Review: The 1,000 Year Old Boy by Ross Welford

The 1,000 Year Old Boy
by Ross Welford
Published by Harper Collins
Middle grade, fantasy, historical, adventure

There are stories about people who want to live forever.

This is not one of those stories.

This is a story about someone who wants to stop…
Alfie Monk is like any other nearly teenage boy – except he’s 1,000 years old and can remember the last Viking invasion of England.

Obviously no one believes him.

So when everything Alfie knows and loves is destroyed in a fire, and the modern world comes crashing in, Alfie embarks on a mission to find friendship, acceptance, and a different way to live…

… which means finding a way to make sure he will eventually die.

Obviously no one believes him.

The 1,000 Year Old Boy is wonderfully profound story. It is a clever take on what it is to live forever, particularly how the magic works. Alfie Monk is a thousand year old boy, who's a Neverdead like his mother and cat, Biffa. But when a tragedy strikes, Alfie wants to find the means to reverse the magic and start aging again because living forever it is not so glamorous when you have been eleven for centuries. Alfie meets Aidan and Roxy, who becomes his friends, and their adventure begins.

There's a lot of twists and obstacles Alfie and his friends have to face - it's a great adventure story with important theme. I loved the little snippets of history as Alfie remembers everything from the last Viking invasion to the World Wars. Such a charming story and I'm sure to remember it a while.

The 1,000 Year Old Boy is a brilliant story because of how impactful it is. Many of us have wondered what it would be to live forever and not age, and Welford offers something different from vampires and other immortal creatures of the night. There's also humour and Alfie is a wonderful main character, old soul in a young body who's a little bit lost and needs accepting friends. Aidan and Roxy are great on their own ways, Roxy ever accepting what live throws at her and Aidan a bit more cautious but a good friend nonetheless.
4 of 5 stars
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Review: A Case of Possession by K.J. Charles

A Case of Possession (A Charm of Magpies, #2) by K.J. Charles Published by KJC Books LGBT, fantasy, paranormal, historical, romance

Magic in the blood. Danger in the streets.
Lord Crane has never had a lover quite as elusive as Stephen Day. He knows Stephen's job as justiciar requires secrecy, but the magician is doing his disappearing act more than seems reasonable - especially since Crane will soon return to his home in China. When a blackmailer threatens to expose their illicit relationship, there's only one thing stopping Crane from leaving the country he loathes: Stephen.
Stephen has problems of his own. As he investigates a plague of giant rats sweeping London, his sudden increase in power, boosted by his blood-and-sex bond with Crane, is rousing suspicion that he's turned warlock. With all eyes on him, the threat of exposure grows. Stephen could lose his friends, his job and his liberty over his relationship with Crane. He's not sure if he can take that risk much longer. Crane isn't sure if he can ask him to.
The rats are closing in, and something has to give...

After The Magpie Lord, I had high hopes for A Case of Possession; I expected it to rise to new levels and have more development that the first book lacked. I wished that Lucien and Stephen's budding relationship would deepen and whisk me away, since I felt the potential was there. However, I found that A Case of Possession took a turn I didn't expect - or really enjoy.
The new mystery and plot still had me intrigued; there's blackmail, blood and murder. There's a plague of giant rats slaughtering people that Stephen has to investigate, while he's under suspicion of becoming a warlock. Pressure is building on Stephen's shoulders like no other, and Lucien is increasingly concerned of Stephen's disappearing acts, while dealing with blackmail. Certainly entertaining and kept me turning the page.
While Lucien and Stephen's relationship deepened and there was some beautiful scenes between them, the steamy scenes left me cold. Oh, it was passionate and dirty, but it was also kinky. It's a personal preference what anyone enjoys; I don't care much for kinky stuff, and while this still was relatively mild, it was something I don't like reading. Thus, I mainly skim read the steamier scenes and focused on everything else. However, it made me feel less invested into the relationship and well, bleakened the overall enjoyment. I have decided not to read the last book of the trilogy, because well, I'd rather dedicate my time for something that I enjoy all the way through and not romance, where I skip half of the scenes together. Still, I'd recommend this trilogy to anyone who finds it interesting. It's well written and entertaining, and this time it's wholly personal why I decided to drop it. Others seem to have enjoyed the aspects I didn't, so this truly is the case of its-me-not-the-book.
3 of 5 stars
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Review: The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles

The Magpie Lord (A Charm of Magpies, #1)
by K.J. Charles
Published by KJC Books
LGBT, fantasy, paranormal, historical, romance

A lord in danger. A magician in turmoil. A snowball in hell.

Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He's also inherited his family's enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn't expect it to turn up angry. Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane's family. Unfortunately, it's his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he's ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude... and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That's definitely unusual.

Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane's dangerous appeal isn't the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can't find a way through it - they're both going to die.

I didn't know I was in the mood for historical paranormal romance until I dived into The Magpie Lord. Neither historical or paranormal fiction are my go to genres, but somehow Charles made it work, especially with a heavy dose of mystery. Mysteries with magical kick have recently been something I've stumbled upon and liked a lot. In short, The Magpie Lord is a generous mix of different genres that somehow works well.

The Magpie Lord has all the right ingredients to be intriguing and entertaining: intricate, eerie setting of Piper, the ancestral manor of Crane earls, interesting magic system and hierarchy, mystery, personal stakes, and complicated characters. Lucien Vaudrey, the new but reluctant lord Crane, his loyal servant Merrick, and Stephen Day, magician extraordinary who has deep sense of justice. Lucien refuses to conform the society's expectations and is used to the freedom he had in China, which baffles Stephen, who's used to play it save, because he's poor and cannot afford the same type of protection Lucien has through his privileged position. I liked both Lucien and Stephen, and the contrast between them. The past conflict between Lucien and Stephen's families caused additional complication and hurt, which added depth to both characters and their actions. 

Despite all the right elements, I found something lacking. I'm not sure what it was; possibly the story could have used more length to build up the mystery and its reveal, as well as the aftermath. Or maybe the budding relationship between Lucien and Stephen left something to be desired. It was entertaining, but without burning passion. A solid first book in a series, and I have high hopes for the sequel - maybe it'll be perfect. Anyway, I did enjoy The Magpie Lord a lot. Maybe not a mind blowing five star read, but definitely solid four stars.

4 of 5 stars

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Review: Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean

Where the World Ends
by Geraldine McCaughrean
Published by Usborne Publishing
YA, historical

Every summer Quill and his friends are put ashore on a remote sea stac to hunt birds. But this summer, no one arrives to take them home.

Surely nothing but the end of the world can explain why they've been abandoned - cold, starving and clinging to life, in the grip of a murderous ocean. How will they survive?

Where the World Ends got me very excited when I picked it up from a lovely Fort William bookshop. I want to read more books set in Scotland, and what's better than historical novel set in the outskirts of civilisation, the furthermost island of Kilda? I couldn't think anything, so I was pretty much burning to tackle this story. However, it didn't turn out to be what I had expected.

Where the World Ends is based on a true story, when a group of boys and three men got abandoned in isolated sea stac. They were there to collect birds, to spend summer harvesting them and then to get back to Kilda in autumn. But no one came back for them, and Quill and his friends are left there to wonder what happened. Sounds chilling, which describes the book very well; chilling and story about isolation and what it can do to a person. The atmosphere of the novel was right there, remote sea stac, cruel and unforgiving nature, and people who already lived in the extreme. Not many could survive nine months stranded on a stac, but then again the islanders were survivors and used to the unforgiving nature and might of the sea.

That's where my admiration ended. The book is not badly written, although I needed a moment to get used to the writing style. However, the first half of the book was dragging and it was quite boring. The pace was off, and the mystery of why they were abandoned there is not really enough to carry through three hundred pages. First half is basically full of religious analogies and two zealous characters convincing everyone that the world has ended and God has abandoned them. If you know me, you know I tend to avoid religious themes, especially anything to do with zealousness. This was almost too much, especially as it took over the story, but I pushed through because I wanted answers. It does get better, and the last third of the story is better paced and quite enjoyable.

In the sense of isolation and seeing what it can do to a mind of young boys and few adults, this reminded me a little bit of Lord of the Flies. Not nearly as gruesome and violent, but there's the same tone - what can happen, when survival is the only thing left. That's the most interesting part of the story, and if you're intrigued by it (and don't mind overly religious ranting), then I'd recommend Where the World Ends. The setting is also unique, and I definitely want to read about the history of Kilda now, but the book itself didn't meet my expectations. Especially since the characters were not easy to identify with - I could cheer for Quill and hope he'd make it, but otherwise the author failed to make me care for the characters.

All in all, it wasn't terrible, but the last third didn't quite make up for the boring beginning.

3 of 5 stars

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ARC Review: A Hymn in the Silence by Kelley York & Rowan Altwood

A Hymn in the Silence (Dark is the Night, #2)
by Kelley York & Rowan Altwood
Self-published
eARC
LGBT, historical, paranormal, romance

Since graduating from Whisperwood School for Boys, William has found a sense of normalcy in his life with James. He has a steady (albeit secret) relationship, a home, and a job - even if it doesn't pay the greatest. Nevermind that he lacks James' reckless bravery when it come to dealing with spirits; he does his best and it hasn't killed him thus far. 

When a new client calls on their expertise in solving a grisly multiple homicide, William resists. They're spirit hunters, not detectives. But the money is too much to pass up when they don't know when their next meal will be, and soon they're arriving at Evenbury Manor, nestles in a close-knit rural community, ready to investigate. 

They're in over their heads, but in very different ways than William could have anticipated. The hills are filled with creatures far more dangerous than any they've ever encountered, and their usual tactics aren't working. On top of his renewed struggles with his addiction, William if left to fend for himself against the dead to protect not only the community, but the person in the world that's most important to him.

A Hymn in the Silence is a sequel for A Light Amongst Shadows; it's fantastic to dive back into the world of James and William, of Victorian England and of eerie ghosts. While it has everything the first book had, there's also a change in point of view from James to William, and change in time, because this sets over a year after the first finishes - the boys graduated from Whisperwood and live on their own now. It is quite a change from before, but A Hymn in the Silence had everything else I fell for in the first one; adorable and not subtle James, reserved and grumpy William, and their brilliant dynamic. Virgil also makes an appearance, which is brilliant and I hope there'll be more of him in the future.

While their relationship is more established and thus deeper, it's still the same dynamic and same adorable relationship as it was before. I love it, and I admit I was a little scared at the beginning as sequels tend to complicate the relationship, have miscommunication that just ruins the ship, and introduce new characters just to complicate existing dynamic. Luckily it doesn't happen here; there's this brilliant banter and I laughed out loud so many times; James is hilarious and his obsession with cake absolutely relatable. Without spoiling anything, there are some struggles James and William have to go through and some of them are significant for their relationship, but it's beautifully done. There are new characters introduced, some of whom are important for the story, but they are well balanced and exist for their own sake and not just to complicate anything. York and Altwood are just masters, and I loved every page as much as I loved A Light Amongst Shadows. Definitely a great sequel that left me wanting more. I mean, there has to be another story about James and William, right?

Again, York and Altwood have found the perfect balance between mystery, action and romance, all of which are woven together beautifully. There are plenty of creepy moments, which made my skin crawl so badly that I could only read this during daylight hours (again, I'm not one for horror and I loose sleep way too easily). Atmosphere is brilliantly eerie, a small rural English village with a close-knit community. There are a manor, farms, village church, and never-ending woods; it's so different from Whisperwood, but that's not a bad thing in this case.

A Hymn in the Silence is a captivating rollercoaster of emotions. There are both funny, cute and creepy moments, which I loved so much. I could hardly put the book down! I love the world and the characters, and I honestly cannot get enough of them. I'm already excited for the novella, which will star Benji, but I also need another novel (or three). I definitely recommend you to pick up the series, because it's such heartfelt and stunning story.

5 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

ARC Review: Circe by Madeline Miller

Circe
by Madeline Miller
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing
eARC
Mythology, fantasy, retelling, historical

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe has neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and is scorned and rejected by her kin. Increasingly isolated, she turns to mortals for companionship, leading her to discover a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft.

When love drives Circe to cast a dark spell, wrathful Zeus banishes her to the remote island of Aiaia. There she learns to harness her occult craft, drawing strength from nature. But she will not always be alone; many are destined to pass through Circe's place of exile, entwining their fates with hers. The messenger god, Hermes. The craftsman, Daedalus. A ship bearing a golden fleece. And wily Odysseus, on his epic voyage home.

There is danger for a solitary woman in this world, and Circe's independence draws the wrath of men and gods alike. To protect what she holds dear, Circe must decide whether she belongs with the deities she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

Circe was one of my most anticipated releases for 2018, because Miller's debut The Song of Achilles is one of my all time favourite books. Circe includes a lot of Ancient Greek myths; the tension between Titans and Olympians, feuds and dalliances between gods, Daedalus, Ariadne and the birth of Minotaur, Jason and Medea, and even Achilles and Patroclus get a mention, and of course, Odysseys and his involvement with Circe. I liked reading these myths as retellings through Circe's immortal eyes.

Maybe it was just me, because so many seems to love Circe, but I couldn't connect with Circe as a main character. First she's so naive and a little bit spineless when it comes to her family and the Olympians; it was almost impossible to connect that Circe to the legendary witch of Aiaia. Then there's a twist when Circe snaps and becomes ruthless witch who cares nothing for men, gods and sea nymphs. It's abrupt change and while the naive Circe frustrated me at times, I could barely stand her after she becomes the legend I knew. However, there's few times when I liked Circe and rooted for her; when she meets Prometheus at the beginning, and when she spends time with Daedalus and Ariadne.

What kept me going was curiosity. Miller is a good writer and she can bring myths and legends alive. Circe might not have awoken such emotional response from me that The Song of Achilles did, but it was a solid retelling that included many well known myths from Ancient Greek. I admit that I had high expectations and I was prepared for similar emotional rollercoaster that The Song of Achilles put me through, even when I knew I've always been more invested in Ancient Greek tales of adventure, romance and war than tales of Circe and witchcraft.

Anyway, there was both moments that captivated me and moments when I was bored and disconnected from the story. This is mostly case it's me and not the book, because so many have embraced and loved Circe. If you find the premise interesting and you love myths and legends, I highly recommend Circe.

3 of 5 stars

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Thank you, Bloomsbury Publishing, for giving me a chance to read and review Circe!

(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Review: Ever After by Riley Hart & Christina Lee

Ever After
by Riley Hart & Christina Lee
Self-published
LGBT, romance, fantasy, historical

As next in line for the Evergreen crown, Prince Merrick Davendall's future involves ruling, marriage, and producing an heir of his own. But he's long been tormented by desires that are far from princely. Especially when the beautiful Cassius is promoted to be his new valet, and Merrick is struck by a longing like never before - a longing to know him far beyond royal and servant. 

After his father's passing, Cassius Havendale's sole duty is to provide for his family. A promotion to serve a pampered prince is something he endures only for their sake. Surely Prince Merrick had no understanding of the true suffering of the common people, nor could he possibly understand what it's like to desperately desire something he cannot have.

Except the prince is not at all what Cassius imagined. Kind, humorous, and caring to those in need, he also shares Cassius's affinity for the arts. In fact, Merrick understands his deepest vulnerabilities in a most remarkable way.

As their affection deepens, the underlying tension between them becomes unbearable and they're unable to ignore it any longer. But when the queen prepares a lavish ball with all the eligible ladies in the land in attendance, Merrick must fulfill his obligations to his country. They've long known their stolen moments would have to come o an end, but are they ready to give up one another and the idea of a happily-ever-after?

Ever After is a sweet fairytale with adorable and likable main characters. It's all around a feel good romance, which was just what I needed at the time I read it, and I fell for it. There's plenty of angst because of the forbidden love: Merrick is a prince and his parents are waiting for him to choose a lady to marry, and Cassius is Merrick's new valet, who can loose everything with a wrong move, because the society is homophobic. There's also the power imbalance between Merrick and Cassius, although Merrick never missuses his power.

Ever After gives serious Downton Abbey vibes. The book is described by the co-authors as wintery make-belief setting that isn't based on any specific time period, but for me it gave a lot of Downtown Abbey, especially when it came to the servants interacting with each other and with the people from upstairs. Anyway, while I liked the ambiguous setting and time period, I loved Cassius and Merrick, and their developing relationship. Merrick is a prince but he's all around a good guy, who prefers to be more modern and involved with the staff and subjects; instead of being cold and distant, he likes to play around in snow with orphan children and so on. Cassius is an introvert, who's a bit broody and prefers the company of his family and one friend at the castle, Valor. Together Cassius and Merrick are adorable, and I kept turning pages to see what will happen next. Another great point is how family is included and quite central for both Cassius and Merrick, for different reasons for both of them, although both have a loving family and devoted sisters.

I wholeheartedly recommend Ever After if you're in need for something cute, adorable and sweet romance with a side of angst. It certainly is stunning one that deserved praise.

5 of 5 stars

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ARC Review: A Light Amongst Shadows by Kelley York & Rowan Altwood

A Light Amongst Shadows (Dark is the Night, #1)
by Kelley York & Rowan Altwood
Self-published
eARC
YA, LGBT, historical, paranormal

James Spencer is hardly the typical troubled youth who ends up at Whisperwood School for Boys. Instead of hating the strict schedules and tight oversight by staff, James blossoms, quickly making friends, indulging in his love of writing, and contemplating the merits of sneaking love poems to the elusive and aloof William Esher. 

The rumours about William's sexuality and opium reliance are prime gossip material amongst the third years... rumours that only further pique James' curiosity to uncover what William is really like beneath all that emotional armor. And, when the normally collected William stumbles in one night, shaken and ranting of ghosts, James is the only one who believes him.

James himself has heard the nails dragging down his bedroom door and the sobs echoing in the halls at night. He knows other have, too, even if no one will admit it. The staff refuses to entertain such ridiculous tales, and punishment awaits anyone who brings it up.

Their fervent denial and the disappearance of students only furthers James' determination to find out what secrets Whisperwood is hiding... especially if it prevents William and himself from becoming the next victims.

I have a confession to make: I don't like ghost stories. However, Kelley York has been one of my favourite authors for years and a gay YA set in Victorian England? That made me dive into a ghost story and I haven't regretted it once.

I have to start with the characters, because they're the reason I fell in love with the story. James is not typical in any way and subtlety is not in his blood even when Victorian England is hardly a place to be open about his affections for other boys. James's flirting is not subtle and it's hilarious and adorable how he recite love poetry for a boy he fancies without really knowing them. James's easy to root for, because he's passionate, loyal and gentle. William is more reserved and shy, but he's not any less loyal or gentle than James. Both of them have their issues and pasts, as does everyone in Whisperwood, but it only makes it more beautiful, more real. It's captivating to follow their story, and I was hardly able to put the book down. I don't want to go too deep into analyzing the characters to avoid any spoilers, but I have to mention that Oscar is sweet and the best, and Benji, Preston and Virgil were all a delight to read about. I'm glad that there'll be a sequel because I need more of these wonderful characters!

What I loved most besides the adorable characters, was the perfect balance between the mystery and ghosts and the romance between James and William. Neither felt separate as both mystery and romance was woven together in a way that made the story whole; it's not romance with ghosts as subplot or ghost story with romance subplot, it's both. There was very creepy moments, which made my skin crawl, but also such a beautiful and gentle romance that made my heart flutter. Absolutely superb writing to have it all perfectly balanced!

Honestly, this has been a difficult review to write because of how much I loved the book. It's captivating and stunning, and I loved every moment I spend with it. Adorable and flawed characters who are still so good with a creepy ghosts and a mystery behind them and disappearing students. It's a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings. A Light Amongst Shadows will definitely stay with me for a long time.

I highly recommend A Light Amongst Shadows, whether you're into ghost stories or not. It's a brilliant and heartfelt book that deserves a chance to be read.

5 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Book Tour + Giveaway: Yuletide Truce by Sandra Schwab

Yuletide Truce
by Sandra Schwab
Release day: 22nd September 2017
Historical romance, Victorian romance, M/M romance, holiday romance

London, 1845 

It's December, Alan "Aigee" Garmond's favorite time of the year, when the window display of the small bookshop where he works fills up with crimson Christmas books and sprays of holly. Everything could be perfect — if it weren't for handsome Christopher Foreman, the brilliant writer for the fashionable magazine About Town, who has taken an inexplicable and public dislike to Aigee's book reviews.

But why would a man such as Foreman choose to target reviews published in a small bookshop's magazine? Aigee is determined to find out. And not, he tells himself, just because he finds Foreman so intriguing.

Aigee’s quest leads him from smoke-filled ale-houses into the dark, dingy alleys of one of London's most notorious rookeries. And then, finally, to Foreman. Will Aigee be able to wrangle a Yuletide truce from his nemesis?

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Quotes from Sandra Schwab about the book;

Yuletide Truce is a feel-good enemies-to-lovers holiday romance that takes you on a sweeping journey to Victorian London, to fog-filled streets and smoke-filled taverns, to Fleet Street, where news are made, and to Bethnal Green, where once a crime lord ruled as supreme master. Meet those who criticized a rich ruling class that clung to its old privileges, and those who eked out a meagre livelihood on the streets of the metropolis. Yuletide Truce not a story about rich people, but a story about two ordinary men — because everybody deserves a happily-ever-after, and I want to challenge the idea that it's somehow only straight, white, rich people whose stories deserve to be told.

Excerpt:

Now Mrs. Woodall’s smile diminished as her gaze fell on the magazine Aigee was holding. “Oh dear. About Town? I take it the ‘Adonis of Fleet Street’ has struck again.”

At the mentioning of Foreman’s nickname among the London publishing world, a rush of heat washed through Aigee. Lord, as if the whole situation wasn’t already embarrassing enough! No, to make matters worse, Aigee’s body—well, his prick, he supposed—had also decided to take a fancy to the very man who delighted in publicly bashing him.

It was ridiculous!

Beyond embarrassing.

And yet…

Well, Foreman was attractive, otherwise he wouldn’t have gained that particular epithet. He was tall, with a lean, trim body, violet-blue eyes, ridiculously long lashes, and a head of golden hair that tended to curl if he let it grow too long.

Handsome like the devil himself.

No, not the devil. Some kind of arrogant angel, tumbled to earth, probably thrown out of the heavenly choir because he had spouted some profanity at a horrified archangel.

Author Bio

Award-winning author Sandra Schwab started writing her first novel when she was seven years old. Thirty-odd years later, telling stories is still her greatest passion, even though by now, she has exchanged her pink fountain pen of old for a black computer keyboard. Since the release of her debut novel in 2005, she has enchanted readers worldwide with her unusual historical romances (some of which she now uses to shamelessly fangirl over Punch, her favorite Victorian magazine).

She holds a PhD in English literature, and in autumn 2015, she appeared on the BBC documentary Great Continental Railway Journeys to talk about another favorite topic of hers, the Grimms’ fairy tales (while walking through a rather muddy stretch of the Black Forest) (there were a lot of slugs, too).

She lives in Frankfurt am Main / Germany with a sketchbook, a sewing machine, and an ever-expanding library.

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ARC Review: A Gathering Storm by Joanna Chambers

A Gathering Storm (Porthkennack, #2)
by Joanna Chambers
Published by Riptide Publishing
eARC (received via NetGalley)
Adult, LGBT, historical, romance

When grief-stricken scientist Sir Edward Fitzwilliam provokes public scorn by defending a sham spiritualist, he’s forced to retreat to Porthkennack to lick his wounds. Ward’s reputation is in tatters, but he’s determined to continue the work he began after the death of his beloved brother.

In Porthkennack, Ward meets Nicholas Hearn, land steward to the Roscarrock family. Ward becomes convinced that Nick, whose Romany mother was reportedly clairvoyant, is the perfect man to assist with his work. But Nick—who has reason to distrust the whims of wealthy men—is loath to agree. Until Fate steps in to lend a hand.

Despite Nick’s misgivings, he discovers that Ward is not the high-handed aristocrat he first thought. And when passion ignites between them, Nick learns there’s much more to love than the rushed, clandestine encounters he’s used to. Nevertheless, Nick’s sure that wealthy, educated Ward will never see him as an equal.

A storm is gathering, but with Nick’s self-doubts and Ward’s growing obsession, the fragile bond between the two men may not be strong enough to withstand it.

A Gathering Storm was very authentically feeling story set in fictional Porthkennack seaside town in Cornwall. It's second book set in there (first being Wake Up Call) but can be read as a standalone without confusions.

One of the main characters is Sir Edward Fitzwilliam, shortened as Ward, who is aristocratic gentleman and a scientist. He moves to Porthkennack after his reputation suffers in London, and he's set to do scientific research at the small seaside town. Ward's very likable character even though he is flawed; he can be a bit wrap up to his privilege and while he doesn't mean anything bad, he often comes off as inconsiderable. He also has a harsh voice because of childhood sickness of diphtheria, and other characters described him at times as handsome gentlemen with a voice of the devil. The other main character is Nicholas Hearn, or Nick, who's somewhere between landed gentry and commoner, not really belonging to either because he's a bastard son of wealthy landed gentry man, and he's employed by his grandfather as a steward of the estate. Nick's quite quiet and a man of few words because he doesn't feel like he belongs anywhere in Porthkennack even if he loves to be there. Nick's quite lovable character too, although his biggest flaw is that he's a bit wrap up to his own sense of not belonging to see people around him how they are.

What I really loved about the A Gathering Storm was the likable characters, the authentic feeling of the setting, how the dialogue and mannerism matched the historical setting/time, and overall the historical setting as 19th century small seaside town and the aspects of science and scientific discoveries that Ward's background and work brought to the story. The romance between Ward and Nick was slow burn with tension which was very nice, and overall the exploration of their relationship was such a good read. The story also explored deeper aspects of grief, or more than that, what actions deep grief can cause. The only slightly negative thing was that the ending was a bit abrupt - but that might just be me, because I would have enjoyed reading about Ward and Nick a little bit more!

I recommend this if you enjoy authentic historical settings and slow burn romances.

4 of 5 stars

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Thank you, Riptide Publishing, for giving me a chance to read and review A Gathering Storm!

(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Review: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles

by Madeline Miller

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing

Paperback (purchased)

LGBT, historical fiction, mythology

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their difference, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles' mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. 

But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

There almost isn't words to describe how I feel about The Song of Achilles. Even writing somewhat coherent review took me months. The Song of Achilles was captivating, gripping and so vivid. It was utterly brilliant. It was emotional roller coaster like no other. It was everything I wished a book to be: adventure, romance, peace, war, mythology, gods and men, tragedy, heartbreak, oaths and fights, and everything else wrapped in beautifully written story. Miller is brilliant, she breathed live into the legends, made them so real it hurt. I couldn't put it down, and I barely slept until I finished the book.

 I confess that I had fears of book being hard to read as it was about ancient Greek mythology and I heard that it was pretty authentic. My fears were for nothing because The Song of Achilles is easy to read, almost like young adult novel even though it was not one because there is sex and gore, mostly because of the war. It's not really graphic but it doesn't fit the young adult category either because the story is about Patroclus' whole life. 

And characters, oh how Miller made them so real: some utterly lovable like Patroclus, Briseis and Chiron. Some lovable with pride as a fault like Achilles, and some sneaky and not so likable like Odysseus, Agamemmon and Hector. And some utterly horrible like Thetis and Pyrrhus. Every character from the myths and legends added to the story of Achilles and Patroclus. It was brilliant even when the horrible characters got their way and threatened everything that was beautiful.

 Of course I need to speak more of Patroclus and Achilles. I ship them with all I have, as simple as that. I knew how it was going to end but The Song of Achilles is one of those stories where you still hope it will be different. Where you believe that it will be different. Both Achilles and Patroclus went through such character development that it was beautiful to see them grow from young boys to young men who were at the middle of the war that was going to be unforgettable part of history. Achilles changed because of that war, and Patroclus just grew so beautifully, he truly grew to be the the Best of Men.

I will forever cherish this book, and I definitely need to read it again. Over and over again, because I cannot get enough of Patroclus and Achilles. Especially their years with Chiron, when everything was still innocent youth and they had the whole world. 

I highly, highly recommend this to everyone who is even a bit interested in ancient myths and legends, or Achilles, Patroclus or the Trojan War. The story and voice really are authentic and even as a history major I found nothing out of place or nothing to criticize. Miller truly knows her subject. I do recommend this to everyone who finds the summary interesting. Or maybe just wants to give a historical fiction a try. It's worth it. The Song of Achilles is truly worth it.

5 of 5 stars.

Add on Goodreads.

Review: Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat

Captive Prince (Captive Prince, #1)
by C.S. Pacat
Published by Berkley
Paperback (purchased)
Adult, LGBT, historical

Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos. But when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave.

Beautiful, manipulative, and deadly, his new master, Prince Laurent, epitomizes the worst of the court at Vere. But in the lethal political web of the Veretian court, nothing is as it seems, and when Damen finds himself caught up in a play for the throne, he must work together with Laurent to survive and save his country.

For Damen, there is just one rule: never, ever reveal his true identity. Because the one man Damen needs is the one man who has more reason to hate him than anyone else…

A fair warning, the novel is explicit and contains some sensitive/possibly triggering themes such as rape, pedophilia, slavery and physical abuse. Captive Prince was a very fast read for me, because it was captivating, fast paced, and I wanted to know what happens next. It's intense and withholds some interesting characters, and some that you just love to hate with all your heart's content. Captive Prince is a very character driven story, which I enjoy a lot when they're well written and has strong character voices, which Damen especially had. There was some scenes I cringed because of the themes they had, but I'm not very sensitive and I can stomach a lot. At some point it did seem that the author made a few scenes for a shock value, and I hope that the sequel does not do that.

Damen's point of view is intriguing and I felt for him, and admired how strong he was despite the wrongdoings that happened to him. What I especially admired about him, was his strong sense of leadership and the responsibility of taking care those who were his country men - even though he was stripped of his royal status and sent to serve another royal family as a slave. Although, he was a bit naive at the beginning but he grew out of it when the story evolved. Laurent, well, I both loved him and hated him. I felt for him because when I realized what had happened him in the past (and I guessed that pretty soon), and let's face it, Laurent the Ice Prince is the type of character I usually fell for. However, he did some things that can be explained (I surely hope they will be in next installment) that made me hate him - or not really hate, but despise in a way. I see the potential Laurent has, and I'll be happy to read more about him.

If you can stomach some hard topics and don't mind explicit content, I do recommend to try Captive Prince. Especially towards the end the story seems to kick off and it set a huge potential for the sequel, which I hope will be even better than this one.

4 of 5 stars.

Add on Goodreads.

Review: The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough

The Game of Love and Death

by Martha Brockenbrough

Published by Scholastic

Paperback (purchased)

YA, LGBT, historical fiction, romance, fantasy

Antony and Cleopatra. Helen of Troy and Paris. Romeo and Juliet. And now... Henry and Flora. 

For centuries Love and Death have chosen their players. They have set the rules, rolled the dice, and kept close, ready to influence, angling for supremacy. And Death has always won. Always.
Could there ever be one time, one place, one pair whose love would truly tip the balance? 

Meet Flora Saudade, an African-American girl who dreams of becoming the next Amelia Earhart by day and sings in the smoky jazz clubs of Seattle by night. Meet Henry Bishop, born a few blocks and a million worlds away, a white boy with his future assured—a wealthy adoptive family in the midst of the Great Depression, a college scholarship, and all the opportunities in the world seemingly available to him. 

The players have been chosen. The dice have been rolled. But when human beings make moves of their own, what happens next is anyone’s guess.

Love and Death were enigmas, and I fell in love with Ethan who was maybe the most intriguing character of the story. That's pretty much first thing you need to know about The Game of Love and Death; Love and Death are surprising at first and enigmas through whole story. Ethan, well, he's the precious one and he should be cherished. But Henry and Flora were quite dull and boring, and their love was neither passionate or heartbreaking as you would expect - especially since the previous players of the game consisted such enigmatic and passionate characters as Romeo & Juliet, Cleopatra & Antony, Helen & Paris (and pretty much every larger than life love stories). If the book would have been about Ethan, or only about Love and Death, it would have been wonderful, heartbreaking and absolutely brilliant. However, Henry and Flora's part dulled the book. I adored every chapter from Love, Death or Ethan's point of view, and just tolerated Henry's and Flora's. And there was minimal amount of flying, even though the cover and the start promised more. So if you're waiting for amazing flying things, there's not much of that there.

In the end, The Game of Love and Death was a mediocre read for me. The blurb, synopsis and the idea behind the story are brilliant. Some characters were almost genious. Brockenbrough have a solid, good writing style also, and there was structurally nothing wrong. Henry and Flora's love story was just flat and quite boring, and even with the historical setting in Seattle during 1930s, there still wasn't that spark a good romance needs. For me, it felt like Henry and Flora was forced to be this larger than life couple even though they didn't have spark or anything truly unique about them. Separately they were interesting enough as characters, but together they were dull. That's the only and major reason, why I didn't click with this book like I wanted to - it had potential to be great, maybe even mind-blowing, if the main couple would have lived up the expectations (or even had that spark).

I can recommend this to anyone who likes romance with historical setting with unique elements. And maybe others find a spark between Henry and Flora that I didn't. Brockenbrough does get a huge plus for all the diverse characters she had, that was wonderful.

3 of 5 stars

The Game of Love and Death on Goodreads.

Book Blitz: Fools Rush by Ciara Knight

 

Fools Rush

by Ciara Knight
Publication date: April 15th 2015
Adult, historical

 

To avert an impending life of servitude, Bethany Cook seeks freedom on a wagon train bound for gold country. Disguised as a young boy she secures work as a travel companion with Thomas Nolan, a rich New Yorker who is on his own quest to distance himself from the nightmare of a fraudulent marriage.

A cross-country journey by Thomas’ side proves more difficult than Bethany anticipated when he becomes obsessed with her true identity—the golden haired beauty he shared one night of passion with. Bethany attempts to confess the truth, but a bounty hunter exposes her as a devious woman that lied to Thomas for months for her own evil gain. Her life and her heart now rest in the hands of Thomas, who must decide if he can forgive and marry her or leave her to the fate she’s brought upon herself.

Add on Goodreads.

 

Purchase your copy!

Amazon

 

Author bio

Ciara Knight writes to 'Defy the Dark' with her young adult speculative fiction and sweet romance books. Her most recent international best-seller, Pendulum, scored 4 stars from RT Book Reviews, accolades from InD’Tale Magazine and Night Owl Top Pick. Her young adult paranormal series, Battle for Souls, received 5 stars from Paranormal Romance Guild and Night Owl’s Top Pick, among other praises.

When not writing, she enjoys reading all types of fiction. Some great literary influences in her life include Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespeare, Francine Rivers and J K Rowling.

Her first love, besides her family, reading, and writing, is travel. She's backpacked through Europe, visited orphanages in China, and landed in a helicopter on a glacier in Alaska.

Ciara is extremely sociable and can be found at Facebook @ciaraknightwrites, Twitter @ciaratknight, Goodreads, Pinterest, and her website ciaraknight.com.

 

 

Chuckwagon Recipe and Etiquette

 

Bethany Cook must earn her keep by cookin’ and providing companionship for Thomas Nolan, all while dressed as a man. 

On the trail, she soon discovers that resources are limited and the customs of cowboys are foreign to her.

One of her everyday food items are biscuits. She thought she’d share a recipe with you all. You know, in case you ever have to dress as a man, cook for a hot guy, and all the time mind the ways of the cowboys.

Soda Biscuit recipe:
Take 1lb flour, and mix it with enough milk to make a stiff dough;  dissolve 1tsp carbonate of soda in a little milk;  add to dough with a teaspoon of salt. 
Work it well together and roll out thin;  cut into round biscuits, and bake them in a moderate oven.  The yolk of an egg is sometimes added. 


Also, she thought she’d share a few things about proper manners, or lack thereof, while on the trail.

Chuckwagon Etiquette:
1) The cook is named Cookie.
2) No one eats until Cookie calls. 
3) Cowboys eat first, talk later.
4) Hungry cowboys wait for no man. They fill their plates, bellies, and then move on so stragglers can fill their plates
5) Eat with your fingers, the food’s clean.
6) Don't take the last serving unless you’re sure you're the last man.
7) Food left on the plate is an insult to the cook. 
8) No running or saddling a horse near the wagon. And when you ride off, always ride down wind from the wagon.
9) If you come across any decent firewood, bring it back to the wagon

I hope you’re ready for an adventure full of food, hot guys and dangerous times. Join Bethany and Thomas for their cross-country adventure in Fools Rush!

Cover Reveal: Queen of Tomorrow by Sherry D. Ficklin

THE OFFICIAL COVER REVEAL FOR:

QUEEN OF TOMORROW by Sherry D. Ficklin

 

QUEEN OF TOMORROW by Sherry D. Ficklin

A Stolen Empire Novel, Book 2

The Queen Arrives on July 14, 2015

Sophie—now Catherine, Grand Duchess of Russia—had a tough first year at Imperial Court. Married at sixteen to Grand Duke Peter, heir to the throne, and settled in their own palace, things start to look up. As a new day dawns, Catherine thinks only of securing her future, and the future of their country, during one of the greatest political upheavals of her time. Fighting desperately against forces that try to depose the Empress Elizabeth and put the young Prince Ivan on her throne, Catherine soon finds herself in the middle of a war brewing between her beloved Prussia and her new empire. While navigating the fragile political landscape, she quickly realizes that she has only begun to discover the tangled web of deceit and infidelity woven over the lavish court of Oranienbaum Palace.

When a strange and delicate alliance forms between the young couple, Catherine glimpses a future of happiness, only to see it vanish at the hands of those who still seek to end her life—and prevent her reign. Out of favor with the empress and running out of options, Catherine must sacrifice her own innocence on the altar of Russia if she is to save the nation and herself. To survive, she will have to do the unthinkable, betray those closest to her and become something greater and more dangerous than she ever imagined she could be… a queen.
 

ADD QUEEN OF TOMORROW TO YOUR TBR LIST!

 

 

READ THE FIRST BOOK TODAY:

Before she can become the greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophia will have to survive her social-climbing mother’s quest to put her on the throne of Russia—at any cost.

Imperial Court holds dangers like nothing Sophie has ever faced before. In the heart of St. Petersburg, surviving means navigating the political, romantic, and religious demands of the bitter Empress Elizabeth and her handsome, but sadistic nephew, Peter. Determined to save her impoverished family—and herself—Sophie vows to do whatever is necessary to thrive in her new surroundings. But an attempt on her life and an unexpected attraction threatens to derail her plans.

Alone in a new and dangerous world, learning who to trust and who to charm may mean the difference between becoming queen and being sent home in shame to marry her lecherous uncle. With traitors and murderers lurking around every corner, her very life hangs in the balance. Betrothed to one man but falling in love with another, Sophie will need to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to become the empress she is destined to be.

In a battle for the soul of a nation, will love or destiny reign supreme?

 

PURCHASE QUEEN OF SOMEDAY TODAY!

WATCH THE OFFICIAL BOOK TRAILER:

 

ABOUT SHERRY D. FICKLIN

Sherry D. Ficklin is a full time writer from Colorado where she lives with her husband, four kids, two dogs, and a fluctuating number of chickens and house guests. A former military brat, she loves to travel and meet new people. She can often be found browsing her local bookstore with a large white hot chocolate in one hand and a towering stack of books in the other. That is, unless she’s on deadline at which time she, like the Loch Ness monster, is only seen in blurry photographs.

 

She is the author of The Gods of Fate Trilogy now available from Dragonfly Publishing. Her previously self-published novel After Burn: Military Brats has been acquired by Harlequin and will be released in 2015 with a second book in that series to follow. Her newest YA steampunk novel, EXTRACTED: The Lost Imperials book 1, co-written with Tyler H. Jolley is now available everywhere books are sold and her newest YA novel, Losing Logan, is due for release in 2014 from Clean Teen Publishing.

Want to READ MORE from Clean Teen Publishing? Check out our huge selection of amazing reads! There's sure to be something for every reader!

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW about our GIVEAWAYS, NEW RELEASES, COVER REVEALS and MORE! JOIN OUR VIP MAILING LIST! WWW.CLEANTEENPUBLISHING.COM

 

 

Blog Tour + Author and Character Interview + Giveaway: Queen of Someday by Sherry D. Ficklin

 

 

Queen of Someday (A Stolen Empire, #1)

by Sherry D. Ficklin

Published by Clean Tean Publishing

YA, historical fiction

 

Before she can become Catherine The Great, fifteen-year-old Sophie will have to survive her social-climbing mother’s quest to put her on the throne of Russia—at any cost.

Imperial Court holds dangers like nothing Sophie has ever faced before. In the heart of St. Petersburg, surviving means navigating the political, romantic, and religious demands of the bitter Empress Elizabeth and her handsome, but sadistic nephew, Peter. Determined to save her impoverished family—and herself—Sophie vows to do whatever is necessary to thrive in her new surroundings. But an attempt on her life and an unexpected attraction threatens to derail her plans.

Alone in a new and dangerous world, learning who to trust and who to charm may mean the difference between becoming queen and being sent home in shame to marry her lecherous uncle. With traitors and murderers lurking around every corner, her very life hangs in the balance. Betrothed to one man but falling in love with another, Sophie will need to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to become the empress she is destined to be.

In a battle for the soul of a nation, will love or destiny reign supreme?

Queen of Someday on Goodreads.

 

Read my 4/5 star ARC review here!

 

Grab your copy of Queen of Someday!

Amazon

 

You can also watch an official book trailer!

 

A note from the author:

The true story of Catherine the Great is one fraught with betrayal, intrigue, and romance. While a good deal of my story is drawn from actual people and events, I have been very liberal in the rearrangement of dates, events, and places. Whenever possible I took my cues from her own words, intermixing my own thoughts and ideas. My thought upon the creation of the book

was simple. I looked at the woman she was when she claimed the crown and then wondered, how did an innocent girl from Germany become such a force of nature? Most people aren’t born cold or ambitious, but have circumstances that forge them into those people. And that was the story I wanted to tell in this book. I wanted to see the events in her early life that would have changed her into the person she became, and not knowing the truth of that story, I simply made something up. That is what we, as writers, do best.

 

If you are curious about the real history behind Catherine, I suggest heading to your local library and doing a bit of research. This is not meant to be a historically accurate representation, but a flight of fancy, one that I hope you, dear reader, will enjoy as much as I have.

 

Author bio

Sherry D. Ficklin is a full time writer from Colorado where she lives with her husband, four kids, two dogs, and a fluctuating number of chickens and house guests. A former military brat, she loves to travel and meet new people. She can often be found browsing her local bookstore with a large white hot chocolate in one hand and a towering stack of books in the other. That is, unless she’s on deadline at which time she, like the Loch Ness monster, is only seen in blurry photographs.

 

She is the author of The Gods of Fate Trilogy now available from Dragonfly Publishing. Her previously self-published novel After Burn: Military Brats has been acquired by Harlequin and will be released in 2015 with a second book in that series to follow. Her newest YA steampunk novel, EXTRACTED: The Lost Imperials book 1, co-written with Tyler H. Jolley is now available everywhere books are sold and her newest YA novel, Losing Logan, is due for release in 2014 from Clean Teen Publishing.

 

 

Website

 

Don't forget to participate the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

And here's exclusive author interview!

 

What books have most influenced your life?

There have been so many over the years, it’s hard to pick a few. I think the ones I recall most often are My Antonia by Willa Cather, Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews, and The Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker. And all for wildly different reasons.

 

What book(s) are you reading now?

I just finished the Selection Series. I loved the first book, but got a little bored with the others. Personal preference.

 

What do you prefer: paperback, hardcover, or ebooks?

Paperback for reading, ebook for trying something new, and hardback for collecting series. I just really love books.

 

How do you overcome writer’s block?

Procrastination followed by deadline panic.

 

Your character Sophie masters many languages. How many do you speak? Fluently or not?

I speak English and French. However, I can haggle in five languages. It is literally the only German, Italian, and Swiss I know, how to bargain shop. 

Now let's interview the main character Sophie from Queen of Someday! Exclusice, of course.

 

Who are the people you are closest to?

No one, currently. Attachment is a luxury I can no longer afford.

 

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

That is both a difficult and dangerous question. I think, over the years, I have loved deeply and more than once. But my first loyalty is always to Russia.

 

What is your biggest fear?

Becoming someone I despise.

 

Is there anything you wouldn't do for your country?

If there is a limit to how far I will go, I haven’t found it yet. Perhaps.

 

First and foremost are you princess of Prussia or future queen of Russia?

I will be queen, no matter the cost. I’ve left my past too far behind me for anything else.