Book Review: Chivalrous

Author: Dina L. Sleiman
Publication Date: September 8, 2015
Publisher: Bethany House
Series: Valiant Hearts # 2

Strong and adventurous Gwendolyn Barnes longs to be a knight like her chivalrous brothers. However, that is not an option for her, not even in the Arthurian-inspired Eden where she dwells. Her parents view her only as a marriage pawn, and her domineering father is determined to see her wed to a brutish man who will break her spirit.

When handsome, good-hearted Allen of Ellsworth arrives in Edendale searching for his place in the world, Gwendolyn spies in him the sort of fellow she could imagine marrying. Yet fate seems determined to keep them apart. Tournaments, intrigue, and battles--along with twists and turns aplenty--await these two as they struggle to find love, identity, and their true destinies.

“Brave Warriors, as we commence the game today, be honorable, be courageous, be chivalrous, and be strong. But most of all, go hand in hand with the God of all creation.”

“I prefer to think of a man and woman standing side by side, offering mutual support.”

“I do not wish to watch a tournament. I wish to fight in one.”

Gwendolyn Barnes is ready to be free from her father’s constraints and most of all free from his hopes of landing her in a secure, lasting marriage. Gwendolyn wants things her way and wants the freedom and adventures that her brothers have. She is not at all interested in being “tamed” by some man, nor will she settle for it. Her life is only begun, so when she gets the chance to disguise herself as a knight and enter a jousting tournament to prove her true strength, she jumps at it. However, she soon discovers that her opponent is Sir Allen of Ellsworth, the only man whom she has ever found herself enamored with – will she be able to go through with this? Can she walk away from this handsome, valiant knight and lead a life without love or happily ever after?

If you missed the first book in this series, do yourself a favor and get them both! I loved the first one – Dauntless – but I must say that I found myself even more wrapped up in Gwendolyn’s story. I loved the historical background in this book – all the talk of knights and jousting made me long for more medieval stories. Gwendolyn’s desire to become a knight instead of someone’s trophy wife was powerful and her character was brave beyond words. These books send really strong messages about courageous females surpassing the social norms that were placed on them during the times in which they lived. I love a strong, independent heroine. Gwendolyn was the cherry on top of the pie for me!

However, Sir Allen is not without his many affluent virtues – he and Gwendolyn together made a perfect pair. Their interest in one another turns into a massive adventure when they concoct a plan to try and overthrow the kingdom. They were a perfect match and their many character traits complimented one another. There is so much in this book to love: the plot, the characters, their roles in society, the adventure, and the ending! I cannot wait for more from Dina!

***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers and the author, Dina L. Sleiman in exchange for my honest review***

Early Book Review: The Shrunken Head

Author: Lauren Oliver & H.C. Chester
Publication Date: September 29, 2015
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
Series: The Curiosity House # 1

What you will find in this book:

– A rather attractive bearded lady
– Several scandalous murders
– A deliciously disgusting Amazonian shrunken head
– Four extraordinary children with equally extraordinary abilities
– A quite loquacious talking bird

Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam, and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-
thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events. When the museum’s Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts.

This sensational new series combines the unparalleled storytelling gifts of Lauren Oliver with the rich
knowledge of the notorious relics collector H.C. Chester.

What you will NOT find in this book:

– An accountant named Seymour
– A never-ending line at the post office
– Brussel sprouts (shudder)
– A lecture on finishing all your homework on time
– A sweet, gooey story for nice little girls and boys.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls: step right up and don’t be shy. You must not – you absolutely cannot! – put this book down.

“What museum, you ask? But surely you’ve heard already. You see, within these pages is a museum, and within the museum is a story of wondrous weirdness, of magic and monsters…and of four of the most extraordinary children in the world.”

“And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages: welcome to Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders.”

I need more middle grade fiction in my life! I have loved every single middle grade book that I have ever read that has been published by Harper Collins. Not to mention, I love Lauren Oliver and any book of hers is on my must read list. This story follows a group of four quirky kids: Max, Pippa, Sam, and Thomas. They live and work at Mr. Dumfrey’s Dime Museum, where they showcase their unusual talents. Their employer has recently acquired a shrunken head that has business booming and has added a rather cheerful smile to Mr. Dumfrey’s face. All is well in the world, until the head, which is quite possibly cursed, turns up missing. Mr. Dumfrey is facing bankruptcy and these four eccentric, yet loving children cannot stand to see their employer and guardian go down without a fight. They decide to take matters into their hands and work together to try and solve the case and determine who has stolen the head before the doors to Mr. Dumfrey’s Dime Museum are closed forever.

Each of the children bring their own unique and interesting characteristics and talents to this wonderful tale. Each chapter was told from a different perspective, with all four of these children being able to share their side of the story. There were so many twists and turns as I read; I thought I would be able to predict what was coming next and then the authors clearly knocked my socks off and threw another murder at me. Yes, there are multiple murders! I thought I had the thieves and murderers picked out, but yep, you guessed it, wrong again! I fell in love with each of these characters and could honestly not say which my favorite is. I cannot wait for the next book in this series and to meet up with all of their familiar faces once again!

***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Harper Collins in exchange for my honest review***

Book Review: Mirrored

Author: Alex Flinn
Publication Date: September 15, 2015
Publisher: Harper Teen

A modern, multi-generational tale of Kendra, the witch from "Snow White," who trains Violet, an ugly, lonely, and heartbroken girl in the 1980s who transforms herself into "the fairest one of all" but still cannot win Greg's heart, and Celine, Greg's daughter with Violet's high school rival, Jennifer.

I wanted Violet to love me. She was the only mother I had, after all.

Nothing unusual happened for a year or so. Maybe I made nothing happen. But then, one day something did. Something that changed everything.

“Mirror, mirror, in my hand, who is the fairest in the land?” Who’s the most batshit crazy? I bolt from my room, but not before I think I hear the mirror say something back. Now who’s crazy?

Alex Flinn’s retellings have always been some of my favorites to read; I have followed her work ever since I fell in love with Beastly. This story is a modern day retelling of Snow White, but of course the book has a twist that on Alex Flinn could spin. The story is told in two parts, focusing on our two main characters: Violet and Celine. Violet, the character that becomes the evil queen, is different, odd, and can never seem to fit in or get someone to notice her. She is an eccentric girl and thinks that she will forever be alone until she meets Greg. Greg and Violet have a lot in common and they bond quickly, until Greg goes away one summer and comes back looking completely different. Greg is now able to fit in with the popular crowd, leaving Violet in his dust and acting as if they were never even friends to begin with. Violet meets a witch named Kendra, and discovers that she has a magic all her own. Later on, we meet Celine, a girl so beautiful that she chooses not to be popular. Violet soon becomes Celine’s stepmother, and you can only imagine where the story goes from there!

I have read so many reviews where bloggers and readers have complained about the way Flinn chose to retell Snow White. I, however, think it was so genius. I LOVED that she built Violet’s story first and then turned to Celine’s; she even adds in her on twist on the dwarves. Plus, if you have read other books by Flinn, you know that Kendra is not a new character. I thought it was so awesome that she made an appearance in this book as well. I enjoyed reading all the reviews on this book, but I could not agree with readers who could not finish the book. I think that what Flinn did here was brilliant and I had a hard time putting the book down, thus why it got a little wet in the bathtub (oops!). I am always ready for the next Flinn retelling! Alex, please don’t stop now!

***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Harper Teen in exchange for my honest review***

Book Review: What To Do With A Duke

Author: Sally MacKenzie

Publication Date: August 25, 2015

Publisher: Zebra

Series: Spinster House # 1

Welcome to the charming, fatefully named village of Loves Bridge, where a woman destined for spinsterhood can live a life of her own choosing—or fall unexpectedly, madly in love…

Miss Isabelle Catherine Hutting would rather be lounging in the library than circling the ballroom in search of a husband any day. So when Cat hears that the town’s infamous Spinster House is open for a new resident, she jumps at the chance to put all this marriage business behind her. But first she must make arrangements with her prospective landlord, Marcus, the Duke of Hart—the most handsome man she’s ever seen, and the only man who’s ever impressed her in the least…

With her wit, independent spirit, and not least of all her beauty, Marcus can’t help but be stirred by Cat. It’s terribly unfortunate he’s not looking to marry, given the centuries-old curse that left his family with the Spinster House to begin with. No duke shall live to see his heir’s birth. But is there a chance the curse could be broken—in true fairy-tale fashion—by an act of true love? The race to Happily Ever After is about to begin…

Madness. This beautiful, vibrant woman wished to look herself away with a quill and paper live in her imagination?

“Your Grace, not only do I not wish to marry you, I don’t wish to marry anyone.”

He liked the girl, but she made his head spin. She wasn’t like any other woman he’d ever met. Not only did she not want to marry, she said the most outrageous things.

It would be a blessing if he were the last Cursed Duke.

I have been a dedicated fan of Sally MacKenzie since I started by book blog. I first fell in love with her Duchess of Love series and I am sure this series will be just as promising and rewarding. MacKenzie writes historical romance like no other. This first book was so enchanting in every way. Miss Isabelle Catherine “Cat” Hutting is twenty-four years old and is well past the marrying age, and with her younger sisters either married or about to get married, she knows that soon she will only wear on her parents nerves and all she really wants is some peace and quiet to writer her novel. When she hears that the Spinster House has lost its spinster, she quickly jumps on the idea of occupying the house and finding her peace and quiet away from her rowdy siblings. Soon, Marcus, Duke of Hart, rushes off to Loves Bridge to find a new spinster to fill the vacancy. But when he and Cat meet, they are instantly attracted to each other. They might be attracted to each other, but Marcus cannot forget the curse that has ripped a line of Dukes before him from the world. The curse holds true to the fact that the Duke of Hart will not live to see the birth of his first heir. This is not a fate that Marcus wants to live through.

Sally MacKenzie is able to hold any reader’s attention with her witty and loveable characters. There will be humorous scenes and serious scenes and everything in between. You will not want to lay this book down until you have finished the entire thing. I immediately went to Goodreads and looked to see when the next book would be published. MacKenzie can just develop her characters and make you fall in love with them; she can make you think of them long after putting the book down. Neither Cat nor Marcus want to marry, but the way they are drawn together is undeniable and unavoidable. These really are the best types of romances; stories in which the characters cannot help but to fall in love with one another. They do, after all, make for the best endings!

***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Zebra in exchange for my honest review***