Early Review of The Bloodprint (The Khorasan Archives #1) by Ausma Zehanat Khan

Title: The Bloodprint (The Khorasan Archives)
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Series: The Khorasan Archives (Book 1)
Format: Paperback; 448 pages
Publisher: Harper Voyager (October 3, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062459198
ISBN-13: 978-0062459190
Author's Website: http://www.ausmazehanatkhan.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes used will need to be checked against the final version as they are subject to change.

'There is no one but the One. And so the One commands...'

The land of Khorasan is slowly being overtaken piece by piece by a powerful and volatile group known as the Talisman. They are led by a man known as the One-Eyed Preacher.

'We live in the age of secrets and fear.
We live in the age of Ignorance.'

They began their campaign by taking control of the country's food supply by pillaging and razing villages, fields, libraries, etc. Then they started creating shortages. Finally, they determined who would live and who would die by controlling who would eat and who would starve.

'These were the days of the Talisman fist.
The fist that crushed everything to dust.'

Rumor has it that verses from the Bloodprint, the oldest written compilation of the Claim, is being sold letter by letter. The Claim is a magical text written in an ancient language whose verses, when spoken, have the power to make things happen. It's from the Claim that the Companions of Hira, a diverse group of talented and respected woman, gain their power. Arian, the First Oralist, knows more verses then anyone else as the verses of the ancient text have been passed down through the generations in her family. The actual text, however, hasn't been seen by human eyes for centuries leading some to believe it doesn't exist.

While the Talisman have left the Companions of Hira alone so far, it is only a matter of time before they will focus their attention on them. Women have been the victims of horrendous injustices at the hands of the Talisman. Any found to be unchaperoned are being sold into slavery.

Each of the Companions will be given a task/Audacy to preform. Arian has just been given hers...

"You will seek out the Bloodprint, where it may lead you. You alone have knowledge of its language, You alone can confirm its identity. And you will bring it to Hira."

This is the story of her Audacy.

I absolutely adored this story, but at the end, I was left with more questions than answers, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Ms. Khan has created a complex and intricate world that I have no doubt was fully conceived and formed in her mind, but is not so easy for us, the readers, to comprehend at first. I highly recommend reading the synopsis before starting in on this one. Coming into the story I felt a little lost and wondered if this could possibly be the second book of the series. Alas, it is not there is just a lot to take in and the author doesn't rely on info dumps to get us up to speed. We need to patiently wait for the bits and pieces of information to be dispensed as the story and world slowly unfolds before our very eyes.

From what I can gather, the Claim is a little like the Force in Star Wars, but also very different. It appears to interact with Arian which makes me want to equate her to a Jedi. Yet, I'm unsure if that's because she can read and speak its language or if there is another reason. As not everyone knows the language of the Bloodprint, it's unclear if only a select few can wield its power or if anyone who can speak its verses can invoke its power. At one point someone declares, "The Claim is powerful within her."  Whether this is because she knows so many of its verses or because she's sort of bonded with the Claim is unclear. Then there's the little matter of what happens towards the end. I don't want to give too much away, but it made me wonder if I needed to rethink all I thought I knew. Most likely I do.

What draws the reader into this book is the journey, or rather the Audacy (I assume the author made this word sound like oddessy on purpose), are all the trials and tribulations Arian and her fellow Companion, Sinnia, must face. Their mission is secret, and they must rely on their knowledge of ancient legends to get them to where they need to go and to carry out their mission. Hidden cities and pathways must be found, and puzzles and riddles must be solved before the Bloodprint can ultimately be found and retrieved.

There is a lot going on to capture one's interest and imagination in this one. At one point the High Companion announced, "A task will be assigned to each of you [Companions], and you will each fulfill your duty." It's unclear if the series will take up exactly where this one left off--with Arian as the main protagonist--or if in the next book a different Companion of Hira will take on another Audacy and be its focus. Either way, I'm hopefully we'll learn more of the inner workings of the Companions and the Claim.

To add a little intrigue into the mix, there is some question as to whether Ilea, the High Companion who heads the Council of Companions, can be trusted. She confides in no one and sends each of the Companions on secret missions for which they are sworn not to talk to any of the others about. Perhaps like the Jedi Masters who had good reasons to keep things from Anakin Skywalker, Ilea, herself, has a good reason to keep things from her fellow Companions. There is a chapter breaks from the rest and focuses primarily on Ilea. In it she states, "She [Arian] thinks she's been fighting a war, but she doesn't know the war has yet to begin," and "She knows nothing of the deeper forces at play." We'll have to wait and see whether Ilea is trustworthy or not, but she definitely has an agenda, the question what exactly is it?

Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. It captured my attention and kept me on my toes all while maintaining a fast pace. With secrets and hidden danger lurking around every corner, this one was an action-packed magical thrill ride of a read full of twists and turns. While it does throw a lot at you before you fully know what's going on, this is one instance where patience totally pays off. I recommend you read the synopsis, make  note of the glossary (in case you need some help), and  hold on tight. You're in for a real treat. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and seeing where this story takes us. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a SMILE rating--a lady always tries to be polite so a smile should suffice (ie no heat whatsoever)  While there is definitely something brewing between Arian and the Silver Mage, Arian refuses to act upon it.

Early Review of A Daring Arrangement (The Four Hundred, #1) by Joanna Shupe

Title: A Daring Arrangement: The Four Hundred Series
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: The Four Hundred
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (October 31, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062678892
ISBN-13: 978-0062678898
Author's Website: http://www.joannashupe.com/
Notes: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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She wants to find the most outrageous fiance so her father will ship her back to England.
He wants entrance into New York's polite society.
The plan is simple--they will pretend to be engaged until they each get what they desire.
Everything goes according to plan until a crazy little thing called love gets in the way...

This is the first book I've read by Ms. Shupe and I loved how refreshing it was. I don't think I've read a romance book that delved into the Gilded Age when America was first coming into its own. Lady Honora Parker is the only child of an Earl and he's shipped her to America in hopes she'll find a suitable husband after she botched up her chances in England. She, however, has plans to get back to the young painter who stole her heart. Her scheme is to make a deal with the most inappropriate suitor she can find in hopes her father will ship her back to England. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, depending on how you look at it, the man she picks ends up being much more than she ever expected.

Julius Hatcher is one of the richest self made men in New York. He's also comes with quite a scandalous reputation for being the "scourge on everything decent and upstanding in the city." He brashly spends outrageous sums of money on parties that are over the top and other equally frivolous things. He's handsome as sin and the gossip pages have printed many a story about his sordid affairs over the years. At face value he seems the perfect man to fill Nora's plan, but there's more to Julius than meets the eye. Plus, he has his own secret agenda.

Lady Honora 'Nora' Parker was young and desperate for attention when a young man hired to paint her portrait took advantage of her. She thinks herself worldly, but she's rather naive when it come to the opposite sex. She fancies herself in love, but doesn't know the first thing about it. Julius is nothing like anyone she's ever met. He believes in working hard and playing hard. He's also smart as they come and in Nora, he'll meet his match. For while she may at times seem irresponsible and impulsive, there's hidden depths to her character that he'll slowly begin to discover and come to admire.

Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. I love the time period and location that this story is set in, and hope the rest of the series follows suit. It's a time when huge fortunes were amassed in a short period of time. A time when the American dream was more attainable then any other time, but corruption was rampant. It was a fun, sweet, and charming romance that made me shake my head, laugh, and grin while keeping me glued to its pages. I adored watching these two fall in love. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Notes to keep you in the know:

The inspiration for one scene is this book came from the above picture of a party on horseback given by C. K. G. Billings in Sherry's ballroom, New York City, on March 28, 1903. The source of the photo is the Washington Post which published it on page 1 January 25, 1914. The Photo was take by Byron Company and is now part of the public domain.

Release Day Review of The Duke (Devil's Duke, #3) by Katharine Ashe

Title: The Duke: A Devil's Duke Novel
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Devil's Duke (Book 3)
Format: Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Avon (September 26, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062641727
ISBN-13: 978-0062641724
Author's Website: http://katharineashe.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Once upon a time there was a young girl who dreamt up her perfect man, and when she grew up she found him only to discover he was a frog in disguise. Luckily, a man she thought to be a frog turned out to be a prince, er, duke, among men. This is their story.

This is the third book in the Devil's Duke series. It can be read as a standalone and you won't feel you missed anything. It is a rather unconventional romance because when Gabriel first meets Lady Amarantha Vale she's engaged to marry someone else. It will be another five years before they get their shot at a happily-ever-after.

I absolutely loved the relationship between Gabriel and Amarantha, but it took quite some time for these two to finally get together. Amarantha's first marriage was not a happy one and it left her not wishing to remarry. Gabriel still harbors bad feelings for Amarantha because she didn't wait for him. Then there was the little matter of Gabriel's cousin, Jonah, and what he did. If someone had done something like that to me I'd be furious with them. Yet Gabriel and Amarantha just sort of let bygones be bygones. I was rather surprised by this.

When we're first introduced to Amarantha she's young and optimistic about life. She wants to save the world and isn't afraid of hard work or about getting her hands dirty. Meeting Gabriel throws her for a loop. She, in turn, throws Gabriel for one too.

Gabriel has done things he isn't proud of. Amaratha makes him want to be a better man. I like how at the end we see just how profound an effect she's had on his life since their first meeting. After all she's gone through, Amarantha needs for Gabriel to prove himself to her. He does so with flying colors, but Amarantha's trust doesn't come easily. Too much has happened and she's a bit stubborn.

Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 out of 5 roses. There was a whole lot of chemistry going on between Gabriel and Amarantha and I loved watching these two interact. While I felt there were was one too many hurdles in this couple's path, I enjoyed the story. The ending had a huge twist that kind of snuck up on me. There was so much going on that I hadn't foreseen, and I may need to go back and reread parts to find all the bread crumbs. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the Devil's Duke series:

Early Review of Chasing Christmas Eve (Heartbreaker Bay, #4) by Jill Shalvis

Title: Chasing Christmas Eve: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Heartbreaker Bay
Format: Hardcover; 272 pages
Publisher: Avon (September 26, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062697218
ISBN-13: 978-0062697219
Author's Website: http://jillshalvis.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

Due to the fact that I read an ARC, any quotes will need to be checked against the final version as Advance Reader Copies are subject to change. 

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Once upon a time a twenty-eight year old author lost her writing mojo so she decided to runaway from it all--her family, her publisher, her commitments--but nothing seemed to go the way she planned. She wanted to go to Aruba, Jamaica, or someplace exotic, but a late season hurricane kept that from happening. Then as she was going through security they took one look at her research material and lets just say homeland security was not too happy with her. Colbie had a lot of explaining to do. Finally, upon reaching her destination, she threw in the towel and told the cab driver to "surprise me" as that was what had been happening to her all day. She ended up in a place called Cow Hollow and immediately, or pretty close, got knocked into a fountain. Everything that possibly could go wrong did and then she met him and her luck seemed to change.

Sometimes in life you need to stop fighting the current and let it take you where it may.

This was a cute, sweet, funny, and sexy read, but what else would you expect from author Jill Shalvis? This was the fourth book in the Heartbreaker Bay series and this may be my favorite of the bunch. This one could be read as a standalone, but you'll enjoy the story more if you know the people surrounding the couple, so you may want to check out the previous books in the series first.

Colbie Albright is a smart young author whose first book is about to become a movie. She's a little leery of people and decides to keep her identity under wraps so when Spence assumes she hasn't yet published a book, she doesn't correct him. Ironically, she's not the only one who doesn't want her identity revealed.

Spencer Baldwin is young, rich, and smart as they come. He also has just been named one of San Francisco's most eligible bachelors. Since then he's been having women throw themselves at him, sending him gifts and naked pictures and making marriage proposals. His friends are very protective of him so they won't tell Colbie exactly who he is and Spence isn't about to volunteer the information. Since Colbie confesses she's just in town for a few weeks, he lets his guard down with her and, she in turn, lets hers down as well.

I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. I loved how Colbie and Spencer were both private and passionate people who understood one another. They are both fiercely loyal and each has been a bit overly obsessive about their work in the past. I love how Colbie is able to distract Spencer from his work and how Spencer is able to make Colbie realize she sometimes needs to put herself first. The two seem to counterbalance one another and you could just picture them growing old and gray together. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the Hearbreaker Bay series:

Early Review of Don't Let Go by Harlan Coben

Title: Don't Let Go
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Format: Hardcover; 368 pages
Publisher: Dutton (September 26, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0525955119
ISBN-13: 978-0525955115
Author's Website: http://www.harlancoben.com/
Notes: I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.



Fifteen years ago Detective Napoleon “Nap” Dumas' twin brother Leo and Leo's girlfriend Diana, were tragically killed in a accident on the train tracks in Westbridge. No one knows exactly what happened--if they were in the middle of a game of chicken with the train that went terrible wrong, if they committed suicide, or if they were the victims of some seriously bad luck--all anyone truly knows is that they died way too young. Now, years later, the tragedy is being called into question as one of the couple's former classmate and friend is found murdered and another, who's been missing since shortly after the accident, becomes the prime suspect. As the killings of Leo's and Diana's former classmates/friends start to stack up, a connection between the tragedy and murders seems the most likely scenario leaving Nap to wonder what really happened on the night his life change irrevocably all those many years ago?

Harlan Coben is one of the few authors that can keep me guessing right up until the end as to who dunnit. His books are like a fusion of 3-D jigsaw puzzles with a series of connect the dots. You can't solve the puzzle until you've separated the information into groups, connected all the dots within each grouping, and have stacked all the relevant information in order before piecing together what ultimately happened. He also doesn't disclose one important piece of information until the very end which can ultimately make all the pieces fit together or, if excluded, make all the carefully collected clues and information come tumbling down like a Jenga tower. In a nutshell, his thrillers are nail biters that keep you guessing till the bitter end while throwing you for a last minute loop that leaves you thinking, "Oh, so that's what happened." I personally love that.

Nap is a very likable character whose life changed drastically when his brother died. Letting go of loved ones is never easy, but losing a sibling makes you view your own mortality much more clearly, and reevaluate what is important in your own life. It's part of the reason Nap became a cop. He's a good cop, but he isn't above bending the rules when the rules don't seem to work. This could one day get him into trouble, but he just doesn't see it. As the investigation into Rex Canton's death seems to have more and more links and ties to his brother's death, it's as if an old wound that never truly healed has been reopened. He's still haunted by his brother's death and still talks to him, even though it's five years since his passing, which, I believe, is part of Nap's coping mechanism.

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. It captured and held my attention from the very start. I enjoyed the twists and turns, and the journey that led to the answer of what happened all those years ago. I admit I was totally off and was sad to find out what really happened. I liked how something Nap did years before is what ultimately led to the connection between the murders. I'd like to see more of this character, and find out how everything affected him in the long run. For fans of Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series, Myron makes a small appearance in this one, but if you haven't read any of the books in that series, you won't feel lost. I highly recommend this one. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Early Review of Acting on Impulse (Love on Cue #1) by Mia Sosa

Title: Acting on Impulse
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Love on Cue (Book 1)
Format: Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Avon Impulse (October 31, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062690345
ISBN-13: 978-0062690340
Author's Website: https://www.miasosa.com/
Notes:  All quotes need to be checked against final copy as they are subject to change. I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Tori was just dumped by her boyfriend--not in person, not by phone, and not by text messaging, but very publicly during an interview on a talk radio show. When asked if there was anyone special in his life he'd responded, "No", and then announced he was taking a "breather" from the dating scene.  Angry, upset, and desperate to get away, she books a last minute trip to Aruba giving herself some time to relax. recover, and reflect on the whole relationship. While there she meets Carter. She's sworn off men decreeing them off-limits, at least for the moment, but there's something about Carter that draws her to him.

Carter Stone just finished filming his first movie, and he's in the worst shape of his life. He looks like an emaciated version of Grizzly Adams. He's come to Aruba to relax and begin gaining back the weight he lost for the role he played. At present he doesn't look like the TV heart throb that he is and that suits him just fine. The weight loss and beard have taken their toll on him, but he likes the anonymity it affords him. When he meets an attractive woman who is just his type, however, it makes his pursuit of her all that more difficult as his is not the only eye she's caught at the resort. She's gonna make him work for her attention...

This was a sweet, humorous, and sexy story. I was intermittently laughing, chuckling, and grinning while reading. I liked Carter from the start. He's knows what he wants and is patient and determined enough to wait for it. Tori, on the other hand, is skittish and wary of him at the beginning, but as she gets to know him she slowly, oh, so slowly, starts to warm to his pursuit.

Tori was a strong, confident and smart young women who values her privacy. When she learns Carter's true identity she's torn. On the one hand she feels something stirring between them, on the other she doesn't want to end up being known as one of his many conquests. Carter has his work cut out for him because Tori has no wish for a casual relationship. I actually liked that about her, and Carter has to convince her he's in it for the long haul.

Carter is the type of guy almost every woman falls for. He's sweet, thoughtful, and funny all wrapped up in a gorgeous package. He's the type of guy who has plenty of acquaintances, but few friends--by design. He's learned to be slightly wary of people because many have tried to use his stardom to further their own agendas over the years. Since he doesn't look like himself, given his present appearance, he feels free to open himself up to Tori, and lets her see the real Carter--Carter Williamson--not the made up persona of actor Cater Stone. While she makes him jump through hoops and leads him on a merry chase, he believes she's worth it because he sees something special in her right from the start.

Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. It was cute, fun, witty and a most enjoyable read. The characters were easy to relate to and well rounded. The story had a steady pace and kept my interest from start to finish. A lovely debut by author Mia Sosa. I look forward to reading more books by her in the future. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a SHOWER rating--a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol

Early Review of The Way to London: A Novel of World War II by Alix Rickloff

Title: The Way to London: A Novel of World War II
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (September 19, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062433202
ISBN-13: 978-0062433206
Author's Website: https://www.alixrickloff.com/
Notes: I received and eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Lucy Stanhope is a spoiled debutante living the good, but boring life in Singapore as World War II encroaches upon its shore. Just months before all hell breaks loose, her mother banishes her to England to live with her estranged aunt as punishment for her total disregard for priority and for almost sabotaging her stepfather's business deal. As the ship makes its way to England, however, it's torpedoed, and so begins a journey that will test her inner strength and beliefs ultimately changing her life forever.

This was a lovely journey of self discovery. When we first meet Lucy she is a self indulgent young woman desperate for attention, but who goes about getting it in all the wrong ways--sometimes to the point of recklessness. She's always felt a bit like an outsider, constantly being moved from one place to another and never setting down any roots. With no immediate plans for the future and constantly trying to gain her mother's approval and affections, she tends to act out and do what she wants. While not happy about going to England, she hopes she'll somehow manage to find her place in the world. When a chance encounter with a Hollywood producer suggests he could make her a star, she really think much of the offer. As the idea begins to take root, she sets her sights on being "discovered" as she suspects Hollywood might be her ticket to getting her what she wants. Her mother would no longer be able to deny her existence and maybe, just maybe, be happy to lay claim to her.

Bill is a young boy whom Lucy befriends. Separated from his mother during the evacuation program set up to save London's youth during the worst of London's air raids, Bill is equally ignored and frequently finds himself in trouble. In Bill, Lucy finds a kindred spirit often times seeing bit of herself in him. Right from the start, the two get along swimmingly. Together they decide to venture into the war torn region of London--one in search of his mother, the other for a shot at stardom.

Lucy is more than she first appears. As the story progresses, we watch her grow as an individual and find herself right before our eyes. Instead of trying to do things that will get her mom to notice her, she starts trying to figure out what she wants. She begins to wonder what would make her happy. That's a luxury that until recently she really had no control over. As she makes her way to London with Bill, she loses her prickly disposition and begins to open up to life, love, and all the possibilities that exist..

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It hooked me at the get-go and kept my attention. I hadn't a clue what to expect with this one, but it was intermittently funny, witty, and serious. I enjoyed the multifaceted characters, and felt as if I'd stepped through a portal back in time. I'm not sure taking a young boy back to London in the middle of a war zone was the wisest of decisions, but I enjoyed the journey and story nevertheless. I'll definitely be reading more books by this author in the near future.