The Queen of Swords by R. S. Belcher

Series: Golgotha #3
364 p.
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 6/27/17
Source: From publisher for review

1870. Maude Stapleton, late of Golgotha, Nevada, is a respectable widow raising a daughter on her own. Few know that Maude belongs to an ancient order of assassins, the Daughters of Lilith, and is as well the great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Anne Bonney, the legendary female pirate.

Leaving Golgotha in search of her daughter Constance, who has been taken from her, Maude travels to Charleston, South Carolina, only to find herself caught in the middle of a secret war between the Daughters of Lilith and their ancestral enemies, the monstrous Sons of Typhon. To save Constance, whose prophetic gifts are sought by both cults, Maude must follow in the footsteps of Anne Bonney as she embarks on a perilous voyage that will ultimately lead her to a lost city of bones in the heart of Africa—and the Father of All Monsters.

My thoughts:

I haven't read the first two in the series and judging by the book I thought it was an offshoot series. It is not, but firmly a part of a series. I was not lost as I think Anne Bonney and her descendants take center stage in this one but not center in the other books. I enjoyed it as much as I thought I would but it made me crave more of Anne Bonney's story and I think I'll get some of it when I go back to read the other books in the series. Tor, if you are listening... I'd love to read those other books... *hint* 😉

This story flits back and forth between timelines. The time is stamped on each chapter but even if you didn't pay attention to it, you would not be lost. In this instance Anne's story is more of a supportive role to tell Maude's story but she doesn't take the back seat. In fact, I think she may have stole the show... but it fits her character well.

The weakest parts were with the Sons of Typhon and with Typhon himself. He doesn't quite make my most feared villains but perhaps that is because I haven't read the other stories. He lacked depth but I'm not real sure that bothers me. He was a good backdrop and a reason for the tale we got and I really wanted more of Anne and the sisters of Lilith and that background story.

I give this book 4 stars. While I think you could dive into this one as I did and not be lost, be prepared to want more of Anne's story. I have a feeling you'll be wanting either her own book all to herself or at least the other books in this series. I want both. I recommend it to those that enjoy fantasy and pirates you would sail with around the world.

⚔

The House of the Four Winds by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory

Series: One Dozen Daughters #1
304p.
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 8/5/14
Source: From publisher for review

The rulers of tiny, impoverished Swansgaard have twelve daughters and one son. While the prince’s future is assured, his twelve sisters must find their own fortunes. 

Disguising herself as Clarence, a sailor, Princess Clarice intends to work her way to the New World. When the crew rebels, Clarice/Clarence, an expert with rapier and dagger, sides with the handsome navigator, Dominick, and kills the cruel captain. 

Dominick leads the now-outlawed crew in search of treasure in the secret pirate haven known as The House of Four Winds. They encounter the sorceress Shamal, who claims Dominick for her own—but Clarice has fallen hard for Dominick and won’t give him up without a fight.

Full of swashbuckling adventure, buoyant magic, and irrepressible charm,The House of the Four Winds is a lighthearted fantasy romp by a pair of bestselling writers.

My thoughts:
 The book starts out where I think they all will, at Swansgaard. A king has too many daughters and not enough in the coffers for dowries. However, they are a progressive household and teach their daughters as if they were men. Knowledge in what they might need to rule one day and the ability to go into a chosen trade. This is the first story of the oldest who sets out to make her mark as a swordsmaster (or mistress) but needs adventure and worldly experience to make her true mark on the world.

I loved the way this started out. I enjoyed seeing women being able to be the equal of men and an ability to pursue it. Clarice isn't a fool either and I enjoyed seeing a woman able to take care of herself and not be cheated along the way. She did disguise herself as a man to gain passage and safety since even in this world men respected men more than women. There is magic for those that can afford spells and Clarice is apt at identifying spelled objects. This serves her well in the coming voyage.

My biggest complaints about the story is that the romance isn't fully fleshed out. In fact it happens rather quickly and as a side note. Granted you see Clarice fall in increments for Dominick, but for his part he falls for her as soon as he knows that she really isn't a Clarence. It just didn't feel romantic. I also feel that Clarice seemed to be a bit demoted in her abilities once her gender is revealed. I expected it from the crew, but she also seemed to personify someone a bit more meek in the end. It isn't obvious, so it may not bug others as it did me. Still, it really ended being a small niggle since it happened at the very end.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. While not without it's flaws I still had a fun time on the adventure with Clarice. I love the cover and I really want to read about all 12 daughters. I recommend this book to those that enjoy fantasy, swashbuckling with a bit of magic thrown in. :)

Bloggy note:

I'm also over at Melissa My World in Words and Pages for her blogoversary celebration. Check out my post HERE about some of my fave UF books I've read in the past year and also check out the various posts and prizes!

Talk Like a Pirate! Arrr!

My review partner, AimeeKay is involved in a bloggy event surrounding the Talk Like A Pirate Day on the 19th! Go HERE to get the schedule and find fun posts and giveaways for the week. Have fun and don't let the parrots bite (Johnny Depp is another matter... *wink*)!

Blog Tour: The Emblazoned Red by Dawn McCullough White

236p.
Publisher: Claypipe Press
Available: Now
Source: ebook from Kismet

Once, in another world—a dark world, the world of Faetta—there lived paladins and pirates, tyrants and scallywags, vampires and the undead. In this world a revolution is brewing. The royalty of Sieunes are in chains, and those priests and paladins who follow the holy word of the gods are under attack. In the west, the kingdom of Kellerhald receives the fleeing priests in their temples of the paladins of Silvius, god of the Sky.

Here, a young woman has just passed her tests to become a paladin. A pirate crew raids along the Azez Sea. An undead creature, wielding great power, roams the graveyard of Yetta. And a lost soul, crying out from beyond the veil, seeks out a pure hearted warrior to hear its plea.

Amid the turmoil of the revolution, Ilka’s mettle is tested. Rescued by pirates, she ends up with an unlikely ally: the pirate captain himself. The newly trained paladin finds herself collaborating with the undead, working with a vampire, and worst of all, longing for revenge against the man who has ignited the revolution in Sieunes: Francois Mond.

Death of an Innocent. Rise of a Paladin.

My thoughts:
 I found this an odd combination of several genres. One was fantasy where a young woman is a warrior in a religion is thrust between politics and her beliefs. Another was a sort of historical romance where she is found by a pirate captain who intrigues her. Last, there is a vampire who lives in the world she is sworn to protect. Yes, it is an odd combination, but I don't shy away from odd. I've read books where these worlds are woven into one another but I have to say that this one isn't quite successful. It feels as if each of those genres are plunked down into the world instead of seamlessly blended within.

I did enjoy Ilka. She is someone who was born to privilege but finds the simple life much more appealing. She is happy in her station and even defies those that have a sense of what they feel is right for another. She does not let others dictate her place in life nor her wants and needs. I do like a character like that. I also liked the pirate Nate, but still found him oddly placed within this world. So, I had a bit of a problem with the romance, but nothing that I couldn't just ignore when reading.

I give this book 3 stars. It is an odd combination of worlds that are placed together, but that might be just what some people are wanting. It does make it a bit different than your usual read and I am curious as to what happens next. Especially since you are left wanting! :)

About Dawn McCullough White - Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Dawn McCullough White is known for her strong female protagonists, and gritty dark fantasy.

Ms. McCullough-White has lived the majority of her life in and around Rochester, NY with a brief stint in Tucson, AZ. She is pursuing a degree in psychology at R.I.T. Dawn is a history buff and was a member of the Society of Creative Anachronism for years, active as a heavy weapons fighter. She currently resides with her husband and son in a quaint neighborhood next to an old cemetery.

Check out the other reviews for this tour HERE!

Other Oceans (Hook and Jill Saga #2) by Andrea Jones

2nd book in Hook and Jill series
640p.
Publisher: Reginetta Press
Source: Book from author for review

"Identify the weapon, and use it first." Such is the code of Captain James Hook, in this lyrical sequel to Hook & Jill. And this time, the turmoil begins not with 'The Boy' — but with a girl. 

Ten days out of Neverbay, Hook and Jill capture a ship's surgeon, pressing him to join the Roger. But Doctor Hanover is a gentleman, with a daughter to defend. When Red-Handed Jill shows him favor, his heart is taken prisoner, too. Hanover contrives to deliver Jill from the pirate king, and redeem her to society… as his wife. 

But Captain Hook is impossible to escape. Other rivals contend for Jill's red hand, and Hook fights for supremacy with his skill and brilliance. When the doctor's daughter draws Hook's eye, she emulates Jill, using feminine weapons to charm him. 

With no word of farewell, Hook vanishes, and Jill is a queen without a king. To hold Hook's power, she must come to terms with each of the dangerous men in her domain. When a challenger seizes command of the Roger — and over Jill — Hook and Jill's dominion will be overthrown unless, as Hook has taught Jill to do, she can identify the weapon…and wield it wickedly.

Other Oceans is an unabashed study in loyalty, vibrant with the dynamics of power. From the pen of a masterful crafter, Book Two of the Hook & Jill Saga delivers all the exhilaration that a clash of wills, hearts, and fortune can arouse.

I read and reviewed Hook and Jill, the first book in the saga and absolutely loved it. I've recommended the book to people several times as well. When I saw that this book was out, I read the blurb and became quite worried. What? Is she going to mess with my couple? No! Does Hook go off with someone? I just didn't know if I could take the separation of the two. Silly? Perhaps, but those of us who love characters just don't want them to be separated in a horrible way. Plus, the man on the cover isn't Hook! So, I admit I didn't ask for the book for review, but every time I saw the cover, I considered it. I just didn't think I would like it... until... the author contacted me about reviewing the book. I didn't hesitate and said yes... despite whatever the outcome would be... *sigh*

So, did I like it? Well, let me put it to you this way... about 200 pages in I knew that 600+ pages wouldn't be enough for me. I knew I'd want more. I was right. I was enthralled with this book. I can't say I didn't want to put it down. In fact, I did that... a lot. Why? Well, you know when you get upset with a character and just slam the book to take a second? Of course then I couldn't stop thinking about it and picked it up a couple of hours later (fine, in all honesty it was probably more like 5 minutes later). Also, with a good book, I want to make it last. I try to keep myself from reading too much all at once, but although it helped, the book still ended way too quickly for me. No cliffies... don't want to give that impression... I just wanted more of the saga after it was done.

Ugh... what else can I say? This is hard. I want to discuss characters so badly, but I'm afraid I'd spoil things and this book is too much fun to do that. I will say that even when you are sure of someone's loyalty, you end up questioning it. Usually you know, but it wasn't always so clear cut for me as the reader. I loved that. I did question some of Jill's attraction to some of the men. But she is young yet and perhaps that is why she is attracted to some things she should question more fully with herself. Still, Jill did not disappoint me in the end and I loved how she out maneuvered most of the men in her company. I could go on and even want to point out some things that I have thought about from a psychological point of view, but then again, I think it could spoil things if not for this book, but for those that have not read the first book.

I give this book a 5. This is not a children's story, but an adult retelling. This series is to be read in order. I wouldn't have you miss the first one anyway. That was fun and this one was an adventure from cover to cover. Btw, is Other Islands out yet? ;) (Psst... no date has been set, but I want already!)

The Wake of the Bloody Angel (Eddie LaCrosse #4) by Alex Bledsoe

Twenty years ago, a barmaid in a harbor town fell for a young sailor who turned pirate to make his fortune. But what truly became of Black Edward Tew remains a mystery—one that has just fallen into the lap of freelance sword jockey Eddie LaCrosse. 

For years, Eddie has kept his office above Angelina’s tavern, so when Angelina herself asks him to find out what happened to the dashing pirate who stole her heart, he can hardly say no—even though the trail is two decades old. Some say Black Edward and his ship, The Bloody Angel, went to bottom of the sea, taking with it a king’s fortune in treasure. Others say he rules a wealthy, secret pirate kingdom. And a few believe he still sails under a ghostly flag with a crew of the damned. 

To find the truth, and earn his twenty-five gold pieces a day, Eddie must take to sea in the company of a former pirate queen in search of the infamous Black Edward Tew…and his even more legendary treasure.

When I received this book I had no idea it was part of a series and #4. However, after reading Mel's review from Mel's Random Reviews, I discovered that I would have no problems in coming in the middle of a series (not that it ever stopped me before...). She was absolutely right. I had no problems with this book which can be read as a stand a lone.

Although this is a fantasy book, I would suggest this to people who love mysteries. Someone wanting to try something a bit different, but want that mystery to solve. That is how this read to me. A mystery set in a time with pirates and sword wielding. It was a fun adventure that had me guessing as to what happened and what was going on.

My biggest complaint is that they might have been a bit too accurate with the pirate hygiene. I have Johnny Depp dancing in my head... smelling quite nice. I want my pirates roguish with lots of deodorant. Okay so that isn't how it was... but that is why it's fantasy! Can't swoon when you have to hold your nose. Wait... I guess you can, but it's just not the same. ;)

I give this book 4 stars. And in all seriousness, I really suggest those that want to try a fantasy try this one. Those that want a different type of mystery try it. I also have to say you won't be lost even for a second even though this is #4. I do want to read the rest of the books in this series. Not because I feel like I missed important information, but because I want more adventures with Eddie.

I received this book from Tor and no compensation for my review was given.

Hook and Jill by Andrea Jones

From the book: Wendy Darling learns. What appears to be good may prove otherwise, and what seems to be evil…is irresistible.

 In this startling new vision of a cultural classic, Wendy intends to live happily ever after with Peter Pan. But Time, like this tale, behaves in a most unsettling way.

As Wendy mothers the Lost Boys in Neverland, they thrive on adventure. She struggles to keep her boys safe from the Island's many hazards, but she finds a more subtle threat encroaching from an unexpected quarter…The children are growing up, and only Peter knows the punishment.

Yet in the inky edges of the Island, the tales Wendy tells to the Lost Boys come true. Captain Hook is real, and even the Wonderful Boy can't defend his Wendy against this menace. Hook is a master manipulator, devising vengeance for his maiming. Insidious and seductive, Hook has his reasons for tempting Wendy to grow up.

Revenge is only the first.

This book is basically a retelling of the familiar Peter Pan tale. Andrea Jones takes the old play with it's sketched out characters and forms a beautiful and colorful painting of fully formed characters. You really get to know them in a more intimate way than ever before. These characters and the truth of Neverland bring you in and hold you with it's own magic. I had a hard time putting this book down.

If you were like me, I never fell in love with the original Peter Pan story, but did enjoy it's possibilities. I always had questions about the characters and all the questions I might have had were finally answered with a few surprises thrown in. How could Captain Hook, with his intelligent and ruthless ways fall prey time and again to a boy's whim? If Peter has become more faerie than boy, then why isn't he more like the faerie in attitude? These and many other questions I've always had are indeed answered with satisfaction. I also loved the surprises which just engaged me even further into the story.

This was such fun to read. It is also part of a series with "Other Oceans" listed as the next book. I seriously can't wait to go back to the adult version of Neverland. And if you haven't guess yet if I recommend this book... oh, that would be a resounding YES!

I would like to thank Riane A. Herihy from Publishing Works for sending me this book for review. I'd also like to mention that this book recently won the "Mother's Choice Award for Adult Fiction" Congratulations!

I was just informed that the company is offering a 20% discount on their books. The one I reviewed would be a great choice, seriously. Enjoy!

This book was provided free of any obligation by Publishing Works, Inc. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

Publishing Works was launched in 2003 as an independent press specializing in regional titles. Since then, the company has grown dramatically to embody a list of titles that spans diverse genres, age levels, and subject matter. Please visit them at their website, www.publishingworks.com, or view their catalog for a complete list of titles.

To purchase this book or any other book published by Publishing Works, visit their online store here. At checkout, include the Coupon Code BLOG for a 20% DISCOUNT, courtesy of Publishing Works, Inc. and their continued support of book blogging! Happy reading!