Master of Crows by Grace Draven

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 276
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Publication Date: 13th July 2009
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4/5

Master of Crows is an engaging fantasy detailing a battle of wills between a mage and the God who wants to possess him. No man is a match for a God, but with one very special woman standing beside him, he may just stand a chance.

Silhara of Neith is the Master of Crows, a powerful mage living in a secluded ruin with his servant Gurn and his mage-finder dog, Cael. Silhara has an uneasy relationship with the mages of the Conclave, and with the High Bishop, Cumbria of Asher in particular. The mages of the Conclave fear his power, and the appearance of the God Corruption in the sky above Silhara's home has infinitely deepened their suspicions about him.

Martise of Asher is sent into Silhara's home by the Conclave. To all appearances she is there to help Silhara with translations and research in his attempts to rid the world of Corruption, but she is also Cumbria's slave, and has been sent in as a spy with the promise of her freedom in exchange for Silhara's downfall. Silhara, of course, is under no illusions as to her real purpose, though he is unaware of her motives.

As Silhara and Martise work together, poring over manuscripts, and seeking to unlock Martise's 'Gift' (her magic), each falls under the others spell. Martise is not beautiful, but her voice is unlike anything Silhara has ever heard, and something about her draws her to him. She is quiet and polite, but underneath her studied subservience, she is strong minded, and capable of meeting any challenge. He begins to admire her, as at the same time, she starts to see through the coldness of his exterior. 

As their relationship heats up, Silhara is running out of time in his quest to defeat Corruption. The God shows him visions of the power and glory that will come from his submission, and torments his dreams and his waking hours. Silhara has been able to resist these temptations, but the God is determined, and more than capable of taking over Silharas body by force. 

There is real drama in the final battle between Silhara and the God Corruption, and the scenes of that conflict are absolutely cinematic. I must admit however, that I did find them less powerful on an emotional level than when Martise's abilities were first unlocked, because that was just beautiful. Some of my favourite parts of the novel however were the earlier interactions between Martise and Silhara-- particularly a scene long before either makes their feelings known where Silhara stands up for Martise's honour in a fight at the marketplace. I also really liked some of the secondary characters, particularly the servant Grun, who communicates only through gestures. He warms to Martise very early on, and gives her an ally in the house, keeping his master in check.

My only criticism of this book is that I wish it had been longer! Some of the little touches that I enjoyed could have been expanded on more (Grun's romantic relationship; the antagonism between Sihara and Cumbria), and parts of the main story also felt a little rushed. Overall though, this was a really great read with memorable characters, some vivid settings (the kitchen at Neith stands out in particular), and a lovely, sexy romance.

The Soldier's Scoundrel by Cat Sebastian

Genre: Historical Romance (M/M)
Pages: 352
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Publication Date: 20th September 2016
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4/5

Having previously read The Lawrence Brown Affair by Cat Sebastian, I was keen to try one of her other books, and I wasn't disappointed.

The Soldier's Scoundrel brings together two men from very different worlds. Jack Turner is a man who has clawed himself out of hardship to run a business as a private investigator. Drawing on his criminal connections and underworld skills such as housebreaking, and reading a mark, Jack tracks down cheating husbands, blackmailers and the like for society ladies.

He meets the gentlemanly veteran Captain Oliver Rivington when that man turns up at his office, demanding to know what service Jack performed for his sister, which would claim £200 from her household accounts.

Oliver Rivington is a man of good standing in society. He is polite, and honourable, and he longs for the clear morality of ordinary life, away from the battlefields where he earned his limp.

Jack and Oliver begin at loggerheads. Oliver does not trust Jack, his work, or his motives, and Jack himself has a long history of distaste for gentlemen of any kind after a life spent at the mercy of such men. But as Jack's latest case brings them together, neither can resist the growing attraction to the other.

I enjoyed the drama of the society intrigues playing out around the central romance, and the strong bonds of sisterhood that emerge between all of the women whose stories converge in the backdrop, but it was of course the romance that stole the show.

Jack and Oliver are both well-drawn, and interesting characters. Their relationship is a source of passion, and of conflict, and it was exhilarating to follow that growing connection through their many trials. I particularly liked the not-quite-innocence of Rivington, as he impressed his new lover, and the way Jack's growing trust in Oliver allowed him to make himself vulnerable.

Overall, The Soldier's Scoundrel is another fantastic historical romance from Cat Sebastian, which I would highly recommend.

Unmasking the Earl by Elizabeth Keysian

Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Wayward in Wessex #2
Pages: 220
Publisher: Entangled
Publication Date: 15th May 2017
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4/5

Unmasking the Earl is just my type of historical romance: a lust-fuelled slow-burn surrounded by mystery, secrets, and intrigue. 

Ned Turner, the Earl of Stranrear, has gone undercover as a servant in the household of Captain Francis Wycherley: the man he suspects of having involvement in his sister's disappearance. Installing himself within the household under the name of Mr Ganstridge, he hopes to learn the truth of his sister's wherabouts, and bring the rouge responsible to justice.

Ned's suspicions are well founded. Wycherley is a known rake, with attachments to a number of women. But can he really be as reprehensible as Ned fears? The young, innocent Cassandra Blythe certainly does not think so. Cassie enlists Wycherley's help as a tutor in the art of seduction in order to attract her long-term crush, Julian Carnforth. 

Watching in the wings, Ned fears for young Cassie's reputation in the hands of Wycherley, and seeks to warn her off. He may be a servant, but Cassie isn't blind to his broad shoulders, and strong arms, nor to the handsome and determined face behind that reproachful glare. As the tension between them rises, Cassie learns of Ned's disguise, and sets to helping him, and insodoing, places her reputation, and her heart, in more danger than it ever was with Wycherley.

Cassie and Ned's relationship is gorgeously passionate, and absolutely genuine. A scene involving a dripping wet, freshly bathed Ned will in particluar stay with me for a long time! The way that the plot unfolds is hugely satisfying in terms of both the romance, and the mystery, and I loved the subplot involving Ned's sister Georgiana, and the notorious Wycherely. All in all, Unmasking the Earl is an excellent historical romance that is sure to sweep you away!

The Cukoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling)

Genre: Mystery
Series: Cormoran Strike #1
Pages: 550
Publisher: Little Brown
Publication Date: 13th April 2013
Format: Ebook
Rating: 3/5

Review: The Cukoo's Calling introduces us to private detective Cormoran Strike, and his new temporary secretary, Robin. That I begin this review with these characters, rather than the mystery itself, demonstrates exactly where I felt the strength of this book lies. That's not to say that the mystery wasn't good, but that it was the characters that made this book for me.

Cormoran is an ex-military cambridge drop-out, and has just broken up with his gorgeous but difficult wife. Sleeping in his office where he has worked as a private detective since losing his leg in Afghanistan, and hounded by a major debtor, things seem to be falling apart for this scruffy, slightly overweight thirty-something. That is, until a distraught but wealthy client offers a double rate to invesigate the alleged suicide of his famous sister.

Cormoran's new assistant, Robin, has just got engaged to a man who seems like a bit of a dud. He is a litle jealous and suspicious of her work with Cormoran, and it isn't clear if that's because of a suspicion that Robin might be attracted to the man, or because she is actually finding this work fulfilling-- in either case, it's a threat to him taking the number one spot in her life.  Like many readers, I'll be waiting for the break-up, and keeping my fingers crossed for a Robin/Cormoran relationship in later books!

The mystery itself never really felt that exciting or interesting, though the explorations of fame, as experienced by the victim, and those of her acquaintance, are really insightful, creating a sympathetic portrait of the not-always-likeable characters in the music and fashion worlds. The lifestyle of fame and glamour was captured well, and the humanity really came through beneath all the surface glitz.

I would recommend this more for the characters and their relationship drama than for the mysery, but it was still a good read, and I hope to read more books in the series at a later date.