The Austen Affair - Ardent, arresting and amazing ode to Jane herself!

 Madeline Bell! You goddess!!! What a divine ode to the queen of romances herself (Jane Austen, duh!) The opening prologue talks about Colin Firth's Pride and Prejudice - if that does not tickle your memory, Do NOT go near chapter 27!!

Take Jane Austen, Twelfth Night, Northanger Abbey plus a grumpy brooding British hero and a ray of sunshine, watery eyed, flower child - add all the above to a blender and voila! you see a novel you wish would turn to a movie. The author contrasts the sensibilities of the modern era with the modes of the regency period, adding some smoldering dialogues and repartees from our favorite Austen works, and you are left with a satisfied afterglow!

The tale follows two actors who are to be leads in the Northanger Abbey, Hugh Balfour as the upright and reserved method artist and Tess Bright, his heart on the sleeve counterpart- their chemistry and relationship building is gradual, silly and romantic, I think that's what makes it perfect - not being overwhelmed by circumstances but taking time to be themselves and honest potrayals of their faults and virtues that makes this an automatic winner! I love how Tess reacts to situations by cataloguing which character from Austen-world they resemble and then the dialogs roll off her tongue. Its wickedly entertaining and my inner-Tess balked at having to finish the book - because we didn't want it to end!!

A million thank yous to St Martins Press and Netgalley for furnishing me with the ARC. I am ardently in your debt. and to the author, you have become an auto buy author for me! thank you for giving Austen her limelight and I had a field day with twelfth night too!!

A tale of two dukes

Emma Orchard weaves a Regency romance through the troubled Anglo- French skirmishes. Lady Viola finds herself marrying Lord Ventris, nee, Robert Armstrong, whom she detests.

Dear reader, we are plunged into their tempestuous tale from Viola being Duchess and wed to Robert's uncle, Edward. The threat of Robert's elder half-brother who would inherit the estate if Viola proves ineffective in producing heirs.

Currently Viola, finds herself trapped in a workd where being Duchess ensures her wealth, it does not empower her, as she finds herself bound by the rigid patriarchy. To ensure her son's do not resemble the late Duke, in more than resemblance, she agrees to marry Lord Ventris.

Add to the mix an urgency for ventris heir, and you've got a simmering, sizzling tale of two souls who finds their ways in tumultuous times, battling their passions and past hurts..

The book was a quick read and I was able to polish it off in a day. Thank yous to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the arc!! 

Wild Reverence - Divine, deadly and delicious

 Rebecca Ross is at her fabulous best with this one. Welcome back to the world of Divine Rivals folks!!

As the tale goes, once upon a time, a god child was born and the first to hold her was not her father, but the god of war. He named her Matilda.

The tale unfolds lazily introducing us to the underworld, mortal realm amd Skyward with its chief players and the powers they control. In a world where powers are coveted and feelings are dangerous, what will befall a goddess who falls for a mortal??

If this premise doesn't entice you, dear reader, to pick up this book, I am not sure how else to induce you.. the slow burn between a mortal who wishes to burn at the altar or the goddess who fears attachment and yet sells herself to save those she loves, or shall I talk of the brother who emerges triumphant, against all odds and brings hope, or better yet the tale of the god of war smd his love... All these gems and more are woven into the threads that neither Fate nor Death can mar in this most excellent story..

Happy reading everyone!! Thank you to Macmillian and Netgalley for providing me with the arc!

The Swan's Daughter - Sepulchral, Soft and Savory

 If you loved six crimson swans by Elizabeth Lim, then this is another inspired retelling that turns the tale on its head! Prepare for shock, betrayal and the kind of love that binds an

If you loved Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim, prepare for a retelling that turns the tale on its head! Where the theme of the swans turns into sisters and freedom is rife for the runt of the litter..

The Swan's Daughter is a mesmerizing tale of magic, awe and surprising oneself, when faced with a morose destiny.

At its heart is Demelza, an ugly duckling whose swansong calls for truth, and Arris, the prince whose heart is the key to power in the kingdom. They strike a bargain for mutual gain, for Demelza's father is desirous of her heart in a bid for immortality and the only safe haven is Arris' castle. Arris lives life vicariously savoring everything, as he knows his time is limited. With the Veritas swan maiden channeling Rapunzel, Arris is beloved for his joie de vivre, you can't help but root for these two to find their truth in trust, friendship and love, while battling the fact that they may end up breaking each other's heart.

I absolutely adored this book and devoured it in a day. A spell binding revelation from Roshani Chokshi. Many thank yous to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the arc!!

The Book of Heartbreak - Tragic, tempestuous and terrific!!!

This Book!! OMG!!

Ova Ceren weaves a tale of heartbreak, revenge and betrayal with elements of Celestials, memoes and the old school romance of Istanbul into a gothic reminiscent piece. At its center is Sare, a girl cursed to die of heartbreak, and her Celestial, Munu, whose task it is to harden her against it.

With each loss she faces, Munu urges her to stop her tears, and finally , after losing her mother, Sare accompanies her grandfather back to Istanbul.

Enter, Leon, her neighbour with True Sight, a Seer who claims to break the spell. Add in a host of divinities, zinging memoes and the suspense of the past, it is a thrilling ride from start to finish.

Deathly escapades, stolen memories, guilt and angst drive all the main characters, as they seek clarity, accept the mistakes of the past and each, forge their own way to forgiveness. The best parts for me were the email exchanges between the divinities, and the slow unfolding of the tale, like peeling the layers of the onion. I enjoyed the slow, languid flow with the throwbacks and the reveal at the finale. The ending was just, fair and brilliant!

If you liked the Apothecary, then this one is an Eastern inspired version for you! Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove Press for the ARC!

Her soul for a Crown - delicious devilish and devouring

 Alysha, you are a Divinity for the written words!

I was wondering if a poison wielding orphan would have enough bite to pull a tale along, and boy, was i in error!!! The story weaves itself around political skirmishes, divinity rebellions and how the people caught in the crossfire cope... the story had several wonderful slew of characters like Bithul, as Alfred, Premala as the acolyte who finds her voice, Reeri, the Yakka who suffers from guilt, and our heroine Anula, who's path is never easy but filled with plot twists and turbulence!!

What particularly drew me to the story is Anula remains the primary lead character even though she's playing on a field where divinities and elemental powers are at play, her growth and choice of what she truly wishes to be, comes to fore!!

A spectacular standalone, slow burn with a feisty female at the helm, magic, divinities and mayhem galore - if that doesn't jolt you to pick up this book, not sure what will..

Thank you to Casablanca source books and Netgalley for the ARC! It was a pleasure to read!