Ramblings From This Chick

Sunday, October 4, 2015

ARC Review: The Taming of Malcolm Grant by Paula Quinn

The Taming of Malcolm Grant is book four of Paula Quinn’s The MacGregors: Highland Heirs series. It can be read as a stand-alone, I was not aware of the series when I picked up this book and it was just fine reading it. I really enjoyed it. There are mentions of the previous books but not enough to get you lost in the large family but just enough to tease you and tempt you into reading the others or to just refresh your memory if you have read them. Paula Quinn is an excellent writer she really knows how to play with the heart strings. The characters are down to earth and very human; you can really feel for them and their pain and the touch of humor and suspense makes this a very well rounded read.

Emmaline Grey was blinded as a child by a fever that killed her parents and caused her older brother Harry to abandon her in France. Emma was adopted by an old woman who knew the healing herbs and taught Emma. When Emma was grown the old woman was accused of being a witch and killed by the same villagers who she worked so hard to take care of. She was left alone with her seeing-eye dog, Gascon, she decides to leave France and tracks down her brother Harry Grey. She found out he sold the old family house and bought a brothel. As much as it hurt her to be left behind she forgives her brother and wants to work to fix their relationship. After a couple of months living at the brothel taking care of the girls Emma wonders if she made the right choice and tries to come up with a plan to leave.

Malcolm Grant, despite common belief, has given up his wild life style, after seeing his family fall in love and settle down he is ready to find that for himself but before he does he has agreed to take his young brother, Cailean to his favorite brothel to lose his virginity. Cailean is taken with a young woman there, and when the man who purchased her for the night starts to abuse the young woman Cailean steps up to her rescue, and of course to protect his brother Malcolm jumps into the fray. Unfortunately the older brother of the trouble maker is a vicious and heartless and when his brother ends up dead after the fight at the brothel he seeks vengeance. Harry warned Malcolm about messing with the Winther clan but it’s too late.

Malcolm and Cailean are seriously wounded and Harry scared even more of the MacGregors clan than of Winther begs Emma to keep Malcolm and Cailean alive. Malcolm spotted Emma almost as soon as he got there was taken by her beauty and impressed with her ability to do things without the benefit of sight. Even though he dislikes being injured and his brother is not healing as quickly as he should Malcolm likes being the center of Emma’s attention. Winther isn’t willing to believe the lies that Harry told about the highlanders who killed his brother are dead and gone Winther sends his other brother, Sebastian, to the brothel as a spy. Sebastian befriends everyone and gains their trust. Much to Harry’s dismay Malcolm and Emma become very close and Malcolm tells Harry he will be taking Emma with him when he leaves. But as usual there is a betrayal and Emma is kidnapped (twice really) by Winther, can Malcolm make it in time to save her?

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, really any book with a dog as cool as Gascon is going to be a great read. I just may have to look into getting the others; I am definitely looking forward to Cailean’s story next.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

ARC Review: Madame X by Jasinda Wilder

When I started reading Madame X, I didn't know what to think. In the first couple of pages I was thinking, 'what in the entire hell is this book about?' I actually put this book down for weeks before I picked it back up and tried again and boy am i glad I did.

I can't give you a synopsis of the plot like I usually do in reviews because this is the sort of book that nothing is exactly what you expect and telling you anything might spoil everything. So I have to kind of give you snapshots of what is really really awesome about this book. First, the question of WHO Madame X really is travels through the story with the characters and will keep you questioning and second guessing until the last page. Then there is the question of just WHO Caleb is and not just who he is but what is he? The Hero or the Villain or maybe even both.

Jasinda Wilder is one of the most adept authors at building characters that I have ever read. This is not my first book by her and I had forgotten just how good she is at what she does.The characters in this book draw you in, they are complex and full of depth. There is honesty in the interactions of the characters even though they are all surrounded by lies. The book is an exploration in raw want and desire and how that transforms people.

Throughout the book Jasinda weaves the theme of identity. It's not just about who are Madame X and Caleb, there is George, Jonathan, Logan and even Thomas. Every character that enters this story requires another look.

Once I got past my initial impatience, this book was thoroughly compelling. This is one of the books that you cannot and do not just put down, you have to know what happens next. I love this book because Jasinda doesn't take the easy way out in the story. Things are not neat and tidy when the book ends and they shouldn't be because after we know what we know about these characters, that would be disingenuous. I HATE that this is the first book in a series. I'm not the girl who hates serials, but in this case I'm dying to know what happens next and I'm irritated beyond reason that I have to wait to find out. Read this book, thank me later!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Feature and Giveaway: Madame X by Jasinda Wilder

My name is Madame X.

I’m the best at what I do.

And you’d do well to follow my rules...

Hired to transform the uncultured, inept sons of the wealthy and powerful into decisive, confident men, Madame X is a master of the art of control. With a single glance she can cut you down to nothing, or make you feel like a king.

But there is only one man who can claim her body—and her soul.

Undone time and again by his exquisite dominance, X craves and fears his desire in equal measure. And while she longs for a different path, X has never known anything or anyone else—until now...

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Feature and Giveaway: Dark Before the Rising Sun by Laurie McBain

Newly-wed, Lady Rhea Claire and Dante Leighton must return to England, where their reception is anything but warm.

Now armed with wealth and power, Dante is a target for the murderous smugglers who despoiled his family home, while Rhea’s father, the powerful Duke of Camareigh, vehemently rejects their marriage.

The two lovers thought themselves invincible together. But in the riveting conclusion of McBain’s epic trilogy, Dante’s determination to reclaim his family seat and Rhea’s desperation to win over her father threaten to cause an insurmountable rift that could break them apart forever.

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