Tiger's Voyage (Tiger's Curse Series #3)
by Colleen Houck
453 pages (nook edition)
Short Version: Kelsey, Ren & Kishan continue on the third leg of their quest to break the tiger's free of their curse.
Why I Read It: After reading a few more serious books I needed a break. I wanted a love triangle, some action, and a little fantasy and that is exactly what I got.
The Book: From Goodreads
In the third installment of the Tiger series, Kelsey Hayes pushes through the pain of lost love and strengthens her friendship with Kishan. Despite his strong feelings for her, Kishan has agreed to be her ally in helping her reunite with the man she still loves. Together, they seek to help Ren regain his memory and begin the search for the third magical gift—an object of power that will help break the curse that causes them to live part of their lives as tigers.
They board a luxury yacht and seek Durga's aid once again, who supplies them with her golden weapons. With Nilima, Mr. Kadam, Ren, and Kishan at her side, she soon learns that the task ahead will be even more difficult than the others. Confronting a dark magician, multiple dragons, and terrifying denizens of the deep seems easy when compared to facing the daunting task of stitching up her heart. Just when she thinks she's ready to set her feet on a new path, she is yanked back with a jolt to the one she's determined to leave behind.
The jarring tug-of-war that ensues for Kelsey's heart leaves her anxious and confused. Combined with the stress of almost being killed every other day, it would appear that saving the tigers is almost more than she can handle. Still, she presses on, knowing that a choice is looming on the horizon. One she cannot put off making for long.
Tiger's Voyage is an irresistible romance with a barrage of action on the high seas, where a reader will find a treasure chest full of dragons, sea monsters, knights in shining armor, fabled weapons, and enduring love. The tropic waters of India create the backdrop for the latest installment in the tiger series. This novel, a multicultural take on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale, delves into the complex emotional turmoil and pressure associated with not only making the best choice for a nation but also the best choice for yourself
My Thoughts: I forgot how much I enjoyed this series. These are not the typical books I go for but every now and then a girl needs a break from historical fiction and serious reads. Tiger's Voyage was exactly what I needed. The love triangle between Kelsey, Ren and Kishan pulled me back and forth as I was trying to decide for her. Ren is still at a loss with his memory, yet they make an agreement to be friends again. Kishan and Kelsey are also getting to know each other more as he tries to help her with Ren. I don't want to get too much more into this because I will spoil things. If you are looking for a crazy love triangle to get mixed up in, this is it!
The beginning of Tiger's Voyage was a little slow for me. I'm not really sure what I expected but I felt like they were just going on about Ren not remembering. Everyone was cooped up in the house as they waited to figure out their third quest. I wouldn't have wanted them to just jump into the third adventure per say but I would have somehow gone about the beginning a little different. Once the quest for the third piece, Durga's pearl necklace, to break the curse began it was great. A voyage into the ocean, diving, dragons, under water kingdoms, and Lokesh the evil enemy all add up to make an exciting adventure. Add that love triangle to the mix and you have an amazing book!
Now, the ending- I'm not even sure what to say about this except that I was completely left hanging and now I am counting the days until the next book comes out (157 days until Sept. 4). I somewhat could guess what was going to happen but I was more left hanging on who Kelsey was going to be with. I mean she made a decision but I don't think it was the right one. I want to know if she will change her mind. This is all I'm going to say because, again, I do not want to spoil things.
Overall, this was an amazing read that still has me thinking about it. I can't wait for the next book to come out!
4.5/5 Stars
#4 in 2012 Ebook Challenge
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#2 in Wishlist Challenge
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Beach Music
by Pat Conroy
701 pages (nook edition)
Short Version: Jack McCall moved his life to Rome to escape the hurt of his wife's suicide. When his mother becomes ill he must return to his Southern roots and face his past and all that comes with it.
Why I Read It: A friend of mine recommended this book and insisted I finally read it since I always insist she read some of my favorite books.
The Book: From Goodreads
PAT CONROY, America’s preeminent storyteller, delivers a sweeping novel of lyric intensity and searing truth–the story of Jack McCall, an American expatriate in Rome, scarred by tragedy and betrayal. His desperate desire to find peace after his wife’s suicide draws him into a painful, intimate search for the one haunting secret in his family’s past that can heal his anguished heart.
Spanning three generations and two continents, from the contemporary ruins of the American South to the ancient ruins of Rome, from the unutterable horrors of the Holocaust to the lingering trauma of Vietnam, Beach Music sings with life’s pain and glory. It is another masterpiece in PAT CONROY’S legendary list of beloved novels.
My Thoughts: Picking up this book I knew it was a friend of mine's favorite and it involved historical fiction from the Holocaust to the Vietnam War. When I saw it was 700 hundred pages I was a little surprised, but not deterred. And when it began with the telling of Jack's wife, Shyla, committing suicide I had no idea how this would be historical fiction, but I kept going. This book turned out to be wonderful. Although, I must say I did not fully think "wonderful" until the very end. Throughout most of my reading I thought it was good.
As I sit here writing this review I keep typing and deleting. The book was long with so many back stories that I am not sure how to go about this review. I do not want to get so into detail that I write a review as long as the book. So I think I will tell you just what I liked and disliked and leave it at that.
Likes- I loved all the back stories told. Each character had a past that shaped who they were. These stories were heartbreaking yet written beautifully. Pat Conroy can write some amazing descriptions (so amazing I was brought to tears a couple times and I never cry reading books). These stories are where the historical fiction came in. There were Holocaust stories from numerous characters who had eventually found their way to the South and into Jack McCall's life. The Vietnam War was a part of this book but not in a first person experience. It was more something going on in the background that caused turmoil in the lives of the characters. The book taking place in the South also shaped these characters. It was a part of their life they could not escape no matter how far they went (Rome, New York, Hollywood). I enjoyed reading about their Southern roots and lifestyles. Kind of makes me wish I lived there instead of the Midwest.
I adored Jack's daughter Leah. She was just an amazing 8 year old. So smart and emotionally intelligent. I really enjoyed her relationship with her dad. Jack treated her with respect like an adult, not just a child. He was open and honest with her, even though things may have been upsetting or hurtful to a child.
Dislikes: I don't know that I would call anything in this book a dislike, more just annoyances. Jack's attitude in the beginning drove me nuts. I understand his hurt and his reason for not wanting to be around his wife's family after she committed suicide. However, moving half way around the world and even cutting ties with your own family and friends is a bit much. There was a perfect quote describing Jack that I highlighted with my Nook, only to find out that the Nook will not show your highlights and notes. You must flip page by page to find them. This is a long book and I do not want to flip hundreds of pages to find it. If I do eventually see it I will edit this review. Anyways back on topic here...Although I enjoyed reading all the back stories I really had no idea where this book was going. I knew Jack was trying to explain the meaning of Shyla's death and confront some issues with past friendships, but I did not know how all the stories had to do with that. There was not always a logical order to the stories. Sometimes they would jump from one place to another. However, everything came together in a beautiful ending. All loose ends where tied in the perfect timing. No abrupt endings or wondering what would happen next. I have to say this might be one of the best endings I have read in awhile. The last 150-200 pages of this book were simply amazing.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good book to get into that involves history, Southern charm, family, friendships, love, loss, and a beautiful ending.
4.5/5 Stars
#3 in 2012 Ebook Challenge
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#1 in Wishlist Challenge
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"Beautiful Days: A Bright Young Things Novel"
by Anna Godbersen
234 pages (nook edition)
Short Version: Cordelia & Letty are no longer small town girls; they are New Yorkers. Cordelia tries to live the life her father would have wanted and Letty chases her dream to become a star.
Why I Read It: This is the sequel to "Bright Young Things" so I wanted to see where the story was going to end up.
The Book: From Goodreads
After a month in New York, Cordelia Grey and Letty Larkspur are small-town girls no longer. They spend their afternoons with Astrid Donal at the Greys' lush Long Island estate and their nights in Manhattan's bustling metropolis. But Letty's not content to be a mere socialite. She is ready at last to chase her Broadway dreams - no matter the cost.
Cordelia is still reeling from the death of her father at the hands of Thom Hale, the man she thought she loved. Now she is set to honor Darius Grey's legacy... and take her revenge.
Promised to Cordelia's half brother, Astrid is caught up in a world of dazzling jewels and glittering nights - and the sparkle is blinding. Charlie Grey is a gangster playing a dangerous game; and for Astrid, Cordelia, and Letty, the stakes could be deadly
My Thoughts: I enjoyed this sequel as much as the first book. It was such an easy going read, which is what I need right now. The friendship dynamics were a little different in this book because Cordelia and Letty are friends again, but Cordelia also has Astrid. At times Letty seems to be the odd one out, but she does a great job of lifting herself up and pursuing her dreams of becoming a star. Cordelia seems to learn a lot as well as she follows in her father's footsteps and opens a speakeasy. Astrid never seems to learn much as her and Charlie just continue to be an on-again/off-again couple. However, in the end of the book she has an eye opening experience that checks her into reality. I don't want to spoil the ending but there were times when I felt Godbersen did not make the action seem real. Like when Charlie came to the rescue, he just came in and saved the day with no one to stand in his way or fight him off. It just made what could have been an action scene a little lame.
As I mentioned in my review of "Bright Young Things" I loved reading about this time period. I wish I was in New York with Cordelia, Letty, and Astrid spending my days at the pool or country club and my nights in glamorous dresses at all the fun speakeasies.
4/5 Stars
#2 for 2012 Ebook Challenge
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Bright Young Things
by Anna Godbersen
279 pages (ebook edition w/ bonus material)
Short Version: Cordelia and Letty escape small town life and head to the big city of New York during the Prohibition days. Cordelia is on a mission to find her father she never knew, while Letty hopes to become a star.
Why I Read It: I noticed this ebook on Nook's Facebook page when it was featured as a free ebook for a day. The time period drew me in so I had to try it especially since it cost me nothing!
The Book: From Goodreads
The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties.
Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do "anything" to be a star. . . .
Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined--and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will.
The only person Cordelia can trust is -Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.
Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the -illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall--together and apart. From the "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Luxe" comes an epic new series set in the dizzying last summer of the Jazz Age.
My Thoughts: Although this book took me 3 weeks to read (WAAAAY longer than it should have taken me...it's all work's fault) it was the easy read I was looking for. I was immediately drawn to Cordelia for being brave enough to escape her life in Ohio for something more. She left all she knew behind to find a father she never met. Letty was not as strong of a character to me but I started liking her more as she found her voice and was no longer Cordelia's shadow. I was worried how they would keep Letty involved in the story once her and Cordelia had a falling out and went separate ways. Cordelia makes a new best friend and they remain prominent throughout the story but Letty's story gets put to the back burner a bit. In the end it was all connected and worked out but I had my doubts as I was reading.
I love the time period the book takes place it. It really involved Prohibition and the speakeasies and gangsters of New York. Cordelia's father is a big gangster and of course the boy she falls for is his enemy's son. That created a good amount of drama. I was a bit surprised how things turned out. I won't spoil it but I will say I thought it was going to be the opposite of what happened.
I did not realize this book was part of a series until I finished it and got to the Bonus Material, which was an excerpt from the next book. Because of this the ending is a little open. There is enough closure to finish the book and not be upset but I was wondering what the future for Cordelia, Letty and their new friends and family would be like. Well lucky for me I am now reading the next book...Beautiful Days, so I will be finding out soon!
4/5 Stars
#4 for Mount TBR Reading Challenge
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#1 for 2012 Ebook Challenge
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2012 Ebook Challenge
hosted by: Workaday Reads
I'm signing up for this challenge since I usually read on my Nook. However, lately I've been working on reading everything on my bookshelf so my poor Nook has been abandoned. This challenge will get me to dust off my Nook and get back into reading ebooks.
Here's how it works...
Challenge Guidelines:
- This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012.
- Anyone can join, you don't need to be a blogger. If you don't have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc).
- Any genre or length of book counts, as long as it is in ebook format.
- You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
- When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the E-Book Reading Challenge.
- You can move up levels, but no moving down.
- Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
Levels:
- Floppy disk - 5 ebooks
- CD - 10 ebooks
- DVD - 25 ebooks
- Memory stick - 50 ebooks
- Hard drive - 75 ebooks
- Server - 100 ebooks
- Human brain - 150 ebooks
At the beginning of each month there will be a roundup post for you to add your reviews for that month. If you forget, feel free to add your reviews in the following month. Any reviews submitted will be entered into the draw for that month.
Yes, there will be draws every month for participants. As long as you are signed up below, every review you add to the monthly roundups will get one entry into the giveaway for that month.
There will also be a grand giveaway at the end of the year for eveyone who achieves their goal level (or higher). There may be different prizes for different levels, but that is not decided yet. If you are an author and want to contribute to the monthly or grand prizes, please contact me.
I am pledging the DVD Level of 25 ebooks. I will most likely post my ebooks in the wrap up posts since I never know what I'm going to download from my wishlist to read on my Nook. Thanks for hosting Workaday Reads!
