Wolfsbane by Patricia Briggs

Wolfsbane by Patricia Briggs ISBN-13: 9780441019540 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Ace Released: November 2, 2010

Source: Bought through Half.com

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Aralorn, a shapeshifter and mercenary spy, returns home because her noble father, the Lyon of Lambshold, has died. But when Aralorn and her companion Wolf arrive, they discover that he's not dead. Black magic has been used to hold her father in a death-like state, and he will die if he's not released within two weeks. To break the spell, they need to know who set it and how. But no mage is likely to admit to knowing how to work the forbidden black magic even if this wasn't a trap apparently designed to kill Wolf. And, because it's strong black magic, someone's going to die...


My Review:
Wolfsbane is a fantasy novel. It's the sequel to Masques. You don't need to read the previous novel to understand this one, but the ending of Masques is spoiled if you read this novel first.

The story was written more like a cozy mystery than an action fantasy. After a fairly active beginning, the characters basically alternated between talking over what they knew and gathering more information. For the "cozy" aspect, Aralorn had two fight scenes and told one story that did nothing to move the story forward. Even the beginning was slowed a bit by all the back story we're given (some of it unnecessary), so don't expect a fast-paced book.

I was pleased that Aralorn was back to being the original, cheerful character I love from the original version of Masques. I was surprised by how quickly previous enemies from Masques and from the beginning of this book turned into close working companions. This was so different from Masques, were Aralorn's friends kept turning into enemies at the most inopportune moments.

There was a very minor amount of explicit bad language. There was a lot of implied sex. The fantasy magic of the previous book had some new elements, including printed out words to one spell and training in "centering and grounding." To me, this felt like a story that just happened to use some names (and some humor) similar to the previous book rather than an actual continuation of Aralorn's and Wolf's story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

A Bride For Donnigan by Janette Oke

A Bride For Donnigan by Janette Oke ISBN-13: 9781556613272 Trade Paperback: 222 pages Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Released: 1993

Source: Personal library.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Kathleen O'Malley stood on the deck and watched the land she'd called home for more than a dozen years slip from her view. Even though Kathleen had not been happy with her situation, it was all she had ever known. Now her only certainty was that she was bound for America to marry a man whose name she did not even know and whose face she had never seen.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Donnigan Harrison anxiously awaits Kathleen's arrival on a prairie farm. He has known the wonder of a dream fulfilled--a snug frame cabin, the sturdy log barn and outbuildings, a fine herd of livestock, and crops in the field that made his eyes sparkle. Yet Donnigan felt lonely and had limited opportunities for finding a wife. Donnigan's anticipation is overshadowed with terrifying uncertainties--What have I done?


My Review:
A Bride For Donnigan is a Christian historical set in the American West during the pioneer time period. It's a part of the Women of the West series, but the books aren't connected to each other so you can read them in any order. These novels are quick reads.

The setting and historical detail created a nice yet still somewhat vague (as to exact time period) backdrop for the events. The story followed Kathleen's life from seventeen-years-old until she has a large family of her own. Kathleen and Donnigan have to overcome misunderstandings about what they think the other partner wants out of marriage and the sorrows of losing and raising children.

The Christian element was woven into the story, and it was the focus of the story near the end. Kathleen and Donnigan both realize there must be a God, but they don't know anything about him and there's no preacher available. They glean what they can from the Bible and, after some misunderstandings caused by various Christians not clearly answering their questions, finally come to understand how to make things right between themselves and God.

Married sex was implied (as babies were born). There was a very minor amount of "he cussed" style of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Important information

I wouldn't normally do this, but I was an Animal Science student in college back when GMOs were just starting to be used. I had no idea of what had happened since then, and people really need to know this. Here's a free 1 hr 30 minute video that's free until Nov. 6th. Please take the time to watch as much of this as you have time for, especially people in California. http://geneticroulettemovie.com/ or

A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs

A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs ISBN-13: 9781400072170 Hardcover: 224 pages Publisher: WaterBrook Press Released: October 2, 2012

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Cover:
Christmas Eve 1894. All Margaret Campbell wants for Christmas is a safe journey home. When her plans for a festive holiday with her family in Stirling crumble beneath the weight of her brother’s bitterness, the young schoolteacher wants nothing more than to return to the students she loves and the town house she calls home.

Then an unexpected detour places her in the path of Gordon Shaw, a handsome newspaperman from Glasgow, who struggles under a burden of remorse and shame.

When the secret of their shared history is revealed, will it leave them tangled in a knot of regret? Or might their past hold the threads that will bind their future together?


My Review:
A Wreath of Snow is a Christian historical romance set in 1894 in Scotland. It's a novella, so it's a short, quick read and events move forward relatively quickly. It's a nice, sweet story where secrets and lies have brought deep hurt but there's a chance for the truth to bring healing.

The characters were complex and realistic, and I could sympathize with the main characters. Due to the shortness of the book, though, we don't get to know the characters really well. The romance "worked" for me, and there were enough historical and setting details to bring the story alive in my imagination.

There was a Christian element that was woven into the story about forgiveness and telling the truth. I didn't feel that it ever got "preachy," though. There was no sex and no bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those looking for a short read that ends with hope and healing.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Collared by L.A. Kornetsky

Collared by L.A. Kornetsky ISBN-13: 9781451671643 Trade Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Galley Books Released: November 13, 2012

Source: Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Ginny Mallard and her shar-pei, Georgie, need to dig up another client for her private concierge business. Ginny enjoys bantering with Teddy Tonica, the bartender at a nearby bar, and her dog is oddly fond of his bar cat, Mistress Penny. While at the bar, she overhears a drinker tell his business woes to the bartender.

Ginny interrupts and lands a job tracking down some important business papers that have gone missing—along with the customer’s uncle. Ginny can use her research skills to track him down, but she quickly realizes that she needs a partner with people skills—like Tonica—if she's going to succeed.

This is one dangerous case that’s about to go to the dogs – unless man, woman, cat, and canine can work together as one very unconventional crime-solving team.


My Review:
Collared is a mystery novel. The mystery was to find a missing man and to discover exactly why he decided to hide (along with some important business papers) from his nephew. They weren't investigating a murder, which was a refreshing change. It wasn't really a puzzle-mystery but following along as they uncovered the trail and decided what to do with what they learned. The suspense was from potential danger to them and the missing man.

The characters were engaging, and Ginny and Teddy both acted in realistic ways to the situation. I liked that they were more concerned about what harm their actions might cause people than in finishing the job to get the money or to prevent a bad reputation for Ginny's business. They also realized when they were in over their heads and when they needed to hand the situation over to professionals.

The dog and cat had "speaking" (to each other) parts in the story, but their concerns and actions were like real cats and dogs. A nice level of detail about the setting, jobs, etc., was woven into the story.

There was no sex. There was a fair amount of explicit bad language. If you don't mind that level of bad language, then I'd recommend this engaging mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

And the winner is...

It's time to announce the winner of the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop. Including Twitter entries, we had 17 entries. Using a random number generator and numbering the entrants in the order I received them, the winner is:

Michele Shroyer
who won "The Tale of Castle Cottage"

Congratulations! I'll be contacting you for your address.

For those who didn't win, you can always buy a copy of these books from your favorite bookstore or see if they have them at your local library.

They Called Her Mrs. Doc by Janette Oke

They Called Her Mrs. Doc by Janette Oke ISBN-13: 9781556612466 Trade Paperback: 222 pages Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Released: March 28, 1992

Source: Personal library.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
The only daughter of a noted Montreal physician and educator, Cassandra Wilson inherited all the opportunities of Eastern society and affluence. Everything in her life has been cared for by her doting parents and servants.

She loves a serious young doctor who intends to return to his small, uncultured hometown on the Western frontier. She marries him but secretly hopes he'll soon return them to the city and join her father's practice. But he's too happy and busy to see how miserable and lonely she is. Will her new friend, who once faced similar circumstances, be able to help her change her feelings about her life here?


My Review:
They Called Her Mrs. Doc is a Christian historical set in the Canadian West during the pioneer time period. It's a part of the Women of the West series, but the books aren't connected to each other so you can read them in any order. These novels are quick reads.

The setting and historical detail created a nice yet still somewhat vague (as to exact time period) backdrop for the events. The story followed Cassandra's life from seventeen-years-old until she's very old, so we get more of an overview of her life than a good look at her during one period of her life. Her early struggle was to adjust to living in an "uncivilized" town where she didn't know anyone or fit in. Then she had to learn to sometimes help her husband and the townspeople (when her husband wasn't available) medically despite the fact she gets nauseous at the sight of blood.

The Christian element was woven in as a natural part of the story, and it wasn't a big part of the story. Cassandra realizes that she knows about God but doesn't know God on a personal basis, so she decides to change that and then let Him change her attitude about her circumstances.

Married sex was implied (as babies were born). There was a very minor amount of "he cussed" style of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.