The Mermaid and the Treasure of the Bay
by A. Algeri
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
Journey back to a historical time, Pirate lore, regency romance, rules of court and proper society. Brinn Fairchild hates it all, she doesn't want to be presented at court, attend balls, and act like she doesn't have a brain. Of course her mother doesn't agree, but then again her mother has been hiding some secrets of her own. The Mermaid and the treasure of the Bay is the story of the summer that the Fairchild family comes back to their small oceanside village of Nyar Kaad. For her mother and sister, this is just a sort visit, but for Brinn, this is her last chance to find a way to stay. To convince her mother that she doesn't belong in Adaria. Maybe the legend of the pirate captain John Tharaid, who is credited with founding the area, and said to have buried a huge treasure in the bay, is just what she needs. Author A. Algeri blends historical and fantasy together into a story full of secrets, mystery and discovery.
The Mermaid and the Treasure of the Bay is a complex story of a historical time period, yet set in a total fantasy setting, with secrets and mystery, proper society and rebellion. It is so well written and engaging, you just keep reading until you finish. Author A. Algeri does a wonderful job balancing the different dynamics of the various genres. Also another layer in this story is the interaction between Brinn and her mother, Brinn wants to embrace life and intelligence, living for herself and her mother is all about reputation and society, following the proper lines and living above reproach, distancing herself from history. Its an amazingly complex story in so many different ways.
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Lost Soul (War of Destiny) Volume 1
by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 4.3 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite
Julia was not always a Lost Soul, she was once the daughter of a wealthy man about town in a time when daughters were nothing more than property to be bartered off to the highest bidder in marriage. Julia begins the story telling us that she is going to write down her history to hopefully rid herself of her nightmares, and given some of the things she experiences, if all she has are nightmares she is lucky. Julia begins her life naive and thinking that she is worth something, only to be crushed by her father and husband. Luckily someone is watching out for her and she begins her life as a vampire. Author Theresa Van Spankeren gives the vampire community progressive ideals for the time period, the believe women are equal to men and not just property. Throughout her life Julia learns more with the vampires than she ever would have in her worldly life.
Lost Soul (War of Destiny) (Volume 1) begins Julia's story and sets the stage for a saga to be set forth in the vampire community. There is a war brewing, to live among the humans and befriend them or to use them only as food and kill them. Theresa Van Spankeren gives the reader a look into the world throughout different time periods with the history of different vampires, yet at the same time they all are very progressive in their thoughts, or at least the band that Julia belongs to. The reader is easily able to identify with them and feel for them, wanting them to succeed in their endeavors to bring about change and equalities. It is a great read for adults or older more mature teens.
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Aizai the Forgotten: The Soul Wanderers, Book 1
by Mary-Jean Harris
My rating: 4.4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite
As a young man, Wolfdon has spent years reading everything he could get his hands on, especially anything that might mention something about a forgotten place named Aizai. Finally he has found a book, but before he can uncover the secrets wax is spilled and he decides to venture out anyway. Wolfdon's journey to Aizai and what he learns there about himself and life is the basis for the story Aizai The Forgotten: The Soul Wanderers, Book 1. Author +Mary-Jean Harris gives the reader a wonderful mix of a coming of age, fantasy story about a place in another dimension, or another time. What makes this story so fabulously different is that the whole of the story is originally set in the historical past of the 1700's! The idea that anyone at that time period was thinking about convergences and portals to another dimension makes the story that much more intriguing.
Aizai The Forgotten is another land, another time, possibly the future, or another dimension depending on how you interrupt the story. Wolfdon is the main character and he is someone that you can easily like and get behind. Someone alone in the world, yet he finds a purpose in looking for Aizai and a place in Aizai. He also finds a purpose in Aizai. Author Mary-Jean Harris has written a wonderful story that is great for all ages of readers. There is no sex, no major violence, there is a fight but it's not depicted in violence so it would be good for even young kids to read. I found the book encouraging for readers and think there are many pluses in the story!
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The Key: A Taylor and Alan Adventure (Volume 2)
by Jackie Mae and Alison Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
Siblings, Taylor and Alan are your typical kids for the most part. They do the same things as most kids their age except for one thing, they have been swept away on strange adventures. Today their only focus is to attend the opening of the new movie theater and see their favorite movie sequel, but that is to be delayed when they are swept away to an adventure in the past. The Key: A Taylor and Alan Adventure (Volume 2) is that adventure in the Land of Baltimore in the time of the Women's Suffrage Movement. Taylor and Alan are tasked with finding and protecting a key for a terrible wizard. Jackie Mae and Alison Taylor combine to write a tale of adventure and history that delights the reader.
The Key in set during the time of the Women's Suffrage Movement, and so there are historical facts about that movement and people involved in it that are included in the story, as well as historical facts about the Land of Baltimore and the residents of the area and time period, such as baseball player Wee Willie, and author Edgar Allan Poe. Jackie Mae and Alison Taylor do a wonderful job of combining a compelling story with historical facts making the book something enjoyable and educational for children of all ages. The reading level may be listed as 4th thru 6th grade, but it you have an advanced reader, you will probably want to introduce the book a loot sooner.
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Lady Star
The Sir Edward Series, Book Two
by Claudy Conn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Lady Star and her brother Vern are about to lose the family estate of Berkley Grange due to their father's gambling and now Vern's poor choice's in trying to rectify the finances.
Sir Edward has been dumped by Lady Babs, and after running into Jules at the Mermaid Inn has decided to stay on in the country to heal his "broken" heart. Jules fancies himself in love with Lady Star, while Lady Star's best friend, Lady Georgina is in love with Jules. Oh what a wondrous web.
This is a cute historical romance. Nothing in it that you probably couldn't guess at this point given just the above information. That's not to say it is not a book worth reading, because if you are looking for a historical romance it is a good one. It just fits the general pattern of all the rest of the others out there, almost down to the letter. There is nothing new or innovative about it.
Give it a general 3 stars. If you need an average historical romance, it fits the bill. If you are looking for something different, keep moving.
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To Tempt An Angel
The Douglas Trilogy, Book One
by Patricia Grasso
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Angelica may cheat at cards and dice, but she still tries to hold herself as a lady. It's not her fault that her family is in ruins and that she must tempt fate to support them. Robert, on the other hand may be her undoing. He is handsome and charming and she is mesmerized by him, but who is he really, and can he really help her.
As historical romance unfolds you will find that everything is not always as it appears. The people you thought did you wrong, may not have had anything to do with it at all, and the people you thought might have done something to you might have just been victims.
This is a sweet and fun romance, with the notice that it is the first in a series, so I would expect the next books to follow the younger sisters of Angelica, which would be nice. Especially if we get to check in on this family every now and again too.
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Ancasta ~ Guide me Swiftly Home
The Riduna Series, 2
by Diana Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite
Ancasta is the continuation of the family saga that began in Riduna. Harriet is now a widow with four grown children. Edward is still traveling the seas enjoying his freedom. As the world starts to change and a war looms and progress, follow the former childhood friends and sweethearts as they deal with the ravages and realities of war in England. No one is untouched by the war, as Harriet will watch her twin sons both volunteer for service along with her daughter's husband. It will also be a time to reunite with old friends, Jane, that she had lost touch with who will become the steady rock of a friend that Harriet leaned on before she had Joe, and now with Joe gone, Jane will again become that rock. Diana Jackson doesn't pull any pushes with the tragidies and realities of the war and what it was like, still that does not diminish the glow of the story of a family once again facing the idea that dreams change and live goes on.
First Riduna and then Ancasta, these two books follow Harriet and Edward, who always thought their path in life would be together, but the realities of life was that it was not to be, finally in their retirement years are they able to realize that it wasn't them who changed but the world around them and the things than happened to them to make the dreams change. Diana Jackson weaves a story that is real and true and makes you feel that you are right there living it. It is a wonderful mix of the romance and realities of life with some of the technology advances of the historical time period of the novel. It is defintely a novel of moving on and never giving up, any reader will enjoy.
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Riduna
The Riduna Series, 1
by Diana Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
Harriet always thought she had her simple life planned out. She would grow up on Riduna, marry and raise a family never leaving her tiny island home. Sometimes dreams aren't enough to face the realities of life, and the harsh realities of life can change even the best of dreams. Edward grwe up next door to Harriet and he had always dreamed of traveling, going to sea and adventuring but he always thought he would come back to the safe port of home in Riduna, and Harriet. When tragedies occur and Edward is far at sea and nowhere to be the rock that Harriet needs, his cousin Joe becomes her rock and protector. Riduna follows these three people through life and the developments of the world and war and all the changes that occur to change all of their dreams. Diana Jackson does a wonderful job of giving a family saga that touches your heart with love and heartache. You become involved in the family and want to know more and want to see what occurs.
Riduna is such a small island, but among the friends we met in the beginng, some can't wait to leave, some can never see leaving, and some who never planned to leave find things that they have no control over can change even the best of plans. Diana Jackson is a great writer and develops a wonderful story that has you feeling part of the lives of these people. You can almost imagine yourself on the island of Riduna right in their lives. There are historical events that truly occured mixed into the story that makes it feel even more real, and like this could really be someone's actual life. This is a great book, the first of two book in the series, and would be a wonderful read for anyone of interest.
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An Untitled Lady
by Nicky Penttila
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
An Untitled Lady takes a real life political event, the Peterloo Massacre, and gives it life and voice in the form of fictional characters. Madeline has grown up alone, but her godfather has been grooming her to be his son's bride. Too bad he forgot to tell his son about this development. When Madeline arrives at Shaftsbury, nothing is what she was lead to believe it would be and her world is turned upside down. The younger brother of the Earl of Shaftsbury marries Madeline, and as he is a merchant takes her to town. The plight of workers and the factory owners becomes the main focus as +Nicky Penttila tells the story leading up to what would be later called the Peterloo Massacre when the workers rose up in passive protest to the treatment by the factory owners. As Nash and Madeline strive to learn to live together, they are in the middle of the arguments, he as a factory owner but one who understands the workers. Madeline is pulled in as she searches for her family of birth.
An Untitled Lady may take place in 1819, but the ideals are progressive, and as we watch Nash and Madeline together, we see them learning that the rules of the past will not fit the new order of the world. Nash is a merchant, but he is more understanding to his workers and wants a peaceful resolution. Madeline is drug into the conflict as she search for her birth family, only to find them high in the reform movement. Does she follow her family of birth or the rules she was raised under? Throw in an evil Uncle that has clouded Madeline's judgment and you find a wonderful story of the time period. +Nicky Penttila mixes history and fiction to give life to a moment in time that deserves more understanding.
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A Voice to Be Heard
by Dell Brand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite
Travel back to the 1800's to a time when society was ruled by men, and women were window dressing. A Voice to be Heard starts with a young girl, Florence who is well educated, which is not common for that era. Yet she is seduced and becomes pregnant by the Lord of the house's son, only to be held in high regard by the Lord, who takes care of her and her twin daughters for the rest of his life. Within days, grandfather is killed in a freak carriage accident and mother dies after and run-in with her seducer. The twins go to their grandfather's lawyer with a plan, he having heard all about the intelligence and education that grandfather and mother imparted on them. The lawyer is more than happy to help and sets plans into action, within a month the girls are on a boat to Australia. Despite all society conventions,the girls proceed on their own, and buy a house, build another, turn the first into a hotel, and thus an empire is created. Along the way, each twin runs into problems with men. Joey falls for a married man, has his child, but never tells him about it and lets Maddy raise her as her own. Maddy marries a thug who hides his true intentions from her until after their marriage. He drains their bank account and beats up Maddy, only to later try to rape Joey and get knocked over the head and killed. Happier times and sadder times follow, just as in life. Dell Brand does a wonderful job making you feel like you are really living in Melbourne in the 1840's.
A Voice to be Heard is an inspirational read to any woman, allowing them to realize that they can accomplish whatever they want, no matter what society says. It won't be easy, there will be hurdles and bad times, but good times too, you just have to stay focused. Dell Brand cover a long period of time, from the early 1800's when Florence is young, to the 1850's after the death of Thomas, the twins father. It's truly a family saga, although it does skip huge parts of time, which of course you would have to, to cover the length of time it does. I enjoyed Joey's drive to be held under no ones thumb, to be her own person and to build this empire for her family. Maddy is more the romantic of the two and craves marriage and children. Yet for all Joey's strength, one man can still bring her crumbling, her first and only love. She never stops loving him. Overall the family saga, historical nature of the story first drew me in, but the characters kept me there until the end. It had me wishing I could have been there, almost. I couldn't handle the fashion!
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Orphan of the Olive Tree
by Mirella Sichirollo Patzer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed by Michelle Randall for +Reader's Favorite.
Orphan of the Olive Tree is a beautifully crafted story of the life-long friendship of two men, sent to war and yet brought safely home. The are best friends, live next door, and because of the war make a blood oath to marry their firstborns to each other. Enrico is married to the sweet and honest Felica, and they have twin boys. Carlo is married to the ever envious Prudenza, who can not stand to let someone else enjoy their happiness, and on the day of the birth of the boys spread a cold-hearted lie. As with all lies, they tend to come back to haunt you, and when in the next year Prudenza herself gives birth to twins, she refuses to admit her lie and instead sends one child away never to be talked about. +Mirella Sichirollo Patzer knows that lies and fate have a way of deciding for themselves what should happen, and you are not in control, and Prudenza slowly finds out.
Orphan of the Olive Tree is so well written and flows so beautifully that you really have a hard time putting it down. You always want to know whats next. +Mirella Sichirollo Patzer weaves an amazing story of friendship and bonds, of rivalry and envy, of love and betrayal so effortlessly together. Some of the drama comes from superstitions of the 13th century, but most is just the down right evil of one person, who wants their own way. As you follow along you begin to develop a relationship with the characters and get to know them and you know what you want to happen, and you get mad when things are not going that way. I will have to say that anyone that loves a good family saga will love this story, not only that by the Spanish influence and the romance and the betrayal. It is just a perfect read.
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Winter Solstice Winter
by E.J. Squires
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite
Take a trip with me, back to the year of 1007, to the Northern reaches of Europe. The Nordic lands, the lands of snow and Vikings. Can you imagine the snow and cliffs, the cold, grey stone that builds the castles and keeps, the long houses with grey smoke coming out all the time to keep the people warm. Yes, this is where our story begins.
Winter Solstice Winter begins in the village, with just a normal village family and normal village life, except their daughter is having mare’s at night. Dreams that seem so real, almost as if it were memories of another life. We watch as Aillia and her family deal with those has other happenings occur in the area.
At the castle, the Queen although advanced in age and with a 17 year old daughter, is once again pregnant, hopefully with a son for the King, but all is not going well, and she passes away during childbirth along with the babe. Her daughter Lucia, is lost, having no idea how to manage life without her mother, but unbeknownst to her, life is about to change in more ways than she can ever imagine.
As the story progresses and we follow these two women, both born on the Winter Solstice Eve, we learn the history of the area and the legends that are guiding the events and shaping what is occurring. Much to the +Evelyn Squires credit, the back history is told in conversations between character’s, so it fits into the storyline perfectly and makes sense. It’s not just some aside that takes you back and fills you in on the history. It belongs where it is, and since it unfolds in conversations, you get small bits and pieces at a time, so it is almost like unwrapping a puzzle.
The characters; Aillia, Lucia, and just to make it interesting a love interest for both girls, Soren; are well thought out and easy to get to know. I related to them and understood them. Of course at times I thought Lucia was a spoiled, rich-kid brat, but then again that really is what she is. The weaving of the characters, past and present into the story just makes it feel more like a tale you have heard over and over, not a book you are reading for the first time.
Although the book ends, leaving you on a bit of a cliff wanting to know more, and having to wait for the next book to come out; it does end at a very logical place. It is a natural break in the storyline that fits well with transitioning to another book. I applaud the author for that as well, because not many authors can do that, some leave you on a huge cliff and this was more a natural cliff. Yes I am waiting for the next book, but I feel good about where the characters are at while I wait.
If you are at all interested in historical fiction, viking lore, Nordic lore and the such this is a great book for you. Even if you aren’t that impressed with that, I think you would still enjoy this book just on the richness of the story itself. The writing and weaving of the story is genuine and truly the work of a great author.
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Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book One)
by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Clockwork Angel is the first book in the Infernal Devices series, which is a precursor to the Mortal Instruments series. This book and series is set in London area in the late 1800's. All your favorite character types from the Mortal Instruments are there, werewolves and vampires, demons and shadowhunters, it is just more the beginnings. You will also recognize some familiar last names.
Clockwork Angel revolves around a young girl named Tessa, who has always though she was a normal (mundane) girl and never imagined anything more to life, until her Aunt dies and she moves to London to be with her brother, only all is not what it seems. Tessa is more than what she thought, and someone knows more about her than she does, and they have plans to use her.
Welcome to the London Institute, where young James Carstairs or Jem and William Herondale or Will are living and training to be Shadowhunters. They follow a trail that leads them to unknowingly to young Miss Tessa, and she has to decide if they are worth trusting after all she has been through. And is she willing to help them save the world.
If you have already read the Mortal Instruments series, you will see some similarities in some of the characters. If you haven't then have no fear, you will still enjoy this book. The layers of story that weave throughout are wonderful, it is not all on the top, but there are under currents upon under currents of stories in the book.
I personally enjoyed the first three books of the Mortal Instruments, which is why i started reading this series, and i find that I like the characters, was glad to see Magnus Bane in this book as well, and find that the struggles are the same this century and last.
I almost find myself enjoying this series a little more than the Mortal Instruments, and maybe that is the time period, i have always had a thing for historical books.
Book Two: Clockwork Prince Review Lin
Book Three: Clockwork Princess Review Link
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The Devil's Necklace
by: Kat Martin
This is the second book in the Necklace Trilogy by Kat Martin, but that does not mean that you actually have to read them in order. The Bride's Necklace is the first book, and I reviewed that one a little bit back, I also posted a list of the books in order in the trilogy. I finished this book, and I have to say I enjoyed it as much as the first one.This book revolves around the story of Ethan and Grace. Now we were briefly introduced to Ethan and Grace in the first book, but little of either one of them was really explored in the first book, we learned of their respective connections to the characters of the first book, Cord and Tory. This book could stand on it's own in the story. If you read this book first, you would not be at a loss to follow the story, although after finally meeting Cord and Tory in the later parts of this book, you would probably want to go back an read the first book to find their story.The legend of the necklace is once again retold, so you are not missing that and the development of the characters together and each one is wonderful. The twists and turns in their lives are wonderfully woven and it is a believable tale in the way things happen.Once again, as with the first book, I felt their story was fully told, I was not left wanting more information and I was unaware until the moment in the last page, who would be the holder of the necklace in the next book, and how the final book would center around.This has been a wonderful trilogy to read, and I have developed a fondness for the author. I am now thinking about looking into more books by this author and seeing what more she has to offer. The other thing I really enjoyed in this book and the first was the time setting, it is set in 1805, give or take a year or two depending on parts of what is being told. I love that era and the romance and splendor of it all in the dress and parties, or at least that is the way they feel when reading about it, so I look forward to more in this era.
The Bride's Necklace
by: Kat Martin
The Bride's Necklace is the first in a trilogy, set in England in 1804, it is a historical romance, but tastefully done. The main characters are Victoria and her sister Claire, their stepfather, the Baron and Cord. Everything seems to revolve around them, but with some smaller, bit parts to others, that sometimes play a larger role for a few pages then drift off again. The development of the characters and the relationships between them are explored and I loved watching them grow. Each person, although never out-right said, is scared by the past, by the actions of parents or friends, and it colors their judgements in the current relationships, which brings troubles, once the old wounds are exposed and laid to rest, the relationships blossom.The historical setting, the 1800's when England and France are at war, was wonderful, more is made of the war line, as the sailing of ships is a sub-line in the story, but not much about the time period is really delved into in any great detail. It makes for a classic story that fits no matter the time reference.
This is the first book by this author that I read, and I really enjoyed it. She kept me interested in that I started and finished the book last night after dinner. I liked how, knowing that this was part of a trilogy, I could not surmise anything about the next book, until the last page or two of this book! I had no clue how it would continue until that point, which was really nice, it meant that the main characters had their stories told to a good ending point. I didn't feel cut off, that I would have to wait for the next book to find the end to the story line of someone, only that the next book might give small insides into the future, but that all was well with the characters and I didn't need to revisit them.
Author: Kat Martin
The Necklace Trilogy
1. The Bride's Necklace 1/2005
My review
Author's site
2. The Devil's Necklace 8/2005
My review
Author's site
3. The Handmadien's Necklace 1/2006
Author's site
Paranormal Series
1. Scent of Roses 7/2006
Author's site
2. The Summit 7/2007
Author's site
3. Season of Strangers 6/2008
Author's Site
The Heart Trilogy
1. Heart of Courage 1/2009
Author's site
2. Heart of Fire 1/2008
Author's Site
3. Heart of Honor 1/2007
Author's site
The Bride Trilogy
1. Royal Bride 9/2009
Author's site
2. Reece's Bride 1/2010
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3. Rule's Bride 5/2010
Author's site
The AGAINST Series
1. Against the Wind 1/2011
Author's Site
2. Against the Fire 2/2011
Author's Site
3. Against the Law 3/2011
Author's Site
4. Against the Storm 11/2011
Author's Site
5. Against the Night 3/2012
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6. Against the Sun 6/2012
The Sinclair Sister's Trilogy
1. Midnight Sun 5/2003
Author's site
2. Desert Heat 5/2004
Author's site
3. Deep Blue 4/2005
Author's Site
Historical Trilogy
1. Heartless 5/2001
Author's site
2. The Fire Inside 2/2002
Author's site
3. Fanning the Flame 8/2002
Author's site
Paranormal Series
1. The Silent Rose 8/1999
Author's site
2. The Dream 4/2000
Author's site
3. The Secret 3/2001
Author's site
