Bryony and Roses by T. Kingfisher

So, this book, this story, it was one of a very small number of books that I was able to read this month. But more than having read it, what is more important about it, is that I actually loved reading it.

As you well know, I am partial to retellings.
This one, not only fits that bill, but it also had the advantage of having been approved by most of my book...ish friends.
So, one of these days in which I was reading _ and still am _ a particularly boring story, I decided to just start with this one. Just give it a go.

Bryony, who most of us would see as a Belle _ honestly, don't _ is a very sensible gardener, who lives with her two sisters: One of them, a very practical don't mess with me kind of girl about whom I would love to read more about. The other... well, she's most of a ninny.

One day, due to fate also known as rutabagas issues Bryony gets lost during a blizzard. After contemplating the eventual loss of multiple fingers and toes, Bryony gets to this mysterious where the hell did you come from? mansion.
Accompanied by her not very smart, but faithfully donkey _don't ask_ Bryony enters the mysterious and magical house...

Okay, so you see where this is going, right?
(..)
Okay, I don't want to reveal much more of the plot, so I just want to say that the characters are really well done. They may act true to their roles, but they are also quite modern in their view of those actual roles, like when the Beast recognizes that Bryony is in fact somewhat his hostage.

The romance is there, but it is not the vital part of the story.

Also, I think that this story would be better received by an adult crowd than an ya one.
This may be a retelling, but it is one with thorny spikes. At times it crosses the horror and more sexual line.
What I am trying to say with this, is that purists of the retelling may have some issues with it.
As for me, I like being surprised, so yes, definitely recommended.

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Cold Hearted Rake ( The Ravenels #1) by Lisa Kleypas

After much okay a little analysis I've decided to remove a star to this book.
Here's the thing: did the romance swept me of my feet?
Hmmmmmm... No, it did not.

As other reviewers have mentioned, for me the weakest part of this book was also the romance.
Or romances, as in plural. Because there's another one to which we readers are presented to, and it honestly left me scrunching my face in distaste.

Here's the thing, in a general perspective I actually liked the characters.
maybe because they reminded me a little too much of the Hathaways... o_O
And if I want to read about a dysfunctional family I rather re-read the Hathaways, and not some distorted version of them.

In this one, our main characters are Devon Cam and Katherine Amelia... only in this one Devon is a cad with a sharp tongue, and Katherine could use a little more of Amelia's strength (See Mine Till Midnight). Or age.

As secondary characters there's West _ Devon's brother_ here a "little" of Leo Hathaway( See Married by Morning). He drinks, he doesn't care about anything else... until the moment he starts caring about everything.

Helen is Katherine's sister in law, and here a little of Winnifred (See Seduced At Sunrise). Or Poppy.(See Tempt Me At Twilight)
 Unfortunately she doesn't get to have a Merripen, but an ill mannered idiot who is supposed to be some sort of Harry Rutledge.
Then there's also a pair of twins, and one of them just reminds me of Beatrix (See Love in The Afternoon).
Do you see where this is going? -_-

Thing is, I actually loved the setting. I loved the fact that this story takes place in a time when the old traditions are being challenged by a new age.
I loved the relationships between sisters and brothers.
Katherine and West's friendship was a blast to read.
...
But the two romances weren't that great.
Even so I preferred reading Katherine's and Devon relationship to Helen's and Winterborne's. At least with the first ones there isn't a nasty shade of abuse surrounding the thing.

We don't get to see it, but we are told that Winterborne's forces his kisses on Helen leaving her distressed about it.
And I am already seeing how things are going to work out for those two. She's probably going to apologize to the idiot. Arghg.
I don't like bullies.
I don't care if he has had a difficult background: I don't like him, and I wish that Devon had let him drown.
But, and this was worth less a half a star, I also had a hard time with Devon's attitude towards the end!
Hey, jackass, if you want a dog, you should get a four legged one. Guys, who give commands by pointing fingers should have their hands broken.

On the positives, I think I may like West's book when it comes out.

If only this book had been shorter, and more focused on Kathleen and Devon's romance _ I understand why it wasn't, with Kathleen being a widow _ I think I would have found less things to bother me.
Like Winterborne not being in it.

p.s- I better finish this review or by the time I'm done with it, this rating will be reduced to a one star rating. -_-

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Guide to the Crystal Gems by Rebecca Sugar

It's no secret that I'm a rabid fan of Steven Universe - I really think it's the best kids' show (and not just for kids!). I love how it addresses familial relationships, friendship, abusive relationships, loss, lgbta+ issues, and FEELS so many feels!

Even if, like me, you're obsessed with Steven Universe you'll still find new information about the Crystal Gems and the Steven Universe world. And if you're not familiar with Steven Universe this is an excellent starting point!

It even includes Lion!!!

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When the Duke Was Wicked (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #1) by Lorraine Heath

The story itself was absolutely fine, as was the writing, but I never felt any chemistry between Grace and Henry - which is a pity because I had high hopes after having read about them in Falling Into Bed With A Duke.

I knew it was hopeless, but I thought Grace would be better off really moving on from her childhood crush on Henry, plus I found it more than a little creepy how much older he was, and how they knew each other when she was a little girl. 

Besides, I really disliked how Henry kept compromising her while being so strict when it came to his own sister. That hypocritical attitude never was to my taste, it seems as if a woman is only truly worth protecting and honouring if she is somehow yours in some way, be it as a mother, sister, daughter or wife. It's just... gross. 

And the comparisons between lively Grace and the wishy-washy dead wife were... troubling.

Which leads to the dilemma: this is a really well written story, but I hated the romance and how the characters were portrayed. Henry, for all his heartache, should have been less of a creep, and Grace should have been less naïve, considering all she went through.

Regarding what Grace went through: I REALLY LOVED that such a subject (can't say what it is, since it's a spoiler!) was addressed in HR and involving such a young girl as well, to help dispel the notion that it'll only happen in your later years. And I truly did love how the whole subject was handled. 

I just couldn't get into the rest...

So read it and see for yourself because, as always, what doesn't work for me will work for other readers!

Lorraine Heath's official site

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Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers - Cover Reveal!

Title: Tone Deaf

Author: Olivia Rivers

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Sky Pony Press

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Goodreads

About the Book:

For child prodigy Ali Collins, music was life. All that changes when a brain tumor lands her in a silent nightmare, controlled by her physically abusive father and the deafness she’ll never get used to. 

When Ali accidentally wins a backstage tour with the chart-topping band Tone Deaf, she reluctantly accepts the prize, only to be kicked out. Jace Beckett, the lead singer of the pop-punk band, refuses to even speak to Ali because she is deaf.

Ali threatens to report Jace’s discrimination, but ends up agreeing to keep quiet in exchange for money. With a bit of cash, she can escape to New York and get away from her father. Then Jace notices her fresh bruises and changes the offer, claiming he’ll use his influence and connections to help Ali escape. But even when Jace reveals a baffling fluency in American Sign Language, she can’t bring herself to trust him.

When Ali’s dad crosses a new line, she’s driven to accept Jace’s offer despite her fears. Soon she’s traveling cross-country, hidden away in Jace’s RV as the band finishes their nation-wide tour. As weeks pass, the members of Tone Deaf start to resemble a quirky little family. Then there's Jace. Ali can't figure out his mood swings, but she knows she’s falling for the passionate and secretive musician. Jace’s hardened attitude melts away more with every mile they travel, and Ali finds herself ever closer to understanding his attitude towards the deaf. 

But when tragedy strikes, Ali must decide between walking away from Tone Deaf, or sacrificing her freedom to save Jace and his band.

About the Author:

Olivia Rivers is a hybrid author of Young Adult fiction. Her works include the independently published “Tortured Elements” and “Duplicity” series, along with the traditionally published novel “Tone Deaf” (Skyhorse 2016.) As a certified geek, she enjoys experimenting with new publishing technologies, and her online serials have received over 1,000,000 hits on Wattpad.com. When Olivia isn’t working as a writer, she’s a typical teen attending college in Northern California. Olivia is represented by Laurie McLean of Fuse Literary, and nothing thrills her more than hearing from readers.

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The Chocolate Thief ( Amour et Chocolate #1) by Laura Florand

Lately,  Laura Florand's books have become my comfort reads. This means that when I am in the middle of a particular awful story I tend to wish that instead, I was in fact  reading one of the author's books.

Of course there is always the danger of contagion -_- basically the effect by which an awful book leaves you _ me _ with no will to read, and during said period, no story may satisfy you.

 That's what I thought  was happening between me and this story. After all I should be loving this, and there were moments in which that really happened...

But...

I don't know, it just hit me towards the end of the book, that these two characters were going to have a rude wake up call. In a couple of weeks, months, or even years.

I don't care how much they love chocolate, I found the bases for their romance weak.

They come from very different backgrounds, and I found Sylvain a huge snob when it came to Cade's background, and what she loves.

Alas I wasn't happy with the way some things were dealt . (Highlight for spoiler) For instance I didn't appreciate the fact that Sylvain steals her passport so that she can't leave the country without him being aware of that. Of course there is the fact that at the beginning she breaks and enters in his office multiple times, so that she can try his chocolates and basically to have fun. -_- So, yes, two of the same type, I guess.

What can I say?

I just felt like telling them to grow up.

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Snow, Glass, Apples by Neil Gaiman

This is my Halloween spooky read for this year - I was thinking of re-reading Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber, but I had yet to read this one and I wanted something new. 

And I chose well because the tone of this short story is reminiscent of Carter's writing in The Bloody Chamber: the lyrical tone, the vivid descriptions, the dreamy feel of it, the sex, the horror, the bright red blood.

This is a retelling of Snow White told from the Wicked Stepmother's point of view. 

It combines the monstrous femininity trope with the creepy child one - and although this story is told, as mentioned above, from a female point of view, the fears shown are very male ones.

That monstrous female who drains men of their life blood - men who trust her, men who want her, men who abuse her. Her sexual organs as a source of death instead of life. 

The interplay of sex and violence. 

I never felt the Stepmother's fear acutely, even near the end - and at that point she should have felt things more keenly. So I didn't feel as if this was ever told by a woman. There was a depth and insight lacking to the story - and not because of its short length. 

Still, it's a lovely retelling and a nice Halloween read. 

Neil Gaiman's official site

Read Snow, Glass, Apples online for free here

Falling Into Bed with a Duke (The Hellions of Havisham #1) by Lorraine Heath

I'm the pickiest reader and I can't find fault with this book!

It was so, so delightful!

Minerva has had six seasons to catch the attention of a potential suitor and, while she's had many, all of them were fortune hunters. She's not a beauty, and even her money can't make men bear such an opinionated miss who suffers no fools. 

Having decided she'll embrace spinsterhood, Minerva finds it perfectly logical that she should get to know the pleasures of the flesh: gentlemen do it all the time, why should ladies deny themselves the same?

This is where the Nightingale Club comes in: a club where ladies of means and name, masked and anonymous, choose their partner for the night from amongst the gentlemen of society.

One such gentleman is the Duke of Ashebury, also known as one of the Hellions of Havisham. Having lost his parents at a young age and being left in the care of an absent minded if kind madman, Ashe lives a hedonistic life. 

Soon Minerva and Ashe become entangled, and while Minerva clings to anonymity, Ashe is determined to find out who his clever and no-nonsense lover is, and how he can court her openly in society after having seduced her in bed. 

I loved Minerva! She's so practical, so straightforward! She knows what she wants and won't settle for less. She knows how to throw a punch, and she knows how to make profitable investments. 

She sees the world as it is and has no problem speaking her mind. 

I have to admit, I read her parents' book (Between the Devil and Desire) after reading this one, to gain a better understanding of Minerva, and it's no surprise she turned out as wonderful as she is with Olivia and Jack as parents!

It's so nice that there was no needless drama in this book! Even towards the end, when things seemed to be taking a turn to the usual dragged out angst/drama, one of the characters just acted sensibly and within a short time the problem was solved with no one languishing in the swamp of miscommunication. 

Also, Minerva and Ashe were marvellous together. Their chemistry was amazing, and I was really invested in their relationship - I had a silly grin on my face throughout the whole book!

Highly recommend it!

This is how historical romance should be written!

Lorraine Heath's official site

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The Girl in the Castle Inside the Museum by Kate Bernheimer and Nicoletta Ceccoli (illustrator)

What a disappointment :(

Those 1.5 stars are entirely awarded to the illustrations. Nicoletta Ceccoli deserved to illustrate an actual worthy story, not this... thing.

The story is absolutely pointless. 

"Reminiscent of The Lady of Shalott'"? How? Because they were both in a tower? 

"An original fairy tale"? Where? This was artsy fartsy stringed nonsense attempting to be taken as ~deep~. 

There was absolutely no writing skill, very little imagination where the story is concerned, with no effort put into the writing, which is an incohesive mess. 

I definitely do not recommend this to anyone. Oh, wait, I guess I recommend it to fans of Lang Leav. 

Anyone else just flip through the book at a book store to see the illustrations. They were really pretty, Ceccoli has a gift, I hope I see more of her work.

Between the Devil and Desire (Scoundrels of St. James #2) by Lorraine Heath

tw: child abuse, pedophilia

I just recently discovered Lorraine Heath and I LOVE her writing style and her characters!

They're all so practical, so devoid of needless drama, it's refreshing!

Let me start with what I loved about this story.

The characters were perfectly fleshed out, completely developed. They felt real, they acted like actual people, I was honestly rooting for them. 

Very straightforward communication between the characters. There was no drama as you usually see from the characters simply not talking to each other like adults. I wish all books took this route...

The relationships, not only the one between Jack and Olivia, but especially the one between Jack and Henry, were lovely. It's so nice to get to read a HR where the 'hero' takes his time to bond with others instead of just ambling about in pursuit of the lady's favour.

The writing style: perfect!

What I mostly disliked about this story was its implausibility. 

Olivia is all that is moral and proper. She wouldn't be seen without mourning attire so soon after her husband's death. Society has its eyes on her, and it's her duty to behave appropriately, not only for her sake but for the sake of her son's future. 

Yet a notorious owner of a gaming hell/brothel, who is not only single but also a commoner moves into her house (which became his, to be fair) and we only get one brief mention of how she doesn't need to worry about living with him because she's a widow? 

No. She does need to worry about it! It was simply not done!

There was also the mystery, which I deduced as soon as the will was read, even though I kind of hoped my guess wouldn't be right...

Don't let my complaints drive you away from this book. I think I'm being overly critical. I've given higher ratings to less deserving books, it's just that Heath is so skilled that when something doesn't work it draws attention next to the brilliance of the rest of her work...

Anyway, I do recommend this book, so if you fancy the summary go ahead and read it!

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