Bai Tide: A Bai Hsu Novel by Erika Mitchell

May 28, 2015 By Leave a Comment
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ID:53230048


Bai Tide: A Bai Hsu Novel by Erika Mitchell
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (230 Pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by CyclamenAfter the events of Blood Money, CIA case officer Bai Hsu is assigned to a high-security private school for what he’s told is an easy assignment. Just a few months after he arrives, a hostile operative with ties to North Korea tries to break in to a school event, with motives unknown.

The generic cialis online only thing that you can inimitably share with your spouse is sex. This plant acts as an tadalafil canadian aphrodisiac. It causes stress, depression, buy generic levitra financial hardships, and relationship problems. Besides the ED Drugs that help improve blood circulation, you can also opt for exercises that can help you improve blood circulation thereby increasing your stamina and sexual potency. cheap cialis professional As his investigation progresses, he unravels a plot that, if not stopped, will result in the untimely and murderous deaths of tens of millions of people. In order to stop the attack, Bai must recruit the one person he absolutely cannot trust in order to break into one of the most isolated, dangerous countries in the world.

Bai Tide is Bai’s greatest challenge yet. A mission that will take him from the windswept beaches of San Diego to a whiteout blizzard in the foothills of Pyongyang, and make him question everything he thought he knew about working in the field…and about himself.

Bai Hsu is working undercover as Alan Broccoli, a physical education teacher at a private school in San Diego. The school is actually on Swiss soil, as the Swiss had turned their California-based embassy into a boarding school. As a result the students come from international families and the school has a very high degree of security. It doesn’t take long before the Bai’s assignment takes on multiple complexities.

Bai is a relatively new CIA agent, having joined just six years ago. I liked him and his character is well developed. However, I was surprised at some of his mistakes, most notably his total lack of suspicion about a new acquaintance. This was believable for a new agent, but then why would a relatively new agent be assigned to such an important assignment? There are a number of times in this novel where the reader must suspend a healthy dose of disbelief.

That being said, the plot is intense, filled with exciting action, which easily draws the reader into the story. I felt as if I were right there, in the thick of the action, action which never lets up. The scene shifts from San Diego to Pyongyang and the details about North Korea are well done and very believable. The plot has several unexpected twists which add to the tension, making this a very exciting novel.

There were some supporting characters who were also well developed, lending a greater sense of reality to the story. I especially liked one of the students and the school principal. These characters brought a depth to the novel which was very satisfying.

Readers who enjoy action-packed mysteries, filled with danger and suspense, are in for a real treat as they travel with Bai to North Korea. This is a mystery which is nearly impossible to put down.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

In the Woods by Tana French

May 28, 2015 By Leave a Comment

WOODS
In the Woods by Tana French
Publisher: Penguin Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (429 pgs)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Erectile dysfunction is one such problem which has put many men into trouble, tension and price sildenafil embarrassment. Being the most popular aphrodisiac cheapest price for tadalafil herb, it can provide relief to the problem of low libido. Every man wants brand cialis australia to fulfill her expectation no matter how physically fit a man is or how much he desires his partner. Kamagra Oral Jelly is only available in our convenient neighborhood classrooms, the online curriculum allows you to take you to take drivers ed at your order levitra online why not try these out pace and on your schedule. Dublin 1984 dusk, three children vanish in the woods. One, Rob Ryan, grips a tree trunk in terror, unable to recall any detail of previous hours. Twenty years later, the detective on the Dublin Murder Squad keeps his past a secret. But when a girl 12 is killed in the same woods, Rob and Detective Cassie Maddox — partner and best pal – investigate present and past.

Detective Rob Ryan has a painful past that still haunts him in the present day. So, when his current case with the Dublin Murder Squad brings him back to the scene of the tragedy that sparked it all, he’s faced with an even tougher present. Will he be able to solve the mystery of what happened in the summer of 1984 or will he forever be doomed to wonder what if?

From the very beginning, Rob intrigued me. He says this in the first chapter and it sums him up rather nicely: “What I am telling you, before you begin my story, is this – two things: I crave truth. And I lie.” So, staring at chapter one, you’re wondering exactly how reliable this narrator is going to be. The result? Truthfully, I don’t even know, because he is either lying in this opening statement or he’s so adept at lying that you never know it’s happening. That is probably the most intriguing part of this entire book. As far as Rob actually goes, he’s one of those characters that you have a love/hate relationship with. Deep down, he’s a decent enough guy, but he is very flawed and makes some seriously stupid mistakes sometimes. Which is, of course, all a part of being human. Not to mention that it makes him so much more interesting in the end.

Cassie Maddox is Rob’s partner for this investigation and I liked her well enough. At times, she came off as a bit too perfect, always having the right answer, the best scenario, that kind of thing. Despite that, she’s a fun character, often enticing Rob into letting go for the night and forgetting that they have a case for a few hours. I’d like to believe that, if Rob were less flawed and Cassie were maybe a bit more flawed, their ill-conceived attempt at a relationship might have worked out better in the end.

In the Woods is one of the most engrossing, intense mysteries I’ve read in a very long time. From the start, you’re kept guessing and never given quite enough clues to figure out what’s really going on. Is this because our narrator is lying to us? I’m not sure, but I do know that nothing is really as it seems and there’s a secret lurking in every corner. The one disappointing thing for me was the unsatisfactory resolution to Rob’s backstory, but maybe that will resolution will crop up in a later novel? I can only hope. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you on your toes and wondering, then In the Woods is a great choice. I look forward to enjoying more of Ms. French’s work.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Shelter Us by Laura Nicole Diamond

May 27, 2015 By 1 Comment

us
Shelter Us by Laura Nicole Diamond
Publisher: She Writes Press
Genre: Women’s fiction, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (253 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

Since the death of her newborn baby, lawyer-turned-stay-at-home mom Sarah Shaw has been struggling to keep it together for her law professor husband and two young sons. With her husband burying himself in his career and her friendships all having withered, she is lost in a private world of grief. Then one day, walking in LA, Sarah s heart catches at the sight of a young homeless woman pushing a baby in a stroller and saving them becomes her mission. An unlikely bond grows between Sarah and the mother, Josie, whose pride and strained relationship with her own mother prevent her from going home to Oakland. Through her friendship with Josie, Sarah slowly learns that those we love are never far, even in death and that sometimes it is the people we set out to save who save us.

One of the joys of getting lost in a book is recognizing things that have happened to you. That’s exactly how I felt as I began to read Shelter Us. While I’ve never experienced the loss of a child, I could relate to how the main character Sarah feels when someone special is taken from her, how you come to terms with it, and how uncomfortable people start to feel around you when they just don’t know what to say.
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Shelter Us is a moving story told in first person from Sarah’s perspective. I think Ms. Diamond made a great choice using her voice as the narrator. It’s a book that makes me think about many things in my own life and society in general.

When Sarah first sees the young homeless woman with her baby, it makes you think that maybe, despite our own problems, we all have something to be grateful for, as does Sarah in this story.

Finding the young mother almost becomes an obsession for her and it keeps you reading to find out if she’ll be able to track her down and what the women’s story is, and how she ended up on the streets.

As the blurb on the back of the book says, sometimes it is the people we set out to save who save us. I think it sums up Shelter Us beautifully.

For me a good book is one that leaves you feeling an emotional tug and that’s exactly what this story did. If you like women’s fiction then I recommend this one to you.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Savagery and Saviors by Ken Hollern

May 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment

SAVIORS
Savagery and Saviors by Ken Hollern
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (256 Pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Myrtle

So tiny is the peak and how sheer the slope when atop the world. The gravity of fate weighs heavier and heavier until all one hears is the incessant echo of a final question: How far will I fall and where shall I land? Belief in self-determination of fate is the most enticing mirage. At one time or another we are all deceived into believing destiny is within control. Live right, do unto to others well, and prosper-the mantra of fools. Fortune is altered a thousand times per second. We face countless choices every day. How much thought do we really give each choice? Cole Newman had a choice to work late or make a date with his wife. Not a big deal? Think again. If he’d chosen wisely she would not be dead. If he hadn’t again succumbed to ambition, he would be with his toddler son. Strewn into the middle of an international child trafficking ring, Cole’s path would lead to Rochelle, an undercover reporter more fearless and capable than any person he’d ever met. Their quest to rescue stolen children would take them from Oakland to Singapore and into the heart of genocidal Sudan. Powerful men, professional killers, could not let them succeed. Their fate and those they vowed to save would eventually rest in the hands of an African boy, a young prodigy leading his village from savagery and slaughter.

A boy avenging the murder of his Sudanese father, a journalist with a heroin addict’s confession, and a man hell-bent on saving people – all three come together in this international child trafficking story.

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But unbeknownst to everyone including himself, the shipyard has another hero. Cole Newman, a former NFL player and all around nice guy, is going about his duties inspecting millions of dollars’ worth of quarantined adhesive when he hears a scream. Cole takes on a gang of thugs and ends up battered, beaten, and locked inside a shipping container headed to Singapore.

On the other side of the world is Abou. A seventeen-year-old boy from the Western Dafur village of Balla in the African country of Sudan. And his world is about to change.

This story moves back and forth between land and sea, each with its own horrible reality. Savagery and Saviors is multiple stories eventually coming together as one. Rochelle, Cole, and Abou are the main characters. Still, knowing the identity of these three protagonists doesn’t always keep the story centered. Add the ship’s captain, who plays a vital role; Dave Martin, the captain’s assistant, with an equally integral part; plus Ismail, a Janjaweed mercenary who is a major driving force … then add thirteen kidnapped kids. Every character has a purpose—there are no wasted parts, but switching from one to another sporadically throughout the story becomes tedious. And although the story was definitely good enough to keep reading, I found myself bothered by the unexpected, and sometimes silly, amorous feelings between Rochelle and Cole. Their unqualified romantic moods did not advance the story, especially in the midst of treacherous, brutal battles and life-threatening circumstances.

The child trafficking portion of the story was fascinating. I don’t know how the horrible deed actually plays out in real life, but Savagery and Saviors likely paints a realistic picture.

If you enjoy stories about mercenaries, terrorism, and human trafficking, this story has a lot to offer. It is several stories all rolled into one and is sure to keep you hooked to the very end.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Dying Room by Debra Webb

May 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment

DYING
The Dying Room by Debra Webb
Publisher: Pink House Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (300 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

As Birmingham’s Medical Examiner, Dr. Sylvia Baron spends her time unraveling the secrets the dead keep. But Sylvia has a secret of her own that has haunted her for twenty years. Recent events have forced her to see how very precious life really is and she is determined to stop taking a single moment of hers for granted. She goes to private investigator Buddy Corlew for help. Trouble is, Corlew has a reputation for unraveling the ladies as well as the cases he accepts.

Before Sylvia gets charmed out of more than her deepest secret by the enigmatic PI, she’s summoned to a bizarre murder scene that will shake the city, as well as the Birmingham PD, to its very core. Working with Deputy Chief Jess Harris and her major crimes team, Sylvia is drawn into the most challenging case of her career.

With the threat of Eric Spears nullified, Dan and Jess think that they can turn thoughts towards their soon-to-arrive child. However, nothing is ever that easy for the Burnetts, and when prominent members of the Birmingham upper class start turning up dead, it’s all hands on deck to solve this one before anyone else of import dies. Jess’ team, along with the medical examiner, Sylvia Baron, rush headlong into the fray, only hoping they can solve this case before it’s too late.

purchased here viagra viagra Issues in the bathroom are related to issues in the dysfunctional equipment. Doctors usually conduct a morning blood test to determine the cause of viagra no prescription testosterone deficiency. This particular discount viagra canada nerve is situated from where the trapezius muscle joins one side through the neck. People can now buy viagra on line http://icks.org/n/data/ijks/1482460790_add_file_2.pdf the medicine through World Wide Web. I love this series and I really adore Debra Webb, however, this first stand-alone novel in the Faces of Evil series seemed to be missing something for me. I’m not sure if it was the intensity that the threat of Eric Spears added or what, but The Dying Room lacked the oomph of the previous novels. However, do not let that discourage you, because it was still a fast-paced, gripping mystery.

One big change was the focus on Birmingham’s Medical Examiner, Sylvia Baron. Over the course of the series, you’ve seen her go from being Dan’s ex-sister-in-law (and thus, Jess’ enemy) to one of Jess’ closest and most trusted allies. In The Dying Room you’re treated to actual backstory and a bit of a side mystery. This was a happy switch of focus for me as I’ve been intrigued by this lady from day one. Anyone who is always that poised and put together is desperately trying to keep something at bay and, in this novel, we find out exactly what this is.

For me, the best part of this new novel was the prominence of my favorite side character: Buddy Corlew. I don’t know what it is, but I’m always drawn to the oddest characters, and Buddy is no exception. A bad boy to the extreme, he exudes charm and danger at every turn. What saves him is that he really is good at what he does. No longer a member of the Birmingham Police Department, he has no qualms about bending the rules in order to get what he needs, and he does this often. When he sets his sights on Sylvia, however, I thought he was crazy. But somehow, the combination of high society Sylvia and from the wrong side of the tracks Buddy really works. They had this great exchange at one point that really sums their relationship up:

Sylvia made a face. “I’m not a big fan of beer.”
Buddy grinned and pushed the Corona toward her. “You’ll learn to like it.”
“The way I learned to like you?”
He winked. “Exactly.”

That’s the infamous Corlew charm at work right there. That Sylvia is stepping outside her comfort zone not just with the beer, but also with Buddy, shows a lot of potential for her down the line. I do hope that Ms. Webb explores their relationship more in the upcoming novels. I love a mismatched couple, they’re always the most fun.

The Dying Room is an intense and engaging novel that never stops. Between the main murder mystery, Sylvia’s secret and the continuing back stories of the rest of her team, you aren’t given a chance to get bored. Debra Webb has a masterful way of managing plots and subplots so that you’re never confused or lost on any of them. Everything combines seamlessly into one fluid story that refuses to slow down until the end… and not always then, either. Another fantastic addition to an already amazing series.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Charity’s Heart by Sophia Diana Gabel

May 25, 2015 By 1 Comment

CHARITY
Charity’s Heart by Sophia Diana Gabel
Publisher: Astraea Press
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (214 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Thornapple

Charity Llewellyn, 19, looks forward to her wedding, but upon learning that her intended groom is Mathias Baptiste, the immoral son of a wealthy banker, she runs away from home to avoid the betrothal. Angry at her attempt, her father appoints a handsome and mysterious man, Alexander Sutton, as her constant chaperone.

Furious, Charity plots an escape with help from her friend Lillian, although that leads to involvement in an unsolved 20-year old murder and a shallow burial of human bones. As she tries to unravel the secrets of the old murder, she meets a frightening man who could be Jack the Ripper.

But that’s not her only obstacle. As she and Alexander grow closer, she learns a dark secret he’s been keeping and when Mathias finds them together, he’s overcome with rage and will stop at nothing to get her back, not even murder.

Suspense and mystery added to the pot, gives this story a darker tone than some may be accustomed to in a historical romance. Personally, I like this combination of romantic suspense and historical romance which is a nice change of pace.

What are Chiropractic Vertebral Subluxations As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), chiropractic vertebral subluxation is a lesion or dysfunction in a joint or motion segment wherein the alignment, range of motion and physiological function are altered even though the connection between lifestyle, weight, nutrition and fertility is viagra samples from doctor gaining more public exposure. sildenafil 10mg discount here It boosts libido and builds up stamina and vitality of men Improve the staying power of males Enhance strength Remove PE. Furthermore, you should always check the cheapest cialis from india ingredient list for allergy risks. Ashwagandha is a nervine tonic and natural aphrodisiac. purchase female viagra Charity’s father has kept her under virtual lock and key until the day arrives when she should be married. When she discovers who her father has chosen for her, a brutal man named Mathias Baptiste, Charity begins to take charge of her life in order to save herself, not only from a loveless marriage, but from being abused for the rest of her life.

Charity’s attempts to avoid marriage introduced her to Mr. Alexander Sutton, a man who has been hired by her father as a temporary bodyguard, his sole purpose being to make sure Charity arrives at the party where her betrothal is to be announced. However, Alexander is outed as the son of a former law officer, who now stands accused of murder.

For those who know me and follow my reviews online, you know that I have come to detest fluffy period novels with no substance, and an incredibly inaccurate portrayal of women’s hardships in this era of time, mainly by sugarcoating them. However, in this instance, the author got a little heavy handed with the cruelty to women. Every man in this book was mean, cruel and nasty, even Alexander, Charity’s love interest was cold, harsh, and mostly apathetic to Charity’s situation, (or ran hot and cold towards her) and not all that sexy or romantic much of the time.

The women is the story are not much better, with Charity starting off being “too stupid to live”, her best friend being very obtuse at times, although she does redeem herself somewhat, and Charity’s mother is just plain useless, making all the women in the book appear naïve, tepid, or silly.

However…. Charity does progress and grow quite nicely as the story moves along. She is still stuck in her situation and is left with little or no recourse, but to flee, if she can. I liked seeing her break out of her shell and take charge of her life, at least as much as she was able.

The mystery is a secondary plot line and eventually connects to people Charity is closely associated with. Initially, I found the set up with Alexander’s absentee father being accused of murder and leaving his son alone to take the heat and suffer a tarnished reputation, a bit odd. The evidence was circumstantial but very overwhelming. So, we cheer Alexander on as he tries to uncover the truth, with some help from Charity and her friend, although unwittingly.
The murder plot was a tad transparent in some places as you will most likely be able to ascertain who is involved, but there are still a few surprises and twist along the way.

The mystery part of the story is what kept me from sinking into utter frustration with some of the characters and events in the book. I stuck with it mainly to see the mystery solved and to see how Charity would manage to wrangle herself out the arranged marriage to Mathias. I was beginning to wonder if she would be free of this horrible man and if Alexander would simply stand by and watch it happen.

But, in the end Charity made me proud and I was glad to see she was happy, even it I did wish she had been able to experience more sigh worthy romantic elements. Overall, the story has some flaws, and it wasn’t exactly one I would gush over or highly recommend, but I found it enjoyable enough that I read it all the way through. So, if you like your historical novels with a slight edge, with a bit of mystery and suspense, you might want to give this one try.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Beck & Call by Emma Holly

May 25, 2015 By Leave a Comment

CALL
Beck & Call by Emma Holly
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (245 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, M/F/M, F/M/M, M/M, Ménage, Anal Play, Anal sex, Forced Seduction, Spanking, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Women can’t keep their hands off billionaire Damien Call. The mysterious mogul has it all: fast cars, killer looks, and a brain that just might be his best asset.

Mia Beck loves her job at a PI firm. Her coworker Jake stars in most of her daydreams, so seeing him everyday is no hardship.

Jake hasn’t believed in human goodness since he worked black ops for the CIA. Romancing innocent Mia is unthinkable, no matter how enticingly submissive she seems to be. Then a case of corporate espionage forces them to pose as a dom/sub duo, to catch the eye of accused wrongdoer Damien. No fantasy is off limits for this voyeur—until the attraction the pair exerts lures him to go hands on . . .

This is the best order levitra without prescription http://nichestlouis.com/levitra-8729.html principle and the most common problems faced by men of all ages all over the world. Men who take over-the-counter pain relief medicines regularly or frequently viagra sale cheap bought this to overcome aches and discomfort are at the risk of cardiac problems as well. Mentat nichestlouis.com generico cialis on line from Himalaya Herbals is also coined by some medical experts as a wholesome tonic towards boosting and enhancing memory strength. A lot of young men are seen to recover full viagra prices go to drugstore sexual function in just six to eight weeks of medicine. Ready for an erotic romance that will blow your socks off? Give Beck & Call a try because Ms. Holly loaded this novel up with all the good stuff. The author introduced three characters that are all unique, quirky in their own way, and how they all mesh is a wonderful orchestration of personalities.

Damien is the aloof control freak with money to burn and a heart to protect. Jake is hardened ex-military with some experiences that inadvertently come in handy but who is doing his darnedest to stay away from the innocent and delightful Mia. Mia is the sweet custard filling in the middle of the treat. Yes, she’s a nice girl with a yen to please those she cares for but there’s nothing vanilla about this girl. She thinks she’s bland but when a case comes their way at the investigative company she works for, it means taking on a new challenge where her special skill and sunny personality provides the edge they need.

In the course of the case, Mia finds out more about herself than she thought possible and it’s very exciting. The reason why it’s such a page turner is the fire and sparks that erupt between Jake and Mia. The seduction was set in motion in the first chapter and the rest of the book takes a reader on a journey of sexual exploration, revelation and relationship development. Ms. Holly has perfected the telling of a romance while between the sheets, in the kitchen or wherever else passion overtakes her characters. Interspersed throughout are insights into what makes the characters tick because the point of view is told through all three characters, but Mia’s POV is a bit more prominent.

While reading the love scenes I saw the characters share secrets and insights about themselves which made what they were doing less about sex and more about falling in love. It wasn’t just about touching each other’s bodies but their hearts. The hardest heart to reach was Damien’s. His situation was unexpected and I really felt for him. However, once the HEA was reached, I had the distinct wish that he, with Jake and Mia at his back, would stand up once and for all to the perpetrator of his greatest hurt and stand tall and proud and tell that person that they had no more power over him, that he found people who love and believe in him. Because that is what Damien found in Mia and Jake – people who really won’t let him down, who believe in him and love him no matter what. And for me, that was the absolute most stupendously wonderful and powerful moment in the book. If I had to choose whose story was most compelling, I’d choose Damien’s.

Less a reader think this novel is only about sex, I have to mention the very devious little drama that plays out. There’s a bit of corporate espionage going on but I had no idea which way it was going to go, and when the conflict came to a crisis point, Ms. Holly presented a gripping and exciting conclusion which included a bit of military style help, cool gadgets and some crazy and delusional people to mess things up. It was very action packed.

If I could ask for things to make this book better, it would have been to get a clearer insight into Jake, to understand how Jake fit into the club scene. It was sort of hinted at and it was definitely titillating and intriguing but I was left unsatisfied. I can guess it was because it might have detracted from the main story but … just what was Jake and Curtis’s connection when they gave each other those looks? Did I miss something? One thing is for sure, this book is easy to re-read, so maybe I’ll figure it out with round two. A clever thing I did figure out was the novel’s title. I got a kick out of that.

Beck & Call is truly a romantic erotic story not to miss. Fans of Ms. Holly can be excited about this one; it’s a great showcase of her storytelling strengths. I’m a happy reader.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Catherine Dickens: Outside the Magic Circle by Heera Datta

May 25, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Catherine Dickens
Catherine Dickens: Outside the Magic Circle by Heera Datta
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (212 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Outside the Magic Circle is part fiction and part fact; less fiction and more fact.

Charles Dickens married Catherine Hogarth on 2nd April, 1836, when he was an upcoming writer and reporter. Soon after marriage, he tasted spectacular success with The Pickwick Papers and in ten years, was the foremost writer of his time.

Catherine was the mother of his ten children, his hostess, she accompanied him on his American tour.

Yet, twenty-one years after they wed, Charles Dickens very publicly separated from her, denouncing her as an unfit mother and wife. He removed her from his home, his life, and the lives of his children. He never saw her again, not even when their son, Walter, died at the age of twenty-three in faraway India.
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His allegations about his wife and his unhappy marriage were works of fiction, as successful and enduring as the rest of his works. The real cause of the separation was an eighteen-year-old actress, Ellen Ternan, who later became his mistress.

On her deathbed, Catherine gave her daughter letters Charles had written to her and said, “Give these to the British Museum, that the world may know he loved me once.”

Outside the Magic Circle is a fictionalized account of Catherine’s life after she was plucked out of her familiar world and thrown to the wolves, as it were, by the exemplary Charles Dickens. It is told in her voice; sometimes reminiscing, at other times baffled, confused, hurt, angry. It has her tears, her love, and her quest for the meaning of her life, and marriage.

Love is supposed to last forever. What happens when it doesn’t?

When I first picked up this book, I genuinely didn’t understand why Catherine would have remained so quiet about the downfall of her marriage while she was alive. Her character development in this tale was so thorough, though, that her refusal to defend herself soon made sense to me. What I appreciated the most about it was how intricately Ms. Datta wove these revelations into the plot. They showed up exactly when they were needed, but they were introduced so seamlessly that I didn’t notice what the author was doing until much later on in the story. Bravo!

The cast of characters was really large. I had trouble keeping track of who everyone was and how they were connected to each other because there were so many of them. The fact that some of the younger people were named after older relatives made it even trickier to sort out everything. It would have been helpful to have a family tree or a basic list of who was who, especially in the earlier chapters when certain relationships hadn’t been made clear yet. Not having this information briefly made it awkward for me to settle into what was otherwise an engrossing read.

Mark Twain once said, “a lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” Some of the most interesting scenes in this novel explore what happens after a juicy rumor is assumed to be true by society. It was fascinating to see how little human nature has changed over the last one hundred and fifty years or so. We may wear blue jeans now instead of ball gowns or top hats, but people today are just as susceptible to being the victim of gossip as they were when Catherine was alive.

Catherine Dickens: Outside the Magic Circle should definitely be read by anyone who loves historical fiction that was inspired by real events.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Off Book by Jessica Dall

May 22, 2015 By Leave a Comment

book
Off Book by Jessica Dall
Publisher: REUTS Publications
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (181 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Twenty-year-old Eloise has learned all she can from the School, where characters live until joining their novels. No one knows genre and plot structure better than her, but despite her knowledge, she’s yet to be assigned to her own story. All her friends are off starting their lives with their authors—and if Eloise doesn’t get assigned soon, she’ll fade away, forgotten by all.

When she is offered a job at the Recording Office, instead, she takes the chance to write her own future. Suddenly living among the post-storied, Eloise meets Barnaby Fitzwilliam, a former romance novel hero who hasn’t lost any of his in-story charm. But just as their relationship begins to get serious, Eloise is sucked into a novel she was never meant to be part of, turning everything they thought they knew about their world upside down.
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Now, caught where the only rules are made by authors and truly anything is possible, Eloise must find her way back home—or her life might end before she ever gets the chance to live it.

It’s hard to sit by and watch other people find their destinies. Eloise has been gracious about it for a long time, but when will it be her turn?

There were quite a few plot twists that I didn’t see coming. Ms. Dall’s vivid imagination worked really well with the premise of this story, especially once the characters settled into their roles and began reacting to everything that was happening to them. What I appreciated the most about all of these surprises was how well they worked with the plot as well as everything I was able to figure out about the personalities of the characters involved in them.

Speaking of the characters, I would have really liked to see more time spent developing their personalities. I like Eloise and Barnaby, but I finished the final chapter without ever having a clear understanding of what it would be like to be in the same room with them. Would they be talkative or quiet? How would they react to disappointing news? What kind of response could I expect from them if they were angry? Had even some of my questions about them been answered, this book would have easily earned a much higher rating.

One of my favorite things to see in a possible romantic subplot is a strong friendship. If two characters have enough in common that I could see them being best friends, I will almost certainly root for them to end up together. It took a while for the romantic elements of this tale to fully appear, but I was glad the author took her time to show the audience why the people involved in that storyline might make such a good match. It kept my attention and made it hard to stop reading.

Off Book was incredibly clever. I’d recommend it to anyone has ever wondered what characters really do when an author stops paying attention to them.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Soul Fire by Nichelle Gregory

May 22, 2015 By Leave a Comment

fire
Soul Fire by Nichelle Gregory
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (179 Pages)
Other: M/F, M/F/M, Anal Play, Toys, Menage
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fuchsia

Married almost ten years, Aimee and Kaden are committed to facing any challenges within their relationship together…even if it means exploring unexpected forbidden desires.

Aimee’s life goes into a tailspin after her husband, Kaden, reveals he’s had an affair. Devastated, Aimee’s unsure whether to call it quits on their marriage or to forgive him. Meanwhile, she turns to Van, Kaden’s colleague and friend, for solace, but comfort turns to sizzling sex and mutual feelings she never expected.

Committed to her marriage despite everything that’s happened, Aimee wonders if Kaden will be as forgiving as she has been for the sake of their relationship.

Both of these problems can hamper a samples of levitra person’s sperm count. It is very necessary to start the recovery or treatment of the spinal cord injury to avoid the generic viagra no prescription degeneration of the bone or atrophy. They are also good for decreasing instances of premature ejaculation, and help increase sexual viagra samples canada desire and sexual vigor. Also 73 percent of diabetics have high blood buy viagra pressure. Kaden wants Aimee’s forgiveness. He’s willing to do anything to make things right, but wishes he could experience with his wife the same kind of spicy encounters he had with his lover. He’s shocked to learn the details of Aimee’s kinky tryst and jealous of the bond that exists between her and Van. Kaden doesn’t plan on losing his wife to another man, especially now when he and Aimee are finally being honest about what they need from each other.

Can their marriage survive and thrive with their new wicked passions?

After ten years of marriage Aimee Ryan finds out that her husband Kaden has cheated on her. She is hurt, devastated and disappointed, and so she turns to her friend Van for comfort and support. Van offers his support but he soon finds that he is completely attracted to Aimee and Aimee feels the same way about him. So instead of holding back and not exploring these feeling, Aimee gives in and has an affair with Van who also happens to be her husband Kaden’s colleague.

Kaden Ryan was feeling lonely and unloved by Aimee–she seemed to never make time to be intimate with him so he turned to his friend Van’s assistant Tonya for sexual soothing. For him it was just sex nothing more but when his wife Aimee found out he knew that he had hurt her. Kaden had to find a way to get Aimee to forgive him and to give their marriage another try. He had to find a way to put the spark back into their marriage.

Soul Fire is book three in the Souls Entwined series, and it’s all about the sexual awakening of Aimee and Kaden, and how they brought their marriage back from the brink of divorce. Their marriage and sex life was routine, with each wanting more from the other but did not know how to ask for it. However, once Kaden found out the things Aimee did with Van, he wanted to recreate it and embellish on it

The characters of Aimee and Kaden as well as Van and Tonya helped create a story that was interesting and enjoyable. Nichelle Gregory created characters that pulled you into their story and made you root for them. There was a little Dom/sub action going on with all four characters which was entertaining but never fully fleshed out. We got a glimpse of the role Tonya played as a submissive to Kaden, and also the same with Aimee and Van. Kaden made Aimee describe what she and Van did and then he recreated it with her; however he never said what he and Tonya did.

Also, I couldn’t quite understand how Van went from being in love with Aimee and willing to be a part of a threesome because he just needed to be near her, to dating Tonya. There was no explanation and knowing how hurt Aimee was with Kaden cheating with Tonya why would Van date someone who hurt the woman he professed to love? Also the ending of the book was abrupt and left a lot of questions unanswered.

Soul Fire is a good story to read, it will leave you with questions but it will also show you how two people who think they know one another can come to realize that there is always more to learn.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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