Wlhat Else I Read in Auguat 2013

I read more than I feature on my blog.  Here are the other books I read this month.  All have a brief review on Goodreads and Amazon.  Follow the link if you want to know how I rated each one.

Historical Romance:

A Risk Worth Taking  by Laura Landon
The Trouble With Being a Duke by Sophie Barnes 

Romance:

Three Little Words by Susan Mallery
Forbidden Falls by Robyn Carr
Promise Canyon by Robyn Carr
Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr 

World Con, LoneStar Con, 2013, San Antonio, TX

I am at World Con right now and will post when I get home. 

Death in the Floating City by Tasha Alexander

Historical Mystery

What Goodreads says:

"Years ago, Emily's childhood nemesis, Emma Callum, scandalized polite society when she eloped to Venice with an Italian count. But now her father-in-law lies murdered, and her husband has vanished. There's no one Emma can turn to for help but Emily, who leaves at once with her husband, the dashing Colin Hargreaves, for Venice. There, her investigations take her from opulent palazzi to slums, libraries, and bordellos. Emily soon realizes that to solve the present day crime, she must first unravel a centuries old puzzle. But the past does not give up its secrets easily, especially when these revelations might threaten the interests of some very powerful people."

Death in the Floating City continues to showcase the writing talent of Tasha Alexander.

The Plot:  Look for multiple red herrings as the story progresses.  There are two stories in the book: one in the present and one in the past.  They are related and are the reason for the murder. 

The Characters:  Emily has center stage in this story.  Colin is there but often in an off stage role.  Emma, the old friend who ask for help is not seen very often.  The story is sprinkled with interesting characters from now and from the past.  As usual in the Lady Emily stories characters are introduced and developed in a way that adds to the mystery.  Venice with its history and location is an important character in the book.

The Writing:  Very well written.  The story moves along at a nice pace and the surprises are there to move everything along. 

The Setting:  Venice is a great city for a mystery.  As you follow Emily you get a very good idea of the layout, the history and the character of Venice.  I had a very good feel for the location and how it was important to the story.

The Back Story:  This is book seven in the series.  Only Emily and Colin were characters from the previous books.  That made it easy to get into the story.  This is an easy book to read as a stand-alone as the history in previous books is not a big factor in Death in the Floating City.

I found Death in the Floating City to be a great addition to the Lady Emily series.  If you are already a fan of the series you will enjoy the story and if this is your first book in the series you will want to find the previous six.

Minotaur Books published Death in the Floating City by Tasha Alexander in 2012.

The Exodus Towers (Dire Earth Cycle #2) by Jason M. Hough

Science Fiction

From Goodreads:

"The Exodus Towers features all the high-octane action and richly imagined characters of The Darwin Elevator—but the stakes have never been higher.
 
The sudden appearance of a second space elevator in Brazil only deepens the mystery about the aliens who provided it: the Builders. Scavenger crew captain Skyler Luiken and brilliant scientist Dr. Tania Sharma have formed a colony around the new Elevator’s base, utilizing mobile towers to protect humans from the Builders’ plague. But they are soon under attack from a roving band of plague-immune soldiers. Cut off from the colony, Skyler must wage a one-man war against the new threat as well as murderous subhumans and thugs from Darwin—all while trying to solve the puzzle of the Builders’ master plan . . . before it’s too late for the last vestiges of humanity."

Important:  Before you read The Exodus Towers you need to read The Darwin Elevator. 

World Building:  Much of this was done in The Darwin Elevator.  Additional facts are added in The Exodus Towers but much of the story assumes that you know all about the world this is set in. 

Backstory:  Again most of that was developed in The Darwin Elevator and while there are hints about relationships and past actions they are just that hints.  You could be very lost if you read this first.

Plot:  There are several different plot lines in The Exodus Towers.  The book moves to three different places.  Darwin, Brazil and Space all have their own cast of characters and their actions.  They are intertwined in some ways and separate in others.  Those are the human parts of the plot.  The Builders are a separate entity and while they drive much of the plot we really do not know what they want or who they are.  This middle book moves the action and sets the stage for book three. 

Characters:  The main characters are already well developed.   They still play a major role in the story.  There is some additional characters development.  I did find that they stayed true to form here and they moved in a way that aided the plot.  Some new and important characters are added and each is important to the story line.  There are a number of interesting and important side characters that keep appearing.  They are not just thrown into the story but are also well developed.

Tension:  Most of the tension is still from the arrival of the builders and the need to survive.  There is some added internal tension between some of the characters but that is secondary to the story.   Look for additional danger as the different human elements in the story continue to clash. 

Writing:  Even through the story jumped between the different groups it was smoothly done.  The writing kept the tension up.  I could feel the action and the danger.  Everything moved in a manner that kept me reading. 

Look for a cliff hanger ending. 

Del Ray published The Exodus Towers by Jason M. Hough in 2013.

I received an ARC of The Exodus Towers from Netgalley.

Musing Monday, August 26, 2013

Musing Mondays (http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/) asks you to muse about one of the following each week…
• Describe one of your reading habits. • 
Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it! 
 • Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
 •Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
 • Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

If you have been following me this month you know I have gone on a Contemporary Romance reading binge.  I have been surprised by how many of the books shine a light on some very serious subjects.  The stories have included things like teen bullying, STD's, drug abuse, alcoholism, lose of limbs in war, battered women, teens who doctor pictures and post on the internet, and teen depression.  While the solution is always positive in the books and is not always positive in real life it still brings these problems to the attention of the readers.  I think the authors are helping people understand and think about some serious problems while telling a good story.

The Hero (Thunder Point #3) by Robyn Carr

Contemporary Romance

Here is what Goodreads says:

"In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can't be worse than what they've left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need. 
As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he's not looking for anything else. Instead, he's thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point's high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he's gentle and kind...just the kind of man who could heal Devon's wounded heart.
Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it...and sometimes, you find a hero."

I listened to The Wanderer, the first book in the Thunder Point series, as an audio book and found I was hooked on the series.  When Netgalley offered The Hero, book three, I immediately requested it and once it was downloaded it moved to the top of my reading list.  

Plot:  This is a plot that revolves on escaping from a cult and learning to trust.

Characters:  I loved the fact that the main characters in the first two books were still front and center in The Hero.  Devon is a good addition to the series and it was nice that Rawley Goode has a important part in the story.  We know much more about his characters in this story.  This is a story that depends on character development and the fact that we the reader like and want to know more about the characters is important to the story. Thunder Point is also an important character is the series and it continues to be developed as the story moves along.

Writing:  The writing moves the story in an even manner.  It is an easy to read story and each elements shows up just when needed.  There are a few elements that I felt were not developed enough for the action but they did keep the story moving.  This is a story written in the active voice and everything moves based on dialog and action with a minimum coming from inside a character’s head.

Tension:  The external tension comes from the danger that Devon and her daughter are in if the cult finds them.  The internal tension comes from the changes several of the characters must make to have an HEA.

Backstory: Much of the backstory is from the previous two books in the series.  A little is from the Virgin River series but The Hero can stand on its own.  I do think that I enjoyed the story more because I know and like many of the characters already.

I have said this before.  Thunder Point is a world that is too good to be true.  There are bad people in the books but they get what is coming to them and then they disappear.  It is that ideal placed where we would all like to live and that is what keeps me reading.  I liked The Hero and am looking forward to book four in the series.

Harlequin MIRA published The Hero by Robyn Carr in 2013.

Stacking the Shelves, August 24, 2013

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I am adding to my shelves. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves.

I received two books from Amazon Vine:

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
Through the Smoke by Brenda Novak


From Netgalley for review:

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman
I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre
Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Bella Andre

Book Beginnings on Friday, August 23, 2012

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Gilion at Rose City Reader. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

My book beginning today is from The Arrangement by Mary Balogh.  She is one of my favorite historical romance writers.  My review is also posted today.  

The beginning:


"When it became clear to Vincent Hunt, Viscount Darleigh, that if he stayed at home for the remainder of the spring he would without any doubt at all be betrothed, even married, before summer had properly settled in, he fled."

The Arrangement (Survivor’s Club #2) by Mary Balogh

Historical Fiction

What Goodreads says:

"A mesmerizing story of passionate awakening and redemption, Mary Balogh’s new novel unites a war hero consigned to darkness with a remarkable woman who finds her own salvation by showing him the light of love.

Desperate to escape his mother’s matchmaking, Vincent Hunt, Viscount Darleigh, flees to a remote country village. But even there, another marital trap is sprung. So when Miss Sophia Fry’s intervention on his behalf finds her unceremoniously booted from her guardian’s home, Vincent is compelled to act. He may have been blinded in battle, but he can see a solution to both their problems: marriage.

At first, quiet, unassuming Sophia rejects Vincent’s proposal. But when such a gloriously handsome man persuades her that he needs a wife of his own choosing as much as she needs protection from destitution, she agrees. Her alternative is too dreadful to contemplate. But how can an all-consuming fire burn from such a cold arrangement? As friendship and camaraderie lead to sweet seduction and erotic pleasure, dare they believe a bargain born of desperation might lead them both to a love destined to be?"

There are books I like and books I love.  The Arrangement is one I love and here is why it goes on my favorites shelf. 

Writing:  Mary Balogh has perfected the writing art.  The Arrangement is well written. There is just the right pace to keep the story going without losing the readers interest.

World: The Arrangement is set in the same Regency Period as the Slightly series and the Simply series..  There are some cross-overs in characters between the series. I like seeing characters I loved in previous books.  It is a comfort for me as a reader to drop into a familiar world.  I immediately settle into the story as much of the world building is already done.

Characters:  Vincent Hunt and Sophia Fry are great leading characters.  Vincent has come to terms with his blindness and that makes him a great leading character.  Sophia has always seen herself as a mouse.  The fact that Vincent is blind lets him see her in a whole new light.  That lets Sophia grow into the perfect partner for Vincent.  There are some wonderful side characters in the book and of course a hook for the next story in the series.

Plot:  This is a plot based on the feelings of the two main characters.  Balogh uses a common trope to drive the story but it is very well done.  Vincent gets Sophia to marry him by making an arrangement where they only have to live together for one year.  Vincent really never means to stick by the agreement. When he and Sophia sit and talk she does not treat him as someone ill or even hampered by his blindness.  She treats him as normal man who happens to be blind.  He needs someone like that in his life and for his wife.  Now he just has to convince Sophia.   That sets up the main tension in story.

While The Arrangement is book 2 in a series it can be read as a stand alone so don’t let the fact that it is part of a series keep you from reading the book.  For those of us who are already Balogh fans this is a great add on to her books.

Dell will release The Arrangement by Mary Balogh on August 29 of 2013.

There is time to pre-order so you can read as soon as it comes out.

I received an print ARC of The Arrangement from Amazon Vine.

Defender of the Flame by Sylvia Engdahl

Science Fiction

From Goodreads:

"Starship pilot Terry Radnor, involved in a secret mission after training that gives him extraordinary physical and psychic capabilities, finds fulfillment in love and in commitment to a cause—until an ironic twist of fate tears him away from everything he cares about. He is forced to build a whole new life, far from all that has previously mattered to him. Is there any hope that he can fulfill his pledge to protect the world whose safety is crucial to the future of humankind?

While this novel completes the trilogy begun with Stewards of the Flame and Promise of the Flame it is a completely independent story set two hundred years later, and can be read alone."

Worldbuilding:  This completes the worldbuilding started in the first two books.  This is a future where the power of the mind is front and center in the story.  The first part of the book re-introduces how the mind can be trained and the concept of moving humans to a new level.  There are some new elements presented in the book that advance the story 200 years.

Backstory:  This is the third book in a trilogy and there is quite a bit of backstory that leads to Defender of the Flame.  Don’t worry about being confused about what is happening and why.  The important elements that you need to know are presented in conservations and arrive as you need to keep up with what is happening.

Plot:  Humans can develop new mind powers but if the knowledge gets out too soon that development can be killed and humans will come to a dead end.   The one planet where the development is part of the culture must be protected.  There are new elements that want to protect and some that want to destroy.

Characters:  This is basically the story of one character, Terry Radnor.  While he interacts with many others, Terry is the only character who is in the entire story.  The others are there and then gone.

Writing:  The book is well written and mostly in an active voice.  It did get a little long at times.  Some things were presented a few more times than I though they needed to.  I did think the book had a very elegantly written ending.

I have said this before but it bears repeating, Stewarts of the Flame was one of the best discussion book we read at our Science Fiction Book Club.  It is free on Amazon.  Pick it up and then get the other two books in the trilogy.  The series is entertaining while presenting a very interesting message.

Ad Stellae Books published Defender of the Flame by Sylvia Engdahl in 2013. 

Heart of Venom by Jennifer Estep

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Paranormal Mystery

From Goodreads:

"When a terror from the past threatens Gin’s friend and body-disposer, Sophia, Gin will stop at nothing to protect her, even if it means walking straight into a killer’s trap. Meanwhile, the rocky romance between Gin and Owen reaches a turning point—can they reunite and rekindle their love? Or will the things Gin has been forced to do in her line of work as the deadly assassin the Spider keep them apart forever? Assuming, that is, she survives long enough to find out."

There are times that a series seems to run out of steam by book 9.  That is not true of Heart of Venom.   If anything this story just makes the series stronger.  Gin is in fine form protecting her friends and family.  Owen realizes that the action he blamed her for was done for the very reason he loved her.  We finally see what happened to Sophia and watch as Gin saves her just as Fletcher Lane did years ago.  This story line closes the book on old issues and opens the way for a whole new set of problems. Now I just have to wait for book 10 to see how the series progresses.

Heart of Venom moves at a great pace.  The characters act according to the way they have been developed in previous books.  Any backstory that is needed for the book was woven in without the cut and paste of some of the books in the middle of the series.  The plotting keeps the tension up through out the story.  All in all Heart of Venom is a very satisfying read.

I received an ARC of Heart of Venom from Edelweiss.  It will be released on August 27^th.  Preorder now so you can start reading immediately.

Pocket Book is the publisher of Heart of Venom by Jennifer Estep.

Teaser Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Hunter and the turtle.  Who is teasing who?

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:"

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser today if from Whispering Rock (A Virgin River novel) by Robyn Carr.  This is book three in the series.  I just recently became hooked on the series.  I am not reading in order.  I finished all that the library had and visited the library used book story for some of the others.  Whispering Rock is one I found used there.  I now have three more books in the series that I need to find.

Here is the teaser:  

"She slipped out of her jacket and asked, "Will he come pounding on the door?"

Mike chuckled low in his throat.  "Not a chance.  I think even Jack knows when he'd be taking his life in his hands."  (Page 227)

Musing Monday, August 19, 2013.

Musing Mondays (http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/) asks you to muse about one of the following each week…
• Describe one of your reading habits. • 
Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it! 
 • Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
 •Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
 • Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

I am reading Death in the Floating City by Tasha Alexander.  This is a Lady Emily Mystery.  I love the series and checked the book out at my local library.  I just started and already want to warn Lady Emily to not trust Emma Callum.  I just think that a cat does not change its spots and Emma is still a person you should not trust.  The book is set in one of my bucket list places to visit, Venice and the setting for another of my favorite mystery series, the Commissario Guido Brunetti books.

Stacking the Shelves, August 17, 2013

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I am adding to my shelves. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what other have on their shelves.

Only one books this week and it is one that I won from Gilion at Rose City Reader.


The Life List  by Lori Nelson Spielman

Book Beginnings on Friday August 16 2013

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Gilion at Rose City Reader. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

My book beginning this week is The Typewriter Girl by Alison Altee @ 2013.  This was a bonus book from the Dear Author contest I won.  (See last weeks post.)

Here is the beginning:

"It is very important that you should learn the key-board so thoroughly that you can see it with your eyes shut, and can strike each letter without the least hesitation.
 -Mrs. Authur J. Barnes, How to Become Expert in Type-writing-

Type-writer girls, they oughtn't think too much." 

Alien in the House (Katherine “Kitty” Katt #7) by Gini Koch

Science Fiction Romance

What Goodreads says:

Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini have learned the ins and outs of Washington politics, not to mention how to prevail in intergalactic war and foil dangerous plots. But, in the aftermath of Operation Destruction, the Gower girls’ powers are burned out, the entire A-C population has been “outed” as the aliens living on Earth that they are, and, worst of all, ACE is nowhere to be found.

Then murder and mayhem are served up at an important dinner party at the American Centaurion Embassy, and when the dust settles Alpha Team and the Diplomatic Corps have more problems than just a dead Congressman.

Is there a single criminal mastermind—or multiple enemies—behind all the conspiracies that want Kitty dead and the A-Cs gone or co-opted to become the War Division?

The return of the best assassins in the business, the reappearance of two individuals long-presumed dead, Agent Malcolm Buchanan felled by something no one can identify or cure, and new technology that can block even the most powerful empath on Earth … all of this means the game’s officially afoot.

Then Vance Beaumont comes to Kitty with a wild theory that someone is systematically killing off the House of Representatives…

It’s up to Kitty and the rest of the gang to find out what’s really going on and why. But will they be able to stop the killer or killers before the rest of the U.S. House of Representatives become casualties? And will the replacement Representative for New Mexico’s 2nd District, who happens to be Jeff Martini, be the next to die

Worldbuilding:  This is the US and the world where aliens have been here for a long time.  Because they look like us no one realized where they were from.  Their job here is to protect the Earth from a treat from Outer Space.  Now they have been exposed and everyone knows they are here.  You can pick up on the worldbuilding easily in each book.

Backstory:  This is the 7^th book in the series and there is a lot of backstory in the series.  A lot of this is dropped in the different scenes in the book but there is a lot that assumes you have read the first six books.  You can enjoy the book on its own but I recommend reading the series in order.

Plot:  This is a carry over from book 6.  Someone is still plotting against the AC’s.   While some have been defeated it looks like there is a Mastermind controlling everything.  It is hard to know who to trust.  Again Kitty and Jeff prevail but the mastermind is still out there. 

Characters:  We have the usual team back on the job.  There are a few new characters introduced.  Action and dialog is very important and that is how you get to know the characters.  The main characters are already well developed and their actions are consistent with that development.

Tension:  Most of the tension in Alien in the House is external.  There is danger everywhere and everything is aimed at keeping everyone alive and well.

Writing:  Look for a lot of dialog.   This is a book written in the active and the writing is filled with action and dialog. 

While this is a great addition to the series it reads like a middle book in a series.  There is a lot of action and many things are disclosed but most is a set up for the next book.  Expect a lot to be left up in the air.

DAW published Alien in the House by Gini Koch in 2013. 

Never Kiss a Rake (Scandal at the House of Russell #1) by Anne Stuart

Historical Romance

Here is what Goodreads says:

"Anguished by death. Driven by revenge.

Bryony Russell and her two sisters are left destitute by the disgrace and unexpected death of their father, a wealthy shipping magnate. He left a cryptic note, and Bryony is determined to find the real villain and clear her father’s name. In disguise as a servant, Bryony infiltrates the home of her father’s business partner to find proof of his guilt…or innocence. It’s not just clues that Bryony finds, but temptation too…

Adrian Bruton, Earl of Kilmartyn, immediately suspects there is something not quite right about his new housekeeper. The brooding, irresistible rake plays along because he has his own guilty secrets, and his venal, scheming wife holds the key to them, trapping him in a hate-filled marriage. But against his will he’s fascinated by Bryony, seeing past the scars on her face to show her the beauty she never knew she had. Bryony must uncover the truth and attempt to preserve her father’s legacy, before things go too far and she falls in love with a man who might very well be her worst enemy."

Backstory:  Three sisters, a father who they think was murdered, stolen money, and three suspects.

Trope:  Pretending to be a servant to gain entrance into a household. 

Plot:  Bryony goes to work for Adrian Bruton, one of the suspects and her Father’s former partner.  He has problems and a secret but not the one she is looking for.  Someone wants him framed and her dead.  Add a wife who is holding a secret over Bryony and hates Adrian.

Writing:  The story moves smoothly and builds to a satisfying conclusion for the first sister.  Not everything is solved in book one.  There are two more suspects and two more sisters so I will be looking for Scandal at the House of Russell # 2 and 3.

Montlake published Never Kiss a Rake by Anne Stuart in 2013.

I received a review copy of Never Kiss a Rake from Amazon Vine.

Teaser Tuesday August 13, 2013

Hunter and the turtle.  Who is teasing who?

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:"

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser today if from Glamour in Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal.  This is the second book in a mystery series set in a slightly different Regency Period.  Here there is magic and glamour which a talented person can use to make illusions that look and feel real.  Here is the teaser:

"Because!  You move your hands here"--she waved her hands in front of her in a pattern that could not have produced any sensible expression of glamour--"to create something over here!"  She hopped to the left, nearly toppling over with the movement of the ship."  page 66

I am enjoying the series.  The mystery builds slowly and each book adds to the world building and the character development.  Pick one up if you like what I call gently mysteries.

Musing Mondays, August 12, 2013

Musing Mondays (http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/) asks you to muse about one of the following each week…
• Describe one of your reading habits. • 
Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it! 
 • Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
 •Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
 • Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

Do you ever find that you change your mind about a book, a author or a series.  I found that I had a big change of heart about all of the above when I checked out a audio book by Robyn Carr.  I checked out The Wanderer, book one in her new Thunder Point series.   When I went to check out a new audio book I found Sunrise Point.  Because I enjoyed The Wanderer I checked it out.   I knew I thought it sounded familiar but it was not until I finished listening and went to Goodreads to write a review that I found I had won a copy of the book last year and had written a very negative review.  I did not like it in book form but really enjoyed it as a audio book.  I stated in that first review that I would not be reading any Robyn Carr books in the future.  That sure has changed as I have been checking out and reading  Robyn Carr  on a regular basis now.  I guess it just depends on how I feel at different times.

I wonder how many of you have had the same experience. 

Disenchanted & Company, Part 1: Her Ladyship’s Curse by Lynn Viehl

Alternate History/Paranormal/Steampunk

From Goodreads: 

"In a steampunk version of America that lost the Revolutionary War, Charmian (Kit) Kittredge makes her living investigating magic crimes and exposing the frauds behind them. While Kit tries to avoid the nobs of high society, as the proprietor of Disenchanted & Co. she follows mysteries wherever they lead.

Lady Diana Walsh calls on Kit to investigate and dispel the curse she believes responsible for carving hateful words into her own flesh as she sleeps. While Kit doesn’t believe in magic herself, she can’t refuse to help a woman subjected nightly to such vicious assaults. As Kit investigates the Walsh family, she becomes convinced that the attacks on Diana are part of a larger, more ominous plot—one that may involve the lady’s obnoxious husband.

Sleuthing in the city of Rumsen is difficult enough, but soon Kit must also skirt the unwanted attentions of nefarious deathmage Lucien Dredmore and the unwelcome scrutiny of police Chief Inspector Thomas Doyle. Unwilling to surrender to either man’s passion for her, Kit struggles to remain independent as she draws closer to the heart of the mystery. Yet as she learns the truth behind her ladyship’s curse, Kit also uncovers a massive conspiracy that promises to ruin her life—and turn Rumsen into a supernatural battleground from which no one will escape alive."

If I had to sum up Disenchanted & Company, Part 1: Her Ladyship’s Curse it would be interesting.  Here is why:

Worldbuilding:  The story has some very intense worldbuilding.  It is set in an alternate history where America lost the Revolutionary War and where magic works.   Her Ladyship’s Curse has to blend the alternate history, the location and the magic into the story.  I had to pay very close attention to all the details in order to absorb all of the information about those three elements.  That was a big part of the story.  The worldbuilding is so intense that there is a much-needed multi-page Torian Glossary at the end of the story. 

Characters:  This is the first book in a series and like the worldbuilding character introduction was a big part of the story.  There is Kit, the main character, who does not believe in magic and makes her living exposing people who use magic as a fraud.  There are the two male characters, Thomas Doyle a policeman, and Lucien Dredmore a deathmage, who look to be a set up for a romantic triangle while playing a major part in the story. There are also two female side characters, Rina and Bridget, who help and look out for Kit.  The mystery is provided by Lady Walsh and her husband, both of who should appear in books two.

Plot:  The plot starts out simple and grows more complex as the story progresses.  There are twist and turns as everything progresses.  While one mystery is solved the bigger problem is still there at the end of Her Ladyship’s Curse.  The book ended with a cliff-hanger.

I saw elements that would make it paranormal as well as steampunk so that is how I listed it.

This is a novella rather than full-length books.  It is also an e-book.  I received a free ARC of Her Ladyship’s Curse from Edelweiss. 

Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc. published Her Ladyship’s Curse by Lynn Viehl in 2013.