SERIES REVIEW: The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

Series: The Infernal Devices
Books in Series: Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genres: Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy, Steampunk, Paranormal, Supernatural, Romance
Source: Amazon & BookOutlet

Cassandra Clare | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Clockwork Angel Summary:

In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them...

After I first finished The Mortal Instruments I didn't think there'd be any way possible for any other books set in this world to touch that feeling that they left me with. I knew everyone would always say that The Infernal Devices is so much better, it's their favorite, etc. But I felt so strongly over the fact that this wouldn't be the case with me. I mean I was on such a Shadowhunter high after I got done with City of Heavenly Fire it just seemed impossible.

I'm not afraid to admit when I'm wrong. (That was me admitting it...)

First off, let me just say, the emotional turmoil that I suffered throughout this series, most especially through Clockwork Princess, was just unreal. I can honestly say that I have never cried so much over a book as I did with that one. Do you think I can get Cassandra Clare to foot the bill for therapy? No? 

I love how this series was not only set in a different country but also it's a step back in time. Getting to see some of the history of these strong Shadowhunter families and how they've been entwined together over a century. Connecting events or people or objects from both the past and the present. Seeing family heirlooms from where they originated and the deeper meanings behind them. I found myself, well, giddy for lack of a better word whenever connections were made.

While I was completely obsessed with all the characters from TMI series, the ones in TID were just that much more for me. And I'm not just talking about the holy trinity that is Tessa, Will and Jem. I mean all of them. The ones who made me hate them and absolutely insane with rage. The ones who made me love them and experience their highs and lows with them. 

Of course I had my one character who stood out from the rest and I know that most people are very much Team Will, Team Herondale but...now I loved Will I truly, truly did...but I fell irrevocably and completely in love with Jem. Sigh. It was instant and unstoppable. I honestly see the appeal everyone has for Will because I truly felt that either direction that Tessa's heart went, had it been Will or had it been Jem, I would never have been too upset about it. Okay maybe just a little. But I would've been at peace either way.

The whole sort of steampunk aspect to this book was just the coolest. I loved the mix of clockwork things in a historical London setting. Plus it made for some truly "how in the heck are they gonna get out of this?" types of situations. I was on the edge of my seat...a lot.

It was also interesting, yet completely horrifying, to see or at least understand better a little bit of the history between the Shadowhunter world and the downworlders. To really understand where this hate and mistrust comes from between the different groups of supernaturals and the nephilim. Some of the stories made me absolutely sick and then hate some of the old school Shadowhunter generation myself!

I am thoroughly obsessed with the Shadowhunter world and this series has brought my obsession to a whole new level. I know there may be some people who will disagree with me but I do not want Cassandra Clare to ever stop putting out books set in this world. I feel like I'll probably go through a major bout of depression when she's finally done for good. Though thankfully that seems like it's not going to be for a while yet.

I loved this jump back in history. I loved the steampunk influence. I loved all of the connections between both series. Most of all I loved this new bunch of characters. And finally...Jem is everything. Your arguments mean nothing. :)

REVIEW: Truce: The Historic Neighbor from Hell (Neighbor from Hell #4) by R.L. Mathewson

Title: Truce: The Historic Neighbor from Hell
Series: Neighbor from Hell #4
Author: R.L. Mathewson
Publisher: R.L. Mathewson
Published: October 30th 2013
Format: eBook | Pages: 291
Genres: Adult, Historical Romance
Source: Amazon
★★★★★ (5/5) Stars!!!

R.L. Mathewson | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Elizabeth knows what’s expected of her, perfection. She’s the daughter of an Earl and expected to marry well, say and do the right things with a smile on her face when inside she's dying for a chance to escape. Thanks to an inheritance her godmother left her years ago, her chance will come with her next birthday. Her hopes of escape abruptly end when Robert, her childhood nemesis that she hasn't seen in over fourteen years, comes back into her life and does everything he can to drive her out of her mind even as he steals her heart. 

He hated her. 

At least, he tried to hate her, but it was so damn difficult to hate someone that he couldn't live without. He tried to ignore her, tried to focus on anything but her, but nothing worked. Somehow she made her way into his heart and started to make him want things that he never thought possible, made him smile and laugh even while she drove him out of his mind and started a legacy by turning him into….. 

A Bradford. 

Author's Note: 

This is first and foremost a historical novel. This novel is written differently than the other Neighbor from Hell books. Truce is about a man who takes everything too damn seriously and can’t let go of the past until the woman that he would love to hate comes back into his life and brings out the Bradford within. 

This book was nothing short of perfection. It perfectly combines my love of both the Neighbor from Hell series and my love of Historical Romance. I was slightly nervous before starting because I am extremely picky when it comes to my Historical Romances. It didn't take but a few pages of jumping into the past to realize that I never wanted Robert and Elizabeth's story to end!

I started reading this series long before I started blogging. I instantly fell in love with R.L. Mathewson's writing style and characters. The Bradford family are truly some of my favorite characters I've read or will read in the future. They're the types of characters that have me constantly grinning as I read each book in the series. This historical edition was no exception.

I think what's made me instantly love this series is the fact that they are quirky and so full of humor on top of all the swoon worthy steaminess. The males in the family line all seem to have this laugh out loud funny food quirk where not only do they eat more than anyone you would ever meet but they're very territorial about their food as well. They will curse at each other and get into fights when food is involved. Calling each other greedy bastards and thieving bastards is very common. It's actually quite hilarious. I have no idea why the Bradfords and their loud and obnoxious behavior amuses me so but I just cannot seem to get enough of them.

The wonderful and fantastic thing about Truce is you go back all the way to 1809 in London and meet the couple who was the start to all these love/hate relationships and watch the origins to this fun family legacy unfold. Watch them go to war and then fall in love just like their future generations all end up doing. I loved seeing all that family history. I loved how in the first chapter you get a taste of Elizabeth and Robert as children and that one defining moment that turned it from simple annoyance and teasing and pranking each other to an all out hatred basically.

Elizabeth was exactly the kind of female heroine that I love to read in my Historical Romances. She doesn't follow the rules that society dictates women should be like from that era. She desires independence and she doesn't want to be under the thumb of some guy for the rest of her life. She has interests and hobbies that are frowned upon by someone of her stature. She's smart wouldn't think twice about stopping on the street to help someone in need, all the while those around her freak out and chastise her about how associating with people like that will look for both herself and her family.

I have loved all the Bradford men so far, but there's just something about Robert, the one who starts it all, well he's become my favorite. I think what it is that really does it for me with him is, in a time when most men would look at someone as outspoken and with all the desires and ideals that Elizabeth has built up for herself, well most males would be outraged or not want anything to do with someone like that. But Robert not only accepts the type of person she is but encourages her. He doesn't love her in spite of those things he loves her because of them. Plus he's incredibly swoon worthy.

Overall I can't get enough of R.L. Mathewson's writing. It's been so nice getting back into a series that I loved so much before I started blogging. I would jump at the chance to read more Historical Romance by her in the future because this one she really knocked out of the park!

ARC REVIEW: Tempting the Pirate by Tamara Hughes

Title/Series: Tempting the Pirate
Author: Tamara Hughes
Publisher: Entangled Scandalous
Published: January 12th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 240
Genre: Adult, Historical, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars!

Tamara Hughes | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Charity Goswick thinks she is escaping an arranged marriage to a brute when she slips onto a ship unnoticed. Little does she realize that this is no honorable vessel of the King's Navy - it is a pirate ship. It's just a matter of time before she is discovered by a handsome rake of a pirate, who locks her in his cabin. And while she should be scared, her captor sparks the most unladylike feelings within her…

James Lamont is on the ship for one reason, and one reason only: to track down his brother. However, his spirited little stowaway certainly affords plenty of distraction with her many (failed) attempts to escape. And each time, the unspoken - and unbidden - passion between them grows stronger. But as violence and danger mount on the high seas, Charity will have to put all of her trust in the most untrustworthy of men... the arrogant pirate who just might steal her heart. 

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!

I have so much love for a good historical romance. One that can sweep you away to a period in time and make you feel as if you're there right along with the characters. Normally though I tend to stick to the regency London period when it comes to these types of romances and I practically never read books about pirates. However for some reason, even though the word pirate is clear as day in the title, I gave the blurb a read and felt like I needed to read this book. The storyline was lots of fun and I highly enjoyed it!

I felt like Tamara Hughes did a really good job creating the setting for this book. I could picture everything unfolding quite clearly on the high seas. Including a dangerous storm with things and people being tossed about and backstabbing and possible threats of mutiny among the ranks. You really get the full pirate experience.

While by the end of the book I really liked both Charity and James, in the very beginning Charity wasn't one of my favorite characters. It wasn't her fault really though since one of the people who raised her was very "don't trust men" "men only want one thing" just very anti-male. Stuff like that feels annoying to me after a while especially when you're dealing with women of this time period who are very sheltered and naive to a point. She goes through a lot of changes throughout the book though and by the end she was kicking some major ass!

James's storyline is what had me sucked in the most. The lengths he goes to in order to find information and hopefully find his missing brother were heartwarming and admirable. He gives up a lot and puts himself in terrible danger as well. Though I do feel like there wasn't a complete feeling of closure when it comes to his story. I guess maybe it's just left open enough and we're supposed to use our imaginations? Oh well I know how it ends in my mind and I still found it highly entertaining.

Sometimes you take a chance and go outside of your usual likes and it can end up paying off like Tempting the Pirate did. Wasn't sure how else to state that because I don't exactly want to say out of my comfort zone because this wasn't a case of it being a threat of discomfort to read by any means, it just isn't my normal cup of tea so there was great relief and a bit of surprise with how much I liked this book.

Thanks go to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

ARC REVIEW: Beauty and the Wolf (The Cursed Princes #1) by Marina Myles

Title/Series: Beauty and the Wolf | The Cursed Princes #1
Author: Marina Myles
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp
Expected publication: June 6th 2013
Format: eBook | Pages: 224
Genre: Paranormal, Historical, Romance
Source: NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
★★★★★ (5/5) Stars!

Marina Myles | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A Union Of Curses

Isabella Farrington’s marriage was hasty. For all her new husband’s riches, Lord Draven Winthrop is whispered about, avoided, and feared. Yet Isabella is drawn to Draven’s dark good looks, his strength, the charm he can turn on as easily as she can blink. The impoverished daughter of an Egyptologist, she knows there are rumors about her, too, and the amulet she wears. Nothing more than superstitious babble…

But when Isabella returns to Draven’s remote coastal manor, she senses there is something more at work in the grim gardens of Thorncliff Towers than superstition. Draven is passionate and seductive, but he has a brutal, uncontrolled side too, and a history of secrets. To live in peace she must discover the reasons behind a gypsy curse and a mother’s scorn. Especially when she learns Draven believes his sweet young bride is doomed to a fate even darker than his own…

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Beauty and the Wolf was exactly how I thought it was going to be and it lived up to every one of my expectations. In part it was every bit the historical romance book that I loved to read and exclusively read for years. The castle like estate, the moody Lord of the manor, a marriage of convenience. All that delicious historical appeal. And then in another part we have the enchanting retelling of a well known fairytale.

And let me just tell you while putting her own spin on the tale of Beauty and the Beast it never lost that feel of it's original tale, but with our beast turning into a werewolf. Yet laced throughout the story you still saw glimpses of that original telling inside of this adaptation. It was such a fun read. With gypsy curses and betrayals and both murder and attempted murders you never know what's going to happen with each turn of the page and I was truly captivated. There were actually two curses going on throughout this book simultaneously. One being the gypsy curse and another, an Egyptian curse. Both with very fascinating lore that you learned about through the progress of the book. They added a unique spin to this classic tale.

Draven was your ideal, true to form historical hero. He was moody and had a temper. People talked about him and rumors swirled. He was pretty much a womanizing outcast who didn't know how to love anyone but himself, but you know there's something there beneath that surface. It all tied in well with the werewolf side to him and I liked him a lot. Then we have Isabella. Impoverished former governess who wants nothing more than to take care of her father and have a family of her own.

The love story. Ahhh the love story. Sigh. It was completely swoon worthy. Just enough will they, won't they conflict to keep you on your toes. Just enough steam to leave you wanting more. It was easy to become attached to these two and watch as they drift apart and then together through a mess of emotions ultimately to find that deep passionate love. Because it isn't worth it in the end if Beauty doesn't get her Beast right?

I couldn't have been more pleased with this book. Having been stuck in a rut of books with weak heroines who had absolutely no backbone and absolutely irredeemable heroes. I was desperately needing something to bounce back with and I put all my faith in Beauty and the Wolf...and it delivered without disappointment. AND eeep I'm so excited!! At the end there's an author's note saying that if we liked Beauty and the Wolf, in December to look for Snow White and the Vampire. Are you kidding me?! Ahhh I am so jumping on board with that one!

I'd like to thank Kensington Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!

REVIEW: Shadows of the Past by Carmen Stefanescu

Title/Series: Shadows of the Past
Author: Carmen Stefanescu
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Published: December 4th 2012
Format: eBook | 231 pages
Genre: Paranormal, Historical
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review

★★★★ (4/5) Stars!

Carmen Stefanescu | Goodreads

Anne's relationship with her boyfriend Neil has disintegrated. After a two-year separation, they pack for a week vacation in hopes of reconciling. But fate has other plans for them.

The discovery of a bejeweled cross and ancient human bones opens a door to a new and frightening world--one where the ghost of a medieval nun named Genevieve will not let Anne rest. This new world threatens not only to ruin Anne and Neil's vacation but to end all hopes of reconciliation as Anne feels compelled to help free Genevieve's soul from its torment.

Can Anne save her relationship and help Genevieve find her eternal rest? Or will evil win again?

 

I don't normally read historical books, but, the author contacted me noticing my interest in paranormal novels and asked if I might give her book a try. Her brief description interested me and I gladly accepted. I must say I was pleasantly surprised! The book goes back and forth between Anne and Genevieve, past and present, and weaves a mysterious story. Genevieve's life is so full of tragedy and loss. It's heartbreaking to read at times.  

And don't let the cover fool you. The small touches of romance here and there are, as she explained to me, just very sweet and nothing steamy. The bulk of the story is Anne trying to piece together her strange visions and finding out what happened to Genevieve and Andrew! :) The two intertwining love stories are more like a happy little bonus to the exciting story.

Carmen Stefanescu does such a great job with descriptive details and you can easily picture everything she's laying out before you. Even though it isn't normally my type, I mostly have a hard time with how people, well women especially were treated historically. Especially back in the 15th century which was Genevieve's time period. Still I enjoyed reading it and I want to thank her for giving me the opportunity to read it! It's worth the read, funny enough the mysterious historical side of the story is what grabbed me the most. I just had to find out how Genevieve's tale ended.