Review - Lost in Time (Blue Bloods #6) by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Lost in Time

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Series: 6th (Blue Bloods, Masquerade, Revelations, The Van Alen Legacy, Misguided Angel,
Pages: 342

Published: September 27th 2011 by Hyperion 

ISBN: 9781423121299

Source: Library

 

Description: The stakes have never been higher for the young Blue Bloods of Manhattan. After their brief yet beautiful bonding ceremony in Italy, Schuyler Van Alen and Jack Force depart for Egypt, desperate to find the elusive Gate of Promise before Jack must face his twin, Mimi, for a blood trial. A blood trial that only one of them can survive. But everything Schuyler thought she knew about the gate turns out to be a lie, and they soon find themselves ensnared in a deadly battle against the demon-born. Schuyler and Jack take up arms, only to realize that there is a much graver threat simmering in the Kingdom of the Dead.  Meanwhile, determined to save the only vampire she still loves, Mimi has followed Kingsley Martin into Hell. With the help of her new human Conduit, Oliver Hazard-Perry, Mimi makes a bargain with the Queen of the Dead that she may soon regret. When the time comes to choose between love and revenge, both Mimi and Oliver will learn the true meaning of sacrifice.   

 I Give This ...

Once again... I've let time get away from me.  School is back in session and with teaching, homework, and the kids' outside activities, blogging falls behind.  Since this one is not a review book, I'm going to make this short and sweet.

Jack and Schulyer kind of drove me crazy in this book.  I don't think they really mean to bury their heads in the sand, but that's what it felt like they were doing.  I think they were enjoying their honeymoon time together.  It was almost like they didn't want to face the reality of the world around them.  As long as the convinced themselves that they were looking for the gate, it didn't matter how much time passed.  I was glad to see push come to shove and they were forced to deal with the matters at hand.  Jack needed to face Mimi, and Schuyler needed to find the gate.

Mimi Forces really grew on me in this book.  She knows she has to face Jack, but she's willing to let him stall as long as possible.  In the mean time, she's going to Hell back for Kingsley.  Her trip through the land of the dead was my favorite part of the story.  It reminded me a great deal of other stories I've read in the past that deal with world of the dead.  I do have to admit that I was a little nervous if the old Mimi would emerge in order to fully extract Kingsley from Hell's grasp.

It was a little slow at parts, but the ending just shows how evenly matched Jack and Mimi are.  And it also shows how much they truly love their significant others but respect their bonds.  I'm looking forward to the next one to see how this all ends.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

 

Read Last Week:

• Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M Lee

 

Currently Reading:

• Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

 Up This Week:

• Sisters of Treason by Elizabeth Fremantle

Madame Picasso by Anne Girard Virtual Book Tour

Title: Madame Picasso

Author: Anne Girard
Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 432
Published: August 26th 2014 by Harlequin MIRA
ISBN: 9780778316350
Source: Arranged tour for honest review



Description: When Eva Gouel moves to Paris from the countryside, she is full of ambition and dreams of stardom. Though young and inexperienced, she manages to find work as a costumer at the famous Moulin Rouge, and it is here that she first catches the attention of Pablo Picasso, a rising star in the art world.  A brilliant but eccentric artist, Picasso sets his sights on Eva, and Eva can't help but be drawn into his web. But what starts as a torrid affair soon evolves into what will become the first great love of Picasso's life.  With sparkling insight and passion, Madame Picasso introduces us to a dazzling heroine, taking us from the salon of Gertrude Stein to the glamorous Moulin Rouge and inside the studio and heart of one of the most enigmatic and iconic artists of the twentieth century.

 I Give This ...

 

I must admit that I know next to nothing about Picasso.  I know he's a famous painter, and that's it.  Art is not really my strong point, so it's almost embarrassing to say that I didn't know were or when he lived, or could even name a painting.   But, I really enjoyed this book.

I enjoyed Eva's character right from the start.  This was a period of great change for the world.  War was on their front door step, women were finding their place in the world, and their was an explosion of knowledge going on.  It's not wonder that Eva wanted a piece of all that.  She wasn't content to an arranged marriage and living her life exactly like all the women before her had.  While I wish she wouldn't have just run off to Paris, I understood why she did.  I think what made her even more refreshing is that she wasn't looking for love.  It almost seemed like she was desperately trying to avoid it.  She may have worked at the Moulin Rouge, but she was in charge of her own love life.

Picasso was very interesting to read about.  He seemed to tackle love just like he did everything else in life...with reckless passion.  He had no problem with entering into numerous affairs despite his long term commitment to Fernande.  Perhaps it's the very issue that makes Eva that much more attractive to him.  She's not easily persuaded into becoming the mistress on the side.  In his game to pursue her, he realizes that she might just be the muse he needs both for his soul and for his art.  But, how do you untangle the web you've already woven?

 

I found their whole love story to be extremely interesting.  I never felt Eva caved into Picasso, instead she pushed him to be a better person.  It must have been so hard for him to choose her over Fernande and disrupt his entire life.   He was completely committed to her once he choose to marry her, eventually choosing her over long term friends.  Sadly, their story would not last long.   Strange to think Picasso had such a fear of death, that it almost contributed to Eva's own death.  I seriously wonder if she would have been willing to go to the doctor sooner if she might have lived.

A wonderful story that introduced me to a figure in history that I knew nothing about.  I always enjoy that experience.  I love this author's works!

READ AN EXCERPT.

Watch the Book Trailer

Praise for Madame Picasso

"Early twentieth century Paris and Picasso's lost love come to enchanted, vivid life in Madame Picasso. With a deft eye for detail and deep understanding for her protagonists, Anne Girard captures the earnest young woman who enthralled the famous artist and became his unsung muse." - C.W. Gortner, bestselling author of THE QUEEN'S VOW

Buy the Book

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-a-Million

iTunes

IndieBound

About the Author

Anne Girard was born with writing in her blood. The daughter of a hard-driving Chicago newsman, she has always had the same passion for storytelling that fueled his lifelong career. She hand-wrote her first novel (admittedly, not a very good one) at the age of fourteen, and never stopped imagining characters and their stories. Writing only ever took a backseat to her love of reading.

After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature from UCLA and a Master's degree in psychology from Pepperdine University, a chance meeting with the acclaimed author, Irving Stone, sharply focused her ambition onto telling great stories from history with detailed research. "Live where your characters lived, see the things they saw," he said, "only then can you truly bring them to life for your readers." Anne took that advice to heart. After Stone's encouragement twenty years ago, she sold her first novel. When she is not traveling the world researching her stories, Anne and her family make their home in Southern California. When she is not traveling or writing, she is reading fiction.

Anne also writes historical fiction under the name Diane Haeger. For more information, visit www.dianehaeger.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Madame Picasso Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, August 25

Review at Flashlight Commentary


Tuesday, August 26

Review at Historical Fiction Notebook

Interview & Giveaway at Flashlight Commentary


Wednesday, August 27

Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages

Interview & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Notebook


Thursday, August 28

Review & Giveaway at Words and Peace

Review & Giveaway at Kinx's Book Nook


Friday, August 29

Review at Scandalous Women

Review at Curling Up by the Fire


Monday, September 1

Review at A Bookish Affair

Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past


Tuesday, September 2

Review & Giveaway at Luxury Reading

Interview & Giveaway at A Bookish Affair


Wednesday, September 3

Review at Gobs and Gobs of Books

Spotlight & Giveaway at Susan Heim on Writing


Thursday, September 4

Review & Giveaway at The Maiden's Court


Friday, September 5

Review at To Read or Not to Read


Monday, September 8

Review at Book of Secrets

Review & Giveaway at Mina's Bookshelf


Tuesday, September 9

Review at A Chick Who Reads


Wednesday, September 10

Review at Books in the Burbs


Thursday, September 11

Review at Ageless Pages Reviews



Friday, September 12

Review at Caroline Wilson Writes

Review at The Book Binder's Daughter


Monday, September 15

Review at Layered Pages

Review at Carole's Ramblings



Tuesday, September 16

Review at She is Too Fond of Books



Wednesday, September 17

Interview & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books



Thursday, September 18

Review at One Book of a Time


Friday, September 19

Spotlight & Giveaway at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

Monday, September 22

Review & Giveaway at Broken Teepee


Tuesday, September 23

Review at The Librarian Fatale


Wednesday, September 24

Review at CelticLady's Reviews

Review at WTF Are You Reading?


Thursday, September 25

Review at Kincavel Korner


Friday, September 26

Interview at Kincavel Korner

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

 

Read Last Week:

 

• Madame Picasso by Anne Girard 
• Champion by Marie Lu

Currently Reading:

 

• Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M Lee

 

Up This Week: 

• Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper

Review - The Immortal Crown (Age of X #2) by Richelle Mead

Title: The Immortal Crown

Author: Richelle Mead

Series: 2nd (Gameboard of the Gods)

Pages: 432

Published: May 29th 2014 by Dutton Adult

ISBN: 9780525953692

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Gameboard of the Gods introduced religious investigator Justin March and Mae Koskinen, the beautiful supersoldier assigned to protect him. Together they have been charged with investigating reports of the supernatural and the return of the gods, both inside the Republic of United North America and out. With this highly classified knowledge comes a shocking revelation: Not only are the gods vying for human control, but the elect—special humans marked by the divine—are turning against one another in bloody fashion. Their mission takes a new twist when they are assigned to a diplomatic delegation headed by Lucian Darling, Justin’s old friend and rival, going into Arcadia, the RUNA’s dangerous neighboring country. Here, in a society where women are commodities and religion is intertwined with government, Justin discovers powerful forces at work, even as he struggles to come to terms with his own reluctantly acquired deity. Meanwhile, Mae—grudgingly posing as Justin’s concubine—has a secret mission of her own: finding the illegitimate niece her family smuggled away years ago. But with Justin and Mae resisting the resurgence of the gods in Arcadia, a reporter’s connection with someone close to Justin back home threatens to expose their mission—and with it the divine forces the government is determined to keep secret. 

I Give This ...

  I wasn't completely sold on Gameboard of the Gods, so I'm not entirely sure why I picked the second in the series up for review.  Perhaps it simply because I'm draw to Gods and Goddesses and it still had some potential.  In this case, I'm glad I didn't give up because it was better than the first one.

I think I liked Justin and May's interactions more.  They are trying so hard to pretend they aren't completely head over heals for each other, that sometime a lot of it just gets in the way.  But this time around, they are required to pose as a couple.  I think it forces them to think and act in ways that they've spend forever repressing.  Plus, it was interesting to learn about their personal God and Goddess and how they related to each other.  The big picture is much more intertwined than I thought.

I'm curious as to Lucian's involvement in this whole thing.  For most of the first book I wrote him off as just a person in the background.  But, I think he is a far bigger player than anyone knows.  He's way to subtle, but he may have tipped his hat when it came to this big trip into Arcadia.  He's looking for more than just an age to push over the top in politics.  I have not quite pegged if he's going to work out to be the bad guy.  I hope not, because I think he's far more useful in Justin's corner.

I liked the drama with Tessa.  I knew that getting mixed up with the reporter was a bad idea.  I think she knew it deep down as well.  But, she was determined to prove her worth and couldn't possibly imagine what Justin could be mixed up in that would be beneficial.  But, most of the time it's always about who you know.    

I'm hooked now, so I am eagerly awaiting book 3.  There is something big in the works and the gods and goddesses aren't done playing games yet.  They have been so subtly through most of the series, that I'm waiting for that big moment!

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

Read Last Week:

• The Tudor Bride by Joanna Hickson

Currently Reading:

• Champion by Marie Lu

Up This Week: 

• Madame Picasso by Anne Girard

 

Coverl Reveal - The Tabestry by Nancy Bilyeau

Publication Date: March 24, 2015
Touchstone Publishing
Formats: eBook, Hardcover
Pages: 390

Genre: Historical Mystery
Series: Joanna Stafford, Book Three

In THE CROWN, Sister Joanna Stafford searched for a Dark Ages relic that could save her priory from Cromwell’s advancing army of destruction. In THE CHALICE, Joanna was drawn into an international conspiracy against Henry VIII himself as she struggled to learn the truth behind a prophecy of his destruction.

Now, in THE TAPESTRY, Joanna Stafford finally chooses her own destiny.

After her Dominican priory in Dartford closed forever—collateral damage in tyrannical King Henry VIII’s quest to overthrow the Catholic Church—Joanna resolves to live a quiet and honorable life weaving tapestries, shunning dangerous quests and conspiracies. Until she is summoned to Whitehall Palace, where her tapestry weaving has drawn the King’s attention.

Joanna is uncomfortable serving the King, and fears for her life in a court bursting with hidden agendas and a casual disregard for the virtues she holds dear. Her suspicions are confirmed when an assassin attempts to kill her moments after arriving at Whitehall.

Struggling to stay ahead of her most formidable enemy yet, an unknown one, she becomes entangled in dangerous court politics. Her dear friend Catherine Howard is rumored to be the King’s mistress. Joanna is determined to protect young, beautiful, naïve Catherine from becoming the King’s next wife and, possibly, victim.

Set in a world of royal banquets and feasts, tournament jousts, ship voyages, and Tower Hill executions, this thrilling tale finds Joanna in her most dangerous situation yet, as she attempts to decide the life she wants to live: nun or wife, spy or subject, rebel or courtier. Joanna Stafford must finally choose.

Pre-Order the Book

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

IndieBound

About the Author

Nancy Bilyeau has worked on the staffs of InStyle, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Ladies Home Journal. She is currently the executive editor of DuJour magazine. Her screenplays have placed in several prominent industry competitions. Two scripts reached the semi-finalist round of the Nicholl Fellowships of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Her screenplay "Zenobia" placed with the American Zoetrope competition, and "Loving Marys" reached the finalist stage of Scriptapalooza. A native of the Midwest, she earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. THE CROWN, her first novel, was published in 2012; the sequel, THE CHALICE, followed in 2013. THE TAPESTRY will be released in March 2015.

Nancy lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Stay in touch with her on Twitter at @tudorscribe. For more information please visit Nancy Bilyeau's website.