eyes.2c Reviews

Tudor Christmas Tidings by Wendy Blythe Gifford, Jenni Fletcher, Amanda McCabe      Three tales of Christmas during Tudor times. Rich with traditions, foods and inevitably, intrigue. From the courtly dances, to gathering Christmas boughs, to court games--often lighthearted on the surface but with dangerous depths. From the beginning of the Tudor's reign, from Richard and Henry to Mary. Three stories that find love amidst dangerous times where plots and treason are rampant. Christmas at Court by Wendy Blythe Gifford The twelve days of Christmas form the background of this novel reeking treachery and danger. Christmas Eve 1483—Westminster Palace, set under Richard III's rule prior to Henry Tudor's battle for the throne. Lady Alice of Oakshire is told by the former Queen, now Dame Elizabeth and herself in sanctuary, that she is to be betrothed on Christmas Day to John Talbot, son and heir of the Earl of Stanson. Alice finds she must keep her own counsel and be v...

Murder at Queen's Landing (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery #4) by Andrea Penrose        A further step into the lives of Lady Charlotte Sloane and the Earl of Wrexford. This time murder plays a part and the pair find themselves tapping at the doors of the powerful East India company. The wonderful Weasles are growing and developing but still maintain there delightful urchin ways. Tyler, Wrexford's unconventional valet is still as acerbic as ever. Others are being added to their coterie, and I am charmed. Penrose dots her pages with well humored incidents, easing the tensions. A clerk is murdered down by the docks, and almost at the same time Charlotte's friend, the brilliant mathematician Lady Cordelia, and her brother, Lord Woodbridge, disappear from London. Unusual! To all appearances the two aren't connected but as things move on that viewpoint changes. It appears Cordelia and Woodbridge might be in the thick of some nebulous unsavory circumstances. But wha...

Once Dishonored: An Empowering & Thrilling Historical Regency Romance Book (Rogues Redeemed #5)  by Mary Jo Putney       All this should have made for a mezmerizing read and yet for me the electricity just wasn't there. The opening scene promised that. A strange woman sweeping into a ton ballroom dressed in black and for some reason the center of the ton's disdain. She's rescued by a gentleman of uncommon empathy. What follows is a story of Revenge and Second Chances, with strong aspects of women in Abusive Marriages, and the problems surrounding  divorce. Themes of friendship and education in 1816 are present with the school, Westerfield Academy, the Rogues attended making a reappearance. Both Kendra Douglas and Lucas Mandeville, Lord Foxton, have ghosts to bury, the theme being honor. Kendra, a victim of her husband's perfidy has been divorced under shameful and awful circumstances. But even worse revelations about her husband will be exposed. Luc...

All Scot and Bothered (Devil You Know #2) by Kerrigan Byrne       I thought Cecilia's story might be interesting, I didn't have a clue as to how uplifting it would turn out to be. From an abused childhood to lonely school years, until she found companionship with a group of school friends, the Red Rogues, Cecelia's outlook should have been depressed. Astonishingly she's a child of Hope who grew into a woman of intent, understanding and magnificence, albeit still emotionally and socially unsure. A strong, intelligent woman, a mathematical genius who alarmingly finds she's  inherited a house of ill repute. A woman who finds terror in the person of her best friend's brother, the Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. A man who has sworn to seek out those who do wrong with no quarter given. Cassius Gerard Ramsay finds himself face to face with a woman who could be a member of the Crimson Council, a hidden nefarious group whose tentacles stretch out from the ...

Beauty Tempts the Beast (Sins for All Seasons #6)   by Lorraine Heath   I found myself with a somewhat sloppy grin plastered all over my face quite a few  times during the reading of this rousing tale--when I wasn't indignant or blushing. Needless to say I loved this last offering in the Sins for All Seasons series. Althea Stanwick needs to find her way back into London society after being dropped by the denizens of the ton. She's even been given the cut direct by her awful fiancé when her father was proven to be caught up in acts of treason. From a ton 'princess' to Cinderella was a huge fall from grace for her, and her two brothers. Althea decides that power is the key to survival. How does a woman like her find power? By attaching herself to a powerful man. To do that she needs to become practiced in the art of seduction. Althea turns to Benedict Trewlove, owner of a brothel, and known as the Beast. She chooses this man who walks on the dark side of life in t...

The Perfect Storm (Sgt. Windflower Mystery #9) by Mike Martin  A touch of synchronicity, a death in the family and change in the wind. Grand Bank becomes the focus for meth dealing tracking from Las Vegas. Bikers are involved and  Sgt. Windflower's quiet town becomes a whole lot noisier. Eddie Tizzard's trip to Vegas opens up some interesting horizons, especially as a major meth dealer has tentacles reaching into Grand Bank. A Canadian--US operation is in the offing. I was fascinated as usual with Winston Windflower's dream weaving abilities and a further look into his animal spirit guides. Naturally his Shakespeare references and interplay add a further facet to Windflower's thought processes. And let's not forget his cooking that gives another dimension to one of my favorite RMCP characters. Sheila and baby Amelia Louise as usual occupy Windflower's heart. Lovely vignettes! An unexpected member is welcomed. A satisfying Windflower read that's settin...

Fifty Words for Rain: A Novel by Asha Lemmie           The last words a mother says to her young daughter before abandoning her were, "“Promise me. Promise me that you will obey in all things. Do not question. Do not fight. Do not resist. Do not think if thinking will lead you somewhere you ought not to be. Only smile and do as you are told. Only your life is more important than your obedience. Only the air you breathe. Promise me this.”" Kyoto 1948 and a young girl of mixed race is left on the doorstep of her grandparent's estate. We trace her story from when she's confined to the estate's attic, subjected to chemical sponge downs to alter the color of her skin and constantly reminded of how worthless she is. Eight-year-old Noriko “Nori” Kamiza wasn't quite left on the hillside with wolves but it is a near thing metaphorically speaking. I was completely struck down by the underlying poignancy of Noriko's physical treatment along with the emotional...

Fall of the Lyon: The Lyon's Den (The Lyon's Den)   by Chasity Bowlin       With the knowledge that his step daughter will be threatened after his death by his rapacious heirs, Sir William Ashby arranges for her to flee to London and the care of Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, of the notorious Lyons Den. Margaret Upshaw will inherit her stepfather's wealth that is not entailed. However with English laws as they are, a husband of Meg's gets to inherit all she has. Her repulsive cousin has been more than eyeing her off and her devious relations need that money! Leander Thurston-Hunter, Viscount Amberley needs money desperately, Meg needs protection. It seems like a match where all parties win. But nothing is ever that simple. Secrets involving Meg's relations and their previous dealings with Leo nearly bring them undone. A racey and entertaining read using the marriage of convenience trope, a young woman pushed to extremes, betrayal and danger as the plot careens tow...

Skunk and Badger (Skunk and Badger #1) by Amy Timberlake     Badger a solitary and scholarly rock collector lives alone in his Aunt's brownstone. That is until skunk comes to stay. His life changes, with the wonderful skunk as the catalyst. Where he once dined on cereal and milk he know tastes muffins and hot chocolate. His life is turned upside down. Then there's the chickens. I love the tiny orange chicken. Just as Badger is starting to learn about caring and sharing it all goes terribly wrong. Accompanied by charming colored plates and pen and ink illustrations enhance the story. Wonderful elements about differences and acceptance are woven around these two main characters. Some humorous moments that lift this junior and middle school story into the company of some of our best loved stories for the young. An Algonquin Young Readers ARC via NetGalley *****

Ikebana Unbound: A Modern Approach to the Ancient Japanese Art of Flower Arranging by Amanda Luu; Ivanka Matsuba     Ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging, with Zen Buddhist roots. The thing is it's such a contemplative form of doing that it brings the concept of rest into our focus, the mindfulness of the doing and constructing. As the authors declare in their vey thoughtful opening, in today's trends towards minimalism , "ikebana feels undeniably fresh and incredibly resonant." Ikebana finds "inspiration in the natural world," and looks to combining tenets of movement, balance and simplicity. However Luu and Matsuba have taken ikebana's traditional edicts and broken away, reforming  this art form in a pleasing and modern light. The coherence of the book is centered around "four of Ikebana's most salient themes: naturalness, balance, movement and simplicity" incorporating seasonal flowerings and fruitings. The var...

Revenge in Rubies (A Harriet Gordon Mystery #2) by A. M. Stuart     Once again Harriet Gordon becomes involved in murder. The British Crown Colony of Singapore, 1910 —the young wife of the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Nolan of the First Battalion South Sussex Infantry is found battered to death in her bedroom. Inspector Robert Curran is called to investigate. Curran it seems has personal conflict with the regiment and some of its members. He runs up against the disdain of the forces, the closing of the battalion's ranks, family secrets and the Battalion's prejudices, even as suicides follow Sylvie Nolan's death. It seems “Honorem ante omnia”  "Honor before all", the regimental motto, stymies much of his investigation. Harriet is swept up into Curran's search, particularly due to her social connections, and her position as a typist at the Straits Settlements Police Force. She comes to know Curran's companion Li An. An interesting develo...

When the Earl Met His Match (Wedded by Scandal #4)   by Stacy Reid        A marriage of convenience trope that has a few interesting twists. Hugh Winthrop, the future Earl of Albury responds to his father's prompting to find a wife. He advertises in the newspaper, and a bantering conversation opens up between him and anonymous lady sender. Lady Phoebe Maitland is doing all she can to avoid an arranged marriage. I must say I totally disliked Phoebe's parents. Phoebe is sister to Richard the Marquess Westfall, whom we met in the very enjoyable "How to Marry a Marquess." Phoebe is forced to flee to her correspondent, Hugo, seeking safety and marriage under his terms. Mind you he doesn't expect her to arrive on his doorstep! We find out why Hugh eschews society. Playing into this, I loved the serendipity around Phoebe gaining a dog and how that played out. Nicely done! Of course their budding relationship leads to all sorts challenges, with more than heavy b...

The Darkest Evening (Vera Stanhope #9) by Ann Cleeves    When Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope of the Northumberland & City police takes a wrong turn on a dark blizzardy night, she ends just missing running into an abandoned  car with its door wide open and a baby in the back. This mystery has her returning to the grand home of Brockburn, where her father Hector (the black sheep of the family) grew up. A place of memories from her childhood, a place of secrets and as it unfolds, a place of murder. I had lightly cast my thoughts towards the murderer but thought Nah! So we have an 'empathetic environment' that adds to the tension, not only the dour aspects of Northumberland but now we have a wintery pall. At Brockburn Vera finds herself forced to confront relatives she's not that keen to engage with. Family secrets is disclosed as Vera, the blunt Northumberland woman, stomps right in not at all disposed to be gentle the grand lady of the manor attitude ...

Murder on Cold Street (The Lady Sherlock #5) by Sherry Thomas       Well this is a complex mystery with all sorts of associations from Charlotte Holmes' past cases bubbling under the surface. Lord Ingram Ashburton and Mrs. Watson are of course up to their neck in the troubles. It's just prior to Christmas 1886. Inspector Robert Treadles has been accused arrested for  of murder, having been found by police in a room locked from the inside. They'd forced the door and found Inspector Treadles "barricaded ... behind the bedstead, his service revolver pointed at them Nearer to the door were ... two dead men and a fair bit of blood.” Lady Sherlock investigates and uncovers seemingly independent facts that need bringing together. Mrs Treadle has been having trouble with the male board of her company, Cousins Manufacturing, and one of the dead men, Mr. John Longstead, a longtime of her father's had been helping her look into the company's finance dealings. Th...

One by One by Ruth Ware   After being introduced to the characters we head into the read via a release from the BBC news website, part of which includes, "Now, reports are emerging that in one remote ski chalet, cut off by the avalanche, a “house of horror” situation was unfolding, leaving four Britons dead and two hospitalised." I was pulled in immediately with a host of who's, what's and how's! Reading on it seems that SNOOP personnel, a hip music APP company with a difference, had flown to a remote chalet at the ski resort of St Antoine in the French Alps for a week of skiing and heavy restructuring discussions, including the possible sale of the business. They become trapped after an avalanche. One of their number, Eva, had been seen skiing the black piste run, La Sorcière. She's disappeared. Now another, Elliot, the tech designer is found dead. Someone amongst their number is a killer. I could feel the cold seeping into my bones with all power g...

A Question of Betrayal (Elena standish #2) by Anne Perry       Unknown to each of them members of the Standish family is flung into situations that come together in unexpected and sometimes dangerous ways. Perry has once again given us some amazing new characters to come close to in an age that is pregnant with malice and a taste of things to come. It's the Interbellum period in Europe between World War I and II. Germany is still stinging from its defeat and looking for a better way. Hitler is on the rise and Austria is wavering. Italy is governed by Mussolini. Churchill is out the way and many powerful Brits want peace at all costs. A German organization, The Fatherland Front, is becoming more powerful and appears to be a vanguard for a new push. Elena is asked by MI6 operative Peter to go to Trieste to check on an agent under deep cover who might be in danger. Margo has gone to Berlin to attend her best friend's wedding to a high ranking German Officer and is a...

Nightshade (A Livy Nash Mystery #2) by M. L. Huie     My heart was in my mouth as Olivia (Livy) Nash once again tackles undercover work under the auspices of Ian Flemming. She volunteers to become a double agent, tracking Russian spies in order to search for one of their own embedded agents. The object is to discover what's happened to a fellow agent who'd been behind enemy lines when the Russians liberated Ravensbruck. That agent happened to be a close companion of Livy's. This means not only does she become embroiled in a tussle between the Brits, Americans and Russians, but she has to reacquaint herself with a dangerous Russian Agent who'd been known as the Red Devil. Someone from her past when she was working behind enemy lines in France. I was on a knife edge during Livy's trials and sound myself teetering on a cliff edge a the close. During the story we come to learn so much more about Livy--the depths she can go to and the steel that is her backbone...

Divergence (Foreigner #21) by C. J. Cherryh       In this, the 21st in the Foreigner series, I find myself still as fascinated with the Atevi and their world, their culture and politics as ever! Including the space station inhabitants. (Given the new space race we seem to be in, the space station seems all too real.) There are three distinct groups the Atevi, the humans from the Mospheiran enclave, and the Space Station humans--all the humans being foreigners (indeed the humans are distinct foreign groups to each other) to this Atevi world. The aiji-dowager, Ilisidi , in her own inimitable way, has decided the time is ripe to settle once and for all the fermentation in the South supported by Lord Tiajo in the Dojisigin Marid—and the outlawed Assassins Guild splinter group, the Ghost Guild. She has taken the Red Train south along with some key players she sees as important to that outcome. Bren Cameron, paidhi-aiji, the ambassador interpreter and the chief negotiato...