Caressed by Ice Book Review

Caressed by Ice

by Nalini Singh

ISBN 978-0425218426

Recap:

This book is the third in her series about Psy-Changelings. It is the story of Breena, a changeling wolf and Judd, a Psy, who in order to save his family defected and left the Psy-Net and now lives with the wolf pack.

This tibit is from Nalini's website:

As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now a defector, his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins—cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna…

Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted—and had her mind violated—by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives…

What Worked for Me

The entire story. Nalini has a way with emotion. She writes it very well. Every scene is just dripping with it, even if she does not name it, you can feel the aura of it. Truly powerful. I think this novel was well construstucrted. There is alot of plot to this one, the story moves fast and it is complex. Not that the other two books in the series were not, but this one really pushes the over arcing story and I will guess is setting us up for more to come. That said I think it makes the book really solid and does not in anyway take away from the love story between Breena and Judd. Their story is also very powerful, on the surface it is an opposites attract story - as will the all the heroes and heroines so far, but in this case it is very true. Judd is the iciest of icy and Brenna is really very sensually but also frightened given what has happened to her. But she has an inner strength that is stronger and tougher and a true testament to the woman she is. I also think, for me though, Nalini's has captured in them both that beautiful part of human nature, she has shown that where there is a will there is truly a way. The path may not always be clear and there will always be something to overcome, but if you want it badly enough and are willing to work for it, it can be yours.

What did not work for me

Nothing, the book is wonderful. I read it slowly and savored every little bit of it and then I read it again.

As a note to those reading this blog, while the previous 2 books in this series more than likely could be read out of order, this one would lose something very important. That is not to say that this one cannot stand alone. The story is powerful on its own, but I am telling you to get the full deal, you need to read Slave to Sensation and then Visions of Heat and then go for this one.

Overall

Go to the bookstore now..... It is well worth it.

Nalini Singh's latest book is almost out....

Which Psy-Changeling Hero Is For You?

Your Psy/Changeling Hero: Vaughn Protective, possessive and sensual to the core, Vaughn is a sentinel with the heart of a jaguar. If he decides to make you his, there's no getting away. So run...or get ready to tangle with the wild fury of a changeling who is more animal than most.Find out more about Vaughn and the series at www.nalinisingh.com Take this quiz! Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Book Review: The Hindi-Bindi Club

I decided to read this book based on a recommendation by Nalini Singh. See her post for her thoughts on the book.

The Hindi-Bindi Club

by Monica Pradhan

ISBN 978-0-553-38452-9

Recap:

This book follows the lives of three thirty something first generation Indian- American women and their immigrant mothers. The book is broken into chapters, each told by a different woman's perspective. It traces their struggles and their truiphments. It actually covers the events between Christmas and the following early spring. Each woman is trying to find her way and trying to manage adult mother-daughter interaction.

What Worked for Me

Well, this one made me cry on more than one occasion. I mean really cry. It also made me laugh and while I am not Indian, the themes and family dynamics are really very germain to all mothers and daughters. Maybe with a slightly different flavor, but the heart of the matter is the same.

The book also includes some great Indian recipies and food and cooking are a central theme to this story.

I love the way this book makes you really face the tough issues, in a gentle and loving way.

What did not work for me

I had a hard time starting this novel. The way each woman tells the story takes a bit to get used to. It is important to note, that Pradhan does not have each woman describe the same scene from a different viewpoint, but they actually each more or less, take up where the other left off. Sometimes on the same road, but more likely taking a slightly different path. At first I did not get that and the story seemed a bit choppy. Once I got with the program, the book was a fast read and I like the way she crafted the narrative. Imaginative and unique.

While I liked the history and the Indian/Hindu perspectives, at times I felt it took away from the story. I felt a bit bogged down. I did learn a good bit and think I might check out some of her reference material, but at times, I am not sure all the info was all that helpful to the story.

Overall

This is a great read and well worth the time. I really loved Kiran and was so very happy, seing her grow. Even though this is a story of 6 Indian women, it very well could be the story of 6 Italian women. Change the food and some of the history and bam, you could have the Lasagna Club. (You get the idea.) The themes and struggles discussed here are not culturally isolated.

Plus I cried. I am not a huge crier. This one made me cry a good bit. In fact I had to stop reading at one point and then go back later.

Plus I got some great recipes out of the deal too!

Book Review: the Kommandant's Girl

the Kommandant's Girl

Written by Pam Jenoff

ISBN: 978-0-7783-2342-6

Recap

This is the story of Emma Bau, a 19-year old Polish Jew living in Poland during WWII and Nazi occupation. She marries a young resistances member, Jacob. Shortly, after the Jews are forced into the Ghetto, Jacob leaves Emma to go underground and Emma makes her way to the Ghetto in search of her parents. While in the Ghetto she is befriended by a group of other young Jews, who happen to be connected to the resistances.

Emma later gets out of the Ghetto and is living with Jacob's Catholic Aunt, also allied with the resistance. They are entrusted with the care of a young Jewish toddler.

At a dinner party, Emma nka as Anna meets the Kommandant. Emma from that point forward must make some very tough choices, risking her life for those she loves.

What I liked

Well the entire book actually. I thought this was a wonderfully rich tale of love, choices, desires, and about every other emotion under the sun. The story was faced paced at times, but always remained attentive to detail. The descriptions of historical events and locations in the story were well done.

I also think that Jenoff spent enough time developing each character, so that they felt real and she did not depend on stock characters as so many historical fiction works sometimes depend on.

My favorite passage in the book is :

Anna: I think I do not have a choice," I say, sinking to the sofa beside her.

"There's always a choice, Emma." Krysia replies. "We have to take responsibility for our actions. It is the only way we can avoid becoming victims and keep our dignity."

page 217

This is in my opinion a major theme in the book and one very applicable to our lives today.

What I did not like

Well nothing. I have questions, which Jenoff left unresolved, there were a number of characters, who played a minor role in the book. Also, I wonder what ultimately happens to Jacob and Emma. The ending is really a beginning in some ways. But then I always wonder what happens next.

Overall

Overall this is a great book and one well worth reading. It is not beach reading, but the prose is easy to read and Jenoff style is very appealing, very clear and the story is well developed. It was a pleasure to read.

To learn more about Pam Jenoff and this book, check out Pam's website.

Getting to know Leslie Kelly

I read Alison Kent's blog regularly. I was lucky enough to win some books from this contest she held a few weeks ago. I have never read anything from Leslie Kelly - how that happened I am not sure, but it is in fact the case. Well, now I have and I have to say I enjoyed it very much. Leslie's style is very readable - the right blend of storytelling, humor and romance.


The first book I read was:




I think this was a great read the premise is very believable. It is a July release from HQN, you can order it from Amazon or from eHarlequin coming in July (I looked you cannot get it yet. Although other Leslie Kelly titles are on the back list there, which could tide you over....) or at Barnes and Noble.

I also read:



This novella is connected to She's No Angel. I really liked this story. It was very sweet, took on a few tough issues and was fun. The thing I think I liked the most was the hero. I know --don't we always love the hero - but here I liked him as a person. He was a good guy, who had seen some terrible stuff and just was not sure what to do with himself going forward. That vulnerability was very nice to see. The crazy carnival stuff was funny too. I have to say - Leslie packed alot into one short story. (This book is also available from the Amazon, eHarlequin, and Barnes and Noble.)

While both of these books are part of a series - they stood alone very well.

Want to get to know Leslie Kelly a little bit more - go visit her here. Want to know what Leslie is thinking? She blogs over here! Want to see which other books go with this series, check out the back list here!

Thanks again Leslie for the chance to get to know you and your books and thanks Alison, for selecting me to do this! It was great fun.

The VISIONS OF HEAT meme

AS a bit of intro- I discovered Nalini from a Sil Desire novel, that was in a bag of books that a friend gave me. Then I stumbled upon her web-page and her Slave to Sensation novel. The first para-normal fantasy book I had every read - unless you count Tolkin, which I read for a class in college - or maybe that story about the Lilliputians - in Eng Lit.

But anyway, I wanted to pass this along to you all, to support the release of her new book.(Ok, Ok, I also get entered into her contest - so that helps too.... but seriously - this is fun too!)

The VISIONS OF HEAT meme

1. Which psychic power would you most like to possess?

I would so like to be able to find things, that are missing without tearing my house apart. I spend a serious amount of time looking for my car keys, sippy cups, favorite toys, a stuffed bunny named Babalious aka BABY aka BABS, a stuffed bear, the remote control, my cell phone, my sunglasses, my husbands sunglasses, his car keys, his work ID and any number of other household items. To simply be able to wish them to appear in front of me would rock!

2. If you could see the future, what would you like to see?

I really would hate to be able to see the future. I am not sure it is health to know what it going to happen in the future. Messing with time is a heady thing. I remember reading The Time Travelers Wife and that just seemed to freaky a concept for me. I will just stay right where I am.

3. Imagine you woke up one day and could shapeshift - what would you shift into?

I would like to shift into a hawk. I would really like to be able to fly and see the world from the sky. It also would not hurt to be near the top of the food chain, as an animal and as a human.

4. What kind of a paranormal creature would you invite over for dinner if there were no limits on who you could ask?

I would like to invite some fairies over for dinner. They seem like they would be fun and my daughter really really likes the fairy godmothers from Sleeping Beauty. Although the Valkyie form Kresley Cole's Vampire series seem really cool too, they might be fun dinner company too.

5. Which future innovation do you wish would hurry up and get here already? i.e. flying cars, a transporter, computers with artificial intelligence, an auto chef?

Well I may sound like a broken record, but seriously I spend so much time searching for my stuff and other people's stuff, I would love a household computer that keeps track of stuff and brings it to you when you ask. If you want your coat, just ask. If you want the groceries put away, just ask. Like a smart house that cleans itself.

This meme was begun by Nalini Singh to get the word out about her next book, Visions of Heat (releasing March 6).

Want to play, too, and enter to win a $50 Amazon voucher plus an ARC? Click here for details.
_____________________________

My Fortune Cookie told me: The sandcastle and the parsnip are sleepwalking towards your submarine. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune

Also be sure to check out Alison Kent's Blog. (http://www.alisonkent.com/blog/) Her fortune was way better. Although I like parsnips!

Happy New Year. Be safe and Have Fun!

Friday

I normally try and do my top 10 of something - but today I am doing my top five love sounds. I check out Nalini Singh's wedsite (http://www.nalinisingh.com/index.html) and blog almost everyday and she had this in her entry today - so I thought I would add it to mine. I am sure I have more - but song titles never really stick with me. I love music and just always have it running thru my head or on the radio.

Top 5 Favorite Love Songs.

1. Piano in the Dark - Brenda Russell This is my all time favorite song. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

2. Up Where We Belong (from one of my all time fav movies - Officer and a Gentleman. I have watched this movie in French, German and countless times in English.) Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes

3. You're Still the One or Forever & Always - Shania Twain

4. You're in My Heart - Rod Stewart

5. Wicked Game - Chris Isaak

I am not sure that 5 counts - but it is wickedly sexy video and his voice is a amazing!

Have a good evening!