Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

"When MacKayla's sister is murdered, she leaves a single clue to her death--a cryptic message on Mac's cellphone. Journeying to Ireland in search of answers, Mac is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to master a power she had no idea she posessed--a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of Man, into the dangerou realm of the Fae.

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister's death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, while at the same time, the ruthless V'lane--an immortal Fae who makes sex an addiction for human woman--closes in on her. As the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac's true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book--because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of both worlds in their hands."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Quick review here, as I'm the last one (as usual) to join Moning's Fever party! However, the one thing that makes it extremely beneficial to come so late to a series is there is no wait in between installments -- with the recent release of Shadowfever, I have the complete set in hand and can read them one after another.

Moning's dark and sensual fae world filled with monsters, vampires, and creatures of the night is a big departure for me, and I'm really stepping outside of my comfort zone with this urban fantasy series. In Darkfever, we are introduced to MacKayla (Mac) Lane, a sassy Georgia peach who receives devastating news about her sister Alina in Dublin.....it's terrible to receive news of her death, but it is even more horrible when Mac later hears a panic-stricken voice message from Alina that she left right before she died. She tells Mac that she doesn't know if she can get out of the country, and that someone has been lying to her...she is frightened and they must try to find something before it's too late. Determined to find out details about her sister's death, Mac travels to Ireland on a quest for the truth.

Here's where it gets tricky...you see, Mac has powers she was not aware that she possessed until she arrives in Dublin. The city is inhabited by strange and dark creatures of the evil Fae world that coexist with the human world, and Mac actually sees these creatures as they really are instead of in the human form. She is a sidhe-seer that can see past the false glamour and illusion used by the Fae to deceive humans. She also has the ability to sense when magical objects of power are near. It's all a bit too much at times with silly descriptions of monsters and such, and there's even a sexy fae thrown in, V'lane, that I wouldn't dare tell you what happens when you run into him! You'll just have to take my word for it; he "to die for!" :)

I think the most intriguing part of the storyline is the character of Jericho Barrons, and I kept reading to find out if he was going to be Mac's friend or foe. He is intriguing and mysterious, besides being fabulously good-looking, and pairs up with Mac on her dangerous quest to find her sister's killer and the truth surrounding her cryptic phone message. But is he really helping her, using her, or leading her right into a trap? Their search for the killer involves also seeking the location of a powerful ancient book (a sinsar dubh) of the deadliest of all magic, which if it falls into the wrong hands, it will have devastating implications for all mankind. Hmmmmm.

I'm giving the first installment 2.5/5 stars, knowing the story will develop a more complex plot and the relationship between Barrons and Mac will probably become very interesting. I'm dying to find out what secrets (if any?) Barrons is hiding.


Title: Darkfever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
2006
Bantam Books
347 pages
genre: Urban fantasy/paranormal romance

Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Virtual Book Tour!!!

There's very exciting news for fans of Outlander and Diana Gabaldon! Pump Up Your Book is sponsoring Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Virtual Book Tour beginning February 14, 2011 through March 11, 2011, and Slice of Life is unbelievably honored to be a part of her tour on February 24th!!!!

As some of you may know, Outlander is one of my all-time favorite novels and meeting Diana Gabaldon in person last year was an incredible experience for me. So it is beyond thrilling to know that she will be making Slice of Life one of her stops on her virtual blog tour!

Stay tuned for more details, and hope you will visit Slice of Life on February 24th and be a part of celebrating Diana Gabaldon's Outlander!

Royal Affairs by Leslie Carroll

"Royal Affairs....A Lusty Romp Through The Extramarital Adventures That Rocked The British Monarchy....Insatiable Kings....Lecherous Queens....Kissing Cousins....Wanton Consorts

Royal unions have always been the stuff of scintillating gossip, from the passionate Plantagenets to Henry VIII's alarming head count of wives and mistresses, to the Sapphic crushes of Mary and Anne Stuart, right on up to the scandal-blighted coupling of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Shoved into loveless arranged marriages for political and economic gain, many royals were driven to seek their pleasures outside the marital bed, engaging in delicious flirtations, lurid love letters, ad rampant sex with voluptuous and willing paramours.

This nearly pathological lust made for some of the most titillating scandals in Great Britain's history. Hardly harmless, these affairs disrupted dynastic alliances, endangered lives, and most of all, fed the salacious curiosity of the public for centuries."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

The wonderful Miss Moppet at Misadventures of Moppet is hosting The Royal Mistress Challenge for 2011. This was a challenge that I could not resist and couldn't wait to select some juicy novels to read!

The first book I selected, Royal Affairs by Leslie Carroll, is an informative and entertaining survey of royal love affairs of the British monarchy that I thought would be a great place to start. It is divided into sections by royal houses and monarchs and includes the Angevins, Plantagenets, Lancanster and York, Tudors, Stuarts, Hanovers, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and the Windsors. Although it is a nonfiction selection, Carroll's easy-breezy writing style is witty and makes it feel as though you are sitting with a friend dishing about the latest gossip. I did not read this book through cover to cover; rather, I selected those monarchs that I was most interested in first (I went straight to Charles II) and then jumped around when something caught my attention. It was just enough information on each monarch and their liasons to decide which mistresses I would like to explore further for the Royal Mistress Challenge.

A very fun peek into the scandals and loves of of the Kings and Queens of England.

Leslie Carroll is also the author of Notorious Royal Marriages and the upcoming release of Royal Pains.

4/5 stars




Title: Royal Affairs
Author: Leslie Carroll
2008
New American Library
447 pages
genre: nonfiction; British Royalty

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

"Grace Bradley was just a girl when she began working as a servant at Riverton House. For years, her life was inextricably tied up with the glamorous and eccentric Hartford family's daughters, Hannah and Emmeline. Then, at a glittering society party in the summer of 1924, a young poet shot himself. The only witnesses were Hannah and Emmeline, and only they--and Grace--knew the dark truth.

Many years later, when Grace is living out her last days in a nursing home, she receives a visit from a young director who is making a film about the events of that summer. The director takes Grace back to Riverton House and reawakens her memories of the last days of Edwardian aristocratic privilege, of the vibrant twenties and of a stunning secret that Grace kept all her life."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Another amazing tale of suspense, passion, and devastating family secrets from Kate Morton! I adored her most recent gothic mystery, The Distant Hours, and I couldn't wait to read more from this very talented author. The House at Riverton was another page-turner with layer upon layer of mysteries and secrets revealed until the stunning conclusion. The fact that the story is narrated by ninety-eight-year-old Grace, a former loyal servant at Riverton, as she is spending her final days in a nursing home makes this story exceptionally poignant.

She begins to recount her life experiences as a servant at the house when a movie director aproaches her to interview her for a film that is being produced about an infamous and tragic house party during the summer of 1924...it was supposed to be a glittering society party at Riverton, with a snazzy jazz band and flowing champagne and lovers and dancers floating across the grounds watching the lovely fireworks display....until a gun shot rang out and a well-known poet was dead.

The House at Riverton, much like Upstairs Downstairs or Downton Abbey, is really multiple stories....the life and relationships of the privileged, aristocratic Hartford family, and the interactions and relationships of the dutiful, loyal servants. Marriages of convenience, heirs and inheritance, love affairs,social class, war....Morton masterfully weaves the threads of these stories, keeping the reader in suspense as the aged and fading Grace holds on to the ghosts of her memories and at long last, reveals her final secrets before she takes her last breath.

Stunning! Highly Recommended!



5/5 stars

Title: The House at Riverton (originally published in Australia as The Shifting Fog)
Author: Kate Morton
2006
Simon and Schuster
473 pages
genre: gothic mystery

Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer

The most daring, dashing hero of all....

"Mad Nicholas" to his friends, "Scourge of Spain" to his enemies, Sir Nicholas Beauvallet is one of Queen Elizabeth's most dashing buccaneers and has never been known to resist a challenge.

A Spanish lady all fire and heart....

When Beauvallet captures the galleon carrying Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylvan and her father, he vows to return them safely to the shores of Spain. But he has no sooner done so than he proposes a venture more reckless than any of his exploits on the high seas -- he will return to Spain, where there's a price on his head, and claim Dominica as his bride.
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Beauvallet was such a refreshing change of pace in my Georgette Heyer reading! I have become accustomed to the sweet love stories of debutantes and handsome bachelors in Regency ballrooms, but Beauvallet was a complete surprise from the opening scene:

The deck was a shambles. Men lay dead and dying; there was split
woodwork, a welter of broken mizzen and sagging sail, dust and grime,
and the reek of gunpowder. A ball screamed through the rigging overhead;
another tore the sea into wild foam beneath the galleon's stern....

Sir Nicholas Beauvallet is a larger-than-life figure -- he's a devilishly handsome pirate with a lust for danger and adventure. With his mighty sword and almost superhuman ability to escape harm unscathed, he is feared by many and reviled by those who wish to see this notorious enemy of Spain captured. When a Spanish galleon, the Santa Maria, begins firing upon Beauvallet's ship, he cannot refuse the challenge and within a very short time has boarded the Santa Maria and taken down most of the crew. To the Beauvallet's delight, on board he finds the breathtakingly beautiful Dona Dominica and her ailing father. She is a spitfire, and the Beauvallet gets a little more than he bargained for when he attempts to introduce himself. She boldly meets this pirate head on and brazenly steals his dagger in an attempt to fight him off. Her courage and beauty intrigues and delights him, and from the moment he lays eyes on her, he knew he wanted nothing more than for her to be his. As the days pass on the voyage, Dominca finds it hard to resist the devilish charm of this notorious pirate.

After returning Dominica and her father back to Spain in a daring and dangerous maneuver, Beauvallet, the enemy of Spain, makes a promise to Dominica..."I will come for you before the year is out." What are the odds that he will succeed in this foolish promise?

An action-packed love story, filled with intrigue and plotting at the the Spanish court of King Philip during the Inquisition, in Heyer's signature dramatic and witty style. A keeper!

This completes the first book for the Georgette Heyer Reading Challenge at All Things Historical Fiction.

5/5 stars

Title: Beauvallet
Author: Georgette Heyer
Publisher: Sourcebooks 2010
(original copyright 1929)
301 pages
genre: historical romance

Karen Marie Moning in New Orleans

The "Moniacs" are in town, (as fans of Karen Marie Moning are called) and from what I've heard on tv and in the papers, they're having a great time here in N.O. while they anxiously wait to get their hands on the latest book in the Fever series, Shadowfever. There was a terrific article on Karen and her books in the newspaper, and this morning she stopped in at a local news show to do an interview. (I wouldn't have recognized her with her shorter hair style!) Click here for the newspaper article.



Wish I could attend her book signing events at the LaPavillon Hotel, but that's not to be. (I'd like her to sign one of my copies of her Highlander books.) If I see any news about her Launch Party, I'll pass it along.

Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron

"On a visit to the estate of her friend the young and beautiful Isobel Payne, Countess of Scargrave, Jane bears witness to a tragedy. Isobel's husband --a gentleman of mature years--is felled by a mysterious and agonizing ailment. The Earl's death seems a cruel blow of fate for the newly married Isobel. Yet the bereaved widow soon finds that it's only the beginning of her misfortune...as she receives a sinister missive accusing her and the Earl's nephew of adultry--and murder. Desperately afraid that the letter will expose her to the worst sort of scandal, Isobel begs Jane for help. And Jane finds herself embroiled in a perilous investigation that will soon have her following a trail of clues that leads all the way to Newgate Prison and the House of Lords--a trail that may well place Jane's own person in the gravest jeopardy."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen mystery series is a very clever and unique fictional portrayal of the beloved author as sleuth where she uses her keen observation skills and sharp intellect to examine the criminal mind and solve mysteries. The world learns of these previously unknown experiences when hidden boxes of Jane's journals which chronicle her detecting adventures are discovered during a renovation project of a distant relative's home in 1995. As the manuscripts are edited for publication, we learn of Jane's first experience with murder and mayhem in Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor.

The year is 1802 and Jane has just accepted and rejected the marriage proposal of Harris Biggs-Wither. During this difficult period, Austen receives an invitation from a friend, Isobel Payne, the Countess of Scargrave, to attend a wedding ball and spend Christmas at Scargrave Manor. Welcoming a diversion, Jane accepts the invitation to spend time with her friend and her new husband, only to find herself supporting Isobel as her husband, Frederick, Lord Scargrave, dies an agonizing death. Soon after the death, Isobel begins to receive mysterious letters accusing her of murdering her husband and branding her an adulteress. Desperate for help, Isobel turns to her strong and sensible friend, Jane. Examining the backgrounds and motives of a cast of characters associated with the newlyweds, Jane begins her quest to find out the truth about Lord Scargrave's death and determine who has evil plans that involve murder and deceit.

My impressions of this first mystery? A bit stilted and tedious at first, and it took a while to get into the rhythm and flow of the language, but it did eventually pick up the pace. I enjoyed the authentic details of the period and Barron's attention to historical accuracy. Footnotes are inserted throughout the "manuscript" to expand upon historical details and terms, and I found these very helpful. Fans of cozy mysteries and Jane enthusiasts will be entertained by Barron's portrayal of Austen as a detective while staying true to the Austen style and spirit.

This completes the first mystery for the Austenprose Being a Jane Austen Mystery Challenge.

3.5/5 stars

Title: Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor
Author: Stephanie Barron
Bantam Dell Publishers
1996
289 pages
Genre: historical mystery

Bride of the MacHugh by Jan Cox Speas

"This is the story of Elspeth Lamond and the MacHugh.

Elspeth is a provocative and feminine lass who lived in a turbulent time in Scotland’s history, a period crowded with romance, intrigue, battles and characters that are memorable for their vitality and charm, their lust, strength and willfulness. Alexander MacHugh was head of one of Scotland’s mightiest clans when the rebellious Highlanders rallied around the MacDonald banner. He was a man of massive will but gravely courteous demeanor, and he clashed with Elspeth at every encounter, his will pitted against hers, neither of them willing to surrender to an irresistible attraction.

It was early in the seventeenth century in Scotland, and the men and women who lived, loved and fought then were no less stormy and unpredictable than the violent events which caught them up and determined their fates. In these pages you will meet the corrupt and ambitious Earl of Argyll, Elspeth’s wily guardian, who epitomizes an insatiable greed for power and wealth; Kate MacLaughlan, the beautiful and treacherous redhead, whose passion for Alexander MacHugh would stop at nothing for fulfillment; Gavin, the grim and mysterious youth with a scar across his cheek; Elspeth’s half-sister, Jeanie Lamond, as fair and fresh as a May morning, and of course, the many brave and gallant Scottish rebels, led by the MacDonalds, who harried the Campbells and would not be subdued by England.

It seemed just another day when Elspeth Lamond rode into the wild and untameable hills and moors of the Highlands on a quiet mission from London, but within a few hours she was a captive riding in the rain toward an unknown destination. From the day of her abduction by a band of rough horsemen till the day she fled the thick walls of her guardian’s castle, Elspeth’s fate was irrevocably linked with the Lamonds and with their friend, the MacHugh, whose name reverberates through these pages with the vigor of a clash of arms."
(from the original 1954 publication)

my thoughts:

What a rare gem! This tale originally published in 1954 had everything I like in a book...warring Scottish clans, intrigue, adventure, deceit, secrets, a larger-than-life Laird, the MacHugh, and the courageous Elspeth.

Elspeth is Scottish by birth but is being raised in England as a ward of King James. She makes a promise on her mother's death to travel to Scotland to meet her father, Robert Lamond, whom she's never known. She arrives is Scotland under the protection of her guardian, the powerful Earl of Argyll. Her arrival quickly takes a turn when she is abducted and set on an unknown journey...

I enjoyed the author's vivid descriptions of the cold and rugged Scottish lands, the castles and battlements, and the myriad of interesting historical details that proved Ms. Speas had the gift to make you experience events as if you are "right there." Fans of Susanna Kearsley's writing will feel right at home with Jan Cox Speas' books...there is romance, but it's subtle and discreet, set within the context of an historical setting and political intrigue.

I mentioned in a previous post that Sourcebooks will be reissuing three of the books by Jan Cox Speas, which is great; my concern is that the covers may be sending the wrong message. To me, (and this is strictly my opinion) they give the impression that the story is heavy on romance, and that is only a part of the story. I hope readers who enjoy historical fiction will give these reissued books a chance.

The original 1954 cover of Bride of the Machugh:



Sourcebooks 2011 edition of Bride of the MacHugh:



I'm very much looking forward to reading My Love, My Enemy and My Lord Monleigh.

4/5 stars

Title: Bride of the MacHugh
Author: Jan Cox Speas
copyright: 1954
Avon
312 pages
historical fiction/historical romance
1978 printing

Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise

A Tale of Unchartered Love on the Seas.....
"In this enchanting and highly original retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett sets out for the new world aboard the grand ship Pemberley's Promise. She's prepared for an uneventful voyage until a chance encounter with the handsome, taciturn Mr. Darcy turns her world upside down.

But the perils of their ocean voyage pale in comparison to the harsh reality of society's rules that threaten their chance at happiness. When they return to the lavish halls of England, will their love survive?"
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise was a very pleasant surprise. I haven't read too many Pride and Prejudice-inspired novels, but only a few that I have read have been charming and original enough to stay on my keeper shelf. (The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James and Monica Fairview's The Other Mr. Darcy) Darcy's Voyage joins the ranks of well-written retellings of P&P featuring the lovely Elizabeth Bennett with her shining eyes and the handsome and enigmatic Mr. Darcy.

The story is based on the chance meeting between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in a public carriage ride. (Darcy's carriage needs repairs and he is forced to hire a carriage which he shares with Elizabeth.) During the course of their stilted and uncomfortable small talk, each does not make a very good impression on the other. However, each is struck by something unique about the other, and they go their separate ways.

Two years later, they have another chance encounter, this time aboard Darcy's ship, Pemberley's Promise, as they set sail for America, each with their own separate purposes. I adored this part of the story as it vividly described the harsh and meager existence aboard ship, and realistically portrayed the daily hardships of sickness and tedium, especially for those traveling in steerage as Elizabeth was. Meanwhile, Darcy is annoyed at the contstant pursuit of the young ladies and mothers on board who are anxious to make his acquaintance. When Elizabeth becomes seriously ill during the voyage, Mr. Darcy devises a plan to help her become isolated from the other sick passengers for a better chance at recovery, and he hopes also to put a stop to the fawning young ladies...just what this plan is, and all the complications and intrigue that develop, is the delightful tale of Darcy's Voyage. A charming love story for Regency fans.

**Note: This book was originally published as Pemberley's Promise.
4/5 stars

Title: Darcy's Voyage
Author: Kara Louise
2010
Sourcebooks
503 pages
genre: historical romance

Upcoming Releases & Masterpiece Classics

There are lots of newsworthy posts in the book world that have me very excited for some upcoming releases.

First, Deanna Raybourn has revealed her new cover for the fifth installment of the Lady Julia Grey series, The Dark Enquiry, scheduled to be released this summer. It is already available for preorder.



Next, a recent post by Sheila Lamb on Historical Novel Review highlighted an author that I had planned on exploring this year. After reading Susanna Kearsley's website, she highly recommended the historical fiction books by Jan Cox Speas and mentioned that she was one of her favorite authors. Speas's historical romance books were published in the 1950's and '60's and were very popular for their vivid descriptions of the historical settings (England, Scotland, America, etc.) They are titled My Love, My Enemy.....Bride of MacHugh(I'm currently reading this one).....and My Lord Monleigh. Danielle at Sourcebooks communicated to me that Sourcebooks Casablanca Classics has plans to reissue all three this year! My Love, My Enemy in February, Bride of the MacHugh in June, and My Lord Monleigh in September.

Here are the original 1960's covers as they look in my collection (which I purchased from ebay sources)... if you click on each title, you will go to the Goodreads summary.



My Love, My Enemy


Bride of the MacHugh


My Lord Monleigh

Lastly, if you are a fan of period dramas (that would be me!), Downton Abbey is scheduled to air in the US on PBS beginning January 9. "A stately country house, a noble family, and a succession crisis.....Downton Abbey is an Edwardian spellbinder of a glittering bygone era."



Enjoy!

Looking Back and Looking Ahead at Slice of Life

I love new beginnings.....a chance to start fresh, begin again, make things better and improve the way I'm already doing things. Here at Slice of Life, I keep things very simple and hopefully my readers find content that is interesting, informative, and entertaining. I am not a reviewer and generally don't accept ARC's unless it is a request that I simply cannot resist.....I just love books, particularly those set in the past, and read whatever appeals to me. It doesn't matter if it's the latest buzz in the book world or an obscure oldie-but-goodie from fifty or a hundred years ago..... it's all good.

I thought it would be fun to take a look back at the activity on my blog from this past year and highlight a few notable books, posts, and events. So here's to the hits
(and a few misses) at Slice of Life in 2010:

The Year's Most Popular Blog Post: Murder Most Royal by Jean Plaidy (It's the post that consistently gets tons of hits every day for months and months...with no sign of stopping. The people want Plaidy! Give them more Plaidy!!)

The Post I Had the Most Fun Writing: Bibliomania Day (Thanks to Kim --aka The Queen Bee-- for tagging me and giving me this opportunity to examine my love of reading -- and to expose my chubby 2-year-old thighs!)

The Silliest Post: Oh, Yeah? Who Says Girls Can't Write?! (I don't know if anyone else found this Bronte sister video funny, but it cracks me up....especially the lace around the ankles of the "Brontesaurus." Take that, you narrow-minded cur!)

The Post that Made Me Cringe to Write: Soulles by Gail Carriger (I dislike being negative, but I also want to be honest in my reactions to books. This popular book was just not my cup of tea, as you will see. But I hasten to add that others loved it!)

The Post I Can't Believe I Wrote: Author Highlights! Meeting Diana Gabaldon, Lauren Willig, and Stephanie Barron (Yep! It's still pretty surreal that I actually got to meet and talk to such fabulous authors!)

The "What Was I Thinking?" Post: Murder on the Cliffs by Joanna Challis (I adored the cover of this novel and thought the concept of Daphne Du Maurier as sleuth was clever....but the writing, oh, the writing! It was just.....gawd awful! And I actually gave this book 3 stars! What was I thinking? Have you seen this book anywhere in the blogosphere? I didn't think so. I should have rated it a 1.)

Best Musical Video Post: The Year of the Pink Carnation (I just love a Sharp Dressed Man, especially in knee breeches!)

The "I Hope I Did It Justice" Post: The Distant Hours by Kate Morton (This was such a terrific book with a complex and unusual plot! Really was difficult to write about such a multi-layered story...I hope I did it justice! I really want people to read this book.)

Favorite Book to Movie Post: Forever Amber: From Novel to Film by Gary Smith (I had a blast writing about my favorite naughty minx from Forever Amber--one of my all-time favorites.)

*********

So, here to looking forward to many good things ahead in the new year..... The Jane Austen Mysteries Challenge, The Royal Mistress Challenge, The Georgette Heyer Challenge, historical romance selections from the AAR Top 100 Romance list, fabulous historical fiction, and a few surprises.

Thank you to all who visit my blog and my loyal followers. I truly appreciate your comments and feedback and hope that you always feel welcome here. I'm wishing you a year filled with good health, happiness, peace, and lots of great reading!