Finished Winter’s Passage by Julie Kagawa. This e-story takes place between The Iron King and The Iron Daughter, the first two books in her Iron Fey young adult series.
In this story, half-human half-fey princess Meghan Chase has promised Prince Ash that she will go to the court of his mother, the Winter Queen. But first, Meghan wants to check on her friend Puck, who was severely injured in The Iron King. Along the way, Meghan and Ash realize that something is chasing them — a Hunter who’s determined to capture Meghan no matter what …
I really enjoyed The Iron King, and I was looking forward to reading this story. Kagawa’s writing is once again beautiful and descriptive, and I love the developing, star-crossed romance between Meghan and Ash. Kagawa also puts her own spin on the idea of the Big Bad Wolf, which was entertaining.
However, I did think that the problem of the Hunter was a little too easily solved. He kind of just goes away after Meghan tells him a crucial piece of info that he didn’t know.
Overall, though, this was a nice bridge story. If you like this series like I do or just want a quick story to read, check this one out.
My grade: B-
Would I read this author again: Yes. I like this series a lot and have the other books in my TBR pile.
Memorable quote: “If there are three things I’ve learned in my time among the fey, they are this: don’t eat anything you’re offered in Faeryland, don’t go swimming in quiet little ponds and never, ever make a bargain with anyone.”
Finished Cowboy Fever by Joanne Kennedy. This is a contemporary western romance.
Jodi Brand has come back to her small Wyoming hometown to start a therapy riding clinic. And who does she run into but Teague Treadwell, a guy that she was once friends with before their relationship ended on a bad note. Now, Teague is all grown up and looking better than ever, and he’s become a successful rancher in the meantime. Jodi and Teague never really got over each other, and they soon resume their relationship. But things quickly take a turn for the worse when there’s a fire on another ranch and Teague’s brother becomes a suspect. When other strange things start happening, it looks like someone doesn’t want Jodi and Teague to be together …
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m a sucker for westerns. I liked a lot of things about this book, including the setting and the descriptions of the animals and ranch life. It was nice learning about how riding clinics like the one that Jodi starts can help folks. I also enjoyed Jodi and Teague’s romance and how Teague is the one who’s really unsure of himself, due to his abusive family history.
However, I didn’t think that the suspense subplot of the fire really added all that much to the story. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like most of the contemporary western romances that I’ve read lately have had some sort of suspense plot in them. I wonder if it’s a genre trend? Plus, there’s a secondary character who is just not sympathetic at all. I know that this character isn’t supposed to be sympathetic, but she came off as really grating and distracting.
Overall, though, if you’re looking for westerns to read, consider giving this book a try.
My grade: C
Would I read this author again: Yes. I’m a sucker for westerns, and I liked a lot of things about the book.
Memorable quote: “God, she’s missed cowboys — real cowboys — and Teague Treadwell was as real as they came.”
Is over at The Romance Reviews. I’m one of the site’s featured interviews for May.
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