What Did I Receive?

I hope everyone survived the holidays (and Black Friday, for those of you that went out!); for those of you that didn't celebrate Thanksgiving this past weekend, then may I say perhaps you are the ones better off for it, considering some of the hassle, headaches, and mishaps that many of us dealt with? :D Not that we regret it for a moment...well, okay, maybe a moment, but that is all! *Wink*



Here is what I received in the mail/email this past week:

For Review:

White Wind by Susan Edwards
E-Book courtesy of NetGalley.

















White Shadows by Susan Edwards
E-Book courtesy of NetGalley.

Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott
E-Book courtesy of NetGalley.

Lucky Penny by Catherine Anderson

ARC courtesy of NOR.

Won:

None--but I have won a few giveaways lately and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my books. :D

Bought:

Again, none. Yes, I know you find this hard to believe, considering some of the past shopping endeavours I've told you about (need I remind you of the Big Weekend Haul of 2009?!), but I'm honestly trying to hold back my spending, especially while I've got over 250 books still in my pile mountain anyway. But I was tempted many times...oh was I tempted!



~*~*~
So what did you get in the mail? I hope there was something good, not just junk mail and bills! If there was, please share with us; if not, then tell me if you've read any of these books yourself.



Enjoy!








Until Next Time,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Reading Recap: Week of Nov. 20th

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday (at least those of us that live in the US and celebrated Thanksgiving)!

Mine was... chaotic. Not so much from family (it was just four of us this year, rather than the size we've had in the past), but rather from events that happened. First I fell behind on dinner prep, and I was scrambling to fix everything in the 30 minutes or so that I had the turkey out and resting; my gravy, for whatever reason, never even thickened properly, but at least we had nice tasting "liquid" to pour over everything.

Then, when I went to dispose of the vegetables and lemon from the roasting pan, I decided to pour them down the toilet (in small batches), like I've done many times before... Well, this time I had a few bigger chunks than I should have, along with our toilet already having some tendencies to clog, and, well, needless to say we went without a working toilet for almost two days while trying to get it fixed. Why is it that no plumbers in my area ever answer there phone, and those that do want ridiculous prices to, in essence, come and take an industrial sized plunger to a toilet?

With the help of my grandfather and great uncle, we managed to finally get it unclogged late Friday night--after taking the toilet off, putting it in the tub and then cleaning the problem (a lemon and the HUGE carrot) out from the hole. Another day was then spent cleaning everything (toliet, tub, carpet, etc) and even now we are still working on finishing up. All because of some stupid cooked carrot that must have fallen into radioactive waste while stuck in the pipe, I swear it was not that big when I cut the piece that morning for the bird.

But enough of my boring tale of how I spent my Thanksgiving, on to the books, the real purpose of this post.

I managed 3 books this week (between the cooking and then bathroom mishaps), which isn't too bad considering.

I also posted two reviews, both were from books I read for NOR earlier this year and late last year, but due to my break in blogging I never posted them on here.
     Warcry by Elizabeth Vaughan
     Master of Smoke by Angela Knight


Here's what I read this week though:

I decided to go with another anthology collection, this time a Christmas themed historical one I've had in my pile for over a year. A Christmas Ball by Jennifer Ashley, Emily Bryan, and Alissa Johnson was a bit of a disappointment, but I don't regret reading it. I think the reason I was disappointed is due to the fact that the last book I read before this (Bad Boys Next Exit) was such an amazing book--and it too was an anthology! But ACB was everything that I dislike about anthologies; too short, too rushed, and something essential was lacking in each story. However, for a quick Christmas-y book, this wasn't too bad. I'm already a fan of Ashley's work, I've read and enjoyed one of Bryan's novels before, but this was a first for me from Johnson; I might look for more by her (I did enjoy some of the wit in her very brief story), but I will say that her story was my least favorite of the three, though it wasn't that horrible either. 3 Stars (overall). *NOTE: Currently out of print*




Mad About the Earl is another ARC from NOR. This means that my review will not be posted until closer to the release date (perhaps late Dec. at the earliest). However, I will say this until then: While it may not have been my favorite book of the year, I still very much enjoyed it, and I look forward to reading future books by Christina Brooke! I think a quote from Suzanne Enoch, in regards to Brooke's writing, says it all: "Clever, lush, and lovely!" I second that, Suzanne! 4 Stars--review to come!

The Rogue Pirate's Bride was an ARC copy I received from NetGalley--and I am very happy that I was lucky enough to get approved for it! It's been a while since I read a book by Shana Galen, but I was quickly reminded why I love her books: they are sexy, are always filled with witty banter, and the heroines almost always kick butt (in other words, they have real substance to them, rather than being flat and silly in character). I loved this book, and I am now eager to go back and read Julien and Armand's stories, as well as catch up on all of Galen's many books. My review, however, will not be posted until closer to the release date (which is Feb.), so please check back for my review around mid-January! 4.5 Stars---review to come!




~*~*~*
What did you read this past week? Or, have you read any of the books I just listed above--if so, what were you thoughts on them? Let us know!



Enjoy!








Until Next Time,


*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[NOR Review]: "Master of Smoke"

Master of Smoke by Angela Knight
Publisher: Berkley (January 4, 2011)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Mageverse Series, 7
Summary (Amazon.com):
After being attacked by a werewolf, Eva Roman is now able to shift into one. Luckily she saves a handsome shapeshifter from a similar attack. Eva does not know his true identity as Smoke, a Sidhe warrior. His attacker was Warlock, the magic-imbued leader of a cult of werewolf assassins trained to destroy all others. As a war ignites between all the immortals in the Mageverse, Eva and Smoke will need more than their love for each other to survive.




Where to Buy*: Amazon | Kindle | BN.com | NOOK
More Info: Author's Site 

My Review:

From the bestselling author Angela Knight comes yet another scorching novel from the Mageverse series—prepare to meet (and fall for) Smoke, a sexy demigod/shapeshifter/Sidhe. But should you fall for him, watch out; Eva turns into more than just a jealous girlfriend, she gets down right territorial over him! If you touch him, you may just find yourself being attacked by a pissed-off werewolf. My advice? Look, daydream, hope and wish, but don't touch!




From the very beginning, I've enjoyed Knight's novels. She's added a new twist to the old tales of King Arthur that we grew up learning, adding vampires and werewolves and witches (oh my!), not to mention erotic scenes that would make our old teachers blush! Eleven novels later and I'm still just as excited to get my hands on the next one, ready to here what's happening next in the interesting Mageverse realm—and I'm sure after reading just one that you'll be the same way.



Master of Smoke tells the story of Smoke and Eva; but rather than just telling about their love story, there's more to this book than that. Warlock, an evil Dire Wolf whose very existence many have believed to be a myth up until now, has captured Smoke's power and holds him captive while splintering his soul, his very being, into three pieces (Cat, Smoke, and David). Eva must not only learn to accept her lover as all three—very different personalities—but also save him from Warlock before she loses him forever.



4.5 STARS! Another sexy adventure into the magical realm filled with vampire knights from the time of the Round Table along with witches and werewolves, this is a series you won't want to miss out on! A word of advice though: if you have yet to read any of these books, I would highly suggest starting with book one and work your way down the list. Even though you could probably manage to find your way and enjoy the ride if you hopped on somewhere in the middle, it's just that much more enjoyable if you read it in order. If you enjoy a paranormal series with a healthy dose of erotica, enough wit to lighten the mood, battles of good vs. evil, and a new twist on an old storyline, then what are you waiting for? Enter the world of Mageverse—I promise, once you get in, you won't want to go back!




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


Note: This is a book I read last year, but never posted the review here on the blog after it went up on NOR.




Enjoy!






Until Next Time,


*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[NOR Review]: "Warcry"

Warcry by Elizabeth Vaughan
Publisher: Berkley (May 3, 2011)
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Series: Chronicles of the Warlords, 4
Summary (Amazon.com):
All is not well in Xy. There is a faction of nobles who are plotting against the Queen and her barbarian warlord. As cultures clash and tempers flare, Heath and the fierce Plains warrior woman Atira of the Bear must come together to fight the conspiracy... and to search their hearts for something deeper than raw passion.




Where to Buy*: Amazon | Kindle | BN.com | NOOK
More Info: Author's Site | Excerpt



My Review:

Warcry by Elizabeth Vaughan takes the reader on a journey through a fantasy world unlike many that are out there. A thrilling ride from beginning to end, one filled with romance and humor, adventure and even a bit of intrigue, Warcry is a wonderful fantasy book, and one that this reader will be reading again very soon.




Warcry continues the romantic story of the Warprize and the Warlord (Lara and Keir), showing how the differences in their two cultures may pose a problem for not only themselves but their unborn child as well. In between continuing their sweet story, Vaughan also adds in a new budding romance, that of Heath and Atria; one is from the Kingdom of Xy while the other is a member of the Plains people. These are two very different people from two different parts of this fantasy world. Their relationship is not simple, nor easy, but if the two can work on it together then perhaps a happily-ever-after is in their future after all.



This is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys a good fantasy romance series. However, it seems that this book would make more sense, and be more enjoyable overall, if the reader first picks up the previous books in the series. I did not have this option as the books were currently out of print (though this year they are all being reprinted), and none of my libraries had the books either. While I thoroughly enjoyed Warcry, I do wish I had been able to read the other books first. Obviously they are now on the top of my wish list.



4.5 Stars! With a book as complex and rich as Warcry, it is difficult to write a review that even begins to give it justice. It’s romantic and witty, with a storyline that has more to it than just a man meeting the woman he wants for life, Warcry is one of the best fantasy romance novels I've read in years, and one that is part of a series that looks just as promising. If you've never read one of Vaughan's books before, I would highly suggest starting with this series.




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


Note: This is a book I read earlier this year, but never posted the review here on the blog after it went up on NOR.



Enjoy!






Until Next Time,


*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

What Did I Receive?

I know it's been a while since I've done such a post, but seeing as how I do have the button for these posts and I have been receiving a few books lately in the mail, I figured it's time to start it back up! :D


Here's what I received in the mail (NOTE: This particular post is going to combine the last two weeks' worth of deliveries):

For Review:

The Highlander's Heart by Amanda Forester
Courtesy of NOR










All About Seduction by Katy Madison
Courtesy of NOR










Sunrise with a Notorious Lord by Alexandra Hawkins
ARC, Courtesy of NOR

Won:

Embrace the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney
Courtesy of Blodeuedd @ Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell -- Thanks again!

Bought: 

None--for now.... :D




~*~*~
So what did you get in the mail? I hope there was something good, not just junk mail and bills! If there was, please share with us; if not, then tell me if you've read any of these books yourself.


Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Reading Recap: Week of Nov. 13th

This week I only managed three books, but two reviews. One was from this week's book. The other was from a NOR book I read earlier this year but only now posted the review for-- Stranger in My Arms.


Here's what I read:


First up was Shifting Love by Constance O'Day-Flannery. This one took me about four days to finish, but it wasn't entirely the book's fault (I had very little spare time during those days). However, I won't lie; there were times when the book did drag a bit and I was wondered if I would ever finish. In the end, I'm glad that I stuck with it, as it turned out to be a very enjoyable read. It combined a storyline I haven't read before (as far as shifters go) with some spicy lovin' and yet very sweet romance. And within the pages of this book is some great advice, even if it is a fictional story. That's one unique thing about this book; while the characters are teaching others, it also manages to teach the reader about life lessons and issues, as well as ways to begin getting over them. Would I say that SL should be used in the place of real advice or even help? Of course not! But it's definitely nice to have such realistic themes and lessons going on while reading a romance book that otherwise we would just say is a guilty pleasure. :D 4 Stars.








Too Wicked to Wed by Cara Elliott was my next read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was a very sexy, witty new historical romance, and I plan on picking up Elliott's other books as soon as I can! 4.5 Stars--read my review HERE!








My last book for this week was also my favorite! Bad Boys Next Exit (by Shannon McKenna, Donna Kauffman and E.C. Sheedy) was hands down the best anthology I've ever read! Usually anthologies, not matter how great some of the authors might be that are in it, seem to be lacking something; they seem rushed (and in a way they are, as they can only take up a limit amount of pages). But this one was different. Each of the three stories in here were amazing and read like a true full length novel. They were each very sexy, very steamy (I'm still quivering from a few of those scenes) full of yummy alpha-type heroes and yet managed to showcase the love story of each couple even if there was only about 100 pages in each story. I highly recommend this one; you won't regret it! I think the lowest rating I'd give (if the three books were published separately) would go to E.C. Sheedy's, as it was my least favorite, though even that wouldn't go below a 3.5-4 star rating. However, McKenna and Kauffmans'---wow! I'm looking forward to reading more by these two authors, and I may not even have the control to wait until after Christmas! :D 5 Stars!


~*~*~*
What did you read this past week? Or, have you read any of the books I just listed above--if so, what were you thoughts on them? Let us know!





Enjoy!






Until Next Time,


*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[NOR Review]: "Too Wicked to Wed"

Too Wicked to Wed by Cara Elliott
Publisher: Forever (November 1, 2011)
Series: Lords of Midnight, 1
Genre: Historical Romance
Summary (Amazon.com):
Outspoken and independent, Lady Alexa Bingham enjoys the heady freedom of making all her own decisions, even though the challenges of overseeing her family's country estate are daunting. But when a chance encounter with London's most notorious rake awakens a secret longing for adventure, she accepts her aunt's invitation for a Season in Town . . . only to find that breaking the rules of the ton has serious consequences.
 The Earl of Killingworth uses his rakehell reputation to hide the fact that poverty has forced him to work for a living. As the owner of a gambling den and brothel, Connor has no time for glittering ballrooms or innocent young ladies. But after a reckless wager leaves him with a new business partner, he is forced to take a risky gamble . . . Will the cards fall in their favor? Alexa and Connor begin to play a dangerous game of intrigue and deception as they seek to outwit a cunning adversary who wants to put them permanently out of business. But if they are not careful, it is the flames of their own fiery attraction that may destroy them.



Where to Buy*: Amazon | Kindle | B and N | NOOK
More Info: Author's Site | Book Site | Excerpt


My Review:

When Lady Alexa Hendrie walks into one of London's infamous brothels, The Wolf's Lair, she had no idea that she would be staking more than just her reputation by being seen in there. She might very well be risking her heart...



Connor Linsley, the Earl of Killingworth, is the owner of The Wolf's Lair, though his identity is kept secret from most people. Honestly, he couldn't give a fig about what the ton thinks of him, but despite what they seem to think about his character he has not sunk nearly as low as they think; he still respects some of their rules.... But when a lady with fire in her blood barges into his office, his usual biting remarks and sarcastic barbs are stunned into silence (if only temporarily). Instead, he finds himself thoroughly intrigued by Alexa, and when she asks for help in locating her brother, whom she believes to be in his club somewhere, he agrees—but only if she agrees to his cost. The price? A kiss. But neither one of them were prepared for the hot flames of desire to engulf both of them in it's snares after only a taste....



As the story continues, the flames flicker ever higher; but as tempted as the Irish Wolfhound is, even he has a code of honor and doesn't wish to see Alexa hurt, her captivating spark for life put out by his careless actions. But when various events leads the two of them to playing husband and wife for a few weeks while at his family estate, temptation proves to be far too hard to resist. Yet even after their night of passion he still hungers for her; not just physically, but rather something much deeper, more binding, and it scares the tough wolf who has managed to roam free all these years. Now one innocent, who is full of fire and wit and able to hold her own against him, is threatening to crumble the walls he has so carefully built around his heart...Will he be brave enough to let her in?



4.5 STARS! A truly magnificent start to what appears to be a sexy and witty new series, Too Wicked To Wed is easily one of the best historical romances of 2011! Alexa is not a meager miss, but rather an intelligent and strong woman that I respect and even came to love over the course of the book. Connor is an interesting hero, as he is not smooth and charismatic, but rather a man who has had his share of bad luck in the past and has turned to sarcasm to help smooth his rumpled appearance to others. I found myself laughing at the witty banter between the characters, especially the hero and heroine, and there was more than enough passion to go around; in fact, I think I literally saw a few sparks flying in the air during a scene or two! Delightful, delicious, and charming, I can't say enough about this book—Ms. Elliott has got herself another fan, as I plan on putting all her books on my list and I am confident that she will become another auto-buy author for me. I am anxious to read Cam and Gryff's stories, as they both were very strong characters in this book, allowing the readers to catch a glimpse of what is still to come. Like they say, a reformed rake makes the best husband—and two more very lucky women have got their work cut out for them in regards to the remaining Hellhounds of London!





~~~
Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this 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,


*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[NOR Review]: "Stranger in my Arms"

Stranger in my Arms by Lisa Kleypas
PUBLISHER: Avon; (Feb 22, 2011 ~ reprint)
GENRE: Historical Romance
Summary (Amazon.com):
"Lady Hawksworth, your husband is not dead . . ."
With these words, Lara's life is turned upside down. Her unhappy, loveless marriage had ended when the Earl of Hawksworth was lost at sea. But now a man stands before her, virile and powerful, who says he is her missing husband, revealing secrets that only he would know. While this dark-eyed stranger closely resembles the earl, he is as attentive and loving as Hunter was cruel and cold, promising to make Lara his wife once again in every way. With every beat of her heart, she aches to believe that this remarkable man is who he claims to be. But is he truly the rake returned and reformed . . . or is Lara being seduced by a cunning imposter?



Where to Buy*: Amazon | Kindle | B and N | NOOK
More Info: Author's Site | Book Site |



My Review:

Lisa Kleypas in one of the best romance authors out there—hands down. And while this may be a reprint of one of her earlier books, Kleypas proves this again with the release of Stranger in my Arms!



Imagine if you believed you husband to be dead...and suddenly he returned, healthy and ready to take back his duties—all of them. This is what happens to the heroine of this story, Lara. When Hunter “returns” from the dead, her whole life is turned upside down...but not all of it is a bad thing, as she soon finds herself falling for her husband, a man that before all this happened she almost despised. But is this man really her husband, or a superb imitator?



Although many have said that this is one of Kleypas's worst novels, an “okay” read at best, I have to disagree. I loved the story, even if it may be a bit unrealistic, and I enjoyed watching the two characters develop, watching their love slowly bloom. The love scenes were passionate and sexy, but still romantic; something that very few authors can pull off successfully—but Kleypas does it time and time again. The storyline adds just enough drama and suspense to the novel, making it more than just a straight up romance novel like many of the other books on the shelf. Maybe I'm simply a sucker for stories like this, but I don't see how anyone can rate a Kleypas novel as anything under a 4 star rating—and even that is almost too low in my opinion!



5 Stars! Yet another wonderful book from an amazing historical romance author! Full of warm romance and steamy sex, along with a few laughs and even a little mystery to solve, this book makes for a quick and satisfying read for anyone looking for a great time. And as soon as you finish it, be sure to put the rest of Kleypas's books on your list; after just one, you'll be hooked for life!



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


Note: This is a book I read earlier this year, but never posted the review here on the blog after it went up on NOR.





Enjoy!





Until Next Time,


*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Reading Recap: Week of November 6th

Another busy week (that's my excuse at least... :-) ) as I only managed 4 books, one of which I reviewed.

However, I did post quiet a few other reviews this week, from books I read earlier this year for NOR but, at the time, I was taking the break from blogging and therefore never posted them here. Well, now I'm going back through the list (maybe 10 books total in that time?) and posting the reviews on here.

There will be more to come next week, but so far I managed three this past week. They are:
~Temptress in Training by Susan Gee Heino
~Just One Season in London by Leigh Michaels
~The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley


Here's what I read this week though:


I had a hard time deciding on a final rating for The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker (quiet a title, isn't it?!). It was...an interesting read. And I don't necessarily mean that in a bad way. However, there were times when the story seemed to drag (it took me five days to finish it; unheard of with a book that is only 300 or so pages), and I was tempted to yell at the characters quiet a few times (and wanted to slap a few more than once) due to their, well, stupidity when it came to figuring out who the Prophecy was....But, overall, I did enjoy the book, and if it wasn't for the flaw of it being a bit of a rough ride (that is, stops and starts rather than smooth reading) I may have even gave it a top rating because I did very much enjoy the storyline, which was quiet original. It is, in a way, a retelling of the myth of Persephone, but in this case the Greek Goddess has been reborn into a mortal and the idea of Hades isn't quiet the same as we are lead to believe. There is also The Guard, which is meant to protect the living from the dead, who are also reincarnations in mortal forms, with their leader, Alexi, being the lover of Persephone.....It's much easier to follower, and more interesting, when reading it yourself, believe me. And I think you should read this one; it may not have ranked as number one on my favorites list, but I did enjoy it very much and I will look for more books by this author, especially in this series. The writing, by the way, reminded me of how I picture old Gothic books being; you know how in all the historical romances we read the heroines (or occasional hero, I guess) talk about what Gothic book is currently the rage to read, well this is how I picture those books, only much easier to read and perhaps a bit more interesting. :) 3.5 STARS.





A Good Confession was the next on my a list, as I had received it from the author to review almost a year ago (right before I took my break from blogging). I feel horrible that I let it go for this long, and even worse when I had to give it a less than great review... The book falls more or less under the category of general fiction (in my opinion at least) and I had a very hard time sticking with it. By the end, I was very disappointed and truly hated the ending. I doubt I'll be picking up future books by this author; they just don't seem to be my style of books. 2.5 Stars--read my review HERE!





Next, I reached for an auto-buy author that I absolutely love--Janet Chapman. Secrets of the Highlander continues her Pine Creek Highlander series, and not only does it deliver the usual fun, sexy, and touching romance that we've come to love, but it also delivers something new: not only is our hero not the extremely tall and smooth alpha that we so often love, but Chapman also brings in some new twists to the storylines, with Native American magic (dreamwalking, etc) as well as setting up for the series that begins after this one. I absolutely loved every minute of Megan and Wayne/Jack/Coyote's story (it's a long story, but it's the same guy, don't worry!). It was full of passion and second chances, love and learning how to trust, as well as enough mystery and adventure to keep it all interesting. I love the tall, strapping Scottish alpha/laird for a hero, but I'll tell you what: after reading this one, I'd love a blushing, sweet, cunning half-Native American like Jack any day! 5 Stars!




The Fire King by Marjorie Liu was my next read, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. It was a new storyline (can you say Chimeras?!), and one that I'd like to read more about. I plan on reading the others in this series, though they do not all center around the shapeshifters and chimeras like this particular book does. It is a bit funny at times, a bit sexy during others, and watching Karr and Soria slowly start to open up to one another, trust each other, was truly wonderful. My only complaint is that while this was a great fantasy/paranormal book, I was disappointed in the lack of romance. Except for one very brief foreplay scene, they never got to consummate their love for each other--and I very much wanted that to happen, as I knew that it would be a big milestone in their relationship, as well as nice and steamy read for us. Does that make me a sex addict then? *Wink* LOL. No, but really I think that is the main reason why I found myself giving it a "I really liked it" rating rather than a full on "I loved it rating". How weird to think that something so primal can make or break a book, at least for me. Still I will be reading more of Liu's books, since I've read one before and I know she's capable of writing a steamy scene or two. :D 4 Stars. (By the way, the cover shown here is the reprint new one. I have the older one [see it here] and I kind of prefer it myself)




~*~*~*
What did you read this past week? Or, have you read any of the books I just listed above--if so, what were you thoughts on them? Let us know!





Enjoy!






Until Next Time,


*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!