Recommendations and Reviews

Here’s my review for the third installment of Bekah Clark’s fantasy series Rise of the Hawk. I enjoyed the first two books, so read on for my thoughts on The Peacock in Summer!

Synopsis (from the author):

It has been just over three years since Xenya became queen of Aemonsha. Things are progressing within the kingdom, but there is still unrest. Xenya is hopeful that a new school curriculum will help the next generations understand and follow the leadership of the First House.

Maevan and Raikar are happily married and closer than ever. The only thing more they could wish for is some privacy! Meirei couldn’t be happier ruling the Second House with Coran by her side and her best friend Kolton as head of security. Although, after three years, the two men are still unsure of each other. Korla and Jorgan are on the brink of wedded bliss and join Renna and Kai, who reunite happily after three long years when plans to visit Coran and Rei turn into an unexpected side trip.

While everything appears happy and near to perfect, danger is lurking under the surface. The unrest seems to be growing through seemingly unnatural means. Will the family be able to unearth who is behind the unruly citizens and remain strong when tragedy strikes?

What I liked about The Peacock in Summer:

As with the first two books, I enjoyed how the characters grew as they aged. Xenya is a good character with a nice devious side. Maevan and Raikar continue to irritate each other (in a good way) and Maevan’s sisters are growing into formidable women. Lots of intrigue and subplots make this an entertaining book, though I’m not sure how I liked the cliffhanger ending!

What I didn’t like about The Peacock in Summer:

While there wasn’t as much blushing in this book, Korla’s constant interference with Renna’s romance got a bit repetitive. Other than that, nothing to complain about.

Overall impression of The Peacock in Summer:

I enjoyed The Peacock in Summer! Familiar characters, romance, intrigue, and a cliffhanger ending (not sure I liked it), made this an excellent read. If you enjoy fantasy, read this series!

My rating:

4.5 stars (rounded to 5 stars)

Connect with Bekah Clark:

Find Bekah Clark on her Amazon Author Page, her Goodreads page, or her website. While you’re there, discover her many books (and maybe buy a few). Consider leaving a review or a comment, too!

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I wanted to read something different and found Shoot ‘em Up (Maisie McGrane Mystery #3) by Janey Mack. Not my usual fare, but an occasional thriller or mystery hits the spot. Read on for my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

The mob’s running guns—and her family’s running wild.
 
Meter maid turned undercover cop Maisie McGrane managed to survive her first sting operation with just a few minor stab wounds—and some lingering emotional scars. An assassination attempt on the mayor brings the ATF and DEA to Chicago, and they’re counting on Maisie’s underworld connections to help them infiltrate and cripple a cartel running guns and drugs into the city. But she won’t be going it alone. The DEA’s hand-selected charismatic hard-case Lee Sharpe as her partner and protector. And he’s taking his assignment seriously . . . in every way. But with her meddling Chicago PD family threatening to expose her true identity at any moment, Maisie will have to scramble to stay one step ahead of them, the cartel, and her new partner before her cover is shot.

What I liked about Shoot ‘em Up:

This was my introduction to Maisie McGrane (yes I should have read the first two books prior to this one) and it was enjoyable! Maisie is an amazing character (despite her more than occasional drug use) who gets into and out of a number of precarious situations. If you like crime and mystery, coupled with a strong female protagonist, give Janey Mack’s Shoot ’em Up and the rest of the Maisie McGrane series a try!

What I didn’t like about Shoot ‘em Up:

As mentioned above, the drug use was a bit much for me, and some of the violence was gratuitous. Those detracted from the story for me.

Overall impression of Shoot ‘em Up:

All told, I enjoyed my first encounter with Maisie McGrane in Shoot ’em Up! Lots of action, lots of violence, and more scrapes than you can imagine kept me turning the pages. Like crimes thrillers? Read this one!

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 stars)

Connect with Janey Mack:

Find Janey Mack on her Amazon Author page, her Goodreads page, or her website! While you’re there, pick up your own copy of the Maisie McGrane books (and don’t forget to leave a review after you’ve read them)!

Connect with me:

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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

Connect with Bekah Clark:

Find Bekah Clark on her website, Amazon Author page, or her Goodreads page. While you are there, find all her books and maybe buy a few! And don’t forget to leave the all-important review when you finish reading a book!

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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!

Connect with me:

I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Find me and let’s connect!

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

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!

Connect with me:

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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!

Connect with me:

Find me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest and say hello! Let’s talk books, submarines, quantum physics, or conspiracy theories. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to the blog!