December 25, 2016

Non-review: Far from the Madding Crowd

Merry Christmas! I was going to do just a regular "Merry Christmas post", but I decided to put in this odd duck of a post with it. Hope you get some laughs, or whatever. This cheered me up while writing it. ^_-

Have safe travels, wonderful times, and Merry Christmas.


Yes. This book has now hit my Will Not Read shelf. For classics that I'm iffy about I sometimes use the movies to "screen" them. The plan is if I like the movie after I've "screened" it, then I'll promptly move onto the book. If it fails, normally I don't bother ever mentioning it. The book is never added to my shelves and I forget it.

Well this was a HUGE fail for me. So I can't just let it be. Nope. Nope. Far from the Madding Crowd made me feel all right. Every time I see the title this is how I read it now: Far from the Maddening Crowd. Because well, it makes me mad. (Yeah, it's kind of silly.)



Firstly the lead. This book was published 1874 and at the time I'm pretty sure was a bold choice for a female lead. She's supposed to be strong minded and independent. Fully believing that she doesn't need a husband. The reason I wanted to read it was that I was told she was an unconventional lead for classics and was a must read. Yeah for that, however she quickly become everything I hate in female lead.
  1. She totally played the men. No really. She liked the first guy, but stilts him. (Come on she even know she liked him.) Then rights a "joking valentine" to a really nice man and basically leads him on. While, like he says, she never did promise him a thing. (Then of course he becomes crazy obsessed with her.) I'm going to leave the third and last guy off the list for another number.
  2. She's so full of herself that she makes stupid choices, and even while graveling I don't think she's learned! I still want to punch her.
  3. Enter third man. The guy straight up is reeling her in, and asks for a secret rendezvous in the woods. To which he endangers her after lying, then kisses, and disgustingly gropes her. He is the one guy that treats her like shit straight up front!
  4. She fails into trappings of lust that she has preached she will never do. She has plenty of warning, even from the first guy (mentioned in 1.) who has done nothing but help her and try to do right by her. (He's amazing, but becomes stupid)
  5. Despite it all she still goes with lust and basically becomes ruined.
  6. She lands on her feet, probably do to the poor first guy who remains by her side through it all.

I'll admit she kept some of her fire with her loser husband. Though I'd respect her more if she took him out back the shed and ended him herself. Holy, cow. The fact that she didn't even pause to think that by marrying him he would, in society, have her power. She threw it all away for lust!!!!!!

The horrid plot twist was bad not to mention how it all goes down. *sighs* Sure she gets her happy ending, but by then I have very little respect for the amazing first guy. Who is basically the nice guy, the right guy. He's watched as she did all this without ever trying to woo her again. He respects her exactly how she asked, yet he should have said "I'm putting my heart out her once more, and if you don't love me I'm moving on." Not pine after her forever and then when you finally go to move on have her come running. He knew her well, he wanted to suffer!

Overall I could rant about numerous points of how much I hated this. This may be the beginning of cliché historical romances. (Though it was current at the time.) From reviews, and googling, I've discovered that the movie is pretty similar to the book. I disliked the main lead so much and couldn't respect her. By the end of the movie I didn't like the first guy who I should have been rooting for. Because when they finally get their HEA I was more, "you deserve each other you idiots" than feeling the love.

One of the few times where the move of a classic book saved me from a read I would have hated. Thank you, you boring and frustrating movie. Thank you.



Side note: The movie is stunning and lovely. Oh, and then men ain't to bad either. Man, oh, man is Matthias Schoenaerts dreamy as heck! Of course Michael Sheen is simply lovely in his period getup. (Still one of my favorite on screen werewolves.) Despite not liking the character Carey Mulligan plays, she's still a delight to watch on screen.

Oh, and I am totally calling out that whole kiss scene that was a rip off of Pride and Prejudice from 2005. Cheap.

December 23, 2016

Cover Coveting (5)

 
Cover art is found from Goodreads, Wicked Scribes, ATUF, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

Hmmmm. Apparently it's still a big plot trope when the girl "saves" the man by letting him save her, falling in love (AKA giving her virginity up/have sex), and then dies "helping" the man save the day. I've now watched 4 movies with this same bull crap theme. Or as I like to say the damsel bull shit that I loath. Even the Mechanic 2 had freaking Jessica Alba and the didn't let her kick ass!!! What the hell. She's an action star, Dark Angel anyone?

Lets look at some pretty covers to cool me down.


Resistance by Mikhaeyla Kopievsky

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


Resistance (Divided Elements #1) Series: Divided Elements, book 1 

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Dystopian/Science Fiction

Shera’s thoughts:

I love how gorgeous this cover is. The upside down city and gorgeous artwork turning into electrical looking parts.

The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


The Love Interest Series: N/A 

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Young Adult Spy

Shera’s thoughts:

I have a huge love for YA books with espionage, or spies, as the theme.

They're so rare.

It's always fun to see what artwork they come up with. First it was all cutesy and overly bubbly.

Slowly it's gotten more seriuos as the writing has strayed from being cute. Personally I love this look!

It's not as artsy as others, but simple is—like I say a lot—better.

The Scarecrow Queen by Melinda Salisbury

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


The Scarecrow Queen  (The Sin Eater’s Daughter #3) Series: The Sin Eater's Daughter, book 3 

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

Love how well it fits the series! I've loved the entire theme and concept for each cover. So beautiful!

I've faithfully bought each book based on the covers. Despite reading them. The power of beautiful covers.

The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


The Wish Granter  (Ravenspire #2) Series: Ravenspire, book 2

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling

Shera’s thoughts:

This is truly a lovely cover, but it took quite a while for me to realize that it was the sequel to The Shadow Queen.

Definitely not a series artwork theme. Still very cool, love the drop of blood coming off the needle.

Within the Sanctuary of Wings
by Marie Brennan

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


Within the Sanctuary of Wings  (The Memoirs of Lady Trent #5) Series: The Memoirs of Lady Trent, book 5

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

Each time a new book is confirmed I eagerly await the release of the cover art! I haven't read a single book in the series, but the artwork (and steller reviews) makes sure that I buy each one.

This is one of my favorite kinds of covers. Beautiful artwork that cleverly captures the essence of the series. 

December 21, 2016

Wednesday Wishes

All I want for Christmas is:

Lots of Books!!!

Ha-ha. I just watched 'All I Want for Christmas' Carpool Karaoke! While I was disappointed in Mariah, I really had fun seeing all the other Karaoke singers from the previous shows. Really fun!


Wake of Vultures by Lila Bowen

Wake of Vultures  (The Shadow #1)Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult Western
Series: The Shadow, book 1

A rich, dark fantasy of destiny, death, and the supernatural world hiding beneath the surface.

Nettie Lonesome lives in a land of hard people and hard ground dusted with sand. She's a half-breed who dresses like a boy, raised by folks who don't call her a slave but use her like one. She knows of nothing else. That is, until the day a stranger attacks her. When nothing, not even a sickle to the eye can stop him, Nettie stabs him through the heart with a chunk of wood, and he turns into black sand.

And just like that, Nettie can see.

But her newfound sight is a blessing and a curse. Even if she doesn't understand what's under her own skin, she can sense what everyone else is hiding -- at least physically. The world is full of evil, and now she knows the source of all the sand in the desert. Haunted by the spirits, Nettie has no choice but to set out on a quest that might lead to her true kin... if the monsters along the way don't kill her first.

There are so many books on my Goodreads shelf, and real ones, that it's a sad truth that a lot of times I forget about books I've popped onto my future purchase shelf.

This is one of them and until I found the cover for the second book I had totally forgotten about it. Which is sad because it sounds like a genre mashup of epic proportions.

December 20, 2016

Review: Barbarian Lover

Barbarian Lover (Ice Planet Barbarians, book 3) by Ruby Dixon

barbarian lovers

Genre: Science Fiction Erotica
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Barbarian Lover (3)

As one of the few humans stranded on the ice planet, I should be happy that I have a new home. Human women are treasured here, and one alien in particular has made it clear that he wants me. It's hard to push away the sexy, flirtatious Aehako, when all I want to do is grab him by his horns and insist he take me to his furs.

But I've got a terrible secret - the aliens who abducted me are back, and thanks to the translator in my ear, they can find me. My presence here endangers everyone... but can I give up my new life and the man I want more than anything?


Review:

Aehako was such a cutie in the last book, and I thought it was adorable how he crushed on Kira. I had reservations about Kira cause she seemed so negative in the first two books. Well I didn't like her any better when I got in her head. She's one of the worry warts. Just waiting to reject everyone because “everything is doomed to end!” It's exhausting.

The saving point is that there is some great humor. A certain carving makes an appearance. You know the one Liz said Aehako should make!!!!!

While I don't like Kira I did enjoy that she basically kicks ass and saves everyone. She may whine and annoy the crap out of me, but girls got guts.

Even better is that we get to see the politics of the world. That the girls are nervous about what is going to happen being at the mercy of these aliens. Especially if maybe they don't want to be breeders, or can't. Or the fear that they have to have sex. I'm happy it's addressed.

I also like seeing the world expanding more. However, I was totally disappointed how quickly everyone was to write off this one girl as running away. First off she probably couldn't' survive on her own and wouldn't be that stupid. Secondly they would have to assume she's dumb enough to do that. Thirdly, they were so willing to judge and condemn. Pssssh. No one thought, maybe something dragged her off to eat? That bothered me.

If I was that girl I'd come back pissed and wanting revenge.

Either way this was a fun installment. It made me laugh, despite not liking Kira. Which saddens me as she really did end up kicking booty! I'm probably not going to be able to read these back to back. Sure there's world building and story, but they don't escape the curse of romance/erotica story formulas.

Content Warning: Totally adult and sexual content! Sex toys! Ha-ha. Graphic murder and mass murder! (The villains get what's theirs.) Some frank discussions about sex and what questionable things the girls may—or may not—have to do to survive.

 
1/5- I couldn't finish it or wish I hadn't.


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:

Ice Planet Barbarians (1) 
Barbarian Alien (2)
Barbarian Lover (3)
Barbarian Mine (4)
Barbarian's Prize (5)
Barbarian's Mate (6)
Barbarian's Touch (7)
Barbarian's Taming (8)
Barbarian's Heart (9)
Barbarian's Hope (10)
Barbarian's Choice (11)

  

Ice Planet Barbarians (1) 
Barbarian Alien (2)
Barbarian Lover (3)
Barbarian Mine (4)
Barbarian's Prize (5)
Barbarian's Mate (6)
Barbarian's Touch (7)
Barbarian's Taming (8)
Barbarian's Heart (9)
Barbarian's Hope (10)
Barbarian's Choice (11

Ice Planet Barbarians (1) 
Barbarian Alien (2)
Barbarian Lover (3)
Barbarian Mine (4)
Barbarian's Prize (5)
Barbarian's Mate (6)
Barbarian's Touch (7)
Barbarian's Taming (8)
Barbarian's Heart (9)
Barbarian's Hope (10)
Barbarian's Choice (11)

December 19, 2016

Cover Coveting (5)

 
Cover art is found from Goodreads, Wicked Scribes, ATUF, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

Some of these covers may have been out for a while, but I finally discovered them! I've been scouring Goodreads getting ready for the books of 2017! I've found some interesting covers, and some pushed back books. ;_;

It's all better with some lovely covers found.


Collide by Michelle Madow

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


Collide Series: N/A 

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult

Shera’s thoughts:

I love this cover! Especially that even though it is ANOTHER pretty dress cover the dress has a life to it! I love the flow of it as she runs into "time"! Ha-ha!

I always love how red and blue  look so magical together.

Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


Devil in Spring  (The Ravenels #3) outer
Devil in Spring  (The Ravenels #3) inner
Series: The Ravenels, book 3

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Historical Romance 

Shera’s thoughts:

I think Historical Romance is the birth of pretty dresses on covers, but I love that now the dresses aren't falling off. The women can be front and center without the leads, and then boom! Flip it open there's the steamy couple!

I love how much effort has been put into the background. Flowers and stars, lovely trees.

Heartstone by Elle Katherine White

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


Heartstone Series: N/A

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

I'm not sure what the cheesy cover attempt for dragons meets Pride and Prejudice would have been, but I'm glad they went for bad ass dragon cover for this one.

It's so lovely!! Thank you. Thank you for a stunning dragon cover.

Hungry Ghosts by Stephen Blackmoore

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


Hungry Ghosts (Eric Carter #3) by Stephen Blackmoore Series: Eric Carter, book 3

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

Ooooo! So bright. Fits the series well.

Red Sister by Mark Lawrence

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


Red Sister  (Book of the Ancestor #1) Series: Book of Ancestor, book 1

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: High Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

I'm not sure of the choice to just smear the red all over, but I really like the expression on the model's face.

It's a nice high fantasy cover.

December 16, 2016

Cover Coveting (5)

 
Cover art is found from Goodreads, Wicked Scribes, ATUF, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

About 2014 I caught BBC America's The Three Musketeers. It was only season 1 at the time, but I've recently remembered that I'd really like to watch the rest of the series.

So since last week, and a bit of this week, I talked about movies I thought I'd throw out a TV recommendation perfect for book worms. The Three Musketeers by BBC America!

I enjoyed the changes and flourishes that the writers took with it, and I am excited to see where the series will go.


Summoner Rising by Melanie McFarlane

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


Summoner Rising Series: Laws of Summoning , book 1

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult

Shera’s thoughts:

Oooooo, what a dramatic cover!  The symbol behind the type reminds me of The Chronicles of Nick ones.

I really love the sound o fthis series!

The Edge of the Abyss by Emily Skrutskie

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


The Edge of the Abyss  (The Abyss Surrounds Us #2) Series: The Abyss Surrounds Us, book 2 

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

Ahhhhhh!!! I love it! I have been highly anticipating this cover all year.

I love the "Edge" in the title! I mean the whole title is awesome, but that's my favorite bit.

So first we got the awesome eye and now the creepy tentacles. I want more books in the series so I can get more cool monster covers.

The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


The Gauntlet Series: N/A 

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Middle Grade Steampunk

Shera’s thoughts:

I really love the covers that the middle grade books have been getting lately.

I feel like rarely the artwork gets skimped out on.

The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


The Secret Science of Magic Series: N/A 

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Shera’s thoughts:

The art style and design caught my eyes! This isn't my usual drama, but it looks great.

The simple vector art can always be fun.

The Darkest Promise by Gena Showalter

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


thedarkestpromisebygenashowalter Series: Lords of the Underworld, book 13

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Shera’s thoughts:

It fits the series well.

I don't like how her shoulders and boobs are normal, but then her waist is super tapered.

December 15, 2016

Review: Barbarian Alien

Barbarian Alien (Ice Planet Barbarians, book 2) by Ruby Dixon

Barbarian Alien  (Ice Planet Barbarians #2)

Genre: Science Fiction Erotica
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Barbarian Alien (2)

Twelve humans are left stranded on a wintry alien planet. I’m one of them. Yay, me.

In order to survive, we have to take on a symbiont that wants to rewire our bodies to live in this brutal place. I like to call it a cootie. And my cootie’s a jerk, because it also thinks I’m the mate to the biggest, surliest alien of the group.

BARBARIAN ALIEN is a sequel to ICE PLANET BARBARIANS. You do not have to read both in order to understand the plot, but the story will be richer if you do!


Review:

Liz immediately captured my attention. She's my favorite kind of lead. Mouthy and capable of taking care of herself. The last book left off with poor Liz being abducted by her barbarian alien. Ha-ha.

First off there are a lot of warning flags in this book. Kidnapping and such. However, a lot of things that I normally grumble about will be placed to the side. After all this world and premise is about these girls crash landing on this planet and taking parasites into their bodies so they can survive living there. Parasites who's goal is to find compatible mates to make babies ASAP. Not to mention that females are super scarce and the alien men are horny. (In more than one way.)

So yeah. Displace you mind set. True there are some minor flaws in the writing, but I got over it.

Liz's humor just kept me laughing. I laughed everywhere. When people asked me why I was laughing I would just say a funny book. (The few times they kept nagging I told them it was hilarious alien porn.) I also like that Liz doesn't want to just be taken care of by her new alien lover.

There's also more world building and some politics of the alien tribe. I enjoy that there is still a great balance of smutty times and sci-fi bits. Liz is probably going to be hard to beat. I love her so much! This is a fun and easy read. Sometimes you just need hilarious alien porn to make it all better.

Content Warning: Dirty sexual content. Let's be, honest kidnapping. The use of no as yes, which I'm calling out right here. This is breeding erotica.

  
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:

Ice Planet Barbarians (1) 
Barbarian Alien (2)
Barbarian Lover (3)
Barbarian Mine (4)
Barbarian's Prize (5)
Barbarian's Mate (6)
Barbarian's Touch (7)
Barbarian's Taming (8)
Barbarian's Heart (9)
Barbarian's Hope (10)
Barbarian's Choice (11)

   

Ice Planet Barbarians (1) 
Barbarian Alien (2)
Barbarian Lover (3)
Barbarian Mine (4)
Barbarian's Prize (5)
Barbarian's Mate (6)
Barbarian's Touch (7)
Barbarian's Taming (8)
Barbarian's Heart (9)
Barbarian's Hope (10)
Barbarian's Choice (11)

Ice Planet Barbarians (1) 
Barbarian Alien (2)
Barbarian Lover (3)
Barbarian Mine (4)
Barbarian's Prize (5)
Barbarian's Mate (6)
Barbarian's Touch (7)
Barbarian's Taming (8)
Barbarian's Heart (9)
Barbarian's Hope (10)
Barbarian's Choice (11)

December 14, 2016

Wednesday Wishes

I usually end up watching a movie while I create my posts for Book Whispers. Monday's Cover Coveting I mentioned some titles that book lovers will love. For this post I found my self watching Swiss Army Man. Well it's different. I think the writers thought it was profound, but miserably failed the mark. Standing ovation to Daniel Radcliff though!


Souljacker by Yasmine Galenorn

Souljacker  (Lily Bound #1)Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Lily Bound, book 1

Lily O'Connell, a succubus, has put her unique talents to work. She owns Lily Bound, an elite sex salon in the Blood Night District of Seattle. When a client turns up dead in her club, and she hears the news that the Souljacker--an old tattoo-artist friend-turned-vampire, who was institutionalized years before--has escaped to reclaim his "artwork," Lily knows she's next on his list. With one of his tattoos on her thigh and nowhere else to turn, Lily hires Archer Desmond, a chaos demon and PI, to track the vampire down before he tracks her. But she didn't expect to fall for Archer-and they say a succubus who falls in love will destroy the heart of the one she seeks to claim...

Some Cover Coveting posts ago I know I did the cover reveal for this one, but the synopsis either wasn't there or I didn't notice. Probably I didn't notice it.

So I got curious and looked it up. It sounds fun! Definitely a more forward romance title. It always fascinates me how the paranormal genres seem to have such close ties to tattoos.

I also find it very funny that the lead is a Succubus. Like Galenorn's characters need any more of an excuse to be super sexualized! I wonder what she'll be like . . .

December 13, 2016

Cover Coveting (5)

 
Cover art is found from Goodreads, Wicked Scribes, ATUF, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

I’m a little short on time


Devil's Cut by J.R. Ward

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


devil'scut Series: Bourbon Kings, book 3

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Shera’s thoughts:

Fits the series well and keeps the vibes going.

Masquerade by Laura Lam

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


Masquerade  (Micah Grey #3) Series: Micah Grey, book 3

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

Simple designs are sometimes the best, and quite pleasing to the eyes.

Midnight Curse by Melissa F. Olson

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


midnight curse Series: Disrupted Magic, book 1

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

It's tacky. Like old school Urban Fantasy tacky. So I do like it. ^_-

Murder, Magic, and What we Wore by Kelly Jones

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


Murder, Magic, and What We Wore Series: N/A 

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Historical with a Twist

Shera’s thoughts:

It's so fun! I love the needle and thread up in the top corner.

Love what they did with the title!

Silver Silence by Nalini Singh

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


silver silence Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity, book 1

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Shera’s thoughts:

I guess it's time for a new series with a new cover design. I like that here's thought to it, but it kind of reminds me of the Young Adult science fiction covers they're putting out right now.

I'll miss the artwork from the original series. It was so stunning.