A year back I was anxiously waiting for this book release. I had read the previous eight books ( as well as a sort of anthology) almost in a row ( the positives of starting a series when it is almost done) and I was really looking forward to this.

Copies were starting to appear on Netgalley and Edelweiss, and I started spreading the word about it. The author heard about my "enthusiasm" and approached me in order to ask me if I was interested in a physical copy of the arc...

___________

o_O

Well, yes, of course I would be interested in it!

Address was given, time started to pass and nothing :/

By then I had asked every single postman if they hadn't seen a parcel from Ireland!

I finally caved in and informed the author that the book must have gotten lost -_-

Her response was as follow:

"I forgot."

Nothing more, no "I am sorry that you can no longer buy the book in pre-sale and now will have to spend more money on it, because I was a big old liar".

Obviously I got a tiny upset over this. *cough*

Just a tiny little bit...

As such it has taken me all this time to finally start it (Susana, you may like a series and dislike the person who wrote it!).

I had to remember that I do like the characters even if I am not crazy about the writing style and that I wanted to know about what was going to happen with Joanne and her gang.

Here's the thing, I loved the first book: I felt in love with the concept and the characters.

And I kept reading because I was really looking forward in reading more about the problematic relationship between Joanne and her boss ( they only end up getting involved when he's no longer her boss).

The thing is, that takes about eight books to happen *feeling dead* and one has to go through a lot of confusing and boring shamanistic activities.

This last book wasn't different. In fact I found it the most boring of them all...

I don´'t know if I've just gotten over this series (probably) or if I've just all had I can take about shamanism ( definitely ), but this book didn't make me feel anything. -_-

Just that I wanted to be done with it asap.

Oh, and the woman in the cover? She doesn't have anything to do with Joanne!

Joanne isn't white. She has an a Native American heritage.

Lately I've become accustomed to a certain irregularity in the latest volumes of this series. From time to time a great story appears, but then then one has to drag himself through some pretty boring ones.

I loved "Pale Demon" but unfortunately this one wasn't on the same level.

First of all, this series has a lot of "crutches" and the author keeps using and abusing them: in all books there's always some level of repetition regarding some aspects. For instance:

Rachel's hormones live on constant overdrive. If there's a new guy in town, she'll make sure to notice him and his pecs.

Rachel may say that she isn't romantically interested in Ivy, but she will always show some kind of jealousy towards the living vampire;

Jenks will be as foul mouthed as possible... in fact I think he has gotten worse and it isn't as funny as it used to be.

Also can I say how tired I am of Rachel's reaction to her vampire scar?

As always we will get the same old descriptions on how Rachel's kitchen is... awesome.

...

As such the stories tend to drag and drag, and it feels as if half of the book is just filled with repetitive filler.

However _ no matter how long it takes me _ I will continue reading it... because I like that crazy witch demon and I keep hoping that she will grow up.

As for the story per se in this one, it was interesting, I just wish that what surrounded it wasn't the same old things.

Recommendation level?

It depends on how crazy you like your reads... and your level of patience.

Author's Official Site

Bookdepository.com

  Arc provided by  St. Martin's Paperbacks  through Netgalley

     Release Date: May, 5th

I have enjoyed Jane's and Garrett's banter since day one. Meaning, since I first read "An Unexpected Duchess".

And it wasn't before long that I knew I could count on them, to help downplay things when the drama would get too much.

So you can have an inkling of what I am talking about....

“I mean you like it because I don’t. I swear if I claimed the world was round you’d say it was flat merely to be contrary,” Garrett replied.
“Are you saying the world is round, Upton? Because if so, it makes me question—”

(The Unexpected Duchess, book #1)

He gave her a slight mock bow. “Ah, off to a fine start shredding gentlemen with your tongue. Well done. It’s not even noon. But I must ask, how exactly do you know so much about gambling, drinking, and chasing ladies of ill repute?”
Her smile did not falter. “I read. A lot.”
They glared at each other.

(The Accidental Countess, book #2)

I love intelligent characters and witty repartee, and these two have it in spades. When to that, one adds a sort of "Much Ado About Nothing" retelling/parody..I was basically in book heaven!

I love that specific play.

Well, truth is I love Beatrice's and Benedict's dialogues...Hero and what's his name _ Claudio _ not so much. Too much drama for my taste...also I don't think she should have forgiven him.

Ever. o_O

So, you see where this is going, right?

I loved this story's beginning. I loved when the meddlesome friends _thy name is Lucy _ started with the "game" of basically misleading Garrett and Jane's about each other's feelings.

But then there's this obnoxious character _ well played Mrs Bowman, I don't think there was ever a single moment in which that character appears, in which I didn't wish that she had been run over by a horse....or two, or three _ who led this story to a more dramatic...route?

A little too dramatic for me, but like I said I am biased against Hero and Claudio, and all of a sudden, I felt as if the characters stopped being Beatrice and Benedict's representations, to incorporate the drama inherent to those vapid characters known as H. and C.

But at least, no one had to pretend her own death...so I count that as a blessing! ;)

My biggest issue with the story has to be the fact that towards the end, Garrett ended up sounding a little too much like "Miss" Hero, than an actual Benedict. That was a little strange.

But prejudices aside, this was a well played _ and told _ retelling, with some fun moments _ I especially enjoyed the drunk _ Garrett_ and the half  blind _ Jane_ interaction scene, lol.

My only complaints end up being the overplayed drama...but this was inspired in a Shakespeare play, so really, what was I expecting?

Also, I should probably cut them some slack, since both of them are at times the epitome of all that is geek and bookish! :)

Author's Official Site

Pre-order it:

Bookdepository.com

Arc provided by Avon Impulse through Edelweiss

Release Date: April 7 th

4 Stars to  "Lord Lovedon's Duel"

Well, this was fun. And sweet...and unfortunately short. :/

My favourite novella _yes, of the two of them _ has to be "Lord Lovedon's Duel".

If you're a fan of witty repartee and insane characters, you're probably going to love this:

“It seems I must kill myself,” he said. “It is impossible to continue in this world without Miss Sharp’s approbation.” He put the back of his hand to his forehead. “Farewell, all. I go to a better place.”

“I think not,” she said. “I think it will be rather worse than this one and a good deal hotter.”

Insanity all around..I loved it! ;)

And since I am on the subject, why isn't there a series of which this novella could be part of?

So, I could go and you know..read it? At once.

2.5 Stars To The Jilting of Lord Rothwick

As for The Jilting of Lord Rothwick, it had great potential _not that I am saying that I disliked it _ but it ended up being really short for a novella. More like an "itsy bitsy baby" novella. And I wanted more. o_O

In the end there's a presentation of the author's new book ,_ "Dukes Prefer Blondes", release date 2016_ and it ends up having almost as many pages as the second "novella".

_____________

Yes Avon, your bookish master plan worked: My curiosity has been roused, and I would love to get my hands on Clara's and Oliver's book right this minute.

~January 2016 for heaven's sake~ mumbles to herself.