Book Review - Lady Thief - A. G. Gaughen

Title:  Lady Thief

Author:  A.C. Gaughen

Review:   Lady Thief is the sequel to Scarlet, which is a twist on Robin Hood, where Will Scarlet is Lady Marian.  I am going to admit I am a Robin Hood nut and as a child I would pretend to shoot bows and arrows using my mom’s metal hanger while making any twig I found into arrows.  So whenever someone writes a Robin Hood story I can’t help but read the book.  I have read some serious crap on this pursuit but also some really fun stories.  Scarlet and Lady Thief are a fun twist on Robin Hood and his marry men, one I would add to the pile of fun stories so you if like Robin Hood give this series a try.

Scarlet is the first in a trilogy where the reader meets Will Scarlet who is a girl with a secret she doesn't want anyone to know not even Robin Hood. She dresses like a lad, steals from those who have more and gives to those she cares about. Scarlet tries to keep secrets that only seem to eat her up inside causing a refit in Robin Hood band of thieves.

Lady Thief takes place a few months after Scarlet - where Robin is dealing with the stress of healing and the demons that follow him in his dreams. Scarlet wants to take away his pains but soon finds herself protecting herself physically and emotional from Robins demons that follow him. Scarlet has been given an ultimatum to join the nobles and be given her freedom or remain married to the man who tried to kill her.  To follow her heart she makes a deal with the devil himself her husband Guy of Gisbourne and promises to play his wife in Nottingham. While there she finds out a secret that changes everything and nothing will ever be the same.  I want to tell you but I can’t because that would totally kill the book for you so I am sorry, read the book and see for yourself what it is that changes everything.

I loved how the author used some of the folklore found in ever Robin Hood story but the authors added her own fun twist.  Again the author uses this time period to make for some cringe worthy moments that make you wonder how any one survived the middle ages. I enjoy the fact the author uses the time period correctly with language, imaginary and setting. I have a love hate relationship with this book and don’t want to give away any hidden goodies but trust me you will LOVE some parts of this book and others you will hate and still you will wonder where the author is going to take the third book?  This book has romance, kissing but it’s nothing today’s thirteen year old haven’t already seen and read.

I am excited to read the third in the series and I will tell you there were some moments where I wanted to throw my Kindle on the floor and yell No Way!  If you loved the first you will love this one as well.  (But I wanted to read the next so not throwing of the electronics allowed.)

A.C. Gaughen uses grammar and language that was used during the time period making the story come alive.  I would recommend this novel to my thirteen year old niece because there is no language, or sex, but the violence might be consider at PG13 level only.

Thanks go to Heidi for this review. - my eyes are getting bad so here for you with eyes like mine- no glasses needed to read this review.

Publisher:  Expected publication: February 11th 2014 by Walker Childrens

ISBN:  9780802736147

Page Numbers:  304

Quick Review:  5 out 5 stars

Why I Read this Title:  I love books like this. – Sent by the publisher for review.

Synopsis:  Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.

 

Author Details:  I am shamelessly addicted to staying up far too late (it feels like stealing time), diet coke (it burns so good), Scotland (stupid country stole my heart and won't give it back. Interpol has been ineffective for prosecution) and thieves (so I guess I'm not that mad at Scotland).

Want to know more? Just ask!

Other Reviews:

Dark Faeries - 5 stars

Shae Has Left the Room

Products we Don't Love Anymore - Vera Bradley anything with silver metal accents -

Update I posted this review on Vera Bradley and they did not allow it to be posted.

I bought one of these lanyard from Vera Bradley back last year - I wore it with my work ID and it hung around my neck for about 3 months.  I received many compliments and I loved the way it looked.  I noticed one day that the silver ring and clips were turning copper color - I hardly touch this lanyard- it hangs around my neck and my ID is attached to the string hooked to the large ring.  The silver was wearing away without much touching or time - I had this less than 3 months at the time I noticed this color change.

I looked at my other Vera Bradley items and sure enough the silver rings on my Hipster purse were also turning a copper color.  I emailed the company and they told me they would have to see the item to access if it was a manufacture defect - but they informed me that it most likely was not and that I would need to send the lanyard to them at my expense and also pay return freight if it was determined not to be a manufacture defect - which they stated again their doubt in that possibility.  I wrote back and asked what else the color change could be and they said wear and tear - After only 3 months without even touching, rubbing, etc.  Hanging loosely around my neck only- I guess I think it should stay silver much longer than 3 months of any kind of wear.  

So if you are planning on buying from Vera Bradly be sure the item doesn't have any silver accents, rings, etc.  you will not be pleased by the copper color coming out after little or no time.

Book Review - The Signature of All Things - Elizabeth Gilbert

Title: The Signature of All Things

Author: Elizabeth Gilbert

Review:  This book is quite a departure from Eat, Pray, Love.  I had expected something else and so it took me a bit of time to get into this book, at first I was confused if she was just relating a story before the book really began…but that was the story and the book.  When I accepted that this was a historical novel about a man and then his family and finally his daughter I started to enjoy the book.

I took my time reading this book and that is one of the reasons the review is so late compared to the published date…I had it well before the publish date- but life happened and I wanted to savor this book like a fine wine.  I read a few pages everyday and with over 500 pages to read that took a bit of time- time I enjoyed along the way.  I would find myself thinking about the characters and what would happen next and then read on.  The story was not fast moving, the chapters did not end on cliff hangers so I felt no need to rush along my journey, and this book is truly an amazing journey.  Travels around the globe in the 1800’s took month’s maybe years and this book traveled the globe too far off places where the characters had grand adventures.  Some more grand then others and some just grand enough for a fond memory to form and grow into more.

I love reading about history and this book is a treat for the reader, one that is worth all the pages to get to the end of the story and the end of a remarkable journey- life.  I loved the last chapter and reread parts to try and remember what touched me the first time I finished the book since I turned the last page with tears in my eyes- and yet it was not a sad or depressing ending at all – it was a treat- one well worth the months it took me to read and enjoy.  Some books are worth slowly digesting and thinking about.

Publisher: Published October 1st 2013 by Viking Adult
ISBN: 9780670024858

Copyright: 2013
Pages: 512

Quick Review: 5 Stars out of 5
Why I Read It: Loved Eat, Pray, Love.
Where I Obtained the Book: Sent by the publisher for review.

Synopsis A glorious, sweeping novel of desire, ambition, and the thirst for knowledge, from the # 1 New York Times bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and Committed.

In The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert returns to fiction, inserting her inimitable voice into an enthralling story of love, adventure and discovery. Spanning much of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the novel follows the fortunes of the extraordinary Whittaker family as led by the enterprising Henry Whittaker—a poor-born Englishman who makes a great fortune in the South American quinine trade, eventually becoming the richest man in Philadelphia. Born in 1800, Henry's brilliant daughter, Alma (who inherits both her father's money and his mind), ultimately becomes a botanist of considerable gifts herself. As Alma's research takes her deeper into the mysteries of evolution, she falls in love with a man named Ambrose Pike who makes incomparable paintings of orchids and who draws her in the exact opposite direction—into the realm of the spiritual, the divine, and the magical. Alma is a clear-minded scientist; Ambrose a utopian artist—but what unites this unlikely couple is a desperate need to understand the workings of this world and the mechanisms behind all life.

Exquisitely researched and told at a galloping pace, The Signature of All Things soars across the globe—from London to Peru to Philadelphia to Tahiti to Amsterdam, and beyond. Along the way, the story is peopled with unforgettable characters: missionaries, abolitionists, adventurers, astronomers, sea captains, geniuses, and the quite mad. But most memorable of all, it is the story of Alma Whittaker, who—born in the Age of Enlightenment, but living well into the Industrial Revolution—bears witness to that extraordinary moment in human history when all the old assumptions about science, religion, commerce, and class were exploding into dangerous new ideas. Written in the bold, questing spirit of that singular time, Gilbert's wise, deep, and spellbinding tale is certain to capture the hearts and minds of readers.

Author Biography:  Elizabeth Gilbert is an award-winning writer of both fiction and non-fiction. Her short story collection Pilgrims was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway award, and her novel Stern Men was a New York Times notable book. Her 2002 book The Last American Man was a finalist for both the National Book Award and the National Book Critic’s Circle Award. 

Her memoir, Eat, Pray, Love, spent 57 weeks in the #1 spot on the New York Times paperback bestseller list. It has shipped over 6 million copies in the US and has been published in over thirty languages. A film adaptation of the book was released by Columbia Pictures with an all star cast: Julia Roberts as Gilbert, Javier Bardem as Felipe, James Franco as David, Billy Crudup as her ex-husband and Richard Jenkins as Richard from Texas.

Her latest novel, The Signature of All Things, will be available on October 1, 2013. The credit for her profile picture belongs to Jennifer Schatten.

Other Reviews:

NY Times

Book'd Out

Book Review - No Place Like Rome - Julie Moffett - A Lexi Carmichael Mystery

Title: No Place Like Rome

Author: Julie Moffett

Review: Lexi Carmichael is a 100% Geek girl, gamer, and hacker who has zero social skills and can't tell the difference between a man hitting on her or wanting to be her friend.  In the first two books you meet Lexis friends and future love interest who can't get enough of her brain. No Place like Rome has the sexiest government secret hacking weapon Slash.  No place like Rome has Slash trying to free his Uncle in Rome who is accused of taking money from the Vatican Bank.  Slash asks for Lexis help and they take off to Rome where she meets Slash’s family, friends and possible girlfriends who have a different name for him.  Lexi calls him by this hacker name Slash and finds herself trying to figure out if he has more interest in her besides friendship. Lexis grand plans for a quick in and out backfire as she is the next target which makes for some funny moments between her and Slash. After all when in Rome.

 Lexi Carmichael has to be the most loveable character I have come across. She is 100% geek and has zero street smarts but she tries to think outside the box while putting herself in dangerous places without knowing how she got there. The Author keeps you guess who might be a double agent and who might want to harm Lexi.

I loved the advancement in the relationship between Slash and Lexi and how Lexi had no idea when a guy likes her or just wants to be friends which adds to the laughs causing tears to run down my face. Every geek girl can relate to Lexi at some point in this book which makes it so much fun to read. The author keeps true to the characters she has carefully crafted making you root for some, hoping others you never meet again and others you hope to see again. Though out the book Lexi is always trying to figureout Slash name and at the very end of the book he give her his name and I secretly hopes its true but since he likes to give people a different name I can't believe he is being truthful even with Lexi. 

There is no sex but a lot of sexual tension which again makes for a great chick lit book after all sometimes sex gets in the way of a fun read. There are a few moments of will they or won’t they? I am very excited for the next book in the series and I hope it is a little longer than this book.

This is a great chick lit series and is a quick read but by far my favorite in the series.

Thanks Heidi for this review.

Publisher: Published November 25th 2013 by Carina Press
ISBN: 9781299975125

Copyright: 2013
Pages: 117

Quick Review: 5 Stars out of 5
Why I Read It: Love books and series like this.
Where I Obtained the Book: I got it free at Netgalley

Synopsis:  A Lexi Carmichael Mystery

Italy might seem like a long way to go to hide after a disastrous date. But when sexy uberhacker Slash (no, that's not his real name) asks me to go with him to Rome on an investigation, the timing is sort of perfect. My messed-up love life becomes the least of my worries, though, after the dead body, the near-kidnapping and the discovery of a top secret encrypted file that even I can't hack.

With time running out, there's only one thing to do: call in the legendary Zimmerman twins and my best fluent-in-Italian friend, Basia, to crack the code. Now if only someone could help me solve the mystery of whether Slash is flirting, or if all the kissing is just one of those "when in Rome" things...

But when we finally uncover the secret someone would kill to keep, it's up to me to solve the case and save the lives of my best friends.

Just another week in the life of geek-girl Lexi Carmichael.

Read about Lexi's previous adventures in No One Lives Twice, No One to Trust and No Money Down.

Author Biography:  I have always been a romantic at heart. So when I finally decided to pursue my dream of writing a novel, naturally, it was a romance. I have published several novels in many genres – historicals, time-travels and paranormals.

I’m a military brat (Air Force) and have traveled extensively. My more exciting exploits include attending high school in Okinawa, Japan (Go, Kubasaki!), backpacking around Europe and Scandanavia for several months, a year-long college study in Warsaw, Poland and a wonderful trip to Scotland and Ireland where I fell in love with castle, kilts and brogues.

I have a B.A. in Political Science and Russian Language from Colorado College and a M.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. I worked as a correspondent for the international radio station, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Washington, D.C. writing hundreds of articles and producing numerous radio programs for eleven years before "retiring" to be a stay-at-home mom and full-time writer in 1999.

I speak Russian and Polish (I married a Pole in 1991!) and love reading foreign literature (especially Slavic). I had a beautiful baby boy named Alexander in 1995. I never knew what joy a child could bring to my life.

If you would like to receive occasional e-mails from me announcing my new releases, please let me know. I also have a newsletter and bookmarks available via snail mail. If you send a legal-sized SASE to the address below, I’ll be happy to put them in the mail for you.

Other Reviews:

Night Owl 5 stars

All the Books I Can Read 8 out of 10

Book Review - The Broken Circle - David P Bridges

Title: The Broken Circle

Author: David P Bridges

Review: You can tell from the beginning of this book that David Bridges knows about the history of the Civil War and how it affected all those who fought and those who supported them.  It is a story of dedication, love of country, love of state and of divided loyalties.  It is a story that could be told with different characters but still have the same conclusion.

James Breathed is a doctor use to saving lives not taking them.  But he learns that in time of war sometimes you take them and other times you save them no matter what color they are wearing. 

The story starts when James meets Jeb Stuart, later to become a famous Confederate General, on a train ride to Maryland.  The war has not begun but soon will and Stuart tries to talk James into joining his unit he is forming to fight for the South.

James joins Stuart and eventually becomes a Captain over the artillery and the battles in the book are told from this perspective.

Mollie is a young girl that James has known since he was a child.  Both her father and James father are doctors and the families have become fast friends.  Mollie and James fall in love and when they part, for James to join Stuart, Mollie decides she needs to do something for the cause also. So Mollie starts to watch carefully and to listen carefully and is able to collect information that helps the confederacy.  Her adventures add color to the book.

James makes it through most of the war without any outward wounds but the inward wounds are building as the war drags on year after year.  Finally near the end of the war a physical wound happens that gives Mollie and James a chance to be together for a time as he recovers, but he never fully recovers and their love is put on hold while James tries to figure what lies ahead for him.  He tries to give rest to his soul by delivering babies and being the doctor that he started out to be but the pain is sometimes more than he can bare, physically but mostly emotionaly.

This story is well written but a bit to long in places with too much detail that was not necessary to the story and caused it to bog down in places. 

I give this book a three out of five stars, the story is not exciting but is very interesting and a very good read.

Thanks Eileen for this review. 

Publisher: Published September 10th 2013 by "Wipf & Stock"
ISBN: 9781625641526

Copyright: 2013
Pages: 362

Quick Review: 3 Stars out of 5
Why I Read It: I love history
Where I Obtained the Book: Sent to me by the publisher for review

Synopsis:  Dr./Major Breathed chooses the cause of the Confederacy over medicine but will that decision cost him the love of his life? James is swept away into a war created by divisions between the northern and southern states. The Broken Circle has elements that mirror a Greek tragedy that sets up the paradoxical inner conflict of saving life as a doctor versus destroying life as a soldier. He re-channels his genius from medical to master warrior and ultimately becomes disillusioned and demoralized. Mollie Macgill utilizes her espionage talents as the two fall in love throughout the course of the war. In the final post-war chapters they both seek redemption from God for their greater devotion to the Southern cause. As they seek to repair their shattered souls the tragic brokenness of James's and Mollie's lives is revealed. The Broken Circle is full of historically accurate battle scenes and the characters are historical people.

Author Biography:  David P. Bridges, theologian, historian, biographer, outdoorsman and horseman, began writing about the Civil War period after nearly two decades of serving as an ordained Presbyterian minister. Bridges undergraduate B.S. degree in economics was received from The University of Kentucky. He furthered his academic experience and studied theology and history at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and The University of Chicago, Divinity School. In order to further enhance his writing he learned to fire cannon and fight as dismounted cavalry so that he could participate in Civil War reenactments with the 2nd Virginia Cavalry & Stuart Horse Artillery, based in Roanoke, Virginia.

Bridges' area of expertise is 1850-1950 American history. His first non-fictional historical book is about the Best family, coal industrialists and philanthropists who historically impacted Chicago's history. His second book chronicles the Bridges family in Western Maryland. It shows how industry, politics and conservation worked together to preserve the Woodmont Rod and Gun Club, Hancock, Maryland. Bridges' latest book chronicles the life and Civil War trials and tribulations of Major James Breathed, Stuart Horse Artillery, C.S.A in the novel forthcoming "War, Love & Redemption A Novel Of The War For Southern Independence". He resides in Richmond, Virginia, with his faithful birddogs Angel, Bella and Rosey.

Other Reviews:

My Book Addictions Review  Rating 4

Amazon