'Alien in the Family' Katherine 'Kitty' Katt #3 by Gini KOCH

Received from the Author

From the BLURB:

Super-Being Exterminator Kitty Katt and the Alpha Centaurian she loves, Jeff Martini, should be finalizing their wedding plans. But that was before she discovers Jeff is in line to become Emperor back on his home world. Kitty knows she is everything a royal family wouldn't approve of, and is bracing herself for the worst. As it turns out, the royal family is just the beginning. Especially when extraterrestrial Amazonian terrorists are determined to start and end Kitty and Jeff's nuptial festivities with a bang.

** Contains spoilers of ‘Alien Tango’ **

Kitty’s back, and so is her Armani alien army.

Following the events of ‘Alien Tango’, Katherine ‘Kitty’ Katt and her fiancée, Jeff Martini, are planning the wedding of the galaxy, literally. For Kitty and co it’s going to be a case of something old, something blue, something borrowed and some inter-galactic wedding crashers...

‘Alien in the Family’ is the third book in Gini Koch’s space-spectacular ‘Katherine “Kitty” Katt’ series.

I won’t lie to you, I squealed a little when my letterbox revealed this advanced reader copy for my perusal. And since I'm being honest, I’ll admit that there may have been some happy-dancing involved too. And it turns out that all that squealing happy-dancing was well deserved, because Ms Koch has done it again...

So much happened in the last book. ‘Alien Tango’ introduced us to the wider Alpha Centauri alien race, including Martini’s (dysfunctional) family. A big focus of that book was the social norms and prejudices of the A-C’s, including the perceived prejudice of alien/human couplings. ‘Alien in the Family’ brings the book back to Kitty and Martini, while also expanding the universe. Gini Koch is introducing a whole new crop of characters in this third instalment – from Amazonian assassins to space corgis. She’s also putting Kitty and Martini’s relationship to the test, before they tie the knot.

“I want it in writing, and I’ll be going over it for loopholes.”

He laughed. “Not a problem.” He looked back at Martini. “Okay?”

“No, but we’ll deal with it. Officially, Centuarion unwillingly concedes the C.I.A’s limited authority during a time of interworld crisis.”

“And unofficially?” Chuckie sounded supportive, not challenging.

Martini closed his eyes. “Unofficially,” he opened his eyes, “help us. Please.”

In ‘Alien Tango’, Koch introduced us to the character of Chuckie. Chuckie is Kitty’s best friend from high school, who was mentioned in ‘Touched by an Alien’, but made his first appearance in ‘Tango’. For a long time Kitty thought of Chuckie as her rich, globetrotting bestie – the man she had one (spectacular) one-night-stand with, and was perhaps even maybe subconsciously pining for. Until Jeffrey Martini came along – in all his suited Neanderthal glory. But much was revealed in ‘Tango’, about Chuckie’s occupation, and his feelings for Kitty – which resulted in a marriage proposal, and one very unhappy Martini.

I love Chuckie’s character, both for his very Kitty-like sense of humour, and the role he plays in causing some delicious tension between Kitty and Martini. One of the best things about ‘Touched by an Alien’ was the immediate intimacy between Kitty and Martini. Martini was literally proposing to Kitty from the get-go, and they’ve both been mutually infatuated ever since. It’s a rather unusual coupling for a series – that the protagonist has found her true love and is sticking with him, no matter what. There’s no will-they-or-won’t-they to Kitty and Martini. There’s just love. That’s not to say there isn’t any tension . . . Koch has written Martini as a deliciously territorial Neanderthal, and Kitty is an alien-magnet who has attracted her fair share of crushes (including Martini’s cousin, Christopher). But Chuckie poses an entirely new set of jealous problems for Martini. Chuckie has known Kitty for longer, they have a romantic history, and in light of recent inter-galactic wedding complications, the human Chuckie could potentially be an easier relationship for Kitty.

I really love that Koch has found new ways to explore and strengthen Kitty and Martini’s relationship. Not only is Chuckie a hilarious addition to the cast (seriously, Martini’s responses to him are priceless!), but his presence has triggered a whole new dynamic between Kitty and Martini.

I thought Koch outdid herself in ‘Alien Tango’ when she introduced a whole cachet of fascinating secondary characters – from alien consciousness ‘ACE’ to hottie agent Kevin. But Koch absolutely goes above and beyond in ‘Family’. Expect to see some very drunk, but very helpful college footballers and a new human addition to the A-C team. But best of all are the fun and furry new characters, named ‘Poofs’. Yes, the name sounds awful out of context, but these alien fur-balls are total scene-stealers, and you’ll finish the book wishing these was a plush Poof doll tie-in.

The stand-out of any Kitty Katt novel is the relationship of Kitty and Martini. These two are the hottest couple in the universe – the Brangelina of outer space, if you will. I am happy to report that Kitty and Martini meet their smut quota in ‘Family’, but readers should also be prepared for some sweet romantic moments that require tissues. Plus, there’s a bonus musical appearance that will send you head over heels.

At this point in the series it should be apparent that Gini Koch can do no wrong. ‘Alien in the Family’ is yet another book-blockbuster of fantastic proportions. Kitty and Martini have one of the most envious fictional relationships and Kitty is the most rockin ass-kicker to grace the space-opera genre. This third instalment is phenomenal, but fans should be warned that an ‘OMIGOD!’ ending will make the months drag by until the December release of ‘Alien Proliferation’.

5/5

'Alien in the Family' is released April 5th 2011

★ 'Alien Tango' giveaway! ★

Before you read 'Alien in the Family' on April 5th, go in the draw to win the second book in Gini Koch's wonderful series ...

I have one copy of 'Alien Tango' to give away to one lucky poster!

All you have to do is ...

★ Become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already)

★ Leave a comment on this post

★ Include a way to contact you (e-mail addy is fine)

★ One post per entrant

★ This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway!

★ Contest closes March 31.

I will announce the winner on April 1st

★ Gini Koch interview + 'Alien in the Family' excerpt! ★

I have a teensy-weensy obsession with Gini Koch and her space opera series, 'Katherine "Kitty" Katt'. Sexy alien men in Armani, thumping Metallica and bad-guys from outer-space! BOOYAH!

I was obsessed from the get-go with 'Touched by an Alien' and I am excruciatingly excited for 'Alien in the Family'. Koch's third book comes out on April 5th ... and I was lucky enough to pick her brain about the upcoming book (and even squeeze an excerpt out of her!)

So without further ado, I give you GINI KOCH! Woo-Hoo!

★

Q: ‘Alien in the Family’ is the third book in the ‘Kitty Katt’ series. Can you give us a little run-down on this new installment?

Sure!

Planning any wedding is hard enough, but Katherine “Kitty” Katt and Jeff Martini have a lot more to worry about than seating arrangements, because multiple interstellar invasions, Alpha Team in mortal peril, and inter-alien conspiracies are all on the guest list -- and the gifts they’ve brought explode.

Kitty and Martini should be happily finalizing their wedding plans. Kitty’s biggest worries should be about winning over Martini’s mother, finding the right dress, and lining up her bridesmaids. But protecting the Earth from assorted alien threats seems to keep getting in the way.

The discovery that Martini is actually a member of the Alpha Centaurion Royal Family carries additional news -- emissaries are on their way to see if Kitty’s royal bride material. And they’re not the only things coming from the Alpha Centaurion system.

Amazonian assassins, spies, alien beasties, shape-shifters, and representatives from the Planetary Council, combined with a tabloid reporter who’s a little too on the mark, create a deadly situation for Kitty and the rest of Alpha Team. When the assassins strike far too close to home for anyone’s comfort, Kitty realizes it’s going to come down to more than flowers -- she’s going to have to face an entire planetary consciousness and dethrone a monarch in order to make it to the church on time.

Kitty’s handling wedding plans exactly how you’d expect -- haphazardly and without any real plan that anyone else would follow. Martini’s not dealing well with the fact that, now that the cat’s out of the bag, Chuckie has absolutely no qualms about calling Kitty into meetings whenever necessary. The families are complaining that they haven’t met each other yet. And someone out there really doesn’t like Kitty, making the folks who didn’t like her in “Alien Tango” seem like amateurs.

All the old characters are back, and there are a lot of new ones. Some of my favorite secondary supporting characters in the series are in this book. Not saying that I don’t love all my characters, ‘cause I do, even the villains, but there are some in “Alien in the Family” that are just so much fun to write that they’re really up there for me on the favorites list.

Q: Can we have a little teaser for what’s to come in “Alien in the Family”?

Surely!

The shockwaves hit and the sky lit up. Animas, Hatchet and Chiricahua Peaks formed a very shallow triangle in the southern parts of Arizona and New Mexico. But this area was a hotbed of alien activity -- most landings happened here, both intentional and of the crash landing kind. No one knew why. I just figured aliens were attracted to mountainous desert areas. Martini said they were attracted to me, but I didn’t really believe him.

If the parasitic super-beings the A-Cs had originally been sent to Earth to deal with kept to this area, too, our lives would be a lot simpler. Sadly, they landed all over the world, but still seemed to prefer the United States in terms of overall percentage of attacks. The U.S. was the immigration country of choice even for alien jellyfish things that turned humans into scary monsters. It made you proud, really.

But what we were seeing didn’t resemble a parasite or a super-being in any way. The lights were a bizarre pattern, but we were high enough up that we could see them clearly. Geometric shapes, interesting and different, but not Earthly. And yet, they were vaguely familiar.

Walkies were crackling. “Jeff, what do you see?” Christopher was shouting.

“Same as you, I’d bet,” Martini said.

“Is Kitty okay? I can’t raise her!” This from Tim.

“She’s fine, Jeff’s got one hand, Reynolds has the other,” Reader replied.

“Nice,” Jerry said sarcastically. “And thanks to the C.I.A. for the head’s up on this one.”

“You all okay?” Martini asked, his voice crisp, annoyed, and all-business. He went into Commander-mode a lot around Chuckie, but always when any of us were in real or perceived danger.

Everyone was confirmed to be still standing on terra firma and seeing a pretty laser light show. “All we need is Pink Floyd playing in the background.”

“You’ve got it on your iPod, I’m sure,” Chuckie said. “You have everything.”

“True.” Chuckie did know me very well. Martini hated that, as well.

Q: In ‘Alien Tango’ fans were introduced to Chuckie, Kitty’s oldest (and previously platonic) best friend . . . can fans assume that Martini won’t appreciate this new man in Kitty’s life?

Not at all. Not only is Martini the jealous type, but because he’s an empath, he’s aware of how Kitty feels about Chuckie. Things Kitty is clueless about, including her own emotions, Martini is not, and, of course, he can read Chuckie’s emotions clearly. Chuckie’s also brilliant and rich, meaning, in Martini’s mind, he’s got nothing special that makes him better than Chuckie. Martini, while an amazing man, is also not really aware of how amazing he is. He’s spent most of his life with a family “keeping him humble for his own good”, and Christopher was more popular with the ladies when they were younger. Kitty’s also intensely proud and protective of Chuckie, making it harder for Martini in some ways. But, you know, part of what makes novels novels is that characters have to change and grow, even if it means taking baby steps. Besides, I like seeing Martini have to work for it.

Q: The character of Christopher has quite the following amongst your fans. I must admit, I have a bit of a soft-spot for him as ‘the one who didn’t get the girl’. Do you have any plans to mate Christopher up with someone? A lucky human or smoking-hot A-C, perhaps?

Yes, Christopher will score a love connection, but I will not say when or who or what book, because I like to live spoiler free. I can say that there’s a lot coming for Christopher in the future, and not just scoring a chick.

While every character has potential to pair up with someone, and the books are science fiction romance, making a love connection isn’t the main priority for most of the main and major supporting characters -- saving the world is. If they happen to find that special someone along the way, booyah!, but it’s not any of their driving forces. Love finds them, basically, they aren’t searching for it, beyond the hopeful “one day my prince will come” sort of thing.

Christopher, btw, having lost his mother and Lissa to death and Kitty to Martini, is of the mindset that he’s going to be single permanently. So he’s really not looking for love in all or any of the right or wrong places.

Q: Your secondary characters are wonderful and plentiful. Gower, Reader, Lorraine and Claudia, not to mention the newbie characters like Kevin and ‘ACE’. Do you have any plans to write spin-off books or short stories for any of these characters?

At this point, no spin-offs are planned. Not saying they can’t happen somewhere in the future, but they’re something that I’d be discussing with my editor and we’d be looking at a lot of things, not only if I actually want to write a spin-off, but is it telling a story separately enough that it would be interesting and exciting for readers.

Right now, I could do an Angela prequel story much more easily than I could do a current supporting characters concurrent story. I am considering who else I could focus on as a spin off, but right now, no one’s doing anything “away” from Kitty enough to be compelling. Depending on how things go in later books, and by later, I mean after Book 6, I could see a possible spin off, but again, it’s something my editor and I haven’t really discussed at this time.

Bottom line: The better the books sell, the more leeway an author has to react to fan requests like spin-offs, one-offs, novellas outside the main storylines, and so on.

Q: Okay, be honest. What are you bribing Daniel Dos Santos with to get him churning out such AWESOME covers for your books?

Awesome is just what Dan does, no bribery involved. He reads the books in full before he does the covers. I think that’s part of why they’re so great -- he’s really capturing the essence of each book, because he’s read each book and so can bring everything into play. (Yes, I won the cover artist lottery, and no, I didn’t bribe anyone to do it, either.)

Q: Music plays a big role in all of your books . . .. especially when it comes to pumping Kitty up for some major alien ass-whooping! Can you tell us what sort of play list we can expect from ‘Alien in the Family’?

Lots of Aerosmith, some Elton John, Billy Idol, the Ramones, some softer rock choices, AC/DC. Oh, and a surprise, live musical guest. (Just because I live spoiler free does not mean I live teaser free.)

Q: DAW have bought book #5 and #6 of the “Katherine ‘Kitty’ Katt” series (which is awesome and well-deserved!). Are there any plans for beyond #6?

I hope so. It all depends on how the books do. I’m mapped out (as much as I map) through Book 12, which my editor has, and I can see through Book 16 at this time. Basically, when I’m writing one book, I can see the next several forming in my mind. As for where I’d end the series by choice (presuming and hoping the series sells well enough for DAW to continue buying books), I’m not sure yet. There’s a wealth of options for Kitty and Company to deal with, especially where I know they’re heading, and I love the characters. So, my guess is that the characters will tell me when they’re tired of the daily grind.

Kitty, btw, shares that she doesn’t intend to get boring or less awesome or stop listening to rock music, so she feels she’ll be rocking in the free world for a long time to come.

'Sing You Home' by Jodi PICOULT

Received from the Publisher

From the BLURB:

Zoe Baxter has spent ten years trying to have a baby, and finally it looks as though her dream is about to come true - she is seven months pregnant. But a terrible turn of events takes away her baby and breaks apart her marriage to Max. In the aftermath she throws herself into her career as a music therapist. When Vanessa, a guidance counsellor, asks Zoe to work with a suicidal teen, Vanessa and Zoe's relationship moves from business to friendship and then, to Zoe's surprise, blossoms into love.

When Zoe allows herself to start thinking of having a family again, she remembers that she and Max still have frozen embryos they never used. Max, meanwhile, has found peace at the bottom of a bottle, until he is redeemed by an evangelical church where the pastor has vowed to fight the 'homosexual agenda' that threatens traditional family values. This mission becomes personal for Max when Zoe and her partner want permission to raise his unborn child.

Sing You Home is an honest and moving story of contemporary relationships and the consequences of love and desire colliding with science and the law. From tragedy to self-discovery and joy, Zoe, Vanessa and Max will realise the undeniable truth - that you can't choose who you love.

Zoe and Max have been trying to have a baby for nine years. Nine years of needles and medicine, IVF treatments and fifteen-thousand dollar injections that don’t work. Nine years until Zoe is the closest she has ever been to becoming a mother . . . 28 weeks pregnant and it looks as though nine years of trying will finally pay off . . . until it doesn’t, and Zoe has a stillborn.

Max has had enough. His wife is forty-years-old now, the wrong side of statistics for successful IVF treatments. He doesn’t want to try for heartbreak anymore. He doesn’t want to try for a baby, and he doesn’t want to try for Zoe either. So he files for divorce.

While Max finds answers at the bottom of a bottle, Zoe trudges through her life believing she has lost her last chance for a baby. And then she meets Vanessa. Vanessa is a school counsellor who has employed Zoe as a music therapist . . . and then she becomes Zoe’s best friend. And then she becomes the one person Zoe can’t live without.

Max drank to forget and to feel. Max drank, and almost killed himself – until Jesus saved him. After a near-death experience, Max is welcomed into the fold of the Eternal Glory Church. Max is born again, and he can see the mistakes he made with Zoe. Mistakes he vows to never make again, now that Jesus is his personal lord and savior.

Zoe and Vanessa are in love, and they want a family. It doesn’t matter that the state of Massachusetts doesn’t recognize their marital status, or that Zoe has never felt more targeted than when she walks down the street holding Vanessa’s hand. They want a family, because they know they have love to give. So when Zoe suggests using her and Max’s remaining three frozen embryos, it seems motherhood is within reach for her once more.

But if Zoe can claim the embryos are hers by biological right, then Max can claim the same. And Max steadfastly believes that Jesus Christ does not want his deviant ex-wife to raise his children in a house of homosexual sin.

I always have to prepare myself for a Jodi Picoult book. Because I know what will happen while I read one of her novels – I will be turned into a blubbering mess as I read vicariously and viscerally about the characters. I know that Jodi Picoult books are mostly formulaic – take a water-cooler issue; leave it to simmer and hit close to home, then sprinkle with a little courtroom drama for a finishing touch. I know this, and yet Picoult gets me every time! Without fail, I will find myself hiccup-crying throughout her books and muttering insults and “oh my gawd's!” through the reading. And she does it to me again in ‘Sing You Home’. . .

The first-half of the book follows Zoe and Max through the stillborn birth of their IVF baby, a tragedy that proves to be the final straw that breaks their nine-year marriage. Picoult’s exploration of IVF and the couples who navigate the peaks and valleys of infertility treatments is interesting in itself.

Picoult writes about infertility from the perspective of the husband. Max has a low sperm count, and when coupled with Zoe’s own infertility issues the pair spend their nine-year marriage in and out of fertility clinics, ruled by Zoe’s ovulation and bankrupted by expensive IVF treatments ($15,000 a pop!). Mostly when infertility is mentioned it’s to the sympathies of the mother who can’t conceive. After all, what is more natural and womanly than childbirth? The very yardstick by which society measures a woman’s femininity and worth. Picoult observes how all-consuming the baby race can be as Zoe admits to letting pregnant friends fall by the way-side out of spite and jealousy over her own inability to conceive. Until, nine years later, Zoe and Max are wholly-consumed by their baby needs. All what’s left in their marriage is scheduled-injections and money crunching for more treatments.

“That’s all I've ever wanted,” I say, as soon as we are alone again. “To have a baby.”

“What if it’s not what I want?”

“It’s what you used to want.”

“Well, you used to want a relationship with me,” Max says, “so I guess we’ve both changed a little.”

“What are you talking about? I still want a relationship with you.”

“You want a relationship with my sperm. This . . . this baby thing . . . it’s gotten so much bigger than the two of us. It’s not even us, in it together anymore. It’s you, and it’s the baby we can’t seem to have, and the harder it gets the more air it sucks out of the room, Zoe. There’s no space left for me.”

Picoult delves in Max’s mindset, at being unable to impregnate his wife. The humiliation of having to fill up a plastic cup and walk into a clinic where everyone knows what goes on behind closed doors. More than that, Max articulates the seemingly overwhelming emphasis that society places on fertility and reproduction. And she raises some interesting points;

Even the sex symbol celebrities who make women swoon, like David Beckham and Brad Pitt and Hugh Jackman, are always in ‘People’ magazine swinging one of their children onto their shoulders. (I should know; I've read nearly every issue in the waiting room of the IVF clinic.) This may be the twenty-first century, but being a real man in still tied to being able to procreate.

All of this is very interesting, and heartbreaking, but not terribly Picoult-esque. Anyone who has read a Picoult book knows that she thrives in the gray areas – her stories burst to life with contentions and tensions. And so I spent the first-half of ‘Sing You Home’ wondering where the drama lay in the heartbreak.

. . . And then Zoe falls in love with a woman, while Max is ‘born again’. Zoe wants to use the embryos she and Max created to get her new wife pregnant.

Ah, there’s that drama!

As the story begins and Zoe miscarries, only to be divorced by her husband, she seems sure to be the wronged party. Readers (the majority of whom will be female) may think the story black and white, Max malicious and Zoe wounded. But Jodi Picoult is best for her shades of gray. She doesn’t give her readers an easy out; her characters are neither heroes nor villains, and she refuses to write situations that have clear paths and obvious conclusions. At least, this is where Picoult normally excels.

I will admit that in ‘Sing You Home’ Picoult is heavy-handed with the religious right. She does portray them as hate-mongers and uneducated bible-thumpers. By contrast, Zoe and Vanessa are two smart, caring and witty young women (a school counselor and music therapist who works with burn victims and abused children, respectively). ‘Sing You Home’ is one of the few Picoult books that occasionally lapses into shades of black and white. . . Admittedly, I am one of those who think that religion has no right to say who anyone should love, let alone marry. I support gay marriage (and wish that Julia Gillard did too). But even I thought that Picoult was painting a very villainous picture of religion in this book.

If reading Jodi Picoult has taught me anything, it’s that there are never just two sides to a story – there’s more like twenty-two. But in ‘Sing You Home’ Picoult seems reluctant to write beyond the open-minded GLAAD (The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and evilly close-minded religious right.

I missed Picoult’s trademark unbiased writing when it came to the politics in ‘Sing You Home’. But that doesn’t mean she didn’t sucker-punch my emotions while reading this book. As always with a Picoult book, I learnt a little something – about IVF treatments, the legal standing of gay couples in America and the religious foundations that inform ‘right to life’ campaigns. I blubbered, I power-read in one day and I definitely intend to pass this book on to friends and family... Picoult may have a formula, but it’s a winning formula to be sure!

4/5

'The Queen's Lady' Tudor Historical Romance #2 by Eve EDWARDS

From the BLURB:

1584 – Surrey, England

When Lady Jane Rievaulx begins service to the Queen at Richmond Palace, she is thrilled at the court’s newest arrival . . . Master James Lacey. Despite her previous courtship with his older brother, James is the man she truly loves. And for his part, he cannot deny his fascination with her. However, James is setting sail on a treacherous journey to the Americas, seeking absolution for what he sees as past sins. But when Lady Jane is forced into a terrible situation by her own family, there is only one man to save her. Will Master James return to his lady ¬- before it’s too late?

It has been months since Lady Jane Perceval (nee Rievaulx) last saw James Lacey, and much has changed in that time. Lady Jane refused to marry James’s brother, Will (now the Earl of Dorset), knowing that his heart belonged to young Ellie Hutton. The couple have since welcomed an heir to Lacey House.

James and his faithful blackamoor servant, Diego, have campaigned for Elizabeth’s army overseas and the young Master has returned home world-weary and haunted by all he has seen.

And Lady Jane has been widowed, with the passing of her dear friend and husband (in faith if not consummation) to stroke. Jane now finds herself at the mercy of her late husband’s money-hungry sons, and so seeks refuge in Elizabeth’s court as one of her ladies in waiting.

But one thing has remained steadfast all this time – Jane is still in love with James. And now an overseas campaign with the Queen’s favourite, Walter Raleigh, sees James Lacey attend court at the Richmond Palace. It is here that he will once again come face-to-face with the only woman he has ever wanted, but could never have. First because she was betrothed to his brother and now because he is not fit company for her gentle self.

‘The Queen’s Lady’ is the second book in Eve Edward’s majestic young adult series, ‘Tudor Historical Romance’.

I adored Edward’s first book in this series, ‘The Other Countess’, and I eagerly anticipated the second book in her compelling new series . . .

It must be said that the historic setting is spectacular. When the YA scene is currently crowded with novels of dystopia, vampires and angels, Eve Edwards has stepped outside the trends and written an historic series that is invigoratingly original.

England during the reign of The Virgin Queen is an inspired timeline. There are still tensions between Catholics and Protestants; England is under conquering threat from the Spanish Armada and expanding her territories to the New World in retaliation. This time period is so fascinating, even more so for it being relatively untouched by the YA genre.

Eve Edwards leaves no stone unturned in this series. She explores every historic crevice – from the grand, to the mundane. James Lacey sets off to the New World to engage with the natives and help Walter Raleigh scout for new colonies. Lacey’s manservant, the African blackamoor Diego, journeys with him to the New World and it’s fascinating to read the juxtaposing thoughts of the slave and his master as they set their eyes on the rich lands of America. . .

“This is a slice of heaven,” remarked James, spitting a pip into the sea.

Diego winced as another salvo echoed in the trees. “Until we arrived.”

Back in England, Lady Jane is in Elizabeth’s court and must manoeuvre herself through various royal politics and practicalities. But many challenges are thrown before Jane; like her late husband’s sons threatening her in the corridors, and unwanted amorous attentions from the Queen’s favourite, Walter Raleigh.

Jane bit her lip to stop her laughter. “It was you, sir, who chose to accost me, not the other way round. You have a jealous mistress.”

He harrumphed, seeing the humour in the situation. “True. You are no longer the naive girl I knew in Yorkshire, are you, Lady Rievaulx?”

“Indeed, no. And you, sir, for all your faults, have always been discerning.”

He laughed at that.“Excellently done, i’faith, a compliment with an insult. Welcome to court, my lady.”

The ‘Tudor Historical Romance’ series is firmly embedded in history, but it is never a history lesson. Eve Edwards never writes a dry fact, and she imbues this old world with spicy love stories and powerful characters. Clearly Edwards is a history-buff, but her characters are never lost amidst the grandiose timeline. Instead, Edwards places her characters at the forefront and interprets great expanses of history and conflict through their eyes, so you occasionally get concise little observations like this one;

With the Protestant Dutch hard pressed in the Low Countries, the Spanish in possession of Dunkirk and Nieupoort, a bridgehead to England should they wish to invade, it seemed to James that God had turned Catholic and was intent on bringing Elizabeth’s nation to its knees.

I love the historic setting of ‘The Queen’s Lady’. But I found myself more invested in the characters of first book ‘The Other Countess’.

I don’t think we got enough of Jane’s voice in this book. In ‘Countess’ Ellie was a prominent and forceful narrator. She was a woman apart in her times – an alchemist’s daughter with a sharp mind and sweet soul, at odds with her role as dutiful daughter and searching bride.

In ‘Lady’, Jane is overshadowed and often hushed by more compelling secondary characters who share the narrating spotlight, and in particular a secondary romance that plays alongside Jane and James’s.

Milly Porter is Jane’s childhood friend and independent businesswoman who runs her own seamstress business. James’s manservant, Diego, used to serve the Porter household before Milly’s father came into traitorous disgrace. When Diego and Milly reunite, there is instant chemistry and protestations of childhood love. I adored this storyline – not only for the forbidden romance between a young British seamstress and a foreigner blackamoor, but because Milly and Diego were such warm characters with a complicated past between them.

Then there is Christopher Turner, local playwright and actor who is friends with Milly, and also happens to be the illegitimate half-brother to the Lacey boys. Christopher ‘Kit’ Turner is dramatic and passionate – a character close to Shakespeare who I am delighted has his own book in this series, coming out July this year.

All of these wonderful, second-fiddle characters enriched the story, but blunted Jane’s character. I don’t think Jane got enough fleshing out or inner monologues. I think that her life was rife with story – a widowed woman (only eighteen!) navigating her way through the Queen’s court and trying to avoid her father’s new wedding prospects for her. There is a lot of story here, but other characters got more page-time and often more interesting plots to play out. Furthermore, I didn’t feel the same spark between James and Jane that I did between Will and Ellie. I don’t think it is helped by the fact that James and Jane first met (and fell in love) in ‘The Other Countess’, and Edwards relies a lot of their current attraction on past encounters from that book. Further hindering the spark of this romance is James’s travels to the New World. . .

However, I loved this book. I'd love any YA book that allows a young man to say “En garde!” and mean it with deadly intent. . . Eve Edwards has captured a period in time and brought it to exuberant life. She has spiced the Elizabethan era with love triangles and unrequited lust as she writes about young people living in extraordinary times. Codpieces, swordfights and Armada’s – oh my!

4/5

★★★ Interview with Marianne de Pierres ★★★

★★★

I recently read Marianne de Pierres's debut YA novel, 'Burn Bright'. This is the first book in what promises to be an exciting and mesmerizing new Australian fantasy series, called 'The Night Creatures'.

'Burn Bright' absolutely blew me away, so I am beyond thrilled to have Marianne here and willing to answer my fan-girl questions!

★★★

Q: How long did it take you to write ‘Burn Bright’ – from concept to final manuscript?

Hi Danielle! Burn bright took almost ten years to write, but in that time I was writing and publishing other novels. It was something that I worked on when I had an inbetween moment. Definitely a labour of love.

Q: How were you first published – agent or slush pile?

Agent. I submitted Nylon Angel, my first novel to Curtis Brown Australia. It was a post apocalyptic cyberpunk novel of the kind that nobody was publishing in Australia, and I was lucky to send it before an agent who knew the international market well. It sold in the UK and they bought World Rights.

Q: Your book covers are amazing! ‘Burn Bright’ is beautiful and steampunk-esque, and the sneak-peak of ‘Angel Arias’ is spine-tinglingly wonderful! Who is your cover artist?

The images were created by the amazing Jaroslaw Kubicki and the design was by Design Cherry. It was a case of my publisher discovering Kubicki’s artwork and knowing instantly that it was a perfect match for the books. I feel very lucky that the pieces fell into place.

Q: Ixion is a paradise for the young. A place where the only beliefs are music and partying. Did you go out and get some first-hand partying inspiration for the various clubs and raves of Ixion?

Well, I was young once ... J and I have three teenage sons. I had a lot of resources to draw on with them.

Q: ‘The Night Creatures’ is your first Young Adult series – is it harder to write for adults or young adults, and what’s been your biggest challenge in writing for a younger set?

Actually, I’ve found it very comfortable. Writing for Young Adults makes you more honest in your word choices. I’m not quite sure how to explain that, other than to note that it’s important to get straight to the heart of what you are saying – teens won’t put up with any rubbish. I like that.

Q: So, while ‘The Night Creatures’ is your first YA series, it’s not your first foray into sci-fi fantasy. You have also written the ‘Parrish Plessis’ and ‘Sentients of Orion’ series’. What is it about Science Fiction and Fantasy that you love so much?

Freedom! I love the imagination and the liberation. You can go anywhere and be anyone in your books. You can bend the rules or make up new ones. It’s challenging and stimulating.

Q: Can you tell us what we can expect from second book ‘Night Creatures’ book, ‘Angel Arias’?

Angel Arias takes place mainly in Retra’s home city, Grave. So it has a creepier tone than Burn Bright. There are no parties and bright lights, only rules and fear. It’s the kind of book you hold your breath all the way through, hoping she gets out.

Q: You have a new Cyber-Western series coming out called ‘Peacemaker’. Can you tell us a bit about it and when we can get our greedy little hands on the first book?

I’m very excited about Peacemaker but its had to take a back seat while I finish the Night Creatures trilogy and write my next two crime novels. I hope to have some news on it later this year but you can read about it here:

I also have an outline for a new YA series called Emo-Trader. I love the ideas behind this one and can’t wait to get to it.

Q: ‘Burn Bright’ is sci-fi with hints of steampunk fantasy. Your other series are cyberpunk mash-ups, and your upcoming series could be called cyber-western. What do you think it is about these dynamic new genres’ that is so fascinating for authors and addictive to readers?

I think cross-genre novels offer unique worldviews that stretch the imagination. It’s just another level of escapism that readers need.

Q: Favourite author(s) of all time?

AC Clarke

Octavia Butler

Q: Favourite book(s) of all time?

Charlotte’s Web

'Cuckoo' by Julia CROUCH

Received from the Publisher

From the BLURB:

Polly is Rose's oldest friend. So when she calls with the news that her husband has died, Rose doesn't think twice about inviting her to stay. She'd do anything for Polly; it's always been that way.

Polly has never been one to conform - it's one of the qualities Rose most admires in her - and from the moment she and her two small boys arrive on Rose's doorstep, it's obvious she is not the typical grieving widow. But the longer Polly stays, the more Rose wonders how well she really knows her. She can't help wondering, too, whether her presence has anything to do with Rose's growing sense that she's losing her hold on her own family and home.

As Rose's meticulously constructed world is picked apart at the seams, one thing becomes clear; once Polly's in, it's very hard to get her out again.

A friend in need is a friend indeed . . . when Rose’s oldest and dearest friend becomes a widow, Rose is there with open arms and a shoulder to cry one. Rose thinks nothing of opening her home up to Polly and her two small boys who have just lost a father.

Rose has always loved Polly’s unique, non-conformist personality. But the longer she stays in Rose’s house, the more it seems she doesn’t quite fit the role of ‘grieving widow’. Polly isn’t acting the way a bereaved wife is supposed to. And when Rose starts to feel redundant in her own home, even neglected as a wife and mother, she can’t help but wonder if Polly is the cause...

Only one thing is certain; ‘their first mistake was inviting her in’.

‘Cuckoo’ is the debut novel from Julia Crouch.

This is one smart and sharp psychological thriller. What makes Crouch’s book such a shiveringly good read is that it’s mired in possibility. The ‘threat’ to our protagonist is a beloved best friend – a friend who has just suffered a crippling loss. Who amongst us wouldn’t lend a hand or open our doors to a friend who is suffering? Therein lays the scare at the heart of ‘Cuckoo’, as Crouch asks the question ‘how well do we know our friends’?

Polly’s disruption to Rose’s home-life is a slow-burning madness. Rose starts to feel insignificant as both a wife and mother when Polly insists on lending a helping hand around the house. Polly helps in looking after Rose’s children; she assists her husband with his work. She cleans the house and prepares dinner . . . and slowly, but surely, Rose starts to feel irrelevant. But how much of it can be attributed to Polly’s grief? Or is it all in Rose’s head?

Things had fallen apart. It was as if she had been brought in because of the absence of a mother. She had the feeling that there was a vacuum where the woman she had thought she was once stood, and that she was now beside it, looking on.

In that case, she thought, who fills the space I occupy now? And this was a question she really couldn’t bring herself to answer.

The blurb (reminiscent of ‘Single White Female’) and cover (complete with garish pink suitcase) and may scream ‘female readership’, but I disagree. Crouch’s debut is chilling and twisted enough to reach across genders and appeal to both men and women. No doubt women will connect more with Rose’s feelings of threatened wife and mother, but men will find a delicious whodunit in Rose’s spiraling paranoia and Polly’s corruption.

Crouch has tapped into a new thriller setting that has already enjoyed prime-time at the box office. ‘The Roommate’ came out recently, and focuses on similar frighteners as ‘Cuckoo’. The horror lies in the familiar – when we feel threatened in our own home, by the very people we call friend.

5/5