Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Series: Outlander #2
947 p.
Publisher: Bantam Dell
Published: 8/7/01
Source: TBR pile

With her now-classic novel Outlander, Diana Gabaldon introduced two unforgettable characters — Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser—delighting readers with a story of adventure and love that spanned two centuries. Now Gabaldon returns to that extraordinary time and place in this vivid, powerful follow-up to Outlander.... 

For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland’s majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones ... about a love that transcends the boundaries of time ... and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his.... 

Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire’s spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart ... in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising ... and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves...

My thoughts:
Okay, I've been enjoying the show Outlander on Stars network from the beginning. I had read the book and from what I remembered they stayed pretty close to the book as possible. I wanted to get a head start on the next book before they came back for the next season (I've seen pics of Jaimie... rawr!)

The story starts out not at all like I expect it and was quite upset. I don't want to say why, but fans who haven't read this one will be upset as well. We then get to where we left off from the last book and we find out what happened. This is a remembrance through Clair's eyes and we go back and forth from that memory to the present. I will say though... the upset part finally makes sense in the end and so I forgive the author. LOL

This book is much more political than the first book. I can see people loving or hating that aspect but it makes sense. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. There are a few paranormal aspects to some of the areas of the book. While I did find this enjoyable and interesting it also didn't feel "natural" to the storyline. It just didn't quite flow with me no matter how interesting it was.

In the end I give this book 3 stars. While I loved the first book, I wasn't taken by the political intrigue of this one. I did like the development of the characters and I do look forward to the next book to see what else is in store for our favorite characters as well as a few new ones who were just introduced in this book.

Tempted by Fire by Erin Kellison

Series: Dragons of Bloodfire #1
Published: 7/13/15
Publisher: Fire Flower Publishing
Part of the Dark and Damaged Box Set
Source: From author for review

A powerful dragon shifter has waited six hundred years to avenge the loss of his family, but the beautiful mediator sent to prevent violence among the Bloodkin doesn’t want to be his key to discovering the murderer—in fact, she wants nothing to do with dragons at all...Erin Kellison's story in the Dark and Damaged box set 

A powerful dragon shifter has waited six hundred years to avenge the loss of his family, but the beautiful mediator sent to prevent violence among the Bloodkin doesn’t want to be his key to discovering the murderer—in fact, she wants nothing to do with dragons at all...

My thoughts:

This was part of the Dark and Damaged set when it first came out. I has just recently come out as a single now. All I have to say to that is if the other stories are as good as this one, the set is one great bargain!

Since this was a pretty quick read, I wasn't expecting the romance to really capture me. It did! I really got a feel for Emerson and Thane. It is also set in an interesting world where shifters are known but dragon shifters are still considered myth. A archeological find changes that view and brings Thane out of hiding. The world is still a mystery since we don't know everything about it by the end of the book but we know there are vampires to go with the mythos.

The romance was surprising. I didn't like Thane at first but he really grew on both me and Emerson. I liked the makeshift family both had so the secondary characters also shined here. The only frustrating part I had also was about the secondary characters. Not a bad frustration but I just wanted to know more about them. You know it is coming in the series but I wanna know now! :) There was also some frustration about not knowing more about this world as I stated above. However, as we follow these characters, I have no doubt more of the world will be revealed.

I still think this was a great start to the series and I give this one 4 1/2 stars. It is a great dragon shifter book with great characters and more to come!

Buy links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1CF1eYd

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1So5yMY

Amazon Ca: http://amzn.to/1O7u5VE

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1HvPshy

B&N: http://bit.ly/1f5jDCg

iBooks: http://apple.co/1K7id58

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1I2QG5i

Blog Tour: When the Crows Fly Low by V. J. Patterson

Standalone
374 p.
Published: April 18, 2015
Publisher: CreateSpace
Source: Candace's Book Blog Promotions

Goodreads | Amazon

When the crows fly low…rain is coming.

At eleven-years-old, Will Lawson discovers that Hell isn’t just a place for demons. It exists on earth in an act so evil it rips away a part of his innocent soul. In its place; bitterness, hate and a vow for revenge.

Consumed by darkness, Will descends into a life of reckless living; booze and women the outlet for his guilt and despair. But meeting Sarah a beautiful young woman running from her own ghosts, changes everything. Finding his salvation in her, Will wades into the unfamiliar waters of love. Just when happiness is within his grasp, a familiar face returns to Will’s hometown of Doyle, Tennessee. A wicked twist of fate forces Will to decide between the girl he loves and his need for revenge. Is love enough to save Will from the darkness that endeavors to unravel his sanity?

In this debut romantic drama, When the Crows Fly Low weaves a story full of suspense, loss, and love. It is sure to stay with the reader long after the final page.

My thoughts:

 From the beginning, you can tell you are going to get a romance which is bittersweet. You know the ending at the start so you travel back in time through a letter explaining what was felt and regrets at what could have been. You follow the story of the enigmatic Will Lawson from his most important impactful memory to his last. It is his letter to his lost love that sets the stage.

While many of you know I hate to cry, I really didn't until the end. It was an interesting journey with how decisions made in the moment reverberate throughout one's life. You don't just get Will's telling but you also get Sarah since she is the one reading and remembering. Both made decisions that they either regretted but stood by and took responsibility.

This bittersweet tale ends as expected but I have to say that my admiration for Sarah soared. Both were set with the decision to live or exist. She chose to live.

I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to those that love a bittersweet love story.

About the Author:

V.J Patterson lives in Tennessee with her husband and two children. She grew up listening to her grandfather’s stories, one of which inspired her first novel, When the Crows Fly Low.

Author Online: Amazon | Facebook | Twitter @vjpatterson33

GIVEAWAY 

The author will be giving away $25 Gift Card (INT) and signed copy of “When the Crows Fly Low” (U.S.) to the winners of the below Rafflecopter. The giveaway ends July 28th.

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TOUR PAGE

Please check out the Tour Page - for schedule and more information.

Cover Reveal: GAIA by Karen Ann Hopkins

Another great cover from Jenny, Seedlings Design!

Gaia 
Series: Wings of War #2
by Karen Ann Hopkins
Goodreads link

Watchers and Angels are at war. Which side will Ember choose? 

As the apocalypse draws near, Demons are becoming bolder and Watchers are joining forces to fight them. But the Watchers have their own agenda, one that defies Biblical scripture. They don’t want the rapture to happen, making them enemies of the Celestial Host. 

Against her own better judgment and an impassioned plea from a higher being, Embers stays true to her first mentor, seeking out a powerful earth Watcher to continue her supernatural lessons. Ember has had a glimpse into the future and knows what’s coming. She is being forced to develop her powers as quickly as possible, to fight the dark forces that are spreading across the earth. Heaven’s sentinels have abandoned their posts to prepare for war. And the walls between the planes of existence are weakening. But who can Ember trust? Her guardian and lover is a Demon. Her best friend is a growler. And her mentor is a psychopath. Humankind is on the precipice; at the end of times. As Ember struggles with morality, she soon discovers that there’s something more frightening than anything she’s faced before.

Jenny does wonderful work, doesn't she! I love it!

Don't forget the first book in the series available now (Jenny also designed that cover too):

Goodreads

Amazon

For more info about Gaia and the Wings of War series go to the Tour Page

About Karen Ann Hopkins:
Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter
Website
Facebook Fan Page

Karen Ann Hopkins resides in northern Kentucky with her family on a farm that boasts a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats. Karen's main job is home schooling the kids, but she finds time to give riding lessons, coach a youth equestrian drill team, and of course, write. She was inspired to create her first book, Temptation, by the Amish community she lived in. The experiential knowledge she gained through her interactions with her neighbors drove her to create the story of the star-crossed lovers, Rose and Noah.

Karen grew up about a mile from Lake Ontario in Upstate New York. She was bitten by the horse bug at the age of five, and after diligently taking riding lessons for several years, was rewarded with her first horse when she turned eleven. The feisty horse's name was Lady, a Quarter Horse-Thoroughbred cross, who became Karen's steadfast companion. Through the years, the constant force in her life was horses. Eventually, she found her place as a riding instructor herself. Before accepting her fate in the barnyard, she worked a short stint as a paralegal, traveled abroad, and guided tourists on horseback riding tours in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Karen is currently working on her Amish mystery series, Serenity's Plain Secrets, along with the YA paranormal/fantasy series, The Wings of War. Karen is also excited to announce the Temptation series has been optioned for TV by Pilgrim Studios and is available on Audible. More books in the Temptation series are in the works.

Giveaway Info:

One lucky winner will receive a $25 gift card (Amazon, B&N, iTunes), and three winners will each receive a paperback copy of EMBERS (book one)! Please enter via the Rafflecopter form. Giveaway is open internationally.

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How I Listen to Audiobooks

I know a lot of people want to get into audiobooks but just don't know where to start or how to do it. It takes a lot of time we don't have and most cannot understand how you can listen to a audiobook and not fall asleep. Well, Felicia from the Geeky Blogger made a great "Guide to Loving Audiobooks". It is a perfect read and also something I really can't add to but to bring my personal experience. 

My first foray into audiobooks was on a long trip when I was a teen. I was traveling with a cousin and we decided to try audiobooks in-between the music. Mostly because we don't agree on music but we have book genres in common. It was mostly Harry Potter but we also tried a dog book. We were both surprised that it helped make the time go faster. Now when I have more than an hour of travel, I usually do an audiobook. Easy way to eat up time and get your book in without being arrested for reading and driving.

My other way of doing audiobooks is crafting. I've been doing a lot of sewing lately. It is one way to get something creative done and is fun. I can listen to my audio while I craft and I've been really enjoying it. Here are some of the things I've gotten done while audiobooking and crafting:

I have made leashes in the past but found fun ribbon webbing and HAD to make these. I also made some scarves and my boy got a coat (he has such thin short hair) for the winter he actually asks to be put on. The back on the coat sasy "Free Kisses" in case you were wondering. All embroidery is from Urban Threads. The coat was designed by my mom and myself.

I started to get into creating purses (I'm not a clothing sewer unless you count dog coats.. LOL).

I've made some small bags in the past but these ones were more structured. The middle bag is called a Dottie and I made it to be my lunch bag. :) It's like a mini bowling bag. I also made my mom that top left bag for mom's day. The bottom right one is my bag and the one that drew me to these patterns. The other one is a tote with a kindle purse and the others are actually wallets that can double as wristlets. These are fun, look great and aren't hard at all. I would say some sewing ability is needed but not much. You also learn a lot with these bags and the instructions are clear. Goto Swoon Patterns if you are interested. There are even a couple of free patterns there if you just want to try it out.

My other favorite pattern place is Emmaline Patterns. I've made a Necessary Clutch Wallet that has numerous card slots, pockets and space for your phone. You can use it as a clutch or just as a wallet. I've made a couple of the full size ones and the people I gave it to love them. I also made a smaller version (the bubble one) which is mine. I may have to make more of these as well. The last one is called a Butterfly sling which is like a bigger and flatter version of the wallet. I showed this purse to someone and already have them begging me for one. LOL The wallets are a bit harder than the other bags (the sling is pretty easy, however) but an adventurous beginner or intermediate sewer can whip one up easily. There are tutorials on the web and youtube to make it easier.

Well, these are the things I do when I listen to audio. It helps the crafting go faster and the crafting helps the audio keep my attention. I've gotten a few new patterns I'm about to try out which is good because I have new audios I want to try out! :)

So, do you have suggestions on how to audio?