The Friday 56 is a book meme hosted by Freda’s Voice, and the participation rules couldn’t be simpler. You just pick any book you want, flip to page 56 (or 56% for e-readers), and choose a non-spoilery sentence or two to share with the world.
The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan (Memoir by Lady Trent, Book 2)
From page 56:
“I have not kidnapped her, my lord,” I said, covering my nervousness with irritation.
Do you have your own Friday 56? Let me know in the comments!
Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti (The Scorpius Syndrome, Book 1)
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
“If there are bullets, I’m between you and them. If you get taken, I’m hunting you down till my last breath. And if you end up in hell, I’ll storm the f*cking place until the fires go out.”
Mercury Striking was a whirlwind read for me, because every time I picked it up, I couldn’t seem to put it down without knowing what was coming next. It was a little more “alpha” than my usual read, but the overarching plot was intriguing and I’m curious to see what direction book 2 will take.
Recommendation: Read this if you love action-packed, post-apocalyptic romances full of alpha heroes and heroes-to-be. I also recommend this to romance readers who like comprehensive series plot despite each book focusing on a different main couple.
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(This ARC was generously provided through Net Galley for an honest review.)
Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal (Glamourist Histories, Book 1)
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
The room had vanished, its walls replaced entirely by arching trees; the ceiling, a sky overhead which shimmered with the light of stars and the moon. The trees rustled in response to a conjured breeze, which carried with it hints of jasmine and the pleasant, spicy scent of loam.
This is a sweet, quick romance, full of the imagery of a Regency English countryside, and I really enjoyed it. The hint of fantasy added a flair to the usual Austen-esque themes without turning it into a full-fledged fantasy novel.
Recommendation: Read this if you are intrigued by the idea of Regency romance with a touch of fantasy, or if you’re curious about the artistic possibilities of folding glamours.
The Friday 56 is a book meme hosted by Freda’s Voice, and the participation rules couldn’t be simpler. You just pick any book you want, flip to page 56 (or 56% for e-readers), and choose a non-spoilery sentence or two to share with the world.
The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg (The Paper Magician Trilogy, Book 1)
From page 56:
Fennel had taken to adventuring downstairs, and Ceony had shoved Jonto’s inanimate bones into a closet in the office and left him there. Now the place seemed… lifeless.
I really enjoyed this book, and it seemed like the perfect Friday 56 pick for this overcast day. Do you have your own Friday 56? Let me know in the comments!
Love Me Tenor by Annabeth Albert (Perfect Harmony, Book 2)
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Release Date: 2/16/2016
He cuddled into Jalen, burrowing against him until they were both under the blankets, Trevor’s head on Jalen’s chest, Jalen’s arms around him.
Not touching. Um. Yeah. That was going to work out well.
I read this in the middle of an Annabeth Albert binge, and I’m so glad I did. Set with the reality TV backdrop of a boy band competition, the writing style is conversational and the contemporary plot of singing and romance will suck you in. It’s a perfect guilty pleasure book that can be read as a standalone or as part of its companion series.
Recommendation: Read this if you love M/M contemporary romance and the goofiness of reality TV talent competitions. Oh, and LOTS of steamy adult scenes…
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(This ARC was generously provided through Net Galley for an honest review.)
For those who don’t know, Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, they post a new theme and everyone is invited to join in! (Note: all book cover images in this post link to that book’s Goodreads page.)
Today’s Theme: Ten Books for Surviving Seattle Rain
This week’s theme is a general freebie, so I decided to go with one that is meaningful to me. While the internet has been bombarding me with posts about the American East Coast’s epic blizzard, I’ve been getting drenched each time I set foot outside (dog walks and uncovered bus stops certainly don’t help). This is about the time of year when the constant wet really wears me down. Thank goodness for good books that help us survive the winter.
Without further ado, if you can’t beat it, join it!
No matter the genre, these books will take you to a place where winter rain isn’t even a blip on the radar.
Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson – For fans of YA contemporary romance – This one features a sunny, pan-American road trip.
Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron – For fans of quirky urban fantasies- The Heartstrikers series will suck you in with its post-magical-invasion-Detroit setting and amazing cast of characters.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik – For fans of fantasy and/or fairy tales – A vivid fantasy featuring a seemingly unstoppable corrupted wood.
Fortune’s Pawn by Rachel Bach – For fans of fast-paced science fiction – This is the start to a really approachable sci fi trilogy with a bit of fantasy on the side.
Venetia by Georgette Heyer – For fans of Regency romances – This one is set in a sunny countryside and is generally lighthearted and goofy.
If you just can’t seem to ignore the rain, these are great books for embracing the foul weather. You can read all about crazy antics in gloomy worlds from the comfort of your own chair, blanket, and hot beverage of your choice.
Sanctum by Sarah Fine – For fans of YA paranormal/fantasy – This fast-paced trilogy is set in a dark, vivid world – no rain, but LOTS of grey.
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn -For fans of Victorian mysteries with a side of romance – This is a fun, quirky murder mystery set in rainy Victorian London.
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan – For fans of historical sci fi/fantasy – As a fictional memoir by the world’s leading dragon naturalist, there are plenty of muddy, wet adventures to be had in this one.
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor – For fans of YA paranormal/fantasy – The dark, mysterious setting of Prague is, hands down, my favorite part of this trilogy.
Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett – For fans of period romance – This is the first book in a paranormal series set in rainy-but-vibrant Roaring Twenties San Francisco.
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What books do you read when the weather gets you down? Link you own TTT in the comments so I can check out your freebie theme!
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn (Lady Julia Grey, Book 1)
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband’s dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.
This story had me hooked from the first line (see above), and while it wasn’t a book that I raced through, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. I loved the Victorian setting, the colorful cast of characters, and Julie Grey’s particular blend of English Gentlewoman and closeted eccentric.
Recommendation: Read this if you enjoy bumbled murder mysteries and slow burn romances set in the Victorian era, especially if you’re looking to dive into a new series. Also give this a shot if you’re a fan of Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series – they share some great qualities.
The Friday 56 is a book meme hosted by Freda’s Voice, and the participation rules couldn’t be simpler. You just pick any book you want, flip to page 56 (or 56% for e-readers), and choose a non-spoilery sentence or two to share with the world.
From page 56:
“I have an idea for a new book. It’s a novel about a beautiful yet sensitive author whose spirit is crushed by her domineering editor. Do you like it?”
For my first Friday 56, I had to go with one of the first books I read after college, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It was a New York Times Bestseller at the time, so a bunch of you have probably already read it. Regardless of whether you have or not, maybe this quote will inspire you to pick it up 🙂
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Do you have your own Friday 56? Let me know in the comments!
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels, Book 1)
My Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
“It’s a reflex. Hear a bell, get food. See an undead, throw a knife. Same thing, really.”
There’s a lot to like about this book: a snarky, kickass heroine, a complex paranormal setting, and a bit of a murder mystery. Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting into it. I’m not sure what the root cause was, but regardless, I’m tempted to try book 2 and give the series another shot.
Recommendation: Read this if you love a hearty paranormal series with a long-term, slow-burn romance.
Have you read any books from Ilona Andrews or the Kate Daniels series? Let me know what you thought in the comments!
Treble Maker by Annabeth Albert (Perfect Harmony, Book 1)
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
The timbre of his voice was like the sea salt caramel sauce Lucas had sampled in Chicago last summer–velvety and smooth caramel, with a classic timeless flavor, but then the pow of the salt–raw, gritty, and one of a kind.
This was such a guilty pleasure read for me! The writing was so-so and there were some formatting issues with the Kindle copy, but the story was upbeat, compelling, and full of steamy, very adult scenes. Overall, I enjoyed it immensely and immediately set out to find more books by Albert.
Recommendation: Definitely read this if you’re a fan of adult M/M contemporary romance, especially if you enjoy reality TV antics and a capella!
Amorous Reads 