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Innocent Traitor

BONUS: This edition contains an

ISBN 0345494857
(ISBN:13 9780345494856)

excerpt from Alison Weir's Mary Boleyn.

I am now a condemned traitor . . . I am to die when I have hardly begun to live.

Historical expertise marries page-turning fiction in Alison Weir’s enthralling debut novel, breathing new life into one of the most significant and tumultuous periods of the English monarchy. It is the story of Lady Jane Grey–“the Nine Days’ Queen” –a fifteen-year-old girl who unwittingly finds herself at the center of the religious and civil unrest that nearly toppled the fabled House of Tudor during the sixteenth century.

The child of a scheming father and a ruthless mother, for whom she is merely a pawn in a dynastic game with the highest stakes, Jane Grey was born during the harrowingly turbulent period between Anne Boleyn’s beheading and the demise of Jane’s infamous great-uncle, King Henry VIII. With the premature passing of Jane’ s adolescent cousin, and Henry’s successor, King Edward VI, comes a struggle for supremacy fueled by political machinations and lethal religious fervor.

Unabashedly honest and exceptionally intelligent, Jane possesses a sound strength of character beyond her years that equips her to weather the vicious storm. And though she has no ambitions to rule, preferring to immerse herself in books and religious studies, she is forced to accept the crown, and by so doing sets off a firestorm of intrigue, betrayal, and tragedy.

Alison Weir uses her unmatched skills as a historian to enliven the many dynamic characters of this majestic drama. Along with Lady Jane Grey, Weir vividly renders her devious parents; her much-loved nanny; the benevolent Queen Katherine Parr; Jane’s ambitious cousins; the Catholic “Bloody” Mary, who will stop at nothing to seize the throne; and the Protestant and future queen Elizabeth. Readers venture inside royal drawing rooms and bedchambers to witness the power-grabbing that swirls around Lady Jane Grey from the day of her birth to her unbearably poignant death. Innocent Traitor paints a complete and compelling portrait of this captivating young woman, a faithful servant of God whose short reign and brief life would make her a legend.

402 pages

Published, February 27th 2007

(Ballantine Books)

Warning: there are some scenes of child abuse. Please seek professional help if you or someone you know has been in a similar situation.

First Impression

set in 1st person Innocent Traitor begins with a small prologue set on 14th November 1553, after trial of lady Jane Grey as are an in the quote, 'My palace is now My prison '.

From here it leads to Leicestershire 1537, with the viewpoint of Frances Brandon, the Marchioness of Dorset, Jane's mother, who after 2 previous still births gives birth to a daughter "healthy and vigorous". 

Both Frances and Henry are referred to as being ambitious, and greatly disappointed that she is a girl, after wanting a son.

My Rating ⭐

For me Innocent Traitor was a slow paces account based on the viewpoints of different women surrounding Jane Grey instead of giving her a strong voice Jane's character got lost behind other characters. 

I decided to DNF on page 49, after reading the Innocent Traitor seemed to bed together and dragged on. From Jane's births it moved to Jane Seymour give birth which is irrelevant and pointless in a book that is supposed to be about Jane Grey. I was also found reading about how Jane was treated from 3 very distressing.

Quotes

Whispers Beyond the Veil, #1

First in a dazzling new

ISBN 0425281604
(ISBN13: 978042581604)

historical mystery series featuring Ruby Proulx, a psychic with a questionable past who suddenly found her future uncertain...
Canada, 1898. The only life that Ruby Proulx has ever known is that of a nomad, travelling across the country with her snake-oil salesman father. She dreams of taking root somewhere, someday, but, until she can, she makes her way reading tarot cards. Yet she never imagined her own life would take such a turn...

After one of her father's medical "miracles" goes deadly wrong, Ruby evades authorities by hiding in th seaside resort town of Old Orchard, Maine, where her strange Aunt Honoria owns the Hotel Belden, a unique resistance that caters to spiritualists - a place where Ruby can keep her dark secret hidden.

But Ruby's plan begins to crumble after a psychic investigator checks into the hotel and senses Ruby is hiding more than she's letting on. Now Ruby must do what she can to escape both his attention and Aunt Honoria's insistence that should has a true gift, before she loses her precious new home and her family forever...

Pages 340

Published September 6th 2016

(Berkley Books)

First Impression

I feel sorry for Ruby, she has to put up with a overbearing father who seems to be more focused on scamming desperate people out of money and "investing" it on another scheme.

Warren Yancey, known as "Yancey" is a police officer at Old Orchard, he is driven to do the right thing in the line of his work especially when "pickpockets had flown into town like a red tide".

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐

After Ruby's father comes up with a new scam "the Invigorizer" "a wooden box with shiny bits of copper and black rubber tubes." Ruby has no other choice but to flee when the "trial run" ends in a deadly accident.

Yancey and Ruby first meet when Ruby is nearly robbed when she leaves the train station and Yancey takes her to the police station to recover from a the incident that left her unconscious...

There are surprises in store the more you read. I found myself enthralled with Ruby's character and loved finding more about her as I got closer to the end.

Quotes

Knight of Passion, #3

HOW CAN THIS PASSIONATE KNIGHT...

ISBN 0446559865
(ISBN13: 9780446559867)

Renowned beauty Lady Linnet is torn between two desires: revenge on those who destroyed her family or marriage to her childhood sweetheart Sir James Rayburn. One fateful night, she makes a misguided choice: she sacrifices Jamie's love for a chance at vengeance.
TRUST A BEAUTY WITH A PAST?
Jamie Rayburn returns to England in search of a virtuous wife-only to find the lovely Linnet as bewitching as ever. Their reckless affair ignites anew, even hotter than before, although Jamie vows to never again trust her with his heart. Then just as Linnet begins to make amends, she's tempted by one last opportunity to settle old scores. But a final retribution could cost her Jamie's love - this time forever

384 pages

Published June 1st 2010

 (Forever)

First Impression

Set in 3rd person Knight of passion gives the story of Jamie and Linnet from the previous books.

The prologue begins in the louvre, Paris in the year 1420. Jamie, who is love struck, mentions marriage but Linnet doesn't want to be a wife, she couldn't bear having a man telling her what to do also her plans for revenge requires her independence.

Setting her plan into motion wanted to be both her and Jamiea are caught together in a bed-chamber by her father and Sir Guy, the man who her father plans to marry her to. Jaime leaves. Back to england, deverstated.

In the next chapter 5 years has past since the night he left, Jamie is still affected. 

Now in London, Jamie rescues longer on London bridge surrounded by a mob, taking her to safety.

It is here, that we as the audience learn of Linnet's friendship with Queen Katherine the wife of the late King Henry from the Knight of Desire. Also we learn from the persuasion of the Queen that Jamie reveals that he home to search of a wife. 

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐

As final book in the All the King's Men Series, Knight of Passion was filled with romance and action till the very end. I felt that the story was a little repetitive with Jamie's description, but I would read Knight of Passion more than once for the witty dialogue. 

I would recommend that anyone who likes a fast-paced romance involving a strong willed female lead.

Quotes

“Twas a shame a man who looked like that ever had to wear a shirt.”

Part of the Family

WHAT WOULD YOU SACRIFICE TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH?

ISBN 0008327025
(ISBN13: 9780008327026)

On the surface, Anna Witherall personifies everything the aspirational magazine she works for represents. Married to her university boyfriend David, she has a beautiful home and gorgeous three-year-old twin daughters, Stella and Rose. But beneath the veneer of success and happiness, Anna is hiding a dark secret, one that threatens to unravel everything she has worked so hard to create.
As Anna finds herself drawn into the dark and highly controlled world of secret intelligence, she is forced to question her family’s safety, and her own. Only one thing is certain: in order to protect her children, she must leave them, forever. 
And someone is watching. Someone she thought she could trust. Someone who is determined to make them all pay.
Stylish and assured, The Most Difficult Thing is an irresistible combination of contemporary espionage and domestic suspense, and a compulsive, highly charged examination of betrayal.

400 pages

Published April 16 2020

(The Borough Press)

First Impression

Set in 1st person Part of the Family is a slow paced story giving the accounts of Anna and Maria in three parts.

Through a prologue we are given an insight into the afternoon of a woman later found out to be Anna, 2 month after giving birth being out shopping on her own. Maria is described as the Ever-compentant nanny of her twins. 

3 years (chapter one) 05:40 having another night where she has hardly sleep Anna gets up quietly as not to disturb her husband, david. An hour later, she is ready for her to leave to catch up on work before her 12pm flight, having kissed her girls goodbye, all that is left is to walk through the open door.

My Rating ⭐

There are a lot of mixed reviews about Part of the Family so I was starting with an open-mind.

The first thing that comes to mind is how confusing the story is, there were lots of flashbacks leaving  more questions than answers eg. The prologue is 2 months after Anna gave birth, chapter one 3 years into the future then chapter 3 is when she was a teen. 

I found it odd and increasingly difficult to get a clear picture on what is happening some pages made me question why I chose Part of the Family. 

Through the changing plot twists I struggled to from a connection to any characters and any time start to like a character something happened for me to change my mind.

It took long than expected to read, and I left feeling disappointed at a whole the ending for me was flat and felt rushed.

Quotes

The Dutch House

At the end of the Second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and a single canny investment to

ISBN 0062963678
(ISBN13: 9780062963673)

begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves.
The story is told by Cyril’s son Danny, as he and his older sister, the brilliantly acerbic and self-assured Maeve, are exiled from the house where they grew up by their stepmother. The two wealthy siblings are thrown back into the poverty their parents had escaped from and find that all they have to count on is one another. It is this unshakable bond between them that both saves their lives and thwarts their futures.
Set over the course of five decades, The Dutch House is a dark fairy tale about two smart people who cannot overcome their past. Despite every outward sign of success, Danny and Maeve are only truly comfortable when they’re together. Throughout their lives, they return to the well-worn story of what they’ve lost with humor and rage. But when at last they’re forced to confront the people who left them behind, the relationship between an indulged brother and his ever-protective sister is finally tested.

337 pages

Published September 24th 2919

(Harper)

First Impression

Set in the 1st person The Dutch House is in three parts, giving the life story of a boy called Danny, who is 8 when he is introduced to us...

As an audience we are taken on the journey as Danny explains his experiences and relationships with those around him through his life.

My Rating ⭐⭐

I was looking forward to reading The Dutch House (May 2020 BOTM), but after a while it seemed to fall a bit flat. 

Upon reading the first 5 chapters I felt really sorry for Danny and his sister, Maeve as the have a strained relationship with their father especially after their mother left.

After their father remarries to Angela, who has two daughters herself both Danny and Maeve are pushed even further away and rely on eachother.

Some of the things I found issue with it the fact that it seems more like I was reading a time jump as Danny was 8 then a teenager. Through this I struggled to piece together a idea of what I was reading. 

As soon as I hit chapter 9 I felt I could push through any more as I was underwhelmed and quite frankly I was lost.

Quotes

"But we overlay the present onto the past. We look back through the lens of what we know now, so we're not seeing it as the people we were, we're seeing it as the people we are, and that means the past has been radically altered.”

“Disappointment comes from expectation,”

A Good Marriage

Big Little Lies meets Presumed Innocent in this

ISBN 0062367684
(ISBN13: 9780062367686)

riveting novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia, in which a woman’s brutal murder reveals the perilous compromises some couples make—and the secrets they keep—in order to stay together.
Lizzie Kitsakis is working late when she gets the call. Grueling hours are standard at elite law firms like Young & Crane, but they’d be easier to swallow if Lizzie was there voluntarily. Until recently, she’d been a happily underpaid federal prosecutor. That job and her brilliant, devoted husband Sam—she had everything she’d ever wanted. And then, suddenly, it all fell apart.
No. That’s a lie. It wasn’t sudden, was it? Long ago the cracks in Lizzie’s marriage had started to show. She was just good at averting her eyes.
The last thing Lizzie needs right now is a call from an inmate at Rikers asking for help—even if Zach Grayson is an old friend. But Zach is desperate: his wife, Amanda, has been found dead at the bottom of the stairs in their Brooklyn brownstone. And Zach’s the primary suspect.
As Lizzie is drawn into the dark heart of idyllic Park Slope, she learns that Zach and Amanda weren’t what they seemed—and that their friends, a close-knit group of fellow parents at the exclusive Grace Hall private school, might be protecting troubling secrets of their own. In the end, she’s left wondering not only whether her own marriage can be saved, but what it means to have a good marriage in the first place.

400 pages

Published May 5th 2020

(Harper)

First Impression

Set in the 1st person, A Good Marriage tells the story of Lizze and Amanda with a manuscript of the jury.

One evening whilst working late at the office, Lizzie receives a call from a friend, Zach, who after coming home from a "adult party" finds his wife, Amanda dead and has been arrested on suspicion of her death. 

After agreeing reluctantly to represent him 

My Rating ⭐⭐

A Good Marriage is BOTM for May 2020. 

So I was instantly expecting the book to have the WOW factor even though it was a slow paced book.

However, it failed to grip me in a meaningful way, which is a disappointment when there was a lot of 5 star reviews. 

I was not keen on Amanda's character and felt no connection to any of the characters. The writing was sloppy and all over place, making I it difficult to pick the plot back up after putting down... The court testimony seem pointless and irrelevant leading me to at times having to re-read previous pages.

After reading 100 pages I had to give up as I couldn't stand to read anymore.

Quotes

Heart of the Warrior, #2

Severin was born to be a warrior. Conceived as a mixed-blood when his vampire father sexually

ISBN 1937252175
(ISBN13: 9781937252175)

assaulted his dreck mother over two centuries ago, Severin retained the power of iron skin inherent to newborn drecks. However, Sev keeps this secret closely guarded. If it's discovered that inferior dreck blood flows in his vampire veins, it could destroy his life. And to make matters worse, his father suddenly wants to make amends for his transgressions. Sev wants nothing of his father's apology, especially now, as he contends with both an assassin who has marked Sev for blood vengeance and his overwhelming attraction to his teammate, Arion.
Arion is the son of King Bain's liaison, Gregos Savakis, who had Ari's course plotted before he was even born. But what Ari's overbearing parents wanted for him wasn't what Arion wanted for himself, and a lifetime spent fighting through one relationship after another with females from all walks of life has left him weary in his search for a mate. After a startling and erotic encounter with Sev over a month ago, Ari has begun to realize why. He's gay. And now he can't stop thinking about Sev. Arion suddenly realizes he's been forcing himself to be with females because that's what his parents expected. But what he wants is a male, and not just any male. Arion wants Severin.
Can the two overcome the secrets, prejudice, plotting, and the threat on Severin's life to find happily ever after with each other?

330 pages

Published May 23rd 2012

(Phoenix Press)

First Impression

Set in the 3rd person Heart of the Warrior continues from the Rise of the Fallen this time sharing Severin and Arion's story...

Both have their own secrets, which helps to work out the plot as they are scared of reaction they would get it they shared their secrets with those around them.

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐

Although, repetitive at times I enjoyed reading Heart of the Warrior I noticed some mistakes with vocabulary towards the end. 

Filled with plenty of drama from beginning to end, but I found that the sexual scenes appeared to fast. 

Heart of the Warrior I felt was very beneficial to people who are struggling to help people in that are struggling to explain their sexuality to others helping them to see there is a way forward all they have to do is be brave.

Quotes

Knight of Pleasure, #2

THE GREATEST PASSION

ISBN 0446553387
(ISBN13: 9780446553384)

Lady Isobel Hume is an expert swordswoman who knows how to choose her battles. When the king asks her to wed a French nobleman to form a political alliance, she agrees. But that's before the devilishly charming Sir Stephen Carleton captures her heart-and tempts her to betray her betrothed, her king, and her country.
IS WORTH THE GREATEST PERIL
Sir Stephen Carleton enjoys his many female admirers-until he dedicates himself to winning the lovely Isobel. So when a threat against the king leads Isobel into mortal danger, Stephen has a chance to prove that he is more than a knight of pleasure...and that love can conquer all.

363 pages

Published December 1st 2009

(Forever)

First Impression

set in the 3rd person Knight of Pleasure begins with a Prologue set in the year 1409 in Northumberland, where it gives an insight into the mind of a 13 year old Isobel, who is more interested in playing knights with boys, which her father forbade her from doing. She was supposed to focus on not getting her gown dirty. Until her father appears with Lord Hume...

In the 1417, after the death of her husband, Lord Hume. Isobels' promised land's have been given to Bartholomew Graham, who even as a child always has circled around her, cheating at games and been a bully. 

She and her father rush to the bishop in hopes of challenging Grahams' ownership. Upon arriving she is told she has 3 choices marry Graham, return to her father to be married again to someone of his choice, or a political marriage to a Frenchman.

Sir Stephen is the typical knight, taking solace in Ale and women. While in Normandy, the King gives him the task of being an administrator until the French army decide to face the English army in battle. 

My Rating 

I was looking forward to reading Stephen's story since being introduced to him in the first book, Knight of Desire...

And I wasn't disappointed a Knight of Pleasure gave action, intrigue and passion.

I love the fact that Isobel wasn't a typical woman of the time and learnt how to use a sword. Also, that there was an element of spy work going off.

Before I knew it I was in the last page one thing I would have liked is the Epilogue to give a little more information about what they have been doing because Isobel and Stephen have kids but give no age.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Historical Romance with strong main charaters.

Quotes

Elizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her World

Many are familiar with the story of

ISBN 0345521366
(ISBN13: 9780345521361)

the much-married King Henry VIII of England and the celebrated reign of his daughter, Elizabeth I. But it is often forgotten that the life of the first Tudor queen, Elizabeth of York, Henry’s mother and Elizabeth’s grandmother, spanned one of England’s most dramatic and perilous periods. Now New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir presents the first modern biography of this extraordinary woman, whose very existence united the realm and ensured the survival of the Plantagenet bloodline.
Her birth was greeted with as much pomp and ceremony as that of a male heir. The first child of King Edward IV, Elizabeth enjoyed all the glittering trappings of royalty. But after the death of her father; the disappearance and probable murder of her brothers—the Princes in the Tower; and the usurpation of the throne by her calculating uncle Richard III, Elizabeth found her world turned upside-down: She and her siblings were declared bastards.
As Richard’s wife, Anne Neville, was dying, there were murmurs that the king sought to marry his niece Elizabeth, knowing that most people believed her to be England’s rightful queen. Weir addresses Elizabeth’s possible role in this and her covert support for Henry Tudor, the exiled pretender who defeated Richard at the Battle of Bosworth and was crowned Henry VII, first sovereign of the House of Tudor. Elizabeth’s subsequent marriage to Henry united the houses of York and Lancaster and signaled the end of the Wars of the Roses. For centuries historians have asserted that, as queen, she was kept under Henry’s firm grasp, but Weir shows that Elizabeth proved to be a model consort—pious and generous—who enjoyed the confidence of her husband, exerted a tangible and beneficial influence, and was revered by her son, the future King Henry VIII.
Drawing from a rich trove of historical records, Weir gives a long overdue and much-deserved look at this unforgettable princess whose line descends to today’s British monarch—a woman who overcame tragedy and danger to become one of England’s most beloved consorts.

572 pages

Published December 3rd 2013

(Ballantine Books)

First Impression

Alison Weir gives an outlined account of the life of Elizabeth of York, a woman who was seen as a crucial influence to the present British Monarchy. 

Through her book, Elizabeth of York, she highlights the decisions and influences of a important time in history and uses research to answer possibly some of the most controversial questions of the modern day.

My Rating ⭐

I felt that even though the book was suppose to be about Elizabeth of York it tended to be about everything else but her...

The prologue detailed information about the war of the roses, (also known as the Cousin's war).

From there Weir, gave information from her parents to Warwick, and Margaret Beaufort, sharing her marriage and her pregnancy of Henry VII.

I found that it was quite difficult to follow as the timeline seemed to be very random in one section Warwick had been killed by King Edward IV then it jumped to 1469 where Warwick was rebelling against Edward IV.

From the sections about Elizabeth, I was able to read I found that...In the year 1466, February 11th, Elizabeth, was born at Westminster, the first child between King Edward IV and Elizabeth Wydeville. 

Growing up she would have been aware that she was the daughter of the King, with a sense of her worldly importance, becoming use to travel at infancy.

At the age of 4, Elizabeth and her siblings, Mary and Cecily, were hurried in secrecy upstream to Westminster by their mother, who was reported 7 months pregnant, and maternal grandmother, after her father was forced to flee to the low countries, to be further reunited 5 months later, and for their security moved to the tower of London.

Unfortunately at chapter 2, I decided that it wasn't going to get any better and it would be within my best interest to stop reading, which is a shame because I really enjoy history and know a lot about the Tudor period.

I'm not sure if I can honestly recommend, Elizabeth of York by Alison Weir to anyone but I am sure that there will be someone who will find it a good read.

Quotes

Rise of the Fallen, #1

In the streets of Chicago exists an uneasy, centuries-old truce between vampires and their distant cousins,

ASIN B007OALZAI

a race of shifters called drecks. Vampire enforcement agency, All the King’s Men (AKM), is charged with maintaining the truce, but when volatile enforcer Micah Black loses his mate and falls into the biological agony that results from the broken bond, he tests the boundaries of the truce by seeking out Apostle, a leader in the dreck community. Micah wants Apostle to kill him, a request Apostle is more than happy to fulfill.
When ex-Army medic Samantha Garrett inadvertently disrupts the plot and saves Micah’s life, a chain reaction sets Micah’s heart on a collision course with Sam’s, but he will have to protect her from Apostle and her obsessive ex-husband, Steve, if they will have a chance at forever. Can Micah hold his emotions together to keep Sam alive?

186 pages

Published March 23rd 2012

(Phoenix Press)

Just a warning there is mention of self-harm and domestic violence...if you or someone you know is experiencing from any of these issues, please contact someone it could either be friends, family or professional help.

First Impression

Set in the 3rd person Rise of the Fallen tells the story of Micah and Samantha.

Micah is suffering from a broken heart after Jackson, his second mate left him a week ago and in a effort to relieve it he seeks to lose himself to pain, via fights each night.

For Samantha, the ex-Army medic, working as a dancer at night is the only way she can avoid leaving a trace from her abusive ex-husband.

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed reading Rise of the Fallen I was captivated by then relationship between Sam and Micah till the end.

It was a fast pace book I felt, but it didn't take away from the story itself. There was plenty of action and the sexual scenes were very heated.

I would recommend Rise of the Fallen to anyone it was worth the read I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Heart of the Warrior.

Quotes

The Distant Hours

A long lost letter arrives in the

ISBN 1439152780
(ISBN13: 9781439152782)

post and Edie Burchill finds herself on a journey to Milderhurst Castle, a great but moldering old house, where the Blythe spinsters live and where her mother was billeted 50 years before as a 13 year old child during WWII. The elder Blythe sisters are twins and have spent most of their lives looking after the third and youngest sister, Juniper, who hasn’t been the same since her fiance jilted her in 1941.
Inside the decaying castle, Edie begins to unravel her mother’s past. But there are other secrets hidden in the stones of Milderhurst, and Edie is about to learn more than she expected. The truth of what happened in ‘the distant hours’ of the past has been waiting a long time for someone to find it.
Morton once again enthralls readers with an atmospheric story featuring unforgettable characters beset by love and circumstance and haunted by memory, that reminds us of the rich power of storytelling.

562 pages

Published November 9th 2010

(Atria)

First Impression

Set in the 1st person The Distant Hours is categorised into five different parts telling the story of  Edie, her mother, and Jupiter Blythe. 

The prologue grabs you and pulls you in, by both feet. After which, starts in 1992 with a letter.

Edie's mother after receiving a letter from a past friend, Jupiter Blythe on a Sunday, and begins to recap of her life as a 12/13 year old child during the second world war.

My Rating ⭐⭐

As the story progresses we as the audience find out a lot more than expected...

But unfortunately I had a hard time getting a feel for the book and after trying to settle in to a rhythm, at 8 chapters having not made any head way, I had to call it quits.

I love the fact that it was descriptive and loved the prologue but I wasn't going to force myself to read.

Quotes

Magic to the Bone, #1

Allie would rather moonlight as a Hound 

ISBN 0451462408
(ISBN13: 9780451462404)

than accept the family fortune - and the strings that come with it. All magic use has costs -- hers include migraines and memory loss. She finds a boy dying from a magic Offload with her father's signature, then her father is murdered. Allie's search for the truth calls on her country friend and the handsome man originally assigned as her bodyguard. Someone is forging magic signatures -- and hers is on her dead father.

355 pages

Published November 4th 2008

(New American Library)

First Impression

Magic to the Bone tells the story of Allie, a down-on-her-luck 25 year old woman who has try and make bed meet with low pay hound work.

Taking her black book and pen to help with her memory loss Allie goes to help the superstitious Mama Rossitto after receiving a call about a boy been hurt. 

Upon arriving and seeing the boy she finds that it is a serious problem and use of magic and begins to deal with the situation.

My Rating ⭐⭐

Changing from 1st person when discussing Allie and to 3rd person when talking about Cody. 

I found Magic to the Bone to be very bland, telling the tale of Allie Beckstrom and how the events of her dad been dead with her own magical signature on him leads to danger and betrayal in unexpected places.

I was disappointed as a there could have been so much more to the plot than there was which I felt let The book down, leaving it a chore to read in some parts.

I also felt The spacing between each paragraph was very off putting. 

I don't know if I would recommend it as it just left me feeling 'meh' but I would be willing to read the next book in the series, Magic in the Blood before deciding whether to give the series a miss it not.

Quotes

“...Magic is a heartless bitch, and she's had me by the throat for years.”

A Discovery of Witches, #1

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a

ISBN  0670022411
(ISBN13: 9780670022410)

bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

579 pages

Published February 2011

(Viking Penguin)

First Impression

Set in the 1st person A Discovery of Witches is the first book in the All Souls Trilogy linked to the t.v. show of the same name.

Through the book we learn about the story behind the relationship of Diana a scholar who is a descendant of Bishop witches and the vampire Matthew.  

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I found the first chapter very confusing, but found reading easier as I read more. 

A Discovery of Witches gives the viewpoints of both Diana and Matthew.

After Diana calls for the Ashmole 782 her world is turned upside down...daemons, vampires, and witches seem to pop up out over nowhere.

Throughout the chapters we learn of Diana's relationship between Matthew, which comes across as been very mixed in the beginning but also explores her relationships with other characters like Gillian , who I think is a very rude untrustworthy person that is stuck up herself as we see when she is discussing Diana's family.

Also Peter Knox, who  comes across as a power greedy man that can be seen when he discusses Ashmole 782 with Diana.

I enjoyed reading about the connection and bond between Diana and Matthew. I would recommend A Discovery Quotes Witches to anyone who liked Twilight...I look forward to reading the the next book in the series Shadow of Night.

Quotes

“Just because something seems impossible doesn’t make it untrue,”

“It begins with absence and desire.
It begins with blood and fear.
It begins with a discovery of witches.”

“It is a blessing as well as a burden to love so much that you can hurt so badly when love is gone.”