samedi 11 juillet 2015

Guardians of Stone (Relic Seekers 1) by Anita Clenney

Hello to all,

                         After a short break with a weather normal for the season we are back with a heat wave and no matter how i want it that affects my reading mood.
So today i'm sharing with you my opinion of Guardians of Stone, i'm really enjoying the other series by Anita Clenney so i was enthousiast to try this one, especially with teh kind of power the heroine has, even better Anita reader's group were discussing it in June so i was eager to join them. Unfortunately despite ordering the book with a more than reasonnable advance it arrived too late ç_ç i still could join the discussion  part of it) but i was disappointed to have gotten it too late so now i know i should only hope to join aread along if and only if i already own teh book taht will avoid such disappointment.

Now let's see what the book is about and my opinion of it!

Happy Reading!


Short description from goodreads :

 Kendall Morgan is a human bloodhound. Spending her childhood hunting relics with her ambitious archeologist father, she knew the two of them shared a sixth sense for the history and location of objects—sometimes even people. What she didn’t know was that their paranormal gift could ultimately be their undoing.

After the tragic plane crash that killed her father as well as her childhood best friend, Kendall dedicated her life to finding and protecting relics. When mysterious, sexy billionaire Nathan Larraby hires her for his latest expedition—the search for four powerful relics —she’s thrown into a world of high-octane danger. He sends brooding mercenary Jake Stone to watch Kendall’s back, but he may have created danger of a different kind.


As the team chases down clues, a man called the Reaper makes a play for the artifacts and will stop at nothing to put them to his own sinister use. What’s worse is that Nathan hasn’t told the whole story, and the dark secrets he’s keeping could cost them the mission…and their lives.

My opinion:
          I had to wait to finally read this one but it was worth it. I like the psychometry ability even if i’m really glad not to have that gift so i was interested in the story but Kendall power is larger than that for example she doesn’t always need to touch an object to know something which makes it even more dangerous and intriguing.

 I really liked how Anita gave us bits of information along the story to makes us understand the characters better and at the same be even more intrigued but all these mysteries surrounding them, some elements could be too much but she really manages to make it believable so we can’t keep turning the pages.

Kendall is a young woman, having lost those dear to her she became quite independent and can speak her mind. She is working for the mysterious Nathan, a very wealthy young man, finding lost relics... their relationship is one of a kind. Nathan isn’t her lover but he is deeply protective of her and most importantly he is trusting her, also strangely her power doesn’t work on him.
Suddenly, Nathan is sending her on a new quest but this time she must have a teammate, Jake,  another person employed by Nathan but someone she doesn’t know. For an independent woman, the fact to have bodyguard/ captor on her heels isn’t that easy.

Jake is also mysterious, we know he is working for Nathan and perhaps not entirely on its free will. They bickers a lot but Nathan seems to be protective of him too even if he doesn’t show it in a good way. Charged with the task to find a specific relic while keeping Kendall safe isn’t to his liking at all. At first he is even doubtful of her abilities and it’s on that occasion that we can see that Jake is also looking for Nathan . He is a fighter and probably an ex soldier however while we have learned a bit of what happened the large majority is still a secret as even him is looking for some answers. As the mission goes so the goes up his attraction for Kendall and we get to discover a possessive and jaleous young man.

Nathan does have a reason for his actions but  those are still mysterois as are his power but i did enjoy seeing him go out on the ground to protect those who are his friends  and perhaps he would hope for me with kendall)

The investigation for the relics is really well buit with secrets and magic and more mysteries along the way. The story is fast paced with a lot of action and i loved how the  exchanges between Kendall and Jake were heating up, they do have more in common than it seems.

 Really the story is compelling and we are intrigued enough as not to want to wait too long for the next installment ( thankfullfy the third 3 books are already out) as we want answer to our questions...... for example i’m wondering is all the characters are who they believe they are but if i don’t want to spoil anything for you  i can’t tell you more.

A fun and addictive start for promising series.



Score:  4/5

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


Challenges:




Do you participate often in read-along?

samedi 4 juillet 2015

Seal of Honor ( Hornet 1) by Tonya Burrows

Hello to all!

                     I hope the weather is being kind for all of you ( not too hot , not too cold, just right) because here it's not the case... i'm melting which is why i'm late to post because really  it's too much even for electronic.
 Now, in the USA it's the the celebration of their independance so big party  , barbecue etc ... for that reason i decided to review a military romance to change from the paranormal and urban fantasy a little^^ that way it fit the calendar too.
It's a new author to me and let me tell you i won't stop there, it was fabulous! However i will let you see that in more detail so without more delay here is my opinion on Seal of Honor by Tonya Burrows

 Happy reading
Publisher: Entangled Select
Publication: 2013
ISBN:  1620612585
Genre: romantic suspense, military romance
Violence: strong

Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+
Source: gifted ( thanks Amber!)
 



Short description from goodreads :

 It’s a good thing Gabe Bristow lives and breathes the Navy SEAL credo, “the only easy day was yesterday,” because today, his life is unrecognizable. When his prestigious career comes to a crashing halt, he’s left with a bum leg and few prospects for employment that don’t include a desk.

That is, until he’s offered the chance to command a private hostage rescue team and free a wealthy American businessman from Colombian paramilitary rebels. It seems like a good deal—until he meets his new team: a drunk Cajun linguist, a boy-genius CIA threat analyst, an FBI negotiator with mob ties, a cowboy medic, and an EOD expert as volatile as the bombs he defuses. Oh, and who could forget the sexy, frustratingly impulsive Audrey Van Amee? She’s determined to help rescue her brother—or drive Gabe crazy. Whichever comes first.


As the death toll rises, Gabe’s team of delinquents must figure out how to work together long enough to save the day. Or, at least, not get themselves killed. Because Gabe’s finally found something worth living for, and God help him if he can’t bring her brother back alive.

My opinion:
          Addictive and page turner story! I ‘ve read this one in one sitting despite an overbearing heat outside i was so immersed in the story and enjoying the characters that i couldn’t stop reading. Tonya Burrows created a bunch of operatives really too good they each have a troubled past, one way or another, and had to leave the official service . But those alpha men can’t stay behind a desk they live on the field so when they get the opportunity to join a special private team specialised in rescuing hostage they all want to be part of it.

They are a bunch of good guys but with some attitude trouble and fire is sparking between them which leads to very humourous exchanges i was smiling and laughing as much as biting my nails or wanting to cry at some parts. Really that’s that excellent. I’m not sure which guy is my favourite either but i do have a soft spot for Harvard and Quinn had me tearing up.

 Oh i did love the main couple of this story Gabe is a leader born and it was funny to see the big seal warrior loose his cool because of a small feisty woman. Gabe is really a man of honor and he is loyal to a fault bgut at the same time i wanted to punch him when he was so irresponsible sometimes. Audrey is an independent girl, determined to save her brother she not only speak of it she acts as she can. When she meet the team sent to save him she decide to join, refusing to be send packing home safely... i’m sure she wasn’t expecting all she will be confronted to but she does stay herself and i loved how she was able to center Gabe as much as pushing his buttons. They are the perfect couple, balanced where each one can take the other on when needed and let’s be honest thos big alpha men need someone to put them at their place from time to time.

 The pace, the level of action vs romance all   in this story was perfect for me and i can’t wait to read more of the team as they start to learn to work together ( and let say that book 3 being about Quinn i can’t wait reach that one). If you love military romance and romance suspense this oen is a must read



Score:  5/5

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


Challenges:















If you are celebrating, have fun but remember to stay careful too and for the others may you have a great weekend as well!!







jeudi 2 juillet 2015

Treasures and Finds+ June Recap

Hello to all,

                        Summer is there and not in a timid way, we are having a big wave of heat here ( even canicule) so it's unbreathable for me and i need to stay inside now...too hot even to enjoy reading. However things are calming down too so i hope i will be able to read more than i did in June, we are still waiting for my dog blood results but that's the only source of stress at this time.

Anyway thank you a lot for your patience and for your gifts and comments!

 Now let see June


Reviews
First some new to me authors

then  a series  i'm following up with pleasure




Challenges:
goodreads : 24/50
The official 2015 TBR pile Challenge : 9/12
2015 TBR reading Pile Challenge: 18/10
New to you Reading Challenge 2015: 11/6

 the Paperback Summer reading challenge started this month and so far i'm not doing that well since i only read 3 books , i do need to make some progress i'm quite happy it last until end of august or my oal would definitively be impossible to reach



TREASURES and FINDS

For REVIEW
none

WON
From Suzanne on her blog, Suzanne Johnson's Blog in her weekly giveaway

From Delhia (and the author Linda Grimes) on her blog, Between Dreams and Reality 
*signed*


 GIFTED
none


BOUGHT
none, no time to shop

So on bookish side, i did receive something so i'm happy

On the crafting side,i managed to find teh last item i needed for my last project but i had no time to start. i did send 2 happy mails though

jeudi 25 juin 2015

Archangel’s Blade ( Guild Hunter 4) by Nalini Singh

Hello to all,

                      Nearly the end of the week already but i haven't forgotten you, in hope to stay motivated into reading despite all the  problems happening lately i decided to stay on safe ground with an author i've come to love and a series quite addictive

Happy reading!
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Publication: 2011
ISBN:  0425243915
Genre: urban fantasy, paranormal romance
Violence: strong

Language: mild
sex: strong
Public: 18+
Source: gifted


Short description from goodreads :

 The severed head marked by a distinctive tattoo on its cheek should have been a Guild case, but dark instincts honed over hundreds of years of life compel the vampire Dmitri to take control. There is something twisted about this death, something that whispers of centuries long past...but Dmitri's need to discover the truth is nothing to the vicious strength of his response to the hunter assigned to decipher the tattoo.

Savaged in a brutal attack that almost killed her, Honor is nowhere near ready to come face to face with the seductive vampire who is an archangel's right hand, and who wears his cruelty as boldly as his lethal sensuality...the same vampire who has been her secret obsession since the day she was old enough to understand the inexplicable, violent emotions he aroused in her.


As desire turns into a dangerous compulsion that might destroy them both, it becomes clear the past will not stay buried. Something is hunting...and it will not stop until it brings a blood-soaked nightmare to life once more...



My opinion:
          DIMITRI! Oh my he just got a helluva amount of bonus point with this novel…. Until this point he was really dark, mysterious and we could feel it had more to his story but his attitude with Elena had me not liking him a lot. Now that we learn, part of, his past we can understand him a lot more, his reaction makes sense but we also discover another side of him I knew him, loyal, stubborn, vicious and cruel but protective ( for someone else than Raphael I mean) and attentive….. that’s new and he is so romantic as well….. I really felt his pain.

This story focuses on him and his past via his meeting with Honor, a guild member that was abducted and tortured not too long ago. Honor is loving character but she has been hurt so deeply that he partially changed her, she is terrified and hiding but as an expert in language her talent are needed when a tattoo need to be identified… she doesn’t go happily to say the least but it shows how loyal and courageous she is. The meeting with Dimitri doesn’t start really well as her terror affect her to the point she acts by instinct alone… however Dimitri is able to recognize that situation and he acts accordingly…. . He is surprised to be attracted so strongly to this woman and he doesn’t want to open its heart but her pain remind him of his own and he helps her .. with him we quickly discover the real Honor, the courageous, determined and compassionate one.

 The investigation about the severed head is done while in the meantime Dimitri goes on a search for the culprit on Honor’s case….it’s something deep rooted in him, he want to makes them pay… and since Honor is a fighter that investigation won’t be done without her, same as the first one… Dimitri perhaps wants to protect her but she wants to be active. I really loved their interactions and how it taught us about their respective past. The fact we get to see some others characters ( illium, Elena but also Ash and Vivek)is something is absolutely love in this series…it help to quick the action moving at adequate rhythm.

This is not my favourite book in the series but it gave me a totally new insights on several characters and just make me want for more. Definitively a fantastic series to be recommended.



Score:  4/5

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


Challenges::

jeudi 18 juin 2015

Seven Kinds of Hell ( Fangborn1) by Dana Cameron

Hi!!
 i promised you one review this week so i'm glad i did manage to give you and even better one for a book that i enjoyed a lot!! Thank you Carien!!!

So i won't be long but here comes my opinion on Seven Kind of Hell by Dana Cameron

 Happy Reading
Publisher: North
Publication: 2013
ISBN:  1611097959
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Violence: mild

Language: mild
sex: mild
Public: 18+
Source: Gifted


Short description from goodreads :

 When archaeologist Zoe Miller's cousin is abducted by a vicious Russian kidnapper, she must come to grips with a haunting secret. Unknown to even her closest friends, Zoe is not entirely human. She's a werewolf and a daughter of the "Fangborn," a hidden race of werewolves, vampires, and oracles.

Zoe's attempt to rescue her cousin leads her on a quest for artifacts—including Pandora's Box, an object of world-ending power. With the fate of humanity in the balance, Zoe will be forced to renew family ties and pit her own supernatural abilities against a dark and nefarious fo.


At once captivation, deftly worded, and character-rich Seven Kinds of Hell expands vampire legend and werewolf noir in both intensity and charismatic bite.


My opinion:
          Wonderfully original!  I absolutely loved this book and I can’t believe I had to wait so long before discovering such a pearl. Dana Cameron has built a world so unique and yet so easily understandable that we are swept by the adventure and can’t let go.

If you love history , even just a little, and love suspense this is a book you have to try, no, don’t fear it’s not a historical novel by all means but Zoe is an archaeologist and thus she is confronted by the past, visit ruins and such but the talent of the author was to add that reality ( of place, some history) with a touch of paranormal, creating artefact that have been hidden sometime sin plain sight sometimes not….for her the representation of creature mi human-mi animal ( think about Anubis for example and all the others in nearly all civilisations) were in fact little proof of Fangborns’ existence. Hidden in plain sight it was way for them to leave a reminder. Really it’s so well done that we can guess all the works that came behind the story, all the necessarily research that’s fabulous.

So In this universe, among human live Fangborns…who can be vampires, werewolves, oracles, snakeweres etc, each of them have specialities( like hunting, healing, predicting etc) but one thing in common, apart from a few human their existence is secret and their goal is to fight true evil. When an evil human is on the verge of doing something they can scent him and immediately their instinct calls them to interfere to protect the innocent and destroy the evil.

Zoe doesn’t know she is fangborn, all her life she has been on the run with her mother hiding from her family but at the same time hiding what is happening to her. When adolescent she started to change to have strong urge and found herself as a wolf…afraid she thought she was crazy and hid even more. Now her cousin, Danny has been kidnapped and she is told she is fangborn….no real time to adjust to clock is tickling  and she must find some artefacts to save him, meeting enemies but also new allies along the way across Europe and Africa.

The pace is quite rapid and the tension building, we learn a little more about Zoe and the fangborn but there are still a lot left to be discovered and we do want more after the cliffhanger( not in a too critical moment thankfully). I really do want the next book as soon as I can because this is a series I recommend without hesitation, it’s a fantastic, original and captivating urban fantasy

Score:  5/5

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


Challenges:

Treasures and Finds+ May Recap

Hello to all,

                        June is already quite advanced but life happened and so i'm late to post my recap of the month of May but the essential is that it's on now. For those who didn't know  there was a big storm several weeks ago and unfortunately my computer and internet didn't survive ( despite a surge protector, seems it's not working when the lightening hit too closely)... internet is finally on again but my computer won't be repaired before several more weeks at minimum. 
My dog is still requiring all my attention, so far the antibiotic seems to work but there is good and bad day and today was a bad one. i'm keepingf my fingers crossed we will win this new fights, thank you for your well wishes, it's really appreciated

Now i will try to make a good recap but if i'm forgetting something i'm sorry, thankfully i had a draft on my paper bloc but i'm not sure it was complete in comparaison to what i typed already^^;;

Anyway thank you a lot for your patience and for your gifts and comments!

 Now let see May


Reviews
First some new to me authors

then  a series  i'm following up with pleasure





Challenges:
goodreads : 21/50
The official 2015 TBR pile Challenge : 8/12
2015 TBR reading Pile Challenge: 17/10
New to you Reading Challenge 2015: 10/6

 This month i also joined the Paperback Summer in which we try to read as many as we can during the month of June, July and August ( so far i'm doing bad as you can imagine but thankfully it last 3months). It's hosted by Suze on her blog and you can still join us here 



TREASURES and FINDS

For REVIEW
none

WON
From MinnChica  at The Book Pushers in their monthly giveaway



 GIFTED
none


BOUGHT
none, no time to shop

So on bookish side, i did receive something so i'm happy

On the crafting side,nothing as i did not had any free time or nearly but i did send 3 happy mails


 I hope May was a good month for you and that June will be even a better one


samedi 13 juin 2015

Unexpected and unwanted Break

Hello to all,

                         i'm sorry to have disappeared without notice but two weeks ago  we had a very bad storm which destroyed computer and internet.
Internet was only put back yesterday but the computer will take months ( need the insurance's answer, the pieces are not standard etc)... i don't plan to be away that long as i will ask for a computer to lent but i don't know when it will be possible ( and posting at the library isn't easy here with the restrictions)

 and because bad news don't come alone, my dog is really unwell and needs me 24/24 right now.

 So to be short, i will try to get you one review posted and may wrap up as well curent of this week if i can  but if i can't or if i don't answer quickly i ask for your patience

 thanks for your understanding and see you soon