Recommended Read : Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell

Shadow on the Crown

by Patricia Bracewell

Amazon 5-star rating - 56%

About the book:

A rich tale of power and forbidden love revolving around a young medieval queen...

In 1002, 15-year-old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.

Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.

Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Shadow on the Crown introduces listeners to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern listeners.

Book Review originally posted in March 2013

Ethelred II, the Anglo-Saxon English king's wife had just died and he needed a new wife to please his counselors/advisers. There were two girls he could arrange to marry, one girl from the north and one from the south. Based on his careful analysis, an alliance from the south seemed far better than the north's. So King Ethelred II asked Richard II, Duke of Normandy to hand over his sister Emma, which at the time of request was only 15 years old. Richard II was hesitant at first to give up his young sister. After weighing things, he knew there's no other choice... he had to let Emma marry the English king because saying no to Ethelred II would mean war.

So Emma went to England to marry the English king (age could be somewhere between 30-35?) but people from England aren't too happy about it. One English noble, Elgiva (the girl from the north) wanted to be a queen and she's determined to do everything to take Emma's crown. Emma knew that if she lost the crown, her life is doomed in England.

I totally loved this book and I found myself researching more about Queen Emma's life just to satisfy my curiosity. Shadow on the Crown was an easy read. The story flowed just right. The book didn't look like a historian work - in a positive way. There's some kind of simplicity in the stories, I didn't doubt any of the author's fictional tales. The characters, the English setting at the time and even the character's dialogue felt authentic. It's not hard to imagine the places and people those time period. Even, Emma's romantic relationship to one of the characters (fiction) felt real. Oh I love Emma, she's a very smart girl. She could have not survived the whole queen stuff if she's not smart. Just imagine a queen at the age of 15!

Shadow on the Crown is the first book to a trilogy about Emma of Normandy. There are too many things to learn in this book as it is rich in historical facts.

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Happy Friday: Prompt of the week 3 favorite heroines, books they're in, and why you love them.

Prompt of the week

3 favorite heroines, books they're in, and why you love them.

Anita Blake (books 1-6 only) / Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series 
Rose Hathaway / Vampire Academy series
Riley Jenson / Riley Jenson Guardian series

just added:
Madison Abigail Kinlock or MAK / Outlaw series

Badass, kickass, witty characters, just love the humor of these gurls and they can survive tough life without men!  

Happy Friday!

For newbies, to join the hop, 

visit Alison Can Read  or Parajunkee's View 

Free Kindle Download: Madison Keith Ghost Story Collection by Cathryn Grant

Madison Keith 

Ghost Story Collection Volume 1

(Suburban Noir Ghost Stories)

by Cathryn Grant

About the book:

This collection includes the first three novellas in the Madison Keith Suburban Noir Ghost Story series: Fatal Cut, Shallow Water, Unholy Child.

In Fatal Cut, a man is brutally murdered in the church parking lot. Madison Keith is the only one who isn’t surprised by the identity of the killer. She has witnessed first hand the buried resentments and bitter hearts of the people at her new job, not to mention the appearance of those who have passed on.

In the second novella, Shallow Water, Madison finds a dead body in the shallow water of Half Moon Bay. The most likely culprit has a rock-solid alibi, and Madison isn’t sure whether the legendary ghost that haunts The Distillery restaurant is helping or hindering her quest to understand why a young woman drowned. When Madison agrees to meet a good-looking bartender on the beach, ghosts and corpses take a back seat.

In the third novella, Unholy Child, a proposed child care center enflames hidden prejudices at Central Avenue Church, leading to murder. A dark spirit terrifies Madison and dampens her previous enthusiasm for encountering ghosts. She’s determined to find out what, or who, is causing her torment. The answer is unsettling.

Madison forgets all about sinister ghosts during a romantic dinner with the cute bartender she met in Half Moon Bay.

Both the living and the dead like to reveal their secrets to Madison Keith. As the administrative assistant in the basement office of a suburban church, she gets plenty of opportunity to hear from both. Through it all, Madison offers up a steady stream of opinions on everything from the subject of religion and ghosts to finding a soul mate.

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Free Kindle Download: Loss Of Reason by Miles A. Maxwell

Loss Of Reason:

State Of Reason Mystery # 1

by Miles A. Maxwell

About the book:

One Of The Most Disturbing Stories You'll Ever Read

Distant for many years, Franklin out of Pennsylvania and his step-brother Everon out of Nevada are connected by a single link: Their sister Cynthia.

Enter The Nightmare

A nuclear bomb is detonated in New York. Banker, wife, mother, Cynthia lives in New York.

The military has quarantined the city. All bridges and tunnels have been destroyed or blocked. Easterly winds have forced the bomb's huge radiation cloud out over Long Island. But the wind is about to change.

Franklin climbs mountains and truly understands people. Everon can fly anything. And Cynthia's brothers are determined to find her.

If it were your sister, what would you do?

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Recommended Read : The Boots My Mother Gave Me by Brooklyn James

The Boots My Mother Gave Me 

(Audio Book)

by Brooklyn James 

Amazon 5-star rating - 64%

About the book:

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk through life in someone else's shoes?

Strong-willed tomboy Harley LeBeau puts you in the boots her mother gave her, as she takes you along her journey of escape from an abusive childhood and the desire to find herself as she comes of age. Made to feel a burden to her father simply by her gender, Harley is determined to prove her worth and independence, leaving the small town she grew up in and the one boy who gave her a soft place to fall, Jeremiah Johnson.

Torn between saving herself and abandoning her mother and younger sister, Harley chooses her own life in hopes they will choose theirs, too. A mature, candid read for everyone. A must for women. The Boots My Mother Gave Me explores the dynamics of abuse and dysfunction, the courage to overcome, the strength in sisterhood, and the ongoing conflict and unconditional love between mothers and daughters.

Climb into Charlene the Chevelle for a fast-paced story about a girl who is tough enough to survive and tender enough to learn to trust in love.

Book Review originally posted in November 2014

This book tells the almost always painful and sometimes happy life journey of a woman named Harley LeBeau. She came from a dysfunctional family which mainly caused by her alcoholic father. She wanted to escape this life sooo bad she went away (after high school graduation) to find happiness and peace of mind she never got at home.

Oh... this is my first audio book that I truly enjoyed, I love the author's voice! Wish she could narrate all my favorite books, surely, I'd buy them all ;) This has a soundtrack which I think is cool, unique for an audio book. It was soooo nice to hear someone singing songs while "reading" but sometimes it could be distracting. Not that bad, just a little bit weird. The story telling and dialogue felt authentic. You know that feeling you get carried away with it...found myself talking to Harley like a friend... like she was just on the phone LOL

One character I soooo want to be my latest *wink* book boyfriend is Jeremiah Johnson, a.k.a. Miah/Big Johnson. He's Harley's best friend, her first friend, first kiss, the first in everything. Even after miles away, years not seeing each other, they still maintain that best friend, not so romantic relationship. I got so many issues with Harley about Miah, if she's my friend in a real world, I think she'd be in a hospital now. I like Harley, a lot,  but when it comes to Miah, ohhh I hate her. *long sigh*

As you can see below, I've just labelled the book my "all-time-favorite", means this is highly recommended! Try this one, you won't be disappointed.

Listen to one of the author's songs HERE

Purchase your copy

Free Kindle Download: Inborn by Amy Saunders

Inborn

(The Birthright Book 1)

by Amy Saunders

About the book:

Rosamund Brandt has had a semi-normal life for sixteen years. Well, semi-normal for a family descended from aliens. Sure, she could create portals and her family had a secret basement. But she went to school, had a best friend, and got her driving permit like every other teen.

However, her definition of “normal” unravels when a killer with multiple powers and an agenda steps into town. When Rosamund herself becomes a target, she has a choice between playing the killer’s game and saving a few, or getting to the core of the murders and stopping them for good.

Rosamund’s choice will save everyone she cares about–or unleash a new era for herself and her family, shattering whatever hope for going back to normal she had.

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Free Kindle Download: Collapse by TK Carter

Collapse:

Book One in The Yellow Flag Series

by TK Carter

About the book:

In 2026, the United States government made a last-ditch effort to ensure the American dream. The citizens, however, did not have the same vision.

When forty-year-old Tess, a widowed mother and nursing home administrator, is forced to comply with the REEP Program and receives notice that all government funding for residents has been cut, she is faced with making decisions that stretch her moral standards. Doug, a fuel truck driver, sees first-hand how devastated America is as people become desperate to survive. And when fuel allocation and vouchers become the norm, Doug discovers he is a rolling bull’s-eye. Ten-year-old Brenna is excited to see her father again and has been granted a plane ticket from St. Louis to Richmond, VA. When the plane lands, a raid breaks out in security as bandits try to take the plane, which leaves almost everyone dead…except Brenna.

America lost her focus. We swore it wouldn’t go too far. We didn’t see this coming.

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Book Review: Heat (Outlaw Romance) by Holly Roberts

Heat: Outlaw Romance 

Hotter Than Hell Novel

by Holly S. Roberts

Series: Hotter Than Hell Novel
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (January 1, 2016)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 1733 KB
Print Length: 240 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Four Carat Press (January 18, 2016)
Publication Date: January 18, 2016
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Holly S. Roberts. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

My thoughts:

I had this book since December last year or was it January? I'm not sure. I stopped accepting requests, just re-reading favorite books and learning gardening for a while now. I'm just stressed out in sooo many ways that I didn't want to waste my precious time (if you have been following me since last year, you know why) over new books. When I picked this out from my library, I was ready to be disappointed. Thought it was better that way than to up my expectations. Oh well, this is surprisingly sooo good that when I dived into it, I didn't stop until I flip that last page. 

Madison Abigail Kinlock, also known as Mak, is a tough, kickass female lead (reminds me of the young Anita Blake). Her character is credible, I love her voice, and values as a cop (an ex-cop turned PI. Met few PIs in my line of work so I know how cool to have them as friends) . . 

As for the male lead, the romance part? Yay! Moon is a swoon-worthy-drug lord! Okay, before you question my morality, I was actually pretty conflicted with my feelings with this guy. Like Mak, I was attracted to Moon but couldn't accept for what he is (a criminal!) but the author added some goody twist in Moon's character that made me want him and his world. 

Sex - although yes so hot, it's not so over the top. Thankie! Hey, just tagged this as an all-time favorite book, this means this is so goood. It was THAT good I bought the second book! Highly recommended for readers looking for a great series to start!

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About the book:

She’s an ex-cop and he’s the head of a crime syndicate. 

Heat turns to sizzle and hearts combust when they find themselves wanting more than a few hot nights between cool sheets. 

After a shoulder injury ends her respectable career as a police officer, Mak also known as Madison Abigail Kinlock turns to the seedy world of private investigations by default. Now her job consists of cheating douchebags and baby daddies dodging child support. Things can’t get much worse. 

Moon controls Arizona’s largest crime syndicate. His bronze skin and blue eyes leave a girl breathless even when that girl knows he’s bad news. Moon doesn’t give a flying fig what Mak thinks; he wants her—ex-cop, bad attitude, and all. 

How does she resist the dark side when her body craves Moon’s searing touch? Things only get hotter in Phoenix when Mak finds herself in a deadly situation and must turn to Moon for help. 

He’ll help but there’s a price.

About the author:

USA Today Best-Selling Author Holly S. Roberts is a retired sex crimes and homicide detective who managed to retain her sense of humor. She writes under three pen names dreaming about stories from life on the street as a beat cop in an unflattering blue uniform to erotic romance.

She married her high school sweetheart at the age of eighteen after experiencing love at first sight at age twelve. Her husband took a little longer to realize he couldn't live without her but came along nicely after he stopped fighting fate.

D'Elen McClain is her paranormal romance pen name and Suzie Ivy her tough crime fighting alter ego pen name.

Her two dogs, Dizzy, a Rottweiler with anxiety issues, and Duchess, her overweight Chihuahua, sleep and play at her feet while she writes steamy fantasies at her home high in the Arizona mountains. She also keeps her pen in blue ink as a contributing writer for UniformStories.com, Below The Salt News, and Bad Luck Detective blog.

Free Kindle Download: If I Had Long, Long Hair by Angela Hunt

If I Had Long, Long Hair 

by Angela Hunt

About the book:

Loretta, who has short, curly hair, wishes for long, long hair--she'd be able to do so many wonderful things! But then she begins to think about the trouble long, long hair might cause . . . and decides she's just fine the way she is. 

This book, which won the Lorna Balian Prize in 1988, has been redone with beautiful, multi-cultural illustrations. 

Little girls AND boys love reading this book, and you will enjoy making memories as you read it together.

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Free Kindle Download: Easy Asian Appetizers Cookbook by Scott May

Easy Asian Appetizers Cookbook: 

50 Delicious and Easy Asian Appetizer Recipes

by Scott May

About the book: 

If you love Asian food then this is the ONLY cookbook you need.

Asian food should be approachable, not intimidating. Chef Scott May shows exactly how to prepare delicious easy-to-make dishes that will get your taste buds salivating over. These tasty starters are great to warm up a main course and are also delicious when eaten as a snack during a movie or served as party treats. 

1. Featuring good-enough-to-eat photography accompanying each recipe 
2. Easy to follow steps! 
Each of the recipes has easy to follow steps allowing anyone to make and enjoy them in no 
time at all. 
3. Tried, Tested and SO GOOD! 
These recipes have all been tried out by us and we LOVE each and every one of them. 
So what are you waiting for?! Get to it and munch on some Asian appetizers! 

Inside you’ll find delicious recipes such as: 
• Thai Peanut Stuffed Jalapenos 
• Yakitori Japanese Chicken Skewers 
• Asian Beef Lettuce Wraps 
• Red Curry Shrimp Dumplings 
• Incredible Chinese Pot-Stickers 
• Lumpia Rolls 
• Honey Lime Chicken Wings 
• Korean style Scallion Pancakes 
• Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs 
• Crab Rangoon 
• Burmese Fried Shrimps 

And many more! 

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Free Kindle Download: Dragons Don't Cry by D'Elen McClain

Dragons Don't Cry: 

Dragon Shifter Romance 

(Fire Chronicles Book 1)

by D'Elen McClain

About the book:

One pint sized human female who’s had too much to drink, not enough sleep, and absolutely no patience meets one stubborn dragon shifter with an attitude.

Bastian claims Acasia, his unwilling bride, after she spends the night carousing with friends. She’s not happy, he’s pissed off, and with a curse from a goddess thrown in, you’ll see Bastian breathe fire.

Add secrets, treasure, and unimaginable heartbreak for an emotionally humorous read and discover why Dragons Don’t Cry.

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

"It's Monday! What are you reading?" is a fun meme hosted by Kathryn @ The Book Date. This is where we share the books we have read the last week and our reading plans for this week.

Book Reviewed

REVIEW

Meet the people who make it all happen – the planners, the photographers, the musicians who have helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples as they find their own happy endings in the second Year of Weddings novella collection.

Can one bridesmaid undo the disasters caused by a poorly chosen maid of honor and save her sister’s wedding from disaster? 

Mari’s older sister Crystal is getting married, and Mari is one of her bridesmaids – actually, the last in a lineup of five bridesmaids, but that doesn’t really bother her. Much. But Sienna Jameson as the maid of honor? Really? She might be Crystal’s best friend, but she’s ditzy and undependable on her best days. When the best man turns out to be hunky Derrick Richardson, the right fielder for the Houston Astros and one of Houston’s most eligible bachelors, Sienna abandons her duties as maid of honor to chase Derrick, and it’s up to Mari to make sure Crystal’s wedding day goes off without a hitch.

While Mari is wrapped up in dress fittings, bridal showers, and bachelorette nights, Derrick has taken notice of her devotion to her sister and her determination to make the wedding perfect. But between dodging Sienna’s advances and watching Mari running around like a madwoman, Derrick is left to steal moments whenever he can to get to know this beautiful bridesmaid.

When the maid of honor shows up to the ceremony late and more done up than the bride herself, Mari fears her attempts to make her sister’s wedding perfect have all been for naught. Will the bride be up-staged by the maid of honor? Will the fifth-in-line bridesmaid ever be recognized for all the work she’s done? And will Mari finally have a moment to revel in the magic of a wedding and dance in the strong arms of a man?

Books for Review

Lucy Goodwin knows more about horse breeding than a proper young lady should. Her brother’s thoroughbred business has given her purpose and independence, but when an accident leaves her solely in charge, despair and destruction threaten her every move. Trapped in an impossible position, Lucy must do the right thing and watch their dreams crumble, or save their livelihood at a cost too great to bear. 

Lord Philip Lyton, Marquess of Chalifour is a member of the prestigious Jockey Club, dedicated to eliminating cheating in horse racing. Trouble raises its ugly head when his business partner falls foul of an accident and he’s suddenly forced to deal with the man’s sister, who seems alarmingly out of her depth. Chalifour respects Lucy’s steely resolve, but knows that single-mindedness can be the most dangerous trait of all. 

She might be beautiful and beguiling, but Lucy Goodwin is keeping secrets and Chalifour is determined to find out what they are.

She’s an ex-cop and he’s the head of a crime syndicate. 

Heat turns to sizzle and hearts combust when they find themselves wanting more than a few hot nights between cool sheets. 

After a shoulder injury ends her respectable career as a police officer, Mak also known as Madison Abigail Kinlock turns to the seedy world of private investigations by default. Now her job consists of cheating douchebags and baby daddies dodging child support. Things can’t get much worse. 

Moon controls Arizona’s largest crime syndicate. His bronze skin and blue eyes leave a girl breathless even when that girl knows he’s bad news. Moon doesn’t give a flying fig what Mak thinks; he wants her—ex-cop, bad attitude, and all. 

How does she resist the dark side when her body craves Moon’s searing touch? Things only get hotter in Phoenix when Mak finds herself in a deadly situation and must turn to Moon for help. 

He’ll help but there’s a price.

Read HEAT Chapter 1 HERE

Currently Reading

In today's society, it's important to remind children that embracing their own individuality is a wonderful thing. Enter Chumbalina, a princess who enjoys eating so much she becomes an outcast. However, the tables are turned when a gluttonous giant comes to the kingdom and she must rescue everyone doing what she loves most, eating. 

Chumbalina, the main character in this children's picture book, is teased for the way she looks and how much she eats. By viewing the world through her eyes, children will walk away recognizing that true beauty comes from within. 

Chumbalina the Plump Princess teaches children to respect differences and find inner beauty in all of us! It embraces self-love, self-esteem and acceptance.

The Arizona desert sizzles and it's Hotter Than Hell.

Alex Gomez is the enforcer for the largest crime syndicate in Arizona and makes no excuses. His hands are covered in blood and the lines between right and wrong blurred.

Celina Thomas has a deadly secret. Only money can fix her problem and she needs a lot of it, quickly. She’s gifted with a body and face that men are willing to pay for. She makes the decision to enter the world of high class escorts but her heart cries at the injustice.

One night with Alex and Celina’s plan turns upside down.

One night with Celina and Alex’s heart of ice begins to melt.

Celina’s secret could kill them both. Can she trust Alex and place her life in his hands? Can Alex let her escape regardless of the consequences?

Passion ignites as Alex and Celina sizzle with burning need while death lurks on the sweltering Arizona horizon.

How about you? What are your reading plans this week? 
Happy Monday!

Book Review: Never a Bridesmaid by Janice Thompson

Never a Bridesmaid: A May Wedding Story

(A Year of Weddings Novella Book 6)

by Janice Thompson

Kindle Edition
File Size: 2579 KB
Print Length: 85 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
Publisher: Zondervan (April 28, 2015)
Publication Date: April 28, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 2 hours and 26 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Zondervan
Audible.com Release Date: April 30, 2015

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ 

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from BookLookBloggers. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.


My thoughts:

First off, I don't think the title fits the story. Just read the synopsis!

Think I'd rate this as an OK book. The romance part was just okay, it didn't have that 'wow' feeling. The storytelling's kinda slow but some parts felt rushed. Weird? Lots of circling in the story but when people are introduced, no time to really know or connect with them. The plus in the story would be Mari's relationship with her family. Never had a sister so that was what I enjoyed exploring. 

 About the book:

Meet the people who make it all happen – the planners, the photographers, the musicians who have helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples as they find their own happy endings in the second Year of Weddings novella collection.

Can one bridesmaid undo the disasters caused by a poorly chosen maid of honor and save her sister’s wedding from disaster?

Mari’s older sister Crystal is getting married, and Mari is one of her bridesmaids – actually, the last in a lineup of five bridesmaids, but that doesn’t really bother her. Much. But Sienna Jameson as the maid of honor? Really? She might be Crystal’s best friend, but she’s ditzy and undependable on her best days. When the best man turns out to be hunky Derrick Richardson, the right fielder for the Houston Astros and one of Houston’s most eligible bachelors, Sienna abandons her duties as maid of honor to chase Derrick, and it’s up to Mari to make sure Crystal’s wedding day goes off without a hitch.

While Mari is wrapped up in dress fittings, bridal showers, and bachelorette nights, Derrick has taken notice of her devotion to her sister and her determination to make the wedding perfect. But between dodging Sienna’s advances and watching Mari running around like a madwoman, Derrick is left to steal moments whenever he can to get to know this beautiful bridesmaid.

When the maid of honor shows up to the ceremony late and more done up than the bride herself, Mari fears her attempts to make her sister’s wedding perfect have all been for naught. Will the bride be up-staged by the maid of honor? Will the fifth-in-line bridesmaid ever be recognized for all the work she’s done? And will Mari finally have a moment to revel in the magic of a wedding and dance in the strong arms of a man?

Purchase your copy

Book Spotlight with Chapter 1: Revenants - The Odyssey Home by Scott Kauffman

Revenants - The Odyssey Home

by Scott Kauffman

Publisher: Moonshine Cove Publishing.
Pages: 308

About the book:

Revenants is the coming-of-age retelling of Homer’s Odyssey about Betsy’s struggle to regain meaning in her life following her brother’s death in Viet Nam by returning home a war-disfigured patient the VA hospital has secreted away for fifty years. Hidden and forgotten. Almost. Because standing in her path is Congressman Hanna who knows her patient’s name. A name that if revealed would end his congressional career and destroy his marriage. Complicating Betsy’s struggle is her patient’s refusal to surrender his name. Yet he is compelled by his need for contrition to tell his story, dropping clues as to the boy he once was, about the girl he left behind, that Betsy must puzzle together before Hanna discovers she has learned his secret.

Chapter 1

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