Book review

A Touch of Crimson

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Title: A Touch of Crimson

Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Imprint: Signet

Pub Date:4 Oct 2011

ISBN: 9780451234995

Author: Sylvia Day

Enter the world of angels… fallen angel who became vampires. Uh, what? Yes, you’re reading that right. ‘A Touch of Crimson’ is a wonderful book in a twisted and exciting way, that is.

I’m not really a fan of vampire stories, but I find this one rather tolerable and instead of snickering at the storyline, I find myself enjoying the book.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Penguin Group USA Publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for this book.

Book description:

First in a new series! Can a love that transcends death survive a war between angels, vampires, and lycans?

Adrian Mitchell is an angel of immense power and insatiable desire. Leading an elite Special Ops unit of the Seraphim, his task is to punish the Fallen–angels who have become vampires–and command a restless pack of indentured lycans.

But Adrian has suffered his own punishment for becoming involved with mortals–losing the woman he loves again and again. Now, after nearly two hundred years, he has found her–Shadoe, her soul once more inhabiting a new body with no memory of him. Only this time he won’t let her go.

With no memory of her past as Shadoe, Lindsay Gibson only knows she can’t help being fiercely attracted to the smoldering, seductive male who crosses her path. Swept into a dangerous world of tumultuous passion and preternatural conflict, Lindsay is soon caught in the middle between her angel lover, her vampire father, and a full-blown lycan revolt. There’s more at stake than her love and her life–this time she could lose her very soul…

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Book review

The Near Witch

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Title: The Near Witch

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Imprint: Hyperion

Pub Date: 2 August 2011

ISBN: 9781423137870

Author: Victoria Schwab

I absolutely love ‘The Near Witch’ by Victoria Schwab. It’s a perfect blend of romantic fantasy and fairy tale. The storyline was highly original and I have to say that the author have quite a way in expressing her imagination.

I find the story is refreshing and unpredictable, and that is really something for a fairy tale.

I highly recommend this book to all those who enjoy reading fantasy. You wouldn’t want to miss the world of magic and wonders that this book had to offer.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Disney-Hyperion via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for this book.

Book description:

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

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Book review

The Magician King

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Title: The Magician King

SubTitle: A Novel

Publisher: Penguin Group, USA

Imprint: Viking

Pub Date:9 August 2011

ISBN:9780670022311

Author:Lev Grossman

The Magician King by Lev Grossman is a wonderful book that brought me into the world of magic. It’s been some time since I enjoyed a fantasy book so much. I love the author’s imagination and I love the characters even more.

This book is a keeper for all fantasy lovers and definitely do not mind reading this book over and over again some time in the future.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Penguin Group Publisher and i was not required to write a positive review for it.

Book description:

Quentin and his friends are now the kings and queens of Fillory, but the days and nights of royal luxury are starting to pall. After a morning hunt takes a sinister turn, Quentin and his old friend Julia charter a magical sailing ship and set out on an errand to the wild outer reaches of their kingdom. Their pleasure cruise becomes an adventure when the two are unceremoniously dumped back into the last place Quentin ever wants to see: his parent’s house in Chesterton, Massachusetts. And only the black, twisted magic that Julia learned on the streets can save them.

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Book review

Cat First Aid & CPR

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Title: Cat First Aid & CPR

Publisher: Bookmasters

Imprint: Quick Find Books Ltd

Pub Date: 16 July 2010

ISBN: 9780980979732

Author: Denise Fleck

Cat First Aid& CPR by Denise Fleck is a definitely a must have in every cat owners’ pocket. There’s various easy-to- follow tips on how to give first aid to cats under normal circumstances and emergencies, including complications during kitten deliveries.

I found this pocket book very useful, since I have a cat myself and I highly recommends this book to all cat lovers.

I rate this book 4 out of 5. I received an ARC of this book from Bookmasters Publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for this book.

Book description:

Book provides overview of key topics in caring for emergency first aid in cats,including checking vitals, birthing difficulties, bleeding injuries, choking, high-rise syndrome, insect and snake bites, intestinal upset, poisoning.

 

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Book review

Serendipity

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Title: Serendipity

Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Imprint: Berkley Sensation

Pub Date: 6 September 2011

ISBN: 9780425243831

Author: Carly Phillips

Serendipity by Carly Philips is an interesting contemporary fiction, however, I find that the storyline is rather slow and draggy at some point. The characters could be improvised, in my opinion. I feel that sometimes, they are rather shallow and lack depth. Nevertheless, it’s an enjoyable story and anyone who enjoys a good chic-lit would be able to enjoy this book.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Penguin Group USA via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for this book.

Book description

Faith Harrington is a classic girl of privilege-until her father is convicted for running a Ponzi scheme. Now she’s back in her hometown, where she runs into her teenage crush-dark, brooding Ethan Barron, who’s no stranger to scandal himself.

 

 

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Book review

Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore

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Title: Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore

SubTitle: A Novel

Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Imprint: Penguin Books

Pub Date: 27 September 2011

ISBN: 9780143119876

Author: Stella Duffy

‘Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore’ by Stella Duffy is surprisingly wonderful and I could almost sworn that it is so satisfying that it’s almost orgasmic. I am not quite sure if it works that way with everyone else who has been fortunate enough to read this book, but it is a very, very wonderful read for those who loved history.

‘Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore’ is very enlightening, and it magnifies Theodora, once a great empress of the Roman Empire like it has never been done before.

This is a definitely 5 star read, and the book will make a wonderful keepsake for those who loved a wonderful blend of history, memoirs and fiction.

I received an ARC of this book from Penguin Group USA via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for it, and I was not compensated in any ways for this.

Book description:

For citizens of Byzantine Constantinople, the name Theodora evoked strong reactions–awe, lust, and doubt to name a few. Sadly, Theodora is all but lost to history. Her story, both mesmerizing and inspiring, has been rescued from obscurity by Stella Duffy in her new novel, THEODORA: Actress, Empress, Whore (A Penguin Paperback Original). Like Elizabeth I and Cleopatra, Theodora was expert at wielding power from the throne. Unlike those famous rulers, Theodora was not born into royalty. Her rise to become Empress of the Roman Empire began in the bear pit of the Hippodrome.

Born to the famed stadium’s bear-keeper, Theodora’s early life was drastically altered when her father was killed by his beloved bear. In order to keep their family afloat, Theodora and her two sisters were indentured to Menander, coach of one of the city’s foremost dancing troupes. A natural performer, Theodora learns dance, acrobatics, and comedy, and by the age of fifteen, became the star of the Hippodrome. Like almost every actress of the time, Theodora was also a child prostitute.

At the age of eighteen and at the height of her popularity in Constantinople, Theodora decides to abandon her career in favor of following her lover Hecebolus to The Pentapolis (modern day Libya) where he is the new Governor. She leaves behind her beloved sister Comito, her theater community, and her daughter Ana, whom she barely knows. When things turn sour with Hecebolus Theodora escapes to a religious community whose views conflict with the contemporary Roman state.

Theodora renounces her former life, undergoes a religious conversion, and is eventually sent back to Constantinople as a spy. She is soon sent to meet Justinian, nephew to the Emperor Justin. Theodora works closely with Justinian and eventually he asks for her hand, changing the law forbidding former actresses from marrying, opening doors for all women. After their marriage, Theodora and Justinian stand side by side as he is crowned Emperor and she, his Empress.

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Book review

52 Ways to Wow Your Husband

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I’m an avid reader. I’ve been one since I was a little girl, but I have never been quite a fan of buying books, as they are generally very expensive, and I cannot actually afford to buy books that more often than not, I’ll be reading just once.

I usually go for ebooks as well as borrowing from the library until a friend of mine introduced me to Big Bad Wolf Sale and BookXcess. They sell books at a reasonably cheap price, and they are mostly responsible for my retail therapy whenever I’m in a bad mood.

Anyway… as I said, I’m an avid reader, and most of the time I go for fiction instead of non-fiction. I love romance and fantasy the most, but lately, I’ve been given an opportunity to review this self-help book, entitled ’52 Ways to Wow Your Husband’ by Pam Farrel.

I thought this particular self help book is going to be another one of those boring, lame, uninspiring motivational book, but I was surprised that it’s not only not boring, but very interesting to read as well. It is in fact, a book that changes my life forever. Well, not exactly my life, but close enough, as it helps me to put some spices in my marriage and makes me a much happier woman.

This book, ’52 Ways to Wow Your Husband’ is for those who wants to bring some excitement into their mundane marriage life. You see… once you’re married for quite a period of time with your spouse, some of those ‘wow’ factor that you have before you got married is gone due to marital responsibilities and whatnot. And before you know it, your married life will be just another routine you’d have to bear, and you practically wonder what you’ve gotten yourself into.You didn’t sign up for a boring life of taking care of the kids all the time. And you definitely did not sign up to dealing with scrutinizing in laws. You signed up for a marriage because you love the man and wants to build a happy life together with him.

This book teaches you how to wow your husband and bring back the romance into your marriage. This book covers from flirting with your husband, surprising your husband, planning a date with him and not to mention how to have a much more emotionally intensified sex life.

You’re taught how to surprise your husband once a week with this book, and you’re supposed to make use of this book to improvise your relationship with your husband, and I’m sure glad I did picked up this book though I’m not a fan of self-help books.

I enjoyed this book very much, and I enjoyed doing the ‘experiments’ and ‘assignments’ recommended by the book even more. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

This book changes my life and helps  bring some surprise element in my marriage, and I highly recommends this book to those who wants some wow in their marriage.

 

 

 

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Book review

Enticed By His Forgotten Lover

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Title: Enticed by His Forgotten Lover

SubTitle: Pregnancy & Passoin

Publisher: Harlequin

Imprint: HarlequinDesire

Pub Date:13 September 2011

ISBN: 9780373731206

Author: Maya Banks

‘Enticed by His Forgotten Lover’ by Maya Banks is quite a delightful read. I like the fact how the author portrayed the heroine. Unlike most Harlequin heroine who are helpless most of the time, this heroine is not. I like how she view her life and how she’s willing to give a second chance… and a third chance to the man whom she thought betrayed her.

Wonderful, seductive and thought provoking read,  I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Harlequin publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for this book.

Book description:

“Have we met?”

Answer: a right hook! Because Bryony Morgan pulls no punches. Even when she’s very pregnant and facing down the father of her unborn child. She fell for wealthy hotelier Rafael de Luca when he courted her for her beachfront real estate. Then he disappeared. Now, she’s in New York for answers—and she won’t accept a brush-off.

But selective amnesia after a crash has Rafael puzzled. How could he ever forget a combustible beauty like Bryony? Solution: return to the island where they met, and relive the unforgettable nights in question—until he remembers everything…

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Book review

Irresistible?

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Title: Irresistible?

Publisher: Harlequin

Imprint: HarlequinTreasury

Pub Date:26 July 2011

ISBN: 9781459274242

Author: Stephanie Bond

‘Irresistible?’ by Stephanie Bond is a gem. I was reading it in the office and I practically had to stop reading because it is impossible to be discreet while reading this book. It tickles my funny bones and I feel like laughing out loud.

Love the heroine’s knack of getting into various troubles without even trying and love the way how the hero is always victimized by the heroine’s clumsiness.

The book ended with a big WHAM that made me laugh for a full minute non-stop. I did not have enough of this book and somehow I wish there’s more.

A very light and witty book to read. And if you have a bad day, be sure to pick up this book, it will be worth your time.

I rate this book 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Harlequin Publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for this book.

Book description:

Ellie Sutherland isn’t exactly desperate–yet. But she’s getting pretty close. So when she has a chance to take part in a four-week clinical study that involves a pill that makes the taker attractive to the opposite sex, Ellie doesn’t waste any time signing up. After all, she has nowhere to go but up, right? Original.

 

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Book review

Woman To Wed?

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Title: Woman to Wed?

SubTitle: The Bride’s Bouquet

Publisher: Harlequin

Imprint: HarlequinTreasury

Pub Date: 26 July 2011

ISBN: 9781459268968

Author: Penny Jordan

I love Penny Jordan works, but this one in particular did not really amuse me or gives me those warm and fuzzy feeling. I feel annoyed with the whole stepmother-stepdaughter relationship instead. The maternal instinct that the heroine in this book had is way too ridiculous and exaggerating to me, considering that the age gap that the heroine had with her stepdaughter is not exactly that far.

Another thing that annoyed me is the insecurities that the heroine had. Made me feel like yelling at her to get over her past and move on.

The storyline was rather slow. Sorry, I have to say that I did not like this book. I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars. Rather disappointing.

I received an ARC of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for this book.

Book description:

Claire Marshall: Stepmother to the bride. Wary of love, she has no intention of marrying again.

Brad Stevenson: Finally free of family responsibility, has no desire for further ties and emotional commitment.

Persuaded to take on one last family task, Brad is brought into Claire’s well-ordered life. She provokes him, intrigues him, angers and excited him because he is sure that passion hides just below her calm surface. But what would happen to them both if that passion were revealed?

THE BRIDE’S BOUQUET: One wedding— One wedding—one bouquet—leads to three new trips to the altar

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