Book Review: The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

At First Sight: Prince Charming is not who you think he is. He isn't always a hero, he doesn't like capes, or perhaps he does. He's a great dancer, he doesn't know how to use a sword. Oh, and his name isn't really Charming.

And he isn't just one prince. 

But don't blame yourself, it's not your fault that the names Prince Liam, Prince Duncan, Prince Frederic and Prince Gustav mean absolutely nothing to you, but they were the ones who rescued Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Rapunzel and Cinderella... only that they never quite got their happy ever afters... 

But, when their luck turns and they stumble into an evil plot, these four Princes set out to save the day and prove just what kind of heroes they can be. 

Second Glance: Sorry, I wanted to keep the plot a little vague because it's so so much fun to discover on your own what this book is all about. 

I'll tell you this, though: It's probably the best thing I have read all year. Its funny and quirky and I loved all the Princes and pretty much everyone, even the bad guys  because they were awesome. The book is full of all the things I've always loved about fairytales but in a fresh twist. 

The Princes were definitely amazing, each in his own way, I don't think I could pick a favorite, I love them all. 

Also, this is the kind a book that anyone can read. I'm so not a middle grader but I loved it beyond words and I can't wait to read more about Liam, Duncan, Frederic and Gustav. The story is self contained and it reaches a great conclusion but it leaves open the door for further adventures and I believe there will be more books, for which I'm very grateful.

After hearing Small (of Small Review) fangirl about The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, I knew I had to read it. And it was all Small promised and more. From page one I fell in love with the book. It was the kind of book I love best at the time I needed it the most. 

By the way, I highly recommend the Audio book version, Bronson Pinchot did a wonderful job giving each prince a personality and accent, and even his girl voices were good! 

Bottom Line: The Heros's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom is fun and sweet, and adventurous, and so much fun. I laughed and giggled and got odd looks from people on the bus because I just couldn't stop smiling. It's that kind of book. I did got teary eyed at one point, too, which goes to show you how much I cared for these guys. 

PS - You can read the first 70 pages or so of the book by clicking here.

Speed Date: An Outlaw's Christmas by Linda Lael Miller

The Deal: Not wanting to go home and settle down at the family ranch, Sawyer McKettrick took his cousin Clay's up on his offer to become the new sheriff of Blue River, Texas (which used to be Clay's job), but he wasn't expected to be shot at upon arrival or the freak snow storm that left him strandled at the town's school house and under the care of Piper St. James. 

Originally from Maine, Piper only came out west because her cousin - and only living relative - Dara Rose convinced her to, so she became the new Schoolmarm, only to slowly realize that she was actually better off back in Maine. The only thing better in Blue River is the closeness to Dara Rose and her daughters. 

Now, she's saving for a return trip home and trying to survive the harsh winter. But then, to top it all off, she finds a stranger half frozen in her doorstep, a stranger that puts in danger not only her reputation but also her heart. 

My Thoughts: For the last couple of years, ever since Christmas Brides, I always look forward to Linda Lael Miller's Christmas story of the year but this time I wasn't quite as charmed with An Outlaw's Christmas as I was with A Lawman's Christmas last year. 

I think that I just didn't feel like I got to know Sawyer or Piper all that well, so I had a hard time believing them together. 

However, the book did had some very nice character and it was good to check in with Dara Rose and Clay, and their friends. It was a sweet book but I kind of expected a bit more since I had enjoyed the previous Christmas stories so much. 

An Outlaw's Christmas comes out September 25th, 2012

What's a Book Speed Date, you ask? It's a quickie review--about 150 words or so--of any genre book (variety is the spice of life, after all).

If you want to join in or just read other speed date reviews, check out The Book Swarm

Book Review: Strobe Edge (Vol. 1) by Sakisaka Io

The Deal: Ninako is a high school student that has never had any experience with love, sure she has a small crush on Ren, the most popular guy at school but all the girls in her grade find him dreamy - though it doesn't seem any of them have ever actually talked to him. 

Things change when Ninako realizes they take the same train after school. Due to a small accident, they start talking, and soon Ninako is really falling in love.

All to the consternation of Daiki, Ninako's best friend who really hopes he could be more.

My Thoughts: All I knew going in was that this was that I liked the cover, but I was happily surprised when I liked the contents too. 

Ninako was funny and cute, neither popular or unpopular and, well, pleasantly average. And she is really enjoying the crazy experience of falling in love for the first time, even if it doesn't always feel so good. 

Ren was really likable too - and I really liked that Ninako starts to like him because he's a very kind person - though he's very reserved and a bit on the brooding side. 

I can't really grade the whole series based on this first volume but I definitely think it's worth checking out. From the vibe I get, I think this is going to be a slow build up kind of story, and fair warning for those who hate love-triangles, since it looks like this series is gearing up to be a love... pentagon. 

Strobe Edge will be released on November 6th, 2012. 

2/3(for this volume)

Book Review: The Rancher's Secret Wife by Brenda Minton

At First Sight: Cheyenne has made some bad decisions in her life and she knows that driving out to see Reese Cooper is probably one of them. 

But Reese, after knowing her all of three hours, offered to marry her so she could get medical insurance while he was away in Afghanistan and she was pregnant. 

So, after learning he was injured overseas, Cheyenne decides to go see him before finding a place to settle down and have her baby. 

Things don't go as planned with Reese or his family - mostly because he never told anyone he had married a Vegas showgirl/waitress - and Cheyenne sort of finds herself staying in town, and enveloped in Reese's big family. 

But they never spoke or planned beyond Cheyenne having the baby and all those things they haven't said are driving them apart. 

Second Glance: I thought this was going to be a completely different story, I think it was because the image in net galley was so small, and I didn't see that this was a love inspired, which means there is a fair bit of religion and God. 

And I honestly don't have a trouble about that, I've read a fair bit of Christian romances and though they are usually really tame, some have been wonderful. This was not the case. The story was okay, the characters were likable enough - though there were a lot of them and they sort of blended together and most weren't memorable. 

The writing and plot were okay though. 

Bottom Line: I had two major problems with The Rancher's Secret Wife. One, the characters were a bit on the bland side and second, it was just a bit boring. I didn't feel much chemistry between Cheyenne and Reese, though they were likable enough I didn't believe them together. 

1/2

Cover Love: Gates of Paradise by Melissa de la Cruz

As you might know, I used to be a huge fan of The Blue Bloods series - I still like the series but I think it has been stretching things a little too much - and one of my favorite things about it is their lovely covers. 

So, today I bring you the cover for the upcoming Gates of Paradise (7th and Last book of the series). 

Isn't it gorgeous? By the bottom of the cover I think this time they characters are going to London! 

Here is the summary, accoridng to Amazon:

Schuyler Van Alen is running out of time. The Dark Prince of Hell is storming the Gates of Paradise, intent on winning the heavenly throne for good. This time he has his greatest angels by his side, Abbadon and Azrael, or as they are known in the coven, Jack and Mimi Force.

Will Bliss and the wolves she has recruited to join her win the battle for the vampires? Is Schuyler prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, the same one Michael was forced to make in Florence so long ago? Love and vengeance, duty and and loyalty, life and death, are all at odds in the gripping, heartbreaking finale of the Blue Bloods series.

Have to admit I'm a bit excited about it! LOL and this is my favorite cover, tied with the one for Van Alen Legacy.