Grave Mercy Review

Author: Robin LaFevers

Date of Publish: 3rd pril 2012

Genre: Historical 

Source: Netgalley

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Book Summary

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

Source: Goodreads

My Review:

I enjoyed reading this boook. It's told in Ismae's POV present, who is Death's daughter. Having lost her mother as a child, and the only father,(who happens to be human, so stepdad) she has ever known, doesn't treat her well and never has. He marries her off to a man who a man who mistreats her as well. Fortunately she finds her way to a convent, through a man who rescues her. The convent in itself is an unusual one, where girls are trained to be assasination. The story takes us through Ismae's journey as she trains, her first assignment. As the story progresses, one gets to see Ismae become confident, make her own decisions independent of the convent. 

The R.L. LaFevers did a wonderful job with this story, descriptions were done well.  I symphathised with Ismae, her life before, her life in court even though she was capable of handling everything herself. I look forward to reading the second book in the series. If you are a fan of historical dark stories, I recommend Grave Marcy.

Hollywood Ever After Cover Reveal

 Finally, Sasha Summer's Hollywood Ever After cover reveal is today. Yeah, I know. It's April fool's, but that won't steal the Hollywood Ever After's thunder. Because, IT. IS. GORGEOUS.  So without further ado,  *rolling out the red carpet, checking camera and lights* may I present:

Tagline:

She wasn’t meant for movie stars, Hollywood, or happy endings. And then she met him.

Blurb:

Happy Endings are for fairy tales. Or the movies. Not for real life. At least, not Claire’s life. Even though she’s starting over, she knows better than to want too much this time. But when she falls, literally, into the strong arms of Hollywood’s ‘it’ boy Josh Wiley, Claire’s in for some surprises. Her plans for rest and relaxation are forgotten as one incredible night with Josh becomes two… And her heart begins to want him as much as her body. Will two kids, one bastard ex-husband, and Josh’s juggernaut career mean the end of their affair? Or can Claire find her happy ending after all?


Hollywood Ever After is available to preorder through InkSpell Publishing:

http://www.inkspellpublishing.com/store.html

2012 A-Z Challenge

Today marks the begining of the 2012 A - Z Challenge, and I am really excited to be taking part in it. The reason is that it's going to be a challenge coming up with topics, as I'm not very good at finding blogging topics. There. I said it.  :D Besides, I love a good challenge. :)

A is for Attraction. Such a lovely word. 

Macmillian dictionary, the online version has about four definations.

I'll go with a reason for liking something or for being interested in it


and the other one

a force such as gravity that pulls or keeps things together


Everyone is attracted to one thing or another because you see something valuable in it/them. Speaking for myself, a couple of things make me attracted to someone of something.

An example books: Usually, when I walk into a bookstore, it's the covers that pull the eye. Then I sidle closer, pick the book and read the description. That's when I buy it. It might sound silly, but, for some reason, I can't do otherwise. :) Call it habit.

Another example is what I am attracted to. e.g the opposite sex for the first time or eighth time. The colour of his eyes, the shape of his lips, hair, and the certain angle he tilts his head when talking, ... ok you get the picture ;)

In novels, especially romance, it's all about attraction (and plot). What the hero and heroine see in each other, how gravitational force  pulls their  atoms together. They might start hating each other to death. Even be tempted to smother the other with a pillow while he/she sleeps. Eventually, something always brings them together. Or they might be best friends who've known each other forever, and they realise that whatever characteristics each possesses has played a big part in attraction. Or they meet for the first time, and have that instant attraction.

When I travel to a particular town or country, what might attract me the most is the natives, the weather, the surroundings - personally I am obsessed with baroque buildings/houses - 

So, what attracts you to something, someplace or to someone?