While Beauty Slept by Elizabeth Blackwell

Standalone
432p.
Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam
Published: Available Now
Source: From NetGalley and publisher for review

A beautiful princess lies in a sleep so deep it is close to death. Was Sleeping Beauty revived by a prince's kiss? What really happened in that tower so long ago?

While Beauty Slept re-imagines the legend through the lens of historical fiction, telling the story as if it really happened. A Gothic tale of suspense and ambition, love and loss, it interweaves the story of a royal family and the servants who see behind the glamorous facade, following the journey of a young woman as she lives out a destiny that leads her to the brink of death.

My thoughts:
This is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty (the Disney version). However, this is a bit different than the retellings we are used to getting. Usually there is a mix of what kind of magic or in a different magical place, however, this retelling is a "what if" kind. What if there was a real historical story behind Sleeping Beauty? What if all the magic is taken out of it and was substituted with real life historical problems?

We see this story through the eyes of Elise a girl who was raised on a farm but later went to the castle to make her own fortune. We follow her trials and her growth into a powerful woman. She was favored by the queen and in her journey became a lady in waiting. We also see everything about the royals through her eyes. The witch, who did seem to have magical powers-- but was really the power of suggestion and ambition mixed with a bit of insanity-- was really the king's own sister denied the throne because she was a woman. There was a curse and a bid for power, but it all happened within the confines of a historical setting.

There are times in which we would be brought out of the story by Elsie to remind us that it is a recollection. This was strategically done to amp up our anxiety at the outcome. The reminding is made to keep you at the edge of your seat waiting for the final battle you know would be gruesome and harsh. The final battle did not disappoint.

There is a twist at the end and one I enjoyed. It isn't completely a wondrous HEA, but one that satisfies and makes sense. I recommend this book to those that love historical fiction or retellings. For those that don't typically like retellings, this one might be the one to try since it is set more as historical fiction. I give the book 4 stars.

Throwback Thursday: The Resurrectionist

Meme hosted by Melissa My World in Words and Pages. It's about books that are already on the shelves and are waiting to be read. Go to her website to join in!

My submission:

The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black
by E.B. Hudspeth

Philadelphia, the late 1870s. A city of gas lamps, cobblestone streets, and horse-drawn carriages—and home to the controversial surgeon Dr. Spencer Black. The son of a grave robber, young Dr. Black studies at Philadelphia’s esteemed Academy of Medicine, where he develops an unconventional hypothesis: What if the world’s most celebrated mythological beasts—mermaids, minotaurs, and satyrs—were in fact the evolutionary ancestors of humankind?

The Resurrectionist offers two extraordinary books in one. The first is a fictional biography of Dr. Spencer Black, from a childhood spent exhuming corpses through his medical training, his travels with carnivals, and the mysterious disappearance at the end of his life. The second book is Black’s magnum opus: The Codex Extinct Animalia, a Gray’s Anatomy for mythological beasts—dragons, centaurs, Pegasus, Cerberus—all rendered in meticulously detailed anatomical illustrations. You need only look at these images to realize they are the work of a madman. The Resurrectionist tells his story.

I won this one and I admit, I'm more curious about the drawings than the story.

Any good illustrated books on your tbr? 

Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting

Series: Clipped Wings #1
400p.
Published: March 4, 2014
Publisher: Gallery Books
Source: Edelweiss and publisher for review

An emotional love story that follows the touch-and-go relationship of Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts. 

As Hayden and Tenley navigate their newfound but slightly unstable relationship, they want to trust each other, but Hayden is hiding a dark and shameful past that he doesn't ever want Tenley to find out about. And Tenley has secrets of her own that could make Hayden run away forever. When Tenley asks Hayden to put a beautifully elaborate tattoo across her back, the two form what they thought was an unshakeable bond. But when Tenley's past shows up on her doorstep, will Hayden stand by her side...or run?

My thoughts:
Oh a contemporary romance! I don't often read these, but it has an element I usually gravitate toward.... creativity! The creative elements in this story is tattooing and drawing. Something artsy is usually an element that will draw me in.

This is a story about Hayden and Tenley. Both have been through horrific experiences that have clouded the way they see themselves. Tenley's is much fresher than Hayden's experience, but both have been hurting in some way. Both don't want to reveal themselves to the other in fear that the information will alter the other's perspective. Within the grip of what they have it helps loosen up their resolve and small parts of their horror present themselves to each other. Not always on their time table or in the time of their choosing. Yes, there is angst and drama, but it doesn't feel too drawn out into becoming annoying.

I did have a few red flags when it came to Hayden's behavior. He was quick to anger. It was uncontrollable at times and even Hayden was surprised at the level and swiftness. He also had problems with not being able to control his environment. He expressed it mostly in hating clutter, but it also seemed to leak onto other people. So someone who hates a lack of control and is quick to anger... not to  mention a unhealthy dose of obsession... in the real world could spell trouble. However, in the fictitious world, everything is fine and he just needs to calm down.

So other than the red flag, I was curious as to how these two would eventually come together and all would be right in the world. I was also interested in the length of the book in getting there. It wasn't bad, but I kept being surprised we wouldn't get to certain parts until later. This helped to not give it an insta-love vibe, but I also thought it could have been paired down and edited a bit to really get the book being tight. Still, it did keep my interest.

So, I was reading away when...

Yep, pretty much how I felt. The book didn't just stop at a cliffie... it threw you off that cliff and you didn't even know it. I even thought my ereader got stuck and didn't get the last pages. I had to check to see to make sure I didn't get a bad copy or something. That almost made me give this book a 1 star. I really REALLY hate that. Not only that, I didn't really see the story into being more than a standalone. However, I'll be kind and rate the rest of the book. So, I give this book 2 stars. I recommend it to those that love two broken people coming together but I warn you that you aren't missing the rest of the book... it's just not there.

Top Off Tuesday: A Most Devilish Rogue

"Every once in awhile there are covers that just make you say Oh My! Sometimes it is good, sometimes it is bad, and sometimes it is head scratching. The point of Top Off Tuesday is to show you the ones with their Tops Off! Seriously y’all hunting out Top Off Tuesday covers is one of my favorite pastimes and you should join the fun!" ~from the Geeky Blogger

I have been enjoying this meme on Felicia's The Geeky Blogger's blog and have finally found some time to join in. The other players are Amanda from On a Book Bender, Christi from Smitten with Reading. Button made by Missie at The Unread Reader

My submission:

A Most Devilish Rogue
by Ashlyn Macnamara
384p.
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Available Now

Fans who adore Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Sabrina Jeffries will savor Ashlyn Macnamara’s sensual new novel, which proves that two hearts are better than one. 

Years ago, when Isabelle Mears was still a young miss too infatuated to know better, she surrendered her innocence to a dishonorable man. Though ruined and cast out from society, she has worked hard to shelter her illegitimate son, Jack. Having sworn off men in her quiet but dignified life, Isabelle is unprepared for the deep longing that rips through her when a handsome stranger rescues her rambunctious six-year-old from the pounding ocean surf. 

George Upperton is a man in trouble with debts, women, and a meddling family. He is, by all accounts, the last gentleman on earth Isabelle should be drawn to. But loneliness is a hard mistress, and caution gives way to desire . . . even though Isabelle is convinced that happiness can’t be found in the arms of such a devilish rogue. Only when Jack is kidnapped does Isabelle discover the true depth of George’s devotion—and how far a good man will go to fight for the woman whose love is all that matters.

Okay, sorry Felicia... no nips, but (heh) still thought this would work in a ToT post. ;)

So any bad title placed books you have for your ToT?  :)

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead Blog Tour

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Author: Patricia Eimer

Series: Speak of the Devil #3
EBook: 368 pages
Release Date: February 24, 2014
ISBN: 978-1622661183
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Not Even Death Keeps a Good Demoness Down 

There’s never an end to the crazy when you’re demon spawn. Not that Faith Bettincourt’s complaining. She’s been patching things up with her angelic on-again off-again boyfriend, Matt, and her best-friend-turned-sister-in-law is soon giving birth to the Anti-Christ Part Deux. Oh, and Faith is saving kids from Death in her pediatric unit one soul at a time. Life is good. 

Until Faith accidentally runs over the Angel of Death and is forced to take his place. Now she’s taking lives instead of saving them. Which is kind of a problem when you’re a nurse. As if that weren’t bad enough, she is suddenly thrust into the worst scenario of them all--Matt’s ex Brenda is back, and she’s brought the Apocalypse with her. 

Faith’s not about to give up the world...or her man. But when the chips are down, what’s a demoness supposed to do? Besides take matters into her own hands, of course.

Excerpt 3

“Why won’t you let us be together?” Matt asked.

“Why? Because I’m a demon and you’re the Supreme Leader of the Angale. Any sane person would know that means there is a huge line dividing us and we can’t breach it. That hallway up there is our version of the Berlin Wall. Why can’t you see it?”

“Because I’m in love with you.” He grabbed my face, pulling me close. He pressed his lips against mine and the entire world fell away, letting me get lost in the feel of home. He wrapped his arms around my back and pulled me into his lap.

“Don’t do this to us,” he said against my mouth and my resolve began to crumble. “Don’t ruin what we are because you’re afraid. Trust me. I won’t let you get hurt.”

“I can’t,” I said before he kissed me again, silencing my protests. I wanted to. Alpha protect me from harm I wanted to make it work between us. I wanted to be in love and maybe get married and I wanted to be the one annoying Lisa with what it was like to have morning sickness, which terrified me more than everything else combined. I wanted all those things that mortal women my age wanted and I couldn’t have them. I wasn’t stupid. I knew what happened when someone like me tried to overreach. People ended up dead or suffering or trapped in a life they never intended.

“Yes you can.” He pulled my face down, kissing my eyelids and running his fingers over the contours of my cheeks. “You can trust me with everything, Faith. I won’t let you get hurt. Believe in me.” I did believe in him. That was the problem. I believed in how good he could be. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. The problem was, I knew what I was. What I could do and how it would destroy him one day.

About Patricia:

Patricia Eimer is a small-town girl fated to be a storyteller. After a stint of "thinking practically," she earned degrees in Business and Economics, but her passion has always been a good book. She lives in Pittsburgh with her two kids and a husband who learned the art of frozen pizza to give her more time to write. When she’s not writing she can be found fencing or arguing with her dogs about plot points. Most days the beagle wins, but the dalmatian is a close second. She’s a distant third.

Website /Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Bargain!

Book 1 LUCK OF THE 

DEVIL and book 3 BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD are 99 cents for a 

limited time on all eBook platforms!

Giveaway!

Giveaway Details:

5 bundles of an ebook copy of Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead with any other Entangled ebook released at the same time -- Covet, Suspense, etc. To enter just fill out the rafflecopter form below. Also, since they are ebooks, the giveaway is international! The giveaway is sponsored by the tour.