eyes.2c Reviews

Trapped at the Altar by Jane Feather 1684. Seeking to restore the Daunt family's place at the court of King Charles, the patriarch of this renegade Somerset clan hatches a long reaching plot. His granddaughter is to marry his hostage ward, Ivor Chalfont to ensure peace between two powerful clans. Decided on when both were children, this idea certainly doesn't fit well with his wild cap granddaughter Ariadne. Ari has plans and a true love of her own, her poet lover Gabriel, so different from the raw power of the men of her clan. 'Ivor was a warrior, Gabriel a misty-eyed poet.'      When her grandfather dies Ari finds herself forced into the long standing agreement by her uncle, the new clan leader.  Her immediate marriage with Ivor is followed closely by being whisked away to London and the court of Prince Charles, where intrigue is rife and deception is the norm. The clan's future is at stake and Ari and Ivor must play their assigned roles with care. To do t...

With This Ring (The Worthingtons #3) by Celeste Bradley I just loved 'With This Ring'! Elektra Worthington is magnificent and unpredictable, a born rescuer and convinced that her role in life is to save her family and restore them to the grandeur they once knew. How? By marrying for position and money. And she has her sights set on the very person. No love for her! That's for her weird parents who seem to slope of for delightful bedroom type antics wherever and whenever they can, be it the family carriage or a convenient folly. The thing is the whole group of those Worthingtons are just so intelligent, though Elektra seems to be the only one in touch with the reality of their situation.  I enjoyed the youngest and most fiercely intelligent of the siblings, Atalanta. Her interactions with Arbogast aka 'Hastings' are both amusing and endearing. I look forward to hearing more about her. Lord Aaron Arbogast, soon to be the Earl of Arbodean, has according to t...

Married to a Rogue (Classic Regency Romances #9) by Donna Lea Simpson  The thing is I thought Lady Emily Sedgely was magnificent and loved Belle. Baxter, Marquess of Sedgely, however comes across as so Mr Darcy gone wrong. The fact that he had this passionate relationship with his wife, is presented as a determined man with a mind of his own and yet allows his mother to make his wife's life miserable just doesn't ring true. He is left looking foolish. Connecting these two different sides of his personality is difficult. A proud and pigheaded man, a man of 'uncertain temper' whose actions have brought about his own, and his wife's suffering, and the hiatus in their relationship. Yet in his unguarded moments of acknowledged love for his wife, and in the protection he shows towards his gamine mistress Belle, we see a different person.  Is Baxter a rogue? He doesn't come across like that to me. More a stubborn and wilful man who knows his due. I took a disli...

The Summer Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Elizabeth Chadwick Alienor of Aquitane. She fascinates! Shakespeare wrote about her. Down through the ages she has been shrouded with the allure and rich patina of poetic legend. One of the strong women of history, she is, as Chadwick so elegantly stated in her author's note, ' a woman of her time doing her best within the boundaries of what society would permit...she was nothing if not resilient.'  Elizabeth Chadwick once again delivers a 'tour de force' with this work about Alienor's early days, her marriage to Louis VII of France and her subsequent marriage to Henry Plantagenet. The story of her family, her girlhood cut short in marriage, her sister Petronella's behaviour, and her hopes for herself dashed. All quicken on the page and the reading flows smoothly, with a heartening intensity. The force of the characters in this page of history are brought alive. They are fascinating and perceivable...

The Suffragette Scandal (The Brothers Sinister #4) by Courtney Milan 1877. Hooked by the opening, a rowing competition between major arch rivals Cambridge and Oxford where we meet the delicious yet dangerous Edward Clark and the vibrant Federica Marshall, I was pulled in even further by the opening interplay (of sorts) between Edward and this interesting woman dressed quite severely, in a mannish jacket with epaulets, wearing a bowler hat and exhibiting a jaunty freedom. Edward has left his beloved Toulouse to return to England. We have no clue as to why the story starts here, on the banks of the Thames at a rowing competition, and whither it is going, except that by the title, and now the description of this interesting young woman, that it somehow involves suffragettes.      The novel's brilliant! I loved it after the first page and was well and truly ensconced by the end of the first chapter. There's betrayal and friendship, intrigue and blackmail, and of course...

Crimson Heart (A Highland Hearts #3) by Heather McCollum  1554, Searc Munro, a disgraced highlander flees from the dark magic he harbours. Elena Seymour, an unknown and unacknowledged Tudor princess, illegitimate daughter to Henry VIII, fearing being used as a political pawn is struggling towards possible safety in Edinburgh when they meet. Mix in plots and counterplots between the English and the Scots, young women going missing and being found dead with strange markings on their bodies, add some healing highlander magic and tortured romance and you have all the elements neccesary for a love story with a difference. A NetGalley ARC 

The High Druid's Blade: The Defenders of Shannara by Terry Brooks I do hanker after works that surround the gifts of the Leah family in the Shannara stories. The High Druid's Blade recalls those earlier stories with some alacrity. Here we meet the solidly worthy and determined Paxon Leah and his youthful, careless yet feisty sister, Chrysallin.   The Sword of Leah once again rises from decades of silence and legend and just maybe the gift of wishsong resurfaces as a desperate last measure. A dark sorcerer, Arcannen captures Chrys and uses her as bait in order to lay his hands on the sword. The Ard Rhys of the Druids is Alphenglow Ellesedil in Paranor.  However, it seems a traitor is in their midst. Various artifacts have been stolen after awakening the sword in his defence.  Paxon journeys to Paranor and the Ard Rhys gives him the opportunity to become a Druid. Since her abduction Chrys is under the watchful eye of the Druids. That changes when she is once more ...

Bride of a Scottish Warrior by Adrienne Basso 1314. After the death of her husband, Sir Alisdair Ferguson, from wounds received when gored by a boar, Lady Grace Ferguson wanted nothing to do with marriage again, especially with the wickedly handsome warrior Sir Ewan Gilroy. Carrying the heavy burden of her husband's death, Grace just wanted to find peace in the nunnery she had been brought up in prior to her marriage. But life has a way of opening up different options. Certainly Grace's path is not easy. Her brother-in-law, Roderick has already split the clan with his naked ambition to oust his brother Douglas and become the leader. Grace will be his pathway to achieve that desire. Ewan needs a bride with a dowry for the people and lands King Robert the Bruce gifted him. All the factors are present for a riveting story. I loved the characters. They are well defined and admirable. Ewan's mother, undisputed lady of the keep until now is someone to be reckoned with that...

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne  Kyra is a street wise, yet compassionate gutter rat whose grown up in the alleyways of Forge. Foraging for a living, she has been rescued by Flick and Belle. Their kindness and acceptance plays into her attitude to the helpless and caring for others like the self she was. Her barely formed memories of beginnings haunt her nights. As Flick says at one stage, when troubled Kyra always heads upward. It's in the heights that she feels alive and at peace. She can breathe. A thief who can climb and enter places that others don't dare, her skill catches the eyes of the leader of the Assassins Guild--the mysterious and lethal, cold hearted James. Tristam is a knight of the Red Shields sworn to uphold the law in Forge and to protect the people. Battling the Demon Riders and their giant Cats, he suffers the loss of friends and an awareness of their implacability. Watching your best friend being torn to bits and devoured does tend to hone your d...

How to Lose a Lord in 10 Days or Less (Tricks of the Ton) by Elizabeth Michels I well remember the scene in Must Love Dukes where Devon the mad Duke of Thornwood blackmails his now wife Lily, into slipping some herbs to Lord Amberstall's prize horse just before a race, causing havoc. Andrew's horse loses the race, Andrew loses face and reputation before the ton and repairs to Scotland, all his dreams of owning the finest stud in the land broken. Now that little episode has come home to roost. Andrew Clifton, Lord Amberstall, 'famous horse breeder and gentleman' is on his way home after a twelve month absence amongst the sheep in Scotland.  He is returning in answer to a plea from his mother. All is not well.  There are confusing reports of mishaps, treachery and missing horses at home. Unfortunately, en route he is tracked by thieves or worse, takes a fall and both he and his horse end up recuperating at the home of Katie Moore, daughter of the Earl of Ormsbey, wh...

The Trouble With Harry (Noble series) by Katie MacAlister Entertains, occasionally saucy, with a delightful, if somewhat wild cast. Mind you I did think I'd fallen into the set of St Trinians with the antics of Harry's children. An out-of-control group of 'wild things', hell bent on wreaking havoc and careening all over the pages throughout chapters and definitely into Plum's heart, if not ours. Harry, the Marquis of Rosse, and formerly a spy for the English Government and Plum (Lady Frederica Pelham) are an arranged marriage. Arranged by themselves that is, to meet their specific and rather particular needs. Even that has it's humorous side. Harry needs a mother for his raggedy bunch of children. Tormentors and monsters to a fine degree. Plum needs a roof over her head and a home for herself and her rather delightful niece Thom. She desperately wants a husband and a family and finds herself with all in no short order. Years ago Plum has been unknowingl...

The Captive (Captive Hearts #1) by Grace Burrowes Two damaged people find each other. Christian Donatus Severn, eighth Duke of Mercia's damage we can guess at. Gillian, Countess of Greendale's is more hidden. I took these two straight to my heart. Wonderful characters demonstrating true courage despite the atrocities they both endured. Christian, a prisoner of war, Gilly a prisoner of her marriage.  Gillian flees to her cousin by marriage, Mercia, some time after her husband dies. She intends to take Mercia to task about his daughter Lucille. Mercia's wife Helene is Gillian's cousin. Mercia's daughter Lucille has not spoken for some time and needs her father. Gillian also needs a place to live. There's hints of trickery and treachery but her trusty solicitor Stoneleigh sets Gillian on the right path. More than once. Christian is the 'lost Duke', 'a high ranking officer captured out of uniform' by the French, held and tortured. It is her...

Shaman Rises (The Walker Papers #9) by C.E. Murphy The sound of Gary's voice, a little shaky reaches out to Joanne Walker (Siobhan Grainne MacNamarra Walkingstick) across the miles from Seattle, "It's Annie, Jo. It's my wife.  She's alive." The last words of Book 8, Mountain Echoes, resound across time and space and you just know something huge is about to go down.     And it does! Armageddon in Seattle? One shudders. Who would have imagined the twists the Walker papers would encounter, that the story would end where it all began, and the pathway that Joanne Walker and her friends would travel,  as we delved into the pages of that very first book. A truly amazing journey, where gods, shamans, spirit animals and ordinary humans battle the darkness and destruction. Some surprising revelations, some heartfelt losses. Joanne in her white leather hero coat, her wry sense of humour, the love of her life, her car Petite and the other love of her life, her ...

The Hatmaker's Heart: A Nove l by Carla Stewart A lovely story, gently told. Nellie March and her stammer, her dedication and her enjoyment of her craft grabbed me from the beginning. Her determination to follow her heart and dare to dream is inspiring. Her joy, her trials and tribulations as a hat designer, a milliner, sweeps us from New York to London and back to New York, from 1922-1923. This is a charming, and at times hard look at those competitive days of haute couture (as they are today), and the life and excitement surrounding the marriage of the Queen mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. The forays into speakeasies, cloche hats and flappers.  I can see and touch those exquisite hats that Nell crafts. The bead work and colours come alive.  Then there's the hidden family secrets alongside the giddiness of those young things in high society. All is fascinating; as is a look at the life of employees behind the scenes, and the relentlessness of entering and the high fashio...

Asian Pickles: Sweet, Sour, Salty, Cured, and Fermented Preserves from Korea, Japan, China, India, and Beyond by Karen Solomon I have collected several books that give recipes for Asian pickles. Apart from the varieties of kim chi that I adore, one of my favourite pickles has always been Chinese lemon and lime pickles. I use the lemon pickle with a very tasty Charmaine Solomon   (who is my major go to resource and is listed in the bibliography) Sri Lankan Beef Smoore recipe. I have made those pickles and given them away as presents to people who appreciate such things, including my butcher who is constantly experimenting. Karen Solomon's recipe is slightly different to the one I have used and I am interested in how it will turn out and how I like this different approach from the one I normally use. How will it taste? Roll on enough time for the steeping process. What I like about this book is Solomon's commitment to using 'all the pots and pans in your cupboard...

Engaging the Earl (Accidental Peers #4) by Diana Quincy   Edward Stanhope, a second son, a talented musician, having been refused Kat's hand in marriage, determines to join the army, make his fortune and return home to marry his true love.  Kitty (Kat), Lady Katherine Granville, 16 years old, knowing whom and what she wants, tries to persuade Edward to flee to Gretna Green. Honestly, I wasn't sure here whether to applaud her here or see her a a spoilt young lady determined to have her way. Edward, honourable and focused goes to war instead. Kat, seething with anger and hurt remains behind to become the toast of the ton.     Six years pass and just as Kitty or rather it seems now Kat, has deigned to marry Laurie, Viscount Lawrence Sinclair, 'Sin' to his friends, Rand returns! Now a decorated war hero, a survivor of Talavera, and having been given an earldom by the King, Kat first sights the man she has never forgotten on the occassion of her engagement to Sin...

Nihal of the Land of the Wind (Chronicles of the Overworld, 1) by Licia Troisi  This novel shows flashes of brilliance leavened with somewhat flat prose, as one reviewer has already said. Perhaps it's the translation. The rhythm of reading, of the language flow, seems to move in cycles from riveting and focused to uncertain and unengaging.    Many incidences in the novel are fascinating such as Nihal's  trial to be judged as worthy to learn magic. Even so that event seems to be a thinly veiled ecological appreciation of the expanse and joining of all things of creation. However, this meditative quality that Nihal experiences is strongly portrayed. Juxtaposed against this is the picture of lands after being conquered by the tyrant. Lands bellowing smoke and strange things, noise and loud music bursting from taverns. No space for silence, peace and the healing of the green spaces. I kept thing of Blake's poetry and his rail against the pervasive effects of th...

Twelfth Night (A Lady Julia Mystery #6.5) by Deanna Raybourn It's Christmas time and a baby has been left in the stables at Bellmont Abbey. Lady Julia is determined to solve the mystery. Julia's family is together for the annual Twelfth Night Revels performance and annual event for the villagers of Blessingstoke Hamlet. Julia's siblings and spouses are all there. Some glowering, some frenetic, others resigned. As always everything is in an uproar. We are treated to the usual eccentricity from her family, and hints of dark evilness from Brisbane's. Benedick's children play a part in solving the mystery of the abandoned baby and a further mystery of the poisoned oysters.  Oh those children! So knowing! I loved it when they talked about Aunt Hermia's home for reformed prostitutes. Perdita is a quaint, intelligently serious child. As Brisbane said, she is a perfectly exceptional child, probably like Julia when Julia was of that age. We meet Quentin Harkness, ...

The Sea of Time (Chronicles of the Kencyrath) by P.C. Hodgell  I could hardly wait to read the latest episode in the Chronicles of the Kencyrath. I have loved this series from the beginning, when I fell across the first novel of the  Godstalker Chronicles, Godstalk.   I notice that the dedication in Hodgell's latest novel is in memory of Diana Wynne Jones, another of my favourite writers. I love seeing where my interests and an author's converge. Once more in The Sea of Time, Jame, that is Jamethiel Priest's Bane--sister of Torisen Black Lord, is being tested as a senior cadet. Jame has been sent to the Southern Host at Kothifir. It is here her brother was captured and tortured. Once more the hazing continues. With cadets from senior years playing dangerous games. Journeys and wars are only part of the story. Deserts are crossed and under the earth pathways traversed. Time plays tricks and as always the gods are once more enmeshed.. As always, confusing the situ...

The Mad Herringtons (Classic Regency Romances) by Jane Myers Perrine  An amusing romp. I sometimes wondered if had fallen into an Oscar Wilde or Noel Coward play. My heart quite goes out to Aphrodite as she tries to control her more passionate wild sisters and brothers. After all she is the 'sensible' one (after all she is reading Sense and Sensibility). Almost engaged and off to a House Party to meet her fiancé's mother, some of her siblings accompany her. Those names the Herrington children all have! Quite diverting! Greek gods and goddesses and muses. As is the reason why the Marchioness named her offspring thus. Anyway as we follow some of the Herrington's antics we behold Terpsichore crossed in love, Athena a baggage if ever there was one (sort of Lydia Bennett but obsessed with kissing and practising on footmen and stablehands), and Aphrodite herself determined to be the 'proper' Herrington. Aski (Asklepios), Aphrodite's brother joins the group...