#463 ~ The Glassblower

The Glassblower by Petra Durst-Benning

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#Book 1 in the Series



I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, I don't usually pick foreign authors with translations.

The cover originally drew me in, and as I do the odd bit of glass lampwork there was no harm, I thought, in giving it a go - after all I could just use the 'Return' button if this Unlimited Kindle offering and I didn't get on.

It was a little sluggish at the beginning, but after that turned into a delightful offering. It isn't all light stuff contained in this book, there were dark under-tones; it certainly wasn't as clear as the glass the girls work with. The author has also left strands behind to be woven (or better still embroidered) into future work, which I am very much looking forward to picking up.

The subject matter is a worthy one, that of the empowerment of women; the author dealt with it well, but there was still room for a little bit of growth and playing around with the darkness offered, especially with the strand about the wholesaler. I am hoping that she will play around more with this more in the coming books.

I docked-off 1 star for the use of 'gotten' throughout the book. If you can write well, and this author certainly can, then there is no excuse for using it. That word is a disgusting plague on the written word. A shame, as that took the score to 4 stars rather than 5.

The good, the bad and the ugly

Apart from "gotten" there was nothing truly ugly in this book, and there didn't appear to be an blatant errors.

The good, though were things like this passage:

"... they called them "plum-cake days".  All summer long the songbirds had trilled in the pear tree outside the kitchen window but they were gone now.  The only sound these days was that of a blackbird chirruping or the high piping of a lark, and soon the mists would fall and silence even these."  (Durst-Benning, P (2003 - translated version 2014) Page 7).

The cover image, was also beautiful, which I believe was designed by Marc Cohen (see link below to Amazon page if you require more details on this).

Bibliography

Durst-Benning, P 'The Glassblower', 2003 Ullstein, Germany (2014 Translated from German by Willcocks, S AmazonCrossng, Country Unknown

Book was purchased via Kindle Unlimited HERE.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay 

xoxo

#361 - In the Lord's Embrace

In the Lord's Embrace

Killian McRae

Smashwords > Books > Fiction > Historical > Romance > Short Story

Description:

A missing moment from "A Love by Any Measure." Lord August Grayson and Maeve O'Connor have escaped the dictates of British and Irish society that kept their love regulated for far too long. On their journey through postbellum America, heading ever further west and to a life unknown, the final triumph of the reunion -a return to each other's embraces- eludes them. That is, until August finally understands what will set Maeve's mind, and body, at ease. 

Product Details:

Whilst I got this as a free Kindle download from Amazon back in March this year, I've just gone to get the link and it seems unavailable at the moment.

I have therefore included the link to the Smashwords store for the product.  Although, with the admission that I have no idea at what price it is listed.  You can download it by clicking HERE.

It's a short story of approximately 4,923 words in length.

* * * * *

Summary/thoughts:

It seemed strange to write this as a short story, and can only assume that it was perhaps as an afterthought, or to satisfy the curiosity of fans?  Does anybody know?

Nothing bad to say about it really, it was over in the blink of any eye.

Rating:

The same as for "Love by Any Measure" (#360 - my last review) at 4.5 or 4 star on Amazon and Good Reads.

Errors/Bug Bears:

There were a couple, but I didn't make detailed notes on them as I read it on the train.

Hugs

Kay

#348 - Silver Storm (The Raveneau Novels, Book 1)

Silver Storm (The Raveneau Novels, Book 1) ~ Cynthia Wright

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

Indie Writer (Self-published)

Description:

Dashing and dangerous Andre Raveneau is the Revolutionary War's most reckless privateer captain when Devon Lindsay stows away aboard his ship after her Connecticut town has been burned by the British. Raveneau sardonically agrees to deliver her to her childhood sweetheart in Virginia but doesn't count on his own potent attraction to the enchanting, courageous Devon.

Through high adventure, swashbuckling sea battles, and the colourful history of America's revolution, the couple battles the fiery passion that binds them together.

Product Details:

I snagged this as a freebie download, and at the time of writing this post it is still showing as available as a free download HERE.

341 pages

Other books in the series:

The Raveneau Novels* and The Beauvisage Novels intertwine, with some characters crossing over. Should you wish to read them in chronological order, this is the sequence:

1781- SILVER STORM*
1783 - CAROLINE
1789 - TOUCH THE SUN
1793 - SPRING FIRES (A Beauvisage/Raveneau Novel)
1814 - SURRENDER THE STARS*
1814 - NATALYA
1818 - SILVER SEA* (A Raveneau/Beauvisage Novel)
1903 - TEMPEST*

*SILVER STORM was revised in December, 2012, and all reviews posted before that date which refer to the hero's unforgivable behaviour are inaccurate.

* * * * *

Summary:

Actually, I loved it.

The dangerous sparks that flew between Andre and Devon, all brought about by chemistry.

Admittedly, he was a bit of a bounder, but then again Devon seemed to behave just as badly.  Possibly should could be forgiven just a bit of that, as she was so young and had been through quite a bit. 

Lovely twist towards the end when she finds out about how her Mother died (no point asking, I'm not giving you a spoiler!).  It's amazing that what you think you want, and what you end up with are sometimes wildly disparate.

All in all a great read with a lovely swash-buckling hero and highly recommended if pirates, or indeed love and romance are your thing.

I've put the other books in the two inter-twining series (see above) on my "To Read" List over at Good Reads.

Rating:

I've given this a bit of thought, and decided to give it 5 stars on Amazon/Good Reads.  It was too good for just 4 - if I could hand out half stars, it would have been a 4.5 rating.

Hugs

Kay

#345 - Dreamer of Destiny ~ Barbara Woster *NEW AUTHOR

Dreamer of Destiny ~ Barbara Woster

*NEW AUTHOR

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Historical > Romance

Indie Writer (Self-published)

Description:

An epic journey, which will test a young woman's will to survive and lead her into the arms of destiny.

Product Details:

I managed to pick this up as a freebie Kindle download in February 2013, however it is currently listed at £6.63 or free to Kindle Prime Members (even at £6.63 it's worth buying) HERE.

* * * * *

Summary:


I was really pleasantly surprised with this one.  It was a freebie Kindle download from way back in February 2013 (see my blog:  http://toodlesbookclub.blogspot.co.uk for details of personal challenge to find and read as many free downloads as possible in 2013).

I don't think under normal circumstances I would have gone near this kind of book ..... just shows though that trying something new does quite often pay off.

It was really very well written.  There were the odd few typographical and grammatical errors (mostly the norm with ebooks, but I still continue to bang on about it).

The plot moved at a nice pace, with believable characterisation, with lots of little sprinkles of humour.

In fact I loved Christina, and the whole internal dialogue she had going on.  That girl was definitely one tough cookie.  

It did leave me wanting more, and this author is now on my list of "good story tellers".

Highly recommended, and probably a 4 star read on Amazon/Good Reads (not quite there for 5), and 4.5 on the blog.

Be brave and give it a go.

Notes of errors:

81% "drug her" - dragged her surely?
86% "despite my uncle" - despise?
90% "Howling Wolf" - shouldn't that be Baying Wolf?
91% "I can't really what it was ..." - missed word: say perhaps?
99% "old and infirmed" - infirm?

Hugs

Kay

#326 (#44 of 2013) - Until You ~ Sandra Marton *NEW AUTHOR

Until You ~ Sandra Marton

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Contemporary > Romance > Suspense

Description:

Paris in the spring is a city for lovers, but for Conor O'Neil and Miranda Beckman, the city is a place where the truth is always just out of reach. Miranda's life is in danger, and Conor will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means not letting her know he's working for the government. For her part, Miranda will do whatever it takes to keep Conor from learning the truth about her past. And yet, the one thing neither can lie about is the passion that blazes between them.

Product Details:

I managed to pick this up as a Kindle freebie download in February, and at the time of writing this post it's still listed as free HERE.  Obviously, if you are reading this post retrospectively I cannot guarantee that that is still the case.

Length - 442 pages.

* * * * *

Summary:

Actually, this was really rather good.  Definitely not something that I would normally go for before I challenged myself to reading as many freebie as possible this year.

Very well written, and if not quite a page turner, then not that far off it.  Lots of little unexpected twists in the tale.

Not quite a 5 star, so I will give it 4.5 stars on here and a 4 on Amazon.

Happy to read any offerings by this author again, I like her style.

Hugs

Kay

#324 (#42 of 2013) Cross My Heart ~ Abigail Strom * NEW AUTHOR

Cross My Heart ~ Abigail Strom

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Contemporary > Romance

Description:

When opposites attract...

The last thing Jenna Landry wants is to fall in love. The former rock musician is getting ready to start a new job and a new life in L.A., and she's only back in her hometown for the summer. Nothing could tempt her to stay any longer than that...not even the sexy doctor next door.

Michael Stone has a reputation for being as cold as ice. So what is it about his free-spirited neighbor that sets him on fire? The strait-laced M.D. has his hands full with his career and his teenage daughter, and even if he were looking for a relationship, he knows Jenna is all wrong for him.

So why does being with her feel so right?

Product Details:

I snagged this as a freebie, and at the time of writing this it is still listed as free HERE.  If you are reading this post retrospectively it may well not be still at that price.

Novella - 184 pages

* * * * *

Summary:

Yes opposites do attract, almost in this case polar opposites with a magnetic attraction.

It was so delightfully written, with great characters and a satisfying out come.

Highly recommend read, and I would say a 4.5 star if I could do halves.  I snagged it as a freebie, however, I will be reading more by this author .... even if I have to pay for it.

Kay

#282 (#81 of 2012) - To Love a Thief ~ Julie Anne Long

Purchased on Kindle - 368 pages.

4.5 star read.  Stand alone book by this author

Description taken from her website:

"Lily Masters has a gift for picking pockets and telling stories—skills that come in handy for surviving London's slums. She's proud of providing for herself and her lively young sister, and she's never been caught. 

Well, there's always a first time.

Gideon Cole is a brilliant barrister with an unfortunate weakness for clients who can't pay. His latest charitable misstep: buying the freedom of a daring, beautiful thief. To repay the debt, Lily agrees to his proposition: pose as the object of his desire and help him snare a wealthy bride. All he has to do is transform the impudent Lily into a diamond of the first water.

But the education of Lily could cost Gideon his carefully planned future. While she plays cards with his invalid uncle and her sister charms the servants, the honorable Gideon is harboring less than honorable thoughts. For sweet, stubborn and sensual Lily has a way of slipping past a gentleman's defenses— especially when she's stealing his heart!"

#228 (#26 of 2012) - A Hellion in Her Bed ~ Sabrina Jeffries

Book 2 - Hellions of Halstead Hall



ISBN or e-book:


Kindle


Publisher:


Kindle Book Store


Main Characters:


Lord Jarrett Sharpe and Miss Annabel Lake.


Brief outline of plot:


Jarrett's brother has recently fulfilled his part in their Grandmother's ultimatum to disinherit the entire load of them if they don't all marry within the year, and has also it seemed also fallen in love.


Which is something that Jarrett never intends to do after the tragic family accident that left both of his parents dead.


The inveterate gambler is handed an ace card though when his grandmother becomes ill, and he bargains his way out of her ultimatum by agreeing to manage her brewing empire.


However as a gambler he can't resist a wager with the lovely Miss Annabel Lake ... help with her India Brew and ailing family business if she wins, or a night in his bed if she loses.


The outcome sets off a chain of events and he discovers a darker side to her failing family business.  He also discovers more about the death of his parents.


Doe he find a way to help his other siblings still trapped in their grandmother's machinations, and more importantly does he find love?

***

Very nicely written, again with humour and nicely wrought characters.  The whole plot for the series is working along nicely.  By the way please have Lord Jarrett stripped, oiled and sent to my room .... delicious hero.


Rating:


I would go along with the 4.5 star rating for this follow on book.


Hugs


Kay

#227 (#25 of 2012) - The Truth About Lord Stoneville - Sabrina Jefferies *NEW AUTHOR

Book 1 - Hellions of Halstead Hall



ISBN or e-book:


Kindle


Publisher:


Kindle Book Store


Main Characters:


Lord Stoneville (Oliver Sharpe) and Miss Maria Butterfield with supporting roles from the Sharpe family and Maria's Cousin Freddy.


Brief outline of plot:


Having run up against his grandmother's Machavellian plot to ensure all 5 of her scandal ridden hellions' are married within a year or dis-inherited, Lord Stoneville is going about his dissolute life in a favoured brothel, when he becomes entangled with Maria.


Maria is an American heiress who must find he finance to gain her half of her late Father's inheritance, with only the protection of her half-witted cousin Freddy.


Under such circumstances can Oliver find a bride and overcome the tragic loss of his parents when he was a very young man.  Will Maria her missing mate, or mate with somebody entirely different?

***

It's the first time I have read any of her books and she kicked off the first of this series really well, with an enjoyable story and a touch of humour.  Obviously there are the slight grammatical differences between American English and Queen's English, but they are not too evident in her writing.  Neither are mentions of "blocks", we have streets, roads and lanes and therefore a piece of writing advising "...it was only a few blocks..." means absolutely nothing in England.  I am being a bit pedantic, but it is slightly off-putting, and therefore lovely to read non of that rubbish from her.


Rating:


Has to be a 4.5 star rating.


Hugs


Kay

#224 (#22 of 2012) - The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae ~ Stephanie Laurens

Third book in the Cynster Trilogy


ISBN or e-book:


978-0-7499-5509-0 and also as Kindle e-book


Publisher:


Piatkus


Main Characters:


Angelica Cynster and the elusive Dominic, Earl of Glencrae


Brief outline of plot and rating:


Running out of time the Earl comes back from the dead to take one final shot at capturing a Cynster sister and undertaking her ruin to save his clan.

***

I realise the above is not much of a description, but you really need to have read the two preceding books:  Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue and In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster.


I can guarantee you will love them just as much as I.


Rating for this one was a 4.5.


Hugs


Kay

#215 (#13 of 2012) - Gypsy ~ Lesley Pearse

ISBN or E-book:

978-0-718-15283-3

Publisher:

Penguin

Main Character(s):

Miss Beth Bolton, her Brother Sam, Jack the sharp-witted Londoner and Theo the gambling Aristocrat.

Rating and Brief Description:

Beth and Sam's Father hangs himself and after the death of their mother a short time later they are forced to make their own way in the world.

Eventually their travels take them by Sea to New York to see their fortune.  On the journey the encounter both Jack and Theo ..... two very different people.

Their journey takes them across America and Canada, eventually ending up in the Klondike Gold Fields .... Beth lives by her Fiddle and amazing talent ... they men live by their wits ..... all hoping that they will make their fortune.

A tale of endurance and trust ... but does it include love for Beth? A 4.5 star read, which after a faltering start I really enjoyed.

Hugs

Kay

#213 (#11 of 2012) - Faro's Daughter ~ Georgette Heyer

ISBN or e-book:

978-0-09-946559-1

Publisher:

Arrow Books

Main Characters:

Miss Deborah Grantham and Mr Max Ravenscar

Brief outline of plot and rating:

Max is implored by his Aunt to rescue his young cousin from a thoroughly unsatisfactory passion he has developed for one Miss Deborah Grantham, who runs a Faro table in her Aunt's gaming house.

Max is on an entirely unromantic bent, and as tight as the proberbial duck's bottom, and decides that he would rather ruin her than pay her a groat.

Deborah has a temper, and although she has no intention of marrying the young Lord she is provoked beyond all measure by the high handed Max.

A battle royal begins, but will Max rescue his cousin, and will the protagonists come out heart whole?

After my last disastrous read this was a refreshing 4.5 star rating.

Kay

#200 (#136) - The English Witch ~ Loretta Chase

Trevelyan Family Book 2

ISBN or e-book:

Not known, I bought as Kindle e-book from Amazon

Publisher:

Signet Regency

Main Characters:

Alexandra Ashmore and Basil Trevelyn

Brief outline of Plot:

Need to add details

Rating and conclusion:

Need to add - just bear with me I am behind, as I found quite a few on the Kindle that I had not added to the list.

4.5 star rating.

Hugs

Kay

#198 (#134) - Captives of the Night ~ Loretta Chase

ISBN or e-book:

Bought as Kindle from Amazon

Publisher:

Berkley Sensation Historical Romance

Main Characters:

Leila Beaumont and Comte D'Esmonde

Brief outline of Plot:

Need to add details

Rating and conclusion:

Need to add - just bear with me I am behind, as I found quite a few on the Kindle that I had not added to the list.

4.5 star rating.


Hugs

Kay

#191 (#127) - In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster ~ Stephanie Laurens

Book 2 in Cynster Sister Trilogy

ISBN: 978-0-7499-5598-4

Publisher: Piatcus

Main Characters: Miss Elizabeth Cynster & Mr Jeremy Carling

Brief outline of plot:

Eliza Cynster is the second of the girls to be kidnapped by a mysterious Scottish Laird.  She taken from under the  very noses at the engagement ball of her Sister Heather (the Heroine from the first book in the Trilogy - I've actually not read it yet, but need to get my paws on it p.d.q.).  On the way to the rendezvous with the 'Laird' Eliza garners all her courage to watch for a likely rescuer.  Meanwhile Jeremy Carling has left the home of Royce, Duke of Wolverstone and on his journey has decided that he needs to marry.

Fate decides that Jeremy will be the one to witness Eliza's plea for help as he is going in the opposite direction. As a bookworm with hitherto no 'Alpha Male' qualities, will he prove to be her Man?

Conclusion:

A 4.5 star read, leaving me wanting to find out what will happen to the younger sister, Angelica, and also the the adventure of the first book between Heather and Lord Breckenridge.

Hugs

Kay

#183 (#119) - Devil to Pay ~ Liz Carlyle - RE-READ

Just as good as a re-read - see original post HERE. In fact I would say having read it again it's probably worth another half star to 4.5.

Phew, I'm officially caught up with my list of books .... about time too, and just in time in fact for starting a new one this afternoon.

#182 (#118) - Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman ~ Lorraine Heath

Book 2 - Great Lovers' of London Series

Stephen Lyons is the black sheep of the family ... he was also once caught in the bed of his brother's wife on her wedding night.

To attempt to redeem his reputation his brothers' buy him a commission and he gets sent off to the Crimea, where he becomes a war hero .... unfortunately, he can remember nothing about it.

Miss Mercy Dawson returns from the Crimea with her reputation in tatters ... she is apparently the mother of Stephen's baby.  Although she believes that he was killed out there.

When her father drags her to the Lyons family seat it seems she cares not a jot for her reputation, but is desperate to see that baby John knows his family.  Well aware that they could take him from her ... she just prays that they will let her stay as his nursemaid or similar, and is shocked to find that Stephen is in fact alive.

Will he make good her reputation, given that he can remember nothing of their time together in the Crimea, or will he discover her guilty secret!

A 4.5 star read.

#178 (#114) - Secrets of Surrender ~ Madeline Heath

Book 3 - The Rothwell Brothers Series

Beautiful Roselyn Longworth is plunged into poverty by the collapse of her brothers' banking empire (see Book 1), but as she holds her cousin's husband (Lord Haydn) to blame she will take nothing from them.

In desperation she falls back on her beauty and agrees to become the mistress of a lord, she believes that there is affection involved in his offer, but very soon finds that out to be incorrect at a fateful house party when he puts her up for auction.

Self-made mining boy, Kyle Bradwell, comes to the rescue and puts in an extraordinarily high bid to win her.

To protect her reputation he then offers to marry her, but can he win her over with kindness, and is that the secret to surrender?

A 4.5 star read.

#176 (#112) The Rules of Seduction ~ Madeline Hunter

Book 1 - Rothwell Brothers Series

A 4.5 star read.

Alexia Welbounre's banking family is brought to ruin by the death, fraud and greed but Lord Haydn Rothwell steps into the breach to make good the losses.

Alexia hates him, but with no other prospects agrees to marry him.

Will love win out?

#174 (#110) - Lady of Sin ~ Madeline Hunter

Seducer Series Spin Off

4.5 Star read.

Charlotte, widowed Baroness Mardenford (younger sister of Virgil and Dante) and Nathinel Knightridge (Barrister that defended her sister Penelope).