[NOR and ARC Review]: "The Rogue Prince"

Title: The Rogue Prince
Author: Margo Maguire
Publisher/Publication Date: Avon (April 27, 2010)
Summary (Amazon):
The prince of pleasure . . .

To the ton, he is a wealthy and powerful royal, the dashing and enigmatic Prince Thomas of Sabedoria. And to Lady Margaret Blackmore, he is irresistible. Innocent in the ways of true passion, Maggie has lived a life chaste and proper—until now. Mad with a desire unlike anything she's felt before, she would do anything to tempt Thomas to her bed. But he hides a damning secret . . .

In truth, Thomas is no prince. He is Thomas Thorne, sent away for a crime he did not commit. Hell-bent on revenge, he would do anything to destroy his worst enemy, even seduce the man's innocent sister. But he did not count on the one thing that could spoil his perfect plan—falling in love with the beautiful lady in question. Now he must choose between his fervent wish for justice and his devotion to his tempting conquest . . .

Places to pre-order The Rogue Prince at:

Amazon

B and N

Borders

My Review:

The Rogue Prince started out as an interesting tale about vengeance, love, and secret identities. Sadly, it went a bit down hill very quickly.


I can't say that I disliked the book--- no, I simply didn't fall head over heals in love with it, nor any of the characters found within its pages. In the end, I found myself unsatisfied, wanting more from the story, more from the romance, and more from the character development. I didn't hate it, I didn't love it-- it's stuck somewhere in between, which could be worse. After all, it's a good thing when a story leaves an impression on you, be it positive or negative; but when said story drifts out of your thoughts as quickly as you set the book down, isn't that even worse?

I liked the concept behind the story of The Rogue Prince--- Tom wishes to get revenge on two men who made his childhood a living hell, and does so by coming back under a false name, as a prince of a “foreign” land, no less. Of course, who should he find upon arriving back in London, but the widow of one of the very men he came to punish? Needless to say, their brief meetings soon turn into something more... something tempting and scandalous.

However, the whole story seemed a bit rushed and awkward. Their love didn't seem very realistic to me (more lust then anything) and I had a hard time identifying with either one of them. And while the buildup was there, it too seemed a bit strained, as far as timing and development. Almost as quickly as the “climax” of the story was about to happen, it was suddenly gone, and they lived “happily ever after.” The HEA, I'm more than fine with-- but it was just too sudden, and everything was tied off and finished a bit too quickly for my tastes.

I don't enjoy pointing out the “negatives”, because I think fellow readers only see those and assume that the book must be horrible, and therefore they shouldn't read it. That's not true, by any means. Just because I didn't love this book, doesn't mean that others might not. For me, The Rogue Prince was simply a good book, nothing more, nothing less. I don't regret reading it, but neither am I anxious to tell others how great it was. Mediocre comes to mind, but that sounds too harsh-- there were some very good parts in the book, but not enough to garner a higher rating from me.

I will still read Margo's other books-- in fact, I've read one before and very much enjoyed it. I'm sure that I'll find future books of hers to be just as enjoyable, but this one simply wasn't one of them.


3 Stars! If you enjoy historical romances, and the secret vendetta theme, then I suggest you try The Rogue Prince. Just because I wasn't enthused by it doesn't mean that you won't be! Sensuous love scenes, a few witty moments, and a mild sense of drama towards the end make this novel a pleasant enough read, especially if, like me, you find yourself in a bit of a reading rut!


~~~
Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this e-book for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~ 
 

Sorry I'm a bit late on posting this-- life is still hectic! I promise to be back more next month, with more reviews and the like! Thanks for sticking with me everyone! :D

Enjoy!
 



Until Next Time,










All links used on this post go directly to that book's page on Amazon. If you use these links to buy said book, I will receive a very small percent of your order. I've yet to actually receive any money from this, but if/when I do, the money will go towards paying for shipping/books on future contests I hold on my blog. If you already planned on buying the book, would it be too much to ask to consider using my links? :) Thanks in advance!

Lusting for Covers (13)

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

Here's what you do:

1- Take the graphic (left) to use on your post. Remember to give credit to the original host (TBQ).

2- Choose your own book cover that you've fallen in "lust" with in the past week. It can be new, old, a reprint, or even a book that is not yet out-- it's all up to you! If you find a cover that catches your eye, then showcase it on your blog, and let others see the pretty covers out there.

3- Copy the direct link to your own L4C post into the comment section on my post (when in doubt, use this link and then scroll down to find the post), and allow others to come and see what you picked!

(OPTIONAL):

4- Besides posting the picture of the book cover you chose, it's nice to provide the book summary, title, author, or a website link for the book. It's not required, but it can help you readers' to add more books to their own list! A brief "Why I choose this cover" is also appreciated, but not required.


NOTE: PLEASE link back to my blog (http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com) somewhere in your post, letting viewers know that it is my meme, not something you are trying to call your own. Failing to do so, with the intent of actually calling this your own work, will result in trouble! I hate threatening, but really, is it so hard to post a link that says "This meme is hosted by TBQ."? Link love is great, and actually quite easy-- please use it!

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Here's my candidate for the week:

Title: The Clockwork Angel

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher/Publication Date:  Margaret K. McElderry (August 31, 2010)
Summary (Amazon):
Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still
When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Why?

I. Love. Clare's Books! Plain and simple. It started with The Mortal Instruents, and now I've fallen head over heals in love with the upcoming Infernal Devices series! Not to mention, her covers, this one included, are very lovely. I can't wait until August! :D

Lusting for Covers (12)

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

Here's what you do:

1- Take the graphic (left) to use on your post. Remember to give credit to the original host (TBQ).

2- Choose your own book cover that you've fallen in "lust" with in the past week. It can be new, old, a reprint, or even a book that is not yet out-- it's all up to you! If you find a cover that catches your eye, then showcase it on your blog, and let others see the pretty covers out there.

3- Copy the direct link to your own L4C post into the comment section on my post (when in doubt, use this link and then scroll down to find the post), and allow others to come and see what you picked!

(OPTIONAL):

4- Besides posting the picture of the book cover you chose, it's nice to provide the book summary, title, author, or a website link for the book. It's not required, but it can help you readers' to add more books to their own list! A brief "Why I choose this cover" is also appreciated, but not required.


NOTE: PLEASE link back to my blog (http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com) somewhere in your post, letting viewers know that it is my meme, not something you are trying to call your own. Failing to do so, with the intent of actually calling this your own work, will result in trouble! I hate threatening, but really, is it so hard to post a link that says "This meme is hosted by TBQ."? Link love is great, and actually quite easy-- please use it!

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Here's my candidate for the week:

Title: Heartless

Author: Anne Ellisabeth Stengl

Publisher/Publication Date:  Bethany House (July 1, 2010)
Summary (Amazon):
Princess Una of Parumvir has come of age and will soon be married. She dreams of a handsome and charming prince, but when the first suitor arrives, she finds him stodgy and boring. Prince Aethelbald from the mysterious land of Farthestshore has traveled far to prove his love--and also to bring hushed warnings of danger. A dragon is rumored to be approaching Parumvir.



Una, smitten instead with a more dashing prince, refuses Aethelbald's offer--and ignores his warnings. Soon the Dragon King himself is in Parumvir, and Una, in giving her heart away unwisely, finds herself in grave danger. Only those courageous enough to risk everything have a hope of fighting off this advancing evil.

Why?

I love the cover-- it's very fantastical, whimsical almost, and using the image of the girl inside the dragon eye is unique. Colors are bright and vibrant, therefore grabbing my attention, and the summary is the cherry on top-- this one is going on the top of my list! :D Even if it's aimed towards a younger audience, the fantasy lover in me still lusts for this book!

Lusting for Covers (11)

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

Here's what you do:

1- Take the graphic (left) to use on your post. Remember to give credit to the original host (TBQ).

2- Choose your own book cover that you've fallen in "lust" with in the past week. It can be new, old, a reprint, or even a book that is not yet out-- it's all up to you! If you find a cover that catches your eye, then showcase it on your blog, and let others see the pretty covers out there.

3- Copy the direct link to your own L4C post into the comment section on my post (when in doubt, use this link and then scroll down to find the post), and allow others to come and see what you picked!

(OPTIONAL):

4- Besides posting the picture of the book cover you chose, it's nice to provide the book summary, title, author, or a website link for the book. It's not required, but it can help you readers' to add more books to their own list! A brief "Why I choose this cover" is also appreciated, but not required.


NOTE: PLEASE link back to my blog (http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com) somewhere in your post, letting viewers know that it is my meme, not something you are trying to call your own. Failing to do so, with the intent of actually calling this your own work, will result in trouble! I hate threatening, but really, is it so hard to post a link that says "This meme is hosted by TBQ."? Link love is great, and actually quite easy-- please use it!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Here's my candidate for the week:

Title: Forbidden Highlander

Author: Donna Grant

Publisher/Publication Date: St. Martin's Paperbacks (May 25, 2010)
Summary (Amazon):
Donna Grant’s Dark Sword series draws you into a dazzling world of Druids and dark magic, as three brothers battle to overcome an ancient curse—and find the women who are their destiny…
A dangerous secret
Fallon McLeod has gifts any warrior would covet—fierce strength, unmatched skill, even immortality. But those gifts have come at a price that puts everyone he loves at risk. Only when his brother, Quinn, is taken captive does Fallon leave the seclusion of his Highland home to seek the king’s aid. And though every woman at court would gladly be his for the asking, one alone causes desire to roar to life within him: beautiful, mysterious Larena Monroe.
A wild desire


Rumors swirl around the castle about “The McLeod” but Larena knows the truth. Like Fallon, Larena is searching for a way to vanquish the evil Druid who wants to wreak havoc on earth. Drawn to Fallon in spite of her fear, she surrenders to a passion that shocks them both with its raw intensity. But Larena dares not hope for more—not when she holds a secret that could turn her fiery Highland love against her forever…

Why?
A Sexy Highlander. Without a shirt. Need I say more?!

But besides the obvious attraction to the cover model, I like the blue hues in the background and the position of the man-- grabs your attention and makes you want to pick the book up! :D
Plus, after reading the summary, I'm even more anxious to read it-- this series sounds very good! 

What Did I Receive?

As you know, "What Did I Receive" is much like the popular "In My Mailbox". On Fridays, I try to post any and all books I may have received in the past week, unless I haven't had any deliveries.

Unfortunately, the junk mail and bills seem to overflow my mailbox more often than books.... In a book lover's world, the roles would be reversed, of course! :D

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

*Lowers Head* I know, I know, I haven't been around much (again). But I promise to do better as soon as I can!

On the bright side, at least I'm finally posting a What Did I Receive?  this week! I know, amazing. I actually got a couple of books in my mail this week-- the only upside to my otherwise horrible week (two words: college finals).

So, here's what I found in my mailbox this past week!

For Review:

• Married by Morning --- Lisa Kleypas (*Squell* ARC copy, thanks to NOR!)

• Naked Edge --- Pamela Clare (Signed, won from Pamela via GoodReads First Reads!)

• 
  
  Forget Me Not --- Vicki Hinze (ARC, thanks to LibraryThing's Early Reviewer, February Batch

 

Bought:

None! You don't believe me, do you? But it's true. At least for this week... :)

Lusting for Covers (10)

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

Here's what you do:

1- Take the graphic (left) to use on your post. Remember to give credit to the original host (TBQ).

2- Choose your own book cover that you've fallen in "lust" with in the past week. It can be new, old, a reprint, or even a book that is not yet out-- it's all up to you! If you find a cover that catches your eye, then showcase it on your blog, and let others see the pretty covers out there.

3- Copy the direct link to your own L4C post into the comment section on my post (when in doubt, use this link and then scroll down to find the post), and allow others to come and see what you picked!

(OPTIONAL):

4- Besides posting the picture of the book cover you chose, it's nice to provide the book summary, title, author, or a website link for the book. It's not required, but it can help you readers' to add more books to their own list! A brief "Why I choose this cover" is also appreciated, but not required.


NOTE: PLEASE link back to my blog (http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com) somewhere in your post, letting viewers know that it is my meme, not something you are trying to call your own. Failing to do so, with the intent of actually calling this your own work, will result in trouble! I hate threatening, but really, is it so hard to post a link that says "This meme is hosted by TBQ."? Link love is great, and actually quite easy-- please use it!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Here's my candidate for the week:

Title: Captive Spirit

Author: Anna Windsor

Publisher/Publication Date: Ballantine Books (November 23, 2010)
Summary (Anna's website):

The night holds endless pleasures . . . and hides nameless terrors.

Bela Argos has suffered too many losses to count, and she's determined to keep her new fighting group safe. Manhattan is under siege by a new and deadly pride of demons, and she'll do whatever it takes to defeat the evil band of murderers and protect her new family--even kill the sexy, wounded police officer she's hiding in her basement.


Duncan Sharp never believed in the supernatural. A war veteran with many years of service in the NYPD, he prefers to solve his problems with badge, cuffs, and bullets. When he wakes to find himself hostage to a gorgeous bunch of women in leather--women who command earth, air, fire, and water--he doesn't know what to think, and when Bela's around, thinking is damned hard, anyway. Never mind the supernatural infection threatening to end his life and turn him into a creature he can't begin to imagine.
The demons are coming, and they're coming for Bela and Duncan. To save each other and everything they value, they just might have to sacrifice everything.

Why?

Where does your eye go first? Yep, the man's naked back! :D I wish it was a better view, of course, but one must be happy with what one can get. On a side note, the red at the top of the book looks a bit out of place-- reminds me of a sunburn on the couple, but other than that, I like the colors and layout of the cover too.

Now besides the cover, I want to read this book because I really enjoyed Windsor's first few books-- sexy, fun, and full of things that go bump in the night... In other words, "Sign me up, please!"

[NOR Review]: "Unknown"

Title: Unknown
Author: Rachel Caine
Publisher/Publication Date: Roc (February 2, 2010)
Series: The Outcasts, Book 2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Summary (Amazon):
Second in the new series from the New York Times bestselling author.


Living among mortals, the djinn Cassiel has developed a reluctant affection for them-especially for Warden Luis Rocha. As the mystery deepens around the kidnapping of innocent Warden children, Cassiel and Luis are the only ones who can investigate both the human and djinn realms. But the trail will lead them to a traitor who may be more powerful than they can handle...

 

Places to order Unknown at:

Amazon

Borders

B and N

My Review:

Known by many for her witty YA vampire series, Rachel Caine is also author to an urban fantasy series, The Outcasts. Unknown is the second novel in this new series, and if this book is any indication, the series is sure to be one wild ride!

How do you stop a powerful rogue djinn from destroying the world, save the captured Warden children, fall in love with your own personal Warden, and come to terms with your fall from God-like powers? Cassiel is about to find out! But will she be able to handle all of this before it's too late..?

Considering this was a second book for the series, not the debut, I was surprised at the slow pace throughout some of the book. Nothing too bad, of course, but it did affect my reading for a brief time. I'm use to her YA Morganville Vampire books, which are a bit more witty and quick paced, so it took a few chapters to get use to this book, with the slightly different writing style.

As an urban fantasy, the romance takes a back seat to the heroine's kicking butt, saving the world, etc.; however, I do wish the connection simmering between Cassiel and Luis had been a bit more pronounced in this book. If they've yet to hit it off after two books, how much longer will it take before they do? I guess I'm simply use to romance novels, where the connection is blatant, not so subtle. But the slower build up to the romance was refreshing, and sweet, just not my personal preference.

Despite a few minor criticisms, I still enjoyed this novel. It was a quick read, like all of Caine's novels, and the plot peaked my interest enough that now I wish to go back and read the previous books in this series and her similar series, The Weather Wardens.



4.5 Stars! A light fantasy novel, with just a hint of smoldering romance; perfect for anyone who wants something new instead of the same old paranormal themes. I'm interested in seeing what will happen next in Cassiel and Luis's adventures... only time will tell!




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Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this print book for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~ 



Enjoy!




Until Next Time,