eyes.2c Reviews

Harbinger This intriguing offering from Australian Peta Crake, grabbed me from start to finish. I just had to keep reading. I loved the main character, Ophelia (Phi to her friends). Feisty and energetic (I’m sure she wears blunnies on the job!), yet often emotionally weary, you feel her sadness in the face of huge odds, and you her admire for her pluckiness and integrity. The interaction of the pantheon of Greek gods, from the Furies to Pandora and more, with mortals in the modern setting of Perth, Australia is provocative. Putting Zeus and Hera as Phi’s uncle and aunt with the various gods as probable relatives is masterful. Phi is just your average Aussie girl—NOT! Her day job is messenger for the gods. At night she hangs out in a bar in Perth. But now there's a new bar owner, (demigod Adonis-Aden for short) and Phi doesn't mess with the gods. But when Aden sends her on a series of exhausting non stop deliveries things go from bad to worse and the stakes are...

Remember Me by Penelope Wilcock (the 6 th in the Hawk and Dove series) takes up and continues to follow the threads of life in the medieval monastery of St. Alcuin. Father William struggles with the finances of the Abbey, struggles against his falling in love and agonizes over his vows.  The unraveling of the scroll of life in St Alcuin’s is linked by splashes and splodges of the characters’ very humanness. These people are revealed. They are alive. Their pride, despair, humility, anger and gratitude are teased and held together by the gold of love as vibrant and real as those of the most precious of illuminated manuscripts, filled with precious moments such as Abbott   John’s musings about the Good Thief and the relationship of dismember to remember, in preparation for a homily to the community, ‘…if this life tears a man apart, dismembers him, the power and grace of Christ will remember him, make him whole…’ So enthralled was I b...

in a Seal in Wolf’s Clothing by Terry Spear. ...so it’s now time to tell the tale Hunter’s sister Marea’s search for a mate. Finn is a great character and along the way, other interesting werewolves are introduced. There’s Ana, Bearwolf and more of Rauol (turned in Hunter’s story) The development of the clan and the place of members within that group is the background to the torrid yet tender mating dance between the two main characters. Will they, wont they, should they, shouldn’t they. Will another take Marea? I like the development of the group, the interplay of characters from one novel to the next. I feel like I’m reading the family chronicles supported by very personal and revealing diaries--and yet the plots are starting to blend into each other, and the differences just aren’t as exciting as the early novels in the series. That said, I will still continue to read any new offerings about this dynasty of which I have become so fond. A Netgalley ARC

Tattooed by Pamela Callow Lawyer Kate Lange is caught in the middle of clients, friends, painful deaths, past and present lovers, and personal tragedy. Kenzie Sloane’s return to community coupled with the release of the criminal, prison tattooist John McNally, ignites the spark to this racy thriller. All, including Kate are tied to the death of Kate’s sister, Imogene, Kenzie Sloane is caught in the middle of past mistakes, painful family relationships, and a life made new. A successful iconic tattoo artist, the person of Kenzie is displayed through her artistic endeavors and her own Japanese inspired body art –chronicling her life’s journey—personal and intriguing. As Kenzie says to her mother, ‘with strength comes tranquility … and with tranquility strength … that was the idea.’ But can a bright future ever be built on dark deeds from the past? Unknowingly, Kate and Kenzie are drawn together by a myriad of threads when a mummified body is found in a bog near Halifax, Nov...

The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie  A Forgotten Castles novel. Book 1 Meet a Cinderella type heroine—even if she does own the crumbling castle, minus the wicked sisters etc. The castle comes with ‘ye olde retainers and loyal village inhabitants’. Our heroine, Alexandria Featherstone, is also the owner of disappeared, antiquities seeking parents who have gone off the map as it ‘were. Add in a music loving bored duke, Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, appointed Cinders guardian, and the plot becomes intriguing. Our duke’s sudden loss of hearing is devastating. Music takes a different turn as the story progresses with colors and music having an interesting affinity. I am guessing that this musical relationship will become even more important as the novels develop. Alexandria undertakes a search for her parents whom the (Mad) King George has declared dead. Felling that they’re been delayed in their quest, she sets off to find them despite her guardian duke’s command ...

Centaurs, I thought. Great! The last book I read using horse mythologies was Robin McKinley’s Pegasus . (Read my review ) But I must say that with Daughter of the Centaurs ( Centauriad #1) b y Kate Klimo, I felt like I’d stumbled into the centaur equivalent of planet of the Apes. (I noticed later that other reviewers referenced this as well) Many, many times I wondered if Malora’s sympathy for centaurs is misplaced. I definitely don’t like them very much. Why, I kept thinking have you given up your horses, your independence for this lot? I see in the Centaurs' attitudes, overtones of the nobility prior to the French Revolution. Yet it's Malora's very aloneness (is she the last human alive?) that forces her to seek companionship and approval even with those outside her ken, yet somehow close enough to draw strength from, although she is treated as some sort of exotic exhibit. The ability to communicate opens possibilities and lessens the solitude. At times this is an intere...

Prepare for a touch of The Illuminati meets the Knights Templar.   Set during the Regency era, the members of the Inferno Club, outrageous gentlemen of the first water, who in secret protect the realm from spurious enemies, are worried that one of their own had been damaged beyond recall and turned traitor by the torturous captivity he's endured. Emily Harper, the Earl of Westwood's childhood friend and gamekeeper's daughter, believes in him with an unwavering and unflinching loyalty and love. She trails the Earl across Europe to give him what support she can. Naturally, the headquarters of the enemy faction is in a secretive forest area somewhere in a German/Bavarian type state. Full of dastardly deeds by evil would be conquerors, Gaelen Foley's My Ruthless Prince , presents us with a strong heroine who seeks to rescue her childhood friend, and in doing so, his sanity. Emily's innocent and unwavering support and love opens the way for a relationship that in society...

I confess I have always been doubtful about slow cookers. I know people swear by them. But I’m a cook who loves to be in the kitchen stirring, tasting, adding this and that. Certainly my experience of other’s Slow Cooking has been Mac ‘n Cheese, tough Chicken in some sort of Sauce, or beef gone wrong. Some good some bad all less than stellar! In light of this, when the words ‘slow cooker’ surface, all I can think of is those horrific experiences, shudder and turn back to my trusty pots n’ pans. But now! There is Slowing Cooking- a la gourmet style. Vive La France ! (or in this case the French Cooks!) My mouth watered as I read through The French Slow Cooker by Michele Scicolone and I am almost convinced that this method will be for me. I say almost because I have to purchase the cooker. My slow cooker (that I used once and then it went the way of the Hard Rubbish Collection) had been bought at a garage sale and was nowhere near as swish and user friendly as those to be found in the c...

This early line sets the stage for the intricacies and complexities that follow in the captivating historical romance, The Price of Temptation by Lecia Cornwall.    That which is seemingly benevolent is malignant. Our heroine Lady Evelyn Renshawe is disgraced. She is an outcast in society through no actions of her own, but by those of her traitorous husband who has pretentions to the French courts and Napoleon’s friendship at a time when England and France are at war. Harassed on all sides, lady Evelyn contends with her society acquaintances’ disdain, her uncaring family waiting in the wings to dispose of her and her husband’s fortune, a despicable cad pretending friendship all the while seeking her wealth, and now the French wanting a flag, an important icon, stolen by her treacherous husband--as do the English! No wonder the hiring of Sam as a footman (in reality Captain Sinjon Rutherford who rescued her in the park), seems like a god send. Of course, Captain...

Six weeks to Skinny Jeans by Amy Cotter DEA Diet, Exercise, Attitude are the author’s 3 basic components of philosophy for weight loss. And I agree but (…she wails, and pummels the nearest cushion) it’s just SO HARD!! The author asks, ‘Do you feel overwhelmed?’ Yes, I do and I’m not even out of the preface. This guide to weight loss certainly presses all the right buttons and uses today terminology touching upon aspects that are being discussed in many venues—from magazines to doctors’ consulting rooms. We have ,(not in any order), BMR or Basal Metabolic Rate and calorie importance, Glycemic Index facts, Insulin levels and clearing the body of such cravings. Those carbs and sugars are so pernicious! I particularly went into alert mode at the little gem that it takes 28 days to change your taste buds—is everything cycled to the monthly calendar? But, I take note and take heart. If I can stay away from sugar (in things like wine, chocolate, Haagen-Dazs and various loved fr...

...'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio! The Shakespeare segue only connects via my head and that because of the battles, lieutenants and the Royal navy, and the improbability of the plot.           When reading The Bastard , (by Brenda Novak) suspend any preconceived ideas about feasibility. Do that and you’ll find yourself in the midst of an amusing and crazy Regency romp.   There’s the young French émigré noblewoman, Jeanette Boucher. She disguises herself as tar boy and hides out on an English warship. Our heroine fortunately runs across an honorable and delicious officer and gentleman—albeit a ‘bastard’.   Against the backdrop of England at the time of the French Revolution and the dawning of the great sea battles, the scenes on the ship conjure a gritty reality of life aboard such vessels—definitely not for the faint hearted. In fact the stark descriptions of seaboard conditions, and even more so, the horrors...

For an easy read in between the hustle and bustle, the hurdy gurdy of the Christmas Season, this collection of four Regency novellas which comprise A Regency Holiday is timely. Sure, sometimes the resolution of a story came so quickly that I thought surely I’ve missed something … but these are short stories, so, no time to dawdle or extend the plot. Mind you I’m not sure that I really ever liked Deverel Brookfield (I had just finished watching Samuel Richardson’s Clarrisa) but ‘tis Christmas time and even the devil is apparently redeemable. And after all these stories are Regency Romances! In short, a graceful introduction to authors that I didn’t know and a quick read during the holiday season when I’m looking for something light and fluffy other than a meringue parfait, particularly post Christmas turkey.

Prior to reading Dreaming of the Wolf (thanks to Netgalley), I decided to start from the beginning of Terry Spear’s Heart of the Wolf series by reading her Wolf Bundle (v.1-3). I am glad I did. Now, having read my way through v.1-7, I have a richer understanding of the relationships between the various lead characters in the series and an entrée into wolf behavior as it translates into werewolf behavior. Each story throws into focus the arresting and often startling journey of discovery—both romantic and mysterious between the lead male and female lupus garou (werewolf).  No you don’t have to start with the first volume. I am glad I did. It deepened my enjoyment of the series as I rode the warp and woof of the Heart of the Wolf tapestry. What can I say? Steamy and sizzling? Definitely!   Filled with personalities who grab your attention? Most definitely?   A series I am now hooked on and will continue to read? Truly and definitely, yes! Journeying through the va...

So I’m watching Forest Gump on TV and, in between, the Ads. And there’s an Ad just come on for fiber and the importance of fiber from grain products. (Just exactly what this book, Wheat Belly is talking about in terms of wheat and other whole grain products and belly fat)….and Oh Yes, it’s not just wheat we have to worry about! But an eye opener of a detail I picked up on is the concept that today’s wheat is not what it was during our grandparent’s day due to several factors including gene modification. This central point of the way wheat has changed and how that change in turn affects our bodies is pretty compelling. What are the scientists and producers doing to us!! Not to mention that we should be reading all the nutritional info on our bottles and cans and jars of food as wheat is an ingredient present in heaps if products. If you’re a celiac this is beyond grim. I must admit I have been toying prior to reading this book, about reducing or cutting out wheat, but the arguments i...

Romance and intrigue in a time of King making and wars against the background of Eleanor of Aquitaine 's courts and the rules of honor and love--The Courtly Code--made much of by our heroine. Adding romantic intrigue we have a tall, dark and, much maligned hero fresh from the Crusades albeit tainted with Saracen blood. To match him we have the gorgeous, honorable, ice-maiden heroine. Unfortunately she does becomes somewhat tiring with her proclamations about courtly conduct. Trapped in the middle of royal intrigue and whim, the machinations of claiming thrones and kingdoms by Henry, Eleanor and Eleanor’s sons, Alienore is never sure which side she should take, which is more honorable. Of course the pages sizzle with sexual frission as Ailenore and Raven fight their attraction, caught between their particular loyalties and duties and their desire. They both do their best to repudiate and stamp down this attraction but the fires of desire consume them and ignite t...

Locked as I have been into the Valdemar universe, Mercedes Lackey’s Five Hundred Kingdom’s series is far more enjoyable than I originally anticipated. I guess as writers develop and explore new avenues their fans must join them—or leave. I chose to stay. It seems that every time I turn around there’s a new movie, book or television show that’s centered on Grimm’s story of Little Red Riding Hood where surprise the wolf is no mere wolf but a Were. Yes and the cover seemed to set that up. So, I wondered! After reading Beauty and the Werewolf I wondered no more. Lackey’s insightful development of the Little Red Riding Hood--and Cinderella (Bella) and Beauty (of the Beast variety), archetype or rather archetypes, is an excellent read. The characters are strong and believable yet the story retains its fairytale/fantasy essence. Isabella Beauchamp is cast in the role of Beauty/Little Red Riding Hood—. She is also the eldest daughter of a wealthy merchant, with a stepmother and two stepsiste...

Having driven around the area of Las Vegas and down to the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago, and having travelled many times through Central Australia to Cooper Pedy and Alice via the Oodnadatta Track, I felt the searing desert heat lift from the pages of the book and through to my skin. Yes, Harrison certainly captured the heat. I must admit I thought what are you doing here people! Well, I know they were following the storyline. Me, I was experiencing the way the desert sun sapped every ounce of energy, every drop of moisture from you and the recollection of murmured prayers to keep the Holden moving, air conditioning turned off to lessen pressure on engine. ‘…we do stupid stuff for each other just because we like you.’ Get ready for the ‘Great American Family Road Trip … full of unhappy people heading west’ across the searing landscape from Cincinnati via Las Vegas to San Francisco . Rachael and the gang are off to the annual witches’ convention to have her rei...

The exploits of urban shaman Joanne Walker, Seattle police detective extraordinaire, continue. Once more Walker ’s best planned intentions go astray creating havoc during a new murder investigation. Sure she intuitively connects many of the dots of the case, if she could only solve her own relationship challenges and inner turmoil this would be an added bonus. As Joanne herself explains, ‘I was bad at relationships. I was bad at reading between lines, at figuring out what people really meant if they didn’t actually say it, and at being charming or flirty or whatever I was, exactly that women were supposed to do to attract men. My skill sets lay along the lines of taking apart car engines, drinking grown men under the table—and more recently—solving esoteric murders.' The death of a Native American dancer under bizarre circumstances and the disappearance of some of the homeless of Seattle are seemingly unrelated. Yet even the most distant of relationships sometimes ...