The Tudor secret (The Spymaster Chronicles) by C. W Gortner

Pages:  352

Publishers:  St. Martin’s Griffin

Published:  February 1, 2011

The era of the Tudors was one of danger, intrigue, conspiracy, and, above all, spies.

Summer 1553: A time of danger and deceit. Brendan Prescott, an orphan, is reared in the household of the powerful Dudley family. Brought to court, Prescott finds himself sent on an illicit mission to the king’s brilliant but enigmatic sister, Princess Elizabeth. But Brendan is soon compelled to work as a double agent by Elizabeth’s protector, William Cecil, who promises in exchange to help him unravel the secret of his own mysterious past.

A dark plot swirls around Elizabeth’s quest to unravel the truth about the ominous disappearance of her seriously ill brother, King Edward VI. With only a bold stable boy and an audacious lady-in-waiting at his side, Brendan plunges into a ruthless gambit of half-truths, lies, and murder. 

Review:

This book combines both the history of the Tudor's and adds a blend of imagination. Brendan was a child when he was left on the doorstep of Dudley Manor. All he had was a governess and a birthmark.

When he was sent to court to be a squire to Robert Dudley, he catches the eye of Princess Elizabeth's spymaster and works to protect her from the reach of Northumberland's Duke. As he grows he learns the truth of his birth and the enemies who would do anything to kill him.

Told from the point-of-view of Brendan Prescott, a fictional character in medieval England, this story will capture the reader's attention and take them on a journey though time. I dub thee 5 stars.

If I Die (Soul Screamers #5) by Rachel Vincent

Pages:  342

Publishers:  Harlequin

Published:  September 27, 2011

The entire school's talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck. Everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee's no ordinary high-school junior. She's a banshee—she screams when someone dies.

But the next scream might be for Kaylee.

Yeah—it's a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee's going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend's needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren't quite human, either.

But Kaylee's borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life.

Anything.

Review:

Oh. My. God. I have absolutely no other words for this book. This really did not turn out like I expected. But I loved it!  Though I wish it hadn't ended so suddenly. You'd expect Kaylee and Nash to break up. Again. Also Nash breaks a promise he had made to Kaylee leading her to make a deal with Sabine. She also gets a visit from an reaper from her past.

Kaylee grows a lot more mature in this book than any other. Possibly because of the knowledge that she will die soon. And so she can leave behind people with happy memories of her, she makes a deal with Sabine about Nash and tries to take down an Incubus who has come to their school in search of a young girl who can give him a son.

Todd makes an appearance in this book and does something, which makes Nash, hate him. The drug 'Frost' makes another appearance.  The book had me hooked from the first chapter and drooling for more by the end.  I give it 5 stars.

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Pages:  328

Publishers:  HarperTeen

Published:  September 13, 2011

Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It’s 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is headed to America, with Tess in tow. Once the ship they’re sailing on—the RMS Titanic—reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new life for herself.

Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own. He’s in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it’s because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously. . . .

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves exist and are stalking him—and now her, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.

Review:

This book is such a page turner. And I'm not saying that sarcastically. I really loved it especially the main character. She's no afraid to stand her ground and she immediately knows when a person may become her friend and when when they might not.  She is resourceful and can do snappy banter.  Especially with her seriously stupid and really annoying stalker wolf.  What part of no is hard for him to understand.

The near end of the book was somewhat sad. I mean the Titanic sank and many people that Tess cares about dies. And then there's the story of her sister and what happens between her and the young heir of the Lisle family. Also the young lady who Tess serves turns out to have a dark secret.  She finds out that she and one of the servants, Ned, had been in love and Irene had miscarried his baby.

Altogether, this book has surprises in every chapter and I hope she makes a sequel. I'd give it 5 stars.

Fragment Friday's

This week’s Fragment Friday follows book 4 of the Iron Fey Series, Iron Knight.

Pages:  386

Publishers:  Harlequin

Published:  October 25, 2011

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing. 

Unless he can earn a soul. 

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought. 

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive. 

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side. 

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale. 

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

This is a link to the excerpt:

http://harlequinblog.com/2011/07/julie-kagawas-the-iron-knight-synopsis-and-excerpt-released/

And to learn more about the book and see the trailer:

http://juliekagawa.blogspot.com/2011/09/iron-knight-trailer-debut.html

Tempest (Destroyers #1) by Holly Hook

Pages:  284

Publishers:  CreateSpace

Published:  July 7, 2010

Life blows for sixteen-year-old Janelle. Ever since moving to Florida, she's been accidentally breaking people's arms just by touching them. And yanking steel doors off their hinges. Then her new crush, Gary, sees her gray spiral birthmark and tells her she's a Tempest. A person who can turn into a hurricane by touching the ocean. Like him. So that's why she feels ready to explode when she's at the beach. As if that's not lousy enough, all Tempests have to become storms once in their lives. It's their secret law...and it's Janelle's turn. And it's not long before the Tempest leader abducts her. Janelle's told that she's destined to become the worst hurricane ever. And now she's the main weapon in the Tempest leader's plot to hold the world ransom. No way can Janelle live with herself if she kills thousands. But using the power she fears most might be the only way out.

Review:

Loved it!  This first book in the Destroyer series makes me see hurricanes everywhere.  Just kidding. But I'll always look at them differently. Such as thinking that anyone with hurricane names is one. Janelle is also a very strong main character. She doesn't let anyone walkover her. Example: her crazy mother who wants to destroy the world. The Tempests are like their own civilization with their own god and way of life. Hurricanes are also needed for many people near the coast. They provide rain during droughts and fertile soil for farming.

And just so this doesn't become the discovery channel let's go back to the book. I'll give you all a short summary of the book. Janelle finds out that shes a Tempest or hurricane and that she has to turn into one the day that hurricane Janelle is expected. She also finds out that her biological mother was a Tempest and that she wants Janelle to destroy New York, so the Tempests could take over. I'm the end she gets a surprise that she wishes could have stayed buried.

I'd give it 5 stars. Holly Hooke created a whole new world with living disasters that walk around like real people.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth (Young Royals #2) by Carolyn Meyer

Pages:  214

Publishers:  Gulliver Books

Published:  September 1, 2002

Imprisonment. Betrayal. Lost love. Murder. What more must a princess endure?

Elizabeth Tudor's teenage and young adult years during the turbulent reigns of Edward and then Mary Tudor are hardly those of a fairy-tale princess. Her mother has been beheaded by Elizabeth's own father, Henry VIII; her jealous half sister, Mary, has her locked away in the Tower of London; and her only love interest betrays her in his own quest for the throne. 

Told in the voice of the young Elizabeth and ending when she is crowned queen, this second novel in the exciting series explores the relationship between two sisters who became mortal enemies. Carolyn Meyer has written an intriguing historical tale that reveals the deep-seated rivalry between a determined girl who became one of England's most powerful monarchs and the sister who tried everything to stop her.

Review:

The second book follows princess Elizabeth, the sister of Queen Mary. She is the only monarch of England to have been a woman and not married.  This book begins with the death of King Henry VIII and the princess finding out three days later and her brother being crowned as king. When Edward dies of Consumption, princess Mary becomes queen and Elizabeth is told that she would be restoring the true church of England. The catholic church.

When she questions her sister's choices, she is imprisoned in the tower until she is released and sent back to court. When her sister is nearing death, Elizabeth is made the heir. Everyone expects her to marry and produce an heir because they believe that a woman does not have the power to rule. Kind of stupid really. Girls are much more powerful than guys. Check Amelia Earhart.

This story is told from the point of the child of Anne Boleyn. From her lost love to betrayal from someone close to her. This book provides an insight into the life of princess Elizabeth and how she created one of the most celebrated eras in history. I'd give it 5 stars.

Mary, Bloody Mary (Young Royals #1) by Carolyn Meyer

Pages:  240

Publishers:  Guilliver Books

Published:  April 1, 2001

The story of Mary Tudor's childhood is a classic fairy tale: A princess who is to inherit the throne of England is separated from her mother; abused by an evil stepmother who has enchanted her father; stripped of her title; and forced to care for her baby stepsister, who inherits Mary's rights to the throne. Believe it or not, it's all true. Told in the voice of the young Mary, this novel explores the history and intrigue of the dramatic rule of Henry VIII, his outrageous affair with and marriage to the bewitching Anne Boleyn, and the consequences of that relationship for his firstborn daughter. 

Review:

This first book in the young royal series presents Princess Mary Tudor.  I believe this is where the urban legend of Bloody Mary came from. If any of you readers decide to try calling her up for a ghost story sleepover, then please do the following: wait till dark, always have someone accompany you, bring a candle and place it in front if your face, and say 'bloody Mary' three times. Don't know if it will work but I'm sure it will scare a few of your friends. he he he.

This books tells the story of princess Mary through her eyes at the age of 10.  This starts off with her being betrothed to the king of France. Then it goes to the festival of Yuletide, where she first witnesses her father's fascination with the Lady Anne. As she grows older, she learns along with her mother that her father, the king is trying to get his marriage to Queen Catherine annulled because she had been unable to produce a son for him.  When he sends her mother to an impoverished estate and deems her an illegitimate child, she knows that it is the work of the witch, Anne.

She is then separated from her mother, with orders of not to write or communicate with her. This is a story of love, betrayal, and intrigue. It also gives an insight into he life of the court of King Henry VIII.  I'd give it 5 stars.

Fragment Friday's

Today features the Son of Neptune, book #2 of the Heroes of Olympus series.

Pages:  384
Publishers:  Hyperion Book CH
Release Date:  October 4, 2011

In The Lost Hero, three demigods named Jason, Piper, and Leo made their first visit to Camp Half-Blood, where they inherited a blood-chilling quest:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Who are the other four mentioned in the prophesy? The answer may lie in another camp miles away, where a new camper has shown up and appears to be the son of Neptune, god of the sea. . .

This is a link to the excerpt:

http://www.rickriordan.com/Files/Documents/Son_of_Neptune_preview.pdf

And to learn more about the book:

http://www.rickriordan.com/my-books/percy-jackson/heroes-of-olympus/thesonofneptune.aspx

Love sucks! by Melissa Francis

Pages:  285

Publishers:  HarperCollins

Published:  July 27, 2010

AJ Ashe may have gotten rid of her vampire stalker and her evil ex-teacher, but things are hardly back to normal. For one thing, she still has to maintain a strict look-but-don't-touch policy with Ryan, her hot ex-boyfriend-turned-stepbrother. For another, she has to learn to control her vampire superpowers—which means more than a few dates with Lex, mind-reading professional vampire trainer and too-sexy-for-his-own-good bad boy. And as if that's not enough, she happens to be the key to her father's plans to take over the world . . . and he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants.

All this and she's still got to plan the prom. Being a teenager is tough, but being a teenage vampire just flat out sucks!

Review:

This book begins a few months after the events of Bite me!  And I may just say I agree with the book title.  Love does suck!  In this book, AJ’s long lost daddy comes a’ knocking.  If he was my father, I would have sucked him dry.  He had no business coming back to them.  Loser!

AJ is betrayed by someone close to her, her mother is half-dead, and her stepbrother is jealous of her new “boyfriend.”  And some people think that they have it bad.  Then there are the ruins to find, while trying to keep them away from a bad breath demon.  Then you’ll find out more about vampires who are destined to become trainers based on their eyes.  I’d understand a birthmark or something, but eyes?!  It just seems so cliché.

I think that this book is even better than Bite me!, and has even more surprising ending.  I wish that she’d write a third book, but I guess this is the end.  I give it 4 stars.

Bite me! by Melissa Francis

Pages:  296

Publishers:  HarperTeen

Published:  August 1, 2009

AJ Ashe isn't your typical seventeen-year-old vampire as if there is such a thing! She's stuck in the middle of a huge fight between her two BFFs. Her ex-boyfriend whom she's still totally in love with, by the way is now her stepbrother. A former classmate who, um, she may or may not have turned into a vampire is stalking her. And now, apparently, the fate of humankind lies in her little undead hands. What ever happened to the good old days, when all a vampire girl had to worry about was the occasional zit and hiding her taste for blood?

Review:

This is a new type of vampire lore.  One with crazy clans, prophecies, and a girl with a ‘thing’ for her new stepbrother.  I know it’s gross, but her was her boyfriend before Ryan’s dad and her mom got married.  Really!  Parents, you need to think of your kids before your self.  And the kids can’t just turn off their feelings like a light. *sigh*

I thought that this would be another book about: boy meets girl.  Boy and girl date.  Boy says he loves girl.  Boy and girl get separated.  Boy and girl fight evil.  Boy and girl are reunited.  Boy and girl think they’ll be together forever.  *gah!*  Some of them are sobbby love stories.  Hate them!  I don’t like to cry.  Goodbye Romeo and Juliet!

This one was filled with a lot of action and there was even a hint about a student’s affair with a teacher with a teacher.  Oh la la!  She’s also caught herself a stalker, and the school thinks that she’s cheated so she’s suspended.  In the end Ryan saves her and her parents tell them something that makes them go what the ****.  This book has more twists than a pretzel so be ready for surprises.