Skirting the Grave by Annette Blair

Title: Skirting the Grave (Vintage Magic Mystery #4)

Author: Annette Blair

Publisher: Berkley 2011

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 288

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Finishing the Series; Seasonal Series - Cold Hearted Character

Maddie Cutler thought she was taking on a new design intern for her boutique. But instead she finds her dead at the train station under suspicious circumstances. Now, Maddie is determined to iron out the wrinkles of this mystery.

Another fun cozy mystery. I loved adding another great character into the mix. Isabel is fun and very knowledgable when it comes to clothes. I’ve never loved Eve as a character and counterpoint for Mad, so Isabel is a much better choice. The big mystery was amazing and I was a bit disappointed at the reveal. (I’ve read some of Blair’s other books and it felt a bit like a rip-off.) I’m a bit disappointed as to the resolution of the Nick-Mad-Wener situation. I hope the last two books change the situation.

Vintage Magic Mystery:

#1 A Veiled Deception
#2 Larceny and Lace
#3 Death by Diamonds
#4 Skirting the Grave
#5 Cloaked in Malice
#6 Tulle Death Do Us Part

Next up on the TBR pile:

Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand

Title: Winter Solstice (Winter #4)

Author: Elin Hilderbrand

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company 2017

Genre: Romance

Pages: 297

Stars: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Finishing the Series; Seasonal Series - Set in Winter

It's been too long since the entire Quinn family has been able to celebrate the holidays under the same roof, but that's about to change. With Bart back safe and sound from Afghanistan, the Quinns are preparing for a holiday more joyous than any they've experienced in years. And Bart's safe return isn't the family's only good news: Kevin is enjoying married life with Isabelle; Patrick is getting back on his feet after paying his debt to society; Ava thinks she's finally found the love of her life; and Kelly is thrilled to see his family reunited at last. But it just wouldn't be a Quinn family gathering if things went smoothly. A celebration of everything we love--and some of the things we endure--about the holidays,

Goodness! What an ending to this series! I admit, I was in tears by the end of the book. The Quinn family really got under my skin. I wanted to see each and every one of them happy and settled by the end of the series. That didn’t quite happen, but I was still very satisfied with the ending. I loved seeing Ava make up her mind, finally! I loved seeing Bart find a place once again. I was very interested in Jennifer and Norah’s stories. The only part that felt a little flat for me was Eddie’s story and narrated chapters. But his perspective did move along the rest of the characters’s stories. Overall a very good series.

Winter:

#1 Winter Street
#2 Winter Stroll
#3 Winter Storms
#4 Winter Solstice

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Precious Jewel by Mary Balogh

Title: A Precious Jewel (Stapleton-Downes #2)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: 1993

Genre: Romance

Pages: 338

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf; Monthly Key Word - Jewel; Finishing the Series

She was unlike any woman he’d ever met in the ton or the demimonde. But Sir Gerald Stapleton frequented Mrs. Blyth’s euphemistically dubbed “finishing school” for pure, uncomplicated pleasure–and nothing else. So why was this confirmed bachelor so thoroughly captivated by one woman in particular? Why did he find himself wondering how such a rare jewel of grace, beauty, and refinement as Priss had ended up a courtesan? And when she needed protection, why did Gerald, who’d sworn he’d never get entangled in affairs of the heart, hasten to set her up as his own pampered mistress to ensure her safety–and have her all to himself?

For Priscilla Wentworth, the path leading to Sir Gerald’s bed had been as filled with misfortune as it suddenly seemed charmed. But Priss couldn’t allow herself to believe she’d ever be more to a man like Sir Gerald than a well-cared-for object of pleasure. Now, despite Gerald’s deep distrust of marriage, neither scandal nor society’s censure can keep them apart–only the fear of trusting their hearts.

Another disappointing read. January is really ending up to be a very mixed bag when it comes to books. But anyway… I was not a fan of either of the main characters in this book. Priss was extremely wooden throughout every encounter with other people. I really wanted her to have some kind of personality. And Gerald was a bit of a naive yet pompous ass. For all of Priss’s talk of the worth of Gerald, I just couldn’t really see it. I just really wanted better characters. The previous book, The Ideal Wife, was such a delight. This was the opposite.

Stapleton-Downes:

#1 The Ideal Wife
#2 A Precious Jewel

Dark Angel:

#1 Dark Angel
#2 Lord Carew’s Bride
#3 The Famous Heroine
#4 The Plumed Bonnet
#5 The Ideal Wife
#6 A Precious Jewel
#7 A Christmas Bride
#8 Christmas Beau

Next up on the TBR pile:

Christmas Past by Jodi Taylor

Title: Christmas Past (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #8.6)

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2017

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 47

Stars: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Max, Leon and Matthew - together at last for Christmas at St Mary's - a time of conspicuous consumption, riotous misbehaviour and the traditional illegal Christmas jump. And this time, it's inter-generational.

Donning her unfamiliar mother hat, Max takes Matthew back to 19th century London, where they plan to deliver a parcel of Christmas cheer to his former friends, but find themselves confronting the terrifying Old Ma Scrope in the process.

'Tis the season to be jolly.

It's also the season of goodwill towards all mankind.

Pity no one told Max.

Oh my! This short story brought me to tears. I loved that this story focused on Max and Matthew. I loved that we got to see more personality from him. And we get to visit a new time period for the historians. Loved this one so much! Plus the ending was priceless.

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

#0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
#1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
#2 A Symphony of Echoes
#2.5 When A Child is Born
#3 A Second Chance
#3.5 Roman Holiday
#4 A Trail Through Time
#4.5 Christmas Present
#5 No Time Like the Past
#6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
#6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
#7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
#7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
#7.6 My Name is Markham
#8 And the Rest is History
#8.5 A Perfect Storm
#8.6 Christmas Past
#9 An Argumentation of Historians
#9.5 Battersea Barricades
#9.6 The Steam-Pump Jump
#9.7 And Now For Something Completely Different
#10 Hope is for the Best

Next up on the TBR pile:

Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand

Title: Winter Storms (Winter #3)

Author: Elin Hilderbrand

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company 2016

Genre: Romance

Pages: 246

Stars: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Finishing the Series; Seasonal Series - Series Completely Published

Some of the stormy weather of the past few seasons seems to have finally lifted for the Quinns. After a year apart, and an ill-fated affair with the Winter Street Inn's old Santa Claus, Mitzi has returned to rule the roost; Patrick is about to be released from prison; Kevin has a successful new business and is finally ready to tie the knot with Isabelle; and best of all, there's hopeful news about Bart, who has been captured by enemy forces in Afghanistan.

That doesn't mean there aren't a few dark clouds on the horizon. Kelley has recently survived a health scare; Jennifer can't quite shake her addiction to the drugs she used as a crutch while Patrick was in jail; and Ava still can't decide between the two lovers that she's been juggling with limited success. However, if there's one holiday that brings the Quinn family together to give thanks for the good times, it's Christmas. And this year promises to be a celebration unlike any other as the Quinns prepare to host Kevin and Isabelle's wedding at the inn. But as the special day approaches, a historic once-in-a-century blizzard bears down on Nantucket, threatening to keep the Quinns away from the place--and the people--they love most. Before the snow clears, the Quinns will have to survive enough upheavals to send anyone running for the spiked eggnog, in this touching novel that proves that when the holidays roll around, you can always go home again.

Still enjoying this series a lot. I loved checking back in with the Quinns after the tumultuous events of the last volume. We finally get more of Bart’s story and even a bit more of Norah (turns out she’s actually an interesting character). I loved the big events of this book and seeing the happy moments. I’m still annoyed with Ava, or I should say that I was very annoyed with her until about halfway through the book. Finally, we get to see some growth from her! I can’t wait to dive into the final book in the series.

P.S. It was very weird for Hilderbrand to namedrop herself and another of her books during the scene of Isabelle’s bridal shower. I seriously had to reread the paragraph, but yep it was there…

Winter:

#1 Winter Street
#2 Winter Stroll
#3 Winter Storms
#4 Winter Solstice

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Perfect Storm by Jodi Taylor

Title: A Perfect Storm (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #8.5)

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2017

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 54

Stars: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

For Max, what starts off as a perfectly normal week is about to degenerate into a quagmire of egotistical film producers, monumental pub crawls, unsigned contracts, exploding rocks, Professor Rapson and his megaphone, the world’s biggest bacon butty – and Angus – the third component of the most notorious love triangle since Menelaus, Paris and Whatshername – the one with the face they launched ships off.

Oh another great short story from the crew at St. Mary’s. I loved that was get more from Markham and the antics of the R&D department. But of course things get out of hand and something blows up. Loved it so much!

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

#0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
#1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
#2 A Symphony of Echoes
#2.5 When A Child is Born
#3 A Second Chance
#3.5 Roman Holiday
#4 A Trail Through Time
#4.5 Christmas Present
#5 No Time Like the Past
#6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
#6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
#7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
#7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
#7.6 My Name is Markham
#8 And the Rest is History
#8.5 A Perfect Storm
#8.6 Christmas Past
#9 An Argumentation of Historians
#9.5 Battersea Barricades
#9.6 The Steam-Pump Jump
#9.7 And Now for Something Completely Different
#10 Hope is for the Best

Next up on the TBR pile:

And the Rest is History by Jodi Taylor

Title: And the Rest is History (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #8)

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2017

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 376

Stars: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series; Ebook; Seasonal Series - Gifted to Me

No one knows quite how, but Max and her baby are safe at last. No one knows quite how, but Peterson has persuaded Dr Foster to marry him. No one knows quite how, but Markham's marital status remains unknown. Certainly no one knows quite how a twelve-foot-high teapot has mysteriously materialised on the South Lawn, but it has. But they do know that Clive Ronan is back. They do know that he hates them and that this time he has good cause. And they do know that he will bring death and destruction in his wake. Follow the disaster magnets of St Mary's from the Egyptian desert to the Battle of Stamford Bridge, and from Hastings to the Sack of Constantinople...

Oh my. This volume killed me, seriously killed me. I was devastated in the middle of the book and then even more devastated by the end. But don’t let that statement make you think that I didn’t like this book. I loved every single page of it. I have come to really feel like the characters of St. Mary’s are part of my friend circle. Plus this volume sees the historians finally visiting Hastings in 1066. Woohoo!

P.S. I also read the super short (i.e. 4 page) short story Desiccated Water featuring a science experiment gone wrong. And I read the other super short (i.e. 7 page) short story Markham and the Anal Probing right after reading this book. Oh so much fun!

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

#0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
#1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
#2 A Symphony of Echoes
#2.5 When A Child is Born
#3 A Second Chance
#3.5 Roman Holiday
#4 A Trail Through Time
#4.5 Christmas Present
#5 No Time Like the Past
#6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
#6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
#7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
#7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
#7.6 My Name is Markham
#8 And the Rest is History
#8.5 A Perfect Storm
#8.6 Christmas Past
#9 An Argumentation of Historians
#9.5 Battersea Barricades
#9.6 The Steam-Pump Jump
#9.7 And Now for Something Completely Different
#10 Hope is for the Best

Next up on the TBR pile:

RC 2019: Finishing the Series

From Celebrity Readers:

We’re back for another year!! This challenge is focused on finally finishing those series that you’ve started but not yet completed. It was previously hosted by Bea’s Book Nook, but we’ve been hosting it since 2018.

Guidelines:

While we’re pretty lax about how you wish to set up this challenge for yourself, we do have a few guidelines to follow.

The challenge will run from January 1st, 2019 to December 31st, 2019. Books must be read during this time frame to count. Sign up is open from now until December 1st, 2019, so you may join even just for the last month of the year.
Series can be already completed as well as still ongoing. For ongoing series, the goal is to catch up to the most recent book published by the end of 2019.
We don’t care if you have only 1 book or 10 books to read in order to finish your series, as long as you’ve started the series before 2019 (ie read at least one book in the series), it counts. Re-reads are not required.
Any format and length of book counts – print, ebook, audio, ARC, etc.
Series can be any length (even if it’s just a Duet).
Crossovers from other challenges are totally acceptable!
Reviews are not required, but highly encouraged.

How to Play:

Declare your intentions to participate in this challenge somewhere on the internet!! You do not need to be a blogger to participate, there are many ways to declare. You could write a blog post, create a reading challenge page, create a Goodreads shelf containing series you hope to finish, post about it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
Some things you could include (but that aren’t required):
- A link to this page so that others may find us and join the fun as well (feel free to download the button at the top to use in your posts).
- A list of series you hope to read for this challenge. You could even get fancy and list the length of the series, or the books you’ve already read, etc.
- The level you are aiming for.
Sign up for the challenge using the link up below, and link directly to where you’ve declared your intentions (ie to the specific blog post, the goodreads shelf, the facebook post, etc).
We will be posting monthly link ups for you to add links to your reviews or any wrap-up/overview posts you wish to share.
Go forth and READ!! And have fun!!
Use the hashtag #FinishingTheSeries2019 on any social media to keep up with other participants!

The Reward:

Uh…your own sense of pride in achieving a goal? Sorry folks, we’re not actually that motivated by prizes ourselves, so we’re just offering bragging rights. But we can offer you some pretty graphics to either declare your goal or to use as a badge once achieved!

The Levels:

We offer you 3 different “Celebrity” levels of achievement for this reading challenge.

I’m going to try this challenge again and go for the B-List Series Finisher of 5-8 series.

2018 Reading Challenge Roundup - Failed

Not too many challenges left uncompleted this year. I’m very happy with my progress.

Perpetual Reading Lists Challenge
Goal: 28/30 books 93.3%

The Origin of Satan by Elaine Pagels (1/12/18)
Arabian Nights (1/19/18)
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning (3/17/18)
The Dark Tower by Stephen King (1/25/18)
The History of Love by Nicola Krauss (3/16/18)
Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen (7/31/18)
Ramses 2 by Anne Rice (3/7/18)
Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (2/7/18)
The Selection by Kiera Cass (6/6/18)
For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund (5/26/18)
Alice in Zombieland by Gina Showalter (4/20/18)
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (2/9/18)
The Great Halifax Explosion by John Bacon (4/7/18)
Bachelor Nation by Amy Kaufman (4/13/18)
The Radium Girls by Kate Moore (4/27/18)
Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund (6/15/18)
A History of the Wife by Margaret Yalom (6/24/18)
The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan (6/26/18)
College Girls by Lynn Peril (8/28/18)
Pox Americana by Elizabeth Fenn (9/8/18)
Cocktails Across America by Diane Lapis and Anne Davis-Peck (9/11/18)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer (10/23/18)
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (9/29/18)
Dracula by Bram Stoker (10/24/18)
Looking for Alaska by John Green (12/12/18)
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (11/24/18)
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken (12/7/18)
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson (11/27/18)
TBD
TBD

TBR Pile
Goal: 9/12 Books 66.7%

Nefertiti by Michelle Moran (1/23/18)
The Bostonians by Henry James (1/30/18)
Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (9/12/18)
The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman (5/4/18)
School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins (DNF)
Parasite by Mira Grant (6/20/18)
The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie (DNF)
Birthmarked by Carah O'Brien (5/23/18)
A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
Stealing Fire by Jo Graham
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant (3/21/18)
Little Bee by Chris Cleave (8/24/18)
The Firemaster's Mistress by Christie Dickason
An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin (10/20/18)

Reading Assignment
Goal: 11/12 Books 91.7%

January - Arabian Nights (1/19/18)
February - Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (2/7/18)
March - Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning (3/17/18)
April - The Words We Live By by Linda Monk
May - Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery (5/30/18)
June - A History of the Wife by Marilyn Yalom (6/24/18)
July - How to Fall in love with a Man Who Lives in a Bush by Emmy Abrahamson (7/31/18)
August - The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert (8/25/18)
September - The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (9/29/18)
October - Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant (10/31/18)
November - The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (11/20/18)
December - Strange Weather by Joe Hill (12/22/18)

Finishing the Series
Goal: 6/10 Series 60%

Chronicles of St. Mary's by Jodi Taylor
- #5 No Time Like the Past (1/16/18)
- #6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong (10/6/18)
- #6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings (10/9/18)
- #7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History (11/13/18)
- #7.5 The Great St. Mary's Day Out (11/17/18)
- #7.6 My Name is Markham (11/28/18)
- #8 And the Rest is History
- #8.5 A Perfect Storm
- #8.6 Christmas Past
- #9 An Argumentation of Historians
Witchcraft Mystery by Juliet Blackwell ✓
- #6.5 A Haunting is Brewing (1/24/18)
- #7 Spellcasting in Silk (1/26/18)
- #8 A Toxic Trousseau (2/9/18)
- #9 A Magical Match (11/14/18)
Fairwick Chronicles by Juliet Dark ✓
- #3 The Stone Angel (2/4/18)
Bedwyn Saga by Mary Balogh ✓
- #0.2 A Summer to Remember (3/10/18)
- #1 Slightly Married (4/25/18)
- #2 Slightly Wicked (4/25/18)
- #3 Slightly Scandalous (4/25/18)
- #4 Slightly Tempted (5/16/18)
- #5 Slightly Sinful (5/16/18)
- #6 Slightly Dangerous (5/16/18)
Cemetery of Forgotten Books by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
- #2 The Angel's Game
- #3 The Prisoner of Heaven
Strain by Guillermo del Toro
- #2 The Fall
- #3 The Night Eternal
Ramses the Damned by Anne Rice ✓
- #2 The Passion of Cleopatra (3/7/18)
Hex Hall ✓
- #1 Hex Hall (2/9/18)
- #2 Demonglass (3/8/18)
- #3 Spell Bound (3/14/18)
The Glamourist by Mary Robinette Kowal
- #1 Shades of Milk and Honey (2/26/18)
- #2 Glamour in Glass (3/30/18)
- #3 Without a Summer
- #4 Valour and Vaniety
- #5 Of Noble Family
Edwardian Brides by Carrie Turansky ✓
- #1 The Governess of Highland Hall (1/8/18)
- #2 The Daughter of Highland Hall (1/9/18)
- #3 A Refuge at Highland Hall (1/10/18)

Seasonal Series Summer
(June 21st - September 21st)
Goal: 24/25 Books 96%

I so love these cute little short interlude stories featuring the crazy characters at St. Mary’s. This story is another fun Christmas-time adventure with a visit to ancient Egypt. I love every time Markham shows up to add to the fun.

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

#0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
#1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
#2 A Symphony of Echoes
#2.5 When A Child is Born
#3 A Second Chance
#3.5 Roman Holiday
#4 A Trail Through Time
#4.5 Christmas Present
#5 No Time Like the Past
#6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
#6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
#7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
#7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
#7.6 My Name is Markham
#8 And the Rest is History
#8.5 A Perfect Storm
#9 The Long and Short of It

Next up on the TBR pile:

What Could Possibly Go Wrong? by Jodi Taylor

Title: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #6)

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2015

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 300

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series; Seasonal Series - Science Fiction

Max is back! New husband, new job, and a training regime that cannot fail - to go wrong! Take one interim Chief Training Officer, add five recruits, mix with Joan of Arc, a baby mammoth, a duplicitous Father of History, a bombed rat, Stone Age hunters, a couple of passing policemen who should have better things to do, and Dick the Turd. Stir well, bring to the boil - and wait for the bang! Join Max in the sixth instalment in the off-the-wall Chronicles of St Mary's series.

Every time I started a Chronicles of St. Mary’s book, I’m expecting a light and fluffy story. They usually start that way and then Wham! something tragic happens. This volume was no exception. And the tragedies that occurred really hit me. Full of emotion. And yet, I loved every page of this book. I love continuing the adventures of Max and her band of misfits. Such a great series.

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

#0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
#1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
#2 A Symphony of Echoes
#2.5 When A Child is Born
#3 A Second Chance
#3.5 Roman Holiday
#4 A Trail Through Time
#4.5 Christmas Present
#5 No Time Like the Past
#6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
#6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
#7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
#7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
#7.6 My Name is Markham
#8 And the Rest is History
#8.5 A Perfect Storm
#9 The Long and Short of It

Next up on the TBR pile:

Bedwyn Saga #4-6 by Mary Balogh

Title: Slightly Tempted (Bedwyn Saga #4)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell 2003

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 384

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series

Young. Ravishing. Exquisitely marriageable. From the moment he spies Lady Morgan Bedwyn across the glittering ballroom, Gervase Ashford, Earl of Rosthorn, knows he has found the perfect instrument of his revenge. But wedlock is not on the mind of the continent’s most notorious rake. Nor is it of interest to the fiercely independent Lady Morgan herself…until one night of shocking intimacy erupts in a scandal that could make Gervase’s vengeance all the sweeter. There is only one thing standing in his way: Morgan, who has achieved the impossible—she’s melted his coolly guarded heart. For Gervase, only the marriage bed will do, but Morgan simply will not have him. Thus begins a sizzling courtship where two wary hearts are about to be undone by the most scandalous passion of all: glorious, all-consuming love.

Eh. I wasn't the biggest fan of this volume. Morgan and Gervase's entire relationship had its issues. I just didn't love how everything played out.

Title: Slightly Sinful (Bedwyn Saga #5)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell 2004

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 368

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series

As the fires of war raged around him, Lord Alleyne Bedwyn was thrown from his horse and left for dead—only to awaken in the bedchamber of a ladies' brothel. Suddenly the dark, handsome diplomat has no memory of who he is or how he got there—yet of one thing he is certain: The angel who nurses him back to health is the woman he vows to make his own. But like him, Rachel York is not who she seems. A lovely young woman caught up in a desperate circumstance, she must devise a scheme to regain her stolen fortune. The dashing soldier she rescued from near-death could be her savior in disguise. There is just one condition: she must pose as his wife—a masquerade that will embroil them in a sinful scandal, where a man and a woman court impropriety with each daring step...with every taboo kiss that can turn passionate strangers into the truest of lovers.

Oh my. I really loved this one. Rachel and Alleyne were so much fun to follow. I loved every bit of their relationship. Definitely the winner of the series.

Title: Slightly Dangerous (Bedwyn Saga #6)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Delacorte 2004

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 400

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series

All of London is abuzz over the imminent arrival of Wulfric Bedwyn, the reclusive, cold-as-ice Duke of Bewcastle, at the most glittering social event of the season. Some whisper of a tragic love affair. Others say he is so aloof and passionless that not even the greatest beauty could capture his attention. But on this dazzling afternoon, one woman did catch the duke’s eye—and she was the only female in the room who wasn’t even trying. Christine Derrick is intrigued by the handsome duke…all the more so when he invites her to become his mistress.

What red-blooded woman wouldn’t enjoy a tumble in the bedsheets with a consummate lover—with no strings and no questions asked. An infuriating lady with very definite views on men, morals, and marriage, Christine confounds Wulfric at every turn. Yet even as the lone wolf of the Bedwyn clan vows to seduce her any way he can, something strange and wonderful is happening. Now for a man who thought he’d never lose his heart, nothing less than love will do.

With her trademark wit, riveting storytelling, and sizzling sexual sparks, Mary Balogh once again brings together two polar opposites: an irresistible, high-and-mighty aristocrat and the impulsive, pleasure-loving woman who shows him what true passion is all about. A man and a woman so wrong for each other, it can result only in the perfect match.

Not as excited about this volume. It had its entertaining parts, but overall I wasn't that excited. Not quite as weak as the volume featuring Freyja, but still not my favorite at all.

Bedwyn Saga

#0.1 One Night for Love
#0.2 A Summer to Remember
#1 Slightly Married
#2 Slightly Wicked
#3 Slightly Scandalous
#4 Slightly Tempted
#5 Slightly Sinful
#6 Slightly Dangerous

Next up on the TBR pile:

Glamour in Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal

Title: Glamour in Glass

Author: Mary Robinette Kowal

Publisher: Tor 2012

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 334

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series; I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Second in Series

Mary Robinette Kowal stunned readers with her charming first novel Shades of Milk and Honey, a loving tribute to the works of Jane Austen in a world where magic is an everyday occurrence. This magic comes in the form of glamour, which allows talented users to form practically any illusion they can imagine. Shades debuted to great acclaim and left readers eagerly awaiting its sequel. Glamour in Glass continues following the lives of beloved main characters Jane and Vincent, with a much deeper vein of drama and intrigue.

In the tumultuous months after Napoleon abdicates his throne, Jane and Vincent go to Belgium for their honeymoon. While there, the deposed emperor escapes his exile in Elba, throwing the continent into turmoil. With no easy way back to England, Jane and Vincent's concerns turn from enjoying their honeymoon…to escaping it.

Left with no outward salvation, Jane must persevere over her trying personal circumstances and use her glamour to rescue her husband from prison . . . and hopefully prevent her newly built marriage from getting stranded on the shoals of another country's war.

A good second volume in this series. I don't think this will be one of those series that I rave about to everyone I meet, but I am enjoying myself. I love the mix of fantasy and Regency. I love the descriptions of using glamour and the results of the efforts. I enjoy the characters although both of the main characters can be trying at times. I did enjoy the moving of the setting to France. Interesting little volume.

The Glamourist

#1 Shades of Milk and Honey
#2 Glamour in Glass
#3 Without a Summer
#4 Valour and Vanity
#5 Of Noble Family

Next up on the TBR pile:

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Demon Glass (Hex Hall #3)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Hyperion 2012

Genre: YA Paranormal

Pages: 327

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series; I Love Libraries

Hailed as "impossible to put down," the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted. Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that's what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn't as confident. Sophie's bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it's too late?

A fitting end to the series. I wasn't particularly surprised by anything that happened in this volume, but I did enjoy the ride. Hawkins writes in a very easy manner, pulling the reader along at a fast pace. I enjoyed the characters (especially Archer) and the storyline. And even though one particular death was devastating, I understand why it had to happen. Overall, a very good fun series. Now I can finally read School Spirits that has been sitting on my shelf for over two years.

Hex Hall:

#1 Hex Hall
#2 Demonglass
#3 Spell Bound

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh

Title: A Summer to Remember (Bedwyn Saga #0.2)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell 2003

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 384

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series; What's in a Name - Season

Kit Butler is cool, dangerous, one of London’s mostinfamous bachelors—marriage is the last thing on his mind. But Kit’s family has other plans. Desperate to thwart his father’s matchmaking, Kit needs a bride...fast. Enter Miss Lauren Edgeworth.

A year after being abandoned at the altar, Lauren has determined that marriage is not for her. When these two fiercely independent souls meet, sparks fly—and a deal is hatched. Lauren will masquerade as Kit’s intended if he agrees to provide a passionate, adventurous, unforgettable summer. When summer ends, she will break off the engagement, rendering herself unmarriageable and leaving them both free. Everything is going perfectly—until Kit does the unthinkable: He begins to fall in love. A summer to remember is not enough for him. But how can he convince Lauren to be his...for better, for worse, for the rest of their lives?

A fluffy romance was just what I needed this week. I accidentally read the related series to the this one before so the ending was a bit spoiled (although most of these books are easy to predict the endings). I did enjoyed the story of Kit and Lauren. I especially liked seeing Lauren come out of her ice queen shell from the last book. This volume was quick and enjoyable. Just what I like in my Regency Romances.

Bedwyn Saga

#0.1 One Night for Love
#0.2 A Summer to Remember
#1 Slightly Married
#2 Slightly Wicked
#3 Slightly Scandalous
#4 Slightly Tempted
#5 Slightly Sinful
#6 Slightly Dangerous

Next up on the TBR pile:

Demon Glass by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Demon Glass (Hex Hall #2)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Hyperion 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal

Pages: 359

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Finishing the Series

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

I sped through this middle volume of the trilogy. It was fast-paced and action filled. We follow Sophie to England and to the Council and then lots of things happen. I enjoyed getting to meet her father and learn about the history of the Prodigium and specifically her family. I loved the inclusion of Cal and Jenna. And I especially enjoyed the continuing storyline between Sophie and Archer. But I must say that this volume left the readers on one hell of a cliffhanger...

Hex Hall:

#1 Hex Hall
#2 Demonglass
#3 Spell Bound

Next up on the TBR pile:

Guidelines:

How to Play:

The Reward:

The Levels:

Perpetual Reading Lists ChallengeGoal: 28/30 books 93.3%

TBR PileGoal: 9/12 Books 66.7%

Reading AssignmentGoal: 11/12 Books 91.7%

Finishing the SeriesGoal: 6/10 Series 60%

Seasonal Series Summer(June 21st - September 21st)Goal: 24/25 Books 96%

Seasonal Series Spring(March 20th - June 20th)Goal: 22/25 Books 88%

Perpetual Reading Lists Challenge
Goal: 28/30 books 93.3%

TBR Pile
Goal: 9/12 Books 66.7%

Reading Assignment
Goal: 11/12 Books 91.7%

Finishing the Series
Goal: 6/10 Series 60%

Seasonal Series Summer
(June 21st - September 21st)
Goal: 24/25 Books 96%

Seasonal Series Spring
(March 20th - June 20th)
Goal: 22/25 Books 88%