The Maid and the Lover

Death at Sandringham House by C.C. Benison

Here's the blurb:

A MURDER FIT FOR A QUEEN...

When housemaid Jane Bee accompanies the Royals on their annual Christmas jaunt to Sandringham, she believes she's in for a bit of a snooze. Aside from her regular duties, there's nothing much to do in the wilds of Norfolk... until the body of a woman turns up in the village hall - a woman who just happens to be a dead ringer for the Queen, right down to her glittering crown.

While the royal bodyguards tighten their security ans the police concentrate their efforts on a notorious animal rights group. Her Majesty bids Jane to do her own discreet digging. But when Jane learns the origin of the dead woman's tiara, she finds herself suddenly unstitching an upstairs/downstairs tapestry of indiscretions going back fifty years. And then a second brazen murder occurs in the very heart of Sandringham House, and it looks like the coming New Year could be more horribilis than any yet.

It took me two days to read this book, well two afternoons really. I enjoyed the characters, and the setting of the story. The story didn't really do it for me though. I was a little confused at times, but the author did tie everything up for me at the end. I was surprised on who was the criminal.

I wonder if I would have a different opinion if I had read the first book of the series. Usually reading out of order doesn't bother, but I'm just curious if it would have helped.

Rate: 2.5/5




Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
Here's the blurb:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There also exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Among them, none relishes killing their enemies more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood...

The only purebred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But when one of his most trusted fighters is killed- orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate - Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead…

Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn't there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both…

I really enjoyed this book. I did find it a little over the top, but considering it's a paranormal/vampire book, it has to be over the top. I found it dark, I couldn't help myself by imagining it as black and white or being set like a film noir. Something like Robert Rodriguez's movie Sin City. I enjoyed the characters, I thought Wrath behind like the leader that he is, I understood Beth's concern and doubts on what happening, their chemistry was sizzling. My only complaint character wise would be Marisa, I really didn't like her, she got on my nerves and don't get me started on her brother Havers (ok, another complaint). I didn't care for most of the Mr. X scenes, I admit I skimmed through most of them. In my opinion the scene stealer throughout was the book was Fritz, the butler, I really liked him. I can't wait to get my hands on Lover Eternal, but I'm pacing myself...

Rate: 4/5 Keeper Shelf