A very rare DNF book!

Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea (The Witch of Two Suns #1) by Diana Marcellas DNF
BLURB: The shari'a people are an ancient race-a proud and gentle people, ruled by witches who harnessed the powers of the world for the benefit of all. When the seafaring Allemanii tribes came to their shores, the two races lived side by side for generations, staying apart but trading and learning from each other in peaceful harmony. But something went horribly awry and the shari'a people were suddenly and brutally slain by the settlers who had come to dominate the land. They feared the shari'a . . . and more important, the witches who led them and who held powers that the Allemanii could barely comprehend. The remnants of this gentle people were scattered, and any shari'a who held the knowledge of the old ways and powers were proscribed and hunted to death.
That was long ago, and young Brierley thinks she is the last shari'a witch in the world. She knows what discovery it would mean, but she cannot deny her gifts as a healer; risking discovery, she goes out time and again to bring solace . . . despite the fact that those Brierley saves are the very people who killed most of her race.
When she saves the life of a nobleman's wife-a nobleman sworn to obliterate any trace of witchery-Brierley stumbles into a web of deceit and power struggles more deadly than anything she has ever faced. But she refuses to walk away-and by staying the course, Brierley gains the possibility of finding a love to last the ages, as well as a way to reclaim her people's heritage.
With Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea, Marcellas has crafted a beautiful first novel that explores what it means to be different, to value that difference, and what happens when one trusts in true love.
My Review: Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley I have not been able to finish this book, even though I have tried to at least three times. The blurb was so very interesting and the concept is wonderful but somehow it failed to grab my interest once I opened the book. I know it must be something about me - maybe the reading mood I am in or the style of writing is unappealing to me - I really don't know. All that I do know is that others have found it worthy of 3 or more stars and I recommend that you give it a try to find out for yourself if the blurb appeals to you.

Twosome Review Today!

A Valet's Duty by H. Lewis-Foster 3*
BLURB: At the turn of the twentieth century, Henry Simpkins is a valet at Taverslow, the Earl of Wayshaw’s Somerset home. When the Earl’s younger brother, Rafe, arrives from his villa in Italy, Henry is given the task of caring for his mischievous dogs, Pepe and Paolo. As part of his valet’s duties, he also goes to Rafe’s room each night to tidy away his clothes.
One night, Rafe tentatively asks Henry to go beyond his valet’s duty to relieve Rafe’s sexual tensions. Henry enjoys their increasingly intimate encounters, but he’s soon disturbed to find he feels more for Rafe than mere physical attraction. Henry faces a difficult decision, as he knows he cannot remain in the same house as Rafe if his affections are not returned.

My Review: Sweet, Sexy, Short and just a little bit Steamy. Overall I liked this book but I could have done with a little more character development and a slightly longer story. It was also a little too quick with the romance, given the different social statuses of the MC's.

And Manny Makes Seven (Mannies Incorporated #3) by Sean Michael 3*
BLURB: When Adam's parents died three years ago, he kept his five younger siblings together, playing parent as best a twenty-one year old could under the circumstances. Now his academic mentor Helena has passed away from cancer, and Adam doesn't know what to do. He's shocked, but grateful when a reading of the will determines that he's not only inherited her beloved shi tzus , but also the house, a generous trust for everyone's education, plus three million dollars, some of it earmarked for hiring a nanny.
Hutch has worked as a nanny since he was nineteen, when he took over the care of his neighbors children when both parents were killed in separate missions overseas. He's worked with several families since and feels confident he can handle five children aged four through seventeen.
Hutch's arrival is just what Adam needs and as Hutch begins to turn the big house from Helena's place into their home, Adam and his siblings begin to see Hutch as more than just the nanny.
Can a path of tragedy and sorrow turn the corner to happiness and love?

My Review:I haven't read any previous Mannies Incorporated and chose to read this as it was written by an author I enjoy. This was a soft and tender love story with plenty of great sex scenes that were used to take the romance forward and not just to titillate the reader. Sean writes his characters os well that you feel that you know them all by the end of the book. I couldn't decide who I loved more but I think overall 'The Littles' stole my heart in this. If you like a great story with lots of hot sex, family interaction and a little tenderness added to the mix then give this one a try, you won't regret it.

Reviewing an audible book

Audio Book: Strange Brew by Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Karen Chance, P. N. Elrod, Charlaine Harris, Faith Hunter, Caitlin Kittredge, Jenna Maclane
Narrated By: Jennifer Van Dyck, Christian Rummel, Gayle Hendrix, Dina Pearlman, Marc Vietor, Therese Plummer, Karen Chapman
Narration: 5* Stories: 5*
My Review:
I don't think there was a single short story I didn't like and I really enjoyed hearing stories from new to me authors who piqued my interest in their other books.In fact I had half the authors on my like list before listening to this, but now I have to say the other half are going to go on my to-be-bought list too.

Goodreads link to book info Audible link to book

Neglectful of updating

So sorry for being so neglectful about updating this blog. I have been busy trying to sort out finances and medical stuff but naturally I have still been reading, listening and knitting too.

If you want to see what I've been reading etc. then check out my goodreads challenge as it has a list of everything I've done in that arena so fr this year :D As for the knitting etc. check out my Bespokecrochet facebook page to look at my finished works :D

I promise to try and do better in the future in the updating department :D

Why I Love Geeks by T. A. Chase

Why I Love Geeks (Why I Love... #1) by T.A. Chase 4*
BLURB: Chuck Davidson has an aversion to modern technology. He likes sports, beer, and classic cars. Chuck’s a homicide detective, and it’s put a damper on his relationships. Hard to find a guy who will put up with his crazy hours. How is he to know that planning the impending death of his newest phone will bring him in contact with a cute geek who just might have a thing for rugged, slightly out-of-touch with the newest gadgets older men?
Herbert Pommerest has never been on a date or even kissed a man before. Oh, he knows he’s gay. He did all the experiments to ensure it was true, not just a rebellious phase or a knee-jerk reaction because women scared him to death. It’s easy to hide himself behind his research and daydream about what having a boyfriend would be like. Saving an expensive phone from an early demise brings him in contact with a street-wise mature detective. Suddenly Herb wishes he knew how to flirt because he’d love to take some lessons from Chuck Davidson of the sensual kind.
Can a geek and a detective find common ground between their worlds before one of Chuck’s cases threatens to put Herb in danger?

My Review: I have to say up front that I'm only reviewing this book because I LOVE Herb. The story itself was a little predictable and rather amusing but Herb stole the show. He was cute, funny, caring and such a smartass and to top it all he was a geek with a runaway mouth. I don't usually give spoilers or quotes but as an example to tempt you into reading this book here is a snippet of what to expect.
"Why wouldn't he trust him? Mr. Burke seems nice for a guy with average intelligent."
Jessie squeaked, and Herb turned to see the aforementioned Mr. Burke standing just inside the door, arms crossed and eyebrows raised.
"Oh, uh...hi, Mr. Burke."
This is the first book from T. A. Chase that I have read but if this is an example of her humour and character building then I will be adding more of her works to my library.

Feeling a little guilty

I've been neglecting to review all the books I have read, reread or listened to this month. I have a good excuse though. I've been doing a lot of crafting, finished the daughter's sweater and have done half the joining on my CAL blanket as well as made a start on a Tetris shaped blanket for my son. Also I haven't really read anything that moved me to tell everyone about it or I had already done so the first time round.

I promise to get back to reviewing books as soon as I read one that moves me in an exciting or emotional way. Meanwhile you can check out what I've been reading (and listening to) so far here.

Catching up.

I've been so-so about reading lately spending a lot of my time enjoying being back home with Maddy, that was one excited dog when I got back but now if I go out without her she behaves as if I was away for days again :D

So what about my book life you ask? Well I listened to:

Audio Book: Unthinkable: Tate Pack Series, Book 1 by: Vicktor Alexander Narrated by: Sean Crisden Narration: 5* Story: 4*
Plus a relistened to three other books.

I've also read about 11 books since the last update the best of which has to bet he one I finished today:

Hell & High Water (THIRDS #1) by Charlie Cochet 4*
BLURB: When homicide detective Dexter J. Daley’s testimony helps send his partner away for murder, the consequences—and the media frenzy—aren’t far behind. He soon finds himself sans boyfriend, sans friends, and, after an unpleasant encounter in a parking garage after the trial, he’s lucky he doesn’t find himself sans teeth. Dex fears he’ll get transferred from the Human Police Force’s Sixth Precinct, or worse, get dismissed. Instead, his adoptive father—a sergeant at the Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron otherwise known as the THIRDS—pulls a few strings, and Dex gets recruited as a Defense Agent.
Dex is determined to get his life back on track and eager to get started in his new job. But his first meeting with Team Leader Sloane Brodie, who also happens to be his new jaguar Therian partner, turns disastrous. When the team is called to investigate the murders of three HumaniTherian activists, it soon becomes clear to Dex that getting his partner and the rest of the tightknit team to accept him will be a lot harder than catching the killer—and every bit as dangerous.

My Review: This first book in a new series was so good I was delighted that I had listened to other readers and bought books two and three already. I can't wait to start the next one and read more about Dex, Sloane and all the others in the team.
This was a laugh out loud, and yet at the same time a sit on the edge of your seat, kind of book with plenty of action and humour well mixed with some really interesting characters. The concept is good and excellently done and I highly recommend it to anyone who isn't turned off by m/m interaction or humour and mayhem in their books.