Ashes and Alchemy (The Gaslight Chromicles) by Cindy Spencer Pape

Steampunk Romance

What Goodreads says:

"A Gaslight Chronicles novella

London, 1860

Police inspector Sebastian Brown served Queen and country in India before returning to England to investigate supernatural crimes alongside the Order of the Round Table. If his wifeless, childless life feels a little empty sometimes, that's not too great a price to pay in the name of duty.

Minerva Shaw is desperately seeking a doctor when she mistakenly lands on Sebastian's doorstep. Her daughter Ivy has fallen gravely ill with a mysterious illness the same illness, it seems, that's responsible for taking the lives of many of Ivy's classmates.

Seb sniffs a case, and taking in Minnie and Ivy seems the only way to protect them while he solves it. But as mother and daughter work their way into his heart and Seb uses every magickal and technological resource he can muster to uncover the source of the deadly plague, it's he who will need protecting from emotions he'd thought buried long ago."

I love the stories Cindy Spencer Pape has created in the Gaslight Chronicles.  Ashes and Alchemy fits right into the flow that started with Steam and Sorcery.  There is less of the magickal in this story.  Instead there is more of attraction and romance.  Inspector Sebastian Brown and Minerva Shaw are a great couple.  Minerva does not expect romance and is only concerned with her daughter.  Seb feels that he has let down everyone close to him and has walled his heart off.  Of course when life throws them together there is a good story in the making.

It was great seeing characters from the previous books.  Each plays an important part in Seb and Minerva’s story and each helps move the romance forward.  Ashes and Alchemy is a well-planned and interesting story that left me with a nice warm feeling as Seb and Minera got their HEA.   Like previous stories there are some loose ends in Ashes and Alchemy that seem to be hooks for future stories in the Gaslight world.

Ashes and Alchemy can stand-alone but I recommend you read the previous books.  The stories in the Gaslight Chronicles are all a fun read.  Each is novella length making reading the entire series much easier.

Carina Press published Ashes andAlchemy by Cindy Spencer Pape in 2014. 

I received an ARC of Ashes and Alchemy from Netgalley.

Musing Mondays, December 23, 2013

Musing Mondays is sponsored by Should Be Reading and 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 just finished a book by one of my favorite Science Fiction and Science Fiction Romance authors and it started me thinking about how I discovered her books.  It all started when a friend recommended I buy an eBookwise reader.  This was before Kindle and before Nook.  I followed her advice and then started buying ebooks on eBookwise and Fictionwise.  I loved Fictionwise.  They carried books from major publishers but also from many of the smaller ebook publishers.  That is where I discovered K. S. Augustin's books.  I purchased one of her books, loved it, and immediately purchased every book written by her and offered on Fictionwise.  

Fictionwise is long gone.  Barnes and Noble purchased it when they decided to get into the ebook business.  They changed it, gutted it and eventually shut it down.  I miss it.  I know that the major internet book stores sell books by the smaller publishers but it was easy to find their books on Fictionwise.  It is much more difficult to find them on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.  I may be missing other really good authors because there is not a good place to look today.  OK, that is all for this Monday.

Let Me Be the One (The Sullivans #6) by Bella Andre

Romance

What Goodreads Says”

"When Vicki Bennett saved Ryan Sullivan’s life as a teenager, it was the beginning of a close friendship that never wavered despite her failed marriage to someone else and Ryan’s well-earned reputation as a ladies man. So when she suddenly needs a pretend boyfriend to protect herself and her career from a powerful man’s advances, he is the only person she can imagine asking.

Ryan will do anything to protect Vicki from harm, but when their “fake” kisses and caresses lead to an incredibly sensual night that neither of them can resist, will he have made the biggest mistake of all by irreparably jeopardizing their friendship? Or is it possible that what they’ve both been looking for has been right there the whole time…and the perfect combination of wicked and sweet, friendship and love, is finally within reach?"

If you have been reading the Sullivan series you know that Ryan is the major league pitcher and a bit of a playboy.  Vicki Bennett is a friend from high school.  They were only in school together for one year but have kept in touch by email and text for years.  That makes this story a little different.  This is friends finally admitting that they are not only attracted to each other but are in love.  There is a bad guy thrown in for additional tension but most of the tension comes from Ryan and Vicki refusing to admit they are more than just friends.  It makes for a very nice and at times sweet story.

Let Me Be the One can stand on its own but if you have read the entire series to date you will have fun seeing how the other Sullivans are doing.  Ryan and Vickie’s story is a good addition to the series.  Now there are only two Sullivan’s who have not found love.  I hope their stories come out soon.

Harlequin published Let Me Be The One by Bella Andre in 2013.

I received an ARC of Let Me Be The One from Netgalley.

Stacking the Shelves, December 20, 2013

Some of the Books Stacked on My Shelves

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 went to the library to check out one audio book and the trip resulted in one audio book and four hard cover books.  I have no resistance.

Heirs and Graces by Rhys Bowen
Parasite by Mira Grant
Farside by Ben Bova
The Humans by Matt Haig
Abaddon's Gate by James S.A. Corey

Book Beginnings December 20, 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 today is from a book I checked out from the library yesterday.  I went to get an audio book for when I am driving and promised myself I would not check out anything else.  I came home with one Audio Book and four books.  I have no will power.

Heirs and Graces by Rhys Bowen is book # 7 in the Royal Spyness Mystery series.  This series is set in the 1930's and features Lady Georgiana Rannaock, 35th in line for the throne of England.  As you might guess it is a fun series filled with real and imaginary characters.  Here is the beginning of Heirs and Graces.

"One thing I should have learned about my mother was that I could not count on her.  After all, she bolted form the family home, abandoning my father and me when I was two, and by the time she resurfaced again in my life she had worked her way through global list of men."

 

Taste of Darkness (Healer 33)by Maria V. Snyder

Fantasy

What Goodreads says:

"She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision."

Taste of Darkness is the third and final book in the Healer series.  Do not read this as a stand alone.  It starts with Avry waking up and finding Kerrick gone.  There is no lead up to the opening, no explanation of who Avry or Kerrick are, and no explanation of what has gone on before.  It is like you have reading a scene in book two and finished that scene in book 3.  There is some backstory worked in later but it was more a reminder of things past for people who were reading the entire series.  That said it is a great finish to the series.

Look for all the familiar character to make an appearance.  There are surprises, a lot of danger, some romance and a lot of edge of your seat scenes in Taste of Darkness.  Right up until the end this book is true to the title and is filled with very dark scenes.  The book is well written and the plot well developed.  The characters stay true to form.  After looking like nothing is going to work out everything comes to a satisfying conclusion and it is easy to say good by to Avry, Kerrick and the whole gang knowing they are headed for a life full of challenges after defeating danger.

Harlequin published Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder in 2013.

I receive an ARC of Taste of Darkness from Netgalley.

Happy New Year, Baby Fortune by Leaanne Banks

Romance

What Goodreads says: 

"Lullabies and cowboys? USA TODAY bestselling author Leanne Banks kicks off the new Fortunes of Texas continuity with a story of a single mom and the sexy rancher who sweeps her off her feet!

As she rings in the new year in Horseback Hollow, Texas, single mom Stacey Fortune Jones tries to count her blessings. She has an adorable baby girl, Piper; supportive parents; good friends. Best of them all is Colton Foster, her longtime neighbor from the ranch next door. He always seems to be around when she needs him. Trouble is, she may be starting to need him a bit too much.

She's off-limits, Colton keeps telling himself. The tall, muscular rancher turns to mush every time he sees Stacey. But falling for his little sister's best friend seems wrong on so many levels. She's on the rebound. She's got a baby. She's...complicated. What's a big-hearted cowboy to do?"

The story and characters in Happy New Year Baby Fortune just never caught me.  Leanne Banks used several popular tropes.  They are popular because the usually work. They should have.  The characters were well drawn, the plot well thought out but I just never felt the emotion that I expected.  I think the less said the better so let me just finish with I was disappointed in the book.

Harlequin published HappyNew Year, Baby Fortune by Leaanne Banks.

I received a free ARC of Happy New Year, Baby Fortune from Netgalley.

Teaser Tuesday, December 17, 2013

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 this week is from Wolf in Shadow by John Lambshead.  I got this book at the World Science Fiction Convention in September and have been reading it a little at a time since then.  

Here is my teaser:

"Would you like to come out with me? asked the student.

"A tempting offer, but I'd better refuse" replied Rihian.  "My doctor says that I shouldn't go out with boys until he finds out what's causing the rash."   page 49.