Hide Your Heart. Tracey Alvarez

Hide Your Heart
Tracey Alvarez
Published: Icon Publishing
Date: April 18th 2015
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 282
Genre: Contemporary romance
Source: from the author

Alexandra Lauren Knight has reinvented herself in the safety of her rural New Zealand hometown to become Lauren Taylor. She’s cut all ties with her past as a former model whose ex-husband turned out to be ruthless in both the boardroom and the bedroom. While Alexandra allowed other’s expectations to propel her into the spotlight, Lauren prefers the safety of anonymity; restoring classic cars with her brother, and snuggling with her four-year-old son.

Nate Fraser, a burned-out photojournalist, plans to fix up the property next door to Lauren and sell it as a celebrity retreat. Always on the move, Nate is only comfortable with short-term assignments and even shorter-term relationships. But it’s not just his buyer’s tight deadline or that the restoration is far beyond his expertise which turns a short-term project into an ordeal. Nate’s plan of travelling the globe is in jeopardy—created by the intensity of his growing feelings for Lauren and her little boy.

As the sparks of passion ignite between them it reawakens Nate’s long forgotten dream of having a home and family. Lauren must find a way to trust Nate not only with her secrets, but with her heart—before her safe haven is exposed and she can no longer hide in the shadows.

Hide Your Heart is the first in a new series by Tracey Alvarez, Far North.  It is a contemporary romance set in the beautiful New Zealand Northland. I loved the first chapter, it drew me in and I was soon anticipating a good read.

Lauren has escaped from a tough situation with her little boy Drew, all of four years old.  She may have been a top model, but she is no simpering female.  She knows her way around the inside of a car, is a great mother and can use a chain saw with the best of them.  While being competent is great, just to make sure of safety, Drew and Lauren are guarded by Java, a rather big rottweiler. 

Nate has plans to remodel and sell a house, and so set off to lands unknown in war zones wherever to tell the story in photographs.  He doesn't plan to get entangled with a woman who intrigues him and a little boy who manages to worm his way into Nate's heart.  Now what would Steve say about that - Nate's friend and mentor who still lives in Nate's heart and head, even though he died some time ago?

This is a sweet, sexy, well written romance.  If you haven't read anything set in New Zealand then this might be the one.  It has  the flavour of the local setting, loveable characters and a story that I was hooked into and read quickly.  Looking forward to the second one in this series.

One Summer in Venice. Nicky Pellegrino

One Summer in Venice
Nicky Pellegrino
Published: Hachette Australia
Date: April 14th
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 304
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Addolorata Martinelli knows she should be happy. She has everything she thought she wanted - her own business, a husband, a child. So why does she feel as if something is missing? Then when her restaurant, Little Italy, is slated by a reviewer, she realises that she's lost the one thing she thought she could always count on, her love of food.

So Addolorata heads to Venice for a summer alone, aiming to find the ten things that make her happy. Once she's found them, she'll construct a new life around her ten things, but will they include her life in London?

One Summer in Venice by Nicky Pellegrino was an enjoyable read.  It held my attention all the way through.  It is written in the first person so we only really get the view of Addolorata (Dolly), so it left me a little in the dark about what her husband Eden was really like and the reasons for some of his actions.

Addolorata's sister Pieta sends her off on a week's holiday to Venice when things are tumbling down round her. She works really hard and is at the moment the actual bread winner for the family as her husband is still recovering from a back injury.  He thinks Dolly is making him feel guilty and that he is not pulling his weight.  I actually didn't sympathise with him very much, perhaps I wasn't meant to as it was all from Dolly's point of view. However I still wasn't totally sold on him.

In Venice Dolly meets a number of local people who draw her into their lives.  Coco is a mysterious older woman who catches Dolly's attention for her flamboyance in dress and activities.  Later Dolly is caught up in finding out who this woman is and how she fits in with the lives of the other people that Dolly meets.

I liked the setting of the book of course!  It shows Venice from the eyes of tourists but also from the local people that live there.  The way of life, the cooking and socialising permeated this book in a way that I wanted to read every line.  The love of food was obvious.

Dolly sets out on Coco's advice to find out what really makes her happy and eventually she finds a rhythm and does just that, finally deciding by the end of the book what really makes her happy. I enjoyed her new learnings, her new wisdom, her final decisions.

This was the first book by this author I've read, I look forward to reading a few more of her previous books.

Raw. Martin Crowe

Raw
Martin Crowe
Publisher: Trio Books Ltd
Date: 2013
Format: Paperback
Pages: 303
Genre: Autobiography - Sport
Source: Local Library

Raw is a unique book. It details, often with brutal candour, the personal battles of cricket star Martin Crowe since his retirement as a player – depression, launching Cricket Max, the joys of fatherhood, the pleasure and problems he had working for Sky TV, marriage to a former Miss Universe, and, most shockingly, discovery that he was suffering from cancer and how he has gone about beating it.

The cricket side of the book is equally fascinating – a candid examination at the state of the game in New Zealand, discussions about new technology and the spirit of cricket, a behind-the-scenes look at the troubled world of the IPL, and Crowe’s selection of the best 100 players ever and dream teams from the major test-playing nations. He finishes with a chapter for the cricket purist: how to score a test match century.

Raw by Martin Crowe is a bit of everything.  I enjoyed the first part of the book best as this is about his own personal life, his battle with life really.  He was a New Zealand cricketer who was a gifted batsman and as I love to watch cricket I had seen him bat often.

However it is interesting to see the effect it had on him of being called upon to play too early for his country and how being thrust into the limelight and being expected to be a man while really only still a boy had a profound bearing on him.  Some players were very supportive of him, some were mean and bullies.  Sad to read about in top sportsmen.  However Martin Crowe I would sense is a fairly sensitive guy and it may have had more impact on him because of the way he was made.

I also enjoyed reading his thoughts about New Zealand cricket and all the political background to some of the top jobs, there have been times when New Zealand has done very badly in their games and no wonder when you read about some of the background goings on.  I tend to believe Martin Crowe's summing up of much of this as he does give credit to some of the guys I respect and know as the 'good guys', so I felt it was a fair picture, even if its one man's perspective.  

Martin Crowe is obviously creative and gifted so I guess he may have suffered a bit from the tall poppy syndrome in New Zealand.  I found the information of his life after being a player as part of Sky broadcasting team interesting.  I am also pleased that he found happiness with his second wife Lorraine.  Sadly his battle with cancer has been ongoing, while he had hoped that it was tamed, it has returned.  I do not agree entirely with his philosophy around how his sickness was caused, but I know it is one some adhere to.

I was not so much interested in the last part of the book where he picked his all time world and New Zealand cricket teams but I guess for him it was satisfying. 

Sport.

Sophie's Legacy. Lesley Elliot and J. O'Brien

Sophie's Legacy
Lesley Elliot with J. O'Brien
Publisher: Random House
Date: 2011
Format: Paperback
Pages: 263
Genre: Memoir/Crime NF
Source: Local library.

Sophie Elliot had everything to live for - good looks, intelligence, friends, a loving family, a degree and a new job at the Treasury in Wellington.  And then, the day before she left Dunedin to take up that job, she was brutally stabbed to death in her own home by her former boyfriend, Clayton Weatherston.

Weatherston was much older and one of her tutors at the University of Otago.  When the public came to take his measure at the high profile trial in 2009, his narcissistic and manipulative personality stunned the nation.

Sophie's Legacy is not my usual reading fare, I read it for a challenge that I am participating in - The Eclectic Reader Challenge 2014.  I spent a long while in the crime section of our local library looking for a book that I would want to read.  Eventually I picked out this one because I remembered the nights I sat in front of the TV during the news and watched some of the drama play out.  I was one of many New Zealanders  totally repulsed by the narcissism displayed by the murderer.

The book is written by Sophie's mother with the help of William J 'Brien who was a policeman for many years.  Leslie Elliot was in the house the day her daughter was murdered.  It happened upstairs and when she heard the shouts of her daughter she went to help, only to find a shocking scene.  The book details the terrible  murder and the events of that day.

This book is told from the victim's point of view, how that day impacted on her, as you can imagine it affected her severely.  She also shares the details of the relationship of Sophie and Weatherstone, and how the signs were there that he was a highly unstable character, yet with ways about him that sucked young women in.  Sophie herself was highly intelligent, the light of her family's life - she has two brothers and her parents.  I am sure she would have gone on to carve out a wonderful career for herself and to live a very fulfilling life.  All taken from her.

This book highlights the justice system in New Zealand from the victim's point of view.  Everything is geared to the accused, and there were substantial delays while the defence were looking for various things.  The Elliot family were kept in the dark about many happenings, which added to their stress and grief.  The defence set out to make Sophie sound like someone who had provoked Weatherstone into murdering her!  Her diary was taken and made public.  He had the best defence in New Zealand at the time - Judith Albett Kerr QC and Greg King ( who sadly a few years later committed suicide.)  Eventually Weatherstone was found guilty and given an 18 year sentence.

Leslie has begun to work with others setting up the Sophie Elliot foundation to set up prevention education for young women with regards to abuse in dating relationships.  I think she has a book coming out later in 2014 about this.

My heart went out to Lesley and the family, an ordinary everyday family catapulted into  tragedy and the public eye.  Sophie with so much promise her life taken by an abusive man.  It was well worth reading, Lesley made it very real.

Crime - Non Fiction

The Wedding Bees. Sarah-Kate Lynch

The Wedding Bees
Sarah-Kate Lynch
Published: HarperCollins  2013
Format: Paperback
Pages: 340
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Local library

When Sugar Wallace arrives in Manhattan with nothing but a beehive, a secret past and a taste for good manners, life starts to change for the dispirited occupants of 33 Flores Street.

But as love wings its way into their hearts and homes, it flies away from Sugar herself. That is, until a doorman without a door and a certain busy queen join forces in a sting to end all stings. It looks like love might be in the air once more ... but for how long?

I was first lured into this book by the WilliamMorrow The Wedding Bees version that was published in January 2014.  The one I read was published in 2013 by HarperCollins.  At first I liked the WilliamMorrow cover, however as I read the book I came to appreciate the HarperCollins cover with its raised bees on the cover.  So now I really like them both!

Sugar is a wonderful character, she does have a history and this is gradually revealed.  We find out why she is always on the move.  She is a warm, caring character and seems to have a very positive influence on the people that live around her.  She has a hive of bees that she inherited from her grandfather, there is a significant relationship between her and her bees.  The bees have her best interests at heart, and have a lot to say about who she finally chooses to marry. Queen Elizabeth 1 and 6, and all the queens in between keep their eye out for Sugar and her feelings.  

We learn quite a bit of information about bees as we read, it had me stopping to search for some of the honey places mentioned.  This book could sell a lot of honey!

We meet the people who live in the same apartment building as Sugar in New York.  What a motley cast of characters, but they are really like the family Sugar doesn't seem to have, and their community begins to move and change as Sugar interacts with them.

While at first sight this novel seems light, witty and charming - I did like the way some issues are explored, I felt they were important and very well handled.  The sense of values that came through further endeared me.  A delightful read.

Archangel's Storm. Nalini Singh

Archangel's Storm
Nalini Singh
Published: Gollancz 2012
Format: Paperback
Pages:337
Genre: Paranormal
Source: Local Library

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.

Earning Neha’s trust comes at a price—Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare… and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

This is #5 in the Guild Hunter series.  It is the story of Jason - the spymaster for Raphael.  His wings are black and he has learned to walk the shadows and be invisible to those around him.  He is one of the seven, and well respected by friend and foe alike.  Having lost his parents at a very young age he learned to fend for himself, he grew up quickly, but his emotional life is zilch.  He doesn't trust. He is sent to Neha's court to investigate the murder of Eris, Neha's consort.

At court he meets the beautiful Princess Mahiya, niece of Neha.  Mahiya was ripped away from her mother at birth and Neha has been responsible for raising her.  However Mahiya has not had a rosy upbringing, she is the result of her mother and Eris having an affair.  Eris has been imprisoned for 300 years for the deed and Neha has disposed of Mahiya's mother.   While hatred, jealousy and revenge surrounded Mahiya she has chosen to kind and loving, rather than be filled with what drives Neha.  

As Mahiya and Jason work together they come to know each other, Jason recognises Mahiya for all the qualities that she has - he can't ever love her, he believes himself incapable - but he does come to want to be with her and protect her.  Mahiya who is straight talking and not into court politics appreciates Jason's integrity and truth.  As they work together the attraction grows until they are more and more entwined with each other.  They understand each other, both having lost parents at an early age in horrific circumstances.  Jason listens to Mahiya and respects her, something Mahiya has not really experienced. Her life so far has led her to believe she doesn't matter.  I really liked this aspect of the book - the importance of truly listening to someone is of immense importance.

I really enjoyed this book, it was largely set in Neha's court, so there was little of the other seven in it. We were however given brief but satisfying glimpses of Dmitri and Honor, and occasional small walk ons from some of the others.  There is a crime to be solved and the path to it being solved is convoluted and I can't give anything away, although eventually it becomes clear.  While the final battle is bloody, I didn't find it as gruesome as some of the previous books.

I am now fully engaged in the Guild Hunter world, and while the Psy/Changeling series will always be my first preference, the Guild Hunter books will have me waiting for #7 when it comes out later this year.

Guild Hunter Series.

1.  Angel's Blood                                              

2.  Archangel's Kiss

3.  Archangel's Consort

4.  Archangel's Blade

5.  Archangel's Storm

6.  Archangel's Legion

7.  Untitled - out 2014

Archangel's Blade Nalini Singh

Archangel's Blade
Nalini Singh
Published:  Gollancz   2011
Format: Paperback
Pages:  310
Genre:  Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Source:  Local library

The severed head marked by a distinctive tattoo on its cheek should have been a Guild case, but dark instincts honed over hundreds of years of life compel the vampire Dmitri to take control. There is something twisted about this death, something that whispers of centuries long past...but Dmitri's need to discover the truth is nothing to the vicious strength of his response to the hunter assigned to decipher the tattoo.

Savaged in a brutal attack that almost killed her, Honor is nowhere near ready to come face to face with the seductive vampire who is an archangel's right hand and who wears his cruelty as boldly as his lethal sensuality...the same vampire who has been her secret obsession since the day she was old enough to understand the inexplicable, violent emotions he aroused in her.

As desire turns into a dangerous compulsion that might destroy them both, it becomes clear the past will not stay buried. Something is hunting and it will not stop until it brings a blood-soaked nightmare to life once more...

My thoughts
This is #4 in the Guild Hunter books, and it has as its focus Dmitri (vampire) and Honor (hunter). Both have suffered in the past, both are still bothered by the nightmares that haunt them.  They have been cruelly treated, and now they join forces to fight the past.

Dmitri is second in command for the archangel Raphael, and he has featured in previous books.  He is able to give off an amazing scent that seeks to allure hunters.  He has bothered Elena with it since she partnered Raphael, in this book we the reader are given a small inside look at why Raphael allows it.  Dmitri walks a fine line between dark and light, and at any time he could slip into the dark.

Honor has been hurt very badly, however she is not a victim but a survivior, and Dmitri is instrumental in helping her to own that even more.   Honor has a positive impact on Dmitri, and they are destined for each other.  How fully so is revealed by the end of the book.

I liked being able to know Dmitri's back story, and being given a few more hints about Venom and Ilium.  The story itself was fascinating and as they mystery unfurled it kept me reading.

I didn't like the darkness of this book, as it was about Dmitri it was centred more on the vampires, and I am not particularly fond of vampire stories!  It is to Nalini Singh's credit that I want to keep reading this series.  There was a lot of violence and sadism in this book, and while it fit perfectly into the book, I wondered why I was reading it.  The short answer is I guess that I want to learn about this world.  Also light overcomes darkness, evil is overcome by love and goodness.  I missed Raphael and Elena who were only made brief appearances in this book.

Guild Hunter Series.

1.  Angel's Blood                                              

2.  Archangel's Kiss

3.  Archangel's Consort

4.  Archangel's Blade

5.  Archangel's Storm

6.  Archangel's Legion

                                                                      

Review: In Too Deep. Tracey Alvarez.

In Too Deep
Tracey Alvarez
Published: Icon Publishing 2014
Format:E-book
Pages: 240
Genre: Contemporary romance
Source: From author

To save her brother from financial ruin, Piper Harland must do the one thing she swore she’d never do—return to the tiny island home-town where Ryan “West” Westlake crushed her heart. Piper is tough, resilient and a little wild—much like the remote and beautiful Stewart Island where she grew up. As a cop who’s part of the elite New Zealand Police National Dive Squad, bringing the dead back to their families still doesn't stop the guilt she feels over her father’s drowning death. Now nine years later she’s obligated to return to a hostile community as the outsider, and forced to work with the man who was once her best friend and first lover.

West is an Island man, through and through. As owner of the local pub, he lives and breathes the local community, and sure as hell can’t imagine living anywhere else. But most of all he refuses to ever fall for a woman like his flighty mother. He lost Piper once to give her the chance to fulfil her dreams of becoming a cop. But now she’s back for an unexpected six week visit to help her brother—his best mate. Maybe West wants her a little bit, maybe he can’t resist the temptation to tease and touch her, but can he fall in love with such a flight risk?
Saying goodbye the second time might just destroy them both.

My thoughts
Author Tracey Alvarez has succeeded in writing a book that lives and breathes the New Zealand way of life. As an island nation New Zealand is surrounded by water; this novel mainly set in Stewart Island, embodies that outdoor life that many New Zealanders pursue. (Not me, I'm pretty sedate, but I do have men in my family who dive.) Water safety in all its forms is vitally important, this novel highlights the water pursuit of diving, and all its ramifications for adventure and safety. Sometimes I cringe a little when I read a book set in New Zealand, it doesn't feel real to me. However In Too Deep has it right, I believe. It reminds me a little of the Essie Summers books I enjoyed in my youth .... although its far more sensual, hot and sexy! So rugby, whale beaching, Stewart Island foibles, fake New Zealand accents, all played their part in providing the real deal. Alongside the important issue of water safety, another issue explored in this novel is that of guilt. How do you cope with it? How well do you communicate? What are the secrets family members keep from each other? What do we fail to do and why? How big an impact does that have on family members down through the years. The plot is well-developed and there is always plenty happening. The ending is satisfying; finally righting many misconceptions, misunderstandings and bringing a resolution for the guilt experienced by more than one character. The book is very well written - at times I found there was just too many details for my taste - I just wanted the story to move along, the dialogue to keep the movement flowing. A minor point though and only personal opinion. As the story opens Piper is a gutsy woman, while riddled with guilt, hurt by blame, she has made something of herself. A very traumatic experience has helped her to reach out and be there for others. Called home she begins a new part of her life journey, a journey that could lead her to repeating past mistakes or.... finding something new and important. When we meet West we find a tough male, with a definite tender spot, and able to be counted on when needed. Note how he treats Piper when she first returns, yet how he prepares a place for her to sleep! He too must struggle with what has gone on in the past, face what is important to him and reach for it with both hands. With a cast of characters that have stories of their own to be told this is a promising start for début author Tracey Alvarez.

Archangel's Consort

Archangel's Consort
Nalini Singh
Published: 2011
Format:Paperback
Pages: 324
Genre:Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Source: Local library

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil ...A vampire has attacked a girls' school - the assault one of sheer, vicious madness - and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders. The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear. An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed.

My thoughts:
This series is growing on me with every book.  I now most certainly want to keep reading.  I am loving the characters, the action and the wondering about in which direction this series will move next.

Elena grows in beauty and strength as an angel, her trust and loyalty to Raphael is intensifying all the time.  I enjoyed learning a little more about her family, the mystery of her mother, and step sisters.  Her relationship with the seven continues to be fascinating, and she has pretty much won over Raphael's butler.

Raphael continues to be this strong, implacable archangel, yet he has a special place in his heart for Elena, and she is slowly influencing him in ways that can only be promising for his future.  This book's title, Archangel's Consort, sums up Elena's place in Raphael's world.  My prediction is it will even strengthen more in the future.

Elena and Raphael both have pasts with their mothers, both have unresolved business, yet while they have mixed emotions, both have a deep love for their respective mothers.  We are given more of the background of Elena and Raphael with their mothers. This book I hope sets up for further development with Caliane in some future book in the series.

As a reader I can only say that when it comes to a Nalini Singh's series: "I become obsessive!"  I am impelled to read through them rather rapidly.  She writes really well and spins a fantastic story.

Guild Hunter Series.

1.  Angel's Blood                                              

2.  Archangel's Kiss

3.  Archangel's Consort

4.  Archangel's Blade

5.  Archangel's Storm

6.  Archangel's Legion