The Black Angel (The St. Ives Family Series: Book One) by Barbara Samuel

If you been following my book reviews, you know that Barbara Samuel is one of my go-to authors. Whenever I can’t find anything that appeals to me, when nothing I start to read grabs me, she is one of the authors I know will quickly pull me into a story. Whether it’s one of her contemporary romances, women’s fiction, or historical stories, I’ve never been disappointed in one of her books. And The Black Angel is no exception. This is simply a lovely book that will make you want to curl up on the couch and read all day . . . or well into the night.

As the first in the series, it’s only .99, and I already have Night of Fire (Book #2) on my eReader for the next time I’m searching for something to read.

Enjoy!   Pat Keelyn

Back Cover Blurb
Ardor once foolishly led Lady Adriana St. Ives into the arms of a rake, an affair that cost her everything she held dear. Though that was five years ago, this golden English beauty still vows that no man will ever again ignite the sensual passion hidden deep in her soul–not even her new husband, Tynan Spenser, Earl of Glencove, a darkly handsome and rich Irish rogue.
Known as “The Black Angel” for his wild and lascivious ways, Tynan is as determined to melt his icy bride as she is to resist his seductive charms. Vowing that she will be his in just one hundred kisses, Tynan sets out to win her with a kiss each day–a challenge Riana is sure she can withstand. But the willful beauty has no idea of the power of a single kiss…

My Review
I’m obsessed with apocalypse fiction. (I’m sure a psychiatrist would have a field day with that confession. LOL!) I’ve been reading it for as long as I can remember. So, when a friend mentioned that Nora Roberts had a new apocalypse book out, I was intrigued. I mean, Nora writes wonderfully warm, rich romances . . . I couldn’t imagine her making the leap to the dark side of fiction with an end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it story, and of course, I had to check it out.

So, what did I think? I was impressed. Year One holds its own with the very best of apocalypse fiction: Robert McCammon’s, Swan Song, Stephen King’s, The Stand, and any other number of really good apocalyptic books.

Nora Roberts is an absolute master storyteller. (She’s has, after all, published over 225 books.) This shouldn’t surprise any of her gad-zillion fans, but if you don’t read romance, you might not be that familiar with her. She, however, pulls off this story brilliantly – yes, I’m a bit jealous. Great characters – always the hallmark of good book – an excellent and compelling plot, and very strong writing.

Unless you hate the genre, and I do understand that end-of-the-world stories are not for everyone, I highly recommend you read, or listen (as I did) to Year One.

Back Cover Copy

It began on New Year’s Eve.

The sickness came on suddenly, and spread quickly. The fear spread even faster. Within weeks, everything people counted on began to fail them. The electrical grid sputtered; law and government collapsed—and more than half of the world’s population was decimated.
Where there had been order, there was now chaos. And as the power of science and technology receded, magic rose up in its place. Some of it is good, like the witchcraft worked by Lana Bingham, practicing in the loft apartment she shares with her lover, Max. Some of it is unimaginably evil, and it can lurk anywhere, around a corner, in fetid tunnels beneath the river—or in the ones you know and love the most.

As word spreads that neither the immune nor the gifted are safe from the authorities who patrol the ravaged streets, and with nothing left to count on but each other, Lana and Max make their way out of a wrecked New York City. At the same time, other travelers are heading west too, into a new frontier. Chuck, a tech genius trying to hack his way through a world gone offline. Arlys, a journalist who has lost her audience but uses pen and paper to record the truth. Fred, her young colleague, possessed of burgeoning abilities and an optimism that seems out of place in this bleak landscape. And Rachel and Jonah, a resourceful doctor and a paramedic who fend off despair with their determination to keep a young mother and three infants in their care alive.

In a world of survivors where every stranger encountered could be either a savage or a savior, none of them knows exactly where they are heading, or why. But a purpose awaits them that will shape their lives and the lives of all those who remain.

The end has come. The beginning comes next.

Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher

I read Jim Butcher’s Dresden books years ago and really enjoyed them.  The Codex Alera series, however,  are a different genre of book.  The Dresden books are urban fantasy or supernatural mysteries. IOW, the books are set in the “now” with magic incorporated. Furies of Calderon however is high-fantasy.  So, I was a bit hesitant about jumping into the series.  But, I’m glad I got over my hesitation.

I really enjoyed this book.  Strong characters and writing, a great plot, and Butcher’s totally mastery of his story.  I downloaded a copy from audible, but then went and bought the eBook as well.  I was just too impatient to only listen to the book, so I went back and forth, depending on whether I could listen or read.  Now, I don’t know whether to download the second book in the series — which I plan to do — in audio or as an eBook.  Maybe I’ll do both again.

From the Back Cover

For a thousand years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies—elementals of earth, air, fire, water, wood, and metal. But in the remote Calderon Valley, the boy Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. At fifteen, he has no wind fury to help him fly, no fire fury to light his lamps. Yet as the Alerans’ most savage enemy—the Marat horde—return to the Valley, Tavi’s courage and resourcefulness will be a power greater than any fury, one that could turn the tides of war…

It’s on sale at Amazon and iBooks for 2.99.

Pat Keelyn

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This was so successful last year during the holidays–I got so  many wonderful suggestions– that I thought we should do it again.

Tell me what’s on your eReader for a chance to win an Amazon Gift Card.

I’m always looking for the next great read.  So, share what you’re reading, get me to read it too, and win a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate.

Just post below between now and January 15th, and if I pick your recommendation, I’ll send you the gift certificate. IOW, convince me that what you’re reading is great.  That easy. So give yourself something for the holidays.

P.S.  If I get 25 comments, I’ll up the gift certificate to $25.  (Last year I ended up giving away two $15 Gift Certificates.)

As for what I’m reading . . .

I’m reading something a little different this year, Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher (author of the Dresden Files).  Has anyone else read it?

I really enjoyed the Dresden books, so I picked this up from audible and started listening to it.  Well . . . that was way to slow because it grabbed me right away, and I don’t drive enough.  So, I had to pick up the eBook as well, and now I’m going back and forth.  If you enjoy fantasy, this is a good one.

It’s on sale at Amazon and iBooks for 2.99.

Enjoy the season and don’t forget to let me know what you’re reading.

Pat Keelyn

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I discovered an excellent new (to me) writer a couple of weeks ago — though I have to admit her name is so familiar, I keep thinking we must have met somewhere in the labyrinth of the writer’s world: a conference, workshop, or publisher event.

Anyway, it doesn’t matter.

Somehow, and I don’t remember that either, a copy of Stillhouse Lake showed up on my eReader. No, I don’t think it was magic; it was probably a promotion of some kind where I downloaded the book and then promptly forgot about it. Well . . . for some reason, I started reading it despite the fact I was already in the middle of two books and an audio book. Let me tell you, I was hooked from the very beginning and the two other books, that were good, got put on hold until I finished Stillhouse Lake.

This is such a well written, tightly plotted book with compelling characters. It really is one of the best suspense novels I’ve read this year. I highly recommend it. Oh, and I’ve already preordered the second book in the series (Killman Creek) which comes out on December 14th.  I can’t wait!

So, after you read it, let me know what you think in the comments section below.

P.S.  I’m pretty sure both books are only available through Amazon.  Here is the link, or click on the cover or text links above.

Barbara O’Neal (Samuels) is one of my favorite mainstream women’s fiction authors.  So, when I spotted A Piece of Heaven on a BookBub Special, I snapped it up.  Okay . . . big sigh.  I’ve never read a book of hers that disappointed me. This one was no exception.

This was just a wonderful book about the complexity of relationships, both the good and the toxic. I loved this one, and Barbara is one of my favorite mainstream women’s fiction authors.

I highly recommend it.

Read an Excerpt