Book Review / Aphrodite's Tears by Hannah Fielding

In Hannah Fielding’s latest novel a young archaeologist who travels to the remote island of Helios to investigate an ancient shipwreck, becomes caught in a web of dark obsession, mystery and seduction.

In ancient Greece, one of the twelve labours of Hercules was to bring back a golden apple from the Garden of Hesperides. To archaeologist Oriel Anderson, joining a team of Greek divers on the island of Helios seems like the golden apple of her dreams.

Yet the dream becomes a nightmare when she meets the devilish owner of the island, Damian Theodorakis. In shocked recognition, she is flooded with the memory of a romantic night in a stranger’s arms, six summers ago. A very different man stands before her now, and Oriel senses that the sardonic Greek autocrat is hell-bent on playing a cat and mouse game with her.

As they cross swords and passions mount, Oriel is aware that malevolent eyes watch her from the shadows. Dark rumours are whispered about the Theodorakis family. What dangers lie in Helios: a bewitching land where ancient rituals are still enacted to appease the gods, young men risk their lives in the treacherous depths of the Ionian Sea, and the volatile earth can erupt at any moment?

Will Oriel find the hidden treasures she seeks? Or will Damian’s tragic past catch up with them, threatening to engulf them both?

Published:  1st January 2018   

Publisher:  London Wall Publishing

Goodreads : Click Here

Series or Stand-Alone:  Stand-Alone

Source:  Bought

MY REVIEW

What I liked about this story...  I have now read the majority of this author's novels and have loved each and every one of them.  With this one, like the others, I was swept away from the very start of the book.   For me, it has to be the romance in this story with Oriel and Damien.   So beautiful and the attraction builds as you go through the novel, not too fast but also not too slow!  There's also the history of the island of Helios in Greece and the mystery of what history surrounds the island.  There's nothing better than a mix of both historical mystery and romance.  

What I did not like with this story...  Absolutely nothing.  Loved this story.

Would I recommend? Absolutely!  If you love a bit of romance and historic mysteries you need to pick this up!

Book Review / Masters of Death by Olivie Blake

From Olivie Blake, the New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six comes Masters of Death, a story about vampires, ghosts, and death itself!

Viola Marek is a struggling real estate agent, and a vampire. But her biggest problem currently is that the house she needs to sell is haunted. The ghost haunting the house has been murdered, and until he can solve the mystery of how he died, he refuses to move on.

Fox D’Mora is a medium, and though is also most-definitely a shameless fraud, he isn’t entirely without his uses—seeing as he’s actually the godson of Death.

When Viola seeks out Fox to help her with her ghost-infested mansion, he becomes inextricably involved in a quest that neither he nor Vi expects (or wants). But with the help of an unruly poltergeist, a demonic personal trainer, a sharp-voiced angel, a love-stricken reaper, and a few high-functioning creatures, Vi and Fox soon discover the difference between a mysterious lost love and an annoying dead body isn’t nearly as distinct as they thought.

Published:  30th January 2018   

Publisher:  Tor

Goodreads : Click Here

Series or Stand-Alone:  Stand-Alone

Source:  Bought

MY REVIEW

What I liked about this story... The writing.  Definitely!  A lot of the books I've read are quick easy reads so its nice to pick up something I can get stuck into with a slower pace and the style of writing that you really do need to pay attention and absorb slowly to really enjoy.   Just as much as I like a fast faced thriller, I love a slow paced story too. 

What I didn't like about this story...  With this story I struggled a bit with the plot somewhere around the middle.  Honestly, I lost interest a bit but as the writing was so good I kept with it and it was worth it as it was a good story.  

Would I recommend?  If you like a slow paced story, one that you can sit and enjoy over a long period of hours and days, this is a good one to pick up.  I will certainly be picking up more books by this author.  

Trilogy Review / Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I've gotten what I came for.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map―the key to a legendary treasure trove―seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

In Daughter of the Pirate King, author Tricia Levenseller blends action, adventure, romance, and a little bit of magic into a thrilling pirate tale.

Published:  28 Feb 2017 (Book 1)  

                    27 Feb 2018 (Book 2) and    

                    1 Nov 2023 (Book 3)
Publisher:  Pushkin
Goodreads : Click Here
Series or Stand-Alone:  Series
Source:  Bought

MY REVIEW

What I liked about this trilogy...  This is a story that I would not normally have picked up, but was bought for me as a present.  This was such a fun trilogy to read.  This is young adult so, for me, I found it very predictable and easy to read.  However, I had a really fun time following the journey Alosa takes throughout this series.  I particularly liked how the story unfolded within each book, especially when you get to more the middle and last book in this trilogy where you learn a lot more about the hidden treasure.

What I did not like about this trilogy...  I would have loved to have been surprised a lot more and have a few twists that I never saw coming.  

Would I recommend?   I would but don't go into this story thinking that is is going to be anything deep or complicated.  This is a fun trilogy to read and enjoy.