WWW Wednesday (198)

To play along just answer these three questions:

[x] What are you currently reading?

[x] What have you recently finished?

[x] What are you reading next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss. Lucy Derrick has been shunned the past four years because of one mistake. But, now, her reputation is shifting to one of magic and enchantments. Just started this book yesterday and I'm already in over my head.

02. Recently Finished:
Suddenly Spellbound by Erica Lucke Dean. Quick, easy read about a new sorceress whose father made a marriage arrangement before her birth. Ivie is determined to get out of it though. Somehow.

03. Reading Next:
Wytchfire by Micahel Meyerhofer. A new fantasy novel about dragons and war and all that wonderful stuff. Can't wait to start this adventure, the first in a trilogy.

Suddenly Spellbound

Kindergarten-teacher-slash-sorceress Ivie McKie has officially sworn off magic. With her father back from the dead—just in time for her upcoming wedding to sexy former magician Jackson Blake—Ivie has plotted a course straight to happily-ever-after-ville. And she won’t let anything get in her way this time.

But Daddy Dearest has something sneaky up his sleeve. When “just one more spell” goes horribly wrong and detours her into the path of her father’s dangerously hot new apprentice, Ivie has to scramble to get the magic… and her love life… back on track.

Along the way, she encounters a promise made before she was born, a clan of Scottish sorcerers in kilts, and yet another goat.

*May Contain Spoilers*

 

Erica Lucke Dean writes a fun, laugh out loud, story of seduction, spells, and prenuptial agreements in Suddenly Spellbound. I didn't read the first book, Suddenly Sorceress, but that didn't detract from the novel. Ivie is a young woman who can't seem to stay out of trouble - fires, explosions, sprinkler systems... Not to mention, the FBI. Readers will enjoy watching Ivie as she dodges dangerous situations and tries to keep her magic under control.

 

Ivie McKie is a sorceress whose magic had been blocked most of her life by her father. The same father that accidentally turned himself into a dog and then a cat. Since Ivie's new to the whole 'magic' thing, she doesn't know the rules of society. Especially the part about arranged marriages. Readers will really like Ivie, simultaneously feeling sorry for her and being jealous of her ability to make two smexy men fall for her. (I use the term smexy as a mix of smoking hot and sexy). Ivie is a girl who wants her happily-ever-after and will fight to get it. Though it's hard to fight against someone who's put a spell on you! I'm sure the first book laid a strong foundation for a reader/character connection with Ivie but this book creates that all by itself. The mayhem and madness only add to the excitement, making lovers of chic-lit unable to put it down. The only thing I didn't like about Ivie is her assumption that lying will protect her. And she learns that lesson the hard way.

 

The plot begins with a simple favor for Ivie's dad. But readers will soon realize that nothing is simple when it comes to Angus. After he puts a binding spell on Ivie (one that he doesn't quite finish due to broken glass), Ivie becomes uncontrollably attracted to Liam though she knows she's in love with Jack, her fiancé. But years ago, Angus made a promise. A promise that demands Ivie's hand in marriage. Maybe a little magic can get her out of this heap of trouble she suddenly finds herself in... but then again... maybe someone will end up as a goat. If that doesn't make you want to read Suddenly Spellbound, I don't know what will. Oh wait! Magical viagra??

 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups



Teaser Tuesday (207)



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm/Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers




Suddenly Spellbound (71% Kindle)
    - Erica Lucke Dean

I didn't think there were enough pieces of my heart left to break, but I was wrong. I couldn't be there to see the disappointment in her eyes when she realized I'd given up.

Sleeper Protocol

Kieran Roark awakens in a wheelchair, unable to remember anything. As part of a classified experiment, he will have one year to learn his identity and recover his memory, or he will be euthanized by the state.

Scientist Berkeley Bennett has one mission: manipulate Kieran’s emotions in an attempt to bring back his memory. But when she falls in love with him, she is forced to make a harrowing decision that may cost Kieran his life.

What Kieran knows could save Earth from a coming war. Whether he believes the future is worth saving is another matter. Racing across an unfamiliar world in a body he does not recall, Kieran needs to discover who he was and, more importantly, who he is.

*May Contain Spoilers*

 

Kevin Ikenberry writes of a future that is peaceful after many years of war, death, and alien invasion in his book Sleeper Protocol. However, some people think that the peace will only last as long as it takes the next wave of alien invaders to reach Earth. Those people want to prepare the world to fight, an action that most have forgotten. And that is exactly where Sleepers come into play.

 

Kieran is the main character of this novel, though readers don't know his name and neither does he. He's the first Sleeper to be awakened for a program that brings soldiers back from the dead in a new and improved replicated body. This is a unique situation because readers get to experience and learn who Kieran is at the same rate that he does. He's on a journey of discovery and readers get to witness him reuniting with himself. This platform creates a strong foundation for a character connection. Especially since he was woken up to save the world. Kieran was a hero in his former life and the people of the future need that heroism. Though Kieran is a bit naïve, falling in love quickly and being too trusting of those around him, he's a good man. He's honest, open, and very loyal.

 

The plot of Sleeper Protocol is like nothing I've ever read about before. Three hundred years into the future, aliens have invaded, flying cars are everywhere, and peace is abundant but on the verge of collapse. The Defense Counsel needs to awaken soldiers from the past in order to inspire the population to fight for their planet. A new experiment has begun in which deceased soldiers are awakened and given a walkabout - a time to find out who they are and integrate. Kieran is the first and he's under heavy observation. Berkeley is sent to make an emotional connection with Kieran in order to promote his integration. Unexpectedly they fall in love, compromising the mission. Also unexpectedly, the Artificial Intelligence embedded in Kieran's brain begins to think she's alive and fights back. Though I fully enjoyed the story, some of the explanations of protocol and missions and technological processes were confusing. It took a bit of the fun away from the story. My favorite part of the novel was Kieran's innate guidance to return to where he originally came from. I found the fact that home transcended death fascinating and original. Sleeper Protocol is a high stakes novel that fights for survival and promises a sequel.

 

Rating: 3/5 Cups