A Lady's Code of Misconduct by Meredith Duran Book Five in the Rules for the Reckless Series

Book Synopsis

A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL...
Trapped in the countryside, facing an unwanted marriage and the theft of her fortune, Jane Mason is done behaving nicely. To win her freedom, she’ll strike a deal with the most dangerous man she knows—a rising star in politics, whose dark good looks mask an even darker heart.
...NEVER GOES TO PLAN.
The bitter past has taught Crispin Burke to trust no one. He’ll gladly help a lovely young heiress, provided she pays a price. Yet when a single mistake shatters his life, it is Jane who holds the key to his salvation. And in a world that no longer makes sense, Crispin slowly realizes that she may be the only thing worth fighting for... A Lady's Code of Misconduct - Goodreads

 

 

 

My Opinion

4.5/5 stars.

Love. Politics. History. Conspiracies. Conflicting morals. Deceit. Redemption. And hot-bad-boy guy with a secretly good heart... and a hot-good-of-heart girl with lots of brains and a rebellious spirit. There are lots of "and's" in my last sentence... I know.

Something I was not expecting in this story was the politics driven plot intertwined with a love story. Although, the surprising part is. That. I. Freaking. Loved. It. I was expecting to get bored and forced myself to finish the book. That was so not the case. It was exactly what I needed: A good romance story which is not too focused on the romance part. Oxymoron right there. 

The beginning is what hooked me up in the first place.  Not too fast and not too slow. Our beloved characters were in positions where they will do anything to get what they desire. This leads to an unlikely alliance to form between the desire of freedom and power which sparks the chances of a new beginning for our protagonists.

Jane and Crispin go through a fantastic character development. They realize that people are not completely good or evil. You just have to choose which side to use more but most importantly how to find a balance between the two. Speaking of character growth. I was not a big fan of acknowledging someone as being two persons in the same time. It was like the author was trying to say Crispin had a split personality... I understood where she was going with it... But it still felt a bit cringe worthy at times.

What I admired the most in this story was the sense of a real partnership between the main characters. And believe it or not is quite rare these days. It was not about sexual lust and how it can lead to a good relationship in the end... It was so much more than that. It was... How do you say it? Complicated. Yes. Complicated.

Of course, most people might get turned off by the plot focused on politics which is understandable if you are not a big politics fan - like myself, I could say. However, you might also surprisingly find yourself enjoying the book just... like myself. :D

All in all, I could proudly say that this was my cuppa tea. One of my all time favorites - romance section - I dare to say.

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.    

Genre/Category: Adult, Historical Romance, Fiction, Politics, Mystery

Language: none to mild, maybe none

Sexual Content: well... heavy but within reason

Violence: moderate 

Drugs and Alcohol: mild to moderate 

P.S.

I would like to read your thoughts, feelings, and opinions about this book and if you want to read my last book review you can click --> HERE <-- or you can check my previous song pick post --> HERE <--.

See ya in my next post!

Vernal by Randi Cooley Wilson A Book with too Much Romance

Book Synopsis

Serena has a bright future etched in stone. 
Tristan has a dark past that haunts him. 
Together, they have a love that can never be.
Sheltered, and unable to escape her bloodline, Serena St. Michael has spent the last two years training at the Royal Protector Academy. Struggling with a dark past, Tristan Gallagher’s current assignment is to protect a lifetime of secrets. One chance encounter will change everything. Serena must decide if she will follow her heart, forsaking all she’s ever known and risking a future worse than non-existence. Tristan will break every rule to save Serena, even if he can’t keep her. In their world of darkness, one love will ignite an ancient war. When pasts collide with the present, and secrets are revealed, will love be enough? Or will one lie destroy it all?
When you’ve hidden behind a mask for so long, would you reveal yourself for love? Vernal, the first novel in The Royal Protector Academy series is a dangerously exciting and darkly romantic tale that will take your breath away. Vernal - Goodreads

My Opinion

2.75/5.00 Stars

I should just post my rough draft as it is because I am out of words. Ha-Ha-Ha!

Moving on to the actual review...

I requested this book from NetGalley a long time ago. The premise sounded promising but I got lost along the way. I had to face the same problem I usually find in books like this one. The romance took over the entire plot. :/

While reading Vernal, I learn that it is a spin off series starter. Nothing wrong with that; although, for a new comer like myself, things were not 100% clear. Little details were offered regarding the world and plot. From what is presented, the setting, the magic system and its background seemed interesting. And this is unfortunate because, just like the characters, the story had a lot of potential.

Speaking of characters... I thought there is going to be more about exploration and build up when the romance element entered the scene. As in, how the protagonists connect and try to figure out this inexplicable connection/attraction they feel about each other. Instead... Bam! Everything ruined by the sex. They spend more time talking about and being intimate than knowing each other. Then, that whole "I am super possessive and inexplicable jealous alpha male. Everything you do is wrong and I own you" and "I am a strong woman capable of anything but I cannot live without you and I am owned by you and you are the only male who can tame me" was not my style. They looked like decent characters and had good qualities here and there but.... In the end, they got overshadowed by the romance and nonexistent plot. Also, there was not a concrete reason why Serena is special and has to become the next ruler.

All in all this book was not for me. Like I use to say, this was not my cuppa tea because of too much sugar was added. It was not what I expected at all.

[I gave it such a high rating because it had enough to keep me entertained and not DNF (do not finish) it.]

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: New Adult, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Urban

Language: Heavy

Sexual Content: Heavy

Violence: Heavy

Drugs/Alcohol: Heavy

P.S. 

• You can check out my latest post -->HERE<--  

Luck Is No Lady by Amy Sandas Fallen Ladies One or The Book Where "Smart" Has a Broad Definition

Book Synopsis

"You should not have kissed me," she replied breathlessly.
"I do a lot of things I shouldn't. It does not mean I won't do them again."
Gently bred Emma Chadwick always assumed she'd live and die the daughter of a gentleman. But when her father's death reveals a world of staggering debt and dangerous moneylenders, she must risk her good name and put her talent for mathematics to use, taking a position as bookkeeper at London's most notorious gambling hell. Surrounded by vice and corruption on all sides, it is imperative no one discovers Emma's shameful secret or her reputation-and her life-will be ruined.
But Roderick Bentley, the hell's sinfully wealthy owner, awakens a hunger Emma cannot deny. Drawn deep into an underworld of high stakes gambling and reckless overindulgence, she soon discovers that in order to win the love of a ruthless scoundrel, she will have to play the game...and give in to the pleasure of falling from grace. Luck Is No Lady - Goodreads

My Opinion

4.5/5 stars.

I picked up this book last year. I read a good portion of it then I put it down. Why, you ask? Because:

1. School;
2. I've lost interest.

During the school time, a slow burning romance is not a good way to entertain yourself. You need adrenaline. Action. Something that keeps you going. (So that is my excuse.) In other words, I was not in the mood anymore.

Putting my reasons aside, I was 100% sure I will return to this book. And not surprisingly, I did. Oh, boy! I so enjoyed the story. It was a historical, regency romance just up my alley. The romance does not monopolize the narrative and we have conflict. Yes! Three noble orphaned girls in need of money in times when a good marriage is the only solution for young women. Deceased parent with gambling addiction who caused those three girls to be in danger from a bookie. A noble bastard who owns a "gambling hell" becomes a means to an end for the girls to get out of dept. The oldest of the sisters risks her family name and reputation in an era where status is everything to save her sisters. Falling in love is out of question but it may happen in the darkest of times. 

A perfect recipe for an intriguing story despite the cheesy cover. (Please, ignore it!)

The romance is slow burning. Tension is built up for our characters. We have chemistry at first. Then, we have  period of flirting, personal exploring, and creating trust. No dominant and overly exaggerated alpha male. No weak female who appears to be strong only because the author tells us so. The main characters feel like real people, relatable people. Both are strong and weak in their own ways. They complete each other like puzzle pieces.

I realized lately that I need meaning and story in my romances not jut plain romance and steam. This was definitely my cup of team. I am going to follow the author and continue the series. 

Yes, this is still a read for a more mature audience. 

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

Genre: Adult, Romance, Historical Romance, Regency 

Language: mild to moderate
Sexual content: heavy
Violence: moderate

Drugs/Alcohol: moderate

P.S. 

• You can check out my latest post -->HERE<--
• Or if you want more romance book recommendations, you can click -->HERE<--    

To Tempt a Viscount by Naomi Boom Entangled Nobility One or A Romance in Need of More Romance

 

Book Synopsis

Lady Laura Rosing knows two things: first, she will marry for love, and second, she detests rakes. When she meets Lord Gavin Farris, she understands immediately that he fails both her criteria, and worse yet, he is an absolute cad who refuses to leave her be.
Lord Farris has always appreciated women and cannot understand why Lady Laura is so resistant to his charms. While pretty, she is not his usual type, but something about her intrigues him. Much to his chagrin, he finds himself desperately in love with her, but he may be too late. His adamant refusal to marry just might have planted her firmly in the arms of another. To Tempt a Viscount - Goodreads 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Opinion

3.75/5 stars.
This book was something different than my usual Romance-Regency novel. I like Laura and Lord Gavin. They were the typical protagonists you normally find in these books. The girl is an innocent debutante who separates from the others through her unique beauty and wit. The guy is a rake who does not believe in love until he meets the heroine then he has a change of heart. (Pun intended.)
Since these are my favorite tropes... I am not going to complain. For these things alone, I will give this book a green card.
The beginning was promising. We have cousin Eleanor who pretends to be a dove but she is a viper instead. I did not know how Laura could tolerate her throughout the whole book. I called her act and disliked - since hate is such a strong word - her from the moment she was introduced. Laura and Gavin have a wonderful chemistry. And the setting is the perfect place for romance to bloom.
After the tragic moment which - in general - separates the protagonists in all romance novel, things stared to slow down a little. It was not necessarily bad because we get to know potential great - and probably future - characters like Alexa, Lord Collins, and Lord Farris' mother. The lack of major interaction between the love interests was unexpected and a bit disappointing. Reading about their genuine attraction, I was expecting more steam... way more steam than the author offered. Surprisingly, I still had the drive to know what happens next.
Overall the story was done nicely with a good writing. Well... probably with a few awkward phrases here and there. For a debate novel, this was pretty good. I can see that the author has great potential to grow. That is why I gave such a high star rating, for encouragement. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
To Tempt a Viscount was my cup of tea with the tea a little under brewed.

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: Adult, Romance, Historical Romance, Regency
Language: none to mild
Sexual content: mild to moderate
Violence: none to mild
Drugs/Alcohol: none to mild



 

Marrying the Wrong Earl by Callie Hutton, Lords and Ladies in Love Two

Book Synopsis

Lady Arabella Danvers is happy with her life just the way it is. She is free to be herself and take care of broken and abandoned animals. Her mother is desperate for her to marry, and has decided to take things into her own hands. There is just one little problem with her plan.
Nash, the Earl of Clarendon has determined it is time to take a wife. He has selected a woman to whom he intends to propose. However, the annoying Lady Arabella has stumbled into his life at the wrong time, and in the wrong place.
But he of all people should know if Lady Arabella is involved, plans will go awry.  Marrying the Wrong Earl - Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Opinion

3.5/5 stars.
This book has the classic elements you will find in an historical regency romance/erotica. Arabella is a smart girl with different interests than the society expects her to have. Of course, everybody is against her odd hobby and she is "shake it off" Taylor Swift style (that dreadful song you cannot "Shake it off" once you are forced to listen a million times :D). Nash... Well, he is the metaphorical pain in the bottom. I think I spent more time being angry with him throughout the book than admiring his good side. In my opinion, the author spent to much time on the couple's fights than their chemistry. I am not afraid to say that most of the time Arabella ended up looking like the oppressed and Nash like the oppressor. A lot of you would say that I should think about the society's mindset during those times etc. I know but reality is different in most of the cases than the people who record history let us believe. 
I liked the characters separately than together.

The character development happened suddenly rather than smoothly.
Arabella was the reason I continued reading the book until the end and I was glad. That ending melted my heart. I wanted more from it. How Nash and Arabella clicked and realized what's important... Oh! I wanted the book to be longer.
This story was like an overly bitter cup of green tea. I loved it at times and it angered me at other times. And I still have that bitter after taste because of some scenes which reflected a real reality. (Yes, I am aware of my repetition. It was intentional.)
In terms of my recommendation, I wished I had read more books by this author to make a comparison. Although, I got the feeling that she has better stories up her sleeves because of her good writing style.
Feel free to make your own impression on the book.

This is my sole opinion. ^_^


I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: Adult, Romance, Historical Romance, Regency
Language:  moderate
Sexual content: heavy
Violence: none to moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: moderate

  

 

Doctor Who: Dr. Twelfth by Adam Hargreaves You Can be a Kid and still Be a Fan

Book Synopsis

The greatest mash-up in the entire Whoniverse is here! Doctor Who meets Roger Hargreaves' Mr Men in this new series of stories, written and illustrated by Adam Hargreaves.

In Dr. Twelfth, join the Twelfth Doctor and Missy on an amazing new adventure through time and space . . . Doctor Who: Dr. Twelfth - Goodreads

My Opinion

4.75/5 stars.
Doctor Who!(<--Link) Do you need more than that? And if you are from U.K., you probably know about Mr. Men (<--Link) also**.
I am a huge Doctor Who fan thus you will rarely find me saying bad things about it. Yes, I am biased. Approximately Twelve years is a lot of time since I just reached adulthood - such a strange word. OOOOOOOEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOO! :D
Back to the review.
Well, on YouTube I a subscriber to the official Doctor Who YouTube Channel. This morning (April 26, 2017) I received a notification about this story and I listened to it. It is narrated by Missy (Michelle Gomez), a character from the TV Show also known as the Master. (Missy/Master is a Time Lord/Lady too. He/She is portrayed as the antagonist.) It is cute. A book for children which still manages to maintain the Doctor Who vibe at its core. Missy is an excellent narrator and does a pretty good job imitating the Peter Capaldi's accent, aka the Doctor.
The art... From what I see on the website, it is very consistent with the Mr. Men style. I think it is quite strange and adorable.
**Side note: I recently heard about Mr. Men thus I do not know a lot about its popularity world wide. Do not judge, please! :) 
If you want to watch-read-listen the story, I posted the video down below.

This is my sole opinion. ^_^ Vwrop Vwrop Vwrop! (the TARDIS sound)

Elves by Jean-Luc Istin, Kyko Duarte (Illustrations), Nicolas Jarry, Gianluca Maconi (Illustrator) A Graphic Novel Fitting for Earth Day

 

Publication Day: May 2nd, 2017

 

Book Synopsis

"The crystal of the Blue elves" by Istin and Duarte
The Blue Elves of Ennlya, a small port town of Nordrenn, have been murdered!
Lanawyn, a Blue Elf, and Turin, her human ally, set out to discover who is responsible. The trail they uncover leads back to a clan of Yrlans—Northern men who hate Elves.
At the same time, Vaalann, a young Blue Elf, undergoes a dangerous test called the Water of the Senses. Her future, as divined by the Mother Prophetess, is closely linked to the Sacred Crystal . . . a powerful artifact that enables the wielder to control the ocean itself!
Could Vaalann be the messiah that the Blue Elves have been waiting generations for?
"The honor of Sylvan elves" by Jarry and Maconi
The Sylvan Elves have hidden themselves away from the world, jealously preserving their independence and sacred grounds. Anyone who dares enter their territory soon becomes their prey.
Eysine, City-State of the East, has always observed respect for the ancient pact between Elf and Man. But when a powerful army of Ork mercenaries lays siege to the kingdom, Llali, the daughter of the King of the city, must remind the Elves of the treaty that previously linked their two peoples.
This tale is that of two races who have forgotten their shared past. It is also that of an Elf and a Human who carry with them the power to reawaken this bond.
Thus begins Elves, a sprawling saga of mythic proportions!
In the vein the Lord of the Rings and other high fantasy classics, this richly illustrated graphic novel series contains five volumes, each focusing one of five main classes of Elves. Elves - Goodreads

 

My Opinion

3.75/5 stars

I picked this graphic novel based on the cover mostly because... Amazing Graphics. Get it? Alright! Moving on... In my opinion, the artwork makes more than 50% of the story when it comes to comic books and graphic novels. So, this is my number one criteria in my choosing. Elves does not disappoint at the art category. It's realistic, colorful, and fantastic.

Story-wise... It gets complicated. I was expecting the story to continue from issue one to issue two but it was not. Based on this volume, I can assume that the whole series is more of a collection of stories revolving around elves in the same universe. While reading this volume, I got major The Shannara Chronicles TV Show vibes because the two stories are somewhat similar. War. Magical stone.  Humans. Elves. Orks. And the list can continue.

My favorite story of the two was the second one. It had a better development compered two the first which had some plot holes. Both have major plot twists... AND the authors do not have mercy at ALL. Expect the unexpected.

This is NOT for younger audiences. Lots of blood, violence, and nudity; although, you will see more of the first two.

A quick read. Great for that peculiar period when you crave some high fantasy. It might be your cup of tea if you like any of the elements I listed above.

 

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

 

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Graphic Novel
Language:  heavy (use of f-word a couple of times)
Sexual content: heavy (mostly nudity and innuendoes)
Violence: heavy
Drugs/Alcohol: none to moderate

Aphrodite by Kaitlin Bevis Where Spoilers Are Inevitable

Aphrodite (Daughters of Zeus #4) - Kaitlin Bevis

 

Being perfect isn’t easy, but Aphrodite is determined to live up to the ideal. So when Poseidon asks her to investigate strange happenings on several cruise ships, she jumps at the chance to prove herself. Demigods are going missing, and no one remembers them having been on board. Aphrodite charms herself into the best room on the ship, prepared to investigate in style. Unfortunately, the room belongs to the one man immune to her charm. Adonis. When Aphrodite realizes that he could be the next target, her investigation gets more complicated. Worse, whoever is responsible for the missing demigods charmed the passengers and armed them with long-forgotten weapons designed to kill gods. When the ship goes dark, Aphrodite and Adonis have to work together to discover who is behind the mayhem before Poseidon decides their ship, and every charmed and armed human on it, are more trouble than they’re worth. Aphrodite

 

 

 

My Opinion

3.60/5 stars

My opinion... My opinion... My opinion... I got into the Daughters of Zeus in March 2016 (Thank you Goodreads) and I was pumped about the series. The first three books center around Persephone and Hades. And boy, oh boy, I fell in love with those two.

We meet Aphrodite in the second book. In the beginning, I got mixed feelings about her and I still have some. Alright! Alright! Those of you who read the Persephone "trilogy" will say that it is understandable. And I could not agree more although I cannot click with her the same way I clicked with Persephone.

I cannot believe I am going to say this about a character... Aphrodite is shallow with a great personality and she is not afraid to tell the hurtful truths. Surprisingly, I liked her more when I was able to read her PoV because... lots of insight in the brain. (I made it sound like a brain dissection >:]).)
 

(Aphrodite from Kaitlin Bevis book/website) 



This book follows up the events of the Iron Queen and the gods go to investigate the "bomb drop" given by Zeus to Hades. Aphrodite volunteers and she becomes the investigator.

I am trying to keep this review as spoiler free as possible and it proves to be a very difficult task...

A good part of the book moves rather slowly. It is a build up for the grad finale which was extremely rich in action. And only for that, I am glad I gave the book another try after a couple of months; although, I wanted more Hades and Persephone. Ha-Ha-Ha!

Spoilers 

I know that the main ship is Aphrodite and Ares but the fact that we do not see how they click it makes me hard to believe in their relationship. Do not cut short my ship, I need feels. Ares and Aphrodite are great characters by themselves and they need more story time. Probably, I am the only person being sympathetic towards Adonis and that is because I had a classmate in 7th and 8th grade called Adonis and he was (and is since he is still alive) beautiful to the eye and a nice person sooo... I have high hopes for him. Ha-Ha-Ha! He does not seem bad. He just took bad decisions.

End of Spoilers

As a warning for those who got addicted to the series, I recommend taking a break after the third book and then read the Aphrodite books. Aphrodite is not Persephone and Kaitlin Bevis does a great job at keeping them distinctive.

I recommend the series if Greek mythology is you cuppa tea or should I say cup of ambrosia?

These books deserve more credit if you ask me.

 

This is my sole opinion. ^_^
 

P.S. I dare you to eat a pomegranate for every single time I used the words click, clicked or clicks  - including now.
  

Link to Goodreads -->Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis 

Link to Author's site -->Kaitlin Bevis

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Greek Mythology Romance
Language: moderate
Sexual content: moderate to heavy
Violence: moderate to heavy
Drugs/Alcohol: moderate to heavy



Royally Roma an enchanting retelling of the classic Audrey Hepburn film Roman Holiday

The Royals #1 by Teri Wilson

Publication Date: 27 March 2017

Book synopsis

In this charming, modern retelling of the classic Audrey Hepburn film Roman Holiday, a royal prince tries to escape his hectic and rigid life and ends up leading a young graduate student on a chase through the Eternal City. Julia Costa is too busy trying to complete her PhD while also holding down a full-time job as a private tour guide in Rome to keep up with celebrity gossip. So when she crosses paths with a real, actual prince, she mistakes him for a client and takes him on a daylong tour of the city. Intrigued by the idea of spending time with someone who obviously has no idea who he is, and delighted at the prospect of a day free of royal obligations, Niccolo La Torre, Crown Prince of Lazaretto, acts on impulse and assumes the role of Julia’s client. He swears to himself that he’ll return to his royal duties after only half a day…but he’s having the time of his life. Until Julia presents him with the bill. Since he snuck out of the hotel without so much as a dime, he tries to escape, only to discover that she won’t let him out of her sight until he can pay her back. She’s determined to get her money…and perhaps more from the handsome stranger she’s fallen for.  Royally Roma

 

My opinion

4.5/5 stars.

This book was sweet, romantic, and intense. The love felt genuine and real despite being insta-love. Niccolo and Julia were complex characters with complicated pasts. They meet by chance and everything goes down from there.

Being a retelling of the classic black and white film Roman Holiday was one of things which attracted me to this book. And this says something because my number one black and white movie is Roman Holiday followed by Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

The story has its flaws. Some might find the writing repetitive and overwhelming in the beginning (especially in the description category). Despite the cliché and the flaws, it made me feel things. I was able to connect with the characters. I felt sad. I felt mushy. I felt joy and sorrow. And this is the most important thing when it comes to a book. Books must have the ability to make you root for the characters and feel what they feel.

Rome. That setting! It was a perfect ambiance for the romantic story to bloom. Rome was well written in the book, full of magic and history. An Eternal City indeed.

I was in the mood for this romance. And because it moved me, I felt like giving it a high rating. But! There is always a but. I made a short list of the main things that bothered me.

Bothering things (if you read the book you will understand): lack of GPS tracking; portraying the female in some instances based on the ancient Greek misconception (lack of self-restraint); same can be said about the male character who is portrayed as in control, honorable and in charge of the polis (thank goodness he was not also the stereotypical bad-boy).

[Yes, I had to throw some historical facts. The action is happening in Rome for goodness sake! Ha-ha-ha =))!]

Do you love super sweet, charged, and cheesy romance? Then, this is your cup of tea. Or should I say cup of espresso? ;)

 

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

 

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Cultural
Language: none to mild
Sexual content: heavy
Violence: none to moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: mild