Friday Mini Reviews #30: Anne Bishop, Roni Loren & Deborah Blake
The Invisible Ring by Anne Bishop (The Black Jewels #4)
bought
Synopsis from Goodreads
In a world where magic is power and social status is everything, the colour of the jewel you wear determines the course of your life...
Jared is a Red-Jewelled Warlord bound as a pleasure slave by the Ring of Obedience. After suffering nine years of torment, he murdered his owner and escaped - only to be caught and sold back into slavery.
Recently purchased by a notorious queen, Jared fears he will share the mysterious fate of her other slaves - never to be seen again - and so prepares himself for death. But the Gray Lady may not be what she seems and Jared soon faces a difficult decision: his freedom, or his honour.
Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository | Fishpond
7/10
This is not my favorite book of the series simply because it's a spin-off prequel which involves a different set of characters, and while I understand it was necessary for the plot of book #7 (which I read recently) I didn't have to like it, right?
It involves a warlord prince Jared, a slave bought by a Queen of the territory which stands against Dorothea and her flunkies, and while Dorothea plots that Queen's assassination Jared slowly realizes that he and the bunch of other slaves are the only force able to save Lia, the aforementioned Queen, and get her home safely. They also understand that they are not slaves anymore... Expect evil warlords, twisted magic and a delicious cameo appearance of Daemon SaDiablo.
Книга рассказывает о Джареде - принце воине Шаладора, которого покупает в качестве раба враждебная Доротее королева, и о его путешествии с данной королевой и остальными рабами на её территорию пока прислужники Доротеи пытаются эту королеву убить. Джаред - упрямый идиот конечно, однако и он в какой-то момент осознаёт, что королеву нужно защищать во что-бы то ни стало и что он совсем теперь не раб. Готовьтесь к злодеям воинам Доротеи, чёрному волшебству и множеству кровавых битв.
Forever Starts Tonight by Roni Loren (Loving on The Edge #5.5)
bought
Synopsis from Goodreads
The wait is over. They fell in love in Melt Into You, but that was only the beginning. Now New York Times bestselling author Roni Loren dials up the passion as three lovers reinvent the meaning of togetherness and find out if love is truly enough…
Two dominant men, one beautiful woman. Jace Austin knows he doesn’t have what you’d call a conventional relationship with Evan and Andre, but it works. Boy, does it work—until Evan starts acting strangely and Andre’s ex-fiancée pops back into his life, unbalancing a perfectly happy threesome. Jace is forced to face the unthinkable: that the two people he cares most about in this world are in danger of slipping away from him.
So Jace plans a surprise getaway to a secluded mountain cabin for the three of them. And he knows exactly what he needs to do: give both his lovers a fantasy week they’ll never forget. And the possibilities for pleasure are endless. But when they get snowed in and the heat between them reaches a fever pitch, secrets come out. And Evan has one that could change all their lives forever.
Amazon kindle US($2.99)/UK(£2.99)
Wickedly Magical by Deborah Blake (Baba Yaga #0.5)
bought
Synopsis from Goodreads
Known as the wicked witch of Russian fairy tales, Baba Yaga is not one woman, but rather a title carried by a chosen few. They keep the balance of nature and guard the borders of our world, but don’t make the mistake of crossing one…
Barbara Yager loves being one of the most powerful witches in the world, but sometimes she’d rather kick back in her enchanted Airstream with a beer in her hand than work out how to grant the requests of the worthy few who seek her out.
But when a man appears with the token of a family debt of honor, Barbara must drop everything to satisfy the promise owed by her predecessor—and she isn’t above being a little wicked to make sure the debt is paid in full…
Amazon kindle US/UK
I usually have lots of complaints with the incorrect use of anything Russian in books as you might have noticed, my dear readers, *grinning* but everything in this novella was done really well in this regard. *high five, Miss Blake* Easy to follow plot, fun writing style and imaginative world-building. For a novella, this was very good!
It involves a warlord prince Jared, a slave bought by a Queen of the territory which stands against Dorothea and her flunkies, and while Dorothea plots that Queen's assassination Jared slowly realizes that he and the bunch of other slaves are the only force able to save Lia, the aforementioned Queen, and get her home safely. They also understand that they are not slaves anymore... Expect evil warlords, twisted magic and a delicious cameo appearance of Daemon SaDiablo.
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Не самая лучшая книга серии, дамы и господа, - Невидимое Кольцо - это преквел, необходимый для развития событий в седьмой книге серии, которую я только что дочитала, и не включает себя жизнь главных персонажей серии, за исключением мимолётного появления моего любимого Дэймона СаДиабло.Книга рассказывает о Джареде - принце воине Шаладора, которого покупает в качестве раба враждебная Доротее королева, и о его путешествии с данной королевой и остальными рабами на её территорию пока прислужники Доротеи пытаются эту королеву убить. Джаред - упрямый идиот конечно, однако и он в какой-то момент осознаёт, что королеву нужно защищать во что-бы то ни стало и что он совсем теперь не раб. Готовьтесь к злодеям воинам Доротеи, чёрному волшебству и множеству кровавых битв.
Forever Starts Tonight by Roni Loren (Loving on The Edge #5.5)
bought
Synopsis from Goodreads
The wait is over. They fell in love in Melt Into You, but that was only the beginning. Now New York Times bestselling author Roni Loren dials up the passion as three lovers reinvent the meaning of togetherness and find out if love is truly enough…
Two dominant men, one beautiful woman. Jace Austin knows he doesn’t have what you’d call a conventional relationship with Evan and Andre, but it works. Boy, does it work—until Evan starts acting strangely and Andre’s ex-fiancée pops back into his life, unbalancing a perfectly happy threesome. Jace is forced to face the unthinkable: that the two people he cares most about in this world are in danger of slipping away from him.
So Jace plans a surprise getaway to a secluded mountain cabin for the three of them. And he knows exactly what he needs to do: give both his lovers a fantasy week they’ll never forget. And the possibilities for pleasure are endless. But when they get snowed in and the heat between them reaches a fever pitch, secrets come out. And Evan has one that could change all their lives forever.
Amazon kindle US($2.99)/UK(£2.99)
8.5/10
Aww, so damn cute! This is a lovely happily ever after send off for Jace, Evan and Andre, some of my favorite characters in this series. Roni Loren's style of writing as usual is sublime, ery romantic and scorching hot. A great appetizer for her January full novel's release which made me want to re-read the whole series this winter. I might just do that' ladies and gents.
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Безумно мило и романтично, дамы и господа! Достойный финал для Андре, Эван и Джейса - одних из моих самых любимых персонажей в этой серии. Росчерк пера мисс Лорен как обычно само совершенство, наполнен сентиментальностью, чувственностью и добротой. Мне прямо захотелось перечитать всю серию перед выпуском её нового романа этим январём... Наверное, я так и поступлю.bought
Synopsis from Goodreads
Known as the wicked witch of Russian fairy tales, Baba Yaga is not one woman, but rather a title carried by a chosen few. They keep the balance of nature and guard the borders of our world, but don’t make the mistake of crossing one…
Barbara Yager loves being one of the most powerful witches in the world, but sometimes she’d rather kick back in her enchanted Airstream with a beer in her hand than work out how to grant the requests of the worthy few who seek her out.
But when a man appears with the token of a family debt of honor, Barbara must drop everything to satisfy the promise owed by her predecessor—and she isn’t above being a little wicked to make sure the debt is paid in full…
Amazon kindle US/UK
8/10
Jessica, if you are reading this, I understand what pissed you off, but for me it was very tongue in cheek, enjoyable read! It helps to understand the mythology involved which feels sometimes like an inside joke (like the one with the disappearing door), and the spirit of that mythology is preserved really well in this particular Baba Yaga.I usually have lots of complaints with the incorrect use of anything Russian in books as you might have noticed, my dear readers, *grinning* but everything in this novella was done really well in this regard. *high five, Miss Blake* Easy to follow plot, fun writing style and imaginative world-building. For a novella, this was very good!
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Честно говоря, я была приятно удивлена насколько интересно и смешно (по доброму смешно) в этой новелле оказалась представлена русская мифология, и сама Баба Яга. Я подозреваю, что теми, кто эту мифологию не знает будет пропущено множество тайных шуточек, но я несколько раз посмеялась и в кои то веки русские имена были представлены правильно. В общем, очень хорошо написано для новеллы, и я точно буду читать полный роман от мисс Блэйк!