Book Review: For the Love of the Duke by Christi Caldwell

Woodsworth and Byron in the Heart of a Duke

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For the Love of the Duke is a historical fiction novel set sometime in the 17th to 19th century when the Thames River of London would freeze over. During this time winters where significantly colder in London than they are now. This time was known as the Little Ice Age. To celebrate Christmastide, what the book and that period fondly referred to as the winter or Christmas season, merry goers would brave the chill air with a little cup of alcohol to enjoy the Frost Fairs. At the time the River Thames would freeze over and they would walk an elephant across to prove it was solid. Then peddlers would set up tents of trinkets and goodies to sell, this would have seemed a lot like any other festival combined with a farmers market.

The first recorded frost fair was in 1608. The most celebrated frost fair occurred in the winter of 1683–84 and was described by John Evelyn:

Book Review: THE WINTER WITCH by Paula Brackston

"Mayhem, Witch Trials, and Magic in an Unpredictable Tale"

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The Winter Witch is set back in a time when people where suspicious but not necessarily on witch hunts. It seems they suspect but don't immediately kill in this book. This is a battle for love, life, and an understanding of hard times mixed with magic in unusual ways. There is sorrow in this book, happiness, and mayhem in ways that only this time could convey.

If you enjoy this book you may also enjoy: Books by Deborah Geary, Witch Child, Born Wicked, Star Cursed, books by Gail Carriger, Thirteenth Child, and Shadow and Bone.

BOOK REVIEW: HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE by Manda Collins

 Editorial Reviews

Miss Cecily Hurston would much rather explore the antiquities of Egypt than the uncharted territory of marriage. But the rules of her father's exclusive academic society forbid her entrance unless she weds one of its members. To clear her ailing father's name of a scandalous rumor, Cecily needs to gain admission into the Egyptian Club-and is willing to marry any old dullard to do it. Lucas Dalton, Duke of Winterson, is anything but dull. He's a dashing and decorated war hero determined to help Cecily-even if that means looking the other way when she claims the dance card of Amelia Snow, this season's most sought-after beauty. But Lucas has a reason for wanting Cecily to join the Egyptian Club: His brother went missing during one of Lord Hurston's expeditions to Egypt. An alliance with the explorer's bluestocking daughter could bring Lucas closer to the truth about what happened....or it could lead him to a more dangerous love than either he or Cecily could have imagined.

BOOK REVIEW: SILENT REVENGE by Laura Landon

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2012

In just six days, Lady Jessica Stanton will turn twenty-five and inherit enough money to make her one of England’s wealthiest women. And when that happens, her stepbrother Colin will swoop in to take it all—along with her freedom. The only solution: find a husband strong enough to stand up to Colin. But even if she’s able to find someone able to protect her, what man will marry her once they discover her secret?

BOOK REVIEW: Forbidden by Nicola Cornick

"Enticing Writing. Mystery. Love. Luster. Wicked."

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This is a love story. A Cinderella story; minus all the wicked step sisters and wicked step mother. Finding your lost self, your lost love, discovery and loss. This tragic tale is mostly loveable, happy, and gives you thoughts of grandeur.

I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator and the story. If you like accents you will enjoy listening to Mandy Williams. This is one of those books that I kept listening to at every waking moment, any time I could find a free moment.

BOOK REVIEW: Witch Child by Celia Rees

"History Comes to Life with Real Magic near Salem"

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A story of the narrow minded. Bless her for keeping a diary, I wonder how much of it is true.

It's a beautiful thing to imagine how harmonious Indians where with the land. Varied culture has been greatly lost with the advent of pop culture, mainstream media, and corporations. The world is similar inside any border these days, this story gives you insight into a different time. Sad to think that people would give up so much to cross oceans for freedom only to find a worse kind of stifling terror because of childish boredom.

GEEK RIDDLE Contest: #geekriddle Who am I?

Think comic book or fairy tale ...it's a geek riddle.

Fiery, Fair, and Voluptuous,

An envy among her peers,

The eyes of all who see her stuck like glue through all her years.

Through Ice and Fire I may endure,

Elegant and slender I may be,

My whits may enchant you,

I'm not a real person.

I'm infamous to those who know me,

Rough and hunted for murder,

My body may not be what is slender,
 though I am light and may be graceful.

I need no hero to save me.

BOOK REVIEW: Storm Glass UNABRIDGED by Maria V. Snyder

"Love the Author, Confused by the Narrator Switch"

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Summary:

Keep in mind, I have over 250 books in my audible library alone. I have listened and read many more books than that. So I am comparing this author, story, and narrator to EVERYTHING in my past experience.

The narrator is above average. I wouldn't award her a prize for this reading, but I would recommend her to you. She has become one of my favorite narrators.

The story is engaging. It could have gone further, but was well written. Maria is an engaging author. By the end of the story, you may even want to look up the author and narrator to see similar books they have produced.

Fire Study (Series) by Maria V. Snyder

BOOK REVIEW: Fire Study

Study Series, Book 3

by Maria V. Snyder

"Is this the end of the series? CONTINUE ON!!!!!"

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This book wraps up the long running story line between good and evil. I think Maria leaves us just enough to continue on the love luster melodrama and adventure. I hope there are MANY MANY more books in this series. This book, like all the rest in the series, will leave you stunned and wanting more. GO MARIA AND GABRA!!

My review from book two:

I listened straight through. The narrator was easy to listen to, the story had me hooked. You feel yourself drawn in and loving the characters. There are some books that pull you into another word, another land, another place or time; and this is one of them.

I ADORE Gabra Zackman's narrations and have recently sought out more of the books she reads because she is just sooooo easy for me to follow along. She uses light voice changes to change between characters, but nothing distracting. Maria Snyder NAILED IT with a variety of characters, magical plot and a whirlwind romance that is not over done. GET ALL THREE BOOKS.

Just wish audible would label the book numbers better on the mobile app.

Fire Study

UNABRIDGED

by Maria V. Snyder

Narrated by Gabra Zackman

View Series

Reviewed: 9/9/13