Highland Surrender

Audiobook on Audible

Purchase during a $5 summer sale

I cannot get enough of highlanders. I'm sure many of you could agree. 

Two feuding clans make a deal to marry their children to one another. Like any good book there is miscommunication  that causes so many issues. Both of Fiona's parents have passed and her brother is now the leader of the clan. They make her marry Myles against her will. 

While she is newly married and causing all sorts of anguish for her husband she is not aware that her brother has another plan. Soon she will have to make a decision that will determine not only her family's fate but of her own fate. 

The narrator did good job. I will say that the difference between difference female voices sounded the same. Same thing when multiple males were talking it was hard to tell who was who. It would have been even better had their been and male and female narrator. 

 

An English Bride in Scotland

Audiobook on Audible

Purchase during a summer $5 sale. 

Let's be real. If you like highlanders then you'll love this book. It even gives off a bit of Cinderella vibes, in my opinion. Two sister born. The eldest is staying home to learn to run the household while the youngest isn't needed and is sent to a convent to train to become a nun. A long family contract states his eldest daughter is to marry the highlander son. 

Like any good book things never seems to go as planned. The eldest sister runs off with the stable boy so the parents run to collect the youngest daughter and present her in place. Deceit on the part of her parents right away. 

As she travels with her new husband and tries to get used to this new life a mysterious man is constantly trying to get her. The girl has had so many hits to the head I'm not sure how she manages to walk around. 

There is romance and an evil plot at play. It amazes me the twists and turns held within the pages. Definitely worth the read or listen! The narrator did a fantastic job with the parts and accents. I would listen to her read again. 

 

The Full Blood Series- Book 1: Protector

 Audiobook on Audible. 

Recently Audible had a $5 sale so I am always looking for new books to read when they offer such deals. I really enjoy these sales and I tend to buy books from authors I have never heard of and find new favorites, without feeling like I broke the bank. 

First off, this is a reverse harem book. So if that is not something you like, then you may not want to read any further. Personally, I do not mind it one bit. Don't get me wrong there are some that are so raunchy that I cringe but I am glad to say that did not happen with book 1. 

Another appealing aspect of this listen was that there was a female and male narrator. Sometimes having both makes the book that much better and I do tend to buy those that offer this feature. Both narrators did a wonderful job. 

The beginning of the book was kind of boring. I was at first like, what did I just buy. However, a few more chapters in I realize it was background of her past as a little girl living with her grandma. You will hear several times how this information plays into the storyline so even if it doesn't sound too interesting be sure to pay attention. 

The plot was intriguing. She goes to school to become a protector of witches. She is extremely devoted to those whom she considers friends. She is a true badass ready to save the day. At school it seemed that she was always holding back for fear of getting in trouble. When she leaves the school to visit the four kings she does not hold back anymore. With her friend in danger she will do whatever she must to protect her with no fear of getting hurt herself. 

Add in the four sexy kings, the ghost child and a kidnapping and you've got yourself a kick ass book. I do plan to read the rest of the series. 

Not your typical Jewel

 

Audiobook from Audible

Purchase during a $5 sale

This is book one in a series. I can say that I am interested in reading the next book to see what happens. 

The Jewel is not a diamond but rather a place for the royal and wealthy. At some point in history royal women had issues with conception. It was found that girls from lower areas could serve as surrogates to bring the child into the world and then those surrogates can live a peaceful life elsewhere. 

These surrogates are chosen based on a blood test. Violet was taken when she was twelve. The only good thing is that her family gets support for her sacrifice. Her name is that of her eye color. These surrogates are trained for years and then taken to auction where the wealthy bid on them. They are sold as slaves but not in the sense of working as much as giving birth. 

When Violet meets the Duchess she's slapped right away. She's letting her know that she is in charge and if Violet gets out of line she will be punished. The interesting thing about these surrogates is that they seem to have powers. Part of the doctor's tests are to have her grow plants with a touch. The Duchess wants her to birth a girl and for it to be the fastest birth in history. She wants Violet to grow the baby at an accelerated rate at one month per trimester. This way a baby girl will be ready in three months time and she can promise her daughter to the kings son. 

In this world of royalty they are only allowed to have one son and one daughter. The Duchess already has a grown son who is rather unruly that even she has a hard time finding a family willing to let their daughter marry him. 

Violet wants out of this world. More so when she sees her friends changing and becoming pregnant but losing who they are. Violet finds that she has help in unexpected places. 

The narrator's voice was clear for both female and male characters. I am defiantly now drawn in to move to the next book in the series.   

This is not Better Homes and Garden....Just Saying

 Audiobook on Audible

Purchased during $5 sale

Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper

Narrated by Amanda Ronconi

Let me start by saying the title caught my eye. I automatically thought of Better Homes and Gardens. I love the play on words for this book. Second, I love a good paranormal book so it being about a haunting made it even more desirable in my view. 

I was not sure what to expect, except a haunting, when I began reading (or listening) to this book. It actually went a little historical romance on me which was fine. I enjoyed the plot of the old family mansion. The idea of secret passageways, forbidden love, and a murder mystery all wrapped into one. 

For anyone who has every seen Stephen King's Rose Red, you will feel the connection. The author was able to build up the haunted house scenes and secret rooms nicely. Don't get me wrong, it is no where near as scary as Rose Red but certainly a different take on it. At least that is what it reminded me of. For a clean quick read this is a nice book and was very enjoyable. 

Now the narrator did do good but no fabulous. Her voice is pleasant and isn't raspy or airy. Lord knows I cannot stand a narrator that you can hear suck in a breath every two seconds while reading. My only conflict was with the other characters voices. I think this would have been even better had they used a female and male narrator for the characters. At times, I found it difficult to know who was speaking as the voices were not clearly different. 

Godly Love

 

Audiobook on Audible. 

Purchased during $5 sale. 

Accidentally in love with...a god? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Narrated by Helen Wick

I can honestly say this is nothing like I thought it was going to be. I imagined a big, sexy, god coming onto the scene and falling in love. Oh no. It is a completely different take on falling in love with a god. I really never knew what was going to happen next because it was not your typical storyline.

 It goes into a families' past and humans are not the only ones with family. If you think human family feuds are rough just imagine godly family feuds. There is action and mystery and it certainly worth the listen or read. 

Helen Wick did pretty good narrating the book. I did like how she was able to give the gods a bit of an accent as if she was from another time.

The Shadow Wand book 3 in The Black Witch Chronicles

You always worry that when you begin a series that is so good, it may disappoint down the line. I just finished book 3 of this series and let me say... this is amazing!

Mage Elloren Gardner realizes at this point she has powers. Now she has to learn how to use what has been hidden from her all these years. What others have spent years trying to grow she has to learn and grow in a short time.

Everyone's biggest fear in all the realms is that the new Black Witch will be like the one before. Evil and wanting to destroy everyone that is not the same race as them. Those who should be helping Elloren, as they are on the same side, are also trying to kill her out of fear of the past. Because of this, Elloren finds she must go back to Lukas and ask for his protection. Considering how they left things prior, she is not sure if he will be willing.

More laughs, loss, and twists are in book 3. It does not disappoint. The narrator once again does a fabulous job voicing all of the characters in this third installment. Book 4 does not come out until December! I have no idea how I am going to last so long waiting to see what happens next.

 

Love Triangles are the Best!

 Audiobook from Audible. Purchased for 1 credit. 

The Iron Flower by Laurie Forest. 

If you haven't read The Black Witch you are going to want to stop reading this now and go to that posting or get the book. The Iron Flower is book 2 in this series. Our dear Mage Gardner finds herself in more trouble as the politics and world leaders change. Along with those changes are horrible laws put into place to hurt the other species.

 Her Aunt is still bound determined that she will fast to Lucas. Mage Gardner even considers it herself at times because she feels her magic, that she cannot use, stir when he's around. Her magic even makes his more powerful for a time after they kiss. Lucas is moving up in the military which goes against everything she believes in when her friends start getting hurt. 

Oh but the kitchen boy who has always given her dirty looks from day one is starting to look at her differently. Could that be compassion instead of hate? As war breaks out they find themselves getting closer to one another. However, he's hiding something. She just hasn't been able to figure out what. I'm pretty sure she's falling in love with him but will the secret he's keeping make that impossible? 

A great book and for a sequel it did no disappoint. I feel that book 2 picked up where book one left off. There was over 18 hours of reading content. It is not a short read  and was well worth the credit I paid to purchase. Luckily there is a book 3 that I now have to get my hands on because I need to know what happens next!

Belle by Cameron Dokey

 Softback book purchased from Thriftbooks.

Belle by Cameron Dokey

I have been a a Beauty and the Beast kick lately so I was very interested in how Belle would be different from the book Beauty seen in my last posting. 

Some aspects are very similar to that of Robin Mckinley's Beauty. However, there are distinct differences that make this worth the read. It is certainly a much different interpretation of our classic fairy tale. 

A father who is a ship merchant and wealthy. A wife and three daughters who could not be more different from one another. Celeste, April and Annabelle. Annabelle is considered the "ugly duckling" of the three. While the eldest two are beautiful and go to all of the balls, Annabelle would prefer to stay home and do woodcarving in the shop with her father. Needless to say the relationship between the mother and Annabelle is rather strained. 

We get to see Annabelle, who has been called Belle since birth, since it means Beauty, and her sisters are beautiful. However, Annabelle realizes at a young age that she cannot live up to the name Belle. This is one aspect of the book I enjoyed. The author was able to show the conflicts families can go through and the effect on the children by having certain expectations that do not reflect who they are. 

Fortunes are lost just as the ships are at sea. They move to the country into a smaller dwelling. In order to get there they have to go through the Wood. You can get to the country in a day if you go straight through or 3 days if you ago around. There is a clear path through so they all follow it on horseback. 

Growing up they were told stories about the Wood. How a monster lived in the Wood. They were also told of a love story from the Wood. How a husband and wife love each other so much a tree sprouted with the most unusual petals. The petals would never wither and die. It was said that the wood could show the face of your true love within it. Annabelle has always been able to take any piece of wood and hold it in her hands and see what is wants to become. However, the tree must choose to give you a branch as it is forbidden to cut it. It's just a story. 

Overtime they get used to their new country living. Word arrives that ship has returned so father sets off to town to see what is left. The girls ask for practical items unlike other versions. A pan and seeds to make their lives there better. They do not seem to want to return to the fancy life they had before. 

After a stormy day father returns looking pale and tired. He has a story to tell. All of the stories that were told as children's tales about the Wood....are true. He tells how he got lost in a storm on his journey home and a magical mansion with iron gates. He saw the tree. He was smart enough not to even attempt to cut the Heartwood. However, the tree dropped a branch right at his feet. As soon as he picked it up he met the Beast. The tree gave the branch willingly so it's not like he was stealing or doing anything wrong. The Beast offer him a way out. All he has to do is look into his eyes for 5 seconds and he's free. If he cannot do so then he must send Belle to him as she is the one who can see within wood. 

Needless to say he could not look at him for 5 seconds. So now Belle has to take the branch and go to him and see what is hidden inside. 

I highly recommend this book. If you are a Beauty and the Beast fan this is a great rendition of the classic fairy tale. 

Beauty by Robin McKinley

 

Hardback Library Bound purchased from Thriftbooks

Beauty: A retelling the the story Beauty and the Beast by Robin Mckinley

If I had to choose a favorite Disney movie I would always choose Beauty and the Beast. I find that I love watching different adaptations of the movies just as I do the books. This version was no exception. 

One of the first differences I could say is that there is more of Beauty's family and background provided. A mother who died from childbirth along with the baby sister. A single father raising three girls all on his own. They want for nothing as their life is grand with the finest possessions. Their father is a ship merchant and as long as the ships arrive back safe the money keeps flowing in. 

Unfortunately, all is lost when the ships do not return. Unusual weather leaves things unknown but the bills keep coming even when the money is not. (Haven't we all heard that before.) At a certain point you have to reassess your life and what is important. In their father's case, it was time to sell everything and move out of town to a small house. It was rather fortunate that one of the men vying for his middle daughter hand is a black smith and is willing to help. 

When you are used to having it all is it a difficult transition to having to do everything yourself. Learning to cook, clean, and garden without previous knowledge. Lifting pales of water and when you have never done so before. Over time their new lives become their new normal. Everything is just fine until word arrives that a ship and finally returned! Eager to see which ship it is, as the eldest daughter wanted to marry one of the ship's captains, and if there is any cargo remaining to pay off their remaining debts and get them back to their lives. Father asks the girls what they would like from the city if money permits. The eldest two want dresses and jewels while Beauty simply asks for a Rose to plant roses around the house. 

Time passes and father returns home gripping a red rose and looking like he's in shock. He has a story to tell and with a deal that has been made. A magical castle and a Beast who was rather upset when he plucked the rose. So now it's either him or one of his daughters. 

If you are a fan of Beauty and the Beast or just a romance fan you will love this book. It shows a real family in crisis and how self reflection can change one's perception of the world. 

Intrigued by The Black Witch

 

Audiobook on Audible

This was the 2nd book I bought from audible for the 2 for 1 credit deal. I really went back and forth debating about whether or not to purchase this book because of the reviews. The reviews made it seems less than stellar but the description had me intrigued. I also could not resist reading about a character with the last name Gardner....same as mine. 

Julia Whelan is the narrator for the audible version of this book. She does a nice job with both the male and female characters. At times I forget there is just one person reading. 

First of all, if you like fantasy, paranormal, and mystery this is a great pick! You end up getting a little of everything in this novel. A world of witches, fae, elves and so much more. Some are dreamy and others are what nightmares are made of. 

So back to the title....The Black Witch. Well the original Black Witch is the grandmother to our main character Mage Gardner. While she was always under the impression it was a honor to be in the line of the Black Witch within her race/species, that is not how others view it. When she heads off to the University she is plunged into a world that is very different that what she had ever imagined. 

A level 5 mage is the highest level of power while a level 1 means you have no power. Even though she is the granddaughter of The Black Witch, she is a level 1. There is a prophecy about the next Black Witch coming to power and while she looks just like her grandmother, it's not her. 

A level 5 mage by the name of Lucas is very interested in her. At times when they kiss she sees images and he can feel that she is powerful, although all testing proves otherwise. He is high in the ranks of their military and her Aunt would like nothing more than for her to fast to Lucas. What is fasting? It's not going without food in this book. Instead, it means to promise to marry but you are marked with this promise and it is binded with magic. 

This fasting situation bring in the horrible level 5 female mage believed to be the next Black Witch. She wants to fast with Lucas and everything seems to be headed in that direction until Mage Gardner arrives at the University. This girl is ice cold, and I mean she can control ice and proceeds to torture Gardner at every turn. 

Soon she realizes that everything she has ever been told was a lie. She's learning the hard way but she is learning. Deep down she has a good heart and only wants to help others. 

I know that previous reviews were talking about how much tension and issues are issues with this book. Personally, I do not see it in any negative light. I did not even realize until I got to the end that there are more books in this series. I am rather excited to see where this journey takes her next. 

Choosing Theo by Victoria Aveline

 

Audiobook on Audible

Before now I had never heard of Victoria Aveline. Audible recently has a 2 for 1 sale and I happened upon this novel simply because I recognized the narrator, Stephen Dexter. I am happy to say I was not disappointed. Stephen once again did a fabulous job and is able to change his voice clearly for both male and female characters. I'm hoping that he may be the narrator for the others in this series. 

Choosing Theo is the first nook in The Clecanian series. As I said previously, I had never heard or read a book by Victoria Aveline until now. As with most books I read, I love a good romance. This book was no exception. The storyline was one I had never heard before and found myself captivated from the beginning. 

Imagine living your normal life and suddenly you are kidnapped. However, it is not your usually kidnapping as you are kidnapped and taken to another planet. Oh yeah! When she tries to evade her captors she is found and realizes she's on a whole new world. Jade is on a planet that essentially worships women and marriages are not how we view them on Earth. Plus, women get to choose their man from a line up and they are all sexy. Jade is the first known human to arrive on the planet so she is married off while they investigate who took her. 

Theo is mixed race and is covered in scars so no woman has ever chosen to marry him. However, Jade is taken with him from the beginning. Theo is sure she must be a spy and is bound to prove it. 

This is a must read for those who like romance and fantasy. I cannot wait to read the other books in this series. 

Evelyn Maynard Trilogy- Book 3

 

Audiobook on Audible

After over 44 hours I have finally finished the entire trilogy! The first two books had me hooked but let me tell you about book 3. There was so much action and big events that took place. At this point we know who Evelyn's biological dad is and that he's the reason they were on the run her whole life. He wants to use her light to take powers from one and give them to humans. Within the ranks of the group Alec and Tyler work for there is discourse. Traitors are among them so it is difficult to know whom to trust. There only option? To run. 

Evelyn is being made to go on an adventure she never wanted. Even having to complete death defying stunts just to stay off her father's radar. They could have stay hidden forever but Evelyn knew that the world would get worse with him out there. 

Friends reunited, love lost, and unexpected relationships are all found in book 3. The narrators are the same as the first two novels. Once again, I love the sound effects that the audio provides and it transports the reader further as if we are there with the characters. 

This is a great series that I highly recommend if you like reverse harem, romance, and a bit of political and family strife.