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The City by Stella Gemmell – a Review

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The City by Stella Gemmell – a Review

the city

Links to order The City:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Description:
The City is ancient, layers upon layers. Once a thriving metropolis, it has sprawled beyond its bounds, inciting endless wars with neighboring tribes and creating a barren wasteland of what was once green and productive.

In the center of the City lives the emperor. Few have ever seen him, but those who have recall a man in his prime, though he should be very old. Some grimly speculate that he is no longer human, if he ever was. A small number have come to the desperate conclusion that the only way to stop the war is to end the emperor’s unnaturally long life.

From the mazelike sewers below the City, where the poor struggle to stay alive in the dark, to the blood-soaked fields of battle, where few heroes manage to endure the never-ending siege, the rebels pin their hopes on one man—Shuskara. The emperor’s former general, he was betrayed long ago and is believed to be dead. But, under different aliases, he has survived, forsaking his City and hiding from his immortal foe. Now the time has come for him to engage in one final battle to free the City from the creature who dwells at its heart, pulling the strings that keep the land drenched in gore.

 

Review:

The City by Stella Gemmell is her debut novel.  This not Gemmell’s first foray into writing though, as she helped with her late husband’s, David Gemmell’s fantasy series; especially completing the unfinished book to raves. 

The City is an epic fantasy novel of an interesting world created by Gemmell.  The City could be anywhere, but you learn early on, it does have an old feel of a european major city that is currently in ruins.  The City is run by an Emperor, who is very old, considered immortal, and a cruel dictator. A long long time ago, the City was a beautiful place with happy people.  Today, we see the multiple layers of destruction, decay, people trying to survive, and a city that has been at war for far too long.

When we start the city, we are immediately thrown into the god awful conditions that people are living in, especially those underground in the sewer.  There are different factions that we meet, and we do get to meet a lot of characters.  In fact, so many it was very confusing for me at the start to keep up with these characters and factions that we meet.  Fantasy is world building, and Gemmell wanted us to see all of the pieces, cultures, different life styles, and the conditions they all lived in, as she spent a lot of time doing this, and before you realize it, years have passed. 

This is a 500 plus page novel, and I would say it took a third of the book, with all the information for the pieces to fall into place, and then the book became very interesting, exciting, as we head to the climatic conclusion.  You become vested into most of the main characters you meet over time, and see how they become part of how the story leads us to.

The crux of the story is that after so many years of war, death, destruction, corruption, and horrible living conditions, a revolution is put together by the different faction soldiers to kill the emperor.  Until he is dead, the war would continue, and all will die.  Once the emperor is eliminated, only then can peace come, and hopefully a resurrection of the City.  We get to see different pov’s from different characters: the Immortal leaders/soldiers; the different revolution armies, who must join together to have a chance to end this ongoing war; a war hero in hiding, and the adopted daughter he helped save many years ago; and a unbelievable supporting cast.  It is a culmination of revenge, betrayal, loyalty, and perseverance.

Gemmell has created some wonderful characters that once you know them over time, you learn to care very much for them;  Bertellus, the old man, who was once a revered war hero, now in hiding, and his daughter, Emly;  Indaro, who I ended up liking the most, as she was a tough female warrior in hard times; Fell, the soldier who had to switch sides to help end this war that would eventually destroy them all.  There are plenty more interesting characters, and it is hard to keep up with them. 

Make no mistake, this is a dark and violent fantasy epic.  It is a huge book, which does start off slowly, in order for you to know the characters and the world.  But it is a great story, and well worth sticking with this.  If you have no patience to see this through, then this may not be for you.  Stella Gemmell has an excellent writing style, and has put her name out there as one of the fantasy authors who must be watched.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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A Taste for Scandal by Erin Knightley – a Review

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A Taste for Scandal by Erin Knightley – a Review

A Taste for Scandal by Erin Knightley is her second book in her Sealed with a Kiss series. Below is the description of the book from Erin’s website, which is followed by my review.

Description:
A TEMPTING DIVERSION
Things have always fallen into place for Richard Moore, Earl of Raleigh. His good looks, abundance of charm, and the small matter of being heir to a marquisate make him quite the catch. So when a delectable young woman wants nothing to do with him, he can’t help but seize the irresistible challenge.

AN UNLIKELY COURTSHIP
Jane Bunting knows all about responsibility—she has managed to support herself and her brother with their bakery—but she knows nothing of excitement or passion. When dashing Lord Raleigh crosses the threshold of her shop, she has no idea of the potential danger to her reputation . . . or to her heart.

AN IMPOSSIBLE MATCH
Neither imagined things would go so far—until the night their worlds collide, irrevocably changing both their lives. But when duty calls for Richard, and with everything Jane has worked for suddenly at stake, will their taste for scandal be their downfall?

Review:
When I read Erin Knightley’s debut novel, More Than a Stranger, I immediately enjoyed her writing, in what turned out to be a fun read.  Now with the next book in her Sealed with a Kiss series, I feel that though I enjoyed More Than a Stranger, A Taste for Scandal was even better

Richard Moore, who had a big part in More Than a Stranger, as Evie’s brother and Hastings friend, is our hero in this book.  He was one of my favorites then, and does not disappoint.  Richard is a charming & fun loving womanizer, who just wants to have fun, and has no interest in stepping into his father’s Marquisate position at this time.  Richard knows his responsibilities, but for now he just plans on enjoying himself every possible minute. 

Our heroine is Jane Bunting who runs a bakery, with wonderfully delectable treats.  By accident, Richard passes by the bakery and sees someone threatening the person inside, and he runs to her rescue.  Unbeknownst to Richard, there was no threat, as he mistakenly thought Jane’s cousin was an intruder, and during the scuffle, some things inside the bakery were broken.  Jane not knowing that this stranger was the Earl of Raleigh, she calls the police.  Of course, even as he apologizes, Jane totally was not enamored by Richard, who is rarely if ever, ignored by any women.   Later, that evening, after being told my her cousin that she was rude, and the Earl was really trying to help, Jane goes to Richard’s home, where his family is visiting for a bit, and brings him some of her delectable chocolate biscuits to offer her apology. 

Richard is intrigued that Jane shows no interest in him, and he finds her to be attractive and obviously a challenge, since she seems unattainable.  With the help of his sister, Beatrice, they both convince Jane to give them lessons on baking.  LOL  sounds kind of ridiculous that an Earl would want to know how to bake.   But what ensues is a wonderful tale of romance that is against all odds.  First comes friendship between Jane, Richard and Beatrice. Then begins the slow romance between Richard and Jane, that both are convinced is just an attraction, and maybe sex, but no future for either of them.  Into this mix, is a local busybody, who is determined to force Jane out of business.  It is beautiful and heartwarming to watch them begin to fall in love.  Just when their sexual intensity is about to be consummated, Richard is called away for a family emergency, and Jane will face her fears in the days ahead, as the busybody forces her out. 

Richard is faced with something he did not want, to take over for his ill father.  In doing so, he comes to the conclusion that though he loved Jane, he felt his family would not accept her, since she was a commoner.  Richard also felt that Jane herself would not want the responsibilities of being the Lady of the house, as well as the wife of the Marquis.  So with pressure from his mother and father he sets out to choose a wife, to satisfy all. 

What happens to Jane you ask?  She uses her friendship with Beatrice to help her get a job as a bakery chef at Evie’s mansion, with the promise that no one tell Richard, nor Evie for that matter.  The final ¼ of the book is delightful.  Both Jane and Richard come to the conclusion that nothing can happen with their relationship.  But what are sisters for. 🙂  Both Beatrice and Evie plot together to help the two people so much in love, to force them to open their eyes.  It was so much fun to watch, and I enjoyed both Evie and Beatrice doing their scheming.  Knightley does a fabulous job creating wonderful characters. I loved Evie, Hastings, Richard & Beatrice in the first book; adored Richard & Jane in this book.  I do not know who the heroine will be in the third book, but I do hope it’s Beatrice, as she so deserves her own book.

This was a fantastic enjoyable read, and I loved it from start to finish.  Knightley knows how to put fun in her romances, with sexual intensity, and she has you rooting hard for our couple.  Knightley also has a wonderfully refreshing voice.  If you love Historical Romance, or any romance for that matter, you must read this book, it is one of the best fun books I have read this year. Erin Knightley is on my automatic buy.

Reviewed by Barb

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Miss Mistletoe by Erin Knightley – a Review

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Miss Mistletoe by Erin Knightley – a Review

Description:
A Lord’s fortune is forever changed with a kiss on Christmas from a daring young woman…

Finn, Viscount Edgerton, has avoided the London scene to focus solely on digging out from under the pile of debt his father left behind. A decent dowry could make things a hell of a lot easier for the estate, but he hasn’t met the right woman. And he never would have expected her to come in the form of “Miss Mistletoe”—the young woman who stole a kiss at a ball in front of the ton and caused a scandal.

On the eve of her cousin’s wedding, Cece McCrea hardly expects to run into the man who inspired her indiscretion five years ago. This time, she resolves to put aside her childish crush and avoid him altogether. Her will is tested, however, when he pursues her….

Review:
As we are in the month of December, and this is the season to be jolly, I thought I would write a short and quick review on a wonderful regency romance novella by Erin Knightley; which is perfect for the Christmas season….Miss Mistletoe. This story is in between Knightley’s first book, More than a Stranger, and her new release, A Taste for Scandal.  All three books are part of her Sealed With a Kiss series. 

Miss Mistletoe was an enjoyable fun read. It is Christmas time, and Evie and Hastings, our couple from the first book, are getting married. Finn is sitting the night before with Hastings and Richard teasing him about their cousin Cece’s infatuation with him, and the famous kiss under the Mistletoe years ago. Cece will be at the wedding, and Finn plans to avoid her at all costs. 

Cece leaves her father home, since he is blind, and he does not want to travel, as she goes to the wedding. She spots Finn, and hides from him in embarrassment from those early days when she was a teenager.  Of course, as in romance, they are both pushed together, since they both were alone, and they were a matching pair.  To Finn’s surprise, Cece totally ignored him, and he found himself attracted to the now grown up Cece. This was such a cute and adorable fun romance.  Despite her trying to avoid Finn, as they are pushed together often, Cece finds herself falling in love with Finn, as he does with her, but she runs back home, after the wedding, refusing to become serious.  She is loyal to her father, and will never leave him to marry and move to Finn’s home. 

But this is a Christmas story, and this is romance.  Somehow, someway, they will find each other.  I love this series, and this cute novella was just the thing to hold me off until A Taste for Scandal comes out.  Erin Knightley has such a wonderful and refreshing voice. I do not read a lot of Regency/Historical romance, but Erin is winning me over fast.

Reviewed by Barb

 

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Wait for Me by Elisabeth Naughton – a Review

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Wait for Me by Elisabeth Naughton – a Review

Wait for Me is a Romantic Suspense novel by Elisabeth Naughton.  When I started this book, I expected a quick and fast read, since I am more into these days romance with paranormal or fantasy themes.  I was not expecting something that pretty early on in the story, would pull me totally in,with varying degrees of emotions along the way. 

Wait for Me begins with Kate Alexander trying to calm her nerves from losing her cool, as she is having a CAT scan done. Much to her relief, she completes her test, and as she leaves the clinic, her world turns upside down.  A plane crash is shown on the TV screen with no survivors, and Kate’s husband is on that plane. 

After the funeral, Kate goes through her husband’s papers and discovers things about her life that made no sense.  Kate knows that she woke from a coma, 18 months ago, with permanent memory loss, and did not remember her husband Jake, nor her 4 year old son, Reed.  Relying on her husband to fill in the blanks, Kate got on with her life.  Until now, when she reviews the papers in front of her, Kate begins to suspect that her husband has been lying to her.  The medical records show that what she was told that she was in a 4 day coma, was actually 3 years. She finds a picture of a little girl, and is shocked to see herself in that girl. Kate knows beyond a shadow of doubt, that the young girl in the picture is her daughter.   

Kate is determined to find out the truth, and why did her husband lie to her.  She decides to leave her home, and take her son to San Francisco, where she will embark on her own fact finding mission.  At this point, you are totally pulled into her world, and be prepared for a mix of emotions that will glue you to this wonderful book.

Ryan Harrison, lost his pregnant wife 5 years ago, when she died in a plane crash.  The tragedy devastated him, and it took him years to move on, mainly because of his daughter, Julia, who is now 9 years old.  His love for Julia, was what allowed him to pick up the pieces, but Ryan will never open his heart again. He has no problems getting women, as he is rich, and handsome, but he will never love again.  All he wants to do is take care of Julia, and bury himself into running his pharmaceutical company, of which he is the President.

Ryan’s life also takes an unexpected turn, when he sees Julia talking to a strange woman across from their house. From afar, he is shell-shocked and as he gets closer, he is looking at a woman who looks exactly like his deceased wife, Annie. Kate, tries to explain about her memory loss, is not sure who she really is, and just needs to know about her past.  Ryan, listening to her unbelievable story, is convinced she is his dead wife, but cannot handle his anger, as she does not know him, and probably ever will. He dreamed of her all these years, and now he feels that perhaps she has come back, but he is losing her again.

Kate is determined to find out everything, though she does not want to hurt Ryan and Julia.  But she needs to know if Julia is her daughter, and if she really is Annie Harrison.  Kate needs to know why the man whom proclaimed himself to be her husband, lied to her the last 5 years.

Naughton brings us such wonderful characters in Kate & Ryan, as well as the secondary characters you come to care about…Mitch, who is Annie’s brother, and Ryan’s best friend, he was fun, lots of charisma, not to mention handsome too; Simone, who is Annie’s friend, and Julia, the daughter who cannot handle the possibility that her mother has returned. 

To watch Kate discover she has another husband, and a daughter, and both of them expressing anger at her, even if she is truly the innocent one, is very emotional.  You know Kate is hurting, and you find yourself angry at Ryan and Julia, for the way they are treating her and blaming her.  You are protective of Kate, and at times would have liked to smack Ryan a few times, though you do understand his anguish, but you are torn at his behavior, the way he blamed her for everything, and this part of the book is totally intense.

Eventually, Ryan was finally able to come to terms with his anger, and Kate also begins to feel something for Ryan.  At this point, Ryan is in protective mode, as things begin to become dangerous for them all.  Whatever happened to Kate, has been hidden very well, and now someone is going out of their way to kill off anyone who remembers Kate when she was in the coma.  As they work together..Kate, Ryan, Mitch and Simone to find the truth, your emotions are now turned completely into watching them both fall in love again.  Kate though, holds back a little, in fear that Ryan expects her to be his beloved Annie, whom she is, but now very different.  Ryan, begins to see the differences between Kate and Annie, and at one point during one of their hot steamy sex, he calls her Katie, which was a blend of both of them. Kate recognizes that Ryan has melded her and Annie as one, and she realizes how much she does want to stay with Ryan.

The mystery becomes a major focal point at this time, as the danger increases for all of them.  Julia, who still harbors resentment toward Kate, is forced to spend the afternoon with her, and both end up in a fight for their lives, as the car they were in was tampered with. Also another emotional point, as after this harrowing experience, Julia having been saved by Kate, begins to look at her as her mom again.  Very well done by Naughton.  Then things come to an exciting ending, where lives are on the brink of being lost, and a surprising twist as to who is the killer.  The end is another emotional pull by Naughton, as we watch Katie and Ryan decide on their fate. 

Wait for Me was a wonderful book, very emotional, with a mixed bag of emotions, and I fully recommend you to read this book  The characters are great, as you become part of their lives.  Great story, great writing by Elisabeth Naughton.

Reviewed by Barb

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Atlantis Awakening

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Atlantis Awakening

Atlantis Awakening is the second book of Alyssa Day’s Warriors of the Poseidon. This review will be mostly about the second book, but prior to “Atlantis Awakening”, Day wrote a novella, which follows “Atlantis Rising”. With that in mind, I will start with a brief review of that story, and then go directly to the full book.

 

Atlantis Awakening

Atlantis Awakening is Ven’s book, and he is one of the warriors I loved the most, as the story of Warriors of the Poseidon began. Ven, the King’s Vengeance and second in line to the throne, was sent to make an alliance with the witches to help defeat the vampires. Lord Vengeance was to meet Erin Connors, who represented the Seattle Circle of Lights (a coven of witches), to work out the arrangement in forming an alliance together. Ven was immediately attracted to Erin when she walked into the bar that was their meeting place, as he was overwhelmed by his desire for her. Erin is a powerful young witch, who can call powerful magic at her will, but is afraid to use some of her magic, as she was told by her superiors that it was against the rules. Erin is a perfect match for Ven, and makes a great heroine. I really loved Ven & Erin together, as their romance was just wonderful to watch.
Erin has spent years ten years planning her revenge against the evil vampire Caligula. She lost her entire family to Caligula, and has recently learned that her sister Deirdre is still alive. Erin asks Ven for help in saving her sister, and avenging her family’s death. But Deirdre is now a vampire, and has been tortured by Caligula all those years. Ven knows that Caligula is also after Erin, and because he fears for her safety, he agrees to help her, but whisks her off to Atlantis. There, Erin learns she has powers she never even suspected. She is a gem singer, which is a rare and has been lost to Atlantis for centuries. With her song and the jewels in the Temple of Nereid, Erin manages to use her newfound powers to heal Riley and her unborn child. But it is only temporarily, as Riley’s body is rejecting her pregnancy, and to keep them both safe, they have to find a lost ruby called the Nereid’s heart. Ven, knowing that without this jewel, Riley and her unborn child will die, agrees to take Erin back and look for the ancient ruby, which is hidden deep within Caligula’s lair, and they must also defeat Caligula to save themselves.
This was a great story, with adventure, excitement and surprises, but it was the hot and sexy romance between Ven and Erin, which was blended nicely into the story, that made this even better. Using the gem-singer theme, where the gems sing to Erin, and she sings with all those passions spiraling around them, or against the evil, was so well done. Their love for one another, and their soul-melding was, as I said before great. The ending was exciting, filled with emotion, action, and surprise twists, as well as a sort of cliffhanger. You are left open to find out what happens to Alaric, Quinn, Drakos, Justice, and Diedre. Another open item is the return of evil, and how this will end.

What was also great about this book was to be able to see most of the characters you loved from the first book. Conlan & Riley, and their problems with the baby. Alaric and Quinn, who continue to play a major part in the storylines, but most certainly will not be put together until the end of this storyline. Justice becomes more interesting, and his sacrifice at the end to help Ven and Erin, makes him even more important. Other secondary characters that we can look forward to seeing how their story will play out, are the remaining warriors, Drakos (Daniel), and Jack (the were-tiger). I really enjoyed Ven and Erin’s story, and this was a great follow up to “Atlantis Rising”.

“Wild Hearts ”- Book 1.5
This novella is Bastien’s story. Prince Conlan (our wonderful hero in Atlantis Rising), sends Bastien to Miami to work with a group of shape shifters. There he meets up with Kat Fiero, a half human and half shape shifter, who is a park ranger. This is not the first time, Bastien has met Kat, as he helped save her two years ago from vampires. But Bastien has not forgotten the beautiful Kat. Their meeting was short, but left a mark on both of them. Kat Fiero is not happy, as she feels cursed with a gift, to be able spread calm and peace around her or to individuals, but she also feels that it prevents her from shifting into her own cat. Ethan is the Alpha of Kat’s pack, and his girlfriend Fallon hates her.

Kat is the one who must work with Bastien, as he will share her house with her. She automatically feels the attraction again, but does not want to get hurt, as she thinks that Bastien does not feel the same. Bastien, fought off his attraction before, as he knows that Poseidon has long ago forbidden relationships between the Warriors and shape shifters. Justice and Denal, two warriors you met in the first book, are also in this book, helping Bastien. The warriors are trying to stop the shape shifters from an alliance with the vampires, and prove to Ethan that the vampires are the ones behind the recent death of shape shifters.

Though it is a short story, and a fast read, the romance of Bastien and Kat is very good. It is fun to watch them give into their feelings (with some hot scenes), and to see both of them discover that they are soul mates. The story is also good, as Ethan realizes that there is a traitor in his pack, but it is Kat, who uses her power to finally remove her curse, to help Bastien at the end. “Wild Hearts” is part of the anthology “Wild Thing”. It is well worth reading this short story.

Shifters Lady – Book 2.5
“Shifters Lady” is the second and last novella by Day for Warriors of the Atlantis. This story is about Marie, whom you learn more about in “Atlantis Awakening”. Marie is Bastien’s sister, and is the first maiden of the temple of Nereid. On a visit to Miami, she meets the Alpha shape shifter, Ethan. When Ethan lays eyes on her, he is lost. Just hearing her voice, her laugh, looking at her beauty, her dark hair,,causes his panther to go wild. So of course, he runs away. Lol But Bastien is called away on a mission, and Kat has to go to work as a park ranger, so Ethan has to watch over Marie. You can’t help like Marie, she is a nice person, sweet, a loyal to Atlantean, and has some powers of her own.

Ethan must fight to save his pack against a threat to his leadership, as well as his and Marie’s life. Kat does come back, and brings the were-tiger Jack to help. But the romance and soul-meld between Marie and Ethan is the best part of the story. Some funny scenes, where they are making love, and she loses control of her powers, and the rain comes pouring through the room….Cute.

That being said, this was a very short story. It was nice, but it was very quick, and the end seemed a bit rushed. A lot was left open, even what happens to Ethan and Marie, as they know Poseidon will not allow shape shifters in Atlantis. Marie has to go back to Atlantis soon, to resume her duties in the temple. My guess, somewhere in the future, allowances will be made to allow them (Bastien/Kat-Marie/Ethan) to come home.

“Atlantis Unleashed” is the next book of this series, and it’s Justice’s story.

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