Recommendations and Reviews

The Raven in Spring – My Review!!

A while back, I read the Hawk in Winter (Rise of the Hawk #1) and gave it 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 5 Stars). I enjoyed the start to the series. I added The Raven in Spring (Rise of the Hawk #2) to my TBR list. Read on for my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

With the Rogue Queen vanquished, the rightful queen sits on the throne! Queen Xenya now must prove to the people that she is the queen they deserve. With all her daughters safe, Xenya can lead the people back to the path Kaelen laid out for the people of Aemonsha.

Maevan is thrilled that her mother is once again queen and in Traven, but doesn’t know what to do with her feelings for Jorgan and her mysterious rescuer turned bodyguard Raikar. Her formerly betrothed, Coran, has banished himself to the icy lands of Cardea to sulk. Although she is safe and well protected, Mae can’t shake the sense that someone wants her dead.

The Second House has always declared they are neutral in the fight between the First and Third Houses, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Antara, the current ruler of the Second House, cares only for power and retaining her lands no matter the cost. Her daughter Meirei is not as malleable an heir as Antara would like. Jorgan and Meirei have always banded together against their mother’s iron-fisted ways, as much as possible. Meirei is determined to rule the Second House her own way and is desperately tired of her mother’s abuse.

Everyone has a destiny, let’s hope they all survive to see it.

What I liked about The Raven in Spring:

I enjoyed the story and how it built on the first book. Plenty of romance, lots of intrigue, and threats to Xenya’s throne made the book flow well and entertained me. The characters, especially Xenya’s daughters, continue to grow and move into new (and sometimes surprising roles). Overall, a good fantasy read!

What I didn’t like about The Raven in Spring:

My only real complaint about the book was Maevan’s constant blushing. It was fine the first few times, but it seemed to be a too frequent event and was mentioned much too often.

Overall impression of The Raven in Spring:

Despite the blushing scenes, the book was a good story. As mentioned above, there is plenty of intrigue, romance, and action to keep you turning pages. If you like fantasy with a dash (or more) of romance, read this one!

My rating:

4 Stars

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I’m a big fan of Gordon Bickerstaff’s books and his heroine Zoe Tampsin and enjoyed each of the books I’ve read. I added The Belgravia Sanction to my TBR. Read on for my review!

Synopsis (from the author):

In a remote Scottish cottage, two men and two women die from gunshot wounds.
Police believe one killed the other three before committing suicide.
One of the four worked undercover for the Lambeth Group, and his team leader is missing.
To find out what happened, a second team will follow the bread crumbs.
Led by Zoe Tampsin, they expose a terrorist group operating in plain sight.
An attack is imminent.
It will destroy the special relationship between the UK and the USA.
Zoe and her team prepare to stop them.
Unaware of a deep-seated traitor, determined to stop her at any cost.

What I liked about The Belgravia Sanction:

Gordon Bickerstaff does it again.  He brings Zoe Tampsin back for more adventures and this one has a personal impact for Zoe. The plot moves quickly, the action is first rate, and the characters play their roles perfectly. The violence was appropriate for the book (and there is plenty), and the story itself was plausible.

What I didn’t like about The Belgravia Sanction:

This installment of Zoe Tampsin’s adventure was quite a bit darker than the previous books. While not expecting a lighthearted romp, there was a coarseness to this novel that didn’t hold my attention.

Overall impression of The Belgravia Sanction:

Gordon Bickerstaff’s latest Zoe Tampsin novel has a lot going for it. Good and familiar characters, intrigue, and action, make this a high-stakes thriller worth reading. Despite all of that, the darker tone and overall coarseness didn’t work for me as well as the previous books.

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Gordon Bickerstaff:

Find Gordon on his website, Amazon Author page, or follow him on Twitter. Say hi, leave a review, and maybe buy a book or two!

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I read and reviewed Elements (The Crystal Series Book 1) by Nia Markos and enjoyed it. That led me to read Venture (The Crystal Series Book 2). Here are my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

In the second installment of The Crystal Series, Alexa is determined to continue on the search for the Kaemorra, the crystal which the prophecy foretold will save the world, alone. With Liam injured, Aidan missing, she cannot count on help from anyone.

Believing she is the cause of both men’s plight, it becomes impossible to ignore what she must do, who to trust with her heart. Fearing her life was never her own, the ache she experiences over the absence of one of the brothers forces her to come to a realization.

Perils, dangers await her at every turn. In order to save the one she loves, she may have to forfeit her own life. Just when it seems she has the upper hand, her actions have the most unfortunate results.

“Aidan is not coming back. Deal with it. You are mine.” The words passed his lips, showing no emotion.

What I liked about Venture:

Just like the first book, this book had a familiar feel to it. I enjoyed Alexa’s growth as a character. The rivalry between Aidan and Liam, the mystery surrounding the Kaemorra, and the dangers involved with her powers make for a good story. Will she succeed? You’ll just have to read the book!

What I didn’t like about Venture:

Even though the romantic rivalry is a major part of the story, for me it was a bit redundant. Other than that, I didn’t find much to dislike.

Overall impression of Venture:

I enjoyed this installment of Nia Markos’ Crystal Series. Venture moved the series along nicely and set up the third book well. Lots of action, plenty of intrigue, and unresolved romantic entanglements kept me turning the pages. I recommend it for fantasy fans.

My rating:

4 Stars

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Find Nia Markos on her Amazon Author page, Goodreads page, or on her website! While visiting, please consider buying a book or two and leaving a review!

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Elements – My Review!!

As an indie author, I like supporting other Indies by buying, reading, and reviewing their work. I took a look at The Independent Author Network looking for fantasy to read. I found Elements (The Crystal Series Book One) by Nia Markos. Here are my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

“What would you do if you suddenly discovered that nothing about life was as you thought it was and all your choices seem to have been made for you centuries before you were born? That’s the reality young Alexa faces, and how well she copes will determine the fate of her world and that of the preternatural. Now, if only someone would explain what is going on!”

For eighteen-year-old Alexa finding a place to put down roots after being forced into a nomadic life by her paranoid mother was not as simple as she had believed. Her attempt to settle down in the coastal town of Beverly comes to an abrupt halt. Within months an explosion levels her apartment building, and all her preconceived ideas of her world come to an end.

Now on the run, Alexa can only follow Bet, her roommate, into the unknown, where the worlds of the Sidhe race of faeries, warlocks, daemons, and shadows, threaten her very existence.

Pulled into a prophecy that she together with Aidan, the Sidhe Prince, would right their worlds, Alexa finds herself fighting against the prophecy’s telling of her being bound to Aidan. What makes it worse is her increasing attachment to his brother Liam.

With her destiny set centuries ago, can she save their worlds in time, does she have a choice in whom to love, or will choosing her own path lead to their destruction?

What I liked about Elements:

There is much to like about Elements. It has a familiar feel to it (though I haven’t read any of Nia Markos’ work before). Being of Irish and Scot descent, stories of the Sidhe fascinate me and the way Nia Markos worked them into the story was excellent. Alexa is a good character, and Aidan plays his role well. Liam, too, figures prominently into the story. All told, an entertaining fantasy novel and a good start to the series.

What I didn’t like about Elements:

Although I enjoyed the story, Alexa and Aidan approach to their relationship and the constant reference to it got a bit old. In addition, Eliana’s character was too flat to me and needed to be fleshed out more.

Overall impression of Elements:

Nice story, good characters, the underlying conflict, and Alexa’s growth into her powers made Elements an enjoyable book! If you like YA fantasy, read this one!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Nia Markos:

Find Nia Markos on her Amazon Author page, Goodreads page, or on her website! While visiting, please consider buying a book or two and leaving a review!

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I read the first two books of the Dragon Dreamer series (The Dragon Dreamer and Dragon Lightning) and enjoyed both! When J.S. Burke released Dragon Thunder, I added it to my TBR list. It’s up now for review and here are my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

Drakor foresees the doom of dragons, but Mardor refuses to listen. No one thinks the youngster will challenge this huge, powerful ruler!
Now Drakor is the unexpected leader in a new world, where deadly problems grow faster than the unnatural storms. And as hard as it was to win that terrible fight, leading is harder. As Mardor incites a rebellious clan, Drakor questions everything. How can the clan survive if they can’t work together? And can he survive another brutal fight with that giant?

As the world plunges into winter, Arak and Scree offer their help. But Drakor’s seafaring friends face their own threats. Only one thing is clear: Everyone is in danger.

What I liked about Dragon Thunder:

I enjoyed the trip back to the worlds of dragons and octopuses! This one doesn’t involve Scree and Arak as much, but they play important roles. This book delves into the leadership growth of Drakor and the Ice Dragons. With lots of action in a new world, dangers that lurk around each corner, and challenges growing daily, Drakor’s trials make for good reading! If you enjoy a bit of dragon fantasy, read Dragon Thunder!

What I didn’t like about Dragon Thunder:

My only complaint was Mardor’s repeated insubordinate actions. One or two would have sufficed, but I thought more than that was unnecessary and distracted from the story.

Overall impression of Dragon Thunder:

As with the rest of the series, Dragon Thunder entertained me! I enjoyed getting to know Drakor more and liked the way he solved problems. If you like dragons, conflict, and a good story, read this one!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with J. S. Burke:

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Every now and then I step outside my normal genres and read something new. This selection is no exception. The Cloisonné Brooch: A Serpent’s Coil Time Travel Romance was in my recommendations, so I decided to try it. Here are my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

Tessa Madigan’s perfect world turns upside down when she finds a cache of old jewelry sealed in the wall of the Balboa Island home left to her by her Uncle Theo.

Most of the jewelry matches the description of artifacts stolen from a museum during WWII. The only piece missing is the Cloisonné Brooch. The smart thing would be to report the find to the authorities. However, metallurgist by trade, romantic at heart, Tessa can’t resist trying on a serpent bracelet from the cache. With a warm, almost imperceptible slither from her wrist to her biceps, the serpent tightens and a cloudy veil lifts from a window into the past. There is a slave girl being sold at auction, a sensual encounter with a powerful Praetorian guard, and her own hands drenched in blood. She rips the bracelet off her arm and vows never to put it on again.

Was it a kooky dream brought on by too much whisky during Friday Night fun with her boyfriend, Phillip? Or does the serpent’s coil have a dangerous, irresistible power? Wrapped in Phillip’s arms, she can believe in the dream. But the moment he leaves, she can’t shake the feeling she was involved in something terrible. Shaken to her core, she can’t help believing Uncle Theo hid the jewelry for a reason. What happened to the Cloisonne Brooch? Is she responsible for someone’s death in the ancient past? She can’t rest until she knows the truth.

What I liked:

The Cloisonné Brooch was a different take on time travel and I enjoyed it. Tessa’s dreams (or were they simply dreams?) made for a great transition between the past and present. Add to it the heat between Phillip and Tessa and Marcus and Kindra, throw in a splash of murder, a little ancient palace intrigue, and all the elements are there for a great story! No spoilers from me, so read the book and find out for yourself!

What I didn’t like:

I never really understood how one character (again, no spoilers from me) got to the present time and Kindra and Marcus’ fates were unsatisfying.

Overall impression:

The Cloisonné Brooch took a different approach to time travel. I enjoyed the interwoven story from today to the ancient past. If time travel romance is your go to genre, or if you are looking for something different to read, this is a book for you!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Kat Drennan:

Find Kat on her Amazon Author Page, her website, or her Goodreads page! Check out The Cloisonné Brooch and her other books (maybe buy a few). While there, consider leaving a review or a comment. I know she’ll appreciate it!

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