dimanche 18 août 2013

Bout of Books 8.0: Sign up Post

Hello to all,



                 After participating and enjoying the precedent editions Bout of Books editions, i wanted to participate again....now i admit i hesitate a little because i'm so busy and tired but this summer i've read less than i hoped so this will help me to improve a little i hope.

Once again i will set low goals to have a chance to reach them without putting too much pressure on myself but that will be for the next post.

 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, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th 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 8.0 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?

jeudi 15 août 2013

Midnight Conquest (Bonded by Blood Vampires Chronicles 1) by Arial Burnz

Hello to all!!

I thought  to take a break today since it’s an holiday here but I couldn’t do that to you….why? Because if you read this today you can enjoy some free books!! Yes you read right Arial Burnz is offering during this week book 3 in this series for free ( until 18th august only) so I wanted to share this with you to give you the time to grab it.

Since it’s not enough.. She is also offering book 1, making it free on all eretailers ( oki that will perhaps take a few days so I will give you direct links after the review) Kind isn’t it?

It’s an excellent opportunity for you to discover this series so jump on this opportunity while you can. If you prefer print edition ( I know I do and the print cover for this one is simply gorgeous) you can get them on amazon or bookdepository but if you are international and have paypal you can order them to Arial directly which is a lot cheaper!

But now that you have learned what you can get it’s time to tell you more about the story!

Happy Reading!
Publisher: Mystical Press
Publication: 2011
ISBN:  0373277210
Genre: historical paranormal romance
Violence: strong

Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+
Source: ebook received in exchange for an honest review

Short description from goodreads :

 Masked in a Gypsy guise, Broderick MacDougal hides his vampiric identity while seeking to destroy the man who slaughtered his family. When an old Clan rival ensnares Broderick in a trap using an enticing widow, he is compelled to discover if she is bait or an accomplice, and the cinnamon-haired beauty is his next conquest.

Widow of an abusive husband, Davina Stewart-Russell clings to the only image that gave her strength during those dark times--the Gypsy rogue who stole her heart as a youth. After nine years, she is finally face-to-face with him again, but reality clashes with fantasy as she is confronted with Broderick's passionate pursuit.

When Davina's past returns to haunt her, Broderick is forced to reveal a dark secret worse than anything Davina thought possible. The challenge before them has fatal risks and neither of them is prepared for the sacrifices expected for the sake of eternal love.


Reader Advisory: This story contains explicit love scenes, described using graphic and direct language. This story also contains explicit, nail-biting scenes of violence and domestic abuse. (Don't worry...the bad guys get it in the end!

My opinion:
          When Brenda says I will like a book she is right (so far at least^^), so when the author kindly gave me a copy for review I was so, so happy!! Perhaps I missed vampires’ stories or perhaps it’s because it’s a historical one and I haven’t read a lot of them but I loved it! Broderick is such a cute and lovable hero… now I will perhaps start at the beginning.


Arial’s writing style is really easy to delve into and while the story is a historical paranormal romance, you could easy forget the historical part since it’s just part on the setting and not really centre in the story here. Now I do love history so I wouldn’t have minded but here is was even more easily forgotten because you focus on the characters and the story which could have happened anywhere, anytime.  The rhythm is just what he should be not too fast, not too slow and action and romance are well mixed ( some really steamy scenes too!!)

This is the first book of a series (which will count 6books) but there isn’t a cliffhanger at all, you are left wanting more but have closure for this part of the story so you can be happy. Oh I want to read more and I’m glad to have book 2 and 3 but even if I have to wait I have a feeling of satisfaction which is a great thing once you turn the last page of a story.

You have 2 villains in this one… one immortal and one mortal… the immortal one, Angus, is important for the rest of the story and here we learn part of his motivations. Now he does act cruelly, he has a tortured and twisted mind but t the same time, in this first volume, I couldn’t really hate him. I don’t approve what he has done, far from it, I don’t like him for sure but I expected more from him I guess^^ (yes I have sadistic mind more important than the author sometimes;)) …he could have done a lot worse but didn’t so when you takes that into account and you compare with the human Villain Ian…you don’t take long to choose who to hate.

Ian, is human and married to Davina but he is all what a man shouldn’t be.. he is cruel  , he tortures small animals ( I hate that!!) but also his wife and he doesn’t hesitate to beat her even when she is pregnant… worse even baby are not safe from him….he is the monster without a doubt…
Also he is greedy and his motivations are simply that power and money….while I could partly understand Angus motivations those from Ian are simply inexcusable…. I’m not even sure Angus would tolerate him and that saying a lot (but don’t worry like précised in the summary this book does have a Happy end and that include revenge on Ian)


I was really interested in the story and it’s only because I had to go to sleep that I stopped reading…the gypsies are interesting characters too, and welcoming and open minded.  I hope we will see more of them. .. oki Veronique is the exception but she paid the price so she doesn’t count. Now curiously…one I didn’t appreciate immediately was Davina’s Father…he sounded wrong to me especially since at that time he could have cancelled the marriage after the first hit no question asked. She wouldn’t have lost her dowry (yes that’s something we often forget, at middle age, women had more rights and more protection than later (sometimes we regress… Napoleon fault) he tolerated it just for his advantage and then we learn he was probably even worse. Kerh is loyal brother and he tried to do his best to protect her sister like he did as a child… he would have made a great lord.

We also get some information about the vampire system in this universe.. the vampires called Vamsyrian must obey some rules… it’s forbidden to change someone in vampires…each one must make the willing choice, after having heard from both side, to become a vamsyrian  or a member of the light, of the army of God,  their opposite. One group is immortal, fears the sun and is “ dead” during the day, the other is mortal but has some powers and protection. We don’t really learn a lot about them yet but in  next books probably, only that there are some prophecies for both groups.

If you love vampires romance, it’s really an excellent book and the author is really kind which is only a great bonus….also since it’s free you don’t have anything to lose so to try. To recommend

Score:  4/5

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


Challenge:



Now the even more interesting part: Free book(s); book 1 could take up to 2weeks before being free everywhere so until then you can get book 1 and 3 free in the digital  format of your liking.
Hurry and get them! You will be surprised.


Until next time!

mardi 13 août 2013

Elysian Fields ( sentinels of New Orleans 3) de Suzanne Johnson paraît aujourd'hui aux USA!! ( avis+ annonce)

Coucou tout le monde!!

Normalement, lorsque j’écris un avis bilingue Français/Anglais je les met en ligne le même jour, or, vous avez pu cette fois constater que la version anglais a été postée bien avant.
La raison en était bien simple pour les résidents des Etats-Unis, le tome 1 était en promotion dans sa version digitale et comme une seule vente peut faire la différence entre une série qui se poursuit et un contrat non renouvelé je tenais à le leur rappeler…. En Europe nous ne disposions pas de cette promotion dès lors je préférais vous parler de ce livre le jour de sa sortie.

Pour une fois je ne vais pas non plus faire une traduction exacte mais simplement vous transmettre mon avis tel quel car vous devez découvrir ce livre et  méritez plus qu’une simple traduction et  le fond lui-même reste identique : j’ai adoré ce livre !!


Oh et avant que je n’oublie une annonce qui vous fera plaisir, si vous avez lu et aimé les deux premiers volumes de la séries et êtes fan de Jean Lafitte comme moi, sachez que vous pouvez lire une histoire courte "Jackson Square" le mettant en scène, celle-ci est disponible gratuitement sur le site de l’auteur ici et ce uniquement durant ce mois d’Août après quoi seule la version payante sera disponible.
De plus, le blog tour organisé à l'occasion de la parution d'Elysian Fields est en cours avec de nombreux prix mais également de fabuleuse mini histoire alors n'hésitez pas à le suivre, tous les stops seront mis en ligne ici


Alors sans plus attendre voici « Elysian Fields » troisième tome de la série de Suzanne Johnson intitulée «  les Sentinelles de la Nouvelle Orléans », série que je rêverai de voir publier en France un jour.



Quatrième de couverture - Traduction personelle-:

Un tueur en série mort-vivant en veut à la vie de DJ dans cet époustouflant troisième opus des sentinelles de La nouvelle Orléans  par Suzanne Johnson?

Le conflit entre les Mers a été résolu mais la vie dans la Louisiane du Sud a encore bien plus de revirements que le boueux Mississipi.

Les habitants de la Nouvelle Orléans sont victimes d’un tueur imitant les crimes de 1918 attribués au tueur en série connu sous le surnom de L’homme à  la Hache de la Nouvelle Orléans, « Axeman ».  Grâce à un tuyau du Pirate non-mort, jean Lafitte, DJ Jaco sait que ces attaques ne sont pas le fruit du hasard- un nécromancien non identifié a réanimé le véritable « Axeman » et son ultime cible n’est autre qu’une certaine enchanteresse blonde. C'est-à-dire : DJ.

Affronter un tueur en série non-mort alors que les ennuis ne font que s’accumuler autour d’elle n’est pas chose facile. La nature de loup garou de Jake Warin ne fait qu’empirer, son voisin énigmatique Quince Randolph agit de manière encore plus étrange que d’habitude, Les anciens insistent pour qu’elle suivent des leçons sur la magie elfique avec le sorcier le plus ennuyant du monde et son partenaire Alex Warin devient plus qu’un coéquipier.
Sous compter les grandes intrigues prenant place dans le monde préternaturel. 


Soudain,  emménager dans le Beyond en tant que compagne de Jean Lafitte pourrait bien être la meilleure option pour DJ.

Avis:
          Un  formidable tome mais qui marque un tournant pour cette série. Jusqu’à présent, Les «Sentinelles de la nouvelle Orléans » était une série d’urban fantasy mais avec de forts accents d’humour et de romance qui en faisait une lecture agréable, pleine d’action et d’humour … désormais il s’agit d’une série d’urban fantasy pure. Certain il y a toujours de l’humour et de la romance mais ceux-ci ne sont plus prédominants et ne se mettent plus qu’au service du récit dans son ensemble. « Elysian Fields» apparaît dès lors plus sombre et violent que les livres précédents «  Royal Street » & «  River Road »
Cette évolution pourrait déstabiliser un peu au départ ceux qui s’attendait à une histoire dans le même ton que précédemment mais une fois la surprise passée on découvre tout le talent de l’auteur qui parvient une fois encore à se surpasser et à maintenir une histoire d’une toute grande qualité.

Un autre détail important à préciser : ce tome peut être lu indépendamment des autres. Suzanne Johnson fait effectivement des rappels d’événements passés et des bases de son univers de sorte que le lecteur qui commencerait la série par ce tome sans aucune connaissance préalable puisse se plonger dans le récit sans difficulté. Ce tome est en fait le début d’un nouvel arc dans la série (et donc  les livres suivants devront impérativement être lu dans l’ordre).  Bon cela étant dit, je vous conseille quand même fortement de lire « Royal Street » et « River Road » avant non seulement ils sont excellents mais vous en apprécierez d’autant plus l’évolution des personnages.

J’ai, par exemple, vraiment apprécié de voir comment DJ était capable de remettre son attitude en question vis-à-vis de Jake cela montre une certaine maturité. L’évolution de la relation entre DJ et Alex est loin d’être simple mais les premiers pas sont faits et c’est effectivement le plus difficile. Jean Lafitte est toujours aussi magnifique et il peut autant être sérieux et déterminés  lorsque les circonstances l’exigent que drôle et amusant. Rand est toujours aussi mystérieux et bien qu’il soit temporairement un allié ses motivations restent assez troubles et je ne peux que vouloir en savoir plus.

Suzanne Johnson a vraiment réussit  à créer un récit captivant jusqu’à la dernière page et les revirements et retournements de situations sont nombreux mais toujours adaptés et bien placés… je n’ai pas pu deviner les motivations ou l’identité du «  commanditaire » . la tension a été maintenue tout le long avec par-ci par là de légère touches de romance ou d’humour pour  permettre au lecteur de respirer. En effet, au vu de l’enquête menée, sur un tueur en série, les actes violents et les scènes macabres sont bien présents et vu le talents de l’auteur pour les descriptions on est heureux qu’elle ne soit pas entrée dans les détails^^ l’ambiance est parfaitement ressentie telle quelle.

Elysian Fields nous introduit enfin plus dans l’univers des elfes de ce monde et on le regretterait presque tant ils sont manipulateurs, violents et assoiffés de pouvoirs. On apprend leurs systèmes de pouvoir, les différents clans et leurs pouvoirs respectifs. D’autre part on découvre les vampires qui n’était que cité jusqu’à présents. Les luttes entre les différents groupes de créatures surnaturelles deviennent plus claires ainsi que les luttes a l’intérieure même des divers groupes. Ce qui promets bien des ennuis pour DJ qui aura d’autant plus besoin de ses alliés.

En effet, son équipe s’agrandit, René l’homme sirène, n’hésite pas à se joindre à eux lorsque de la bagarre est dans l’air  mais Ken Hachette, le détective à la criminelle, 100% humain se voit enfin annoncer la vérité «  nous ne sommes pas seuls dans l’univers » ^^, d’abord déboussolé il s’adapte assez bien puisque cela explique les choses étranges auxquelles il a été confronté. Les nouveaux venus sont donc bien accueillis d’autant plus lors que Jake est occupé à réglé ses propres problèmes, qu’Alex est en pleine crise de doutes puisque tout ne peut pas être parfaitement fait dans les règles et que des raccourcis sont nécessaires, quant à Jean, toujours loyal il est là et bien là mais il a aussi son empire à gérer en Baratia.

En résumé si vous voulez une histoire pleine d’actions, suspense, mystères avec un touche d’humour et de romances, je vous recommande pleinement « Elysian Fields » et la série «  Les sentinelles de la Nouvelle Orléans »

Score:  4,5/5


Disclaimer: Toutes les opinions exprimées ici sont les miennes, il s’agit de d’un avis honnête et personnel. Aucune compensation n’a été fournie en échange de ce dernier.


Vous pouvez dès à présent acheter ce livre sur  amazon ou sur  Bookdepository -US edition- ( Uk edition )


Plus d’informations sur la série ou son auteur :Suzanne sur son Blog


                

vendredi 9 août 2013

[early review] Elysian Fields (Sentinels of New Orleans 3) by Suzanne Johnson

Hello to all,

                  Today i've decided it was time to share with you my opinion of the future new release in one of my favourite series "The Sentinels of New Orleans". Normally you know i post both an english version and a french one of my review and it will be done but the french one will have to wait a little since i really wanted to post this today.

Why the hurry? Simply for 2 reasons... oki 3. One: i absolutely love this series and i have been waiting for Elysian Fields for too long already....but more importantly this will give me the opportunity to share some infos with you that you would love to know if you didn't already... first for a few more hours you can get the digital version of Royal Street ( book 1) for less than 3dollars! so if you prefer digital book  don't hesitate and hurry time is slipping fast.

Then if you have read Royal Street and River Road, if you love our dear privateer Jean Lafitte, you must know he has his own novella "Jackson Square" this one will be sold later this year but you have te opportunity to read it already, for FREE, on Suzanne's official website so don't hesitate, it's really a fun reads.

Publisher:  Tor Books
Publication: 2013
ISBN:  0765333198
Genre: urban fantasy
Violence: strong

Language: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+
Source: arc receive in exchange for an honest review
 


Short description from goodreads :

 An undead serial killer comes for DJ in this thrilling third installment of Suzanne Johnson’s Sentinels of New Orleans series

The mer feud has been settled, but life in South Louisiana still has more twists and turns than the muddy Mississippi.

New Orleanians are under attack from a copycat killer mimicking the crimes of a 1918 serial murderer known as the Axeman of New Orleans. Thanks to a tip from the undead pirate Jean Lafitte, DJ Jaco knows the attacks aren’t random—an unknown necromancer has resurrected the original Axeman of New Orleans, and his ultimate target is a certain blonde wizard. Namely, DJ.

Combatting an undead serial killer as troubles pile up around her isn’t easy. Jake Warin’s loup-garou nature is spiraling downward, enigmatic neighbor Quince Randolph is acting weirder than ever, the Elders are insisting on lessons in elven magic from the world’s most annoying wizard, and former partner Alex Warin just turned up on DJ’s to-do list. Not to mention big maneuvers are afoot in the halls of preternatural power.


Suddenly, moving to the Beyond as Jean Lafitte’s pirate wench could be DJ’s best option.

My opinion:
          Elysian Fields has been on my list of books to get as soon as i learned its title and I was more than happy to receive an Arc  to review but strange things are…actually writing said review has been more difficult that I expected…now I did love the book don’t misunderstand me but it’s quite different from the precedents and thus finding my words to make it justice took time.

To start with one important detail, the author wrote Elysian Fields so he could work as a stand alone… objectively that’s true, Suzanne makes enough references to past events so you are not lost if you are just discovering this series… now that being said I think thing you should read “Royal Street” and “River Road” first. Why? Because they are really great books to start with but also because it gives you a thorough understanding of the characters. Yes the author makes allusions about the events and their impacts yes you understand the story but when you have read the two precedents books you understand the story AND the characters, you have lived the events with them and thus our judgement can be different that what it would be if you start by “Elysian Fields”.

For example in DJ case, she finally makes a decision regarding her heart we get the why, the when and the how, we get also positioning in the timeline, we learn for how long they know each others but by having read book 1 and 2 and took I really feel how a big step she is making, what she is risking and thus how she has matured. I’m not sure I would have arrived at the same conclusion if I hadn’t.

Also and that’s capital if the book is excellent, Suzanne having managed to improve once again, it marks a turning point in the series. The atmosphere is darker, the humour is still there however the investigation is predominant and the romance is now really building without all the hesitations than before: we know the main couple, we have a wild card to ( grr Rand*GRRRRR*) , but it’s a slow building and it will take more books…. In a sense Elysian fields definitively positions The Sentinels of New Orleans in the urban fantasy genre while the precedent books were more a mix of urban fantasy and paranormal romance, now the action, main storyline are highlighted while the romance is more secondary, an element in the whole plot.

This story focuses on a murder serial, really gruesome murders and DJ once again find herself to be a target and having to survive while attempting to overcome other problems. She knows she can count on some allies like the merman Rene and the privateer Jean Lafitte both more than happy to help, in exchange of some favour of course. However hers partners Alex and Jake are quite busy or in turmoil…add to that the human: cops Ken Hachette who finally learned of the preternatural existences but has no experience dealing with them and her best friend Eugenie who ignore all and whose boyfriend is behaving suspiciously threatening the only female friendship DJ has…. Since he first appeared Randolph aka Rand has switched on all my alarms and I must confess I dislike him even more now!! Nevertheless I must admit I’m still don’t know what to think about him.. on a part I don’t forgive his actions… on the other side I suspect him and I don’t trust him even if I appreciate his help… I can‘t discern his motivations, all his grey about him and it‘s frustrating as well as exhilarating.


 I greatly enjoyed the story and for the first time in this universe we really meet some vampires, not that friendly, looking quite organised, and the elves… divided in several factions they are far from beautiful, fragile and kind creature… ( forget Legolas or Galadriel) no they are conniving, power hungry, vicious and DANGEROUS…we already had a glimpse of if with Mace in River Road but now we see that he wasn’t the exception to the rule quite the opposite. It’s hard to love them and in a sense I understand why Charlie has chosen DJ has his Master…she is so different and since he kind of has its own mind he would prefer kindness….( or self preservation^^). I was instructing to see the exchange between the different factions, between elves, but even more between wizards, vampires and elves…

The plot is really well done and I had doubts on the culprits until the end, which was even more surprising. I’m happy to said the ending is giving us some closure even if it still has some track open when you turn the last page you are happy not feeling like you are missing something even if you do want more. There is a reason for this ending…until a few weeks ago it was unknown if the publisher was going to want more books so Suzanne made it so it was possible but the readers wasn’t completely left hanging. Fortunately, we learned that at least book 4 and 5 were going to see the light and that’s wonderful news for the fans!!

If you love urban fantasy, not too dark, with romance touch and Humour, you love having a mix of creature from vampires, shifters to mermen and historical undeads, a excellent intrigue then Elysian fields is right your alley but like I already wrote I would still recommend you to read book 1 and 2 before (lighter, funnier but setting the universe swimmingly. (but you can’t wait it can be as stand alone yes)



Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: Source: a copy in exchange for a honest review, no other compensation was received.
Elysian Fields will be released on the 13th August 2013
If you want this book you can buy it on  amazon or on  Bookdepository -US edition- ( Uk edition )


You can find more informations on the series and Suzanne on her Blog


Challenge:
 

vendredi 2 août 2013

Mafia Secret by Angie Derek

Hello again,

                Quite a few posts today but that's what happen at the beginning of the month and since i don't know when the storms will start and internet on hold i prefered not to wait and give you this review especially since i know someone wa swaiting to hear my opinion on this story.

  First when I heard about this book it made me think about the manga “ Reborn” when a young boy learn he is the next head of a mafia family and must learn what to fight to take his place while he is a kind and innocent boy. I was tempted and curious so when I was offered the opportunity to win it I didn’t hesitate.


When Brenda ( yes her again ^^) recommended this book to me she told me i was going to like it but she was wrong… i completely LOVE it. Perhaps I needed something different from paranormal reads at the moment, perhaps it was just the book I needed but Mafia Secret caught my attention and I could stop before the last page so really thanks Brenda for this discovery I really spend a fabulous time reading!

Publisher: Tell-Tale Publishing LLC
Publication: 2012
ISBN:  9781301100149
Genre: romantic suspense
Violence: strong

Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+
Source: won ( thanks Brenda!!!!!!)


Short description from goodreads :

 Lessa Noelle grew up never knowing she was the illegitimate daughter of a mafia king pin. After his murder, she finds herself a surprise heiress immersed in the dangerous world of organized crime with only the guidance of Marco Santo her father’s second in command to help her.


Marco searches for her father’s killer and tries to keep the realities of his life from touching her. An uneasy attraction blossoms between the two. An already dangerous situation turns volatile when a killer turns his attention to Lessa.

My opinion:
          I love it! I expected to like it but I enjoyed it a lot more than that, if I didn’t have to take my medicine I would have read it in one sitting. Angie Derek really wrote an excellent story and if I had suspicions about the culprit it’s probably due only to my experiences in watching cops series on the TV… she managed to keep the suspense all along.

Lessa is young and independent woman, she grows up never knowing she was the daughter of a mafia’s boss…so when a man she never saw suddenly appears to tell her that her father died two days ago it comes as a shock and she doesn’t believe it at first. Confronted to some evidences she finally accepts to grant her father his last request and come to attend his funerals and meet her family.  It doesn’t really go smoothly, her family never knew she existed, her father’s killer is still on the run and change of power in a mafia family isn’t a quiet moment at all.  Thrown in it, she can only rely on Marc, her bodyguard, late lieutenant of her father to keep her safe and to tell her whet she must know or to be exact what he think she should know.

Preferring to keep her in the dark as long as possible to offer her the possibility to go back to the life she always knew, what Marc didn’t take into account was his attraction to the new Mafia’s princess. Quite innocent, speaking her mind she attracts him like a moth to a flame and he can’t stop touching her which isn’t helpful when he must find the killer. But danger was already on Lessa before she met Marc and it just keep growing

Marc isn’t a member of the family per say, he was a trusted man of Lessa father, on of his lieutenant. He came from the outside and slowly, during years he made his place. So he knows perfectly when what entering the family entails and he doesn’t want to impose that to Lessa. He is loyal, honest and yes a criminal too^^ he do what he is ordered to do but he doesn’t take pleasure in it which makes him even better. I really liked him and how he was trying to find what he needed to do to keep Lessa by his side and protect her… he took risks but he didn’t impose himself… a good alpha^^

Lessa’s family is quite a group… Jio is the elder and the new head. He respect his father‘s wishes but perhaps too much … since he married not by love he could be unfaithful even if we still haven’t real proof, his behaviour tend to it. Still he looks like a good man, Tony is the rebel one, he wants powers and trust no one but the family doesn’t trust him either. Then come Clarissa, same age as Lessa, she was the only girl until then and she wants nothing to do with the family, promised to Marc she doesn’t hesitate to break off  the engagement as soon as her father is dead and she doesn’t want her inherence. Leery of men she however knows that no matter what ,she is part of the family. Edoardo is the younger one; more an artist and kind soul he would love to leave the family too without really dreaming to see an opportunity. Nina is Jio’s wife, kind she is the first to welcome Lessa, I really love her.

This story is a stand alone and I think I would love it to stay that way, yes I ‘m tempted to lean about the other’s family member but perhaps then the novelty will wears off, ..; I don’t know but right now if you love suspense romance, have a little thing for mafia, I really recommend this book!

Score:  4,5/5


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


July 2013 RAK Wrap up

hi!
                   Welcome to my  2013 July RAK wrap up post..it has been a good month even if i didn't receive anything i managed to make some people happy which is the goal of this event!



In July I received: 

No Rak this month 




and in July,  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)


A handmade personnalised butterfly bookmark to Bianca from Pages of forbidden love  i 'm glad you love the new design i decided this summer!


Darlene received the handmade unicorn bookmark she asked as well as an additional surprise ( so glad it arrived and you liked them)



 Do you participate in RAK? Did you have a good month? 

Thank you once again to Isalys and Vanessa from Booksoulmates for hosting! and to all participants for making this event a success... i can't wait to see what the new Rak version will be but i'm already happy with this as it is .

July Wrap Up

Hello!

July has been a sunny and really hot month and that has impacted my reading schedule... normally we have at max 25°C but we had weeks above... and up to 38°C so i got a little lazy when i couldn't breath properly^^;;
Now it has been a good month  because i did try to take some times for myself and i will do the same in august to enjoy it while i can but i did manage what i wanted and i did get some books... i can only hope August will be as good!



Books received:

    For review:
Transforming Love by Debra Smith you can see my review Here
Awkward Holidays by Kallysten which was reviewed here

    Won:

*Neanderthal Seeks Human: A Smart Romance by Penny Reid From Brianna on The Book Vixen as part of her 2013 birthday extravaganza giveaways ( and it's signed!!). Thank you so much once again


* The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook  won from Heather back in June  in her 3rd Blogoversary giveaway event  on  Buried in Books . Thank you once again!

*Claimed by Rebecca Zanetti from Lucy , it was won in may but missent, fortunately i did receive it! thank you Lucy 

*A pack of contemporary romance ( Line of Scrimmage/The summer he came Home/The Look of Love) from Francesca and the girls from Under the Cover book blog in their Summer Bash Giveaway....and as you see one of those is a sport romance ^^ really great no? a new author to discover!  Thank you so much once again

Mafia Secret: ebook from Brenda at Crazy Four Books , it was even better than what i hoped Thank you Brenda as always you were right about my tastes^^


    Bought:
None.... it was the sales i hoped to find some books for me but with the weather i had to stay inside and when i went everything was sold already or nearly.


   Gifted:
Birgit from The Book Garden made my day by sending me a box of books from her shelves, if you remember she was the one who helped me discover chick lit romance last year thanks to a contest. Now i got a genre i'm fond of YA!! Some complete discovery ( books and authort) and some i really hoped to discover so thank you once again a lot!! ( she even added some earrings so i'm in paradise!!) I hope she will enjoy her package as much as i did when she will receive it.

Hunted, ebook by Ellie Fergusson.


I forgot something or someone , sorry!

 Reviews done and posted on the blog

In English:
A good month, i've managed to do what i hoped without forgetting the challenges i've entered.


En français:

 Parce que je ne peux et ne veux pas oublier mes lecteurs francophones

Challenges:
 Half year is done so where i'm in my goals for the divers challenge i've entered so far:

 For the sport Romance challenge i've entered 8/12 books so since i got several other books that qualify for this one i'm moving to level 2


For the TBR reading Pile 2013 challenge i've entered 39 books already so i guess i will aim for level 4: 40books


I've read 7/10books so i will try to finish this one even if it had been suspended ( perhaps cancelled)

i aimed for 3 books and entered 5 so success



In this challenge we must read a book with a specific kind of creatures which change each month and until now it's a success, topic for July was witch/wizard, interesting topic i had several books that fit this category but i only read 5 this month ( +2 others topics). So a good month but August's Theme is less apalling to me

RAK: 
None received 
Send: two but you will see that on the specific wrap up




Did you have a good July month? Lot of Sun? Full of books?