A Tapestry of Dreams by Roberta Gellis

Medieval Romance

I received an ARC of A Tapestry of Dreams in the books I received for attending the Online Book Bloggers Conference.  The book is a reprint of a book first published in 1985 and the writing style is different from books being published today.  The style does not date the book, in fact there is more story than you find in romances written today. A Tapestry of Dreams tells the story of Lady Audris who weaves tapestries that often hint at the future.  She is content to stay unmarried and let her Uncle control her estate until Hugh Licorne arrives.  Audris is everything that Hugh wants in a wife but he has nothing to offer a Lady like Audris.  There is no quick solution to Hugh and Audris’s dilemma. 

A Tapestry of Dreams is a character driven story set in England during the time of King Stephen and Empress Matilda.  Both Stephen and Matilda claimed the throne and the war between the two moved up and down the land.  Roberta Gellis uses the history of this time to weave a historically accurate romance.   Events in the books are not rushed.  Backgrounds are established, characters are introduced and the plot unfolds in a logical manner that holds the readers attention throughout the book. Roberta Gellis has a wonderful way with words and tells a compelling story.

There are plans to release more of Roberta Gellis’ backlist and I look forward to reading other of her books.

A note about the author:  I through her name looked familiar and it turns out I was right.  I had not read any of her romances but had read the fantasies she wrote with Mercedes Lackey.

Sourcebooks published A Tapestry of Dreams by Roberta Gellis in 2011.

Receiving a free copy does not guarantee a recommendation.  I only recommend books I like.

Virgin, The Cat Star Chronicles by Cheryl Brooks

Science Fiction Romance

I was surprised when I read that there was another book in the Cat Star Chronicles.  At the end of Hero, the sixth book, I thought the series was at an end but as Cheryl says in Virgin, her publisher said that cats have nine lives and her series should have just as many.  If I had looked closer I would have realized that the following message Jack got in Hero's Epilogue was  setting the stage for future books.

"A woman by the name of Amelyana Grekkor has arrived at Terra Minor in a starship filled with over a hundred Zetithian refugees.  They have been in space for twenty-five years and are requesting permission to land."

Dax was raised on that ship.  He is now a wealthy Starship pilot with his own ship.  When he accepts a passenger he charges only what they can afford to pay.  Ava Karon needs to get away from an abusive man and Dax agrees to take her to her home planet.  Because Dax has never met a woman he wants he is still a virgin. Dax is attracted to Ava but he does not know how to let her know.     Women usually throw themselves at him but Ava does not.  Dax needs help.  Throw in danger, a friend who may or may not help Dax with Ava, and you have a great adventure.

Virgin is a great addition to the Cat Star series.  Again Cheryl Brooks has come up with great hero and a woman who is his match.  With over one hundred Zetithian refugees still out there nine lives may not be enough for this series.

Virgin can be read as a stand-alone but for the most fun start at the beginning with Slave and read in the following order; Warrior, Outcast, Rogue, Fugitive, and Hero.  

Sourcebooks published Virgin by Cheryl Brooks in 2011.

I received an free ARC of Virgin when I attended the Online Book Bloggers Conference.

Giving me a free copy of a book does not guarantee a recommendation.  I only recommend books I like.  

Hundreds of Years to Reform A Rake by Laurie Brown

Paranormal Romance

Do you like to read regency and paranormal romances? If so, Hundreds of Years to Reform A Rake by Laurie Brown can satisfy both loves. Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca in 2007, this is a ghost story with a twist. The ghost of Deverell Thornton, the Ninth Early of Waite, convinces paranormal researcher Josephine Drummond to go back in time to save Castle Waite. Learning to navigate the complex social requirements of the Regency period is only one of Josephine’s problems. She is fighting an attraction to both the ghost of Deverell and the living Deverell while trying to expose a charlatan and save the Castle. There is plenty of action, great characters, and enough mystery to keep you reading. This is a cute take on time travel and ghosts. I give Hundreds of Years to Reform A Rake 3 thumbs up.