Marina's 5 Loveys Review: Shield of Winter (Psy-Changeling #13) by Nalini Singh

Shield of Winter  (Psy-Changeling #13)  by Nalini Singh

 Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he’s done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch—if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life. 

For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake…

Having rebuilt her life after medical “treatment” that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she'll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption. But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy’s fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness.

• Release Date:  June 3rd 2014        
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover               
• Author's web site

* No Spoilers!

 To say I loved this book will be an understatement!!!!!!

“”To be and Arrow is to be an island, devoid of attachments that create vulnerability.””

 First code of Arrows

I am a huge fan of Vasic as a character, even though we only got bits and pieces of him throughout the series I was very intrigued to find the story behind the man and in Shield of Winter I really got what I was looking for.

In Shield of Winter we are facing a lot of problems, the terrible disease that spreads in the Net and it’s destroying hundreds of people at a time, the fall of Silence and the uncertainty that has created and the complete absence of the Council to rule the Psys. The opportunity has arose for the Arrows to play a huge part in the preservation and the stability of their people.

My main interest in this book isn't the romance (I’m telling the truth!!!). I was SO interested in Vasic, I wanted to know his story so much that his lady was doomed to be the second character but….in the end I really liked Ivy! I found her refreshing and original. Although she was hurt in the past, although she was emotionally fragile she had a steel backbone, she found the strength to open her heart to a man that came from hell and not only him but she embraced all his brothers and sisters.

The treasure I found in this book is the hidden relationship Vasic had with the Grandfather; Zie Zen gives us the history before silence, he explains why so many people were lost and he gives us a way out when the time was almost over for Vasic and his beautiful love story with his Sunny was heartbreaking.

But most of all I loved the bond Vasic shares with Aden, I knew they were close, I knew they were part of the same team but the story behind in blew my mind. I loved the memories they shared and I loved the unyielding trust. 

“To Vasic, Aden had helped him stay sane. To Aden, Vasic had helped him stay upright when he would've fallen. One lost boy helping another.” 

Overall I loved Shield of Winter very, very much. The story was so strong, the characters so engaging that I got lost in the pages and traveled with them.

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Marina's Review: Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews

Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews




Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap.

• Release Date:  July 30th 2013 by 
• Publisher: Ace
• Author's web site

*Mild Spoilers


When it comes to Kate Daniels I can’t be objective I loved her from page one on Magic Bites and I still love her all through her journey in magic Atlanta, all through her six books of adventure, drama, passion and disappointment.


Magic Rises is the sixth book of Kate Daniels and Co adventures and in this book she comes face to face with her great fears both physical and emotional.


In the far away land of Georgia in the banks of the Black Sea three packs are fighting over a pregnant woman and Curran and his pack are invited to play the peace maker and will be rewarded with panacea. What they don’t know is that the biggest player of them all is Hugh D’Ambray the master of the castle, their host, the preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Roland’s commander. 


I was quite socked by Hugh, I expected that the man Kate fears most (besides Roland) would be…scary! Well he is, but he is also an intriguing character, a master of manipulation, a passionate man and a fierce negotiator; Hugh uses EVERY weapon in his disposal to isolate Kate from the pack and Curran and the only reason for failing is Kate’s sheer stubbornness. Their chemistry is Wicked Good!!!! The memories they share are unique and I loved the way their history unfolded itself, the similarities they share due to their upbringing and of course their differences and their fighting scenes are breathtaking!!!

““There are thousands of shapeshifters. Kill a hundred and there are always more. But there hasn’t been another one like you for five thousand years. I would slaughter everyone in that room below for a shot at a single conversation with you.””


In this book Kate realizes that although she has Currans’ love, her friends’ devotions and the Packs’ loyalty she will always be different. Despite the fact that she was raised to BE on her own the time she shared with Curran and the Pack has forever altered her and in this book she realizes the fear of losing everything, of being alone. 


A lot of favorite characters impressed me in this book, first of all Mahon and Aunt B!!!!!!! But I will always love Derek! His character will never cease to amaze me. I want to see him grow, I want to see him dream and I want to see him find a new purpose in his life. He is the brother I dream of having and the boyfriend I will never have (why? Oh, why?).


Getting to know Jim’s sister was brilliant, Dessandra is a perfect addition to the pack and Christopher… I really want to know what more we could see from him.


On the final note I want to add that I’ve read a lot of UF books, there are few authors who could put their characters to test the way the Andrews did with Kate and Curran and come whole on the other side, plus there are even less that could introduce a hobbit and not have the whole book community LOLing on their account.

“”I’d managed to find a hobbit in the Caucasus Mountains. I wondered what he would do if I asked him about second breakfast.””


Overall I love Kate Daniels! If you still haven’t read the books what are you waiting for????


P.S Magic Rises comes with a bonus. “An Ill-Advised Rescue," is a short story which centers on the kidnapping and rescue of Saiman by Kate and Derek.

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Marina's Review: The Trouble With Honor (The Cabot Sisters #1) by Julia London

    

The Trouble With Honor (The Cabot Sisters #1) 
by Julia London 

Desperate times call for daring measures as Honor Cabot, the eldest stepdaughter of the wealthy Earl of Beckington, awaits her family's ruin. Upon the earl's death she and her sisters stand to lose the luxury of their grand home - and their place on the pedestal of society - to their stepbrother and his social-climbing fiancée. Forced to act quickly, Honor makes a devil's bargain with the only rogue in London who can seduce her stepbrother's fiancée out of the Cabots' lives for good.

An illegitimate son of a duke, George Easton was born of scandal and grows his fortune through dangerous risks. But now he and Honor are dabbling in a perilous dance of seduction that puts her reputation and his jaded heart on the line. And as unexpected desire threatens to change the rules of their secret game, the stakes may become too high even for a notorious gambler and a determined, free-spirited debutante to handle.

• Release Date:  February 25th 2014 
• Publisher: Harlequin HQN
• Author's web site

* Mild Spoilers

The Trouble with Honor was too much trouble for me to read; although I love historic romances this one left me with lots of doubts and I had a lot of eye-roll moments.


Honor Cabot is a debutant who thinks that the world turns at her will! Her problems are the most serious a young woman can probably face and the way she manages to solve them only establishes how immature and selfish she is. 


Honor and her four sisters live with their mother’s second husband and his son and Honor is really troubled how they are going to continue their luxurious life after her step father will pass since her half-brother is already engaged to a young woman Honor hates only because she is more prudent and collected than her.


So she decides to end her brother’s engagement by making his fiancée fall in love with another man the bastard son of a duke is her number one choice.


Mr. Easton could save the day but I just could understand how a man can be manipulated in a scheme like that by a girl. Taking advantage of that girl and molesting her in every corner made me angrier than anything!!!!!


And another thing I could understand this alleged ton has eyes everywhere, reputations are ruined by a wrong look, but Honor Cabot could walk right in a man’s club and no word is ever spoken, she frequently visits Easton at his home, nobody ever sees them, is practically having sex in the balcony of her own house which is foul of people no one takes notice……Please!


Overall I was very disappointed in this book, the plot was foolish and the characters were uninteresting with minimum emotional development.

*Arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for honest review. 

                                                   

                                                   

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Marina's Review: The Jade Temptress (The Pingkang Li Mysteries #2) by Jeannie Lin

The Jade Temptress (The Pingkang Li Mysteries #2) by Jeannie Lin 


Welcome to the infamous Pingkang Li—home of the celebrated Lotus Palace courtesans, and a place of beauty and treachery...

Charming and seductive, Mingyu is the most sought-after hostess in the pleasure quarter. She has all men wrapped around her finger—except Constable Wu Kaifeng, the one man she can't resist, the only man to have placed her in chains.

Wu Kaifeng's outwardly intimidating demeanor hides a reluctant, fierce attraction to beautiful Mingyu. But the passionate temptation she presents threatens to destroy them both when a powerful official is murdered and they find themselves on a deadly trail. Amid the chaos, a forbidden affair could change Mingyu's fate forever, for following her heart is bound to have consequences..

• Release Date:  February 18th 2014
• Publisher: Harlequin HQN
• Author's web site

* Minor Spoilers

While reading The Jade Temptress two things became apparent this book was a part of a series and that I was going to invest more time (and money) to the rest of this series.


Having said that I must add I didn’t find any difficulties reading this second book of the Pingkang Li Mysteries and Jeannie Lin  has managed to create an engaging, lyrical and so very different historical romance / mystery world in the mist of all the English regency books; so no more petticoats and English tone and yes to courtesans and teahouses.


Lady Mingyu is a popular courtesan, an asset to her house because she has a generous patron General Deng. But when the General is found dead in his own home and all of his guards missing Mingyu is seeking the help of Constable Wu Kaifeng!!!! Constable Wu is a mysterious man, balancing his dark past and the stability of his present Wu is aware just how precious Lady Mingyu and how precarious is her situation. Despite their differences Mingyu and Wu are an exceptional couple and the mystery that surrounds them is surprisingly intriguing.


Overall The Jade Temptress is a fresh and unique book, with interesting interactions and a beautiful world and I’m really looking forward to the next of the series!!!!!

*Arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.

                                                      

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Marina's Review: Empress of the Night: A Novel of Catherine the Great (Catherine #2) by Eva Stachniak

Empress of the Night: A Novel of Catherine the Great (Catherine #2) by Eva Stachniak 


The follow-up to the #1 bestseller The Winter Palace--perfect for the readers of Hilary Mantel and Alison Weir. 
Catherine the Great, the Romanov monarch reflects on her astonishing ascension to the throne, her leadership over the world's greatest power, and the lives sacrificed to make her the most feared woman in the world--lives including her own...
Catherine the Great muses on her life, her relentless battle between love and power, the country she brought into the glorious new century, and the bodies left in her wake. By the end of her life, she had accomplished more than virtually any other woman in history. She built and grew the Romanov empire, amassed a vast fortune of art and land, and controlled an unruly and conniving court. Now, in a voice both indelible and intimate, she reflects on the decisions that gained her the world and brought her enemies to their knees. And before her last breath, shadowed by the bloody French Revolution, she sets up the end game for her last political maneuver, ensuring her successor and the greater glory of Russia.

• Release Date:  March 25th 2014
• Publisher: Doubleday Canada
• Author's web site

* NovSpoilers

Empress of the Night was the first book I read in 2014 and it was a magnificent way to start a new year!


Empress of the Night is a unique and impressive book; the narration puts us within Catherine’s mind, we are privy to her thoughts as we watch her overrule her husband, as she takes total control of the country and as she handles her numerous lovers.


Catherine came to Russia as a young and naïve German Duchess and as the pages of the book pass we watch her transform into an Empress wise and manipulative, into a woman governed by vanity and lust, into a mother trying to balance her children and her grandchildren.


“November 5 1796: Her right arm is dangling, limp, as if it belongs to someone else. Pain shoots up inside her skull. Something is wrong.” 


In her final hours after the stroke that took her life at the age of sixty-seven Catherine had ruled Russia for thirty four years in an era that was later called “ the Golden Age of the Russian Empire ’’.

*Arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.

                                                      

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Marina's Review: David Lord of Honor (Lonely Lords #9) by Grace Burrowes

David: Lord of Honor (Lonely Lords #9) 
by Grace Burrowes

David Worthington, Viscount Fairly, has inherited a brothel he does not want, but hesitates to sell for fear his employees will not be treated well by the establishment’s next owner. He hits upon the idea of hiring Letty Banks, a courtesan currently without protector, to serve as madam, but soon finds himself attracted to her on more than just a physical level. 

When serious harm befalls Letty as a function of her role at David’s brothel, he realizes he cannot continue to exploit a woman he cares for. He arranges a way for Letty to return to obscure respectability, and prepares to walk out of her life, only to find he cannot leave her undefended against the trouble bearing down from her past.

• Release Date:  March 4th 2014
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca 
• Author's web site

* No Spoilers

Viscount Fairly despite his mismatched eyes and his being raised as a bastard has two sisters that have married in the top of the English aristocracy. David finds himself running a brothel he has inherited, a business he doesn’t want but keeps because he feels overprotective of his employees, but he needs help and he finds it in Letty.


Letty is a kept woman currently without a protector and in dire need of an honest employment, so she grasps the opportunity to help David and his brothel.


The sparkle of the characters is alive and they are slowly engaging in a romantic situation, falling in a familiar pattern that includes their work David and Letty become attached. But as in all romantic stories obstacles have to be overcome and emotional turmoil must be faced. Family revelations set the foundation of the future for David and Letty and happiness is still within their grasp.

Overall it was a beautiful story and perfect addition to the rest or the Lonely Lords series.

*Arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for honest review. 

                                                   

    
                                                   

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