Been doing a lot of crocheting and listening to books lately

I actually have three projects on the go. A shrug/bolero, a blanket in filet crochet which I haven't done before (and I am really enjoying the style) and a blanket in Tunisian crochet which I have recently taught myself to do. I can only do the Tunisian Simple Stitch so far but it is fun.

The books I have listened to whilst working are:

Audiobook: Honor Among Enemies: Honor Harrington, Book 6 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: In Enemy Hands: Honor Harrington, Book 7 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

and I warn anyone intending to listen to them that they are really, really long. The books are almost 20 hours of listening each :D

Review of The Engineered Throne by Megan Derr

The Engineered Throne by Megan Derr 4*
BLURB: Lord Vellem is a man desperate for escape. His father hides from his problems in alcohol, his mother hides from her misery in drugs, and his brother fled to the relative safety of the royal palace. Vellem eventually found solace in the Royal Army Corp of Engineers, but still could not entirely escape. Then his brother provides him with an unexpected chance, and now Vellem's marriage to the young prince of a neighboring kingdom is only months away.
The marriage promises not just a fresh start in a new land, but a challenge to his famed skills in building roads and bridges. But before he can settle into his new life, tragedy strikes, and Vellem isn't certain he's up to rebuilding the ruin left in its wake.

My Review: I would have given this one 5* if not for the poor copy editing. There were words missing in sentences and wrong words used or even double up of words where only one was needed. Apart from that though, this was an excellent story of how a humble engineer becomes the Regent of an enemy country and ends up in a war with his native country. There is a small hint of a romance between the prince and the engineer but mostly it focuses on the politics and strategies of war with more than enough action to keep most readers happy. What made this one even more enjoyable for me was the inclusion of dragons and a plethora of really well written secondary characters. I especially liked the brother and his wife.

Review of With Pride by Megan Derr

With Pride (Princes of the Blood #2) by Megan Derr 5*
BLURB: When his sister falls ill, Kristof is ordered to assume a duty never meant for him: become the Duke of Stehlmore and marry a notorious Prince of the Blood. It is one of the oldest honors and duties undertaken by his family, but Kristof feels only resentment that he must leave behind all he knows to serve an arrogant half-demon.
His resentment must be set aside, however, when evil is found lurking far too close to the castle—an evil that has many pieces, controlled by someone they cannot find and who always seems one step ahead of them. Someone who seems to think that demons are little more than toys …

My Review: This is the second book in the series of Princes Of The Blood but it actually takes part before Of Last Resort. I actually was quite happy about this as I liked the couple in the book and was glad to read their story in this one. It was an interesting read with half Demons and Paladins and the evil magics which they have to fight against whilst learning to trust each other. My only complaint is that I am always left wanting more from Megan Derr's books as they all seem so short. They aren't, but she writes in such a way that I speed through them too quickly!

Published yesterday and I couldn't wait

Wolf in Gucci Loafers (Tales of the Harker Pack #2) by Tara Lain 5*
BLURB: Socialite Lindsey Vanessen wants someone to love who will love him back — an impossibility for a gay, half-human, half-werewolf. Too aggressive for humans, too gay for wolves, and needing to protect the pack from human discovery, Lindsey tries to content himself with life as a successful businessman. But when someone starts kidnapping members of wealthy families, Lindsey meets tough cop Seth Zakowsky—the hunky embodiment of everything Lindsey wants but can't have.
Seth has never been attracted to flamboyant men. What would the guys in the department think of Lindsey? But intrigue turns to lust when he discovers Lindsey’s biting, snarling passion more than matches his dominant side. It might mean a chance at love for a cop in black leather and a wolf in Gucci loafers.

My Review: When I read the first one in this series (The Pack or the Panther) I really loved the character of Lindsey. I was delighted when Tara Lain decided to write him as one of the heroes in her second book in the Harker Pack series. He is a truly effeminate man but also a half breed werewolf in one very intriguing package of good looking rich guy. Seth on the other hand is a no nonsense cop who doesn't actually like effeminate gays and can't understand why he is attracted to Lindsey. The background story of kidnappings of rich children brings the two men together in a lovely clash of personalities and heated lust. I won't spoil this for anyone who hasn't yet read it, but I will say it's worth every penny I spent on it. Oh and, when you read it, you will thoroughly enjoy the character of Super Granny too.

A new type of Human Mutant - time to meet the Variants!

Rarely Pure and Never Simple (Variant Configurations #1) by Angel Martinez 5*
BLURB: A search for missing children throws a misanthropic human GPS and an obnoxious human torch together in a struggle to survive dangerous conspiracies and each other.
Damien just wants to be left alone. Too bad his variant talent as a locator makes him the go-to contractor for the government's missing person cases. He can refuse, but it's not so easy when the missing are variant kids.
Blaze Emerson is a sparker. People fear him as much for his ability to call fire as his obnoxious, violent temperament. He's good at what he does, though, and he's intrigued by the quiet man who can find people with his brain.
Conspiracies, treachery, and wild rumors are only the start. First Damien and Blaze have to survive each other.

My Review: This story was amazingly well written and the world building and the back story of the Variants was dropped into the book in such a way as not to distract from the intrigue and romance . The interaction between the two main characters was wonderfully different as they were both written with major character flaws (OCD or Aggression etc.)but still had so many redeeming features that I fell in love with both Damien and Blaze. I am going to be reading the follow up Variant books as soon as I can.

Updating books read and listened to.

I finished listening to another Honor Harrington book then took a break and listened to a rather nIce snake shifter story by Megan Derr. I also managed to get my large Granny Square blanket finished too :D I'm now attempting to teach myself Tunisian Crochet, which is turning out to be more fun than I expected.

Audiobook: Flag In Exile: Honor Harrington, Book 5 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: Backwoods Asylum by Megan Derr Narrated by Paul Morey Narration 5 Story 5

In between the crochet and audio books I took time out to read the missing book from the Hidden Magic series and a story with dragons.


Modeling Death (Hidden Magic #2) by Amber Kell 3*
BLURB: Jacob Richmond was used to men hitting on him, but little does he realize Guy Franks has waited hundreds of years to find his mate and nothing was going to dissuade him from a relationship, even the man himself. When someone starts killing models, Guy knows its time to claim the man fated to be his.

My Review: I can't say I loved it but I didn't hate it either but, oh boy, did it end weirdly. It seemed a little abrupt and unfinished but at least it filled in the gap I had in the series. Not sure if I'll bother reading anymore of it, I suppose it will depend on funds and if the blurb sounds interesting enough for me to spend them on it.



Dragon Slayer (The Empty Crown #1) by Isabella Carter 4*
BLURB: Ingram is a coward and weakling—at least according to his father, the king, and the royal court. He cannot use a sword, he faints at the sight of blood, and even his brilliant abilities as a strategist are not enough to overcome his failings. When his father loses a bet to the notorious Lord Mallory over the matter of a dragon slaying, he pays his debt by ordering Ingram to marry him.
Then his father reveals that he is putting Ingram to a greater purpose, giving Ingram one last chance to prove he is not worthless. All it requires is betraying his new husband.

My Review: I love dragons, I love magical fantasy and I love great characters. Luckily for me this book delivered all of them to me all wrapped up in a tale of intrigue and betrayals that was full of romantic love and a promise of more to come in the next book.

Disappointed by an Amber Kell book!

Never thought I'd actually say that!


The Wizard & The Werewolf (Mixed Mates #1) by Amber Kell 2*
BLURB: When his sister's mate, Cyrus, asks Peter to harbor his brother, Peter isn't expecting a bad boy wizard to show up at his door. He's also unprepared for Justin to be the mate Peter has searched for his entire life. Wizards and werewolves don't get along. Justin needs a place to crash where no one will look. With a psychotic wizard on his trail and a powerful artifact in his possession, the best hiding spot is the least likely. Who'll come searching in the middle of a wolf pack? Now all Justin has to do is resist a sexy wolf and he may escape with his heart intact.

My Review: So, like the title of this post says, I was disappointed by this one. Usually Amber Kell can pack in a lot of background and her books have an easy reading style that give me my book candy with (I thought) guaranteed satisfaction. However this one seemed to be choppy with a poor plotline,it also had fairly routine characters and it ended too abruptly. Given the style of her previous books that I have read I can only imagine that this is either a reprint of a VERY early book or she is getting complacent about her writing and just churning out stuff by rote. I am undecided now as to the buying of any follow up books in this series.

Reading books out of order

I made the mistake of reading a book out of order but didn't even notice that it was. The author has made each of the books stand alone within the larger framework of the series. Which book I can hear you all asking - this one actually:

Magically His (Hidden Magic #3) by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB: Kellum didn’t know escaping from his father would send him into the arms of the love of his life.
Drake Lender had always been alone. When he spontaneously decides to bring in an untrained wizard, he’s unprepared for the danger to his heart. After centuries alone Drake has discovered his mate in a young man floating above his bed. Unable to control his powers, Kellum soon shows his ability is not only magical but he excels at stealing Drake’s heart.
Kellum Richards woke up to find his ceiling inches from his face. However, the man who came to rescue him wasn’t anything like his idea of a powerful wizard. Afraid of bringing anyone to his powerful father’s attention, Kellum tries unsuccessfully to keep Drake at arm’s length. But love will not be denied and he soon succumbs to Drake’s sexy persuasion.
Will family problems and dangerous magic prevent the pair from making a proper bond, or will Drake persuade Kellum to be magically his?

My Review: Having now read books 1 + 3 I can honestly say this seems like a fun and easy to read series with Amber Kell's usual touch of packing a lot of background into very few pages. Guess it's time for me to get hold of, and read, book 2 to make sure I am up to date with the main story arc, besides the blurb for that one sounds good too.

Waiting, rereading and keeping busy!

I've been waiting on a wool delivery so that I can continue with my blanket so there has been a fair amount of rereading of old favourites going on.

Then I decided to start crocheting a gift for my daughter (birthday not until December but when needs must!). This led to me listening to the next two audio books in the Honor Harrington series:

Audiobook: A Short Victorious War: Honor Harrington, Book 3 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook:Field Of Dishonor: Honor Harrington, Book 4 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

I also read a few new books whilst not crocheting:


Farren's Wizard (A Wizard's Touch #3) by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB: When the world is on the line, will love be enough to save them all?
Farren Azar came to college to get his degree. However, he knew he couldn’t let anyone know about his djinn blood. The djinn had been exiled to a different plane, and if his heritage was discovered, he could be banished too. When a djinn and a fire god become involved in his life, he has to figure how to handle two powerful entities without losing himself.
Dan Stewartson knew Farren was the one. A glance between them had him hooked. When strange fires begin popping up around campus and fingers are pointed at Farren, Dan refuses to believe his lover could be responsible. Will he be able to save Farren’s reputation, or will secrets come between them and wreck their budding romance?

My Review: It was a nice addition to the series but it ended a little abruptly, not a cliffhanger but with a few loose ends that I would have liked cleared up. Over all though it was a pleasant read.



Bless Us With Content by Tinnean 4*
BLURB: Ashton Laytham came to Fayerweather, his uncle’s estate, as an orphan at the age of seven. Family and servants alike perceived Ashton as an unlovable child and shunned him; as an adult, the occasional illicit rendezvous aside, Ashton remains aloof and alone. When his uncle dies, yet more abuse falls upon Ashton’s shoulders: the estate is bankrupt and Ashton must make good on his uncle’s gaming debts.
With the family talisman stolen and the suspects fled, Ashton faces certain ruin until the arrival of Geo Stephenson, who holds all of Sir Laytham’s IOUs. Geo proposes a solution: Ashton will accommodate him in his bed, thereby paying off the debt. Attracted to Geo in spite of himself and desperate for any human kindness, Ashton agrees… never expecting to lose his heart to a man who claims he will never give his.

My Review: This was a well plotted, intricate story with interesting characters that I enjoyed reading about. I have liked this author's works before and this book certainly didn't change my opinion on her writings, which really give you the essence of the historical settings and the lifestyle that was required by society at that time.

Hope my wool arrives soon - I want to see the blanket on my bed!!

Review of Soul Magic by Poppy Dennison

Soul Magic (Triad #3) by Poppy Dennison 5*
BLURB: Blood runs soul-deep. Cormac hasn’t been the same since the night the High Moon Pack was attacked. With his magic weakened, he’s consumed by a bloodlust he hasn’t felt since he first became a vampire. His need to replenish his power makes him a danger to his last remaining family member, and his hunger makes him careless. And that’s just the beginning of his troubles. Feeding from pack beta Liam Benson was supposed to slake his appetite, not leave him craving more.
Simon Osborne and Gray Townsend are trying to fight a being history says shouldn’t exist—one with all three types of magic. The pack must use all of their resources to combat the mysterious triad, even turning to the shady Council of Mages for help. While Cormac struggles to reconcile his past failures with his current desires, Simon must attempt the impossible: an alliance between mind, body, and soul.

My Review: Well I thought I had it all worked out but Poppy Dennison managed to surprise me with her last book in Triad. It had all the same feel of the first two books with an added frisson of danger and excitement that really made me glad I bought it before I truly had my book funds. The way Simon, Gray, Cormac and the pack fought against the enemy was well thought out and the epilogue was a truly wonderful way of rounding off the story o that there were no loose ends. I really recommend reading all three books in order as soon as you can if you like magic and paranormal beings in your romances.

Review of Magpie Lord by KJ Charles

The Magpie Lord (A Charm of Magpies #1) by K.J. Charles
BLURB: A lord in danger. A magician in turmoil. A snowball in hell.
Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He’s also inherited his family’s enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn't expect it to turn up angry.
Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane’s family. Unfortunately, it’s his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he's ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude…and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That’s definitely unusual.
Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane’s dangerous appeal isn't the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can't find a way through it — they're both going to die.
Warning: Contains hot m/m sex between a deeply inappropriate earl and a very confused magician, dark plots in a magical version of Victorian England, family values (not the good kind), and a lot of swearing.

My Review: If you are looking for an accurate historical don't bother reading this one, it is full of magic and mayhem and not very much in the way of actual history. What this book does have however, is a disreputable Earl and a rather small magician who have a snowball's chance in hell at surviving the magic being used against them. It also has more Magpies than you can count.

Been busy crocheting and listening

I made a few things including a new shrug for myself. I am currently making a 2metre granny square as a blanket for my bed. Whilst doing all this industrious crocheting I have been listening to some great audio books.

Audiobook: March To The Stars: Empire Of Man, Book 3 by David Weber & John Ringo Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: We Few: Empire Of Man, Book 4 by David Weber & John Ringo Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: Timing by Mary Calmes Narrated by Sean Crisden Narration 4 Story 4

Audiobook: On Basilisk Station: Honor Harrington, Book 1 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: The Honour Of The Queen: Honor Harrington, Book 2 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

I hope to manage to finish the blanket by the time I've finished listening to book 3 or at least book 4 of Honor Harrington. No idea what I'll be making after that as the orders for character dolls aren't coming in at the moment.