Book Review: Captive of the Deep by Michelle M. Pillow

Captive of the Deep is the third book in the Lords of the Abyss series by Michelle M. Pillow. Merman Rigel the Hunter has prayed for an end to his people's curse. Immortality comes with a high price, loneliness. When he rescues Lyra Harne from drowning, her fate is in his hands. Living in the lost city of Atlantes, women are rare and this sexy mortal is more than this hard up warrior can resist. Lyra was sailing wit what was left of her family. believing that her rescuer is to blame for the death of her father and brothers Lyra refuses to speak until Rigel can break through her defenses. However, the truth of Lyra’s shipwreck just might prove too much for both of them.

Honestly, Captive of the Deep is the reason I kept reading this series. I wanted to know the story behind the ship of people in period clothing and the silent woman that was rescued from its destruction. Lyra was my favorite of the three heroines, and Rigel was a wounded alpha male that was her perfect match. If you made it through the first two books, then keep going since this is the best of the three and offers a lot of questions about the Scylla that sink the boats and reason the hunters are so diligent in their efforts to stop them.

If possible, I suggest skipping straight to Captive of the Deep, rather than reading the whole series. If you are not into books with tons of sex, or mer, or usually do not enjoy Pillow's work then skip it. However, if you like any of these things you might want to give Captive of the Deep a chance. it is still not a great book, but it is good for a steamy night's read.

Book Review: The Traitor by Grace Burrowes

The Traitor is the second book in the Captive Hearts series by Grace Burrowes. This historical romance is part of a series, which gives you details about some of the characters in previous books, but it is not necessary to read the books as a series. Each has the power to stand on its own.  Abandoned in France since boyhood, despite being heir to an English barony, Sebastian St. Clair might be the heir to an English barony, but after a childhood in France he was forced to make very difficult choices to survive a tour of duty in the French Army. He returns to England and a beloved aunt with the hope of living a quiet life, but old enemies insist on challenging him on the field of honor, one after another. Millicent Danforth desperately needs her position as companion to the Traitor Baron's aunt to escape a less than pleasant family situation. She comes to learn that Sebastian must continually fight a war long over. As Sebastian and Milly explore their growing passion, they uncover a plot that could cost Sebastian his life and his honor.

I almost wish I had not read The Captive before reading The Traitor. Why? Well because I was not sure that I could like a hero that did what he had done to survive in the French army, the choices that he made to protect himself, his family, his friend, and his countrymen even though they were on opposite sides of a deadly war. I came to the book with preconceived notions of a few characters.  However, it did not take me long to feel sympathy and even respect for St. Clair. He turned out to be a wounded, but honorable, hero. Milly had her own troubles and challenges, dealing with the almost expected overbearing family that cares more about what she could do for them than what she might need never mind want. The only fault I could find with Milly is that she trusted a little to easily, but she seemed to chose the right people to trust so I should just grant her the characteristic of being a good judge of character. I really liked the development of the relationship between Milly and St. Clair. The slow but steady pacing of that combined with the underlying plot to get St. Clair killed and the complicated relationships between some of the characters kept me reading eagerly. I the end I enjoyed The Traitor more than The Captive despite my initial concerns. 

I recommend The Traitor to readers that enjoy Burrowes' work, those that like historical romance, and those that enjoy books that have intrigue and subplots. If you like The Captive, or found it left you a wee but underwhelmed, do not give up on the series! This book is even better, and the couple chapters that I have read in The Laird (the third book in the series) promise to continue the trend.

Heads up, I will be posting a giveaway for the complete series as soon as I have my review of The Laird written. There is also an official giveaway, which you can enter as well. I will post them both very soon!

Book Review: Commanding the Tides by Michelle M. Pillow

Commanding the Tides is the second book in the Lords of the Abyss series by Michelle M. Pillow.

Cassandra Nevin has come to the ocean to live out her days on a boat with a bunch of scientists who don’t even know she is terminally ill, or that she is not even a scientist. When something from the depths of the abyss attacks their boat she knows it’s her time and is ready. But then the unimaginable happens, she lives. Iason the Hunter does not understand why the woman he is trying to save insists that he save anyone but her. To try and save her would mean possible disgrace and being banned from ever swimming in the ocean again. But what else can he do? From the first moment he saw her, she had command over his heart.

Commanding the Tides, like The Mighty Hunter, has plenty of inventive sex. This book also has the benefit of a heroine that I like. Cassy is ready to die, she has made her peace and rolls with the punches pretty well. She excepts some of the paranormal bits pretty easily, but takes some more convincing with the rest. Being at deaths door has her with nothing to lose, and living life to the fullest. it is only when feelings and real life get too close that she is uncertain. Iason is a strong hero, willing to risk everything to save the life of a woman he barely knows but feels so connected to.

Commanding the Tides is far from perfect, but is a step up from The Mighty Hunter. However, I would still only recommend this book (and series) to die hard mer fans, Pillow fans, or those that are reading for the 'good parts'.

Book Review: Drynn by Steve Vera

Drynn is the first book in the Last of the Shardyn series by Steve Vera. Montana police chief Skip Walkins is hot on the trail of a murder suspect when he witnesses a drifter free the Lord of the Underworld. Across the country Gavin's past comes to haunt him and threatens his fiance Amanda. All of this comes to pass because seventeen years ago five knights from Earth's magical twin entombed Asmodeous the Pale, Lord of the Drynn, in Skip's town. Now that the dark god is free again, he's anxious to get back home and finish the war he began and to enslave all life. It begins with killing the knights who trapped him. Deprived of their magic, the knights fight back using whatever they can get their hands on. Skip is drawn in to their struggle while Donovan Smith, the demi-god murderer whom Skip was after in the first place, plots to find the Lord of the Underworld and butcher him on his own. Together, these unlikely heroes might just save the world.

Drynn is a book that left me torn. I loved the characters and the depth of which was given to them. the story and the action were all very interesting and I liked the concept and the execution for the most part. However, I was left feeling a little underwhelmed when I was finished. As the first book in a series I understand the need to build the world and set up the concept needed for the story to move forward, but there were times where I just felt like there was too much of an info dump. too many situations, facts, and confrontations happening too quickly. I like a fast pace, but there just seemed to be too much going on all at once. It was still an intriguing book, and I am not sure what to suggest to improve it. Perhaps once I digest all of the action and information a little more thoroughly I will have a better way to describe the book and what I feel about it.

If you like descriptive, information and action packed urban or high fantasy with plenty of both character development and fight scenes the Drynn is for you. I really enjoyed most of the book but felt both over and under whelmed with the book as a whole. Definitely worth a look, but I am still struggling to come up with the right way to describe my feeling for the story. I will likely read the next book in the series, to see where we go from here.

Book Review:The Trouble With Harry by Katie MacAlister

The Trouble With Harry is the third book in the Noble series by Katie MacAlister.  Lord Harry Rosse is a spy that has faced clever and dangerous adversaries, but it's his five offspring who seem likely to drive him mad. Desperate, he advertises for a wife and finds one, but perhaps he should have been a bit more forthcoming on the size of his family. Frederica Pelham, known as Plum, has spent years avoiding the scandal of her past. She is desperate for quiet security and a chance to make a family. What she finds is a titled husband with no desire for new children and five little devils who seem bent on their own destruction, not to mention hers. As all kinds of secrets are catch up with them, Plum knows that the real trouble with Harry is that he's stolen her heart.

The Trouble With Harry has a lot that I love about MacAlister's historical romances. The characters are strong minded, smart, flawed, and quirky. Plum was fooled as a young lady and married to a less than honorable man that just happened to be married already. Scandal destroyed her family, and as a result she is caring for her now 20 year old niece and struggling to make ends meet. She is still sweet and kind hearted, but more than a little weary of society. Harry is at a loss about how to control, discipline, or even keep his brood safe. Accidents have him on edge, but a wife seems to be the best solution. After some stumbling blocks and more than a few crazy antics Plum and Harry hit it off and come to a meeting of the minds, even though they still keep more than a few of their troubles to themselves. The story is great fun and a wonderful follow up to Noble Intentions and Noble Destiny, although each of the books can also stand well on their own.

I highly recommend The Trouble With Harry to all MacAlister fans, fans of historical fiction, and romance with humor woven throughout. The story is a grand romp of hijinks and people that care about each other but afraid to admit just how much.

Book Review: The Mighty Hunter by Michelle M. Pillow

The Mighty Hunter is the first book in the Lords of the Abyss series by Michelle M. Pillow. Scientist Bridget Dutton's heart belongs to her work. When her boat is attacked from below, Bridget’s dream to study the deep waters of the ocean just might come true sooner than planned. Caderyn the Hunter may have rescued her from death, but who’s going to rescue her from him? With a deliciously hot body and all the right moves, the man is a walking seduction that’s too hard to resist. There’s only one problem. Caderyn claims they’re in the Abyss, living on a cursed island along the deep ocean floor. And, if that wasn’t bad enough, he says he’s a merman. attraction and logic battle for Bridget's attention.

The Mighty Hunter is almost erotica but not quite. There are a lot of steamy scenes to be had and those are pretty well done. Caderyn is a strong man, and strong minded. He is more patient and tolerant than I. Bridget, on the other hand, might have been intelligent but grated on my nerves with her lack of common sense. Even after all the evidence made it clear where she is, even when she sees with her own eyes, even after multiple romps in bed with Caderyn, she still needs more proof for her own piece of mind. It just got a little repetitive and bothersome after a while. I only continued to read because the intimate scenes were so entertaining, and I wanted to know more about the secondary characters.

I would only recommend The Mighty Hunter to readers that are die hard mer fans, Pillow fans, or those that are reading for the 'good parts'. I will admit that I kept going and finished the series, and the other heroines are a little better, but the stories as a whole do not improve much.

Book Review: Noble Intentions by Katie MacAlister

Noble Intentions is the first book in the Noble series by Katie MacAlister. Noble Britton, Lord Weston, has come to London intending to revisit old friends, enjoy a modicum of society, and find a mild, biddable wife. Gillian Leigh's Unfortunate Habit of speaking her mind and Shocking Susceptibility to Accidents have left her on the shelf at five-and-twenty but intrigues Noble. When Gillian meets the infamous Black Earl, she knows that she's found a man who can match her zest for life; even if that entails the occasional arson, possibly kidnapping, or encounters with his former mistresses. Life with Gillian involves chaos and laughter but Noble intends to claim her for his own, that is if she doesn't accidentally kill him first.

Noble Intentions might be the first book in this series, but I read it third. I read The Trouble with Harry ages ago and just re-read it along with Noble Destiny. Each of the books can stand on its own, but they also connect in fun ways because of the connected group of people. As a long standing fan of MacAlister I knew that I would find quirky characters, humor, and some fun is this historical romance, and I was not let down. Gillian is a fun but strong character with an unfortunate habit of speaking her thoughts, particularly ones that she means to keep to herself. Noble is a widower with a young son that is looking for a stable, predicable life. Gillian is anything but predictable, and he struggles to change that, urging thought and respectability above all else. That just will not work for Gillian, who quickly takes to motherhood and marriage but is not so good at living the respectable life. It is occasionally odd to have Gillian's habit of speaking her private thoughts refereed to as 'Unfortunate Habit", but the entertainment factor overcomes all of that and quickly.

I highly recommend Noble Intentions to all MacAlister fans, fans of historical fiction, and romance with humor woven throughout. There are misunderstandings, but not because of the main players not talking to each other, but because of how much they care. That makes for a fun and entertaining weekend or even single day reads.

Do not forget to enter my giveaway for the full series!

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Early Book Review: The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm

The Fourteenth Goldfish is a middle grade novel by Jennifer Holm which is currently scheduled for release in August 26 2014.  Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade, her best friend, and even her dearly departed goldfish. Then one day a strange boy shows up; he is bossy, cranky, and looks an awful lot like her scientist grandfather. Could this pimply boy really be Grandpa Melvin? Has he finally found the secret to eternal youth?

The Fourteenth Goldfish is a story that is fun, but still covers some big ideas. Ellie is a smart girl with an artistic mother that wants her to find her passion. Middle school is hard, especially when your best friend has found her passion, and it is nothing you have interested in. When Melvin comes on the scene, dressed in his grandfather clothes while looking like a 13 year old boy, Ellie discovers a lot about science, who she is, and what she loves. The characters are all realistic, and just interesting to read about as they all come to learn more about themselves and the cycle of life. A coming of age tale about finding yourself well and truly woven together with a story about both the wonders and dangers of science.

I enjoyed the The Fourteenth Goldfish, and think that most readers will enjoy it as well. those facing changes in life, such as entering middle school, growing apart from a good friend, or a change in family dynamic will find the book particularly relate-able. Holms comes through again with a great book.

Giveaway for Katie MacAlister's Noble Series

Did you see my review for The Truth about Leo by Katie MacAlister yesterday? Did it sound interesting but you have not read the previous books in the series? Well... I am here to help you out! My review of the second book in the series, Noble Destiny, can be found here. My reviews for the remaining two books are scheduled and coming soon.


I just happen to have galley copies of each of the for books in the series on my desk. I would love to pass those on to a fellow readers. Do you want the set?? Well, all you have to do is use the nifty Rafflecopter form that follows to enter. Keep in mind that there is a free entry that you can use daily! 

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The giveaway will last for one week. I will contact the winner for mailing information and then get those books in the mail. If the winner does not respond to my email within two days, another winner will be chosen.

Book Review: The Truth about Leo by Katie MacAlister

The Truth about Leo is the forth book in the Noble series by Katie MacAlister, which is set for release today, August 5 2014. Dagmar Marie Sophie is a poverty-stricken Danish princess whose annoying royal cousin is about to have her stuffed away in a convent. When she finds a wounded man unconscious in her garden, she sees a way out of her desperate situation. Leopold Ernst George Mortimer, seventh earl of March, and spy in the service of the king, finds himself on the wrong end of a saber and left for dead. He wakes up not remembering what happened and in the care of a beautiful woman who says she is his wife. Once they get to London Leo sets out to unravel what he's forgotten, with the help of his old friends the eccentric Britton family. Is Dagmar truly the wonderful, irrepressible woman who makes his heart sing, or will she be his destruction?

The Truth About Leo rounds of the Noble series nicely. Dagmar is a nice mix of innocent, smart, and sweet. She trusts a little too easily, but stands up extremely well under pressure and stands up for herself and those she feels are in the right with no hesitation.  Her enthusiasm about just about everything is infectious. Leo is a little slower to trust, but when you have worked as a spy that seems to be a good idea. He seems to be intuitive and fair minded, with a honorable streak a mile wide. The pair make a great match, even with their unusual beginnings. Quirky characters, humor, and some very exciting moments come together just as we expect from MacAlister. I will say that I did see through the mystery or twist woven through the story pretty quickly, but just what the characters go through to get to their conclusions is always interesting. 

I would highly recommend The Truth about Leo to everyone that enjoys historical romance and the signature blend of humor and love found in just about every book from MacAlister. Oh, just read it... and the entire series,. It is a fun story that will make you smile as you turn the pages to see just what might happen next.