March Take Control of your TBR pile Challenge 2016 sign up

Hello to all,


                  For a few hours we are still in February and i'm glad for that since i'm not looking forward March this year. I'm super busy lately ( though most of the remodeling has been done) and my mood isn't at its best so i've been tempted to just hide and wait until bad times are behind me.

However, that's not a good idea so i've been looking for some motivations and i remembered this Challenge hosted by  Kimberly from the Caffeinated Book Reviewer....i do hope it will give me the needed motivation to at least reach my goal for 2016 of 4 books per month , with my place to read during the day lost i really need to push myself.

What books i will read? i have no idea just thet they have been  in my pile before march 2016 ^^;; for teh rest i try to avoid putting more pressure and stress that i'm already under so we will see. Minimum to reach: 4, more that would be great^^

You can check  the rules in detail and you can join us Here

*Rules*

• *Link-up! This is open to everyone. If you do not have a blog then link your Goodreads account. It is a good idea to friend me if your shelves are private.
• *Create a Goals/Updates/Results post (can be combined) It can also be a shelf on Goodreads. Be sure to friend me, so I can see it. Friend me: Kimberly
• *Begins midnight March 1st, 2016 and ends March 31, 2016 at midnight.
• *Read/listen to books from your TBR pile .
• ALL books/audios must have been published before March 1,  2016. I don’t care where you got them, so old ARCS count too.
• *Post a review to Goodreads, or your blog then link it to the Rafflecopter for an entry. ( these can be mini review)
• *You can combine events, challenges etc.
• *No novellas for this one peeps
• *The rafflecopter will only allow you to enter up to two books daily, so update as soon as you finish a book.
• *Earn an extra entry for adding Take Control Button to your blog, or facebook (with link-back)
• Use hashtag #TakeControlTBR
• *Earn extra entry for participating in Twitter PartyWednesday March 16th and 7pm (EST) (There will be mini-prizes)
• *Earn extra entry for participating in the 24 hour TBR read-a-thon  Saturday March 12th. (sign-up will post in February)
• Rafflecopter will close on April 2, 2016 at midnight and a winner will be chosen within 72 hours. Open internationally as long as Book Depository or Barnes and Noble ship to you. Prize: New 2016 release valued at up to 20 US dollars. I will do pre-orders as well. (may request eBook copy from Amazon or B&N)
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I will make a update/result post later to keep up but also a shelf on my goodread account i think.

Do you want to join us?

A Murder of Mages ( The Maradaine Constabulary 1) by Marshall Ryan Maresca

Hello to all,

                    It's tuesday so review day ( when i actually manage it), like i told you i'm trying to alternate my reading between sequels and new discoveries so this week it's a book that i've been eyeing since it was released and that i was very lucky to receive as a gift ( thanks again!).

It's the fist in a new series but actually it's also a kind of spin off from the first series of the author which i haven't started yet but soon perhaps.

Happy Reading!

Publisher: DAW

Publication: 2015

ISBN: 0756410274

Genre: urban fanatsy, mystery
Violence: strong
Language: mild
sex: none but allusion of sexual assault on minor
Public: 18+

Source: gift
 

Description from goodreads :

 A Murder of Mages marks the debut of Marshall Ryan Maresca’s novels of The Maradaine Constabulary, his second series set amid the bustling streets and crime-ridden districts of the exotic city called Maradaine. A Murder of Mages introduces us to this spellbinding port city as seen through the eyes of the people who strive to maintain law and order, the hardworking men and women of the Maradaine Constabulary.

Satrine Rainey—former street rat, ex-spy, mother of two, and wife to a Constabulary Inspector who lies on the edge of death, injured in the line of duty—has been forced to fake her way into the post of Constabulary Inspector to support her family.

Minox Welling is a brilliant, unorthodox Inspector and an Uncircled mage—almost a crime in itself. Nicknamed “the jinx” because of the misfortunes that seem to befall anyone around him, Minox has been partnered with Satrine because no one else will work with either of them.


Their first case together—the ritual murder of a Circled mage— sends Satrine back to the streets she grew up on and brings Minox face-to-face with mage politics he’s desperate to avoid. As the body count rises, Satrine and Minox must race to catch the killer before their own secrets are exposed and they, too, become targets.

My opinion:

          A very interesting and original story that I loved discovering.  The only downside and I prefer to start by that today is that  i was a bit confused by the world, universe in itself. Oh we get maps of Maradaine, and some infos but  not enough for me to  be immersed in the story completely without interruption or confusion at times.

Now perhaps it's a little bit my fault as well, you see this is a kind of spin off from the other series the autor has in the same universe, so perhaps  Marshall Maresca did take more time in that series to explain the universe and then it would have been a wonderful background info to jump in this new series without worry.

That being said, if you haven't read the other series like me you still can start with this one especially if you love investigation, thrillers  because the suspense is really well  done and kept until the end. I loved this magical world and the characters are quite moving.

Satrine is confronted to a very hard situation which resonated with me still she doesn't give up and is determined to get the better for her children and family. I loved her mind and how loyal she is. How she grew up certainly help her but even that no everyone could have survived as she did so she is really admirable. Minox is a mage but one that never got any education in that domain , he is uncircled ( not affiliated to any mages congregations called circles)....that in itself is already quite rare and other mages reject him for that. Worse , Minox choose to be a constable which for mages is completely unheard of and it creates even more bad reaction. Still aside from being a mage Minox is an exceptional investigator,  put aside by a lot of his colleagues and made fun of yes but still determined to resolve all his case an not with quick easy answers, he wants the truth.

The story in itself was very intense and captivating, I enjoyed it a lot. To make it even better  the main point has a resolution, we get the culprit which means no cliffhanger. At the same time we do get indices showing us that more is behind the case and while it will be another story  it was written in such a way that  we are not left hanging simply wanting for more but able to wait.....the little touch of hope was also  wonderful.

This is definitively a series i want to follow up and in the meantime I hope to discover his main series so that I can see if it will fill the blank or not ^^.

Score:  4/5

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

Challenges:

Do You like reading the spin off of series you love?

Archangel's Storm ( Guild Hunter 5 ) by Nalini Singh

Hello to all!

                      Looks like Winter made a new attempt at settling down  as we have temperatures under zero for this whole week and perhaps will have some snow... quite a constrast with all the spring flowers already in full bloom.

On advantage of such a cold weather thoug is the pleasure we get when we can read a good book near the fire with a cup of tea ( or hot chocolate).....and when you are as busy as i get lately those small break and even more pleasurable.

Today i will share with you my opinion on an installment in one of my favourite series as i try to  alternate sequels and novelties this year ^^. Without more delay here is my view on Arvchangel's Storm by Nalini Singh


Enjoy!

Publisher: Berkley

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0425246582

Genre: urban fantasy, paranormal romance
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: bought
 

Description from goodreads :

 Enter New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s darkly beautiful world of archangels and immortal power, as a pact is sealed between two souls bound by blood, stirred by desire, and driven by vengeance…

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.

Earning Neha’s trust comes at a price—Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.


With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare… and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

My opinion:

          This is a series i keep enjoying a lot as Nalini Singh always manage to spice up the  series' plot with little elements coming to enlighten the investigation and a lot more coming to show us how bigger and more mysterious it will be. I Love that!

Now that the plot running along the series , the " fil rouge" but each book has a main storyline as well and those are also captivating. I was always intrigued by Jason as we only saw from time to time a little and learned even more little. When I discovered he was the main character  in this book i had to get it without delay even if i wasn't that far yet in the series and I'm delighted i did get it.

Jason's story is really heartbreaking, he may be an angel of high power he is broken. We could imagine his past was hard but  not too that level or not that early since we know how precious children are in the angels' culture. I always loved his  relationship with Elena, while protective of Raphael, Jason wasn't outright hostile and  know i understand it even better.

So Jason is Raphael's spymaster, that we knew, however the extent of his talent  and of his means wasn't revealed yet. Discovering that an archangel's consort , Eris, is dead and having an idea of the disaster it could cause, he doesn't hesitate to go to the lion den, or the serpent den is more accurate since he goes to Neha, to try to calm things down by finding the culprit.

As an external agent though, he can't go freely so Neha requires a blood vow, a older practice, to bind him to her niece  Mahiya and as an archangel you can guess she has ulterior motives as well.

Mahiya can be a princess, she is treated as such in name only as Neha hates her and think of her as a tool only. However under the appearances, Mahiya is a dove in a serpent nest. Fragile but not without strengths she is biding her time until she can leave without being killed or worse. Jason isn't what she expected but soon she sees him as an ally because he is the only one giving her  credit and respect.

Those two are a good match and i really loved how they learned slowly about each other and how respect was essential in their relationship.

The investigation is really interesting and kept me turning the page to confirm my suspicions and to get more of Jason and Mahiya. Some chapters though focus on Dmitri and Honor marriage and aftermath. i loved to get more of those but at the same time i admit that at time i was so focused on Jason and Mahiya that  the other couple bothered me ( i'm complicated i know)

All together it's really a fantastic book, i still prefer Elena/ Raphael as a couple but  i want more of the seven as well so it's a series i will follow with pleasure)

Score:  4,5/5

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

Challenges:

An unexpected Affair ( Scottish Werebear 1) by Lorelei Moone

Hello to all,

                          This week beeing even more busy than the precedent ones i'm late to post my review but i wasn't forgetting you, just not having enough time behind a computer. Now i will try to rest this sunday to heal the cold ( hoping it's only that) i got and next week be back full of energy


Today i'm sharing with you a new athor and book i came across when it was  offered for free.

Happy reading

Publisher: lorelei Moone

Publication: 2015

ISBN:  B0148T4E9Q

Genre: paranormal romance
Violence: none
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: free

Description from goodreads :

 Romance novelist, Clarice Adler, has lost the inspiration to write ever since dumping her cheating boyfriend. How do you dream up a plot of two people falling in love, when you’ve stopped believing in love yourself? But her deadline is looming, and her career hangs in the balance, so she decides to lock herself away on the secluded Scottish Isle of Skye to finish her manuscript. Upon meeting Derek McMillan there, it seems she’s found her new muse and the words start to flow out of her as if by magic. Clarice falls for him, hard, despite knowing nothing about the man, except that he’s unavailable.

Derek McMillan has been managing his farm and renting out a few holiday cottages on his own for years now. He deals with the occasional tourist for some extra money, but mostly keeps to himself. When he first lays eyes on the curvy beauty, Clarice, he immediately regrets accepting her booking. Lightning strikes, and as much as he tries to deny it, his inner bear knows that she’s his mate. But he’s a shifter, and she’s a human, and the two can’t ever mix, can they?


In this steamy paranormal romance novella, follow along as an impossible love blossoms between two people, who couldn’t be more different. One might say fate intended for them to meet, if you believe in that sort of thing, but they’re both set on fighting their attraction with everything they’ve got. They’re going to need another push to admit to themselves as well as each other what’s going on…

My opinion:

          The blurb sounded very interesting and the idea, the plot sure are...unfortunately  for me it wasn’t enough..it sounded too quick, too rushed and since the story is short the end comes even more abrutely and it’s a cliffhanger to make things worse.

It’s sad because the idea deserved a longer development..for me how it is the story line isn’t balanced enough with the steamy parts it’s too quick i fell like i was jumping pages or something.

The writing style is good, i would gladly read more. The author regrouped several of her instalments for this series in a bundle, omnibus which will perhaps make it sound like a full novel and it will perhaps be more balanced that way...i do hope so.

The characters are inviting, Derek looks like a very open minded shifter, a good and caring alpha. The fact he loves sweets and cooking made me smile. We get he didn’t have such an easy life and would like to discover more.

Clarice...she is a writer and a romantic. I loved how she jumped to conclusion and how she still manage to get angry with Derek because of her own assumptions that was kind of cute. Now she can feel the link it was still a little strange to see her jump into the wagon , knowing justa little and not panicking even a little.

If you want a quick steamy read, with sweet charaters and if you don’t mind rushed thing and  unfinished feeling, this one is for you , now if you want a steamy read and those characters but not that short you could try the bundle too .

Score:  2,5/5

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

Challenge:

Black Arts ( Jane Yellowrock 7 ) by Faith Hunter

Hello to all,

                  Already February.. time is litteraly flying while i'm trying to remodel  the house to make it easier for my mother so the January wrap up will be up but another day ( i do plan not to forget those in 2016^^;;).

Today i'm sharing my opinion on another sequel i had in my pile from a favourite series of mine: Jane Yellowrock series focusing on her witch friend ( which make this oen perfect for not only one but 3 challenges^^)

Happy reading!

Publisher: Roc

Publication: 2014

ISBN:  0451465245

Genre: urban fantasy
Violence: strong
Language: mild
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: gifted

Short description from goodreads :

Jane Yellowrock is a shape-shifting skinwalker who always takes care of her own—no matter the cost...

When Evan Trueblood blows into town looking for his wife, Molly, he’s convinced that she came to see her best friend, Jane. But it seems like the witch made it to New Orleans and then disappeared without a trace.


Jane is ready to do whatever it takes to find her friend. Her desperate search leads her deep into a web of black magic and betrayal and into the dark history between vampires and witches. But the closer she draws to Molly, the closer she draws to a new enemy—one who is stranger and more powerful than any she has ever faced.

My opinion:

          Faith hunter really created a engaging world that you take pleasure to visit again and again....that being said  it also get more complicated with each installment so i do recommend to read this series in order.... i did and simply because  of the time i took between the book i was a little lost  a time or two during this story.

The plot was good and i really enjoying but there were a few things that got me disappointment with this installment.... first: the repetition... So far it has never been that repetitive and if the character Jane herself think it’s getting old i let you imagien what it is for the reader.... i can admit it was an important element but too much is too much. Speaking of “too much”.... i couldn’t stand Jane’s reaction to Rick anymore... after everything that happened  precedently i don’t see how she could be reacting like she is. I wanted to shake her until she found her mind again... and Beast wasn’t that efficient on that part^^. She can’t stay naïve like that it’s really too stupid!

That being said here were part i loved as well, Beast is as always funny and we want more of her remarks. I also really apreciated all teh allusion about jean Lafitte as you know i’ve learned a lot about him thanksto the series by Suzanne Johnson so having him cited here was a pure treat even if i’m not sure i would like to discover he is a vampire in Jane ‘s World... i don’t know why. Still the fact it played well with the New Orleans history was more than enjoyable ...and lastly...Angie...this littel girl isa real light in Jane’s universe but she is also giving her a lot of worries and it sound like it will only get worse as she master her powers more and more.

There were touching moments, some angsty one, some funnier so, when eveything is put together, it was a good read even if not my favourite and i definitively plan to continue the series.

Score:  3,5/5

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

Challenges:

Levi ( The Garguiem 1) by Lola White

Hello to all,


                        Surprise! For once i manage to post my review on Tuesday like i had planned to^^. Now it's true that i had hoped at first to  finish and post this review for the release date of this book but that wasn't possible so a few days later it's nothing.

I know that this book won't please everybody because of the topic, some really don't like when Religion is used in a romance paranormal or erotic or when religious person are put in question. I can understand that and if it's your case then  you can skip today post if you want. However if you can put your beliefs aside for a moment and see that a story is only a story then you could give this one a try.


Happy Reading!

Publisher: Excessica

Publication: 2016

ISBN:  0373277210

Genre: romance, paranormal, religion, angel, erotic
Violence: strong
Language: strong
sex: very strong
Public: 18+

Source: eARC received in exchange for an honest review

Description from goodreads :

 The Garguiem—fighting evil and corruption through faith, duty and love.

He’s part of an ancient order that’s been fighting corruption within the Catholic Church since the Middle Ages. She’s two months away from taking permanent vows to become a nun.

When Levi is sent to Waterview to investigate the possibility of demonic influences among the diocesan clergy, he meets Marcella, and immediately recognizes her as his other half, his gift from God.

He just has to convince her that love is worth leaving the nunnery for.


But as Levi starts leading Marcella down the path of temptation, her faith is tested in ways she never expected, and the one responsible for bringing evil to Waterview sees his chance to exploit her weakness.

My opinion:

          A very good discovery! This is my first  book from this author and i really enjoyed it ...The Garguiem are a special  group among the catholic  Church dedicated to fight evil when it manifest in  real life. They are part of the Church but no priest at all which means they can have family  but also to help them in their task they got some powers... it differs for each warrior as we learn it can be empathy, better sense, etc.

I admit that  this book could hurt some sensibilities if religion is something for you that can’t be touched and that the simple idea that some people in the system can be corrupted. But if you are open minded this become a very captivating story. For me  all people even priest are first of all human which means that they are not above making errors or worse so the idea of a “real “ divine order to keep the rank clean was very interesting.

I really loved how the author constructed the origins of the Garguiem ( or what we learn of it at this point) and i really loved the fact that for them Female are worth as much as males. It made me smile as for such an old order they were very progressive from teh start in comparaison to the whole clergy. The author also gave nuns an important role in the story, putting them under the light and acknologing their worth that was refreshing.

Now i can still imagine what could bother you but if you remember that Marcella isn’t a nun yet it makes perfect sense! I really loved the Mother Superior and how attentive and open she was, you will see what i means if you read this but i don’t want to reveal too much.

The plot is well constructed, the characters are  touching even if Levi can be very VERY straightforward. We do get to learn a bit of his past so it’s easier to understand his reasonning but still  i admit i wasn’t always at ease with his actions.

This story is a kind of thriller, you have an investigations, suspects and a big dose of mystical/ paranormal elements  added to the romance. It’s also very steamy  so better be prepared for that. If teh beginning can be a little confusing you get into the story quite rapidly and then, you can’t stop turning the pages to learn more.

I’ve read this as an arc so the final version will perhaps vary from what i’ve read but in what i’ve read two elements bothered me. Sometimes the jumping between the chapters was a little too harsh and rapid  you end a chapter with a character and an setting then  it’s completly different without the link easily made, that got me confused sometimes and i even had to check if i hadn’t missed a page or something.

Then it’s a little more a personnal opinion but i didn’t like some of the place where the characters did what they did or when they did it ... i can be open minded but that was  too much for me, too unappropriate ( somehow i was expecting Levi to be more respectful i guess).

That aside i really enjoyed this story so if you think this could be something you could like give it a try! I do hope to read the next one as well if given teh opportunity.

Score:  3,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review; Source: a copy in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was received.

Murder of Crows ( The Others 2 ) by Anne Bishop

Hello to all,

                     Winter is definitively here now with minus 10 or slighly less today and all temperature under zero for the next days....the perfect weather to stay safely inside near the fire with a good cup of tea and a book to spend a excelllent time don't you think?


Here is my opinion on the second book in the Others series by Anne Bishop.. i discovered it late but she has me captivated by this series now.


Happy reading

Publisher: Roc

Publication: 2015

ISBN: 0451466160

Genre: urban fantasy
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Source: bought

Description from goodreads :

 Return to New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop’s “phenomenal” (Urban Fantasy Investigations) world of the Others—where supernatural entities and humans struggle to co-exist, and one woman has begun to change all the rules…

After winning the trust of the Others residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murder of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard—Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader—wonders if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or a future threat.


As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now, the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet—and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

My opinion:

         

 I so loved  this sequel... i mean it’s even better than book 1....so much that i couldn’t stop reading even if i should have since it was deep night but it was so good that  i could only switch off the light for 5min before i had to get up again and continue reading until the last page.

Anne Bishop created an universe complexe but so captivating that  you get immersed easily even if you don’t know a lot about if you are just  so  immersed in the story that you don’t feel as you are missing anything. I really loved to see in this sequel how Others from the world lived, reacted to humans being and at the same time to see how those we already know adjust to the changes that are happening.

I don’t want to tell you too much to avoid spoiler and it’s the kind of story where it’s really difficult to reduce our opinion on a few facts only... to resume this one had me laughing as crazy, cry a little, smiling most of the time.

Simon is still Simon and  it was great to see how he is viewing his human pack now, i want more of Skippy and Sam...also of Whirlpool

Now ity’s also true that this one was a bit darker than the precedent book which fit perfectly with the events happening or that could happen as the author manages to always let us know a little more but keeps a large bit a mystery.

Really it’s a series to discover if you haven’t started it already and i can’t wait to get my hand on the next book as soon as i can and book 4 releases this year ( hardcover first but hey it’s around my birthday so i can hope because waiting one more year ( which i will have to do for book 5 ) is way WAY too long!!!)

Score:  5/5

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