Melting the Ice Princess: A Review of Sonali Dev's "The Bollywood Bride"

   I’m a total sucker for second chance at love story-lines, and Sonali Dev executes this setup flawlessly in her newest book The Bollywood Bride.

   When Bollywood actress and “Ice Princess” Ria Parkar returns home to Chicago for her cousin’s wedding she is reunited with her childhood friend and former flame, Vikram. Sparks fly between the two as the wedding preparations progress, and Ria is forced to confront the issues of her past as she contemplates walking away from Vikram yet again.

   Sonali Dev is a ridiculously talented writer, and she infuses her characters with such vibrant complexities that I truly felt like I knew them. While the romance is wonderful, (Vikram is a total stud) Dev really excels in portraying Ria’s family, whom she depicts with warmth and tenderness.

   With a passionate, steamy, and sentimental love story, and a look inside Indian-American culture, The Bollywood Bride is a must read for any romance reader. I absolutely loved it, and I cannot wait to read Dev’s next book.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"I'm a Shark!": A Review of Noelle Stevenson's "Nimona"

    Quirky, wonderful, whimsical, weird, but most of all very, very entertaining. "Nimona" by Noelle Stevenson was a short and delightfully fun read. 
    "Nimona" is the story of a girl/shark/cat/dinosaur/mysterious creature that becomes the assistant of notorious villain Lord Ballister Blackheart. Together they take on the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics and Blackheart's former friend and current nemesis Sir Ambrosious Goldenloin. Explosions, science, and adventure ensue.
    "Nimona" is oodles of fun. Now I can't wait to read Stevenson's Lumberjanes.

Duchess of Flawless: A Review of "The Summer Queen" by Elizabeth Chadwick

     I love Eleanor of Aquitaine. Like a lot. It is my personal opinion that she's one of the coolest women in history. (Duchess in her own right, married to two kings, went on crusade all while lookin' flawless.)

I woke up like this

    Needless to say, that I have read A LOT about Eleanor or, as Elizabeth Chadwick refers to her in her book "The Summer Queen," Alienor. However, Chadwick manages to tell the story of Eleanor's early life and marriage to Louis in a fresh and interesting way. Because "The Summer Queen" is the first in a planned trilogy of Eleanor's life, Chadwick is able to take her time telling the story of Eleanor's early life and marriage to Louis VII. Chadwick does an excellent job illustrating the souring of Eleanor and Louis' marriage, and depicting Eleanor's relationship with her volatile sister Petronella.  (Two things other books I've read on Eleanor's life have glossed over.)
    Eleanor is such a captivating figure in history, partly because of her ability to maintain her own power in her marriages to two very powerful men. Chadwick's Alienor is fierce and brave, willing to sacrifice personal happiness for the benefit of her beloved Aquitaine.
    This is my first Elizabeth Chadwick book, but it certainly won't be my last. I can't wait to read "The Winter Crown," the next book in Chadwick's Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy.

Which I just got an ARC of, so yay!

Food for Thought: A Review of "Kitchens of the Great Midwest" by J. Ryan Stradal

    What an incredibly interesting book. After finishing the book, I had to sit and let the whole story process in my brain. "Kitchens of the Great Midwest" is definitely one of the most though provoking books I've read this year. The book tells the story of Eva Thorvland, who has a "once-in-a-generation palate." Eva's story is told through the perspective of those around her, including her father, her cousin, and her teenage boyfriend.
    I decided to read this book after reading Stradal's article "I Was a Midwestern Teenage Foodie," (http://www.buzzfeed.com/jryanstradal/culinary-cosmonauts#.ikA33Ypw3p) which describes Stradal's experience as a "Culinary Cosmonaut." Stradal is an immensely talented writer, and after reading the article, I knew I'd have to read his book.

From "I Was a Midwestern Teenage Foodie"

    "Kitchens of the Great Midwest" is an interesting portrait of cooking, food, and foodie culture.  It is captivatingly readable, and I read it in (almost) one sitting. Stradal has an incredibly evocative way of writing about food. Reading this book was worse than watching the food network on an empty stomach, and I was practically salivating at every culinary creation he described.

Hunky Highlanders and Scary Fairies: A Review of "Beyond the Highland Mist"

    Please excuse me while I go read everything ever written by Karen Marie Moning. I have no idea why I haven't read anything by her before.

Ehhh, maybe I do

    I enjoyed this book far more than I expected to. Reading the synopsis it sounded like an Outlander ripoff, and lots of reviews suggest skipping this book in favor of the later books in the series. Being the completionist that I am, I ignored the reviews and prepared to trudge my way through this book in anticipation of relishing the later books. To my surprise I found myself enjoying this book quite a lot. It was the perfect beach read. Hawk and Adrienne are funny, heartwarming and ~steamy~. Perfect escapism. 
    I can't wait to read the next book, and now I'm dying to read Moning's Fever series, which everyone raves about.

No Guts, No Glory: A Review of "The Last Kingdom" by Bernard Cornwell

    "The Last Kingdom" by Bernard Cornwell is truly exemplary historical fiction. In Uhtred Cornwell has created a compelling protagonist, who lives through some of the most turbulent times in English history. This book has all the blood and guts you'd expect from a book about vikings. (WARNING: this book is definitely not for the faint of heart.)

Also, I've just read that this book is being to be made into a show, so that's pretty cool.

That look is the definition of smolder

    I'm pretty excited to watch the new show based on this book (which seems to be going for a sort of Game of Thrones vibe), and I definitely intend to read the next book in the series "The Pale Horseman."
    "The Last Kingdom" is filled with adventure, and is an example of historical fiction at its finest. Plus, you know Vikings.

Revenge Among The Bright Young Things: Lauren Willig's "The Other Daughter"

How great is this cover?!?!?

    Lauren Willig is probably my favorite author. I reread the first few Pink Carnation books every year, and they always take me to my happy place. Willig's books are always delightful, and her latest book,"The Other Daughter," is her most compelling stand alone to date.
    Set in the 1920's, governess Rachel Woodley discovers her deceased father is not only alive but also an earl. Rachel decides to infiltrate the world of the Bright Young Things, with the help of Simon Montfort, a gossip columnist with his own questionable motives. "The Other Daughter" is wonderfully atmospherice, and easily transports you to the world of the 1920's filled with nightclubs, cocktails, and cigarettes or "gaspers." 
    Since I am such a massive fan of Willig's Pink Carnation series, I was desperately excited to read this book. I brought it on vacation with me, and happily devoured it on the beach with the sound of waves in the background. found it to be the perfect beach read. 
It's a completely charming read. Rachel, the heroine, is likable and relatable, and Simon is certainly swoon worthy. Willig has written that Simon was influenced by Benedict Cumberbatch. 

It's become a bit of a thing among her fans.   

    My only (small) complaint is that I wish the book was a little longer, I think it would have helped some plots (especially the romance) develop more. But overall it's a winsome and wonderful read, prefect for curling up and reading with a cup of tea. Lauren Willig never lets me down.