The Tin Man – Nina Mason

I reveiwed Nina Mason’s last book here and now I’m going to do her next.

 

Sunday Review – Nina Mason’s The Queen of Swords.

 

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The Tin Man – Nina Mason

http://ninamasonauthor.com/the-tin-man/

Synoposis (taken from Amazon)

Product Description

The last thing Alex Buchanan, the editor-in-chief of a formidable news site, expects as he looks around the newsroom at the bodies of his editors, is that he’ll soon be teaming up with The Ball Buster to solve the crime and stay alive. Well, maybe not the last thing. The last thing he expects is to fall for her or any other woman. Because he’s The Tin Man–a suit of armor without a heart. Or so he believes… The Ball Buster is his private nickname for Thea Hamilton, a smart, gutsy, and insecure investigative reporter for The New York News, America’s newspaper of record. They went out once years ago–an unmitigated disaster during which she jumped all over his case about smoking. When events force them together, they embark on an emotion-charged, high-octane quest for the truth, ending up in bed, but also in the clutches of a sociopathic corporate raider. “Zeus” is obsessed with James Bond and owns a hardcore S & M club in an old fallout shelter. Is he the killer? And, if so, what’s his motive? What he hopes to gain by torturing the journalists is clearer: the proof they’ve uncovered of a corporate takeover scheme that threatens the future of democracy. And he’ll stop at nothing to get it.

Firstly, I told Nina herself that I expected to like this 2nd novel more than her first and I wasn’t mistaken. Now don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed her first novel, The Queen of Swords but I do love The Tin Man just more.

This is a completely different style for Ms Mason and another she has excelled in!

Realistic, believable characters transport you through a variety of twists and turns so complex your head will spin. And yet Nina does it with such style!

Not for the faint hearted, this is a fast paced, dark tale that delves into the very lowest dregs of humanity and pulls you out the other side. There is no cutting corners with the characters, these are not your run of the mill happily ever after sort. They’re real and they’re gritty.

Murder, suspense and political turns wind you deeper into the tangled web of deceit that is portrayed in America today showing the false and sometimes seedy world of journalism and how the “freedom of the press” works, delves and is sometimes denied.

A complicated attraction takes place between the two main characters. One sprouting numerous issues as they try to fight their rising sexual desire for one another whilst investigating the horrendous murders and kidnaps.

For a fiction work, Nina Mason succeeds in raising real issues in a thrilling plot that will have you on the edge of your seat and contemplating the true struggle of the.. umm.. ‘excrement’ attributed to major coporations and press, not just in America but worldwide.

She also hits on mental health and post traumatic stress with a wonderful realism that shows that Ms Mason has yet again done the research involved with two traumatically affected characters.

If you haven’t yet read this then I advise you to waste no time in purchasing it, you won’t regret it!

Sunday Review – The Food and Cooking of Scotland

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So today’s a  little different, right? Instead of just writing a review I did a little something different.

Now I bought it from a local bookshop a few years ago but I found it on Amazon, here..

You can’t review a cookbook without trying out the recipe’s can you, but I worked for a few years as a chef so figured it wasn’t really fair me testing them. So I got my ever-ready, long-suffering husband to play my guinea pig!!! His cookery skills are lowered than zero and so I figured if he could follow the instructions then anyone could.

So we randomly selected two recipes, two recipes that aren’t overly complicated. He got traditional Bannock and Bramble Jam, two things I love!

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The first thing to talk about id the book itself. It has separate sections for mains, appetizers, breads, deserts, drinks. It also has a starting point of 35 pages full of interesting information about Scotland, from their traditions to food to scenery.

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I’m not going to list the entire recipes and methods, it would take forever, if you do want them then drop m a message and I’ll upload them. Instead I’ve loads of pictures to show what husband did.

He said it was easier than he expected. And the results were impressive. I’m very proud and stuffed full of yummy jam and bannock!

 

 

Bannock

 

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You end up with three pans on the go, one is your milk and yeast, you have to leave it to the side to let the yeast activate. Then there’s the glaze for the final part of cooking. Now don’t be afraid of the next bit which involves full fat milk, lard nd butter, this recipe is not for those watching their weight!

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Then the bit of messy as it has to be made into a dough. Knocked back and then put into a warm place for rising. (The yeast has been added by this stage.)

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Once it’s risen you take it out and add in raisins. I don’t know why raisins, I guess you could add in anything or leave it plain if you wanted.

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You let it rest again, so it was back in the airing cupboard. When you bring it out get it on whatever tray or dish you’re going to use.

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We had enough for two.

It goes in at 200c for approx 10 mins and then you glaze, turn the heat down to aprrox190c and leave for 30 mins.

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The jam really is easier than people give it credit for.

Good tip, heat the sugar on a low heat in the oven before you do anything. Wash your fruit. Put them in a pan with a little water and start to boil.

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Once it’s boiling turn it on to simmer for a few minutes then add the warmed sugar from the oven before pushing back to boil. There is no set amount of time to cook, you’ll know as the fruit breaks down. Another tip is to put a little on a cool plate, if it sort of has a skin or crinkling after a minute or so it’s done.

BIG WARNING

You are boiling sugar, that’s incredibly hot!

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Get your jar ready. You’ll want to sterilize it and make sure it has a good seal.

Then you’re ready.

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Spread it on what you want and away you go!

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and there you have it, in one afternoon my non cooking husband made bannock and jam easily from a favourite Scottish cookbook.

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Sunday Review on a Monday morning – 50 Shades of Grey

So Sunday review on a Monday morning?
Well I was certain I was going to review 50 Shades of Grey and in order to do so I had to finish it!!
This time I reviewed slightly differently and reviewed on the first read and as I went along.

Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James

 

“When literature student Anastasia Steele interviews successful entrepreneur Christian Grey, she finds him very attractive and deeply intimidating. Convinced that their meeting went badly, she tries to put him out of her mind – until he turns up at the store where she works part-time, and invites her out.
Unworldly and innocent, Ana is shocked to find she wants this man. And, when he warns her to keep her distance, it only makes her want him more.
But Christian is tormented by inner demons, and consumed by the need to control. As they embark on a passionate love affair, Ana discovers more about her own desires, as well as the dark secrets Christian keeps hidden away from public view .”

“The multi-million copy bestseller soon to be a major movie starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson”

 

 

Here’s my review exactly as it was written as I went along.
Question – Did I like it? Answer still unknoown..

So far I am only approximately 1% of the way in. I try not to make a judgment so quickly and yet already I’m dissatisfied. Ana already is a character I dislike. However the word is perseverance, and so I shall….
So. Chapter one. What can I say? So far I dislike both main characters. I’m also a bit peeved that if Ana is reading questions given to her by Kate for the intereview then it’s crap and this Kate doesn’t deserve to be on the paper. And seriously, no plans for after graduation? Nothing?
The word again is perseverance. So many love this that it surely has to get better?
Shopping list includes, ‘cable ties, masking tape, rope and coveralls?’ and she thinks this is just a standard little out of town shopping trip?

  Oh my God! Perseverance. Reminding myself continually that there has to be something redeeming in this rubbish. It isn’t often that I can’t find anything I like but I’m struggling here. I don’t like the characters. I don’t even like the way the book is written…
I refuse to give up!
21 and drunk for the first time, I think I feel sorry for her. Can’t think if this or Twilight was first but the whole clumsy girl thing has been done.
Ok, can’t keep your hands off, passionate snogging in a lift does kinda work for me.
Still not exactly enjoying this yet but I enjoyed that bit. Yay, for Ana’s inner goddess!!
25% of the way through. They’ve just has sex, normal sex. 21 yr old Ana of the studious, non drinking was also a virgin. Not surprised. It all plays on the old view of the strict librarian taking down her hair, taking off her glasses and turning into a sex God.
Anyway….
The writing style leaves something to be desired, I can’t even pinpoint it but something is missing. I still don’t like the characters and it still feels like a bit of a chore to read and not the pleasant experience reading generally is for me.
I’m intent on finishing this book.
Hmmm… What is there to say so far? The actual characters are still leaving something to be desired. That is not to say that I am not warming to them. A beginning has been made in the complexities of character. We learn as little of Christian Grey’s past, including an inkling of previous sexual relationships. I’m still finding Anastasia Steele dull but there is hinting to more depth of her character. I’m still withholding judgement at this point.
The fully written contract felt wasteful and could have been summed up instead of fully written. There is still that indecipherable something missing from the written format. I can’t place my finger on it yet but there is seriously something bothering me.
Oh, and at this point I am 37% through book one. I’m uncertain yet as to whether I’ll continue with the further books in this series. Never say never, it really depends upon the further 63% that I have yet to read.
“Opal and aquamarine dusk” I mean seriously?
Right, so I’m currently at the start of chapter seventeen and my feelings towards certain characters are in confusion. I still don’t really like them but they are growing on me and they do have depth.
I like the fact that the situation is unique to them both and the idea that they are willing to try to compromise.
I find it relatively easy to relate with Ana’s character a little more, I too would have issues accepting gifts of such high monetary value and many people find it easier to appear more confident and well versed in script as opposed to speaking.
I am making progress in that Grey’s character intrigues me. Everybody loves the fucked up bad boy, right? I’m no exception.
The sex, it’s quality and quantity is not as horrifying as I had first expects. Hearing many things of this series I must admit to some trepidation. I am by no means prudish however there is a thin line between a story with a lot of sex and porn with a bit of storyline. So far there isn’t enough sex in this to be offensive or pornographic, (I’m at chapter 24) however the best writing is during the sexier scenes. It’s an odd sensation to be noticing the writing style so much as opposed to being able to slip wholeheartedly into the plot. This may be the under scoring reason that I find I’m not really enjoying this. I find that more and more plausible, as I’ve stated, there is nothing offensive a far as I’ve read….
We’ll see. Perseverance and all…
Hmmmm. Well that was unexpected. Whilst I have no amazing feelings of love for either Ana or Christian there pain felt very real.
I now have that part of me battling in earnest. I didn’t exactly enjoy this book, I didn’t like the writing style, or the characters particularly. I found I a let down.
And yet I yearn to know what happens.
Holy schmoley I think I’m going to have to buy the next book.
I remain completely undecided and confused over this book. Did I like it or not?
I remain unsure as to whether to continue. Currently my depleted funds refuse to allow me to purchase the next book, especially after wandering into the myriad of Amazon reviews. I know you can’t please everyone but the repetition of accounts and feelings similar to my own concerns me. However I do still desire to continue this unorthodox romance. Troubling… a decision will ultimately be made, but for now I’m refusing the ‘seven shades of sin and fifty shades of fucked up.’

Sunday Review – 27 July 2014

Demon Laird by Kathryn Loch

“They say he made a deal with the devil. Now the devil demands his due.”

“Captured and tortured by the English during Longshanks’s war against the Scots, Ronan MacGrigor finds the strength to escape, only to suffer the fear and rejection of his own clan. Forced to stalk the shadows at night, Ronan becomes a prisoner of illness, fear, and memories.
Fearing for his life, his brother summons a healer whose reputation borders on that of a miracle worker, but she comes from the land of the Sassenach, the very people who tried to destroy Ronan.
A foundling, Lia knows little about wars or politics, she knows only how to treat the wounds they create, and her dedication to healing knows no borders.
But the Demon Laird cannot abide a Sassenach within his home, and when a mysterious plague strikes the villagers, he looks to the woman of an enemy nation to be its cause. Even in the face of Ronan’s hatred of her and the superstitious fear of the clan, Lia knows she must stand for the truth.
Despite their fear of him, Ronan’s only goal is to protect his clan from the vicious war raging around them, but when the enemy is at his gates, the Demon Laird must answer. Lia wages her own war, that of healing the soul of a tormented laird—where all others have fled in terror, she refuses to run.
The villagers whisper of a curse—the Demon Laird made a deal with the devil—now the devil demands his due. “

I do not remember if I purchased this when it was free or maybe only about £1. Either way I bought it on a whim without even reading the product description or any of the reviews.
I was not disappointed!
It was almost instantly that I fell in love with the brothers, Ronan and Aidan, I’ll come back to Aiden later. The prologue starts by explaining to you how they were when they were growing up and introduces you to their mischievous, very different and yet close personalities. The rest of the book then goes on to weave a tale concentrating on their grown lives.
The author, Kathryn Loch, has made even the secondary characters in the book really interesting making you long to know all their story’s.
The heroine in this tale is Lia, an English orphaned healer who travels to the waring Scotland where she knows her heritage will make her untrusted. She isn’t wrong.
Due to his serious injuries resulting from capture, torture and his escape it is not Ronan who decides to send for the healer but his younger brother Aidan. Ronan is instantly suspicious of Lia and demands her immediate removal. As she is feeling worried about having to leave and where she would go she makes herself useful by caring for ill clans-people with an unknown affliction.
We see how she turns their image of her as a witch to the clan accepting her presence as she struggles to cure the ill.  During this we see her continued struggle to both finding the cause of the illness and to allow Ronan to accept her treatment.
I don’t want to give too much away, you’ll have to read it to find out more.
I will say this, finding out that the affliction from which Ronan suffers is Epilepsy, it spoke to me personally. It was intriguing to find out how the illness was portrayed, received and treated.
Coming back to Aidan, he features in his own book, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadowed-Hawk-Legacy-Mist-Clans-ebook/dp/B00K2FCF42/ref=pd_cp_kinc_0 , which I own but have not had the chance to read yet. I love the thought of his ‘birds’.
My overall verdict is that if you haven’t read this then do so. Oh but read http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mist-Warrior-Legacy-Clans-Book-ebook/dp/B00ALD1DIE/ref=la_B008CLDOFC_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406487634&sr=1-2 , it’s the 1st book in the Legacy of the Mist Clans.
Kathryn is a very talented writer who I would strongly recommend. https://www.facebook.com/#!/kathryn.loch.92?fref=ts