The Janus Affair (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences 2) by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Hello to all,

               Today i will make a short break from the historical romance because it was really too much for me, i still have some reviews to finish and post before the end of this month and others books to read later ( if i'm better tomorrow i will perhaps add one more but my bloodpressure it's telling me a big big STOP at the moment so no reading no computer ( oki i'm already doing an exception) and a long rest).

Anyway to be back on the subject, i wanted a book i was sure to enjoy and my discovery of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series really manages to put me in a good mood so  here comes my review of the second book  called The Janus affair" , now i can't wait to read the short stories ( available in pdf - thanks you!-on smashword) it won't be anytime soon since i don't have the files those 4 files to get the complete anthology book1 and can't buy them now but one day!!!

Until then happy reading^^

Publisher: Harper Voyage

Publication: 2012

Genre: steampunk, romance, suspense
Violence: strong

Language: normal
sex: mild

Public: 18+

Source: Won on A. L. Davroe

Short description from goodread :

Evildoers beware Retribution is at hand, thanks to Britain's best-kept secret agents

Certainly no strangers to peculiar occurrences, agents Wellington Books and Eliza Braun are nonetheless stunned to observe a fellow passenger aboard Britain's latest hypersteam train suddenly vanish in a dazzling bolt of lightning. They soon discover this is not the only such disappearance . . . with each case going inexplicably unexamined by the Crown.

The fate of England is once again in the hands of an ingenious archivist paired with a beautiful, fearless lady of adventure. And though their foe be fiendishly clever, so then is Mr. Books . . . and Miss Braun still has a number of useful and unusual devices hidden beneath her petticoats

My opinion:

        I devoured this book and my! It was even better than the first one, this series goes on my “to buy” list without hesitation and I can’t wait for the next one (one year at least that’s too long!!) This is a great book under all aspect and I loved it so much (thank you Amanda for this discovery, thank you!)

Now I will try to refrain from my super enthusiastic mood to try to explain why I’m so passionate about The Janus Affair. To start: the plot.  I was fascinated, completely immersed in the story and I couldn’t guess what was going to happen at all.  We still have the big plot that started in the first book with the mole, the attempt to destroy the ministry etc, that’s the red line of the series in a way but each book is developed around a specific case that Miss Brauwn and Mister Brooks decided to resolve (or to be more precise Eliza decided and Wellington must tag along^^;;).For once, it’s not Eliza who finds the case but the cases that find her because it’s closely related to her past. When she learnt that she can’t be in charge of the investigation, start the secret part of her secret job after all with secret agents it’s not that surprising.

What I particularly enjoyed was the development in the relation between Eliza and Wellington, it’s doesn’t go too quickly at all but this case being in relation to Eliza’s past Wellington is discovering a part of her he didn’t know existed. He also starts to realize what he is feeling when some competition arises.

From Eliza’s point of view, this unexpected meeting with important figures from her past gives her the opportunity to find a closure with her memories and to understand what she really wants. She is discovering that she likes the liberty a secret job is giving her but even more she loves and trusts her partner. She isn’t the same girl that came in London in exile; she is stronger and more determined.

This look in her past is really interesting and instructing; it helped me to understand her even more. For the first time too Wellington really confide in her and it’s the main step he had to makes to start their relationship on a non platonic level. Still we get information more detailed about his past but we still want more (is his father still alive? Where he is? Etc.)

We also are learning more about the ministry of seven, those children are so cute, funny and more intelligent and realistic that they should at their age. For the first time too they express their opinion on Wellington and about the potential relation between him and Eliza. It would be hard to imagine them in a normal house but at least we learn a bit more about their live past and present in this book. ( I want more of them!!!!!)

The villain start his moves but are we really sure of his reasons and identity?  We will see in the next book because the ending is perfect for this book, we get all the information about the special case, we got our favourite characters in a more heated relation and we get a promise of more adventures. Too good.

Really I love this book and series and I want more. I recommend it wholeheartedly to all readers who loves steampunk book with a lot of adventures, a romance blossoming and great investigations and suspense.

If you get the opportunity, don’t forget that there are short stories you can read while waiting for book 3, available in all formats on smashword (there is a complete anthology book 1 divided in 4parts or all stories separated depending on your preference), for the native English speaker, you can also listen to the free podcast ( the others too but in my case I need the written text too!!!!)

Score:5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge



Phoenix Rising (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences 1) by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Hello everyone^^,

                           The first sunny week of summer has come to an end with again rain, rain and guess what? more rain. Fortunately for me, my reading shedule gave me such a pleasure that i could forget the weather.
To go on on my discovery of Steampunk and thanks to a contest on A.L. Davroe, i've got the opportunity to read Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris...i 'm so glad for it. Even better, i've found that apart of book2 already available, there are also several short stories *__* i want those pdfs as soon as i can *_* but those are available for free in podcasts on the series' official website. Now it's my first time with podcast but i loved the one i tried ( however english not being my native language i still have difficulties with listening comprehension thus the reasons i want the pdf of those stories too^^)

So, today, i will introduce you to this wonderful series and it's first book Phoenix Rising: (be cautious of the sparks and explosive...)

Happy reading

Publisher: Harper Voyage

Publication: 2011

Genre: steampunk, romance, suspense
Violence: strong

Language: normal
sex: Mild ( lot of allusions) 

Public: 18+

Source: Won on A. L. Davroe ( thank you so so much!)

Short description from goodread :

 Evil is most assuredly afoot—and Britain’s fate rests in the hands of an alluring renegade . . . and a librarian.

These are dark days indeed in Victoria’s England. Londoners are vanishing, then reappearing, washing up as corpses on the banks of the Thames, drained of blood and bone. Yet the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences—the Crown’s clandestine organization whose bailiwick is the strange and unsettling—will not allow its agents to investigate. Fearless and exceedingly lovely Eliza D. Braun, however, with her bulletproof corset and a disturbing fondness for dynamite, refuses to let the matter rest . . . and she’s prepared to drag her timorous new partner, Wellington Books, along with her into the perilous fray.

For a malevolent brotherhood is operating in the deepening London shadows, intent upon the enslavement of all Britons. And Books and Braun—he with his encyclopedic brain and she with her remarkable devices—must get to the twisted roots of a most nefarious plot . . . or see England fall to the Phoenix!

My opinion:

          A wonderful example of steampunk! I loved all the gadgets and the investigation parts. The Characters are so fun and they still keep a lot of secrets for the readers and for each others so the series is really promising.

The relation Welly has with his father is strange and makes me so curious. We can guess it wasn’t easy for him to distance himself from this strong figure and part of me would be so delighted to read a meeting with Miss Braun  just to see the reaction of Welly ‘s father.. it could be so fun.

Eliza Braun is crazy in love with dynamite , when asked to choose between back up and black powder she choose the powder and the result is a lot of work for clean up team and for the ones responsible for keeping everything secret. Hard to find logic explanation for so many destructions. Because of her petulant behaviour she is partnered with Wellington in the archives, so far from the field she is accustomed for, however some will have great surprises if they thought it was going to keep her calm.  Proud woman from New Zealand, she will shake the British archivist and every ones that cross her path. 

I absolutely loved all the opera part, really you should read it it ‘s action packed, funny, everything ^^

The other characters aren’t lacking either. The ministry of seven is cute, cunning and so resourceful.

Director Sound is secretive and must have a plan to pick those two agents and put them together. As for the plot, with so many villains part of so many secret society it’s a just a bit difficulty to guess who is who but at least we know we will have a lot of actions. Phoenix society, House of usher ( from whose we know nearly nothing yet) and Lord Sussex scheming plot… while this book has a proper ending , we really want more and the series is really promising.

As for the romance part:  I love how it’s developing. Currently it’s more one sided Books is really attracted to Eliza but not acting on it yet and while she loves to tease him she must first find closure on her “affair” or lack of it with Harrison. However even if she is comparing them she is slowing appreciating Wellington more and more so it’s  a great promise for the rest of the series while they are learning about each other.

I wholeheartedly recommend it. It was pure pleasure and if I wasn’t for the orgy part it would have be great for a larger public but as it stands for adult readers only.

Score:  5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge

Book read for the 2012 TBR reading

 

The Seduction of Phaeton Black (Paranormal Investigator1) by Jillian Stone

Hello to all!

                    Today it's the National Day ," la Fête Nationale", for me and all Belgian ones  so i decided to concentrated on my reading so i could enjoy next a good meal with my family without negleting you.

Today, i will share with you my second experience with the Steampunk Romance subgenre. When i learned i had to read this kind of book for the Romance and Me Challenge i was i bit disappointed because at first it was crime romance not Steampunk and i was afraid i didn't have any books of the genre. I even did know at all what kind of genre it was, After a little moment of panick general ( there is only me who could panick for a reading challenge^^;;) i found i had one book perhaps even two and that i could find some free one.
Then, a blog i follow had an international contest for a new book and one of steampunk romance, we had to guess who inspired the male character and the first one who got it right got a signed book as well as two others. I tried and by luck i was the first one! I started jumping around because the book seemed good and i was going to have it for the challenge so perfect. ( to be precise we were only 5 to get the right answer so the author kindly offered each of us a book- being international i got one non signed but still so happy).

So without waiting more i'm really pleased to offer you my review of The Seduction of Phaeton Black by Jillian Stone and if you like it check internet there is a blog tour going on where you could win a copy.

Publisher: Brava paranormal romance

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0758268963

Genre: Steampunk romance, paranormal romance
Violence: strong
Language: mild
sex: very strong
Public: 18+

Source: won from Jillian Stone at My Bookish Ways

Short description from goodread :

 In the gaslit streets of Victorian London, phantoms rule the night, demons dance till dawn, and one supernatural detective dares to be seduced by the greatest power of all. . .

He's The Man With The Magic Touch

A master of deduction, seduction and other midnight maneuvers, Phaeton Black is Scotland Yard's secret weapon against things that go bump in the night. His prodigious gifts as a paranormal investigator are as legendary as his skills as a lover, his weakness for wicked women as notorious as his affection for absinthe. But when he's asked to hunt down a fanged femme fatale who drains her victims of blood, he walks right into the arms of the most dangerous woman he's ever known. . .

She's The Devilish Miss Jones

Pressing a knife to his throat--and demanding he make love to her--Miss America Jones uses Phaeton as a willing shield against the gang of pirates chasing her. As deadly as she is, with a derringer tucked in her garter, Miss Jones is not the vampiric killer he's been staking out--but she may be just what Phaeton needs to crack the case. As the daughter of a Cajun witch, she possesses uncanny powers. As a fearless fighter, she can handle anything from Egyptian mummies to Jack the Ripper. But when an ancient evil is unleashed on the world, she could be his only salvation. . .or ultimate sacrifice.

My opinion:

          HOT! Is the first word that comes to mind when I think of this novel, really not for young peoples or too sensitive ones.

Now I’m still new to steampunk  subgenre since it’s only my second book and I wasn’t really sure what to expect of it but I like it!. I absolutely loved the paranormal twist and secret investigations and all because that does remind me the role playing game called “Call of Chtullu”. It’s the first time I find a book that transport me in this kind of universe with an atmosphere dark but not horrifying and all the suspense around it. Magical.

It was really a good read  even if I admit the sexy part was just a bit too much for me^^;; It was so well written, even those part they are sexy but not vulgar at all, that I was captivated in the story.

The plot is magnificent with the historical aspect and the mythological inputs and mysteries. The Characters are well constructed and complete with their strengths, secrets and weaknesses.  Phaeton is a detective very different from others and that isolates him. Since his childhood he had to keep his faculties a secret, and thus being those faculties aren’t understood nor mastered well even if he now uses them in his job. He has a really bad reputation one he encourages a lot. He is secluding himself however in the same time he is dreaming of someone who could really understand him, of a mentor.

Miss Jones isn’t the typical woman from the 19^th century far from it. Growing on a ship travelling the world she is speaking several languages, has a variety of knowledge and can fight. She isn’t uneducated, not at all but she had a very different childhood than most. Add to that her mixed origins and you get a strong and independent woman with magical abilities and one who knows who she is. She ignores the reasons why her mother put her in her father’s care while she in the same time taught her their magic and all supernatural aspects. This secret could be important in the future but for this first book we are discovering a very strong willed woman who dares to take risks to get what she want and who speak her mind. A good complementary mate for Phaeton.

Others characters are also important and intriguing. Doctor Exeter has a lot to teach to Phaeton and we want to learn more about him. How he got his powers, who taught him, what else he can do. Edvar is a cute gargoyle, shape shifter, one that Phaeton should recognize more because he is also very helpful and a good guardian.  I also loved the old curator ^^  and Ping/Jin from who we knows nearly nothing as of yet.

I spend a wonderful time even if it seems that I’m reading steampunk more slowly that others genre. I’m really curious about book two and a certain egg.

I will glady recommend it to my fellows at the role playing club^^; we could learn from Miss Jones and Phaeton (only for the bluff ‘s part,  no worries). For the Readers of Steampunk romances or the reader of paranormal romance who want to try something different that’s a book to recommend!

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge

Firelight ( Darkest London 1) by Kristen Callihan

Hello to all,

                     July is already there even if the sun doesn't seem to follow. As you already know if it's not your first time on the blog, i've entered several challenges including one for which i i have to try a new subgenre of romance each month. For July it's steampunk romance and from the list of suggestions we received i had some books ready.

One of those i really wanted to read for a long time and Mary kindly gifted it to me as a RAK, it's a paranormal romance with a twist of historical and steampunk so perfect to start this month.  Here come the first book of the Darkest London series by Kristen Callihan: "Firelight"

Enjoy!

Publisher: Forever

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  1455508594

Genre: paranormal romance, steampunk, historical
Violence: stong
Langage: mild
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: received as a RAK from Mary

Short description from goodread :

 Once the flames are ignited . . .

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . .

Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask

My opinion:

          Splendid! What a wonderful travel in the London society from 19^th century with the mystical legends and myths being described in a realistic way. Secret society, sorcery mixed with the world of the high society and its endless gossips, the mix is perfect.

I loved to see how Miranda was a strong independent woman in a world where she should have been just a pawn she fought to be herself and keep her honour. Yes she did wrong and she is the most virtuous girl for the time but in a way she is really modern. She is suffering because of her father’s action and a misplaced guilt that makes her vulnerable.  She needs Archer’s love to discover that she can see her power as a gift not a curse but she is slow to offer him her trust. Kristen constructed her psyche really well. Having been rejected by the one she loved, more important that she trusted because she admitted to him being different is something striking, offensive that influence her personality. When she finally admits the truth to Archer it’s the moment when she trusts him completely without any reserve. The moment she becomes herself and stop being afraid.

Archer isn’t a hero like the others. He has a disability, one that casts him out from the society. He knows that‘s partially his fault so while trying to find a remedy he doesn’t arbour bad feeling against his long ago friend. Their rejection hurt him but he is more repulsed by the monster he could become. He doesn’t live until meeting Miranda just tries to survive. However, as soon as he discovers her, life changes. He wants her to love him; he wants to be able to be near her, to save her. She becomes his treasure and even if she perfectly knows that she isn’t defenceless he won’t confide. He will want to keep her in the dark, keeping the truth from her because he, like her, is afraid of a new rejection.  I loved to see how gradually she becomes more important than his secret, how for her he becomes social one more and even jealous of Ian.  Ian is also a great character, that I cannot hate when I knew instantly what his true nature his (my favourite supernal creature^^;;) he really wants to help but won’t admit it so  he acts arrogantly. (Typical from a frustrated alpha)

A wonderful story that I don’t regret reading at all. It could be a stand alone without problem but Kristen decided to make a series and the next book is coming soon with guess how? Yes Ian ^^ how could I resist to give it a try when the first book was so great? Fan of paranormal romance and steampunk or historical romance give it a try!

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge

Ce livre s'intègre dans le challenge de Natasia