eyes.2c Reviews

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...

Relic (The Books of Eva #1) by Heather Terrell    Another dystopian novel touted to be 'like the hunger games.' Ok, there is a time of testing and a new world order to be overthrown. Relic is not like The Hunger Games. (Really publishers! Get over it! Move on!) It has similarities but then it has similarities to many other books where: *Civilization as we know it has ended due to some catastrophe. (It seems about 250 years ago here) *Technology is demonized (I love that Apple is touted as the god symbol,the evil cause of civilizations downfall and that iPads are seen as travelling altars of worship) *A new order has arisen, the people are conservative and  inward looking with strict rules about things like how much naked skin can be revealed, tasks are allotted according to gender etc. *Testing of the warrior/leadership class, in this case involves survival outside the city in the Arctic wasteland *Some sort of quest. Here to find a Relic of some significance wash...

A Study in Darkness (The Baskerville Affair #2) by Emma Jane Holloway Baker Street has been bombed! Holmes and Evelina Cooper, his niece, have a narrow escape. Evelina is sure that the detonator is the work of Tobias. Now Evelina is in trouble. She plays into Jasper Keating's hands and ends up working for him.  Keating, the Gold King steam baron, wants her to uncover the truth about what the Blue King, better known as the Coal King, is planning.  However, after insulating herself into the Blue King's domain Evelina discovers that Dr. Magnus has returned from the dead with Seraphina his life like automation, and a cohort of automated ballet dancers. Dr. Magnus is the Blue King's maker and Evelina is forced to work with him. Despite his darkness there is something about Magnus that makes him seem reasonable to Evelina. He is a magician, a mesmerizer.  Repartee between Evelina and Magnus always on the edge of a dangerous and dark sarcasm. Evelina and Nick have become...

What a Gentleman Desires (The Redgraves #3) by Kasey Michaels A return to Regency England with the threat of a Bonaparte inspired invasion all too real! A family's investigation into its duplicitous, treasonous and debauched past, relating to an organization called the Society. Leading the investigation here is Valentine Redgrave, youngest brother of the Earl of Saltwood. Michaels describes him as 'outwardly dangerous as a dandelion.' Delicious!  Enter Miss Daisy Marchant, 'governess-on-a-mission.' The two come into contact at a house party held by Lord Charles Mailer, debauched martinet, cad, and possible member of The Society. Daisy wonders, 'Was Valentine a badly needed ally, or an exceedingly clever foe?' Valentine mistakenly believes Daisy is a government spy sent by Downing Street. He is not amused. Mystery and darkness surrounds The Society. It's membership, it's purpose, it's monthly meetings. Young women are disappearing, wives hav...

Ramadan Sky a novella by Nichola Hunter A compelling look into one disaffected Australian woman's journey to modern day Jakarta as an ESL teacher. Surrounded by peoples of different values and culture, and weird expats who seem like runaways from their own culture, which they now would have difficulty returning to, Victoria's story is told in colourful prose with a delicate turn of phrase. One can feel the heat rising from the pavements of Jakarta and smell the heavy mix of spices and motorbike fumes. Underneath the story lurks questions about behaviour in and acceptance of other cultures, about inter-racial relationships and cultural mores. Told from the viewpoint of the three main characters, Victoria or Vic the older Australian ESL teacher, Fajar a young Indonesian Muslim man from a poor background, and Aryanti his Muslim girlfriend. Aryanti tells Fajar she can't marry him after he loses his job. Vic hires Fajar to be her driver.  They have an affair that bring...

Steadfast (The Elemental Masters #9 ) by Mercedes Lackey     Katie Langford, a contortionist and dancer in the circus flees an abusive marriage and finds shelter with a clan of Travelers. Here she learns that she apparently is a drabarni, she has magic. After consultation with the clan matriarch she decides to go to Brighton, hopefully far enough away from the circus path to be safe. Lionel Hawkins, an Air Magician, is ensconced at the Palace Music Hall in Brighton as a leading act.  Using various personas he is a fixture unlike others of his kind. Jack Prescott the doorman is a wounded ex soldier from Boer War and a Fire Magician.      Katie ends up as Hawkin's assistance. It turns out that she is an untrained possessor of fire magic.  Katie has been referred to as an Edwardian 'sleeping beauty'. Edwardian yes, but 'sleeping beauty?' Really? That possibility just didn't occur to me. Maybe I'm having an off day or maybe it's too tortuous a path t...

A Man Above Reproach by Evelyn Pryce    Oh my! The dance of two people attracted to each other in strange circumstances, that become even more curious, is quite fascinating and humorous. The sexual tension builds but   is held lightly although there were a couple of 'Hmm! I didn't see that coming,' moments. Even a mental shake of the head occasionally! Blue, BB or Bawdy Bluestocking, Josie (Josephine Grant) plays the piano at a bordello. Elias, the Duke of Lennox, is there with friends and is struck by the quality of the pianist's performance. Attraction flares between them. Elias wants to learn more about this masked damsel. Josephine wants the safety of anonymity, not involvement. She is a spirited woman of secrets, piling up on top of each other, more so once she meets Elias.  Elias must marry (to secure the title of course). He is bored by the debutants flung in front of him, wants nothing more than to escape to his estates, and now he has met an intelligent ...

Final Sacrament (Clarenceux Trilogy #3) by James Forrester   The concluding chapter to this Tudor conspiracy saga was excellent. Like some massive Chaucerian pilgrimage the relentlessness momentum surrounding the lives, loves and tragedies of those involved roll on inexorably. It seems like every page has a line, a gem, that you want to ponder before moving on. However the story line is so intense that all I could do was note them so that I can return and  meditate. What is the final sacrament? The idea is heavy with meaning and symbolism.           William Harvey(Clarenceux) comes to know and understand. We the reader come to know and understand somewhat. The final sacrament can allude to many things, but in his fight for loyalty and truth even unto death Harvey the man, not just the Herald, embodies the idea. As he says, 'Loyalty has been the driving force of my life and betrayal my greatest fear...' The biblical Job comparison to Clarenceu...

The Seduction of Lady Phoebe (The Marriage Game #1) by Ella Quinn An amusing regency romantic romp complete with banished lords, thoroughly modern gun toting ladies, and the requisite villain. Subjected to the unseemly behaviour at the tender age of fifteen by Marcus Finley, Lady Phoebe resents him for eight years. As a callow drunken youth he had  forced his attentions upon her.  He was brought up short by a punch in the nose delivered by Phoebe's strong right arm. Phoebe had until then secretly admired him. On the eve of being banished to Jamaica, Marcus had fallen for Phoebe. He called her his Vision. In his inebriated state he frightens her off. Marcus never forgets Phoebe, and on his return to England determines to make her his wife. The problem is that Phoebe wants nothing to do with Marcus. She bolts to London in hopes of avoiding him. Of course en route she has quite the adventure, and Marcus becomes involved. There are some amusing lines throughout such as, ...

Smith: The Story of a Pickpocket  by Leon Garfield  Leon Garfield has long been one of my favourite children's authors, so I lept at the chance to reread Smith. This is pure Dicksonian melodrama for a younger audience. A gift of talent indeed.  The depths of Eighteenth century London slums, where 'the houses reared and clustered as if to shut out the sky,' are no place for the soft or uninitiated. The very atmosphere weeds the weak from the strong, if not through illness and malnourishment, then by the preying on the unknowing. Surrounded by this miasma of complacent intent is Smith, a rapscallion street pickpocket who breezes through the most atrocious situations with an acceptance of life that amazes. Smith lives in the cellar of the Red Lion Inn with his two sisters who eke out a living makeover the gallows clothes of the condemned. They refer to Smith as 'dear Smut' and 'felonious child!' Half will-o-the-wisp, half trickster and with heart of gold, ot...

Through The Smoke by Brenda Novak.  In her prologue Novak tells us that writing historical gothic romance à la Jane Eyre is one of her favourite literary styles and it's given her pleasure to return to this genre. It has certainly given me pleasure as a reader. Within the first chapters of 'Through the Smoke', the plot reveals intrigue , death, a woman compromised, villains, miners rights and dirty doings at the diggings. All finely held in tandem right until the end. Katherine the unbalanced wife of the Earl of Druridge, Truman Stanhope, had died in a fire. Many accused him of deliberately causing it. Valuable paintings may have been stolen prior to this that could prove Truman's innocence. His investigations have so far only led to dead ends.          Perhaps Rachel, the daughter of a miner who had been asked to set the fire, holds the key! Someone it seems is out to destroy both Rachel and Truman. En route to seek help for her dying mother from ...

A Bead and a Prayer: A Beginner's Guide to Protestant Prayer Beads by Kristen E. Vincent  A few months back I became more interested in using beads as a meditative prayer tool. Over the years the idea of prayer beads has drifted in and out of my consciousness. I had investigated several sites, mainly looking at various Tibetan (Mala) Prayer bead sites. At that time I also became aware of Anglican prayer beads. But as so often happens, Interruptions came and went, and I drifted off to other things.  And here is the relevance. Oh how I love the mystery of synchronicity!   I came across Kristen Vincent's book as an ARC. For me this is a timely intervention.  Prayer Beads have come into my life again.  The opening quote by Robert Benson resonated,'We need some ... Sacred things that are as mysterious as the Mystery itself!' Kristen's book opens up a an exciting, proactive way to approach prayer and meditation using our own 'sacred things', literally ...

Eat Move Sleep: How Small Choices Lead to Big Changes by Tom Rath  'Choices count. You can make decisions today that will give you more energy tomorrow.' Opening words that zap straight into my guilt ridden consciousness.  I know this! Can this manifest be the one to help? I am older, seem to sleep less and my range of movement is somewhat curtailed. All of which I know could be helped by weight loss. Certainly the courage demonstrated by Tom helps to focus one's thoughts. Small steps. That idea gabs my attention. Of course I just had to sign up for the online personal program. (I did think the questionnaire was geared towards a younger demographic) ...and there are timely reminders 'even modest increases in proteins, coupled with a reduction in carbohydrates, helps us.' Good news as I love my protein. Maybe a bit too much. Read labels and 'set goals. Go for products that have a ratio 1 gram of carbohydrates to 1 gram protein.' That's a gr...

The Cracked Slipper (The Cracked Slipper Series) by Stephanie Alexander This adult Cinderella story with a twist is the story of love story gone awry. It showcases the less than perfect prince, Gregory, a drunken womanizer, and a strong heroine, his wife Eleanor. Dorian, the handsome prince's friend has our heroine pulled between duty and love, family and feeling, what might have been and what will be.          Family secrets are revealed and new secrets held close. Then there's unicorns and dragons, talking parrots and witches and magicians. And let's not forget the slipper. The preface gives an interesting interpretation on that lost slipper. I love the title, the 'cracked' slipper, a wonderful metaphor. It sums up the heartache, the misplaced love, misplaced assumptions, and the not so happily ever after reality. A fresh look at age old themes, including the love triangle. A NetGalley ARC

The Republic of Thieves (The Gentleman Bastard Sequence #3 ) by Scott Lynch Entering into Locke Lomora's past world is to enter Shades Hill, an underground Fagin like hell in Camorr where an army of thieves, children without hope, are trained by the Thiefmaker through the realization that they have nowhere else to go coupled with coercion and bullying.  The narrative flows from past to present as seamless interludes. Even when we finally meet Locke in the now, this past keeps intruding. Mysteries of the Crooked Warden are revisited, as are his companions Chain, Jean, Sabetha and the twins Calo and Galdo. Locke is with his companion Jean in Lashain, now older more experienced. He has been brought to a standstill. Locke has been poisoned by black magic. There is no cure despite Jean's increasingly desperate efforts to seek out alchemists and physikers for help, to the point of kidnapping someone with powerful connections. Near death, blood oozing even from his fingernails,...

Howl for a Highlander (Heart of the Wolf #10) by Terry Spear 'he'd been bested by a she-wolf and one flowery suitcase' Another werewolf novel dealing with the highlander branch of wolves met in Heart of the Highland Wolf. Journeying to the Cayman Islands when tracking the family's stolen money, Duncan McNeil meets up with Shelley, a female from an unaligned family. Of course the sparks fly, furniture breaks, tussles ensue and the attraction is strong. After all dominance and Royals goes hand in hand. And Shelley does need rescuing by this Highland warrior. Although she is the independent type. Shelley is a Botany Professor. Her deeper research is focused towards finding a plant that might help non royal werewolves fight the change or to be able to shift when they need to.   Sadly, taking the warrior wolf out of the Highlands just didn't work for me. Yes, the storyline is good, and yes I liked the main characters and the twist is interesting. I just prefer m...

Mighty Spice Express Cookbook: Fast, Fresh, and Full-on Flavors from Street Foods to the Spectacular by John Gregory Smith 'Spice Express' metamorphosed into something of a trip down memory lane for me. Add to that the quick cooking times and this cookery book is a must for life in the fast lane--as the business of today so often is. Korean crab and scallion pancakes, (quick, easy and tasty) reminded me of buying food from street vendors in Seoul. Dosa Rosti (anything with hot lime pickles is a bonus!) Lahmacun Turkish Pizza took me back to lazy days spent visiting Istanbul. The lime and ginger dressing (two of my fav combos) with smoked salmon opens up a whole new way to experiment and impress. I can also see this as an appetizer without the scrambled eggs and bagels. Moroccan paper bag sardines. We lurve sardines and I'm always looking for a different way to cook them...and swoon at the  cardamom and orange French toast. What a winner! ...then there's Vill...

Pomegranates & Pine Nuts: A stunning collection of Lebanese, Moroccan and Persian recipes by Bethany Kehdy 'Eat and you shall forget your worries,' a quote from Kehdy's uncle. Certainly her family influences have been extensive. Kehdy's introduction brings alive the sights and smells of the Beirut of her childhood. Her background explanation of Middle Eastern foods illuminates the path to these culinary delights. Pomegranate molasses is obviously a key ingredient to keep on your shelf. As is sumac. As with any cook book there are recipes you might try and leave. Then there are others that join your staple collection to be used and reused. Whipped humus with lamb, two of my favourite foods, add the pomegranates and I'm in seventh heaven Corn of the cob with saffron infused butter great for corn in season served with a little difference and a whole lot of flair! Zucchini and sumac fritters. Wow, I love sumac and now here's a new recipe to use with...

Bad Miss Bennett: A Novel (Pride and Prejudice) by Jean Burnett  Thus Lydia describes the adage that fits her three years of marriage with Wickam after he perishes at Waterloo. I really found it difficult to read this novel. Not because of anything the writer did, but because of my cherished vision of Austen novels. How can I blame an author for my disillusionment? I felt that the novel certainly confirmed my opinion about the thin social veneer that Lydia Wickham entertains as a member of polite society and exposes even more the hedonistic romp that she is. Lydia has no trouble falling from one outré situation into another. I felt that the novel diminished my idea of Elizabeth and that Darcy appeared as an elderly bigot, which upon reflection he might grow into but I'd rather hoped that Elizabeth would be a softening influence. So I will give the book 3 stars even though I personally did not enjoy it.  3 stars because It is my problem that I found the treatment of t...

A Lady's Secret Weapon (Nexus series #3) by Tracey Devlyn English nobleman, Ethan deBeau, Lord Danforth, notorious rake and Nexus spy has been set upon. Badly beaten he is rescued by a mysterious figure, The Spectre. His wounds are attended to by a maid. Charged with finding a young boy, an English traitor Lord Latymer, and a French spymaster LaRouche, Danforth's search places him within the orbit of one Sydney Hunt. The puzzling thing is that he comes across her posing as an empty headed do-gooder at a place of interest, Abbingale Home, an orphanage for boys. Nexus it seems is a secret spy organization hidden in the bowels of the English Foreign Office dedicated to protecting English shores from forays by Bonaparte's agents tasked to prepare England for a successful French invasion. Sydney Hunt, is in actuality a benefactor and reformer who heads up an employment agency as part of her cover to help those who find themselves in need due to the extreme, careless and often...