Book Review: The Guardian by Margaret Mallory

*I hate spoilers in a review and therefore will only include the blurb for this book and refrain from giving away anything else for the benefit of those who may still have this on their TBR piles.*

The Guardian
Margaret Mallory
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS: BOOK I

Four fearless warriors return to the Highlands to claim their lands and legacies. But all their trials on the battlefield can't prepare them for their greatest challenge yet: winning the hearts of four willful Scottish beauties.

PASSION IGNITED

After years of fighting abroad, Ian MacDonald comes home to find his clan in peril. To save his kin, he must right the wrongs from his past . . .and claim the bride he's long resisted.
As a young lass, Sìleas depended on Ian to play her knight in shining armor. But when his rescue attempt compromised her virtue, Ian was forced to marry against his wishes. Five years later, Sìleas has grown from an awkward girl into an independent beauty who knows she deserves better than the reluctant husband who preferred war to his wife. Now this devilishly handsome Highlander is finally falling in love. He wants a second chance with Sìleas - and he won't take no for an answer.

My Thoughts

I love Highlanders.....who doesn't?!
They're brash, fierce, stubborn, arrogant, protective, and often scary, but oh so sexy.
And the brogue, lets not forget that sometimes confusing but mouthwateringly (probably not a real word-but hey) decadent accent....my knees are turning to jelly just thinking about it.

The storyline was good, but not fantastic, and the lead character Ian was a little too up himself for my liking.
I felt he was too snotty and didn't come off as a roguish Highlander as much as I would of liked.
He just had a rather prissy air about him that felt more English than Scottish. (I'm English, I know priss!!!!)
I was not blown away by this story but there were plenty of great support characters to keep me entertained. I did feel more of a connection with his friends Alex, Duncan and Connor than I did with Ian. And Sileas was a little too much of a puppy dog, hanging on his every word.
But its a tale of Scottish Highlanders, and I am rather partial, so I will definitely continue with this series. (Book 2 in this series 'The Sinner'  is set for release in November 2011)
A healthy 3 star read :]

  

And The Winner Is............................

Congratulations to......................Chrisbails

I've sent you an email Christine, I hope to hear from you soon so that I can send your prize :)

Thanks to everybody that entered.
Be sure to check out the next giveaway, it will be something to do with books :)

One Thousand Apologies................

Yes, yes I know.......
I've been AWOL for quite some time and unfortunately until we've moved and settled into our new place I'm going to be away from the computer for a wee bit longer :(
(if you didn't already know we're in the middle of moving house)

So, because I'm not sure when I'll be back I'm going to draw the June giveaway early, post one new book review and postpone the July giveaway until I'm back in business :)

Keep an eye out in the next few hours for the giveaway winner, its time for a cuppa before drawing a name.

Book Review: Ultraviolet by R.J Anderson

Ultraviolet

R.J Anderson

Source: Courtesy of publisher via NetGalley

Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.

This is not her story.

Unless you count the part where I killed her.

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?

My Thoughts  (contains spoilers)

To be honest, I'm not really sure how I feel about this book.

Dont get me wrong I really liked the first two thirds a lot. 

But then it went in a direction totally out of left field that I really did NOT see coming.

I really liked Alison. 

I enjoyed reading her struggle to regain her sanity, what really did happen to Tori?

Her strained relationship with her mother, her growing attraction to Faraday, and her desperation to remember the events surrounding her breakdown.

It was all very well written and interesting and I found myself jealous of an often debilitating condition, the writing was THAT good. 

But then from about page 225 I was 'What the...?!. Hang on, really?!?!' and that's when all the great writing (up to that point) lost it for me.

It became a totally different playing field, almost a different book. 
Instead of trying to figure out how to help Alison and the strange events in her life, it became  how to help Faraday get back to his home planet. 
Yes, I said home planet.
Oh did I forget to mention that? Yeah, Faraday is an alien!
Oh, and guess what? 
So is Tori!!!!!

Sadly, I didn't enjoy the last portion of the book. 
I felt the explanations of time and space, wormholes and experiments were all a bit weak and their (Alison and Tori's) way to get home boring and predictable.

Started out great ended badly, overall a 3 star read.

First Monday Of The Month Giveaway: June

Its June already people!
We are half way through the year, which means we are even closer to Christmas and well on our way to 2012. Eeekk!!

I LOVE ANGELS.

Angel ornaments, angel art, angel movies, angel jewellery, books about angels..........

And they don't have to be your traditional Heavenly Angels either, in fact if I'm reading about angels they can be any stretch of the imagination.
Blood sucking angels, avenging angels, fallen angels, guardian angels, sex crazed angels, 20 foot tall lizard faced angels, I really do just have a thing for them.


So when I recently went to a small farmers market and stumbled upon a lady selling crystal angel jewelry I had to buy some!
I think they are super cute and since I love to spread the joy I bought a pair for you too!

Well for one of you at least!!

Crystal Angel Earrings

They are Rose Quartz and Strawberry Agate Angels and super cute.

AND THEY COULD BE YOURS!!!

Thats right this months giveaway is this pair of ANGEL earrings complete with little gift bag.

Just tell me in your comment what you 'have a thing for' and you're in to win.
Giveaway will run until the last Monday of the month (June 27th) and the winner will be announced shortly thereafter, so remember to leave your email address.

   

Book Review: Fanfare by Renee Ahdieh

Fanfare

Renee Ahdieh

Source: Received from Revolution Publishing for honest review

Released: May 31 2011

Cris Pereira hates starring in a cautionary tale. Alas, her recent heartbreak relegates her to this unbecoming fate. The only good thing about being dumped a foot from the altar is the newest layer to her punchy sarcasm. All she wants is a do-over, but this is not your average fairy tale, and wishes don't come true in the real world.

One Sunday afternoon, she meets a movie star. Tom Abramson is intelligent, charming, and impetuous. In other words, he plays the role a bit too well. She isn't falling for it. She knows better. All British men are not descendants of Fitzwilliam Darcy, and movie stars are genetic mutations gone awry: X-Men with statistical disadvantages and emotional handicaps. Keep your knight in shining armor. A modern girl can rescue herself, thank you very much. After all, dreams are for the foolhardy, nightmares are just a part of life, and . . . this is not your average fairy tale.

My Thoughts

So ordinary girl meets up and coming Hollywood actor and is not impressed to find that he's a bit scruffy and hasn't bothered to wash his hair. And he is intrigued by the seemingly ordinary girl that doesn't buy into his star status like all the other screaming fans.

Initially I didn't really like Cris, she came across as a little whiney and annoying. It didn't however, take too long for me to understand the reasons behind her attitude and warm up to her.

In contrast I loved Tom straight away. He was sweet and funny, shy and a little awkward but very endearing. 

Tom really goes out of his way to show Cris that he isn't the trounced up big shot she initially thinks he is. He text messages and emails in an effort to find out as much as he can about her, and Cris is as equally interested in the man behind the glamor, although she continually questions his motives.

I really enjoyed their conversations, and often found myself smiling like an idiot as their romance blossomed. Their interactions felt very realistic and I enjoyed their attempts at dodging the paps. 

This is a very heartwarming story that reminds us all that fairy tales, really can come true. And I have to say that this is a long held fantasy of mine. Seriously, who wouldn't want a cute movie star to fall for them? Even better when that star is actually just a misunderstood, shy guy trying to find his place in the world like the rest of us.

Renee Ahdieh has delivered a well thought out, what if?, present day take on the classic Cinderella tale and I for one loved it. 
All in all a 5 star read.

Note: I'd just like to thank Revolution Publishing for inviting me to be a part of the Review Only Blog Tour for Fanfare. It has been a great experience and has introduced me to a new author that I will definitely be watching out for in the future:)