eyes.2c Reviews

The Earl's Christmas Colt (Entangled Flirts) by Rebecca Thomas Quite a lovely story about duty, love and marriage. Out of the blue, Lady Arabella Sutton is informed by her brother Will that she will have no second London season. She is to be married within a few days to Will's friend and future duke, Oliver Westwyck, the Earl of Marsdale. Arabella is never happier than being with her horses. Marriage is not part of that equation. In shock she flings herself onto her horse and rides off, despite a looming storm. Forced to take shelter at a local inn when her horse turns up lame, Arabella runs into a handsome, gentlemanly horse breeder at the inn's stables. Mr. Carrington undertakes to assist her with securing a room. Whilst he is about that Arabella overhears two serving maids discussing the guests. Apparently an Earl, Oliver Westwyck is staying here. Her erstwhile fiancé! Frantic lest her reputation suffer if he discovers her alone at an inn, a panicked Arabell...

The Temptation of Lady Serena (The Marriage Game) by Ella Quinn  The beginning of the story seemed a tad stilted but then maybe it just reflected the gauche innocence that is Serena. Out of her environment, stiff and unsure, Serena has been living a lonely life, managing the family's large estate whilst her brother's been part of Wellington's staff during the war. Said brother has returned with a wife who wastes no time in sending Serena off to London and out of her way.              A cousin to Phoebe (from The Seduction of Lady Phoebe fame), Serena meets Marcus' friend Viscount Robert Beaumont and promptly falls in love. Robert finally determines he might wed her on 'his terms.' 'Love was not right for Robert. Could he have her without it?' Her gentle demeanour hiding a firm will, Serena declares she will only marry him if he loves her. Well we spend some time with Robert chasing Serena across the channel, acting like a thwarted bear, an...

A Study in Ashes (The Baskerville Affair #3) by Emma Jane Holloway Evelina starts this episode with a bang. Blowing up the University of Camelin chemistry lab no less. Her world had narrowed to the university precincts bound as she is by the Gold King, Jasper Keating. Her price for allowing Nick to escape. All to no avail as he is dead.  Hauled before the University authorities she is for the moment confined to her quarters in the College of London. Who escorts her back to the College? None other than James Moriaty, the Blue King's man of business. We recognize the name for other reasons. Evelina is trapped by Keating, monitored by bracelets that create excruciating pain if she steps beyond her confines. Imogen has been unconscious for a year. Her twin dead sister Anna is involved. A realization that's nightmarish in its unfolding. Her sister Poppy engages Sherlock Holmes to look into Imogen's illness. And those dreadful Steam Barons. War lords run amok. The Scarlet Ba...

The Magic Path of Intuition by Florence Scovel Shinn I liked that opening chapter subheading. I'm still thinking about it. Intuition! So many of us ignore it, or feel guilty about it. Often our first response to a situation is intuitive, but how do we put that in words? So many 'if only' moments. This book is a chance to change that, a fascinating hitherto unpublished work by Shinn who died in 1940. Imagination and visualization, all form part of the journey. The affirmations in this quite beautiful production are a helpful guide to this growing process. The vivid colours, the photography, the welcoming words, the encompassing swirly lines underlining each heading on pages, all contrive to draw us into the text. I must admit the colours and production radiate a retro seventies 'get in touch with your inner self' feel about them. That's great because this is what the book is about, enhancing and recognizing your intuition as a powerful healing tool, ...

Mistress of the Wind by Michelle Diener Certainly a change of pace from my previous encounters with Diener's Tudor and other historical works. This work evidences her prodigious talent, the depths of her writing abilities shine. Beautifully crafted, this retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon, is a pleasure to read. Poetic in its descriptions, the relationship that develops between Astrid and the Bear/Prince unfolds with an unfaltering intensity. Sold to the Bear/Prince by her family, Astrid travels to his castle. She is to be held there for a year as his companion, not wife if you will, mistress if you won't. She is not to leave and can never see the prince as a man, although he visits her at night. The hurt of being sold is revisited at certain times in the novel. We hurt with Astrid.             Astrid's cleverness, the humour we see hidden in her request for an axe after she,  with great trepidation, enters the castle stronghold and...

Cross of Vengeance (A Burren Mystery) by Cora Harrison In Ireland in the Middle Ages (1519) a Brehon was the Gaelic equivalent of a judge. The statutes that governed daily life in medieval Ireland were called Brehon Law. Mara, Brehon of the kingdom of Burren, a magistrate and the professor (ollamh) at Cahermacnaghten law school, accompanied by her students, attends an important mass, the Feast of the Holy Cross, at Kilnaboy Church, home to a significant 'relic: a piece of the true cross...housed inside a gold shrine.' When the relic is destroyed or stolen the Brehon has a role to play. Insights into the ancient laws of Ireland meander in and out of the storyline. I like the way each chapter opens with a quote from a relevant law, setting the scene for what is to come. The punishments for various crimes or abuses against the law is fascinating.   Arson, theft, fanatics, heretics, pilgrims, dark passions, jealousy and avarice present. Attitudes to Indulgences and Spanish i...

The Scribe by Antonio Garrido, translated by Simon Bruni Having been taught to read and write by her father, all Theresa wants to do is be a scribe and parchment maker. Theresa is battling with the prejudice of a woman's place in society. Given that this tale takes place in medieval Würzburg of 799, at a time when women's roles were even more proscribed, we can hardly be surprised by the attitudes of those around her. Garrido's writing is vivid and brings home the sights, sounds and smells of the time, and the hardships of Theresa's occupation. (Thank you also translator Bruni) At this time the surrounding country is besieged by famine. Denizens of Würzburg are in desperate straits.         A talented parchment maker and scribe Theresa is treated to all sorts of indignities by her fellow workers and especially the master parchment maker, the despicable Korne.  When Theresa had to go into the deepest maceration pool to find her cow skin for her parchment mak...

Sisters of the Bruce 1292-1314 by J. M. Harvey I had just finished watching the episode of A History of Scotland that referenced Robert the Bruce and the hardships his family suffered at the hand of the British host. When I had an opportunity to read the ARC of this novel, I couldn't resist. As a result of The Bruce and his men killing John Comyn (1306), Edward I, called for the 'Raising of the Dragon'. Which meant that no quarter would be given to The Bruce supporters, including his family. This work follows the effect of war and this edict upon the men and more particularly, the womenfolk of The Bruce.   The story is mostly expressed as a series of letters penned between the sisters, which adds to the sense of the personal. However this is more a history book than the fictionalized story of the sisters. This unfortunately renders it a dense and lengthy work. I found myself having to put it down and take it up over a longer period of time than I normally would. Should ...

The Cruel Path by David J Normoyle  Poignant and stark, with moments of joy, this dystopian novella sets the background for survival, death and what is to come thirty years hence in The Narrowing Path. This is a glimpse into the history of Arcandis and The Refuge through the eyes of Ealnor, one of three brothers. Teenage boys, those selected from the hierarchy of Arcandis society must walk the Green Path, and survive it. If they survive they will be future leaders.--the ascor. They will be amongst the chosen, certain of refuge when the surface of Arcandis becomes intolerable unto death. However the struggle will be ongoing, lasting a lifetime. There is always some one wanting to take your place.      The Triplets, brothers, have been (unusually) raised together as comrades, rather than potential enemies competing against each other for survival. Sorani, Frodan and Ealnor. They 'watched out for each other,...cared for each other, and...loved each other.' In a...

Compromising Willa (Entangled Scandalous #3) by Diana Quincy  Secrets and ruin. How do you face down society and retain your dignity when your reputation is, if not in shreds, decidedly singed around the edges? Lady Wilhelmina Stanhope is re-entering society after her disastrous first season. Damning rumours are circulating in the various clubs about her, and even years later she is shunned and barely noticed. Pursued by the new the Earl of Bellingham, a childhood friend, and author of her predicament, attracted to the Duke of Hartwell, a friend of her brother's, Willa is unsure of where to turn. Besides she has other fish to fry. Marriage is not even surfacing on her horizon. I like Willa as a main character. I like Hartwell. I thought I might like Bellingham but he was such a 'Bad Man' that I happily hissed and booed him from the sidelines whenever necessary.    The beginning of the story had me thinking this is a different. It captured my interest. Sadly th...

The Scandal Before Christmas: A Holiday Novella (The Reckless Brides 3.5) by Elizabeth Essex  'Twas three weeks before Christmas,  And all through the house, Nothing was stirring, not even a mouse. The fire it crackled, a comforting sound I grabbed a hot chocolate, and a novella I'd found. Excitingly romantic, a handsome young hound,              Ordered to marry,  he circled around, A navel lieutenant, a younger son, Suddenly found he was the one. Viscount in waiting he was to be, He stood his ground, wanting to flee. He plotted a near treacherous course,                          Down a path he was protestingly forced. The answer he puzzled and wrestled and fought, To do not what he wanted but just what he aught. By magic and chance he found his true start, A wren by perception, an eagle at heart. All browns and greys, a shy little dove, Hidden from l...

Sworn To Conflict (Courtlight #3) by Terah Edun The unsuspected continues to startle not only me but Ciardis herself, and all those who come into contact with her. But we're all up for the adventure of it. I have to say I just love the person that Ciardis is--loyal to a fault, compassionate, innocent in her reactions and honourable. Last seen Ciardis had confronted the Shadow Mage and then somehow been teleported or transported. Where? Smack bang in the middle of a battle far to the frozen north is where! Forced into a healing sleep for two weeks Ciardis awakes and finds herself with her once prospective sponsor General Barnaren, Prince Sebastian, the Lady Serena her original feather brained sponsor, and others who have chased her here. The battle is masking a greater and more dangerous secret! After a meeting with the Old Ones, the elementals of the Northern lands, and being gifted with a infinitesimal portion of their power, Ciardis is swept away once more to the Sanctuary...

Andrew (Lord of Despair ) by Grace Burrowes 'He should never have left in the first place.' So true and the story of the Alexander family continues, this time focusing on Gareth 's brother Andrew and Felicity's sister, Astrid Worthington, now Astrid Allen, Viscountess Amery. You may remember the interplay between a younger Astrid and Andrew at that time.     Lord Andrew Alexander has returned from abroad having fled his demons--his guilt at the drowning of his brother, father and Gareth's fiancé, and his good intentions with respect to not burdening Astrid with his heaviness. But, as Andrew reflects, 'Haring off to the four corners of the globe hadn't solved what was wrong with [him]. Astrid has been married in his absence, not happily, but comfortably. She is now widowed and pregnant. Intrigue rears it's ugly head though and it seems that Astrid may be the target of someone who has something to gain by her demise. What's more, it may be tha...

My Venice and Other Essays by Donna Leon What a delightful group of essays! Witty, sometimes hilarious, often self deprecating, always with an brilliant edge. Nothing is off the table. The conversation cuts a wide swathe through life in all it's complexities. Donna Leon brings Venice alive. Through the eyes of both an inhabitant and an expat we taste the puzzling differences and laugh at the idiosyncrasies, and the similarities.   I really identified with her piece about buying her villa! Sweeping in, being mesmerized by the view, but blind to the detrimental structure of the building. Ah, Bellissimo! Swept up by the view and the ambience, forgetting about the plumbing, the flooding roof and and collapsing walls. For Leon, 'it was love at first sight, and not for the first time, was to prove [her] ruin.' Each essay is a little gem and tells us something about Italians and Venice that as tourists we would never discover for ourselves. I must admit there are some mome...

Devil in My Arms: A Loveswept Historical Romance (The Saint's Devils #3) by Samantha Kane   Lately there has been quite a swathe of regency romances that are taking on issues to do with the treatment of women at that time. Particularly to do with wives as property and no rights, leaving them open for domestic abuse.  This novel is another such using this background for the story's thrust. Eleanor Enderby flees from her abusive husband not once, but three times. In her latest attempt she hides out for three months before landing on her sister's doorstep dressed as a youth. She arrives at the same time as Sir Hilary St.John, a suave man about town and entirely eligible parti. Hil actually spends his time covering up for the Prince Regent when necessary, helping out the Bow Street Runners and at times and taking on investigative requests when interested enough in the problem to seek out the information needed. Eleanor and Hil's attraction is immediate. The relatio...

Seraphina (Seraphina #1) by Rachel Hartman A marvellous story! Insights into acceptance and belonging, racial tensions, hope and love. All set in a world where Dragons and Humans are trying to co-exist. Seemingly a long hard road to tread. (How did I miss reading this! It was only after I saw it on a fantasy list on Goodreads that I rechecked and found that I had for some unknown reason skipped over this. Well, a couple of years later I read it. Now I have to find out when the next book is out. It may even be out now. I must investigate.) After a dreadful war a peace has been made. The rules of behaviour for dragons amongst humans are fiercely controlled by the dragon's Excision Censors and are controlled amongst humans by fear and tradition. It is near to the advent of the dragon leader's state visit by General Comonot Ardmagar of All Dragonkind. The designated visit to the city Lavondaville, the capital of Goredd is to celebrate forty years of the treaty's existence. ...

Heart of Vengeance  (The Jewels of Tomorrow ) byTracy Cooper-Posey [Helena's] 'mouth was thick with the coppery  taste of fear.' Those words captured me, tainting the very atmosphere. The visceral reaction of this woman whose story I was about to follow was riveting. This opening scene takes place in 1197 in Oxford near to the court of Prince John. Posing within the court of John as a Norman, the Lady Isobel of Brittany, Helena of York is seeking the truth about her father's death and the consequences that followed for the villagers where Helena's father, the Earl of Wessex's body was discovered. Here Helena meets Stephen, Count of Dian, the 'Black Baron', once a close friend to King Richard and as chance would have it, a childhood playmate to the real Isobel. Stephen will in turn be puzzled by Helena, challenged by her, love her, protect her from her enemies and assist her in her quest for vengeance. He is quite a remarkable man for his times. The ...

The Triptych by Margit Liesche There is a lyrical quality to Leische's writing despite her gritty subject matter of war, betrayal, fear and death. Two main stories unfold, parallel to each other, set in different times yet linked by the commonalities of the unforeseen, of loss and of grief. The story moves in and out of 1956 to 1986, from Budapest and the Hungarian Revolution to Chicago; from 11 year old  Évike in Budapest to 37 year old Ildikó in Chicago, daughter of Hungarian refugees whose past is surrounded in secrecy.   ldikó's search for the truth about her roots and her mother's untimely death (was it an accident, murder or suicide?) under a Chicago train will take Ildikó to the Budapest of 1986, with Hungary still a satellite  of the USSR. Ildikó's search for her history is a revelation, particularly as the riddle of her mother's death, the fate of her mother's sister and the links between the now and the past are puzzling.  Ildikó sadly reflect...

A Christmas Hope by Anne Perry What a wonderful story. I have always liked Claudine Burroughs, a volunteer in Hester Monk’s clinic for sick and injured prostitutes. I like her pluck, her courage and her sense of fair play and justice. I cheer for the way she has stepped outside of the role society and her husband expects her to pursue, that of supportive wife and homemaker, of adhering to society's rules for women. She has taken up the cause of the less fortunate. In doing so she is receiving far more than she's gives, a sense of purpose. Life has become meaningful. Wallace of course hates her charity work. It is not gentile enough for his social aspirations. How I dislike her husband Wallace. A bully really who sees his wife as an extension of himself. To the point that Wallace dictates her in the wearing and buying of even her dresses. Her behaviour needs to support him ingratiate himself in society and up the ladder of business and success. Claudine's commentary ...

Art & Place: Site-Specific Art of the Americas     From Brazil to Central America, Mexico to the United States and through to Canada, from Andy Goldsworthy pieces to George Segal's Gardens. Be it endangered Richard Serra's Shift in a private field outside Toronto to Walter DeMaria's work, The Broken Kilometer, Soho, or the murals of Mexican artist, Jose Clement Orozco and of course Diego Rivera, amazing works are captured. The commonality is how these installations at once impose and merge with their landscape. The thing that strikes me most about the more historically current installations is the sheer delight of them, their playfulness. They are often things to wonder at, delight in. Whether that installation be in a field, in the desert, near the shoreline, they are amazing. Architecturally significant sites are included, buildings of significance, or other in situations specific to their site. Outdoor sculptures and art works in public spaces are part of thi...

The Commander's Desire by Jennette Green 715 AD Galwyddel, a Scottish kingdom far to the west of Northumbria. Caught on the horns of a dilemma, Elwytha has a choice to make, honour or vengeance. When Elwytha agreed to sue for a false peace with the waring neighbouring kingdom, little did she know that her plans would be thwarted time and time again. Elwytha was ordered by her brother, now King, to kill The Commander, overseer of their enemy's army, revenge for murdering their older  brother, King Thor, so foully. Her brother Richard, now King, plans to use Elwytha as the bait to trap their enemy and finally win the war. Elwytha searches for the truth. But truth was a will-o-the-wisp, eluding the outstretched hands of the seekers at every turn. Even though the outcome is foreseeable, I found the characters and the storyline engaging. The Prince, portrayed as a layabout with eyes that saw more than one guessed at. The Commander a man misjudged by his appearance, and the El...

Lord St. Claire's Angel (Classic Regency Romances) by Donna Lea Simpson Ah! Christmas time! It conjures up ideas of Yuletide logs, snow, and family! Including for the Lady Elizabeth, Marchioness of Langlow, that wretched rogue of a brother-in-law, Richard St. Claire, who turns the female staff on their collective heads and wreaks havoc on any maid foolish enough to be burnt. Dratted, dangerous man! When we first meet St. Clair he is at his despicable highborn worst, with no care for how their employers will treat his ex-flirts. The chase is the thing! The possibility that these susceptible young woman can be dismissed without a reference, thrown onto the refuse heap of humanity, ruined if not in deed then in fact is atrocious. With no prospects and no living these young women would be forced to make ends meet in whatever way possible. Thoughtless, selfish, cad! I was totally disgusted with St. Clair at this stage. Fortunately, he later exposes the sensitive side to his natur...

Trade Secret (Liaden Universe #17) by Sharon Lee, Steve Miller Mmm, here's the difficulty about reading a Liaden Universe I immediately want to reread those that have come before, thosethat come  after, those that follow other characters, and those that are just there in tandem. I settled for rereading Balance of Trade, but I've since found myself once more up to my elbows in all things Liaden, and enjoying every moment.    Having been a longtime fan of the Liaden Universe it's absolutely fantastic when another piece of the puzzle is revealed, opening up new vistas, sometimes solving old mysteries and ever, ever delightful. I first met Jethri Gobelyn in 'Balance of Trade'. Jethri, a Terran trader was adopted by the Liaden clan Ixin, having solved an issue that had impinged the clan's honour. Balance and Necessity, two Liaden concepts, part of Liaden melant'i (code of behaviour and order of things) came into play. At that time Jethri was looking for an...

The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh (The Marriage Game #2) by Ella Quinn England 1814, Napoleon is on Elba but things are afoot. Miss Anna Marsh returns from her London season accompanied by family friend Sebastian, Baron Rutherford. Anna has overheard Sebastian telling his friend Marcus that he intends to make a comfortable life with Anna. Anna is aghast. She's been in love with Sebastian since a small child but wants to be appreciated for herself, not merely thought of as a comfortable wife when the time came. Sebastian's secretly an intelligence officer for the British Home Office as was Anna's dead brother Harry. Sebastian is endeavouring to find out who's in charge of Harry's smuggling ring. Unbeknownst to him, that's Anna. Things are hotting up, rumours of French spies returning to English shores has the Home Office worried. Sebastian is dispatched back to Kent to discover what he may. Anna is continuing to run the ring by night, and her father's...

Daughter of the God-King by Anne Cleeland    Hattie Blackhouse arrives with her companion Miss Bing at her lodgings in Paris. In short order she pushes an intruder down the back stairs, finds out her childhood friend, Robbie Tremaine is unaccountably to be married in two days to the widow of a work acquaintance her parents, is approached at a soirée by an aging french roué, Baron du Pays, is introduced to the intruder, sought out by the enigmatic Monsieur Berry, and interviewed by an un-named official of the English government. Of course there is also a mysterious Comte. All seeking information about her parents strongbox. Oh, and Miss Bing's dead brother and Robbie's widowed fiancé dead husband worked with or for her parents in Egypt. Long neglected by her parents during her childhood whilst they spent their time pursuing their passion, Hattie does find it disturbing that though her parents neglected to provide emotionally for her, in their death have provided materially ...

Gareth: Lord of Rakes (The Lonely Lords #6) by Grace Burrowes    ...'scandalous, shameful, scounderlous bad man!' so Felicity Hemmings Worthington at one stage describes Gareth Alexander, Marquess of Heathgate. I must admit initially I had reservations about the plot. I really liked the main characters but, Yikes! the whole premise left me aghast and agape. Really I was halfway convinced that Burrowes had run amok and this novel was nothing more than a bodice ripper --albeit 'of the first water.' My perceptions were turned on their head. Gareth (the novel) emerged as an enthralling, deviously plotted Regency romance embedded in the idea of women and inheritance laws, reverting of land and titles to the crown where no male heir is found, ownership, brothels and prostitutes, and the legalities of this profession in these times. In an  interesting appendage Burrowes discusses these factors.        In this Lonely Lords episode a penniless spinst...

Hardcastle's Traitors (A Hardcastle and Marriott Historical Mystery) by Graham Ison  London, 1915 and New Year's Eve is being seen in by a Zeppelin air raid. For Divisional Detective Inspector Ernest Hardcastle of the Met. the New Year brings a robbery at a jewelry-cum-pawnbroker's, and  a murder. Hardcastle is a bit of a stickler. In terms of type, Hardcastle is not as likeable as the perceptive Foyle, more aware of rank and what's due than Jack Frost, maybe a bit more like Oscar Blaketon of Heartbeat, or not. Really, there's very little personally endearing about the man, apart from his dedication to the chase, which sometimes is derailed or more often nailed by what DS Marriott calls, 'one of the guv'nor's flights of fancy.' Set in his ways and pedantic, he has strong opinions. Women shouldn't work, or vote, the advent of police cars is  questionable, the telephone 'is a new fangled device that won't last long.' Hardcast...

Rumors that Ruined a Lady (The Armstrong Sisters) by Marguerite Kaye    Two people who really were soul mates but circumstances, duty and family kept them apart. Caro, Lady Caroline Rider, always wanting evidence of her father's love, is used as a pawn in  her father' larger game of Marital Chess for his daughters. (As her sister Cressida calls the whole debutante Marriage Mart process). Sebastian Conway, Marquis of Ardhallow, all his life rejected by his father, is conversely both a rake in society and a recluse when on his estate. Both are shaped by their upbringing and need for approval.  With family estates adjoining, Caroline and Sebastian meet when sixteen year old Caro trespasses. An memorable time for both of them. Eleven years after this initial meeting Sebastian finds Caro almost dead from ingesting opium at a society party. Caro having left her husband and a farcical, abusive marriage, has been disowned by her father. Near destitution she has giv...

Crimson Rose (A Kit Marlowe Mystery) by M.J. Trow                                                Christopher Marlowe, Elizabethan play write and supposed spy for Francis Walsingham has a new play, Tamburlaine, being performed. Will Shakespeare has a part. He is to fire a gun during the performance. He discharges his gun and in the aftermath it is discovered that he has killed someone in the audience--his landlady. That's just the beginning. It's up to Kit to solve the riddle, and clear Shakespeare. Bodies begin to litter the novel's stage. A corpse is fished from the Thames. Dodgy doings and swindling is at hand. Spies are thicker on the ground than a London fog.     The action includes a dangerous chase through the narrow streets alleyways, and a murderer most unexpected. Trow has made use of interesting historical fact and speculation such as t...