M.C. Frank's Blog, page 475

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These Broken Stars by Kaufman and Spooner

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they're worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other's arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever? Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won't be the same people who landed on it. The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.
(blurb from amazon)
These Broken Stars begins as a sci-fi space novel, and ends up being a survival adventure between two star-crossed lovers. Needless to say, I absolutely adored every single word of it.
This was one of these books I absolutely couldn't put down, and at the same time I tried to read it as slowly as I could, dreading the moment when it would be over. I loved the slow-burn of the romance, which was tantalizingly building between the two main characters, keeping me guessing until the very end. I loved the character developement, and I was fascinated by the slow reveal of the backstory, which was being revealed part by part and not given in an overload of info at the beginning. The book at first had that lush, Fitzerald feel of a Great Gatsby party and that sort of thing. It was also reminiscent of the stable-boy falling for the princess from afar romance plot.
But as soon as the pace took off, the novel took on an entirely different direction -and that's what made me fall in love with it, after all.
First of all, I couldn't wait to read the next in-between chapter. The in-bewteen chapters are like one or two pages of an interview, in which we're not told who is speaking. We don't know who is asking the questions and who is answering, but pretty soon we can guess. It was  written with so few words and that was part of its charm. The word I'm looking for here is intelligent. It was ingenious. I'm right on the verge of spoiling everything here, so I won't say anything else, just that it was the smartest way of keeping the reader informed and helping them understand the past of the characters, as well as their private thoughts without boring them to death with an info dump that seems so popular with ya books these days.
Then the survival struggle started. I love these types of stories, where the stakes are life and death, but also from the adventure of surviving comes character developement and a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around surrounding the characters. They also have to rely upon each other for most of it,  and that's the start of their relationship.
Then start the swoony scenes...
I just loved this book and I can't wait for the next one to arrive (I've prerdered it). It was one of the most fun, exciting reads with a swoonworthy hero and a tough heroine, complete with adventure and breathtaking romance.
Has anyone else read it? Please share your thoughts in your comments. Did you love it? Were you wondering if it's the best thing that's ever happened to ya literature and now you're convinced and are running to the closest bookstore to buy it? Please share!
In other news, this month is going to be pretty exciting for me, and hopefully for this blog as well. If you haven't entered my giveaway for a beautiful romance book, do so now before it closes in 6 days! Hurry hurry hurry 
More gifts and book news coming really soon. Stay tuned.

Astra teaser trailer

Masquerade by Hannah Fielding: Review, Author Interview and GIVEAWAY! (Open internationally)

I loved this romantic story about a girl who has to choose between two men and find her own path in life.It's a romantic, atmospheric story taking place in 1976 Spain, among all the political and social turmoil of that time. A young writer, Luz, is torn between two men who look somewhat similar, but who are very different in both character and situation. One of them (my personal favorite) is a hot gypsy, Leandro, who makes passionate love to her and then seems to forget all about her.
And then there's her employer, Andres, who is a bit of a mystery. 
We follow Luz as she tries to find herself, goint to colorful balls and strolling along warm Spanish beaches -there's also a gypsy woman who keeps waylaying her, insisting on reading a dark and dangerous fate on her palm and many more.
The mystery is more of a general air of foreboding, but there is a wicked twist at the end which i did NOT see coming. I mean, i suspected something at the beginning, but by the end it was obvious that I had been wrond. And then, BAM. That's what made me love this book so much, to be honest. The surprises.

There's also a hidden family history, which is always fun to discover little by little when reading this tpe of romance novel, but what stood out most for me was the general sensuality of the writing style.
The heat was there, but it was tastefully written and really subtle, so that it made me feel the feels along with the heroine, and not just stand by as an observer. When she was in love, in doubt, in turmoil, I could feel everything along with her; that's what I really enjoyed here. This was honestly one of the most aesthetically pleasing and sensual books I've read in a long time.

Of course, the setting played no small part in the sensuality of the novel. Cadiz came alive for me, and it was as though I was there, tasting the saltiness of the sea water and watching the bulls run.

This book is the best kind of romantic fiction: sweet, hot, a bit angsty and a little vintage. I recommend it to anyone who (is an adult and) loves romance.

Now, for some exciting stuff!
First off, the author, Hannah Fielding, has answered a few questions for us!Here is the interview. (I must say, i was really intrigued by some of her answers. I think she must be a very interesting person, who has lived through many experiences -and it shows in her writing. She sounds like a sweet, artistic lady, whom I'd bee delighted to meet in person.) Enjoy.
Bookshelf Stories Interview

Tell us a little bit about your book.
Masquerade is Book 2 in the Andalucian Nights Trilogy, a family saga set in the south of Spain from 1950 to the present day, and spanning three generations of three families whose lives are entwined by various circumstances.
The story opens in summer 1976. Luz de Rueda returns to her beloved Spain and takes a job as a biographer of a famous artist. On her first day back in Cádiz, she encounters a bewitching, passionate young gypsy, Leandro, who immediately captures her heart, even though relationships with his kind are taboo.
Haunted by this forbidden love, she meets her new employer, the sophisticated Andrés de Calderón. Reserved yet darkly compelling, he is totally different to Leandro – but almost the gypsy’s double. Both men stir unfamiliar and exciting feelings in Luz, although mystery and danger surround them in ways she has still to discover.
Luz must decide what she truly desires as glistening Cádiz, with its enigmatic moon and whispering turquoise shores, seeps back into her blood. Why is she so drawn to the wild and magical sea gypsies? What is behind the old fortune-teller’s sinister warnings about ‘Gemini’? Through this maze of secrets and lies, will Luz finally find her happiness… or her ruin?
Masquerade is a story of forbidden love, truth and trust where the heroine becomes entangled in an illicit gypsy love affair, pulling her into a world of secrets, deception and dark desire.
I loved the vintage vibe your book gave out, it was one of my favorite parts of it, actually. Why did you decide to set it during the seventies?
I set my book in the seventies first and foremost because it is a sequel to Indiscretion, which takes place in 1950. The novels are set in the second half of the twentieth century, rather than in a completely vintage or modern setting, because it is a period I know well and I think I write best when I’m able to tap into my own experiences. Also, those fifty or so years have seen such major changes in Spanish society and there is much to explore in terms of romance in that era.
Where did you find your inspirations for the characters of Leandro (my favorite), Andres and Luz? Are they based on someone you know?
Leandro was a face among a crowd of gypsy young men who were cantering on a beach. I was immediately drawn to his not only beautiful but interesting face, and the plot of Masquerade instantly germinated in my head. Andrés and Luz are both born totally from my imagination. Still, Luz, like all of my heroines, has a little of me in her, especially her emotional naivety, her love of art and her sense of adventure.
4. When and why did you start writing novels? What inspires you and keeps you going when it gets tough?
Stories and writing have always been part of my life. My father was a great raconteur and my governess used to tell the most fabulous fairy stories – I could listen to them for hours. When I was seven she and I came to an agreement: for every story she’d tell me I would invent one in return. That is how my passion for storytelling began.
At school I consistently received first prize for my essays and my teachers often read them aloud in class. As a teenager I used to write short romantic stories during lessons and circulate them in class, which made me very popular with my peers (but less so with the nuns!). In addition, since a young age I have kept some sort of a diary where I note my feelings, ideas and things that take my fancy (or not).
During my twenties I had no time to seriously write; I was too busy discovering what the world had to offer – and once I was married and had children, I had even less to time to indulge in my passion. So once my business was flourishing and my children had flown the nest, I decided to put pen to paper and channel my creative imagination into something that has always been gratifying for me and given pleasure to the people around me.
Even more than people, countries have been my main source of inspiration. For me, each place I visit is a new and exciting setting for the plot of a novel. I draw on the richness of its people, its history and all it has to offer in the way of cuisine, language and customs to create fabulous places where my characters can meet and fall in love. In a sense, my books are born of my travels.
When writing gets tough one of my favourite quotes for overcoming writer’s block is by Sir Philip Sidney: ‘Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite: “Fool!” said my muse to me, “look in thy heart, and write.”’
I have two ways of dealing with writer’s block. The first is patience. If you sit there in front of a blank page – and I’ve done that, sometimes for as long as a couple of hours – the muse eventually takes pity on you and visits you.
The second is to get into my car and drive to a place that has inspired me in the past. That also usually works. It might be a garden overlooking the sea, a meadow carpeted with wildflowers if I’m searching for a setting for a love scene, or a café bustling with people where I can find the description for one of my characters.


5. What is your favorite and least favorite part about writing?
My favourite part is the research, because it gives me the opportunity – or more truthfully the excuse – to travel to places I dreamt about in my teens and others I dream about now and still need to discover.
My least favourite part about writing is the editing process, which requires rigorous concentration, discipline and a certain degree of humility.
6. Is there anything else you’d like to add about your novel?
Leandro the gypsy and Andrés the gentleman are each in their own way handsome, charismatic and charming, and just like Luz, I was in love with them both while writing Masquerade.
Leandro is passionate, mischievous and impetuous, with a smile that mesmerises and a devil-may-care attitude. He is proud and also kind, compassionate and loving.
Andrés has a darker personality. A sophisticated, successful businessman, he tends to be arrogant and is often enigmatic and taciturn. He is a real gentleman and sensitive, with feelings that run deep, keeping his passionate nature on a tight leash. Courageous and gallant, if he were the hero of a medieval romance he would not hesitate to run to the rescue of his lady at his own peril.
Faced with such a dilemma, whom would you choose?


I would DEFINITELY choose Leandro, i think we covered that ;)
 Find the Hannah on her website, and follow her on twitter, facebook and goodreads.                                                                                      Masquerade on amazon here.

And now 

the GIVEAWAY!
I haven't done this in this particular way before, but let's hope it's going to be not too complicated. It's open internationally, so anyone can enter, and the prize is one gorgeouspaperback copy of Masquerade, provided by the lovely author herself! Thank you, Hannah.
There are no mandatory rules, so anyone can enter. If you want to follow this blog I would appreciate it, but it is in no way necessary in order to enter the giveaway!
Best of luck  everyone!




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Top Ten: Period Love - Kissing you

From The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant (If you haven't watched it yet, go right now. Oh, and it will totally break your heart.)

made by Silver Vintage Videos

Friday meme: Period Love - Kissing you

From The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant (If you haven't watched it yet, go right now. Oh, and it will totally break your heart.)

made by Silver Vintage Videos

Top 5 Wednesday - Books with Mental Health / Illness

Mental illness is one of my favorite topics in books, whether it is the main theme of a novel, or one of the supporting characters' issues, if it's done properly, I'm going to love it.Here are the top five books from my bookshelf who have done mental illness really well. So well, in fact, that they have helped me on my way to overcoming some major issues of my own.

1.
Willow by Julia Hoban is a book about a girl who blames herself about something really major and tragic that happened in her life, and starts hurting herself.It's ultimately a book about love and hope and overcoming one's worst demons.It played a major part in my life, but be careful. It might be HIGHLY triggering.However, if there's someone in your life going through a similar thing, there's no better way to try to understand the psychology behind self-harm than this gorgeous young adult novel.I recommend it heartily.
2.
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarryis hot (lol). It's also a book about major social and mental issues, panic attacks and tortured memories being one of them. I love the lyricism of this novel and how accurately it described how fragile someone going through panic attacks might feel, while at the same time possessing the strength within themselves to fight for happiness.What's interesting in this novel, although it is basically a love story, is that it doesn't take the romance to rescue them from their issues. They rescue each other, yes, but more importantly they rescue themselves, facing their fears, confronting -and ultimately overcoming- their weaknesses.I love that. 
3.
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkinis the second book in the Mara Dyer trilogy, but it is my favorite because it largely takes place in a mental institution. While being a paranormal romance/mystery, it also deals heavily with really messed up issues like loss of memory, madness, hallucinations, schizophrenia and other lovely stuff like that.I, being someone who's drawn to anything dark and messed up, adored it.But it's more than the story of a tortured girl and the guy who is trying to keep her sane. The realism of her situation and feelings hit me from the first book, and in this one, my favorite in the series, Mara has to face the truth of who she is becoming and I was impressed by her courage and clarity.
4.
Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glinesis one of my top favorite young adult novels ever. It features a heroine that has had a really messed up childhood, leaving her with serious psychological scars, unable to deal with the memories to the point where she blacks out. It takes a lot of love, patience and devotion to pull her out of the darkness.While not entirely realistic, this book is what escapism is all about: a hot guy snapping out of his careless string of casual sex, to devote himself to a tortured girl, who has a heart of gold inspite of what people did to her -and it was really bad what she's been through. Like, crazy bad.That's what always captivates me in this book, in the end: her kindness despite the pain.
5.
Black Box by Cassia Leois a book about suicide. Plain and simple. It takes guts to just read it, that's what I think, especially if you have had experience with suicidal thoughts and attempts, or someone near you is dealing with it. I've said it before, and I'll say it again.If you haven't read this book, do yourself a favor. Educate yourself.This is how you deal with a person who doesn't want to live anymore.And this is how you get over it.Just a perfect book for this serious mental illness issue. 

Have you wrote a post on the Top 5 Wednesday Goodreads Thread? Leave the link below, and I'll check it out!

Books à la Mode GIVEAWAY (Internationally Open)

Books à la Mode | a book, beauty, and fashion blog: Ruined by M.C. Frank Giveaway! (Open internationally) 
Giveaway of two print copies of my newest book, ten bookmarks and a VINTAGE RING!Don't miss it!!

find it here.

Back in Society by M.C. Beaton

The best thing happened to me the other day!
I stumbled upon a book with a fun, original cover, which screamed 'Regency' and had a fascinating description. In addition to this, the book was in a clearance pile in a second-hand bookstore, so I grabbed it without a second thought, knowing nothing about the author and never having heard of it before. When I got home I opened to read a page, just to see if I liked the writing style.And, that's it. I'm in love.

This particular book is a standalone, but part of 'The Poor Relation' Series. Here is the description:
The Poor Relation hotel is the toast of London and its owners are preparing to sell up and retire - but one last romantic adventure awaits them! Driven into hiding at the hotel by a tyrannous father and a rich but wizened suitor, Lady Jane Fremney attempts to end her life. The poor relations save the young lady and determine to improve her lot in life by bringing her out for the Season. All the young bucks call on Jane, among them the handsome but racy Comte de Mornay, an exile from Napoleon's France who has broken many a heart and so far eluded matrimony. Jane is quite adamant he is unsuitable for her - but when his life is threatened by an assassin's pistol, it is up to her to help him escape from danger... and into l'amour!
So, right off the bat, I was hooked. A wealthy lady, running away, almost committed suicide, plus a hotel founded by a bunch of ex-poor relations... Sounds yummy, right?
Well, it wasn't all fun and laughs. There was an unexpected depth to the story, dealing with issues of depression, loneliness and despair. It was about family, not necessarily one's birth family, but the one that is formed from ties with people who care and help one another. It just warmed my heart.
There is of course the scoundel who ends up reformed -or does he? I'm telling you one thing, and those who follow my blog and reviews know that I NEVER say this lightly, but the wit and humour of this book (particularly of one character) can only be compared to Georgette Heyer's style! I didn't think it would be possible to find another hero with the dashing style and cutting lines of a Mr. Beaummaris (from Arabella), or Justin Alastair, the Duke of  Avon (from These Old Shades). But I'm telling you, I DID!
The gentle, sad heroine has some transforming to do from an ugly duckling to a swan, and it takes a lot of bravery on her side and a lot of love on the part of the hotel owners -who, by the way, are the most endearing and colorful bunch of characters you've ever met in a book- but she does it by the end, and gets her own happily ever after without any need of rescue from anyone else. I was cheering her on like crazy. There are a few side stories taking place, a hilarious deception from a girl who is in love with a gent who in turn is in love with a married woman. Also there's middle-aged Miss Tonks, who is looking for a man of her own, in love with a dashing actor who is sending her mixed signals.But most of all, there is an overall feeling of goodness and kindness and good humor.And hope.
This book was a delight from start to end.It made me laugh, cry, almost have a panick attack. The FEELS. It's short, too, if that's something you're interested in, no unnecessary ramblings or descriptions, which makes it even more of a masterpiece, in my opinion. Of course I sort of hoped it would go on forever, but after finishing it, I went online and found that M.C. Beaton has written, like, a billion Regencies.




These last ones are a few in the 'Poor Relation' Series.
I can honestly say that discovering this book, and this author, was the best kind of gift. If you are like me, and need some more Regency in your life (of the best sort), go grab as many of these as you can. I know I will. ;)

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