YA Review: Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz

Spellcaster (Spellbound, #2)

Author: Cara Lynn Shultz - WEBSITE
ISBN-13: 98-0373210503
Publication Date: March, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Book Length:  384 pages
Acquired by Me:  NetGalley

Description Courtesy of Goodreads:

 

“Finding your eternal soulmate - easy.

Stopping a true-love-hungry evil - not so much…

After breaking a centuries-old romantic curse, Emma Connor is (almost) glad to get back to normal problems. Although...it's not easy dealing with the jealous cliques and gossip that rule her exclusive Upper East Side prep, even for a sixteen-year-old newbie witch. Having the most-wanted boy in school as her eternal soul mate sure helps ease the pain-especially since wealthy, rocker-hot Brendan Salinger is very good at staying irresistibly close....

But something dark and hungry is using Emma and Brendan's deepest fears to reveal damaging secrets and destroy their trust in each other. And Emma's crash course in über-spells may not be enough to keep them safe…or to stop an inhuman force bent on making their unsuspected power its own.”

My Thoughts:

  

Last summer, I reviewed Spellbound, what I thought was a standalone book written by Cara Lynn Shultz (my review can be found HERE). I was pretty enthused about it at first, but then found that as time went on, I was ‘na-ja’ about it. I think I felt that way simply because I was on Young Adult overload – too many similarly themed books in a short period of time. 

Recently, I had an opportunity to read Shultz’s second installment in the Spellbound series. Spellcaster picks up almost immediately where Spellbound left off. Emma and Brendan have their Happily Ever After…or so they think. Small detail there: a dark piece of mystery in Brendan’s past, which, in turn, bodes not so well for Emma’s future. Yup, this is the gist of the plot, so I’m not really free to spoil it any further. Suffice it to say that Emma works her way through another mess and comes out on the other side intact.

After giving it some thought, I realize that my favorite part about these books really centers on Emma and Brendan’s relationship. There is a sense of trueness to their feelings for one another. It feels clean and pure, just what you want to see in young love. Perhaps a little more mature than most kids their age, but I suppose when you are destined for each other, you feel life differently. 

My not so favorite part was the amount of witchcraft in the book. Sure, there was some in Spellbound, and of course, Emma is an untapped witch herself. But, witchcraft plays heavy into the plot and was just a tad too much for my personal preferences. Nothing extremely creepy or evil (of course, you may feel that any amount of witchcraft is too evil), just a matter of a different taste. However, I know there is a huge audience for this material, so I don’t think the topic will detract much from Spellcaster. 

Writing-wise, I do like Shultz’s style. I think it is smart, clean, and creative.  She mixes enough mysticism with reality to keep the story believable. Some moments are farfetched, but you forgive her for it because it keeps the story rolling along. I can easily see how her style would attract readers. And, although I won’t rave about the book, I will definitely keep my eyes out for a third volume…as will many others.

I recommend the Spellbound books to mature teens (and adults) who can handle dark magical elements with little problem. I wouldn’t want someone to get a shocker and wind up with nightmares after reading this material. It’s not really scary, but it could be considered disturbing at times.

The thoughts expressed in this post are solely based on my personal opinion and have not been influenced by any other entity or being. Use of my statements may not be reproduced without permission from me, the author of Fall In Love With Books.

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HR Review: Much Ado About Rogues by Kasey Michaels

This color purple is DIVINE!

Much Ado About Rogues (Blackthorn Brothers, #3)

Author: Kasey Michaels  - WEBSITE
ISBN-13: 978-0373776399
Publication Date: March, 2012
Publisher: HQN Books
Book Length:  384 pages
Acquired by Me:  NetGalley

Description Courtesy of Goodreads:

“Meet the Blackthorn Brothers—three unrepentant scoundrels infamous for being mad, bad and perilous to love. Who is the darkly handsome Don John "Black Jack" Blackthorn? With his air of mystery and menace, the whispers about him hint of highwayman or government agent or even dark prince. But no one knows what it is Black Jack does or how dangerous he can truly be. Now Jack's mentor has disappeared, and Jack must track him down before it's too late. His unlikely help: the man's daughter—the very woman Jack had once wooed and betrayed. Lady Tess Fonteneau knows more about the fine art of clandestine activities—and about the mysterious Mr. Blackthorn—than he realizes. As their journey leads them on the adventure of a lifetime, their reunion is fraught with passion, high-stakes danger and the one twist of fate Jack never saw coming.”

My Thoughts:

I know I must have read Kasey Michaels in the past, but as of this moment, nothing jumps out at me about her writing. So…I’m going to treat Much Ado About Rogues as a first time author read. I thought the book was pretty strong. It is a little on the darker side, both in plot and in character composites. Jack & Tess both feel like heavy figures. Dark secrets, dark pasts – much misery abounds for these two. The story is strong in mystery/intrigue. Not my usual read, but it’s Historical, so I dove in when it came time to read it.

The Heroine:  Lady Tess: Made the mistake of falling in love too young, got her heart broken. She was also left with a surprise – her son (who is kept a secret, but not too far into the book). She’s cunning, taught by a master spy, her father. The man she loved – well he was caught up in her brother’s death, a big hurdle to overcome in their reunification. Tess should have been her father’s son. Sadly, she was born a girl and has spent her life trying to prove herself.  

The Hero:  Jack (aka Black Jack) is a scary bastard assassin, trained by the best – Tess’ father. He became the prodigal son, and competition for Tess, once upon a time. Jack is an intimidating character. He’s the darker of the two. Bitter, jaded, mommy issues…you name it, he’s got the hang up. Also, he’s got to use Tess to find her father – a mission connected to his role as an assassin. This makes it pretty convenient for him to use the time wisely and pull Tess back into his life. 

The Story:  Michaels’ opening scene starts off with a murder. Honestly, I didn’t know who was supposed to be good and who was supposed to be bad at this point. Then it became clear that our deal little mercenary was the Hero. What a surprise! Just a foreshadowing of the company he keeps. Segue into a new mission: find Tess’ father, who is essentially an enemy of the state. He holds a great many secrets that could do more harm than good if he chose to share them. This is what brings Jack back into Tess’ life. He needs her to find her father – his mentor in all things spy related. The downside? They left off on bad terms and meeting up again doesn’t make either one very happy. A painful past pushes its way into each other’s minds and old grievances are hard to forgive. Each has wounded the other in their own special way.

As it relates to the plot, there is an added mysterious element of a master assassin and thief named Sinjin. He’s part of everyone’s past – and he is the man who murdered Tess’ brother (who was not the greatest of spies). Anyway, both Tess’ father and Sinjin pop up here and there in the story, leading up to a big finale between all the parties. Because the story is set as an intrigue, I don’t want to give away any of the details – so pardon my vagueness.  

I’ve not read the first two books in this series, but I can see where I would have benefited from them. There are a few references and character introductions (Jack’s two brothers – heroes of Books 1 & 2) that allude to more details of Jack’s past. His mother and father (stepfather?) also figure into this observation. Rest assured, it feels like loose ends get tied up for everyone involved. Jack and Tess get their HEA and all is well.

If you are looking for something a little deeper and darker, this book may be the right fit for you. The writing is strong and the characters are compelling. There are times you may want to throttle them for being too stubborn, but overall they are a fairly satisfying couple.

The thoughts expressed in this post are solely based on my personal opinion and have not been influenced by any other entity or being. Use of my statements may not be reproduced without permission from me, the author of Fall In Love With Books.

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Wordless Wednesday 4/11/2012

Next years trip.

Fiction Review: Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

Midnight in Austenland (Austenland, #2)

Author: Shannon Hale - WEBSITE
ISBN-13: 978-1608196258
Publication Date: February, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Book Length:  277 pages
Acquired by Me:  NetGalley

Description Courtesy of Goodreads:

“When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests' Austen fantasies.

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn't sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside's mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte's heart be a sign of real-life love?

The follow-up to reader favorite Austenland provides the same perfectly plotted pleasures, with a feisty new heroine, plenty of fresh and frightening twists, and the possibility of a romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen's world. How could it not turn out right in the end?”

My Thoughts:

As a big Jane Austen fan, I try to fit many Austenesque books into my reading lineup. When I saw that Shannon Hale put out a sequel to Austenland, my interest was perked. I liked, not loved, Austenland, but have kept a fondness for both the book and for Shannon Hale. I like her young adult fiction, and I think she did a fair enough job on Austenland to warrant a reading of Midnight in Austenland. 

I think the second book was on par with the first. Both stories are cute and funny, if somewhat strange in their telling, and pay homage to those who love all things Regency. 

The heroine, Charlotte, is in a stage of her life where she’s in need of an adventure to escape/take her mind off of her troubles back at home. Losing herself in an Austen fantasy seems like the perfect choice. Once firmly ensconced in her English manor, Charlotte meets a host of characters, those seeking their own escape, and those hired to play to the fantasy. Charlotte gets a leading man who puts her a little on edge, as well as a brother who keeps an eye on her and smoothes her transition into Regency life. Along the way, the group gets drawn into a mystery – causing Charlotte to question what is real and what is not. Um…Northanger Abbey, anyone? As the mystery unfolds, Charlotte finds herself in jeopardy a time or two…leading her to wonder who it is that she can trust and who is out to cause her harm. 

Throughout the drama, Charlotte works on repairing her psyche – trying to understand how her marriage failed and where she is now headed. She’s a smart woman, who is experiencing a moment of fragility in her life. Happily, she comes through to the other side and finds a new love interest that is destined to change her life forever.

A small moment of criticism is Hale’s use of two voices for Charlotte. There is the voice of her past and the voice of her present. I wasn’t keen on the past part and thought the story could have benefited from incorporating the information some other way. I may be in the minority on this thought, but it did distract me quite a bit during my reading.

If you’ve read Austenland and enjoyed it, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with Midnight in Austenland. It offers much the same in terms of Hale’s writing. If you are a big fan of Regency, you’ll get a kick out of the role-playing in the book. Reading about novices trying to fit in (and doing a poor job of it) to the life of an early 19^th century household is quite humorous in that respect. 

The thoughts expressed in this post are solely based on my personal opinion and have not been influenced by any other entity or being. Use of my statements may not be reproduced without permission from me, the author of Fall In Love With Books.

Wishing you a....

HR Review: The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen

Love her dress!

The Rogue Pirate’s Bride (The Sons of the Revolution, #3)

Author: Shana Galen - WEBSITE
ISBN-13: 978-1402265556
Publication Date: February, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Book Length:  384 pages
Acquired by Me:  NetGalley

Description Courtesy of Goodreads:

“Passionate, action-packed Regency romance by RT Reviewer’s Choice award-winning author Shana Galen features the swashbuckling Sebastien Harcourt, marquis de Valere, and the nautical genius heroine destined to best him. After escaping France on a privateer’s ship, Sebastian becomes the notorious privateer Captain Cutlass. His reputation as a rogue precedes him and he’s undefeated in battle, until he crosses swords with the beautiful daughter of a British admiral. Raeven Russell is out for revenge, but now she’s not so sure she wants the dashing captain to change his wicked ways.”

From Amazon:

“REVENGE SHOULD BE SWEET, BUT IT MAY COST HIM EVERYTHING

Out to avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly out of his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who is out for his blood...

FORGIVENESS IS UNTHINKABLE BUT IT MAY BE HER ONLY HOPE...

British Admiral's daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancé's death. But once the fiery beauty crosses swords with Bastien, she's not so sure she really wants him to change his wicked ways...”

My Thoughts:

The Rogue Pirate’s Bride is one of those must read stories!!  Shana Galen outdoes herself with this swashbuckling, Pirate….ahem…er, Privateer tale.

The Heroine:  Raeven, the Admiral’s daughter who is way too sassy and smart for her own good. I don’t think she really even knows what fear is. She is one of those gals who just jumps right in…and takes whatever comes. The first time Raeven meets Sebastien, well – she’s trying to kill him. Not too successful or evenly matched in that venture, but hey – revenge rules her heart at the moment. He killed her fiancé, the love of her life – or so she thought at the time.

The Hero:  Sebastien is all that is yummy -- a total bad boy who becomes a sucker for a smart, pretty girl. He has his own past demons to reconcile with, which includes his plan of revenge against the man who murdered his father figure. Raeven’s appearance throws causes Sebastien’s plans to go slightly awry.  Enter his attack of conscience that comes and goes like the tide. Raeven is trouble for him, especially if her father can get his hands on him – but, as much as he’d like to escape her at times, fate keeps throwing the two of them together.

The Story:  Galen masters the dynamic relationship between Raeven and Sebastien. Their chemistry is off the charts and the scrapes they find themselves in are almost hysterical at times. Such luck these two have! You just know they are perfect for one another. What other man could handle such a strong woman? Raeven is reckless, but undaunted. Sebastien is ruthless, but gentle. They are one another’s undoing.

I’m not a huge fan of nautical stories, but Galen completely won me over in The Rogue Pirate’s Bride. I could envision the ships, crews, and fighting so well! Her details are meticulous and her research is thorough. She’s spot on with this plot. My only regret is that I hadn’t already read the first two novels in The Sons of the Revolution series. Mind you, The Rogue Pirate’s Bride can be read as a standalone book, but the ending obviously ties back to the previous stories and their heroes. I’ve already made a note to go back and grab those books when times allows for it.  

If you loved Pirates of the Caribbean (which is what came to my mind when I read this book), then you’ll appreciate the humor and wit that went into the creation of The Rogue Pirates Bride…although Sebastien takes great pains to explain that he is a Privateer…not a Pirate!!  Mm, hmm…heard that before…

 I wholeheartedly recommend this book to Historical Romance fans. You will not be disappointed with this book!!

The thoughts expressed in this post are solely based on my personal opinion and have not been influenced by any other entity or being. Use of my statements may not be reproduced without permission from me, the author of Fall In Love With Books.

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HR Review: Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel by Samantha Grace

Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel (Beau Monde, #1)

Author: Samantha Grace -  WEBSITE
ISBN-13: 978-1402258312
Publication Date: February, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Book Length:  416 pages
Acquired by Me:  NetGalley

Description Courtesy of Goodreads:

“Debonair bachelor Lord Andrew Forest lives for pleasure and offers no apologies. But he receives a dose of his own medicine when his family's entrancing houseguest beds him, then disappears without so much as a by-your-leave. He'd like to teach the little vixen a thing or two about how to love and man...if he can find her.

And she won't settle for heartbreak...

After the dashing man of her dreams is revealed as a lying scoundrel, heiress Lana Hilary is ready to seek a match with a respectable gentleman—if only they weren't so dreadfully boring. Unable to rein in her bold nature for long, Lana flirts with trouble and finds herself entangled with exactly the type of man she's vowed to avoid.”

My Thoughts:

From the start, I have to say that the title for this book is pretty catchy: Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel.  How fun is that?!?!  I liked this book – wasn’t bowled over by it, but found it a pleasant read. Inside these covers, you’ll find a bit of humor, a traditional rake in need of reformation, an evil villain, a kidnapping, a rescue to save the day, and a Happily Ever After.

Lana and Andrew have good chemistry. She’s typical of the heroines we are seeing more of these days: a Regency woman with a Modern attitude. Samantha Grace has given her gumption and strength in order to know her own mind and what she wants. No simpering Miss here!  Lord Forest is also reminiscent of the new breed of Hero. He’s not the typical broody type. Of course, he has his flaws, but he feels imminently approachable and likable. I liked seeing these two get together in the end.

The only drawback is perhaps Grace carried out their hang-ups and insecurities a little too long. At some point, we want them to get over it; however, the evil villain piece did help to break this up.

As I write these thoughts, I have already read the second story, to be released in June, in the Beau Monde series: Miss Amelia’s Mess and a Half. In Miss Amelia, we get to pick up with Jake & Amelia, both of whom were introduced in Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel. Miss Amelia is the widow Andrew breaks up with just prior to catching Lana as she falls out of a tree. What a fantastic introduction between those two!! (I especially loved that part of the story.) Jake is Lana’s brother and champion against Andrew, which makes complete sense given he’s carrying a torch for Amelia. After finishing Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel, you just knew that Jake and Amelia were begging for their own HEA. I’m so glad Samantha Grace took the time to give it to them. Even better – Lana and Andrew make a few appearances. It always makes me happy to see old characters pop up. I love to see how married life treats them.

To wrap this up, I give my thumbs up recommendation to give Samantha Grace a try. I think Regency readers will find her a pleasant writer.

The thoughts expressed in this post are solely based on my personal opinion and have not been influenced by any other entity or being. Use of my statements may not be reproduced without permission from me, the author of Fall In Love With Books.

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