The One Where I Review Manor of Secrets

Manor of Secrets 
by Katherine Longshore
Pages: 320
Source: Netgalley
Format: eARC

Goodreads Synopsis:

The year is 1911. And at The Manor, nothing is as it seems . . .

Lady Charlotte Edmonds: Beautiful, wealthy, and sheltered, Charlotte feels suffocated by the strictures of upper-crust society. She longs to see the world beyond The Manor, to seek out high adventure. And most of all, romance. 

Janie Seward: Fiery, hardworking, and clever, Janie knows she can be more than just a kitchen maid. But she isn't sure she possesses the courage -- or the means -- to break free and follow her passions.

Both Charlotte and Janie are ready for change. As their paths overlap in the gilded hallways and dark corridors of The Manor, rules are broken and secrets are revealed. Secrets that will alter the course of their lives. . . forever.

Not all is as it seems at the Manor.

Lady Charlotte is wealthy, available, and incredibly bored.

Janie is hardworking, determined, and just trying to keep her job.

What happens when you put this two young ladies together?

Scandals and secrets! That's what happens! And it is so much fun.

The early 1900s saw the separation of the classes where interactions were discouraged. Servants were not to be seen nor heard by those of the upper class. However, Lady Charlotte has different plans. She's tired of having to stick to the social norms and get married to a boring lord and have children and sew all day. She wants adventure and to do things that may not be socially acceptable, especially where a handsome and completely off-limits footman is involved.

Enter Janie, a hard-working girl with a fiery streak. She has the relative freedom that Charlotte so desires. The two strike up a friendship in spite of every social norm saying otherwise. While things don't always go quite as smoothly as they may like, this is a story of true friendship and sticking up for your friends no matter what. This is a story that questions the social "norms" and what it means to be a woman or servant in this time.

Perhaps the one thing I loved most about this book, besides the unlikely and wonderful friendship, is the fact that the characters are not at all what they seem. Some characters care more about what society thinks than remaining true to friends. Others may seem to stick to societies social norms because they think that is what the other person expects, all while hiding their true thoughts and feelings. This book truly shows that you can't judge someone based on the outside or based on their social standing. Everyone is hiding secrets and it takes kindness and heart to have them open up. And some of those secrets are BIG ones. This book definitely throws quite a few curveballs at you!

Short and Sweet:

 This is a wonderful historical-fiction about what it means to be true friends. It's a book that looks at social norms and tests the boundaries. It's full of secrets and gossipy goodness and characters that aren't always who they seem. While I'm not one to usually compare books, this feels like an episode right out of Downton Abbey and it is absolutely wonderful.

                           

Read More

ARC April

While I was perusing the updates for Octavia's Series Challenge that I'm participating in, I saw that she is also hosting an ARC April challenge and thought "why not?". 

In all honesty, I'm awful at keeping up with ARCs. When I request them I'm all giddy and excited, but I'm also a feelings reader. I have to be in the mood. However, the publisher's gave me this opportunity to read their books and spread the word, an opportunity based on my request, so I know that I need to keep up with them. While I'm all for reading books you enjoy, not just ARCs because you feel guilty, sometimes I just need that good kick in the rear to remind me that I asked for these books for a reason. At the time I thought they were interesting and intriguing, so I need to give them a chance.

So, this April, I'm going to put some ARCs higher on my (towering) TBR list. Some that I'm excited about and interested in, but they just got pushed back because I'm always buying new books (I regret nothing). So, here is my list of books I hope to read this April:

Current read:

Lady Thief (Scarlet #2)

by A.C. Gaughen

   While having a somewhat rocky start, this book is shaping up to be awesome! I'm 76% done with it and eager to find more time to read and finish this book. I MUST KNOW THE SECRET (even though I'm pretty sure I already know)! 

The Queen's Choice (Heirs of Chrior)

by Cayla Kluver

    I admit, I'm a bit nervous. I don't believe I've ever has such a love/hate relationship with a series as I've had with Kluver's previous series (Legacy). I loved the phenomenal secondary characters and the plot, but boy did I want to throttle Alera for her utter stupidity. I still haven't finished the second book because I'm terrified of where I think it's heading and I don't really care to throw my Kindle into a wall, mostly because that means I'll have to pay for a new one with money I don't have. However, for all my ranting, I did still like the plot of her previous series (though I've yet to finish it so who actually knows), so I'm willing to read a book by her again. I just hope she's learned her lesson and keeps the details to a minimum.

Manor of Secrets 

by Katherine Longshore

    I actually rather enjoyed Longshore's previous novel Gilt. Historical fiction? Sign me up. So I requested this book with high hopes. I'm somewhat hesitant based on some not-so-rave reviews, but I'm willing to give it a try. 

Sworn to Raise (Courtlight #1)

by Terah Edun

     I hate to say this, but I'm not quite sure why I requested this one. I'm kind of interested I suppose, but this is also a "she's the chosen one and the only person to save the world" type of book. Those are hit or miss. Unfortunately, the semi-low rating on Goodreads isn't really helping its case...

Camelot Burning (Metal and Lace #1)

by Kathryn Rose

   Guys, I'm pretty excited about this one! Look at the cover!! Camelot is literally burning! Which means action and war! Also, Arthurian legends? Awesome. Magic? Yes please. Roguish knights?!? SOLD! 

Read More

Thinking Through Thursday (5)

Welcome to another "Thinking Through Thursday"! This is a post I write (or try to) every Thursday in which I discuss various bookish goodness. 

This week's discussion is

ARCS/REVIEW BOOKS:

THE GOOD AND THE BAD

The Good:

They're free! Well, at least for us readers. And come one. Who doesn't want a free book? You'd be crazy to turn that down! So you get a free book and all you have to do is write a review? Sign me up! I absolutely love getting books from authors and publishers, not only because they are free, but that means that they like what I do. It makes me feel special XD And one great thing about ARCS is the fact that you get to read books before others! Yeah, I'm totally bragging here. I hate waiting. Actually, I'm pretty patient normally, but when it comes to books that don't come out for months and months and months, it gets tedious. So it's a lot of fun to be able to get books before they come out and get the word spread around. (P.S. Thanks to all those who sent me ARCs/Review copies!) 

The Bad: 

Time limits suck. Especially for those like me that are not organized. At all. I like to try and read ARCs and review them before they come out, but my Netgalley list is through the roof! There is no way I can read and review them all before their release dates, no matter how hard I try. I'm human. Sue me. The same with review books. I looooove getting review books because I know that these authors are giving me a book and hoping that I'll spread the word around and it's nice to know they trust me. But it's hard. I read because I like to read. I started blogging because I wanted to spread my love of books. ARCs and review books were kind of an added bonus. But to be honest, sometimes getting ARCs and Review books make my job more tedious than fun and it can make me feel rushed. Don't get me wrong, I love having this opportunity, I've just got to learn to limit my amount. There are soo many books out there that I want to read, but I usually give ARCs and reviews priority, but sometimes thats hard, especially if I'm only reading it to read it before its release date, not because I'm actually in the mood to read it.

I picked this topic today because I'll be revising by Review Policy. I will no longer take review requests (at this time) except perhaps for blog tours. All ARCs I receive will be due to my request from the publisher, Netgalley, ect. I'm doing this only because I feel like this gets to be more of a job than a hobby. I want to review books, but I also want to have fun while doing it. And I have so many older books that are on my TBR that I need to get around to reading also. Most ARCs will be through Netgalley.

So what about my fellow bloggers out there? Any advice you can give me? Any organizational tools would be greatly appreciated XD 

All the best ♥

Read More

Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould

Cross My Heart
by Sasha Gould
Pages: 262
Release Date: March 13, 2012
Source: Netgalley
Format: Ebook


Rating: I liked it


Goodreads Synopsis: 
When 16-year-old Laura della Scala learns that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned, she is given no time to grieve. Instead, Laura's father removes her from the convent where he forcibly sent her years earlier and orders her to marry Beatrice's fiancé, a repulsive old merchant named Vincenzo. Panicked, Laura betrays a powerful man to earn her way into the Segreta, a shadowy society of women who deal in only one currency—secrets. The Segreta seems like the answer to Laura's prayers. The day after she joins their ranks, Vincenzo is publicly humiliated and conveniently exiled. Soon, however, Laura begins to suspect that her sister's death was not a tragic accident but a cold-blooded murder—one that might involve the Segreta and the women she has come to trust.


My Review:

In a city of secrets, what is yours worth?

     
That is the sentence that first drew me to this book. Secrets? Maybe its the gossip lover in me, but that sounds fascinating. 


Cover Love:


I am totally loving the cover. It gorgeous and fits the book perfectly! The mask of Venice, the sinister smoke, its just beautiful. 

Beauty Abounds:

One aspect of this book that really drew me in was the author’s beautiful and enticing descriptions. It has been a while since I’ve been to Venice, but her language brought all of those images back to me. Venice truly is a beautiful city and I can only imagine how beautiful it must have been then with all the masquerade balls and glittering dresses. 

Not much character love:

I liked Laura well enough, but she wasn’t memorable. As I’m writing this, I don’t even really remember much of her personality! Don’t get me wrong, I liked her, just wasn’t saying “Go Laura!” throughout the book. I guess indifferent is a good word to describe my feelings towards her.

But I did like Giacomo. He’s not seen very much throughout the book but Laura’s descriptions of him made me swoon a bit. It wasn't so much he himself that made him intriguing, but how Laura describes him. And he’s Italian…so he’s automatically pretty hot. However, as with Laura, I can’t remember his personality too much except that he was kind and always had humor in his eyes. Now, grant it, I am writing this review almost 2 weeks after I read it, but most books can still resonate with me that long afterwards.

Engaging Plot:

While I was indifferent to the main character, the plot was very intriguing. With the death of her sister, she will now be set to marry her sister’s fiancée, someone she doesn’t love. In order to get out of the marriage she meets with a secret society of women, the Segreta, who help her in situation. However, there is always a price to be paid.

I love secret societies. If the description mentions it, I’m almost guaranteed to give it a shot. And this one was interesting. I like that it was a way of female empowerment. While men may lead the society of Venice on the outside, the women truly lead it behind the scenes. Their secrets and gossiping ways are what rule this society. Make the wrong person mad and your status plummets. Scandalous, isn’t it? I love scandal ;)

Well…I wasn’t expecting that:

While the plot was still interesting, I wasn’t….in love with it. Yes, it kept me interested and I wanted to know what happened I just wasn’t “OMG WHATS GONNA HAPPEN?!?!”. This plot had a more subdued feel to it. However, at the end was when I was like “What?!”. I'll be honest, I didn't really know who was the "villain" here. However, the "villain" was not even someone that was on my list of possibilities! And because of this twist, I ended up enjoying it a lot more. I must say that I was indeed shocked! Also, the whole thing with Giacomo surprised me to! I love when a book has twists or shocking reveals. 

Overall:

Cross My Heart is a beautifully written story that takes place in the heart of Venice. The descriptive writing ensnares you in its beauty and culture. While I didn’t fall in love with the characters, it was the twists in the story that really drew my attention.

People that will enjoy it:

Those that like a more subdued feel to a book, light historical fiction (as in not a ton a scandal or intrigue, just some), and beautiful writing language. 

All the best,

Read More

Grave Mercy ARC giveaway from Tales of the Ravenous Reader!

Hey y'all! Guess what?!? Nancy from Tales of the Ravenous Reader is giving away a signed ARC of Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin) by Robin LaFevers! 

GoodReads Synopsis: 
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?




Woot! And guess what else? This just happens to be the book I featured on a previous Waiting on Wednesday so you can bet that I'm signing up :) If y'all want to answer for a chance to win, click here. Good luck :)

Read More