How to Train Your Baron by Diana Lloyd – a Review

How to Train Your Baron by Diana Lloyd – a Review

 

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Description:
When Elsinore Cosgrove escapes a ballroom in search of adventure, she has no idea it will lead to a hasty marriage. The youngest daughter of a duke, all she wants is to make her own choices. Now she’s engaged to an infuriating, handsome Scottish baron who doesn’t even know her name! Using all her feminine wiles, along with advice gleaned from a training guide for hunting hounds, Elsinore is determined to mold her baron into the husband she wants.

Quin Graham is a man with many secrets. If another scandal can be avoided with a sham marriage, so be it. Only his fiancée isn’t at all what he’s expecting, and the clumsy, curious, and clever Elsinore refuses to be set aside. For reasons he’s unwilling to explain, the last thing Quin needs is to fall for his wife.

 

 

Review:

As a woman, the world provided her with only three opportunities–spinster, wife or demirep. Her life would be defined by the men in it, be it father, husband or rake.”
 
Rankles, doesn’t it? Clever Elsinore, you’ll come to discover, doesn’t have a fondness for convention. She purposefully ruins her chance at a noble arrangement, opting for adventure and an unexpected future, with a kiss! Scotsman (and Baron) Quin, was just being helpful, but acquiesced to the norms of society when caught in the compromised position. The marriage will alleviate Elsinore’s woes, but Quin’s past might make her regret her hasty decision. How to Train your Baron, a What Happens in the Ballroom novel by Diana Lloyd, was a bit of a trial, much like its title. There was hardly a moment’s peace with Quin and Elsinore’s insecurities and assumptions disrupting a path to HEA.
 
The scandal was clever, in my honest opinion; I deduced Elsinore to be resourceful and challenging when cornered. Unfortunately, her schemes quickly became irritating antics! Elsinore, though desperate to escape the confines of the peerage (reckless behavior for the win), is making good on a book acquired through her brother’s library. Only “Oglethorpe’s Treatise on the Obedient Canine” is now being modified to bring her fiance up to scratch! I’m going to blame it on age/naivete, but wasn’t Elsinore the one who got them in this mess? To kiss Quin inappropriately (though he’d never complain, the gentleman!) only to plot yet again in hopes of delaying the wedding because of impossible notions she’s drummed up!? If things didn’t go Elsinore’s way, another plan was dispatched. What do you want, daft girl?!
 
Quin’s aforementioned demons harangued him to the point of paranoia; essentially drawing a line in the sand that was to remain in place throughout their marriage. And he’s supposed to be the experienced partner. You’ll be hard-pressed to identify the “mature” voice.
 
“Elsinore was beautiful, witty, intelligent, and adventurous–she was also willful and impulsive. They were all qualities that would make her difficult to safe-guard and hard to hold. He could not lose his heart to her. Loving him was death.”
 
This all got convoluted, and unnecessarily so. The bones were there for a great love story: push and pull, give and take, hurt and forgive. But the whiplash of emotions and feelings made it a frustrating read. Aside from self-sabotage and fruitless comparisons, threatening notes meant to blackmail Quin tack on heightened danger. Ashamed of his past mistakes, Quin chooses to spare Elsinore the corresponding stigma attached to his name and engages in poor choices. If remaining loyal to someone when times are tough isn’t the definition of love, isolation awaits.
 
Be prepared to lose your patience with both MCs, but trust that Diana Lloyd makes it come together. The writing was strong and her intent was note-worthy. She just needs to stop undermining what the heart wants by testing it at every turn. Even the most straightforward love story contains magic. I appreciated Ms. Lloyd’s finale enough, a mutual awakening, to anticipate the next installation.

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

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Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Lena Diaz – a Review

Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Lena Diaz – a Review

 

Take The Key and Lock Her Up
The Deadly Game series – Book #4
by Lena Diaz
Release Date: August 5, 2014

Take the Key and Lock Her UpAmazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Description:
Detective Emily O’Malley just stumbled upon a killer’s lair—and the remains of a woman he kept locked away for years. But this killer isn’t done yet. More women are missing, and all clues point to Devlin Buchanan—the man who seems to know just a little too much. Emily’s instincts are rarely wrong, and now they’re telling her this sexy, mysterious man is hiding something big …

As a trained assassin for EXIT Inc—a top-secret mercenary group posing as an international tour company—Devlin “Devil” Buchanan isn’t afraid to take justice into his own hands. But when the hot new detective on his trail gets too close to the organization and a contract is placed on her life, Devlin does the only thing he can: he turns rogue agent and kidnaps her to save her life.

With EXIT Inc closing in and passions running hot between them, Emily and Devlin must work together to find the missing women and clear both their names before time runs out … and the key to freedom is thrown away.

Review:

…here she was, once again forced to do what she did not do best – make life-and-death decisions under pressure.

When Emily’s own partner helps her pass the detective test, ensuring she’s off the streets, “to keep the public safe”, your faith in that person is rather shaky. A profound evolution is about to take place, my friends. True to her penchant for rich, intense storytelling, Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Lena Diaz will insert you into Emily’s head, gauge options in heady situations she confronts, and suffer through doubts that have lived for too long. This is my third Diaz thriller and she never ceases to wreak a little havoc in my life – the consequences of reading till the early hours! This is me not complaining. 🙂

When Emily tracks an abductor to a basement more akin to an abandoned prison, she falls prey to a diversionary tactic (he literally locked her inside a cell and got away with his victim), but Emily’s life (and fate) is irrevocably changed by Devlin “Devil” Buchanan (older brother of the swoon-worthy Matt from Ashes, Ashes, They All Fall Dead – available here). Devlin’s presence isn’t immediately questioned at the crime scene, weird, but even more interesting is his lack of interest in the police investigation. Oh, he was happy to make Emily’s acquaintance (her unforgettable soft curves), but cooperating with law enforcement doesn’t appeal to his sense of civic duty. Still weird, right? Devlin’s a hard one to figure out (and very good at hiding things), but I remember him as a background character and Ms. Diaz just makes him irresistible here. His initial approach might be crude, but it’s soon tempered by genuine vulnerability and charm (it runs in the Buchanan family).

An incidental, but impactful discovery of a gruesome, years-old corpse where Emily was locked up seizes Devin and thickens the plot.

“Holy shit,” he whispered.

“Ditto.” She lowered her phone. “Who gets to tell Devlin Buchanan that this skeleton is what’s left of his mother?”

Far from a doting mother, Carolyn was the love of Devlin’s father’s life, even though she divorced him (and abandoned the whole family) when Devlin was only 13. The knowledge of Carolyn’s forced captivity suddenly changes impressions and throws the Buchanan men into upheaval; a loyal force to protect their father. To add fuel to the fire, the first victim saved relays she’s only one of three women who were kidnapped by the mad man. So much going on, right?! The case progresses and expands; infiltrates what once was safe. Emily is swept up by the emotions and swears to bring the fugitive to justice alongside Devlin to repay him for saving her own life. Maybe it’s time they shake hands and call it a day because Devlin’s methods of apprehending fall way outside the police scope:

If Devlin had talked, he would have used the term enforcer, his actual job title. Enforcer was somewhat synonymous with agent at one of the alphabet agencies like the CIA or FBI, but without the shackles of laws and political policies to tie him down. The assassin role was only part of what he did, and only when absolutely necessary.

I couldn’t even begin to explain the twists and connections linking Devlin and his family. It is marvelously layered and worst of all, a real threat. I wouldn’t dream of spoiling that for you let alone capsulize or tiptoe around key clues. That’s the thrill in thriller and it’s wicked! What I can expand upon is the building sexual tension that stays unexplored for far too long, IMO, lol. Undeterred, but mostly out of insane, implacable desire, Emily vows to maintain ethical standards in the midst of hot pursuit (and that has little to do with the perp!) I’m not downplaying the chemistry because Ms. Diaz delivers shivers, but the beauty lies in watching Emily and Devlin begin to trust one another, develop strong feelings for one another, and recognize that they’re stronger together.

“Maybe you’re right that I shouldn’t have forced you to come with me in the first place. And maybe I shouldn’t have locked you up. But I did what I thought I had to do at the time to keep you safe. If you come with me now, we can be a team, find the missing women together. That way I’ll be able to protect you from my enemies and you’ll be able to do what you want to do – solve the case. You won’t be my prisoner. But don’t ask me to leave you here to die, Em. I can’t do it. I won’t do it.”

There were moments, several in fact, where I found Emily to be downright inept and a liability to her profession. Be it inappropriate, illegal interrogation or brandishing her gun on unarmed Devlin, it really got under my skin. In all fairness, due to time constraints (constant attacks and a general reticence on his part), Devlin has only skimmed the surface of his job description to Emily. Based on opposite sides of the spectrum, I suppose it’s natural to form an opinion, but never was there a couple more in need of a sit-down than these two. Devlin’s brash confidence and/or lone wolf mentality was a bit off-putting, but when their disparities leveled, so went their judgments and an innate strength, possessed by both, rose to the occasion.  

Take the Key and Lock Her Up is a complex story made up of unfolding details, misinformation and transformation. While I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger (you don’t see frown-y faces of utter frustration), the story is not over. Is there a way to embrace HEA on the run? Please read this story and let me know your theories! Or better yet, can I get a spoiler, Ms. Diaz???

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Author

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The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini-a review

The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini-a review

The Spymistress

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 1, 2013

Born to slave-holding aristocracy in Richmond, Virginia, and educated by Northern Quakers, Elizabeth Van Lew was a paradox of her time. When her native state seceded in April 1861, Van Lew’s convictions compelled her to defy the new Confederate regime. Pledging her loyalty to the Lincoln White House, her courage would never waver, even as her wartime actions threatened not only her reputation, but also her life.
Van Lew’s skills in gathering military intelligence were unparalleled. She helped to construct the Richmond Underground and orchestrated escapes from the infamous Confederate Libby Prison under the guise of humanitarian aid. Her spy ring’s reach was vast, from clerks in the Confederate War and Navy Departments to the very home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

Although Van Lew was inducted posthumously into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame, the astonishing scope of her achievements has never been widely known. In Chiaverini’s riveting tale of high-stakes espionage, a great heroine of the Civil War finally gets her due.

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

So if you have read my reviews before, you will know I am a bit of history lover. I am fascinated by the Civil War between the North and the South of America and this book just so happens to be the focal point of a non fictional character that braved the odds, fought for what she believed in and put her life on the line to make whatever difference she could in this war.

The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini is a page turning, compelling historical fiction based on the efforts of real life Elizabeth Van Lew. I enjoyed this read so much, that I actually researched more about this incredible woman. I was pleasantly surprised to find Jennifer write this piece of fiction around facts and true life historical events and kept Elizabeth as precise as she could. I have much respect for an author who can make a piece of real history come to life and make it completely believable! WELL DONE JENNIFER CHIAVERINI!

Ok, let’s get on with the review!

This book opens just as Richmond, Virginia has voted on seceding with the South in 1861. Elizabeth’s family is aristocratic and slave owners but her mother and her have come to believe that is no longer the future. Legally blocked by her father’s will, the Van Lew family are not allowed to free their slaves, but they sure make life bearable by granting them papers to live as free as they can (the slaves have to check in for legal purposes). Absolutely disgusted with the state of Virginia and the people who have flipped in agreement with secession (they realize that nothing but bloodshed and angst will come if war is declared … and they were right), they decide to do what little they can to fight against their own confederate army.

Throughout this novel, Elizabeth (Lizzie) and her band of ladies (my personal nickname for them ..lol) Mary Jane Bowser (her coloured friend who gives up her freedom to serve as a servant and spy in Confederate leader Davis’s home), Eliza Van Lew (Lizzie’s beautiful hearted mother) and Eliza Carrington (a family friend who is as brave as Lizzie) work together as Union sympathizer’s. Realizing they are being watched and potentially cast as traitor’s, these woman take it upon themselves to outwardly show support for the Confederacy while internally they are spying for and supporting the union. They visit underground and aid Northerner’s in escaping, visit prisons and use the guise of being humanitarian to receive and pass on messages that aid the Northerner’s to success and go as far as hiding people in their own home. All of this is done right under the nose of the confederate army and at any time they can be caught and killed for espionage and treason.

Of course there are many other supporting characters and major events on both sides, men and women, North and South, that contribute to all the emotions you will experience while reading this book. So many in fact that I could easily write a four page review. LOL! I will not spoil anything, especially if you are not familiar with this part of history. Know however, that Jennifer Chiaverini writes all her characters with so many complex layers that they become clearly believable. Not many characters are written black and white, but very much shades of grey. You read many internal struggles and I can only imagine how hard it had to be to pick a side you believe in when outside influence greatly affects your way quality of life or even if you will live that life.

An absolutely fantastic book by a wonderful author. I am anticipating reading more of her books that follow this genre. If you are a history buff and/or this era is interesting to you, please have a read of The Spymistress. It most certainly has it all, from mystery, suspense, page turning anticipation, heart, and character.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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