Victoria Limbert's Blog, page 8

The Dark Victorian: Risen (Book #1) Review

Author- Elizabeth Watasin

My Rating- 4 STARS

Synopsis- It is 1880 in a mechanical and supernatural London. Agents of Prince Albert’s Secret Commission, their criminal
pasts wiped from their memories, are resurrected to fight the eldritch evils that threaten England. Amidst this turmoil, Jim Dastard and his new partner Artifice must stop a re-animationist raising murderous dead children. As Art and Jim pursue their quarry, Art discovers clues about her past self,  and through
meeting various intriguing women—a journalist, a medium, a prostitute, and a mysterious woman in black—where her heart lies. Yet the question remains: What sort of criminal was she? A new beginning, a new identity, and new dangers await Art as she fights for the Secret Commission and for her second life.

My Review- I loved this book. It was odd, humourous and constantly had me picking up my kindle to read more. Art is a lovely character full of kindness, charity and emotion, though it seems she has darker personal tastes. To add to the delight of this book she is a re-animated, previously dead, ghost, that can take a solid form. She was re-animated by a Secret Agency who fight supernatural crime. Her partner is a re-animated skull who wears a tophat called Jim Dastard. He is strange, hilarious and rarely makes sense. Its fun to read Art and Jim's interactions, conversations and the friendship they
form.

The ending was a little abrupt and left on an interesting Cliffhanger. I will look forward to reading the second book in this series and other works by this author.

This book was a delight to read and held the twisted themes I enjoy.

Beautiful Strangers Book Review

Author- Glenna Maynard

My Rating- 3.5 STARS

Synopsis- In life we face choices chances and consequences. Grace Montgomery never dreamed hers would lead her to The Masquerade Club, and a fast paced life of sex, drugs, and music. When Evan Brown walked into her life he was too good to be true. Since meeting him her life has been flipped upside down. After a chance encounter with a handsome stranger, Grace finds herself thrust into a relationship with Country Music sensation Jaxson Hayes and torn between two loves. When hidden truths are uncovered will she be able to let go of her past
and embrace her future?

My Review- I enjoyed this book though I found it very hard to engage with the characters. More importantly for me was the subject of drugs and the theme surrounding just how easy it is to start and how hard it is to get away from. Though I didn't feel much for Grace until about 40-50% I was intrigued by her scrambled thought
processes, changes of mind and...well...just how out of control she always seemed to be (whether it was written this way on purpose or not I don't know)

I think to really engage I would have liked this book to be a lot longer, spend more time getting to know characters and develop a story around them and not be so rushed to get from one point to the next.

When Grace decides to try and get her life back on track I really started to cheer for her. Would I have liked her to completely get away from her past? yes. Do I mind that she settled with a man I wasn't sure about throughout the book? I am not sure....because I don't know enough about them to make an opinion.

I think I will try another book by this author to fully understand the writing style and hope my star rating will be higher for her too :)

Cover Reveals! Lilith and Fateless: Twin Soul Novels

The new cover art for Lilith: Twin Soul Novels Book 1 is finally here!!!

On the cover you will see Annette Anderson, my Protagonist from Twin Soul series, how I imagine her in my head when I am writing. Dark haired, dark eyes and beautiful. She sees herself as flawed, not her own person and in a state of depression while she battles the demon soul within her. What do you think?

Now for the Fateless cover, the second book in the Twin Soul series which will be live on Amazon TODAY (10th June) I hope you like it, it features a new character in the book who is shrouded in mystery and completely stunning!

I hope you like them! I adore them. If you enjoy the books please take a few minutes to review them. Feel free to contact me via the contact form on the top of my page or leave a blog comment!

Pictures- dreamstime.com pictures edited by- Robert Mettam

Giveaway on Torsimagination!

Celebrating the Arrival of New Cover Art for Lilith and the release of my new book Fateless, book 2 in the Twin Soul Novels series.

Both of which will happen MONDAY. The competition is INTERNATIONAL and the winners will receive FREE ebook copies of Lilith, book 1 in the Twin Soul Novels series. Fateless, Book 2 will be available on Amazon from Monday.

You must be quick, the giveaway is only for 2 days!

Though by no means is it required, if you have enjoyed Lilith it would be awesome if you could spare a few minutes to write a short review (and even if you didn't enjoy Lilith too!) It all helps! Below you can fill out the Rafflecopter and enjoy an excerpt of the up and coming FATELESS! Feel free to comment and let me know what you think. (If you wish to read a taste of Lilith, check out the link at the top of this page) a Rafflecopter giveaway Excerpt of Fateless, Twin Soul Novels book 2, sequel to Lilith

“Raum wants to be free of you,” I said, holding back the gut wrenching guilt I felt. “He is angry at me. I forced you both together. Calum, I’m so sorry…..”
    Calum turned on me, pitch black eyes glowing furiously, and threw me against the counter, grinding my back against the granite. He seized my arms as hot waves of energy pulsed between us. A shiver ran over my cool skin and I tried not to let Lilith’s power loose.
    “Stop apologising!” he shouted, inches from my face. “You turned me in to this monster. Deal with it!” 
    Bewilderment widened Calum’s eyes. He staggered in to me and buried his face in to the crook of my neck, breathing in my scent as if he were a frightened animal seeking comfort from his mother. I forced myself to keep calm, to not show the slight twinge of fear I felt. He was calling on our bond to help chase away the darkness. It was a Master-Inferior thing.
    “Look at me, Annette,” he whispered against my throat. “I am angry all the time. I am always tired and always angry and when I’m not…Raum fills my head with ways we could pass the time together.”
    “He is taunting you,” I murmured.
    Meeting my eyes and leaning in close, Calum spoke an inch from my lips. I could almost taste the sweetness of his breath and the smoky heat of his aura.
    “Do you know what he wants to do to you? What he wants me to do to you?”
    “I have had enough experience to imagine it quite vividly.”
    He stared incredulously. “And it doesn’t bother you?”
    “Yes,” I whispered. “Of course it does.”
    “He wants to hurt you.”
    “I know.”

Hope you enjoyed the teaser. Thank you for entering the giveaway!

Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices bk 3) Book Review

Author- Cassandra Clare

My Rating- 5 STARS (though should be 10!)

Synopsis- Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save

My Review- This book does not deserve only 5 stars. If I could give it more it would surely get a 10/10. Never has a book sent me on such a whirlwind of emotions; happiness, sadness, grief, joy, despair and so many more. From the first page I knew this book would stay in my head forever. I
haven't been able to shake the characters from my mind, they are constantly there. The book was so beautiful its hard to review it and give it some kind of justice! Cassandra Clare is a fantastic wordsmith and knows how to render the reader speechless.

Tessa, Jem and Will will remain in my heart forever. Never before have I read such wonderfully developed characters to the point where I have learned how they will react and think in any situation. Through the series they have become my best friends, almost my family. I know Will as if he was my stubborn little brother and Jem my more level headed holder brother. Tessa is my best friend, brave and strong and full of selflessness and beauty. She and Will are gorgeous characters. I don't think there will could ever be others like them. I wish they were all real. Finishing this book makes me feel
like I have lost a portion of my family and I feel genuine grief that it is all over.

Mortmain is truly evil and back with a terrible army of demon automatons ready to take down all shadowhunters. He needs one last ingredient, and that is Tessa's shape changing power, her ability to become another person fully. This shape change will mean the end of all those she loves and yet she has no choice but to do it because of her love for Jem, who is dying from a terrible drug addiction. When Mortmain kidnaps Tessa, Jem and Will are torn. Jem is dying and it might be the end for him but Will is in love with Tessa so deeply he can't choose between staying at his friend's side or go after the woman he loves. To make it even more heartbreaking, Tessa is engaged to Jem  and Jem would do anything to be strong enough to go after her, to be the one who saves her. Both boys love her so completely and she loves them equally back. Cassandra Clare writes a love triangle like no other. At no point do you feel that Tessa is selfish wanting both boys and Jem and Will are content to both
love her, knowing that, should anything happen to the other, there will always be someone to love and care for Tessa. Jealousy is not a factor ever, it seems only right they both love her as their souls have been joined in shadowhunter rituals and are connected in such a way that what one feels, the other
feels.

The epilogue seems to be the cause of a split decision amongst readers, some like it and some don't, some believe Cassandra Clare has just tried to please the readers, but for me it couldn't have been more perfect. I felt that the ending took the path that it should take. It made complete sense that love this strong could not be broken, forgotten or wasted despite the years that had passed. And I truly believe that one such as Tessa, with how beautiful her character is, should not have to face life alone. She is far too gentle and too loving to face a future without one who loves her. So for me, it ended
exactly as I hoped it would.

I am not too sure what to do now. This book is so great that for a while I can't possibly move on to another book and other characters. Not while this one is on my mind. Cassandra Clare you are my
favourite author, a fantastic writer and I look forward to your next series with hopes and fears that is moves me the same way as this series. Though the Mortal Instruments series is amazing, it never left me reeling as this one did.

Waiting in anticipation for the next emotional storm!

The Tube Riders BK #1 Book Review

Author- Chris Ward

My Rating- 3.5 STARS

Synopsis- In the abandoned London Underground station of St. Cannerwells, a group of misfits calling themselves the Tube Riders seek to forget the chaos by playing a dangerous game with trains. Marta is their leader, a girl haunted by her brother’s disappearance. Of the others, Paul lives only to protect his little
brother Owen, while Simon is trying to hold on to his relationship with Jess, daughter of a government official. Guarding them all is Switch, a man with a flickering eye and a faster knife, who cares only about preserving the legacy of the Tube Riders. Together, they are family.

Everything changes the day they are attacked by a rival gang. While escaping, they witness an event that could bring war down on Mega Britain. Suddenly they are fleeing for their lives, pursued not only by their rivals, but by the brutal Department of Civil Affairs, government killing machines known as Huntsmen, and finally by the inhuman Governor himself

My Review- I like this look at a very potential future. It was gritty and did not hold back on the violent lifestyle of this dystopian, deprived world Chris Ward has created. Set in London, Bristol and Cornwall, the reader follows a group of young adults called the Tube Riders, named for their love of a dangerous sport; riding the side of tube trains in London's Underground. Those who seek thrills, don't care about dying or are simply looking for a way to forget the hardships of London life come together and have formed a 'family'. This for me was a fantastic idea and reading how Chris Ward came about it at the end of the book made me grin.

The Tube Riders soon find themselves in a heap of trouble when a rival gang find their location and call for their deaths. They run away and stumble on a murder that the government want keeping quite. So now they are on the run from the gang and the government. As their stories unfold the reader is subjected to the starkness of their terrible lives, everyone is struggling to survive one day to the next. Rape, Murder and Riots are minutes away on every street. Children learn how to wield weapons from a young age to protect themselves. Its bad enough on the surface but deep down there are worse
tortures. The government steal people off the streets to use in the Labs, creating all types of monsters. Part men, Part Canine and Part Cyborg creatures come from these Labs called the Huntsmen and they are used when the government need to take out their enemies fast. The Tube Riders are their enemies.

The character development was great, the Tube Riders all had a heartwrenching past, they all had suffered, lost loved ones and struggled to get by. The people they meet along the way on their journey to get out of the country alive are interesting.

World building is definitely a talent Chris Ward possess but I found myself getting bored in places or skipping large amounts of text and description to get to the interesting bits. Though I loved the gritty violence and the author's 'don't hold back' approach to it, I did get a bit desensitized so I wasn't as shocked as I should have been in certain places. By the end, I will admit, I wanted it to be over sooner. It was very long and the cliffhanger left a bittersweet taste in my mouth. I want to read on
to follow the Tube Riders adventures, but I also felt like the story should be over.

I enjoyed The Tube Riders despite this not being my favourite genre and would have given it a 3.4 star rating if I had the option. It is well worth the read if you want a unique take on a Sci-fi, futuristic Britain.

This Same Earth (Elemental Mysteries BK #2) Book Review

Author- Elizabeth Hunter

My Rating- 4 STARS

Synopsis- Beatrice De Novo thought she had left the supernatural world behind…for the most part.  But when the past becomes the present, will she leave her quiet life in Los Angeles to follow a mystery she thought had abandoned her?  Where has Giovanni Vecchio been, and why has he returned?  Giovanni has his own questions, and he’s looking to her for
answers.

The sequel to A Hidden Fire will reunite Beatrice and Giovanni
to continue their search through the past while both wrestle with the future.  When the world as you knew it has changed forever, is there any way you can turn back?

My Review- I gave the first book 5 stars. A Hidden Fire was fantastic, unique with a beautiful romance story entwined around the mystery of lost history books and revealing old letters. The background to the story was amazing, but This Same Earth didn't quite hold me as fully as the first book.

The plotline was very 'samey, following a similar path as A Hidden Fire. The beginning was great with Beatrice writing in a journal about her up and down emotions over a 5 year period, which Gio read to remain close to her while giving her the space to grow as a normal human...A little twilightesque but Elizabeth Hunter's world building, descriptions and character development far outshines Steph Meyer....which is hard for me to say as I am a fan of Twilight!

I very much enjoyed watching the story unfold as Gio tries his hardest to win Beatrice back after abandoning her for 5 years, believing he was doing the right thing, and Beatrice gives him a hard time and doesn't make the fight easy...yay to her! and wooohooo a female protagonist with her own mind in
a vampire novel! woop! Gio does stoop to a little manipulation to win her back but that's fine, we all do it right? and Beatrice is intelligent enough to hold her own. But...the plotline was very similar to the first book in the fact that they were on the trail of a book (Gio's way of spending time with Beatrice) and Lorenzo is still trying to take Beatrice. She is captured...again...held against her will...again. Though thankfully this time she is no victim. Our Beatrice has been studying martial arts after the last time she was captured by the insane vamp and is taking care of herself.

The book never really hits that climatic moment...Beatrice's rescue is a little easy and the action is over far too soon. I was more interested in Carwyn's loss than Beatrice being the target. And after building up that amazing passion between Beatrice and Gio the sex scene didn't quite hold the same heat! it didn't give me the shivers that the kisses between them did.

Elizabeth Hunter has still become a favourite author of mine and I will continue reading the series as I love Gio and Beatrice as characters, Carwyn is by far my favourite vamp and the new characters the
writer brings in to the story are all full of secrets and mysteries which I cant wait to delve in to.

I hope the third book is a 5 STAR read. This Same Earth is still a great book, a wonderful love story and a fun mystery woven around our myths and histories. I would recommend all Vamp lovers to read
this.

A Hidden Fire (Elemental Mysteries bk #1) Book review

Author- Elizabeth Hunter

My Rating- 5 STARS

Synopsis- A phone call from an old friend sets Dr. Giovanni Vecchio back on the path of a mystery he'd abandoned years before. He never expected a young librarian could hold the key to the search, nor could he have expected the danger she would attract. Now he and Beatrice De Novo will follow a twisted maze that leads from the archives of a university library, through the fires of Renaissance Florence, and toward a confrontation they never could have predicted.

My Review- I absolutely loved this book!

The characters were developed slowly and beautifully, the plot unfolded at a great pace and the romance!! the romance was steamy, intense and full of moments when I wanted to shout  COME ON!! KISS HER! I loved the tug of war between the two main characters Beatrice (B) and Gio, their arguments and witty comebacks were fun to read and the descriptions of the intense atmosphere whenever they were together were perfectly detailed.

There was never a moment in this book when the descriptions became boring or long winded, the supporting 'cast' were just as finely developed, Beatrice's Grandma was adorable, strong and sweet.
Caspar, Gio's butler, was kind and funny and the other Immortals were interesting, especially Carwyn who quickly became one of my favourite characters.

Strangely, what I didn't expect was a vampire novel, a very interesting, unique take on a vampire novel. The title hinted at a totally different type of book. I loved the fresh take on vampires, their elemental gifts were great to read about. Gio is your typical hot, steamy, brooding male who harbours a painful past that he feels he must carry the burden of alone, but there is nothing typical about him. He is a vampire with the very rare gift of Fire. Most vampires who wield fire die or are killed or used as weapons by stronger vampires. Fire is one of the most powerful elements, hard to control and requires years and years of learning how to use it. Gio has trained himself to have this iron control and it has shaped his life, leaving him largely lonely and giving him a 'cold' exterior.

Beatrice breaks down his coldness with her quick wit, intelligence and love. Though there is definitely some insta-LUST in this book, the love story is cultivated over nearly a year and grows in strength until is reaches an ended that left me seriously wanted more to see what happens between them. Gio originally plans to use her only to find some of his lost books that her elusive, thought dead, father may know the location of. But Gio knows his feelings are far deeper than he can admit to himself. He has lived for over 400 years and has never felt such passion for a woman since becoming a vampire.

I read this book in to the very early hours of the morning to finish it. The tight muscle in my neck and the ache in my shoulders were totally worth it! On to book 2 which I hope will be just as good as this
one!

The Charm (Olivia Hart and the Gifted Program #1) Book Review

Author- Alana Siegel

My Rating- 3 STARS

Synopsis- Imagine what high school would be like if your ex-boyfriend fired lightning when he was angry, the sporty girl in your class had enough strength to lift a flatbed truck, and you could charm your way out of trouble.

When shy, sixteen year old, Olivia Hart, witnesses the actual rainstorm her ex-boyfriend, Max Smarr, creates in Pandora high school's cafeteria, she’s convinced she’s lost her mind. Nothing will prepare her, however, for the discovery of her own special Gift.

Olivia Hart has always been satisfied living in the shadows of her peers, and so high school doesn’t get any easier when her charismatic brother goes off to college and her relationship with her edgy boyfriend comes to an end. When she comes across an antique charm, she finds out that she can compel people with her mind and hiding is no longer an option. With the help of her friends in the Gifted Program and each of their special Gifts, what happens next in this young love and coming of age story will force Olivia into the spotlight, test her friendships, and cause her to question her role in a society.

My Review- I liked this little book. I found some parts slow, others fun and well paced but sometimes the mass amounts of description and confusing internal voice had me skipping over paragraphs. Olivia Hart is very sweet, maybe a bit self involved but what young girl isn't in their early teens and her thoughts leave me not sure which way to face. One moment she likes Justin, the next she is hung up on her Ex, Max, and it leaves me in a daze. I liked the flash backs to her very short relationship with Max but didn't quite understand the need for them. I would have loved this small book to focus more
on the magical elements, watch them learn more about their Gifts and how it brings those in the Gifted Program together.

What I really liked about this book was the friendships between Helen, Olivia and Jaime and the struggles and changes between them that we go through in school life...except with less magical issues. The characters were relatable. There was Olivia's Ex boyfriend's jealous new girl who bullied her, there was the typical awkwardness between different social groups (jocks and populars)and the hardships of having popular older siblings who move on with their lives. I liked the authors imagination and creativity and I am very interested to see what happens in the next book.

Despite the 3 star rating, this book offers a lovely, fun short read that is enjoyable and fulfilling. Its definitely worth checking out. I will be reading Book 2 in hopes of learning more about the Gifted and their enemies which were only very slightly touched upon in this book. I hope to be able to give the next book a much higher rating

FATELESS, Twin Souls Book 2 soon to be released!

The second book in the Twin Soul Novels series is soon to be released! I am so excited. I hope its as good as the first book and I hope my readers enjoy it just as much as Lilith!

If you are interested in checking Lilith out visit the link on the side bar of my Blog page!

Here is an excerpt of Fateless while you are waiting for its release!
Why did it have to be Michael? Of all the detectives and police officers in the city he was the one who turned up. Fate? Maybe. More likely the evil powers below were making my life difficult for shits and giggles. Or maybe God found some pleasure in throwing test after test at me. Somehow that didn’t seem right. To test me, He would have to care, and I knew he didn’t. Still, it was a twisted kind of
hope.

Turning to face the light footsteps of a familiar walk, I peered through the gloom and found blue eyes searching for mine. Once they met, it was hard to tear them apart. I could see his features only by the weak light of the street lamps. 

Slightly curled locks of hair tickled the tops of his ears. It was longer, as if he had not cut it since we last saw each other. It softened the angles of his face and took away that obvious ‘cop’ image, leaving him looking years younger. I struggled to fight back the swell of need I felt, the need to have him buried very deeply inside my body.

“Unholy Lucifer, Annie! The backwash of your lust is giving me a hard-“

“Rat!” I glared at the irritating demon.“If I have to shut you up one more time…”

“You will stick the barrel of your gun down my throat and silence me forever. Yeah, I get it, boss.” Though the often repeated threat didn’t stop Rat from grinning mischievously. He zipped up his jacket to cover up the fact that he carried a gun, maybe several knives and a multitude of other illegal weapons he liked to keep close. He was more paranoid than I was. “Detective Daltry,” he greeted Michael as he joined our small group.

Michael glanced at Rat and then his eyes rested on Dacio. He did not look happy to see the club owner. Jealousy flashed across his features. Dacio smiled at him in what he hoped was an innocent, friendly welcome.

Turning to face me, Michael spoke softly, as if we were alone. “Quite a crowd out there, Professor.”