Tag Archives: Hostage/Kidnap

“Mistress Angel,” by Lindsay Townsend

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:

 

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

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:

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/

“The Darkest Hour” by Maya Banks

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:

Or Audiobook at this link:

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

Book Reviews – Melissa Style

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.

Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe – ttpbooks.com

Why do we have bookstore’s anymore?

For me the answer is so the fans are able to connect with their favorite authors and enjoy the experience of opening a book fresh from the press – no feeling like it.

Here’s a good place to get the bookstore experience, Turn the Page Bookstore Café (https://www.facebook.com/ttpbooks), located on Main Street in downtown Boonsboro, Maryland.

This is a welcoming Brick and Mortar business. I speak from experiencing them via e-mail, internet and in person last July.

I was a stranger and never traveled East of Kentucky, but Boonsboro made me feel welcomed. Someone waved at me from their car as I walked to the bookstore. When I arrived 2 ladies in line for getting book signing tickets, invited me to lunch, the man handing out tickets was so happy and friendly telling me what I needed to know.

Once inside, the bookstore layout welcomes with coffee, well organized book topics, comfortable couch and chairs, and book art everywhere. But the best of all were the people behind the counter welcoming me as I walked in and inviting me to look around. Loved the smiles and accepting atmosphere.

When I arrived back with my group ticket (organized by time) for getting my books signed, I found a friend I still have today, she asked if I was going to the brunch the next day and we decided to look for one another, so glad we did.

The books that I bought from the February 15th book signing event at TTPBooks.com (I watched and ordered virtually) arrived via US Mail man yesterday. Here’s the quality authors, I ordered from, that participated:

Jaci Burton’s “Hope Flames,”
Jeanniene Frost’s “Twice Tempted,”
J.D. Robb’s “Concealed in Death,”
J. Kenner’s “claim me,” and
Sylvia Day writing as Livia Dare’s “In the Flesh,”

Thanks to J.D. Robb and all the authors of the event for sharing their writing secrets at the book signing webcast and for the signatures, book marks, and refrigerator magnet.

I will be reading all of these stories soon and posting my reviews here on my blog – Melissa Blanchard Book Corner (https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com), Amazon and iTunes under user name MissMed51.

I couldn’t wait for the J.D. Robb, “Concealed in Death,” signed book to arrive so I purchased the audiobook. That review is already posted:) Will re-read the hard copy too but after I’ve read all the new books.

I appreciate all Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe does to supply signed copies to people all over the world.

Hope you check it out in person or on the web at ttpbooks.com or https://www.facebook.com/ttpbooks – join in the joy of sharing books and the adventures they contain. Your questions are welcomed – feel free to comment.

For all of you that have visited Turn The Page Bookstore Café – feel free to share you comments here as well.

Anyone wanting to is also invited to my Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/melissa.blanchard.3158 or tweeter followers @MelissaBlancha6 always open to adding new book friends, authors and readers.

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

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:

Recommend The Snow Bride by Lindsay Townsend

I recommend, “The Snow Bride” by Lindsay Townsend.
The audiobook was well engineered and the reading, by Victoria Scott, was musical.
The story was an adventure into medieval England. Characters were expressive and engaging. The scenes were descriptive and inviting in most cases.
There were scenes that were scary and full of tension keeping the reader entertained and interested.
The part I liked best about Lindsay’s book was the hope and the love expressed by the hero and heroine. They had to find a common language, get beyond outward appearances and prejudices. Very well done work on overcoming disabilities and special gifts (which to some would have seemed like trouble in medieval times) to the core of human nature to love and be loved and to overcome evil.
Thank you, Lindsay, for a tale that brings so much hope and true caring and understanding to the reader. I will be reading more of your books. I’m glad we connected on tweeter, @lindsayromantic, keep on tweeting.

The audiobook is available at the following links – you may also get the book & e-book as well:

Audiobook:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-snow-bride-unabridged/id623851422

E-book:

Paperback book:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-snow-bride-lindsay-townsend/1108479903?ean=9781619269910