Love Beyond Compare: Book 5 of Morna's Legacy (Scottish Time Travel Romance)

I was too pumped when I realized that book 5 of Morna's Legacy was released. Of course I purchased, downloaded and read right away. Bethany Claire did not let me down.  

No villain here; just character struggles and the question of fate.  The characters stood in their own way.  They overcame a questionable tragedy to see a happy ending. I had moments of laughter and moments of tears.

I liked Jane's character; she showed maturity and understanding while struggling to find her place in the 17th century. Adwen, on the other, was cocky and full of himself; at least that's how he appeared. I love when characters aren't always as they appear to be. And I loved watching Adwen grow; slowly at first and then tragedy pushing him to take the last steps.

Again, If you love time travel and romance, then this series is a must read. If you fell in love with little Cooper, then this is another chance to spend some time with him.   

My only complaint is the lack of time spent in the 21st century. Morna made a short appearance leading the characters to NYC. While the trip made sense, I expected the characters to at least visit their family.

I fell in love with Orick. He was Adwen's right hand man. He is featured in the epilogue, so of course I pre-ordered book 6. Patiently awaiting April 28th, 2015...
 
To read my review of the previous books in this series visit: http://reviewsfromabookaholic.blogspot.com/2015/01/mornas-legacy-series-scottish-time.html

Picture and book description copied from: http://www.bethanyclaire.com/love-beyond-time.php#compare

Book Description:

She left her whole world behind to find the one thing that really matters.

Jane Mitchell has many dreams for her life, but living in the seventeenth century was never one of them. Unknowingly transported through time by the meddling witch, Morna, Jane chooses to stay in the past so she can remain in her beloved nephew's life. Castle life doesn't really suit her, and Jane quickly finds that her love for her family isn't enough to fill her hungry soul. Eager for purpose, she takes work at the village inn. One frigid evening, she takes in the most infuriating man she's ever met...never suspecting for a moment that he could be the one her soul hungers for.

Adwen MacChristy doesn't want to be laird of Cagair Castle. With a youth spent traveling the world and sleeping beneath the stars in the company of loose women, nothing weighs on Adwen's heart like knowing the life he loves is about to come to an end. He would rather spend his days as a penniless wanderer than take on the responsibilities handed to him by his father. On his last night of freedom, Adwen stops at the inn near McMillan Castle and meets the only lass to ever deny his advances, bewitching him in an instant. Suddenly, he finds himself believing that responsibility might not mean a life spent in chains if he has a fiery lass like Jane by his side.

Will Jane allow herself to fall for a man who is the very embodiment of the reckless life she left behind, or will fate make the decision for her when it sends her through time once again?

The Maze Runner (Science Fiction)

A slow start, but I really liked this book. Once the author got going I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I was attempting to piece events and ideas together along with the characters.

This is book 1 of the series. Fortunately, it's not a cliffhanger; the book ends with the characters accomplishing their goal and contemplating their future. 

The epilogue has a sense of intrigue that makes you want to read the other books in the series (which I already have and will be doing soon).

*Spoiler alert*

If I had to play devils advocate I could ask why they had to go through so much trouble just to determine if the characters were strong willed and/or up to the challenge. These were extreme lengths, although, the answer to that may be found in remaining books.

Movie vs. Book

I liked the movie and I felt that it was close enough to the book to pass. It was small differences that irked me though. Examples include:

§  The serum, which was already with the gladers in the book. In the movie, the girl brought the serum down. The movie has the gladers going crazy because of the bites/stings from the grievers, whereas, the book has them responding to memories from the serum.

§  I pictured their dwellings differently then the movie portrayed them. 

§  The maps were a focus and the key to codes needed to exit the maze in the book, not so in the movie, which only used the sequence of the maze as the only code needed.

§  In the movie they did not explain why Alby, who was not a runner, broke his own rule and left the maze. In the book, Minho found a dead griever and Alby was going with him to check it out. He was bitten because the griever was only playing dead.

§  In the book, Thomas didn't defeat the griever by squishing in it between the walls, but by making it jump off the cliff. 

My favorite characters in the book were Minho and Newt. Dashner did a good job with character development, but the movie didn't quite get the characters right in my opinion. Examples include:

 §  Alby, whom was portrayed as a no-nonsense kind of guy with a hidden soft side. While the movie hinted at this eventually, the book showed it from Alby's introduction. In the book, Thomas talked about how Alby was had a chip on his shoulder and about how unapproachable he was. It Was Newt that greeted, showed around and addressed Thomas' questions and/or concerns. In the movie Alby was the welcoming committee. 

§  Then there's Gally. He already had the serum before Thomas came and didn't like him from the door. He remembered Thomas' face from his serum induced memories.

§  The boy who attacked Thomas wasn't coming in from the maze with a bite, but was already bitten and going through the serum induced change when Thomas arrived.

I just listed a few difference….I didn’t want to give everything away. If you don’t mind spoilers, I would   suggest watching the movie first – reading the book first kind of ruins it for you. Then definitely read the book. The book is always better than the movie.

Book description and picture taken from: http://jamesdashner.com/books/maze-runner-series/

Book Description

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift. Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

My Champion (Historical Romance)

Knights of De Ware: Book 1

Not just entertainment - Set in the 14th century, this book discussed equal rights between noblemen and commoners. It also highlighted the appreciation that noblemen should have for commoner contributions.  All issues that are still relevant today.

The heroine in the story had a commoner for a mother. The same mother that left her on her father's doorstep after finding out that her husband renounced his title for her. This left a bad taste in her father's mouth, which in turn, affected her upbringing. 

During her journey through this book, she will begin to question what she's always believed of the lower class. 

The hero in this story refused to live his life belittling/looking down on the less fortunate. It was an ongoing Family joke; they would wager on how many strays he would bring home. He was also in the habit of disguising himself. 

He established himself as the heroine's protector. She was unaware of his identity and assumed him a beggar. 

This book was pretty good overall. There were some slow parts toward the middle, but the author did not let you down. The main characters did what they were able to for the commoners, including leading by example. My favorite quote was: 

“This division of men into noble or peasant overlooks the common bonds between them,” he’d said, clutching her hand. “All men want sons. All women crave affection. All people search for some sliver of importance and immortality. You and I can forge those bonds, if you’ll stand beside me in this.”

The author did a good job with character development; I was able to visualize all the characters and I understood what drove them.  All issues were clearly defined with a dash of comic relief.

Not as good a job on the setting. She described the immediate surroundings, but I wasn't able to picture the overall landscape. Could've been done purposely, but I like details.

I've read other books by Glynnis Campbell that I thoroughly enjoyed, but this one fell a little short - by comparison - for me.

Book description and picture taken from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3206227-my-champion?from_search=true

Book Description:

 

Wealthy and powerful, the de Wares are one of the most respected noble families in England. The heirs to the de Ware legacy—Duncan, Holden, and Garth—are true warriors...and reckless lovers...

Duncan de Ware has sworn to defend those who cannot defend themselves. So when the lovely Linet de Montfort publicly humiliates a notorious sea reiver, Duncan disguises himself as a gypsy and appoints himself her protector. Linet doesn't believe her life is in danger, nor does she wish to associate with a common peasant—no matter how handsome he is.

Impressed by Linet's courage as he is by her beauty, Duncan continues to shadow her despite her protests. But when the reiver abducts her. Linet realizes that her only hope may be to trust the mysterious gypsy with her life—and her heart...

Author's Website: http://www.glynnis.net/books/blog/id/67

The Haunting (Romantic Suspense)

This was a short read; I finished this book in a day! It blends mystery with romance, throws in a dash of eroticism and has its own psycho. It also teaches that you should never judge a book by it's cover.

A must read by Bestselling Author Nicole Garcia.
 
Complaints...I wish there Was more to the haunted house stay, but if I had to be honest, I'm not sure what the author could've added that wouldn't have complicated the ending. Also, I felt that Kelly, one of the female contestants, knew a little too much to have the status she had; she seemed experienced in an area that she shouldn't have been.

I'll leave it at that. I don't want to give too much away.

Book description and picture retrieved from: http://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Nicole-Garcia-ebook/dp/B00P2B2RWQ/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2014

Ever wonder how much your life would change if you won a million dollars? Well, that fantasy is about to become reality for one lucky winner of the new reality game show, The Haunting. Six people will enter the contest, but not everyone will win. In fact, there can only be one winner. A drug dealer, an exotic dancer, a drug addict, an entrepreneur, a district attorney, and a rich kid, are all desperate in some way. Whether they need the money, or are looking for something different and need a break from their boring everyday life. It may seem that these contestants have nothing in common, but that's not the case. They have one very important thing in common, their desperation to win the prize . But, winning the money is going to be anything but easy. Not only will they have to spend a full twenty-four hours together in a haunted mansion, but they will have to overcome their weaknesses and make alliances with their competitors just to survive.

The many people who have visited Waverly Mansion have gone missing and never returned home to their loved ones. Are these contestants so desperate that they would risk their lives just to win money? A million dollars can mean the difference between life and death to some people, but there are many questions you need to ask yourself. Is the money worth the torment and anguish you will have to endure in order to win? What about your life? Is dying the price you are willing to pay in order to win that amount of money? Can these people survive long enough to claim their prize? Or will their desperation take hold of them and sabotage the other's chances at winning the game? Who deserves to win the money when no one is really the person they appear to be?

Author's Website: http://mngarcia325.wix.com/nicolegarcia

Morna's Legacy Series (Scottish Time Travel Romance)

I love time travel and I love Scottish highland stories. With that being said, I must add that I enjoyed this series from USA Today's Bestselling Author, Bethany Claire. Morna, a witch from the 17^th century went forward in time to provide her family assistance from the future. Morna’s goal is to prevent a tragedy that would have killed her whole clan as well as aiding her male relatives in finding love. My favorites were books 1 and 3.

 

 "Love Beyond Time," Book 1, is Bri’s story. 21^st century Bri trades places with her look-a-like from the 17^th century. There is a struggle on both sides of time. Each trying to return to their own time (external struggle) and the “I don’t want to go, but I don’t want to be selfish” element (internal struggle). There is also the element of danger; no story is complete without a villain.

   

 "Love Beyond Reason," Book 2, wasn’t as exciting, but still good nonetheless. The villain from book 1 left behind a mess for book 2 to clean up. Book 2's villain sprouts out of this mess. It focuses on the 17^th century look-a-like, Blaire. There is more time travel and some twists. Bri’s friend, Mitsy, from the 21^st century is introduced. There is villain on villain betrayal. A clan shows its lack of loyalty and Blaire finally gets her guy. The most interesting part is the villain on villain betrayal and the hiccup in the match making department.

There is also a book 2.5 that tells Adele's, Bri's mom, story. I thought Adele would fall for Blaire’s dad, but the closer husband allows her to be closer to Bri. This is the one book that I did not read. It also had good reviews so don’t make my same mistake I did, check it out.

"Love Beyond Hope," Book 3, is awesome. It tells Mitsy’s story and her journey to the past. I love her character. The villain in this story is unsuspected and the author does a good job at not giving it away too early. It features a brother who is wrongly accused, a hardened heart that is softened and friends who are reunited. In the end, Mitsy’s new brother-in-law uses her trip back to the 21^st century to seek medical assistance which then leads to book 4.

"Love Beyond Measure," Book 4, moves kind of slow. It tells Eoghanan’s, Mitsy’s brother-in-law, story. Just when you thought, “no villain, just character struggles,” the villain appears. I fell in love with little Cooper; he is adorable, intelligent and insightful. By the end of the story, Cooper is Eoghanan’s stepson; their honeymoon spot is awesome (I would like to thank Bethany for that imagery). When everyone finally makes it back to the 17^th century, book 3 villain’s helpmate is waiting and wants revenge. Of course Morna is not having that; she makes a guest appearance in the 17^th century to offer assistance.

 "In Due Time," Book 4.5,  tells Jeffery’s story. Jeffery is Cooper’s dad. Confused yet? As I was reading book 4, I was curious as to how that would play out. I don’t want to give too much away, but Cooper gets to enjoy both his dad and step-dad in the 17^th century. If you want to know the details…read the book. Cooper, as insightful as ever, feels that his dad is lonely and seeks help from Morna. As a result, both Cooper’s aunt and her best friend end up in the 17^th century as well. A short novella to fill in the gaps as we await book 5.

What I didn’t like about this series is the lack of explanation for the 21^st century arrivals. While Bri’s story might fly, that doesn’t explain Adele or the presence of anyone else. By the end of book 4.5, there are 9 people spread between 2 clans who all come from the 21^st century. It’s unrealistic for anyone to believe the story of them being from "far away."

My only other complaint would be the character development of Eoghanan. In book 3, I pictured him as being a smaller, more fragile, studious-like person, although, it states that he is taller than his brother. Book 4 fully develops his character for me. Eoghanan gained body and strength in my imagination; His character developed both physically and emotionally between the two books. I saw the character traits from book 3 merge with the man in book 4; meaning that his character development was lacking in book 3 and more developed in book 4 in my opinion.

Overall, a good series! I would definitely recommend to my time travel and/or romance fans. They may have had unrealistic explanations for their presence in the 17^th century, but they were definitely entertaining.

Pictures copied from: http://www.bethanyclaire.com/love-beyond-time.php

Book descriptions can be found here also.

Tourist Trapped (Suspense)

I really enjoyed this book. It had some slow patches, but not enough to deter you. While it can pass as a stand alone book, it left me hanging. I wanted to know how the main characters relationship would pan out. It left them solving the mystery, but still facing danger.

 As soon as I began to feel a sense of phoniness with the responses they received while investigating, it began to become more realistic. I did however feel that the main character’s actions did not match her age, but hey…you're only as old as you feel. 

I’m not one to carry a grudge, nor have I experienced sibling usurping, so I know my opinion is biased, but I thought she was too old to still be feeling the “I hate my dad cause my parents divorced and that’s not my sister” thing. The author laid the issues on thick though to kind of validate her actions. Even if she felt it underneath, she was too old to be acting so petulant about it. The good thing is that the situation made her realize it wasn’t worth it. 

The author did a good job of betraying the main character, Amanda, as a hard-ass and she made me loyal to Chad. Good job with character development!

Patiently awaiting the next installment. There is an excerpt at the end for it and it is definitely a cliff hanger.

Book Description and Picture copied from: http://www.kjklemme.com/tourist-trapped/

Tourist Trapped: Book One in the Trapped trilogy

Crackerjack divorce attorney Amanda Sloane spends her life defending the soon-to-be-ex-wives of Chicago’s upper crust, but her orderly world begins to crumble when her estranged father persuades her to help search for the half-sister she’s resented for thirty years.

Amanda drags along computer-geek-turned-attorney Chad Cooper, and together they chase across the Yucatan, pursuing an ever-changing string of leads. On their trek through the tropics, the duo encounters treacherous alliances, attacks on their associates, and a deadline for a hefty ransom.

Amanda digs up more than clues when their search collides with the past she believed long buried. Old memories chip away at pretenses, threatening to crush Amanda’s carefully constructed life.

Time is running out. When the bullets start to fly, Amanda and Chad wonder: who will escape Cancun?