Fantasy Audiobook Review: The Blacksmith Queen by G.A. Aiken
The Blacksmith Queen by G.A. Aiken (The Scarred Earth Saga #1)
bought on audio
Synopsis from Goodreads
When a prophesy brings war to the Land of the Black Hills, Keeley Smythe must join forces with a clan of mountain warriors who are really centaurs in a thrilling new fantasy romance series from New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken.
The Old King Is Dead
With the demise of the Old King, there’s a prophesy that a queen will ascend to the throne of the Black Hills. Bad news for the king’s sons, who are prepared to defend their birthright against all comers. But for blacksmith Keeley Smythe, war is great for business. Until it looks like the chosen queen will be Beatrix, her younger sister. Now it’s all Keeley can do to protect her family from the enraged royals.
Luckily, Keeley doesn’t have to fight alone. Because thundering to her aid comes a clan of kilt-wearing mountain warriors called the Amichai. Not the most socially adept group, but soldiers have never bothered Keeley, and rough, gruff Caid, actually seems to respect her. A good thing because the fierce warrior will be by her side for a much longer ride than any prophesy ever envisioned …
Amazon kindle US/UK | Audible US/UK
8/10
* * *
“You have a trebuchet?” Caid asked . . . because he couldn’t think of anything else to say. “Mum made it. She gets bored when she’s pregnant.”
If The Blacksmith Queen were a movie it would have been directed by Taika Waititi. Because when I think of Keeley Smythe, all that comes to mind is Thor: Ragnarok. Deadpan humour at its finest.
Tags:
8/10,
comedy,
fantasy,
g.a. aiken,
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джи эй айкен,
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Short and Sweet YA Fantasy Audiobook Review: Gilded by Christina Farley
Gilded by Christina Farley (Gilded #1)
bought on audio
Synopsis from Goodreads
Sixteen-year-old Jae Hwa Lee is a Korean-American girl with a black belt, a deadly proclivity with steel-tipped arrows, and a chip on her shoulder the size of Korea itself. When her widowed dad uproots her to Seoul from her home in L.A., Jae thinks her biggest challenges will be fitting in to a new school and dealing with her dismissive Korean grandfather. Then she discovers that a Korean demi-god, Haemosu, has been stealing the soul of the oldest daughter of each generation in her family for centuries. And she's next.
But that’s not Jae’s only problem.
There's also Marc. Irresistible and charming, Marc threatens to break the barriers around Jae's heart. As the two grow closer, Jae must decide if she can trust him. But Marc has a secret of his own—one that could help Jae overturn the curse on her family for good. It turns out that Jae's been wrong about a lot of things: her grandfather is her greatest ally, even the tough girl can fall in love, and Korea might just be the home she's always been looking for.
Amazon kindle US/UK | Audible US/UK
8/10
* * *
I had this book on my kindle for ages and finally got to it by buying an audio companion to listen to instead. And, my dear ladies and gents, it was a delight.Urban Fantasy Review: Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews
Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews (Hidden Legacy #4)
bought
Synopsis from Goodreads
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews comes an enthralling new trilogy set in the Hidden Legacy world, where magic means power, and family bloodlines are the new currency of society…
In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.
But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.
To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.
Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository
9/10
* * *
You know what happened to me after finishing Sapphire Flames, folks? Like any other self-respecting fan of Ilona Andrews, I went back and re-read the whole series! Tell me, you somehow had the willpower not to do the same? *grinning*Chinese Drama Review: Go Go Squid!
Go Go Squid (2019)
Episodes: 41
Status: Completed
Synopsis from MyDramaList
A cute romance between an adorable singer who develops a crush on a guy that she is too scared to approach, he is a genius in the field of computer engineering and a legend in the world of professional gaming.
It is late evening when Han Shang Yan walks into an internet cafe. While helping her cousin watch the shop, Tong Nian catches a glimpse of Han Shang Yan and immediately falls for him. She is usually brave, outgoing and has tens of thousands of followers from singing covers online, but she fumbles whenever she encounters him.
She is used to interviews, but can't even utter a word when speaking to him. He is cold, hard to reach and not the type of guy to be interested in girls, but Tong Nian's unique personality and her persistent ways to get close to him begin to catch his attention.
9/10
* * *
This was an absolute cuteness overload for me, peeps! The closest I can compare it with is Penny Reid's Elements of Chemistry series. It's geeky and adorable and very addictive.Contemporary Romance Early Review: Grit by Elizabeth Hunter
Grit byElizabeth Hunter (7th and Main #3)
ecopy thanks to the author
Synopsis from Goodreads
He’s been patient; she’s been busy.
Patience is running out.
Melissa Oxford is a widow with a ranch, an orange grove, a goat-obsessed ten-year-old, and not enough time. She doesn’t have time to make friends. She doesn’t have time to stop and chat, and she definitely does not have time for a boyfriend.
Which is fine, because Cary Nakamura is far from being a boy. Cary’s the man who helped Melissa plant her trees. The friend who keeps offering advice, even when she’s is too stubborn to take it.
He’s also the man who kissed Melissa in broad daylight on a sidewalk in Metlin, California, smack in the face of God and everyone.
But while Melissa may spend a little too long dreaming about Cary from a distance, she knows the kind of passion he promises is more than she can handle.
She just doesn’t have the time.
But sometimes, no matter how busy you are, life makes you stop. It pulls you up short and makes you see things a little more clearly. Things like…
The people you can count on.
The dreams you keep pushing away.
And the passion that can’t be denied.
GRIT is a stand-alone, friends-to-lovers romance in the Love Stories on 7th and Main series by Elizabeth Hunter, author of INK.
Release date: Sept 3rd, 2019.
Amazon kindle US/UK
8.5/10
* * *Korean Drama Review: Search: WWW
Search: WWW (2019)
Status: CompletedEpisodes: 16
Synopsis from MyDramaList
This drama is about the conflicts, the wins, and losses one experiences when working. It will follow the story of 21st century women, who chose to not be a wife or a mother and successfully work without discrimination or impediments.
Bae Ta Mi works as a director for a big web portal company. She is in her late 30's and is quite competitive. With her competitiveness, Ta Mi enjoys success. The methods she uses to win has her wondering if she is doing the right thing with her life. Has she sacrificed too much of her personal life for success?
Park Mo Gun is a man in his 20's and is a gifted composer. He creates music for video games. Mo Gun meets Ta Mi at an arcade. He falls in love with her due to her competitive spirit.
9/10
* * *
It's no secret that in the last year I have fully immersed myself in the world of Asian Dramas. And I am hoping to lure some of you down the rabbit hole with this particular gem.More often than not, Asian dramas surprise me with reversed gender stereotypes and the absolute kickassery of the female leads; in this, Search: WWW is one of the best I've seen in awhile.
It follows three strong, successful women at the peak of their careers in rival search engines in South Korea. In fact, most of the badass characters in this drama be that heroines or vilainesses have been women. The three male love interests had subdued secondary roles as pretty ornaments to flesh out the female leads. *grins*
Bae Ta Mi "Tammy" get thrown under a bus by her friend and boss to take the blame for manipulating keywords in the search engine during a presidential election campaign. She manages to twist the situation and shift the blame to someone else, but she resignes from her beloved company devastated and gets picked up by the rival search engine in order to get it to the top. While she is going through the turmoil, she meets Park Mo Geon, who is 10 years younger and owns a company creating music for the video games. He is smitten and pursues her relentlessly, while she suffers from guilt from being attracted to him and constantly tries to push him away. Tammy is not interested in kids and marriage, and that's some serious issues considering that Park Mo Geon intends to have both sometime in the future. The chemistry between them is off the charts, and there are many poignant and touching moments.
Song Ga Kyung, Tammy's ex-boss is forced to betray her because her search engine is being manupulated by the head of the powerful conglomerate, who is also her mother-in-law in an arranged marriage. The whole series she is not only trying to outmaneuver and prevail against all odds, she wants to take that b*tch down! Her and her husband have a bittersweet relationship, both caught up in the scheme and both trying to help each other to win.
Finally, Cha Hyun "Scarlett", is a fiery executive in the rival engine, Tammy starts working in. She is very talented and has an explosive temper, and she is also a very old friend of Song Ga Kyung. While she learns to work with Tammy towards success, the two bond and help each other through various troubles. Scarlett falls for a younger kdrama actor, a gentle and thoughtful guy, her complete opposite. The situations between them are hilarious.
Overall, this drama is a tightly run ship with a fantastic finale. It satisfied me on so many levels, it showed true friendship between women, and none of these three had any need at any point to rely on men. Extremely refreshing, great soundtrack as well and I can't recommend it highly enough. Watch it!
Fantasy Romance Review: Altered by Vicki Stiefel
Altered: The Made Ones Saga (Book #1) by Vicki Stiefel
ecopy thanks to the author
Synopsis from Goodreads
The Eleutians are dying out, one female at a time. To save their species, the powerful Alchemic Clan conscripts women from parallel worlds, altering them into the perfect breeding stock.
Kitlyn, a retired circus equestrian broken in both body and spirit, awakens on a strange world in her own much-younger body. She has been transformed into a Made One, but the gift of youth and the promise of a new life come at a terrible price.
Rafe, the Wolf Clan's warrior champion, vows to find the cause of the species' decline. He's certain the Alchemics' bid to save the Eleutians is but a thin veneer masking a dark purpose.
That vow becomes hard to keep with the threat of an inter-clan conflict and the arrival of the proud Made One named Kitlyn.
To save herself and those like her, Kit must carve a dangerous path in this new reality and make a choice that may cost her her freedom, her life, and the life of the Eleutian warrior she's come to love.
Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository
7.5/10
* * *
I always read Vicki's books with great pleasure. They are so vivid, original and incredibly cinematic, I can almost imagine them on the big screen. Altered is no exception.Contemporary Romance Review: Hooked by Elizabeth Hunter
Hooked by Elizabeth Hunter (7th and Main #2)
ecopy courtesy of the author
Synopsis from Goodreads
She’s in high heels; he wears hiking boots.
Can these two opposites make romance in Metlin work?
Tayla McKinnon is not a small town girl. The fashion blogger moved to Metlin with two goals in mind: help her friend start a book store and have a little fun. A year later, Tayla has made new friends, successfully launched INK, and is ready for a new challenge. Too bad she can’t get a certain rock-climbing, comic book geek off her mind.
Jeremy Allen has been playing the long game with Tayla, even though the avid outdoorsman was certain she was the one from the minute he set eyes on her. They may have different tastes, but their chemistry is undeniable.
When a job opportunity from a new fashion start-up lands in her inbox, Tayla takes it as a sign. She’s not meant for a small town, even though her best friend and her inconvenient crush are trying to convince her otherwise.
Jeremy can’t believe Tayla would be willing to leave her new life behind, but maybe he’s been playing it too cool. Summer in Metlin can sizzle, which gives Jeremy an excuse to turn up the heat.
Hooked is a stand-alone, opposites-attract romance in the Love Stories on 7th and Main series by Elizabeth Hunter, USA Today Bestselling author of INK.
Amazon kindle US/UK
9/10
* * *
This turned out to be a really cosy, beautiful contemporary romance series, Elizabeth Hunter has started. Ink was lovely, but in my view, as the author started settling in into Meitlin lives, Hooked was even better. I don't know why I'm surprised as it happens with every book from Elizabeth Hunter I read.Urban Fantasy Review: How to Dance an Undead Waltz by Hailey Edwards
How to Dance an Undead Waltz by Hailey Edwards (The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy #4)
bought
Synopsis from Goodreads
Keep a spot open on your dance card. This is one ball you don't want to miss.
Grier is nursing a broken heart after Boaz announced his engagement to another woman, but life goes on. Or it would if vampire assassins would stop taking pot shots at her every time she leaves Woolworth House. Seriously, who sends archers to deliver murdergrams these days?
To protect herself, Grier must pull out all the stops, even if it means revealing her darkest secret. All eyes are on her, and — for the first time — she begins to understand why Linus wears so many masks. But the target isn’t Grier, and when the archers single him out, it feels like one of their arrows might have struck what remains of her heart.
Amazon Kindle US/UK
8.5/10
* * *
I hope you are following this series that way I am, which is bingeing. Because it's worth it. I am worth it. *grins*March New Book Releases I'm Dying to Read!
Wild Country by Anne Bishop (The World of The Others #2)
In this powerful and exciting fantasy set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Others series, humans and the shape-shifting Others will see whether they can live side by side...without destroying one another.
There are ghost towns in the world—places where the humans were annihilated in retaliation for the slaughter of the shape-shifting Others.
One of those places is Bennett, a town at the northern end of the Elder Hills—a town surrounded by the wild country. Now efforts are being made to resettle Bennett as a community where humans and Others live and work together. A young female police officer has been hired as the deputy to a Wolfgard sheriff. A deadly type of Other wants to run a human-style saloon. And a couple with four foster children—one of whom is a blood prophet—hope to find acceptance.
But as they reopen the stores and the professional offices and start to make lives for themselves, the town of Bennett attracts the attention of other humans looking for profit. And the arrival of the Blackstone Clan, outlaws and gamblers all, will uncover secrets…or bury them.
Add to Goodreads
* * *
Now that I caught up to everything, I can't wait to see what happens in this book. This series is so nail-bitingly intense!
A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn
Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell is whisked off to a remote island off the tip of Cornwall when her natural historian colleague Stoker's brother calls in a favor. On the pretext of wanting a companion to accompany him to Lord Malcolm Romilly's house party, Tiberius persuades Veronica to pose as his fiancée--much to Stoker's chagrin. But upon arriving, it becomes clear that the party is not as innocent as it had seemed. Every invited guest has a connection to Romilly's wife, Rosamund, who disappeared on her wedding day three years ago, and a dramatic dinner proves she is very much on her husband's mind.
As spectral figures, ghostly music, and mysterious threats begin to plague the partygoers, Veronica enlists Stoker's help to discover the host's true motivations. And as they investigate, it becomes clear that there are numerous mysteries surrounding the Romilly estate, and every person present has a motive to kill Rosamund...
Add to Goodreads
* * *
Another excellent series here. Every time I read about Veronika's adventures I have so much fun!
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
Ambassador Mahit Dzmare arrives in the center of the multi-system Teixcalaanli Empire only to discover that her predecessor, the previous ambassador from their small but fiercely independent mining Station, has died. But no one will admit that his death wasn't an accident--or that Mahit might be next to die, during a time of political instability in the highest echelons of the imperial court.
Now, Mahit must discover who is behind the murder, rescue herself, and save her Station from Teixcalaan's unceasing expansion--all while navigating an alien culture that is all too seductive, engaging in intrigues of her own, and hiding a deadly technological secret--one that might spell the end of her Station and her way of life--or rescue it from annihilation.
Add to Goodreads
* * *
The premise snagged me, and while I know nothing about this author I am willing to try this book.
The Devil and The Dancer by Elizabeth Hunter
Sometimes falling is the safest step to take.
Chloe Reardon has a problem, and his name is Gavin Wallace.
Okay, Gavin isn’t exactly a problem, unless you consider a highly attractive wind vampire with dubious intentions a problem. Especially if that vampire is your boss. With an affinity for kilts and excellent taste in music.
But none of that matters because Chloe Reardon has had enough of dangerous men. Danger is overrated. Danger is the opposite of sexy. So Gavin is the last man—or vampire—on earth she needs to let into her heart.
Except what if the most dangerous man you knew was also the one who made you feel the strongest?
The Devil and the Dancer is a paranormal romance novella in the Elemental Legacy series.
Add to Goodreads
* * *
I actually have this one as a review copy and looking forward to reading it as I really like Chloe and Gavin.
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