Review #9: The Scarlet Spy

Title: The Scarlet Spy
Author: Andrea Pickens
Series: Merlin's Maidens #3
Released Date: October 1, 2008
Type: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Spy Thriller

* * * *
They were once orphans from London's roughest slums. Now they are stuidents of Mrs. Merlin's Academy for Select Young Ladies, learning the techniques of spying and seduction. Bold, beautiful, and oh-so-dangerous, they are England's ultimate secret weapons...

The most ladylike of "Merlin's Maidens," Sofia possesses a natural grace and grandeur to go along with her deadly arsenal of martial skills--which makes her the perfect choice for a dangerous assignment to investigate rumors of government corruption. She must spin through the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair and the sinister back alleys of the city in search of the truth. One misstep on her part could prove fatal as she works to unravel the tangled web of deceit...but keeping the sinfully sexy Deverill Osborne at arm's length is a real test of her mettle. 

Handsome, witty and charming, Osborne is the darling of the ton. So when he is asked by the Marquess of Lynsley to introduce a lovely young Italian Contessa into Society, he is only too happy to oblige...however he soon has suspicions about the Contessa. W hen he catches her stealing valuables from a gentleman's study, should he believe the worst? Or should he trust the tantalizing murmur of her words...and the sultry, sensuous whispers of her body. To unmask the conspirators, Sofia and Osborne will overcome hidden dangers, including their own growing passion...which may be the most dangerous force of all.

* * * * * 

Under all the rich glamorous and sometimes fickle lifestyle of the High Society, there are those who hide much more sinister personalities than the Society would dare to know. Here, it follows the story of the past Merlin's sisters-in-arms. One who has a strict view of her given mission. One who puts duty and loyalty above all others. And here comes a rather rakish rogue, determined to disrupt all her carefully laid plans. 

It's an amusing story about a very determined, and yet tenacious to a fault, gentleman and his high-flying Merlin. This particular lady, unlike her sisters in arms, have a past that needs to be discovered. Their mission--actually it was mainly hers but the gentleman stubbornly wants to help(really, he's like a blood hound when he gets wind of something)--much to this lady's frustration. It's kind of amusing how Lady Sofia rebuffs every effort made by Dev for creating some sort of easy rapport. And yet, I pity her for her tough upbringing even if that made her a strong woman now, but had yet to feel the softer emotions that a lady should feel at least once in her lifetime. Anyway, their efforts made for an intriguing discovery of a very sinister plot that could make or break London's victory against Napoleon. 

Like the two books before, this one is another book I'd willingly read over and over with pleasure. The concept of "highborn" ladies acting like men, perhaps exceeding in things that men have usually are incapable of accomplishing made me consider deeply. For women then were highly oppressed and considered as second citizens, but women can always hide their true potential from the public's eye, as featured splendidly in this book. All in all, a great historical romance during London's struggle in an epic war. 

A wonderful, adventurous story showing women's veracity and showing poise in the face of danger.

* * * * * 

Rate: 5/5

Review #8: Seduced by a Spy

Title: Seduced by a Spy
Author: Andrea Pickens
Series: Merlin's Maidens #2
Released Date: March 1, 2008
Type: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Spy Thriller

* * * *

They were once orphans from London's roughest slums. Now they are students of Mrs. Merlin's Academy for Select Young Ladies, learning the techniques of spying and seduction. Bold, beautiful, and oh-so-dangerous, they are England's ultimate secret weapons...

Hot-tempered and a warrior to the bone, Shannon is the most daring of "Merlin Maidens." Her assignment: stop the fiendishly cruel assassin who is targeting a top British ballistics expert's family. Marshalling her intelligence, fighting skills, and weapons is easy. Being forced to work with the rakishly handsome Russian spy she loathes is something else.

Witty, resourceful, and notorious for his rakish charm with women, Alexandr Orlov tempts Shannon's fierce reserve and lithe body to win her trust. But in the remote Scottish castle where they are sent to protect the innocent, their games of parry and thrust could end in death. A ruthless enemy is watching...and planning to turn their passion into the most dangerous weapon of all.

* * * * *

Andrea Pickens's Seduced by a Spy  is what I would call an oldie but a goodie. It's a rather interesting story of espionage, a hot tempered, stubborn as an ass lady and a dashingly clever Russian spy. They're story takes us into an adventure of epic proportions where a neither of them could trust each other as long as they could throw each other. Both of them refuses to give an inch in the battle of wills. But beneath all that steel, lies a surprisingly vulnerable young lady which our handsome Russian goes on out of his way to prove to her that trust could exist between them. Of course, while doing a lot of seducing--as the title implies--with more than winning her trust in his mind. 

For those who love a good historical romance and a bit of old-fashioned spy games, this is a book worth reading. Not only does it get your heart pumping with the frustrations and annoyance of the characters, it also shows how two people with strong wills can get along for the sake of the safety of others. 

Its a rather good book, though on some scenes, their frustrations tend to affect me as well. Meaning, I sometimes to climb in there and strangle her and shake some sense into her. But there are some that I find funny since they seem to clash to be at arms against each other, unknowingly that the feelings in them only grew with every encounter. And through hard times, once must learn to set each other's grievances aside and use their heads together. It is for the sake of the greater good, you know.

And finally, what I really liked about this one as well as her first book, was that looks can be deceiving. That under all that frill, poise and cool-under-pressure facade, lies a woman ready to do whatever it takes for duty, loyalty and eventually love. All in all, like her first book, Andrea Pickens's novel shows that women can kick ass too. 

* * * * *

Rate: 5/5

Review #7: The Eternity Cure

Title: The Eternity Cure
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: The Immortal Rules #2
Released Date: April 23, 2013
Type: Romance, Young Adult, Dystopia, Vampires, Urban Fantasy

* * * * *

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.


* * * * *

First, let me just say that this is the best vampire novel I've read yet, until the next book of this series that is. It's like reading instead of watching a movie. The scenes are so...how do I say this...visually stimulating when read that its very easy to picture the place, the sights, sounds and such...as if you were really there.

For starters, it was a another wonderful novel by one of my favorite authors; another masterpiece I would say. What surprised me in this was Jackal's co-role in Allie's quest. Yes, it was hinted back at The Immortal Rules that he'd be making another appearance in the next book, but I just didn't expect him to be the good guy here, obnoxious and irritating, yes, but still after seeing him in Old Chicago? Never saw that one coming. I thought then that Allie would meet with her blood brother, maybe do the slicing and dicing and you-killed-my-friends / you-destroyed-my-city and blah blah blah crap. But I really didn't expect them to team up, even for a little while. I guess that's Ms. Kagawa for you, putting twists here and there when you least expect it.

Anyway, here it seems that a few months has passed, with Allie travelling and meeting with her blood brother. And another familiar character comes back from paradise; though at first, his true purpose for being there was a mystery expect for my speculation that he came back for "the one that got away", but as the story progressed on, his true meaning for being there in the first place became clear, unraveling facts that could make or break their relationship. Would've liked to have a bit more cozy scenes for them without Jackal interrupting at the most crucial moment!!.. Argh!! =)

There was a really great flow to the story; where betrayal, hurt, determination, the will to live and not give up and a bit of convincing one very wary little vampire reigned. Oh, and a good development too with the new type of rabids in the city. Though, I had never thought that crazy, claw-you-eyes-out zombies were scary. It just shows that the author has a very very creative imagination. Obviously. 

The villain, evil mastermind in the story...He can go shit himself to hell for all I care!! Argh!!!.. That guy really gets on my nerves, especially with the way he speaks, laughs and acts even. And the fact that no one can successfully chop his head off. Well, I know that with the end of him, perhaps the story ends as well, but really... He's a scary freakin crazy bastard.

At the same time, I love and hate the most emotional scene here. When there was hope at the end, in sights, only a bit in you grasp, someone takes it away from you so tragically and suddenly, it leaves your head spinning. That's what happened. Allie's light, her "only good thing" in this god forsaken world, was taken away, betrayed by the one who she had thought a friend. Someone who's main purpose was revealed yet still vague to me when he died in the end. (Stupid prick if a bastard!! -_- ) 

When he was tortured by the bat-shit crazy vampire, I cried along with Allie, carried away I guess, by the how well the words flowed with intense emotion. It was so easy to see him, there bleeding and in agony, loyalty holding him, keeping him strong despite the pain being inflicted upon him. The bastard was sick enough to record it all, to leave it as a message for Allie. It just broke my heart, just broke, when she started to cry. 

Being an emotional female right now, I somehow felt the gut-wrenching pain, or maybe a fraction of it, rip through me. Maybe its me right now, being emotional this way, but this part affected me most of all. Curse you hormones!!! Lol @.@

All in all, another vampire/resident-evilly/post-apocalyptic masterpiece!! :) 

* * * * *

Rate: 5/5

Review #6: Last Kiss Goodnight

Title: Last Kiss Goodnight
Author: Gena Showalter
Series: Otherworld Assasins #1
Released Date: December 26, 2012
Type: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Adult, Aliens, Magic, Shapeshifters

* * * *

The breathtaking first novel in New York Times best selling author Gena Showalter’s new paranormal romance series, Otherworld Assassins, featuring a black ops agent who is captured and enslaved…and the beautiful deaf girl who holds the key to his salvation…

THE SWEETEST TEMPTATION…

Black ops agent Solomon Judah awakens caged and bound in a twisted zoo where otherworlders are the main attraction. Vika Lukas, the owner’s daughter, is tasked with Solo’s care and feeding. The monster inside him yearns to kill her on sight, even though she holds the key to his escape. But the human side of him realizes the beautiful deaf girl is more than she seems—she’s his.

THE ULTIMATE PRICE…

Vika endures the captives’ taunts and loathing, hoping to keep them alive even if she can’t free them. Only, Solo is different—he protects her. But as hostility turns to forbidden romance, his feelings for her will be used against him…and he’ll be put to a killer test.


*****

Again, Gena Showalter hadn't disappointed. This one was a bit twisted, nice in a few ways and shows what human(or humanoid species in the case)  were capable in dire, dire, times like being caged and showcased and used in a circus just because they're different. Vika's father I really wanted to kick and behead and give him some self-deserved ass-kicking that I'm sure would be ten-times worse than what he'd done to Vika, Audry and all the others who suffered in his care. 

Love this one because its detailed in the gorey scenes that I could easily picture it in my mind. Like zombie-apocalypse-gore + hard-core warriors = one memorable(if not tummy curdling) book.

* * * *

Now, what to say about this one... hmmm...


Well, first off, I felt really sorry and kind of feel for Vika. Not that I myself was abused like her, but her pain.. I don't know, just jump from the pages for me and kind of...you know. Anyway, I commend her spirit in the face of her (twisted) father's kind of "love." Vika's deafness was a spell I think, or was it? Becasue it was after her father died that she could finally hear, or was that because of Solo sharing-thing?

Anyway, love Solo's intense-ness and his total warrior mode. He's a great guy, just rough around the edges. He's unconciously holding imself back from the world, from people, so that he couldn't hurt them if he got into a rage. Yes, he kept saying that he didn't care for the things he's done in the past, the "clean-ups" he'd have to do in his job, but that just made him what he is in the book and learned to come to love Vika. That part of him(besides Dr. E's attempts) was one of the things I really appreciated in this book. 

Let me say that this book is way different from Ms. Showalter's previous works. Its so dark, edgy and twisted that I now crave more. The guys or warriors finding peace, and light from their mates is a common enough scene in her books and I'm such a sucker for happy-endings. But still, the names these aliens in the book take are ridiculous for one. Okay, some funny and some that's so unusual, it's like a new word...

Rate for this one:

Review #5: Pushing the Limits

Title: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Pushing the Limits 
Released Date: July 21, 2012
Type: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

******
No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

******

At first the initial synopsis drew me in. I think its a bit near a reality thing because it dealt the typical teenage dillemas like smoking pot, boy problems, peer pressure and the usual things you associate with a typical teen in high school. Here, it showed that there are deeper meanings to what's in the surface, and how people would easily discriminate and make assumptions about people. 

Anyway, I love Echo(nice name, its unique and snappy) and Noah who by the way is a total bad boy and trouble maker. The total opposite of Echo. Well, opposites do attract, that's what I think. Its sweet that they found support in each other while also finding themselves and closure to problems really close to their hearts. 

And also, it showed that everyone--even the anti-social, troubled kids, abused foster kids, etc--needed someone to lift them out of the darkness. They need someone who can show them that not all adults are untrustworthy and that not everyone is out there to get you or have ulterior motives or anything. Some people just needs a friend to shoulder the burden with you, someone who has your back in good and f*cked up times. 

Its great that their story is in one book and not divided into a series. That'd be a series downer. Their story is so good, so close to the heart and simple and complex at the same time. So nice to be able to read a novel as well written as this since I don't usually read this type of book. So a first for me, and it turned out to be time well spent. 

******
Now, I have a bone to pick with those b*itchy girls and the popular kids who made fun of Echo and the other "freaks" in the story. 

People should keep their nasty opinions to themselves if all they want is to hurt or make that person look pathetic in the public's eyes. Some people are just downright cruel to those who just want to fit in and have friends. Kids who want to go through high school according to their plans; on whether to be popular and be remembered or just quietly spending time the best possible way they can. Bullying people labeled as "freaks", "stoners", "wannabes" and whatever terms kids put on other people they consider don't fit with the student body, is just them seeking out attention, peer pressure and any other reason to wreck a person's life so humiliatingly public. 

People like that should have a wider perspective about people and realize that the world doesn't freakin revolve around them and the world is not so perfect outside their circle of self-important-ness. They're just full of themselves and need a smack or two.

*****
With that I rate this book: 5/5

Review #4: Undead in My Bed

Title: Undead in My Bed
Author: Katie MacAlister, Molly Harper, Jessica Sims
Series: N/A
Released Date: September 25, 2012
Type: Vampire, Paranormal Romance, Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Humor

****
A sizzling vampire romance anthology featuring enticing novellas from beloved and bestselling authors Katie MacAlister, Jessica Sims, and Molly Harper.

In “Shades of Gray” by Katie MacAlister, Noelle is a Guardian: a demon-wrangler, imp-banisher, and all-round secret protector of humans from the Otherworld. While working on the set of a ghost-busting reality show in a haunted castle, she meets a sexy vampire, and together they prevent a Master Demon from killing everyone in the castle.

In “Undead Sublet” by Molly Harper, executive chef Tess Maitland is banned from her five-star kitchen in Chicago to recover from “exhaustion.” Choosing a random rental house in Half-Moon Hollow to spend time in, she’s unaware that the house comes with a strange man. Even though Sam Masden’s ex-wife has rented the house out from under him, the divorce settlement allows him access to it for another ninety days. With Tess unable to go anywhere else, and Sam unwilling, a war of epic proportions is declared—and romantic sparks and heavy pots fly.

Jessica Sims’s “Out With a Fang” features Ruby Sommers, a lonely were-jaguar who signs up for a blind date through the paranormal dating agency Midnight Liaisons. When she arrives, she finds out that her date, a vampire, was the human she’d been in love with four years ago but was forced to dump.

*****

Shades of Gray - As a lover of the Dark Ones series, let me just say that, again, another good story. Katie MacAlister again applies characteristics to the leading lady here just like the others from past works in the series. Noelle, the leading lady, becomes the Knight or in this case, Lady in shining armor who comes to the rescue of the damsel--lad--in distress. Sorry, Man in distress. With her unwavering faith, determination and confidence in herself, Noelle truly not only one heck of a Guardian, but also a true Beloved. 

Undead Sublet - All I can say is that Molly accomplish something past novels failed to do. It made me want to cry, laugh and be in awe when I was reading this short story. Tess and Sam's journey was rocky at first and I agree with Tess on some things that I think I can relate to. Though I have no current love interest as of now, I too want to strangle Sam for the friend's comment. If he really likes Tess, why can't he just make it obvious?? Not making some insane comment like "...I thought we were friends..." 

Out with a Fang - Like the previous story, this too has the friends-with-benefits assumptions. A shifter with a sweet, somewhat-innocent name like Ruby...the name just doesn't go with the kick-ass-ask-questions-later personality, in my opinion. But I think it adds to her appeal because, as portrayed in the story, looks are definitely deceiving. The guy, Michael, is kinda coming off weak here despite its strong moments compared to the were-jaguar. For me, this story comes off bland, okay maybe a little okay but it just isn't for me. 

Overall rate: 3/5

Review #3: A Tale of Two Vampires

Title: A Tale of Two Vampires
Author: Katie MacAlister
Series: Dark Ones - Book 10
Released Date: September 4, 2012
Type: Young Adult, Vampire, Paranormal Romance

Time isn’t always on a vampire’s side....

Iolanthe Tennyson has had a very bad year—due in part to the very bad men in her life. So she’s accepted her cousin’s invitation to spend the summer in Austria to indulge her photography hobby. Rumors of a haunted forest there draw Iolanthe into the dark woods—and into the eighteenth century....

Nikola Czerny is a cursed man, forced by his half brothers to live forever as a Dark One. But his miserable existence takes an intriguing turn when a strange, babbling woman is thrown in his path. Iolanthe claims to know Nikola’s daughter—three hundred years in the future. She also knows what fate—in the form of his murderous half brothers—has in store for him. If only she knew the consequences of changing the past to save one good, impossibly sexy vampire...

The story...its good if you're one of the vampire-loving kind. Its great, as expected of Katie MacAlister. Just like the rest of her past novels, its witty, with a loveable, chauvinist, Dark One, a funny and in this case, mundane Beloved(who turned out to be more as the story progresses) and some the quirky characters you'd expect from the last books.

Here we are in the time where Ben and Fran are happily together for a few months now, Imogen's interesting live-life with a Viking ghost, and other characters from Ben and Fran's story. Nikola, which turns out to be more than a regular guy in the story, is sweet, endearing and has an adorable habit of writing down everything that confuses him, as as his right seeing that he's a self-proclaimed scientist.

When Imogen's lady-in-waiting, or nanny, or whatever you call her, was introduced as an Christian fanatic who calls Io some devil's partner and other rude stuff, at first I laughed at her but as the story progressed, she got more irritating by the second. I'd strangle her if I was there. Thank God, for Io has a patience of a saint. What's funny about the go-back-time situation was the French pink head, the gay guy who ogles his master's behind. I think that's the reason why Nikola took him as his foreman. I mean, all of Nikola's house staff are either different, or has some really odd quirks. I think that's sweet of him, as much as he tries to deny, and blather about how he wasn't the master of his own castle and being his chauvinist self. :P

Iolanthe, bless her, is as good, as courageous and as interesting as the other female leads in the other novels because they were willing to put up with the martyred expressions of their Dark Ones and are as fiercely protective of them as the guys are to the them. Though, it would've been nice if they did get to meet the past characters from the other books, because I just love reunions!!

And for that, I rated it at: 5/5