The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy

The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan

I'm gonna get this out of the way first.  Rick Riordan knows how to craft an addictive, gut-churning story.  I didn't want to put this book down, even though I spent most of the time thoroughly disgusted with the main character (more on that later).  He really makes you want to cheer for everyone - and then turn around and make you question why you were cheering for them.  As a reader you can't help but invest yourself in this story.

And what a story it was.  Almost right away you knew where the battlegrounds were being drawn.  There was no question about where the "dark prophecy" was coming from or who the ultimate victor would be, however, that wasn't the point of the story.  It was what you didn't know.  Who was going to fight at Apollo/Lester's side?  Who was the real bad guy?  And what was Apollo's connection to all of the new (and old) characters being introduced?

I mentioned earlier that the main character disgusted me...well, Apollo is REALLY annoying.  He is conceited.  He is a whiner.  He is everything a middle-adventure hero shouldn't be.  And yet...that is kind of his point.  He is a character in the process of being remade.  He isn't supposed to be likable.  Riordan threw the supporting characters in the story to be the likable ones.  Meg, for instance is extremely likable in her ornery "Meg-ish" way.  It is Apollo's devotion to her that makes his character redeemable.

There are several new characters that come into play from both mythology and the mind of Rick Riordan himself.  It was fun trying to decipher who was who.  I have to admit that I kept my phone next to me the whole time to randomly Google names to find out their mythological backstories.  One character - who I guessed was coming based on clues planted in the last book - is even familiar to people who have seen a certain Roman-set movie.  Lets just say he is way more disagreeable in this book than he was in the movie, and that is saying a lot!

And along with the new characters, we get to revisit some old friends.  Not just Leo and Calypso, either.  Several familiar faces pop up in this book, and not all of them will make you comfortable with your own way of thinking.  I had to question several of my previously held beliefs from old books in order to realign my view of Rick Riordan's world.

As for the action in the book, there was a lot of it.  Every chapter has something going on and the desire to skim over sections just isn't there.  Overall, this book was a definite winner!  And once again, Rick Riordan has us drooling for the next segment, THE BURNING MAZE, coming next spring.

Continuity/Flow – 5
Action - 5

Characters – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

His Wicked Seduction

His Wicked Seduction by Lauren Smith

Horatia Sheridan has only ever loved one man.  From the moment her brother’s best friend, Lucien Russell pulled her from her parents wrecked carriage and comforted her in the aftermath of their horrific deaths her heart has utterly belonged to him.  However, it has become increasingly clear that he will never marry her, and since her London Seasons have all ended in disaster she has decided to take matters into her own hands.  If she is to end up as a spinster, then she will have at least one memory of passion to take with her…and it will be with the gentleman of her heart.

The League of Rogues might have earned their reputations by doing whatever they wanted, but they still operated under strict rules of honor.  Rule number two:  None shall seduce the sister of another member, or they shall face satisfaction on the field of honor.  It is this very rule that keeps Lucien Russell, Marquess of Rochester, from pursuing the only woman who might ever matter him.  But when the League’s old enemy rears his ugly head again and makes threats of the lives of the entire Sheridan Family, Lucien offers to host them all for the Holidays in an attempt to keep them safe.  Will Lucien be able to resist the temptation of Horatia being so close, or will honor among friends win out in the end?

Like its predecessor, HIS WICKED SEDUCTION is packed full of action, adventure, mystery, humor, and, of course, seduction.  There are lots of wounded heroes and dangerous scenarios, and many, many opportunities to remember first hand why the members of the League of Rogues are so irresistible. 

In the anatomy of the League, if Ashton is the leader, Cedric the duty-bound rallying post, Charles the affable mascot, and Godric the strong influence, then Lucien is the dirty little secret.  His friends know his proclivities and tend to look the other way, but that doesn’t mean they approve.  His position in the League seems to be cemented by his fierce loyalty to Cedric, and in turn the other members.  He truly is a caring man and sees and understands beauty is a way the others don’t, but his area of influence seems to be tainted by his activities.

Horatia’s character is a lot less complicated than Lucien’s she is very much liked by everyone she meets, but her preference of a good book over the company of others puts her at a social disadvantage on the Marriage Mart.  Her love for Lucien is pure and innocent (up to a point), and the story of her efforts to influence his love life is priceless.  Yet for all of her character predictability, she balances Lucien so well that you can’t help but really like her.

The true magic of this book lies in two very distinct realms, the first being the villain.  To have a convincing mystery/action/adventure you have to have a villain reprehensible enough to be hard to defeat and easy to hate.  Hugo Waverly meets both of these criteria, but we also get a small glimpse as to the incident behind Waverly’s madness.  Instead of eliciting pity, the tale simply adds to the reader’s comprehension of his complete lunacy.

The other realm of magic that this book holds is the introduction of Lucien’s wonderfully raucous family.  As a whole they are a brood of hellions bent of driving their mother crazy with their individual quirks and eccentricities.  Linus, the youngest brother, in particular is an out of control scoundrel who seems to greet the coming of the Sheridans as an opportunity for more mischief-making with his old cohort, Audrey.  Of course the woman behind the family is not much tamer than her children.  Meddling and loving in equal parts, Lady Rochester cements herself as one of the great literary matriarchs.

Over all, this book was wonderful continuation of a now great series.  I look forward with bated breath to the third book in the series scheduled for release Fall 2015. 

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Red Hawk's Woman

Red Hawk's Woman by Karen Kay

When Red Hawk first saw Effie Rutledge frolicking in the water he was immediately drawn to the light and joy that seemed to emanate from within her.  The short time they spent playing together, though neither spoke the other's language, was the happiest time in Red Hawk's short life, and it was a time that would carry him through the journey he was about to embark on.  For it was not joy that would save his Clan from the curse of a vengeful god, but mercy toward an enemy.  And he had only eighteen years to achieve the impossible.

Effie Rutledge first heard about the Lost Clan as a child listening to her father recount the legend to his best friend.  Seventeen years later, Effie leads an archaeological expedition into the heart of Blackfoot country at the behest of her father in order to find clues as to the existence of the Clan, and possibly locate the final two artifacts the legend speaks of as a path to redemption for the Clan.  Unfortunately, someone - or something - doesn't want her to succeed, and several incidents convince many that the expedition just might be cursed.  In need of a new guide, Effie discovers an Indian watching her curiously in town and approaches him about taking the job.  It isn't until after he is already hired that Effie learns Red Hawk is the little boy she has never been able to forget.  Soon they embark on an adventure fraught with pleasure, mystery, and a danger neither of them were prepared for.

When I first started reading romance novels as a teen my only options were whatever my mother or grandmother were reading (I was a bit of a sneak and thought they didn't notice).  Their collective preference at the time was Native American, Pioneer, and Western Historical Romance.  Consequently I became very adept in deciphering the differences between the three sub-genres, which all often took place in similar settings with similar characters.  What set the Native American Romance apart was the "useless white man" stereotypes, and this story had those in abundance.  Everything is there from greed for gold, the fact that the white man cared nothing for nature, and the white man's inability to track or scout due to his being generally unobservant.

However, there is a twist.  This story also incorporates a Paranormal Romance angle.  The legend of the Lost Clan is fantastical enough, but that still lends to basic Native American mysticism, which is an easily explained and generally accepted belief among historical aficionados.  What is not as easily accepted is the actual existence of Spirit Guardians and vengeful gods who take physical form.  The inclusion of these elements in the story allows the reader to immerse themselves in a world of fantasy at the same time that they are learning about the cultural differences and practices of the mid-to-late 1800s.  Karen Kay plots all of this in such away that she actually makes archaeology sound fun and exciting without resorting "The Mummy" methods (where they forget that the characters actually have to work to uncover artifacts).

The supporting characters in the story lend credence to the mystery that encompasses the plot and never really give the reader a true peak at whether they can be trusted.  As a reader you are constantly guessing at who the bad guy really is, and that leads to a satisfying reading experience.

Overall, this is an adventurous romp through Native American culture with side trips detailing the white man's incompetence, and somehow none of this comes off as offensive.  That alone is impressive.  My only complaint would be that I would have liked to have seen their romance grow more gradually.  It seemed very rushed, but I guess they had seventeen years to pine for each other.

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall

The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall by Lauren Smith

Jane Seyton is just one step away from earning her doctorate in history, now all she has to do is provide proof that her theory about Stormclyffe Hall and its tragic history is correct.  After getting no response from the Earl of Weymouth, the Hall's stoic owner, Jane travels to Weymouth herself in hopes that her years of obsession will finally pay off.  Little does she know that events are already conspiring to do more than ruin her chances at a degree.  Will the past repeat itself yet again by bringing together and then tearing apart yet another star crossed pair?

Bastian Carlisle, Earl of Weymouth, has never believed in the silly ghost stories and superstitions that have always plagued his family.  All he wants is to rebuild his ancestral home and leave all of the nonsense behind him.  Unfortunately there is some pretty damning proof clogging up the family archives that something is not as it should be, and that is precisely what Jane Seyton wants access to.  But people who look too close tend to wind up dead, and that is one outcome that Bastian can't let happen.

This is simply not your ordinary gothic novel...it's so much better!  Forget the creepy and ridiculous villain, or the even more ridiculous and insipid damsel in distress waiting for a vain and chauvinistic hero.  This story contains smart characters and a plot so twisted and realistic it's truly scary.

A simple breakdown of the things I loved can begin with ALL of the characters.  The hero and heroine are both on par with each other for both brilliance and stubbornness.  Neither is willing to give an inch when it comes to what they want, which are dynamically opposing things.  Their true personalities are unwrapped in pieces and not all at once, which gives the reader a chance to discover them at a pace to fall in love with them.

The plot is another gem with this book.  The story captures you and draws you in.  I often found myself losing track of time, and at one point discovered that I had stayed up until 2 AM and needed to finish the book the next day.  This one was definitely a thriller.  I loved how it ended with one last plot twist.  It was just pure awesome.

Overall, I recommend reading this at night (for effect) and then buying a nightlight (because...you know).  I really hope to hear more from Lauren Smith in the Gothic Romance category, because I believe she is about to redefine the genre.  Perfect score!

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Please Me, Cowboy

Please Me, Cowboy by Megan Crane

Jonah Flint is the master of his world.  If he says "jump", everyone around him says "how high?"  He is admittedly cold and doesn't care about anyone...well, anyone except his too emotional twin brother, Jasper.  When Jonah hears that Jasper is planning to propose to a "nobody school teacher from nowhere", he makes it his personal mission to rescue his brother from the clutches of this Montana gold-digger and remind him of the life that he once lived.  In order to do that he needs an accomplice.  A woman as cold and cunning as he is who can convince Jasper that she and Jonah are for real, and can put Little Miss Montana in her place...in Jasper's rear view.

Gracelyn Packard never thought that she would see Montana again.  Because she never wanted to see Montana again.  Being raised as white trash on the Montana prairie, Gracelyn left the moment she turned eighteen and never looked back.  Well, that connection may have just gained her the greatest honor of her career, but does she really want to be used by her big, bad boss.  Being back in Montana is doing something to her, though, and maybe being used by Jonah isn't such a bad thing after all.

Megan Crane doesn't take the easy path when it comes to heroes, that's for sure.  A cold, egotistical, "CEO of the World", type-A, male chauvinist is not exactly your classic hero write-up.  Yet somehow she manages to leave room for something likable; something redeemable.  Sure Jonah is a jerk to everyone around him, even Jasper, but he does actually love Jasper.  Plus, there are some great emotional flips that lead to a great culmination at the end of the story.

The heroine is another tough cookie, but she is relate-able right from the get go.  There is a vulnerability that we see right away and we empathize with easily.  Though not many people have been in Gracelyn's shoes, I think most of us can easily imagine ourselves there.

Beyond the main characters, the only other character interactions are Jasper and Chelsea (with some exceptions at the end which I will not spoil).  The supporting character-light format usually bothers me big time, but I think that with all of the emotions flying around, fewer characters actually do make it better.

Over all, this was an intriguing read.  I liked it.  It was good, to the point, entertaining to be sure.

Continuity/Flow – 5
Sex – 4 

Characters – 4

Storyline – 4

Overall – 4

Kiss Me, Cowboy

Kiss Me, Cowboy by Melissa McClone

For Charlotte "Charlie" Randall, one kiss meant everything.  It was the beginning and the end.  It was the best and the worst.  It was the moment she fell in love with Zack Harris...and the moment she lost him forever.  Because no matter how are she tries to be "one of the guys", she cannot be anywhere near Zack if he can't see her as a woman he wants to be with.

Zack Harris knows the importance of family.  With his parents completely out of the picture and his army buddies scattered across the country, the only family he has left are the wranglers of the Bar V5.  That's why when he kissed Charlie Randall during a moment of weakness alarm bells sounded instead of wedding bells.  He could NOT let romantic feelings tear his family apart.  Yet now Charlie is leaving for Colorado and Zack has just a few days to convince her not to abandon the family they have all built together.  Except that might not be the only reason he wants her to stay.  Can he convince her to give the Bar V5 - and him - another chance?

I think that the Bar V5 could easily be at the top of my "Literary Places I Would Go If They Were Real" list.  I mean, who would jump at a chance to visit a ranch with hot cowboys that doubled as a spa?  This is the second visit Melissa McClone has brought us on, and I know that I hope and pray that there are MANY more.

Story-wise, this story is sweet and heartfelt.  Both main characters are on the same page with family history.  Yet their individual reactions to their similar upbringings could not be any more different.  Charlie knows that life is full of love and acceptance.  Zack is positive that he wouldn't know what to do with love, even if it were shown to him.  This spin is both old and new at the same time.  It is familiar, but with a twist.  I love how Melissa McClone has managed, as in many of her stories, to take a situation that many romance stories have utilized, and give is a fresh coat of paint for a refreshing take.

The main thing I love about this story is that the characters all genuinely care about each other.  They are close, and that closeness really breathes through.  The reader doesn't need to be told that the wranglers all love and respect Ty, because it is evident from the way the never question his authority yet treat him like a brother.  The same goes for the way the other wranglers feel about Charlie.  She is clearly respected as a senior member of the staff.

Overall, this is a perfect "comfort" book.  A book that you read when you want to know that there are places where everything is right with the world and things really do make sense.  The turmoil in the book is emotional, but there is no danger of being punched in the gut by it.  The world needs books like this.

Continuity/Flow – 5
Sex – 4 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Cherish Me, Cowboy

Cherish Me, Cowboy by Alissa Callen

Payton Hollis needs a man like she needs another sunny day.  That is to say...she doesn't.  Stuck in a drought and wracking her brain as to how she is going to keep her ranch afloat without enough water or food to supply her cattle, she sees a "city-boy" like Cordell Morgan as nothing but a nuisance.  Until he works his magic and helps an abandonned calf find it's way to a new mama's heart...and then works his way into hers.

Cordell Morgan is in Marietta, Montana for one thing only.  To convince a crotchety, former rodeo cowboy to lease him land for a friend's Angus heard to graze on.  But no matter how many times he tells himself that, he just can't stop thinking about Payton and her headstrong ways.  His past tells him to get in, get out, and run as far as he can, but his heart just might be singing a new tune.

This was a well written and special story.  Too many times everyone finds a point that they have to give up their ties to the past and realize they are only holding themselves back.  Whether it be trauma, fear of the unknown, or just being stubborn and set in their ways, many people falter when it comes to new experiences or allowing others into their lives.  This story gave so many great examples of that.

I loved that there was a bit of tragic excitement and mystery thrown in to add to the whole experience.  Those little touches truly make a good book great, and this was already a great book.  It is a sweet romance through and through, with very little need for overly sexy scenes that really wouldn't have fit anyway.

The characters in this book are a fabulous blend of old and new.  We see and hear from many characters from the previous Copper Mountain Rodeo Books, and we meet some characters who have only been mentioned in passing before.  The two main characters in this story are likable to the point that you truly do want to be their friends.

Overall, Alissa Callen crafted a wonderful story here that is great purely for it's own sake.  A definite recommended read both with and without the other books in the Second Copper Mountain Rodeo Series.

Continuity/Flow – 5
Sex – 4 

Characters – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5