unnerved by his self-possession and unreadable green-gold eyes…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">If this mysterious widowed beauty insists on stirring the pot, Slater intends to remain close by as they venture into the dark side of polite society. Together they must reveal the identity of a killer—and to achieve their goal they may need to reveal their deepest secrets to each other as well…</span><span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">With this one following <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/otherwise-engaged.html">Otherwise Engaged</a>, it looks like Jayne Ann Krentz has stepped back from paranormal historical romance for a bit. While I still really want the final Ladies of Lantern Street book, I am enjoying her return to my historical romance roots. I think Amanda Quick may have been the very first ones I ever read, and if not, they are definitely the first ones I remember. So take this review with the grain of salt that is my nostalgia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Garden of Lies starts with a really intriguing prologue, so if you read this on Kindle, check to make sure that Kindle didn't "conveniently" skip it for you. Slater Roxton is one of the more nuanced heroes we have seen from Quick in a while, born between two very different London cultures and with some remarkable life experiences, he's not just any substitute hero. Ursula Kern owns and operates an exclusive ladies secretarial pool. She has remade herself several times in an era when this wasn't typically possible for women, and in ways that absolutely fit the time period. When her best friend dies, and she believes it is murder, she upends her own life in order to find out the truth. Mostly Slater Roxton is along for the ride because he wants to protect Ursula. He is nicely protective but not overly so, and doesn't once as far as I can remember, step into alpha-hole territory. And furthermore, he respects Ursula, which makes it really easy for me to enjoy a book. The villainy and mystery were nice and twisty, and mostly (except for a brief flurry at the end) the relationship was nice and straightforward - which seems to be a nice change of pace for me. It reminded me why I loved Amanda Quick so much, because with her heroines could be smart, and brave, and resourceful, and intrepid, and any number of things besides just a damsel in distress requiring rescue. And in fact, the heroes could need rescuing too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, through the lens of my nostalgia, which is the only one I've got at the moment, this book was highly enjoyable. Trying to look at it objectively, I am not entirely certain new to Quick readers or those who don't have the same fond nostalgia as I do would rate it as highly. Still, for me this is a 4 star book.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-25307128470888142352015-04-21T14:25:00.001-05:002015-04-21T14:25:15.222-05:00Sale - Shelly Laurenston<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I believe it is very clear by now that I have big, big love for Shelly Laurenston, no matter her pen name and series. Whether it is her <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/11/advance-review-light-my-fire.html">Dragon Kin Series</a> under her pseudonym G.A. Aiken, or her newer series <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/03/advance-review-unleashing-by-shelly.html">Call of the Crows</a>. But the series that started my obsessive love was the Pack Pride Series. And for a limited time books 2-4 are on sale for $1.99 each. Fortunately, book 1 isn't really the best book in the series, and you can start with book 2 with no fear of being lost, the overall series arc doesn't even start until book 4 any way.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-71375579705586738712015-04-20T17:16:00.000-05:002015-04-20T17:16:31.922-05:00Review - Don't Walk Away by Vivian Arend and Elle Kennedy<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21805705-don-t-walk-away">Don't Walk Away</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">by Vivian Arend and Elle Kenedy</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, this does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of my review.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Don't Walk Away is the third book in the DreamMaker's Trilogy. <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/08/arc-review-love-is-battlefield.html">Previous books</a> have been comical and sexy, and I enjoyed them quite a bit. The premise is really the fun part, these former military Special Forces guys get out, and rather than opening up the ubiquitous security agency, they open DreamMaker's, which is an upscale event planning service for clueless guys who want to impress their ladies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The last book ended on a small cliffhanger regarding Dean, the unabashed manwhore of the group. There is a mysterious lady, because of course there is. Rather than having another heroine in jeopardy situation, this book takes a different route. Once upon a time Dean and Emma were inseparable, until they weren't and Dean broke her heart. And it definitely was true love, as you'll see why when you read it. When Emma happens to move to San Francisco, she inadvertently makes friends with Dean's best female friend Suz, which of course throw the star crossed lovers into each other's path. Because of their history together, this book really ramps up the feels when compared to the previous two books. It is a bit angsty, at least to start, because of all the emotional baggage. But their relationship settles in to sweet and caring with a nice side of sexy. And Emma's secret was a bit...odd, but nothing insurmountable. And, as one of the things I enjoy about this series is the tapestry of relationships it forms, we also got peeks into Suz and Gillian's future HEA's, so whatever is happening next in this series looks promising. I am not sure if this series is going to extend past the previously promised trilogy, or if it is going to go into spin-off mode, but either way, color me stoked that there will be more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This isn't high literature, it is fluffy and happy and sexy, and they are fairly short books, but it's a solid and enjoyable series.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4 stars</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-74701832194696838432015-04-16T11:30:00.000-05:002015-04-16T11:30:59.433-05:00Review - The Liar by Nora Roberts<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23281906-the-liar">The Liar</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">by Nora Roberts</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Shelby Foxworth lost her husband. Then she lost her illusions …</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The man who took her from Tennessee to an exclusive Philadelphia suburb left her in crippling debt. He was an adulterer and a liar, and when Shelby tracks down his safe-deposit box, she finds multiple IDs. The man she loved wasn’t just dead. He never really existed.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Shelby takes her three-year-old daughter and heads south to seek comfort in her hometown, where she meets someone new: Griff Lott, a successful contractor. But her husband had secrets she has yet to discover. Even in this small town, surrounded by loved ones, danger is closer than she knows—and threatens Griff, as well. And an attempted murder is only the beginning …</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Nora Roberts doesn't quite have the same magic for me that she did once upon a time, but she's never really let me down on romantic suspense either, and so I read her epic romantic suspense each year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This year's offering is a family saga/drama as much as it is romantic suspense. Shelby returns home to Tennessee after her husband's death. It turns out her husband was a miserable excuse for a human being and she is absolutely better off without him, no matter how much debt he left her in with his death. Her daughter is more than a plot moppet in this story, and she was a cutie pie. Griff, the love interest is the Mary Poppins of romance heroes. There are also a host of other family members and friends who are integral to the storyline. I enjoyed reading about these people and their lives. What broke down for me a bit was the suspense, I had figured out all the plot twists before a quarter of the book was through. So while I enjoyed the journey, the book failed a bit on the suspense level. There were quite a number of twists though, so I am not going to heavily into the plot because that could possibly spoil it for the handful of people who might just be surprised. What i will say is that it was a nice cozy book that was easy to get into, with likable characters, and a plot that seemed relatively believable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Overall I am rating this 4 stars, but read it for the characters and the journey, not for the suspense, unless of course you have never read a Nora Roberts romantic suspense book, only then would you possibly be surprised.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This blog is migrating to <a href="https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.wordpress.com/">WordPress</a>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-83785289851069244762015-04-16T08:18:00.000-05:002015-04-16T08:18:12.457-05:00Freebies from Eve Langlais<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During my negative review of Eve Langlais' <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/04/review-falling-for-redneck-by-eve.html">Falling for a Redneck</a>, I recommended readers try two of her other series instead. And lo and behold, the first book in one of those series is FREE right now. So if you have an android device, go check out <a href="http://evelanglais.com/wordpress/archives/4757">Delicate Freakn' Flower</a></span>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This blog is migrating to <a href="https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.wordpress.com/">WordPress</a>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-79807312491586497682015-04-14T14:49:00.002-05:002015-04-14T14:49:34.592-05:00Review - Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/132606.Mr_Impossible">Mr. Impossible</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">by Loretta Chase</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">OK, so I had to do something drastic to step out of this reading/reviewing funk I have been in recently. Fortunately, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7480228-desi?ref=ru_lihp_cm_abp_8_mclk-up2291787344">Desi</a> linked to this blog post on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/8186869-romancing-pms?ref=ru_lihp_lk_abp_9_mclk-up2291785248">romance and PMS</a>, and something different piqued my interest. A historical nobleman ready and willing to deal with cramps and periods in a non sexual way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />And I am so glad I followed that random blog post. Mr. Impossible was delightful. The perfect anodyne to previous reading endeavors. How much was because of the sheer difference from what has recently been read, I just can’t say, but I really think most it was just this book. This lovely, lovely book. Here is the chimera, the unicorn; here is a man who legitimately falls in love and lust with a woman because of her mind. And Rupert, I adore him, he’s self-deprecating and sweet and not at all the aggressive alpha-hole, all without being a Beta either.<br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>“And being a great dumb ox,” He went on, “I’m wonderfully easy to manage.”</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />I can’t quite put my finger on why, but he reminds me of my beloved Scarlet Pimpernel, who in so many ways is my ideal hero. And Daphne, she’s a scholar, and a spitfire. Her now deceased husband may have tried to curb her, but underneath it all, she is still who she is, and passionate about her research.<br /><br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“It’s called ahezan,” she said.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Yes, but what is it?”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“A scarf girdling the waist,” she said. “Useful for stowing things. Like my knives.”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Have you the least idea how to use them?” He said.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“I know that you hold it by the handle and the sharp end is the part you stick in,” she whispered impatiently. “What else do I need to know?”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Hold it with the sharp end aimed upward rather than downward,” he said. “More control, better aim that way.”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Oh,” she said. “Yes. I see.” </span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>“Shall we proceed, and ought I do so with my knife drawn?’</i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“You’d better keep it where it is for the moment,” he said. “Otherwise you might stab me to death accidentally.”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“If I stab you to death,” she said, “It will not be accidental.”</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i> <br /><br />And what starts as lust on both their parts, slowly transforms into something very sweet.<br /><br /> <br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Strange things happened inside him-a sudden rush of feeling he hadn’t a name for. Lust was involved naturally, since he was a man, and it would want far more than a few bloodstains on her clothing to make that go away. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lust though, was a hanger-o, an old friend as natural as breathing. The thing it hung upon was as strange and puzzling as the wooden figure tucked inside his coat. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He didn’t understand the feeling and didn’t try to. He did understand that she was upset. She had reason.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>And Rupert seduces Daphne in a manner that isn’t at all typical of historicals. He seduces her mind as much, if not more than her body.<br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>She could hardly believe her ears. He had been so reluctant to teach her to shoot. But these were words used between equals, words of trust-in her judgement, in her skill-from a man. Her heart leapt with pleasure or fear, she wasn’t sure. Perhaps both.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /> <br /><br />And then I got to the period scene that started my journey, and it turned out to not even be my favorite scene, though it was awesome enough:<br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He did not like to leave her alone, suffering, even if it wasn’t his fault and the only cure was time.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“For such a clever woman you are woefully ignorant,” he said. “There’s a great deal one can do.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He had no idea what one could do. He had no sisters, and even if he had, they would have kept this secret from him as every other woman did.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i> <br /><br />And he proceeds to care for her, no matter how uncomfortable he was. It was as lovely as I had hoped. But that caring didn’t transform into something overly protective and smothering, it transformed into something that nurtured independence and acknowledges her as a strong woman in her own right.<br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“It wasn’t her rising to the occasion. It’s the occasion rising to her. Egypt and this business with you and the papyrus have finally given her the chance to show what she truly is. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She’s-she’s a goddess. But human. A real goddess, not make believe. She’s beautiful and brave and wise, And fascinating. And dangerous. As goddesses are, as you know, in all the best stories.”</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />And then, the point when he tells her he loves her, it is beautiful, and I am not spoiling it with quotes, so you’ll have to read it when you get there.<br /><br />I don’t think that this will necessarily make my re-read list, as there was something in the prose that wasn’t my preference and looking back there were a few plot holes (I didn’t notice those while reading though, only when reflecting back on what to say). BUT, it was a truly lovely story that I enjoyed very much, and I sincerely recommend it to any reader who like historicals and/or smart and independent heroines.<br /><br /><br />4 stars</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you enjoyed this review, please consider "liking" it on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1253867661">Goodreads</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A25WX22UZJSPUU/ref=pdp_new_read_full_review_link?ie=UTF8&page=1&sort_by=MostRecentReview#RKEP32D1OEDVO">Amazon</a>.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This blog is migrating to <a href="https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.wordpress.com/">WordPress</a>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262929684830460502.post-35997775407411131232015-04-12T16:47:00.000-05:002015-04-12T16:47:48.557-05:00Review - Falling for a Redneck by Eve Langlais<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22673599-falling-for-a-redneck"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Falling for a Redneck</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So this is the <a href="http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/04/arc-review-girl-who-wouldnt-die-by.html">second story</a> in a row that simply hasn't worked for me. And not just random stories, but things that should have worked. I don't know if I'm heading into a slump or it's just awful luck for this weekend, but whatever it is, I hope it straightens out PDQ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Be forewarned, there WILL be spoilers and ranting.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So generally speaking, even if Eve Langlais books don't make my top favorites list, I can at least count on solid enjoyment. This is in fact the first book of hers that was completely wrong for me. It should have been right dang it. We have an uptight, germaphobe, white collar woman, and an earthy blue collar guy with two adorable plot-moppets to melt her icy facade. But this reprint should have stayed safely in the past.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">From this point on there will be <b><u>spoilers</u></b> and rants, feel free to skip out, but if you haven't read anything by Eve Langlais, skip this book and try her <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/67529-freakn-shifters">Freakn' Shifters</a> (ignore the horrible apostrophe usage) or <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/70018-furry-united-coalition">Furry United Coalition</a> (yes that does spell FUC). Both of them are full of humor, whimsy, and sexy times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, we start out meeting Marissa, the pro-Domme, in full regalia in a session. Except this isn't her kink, it's a job she does so she can punish men and vent her anger at all men over the horrible way her ex-husband treated her. So yeah, we have another BDSM practitioner doing it in lieu of therapy, a trope I quite despise. It actually gets worse though because her former therapist is the person who turned her onto it. So, yeah, that happened. And then she doesn't even own it, she's all conflicted over it. Enter the sexy redneck Dirk and his adorable plot moppets. I settle in thinking alright, this is working for me. I'm even getting into the mystery of Marissa's stalker. And I'm especially enjoying getting to know Dirk and seeing him as a person and his back story unfold. Then WHAM, another trope/comment I abhor. Marrisa refers to her pro-Domme activities as "...as bad as prostitution". Literally, WTF? First off, that's just an awfully denigrating way to think about or write about prostitutes. Considering prostitutes as " bad" is just not something I can condone. There's plenty of ways to think about prostitutes (and that's definitely a debate for another time), but that dismissive horrified line of thought is one that just pisses me the hell off. And secondly, if you aren't having sexual contact with a human being for money (which she wasn't), then it isn't prostitution. It's a service right up there with paying for massage, hair cuts, or spa services. Yes it's a little out of mainstream for the general population, but it still isn't sex for money. So she's going to quit because she's tired of it anyway, and her anger's all cured by the love and care from her redneck and his magical peen. That's a little bit of magical thinking, but I tend to accept it in romancelandia. Whatever, on with the story. So Dirk takes her to his parents house to be safe from the stalker. It's a farm, which makes for some fairly funny scenes. We get to find out plenty more about Dirk and his kids, and both he and Marissa really open up. The plot moppets' bio-mom even breezes in giving Dirk closure and forcing both of them to confront their feelings for each other, and then conveniently breezes right out with no real repercussions or consequences. So Dirk and Marissa head back to real life, and she's figured out her stalker is actually one of her now-former client's wife. She sets up one last appointment with the man to lure his wife in, and this part I actually did like, she talks the wife down and teaches her to dominate her husband as he likes to be dominated. Those two go home a happier and kinkier couple. Then Marissa finally confesses to Dirk that all her angst and anger came from the fact she had cervical cancer which resulted in a hysterectomy, and that her husband knocked someone else else up and left her. Yes, that's very miserable, but Dirk is a sweetie who explains she's not half a woman, she's the other half of his heart. They get married and our formerly very starched and buttoned up clean freak doesn't even freak over the handprints the plot moppets leave on her wedding dress. It's sweet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now, if that were the end of it, at least it would have been a high note. Still not a great or even good story, but a high note. But of course I wasn't that lucky, we then have the epilogue from hell. A year later they wake up and find a freaking baby on their doorstep. The plot moppets' bio-mom has popped out another kid and left it on their doorstep as a belated wedding present. WTF?!?! I guess someone must think that's a happy ending of massive wish fulfillment proportions. But personally, I just found it creepy and weird.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I think what frustrated me so much, is that there was the bones of a great story in there. And Dirk and his backstory were just excellent. He's one of my favorite heroes so far this year. I actually kind of even liked Marissa. But the story around them just completely irked the hell out of me. How on earth does an author even write characters I like in a story I can't stand? There's some sort of voodoo going on here, but I'm still giving this story 1 star.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This blog is migrating to <a href="https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.wordpress.com/">WordPress</a>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.com0