~The Smoke Thief~ by Shana Abe

2. Book that was read and Reviewed in the Fall Challenge

My expectations were very high for this book, the story begins with a quick history of the drakon, then begins with background story of Clarissa and Chrsitoff. The story jumps few years later and we discover that Clarissa now Rue has become a thief, she is no regular thief she has special powers, but unfortunately are only those that are drakon. Now that Christoff is older and has taken the place of his father he along with the council know they need to find this mysterious thief who has the same powers and bring them back before they are discovered, but no one knows who it could be. Once Christoff arrives he is also done in by the thief, but using his special powers he begins to track the thief.

Up onto this point I was really into the story and enjoying it very much, but about midway through the story went downhill, toward the end of the story it again comes alive but only for a few pages. I wanted to give it 2 stars, but again the beginning was great and again dragged me in at the end, so I went for 3. I know so many enjoyed this series, but not sure what I missed but during the middle of the book I had to force myself to pick up and continue.

Wallflower Christmas ~ Lisa Kleypas

Rafe Bowman older brother to Lillian and Daisy two of the wallflowers is coming to England for Christmas. His father is playing matchmaker and insist he marry Natalie Hannah Applegate was sent by Natalie's father to visit with Rafe, his sister's and their friends to prepare the way for Natalie. Hannah disliked him immediately, but she knew for her cousin she must try his manner's were horrible and very outspoken. Rafe is infatuated with Hannah and kisses her before she leaves, which leaves her in a state of shock.

Hannah returns to Natalie and they begin to pack to join Rafe and his family for Christmas, she does not disclose the kiss to her cousin, but deep down feels that the match will not work. Her cousin intends to marry him no matter how horrid Hannah describes him. I hated the way Natalie treated Hannah she came across as a “goody-goody” who was helping her poor cousin, I did not like Natalie and was glad the story did not revolve around her. Once they arrive Rafe is constantly pursing Hannah and although she refuses to have anything to do with him, she begins to fall in love with him. Natalie tries to get Rafe alone she wants to be kissed by him and wants him to wed her. Hannah begins to feel jealous of their relationship, since she is not as pretty and does not have the money she knows she would never marry anyone like Rafe.

I have been looking forward to reading this book, the cover is lovely and I was so looking forward to the reunion of the wallflowers. The story was to short, therefore no depth into Rafe or Hannah the main characters. I enjoyed Rafe and Hannah, but hated their story was over so quick I feel the book was rushed and the story over much to fast. The wallflowers had small stories that were summed up to fast. I felt the story needed more meat so I only rate it a 3.

The Bride and The Beast ~ Teresa Medeiros

When she was younger Gwendolyn Wilder dreams of being swept off her feet by Bernard McCullough, the heir to succeed as the laird of Ballybliss. Disaster strikes and someone betrays his father the castle is attacked and no survivors are left.

Fifteen years later Gwendolyn still leaves in Ballybiss where she takes care of her father and sisters. Although Gwendolyn never believed in Dragons the town did and recently discovered a letter left by him, which they approach Gwendolyn and have her read his current demands. The Dragon ask for more food and now money, the town believe they can chase him away with a virgin sacrifice and the only person that fits that description is Gwendolyn.

The town takes her ties her up and leaves her for the Dragon, when the he appears out of the mist she faints. He takes her back to his lair where he pampers her never revealing his face. She becomes quickly becomes attracted to him and the mystery surrounding this façade of his. He wants to tell her the truth, but decides he cannot the town people soon discover that he is a man and come to capture him. Gwendolyn persuades him to go on without her she will stall them, he leaves but returns in time to rescue her again from the people and he decides to reveal himself to her. Betrayed and heartbroken she leaves, but can the Dragon make her understand his motives and maker her love him again.

I enjoyed most of the book a few disappointments.

Cruel as the Grave Sharon Kay Penman

Justin de Quincy is back again in the 2nd book of this medieval series. Justin is called upon by a friend to solve the murder of a 15-year old Welsh girl Melangell who was killed in the church graveyard. The accused are two brothers who seem to be hiding something are not helpful in solving the mystery of this young girl. The father also seems to be hiding something. Again Justin has his work cut out for him to find a killer and the reason why.

It is April 1193 and Justin is summoned back to court by Eleanor of Aquitaine while Richard the Lionheart sets in a German prison his younger brother John seizes Windsor Castle and the Queen ask Justin to undertake a dangerous mission by asking him to mediate a truce with John. Also, Justin discovers that Claudine de Loudun is with child and she wants to abort the child with special herbs, not sure what to do Justin confides in the Queen, which upsets Claudine. The Queen arranges for Claudine to leave and have the child and home found for the child.

I do not read many mystery's, but the clues that Justin was able to discover and how he unraveled those clues were interesting. Although, not a terrible read was not as good as the first book and I was not impressed with the discovery of the killer. Many of the same characters return in this book, which I enjoyed.

The Bell Witch - Brent Monahan

I happened to be flipping through channels one evening and came across a movie titled "The American Haunting" in the beginning of the credits "Based on a true story". Not one to watch horror flicks (don't care for the gore) I was interested in the idea the events may be true. The movie was not that great, but I became very interested in the Bell witch, and found this book.

The story begins present time when a manuscript is discovered that has never been open, the recipient turned it over to the Brent Monahan who converts the manuscript to book form. The manuscript is written by a school teacher who witnessed some of the events and later matter the daughter of John Bell. The story then begins in central Tennessee in 1811 John Bell has been taken in front of the church members by a citizen, Kate who tells him that his family will suffer.

John took no heed Kate's statements. The family begins to hear faint noises of tapping, rats chewing wood but are unable to locate the sources of the sounds. The noises begin to get more intense and soon his daughter Elizabeth is dragged from her bed and slapped, but no one there. The family believes somehow Kate is behind this strange happenings. The family begins to loose sleep and are unable to prove what is happening. The begin to open their home to close friends to assist in finding the source of what is going on, which they are unable to do.

As time goes on they begin to hear voices, and start calling this ghost "Kate's Witch". The witch begins to communicate with the members of the family and say she is there until John Bell dies, which will be very soon. The witch tends to disturb Elizabeth more then other members of the family. Many friends and outsiders come to home to uncover this mystery, but have no luck.

I was really into the beginning of the story, but then it begins to drag. It was not written for entertainment, but more of the events that took place in the home. Eventually the last few chapters become interesting and the storyteller uncovers the mystery of the bell witch that left me in total shock.

Very interesting, not a thriller or bestseller but worth the read. If you enjoy mystery and actual events then I recommend the read.

Royal Harlot: A Novel of the Countess Castlemaine and King Charles II

Susan Holloway Scott

This book tells the story about Barbara Villiers Palmer who is not a virtuous character, and one I was very unfamiliar with. Her story was a quick and interesting read. Although not a great story I enjoyed learning more about this infamous woman of history. The story begins when Barbara returns home under orders from her mother to make a suitable match with no dowry. Barbara is soon seduced by Phillip Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield and falls in love in love with him, but Phillip has no desire to settle down and soon finds another to replace Barbara. Barbara's bawdy reputation soon lands her married to Roger Palmer, a Royalist who supports to restore Charles Stuart to the English throne. She is sent by her husband with letters and money to the King, who is fascinated by the lusty and courage's woman. Once Charles is established to the throne Barbara soon becomes his Mistress, although Charles does eventually marry him and Barbara continue their sexual escapades. She has five children and four are known to belong to Charles. Although Barbara finds many enemies at court especially the Queen, she continues to be demanding and keeps Charles at her beck and call with her sexual appetite. I only gave this book 3 stars, I felt to sexually explicit, "TMI" (to much information) for me and some parts were way out there, for a movie rating I would say X-rated.

Kat Martin is one of my favorite historical romance authors, so I had not qualms about purchasing a contemporary with her name.

The story begins when Allie's best friend is killed on a yacht, and she believes it is no accident. With the investigation going no where she decides to take matters into her own hands. She sneaks aboard another boat owned by the same person, and before she realizes what is going on the boat is heading out to sea. She overheard talk about a mysterious shipment that she believes is drugs and that must have been why her friend was murdered. Soon she is discovered by one of the three men, and comes face to face with Jake Dawson. Jake decides he wants her to himself so has her locked into his room.

Alli, who attempts escape is stopped dead in her tracks by the handsome Jake who she assumes will have his way with her. Jake's only interest is to keep her from the other two men. Allie is furious she is being held and again attempts escape but Jake again comes to her rescue.

Jake informs her that he wants to help her escape, but the other two men have their own plans, she needs to trust him. Soon they end up in the hot jungles of Mexico running for their lives.

The story starts of with a bang, the middle is to long and Allie gets on my nerves. The last few chapters the story picks back up and ends nicely.

I give this STARS

Today was an awesome day to finish up this book mid July here but could be mistaken as an early autumn as nice as the weather was.

The book was also awesome. This is the 2nd book in the Wallflower Series and the story of Lord Westcliff (Marcus) and Lillian.

Lillian and her sister Daisy were born in America, and their mother wants them to both marry aristocrats. Lillian who does not think it possible visits a apothecary and he offers her an aphrodisiac, of course she does not believe in such things, until....... she is kissed unexpectedly by Lord Westcliff then she believes, but is it the aphrodisiac or is it love?

These two are very headstrong and neither want to believe they could be falling in love, so they deny their attraction to each other and their friends. The plot moves along quickly with Marcus believing Lillian is all wrong for him, while she is busy spending her time with the scandalous Lord St. Vincent. Marcus does not approve of the pair, regardless Lillian proceeds to pursue him as a possible husband.

Soon Lord Westcliff's mother The Countess learns that Marcus plans to ask for Lillian's hand in marriage. The Countess will not stand for the union. Lord St. Vincent soon becomes a pawn to stop the marriage from happening.

I enjoyed this book more then the first book in the series. Both Marcus and Lillian are enjoyable characters who keep you reading to see what happens next.

3 STARS

Wallflower Series

This is the first book in the Wallflower Series.

Four young girls unite together to become the Wallflowers and organize a husband hunt.

First on the list is Annabelle Peyton she is the oldest the wallflowers unite to help her wed first. Anna as she is called will do anything to help her family since her father's death the family finances are almost gone. To keep her brother in school she will do most anything to find a husband.

Annabell is beautiful, but has no dowry. She has her sights on an eligible bachelor who she plans to snag in a trap with the help of the wallflowers. Things are going as planned until an unfortunate accident occurs. Her plans to capture her future husband are put on hold, but it seems someone is actually out to capture her.

My Review: Three Stars ***

I really enjoyed the story and getting to know the characters, but thought lacking in the passion and romance department. Somedays it was hard to pick up the book to read, I just wanted it to end.

I enjoyed the hero Simon very much but wish she developed him more, I found Annabell more dull and not interesting at all. There was no chemistry between the two, well not from Annabell. Simon was alluring and a mystery.

The secondary characters are interesting I believe she spent some time developing some of the wallflowers and could have spent more time on the hero and heroine; so I am looking forward to following their stories in the remainder of the series.