Bookish Thoughts: A Fistful of Fire by Rebecca Chastain

A puddle of inky atrum pooled in front of a storage closet beside the hotel elevators. ~ Opening of A Fistful of Fire

A Fistful of Fire (Madison Fox, Illuminant Enforcer #2) by Rebecca Chastain

Mind Your Muse Books, 2015

Fantasy; 394 pgs

From Goodreads: 

Madison Fox survived her first week as California’s newest illuminant enforcer, defending her region against imps, vervet, hounds, and one lascivious demon. If her grumpy boss, Mr. Pitt, was impressed, he hasn’t told Madison. In fact, there’s a lot her boss has been closemouthed about, including the dark secret haunting his past.

But Madison’s problems are just igniting. Neighboring regions report an uncharacteristic flare-up of evil, fire-breathing salamanders blaze unchecked across the city, and Black Friday looms. Trapped doing cleanup amid mobs of holiday shoppers, Madison watches from the sidelines as dubious allies insinuate themselves in her region. 

As suspicions kindle and the mysterious evil gains strength, Madison must determine who she can trust—and whose rules to follow—before her region and career go up in flames.

I enjoyed A Fistful of Evil, the first book in the Madison Fox, Illuminant Enforcer, series quite a bit. Madison makes for a great urban fantasy heroine. I enjoy spending time with her and Mr. Bond. A Fistful of Fire was just as good, if not better--keeping me turning pages as fast as I could, sneaking in reading moments whenever I was able (even when I wasn't supposed to). It almost felt like I was reading one of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden novel, the way events unfolded one after the other in the novel, barely giving Madison a chance to breathe. I always end those books out of breath and it was no different with this one.  Madison had her hands full, that's for sure.

In A Fistful of Fire, the reader gets to know a little more about Madison's boss, Brad Pitt (not to be confused with the actor). His shady past is about to make or break him in Madison's eyes, and she has to decide whether she can trust him or not.

Author Rebecca Chastain doesn't take herself too seriously in the series as you can tell by some of the names she gives the characters and by humorous moments throughout the book, and yet there is plenty of action and tension throughout the novel. Madison's life is at stake more than once, and while she may not seem like she always knows what she is doing, she always proves to be resourceful. Perhaps she does not call for help or ask for back up when she should, but given her situation and the politics in play of her region and those nearby, the more she is able to do on her own, the better. Besides, Madison is no damsel in distress, even if she might feel like it sometimes.

I continue to be in awe of Chastain's world building and her cast of characters, both magical and otherwise. I would love to spend more time with the prajurits, to see how Jamie progresses and evolves,  and dive further into the pages of Valentine (who doesn't love a story with a magical book?). I liked getting to know the additional characters as well as some old familiar ones.

I was happy to hear the author is working on a third book in the series. I cannot get enough of Madison and her friends. If you enjoy urban fantasy with a sense of humor, I highly recommend this series.

To learn more about author Rebecca Chastain and her work, please visit the author's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads. 

Source: I received an e-copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

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© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Where Is Your Bookmark? (10/20/2015)

I decided to join in Dewey's Read-a-thon this past Saturday. I hadn't signed up, and so my participation was unofficial and informal. The plans I had for that day had fallen through, and I was feeling kind of bummed as a result. What better way to cheer myself up than to lose myself in reading? I managed to get in about 10 hours of reading, finishing off a book I had begun the night before along with reading another novel. I also read two graphic novels that had been sitting on my TBR shelf for about five or so years. I took frequent breaks, including lunch out and an ice cream run later in the evening. My husband and daughter were pretty good about allowing me to read, although it meant my husband didn't get his nap. I felt a sense of accomplishment when my head hit the pillow Saturday night.

Sunday we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Mouse had fun picking out a couple of pumpkins. This week we hope to make time to carve or decorate them. We finally got the Halloween and fall decorations out of the garage. The candy corn pot holders are now hanging from our front door thanks to Mouse.

I currently am reading Lilith Saintcrow's Hunter, Healer, the sequel to The Society. It is a paranormal romance/thriller sort of book that has me racing through the pages. I hesitate to say too much about Hunter, Healer, given The Society ended with a cliff hanger. The two books really do go hand in hand.  The series features Rowan Price, a psychic much desired by good and evil forces. The books have more of a science fiction feel to them than a fantasy one, given the special ops units and fire power involved. Not my usual type of read, and yet I enjoyed The Society more than I expected and am anxious to see how it all turns out in Hunter, Healer.

First Paragraph of Hunter, Healer:

Kick. Another Kick. Knee. Solid contact. Move in. Move in, get going, do it faster, faster, precise, put your weight behind it, sweetheart! Do it. Punch. Ouch, don't flex your wrist, throw an elbow, keep going, stitch in the side. Move. Move. MOVE!

I stopped here because the next paragraph is more revealing. By revealing I mean it contains a possible spoiler for those who have not (but want to) read the first book.

Teasers from Hunter, Healer at 26% in which we catch Rowan in a reflective moment: 

The old pain rose, and the old rage with it. She stared out at the lights, then reached up and spread her had against the chill glass. Mist outlined her fingers, living warmth meeting cold hardness.



What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

What are you reading at the moment?  Is it anything you would recommend?

I think when I finish Hunter, Healer, I will be ready for something more based in reality. maybe A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding by Jackie Copleton or The Headmaster's Wager by Vincent Lam. Both are calling to me, and rather loudly at that.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday theme is 10 Wishes I'd Ask The Book Genie To Grant Me. This was harder than I thougth it would be.

1. I wish I had a Time-Turner like Hermione Granger's. Then I could get everything done I want to, including make a good dent in my TBR pile plus get all those reviews and posts written in a timely fashion.

2. I wish I had started recording the books I read earlier in my life. I started keeping a reading journal in 2003. So many books read undocumented. It seems a crime.

3. I would love to have a Library Tardis.  Small on the outside, but big on the inside.

4. I would wish for a photographic memory. Or maybe just semi-perfect recall. Just better recall would do. I just think it would be cool.

5. On a more practical note, I would love a book-shelf themed quilt.

6. Who wouldn't want unlimited funds for books? I think this one is self-explanatory.

7. I wish I had read Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace already--and loved it. Okay, so at this point I just want to have the reading of the book behind me.

8. I would love to actually be able to step into the pages of a book and into the world I am reading about, to come and go as a I please.  

9. This is more of a hope than a wish, but I would like to see my daughter find pleasure in reading throughout her life.

10. Along a similar vain, I wish that the non-readers in my life could experience the joys of reading at least once or twice a year--at the very least.

If you had a Book Genie that could grant unlimited wishes, what would you wish for?

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© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Bookish Thoughts on Two Highlander Romances

My Highland Bride (Highland Hearts #2) by Maeve Greyson

Loveswept, 2015

Romance (Historical/Paranormal); 298 pgs

First Sentence: "Have ye e'er seen such a lovely set 'o bosoms?"

Kenna Sinclair knew her time would come to jump back into time to the thirteenth century Scotland where she would join her eldest sister and grandmother, only she didn't know it would be so soon. She isn't exactly happy to be leaving behind the modern conveniences she's grown used to.  Still, fate is fate and her grandmother says it must be so--and so it will be.  The last thing she expects though is to find herself attracted to the clan's man-at-arms who clearly has had his way with many women. Colum Garrison is just as taken with her, of course, and in his heart, knows no other woman will do ever again.

This is the second book in the Highland Hearts series, but my first book by the author. It reads quite well as a stand alone, although I always think with books like this I wish I had read the first to get more of a background, especially when it involves paranormal powers. The author offers some idea in this installment so I wasn't feeling completely lost.  It seems the Sinclair women all have some sort of special ability beyond just the ability to time walk, and for Kenna that means she can read minds--and sometimes manipulate thoughts.  Surprisingly, she does very little of that in the novel.

I admit to being a bit bored with the first quarter of the book. Colum and Kenna meet, fall in love and know they are meant to be together--it's fate, after all. Kenna wants the big gorgeous oaf to propose to her, but he's decided he can't. At least not until he can offer her a proper home. You have to respect a guy who wants to do it right. Only, a new suitor visits the castle, and he will not take no for an answer. Then, things pick up.  Thank goodness because it seemed like everything was a little too easy for the hero and heroine.

I liked Kenna quite a bit. She's an independent thinker, knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to go after it--or him. Colum seems like a really nice guy--strong and fierce in a fight, and loyal.

After reading My Highland Bride, I cannot say I am especially interested in going back and reading the first in the series.  However, knowing what and who will be in the third book . . . Well, that's a different story. The character that most interested me in this novel will be appearing in that one--and I may have to see how that works out.

You can learn more about Maeve Greyson and her books on the author's website. 

Source: I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Bearing It All (A Higlander's Beloved #3)  by Vonnie Davis
Loveswept, 2015
Romance (Historical/Paranormal); 297 pgs

First Sentence: To Ronan Matheson, this was home.

I found the first two books in the the series entertaining, and so was eager to give Bearing It All a try, a novel featuring the middle of the Matheson brothers. Ronan is the most reserved of the brothers, having never quite gotten over his father's death. Like his brothers, he is a Highlander through and through--as well as a bear shifter. One day while in bear form, Ronan was swept off his feet by a French Intelligence officer when she falls from the sky right on top of him. I am not sure who was more surprised.  As the weather takes a turn for the worst, the two are snowed in at Ronan's cabin getaway and the two have no choice but to get acquainted.  Ronan tries to hide his inner bear--a bear that has other ideas.

I wasn't as enamored with this particular installment in the series. Anisa, the heroine, certainly is no damsel in distress even despite her situation. She's been accused of terrorism and wants only to clear her name. She never expected to fall in love with a hunk of a Scot and his needy bear.

I'm finding it hard to explain what bothered me about this book other than to say I felt something was missing. Perhaps it was the fact I had a hard time suspending my disbelief.

[Although I will not give any major plot points away, some of you may find what I write next too much of a spoiler.  Read at your own risk.] 

I had a hard time believing the two did not recognize each other after only a few years apart, especially given how Ronan believed he was in love with her when they first met in France. If they'd been children back then maybe, but as adults?  People don't change that dramatically over a five or six year span of time. At least I can't imagine that happening to these two. I didn't quite buy into how quickly the two fell in love--lust, yes, but not love. Especially not with their backgrounds and baggage. I also had a hard time with how easy the novel came to a resolution, especially given the allegations against Anisa. That whole story line was a little hard to believe, really, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt given the type of book this is. It is a fantasy novel after all.

All of this bothered me. I don't know if it was timing (I was coming off reading a book I really liked when I read this one) or just not the right book for me in general.

What did I enjoy about this book? The flirty and easy banter between the two characters, Ronan and Anisa. Seeing Effie in her pink baffies again (She's always a joy to run into in books--whether she's pulling a dildo out of her purse or using a healing spell) and revisiting some of the characters from the other books was definitely a highlight. I thought Ronan was a great character, and I found the relationship between him and his bear an interesting one. Ronan is very protective of those he loves and very tough, but there is a definite vulnerability there. I think it came out more in Ronan's other half--the bear, something you wouldn't really expect, At least I didn't.

[End of Spoiler]

While I found this book to be disappointing in comparison to the previous books in the series, it did have its moments. If you are interested in reading this series, definitely start with the earlier books.

You can learn more about Vonnie Davis and her books on the author's website. 

Source: I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

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© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Guest Post: My Five Favorite Fantasy Felines by Rebecca Chastain

I am excited to have author Rebecca Chastain here today. I read the first book in her Illuminant Enforcer Madison Fox series, A Fistful of Evil, last year and couldn't resist reading the second book in the series, A Fistful of Fire. I highly recommend her novella, Magic of the Gargoyles, if you want to sample her writing. It's not part of the series, but still a fun read.

Please join me in welcoming Rebecca Chastain to Musings of a Bookish Kitty!

About her latest, A Fistful of Fire: 

Madison Fox survived her first week as California’s newest illuminant enforcer, defending her region against imps, vervet, hounds, and one lascivious demon. If her grumpy boss, Mr. Pitt, was impressed, he hasn’t told Madison. In fact, there’s a lot her boss has been closemouthed about, including the dark secret haunting his past.

But Madison’s problems are just igniting. Neighboring regions report an uncharacteristic flare-up of evil, fire-breathing salamanders blaze unchecked across the city, and Black Friday looms. Trapped doing cleanup amid mobs of holiday shoppers, Madison watches from the sidelines as dubious allies insinuate themselves in her region.
As suspicions kindle and the mysterious evil gains strength, Madison must determine who she can trust—and whose rules to follow—before her region and career go up in flames. 

Sizzling with adventure and sparking with magic, A Fistful of Fire is fused with Madison Fox’s trademark blend of humor and ass-kicking action.

My Five Favorite Fantasy Felines

Several years ago, I took stock of all the books I loved and what they had in common. I wanted to build a list of themes that appealed to me for my own future stories. In the process, I realized another important factor of every story that made my top favorites list: they all had animals; most had cats. Since my cats are an integral part of my life and family, it only makes sense that I would fall for these literary felines, too. In no particular order, here are some of my favorite felines to grace the page.

1. Zanth from Robin D. Owens’s HeartMate. In Owens’s Celta novels, many cats can speak telepathically and enjoy bonding with a human companion. Owens does a beautiful job of capturing the aloof-needy air of cats as well as their self-absorption and random acts of compassion. Zanth is a street-tough cat growing used to the finer things in life, and like many of the “famcats” of Owens’s world, he plays an important part in helping his human find love. These books make me wish I could hear my cats’ thoughts—and so thankful I can’t!

2. Sammy from Piers Anthony’s Isle of View. Out of all the extreme creatures of Anthony’s Xanth novels, the one that I remember clearest over two decades later is Sammy. The cat had the ability to find everything (but the way home). Every time my cats sprawl right in my path, I think of the scene in Isle of View when Sammy finds the perfect spot in the room where no one would step. My cats could use a lesson from Sammy.

3. Fritti Tailchaser from Tad Williams’s Tailchaser’s Song. Every budding fantasy writer pens a story from a cat’s perspective at some point in their career. (No, it was just me? Anyway…) Few can get a story with a cat as a protagonist published as a short story, let alone a full-length novel, but Williams is a master at delving into the minutest details of any world, whether it’s a cyberworld of the future or a fantastic world of cats. Fritti and all the cats of Williams’s world read like real cats, not cats given human thoughts and ambitions. From their body language to their names, Williams creates a rich feline world and a hero tomcat that’s impossible not to love.

4. Peekaboo from Pat Brady’s Rose Is Rose. Okay, so this is a comic and not a novel, but the principles remain the same. Peakaboo is an important part of the ongoing story of Gumbo family, and often can hold her own as a feature character in strips. She embodies the loveable/irritating nature of cats everywhere, and Brady dips inside her head for her believable and funny reactions to human rules.

5. Mr. Bond from my own A Fistful of Evil and A Fistful of Fire novels. Based off my real-life cat, Mack Fu, Mr. Bond is an overweight Siamese-mutt who thinks he’s a kitten. He gives the main character, Madison, affection and a reason to live (to fill his food bowl, of course). He even helps her read, by keeping her lap warm. Though without magical powers of his own, Mr. Bond supports Madison’s new life; as she comes into her powers and embraces her new, dangerous job, Mr. Bond is there to soothe her with therapeutic purrs and to ground her by making sure she sticks to the most important routine: keeping his food bowl full.

Who are your favorite literary felines?

Rebecca Chastain’s debut novel, A Fistful of Evil, is an Amazon Fantasy Bestseller in the United States, Australia, and Canada. She’s been lucky to share her life with many wonderful cats, including the much-missed Big Foot, Happurr, Slim, Wild Thing, Stormy, and Tony. She and her husband are currently the well-trained caretakers of Zenzo and Mack Fu.

You can find Rebecca Chastain at her website, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. 

Thank you, Rebecca, for visiting and sharing your list of favorite literary cats with us!  If you are interested in entering a giveaway for a $25 Amazon Gift Card: a Rafflecopter giveaway. The raffle is open for entries from October 10 to October 16. 

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© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Where Is Your Bookmark? (10/13/2015)

My brother and his wife are in town visiting from the northern part of the state. It has been a couple years since we last saw each other and so we have a lot of catching up to do. Mouse is thrilled to have her aunt and uncle here. We celebrated my brother's birthday at Disneyland last week at his request. Mouse is quite the entertainer all on her own and has kept them busy.

I currently am in between books, having just finished Elizabeth Haynes's Human Remains. I am a little behind in my review writing and am afraid to start the next book until I catch up. Poor memory and all that. I usually stay on top of my reviews better, but it's been so hard to find time to sit and write.  Work is extremely busy as it always is this time of year and with company coming and going, I don't have the time to work on reviews or blog posts at home. I have a feeling it won't let up until after the holidays.

At Suzie Quint's request, I thought I would feature Rebecca Chastain's Fistful of Fire, the second in her Madison Fox series, which I will be reviewing next week. Rebecca will be visiting my blog tomorrow to talk about her favorite literary cats. Tasked with keeping her region clean of evil forces, Madison Fox is an Illuminant Enforcer. She's only been on the job a short time, barely had any training, but she's determined, and it's best not to underestimate her.

First Paragraph of Fistful of Fire by Rebecca Chastain:

A puddle of inky atrum pooled in front of a storage closet beside the hotel elevators. Six fist-size imps bopped around in the atrum, their primordial ooze. In the time it took me to pull my collapsible wand of petrified wood from my back pocket and extend it, a chinchilla-shaped bubble swelled in the atrum, grew glassy ebony eyes, a mouthful of needle teeth, and tiny feet. Soundlessly, it sprang an inch into the air, disconnecting from the puddle and becoming a seventh fully formed imp.

Teasers from A Fistful of Fire at 18%: 

I glared at the book. Being a book, it merely laid there. This was foolish.

"So, O great and wise book, teach me something useful."

Of their own accord, the pages fluttered. I jerked back and eyed the book in disbelief. Had it just sighed at me?

and because I couldn't resist the bookish recommendations (one of which I've read and loved), at 83%:

Val selected Jim Butcher's Storm Front, Robin McKinley's Sunshine, and Robin D. Owen's Heart Mate. He had good taste.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

What are you reading at the moment?  Is it anything you would recommend?

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© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.