Category Archives: Hostage/Kidnap

“Mistress Angel,” by Lindsay Townsend

Posted on June 16, 2014 | Leave a comment

Mistress Angel

What about “Mistress Angel” is uniquely special?

The medieval period city life becomes reality as the story unfolds.  Isabella has been used first by her family then by her dead husband’s family – she is a commodity to them.

The writing brought me into the city with it’s dirty streets and how little value was placed on the life of a woman.  Her young son is taken from her, she’s pressed into servitude and she must choose between getting her son back and pleasing the local marriage prospects.

“Mistress Angel” is a journey through medieval London from the landscape to the characters Lindsay delivers.  Raw emotions and agonizing struggles are included in the telling.

I also enjoy finding new phrases and words from the period in Lindsay’s writing.  She defines them and uses them as keys to her plot.  I liken it to a treasure hunt, always something new in the next chapter.

Will Isabella get her son back?  Will she find true love?  All will be answered before the last word is read.

I hope you give “Mistress Angel” a look.  Great writing, well developed plot and interesting characters, what more could you want in a story?

I got my copy from Amazon Kindle for iPad at this link:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F43NNKW/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

 

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Posted in Amazon, Amazon (Kindle), Amazon (UK), Amazon UK (Kindle), Historical Novel, Historical Romance, HistoricalRomance, horses, Hostage/Kidnap, Inspire, Kindle, Lindsay Townsend, LindsayTownsend, medieval, Mystery

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A Summer Bewitchment [The Knight and the Witch 2], by Lindsay Townsend

Posted on April 14, 2014 | 6 comments

A Summer Bewitchment [The Knight and the Witch 2] Amazon imageImage from Amazon

“A Summer Bewitchment [The Knight and the Witch 2]”, by Lindsay Townsend

Why do I recommend “A Summer Bewitchment [The Knight and the Witch 2]”, by Lindsay Townsend?

1. The medieval portions are interesting – so many different worries in that time but in so many ways the same – self doubt doesn’t change no matter which century.

2. The writing is excellent.  Lindsay brings her characters to life in the narrative, along with the country side, the horses and the villages.

3. Lindsay tackles prejudices in this tale of class and being different whether it be in how you act or what you look like. I like that those with differences triumph over those that are closed minded.

4. The mystery never fails in engaging my attention. How will the Knight and Witch find the lost girls, will they be safe? All questions are answered as the story unfolds.

5. A secret is disclosed that changes the Knight and Witches relationship.

I so hope that Lindsay will continue the Knight and Witch’s story with a book 3. These characters deserve to have many more adventures. Thank you, Lindsay Townsend for creating a world of adventure and acceptance. I appreciate you share your world of imagination with me. Keep on writing.

I got my Kindle e-book via iPad for Kindle app and Amazon at this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Bewitchment-BookStrand-Publishing-Romance-ebook/dp/B00DZX3AEM/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1397443111&sr=1-4&keywords=lindsay+townsend

This book is the sequel to “The Snow Bride” by Lindsay Townsend, here’s a link to my book review:

https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/2014/02/26/recommend-the-snow-bride-by-lindsay-townsend/

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Posted in Amazon, Amazon (Kindle), Amazon (UK), Amazon UK (Kindle), BookReviews, Books, Disfigurement, Historical Romance, HistoricalRomance, Hope, Hostage/Kidnap, Inspire, Kindle, Lindsay Townsend, LindsayTownsend, Witch

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“Hidden Away” by Maya Banks KGI Series Novel

Posted on March 30, 2014 | 2 comments

Hidden Away by Maya Banks Kindle e-book on Amazon

Garrett Kelly is sent on a mission to capture Marcus Lattimer – a man that had cost the lives of the very men sent in to save him years earlier. Its personal with Garrett – a point of honor to see Marcus pay for his treasonous acts. So when Resnick wants Garret to stake out Sarah Daniels, a pawn that will bring Lattimer out of hiding, he’s eager to take the assignment.

Here are some quotes from the beginning of Maya Banks’ “Hidden Away”:

“‘I’m so sorry, Marcus. It should have been me who killed him,’ she [Sarah Daniels] whispered.”….

“‘So where do I come in?’ Garrett asked.”….

“‘Yeah. He’ll [Marcus Lattimer] show. Sarah’s too important to him. She’s the only … thing he seems to care about in the world….'” [from Resnick]

Garrett senses a connection with Sarah from the beginning. He knows she’s been badly hurt but is torn. He must stay true to the mission – catch Marcus Lattimer.

Will his reasons for deception be enough to convince Sarah he had honorable intentions?

Harry Berkley delivers again with an emotionally charged reading of Hidden Away. The characters take on a new vivid life as I listen. Really first rate rendition.

Maya Banks tackles the tough topics in this story with grace and dignity. She gives the women in her stories difficult roles that they are well able to handle. I enjoy reading about strong women taking on tasks that have been given to men for far too long.

Maya also gives her male characters compassion and the ability to show their emotions. Garrett is powerful yet vulnerable which makes me admire him all the more.

“Hidden Away” is full of drama, mystery and romance. A great addition to the KGI Series. Hope you get a chance to read the book and/or listen to the audiobook. Happy reading.

I got my copy from One Click Digital provided by Hennepin County Library. It is also available via these links:

e-book:

http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Away-Novel-Maya-Banks-ebook/dp/B0049U4IW8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1396202732&sr=1-1&keywords=hidden+away

audiobook:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/hidden-away-unabridged/id544976257

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Posted in Audiobooks, BookReviews, Books, Hennepin County Library, HennepinCountyLibrary, Hostage/Kidnap, KGI Novel, KGI Series, MayaBanks, MurderMysteries, Mystery, OneClickDigital, Romance

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“The Darkest Hour” by Maya Banks

Posted on March 29, 2014 | 2 comments

AmazonImageofTheDarkestHourbyMayaBanks
Ethan Kelly believed his wife had been killed a year earlier.  He’s broken by the loss due to his sense of guilt over how they had last parted and subsequent awakening to how much he loved and needed her in his life.  Then suddenly he receives an envelope with information that contains a photo of a woman that looks very much like his late wife.  Could it really be Rachel and if so, how will they find her?

Here’s some quotes from Maya Banks’ “The Darkest Hour” from the opening chapter:

“The FedEx package lay to the side,….”

“He dragged out a stack of papers….”

“It was a photo of a woman, obviously a prisoner in some … jungle camp.  If Ethan had to guess, he’d place odds on South America or maybe Asia….”

“The woman looked remarkably like Rachel.  His wife, Rachel who was dead.”

Ethan believes the woman in the photo is his wife so the KGI team are called together to go on a rescue mission to get Rachel back.  It will be a fight like none they’ve ever done in the past.  Ethan is in a hurry so they go in with limited help but they all believe that the woman, could it really be Rachel, has limited time.

The narrator of the audiobook, Harry Berkley, does an excellent job bringing out the depth of emotions that Ethan is experiencing. Listening, you feel like you’re in the jungle fighting for your life. Very well written and produced on the audiobook side.

Maya Banks really gets to the root of the consequences of drug abuse and the many layers that go into making a marriage.  No matter your age or gender this book is written for anyone living the human experience.

I must stress the writing in this book was superb, so much emotional depth was given to the characters I feel like I’d know them if they walked up on the street.  Keep on writing, Maya Banks you have a gift for storytelling few ever master.

I listened to the One Click Digital audiobook from my local library, Hennepin County Library.  Thank you @HCLIB for having the greatest selection of audio and e books of comparable libraries of your size. Keep on doing what you do.

You may also get this title on kindle at this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Darkest-Hour-KGI-Novel-ebook/dp/B003XQEVQC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396121918&sr=8-1&keywords=the+darkest+hour

Or Audiobook at this link:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/darkest-hour-kelly-group-international/id573395305

2 Comments

Posted in Audiobooks, BookReviews, Books, Hennepin County Library, Hostage/Kidnap, KGI Novel, KGI Series, MayaBanks, MurderMysteries, Mystery, OneClickDigital

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Book Reviews – Melissa Style

Posted on March 28, 2014 | 2 comments

Hi Everyone,

Hope where you are the weather is getting milder, frozen North is still frozen but we have hope – around 40 today so all things are possible.

This is a note on my philosophy on book reviews.  I’m not doing my reviews for money or any sort of compensation – such as free books or other give a ways.

I’m doing my reviews because a librarian once told me to read only what you like when its for entertainment. So I read for enjoyment and hope you’ll be able to pick out books you’ll like based on my reviews.

Since I’m doing this as a way to share my likes you won’t see critical reviews on this site.  Sometimes I wonder why, with our finite time on earth, some feel it necessary to be critical.  You’ll accomplish much more by promoting and supporting authors you like and you’ll feel better when you’re sharing positive energy.

I do the same with any reviews on Amazon or iTunes where my user name is MissMed51.  In those cases it will cover reviews not only on books, but movies, TV or equipment I may need to buy.

This is my soap box talk for tonight – won’t promise never to do another post like this one but will if needed.  A good rule of thumb is this, if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.  Don’t know who said that but have been hearing it in one form or another all my life and whenever I follow the advice my life goes very smoothly.

Also, one should always remember, each of us has a bias where anything is concerned.  Know the books you enjoy reading and review those. There are many styles – find one that makes you say, yes, this is something I like.

Authors are making their living based on book sales – your opinion matters – make the most of it.  My wish is to help out a few authors while sharing my joy in having shared an imaginary world with them for the length of the book.  Hope you find something in what I write that helps you find your favorite book type that will lead to your next arm chair trip into the jungles of South America or the Carpathian Mountains in Europe. Take some time to travel.

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Posted in Audiobooks, BookReviews, Books, HennepinCountyLibrary, Historical Romance, HistoricalRomance, Hope, Hostage/Kidnap, Inspire, MurderMysteries, Mystery, Romance

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Recommend – “Forged in Steele: A KGI Novel, Book 7” audiobook by Maya Banks

Posted on March 1, 2014 | Leave a comment

Recommend – “Forged in Steele:  A KGI Novel, Book 7” audiobook by Maya Banks

Why did it take me so long to find you, Maya Banks?  Your audiobook, “Forged in Steele:  A KGI Novel, Book 7,” is full of adventure, thrills, nasty villains and love. 

Paul Adam’s (audiobook narrator) voice is perfect for how I’d imagine Steele – forceful.  The tonal quality was like sandpaper on wood – slowly grinding undesirables to dust.  Thank you Paul for an excellent job bringing all the characters to life.

This story rocks from the 1st words to the last – once you start listening you can’t stop.  The women in this book are spectacular – strong, intelligent and professional.  Thanks so much for letting these characters express themselves, Maya – wow.

The plot is fantastic too – didn’t know until the end how everything would play out.  The scenes are so vivid I can almost feel the heat (not an easy feat when yesterday it was -13 below zero without a wind chill in Minnesota).  The clinic, where Dr. Maren works came to life for me, the place and the people she serves.

Dialog is inspiring to me as a struggling writer – smooth transitions throughout.  Maya Banks writing moves me – to tears, laughter and frustration when Steele isn’t getting it:) or a bad guy is just to dictatorial to take. 

I now have several of Maya’s books to catch up on but as all you authors mentioned at Nora Roberts book signing webcam on February 15th (brave to make it Turn the Page Bookstore, ttpbooks.com, in the snow and ice) – that’s ok –  I can do a Maya Banks marathon – keep on writing.  Maya you are a gifted story teller.

Do you want to get this book? See the links below and enjoy.

Audiobook:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/forged-in-steele-kgi-novel/id664318980

Kindle e-book:

http://www.amazon.com/Forged-Steele-Novel-Maya-Banks-ebook/dp/B00AI5AQYW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1393628340&sr=1-1&keywords=forged+in+steele+maya+banks+audiobook

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Posted in Audiobooks, BookReviews, Books, BookSignings, Hostage/Kidnap, KGI Novel, KGI Series, MayaBanks, Romance

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