jeudi 9 mai 2013

Bout Of Books 7.0: i'm in!

Hello to all,

Bout of Books


                 After participating and enjoying greatly the last two Bout of Books editions, i couldn't miss this one...i admit i hesitate a little because once again i'm not in top shape but i found this helped me a lot and the advantage of this read-a-thon is that you decide to pick your own goals that means low pressure ( or a lot depending on what you want...)

I've a tendency to set my own goals low to be sure to achieve them ^^ i hate to fail and i prefer to take into account that i won't necessarily have a connxion all the time etc... but i won't start worry over them now and i will put my goals when the read-a-thon start meaning monday 13th May

 If you want to join don't hesitate, it's easy, fun and a great way to meet others bloggers

 Here is the official blurb done by the Bout of Books Team and you can have more info here




Official Blurb
(Please make sure you’re linking back to the Bout of Books website and attributing properly.)

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. -From the Bout of Books  team



Are you participating too? Have you already chosen your goals?

mardi 7 mai 2013

Storm Force episode 8 by Susannah Sandlin ( Review and discussion)

Hello to all!


Welcome to our weekly Storm force review and discussion! Episode 8 is now released and thus it’s your last opportunity to get the kindle edition for only 1,99 dollars before the grand finale!
For the print edition, which I really need on my shelves, a little wait will be needed since it’s in June that it will be released on the different retailers.




 For more info on Susannah and her books you can check her blog HERE
 To buy Storm Force on amazon click on Storm Force serial


Story:
               Episode 8: Where one must decide which line shouldn’t be crossed and a storm becomes the perfect time to admit each one weakness and reveals some secrets and accept ourselves. Beware Rain can lead to steamy moments….



My opinion:
I enjoyed the description of the tempest, and the way people act just before it, I don’t live in a country where there are hurricane and I enjoyed to be able to feel the tension building, the pressure in front of the nature….after the fight it was a good metaphor of Mori ‘s feeling how she started to prepare herself until the pint she exploded…however at the same time in this episode the stronger the elements are  the better Mori starts to feel, her tension dropping .   Robin is really too perfect and I loved how she took things in her hand to made them realise what was evident.

Also the way,  Kell manages to open Mori ‘s eyes to the situation….because after all an outsider point of view can really be useful sometimes was interesting. The human was able to think about the situation without his feeling on the way that’s really good point for our ranger ^^ and managing to drive in such condition with one hand and half… he is persistent and have more talents that what we could think.

The scene in the rain for the shower was just too cute and then evolved in really steamy scenes^^, our dear Mori love to give orders and Kell doesn’t look like he minds….

Only one episode left….i would like to said it’s going to be peaceful but like all good horror movie you must take the sound into account and Mori does think about it at the end that added to the little hints or what I think are hints… just what you need to be on edge for the final week! I can’t stress enough how you should hurry and order ( or pre order for the print edition) this book , the thriller part is excellent mixed with the paranormal romance and you won’t regret it.

Score:  5/5

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

Discussion:

1)      Where or what is the place that make you feel the most secure?
2)       Did you get a serious injury? If Yes did you manage to function with it?

lundi 6 mai 2013

Fated (Dark Protectors 1) by Rebecca Zanetti

Hello to all,

         My Blood pressure being completely unstable right now i won't be long but i didn't want to let you too long without any review or post. I love shifters and i appreciate vampires so when a book has both i'm really happy to give it a try. The Dark protectors series was recommended to me several time but until i won this book i didn't know what i was missing ( thank you Brenda!).

 So today i give you my impression on Fated first book of the Dark protectors series by Rebecca Zanetti.

Enjoy!

Publisher: Brava
Publication: 2011
ISBN:  0758259239
Genre: paranormal romance
Violence: strong
Language: mild
sex: strong
Public: 18+
Source: won
 



Short description from goodreads :

Marry Me! Cara Paulsen does not give up easily. A scientist and a single mother, she's used to fighting for what she wants, keeping a cool head, and doing whatever it takes to protect her daughter Janie. But "whatever it takes" has never before included a shotgun wedding to a dangerous-looking stranger with an attitude problem.

Or Else! Sure, the mysterious Talen says that he's there to protect Cara and Janie. He also says that he's a three-hundred-year-old vampire. Of course, the way he touches her, Cara might actually believe he's had that long to practice. . .


My opinion:
          I often heard about this series and author but I didn’t dare to try it until I won this book. I was really missing something, I won’t say it’s my favourite book because it’s not but I really enjoyed it. First I was surprised because I thought it was just a vampire romance but while this book focus on one, they are a lot of other creatures in the story  like shifters, mountain lions it’s a first for me,  some are only cited but we don’t get to see a character from these group yet like witches, fae, shamans  etc.  At the moment I quite enjoy the diversity so it’s promising.

The vampires here are also different from a lot of others, for example they are not bothered by the sun and their diet isn’t only blood. Oh they also have special abilities (psychics, teleportation, etc) that differ depending on the vampire. They constitute a group, realm , like, the shifters, fae etc does, but  one difference is that their king, Dage, is also the head of the system that regroup all the factions. He isn’t the ruler of the wolf shifter for example but their ruler must abide by his rules on some levels. Dage’s family ( the Kayrs) are the head of the vampires with specific role, Talen being the head of security. The vampires are born and always males.

They are fighting the Kurjans, another group, that share a lot of similarities with the vampires but are their opposite. Kurjans loves to kill and do attack humans for their blood. A difference is that they can stand the sun but like the vampires: there are nearly immortals, they have special abilities and can only mate, reproduce with special humans.

The fact that the vampires are fighting a opposite groups, that has a lot in common with them, isn’t a novelty (same in midnight breed series, black dagger brotherhood, etc) the fact that they are looking for human women with special abilities, the only one with who they can reproduce, and fighting over them also has already be used before (midnight breed series). But for me it’s the first time they have alliances, each group, with other paranormal creatures and that’s a plus. And even if it’s not that original, Rebecca Zanetti’s writing style is really captivating and once I started this book I didn’t spend time thinking I already know that etc I was in the story and it’s only  when I finished the book that I started to analyse it.

Talen is an interesting character,  he is arrogant and an alpha but at the same time he doesn’t  search to be known for what he has done. He tells Cara his brother has created the peace when in fact he was the one behind the treaty for example. He doesn’t boast of his powers either but he wants to protect his mate and for that he is quite pushing her ….he doesn’t force her but I didn’t like how he did it either. I didn’t like he forced her to sumit for example, for me it wasn’t necessary but since he doesn’t speak to her enough and that she has been traumatized by her hard , abused childhood…she was resting him which seems perfectly normal… I guess I would have preferred then that he was more patient, even persistent, but not dominant with her like he does.

Cara is courageous… often acting too stupidly for my taste but she has a good heart. She want to protect her child and that’s her priority, she is also loyal to her sister and her friends. She is refusing her powers at first because her father tried to kill her because of them and it’s one of the reasons she is afraid of a relationship. So when a big and strong male like Talen enters in her life and claims that he is a vampire and she must marry him immediately she rebels against it. Try to delay it and then plan to play along before escape… that’s until she is confronted to the Kurjans and understand that her child Janie is really a target as well and only the Kayrs family is able to protect her.  Slowly she starts to fall for Talen but part of her is still insecure and she does stupid things and don’t ask the questions she wants answers too….

The plot is really well thought and I really enjoyed Janie. I would like to know more about her friend for example and the fact the Kurjans are trying to find a way to contaminate the mates of the vampires to be able to steal them is something original, I’m curious to see where the series will go.

 If you are a lover of paranormal romance with vampire but not exclusively this is a wonderful reads for you. To recommend


Score:  4/5

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

Challenges:


samedi 4 mai 2013

RAK: May sign up


Hello to all,
                   Welcome to a new month of Random Act of Kindness created by the girls ( Isalys and Vanessa) from Booksoulmates to share the love of books between the blogger from all around the world.
I'm really happy to participate once again, i had a really wonderful experience last month  and it renewed my motivationme to continue to try my best to share the love , with the sun coming back the generosity could do teh same too^^

So don't forget to write if you want handmade gift, if i don't contact you this month i could still mark you on my list for a future time.

Happy RAK!

COMPLETE RULES RE-CAP:
Please read carefully & follow all rules! Thank you!
  • Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).
  • Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the right sidebar).
  • Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog, etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
  • If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.
  • Once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!
  • E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble with Nook as well.
  • At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post. This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!

Remember, there's always the Book Depository  or fishpond and they offer FREE shipping!


Easy peezy!!


Links you will need:

Sign up for April 2013 [HERE]
See who else is participating [
HERE]
If you have any questions regarding RAK, please contact us via the following:
rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com



This month, i'm number 23 on the list. If you want to grant me a RAK, please send me an email at isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com and i will give you my information.


I have a long wishlist but that way everyone can find something they like and in their budget. I also accept gently used books from no smoking house (allergic), but i'm international so the shipping without bookdepository can be expensive. 

You can find my complete wishlist here and if i have to choose some favorite ( always difficult) in no particular order ( but really any book from my wishlist is fine):


-Taking a shot ( play by play3) by Jaci Burton
-Alpha instinct by Katie Reus
-Exiled by MR Merrick
-School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins
-Etiquette and Espionnage by Gail Garringer
- Cursed by Jennifer L Armentrout
-In a fix by Linda Grimes
-A fantasy Medley 2 by Yanni Kuznia ( for the rat catcher novella by seanan Mcguire, i've become a fan of Tybalt^^;;)
-An heiress at heart by jennifer Delamere
-Othermoon by nina Berry

ps: i don't accept ebook normally but there is a small exception for the pdf files of the Tales from the archives ( short stories from the ministry of peculiar occurences) by pip ballantine and Tee Morris. It exist only in digital so far and i'm a fan of this series and fortunately they are on smashword in all format ( included pdf) so the list for that is:

Tales from the Archives collection 2
Tales from the Archives collection 3
Tales from the Archives collection 4

Happy RAK to all participants and don't forget to write if you accept/want handmade gifts either in the right case on the form or in the comments!

jeudi 2 mai 2013

Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts by Heather Massey

Hello to all!


                 I will try to make post several requested reviews this month because i don't like to make them wait but i also want to take the time necessary to read and write them properly... at first i thought about trying to match them with challenge topics so it could give them more promotion eventually, but it would be too long for some so i will share them with you as i feel like it no matters the challenge or month topic.

Today i want to start with a steampunk romance because it has been long since i enjoyed one and Heather Massey is really an excellent author so i was really happy when she offered me the opportunity to review her book... A western steampunk romance and i can tell you i liked Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts so without waiting here comes my review

 Enjoy!

Publisher: Lyrical Press
Publication: 2013
ISBN:  1616504455
Genre: steampunk romance
Violence: mild

Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+
Source: ecopy in exchange for an honest review
 



Description from goodreads :

The West just got a whole lot wilder.

A woman on a mission... Scientific achievement isn't enough for Violet Whitcomb. Life working alongside her renowned scientist father is filled with intellectual challenges, but what she truly craves is love and adventure. She’s resigned to a fate of academic pursuits…until a fateful trip across the American frontier changes everything. A rogue inventor known as the Iron Scorpion kidnaps Violet's father and she alone is left to plan his rescue.

A man with a secret... Logan McCoy knows firsthand going up against the Iron Scorpion is suicide, but he can't let Violet waltz into the villain's lair alone. She may be a stranger, but she's also the most compelling woman he's ever known.

A perilous quest... Their attraction is undeniable, but their alliance turns contentious when Violet insists on including a third partner on their mission: her father's latest invention and the world's most advanced automaton, Arthur. The reason for Logan's resistance isn't clear until Violet comes face-to-face with the Iron Scorpion's diabolical devices, and by then, it's far too late.

CONTENT WARNING: An irresistibly dangerous alpha hero, a heroine whose most prized accessory is her steam gun, an automaton gunslinger...and a villain whose lust for power drives him to evils beyond the scope of humanity


My opinion:
          I can’t imagine than one year ago i was afraid, hesitant to read steampunk….it’s an intricate genre  yes but until now  i ‘ve only had good surprises and I’m really glad i came to try it become i love it more after each book.

This one is a western steampunk romance and Heather Massey took me in a wonderful ride. Once started i couldn’t stop, i had to know if i was right . Violet is a lovely heroine … she spent the majority of her life helping her father who is a famous inventor. She is highly educated which isn’t necessarily common for a woman but she is aspiring for more. She is dreaming of adventures and romance, being more than twenty she thinks it’s already too late. She is getting some escape from a romance published in a weekly newspaper and as soon as she starts reading she get immersed in the story.

So it’s not really a surprise when she projects her dreams on Logan when she needs helps to save her father. For her no doubts, he is a secret agent, deep undercover … he is her hero. In that way she is really naive and doesn’t get any of the telltale signs, the slips no she has decided he is her hero and now he must help her to save her Father, no question asked. However she is also really determined, and capable.

When Logan saw Violet, he just wanted to make her smile nearly forgetting why he was on the train at the first place…after the attack he knows he must leave but he didn’t expect Violet to latch on him urging him to save  her father, questioning his honor and asking about his family….he can’t refuse this woman so determined and against his better judgement he accept to take her to the Iron Scorpion’s camp… the road isn’t easy and he doesn’t like Arthur, the automaton who learn too quickly but seems to have taken a linking to him. Each time he is surprised by how Violet acts and slowly he starts to want more, to want to risks everything to have her and more.

To be honest, the romance isn’t immediate, Violet is immediately attracted to Logan  yes but she is still in her novel’s universe… gradually it becomes more, same for Logan. I really appreciate that because it make them more accessible, and violet was moving  not always understanding  Logan’s allusions .There is a lit of action, strange metallic construction and it was quite fast… perhaps a little too much. I do regret that we still don’t know exactly what the iron scorpion has done and why…i would have loved for example to see Violet working to solve the situation but i’m still hoping it will be in a sequel^^.
Arthur is also really interesting… i’m a little curious about what made him evolve, improve so quickly and how far he can go… he does give a touch of humor in the story too.


I really recommend this story if you want a short steampunk romance with a lot of action, it’s really good and should make you smile easily. I do want more.


Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer/Source: a copy in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.
 For more info on Heather Massey and her books you can check her Website  HERE
 Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts is available on amazon or on other retailers


mercredi 1 mai 2013

April RAK Wrap up: a meaningful month


Hello to all,
                   Welcome to my  2013 April RAK wrap up post..this month has been kind of a revelation for me.
RAK is as much about giving than receiving and for that part i'm quite used to it .... however i want to make my gift special, meaningful for the receiver, it's something important for me. i'm not saying that offering a book is nothing not at all , taking the time to see which book we have in common on our list, or which one would make the other the happier is also great and i'm delighted when i receive a book, smiling all day at all.

Now it's not easy for me to buy online so i decided to share the love by creating little things to give...contrary to some beliefs it's not cheaper than ordering a book quite the opposite often but i love the personnal link it can create between teh person, how sometimes it help the other to feel better because she or he receive something special done just for her/him. Sometimes the receiver act a little like she/ghe don't care and i admit i'm sometimes hurt but we can't please everyone. However there are those special someone who shows they really appreciate the gesture, how are really enthousiastic when receiving the email and it's for that i continue. I can't thank Vonnie enough for her kindness in return , for remembering my birthday while she already gifted me something, Christine who became a real friend since our first contact like Nikki and Maija but also all the others who were grateful and happy..

This month was really a special one because months ago i contacted Katrina, i wanted to do something special for her birthday and i followed her blog  before to find what i could do. So i contacted her and she was really receptive, i couldn't use the exact color she wanted but we chatted to find what best suited her and since she is a creator too and also a perfectionist one she understood what i wanted to do and the work that was necessary....she was really happy when her gift arrived and decided she wanted to return the favor with one of her own creation. She was busy with the fashion week so it wasn't something immediat but i felt honored she thought about doing something for me....even it took time the simple fact she was ready to spend time working on something special for me was magical. 
This month she had a little time to spare and she kept her promise... she made me a purse/bag...but even better she took into account my personnality and what i needed she created something unique for me and i'm enchanted with the result...when it arrived i couldn't believe my eyes even if she posted pictures of it on her blog first.. it's really the perfect oen for me and i will treasure it. 

That's what RAK is for me the enthousiasm when we are contacted, the shining eyes we get when a package arrive and the hapiness to discover that someone took time to make something for us ( or look at our list top order us a book) and i wanted to Thanks all of you who make this possible



In April I received: 


I  received a RAK offer from Maija from Books, DIY's and Randomness, she kindly send me inside out and outside in the insiders serie by Maria V Snyder and there are signed!! It's so great , thank you so, so much Maija!!



And like i told you i receive my very special bag done by a more than promising designer Katrina from Kindred Dreamheart
Picture by Katrina you can see more here


thank you a lot to both of you, it means more to me than i can tell you.





and in April,  i've sent :
( note: i don't take picture of the Rak i create before sending them so it's only if the receiver made one i can use that i will add it here so this post will perhaps be edited later to add some)



I wanted to make more this month but i got an injury and i couldn't move my right hand which made crafting impossible for a moment...the result i only managed to finish two gift and i sent them later that what i would have wanted. i do hope they will make their new orwner happy though and for those i didn't do in April, it will be finish in May no worries.

So i did send:

A handmade personnalised seahorse keychain to CJ from Sarcasm &Lemons  i do hope you will enjoy this late birthday RAK



A handmade bookmark  to Kathrin from The Secret Dreamworld of a Bookaholic . (i do hope you like the result and i'm sorry it will arrive after your birthday, hope the postal servixce strike finish soon so you can enjoy it ^^


So Did you participate in RAK this month? Any good RAK experience to share?

Thank you once again to Isalys and Vanessa from Booksoulmates for hosting! and to all participant to make this experience magical

Storm Force episode 7 by Susannah Sandlin ( review and discussion)


Hi!! Happy First of May!

Welcome to our weekly Storm force review and discussion! Episode 7 is now released so only two more weeks before the grand finale! Hurry to get the kindle edition for only 1,99 dollars; later it will be too late and it’s really a book you should read. Print edition will be available on 18th June



 For more info on Susannah and her books you can check her blog HERE
 To buy Storm Force on amazon click on Storm Force serial


Story:
               Episode 7: The Colonel decides to take control of the situation….unfortunately like often the big boss knows nothing about the situation and take unrealistic decision endangering their team…Kell must confront Michael alone while his teammates are sent to different locations…if the shifters agree to obey that is.


My opinion:
                 I can’t believe how angry I was while reading this episode… Mori still think she should act alone against Michael in hope to protect Kell…like she hasn’t learnt from her mistakes last time. Fortunately, Robin is rubbing off on her ^^ shifters women will become independent and determined. They don’t want to be left behind when they can fight…. I’m loving Robin more and more. And I’m sure Archer would have sided with them too. Nik is also too “ trained” to disobey but I was surprised to see him open himself to Mori and reveal his talents to her…

Then Kell can be so stupid… he knows Michael Benedict, he has the info and still follow blindly the orders…arf I wanted to slap him, to shake him. Even more after what he told Archer, he now bows in front of the colonel…he is brainwashed…his training really did him worse than good. The colonel doesn’t take the risks into account and could loose his team , I just hope he will regret and give them more liberty in the future.

Only two more episodes, I’m really curious about what  Susannah will reveal next and I do want more of Archer!! So I do recommend this book to you and I will wait with impatience for the next episode ( because yes there was a cliffhanger but I didn’t feel it was an hard one… not like the one of chapter 4 at least I guess after such an hard one I became stronger^^)

Score:  5/5

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

Discussion:

1)       Do you think people who give orders ( in a “ normal” job  or in military) should have been first doing the lambda jobs, to learn the reality of it before earning their place in the deciding ranks?
2)       What do you think about serials ( books released in several episodes)? Have you tried some? Is  Storm force your first try?